In the same summer, the king with the queene went abroad in progresse,
visiting in their waie the rich abbeis of the realme, as Burie,
Thetford, Norwich, & other; going about a great part of the realme.
And when these newes came to him from the bishop of Norwich, he was at
Dauentrie in Northamptonshire, and being the same time at supper, he
put the table from him, and rising with all hast, got him to horsbacke,
and rode in post that night, changing horsse diuerse times, with such
spéed that he came to S. Albons about midnight, and making no staie
there longer than he had borowed the abbats gelding, hasted foorth till
he came to Westminster: so that it appeared he would neuer haue rested
till he had passed the sea, and giuen battell to the Frenchmen. But
after his comming to Westminster, wearied with that hastie iournie, he
got him to bed, and liked so well of ease, that he thought good to send
a lieutenant in his stead to passe the seas, to deliuer the bishop from
danger of his enemies.
[Sidenote: The bishop of Norwich returned into England out of Flanders.]
Herevpon was the duke of Lancaster sent for, that he might with such
power as was readie to passe the seas, go ouer with the same, and giue
battell to the French king: but he protracted time, till the respit
granted to the bishop to make answer was expired, and so the bishop
when he saw no succour come foorth of England, raced the towne as the
couenant was: but monie he would not or did not receiue, bicause he
thought in so dooing he should offend the councell. At his comming
backe into England, he found the duke of Lancaster at the sea side with
a great power of men readie to haue come ouer: although some thought
that he deferred time of purpose, for that he misliked of the bishops
whole enterprise; and now bicause it had thus quailed, he blamed the
bishop for his euill gouernement therein: but sir Hugh Caluerlie he
reteined with him a time, dooing |762| him all honour, by reason of
the old approoued valiancie, that had béene euer found in him. And this
was the end of the bishop of Norwich his iournie.
[Sidenote: Warke castell burnt by the Scots.