Iohn the yongest sonne of Henrie the second.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 1.]
[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._]
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ Chinon. Robert de Turneham. Sawmer.]
[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._ Thomas de Furnes.]
Iohn the yoongest son of Henrie the second was proclaimed king of
England, beginning his reigne the sixt daie of Aprill, in the yeare
of our Lord 1199, the first of Philip emperour of Rome, and the 20 of
Philip king of France, K. William as yet liuing in gouernement ouer
the Scots. This man so soone as his brother Richard was deceased,
sent Hubert archbishop of Canturburie, and William Marshall earle of
Striguill (otherwise called Chepstow) into England, both to proclaime
him king, and also to sée his peace kept, togither with Geffrey Fitz
Peter lord chéefe justice, and diuerse other barons of the realme,
whilest he himselfe went to Chinon where his brothers treasure laie,
which was foorthwith deliuered vnto him by Robert de Turneham: and
therewith all the castel of Chinon and Sawmer and diuerse other
places, which were in the custodie of the foresaid Robert. But Thomas
de Furnes nephue to the said Robert de Turneham deliuered the citie
and castell of Angiers vnto Arthur duke of Britaine. For by generall
consent of the nobles and péeres of the countries of Aniou, Maine, and
Touraine, Arthur was receiued as the liege and souereigne lord of the
same countries.
[Sidenote: Strife amongst the English subiects on the other side of the
sea.]
For euen at this present, and so soone as it was knowne that king
Richard was deceased, diuerse cities and townes on that side of the
sea belonging to the said Richard whilest he liued, fell at ods among
themselues, some of them indeuouring to preferre king John, other
labouring rather to be vnder the gouernance of Arthur duke of Britaine,
considering that he séemed by most right to be their chéefe lord,
forsomuch as he was sonne to Geffrey elder brother to John. And thus
began the broile in those quarters, whereof in processe of time insued
great inconuenience, and finallie the death of the said Arthur, as
shall be shewed hereafter.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ The states assembled at Northampton.]
Now whilest king John was thus occupied in recouering his brothers
treasure, and traueling with his subiects to reduce them to his
obedience, quéene Elianor his mother by the helpe of Hubert archbishop
of Canturburie and other of the noble men and barons of the land,
trauelled as diligentlie to procure the English people to receiue their
oth of allegiance to be true to king John. For the said archbishop and
William Marshall earle of Striguill, being sent ouer into England (as
before you haue heard) to proclaime him king, and to kéepe the land
in quiet, assembled the estates of the realme at Northampton, where
Geffrey Fitz Peter lord chéefe iustice was present with other of the
Nobles, afore whom those lords whose fidelities were earst suspected,
willinglie tooke their oths of obedience to the new king, and were
assured by the same lords on his behalfe, that they should find him
a liberall, a noble and a righteous prince, and such a one as would
sée that euerie man should inioy his owne, and such as were knowne to
be notorious transgressors, should be sure to receiue their condigne
punishment.
[Sidenote: Eustace Vescie sent into Scotland.]
They sent Eustace de Vescie also vnto William king of Scotland, to
signifie to him, that king John vpon his arriuall in England, would
satisfie him of all such right as he pretended to haue within the
English dominions. And thus was king John accompted and proclaimed
king of England by the generall consent of all the lords and barons of
the same. The names of the chéefe of those péeres that were sworne (as
you haue heard) are as followeth. Dauid earle of Huntington brother
vnto William king of Scots, Richard earle of Clare, Ranulfe earle of
Chester, William earle of Tutberie or rather Darbie, Walran earle of
Warwike, Roger Lacie constable of Chester, and William de Mowbraie,
with diuerse other, whose names I here omit, bicause I would not be
tedious and irksome to the readers.
Now the king of Scotland being informed by the lord Eustace Vescie (who
had maried his daughter) that there was some hope to be had on his
part, for the recouerie of such seigniories as he and his predecessours
somtime held in England, did further dispatch sundrie ambassadours with
full purpose to send them ouer into Normandie vnto king John, there to
require restitution of the countries of Northumberland and Cumberland,
with their appurtenances, and he promised also by his letters, that
if the same might be granted vnto him, in as ample manner as they had
béene in times past to his ancestors, he would gladlie doo his homage
to king John, as to the true & lawfull king of England for the same,
and furthermore yéeld to him his faithfull seruice against all men, so
often as he should be required thervnto. Howbeit when the archbishop
of Canturburie and the rest of the councell, vnderstood that these
ambassadors should passe through England, they would not suffer them
so to doo, but spéedilie sent Dauid earle of Huntington into Scotland
vnto the king his brother, requiring him earnestlie that he would not
send any ambassadours ouer as yet, but rather tarie, and take patience
a while, till the king should come ouer into England: which (as they
said) he purposed to doo verie shortlie.
King John also hauing vnderstanding of his purpose, sent ouer the said
lord Eustace againe vnto him with the like request, who in such wise
persuaded him, that he was contented to abide a time, in hope of the
better successe in his late attempted suit. And all this was doone
chéeflie by the working of the kings mother, whom the nobilitie much
honoured and loued. For she being bent to prefer hir sonne John, left
no stone vnturned to establish him in the throne, comparing oftentimes
the difference of gouernement betwéene a king that is a man, and a king
that is but a child. For as John was 32 yeares old, so Arthur duke
of Britaine was but a babe to speake of. In the end, winning all the
nobilitie wholie vnto hir will, and séeing the coast to be cleare on
euerie side, without any doubt of tempestuous weather likelie to arise,
she signified the whole matter vnto K. John, who foorthwith framed all
his indeuours to the accomplishment of his businesse.
[Sidenote: Quéene Elianors enuie against Arthur.]
[Sidenote: Constance dutchesse of Britaine.]
Surelie quéene Elianor the kings mother was sore against hir nephue
Arthur, rather mooued thereto by enuie conceiued against his mother,
than vpon any iust occasion giuen in the behalfe of the child, for that
she saw if he were king, how his mother Constance would looke to beare
most rule within the realme of England, till hir sonne should come to
lawfull age, to gouerne of himselfe. ¶ So hard it is to bring women to
agrée in one mind, their natures commonlie being so contrarie, their
words so variable, and their déeds so vndiscréet. And therfore it was
well said of one (alluding to their disposition and qualities,
[Sidenote: _Prep. lib. 2._]
----nulla diu foemina pondus habet.)
[Sidenote: Quéene Elianor passeth into Normandie.]
[Sidenote: The citie of Mauns take. _Matth._ _Paris._ _R. Houed._]
When this dooing of the quéene was signified vnto the said Constance,
she doubting the suertie of hir sonne, committed him to the trust
of the French king, who receiuing him into his tuition, promised to
defend him from all his enimies, and foorthwith furnished the holds in
Britaine with French souldiers. Quéene Elianor being aduertised hereof,
stood in doubt by and by of hir countrie of Guien, and therefore with
all possible spéed passed ouer the sea, and came to hir sonne John
into Normandie, and shortlie after they went foorth togither into the
countrie of Maine, and there tooke both the citie and castell of Mauns,
throwing downe the wals and turrets therof, with all the fortifications
and stonehouses in and about the same, and kept the citizens as
prisoners, bicause they had aided Arthur against his vncle John.
[Sidenote: K. John inuested duke of Normandie.]
[Sidenote: The citie of Angiers taken.]
After this, king John entring into Aniou, held his Easter at Beaufort
(which feast fell that yeare the 18 day of Aprill) and from thence he
went streight vnto Rouen, where on the sundaie next after Easter being
S. Marks day, he was girded with the sword of the dutchie of Normandie
in the high church there by the hands of Walter archbishop of Rouen.
And so being inuested duke of Normandie, receiued the oth according
to the custome, that he should defend the church, and mainteine the
liberties thereof, sée iustice ministred, good lawes put in execution,
and naughtie lawes and orders abolished. In the meane time his mother
quéene Elianor, togither with capteine Marchades entred into Aniou,
and wasted the same, bicause they of that countrie had receiued Arthur
for their souereigne lord and gouernour. And amongst other townes
and fortresses, they tooke the citie of Angiers, slue manie of the
citizens, and committed the rest to prison.
This enterprise being thus luckilie atchiued, the residue of the people
in those parties were put in such feare, that of their owne accord
they turned to their woonted obedience, séeming as though they would
continue still therein. The French king all this while conceiuing
an other exploit in his head, more commodious vnto him than as yet
to attempt warre against the Englishmen vpon so light an occasion,
dissembled the matter for a time, as though he would know nothing of
all that was doone, till the king should be otherwise occupied in
England about his coronation.
[Sidenote: K. John commeth ouer into England.]
In the meane season king John hauing set some stay in his businesse
on the further side of the sea, he left his mother still in Guien, to
defend that countrie against the enimies, and taking the sea, came ouer
himselfe into England, landing at Shorham, the 25 day of Maie. On the
next day, being Ascension éeue, he came to London there to receiue the
crowne. On the morow after being Ascension daie, when the Nobilitie
and commons were assembled, and the king brought into the church of
S. Peter at Westminster there to receiue his diademe; Hubert the
archbishop of Canturburie being chéefe in authoritie and honour, both
for his age and calling, spake these words or the like in substance
before the whole assemblie, as followeth.
Hubert the archbishop of Canturburies oration to the lords spirituall
and temporall in the presence of the king, &c.
Most honorable lords of the spiritualtie, and most graue and politike
péeres and barons of the temporaltie, you are come hither this day to
choose you a king, and such a one as (if néed should require) may be
able of himselfe to take such a charge vpon him, and (hauing vndertaken
the same) readie to execute that which he shall thinke to be expedient
for the profit of his subiects: we haue therefore one present héere
among vs, vpon whome harts and good willes of high and low, rich and
poore, doo generallie depend: a man I doubt not, but that for his owne
part will applie his whole endeuour, studie, and thought vnto that
onelie end, which he shall perceiue to be most profitable for the
common-wealth, as knowing himselfe to be borne not to serue his owne
turne, but for to profit his countrie, and to séeke for the generall
benefit of vs that are his subiects.
And albeit I am sure that you doo well know, how all these qualities
are most abundantlie planted in the person of John duke of Normandie
(a person of high prowesse and no lesse prudence, for the which yée
ought to iudge him right worthie of the gouernement) yet béeing in
doubt least the common fame should carrie you awaie, or least you
should turne your minds to the fauour of an other, as in respect of
some better right, by title of a more lawfull descent of inheritance
pretended by others than he hath to shew, I require you to giue eare
vnto my words: who bearing the state of two manner of persons, ought to
be profitable to my countrie, not onelie by example and exhortation,
but also by loialtie and good counsell, which hitherto I haue euer
studied to performe, and wherein (God willing) I meane to persist, so
long as I shall continue in this mortall and transitorie tabernacle.
Therefore whereas at this present we haue in hand to conclude vpon such
a weitie matter, which béeing once doone, cannot be vndoone, I commend
vnto you this John, euen with all my verie heart, and iudge that you
ought to accept him for your king, who in all things which he shall
ordeine, purpose, or take in hand, shall not faile so to answer your
opinions with his well dooing, and so satisfie your good expectations
alreadie conceiued of him with his diligent prouidence, that all the
whole realme shall not onelie like of and allow your dooing héerin, but
also with high commendation extoll the same to the verie stars. These
things do I promise vnto you, and so farforth as in me may lie, I dare
take vpon me all chances and perils that may procéed thereof.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: _Reg. Houed._]
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]
[Sidenote: Additions to _Iohn Pike_.]
When the archbishop had ended his speach, diuerse held their peace,
and manie with great zeale saluted king John, whom the same daie the
said archbishop crowned at Westminster, after the maner then vsed with
great solemnitie, and no lesse reioising of all such as were present.
At the same time also he receiued the homages of the lords and barons
of the realme, and promised with all spéed to haue consideration of
things that apperteined as well to religion as to the due execution of
laws, whereby euerie man might come to inioie that which was his owne,
by right and due course of iustice. We find that there were present at
this solemnitie and coronation of king John, which was celebrated on
the Ascension day the 27 of Maie, archbishops and bishops to the number
of seauentéene, as Hubert archbishop of Canturburie, John archbishop
of Dubline, also the archbishop of Raguse, William bishop of London,
Gilbert bishop of Rochester, John bishop of Norwich, Hugh bishop of
Lincolne, Eustace bishop of Elie, Godfrey bishop of Winchester, Henrie
bishop of Exeter, Sefride bishop of Chichester, Godfrey bishop of
Couentrie, Sauarie bishop of Bath, Herbert bishop of Salisburie, Philip
bishop of Duresme, Roger bishop of saint Andrew in Scotland, and Henrie
bishop of Landaffe in Wales. The bishop of Duresme found himselfe
somewhat gréeued in the matter, making obiections, that the coronation
ought not to be celebrated without the presence of Geffrey archbishop
of Yorke: but it preuailed not.
[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._]
[Sidenote: Willi[=a]m Marshall earle of Striguille.]
[Sidenote: Geffrey Fitz Peter created earle of Essex.]
Besides these bishops, there were of the temporall lords and earles,
Robert of Leicester, Richard of Clare, William of Tutburie, Hamlin of
Warren, William of Salisburie, William of Chepstow otherwise called
Striguille, Walran of Warwike, Roger Bigot, William of Arundell, and
Ranulfe of Chester, with manie other barons, lords, knights, and no
small multitudes of gentlemen and other common people. The same daie of
his coronation also, he inuested William Marshall with the sword of the
earledome of Striguille, and Geffrey Fitz Peter, with the sword of the
earledome of Essex. For although they were called earles, and exercised
the administration of their earledoms; yet were they not till that daie
girded with the sword of those earledoms, and so that day they serued
at the table with their swords girded vnto them.
[Sidenote: The archb. of Canturburie made lord chancellour.]
In like maner, Hubert the archbishop of Canturburie was made lord
chancellour of England; who as he vttered some words vnaduisedlie, that
shewed how he inwardlie reioised at the kings fauour toward him in
the gift of this office, and so gloried in the honour whereto he was
preferred (which he would neuer haue doone, if he had weied of worldlie
pompe as by his profession he ought, and as one asketh the question in
the same case:
----dic mini, nunquid
Corporibus prosunt? certè nil; dic animísue?
Tantundem, &c.)
[Sidenote: The saieng of the lord Bardolfe.]
[Sidenote: Ambassadors from the king of Scots.]
the lord Hugh Bardolfe said vnto him, yet not so softlie in his
eare, but that some ouerheard it; "My lord, to speake and not offend
you, suerlie if you would well consider the dignitie and honor of
your calling, you would not willinglie yéeld to suffer this yoke of
bondage to be laid vpon your shoulders, for we haue oftentimes heard
of a chancellour made an archbishop, but neuer an archbishop made a
chancellour till now." The coronation being thus ended, it was not
long yer there came ambassadors from the Scotish king, namelie William
the prior of May, William the prior of saint Colmes Ins, and one
William Hay, the which on the behalfe of the said Scotish king required
restitution of Northumberland and Cumberland, with the appurtenances,
promising that if the same were restored to him, he would serue
the king of England with all his power against all men then aliue;
otherwise, that is, if he could not haue those countries, which of
right to him apperteined by law, as he pretended, he would doo the best
he could to recouer them by force.
King John made answer héerevnto, that if his coosen the king of Scots
would come vnto him, he should be assured to receiue at his hands all
that was reason, as well in those demands, as in all other things. He
also sent to him the bishop of Duresme, to require him to come vnto
Notingham, where he would méet with him. Howbeit, king William refused
to come himselfe as then, but sent the bishop of saint Andrew, and
Hugh Malebisse to follow his suit, with promise to absteine from any
forceable inuasion of England, by the space of fortie daies, so that
he might within that terme haue some resolute answer from king John,
wherevnto he might stand either on the one side or the other.
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: The French K. inuadeth Normandie.]
[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._]
Whilest these things were a dooing in England, Philip K. of France
hauing leuied an armie, brake into Normandie, and tooke the citie of
Eureux, the towne of Arques, and diuerse other places from the English.
And passing from thence into Maine, he recouered that countrie latelie
before through feare alienated. In an other part, an armie of Britains
with great diligence wan the townes of Gorney, Buteuant and Gensolin,
and following the victorie, tooke the citie of Angiers, which king John
had woon from duke Arthur, in the last yeare passed. These things being
signified to king John he thought to make prouision for the recouerie
of his losses there, with all spéed possible. And therevpon perceiuing
that the Scotish king meant not to méet with him at Notingham whither
he was come, and where he kept the feast of Whitsuntide, he determined
to passe the seas ouer into Normandie: but first he tooke order for the
gouernement and defense of the realme in his absence.
[Sidenote: L. William de Stuteuille.]
[Sidenote: Roger de Lacie conestable of Chester.]
[Sidenote: King John passeth ouer into Normandie.]
Wherevpon he deliuered the charge of the counties of Northumberland and
Cumberland, vnto the lord William de Stuteuille, with all the castels,
and other the appurtenances, which the lord Hugh Bardolfe before held,
and had in kéeping. He also deliuered vnto Roger de Lacie conestable
of Chester, the castell of Pomfret, hauing first the sonne and heire
of the same Lacie deliuered vnto him as an hostage for his loialtie
and faithfull obedience. This doone, he hasted vnto the sea side, and
sailed ouer into Normandie, landing first at Diep, and from thence went
to Rouen, whither he came vpon the sundaie before Midsummer day, which
was the 26 of June as W. Harison hath noted.
[Sidenote: A truce for fiftie daies.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Flanders.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: The league renewed betwixt England and Flanders.]
Immediatlie vpon his arriuall in those parts, there resorted vnto him
a great number of souldiers both horssemen and footmen, hoping to be
interteined, but by reason of ambassadours riding to and fro betwixt
the two kings, they came to a communication, and tooke truce for fiftie
daies. The earle of Flanders being certified thereof, was sorie in his
hart, and loth that the French king should come to any accord with the
king of England, and therefore to turne the mind of king John from the
purpose of peace, he came to visit him at Rouen, where they renewed
the league betwixt England & Flanders, to be the better able to defend
themselues from the French power: and withall determined fullie, that
immediatlie vpon the expiring of this last truce they would make the
French king warre, to reuenge their late receiued iniuries. The French
king aduertised by espials of their determination, prepared also for
the warres.
[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._]
[Sidenote: The earle of Namure.]
[Sidenote: France interdicted.]
[Sidenote: Normandie interdicted.]
[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._]
In this meane time it chanced, that Henrie earle of Namure, brother
to Philip earle of Flanders, and one Peter of Doway, a right valiant
knight, with his brother that was the elect bishop of Cambrey, were
taken prisoners in a skirmish, and presented to the French king.
Wherevpon the cardinall of Capua (being at the same time the popes
legat in France) interdicted that realme for the taking of the same
elect of Cambrey, & also all Normandie, for the deteining of the bishop
of Beauuois in prison (who had laine there a long time, & was taken
in the field after such manner as is before rehearsed) so that the
French king was glad to restore the elect of Cambrey to his libertie.
And likewise king John deliuered the bishop of Beauuois, who paied
two thousand marks, besides expenses of diet during the time of his
captiuitie, and furthermore tooke an oth, that he should neuer after
beare armour in the war against any christian or christians.
[Sidenote: Arthur duke of Britaine made knight.]
[Sidenote: The French kings demand.]
About the same time, king Philip made Arthur duke of Britaine knight,
and receiued of him his homage for Aniou, Poictiers, Maine, Touraine,
and Britaine. Also somewhat before the time that the truce should
expire; to wit, on the morrow after the feast of the Assumption of
our ladie, and also the day next following, the two kings talked by
commissioners, in a place betwixt the townes of Buteuant and Guleton.
Within thrée daies after, they came togither personallie, and communed
at full of the variance depending betwéene them. But the French king
shewed himselfe stiffe and hard in this treatie, demanding the whole
countrie of Veulquessine to be restored vnto him, as that which had
béene granted by Geffrey earle of Aniou, the father of king Henrie
the second, vnto Lewes le Grosse, to haue his aid then against king
Stephan. Moreouer, he demanded, that Poictiers, Aniou, Maine, and
Touraine, should be deliuered and wholie resigned vnto Arthur duke of
Britaine.
[Sidenote: Balun woon.]
[Sidenote: A peace betwixt king John & his nephue.]
But these, & diuerse other requests which he made, king John would not
in any wise grant vnto, and so they departed without conclusion of any
agréement. Therfore diuerse earls and barons of France, which before
that time had serued king Richard, repaired vnto king John, and tooke
an oth to assist him, and not to agrée with the French king without
his consent: and he likewise sware vnto them, not to make peace with
the French king, except they were therein comprised. In the moneth
of September, Jone king Johns sister, wife to Raimond earle of S.
Giles, and somtime quéene of Sicile, died at Rouen, and was buried at
Fonteuerard. The French king also tooke diuerse townes and castels, but
amongst other the castell of Balun, and raced the wals thereof downe
to the ground, wherewith William de Roches, generall of the armie of
Arthur duke of Britaine, was greatlie offended, and did so much by his
drift, that shortlie after a peace was concluded betwixt king John and
his nephue duke Arthur, though the same serued but to small purpose.
[Sidenote: Lauardin.]
[Sidenote: William de Roches.]
[Sidenote: The vicount of Tours.]
[Sidenote: The mistrust that duke Arthur had in his vncle king John.]
[Sidenote: Philip king Richards bastard son slue the vicount of
Limoges.]
The French king hauing (as I haue said) ouerthrowne the wals of Balun,
besieged a fortresse called Lauardin, but king John comming with an
armie, caused him to raise his siege, and to withdraw himselfe to the
citie of Mauns, whither he followed, and compelled him (mauger his
force) to remooue from thence. All this while was William de Roches
busilie occupied about his practise, to make king John and his nephue
Arthur fréends, which thing at length he brought about, and therevpon
deliuered into king Johns hands the citie of Mauns which he had in
kéeping. Also the vicount of Tours came to the king of England and
surrendred vnto him the castell of Chinon, the kéeping whereof he
betooke vnto Roger de Lacie the conestable of Chester. But in the night
folowing, vpon some mistrust and suspicion gathered in the obseruation
of the couenants on K. Johns behalfe, both the said Arthur, with his
mother Constance, the said vicount of Tours, and diuerse other, fled
awaie secretlie from the king, and got them to the citie of Angiers,
where the mother of the said Arthur refusing hir former husband
the earle of Chester, married hir selfe to the lord Guie de Tours,
brother to the said vicount, by the popes dispensation. The same yere,
Philip bastard sonne to king Richard, to whome his father had giuen
the castell and honor of Coinacke, killed the vicount of Limoges, in
reuenge of his fathers death, who was slaine (as yée haue heard) in
besieging the castell of Chalus Cheuerell.
[Sidenote: Great flouds.]
[Sidenote: Variance betwixt the bishop of Durham and earle Patrike.]
Moreouer, there fell manie great flouds in England, and on the borders
of Scotland, by violence whereof diuerse bridges were borne downe,
and amongst other, the bridge at Barwike. For the building vp againe
whereof, some variance arose betwixt Philip bishop of Durham and earle
Patrike lord chéefe iustice of Scotland, and capiteine at the same time
of the towne of Barwike, who by the Scotish kings commandement would
haue repared againe the same bridge, which could not be doone, but that
the one end thereof must be builded on the bishop of Durhams ground,
which he would not suffer, till by the counsell of the lord William de
Stuteuille, he agréed, so that the conuention accorded and concluded
betwixt the king of Scots and his predecessour bishop Hugh might be
reserued inuiolable.
[Sidenote: A rate of y^e prices of wines.]
Furthermore, king John did set a rate vpon the prices of wines, as
Rochell wine to be sold for twentie shillings the tun, and not aboue.
The wine of Aniou for twentie foure shillings the tun, and no other
French wines aboue fiue and twentie shillings the tun, except it were
of such notable goodnesse as that some peraduenture for their owne
expenses would be contented to giue after twentie six shillings eight
pence for the tun, and not aboue. Moreouer, the galon of Rochell wine
he appointed to be sold at foure pence: and the galon of white wine
at six pence. It was also ordeined, that in euerie citie, towne, and
place where wine was vsed to be sold, there should be twelue honest
men sworne to haue regard that this assise should not be broken:
and that if they found any vintner that should from the pin sell
any wine by small measures contrarie to the same assise, his bodie
should be attached by the shiriffe, and deteined in prison, till other
commandement were giuen for his further punishment, and his goods
seized vnto the kings vse. Furthermore, if any persons were or should
be found to buy and sell by the hogshead or tun, contrarie to this
assise, they should be committed to prison, there to remaine, till
other order were taken for them: neither should there be any regrating
of wines that were brought into England. But this ordinance lasted not
long, for the merchants could not beare it, and so they fell to and
sold white wine for eight pence the gallon, & red or claret for six
pence.
[Sidenote: King John returneth into England.]
[Sidenote: _1200._]
[Sidenote: A subsidie.]
[Sidenote: He saileth againe into Normandie.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 2.]
[Sidenote: A peace concluded with a marriage.]
King John also came ouer from Normandie into England, and there leuied
a subsidie, taking of euerie ploughland thrée shillings. In the Lent
following, he went to Yorke, in hope to haue met the king of Scots
there, but he came not, and so king John returned backe, and sailed
againe into Normandie, bicause the variance still depended betwéene him
and the king of France. Finallie vpon the Ascension day in this second
yeare of his reigne, they came eftsoones to a communication betwixt the
townes of Vernon and Lisle Dandelie, where finallie they concluded an
agréement, with a marriage to be had betwixt Lewes the sonne of king
Philip, and the ladie Blanch, daughter to Alfonso king of Castile the 8
of that name, & néece to K. John by his sister Elianor.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]
[Sidenote: _Ra. Niger._]
In consideration whereof, king John, besides the summe of thirtie
thousand markes in siluer, as in respect of dowrie assigned to his said
néece, resigned his title to the citie of Eureux, and also vnto all
those townes which the French king had by warre taken from him, the
citie of Angiers onelie excepted, which citie he receiued againe by
couenants of the same agréement. The French king restored also to king
John (as Rafe Niger writeth) the citie of Tours, and all the castels
and fortresses which he had taken within Touraine: and moreouer,
receiued of king John his homage for all the lands, fées and tenements
which at anie time his brother king Richard, or his father king Henrie
had holden of him, the said king Lewes or any his predecessors, the
quit claims and marriages alwaies excepted. The king of England
likewise did homage vnto the French king for Britaine, and againe (as
after you shall heare) receiued homage for the same countrie, and
for the countie of Richmont of his nephue Arthur. He also gaue the
earledome of Glocester vnto the earle of Eureux, as it were by way of
exchange, for that he resigned to the French king all right, title &
claime that might be pretended to the countie of Eureux.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: The king c[=o]meth backe againe into England.]
By this conclusion of marriage betwixt the said Lewes and Blanch, the
right of king John went awaie, which he lawfullie before pretended vnto
the citie of Eureux, and vnto those townes in the confines of Berrie,
Chateau, Roux or Raoul, Cressie and Isoldune, and likewise vnto the
countrie of Veuxin or Veulquessine, which is a part of the territorie
of Gisors: the right of all which lands, townes and countries was
released to the king of France by K. John, who supposed that by his
affinitie, and resignation of his right to those places, the peace
now made would haue continued for euer. And in consideration thereof,
he procured furthermore, that the foresaid Blanch should be conueied
into France to hir husband with all spéed. That doone he returned into
England.
¶ Certes this peace was displeasant to manie, but namelie to the earle
of Flanders, who herevpon making no accompt of king Johns amitie,
concluded a peace with king Philip shortlie after, and ment to make
warre against the infidels in the east parts, wherby we may sée the
discontented minds of men, and of how differing humors they be, so that
nothing is harder than to satisfie manie with one thing, be the same
neuer so good,
----ô cæcis mortalia plena tenebris
Pectora, & ô mentes caligine circumseptas!
[Sidenote: _Ia. Meirs._]
But by the chronicles of Flanders it appeareth, that the earle of
Flanders concluded a peace with the French king in Februarie last past,
before that king John and the French king fell to any composition.
But such was the malice of writers in times past, which they bare
towards king John, that whatsoeuer was doone in prejudice of him or his
subiects, it was still interpreted to chance through his default, so
as the blame still was imputed to him, in so much that although manie
things he did peraduenture in matters of gouernement: for the which he
might be hardlie excused, yet to thinke that he deserued the tenth part
of the blame wherewith writers charge him, it might séeme a great lacke
of aduised consideration in them that so should take it. But now to
procéed with our purpose.
[Sidenote: _R. Houed._]
[Sidenote: King John is diuorsed.]
[Sidenote: _Matt. West._]
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]
[Sidenote: _R. Houed._]
King John being now in rest from warres with forren enimies, began to
make warre with his subiects pursses at home, emptieng them by taxes
and tallages, to fill his coffers, which alienated the minds of a
great number of them from his loue and obedience. At length also, when
he had got togither a great masse of monie, he went ouer againe into
Normandie, where by Helias archbishop of Burdeaux, and the bishop of
Poictiers and Scone, he was diuorsed from his wife Isabell, that was
the daughter of Robert earle of Glocester, bicause of the néerenesse
of bloud, as touching hir in the third degrée. After that, he married
Isabell the daughter of Amerie earle of Angolesme, by whome he had two
sonnes, Henrie and Richard, and thrée daughters, Isabell, Elianor, and
Jane.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ Geffrey arch. of Yorke depriued.]
Moreouer, about this time, Geffrey archbishop of Yorke was depriued of
all his manours, lands, and possessions, by the kings commandement,
directed to the shiriffe of Yorkeshire for diuerse causes, for that he
would not permit the same shiriffe to leuie the dutie called Charugage,
that was; thrée shillings of euerie ploughland within his diocesse,
rated and appointed to be leuied to the kings vse, throughout all
parts of the realme. Secondlie, for that the same archbishop refused
to go ouer with the king into Normandie to helpe to make the marriage
betwixt the French kings sonne and his néece. Thirdlie, bicause he
had excommunicated the same shiriffe and all the prouince of Yorke:
wherevpon the king tooke displeasure against him, and not onelie
spoiled him (as I said) of his goods, but also banished him out of
the court, not suffering him to come in his presence for the space of
twelue moneths after.
[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._ A councell called at Westminster by the
archbishop of Canturburie.]
[Sidenote: Arthur duke of Britaine doth homage to the king of England.]
[Sidenote: King John returneth into England.]
[Sidenote: The quéene is crowned.]
In this yeare also, Hubert archbishop of Canturburie held a councell
at Westminster against the prohibition of the lord chéefe iustice,
Geffrey Fitz Peter earle of Essex. In which councell or synod, diuerse
constitutions were made and ordeined for orders and customes to be vsed
touching the seruice and administration of sacraments in the church,
and other articles concerning churchmen and ecclesiasticall matters.
About the same time, king John and Philip king of France met togither
néere the towne of Vernon, where Arthur duke of Britaine (as vassall
to his vncle king John) did his homage vnto him for the duchie of
Britaine, & those other places which he held of him on this side and
beyond the riuer of Loir, and afterward still mistrusting his vncles
curtesie, he returned backe againe with the French king, and would
not commit himselfe to his said vncle, who (as he supposed) did beare
him little good will. These things being thus performed, king John
returned into England, and there caused his new married wife Isabell to
be crowned on the sundaie before the feast of S. Denise, the eight of
October.
At the same time he gaue commandement vnto Hugh Neuill high iustice of
his forrests, that he should award his precepts vnto all forresters
within the realme, to giue warning to all the white moonks, that before
the quindene of S. Michaell they should remooue out of his forrests
all their horsses of Haraz, and other cattell, vnder the penaltie
to forfeit so manie of them, as after that day chanced to be found
within the same forrests. The cause that mooued the king to deale so
hardlie with them was, for that they refused to helpe him with monie,
when before his last going ouer into Normandie, he demanded it of
them towards the paiment of the thirtie thousand pounds which he had
couenanted to pay the French king, to liue in rest and peace, which he
coueted to haue done for reliefe of his people, and his owne suertie,
knowing what enimies he had that laie in wait to destroie him, and
againe, what discommodities had chanced to his father and brethren, by
the often and continuall wars. But now to procéed with other dooings.
[Sidenote: An ambassage sent vnto the K. of Scots.]
[Sidenote: The king of Scots came to the king of England at Lincolne.]
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]
[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._]
[Sidenote: _R. Houed._]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
Immediatlie after the solemnization of the quéens coronation ended, he
sent Philip bishop of Duresme, Roger Bigot earle of Northfolke, and
Henrie de Bohun earle of Hereford, nephue to William king of Scotland,
and Dauid earle of Huntington, brother to the said king, and Roger de
Lacie conestable of Chester, the lord William de Vescie, and the lord
Robert de Ros, which had married two of the daughters of the said king,
& Robert Fitz Roger shiriffe of Northumberland, as ambassadours from
him vnto the foresaid William king of Scotland, with letters patents,
conteining a safe conduct for him to come into England, and to méet
with king John at Lincolne on the morrow after the feast of S. Edmund,
who gladlie granted therevnto, and so according to that appointment,
both the kings met at Lincolne the 21 day of Nouember. And on the
morrow after king John went to the cathedrall church, and offered vpon
the high altar a chalice of gold.
On the same day, vpon a hill without the citie, the king of Scots did
homage vnto king John, in the presence and sight of a great multitude
of people, swearing fealtie of life, limme, and worldlie honour vnto
king John, which oth he made vpon the crosse of Hubert archbishop of
Canturburie. There were present at that time, beside other Noblemen,
thrée archbishops, Canturburie, Yorke, and Raguse, with other bishops,
to the number of thirtéene, as Duresme, London, Rochester, Elie, Bath,
Salisburie, Winchester, Hereford, Norwich, S. Andrews in Scotland,
Landaffe, and Bangor in Wales, and Meth in Ireland, beside a great
multitude of earles, barons, and other Noblemen. When the king of Scots
had thus doone his homage, he required restitution of Northumberland,
Cumberland and Westmerland, which he claimed as his right and lawfull
heritage. Much talke was had touching this matter, but they could not
agrée, and therefore king John asked respit to consider of it till the
feast of Pentecost next insuing, which being granted, the king of Scots
the next morrow being the 23 of Nouember returned homewards, and was
conducted backe againe into his countrie by the same Noble men that
brought him to Lincolne.
The same day that the king of Scots tooke his iournie homewards from
Lincolne, the corps of Hugh bishop of that citie (latelie before,
departed this life at London, after his returne from the parts of
beyond the seas) was brought thither to be buried, the king and all the
bishops, earles and barons went to receiue it, and honoured his buriall
with their presence. On the morrow after being fridaie, he was interred
within the new church which he had builded. This Hugh was a Frenchman
by nation, borne at Granople, a man of a pregnant wit, and skilfull
both in science of holie scripture and humane knowledge. He was first
a regular canon, and after became a Carthusian moonke. King Henrie
the second mooued with the fame of his vertue and godlie life, sent
the bishop of Bath to bring him into England, and after he was come,
made him first abbat of Whithing in the diocesse of Welles, and after
created him bishop of Lincolne.
[Sidenote: A presumptuous part in a bishop.]
He was noted to be of a verie perfect life, namelie, bicause he would
not sticke to reprooue men of their faults plainelie and frankelie,
not regarding the fauour or disfauour of any man, in somuch that he
would not feare to pronounce them accurssed, which being the kings
officers, would take vpon them the punishment of any person within
orders of the church, for hunting and killing of the kings game within
his parkes, forrests and chases, yea (and that which is more) he would
denie paiments of such subsidies and taxes he was assessed to paie
to the vses of king Richard and king John, towards the maintenance
of their wars, and did oftentimes accursse by his ecclesiasticall
authoritie, such shiriffes, collectors, or other officers, as did
distreine vpon his lands and goods for to satisfie these kings of
their demands, alledging openlie, that he would not paie any monie
towards the maintenance of wars, which one Christian prince, vpon
priuate displeasure and grudge, made against another prince of the same
religion. This was his reason.
And when he came before the king to make answer to his disobedience
shewed herein, he would so handle the matter, partlie with gentle
admonishments, partlie with sharpe reproofes, and sometime mixing
merrie and pleasant spéech amongst his serious arguments, that often
times he would so qualifie the kings mood, that being driuen from
anger, he could not but laugh and smile at the bishops pleasant talke
and merrie conceits, so that it might well be said of him,
Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit vtile dulci.
This maner he vsed, not onelie with the king alone, but with the father
and the two sonnes, that is to say, Henrie the second, Richard and
John, in whose time he ruled and gouerned the sée of Lincolne. He was
after his decesse, for the opinion which men conceiued of his holinesse
and vertues, admitted into the number of the saints.
Yée haue heard how king John had conceiued no small displeasure against
the moonks of the white order, for that they would not part with any
monie, excusing themselues that they might not doo it, without consent
of a generall chapiter of their order. Wherevpon the king had caused
them diuerse waies to be molested, but chéefelie in restreining them of
libertie to haue any horsses or other cattell going to pasture within
his forrests. They therefore taking aduise togither, chose foorth
twelue abbats amongst them of that order, the which in all their names
went to Lincolne, there to make suit to the king (comming thither at
this time to méet the king of Scots) that it would please him to remit
his displeasure conceiued against them, and to take them againe into
his protection.
This suit was so followed, although with some difficultie, that at
length, to wit, the sundaie after that the king of Scots had doone
his homage, through the helpe and furtherance of the archbishop of
Canturburie, they came to the kings spéech, and obteined so much, as
they in reason might desire: for he pardoned them of all his passed
displeasure, receiued them againe into his fauour, tooke them into
his protection, and commanded that all iniuries, gréeuances and
molestations should be reformed, redressed and amended, which in
respect of his indignation had béene offered and doone to them by any
manner of meanes. And to sée the same accomplished, writs were directed
vnto the shiriffes of the counties, bearing date from Lincolne the 27
of Nouember. And thus were those moonks for that time restored to the
kings fauour, to their great commoditie and comfort.
[Sidenote: Fiue moones.]
About the moneth of December, there were séene in the prouince of Yorke
fiue moones, one in the east, the second in the west, the third in the
north, the fourth in the south, and the fift as it were set in the
middest of the other, hauing manie stars about it, and went fiue or
six times incompassing the other, as it were the space of one houre,
and shortlie after vanished awaie. The winter after was extreamelie
cold, more than the naturall course had béene aforetime. And in the
springtime came a great glutting and continuall raine, causing the
riuers to rise with higher flouds than they had béene accustomed.
[Sidenote: _1201._]
[Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 3.]
In the yeare 1201 king John held his Christmas at Gilford, and there
gaue to his seruants manie faire liueries and suits of apparell. The
archbishop of Canturburie did also the like at Canturburie, séeming
in déed to striue with the king, which of them should passe the other
in such sumptuous appareling of their men: whereat the king (and not
without good cause) was greatlie mooued to indignation against him,
although for a time he coloured the same, going presentlie into the
north, where he gathered of the countrie there no small summs of monie,
as it were by way of fining them for their transgressions committed in
his forrests.
From thence he returned and came to Canturburie, where he held his
easter, which fell that yeare on the day of the Annunciation of our
ladie, in the which feast he sat crowned, togither with his wife quéene
Isabell, the archbishop of Canturburie bearing the charges of them and
their trains while they remained there. At the feast of the Ascension
next insuing, king John set out a proclamation at Tewkesburie, that
all the earles and barons of the realme, and also all other that held
of him by knights seruice, should be readie in the feast of Pentecost
next insuing, with horsse and armour at Portesmouth, to passe ouer with
him into Normandie, who made their appearance accordinglie. Howbeit, a
great number of them in the end gat licence to tarrie at home, paieng
for euerie knights fée two markes of siluer for a fine, which then was
a great matter.
[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._]
[Sidenote: The archbish. of Yorke restored.]
But he sent before him into Normandie William Marshall earle of
Striguille with an hundred knights or men of armes, which he had hired,
and Roger de Lacie with an other hundred men of armes to defend the
confines of Normandie against the enimies: and to his chamberleine
Hubert de Burgh he deliuered the like number of knights or men of armes
also, to kéepe the marshes betwixt England and Wales as warden of the
same. This doone, he pardoned his brother the archbishop of Yorke,
and restored him to all his dignities, possessions and liberties,
confirming the same vnto him in as full and large manner, as euer
Roger late archbishop of that sée had enioied the same: for the which
confirmation his said brother vndertooke to paie to the king within the
terme of one yeare the summe of a thousand pounds starling; and for the
assurance thereof, engaged his baronie to the king in pledge.
[Sidenote: Ambassadors sent to Scotland.]
[Sidenote: The king passeth ouer into Normandie.]
[Sidenote: He commeth to talke with the king of France.]
[Sidenote: King John entreth into Paris.]
[Sidenote: The league renewed.]
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]
[Sidenote: _R. Houed._]