[There is the best authority for this assertion, even that of the
veritable Holinshed, who quotes from Froissart, the cotemporary of our
victorious Edward. "The armie which he (Edward) had over with him, was
to the number of 4000 men of armes, and 10,000 archers, besides
_Irishmen_ and Welshmen that followed the host on foot." The French
historian also informs us, that the skene or knife was the chief weapon
used by the Irish in that age: "The Irish have pointed knives with
broad blades, sharp on both sides, like a dart-head, with which they
kill their enemies," &c. Johnes's _Translation_, vol. iv. p. 428.: see
also Grafton's _Chronicle_, p. 261.; and Keightley's _History of
England_, vol. i. p. 279.]
_King of the Isle of Wight._--I was not aware that the Isle of Wight, like
the Isle of Man, had once been a kingdom. It seems that Henry de Beauchamp,
Earl and Duke of Warwick, was crowned, _circa_ 1445, King of the Isle of
Wight. Perhaps some of your correspondents may be able to throw some light
on this matter.