EDWARD THE SECOND,
the sonne of Edward the first.
[Sidenote: 1307.]
[Sidenote: Continuation of _Matt. West_.]
Edward, the second of that name, the sonne of Edward the first, borne
at Carnaruan in Wales, began his reigne ouer England the seauenth day
of Iulie, in the yeare of our Lord 1307, of the world, 5273, of the
comming of the Saxons 847, after the conquest 241, about the tenth
yeare of Albert emperour of Rome, and the two and twentith of the
fourth Philip, surnamed Le Beau, as then king of France, and in the
third yeare after that Robert le Bruce had taken vpon him the crowne
and gouernement of Scotland. His fathers corpse was conueied from Burgh
vpon Sands, vnto the abbie of Waltham, there to remaine, till things
were readie for the buriall, which was appointed at Westminster.
[Sidenote: The bishop of Couentrie committed to prison.]
[Sidenote: Officers remooued.]
Within thrée daies after, when the lord treasurer Walter de Langton
bishop of Couentrie and Lichfield (thorough whose complaint Péers de
Gaueston had béene banished the land) was going towards Westminster, to
make preparation for the same buriall, he was vpon commandement from
the new king arrested, committed to prison, and after deliuered to the
hands of the said Péers, being then returned againe into the realme,
who sent him from castell to castell as a prisoner. His lands and
tenements were seized to the kings vse, but his mooueables were giuen
to the foresaid Péers. Walter Reignold that had béene the kings tutor
in his childhood, was then made lord treasurer, and after when the sée
of Worcester was void, at the kings instance he was by the pope to that
bishoprike preferred. Also Rafe bishop of London was deposed from the
office of lord Chancellour, and Iohn Langton bishop of Chichester was
thereto restored. Likewise, the barons of the excheker were remooued,
and other put in their places. And Amerie de Valence earle of Penbroke
was discharged of the wardenship of Scotland, and Iohn de Britaine
placed in that office, whom he also made earle of Richmond.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: Péers de Gaueston.]
[Sidenote: The yeare next insuing, the Ile of Man was taken by Robert
Bruce.]
But now concerning the demeanour of this new king, whose disordered
maners brought himselfe and manie others vnto destruction; we find that
in the beginning of his gouernement, though he was of nature giuen
to lightnesse, yet being restreined with the prudent aduertisements
of certeine of his councellors, to the end that he might shew some
likelihood of good proofe, he counterfeited a kind of grauitie, vertue
and modestie; but yet he could not throughlie be so bridled, but that
foorthwith he began to plaie diuers wanton and light parts, at the
first indéed not outragiouslie, but by little and little, and that
couertlie. For hauing reuoked againe into England his old mate the said
Péers de Gaueston, he receiued him into most high fauour, creating him
earle of Cornewall, and lord of Man, his principall secretarie, and
lord chamberlaine of the realme, through whose companie and societie he
was suddenlie so corrupted, that he burst out into most heinous vices;
for then vsing the said Péers as a procurer of his disordred dooings,
he began to haue his nobles in no regard, to set nothing by their
instructions, and to take small héed vnto the good gouernement of the
common-wealth, so that within a while, he gaue himselfe to wantonnes,
passing his time in voluptuous pleasure, and riotous excesse: and to
helpe them forward in that kind of life, the foresaid Péers, who (as
it may be thought, he had sworne to make the king to forget himselfe,
and the state, to the which he was called) furnished his court with
companies of iesters, ruffians, flattering parasites, musicians, and
other vile and naughtie ribalds, that the king might spend both daies
and nights in iesting, plaieng, blanketing, and in such other filthie
and dishonorable exercises: and moreouer, desirous to aduance those
that were like to him selfe, he procured for them honorable offices,
all which notable preferments and dignities, sith they were ill
bestowed, were rather to be accounted dishonorable than otherwise, both
to the giuer and the receiuer, sith
Sufficiens honor est homini, cùm dignus honore est,
Qui datur indigno non est honor, est onus, imò
Ludibrium, veluti in scena cùm ludius est rex,
Quippe honor est soli virtuti debita merces.
[Sidenote: A parlement at Northampton.]
[Sidenote: Péers de Gaueston maried.]
About the thirtéenth day of October, a parlement was holden at
Northampton, in the which it was ordeined by the kings appointment,
that the coine of his father king Edward should be still currant,
notwithstanding the basenesse thereof, as some reputed it, and
therefore it was mooued in the parlement to haue it disanulled. ¶
Also, order was taken for the buriall of his fathers corpse, which
was solemnelie conueied from Waltham, and brought to Westminster the
seauen and twentith day of October following, where with all funerall
pompe it was interred. Moreouer, at the same parlement, a marriage was
concluded betwixt the earle of Cornewall Péers de Gaueston, and the
daughter of Gilbert de Clare earle of Glocester, which he had by his
wife the countesse Ioane de Acres the kings sister, which marriage was
solemnized on All hallowes day next insuing.
[Sidenote: The K. passeth ouer into France.]
[Sidenote: 1308.]
[Sidenote: He was married the 28 of Februarie, as _Tho. de la More_
writeth.]
[Sidenote: The king and quéene crowned.]
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsin._]
[Sidenote: Sir Iohn Blackwell smoothered and thrust to death.
Continuation of _N. Triuet._]
About the two and twentith of Ianuarie, the king sailed ouer into
France, and at Bullongne in Picardie on the foure and twentith day of
Ianuarie, he did homage to the French king for his lands of Gascoine
and Pontieu, and on the morrow after, maried Isabell the French kings
daughter, and on the seauenth of Februarie he returned with hir into
England, and comming to London, was ioifullie receiued of the citizens,
and on the fiue and twentith daie of Februarie, being Shrouesundaie
in the leape yeare, they were solemnlie crowned by the bishop of
Winchester, bicause that Robert the archbishop of Canturburie was
not as then within the realme. There was such prease and throng of
people at this coronation, that a knight called sir Iohn Bakewell
aliàs Blackwell, was thrust or crowded to death. ¶ On the day of the
circumcision this yeare, a great tempest of thunder and lightning
began about euensong time, that continued the most part of the night
following.
[Sidenote: The order taken for the apprehension of the t[=e]plers.]
On wednesdaie after the Epiphanie, the knights templers in England were
apprehended all in one day by the kings commandement, vpon suspicion
of hainous crimes & great enormities by them practised, contrarie to
the articles of the christian faith. The order of their apprehension
was on this wise. The king directed his writs vnto all and euerie the
shiriffes of counties within the realme, that they should giue summons
to a certeine number of substantiall persons, knights or other men
of good accompt, to be afore them at certeine places within their
gouernements, named in the same writs, on the sunday the morrow after
the Epiphanie then next insuing, and that the said shiriffes faile
not to be there the same day in their owne persons, to execute that
which in other writs to them directed, and after to be sent, should be
conteined. The date of this writ was the fiftéenth of December.
The second writ was sent by certeine chapleins, in which the shiriffes
were commanded vpon the opening of the same, foorthwith to receiue an
oth in presence of the said chapleins, to put in execution all that
was therein conteined, and not to disclose the contents to any man,
till they had executed the same with all expedition, and therewith to
take the like oth of those persons, whom by vertue of the first writ
they had summoned to appeare afore them. An other writ there was also
framed & sent by the same chapleins, by the which the said shiriffes
were commanded to attach by their bodies, all the templers within the
precinct of their gouernements, and to seize all their lands and goods
into the kings hands, togither with their writings, charters, déeds,
and miniments, and to make thereof a true inuentarie and indenture,
in presence of the warden of the place, whether he were brother of
that order, or any other, & in presence of honest men being neighbors;
of which indenture, one part to remaine in the custodie of the said
warden, and the other with the shiriffe, vnder his seale that should so
make seizure of the said goods: and further, that the said goods and
chattels should be put in safe custodie, and that the quicke goods and
cattell should be kept and found of the premisses as should séeme most
expedient, and that their lands and possessions should be manured and
tilled to the vttermost commoditie.
Further, that the persons of the said templers being attached, in
manner as before is said, should be safelie kept in some competent
place out of their owne houses, but not in streight prison, but in such
order, as the shiriffes might be sure of them to bring them foorth when
he should be commanded, to be found in the meane time according to
their estate of their owne goods so seized, and hereof to make a true
certificat vnto the treasurer and barons of the excheker, what they
had doone concerning the premisses, declaring how manie of the said
templers they had attached, with their names, and what lands and goods
they had seized by vertue of this precept. The date of these two last
writs was from Biflet the 20 of December, and the returne thereof to be
made vnto the excheker, was the morrow after the Purification. There
were writs also directed into Ireland, as we haue there made mention,
and likewise vnto Iohn de Britaine earle of Richmond the lord warden of
Scotland, & to Eustace de Cotesbach chamberleine of Scotland, to Walter
de Pederton iustice of Westwales, and to Hugh Aldighle aliàs Audlie
iustice of Northwales, to Robert Holland iustice of Chester, vnder like
forme and maner as in Ireland we haue expressed.
The malice which the lords had conceiued against the earle of Cornewall
still increased, the more indéed through the high bearing of him, being
now aduanced to honour. For being a goodlie gentleman and a stout, he
would not once yéeld an inch to any of them, which worthilie procured
him great enuie amongst the chéefest péeres of all the realme, as sir
Henrie Lacie earle of Lincolne, sir Guie earle of Warwike, and sir
Aimer de Valence earle of Penbroke, the earles of Glocester, Hereford,
Arundell, and others, which vpon such wrath and displeasure as they
had conceiued against him, thought it not conuenient to suffer the
same any longer, in hope that the kings mind might happilie be altered
into a better purpose, being not altogither conuerted into a venemous
disposition, but so that it might be cured, if the corrupter thereof
were once banished from him.
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._]
[Sidenote: C[=o]ntinuati[=o] of _N. Triuet._]
Herevpon they assembled togither in the parlement time, at the new
temple, on saturdaie next before the feast of saint Dunstan, and there
ordeined that the said Péers should abiure the realme, and depart the
same on the morrow after the Natiuitie of saint Iohn Baptist at the
furthest, and not to returne into the same againe at any time then
after to come. To this ordinance the king (although against his will)
bicause he saw himselfe and the realme in danger, gaue his consent, and
made his letters patents to the said earles and lords, to witnesse the
same.
The tenour of the kings letters patents.
Notum vobis facimus per præsentes, quòd amodò vsque ad diem dominus
Petrus de Gaueston regnum nostrum est abiuraturus & exiturus, videlicet
in crastino natiuitatis S. Iohannis Baptistæ proximo sequenti: nos
in quantum nobis est nihil faciemus, nec aliquid fieri permittemus,
per quod exilium dicti domini Petri in aliquo poterit impediri, vel
protelari, quin secundum formam à prælatis, comitibus, & baronibus
regni nostri, ordinatam, & per nos libero consensu confirmatam,
plenariè perficiatur. In cuius rei testimonium has literas nostras
fieri fecimus patentes. Datum apud Westm. 18 die Maij. Anno regni
nostri primo.
* * * * *
These letters were read, heard, and allowed in the presence of all the
Noble men of this land, the day and yeare abouesaid. ¶ The archbishop
of Canturburie, being latelie returned from Rome, where he had remained
in exile in the late deceassed kings daies for a certeine time, did
pronounce the said Péers accursed, if he taried within the realme
longer than the appointed time, and likewise all those that should aid,
helpe or mainteine him, as also if he should at any time hereafter
returne againe into the land.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 2.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Cornewall banished the realme. The kings fauour
towards the earle of Cornwall.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: The earle of Cornewall deputie of Ireland.]
[Sidenote: _Hen. Marle._]
To conclude, this matter was so followed, that at length he was
constreined to withdraw himselfe to Bristow, and so by sea as a
banished man to saile into Ireland.
The king being sore offended herewith, as he that fauoured the earle
more than that he could be without his companie, threatned the lords
to be reuenged for this displeasure, and ceassed not to send into
Ireland vnto Péers, comforting him both with fréendlie mesages, and
rich presents, and as it were to shew that he meant to reteine him
still in his fauour, he made him ruler of Ireland as his deputie there.
A wonderfull matter that the king should be so inchanted with the said
earle, and so addict himselfe, or rather fix his hart vpon a man of
such a corrupt humor, against whome the heads of the noblest houses in
the land were bent to deuise his ouerthrow: but the lesse maruell it is
that the king bare him such a feruant affection, and set his hart vpon
him, considering that
---- vetus autorum sententia, mores
Quòd similes, simile & studium sunt fomes amoris,
Sic vanus vanum, studiosus sic studiosum
Diligit, & socios adeunt animalia coetus.
[Sidenote: 1309.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 3.]
[Sidenote: _Hen. Marle._]
The lords perceiuing the kings affection, and that the treasure was
spent as lauishlie as before, thought with themselues that it might be
that the king would both amend his passed trade of life, and that Péers
being restored home, would rather aduise him thereto, than follow his
old maners, considering that it might be well perceiued, that if he
continued in the incouraging of the king to lewdnesse, as in times past
he had doone, he could not thinke but that the lords would be readie
to correct him, as by proofe he had now tried their meanings to be no
lesse. Herevpon to reteine amitie, as was thought on both sides, Péers
by consent of the lords was restored home againe (the king méeting him
at Chester) to his great comfort and reioising for the time, although
the malice of the lords was such, that such ioy lasted not long.
[Sidenote: 1310.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 4.]
[Sidenote: The addition to _Triuet._]
[Sidenote: The earle of Cornewall placed in Bambourgh castell.]
In the fourth yeare of king Edward was a councell holden at London
against the templers, the which councell indured from the beginning of
Maie, till Iune. In this councell they confessed the fame, but not the
fact of the crimes laid to their charge, except two or thrée ribalds
that were amongst them: but bicause they could not cleare themselues,
they were adiudged vnto perpetuall penance within certeine monasteries.
The king this yeare fearing the enuie of the lords against Péers de
Gaueston, placed him for his more safetie in Bambourgh castell, bearing
the prelats and lords in hand, that he had committed him there to
prison for their pleasures.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
This yeare also there were ordinances made for the state and
gouernement of the realme, by the prelats, earles and barons, which
were confirmed with the sentence of excommunication against all them
that should go about to breake the same. The king neither allowed of
them nor obserued them, although he had confirmed them with his seale,
and sent them to all cathedrall churches and counties, to be registered
in perpetuall memorie thereof. The king indéed was lewdlie led, for
after that the earle of Cornewall was returned into England, he shewed
himselfe no changeling (as writers doo affirme) but through support
of the kings fauour, bare himselfe so high in his doings, which were
without all good order, that he séemed to disdaine all the péeres &
barons of the realme. Also after the old sort he prouoked the king to
all naughtie rule and riotous demeanour, and hauing the custodie of the
kings iewels and treasure, he tooke out of the iewell-house a table, &
a paire of trestels of gold, which he deliuered vnto a merchant called
Aimerie de Friscobald, commanding him to conueie them ouer the sea
into Gascoine. This table was iudged of the common people, to belong
sometime vnto king Arthur, and therefore men grudged the more that the
same should thus be sent out of the realme.
[Sidenote: 1311.]
[Sidenote: _Rich. Southw._]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 5.]
[Sidenote: Berwike fortified.]
[Sidenote: The king entred into Scotland.]
The king this yeare raised a great power to go into Scotland. And about
the feast of the Assumption of our ladie, hauing with him Péers de
Gaueston earle of Cornewall, and the earles of Glocester and Warren, he
came to Berwike, which towne he caused to be fortified with a strong
wall, and a mightie déepe ditch, and although the other earles would
not come to serue him in that voiage, by reason of a new variance
risen amongst them, yet he marched foorth into Scotland, to séeke his
aduersarie Robert le Bruce: but Robert refusing the battell, kept
him foorth of the waie, so that the king was driuen to returne to
Berwike againe, without méeting with his enimie. And he was no sooner
come backe, but the said Robert and his people entred into Louthian,
sore molesting such as were yéelded to the king of England. The
king aduertised thereof, followed them, but could doo no good, & so
returned. The earle of Cornewall laie at Rockesbourgh, and the earle of
Glocester at Norham to defend those parts. After Candlemasse, the king
sent the earle of Cornewall, with two hundred men of armes to S. Iohns
towne, beyond the Scotish sea, who receiued to the kings peace all
those that inhabited beyond that sea vp to the mounteins. The king laie
still at Berwike, but the earles of Glocester and Warren, after the
beginning of Lent, rode into the forest of Solkirke, and receiued the
foresters & other the inhabitants there to the kings peace. ¶ In this
fift yeare of the kings reigne, but somwhat before this present, in the
yeare 1310, Henrie Lacie earle of Lincolne gouernour of England in the
kings absence departed this life, in whose place the earle of Glocester
was chosen gouernour, and therefore he returned now into England. This
earle of Lincolne was buried in the new worke at Paules. Lieng on his
death bed, he requested (as was reported) Thomas earle of Lancaster,
who had married his daughter, that in any wise he should stand with
the other lords in defense of the commonwelth, and to mainteine his
quarell against the earle of Cornewall, which request earle Thomas
faithfullie accomplished: for by the pursute of him, and of the earle
of Warwike chéefelie, the said earle of Cornewall was at length taken
and beheaded (as after shall appeare.) Some write that king Edward the
first vpon his death-bed, charged the earles of Lincolne, Warwike,
and Penbroke, to foresée that the foresaid Péers returned not againe
into England, least by his euill example he might induce his sonne the
prince to lewdnesse, as before he had alreadie doone.
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Hen. Marley._]
[Sidenote: _Rich. South._]
[Sidenote: The earle of Cornewall banished into Flanders.]
Thomas earle of Lancaster came towards Berwike, to doo homage to the
king for the earledome of Lincolne fallen to him in right of his wife,
now after the deceasse of hir father the late earle of Lincolne. But
he was counselled not to go foorth of the realme to the king, so that
therevpon rose no small displeasure, and great doubt least there
would haue followed ciuill warres about it. Neuerthelesse, at length
the king was persuaded to come ouer the water vnto Hagerston, foure
miles distant from Berwike, and there receiued homage of the earle,
and so they continued fréends, and for that time departed asunder
in louing maner. The lords perceiuing the mischéefe that dailie
followed and increased by that naughtie man (as they tooke it) the
earle of Cornewall, assembled at Lincolne, and there tooke counsell
togither, and concluded eftsoones to banish him out of the realme,
and so therevpon shortlie after, about Christmasse (as some write) or
rather, as other haue, within the quindene of saint Michaell, he was
exiled into Flanders, sore against the kings will and pleasure, who
made such account of him, that (as appeared) he could not be quiet in
mind without his companie, & therefore about Candlemasse he eftsoones
reuoked him home.
[Sidenote: 1312.]
[Sidenote: Maister _Fox._]
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]
[Sidenote: The earle of Cornewall taken.]
But he being nothing at all amended of those his euill manners, rather
demeaned himselfe woorse than before he had doone, namelie towards
the lords, against whom vsing reprochfull spéech, he called the earle
of Glocester bastard, the earle of Lincolne latlie deceased bursten
bellie, the earle of Warwike the blacke hound of Arderne, and the earle
of Lancaster churle. Such lords and other more that were thus abused
at this earle of Cornewals hands, determined to be reuenged vpon him,
and to dispatch the realme of such a wicked person: and therevpon
assembling their powers togither, came towards Newcastell, whither the
king from Yorke was remooued, and now hearing of their approch, he
got him to Tinmouth, where the quéene laie, and vnderstanding there
that Newcastell was taken by the lords, he leauing the quéene behind
him, tooke shipping, and sailed from thence with his dearelie belooued
familiar the earle of Cornewall, vnto Scarbourgh, where he left him in
the castell, and rode himselfe towards Warwike. The lords hearing where
the earle of Cornewall was, made thither with all spéed, and besieging
the castell, at length constreined their enimie to yéeld himselfe into
their hands, requiring no other condition, but that he might come to
the kings presence to talke with him.
[Sidenote: The kings request for his life.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Penbroks suit to the other lords.]
The king hearing that his best beloued familiar was thus apprehended,
sent to the lords, requiring them to spare his life, and that he might
be brought to his presence, promising withall that he would sée them
fullie satisfied in all their requests against him. Wherevpon the
earle of Penbroke persuaded with the barons to grant to the kings
desire, vndertaking vpon forfeiture of all that he had, to bring him
to the king and backe againe to them, in such state and condition as
he receiued him. When the barons had consented to his motion, he tooke
the earle of Cornewall with him to bring him where the king laie, and
comming to Dedington, left him there in safe kéeping with his seruants,
whilest he for one night went to visit his wife, lieng not farre from
thence.
[Sidenote: Continuation of _Triuet._]
[Sidenote: Gauers heath or Gauersuch. The earle of Cornewall beheaded.]
The same night it chanced, that Guie erle of Warwike came to the verie
place where the erle of Cornewall was left, and taking him from his
kéepers, brought him vnto Warwike, where incontinentlie it was thought
best to put him to death, but that some doubting the kings displeasure,
aduised the residue to staie; and so they did, till at length an
ancient graue man amongst them exhorted them to vse the occasion now
offered, and not to let slip the meane to deliuer the realme of such
a dangerous person, that had wrought so much mischéefe, and might
turne them all to such perill, as afterwards they should not be able
to auoid, nor find shift how to remedie it. And thus persuaded by his
words, they caused him streitwaies to be brought foorth to a place
called Blackelow, otherwise named by most writers, Gauerslie heath,
where he had his head smitten from his shoulders, the twentith day of
Iune being tuesdaie. A iust reward for so scornefull and contemptuous
a merchant, as in respect of himselfe (bicause he was in the princes
fauour) estéemed the Nobles of the land as men of such inferioritie,
as that in comparison of him they deserued no little iot or mite of
honour. But lo the vice of ambition, accompanied with a rable of other
outrages, euen a reprochfull end, with an euerlasting marke of infamie,
which he pulled by violent meanes on himselfe with the cords of his
owne lewdnesse, and could not escape this fatall fall: for
Ad mala patrata sunt atra theatra parata.
[Sidenote: The kings displeasure.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 6.]
[Sidenote: K. Edward ye third borne.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: The Spensers.]
When the king had knowledge hereof, he was woonderfullie displeased
with those lords that had thus put the said earle vnto death, making
his vow that he would sée his death reuenged, so that the rancour
which before was kindled betwixt the king and those lords, began
now to blase abroad, and spred so farre, that the king euer sought
occasion how to worke them displeasure. This yeare, the thirtéenth of
Nouember, the kings eldest sonne named Edward (which succéeded his
father in the kingdome by the name of Edward the third) was borne at
Windsore. King Edward now after that the foresaid Piers Gaueston the
earle of Cornewall was dead, nothing reformed his maners, but as one
that detested the counsell and admonition of his Nobles, chose such to
be about him, and to be of his priuie councell, which were knowne to
be men of corrupt and most wicked liuing (as the writers of that age
report) amongst these were two of the Spensers, Hugh the father, and
Hugh the sonne, which were notable instruments to bring him vnto the
liking of all kind of naughtie and euill rule.
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: A parlement.]
[Sidenote: The L. Hugh Spenser the sonne at the first not fauored of
the K.]
By the counsell therefore of these Spensers, he was wholie lead and
gouerned: wherewith manie were much offended, but namelie Robert the
archbishop of Canturburie, who foresaw what mischéefe was like to
insue: and therefore to prouide some remedie in time, he procured that
a parlement was called at London. In the which manie good ordinances
and statutes were deuised and established, to oppresse the riots,
misgouernance, and other mischéefes which as then were vsed: and to
kéepe those ordinances, the king first, and after his lords receiued a
solemne oth, that in no wise neither he nor they should breake them.
By this means was the state of the realme newlie restored, and new
councellours placed about the king. But he neither regarding what he
had sworne, neither weieng the force of an oth, obserued afterwards
none of those things, which by his oth he had bound himselfe to
obserue. And no maruell: for suerlie (as it should séeme by report
of Thomas de la More) the lords wrested him too much, and beyond the
bounds of reason, causing him to receiue to be about him whome it
pleased them to appoint. For the yoonger Spenser, who in place of the
earle of Cornwall was ordeined to be his chamberleine, it was knowne
to them well inough, that the king bare no good will at all to him at
the first, though afterwards through the prudent policie, and diligent
industrie of the man, he quicklie crept into his fauour, and that
further than those that preferred him could haue wished.
[Sidenote: Continuation of _Triuet._]
[Sidenote: 1313.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: The bishop of Whitherne consecrated at Yorke by the bishop
of Carleill.]
But now to our purpose. About the same time, to wit, vpon the eleauenth
of Maie, the aforesaid Robert archbishop of Canturburie departed this
life, ninetéene yeares after his first entrance into the gouernment of
that sée. After him was Walter bishop of Worcester translated vnto the
sée of Canturburie, and was the nine and fortith archbishop that had
ruled the same. ¶ Also William the archbishop of Yorke deceassed, and
one William Melton succéeded him the two & fortith archbishop that had
gouerned that sée. This archbishop Melton, though he was most studious
of things perteining to religion, bestowing almost his whole time
about the same, yet neuerthelesse he was not forgetfull of that which
belonged to the aduancement of the common-wealth, and therefore being
at London vpon a time, Simon the elect bishop of Whitherne came to
Yorke, that he might be consecrated of him: wherefore this archbishop
gaue commandement to Iohn the bishop of Carleill, to consecrate the
said Simon, and in his name to receiue of him his oth of obedience,
which commandement the said bishop of Carleill did dulie execute.
[Sidenote: Continuation of _Triuet._]
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 7.]
[Sidenote: _Record. Tur._]
[Sidenote: _Hen. Marle._]
[Sidenote: Mariages.]
[Sidenote: 1314.]
[Sidenote: The successe of Robert Bruce.]
The king and quéene this yeare in Maie went ouer into France, where
they were present in Paris on Whitsundaie at the coronation of Philip
sonne to the French king, created that day king of Nauarre. ¶ Iohn
de Drokensford bishop of Bath and Welles was appointed warden of the
realme till the kings returne. In Iulie the king returned backe from
his iournie into France, and landed at Sandwich the mondaie before
the feast of S. Margaret, hauing dispatched his businesse with the
French king in good and honorable maner, for his lands and countrie of
Gascoine. ¶ About this season Maurice fitz Thomas, and Thomas fitz Iohn
maried two sisters that were daughters to Richard earle of Vlnester. In
this meane time, Robert Bruce recouered the most part of all Scotland,
winning out of the Englishmens hands such castels as they held within
Scotland, chasing all the souldiers which laie there in garrison, out
of the countrie, and subduing such of the Scots as held on the English
part.
[Sidenote: The king of England passeth into Scotland.]
[Sidenote: The English men chased.]
King Edward to be reuenged herof, with a mightie armie brauelie
furnished, and gorgiouslie apparelled, more séemelie for a triumph,
than méet to incounter with the cruell enimie in the field, entred
Scotland, in purpose speciallie to rescue the castell of Sterling, as
then besieged by the Scotishmen. But at his approching néere to the
same, Robert Bruce was readie with his power to giue him battell. In
the which king Edward nothing doubtfull of losse, had so vnwiselie
ordered his people, and confounded their ranks, that euen at the
first ioining, they were not onelie beaten downe and ouerthrowne, by
those that coped with them at hand, but also were wounded with shot a
farre off, by those their enimies which stood behind to succour their
fellowes when néed required, so that in the end the Englishmen fled
to saue their liues, and were chased and slaine by the Scots in great
number.
[Sidenote: The king escapeth. The battell of Banokesborne.]
The king escaped with a few about him, in great danger to haue béene
either taken or slaine. Manie were drowned in a little riuer called
Banokesborne, néere to the which the battell was foughten. There were
slaine of noble men, Gilbert earle of Glocester, Robert lord Clifford,
the lord Giles Argentine, the lord Paine Tiptost, the lord William
Marshall, the lord Reginald Daincourt, the lord Edmund of Mauley the
kings steward, with other lords and barons to the number of 42, and of
knights and baronets to the number of 67.
[Sidenote: The great slaughter of Englishmen.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Croxden._]
[Sidenote: Addition to _Triuet_ and _Matth. Paris._]
There were slaine of all sorts vpon the English part that daie about
ten thousand men, ouer and beside the prisoners that were taken.
Amongst the which were accounted 22 men of name, as the earle of
Hereford, the lord Iohn Segraue, William lord Latimer, Maurice lord
Berkley, and others. He that listeth to heare more of this discomfiture
may read thereof further at large in the Scotish historie.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 8.]
[Sidenote: A councell holden at Yorke. Sir Peter Spalding.]
[Sidenote: 1315.]
[Sidenote: The Scots in Ireland.]
The king of England hauing escaped from this battell, which was fought
on Midsummer day in the yéere aforesaid, came to Yorke, where he held
a councell of his lords, to haue their aduise by what means he might
best restore his armie, and reuenge the losse which he had susteined
at the hands of his enimie R. Bruce. And shortlie after was sir Peter
Spalding sent vnto Berwike, with a crew of souldiers to defend the
towne against the said Bruce, who intended shortlie to laie siege to
that towne, as the king had certeine vnderstanding. Also the Scotishmen
aduanced highlie in their minds for the late gotten victorie, passed
ouer into Ireland, vnder the conduct of Edward Bruce, the brother of
Robert Bruce, sore afflicting that countrie, by spoile, sword, and
fire: the villages were robbed, the townes and castels which they wan
were sacked, and after fired, so vtterlie to deface them.
[Sidenote: The lord Berminghâ.]
[Sidenote: Great slaughter of Scots in Ireland.]
The Irishmen being put in great feare herewith, assembled togither, and
ioined themselues with such Englishmen as laie there in garrisons, ouer
the which the lord Iohn Bermingham as deputie had the chéefe charge.
Thus being ioined togither, they made earnest resistance against the
attempts of their enimies in defense of the countrie. And so by that
means they warred and fought one against an other, with great slaughter
on both sides, the Scotishmen on their part dooing their best to
obteine the gouernement of the countrie, hauing alreadie obteined no
small portion thereof, and created Edward Bruce king there; and the
Irishmen on the other part, inforcing their whole indeuor to beat the
enimie backe, and to rid him out of the countrie. But at length the
inuincible obstinatnesse of the Irishmen preuailed, through aid of the
Englishmen (as after shall appeare.) Neuerthelesse in the meane while,
as some English chronicles make mention, there died of the Scots in
these warres to the number of thirtie thousand, and aboue fiftéene
thousand Irishmen.
[Sidenote: _Ri. Southw._]
[Sidenote: The bishoprike of Durham spoiled by the Scots.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 9.]
[Sidenote: Rob. Bruce inuadeth England.]
[Sidenote: Carleill beseiged.]
[Sidenote: The siege raised.]
The Scots not onelie thus inuaded Ireland, but also continued their
rage against England. For the same yeare about the feast of Peter
and Paule, they entered into the bishoprike of Durham, & spoiled the
countrie vnto Hartilpoole, which towne they robbed of all the goods
which they there found, the inhabitants being fled with their ships
to the sea. About Maudelentide following, the king of Scots entred
England with a mightie armie on the west borders, and comming to
Carleill besieged the citie, remaining before it ten daies, but they
within so valiantlie defended themselues and their wals, that the
Scots lost more than they wan, sauing that during their abode at this
siege, they robbed and wasted the countries of Allerdale, Copeland,
and Westmerland. The 11 day after their comming thither, when they
had assaied all their force and policie to win the citie, and saw
themselues nothing to preuaile, but to lose their men and trauell, they
raised their field, and returned into Scotland with dishonor, leauing
behind them all their engines of warre, so that besides the dishonour
which he susteined by the repulse, in lieu of lucre he suffered losse,
and therefore this lesson by exemplification would be learned and
practised, that
Res bene quisque gerens lucra fit inde ferens.
[Sidenote: Iohn de Murrey taken.]
Now as they went their waie, certeine Englishmen following them, tooke
Iohn de Murrey, who in the battell of Striueling had for his part 13
English knights prisoners, beside esquiers and others. They tooke also
with him one Robert Berdolfe a great enimie of the Englishmen.
[Sidenote: Great raine.]
[Sidenote: Iohn of Eltham borne.]
[Sidenote: _Hen. Marle._]
[Sidenote: Dundalke burnt.]
[Sidenote: The battell of Comeran.]
This yeare there fell excéeding great raine and abundance of wet, in
the moneths of Iulie and August, that the husbandmen of the countrie
could not get in that small crop which then stood on the ground, and
that which they inned, yéelded not the hoped quantitie, as when it came
to the threshing well appeared. ¶ On the day of the Assumption of our
ladie, Iohn the kings second sonne was borne at Eltham. ¶ A knight of
Lancashire called sir Adam Banister raised war in this yeare of king
Edwards reigne, against his lord the earle of Lancaster; but about the
feast of saint Martine he was taken and beheaded. ¶ Also this yeare,
Edward de Bruce brother to the king of Scots, entred into the north
parts of Vlnester with a great armie, vpon the day of S. Augustine in
Maie, and afterwards burnt Dundalke, and a great part of Argile. The
Irishmen also burnt the church of Athird. Moreouer in the battell of
Comeran in Vlnester, Richard earle of Vlnester fled, and sir Richard
Bourgh, & sir Iohn Mandeuile, and sir Alane fitz Waren were taken
prisoners. The castell of Norbrough was also taken, & at Kenils in Meth
the lord Roger Mortimer was discomfited by the foresaid Edward Bruce,
and manie of the said sir Rogers men were slaine and taken.
[Sidenote: A blasing star dearth and death. The decease of Guie earle
of Warwike.]
[Sidenote: _Croxden._]
[Sidenote: 1316.]
[Sidenote: _Rich. South._]
Also in the ninth yeare of king Edwards reigne, before Christmasse, a
blasing starre or comet appeared in the north part of the element, by
the space of a moneth togither, and after followed dearth and death (as
after shall appeare.) Guie earle of Warwike, a man of great counsell
and skilfull prouidence, departed this life this yeare, and was buried
at the abbeie of Bordisley. ¶ About Midsummer the Scots eftsoones
entred into England, dooing much mischéefe with fire and sword, in
like sort as they had vsed to doo before time, not sparing (as some
write) so much as those houses wherin women laie in childbed. At their
comming to Richmond, the gentlemen of the countrie that were got into
the castell to defend it, compounded with the enimies for a great summe
of monie, to spare the towne and countrie about it, without dooing
further damage thereto at that iournie.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 10.]
[Sidenote: The dearth increased.]
The Scots hauing receiued the monie, turned their march toward the west
parts, and iournieng thréescore miles, came to Fourneis, burning all
the countrie thereabouts, and tooke awaie with them all the goods and
prisoners, both men and women which they might laie hands on, and so
returned, reioising most of such iron as they had got in that iournie,
for they had great want in Scotland of that kind of metall in those
daies. The dearth by reason of the vnseasonable weather in the summer
and haruest last past still increased, for that which with much adoo
was inned, after when it came to the proofe, yéelded nothing to the
value of that which in sheafe it séemed to conteine, so that wheat
and other graine which was at a sore price before, now was inhanced
to a farre higher rate, the scarsitie thereof being so great, that
a quarter of wheat was sold for fortie shillings, which was a great
price, if we shall consider the allaie of monie then currant. ¶ Also by
reason of the murren that fell among cattell, béefes and muttons were
vnresonablie priced.
[Sidenote: The lord Beaumont discomfited.]
[Sidenote: 1317.]
[Sidenote: Lewes Beaumont taken by sir Gilbert Middleton.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: Sir Gilbert Middleton proclaimeth himselfe duke.]
About this season, the lord Henrie Beaumont a man of high valiancie
and noble courage, hauing gotten togither a power of men, entred
into Scotland, and after he had taken great booties and spoiles in
the countrie, he being intrapped by sir Iames Dowglas, lost the most
part of his men, togither with the prey which they had gotten. The
displeasure of these mishaps was increased with the naughtie and
bold presumption of sir Gilbert Middleton knight, who being offended
that maister Lewes Beaumont was preferred vnto the bishops sée of
Durham, and Henrie Stamford put from it, that was first elected and
after displaced by the kings suit made vnto the pope, tooke the said
Lewes Beaumont and his brother Henrie on Winglesdon moore néere
vnto Darington, leading the bishop to Morpath, and his brother the
lord Beaumont vnto the castell of Mitford, and so deteined them as
prisoners, till they had redéemed their libertie with great sums
of monie. Herewith the said sir Gilbert being aduanced in pride,
proclaimed himselfe duke of Northumberland, and ioining in fréendship
with Robert Bruce the Scotish king, cruellie destroied the countie of
Richmond. With such traitorous parts William Felton, and Thomas Heton,
being not a little stirred, first wan by force the castell of Mitford,
and after apprehended sir Gilbert Middleton, with his companion Walter
Selbie, and sent them vp to London, where shortlie after they were
drawne, hanged and quartered.
[Sidenote: Gancellino and Flisco cardinals.]
[Sidenote: _Thom. Walsi._]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: The cursse pronounced against the Scots.]
Some write that the said sir Gilbert was put to death for robbing
two cardinals, to wit, Gancellino the popes chancellour, and Lucas
de Flisco, that were sent from pope Iohn the two and twentith, to
consecrate the foresaid Lewes Beaumont bishop of Durham, and to intreat
a peace betwixt the realms of England and Scotland, and also to make an
agréement betwixt the king and the earle of Lancaster. The which being
met with vpon Winglesdon moore in Yorkeshire by the said Gilbert, were
robbed of such stuffe & treasure as they brought with them, but yet
escaped themselues and came to Durham, and from thence sent messengers
to Robert Bruce, to persuade him to some agréement. But whereas he
would not condescend to any reasonable conditions of peace at that
time, they determined to go into Scotland to talke with him themselues:
but before they came to the borders, king Robert, who iudged it not to
stand with his profit to haue any peace in that season, sent certeine
of his people to forbid the cardinals the entrie of his realme. The
cardinals being thus iniuriouslie handled, pronounced the Scots by
their legantine power accursed; and interdicted their whole realme.
And bicause they saw nothing lesse than any hope to doo good with king
Robert touching any composition or agréement to be had, they returned
againe to the pope, without any conclusion of that for the which they
were sent.
[Sidenote: _Rich. South._]
After that Edward Bruce had atchiued such enterprises in other parts
of Ireland, as in the last yéere yée haue heard, he went vnto Fenath,
and to Skeres in Leinister, and there the lord chéefe iustice Edmund
Butler rose against him, with the lord Iohn fitz Thomas, that was after
erle of Kildare, sir Arnold Power, and diuerse other, with a great
armie. But by reason of discord that chanced amongst them, they scaled
their armie, and departed out of the field on the 26 daie of Februarie.
Edward Bruce then burned the castell of Leis, and after returning into
Vlnester, he besieged the castell of Knockfergus, and slue Thomas
Mandeuile, and his brother Iohn, at a place called Down, as they came
thither out of England. After this the foresaid Edward returned into
Scotland.
[Sidenote: A pitiful famine.]
[Sidenote: _Tho. Wals._]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: A sore mortalitie of people.]
In this season vittels were so scant and déere, and wheat and other
graine brought to so high a price, that the poore people were
constreined thorough famine to eat the flesh of horsses, dogs, and
other vile beasts, which is woonderfull to beléeue, and yet for default
there died a great multitude of people in diuers places of the land.
Foure pence in bread of the courser sort would not suffice one man a
daie. Wheat was sold at London for foure marks the quarter and aboue.
Then after this dearth and scarsitie of vittels insued a great death
and mortalitie of people, so that what by warre of the Scots, and what
by this mortalitie and death, the people of the land were woonderfullie
wasted and consumed. O pitifull depopulation!
Edward Bruce before the feast of Easter returned againe into Ireland,
with the earle of Murrey and other noble men of Scotland, hauing with
them a great armie, and besieged the castell of Knockfergus, and after
they went to another castell where they tooke a baron prisoner: & there
Edward Bruce laie for a season. Also Richard earle of Vlnester lay in
saint Maries abbie by Dublin, where the maior and communaltie of the
citie tooke him, and put him in prison within the castell of Dublin.
They also slue his men, and spoiled the abbie. After this the foresaid
Edward Bruce went to Limerike, after the feast of saint Matthew the
apostle, and there soiourned till Easter was past.
[Sidenote: Iohn fitz Thomas erle of Kildare.]
[Sidenote: _Croxden._]
In the meane while Roger de Mortimer the kings deputie arriued at
Waterford with a great armie, by reason whereof Edward le Bruce for
feare departed, and got him into the vttermost parts of Vlnester, and
Iohn fitz Thomas was made earle of Kildare. Also Occoner of Conneigh,
and manie other Irishmen of Connagh and Meth were slaine néere to Aurie
by the Englishmen of those parts. There was a great slaughter also made
of the Irishmen néere vnto Thistildermote, by the lord Edmund Butler,
and an other also at Baliteham of Omorth by the same Edmund. The lord
deputie deliuered the earle of Vlnester out of prison, and after
Whitsuntide banished out of Meth sir Walter Lacie, and sir Hugh Lacie,
giuing their lands awaie from them vnto his knights, and they went ouer
into Scotland with Edward Bruce, who returned thither about that time.
The death still increased as by some writers it should appeare.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 11.]
[Sidenote: _Ri. Southwell._]
[Sidenote: 1318.]
[Sidenote: Berwike betraied to the Scots. Castels woon by the Scots.]
[Sidenote: Northalerton and Bourghbridge burnt.]