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"a great great deale of care" and the title-page spelling PEREGRNÆ.]
HOLINSHED'S
CHRONICLES
OF
_ENGLAND_, _SCOTLAND_,
AND
_IRELAND_.
IN SIX VOLUMES.
VOL. III.
ENGLAND.
_LONDON_:
PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON; F.C. AND J. RIVINGTON; T. PAYNE; WILKIE
AND ROBINSON; LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME;
CADELL AND DAVIES; AND J. MAWMAN.
1808.
AMS PRESS INC.
NEW YORK
1965
AMS PRESS INC.
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10003
1965
MANUFACTURED in the U.S.A.
[_Original Title_]
THE
THIRD VOLUME
OF
CHRONICLES,
BEGINNING AT
DUKE WILLIAM THE NORMAN, COMMONLIE CALLED THE CONQUEROR;
AND
_DESCENDING BY DEGREES OF YEERES_
TO ALL THE
KINGS AND QUEENES OF ENGLAND
IN THEIR
ORDERLIE SUCCESSIONS:
FIRST COMPILED BY
_RAPHAELL HOLINSHED_,
AND BY HIM EXTENDED TO THE
YEARE 1577.
NOW NEWLIE RECOGNISED, AUGMENTED, AND CONTINUED
(WITH OCCURRENCES AND ACCIDENTS OF FRESH MEMORIE)
TO THE YEARE 1586.
WHEREIN ALSO ARE CONTEINED MANIE MATTERS OF SINGULAR DISCOURSE
AND RARE OBSERUATION,
_FRUITFULL TO SUCH AS BE STUDIOUS IN ANTIQUITIES_,
OR
TAKE PLEASURE IN THE GROUNDS OF ANCIENT HISTORIES.
_With a third table (peculiarlie seruing this third volume) both of
names and matters memorable._
HISTORIÆ PLACEANT NOSTRATES AC PEREGRNÆ.
HENRIE THE FOURTH,
Cousine Germane to Richard the Second,
latelie depriued.
When king Richard had resigned (as before is specified) the scepter and
crowne; Henrie Plantagenet borne at Bullingbroke in the countie of
Lincolne, duke of Lancaster and Hereford, earle of Derbie, Leicester,
and Lincolne, sonne to Iohn of Gant duke of Lancaster, with generall
consent both of the lords & commons, was published, proclamed, and
declared king of England and of France, and lord of Ireland, the last
daie of September, in the yeare of the world 5366, of our Lord 1399, of
the reigne of the emperour Wenceslaus the two and twentith, of Charles
the first king of France the twentith, and the tenth of Robert the third
king of Scots. After that king Richard had surrendered his title, and
dispossessed himselfe (which Chr. Okl. noteth in few words, saieing;
------------post breue tempus
Exuit insigni sese diademate, sceptrum
Henrico Lancastrensi regale relinquens)
[Sidenote: In Angl. prælijs.] [Sidenote: New officers made.] king Henrie
made certeine new officers. And first in right of his earledome of
Leicester he gaue the office of high steward of England (belonging to
the same earledome) vnto his second sonne the lord Thomas, who by his
fathers commandement exercised that office, being assisted (by reason of
his tender age) by Thomas Persie earle of Worcester. The earle of
Northumberland was made constable of England: sir Iohn Scirlie lord
chancellor, Iohn Norburie esquier lord treasurer, sir Richard Clifford
lord priuie seale. [Sidenote: The parlem[=e]t new s[=u]moned.] Forsomuch
as by king Richards resignation and the admitting of a new king, all
plées in euerie court and place were ceased, and without daie
discontinued, new writs were made for summoning of the parlement vnder
the name of king Henrie the fourth, the same to be holden, as before was
appointed, on mondaie next insuing. [Sidenote: Record Turris.] Vpon the
fourth day of October, the lord Thomas second sonne to the king sat as
lord high steward of England by the kings commandement in the White-hall
of the kings palace at Westminster, and as belonged to his office, he
caused inquirie to be made what offices were to be exercised by anie
maner of persons the daie of the kings coronation, and what fées were
belonging to the same, causing proclamation to be made, that what noble
man or other that could claime anie office that daie of the solemnizing
the kings coronation, [Sidenote: Claiming of offices at the coronation.]
they should come and put in their bils cõprehending their demands.
Whervpon diuers offices & fees were claimed, as well by bils as
otherwise by spéech of mouth, in forme as here insueth.
First, the lord Henrie, the kings eldest sonne, to whome he as in right
of his duchie of Lancaster had appointed that office, claimed to beare
before the king the principall sword called Curtana, [Sidenote: Curtana.
The earle of Summerset.] and had his sute granted. Iohn erle of
Summerset, to whom the king as in right of his earledome of Lincolne,
[Sidenote: The earle of Northumberland.] had granted to be caruer the
daie of his coronation, and had it confirmed. Henrie Persie earle of
Northumberland, and high constable of England, by the kings grant
claimed that office, [Sidenote: The Ile of Man.] and obteined it to
inioy at pleasure. The same earle in right of the Ile of Man, which at
that present was granted to him, and to his heires by the king, claimed
to beare on the kings left side a naked sword, with which the king was
girded, [Sidenote: Lancaster sword.] when before his coronation he
entered as duke of Lancaster into the parts of Holdernesse, [Sidenote:
The earl of Westmerland.] which sword was called Lancasters sword. Rafe
erle of Westmerland, and earle marshall of England, by the kings grant
claimed the same office, [Sidenote: The duke of Norffolke.] and obteined
it, notwithstanding that the attornies of the duke of Norfolke,
presented to the lord steward their petition on the dukes behalfe, as
earle marshall, to exercise the same. [Sidenote: Sir Thomas Erpingham.]
Sir Thomas Erpingham knight exercised the office of lord great
Chamberleine, and gaue water to the king when he washed, both before and
after dinner, hauing for his fées, the bason, ewer, and towels, with
other things whatsoeuer belonging to his office: notwithstanding Auberie
de Veer earle of Orenford put in his petitions to haue that office as
due vnto him from his ancestors. [Sidenote: The earle of Warwike.]
Thomas Beauchampe earle of Warwike by right of inheritance, bare the
third sword before the king, and by like right was pantler at the
coronation. [Sidenote: Sir William Argentine.] Sir William Argentine
knight, by reason of the tenure of his manour of Wilmundale in the
countie of Hertford, serued the king of the first cup of drinke which he
tasted of at his dinner the daie of his coronation: the cup was of
siluer vngilt, which the same knight had for his fées: notwithstanding
the petition which Iuon Fitzwarren presented to the lord steward,
[Sidenote: Iuon Fitzwarren.] requiring that office in right of his wife
the ladie Maud, daughter and heire to sir Iohn Argentine knight.
[Sidenote: The lord Furniuall.] Sir Thomas Neuill lord Furniuall, by
reason of his manour of Ferneham, with the hamlet of Cere, which he held
by the courtesie of England after the decesse of his wife, the ladie
Ione decessed, gaue to the king a gloue for his right hand, and
susteined the kings right arme so long as he bare the scepter.
[Sidenote: The lord Graie.] The lord Reginald Graie of Ruthen, by reason
of his manour of Ashleie in Norfolke couered the tables, and had for his
fees all the tableclothes, as well those in the hall, as else-where,
when they were taken vp; notwithstanding a petition exhibited by sir
Iohn Draiton to haue had that office. [Sidenote: Great spurs.] The same
lord Graie of Ruthen, bare the kings great spurs before him in the time
of his coronation by right of inheritance, as heire to Iohn Hastings
earle of Penbroke. [Sidenote: The second sword.] Iohn erle of Summerset,
by the kings assignement bare the second sword before him at his
coronation, albeit that the said lord Graie of Ruthen by petition
exhibited before the lord steward demanded the same office, by reason of
his castell & tower of Penbroke, and of his towne of Denbigh. [Sidenote:
The earle of Arundell.] Thomas earle of Arundell cheefe butler of
England, obteined to exercise that office the daie of the coronation,
and had the fées thereto belonging granted to him, to wit, the goblet
with which the king was serued, and other things to that his office
apperteining (the vessels of wine excepted) that laie vnder the bar,
which were adiudged vnto the said lord steward, the said earle of
Arundels claime notwithstanding.
[Sidenote: The citizens of London.] The citizens of London chosen foorth
by the citie, serued in the hall, as assistants to the lord cheefe
butler, whilest the king sate at dinner, the daie of his coronation: and
when the king entered into his chamber after dinner, and called for
wine, the lord maior of London brought to him a cup of gold with wine,
and had the same cup given to him, togither with the cup that conteined
water to allay the wine. After the king had drunke, the said lord maior
and the aldermen of London had their table to dine at, [Sidenote: Thomas
Dimocke.] on the left hand of the king in the hall. Thomas Dimocke, in
right of his moother Margaret Dimocke, by reason of the tenure of his
manor of Scriuelbie, claimed to be the kings champion at his coronation,
and had his sute granted; notwithstanding a claime exhibited by Baldwin
Freuill, demanding that office by reason of his castell of Tamworth in
Warwikeshire. [Sidenote: Baldwin Freuill.] The said Dimocke had for his
fees one of the best coursers in the kings stable, with the kings saddle
and all the trappers & harnesse apperteining to the same horsse or
courser: he had likewise one of the best armors that was in the kings
armorie for his owne bodie, with all that belonged wholie therevnto.
[Sidenote: The lord Latimer.] Iohn lord Latimer, although he was vnder
age, for himselfe and the duke of Norfolke, notwithstanding that his
possessions were in the kings hands, by his atturnie sir Thomas Graie
knight, claimed and had the office of almoner for that daie, by reason
of certeine lands which sometime belonged to the lord William Beuchampe
of Bedford. They had a towell of fine linnen cloth prepared, to put in
the siluer that was appointed to be giuen in almes; and likewise they
had the distribution of the cloth that couered the pauement and floors
from the kings chamber doore, vnto the place in the church of
Westminster where the pulpit stood. [Sidenote: William le Venour.] The
residue that was spread in the church, the sexten had. William le
Venour, by reason he was tenant of the manor of Listen, claimed and
obteined to exercise the office of making wafers for the king the daie
of his coronation. [Sidenote: The barons of the cinque ports.] The
barons of the fiue ports claimed, and it was granted them, to beare a
canopie of cloth of gold ouer the K. with foure staues, & foure bels at
the foure corners, euerie staffe hauing foure of those barons to beare
it: also to dine and sit at the table next to the king on his right hand
in the hall the daie of his coronation, and for their fees to haue the
forsaid canopie of gold, with the bels and staues, notwithstanding the
abbat of Westminster claimed the same. Edmund Chambers claimed and
obteined the office of principall larderer for him and his deputies, by
reason of his manour of Skulton, otherwise called Burdellebin Skulton,
in the countie of Norfolke. Thus was euerie man appointed to exercise
such office as to him of right apperteined, or at the least was thought
requisit for the time present. On mondaie then next insuing, when the
states were assembled in parlement, order was taken, that by reason of
such preparation as was to be made for the coronation, they should sit
no more till the morow after saint Edwards daie. On the sundaie
following, being the euen of saint Edward, [Sidenote: Knights of the
Bath.] the new king lodged in the Tower, and there made fortie & six
knights of the Bath, to wit: thrée of his sonnes, the earle of Arundell,
the earle of Warwike his sonne, the earle of Stafford, two of the earle
of Deuonshires sonnes, the lord Beaumont, the lord Willoughbies brother,
the earle of Staffords brother, the lord Camois his sonne, the lord of
Maule, Thomas Beauchampe, Thomas Pelham, Iohn Luttrell, Iohn Lisleie,
William Haukeford iustice, William Brinchleie iustice, Bartholomew
Rathford, Giles Daubenie, William Butler, Iohn Ashton, Richard Sanape,
Iohn Tiptost, Richard Francis, Henrie Persie, Iohn Arundell, William
Strall, Iohn Turpington, Ailmer Saint, Edward Hastings, Iohn Greisleie,
Gerald Satill, Iohn Arden, Robert Chalons, Thomas Dimocke, Hungerford,
Gibethorpe, Newport, and diuerse other, to the number of fortie and six.
[Sidenote: The lord maior of London.] On the morow being saint Edwards
daie, and the thirteenth of October, the lord maior of London rode
towards the Tower to attend the king, with diuerse worshipfull citizens
clothed all in red, and from the Tower the king rode through the citie
to Westminster, where he was consecrated, anointed, and crowned king by
the archbishop of Canturburie with all ceremonies and roiall solemnitie
as was due and requisit. [Sidenote: The earle of March enuied the K.
preferment.] Though all other reioised at his aduancement, yet suerlie
Edmund Mortimer earle of March, which was coosine and heire to Lionell
duke of Clarence, the third begotten sonne of king Edward the third, &
Richard earle of Cambridge, sonne to Edmund duke of Yorke, which had
married Anne sister to the same Edmund, were with these dooings neither
pleased nor contented: insomuch that now the diuision once begun, the
one linage ceassed not to persecute the other, till the heires males of
both the lines were cléerlie destroied and extinguished.
At the daie of the coronation, to the end he should not séeme to take
vpon him the crowne and scepter roiall by plaine extorted power,
[Sidenote: Edmund erle of Lancaster vntrullie feined to be surnamed
Crookebacke.] and iniurious intrusion: he was aduised to make his title
as heire to Edmund (surnamed or vntrulie feined) Crookebacke, sonne to
king Henrie the third, and to saie that the said Edmund was elder
brother to king Edward the first, and for his deformitie put by from the
crowne, to whom by his mother Blanch, daughter and sole heire to Henrie
duke of Lancaster, he was next of blood, and undoubted heire. But
because not onelie his fréends, but also his priuie enimies, knew that
this was but a forged title, considering they were suerlie informed, not
onelie that the said Edmund was yoonger sonne to king Henrie the third,
but also had true knowledge, that Edmund was neither crooke backed, nor
a deformed person, but a goodlie gentleman, and a valiant capteine, and
so much fauored of his louing father, that he to preferre him in
marriage to the queene Dowager of Nauarre, hauing a great liuelihood,
gaue to him the countie palantine of Lancaster, with manie notable
honours, high segniories, and large priuileges. Therefore they aduised
him to publish it, that he challenged the realme not onelie by conquest,
but also because he by king Richard was adopted as heire, and declared
by resignation as his lawfull successor, being next heire male to him of
the blood roiall.
But to procéed to other dooings. The solemnitie of the coronation being
ended, the morow after being tuesdaie, the parlement began againe,
[Sidenote: Sir Iohn Chenie speaker of the parlement dismissed, and
William Durward admitted.] and the next daie sir Iohn Cheinie that was
speaker, excusing himselfe, by reason of his infirmitie and sicknesse,
not to be able to exercise that roome, [Sidenote: Acts repealed.] was
dismissed, and one William Durward esquier was admitted. Herewith were
the acts established in the parlement of the one & twentith yeare of
king Richards reigne repealed and made void, [Sidenote: Acts confirmed.]
and the ordinances deuised in the parlement holden the eleuenth yeare of
the same king, confirmed, and againe established for good and
profitable. ¶ On the same daie, the kings eldest sonne lord Henrie, by
assent of all the states in the parlement, was created prince of Wales,
duke of Cornwall, and earle of Chester, then being of the age of twelue
yeares.
Upon the thursdaie, the commons came and rehearsed all the errors of the
last parlement holden in the one and twentith yeare of king Richard, &
namelie in certeine fiue of them.
1 First, that where the king that now is, was readie to arraigne an
appeale against the duke of Norfolke, he dooing what perteined to his
dutie in that behalfe, was yet banished afterwards without anie
reasonable cause.
2 Secondlie, the archbishop of Canturburie, metropolitan of the realme,
was foreiudged without answer.
3 Thirdlie, the duke of Glocester was murthered, and after foreiudged.
4 Fourthlie, where the earle of Arundell alledged his charters of
pardon, the same might not be allowed.
5 Fiftlie, that all the power of that euill parlement was granted and
assigned ouer to certeine persons, and sith that such heinous errors
could not be committed (as was thought) without the assent and aduise of
them that were of the late kings councell, they made sute that they
might be put vnder arrest, and committed to safe kéeping, till order
might be further taken for them.
Thus much adoo there was in this parlement, speciallie about them that
were thought to be guiltie of the duke of Glocesters death, and of the
condemning of the other lords that were adiudged traitors in the forsaid
late parlement holden in the said one and twentith yeare of king
Richards reigne. [Sidenote: _Fabian_.] [Sidenote: Sir Iohn Bagot
discloseth secrets.] Sir Iohn Bagot knight then prisoner in the Tower,
disclosed manie secrets, vnto the which he was priuie; and being brought
on a daie to the barre, a bill was read in English which he had made,
conteining certeine euill practises of king Richard; and further what
great affection the same king bare to the duke of Aumarle, insomuch that
he heard him say, that if he should renounce the gouernement of the
kingdome, he wished to leaue it to the said duke, [Sidenote: Henrie the
fourth suspected not to be well affected towards the church before his
comming to the crowne.] as to the most able man (for wisdome and
manhood) of all other: for though he could like better of the duke of
Hereford, yet he said that he knew if he were once king, he would proue
an extreame enimie and cruell tyrant to the church.
It was further conteined in that bill, that as the same Bagot rode on a
daie behind the duke of Norfolke in the Sauoy stréet toward Westminster,
the duke asked him what he knew of the manner of the duke of Glocester
his death, and he answered that he knew nothing at all: but the people
(quoth he) do say that you have murthered him. Wherevnto the duke sware
great othes that it was vntrue, and that he had saued his life contrarie
to the will of the king, and certeine other lords, by the space of thrée
wéeks, and more; affirming withall, that he was neuer in all his
life-time more affraid of death, than he was at his comming home againe
from Calis at that time, to the kings presence, by reason he had not put
the duke to death. And then (said he) the king appointed one of his owne
seruants, and certeine other that were seruants to other lords to go
with him to see the said duke of Glocester put to death, swearing that
as he should answer afore God, it was neuer his mind that he should haue
died in the fort, but onelie for feare of the king, and sauing of his
owne life. [Sidenote: The duke of Aumarle accused.] Neverthelesse, there
was no man in the realme to whom king Richard was so much beholden, as
to the duke of Aumarle: for he was the man that to fulfill his mind, had
set him in hand with all that was doone against the said duke, and the
other lords. There was also conteined in that bill, what secret malice
king Richard had conceiued against the duke of Hereford being in exile,
whereof the same Bagot had sent intelligence vnto the duke into France,
by one Rogert Smart, who certified it to him by Piers Buckton, and
others, to the intent he should the better haue regard to himselfe.
There was also conteined in the said bill, that Bagot had heard the duke
of Aumarle say, that he had rather than twentie thousand pounds that the
duke of Hereford were dead, not for anie feare he had of him, but for
the trouble and mischéefe that he was like to procure within the realme.
[Sidenote: The duke of Aumarle his answer vnto Bagots bill.] After that
the bill had béene read and heard, the duke of Aumarle rose vp and said,
that as touching the points conteined in the bill concerning him, they
were vtterlie false and vntrue, which he would proue with his bodie, in
what manner soeuer it should be thought requisit. Therewith also the
duke of Excester rose vp, and willed Bagot that if he could say anie
thing against him to speak it openlie. Bagot answered, that for his part
he could say nothing against him: [Sidenote: Iohn Hall a yeoman.] But
there is (said he) a yeoman in Newgat one Iohn hall that can say
somewhat. "Well then (said the duke of Excester) this that I doo and
shall say is true, that the late king, the duke of Norfolke, and thou
being at Woodstoke, made me to go with you into the chappell, and there
the doore being shut, ye made me to sweare vpon the altar, to kéepe
counsell in that ye had to say to me, and then ye rehearsed that we
should neuer haue our purpose, so long as the duke of Lancaster liued, &
therefore ye purposed to haue councell at Lichfield, & there you would
arrest the duke of Lancaster, in such sort as by colour of his
disobeieng the arrest, he should be dispatched out of life. And in this
manner ye imagined his death. To the which I answered, that it were
conuenient the king should send for his councell, and if they agréed
herevnto, I would not be against it, and so I departed." To this Bagot
made no answer.
After this, the king commanded that the lords, Berklei, and Louell, and
six knights of the lower house, should go after dinner to examine the
said Hall. This was on a thursdaie being the fiftéenth of October.
[Sidenote: Bagott and Hall brought to the barre.] On the saturdaie next
insuing, sir William Bagot and the said Iohn Hall were brought both to
the barre, and Bagot was examined of certeine points, and sent againe to
prison. The lord Fitzwater herewith rose vp, and said to the king, that
where the duke of Aumarle excuseth himselfe of the duke of Glocesters
death, [Sidenote: The lord Fitzwater appealeth the duke of Aumarle of
treason.] I say (quoth he) that he was the verie cause of his death, and
so he appealed him of treason, offering by throwing downe his hood as a
gage to proue it with his bodie. There were twentie other lords also
that threw downe their hoods, as pledges to proue the like matter
against the duke of Aumarle. The duke of Aumarle threw downe his hood to
trie it against the lord Fitzwater, as against him that lied falselie,
in that he had charged him with, by that his appeale. These gages were
deliuered to the constable and marshall of England, and the parties put
vnder arrest.
The duke of Surrie stood vp also against the lord Fitzwater, auouching
that where he had said that the appellants were causers of the duke of
Glocesters death, it was false, for they were constrained to sue the
same appeale, in like manner as the said lord Fitzwater was compelled to
giue iudgement against the duke of Glocester, and the earle of Arundell;
so that the suing of the appeale was doone by constraint, and if he said
contrarie he lied: and therewith he threw downe his hood. The lord
Fitzwater answered herevnto, that he was not present in the parlement
house, when iudgement was giuen against them, and all the lords bare
witnesse thereof. Moreouer, where it was alledged that the duke of
Aumarle should send two of his seruants to Calis, to murther the duke of
Glocester, the said duke of Aumarle said, that if the duke of Norfolke
affirme it, he lied falselie, and that he would proue with his bodie,
throwing downe an other hood which he had borowed. The same was likewise
deliuered to the constable and marshall of England, [Sidenote:
_Fabian._] and the king licenced the duke of Norfolke to returne, that
he might arraigne his appeale. After this was Iohn Hall condemned of
treason by authoritie of the parlement, for that he had confessed
himself to be one of them that put the duke of Glocester to death at
Calis, and so on the mondaie following, [Sidenote: Iohn Hall executed.]
he was drawne from the Tower to Tiburne, and there hanged, bowelled,
headed, and quartered: his head being sent to Calis there to be set vp,
where the duke was murthered.
[Sidenote: _Iohn Stow._ The request of the commons.] On Wednesdaie
following, request was made by the commons, that sith king Richard had
resigned, and was lawfullie deposed from his roiall dignitie, he might
haue iudgement decréed against him, so as the realme were not troubled
by him, and that the causes of his deposing might be published through
the realme for satisfieng of the people: which demand was granted.
[Sidenote: _Hall._ A bold bishop and a faithfull.] Wherevpon the bishop
of Carleill, a man both learned, wise, and stout of stomach, boldlie
shewed foorth his opinion concerning that demand; affirming that there
was none amongst them woorthie or meet to giue iudgement vpon so noble a
prince as king Richard was, whom they had taken for their souereigne and
liege lord, by the space of two & twentie yeares and more; "And I assure
you (said he) there is not so ranke a traitor, nor so errant a théef,
nor yet so cruell a murtherer apprehended or deteined in prison for his
offense, but he shall be brought before the iustice to heare his
iudgement; and will ye procéed to the iudgement of an anointed king,
hearing neither his answer nor excuse? I say, that the duke of Lancaster
whom ye call king, hath more trespassed to K. Richard & his realme, than
king Richard hath doone either to him, or vs: for it is manifest & well
knowne, that the duke was banished the realme by K. Richard and his
councell, and by the iudgement of his owne father, for the space of ten
yeares, for what cause ye know, and yet without licence of king Richard,
he is returned againe into the realme, and (that is woorse) hath taken
vpon him the name, title, & preheminence of king, And therfore I say,
that you haue doone manifest wrong, to procéed in anie thing against
king Richard, without calling him openlie to his answer and defense." ¶
As soone as the bishop had ended this tale, he was attached by the earle
marshall, and committed to ward in the abbei of saint Albons.
Moreouer, where the king had granted to the earle of Westmerland the
countie of Richmond, [Sidenote: The duke of Britaine.] the duke of
Britaine pretending a right thereto by an old title, had sent his
letters ouer vnto the estates assembled in this parlement, offering to
abide such order as the law would appoint in the like case to anie of
the kings subiects. Wherevpon the commons for the more suertie of the
intercourse of merchants, besought the king that the matter might be
committed to the ordering of the councell of either of the parties, and
of his counsell, so as an end might be had therein, which request was
likewise granted. After this, the records of the last parlement were
shewed, with the appeales, & the commission made to twelue persons, to
determine things that were motioned in the same last parlement.
Héerevpon the commons praied that they might haue iustice Markham, and
maister Gascoigne a sergeant at the law ioined with them for counsell,
touching the perusing of the records, which was granted them, and day
giuen ouer till the next morrow in the White-hall, where they sat about
these matters thrée daies togither.
On the morrow following, being the éeuen of Simon and Iude the apostles,
[Sidenote: K. Richard appointed to be kept in perpetuall prison.
_Hall._] the commons required to heare the iudgement of king Richard.
Wherevpon the archbishop of Canturburie appointed to speake, declared
how that the king that now is, had granted king Richard his life; but in
such wise as he should remaine in perpetuall prison, so safelie kept,
that neither the king nor realme should be troubled with him. It was
also concluded, that if anie man went about to deliuer him, that then he
should be the first that should die for it. After this, the commons
praied that the lords and other that were of king Richards counsell,
might be put to their answers for their sundrie misdemeanors, which was
granted. On Wednesday following, being the morrow after the feast of
Simon and Iude, all the processe of the parlement holden the 21 yéere of
king Richards reigne was read openlie, [Sidenote: The earle of Warwike.]
in which it was found, how the earle of Warwike had confessed himselfe
guiltie of treason, and asked pardon and mercie for his offense: but the
earle denied that euer he acknowledged anie such thing by woord of
mouth, and that he would prooue in what manner soeuer should be to him
appointed. Therein was also the appeale found of the dukes of Aumarle,
Surrie, and Excester, the marquesse Dorset, the earles of Salisburie and
Glocester; vnto the which ech of them answered by himselfe, that they
neuer assented to that appeale of their owne frée wils, but were
compelled thereto by the king: and this they affirmed by their othes,
and offered to prooue it by what manner they should be appointed.
[Sidenote: Sir Walter Clopton.] Sir Walter Clopton said then to the
commons; If ye will take aduantage of the processe of the last
parlement, take it, and ye shall be receiued therevnto. Then rose vp the
lord Morlie, and said to the earle of Salisburie, that he was chiefe of
counsell with the duke of Glocester, and likewise with king Richard, &
so discouered the dukes counsell to the king, as a traitor to his
maister, and that he said he would with his bodie prooue against him,
throwing downe his hood as a pledge. [Sidenote: The lord Morlie appeleth
the earle of Salisburie.] The earle of Salisburie sore mooued héerewith,
told the lord Morlie, that he falslie béelied him, for he was neuer
traitor, nor false to his maister all his life time, and therewith threw
downe his gloue to wage battell against the lord Morlie. Their gages
were taken vp, and deliuered to the constable and marshall of England,
and the parties were arrested, and day to them giuen till another time.
On Mondaie following, being the morrow after All soules day, the commons
made request, that they might not be entred in the parlement rols, as
parties to the iudgement giuen in this parlement, but there as in verie
truth they were priuie to the same: for the iudgement otherwise belonged
to the king, except where anie iudgment is giuen by statute enacted for
the profit of the common-wealth, which request was granted. Diuers other
petitions were presented on the behalfe of the commons, part whereof
were granted, and to some there was none answere made at that time.
Finallie, to auoid further inconuenience, and to qualifie the minds of
the enuious, [Sidenote: Dukes and others depriued of their titles.] it
was finallie enacted, that such as were appellants in the last parlement
against the duke of Glocester and other, should in this wise following
be ordred. The dukes of Aumarle, Surrie, and Excester there present,
were iudged to loose their names of dukes, togither with the honors,
titles and dignities therevnto belonging. The marquesse Dorset being
likewise there present, was adiudged to lose his title and dignitie of
marquesse; and the earle of Glocester being also present, was in
semblable maner iudged to lose his name, title and dignitie of earle.
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._] Moreouer, it was further decréed against them,
that they and euerie of them should lose and forfeit all those castels,
lordships, manors, lands, possessions, rents, seruices, liberties and
reuenues, whatsoeuer had beene giuen to them, at or since the last
parlement, belonging aforetime to any of those persons whom they had
appealed, and all other their castels, manors, lordships, lands,
possessions, rents, seruices, liberties, and reuenues whatsoeuer, which
they held of the late kings gift, the daie of the arrest of the said
duke of Glocester, or at any time after, should also remaine in the
kings disposition from thencefoorth, and all letters patents and
charters, which they or any of them had of the same names, castels,
manors, lordships, lands, possessions, and liberties, should be
surrendered vp into the chancerie, there to be cancelled. Diuerse other
things were enacted in this parlement, to the preiudice of those high
estates, to satisfie mens minds that were sore displeased with their
dooings in the late kings daies, as now it manifestlie appéered.
[Sidenote: The hatred which the cõmons had cõmitted against the
appellãts.] For after it was vnderstood that they should be no further
punished than as before is mentioned, great murmuring rose among the
people against the king, the archbishop of Canturburie, the earle of
Northumberland, and other of the councell, for sauing the liues of men
whom the commons reputed most wicked, and not worthie in anie wise to
liue. But the king thought it best, rather with courtesie to reconcile
them, than by cutting them off by death to procure the hatred of their
freends and alies, which were manie, and of no small power.
After that the foresaid iudgement was declared with protestation by sir
William Thirning iustice, [Sidenote: The earle of Salisburie his
request.] the earle of Salisburie came and made request, that he might
haue his protestation entered against the lord Morlie, which lord Morlie
rising vp from his seat, said, that so he might not haue; bicause in his
first answer he made no protestation, and therefore he was past it now.
The earle praied day of aduisement, but the lord Morlie praied that he
might lose his aduantage, sith he had not entered sufficient plee
against him. [Sidenote: Sir Mathew Gournie.] Then sir Matthew Gournie
sitting vnderneath the king said to the earle of Salisburie, that
forsomuch as at the first day in your answers, ye made no protestation
at all, none is entered of record, and so you are past that aduantage:
and therefore asked him if he would asked him if he would saie any other
thing. [Sidenote: The earle of Salisburie mainprised.] Then the earle
desired that he might put in mainprise, which was granted: and so the
earle of Kent, sir Rafe Ferrers, sir Iohn Roch, & sir Iohn Draiton
knights, mainprised the said earle bodie for bodie. For the lord Morlie
all the lords and barons offred to vndertake, and to be suerties for
him; but yet foure of them had their names entered, that is to saie,
[Sidenote: The lord Morlie mainprised.] the lords Willoughbie,
Beauchampe, Scales, and Berkelie: they had day till the fridaie after to
make their libell.
[Sidenote: The lord Fitzwater.] After this came the lord Fitzwater, and
praied to haue day and place to arreigne his appeale against the earle
of Rutland. The king said he would send for the duke of Norffolke to
returne home, and then vpon his returne he said he would proceed in that
matter. Manie statutes were established in this parlement, as well
concerning the whole bodie of the common-wealth (as by the booke thereof
imprinted may appeare) as also concerning diuerse priuate persons then
presentlie liuing, which partlie we haue touched, and partlie for doubt
to be ouer-tedious, we doo omit. [Sidenote: The archb. of Canturburie
restored to his sée.] But this among other is not to be forgotten that
the archbishop of Canturburie was not onelie restored to his former
dignitie, being remooued from it by king Richard, who had procured one
Roger Walden to be placed therein (as before ye haue heard) but also the
said Walden was established Bishop of London, wherewith he séemed well
content.
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._] [Sidenote: _Hall._] Moreouer, the kings eldest
sonne Henrie alreadie created (as heire to his father, and to the
crowne) prince of Wales, duke of Cornewall, [Sidenote: The crowne
intailed.] and earle of Chester, was also intituled duke of Aquitaine:
and to auoid all titles, claimes, and ambiguities, there was an act made
for the vniting of the crowne vnto king Henrie the fourth, and to the
heires of his bodie lawfullie begotten, his foure sonnes, Henrie,
Thomas, Iohn, and Humfrie, being named, as to whom the right should
descend successiuelie by waie of intaile, in case where heires failed to
any of them. By force of this act king Henrie thought himselfe firmelie
set on a sure foundation, not néeding to feare any storme of aduerse
fortune. But yet shortlie after he was put in danger to haue béene set
besides the seat, by a conspiracie begun in the abbat of Westminsters
house, which, had it not beene hindred, it is doubtfull whether the new
king should haue inioied his roialtie, or the old king (now a prisoner)
restored to his principalitie. But God (of whome the poet saith,
------------humana rotat
Instar volu'cris pulueris acti
Turbine celeri mobilis auræ)
had purposed a disappointment of their coniuration, and therefore no
maruell though the issue of their labours were infortunat by their
flattering hope.
But now to make an end with this parlement. After that things were
concluded and granted, so as was thought to stand with the suertie of
the king, and good quiet of the realme, the king granted a free pardon
to all his subiects, those excepted that were at the murther of the duke
of Glocester, and such as had committed wilfull murther, or rape, or
were knowne to be notorious théeues. And those that were to take benefit
by this pardon, were appointed to sue foorth the charters therof,
betwixt that present and the feast of All saints next insuing,
[Sidenote: _Tho. Walsi._] and so was this parlement dissolued.
Immediatlie after, the king (according to an order taken in the same
parlement, to giue to vnderstand vnto all princes and countries about
him, by what title and occasion he had taken to him the kingdome) sent
ambassadors vnto them to signifie the same. [Sidenote: Ambassadors sent
to forren princes.] Into Rome were sent, Iohn Treneuant bishop of
Hereford, sir Iohn Cheinie knight, & Iohn Cheinie esquier. Into France,
master Walter Skirlow bishop of Durham, and Thomas Persie earle of
Worcester. Into Spaine, Iohn Trenour bishop of saint Asaph, and sir
William Parre knight. Into Almanie the bishop of Bangor, and two others.
[Sidenote: The castell of Warke taken by the Scots. Sir Thom. Greie.]
The Scots in time of the late parlement, taking occasion of the absence
of the northerne lords, and also by reason of great mortalitie that
afflicted the northerne people that yeare, inuaded the borders, tooke
the castell of Warke, that was assigned to the safe keeping of sir
Thomas Greie knight, who then was at the parlement, as one of the
knights of the shire, by meanes of whose absence, the enimies the sooner
(as is to be thought) obteined their desire, and so kept that castell a
certeine time, and finallie spoiled it, and ouerthrew it to the ground.
Besides all this they did manie other mischeefes in the countrie,
[Sidenote: The death of the duke of Norffolke.] to the vndooing of manie
of the kings subiects. This yeare Thomas Mowbraie duke of Norffolke died
in exile at Venice, whose death might haue béene worthilie bewailed of
all the realme, [Sidenote: The duchesse of Glocester deceasseth.] if he
had not béene consenting to the death of the duke of Glocester. The same
yeare deceassed the duchesse of Glocester, thorough sorrow (as was
thought) which she conceiued for the losse of hir sonne and heire the
lord Humfrie, who being sent for foorth of Ireland (as before ye haue
heard) was taken with the pestilence, and died by the waie.
[Sidenote: _Hall._] But now to speake of the conspiracie, which was
contriued by the abbat of Westminster as chéefe instrument thereof. Ye
shall vnderstand, [Sidenote: What mooued the abbat of Westminster to
conspire against the king.] that this abbat (as it is reported) vpon a
time heard king Henrie saie, when he was but earle of Derbie, and yoonge
of yeares, that princes had too little, and religious men too much. He
therefore doubting now, least if the king continued long in the estate,
he would remooue the great beame that then greeued his eies, and pricked
his conscience, became an instrument to search out the minds of the
nobilitie, and to bring them to an assemblie and councell, where they
might consult and commen togither, how to bring that to effect, which
they earnestlie wished and desired; that was, the destruction of king
Henrie, and the restoring of king Richard. For there were diuerse lords
that shewed themselues outwardlie to fauor king Henrie, where they
secretlie wished & sought his confusion. The abbat after he had felt the
minds of sundrie of them, called to his house on a day in the terme
time, all such lords & other persons which he either knew or thought to
be as affectioned to king Richard, so enuious to the prosperitie of king
Henrie, whose names were, Iohn Holland earle of Huntington late duke of
Excester, [Sidenote: The lords that conspired against the duke.] Thomas
Holland earle of Kent late duke of Surrie, Edward earle of Rutland late
duke of Aumarle sonne to the duke of Yorke, Iohn Montacute earle of
Salisburie, Hugh lord Spenser late earle of Glocester, Iohn the bishop
of Carleill, sir Thomas Blunt, and Maudelen a priest one of king
Richards chappell, a man as like him in stature and proportion in all
lineaments of bodie, as vnlike in birth, dignitie, and conditions.
The abbat highlie feasted these lords, his speciall freends, and when
they had well dined, they withdrew into a secret chamber, where they sat
downe in councell, and after much talke & conference had about the
bringing of their purpose to passe concerning the destruction of king
Henrie, at length by the aduise of the earle of Huntington it was
deuised, [Sidenote: A iusts deuised to be holden at Oxford.] that they
should take vpon them a solemne iusts to be enterprised betweene him and
20 on his part, & the earle of Salisburie and 20 with him at Oxford, to
the which triumph k. Henrie should be desired, & when he should be most
busilie marking the martiall pastime, he suddenlie should be slaine and
destroied, and so by that means king Richard, who as yet liued, might be
restored to libertie, and haue his former estate & dignitie. It was
further appointed, who should assemble the people, the number and
persons which should accomplish and put in execution their deuised
enterprise. Hervpon was an indenture sextipartite made, sealed with
their seales, [Sidenote: An indenture sextipartite.] and signed with
their hands, in the which each stood bound to other, to do their whole
indeuour for the accomplishing of their purposed exploit. Moreouer, they
sware on the holie euangelists to be true and secret each to other, euen
to the houre and point of death.
[Sidenote: He is desired to come and see the iusts.] When all things
were thus appointed, the earle of Huntington came to the king vnto
Windsore, earnestlie requiring him, that hé would vouchsafe to be at
Brentford on the daie appointed of their iustes, both to behold the
same, and to be the discouerer and indifferent iudge (if anie ambiguitie
should rise) of their couragious acts and dooings. The king being thus
instantlie required of his brother in law, and nothing lesse imagining
than that which was pretended, gentlie granted to fulfill his request.
Which thing obteined, all the lords of the conspiracie departed home to
their houses, as they noised it, to set armorers on worke about the
trimming of their armour against the iusts, and to prepare all other
furniture and things readie, as to such a high & solemne triumph
apperteined. The earle of Huntington came to his house and raised men on
euerie side, and prepared horsse and harness for his compassed purpose,
and when he had all things readie, he departed towards Brenford, and at
his comming thither, he found all his mates and confederates there, well
appointed for their purpose, except the earle of Rutland, by whose
follie their practised conspiracie was brought to light and disclosed to
king Henrie. For this earle of Rutland departing before from Westminster
to sée his father the duke of Yorke, as he sat at dinner, had his
counterpane of the indenture of the confederacie in his bosome.
[Sidenote: The duke of Yorke taketh the indenture from his son.] The
father espieing it, would néeds sée what it was: and though the sonne
humblie denied to shew it, the father being more earnest to sée it, by
force tooke it out of his bosome; and perceiuing the contents thereof,
in a great rage caused his horsses to be sadled out of hand, and
spitefullie reproouing his sonne of treason, for whome he was become
suertie and mainpernour for his good abearing in open parlement, he
incontinentlie mounted on horssebacke to ride towards Windsore to the
king, to declare vnto him the malicious intent of his complices. The
earle of Rutland séeing in what danger he stood, tooke his horsse and
rode another waie to Windsore in post, so that he got thither before his
father, and when he was alighted at the castell gate, [Sidenote: The
earle of Rutland vttereth the whole conspiracie to the king.] he caused
the gates to be shut, saieing that he must néeds deliuer the keies to
the king. When he came before the kings presence, he kneeled downe on
his knées, beséeching him of mercie and forgiuenesse, and declaring the
whole matter vnto him in order as euerie thing had passed, obteined
pardon. Therewith came his father, and being let in, deliuered the
indenture which he had taken from his sonne, vnto the king, who thereby
perceiuing his sonnes words to be true, changed his purpose for his
going to Brenford, and dispatched messengers foorth to signifie vnto the
earle of Northumberland his high constable, and to the earle of
Westmerland his high marshall, and to other his assured freends, of all
the doubtfull danger and perillous ieopardie.
The conspirators being at Brenford, at length perceiued by the lacke of
the earle of Rutland, that their enterprise was reuealed to the king,
and therevpon determined now openlie with speare and shield to bring
that to passe which before they couertlie attempted, [Sidenote: Magdalen
counterfeited to be king Richard.] and so they adorned Maudelen, a man
most resembling king Richard, in roiall and princelie vesture, and named
him to be king Richard, affirming that by fauour of his kéepers he was
escaped out of prison, and so they came forwards in order of warre, to
the intent to destroie king Henrie. Whilest the confederators with their
new published idoll, accompanied with a strong armie of men, [Sidenote:
The K. cometh to the tower of London.] tooke the direct waie towards
Windsore, king Henrie admonished thereof, with a few horssemen in the
night came to the Tower of London about twelue of the clocke, where in
the morning he caused the maior of the citie to apparell in armour the
best and most couragious persons of the citie, which brought to him
thrée thousand archers, and three thousand bill-men, besides them that
were appointed to kéepe and defend the citie.