In this parlement also, the lord Richard Scrope gaue ouer the office
of chancellor, and Simon Sudburie archbishop of Canturburie tooke it
vpon him. ¶ In this parlement was granted a tenth by the cleargie, and
a fifteenth by the laitie, with condition that from henceforth, to
wit, from the kalends of March, to the feast of S. Michaell which then
should be in the yeare 1381, there should be no more parlements, but
this condition was not performed, as after appeared. In the octaues
of Easter, the lord Valeran earle of saint Paule married the kings
halfe sister, the ladie Ione de Courtnie: the solemnization of this
marriage was holden at Windsore, with great triumphing. ¶ The princesse
that was mother to the bride, was greatlie against the marriage, but
the bride hir selfe had such a liking to the earle, that the king was
contented that they should match togither, and set him free of his
ransome which he should haue paid, for that he had béene taken prisoner
in the marches of Calis, and further, gaue with his sister by waie of
endowment, the towneship and manour of Biefléet.
[Sidenote: A combat betwixt sir Iohn Anneslie and Thomas Katrington.]
On the seuenth of Iune, a combat was fought afore the kings palace
at Westminster, on the pauement there, betwixt one sir Iohn Anneslie
knight, and one Thomas Katrington |727| esquier: the occasion of
which strange and notable triall rose hereof. The knight accused the
esquier of treason, for that where the fortresse of saint Sauiour
within the Ile of Constantine in Normandie, belonging some time to sir
Iohn Chandois, had béene committed to the said Katrington, as capteine
thereof, to keepe it against the enemies, he had for monie sold and
deliuered it ouer to the Frenchmen, where he was sufficientlie prouided
of men, munition and vittels, to haue defended it against them: and
sith the inheritance of that fortresse and landes belonging thereto,
had apperteined to the said Anneslie in right of his wife, as neerest
cousine by affinitie vnto sir Iohn Chandois, if by the false conueiance
of the said Katrington, it had not béene made awaie, and alienated
into the enemies hands: he offered therefore to trie the quarrell by
combat, against the said Katrington, whervpon was the same Katrington
apprehended, and put in prison, but shortlie after set at libertie
againe.
[Sidenote: Triall by cōbat in what case lawfull.]
Whilest the duke of Lancaster, during the time that his father king
Edward laie in his last sickenesse, did in all things what liked him,
& so at the contemplation of the lord Latimer (as was thought) he
released Katrington for the time, so that sir Iohn Anneslie could not
come to the effect of his sute in all the meane time, till now. Such as
feared to be charged with the like offenses staied the matter, till at
length, by the opinion of true and ancient knights it was defined, that
for such a forren controuersie that had not risen within the limits
of the realme, but touched possession of things on the further side
the sea, it was lawfull to haue it tried by battell, if the cause were
first notified to the constable and marshall of the realme, and that
the combat was accepted by the parties. Herevpon was the day and place
appointed, and all things prouided readie, with lists railed and made
so substantiallie, as if the same should haue indured for euer. The
concourse of people that came to London to sée this tried, was thought
to excéed that of the kings coronation, so desirous men were to behold
a sight so strange and vnaccustomed.
[Sidenote: The order of the combat.