[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: The suburbs of Paris burnt.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The bishop of Beauuois.]
would not suffer anie of his people to issue foorth of the gates, but
commanded them to be readie onelie to defend the walles and gates,
although he had a great power of men of warre within the citie, beside
the huge multitude of the inhabitants. The Englishmen to prouoke their
enimies the sooner to saile forth, burnt diuerse parts of the suburbs,
and rode euen to the gates of the citie. When they perceiued that the
Frenchmen would not come foorth, about thrée of the clocke in the
afternoone they departed out of the field and withdrew to their campe,
and then the king and all the English host remooued towards Chartres,
and was lodged at a place called Dones. Thither came to him the bishop
of Beauuois then chancellor of Normandie, with other, and so handled
the matter with him, that a new daie of treatie was appointed to be
holden at Bretignie, which is little more then a mile distant from
Chartres, vpon the first day of Maie next insuing.
[Sidenote: A new treatie.]
[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster persuadeth the king to agrée.]
In which daie and place appointed, the foresaid duke of Lancaster, and
the said earles and other commissioners met with the said bishop, and
other French lords and spirituall men to him associate, on the behalfe
of the duke of Normandie then regent of France, to renew the former
communication of peace, in full hope to bring it to a good conclusion;
bicause king Edward began to frame his imagination more to accord with
his aduersaries, than he had doone of late, chéefelie for that the duke
of Lancaster with courteous words and sage persuasions, aduised him not
to forsake such reasonable conditions as the Frenchmen were contented
now to agrée vnto, sith that by making such manner of warre as he had
attempted, his souldiers onelie gained, and he himselfe lost but time,
and consumed his treasure: and further he might warre in this sort all
the daies of his life, before he could atteine to his intent, and loose
perhaps in one daie more than he had gained in twentie yeares.
[Sidenote: An hideous storme & tempest of wether.]
[Sidenote: A peace concluded.]
Such words spoken for the wealth of the king and his subiects,
conuerted the kings mind to fansie peace, namelie by the grace of the
Holie-ghost chéefe worker in this case. For it chanced on a daie,
as he was marching not farre from Chartres, there came such a storm
and tempest of thunder, lightening, haile and raine, as the like had
neuer béene séene by anie of the English people. This storme fell so
hideous in the kings host, that it séemed the world should haue ended:
for such vnreasonable great stones of haile fell from the skie, that
men and horsses were slaine therewith, so that the most hardie were
abashed. There perished thousands thereby, as some haue written. Then
the king remembring what reasonable offers of agréement he had refused,
vpon remorse of conscience (as by some writers should appeare) asked
forgiuenesse of the damage doone by sword and fire in those parts, and
fullie determined to grant vnto indifferent articles of peace, for
reléefe of the christian inhabitants of that land: and so shortlie
after, by the good diligence of the commissioners on both parts, an
vnitie and finall peace was accorded, the conditions whereof were
comprised in fortie and one articles, the chiefe whereof in effect were
these.
[Sidenote: The articles.]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: Homages and seruices.]
1 First that the king of England should haue and enioy (ouer and beside
that which he held alreadie in Gascoigne and Guien) the castell, citie,
and countie of Poictiers, and all the lands and countrie of Poictou,
with the fée of Touars, and the lands of Belleuille; the citie and
castell of Xainctes, and all the lands and countrie of Xaonctonge
on both sides the riuer of Charent, with the towne and fortresse of
Rochell, with their appurtenances; the citie and castell of Agent, and
the countrie of Agenois; the citie and castell of Piergort, and all the
land and countrie of Perigueux; the citie and castell of Limoges, and
all the lands and countrie of Limosin; the citie and castell of Cahors,
and the lordship of Cahorsin; the castell and countrie of Tarbe; the
lands countrie and countie of Bigorre; the countie, countrie, and lands
of Gaure; the citie and castell of Angolesme; and the countie, land,
and countrie of Angolesmois; the citie, towne and castell of Rodaix;
and all the countie, and countrie of Rouergne; and if there were in the
duchie of Guien any lords, as the earles of Foiz, Arminacke, Lisle, and
Perigueux, the vicounts of Carmain, and Limoges, or other holding any
lands within the foresaid bounds, it was accorded that they should doo
homage and other customarie seruices due for the same vnto the king of
England.
[Sidenote: The date of the charter of the peace.]
2 It was also agréed, that Calis and Guines with the appurtenances,
the lands of Montreuill on the sea with the countie of Ponthieu,
wholie and entirelie should remaine vnto the king of England. All the
which countries, cities, townes, and castels, with the other lands and
seigniories, the same king should haue and hold to him and his heires
for euer, euen as they were in demaine or fée, immediatlie of God, and
frée without recognizing any maner souereingtie to any earthlie man. In
consideration whereof, king Edward renounced all such claimes, titles
and interest as he pretended vnto any part of France, other than such
as were comprised within the charter of couenants of this peace first
agréed vpon at Bretignie aforesaid, and after confirmed at Calis, as
appeareth, by the same charter dated there the foure & twentith daie of
October, in the yeare of our Lord 1360.
[Sidenote: The French kings ransome.]
[Sidenote: Hostages.]
3 It was also couenanted, that the French king should paie vnto the
king of England thirtie hundred thousand crownes in name of his
ransome: for assurance of which paiment, & performance of all the
couenants afore mentioned, and other agréed vpon by this peace, the
dukes of Orleance, Aniou, Berrie, and Burbon, with diuerse other
honorable personages, as earles, lords, and burgesses of euerie good
towne, some were appointed to be sent ouer hither into England to
remaine as hostages.
[Sidenote: The French not to aid the Scots.]
4 It was further agréed, that neither the French king nor his
successors should aid the Scots against the king of England or his
successors; nor that king Edward nor his heirs kings of England should
aid the Flemings against the crowne of France.
[Sidenote: Britaine.]
5 And as for the title or right of the duchie of Britaine, which was in
question betwéene the earles of Blois and Mountfort, it was accorded,
that both kings being at Calis, the parties should be called before
them, and if the two kings could not make them fréends, then should
they assigne certeine indifferent persons to agrée them, and they to
haue halfe a yéeres respit to end the matter: and if within that terme
those that should be so appointed to agrée them, could not take vp the
matter betwixt the said earles, then either of them might make the best
purchase for himselfe that he could, by helpe of fréends, or otherwise:
but alwaies prouided, that neither of the kings nor their sonnes should
so aid the said earles, whereby the peace accorded betwixt England and
France, might by any meanes be broken or infringed. Also, to whether of
the said earles the duchie of Britaine in the end chanced to fall by
sentence of iudges, or otherwise, the homage should be doone for the
same vnto the French king.
[Sidenote: The king of England returneth home.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Warwike.]
All these ordinances, articles and agréements, with manie mo (which
here would be too long to rehearse) were accorded and ratified by the
instruments and scales of the prince of Wales on the one part, and of
the duke of Normandie regent of France on the other part, as by their
letters patents then sealed further appeared, bearing date, the one at
Loures in Normandie the sixtéenth daie of Maie in the yeare of Grace
1360, and the other at Paris the tenth day of the same moneth, and in
the yeare aforesaid. Ouer & beside this, both the said princes tooke
on them a solemne oth, to sée all the same articles and couenants
of agréement throughlie kept, mainteined and performed. This doone,
king Edward imbarked himselfe with his four sonnes and the most part
of his nobles at Hunfleu the twentith daie of Maie, and so sailed
into England, leauing behind him the earle of Warwike to haue the
gouernement of all the men of warre which he left behind him, either in
Guien or in any other place on that side the sea.
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsin._]
[Sidenote: The French king goeth ouer to Calis.]
[Sidenote: The kings receiue a solemne oth to sée the peace performed.]
There died in this iournie diuerse noble men of this land, as the
earles of March and Oxford, the lord Iohn Graie then steward of
England, and the lord Geffrie de Saie, with diuerse other. The eight of
Iulie next insuing, the French king hauing licence to depart, landed at
Calis, and was lodged in the castell there, abiding till the king of
England came thither, which was not till the ninth day of October next
after. On the foure and twentith daie of October, both the kings being
in two trauerses and one chappell at Calis, a masse was said before
them, and when they should haue kissed the pax, either of them in signe
of greater fréendship kissed the other, & there they were solemnlie
sworne to mainteine the articles of the same peace; and for more
assurance thereof, manie lords of both parts were likewise sworne to
mainteine the same articles to the vttermost of their powers. Whilest
these kings laie thus at Calis, there was great banketting and chéere
made betwixt them.
[Sidenote: The duke of Normandie.]
[Sidenote: The number of the French hostages.]
[Sidenote: The French king set at libertie.]
Also the duke of Normandie came from Bullongne to Calis, to visit his
father, and to sée the king of England, in which meane time two of king
Edwards sonnes were at Bullongne. Finallie, when these two kings had
finished all matters in so good order and forme that the same could not
be amended nor corrected, and that the French king had deliuered his
hostages to the king of England, that is to saie, six dukes, beside
earles, lords, and other honorable personages, in all to the number of
eight and thirtie: on the morrow after the taking of their oths, that
is to saie on the fiue and twentith daie of October, being sundaie,
the French king was fréelie deliuered, and the same daie before noone
he departed from Calis, and rode to Bullongne. The king of England
brought him a mile foreward on his waie, and then tooke leaue of him in
most louing maner. The prince attended him to Bullongne, where both he
and the duke of Normandie with other were eftsoons sworne to hold and
mainteine the foresaid peace without all fraud or colourable deceit:
and this doone, the prince returned to Calis. Thus was the French king
set at libertie, after he had béene prisoner here in England the space
of foure yeares, and as much as from the ninetéenth daie of September,
vnto the fiue and twentith of October. When the king of England had
finished his businesse at Calis, according to his mind, he returned
into England, and came to London the ninth daie of Nouember.
¶ Thus haue yée hard the originall begining, the processe, and issue of
sundrie conflicts and battels, and speciallie of two, one of Iohn the
French king vnluckilie attempted against England; the other of Dauid
the Scotish king as vnfortunatlie ended. For both kings were subdued
in fight, vanquished, and taken prisoners; with a great number of
their noblemen, whereas they were in hope to haue gone awaie with the
conquest, and to haue had renowme for their reward. Of which ouerthrow
giuen to both these kings, with the clemencie of king Edward (in whose
hands though their liues laie to be disposed as he list, yet he was
so far from violating the same, that he shewed himselfe a woonderfull
fauourer of their estates, and in fine not onelie put them to their
reasonable ransoms, but restored them to their roialties, from the
which their sinister lot had deposed them) Christopher Okland hath left
this remembred:
[Sidenote: _In Angl. proel. sub Edwardo, 3._]
Plantageneta duos reges iam illustris habebat
Captiuos, tenuit comites custodia mitis
Multos ambabus claro regionibus ortos
Sanguine, quos sæuo bello cepere Britanni.
Attamen Eduardi viguit clementia regis
Tanta, & tanta animo virtus innata sedebat,
Vt pretio & pacto dimitteret ære redemptos
In patriam ad propriæ consanguinitatis amicos.
[Sidenote: Strange woonders.]
[Sidenote: A great death.]
In this foure and thirtith yeare of king Edward, men and cattell
were destroied in diuerse places of this realme, by lightening and
tempest; also houses were set on fire and burnt, and manie strange
and woonderfull sights séene. ¶ The same yeare Edward prince of Wales
married the countesse of Kent, which before was wife vnto the lord
Thomas Holland: and before that, she was also wife vnto the erle
of Salisburie, and diuorsed from him, and wedded to the same lord
Holland. She was daughter vnto Edmund earle of Kent, brother to king
Edward the second, that was beheaded in the beginning of this kings
reigne, as before yée haue heard. And bicause the prince and shée were
within degrées of consanguinitie forbidden to marrie, a dispensation
was gotten from the pope to remooue that let. In this yeare also was
a great death of people (namelie of men, for women were not so much
subiect thereto.) This was called the second mortalitie, bicause it was
the second that fell in this kings daies.
[Sidenote: _Hen. Marl._]
[Sidenote: The primat of Ardmach departed this life.]
[Sidenote: 1361.]
[Sidenote: Additions to _Triuet_, and _Adam Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: A Str[=a]ge sight in the aire.]
This yeare also by the death of Richard fitz Rafe primat of Ardmach,
that departed this life in the court of Rome; and also of Richard
Kilminton deceassed here in England, the discord that had continued for
the space of thrée or foure yeares betwixt them of the cleargie on the
one part, and the foure orders of friers on the other part, was now
quieted and brought to end. Moreouer, this yeare appeared two castels
in the aire, of the which the one appeared in the southeast, and the
other in the southwest, out of which castels about the houre of noone
sundrie times were séene hosts of armed men (as appeared to mans sight)
issuing foorth, and that host which sailed out of the castell in the
southeast séemed white, and the other blacke. They appeared as they
should haue fought either against other, and first the white had the
vpper hand, and after was ouercome, and so vanished out of sight.
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 35.]
[Sidenote: A parlement.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
About the same time the souldiors which were discharged in France and
out of wages, by the breaking vp of the warres, assembled togither,
and did much hurt in that realme, as in the French histories yée may
read. Their chéefe leaders were Englishmen and Gascoignes subiects
to the king of England. The king assembled the states of his realme
in parlement at Westminster in the feast of the Conuersion of S.
Paule, and there was declared vnto them the tenor and whole effect of
the peace concluded betwixt England and France, wherewith they were
greatlie pleased, and herevpon the nobles of the realme, and such
Frenchmen as were hostages, came togither at Westminster church on
the first sundaie of Lent next following: and there such as were not
alreadie sworne, receiued the oth for performance of the same peace,
in a right solemne manner, hauing the tenour of their oths written in
certeine scrols; and after they had taken their oths vpon the sacrament
and masse booke, they deliuered the same scrols vnto certeine notaries
appointed to receiue and register the same.
[Sidenote: _Tho. Wals._]
[Sidenote: _Adam Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: 1362.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: A mightie wind.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 36]
The mortalitie yet during, that noble duke Henrie of Lancaster departed
this life on the éeuen of the Annunciation of our ladie, and was
buried at Leicester. ¶ Iohn of Gant the fourth son to the king, who
had married his daughter the ladie Blanch, as before yée haue heard,
succéeded him in that dutchie as his heire in right of the said ladie.
The same yéere also died the lord Reginold Cobham, the lord Walter fits
Warren, and thrée bishops, Worcester, London, and Elie. This yeare vpon
the fiftéenth day of Ianuarie there rose such a passing wind, that the
like had not béene heard of in manie yéeres before. It began about
euensong time in the south, and that with such force, that it ouerthrew
and blew downe strong and mightie buildings, as towers, stéeples,
houses and chimnies. This outragious wind continued thus for the space
of six or seauen daies, whereby euen those buildings that were not
ouerthrowne and broken downe, were yet so shaken, that they without
reparing were not able long to stand. After this followed a verie wet
season, namelie in the summer time and haruest, so that much corne and
haie was lost and spoiled, for want of seasonable weather to gather in
the same.
[Sidenote: Creations of the kings sonnes to degrées of honor.]
[Sidenote: _Hen. Marle._]
[Sidenote: The prince of Wales passeth ouer into Guien.]
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]
[Sidenote: Additions to _Ad. Merim._]
[Sidenote: A iusts in Smithfield.]
[Sidenote: The Staple of wools remoued to Calis.]
The lord Lionell the kings sonne went ouer into Ireland, to be deputie
to his father there, and was created duke of Clarence, and his brother
Edmund was created earle of Cambridge; also Edward prince of Wales
was by his father king Edward inuested duke of Guien, and did homage
vnto his father for the same, in like manner and forme as his father
and other kings of England were accustomed to do for the said dutchie
to the kings of France. And afterwards about the feast of Candlemasse
next insuing, the said prince sailed into Gascoigne, and arriued at
Burdeaux, taking vpon him the gouernement and rule of the countrie.
Moreouer this yeare, the fiue first daies of Maie, were kept roiall
iusts in Smithfield by London, the king and quéene being present, with
a great multitude of the nobles and gentlemen of both the realms of
England and France; at which time came hither Spaniards, Cipriots, and
Armenians, requiring aid of the king against the infidels, that sore
molested their confines. ¶ The staple of wols was this yeare remooued
to Calis.
[Sidenote: A parlement.]
[Sidenote: A pardon.]
[Sidenote: A statute against purueiers.]
[Sidenote: A subsidie.]
Also the sixtéenth of October, a parlement began, that was called
at Westminster, which continued till the feast daie of S. Brice, on
which daie, the king at that time fiftie yeares then past, was borne;
wherevpon, as it were in the yeare of his iubile, he shewed himselfe
more gratious to his people, granting pardon to offendors, and reuoking
outlawes. Moreouer, it was ordeined in this parlement, that no maner of
person, of what estate or degrée soeuer he was, the king, the quéene,
and dukes onelie excepted, should haue any purueiers of vittels, nor
should take vp any thing without readie paiment, and those that from
thencefoorth did contrarie to this ordinance, should be extremelie
punished. There was granted to the king in this parlement six and
twentie shillings eight pence of euerie sacke of wooll that was to be
transported ouer the sea, for thrée yeares next insuing.
[Sidenote: Lawiers to plead their cases in English.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: Schoolemasters to teach scholers to construe their lessons
in English.]
Furthermore, at the suite of the commons it was ordeined and
established by an act in this parlement deuised, that men of law should
plead their causes, and write their actions and plaints in the English
toong, and not in the French, as they had béene accustomed to doo, euer
since the Conquerors time. It was ordeined also, that schoolemasters
should teach their scholers to construe their lessons in English, &
not in French, as before they had béene vsed. The K. shewed so much
curtesie to the French hostages, that he permitted them to go ouer
to Calis, and there being néere home, to purchase friendship, by oft
calling on their fréends for their deliuerance. They were suffered to
ride to and fro about the marches of Calis, for the space of foure
daies togither, so that on the fourth daie before sunne setting, they
returned into Calis againe. The duke of Aniou turning this libertie to
serue his owne turne, departed from thence, and went home into France,
without making his fellowes priuie to his purpose.
[Sidenote: 1363.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 37.]
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]
[Sidenote: Additions to _Adam Merimuth._]
[Sidenote: A statute of araie against costlie apparell.]
[Sidenote: Thrée kings come into England about businesse with K.
Edward.]
This yeare a parlement was called by the king, which began the ninth
of October, from the which none of the noble men could obteine licence
to be absent. In this parlement all rich ornaments of gold and siluer
vsed to be worne in kniues, girdels, ouches, rings, or otherwise, to
the setting foorth of the bodie, were prohibited, except to such as
might dispend ten pounds by yeare. Morouer that none should weare any
rich clothes or furres, except they might dispend an hundred pounds
by yeare. ¶ Moreouer it was enacted, that labourers and husbandmen
should not vse any deintie dishes, or costlie drinks at their tables.
But these, and such other acts as were deuised and established at this
parlement, tooke none effect, as after it appeared. In this yeare,
there came into England to speake with king Edward concerning their
weightie affaires, thrée kings, to wit, the king of France, the king
of Scotland, & the king of Cypres: they were honorablie receiued, and
highlie feasted.
[Sidenote: 1364.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 38.]
[Sidenote: The death of the French king.]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
The king of Scotland, and the king of Cypres after they had dispatched
their businesse for the which they came, turned backe againe; but the
French king fell sicke, and remained here till he died, as in the next
yeare ye shall heare. He arriued here in England, about the latter end
of this yeare, and came to Eltham (where king Edward as then laie) on
the foure and twentith day of Ianuarie, and there dined. After diner,
he tooke his horsse and rode toward London, and vpon Blacke heath, the
citizens of London clad in one kind of liuerie, and verie well horssed,
met him, and conueied him from thence through to London, to the Sauoy,
where his lodging was prepared. About the beginning of March, in
this eight and thirtith yeare, the forenamed French king fell into
a gréeuous sickenesse, of the which he died the eight day of Aprill
following. His corps was conueied into France, and there buried at S.
Denise: his exequies were kept here in England, in diuerse places right
solemnelie, by king Edwards appointment.
[Sidenote: The battell of Aulroy.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
This yeare, by reason of an extreme sore frost, continuing from the
seuen and twentith day of September last passed, vnto the beginning of
Aprill, in this eight and thirtith yeare (or rather from the seuenth
day of December till the ninetenth day of March, as Walsingham and
other old writers doo report) the ground laie vntild, to the great
hinderance and losse of all growing things on the earth. This yeare on
Michaelmasse day, before the castell of Aulroy, not far distant from
the citie of Vannes in Britaine, a sore battell was fought betwixt the
lord Charles de Blois, and the lord Iohn of Mountford. For when there
could be no end made betwixt these two lords, touching their title vnto
the duchie of Britaine, they renewed the wars verie hotlie in that
countrie, and procured all the aid they might from each side. The king
of France sent to the aid of his cousine Charls de Blois a thousand
speares; and the earle of Mountford sent into Gascoigne, requiring sir
Iohn Chandois, and other Englishmen there to come to his succour. Sir
Iohn Chandois gladlie consented to this request, and therevpon got
licence of the prince, and came into Britaine, where he found the earle
of Mountford at the siege of the foresaid castell of Aulroy. In the
meane time the lord Charles de Blois, being prouided of men, and all
things necessarie to giue battell, came and lodged fast by his enimies.
[Sidenote: Thrée thousand and six hundred fighting men, as _Walsing._
saith.]
The earle of Mountford aduertised of his approch, by the aduise of
sir Iohn Chandois and other of his capteins, had chosen out a plot
of ground to lodge in, and meant there to abide their enimies. With
the lord Charles of Blois was that valiant knight sir Berthram de
Cleaquin or Guesclin (as some write him) by whose aduice there were
ordeined thrée battels, and a reregard, and in each battell were
appointed a thousand of good fighting men. On the other part, the
earle of Mountford diuided his men likewise into thrée battels and a
reregard. The first was led by sir Robert Knols, sir Walter Hewet, and
sir Richard Brulle or Burlie. The second by sir Oliuer de Clisson, sir
Eustace Daubreticourt, and sir Matthew Gournie. The third the earle of
Mountford himselfe guided, and with him was sir Iohn Chandois associat,
by whom he was much ruled: for the king of England, whose daughter the
earle of Mountford should marie, had written to sir Iohn Chandois, that
he should take good héed to the businesse of the said earle, and order
the same as sagelie as he might deuise or imagine.
[Sidenote: The worthie actiuitie of the English archers.]
In ech of these thrée armies were fiue hundred armed men, and foure
hundred archers. In the reregard were appointed fiue hundred men of
warre, vnder the gouernance of sir Hugh Caluerlie. Beside sir Iohn
Chandois, & other Englishmen recited by Froissard, there was the lord
William Latimer, as one of the chiefe on the earle of Mountfords side.
There were not past sixtéene hundred good fighting men on that side,
as Thomas Walsingham plainelie writeth. Now when the hosts were ordred
on both sides (as before we haue said) they approched togither, the
Frenchmen came close in their order of battell, and were to the number
of fiue and twentie hundred men of armes, after the manner of that
age, beside others. Euerie man had cut his speare (as then they vsed,
at what time they should ioine in battell) to the length of fiue foot,
and a short ax hanging at his side. At the first incounter there was
a sore battell, and trulie the archers shot right fiercelie, howbeit
their shot did little hurt to the Frenchmen, they were so well armed
and furnished: the archers perceiuing that (being big men and light)
cast awaie their bowes, and entered in amongst the Frenchmen that bare
the axes, and plucked them out of their hands, wherwith they fought
after right hardlie. There was doone manie a noble feat of armes, manie
taken, and rescued againe.
[Sidenote: Sir Hugh Caluerlie.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Auxerre tak[=e] prisoner.]
[Sidenote: Sir Berthr[=a] de Cleaquin.]
Against the earle of Montfords battell, fought the battell which the
lord Charles de Blois ruled, and at the first, the earle of Montfords
part was sore oppressed, and brought out of order in such sort, that
if sir Hugh Caluerlie had not in time reléeued them, the losse had
runne on that side, but finallie so long they fought, that all the
battels assembled and ioined each to other, except the reregard of the
Englishmen, whereof (as is said) sir Hugh Caluerlie was chéefe. He kept
alwaies his battell on a wing, and euer succoured where he saw néed.
At length, the Frenchmen not able to indure the valiant dooings of
their aduersaries, began to breake. First the earle of Auxerres batell
was discomfited, and put to flight, and the said earle sore wounded,
and taken prisoner, but the battell of sir Berthram de Cleaquin as yet
stood manfullie at defense, howbeit at length the Englishmen perforce
opened it, and then was the said sir Berthram taken prisoner, vnder the
banner of Sir Iohn Chandois.
Herewith also, all the other battels of the Frenchmen and Britaines,
on the part of the lord Charles de Blois, were cleane discomfited, and
put out of arraie, so that such as resisted, and stood at defense,
were slaine and beaten downe, and amongst others, the lord Charles was
there slaine himselfe, and all other either taken or slaine, except
those that escaped by flight, amongst the which there were not manie
of the nobilitie. For (as Thomas Walsingham saith) there were slaine
about a thousand men of armes, and there were taken two earles, seuen
and twentie lords, and fiftéene hundred men of armes. The chase was
followed to the citie of Reimes, eight great leagues from the place
where the battell began. After this victorie, the earle of Montford
conquered manie townes and castels in Britaine, whereof the French
king being aduertised, sent his brother the duke of Aniou, vnto the
wife of the lord Charles of Blois now deceassed, to comfort hir in
such an heauie case, and to take order for things as should be thought
expedient, vntill further prouision might be made.
[Sidenote: Ambassadors sent to ye earle of Montford.]
[Sidenote: The variance for Britaine compounded.]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: 1365.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 39.]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Tho. Wals._]
Shortlie after, there were sent vnto the earle of Montford, the
archbishop of Reimes, the marshall Bouciquault, and the lord of
Cran, as commissioners, to commune with him of a finall agréement.
Wherevpon, after he had signified the matter vnto the king of England,
and vnderstood his pleasure therein, this treatie was so handled, that
peace therof followed, and the parties were agréed in the moneth of
Aprill next insuing. ¶ This yeare (as some haue written) king Edward
finished his warres vpon S. Stephans daie, and began the foundation of
S. Stephan's chappell at Westminster in memorie thereof, which chappell
was afterwards finished by king Richard the second that succéeded him.
¶ In the nine and thirtith yéere of king Edwards reigne, and in the
moneth of Februarie, in the citie of Angolesme, was borne the first
sonne of prince Edward, and was named after his father, but he departed
this life the seuenth yeare of his age.
[Sidenote: The lord Coucie marieth the king of Englands daughter.]
[Sidenote: _Polychron._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: _Ia. Mair._]
[Sidenote: A treatie of mariage for the earle of Cambridge.]
[Sidenote: The earle of Flanders.]
Also this yeare, the seuen and twentith of Iulie, Ingeram de Guines
lord de Coucie, a Frenchman, married the ladie Isabell daughter to K.
Edward. The solemnization of the marriage feast was kept at Windsor in
most roiall and triumphant wise. The said lord Coucie was created earle
of Bedford, with an yéerelie annuitie of thirtie markes, going foorth
of the issues and profits of that countie, ouer and beside a thousand
marks by yeare, assigned to him and his said wife, and to the heires
male of their bodies begotten, to be paid forth of the excheker. About
this time, there was a treatie also for marriage to be had, betwixt the
lord Edmund earle of Cambridge, and the ladie Margaret, daughter and
heire to the earle of Flanders, which treatie went so far, that the
earle came ouer to Douer, where the king was readie to receiue him,
and there the earle promised by words of affiance, to giue his said
daughter vnto the said lord Edmund in marriage: and after that the
earle had béene at Douer, the space of thrée daies, passing the time
in great solace and banketting, when he had finished his businesse, he
returned backe againe into his countrie.
[Sidenote: The lord Latimer.]
[Sidenote: The king of Castile chased out of his realme.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: Peter pence.]
[Sidenote: Ine king of Westsaxons.]
Whilest the king was thus at Douer with the earle of Flanders, the
lord Latimer came from the lord Iohn de Montford, to vnderstand his
pleasure, touching the offers that were made for peace, vpon whose
returne with answer, the peace was concluded as before yée haue heard.
This yeare was Peter king of Castile chased out of his realme, by his
bastard brother Henrie, which was aided in that enterprise by sir
Berthram de Cleaquin latelie deliuered, and other Frenchmen: so that
the said Henrie was crowned at Burgus, vpon Easter daie: wherefore the
said Peter was constreined to flée, and so came to Burdeaux to sue
for aid at the hands of the prince of Wales. This yeare by the kings
commandement, a restraint was ordeined, that Peter pence should not be
from thencefoorth anie more gathered within this realme, nor anie such
paiment made at Rome, which had béene vsed to be paid there, euer since
the daies of Ine, king of Westsaxons, which ordeined this paiment
toward the maintenance of a schoole for English scholers. But howsoeuer
this paiment was abrogated at this time by king Edward, it was after
renewed againe, and the monie gathered in certeine shires of this
realme, till the daies of king Henrie the eight, so greatlie preuailed
the vsurped power of that beast of Rome, which had poisoned the princes
of the world with the dregs of his abhomination, whose glorie shall
end in shame, his honor turne to horror, and his ambitious climing vp
aloft aboue all principalitie (to be compéere with God) shall haue an
irrecouerable ruine; as long agone, and of late likewise hath béene and
now is prophesied of him, that he may readilie read his owne downefall
into hell:
In rapidas acherontis aquas, qui gloria mundi
Papa fuit, lapsu corruet ille graui:
Corruet vt rapidum descendit ab æthere fulmen,
Corruet in stygios tempus in omne lacus.
[Sidenote: A rainie haruest.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: Death.]
[Sidenote: K. Richard the second borne.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
In this yeare fell great abundance of raine in the time of haie
haruest, so that much corne and haie was lost. ¶ There was also such
fighting amongst sparrowes in that season, that they were found dead on
the ground in great numbers. Also, there followed great mortalitie of
people, the sicknesse being so sharpe and vehement, that manie being
in perfect health ouer night when they went to bed, were found dead in
the morning. Also, manie died of the small pocks, both men, women, and
children. ¶ Moreouer this yeare, Simon Islep archbishop of Canturburie
departed this life, and Simon Langham bishop of Elie succéeded in his
place. This yeare at Burdeaux, was borne the second sonne of prince
Edward named Richard, on the third daie of Aprill: his godfather at the
fontstone was Iames K. of Maiorke. ¶ Peter the king of Spaine, who (as
yée haue heard) was expelled out of his realme by his bastard brother,
made such earnest sute to the prince of Wales for aid to be restored
home, that finallie the prince aduertising his father king Edward of
the whole matter, by aduise from him, determined to bring home the said
king Peter, and to restore him againe to his kingdome, by force of
armes, in despite of all his aduersaries.
The prince indéed was verie desirous to take this enterprise vpon him,
both of a certeine pitifull affection to relieue the miserable state
of king Peter, and also of an ardent desire which he had to purchase
a glorious fame thorough martiall déeds, and noble acts of chiualrie.
Therfore hauing this occasion to imploie his time in such exercises,
and now commanded thereto of his father, he was excéedinglie glad in
his mind, and with all spéed that might be, made his prouision both
of a sufficient armie of men of warre, and also of all other things
necessarie for the furniture of such an enterprise: but first, he tooke
good assurance of king Peter, for the paiment of the soldiers wages: so
the king left at Baionne thrée of his daughters, Beatrice, Constance,
and Isabell as pledges, for performance of all the couenants agréed
betwixt him and the prince.
[Sidenote: 1367.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 41.]
[Sidenote: The prince setteth forward towards Spaine. He entreth into
Nauarre.]
Thus when the prince, by the aduise and counsell of sir Iohn
Chandois, and sir Robert Knols (by whome he was much ruled) had taken
direction in his businesse, for that his iournie into Spaine, in each
condition as was thought behoouefull, he with the king of Spaine in
his companie, passed foorth with a puissant armie, and came to the
streicts of Ronceualle, at the entrie into Nauarre, and obteining so
much fréendship of the king of Nauarre, as to haue the passages of his
countrie opened, they entered into his realme through the same, as
fréends, without finding any resistance. In this meane time, Henrie
king of Spaine, hauing knowledge that the prince of Wales was thus
comming against him, to restore his brother king Peter to his former
degrée, by aduise of sir Berthram de Cleaquin, got a great number
of soldiers out of France, by whose aid he might the better defend
himselfe against his enimies.
[Sidenote: The king of Nauarre taken by the Frenchmen.]
[Sidenote: Sir Martin de Care.]
[Sidenote: Saint Muchaule.]
Now it chanced, that whilest the prince of Wales was passing thorough
Nauarre, toward the entrie of Spaine, certeine of those Frenchmen,
vnder the leading of sir Oliuer Mannie, tooke the king of Nauarre
prisoner, as he was riding from one towne to an other. Manie maruelled
at that chance, and some there were that thought he suffered himselfe
to be taken for a cautele, bicause he would not aid the prince of Wales
any further, nor conduct him through his realme, as he had promised to
doo. But the prince nothing dismaid herewith, passed forward, by the
guiding of a knight of Nauarre, called sir Martin de Care, and finallie
came to the confines of Spaine, and lodged at Victoria, not far from
his enimies. For king Henrie of Spaine, vnderstanding which waie
the prince drew, came forward to incounter him, and pight downe his
field, not far from the borders of his realme, at a place called saint
Muchaule: and thus were both the hosts lodged within a small distance
the one against the other.
[Sidenote: The king of Spaine sendeth to the prince.]
[Sidenote: Victoria. Viana.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
King Henrie had sent to the prince an herauld of armes with a letter,
requiring to know of him for what cause he moued warre against him,
sith he had neuer offended him. The prince taking deliberation for
answer of this letter, kept the messenger with him, and perceiuing
that king Henrie came not forward, but laie still at saint Muchaule,
stronglie incamped, he remooued from Victoria, and came to a towne
called Viana, where he staied two daies to refresh his people, and
after went forward, and passed the riuer which diuideth the realmes of
Castile and Nauarre, at the bridge of Groigne. King Henrie aduertised
hereof, departed from saint Muchaule, and came before the towne of
Nauarret, situat on the same riuer. Not manie daies before the prince
passed the riuer at Groigne, king Henrie had sent foorth two of his
brethren, the earle Dom Teille, and the lord Sanches, with six hundred
horssemen, to view the princes host.
[Sidenote: Sir William Felton slaine.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
They chanced to incounter two hundred English horssemen, whom after
long and sharpe fight they distressed, & slue sir William Felton, one
of the chiefe leaders of those Englishmen, and tooke sir Thomas Felton
his brother, sir Hugh Hastings, and diuerse other, both knights and
esquiers. Whether that king Henrie was greatlie incouraged by this good
lucke in the beginning, or that he trusted through the great multitude
of his people, which he had there with him, to haue the vpper hand of
his enimies, true it is, that he coueted sore to giue them battell; and
although he might haue wearied the prince, and constreined him for want
of vittels to haue returned, or to haue fought with him at some great
aduantage, if he had deferred the battell, as the marshall of France
Dandrehen gaue counsell, yet he would néeds fight in all the hast, and
therefore did thus approch his enimies.
The prince perceiuing that his aduersarie came forward to incounter
him, dispatched the herauld with an answer to the letter which he had
of him receiued, containing in effect, that for great considerations,
he had taken vpon him to aid the rightfull K. of Spaine, chased out of
his realm by violent wrong, and that if it might be, he would gladlie
make an agréement betwixt them; conditionallie, that king Henrie of
necessitie must then forsake the administration, and all the title of
the kingdome of Spaine, which by no rightfull meane he could inioy,
and therefore if he refused thus to doo, he was for his part resolued
how to procéed. The herauld departed with this answer, and came
therewith vnto king Henrie, and deliuered it vnto him, as then lodged
with his puissant armie at Nauarre, so that then both parties prepared
themselues to battell.
[Sidenote: The number of the princes armie.]
[Sidenote: The chieftains of the same armie.]
The prince hauing with him thirtie thousand men of Englishmen,
Gascoignes, and other strangers, ordeined thrée battels, of the
which, the first was led by the duke of Lancaster, and with him was
sir Iohn Chandois constable of Guien, sir William Beauchampe son to
the earle of Warwike, the lord Dalbret, sir Richard Dangle, and sir
Stephan Coosenton, marshals of Guien, & diuerse other. The middle ward
was gouerned by the prince, and with him was the foresaid Peter king
of Spaine, and diuerse other lords and knights of England, Poictou,
and other countries, as the vicounts of Chatelareault and Rochcort,
the lords of Partnie, Pinan, Taneboton, and others, sir Richard
Pontchardon, sir Thomas Spenser, sir Iohn Grendon, and a great sort
more, whose names it would be too long to rehearse. The rereward was
vnder the gouerance of the king of Malorques, & with him were associat
the earls of Arminacke, Dalbreth, Piergort, Gominges, the capitoll of
Buefz, sir Robert Knols, and manie other valiant lords, knights, and
esquiers.
[Sidenote: The order of the Spaniards.]
[Sidenote: The number of ye Spanish armie.]
On the second day of Aprill, the prince with his battell thus ordered,
remoued from Groigne, and marching that day two leagues forward, came
before Nauarret, and there tooke his lodging, within a small distance
from his enemies, so that both parties prepared to giue battell the
next day in the morning, commanding that euerie man at the sounding
of the first trumpet, should apparell themselues, that they might be
readie vpon the next sound to be set in order of battell, and to go
against their enemies. The Spaniards very earlie in the morning drew
into the field, and ordeined thrée battels in this wise. The first was
led by sir Berthram de Cleaquin, wherein were all the Frenchmen and
other strangers, to the number of foure thousand knights and esquires,
well armed and appointed, after the manner of France. In the second
battell was the earle Dom Tielle, with his brother the lord Sanches,
hauing with them fiftéene thousand men on foot, and on horssebacke.
The third battell and the greatest of all was gouerned by king Henrie
himselfe, hauing in that battell seuen thousand horssemen, and
thréescore thousand footmen, with crossebowes, darts, speares, lances,
and other abillements of war: so in all thrée battels he had fourescore
and six thousand men on horssebacke and on foot.
[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster.]
[Sidenote: The capitall of Beuf.]
The prince of Wales, at the breaking of the daie was readie in the
field with his people arranged in order of battell, and aduanced
forward with them toward his enimies, an hosting pace; and as they
passed a little hill, they might sée as they were descending downe
the same, their enemies comming likewise towards them, in good order
of battell. When they were approached néere togither, and readie to
ioine, the duke of Lancasters battell incountered with the battell of
sir Berthram de Cleaquin, which two battels verie eagerlie assailed
each other so that there was betwixt them a sore conflict, and well
continued. The erle Dom Teille, and his brother the lord Sanches, upon
the first approach of the princes battell towards them, fled out of
the field, and with them two thousand speares, so that the residue of
their battell were shortlie after discomfited, for the capitall of Buz
otherwise Beuf, and the lord Clisson, came vpon them on foot, and slue
and hurt manie of them, so that they brake their arraie, and fled to
saue themselues.
[Sidenote: The archers.]
[Sidenote: King Peter.]
This chance discomforted the hearts of the Spaniards right sore, but
yet king Henrie like a valiant gentleman came forward, and incouraged
his men all that he might, so that there was a cruell battell, and
well foughten a long time. For the Spaniards with slings cast stones
in such fierce manner, that they claue therewith manie an helmet and
bassenet, hurt manie, and ouerthrew them to the earth. On the other
part, the English archers shot freshlie at their enemies, galled and
slue the Spaniards, and brought them to great confusion: yet king
Henrie nothing abashed herewith, wheresoeuer he perceiued his men to
shrinke, thither he resorted, calling upon them, and exhorting them to
remember their estimations and duties, so that by his diligence and
manfull incouragement, thrise that daie did he staie his people, being
at point to giue ouer; and set them in the faces of his enemies againe.
Neither did the souldiers alone manfullie behaue themselues, but the
capteins also stoutlie laid about them. King Peter like a lion pressed
forward, coueting to méet with his brother Henrie, that he might séeke
his reuenge on him with his owne hands. Cruell was the fight, and tried
throughlie with most eger and fierce minds.
[Sidenote: The Spaniards put to flight.]
At length, when the Spaniards were no longer able to susteine the force
and violence of the Englishmen, Gascoignes, & other which were there
against them, they brake their arraie, and fled; so that neither the
authoritie nor bold exhortation of king Henrie, could cause them to
tarrie anie longer: wherevpon, when he saw himselfe forsaken of his
people, and that few abode with him to resist his enemies, he also to
saue himselfe fled out of the field, being fullie persuaded, that if
he had béene taken, no ransome should haue saued his life. The battell
that was best fought, and longest held togither, was that of the
strangers, which sir Berthram de Cleuquin led. For if the Spaniards
had doone halfe their parts as well as the Frenchmen, & other in this
battell, the matter had gone harder against the Englishmen than it did:
yet finally, by the noble courage of the duke of Lancaster, and the
valiant prowesse of sir John Chandois, sir Hugh Caluerlie, & others,
the Frenchmen were put to flight, and their battell quite discomfited.
The slaughter in this battell was great, both of them that were slaine
in the field, and of those that were drowned in the riuer that runneth
by the towne of Nauarret.
[Sidenote: The number slaine at this battell at Nauarret.]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
After that the battell was ended, and that such as had followed the
chase were returned, the prince caused the fields to be searched, to
vnderstand what number had béene slaine in the battell: they that were
appointed to take the view, vpon their returne reported, that there
was dead of men of armes five hundred and thréescore, and of commons
about seauen thousand, and five hundred of the English part: there were
slaine of men of name, but foure knights, two Gascoignes, one Almaine,
and the fourth an Englishman, and of other meane souldiers, not past
fortie (as Froissard saith). But others affirme, that there were slaine
of the princes part about sixtéene hundred; which should séeme to be
more like a truth, if the battell was fought so sore and fiercelie, as
Froissard himselfe dooth make report. Howbeit, there be that write, how
the duke of Lancaster wan the field by great fortune and valiancie,
yet the prince came néere to his enimies. But howsoeuer it was, the
Englishmen obtained the victorie in this battell, fought on a saturdaie
being the third of Aprill, in the yeare 1367. There were taken
prisoners, to the number of two thousand, and amongst them the erle of
Dene, sir Berthram de Cleaquin, the marshall Dandrehen or Odenhen, and
manie other men of name.
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
After the battell, king Peter went to Burgus, and was receiued into the
citie, and shortlie after, that is to say, on the Wednesdaie folowing,
the prince came thither, and there held his Easter with king Peter, and
tarried there aboue thrée wéekes. In the mean time, they of Asturgus,
Toledo, Lisbone, Cordoua, Galice, Siuill, and of all other places of
the kingdome of Spaine, came in, and homage vnto king Peter, promising
him to be true to him euer after: for they saw that resistance would
not auaile so long as the prince should be in the countrie. After this,
the prince was in hand with king Peter, for the souldiers wages, by
whose aid he was thus restored into his former estate. King Peter went
vnto Siuill, to makeshift for monie accordinglie, promising to returne
againe, within a few wéekes, and to sée euerie man paid, according as
he had couenanted. For when he was driuen out of his realme, and came
to Burdeaux to craue aid of the prince, he promised, that so soone
as he should be restored to his kingdome, he would sée the souldiers
contented of their wages, and bound himselfe thereto, both by his oth
and writing giuen vnder his seale. But when he obteined his purpose,
he forgat all fréendlie dutie, and was so farre from performing his
promise, that he cloaked his ill meaning with a feigned tale, and sent
the prince a message spiced with hypocrisie and vnthankfulnesse, two
foule faults in a priuat man, much more odious in a prince and great
state, as the poet wiselie and trulie saith in this distichon:
Omne animi vitium tantò conspectius in se
Crimen habet, quantò maior qui peccat habetur.
[Sidenote: King Peters dissimulation.]
The prince tarried for the returne of king Peter, both wéekes and
moneths, but could not heare anie tidings of him. He therefore sent
vnto him, to vnderstand the cause of the staie: his answer was, that
he had prouided monie, and sent it by certeine of his men toward the
prince, but the companions that serued vnder the prince, had met with
it by the way, and taken it from them that had the conueiance of it: he
therefore required the prince to rid the realme of those snaphances,
and to leaue behind him some of his officers, to whome in name of him
he would make paiment of such monie as was due. This answer pleased
not the prince, but there was no remedie, for other at that present
he could not haue, for anie likeliehood he saw: and therefore, taking
order with king Peter how the paiment should be made, he prepared to
returne into Gascoigne. The order therefore taken betwixt them, was
this. Within foure moneths next insuing, king Peter should paie the one
halfe of the wages due to the soldiers for this iournie, vnto such as
the prince should leaue behind him to receiue the same, and the other
halfe within one yeare.
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._]
[Sidenote: The prince put to his shifts for default of paie.]
The prince was compelled to breake his plate, and to make monie thereof
to paie his soldiers, namelie, the companions, which he had called
forth of France, so that he left himselfe bare of all riches, to
kéepe touch with them, although king Dampeter failed in his promise
each waie foorth. For where the prince should haue had in recompense
towards his charges, the countie of Algezara, and other lands, by
the said Dampeters assignment, so that he sent one of his knights to
take seizine of the same lands, he was neuertheles disappointed, for
he could not come by any peaceable possession of those lands, and so
returned greatlie impouerished, hauing spent in this iournie all that
he could make. In the meane time the bastard Henrie, hauing escaped out
of the field by flight, got him into France, and there through fauor
of the duke of Aniou, so purchased for himselfe, that he got togither
a certeine number of Britains and other soldiers, & comming to the
frontiers of the princes land in Gascoigne, got a towne in Bigore,
called Bannieres, and made war upon the princes subjects.
[Sidenote: The prince returneth into Gascoigne.]
[Sidenote: 1368.]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 42.]
[Sidenote: A blasing starre.]
[Sidenote: _Polychron._]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
The prince obteining passage for himselfe and his men, of the kings
of Aragon and Nauarre, returned to Burdeaux, and then did the bastard
Henrie forsake his garrison at Bannieres, and went into Arragon, and
there got the king of Arragons assistance: & finallie, in the yeare
1369, returning into Spaine, recouered the kingdome, and slue his
brother king Peter, as in the historie of Spaine it may appeare, which
for that it apperteineth not to this historic of England, I doo here
passe ouer. This yeare, in the moneth of March, appeared a blasing
starre, betwixt the north and west, whose beames stretched towards
France as was then marked, threatning (as might bethought) that within
a small time after it should againe be wrapped and set on fire with new
troubles of warre, and euen then, that countrie was not in quiet, but
harried in diuerse parts, by such soldiers as had béene with the prince
in Spaine, & were now out of wages. The leaders of which people were
for the more part Englishmen and Gascoignes, as sir Robert Briquet,
sir John Tresmelle, Robert Cenie, sir Gaollard Vigier, the bourge of
Bertueill, the bourge Camois of Cominges, as Denise Sauage thinketh,
the bourge of Lespare, Nandon or Nawdon of Bargerant, Bernard de la
Salle, Ortigo, Lamut, and manie other.
[Sidenote: The Duke of Clarence goeth into Italie. The ladie Violant.]
[Sidenote: His interteinement in Sauoy.]
In this 42 yeare of king Edwards reigne, his second son the lord
Lionell duke of Clarence and earle of Vlster passed the sea, with a
noble companie of lords, knights, and gentlemen, and went thorough
France into Lombardie, there to marrie the ladie Violant, daughter to
the duke of Millane. He was honorablie receiued in all places where he
came, and speciallie at Paris, by the dukes of Berrie and Burgognie,
the lord Coucie and other, the which brought him to the court, where he
dined and supped with the king, and lodged within the palace. On the
next day he was had to a place where the quéene lodged, and dined with
hir, and after was conueied to the court againe, and supped that night
with the king, and on the morrow following, he tooke his leaue of the
king and quéene the which gaue to him great gifts, and likewise to the
noble men of England that came ouer with him, to the value of twentie
thousand florens and aboue: he was conueied from place to place, with
certeine of the French nobilitie, till he came to the borders of the
realme and then entring into Sauoy, he came to Chamberie, where the
earle of Sauoy was readie to receiue him, and there he remained foure
daies, being highlie feasted amongst the ladies and damosels: and then
he departed, and the earle of Sauoy brought him to Millane, to doo him
the more honor, for his sister was mother to the bride, which the duke
should marrie.
[Sidenote: His receiuing into Millane.]
[Sidenote: _Corio_ in the historie of Millane.]
[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
To speake of the honorable receiuing of him into the citie of Millane,
and of the great feast, triumph, and banketting, and what an assemblie
there was in Millane of high states, at the solemnizing of the mariage
betwixt him and the said ladie Violant, it were too long a processe
to remember. The gifts that the father of the bride, the lord Galeas
gaue vnto such honorable personages as were there present, amounted in
value to an inestimable summe. ¶ The writers of the Millane histories
affirme, that this marriage was celebrated on the fiftéenth daie of
Iune, in the yeare 1367, which being true, the same chanced in the 41
yeare of this kings reigne, and not in this 42 yeare, though other
authors agrée, that it was in the yeare 1368. But to returne to other
dooings where we left.
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The prince of Wales constreined to burden his subiects with
a sore subsidie.]
[Sidenote: Coine not to be inhanced nor abased.]
Ye haue heard how the Prince of Wales could get no monie of the king
of Spaine, for the wages of his men of warre, which he had reteined
to serue him in the reducing the said king home into his countrie,
wherefore the prince hauing béene at great charges in that iournie, was
neither able to satisfie them, nor mainteine his owne estate, without
some great aid of his subiects, and therefore he was counselled to
raise a subsidie called a fuage, through all the countrie of Aquitaine,
to run onelie for the space of fiue yeares. To this paiment, euerie
chimnie or fire must haue béene contributorie, paieng yearely one
franke, the rich to haue borne out the poore. And to haue this paiment
granted, all the states of the countrie were called togither at Niort.
The Poictouins, and they of Xainctonge, Limosin, Rouergne, and of
Rochell, agréed to the princes request, with condition, that he should
kéepe the course of his coine stable, for the terme of seuen yeares.
[Sidenote: The demand of this fuage the cause of ye Gascoignes
reuolting to the French king.]
But diuerse of the other parts of Guien refused that ordinance, as the
earles of Arminake, and Gominges, the vicount of Carmaigne, the lords
Dalbret, de la Barde, Cande, Pincornet, and diuerse other great barons:
but yet to depart quietlie from the assemblie, they required a time
to take better aduise, and so they repairing into their countries,
determined neither to returne againe according to their promises, nor
to suffer any fuage to run amongest them at all, and were so much
offended with the motion, that they sought occasion forthwith to reuolt
from the English obeisance and submission, knowing that
Pastores tondere boni haud deglubere cultris
Villosum assuescunt pecus.
And therefore diuerse lords of them went to the French king, and there
exhibited into the chamber of the péeres of France, their complaints
of the grieuous impositions & wrongs, which the prince went about to
laie vpon them, affirming that their resort ought of speciall duty to
be to the crowne of France, and to the king there, as to their lord
Peramount. The French king, who would not séeme to breake the peace
betwéene him and the king of England, dissembled the matter, and told
them that he would peruse the tenor of the charters and letters of
the peace, and so far foorth as he might by permission of the same,
he would be glad to doo them good. The earles of Arminake, Perigourd,
Gominges, and the lord Dalbret, with other that were come thither about
this matter, were contented with this answer, and so staied in France,
till they might vnderstand further, both of the French kings mind, and
of the princes dooings. ¶ This yéere in October, was Simon Langham
archbishop of Canturburie elected to the dignitie of a cardinall, and
then William Witleslie, bishop of Worcester, was remooued vnto the sée
of Canturburie.
[Sidenote: The earle of Saint Paule.]
[Sidenote: 1369.]
[Sidenote: The prince of Wales appealed to appeare.]
About the same time, the earle of saint Paule, one of the hostages
in England, stale from hence, without taking anie leaue, or saieng
farewell. At his comming into France, he greatlie furthered the sute of
the lords of Gascoigne, & finallie so much was doone on their behalfe,
that the French king was contented that the prince of Wales should be
appealed, and summoned to appeare before the French king as iudge in
that point, for reformation of the wrongs which he offered to them
that had made their resort vnto him, as reason was they should. This
appeale was written and dulie examined.
The tenor of the said prince of Wales his appeale or summons of
appearance before the French king, &c.
Charles by the grace of God king of France, to our nephue the prince
of Wales and Aquitaine, send gréeting. So it is, that diuerse prelats,
barons, knights, vniuersities, communalties, and colledges of the
marches and limits of the countrie of Gascoigne, and the dwellers and
inhabitants in the bounds of our realme, besides diuerse other of the
duchie of Aquitaine, are resorted and come to our court, to haue right
of certeine gréefes, and vnlawfull troubles, which you, by vnaduised
counsell, and simple information, haue purposed to doo vnto them,
whereof we greatlie maruell. Therfore, to withstand, and to redresse
such things, we are so conioined to them that we haue thought good, by
our roiall power, to command you to repaire to our citie of Paris, in
proper person, and there to shew and present your selfe before vs, in
the chamber of our péeres, that you may be constreined to doo right to
your people, concerning the gréefes which they alledge that you are
about to oppresse them with, who claime to haue their resort into our
court: and that you faile not thus to doo, in as spéedie manner as yée
can, immediatlie vpon the sight and hearing of these present letters.
In witnesse whereof, we haue to the same set our seale. Yeuen at Paris,
the fiue and twentith daie of Ianuarie.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 43.]
[Sidenote: The princes answer to the messenger.]
These letters were giuen to a knight and a clerke, to beare and present
to the prince, which according to that they had in charge, went to
Burdeaux, and there getting licence to come before his presence, they
read the letters, wherewith he was not a little chafed, and openlie
told them for a plaine answer, that he meant to accomplish the French
kings request, for his comming to Paris, but that should be with
his helmet on his head, and thréescore thousand armed men, to beare
witnesse of his appearance. The messengers perceiuing the prince to be
sore offended with their message, got them awaie, without taking their
leaue: but before they were passed the limits of the English dominion,
they were staied by commandement of the prince, and committed to
prison, within the citie of Agen.
[Sidenote: The duke of Berrie.]
[Sidenote: The lord Chandois.]
[Sidenote: Chimniage.]
About the same time, the duke of Berrie returned into France, hauing
licence of king Edward for an whole yeare; but he bare himselfe so
wiselie, that he returned not againe at all: for he excused himselfe,
till time that the warre was open. In like manner, the more part of
all the other hostages, by one meane or other were returned into
France, and some indéed were deliuered vpon their ransomes, or other
considerations, so that the French king being deliuered of that
obstacle, was the more readie to breake with the king of England, and
therefore vpon knowledge had of the princes answer, to those that he
sent with the appeale, by such of the messengers seruants as were
returned, and declared how their maisters were delt with, he couertlie
prepared for the warre. The lord Iohn Chandois, and other of the
princes counsell foresaw what would insue of leauieng the fuage, and
therefore counselled the prince, not to procéed any further in it.
But he hauing onlie regard to the reléefe of his souldiers and men
of warre, would néeds go forward with it. ¶ Indéed, if he might haue
brought it to passe, as it was denied, that euerie housholder should
haue paid a franke for chimniage, the summe would haue growne to twelue
hundred thousand frankes by the yeare, which had béene a great reléefe,
and that made him the more earnest, bicause he might haue béene able so
to haue paid his debts.
[Sidenote: A letter published by the prince to appease the Gascoignes.]
Now, when it was perceiued certeinlie that open rebellion would therof
insue, and that king Edward was certified of the whole state of the
matter, and how diuerse of the lords of Aquitaine were withdrawne vnto
the court of France, in manner as before yée haue heard, he deuised
a letter, which he caused to be published through all the parts of
Aquitaine the effect whereof was this; That were the people of that
countrie found themselues gréeued for such exactions as were demanded
of them, he meant therefore vpon examination of their iust complaints,
to sée their wrongs redressed. And further, he was contented to pardon
all such as were withdrawne to the French king, so that within a
moneths space they would returne home; requiring them that in no wise
they should stirre anie seditious tumult, but to remember their oths
of allegiance, and to continue in the same, according to their bounden
duties; and as for him, he would be readie to sée them eased, that
would shew by plaine proofe how they had béene otherwise gréeued than
reason might beare. This was his meaning and this was the aduise of all
his councellours.
[Sidenote: _Ia. Meir._]
[Sidenote: Philip duke of Burgognie marieth ye erle of Flanders
daughter. The cause of his surname le Hardie.]
But this courteous letter little auailed, for dailie the Gascoignes
reuolted from the prince, and turned to the French part. Moreouer,
another occasion of grudge chanced to renew the malice betwixt the K.
of England, and the French king. For whereas yée haue heard, that the
earle of Flanders had affianced his daughter and heire to the lord
Edmund of Langlie, earle of Cambridge, a shift was made, namelie by
the earles mother the countesse of Arthois, who was all French, that
notwithstanding the same affiance, she was married to Philip duke of
Burgognie, who was surnamed the Hardie, by this occasion, as I. Meir
saith. It chanced, that whilest he was prisoner in England with his
father, he was vpon a time appointed to wait at the table, where his
father and the king of England sat togither at meat. And bicause a
noble man of England that was appointed likewise to attend at the same
table, serued first the king of England before the king of France, this
Philip vp with his fist, and tooke the English lord a blow on the eare,
saieng: "Wilt thou serue the king of England first, where the French
king sitteth at the same table?" The Englishman out with his dagger, &
would haue striken the said Philip, but the king of England streictlie
charged him to the contrarie, and praising the déed of the yoong
stripling, said vnto him, "Vous estes Philip le hardie," Thou art (said
he) the hardie Philip. And so from that daie he bare that name euer
after. There be other that saie, how he tooke that surname, bicause in
the batell of Poictiers he abode still with his father till the end of
the battell, without shewing any token of feare, or faintnes of courage.
[Sidenote: The earles of Arminacke & Perigord.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The L. Wake discomfited.]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: The French king procéedeth against the prince in iudgement
of the appeale.]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
The earles of Arminacke and Perigord, with the other lords of
Gascoigne, that had made their appeale (as ye haue heard) to the
chamber of the péeres of France, when they vnderstood that the prince
had imprisoned the messengers, that brought to him the French kings
letters, began to make warre on the princes lands. The first enterprise
they made, was the discomfiting of the lord Thomas Wake seneshall of
Rouergne, as he was riding from Agen vnto the citie of Rodais, with
thréescore spears, and two hundred archers in his companie. Also the
French king being now prouided for the war, and vnderstanding the
minds of the people within certeine towns vnder the dominion of the
Englishmen, in his high court of parlement holden at Paris, procéeded
in iudgement vpon the appellation before made by the earles of
Arminacke, Perigord, and others, against prince Edward. And moreover
he sent ouer into England the earle of Salisbruch, and a knight
called sir William Dorman, to signifie to the king of England, how he
thought himselfe not honorablie vsed, & that the king of England did
but slenderlie kéepe the couenants of the peace, considering that he
did not find meanes to reforme such of his subiects Englishmen and
Gascoignes, as dailie robbed and wasted the countries & lands belonging
to the crowne of France.
[Sidenote: The French king sent to defie the king of England.]
[Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: A parlement assembled. Thrée fiftéens and thrée tenths
granted.]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
These ambassadors were staied for the space of two moneths, & still
they complained of the wrongs that the Englishmen had doone contrarie
to the couenants of the peace, but the king made small account thereof,
bicause he perceiued it was a forged matter that they alledged, and
so in the end sent them awaie. At Douer being vpon their returne, met
them a Britaine that was comming with letters of defiance to the king
of England from the French king, and as he had in commandement, he
declared to them the effect of his message, whervpon with all spéed
they passed ouer to Bullongne, and were glad they had so escaped. The
Britaine came to the court, and deliuered the defiance to the king,
according to the instructions which he had receiued. When the king had
heard the letters read, and perceiued by good view taken of the seale
and signet, that the same were of authoritie, he licenced the messenger
to depart, and fell in councell with the péeres of his realme, what he
should doo in so weigthie a matter. Wherevpon it was thought necessarie
by them, that he should assemble his court of parlement, and so he did.
In the which (vpon declaration made how iniuriouslie the French king
after manie wrongfull dealings had now broken the peace, and sent his
defiance vnto the king in so despitefull wise as might be) there was
granted towards the maintenance of the warre thus begun, thrée fiftéens
of the temporaltie, and thrée dismes of the spiritualtie, to be paied
in thrée yeares.
[Sidenote: Sir Nicholas Louaigne taken. The countie of Ponthieu taken
by the French king.]
At the selfe same time that the defiance was made to the king here
in England, the earle of S. Paule, and Guie de Chatillon master of
the crosbowes in France, entered into the countie of Ponthieu, tooke
Abuile, and an English knight called sir Nicholas Louaigne seneshall
of that countrie vnder the king of England, as then being within it.
They tooke also saint Valerie, Crotoie, Rue, Pont saint Renie, and
to be short, reduced the whole countrie of Ponthieu vnder the French
obeisance, which had remained in possession of the Englishmen for the
space of a hundred and twelue yeares, euer since Edward the first had
the same assigned to him in name of a dowrie, with his wife quéene
Elianor, sister to Alfonse K. of Castile. And yet were the people
of that countrie readie now to reuolt to the French dominion, not
withstanding their former long continued obeisance to the Englishmen:
for otherwise could not the Frenchmen so easilie haue come to their
purpose, but that the people were couenanted before to receiue them,
and betraie those few Englishmen that were amongst them.
[Sidenote: The prince of Wales diseased with sicknesse.]
[Sidenote: The citie of Cahors reuolteth.]
About the same time also, it fell so ill for the Englishmen, that the
prince of Wales was troubled with a sore sickenesse, that had continued
long with him, euer since his being in Spaine, by reason whereof his
enimies were the more bold to make attempts against him, and dailie
went about to allure and intise his subiects of the marches of Guien to
reuolt from him, in somuch that the citie of Cahors, and diuerse other
townes thereabout turned to the French part. Thus was the peace which
had béene so suerlie made, and with so manie solemne oths confirmed,
violated and broken, and the parties fallen togither by the eares
againe in sundrie places, and namelie in Aquitaine, where sundrie
armies were abroad in the fields, diuers sieges laid, manie townes
taken, often incounters and skirmishes made, sometime to the losse of
the one part, and sometime of the other, and the countries in the meane
time harried and spoiled, that maruill it is to consider, and too long
a processe it should be to rehearse the tenth part of such chances as
dailie happened amongst them, so that it might well haue béene said of
that sore & tumultuous time:
O quàm difficiles sunt sint pace dies.
[Sidenote: Succors sent into Gascoigne.]
[Sidenote: Burdille besieged.]
[Sidenote: Sir Hugh Caluerlie.]
[Sidenote: Sir Iohn Chandois.]
[Sidenote: Burdille wonne.]
King Edward sent ouer into Gascoigne the earls of Cambridge and
Penbroke, with a certeine number of men of armes and archers, the which
arriuing in Britaine, passed through that countrie by licence of the
Duke, and came to the prince as then lieng at Angolesme in Poictou,
by whom they were sent to ouerrun the earle of Perigords lands, and
so they did, and after laid siege to Burdille, hauing with them about
thrée thousand men one and other. There came with them foorth of
England foure hundred men of armes, foure hundred archers, and (as
Froissard saith) beside their capteins, these earles which he nameth,
to wit, the lord of Tabestone (or rather Bradstone as I take it) sir
Brian Stapleton, sir Thomas Balaster, and sir Iohn Triuet: Whilest the
said earles went thus to make warre against the earle of Perigord, sir
Hugh Caluerlie with two thousand men of warre was sent also to ouerrun
the lands of the earle of Arminacke, and of the lord Dalbret; sir Iohn
Chandois laie in the marches of Tholouse at Mountaubon, & afterwards
besieged Terrieres, and in the end wan it; and so likewise did the
earles of Cambridge and Penbroke win Burdille, by reason of a saillie
that they within made foorth, and passed so far from their fortresse,
that the Englishmen got betwixt them and home.
[Sidenote: Sir Robert Knols.]
[Sidenote: _Ba. Gerard._]
Sir Robert Knols came from such lands as he had in Britaine, to serue
the prince now in these warres of Gascoigne, and was by him made chéefe
gouernor of all his men of warre, who bare himselfe right worthilie in
that charge. The first iournie which he made at that time, was into
Quercie, hauing with him beside his owne bands, certeine knights of the
princes retinue, as sir Richard Ponchardon, sir Stephan Gousenton, sir
Noell Loring, sir Hugh Hastings, sir Iohn Triuet, sir Thomas Spenser,
sir Thomas Balaster, sir Nicholas Bond, sir William le Moine seneschall
of Aigenois, sir Baldwin de Freuille, and others. At their comming into
Quercie, they besieged a strong fortresse called Durmell, within the
which were diuerse capteins of the companions, as Aimon d'Ortigo, the
little Mechin, Iaques de Bray, Perot de Sauoie, and Arnaudon de Pons,
the which so valiantlie defended the place, that although the lord
Chandois, accompanied with sir Thomas Felton, the capitall of Beuf,
sir Iohn de Pommiers, sir Thomas Percie, sir Eustace Daubreticourt,
and others came with their retinues from Montaubon, to réenforce that
siege, yet could they not obteine their purpose, but raising from
thence after fiue wéekes siege (constreined thereto through want of
vittels) they marched streight to a towne called Domme, which they
besieged, hauing in their armie fiftéene hundred men at armes, beside
two thousand archers and brigands, so called in those daies, of an
armor which they ware named brigandines, vsed then by footmen, that
bare also targets, or pauoises, and certeine darts or iauelines to
throw at their enimies.
[Sidenote: Aquitaine full of warre.]
The towne and castell of Domme were so strong of themselues, and so
well prouided of men of warre that were appointed to the gard of the
same, with the lord thereof called sir Robert de Domme, that after
the English capteins perceiued they should but lose time to linger
about the winning of that towne, they raised their siege, and marching
further into the countrie, wan Gauaches Freins, Rochmador, and Ville
Franche, vpon the marches of Toulouzain, greatlie to the displeasure of
the duke of Aniou that lay at the same time in the citie of Toulouze,
& could not remedie the matter. ¶ But to recite euerie particular
enterprise, as the same was atchiued by the English capteins and men
of warre in that season, it should be more than the purpose of this
volume might permit, and therefore I passe ouer diuerse things, which I
find registred by Froissard and other writers, onelie aduertising you,
that as the Englishmen thus made sore warres against their aduersaries
abroad in those quarters: so the Frenchmen on the other part had
assembled great numbers of men of warre, not onelie to defend their
frontiers, but also by inuasions to win from the Englishmen towns and
castels, and to wast such countries as would not turne to their side.
Thus were all those countries in troubles of warre.
[Sidenote: The duke of Bauier.]
The two kings also of England and France, signified to their neighbours
the causes of this warre, laieng the fault either to other, and
excusing themselues as cleare and innocent therein. Edward duke of
Gelderland, nephue to the king of England, as sonne to his sister, and
the duke of Gulike cousine to the kings children by their mother that
was daughter to the earle of Heinault, tooke great despite that the
French king had broken the peace, as they were throughlie persuaded,
and that he had defied king Edward (as before yée haue heard.)
Wherevpon they sent their defiance vnto the French king, threatning to
be reuenged on him to the vttermost of their powers. Duke Albert of
Bauier, was once minded also to haue aided king Edward in this warre:
but afterwards such persuasions were vsed on the French kings part,
that he chose to remaine as neuter betwixt them both, refusing to take
anie part.
[Sidenote: The duke of Burbons mother taken.]
Among the soldiers also called companions, which serued the prince in
this season, there were thrée capteins, right hardie and verie expert
men of warre, Ortigo, Bernard de Wiske, & Bernard de la Sale. These
thrée remaining as then in Limosin, hearing that the duke of Burbons
mother, which was also mother to the French quéene, laie within the
castell of Belleperch in Burbonnois, with a small companie about hir,
rode thither in one daie and a night, so that in the morning they
approched the castell, scaled it, and tooke it, with the ladie within
it. And though they were after besieged in the same castell by the duke
of Burbon and other Frenchmen, yet they defended it, till the earls
of Cambridge and Penbroke, with fiftéene hundred speares, and thrée
thousand of other men of warre, came and offered the Frenchmen battell,
lodging afore them fiftéene daies. And when they perceiued that the
Frenchmen would not issue out of the bastide (in which they laie) to
giue battell, the earles of Cambridge and Penbroke caused all them
within the castell to come foorth, and to bring with them the duches of
Burbon, whome they led awaie in sight of hir sonne, leauing the castell
void and frée for him to enioy.
[Sidenote: The French king prepareth a nauie.]
[Sidenote: The duke of Lancaster set into France with an armie.]
The French king prouided a great number of ships to assemble togither
at Harflew, and leuied a great power of men, minding to bestow them
aboord in the same ships, that they might saile into England, and
make warre against king Edward in his owne countrie. Chéefteine of
this armie should haue béene his brother the duke of Burbon, but this
iournie was broken, for the Frenchmen were eased of the paine to come
to séeke the Englishmen at home in England, they comming ouer into
France, and proffering them battell euen at their owne doores. For
the king of England hauing leuied a power of archers, and other men
of warre, sent them ouer vnder the leading of his sonne the duke of
Lancaster. There went with him in this iournie, the earles of Hereford
and Salisburie, the lord Ros, the lord Basset, the lord Willoughbie,
the lord de la Ware, the lord de la Pole, the lord Walter of Mannie,
the lord Henrie Percie, the lord Thomas Grantson, sir Alane Burhul, sir
Richard Sturrie, & diuerse other. They went ouer about Midsummer. And
after they had rested a little, the duke set forward and roded foorth
into the countrie, spoiling and harrieng the same, and when he saw
time, returned againe to Calis.
[Sidenote: The Duke of Lancaster fortifieth his campe.]
[Sidenote: The duke of Burgognie.]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
The French king being at Roan, heard of the arriual of this armie
at Calis, and that his countrie of Picardie was in great danger: he
changed his purpose therefore of sending an armie into England, and
with all spéed appointed that his power should with his brother the
duke of Burgognie turne toward Calis, to resist the duke of Lancaster.
Herevpon when the duke of Lancaster heard that the duke of Burgognie
was thus comming toward him, he issued foorth of Calis, and comming
into the vallie beneath the hill of Turneham, there tooke his field,
and fortified the place with strong hedges and rampiers, the better to
be able to resist his enimies if they would assaile him. The duke of
Burgognie came still forward, till he approched verie néere to the duke
of Lancasters campe, and pight downe his field aloft vpon the hill of
Turneham, so that the fronts of both hosts were within lesse than a
mile either of other.
[Sidenote: Sir Robert de Namur.]
[Sidenote: _Caxton._]
[Sidenote: The earle of Warwike.]
There was come to the duke of Lancaster a knight of the marches of
Almaine, called sir Robert de Namur with an hundred speares: but yet
the duke of Lancasters host was but one handfull of men, in respect
of the huge number of the French armie, wherin were (as Froissard
writeth) foure thousand knights beside others. But yet for all his
great puissance and number of men, he would not aduenture to assaile
the Englishmen in their lodgings, as it was thought he would haue
doone, but kept himselfe and his men vpon the hill, from the foure and
twentith of August, vnto the twelfth of September, and then dislodged
not much to his honour, howsoeuer writers doo excuse it, declaring
how his brother had giuen him streight commandement, that in no wise
he should fight with the Englishmen: and that when he had sent to his
brother for commission either to fight, or to remooue, he was commanded
to turne with all spéed vnto Paris, and to breake vp his armie for that
time. Some there be that write, how that after both these hostes had
lien the one against the other a long space, to the reproofe of both
chiefteins, it chanced that the lord Thomas Beauchampe earle of Warwike
came thitherward by sea, to be at the battell, which he heard would
shortlie follow betwéene the two armies: but yer he was come to land,
the Frenchmen for feare durst no longer abide, but secretlie in the
night departed and fled towards Hesdin, and so to Paris, for the which
their flight, the duke of Burgognie was after blamed of his brother the
French king.
[Sidenote: _Froissard._]
[Sidenote: The quéene of England departeth this life.]
[Sidenote: Hir thrée petitions to the king.]
In this meane while, that is to saie, on the euen of the Assumption
of our ladie, died that noble princesse, the ladie Philip quéene of
England. It is said that when she perceiued that she must néeds depart
out of this transitorie life, she desired to speake with the king hir
husband, and when he was come to hir with a sorowfull hart to sée hir
in that state, she tooke him by the hand, and after courteous words of
induction, she required of him to grant hir thrée requests.
[Sidenote: 1]
The first request was, that all such merchants, and other men, with
whom she had bargained in any condition, might be answered of all such
debts as she owght them, whether they dwelled on this side the sea or
beyond.
[Sidenote: 2]
The second request was, that all such ordinances and promises, as she
had made to churches, as well within this realme, as in the parts of
the further side the sea, might be performed.
[Sidenote: 3]
The third request was, that it might please him to choose out none
other sepulchre when God should call him out of this world, but beside
hir at Westminster.
[Sidenote: The praise of quéene Philip.]
[Sidenote: The quéenes colledge.]
This quéene, to traine the English youth vnto vertuous conuersation,
& to giue occasion that they might be brought vp in learning and good
instructions, founded a colledge at Oxford, furnishing it with goodlie
buildings, and a church, that they might both serue God, and profit in
their studies, wherevpon it is called the quéenes colledge euen to this
daie.
[Sidenote: The duke of L[=a]caster maketh a iournie into France.]
[Sidenote: S. Riquier.]
[Sidenote: _Fabian._]
[Sidenote: The master of the crosbowes of France taken.]