and to méet with the archbishops malice. And herewith diuerse things
were rehersed to the archbishops reproch, which he should doo, procure,
and suffer to be doone, by his euill and sinister counsell, whilest he
had the rule of the realme in his hands vnder the king: wherein he had
shewed himselfe not onelie an acceptor of gifts, but also of persons,
in gratifieng diuerse that nothing had deserued sundrie waies foorth,
and presuming to doo rashlie manie other things to the detriment of
the kings roiall state, and hurt of his regall dignitie, and to no
small damage of the people, abusing the authoritie and office to him
committed, so that if he persisted in his obstinate wilfulnesse, and
rebellious contumacie, the king by those his letters signified, that
he meant to declare it more apparantlie in due time and place, and
therefore commanded the said deane and chapiter of Paules, to publish
all those things openlie, in places where they thought conuenient,
according to their wisedome giuen to them by God, so as he might haue
cause to commend therein their carefull diligence. ¶ This letter was
dated at Westminster the tenth of Februarie, in the fiftéenth yeare of
his reigne ouer England, and second ouer France.
Where the Londoners would not permit the kings iustices to sit within
the citie of London, contrarie to their liberties, the king appointed
them to sit in the tower; and when they would not make anie answer
there, a great tumult was raised by the commons of the citie, so that
the iustices being in some perill (as they thought) feigned themselues
to sit there till towards Easter. Wherevpon, when the king could not
get the names of them that raised the tumult, no otherwise but that
they were certeine light persons of the common people, he at length
pardoned the offense. After this, those iustices neither sat in the
tower, nor elsewhere, of all that yeare.
[Sidenote: A parlement.]
[Sidenote: _Adam Merimuth._]
In the quindene of Easter, the king held a parlement at London, in
the which, the prelats, earls, barons, and commons, presented manie
petitions; as to haue the great charter of liberties, and the charter
of forrests dulie obserued, and that they which brake the same should
be discharged of their offices, if they were the kings officers,
and that the high officers of the king should be elected and chosen
by their péeres in parlement. The king withstood these petitions
a certeine time, yet at length he granted to some of them; but as
concerning the election of his officers, he in no wise would consent,
but yet he was contented that they should receiue an oth in parlement,
to doo iustice to all men in their offices, &c. Vpon which article and
others, a statute was made and confirmed with the kings seale.
[Sidenote: The emperor woone fr[=o] the king of Englands fréendship.]
[Sidenote: The emperor offereth to be a meane to c[=o]clude a peace.]
In the meane while, the French king had with bribes wonne Lewes of
Bauaria, that named himselfe emperour, from further fauouring the
king of England; in so much that, vnder a colourable pretense of
finding himselfe gréeued, for that the king of England had without his
knowledge taken truce with the French king, he reuoked the dignitie of
being vicar in the empire, from the king of England, but yet signified
to him, that where the French king had at his request put the matter
in controuersie betwixt him and the king of England into his hands,
to make an end thereof, if it so pleased the king of England, that he
should treat as an indifferent arbitrator betwixt them, he promised to
doo his indeuour, so as he doubted not, but that by his means he should
come to a good agréement in his cause, if he would follow his aduise.
And to receiue answer hereof, he sent his letters by one Eberhard a
chapleine of his, the reader of the friers heremits to S. Augustins
order, requesting the king of England to aduertise him by the same
messenger, of his whole mind in that behalfe.
[Sidenote: The kings answer.]
The king for answer, signified againe by his letters to the emperour,
that for the zeale which he had to make an accord betwixt him and
his aduersarie Philip de Valois, that named himselfe French king, he
could not but much commend him, and for his part he had euer wished,
that some reasonable agréement might be had betwixt them: but sith
his right to the realme of France was cléere and manifest inough, he
purposed not to commit it by writing vnto the doubtfull iudgement or
arbitrement of anie. And as concerning the agréement which the emperour
had made with the French king, bicause (as he alledged) it was lawfull
for him so to doo, sith without the emperors knowledge he had taken
truce with the same French king, he said, if the circumstances were
well considered, that matter could not minister any cause to mooue him
to such agréement: for if the emperour remembred, he had giuen to him
libertie at all times to treat of peace, without making the emperour
priuie thereto (so that without his assent, he concluded not vpon any
finall peace) which he protested that he neuer meant to doo, till he
might haue his prouident aduise, counsell, and assent therevnto.
And as concerning the reuoking of the vicarship of the empire from
him, he tooke it doone out of time; for it was promised, that no such
reuocation should be made, till he had obteined the whole realme of
France, or at the least, the more part thereof. ¶ These in effect were
the points of the kings letters of answer vnto the emperour. Dated at
London the thirtenth of Iulie, in the second yeare of his reigne ouer
France, and fiftéenth ouer England.
[Sidenote: The deceasse of the lord Geffrey de Scrope, & of the bishop
of Lincolne. The quéene brought to bed.]
This yeare, about Midsummer, or somwhat before, at Gant in Flanders,
died the lord Geffrey Scrope the kings iustice, and Henrie bishop of
Lincolne, two chéefe councellors to the king. The quéene after hir
returne into England, was this yeare brought to bed in the tower of
London of a daughter named Blanch, that died yoong, and was buried at
Westminster. ¶ In this meane while, during the warres betwixt France
and England, the French king in fauour of Dauid king of Scotland,
had sent men of warre into Scotland, vnder the conduct of sir Arnold
Dandreghen, who was after one of the marshals of France, and the lord
of Garrentiers, with other, by whose comfort and helpe, the Scots that
tooke part with king Dauid, did indeuor themselues to recouer out of
the Englishmens hands, such castels and fortresses as they held within
Scotland, as in the Scotish historie ye shall find mentioned, and how
about this time, their king the foresaid Dauid returned foorth of
France into Scotland by the French kings helpe, who hauing long before
concluded a league with him, thought by his friendship to trouble the
king of England so at home, that he should not be at great leisure to
inuade him in France.
[Sidenote: The commissioners that met at Arras.]
[Sidenote: This truce was prolonged about the feast of the decollation
of S. Iohn to indure till Midsummer next following, as the addition to
_Ad. Merimuth_ hath.]
But now to tell you what chanced of the méeting appointed at Arras.
For the c[=o]missioners that shuld there treat of the peace, when the
day assigned of their méeting was come, there arriued for the king
of England the bishop of Lincolne, the bishop of Duresme, the earle
of Warwike, the erle of Richmond, sir Robert Dartois, sir Iohn of
Heinault, otherwise called lord Beaumont, and sir Henrie of Flanders.
For the French king, there came the earle of Alanson, the duke of
Burbon, the earle of Flanders, the earle of Blois, the archbishop of
Sens, the bishop of Beauuois, and the bishop of Auxerre. The pope
sent thither two cardinals, Naples and Cleremont; these commissioners
were in treatie fiftéene daies, during the which, manie matters were
put forth and argued, but none concluded; for the Englishmen demanded
largelie, and the Frenchmen would depart with nothing, sauing with the
countie of Pontieu, the which was giuen with quéene Isabell in marriage
to the king of England. So the treatie brake, the commissioners
departed, and nothing doone, but onelie that the truce was prolonged
for two yeares further.
[Sidenote: The occasion of the wars of Britaine.]
Thus were the wars partlie appeased in some part of France, but yet was
the truce but slenderlie kept in other parts, by reason of the duke of
Britaine. For whereas contention arose betwixt one Charles de Blois,
and Iohn earle of Mountfort, about the right to the duchie of Britaine,
as in the historie of France maie more plainelie appeare; the earle of
Mountfort, thinking that he had wrong offered him at the French kings
hands, who fauoured his aduersarie Charles de Blois, alied himselfe
with the king of England. And (as some write) after he had woone
diuerse cities and townes within Britaine, he came ouer into England,
and by doing homage to king Edward, acknowledged to hold it of him,
as of the souereigne lord thereof, so that he would promise to defend
him and that duchie against his aduersaries: which the king promised
him to doo. After this, the French king made such warres against this
earle of Mountfort, that he was at length taken prisoner in the towne
of Naunts, and committed to safe kéeping within the castell of Loure
at Paris. But his wife being a stout woman, and of a manlie courage,
stood vp in the quarrell of hir husband, and presented a yoong sonne
which she had by him, vnto such capteins and men of warre as serued
hir husband, requiring them not to be dismaid with the infortunate
chance of hir husbands taking; but rather like men of good stomachs,
to stand in defense of his right, sith whatsoeuer happened to him, the
same remained in that yoong gentleman his sonne: meaning that although
the enimies should deale tyrannicallie with him, & without regard of
his nobleness practise his ouerthrow; yet there was hope in hir son,
as increase of yeares should minister strength and courage, both to be
reuenged on his fathers enimies, and to ad an inlargement of glorie and
renowne to his present honor by practises of his prowesse: which to be
singular the séemelie symmetrie or goodlie proportion of his person and
his iolie countenance séemed to testifie; for
[Sidenote: _Hor. lib. car. 4. Ode 4._]
Fortes creantur fortibus, & bonis
Est in iuuencis, est in equis patrum
Virtus; nec imbellem feroces
Progenerant aquilæ columbam.
[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
This countesse of Mountfort was sister vnto Lewes earle of Flanders,
and named Margaret, and not Claudia (as some write.) She was verie
diligent in hir businesse, and spared no trauell to aduance hir
cause, so that she wan not onelie the harts of the men of warre, but
also of the people of Britaine, the which fauoured hir husband, and
lamented the mishap of his taking. She first furnished such cities,
townes, castels, and fortresses as hir husband had in possession,
with men, munition and vittels, as Renes, Dinaunt, Guerand, Hanibout,
and others. This doone, she sent ouer into England, sir Emerie de
Clisson, a noble man of Britaine, to require the king of England of
succors, with condition, that if it pleased him, hir sonne Iohn should
marrie one of his daughters. ¶The king of England glad to haue such an
entrie into France, as by Britaine, thought not to refuse the offer, &
therevpon granted to aid the countesse: & foorthwith raising a power,
sent the same ouer into Britaine, vnder the conduct of the lord Walter
of Mannie, and others: the which at length, after they had continued
long vpon the sea, by reason of contrarie winds, arriued in Britaine;
in which meane time, a great armie of Frenchmen were entred into
Britaine, and had besieged the citie of Renes, and finallie woone it by
surrender, & were now before the towne of Hanibout, which with streict
siege, and sore brusing of the walles, they were néere at point to
haue taken, and the countesse of Mountfort within it; if the succours
of England had not arriued there, euen at such time as the Frenchmen
were in talke with them within, about the surrender. But after that the
English fléet was séene to approch, the treatie was soone broken off,
for they within had no lust then to talke anie further of the matter.
[Sidenote: The english succour ariued in good time.]
[Sidenote: Archers.]
[Sidenote: Charles de Blois.]
[Sidenote: Lewes de Spaine.]
[Sidenote: Britaine Britonant.]
The lord of Mannie, and the Englishmen arriued at Hanibout thus in time
of imminent danger, wherein the countesse, and the other within that
towne were presentlie beset, greatlie recomforted the said countesse,
as she well shewed by hir chéerefull countenance in receiuing them.
Shortlie after their arriuall, a certeine number of the English
archers, issuing foorth, beat the Frenchmen from an engine which they
had reared against the walles, and set fire vpon the same engine. To
conclude, the Frenchmen liked the Englishmen so well, that shortlie
after being wearie of their companie, they raised their siege to get
themselues further from them: and in an other part of the countrie
indeuoured themselues to win townes and castels as they did indéed,
hauing their armie diuided into two parts, the lord Charles de Blois
gouerning the one part, and a Spaniard called the lord Lewes de Spaine
the other (which was the same that thus departed from the siege of
Hanibout, after the arriuall of the Englishmen) and then winning the
townes of Dinand and Guerand, passed into the countrie of Britaine
Britonant, and there not farre from Quinpercorentine, were discomfited
by the Englishmen, who followed them thither. Of six thousand
Genowaies, Spaniards, and Frenchmen, which the lord Lewes of Spaine had
there with him, there escaped but a few awaie. A nephue which he had
there with him named Alfonse was slaine, howbeit he himselfe escaped,
though not without sore hurts.
[Sidenote: Edmund of Langley that was after duke of Yorke is borne.]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: A iusts and tornie at Dunstable.]
[Sidenote: Hanibout besieged.]
[Sidenote: 1342.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 16.]
[Sidenote: The countes of Richmond commeth ouer into Engl[=a]d. An
armie sent into Britaine.]
This yeare, the fift of Iune quéene Philip was deliuered of a sonne at
the towne of Langley, the which was named Edward, and surnamed Langley
of the place where he was thus borne. Also about the same time was a
great iustes kept by king Edward at the towne of Dunstable, with other
counterfeited feats of warre, at the request of diuerse yoong lords
and gentlemen, whereat both the king and quéene were present, with the
more part of the lords and ladies of the land. ¶ The lord Charles de
Blois, hauing in the meane time woone Vannes, and other towns, brought
his armie backe vnto Hanibout, and eftsoones besieged the same, and
the countesse of Mountfort within it. But for so much as it was well
fortified, and prouided of all things necessarie to defend a siege, the
Englishmen being returned thither againe after the ouerthrow of the
lord Lewes de Spaine, it could not be easilie woone. At length, by the
labour of certeine lords of Britaine, a truce was taken for a time,
during the which, the countesse of Richmond came ouer into England,
to commune with king Edward, touching the affaires of Britaine,
who appointed sir Robert Dartois earle of Richmond, the earles of
Salisburie, Penbroke, and Suffolke, the lords Stafford, Spenser, and
Bourchier, with others, to go with hir ouer into Britaine, who made
their prouision, so that they might take the sea, to come thither
against the time that the truce betwixt the countesse and the lord
Charles de Blois should be expired.
[Sidenote: Additions to _Adam Merimuth_ and _Nic. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: The earle of Northampton and Deuonshire.]
[Sidenote: Genowaies reteined in the French kings wages.]
There be that write, how the lord Walter de Mannie, tooke a truce
indéed with the lord Charles de Blois, to indure till Alhallontide next
insuing, but with condition, that if the king of England were contented
therewith, then the same to be firme and fullie ratified, otherwise
not. Whervpon, when about the beginning of Iulie, the said lord Walter
came ouer into England, bringing with him the lord of Lions, and
other such prisoners as he had taken, and signified to king Edward
what he had concluded touching the truce, the king liked not thereof,
and so sent ouer the earles of Northampton and Deuonshire, the lord
Stafford, and sir William de Killesbie his chapleine, and one of his
secretaries, with fiue hundred men of armes, and a thousand archers,
which taking ship, on the vigill of th'Assumption of our ladie, sailed
foorth towards Britaine. The Frenchmen therfore vnderstanding that this
succour was comming, appointed the lord Lewes of Spaine, sir Charles
Grimaldo, and sir Antonie Doria, with thrée thousand Genowaies, and a
thousand men of armes, imbarked in two and thirtie great ships, to lie
on the sea in wait to incounter with the English fléet, as the same
should approch towards Britaine.
[Sidenote: The English men and Genowaies méet and fight on the Seas.]
[Sidenote: Vannes won.]
About Easter, the countesse of Mountford with the English armie,
appointed to attend hir, tooke the sea at Southampton, and at length
met with the lord Lewes of Spaine, and his fléet, where betwixt them
was fought a sore battell. Of the Englishmen there were six and fortie
vessels, but the lord Lewes of Spaine had nine great ships, and of more
force than anie of those which the Englishmen had, and also he had
thrée gallies. They began to fight about euensong time, and continued
till that night parted them, and had gone togither againe in the
morning, if by a tempest, that rose about midnight, the same night,
they had not béene scattered in sunder. The Spaniards and Genowaies
tooke awaie with them foure English ships, which being vittellers,
were left behind. And bicause the same Spaniards and Genowaies were
able to abide the sea better than the Englishmen, by reason of their
great ships, they kept the maine sea; but the Englishmen were aduised
by their mariners to drawe vnto the land, and so they did, arriuing
at a little hauen, not farre from Vannes, where comming on land, they
streightwaie made towards that citie, and besieged it, not ceassing to
assault it both day and night, till at length they wan it, by giuing
the assault in two places at once, whilest an other number of them set
vpon it in a third place, where was no suspicion, and so entred.
After this, the most part of the Englishmen departed from Vannes, as
some with the countesse, to bring hir vnto Hanibout, and some with the
earls of Salisburie, Suffolke, and Cornewall, who went and laid siege
to Rennes, so that the earle of Richmond remained in Vannes, with the
lords Spenser and Stafford, to kéepe it, hauing a certeine number of
archers and other men of warre with them. The lord Clisson, and sir
Henrie de Leon, which were within Vannes, when it was taken by the
Englishmen, and found means to escape, were abashed at the matter, that
they had so lost the citie, wherevpon they secretlie assembled a great
power of men thereabouts, and came againe vnto Vannes, and so fiercelie
assailed the gates and wals, that in the end they entred by more force.
The earle of Richmond was sore hurt, but yet he escaped out at a
posterne gate, and the lord Stafford with him, but the lord Spenser was
taken by sir Henrie de Leon.
[Sidenote: Additions to _Nic. Triuet._]
Other write otherwise, both of the landing, and also concerning the
misfortune of the lord Spenser, alledging letters sent from the earle
of Northampton (whome the same authors repute as generall of that armie
into Britaine) directed to the king, in which was signified, how that
within the octaues of the Assumption of our ladie, they ariued on the
coast of Britaine, néere to the towne and castell of Brest, in the
which the dutchesse of Britaine with hir children were of the enimies
besieged, both by sea and land, by sea with thirtéene great gallies, by
land by the lord Charles de Blois, the earls of Sauoie and Foiz. But
the gallies perceiuing the English fléet to be approched vpon them, yer
they were aware, so that they were compassed in, to their great danger,
thrée of the same gallies fled, and so escaped, the residue got vp into
a riuer of the same hauen, where they that were aboord, left their
vessels and fled to the land, and as well they, as the other that held
siege before Brest and such as kept a castell there, not farre off,
called Goule forrest, packed awaie without anie more adoo. The English
mariners following the gallies (that were withdrawn vp the riuer) with
their small boats and barges, set fire on the gallies, and so burnt
them.
Thus all the Englishmen came on land, and leauing the lord Saie
capteine in the said castell of Goule forrest, they passed forward
into the countrie, and comming to a castell commonlie called Monsieur
Relix, gaue an assault thereto, where manie of their men of warre were
wounded, and sir Iames Louell slaine. After this, staieng a time for
the comming of their confederats, which after a fortnights space came
to them on the mondaie, being the morrow after Michaelmas daie, they
heard that the lords Charles de Blois was comming in all hast with a
power of thrée thousand men of armes, twelue hundred Genowaies, & a
great multitude of commons to raise the siege. Whervpon the earle of
Northampton with his armie marched softlie towards them, and choosing
a plot of ground conuenient for his purpose, fought with his enimies,
slue and tooke of them at the least thrée hundred men of armes. The
earle of Northampton lost not any noble man in this fight, the lord
Edward Spenser onelie excepted.
[Sidenote: The king passeth ouer into Britaine.]
[Sidenote: Vannes besieged.]
[Sidenote: Additions to _Triuet._]
[Sidenote: An armie of Frenchmen discomfited by a few Englishmen.]
But now as touching the earle of Richmont, Froissard saith, that he
comming to Hanibout, after he had thus lost Vannes, tooke the sea, and
sailed into England: but by reason of being tossed on the seas, his
wounds rankled so, that shortlie after his comming to London he died,
& was buried in the church of S. Paule. The king of England was sore
displeased with his death, and immediatlie after passed ouer himselfe
into Britaine with a great armie: and landing there the nine and
twentith of Nouember, at the same place where the earle of Richmond did
land at his arriuall there, not farre from Vannes, he went straight
and besieged Vannes, but perceiuing that it would not be woone but by
long siege, he left the earle of Arundell, and the lord Stafford to
continue the siege, whilest he went to Rennes to aid his people, which
still laie at the siege thereof. Before the kings arriuall in Britaine,
those that were there vnder the earle of Northampton, as the lord Hugh
Spenser, and the lord Richard Talbot, with their retinues, fought with
the Frenchmen néere to Morleis, where a few Englishmen, scarse fiue
hundred, discomfited a mightie power of Frenchmen, estéemed to be aboue
fiftie thousand, of whome some they slue, and some they tooke. Among
other was taken the lord Geffrey de Charnie, accompted for one of the
best and sagest knights in France, whome the lord Richard Talbot tooke
and sent into England.
[Sidenote: Naunts besieged.]
But now as touching the kings dooings, we find, that whilest he
remained for this winter season in Britaine, his people forraied the
countrie foure daies iournie in length and two daies iournie in bredth.
After his comming to Rennes, he staied not past fiue daies, but leauing
them whome he found there to continue the siege, he went himselfe to
Naunts, where he had knowledge, that the lord Charles de Blois was. At
his comming thither, he inuironed the citie about with a strong siege,
& made manie fierce assaults to the walles and gates, but could not
preuaile, then leauing certeine of his lords there to continue the
siege, he raised with the residue, and went to Dinan, which towne with
sore and fierce assaults he lastlie woone, and after that drew againe
towards Vannes, for that he was informed, how the duke of Normandie
was comming downe towards him, with an armie of fortie thousand men.
Herevpon he sent for them that laie at siege before Naunts to come vnto
him, and suffered them at Rennes to kéepe their siege still, till they
heard other word from him.
[Sidenote: The duke of Normandie commeth downe into Britaine.]
The duke of Normandie with foure thousand men of armes, and thirtie
thousand other men of warre, comming into Britaine to aid the lord
Charles of Blois, was aduertised, that the king of England was with
the most part of all his power withdrawen to Vannes, and there laie
at siege, sore constreining them within: wherefore he also drew
thitherwards, and approching to the place, incamped with his armie ouer
against the king of England, inclosing his field with a great trench.
The king of England supposing he should haue battell, sent vnto those
which laie at siege before Rennes, commanding them to come from thence
vnto him: so that by this meanes all the powers, both of the king of
England, and of the duke of Normandie, generall to his father the
French king in those warres of Britaine, being assembled before Vannes,
had fought some great and bloudie battell, as was supposed, for the
whole triall of the right of Britaine, if the cardinals of Cleremont
and Prenesti, as legats from pope Clement the sixt, had not taken vp
the matter, by concluding a truce betwixt them, for the tearme of thrée
yeares.
[Sidenote: Additions to _Triuet._]
[Sidenote: Commissioners for the king of England.]
[Sidenote: Commissioners for the French king.]
[Sidenote: 1343.]
[Sidenote: A truce for thrée yeares.]
Commissioners appointed to treat with these cardinals, on the behalfe
of the king of England were these, Henrie of Lancaster earle of
Derbie, William Bohun earle of Northampton, William Montacute earle of
Salisburie, Rafe lord Stafford, Bartholomew lord Burghese, Nicholas
lord Cantelow, Reginald lord Cobham, Walter lord of Mannie, Maurice
lord Berkeley, and maister Iohn Vfford archdeacon of Elie. For the
French king, Odo duke of Burgogne, and Piers duke of Burbon were
deputed commissioners. Such diligence was vsed by the parties, that
finallie they agréed vpon this truce of thrée yeares, with certeine
articles for meane to conclude some finall peace, as that there should
be sent from either king some personages of their bloud and others,
vnto the court of Rome, with sufficient authoritie, to agrée, confirme,
and establish vpon all controuersies and dissentions betwixt the said
kings, according to the agréement of the pope, and such as should be so
sent to treat thereof.
[Sidenote: The conditions of the truce.]
It was further agréed, that they should haue libertie to declare and
pronounce their arguments and reasons before the pope, but not to haue
power to decide and giue sentence, but onlie by waie of some better
treatie and order of agréement to be made. And these commissioners were
appointed to appeare before the pope, afore the feast of saint Iohn
Baptist next insuing, and the pope to dispatch the businesse before
Christmasse after, if by consent of the said nobles, the terme were
not proroged. And if it so were that the pope could make no agréement,
yet should the truce indure the prefixed terme, to wit, till the feast
of S. Michaell the archangell, and for the space of thrée yeares then
next insuing, betwixt the kings of France, England and Scotland,
the earle of Heinault and their alies, as the dukes of Brabant, and
of Gelderland, also the marques of Gullikerland, the lord Beaumont,
otherwise called sir Iohn de Heinault, and the people of Flanders,
in all their lands and dominions, from the date of the charter made
hereof, by all the said terme aforesaid, to be obserued, holden and
kept. Also, the king of Scots, and the earle of Heinault were appointed
to send certeine persons, as commissioners for them, vnto the said
court of Rome.
This truce was also accorded to be kept in Britaine, betwixt the said
kings and their adherents, in which countrie, as well as in Guien, and
other places, euerie man should remaine in possession of that which
he held at the time of concluding this truce, saue that the citie
of Vannes should be deliuered into the hands of the cardinall, to be
kept by them in the popes name, during the truce, and then to dispose
thereof, as should séeme to them good. Manie other articles were
comprised in the charter of this truce, too long héere to rehearse,
all the which were confirmed with the oths of the said dukes of
Burgoigne and Burbone, on the French kings behalfe; and of the earles
of Derbie, Northampton and Salisburie, the lord Burghersts, and the
lord of Mannie, for the king of England. In witnesse whereof, the
said cardinals caused the charter to be made, putting therevnto their
seales, the ninetéenth daie of Ianuarie, in the yeare 1343 in presence
of diuerse prelats, and of the earles of Bullongne, Ausserre, Sancerre,
Iuignie, and Porcien, the lord Miles de Nohers, the lord Ingram de
Coucie, and the foresaid lords, Cantelowe, Cobham, and Berkeley, with
manie other lords, barons, nobles, and gentlemen.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 17.]
[Sidenote: The King of England returneth by sea forth of Britaine.]
[Sidenote: Shipwracke.]
[Sidenote: A parlement. The kings eldest sonne created prince of Wales.]
When this truce was thus confirmed, manie of the English armie returned
home through France, so to passe ouer by the narrow seas into England,
but the king himselfe, with a few other, taking their ships to passe by
long seas, were maruellouslie tormented by tempest, so that their ships
were scattered and driuen to take land at diuerse hauens. The dutchesse
of Britaine with hir sonne and daughter, came on land in Deuonshire.
Sir Péers de Véele, and his sonne sir Henrie Véele, and sir Iohn Raine
knights, were drowned, togither with the ship in which they passed. The
king escaping verie hardlie, landed at Weimouth, and on the fift day of
March came to London to the quéene. In the quindene of Easter, he held
a parlement at Westminster, in which he created his eldest sonne Edward
prince of Wales. In this parlement were diuerse matters talked of, and
speciallie concerning wools, and of the assessement of a certeine price
of them, more and lesse, according to the seuerall parts of the realme,
and of the customes to be made of them, to wit, thrée marks and an
halfe, for euerie sacke to be transported foorth of the realme.
[Sidenote: Ambassadors appointed to go to the pope.]
Also in the same parlement were ambassadors appointed foorth, such as
should go to the pope to treat of peace (as in the charter of the truce
among other articles it was conteined) whose names follow, Iohn bishop
of Excester, Henrie de Lancaster earle of Derbie, Hugh le Dispenser
lord of Glamorgan, cousins to the king; Rafe lord Stafford, William de
Norwich deane of Lincolne, William Trussell knight, and master Andrew
de Vfford a ciuillian. These persons were sent with commission to the
pope, to treat with him, not as pope, nor as iudge, but as a priuat
person, and a common fréend to both parts, to be a meane or mediator,
to find out some indifferent end of all controuersie betwixt the
parties. The date of their commission was at Westminster, the foure and
twentith of Maie, in this seauentéenth yeare of the kings reigne.
Moreouer, in this parlement a gréeuous complaint was exhibited, by the
earles, barons, knights, burgesses, and other of the commons, for that
strangers, by vertue of reseruations and prouisions apostolike, got the
best benefices of this land into their hands, and neuer came at them,
nor bare any charges due for the same, but diminishing the treasure of
the realme, and conueieng it foorth, sore indamaged the whole state.
The bishops durst not, or would not giue their consents in exhibiting
this complaint, but rather séemed to stand against it, till the king
compelled them to giue ouer.
Herevpon, a letter was framed by the lords of the temporaltie and
commons, which they directed vnto the pope in all humble manner,
beséeching him to consider of the derogation doone to the realme of
England, by such reseruations, prouisions, and collations of benefices,
as had béen practised here in England. And therefore sith the churches
of England had béene founded and endowed by noble and worthie men
in times past, to the end the people might be instructed by such as
were of their owne language, and that he being so farre off, and not
vnderstanding the default, had (like as some of his predecessors
more than in times past had béene accustomed) granted by diuerse
reseruations, prouisions, and collations, the churches and spirituall
promotions of this land vnto diuerse persons, some strangers, yea,
and enimies to the realme, whereby the monie and profits were carried
foorth, the cures not prouided for, almes withdrawne, hospitalitie
decaied, the temples and other buildings belonging to the churches
ruinated and fallen downe, the charitie and deuotion of the people
sore diminished, and diuerse other gréeuous enormities thereby
growne cleane contrarie to the founders minds: wherefore, vpon due
consideration thereof had, they signified to him, that they could not
suffer such enormities any longer, & therefore besought him wholie
to reuoke such reseruations, prouisions, collations, to auoid such
slanders, mischéefes, and harmes as might insue, and that the cures
might therewith be committed to persons méet for the exercise of the
same: further also, beséeching him without delaie, to signifie his
intention, sith they meant to imploie their diligence to remedie the
matter, and to sée that redresse might be had according to reason. The
date of these letters was in full parlement at Westminster, the eight
and twentith of Maie, in the yeare of Grace 1343.
[Sidenote: Sir Iohn Shordich sent to the pope.]
Beside these letters, were other written, and sent from the king,
conteining in summe, the tenor of the other aboue mentioned, and one
sir Iohn Shordich, knight a graue personage and well séene in the law,
was appointed to go with the same, who comming to Auignion, and there
presenting his letters in the popes priuie chamber, where the pope sat,
with all his cardinals about him, receiued no great courteous welcome,
after his letters were once read. And whie? Euen bicause the c[=o]tents
of the same misliked his mind, tending to the impairing of his vsurped
profits & c[=o]modities from time to time in this land,
Ambitiosus enim sibi totum vendicat orbem,
Seq; (scelus) Christo clamitat esse parem.
[Sidenote: The Popes words to Sir Iohn Shordich.]
[Sidenote: Of benefices inhibited by the king.]
Now when the knight made answer to such words as he heard the pope
vtter, and charged him with giuing the deanrie of Yorke vnto one that
was reputed the kings enimie, the pope said; "Well, it is not vnknowne
to vs who made and indited these letters, and we know that thou madest
them not, but there is one that pincheth at vs, and we shall punish
him well inough: we know all." Herevnto he added thus much more, that
"there was a knight that spake defamous words of him, and the church
of Rome, wherewith he séemed highlie offended." To conclude, he said,
"that he would answer the letters of the king and commons, as touching
the points conteined in the same." The cardinals, after they had heard
these things, departed as if they had béene sore offended and troubled
therewith: and the knight taking his leaue of the pope, departed also
foorth of the chamber, and without anie longer abode, got him awaie
toward Burdeaux, about other of the kings businesse, doubting least if
he had staied longer, he might haue béene kept there against his will.
The pope sent answer indéed, but neuerthelesse, the king procéeded in
prohibiting such prouisions, and collations within his realme, on paine
of imprisonment and death to the intrudors thereby, as after ye shall
perceiue.
[Sidenote: Iusts in Smithfield.]
[Sidenote: 1344.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 18.]
[Sidenote: _Th. Walsing._]
[Sidenote: A chamber built within the castell of Windsore, called the
round table.]
[Sidenote: _I. Stow_ out of Henrie de Leicester. The Ile of Man.]
This yeare about Midsummer, there were solemne iusts proclaimed by
the lord Robet Morley, which were holden in Smithféeld, where for
challengers came foorth one apparelled like to the pope, bringing with
him twelue other in garments like to cardinals, which tooke vpon them
to answer all commers, for thrée courses. On the defendants side, ran
the prince of Wales, with manie earls, barons, knights and esquires
innumerable, so that those iusts continued thrée daies togither, to the
great pleasure of the beholders. ¶ This yeare, king Edward ordeined a
certeine new coine of gold, which he named the floren, that is, the
penie of six shillings eight pence, the halfe penie of the value of
thrée shillings foure pence, and the farthing of the value of twentie
pence. This coine was ordeined for his wars in France, the gold whereof
was not so fine as the noble, which in the fourtéenth yeare of his
reigne he had caused for to be coined. This yeare, the king caused
a great number of artificers and labourers to be taken vp, whome he
set in hand to build a chamber in the castell of Windsore, which was
called the round table, the floore whereof, from the center or middle
point, vnto the compasse throughout, the one halfe was (as Walsingham
writeth) an hundred foot, and so the diameter or compasse round about,
was two hundred foot. The expenses of this worke amounted by the wéeke,
first vnto an hundred pounds, but afterward by reason of the wars that
followed, the charges was diminished vnto two and twentie pounds the
wéeke (as Thomas Walsingham writeth in his larger booke, intituled, the
historie of England) or (as some copies haue) vnto 9 pounds. This yéere
also, W. Montacute earle of Salisburie conquered the Ile of Man, out of
the hands of the Scots, which Ile the king gaue vnto the said earle,
and caused him to be intituled, and crowned king of Man. ¶ This Ile (as
Robert Southwell noteth) was woone by the Scots, about the second yeare
of Edward the second his reigne, who in the yeare before, to wit, anno
Christi 1307, had giuen the same Ile vnto Péers de Gaueston, whom he
had also made earle of Cornewall.
[Sidenote: Iusts & tornies holden at Windsore.]
[Sidenote: The order of the garter founded.]
Moreouer, about the beginning of this eightéenth yeare of his reigne,
king Edward held a solemne feast at his castell of Windsore, where
betwixt Candlemasse and Lent, were atchiued manie martiall feasts,
and iusts, tornaments, and diuerse other the like warlike pastimes,
at the which were present manie strangers of other lands, and in the
end thereof, he deuised the order of the garter, and after established
it, as it is at this daie. There are six and twentie companions or
confrers of this felowship of that order, being called knights of
the blew garter, & as one dieth or is depriued, an other is admitted
into his place. The K. of England is euer chéefe of this order. They
weare a blew robe or mantell, & a garter about their left leg, richlie
wrought with gold and pretious stones, hauing this inscription in
French vpon it, Honi soit qui mal y pense, Shame come to him that euill
thinketh. This order is dedicated to S. George, as chéefe patrone of
men of warre, and therefore euerie yeare doo the knights of this order
kéepe solemne his feast, with manie noble ceremonies at the castell of
Windsore, where king Edward founded a colledge of canons, or rather
augmenting the same, ordeined therein a deane with twelue canons
secular, eight peticanons, and thirtéene vicars, thirtéene clearks, and
thirtéene choristers.
The knights haue certeine lawes and rules apperteining to their order,
amongst the which this is chéeflie to be obserued (as Polydor also
noteth) that they shall aid and defend one another, and neuer turne
their backes or runne awaie out of the field in time of battell, where
he is present with his souereigne lord, his lieutenant or deputie,
or other capteine, hauing the kings power roiall and authoritie, and
whereas his banners, standards, or pennons are spred. The residue
of the lawes and rules apperteining vnto this noble order, I doo
here purposelie omit, for that the same in [1] an other place more
conuenient is expressed, so far as may be thought expedient. But now
touching these six and twentie noble men & knights, which were first
chosen and admitted into the same order, by the first founder thereof,
this king Edward the third, their names are as followeth.
[1] Looke in the description of Britaine.
[Sidenote: _In Angl. prælijs sub Edwardo 3._]
First the said noble prince king Edward the third, the prince of Wales
duke of Cornewall and earle of Chester his eldest sonne, Henrie duke
of Lancaster, the earle of Warwike, the capitall de Beuch aliàs Buz or
Beufe, Rafe earle of Stafford, William Montacute earle of Salisburie,
Roger lord Mortimer, Iohn lord Lisle, Bartholomew lord Burwasch or
Berghesech, the lord Iohn Beauchampe, the lord de Mahun, Hugh lord
Courtnie, Thomas lord Holand, Iohn lord Graie, Richard lord Fitz Simon,
sir Miles Stapleton, sir Thomas Walle, sir Hugh Wrottesley, sir Néele
Loring, sir Iohn Chandos, Iames lord Audelie, sir Otes Holand, sir
Henrie Eme, sir Sanchet Dabrichcourt, sir Walter Panell. ¶ Christopher
Okland speaking of the first institution of this honorable order, dooth
saie, that after foure daies were expired in the said exercises of
chiualrie, the king besides the rich garter which he bestowed vpon them
that tried maisteries, did also giue them a pretious collar of S S. but
whether this collar had his first institution then with the garter he
saith nothing, belike it was an ornament of greater antiquitie. Oklands
words are these as followeth;
---- ---- concertatoribus ampla
Præmia dat princeps, baccatas induit illis
Crura periscelides, quas vnio mistus Eous
Commendat, flammis interlucente pyropo.
Præterea ex auro puro, quòd odorifer Indus
Miserat, inserta donabat iaspide gemma,
Si formam spectes duplicato ex sygmate torques.
[Sidenote: The occasion that mooued K. Edward to institute the order of
the garter.]
¶ The cause and first originall of instituting this order is
vncerteine. But there goeth a tale amongst the people, that it rose
by this means. It chanced that K. Edward finding either the garter
of the quéene, or of some[2] ladie with whom he was in loue, being
fallen from hir leg, stooped downe and tooke it vp, whereat diuerse of
his nobles found matter to iest, and to talke their fansies merilie,
touching the kings affection towards the woman, vnto whome he said,
that if he liued, it should come so passe, that most high honor should
be giuen vnto them for the garters sake: and there vpon shortlie after,
he deuised and ordeined this order of the garter, with such a posie,
wherby he signified, that his nobles iudged otherwise of him than the
truth was. Though some may thinke, that so noble an order had but a
meane beginning, if this tale be true, yet manie honorable degrées of
estates haue had their beginnings of more base and meane things, than
of loue, which being orderlie vsed, is most noble and commendable, sith
nobilitie it selfe is couered vnder loue, as the poet Ouid aptlie saith,
[2] The countes of Salisburie.
[Sidenote: 1345.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 19.]
Nobilitas sub amore iacet.
[Sidenote: Additions to _Adam Merimuth_, and _Triuet._]
William de Montacute earle of Salisburie king of Man, and marshall of
England, was so brused at the iusts holden here at Windsore (as before
ye haue heard) that he departed this life, the more was the pitie,
within eight daies after. ¶ The king about the same time, to wit, in
the quindene of Candlemasse, held a councell at London, in the which
with good aduise and sound deliberation had vpon the complaint of the
commons to him before time made, he gaue out streict commandement,
that no man on paine of imprisonment and death, should in time to
come, present or induct anie such person or persons, that were so
by the pope promoted, without the kings agréement, in preiudice of
his roiall prerogatiue. Héerevpon, he directed also writs to all
archbishops, bishops, abbats, priors, deanes, archdeacons, officials
and other ecclesiasticall persons, to whome it apperteined, inhibiting
them in no wise to attempt anie thing in preiudice of that ordinance,
vnder pretext of anie bulles, or other writings, for such manner of
prouisions to come from the court of Rome. Other writs were also
directed to his sonne the prince of Wales, and to all the shiriffes
within the realme, for to arrest all such as brought into the land any
such buls or writings, and to bring them before the kings councell or
his iustices, where they might be punished according to the trespasse
by them committed.
[Sidenote: Coine changed.]
About the same time, the king ordeined a certeine coine of fine gold,
and named it the floren, which coine was deuised for his warres in
France, for the gold thereof was not so fine as was the noble, which
in the fourtéenth yeare he had caused to be coined: but this coine
continued not long. ¶ After the feast of the holie Trinitie, the king
held a parlement at London, in the which he asked a tenth of the
cleargie, and a fiftéenth of the laitie, about which demand there was
no small altercation, but at length he had it granted for one yeare.
¶ At the same time, the archbishop of Canturburie held a conuocation
of all the cleargie at London, in the which manie things were in talke
about the honest demeanor of churchmen, which sildome is obserued,
as the addition to Nicholas Triuet saith. About the feast of the
Assumption of our ladie, the king disanulled the florens, to the great
commoditie of his kingdome, ordeining a greater floren of halfe a
marke, and a lesser of thrée shillings foure pence, and the least of
all of twentie pence, and these were called nobles, and not without
cause, for they were a noble coine, of faire & fine gold.
This yeare, on the seauentéenth daie of Nouember, the pope in Auinion
created the lord Lewes de Spaine, ambassador for the French king,
prince of the Iles called Fortunatæ, for what purpose it was not
knowne, but it was doubted, not to be for anie good meaning towards
the kingdome of England, the prosperitie whereof, the same pope was
suspected not greatlie to wish. ¶ About the beginning of Lent the same
yeare, the said pope had sent an archbishop and a bishop, ambassadors
to the king, who met them at Ospring in Kent, and to the end they
should not linger long within the realme, he quicklie dispatched them
without effect of their message. ¶ This yeare, shortlie after Easter,
the duke of Britaine, that had béene deteined prisoner by the French
king, and escaped out of prison, came ouer into England. ¶ And about
the same time, the king ordeined the exchange of monies at London,
Canturburie, and Yorke, to the great commoditie of his people.
[Sidenote: _Auesburie._]
[Sidenote: _Ad. Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: _Polychron._]
[Sidenote: Fiue hundred men of armes and two thousand archers saith
_Froissard._]
[Sidenote: Bergerat woone.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
About Midsummer, or (as other haue) Michaelmas, the earle of Derbie,
with the earle of Penbroke, the lord Rafe Stafford, the lord Walter
de Mannie, the lord Iohn Graie of Codnore, and diuerse other lords,
knights, and esquires, to the number of fiue or six hundred men of
armes, and as manie archers, sailed ouer into Gascoine, to assist the
kings subiects there against the Frenchmen. This earle of Derbie,
being generall of the armie, after his arriuall in Gascoine, about the
beginning of December, wan the towne of Bergerat by force, hauing put
to flight the earle of Lisle, as then the French kings lieutenant in
Gascoine, who laie there with a great power, to defend the passage:
but being driuen into the towne, and hauing lost the suburbes to the
Englishmen, he fled out in the night, and so left the towne, without
anie souldiers to defend it, so that the townesmen yéelded it vnto the
earle of Derbie, and sware themselues to be true liege men vnto the
king of England. After this, the earle of Derbie passed further into
the countrie, and wan diuerse castels and towns, as Lango, le Lake,
Moundurant, Monguise, Punach, Laliew, Forsath, Pondair, Beaumont in
Laillois, Bounall, Auberoch and Liborne, part of them by assault, and
the residue by surrender. This doone, he returned to Burdeaux, hauing
left capteins and souldiers in such places as he had woone.
This yeare, the king sent foorth a commission vnto certeine persons in
euerie countie within the realme, to inquire what lands and tenements
euerie man, aboue fiue pounds of yéerelie reuenues, being of the laie
fée, might dispend; bicause he had giuen order, that euerie man which
might dispend fiue pounds and aboue, vnto ten pounds of such yéerelie
reuenues in land of the laie fée, should furnish himselfe, or find an
archer on horssebacke, furnished with armour and weapon accordinglie.
He that might dispend ten pounds, should furnish himselfe, or find
a demilance or light horsseman (if I shall so terme him) being then
called a hobler with a lance. And he that might dispend fiue and
twentie pounds, should furnish himselfe or find a man at armes. And he
that might dispend fiftie pounds, should furnish two men at arms. And
he that might dispend an hundred pounds should find thrée men at armes,
that is, himselfe, or one in his stéed, with two other. And such as
might dispend aboue an hundred pounds, were appointed to find more in
number of men at armes, accordinglie as they should be assessed, after
the rate of their lands, which they might yearelie dispend, being of
the laie fée, and not belonging to the church.
[Sidenote: Additions to _Nic. Triuet._]
[Sidenote: The duke of Britaine departed this life.]
[Sidenote: The lord Beaumont of Heinault forsaketh the K. of England
his seruice.]
About this season, the duke of Britaine, hauing with him the earles of
Northampton and Oxenford, sir William de Killesbie one of the kings
secretaries, and manie other barons and knights, with a great number
of men of armes, passed ouer into Britaine, against the lord Charles
de Blois, where they tarried a long time, and did little good to make
anie accompt of, by reason that the duke, in whose quarrell they came
into those parts, shortlie after his arriuall there, departed this
life, and so they returned home into England. But after their comming
from thence, sir Thomas Dagworth knight, that had béene before, and
now after the departure of those lords and nobles, still remained the
kings lieutenant there, so behaued himselfe against both Frenchmen and
Britains, that the memorie of his worthie dooings deserueth perpetuall
commendation. Sir Iohn de Heinault lord Beaumont, about the same
time, changed his cote, and leauing the king of Englands seruice, was
reteined by the French king.
[Sidenote: The king goeth ouer into Flanders.]
[Sidenote: _Ia. Mair._]
In this ninetéenth yeare of king Edward I find, that about the feast
of the Natiuitie of saint Iohn Baptist, he sailed ouer into Flanders,
leauing his sonne the lord Lionell, warden of the realme in his
absence. He tooke with him a great number of lords, knights, and
gentlemen, with whome he landed at Sluse. The cause of his going ouer
was, to further a practise which he had in hand with them of Flanders,
the which by the labour of Iaques Arteueld, meant to cause their earle
Lewes, either to doo homage vnto king Edward; or else if he refused,
then to disherit him, and to receiue Edward prince of Wales for their
lord, the eldest sonne of king Edward.
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: A councell holden in the king of Englands ship.]
King Edward promising to make a dukedome of the countie of Flanders,
for an augmentation of honour to the countrie, there came vnto Sluse to
the king, Iaques van Arteueld, and a great number of other, appointed
as councellors for their chéefest townes. The king with all his
nauie lay in the hauen of Sluse, where, in his great ship called the
Catharine, a councell was holden vpon this foresaid purpose: but at
length, those of the councellors of the chéefest townes misliked the
matter so much, that they would conclude nothing, but required respit
for a moneth, to consult with all the comunaltie of the countries and
townes, and as the more part should be inclined, so should the king
receiue answer. The king and Iaques Arteueld would faine haue had a
shorter daie, and a more towardlie answer, but none other could be
gotten.
[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._]
[Sidenote: Welshmen appointed to Iaques Arteueld for a gard against
Gerard Denise.]
Herevpon the councell brake vp, and Iaques Arteueld tarieng with the
king a certeine space, after the other were departed, promised him
to persuade the countrie well inough to his purpose, and suerlie, he
had a great gift of eloquence, and had thereby induced the countrie
wonderfullie, to consent to manie things, as well in fauour of king
Edward, as to his owne aduancement: but this suit which he went now
about to bring to passe, was so odious vnto all the Flemings, that
in no wise they thought it reason to consent vnto the disheriting of
the earle. At length, when Iaques Arteueld should returne vnto Gant,
king Edward appointed fiue hundred Welshmen to attend him as a gard,
for the preseruation of his person, bicause he said, that one Gerard
Denise deane of the weauers, an vnquiet man, maliciouslie purposed his
destruction.
[Sidenote: Iacob Arteuelds house beset.]
Capteins of these Welshmen were Iohn Matreuers, and William Sturine
or Sturrie, and so with this crue of souldiers Arteueld returned
vnto Gant, and earnestlie went in hand with his suit in king Edwards
behalfe, that either the earle should doo his homage to the king of
England to whome it was due; or else to forfeit his earledome. Then
the foresaid Gerard, as well of his owne mind, as procured thereto by
the authoritie of earle Lewes, stirred the whole citie against the
said Arteueld, and gathering a great power vnto him, came and beset
Arteuelds house round about vpon each side, the furie of the people
being wonderfullie bent against him, crieng; "Kill him, Kill him that
hath robbed the tresurie of the countrie, and now goeth about to
disherit our noble earle."
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: _I. Meir._]
[Sidenote: Iacob van Arteueld slaine.]
Iaques van Arteueld perceiuing in what danger he was, came vnto a
window, and spake to that inraged multitude, in hope with faire and
courteous words to appease them, but it could not be: whervpon he
sought to haue fled out of his house, but the same was broken vp, and
so manie entred vpon him, that he was found out, and slaine by one
Thomas Denise (as some write.) But other affirme, that on a sundaie
in the after noone, being the 17 of Iulie, a cobler, whose father
this Iaques van Arteueld had sometime slaine, followed him, as he was
fléeing into a stable where his horsses stood, & there with an ax cloue
his head asunder, so that he fell downe starke dead on the ground.
And this was the end of the foresaid Iaques van Arteueld, who by his
wisdome and policie had obteined the whole gouernment of all Flanders.
This wofull end was allotted vnto him by destinie, whose decrée nothing
is able by any shift to auoid, as is notablie said of the poet in this
distichon;
[Sidenote: _M. Pal. in scor._]
Nil extra fatum est, metitúrque omnia summi
Mens regis, cuius sine numine fit nihil vsquam.
[Sidenote: Ambassadors from the good townes in Flanders vnto king
Edward.]
There were slaine also ten other persons that were of his councell, and
diuerse of the Welshmen in like manner; but the other escaped, and got
awaie vnto king Edward, as yet remaining at Sluse, vnto whome those
of Bruges, Cassell, Curtrike, Ypres, Aldenard, and other townes, did
afterwards sent their orators to excuse themselues, as nothing guiltie
nor priuie to the death of his fréend, and their worthie gouernor
Iaques van Arteueld, requiring him not to impute the fault vnto the
whole countrie, which the rash and vnaduised Gantiners had committed,
sith the countrie of Flanders was as readie now to doo him seruice and
pleasure as before, sauing that to the disheriting of their earle they
could not be agréeable, but they doubted not to persuade him to doo
his homage vnto the king of England, and till then they promised not
to receiue him. They put the king also in hope of a mariage to be had,
betwixt the sonne of their earle, and some one of the kings daughters.
Herewith the king of England (who was departed from Sluse, in great
displeasure with the Flemings) became somewhat pacified in his mood,
and so renewed the league eftsoons with the countrie of Flanders: but
the earle would neuer consent to doo homage vnto the king of England,
but still sticked to the French kings part, which purchased him much
trouble, and in the end cost him his life, as after shall appeare.
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: Auberoch besieged.]
[Sidenote: The French armie distressed, and the earle of Lisle taken.]
But now to returne vnto the earle of Derbie, whome we left in
Gascoigne. Ye shall vnderstand, that shortlie after he was come backe
to Burdeaux, from the conquest which he had made of Bergerat, and other
townes thereabouts; the earle of Lisle, who (as ye haue heard) was
the French kings lieutenant in that countrie, assembled an armie of
twelue thousand men, & comming before Auberoch, (a towne in Gascoigne)
besieged it, sore pressing them within, in somuch that they were in
great danger to haue béene taken, if the earle of Derbie, hauing
knowlege in what case they stood, had not come to their rescue, who
with thrée hundred speares or men of armes, as we maie call them, and
six hundred archers, approching néere to the siege, laid himselfe
closelie within a wood, till the Frenchmen in the euening were at
supper, & then suddenlie set vpon them in their campe, and discomfited
them, so that the earle of Lisle was taken in his owne tent, and sore
hurt. There were also taken the earle of Valentinois, and other earles,
vicounts, and lords of great accompt, to the number of nine, besides
those that were slaine. The residue were put to flight and chased,
so that the Englishmen had a faire iournie, and wan great riches by
prisoners and spoile of the enimies campe.
[Sidenote: Towns woon by the earle of Derbie.]
[Sidenote: Angolesme.]
After this, the earle of Derbie, being returned to Burdeaux, and hauing
put the captiues in safe kéeping, assembled his power, and marching
foorth into the countrie, towards the Rioll (a towne in those parts
which he meant to besiege) he wan diuerse towns and castels by the way,
as saint Basill, Roch, Million, Montsegure, Aguillon, & Segart. At
length he came to the towne of the Rioll, which he besieged, and laie
about it nine wéekes yer he could win it, and then was the same towne
surrendered into his hands, but the castell was still defended against
him for the space of eleuen wéekes, at which time being sore oppressed
& vndermined, it was yéelded by them within conditionallie, that they
should depart onelie with their armour. After this, the earle of Derbie
wan Montpesance, Mauleon, Ville-Franche in Agenois, Miremont, Thomines,
the castell of Damassen, and at length came before the citie of
Angolesme the which made appointment with the earle, that if no succors
came from the French king within the space of a moneth, that then the
citie should be surrendered to the king of Englands vse: and to assure
this appointment, they deliuered to the earle foure and twentie of
their chéefe citizens as hostages.
[Sidenote: Blaues.]
In the meane time, the earle laid siege to Blaues, but could not win
it. His men rode abroad into the countrie, to Mortaigne, Mirabeau, and
Aunay, but wan little, and so returned againe to the siege of Blaues.
Now when the month was expired, that they of Angolesme should yéeld,
the earle sent his two marshals thither, who receiued the homage and
fealtie of the citizens, in the king of Englands name, and so they
were in peace, and receiued againe their hostages. At length when the
earle of Derbie saw that he did but lose his time in the besieging of
Blaues, which sir Guischart Dangle, and sir Guilliaume de Rochfort,
being capteins within, did so valiantlie defend, that he could obteine
no aduantage of them, he raised his siege, and returned vnto Burdeaux,
hauing furnished such townes as he had woone in that iournie with
conuenient garisons of men to defend them against the enimies, and to
kéepe frontier warre, as they should sée cause.
[Sidenote: _Froissard_ saith they were an hundred thousand.]
[Sidenote: _Gio. Villani_ writeth that they were a six thousand horsmen
and fiftie thousand footemen, of Frenchmen, Gascoignes & Lombardes.]
[Sidenote: _Annales de Burgoigne._]
[Sidenote: 1346.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 20.]
[Sidenote: Angolisme recouered by the Frenchmen. Damassen. Thonins.]
[Sidenote: Aiguillon besieged.]
The French king being sore moued at the conquests thus atchiued by the
earle of Derbie, raised a mightie armie, and sent the same foorth,
vnder the leading of his sonne the duke of Normandie, into Gascoigne,
to resist the said earle, and to recouer againe those townes which he
had woone in those parts. The duke of Normandie being come to Tholouz,
where generall assemblie was appointed, set forward with his armie,
and winning by the waie Miremount, and Ville Franche in Agenois; at
length came to the citie of Angolesme, which he inuironed about with
a strong siege, continuing the same, till finallie, the capiteine
named Iohn Normell, required a truce to indure for one daie, which was
granted, and the same was the daie of the Purification of our ladie,
on the which, the same capiteine, with the souldiers of the garrison
departed, and left the citie in the citizens hands. The Frenchmen,
bicause they had granted the truce to indure for that daie without
exception, permitted them to go their waies without let or vexation.
The citizens in the morning yéelded the citie to the duke. After this,
he wan the castell of Damassen, Thonins, and Port S. Marie; Thonins by
surrender, and the other two by force of assaults. Then he came to the
strong castell of Aiguillon, which he besieged, and laie thereat a long
season. Within was the earle of Penbroke, the lord Walter de Mannie,
sir Franke de Halle, and diuerse knights and capteins, which defended
themselues, and the place so stoutlie, that the Frenchmen could win
little aduantage at their hands.
[Sidenote: _Gio. Villani._]
[Sidenote: The archdeacon of Vnfort.]
[Sidenote: Frenchmen discomfited.]
Whilest the siege continued before this fortresse, the seneshall of
Guien departed from the campe, with eight hundred horssemen, and foure
thousand footmen, purposing to win a castell, belonging to a nephue of
the cardinall Della Motte, a twelue leagues distant from Aiguillon. The
archdeacon of Vnfort, owner of that castell, went to the Rioll, where
the earle of Derbie with his armie as then was lodged, to whome he
made suit, to haue some power of men to rescue his castell. The earle
appointed to him a sufficient number, both of horssemen, and also of
English archers, with whome the said archdeacon rode all the night, and
the next morning betimes, being the one and thirtith of Iulie, they
came to the castell where the Frenchmen were arriued the daie before,
and had fiercelie assailed the castell, dooing their best to win it by
force. But the Englishmen without anie delaie, immediatlie vpon their
comming, set vpon the Frenchmen, and gaue them so sharpe and fierce
battell, that in the end, the Frenchmen were discomfited: the seneshall
with manie other gentlemen were taken prisoners, beside those that were
slaine. To conclude, the number of them that were slaine, and taken
prisoners in the whole, amounted to foure hundred horssemen, and two
thousand footmen. Sir Godfrey de Harcourt being constreined to flée out
of France, to auoid the French kings displeasure, came ouer vnto the
king of England, who receiued him verie ioifullie, for he was knowne to
be a right valiant and a wise personage. He was brother to the earle
of Harecourt, lord of saint Sauiour le Vicount, and of diuerse other
townes in Normandie. A little before that he fell into the French kings
displeasure, he might haue doone with the king of France, more than
anie other lord within that realme.
[Sidenote: Additions to _Adam Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: Purueiers punished.]
[Sidenote: Iustices.]
[Sidenote: A parlement.]
[Sidenote: Cardinals.]