portion of their goods, so that they were greatlie impouerished. There
was one of them named Aaron borne in Yorke, the which since the kings
last returne out of Gascoigne, had paied to the king the summe of
thirtie thousand markes, ouer and besides two hundred marks which he
had giuen to the quéene, as the same Aaron protested to Matthew Paris,
vpon his faith and truth which he bare to his law. In the Whitsunwéeke
was a generall chapter holden of the friers preachers at London in
Holborne, where out of sundrie parts of the world were assembled aboue
foure hundred of them, and they had meat and drinke found them of
almesse, bicause they possessed nothing of their owne. On the first
daie the king came into their chapter, that he might be partaker of
their praiers, and found them meat and drinke that day, and dined
there with them, to doo them the more honour. Another day the quéene
likewise fed them, and afterwards the bishop of London, the abbats of
Westminster, S. Albon, and Waltham, with others.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]
[Sidenote: Strife betwixt the L[=o]doners and the abbat of Westminster.]
[Sidenote: William de Kilkennie kéeper of the great seale.]
About the same season the citizens of London found themselues gréeued
verie sore, for such liberties as the king granted to the abbat of
Westminster, to the great hinderance and decaie of the franchises of
their citie. The maior and communaltie resisted all that they might
against those liberties, and finallie by the good helpe and fauour of
the lords, as the earles of Cornewall and Leicester, they obteined
their purpose. This yeare maister William de Kilkennie, a sober,
faithfull and learned man, was made kéeper of the great seale. ¶ The
same yeare vpon inquisition made by Geffrey de Langley, one of the
kings councell of transgressors in forrestes and chases, manie that had
offended were presented, and most gréeuouslie punished by imprisonment,
fines, and excéeding great amercements, and namelie in the north
countrie.
[Sidenote: Robert de Lexinton departeth this life.]
[Sidenote: The lord Henrie Hastings deceaseth.]
[Sidenote: Robert Muschampe.]
[Sidenote: Athelmarle the kings half brother made bishop of Winchester.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Salisburie slaine by the Saracens.]
On the ninetéenth of Maie died Robert de Lexinton clearke, the which
hauing continued a long time in the office of a iudge, purchased to
himselfe great fame, and also most large possessions. But certeine
yéeres before his death, bicause he was diseased with the palsie, he
gaue ouer that office, and drew himself into a quiet trade of life, so
ending his daies in praiers and dooing of almesdéeds. About the feast
of S. Margaret died Henrie Hastings a noble baron, and one Robert
de Muschampe a man of great renowne in the north parts. Also Walter
bishop of Winchester departed this life, about the feast of S. Matthew,
in whose place (through the kings earnest suit) his halfe brother
Athelmare was promoted to succéed. Moreouer, in the east parts, that
valiant erle of Salisburie William de Longespée, with Robert de Véer,
and others, was slaine in that vnfortunate battell in the which the
Saracens vanquished the christian armie, and tooke Lewes the French
king prisoner.
[Sidenote: A mightie wind.]
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]
[Sidenote: The sea séemeth to burne.]
[Sidenote: Ships lost. Hertburne. Winchelsey.]
On the first day of October, the moone vpon hir change, appearing
excéeding red and swelled, began to shew tokens of the great tempest of
wind that followed, which was so huge and mightie, both by land & sea,
that the like had not bene lightlie knowne, and sildome or rather neuer
heard of by men then aliue. The sea forced contrarie to hir naturall
course, flowed twice without ebbing, yéelding such a roring noise, that
the same was heard (not without great woonder) a farre distance from
the shore. Moreouer, the same sea appeared in the darke of the night
to burne, as it had béen on fire, and the waues to striue and fight
togither after a maruellous sort, so that the mariners could not deuise
how to saue their ships where they laie at anchor, by no cunning nor
shift which they could deuise. At Hertburne thrée tall ships perished
without recouerie, besides other smaller vessels. At Winchelsey,
besides other hurt that was doone in bridges, milles, breakes and
banks, there were thrée hundred houses, and some churches drowned with
the high rising of the water course. The countrie of Holland beyond the
sea, and the marish land in Flanders, susteined inestimable damage, and
in manie other places; by reason that riuers beaten backe and repelled
(by the rising of the sea) swelled so high that they ouerflowed their
chanels, and much hurt was doone in meadowes, bridges, milles, and
houses.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 35.]
[Sidenote: The practise of the bishops to disappoint the archbi. of
Canturburie of his purpose.]
About the beginning of the fiue and thirtith yeare of king Henries
reigne, the bishops of England, vnderstanding that the archbishop of
Canturburie was about to purchase of the pope a grant to gather monie
through his whole prouince of the cleargie and people for synods
and procuracies, they thought to preuent him, and therefore made a
collection euerie one through his owne diocesse, of two pence in euerie
marke which any beneficed man might dispend, which money so collected,
they ment to imploie about charges in the popes court, for the staie of
the archbishops suit, that the grant should not passe.
[Sidenote: An erthquake at S. Albons.]
[Sidenote: The pope sueth for licence to soiorne at Burdeaux.]
[Sidenote: The popes presence more like to impaire than amend things.]
About, the same time, to wit, vpon saint Lucies day, there was a great
earthquake at S. Albons, and in the parts thereabouts with a noise
vnder the ground, as though it had thundred. This was strange and
maruellous, bicause the ground there is chalkie and sound, not hollow
nor loose, as those places be where earthquakes for the most part
happen. Doues, rookes, and other birds that sat vpon houses, and in
boughes of trées fearing this strange wonder, flickred vp, and flue
to and fro, shewing a token of feare as if a goshauke had béene ouer
their heads. The pope required by solemne messengers sent to the king
of England, that he might come to the citie of Burdeaux in Gascoigne, &
there for a time remaine. The king wist not well what answer to make,
for loth he was to denie anie thing that the pope should require and
againe he was not willing for sundrie respects, that the pope should
come so néere vnto him. Indéed, manie were in doubt, least if he came
to Burdeaux, he would also come into England, and rather impaire the
state thereof than amend it by his presence, sith by such vsurers and
licentious liuers as belonged to him, the realme had alreadie béene
sore corrupted. Howsoeuer the matter went there was delaie and such
meanes deuised and made, that the pope came not there at that time.
[Sidenote: 1251.]
[Sidenote: Thunder and lightening.]
[Sidenote: Guy de Lusignan brother to the king.]
On Christmasse day in the night, great thunder and lightning chanced
in Northfolke and Suffolke past measure, in token as was thought of
some euill to follow. ¶ The king kept his Christmasse at Winchester,
but without any great port or liberalitie, for hospitalitie with
him was greatlie laid aside. About this time, Guy de Lusignan the
kings halfe brother came ouer into England, after his returne out of
the holie land, and was of the king ioifullie receiued. Towards the
reléefe of his expenses made in that iournie, the king gaue him fiue
hundred pounds which he got of the Iewes. Moreouer, he gaue to his
brother Geffrey the custodie of the baron Hastings lands, and so by
such liberall and bounteous gifts as he bestowed on them and other
strangers, he greatlie incurred the hatred of his naturall people the
Englishmen.
[Sidenote: The earle of Leicester returneth.]
[Sidenote: He had of the king 3000 marks.]
[Sidenote: Rutters.]
On the day of the Epiphanie, the earle of Leicester came to the king
in great hast out of Gascoigne giuing him to vnderstand, that the
Gascoignes were reuolted in such number, that, if spéedie succour
were not prouided, the whole countrie would fall from the English
subiection. Héerevpon the king furnished him with monie, and the earle
himselfe got all that he could make of his owne reuenues, and likewise
of the Vmfreuilles lands, the heire whereof he had in custodie. He
made no long abode, but with all spéed returned, and reteined two
hundred Rutters out of the duke of Brabants countries, and with them
certeine crosbowes. These were eger souldiers, and bloudie, but yet
the Gascoignes prepared themselues to resist them all that they might:
howbeit the earle put them still to the worse. Before his last returne
from thence, he had raced the castell of Fronsacke flat with the
ground, and likewise left desolate the castell of Egremount.
[Sidenote: A iustice accused for taking bribes.]
About this season, one of the kings iustices named Henrie de Bath
fell in the kings displeasure, bicause he was accused that he had not
exercised his office vprightlie, but to his owne priuat gaine, and
peruerted iustice through bribes, vpon occasion, of a suit mooued
betwixt him and one Euerard de Trumpington: he was appealed of
falsehood and treason by sir Philip Darcie knight. His wife was of kin
to the Bassets and Samfords, the which procured him great fréendship
at the hands of the earle of Cornewall, and of Iohn Mansell, and other
of the kings councell. But for all that they could doo, he was in
great danger to haue lost his life at the parlement holden that yeare,
and begun on the sixtéenth day of Februarie. For the king was so sore
mooued against him, that he caused proclamation to be made, that if any
man had any thing to laie against the said Henrie de Bath, they should
come foorth, and their information should be heard. Herevpon diuerse
came and presented their complaints, and amongst other, one of his
owne fellowes, that was a iustice also, declared that he had suffered
an offendor conuict, to escape vnpunished, for a bribe, which he
receiued to the preiudice of the king, and the danger of his associats
the other iustices, whereas it is required of one put in trust with
the administration of lawes, to be vncorrupt and sound in iudgement,
according to this true position,
Iudicis est recti nec munere nec prece flecti.
[Sidenote: Henrie de Bath put to his fine.]
The king herewith rose vp in a great fume, and said openlie: "If
any man will slea Henrie of Bath, he shall not be impeached for his
death: for I doo here planelie declare him acquit and guiltlesse for
the same." Herewith diuerse would haue run vpon him to haue murdered
him, but that Iohn Mansell staied their outrage, shewing them that
the king might well herafter repent the words which he spake thus in
his furie, and those that should doo any violence vnto the man, were
not like to escape punishment: for both the bishop of London would
suerlie accurse them, and other of his fréends would not faile to séeke
reuenge by temporall force: and thus was Henrie of Bath in the kings
high displeasure for the time. Howbeit at length, through intercession
of the earle of Cornewall, and the bishop of London, he was put to his
fine, and pardoned.
[Sidenote: Athelmare or Odomare bishop of Winchester confirmed.]
[Sidenote: A conuocati[=o] of the bishops.]
[Sidenote: Six thousand marks giuen to the pope.]
About the same time, Athelmare the kings halfe brother was confirmed
bishop of Winchester by the pope, although he was thought scarselie
sufficient to haue the place, for lacke of learning and ripe yeares.
About this time also, the bishops assembling at Dunstable, tooke aduise
togither, how to preuent the archbishop of Canturburie, that he should
not visit: and in the end they concluded to send their procurator vnto
the court of Rome, to trie what purchase might be made there for monie
to staie the licence, and not to sticke for the disbursing of foure
thousand marks, if néed required. Their procurator did so much in
the matter, that he found the pope fauourable vnto his cause, though
no determinate answer was giuen of a long time, till at length, to
gratifie the archbishop and his kin, as the duke of Sauoy and other,
the pope granted him licence to visit, but not generallie: for he might
not visit anie parish church, except the person required him thereto.
And whereas he had libertie to visit conuentuall churches, yet might he
not receiue for procuracies aboue foure marks. For this moderation to
be had, the procurator for the bishops gave vnto the pope six thousand
marks.
[Sidenote: The bishop of Lincolne visiteth abbeies.]
[Sidenote: The bishop of Lincolne suspended by the pope.]
[Sidenote: Wales subiect to the English lawes.]
[Sidenote: Alain lord Zouch.]
[Sidenote: Vsurers called Caorsini.]
The same yeare the bishop of Lincolne visited the religious houses
within his diocesse, to vnderstand what rule was kept amongst them,
vsing the matter somewhat strictlie (as they thought:) for he entred
into the chambers of the moonks & searched their beds. And comming to
the houses of the nuns, he went so néere as to cause their breasts to
be tried, that he might vnderstand of their chast liuings. In Lent
following he was suspended by the pope, bicause he would not suffer
an Italian that had no skill of the English toong to inioy a prebend
in his church, which the pope had giuen to the same Italian. In this
season, Wales was brought to be subiect vnto the English lawes, and
that part which ioineth to Cheshire, was committed to the custodie of
Alain lord Zouch, the which gaue, for hauing of the profits thereof to
farme, 11 hundred marks, and supplanted lord Iohn Graie which should
haue had it for fiue hundred. Certeine vsurers and strangers borne
called Caorsini, had bought faire houses at London, and so remained
there as inhabitants, occupieng their trade without controlment,
for the prelats durst not speake against them, bicause they alleged
themselues to be the merchants of the popes highnesse: and the citizens
durst not trouble them bicause they were defended by certeine noble
men, whose monie (as was said) they occupied, to gaine after the manner
of the court of Rome. Howbeit at length they were called before the
ciuill magistrate by the kings procurement, and grieuouslie accused
for their vnlawfull occupieng of vsurie, and some of them committed to
prison, the residue hid themselues out of the way, till at length for a
summe of monie they were licenced to be at rest, and so continued for a
season. The Iewes reioised hereat, to haue fellowes with them in their
miserie.
[Sidenote: Controuersie betwixt prelats.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Leicester prospereth in Gascoigne.]
In this season also there depended a controuersie betwixt the
archbishop of Canturburie with the bishop of London and his canons of
Paules, so that the said bishop of London & the deane of Paules, and
other of the canons were excommunicated. But the bishop perceiuing
which way the world went, reconciled himselfe: as for the deane, he
stood long in the matter, & at length went himselfe to the pope to
vtter his gréefe. This controuersie hanged long betwixt them, and was
handled in such wise, that laie men laughed at their dooings, for now
and then whom the pope commanded to be absolued, their aduersaries by
colour of the popes authoritie would command to be excommunicated. The
first daie of Iulie the earle of Leicester in Gascoigne ouercame manie
of the kings enimies, and tooke from them a fortresse called Chattellon.
[Sidenote: A sore tempest of thunder & lightning.]
[Sidenote: Windsore.]
[Sidenote: High tides.]
On S. Dunstans day there was a maruellous sore tempest of weather, the
aire being darkened on euerie side from the foure corners thereof, and
withall chanced such a thunder as few the like had béene heard of.
First it began as it had béene a great way off, but after it burst out
with such terrible crackes as was woonderfull. But one amongst the rest
excéeded, and withall such lightening flashed foorth, as put men in
great feare and terror. The chimnie of the chamber, wherein the quéene
and hir children then were, was beaten downe to dust, and the whole
building sore shaken. This was at Windsore, where in the parke, okes
were rent in sunder, and turned vp by the roots, and much hurt doone;
as milles with the millers in them, shéepfolds with their shepheards,
and plowmen, and such as were going by the way were destroied and
beaten downe. About the same time the sea on the coasts of England
arose with higher tides than the naturall course gaue, by the space of
six féet.
[Sidenote: The nunrie of Marran founded.]
[Sidenote: Paul Peiuer.]
[Sidenote: The lord Will. Graie marrieth the wife of Paule Peiuer.]
About Michaelmasse quéene Dowager of Scotland, that was daughter to
Monsieur de Cousie a Frenchman, came through England to returne into
France where she was borne, and was of the king honorablie receiued
and welcomed. This yeare the nunrie of Marran not farre from Lin was
founded by the ladie Isabell countesse of Arundell. ¶ Also this yeare
the lord William de Cantlow departed this life, in whose heritage his
sonne also named William succéeded. ¶ Moreouer, Iohn Cobham & Geffrey
Spenser (that was a man of great fame, and one of the kings councell)
departed this life, Cobham before Easter, and Spenser shortlie after
the same feast. Also in the octaues of Pentecost, Paul Peiuer or Peure
departed this life, he was one of the kings chéefe councellors, and
lord steward of his house. This man at the first was not borne to anie
great possessions, but by purchase atteined to great reuenues. The
ladie Ione his wife compounded with the king for the marriage of hir
son named Paule, after his father, but the lord Iohn Graie paied the
monie, being fiue hundred marks, and so discharging hir of that debt,
maried hir sonne to one of his daughters at his manor of Eiton, and
afterwards at London married the mother of his sonne in law, wherewith
the king was sore displeased, for he had giuen the marriage of hir vnto
a stranger, one Stephan de Salines, so that the lord Graie was glad to
giue to the king the summe of fiftie marks, by way of a fine to haue
his good will.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 36.]
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]
[Sidenote: The church of Hales dedicated.]
[Sidenote: The charges of the building of the church of Hales.]
[Sidenote: Tournies and iusts in those daies were handled in more rough
manner than is vsed in our time.]
In the six and thirtith yéere of king Henries reigne, the church of
Hales was dedicated of the foundation of Richard earle of Cornewall.
At which dedication he kept a solemne feast on the euen of saint
Leonard being Sunday. There was present the king and the quéene, and
almost all the Nobilitie of England, both spirituall and temporall. The
building of that church, all charges accounted, stood the earle in ten
thousand marks, as he himselfe confessed vnto Matthew Paris. ¶ About
the same time the earle of Leicester and Guie de Lusignan the kings
halfe brother came into England out of France, and landed at Douer,
whom the king receiued with great ioy and gladnesse. He gaue to his
brother at his returne great rewards, as he was euer accustomed. In the
feast of the Conception of our ladie at a iustes holden at Rochester,
the strangers were put to the worse, and well beaten by the English
batchlers and men of armes, so that the dishonour which they did to
the Englishmen at Brakley was now recompensed with interest. For the
strangers fléeing to the citie for succour, were met by the way by the
English knights seruants and yeomen, which fell vpon them, beat them
sore with clubs and staues, and handled them verie euill. Hereof sprang
a great hatred betwixt the Englishmen and strangers, which dailie grew
and increased more and more, the rather bicause the king had them in so
good estimation, and reteined so manie of them within the realme.
[Sidenote: 1252.]
[Sidenote: The house of Coucie]
[Sidenote: The king of Scots did homage to the K. of England.]
The king did celebrate the feast of Christmasse at Yorke, whither
came Alexander the yoong king of Scots, and was there made knight by
the king of England, and on saint Stephans day he married the ladie
Margaret, daughter to the king of England, according to the assurance
before time concluded. There was a great assemblie of noble personages
at that feast. The quéene Dowager of Scotland mother to king Alexander,
a French woman of the house of Coucie, had passed the sea, & was
present there with a faire companie of lords and gentlemen. The number
of knights that were come thither on the king of Englands part were
reckoned to be at the point of one thousand. The king of Scots had with
him thrée score knights, and a great sort of other gentlemen comparable
to knights. The king of Scots did homage to the king of England at that
time for the realme of Scotland, and all things were doone with great
loue and fauour, although at the beginning some strife was kindled
about taking vp of lodgings.
[Sidenote: Sir Robert Norice, and sir Stephan Bausan.]
[Sidenote: An excéeding great wind.]
[Sidenote: The bishop of Rochest. bull.]
This assemblie of the princes cost the archbishop verie déerelie, in
feasting and banketting them and their traines. At one dinner it was
reported he spent at the first course thréescore fat oxen. ¶ At request
of the K. of Scots, the K. of England receiued Philip Lunell againe
into fauour, or rather Louell (as I take it) one of his councell,
against whome he had conceiued displeasure in the yeare last past, for
such briberie as he was thoght to be giltie of for shewing fauour to
the Iewes. The king of Scots when he should depart, tooke his leaue in
most courteous maner, and led with him his new married wife, on whome
attended sir Robert Norice knight marshall of the kings house, and
sir Stephan Bausan, and also the ladie Mawd, the widowe of the lord
William Cantlow, with others. On the octaues of the Epiphanie chanced
an excéeding great wind, which did much hurt in diuerse places of the
realme. The bishop of Rochester returning fr[=o] the court of Rome,
brought with him a bull, authorising him to receiue to his own vse the
fift part of the reuenues of all the beneficed men within his diocesse.
[Sidenote: The Gascoignes make warre against the English subiects.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Leicester dauteth his enimies.]
In this meane while the earle of Leicester remaining in England, the
Gascoignes made sore warre against such as he had left behind him,
and withall gaue information to the king that the earle of Leicester
was a traitor, and one that had spoiled the kings subiects: and
furthermore by his uniust dealings had giuen to the Gascoignes cause
of rebellion. The king to boult out the truth of this matter, sent
first his chapleine Henrie Wingham, and afterwards sir Nicholas de
Moles de Valence, as commissioners to inquire of the earles dooing,
who went and returned without finding any manifest crime in the earles
demeanor. The earle was much offended that his innocencie should
be thus suspected; but at length being appointed to returne into
Gascoigne, he obeied and hauing a great summe of monie, he reteined
a power of men of warre, as well Frenchmen as others, and meaning to
be reuenged of those that had giuen the information against him, he
strengthened himselfe with the aid of the king of Nauarre, and of the
earle of Bigorre and other, so that he oppressed his aduersaries on
ech hand, and so abated their pride, that if conuenientlie they might,
they would haue yéelded themselues to some other prince, and vtterlie
haue renounced the K. of England for euer. Whereby it should séeme that
he was throughlie reuenged of them euen to their no small smart, not
in word and threatning, but with sword and bloud-shedding, defending
his innocencie, and manfullie shewing his warlike mind. But yet he had
purchased to himselfe a greater portion of praise, if he had not with
weapon but with wisedome made a conquest of the enimie: according to
this sound counsell of a sage writer;
[Sidenote: _Mal. Pal. in suo cap._]
Ingenio studeas magè quàm superare furore,
Ingenio vires cedunt, prudentia victrix
Cuncta domat.
[Sidenote: A strange wonder of the new moone.]
[Sidenote: A great drought.]