Magnum iter ascendo, sed dat mihi gloria vires.]

[Sidenote: The dastard altereth his purpose.]

Now as he was onwards vpon his iornie, he was aduertised, that king

Edward was preparing to come forwards against him, assisted in manner

with all the great lords of the realme, and others in great number,

more than he had beene at anie time before. By reason whereof, doubting

what might follow, if passing the riuer he should fortune so to be

inclosed, that he should be driuen thereby to incounter with the kings

power at such ods, he thought it best to alter his purpose; and so

returning, came backe againe before London, & mustered his people in S.

Georges field, ranged and placed in one entier battell.

And to the intent they might worke their purposed feat, before the

kings comming to the rescue, they resolued with all their forces to

assault the citie, and to enter it if they could by plaine strength,

that putting it to the sacke, they might conueie the riches to their

ships, which laie in the riuer betwixt saint Katharins and Blackewall,

neere to Ratcliffe. Herevpon hauing brought certeine peeces of

artillerie foorth of their ships, they planted the same alongst the

water side, right ouer against the citie, and shot off lustilie, to

annoie them within so much as was possible.

[Sidenote: The bastard meaneth to enter the citie by force.]

But the citizens on the other side lodged their great artillerie

against their aduersaries, and with violent shot therof so galled

them, that they durst not abide in anie place alongst the water side,

but were driuen euen from their owne ordinance. Yet the bastard not

meaning to leaue anie waie vnassaied that might aduance his purpose,

appointed a great number of his retinue to set fire on the bridge, so

to open the passage, and to enter into the citie that way forth; and

withall, he caused aboue thrée thousand other to passe by ships ouer

the Thames; giuing order, that when they were got ouer, they should

diuide themselues into two battels, the one to assault Algate, and the

other Bishops gate, which order accordinglie was executed.

[Sidenote: Algate and Bishops gate assaulted.]

[Sidenote: Houses burnt on the bridge.]

For they did their best at both places to force the gates, not sparing

to bend and discharge such guns as they had brought with them against

the same, nor ceassing with arrowes to annoie those that there stood

at defense: whereby much hurt was doone, as well at the one place as

the other, fire being set on both the gates in purpose to haue burnt

them vp, and so to haue entered. The fire which they had kindled on the

bridge little auailed them, although they burnt there to the number of

a thréescore houses. For the citizens had laid such péeces of ordinance

directlie in their waie, that although the passage had béene wholie

open, they should haue had hard entering that waie foorth. The maior,

aldermen, and other worshipfull citizens were in good arraie, and each

man appointed and bestowed where was thought néedfull.

The earle of Essex, and manie knights, esquiers, and gentlemen, with

their fréends and seruants, came to aid the citizens, taking great

paine to place them in order, for defense of the gates and walles:

and furthermore, deuised how and in what sort they might make a

sallie foorth vpon the enimies to distresse them: and suerlie, by the

intermingling of such gentlemen and lords seruants in euerie part with

the citizens, they were greatlie incouraged to withstand their enimies.

Yet the rebels, vnder the leading of one Spising, bare themselues so

stoutlie at Algate, that they wan the bulworks there, and droue the

citizens backe within the portculice, & entered with them, to the

number of six or eight: but some of them were slaine with the fall of

the portculice that was let downe vpon them, to kéepe the residue out,

and those that were entered within the gate were suddenlie dispatched.

[Sidenote: The valiancie of Robert Basset alderman.]

Héerewith they lashed fréelie the one part at the other with guns and

bowes, although no great hurt was doone with shot; till at length

Robert Basset alderman (that was appointed to the kéeping of this

gate), with the most part of the citizens, and the recorder, named

Ursewike, either of them being well armed in strong iackes, commanded

the portculice to be drawen vp, and maintenantlie rushed foorth vpon

their enimies, putting them backe vnto saint Bothulpes church. At the

same instant, the earle Riuers, hauing got togither a foure or fiue

hundred men, well chosen and apparelled for the warre, issued foorth at

the posterne by the Tower, and assailing the Kentishmen, euen vpon the

point as they were thus put backe, mightilie laid vpon them.

And first he plaged them with the swift and thicke flight of his

arrowes, and after ioining with them at handstrokes, slue and tooke

manie of them prisoners; so that the rebels were fullie put to flight,

and followed first to Mile-end, and from thense some vnto Poplar,

some to Stratford, and Stepnith, and in maner each waie foorth about

that part of the citie, the chase being followed for the space of

two miles in length. Manie of them were of Essex, and so made their

course homewards; but the more part of them fled to the water side, and

getting to their ships, passed ouer the Thames to the rest of their

companie. The other likewise that were busie to assault Bishops gate,

when they vnderstood that their fellowes were discomfited and fled from

Algate, they likewise slipped awaie, and made the best shift they could

to saue themselues.

[Sidenote: Rafe Iosselin.]

There were a seauen hundred of them that fled from Algate, and other

places, slaine outright, beside the prisoners. And yet there were fiers

burning all at once at Algate, Bishops gate, & on the bridge, and manie

houses consumed with the same fiers. But now the bastard, vnder whome

that companie was directed that had set fire on the bridge, when he

saw that he might not preuaile, and vnderstood the euill succes of

those which he had set ouer the Thames, he withdrew also, and left the

bridge. Here the hardie manhood of Rafe Iosselin alderman is not to be

passed with silence; who (after he had valiantlie resisted the bastard

& his band that assaulted the bridge) vpon their retire sallied foorth

vpon them, and following them in chase alongst the water side, till

they came beyond Ratcliffe, slue and tooke verie manie of them.

[Sidenote: The bastard incampeth on Blackeheath.]

The bastard notwithstanding gathered his companies togither, and with

such as were willing to remaine with him incamped on Blackeheath,

by the space of thrée daies next insuing, to wit, the sixteenth,

seauentéenth, and eightéenth of Maie, vtterlie despairing of his wished

preie, sith he had béene repelled from London, to his vtter confusion.

And now to conclude, hearing that king Edward was comming with a

right puissant armie, the said bastard and his people durst no longer

abide; but brake vp and dispersed themselues, some one waie, and some

an other. They of Calis got them thither againe with all spéed, and

such as were of other countries repaired likewise to their homes, and

manie of the Kentishmen went also to their houses. The bastard with

his mariners, and such riotous rebels, robbers, and wicked persons, as

sought nothing but spoile, got them to shipboord, and with all their

vessels drew downe to the coast.

[Sidenote: _Edw. Hall._]

[Sidenote: King Henrie the sixt murthered in the Tower.]

King Edward, hauing assembled an armie of thirtie thousand men (as

some write) and accompanied in maner with all the great lords of

England, came to London the one and twentith of Maie, being tuesdaie,

where he was honourablie receiued by the maior, aldermen, and other

worshipfull citizens: where euen vpon their first méeting with him he

dubbed diuerse of them knights; as the maior, the recorder, & other

aldermen, and worshipfull commoners of the citie, which had manfullie

and valiantlie acquit themselues against the bastard Fauconbridge &

his wicked companie of rebels. Moreouer, here is to be remembred, that

poore king Henrie the sixt, a little before depriued (as ye haue heard)

of his realme and imperiall crowne, was now in the Tower spoiled of his

life, by Richard duke of Glocester (as the constant fame ran) who (to

the intent that his brother king Edward might reigne in more suertie)

murthered the said king Henrie with a dagger.

[Sidenote: The nine and twentith of Maie.]

Howbeit, some writers of that time, fauoring altogither the house of

Yorke, haue recorded, that after he vnderstood what losses had chanced

vnto his fréends, and how not onelie his sonne, but also all other his

chéefe partakers were dead and dispatched, he tooke it so to hart, that

of pure displeasure, indignation, and melancholie, he died the three

and twentith of Maie. The dead corps on the Ascension euen was conueied

with billes and glaucs pompouslie (if you will call that a funerall

pompe) from the Tower to the church of saint Paule, and there laid on a

beire or coffen bare faced, the same in presence of the beholders did

bléed; where it rested the space of one whole daie. From thense he was

caried to the Blackfriers, and bled there likewise: and on the next

daie after, it was conueied in a boat, without priest or clerke, torch

or taper, singing or saieng, vnto the monasterie of Chertseie, distant

from London fiftéene miles, and there was it first buried: but after,

it was remooued to Windesor, and there in a new vawt, newlie intoomed.

He reigned eight and thirtie yeares, six moneths and od daies, and

after his readeption of the crowne six moneths. He liued two and fiftie

yeares, hauing by wife one onelie sonne, called Edward, prince of Wales.

He was of a séemelie stature, of bodie slender, to which proportion

all other members were answerable; his face beautifull, wherein

continuallie was resident the bountie of mind with the which he was

inwardlie indued. Of his owne naturall inclination he abhorred all

the vices as well of the bodie as of the soule. His patience was such

that of all the iniuries to him doone (which were innumerable) he

neuer asked vengeance, thinking that for such aduersitie as chanced to

him, his sinnes should be forgotten and forgiuen. What losses soeuer

happened vnto him, he neuer esteemed, nor made anie account therof; but

if anie thing were doone, that might sound as an offense towards God,

he sore lamented, and with great repentance sorowed for it.

So then verie vnlike it is, that he died of anie wrath, indignation,

and displeasure bicause his businesse about the kéeping of the crowne

on his head tooke no better successe: except peraduenture ye will

saie, that it gréeued him, for that such slaughters and mischéeues

as had chanced within this land, came to passe onelie through his

follie and default in gouernment: or (that more is) for his fathers,

his grandfathers, and his owne vniust vsurping and deteining of the

crowne. But howsoeuer it was, for these before remembred, and other the

like properties of reputed holinesse, which was said to rest in him,

it pleased God to worke miracles for him in his life time as men haue

listed to report.

[Sidenote: Canonizing of kings, déere.]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 730, 731, &c._]

By reason whereof, king Henrie the seauenth sued to Pope Iulio the

second, to haue him canonized a saint. But for that the canonizing

of a king séemed to be more costlie than for a bishop, the said king

left off his sute in that behalfe; thinking better to saue his monie,

than to purchase a new holie daie of saint Henrie with so great a

price, remitting to God the iudgement of his will and intent. ¶ But

bicause princes princelie qualified, can not be too highlie praised, I

will here record a collection of his commendable conditions, dooings,

and saiengs, as I find them set downe to my hand, to his perpetuall

renowme; and right worthie of imitation, not onelie of such as are

singled out from among infinite thousands, to be magnified with

roialtie; but also of priuat and meane men that conuerse and liue one

with an other in the world.

This king hauing inioied as great prosperitie as fauourable fortune

could afoord, & as great troubles on the other side as she frowning

could powre out; yet in both the states he was patient and vertuous,

that he maie be a patterne of most perfect vertue, as he was a worthie

example of fortunes inconstancie. He was plaine, vpright, farre from

fraud, wholie giuen to praier, reading of scriptures, and almesdeeds;

of such integritie of life, that the bishop which had béene his

confessour ten yeares, auouched that he had not all that time committed

anie mortall crime: so continent, as suspicion of vnchast life neuer

touched him: and hauing in Christmasse a shew of yoong women with their

bare breasts laid out presented before him, he immediatlie departed

with these words: "Fie, fie, for shame; forsooth you be too blame."

Before his marriage, he liked not that women should enter his chamber,

and for this respect he committed his two brethren by the moothers

side, Iasper and Edmund to most honest & vertuous prelats to be brought

vp. So farre he was from couetousnesse, that when the executors of his

vncle the bishop of Winchester, surnamed the rich cardinall, would haue

giuen him two thousand pounds, he plainelie refused it, willing them

to discharge the will of the departed, and would scarselie condescend

at length to accept the same summe of monie toward the indowing of his

colleges in Cambridge & Eaton. He was religiouslie affected (as the

time then was) that at principall holidaies, he would weare sackecloth

next his skin. Oth he vsed none, but in most earnest matters these

words: Forsooth and forsooth.

He was so pitifull, that when he saw the quarter of a traitor against

his crowne ouer Criplegate, he willed it to be taken awaie, with these

words: "I will not haue anie christian so cruellie handled for my

sake." Manie great offenses he willinglie pardoned and receiuing at a

time a great blow by a wicked man which compassed his death, he onelie

said; "Forsooth forsooth, yée doo fowlie to smite a king annointed

so." Another also which thrust him into the side with a sword when he

was prisoner in the Tower, was by him pardoned when he was restored

to his state and kingdome. Not long before his death, being demanded

whie he had so long held the crowne of England vniustlie; he replied:

"My father was king of England, quietlie inioieng the crowne all his

reigne: and his father my grandsire was also king of England, and I

euen a child in my cradell was proclamed and crowned king without anie

interruption; and so held it fortie yeares well-neere, all the states

dooing homage vnto me, as to my antecessors: wherefore I maie saie with

king Dauid; The lot is fallen vnto me in a faire ground; yea, I haue a

goodlie heritage, my helpe is from the Lord which saueth the vpright in

heart."

[Sidenote: The kings colledge in Cambridge.]

This good king being of himselfe alwaies naturallie inclined to doo

good, and fearing least he might séeme vnthanke full to almightie God

for his great benefits bestowed vpon him, since the time he first

tooke vpon him the regiment of his realme, determined about the six

and twentith yeare of his reigne, for his primer notable worke (as by

the words of his will I find expressed) to erect and found two famous

colledges in the honor and worship of his holy name, and for the

increase of vertue, the dilatation of cunning, and establishment of

christian faith, whereof the one in Cambridge to be called his colledge

roiall of our ladie and saint Nicholas: and the other at Eaton beside

Windsore, to be called his colledge of our blessed ladie.

And for the performance of this his deuout purpose, he infeoffed

certeine bishops, with other noble and worshipfull personages, by his

letters patents, with lands and possessions, parcell of his inheritance

of the duchie of Lancaster, to the cleare value of well néere foure

& thirtie hundred pounds by yéere. Which letters patents he after

confirmed by his act of parlement, declaring also by his will vnto his

said feoffées, his intent and meaning, how the same shuld be imploied

vpon the edifications of his said two colledges. Whereof (in my

iudgement) the deuise is so excellent, and the buildings so princelie

and apt for that purpose, as I cannot omit to set foorth vnto you the

verie plot of the whole colledge in Cambridge, euen as I find mentioned

almost verbatim in his will, supposing that if the rest of the house

had procéeded according to the chappell alreadie finished (as his full

intent and meaning was) the like colledge could scant haue béene found

againe in anie christian land. The words of the will are thus.

[Sidenote: The chappell.]

[Sidenote: The bodie of the church.]

[Sidenote: The quiere.]

[Sidenote: The roodloft.]

[Sidenote: The height of the chappell.]

[Sidenote: The east window.]

As touching the dimensions of the church of my said colledge of our

ladie and S. Nicholas of Cambridge, I haue deuised and appointed,

that the same church shall conteine in length 288 foot of assise,

without anie Iles, and all of the widenesse of fortie foot. And the

length of the same church from the west end vnto the altars at the

quiere doore, shall conteine an hundred and twentie foot. And from the

prouosts stall, vnto the gréece called Gradus chori ninetie foot; for

thirtie six stalles on either side of the same quiere, answering to

threescore and ten fellowes, and ten priests conducts, which must be De

prima forma. And from the said stalles vnto the east end of the said

church, threescore & two foot of assise. Also a reredosse bearing the

roodloft, departing the quiere and the bodie of the church conteining

in length fortie foot, and in breadth fourtéene foot. The walles of

the same church to be in height ninetie foot imbattelled, vawted and

charerooffed, suffcientlie butteraced, and euerie butterace fined with

finials. And in the east end of the same church, shall be a window of

nine daies, and betwixt euerie butterace a window of fiue daies.

[Sidenote: The side chappels.]

[Sidenote: The vestrie.]

[Sidenote: The cloister.]

And betwixt euerie of the same butteraces in the bodie of the church,

on both sides of the same church, a closet with an altar therein,

conteining in length twentie foot, and in breadth ten foot, vawted and

finished vnder the soile of the Ile windowes. And the pauement of the

church to be inhanced foure foot and aboue the ground without. And

the height of the pauement of the quiere one foot and an halfe aboue

the pauement of the church. And the pauement of the altar thrée foot

aboue that. And on the north side of the quiere a vestrie conteining in

length fiftie foot, and in breadth twentie and two foot, departed into

two houses beneath, & two houses aboue, which shall conteine in height

twentie two foot in all, with an entrie from the quiere vawted. And at

the west end of the church a cloister square, the east pane conteining

in length an hundred seuentie and fiue foot, and the west pane as much.

The north pane two hundred foot, and the south pane as much, of the

which the deambulatorie thirtéene foot wide, and in height twentie foot

to the corbill table, with cleare stories and butteraces with finials,

vawted & imbattelled. And the ground thereof foure foot lower than the

church ground.

[Sidenote: The stéeple.]

[Sidenote: The base court.]

[Sidenote: The east pane.]

[Sidenote: The great gate.]

And in the middle of the west pane of the cloister a strong tower

square, conteining foure and twentie foot within the walles. And in the

height one hundred and twentie foot to the corbill table. And foure

small turrets ouer that fined with pinacles. And a doore into the said

cloister inward, but outward none. And as touching the dimensions of

the housing of the said colledge, I haue deuised and appointed in

the southside of the said church a quadrant, closing to both ends of

the same church; the east pane whereof shall conteine two hundred

and thirtie foot in length, and in breadth within the walles two and

twentie foot. In the same panes middle, a tower for a gatehouse,

conteining in length thirtie foot, and in breadth two and twentie, and

in height thréescore foot, with thrée chambers ouer the gate, euerie

one ouer the other. And on either side of the same gate foure chambers,

euerie one conteining in length fiue & twentie foot, and in bredth two

and twentie foot. And ouer euerie of these chambers, two chambers aboue

of the same measure or more, with two towers outward, and two towers

inward.

[Sidenote: The south pane.]

[Sidenote: The west pane.]

[Sidenote: The librarie.]

[Sidenote: The disputation house.]

The south pane shall conteine in length two hundred thirtie and eight

foot, and in breadth two and twentie foot within, in which shalbe seuen

chambers, euerie one conteining in length nine and twentie foot, and

in breadth twentie and two, with a chamber parcell of the prouosts

lodging, conteining in length thirtie and fiue foot, and with a chamber

in the east corner of the same pane, conteining in length twentie and

fiue foot, and in breadth thirtie and two foot. And ouer euerie of all

these chambers, two chambers, and with fiue towers outward, and thrée

towers inward. The west pane shall conteine in length two hundred and

thirtie foot, and in breadth within twentie & foure foot, in which at

the end toward the church shall be a librarie, conteining in length an

hundred and ten foot, and in breadth twentie and foure foot. And vnder

it a large house for reading and disputations, conteining in length

eleuen foot. And two chambers vnder the same librarie, each conteining

twentie and nine foot in length, and in breadth foure and twentie foot.

[Sidenote: The wardrobe.]

[Sidenote: The hall.]

[Sidenote: The pantrie and butterie.]

[Sidenote: The colledge kitchin.]

And ouer the said librarie a house of the same largenesse, for diuerse

stuffe of the said colledge. In the other end of the same pane a hall,

conteining in length an hundred foot, vpon a vawt of twelue foot high,

ordeined for the cellar and butterie: and the breadth of the hall

six and thirtie foot. On euerie side thereof a baie window. And in

the nether end of the same hall toward the middle of the same pane,

a pantrie & butterie, euerie of them in length twentie foot, and in

breadth seuentéene foot. And ouer that two chambers for officers. And

at the nether end of the hall toward the west, a goodlie kitchin. And

the same pane shall haue inward two towers, ordeined for the waies into

the hall and librarie. And in euerie corner of the said quadrant, shall

be two corner towers, one inward, and one outward, more than the towers

aboue rehearsed.

[Sidenote: The prouosts lodging.]

[Sidenote: The bakhouse and brewhouse.]

[Sidenote: The woodyard.]

[Sidenote: The water conduit.]

And at the vpper end of the hall, the prouosts lodging, that is to

wit, more than the chambers for him aboue specified, a parlour on the

ground, conteining six and thirtie foot in length, and two and twentie

foot in breadth, & two chambers aboue of the same quantitie. And

westward closing thereto a kitchin for him, a larderhouse, stables, and

other necessarie housings and ground. And westward beyond these houses,

and the said kitchin ordeined for the hall, a bakehouse, brewhouse, and

other houses of office: betwixt which there is left a ground square

of fourscore foot in euerie pane for wood and such stuffe. And in the

middle of the said large quadrant, shall be a conduit, goodlie deuised

for the ease of the same colledge. And I will, that the edification

proceed in large forme of my said colledge cleane and substantiall,

setting apart superfluitie of so great curious workes of intaile and

busie moulding.

[Sidenote: The precinct of the colledge.]

[Sidenote: The water gate.]

And I haue deuised and appointed that the precinct of my said colledge,

as well on both sides of the garden from the colledge to the water,

as in all other places of the same precinct, be inclosed with a

substantiall wall, of the height of fourtéene foot, with a large tower

at the principall entrie against the middle of the east pane, out of

the high stréet. And in the same tower a large gate, and another tower

in the middle of the west end at the new bridge. And the same wall to

be creasted, imbattelled, and fortified with towers, as manie as shall

be thought conuenient therevnto. And I will that my said colledge be

edified of most substantiall & best abiding stuffe, of stone, lead,

glasse, and iron, that maie best be had and prouided thereto. ¶ Thus

much I haue inlarged by occasion of reading this good kings will: the

cunning deuise whereof I leaue to the considerate iudgement of such as

be expert in architecture, heartilie desiring almightie God to put into

the heart of some noble prince of this land, one day to make perfect

this roiall worke so charitablie begun.

[Sidenote: Sandwich kept by the rebels.]

But now to returne to king Edward. Ye shall vnderstand, that after his

comming to London, hée rested there but one daie, or two at the most,

taking his iournie foorthright into Kent with all his armie, folowing

the bastard, and other his complices, to suppresse them, if they were

in anie place assembled againe to resist him. But after they were once

dispersed, they durst not shew themselues againe in armor, those onlie

excepted that were withdrawne vnto Sandwich with the bastard; which

for the more part were mariners, about eight or nine hundred, beside

certeine other euill disposed persons, that accompanied him as his

souldiers, and men of warre, with whose assistance the bastard kept

that towne by strength, hauing in the hauen seuen and fortie ships

great and small, vnder his gouernance.

[Sidenote: The rebels sue for pardon.]

But vpon the kings approching néere vnto those parties, they sent to

him for pardon, promising that vpon a reasonable appointment, for the

safegard of their liues, and other indemnities to be had for their

benefit, they would become his faithfull subiects, and deliuer into his

hands all the ships. Their offer the king vpon great considerations,

and by good deliberate aduise of counsell, thought best to accept: and

therevpon (being at that time in Canturburie) hée granted to their

petitions, and sent immediatlie vnto Sandwich his brother Richard duke

of Glocester, to receiue them to mercie, togither with all the ships,

which according to their promise they deliuered into his hands.

[Sidenote: The bastard of Fauconbridge beheaded.]

[Sidenote: Roger Vaughan taken and beheaded.]

But notwithstanding that (as some write) the bastard Fauconbridge, and

other of his companie that were got to Sandwich, had thus their pardons

by composition at the kings hand; we find neuerthelesse, that the said

bastard Fauconbridge, being afterwards at sea (a rouing belike, as he

had vsed before) came at length into the open hauen at Southhampton,

and there taking land, was apprehended, and shortlie after beheaded.

This chanced (as should appeare by Fabian) about the latter end of

October. Moreouer, Roger Vaughan that had béene sent by king Edward

into Wales, anon after Teukesburie field (being a man of great power in

that countrie) to intrap and surprise by some secret sleight the earle

of Penbroke, the said earle being thereof aduertised, tooke the same

Roger, and without delay stroke off his head.

[Sidenote: Dauid Thomas.]

[Sidenote: The earle of Penbroke with his nephue the earle of Richmond

passe ouer into Britaine.]

[Sidenote: Execution.]

After this, was the earle besieged in the towne of Penbroke by Morgan

Thomas; but the siege was raised by Dauid Thomas, brother to the said

Morgan, a faithfull friend to the earle; and then the earle by his

helpe was conueied to Tinbie, where he got ships, and with his nephue

the lord Henrie earle of Richmond sailed into Britaine, where, of the

duke they were courteouslie interteined; with assurance made, that no

creature should doo them anie wrong or iniurie within his dominions.

King Edward visiting diuerse places in Kent, sate in iudgement on such

as had aided the bastard in the last commotion, of whome diuerse were

condemned and executed, as Spising one of the capteins that assaulted

Algate, whose head was set vp ouer the same gate: and so likewise

was the head of one Quintine, a butcher, that was an other capteine

amongest them, and chiefe of those that assaulted Bishops gate, as some

write.

Moreouer, at Canturburie the maior of that citie was executed, and

diuerse other at Rochester, Maidston and Blackeheath: for the lord

marshall and other iudges, being appointed to hold their oier and

determiner in that countrie of Kent, there were aboue an hundred

indicted and condemned. Diuerse also of Essex men that had béene

partakers in this rebellion with the bastard, & holpe to set fire on

Bishops gate and Algate, were hanged betwixt Stratford and London.

Manie also of the wealthie commons in Kent were put to grieuous fines.

[Sidenote: _Fabian._]

[Sidenote: The archbishop of Yorke.]

[Sidenote: The earle of Oxford.]

[Sidenote: 1472.]

Now when the king had made an end of his businesse in that countrie, he

returned to London, comming thither againe vpon Whitsun éeuen, being

the first of Iune. And hauing thus within the space of eleuen wéekes

recouered in maner the whole possession of his realme, being relieued

of the most part of all his doubtfull feare, he ment to remooue all

stops out of the waie. Wherefore he sent the archbishop of Yorke,

brother to the earle of Warwike, and to the marques Montacute ouer to

Guisnes, there to be kept in safe custodie within the castell, where he

continued a long season, till at length he was by friendship deliuered,

and shortlie after (through verie anguish of mind) departed this life;

whome Laurence Bath, and after him Thomas Rotheram in the sée of Yorke,

did ordinarilie succéed. Beside this, Iohn earle of Oxford, which after

Barnet field both manfullie and valiantlie kept saint Michaels mount in

Cornewall, either for lacke of aid, or persuaded by his friends gaue vp

the mount, and yeelded himselfe to king Edward (his life onelie saued)

which to him was granted. But to be out of all doutfull imaginations,

king Edward also sent him ouer the sea to the castell of Hammes, where,

by the space of twelue yeeres hée was in strong prison shut vp and

warilie looked to.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 12.]

[Sidenote: Messengers sent to the duke of Britaine.]

King Edward was not a litle disquieted in mind, for that the earls of

Penbroke & Richmond were not onlie escaped out of the realme, but also

well receiued and no woorsse interteined of the duke of Britaine: he

sent therefore in secret wise graue & close messengers to the said

duke, the which should not sticke to promise the duke great and rich

rewards, so that he would deliuer both the earles into their hands and

possession. The duke, after he had heard them that were sent, made

this answer, that he could not with his honor deliuer them, to whome

he had giuen his faith to sée them preserued from all iniurie: but

this (he said) he would doo for the king of England, that they should

be so looked vnto, as he néeded not to doubt of any attempt to be made

against him by them, or by their meanes.

[Sidenote: 1473.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 13.]

[Sidenote: A parlement.]

The king receiuing this answer, wrote louinglie to the duke of Britaine

that he would consider his fréendship with conuenient rewards, if it

should please him to be as good as his promise. The duke, perceiuing

gaine comming by the abode of the two English earles in his countrie,

caused them to be separated in sunder, and all their seruants being

Englishmen to be sequestred from them, and in their places appointed

Britains to attend them. In the thirtéeenth yeare of his reigne, king

Edward called his high court of parlement at his palace of Westminster,

in the which all lawes and ordinances made by him before that daie

were confirmed, and those that king Henrie had abrogated, after his

readeption of the crowne, were againe reuiued. Also lawes were made for

the confiscation of traitors goods, and for the restoring of them that

were for his sake fled the realme, which of his aduersaries had béene

atteinted of high treason, and condemned to die.

[Sidenote: A subsidie.]

[Sidenote: A pardon.]

[Sidenote: Ambassadors from the duke of Burgognie.]

Moreouer, towards his charges of late susteined, a competent summe

of monie was demanded, and fréelie granted. There was also a pardon

granted almost for all offenses; and all men then being within the

realme, were released and discharged of all high treasons and crimes,

although they had taken part with his aduersaries against him. In this

season the duke of Burgognie had sore wars with the French king; and to

be the more spéedelie reuenged on his aduersarie, he sent ambassadors

into England, to persuade king Edward to make warre also on the French

king, for the recouerie of his ancient right to the realme of France,

by the same French king against all equitie withholden and deteined.

In which atttempt of his, there was some fauour of discréet policie,

and a prouident forecast for his greater safetie, besides the likelie

possibilitie to obteine that whereto he made chalenge: sith the huger

hosts (if the hardier hearts) are of most force, according to that

saieng:

Virtus vnita fortior.

And therefore, by procuring the king of Englands power to ioine with

his, he supposed his purpose atchiueable with the more facilitie. King

Edward not so much for the loue he bare to the duke of Burgognie, as

for desire to be reuenged on the French king, whome he tooke to be

his enimie for aiding the earle of Warwike, quéene Margaret, and hir

sonne prince Edward, with their complices, gaue good eare to the duke

of Burgognie his messengers, and finallie (after he had taken aduise

of his councell) the said messengers were answered, that king Edward

in the beginning of the next yeare would land at Calis with a puissant

armie, both to reuenge such injuries as he had receiued at the French

kings hands, and also to recouer his right, which he wrongfullie

deteined from him.

[Sidenote: Opportunitie not to be neglected.]

[Sidenote: The earle of S. Paule.]

In déed the time serued verie well for the Englishmen to atchiue some

high enterprise in France at that present. For not onelie the duke of

Burgognie as then made warre against the French king, but also manie

great men within the realme of France, misliking the manners of their

king, began to haue secret intelligence with the said duke; and namelie

Lewes of Lutzenburgh earle of saint Paule constable of France, was

secretlie confederate with the duke of Burgognie, intending verelie

to bring the French king to some great hinderance, the better to haue

his purpose accomplished in certeine weightie matters. King Edward

vnderstanding all these things, was greatlie incouraged to make a

iournie into France, and therevpon with all diligence prepared all

things readie for the same.

[Sidenote: A shift to recouer monie.]

But bicause he wanted monie, and could not well charge his commons with

a new subsidie, for that he had receiued the last yeare great summes of

monie granted to him by parlement, he deuised this shift, to call afore

him a great number of the wealthiest sort of people in his realme;

and to them declaring his néed, and the requisite causes thereof, he

demanded of euerie of them some portion of monie, which they sticked

not to giue. And therefore the king willing to shew that this their

liberalitie was verie acceptable to him, he called this grant of monie,

A beneuolence: notwithstanding that manie with grudge gaue great sums

toward that new found aid which of them might be called, A meleuolence.

But the king vsed such gentle fashions toward them, with freendlie

praier of their assistance in his necessitie, that they could not

otherwise doo, but franklie and fréelie yéeld and giue him a reasonable

and competent summe.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Flem. ex. Edw. Hall. fol._ Ccxxvj.]

[Sidenote: _Iohn Stow._]

¶ But here I will not let passe a pretie conceipt that happened in

this gathering, in the which you shall not onelie note the humilitie

of a king, but more the fantasie of a woman. King Edward had called

before him a widow, much abounding in substance, and no lesse growne

in yeares, of whome he merilie demanded what she gladlie would giue

him toward his great charges? By my trueth quoth she, for thy louelie

countenance thou shalt haue euen twentie pounds. The king looking

scarse for the halfe of that summe, thanked hir, and louinglie kist

hir. Whether the flauor of his breath did so comfort hir stomach,

or she esteemed the kisse of a king so pretious a iewell, she swore

incontinentlie, that he should haue twentie pounds more, which she

with the same will paied that she offered it. ¶ This yeare the duke of

Excester was found dead in the sea betwéene Douer and Calis, but how he

came there the certeintie could not be knowne.

[Sidenote: 1474.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 14.]

[Sidenote: The K. with an armie passeth ouer into France.]

When all things conuenient for such an enterprise were in a readinesse,

the king came to Douer, where he found fiue hundred ships and hoies

readie to transport him and his armie. And so the fourth daie of Iulie

he passed ouer, and landed at Calis with great triumph; but his armie,

horsses, and munitions of war scarse passed ouer in twentie daies.

In this armie (being one of the best appointed that had passed out

of England into France in manie yeares before) were fifteene hundred

men of armes well horssed, of the which the most part were barded and

richlie trapped, and manie of them trimmed in one sute. There were also

fiftéene thousand archers with bowes and arrowes, of the which a great

number were on horsbacke. There were also a great companie of other

fighting men, and of such as serued to set vp tents and pauilions, to

attend the artillerie and to inclose their campe, and otherwise to

labour and be imploied in seruice.

[Sidenote: The siege of Nusse.]

[Sidenote: The lord Scales.]

In all this armie was there not one page. The king of England was at

his ariuall highlie displeased with the duke of Burgognie, who in the

word of a prince had promised to meet him at his landing, with two

thousand men of armes and light horssemen, besides a great number of

lanceknights and halberdiers, and that he would haue begun the war

three moneths before the kings transporting; whereas contrarilie the

duke laie lingering at the siege of Nusse, and let passe the occasion

of atchiuing a more profitable enterprise. King Edward incontinentlie

dispatched the lord Scales in post vnto the duke, to put him in

remembrance of his promise, and to aduise him to come and ioine with

him before the summer were spent.

[Sidenote: A defiance sent to the French king.]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex Edw. Hall. fol._ Ccxxvij.]

Before king Edward departed from Douer, he sent an officer of armes

vnto the French king with a defiance. The French king, receiuing the

king of Englands letters at the messengers hand, read the same; and

after he had considered thereof at leasure, he called the English

herald aside, and to him declared the little trust that was to be put

in the duke of Burgognie and the constable, by whose procurement he

knew that king Edward was procured to come at that season into France;

and therefore it should be better for him to haue peace with an old

enimie, than to staie vpon the promises and familiaritie of a new

dissembling freend, which peace did highlie please God, & was the thing

that he most desired. ¶ But to giue the greater grace to the matter in

hand, it is good to laie downe the forme of the French kings spéech to

the said herald, to whome he vttered these words in his wardrobe, as

Edward Hall reporteth.

"Sir I know and well wot, that the king of England your maister, is

neither decended in these parts of his owne frée motion, nor yet of vs

required; but onelie entised and prouoked by the duke of Burgognie, and

somewhat inforced by the commons of his realme. But now you may sée

that the season of the yeare passeth, and the duke of Burgognie is in

poore estate, returning from Nusse almost discomforted. The constable

also, with whome the king your souereigne lord (I am sure) hath some

intelligence, for fauour that your maister hath maried his néece, is

not so sure a freend as he is taken for. And if all the world knew

how I haue promoted him, and what I haue doone for him, they would

little thinke, that he would so vntrulie handle me as he dooth. For I

assure you, he is a déepe dissembler, & in continuall dissimulation

intendeth to lead his life, interteining all men for his owne profit.

And although the king your maister be vnsure of all his other promises,

yet of one thing he shall be sure, that is, he shall be euer dissembled

withall. And therefore I saie to you, and not to your maister, that

he were better haue a peace with an old enimie, than the promises and

familiaritie of a new dissembling fréend, which peace most pleaseth

God, and is the thing that I most doo desire."

[Sidenote: The office of an herald.]

[Sidenote: The duke of Burgognie commeth to king Edward.]

When he had thus said, he gaue the herald thrée hundred crownes,

promising him a thousand crownes if anie good appointment came to

passe. This herald was borne in Normandie, who being more couetous

of the crownes than secret (according as of dutie by his office he

ought to haue beene) promised to doo all things that in him laie, and

further shewed waies by the which the French king might enter into the

port of treatie for peace, the which he doubted not would sort to a

good conclusion. The French king glad to heare these things, gaue to

the herald when he should depart, beside the other reward, a péece of

Crimson veluet of thirtie yards long. The lord Scales, comming to the

duke of Burgognie before Nusse, could not persuade him to raise his

field, and (as it stood him vpon) to come and ioine with king Edward,

till at length constreined thereto by other means, he left Nusse

vnconquered and sending the most part of his armie into Lorraine, came

with a small companie to king Edward lieng before Calis.

King Edward at the first comming of the duke vnto him, séemed much to

reprooue his vnwise dealing, in making so slow hast to ioine with him

at this time, sith for his sake, and at his sute, he had passed the

seas with his armie, to the intent to make wars in France in reuenge

of both their iniuries; the time seruing their turnes so well as they

could wish or desire, the opportunitie whereof could neuer happilie

be recouered againe. The duke after he had excused himselfe, with

alledging the dishonour that should haue redounded to him, if he had

left the siege of Nusse without meane of some shew of composition,

incouraged king Edward to aduance forward with manie golden promises,

aswell of his owne part, as of the constable. The king agréed to the

dukes persuasion, and so set forward.

[Sidenote: The constable of France a déepe dissembler.]

But yet when he was entred into the dukes countries, the Englishmen

were not so freendlie interteined as they looked to haue béene: for at

their comming to Peronne, there were but a few suffered to enter the

gates, the remnant were driuen to lodge in the fields, better purueied

of their owne, than of the dukes prouision. And at their comming before

saint Quintines (which towne the constable had promised to deliuer

into the hands of the duke of Burgognie) the artillerie shot off, and

they of the towne came foorth both on horssebacke and foot to skirmish

with them that approached, of the which two or three were slaine. This

interteinment seemed strange to king Edward, pondering the last daies

promise with this daies dooing. But the duke excused the matter, and

would haue persuaded him to make countenance to besiege the towne,

that the constable might haue a colour to render it into his hands, as

though he did it by constraint.

[Sidenote: The duke of Burgognie departeth.]

But the king, remembring what had béene told to his herald by the

French K. how he should be dissembled with, perceiued the French kings

words to be too true, and therefore thought it more sure to heare

the faire words of the constable and the duke, than to giue credit

to their vntrue and deceitfull dooings. The Englishmen returned vnto

their campe in a great chafe towards the constable; and the next daie

to increase their displeasure, an other corosiue was ministred, that

smarted sorer. For duke Charles of Burgognie tooke his leaue suddenlie

of king Edward, alledging that he must néeds see his armie in Artois,

promising shortlie with all his puissance to returne againe to the

great commoditie of them both. This departing much troubled the king

of England, bicause he looked for no such thing; but thought rather

that he should haue had the duke his continuall fellow in armes: and

therefore this dissembling and vnstedfast working caused the king to

thinke that he neuer thought, and to doo that he neuer intended.

The French king in this meane while had assembled a mightie power; ouer

the which he had made monsieur Robert de Estoutuile capteine, whome

he sent to Artois, to defend the frontiers there against the king of

Englands entrie, and he himselfe tarried still at Senlis: but though

he shewed countenance thus of warre, yet inwardlie desirous of peace,

according to the aduise giuen him by the English herald, he caused a

varlet or yeoman (as I may call him) to be put in a coat of armour of

France, which for hast was made of a trumpet baner. For king Lewes was

a man nothing precise in outward shewes of honor, oftentimes hauing

neither officer of armes, trumpet in his court, nor other roiall

appurtenances belonging to the port of a prince, which should be

glorious and replenished with pompe, as the poet saith:

Regia mirifici fulgent insignia regis.

[Sidenote: A messenger sent to the king of England.]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex. Edw. Hall. fol._ Ccxxix, ccxxx.]

This counterfeit herald, being throughlie instructed in his charge, was

sent to the king of England, and so passing foorth: when he approched

the English campe, he put on his coat of armes, & being espied of the

outriders, was brought to a tent, where the lord Howard and the lord

Stanleie were at dinner, of whome he was courteouslie receiued, and by

them conueied to the kings presence, vnto whom he declared his message

so wittilie, that in the end he obteined a safe conduct for one hundred

horsses, for such persons as his maister should appoint to meet, as

manie to be assigned by king Edward in some indifferent place betwéene

both armies, to haue a like safe conduct from his said maister, as he

receiued from him. ¶ The words of which herald are woorth the noting,

reported in writers as followeth.

The heralds oration to the king vttered with boldnesse of face and

libertie of toong.

Right high and mightie prince, right puissant and noble king, if

your excellent wisedome did perfectlie know, or your high knowledge

did apparantlie perceiue, what inward affection and feruent desire

the king my maister hath alwaies had, to haue a perfect peace, a

sure vnitie, & a brotherlie concord betweene your noble person

and your realme, and his honorable personage and his dominions,

you would & (for truths sake) should confesse and saie, that

neuer christian prince more thirsted for an amitie, nor yet no

louer hath more sought to atteine to the fauour of his paramor,

than he hath sought to haue with you a perpetuall fréendship,

amitie, and aliance: to the intent that the subiects of both the

relms, quietlie liuing vnder two princes, confederate and combined

togither in an indissoluble confederacie and league, may mutuallie

imbrace ech other in their harts, may personallie haue resort and

frequent each others princes territories and dominions, with their

merchandizes and wares: and finallie, the one to liue with the

other, as freend with freend, brother with brother, companion with

companion, in continuall loue, rest, and tranquilitie. And for his

part he dooth affirme & saie, that since he receiued first the

crowne of his kingdome, and was annointed with the holie ampull,

he neuer attempted, nor yet once imagined anie war, or thing

preiudiciall toward your roiall person, your realme, or your people.

If you peraduenture will saie, that he supported & mainteined the

earle of Warwike against your maiestie, he suerlie that dooth &

will denie: for he aided him against the duke of Burgognie, whome

he knew not onelie to be his extreame enimie, but also to laie

in wait (both by sea and land) either to take him, or vtterlie

to destroie him. Which duke of Burgognie, onelie for his owne

cause, hath excited and solicited your highnesse to come ouer the

troublous and tempestuous seas, to the intent to cause (yea in

maner to compell) the king my master, to condescend to such treatie

and appointment, as should be to his onlie profit, and neither to

your honour, nor yet to your game. For if he & such other as dailie

flattered him for their peculiar profits (as he had manie in deed

that dailie sucked at his elbow) had once obteined the thing that

they breathed for, all your affaires were put in obliuion, and

left at large for them, or their assistants, euen as they be at

this daie. Hath not the duke of Burgognie caused you first to come

into France; after to set forward your armie; and in conclusion,

for lacke of his promise, to loose the faire season of the yeare,

and to lie in the fields in winter. Which warre (if it continue)

shall neither be profitable to you, nor to your nobilitie, nor

yet pleasant but painefull to your communaltie: and finallie to

both the realmes, and especiallie to merchant men shall bring both

miserie, pouertie, and calamitie.

Came the duke of Burgognie from Nusse to Calis, onlie to visit

you? Rode he all that post hast onelie to blind you? Returned he

backe into Loraine againe for anie cause but onelie to leaue you

desolate, & to abandon you? Did he or the constable keepe anie one

promise with you? Why doo you then beleeue, and yet still trust

them, in whome you neuer found faith nor fidelitie? But if God

will it so ordeine, that you and my master may ioine in league and

amitie, I dare both saie and sweare, that the fine steele neuer

cleaued faster to the adamant stone than he will sticke & claspe

with you, both in wealth and wo, in prosperitie and aduersitie.

And if it shall please you, to harken to anie reasonable treatie,

I being a poore man, shall (on ieopardie of my life which is my

chiefe treasure) vndertake, that this communication shall sort and

come to such an effect, that both you & your nobilitie shall be

glad and reioise, and your commons shall be contented and pleased;

and they that haue deceiued you, shall be both abashed and ashamed.

Most humblie beséeching your highnesse, if your pleasure shall

incline this waie, that I may haue a sure safe conduct for one

hundred horsses, for such personages as the king my master shall

send vnto you with further intimation of his mind and purpose. And

if your pleasure shall be to haue the communication in anie place

indifferent betweene both the armies, then shall I warrant you the

like safe conduct for your men, as you doo send for ours.

When he had accomplished his message and instructions, the king of

England and his councell highlie commended his audacitie, his toong,

and his sobernesse, giuing to him in reward a faire gilt cup, with a

hundred angels: deliuering him a safe conduct according to his request

and demand, with the which he with speed departed, hauing with him an

English herald to bring a like safe conduct from the French king.

[Sidenote: Commissioners appointed to treat of peace.]

After that the safe conducts were deliuered on both parts, the

ambassadours met at a village beside Amiens. On the king of Englands

side, the lord Howard; sir Thomas Saintleger; doctor Morton after

bishop of Elie, & chancellor of England, were cheefe. For the French

king, the bastard of Burbon admerall of France; the lord Saint Pierre;

& the bishop of Eureux called Heberge, were appointed as principall.

The Englishmen demanded the whole realme of France, or at the least

Normandie and whole Aquitaine. The allegations were proued by the

Englishmen, and politikelie defended by the Frenchmen, so that with

arguments, without conclusion, the day passed, and the commissioners

departed, and made relation to their maisters. The French king and his

councell would not consent, that the Englishmen should haue one foot of

land within France; but rather determined to put him selfe & the whole

realme in hazard and aduenture.

[Sidenote: Articles of agréement betwéene king Edward and the French

king.]

[Sidenote: Want of monie procureth peace.]

At the next méeting the commissioners agréed vpon certeine articles,

which were of both the princes accepted and allowed. It was first

accorded, that the French king should paie to the king of England

without delaie seauentie & fiue thousand crownes of the sunne; and

yearelie fiftie thousand crownes to be paid at London during king

Edwards life. And further it was agréed, that Charles the Dolphin

should marrie the ladie Elizabeth, eldest daughter to king Edward, and

they two to haue for the maintenance of their estates the whole duchie

of Guien, or else fiftie thousand crownes yearelie to be paid within

the Tower of London by the space of nine yeares; and at the end of that

terme, the Dolphin and his wife to haue the whole duchie of Guien, and

of the charge the French king to be cléerelie acquit. And it was also

concluded, that the two princes should come to an interview, and there

take a corporall oth for the performance of this peace, either in sight

of other.

On the king of Englands part were comprised as alies (if they would

thereto assent) the dukes of Burgognie and Britaine. It was also

couenanted, that after the whole summe aforesaid of seuentie and fiue

thousand crownes were paid to king Edward, he should leaue in hostage

the lord Howard, and sir Iohn Cheinie maister of his horsse, vntill

he with all his armie was passed the seas. This agréement was verie

acceptable to the French king; for he saw himselfe and his realme

thereby deliuered of great perill that was at hand: for not onelie he

should haue béene assailed (if this peace had not taken place) both by

the power of England and Burgognie, but also by the duke of Britaine,

and diuerse of his owne people, as the constable and others. The king

of England also vnderstanding his owne state, for want of monie, to

mainteine the warres, if they should long continue (though otherwise he

desired to haue attempted some high enterprise against the Frenchmen)

was the more easilie induced to agrée by those of his councell, that

loued peace better than warre, and their wiues soft beds better than

hard armor and a stonie lodging.

[Sidenote: The duke of Glocester an enimie to peace.]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex Edw. Hall. fol._ Ccxxxj.]

But the duke of Glocester & others, whose swords thirsted for French

bloud, cried out on this peace; saieng that all their trauell, paines,

& expenses were to their shame lost and cast awaie, and nothing

gained but a continuall mocke [and dailie derision of the French king

and all his minions. This imagination tooke effect without delaie.

For a gentleman of the French kings chamber, after the peace was

concluded, did demand of an Englishman, how manie battels king Edward

had vanquisht? He answered, nine: wherein he himselfe personallie had

béene. "A great honoure" said the Frenchman. "But I praie you (quoth

he smiling) how manie hath he lost?" The Englishman perceiuing what

he meant, said: "one, which you by policie, and by no strength, haue

caused him to loose."

"Well" said the Frenchman, "you maie ponder in a paire of balance, the

gaine of nine gotten battels, and the rebuke of this one in this maner

lost: for I tell you, that we haue this saieng; the force of England

hath and dooth surmount the force of France: but the ingenious wits of

the Frenchmen excell the dull braines of Englishmen. For in all battels

you haue béene the gainers, but in leagues and treaties our wits haue

made you loosers: so that you maie content your selues with the losse

in treaties, for the spoile that you gat in warres and battels." This

communication was reported to the French king, who priuilie sent for

the Englishman to supper, and not onlie made him good cheere, but

also gaue him a thousand crownes, to praise the peace and to helpe to

mainteine the same. Yet neuerthelesse, he being not a little mooued

with these brags, declared all the communication to the duke of

Glocester; who sware, that he would neuer haue set foot out of England,

if he had not thought to haue made the Frenchmen once to assaie the

strength & puissance of the Englishmen: but what so euer he thought,

all things were transferred vnto an other end than he could imagine.]

[Sidenote: The duke of Burgognie commeth in hast to the king of

England.]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex Edw. Hall. fol._ Ccxxxj.]

When the duke of Burgognie heard that there was a peace in hand

betwixt king Edward and the French king, he came in no small hast from

Lutzenburg, onelie accompanied with sixteene horsses into the king of

Englands lodging, and began as one in a great chafe sore to blame his

dooings, declaring in plaine termes how dishonorable this peace should

be vnto him, hauing atchiued nothing of that about the which he came.

The king of England, after he had giuen him leaue to speake his fansie,

answered him somewhat roundlie againe, openlie reproouing him for his

promise-breaking and vncourteous dealing with him: where for his cause

cheeflie he had passed the seas, and now found him not to keepe touch

in anie one point which he had couenanted. ¶ But to adde more weight

to the matter in hand, sith it was so seriouslie debated betwéene the

two potentats, let vs heare what talke historiens report to haue béene

interchanged betwéene them. The king of England (saith mine author)

not a little abashed both at the dukes sudden comming, and his fierce

countenance, like one that would rather bite than whine, demanded of

him the cause of his sudden comming. The duke sharpelie answered, to

know whether he had either entered into anie communication, or onelie

had absolutelie concluded a peace betwéene the French king and him.

King Edward declared how that for sundrie and diuerse great and vrgent

causes, touching as well the vniuersall publike wealth of the whole

christianitie, as their owne priuate commoditie and the quietnesse of

their realmes, he and the French king had concluded a peace and amitie

for terme of nine years, in the which were comprised, as fellowes and

fréends, both he and the duke of Britaine, requiring him to condescend

and agrée to the same.

"Oh Lord, oh saint George (quoth the duke of Burgognie) haue you thus

doone in deed? Haue you passed the seas, entered into France, and

without killing of a poore flie, or burning of a séelie shéepecote,

and haue taken a shamefull truce? Did your noble ancestor, K. Edward

the third, euer make armie into France (as he made manie) in the which

he did not either game victorie in battell, or profit in conquering

cities, townes, and countries? That victorious prince, as neere kin to

me, as you to king Henrie the fift, I meane whose bloud you haue either

rightfullie or wrongfullie (God knoweth) extinguished & destroied,

with a small puissance entered into France, conquered whole Normandie,

and not alonelie conquered it, but peaceablie kept it, and neuer would

either commen or agrée to anie league, vntill he had the whole realme

of France offered him; & was thereof made regent and heire apparant.

And you without anie thing dooing, or anie honour or profit gaining,

haue condescended to a peace, both as honourable and as profitable to

you as a peasecod, and not so wholesome as a pomegranat. Think you

that I either mooued you, or once intised you to take this iournie

for my peculiar aduantage or commoditie (which of my power am able to

reuenge mine owne causes, without helpe of others) but onelie to haue

you recouer your old rights and possessions, which were from you both

tortiouslie and wrongfullie withholden? And to the intent that you

shall know that I haue no néed of your aid, I will neither enter into

your league, nor take truce with the French king, till you be passed

the sea, and haue beene there thrée moneths."

When duke Charles had thus said, he furiouslie threw downe his chaire,

and would haue departed. But the king him staid and said: "Brother

Charles, sith you haue spoken at leasure what you would, you must and

shall heare again what you would not. And first, as concerning our

entrie into France, no man liuing knoweth that occasion, neither so

well, nor hath cause halfe so well to remember it as you: for if you

haue not fullie put your greatest things (to be had in memorie) in

your box of obliuion, you be not yet out of mind how the French king,

for all your power, tooke from you the faire towne of Amiens, and the

strong pile of saint Quintins, with diuerse other townes, which you

neither durst nor yet were able either to rescue or defend. Since which

time, how he hath plagued you, how he hath taken from you your fréends;

yea, of your priuie chamber and secret councell (by whome all your

secrets be to him reuealed and made open) you know or haue better cause

to remember, and not to forget them. And when you determined to besiege

the towne of Nusse, you thought your selfe in a great doubt, whether

you should loose more at home by your absence (the French king dreaming

and waiting like a fox for his preie) or gaine more in Germanie by

your power and presence. And to kéepe the woolfe from the fold, that

is, the French king from your castels and dominions, was the cheefe

and principall cause whie you so faire praid me, so sore laboured and

intised me to passe ouer the sea, promising mounteins of gold, which

turned into snow and wasted into water, boasting and craking to send

horssemen and footmen; and yet shewing neither lackie nor page. If we

had made our enterprise for our selfe solie and in our owne quarell,

thinke you that we would haue expected your comming? If the aduenture

had béene for to haue recouered our right, imagine you that we would

haue passed the sea so slenderlie as we did, looking for your aid?

Nay, nay, you should haue well knowen, if we had intended a conquest,

that we would haue so stronglie inuaded & set on the realme of France,

that what with sauour of burning of townes, and infection of the aier,

corrupted by the multitude of dead carcases of our slaine enimies, your

countries of Flanders & Brabant should haue had causes enow to wonder

at: trusting that that which we had gotten, we would haue kept as well

as anie of our ancestors haue doone.

"But bicause the verie occasion of the warre was yours, and that you

wilfullie (I will not saie cowardlie) did not prosecute the same,

the French king, who neuer offended me nor my subiects (except in

mainteining the earle of Warwike, for the displeasure that you bare him

against me) offered me, being destitute of all your succour and aid,

both honourable and honest ouertures of peace, which offers I was in

maner inforced (by verie reason) to incline to and accept, and so haue

concluded a truce, which (God willing) I will both keepe and obserue."

"God send you ioy" (quoth the duke) and so abruptlie ended his talke

for that time.

[Sidenote: He departeth from the king in a rage.]

[Sidenote: The constable of France his offer to K. Edward.]

Heerwith (being in a great rage) he bad the king of England farewell,

and suddenlie tooke his horsse, and rode againe to Lutzenburgh,

promising not to enter into anie league with the French king, till

king Edward was passed the seas againe into England, and had béene

there thrée moneths: but this promise was not performed, for of

necessitie he tooke a wiser waie, and agréed with the French king vpon

a truce immediatly after the departure of the English armie out of his

countrie. The constable of France also, doubting that his vntruth would

be disclosed to his destruction, by means of this agréement betwéene

the kings of England and France, as soone as he heard they were entred

into communication thereof, sent to king Edward, requiring him not to

credit the French kings promises, which he would no longer obserue,

than vntill he should once vnderstand, that he was on the other side of

the sea: and rather than he should agrée for want of monie, he offered

to lend him fiftie thousand crownes. But the king of England, sith

the accord was passed and agréed, would not change anie thing for the

promises of so slipper a merchant as he knew the constable to be.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex Edw. Hall. fol._ Ccxxxij, Ccxxxiij.]

¶ Then was the constable in maner on all sides in despaire, but yet

he wrote to the French king by his messengers, beséeching him to giue

no credit or beléefe to anie tale told or fained against him, without

hearing his answer, affirming that the king had alwaies knowen his

truth and fidelitie toward the crowne of France, and so should he still

find him till his dieng daie; promising and warranting him, if that it

should stand with his pleasure, that he would so compasse the duke of

Burgognie, that they two should vtterlie destroie the king of England

and his armie yer they returned. The councellors of the French king

made answer, that their master and the king of England were ioined and

confedered in a sure amitie. Wherfore they would in no wise know nor

condescend to anie thing that might be either preiudiciall, or once

sound to the detriment of the Englishmen: but they said, that the king

their master much trusted the constable, and that for his sake he would

talke with them in his priuie chamber. The French king, before their

entrie into his chamber, caused the lord of Contaie, seruant vnto the

duke of Burgognie, accompanied with the lord of Argenton, one of his

priuie councell, to stand secretlie behind a séeling or hanging in his

chamber, & he himselfe sat in a chaire directlie before that place, so

that what soeuer were purposed to him, they standing behind the cloth,

might plainlie sée and easilie heare the same.

[Sidenote: Shamefull & slanderous words against the K. of England.]

Lewes de Creuell and his fellow entered into the kings chamber, of

nothing thinking lesse than of the spirits inclosed. They declared

what paine their master had taken for the French kings sake, to send,

mooue and entise the duke of Burgognie to leaue, and cléerelie to

forsake the king of England, which duke they found in such a rage and

furie against the Englishmen, that at their request he was not onelie

vtterlie determined to forsake and refuse their amitie, but also would

send out aduenturers and lanceknights, to rob and spoile them in their

returning. And in speaking these words (thinking suerlie much to please

the king) the said Lewes counterfeited the fashion and gesture of the

duke of Burgognie, and began to stampe with his foot on the ground,

and beat with his fist on the table, swearing by saint George that

the king of England was not extracted of anie noble house, but was a

yeomans sonne; and that when he was not woorth one halfepenie, he was

restored to his kingdome, and made king onelie by his aid, reprouing

and reuiling him with such ill words, and so shamefuii termes, that all

the hearers abhorred it.

The French king, faining that he was thicke of hearing, caused him to

reiterate his saieng againe, who so counterfeited the verie gesture

of the dukes angrie countenance and roring voice, that no man hath

séene a better counterfeiter or actor in anie comedie or tragedie. The

lord of Contaie was sore displeased to sée his master made a iesting

stocke; but he kept all these things secret, till his returne to his

master. When the pageant was plaied, the king bad the messengers of

the constable to haue him commended to his brother their master; and

to declare to him that as newes rose & grew, he would therof aduertise

him, & so gaue them licence to depart to their master, who thought

himselfe now to be in great suertie of his estate, when in déed he was

neuer so neere his fall and perdition: estéeming the duke of Burgognie

to be his assured fréend, who hated him more than a Painime or Turke,

accompting also the French king to haue no ill suspicion in him, who

neither trusted nor yet beléeued anie word, writing or message that

was either written or sent from him. Such end hath dissimulation, such

fruit springeth of double dealing and craftie conueieng. For if either

the constable had béene faithfull to the king his master, as of bounden

dutie and allegiance he ought to be, or else had kept his promise made

to the king of England and duke of Burgognie, and not dallied and

dissembled with them, he had suerlie in his extremitie béene aided,

succoured and comforted of one of these three at the least; where now

he was of all three forsaken, and yet not forsaken, but sought for,

looked for, and watched for; not for his profit or promotion, but for

his vndooing and destruction: whereof he was the principall procurer,

as manie a one besides; wherto the poet had an eie, when he made this

outcrie of inward gréefe seasoned with sorrow and repentance:

Heu patior telis vulnera facta meis.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Flem. ex Edw. Hall. fol._ Ccxxxiiji.]

After the peace was concluded, the Englishmen were permitted to enter

into the towne of Amiens, and there to buie all such necessarie

things as they wanted, and had plentie of wine (for the French king

had sent into their armie a hundred carts of the best wine that could

be gotten) and good cheere made them of his owne costs. For at the

enterie of euerie gate, there were two long tables set on euerie side

of the street where they should passe; and at euerie table fiue or six

gentlemen of the best companions of all the countrie were appointed

to interteine the Englishmen as they entered, not onelie to sée them

serued without lacking [but also to drinke and make good cheere, and

kéepe companie with them. And euer as they entered into the towne, they

were taken by the bridels and in maner inforced to drinke, wheresoeuer

they came they paied no monie, but were sent scot free.] This chéere

lasted thrée or foure daies not onelie to the French kings cost, but

also to his vnquietnesse at length, doubting to haue béene dispossessed

of his towne.

[Sidenote: The enterview betwixt king Edward the fourth, & the French

king.]

For on a daie there entered the number of nine thousand Englishmen well

armed in sundrie companies, so that no Frenchman durst once forbid

them to enter. But finallie, order was taken by the king of England,

who meant no deceit, that no greater number should enter than was

conuenient, and the other were called backe; so that the French king

and his councell were well quieted, and rid of casting further perils

than néed required. After this, both the kings enteruiewed togither

at Picquenie on the water of Some thrée leagues aboue Amiens, shewing

great courtesie either to other. The letters of both their agréements

were opened and red, & then either prince laid his right hand on the

missall, and his left hand on the holie crosse (as it was termed)

and tooke there a solemne oth to obserue and kéepe the treatie for

nine yeares concluded betwéene them, with all their confederates and

alies, comprised, mentioned and specified in the same, and further to

accomplish the marriage or their children.

There was with either prince twelue noble men at this méeting, which

was vpon a bridge cast ouer the water of Some, a grate being set

ouerthwart the same in the midst, so from side to side, that the one

prince could not come vnto the other; but onelie to imbrace ech other,

in putting their armes through the holes of the [2]grate. There were

foure Englishmen appointed to stand with the Frenchmen on the bridge to

sée their demeanour; and likewise foure Frenchmen were appointed to the

Englishmen for the same purpose. There were with the king of England

his brother the duke of Clarence, the earle of Northumberland, the

bishop of Elie his chancellor, the lord Hastings his chamberleine, and

eight others. They had louing and verie familiar talke togither a good

space, both afore their companie, and secretlie alone, whilest their

companie (of courtesie) withdrew somewhat backe.

[2] Of timber like to the grate where the lions be kept in the Tower.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex Edw. Hall. fol._ Ccxxxiiij.]

¶ But it is noteworthie which I read touching both the kings méeting,

the manner of their attire, and demeanour; namelie that when the token

of méeting by the shot of the artillerie was knowne, the French king

with twelue noble men entered the bridge, and came to the closure, with

whome was Iohn duke of Burbon, and the cardinal his brother, a prelat

more méet for a ladies carpet, than for an ecclesiasticall pulpit, and

ten other, amongst whome the lord of Argenton was in like disguised

attire as the French king ware, for so was his pleasure that daie to

haue him adorned. The king of England and foure other with him were

apparelled in cloth of gold frised, hauing on his bonet of blacke

veluet a flower delice of gold, set with verie rich and orient stones;

he was a goodlie faire and beautifull prince, beginning a litle to

grow in flesh. Now when he approched néere the grate, hée tooke off

his cap, and made a low and solemne obeisance: the French king made

to him an humble reuerence; but after his fashion somewhat homelie.

King Lewes imbraced king Edward through the barriers, saieng: "Coosine

you be right heartilie welcome into these parties, assuring you that

there is no man in the world that I haue more desired to sée and speake

with, than with you: and now lauded be almightie God, we be here met

togither for a good and godlie purpose, whereof I doubt not but that

we shall haue cause to reioise." The king of England thanked him, and

answered to his words so soberlie, so grauelie, and so princelie, that

the Frenchmen thereat not a litle mused. The chancellor of England made

there a solemne oration in laud and praise of peace, concluding on a

prophesie, which said that at Picquenie should be concluded a peace

both honorable and profitable to the realmes of England and France.

[Sidenote: The manerlie English and vnmanerlie French.]

When the oth was taken and sworne (as before you haue heard) the French

king said merilie to king Edward; "Brother, if you will take pains to

come to Paris, you shall be feasted and interteined with ladies; and

I shall appoint you the cardinall of Burbon for your confessor, which

shall gladlie absolue you of such sinnes, if anie be commited." The

king of England tooke these words pleasantlie and thankfullie, for he

was informed that the cardinall was a good companion, and a chapleine

méet for such a dalieng pastime. When this communication was merilie

ended, the French king, intending to shewe himselfe like a maister

amongst his seruants, made all his companie to draw backe from him,

meaning to commune with the king of England secretlie. The Englishmen

withdrew them without any commandement. Then the two kings communed

alone secretlie, I thinke not to the profit of the constable of France.

The French king demanded of king Edward, whether the duke of Burgognie

would accept the truce? King Edward answered that he would once againe

make an offer; and then vpon the refusall, he would referre and report

the truth to them both. Then king Lewes began to speake of the duke

of Britaine, whome he would faine haue excepted out of the league. To

whome the king of England answered: Brother, I require you to mooue no

warre to the duke of Britaine; for on my fidelitie, in the time of my

néed and aduersitie, I neuer found a more friendlie, sure and stedfast

louer than he.

[Sidenote: French loue.]

Then king Lewes called his companie againe, and with most lowlie and

amiable commendations tooke his leaue of the king of England, speaking

certeine friendlie words to euerie Englishman: king Edward dooing

likewise to the Frenchmen. Then both at one time departed from the

barriers, & mounted on horssebacke, and departed; the French king to

Amiens, and king Edward to his armie. To whom was sent out of the

French kings house, all things necessarie for a prince, insomuch that

neither torches nor torchets lacked vnsent. When the French king was

departed from Picquenie, he called to him the lord Argenton, saieng:

"By the peace of God, the king of England is an amorous and a faire

prince, he at the first becke would gladlie see Paris, where he might

fortune to find such pleasant and talkatiue dames, which with faire

words & pleasant pastimes might so allure him to their fantasies, that

it might breed occasion in him to come ouer the sea againe, which I

would not gladlie see. For his progenitors haue beene too long and too

often both in Paris and Normandie. On this side the sea I loue neither

his sight nor his companie; but when he is at home I loue him as my

brother, and take him as my friend."

The French king, after this departing, sore desired to make warre on

the duke of Britaine: which he could not doo, except he were left out

of the treatie. Wherefore he sent the lord of Bouchage, and the lord

of saint Pierre, to the king of England, intreating him by all waies

and motions possible, to leaue the duke of Britaine for his alie,

and not to haue him comprehended in the league. The king of England

hearing them so seriouslie and so feruentlie speake against the duke

of Britaine; with an earnest countenance answered, saieng: "My lords,

I assure you, if I were peaceablie at home in my realme, yet for the

defense of the duke of Britaine and his countrie, I would passe the

seas againe, against all them that either would doo him iniurie, or

make warre vpon him." The French lords nothing further saieng, much

maruelled why the king of England so suerlie claue to the duke of

Britains partie: but they knew not (or else at the least remembred not)

that Henrie earle of Richmond was within the power and dominion of the

duke of Britaine, whome king Edwards phantasie euer gaue him would

make once a title to the crowne of England, as next heire to the house

of Lancaster. For he knew well, that if the duke of Britaine would

transport him into England (where hée had both kinsfolks and friends)

with neuer so small an aid (yea, though it were but the shadow of an

armie) then were he inforced newlie to begin againe a conquest, as

though he had neuer woone the crowne, nor obteined the possession of

the realme, which was the verie cause why he stucke so sore to the duke

of Britains part.

The same night the lords returned to Amiens, and reported to their

maister king Edwards answer, who therewith was not the best pleased.

But pleasure or displeasure, there was no remedie but to dissemble the

matter. This same night also, there came the lord Howard, and two other

of the king of Englands councell, who had béene coadiutors toward the

peace, to the French king to supper. The lord Howard said to the French

king secretlie in his eare, that if it stood with his pleasure, he

could persuade the king of England to come to Amiens, yea, peraduenture

as farre as Paris, familiarlie and friendlie to solace himselfe with

him, as his trustie friend and faithfull brother. The French king, to

whom this motion was nothing pleasant, calling for water, washed, and

rose without anie answer making: but he said to one of his councell,

that he imagined in his owne conceipt, that this request would be made.

The Englishmen began againe to commune of that matter, the Frenchmen

politikelie brake their communication, saieng: that the king with all

celeritie must march forward against the duke of Burgognie.