so that he gaue the prisoners vnto hir to doo hir pleasure with them.
Then the quéene commanded them to be brought into hir chamber, and
caused the halters to be taken from their necks, clothed them anew,
gaue them their dinner, and bestowing vpon ech of them six nobles,
appointed them to be conueied out of the host in safegard, and set at
libertie.
[Sidenote: Calis yéelded to the king of England.]
[Sidenote: Calis made a colonie of Englishmen. The quéene brought to
bed in the castell of Calis.]
Thus was the strong towne of Calis yéelded vp into the hands of king
Edward, the third of August, in the yeare 1347. The capteine the lord
Iohn de Vienne, and all the other capteins and men of name were staied
as prisoners, and the common soldiers and other meane people of the
towne were licenced to depart and void their houses, leauing all their
armor and riches behind them. The king would not haue any of the old
inhabitants to remaine in the towne, saue onlie a priest, and two
other ancient personages, such as best knew the customes, lawes and
ordinances of the towne. He appointed to send ouer thither amongst
other Englishmen, there to inhabit, 36 burgesses of London, and those
of the wealthiest sort, for he meant to people the towne onelie with
Englishmen, for the better and more sure defense thereof. The king and
quéene were lodged in the castell, and continued there, till the quéene
was deliuered of a daughter named Margaret.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._]
[Sidenote: A truce. Women hard to agrée.]
[Sidenote: Sir Amerie de Pauie.]
The cardinals, of whome ye heard before, being come as legats from pope
Clement to mooue communication of peace, did so much in the matter,
that a truce was granted betwixt the realme of England & France, for
the terme of twelue moneths, or two yeares (as Froissard saith.) But
the English chronicle and Iacobus Meir séeme to agrée, that this
truce was taken but for nine moneths, though afterwards the same was
proroged. To the which truce all parties agréed, Britaine excepted,
for the two women there would not be quieted, but still pursued the
war the one against the other. After that this truce was accorded,
the king with the quéene his wife returned into England, and left as
capteine within Calis one sir Amerie of Pauie an Italian knight, or
(as other bookes haue) he was but capteine of the castell, or of some
one of the towers of that towne, which séemeth more like to be true,
than that the king should commit the whole charge of the towne vnto his
gouernement, being a stranger borne, and therefore Iacobus Meir is the
more to be credited, that writeth how sir Amerie of Pauie was left but
in charge with the castell onelie, and that the towne was committed to
the kéeping of the lord Iohn Beauchampe, and Lewes his brother.
[Sidenote: 1348.]
[Sidenote: _Thom. Walsi._]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 22.]
[Sidenote: Great raine.]
[Sidenote: 1349.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 23.]
[Sidenote: A great mortalitie.]
[Sidenote: Dearth.]
But now that there was a peace thus concluded betwixt the two kings, it
séemed to the English people that the sunne breake foorth after a long
cloudie season, by reason both of the great plentie of althings, and
remembrance of the late glorious victories: for there were few women
that were housekéepers within this land, but they had some furniture
of houshold that had béene brought to them out of France as part of
the spoile got in Caen, Calis, Carenten, or some other good towne. And
beside houshold stuffe, the English maides and matrones were bedecked
and trimmed vp in French womens iewels and apparell, so that as the
French women lamented for the losse of those things, so our women
reioised of the gaine. In this 22 yeare, from Midsummer to Christmasse
for the more part it continuallie rained, so that there was not one day
and night drie togither, by reason whereof great flouds insued, and the
ground therewith was sore corrupted, and manie inconueniences insued,
as great sickenes, and other, in somuch that in the yeare following in
France the people died woonderfullie in diuerse places. In Italie also,
and in manie other countries, as well in the lands of the infidels,
as in christendome, this grieuous mortalitie reigned to the great
destruction of people. ¶ About the end of August, the like death began
in diuerse places of England, and especiallie in London, continuing so
for the space of twelue moneths following. And vpon that insued great
barrennesse, as well of the sea, as the land, neither of them yéelding
such plentie of things as before they had doone. Whervpon vittels and
corne became scant and hard to come by.
[Sidenote: A practise to betraie Calis.]
About the same time died Iohn Stretford archbishop of Canturburie,
after whome succéeded Iohn Vfford, who liued not in that dignitie
past ten moneths, and then followed Thomas Bredwardin, who deceassed
within one yeare after his consecration, so that then Simon Islep
was consecrated archbishop by pope Clement the sixt, being the 53
archbishop that had sit in that seat. Within a while after, William
archbishop of Yorke died: in whose place succéeded Iohn Torsbie, being
the 44 archbishop that had gouerned that church. Moreouer in this 23
yeare of king Edwards reigne, the great mortalitie in England still
continuing, there was a practise in hand for recouering againe of Calis
to the French kings possession. The lord Geffrie of Charnie lieng in
the towne of S. Omers, did practise with sir Amerie de Pauie, to be
receiued into the towne of Calis by the castell, secretlie in the night
season. The Italian gaue eare to the lord Geffrie his sute; and to make
few words, couenanted for the summe of twentie thousand crownes to
betraie the towne vnto him, in such sort as he could best deuise.
[Sidenote: Diuersitie in writers.]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The king secretlie passeth ouer to Calis.]
[Sidenote: The lord Geffrie de Charnie.]
¶ Here writers varie: for Froissard saith that king Edward had
information thereof, before that sir Amerie de Pauie vttered the thing
himselfe; but the French chronicles, and also other writers affirme,
that the Italian aduertised the king of all the drift and matter
betwixt him & the lord Geffrie of Charnie, before he went through with
the bargaine. But whether by him or by other, truth it is the king was
made priuie to the matter at Hauering Bower in Essex (where he kept the
feast of Christmasse) & therevpon departing from thence, he came to
Douer, and the daie before the night of the appointment made for the
deliuerie of the castell of Calis (hauing secretlie made his prouision)
he tooke shipping, and landed the same night at Calis, in so secret
maner, that but few of the towne vnderstood of his arriuall, he brought
with him out of England thrée hundred men of armes, and six hundred
archers, whom he laid in chambers and towers within the castell, so
closelie that few or none perceiued it, the maner he knew by sir Amerie
de Pauie his aduertisements (accordinglie as it was agréed betwixt
them) that the lord Geffrie of Charnie was appointed to come and enter
the towne that night, for the king had commanded sir Amerie to procéed
in merchandizing with the said lord Charnie, and onelie to make him
priuie of the day & houre in the which the feat should be wrought.
[Sidenote: 1350.]
[Sidenote: Sir Edward de Rentie.]
[Sidenote: The king crieth Mannie to the rescue.]
The lord Geffrie de Charnie being couenanted that he should be receiued
into Calis the first night of the new yeare, departed from S. Omers,
where he had assembled fiue hundred speares, the last day of December
toward night, and so in secret wise he passed foorth, till about the
middest of the next night after, he approched néere to Calis, and
sending an hundred men of armes to take possession of the castell, and
to paie the Italian his twentie thousand crownes, came to the posterne
of the castell, where sir Amerie de Pauie hauing let downe the posterne
bridge, was readie to bring them in by the same posterne, and so the
hundred men of armes entered, and sir Edward de Rentie deliuered to the
Italian his twentie thousand crownes in a bag, who when he had cast the
crownes into a coffer (for he had no leisure to tell them) he brought
the Frenchmen into the dungeon of the castell, as it were to possesse
them of the chéefest strength of the fortresse. Within this dungeon or
tower was the king of England closelie laid, with two hundred men of
armes, who issued out with their swords and axes in their hands, crieng
Mannie to the rescue, for the king had so ordeined, that both he and
his sonne should fight vnder the banner of the lord Walter de Mannie,
as chéefe of that enterprise.
[Sidenote: The earles of Stafford and Suffolke, the lords Montacute,
Berkley and la Ware.]
[Sidenote: The Frenchmen alight on foot.]
Then were the Frenchmen greatlie abashed, in such wise, that perceiuing
how no defense might aduance them, they yéelded themselues without
any great shew of resistance. Herewith the Englishmen issued out of
the castell into the towne, and mounted on horssebacke, for they had
the French prisoners horsses, and then the archers road to Bullongne
gate, where the lord Geffrie was with his banner before him of gules
thrée scutchens siluer. He had great desire to be the first that should
enter the towne: but shortlie the king of England with the prince his
son was readie at the gate, vnder the banner of the lord Walter de
Mannie to assaile him. There were also other banners, as the earles of
Stafford and Suffolke, the lord Iohn Montacute brother to the earle
of Salisburie, the lord Beauchampe, the lord Berkley, and the lord de
la Ware. Then the great gate was set open, and they all issued foorth
crieng Mannie to the rescue. The Frenchmen perceiuing that they were
betraied, alighted from their horsses, and put themselues in order
of battell on foot, determining to fight it out like valiant men of
war. The king perceiuing this, caused his people likewise to be set in
order of battell, & sent thrée hundred archers to Newland bridge, to
distresse those Frenchmen, which he heard should be there. This was
earelie in the morning but incontinentlie it was daie: the Frenchmen
kept their ground a while, and manie feats of armes were doone of
both parts, but the Englishmen euer increased out of Calis, and the
Frenchmen diminished, so that finallie they were ouercome, as well in
the one place, as in the other.
[Sidenote: Sir Eustace de Ribaum[=o]t a right valiant knight.]
[Sidenote: He is taken prisoner by the king of England.]
[Sidenote: The lord Geffrie de Charnie is taken.]
[Sidenote: Sir Eustace de Ribaumont.]
It chanced that in the hotest of the fight, the king was matched with
sir Eustace de Ribaumont, a right strong and hardie knight. There was
a sore incounter betwixt him and the king, that maruell it was to
behold them. At length they were put asunder, for a great companie
of both parts came that waie, and there fought fiercelie togither.
The Frenchmen did behaue themselues right valiantlie, and especiallie
sir Eustace de Ribaumont: he strake the king that daie twise vpon his
knées, but finallie he was taken prisoner by the king himselfe. The
lord Geffrie of Charnie was also taken prisoner, and wounded right
sore, but the king of his noble courtesie caused him to be dressed by
surgions, and tenderlie looked vnto. There were slaine, sir Henrie
de Blois, and sir Pepin de la Ware, with other, to the number of six
hundred. Monsieur de Memorancie escaped with great danger. Froissard
saieth, that this battell was fought in the yeare 1348, vpon the last
of December, towards the next morning being Newyeares daie: but (as
Auesburie & Walsingham haue, who begin the yeare at our ladie day) this
enterprise chanced 1349, and so consequentlie in the 23 yeare of this
kings reigne. All the prisoners were brought to the castell of Calis,
where the K. the next night gaue them a supper, & made them right
hartie cheare, and gaue to sir Eustace de Ribaumont a rich chaplet of
pearles, which he then did weare on his owne head, in token that he had
best deserued it for his manfull prowes shewed in the fight; & beside
that in fauour of his tried valiancie, he acquit him of his ransome,
and set him at libertie. This fact of the king was roiall in déed, and
his clemencie greatlie to be commended; & therfore it is well said to
this purpose,
Gloria consequitur reges sic bella gerentes,
Sic certare parit decus immortale duello.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 24.]
[Sidenote: The death ceaseth.]
[Sidenote: _Auesburie._]
[Sidenote: Commissioners méet to talke of peace.]
[Sidenote: Men borne with fewer téeth than in times past.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsin._]
[Sidenote: _Polychron._]
[Sidenote: A combat.]
[Sidenote: _Auesburie._]
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]
[Sidenote: A Spanish fléet. Spaniards vanquisht by the K. of England by
sea.]
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]
[Sidenote: _Auesburie._]
About the end of August the death in London ceassed, which had bin
so great & vehement within that citie, that ouer & beside the bodies
buried in other accustomed burieng places (which for their infinit
number cannot be reduced into account) there were buried that yeare
dailie, from Candlemasse till Easter, in the Charterhouse yard of
London, more than two hundred dead corpses. Also this yeare, by the
earnest sute of the two cardinals which were sent (as ye haue heard)
from pope Clement the sixt, a peace was concluded for one yeare. There
met néere vnto Calis for the treatie of this peace, the foresaid two
cardinals, as mediators; and for the king of England, the bishop of
Norwich treasuror and high chancellor of the realme, with others came
thither as commissioners; and in like maner for the French king, there
appeared the bishop of Lion, and the abbat of S. Denise. ¶ This yeare
in August died Philip de Valois the French king. Here is to be noted,
that all those that were borne, after the beginning of that great
mortalitie whereof ye haue heard, wanted foure chéeke téeth (when they
came to the time of growth) of those 32 which the people before that
time commonlie vsed to haue, so that they had but 28. In this 24 yeare
of this kings reigne, there was a combat fought in lists within the
kings palace of Westminster, betwixt the lord Iohn, bastard sonne to
Philip king of France, & a knight of the towne of Ypres in Flanders;
but the bastard had the vpper hand, and vanquished his aduersarie. ¶
About the feast of the decollation of saint Iohn Baptist, king Edward
aduertised of a fléet of Spaniards returning foorth of Flanders,
that was laden with clothes and other riches, assembled a conuenient
power of men of armes and archers, & at Sandwich tooke the sea with
them, sailing foorth, till vpon the coast of Winchelsie he met with
the Spaniards, and there assailed them; so that betwixt him and those
Spaniards, there was a sore fight, and long continued, to the great
losse of people on both parts; but in the end, the bright beame of
victorie shone vpon the English sailes, so that all the Spaniards were
slaine, for they were so proud and obstinat (as Walsingham affirmeth)
that they would not yéeld, but rather choose to die, & so they did
indéed, either on the Englishmens weapons points, or else were they
drowned there in the sea, six and twentie of their ships were taken,
in the which was found great store of good ware and riches. And so the
king thought himselfe well reuenged of the Spaniards, which in the
last yeare about Alhallontide, had entred into the riuer of Garons, as
it runneth vp towards Burdeaux, and there finding manie ships fraught
with wines, slue all the Englishmen they found aboord, and tooke awaie
the ships with them: which iniurie mooued the king to enterprise this
exploit now at this time against them.
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: Sir Thomas Dagworth slaine.]
[Sidenote: Ambassadors sent to the pope.]
About the beginning of August, sir Raoull de Cahors, and diuerse other
knights and esquiers, to the number of six score men of armes, fought
before a castell called Auleon, with sir Thomas Dagworth, and there
slue the same sir Thomas, and to the number of one hundred men of armes
with him. There were sent solemne messengers this yeare vnto Auignion,
for the establishing of a peace, mentioned betwixt the king of England
and France, at the sute of the pope, so that king Edward should haue
resigned his title and claime to the crowne of France, and the French
king should haue giuen ouer vnto him the whole duchie of Guien, to hold
the same fréelie, without knowledging of resort or superioritie, or
dooing any manner of homage for the same: but such delaies were made,
and the sute so prolonged by the pope, that the earle of Derbie, who
with others was sent to him about this matter, returned without spéed
of his purpose for the which he went.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 25.]
[Sidenote: 1351.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
In the fiue and twentith yeare of king Edwards reigne, the Frenchmen
hauing laid siege vnto the towne of saint Iohn Dangeli, the lord
Dalbrets son, hauing assembled six hundred men of armes, Gascoigns
and Englishmen, meant to worke some feat for reliefe of them within,
whervpon, as he was marching through the countrie of Xainctonge néere
vnto Xaincts the eighth of Aprill, or (as other haue) the first, he was
incountered by the lord Guie de Néell, one of the marshals of France,
& other French lords, where at length, the Frenchmen were discomfited,
manie also slaine, and diuerse taken prisoners, of which number was the
said marshall, with his brother the lord William, and sir Arnold de
Dandrehen, beside others, to the number of 300 men of armes, but yet
the siege remained, till for want of vittels the towne was rendered to
the Frenchmen.
[Sidenote: The castell of Guines woone.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
The same yeare in October, an English archer of the garison of Calis,
named Iohn of Dancaster, by licence of the lord deputie of Calis, tooke
with him thréescore persons men of armes and archers, and in the night
that goeth before the feast daie of S. Vincent, in the last quarter of
the same night, he comming to the castell of Guines, found as well the
watch as others fast asléepe, wherevpon he passed a water that adioined
to the castell, wading vp to the girdle, and so came to the wall, where
he & his companie rearing vp ladders, mounted by the same so secretlie,
that slaieng the watch, being not past thrée or foure persons that
were on the wals, they entred the castell, and finding the Frenchmen
asléepe, slue those that vpon their wakening made any defense, and
tooke the residue, whome they suffered to depart: and by this meanes
they wan the castell, finding great store of vittels within, and so as
they found it, they kept it to the king of Englands vse. The French
histories declare, that one Guilliam de Beauconroy that was capteine
of this castell, betraied the place to the Englishmen, for a summe of
monie, and when the French king required restitution bicause the truce
was not yet expired, he was shifted off with this forged answer, that
nothing was excepted by the assurance of the truce, concerning things
that should be bought and sold. The Frenchman that betraied it, was
shortlie after put to execution at Amiens.
[Sidenote: Grotes and halfe grotes first coined.]
[Sidenote: 1352.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 26.]
[Sidenote: Mouron.]
In this yeare were the first péeces of siluer called grotes and halfe
grotes of foure pence & two pence the péece stamped, by the kings
appointment, through the counsell of William de Edington bishop of
Winchester lord treasuror. Before that time, there were no other
coines, but the noble, halfe noble, and quarter noble, with the péeces
of siluer called sterlings. Bicause these new péeces wanted of the
weight of the old sterling coine, the prices as well of vittels as of
other wares, did dailie rise, and seruants and workemen waxing more
craftie than before time they had béene, demanded great wages. ¶ This
yeare, vpon the euen of the Assumption of our ladie, sir Iohn Bentlie
knight, as then lord warden of Britaine, fought with the lord Guie
de Néell, marshall of France (latelie ransomed out of captiuitie) in
the parts of Britaine, néere to a place called Mouron, betwixt Rennes
and Pluremell, where the said marshall was slaine, togither with the
lord of Briquebeke the Chateline of Beauuais, and diuerse other both
Britains and Frenchmen.
[Sidenote: 1353.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 27.]
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._]
[Sidenote: In the printed booke of statutes it should appeare, that
this parlement was rather holden in the 25 yeare of this kings reigne.]
[Sidenote: Statutes for making of clothes.]
[Sidenote: Weares and milles.]
In the seuen and twentith yeare of his reigne, K. Edward held a
parlement at Westminster, after the feast of Easter, in which an
ordinance was deuised, what wages seruants and laborers should be
allowed, prohibiting them to receiue aboue the rate which they were
accustomed to take before the yeare of the great mortalitie. Seruants
and laborers were in déed growen to be more subtill than before time
they had béene; but by reason of the prices of things were inhanced,
it is like they demanded greater wages than they had doone before
time: and one cause of the dearth was imputed to the new coine of
monie, being of lesse weight in the value thereof, than before it had
béene, so that the bishop of Winchester being lord treasuror, who had
counselled the king to ordeine those grotes and halfe grotes, was euill
spoken of amongst the people. In this parlement there were statutes
also made, that clothes should in length and in breadth through the
realme, beare the same assise, as was ordeined in the parlement holden
at Northampton. Also, that all weares, milles, and other lets, should
be remooued foorth of riuers, that might be any hinderance of ships,
boats, or lighters to passe vp and downe the same. But these good
ordinances tooke little or none effect, by reason of bribes that walked
abroad, and fréendship of lords and great men, that sought rather their
owne commoditie, than the common-wealths.
[Sidenote: Creations of noble men.]
[Sidenote: The lord Charles of Blois.]
Shortlie after the feast of Pentecost, the earle of Derbie and
Lancaster was made duke of Lancaster, and Rafe lord Stafford was
created earle of Stafford. Whereas there had béene a treatie betwixt
the lords of Britaine, and the king of England, not onelie for the
deliuerance of the lord Charles de Blois, but also for the matching of
his eldest sonne in mariage with one of king Edwards daughters, and
so to inioy the dukedome in peace: this matter was so far forwards,
that in the yeare last passed, the said lord Charles, leauing two
of his sonnes and a daughter in pledge for the paiement of fortie
thousand florens, agréed vpon for his ransome; he was permitted to
returne into Britaine to prouide that monie: and withall, to procure a
dispensation, that his eldest sonne might marrie with one of K. Edwards
daughters, notwithstanding that otherwise they were within the degrées
of consanguinitie, prohibiting them to marrie. Herevpon this yeare
about Michaelmas, he returned into England with the same dispensation:
but bicause about the same time the Britains had taken by stealth an
Iland with a castell therein, that the Englishmen had kept, & put all
those which they found therein, to the sword, the said lord Charles,
otherwise duke of Britaine, lost the kings fauour, so that he would
heare no more of anie such aliance, by waie of marriage, as had béene
communed of before: by reason whereof the British lords, that were in
great number come ouer with the lord Charles de Blois, were constreined
to returne home, without atchiuing anie part of their purpose, leauing
the said lord Charles and his children behind them still héere in
England.
[Sidenote: Debate betwixt the dukes of Brunswike & Lancaster.]
[Sidenote: _Auesburie._]
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._ affirmeth that this remoouing of the staple of
wols was the 28 yeare of K. Edwards reigne.]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
On the fourth day of September, the duke of Brunswike and the duke of
Lancaster should haue fought a combat in Paris, about words the duke of
Lancaster should speake, in derogation of the duke of Brunswikes honor,
for the which the said duke had appealed him in the court of France:
but when they were readie to haue tried it, and were on horssebacke
with their speares in hand within the lists, at point to haue runne
togither, the French king caused them to staie, and taking on him the
matter, made them fréends, and agréed them. This yeare the king by
aduise of his councell remooued the mart or staple of wools from the
townes in Flanders, and caused the same to be kept at Westminster,
Chichester, Lincolne, Bristowe, Canturburie and Hull. This was doone
in despite of the Flemings, bicause they held not the couenants and
agréements which they had made with the king, in the life time of
Iacques Arteueld, by whose prouision the said mart or staple had béene
kept in sundrie townes in Flanders, to their great aduantage and
commoditie.
[Sidenote: Sir Walter Bentlie committed to the tower.]
[Sidenote: A great drought.]
[Sidenote: A dearth.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: Corn brought out of Zeland.]
Sir Walter Bentlie, vpon his comming ouer foorth of Britaine, where he
had béene the kings lieutenant, was committed to the tower, where he
remained prisoner for the space of twelue moneths, bicause he refused
to deliuer vp the castels within his gouernement, vnto sir Iohn Auenell
knight, being appointed to receiue the same, to the vse of the lord
Charles de Blois, at the same time when the treatie of agréement was
in hand, betwixt the king, and the said lord Charles. But after, when
it was perceiued what damage might haue insued by deliuerie of those
castels, sir Walter was set at libertie vpon suerties yet they were
bound for his foorth comming, and that he should not depart the realme:
at length, he was receiued againe into the kings fauour. In the summer
of this seauen and twentith yeare, was so great a drought, that from
the latter end of March, fell little raine, till the latter end of
Iulie, by reason whereof, manie inconueniencies insued: and one thing
is speciallie to be noted, that corne the yeare following waxed scant,
and the price began this yeare to be greatlie inhanced. Also béeues and
muttons waxed déere for the want of grasse, and this chanced both in
England and France, so that this was called the déere summer. The lord
William duke of Bauiere or Bauarie, and earle of Zeland, brought manie
ships into London, fraught with rie, for reléefe of the people, who
otherwise had, through their present pinching penurie, if not vtterlie
perished, yet pittifullie pined.
[Sidenote: 1354.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 28.]
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]
[Sidenote: _Auesburie._]
[Sidenote: A truce betwixt England and France.]
[Sidenote: Ambassadors to the pope.]
In the eight and twentith yeare of king Edwards reigne, vpon a treatie
that was holden by commissioners, appointed by the two kings of England
and France, after Easter, they were in maner fullie agréed vpon a
peace, so that nothing wanted, but putting vnto their seales. In the
articles whereof it was conteined, that the king of England should
inioy all the lands of his dutchie of Aquitaine, without holding the
same of anie by homage, or resort, and in consideration thereof he
should resigne all his claime to the crowne of France. Héerevpon were
ambassadors sent from either king, vnto the pope, and a truce taken,
to indure till the feast of saint Iohn Baptist in the yeare next
following. Ambassadors for the king of England were these: Henrie
duke of Lancaster, Iohn earle of Arundell, the bishops of Norwich and
London, and the lord Guie de Brian. For the French king, the archbishop
of Rouen lord chancellor of France, the duke of Burbon, and others: but
when the matter came to be heard before the pope about Christmasse,
all went to smoke that had béene talked of: for the Frenchmen denied
that the articles were drawne according to the meaning of their
commissioners, and the pope also winked at the matter, so that the
English ambassadors (when they saw that nothing would be concluded)
returned home all of them (the bishop of Norwich excepted who departed
this life there) and so their iournie came to none effect.
[Sidenote: 1355.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 29.]
[Sidenote: Debate betwixt the scholers & townesmen of Oxenford.]
This yeare, the tenth of Februarie, there rose a sore debate betwixt
the scholers and townesmen of Oxenford. The occasion rose by reason
of the falling out of a scholer with one that sold wine: for the
scholer perceiuing himselfe euill vsed, powred the wine on the drawers
head, knocking the pot about his pate, so as the bloud ranne downe
by his eares. Héerevpon began a sore fraie betwixt the scholers and
townesmen, which continued for the most part of two daies togither.
There were twentie townesmen slaine, beside those that were hurt:
but at length, there came a great number of countrimen foorth of the
villages next adioining, to aid the townesmen, entring the towne with a
blacke banner, and so fiercelie assailed the scholers, that they were
constreined to flée to their houses and hostels, but their enimies
pursuing them, brake vp their doores, entered their chambers, slue
diuerse of them, and threw them into priuies, tare their bookes, and
bare awaie their goods. The sholers héerewith tooke such displeasure,
that they departed the Vniuersitie: those of Merton colledge, and other
the like colledges onelie excepted.
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]
[Sidenote: _Auesburie._]
[Sidenote: The quarrell appeased betwixt the scholers and townesmen of
Oxenford.]
The bishop of Lincolne inhibited préests to celebrate diuine seruice in
presence of anie laie man within that towne of Oxenford; and the king
sending his iustices thither, to take knowledge of this disorderlie
riot, there were diuerse, both of the townesmen and scholers indited,
and certeine of the burgesses committed to ward. ¶ This yeare, the
first sundaie in Lent, the king held a roiall iustes at Woodstoke,
for ioy of the quéenes purifieng, after the birth of hir sixt sonne,
the lord Thomas, whome the bishop of Durham (named Thomas) held at
the fontstone: he was borne the seauenth of Ianuarie last past. In
the parlement holden at Westminster this yeare after Easter, the king
tooke vpon him to make an end of the quarrell betwixt the scholers and
townesmen of Oxenford, and sauing to euerie man his right, pardoned
the scholers of all transgressions: and this he signified into euerie
shire, by writs directed to the shiriffes, they to proclame the same
for more notice of the thing. And so in the summer following, the
Vniuersitie began againe to flourish, students resorting thither from
each side, and falling afresh to their academicall exercises, which
they néeded not to haue discontinued, if either partie, I meane the
townesmen or scholers, would haue tolerated and borne one with another,
and not so rashlie haue vndertaken the reuenge of one anothers wrath
and iniurie; but,
Oderunt pacem stulti & certamina quærunt.
In this parlement, the processe of the iudgement had and made against
Roger Mortimer, late earle of March, was reuoked, adnihilated, and
made void, so that the lord Roger Mortimer was restored to the title
and possessions of the earledome of March, as cousine and heire to his
grandfather the said erle of March. Moreouer, to this parlement came
the bishop of Carpentras, and the abbat of Clugnie, being sent from
pope Innocent the sixt, to make sute to haue the truce proroged betwixt
the two kings, of England and France, to whome the king himselfe in
person, made this resolute answer, that he would not agrée to anie
longer truce; for that, when diuerse times, at the Frenchmens sute,
he had consented to haue truce by mediation of two cardinals, sent to
him about the same matter, his aduersaries in the meane time, whilest
such truces indured, had doone much harme and damage by subtill
practises to persons and places beyond the sea, that were vnder his
rule and gouernement, yet he said he would deliberate héereof with his
councell, and after intimate his pleasure to the pope, and to them of
France by messengers which he would send ouer for that purpose: and so
these ambassadors within foure daies after their comming, were thus
dispatched with answer. Herewith in this parlement it was ordeined,
that the prince of Wales, being as then about foure and twentie yeares
of age, should passe ouer into Gascoigne, and have with him a thousand
men of armes, and two thousand archers, with a great number of Welshmen.
[Sidenote: _Auesburie._]
[Sidenote: A nauie prepared.]
[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster.]
About the same time the king caused fortie ships to be prouided,
rigged, and made readie at Rutherhiue, furnished with vittels for
one quarter of a yéere, and euerie of the said ships had principall
streamers of the duke of Lancasters armes, who was appointed with a
great power of chosen men of armes and archers to passe to the sea with
the same ships, but few or none of his companie knew whither; horsses
they had none. He had with him two of the kings sonnes, Lionell of
Antwerpe, and Iohn of Gant, the elder of them being about sixtéene
yeares of age. Also, there went with him the earles of Northampton,
March, and Stafford, beside manie lords, barons, & knights. On the
tenth of Iulie, he made saile to Gréenewich, and there and at Sandwich
he staied, till the Assumption of our ladie, the wind for the most
part continuing all that while at west and south, contrarie to his
iournie, as it might appeare. At length with much difficultie he came
to Winchelsie, & after to the Wight. It was thought, that the dukes
purpose was to passe into Normandie, to ioine with the king of Nauarre,
who was at variance with the French king. But after it was knowen by
espials that they were made fréends, the duke of Lancaster doubting
crooked measures, and hauing with him no horssemen, returned home
without further attempt.
[Sidenote: _Record. Tur._]
[Sidenote: The end and award made of the quarrell betwixt the
Vniuersitie and townesmen of Oxford.]
On saint Kenelmes daie being fridaie, and the 17 of Iulie, master
Humfrie Carleton professor of diuinitie, and Iohn Carleton the yoonger,
doctor of the lawes, on the behalfe of the Vniuersitie of Oxford, and
Iohn saint Frideswide maior, Iohn Bereford, and Iohn Norton, burgesses
of the said towne of Oxford, on the behalfe of the communaltie of
the same towne, came before the kings councell at Westminster in the
councell chamber there, néere to the excheker, where the allegations on
both parties being heard, and vpon request made, that it might please
his maiesties councell, according to the submissions by both parties
made vnto the king and to his councell, to take order in the matter in
controuersie betwixt them, concerning the late tumult and businesse
which had chanced in the said towne, by the disorder of the communaltie
of the same, in breaking downe, and burning vp of houses, in taking
awaie the bookes and other goods of the said masters and scholers, &
in committing other transgressions. The councell hauing consideration
thereof, to auoid the decaie that might haue insued to the said towne,
made this end betwixt them, that the said towne (Iohn Bereford, being
in the kings prison, and Robert Lardiner onelie excepted) should be
bound to paie vnto the said masters and scholers, damnified in the
said tumult and businesse, for amends, and reformation of iniuries and
losses susteined (death and maime excepted) two hundred and fiftie
pounds, beside the goods taken and borne awaie, to be restored againe,
and this monie to be paid to the said chancellor, masters and scholers,
on that side the mondaie next before the feast of saint Iames, or
else sufficient suerties put in for the paiment thereof, at certeine
termes, as the parties should agrée vpon: and in respect thereof, the
said Iohn Bereford, and Iohn Norton, shall be releassed out of prison
of the Marshalsea, at the baile of the said maior, and of Robert de
Menkes, and Iohn Dimmoks, till the next sessions of gaole deliuerie,
with condition, that the said summes of monie be paid, or suerties put
in for the paiment thereof, as before is said, or else the bodies of
the said Iohn Bereford, & Iohn de Norton, shall be returned to the said
prison, within thrée daies after the feast of Peter ad Vincula, there
to remaine in manner as before they did.
It was also ordeined by the councell, with the assent of the said
Humfrie and Iohn Carleton, that all and euerie manner of persons of
the said towne of Oxford, and the suburbes of the same, indited and
arreigned of the fellonies and transgressions before mentioned, that
should yéeld themselues to the kings prison to be tried by law, and
also all other that were at that present in prison, which the said
Humfrie and Iohn de Carleton should name (Iohn de Bereford and Robert
Lardiner excepted) might be let to baile, vpon sufficient suerties,
that should vndertake for them, bodies for bodies, to appeare at the
next sessions of gaole deliuerie, there to be tried, according to the
order of law. And further it was ordered, that all such goods and
cattels as were taken and carried awaie from the said masters and
scholers in the said tumult and businesse, by the men of the said
towne and suburbes, in whose hands, and in what places soeuer within
the said towne and suburbes, by inquisitions, informations, or other
meanes, they should or might be found, should be deliuered to the said
chancellor, and procurators of the said Vniuersitie, to be by them
restored vnto those persons, to whome they belonged. This was the
effect of the order taken at that day and place, before the reuerend
fathers, Iohn archbishop of Yorke primat and chancellor of England,
William bishop of Winchester lord treasuror, Thomas de Brembre lord
kéeper of the priuie seale, and Dauid de Wollore master of the rolles,
Henrie de Ingelbie clearke, and other of the kings councell then and
there present.
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._]
[Sidenote: The prince of Wales goeth ouer into Gascoigne.]
[Sidenote: The citie of London.]
The prince of Wales (as ye haue heard) being appointed to passe ouer
into Gascoigne, set forward from London the last daie of Iune, and
comming to Plimmouth, where his nauie was appointed to be made readie,
he staied there, for want of conuenient wind and weather a long time
after. Finallie, hauing with him the earles of Warwike, Suffolke,
Salisburie & Oxford, also the lord Iohn Chandois, sir Robert Knols,
sir Franke de Hall, the lord Iames Audelie, with diuerse other of the
nobilitie, and of men of armes and archers a great number, then in
parlement to him assigned, he first set from Plimmouth on the daie of
the Natiuitie of our ladie. They were in all thrée hundred saile, and
finding the wind prosperous, they passed ouer into Gascoigne, where of
the Gascoignes they were ioifullie receiued. In August, the Englishmen
that were in Britaine, warring against the Frenchmen, that tooke part
with the lord Charles de Blois, slue manie of them, & tooke the lord of
Beaumanor, the vicount of Roan, and diuerse other. ¶ This yeare also,
about Michaelmasse, the king hauing summoned an armie to be readie at
Sandwich, passed ouer to Calis with the same. There went ouer with him
his two sonnes, Lionell of Antwerp earle of Vlster, and Iohn of Gant
earle of Richmond. He found at Calis a thousand men of armes that came
to serue him for wages, foorth of Flanders, Brabant, and Almaigne, so
that he had about thrée thousand men of armes and two thousand archers
on horsebacke, beside archers on foot a great number. The citie of
London had sent to him fiue hundred men of armes, and fiue hundred
archers all in one sute or liuerie, at their owne costs and charges.
On the second of Nouember, he set from Calis, marching foorth towards
saint Omers, wasting the countrie by the waie as he passed.
[Sidenote: The king inuadeth Fr[=a]ce. The lord Bousicant.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The king for want of vittels returneth.]
The French king being at the same time within the towne of saint Omers,
sent the lord Bousicant vnto the king of England, that vnder colour
of communication, he might view the kings power, who made such report
thereof, vpon his returne backe to the French king, that he determined
not to fight with the king of England, but rather to passe before him,
and so to destroie vittels, that for want thereof, the king of England
should be constreined to returne. And as he determined, so it came
to passe, for the vittels were so cut off, that the Englishmen for
thrée full daies togither, dranke nothing but water. When therefore
king Edward had followed his enimies so for as Heiden, where he brake
the parke, and burnt the houses within and about the parke, although
he entred not into the towne nor castell, at length, for default of
vittels, he returned backe, and came againe to Calis on saint Martins
day, being the tenth after his setting foorth from thence.
[Sidenote: _Auesburie._]
[Sidenote: The constable of France demandeth battell.]
[Sidenote: The answer made to him.]
[Sidenote: Berwike taken by Scots.]
The morrow after being thursdaie, and the twelfe of Nouember, the
constable of France, and other Frenchmen, came to the end of the causie
of Calis, with letters of credence, offering battell on tuesdaie
next following vnto the king of England, in presence of the duke of
Lancaster, the earles of Northampton, and the lord Walter de Mannie,
who in the kings behalfe declared to the constable, that the king of
England, to eschew shedding of bloud, would fight with the French king
bodie to bodie, so to trie their right: and if he liked not of that
match, then if he would choose thrée or foure knights to him that were
néerest to him in bloud, he should choose the like number. But when
this offer would not be accepted, the English lords offered battell
the next day, being fridaie, or else on saturdaie following, at the
Frenchmens choice: but the constable of France and his companie,
continuing in their first offer, refused both those daies. Then the
English lords accepted the daie by them assigned, with condition,
that if they brought not king Edward to giue battell that day, they
would yéeld themselues prisoners, so that the Frenchmen would likewise
vndertake for their king. The constable hauing no answer readie,
staied a while, and after flatlie refused to make any such couenant.
Finallie, when the English lords perceiued their aduersaries, not to
meane battell, as their words at the first pretended, they brake off,
and both parties returned home. The king of England staied till the
tuesdaie, and paid the strangers their wages, and so came backe into
England. On the sixt of Nouember, whilest the king was thus abroad in
Picardie, the Scots verie earlie in the morning of that daie, came
priuilie to Berwike, entred by stealth into the towne, and sleaing
thrée or foure Englishmen, tooke it, with all the goods and persons
within it, those excepted, which got to the castell.
[Sidenote: A parlement.]
[Sidenote: The procéedings of the prince of Wales in Aquitaine.]
In a parlement summoned this yeare, the mondaie after the feast of
saint Edmund the king, the lords and commons granted to king Edward
fiftie shillings of euerie sacke of wooll, that should be caried ouer
the sea, for the space of six yeares next insuing. By this grant it
was thought, that the king might dispend a thousand markes sterling a
day, such vent of wools had the English merchants in that season. ¶
The parlement being ended, the king about S. Andrews tide set forward
towards Scotland, and held his Christmasse at Newcastell. About which
time by letters sent from the prince, the king was aduertised of his
procéedings after his arriuall in Gascoigne, where being ioifullie
receiued of the nobles, and other the people of that countrie (as
before yée haue heard) he declared to them the cause of his thither
comming, and tooke aduise with them how to procéed in his businesse;
and so about the tenth of October, he set forward to passe against his
enimies, first entring into a countrie called Iuliake, which togither
with the fortresses yéelded to him, without anie great resistance.
Then he rode through the countie Armignac, wasting and spoiling the
countrie, and so passed through the lands of the vicounts de la
Riuiere, and after entered into the countie de l'Estrac, and passing
through the same, came to the countie of Commiges, finding the towne of
S. Matain void, being a good towne & one of the best in that countrie.
[Sidenote: Carcasson.]
[Sidenote: Narbonne. Two bishops sent from the pope to the prince of
Wales.]
After this, he passed by the land of the earle of Lisle, till he came
within a league of Tholouse, where the earle of Armignac, being the
French kings lieutenant in those parts, and other great lords and
nobles were assembled. The prince with his armie tarried there two
daies, and after passed ouer the riuer of Garonne, and after ouer an
other riuer thereabouts, a league aboue Tholouse, lodging that night
a league on the other side of Tholouse: and so they passed thorough
Tholouse, dailie taking townes & castels, wherein they found great
riches, for the countrie was verie plentifull. Vpon Alhallowes éeuen,
they came to castell Naudarie, and from thence they tooke the waie to
Carcasson, into the which a great number of men of armes and commons
were withdrawne. But vpon the approch of the Englishmen, they slipt
awaie, and got them to a strong castell that stood néere at hand. The
third day after, the Englishmen burnt the towne, and passing forth,
trauersed all the countrie of Carcassonois, till they came to the towne
of Narbonne. The people there were fled into the castell, in which the
vicount of Narbonne was inclosed, with fiue hundred men of arms. The
prince staied there two daies. The pope sent two bishops towards the
prince, to treat with him of peace, but bicause the prince would not
hearken to anie treatie without commission from his father, they could
not get anie safe conduct to approch néerer.
The prince hauing aduertisments héere, that his enimies were assembled,
and followed him, he turned backe to méet them, but they had no will
to abide him: for although the earle of Armignac, the constable of
France, the marshall Cleremont, and the prince of Orange, with diuerse
other néere to Tholouse, made some shew to impeach the prince his
passage, yet in the end they withdrew, not without some losse, for the
lord Bartholomew de Burwasch aliàs Burghersch, sir Iohn Chandois, the
lord Iames Audeley, and sir Thomas Felton, being sent foorth to view
them, skirmished with two hundred of their men of armes, and tooke
of them fiue and thirtie. After this, they had no mind to abide the
English power, but still shranke awaie, as the prince was readie to
follow them, and so he perceiuing that the Frenchmen would not giue
him battell, he withdrew towards Burdeaux, after he had spent eight
wéekes in that his iournie, and so comming thither, he wintered there,
whilest his capteins in the meane time tooke diuerse townes and castels
abroad in the countrie. ¶ And now to the end yée may haue more plaine
information of the princes dooings in those parties, I haue thought
good to make you partakers of a letter or two, written by sir Iohn
Winkefield knight, attendant on the prince there in Gascoigne.
The copie of sir Iohn Winkefields letters.
My lord, as touching the newes in these parts, may it please you
to vnderstand, that all the earles, barons, baronets, knights, and
esquiers, were in helth at the making hereof, and my lord hath not lost
either knight or esquier in this voyage, except the lord Iohn Lisle,
who was slaine after a strange manner with a quarrell, the third day
after we were entered into our enimies countries, he died the fiftenth
of October. And please it you to vnderstand, that my lord hath ridden
through the countrie of Arminac, and hath taken many fensed townes and
burnt and destroied them, except certeine which he hath fortified.
After this, he marched into the vicountie of Rouergne, where he tooke a
good towne named Pleasance, the chiefest towne of that countrie, which
he hath burnt and destroied, with the countrie round about the same.
This doone, he went into the countie d'Astrike, wherin he tooke manie
townes, wasted and destroied all the countrie. After this, he entred
into the countie of Cominge, and tooke manie townes there, which he
caused to be destroied & burnt, togither with all the countrie abroad.
He tooke also the towne of S. Matan, which is the chéefest towne of
that countrie, being as large in compasse as Norwich.
Afterward, he entered into the countie of Lisle, and tooke the most
part of the fensed townes therin, causing diuerse of them to be burnt
and destroied as he passed. And after entring into the lordship of
Tholouse, we passed the riuer of Girond, and an other a league aboue
Tholouse, which is verie great: for our enimies had burnt all the
bridges, as well on the one side of Tholouse, as the other, except the
bridges with in Tholouse, for the riuer runneth through the towne.
And the constable of France, the marshall Cleremont, and the earle
of Arminac, were with a great power within the towne the same time.
And Tholouse is a great towne, strong, faire, and well walled, and
there was none in our host that knew the foord there: but yet by the
grace and goodnesse of God we found it. So then we marched through the
seigniorie of Tholouse, & tooke manie good townes inclosed, and burnt
and destroied them, and all the countrie about.
[Sidenote: He meaneth the Merantine sea.]
Then we entred into the signiorie of Carcason, and we tooke manie good
towns, before we came to Carcason, which towne we also tooke, which is
greater, stronger, & fairer than Yorke. And as well this towne as all
other townes in the countrie were burnt and destroied. And after we had
passed by manie iournies through the countrie of Carcason, we came into
the seigniorie of Narbon, and we tooke manie townes, and wasted them,
till we came to Narbon, which towne was holden against vs, but it was
woone by force, and the said towne is little lesse than London, and
is situat vpon the Gréekish sea, for that the distance from the said
towne vnto the Gréekish sea is not past two leagues, and there is an
hauen and a place to arriue at, from whence the water c[=o]meth vp to
Narbon. And Narbon is not but eleuen leagues distant from Mountpellier,
& eightéene from Eguemortz, & thirtie from Auignion. And may it please
you to vnderstand, that the holie father sent his messengers to my
lord, that were not past seuen leagues fr[=o] him, and they sent a
sergeant at armes, that was sergeant at armes attendant on the doore
of our holie fathers chamber, with their letters to my lord, praieng
him to haue a safe conduct to come to declare to his highnesse their
message from the holie father, which was to treat betwixt my L. and his
aduersaries of France: and the said sergeant was two daies in the host
before my lord would sée him, or receiue his letters. And the reason
was, bicause he had vnderstanding, that the power of France was come
foorth of Tholouse toward Carcason, so that my lord was driuen to turne
backe towards them suddenlie, and so did.
On the third daie when we should haue come vpon them, they had knowlege
giuen before day, and so retiring, got them to the mounteins, hasting
fast toward Tholouse; and the countrie people that were their guides to
lead them that waie, were taken as they should haue passed the water.
And bicause the popes sergeant at armes was in my kéeping, I caused
him to examine the guides that were so taken; and for that the guide
which was thus examined, was the constables guide, and his countrieman,
he might well sée and know the countenance of the Frenchmen vpon this
examining him. And I said to the same sergeant, that he might well
declare to the pope, and to all them of Auignion, that which he had
heard or séene. And as touching the answer which my lord made to them
that were sent to treat with him, you would be well apaied if you
vnderstood all the maner; for he would not suffer in any wise that they
shuld come néerer vnto him. But if they came to treat of anie matter,
he would that they should send to the king his father: for my lord
himselfe would not doo any thing therin, except by commandement from my
lord his father.
And of my lords turning backe to follow after his enimies, and of the
passage of the riuer of Garonne, and of the taking of castels and
townes in this iournie, and of other things which he hath doone against
his enimies in pursuit of them in this iournie, being things right
worthie and honorable, as manie know verie well, in like maner as sir
Richard Stafford, & sir William Burton can more plainelie declare,
than I to you can write, for it were too much to put in writing. And
my lord rode thus abroad in the countrie of his enimies eight whole
wéekes, and rested not past eleuen daies in all those places where he
came. And know it for certeine, that since this warre began against
the French king he had neuer such losse or destruction as he hath had
in this iournie: for the countries and good townes which were wasted
at this iournie, found to the king of France euerie yeare more to
the maintenance of his warre than halfe his realme hath doon beside,
except the exchange of his monie which he maketh euerie yeare, and the
aduantage and custome which he taketh of them of Poictou, as I can shew
you by good remembrances, which were found in diuerse townes in the
receiuers houses: for Carcason and le Moignes, which is as great as
Carcason, and two other townes in the coasts of Carcason, found to the
king of France yéerelie wages for a thousand men of armes: and beside
that 100000 old crowns to mainteine the war.
And know you, that by the remembrances which we found, that the townes
in Tholouse which are destroied, and the townes in the countrie of
Carcason, and the towne of Narbonne and Narbonnois did find euerie
yeare with the sums aforesaid, in aid of his war, foure hundred
thousand old crownes, as the burgesses of the great townes & other
people of the countrie which ought to know it, haue told vs. And so
by Gods assistance if my lord had wherewith to mainteine this warre,
and to make the kings profit and his owne honor, he should well inlarge
the English marches, and gaine manie faire places: for our enimies are
greatlie astonied. And at the making héereof, my lord hath appointed
to send all the earles and baronets to abide in certeine places on the
marches, to make roads, and to annoie his enimies. Now my lord, at this
present I know none other newes to send, but you may by your letters
command me as yours to my power. My right honorable lord, God grant
you good life, ioy, health, long to continue. Written at Burdeaux, the
tuesdaie next before Christmasse.
The tenor of an other letter written by sir Iohn Wingfield, directed
to sir Richard Stafford knight, who had béene in Gascoigne, and there
leauing his familie, was now returned into England.
[Sidenote: 1356.]
Right deare sir, and right louing fréend, touching newes after your
departure, you may vnderstand, that there be taken and yéelded fiue
townes inclosed, to wit, port saint Marie, Cleirac, Tonings, Burgh,
saint Pierre, Chastiell Sacret or Satrat and Brassake. Also seauentéene
castels, to wit, Coiller, Buset, Lemnake, two castels called Boloines,
which ioine the one néere so the other, Mounioy, Viresch, Frechenet,
Mountender, Pudeschales, Mounpoun, Montanac, Valeclare, Cenamont,
Leistrake, Plassac, Cont Destablison; and Mounriuell. And will it
please you to know that my lord Iohn Chandois, my lord Iames Audeley,
and your men that are with them, and the other Gascoignes that are in
their companie, & my lord Baldwine Butetort, & that companie, & my
lord Reignald Cobham, tooke the said towne, which is called Chastiell
Sacret or Satrat, by assault: and the bastard of Lisle which was
capteine of the said towne was also slaine there, as they assaulted it,
being stricken with an arrow thorough the head: and my lord Reignold
is returned backe toward Languedocke, and my lord Baldwin towards
Brassacke, with their companies: and the lords Iohn & Iames, and those
of their companie remaine in Chastiell Satrat, and haue vittells
plentie of all sorts to serue them betwéen this and Midsummer, except
fresh fish and cabages as they haue certified vs by letters, wherefore
yée néed not take care for your men.
[Sidenote: Buscicault.]
And there be in that towne more than thrée hundred glaiues, and thrée
hundred yeomen, and a hundred and fiftie archers. And they haue rid
before Agen, and burnt and destroied all their milles, and haue burnt
and broken downe all their bridges that lie ouer Garon, and haue taken
a castell without the same towne, and haue fortified it. And monsieur
Iohn Darminake, and the seneshall of Agenois, which were in the towne
of Agen, would not once put foorth their head, nor anie of their
people, and yet haue they béene twise before that towne. And monsieur
Busgaud was come, and monsieur Ernald de Spaine, and Grimoton de
Chambule, with thrée hundred glaiues, and thrée sergeants Lombards, and
they are in the towne of Muschacke, which is in Cressie, and it is but
a mile from Chastiell Satrat or Sacret, and a league from Bressake, and
yée may well thinke that there will be good companie one with another.
[Sidenote: The capitall de Beuf.]
And further may it please yée to know, that monsieur Bartholomew is
at Coniake with six score men of armes of my lords house, & six score
archers, & the capitall de Buche or Beuf, the L. Monferrant, & the L.
of Crotonie, which haue with them 300 glaiues, & six score archers, and
two hundred sergeants, beside them which are in Tailbourgh, Tanney,
and Rochford, so that when they are togither, they may be well six
hundred glaiues, and at the making héereof, they were vpon a iournie
towards Aniou and Poictou, and the earles of Suffolke, Oxford, and
Salisburie, the lord of Museden, monsieur Ellis de Pomiers, and other
Gascoignes, with the which are well more then fiue hundred glaiues,
and two hundred sergeants, and thrée hundred archers, and they were
at the making hereof toward the parties of Nostredame de Rochemade,
and haue béene foorth aboue twelue daies, and were not returned at the
sending of these presents. My lord Iohn Chandois, my lord Iames, and
my lord Baldwin, and those which be in their companie are also foorth
vpon a iournie toward their parties; my lord Reinold and those of the
houshold, with the Gascoigns which be in their companie, are also
foorth vpon a iournie towards their parties.
The earle of Warwike hath béene at Tonings & Clerake, to take those
towns, and at the making hereof was gone towards Mermande to destroie
their vines, and all other things which he can destroie of theirs. My
lord is at Leiborne, and the lord of Pomiers at Fronsack, which is but
a quarter of a leage from Leiborne: and my lords people lie as well
at saint Milion, as at Leiborne, and monsieur Berard de Bret is there
with him, and my lord looketh for newes which he should haue, and
according to the news that he shall haue, he will behaue himselfe: for
as it séemeth, he standeth much on his honor. At the making hereof,
the earle of Arminac was at Auignion, and the king of Aragon is there
also: & of all other parleis which haue béene in diuerse places (wherof
you know) I can not certifie you at the making herof. Right déere sir,
other thing I cannot send vnto you, but that you remember your selfe to
send newes to my lord prince as soone as in anie wise you may, and so
the Lord grant you good life and long. Written at Leiborne the 21 of
Ianuarie.
* * * * *
¶ These letters haue I thought good to make the reader partaker of, as
I find them in the chronicle of Robert Auesburie, to the end ye may
perceiue how other writers agrée therewith, sith the same letters may
serue as a touchstone to trie the truth of the matter. And so now I
will returne to speake of the kings dooings in the north part where
he left him. On the fourtéenth of Ianuarie K. Edward hauing his armie
lodged néere the towne of Berwike, and his nauie readie in the hauen to
assaile the Scots that were within the towne, he entered the castell
which the Englishmen had in their hands, the lord Walter de Mannie
being their capteine, who had gotten certeine miners thither from the
forrest of Deane, and other parts of the realme, which were busie to
make passage vnder the ground by a mine, through which the Englishmen
might enter into the towne. Herevpon, when the Scots perceiued in
what danger they stood, and knew that they could not long defend the
towne against him, they surrendered it into his hands without further
resistance.
[Sidenote: _Hector Boek._]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 30.]
[Sidenote: The resignation of the realme of Scotland made by the
Balioll.]
In the Scotish histories it is recorded, that when those which were
within the towne of Berwike, heard how that an armie of Englishmen came
to the succours of the castell, they raced the walles and burnt the
houses of the towne, and so departed with all the spoile which they had
gotten there. But how soeuer it was, king Edward being againe possessed
of the towne, he set men aworke to repare it, and passing foorth
to Roxburge, there met with him the rightfull king of Scots Edward
Balioll, who transferred & resigned all the right, title and interest,
which he had or might haue to the crowne and realme of Scotland into
king Edwards hands: which resignatian he confirmed by his letters
patents thereof made and giuen vnder his hand and seale, dated the 25
of Ianuarie 1356, requiring king Edward to perseuere in pursute of his
title to the vttermost.
[Sidenote: K. Edward sore afflicted the Scots.]
[Sidenote: The duke of L[=a]caster sent to aid the king of Nauarre.]
[Sidenote: _Paulus Aemilius._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The castell of Orbec rescued.]
King Edward hauing thus receiued the resignation and release of the
crowne of Scotland, marched foorth with his armie, till he came to
Hadington, burning and destroieng the countrie on ech side round about
him, as he passed. And whilest he laie there abiding for his ships, his
men of warre were not idle, but ranged abroad in the countrie, and did
all the damage to their enimies that they could deuise. At length his
armie which he had at the same time on the sea, arriued on that coast,
and landing, spoiled a church of our ladie called the White kirke: but
being returned to their ships, there arose such a tempest and vehement
north wind, that manie of their vessels rushing and beating against the
banks and sands, were drowned togither with the men that were within
them, for displeasure whereof king Edward fell to the spoile of the
countrie againe, not sparing one place more than another: by reason
wherof, as well abbeis as all other churches and religious houses
both in Hadington, in Edenborough, and thorough all other the parts
of Louthian, wheresoeuer he came, were defaced and put to sacke. At
length when he had accomplished his will, and so set things in order,
he returned backe into England with the foresaid Edward Balioll in his
companie, whome he kept with him, for doubt least he should reuolt, and
procure some new trouble. In the moneth of Iulie the duke of Lancaster
being sent to the aid of the K. of Nauarre, came into Constantine,
which is a portion of Normandie, & there ioined with the lord Philip
of Nauarre, brother to the king of Nauarre, and with the lord Godfrie
de Harecourt, the which being returned into France, and restored to
the French kings fauour, was latelie againe reuolted, vpon displeasure
taken for the death of his nephue the lord Iohn de Harecourt as in the
French histories ye may read more at large. They were in all about the
number of foure thousand fighting men, and being assembled togither,
they went to Liseux, to Orbec, to Ponteau, & rescued the castell there,
which had béene besieged by the lord Robert de Hotetot master of the
crossebowes in France, more than two moneths: but now hearing that the
Englishmen and Nauarrois approched, he departed from thence, leauing
behind him for hast his engins and artillerie.
[Sidenote: The citie of Eureux yéelded to the Frenchmen. Vernueil. The
French K. commeth to giue the duke of Lancaster battell.]
The duke of Lancaster passed forward vnto Bretueill, which he caused to
be relieued and furnished with necessarie things as was conuenient. And
then leauing the citie of Eureux, which was as then in the Frenchmens
hands, latelie yéelded to them after a long siege, he went forward with
the lord Philip de Nauarre in companie till they came to Vernueill
in Perch, and there tooke both the towne and castell, and robbed the
towne and burnt a great part therof. The French king, who had assembled
a mightie armie, being aduertised of these matters, hasted forward
towards the duke of Lancaster, fullie purposing to giue him battell.
The duke and the lord Philip de Nauarre, hauing knowledge that the
French king followed them, withdrew towards the towne of the Eagle, and
the king still went after them, till he came to Tuebeuf two leages from
the towne of the Egle, and there it was shewed to him that he could
not follow his enimies any further, by reason of the thicke forrests,
which he could not passe without great danger of his person and losse
of his people. Then returned he with all his host, and tooke from the
Nauarrois the castell of Thilliers, and also the castell of Bretueill,
which was yéelded to him after two moneths siege.
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The prince of Wales inuadeth ye French dominions.]
About the same time, that is to saie, in Iulie, the prince of Wales,
hauing assembled an armie of men of warre, to the number of eight
thousand, entred into the French dominions, and first passing through
Auuergne, at length he came into the countrie of Berrie, wasting and
burning the townes and villages as he went, taking easie iournies for
the better reléefe of his people, and destruction of his enimies: for
when he was entered into anie towne that was sufficientlie stored of
things necessarie, he would tarie there two or thrée daies to refresh
his soldiers and men of warre, and when they dislodged, they would
strike out the heads of the wine vessels, and burne the wheat, oates
and barlie, and all other things which they could not take with them,
to the intent their enimies should not therewith be susteined and
nourished.
[Sidenote: The citie of Burges.]
[Sidenote: Issoldune assaulted.]
[Sidenote: Vierzon woone.]
[Sidenote: The passages stopped.]
After this, they came before the citie of Burges, and there made a
great skirmish at one of the gates, and there were manie feats of armes
doone. The host departed from thence, without dooing anie more, and
comming to a strong castell called Issoldune, they fiercelie assailed
it, but could not win it: the gentlemen within defended the walles and
gates so manfullie. Then passed they forward, and came to Vierzon, a
great towne and a good castell, but it was nothing stronglie fortified;
and therefore was it woone perforce, the people within it being not
sufficient to resist the valiant puissance of the Englishmen. Here
they found wine and other vittels in great plentie, and herevpon they
taried there thrée daies to refresh themselues at ease. But before they
departed, the prince had aduertisement giuen him that the French king
was come to Chartres, with an huge assemblie of men of warre, and that
all the townes and passages aboue the riuer of Loire were closed and
kept. Then was the prince counselled to returne and passe by Touraine
and Poictow, and so that waie to Burdeaux.
[Sidenote: The prince returneth.]
The prince following their aduise that thus counselled him, set forward
toward Remorentine. The French king had sent into that countrie to
kéepe the frontiers there, the lord of Craon, the lord Bouciquault, and
the heremit of Chaumount, the which with thrée hundred men of armes
had followed the Englishmen six daies togither, and could neuer find
anie conuenient occasion to set vpon them: for the Englishmen gouerned
themselues so sagelie, that their enimies could not lightlie assaile
them, but to their owne disaduantage. One day the Frenchmen laid
themselues closelie in an ambush néere to the towne of Remorentine, at
a maruellous streict passage, by which the Englishmen must néeds passe.
[Sidenote: Remorentine.]
On the same daie there were departed from the princes battell, by
licence of the marshals, certeine capteins, Englishmen and Gascoignes,
as the lord Bartholomew de Burgherce or Burwasche (as some write him)
the lord of Mucident Gascongne, monsieur Petiton de Courton, the
lord de la Ware, the lord Basset, sir Daniell Passelew, sir Richard
Ponchardon, sir Noell Loring, the yoong lord Spenser, and two of the
Danbreticourts, sir Edward, and an other, who hauing with them two
hundred men of armes, went foorth to run before Remorentine, that they
might view the place. They passed foorth alongst by the Frenchmen which
laie in ambush, as yée haue heard, and they were not aduised of them,
and they were no sooner passed, but that the Frenchmen brake out, and
gallopped after the Englishmen with great random, hauing their speares
in their rests.
[Sidenote: A skirmish.]
The Englishmen and the Gascoignes hearing horsses to come galloping
after them, turned, and perceiuing them to be their enimies, stood
still to abide them. The Frenchmen couragiouslie gaue the charge, and
the Englishmen as valiantlie defended them, so that there insued a
great skirmish, which continued a long while, so that it could not be
easilie iudged who had the better, nor on which side the fortunate
issue of the present conflict would then fall (for
---- mutabilis alea Martis)
[Sidenote: The Frenchmen fled.]
[Sidenote: The prince lodgeth in the towne of Remorentine.]
till that the battell of the English marshals approched, the which
when the Frenchmen saw comming by a wood side, they fled streightwaies
towards Remorentine, and the Englishmen followed in chase so fast
as their horsses might beare them, and entered the towne with the
Frenchmen: but the French lords and the one halfe of their companie got
into the castell, and so saued themselues. The prince hearing what had
happened, came into the towne, and there lodged that night, sending
sir Iohn Chandois to talke with the capiteines of the castell, to know
if they would yéeld: and bicause they refused so to doo, on the next
morrow he caused his people to giue an assault to the place, which
continued the most part of the day, but yet missing their purpose, he
commanded that they should draw to their lodgings, and rest them for
that night.
[Sidenote: The castell of Remorentine assaulted.]
[Sidenote: It is set on fier.]
[Sidenote: They within submitted themselues.]
[Sidenote: The French King foloweth the prince of Wales.]
In the morning as soone as the sunne was vp, the marshals caused the
trumpets to sound, and those that were appointed to giue the assault
againe, prepared themselues to it. The prince himselfe was present
personallie at this assault, so that the same was inforced to the
vttermost: but when they saw that by assaults they could not win the
castell, they deuised engines, wherewith they cast wild fire into the
base court, and so set it on fire, which increased in such vehement
sort, that it tooke into the couering of a great tower, which was
couered with réed: and then they within perceiuing they must either
yéeld or perish with fire, came downe and submitted themselues to the
prince, who as prisoners receiued them. The castell of Remorentine
being thus woone and defaced with fire, the prince left it void, and
marched foorth with his armie as before, destroieng the countrie, and
approched to Aniou and Touraine. The French king came forwards toward
the prince, and at Ambois heard how the prince was in Touraine, meaning
to returne through Poictow. He was dailie aduertised of the princes
dooings by such as were appointed to coast him euer in his iournie.
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: Seuen thousand chosen men saith _Tho. Walsi._]
[Sidenote: Chauuignie.]
Then came the king to Haie in Touraine, and his people were passed
the riuer of Loire at sundrie passages, where most conuenientlie they
might. They were in number twentie thousand men of armes; of noble men
there were six and twentie, dukes and earles, beside a great number
of other lords and barons: the foure sonnes of the king were there,
as the lord Charles duke of Normandie, the lord Lewes after duke of
Aniou, the lord Iohn after duke of Berrie, and the lord Philip which
was after duke of Burgongne. The French king doubting least the prince
should escape by spéedie iournies out of his countrie, before he could
come to giue him battell, remooued to Chauuignie, and there passed
the riuer of Creuse by the bridge, supposing that the Englishmen had
béene before him, but they were not. Some of the Frenchmen taried
behind at Chauuignie for one night, and in the morning followed the
king. They were about two hundred men of armes vnder the leading of
the lord Craon, the lord Raoull de Coucie, and the earle of Ioignie.
They chanced to incounter with certeine of the auaunt currours of the
English armie, which remooued that day from a little village fast by.
Those Englishmen were not past thrée score men of armes, but well
horssed, and therefore perceiuing the great number of the Frenchmen,
they fled towards the princes battell, which they knew was not farre
off. Capteins of the Englishmen were two knights of Heinault, the lord
Eustace Dambreticourt, and the lord Iohn of Guistelles.
[Sidenote: The lord Raoull de Coucie taken.]
[Sidenote: Frenchmen distressed.]
The Frenchmen beholding them in this wise to flée, rode after amaine,
and as they followed in chase, they came on the princes battell before
they were aware. The lord Raoull of Coucie went so far forward with
his banner, that he entred vnder the princes banner, and fought right
valiantlie, but yet he was there taken, and the earle of Ioignie, also
the vicount of Bruce, the lord Chauuignie, and diuerse other, so that
the most part of those Frenchmen were either taken or slaine, and verie
few escaped. The prince vnderstood by the prisoners, that the French
king was so farre aduanced forward in pursute of him, that he could not
auoid the battell. Then he assembled his men togither, and commanded
them to kéepe order, and so rode that day being saturdaie from morning
till it was toward night, & then came within two leagues of Poictiers:
and herewith sending foorth certeine capteins, to search if they
could heare where the king was, he incamped himselfe that night in a
strong place amongst hedges, vines, and bushes. They that were sent to
discouer the countrie, rode so far, that they saw where the French king
with his great battell was marching, and setting vpon the taile of the
Frenchmen, caused all the host to stir: whereof knowledge being giuen
to the king, the which as then was entring into Poictiers, he returned
againe, and made all his host to doo the like, so that it was verie
late yer he and his people were bestowed in their lodgings that night.
The English currours returning to the prince, declared what they had
séene and doone. So, that night, the two armies being lodged within a
small distance either of other, kept strong and sure watch about their
campes.
[Sidenote: The ordering of the French battell.]
On the morrow after being sundaie, and the eightéenth daie of
September, the French king caused his host to be diuided into thrée
battels or wards, and in each of them were sixtéene thousand armed men,
all mustered and passed for armed men. The first battell was gouerned
by the duke of Orleance, wherein were six and thirtie banners, and
twise as manie penons. The second was led by the duke of Normandie and
his brethren, the lord Lewes & the lord Iohn. The third the French king
himselfe conducted. And while these battels were setting in arraie,
the king caused the lord Eustace de Ribaumount, and two other noble
men to ride on before, to sée the dealing of the Englishmen, and to
aduise of what number they were. Those that were thus sent, rode foorth
and beheld the order of the Englishmen at good leisure: and returning,
infourmed the king, that as they could iudge, the enimies were about
two thousand men of armes, foure thousand archers, and fiftéene
hundred of others, and that they were lodged in such a strong place,
and so well fensed with ditches and hedges, that it would be hard
assaulting them therein.
[Sidenote: The cardinal of Piergort.]
[Sidenote: The prince of Wales contented to come to a treatie.]
The cardinall of Piergort the popes legat, as then lieng in the citie
of Poictiers, came that morning to the king, and required him to
absteine from battell, till he might vnderstand whether the prince
would condescend vnto such conditions of peace as he himselfe should
think reasonable, which if it might be brought to passe, the same
should be more honorable for him, than to aduenture so manie noble men
as were there with him at that present in hazard of battell. The king
was contented that the cardinall should go to the prince, and sée what
he could doo with him. The cardinall rode to the prince, and talked
with him till he was contented to come to a treatie. The cardinall
returned to the French king, and required of him that a truce might be
granted till the next daies sun-rising: which truce obteined, he spent
that daie in riding to and fro betwixt them.
[Sidenote: The offer of the prince of Wales.]
[Sidenote: The French kings presumptuous demand.]
The prince offered to render into the kings hands all that he had
woone in that voiage, as well townes as castels, and also to release
all the prisoners, which he or any of his men had taken in that
iournie: and further he was contented to haue béene sworne not to beare
armour against the French king within the terme of seuen yeares next
following. But the French king would not agrée therevnto: the vttermost
that he would agrée vnto, was this, that the prince and an hundred of
his knights should yéeld themselues as prisoners vnto him, otherwise
he would not haue the matter taken vp. But it was the French kings hap
after (notwithstanding his hautines) to be taken captiue, as Okland
noteth, saieng,
---- seruilia sub iuga missus
Disceret vt domino regi parêre Britanno.
But the prince in no wise cold be brought to any such vnreasonable
conditions, and so the cardinall could not make them fréends, although
he trauelled earnestlie betwixt them all that daie. When it drew
towards night, he returned toward Poictiers.
[Sidenote: The Englishmen fortifie their campe.]
[Sidenote: The cardinall trauelled in vaine.]
The Englishmen were not idle, whilest the cardinall was thus in hand
to bring the parties to some good agréement, but cast great ditches,
and made hedges, and other fortifications about the place where their
archers stood, and on the next morning, being mondaie, the prince and
his people prepared themselues to receiue battell, as they had doone
before, hauing passed the day before and that night in great defect
of necessarie things, for they could not stir abroad to fetch forrage
or other prouisions without danger to be surprised of their enimies.
The cardinall came againe earlie in the morning vnto the French king,
and found the French armie readie in order of battell by that time the
sunne was vp, and though he eftsoones fell in hand to exhort the king
to an agréement, yet it would not be. So he went to the prince, and
declared to him how he could doo no good in the matter, and therefore
he must abide the hazard of battell for ought that he could sée:
wherewith the prince was content, and so the cardinall returned vnto
Poictiers.
[Sidenote: _Tho. Wals._]
[Sidenote: A prophesie of a prelate.]
¶ Here is to be remembred, that when (as Thomas Walsingham writeth)
this cardinall of Piergort was sent from the pope to traueil betwixt
the parties for a peace to be had, and that the pope exhorted him verie
earnestlie to shew his vttermost diligence and indeuour therein: at his
setting foorth to go on that message, the said cardinall (as was said)
made this answer: Most blessed father (said he) either we will persuade
them to peace and quietnesse, either else shall the verie flintstones
crie out of it. But this he spake not of himselfe, as it was supposed,
but being a prelate in that time, he prophesied what should follow;
for when the English archers had bestowed all their arrowes vpon their
enimies, they tooke vp pebles from the place where they stood, being
full of those kind of stones, and approching to their enimies, they
threw the same with such violence on them, that lighting against their
helmets, armor, and targets, they made a great ringing noise, so that
the cardinals prophesie was fulfilled, that he would either persuade a
peace, or else the stones should crie out thereof.
[Sidenote: The exhortation of the prince.]
The worthie prince like a couragious chiefteine, when he saw that he
must néeds fight, required his people not to be abashed at the great
number of their enimies, sith the victorie did not consist in the
multitude of men, but where God would send it: and if it fortuned that
the iournie might be theirs and his, they should be the most honored
people of the world: and if they should die in that righteous quarrell,
he had the king his father and also his brethren, in like case as they
had fréends and kinsmen, that would séeke their reuenge. And therefore
he desired them that daie to shew themselues like valiant men of warre:
and for his part he trusted in God and saint George, they should sée
in his person no default. These or the like words did this most gentle
prince speake, which greatlie comforted all his people.
[Sidenote: Noble men with the prince of Wales.]
[Sidenote: The capitall de Beuf.]
[Sidenote: The number of the prince his armie.]
There were with him of earles, Warwike, Suffolke, Salisburie, Stafford;
of lords, Cobham Spenser, Audeley, Berkley, Basset, Warren, de la Ware,
Bradeston, Burwasch, Felton, Mallow, and diuerse other: also sir Iohn
Chandois, by whome he was much counselled, sir Richard Stafford, sir
Richard of Penbruche, and manie other knights and valiant esquires
of England. Moreouer, there was of Gascoigne, the capitall of Buz or
Beuf, the lords of Prumes, Burguenrie, Chaumount, de Lespare, Rosen,
Monferant, Landuras, the Souldich of Lestrad or Lescard, and other;
and of Heinault, sir Eustace Daubreticourt, sir Iohn de Guistelles,
and other strangers. All the princes companie passed not the number of
eight thousand men one and other, of the which (as Iacobus Meire saith)
thrée thousand were archers: though Froissard (as I haue rehearsed
before) reporteth the number of archers to be more, as in one place six
thousand, and in an other place foure thousand.
[Sidenote: The number of the French.]
[Sidenote: The battell is begun.]
[Sidenote: The force of the English archer.]
[Sidenote: The lord Iames Audeley.]
The French king hauing in his armie thrée score thousand fighting
men, wherof there were more than thrée thousand knights, made so
sure account of victorie, as anie man might of a thing not yet had,
considering his great puissance, in regard to the small number of his
aduersaries: and therefore immediatlie after that the cardinall was
departed, he caused his battels to march forward, and approching to
the place where the Englishmen stood readie to receiue their enimies,
caused the onset to be giuen. There were certeine French horssemen,
to the number of thrée hundred, with the Almains also on horssebacke
appointed to breake the arraie of the English archers, but the archers
were so defended and compassed about with hedges and ditches, that
the horssemen of the French part could not enter to doo their feat,
and being galled with the sharpe shot of the English bowes, they were
ouerthrowne horsse and man, so that the vaward of the Frenchmen,
wherein was the duke of Athens, with the marshals of France, the lord
Iohn de Cleremont, and the lord Arnold Dandrehen or Odenhen, began to
disorder within a while, by reason of the shot of the archers, togither
with the helpe of the men of armes, amongst whome in the forefront was
the lord Iames Audeley, to performe a vow which he had made, to be one
of the first setters on.
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._]
[Sidenote: The earles of Warwike and Suffolke.]
There was the lord Arnold Dandrehen taken prisoner, and the lord Iohn
de Cleremont slaine, so that the noble prowesse of the said lord Iames
Audeley, breaking through the Frenchmens battell with the slaughter
of manie enimies, was that day most apparant. The loiall constancie
of the noble earles of Warwike and Suffolke, that fought so stoutlie,
so earnestlie, and so fiercelie, was right manifest. And the prince
himselfe did not onelie fulfill the office of a noble chéefteine, but
also of a right valiant and expert souldiour, attempting what soeuer
any other hardie warriour would in such cases haue done. Neither was
this battell quicklie dispatched, nor easilie brought to end; but it
was fought out with such obstinate earnestnesse, that thrée times
that daie were the Englishmen driuen to renew the fight, through the
multitude of enimies that increased and came still vpon them.
[Sidenote: The marshals battell put to ye worst.]
[Sidenote: The Frenchmen séeke to saue themselues by flight.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
Finallie, the marshals battell was quite discomfited: for the Frenchmen
and Almains fell one vpon an other, and could not passe foorth; and
those that were behind, & could not get forward, reculed backe: and
while the marshals battell being on horssebacke thus assailed the
English armie with great disaduantage, and was in the end beaten backe,
the two battels of the dukes of Normandie and Orleance came forward,
and likewise assailed the Englishmen, but could not preuaile. The
archers shot so fiercelie, that to conclude, the Frenchmen behind,
vnderstanding the discomfiture of the marshals battell, and how their
fellowes before could not enter vpon their enimies, they opened and
ran to their horsses, in whome they did put more trust for their
safegard by galloping on them awaie, than in their manlike hands, for
all their late brauerie and great boasts. One thing sore discouraged
the Frenchmen, and that was this: beside those Englishmen that were
within the closure of their campe, there were certeine men of armes on
horssebacke, with a number of archers also on horssebacke, appointed to
coast vnder the couert of a mounteine, adioining to the place, where
they thought to strike into a side of the duke of Normandies battell,
so that with the terrour hereof, and with the continuall shot of the
English archers, the Frenchmen not knowing where to turne themselues,
sought to saue their liues by flight.
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The valiancie of the French king.]
[Sidenote: The French king taken.]
[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._]
[Sidenote: Sir Denise Morbecke.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
The prince of Wales, perceiuing how his enimies (for the more part of
them) were fléeing awaie as men discomfited, sent out his horssemen
as well on the one hand as on the other, and he himselfe with his
whole power of footmen rushed foorth, and manfullie assailed the maine
battell of the Frenchmen, where the king himselfe was, who like a
valiant prince would not flée, but fought right manfullie: so that if
the fourth part of his men had doone halfe their parts as he did his,
the victorie by likelihood had rested (as Froissard saith) on his side:
but he was forsaken of his thrée sonnes, and of his brother the duke of
Orleance, which fled out of the battell with cleare hands. Finallie,
after huge slaughter made of those noblemen, and other which abode with
him euen to the end, he was taken, and so likewise was his yongest
sonne Philip, and both put in great danger to haue béene murthered
after they were taken, by the Englishmen and Gascoignes, striuing who
should haue the king to his prisoner, where indéed a knight of Flanders
or rather Artois, borne in saint Omers, called sir Denise Morbecke,
tooke him, but he was streightwaies taken from the same sir Denise
by other that came in the meane season, better prouided (béelike) of
strength, and lead him awaie vnresisted.
[Sidenote: Noblemen slaine.]
[Sidenote: _Ia. Mair._]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: The chase.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: _Annales de France._]
[Sidenote: Archembald Douglas tak[=e].]
[Sidenote: _Iacob Meir._]
[Sidenote: Prisoners taken.]
There were slaine in this battell, of noblemen, the dukes of Burbon
and Athens, the marshall Cleremont, sir Geffrey Charnie that bare the
chéefe standert of France, the bishop of Chaalons, sir Eustace de
Ribaumont, with diuerse other to the number of eight hundred lords,
knights, and gentlemen of name. In all there died on the French part
six thousand of one and other. The chase was continued euen to the
gates of Poictiers, and manie slaine and beaten downe in the stréet
before the gates, which the citizens had closed, for doubt least the
Englishmen should enter with them that fled, thither for safegard.
There were taken beside the king and his sonne, the lord Iaques de
Burbon earle of Ponthieu, brother to the duke of Burbon that was slaine
there, the earle of Ew, the lord Charles his brother earle of Longuile,
the archbishop of Sens, the earle of Vandosme, Salesbruch, Ventadore,
Tankeruille, Estampes, and Dampmartine: also Archembald Douglas a noble
man of Scotland, sonne to the honorable lord William Dowglas that was
killed in Spaine, the marshall Dandrehen or Odenhen (as Iacobus Meir
saith) with others to the number of seuentéene hundred earles, lords,
knights, and gentlemen, beside those of the meaner sort; so that the
Englishmen had twise as manie prisoners as they themselues were in
number: and therefore it was deuised amongst them, to put the most part
of their prisoners to ransome there in the field, and so they did for
doubt of further danger, the multitude being so great as it was.
[Sidenote: The battell of Poictiers when it was.]
[Sidenote: The prince suppeth the prisoners.]
Thus was the prince of Wales victor in that notable battell fought in
the fields of Beauuoir and Malpertuse, two leagues from Poictiers, the
ninetéenth day of September being monday, in the yéere a thousand,
thrée hundred, fiftie and six, which began in the morning and ended at
noone. But bicause the Englishmen were scattered abroad in chase of
their enimies, the princes banner was set vp in a bush, to draw all
his men togither. It was almost night yer they were all returned from
the chase. The prince made a great supper in his lodging that night to
the French king, and to the most part of his nobles that were taken
prisoners, and did all the honour that he could deuise to the king. And
where he perceiued by his chéere and countenance, that his heart was
full of pensiue gréefe, carefull thought and heauinesse, he comforted
him in the best maner that he might, and said to him: as followeth.
The méeke and comfortable oration of the English prince to the French
king being taken prisoner.
Most noble king, there is no cause wherefore your grace should be
pensiue, though God this day did not consent to follow your will.
For your noble prowes and dignitie roiall, with the supreme type of
your kinglie maiestie, remaineth whole and inuiolate, and what soeuer
may rightlie be called yours; so that no violent force of time shall
blot out or diminish the same. The almightie God hath determined
that the chance of war shall rest in his disposition and will, as
all other things. Your elders haue atchiued both by land & sea manie
noble enterprises. The whole compasse of Europe, all the east parts
of the world, all places and countries, both far & néere, are full of
monuments, witnessing the noble victories atteined by the French people.
The cause of godlie liuing and religion, the dignitie and preheminence
of christianitie hath béene defended and augmented by you, against the
most mightie and puissant capteins of the infidels, enimies to the
said christian religion. All ages shall make mention of your worthie
praises, no nation there is but shall confesse it selfe bounden at one
time or other for benefits receiued at your hands; neither is there
any people but such as hope to be hereafter bounden to you for reliefe
and benefits, to procéed from you in time to come. One or two battels
happilie haue chanced among so manie triumphs otherwise than you would
haue wished; chance would it should be so, which may inféeble and
make weake the power of horsses, armor, and weapon: your inuincible
courage and roiall magnanimitie lieth in your power to reteine: neither
shall this day take any thing from you or yours. And this realme of
France which hath procreat and brought foorth and norished so many of
my noble progenitors, shall perceiue my good meaning towards hir, as
not forgetfull of mine elders, and toward your maiestie (if you will
vouchsafe that I should glorie of that name) a most humble kinsman.
There are manie occasions of loue and fréendship betwixt you and my
father, which I trust shall take place, for I know all his thoughts
and inward meanings: you shall agrée and come to an attonement right
easilie togither, & I praie God he neuer take me for his sonne, except
I haue you in the same degrée of honor, reuerence, and faithfull loue,
which I owe towards him.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: The French king thanketh the prince.]
[Sidenote: The prince returneth to Burdeaux.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The lord Audelie rewarded.]
The king (as reason would) acknowledged this to procéed of great
courtesie shewed toward him in the prince, and thanked him
accordinglie. And the prince performing in déed that which he spake
with word, ceassed from further vsing of fire, or other indamaging
of the French dominions, and taking his waie through the countries
of Poictou and Xaintonge, by easie iournies, he and his people came
to Blaie, and so passed ouer the water to Burdeaux in good safetie
with all their riches and prisoners. The prince gaue to the lord
Iames Audelie (who had receiued in the battell manie sore wounds)
fiue hundred marks of yearelie reuenues assigned foorth of his lands
in England. The which gift the knight granted as fréelie as he had
receiued it vnto foure of his esquiers, which in the battell had béene
euer attendant about his person, without whose aid & valiant support,
he knew well that he had béene slaine sundrie times in the same battell
by his enimies, and therefore thought it a dutie of humanitie and
gratitude to make them amends with some temporall recompense, that had
saued his life, than the which nothing is more déere, nor of greater
price in the world, as the poet saith,
---- nihil est vita pretiosius ipsa.
When the prince heard that he had so doone, he meruelled what his
meaning was therby, and caused him to be brought before his presence,
and demanded of him wherefore he had so lightlie giuen awaie that
reward which he had bestowed vpon him, and whether he thought that
gift too meane for him or not. The lord Audelie so excused himselfe in
extolling the good seruice doone to him by his esquiers, through whome
he had so manie times escaped the dangers of death, that the prince did
not onelie confirme the resignation of the fiue hundred marks giuen to
the esquiers, but also rewarded the lord Audelie with six hundred marks
more of like yearelie reuenues, in maner and forme as he had receiued
the other.
[Sidenote: Bonfiers.]
[Sidenote: 1357.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 31.]
[Sidenote: Additions to _Adam Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: The prince bringeth the French king ouer into England.]
When the newes of this great victorie came into England of the
ouerthrow of the Frenchmen, and taking of the French king, ye may
be sure there was great ioy shewed by outward tokens, as bonfiers
made, feasts and bankets kept, through the whole realme. Likewise the
Gascoignes and Englishmen being come to Burdeaux, made great reuell
and pastime there, spending fréelie that gold and siluer which they
had woone in the battell of Poictiers, and elsewhere in that iournie.
¶ This yeare in Aprill the prince of Wales tooke shipping with his
prisoners at Burdeaux, and on the fift of Maie arriued at Plimouth. On
the foure and twentith day of Maie he was with great honour ioifullie
receiued of the citizens into the citie of London, and so conueied
to the palace of Westminster, where the king sitting in Westminster
hall, receiued the French king, and after conueied him to a lodging
appointed for him, where he laie a season; but after he was remoued to
the Sauoie, which was at that time a goodlie house, perteining to the
duke of Lancaster, though afterwards it was burnt and destroied by Wat
Tiler, Iacke Straw, and their companie. In this place the French king
laie, and kept house a long time after.
[Sidenote: A iusts holden in Smithfield.]
[Sidenote: The French K. sorrowfull.]
In the winter following were roiall iustes holden in Smithfield, at the
which were present the kings of England, France, and Scotland, with
manie great estates of all their thrée kingdoms, of the which the more
part of the strangers were as then prisoners. It was reported, that the
French king could not so dissemble nor cloake his inward thought, but
that there appeared some tokens of gréefe in his countenance, whilest
he beheld these warlike pastimes. And when the king of England, & his
sonne prince Edward with comfortable words required him after supper to
put all pensiue cares out of his fantasie, and to be merrie and sing
as other did, he should make this answer with a smiling countenance,
alluding to the complaint of the Israelits in time of their captiuitie
vnder the gentiles, & saieng,
[Sidenote: _Psalm. 137._]
Quomodo cantabimus canticum in terra aliena?
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: Cardinals sent into England.]
[Sidenote: A truce for two yeares.]
About the same time there came ouer into England two cardinals, the one
called Talirand being bishop of Alba (commonlie named the cardinall
of Pierregort) and the other named Nicholas intituled cardinall of
S. Vitale or (as Froissard saith) of Dargell, they were sent from
pope Innocent the sixt, to intreat for a peace betwixt the kings of
England and France: but they could not bring their purpose to anie
perfect conclusion, although they remained here for the space of two
yeares: but yet onelie by good means they procured a truce betwéene the
said kings, and all their assistants, to indure from the time of the
publication thereof, vnto the feast of S. Iohn Baptist, which should be
in the yeare 1359: out of the which truce was excepted the L. Philip of
Nauarre, and his alies, the countesse of Montfort, and the whole duchie
of Britaine.
[Sidenote: The French king remoued to Windsor.]
[Sidenote: Rennes besieged.]
Anon after, the French king was remooued from the Sauoie vnto the
castell of Windsor with all his houshold, and then he went on hunting
and hawking there about at his pleasure, and the lord Philip his sonne
with him, all the residue of the prisoners abode still at London, but
were suffered to go vp and downe, and to come to the court when they
would. In the same yeare the duke of Lancaster besieged the citie of
Rennes in Britaine, in the title of the countesse of Richmond, & hir
yoong sonne Iohn of Montfort, that claimed to be duke of Britaine.
Those that were within the citie, as the vicount of Rohan, and Berthram
de Claiquin (who as then was a lustie yoong bacheler) and others
defended themselues manfullie for a time, but yet at length they were
compelled to render the citie into their enimies hands.
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._]
[Sidenote: _Fourdon._]
[Sidenote: The king of Scots ransomed.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
About the same time two Franciscane friers were burnt at London, for
matters of religion. ¶ Moreouer quéene Isabell, mother vnto king
Edward the third, departed this life the seauen and twentith daie of
August, and was buried the seauen and twentith daie of Nouember, in
the church of the friers minors at London, not yet dedicated. ¶ Dauid
king of Scotland, shortlie after the truce was concluded betwixt
England and France, was set at libertie, paieng for his ransome the
summe of one hundred thousand marks (as Fourdon saith) but whether he
meaneth Scotish or sterling monie, I cannot saie. He also was bound by
couenant now vpon his deliuerance, to cause the castels in Nidesdale
to be raised, which were knowne to be euill neighbors to the English
borderers, as Dunfrise, Dalswinton, Morton, Dunsdere, and nine other.
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
His wife quéene Ione made such earnest sute to hir brother king Edward
for hir husbands deliuerance, that king Edward was contented to release
him vpon the paiment of so small a portion of monie, and performance
of the couenants, for the raising of those castels; although Froissard
saith, that he was couenanted to paie for his deliuerance within the
tearme of ten yeares, fiue hundred thousand nobles, and for suertie of
that paiment to send into England sufficient hostages, as the earles
of Dowglas, Murrey, Mar, Sutherland, and Fiffe, the baron of Vescie,
and sir William Camoise. Also he couenanted neuer to weare armour
against king Edward, within his realme of England, nor to consent that
his subiects should so doo: and further should vpon his returne home,
doo the best he could to cause the Scots to agrée that their countrie
should hold of him in fée, and that he and his successours, kings of
Scotland, should doo homage to the king of England, and his successors
for the realme of Scotland.
[Sidenote: 1358.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 32.]
[Sidenote: _Annales de France._]
[Sidenote: The citie of Auxerre tak[=e] by sir Robert Knolles.]
[Sidenote: Daúbignie sir le Metre.]
[Sidenote: Chastelon.]
[Sidenote: Newcastell vpon Loire.]
In this two and thirtith yeare, as witnesseth the French chronicles,
sir Robert Knolles, Iames Pipe, and one Thomlin Foulke, with other
capiteins and men of warre as souldiours to the king of Nauarre vpon
the tenth day of March earlie in the morning scaled the walles of
the citie of Auxerre, and behaued them so manfullie, that they were
maisters of the towne before the sunne was vp. They got excéeding much
by the spoile of that citie, and by ransoming the prisoners which
they tooke there. At length after they had remained eight daies in
that citie, and taken their pleasures of all things within it, they
wrought so with the citizens, that to haue possession of their citie
againe, and to haue it saued from fire, they agréed to giue to sir
Robert Knolles, and to his companie, fiftie thousand motons of gold,
which amounted to the summe of twelue thousand and fiue hundred pounds
sterling or there about; and yet was it agréed, that the Englishmen
should burne the gates, and throw downe the walles in diuers places. In
Aprill next insuing, the towne of Daúbignie sir le Metre was likewise
woone by the Englishmen; and the second daie of Maie Chastelon sir
Loigne was taken by the said sir Robert Knolles, and put to sacke as
the other were. From thence they went to Newcastell vpon Loire. Thus
did the Englishmen and other, in title of the K. of Nauarre, greatlie
indamage the realme of France, dailie winning townes and castels,
ransoming the people, and wasting the countries in most miserable wise,
as in the historie of France you may read more at large.
[Sidenote: Talke of a peace, and articles thereof drawne.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
In this meane while there was talke of peace betwixt the king of
England, and the king of France, and articles thereof drawne in this
forme, that the whole countries of Gascoine, Guien, Poictou, Touraine,
Xainctonge, Piergourd, Quercie, Limosin, Angolismois, Calis, Guines,
Bullogne, and Ponthieu, should remaine to the king of England wholie
without dooing homage or paieng anie reléefe for the same: but on
the other part, he should renounce all his right, which he might by
anie manner of meane claime to the countries of Normandie, Aniou, or
Maine. And further, that the French king should paie a certeine summe
of monie for his ransome, and deliuer sufficient pledges for the same,
and so depart into France. These articles were sent ouer into France,
that the thrée states there might confirme them, which they refused to
doo. Wherevpon when the truce ended, the warres were againe reuiued.
¶The king, held this yéere the feast of S. George at Windsor, in more
sumptuous manner than euer it had béene kept before.
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]
[Sidenote: The bishop of Elie.]
[Sidenote: Excommunication.]
[Sidenote: Such as deliuered the popes letters hanged.]
In the same yeare also, frier Iohn Lisle bishop of Elie, being (as
he tooke it) somewhat wronged by the ladie Blanch de Wake, and other
that were of hir counsell, when the last yeare against the kings will
vnto the popes court, where exhibiting his complaint, he caused the
pope to excommunicate all his aduersaries, sending to the bishop of
Lincolne and other of the cleargie, that if they knew any of them
so excommunicated to be dead and buried, they should draw them out
of their graues: which was doone. And bicause some of those that
were excommunicated were of the kings councell, the king tooke such
displeasure therewith, that he gréeuouslie disquieted the prelats.
Wherevpon there were sent from the court of Rome on the behalfe of the
bishop of Elie, certeine persons, which being armed, met the bishop
of Rochester lord treasuror, deliuering to him letters from the pope,
the contents of the which were not knowen, and foorthwith they shranke
awaie: but the kings seruants made such pursute after them, that some
of them they tooke, and bringing them before the kings iustices, vpon
their arreignement they were condemned, and suffered death on the
gallowes.
[Sidenote: Discord betwixt priests and friers.]
[Sidenote: _Th. Walsing._]
[Sidenote: Iohn of Gant married.]
[Sidenote: 1359.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 33.]
[Sidenote: Windsore castell repared. Additions to _Triuet._]
[Sidenote: A solemne iusts at London.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: The K. with his foure sons are of the challengers part.]
[Sidenote: The French K. remoued. He departed fr[=o] Hertford the 29 of
Iulie.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
Great discord rose also about this time, or rather afore, betwixt the
cleargie, and the foure orders of friers, as in the booke of acts &
monuments set foorth by master Iohn Fox ye may read more at large.
In this yeare Iohn of Gant earle of Richmond, sonne to the king, the
ninetéenth day of Maie married the ladie Blanch daughter to Henrie
duke of Lancaster at Reading; and bicause they were cousins within the
degrées of consanguinitie, forbidden by the church lawes to marrie, a
dispensation was procured of the pope to remoue that obstacle and let.
In this yeare the king set workemen in hand to take downe much old
bildings belonging to the castell of Windsore, and caused diuerse other
faire and sumptuous works to be erected and set vp, in and about the
same castell, so that almost all the masons and carpenters that were of
any accompt within this land, were sent for and imploied about the same
works, the ouerséer whereof was William Wickham the kings chaplein, by
whose aduise the king tooke in hand to repare that place, the rather in
déed bicause he was borne there, and therefore he tooke great pleasure
to bestow cost in beautifieng it with such buildings, as may appeare
euen vnto this daie. Moreouer, this yeare in the Rogation wéeke was
solemne iusts enterprised at London, for the maior and his foure and
twentie brethren as challengers did appoint to answer all commers, in
whose name and stéed the king with his foure sonnes, Edward, Lionell,
Iohn, and Edmund, and ninetéene other great lords, in secret manner
came and held the field with honor, to the great pleasure of the
citizens that beheld the same. ¶Ye haue heard how the Frenchmen refused
the peace, which was accorded betwixt K. Edward & their king, as then
prisoner here in England. Wherup[=o] K. Edward determined to make such
warre against the realme of France, that the Frenchmen with all their
harts should be glad to condescend and agrée to reason: and first he
commanded all manner of Frenchmen (other than such as were prisoners)
to auoid out of England. He also appointed the French king to be
remoued from the castell of Hertford, where he then remained, vnto the
castell of Somerton in Lincolneshire, vnder the gard and conduct of the
lord William Deincourt, being allowed fourtie shillings the day for the
wages of two and twentie men at armes, twentie archers, & two watchmen:
as thus, for himselfe and sir Iohn Kirketon baronets, either of them
foure shillings the daie; for thrée knights, sir William Colleuill (in
place of the lord Robert Colleuill, that could not trauell himselfe by
reason of sicknesse) sir Iohn Deincourt, and sir Saer de Rochfort, ech
of them two shillings the daie; seuentéene esquiers ech of them twelue
pence the day, eight archers on horsse backe euerie of them six pence
the day, and twelue archers on foot thrée pence, and the two watchmen
either of them six pence the day, which amounteth in the whole vnto
nine and thirtie shillings the day; and the od twelue pence was allowed
to the said lord Deincourt to make vp the summe of 40 shillings. ¶ This
haue I noted the rather, to giue a light to the reader to consider how
chargeable the reteining of men of war in these daies is, in respect of
the former times. But now to our purpose.
[Sidenote: The king prepareth to make a iournie into France.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster.]
[Sidenote: Braie assaulted.]
The king meaning to passe ouer himselfe in person into France, caused a
mightie armie to be mustered and put in a readinesse, and sent before
him the duke of Lancaster ouer to Calis with foure hundred speares, and
two thousand archers, where the said duke ioined with such strangers
as were alreadie come to Calis in great numbers, and togither with
them entered into the French dominions, and passing by saint Omers &
Bethune, came to Mount saint Eloie, a goodlie abbeie and a rich, two
leagues distant from Arras, and there the host tarried foure daies,
and when they had robbed and wasted all the countrie thereabout, they
rode to Braie, and there made a great assault, at the which a baronet
of England was slaine with diuerse other. When the Englishmen saw they
could win nothing there, they departed, and following the water of
Some, came to a towne called Chersie, where they passed the riuer, and
there tarried Alhallowen daie, & the night following.
[Sidenote: The kings arriuall at Calis.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
On the same daie the duke of Lancaster was aduertised, that the king
was arriued at Calis the seuentéenth daie of October, commanding him by
letters to draw towards him with all his companie. The duke according
to the kings commandement obeied, and so returned toward Calis. The
king being there arriued with all his power, tooke counsell which
way he should take. Some aduised him first to inuade Flanders, and
to reuenge the iniurious dealing of the earle and the Flemings: but
he would not agrée to that motion, for he purposed fullie either by
plaine force to make a conquest of France, or else vtterlie to destroie
and wast the countrie throughout with fier and sword. Herevpon he set
forwards the fourth of Nouember, and passing through the countries of
Arthois, and Vermendois, he came before the citie of Reimes. There
went ouer with him in this iournie, & with the duke of Lancaster,
his foure sonnes, Edward prince of Wales, Lionell earle of Vlster,
Iohn earle of Richmond, and the lord Edmund his yoongest sonne. Also
there was Henrie the said duke of Lancaster, with the earles of March,
Warwike, Suffolke, Hereford (who also was earle of Northampton)
Salisburie, Stafford, and Oxford, the bishops of Lincolne, and Durham,
and the lords Percie, Neuill, Spenser, Kirdiston, Rosse, Mannie,
Cobham, Mowbray, de la Ware, Willoughbie, Felton, Basset, Fitz Water,
Charleton, Audelie, Burwasch, and others, beside knights and esquiers,
as sir Iohn Chandois, sir Stephan Goussanton, sir Nowell Loring, sir
Hugh Hastings, sir Iohn Lisle, sir Richard Pembruge, and others.
[Sidenote: Reimes besieged.]
[Sidenote: 1360.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 34.]
[Sidenote: Tonnere woone.]
The siege was laid before Reimes about saint Andrewes tide, and
continued more than seuen wéekes: but the citie was so well defended
by the bishop and the earle of Porcien, and other capiteins within it,
that the Englishmen could not obteine their purpose, and so at length,
when they could not haue forrage nor other necessarie things abroad
in the countrie for to serue their turne, the king raised his field,
and departed with his armie in good order of battell, taking the way
through Champaigne, and so passed by Chaalons, and after to Merie on
the riuer of Seine. From Merie he departed and came vnto Tonnere, which
towne about the beginning of the foure and thirtith yeare of his reigne
was woone by assault, but the castell could not be woone, for there was
within it the lord Fiennes constable of France, and a great number of
other good men of war, which defended it valiantlie.
[Sidenote: Guillon.]
[Sidenote: Flauignie.]
[Sidenote: The number of carriages.]
After the king had rested there fiue daies, and that his men were well
refreshed with the wines and other such things, which they found in
that towne in good plentie, he remooued and drew towards Burgognie,
comming to a towne called Guillon or Aguillon, where he lay from
Ashwednesday vnto Midlent, hauing good prouision of all maner of
vittels by the means of an esquier of his called Iohn Alanson, which
had taken the towne of Flauignie not farre thence, wherein was great
store of bread and wine and other vittels: and still the marshals rode
foorth, and oftentimes refreshed the host with new prouision. The
Englishmen had with them in their carriages, tents, pauillions, milles,
ouens, and forges; also boates of leather cunninglie made and deuised,
able to receiue thrée men a péece, and to passe them ouer waters and
riuers. They had at the least six thousand carts with them, and for
euerie cart foure horsses which they had out of England.
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: Additions to _Ad. Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: Winchelsie burnt by the French.]
[Sidenote: A compositi[=o] made to spare the countrie of Burgognie.]
In this meane while, the Frenchmen made certeine vessels foorth to the
sea, vnder the gouernance of the earle of S. Paule, the which vpon the
fiftéenth daie of March landed earlie in the morning at Winchelsie,
and before sunne rising entred the towne, and finding the inhabitants
vnprouided to make anie great resistance, fell to and sacked the
houses, slue manie men, women, and also children, and after set fier
on the towne; and vpon knowledge had that the people of the countrie
next adioining were assembled, and comming to the rescue, he caused
his men to draw to their ships, and so they taking their pillage and
spoile with them, got them aboord, not without some losse of their
companie, which were slaine in the towne by such as resisted their
violence. Whilest the king laie at Aguillon, there came to him Anscaume
de Salilans chancellor of Burgognie, Iaques de Vienne, and other lords
of the countrie, being sent from their duke, to agrée with the king for
the sparing of the lands and seigniories apperteining to the duchie of
Burgognie.
[Sidenote: Franks hath Paradine, in Les Annales de Burgognie.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The king of England draweth towards Paris.]
The chancellor, and the other Burgognian lords found the king so
agréeable to their request, that a composition was made betwixt him and
the countrie of Burgognie, so that he should make to them an assurance
for him, and all his people, not to ouerrun or indamage that countrie,
during the space of thrée yeares, and he to haue in readie monie the
summe of two hundred thousand florens of gold, which of sterling monie
amounted to the summe of fiue and thirtie thousand pounds. When this
agréement was ingrossed vp in writing, and sealed, the king dislodged,
and all his host, taking the right waie to Paris, and passing the riuer
of Yonne, entered into Gastinois, and at length by easie iournies, vpon
a tuesdaie being the last of March in the wéeke before Easter, he came
and lodged betwéene Mont le Herie, and Chartres, with his people in the
countrie there abouts.
[Sidenote: A treatie.]
Here the duke of Normandie made meanes for a treatie of peace, which
was laboured by a frier called Simon de Langres prouinciall of the
friers Iacobins and the popes legat: he did so much, that a treatie was
appointed to be holden on good fridaie in the Malederie of Longegimew,
where appeared for the king of England the duke of Lancaster, the
erls of Warwike and Northampton, with sir Iohn Chandois, sir Walter
de Mannie, and sir William Cheinie knights: and for the French king
thither came the earle of Eu constable of France, and the marshall
Bouciquaut, with other; but their treatie came to none effect: wherfore
the king vpon the tuesdaie in the Easter wéeke remooued néerer vnto
Paris, and vpon the fridaie following, being the tenth of Aprill, by
procurement of the abbat of Clugnie newlie come from pope Innocent the
sixt, the foresaid commissioners eftsoones did méet to treat of an
agréement, but nothing they could conclude, the parties in their offers
and demands were so farre at ods.
[Sidenote: The Englishmen before Paris.]
Vpon the sundaie next following, a part of the kings hoste came before
the citie of Paris, and imbattelled themselues in a field fast by saint
Marcilles, abiding there fr[=o] morning till thrée of the clocke in
the after noone, to sée if the Frenchmen would come foorth to giue
battell: but the French would not taste of that vessel. For the duke
of Normandie (well considering what losse had insued within few yeares
past vnto the realme of France, by giuing battell to the Englishmen,
and taught by late triall and féeling of smart to dread imminent
danger, for