who came to the crowne by the resignation of his father Edward the
second.
[Sidenote: 1327.]
Edward the third of that name, the sonne of Edward the second, and of
Isabell the onelie daughter of Philip le Beau, & sister to Charles
the fift king of France, began his reigne as king of England, his
father yet liuing, the 25 daie of Ianuarie, after the creation 5293,
in the yeare of our lord 1327, after the account of them that begin
the yeare at Christmasse, 867 after the comming of the Saxons, 260
after the conquest, the 13 yeare of the reigne of Lewes the fourth then
emperour, the seuenth of Charles the fift king of France, the second
of Andronicus Iunior emperour of the east almost ended, and about the
end of the 22 of Robert le Bruce king of Scotland. He was crowned at
Westminster on the day of the Purification of our ladie next insuing,
by the hands of Walter the archbishop of Canturburie.
[Sidenote: Gouernours appointed.]
And bicause he was but fourtéene yeares of age, so that to gouerne
of himselfe he was not sufficient, it was decréed that twelue of the
greatest lords within the realme should haue the rule and gouernment
till he came to more perfect yeares. The names of which lords were as
followeth. The archbishop of Canturburie, the archbishop of Yorke,
the bishops of Winchester and of Hereford, Henrie earle of Lancaster,
Thomas Brotherton earle marshall, Edmund of Woodstoke earle of Kent,
Iohn earle of Warren, the lord Thomas Wake, the lord Henrie Percie, the
lord Oliuer de Ingham, & the lord Iohn Ros. These were sworne of the
kings councell, and charged with the gouernement as they would make
answer. But this ordinance continued not long: for the quéene, and the
lord Roger Mortimer tooke the whole rule so into their hands, that both
the king and his said councellors were gouerned onelie by them in all
matters both high and low. Neuerthelesse, although they had taken the
regiment vpon them, yet could they not foresée the tumults and vprores
that presentlie vpon the yoong kings inthronizing did insue: but néeds
it must come to passe that is left written where children weare the
crowne, & beare the scepter in hand,
Væ pueri terræ sæpissimè sunt ibi guerræ.
[Sidenote: The franchises of the citie of London confirmed.]
He confirmed the liberties and franchises of the citie of London, and
granted that the maior of the same citie for the time being might sit
in all places of iudgement within the liberties thereof for chéefe
iustice, aboue all other, the kings person onelie excepted; and that
euerie alderman that had béene maior should be iustice of peace
through all the citie of London and countie of Middlesex; and euerie
alderman that had not béene maior, should be iustice of peace within
his owne ward. He granted also to the citizens, that they should not
be constreined to go foorth of the citie to anie warres in defense of
the land, and that the franchises of the citie should not be seized
from thenceforth into the kings hands for anie cause, but onelie for
treason and rebellion shewed by the whole citie. Also Southwarke was
appointed to be vnder the rule of the citie, and the maior of London to
be bailiffe of Southwarke, and to ordeine such a substitute in the same
borough as pleased him.
[Sidenote: Records of Burie.]
In the first yeare of this kings reigne, we find in records belonging
to the abbeie of S. Edmundsburie in Suffolke, that the inhabitants of
that towne raised a sore commotion against the abbat & moonks of the
same abbeie, and that at seuerall times, as first on the wednesdaie
next after the feast of the conuersion of S. Paule, in the said first
yeare of this kings reigne, one Robert Foxton, Richard Draiton, and a
great number of other, assembling themselues togither in warlike order
and araie, assaulted the said abbeie, brake downe the gates, windowes,
and doores, entered the house by force, and assailing certeine moonks
and seruants that belonged to the abbat, did beat, wound, and euill
intreat them, brake open a number of chests, coffers, and forssets,
tooke out chalices of gold and siluer, books, vestments, and other
ornaments of the church, beside a great quantitie of rich plate, and
other furniture of household, apparell, armour, and other things,
beside fiue hundred pounds in readie coine, & also thrée thousand
florens of gold.
All these things they tooke and caried awaie, togither with diuerse
charters, writings, & miniments, as thrée charters of Knute sometime
king of England, foure charters of king Hardiknute, one charter of king
Edward the confessor, two charters of king Henrie the first, & other
two charters of king Henrie the third, which charters concerned as well
the foundation of the same abbeie, as the grants and confirmations of
the possessions and liberties belonging thereto. Also they tooke awaie
certeine writings obligatorie, in the which diuerse persons were bound
for the paiement of great summes of monie, and deliuerie of certeine
wines vnto the hands of the said abbat. Moreouer they tooke awaie with
them ten seuerall buls, concerning certeine exemptions and immunities
granted to the abbats and moonks of Burie by sundrie bishops of Rome.
Furthermore, not herewith contented, they tooke Peter Clopton prior of
the said abbeie, and other moonks foorth of the house, and leading them
vnto a place called the Leaden hall, there imprisoned them, till the
thursdaie next before the feast of the Purification of our ladie, and
that daie bringing them backe againe into the chapter-house, deteined
them still as prisoners, till they had sealed a writing, conteining
that the abbat and conuent were bound in ten thousand pounds to be
paid to Oliuer Kempe and others by them named. And further, they were
constreined to seale a letter of release for all actions, quarels,
debts, transgressions, suits and demands, which the abbat might in anie
wise claime or prosecute against the said Oliuer Kempe and others in
the same letters named.
For these wrongs and other, as for that they would not permit the
abbats bailiffes and officers to kéepe their ordinarie courts as they
were accustomed to doo, as well thrée daies in the wéeke for the
market, to wit, mondaie, wednesdaie and fridaie, as the Portman mote
euerie tuesdaie thrée wéeks, and further prohibit them from gathering
such tols, customes, and yearelie rents, as were due to the abbat for
certeine tenements in the towne, which were let to farme, the abbat
brought his action against the said Foxton, Draiton, and others, and
hauing it tried by an inquest, on the fridaie next after the feast of
saint Lucie the virgine, in a sessions holden at Burie by Iohn Stonore,
Walter Friskney, Robert Maberthorpe, & Iohn Bousser, by vertue of the
kings writ of oier and determiner to them directed, the offendors were
condemned in 40000 pounds, so that the said Richard Draiton, and others
there present in the court, were committed to prison in custodie of
the shiriffe Robert Walkefare, who was commanded also to apprehend the
other that were not yet arrested, if within his bailiwike they might
be found, and to haue their bodies before the said iustices at Burie
aforsaid, on thursdaie in Whitsunwéeke next insuing.
[Sidenote: The second riot.]
Beside this, there was an other indictement and action of trespasse
found there the same daie against the said Richard Draiton and others,
for a like disorder and riot by them committed, on the thursday next
after the feast of the Purification of our ladie, in the same first
yeare of this king, at what time they did not onelie breake into the
abbie, and beat the abbats men, but also tooke the abbat himselfe,
being then at home, with certeine of his moonks, kéeping both him
and them as prisoners, till the next daie that they were constreined
to seale certeine writings. And amongst other, a charter, in which
it was conteined, that the abbat and his conuent did grant vnto the
inhabitants of the towne of Burie, to be a corporation of themselues,
and to haue a common seale with a gild of merchants and aldermen: also
they were compelled to seale another charter, wherein was conteined a
grant to the said inhabitants, that they should haue the custodie of
the towne gates, and likewise the wardship of all pupils and orphans
within the same towne, beside diuerse other liberties.
Moreouer, they were in like manner constreined to seale thrée seuerall
obligations, in which the abbat and conuent were bound to the said
inhabitants, as to a communaltie of a corporation, in seauen thousand
pounds, as in two thousand by one obligation, and in two thousand by
an other, and in thrée thousand by the third obligation: and further
they were driuen to seale a letter of release of all trespasses, and
other things that might be demanded against the said inhabitants, with
a generall acquittance of all debts. Beside this, the said riotous
persons tooke at the same time foorth of the abbie great riches, as
well in plate, armor, books, & apparell, as in other things. They also
brake downe two houses or messuages, that belonged to the abbeie, and
situate within the towne of Burie: they also destroied his fish-ponds,
and tooke out such store of fish as they found in the same: they cut
downe also thréescore ashes there growing on the soile that belonged to
the said abbat, and did manie other great outrages and enormities, so
that it was found by the inquest, that the abbat was damnified to the
value of other fortie thousand pounds.
[Sidenote: The third riot.]
These riots may séeme gréeuous and verie strange, but yet the same
were not so heinouslie taken, as an other which the said inhabitants
of Burie attempted against the said abbeie in manner of a plaine
commotion, vpon saint Lukes day in the same yeare, at what time (as by
the records of that abbeie it should appeare) both the abbat and his
house were in the kings speciall protection, and the said inhabitants
prohibited by his letters to attempt anie iniurie against him or his
conuent. But neuerthelesse we find that not onelie the inhabitants
of Burie, but also a great number of other misgouerned persons, that
resorted to them from places there about, arraied and furnished
with horsse, armor and weapons, after the manner of warre, came and
assaulted the abbeie gates, set fire on them, and burned them with
diuerse other houses néere adioining, that belonged to the abbeie, and
continued in that their riotous enterprise all that day and the night
following.
[Sidenote: The manour of Holdernesse barne.]
[Sidenote: The manour of Westlie burnt.]
The same night also they burnt a manor of the abbats called Holdernesse
barne, with two other manors called the Almoners barne, and Haberdone,
also the granges that stood without the south gate, and the manour of
Westlie, in which places they burned in corne & graine, to the value of
a thousand pounds. The next daie they entered into the abbeie court,
and burnt all the houses on the north side, as stables, brewhouses,
bakehouses, garners, and other such necessarie houses and conuenient
roomes of offices; and on the other side the court, they burnt certeine
houses belonging to the Almonrie. On the next daie they burned the mote
hall, and Bradford hall, with the new hall, and diuerse chambers and
sollers to the same halles annexed, with the chapell of saint Laurence
at the end of the hospitall hall. Also the manor of Eldhall, the manor
of Horninger, with all the corne and graine within and about the same.
[Sidenote: The manour of Fornham burnt.]
The next day they burnt the soller of the Sollerer, with a chapell
there: also the kitchin, the larder, and a part of the farmarie. On
the thursdaie they burnt the residue of the farmarie, and the lodging
called the blacke lodging, with a chapell of S. Andrew therein. In
executing of all these riotous disorders, one Geffrie Moreman was an
aider, who with diuerse other persons vnknowne, departed foorth of the
towne of Burie, and by the assent of the other his complices he burnt
the manor of Fornham. The same day also other of their companie, as
William the sonne of Iames Neketon, Rafe Grubbe, Richard Kerie, and a
great number of other persons vnknowne, by the assent and abbetment of
the other that committed the said disorders, burnt two manors belonging
also to the said abbeie in great Berton, with all the corne and graine
there found.
Vpon knowledge had of these great riots, and perillous commotions,
there was a commission directed from the king, vnto Thomas earle of
Northfolke high marshall of England, to Thomas Bardulfe, Robert Morlie,
Peter Wedall, Iohn Howard, and Iohn Walkfare, authorising them with the
power of the countesse of Suffolke and Northfolke, to apprehend, trie
and punish such lewd disordered persons, and rebellious malefactors,
which had committed such felonious enterprises, to the breach of the
kings peace, and dangerous disquieting of his subiects: but the said
commissioners procéeded not according to the effect of their commission
in triall of anie felonies by the same persons committed and doone,
but onelie caused them to be indicted of trespasse: albeit Robert
Walkfare, and Iohn Clauer, with their associats iustices of peace, in
their sessions holden at Elueden the tuesdaie next after the feast
of the apostles Simon and Iude, in the said first yeare of this K.
Edward the third procéeded in such wise against the said malefactors,
that Iohn de Berton cordwainer, Robert Foxton, and a great number of
other were indicted of felonie, for the misdemenours afore mentioned,
and the indictements so found were after sent and presented vnto Iohn
Stonore, Walter de Friskenie, Robert Malberthorpe, and Iohn Bousser,
who by vertue of the kings commission of oier and determiner to them
directed, sat at S. Edmundsburie the wednesdaie next after the feast
of saint Lucie the virgine; and then and there sent foorth precepts
to the shiriffe, commanding him to apprehend the said Berton, Foxton,
and others, that were indicted of the foresaid felonies, and also to
returne a sufficient iurie to trie vpon their arreignment the said
malefactors by order of law, the fridaie next after the said feast
of S. Lucie. Herevpon Alane de Latoner, and Robert Dalling, with
seauentéene others, being arreigned, were found guiltie, and suffered
death according to the order appointed for felons.
One Adam Miniot stood mute, and refused to be tried by his countrie,
and so was pressed to death, as the law in such case appointeth.
Diuerse other were saued by their bookes, according vnto the order
of clerkes conuict, as Alexander Brid person of Hogeset, Iohn Rugham
person of little Welnetham, Iohn Burton cordwainer, and diuerse other.
Some were repriued, as one woman named Iulian Barbor, who being big
bellied was respited, till she were deliuered of child. Benedict Sio
and Robert Russell were repriued, and committed to the safe kéeping
of the shiriffe, as triers or appeachers (as we tearme them) of other
offenders: and bicause there was not anie as yet attached by their
appeales, they were commanded againe to person. One Robert de Creswell
was saued by the kings letters of speciall pardon, which he had there
readie to shew. As for Robert Foxton, Adam Cokefield, and a great
number of other, whome the shiriffe was commanded to apprehend, he
returned that he could not heare of them within the precinct of his
bailiffewéeke, wherevpon exigents were awarded against them, and the
shiriffe was commanded, that if he might come to attach them, he should
not faile but so to doo, and to haue their bodies there at Burie before
the said iustices, the thursdaie in Whitsunwéeke, next insuing.
[Sidenote: The common people often deceiued by lewd informations.]
Diuerse also were arreigned at the same time of the said felonies,
and thereof acquited, as Michaell Scabaille, Rafe Smeremonger, and
others. Indéed those that were found guiltie, and suffered, were the
chéefe authors and procurers of the commotion, bearing others in hand
that the abbat had in his custodie a certeine charter, wherein the
king should grant to the inhabitants of the towne of Burie, certeine
liberties, whereby it might appeare that they were frée, and discharged
from the paiment of diuerse customes and exactions, wherevpon the
ignorant multitude easilie giuing credit to such surmised tales, were
the sooner induced to attempt such disorders as before are mentioned. ¶
Thus haue yée heard all in effect that was doone in this first yeare of
king Edward the third his reigne, by and against those offendors. But
bicause we will not interrupt matters of other yeares with that which
followed further of this businesse, we haue thought good to put the
whole that we intend to write thereof here in this place.
[Sidenote: Rob. Foxton pardoned.]
[Sidenote: A priuilege.]
[Sidenote: Portman mote.]
[Sidenote: The abbats officers blamed.]
Yée shall therefore vnderstand, that diuerse of those, against whome
exigents were awarded, came in, and yéelded their bodies to the
shiriffes prison, before they were called on the fift countie daie.
Albeit a great manie there were that came not, and so were outlawed.
Robert Foxton got the kings pardon, and so purchasing foorth a
supersedeas, the suit therevpon against him was staied. The shiriffe
therefore in Whitsunwéeke, in the second yeare of this kings reigne,
made his returne touching Benedict Sio, Robert Russell, & Iulian
Barbor, so that he deliuered them vnto the bailiffes of the libertie
of the abbat of Burie, by reason of an ancient priuilege, which the
abbat claimed to belong to his house. The bailiffes confessed they had
receiued the said prisoners, but forsomuch as they had béene arreigned
at a Portman mote, which was vsed to be kept euerie thrée wéeks, and
vpon their arreignment were found guiltie of certeine other felonies
by them committed within the towne of Burie, and therevpon were put to
execution, Adam Finchman the kings attornie there tooke it verie euill,
& laid it gréeuouslie to the charge of the abbats officers, for their
hastie and presumptuous procéeding against the said prisoners, namelie,
bicause the said Sio and Russell were repriued, to the end that by
their vtterance, many heinous offenses might haue béene brought to
light.
[Sidenote: A condemnation.]
On the same daie, that is to wit, the thursdaie in Whitsunwéeke, the
foresaid Robert Foxton, and diuerse other came in, and were attached
by the shiriffe to answer the abbat to his action of trespasse, which
he brought against them, and putting the matter to the triall of an
inquest, they were condemned in sixtie thousand pounds, to be leuied of
their goods and chattels, vnto the vse of the abbat, and in the meane
time they were committed to prison. But first they made suit that they
might be put to their fines for their offenses committed against the
kings peace, and their request in that behalfe was granted, so that
vpon putting in sufficient suerties for their good abearing, their
fines were assessed, as some at more and some at lesse, as the case was
thought for to require.
[Sidenote: An agréem[=e]t.]
Thus rested the matter a long season after, vntill the fift yeare of
this kings reigne, in which the thursdaie next after the feast of the
blessed Trinitie, the K. being himselfe in person at S. Edmundsburie
aforesaid, a finall agréement and concord was concluded betwixt the
said abbat and his conuent on the one partie, and Richard Draiton and
others of the inhabitants of that towne on the other partie, before the
right reuerend father in God Iohn bishop of Winchester and chancellour
of England, and the kings iustices Iohn Stonore and Iohn Cantbridge
sitting there at the same time, by the kings commandement. The effect
of which agréement was as followeth.
The articles of agréement betwéene the moonks of Burie and the
inhabitants of Burie.
First, whereas the said abbat had recouered by iudgement before
the said Iohn Stonore and other his associats iustices of oier and
determiner in the said towne of Burie, the summe of seuen score
thousand pounds for trespasses to him and his house committed and doone
by the said Richard Draiton, and other the inhabitants of Burie: now at
the desire of the said king, and for other good respects him moouing,
he pardoned and released vnto the said Richard Draiton, and to other
the inhabitants of Burie, to their heires, executors, and assigns the
summe of 122333 pounds, eight shillings eight pence, of the said totall
summe of 140000 pounds.
And further the said abbat and conuent granted and agréed for them
and their successors, that if the said Richard Draiton, & other the
inhabitants of the said towne of Burie, or any of them, their heires,
executors or assignes, should paie to the said abbat & conuent, or
their successors within twentie yeares next insuing the date of that
present agréement, 2000 marks, that is to saie, 100 marks yearelie at
the feasts of S. Michaell & Easter, by euen portions: that then the
said Richard & other the inhabitants of the towne of Burie should be
acquited & discharged of 4000 marks, parcell of 17666 pounds, thirtéene
shillings foure pence residue behind for euer.
Moreouer, whereas the said abbat and conuent, & the said abbat by
himselfe, since the 19 yeare of the reigne of king Edward the second
vnto that present time, had sealed certeine charters, déeds, &
writings, as well with the proper seale of the abbat, as with the
common seale of the abbat & conuent, if the said Richard and the
inhabitants of the said towne of Burie did restore vnto the said abbat
& conuent all the same writings, or take such order, that neither the
abbat nor conuent be impleaded, or in any wise hindered, indamaged nor
molested by force of the same: and further if neither the said Richard,
nor any the inhabitants of the said towne, nor their heires, executors,
nor assignes, shall go about to reuerse the iudgements against them, at
the suit of the said abbat, nor shall séeke to impeach the executions
of the same iudgements by anie false or forged aquitances or releases,
nor implead nor molest any of the iurie, by whom they were conuict,
that then they and their heires, executors & assignes shall be acquited
& discharged of ten thousand pounds parcell of the said 17666 pounds,
13 shillings foure pence.
And furthermore, if the said Richard and other the inhabitants of
the said towne of Burie, doo not hereafter maliciouslie rise against
the said abbat or conuent, nor séeke to vex them by any conspiracie,
confederacie, or by some other secret vniust cause, nor likewise euill
intreat any man by reason of the inditement found against them, nor yet
claime to haue any corporation of themselues within that towne, that
then the said Richard, & the said inhabitants, their heires, successors
& assignes, shall remaine acquited and discharged of all the residue
of the said 17666 pounds, thirtéene shillings foure pence for euer.
And the said abbat and conuent doo grant for them & their successours,
that their intention is not, that if any singular person of his owne
priuate malice, shall rise against the said abbat and conuent, their
successors, moonks, bailiffes, or seruants, to doo them, or any of
them iniurie or displeasure; that those which be not partakers of
the offense, shall be in any wise punished for the same, so that the
offendors be not mainteined by any of the same towne, but that the
inhabitants there, doo assist the abbat and conuent their successours,
bailiffes, seruants & officers, that the same offendors may be
punished, according to their demerits, as reason and law shall allow.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: This might come to passe before the agréement was made
in the fift yeare of the kings reigne as aboue is mentioned, and so
therevpon he might be restored.]
This was the effect of the agréement at length had and made betwixt
the abbat and moonks of Burie on the one part, & the inhabitants of
that towne on the other part, and for the more confirmation therof,
it pleased the king to put his seale to the charter conteining the
same agréement. ¶ But how soeuer it chanced, it should appeare by
such records as came to the hands of master Iohn Fox, as he alledgeth
in the first tome of his booke of acts and monuments, this agréement
was but sorilie kept: for diuerse of the former offendors, bearing
grudge towards the abbat for breaking promise with them at London,
did confederat themselues togither, and priuilie in the night comming
to the manour of Chennington where the abbat then did lie, burst open
the gates, and entring by force, first bound all his seruants, and
after they had robbed the house, they tooke the abbat, and shauing
him, secretlie conueied him to London, and there remoouing him from
stréet to stréet vnknowne, had him ouer the Thames into Kent, and at
length transported him ouer vnto Dist in Brabant, where they kept him
for a time in much penurie, thraldome and miserie, vntill at length
the matter being vnderstood, they were all excommunicate, first by
the archbishop, & after by the pope. At the last, his fréends hauing
knowledge where he was, they found means to deliuer him out of the
hands of those théeues, and finallie brought him home with procession,
and so he was restored to his house againe.
[Sidenote: _Rich. South._]
[Sidenote: Rob. Maners capteine of Norham castell.]
Thus much touching those troubles betwixt the townesmen of Burie &
the abbat and moonks there, and now we will returne to other generall
matters touching the publike state of the realme. ¶ And first you shall
vnderstand, that in the beginning of this kings reigne the land trulie
séemed to be blessed of God: for the earth became fruitfull, the aire
temperate, and the sea calme and quiet. This king though he was as yet
vnder the gouernement of other, neuerthelesse he began within a short
time to shew tokens of great towardnesse, framing his mind vnto graue
deuises, and first he prepared to make a iornie against the Scotishmen,
the which in his fathers time had doone so manie displeasures to the
Englishmen, and now vpon confidence of his minoritie, ceassed not to
inuade the borders of his realme. And namelie the verie selfe night
that followed the day of this kings coronation, they had thought
by skaling to haue stolne the castell of Norham: but Robert Maners
capteine of that place, vnderstanding of their enterprise aforehand by
a Scotishmen of the garison there, so well prouided for their comming,
that where sixtéene of them boldlie entred vpon the wall, he slue nine
or ten of them and tooke fiue.
[Sidenote: The Scots inuade England.]
[Sidenote: The lord Beaumont of Heinault.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
This was thought an euill token, that they should still be put to
the worsse in this kings time, sith they had so bad successe in the
verie beginning of his reigne: but they continuing in their malicious
purposes, about saint Margarets tide inuaded the land with thrée
armies, the earle of Murrey hauing the leading of one of the same
armies, and Iames Douglas of another, and the third was guided by the
earle of Mar. King Edward aduertised hereof, assembled not onelie a
great power of Englishmen, but also required Iohn lord Beaumont de
Heinault, whome he had latelie sent home right honorablie rewarded for
his good assistance, to come againe into England, with certeine bands
of men at armes, and he should receiue wages and good interteinement
for them. The lord Beaumont, as one that loued déeds of armes, was
glad to accomplish king Edwards request: and so therevpon with seauen
hundred men at armes, or fiue hundred (as Froissart saith) came ouer
into England againe, to serue against the Scots.
[Sidenote: A fraie betwixt ye English archers and the Henuiers.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: _Froissart._]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: _Froissart._]
The generall assemblie of the armie was appointed to be at Yorke, and
thither came the said lord Beaumont with his people, and was ioifullie
receiued of the king and his lords. Here whilest not onelie the Scotish
ambassadours (which had béene sent to treat of peace, were heard to
tell their message) but also whilest the councell tooke some leisure
in debating the matter how to guide their enterprise, which they
had now in hand: vpon Trinitie sundaie, it chanced that there arose
contention within the citie of Yorke, betwixt the English archers, and
the strangers, which the lord Beaumont of Heinault had brought with
him, insomuch that fighting togither there were slaine to the number
of foure score persons of those archers, which were buried within the
church of saint Clement in Fosgate. ¶ Some write that there were slaine
to the number of thrée hundred Englishmen: yet bicause the Henuiers
came to aid the king, their peace was cried vpon paine of life. And
further, it was found by an inquest of the citie, that the quarrel
was begun by the Englishmen, the which (as some write) were of the
Lincolneshire men, of those that sometime belonged to the Spensers, and
to the earle of Arundell, so that there was cause, whie they bare euill
will to the Henuiers which had aided (as ye haue heard) to bring the
said earle and Spensers to their confusion.
[Sidenote: Stanop parke.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
In this meane time the Scots being entred into England, had doone
much hurt, and were come as farre as Stanop parke in Wiredale: and
though they had sent their ambassadours to treat with the king and
his councell for peace, yet no conclusion followed of their talke.
At the same time, bicause the English souldiers of this armie were
cloathed all in cotes and hoods embrodered with floures and branches
verie séemelie, and vsed to nourish their beards: the Scots in derision
thereof made a rime, which they fastened vpon the church doores of
saint Peter toward Stangate, conteining this that followeth.
[Sidenote: A rime in derision of the Englishmen.]
Long beards, hartlesse, painted hoods, witlesse,
Gaie cotes, gracelesse, Make England thriftlesse.
[Sidenote: _Froissart._]
[Sidenote: The lord Dowglas.]
The king when he saw it was but a vaine thing to staie anie longer in
communication with the ambassadors about peace, departed from Yorke
with his puissant armie, and getting knowledge how the Scots were
closelie lodged in the woods of Stanop parke, he came and stopped all
the passages, so it was thought that he should haue had them at his
pleasure, but through treason (as was after reported) of the lord Roger
Mortimer, after that the Scots had béene kept within their lodgings for
the space of fiftéene daies, till they were almost famished, they did
not onelie find a waie out, but about two hundred of them vnder the
leading of the lord William Douglas, assailing that part of the English
campe where the kings tent stood, in the night season, missed not
much of either taking the king or sleieng him: and hauing doone hurt
inough otherwise, as in the Scotish chronicle is also touched, they
followed their companie, and with them returned into Scotland without
impeachment.
[Sidenote: The lord Beaum[=o]t returned home.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: 1328.]
It is said, that Henrie earle of Lancaster, and Iohn the lord Beaumont
of Heinault would gladlie haue passed ouer the water of Wire, to haue
assailed the Scots, but the earle of March through counsell of the lord
Mortimer, pretending to haue right to the leading of the fore ward,
and to the giuing of the first onset, would not suffer them. Howsoeuer
it was the king missed his purpose, and right pensiue therefore, brake
vp his field, and returned vnto London. ¶ Walter bishop of Canturburie
departed this life in Nouember, and then Simon Mepham was aduanced
to the gouernement of that sée. The lord Beaumont of Heinault was
honorablie rewarded for his paines and trauell, and then licenced
to returne into his countrie, where he had not béene long, but that
through his means then (as some write) the marriage was concluded
betwéene king Edward, and the ladie Philip daughter to William earle
of Heinault, and néece to the said lord Beaumont, who had the charge
to sée hir brought ouer thither into England about Christmasse: where
in the citie of Yorke vpon the éeuen of the Conuersion of saint Paule,
being sundaie, in the latter end of the first yeare of his reigne, king
Edward solemnlie maried hir.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 2.]
[Sidenote: A parlement at Northampton.]
[Sidenote: A dishonorable peace.]
[Sidenote: Ragman.]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: The blacke crosse.]
In the second yeare of his reigne, about the feast of Pentecost, king
Edward held a parlement at Northampton, at the which parlement by euill
and naughtie counsell, whereof the lord Roger Mortimer and the quéene
mother bare the blame, the king concluded with the Scotish king both an
vnprofitable and a dishonorable peace. For first, he released to the
Scots their fealtie and homage. Also he deliuered vnto them certeine
old ancient writings, sealed with the seales of the king of Scots, and
of diuerse lords of the land both spirituall and temporall: amongst the
which was that indenture, which they called Ragman, with manie other
charters and patents, by the which the kings of Scotland were bound as
feodaries vnto the crowne of England; at which season also there were
deliuered certeine iewels, which before time had béene woone from the
Scots by the kings of England, and among other, the blacke crosier or
rood is speciallie named.
[Sidenote: A marriage concluded.]
[Sidenote: Ione Makepeace.]
[Sidenote: _Ri. Southwell._]
And not onelie the king by his sinister councell lost such right and
title as he had to the realme of Scotland, so farre as by the same
councell might be deuised, but also the lords and barons, and other men
of England that had anie lands or rents within Scotland, lost their
right in like manner, except they would dwell vpon the same lands, and
become liege men to the king of Scotland. Herevpon was there also a
marriage concluded betwixt Dauid Bruce the sonne of Robert Bruce king
of Scotland, and the ladie Iane sister to king Edward, which of diuerse
writers is surnamed Ione of the tower, and the Scots surnamed hir halfe
in derision, Ione Makepeace. This marriage was solemnised at Berwike
vpon the daie of Marie Magdalen. The quéene with the bishops of Elie
and Norwich, the earle Warren, the lord Mortimer, and diuerse other
barons of the land, and a great multitude of other people were present
at that marriage, which was celebrate with all the honour that might be.
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsin._]
[Sidenote: _Adam Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: Creations of earles.]
[Sidenote: The earle of March ruleth all things at his pleasure.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
After the quindene of saint Michaell, king Edward held a parlement
at Salisburie, in which the lord Roger Mortimer was created earle
of March, the lord Iohn of Eltham the kings brother was made earle
of Cornwall, and the lord Iames Butler of Ireland earle of Ormond,
who about the same time had married the earle of Herefords daughter.
But the earle of March tooke the most part of the rule of all things
perteining either to the king or realme into his owne hands: so that
the whole gouernment rested in a manner betwixt the quéene mother and
him. The other of the councell that were first appointed, were in
manner displaced; for they bare no rule to speake of at all, which
caused no small grudge to arise against the quéene and the said earle
of March, who mainteined such ports, and kept among them such retinue
of seruants, that their prouision was woonderfull, which they caused
to be taken vp, namelie for the quéene, at the kings price, to the sore
oppression of the people, which tooke it displesantlie inough.
[Sidenote: The earle of Lancaster.]
[Sidenote: Robert Holland slaine.]
[Sidenote: The archbishop of Canturburie was the chiefe procuror of the
agréement & reconciliation of the earle (as _Merimuth_ saith.)]
There was like to haue growen great variance betwixt the quéene and
Henrie earle of Lancaster, by reason that one sir Thomas Wither, a
knight perteining to the said earle of Lancaster, had slaine Robert
Holland, who had betraied sometime Thomas earle of Lancaster, and
was after committed to prison by earle Henries means, but the quéene
had caused him to be set at libertie, and admitted him as one of hir
councell. The quéene would haue had sir Thomas Wither punished for the
murther, but earle Henrie caused him to be kept out of the waie, so
that for these causes and other, Henrie the earle of Lancaster went
about to make a rebellion, and the quéene hauing knowledge thereof,
sought to apprehend him: but by the mediation of the earles Marshall
and Kent, the matter was taken vp, and earle Henrie had the kings peace
granted him for the summe of eleuen thousand pounds, which he should
haue paid, but he neuer paid that fine, though it was so assessed at
the time of the agréement.
[Sidenote: _Adam Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: 1329.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 3.]
There were diuerse lords and great men that were confederat with him,
the lord Thomas Wake, the lord Henrie Beaumont, the lord Foulke Fitz
Warrein, sir Thomas Rosselin, sir William Trussell, and other, to the
number of an hundred knights. ¶ In the third yeare of his reigne, about
the Ascension tide, king Edward went ouer into France, and comming to
the French king Philip de Valois, as then being at Amiens, did there
his homage vnto him for the duchie of Guien (as in the French historie
appeareth.) ¶ The same yeare Simon the archbishop of Canturburie held
a synod at London, wherein all those were excommunicated that were
guiltie to the death of Walter Stapleton bishop of Excester, that had
béene put to death by the Londoners, as in the last kings time ye haue
heard. ¶ This bishop of Excester founded Excester colledge in Oxford, &
Harts hall. But now to the purpose.
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._]
[Sidenote: _Ri. Southwell._]
[Sidenote: Additions to _Meri._]
[Sidenote: Thom. Dunhed a frier.]
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]
The king about the beginning, or (as other saie) about the middle of
Lent, held a parlement at Winchester, during the which, Edmund of
Woodstoke earle of Kent the kings vncle was arrested the morrow after
saint Gregories day, and being arreigned vpon certeine confessions and
letters found about him, he was found giltie of treason. There were
diuerse in trouble about the same matter, for the earle vpon his open
confession before sundrie lords of the realme, declared that not onelie
by commandement from the pope, but also by the setting on of diuerse
nobles of this land (whome he named) he was persuaded to indeuour
himselfe by all waies and meanes possible how to deliuer his brother
king Edward the second out of prison, and to restore him to the crowne,
whome one Thomas Dunhed, a frier of the order of preachers in London,
affirmed for certeine to be aliue, hauing (as he himselfe said) called
vp a spirit to vnderstand the truth thereof, and so what by counsell
of the said frier, and of thrée other friers of the same order, he had
purposed to worke some meane how to deliuer him, and to restore him
againe to the kingdome. Among the letters that were found about him,
disclosing a great part of his practise, some there were, which he had
written and directed vnto his brother the said king Edward, as by some
writers it should appeare.
[Sidenote: 1330.]
[Sidenote: Anno Reg. 4.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Kent beheaded.]
[Sidenote: Naughtie seruants bring their master into disfauour.]
The bishop of London and certeine other great personages, whome he had
accused, were permitted to go at libertie, vnder suerties taken for
their good demeanour and foorth comming. But Robert de Touton, and
the frier that had raised the spirit for to know whether the kings
father were liuing or not, were committed to prison, wherein the frier
remained till he died. The earle himselfe was had out of the castell
gate at Winchester, and there lost his head the 19 day of March,
chiefelie (as was thought) thorough the malice of the quéene mother,
and of the earle of March: whose pride and high presumption the said
earle of Kent might not well abide. His death was the lesse lamented,
bicause of the presumptuous gouernement of his seruants and retinue,
which he kept about him, for that they riding abroad, would take vp
things at their pleasure, not paieng nor agréeing with the partie to
whome such things belonged; in so much that by their meanes, who ought
to haue doone their vttermost for the inlargement of his honour, he
grew in greater obloquie and reproch: a fowle fault in seruants so to
abuse their lords names to their priuat profit, to whome they cannot be
too trustie. But such are to be warned, that by the same wherin they
offend, they shall be punished, euen with seruants faithlesse to plague
their vntrustinesse, for
Qui violare fidem solet, & violetur eidem.
[Sidenote: The Blacke prince borne.]
[Sidenote: _Croxden._]
[Sidenote: An eclipse.]
[Sidenote: A late haruest.]
The yoong quéene Philip was brought to bed at Woodstoke the 15 day of
Iune of hir first sonne, the which at the fontstone was named Edward,
and in processe of time came to great proofe of famous chiualrie, as in
this booke shall more plainlie appeare. He was commonlie named when he
came to ripe yeares prince Edward, & also surnamed the Blacke prince.
The sixtéenth day of Iulie chanced a great eclipse of the sunne, and
for the space of two moneths before, and thrée moneths after, there
fell excéeding great raine, so that through the great intemperancie
of weather, corne could not ripen, by reason whereof, in manie places
they began not haruest till Michaelmas, & in some places they inned not
their wheat till Alhallontide, nor their pease till saint Andrews tide.
[Sidenote: A mightie wind.]
On Christmasse euen, about the breake of day, a maruellous sore and
terrible wind came foorth of the west, which ouerthrew houses and
buildings, ouerturned trées by the roots, and did much hurt in diuerse
places. ¶ This yeare shortlie after Easter, the king with the bishop of
Winchester, and the lord William Montacute, hauing not past fiftéene
horsses in their companie, passed the sea, apparelled in clokes like
to merchants, he left his brother the earle of Cornewall his deputie &
gardian of the realme till his returne. Moreouer, he caused it to be
proclaimed in London, that he went ouer on pilgrimage, and for none
other purpose. He returned before the later end of Aprill, and then was
there holden a turnie at Dertfort.
[Sidenote: Additions to _N. Triuet._]
The mondaie after saint Matthews day in September, the king held a
solemne iusts in Cheapeside, betwixt the great crosse and Soperlane, he
with 12 as chalengers answering all defendants that came. This solemne
iusts and turnie continued thrée daies. The quéene with manie ladies
being present at the same, fell beside a stage, but yet as good hap
would they had no hurt by that fall, to the reioising of manie that
saw them in such danger, and yet so luckilie to escape without harme.
¶ Also in a parlement holden at Notingham about saint Lukes tide, sir
Roger Mortimer the earle of March was apprehend the seuntéenth day
of October within the castell of Notingham, where the king with the
two quéenes, his mother and his wife, and diuerse other were as then
lodged. And though the keies of the castell were dailie and knightlie
in the custodie of the said earle of March, and that his power was
such, as it was doubted how he might be arrested (for he had, as some
writers affirme, at that present in retinue nine score knights, besides
esquiers, gentlemen and yeomen) yet at length by the kings helpe, the
lord William Montacute, the lord Humfrie de Bohun, and his brother
sir William, the lord Rafe Stafford, the lord Robert Vfford, the lord
William Clinton, the lord Iohn Neuill of Hornbie, and diuerse other,
which had accused the said earle of March for the murther of king
Edward the second, found means by intelligence had with sir William de
Eland constable of the castell of Notingham, to take the said earle of
March with his sonne the lord Roger or Geffrey Mortimer, and sir Simon
Bereford, with other.
[Sidenote: Maister _Fox._]
Sir Hugh Trumpington or Turrington (as some copies haue) that was one
of his chéefest fréends with certeine other were slaine, as they were
about to resist against the lord Montacute, and his companie in taking
of the said earle. The manner of his taking I passe ouer, bicause of
the diuersitie in report thereof by sundrie writers. From Notingham
he was sent vp to London with his sonne the lord Roger or Geffrey de
Mortimer, sir Simon Bereford, and the other prisoners, where they
were committed to prison in the tower. Shortlie after was a parlement
called at Westminster, chéefelie (as was thought) for reformation of
things disordered through the misgouernance of the earle of March. But
whosoeuer was glad or sorie for the trouble of the said earle, suerlie
the quéene mother tooke it most heauilie aboue all other, as she that
loued him more (as the fame went) than stood well with hir honour. For
as some write, she was found to be with child by him. They kept as it
were house togither, for the earle to haue his prouision the better
cheape, laid his penie with hirs, so that hir takers serued him as
well as they did hir both of vittels & cariages. Of which misvsage
(all regard to honour and estimation neglected) euerie subiect spake
shame. For their manner of dealing, tending to such euill purposes as
they continuallie thought vpon, could not be secret from the eies of
the people. And their offense héerein was so much the more heinous,
bicause they were persons of an extraordinarie degrée, and were the
more narrowlie marked of the multitude or common people,
[Sidenote: _Claudi._]
---- nam lux altissima fati
Occultum nil esse sinit, latebrásq; per omnes
Intrat, & obtrusos explorat fama recessus.
[Sidenote: The earle of March attainted.]
But now in this parlement holden at Westminster he was attainted of
high treason expressed in fiue articles, as in effect followeth.
1 First, he was charged that he had procured Edward of Carnaruan the
kings father to be murthered in most heinous and tyrannous maner within
the castell of Berklie.