Méeting thus togither, they came foorth of the castell, and the king
there called for wine and after they had dronke, they mounted on
horssebacke, and rode that night to Flint, and the next daie vnto
Chester, the third vnto Nantwich, the fourth to Newcastell. Here, with
glad countenance, the lord Thomas Beauchampe earle of Warwike met them,
that had beene confined into the Ile of Man, as before ye haue heard;
but now was reuoked home by the duke of Lancaster. From Newcastell they
rode to Stafford, and the sixt daie vnto Lichfield, and there rested
sundaie all daie. After this, they rode foorth and lodged at these
places insuing, Couentrie, Dantrée, Northhampton, Dunstable, S. Albons,
& so came to London: neither was the king permitted all this while to
change his apparell, but rode still through all these townes simplie
clothed in one sute of raiment, and yet he was in his time excéeding
sumptuous in apparell, in so much as he had one cote, which he caused
to be made for him of gold and stone, valued at 30000 marks: & so he
was brought the next waie to Westminster.
[Sidenote: The dukes receiuing into London.]
As for the duke, he was receiued with all the ioy and pompe that might
be of the Londoners, and was lodged in the bishops palace, by Paules
church. It was a woonder to sée what great concursse of people, &
what number of horsses came to him on the waie as he thus passed the
countries, till his comming to London, where (vpon his approch to the
citie) the maior rode foorth to receiue him, and a great number of
other citizens. Also the cleargie met him with procession, and such ioy
appeared in the countenances of the people, vttering the same also with
words, as the like not lightlie béene séene. For in |859| euerie towne
and village where he passed, children reioised, women clapped their
hands, and men cried out for ioy. But to speake of the great numbers
of people that flocked togither in the fields and stréets of London
at his comming, I here omit; neither will I speake of the presents,
welcommings, lauds, and gratifications made to him by the citizens and
communaltie.
[Sidenote: The king cōmitted to the tower.]
But now to the purpose. The next day after his comming to London, the
king from Westminster was had to the Tower, and there committed to safe
custodie. Manie euil disposed persons, assembling themselues togither
in great numbers, intended to haue met with him, and to haue taken him
from such as had the conueieng of him, that they might haue slaine him.
But the maior and aldermen gathered to them the worshipful commoners
and graue citizens, by whose policie, and not without much adoo, the
other were reuoked from their euill purpose: albeit, before they might
be pacified, they cōming to Westminster, tooke maister Iohn Sclake
deane of the kings chappell, and from thence brought him to Newgate,
and there laid him fast in irons.
[Sidenote: A parlement in the kings name.]
After this was a parlement called by the duke of Lancaster, vsing the
name of king Richard in the writs directed foorth to the lords, and
other states for their summons. This parlement began the thirtéenth
daie of September, in the which manie heinous points of misgouernance
and iniurious dealings in the administration of his kinglie office,
were laid to the charge of this noble prince king Richard, the which
(to the end the commons might be persuaded, that he was an vnprofitable
prince to the common-wealth, and worthie to be deposed) were ingrossed
vp in 33 solemne articles, heinous to the eares of all men, and to
some almost incredible, the verie effect of which articles here insue,
according to the copie which I haue séene, and is abridged by maister
Hall as followeth.
The articles obiected to king Richard, whereby he was counted worthie
to be deposed from his principalitie.
1 FIRST, that king Richard wastfullie spent the treasure of the
realme, and had giuen the possessions of the crowne to men vnworthie,
by reason whereof, new charges more and more were laid on the poore
cōmunaltie. And where diuerse lords, as well spirituall as temporall,
were appointed by the high court of parlement, to commune and treat
of diuerse matters concerning the common-wealth of the realme, which
being busie about the same commission, he with other of his affinitie
went about to impeach, and by force and menacing compelled the iustices
of the realme at Shrewesburie to condescend to his opinion, for the
destruction of the said lords, in so much that he began to raise warre
against Iohn duke of Lancaster, Richard earle of Arundell, Thomas earle
of Warwike, and other lords, contrarie to his honor and promise.
2 Item, that he caused his vncle the duke of Glocester to be arrested
without law and sent him to Calis, and there without iudgement
murthered him, and although the earle of Arundell vpon his arreignment
pleaded his charter of pardon, he could not be heard, but was in most
vile and shamefull manner suddenlie put to death.
3 Item, he assembled certeine Lancashire and Cheshire men, to the
intent to make warre on the same lords, and suffered them to rob and
pill, without correction or repréeue.
4 Item, although the king flateringlie, and with great dissimulation,
made proclamation through out the realme, that the lords before named
were not attached of anie crime of treason, but onlie for extortions
and oppressions doone in this realme; yet he laid to them in the
parlement, rebellion and manifest treason.
5 Item, he hath compelled diuers of the said lords seruants and
friends, by menaces & extreme pains, to make great fines to their vtter
vndooing; and notwithstanding his pardon, yet he made them fine anew.
|860|
6 Item, where diuerse were appointed to commune of the state of the
realme, and the commonwealth thereof, the same king caused all the rols
and records to be kept from them, contrarie to promise made in the
parlement, to his open dishonor.
7 Item, he vncharitablie commanded, that no man vpon paine of losse of
life, and goods, should once intreat him for the returne of Henrie now
duke of Lancaster.
8 Item, where this realme is holden of God, and not of the pope or
other prince, the said king Richard, after he had obteined diuerse
acts of parlement, for his owne peculiar profit and pleasure, then he
obteined bulles and extreame censures from Rome, to compell all men
streightlie to kéepe the same, contrarie to the honour and ancient
priuileges of this realme.
9 Item, although the duke of Lancaster had doone his deuoire against
Thomas duke of Norfolke in proofe of his quarrell; yet the said king,
without reason or ground, banished him the realme for ten yeers,
contrarie to all equitie.
10 Item, before the dukes departure, he vnder his broad seale licenced
him to make atturnies to prosecute and defend his causes: the said king
after his departure, would suffer none atturnie to appeare for him, but
did with his at his pleasure.
11 Item, the same king put out diuerse shiriffes lawfullie elected,
and put in their roomes diuerse other of his owne, subuerting the law,
contrarie to his oth and honor.
12 Item, he borowed great summes of monie, and bound him vnder his
letters patents, for the repaiment of the same, and yet not one penie
paid.
13 Item, he taxed men at the will of him and his vnhappie councell,
and the same treasure spent in follie, not paieng poore men for their
vittels and viands.
14 Item, he said, that the lawes of the realme were in his head, and
sometimes in his brest, by reason of which fantasticall opinion, he
destroied noble men, and impouerished the poore commons.
15 Item, the parlement setting and enacting diuerse notable statutes,
for the profit and aduancement of the common-wealth, he by his priuie
fréends and solicitors caused to be enacted, that no act then enacted,
should be more preiudiciall to him, than it was to anie of his
predecessors: through which prouiso he did often as he listed, and not
as the law did meane.
16 Item, for to serue his purpose, he would suffer the shiriffes of the
shire to remaine aboue one yeare or two.
17 Item, at the summons of the parlement, when knights and burgesses
should be elected, that the election had béene full procéeded, he put
out diuerse persons elect, and put other in their places, to serue his
will and appetite.
18 Item, he had priuie espials in euerie shire, to heare who had of
him anie communication; and if he communed of his lasciuious liuing,
or outragious dooings, he straightwaies was apprehended, and put to a
gréeuous fine.
19 Item, the spiritualtie alledged against him, that he at his going
into Ireland, exacted manie notable summes of monie, beside plate and
iewels, without law or custome, contrarie to his oth taken at his
coronation.
20 Item, where diuerse lords and iustices were sworne to saie the truth
of diuerse things to them committed in charge, both for the honor of
the relme, and profit of the king, the said king so menaced them with
sore threatenings, that no man would or durst saie the right.
21 Item, that without the assent of the nobilitie, he carried
the iewels, plate, and treasure, ouer into Ireland, to the great
impouerishment of the realme: and all the good records for the common
wealth, and against his extortions, he caused priuilie to be imbessled,
and conueied awaie.
22 Item, in all leagues and letters to be concluded or sent to the sée
of Rome, or other regions, his writing was so subtill and darke, that
none other prince once beléeued him, nor yet his owne subiects. |861|
23 Item, he most tyrannouslie and vnprincelie said, that the liues and
goods of all his subiects were in his hands, and at his disposition.
24 Item, that contrarie to the great charter of England, he caused
diuerse lustie men to appeale diuerse old men, vpon matters
determinable at the common law in the court Martiall, bicause that
there is no triall, but onelie by battell: wherevpon, the said aged
persons, fearing the sequele of the matter, submitted themselues to
his mercie, whome he fined and ransomed vnreasonablie at his will and
pleasure.
25 Item, he craftilie deuised certeine priuie othes, contrarie to the
law, and caused diuerse of his subiects first to be sworne to obserue
the same, and after bound them in bonds for kéeping of the same, to the
great vndooing of manie honest men.
26 Item, where the chancellor, according to the law, would in no wise
grant a prohibition to a certeine person, the king granted it vnto the
same, vnder his priuie seale, with great threatenings, if it should be
disobeied.
27 Item, he banished the bishop of Canturburie without cause or
iudgement, and kept him in the parlement chamber with men of armes.
28 Item, the bishops goods he granted to his successor, vpon condition,
that he should mainteine all his statutes made at Shrewesburie anno 21,
and the statutes made anno 22 at Couentrie.
29 Item, vpon the accusation of the said bishop, the king craftilie
persuaded him to make no answer for he would be his warrant, and
advised him not to come to the parlement, and so without answer he was
condemned and exiled, and his goods seized.
These be all the articles of anie effect, which were laid against him,
sauing foure other, which touched onelie the archbishops matter, whose
working wroong king Richard at length from his crowne. Then for so much
as these articles, and other heinous and detestable accusations were
laid against him in open parlement, it was thought by the most part,
that he was worthie to be deposed from all kinglie honor and princelie
gouernement: and to bring the matter without slander the better to
passe, diuerse of the kings seruants, which by licence had accesse to
his person, comforted him (being with sorrow almost consumed, and in
manner halfe dead) in the best wise they could, exhorting him to regard
his health, and saue his life.
[Sidenote: The king is persuaded to resigne the crowne to the duke.
_Fabian._]
And first, they aduised him willinglie to suffer himselfe to be
deposed, and to resigne his right of his owne accord, so that the duke
of Lancaster might without murther or battell obteine the scepter
and diademe, after which (they well perceiued) he gaped: by meane
whereof they thought he might be in perfect assurance of his life
long to continue. Whether this their persuasion procéeded by the
suborning of the duke of Lancaster and his fauourers, or of a sincere
affection which they bare to the king, as supposing it most sure in
an extremitie, it is vncerteine; but yet the effect followed not,
howsoeuer their meaning was: notwithstanding, the king being now in
the hands of his enimies, and vtterlie despairing of all comfort, was
easilie persuaded to renounce his crowne and princelie preheminence,
so that in hope of life onelie, he agreed to all things that were of
him demanded. And so (as it should seeme by the copie of an instrument
hereafter following) he renounced and voluntarilie was deposed from
his roiall crowne and kinglie dignitie, the mondaie being the nine and
twentith daie of September, and feast of S. Michaell the archangell in
the yeare of our Lord 1399, and in the thrée and twentith yeare of his
reigne. The copie of which instrument here insueth.
A copie of the instrument touching the declaration of the commissioners
sent from the states in parlement, vnto king Richard.
[Sidenote: This promise he made at Flint rather than at Conwaie, as by
that which goeth before it may be partlie coniectured.]
THIS present indenture made the nine and twentith daie of September,
and feast of saint Michaell, in the yeare of our Lord 1399, and
the three and twentith yeare of king |862| Richard the second.
Witnesseth, that where by the authoritie of the lords spirituall
and temporall of this present parlement, and commons of the same,
the right honorable and discreet persons heere vnder named, were by
the said authoritie assigned to go to the Tower of London, there
to heare and testifie such questions and answers as then and there
should be by the said honourable and discreet persons hard. Know all
men, to whome these present letters shall come, that we, sir Richard
Scroope archbishop of Yorke, Iohn bishop of Hereford, Henrie earle
of Northumberland, Rafe earle of Westmerland, Thomas lord Berkeleie,
William abbat of Westminster, Iohn prior of Canturburie, William
Thirning and Hugh Burnell knights, Iohn Markham iustice, Thomas
Stow and Iohn Burbadge doctors of the ciuill law, Thomas Erpingham
and Thomas Grey knights, Thomas Ferebie and Denis Lopeham notaries
publike, the daie and yeere aboue said, betweene the houres of eight
and nine of the clocke before noone, were present in the cheefe
chamber of the kings lodging, within the said place of the Tower,
where was rehearsed vnto the king by the mouth of the foresaid earle
of Northumberland, that before time at Conwaie in Northwales, the king
being there at his pleasure and libertie, promised vnto the archbishop
of Canturburie then Thomas Arundell, and vnto the said earle of
Northumberland, that he for insufficiencie which he knew himselfe
to be of, to occupie so great a charge, as to gouerne the realme of
England, he would gladlie leaue of and renounce his right and title,
as well of that as of his title to the crowne of France, and his
maiestie roiall, vnto Henrie duke of Hereford, and that to doo in such
conuenient wise, as by the learned men of this land it should most
sufficientlie be deuised & ordeined. To the which rehearsall, the king
in our said presences answered benignlie and said, that such promise
he made, and so to do the same he was at that houre in full purpose to
performe and fulfill; sauing that he desired first to haue personall
speach with the said duke, and with the archbishop of Canturburie his
cousins. And further, he desired to haue a bill drawne of the said
resignation, that he might be perfect in the rehearsall thereof.
After which bill drawne, and a copie thereof to him by me the said
earle deliuered, we the said lords and other departed: and vpon
the same afternoone the king looking for the comming of the duke
of Lancaster, at the last the said duke, with the archbishop of
Canturburie and the persons afore recited, entered the foresaid
chamber, bringing with them the lords Roos, Aburgenie, and
Willoughbie, with diuerse other. Where after due obeisance doone by
them vnto the king, he familiarlie and with a glad countenance (as
to them and vs appeered) talked with the said archbishop and duke
a good season; and that communication finished, the king with glad
countenance in presence of vs and the other aboue rehearsed, said
openlie that he was readie to renounce and resigne all his kinglie
maiestie in maner and forme as he before had promised. And although
he had and might sufficientlie haue declared his renouncement by the
reading of an other meane person; yet for the more suertie of the
matter, and for that the said resignation should haue his full force
and strength, himselfe therefore read the scroll of resignation, in
maner and forme as followeth.
The tenor of the instrument whereby king Richard resigneth the crowne
to the duke of Lancaster.
IN the name of God Amen: I Richard by the grace of God, king of
England and of France, &c: lord of Ireland, acquit and assoile all
archbishops, bishops, and other prelats, secular or religious, of what
dignitie, degree, state, or condition so euer they be; and also all
dukes, marquesses, earles, barons, lords, and all my liege men, both
spirituall and secular, of what manner or degree they be, from their
oth of fealtie and homage, and all other deeds and priuileges made
vnto me, and from all manner bonds of allegiance, |863| regalitie and
lordship, in which they were or be bounden to me, or anie otherwise
constreined; and them, their heires, and successors for euermore, from
the same bonds and oths I release, deliuer, and acquit, and set them
for free, dissolued and acquit, and to be harmelesse, for as much as
longeth to my person by anie manner waie or title of right, that to
me might follow of the foresaid things, or anie of them. And also I
resigne all my kinglie dignitie, maiestie and crowne, with all the
lordships, power, and priuileges to the foresaid kinglie dignitie and
crowne belonging, and all other lordships and possessions to me in anie
maner of wise perteining, of what name, title, qualitie, or condition
soeuer they be, except the lands and possessions for me and mine obits
purchased and bought. And I renounce all right, and all maner of title
of possession, which I euer had or haue in the same lordships and
possessions, or anie of them, with anie manner of rights belonging or
apperteining vnto anie part of them. And also the rule and gouernance
of the same kingdome and lordships, with all ministrations of the
same, and all things and euerie each of them, that to the whole empire
and iurisdictions of the same belongeth of right, or in anie wise may
belong.
And also I renounce the name, worship, and regaltie and kinglie
highnesse, clearelie, freelie, singularlie and wholie, in the most
best maner and forme that I may, and with deed and word I leaue off
and resigne them, and go from them for euermore; sauing alwaies
to my successors kings of England, all the rights, priuileges and
appurtenances to the said kingdome and lordships abouesaid belonging
and apperteining. For well I wote and knowledge, and deeme my selfe
to be, and haue beene insufficient and vnable, and also vnprofitable,
and for my open deserts not vnworthie to be put downe. And I sweare
vpon the holie euangelists here presentlie with my hands touched, that
I shall neuer repugne to this resignation, demission or yeelding vp,
nor neuer impugne them in anie maner by word or deed, by my selfe nor
none other: nor I shall not suffer it to be impugned, in as much as in
me is, priuilie or apertlie. But I shall haue, hold, and keepe this
renouncing, demission, and giuing vp for firme and stable for euermore
in all and euerie part thereof, so God me helpe and all saints, and by
this holie euangelist, by me bodilie touched and kissed. And for more
record of the same, here openlie I subscribe and signe this present
resignation with mine owne hand.
* * * * *
Now foorthwith in our presences and others, he subscribed the same, and
after deliuered it vnto the archbishop of Canturburie, saieng that if
it were in his power, or at his assignement, he would that the duke of
Lancaster there present should be his successour, and king after him.
And in token heereof, he tooke a ring of gold from his finger being his
signet, and put it vpon the said dukes finger, desiring and requiring
the archbishop of Yorke, & the bishop of Hereford, to shew and make
report vnto the lords of the parlement of his voluntarie resignation,
and also of his intent and good mind that he bare towards his cousin
the duke of Lancaster, to haue him his successour and their king after
him. ¶ All this doone euerie man tooke their leaue and returned to
their owne.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: K. Richards resignation confirmed by parlement.]
Vpon the morrow after being tuesdaie, and the last daie of September,
all the lords spirituall and temporall, with the commons of the said
parlement, assembled at Westminster, where, in the presence of them,
the archbishop of Yorke, and the bishop of Hereford, according to the
kings request, shewed vnto them the voluntarie renouncing of the king,
with the fauour also which he bare to his cousine of Lancaster to haue
him his successour. And moreouer shewed them the schedule or bill of
renouncement, signed with king Richards owne hand, which they caused
to be read first in Latine, as it was written, and after in English.
This doone, the question was first asked of the lords, if they would
admit and allow that renouncement: the which when it was of them
granted and confirmed, the like question was asked of the commons,
and of them in |864| like manner confirmed. After this, it was then
declared, that notwithstanding the foresaid renouncing, so by the lords
and commons admitted and confirmed, it were necessarie in auoiding
of all suspicions and surmises of euill disposed persons, to haue in
writing and registred the manifold crimes and defaults before doone by
king Richard, to the end that they might first be openlie declared to
the people, and after to remaine of record amongst other of the kings
records for euer.
All this was doone accordinglie, for the articles which before yee haue
heard, were drawne and ingrossed vp, and there shewed readie to be
read; but for other causes more néedfull as then to be preferred, the
reading of those articles at that season was deferred. Then forsomuch
as the lords of the parlement had well considered the voluntarie
resignation (of king Richard, and that it was behoouefull and as they
thought) necessarie for the weale of the realme, to proceed vnto the
sentence of his deposing, there were appointed by the authoritie of all
the estates there in parlement assembled, the bishop of saint Asaph,
the abbat of Glastenburie, the earle of Glocester, the lord Berkleie,
William Thirning iustice, and Thomas Erpingham, with Thomas Graie,
knights, that they should giue and pronounce the open sentence of
the deposing of king Richard. Whervpon the said commissioners taking
counsell togither, by good and deliberate aduise therein had, with one
assent agréed, that the bishop of S. Asaph should publish the sentence
for them and in their names, as followeth.
The publication of king Richards deposing.
IN the name of God Amen. We Iohn bishop of S. Asaph, Iohn abbat of
Glastenburie, Thomas earle of Glocester, Thomas lord Berkeleie,
William Thirning iustice, Thomas Erpingham & Thomas Graie knights,
chosen and deputed speciall commissaries by the three states of this
present parlement, representing the whole bodie of the realme, for all
such matters by the said estates to vs committed: we vnderstanding and
considering the manifold crimes, hurts, and harmes doone by Richard
king of England, and misgouernance of the same by a long time, to the
great decaie of the said land, and vtter ruine of the same shortlie
to haue beene, had not the speciall grace of our God therevnto put
the sooner remedie: and also furthermore aduerting, that the said
king Richard by acknowledging his owne insufficiencie, hath of his
owne meere voluntee and free will, renounced and giuen ouer the rule
& gouernance of this land, with all rights and honours vnto the same
belonging, and vtterlie for his merits hath iudged himselfe not
vnwoorthilie to be deposed of all kinglie maiestie and estate roiall.
We the premisses well considering by good and diligent deliberation,
by the power, name, and authoritie to vs (as aboue is said) committed,
pronounce, decerne, and declare the same king Richard, before this
to haue beene, and to be vnprofitable, vnable, vnsufficient, and
vnwoorthie of the rule and gouernance of the foresaid realms and
lordships, and of all rights and other the appurtenances to the same
belonging. And for the same causes we depriue him of all kinglie
dignitie and worship, and of any kinglie worship in himselfe. And we
depose him by our sentence definitiue, forbidding expresselie to all
archbishops, and bishops, and all other prelats, dukes, marquesses,
erles, barons and knights, and all other men of the foresaid kingdome
and lordships, subiects, and lieges whatsoeuer they be, that none
of them from this daie forward, to the foresaid Richard as king and
lord of the foresaid realmes and lordships, be neither obedient nor
attendant.
After which sentence thus openlie declared, the said estates admitted
foorthwith the forenamed commissioners for their procurators, to
resigne and yeeld vp vnto king Richard, all their homage and fealtie,
which in times past they had made and owght vnto him, and also for to
declare vnto him (if need were) all things before doone that concerned
the |865| purpose and cause of his deposing: the which resignation
was respited till the morow following. Immediatlie as the sentence was
in this wise passed, and that by reason thereof the realme stood void
without head or gouernour for the time, the duke of Lancaster rising
from the place where before he sate, and standing where all those in
the house might behold him, in reuerend manner made a signe of the
crosse on his forhead, and likewise on his brest, and after silence by
an officer commanded, said vnto the people there being present, these
words following.
The duke of Lancaster laieth challenge or claime to the crowne.
IN the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, & of the Holie-ghost. I
Henrie of Lancaster claime the realme of England and the crowne, with
all the appurtenances, as I that am descended by right line of the
blood comming from that good lord king Henrie the third, and through
the right that God of his grace hath sent me, with the helpe of my
kin, and of my freends, to recouer the same, which was in point to be
vndoone for default of good gouernance and due iustice.
[Sidenote: The demand of the archbishop of Canturburie to the commons.
_Thom. Wals._
The duke of Hereford placed in the regall throne.