of Wigmore, had gone against one Thlewillin Bren, who had raised a
rebellion against the king in Glamorganshire, whiles the lands of the
earle of Glocester were in the kings hands, the same Thlewillin yéelded
himselfe to the said earle, and to the lord Mortimer, who brought him
to the king, vpon promise that he should haue the kings pardon, and so
the king receiued him. But after that the said earle and lord Mortimer
were out of the land, the Spensers taking to them roiall power, tooke
the said Thlewillin and led him vnto Kardif, where after that the
said Hugh Spenser the sonne had his purpartie of the said earle of
Glocesters lands, he caused the said Thlewillin to be drawne, headed
and quartered, to the discredit of the king, and of the said earle of
Hereford and lord Mortimer, yea and contrarie to the lawes and dignitie
of the imperiall crowne.
4 Fourthlie, the said Spensers counselled the king to foreiudge sir
Hugh Audlie, sonne to the lord Hugh Audlie, and to take into his hands
his castels and possessions. They compassed also to haue atteinted the
lord Roger Damorie, that thereby they might haue enioied the whole
earledome of Glocester.
These and other articles of misdemeanour in the Spensers were
exhibited, to persuade the king and others, that they were vnprofitable
members in the common-wealth, and not worthie of those places which
they occupied. Now after that their disheriting and banishment was
concluded in manner as before is said, the earle of Hereford and other
the lords that had prosecuted the quarell against them, came before
the king, and humblie on their knées besought him of pardon for all
things which they had committed against him, his lawes, or any other
person in the pursuit of the said Spensers. The king, being brought
into a streict, durst not but grant vnto all that which they requested,
establishing the same by statute.
[Sidenote: The king goeth to Canturburie.]
[Sidenote: He commeth to talke with the lord chamberlaine.]
The parlement being thus ended, the king and quéene went to
Canturburie, there to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket somtime
archbishop there. From thence he went to the Ile of Tenet, that he
might méet with his deare & welbeloued councellour Hugh Spenser the
yoonger, whome he had of late sent in ambassage vnto the French king,
and now being returned by sea into those parts, he was desirous to sée
him, that he might haue conference with him: and so comming togither,
they spent certeine daies in commoning of such matters as they thought
good. The king calling to him the mariners of the cinques ports,
committed to them the custodie of the said Hugh, who for a time kept
him with them in their ships, and the king sailing alongst the coast to
Porchester, conferred with him of manie things.
[Sidenote: The quéene not suffered to lodge in the castell of Léeds.]
From Porchester the king ment to returne vnto London, there to méet the
quéene, who in hir returne from Canturburie would haue lodged one night
in the castell of Léeds, which the lord Bartholomew de Badelismere late
steward of the kings house had by exchange of the king for other lands,
and now taking part with the barons, had left his wife and children
with other of his fréends and treasure in the same castell. Those that
were put in trust with kéeping this castell, would neither permit
quéene nor other to enter therein, without expresse commandement from
their lord and maister, and so they signified not onelie to the quéenes
seruants that came before to make prouision for hir, but also declared
the same to hirselfe comming thither in person.
[Sidenote: The king besiegeth the castell of Léeds.]
This chanced verie vnluckilie for the barons: for where the quéene had
euer sought to procure peace, loue and concord betwixt the king and his
lords, shée tooke such displeasure with this deniall made to hir for
one nights lodging in that castell, that vpon hir gréeuous complaint
sent to the king, he foorthwith raised a mightie armie out of Kent and
Essex, from the cinque ports, and of the Londoners, and hauing with him
his brethren, Thomas earle Marshall, and Edmund earle of Kent, also the
earls of Richmond, Penbroke, Arundell, and Atholl, he hasted thither,
& laid siege about the castell; constreining them within by all meanes
that might be deuised.
[Sidenote: The lords came with a power to raise the siege.]
[Sidenote: The castell of Léeds yéelded.]
[Sidenote: Walter Culpepper executed.]
In the meane time, at the suit of the lord Badelismere, the earle
of Hereford, and other lords of the confederacie, came with a great
power vnto Kingstone, about the feast of Simon and Iude, and there
staieng certeine daies for some of their companie that were to come
vnto them, they sent vnto the king the archbishop of Canturburie, and
the bishop of London, with the earle of Penbroke, requiring him to
remooue his siege, till by parlement some order might be taken: but
the king would not giue eare to their suit, but continued his siege
till the castell was yéelded to him. For those that were at Kingstone
cowardlie leuing their enterprise, came not forward, but returned backe
againe. They that were within the castell, hauing simplie submitted
themselues to the king, caused twelue or thirtéene of them to suffer
death. Amongst other was one Walter Culpepper reckoned for the chéefe
of them that defended the castell against the king. The wife of the
lord Badelismere, with his nephue Bartholomew de Burwash was sent to
the tower of London, but his sister was sent to Douer castell, there
to remaine in safe kéeping. The castell of Léeds being thus yéelded to
the king, he entred the same on All halowes daie, and shortlie after
the castell of Chilham was deliuered, and the castell of Tunbridge
left void by them that had it in kéeping. The king thus bestirring
him, came into Essex, and seized into his hands the lands of the lord
Badelismere, and likewise the lands of such as were his mainteiners,
abbettors, fréends, fauourers, and furtherers; of the which such as he
could méet with he put in prison, and herewith summoned an armie to
méet him at Cirencester about saint Lucies day the virgine. And then
about saint Andrews tide he came to London, where the archbishop of
Canturburie had called a prouinciall councell.
[Sidenote: The lord ch[=a]berleine yéeldeth himselfe to the law.]
At the same time Hugh Spenser the sonne, being latelie come from the
sea, yéelded himselfe prisoner to the kings ward, beséeching the king
that he might haue right ministred to him, concerning the wrongs and
iniuries to him doone by the barons in maner as before ye haue heard,
speciallie for the award which in parlement they had procured to be
enacted against him, the errours committed in the processe, whereof
he besought the king that he might be admitted to shew: as first,
in that they made themselues iudges: secondlie, in that he was not
called to answer: thirdlie, for that the same award was made without
the assent of the prelats, who are péeres of the parlement as well as
the temporall lords: fourthlie, in that the said barons had no record
in their pursuit vpon the causes conteined in that award: fiftlie,
in that the award was made against the forme of the great charter of
franchises, wherein is conteined that none shall be foreiudged nor
destroied but by lawfull iudgment of his péers, according to the law of
the land. Further, he alledged that it was to be considered, how the
said barons and great men being summoned to come in due maner vnto that
parlement, they came in forceable wise with all their powers. A like
petition was also exhibited on the behalfe of Hugh Spenser the father,
for redresse to be had of the wrongs and losses, which in like case he
had susteined.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 15.]
[Sidenote: The king asketh the opinions of the prelats.]
[Sidenote: The declaration of the prelats.]
[Sidenote: The declaration of the earles.]
The king fauouring inough the causes and petitions of the Spensers,
granted their requests, and deliuered the petitions vnto the archbishop
of Canturburie and his suffragans, the which at the same time were
there assembled in their prouinciall councell aforesaid, requiring to
haue their aduise and opinion therein. He likewise requested of the
earles and barons that were then with him, and of the councellors in
law, what they thought of this matter. The prelats vpon deliberation
had declared that in their opinion, the said award as touching the
disheriting and banishing of the Spensers, the father and sonne was
erronious, and not rightlie decréed, and for themselues they denied
that they either did or could thinke it reason to consent therevnto,
and therefore they required that it might be repealed, and the kings
brother Edmund earle of Kent, Iohn de Britaine earle of Richmond, Aimer
de Valence earle of Penbroke, and Edmund earle of Arundell, then being
in presence of the king, and likewise of the foresaid prelats, affirmed
that the said award pronounced against the Spensers was made contrarie
to law and right, and therefore as the prelats requested, that the same
might be repealed.
Further, the said earles alledged, that the assent which they gaue
in the said award, was for doubt of the vnlawfull force which the
barons brought vnto the said parlement, when they made that award, and
for that the said earles that now were with the king, had counselled
him to suffer the said award to passe, for feare of the said force,
and confessed they had doone euill, and besought him of pardon for
their offenses in so doing. The king thus hauing caused the prelats,
earles, barons, and lawiers there present to vtter their iudgements
in maner aforesaid, he iudiciallie reuoked and quite disanulled the
processe of the said award, made as well touching the banishment, as
the disheriting of the Spensers, and restored them to his peace and
allegiance, and to their former estates, in all conditions as they
inioied the same before the making of the said award, notwithstanding
certeine letters to the contrarie of the earle of Lancaster, and other
lords of his faction, which for the approuing and ratifieng of the said
processe they directed vnder their seales to the king as yet remaining
at London.
[Sidenote: The barons againe get to armour.]
[Sidenote: The lord saint Iohn.]
They wrote also to the prelats, iustices, and barons of the excheker,
to induce the king to giue his assent to that which in the tenor of
their letters was conteined. The earle of Hereford, the lord Roger
Mortimer of Cherke, & the lord Roger Mortimer of Wigmore, entring the
marches of Wales, came to Glocester, and tooke that citie. The castell
was also deliuered vnto them by the constable thereof. The king hauing
his people comming dailie vnto him, whereby his armie was hugelie
increased, about the feast of saint Nicholas he set foorth from London,
and with him there went his brother Edmund earle of Kent, Iohn earle
of Richmond, Edmund earle of Arundell, and manie other great lords and
barons. The quéene with hir children he left in the tower of London.
The lord Iohn de saint Iohn comming to submit himselfe vnto the king,
at the intercession of diuerse noble men, with much adoo had his pardon
at length granted him.
[Sidenote: The lord Tieis.]
[Sidenote: Cirencester.]
[Sidenote: The K. writeth to the erle of Lancaster.]
The king passing forward, seized into his hands the townes, castels,
manors, and goods of them that were against him. But in the meane time
the lord Henrie de Tieis, with certeine other that were entred into
Glocestershire (hearing that a great multitude of people was assembled
out of the countrie of Cirencester by the kings commandement) came
thither and chased them home to their houses, putting them in feare of
their liues, if they should offer to resist him. The king comming to
Crikelade after the feast of saint Lucie the virgin, wrote to the earle
of Lancaster an answer of his letters, which he had receiued from him
at London, modestlie reprouing him, for that he had so gréeuouslie and
vndutifullie reproched him, without respect had to his roiall estate,
and also presumed to assigne a daie within the which he should reforme
those things which he misliked in him, as if he were his subiect and
vnderling, & beside this was now ioined with his aduersaries against
him, where on his behalfe there had béene no let nor staie at any time,
but that they might be fréends & remaine in quiet togither. Wherein
though he did more than stood with the dignitie of his roiall title, in
somuch as he had the earles life at his commandement, yet for that he
tollerated such insolencie of behauiour, as was vnséemelie to be shewed
against the person of his prince, the kings clemencie and patience is
highlie therein to be commended; though his forbearing and séeking
means of quietnesse did neuer a whit amend the malignant mind of the
earle, whose hart was so inchanted with ambition and supereminent
honour, that he quite forgat this good lesson of submission and due
allegiance,
Vt nequeas lædi maiori semper obedi.
[Sidenote: The K. kéepeth his Christmasse at Crikelade. Earles that
came to the king to Crikeland.]
[Sidenote: 1322.]
[Sidenote: The Scots inuade Northumberland. Castels taken by the
Welshmen.]
From Crikelade the king went to Cirencester, where he held the feast
of Christmasse, the earles of Norffolke, Penbroke, Surrie, and other
great lords comming thither to ioine their powers with his. Thither
came also a great strength of footmen, part of the which vnder the
leading of one Robert Aquarij a right famous capteine, tooke the
castell of Bromfield, those that had the kéeping of it fléeing foorth
of it. The king comming to Worcester about Newyeres tide, caused the
walles of the citie to be repared, committing the custodie thereof
vnto William de Longchampe. After the Epiphanie he passed on the side
of Seuerne towards Shrewsburie, where, at his comming thither he was
honourablie receiued by the burgesses that came foorth to méet him in
armor, and so conueied him into their towne being stronglie fensed. In
this meane time the Scots now that the truce was ended, entring with
a strong power into England, destroied all the countrie to Newcastell
vpon Tine with fire and sword. The Welshmen with their capteine Griffin
Loitis tooke the castels in Wales, which were kept by the people of the
lord Mortimer the elder. They tooke also the castels of Mole, Chirke,
and Olono, the kéepers whereof comming vnto the king to Shrewsburie
submitted themselues to him, who shortlie after sent them to the tower
of London. The lord Hugh Audelie the elder, the lord Iohn de Hastings,
and diuerse other comming in, and submitting themselues to the king
were likewise committed to ward. The lord Roger Damorie entring into
the citie of Worcester destroied all that which the K. had appointed to
be doone, about the fortification thereof.
[Sidenote: The earle of L[=a]caster writeth to the erle of Hereford.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Hereford c[=o]meth to ioine with the earle of
Lancester.]
The earle of Lancaster lieng at Pomfret, and hearing of all this
businesse, wrote to the earle of Hereford, and other lords that were
with him, that they should make hast to come to him at Pomfret,
promising from thencefoorth to be their generall and leader. The earle
of Hereford reioising at these newes, togither with all those that were
about him, leauing Glocester and all other strengths which they held in
those parts, set forward to passe through the middest of the realme,
spoiling by the way mens cattell and goods verie disorderlie, and so
came through to the earle of Lancaster. The king getting into his hands
all the castels of his aduersaries in those parts, went to Hereford,
where he was honorablie receiued of the cleargie and citizens. His
armie increased dailie, many comming in vnto him, that before durst
not for feare of his aduersaries. The bishop of Hereford was sharplie
checked, bicause he had taken part with the kings enimies.
[Sidenote: The lord Berkley submitteth himselfe to the K.]
[Sidenote: They appointed to méet at Couentrie.]
[Sidenote: _Wil. Sutton._]
[Sidenote: Killingworth holden against the K. Tikehil castle besieged.
Letters intercepted.]
The king sent from hence the lord Iohn Hastings into Southwales, to
take in his name the seizine of the castels belonging to the earle
of Hereford, the lord Roger Damorie, and the lord Hugh Spenser the
yoonger, which the barons had the last yeare got into their hands, all
which being now taken to the kings vse, were furnished with faithfull
garrisons. ¶ The king, after this, comming to Glocester, condemned
the shiriffe of Hereford to be hanged, for that he had taken part
against him with the barons. The lord Maurice Berkley came to the
king to Glocester, submitting himselfe to the kings pleasure. After
this the king came by Weston vnder edge towards Couentrie, where he
had appointed as well such as he had latlie licenced to depart to
their homes to refresh themselues for a time, as also diuerse other,
to assemble with their powers to go with him from thence against his
aduersaries. The day of this assemblie was the friday next after the
first sundaie in Lent. The king from Couentrie went to Meriuall, and
there lodged in the abbeie for his more ease, writing to William Sutton
vnder-constable of Warwike castell, commanding him to be attendant on
the shiriffe of Warwike, in helping him to watch the entries and issues
to and from the castell of Killingworth that was holden against him.
In the meane time certeine of the lords that were gone to the earle
of Lancaster besieged Tickehill castell fiftéene daies togither, but
preuailed not.
[Sidenote: King Arthur a name feined of purpose.]
There were letters intercepted about the same time, which a messenger
brought foorth of Scotland, thrée closed and thrée open, for there were
six in all. The king sent them to the archbishop of Canturburie, who by
his commandement published them in open audience at London. The first
was closed with the seale of the lord Thomas Randulfe earle of Murrie,
lord of Annandale and of Man, lieutenant to Robert le Bruce king of
Scotland, which conteined a safe conduct for sir Thomas Topcliue
chapleine, and one to be associate with him to come into Scotland, and
to returne from thence in safetie. The second was sealed with the seale
of sir Iames Dowglas for a like safe conduct for the same persons.
The third was closed with the seale of the said earle of Murrie for
the safe conduct of the lord Iohn de Mowbraie, and the lord Iohn de
Clifford, and fortie horsses with their pages for their safe comming
vnto the said erle into Scotland, and for their abiding there and
returning backe. The fourth was closed with the seale of Iames Dowglas,
directed to king Arthur. The fift was closed with the seale of Iames
Dowglas directed vnto the lord Rafe Neuill. The sixt had no direction,
but the tenour thereof was this as followeth.
The tenour of the said sixt letter lacking a direction.
You shall vnderstand my lord, that the communication before hand had
is now brought to effect. For the earle of Hereford, the lords Roger
Damorie, Hugh de Audelie the yoonger, Bartholomew de Badelismere,
Roger de Clifford, Iohn Gifford, Henrie Teis, Thomas Manduit, Iohn de
Willington, and all other are come to Pomfret and are readie to make
you good assurance, so that you will perform couenant with them, to wit
for your comming to aid vs, and to go with vs into England and Wales,
to liue and die with vs in our quarell. We therefore beséech you to
assigne vs day and place, where we may méet, and we will be readie to
accomplish fullie our businesse: and we beséech you to make vs a safe
conduct for thirtie horsses, that we may in safetie come to your parts.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: _Record Tur._]
[Sidenote: The king setteth forward towards his enimies.]
[Sidenote: He made a proclamation.]
The king, when such earles and lords as he had licenced for a time were
returned (his brother the earle of Northfolke excepted) & that the most
part of those men of warre were assembled that had summons, although
diuerse came not at all; about the first sundaie in Lent he set forward
towards his enimies, hauing with him to the number of sixtéene hundred
men of armes on horssebacke, and footmen innumerable; with this power
passing foorth towards his aduersaries, he caused proclamation to be
made, that he was readie to receiue all men to his peace, that would
come and submit themselues, those excepted which had béene at the siege
of Tikehill castell, or at the taking of the citie of Glocester, or at
the inuasion made vpon his men at Bridgenorth.
[Sidenote: Burton vpon Trent.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Surrie.]
[Sidenote: Peraduenture at Wichnore.]
At his comming to a little village called Caldwell, he sent afore him
certeine bands to Burton vpon Trent, where he ment to haue lodged:
but the earles of Lancaster and Hereford, the lords Roger Damorie,
Hugh Audelie the yonger, Iohn de Mowbraie, Bartholomew de Badelismere,
Roger de Clifford, Iohn Gifford de Bremesfield, Henrie Tieis, and many
other, being gotten thither before, kept the bridge, and assailing the
kings people which he had thus sent before, some of them they slue, and
some they wounded, so defending the bridge, that none could passe, and
by reason that the waters, and speciallie the riuer of Trent through
abundance of raine that was latelie fallen, were raised, there was no
meane to passe by the foords, wherevpon the king was constreined to
staie the space of thrée daies, in which meane time, the earles and
their complices fortified the bridge at Burton, with barriers and such
like defenses, after the maner of warre, but the king at length vpon
deliberate aduise taken how to passe the riuer, ordeined that the earle
of Surrie with certeine armed men, should go ouer by a bridge that was
thrée miles distant from Burton, that he might come vpon the backes of
the enimies, as they were fighting with those that should assaile them
afront.
[Sidenote: The earles of Richmond & Penbroke.]
[Sidenote: Robert Aquarie.]
[Sidenote: The K. passeth by a foord.]
[Sidenote: The earles of Lancaster & Hereford flée and set fire on the
towne.]
The earles of Richmond and Penbroke were appointed to passe by a foord,
which they had got knowledge of, with thrée hundred horssemen in
complet armour, and the king with his brother the earle of Kent should
follow them, with the residue of the armie, sauing that Robert Aquarie
or Waters, with certeine bands of footmen was commanded to assaile the
bridge, which he did verie manfullie, causing the archers & crossebowes
to annoie them that kept it, so as he might draw the whole power of
the enimies that waie, till the king and the earles were passed by the
foord. But after that the earles of Lancaster and Hereford with their
complices, heard that the king was passed with his armie, they came
foorth with their people into the fields, and put them in order of
battell: but perceiuing the great puissance which the king had there
readie to encounter them, without more adoo they fled setting fire on
the towne, and leauing all their vittels and other things behind them.
The kings people comming spéedilie forward, and entring the towne,
quenched the fire, and fell to the spoile of such things as the enimies
for hast had left behind them. The king kept nothing to himselfe, but
onelie a faire cup that belonged to the earle of Lancaster, a péece
estéemed to be of some great value.
[Sidenote: The K. commeth to Tutburie.]
[Sidenote: Hue and crie.]