3 Thirdlie, that he receiued at the hands of the lord Iames Dowglas,
at that time generall of the Scots, great summes of monie to execute
that treason, and further to conclude the peace vpon such dishonorable
couenants as was accorded with the Scots at the parlement of
Northampton.
4 Fourthlie, that he had got into his hands a great part of the kings
treasure, and had wasted and consumed it.
5 Fiftlie, that he had impropried vnto him diuerse wards that belonged
vnto the king: and had béene more priuie with quéene Isabell the kings
mother, than stood either with Gods law, or the king pleasure.
[Sidenote: _Adam Meremuth._]
[Sidenote: The earle of March executed.]
These articles with other being prooued against him, he was adiudged by
authoritie of the parlement to suffer death, and according therevnto,
vpon saint Andrewes éeuen next insuing, he was at London drawne and
hanged, at the common place of execution, called in those daies The
elmes, & now Tiborne, as in some bookes we find. His bodie remained
two daies and two nights on the gallowes, and after taken downe was
deliuered to the friers minors, who buried him in their church the
morrow after he was deliuered to them, with great pompe and funerall
exequies, although afterwards he was taken vp and carried vnto Wigmore,
whereof he was lord. He came not to his answer in iudgement, no more
than any other of the nobilitie had doone, since the death of Thomas
earle of Lancaster.
[Sidenote: Sir Simon Bereford executed.]
[Sidenote: Some bookes haue 3 thousand pounds.]
[Sidenote: _Ad. Merem._]
Sir Simon de Bereford knight that had béene one of the kings iustices,
was drawne also and hanged at London, vpon S. Lucies daie. In this
parlement holden at Westminster, the king tooke into his hand, by
aduise of the states there assembled, all the possessions, lands and
reuenues that belonged to the quéene his mother, she hauing assigned
to hir a thousand pounds by yeare, for the maintenance of hir estate,
being appointed to remaine in certeine place, and not to go elsewhere
abroad: yet the king to comfort hir would lightlie euerie yeare once
come to visit hir. ¶ After that the erle of March was executed (as yée
haue heard) diuerse noblemen that were departed the realme, bicause
they could not abide the pride and presumption of the said earle, now
returned: as the sonne and heire of the earle of Arundell, the lord
Thomas Wake, the L. Henrie Beaumont, sir Thomas de Rosselin, sir Foulke
fitz Warren, sir Griffin de la Poole, and diuerse other.
[Sidenote: 1331.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 5.]
[Sidenote: Edward Balioll commeth into England.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: Iohn Barnabie.]
[Sidenote: The lord Beaumont.]
In the fift yeare of K. Edwards reigne, Edward Balioll came foorth of
France into England, and obteined such fauour through the assistance of
the lord Henrie Beaumont, the lord Dauid of Strabogie earle of Athole,
the lord Geffrey de Mowbraie, the lord Walter Cumin, and others, that
king Edward granted him licence to make his prouision in England to
passe into Scotland, with an armie of men to attempt the recouerie
of his right to the crowne of Scotland, with condition that if he
recouered it, he should acknowledge to hold it of the king of England
as superiour lord of Scotland. The comming awaie of Edward Balioll
out of France is diuerslie reported by writers: some saie that he was
aided by the French king, whose sister he had married: and other saie,
that he being in prison in France, for the escape of an Englishman,
one Iohn Barnabie esquier, which had slaine a Frenchman by chance of
quarelling in the towne of Dampierre, where the same Barnabie dwelled
with the said Edward Balioll, so it came to passe that the lord Henrie
Beaumont hauing occasion of businesse with the French king, that
fauoured him well, came ouer to France, and there vnderstanding of
Baliols imprisonment, procured his deliuerance, and brought him ouer
into England, and caused him to remaine in secret wise at the manor of
Sandhall vpon Ouse in Yorkeshire with the ladie Vescie, till he had
purchased the kings grant for him to make his prouision of men of war
and ships within the English dominions.
[Sidenote: 1332.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 6.]
[Sidenote: _Croxden._]
[Sidenote: The earle of Gelderland.]
[Sidenote: Edward Balioll crowned K. of Scotl[=a]d.]
In the sixt yeare of king Edwards reigne, Reignold earle of Gelderland
married the ladie Elianor sister to this king Edward the third, who
gaue vnto the said earle with hir for hir portion, fiftéene thousand
pounds sterling. ¶ Isabell the kings daughter was borne also this
yeare at Woodstoke. ¶ After that Edward Balioll had prepared and made
readie his purueiances for his iournie, and that his men of warre were
assembled and come togither, being in all not past fiue hundred men of
armes, and about two thousand archers, and other footmen, he tooke the
sea at Rauenspurgh in Yorkeshire, and from thence directing his course
northward, he arriued at length in Scotland, where he atchiuing great
victories (as in the Scotish chronicle yée may read more at large) was
finallie crowned king of that realme.
[Sidenote: The cause that mooued K. Edward to aid Edward Balioll.]
[Sidenote: _Rich. South._]
[Sidenote: Edward Balioll chased out of Scotland.]
[Sidenote: 1333.]
It may séeme a woonder to manie, that the king of England would permit
Edward Balioll to make his prouision thus in England, and to suffer
his people to aid him against his brother in law king Dauid that had
married his sister (as before ye haue heard.) Indéed at the first he
was not verie readie to grant their suit that mooued it, but at length
was contented to dissemble the matter, in hope that if Edward Balioll
had good successe, he should then recouer that againe, which by the
conclusion of peace during his minoritie, he had through euill counsell
resigned out of his hands. The Scots neuerthelesse in December chased
their new king Edward Balioll out of Scotland, so that he was faine
to retire into England, and celebrated the feast of the Natiuitie at
Carleill, in the house of the friers minors, and the morrow after being
S. Stephans day, he went into Westmerland, where of the lord Clifford
he was right honorablie receiued, to whome he then granted Douglas
Dale in Scotland, which had béene granted to the said lord Cliffords
grandfather in the daies of king Edward the first, if he might at anie
time recouer the realme of Scotland out of his aduersaries hands.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 7.]
[Sidenote: Berwike beseiged.]
[Sidenote: The victorie of Englishmen at Halidon hill.]
After this, he went and laie a time with the ladie of Gines, that
was his kinsewoman. Finallie about the téenth day of March, hauing
assembled a power of Englishmen and Scotishmen, he entred Scotland,
and besieged the towne of Berwike, during the which siege, manie
enterprises were attempted by the parties: and amongst other, the Scots
entred England by Carleill, dooing much mischiefe in Gillesland, by
burning, killing, robbing and spoiling. The king aduertised hereof,
thought himselfe discharged of the agréement concluded betwixt him and
Dauid Bruce, the sonne of Robert Bruce that had married his sister,
& therfore tooke it to be lawfull for him to aid his coosen Edward
Balioll the lawfull K. of Scots. And herewith assembling an armie,
came to the siege of Berwike, togither with his brother Iohn of Eltham
earle of Cornewall, and other noble men, séeking by all meanes possible
how to win the towne: and finallie discomfited an armie of Scots,
which came to the rescue théerof vpon Halidon hill, in sleaing of them
what in the fight and chase, seuen earles, nine hundred knights and
baronets, foure hundred esquiers, and vpon 32 thousand of the common
people: and of Englishmen were slaine but 15 persons, as our English
writers make mention. The Scotish writers confesse, that the Scotishmen
lost the number of 14 thousand.
[Sidenote: Berwike deliuered.]
[Sidenote: The lord Richard Talbot.]
[Sidenote: The lord iustice of Ireland c[=o]meth into Scotland.]
On the morrow following, being S. Margarets day, the towne of Berwike
was rendered vnto king Edward with the castell, as in the Scotish
chronicle ye may read, with more matter touching the siege and battell
aforesaid, and therfore here in few words, I passe it ouer. King
Edward hauing thus sped his businesse, left a power of men with Edward
Balioll, vnder the conduct of the lord Richard Talbot, and returned
himselfe backe into England, appointing the lord Percie to be gouernor
of the towne of Berwike, and sir Thomas Grey knight his lieutenant.
The lord Iohn Darcie lord chéefe iustice of Ireland, leauing the lord
Thomas Bourgh his deputie in that countrie, passed ouer with an armie
into Scotland, to aid the king, who (as ye haue heard) was there
the same time in person. And so by the king on one side, and by the
Irishmen on an other, Scotland was subdued, and restored vnto Balioll,
who the morrow after the octaues of the Natiuitie of our ladie, held a
parlement at saint Iohns towne, in the which he reuoked and made void
all acts, which the late king of Scots Robert Bruce had inacted or
made: and further ordeined, that all such lands and possessions as the
said Bruce had giuen to any maner of person should be taken from them,
and restored to the former and true inheritour.
[Sidenote: _Adam Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: 1334.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 8.]
[Sidenote: _Adam Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: A parlement at Yorke.]
[Sidenote: Edward Balioll dooth homage vnto the king of England for
Scotland.]
In this yeare about the twelfth of October, Simon Mepham archbishop
of Canturburie, departed this life, in whose place succéeded Iohn
Stretford, being remooued from the sée of Winchester, whereof he was
bishop, before that he was thus called to the sée of Canturburie.
After Candlemas the king of England repaired towards Yorke, there to
hold a parlement, to the which (beginning on the mondaie in the second
wéeke in Lent) when Edward Balioll doubting to be surprised by his
aduersaries, could not come, yet he sent the lord Henrie de Beaumont,
and the lord William de Montacute, to make excuse for him. The king
of England passing further into the north parts, held his Whitsuntide
at Newcastell vpon Tine, with great roialtie: and shortlie after,
Edward Balioll king of Scots came thither, and vpon the ninetéenth
daie of Iune made his homage vnto the king of England, and sware vnto
him fealtie in the presence of a great number of Nobles and gentlemen
there assembled, as to his superiour and chiefe lord of the realme
of Scotland, binding himselfe by that oth, to hold the same realme
of the king of England, his heires and successors for euer. He also
gaue and granted vnto the king of England at that time fiue counties
next adioining vnto the borders of England, as Berwike and Rocksburgh,
Peplis, and Dunfres, the townes of Hadington and Gedworth with the
castell, the forrests of Silkirke, Etherike, and Gedworth, so as all
these portions should be cléerelie separated and put apart from the
crowne of Scotland, and annexed vnto the crowne of England for euer.
And these things were confirmed and roborated with oth, scepter, and
witnesse sufficient.
[Sidenote: Inundation of the sea.]
Which things doone in due order, as was requisite, the king of England
returned home, and the kings went backe into Scotland. And then were
all such lords restored againe to their lands and possessions in
Scotland, which in the daies of Edward the second had béene expelled
from the same: and now they did their homage vnto the king of Scotland
for those lands as apperteined. ¶ Immediatlie after, the king of
England called a councell of his lords spirituall and temporall at
Notingham, commanding them to méet him there about the thirtéenth daie
of Iulie, there to consult with him of weightie causes concerning
the state of the realme. This yeare on saint Clements daie at night,
which fell on the thrée and twentith of Nouember, through a maruellous
inundation & rising of the sea all alongst by the coasts of this
realme, but especiallie about the Thames, the sea bankes or walles were
broken and borne downe with violence of the water, and infinite numbers
of beasts and cattell drowned, fruitfull grounds and pastures were made
salt marishes, so as there was no hope that in long time they should
recouer againe their former fruitfulnesse.
[Sidenote: Ambassadors from the French king.]
In this meane time the French king was appointed to haue made a viage
against the Saracens, enimies of our faith, and had sent to the king of
England, requiring him of his companie in that iournie. But the king
of England being otherwise occupied with the affaires of Scotland,
made no direct answer therevnto, so that the French king perceiuing
that the king of England was not in all things well pleased with him,
thought good before he set forward on that iournie to vnderstand his
meaning, and thervpon sent eftsoones vnto him other ambassadours. These
ambassadours arriued here in England and had audience, but nothing
they concluded in effect, saue that the king promised to send his
ambassadors ouer into France, to haue further communication in the
matter touching such points of variance as depended betwixt them.
[Sidenote: _Rich. South._]
[Sidenote: A parlement at London.]
[Sidenote: The king entreth into Scotland with an armie.]
[Sidenote: 1335.]
Although Edward Balioll by the puissance of the king of Englands
assistance had got the most part of the realme of Scotland into his
hands, yet diuerse castels were holden against him, and the Scots
dailie slipped from him, and by open rebellion molested him diuerse
waies. The king of England aduertised thereof called a parlement at
London, wherein he tooke order for his iournie into Scotland, had a
tenth and a fiftéenth granted him, and so about Alhallontide he came
to Newcastell vpon Tine, with his armie, and remained there till the
feast of saint Katharine, and then entring into Scotland, came to
Rockesburgh, where he repared the castell which had béene aforetime
destroied. After the third daie of Christmasse was past, the king of
England entred into Ethrike forrest, beating it vp and downe, but the
Scots would not come within his reach: wherevpon he sent the king of
Scots that was there present with him, and the earles of Warwike and
Oxenford, and certeine other barons and knights with their retinues
vnto Carleill, to kéepe and defend those west parts of the realme from
the Scots.
[Sidenote: _Hen. Marle._]
[Sidenote: A dearth and death of cattell.]
In their iournie thitherwards, they went by Peplis to apprehend
certeine Scots, whome they heard to be lodged and abiding thereabouts,
but when they found them not, they wasted the countrie, and turned
streight to Carleill, where after the Epiphanie there assembled an
armie foorth of the counties of Lancaster, Westmerland, and Cumberland,
by the kings appointment, which armie togither with the king of Scots
and the other lords there found, entred Scotland, and did much hurt
in the countrie of Galloway, destroieng towns and all that they found
abroad, but the people were fled and withdrawne out of their waie. And
when they had taken their pleasure, the king of Scots returned backe to
Carleill. This yeare there fell great abundance of raine, and therevpon
insued morren of beasts: also corne so failed this yeare, that a
quarter of wheat was sold at fortie shillings.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 9.]
[Sidenote: Ambassadors sent into France.]
Finallie, when the king had finished his businesse in Scotland, as to
his séeming stood with his pleasure, he returned into England, and
shortlie after he sent the archbishop of Canturburie, sir Philip de
Montacute, and Geffrey Scroope vnto the French king, to conclude a
firme amitie & league with him. These lords comming into France, were
not at the first admitted to the French kings presence, till they
shewed themselues halfe gréeued with that strange dealing: for then
finallie were they brought vnto him, who gentlie receiued them, and
caused the matter to be intreated of about the which they were sent, in
furthering whereof, such diligence was vsed, that finallie a conclusion
of peace and concord was agréed, and so farre passed, that proclamation
thereof should haue béene made in Paris, and in the countrie thereabout
the next day: but scarse were the English ambassadours returned vnto
their lodgings, when they were sent for backe againe, and further
informed, that the French king minded to haue Dauid king of Scotland
comprised in the same league, so that he might be restored vnto his
kingdome, and the Balioll put out. The English ambassadors answered,
that their commission extended not so farre, and therefore they could
not conclude any thing therein. Herevpon all the former communication
was reuoked, and cléerelie made void, so that the English ambassadors
returned home into England without anie thing concluded.
[Sidenote: _Ri. Southwell._]
[Sidenote: A parlement.]
[Sidenote: The Welshmen.]
[Sidenote: Dundée burnt.]
About the feast of the Ascension, the king held a parlement at
Yorke, ordeining for his iournie into Scotland, and also deuising by
authoritie thereof diuerse profitable statutes for the common-wealth.
About midsummer, he came with his armie vnto Newcastell vpon Tine,
whither came to him from Carleill the king of Scots, and there order
was taken, that the king of England, and his brother the earle of
Cornwall, the earls of Warwike, Lancaster, Lincolne, and Hereford, with
all their retinues, and the earle of Gulikerland, that had married the
kings sister, and with a faire companie was come to serue the king in
these warres, should passe to Carleill, and on the twelfe of Iulie
enter Scotland. The king of Scots, the earles of Surrie, and Arundell,
and the lord Henrie Percie, a baron of great might and power, being
all of kin vnto the king of Scots, with their retinues should go to
Berwike, and there enter the same day aboue mentioned, and as it was
appointed, so it was put in practise. For both kings on the same day
entring Scotland in seuerall parts passed forward without resistance at
their pleasures, wasting and burning all the countries, both on this
side, and beyond the Scotish sea. The Welshmen spared neither religious
persons nor their houses, making no more accompt of them than of
others: the mariners of Newcastell also burnt a great part of the towne
of Dundée.
[Sidenote: The earle of Namure.]
[Sidenote: _Fourdon._]
[Sidenote: _Fourdon._]
[Sidenote: The earle of Murrey tak[=e].]
[Sidenote: _Rich. Southw._]
The earle of Namure about the same time comming into England, to serue
the king in his warres, tooke vpon him to passe into Scotland with a
band of an hundred men of armes, beside seauen or eight knights which
he brought ouer with him, and certeine Englishmen to be his guides
from Berwike, but he was assailed before he could get to Edenburgh, by
the earles of Murrey and Dunbarre, and the lord William Dowglas: so
that notwithstanding the strangers bare themselues verie manfullie,
yet oppressed with multitude, they were forced to giue place, but yet
still fighting and defending themselues till they came to Edenburgh,
and there taking the hill where the ruines of the castel stood, kept
the same all the night folowing. But the next day they despairing of
all succours, and hauing neither meat nor drinke, at length yéelded
themselues, whom the earle of Murrey receiuing right courteouslie,
shewed them such fauour, that without ransome he was contented they
should returne into their countries: and for more suertie, he conueied
the said earle of Namure (whome the Scotish books call earle of
Gelderland) and his companie backe to the borders; but in his returne,
or shortlie after, the same earle of Murrey that tooke himselfe for
gouernour of Scotland, was encountred by the Englishmen that laie in
garrison within Rockesburgh, and by them taken prisoner. The lord
William Dowglas being there also with him escaped, but Iames Dowglas
brother to the said lord William Douglas, was at that bickering slaine
with diuerse other.
[Sidenote: Scots submit them to the king of England.]
[Sidenote: The castell of Kildrummie. The earle of Atholl slaine.]
[Sidenote: 1336.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 10.]
[Sidenote: A truce granted to the Scots.]
About the feast of the Assumption of our ladie, diuerse of the Scotish
nobilitie came and submitted themselues to the king, namelie the earle
of Atholl and others, but earle Patrike of Dunbarre, and the earle of
Rosse, the lord Andrew de Murrey, the lord William Dowglas, and the
lord William de Keth, and manie other would not come in, but assembling
themselues togither, did all the mischéefe they could vnto those that
had receiued the kings peace. The earle of Atholl in the winter season,
besieging the castell of Kildrummie beyond the Scotish sea was set
vpon by the earles of Dunbarre and Rosse, so that they slue him there
in field, for his men fled from him (through some traitorous practise
as was thought) and left him and a few other in all the danger. ¶ The
king of England being returned foorth of Scotland, remained for the
most part of the winter in the north parts, and held his Christmasse
at Newcastell vpon Tine, and after the Epiphanie hauing assembled an
armie readie to passe into Scotland, to reuenge the earle of Atholl's
death, which he tooke verie displeasantlie, there came in the meane
time ambassadors both from the pope and the French king, and found
the king of England at Berwike, readie with his armie to set forwards
into Scotland. But these ambassadors did so much by intreatie with
the two kings of England and Scotland, that about the feast of the
Purification, a truce was agréed vpon to indure till midlent.
[Sidenote: The stoutnes of Scots hindered the conclusion of the peace.]
Then was a parlement to be holden at London, and herewith articles
were drawne, and certeine petitions put foorth, vpon the which if the
parties in the meane time could agrée, the peace accordinglie might be
established, if not, then the warre to be prosecuted as before. The
chiefest article and petition which the Scots proponed, as desirous to
be therein resolued, was to vnderstand which of the two that claimed
the crowne of Scotland, to wit, Edward Balioll, and Dauid Bruce, had
most right thereto. But when in the parlement time the lord Maurice de
Murrey slue sir Geffrey de Rosse a Scotish knight, that was shiriffe
of Aire and Lenarke, being of the Baliols side, for that in time of
open warre the same sir Geffrey had slaine his brother, vpon respect of
this presumptuous part, and by reason of such stoutnesse as the Scots
otherwise shewed, no conclusion of peace could be brought to effect.
[Sidenote: An armie sent into Scotland.]
[Sidenote: S. Iohns towne fortified.]
[Sidenote: _Adam Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: The K. goeth into Scotland.]
Before the feast of the Ascension, the king of England sent forward
the king of Scots, the earles of Lancaster, Warwike, Oxford, and
Anegos, and diuerse lords and capteins with an armie, the which after
Whitsuntide entring into Scotland, passed ouer the Scotish sea, and
comming to saint Iohns towne (which the Scots had burnt, despairing to
defend it against the English power) they set in hand to fortifie it,
compassing it with déepe diches and a strong rampier of earth. ¶ About
the same time the king called a parlement at Northampton, where leauing
the prelats and other to treat of such matters as were proponed, he
himselfe rode northwards, and comming to Berwike, tooke with him a
small band of men of armes, and setting forward, hasted foorth till
he came to saint Iohns towne, where he found the king of Scots, and
other his nobles greatlie woondering at his comming thither so vnlooked
for. After he had rested there a little, he tooke with him part of the
armie, and passed forward ouer the mounteines of Scotland euen vnto
Elgen in Murrey and Inuernes, further by manie miles than euer his
grandfather had gone.
[Sidenote: Aberden burnt.]
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsin._]
[Sidenote: Sir Thomas Rosselin slain.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Cornewall.]
[Sidenote: The lord Douglas.]
[Sidenote: Striueling castell built or rather repared.]
In his returne he burnt the towne of Aberden, in reuenge of the death
of a right valiant knight called sir Thomas Rosselin, that comming
thither by sea tooke land there, and was slaine by the enimies: he
burnt diuerse other townes and places in this voiage, spoiling and
wasting the countries where he came, not finding anie to resist him.
About Lammas the earle of Cornewall with the power of Yorkeshire and
Northumberland, and the lord Anthonie Lucie with the Cumberland and
Westmerland men entred Scotland, and destroied the west parts, as
Carrike, and other which obeied not the Balioll. The lord William
Douglas still coasted the Englishmen, dooing to them what damage he
might. At length this armie loden with preies and spoile returned home,
but the earle of Cornewall with his owne retinue came through to saint
Iohns towne, where he found the king being returned thither fr[=o] his
iournie which he had made beyond the mounteins. The king staied not
long there, but leauing the king of Scots with his companie in that
towne, he went to Striueling, where, on the plot of ground vpon which
the destroied castell had stood, he built an other fortresse, called a
Pile. And now, bicause he had spent a great deale of treasure in those
warres of Scotland, he summoned a parlement to be holden at Notingham,
in which there was granted to him a tenth of the cleargie, and likewise
of the citizens and burgesses of good towns, and a fiftéenth of other
that dwelt foorth of cities and boroughes.
[Sidenote: The deceasse of the earle of Cornewall.]
[Sidenote: The deceasse of Hugh de Fresnes earle of Lincolne.]
[Sidenote: _Walter Gisburgh._]
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]
[Sidenote: The lord Stafford.]
About the latter end of October, Iohn of Eltham earle of Cornewall the
kings brother departed this life at saint Iohns towne in Scotland:
his bodie was afterwards conueied to Westminster, & there buried with
all solemne funerals. The Scotish writers affirme that he was slaine
by his brother king Edward for the crueltie he had vsed in the west
parts of Scotland, in sleaing such as for safegard of their liues
fled into churches. Moreouer, in December there deceassed at S. Iohns
towne aforesaid, Hugh de Fresnes, that in right of the countesse of
Lincolne was intituled earle of Lincolne. He died of the flix, or (as
was said) through excessiue cold, which in those quarters in that cold
time of the yeare sore afflicted the English people. ¶ In the meane
time, about the feast of saint Luke the euangelist, the king went with
an armie into Scotland toward the castell of Bothuille, and comming
thither repared the same, which by the Scots had latelie before béene
destroied. The baron Stafford at the same time comming towards the king
with a power of men, took Dowglas Dale in his waie, taking in the same
a great preie of cattell and other things.
[Sidenote: A statute ordeined by the Scots in fauour of the K. of
England.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: Townes fortified by king Edward in Scotland.]
Before Christmasse the king returned into England, but the king of
Scots remained all the winter in saint Iohns towne with a sober
companie. When the king had setled the state of Scotland vnder the
gouernement of the Balioll, those Scotishmen which tooke part with the
Balioll, ordeined as it were in recompense of king Edwards friendship a
statute, whereby they bound themselues to the said king Edward and his
heires kings of England, that they should aid and assist him against
all other princes: and whensoeuer it chanced that either he or any king
of England being rightfull inheritor, had any wars against any prince,
either within the land or without, the Scotishmen of their owne proper
costs and expenses should find thrée hundred horssemen, & a thousand
footmen well and sufficientlie arraied for the warre, the which
thirtéene hundred men the Scots should wage for a whole yeare: & if
the king of England ended not his warres within the yeare, then he to
giue wages to the said number of thirtéene hundred Scots, as he dooth
to other of his souldiers and men of warre. There be that write, that
the king of England should not onelie fortifie saint Iohns towne about
this time, as before is mentioned, but also saint Andrews, Cowper,
Aberdine, Dunfermeling, with certeine other castels, leauing garisons
of men in the same. But for so much as ye may read sufficientlie of
those troubles, in Scotland; and of the returne of king Dauid foorth of
France, and how his realme was recouered out of the Baliols hands in
the Scotish chronicles: we néed not here to make anie long discourse
thereof.
[Sidenote: _Th. Walsing._]
[Sidenote: _Croxden._]
[Sidenote: 1337.]
[Sidenote: The king studieth to gather monie to mainteine his warres.]
[Sidenote: Great cheapnesse of wars and scarsitie of monie.]
The quéene was deliuered of hir second sonne at Hatfield, who was
therfore named William of Hatfield, who liued but a short time,
departing this world when he was but yoong. The king being returned
home out of Scotland, sought by all waies possible how to recouer
monie, both to supplie his charges for the Scotish wars, and also to
furnish the other wars which he meant to take in hand against the
French king: he got so much into his hands (as it is reported by
writers) that it was verie scant and hard to come by throughout the
whole realme: by reason of which scarsitie and want of monie, or vpon
some other necessarie cause, vittels, and other chaffer and merchandize
were excéeding cheape: for at London a quarter of wheat was sold for
two shillings, a fat oxe for six shillings eight pence, a fat shéepe
for six pence or eight pence, halfe a doozen of pigeons for one penie,
a fat goose for two pence, a pig for one penie, and so all other
vittels after the like rate.
[Sidenote: 1338.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 11.]
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]
[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
This yeare was the warre proclaimed betwixt England and France,
chéefelie by the procurement of the lord Robert Dartois, a Frenchman,
as then banished out of France, vpon occasion of a claime by him made
vnto the earledome of Artois. This lord Robert after he was banished
France, fled ouer vnto king Edward, who gladlie receiued him and made
him earle of Richmond. ¶ All the goods of the Italians were by the
kings commandement this yeare confiscate to his vse, and so likewise
were the goods of the moonks of the Cluniake and Cisterceaux orders.
¶ This yeare also a comet or blasing starre appeared, with long and
terrible streames passing from it. In the eleauenth yeare of his
reigne, the king held a parlement at Westminster, about the time of
Lent, during the which, of the earledome of Cornewall he made a duchie,
and gaue it vnto his eldest sonne Edward, that was then earle of
Chester, whom also (as some write) he created at the same time prince
of Wales.
[Sidenote: Creations of noble men.]
[Sidenote: Additions to _Hen. Marle._]
[Sidenote: _Croxden._]
[Sidenote: An act of arraie, against sumptuous apparell.]
Moreouer in reward of seruice, there were six noble men at this
parlement aduanced to the honour and title of earles, as the lord
Henrie sonne to the earle of Lancaster was created earle of Derbie, or
after some writers, earle of Leicester; William Bohun was created earle
of Northampton, William Montacute earle of Salisburie, Hugh Audeley
earle of Glocester, William Clinton earle of Huntingdon, and Robert
Vfford earle of Suffolke. This creation was on the second sundaie in
Lent, and the same day were twentie knights made, whose names for
bréefenesse we doo here omit. In this parlement it was enacted, that
no man should weare any manner of silke in gowne, cote, or doublet;
except he might dispend of good and sufficient rent an hundred pounds
by yeare, which act was not long obserued. For the nature of man is
such, that of it owne corrupt & euill inclination, it withstandeth
good things, and chooseth rather to follow whatsoeuer is forbidden, yea
though the same be starke naught and offensiue to law and conscience:
which preposterous and ouerthwart disposition the poet noteth well,
saieng,
---- aliúdq; cupido
Mens aliud suadet: video meliora, probóq;
Deteriora sequor.
[Sidenote: An act for restraint of tr[=a]sporting ouer wools.]
[Sidenote: _Adam Merimuth._]
It was also ordeined by the aduise of this parlement, that Henrie of
Lancaster newlie created erle of Derbie should go ouer into Gascoine,
there to remaine as the kings lieutenant. But Richard Southwell saith,
that the earle of Salisburie, and not the earle of Derbie was appointed
to go into Gascoine at that time, and the earle of Warwike into
Scotland. Moreouer in this parlement it was enacted that no wooll of
the English growth should go foorth of the land, but be here wrought
and made in cloath: and further an act was ordeined for receiuing
of strangers that were clothworkers, and order taken, that fit and
conuenient places should be assigned foorth to them where to inhabit,
with manie priuileges and liberties, and that they should haue wages
and stipends allowed them, till they were so setled as they might gaine
commodiouslie by their occupation and science: but now to returne
againe to other matters.
[Sidenote: _Rich. South._]
[Sidenote: The castell of Bothuile taken.]
[Sidenote: Sir Eustace Maxwell.]
The Scots this yeare tooke the castell of Bothuile by surrender, so as
the Englishmen that were within it, departed with their liues and goods
saued. Diuerse other castels and fortresses were taken by the Scots
in Fife, and in other parts, but the countrie of Galloway was by them
speciallie sore afflicted, bicause the people there held with their
lord Edward Balioll. Herevpon it was agréed in this last parlement,
that the earle of Warwike being appointed to go thither, should
haue with him the power beyond Trent northwards. But when about the
Ascension tide the Scots had besieged the castell of Striueling, the
king of England in person hasted thitherwards, of whose approach the
Scots no sooner vnderstood, but that streightwaies they brake vp their
siege, and departed thence: the king therefore returned backe into the
south parts. About the same time sir Eustace de Maxwell knight, lord
of Carlauerocke, reuolted from Edward Balioll vnto Dauid le Bruse his
side, and so that part dailie increased, and also the warre continued,
with damage inough vnto both parts.
[Sidenote: The earle of Warwike inuadeth Scotland.]
In the beginning of September the earle of Warwike with an armie
entred Scotland by Berwike, and the lord Thomas de Wake, and the lord
Clifford, with the bishop of Carleill accompanied with the Westmerland
and Cumberland men, entred by Carleill, and within two daies after
met with the earle of Warwike, as before it was appointed, and so
ioining togither, they passed forwards, spoiling and wasting Teuidale,
Mofeteidale, and Nidesdale. The lord Anthonie Lucie with a part of the
armie entred into Galloway, and after he had wasted that countrie, he
returned to the armie, which by reason of the excéeding great weat
that fell in that season, they could not kéepe on their iournie into
Douglasdale, and to Aire, as they had appointed: but hauing remained
in Scotland twelue daies, they returned altogither vnto Carleill.
Edward Balioll was not with them in this iournie, but remained still in
England.
[Sidenote: The castell of Edenburgh besieged.]
[Sidenote: The siege is raised.]
[Sidenote: The K. practiseth with ye Flemings.]
The Scots in reuenge hereof made diuerse rodes into England,
withdrawing still with their prey and booties, before the English power
could assemble to giue them battell. About Alhallontide, the Scots
besieged the castell of Edenburgh, but the bishop of Carleill, the
lord Randoll Dacres of Gillesland, with the power of the counties of
Cumberland and of Westmerland, and the king of Scots Edward Balioll,
with the lord Anthonie Lucie, and such companie as they brought from
Berwike, méeting at Rockesburgh, marched foorth vnto Edenburgh, and
chasing the Scots from the siege, tooke order for the safe kéeping of
the castell from thencefoorth, and returned into England. In this meane
time things happened so well to the purpose of king Edward, that by
practise he alienated the hearts of the Flemings from the obedience of
their earle, being altogither an earnest fréend to the French king.
He therefore vnderstanding the minds of his people, sought to winne
them by some gentle treatie, and so did euen at the first, concluding
an agréement with them of Gaunt, which were fullie at a point to
haue entred into league with the king of England, as with him whose
fréendship by reason of the traffike of merchandize, (and namelie of
the English wools) they knew to be more necessarie for their countrie
than the French kings.
[Sidenote: The bishop of Tournie.]
[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._]
[Sidenote: The Ile of Cadsant.]
[Sidenote: An armie sent by sea into Flanders.]
[Sidenote: Foure thousand saith _Ia. Meir._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
Although by the helpe of the bishop of Tournie the earle of Flanders
caused them to staie from concluding or ioining in anie such bonds
of amitie with the king of England for that time, yet he doubted
the arriuall of some power out of England, and therevpon appointed
his bastard brother Guie of Rijckenburgh, and certeine other noble
men and capteins, with a crue of men of warre to lie in the Ile of
Cadsant, to defend the passage there, and to sée that no English ships
should come or go that waie by the seas: whereof the king of England
being aduertised, sent thither the earle of Derbie, the lord Lewes
Beauchampe, the lord Reginald Cobham, also the lord William sonne to
the earle of Warwike, the lord Walter de Mannie an Hanneuier, and other
lords, knights, and capteins, with a power of fiue hundred men of
armes, and two thousand archers, the which comming to the foresaid Ile
of Cadsant, found the Flemings, about fiue thousand in number, readie
arranged on the towne dikes and sands, in purpose to defend the entrie,
which they did a certeine space right valiantlie: but in the end they
were discomfited, and thrée thousand of them slaine in the stréets,
hauen, and houses. Sir Guie the bastard of Flanders was taken with
diuerse other knights and gentlemen, the towne was burnt, and the goods
with the prisoners were carried into England. This chanced on a sundaie
the daie before the feast of saint Martine in Nouember. Where the lord
Walter de Mannie might haue had 11 thousand pounds sterling for the
ransome of the said sir Guie, and other prisoners, the king bought them
of him in the fouretéenth yeare of his reigne for eight thousand pounds
sterling, as by records in the tower it appeareth.
[Sidenote: Two cardinals come into England.]
[Sidenote: Additions to _Meri._]
[Sidenote: 1339.]
[Sidenote: _Ri. Southwell._]
[Sidenote: The castell of Dunbar beseiged.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 12.]
About the feast of saint Martine in winter, there came vnto London two
cardinals, sent by the pope to treat for a peace betwixt the kings of
England, and France. ¶ The archbishop of Canturburie, with the bishops
of Winchester, Elie, Chichester, Couentrie, & the c[=o]moners of the
citie of London met them on Shooters hill. The duke of Cornewall with
the earle of Surrie, and manie other of the nobilitie receiued them a
mile without the citie. The king himselfe receiued them at the lesser
hall doore of his palace at Westminster, and brought them into the
painted chamber, where they declared their message: wherevpon the king
caused a parlement to be summoned at London, to begin the morrow after
Candlemasse day. The king held his Christmasse at Gildford, and within
the octaues of the same feast he tooke his iournie towards Scotland,
or rather (as other haue) he sent thither the earles of Salisburie,
Glocester, Derbie, and Anegos, with thrée barons, the lords Percie,
Neuill, and Stafford, the which with twentie thousand men besieged the
castell of Dunbar.
[Sidenote: A parlement.]
[Sidenote: _Croxden._]
[Sidenote: A subsidie.]
[Sidenote: The cardinals returne.]
This siege began euen in the beginning of the twelfth yeare of king
Edwards reigne, and continued for the space of ninetéene wéeks, with
small gaine and lesse honour to the Englishmen, in so much that the
same brake vp vnder a colour of a truce, when there was no hope of
winning the place, and that the noble men that laie there at siege,
hasted to make an end, that they might attend the king in his iournie
ouer into Brabant. The morrow after Candlemasse day the parlement
began, in which there was a grant made to the king by the laitie of
the one halfe of their woolles through the whole realme for the next
summer, which he receiued, and likewise he leuied of the cleargie the
whole, causing them to paie nine marks of euerie sacke of the best
wooll. But after the rate of the one halfe he tooke in whose hands so
euer it was found, aswell merchants as others. After this, he tooke a
fiftéenth of all the communaltie of his realme in wooll, the price of
euerie stone containing fouretéene pounds rated at two shillings. The
one and twentith of March the two cardinals tooke the sea at Douer, and
in their companie went ouer the archbishop of Canturburie, the bishop
of Durham to treat of a peace, if by any good means the two kings
might be made fréends. But as it appeared, their trauell was in vaine,
for although they abode togither for a time on the frontiers, dooing
their best indeuor, yet their trauell nothing auailed, as by that which
followeth is most manifest.
[Sidenote: Iaques or Iacob Arteueld, a honimaker of Gant.]
[Sidenote: His authoritie among the commons.]
[Sidenote: A league betwixt England & Flanders.]
[Sidenote: _Iac. Meir._]
[Sidenote: Siger de Curtrey.]
The Flemings that fauoured king Edward, were put in such comfort by the
late victorie obteined by the Englishmen in the Ile of Cadsant, that
falling to their former practise, one Iaques or Iacob van Arteueld an
honimaker of the towne of Gant, was chosen amongst them to be as it
were the defender of the people, and namelie of the weauers, and other
clothworkers. Finallie, his authoritie grew so hugelie amongst all the
whole number of the commons in Flanders, that he might doo more with
them than their earle; and yet the earle to reconcile the people to
his fauour, ceassed not to vse all courteous means towards them that
he could deuise, as releasing customes and duties of monie, pardoning
offenses, forfeitures, and other such like, but all would not auaile
him. The king of England had so woon them by the meanes of the said
Iaques van Arteueld, that in the end Iohn archbishop of Canturburie, &
Richard the bishop of Durham, came into Flanders as ambassadors from
king Edward, and trauelled so earnestlie to draw the Flemings vnto
an amitie with their master king Edward, that finallie a league was
concluded betwixt the countrie of Flanders, and the said king at Gant,
in the presence of the earle of Gelderland, as then being there. The
chéefe authors of this league were the said Iaques van Arteueld, and a
noble man of Flanders, called Siger de Curtrey.
[Sidenote: The Fullers of Gant.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Flanders fléeth into France.]
[Sidenote: He returneth home.]
[Sidenote: Dixmue.]
[Sidenote: He eftsoones fléeth.]
But this Siger being immediatlie after apprehended by the earle of
Flanders, was put to death. Which act procured the earle so much hatred
of the people, that shortlie after comming to Bruges, and attempting
to force the towne to his will, he was forced himselfe to flée from
thence, for otherwise he had béene either taken or slaine; the commons
of the towne & namelie the fullers, of whome he had slaine some there
in the stréets, rose so fast vpon him. Herevpon fléeing home to his
house, he tooke his wife, and a sonne which he had, and fled with them
into France, so forsaking his countrie which was now gouerned by Iaques
van Arteueld, as though he had béene immediatlie lord thereof. After
this, the earle returned home againe, as it were with the French kings
commission, to persuade the Flemings to renounce the league concluded
with the king of England: but he could bring nothing to passe, but was
still in danger to haue béene arrested and staied of his owne subiects,
both at Gant and in other places, but namelie at Dixmue, where if he
had not made the more hast awaie, he had béene taken by them of Bruges.
Amongst other of his stuffe which he left behind him in that hastie
departure, his signet was forgotten, and not missed till he came to
saint Omers, whither he fled for his safegard.
[Sidenote: Flanders wholie at the deuotion of K. Edward.]
[Sidenote: K. Edward saileth to Antwerpe.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The marques of Gulikerland.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Gelderland created duke.]
Thus we may perceiue that Flanders rested wholie at king Edwards
commandement, who to establish amitie also with the duke of Brabant,
and other princes of the empire, about the middest of Iulie sailed
ouer vnto Antwerpe, with his wife quéene, Philip his sonne the prince
of Wales, and a great number of other of the péeres and barons of his
realme, where he was most ioifullie receiued of the duke of Brabant,
and other lords of the empire. There was sent to the emperour to
procure his fréendship, from the king of England, the marques of Gulike
with certeine noble men of England, and also certeine of the duke of
Gelderland his councell, the which marques was made at that time an
earle, & the earle of Gelderland was made duke. This duke of Gelderland
named Reginald had married the ladie Isabell sister of king Edward,
and therefore in fauour of the king his brother in law, trauelled most
earnestlie to procure him all the fréends within the empire that he
could make.
[Sidenote: K. Edwards confederates.]
[Sidenote: Lionell that was after duke of Clarance borne.]
The princes and lords then with whom king Edward was alied and
confederated at that time, I find to be these; the dukes of Brabant
and Gelderland, the archbishop of Cullen, the marquesse of Gulike, sir
Arnold de Baquehen, and the lord of Valkenburgh, who all promised to
defie the French king, in the king of Englands quarrell, and to serue
him with notable numbers of men, where and whensoeuer it should please
him to appoint. The aliance of the earle of Heinault first procured the
king of England all these fréends, vnto the which earle he had sent
ouer the bishop of Lincolne and other in ambassage, immediatlie after
that he had resolued to make warres against France, by the counsell and
aduise of sir Robert Dartois, as in the French historie more plainlie
appeareth. In this meane season was quéene Philip brought to bed at
Antwerpe of hir third sonne, which was named Lionell. ¶ The king of
England earnestlie followed his businesse, and had manie treaties with
his fréends and confederats, till at length he made sure to him the
fréendship of all those townes & countries, which lie betwixt France
and the riuer of Rhene: onelie the cities of Tournie and Cambrie held
of the French kings part, though Cambrie belonged to the empire.
[Sidenote: Additions to _Adam Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: A parlement at Northampton.]
[Sidenote: A subsidie vpon wooll.]
[Sidenote: The cleargie granteth a tenth.]
[Sidenote: Great raine.]
[Sidenote: 1339.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 13.]
In this twelfth yeare of king Edwards reigne at a councell holden at
Northampton by the duke of Cornewall, lord warden of England in absence
of the king his brother, and by manie of the prelats and barons of
the realme, there was granted to the king a subsidie in wooll, to the
great burthen of the commons: but for so much as the cleargie of the
land was not present at that councell, it was ordeined that they should
be called, and so they assembled in a conuocation at London the first
day of October, in which the cleargie granted to the king a tenth for
the third yeare then to come, ouer and besides the two tenths before
granted, and that the tenth of this present yeare should be paid in
shorter time than it was appointed: but they flatlie denied to grant
their wools, which neuerthelesse the laitie paid, and that to their
great hinderance, for it rose double to a fiftéene. From the beginning
of October, to the beginning of December this yeare, fell such
abundance of raine that it hindered greatlie the husbandmen in sowing
of their winter corne: and in the beginning of December came such a
vehement frost continuing the space of twelue wéeks, that it destroied
vp all the séed almost that was sowne, by reason whereof small store
of winter corne came to proofe in the summer following: but though
there was no plentie, yet all kinds of graine were sold at a reasonable
price, through want of monie.
[Sidenote: The Frenchmen inuade ye coasts of this land.]
[Sidenote: Plimmouth burnt.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Deuonshire.]
[Sidenote: _Rich. South._]
The Frenchmen by sea sore troubled the sea coasts of this realme,
speciallie where the champion countries stretch towards the sea coasts.
At Hastings in the feast of Corpus Christi, they burnt certeine
fishermens houses, and slue some of the inhabitants. Also in the hauens
about Deuonshire and Cornewall, and towards Bristow, they tooke and
burnt certeine ships, killing the mariners that came to their hands,
and in the Whitsunwéeke they landed at Plimmouth, and burnt the more
part of the towne: but Hugh Courtnie earle of Deuonshire, a man almost
fourescore yeares of age, and other knights and men of the countrie
came against these Frenchmen, sleaing such as came into their hands to
the number of fiue hundred, as was estéemed, and chased the residue. ¶
The Scots also about the same time did much hurt and great mischéefe to
the Englishmen both by sea and land.
[Sidenote: William Dowglas.]
[Sidenote: _Hect. Boetius._]
[Sidenote: A floud.]
In the beginning of Iulie the lord William Dowglas, with a number of
men of warre, returned from France home into England, and to him vpon
his returne the castell of Cowper was deliuered, with all the countrie
thereabouts. After this, comming to the siege of S. Iohns towne, which
the gouernour the earle of Murrey, the erle of March, Patrike de
Dunbarre, and other of the Scotish lords had besieged, at length it
was surrendered by sir Thomas Vthred capiteine there of the English
garison, departing in safetie home into England. Thrée daies before the
feast of the Assumption of our ladie, there chanced in the night season
such a mightie and sudden inundation of water at Newcastell vpon Tine,
that it bare downe a péece of the towne wall, six perches in length,
néere to a place called Walknow, where a hundred and twentie temporall
men with diuerse préests and manie women were drowned and lamentablie
perished.
[Sidenote: C[=o]missioners sent to treat of peace.]
[Sidenote: They cannot agrée.]
[Sidenote: Cambrie besieged.]
[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._]
[Sidenote: The king raiseth his siege and entreth into France.
Flaminguerie.]
But now to returne to the king, which all this while remained in
Brabant. Ye haue heard how the citie of Cambrie held with the French
king: wherefore the K. of England, assembling togither a mightie strong
armie aswell of Englishmen as of the low countries of Dutchland, ment
to besiege it, but first he sent the archbishop of Canturburie with the
bishops of Lincolne and Durham vnto Arras, as commissioners from him
to méet there with the archbishop of Rouen, and the bishops of Langres
and Beauuais, appointed to come thither as commissioners from the
French king, to treat with the Englishmen of a peace, but they could
not agrée vpon anie conclusion, wherevpon king Edward, comming forward
with his power, approached to Cambrie, and planted his siege round
about it. But the bishop not meaning to deliuer the citie vnto king
Edward nor vnto anie other that should demand it to the behoofe of the
emperour Ludouike of Bauiere, as then excommunicated of the pope, had
receiued into the towne fiue thousand Frenchmen, with the French kings
eldest sonne, the duke of Normandie latelie returned out of Guien, and
the lord Theobald Maruise, with certeine companies of Sauoisins, so
that the citie was so defended, that the king of England perceiuing
he should but lose time, leuied his siege, and entred into France,
pitching his field at a place called Flaminguerie.
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Thom. Walsi._]
[Sidenote: Southampt[=o] burnt.]
[Sidenote: Two English ships taken.]
In the meane time had the French king not onelie made himselfe strong
by land, but also by sea, hauing sent foorth a strong nauie of
ships and gallies towards the coasts of England, which arriuing at
Southampton the mondaie after Michaelmas day, tooke and spoiled the
towne, and the morrow after set fire vpon it in fiue places, so that a
great part of it was burnt. Also thirtéene sailes of the French fléet
met with fiue English ships, and after a sore fight which continued
nine houres, tooke two of those fiue being tall and goodlie ships, the
one called the Edward, and the other the Christopher; the other thrée
being smaller vessels, as two of them barks and the other a caruell
escaped by their swiftnesse of sailing. There was slaine in that fight
vpon both parts about the number of six hundred men.
[Sidenote: The French kings armie.]
[Sidenote: _Iacob Meir._]
[Sidenote: Townes burnt by the Englishmen in France.]
[Sidenote: The towne of Guise burnt.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Heinault.]
The French king himselfe hearing that the king of England would inuade
his realme, made his generall assemblie of his armie at Peronne; and
when he heard that he was entred France, he remooued towards him with
his whole power, being at the point of an hundred thousand men, as in
the French chronicle yée may read more at large. The king of England
had not past thréescore thousand in his armie at the most: but whilest
he laie there vpon the borders of France, his people did much hurt,
making roads abroad beyond the water of Some, burning and spoiling
abbies, towns, and villages, as Orignie, saint Benoit, Ribemont in
Thierasse, saint Gouan, Marle, and Cressie. Also the lord Beaumont of
Heinault burnt the towne of Guise, though his daughter was as then
within the same towne wife vnto Lewes earle of Blois: his brother
William earle of Heinault was latelie before deceassed, leauing the
earledome to his sonne named also William, who continued with the
king of England so long as he laie before Cambrie, & kept him within
the bounds of the empire, as though his allegiance had bound him to
no lesse, but after the said king was passed the riuer of Lescault,
otherwise called the Skell, and in Latine Scaldis, which diuideth the
empire from the kingdome of France, he would no longer serue the king
of England, but departed from him for feare to offend the French king,
accounting that the matter perteined not now to the empire, but to the
priuate quarell and businesse of the king of England: notwithstanding
his vncle the said sir Iohn like a faithfull gentleman continued still
in king Edward his seruice.
[Sidenote: The armies approch néere togither.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: Robert king of Sicill dissuadeth the French king to fight
with the king of England.]
[Sidenote: The armies retire without battell.]
The two armies of England and France approched within foure miles
togither, so that euerie man thought that there would sure haue béene
battell betwixt them, as there had béene in déed, if the French king
had béene willing; yet some saie, that he of himselfe was disposed
thereto: but his councellors aduised him to the contrarie, by reason
of certeine signs and tokens which they misliked, as the starting of
an hare amongst them, and such like. Also it was said that Robert king
of Naples being then come into France, whose knowledge in astronomie
was knowne to be great, dissuaded the French king by his letters,
that in no wise he should fight with the king of England, for he had
vnderstanding by art of the heauenlie influences and disposition of the
bodies aboue, that if the French king fought with this Edward king of
England, he should assuredlie be put to the worsse. Whether this was
the cause, or anie other, sure it is that the Frenchmen had no mind
to fight, so that these two mightie armies departed in sunder without
battell, and the king of England returned into Flanders, sorie in déed
that he had not with him halfe the number that the French king had, yet
in trust of the valiancie of his souldiers, chosen out of the pikedst
men through England and all the low countrie on this side the Rhene, he
ment verelie to haue incountered his enimies, if they had come forward.
[Sidenote: A councell at Brussels.]
[Sidenote: The moti[=o] of the Flemings to haue the K. of England to
take vpon him the title to the crowne of France.]
At his comming backe into Brabant, there was a councell called at
Brussels, where were present all those lords of the empire which had
béene with him in that iournie, as the dukes of Brabant, Gelderland,
and Gulike, the marques of Blankbourgh, the earle of Bergen, the lord
Beaumont of Heinault otherwise called sir Iohn de Heinault, the lord
of Valkenbourgh, and manie others. Thither came also Iaques Arteueld
chéefe gouernour of Flanders. Here in councell taken how the king of
England might best mainteine the wars which he had begun thus against
the French king, he was aduised that he should in anie wise require
them of Flanders to aid him and in his quarell to defie the French
king, and to go with him against the said French king, and if they
would thus doo, then should he promise them to recouer and deliuer
into their hands the towns of Lisle, Dowaie, and Bethon. The king of
England, according to this aduise to him giuen, made such request to
the Flemings, who therevpon desired time to consult togither, what they
might doo therein, and finallie they declared for answer, that they
would gladlie so doo, but yet whereas they were bound by faith and oth,
and in the summe of two millians of florens in the popes chamber, not
to make nor mooue any warre against the king of France, whosoeuer he
were, on paine to lose that summe, and beside to run in the sentence of
cursing, they besought him, that it might stand with his pleasure, to
take vpon him the title and armes of France, as the same apperteined to
him of right, and then would they obey him as rightfull K. of France,
and require of him acquittances in discharge of their bonds, and he to
pardon them thereof, as rightfull king of France.
[Sidenote: The kings answer to the Flemings.]
[Sidenote: These towns had béene ingaged to the king of Fr[=a]ce for
monie.]
[Sidenote: The quartering of the armes of England & France.]
The king of England, though he had iust cause to claime the crowne of
France, in right of his mother quéene Isabell, yet to take vpon him
the name and armes of that realme, before he had made conquest of any
part thereof, he thought it stood not with much reason: but yet after
he had caused the matter to be throughlie debated amongst them of his
councell, as well to satisfie the Flemings, as for other respects, he
saw it should be the best waie that might be taken to the aduancement
of his purpose. Then he answered the Flemings, that if they would
sweare, and seale to this accord, and promise to mainteine his warre,
he would be contented to fulfill their desire, and also he promised
to get for them againe the townes of Lisle, Dowaie, and Bethune.
Herevpon was a day assigned to méet at Gant: the king came thither,
and the most part of the said lords, and all the councellors of the
good townes & places in Flanders were there assembled, and so all the
foresaid matters were rehearsed, sworne, and sealed, and the armes of
France were then quartered with those of England, and from thenceforth
he tooke vpon him the name of king of France, in all his writings,
proclamations, and commandements. This is noted by Christopher Okland,
where speaking of the mingling of the French and English armes, he
saith amongst other things,
[Sidenote: _In Angl. prælijs sub Edwardo 3._]
---- vt hæres
Legitimus regni Celtarum, insignia gentis
Ille suis immiscet atrox, quòd auunculus orbus
Carolus è vita ad superas migrauerat oras, &c.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: The issue of Philip le Beau.]
[Sidenote: Lewes Hutine.]
[Sidenote: Philip le Long.]
[Sidenote: Charles le Beau.]
¶ Sith then that we be come to this place, it shall not be much amisse
to rehearse somewhat of the right and title whereby king Edward did
thus claime the crowne of France, hauing of purpose omitted to speak
thereof, till now that he intituled himselfe with the name, & tooke
vpon him to beare the armes also of France, vpon occasion before
expressed. It is well knowne that Philip le Beau king of France had
issue by his wife quéene Ione thrée sons, Lewis surnamed Hutine, Philip
le Long, and Charles le Beau; also two daughters, the one dieng in hir
infancie, and the other named Isabell liued, and was maried vnto Edward
the second of that name king of England, who begot of hir this Edward
the third, that made this claime. The thrée sonnes of the foresaid
Philip le Beau reigned ech after other, as kings of France. First after
Philip the father, succéeded his eldest sonne Lewes Hutine, who had
issue by his first wife Margaret, daughter to Robert duke of Burgogne,
a daughter named Ione, the which was anon giuen in mariage vnto Lewes
earle of Eureux: but she liuing not long, died without issue. Hir
father the said Lewes Hutine married after the deceasse of his first
wife, an other wife named Clemence, daughter to Charles Martell, the
father of K. Robert of Sicill, whom he left great with child when he
died. The child being borne proued a son, & was named Iohn, but liued
not manie daies after. Then Philip the Long was admitted vnto the
crowne of France, though manie stood in opinion that Ione the daughter
of Lewes Hutine, which yet was aliue, ought to haue inherited the
kingdome after hir father: and namelie Odo duke of Burgogne, vncle to
the said Ione, was most earnest in that matter, in fauour of his néece.
But might ouercame right, so that he was constreined to be quiet.
Philip le Long, after he had reigned fiue yeares, died also, and left
no issue behind him. Then lastlie Charles le Beau tooke vpon him the
kingdome, and the seuenth yeare after died, his wife big bellied, which
shortlie after brought foorth a maiden named Blanch, that streightwaies
hasting to follow hir father, liued no while in this world. By this
means then the bloud roiall in the heires male of Philip le Beau was
extinguished in his sonne the foresaid Charles le Beau, whereof the
contention tooke beginning about the right to the crowne of France,
betwixt the Frenchmen and Englishmen, which hangeth as yet vndecided
till these our daies. For king Edward auerred that the kingdome of
France apperteined vnto him as lawfull heire, bicause that he alone was
remaining of the kings stocke, and touched his mothers father Philip le
Beau, in the next degrée of consanguinitie, as he that was borne of his
daughter Isabell.
[Sidenote: King Edward signifieth his right to the crowne of France.]
[Sidenote: _Ia. Mair._]
[Sidenote: King Edward tooke vpon him the title & armes of the K. of
France.]
[Sidenote: The Flemings swere fealtie to the king of England.]
Therefore immediatlie after the deceasse of the said Charles le Beau,
by ambassadours sent vnto the péeres of France, he published to
them his right, requiring that they would admit him king according
therevnto: but his ambassadours could neuer be quietlie heard, and
therefore returned home without anie towardlie answer, which mooued
him in the end to attempt the recouerie of his lawfull inheritance
by force, sith by law he could not preuaile, and now by aduise of
his fréends to take vpon him both the title and armes of France,
to signifie to the world what right he had to the same. After that
this league therefore was concluded with them of Flanders, and that
king Edward had taken vpon him the name of king of France with the
armes; the duke of Gelderland and Iaques van Arteueld went vnto all
the good townes and iurisdictions of Flanders, to receiue their oths
of fidelitie vnto king Edward, persuading with the people, that the
supreme rule belonged vnto him, sauing to the townes their ancient
lawes and liberties, and to their earle his right of proprietie.
[Sidenote: Additions to _Nic. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: Iohn of Gaunt borne.]
About the latter end of this thirtéenth yeare of K. Edwards reigne,
the mariners and sea-men of the cinque ports, getting them aboord into
a number of small ships and balingers, well trimmed and appointed for
the purpose, passed ouer to Bullongne, where they tooke land one day
in a thicke foggie weather, and setting on the Base towne, they burnt
ninetéene gallies, foure great ships, and to the number of twentie
smaller vessels, togither with their tackle and furniture. They set
fire also on the houses that stood néere to the water side, and namelie
they burnt one great house, wherein laie such a number of oares,
sailes, armour, and crossebowes, as might haue sufficed to furnish so
manie men as could be well aboord in ninetéene gallies. There were
manie slaine on both parts in atchiuing this enterprise, but more of
the Frenchmen than of the Englishmen. About the same time the quéene of
England was deliuered of hir fourth sonne in the towne of Gaunt, the
which was named Iohn, first created earle of Richmond, and after duke
of Lancaster. He was borne about Christmasse, in the thirtéenth yere of
king Edwards reigne.
[Sidenote: 1340.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 14.]
[Sidenote: A parlement.]
[Sidenote: _Hen. Marl._]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: A subsidie.]
When king Edward had finished his businesse with the Flemings at
Gaunt, he left his wife quéene Philip there still in that towne, and
returned himselfe vnto Antwerpe, and shortlie after about the feast of
Candlemasse tooke the sea, and came backe into England, to prouide for
monie to mainteine his begun warres. And herevpon about the time of
Lent following, he called his high court of parlement at Westminster,
in the which he asked of his commons towards his charges, for the
recouerie of his right in France, the fift part of their mooueable
goods, the customes of wools for two yeares to be paid aforehand,
and the ninth sheafe of euerie mans corne. At length it was agréed,
that the king should haue for euerie sacke of wooll fortie shillings,
for euerie thrée hundred wooll fels fortie shillings, and for euerie
last of leather fortie shillings, and for other merchandize after the
rate; to begin at the feast of Easter, in this fouretéenth yeare of
the kings reigne, and to indure till the feast of Pentecost, then next
following, and from that feast till the feast of Pentecost then next
insuing into one yeare: for which the king granted, that from the feast
of Pentecost, which was then to come into one yeare, he nor his heires
should not demand assesse, nor take, nor suffer to be assessed or
taken, more custome of a sacke of wooll of any Englishman, but halfe a
marke, and vpon the wooll fels and leather the old former custome.
[Sidenote: The citie of London lendeth the king monie.]
Beside this, the citizens and burgesses of cities and good townes,
granted to giue the ninth part of all their goods; and the forren
merchants and other not liuing of gaine, nor of bréeding cattell, nor
of shéepe, should giue the fiftéenth part of all their goods lawfullie
to the value: for the which he granted that as well now in time of
warre as of peace, all merchants, denizens and forreiners (those
excepted that were of the enimies countries) might without let safelie
come into the realme of England with their goods and merchandize, and
safelie tarie, and likewise returne, paieng the customs, subsidies, and
profits, resonable thereof due, so alwaies that the franchises and frée
customs granted by him or his predecessours reasonablie to the citie
of London, and other cities, burroughes, and townes, might alwaies to
them be saued. Moreouer, there was granted vnto him the ninth sheafe,
the ninth fléece, and the ninth lambe, to be taken by two yeares next
comming. And for the leuieng thereof, the lords of euerie shire through
the land, were appointed to answer him, euerie one for the circuit
within the which he dwelled. And bicause the king must néeds occupie
much monie yer the receit of this subsidie could come to his hands, he
borowed in the meane time manie notable summes of diuerse cities, and
particular persons of this land, amongst the which he borrowed of the
citie of London 20000 marks, to be paied againe of the monie comming of
the foresaid subsidie.
[Sidenote: The frontiers of France full of men of warre.]
[Sidenote: The towne of Asper burnt.]
[Sidenote: The erle of Heinault defieth the Fr[=e]ch king.]
[Sidenote: Townes burnt in Thierasse.]
In the meane while, now that king Edward was come backe into England,
the warres were hotlie pursued against his fréends, that had their
lands néere to the borders of France, and namelie against sir Iohn
de Heinault lord Beaumont, for the Frenchmen burned all his lands of
Chimaie, except the fortresses, and tooke from thence a great preie.
All the frontiers were full of men of warre, lodged within townes in
garrison, as at Tournie, Mortaigne, S. Amond, Dowaie, Cambrie, and in
other smaller fortresses. These men of warre laie not idle, but were
dooing oftentimes in Flanders, and sometime otherwhere, neither was
the countrie of Heinault spared, though the earle (as yée haue heard)
did not onelie refuse to serue the king of England against France, but
also when the same king entred France, he resorted to the French king,
and serued him; yet by the suggestion of the bishop of Cambrie, who
complained of the Hainuiers, for the damages which they had doone him,
the French garrisons of the frontiers thereabouts were commanded to
make a road into that countrie, which they did, burning the towne of
Asper, and brought from thence a great bootie. The earle of Heinault
sore mooued therewith to haue his lands so spoiled and burnt, defied
the French king, and ioining with his vncle the lord Beaumont, entred
with an armie into Thierasse, tooke & destroied Aubenton, with Mawbert,
Fonteine, Daubecuille, and diuerse other.
[Sidenote: Flanders interdicted.]
[Sidenote: _Ad. Merim._]
[Sidenote: _Adam Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: _Iac. Meir._]
[Sidenote: The earles of Salisburie & Suffolke taken.]
[Sidenote: The countrie of Heinault inuaded.]
In this meane time the French king procured the pope to pronounce his
cursse against the Flemings for their rebellion, and to suspend all
diuine seruice that ought to be said in anie hallowed place, so that
there were no priests to be found that would take vpon them to saie any
diuine seruice: wherevpon the Flemings sent ouer into England certeine
messengers to giue notice to king Edward how they were intreated, but
he sent them word that he would bring at his comming ouer vnto them,
priests that should saie masses and other seruice, whether the pope
would or not, for he had priuilege so to doo. ¶ In Aprill, William
Melton archbishop of Yorke departed this life, after whome variance
rose in the election of a new gouernour to that church, so that two
were elected, William la Zouch and William Killesbie: but at length
William la Zouch tooke place, being the 43 archbishop that had sit in
that seat. ¶ The earles of Salisburie and Suffolke, which were left in
Flanders by king Edward to helpe the Flemings, shortlie after Ester, or
(as other haue) in the time of Lent, were discomfited by the garrison
of Lisle, and taken prisoners as they would haue passed by that towne,
to haue ioined with Iaques Arteueld, meaning to besiege Tournie; but
now by the taking of those two earles that enterprise was broken. The
duke of Normandie with a great armie entred into Heinault, burning and
wasting the countrie, euen to the gates of Valenciennes and Quesnoy.
And thus were they occupied in those parts, whilest the king of England
prepared himselfe with all diligence to returne into Flanders.
[Sidenote: _Gaguin._]
[Sidenote: A great nauie prepared by the French king.]
[Sidenote: The king of England taketh the sea.]
The French king being aduertised, that the king of England meant
shortlie to returne into Flanders with a great power, in purpose to
inuade the realme of France on that side, assembled a nauie of foure
hundred ships vnder the leading of thrée expert capteins of the warres
by sea, as sir Hugh Kiriell, sir Peter Bahuchet, and a Geneweis named
Barbe Noir, appointing them to the coasts of Flanders to defend the
king of England from landing there, if by any meanes they might. These
thrée capteins or admerals came and laie with their ships in the hauen
of Sluise, for that it was supposed the king of England would arriue
there, as his meaning was indéed, wherevpon when his men, ships, and
prouisions were once readie in the moneth of Iune, he tooke the sea
with two hundred saile, and directing his course towards Flanders,
there came vnto him the lord Robert Morley, with the north nauie of
England, so that then he had in all about thrée hundred saile, or (as
other saie) two hundred and thrée score.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._]
[Sidenote: The king of England setteth vpon his enimies.]
[Sidenote: Additions to Triuet.]
[Sidenote: The victorie of the Englishmen at the battell of Sluise.]
The French nauie laie betwixt Sluise and Blancbergh, so that when the
king of England approched, either part descried other, & therewith
prepared them to battell. The king of England staied, till the sunne
which at the first was in his face, came somewhat westward, and so
had it vpon his backe, that it should not hinder the sight of his
people, and so therewith did set vpon his enimies with great manhood,
who likewise verie stoutlie incountered him, by reason whereof insued
a sore and deadlie fight betwixt them. The nauies on both sides
were diuided into thrée battels. On the English part, the earles of
Glocester, Northampton and Huntington, who was admerall of the fléet
that belonged to the cinque ports, and the lord Robert Morley admerall
of the northerne nauie had the guiding of the fore ward, bearing
themselues right valiantlie, so that at length the Englishmen hauing
the aduantage, not onlie of the sunne, but also of the wind and tide,
so fortunatlie, that the French fléet was driuen into the streights of
the hauen, in such wise that neither the souldiers nor mariners could
helpe themselues, in somuch that both heauen, sea, and wind, séemed
all to haue conspired against the Frenchmen. And herewith manie ships
of Flanders ioining themselues with the English fléet, in the end the
Frenchmen were vanquished, slaine and taken, their ships being also
either taken, bowged, or broken.
[Sidenote: Additions to _Triuet_ & _Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: The Iames of Déepe.]
[Sidenote: Barbenoir.]
[Sidenote: _Gaguin._]
[Sidenote: _Auesburie._]
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._]
[Sidenote: _Adam Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._]
[Sidenote: _R. Southw._]
[Sidenote: The number slaine.]
[Sidenote: _Rich. South._]
When night was come vpon them, there were thirtie French ships, that
yet had not entred the battell, the which sought by couert of the night
to haue stolne awaie, and one of them being a mightie great vessell,
called the Iames of Déepe, would haue taken awaie with hir a ship of
Sandwich that belonged to the prior of Canturburie: but by the helpe of
the earle of Huntington, after they had fought all the night till the
next morning, the Englishmen at length preuailed, and taking that great
huge ship of Déepe, found in hir aboue foure hundred dead bodies. To
conclude, verie few of the French ships escaped, except some of their
smaller vessels, and certeine gallies with their admerall Barbenoir,
who in the beginning of the battell got foorth of the hauen, aduising
the other capteins to doo the like, thereby to auoid the danger which
they wilfullie imbraced. There died in this battell fought (as some
write) on midsummer daie, in the yeare aforesaid, of Frenchmen to the
number of 30000, of Englishmen about 4000, or (as other haue that liued
in those daies) not past 400, amongst whom there were foure knights of
great nobilitie, as sir Thomas Monhermere, sir Thomas Latimer, sir Iohn
Boteler, and sir Thomas Poinings.
[Sidenote: _Rich. South._]
[Sidenote: The king goeth to Gant.]
It is said also, that the king himselfe was hurt in the thigh. The two
English ships that had béene taken the yéere before, the Edward and
the Christopher, were recouered at this time, amongst other of the
French ships that were taken there. ¶ Sir Peter Bahuchet was hanged
vpon a crosse pole fastened to a mast of one of the ships. Through the
wilfulnesse of this man, the Frenchmen receiued this losse (as the
French chronicles report) bicause he kept the nauie so long within the
hauen, till they were so inclosed by the Englishmen that a great number
of the Frenchmen could neuer come to strike stroke, nor to vse the
shot of their artillerie, but to the hurt of their fellows. Howsoeuer
it was, the Englishmen got a famous victorie, to the great comfort of
themselues, and discomfort of their aduersaries. ¶ The king of England,
after he had thus vanquished his enimies, remained on the sea by the
space of thrée daies, and then comming on land, went to Gant, where he
was receiued of the quéene with great ioy and gladnesse.
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The riuer of Lestault, or the Scelle.]
In this meane while had the duke of Normandie besieged the castell
of Thuine Leuesques, néere to Cambrie, which was taken by sir Walter
of Mannie, a lord of Heinault, at the first beginning of the warres,
and euer since till that time kept to the king of England his vse.
The earle of Heinault, who had béene of late both in England with
king Edward, and also in Almaine with the emperour, to purchase their
assistance for the defense of his countrie against the inuasions of the
Frenchmen, was now returned home, and meaning to rescue such as were
besieged in Thuine, sent for succours into Flanders, and into Almaine,
and in the meane time leuieng such power as he could make with his owne
countrie, came therewith to Valenciennes, whither foorthwith resorted
vnto him the earle of Namure with two hundred speares, the duke of
Brabant with six hundred, the duke of Gelderland, the earle of Bergen,
the lord of Valkenburgh, and diuerse other, the which togither with
the earle of Heinault went and lodged alongst by the riuer of Lestault
ouer against the French host, which kept siege (as ye haue heard) vnder
the conduct of the duke of Normandie before Thuine Leuesques, that is
situate vpon the same riuer.
[Sidenote: The Flemings.]
[Sidenote: Sir Richard Limosin.]
[Sidenote: The armies brake vp.]
There came also to the aid of the earle of Heinault Iaques Arteueld,
with his thrée score thousand Flemings. Now it was thought that they
would haue fought yer they had departed in sunder, but they did
not. For after it was knowne how the king of England was arriued in
Flanders, and had discomfited the French fléet, the duke of Brabant
and others thought good to breake vp their enterprise for that time,
and to resort vnto the king of England, to vnderstand what his purpose
was to doo. Neither were the Frenchmen hastie to giue battell, so that
after the capteins of Thuine Leuesques, sir Richard Limosin knight an
Englishman, and two esquiers, brethren to the erle of Namure, Iohn
and Thierrie, had left their fortresse void, and were come ouer the
riuer by boats vnto the earle of Heinaults campe, the armies on both
sides brake vp and departed, the Frenchmen into France, and the other
to Valenciennes, and from thence the princes and great lords drew to
Gaunt, to welcome the king of England into the countrie, of whome they
were right ioifullie receiued: and after they had communed togither of
their affaires, it was appointed by the king, that they should méet him
at Villefort in Brabant at a daie prefixed, where he would be readie
to consult with them about his procéedings in his warres against his
aduersaries the Frenchmen.
[Sidenote: The assemblie of the princes at Villeford.]
[Sidenote: The couen[=a]ts betwixt the K. of England & his
c[=o]federats.]
At the day appointed, there came to Villefort the dukes of Brabant,
and Gelderland, the earle of Heinault, Gulike, Namure, Blackenheim,
Bergen, sir Robert Dartois earle of Richmond, the earle of Valkenburgh,
and Iaques Arteueld, with the other rulers of Flanders, and manie
others. Here it was ordeined, that the countries of Flanders, Brabant,
and Heinault, should be so vnited and knit in one corporation, that
nothing should be doone amongst them in publike affaires, but by common
consent, and if anie warres were mooued against anie of them, then
should the other be readie to aid them, against whome anie such warre
was mooued: and if vpon anie occasion anie discord rose betwixt them
for anie matter, they should make an end of it amongst themselues;
and if they could not, then should they stand to the iudgement and
arbitrement of the king of England, vnto whome they bound themselues by
oth to kéepe this ordinance and agréement.
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: Tournie furnished with a strong power of men.]
[Sidenote: Tournie besieged.]
The French king being informed that the king of England ment to laie
siege vnto Tournie, as it was indéed deuised at this councell holden at
Villefort, tooke order for the furnishing thereof with men, munition,
and vittels in most defensible wise. There were sent to that towne
the best men of warre in all France, as the earle of Ewe constable of
France, the yoong earle of Guines his sonne, the earle of Foiz and
his brethren, the earle Amerie de Narbon, with manie other, hauing
with them foure thousand souldiers. Sir Godmar du Foie was there
before as capteine of the towne, so that it was prouided of all things
necessarie. Howbeit, the king of England (according as it was appointed
at the councell holden at Villefort, about the feast of Marie Magdalen)
departed from Gaunt, and came to Tournie, hauing with him seauen earles
of his owne countrie, as Darbie, Penbroke, Hereford, Huntingdon,
Northampton, Glocester, and Arundell, eight prelats, eight and twentie
baronets, two hundred knights, foure thousand men of armes, and nine
thousand archers, besides other footmen. He lodged at the gate called
saint Martine, in the waie that is toward Lisle and Dowaie.
[Sidenote: The great number of people at the siege of Tournie.]
[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._]
[Sidenote: The earle of Richmond.]
Anon after came the dukes of Brabant and Gelderland, the earle of
Gulike, the marquesse of Blanqueburgh, the marquesse of Musse, the
earls of Bergen, Sauines, and Heinault: also Iaques Arteueld, who
brought with him about fortie thousand Flemings. So that there was at
this siege to the number of six score thousand men, as some writers
affirme. There was also an other armie of Flemings, as of the townes
of Ypres, Popringue, Furnes, Cassell, of the Chateleinie, & of Bergis,
being to the number of fortie thousand, appointed to make warre against
the Frenchmen that kept saint Omers, and other townes there on the
frontiers of Arthois, which armie was led by the earle of Richmond,
otherwise called the lord Robert Dartois, and by sir Henrie de
Flanders, the which approching one day to saint Omers, were sharplie
fought with; for within saint Omers at that time laie a strong power of
Frenchmen with the duke of Burgoine, the earle of Arminacke and others.
[Sidenote: The Frenchmen set vpon ye Flemings.]
[Sidenote: The variable fortune of fights.]
[Sidenote: Additions to _Adam Merimuth._]
The Flemings were not willing to serue, for neither had they any
trust in their capteine the said erle of Richmond, neither would
they willinglie haue passed out of their owne confines, but onlie to
defend the same from the inuasion of their enimies: yet through much
persuasion, forward they went, diuided into sundrie battels contrarie
to their manner. The enimies perceiuing some aduantage, issued forth
vpon them, and assailed them verie stoutlie, insomuch that the earle of
Arminacke setting vpon them of Ypres, ouerthrew them, and chased them
vnto a towne called Arques, which they had a little before set on fire
and burned. An other companie of Frenchmen, skirmishing with them of
Franks, Furnes, and Bergis, put them also to the worse. Contrarilie,
those Frenchmen that encountered with the lord Robert Dartois, and them
of Bruges whome he led, susteined great losse, and were beaten backe
into the citie: the duke of Burgoine himselfe being in no small danger
for a time, so sharpe the bickering was betwixt them, and the euent so
variable. Wherefore it is notablie and fitlie said in this behalfe, that
[Sidenote: _Sil. Ital. lib. 6._]
---- incerti fallax fiducia Martis.
[Sidenote: Sir Thomas Vthred.]
There be that write, that this fight continued from thrée of the clocke
till euentide, and that the earle of Richmond was twise put to flight,
for his people did leaue him in the plaine field: but at length by the
aduise of sir Thomas Vthred, whome the king of England had appointed to
attend the said earle, with manie Englishmen and archers, he assembled
his people eftsoones togither againe, and setting on his enimies.
Now when it was almost night, néere to the gates of saint Omers, he
finallie ouercame them, where were slaine of the French part fiftéene
barons and fourescore knights, beside a great number of other people.
Diuerse also were slaine on the earle of Richmonds part at this last
encounter, and among other an English knight, that bare armes eschecked
siluer and gules.
[Sidenote: The earle of Richmond in danger to be slaine.]
Finallie, as the earle of Richmond returned towards his campe, which
laie in the vale of Cassell, he met with certeine Artesines and
Frenchmen, which had béene chasing the other Flemings, and though it
was late in the euening, that one could not take good view of an other,
yet here they fought againe, and so diuerse of the Frenchmen were
taken and killed, and amongst other that were caught, was a knight of
Burgoine, named sir William de Nillie. But when the earle of Richmond
and those that were with him came to the place where the campe laie,
they found that all the residue of the Flemings were fled and gone. And
when the said earle came to Cassell, the people were readie to haue
slaine him, their former malice towards him being now much increased
with the euill successe of this passed enterprise, so that he was glad
to get him thence, and to repaire vnto king Edward, that laie yet at
the siege before Tournie, during which siege manie proper feats of
armes were doone betwixt those within and them without: for few daies
passed without the atchiuing of some enterprise.
[Sidenote: The great armie raised by the French king.]
Also the French king, hauing made his assemblie at Arras, and got
thither a mightie host, as well out of the empire as of his owne
subiects, came and lodged at the bridge of Bouuins, thrée leagues from
Tournie. There were with him the king of Bohem, the duke of Lorreine,
the bishop of Mentz, the earles of Bar, mount Belliard, & Sauoie, also
the dukes of Burgogne and Burbone, with a great number of other earles
and lords, so that the greatest puissance of all France was iudged to
be there with the king. Whilest he laie incamped thus at Bouuins, and
the king of England at Tournie, manie exploits were atchiued betwixt
their people, who laie not idle, but still rode abroad and oftentimes
met, and then that part which was weakest paied for the others
charges, so that manie were slaine & taken on both sides as well of
the nobilitie as other. Also diuerse townes were sacked and burned on
the frontiers of France, during this siege at Tournie, namelie at the
pursuit of the earle of Heinault, as Seclin, S. Amond, Orchies, Landas,
and other.
[Sidenote: The ladie Iane de Valois treateth for a peace.]
[Sidenote: A truce accorded.]
At length at the suit of the ladie Iane de Valois, sister to the French
king, and mother to the earle of Heinault, trauelling still betwixt
the parties to bring them vnto some accord, it was granted that either
partie should send certeine sufficient persons to intreat of the
matter, which should méet at a little chappell, standing in the fields
called Esplotin, and hereto also was a truce granted for thrée daies.
For the English part were appointed the duke of Brabant, the bishop of
Lincolne, the duke of Gelderland, the earle of Gulike, and sir Iohn de
Heinault lord Beaumont. For the French part, the king of Bohem, Charles
erle of Alanson brother to the French king, the bishop of Liege, the
earle of Flanders, and the earle of Arminacke: and the ladie of Valois
was still among them as a mediatrix, by whose meanes chéefelie they
at length did agrée vpon a truce to indure for a yeare betwéene all
parties and their men, and also betwéene them that were in Scotland, in
Gascoigne, and Poictou.
[Sidenote: The Flemings released of debts, and of the interdiction.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: Restitution of townes to the king of England.]
[Sidenote: _Gaguin._]
It was agréed also by these commissioners, that there should other
commissioners of either part foure or fiue méet at Arras at a daie
appointed, and thither also should the pope send his legats, to treat
of a perpetuall peace and full agréement to be made betwixt the two
kings of England and France. There was also consideration had of the
Flemings, so that they were released of all such summes of monie as
they were by any bonds indangered to paie by forfeiture, or otherwise,
for any matter before that time vnto the crowne of France. Also they
were released of the interdiction and cursse of the church, and then
also was their earle restored home. It was further accorded, that the
French king should restore vnto the king of England certeine townes and
places in Guien, which in the beginning of these warres the earle of
Alanson had taken from the Englishmen, as Penne in Agenois, and others.
Also whereas the French king had seized the countie of Pontieu into
his hands, which was the dower of quéene Isabell, the mother of king
Edward, he should also restore the same vnto king Edward, to hold it as
he did before.
[Sidenote: The siege raised from Tournie.]
Herevpon was the siege raised from Tournie, after it had continued
there the space of ten wéekes and foure daies. They within stood in
great danger for lacke of vittels to haue béene constreined to the
surrendring of the towne, if this truce had not béene concluded, which
caused the French king the sooner to agrée, in like case as the lacke
of monie caused the king of England to take his truce, which otherwise
(as was thought) he would not haue doone: so that by the violent
constraint of necessitie they were forced thus to doo, against which
there is no trieng of maisteries, nor strugling to make it stoope and
obeie: for
A necessitate omnia in seruitutem rediguntur.
[Sidenote: The earle of Flanders feasteth the K. of England.]
[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._]
[Sidenote: The king goeth into Zealand.]
[Sidenote: Continuation of _Triuet._]
After he had raised his siege he went to Gant, and thither came also
the earle of Flanders being now restored home to his countrie, and made
the king of England great cheare, feasting and banketting him right
princelie, togither with the quéene. Finallie, after that king Edward
had refreshed himselfe a while at Gant, he tooke a verie few with him,
and came into Zealand; and there taking the seas to passe ouer into
England, he was sore tossed by force of outragious stormes of wind and
weather. Yet at length after thrée daies and thrée nights sailing, in
the night of the feast of saint Andrew, he came on land at the tower
of London about cocke-crowing, and with him the earle of Northampton,
the lord Walter de Mannie, the lord Iohn Darcie, the sonne of the lord
Iohn Beauchampe, Giles Beauchampe, with two chapleins that were his
secretaries, sir William Killesbie, and sir Philip Weston, beside a few
others.
[Sidenote: _Auesburie._]
[Sidenote: Iudges and other officers committed to the tower.]
After his arriuall he sent for the bishop of Chichester that was lord
chancellor, for the bishop of Couentrie and Lichfield being lord
treasuror, and for such of the iudges as were then in London. The lord
chancellor and the lord treasuror he streightwaies discharged of their
offices, threatening to send them into Flanders, there to remaine
as pledges for monie that he there owght, or if they refused to go
thither, then to kéepe them prisoners in the towne. But when the bishop
of Chichester declared to him the danger of the canon established
against such as imprisoned bishops, he suffered them to depart: but the
iudges, to wit, Iohn de Stonore, Richard de Willoughbie, William de
Shareshull, and also Nicholas or (as other haue) Matthew de la Bech,
who was before gardian of his sonne, and lieutenant of the tower:
also Iohn de Pultnie, and William de Poole merchants; and the chiefe
clerkes of the chancerie, Iohn de saint Paule, Michaell de Wath, Henrie
de Stretford, and Robert de Chikewell; and of the escheker, Iohn de
Thorpe, and manie other, were committed to diuerse prisons, but yet
bicause they were committed but onelie vpon commandement, they were
within a while after deliuered.
[Sidenote: New officers made in place of other that were discharged.]
The lord Wake was also committed but shortlie after, he was deliuered
to his great honor, as Walsingham writeth. Robert de Bourchier was
made lord chancellor and Richard de Sadington lord treasuror: all the
shiriffes of shires, and other officers also were remooued, and other
put in their places, and iustices appointed in euerie shire, to inquire
vpon the defaults of collectors and other officers, so that few or
none escaped vnpunished, howsoeuer they had demeaned themselues, so
streictlie those iustices procéeded in their commissions. The king
indéed was sore offended with those whom he had put in trust to leuie
monie, and to sée it conueied ouer to him into the low countrie,
bicause that for want therof in time of néed, he was constreined to
take truce with his aduersarie the French king, and leaue off his
enterprise, which he was in good forwardnesse to haue gone through
withall, if he had not béene disappointed of treasure which he had
commanded to be sent ouer vnto him, which was not doone but kept backe,
in whom soeuer the fault rested.
[Sidenote: The K. offended with the archb. of Canturburie.]
[Sidenote: 1341.]
[Sidenote: The archbish. writeth to the king.]
There were some of his secretaries, namelie, sir William Killesbie,
which stirred him to take no small displeasure against the archbishop
of Canturburie Iohn Stratford, who therevpon withdrew him into the
priorie of Christes church at Canturburie, and there remaining for a
season, wrote his mind to the king, exhorting him not to giue too light
credit vnto such as should counsell him to haue those in contempt that
were faithfull and true to him, for in so dooing, he might happilie
loose the loue and good will of his people. Neuertheles, he wished
that he should trie out in whose hands the wools and monie remained,
which were taken vp to his vse, and that vpon a iust accompts had at
their hands, it might appeare who were in fault, that he had not monie
brought to him, whilest he laie at siege before Tournie, as he had
appointed, and that when the truth was knowne, they that were in fault
might be worthilie punished. And as for his owne cause, he signified,
that he was readie to be tried by his péeres, sauing alwaies the state
of holie church, and of his order, &c. Further, he besought the king,
not to thinke euill of him, and of other good men, till the truth might
be tried, for otherwise, if iudgement should be pronounced, without
admitting the partie to come to his answere, as well the guiltlesse as
the guiltie might be condemned.
[Sidenote: An. Reg 15.]
[Sidenote: A letter sent to the deane of Paules.]
[Sidenote: The archbishop refuseth to come to the court.]
The king neuerthelesse still offended towards the archbishop, caused
Adam bishop of Winchester to indite a letter against him, directed
from the king to the deane and chapiter of Paules, openlie to be
published by them: the effect whereof was, to burthen the archbishop
with vnthankfulnesse, and forgetting of his bounden duetie towards
his souereigne lord and louing maister, namelie, in that where he
promised the king to sée him throughlie furnished with monie, towards
the maintenance of his warres: when it came to passe, none would be
had, which turned not onelie to the hinderance of the kings whole
procéedings, but also to his great discredit, and causing him to run
greatlie in debt by interest, through borrowing of monie, for the
paiment of the wages of his men of warre, when through the archbishops
negligence, who had the chéefe rule of the land, the collectors and
other officers slacked their duetie, whereby there was no monie sent
ouer, according to that was appointed: and wheras now, since his
comming ouer, he had sent to the archbishop to come vnto him, that
by his information, he might the better learne who they were that
neglected their duetie, he disobedientlie refused to come, pretending
some feare of bodilie harme, through the malice of some that were about
the king. Wherevpon, when Rafe lord Stafford, lord steward of the kings
house, was sent with a safe conduct, for him to come in all safetie to
the court, he flatlie made answer that he would not come, except in
full parlement.
Manie other misdemeanors was the archbishop charged with towards the
king in that letter, as maliciouslie slandering the king for vniust
oppression of the people, confounding the cleargie, and gréeuing the
church with exactions, leuies of monie, tolles and tallages. Therefore,
sith he went about to slander the kings roiall authoritie, to defame
his seruants, to stirre rebellion among the people; and to withdraw
the deuotion and loue of the earles, lords, and great men of the land
from the king: his highnesse declared, that he meant to prouide for the
integritie & preseruation of his good name (whereof it is said trulie,