Henry the ſixte.

1422 
Henry the .6. AFter that Death had bereft the worlde of that noble Prince King Henry the fyfth, his only ſonne Prince Henry, beyng of the age of nyne moneths, or thereaboute, wyth the ſounde of Trumpettes,Anno. reg. 1. was openly proclaimed kyng of England and of Fraunce the thirtie daye of Auguſt, by the name of Henrye the ſixte, in the yeare of the worlde Fyue thouſande, three hundred eightie and nyne, after the birth of our Sauiour .1422. about the twelfth yeare of the emperour Fredericke the thirde, the fortie and two and laſte of Charles the ſixte, and the firſte of Iames the thirde king of Scotlande.

The cuſtodie of this young prince was appoynted to Thomas duke of Exceſter, and to Henry Beauforde Biſhoppe of Wincheſter, the duke of Bedford was deputed Regent of France and the Duke of Glouceſter was ordeyned protectour of Englande, whiche takyng vpon him that office, called to hym wyſe and graue counſellours, by whoſe aduice he prouided and tooke order as well for the good gouernemente of the Realme of Englande, and the ſubiectes of the ſame at home, as alſo for the mayntenaunce of the warres abroade, and further conqueſte to be made in Fraunce, appoynting valyant and expert capitaynes, whiche ſhoulde be ready, when neede required.

Beſide this, he gathered great ſummes of money to maynteyne men of warre, and left nothing forgotten that might aduance his purpoſed enterpriſes.

Whyle theſe things were a doing in Englande, the duke of Bedforde Regent of France, ſtudyed moſte earneſtly, not onely to keepe and well to order the countreys by king Henry late conquered, but alſo determyned not to leaue off from dayly warre and continuall trauayle, tyll the tyme that Charles the Dolphin (which was nowe a flote bycauſe king Charles his father in the Moneth of October in thys preſente yeare was departed to God) ſhoulde eyther bee ſubdued, or brought to due obeyſance.

And ſurely the death of this Kyng Charles, cauſed many alterations in the realm of Fraunce, For a great manie of the nobilitie, whiche before eyther for feare of the Engliſh puiſſaunce, or for the loue of this king Charles (whoſe authoritie they followed) helde on the Engliſhe part, didde nowe reuolt to the Dolphyn, endeuoring themſelues to driue the Engliſhe nation oute of the Frenche territories.

The Duke of Bedforde being greately moued wyth theſe ſodaine chaunges, fortified hys Townes bothe with garniſons of men and munitions of armour, weapon and victuals. He aſſembled alſo a great armie of Engliſhmen and Normans, and ſo effectuouſly exhorted them to continue faithfull vnto their liege and lawfull lorde yong king Henry, that the hearts of many of the Frenche capitains willingly ſware to kyng Henry fealtie and obedience, by whoſe example the comminaltie did the ſame.

Thus al the people being quieted, and the ſtate of the countrey eſtabliſhed in an order within the realme of France, nothyng was mynded but warre, and nothing ſpoken of but conqueſt.

The Dolphyn whiche laye the ſame tyme in the citie of Poictiers, after his fathers deceſſe cauſed hymſelfe to be proclaymed kyng of Fraunce, by the name of Charles the ſeuenth: And then beeyng in good hope to recouer his patrimonie, with an hault courage prepared warre, and aſſembled a greate armie: and firſte the warre beganne by light ſkirmiſhes,P[...] M[...] ſurpriſed by the Frenche. but it proceeded into mayne battayles. The Dolphyn thinking not to ſurceaſſe any occaſions of well doyng,1423 ſente the Lorde Grauile to the town of Pont Meulan, ſtandyng on the riuer of Seyne,Eng[...]e[...] who comming to the ſame vppon the ſodaine, the .xiiij. of Ianuarie, tooke it, and ſlewe a greate number of Engliſhe ſouldiors, whiche he found within it.

When the Duke of Bedford, otherwyſe cleped the Regente of Fraunce was aduertiſed of thys ſodayn enterpryſe, he appoynted the Lor[...]e Thomas Montacute earle of Saliſbury (a man both for his great policie and hault corage, fitter to be cōpared to the olde Romans than to mē of his days, accōpanied with the erle of Suffolk, the L. Scales, the yong L. Poinings, ſir Io. Faſtolf maiſter of the houſhold with y^e ſaid L. Regent, & diuers other, to beſiege y^e ſaid town of Pōt Meulan, which after .ij. months ſiege was rēdred to y^e ſaid erle, & the L. Grauile ſware to be true to the K. of England euer after that daye, but ſhortly after, he forgetting his othe, returned to his olde maſter again. The erle of Saliſbury apointed ſir Hēry Mortimer, & ſir Ric Vernō captains of y^e town: And frō thēce went into Chāpaigne, and there beſieged the towne of Sens, tooke it, & ſir Will. Marin the captaine within it, and ſlewe all the Souldiors that kepte that Towne, and made capitains there ſir Hugh Gedding, and ſir Richarde Aubermonde. In this ſeaſon Humfrey duke of Glouceſter, either blinded with ambition or doting for loue, maryed the Ladye Iaquet or Iaquelyn, daughter and ſole heire to William of Bauiere duke of Hollande, which was lauful wife to Iohn duke of Brabant then liuing, who afterwards what by force and what by ſpiritual compulſaries (as after ye ſhall heare) recouered hir out of the duke of Glouceſters handes.

The chances thus hapning as you before haue heard, Iohn Duke of Bedforde, Philippe duke of Bourgoigne, and Iohn Duke of Britayne made an aſſemble and frendly enteruiew in the citie of Amiens, where they renued the old league and aunciente amitie made betweene the noble Prince king Henry the fifth and them, addyng thereto theſe conditions and agreements, eche of them to be to the other friend and ayder, and the enimie of the one to be enimie to the other, and al they to be both frends and ayders to the King of England, and welwilling to his welwillers and aduerſarie to his aduerſaries.A[...]ie [...] en [...]er of [...]hippe. And (bicauſe that affinitie is an embracer of amitie) ther was concluded a mariage betwene the duke of Bedford, and the Lady Anne ſiſter to the Duke of Burgoigne. This mariage was after ſolemniſed according to the concluſion at Troys in Champaigne, in the preſence of the duke of Burgoigne brother to the bryde, and of hir vncle the duke of Brabant, the Erles of Saliſbury and Suffolk, and of .ix.C. lordes, knights, and Eſquiers, with ſuch feaſt and triumph, as before that tyme had not bin ſeene of the Burgoignions.

Whyleſt theſe matters were in hand, the Pariſians thinking to blynd the eyes of the duke of Bedford, wrote to hym how dyuers caſtels and fortreſſes lying about their territories, were repleniſhed with theyr enimies, dayely ſtopping their paſſages, and robbing their merchants, to their vtter vndoing, if they by his helpe were not relieued. But this was but a gloſe of the Pariſiās, meaning to cauſe him to go about the winning of ſome ſtrong hold, whileſt they in his abſence might bring into the citie Charles y^e Dolphyn,The Pariſians p[...]ted of [...] practiſes. y^t then called himſelf French K. for ſo had they apointed, aſſigning to him the day of his cō ming, & the poſt of his entrie. But their practiſe being diſcouered to the duke of Bedford, he with a great power entred into Paris, one day before the fayre was appointed, & .ij. nightes before he was looked for of his enimies being vnprouided, and ſodeinly cauſed the conſpirators within the Citie to bee apprehended, and openly to be putte to execution.

Thys done, putting a myſtruſt in the Pariſians, he cauſed the Caſtels and fortreſſes neere and adioyning to the Citie, to be furniſhed with Engliſhemen. And to auoyde all nyght watchers about Paris, and the cōfines therof, he firſt tooke into his poſſeſſion either by aſſault or compoſition, the towne of Traynelle and Bray vpon Seyne: and bicauſe two caſtels, the one called Pacy, and the other Courſay were alſo euyll neyghbours to the Pariſians, he ſente ſir Iohn Faſtolfe greate mayſter of his houſholde wyth a notable armie to win the ſame caſtels, whiche he didde, and with praye and priſoners, returned backe agayne to his maiſter, the Regent.

In this verye ſeaſon, the Dolphyn ſente the Lorde William Stewarde, Earle of Buchquhane that was Conneſtable of Fraunce, and the Erle of Ventadoure in Auuergne, and manye other noble mē of his part, to lay ſiege to the towne of Cravaunt in the Countie of Auxerre, within the parts of Burgoigne, wherof hearing the Lorde Regent, and the Duke of Burgoigne they aſſembled a great armie, and appoynted the Earle of Saliſbury to haue the guidyng therof, who with his Captains and men of warre, Engliſh and Burgoignions came in good array to giue battayle to the beſiegers of the Towne of Cravaunt: and bicauſe the riuer of Yonne, whiche runneth by the ſayd towne, was betwene the Engliſhe armie, and their aduerſaries, they could not well aſſayle their enimies, whiche defended the bankes and paſſages verie ſtrongly: yet notwithſtanding, both horſmen and footmen of the Engliſh parte couragiouſly put themſelfes into the riuer, and with fine force recouered the bank,The englishe armye entreth the riuer, and vvinneth the banke. whom the Burgonions incontinently followed. When they were all gotten into the playne, the Archers ſhorte, the bill men ſtrake, and long was the fyghte in doubtefull vallaunce. But in concluſion the Frenchmen, not able to reſiſt the force of the Englyſhe Nation, were dyſcomfited, ſlayne, and chaſed leauyng a glorious victorye to the Engliſhmen and Burgoignions. There were ſlayn of the Frenchmen an .xviij.C. knightes and eſquyers, beſyde commons: of Scottes mere hand .iij. thouſand. Amongſt the Frenchemen theſe were the chiefeſt that were ſlayn: The Erle of Leſtrake, the earle of Comygens: The erle of Ton[...]oire: the lord Coquar[...]de Comeron, the baſtarde of Armynac, the Vicount of Touraye, the baſta[...]de of Forreſtes, the Lorde de Port, and the Lord Memorancy▪ Of Scottes the Lorde of Saint Iohns towne, ſir Iohn of Balgary, ſir Iohn Tarnbul, ſir Iohn Holiburton, ſir Robert Liſley, ſir William Conyngham, ſir Will. Douglas, ſir Alexander Hume, ſir Williā Liſle, ſir Io. Rotherford, ſir Wil. Crayford, ſir Tho. Seton, ſir Will. Hamilton, & his ſonne, Iohn Pillot. There were taken the Erle of Buchquhane conſtable of France, whiche loſt his eye, the earle of Vantadour, ſir Alexander Meldryne, ſir Lewes Ferigny, & .xxij.C. gentlemen of the Frenche part. Of Engliſhmen there were ſlaine Sir Iohn Grey, ſir William Hall, ſir Gilberte Halſall, one of the Marſhalles of the field, Richard ap Madocke, and .xxj.C. ſouldiours and men of warre.

After this fortunate victorie was the Earle of Saliſbury made by the lord Regent,An. reg. 2. Lieutenant and vicegerēt for the king and the ſayd lord Regent in the countreys of France, Bry, and Chā paigne: and ſir Iohn Faſtolf was ſubſtituted deputie vnder the lord Regent within the duchie of Normandie on this ſyde the riuer of Seyne, and withall he was alſo made gouernour of the countreyes of Aniou and Mayne. The earle of Saliſbury after .v. moneths ſiege, wanne by ſurrender, the towne and Caſtel of Montaguillon in Bry, the capitaines whereof, the one named Pregent of Cotynye, and Guille Bourgoys Brytons, ſware neuer to beare armure againſte the Engliſhmen on this ſyde the riuer of Loyre.

In the meane tyme of that ſiege, the Erle of Suffolke tooke by force the Caſtell of Couey, and the ſtrong Caſtell of la Roche in Maſconnoys, he got by appoyntment.

In this ſecond yeare of king Henry the ſixte, Iames K. of Scotland, agreeing to take to wife the Ladie Iane, daughter to Io. erle of Somerſet deceſſed,1424 and ſiſter to Iohn then duke of Somerſet, and alſo couſin germain remoued to K. Henry, and neece to the Cardinall of Wincheſter, and to the duke of Exceſter, was ſet at libertie, couenaunting to pay a ſmall portion of money more than was allowed to hym for hys wynes marriage moneye, and lefte hoſtages for the ſame. But before his departure oute of the realme,Homage done by the King of Scotlande to King Henry the ſixt. he did his homage to the yong kyng of Englād, Henry the .vj. at the caſtel of Windſore, before iij dukes .ij. Archbiſhops .xij. Erles, ten Biſhops, twentie barons, and .ij.C. knights▪ and Eſquiers, beſide others, according to the tenour hereafter folowing.

I Iames Steward, king of Scottes, ſhall be true and faithfull vnto you, Lord Henrye by the grace of God king of England & France, the noble and ſuperior Lorde of the kingdome of Scotlande, and to you I make my fidelitie for the ſame kingdome of Scotlande, which I holde and clayme of you, and I ſhall beare you my my fayth and fidelitie of life and lim and worldly honour againſt all men: and faithfully I ſhall knowledge and ſhal do to you ſeruice due for the kyngdome of Scotlande aforeſayde. So God helpe me, and theſe holy Euangeliſtes.

But notwithſtanding this hys othe, and the great, bounteous liberalitie of the mother, and vncles of his wife, in beſtowing on him great abundance of plate and riche clothes of arras, after he had once taken the aire of Scotlande, and ſmelt the ſente of the Scottiſh ſoyle, he became lyke to his fraudulent progenitours, newly [...]lying hymſelfe with the Frenche nation and ſhewing himſelf a verie enimie to the realm of England,Ha[...]. wherin he had bin moſt princely brought vp both in learning, knowledge & good nurture, highly to his aduancement and commendation, if his vnthankfulneſſe had not defaced his other vertues.

But now to leaue the Scottiſh king amongſt his countreymen in Scotlande, and returne to the doings of England. I find that the duke of Glouceſter, beeing protector and gouernour of the realme, prepared an armie of .x.M. men of warre, and ſent them ouer to his brother the regent into France, the whiche comming into the territorie of Paris, were ioyfully of him receyued. About the ſame time the Frenchemen got by ſtelth diuers townes out of the Engliſhmens hands,Compleyne ſ[...] ad[...] the [...] by a po[...]e. and amongſt other the faire town of Cō piegne was one, and the pretie towne of Croto[...] an other. When the duke of Bedforde was aduertiſed hereof, he determined not to let the matter paſſe in ſuche ſorte, but with all conueniente ſpeed, ſent forth his people to recouer thoſe ſownes agayn. And firſt the Erle of Suffolke accō panied with the Erle of Ligny, and diuers other capitaines of the Engliſhemen, wente to beſiege Compiegne, and lodged on the one ſide of the neuer of Sohame, as the Lorde Liſle Adham ſir Thomas Rampſton, and the prouoſt of Paris, lay on the other ſide. The Frenchmē within the towne being wel furniſhed with good ſouldiours munition and victualls, couragiouſly defend to themſelues againſt the aſſaylantes.

The Engliſhemen remēbring that Guilliant Remonde, otherwiſe called Mariolayne had bin the leader of the ſouldiors within y^e towne, which Mariolayn before at Pacy was takē priſoner by ſir Io. Faſtolf, cauſed him to be brought frō Paris vnto the campe, & ſet him in a chariot with an halter about his neck, and conueyd him to the [...] bet without the town, ſending word to thē within, that if they woulde not without delay render the towne, their captain ſhould incontinently be ſtrangled afore their faces: wich moued the ſoldiors ſo muche, by reaſon of the loue they [...]re to their old captain & gouernor, that for the deliuerāce of him and ſafegard of themſelues, they yelded the town, ſo that both he and they might departe with horſe and harneis, only in ſure [...] & ſafetie: yet long ere this towne of Com[...]gne was deliuered, ſir Philip Hall which was ſent to Crotoye by the Lord Regent with .viij.C. men to beſiege it, gotte it ſodeynly by aſſault, ere the Frenchmen had eyther diſpoſes their garriſon, or appointed their lodgings.

About the ſame time ſir Iohn de la Poole brother to the duke of Suffolk, being captain of Arranches in Normandie, aſſembled all the garriſons of the baſe marches of the coūtrey of Aniou, and came before the citie of Angiers, brente the ſuburbes, ſpoiled & deſtroyed the whole countrey, and hauing as many priſoners as his men myghte goe awaye with, he was encountred by the Earle of Aumale, the vicount of Narbonne, and .vj.M. Frenchmen, whiche finding the Engliſhmen out of araye, encombred with carriage of their great ſpoyle, ſodeynly ſet on them, gaue them the ouerthrow, ſlew .iij.C. and tooke many priſoners, as the ſaid ſir Iohn de la Poole, ſir Io. Baſſet, Iohn Aufort, lieutenant of Faleyſe, Io. Clifton, Henry Mortimer, & other to the number of .vj.C. But though the Frenchemen got here in this place, they went not away with like gain in an other: For the Baſtard de la Baulme, and the lord Craignar capitains of Courallon with a great bande made a roade into Maſconnoys, whom by chaunce Mathewe Gough, and other Engliſhemen, whiche were alſo abroade in the countrey, met and encountred. There was a ſore fyght betwene the parties, being of courage and number in maner equall, but after long conflicte, the Frenchmen almoſt all were ſlain and taken, and the baſtard being wel horſed, fled, after whō folowed vpon the ſpurres, Mathew Gough chaſing him euen to his caſtell gate, and there tooke him, for the which acte he was muche prayſed of the Earle of Saliſbury (to whome he preſented the ſayd baſtard) and had not onely the rightes giuen him that belonged to the priſoner, but alſo was rewarded with a goodly courſer at the erles hands. About this ſeaſon Arthur brother to Io. Duke of Britayne, commonly called the Earle of Richemond, hauyng neyther profite of the name, nor of the countrey, notwithſtanding that king Henrye the fifthe hadde created hym Earle of Yvry in Normandie, and gaue him not only a great pencion, but alſo the whole profites of the ſame towne of Yvry, yet nowe bycauſe that the Duke his brother was retourned to the parte of the Dolphyn, he lykewiſe reuolting from the Engliſhe obeyſaunce, came to the Dolphyn to Poyctiers, and there offred himſelf to ſerue him, whome the Dolphyn gladly accepted, reioycing more therof, than if he hadde gayned an hundred thouſand crownes: for the Britons within the towne of Yvry, hearyng that theyr maiſter was ioyned wyth the Dolphyn, kept both the towne and Caſtell againſt the Duke of Bedforde, furniſhing it dayly with new mē, & munitiōs. The Lord Regent aduertiſed hereof, reyſed an army of Engliſhmen and Normans to the number of xviij.C. men of armes, and .viij.M. archers and other. He hadde in his companye the Earles of Saliſbury and Suffolke, the Lordes Scales, Willoughby, and Poynyngs, Syr Reginalds Grey, ſir Iohn Faſtolfe, Sir Iohn Saluayne, ſir Lancelot Liſle, ſir Philippe Hall, Sir Iohn Paſheley, Sir Iohn Gray, ſir Thomas Blunt, Sir Robert Harling, Sir William Oldhal, and many other both knightes, and Eſquyers, with whome he came before the town of Yvry, which was wel defended til they within perceiued thē ſelues in daunger, by reaſon of a myne whyche the Engliſhmen made, wherevppon they yelded the Towne, but the Capitaynes of the Caſtell would not preſently re[...]dce the place, howebeit they promiſed to deliuer it, if the ſame were not reſkued at a day aſſigned, by the Dolphin, or his power. Vpon which promiſe, hoſtages were deliuered into the poſſeſſion of the Lorde Regent, by whoſe licence an Heraulte was ſente to the Dolphyn, to aduertiſe him of the time determined, who vnderſtanding the diſtreſſe of his frendes, incontinently ſent Iohn Duke of Alanſon, as his lieutenant generall, the Earle Douglas, whome at their ſetting foorth, hee made duke of Tourayne, and the Erle Buchquhane, as then Coneſtable of Fraunce, the Erles of Aumale, Vantadoute, Tonnere, Mavlievrice, & Foreſts, the Vicountes of Narbonne, and Touars, the lordes of Grauile, Gaules, Malicorn, Manny, Ballay, Fountayns, Mountforte, and many other noble knights and eſquiers, to the number of fiftene thouſand Frenchmen and Britons, beſydes .v. thouſand Scots, whome the Earle Douglas had lately tranſported out of Scotlande.

This royall Armye approched wythin two myles of Yvry, but when the Duke of Alanſon vnderſtode by ſuche as hee hadde ſente to viewe the conduit of the Engliſhmen, that hee coulde not get any aduauntage by aſſayling them (although the Dolphyn had giuen him ſtraight cō maundement to fight with the Regent) he retyred backe with his whole armie to the towne of Vernueil in Perche, that belonged to the Kyng of England, ſending woorde to the gariſon, that he had diſcomfited the Engliſhe armye, and that the Regent wyth a ſmall number wyth hym by ſwiftneſſe of his horſe, had ſaued himſelfe.

The inhabitants of Vernueil,Verneueil gotten from the Englishemen by crediting a dye. giuing to light credite herevnto receyued the Duke of Ala[...]nſon with all his armie into the towne. In the meane tyme came the day of the reſcous of Yvry, whiche for want therof was deliuered to the duke of Bedforde by the Capitaine cleped Gerarde de la Pallier, who preſenting vnto the D. of Bedford the keyes of the caſtell, ſhewed him a letter, alſo ſigned and ſealed wyth the handes and ſeales of eyghteene greate Lordes, whyche the daye before promiſed by the tenour of the ſame letter to gyue the Duke battaile, and to reyſe the ſiege.

Well (ſayd the Duke) if their heartes would haue ſerued, their puiſſance was ſufficient once to haue proffred, or to haue performed this faithfull promyſe: but ſith they diſdayne to ſeeke me, God and Sainte George willyng, I ſhall not deſiſt to follow the tract of theyr horſſes till one part of vs be by battayle ouerthrown. And herewith he ſente foorth the Earle of Suffolke wyth vj.C. horſmen to eſpy the doings of the Frenchmen, & where they were ldged. The erle riding forth paſſed by Dampvile, & came to Bretueill, where he heard certain newes where the Frenchmenne hadde gotten Verneueil, and remayned there ſtill.

Theſe newes he ſent by poaſt vnto the Duke of Bedforde, the which in continently vpon that aduertiſement, ſette forewarde in great haſte towardes his enimies. The Frenchemen hearing of his comming, ſette their people in araye, and made all one mayne battaile without fore ward or rereward, and appoynted foure hundred horſmenne Lombardes,The ordering of their battayles. and other to breake the arraye of the Engliſhmen, either behynd, or at the ſides, of the whiche was captaine ſir Stephan de Vinoylles, called the hyre. The D. of Bedford lykewiſe made one entier battayle, and ſuffered no man to be on horſebacke, and ſet the archers (euery one hauing a ſharp ſtake) both on the frōt of the battayl, and alſo on the ſides, like wings. And behynde were al their horſſes tyed together, eyther by y^e reines, or by the tayles, with the [...] tes and cariages, to the defence wherof, wer two thouſand archers apointed. Herewith either part being come almoſt to the ioining, the duke of Alanſon, on the one ſyde, exhorted hys people to play the men, declaring vnto them, that the concluſion of this battaile, ſhuld eyther deliuer them out of vile ſeruitude, or place them in the vale of bondage. On the other ſide, y^e duke of Bedforde to encorage his mē willed them to remēber how oft they hadde ſubdued thoſe theyr aduerſaries in battaile (with whom they ſhould nowe c[...]p[...]) for the moſte part, euer being the leſſe number againſt y^e greater. Agayn, he declared how neceſſarie it was to tame y^e hold attempts of the preſumptuous Dolphyn now in the beginning, leſt if the fyre were ſuffred ſtill to flame, as it had begon, they ſhould ſcant haue water to quenche it.

Many wordes he vttered, to put them in hope of good ſucceſſe and victorie. But ſkarce had be ended his exhortation, when the Engliſhmenne ruſhed foorth, and boldly ſet on their enimies, crying Saint George Bedford, and the Frenchmen lykewyſe cryed Montioy Saint Denys. Then began the battaile right fierce on both ſides continuing for the ſpace of .iij. houres in doubtfull balance,The battayle of Vernoyle. Fortune ſhewing hir ſelfe ſo equal, that no herault coulde determine to whether part ſhe was more fauourable: but at lengthe after that thoſe foure hundred horſemen, whiche were appoynted, as ye haue heard, to breake the arraye of the Engliſhmen, had paſſed thorough on the one ſyde vnto the place where the caryages and horſes ſtood, and coulde not paſſe further, by reaſon of the fierce ſhot of the Engliſh bowes, they falling to the ſpoyle made a hande, and therwith departed. Thoſe Archers then that were appointed to keepe the cariages, being nowe at libertie, came forwarde, and ſo fiercely ſhot at the thickeſt preaſe of theyr enimies fyghting on foote, that in the ende they were not able longer to endure, but were borne downe by fyne force, and ſo vanquiſhed.

Thys battayle was foughte the eyght and twentieth of Auguſte in the yeare of our Lorde a thouſande foure hundred twentie and foure, in the which battaile were ſlayn of the Frenchmen the erles of Aumarle, Ventadour, Foreſt, Mary, the Lords Grauile, Gaules, Fountaines, Auebois, Tonars, Mounteny, Combreſte, Brunell, Tumble, and Poiſy, beſide .iij.C. knights Alſo the Vicount Narbonne, whoſe body was hanged on a gibbet, bycauſe he was one of the murtherers of the duke of Burgoin. Of Scots alſo were ſlaine, Archibald earle Douglas, that was made as before is mētioned duke of Touraine, Iames Douglas ſon to the ſaide Archibald earle of Wigton, Iohn earle of Boughen newly made Coneſtable of Fraunce, ſir Alexander Meldrin, ſir Henry Batglauie, ſir Iohn Sterling, William of Homelſoon, ſir Iames Gray, ſir Roberte Kanden, ſir Alexander Linfaye, ſir Robert Stewarde, ſir Robert Swinton, and .xxvij.C. Scots of name and armes, beſide other: ſo that in this battaile were ſlaine by report of Montioy king at armes in Frāce, and the Engliſhe Herraultes there preſent, of Frenchemen,Fier thouſande [...]the Aemilius, but Nicho [...] Giles ſaieth there died but [...]ere thouſand [...] both parts. and Scottes .ix.M. & .vij.C. and of Engliſhemen .xxj.C. but no man of name, ſauing .v. yong Eſquiers. And there were taken priſoners, Iohn duke of Alanſon, the baſtarde of Alanſon, the Lorde of Faicit, the L. of Hormit, ſir Piers Hariſon, ſir Lois de Gaucourte,Dedley and Canleton tvvo of the englishe nobilitie vvere ſlaine at this battaile, as Iac[...]b Ma[...]rc [...]. ſir Roberte Bruſſet, ſir Iohn Turnebull a Scot, and .ij.C. gentlemenne. beſide cō mon ſouldiore. The frenchemen within Vernoil, ſeeing the Dolphines armye thus ouerthrowen, deliuered the towne to the Regent, their liues ſaued. Then was ſir Phillip Hall, appointed capitaine there and the Lorde Regent retourned, and came to Roan, and after to Paris.

The Dolphin that called himſelfe Kyng of Fraunce, was ſore amaſed with the ouerthrow of his army, and no meruaile: for he was driuen out of all the countries in manner, that apperteined to the crowne of Fraunce and might reſort to none except to Bourbonois, Alurrgn, Berry, Poictow, Touraine, a parte of A[...]ow, and Languedoc: yet to ſhewe himſelfe as king, he erected his court of Parliament, his chancerie and al other courts in the citie of Poictiets, and there eſtabliſhed hys great ſeale, wyth all due circumſtaunces thereto aperteyning: whiche there continued the ſpace of .xiiij. yeares togither, and then was remoued to Paris, after that he had got poſſeſſion of that citie, and expulſed the Engliſhemen, as after ſhall apeare. The Duke of Bedforde lying at Paris, ſente the Lorde Scales,The Lorde [...]sient to [...]cie An [...] & Maine ſir Iohn Montgomerie, ſir Io. Faſtolf, with two thouſand mē to conquer the countries of Aniow, & Maine, vnto whom were rendered without aſſaulte, the ſtrong caſtels of Beaumont le Vicount, Teune, Silly, Oſce, Courceriers, Rouſſy, Vaſſe, Couetemenant, and twentye other, whyche I doe heere paſſe ouer.

Suche was then the opinion conceyued of the Engliſhe puiſſaunce, ſo ofte tried, proued, and aſſayed, that the frenchemen thought that the Engliſhmen woulde and ſhoulde haue all things, whyche they eyther wiſhed or enterpriſed.

The Earle of Saliſbury, with the ſayde Lorde Scales, and the other capitaines before named, were appointed wyth an army of ten thouſande men, to beſiege the riche and ſtrong citie of Mans, the chief citie of al y^e country of Maine. The Engliſhemenne comming before that Citie, made their approches, and planted their battery to the walles, ſo that with the ſhot of their greate peeces (whyche kinde of engi[...] beefore that time had not bene muche ſeene nor hearde off in Fraunce) the Citie was within a fewe dayes, diſpoiled of all hir Towers and outwarde defences.

The Citizens of Mans,Mans deliuered to the Englishemen. and the ſouldiours within, perceyning in what daunger they ſtood and knewe not how to remedy the matter, offered the Towne vppon this condition, that all perſons which woulde tary within the towne might abide, and all that woulde departe with horſe and harneſſe only, ſhoulde be permitted: whiche offers were accepted, and the Toans rendred, whereof the Earle made capitaine the Earle of Suffolke, and his lieuetenaunt Syr Iohn Faſtolfe.

After this, the Earle of Saliſburye beſieged the faire Towne of Saint Suſan, whereof was capitaine one Ambroſe de Lore, a right valiant chiefetain. The Erle cauſed the towne to bee aſſaulted at his firſte comming to it, but he loſte more than he gained, and therefore lefte off his aſſaults, and cauſed a trenche to be caſte aboute the Towne, and ſo planted his battery, by force whereof hee ouerthrewe the walles in ſuche ſorte that the captaine offered for himſelfe and his ſouldiors .20 0000. crownes, ſo that they might departe in their do abiettes onely, whiche [...]nnye bycauſe winter approched was accepted, and the towne yelded.

Of this Towne Sir Iohn Popham was made Capitaine. Then the Earle wente to Maine [...]a Iubez, which towne after due w[...]hes ſiege was yelded, and appointed to the keeping of ſir Iohn Montgomerye knighte. After the feaſte of the Purification of our Lady, the erle of Saliſbury beſieged the caſtel de la Fert. Barnarde, during whiche ſiege a ſale was made of the towne of Alanſon being in the engliſhmens poſſeſſion by a Gaſcoigne that was one of the gariſon there, but this ſale being opened to the Erle of Saliſbury by the ſame Gaſcoine at the daye appointed, the Lorde Wiſtoughby and ſir Iohn Faſtolfe, with .ij.M. men were ſent to encounter with the buiers of that town, ſo that when Charles de Villiers chiefe marchāt of this enterpriſe, came early in a morning with .ij.C. horſemen, and .iij.C. footemen, and approched the town, abiding for the Gaſcoigne, ere he was aware, the Engliſhmen had cōpaſſed him and his company rounde aboute, and ſetting vpon the frenchmen, ſlew and tooke all the whole number of them, ſaue Peter Dā thenazie and .xxv. other, which by the ſwiftnes of their horſes, ſaued themſelues. After this cō flicte ended, the lord Willoughby retourned to the erle of Saliſbury, lying ſtill at ſiege before the towne de le Fert Bernarde, which ſhortly after was rendred vp into the Earle of Saliſburies handes, to whom the lord Regent gaue it, to enioy to him and his heires for euer. Beſide this, the ſaid earle partly by aſſault, partly by compoſition tooke diuers other, as S. Kales, where he made captaine Richarde Gethin eſquier: Thanceaux Lermitage, where he made gouernour Mathewe Goughe: Guerlande, of y^e which he aſſigned ruler Iohn Banaſter: Malicorne, wherof he made captaine Wil. Glaſdale eſquier: Liſle Soubz Boulton, whereof was made captain ſir Lancelot Liſle knight: Lonpelland, wherof was made captain Henry Brāche: Montſeur, of y^e which was made captaine ſir Wil. Oldehall knight: la Suze, was aſſigned to y^e keping of Iohn Suffolk eſquier. And beſide this, aboue .xl. caſtels & piles were ouerthrowen & deſtroyed. The newes herof reported in Englande, cauſed great reioyſing among the people, not only for the conqueſt of ſo many towns & fortreſſes, but alſo for that it had pleſed god to giue thē victory in a pitched field:General proceſſions after victorie. wherfore general proceſſions were apointed to render vnto god humble thankes, for his fauor ſo beſtowed vpon thē. This yere after Eaſter, the king called his highe court of parliament at Weſtminſter, by aduiſe of the peeres, and comming to the parliament houſe himſelfe, he was conueyd through the citie vpon a great courſer, with great triumphe, the people flocking into y^e ſtreetes to beholde the childe, whom they iudged to haue the liuely Image, purtrature, and countenaūce of his father, & like to ſuceede him, & be his heire in all princely qualities, martiall policies, and morall vertues, aſwell as his vndoubted inheritor in his realms, ſigniories and dominions.A ſubſidie. In this parliamēt was granted to the K. a ſubſidy of .xij d. pence the pound, towards y^e maintenaūce of his warres, of al marchandiſe, cōming in or going out of the realme, aſwell of engliſhmen as ſtrāgers.The prince of Portingale cō ming to London. During which parliament came to Londō, Peter duke of Quimb[...]e ſonne to the K. of Portingale, couſin germain remoued to the K. which of y^e duke of Exceter & y^e biſhop of Wincheſter his vncles was highly feaſted, he was alſo elected into the order of the garter. During y^e ſame ſeaſon Edmūd Mortimer, the laſte earle of Marche, of that name (which long time had bin reſtreined frō his libertie, & finally waxed lame) deceaſſed without iſſue, whoſe inheritaunce deſcended to the lorde Richard Plantagenet, ſonne and heire to Richard erle of Cambridge, beheaded, as before ye haue hearde at the towne of Southampton. In the time of this parliament, alſo was ſir Iohn Mortimer, couſin to y^e ſame erle, either for deſerte or malice, attainted of treſon, & put to execution, of whoſe deathe no ſmall ſlaunder aroſe amongſt y^e cōmon people. After al theſe things done in England & in Fraunce, Humfrey duke of Glouceſter (who had married the Lady Iaquet, or Iaqueline of Bauiere, coūteſſe of Heynault, Holland, & Zelād: notwithſtanding ſhe was coupled in marriage afore to the Duke of Brabāt, as yet liuing, and had continued with him a long ſpace) paſſed nowe y^e ſea with y^e ſaid lady, & went to Mons or Bergen in Heinault, where the more part of the people of that country, came and ſubmitted themſelues vnto him, as vnto their ſoueraine lord, in right of his ſaid wife, the lady Iaquet or Iaquelin: with which doing Iohn duke of Brabant hir former huſbād was greatly moued, and likewiſe the Duke of Burgoign, being great frend to the ſame duke of Brabant, was muche offended: but firſt bycauſe of olde familiaritie, he wrote louingly to the duke of Gloceſter, requiring him to reform himſelfe according to reaſon, and to forſake his vngodly life, bothe in keping of an other mans wife, and alſo in ſeeking to vſurpe other mens right and titles. Hervpon went letters betwixt them for a time, but at length whē the Duke of Burgoine perceiued that the duke of Gloceſter ment to purſue his quarrell, & to make war againſt the duke of Brabant, he tooke part wyth y^e duke of Brabant ſo erneſtly that he conſented to fight with the duke of Gloceſter body to body within liſtes in defence of the duke of Brabantes quarell, & further aided the duke of Brabant in his warres againſt y^e duke of Gloceſter, with all his puiſſance, in ſo muche that in y^e end (after the duke of Gloceſters return into England) y^e duke of Brabāt recouered all the towne in Heynault, whiche the Lady Iaquet or Iaquelin held againſt him: & further the ſame lady was by compoſition deliuered by them of the towne of Mons vnto the duke of Burgoigne, who cauſed hir to be conueied vnto Gant, from whence ſhe made ſhift to eſcape into Hollande, where ſhe was obeied as counteſſe of y^e coūtry, & then made warre in hir own defence agaynſt the Dukes of Burgoigne & Brabant, the which ſought to ſpoile hir of al hir townes and landes: & further procured Pope Martine the .v. before whome the matter was brought, to giue ſentēce that the firſt matrimony with the duke of Brabant was good & effectuall, and the ſeconde eſpouſels celebrated with the duke of Glouceſter, to be vnlawfull. But in the meane time, the L. Fitz Walter being ſent ouer to the aide of the lady Iaquet or Iaquelin, with a power of engliſhemen, landed in Zelande, neere vnto the town of Zerixe, againſt whome came the duke of Burgoign, and encountring with them and other ſuch Hollanders and Zelanders, as were ioyned with them nere to a place called Brewers hauen, there diſcomfited them, ſo that of engliſhmen Holanders and Zelanders that were with the ſaid lorde Fitz Walter, there were ſlaine .vij. or .viij. hundred, and the reſidue chā ſed to the water.

Anno re. 4. At length, when the duke of Glouceſter vnderſtoode the ſentence pronounced againſt hym by the Pope, he beganne to waxe weary of hys wife the ſaide Lady Iaquet, by whom he neuer had profit, but loſſe, and tooke to his wife by a ſeconde marriage Eleanor Cobham, daughter to the lorde Cobham of Sterberow, which before (as the fame went) was his ſoueraine Ladye and paramoure, to his greate ſlaunder and reproche.

A little beefore thys tyme, Syr Thomas Rampſton, ſir Phillippe Branthe, ſir Nicholas Burdet, and other engliſhmen to the number of .v.C. men of war, repaired and fortified the towne of ſaint Iames de Bevvron,A[...] B[...]vviō. ſituate on the fronters of Normandie towardes Britaine, within half a league of the duke of Britaines grounde[...] with whome as then they had open warre, and ſo began to do many diſpleaſures to his people. Wherevpon Arthur Earle of Richemont and Ivry, brother to the ſayde duke, & lately before created conſtable of Frāce, aſſembled an huge power of men to the number of .xl.M. as ſome haue writtē,XX.M. hathe [...] Iames de Bevvron beſieged. & with the ſame came before the ſayd towne of ſaint Iames de Bevvron, and planted his ſiege very ſtronglye about it, enforcing with his greate ordinaunce to ouerthrow the walles. And one day amongſt other, he determined to giue the aſſault▪ and ſo did, the whiche continued a long ſpace very hot and earneſt. The Bretons Bret[...]nantes were come downe into a lowe bottome, where there was a little ponde or fiſhe poole, and they muſte nedes paſſe by a ſtreite way to come to the walles in greate danger. On that ſide of the town was a little Bouleue[...]t whiche Syr Nicholas Burdet kept,Sir Nicholas [...]. hauing with hym a .lx. or .lxxx. fighting men, and ouer againſt the ſame Bouluert there was a gate well furniſhed alſo wyth Engliſhe ſouldiors, ſo that the Bretons which came downe into the ditches in greate number to giue the aſſault, heard on either ſide them, the Engliſhemen (within the ſaide Bouluert, and gate) make a great noiſe, in crying Saliſbury, and Suffolke, with the which cry, the Bretons being maruellouſly aſtonied, began to reculle in greate diſorder. And therewith the ſaid ſir Nicholas Bourdet iſſued foorth vppon them,Enguerant de Monf[...]rellet. and purſuing them ryghte valiantly, ſlewe them downe wythout fynding any greate defence, ſo that there died of them what by the ſworde, and what by drowning in the ſaide poole, aboute a vij. or .viij.C. and to the number of .l. were taken priſoners. And beſide this, thoſe engliſhmen gained an .xviij. ſlander[...]s and one baner. Incontinently the newes hereof were reported to the conſtable of France, who was buſy at the aſſault on the other ſide of the towne, whereof he was ſore diſpleaſed, and no leſſe amazed, ſo that hee cauſed the retreit to bee ſounded, for all the ſiege on that ſide towarde the poole, was already rayſed. After this, vpon counſell taken amongſt the frenchmen, it was determined that they ſhoulde diſlodge: And ſo aboute the middeſt of the nexte night, the Conſtable and al the reſidue of his people departed towarde Fougieres, leauing behind them greate plentie of Artillerie bothe greate and ſmall, with victualles, and all their other prouiſions, as .xiiij. greate gunnes and .xl. barells of pouder .iij.C. pypes of wine .ij.C. pipes of diſket and flower .ij.C. frailes of figs and reaſyns, and .v.C. barelles of herring. Somewhat before this ſeaſon fell a great deuiſion in the realm of England, which of a ſparell was like to haue growen ſo a great [...]e: For whether the Biſhop of Wincheſter called Henry Beaufort,Diſcention betvvixt the duke of Glouceſter and the Byshop of VVincheſter. ſonne to Iohn duke of Lancaſter by his thirde wife, enuied the authoritie of Humfrey duke of Glouceſter, protector of the Realme, or whether the Duke diſdained at the riches and pompous eſtate of the Biſhop, ſure it is that the whole Realme was troubled with them and their partners: ſo that the citizens of London were faine to keepe daily and nightly watches, and to ſhut vp their ſhops for feare of that which was doubted to haue enſued of their aſſembling of people and [...] them. The archebiſhoppe of Canterbury and the Duke of Quimbre, called the prince of Po[...]tinga[...], rode eight times in one daye betweene the two parties, and to the ma[...]e was ſtaied for a time. But the Byſhoppe of Wincheſter to cleare himſelfe of blame ſo farrre as bee myght, and to chardge hys nephew the Lorde protect our with all the fault, wrote a letter to the Regent of Fraunce, the tenor whereof enſueth.

RIght high and mightie Prince, & my right noble, & after one, lieueſt lorde, I recōmende me vnto you with all my hart. And as you deſire the welfare of the king our ſoueraigne lord and of his realmes of Englande and Fraunce, your owne healthe, and ours alſo, ſo haſte you hither. For by my truthe if you tarrie, we ſhall put this lande in aduenture with a fielde, ſuche a brother you haue here, God make him a good man. For youre wiſedome knoweth, that the profit of Frāce ſtandeth in the welfare of England .&c. Written in great haſt on Allhallown euen. By your true ſeruaunt to my liues end. Henry Wincheſter.

The duke of Bedford being ſore greeued and vnquieted with theſe newes, conſtituted the erle of Warwicke, whyche was lately come into Fraunce with .vj.M. men, hys lieutenaunt in the Frenche dominions, and in the Duchie of Normandie, and ſo with a ſmall companie, he with the Ducheſſe his wife, returned againe ouer the ſeas into Englande, and the .x. daye of Ianuary, he was with all ſolemnitie receyued into London, to whome the Cityzens gaue a paire of Baſins of Syluer and gylte, and a thouſand markes in money. And from Londō hee roade to Weſtminſter, and was lodged in the Kings pallace. The .xxv. day of Marche after his comming to London,A parliament holden at Leiceſter. a Parliament beganne at the towne of Leiceſter: where the duke of Bedforde openly rebuked the lordes in generall, bicauſe that they in the time of warre through their priuie malice and inward grudge hadde almoſte moued the people to warre, and commotion, in whiche time all men oughte or ſhoulde be of one mind, harte and conſent: requiring them to defende, ſerue and dreade their ſoueraigne Lord Kyng Henry, in performing his conqueſt in Fraunce, whiche was in manner brought to concluſion. In this parliament the Duke of Glouceſter laide certaine articles to the biſhop of Wincheſters chardge, the whiche with the aunſwers hereafter doe enſue.

When this aunſwere was made, the Duke cauſed this writing following, openly to be proclaymed.

BE it knowen to all folkes, that it is the intent of my Lorde of Bedforde, and all the Lordes ſpirituall and temporall, aſſembled in this preſent Parliamente, to acquite him & them, and to proceede truely, iuſtly, & indifferently, without any parcialitie in any maner of maſter or quarel[...] moued or to be moued between my L. of Glouceſter, on that one partie, and my Lord of Wincheſter, Chancellor of Englande, on that other partie. And for ſure keping of the kings peace, it is acorded by my ſaid L. of Bedford, and by my ſayd Lordes, ſpirituall and temporall, an othe to be made in forme as followeth, that is to ſay.

Whiche othe in manner and fourme aboue rehearſed, as the lords aſwell ſpirituall as temporall, beeing in this Parliament at Leyceſter aſſembled, the fourth day of Marche, promiſed vpon their faith dutye and allegiaunce, which they owe to the king their ſouerain Lord, truly to obſerue and kepe, acording to the true meaning and purporte of the ſame.

When the greate fier of this contention, betweene theſe two noble perſonages, was thus by the arbitrators, to their knowlege and iudgement, vtterly quēched out, and layd vnder hoord, all other controuerſies, betweene other Lordes, taking part with the one party or the other, were ſoone appeaſed, and brought to concord, for [...]ye whereof, the King cauſed a ſolemne feaſt to bee kept on Whitſonday, on the which day, he created Richard Plantagenet, ſonne and heire to the Earle of Cābridge (whom his father at Southhāpton had put to death, as before ye haue hard) Duke of Yorke, not foreſeeing that this preferment ſhoulde bee his deſtruction, nor that hys ſeede ſhoulde of his generation bee the extreame ende, and finall confuſion. He the ſame day alſo, promoted Iohn Lord Mowbray, & Erle Marſhall, ſonne and heire to Thomas D. of Northfolke, by King Richard the ſeconde, exiled thys Realme, to the title, name, and ſtile, of the Duke of Northfolke, during whiche feaſt, the Duke of Bedford adorned the King with the high order of Knighthood, whiche on the ſame day, dubbed w^t the ſword theſe knights, whoſe names enſue.

• Richard Duke of Yorke.
• Iohn Duke of Norffolke.
• The Earle of Weſtmerlande.
• Henry Lord Percy.
• Iohn Lorde Butler, ſon to the Earle of Ormond.
• The Lord Roſſe,
• The Lord Matrauers.
• The Lord Welles.
• The Lord Barkeley.
• Sir Iames Butler.
• Sir [...].
• Sir Iohn [...].
• Sir [...]
• Sir Robert [...]qua
• Sir [...]
• Sir E[...] [...]
• Sir [...]
• Sir Iohn Butl[...],
• Sir Regina[...] [...]
• Sir Iohn [...]
• Sir [...] [...]aſtell.
• Sir Iohn [...].
• Sir Raufe L[...]ngfire.
• Sir William [...].
• Sir William [...]p Thomas.
• Sir Richard C[...]nell.
• Sir Richard [...]e.
• Sir Iohn S[...].
• Sir Nicholas [...],
• Sir William Ch[...]y I[...]
• Sir William B[...]ton.
• Sir Raufe Butler.
• Sir Robert Beauchampe.
• Sir Edmond [...]rafford.
• Sir Iohn Ieme, chiefe Baron, and [...] other.

After this ſolemne feaſt ended, a greate [...] ſubſedie was granted, for the continuance of the conqueſt in France, & ſo therevpon, [...] gathered, and men were prepared in euery Citie [...], & countrey, during which buſines,The Duke of [...] d[...]. Thomas Duke of Exeter, great vncle to the [...] a right ſ[...]ge & diſcrete counſellor, departed out of this mortall life, at his manor of Grenewiche, [...] with all funerall pompe, was conueyghed thorough London to Berrie, and there buried.

The ſame yeere alſo dyed the Lady Elizabeth, halfe ſiſter to the ſame duke, and of y^e whole bloud with King Henry the fourth, maried firſt to the Lorde Iohn Holland, Duke of Exceſter, and after to the lord Fanhope, buried of y^e bla[...] Friers of London.

While theſe things were thus a doing in Englande, the Earle of Warwike, Lieutenant for the Regent in Fraunce, entred into the Coū trey of Maine, and beſieged the Towne of Chateau de Loyre, the whiche ſhortly to him was rendered, whereof he made Captaine, Mathe[...] Gough, Eſquier.

After this, he tooke by aſſaulte the Caſtell of Maiet, and gaue it for his valiantneſſe to Iohn Winter eſquier, and after that he conquered the caſtell of Lude, and made there Captayn William Gladiſdale Gentleman.

Here he was informed, that the Frenchmenne were aſſembled in the coūtry of Beauſſe, whervppon hee haſted thy her wardes to haue [...] them battaile, but they hauing knowledge of his approche, durſt not abide to trie the matter with him by a pight fielde, but fledde before hee came neere them.

The Earle in his returne, wanne the Caſtell of Montdublean by ſurrender,The Earle of Warwicke [...]de gouer [...] o[...] the [...]g king. where he left the valiant Lorde Willoughby, and then returned to Paris. During whiche ſeaſon, he was ordeyned by the three eſtates of the Realme of Englande, to bee gouernour of the yong King, in the place of the Duke of Exceſter deceaſſed: howbeit, hee dyd not as yet returne into Englande, but remayned in Fraunce for a ſeaſon, and atchieued many worthy enterpriſes.

An. reg. 5. Whileſt the Lorde regent of Fraunce was thus in Englād, meanes was made by y^e Duke of Burgoigne, for the deliuerie of the Duke of Alanſon, taken at the battell of Vernoyle, and nowe for the ſumme of two hundred thouſande crownes, hee was ſet at libertie, but neyther for releaſſe of all, or abatement of parte of his raunſome, woulde hee by any meanes acknowledge the King of Englande, to be his liege and ſoueraigne Lorde.

1427After that the Duke of Bedford hadde ſet all things in good order in England, hee tooke leaue of the King, and togither with his wife, returned into Fraunce, firſt landing at Calais, where the Biſhoppe of Wincheſter (that alſo paſſed the Seas with him) receyued the habite, hatte, and dignitie of a Cardinall, with all ceremonies to it apperteyning.

The late Kyng Henry the fifth, had forbidden him, eyther to ſue for, or to receyue that dignitie, bicauſe he would not that Cardinals hats ſhoulde in anye wiſe preſume to bee equall with regall crownes, whyche hee doubted woulde come to paſſe in thys man, if hee myghte once atteyne to the honor of wearing one of thoſe hattes, ſuche an haultie ſtomacke, and loftie courage hee euer noted to bee in him, from hys youth vpwards.

But nowe the Kyng beeyng yong, and the regent hys friend, he obteyned his purpoſe, to his great profite, and the empoueriſhing of the ſpiritualtie of thys Realme: for by a Bull legantine which hee purchaſed from Rome, he gathered ſo muche treaſure, that no man in manner hadde money, but hee, ſo that he was called the ryche Cardinall of Wincheſter.

After that the Lorde Regent was ariued in Fraunce, the Lorde of Ruſtinian, marſhall of Britaigne, aſſembled a greate company of the Britiſhe nation, whiche fortifyed and repared the Towne of Pontorſon, and after, the ſayde Marſhall, with a thouſande men, entred into the Countrey of Conſtantine, and commyng before the Towne of Auranches, was encountred by the Engliſhmen of that garriſon, and after long fighte, hys people were putte to the worſe, chaſed, and diſcomfited, and hee hymſelfe taken priſoner in the fielde.

The Duke of Bedford hearing that y^e towne of Pontorſon, ſcituate within two leagues of Mont Saint Mighell, was newly fortified, and ſtrongly defended, ſent thither the Erle of Warwike, accompanyed with the Lord Scales, and other valiant Captaynes and Souldiers, to the number of ſeauen thouſande then, to beſiege the Towne, who ſo enuironed it on euery ſyde, that neyther any man coulde ſteale in or out.

The ſiege thus long continuing, vittailes began to waxe ſcant in the Engliſh army: wherefore, the Lorde Scales, hauing in hys company Sir Iohn Harpley Baylife of Conſtantine, Sir William Brearton Ba[...]fe of Caan, Sir Raufe Teſſon, Sir Iohn Carbonell, and three thouſande good men of warre, departed from the ſiege, to get vittayle, pouder, and other things neceſſary for their purpoſe.

And as they were returning with their cariages by the Sea coaſt, neere to Saint Michaels Mount, they ſuddaynely were encountred by theyr enimies, whereof were chiefe, the Baron of Coloſes, the Lorde Dauſeboſt, Captayne of the ſayde Mount, the Lord Mountabon, the Lorde Montburchier, the Lorde of Chateaugiron, the Lord of Tintignate, the Lord of Chateaubrian, with ſixe thouſand men of warre.

The Lord Scales and his company, perceyuing themſelues beſet on the one ſyde with the Sea, and on the other with theyr enimies, alight from their horſes, & like coragious perſons, there in an vnſpeakable furie, ſet on their enimies.

The fight was fierce and cruell, the Engliſhmen kept themſelues cloſe togither,A botte aklemiſhe. ſo that their enimies could get no aduantage of them. At the laſt, the Lord Scales cried S. George they flee, wherevpon, the Engliſhmen toke ſuch courage, and the Frenchmen that fought before, were ſo diſmayd, that they began to flee indeede: the Enliſhmen leaped then againe on horſebacke,On the Ce[...] thurſday. and followed them ſo, that they flew & toke aboue eleuen C. perſons, among y^e which wer taken, the Baron of Coloſes, y^e Vicount of Roan, & other. The L. of Chateaugiron,Enguerrant. with a Scottiſh Captayne, and diuers other mē of name were ſlaine.

After this victorie, the Lord Scales, with his vitailes, prouiſion and priſoners, returned to the ſiege, where he was of the Erle, and other noble men ioyouſly receyued.

Whileſt the ſiege thus continued before Pontorſon, Chriſtopher Hanſon, and other ſouldiers of the garriſon of Saint Suſan, made a roade into y^e Countrey of Aniou, and came to a Caſtel called Ramffort, whiche Caſtell was ſo priuily ſcaled, that y^e Captaine within, & his company, were taken or ſlayne, before they knewe of theyr enimies approching.

When knowledge heereof was giuen to the Frenchmen whiche were aſſembled, to the number of of twentie thouſand, to reyſe the ſiege that lay before Pontorſon, they left that enterpriſe, and went, to recouer the ſaid Caſtell of Ramffort, and ſo comming before it, plāted their ſiege ſo on each ſide of it, that at length by compoſition, the Engliſhmen within, doubting to be taken by force, rendred vp the Caſtell, hauing libertie to depart with bagge and baggage.

Shortly after, the Lorde of Raux, callyng hymſelfe Lieutenant generall for the Dolphin, entred into Mayne, with an armie of three M. men, and by force tooke y^e Caſtell of Malicorne, whereof was Captayne, an Engliſhman, one Oliuer Oſbaterſby.

In like manner, they tooke the little Caſtell of Lude, and therein William Blackborne, Lieutenant for William Glaſdale Eſquier.

After this, the frenchmen returned backe to y^e Dolphin, and kept not on that iourney to Pontorſon, for that they vnderſtoode by eſpials, that the Earle of Warwike, and the Engliſhmenne there, determined to gyue them battell, if they once attempted to reyſe the ſiege.

They within the Towne, beeing ſtraightly beſieged, perceiuing no likelyhoode of ſuccours, & ſeeing the Engliſhe armye dayly encreaſe, fell to treatie,Pontorſon rendred to the Engliſhmen. for doubt to be taken by force, and ſo rendred the towne vpon cōdition, y^t they myght depart with horſe and harnes only, whiche beeyng granted to thē, the Erle like a valiant Captaine entred into the towne, & there appointed for gouernors, the Lorde Ros, & the L. Talbot, & leauing there a conuenient garriſon, returned to the Lord Regent. After the taking of this towne of Pontorſon, there was a league, & a treatie concluded, betweene the Regent, and the D. of Britaigne, by y^e articles of which agremēt, y^e townes of Pōtorſon, & S. Iames de Bewron, were beaten downe to the ground, and raſed.

After the Lord of Rays was departed out of Mayne as ye haue heard, Chriſtopher Hanſon, Phillip Gough, Martin Godfrey, called y^e Scaler, tooke by ſtelth the Caſtell of S. Laurence de Mortiers. At the ſame time, whē the Captaine, & the moſt part of his company, were gone forth to heare Maſſe, in a Churche ouer againſte the ſame Caſtell and keeping themſelues cloſe, tyll the Capitaine returned, tooke him as he was entred within the firſt gate, and ſo was this Caſtel ſtuffed with Engliſhemen, and Captaine therof appointed ſir William Oldhaule.

The ſame ſeaſon, ſir Iohn Faſtolfe, gouernour of the Countreys of Aniou, and Maine, aſſembled a great puiſſance of men of warre, and layde ſiege before the Caſtell of Saint Q[...] Diſtays, beſyde the Towne of Lauall, and after he had layne there tenne dayes, the Caſtell was deliuered, they within departing with their [...]ines and armour only to them graunted, by the tenor of the compoſition, which they tooke with y^e ſame ſir Iohn Faſtolfe.

After the winning of this Caſtell, the Engliſhmen remoued to the ſtrong Caſtell of Grauile, and after twelue dayes, they within offered to yeelde the Caſtell by a daye, if they were not ſuccoured by the Dolphin or his power the offer was taken, and pledges deliuered.

Then Sir Iohn Faſtolfe returned in poſt to the Regent, aduertiſing him of this compoſition and agreement, wherefore, the ſaid Regent reyſed a great power to fighte with the Frenchmen at the day appoynted, and in his company, were the Earles of Mortaigne and Warwike, the Lords Ros and Talbot, Sir Iohn Faſtolfe, ſir Iohn Aubemond, ſir Iohn Ratcliffe, and diners other, to the number of twentie thouſande men, and ſo marched forwardes, in hope to meete and ioyne battel with their aduerſaries, but y^e french power, beeing not farre off from the place, durſt not approche, wherefore, the Regent ſent to Sir Iohn Faſtolfe incontinently, to receyue y^e Caſtell, but they within (contrary to promiſe and appointmente) had newly vitailed and manned the place, and ſo forſaking the pledges, and theyr fellowes in armes, refuſed to render the fortreſſe, wherefore, the pledges were brought before their ſighte, and there before the Caſtell openly put to death.

After this, the Lorde Talbot was made gouernour of Aniou and Maine, and ſir Iohn Faſtolfe was aſſigned to another place,The Lord Talbot, a valiant Captaine. which Lord Talbot, being both of noble birth, and of haultie courage, after his comming into Fraunce, obteyned ſo manye glorious victories of his enimies, that his only name was, and yet is dreadfull to the French nation, and much renowmed amongſt all other people.

This luſtie and moſt valiant Captaine, entred into Mayne, where he ſlew men, deſtroyed Caſtels, brent Townes, and in concluſion, ſuddaynely tooke the Towne of Lauall. The Lord Loghac, and diuers other, withdrew into y^e Caſtell, in the whiche, they were ſo ſtreightly beſieged, that in the ende, they agreed to pay to the Lord Talbot, an hundred thouſand Crownes, for licence to departe, with all theyr bagge and baggage.

Then was this Caſtel deliuered, to y^e keeping of Gilbert Halfall, which after was ſlaine at the ſiege of Orleanns, in whoſe place, Mathewe Gough was made Captayne there, who beeyng at the iourney of Senlis, by treaſon of a Miller that kepte a Mille adioyning to the wall, the Frenchmen entred into the towne, and brought it againe into their ſubiection.

The Duke of Bedford hearing that y^e towne of Montargis, in the territorie of Orleauns, was but ſlenderly kept, and not throughly furniſhed, ſent the Earle of Suffolke, with his brother Sir Iohn Poole, and Sir Henry Biſſet, hauing in their company a ſixe thouſande men to aſſault that towne, but when they came thither, and found the Towne, both well manned, and ſtrongly fortified, contrary to their expectation, they ſurceaſſed from giuing the aſſault, and only layd theyr ſiege round about it.

The Earle of Warwike was appoynted to lye with a greate number of men of warre, at Sainte Mathelines de Archempe, to encounter the Frenchmen, if they would attempte to ayde or vittaile thoſe within the towne.

The ſituation of this towne was ſuche, that by reaſon of waters and mariſhes, the Engliſhe army muſt needes ſeuer it ſelfe into three parts, ſo that the one coulde not eaſely help the other, but eyther by boates or bridges.

This ſiege continued aboue two monethes, ſo that in the meane time, the Frenchmenne had leyſure to prouide for the ſuccour thereof, and ſo it came to paſſe, that the Conneſtable of Frāce Arthur of Britaigne, the Lorde Boyſac one of the Marſhals, Stephen la Hire, Pothon de Saintreiles, the lord Grauille, and diuers other, to the number of three thouſande horſemē, were ſente forthe by the Dolphin, the which priuily in the night ſeaſon, came on that ſide, where Sir Iohn de la Poole, and Sir Henrye Biſſet laye, whome they found ſo out of order,A gret ſlaughter by negligence of the watche. and without good watche, that the Frenchmenne entred into theyr lodgings, ſlewe manye in theyr beddes, and ſpared none, for theyr reſiſtance was but ſmall.

Sir Iohn de la Poole, with his Horſe ſaued hymſelf, and ſir Henry Biſſet eſcaped by a boate, and eight other with him.

The reſidue fleeing in plumpes, and ſtriuing to paſſe by a bridge of timber, the whiche beeyng peſtered with preaſſe of the multitude, brake, and ſo there were a greate number drowned, in ſo muche, that there were ſlayne by the enimes ſword, and drowned in the water, a fifteene hundred men.

The Earle of Warwike hearing of this miſfortune, departed from Saint Mathelines with all ſpeede, and commyng before Montargis, offered battell to the Frenche Captaynes, whyche aunſwered, that they had manned and vittelled the towne, and intended to doe no more at that time.

The Engliſhmen ſeeing it would be no better, came ſoftly backe againe with all their ordinance to the Duke of Bedford.

It ſeemed, that Fortune would not permitte the Frenchmen long to enioy in this ſeaſon any good ſucceſſe, without enterlacing y^e ſame with ſome diſpleaſure, for at thys very tyme,Sur Nicholas Burdet. Polidor. Sir Nicholas Burdet, appoynted by the Duke of Somerſet to endomage hys enimies in the coaſtes of Britaigne, ſente horſemen into euerie parte, working all the diſpleaſure to the people that myghte be deuiſed, the Countrey, through which he paſſed, was waſted, y^e townes were brent, the houſes ſpoyled, and greate number of priſoners taken, the ſmall villages were deſtroyed, and the walled Townes raunſommed, and ſo without hurte or domage, the ſayde Sir Nicholas Burdet returned into Normandye.

Theſe newes being ſignified to the Conneſtable, and other the french Captaines, aſwaged their greate mirth and triumphant ioy, conceyued for the victorie of Montargis, that loth they were to attempt any further enterpriſes agaynſt the Engliſh nation. But the Duke of Alanſon, whiche as yee haue hearde, was lately deliuered out of captiuitie, reuiued againe the dulled ſpirites of the Dolphin, and ſomewhat aduaunced, in hope of good ſpeede, the fainting hartes of hys Captaines, ſo that vppon occaſion offered, they determined to atchieue a notable feate as they tooke it, againſt the Engliſhmen, which was the recouerie of the Citie of Mans out of theyr hands: for ſo it happened, that diuers of y^e chiefe rulers in that Citie, and namely, diuers ſpiritual perſons, meaning to reuolt to the Dolphins ſide, aduertiſed him by letters of their whole mindes, whiche letters were conueyed vnto him by certaine Friers.

The Dolphin glad of thoſe newes, appointed the Lordes de la Breth, and Faiet, Marſhals of France, accōpanyed with the Lords of Mount Iehan, of Buel, Doruall, Torſie, Beaumanor, the Hire, and his brother Guilliam, with fyue hundred other valiant Captaines and ſouldiers, to the accompliſhing of this enterpriſe, the whiche comming thither at the day aſſigned, in the night ſeaſon approched towards the walles, making a little fire on an hill, in ſight of the towne, to ſignifie their comming, whiche beeing perceyued by the Citizens that nere to the great church were watching for the ſame, a burning creſſet was ſhewed out of the ſteeple, whiche ſuddainely was put out and quenched. What nedeth many words.

The Captaines on Horſebacke came to the gate, and the traitors within flewe the porters & watchmen, and let in their friends, the footemen entred firſte, and the men of armes waited at the barriers,Mauns loſt by treaſon of the Citizens. to the intent, that if muche neede required, they might fight in the open fielde.

In the meane ſeaſon, manye Engliſhmenne were ſlayne, and a greate crie and noyſe reyſed through the Town, as in ſuch ſurpriſes is wont and accuſtomed.

The cauſe heereof was not knowen to anye, but only to the conſpirators, for the remnant of the Citizens being no partakers, imagined, that the Engliſhmen had made hauocke in y^e towne, and put all to the ſworde.

The Engliſhmen on the other ſide iudged, that the Citizens hadde begunne ſome new Rebellion againſt them, or elſe had ſtriuen amongſt themſelues.

The Earle of Suffolke, whiche was gouernour of the Towne, hauing perfect knowledge by ſuch as eſcaped frō the walles, howe the matter went, withdrew without any tar[...]ance, vnto the Caſtell, which ſtandeth at the gate of Sainte Vincent, wherof was Conſtable, Tho. Gower eſquier, whither alſo fled ſo many Engliſhmen, that the place was peſtered, and there if they were not the ſooner reſcued, likely to be famiſhed: and ſurely, they were ſore aſſaulted by their enimies, ſo that they could not haue endured long, if they hadde not priuily ſente a meſſenger to the Lorde Talbot, whiche then lay at Alanſon, certifying hym in what a wofull caſe they were.

The Lord Talbot hearing theſe newes, neither ſlept, nor banquetted, but in all haſt aſſembled togither about ſeauen hundred men, and in the euening departed from Alanſon, and in the morning came to a Caſtell called Guyerch, a two miles frō Mans, and there ſtayed a while, till he had ſente out Mathew Gough, as an eſpiall, to vnderſtand how the Frenchmen demeaned themſelues.

Mathew Gough ſo well ſpedde hys buſines, that priuily in the night he came into the Caſtel, where hee learned, that the Frenchmen verye negligently vſed themſelues, without takyng heede to theyr watch, as though they had beene out of all daunger.

When thys Mathewe hadde knowen all the certaintie, he returned againe, and within a mile of the Citie, met the Lorde Talbot, and y^e Lorde Scales, and opened vnto them all things, according to his credence.

The Lordes then to make haſt in the matter, bycauſe the daye approched, with all ſpeede poſſible, came to the poſterne gate, and alighting from theyr horſes about ſixe of the clocke in the morning, they iſſued out of the Caſtell, crying Saint George Talbot.

The Frenchmen beeing thus ſuddainely taken, were ſore amaſed, in ſo much, that ſome of them, beyng not out of theyr beddes,Mauns [...] uered. gote vp in their ſhirtes, and lept ouer y^e walles. Other ranne naked out of the gates to ſaue their liues, leauing all theyr apparell, horſes, armour, and riches behynde them, none was hurt, but ſuche as reſiſted. To bee ſhorte, there were ſlayne and taken, to the number of foure hundred Gentlemen, the priuate ſoldiers were frankely let goe.

After this, was inquiſition made of the authors of the treaſon, and there were accuſed thirtie Citizens, twentie Prieſtes,Traytors e[...] cuted. and fifteene Friers, whiche according to their demerites, were put to execution.

The Citie of Mans beeing thus recouered,An. reg. 6. the Lord Talbot returned to Alanſon, & ſhortly after, the Earle of Warwike departed into Englande, to bee gouernoure of the yong Kyng, in ſteede of Thomas Duke of Exceſter, lately departed to God,1428 and then was the Lord Thomas Montacute Earle of Saliſburie, ſente into Fraunce, to ſupplye the roomth of the ſayd Earle of Warwike, who landed at Calaice with fiue thouſand mē, and ſo came to the D. of Bedford, as thē lying in Paris, where they fel in counſell togither, concerning the affaires of France, and namely, the Earle of Saliſburie began maruellouſly to phanteſie the gayning of the Citie and Countrey of Orleans.

This Earle was the man at that time, by whoſe witte, ſtrength, and policie, the Engliſhe name was much feareful and terrible to y^e french nation, which of himſelfe, mighte both appoynt, commaund, and do all things in manner at hys pleaſure,Mo[...]ne Erle of Salisburie a politike and valiant man. in whoſe power (as it appeared after his death) a greate part of the conqueſt conſiſted: for ſurely, he was a man both paynefull, diligente, & readie to withſtande all daungerous chaunces that were at hande, prompte in counſell, and of courage inuincible, ſo that in no one man, men put more truſt, nor any ſingular perſon wanne the hearts ſo much of all men.

Heerevppon, after this great enterpriſe hadde long beene debated in the priuie counſell, the Erle of Saliſburies deuice therein was of them all graunted and allowed, ſo that he beeyng repleniſhed with good hope of victorie, and furniſhed with artillerie and munitions apperteining to ſo great a ſiege, accompanyed with the Earle of Suffolke, and the Lorde Talbot, and with a valiaunte armye, to the number of tenne thouſande menne, departed from Paris, and paſſed through the countrey of Beauſſe. There he tooke by aſſault, the Towne of Genuille, and within fiue dayes after, had the Caſtell deliuered vnto hym, by them that were fledde into it for theyr ſafegarde.

He alſo tooke the towne of Baugencie, ſuffering euery man which woulde become ſubiect to the Kyng of England, to enioy theyr lands and goodes.

The Townes of Meun vppon Loyre, and Iargeaulx, hearing of theſe doings, preſented to them the keyes of theyr Townes vppon lyke agreement.

Anno. reg. 7. Orleans beſieged. Baſt[...]rd of Or [...].After this, in the moneth of September, hee came before the Citie of Orleans, and planted hys ſiege on the one ſyde of the ryuer of Loyre, but before hys comming, the Baſterd of Orleans, the Byſhop of the Citie, and a greate number of Scottes, hearing of the Earles intente, made dyuers fortifications about the Towne, and deſtroyed the ſuburbes, in the whyche, were twelue pariſhe Churches, and foure orders of Friers.

They cutte alſo downe all the vynes, trees, and buſhes, within fyue leagues of the Citie, ſo that the Engliſhmen ſhoulde haue neyther comfort, refuge, nor ſuccour.

After the ſiege hadde continued three weekes full, the baſterd of Orleans iſſued out of the gate of the bridge, and fought with the Engliſhmen, but they receyued hym with ſo fierce and terrible ſtrokes, that he was with all his company compelled to retire and flee backe into the Citie, but the Engliſhmen followed ſo faſt, in killing and taking of theyr enimies, that they entred with them: the Bulwarke of the bridge, whiche with a great tower ſtanding at the ende of the ſame, was taken incontinentlye by the Engliſhemenne.

In this conflict, many Frenchmen were taken, but mor were ſlayne, and the keeping of the Tower and Bulwarke was cōmitted to William Glaſdale Eſquier.

By the taking of this bridge, the paſſage was ſtopped, that neyther men nor vittaile, could goe or come by that way.

After this, the Earle cauſed certaine Bulwarkes to be made rounde about the towne, caſting trenches betweene the one and the other, laying ordynance in euery place where he ſawe that any batterie might be deuiſed.

When they within ſaw that they were enuironed with fortreſſes and ordinance, they layde gunne againſte gunne, and fortified towers againſt Bulwarkes, and within, caſt newe rampiers, and fortified themſelues as ſtrongly as mighte bee deuiſed, againſt the violence of their enimies bat[...]ie and aſſaultes.

The Baſterd of Orleans, and the Hire, were appoynted to ſee the walles and watches kepte, and the Byſhop ſaw that the inhabitants within the Citie were put in good order, and that vittaile were not wantonly conſumed, or vaynely ſpent.

In the Tower that was taken at the bridge ende (as before you haue hearde) there was an high chamber, hauing a grate full of barres of yron, by the which, a man myghte looke all the length of the bridge into the Citie, at whiche grate, many of the chiefe Captaynes ſtoode many times, viewing the Citie, and deuiſing in what place it was beſt to giue the aſſault. They within the Citie well perceyued thys tooting hole, & layde a peece of ordināce directly againſt the windowe.

It ſo chanced, that the .59. day after the ſiege was layd, the Erle of Saliſburie, Sir Thomas Gargrane, and William Glaſdale, with diuers other, went into the ſaid tower, & ſo into the high chamber, & looked out at the grate, and within a ſhort ſpace, the ſonne of the maſter gunner, perceiuing mē looking out at the window, tooke his match, as his father had taught him, who was gone downe to dinner, and fired the gunne, the ſhot whereof brake, and ſheeuered the iron barres of the grate,The Earle of Salisbury ſlain ſo that one of the ſame barres ſtrake the Earle ſo violently on the head, that it ſtroke awaye one of hys eyes, and the ſyde of hys cheeke.

Sir Thomas Gargrane was likewiſe ſtriken, and dyed within two dayes.

The Earle was conueyghed to Meun, on Loire, where after eight dayes, he likewiſe departed this worlde, whoſe body was conueyed into Englande with all funerall pomp, and buried at Biſſam by his progenitors, leauing behind him an only daughter named Alice, married to Richarde Neuill, ſonne to Raufe Earle of Weſtmerlande, of whome, more ſhall bee ſayd heereafter.

The domage that the Realme of Englande receyued by the loſſe of thys noble man, manifeſtly appeared, in that immediately after hys death, the proſperous good lucke whiche had followed the Engliſh nation, began to decline, and the glory of their victories gotten in the parties beyond the Sea, fell in decay.

Though al men were ſorowful for his death, yet the Duke of Bedford was moſt ſtriken with heauineſſe, as he that had loſt his only right hād, and chiefe ayde in time of neceſſitie. But ſith that dead men cannot helpe the chances of men that be liuing, he like a prudent gouernour, appointed the Earle of Suffolke to be his Lieutenante and Captaine of the ſiege, and ioyned with him the Lord Scales, the Lord Talbot, ſir Iohn Faſto[...], & diuers other right valiant Captaines.

Theſe perſons cauſed [...]aſtilles to bee made rounde about the Citie, and left nothing vnattempted, whiche mighte aduaunce their purpoſe.

1429In the Lent ſeaſon, vittaile and artillerie began to waxe ſeant in the Engliſh camp, wherefore the Earle of Suffolke appoynted Sir Iohn Faſtolfe, ſir Thomas Rampſton, and ſir Phillip Hall, with their retinues, to ride to Paris, to the Lord Regent, to enforme him of their lacke, who incontinently vpon that information, prouided victuall, artillerie and munitions neceſſitie, and loded there with many chariots, carte[...], & horſſes: and for the ſure conueying of the ſame, hee appointed Sir Simon Morhier, prouoſt of Paris, with the guard of the Citie, and diuers of his owne houſhold ſeruants to accompany Sir Iohn Faſtolfe and his complices, to the armie lying at the ſiege of Orleans.

They were in all,Enguer[...]t. to the number of fifteene hundred men, of the which, there were not paſt a fiue or ſixe hundred Engliſhmen, the whiche departing in good order of battell out of Paris, came to Genuille in Beauſſe, and in a morning carely, in a great froſt, they departed from thēce towarde the ſiege, and when they came to a Towne called Rowray, in the lāds of Beauſſe, they perceyued their enimies comming towards them, beeing to the number of nine or tenne thouſand of Frenchmen, and Scottes, of whom were Captaines Charles of Cleremont, ſonne to the Duke of Bourbon, then being priſoner in England, Sir William Steward Conneſtable of Scotland, a little before deliuered out of captiuitie, the Earle of Perdriacke, the Lorde Iohn Vandoſme, y^e Vidame of Chartres, the Lorde of Toures, the Lord of Lohar, the Lord of Eglere, the Lorde of Beaniew, the baſterd Tremoile, and manye other valiant Captaines: wherefore ſir Iohn Faſtolfe ſet all hys companye in good order of battell, and pitched ſtakes before euery archer, to breake the force of the horſemen.

At their backes they ſette all the wagons and carriages, and within them they tyed all their horſes.

In this manner ſtoode they ſtill, abiding the aſſault of their enimies.

The Frnchmen, by reaſon of their greate nū ber, thinking themſelues ſure of the victory, egrely ſette on the Engliſhmen, whiche with greate force, them receiued, and manfully defended thē ſelues as it ſtoode them vpon, conſidering the inequalitie of their number. At length, after long and cruell fyghte,A [...]otable victory of the engliſhmen. the Engliſhmenne droue backe, and vanquiſhed the proude Frenchemenne, and compelled them to flee.

In this conflict were ſlaine the Lorde William Steward Conneſtable of Scotland, & his brother the L. Dorualle, the L. Chateaubriā, ſir Iohn Baſgot, and other Frenchmen and Scots, to the number of .xxv. hundred, and aboue .xj.C. taken priſoners, although the French wryters affirme the number leſſe.

After this fortunate victorie, ſir Iohn Faſtolfe and his companie, hauing loſt no one man of any reputation, wyth all theyr caryages, vytaile, and pryſoners, marched forth and came to the Engliſh campe before Orleans, where they were ioyfully receyued, and highly commended for theyr valiauncie and worthie prowes ſhewed in the battaile,The battel of the herrings. the which bycauſe moſt part of the caryage was Herring, and Lenton ſtuffe, the French men call it the battaile of Herrings.

The Earle of Suffolke being thus vytayled, continued the ſiege, and euery day almoſt ſkirmiſhed with the Frenchmen within, who (at length being in diſpayre of all ſuccours) offred to treate, and in concluſion, to ſaue themſelues, and the Citie from captiuitie of theyr enimyes, they deuiſed to ſubmit the Citie, themſelues, and all theirs vnder the obeyſance of Philip duke of Burgoign, bycauſe he was extract out of the ſtock and bloud royall of the auncient kings of Fraunce, thinking by this means (as they did in deed) to break or diminiſh the great amitie betwene the Engliſhmen and him.

This offer was ſignifyed by them vnto the Duke of Burgoigne, who with thankes certified them againe, that he would gladly receyue them, if the Lord Regent woulde therewith be contented. Herevpon he diſpatched Meſſengers to the Duke of Bedforde, who though ſome counſelled that it ſhould be verie good and neceſſarie for him to agree to that maner of yeelding, yet hee and other thought it neither cōuenient nor honourable, that a Citie ſo long beſieged by the king of England his power, ſhuld be deliuered vnto any other foreyne prince or potentate, than to him, or to hys Regent, and that bycauſe the example mighte prouoke other townes hereafter to ſeeke the lyke agreement.

Herevpon the Regent anſwered the Burgonian Ambaſſadors, that ſith the king of England had beene at all the charges aboute the beſieging and winning of the Citie, it was not conſonant to reaſon that the Duke ſhoulde enioy the fruites of an other mans labour.

Hereof folowed a double miſchief to the Engliſh proceedings in the realme of France, for both the Duke of Burgoigne conceyued an inwarde grudge agaynſt the Engliſhmen, for that hee ſuſpected them to enuy his glory and aduancement, and againe the Engliſhmen left the ſiege of Orleans, which by this treatie they might haue recouered out of theyr enimies hands, and put their friendes in poſſeſſion of it. But mortall men can not foreſee all things, and therefore are guided by fortune which ruleth the deſtinie of man, and turneth hir wheele as ſhee lyſteth.

While this treatie was in hand, the Dolphin ſtudied dayly how to prouide remedie by the deliuerie of his friendes in Orleans out of preſent danger. And euē at the ſame time, that mōſtrous womā named Ioan la Pucell de Dieu,Ione la Pucell de Dieu. was preſented vnto him at Chinon, where as then hee ſoiourned, of whiche woman yee maye finde more written in the French hiſtorie, touching hir birth, eſtate, and qualitie. But briefly to ſpeake of hir doings, ſo much credite was giuen to hir, that ſhe was honoured as a Saint, and ſo ſhe handled the matter, that ſhe was thought to be ſent from god to the ayde of the Dolphyn, otherwiſe called the French king. Charles the ſeuenth of that name, as an Inſtrument to deliuer Fraunce out of the Engliſhmens handes, and to eſtabliſh him in the kingdome.

Herevpon ſhe being armed at all poyntes lyke a iolye Captaine, roade from Poictiers to Bloys, and there founde men of warre, vytaile and munitions readie to be conueyed to Orleans.

Here was it known that the Engliſh men kept not ſo diligent watch as they had beene accuſtomed to doe, and therefore this Mayde with other Frenche Captaynes comming forwarde in the deade tyme of the nyghte, and in a greate rayne & thunder, they entred into the Citie with all their vytaile artillerie and other neceſſarie prhu[...]ſions.

The next day the Engliſh men boldly aſſaulted the Towne, but the Frenchmen defended the walles ſo, as no greate feat worthie of memorie chanced that day betwixt thē, though the French men were amaſed at the valiaunt attempt of the Engliſh men, wherevpon the Baſtarde of Orleans gaue knowledge to the Duke of Alanſon, in what daunger the towne ſtoode without his preſent helpe, who comming within two leagues of the Citie, gaue knowledge to them within, that they ſhoulde bee readie the nexte daye to receyue him. Which accordingly was accompliſhed: for the Engliſhmen willingly ſuffered him and hys armie alſo to enter, ſuppoſing that it ſhould be for their aduauntage to haue ſo great a multitude to enter the Citie, whereby theyr vytayles (whereof they within had great ſcarcitie) might the ſooner be conſumed.

On the next day in the morning, the Frenchmen altogither iſſued out of the towne, and wan by aſſaulte the Baſtile of Saint L[...]n, and ſet it on fire. And after they likewiſe aſſaulted the Tower at the bridge foote, which was manfully defended, but the Frēchmen being more in number, at length tooke it ere the Lorde Talbot could come to the ſuccours, in the which Wil Gladdeſdale the captain was ſlaine, with the Lord Moo[...] lins, and the Lord Poynings alſo.

The Frenche men puffed vp with thys good lucke, fetched a compaſſe about, & in good order of battaile marched toward the Baſtile, which was in the keeping of the Lord Talbot, the which vpon the enimies approche, lyke a Captaine without all feare or dread of that great multitude, iſſued forth agaynſt them, and gaue them ſo ſharpe an encounter, that they not able to withſtand his puyſſaunce, fled (like ſheepe before the Woolfe) againe into the Citie, with great loſſe of men and ſmall artillerie. Of Engliſhmen were loſt in the two Baſtiles, to the number of ſixe hundred perſons, or thereabout, though the Frenche wryters multiplie this number of hundred, to thouſandes as theyr manner is in theyr gloryous Hyſtoryes.

The Earle of Suffolke, the Lorde Talbot, the Lorde Scales and other Captaynes aſſembled togyther in Counſaile, and after cauſes ſhewed to and fro, it was amongeſt them determined to leaue theyr fortreſſes and Baſtiles, and to aſſemble in the plaine field, and there to abyde all the day, to ſee if the Frenchmen woulde iſſue forth to fight with them.

This concluſion taken was accordingly executed: but when the Frenchmen durſt not once come forth to ſhew their heades, the Engliſhmen ſet fire in theyr lodgings, [...]ſiege of [...]s bro [...] and departed in good order of battell from Orleans.

The next day, which was the .viij. day of May the Erle of Suffolk rode to Iargeaux with foure hundred Engliſhmen, and the Lord Talbot with an other companie returned to Meun. And after he had fortifyed that towne, he went to the towne of Lauall, and wan it, togither with the Caſtell, ſore puniſhing the towneſmen for theyr cancred obſtinacie agaynſt them.

Thus when the Engliſhmen had ſeuered themſelues into garniſons, the Duke of Alanſon, the baſtard of Orleans, Ioan la Pucelle, the lord Gawcourt, and diuerſe other Captaines of the Frenchmen, came the .xij. day of Iune, before the towne of Iargeaux, where the Earle of Suffolke and his two brethren ſoiourned, and gaue to the towne ſo fierce an aſſault on three partes▪ that Poyton de Sentrailes perceyuing an other part voyde of defendants, ſealed the walles on that ſide, and wythout difficultie tooke the towne, and ſlue ſir Alexander Poole, brother to the Erle, and many other to the number of two hundred, but the Frenchmen gayned not much thereby, for they loſt three .C. good men and more. Of the Engliſh men .xl. were taken, with the Earle and his other brother named Iohn.

The Frenchmen as they returned to Orleans, fell at variance for their priſoners, and ſlue them all, ſauing the Earle and his brother.

Shortly after, the ſame Frenche armie came to Mehun, where they tooke the Tower at the bridge foote, and put therein a garniſon.

From thence they remoued to Baugency, and conſtrayned them that were within the towne to yeelde, vpon condition they might depart wyth bagge and baggage.

At the ſame place there came to the duke of Alanſon, the new Coneſtable Arthure of Brytain, and with him was the Lord Dalbret, and other.

Alſo after this the Earle of Vandoſme came to them, ſo that by the dayly repayre of ſuch as aſſembled togither to ſtrengthen the Frenche p[...]t, they were in all to the number betweene .xx. and xxiij. thouſand men, Nichol Giles. Fiue thouſand hath Hall. the whiche beeing once ioyned in one armie, ſhortly after fought with the Lord Talbot (who had with him not paſt ſix .M. men) nere to a village in Beauſe called Pa[...]ay, at which battail the charge was giuen by the Frich ſo vpon a ſodaine, that the Engliſhmen had not leyſure to put themſelues in aray, after they had pight vp their ſtakes before their Archers, ſo that there was no remedie but to fight at aduenture.

This battaile continued by the ſpace of three long houres: for the Engliſh men though they were ouerpreſſed with multitude of their enimies, yet they neuer fled backe one foote, tyl theyr Captayne the Lorde Talbot was ſore wounded at the backe, and ſo taken. Then theyr heartes began to faint, and they fledde,Creat loſte on the engliſh f[...] The Lords Talbot. Scales and Hurgerford takes. in which flight were ſlaine aboue twelue hundred, and fortie taken, of whome the Lorde Talbot, the Lorde Scales, the Lord Hungerforde, and ſir Thomas Rampſton were chiefe.

Diuerſe archers after they had ſhot all theyr arrowes, hauing onely their ſwordes, defended themſelues, and with helpe of ſome of their horſemen came ſafe to Mehun.

This ouerthrew, and ſpecially the taking of the Lorde Talbot, did not ſo muche reioyce the Frenchmen, but it did as much abeſh the Engliſhmen, ſo that immediatly thervpon the townes of Ienuile, Mehun, Fort, and diuers other, returned from the Engliſh part, and became French.

From this battail departed without any ſtroke ſtriken ſir Iohn Faſtolfe, the ſame yeare for hys valiantneſſe elected into the order of the Garter, for which cauſe the Duke of Bedforde tooke from him the Image of Saint George, and his Garter, though afterward by meane of friendes, & apparaunt cauſes of good excuſe, the ſame were to him againe deliuered agaynſt the mynde of the Lorde Talbot.

Charles the Dolphin y^t called himſelfe French K. perceiuing fortune to ſmile thus vpō him, aſſē bled a great power, & determined to conquere the Citie of Reimes, that hee might be there ſacred, crowned, & annoynted, according to the cuſtome of his progenitors, that all men might iudge that he was by al lawes and decrees a luſt and a lawfull king.

In his way thitherwardes he beſieged the citie of Auxerre, the Citizens whereof compounded with him to yeelde, if they were not reſkued within certaine dayes.

From thence he came before Troys, and after .xij. dayes ſiege had that Citie deliuered vnto him, by compoſition, that the Captaine ſir Philip Hall, with his people, and moueables myght depart in ſafetie.

After that Troyes was yeelded, the communaltie of Chaalons rebelled agaynſt Sir Iohn Awbemonde theyr Captaine, and conſtreyned him to deliuer the towne vpon lyke compoſition.

In ſemblable maner did they of Reimes, deſiring him to giue ſafeconduct to all the Engliſhe men ſafely to depart.

When Reimes was thus become French, the foreſayde Charles the Dolphin in the preſence of the Dukes of Lorrainne and Barre, and of all the noble men of his faction, was ſacred there King of Fraunce by the name of Charles the ſixt,The French K. [...]ed. with all rytes and ceremonies thereto belonging.

They of Auxerre, when the terme of their appointment was expired, ſubmytted themſelues to him, and ſo likewiſe did all the Citie and townes adioyning.

The Duke of Bedford aduertiſed of all theſe doings, aſſembled his power about him, and hauing togither ten thouſand good Engliſhmen (beſide Normans) departed oute of Paris in Warlike faſhion, and paſſing through Brie to Monſtreau fault Yōne, ſent by his Herault Bedford, letters to the Frenche King, ſignifying to hym, that where hee had contrarie to the finall concluſion accorded betweene his noble brother King Henrie the fifth, and king Charles the ſixte, father to him the vſurper, by allurement of a diueliſhe witche, taken vpon him the name, tytle and dignitie of the king of Fraunce, and further had by murther, ſtealing, craft, and deceytfull meanes, violently gotten, and wrongfully kept diuerſe cities and townes belonging to the king of Englande his nephewe, for proufe whereof hee was come downe from Paris with his armie, into the Countrey of Brie, by dynt of ſworde, and ſtroke of battaile to proue his wryting and cauſe true, willing his enimie to chooſe the place, and in the ſame he would giue him battaile.

The new French king being come frō Ryems to Dampmartyne, ſtudying howe to compaſſe them of Paris, was halfe abaſhed at this meſſage, But yet to ſet a good countenance on the matter, hee anſwered the Herault, that hee woulde ſooner ſeeke his maiſter, than his maiſter ſhould need to purſue him.

The Duke of Bedforde hearing this anſwere marched towarde the king, and pitched his fielde in a ſtrong place.

The French king though at the firſt he ment to haue abydden battaile, yet when he vnderſt[...]d that the Duke was equall to him in number of people, he chaunged his purpoſe, and turned with his armie a little out of the way. The Duke of Bedford perceyuing his faynt courage, followed him by hilles and dales, till hee came to a towne not farre from Senlis, where he found the French king and his armie lodged, wherefore hee ordred his battailes like an expert chieftaine in martiall ſcience, ſetting the Archers before, and himſelfe with the Noble men in the maine battaile, and put the Normans on both ſides for wings. The Frenche king alſo ordred his battailes with the aduiſe of his captaines.

Thus theſe two armies lay two dayes and two nightes eyther in ſight of other, without any great doing, except a few ſkirmiſhes, wherein the Dukes light horſemen did verie valiauntly. At length in the deade of the nighte (as priuily as myght he) the French king brake vp his campe, and fled to Bray. The Duke of Bedford had much ado to ſtay his people in the morning from purſuyte of the Frenche armie: but for that hee miſtruſted the Pariſians, hee woulde not depart farre from that Citie, and ſo returned thyther againe.

In this ſeaſon, Pope Martine the fifth of that name, meaning to ſubdue the Bohemers that diſſented from the Church of Rome in matters of Religion, appoynted Henrie Beaufort Biſhop of Wincheſter and Cardinall of Saint Euſibie, to be his Legate in an armie that ſhoulde inuade the Kingdome of Beame, and to bring a power of men with him out of Englande.Boheme. And bycauſe the warre touched religion, he licenced the Cardinal to take the tenth part of euerie ſpirituall dignity, benefice, and promotion.

This matter was opened in the Parliament houſe, and aſſented to: wherevpon the Biſhoppe gathered the money, and aſſembled foure thouſand men and aboue, not without greate grudge of the people, which dayly were with tallages and aydes weryed and ſore burdened.

As this Biſhop was come to Douer readie to paſſe the ſeats ouer into Flaunders, the Duke of Glouceſter hauing receyued letters from the Duke of Bedford, conteyning an earneſt requeſt to relieue him with ſome ſpeedie ayde of men of warre, was conſtreyned to write vnto the Biſhop of Wincheſter, willing him in time of ſuche neede, when all ſtoode vpon loſſe or gaine, to paſſe with all his armie toward the Duke of Bedford, to aſſyſt him agaynſt his aduerſaries, which thing done, and to his honour atchiued, he might perfourme his iourney agaynſte the vngracious Bohemers.

The Cardinall (though not well contented with this countermaunde) yet leaſt he ſhould run into the note of Infamie, if he refuſed to ayde the Regent of Fraunce in ſo great a cauſe, paſſed ouer with his power, brought the ſame vnto hys couſin to the Citie of Paris.

About the ſame ſeaſon, the French king in hope to bee receyued into the townes of Compeigne and Beauvois (by reaſon of the fauor and good will which the Inhabitantes bare towardes him) was come with an armie towardes Compiegne, whereof the Duke of Bedforde being aduertiſed, and hauing nowe his hoſte augmented with the newe ſupply, which the Cardinall had of late brought vnto him, marched forward with great ſpeede towarde the place where hee vnderſtoode the French king was lodged. And cōming [...] Senlis, he perceiued how his enimies were encamped vpon the Mount Pilioll, betweene Senlis and Compiegne.

Here might eyther armie beholde the other: wherevpon for the aduoyding of daungers that myght enſue, the campes were trenched, and the battayles pitched, and the fields ordred as though they ſhould haue tryed the matter by battaile, but nothing was done except with ſkirmiſhes, in the which the Normans ſore vexed the Frenchmen, and therfore receyued great commendations and prayſes of the Lorde Regent, who vndoubtedly determined to haue giuen battaile to his enimies, if they woulde haue abydden it.

But after the armies had thus lyen eyther in ſight of other, for the ſpace of two dayes togither, the Frenche King determining not to aduenture in an open battaile the whole chaunce of the game, leaſt he might thereby receyue a perpetuall checkmate, in the night ſeaſō remoued his campe, and fled to Creſpy, though his number was double to the Engliſh armie.

The Duke of Bedford ſeeing that the French king was thus Cowardly reculed with all hys power and armie returned again to Paris,An. reg. [...] euer ſuſpecting the deceytfull fayth of the Pariſians.

The Biſhoppe of Wyncheſter, after that the Frenche king was retreated backe, went into Beame, and there did ſomewhat,Boheme. though ſhortly after without anye great prayſe or gaine hee returned into Englande, more glad of his comming backe than of hys aduauncing forwarde. Anon after the Pope vnlegated him, and ſette an other in hys place, where with he was nothing contented.

On the ſixth day of Nouember, being the day of Saint Leonarde, King Henrie in the eyght yeare of his raigne, was at Weſtminſter with all pompe and honour crowned king of this realme of England.

The ſame yeare the Frenche King was receyued into the towne of Compiegne, and ſhortly after were the townes of Senlis, and Beauvoys rendred to him. And the Lorde Longueual tooke by ſtealth the Caſtell of Aumarle, and ſlue all the Engliſhmen within it.

Tho. VValſ.Alſo about the ſame tyme, the Frenchmen recouered Caſtell Galiarde forth of the Engliſhe mens handes, where the Lorde Barbaſon was found in a dungeon, encloſed within a great grate of Iron like to a little Chamber, and forthwyth they brake open the grate, but Barbaſon woulde not come forth, bycauſe he had gyuen his fayth and promiſe to one Kingſton that was captaine of that Fortreſſe for the king of Englande, to bee true priſoner, vntil the Frenchmen had ſent to the ſame Kingſtone (that was departed vpon ſuche couenants as they were agreed vpon at the delyuerie of that fortreſſe) willing him to come backe againe vpon ſafeconduct, which at theyr earneſt requeſt he did, and withall diſcharged the Lorde Barbaſon of his othe, and ſo then he came foorth and remayned at his libertie, to the greate reioyſing of the Frenchmen, which iudged that he had bene rather deade than aliue all that time of his impriſonment.

About the ſame time alſo the French K. ſought by all meanes poſſible to breake the amitie betwixt the realme of Englande, and the houſe of Burgoigne, whereof the Duke of Bedforde hauing intelligence, thought it ſtoode him vpon the more earneſtly to looke to his charge, and namely as it were for an ancreholde, hee determined to to prouide that hee might defende and ſafely kepe the duchie of Normandie, and therefore appoynting the Biſhop of Terrowen, and Ely, named Lewes of Lutzenburgh, Chancellor for King Henrie, of the realme of Fraunce, to remayne at Paris vpon the defence of that Citie, with a conuenient number of Engliſhmen, he departed into Normandie, and comming to Roan, called a Parliament there of the three eſtates of the Duchie,A parliament [...] Roan called by the Duke [...] [...]ord. in the which he declared many things vnto them, touching the happy life, and great freedome which they might be aſſured to enioy, ſo long as they continued vnder the Engliſh obeyſance, and therefore he exhorted them to abyde conſtant in theyr allegiaunce, fayth and promyſe made and ſworne to his noble brother King Henrie the fifth.

Whyleſt the Duke of Bedforde was buſie to retaine the Normans in theyr due obedience, the French king departed from Senlis, and cōming to the towne of Saint Denys, found it in maner deſolate, ſo that he entred there without reſiſtance, and lodged his armie at Mount Martyr, and Abberuilliers neare vnto the Citie of Paris. And from thence ſent Iohn Duke of Alanſon, and his forcereſſe Ioan la Pucelle, with three thouſande light horſemen to aſſault the Citie, and followed himſelfe, in hope to get it, eyther by force or treatie, But the Engliſh Captaynes euery one keeping his warde and place aſſigned, ſo manfullye defended themſelues, their walles and towers, with the aſſyſtance of the Pariſians, that they repulſed the Frenchmen, and threwe downe Ioan theyr great Goddeſſe into the bottom of the town ditche, where ſhe lay behinde the backe of an Aſſe ſore hurt, till the tyme that ſhee (all filthie wyth myre and durt) was drawne out by Guyſcharde of Thienbrone, ſeruant to the Duke of Alanſon.

The French king perceyuing that he coulde not preuaile in this enterpriſe, left the dead bodies behinde him, and taking with him the wounded Captaine, returned into Berrie. But in the meane way, the inhabitants of Laignie ſubmytted themſelues vnto him.

The Duke of Bedford being in Normandie, hearing of this ſodain attempt, with all haſt poſſible came to Paris, where he gaue many greate thankes, with highe commendations vnto the Captaynes, ſouldiers and Citizens for theyr aſſured fidelitie, great hardineſſe, and manly doing, which his gentle words ſo encouraged the hearts of the Pariſians, that they ſware promiſed and concluded, to bee friendes for euer to the king of Englande, and his friends, and enimies alwayes to his foes and aduerſaries, making proclamation by this ſtyle, friendes to king Henrie, friends to the Pariſians, enimies to England, enimies to Paris. Marie whether this was vttered from the bottome of theyr hearts, it is heard to ſo ſay, but the ſequele of their acts would ſeeme to proue the contrarie.

Soone after theſe doings, came to Paris with a great companie, Philip Duke of Burgoigne, and then vpon long conſultation had for the recouerie of theyr loſſes, it was agreed that the Duke of Bedford ſhoulde rayſe an armie, and that the Duke of Burgoigne ſhoulde be his Deputie, and tarie at Paris for the defence of the Citie.

The Duke of Bedforde then withoute anye great reſiſtance recouered againe the towne of Saint Denys with dyuerſe other fortreſſes.

And after this hee ſent the Baſtarde of Clareuce to laye ſiege to the Caſtell of Torſie, the which (notwythſtanding the great ſtrength therof) after ſix monethes ſiege, was rendred vp into his handes.

During the ſiege of this Caſtell ſir Thomas Kiriell knight, with foure. C. Engliſhmen departed from Gourney in Normandie, and rode by Beauvoys, ſpoyling and robbing the Countrey to the Suburbes of Cleremount, whereof the Earle of that towne hauing aduertiſement, aſſembled all the men of warre of the garniſons adioyning, and wyth the ſame ſet forwarde to fight wyth the Engliſhmen whom he found in a ſtrayte place neare to Beauvoys.

The Earle of Cleremonte perceyuing that hee coulde not hurte them wyth hys men of Armes by reaſon of the ſtrength, came downe on foote wyth all hys companye, and fiercely ſette on the Engliſhmenne: but by the terrible ſhotte of the Engliſhe Archers, the Frenchemenne in the ende were conſtrayned to flee, and the Engliſh menne perceyuing the matter, ſtreyght leapt on Horſebacke and followed the chaſe. In the whiche were taken two hundred Priſoners, and thrice as many ſlaine. The Earle eſcaped by the ſwiftneſſe of his horſe.

At the ſame ſeaſon the Earle of Suffolke beſieging the Towne of Aumarie (whereof was Captayne the Lorde of Rambures) after .xxiiij. greate aſſaultes gyuen to that Fortreſſe, had the towne and Caſtell ſimplye to hym rendred. Thus by lyttle and lyttle the Engliſhe menne recouered many Townes which before they had loſt.

But yet aboute the ſame tyme, the Frenche mē ſtale the towne of Laual, by treaſon wrought by a Myller, which keeping a Myll that ioyned to the Wall, ſuffred the Frenche to paſſe through his Myll into the towne.

Shortly after alſo ſir Steuē de Vignoilles ſurnamed la Hyre, tooke by ſcaling, the towne at Louiers in Normandie.

Laygny beſieged by the engliſhmen.The Engliſhe men in the colde Moneth of December beſieged the towne of Laigny in the whiche was the Puſ[...]lle, and diuerſe other good Captaynes. The weather was ſo cold, and the raine ſo great and continuall, that the Engliſhe menne by that vntemperauncie of the ayre, and not by the enimyes, were conſtreyned to rayſe theyr ſiege.

1430After this the Duke of Burgoigne accompanied with the Earles of Arundell, and Suffolke, and the Lorde Iohn of Lutzenburgh,Compeigne beſieged. beſieged the towne of Compiegne with a great puyſſance.

This towne was well walled, manned, and vitayled, ſo that the beſiegers were conſtrayned to caſte trenches, and make mynes, for otherwiſe they ſawe not howe to compaſſe their purpoſe.

In the meane time it happened in the night of the Aſcention of our Lord, that Poyton de Saintreyles, Ioan la Puſelle, and fiue or ſixe hundred men of armes iſſued oute by the bridge towarde Mondedier, intending to ſet fire in the tentes and lodgings of the Lorde Bawdo de Noyelle.

At the ſame verie tyme, ſir Iohn de Luxenburgh, with eight other Gentlemen, chaunced to be nere vnto the lodgings of the ſayd lord Bawdo, where they eſpyed the Frenchmen which beganne to cut downe Tents, ouerthrow Pauilions, and kill men in theyr beddes, wherevppon they with all ſpeede aſſembled a great number of men, as well Engliſh as Burgonions, and couragiouſly ſet on the Frenchmen, and in the ende beate them backe into the towne, ſo that they fled ſo faſte that one letted another, as they woulde haue entred.

Saint Albons.In the chaſe and purſute was the Puſelle taken with diuerſe other, beſydes thoſe that were ſlaine, which were no ſmall number.

Diuerſe were hurte alſo on both partes. Among the Engliſhmen, ſir Iohn Montgomerie, had hys arme broken, and Sir Iohn Stewarde was ſhotte into the thigh with a quarell.

Ioan the Puſel taken.The ſame Puſelle was afterwardes ſent vnto Roan, where being preſented vnto the Duke of Bedforde, ſhe was long tyme kept in pryſon, and at length by due proceſſe of the lawes condemned for a Sorcereſſe. But at the firſt abiuring hir errours and great wickedneſſe, it was thought [...] ſhoulde haue eſcaped death. But when it [...] after proued agaynſte hir,Eug[...]. that ſhee fell into [...] relaps, proteſting the ſame vppon a wy[...]full [...] obſtinate minde, ſhee was committed to the [...] lar power,The [...]. and by force thereof finally burns to Aſhes.

After the taking of the ſayd Ioan la [...], the ſiege ſtill continued before Compiegne, [...] the Duke of Bedforde ſent to the Duke of Burgoigne lying at the ſiege, the Earle of Huntingdon, and ſir Iohn Robeſert, with a thouſand archers which dayly ſkirmiſhed w^t thē within, [...] made ſuche Baſtiles and Fortreſſes, that the Towne had beene rendred into theyr handes, [...] that the Duke of Burgoigne departed from the ſiege to goe into Brabante, to receyue the poſſeſſion of that Duchie, by the death of his couſin Philip the Duke of that Countrey, as then departed this worlde.

Sir Iohn de Lutzenburg was lefte by the duke of Burgoigne as generall of the ſiege before Compiegne,An. reg. 9. the which he rayſed within a ſhorte ſpace after, contrarie to the myndes of the Engliſhe menne, whiche were verie deſirous to haue lyen there tyll the Towne hadde beene render[...], whiche if the ſiege had beene continued but eight dayes longer, muſte needes haue come to paſſe, by reaſon that peſtilence and famine hadde almoſte conſumed all the Souldiers wythin the Towne, ſo that it remayned in maner withoute defence.

After the breaking vppe of this ſiege,1431 Iohn Duke of Norffolke tooke agayne the townes of Dampmartine, and the Chaſſe Mougay wyth diuerſe other townes.

Alſo the Earle of Stafforde tooke the towne of Bryn Countie Robert, and from thence ſorraged all the Countrey to Sens, and after tooke Queſnoy in Brie, Grand Puys, and Ra[...] pellon.

During which tyme, the French men on the other ſide, tooke Louiers, and Villeneuf.

Then alſo did the Towne of Melun rebell, and had ſuche ayde of other townes adioyning, that the Engliſh Souldiers were faine to leaue Melun, Morret, and Corbell. Thus did things wauer in doubtfull ballance, betwixt the two nations Engliſh and French.

But bycauſe the Engliſhe ſore myſtruſted further daunger, it was concluded, that King Henrie in his royall perſon wyth a newe armie, ſhoulde come into Fraunce, partly to viſite and comfort his owne ſubiectes there, and partly eyther by feare or fauour (bycauſe a childe of hys age and beautie doth commonly procure them loue of elder perſons,) to moue the Frenchmen to continue theyr due obeyſaunce towardes hym. Wherefore after a great hoſt conuenient for that purpoſe aſſembled, and money for maine [...] of the warre readie gathered,King Henry [...] in per [...] goeth with [...] into [...]. and the realme fr[...] ̄ in an order vnder the gouernment of the Duke of Glouceſter Protector▪ whiche during the Kings abſence appeaſed dyuerſe or pottes, and purniſhed the [...]ders the king with a great power tooke ſhipping at Douer, on Saint Georges [...] within night, and landed at Calays on the [...], [...]e Albons. [...]ing Saint Georges day, and Sunday, by ſeuen of the clocke in the morning. He remayned in Calays a good ſpace, and from thence hee re [...]ued to Roa[...], [...] beeing there receyued wyth all nym[...]phe. Hee taryed at that Citie a long [...] his Nobles dayly conſulting on their great [...] neſſe and weightie affayres.

An. reg. 10. In the Moneth of Nouember, hee remoued from Roan to P[...]ntoyſe, and ſo to Saint Denyſe, to the intent to make his entrie into Paris and there to be ſacred king of Fraunce.

There were in his companie of his owne Nation, his vncle the Cardinall of Wincheſter, the Cardinall and Archbiſhop of Yorke, the Dukes of Bedforde, Yorke, and Norffolke, the Earles of Warwicke, Saliſburie, Oxforde, Huntingdon, Ormonde, Mortaine, and Suffolke. Of Gaſcoignes, there were the Earles of Longuille, and Marche, beſide many other noble men of Englande, Guienne, and Normandie. And the chiefe of the French Nation, were the Dukes of Burgoigne, and Lewes of Luxenburg, Cardinal and Chauncellour of Fraunce for king Henrie: the Biſhoppes of Beauoys, and Noyoune, both Peeres of Fraunce, beſyde the Biſhoppe of Paris, and dyuerſe other Byſhoppes, the Earle of Vaudemount and other Noble menne, whoſe names were ſuperfluous to rehearſe. And hee had in a garde aboute his perſon three thouſande price Archers, ſome on horſebacke, and part on foote.

To ſpeake with what honour he was receyued into the Citie of Paris, what Pageauntes were prepared, and how richly the gates, ſtreetes, and bridges on euerie ſyde were hanged wyth coſtly clothes of Arras and tapeſſerie, it would be too long a proceſſe, and therefore I doe here paſſe it ouer with ſilence.

King Henry [...]e ſixe crow [...] in Paris.On the .xvij. day of December, he was crowned king of France, in our Ladie Church of Paris, by the Cardinall of Wincheſter, the Biſhop of Paris not being contented that the Cardinall ſhould doe ſuch an high ceremonie in his Church and iuriſdiction.

After all the ceremonies were finiſhed, the K. returned toward the Palace, hauing one crowne on his head, and another borne before him, & one ſcepter in his hande, and the ſecond borne before him.

This high and ioy and [...] paſſed not wythout [...] of diſpleaſure amongſt the Engliſh nobilitie for the Cardinall of Wincheſter, which at this time would he [...] all w[...]th kind commaunded the Duke of Bedford to leaue off the name of Regent, during the time that the king was in France, affirming the chiefe ruler being in preſence, the authoritie of the ſubſtitute to be elect vnder[...]gate, according to the cōmon ſaying, In y^e preſence of the higher power, the [...] ler giueth place.

The Duke of Bedford tooke ſuch a ſecrete diſpleaſure with the doing that [...] after fa[...] [...]d them [...] but ſtoode by [...]ſte him in all thinges he woulde haue forwarde.

This was the [...] ſame haue thought of that diuiſion amongeſt the Engliſhe Nobilitie, where through theyr glorie within the realme of France began firſt to decline.

The nexte daye after the ſolemne feaſt of the kings coronation, were kept [...] iuſtes and iourneys, in the [...] the Erle of Arumpell, and the baſhed of S. Poll, by the iudgement of the Ladies wan the price.

The King kept open houſe the ſpace of xx. dayes to all commers, and after bycauſe the ayre of Paris ſecured contrary to his pure [...], by the adui[...] of his counſail he remoued to [...] where he kept his Chriſtmaſſe. But before his departure from Paris, the noble men as well of Fraunce and Normandie did to him homage, & the common people ſware to him feaultie.

In this meane time, ſir Frances called the Aragoignois, a noble captaine of the Engliſh part in Normandie, tooke by force and policie, the towne of Montargis,Montargis recouered by the Engliſhmen. with a great pray of treaſure and priſoners, and put therin a garniſon, leauing it wel furniſhed with vitails and munition.

About the ſame time, the Earle of Arundel being truly enformed that the Lord Bouſac Marſhall of Fraunce was come to Beauuoys entending to do ſome feate in Normandie, aſſēbled the number of .xxiij. hundred mē, and comming nere to the ſayde towne of Beauvays, ſent a greate number of lighte horſemen to runne before the towne, to trayne out the Frenchmen within, the whiche iſſuing out and following the Engliſhe horſemen vnto their ſtale, were ſo encloſed and fought with, that in maner al the number of them ſaue a fewe which fledde backe into the Towne wyth the Marſhall, were ſlaine or taken.

Amongeſt other of the chiefeſt priſoners, that valiaunt Captaine Ponton de Santrailles was one, and without delay was exchaunged for the Lorde Talbot, before taken priſoner at the battaile of Patay.

There was alſo taken one called the ſhepherd,The holy ſheppard. a ſimple man, and a ſillie ſoule, but yet of ſuche reputation for his ſuppoſed holyneſſe amongeſt the French men, that if hee touched the Wall of any of theyr aduerſaryes townes, [...]y [...]elee[...] it would incontinently fall downe.

This chaunce ſucceeded not fortunately alone vnto the Engliſhe nation, for Richarde Beauchampe Earle of Warwicke had a great ſkyrmiſhe before the towne of Gourney, where hee diſcomfited and repulſed his enimies: and beſyde thoſe that were ſlaine, he tooke .lx. horſmen, all being gentlemen of name and armes.

Like chaunce happened to the friendes of king Charles,Vaudemount beſieged. toward the marches of Lorraine, where Reigner Duke of Bar beſieged the Towne of Vaudemont perteining to the Erle therof [...]med Anthonie, couſin to the ſame duke Reigner. This Erle before the dukes approching, left a conuenient [...] within the towne to defende it, and with all ſpeede rode to the Dukes of [...] [...] gotga[...], being then, at the foreſ[...] [...] at Paris, where as purchaſed ſuch [...] ha[...]s, bycauſe hee ha[...] [...] that not onely ſir Iohn [...]a[...]e w[...] [...] to groweth ha[...], [...]g[...] his [...] [...]d [...]chers, bu[...] alſo doe Duke of [...] Marſhall [...] Anthonie To[...] [...] [...] panied with .xv. C[...] [...]

When the duke of [...] [...] mies were thus comming towardes [...] harde captaine, he rayſed his ſiege, [...] fare with the erle and [...] was [...]uell and morta[...] The [...] the F[...]ch ſide endured long, but of [...] Engliſh archers ſo galled their [...] [...] ded the men, that the Bar[...] [...] of duke Reigners ſide were [...]ſe [...]

The Duke of Bar taken.In the chaſe was taken the Duke of Bar the Biſhop of Mitz, the lord of Roquedemaque, ſir Euerard of Sal[...]eburg, the Viconte Darcie, and two hundred other, beſide three thouſande which were ſlaine.

In this luckie time alſo, no leſſe occaſion of victorie was offred to the Engliſh men in an other part, if they could haue vſed it with ſuch cercumſpect warineſſe as had beene expedient: for Robert Lord Willoughby, & Mathew Gough, a valiant Welchman, with .xv. hundred Engliſh men,Saint Seuerine beſieged, laid ſiege to a town in Anion called S. Seuerine, whereof Charles the Frenche king beeing aduertiſed, ſent with all ſpeede the Lord Ambroſe de Lore, with many noble men to the ſuccors of them within the towne, whereof the ſame Lorde Ambroſe was captaine, and therefore made the more haſt to relieue his deputie, and the other being ſtraytly beſieged, but yet ſtayed at the towne of Beaumont, till his whole power might come to him. The Engliſhmen aduertiſed of this incent of the captaine, came vpon [...] [...]ight, and found the Frenchmēs watch [...] that a. M. men were entred into the campe helpe they were eſpied, by reaſon whereof the Engliſhe men found ſmall reſiſtance. But when the day began to appeare, and that the Sa[...] ſette forth his bright beames a bronde, that y[...] thing[...] might be ſeene, the Engliſhmen giuen [...]y to ſpoyle, followed not their enimies [...], but being contented with their pray and gaine began to retreyt toward the ſiege againe, which [...] Willoughbie ſtill mainteyned wyth depart of the armie.

But ſee the chaunce, the Frenchmen whiche were comming after, heard by the noyſt of the people that ſome fray was in hande, put ſpu[...] to their horſes, and ſet on the Engliſh men peſtered with bagge and baggages of the ſpoyle and pray which they had gotten in the French cam[...].

The other of the Frenchmen which before had fled, returned againe, and ayded their fellowes, ſo that the Engliſhmen beeing taken oute of order, were compelled to flee, of whō Mathew Gough and diuerſe other were taken priſoners, and yet of the other part many were ſlaine, and a great nū ber taken: amongſt whome was the L. de Lore, who for all that the French men coulde doe was kept & not deliuered. The L. Wi[...]oughby hearing of this miſhap, rayſed his ſiege and departed verie fore diſpleaſed in his minde, but coulde not remedie it.

About this ſeaſon, Nicholas the Cardinall of the holy Croſſe, [...]egate from Rome ſent to [...] of peace [...] the Engliſh and [...]nch. was ſent into France as a Legate from Eugeny the fourth as then Biſhoppe of Rome, to treate a peace betweene the Engliſhe men and Frenchmen, but when after greate inſtance and labour made betwene the parties, hee ſawe their obſtinate and frowarde myndes, nothing enclined to any agreement, he wan ſo much at theyr handes by earneſt ſute, [...] for vl. [...]es, that a truce was graunted to endure for ſix yeares to come: but as the ſame was hardly graunted, ſo was it of the Frenchmen ſoone and lightly broken. For the baſtard of Orleans newly made Erle of Dunoys, tooke by treaſon the towne of Chartres from the Engliſh men, [...]es takē [...]y treaſon. affyrming by the lawe of armes, that ſtealing or buying a towne withoute inuaſion or aſſault was no breach of league, amitie, or truce. In which towne he ſlue the Biſhop, bycauſe he was a Burgonian. Hereby did new malice encreaſe, and mortal warre beganne eftſoones to be put in vre.

Whileſt theſe things were doing in France, the Cardinal of Wincheſter was come backe againe into Englande, to appeaſe certaine commotions and ſturres attempted by certaine perſons vnder colour of religion: but after that William Maundeuille, and Iohn Sharpe the chiefe authors therof were apprehēded and executed by the gouernour and the kings Iuſtices, the reſidue yeelded and confeſſed their offences, whereof two articles were theſe (as ſome write) that Prieſtes ſhould haue no poſſeſſions, and that all things by the order of charitie among chriſtian people ſhuld be in common.

Other ther be, that haue thought how their opinions were not ſo farre diſagreeing from the ſcripture, as to mainteyne any ſuche errors, but that their enimies contriued to ſpread abrode ſuch rumors of them, to make them more odious to the people.

After that their conſpiracie was thus by diligent inquirie therof had, [...]ene [...]ed by the of Glouceſ [...] the k. being France. clearly quenched, a Parliament was called by the Duke of Glouceſter, in the which money was aſſigned to be leuied, and men appoynted, whiche ſhoulde paſſe ouer into Fraunce to the ayde of the Duke of Bedford, for the better maintenance of the warres, bycauſe it was ſuſpected that the truce woulde not long continue.

During this Parliament,A peace concluded with the Scots. Iames the king of Scots ſent Ambaſſadors to cōclude a peace with the Duke of Glouceſter, who (bycauſe the King was abſēt) referred thē matter to y^e three eſtates. After long conſultation, not without great argumentes, a peace was concluded.

When the Parliament was ended, the Cardinall well furniſhed with men and money, departed out of England, and came to Roan to the king, to whom alſo reſorted the duke of Bedford from Paris, to conſult of things not vnlikely to follow. Herevpon a great counſaile was kept in the Caſtell of Roan, and many doubtes moued, and few weightie things out of hande concluded. At length after great diſputation, with many arguments ended, the dukes of Bedford and York, and Edmond late Erle of Motaigne, and nowe by y^e death of Iohn Duke of Sommerſet (which dyed wythout heyre Male, leauing behinde him a ſole daughter called Margaret after Counteſſe of Rich[...]onde) receyued to the name and tytle of Duke of Sommerſetie, lyked and approued the Argument and reaſon of thoſe that helde how it was expedient to haue an a[...]i[...]e in a readineſſe for defence, leaſt the Frenchmen ſodainly ſhoulde attempt any enterpryſe to the daunger of the Engliſhmen and loſſe of thoſe townes and Countreys which were vnder their rule and dominion.

When all things were agreed, King Henry departed to Calays, and from thence to Douer,1432 K. Henry returneth out of France into England. and ſo by eaſie iourneyes hee came the .xxj. day of Februarie to the Citie of London, where he was both triumphantly receiued, and richly preſented, as in the Chronicle of Robert Fabian it maye at large appeare.

After that the King was departed forth of Fraunce into Englande, the Duke of Bedforde Regent of Fraunce, and Captaine of Calays, taryed behynde in the Marches of Pichardie, where hee was enfourmed that certaine Souldiours of Calays grudging at the reſtraynte of Woolles, beganne to murmure agaynſt the king and his Counſaile, ſo that the towne was like to haue ſtand in ſcopardie.

The Duke therefore foreſeeing the miſchiefe that might enſue, and thinking it wiſedome to withſtande the firſt motion, cauſed the chiefe doers to be apprehended, and vpon due examination had, diuerſe were put to death, and many baniſhed that towne and marches for euer.

In the meane tyme, the Ladie Anne Ducheſſe of Bedforde departed thys lyfe at Paris,The Duches of Bedford ſiſter to the Duke of Burgoigne deceaſed. by whoſe death the aſſured loue and faythfull friendſhip betwixt the Duke of Bedford and his brother in law the duke of Burgoigne, began to decay.

Shortly after, to wit, about the beginning of the next yeare .1433. the ſayde Duke of Bedforde being thus a wydower, through the perſwaſion of the Lorde Lewes of Lutzenbourgh Biſhop of Tyrwinne and Ely, and Chancellor of France for king Henrie,The Duke of Bedford maryeth with the Erle of Saint Pol his daughter. agreed to marry the Lady Iaquet, daughter to Peter Earle of Saint Pol, and neede to the ſayde Biſhoppe, and to the Lorde Iohn of Lutzenbourgh.

The maryage was ſolemnized at Tyrwinne with greate triumph. After which ſolemne feaſt ended, the Duke of Bedforde returned wyth hys newe ſpouſe (being aboute the age of .xvij. yeres) vnto Calays, and ſo into Englande, where hee remayned vntill Auguſt next, and then returned againe to Paris.

The Duke of Burgoigne was nothing pleaſed with this new alliance contracted by the duke of Bedford, with the houſe of Lutzenbourgh, but the mariage was conſummate ere he coulde finde any remedie to binder it.

Whileſt theſe things were a doing, in other places the French ſouldiers lacking wages began priuilye (as the tyme ſerued) to take both Engliſhmenne and Burgonians, raunſoming and ſpoyling them at theyr pleaſure.

The Engliſhmen herewith moued to diſpleaſure, prepared for warre after ſixe Monethes that the truce had beene taken. So by ſuche meanes was the warre againe renued.

The Frenchmē breake the truce and take the towne of Saint Valerie.The Frenchmen as open trucebreakers, rayſed a crew of men, & ſodenly tooke the town of S. Valerie ſtanding in Normandie, neare to the mouth of the Riuer of Somme, and an other army vnder the leading of Sir Ambroſe de Lore, waſted and deſtroyed al the country about Caen. The Duke of Bedforde not mynding to bee ydle on his part, ſent the Earle of Arundell, the Earle of Warwikes ſonne, the Lord Liſle Adam marſhall of Fraunce for king Henrie, and .xij.C. men of warre with ordinance and munitions to beſiege the towne of Laigny vpon the Riuer of Marne.Laigny beſieged. The Earle with ſhot of Canon brake the arche of the bridge, and got from the Frenche men theyr Bulwarke, and ſet it on fire. Diuerſe aſſaultes were attempted, but the towne was wel defended, for there were within it an .viij. hundred men of armes, beſide other meane ſouldiers.

The Duke of Bedforde hereof aduertiſed gathered an armie of ſixe thouſande men, whereof were Captaynes Robert Lorde Willoughbie, ſir Andrew Ogard Chamberlaine to the Duke, ſir Iohn Saluaine baylyf of Roan, ſir Iohn Montgomerie baylife of Caux, ſir Philip Hall baylife of Vernoille, ſir Richarde Ratcliffe Deputie of Calays, ſir Raufe Neuill, ſir Raufe Standiſh, ſir Iohn Hanforde, ſir Richarde Euthyn, ſir Richard Harington Baylife of Eureux, ſir William Fulthorpe, ſir Thomas Griffin of Ireland Dauie Hall, Tho. Stranguiſh, Leonard, [...] ſtone eſquiers, and Thomas Gerard.

The Duke of Bedforde furniſhed with this armie and companie of worthie Captaines come to the ſiege before Laigny, where he made a bridge of Boates, and brought his ordinaunce ſo neare the towns, that to all people it ſeemed not long able to reſiſt. But the Earle of Dunoys otherwiſe called the Baſtarde of Orleans, with diuers hardie Captaynes as valiauntly defraded as the Engliſh men aſſaulted. At length the Frenche King perceyuing thys Towne to bee the three corner Key betweene the territories Burgon[...], Engliſh and French, and the loſſe thereof ſhould turne him to irrecouerable domage, ſent the Lord of Rieux, Poyton, the Hyre, the Lord Gaw[...]nt and ſixe thouſande men, with great plentie of vptaile, to the intent eyther to rayſe the ſiege, or elſe to vytaile the towne.

The French men made a bragge as though they woulde haue aſſayled the Engliſh men in theyr campe, but when they perceyued the courage of the Lorde Regent, and the deſire whiche he had to fight, they framed themſelues ſo in order of battaile, as though they could do al things and yet in effect did nothing, but that whyleſt parte of them mainteyned a ſkyrmiſhe, a forte of rude and ruſticall perſons were appoynted to conuey into the towne thirtie Oxen, and other ſmall vytayle: but thys ſweete gayne was dearelye payed for, if the loſſe wyth the gayne bee pondered in equall Ballaunce: for hauing regarde to thirtie leane Oxen, in the ſkirmiſhe were ſlaine the Lorde Sayntreiles brother to that valiaunt Captayne Poyton de Sayntreylles, alſo Captayne Iohn brother to the Lord Gawcourt, and fiftie other noble and valiaunt perſonages.

The Frenchmen perceyuing they coulde not atchieue theyr entrepryce as then to theyr aduantage, conſidering not onely how the Engliſhmen were planted in a place not eaſie to be woon, and again the vnſpeakable heate which ſore trayuayled theyr people, being in the begynning of Auguſt, they remoued and went vnto Fort vnder Yerre, where by a bridge of tunnes they paſſed into the Iſle of Fraunce.

The Duke of Bedforde (like a wiſe Prince) not mynding to leaſe the more for the leſſe,An. reg. [...]. nor the accident for the ſubſtance, reyſed his ſiege & returned to Paris, nothing more minding than to trie his quarell with dint of ſworde againſt hys enimies, if they would thereto agree. And herevpon he ſent Bedford his Herauld to the L. Gawcourt and other captayns of the French army, offring them battail & a pitched field within a conuenient time, and where they would appoynt.

H[...]leThe French Captaynes anſwered the Engliſh Herault, that there was both tyme to gaine, and time to loſe, of the whiche they doubted not to eſpie the one, eyther to theyr greate gayne or apparant loſſe.

1433
The Caſtle of Roan likely to be taken by treaſon of the Captayne.Shortly after, Peers Audebeufe Coneſtable of the Caſtell of Roan, corrupted with money, ſuffred the Marſhall of Fraunce, with two hundred other, as perſons diſguiſed to enter the place by ſtealth, but they were ſoone eſpyed, and driuen to the dungeon, where they were conſtrayned to yeeld themſelues priſoners, of the whiche ſome were hanged, ſome headed, and ſome raunſomed, at the pleaſure of the Regent.

This pageant thus played and ended, the lord Regent ſent the Earle of Saint P[...]le, and Robert Lord Willoughbie, with a competent numbert of men to beſiege y^e towne of Saint Valerie whiche the Frenchmen a little [...]ore had taken. This ſiege continued the ſpace of three Weekes, at the ende whereof the Frenchmen within yeelded the towne and departed with theyr horſe and harneſſe onely ſaued. The Earle putte there in garniſon freſhe and valiaunt Souldiours, and appoynted Captayne there, Sir Iohn Aubemounde.

In the ſame towne (whether by infection of ayre, or by corrupt vitaile, which the towneſmen did eate) a great Peſtilence ſhortly after happened which conſumed within a ſmall time two partes of the people.

The Earle of Saint Paule, and the Lorde Willoughby returning back to the Regent, were ioyfully receyued, and within a while after, the Earle departed from Paris to laye ſiege to the Caſtell of Mouchas, but being encamped neare to y^e town of Blangy, he by a ſodain maladie departed this life, y^e laſt of Auguſt, leauing hys ſeigniories to Lewes de Lutzenburg his ſon & heyre.

Bycauſe this dead Earle was father in lawe to the Regent,An. reg. 12. ſolemne obſequies were kepte for him both in Paris and in London.

In the meane ſeaſon the French men entring into high Burgoigne, burnt tooke, and deſtroyed, diuerſe townes, wherevpon the Burgonions aſſēbled a great armie, both to reuēge their quarels, and to recouer theyr townes taken from them, to whome as to hys friendes the Duke of Bedforde ſente the Lorde Wylloughbie, and Sir Thomas Kiriell with a conuenient number of Souldiers, whiche entring into the landes of Laonnoys, were encountered with a greate power of theyr enimyes: But after long fyghte, the Frenche menne were ouerthrowne, and of them lefte deade in the fyelde an hundred and ſixtie Horſemen, beſyde priſoners, which after in a furie were all kylled and putte to deſtruction.

Whileſt theſe things happened thus in France,1434
The Lord Talbot fayleth into Fraunce. Iohn Lorde Talbot gathered togither a crewe of choſen men of warre in England, to the number of .viij. hundred, and ſayled into Normandie, and paſſed by Roan to Paris.

In this waye hee tooke the ſtrong Caſtell of Ioing betwene Beauuays and Gyſours, and cauſed all the Frenchmen within to bee taken and hanged, and after raſed and defaced the Caſtell.

After he had reſted himſelfe a whyle at Paris, and taken aduice with the Counſaile there, what way it ſhould be beſt for him to take, without prolonging tyme, he with the Lorde de Liſle Adam and others, departed from thence, hauing in theyr retinues .xvj. hundred men of war, and comming to the caſtell of Beaumont vpon Oyſe, wherof was captain ſir Amadour de Vignoilles brother to the Hire, they foūd it abādoned by thē y^t had it in keping, who were withdrawne to the towne of Creil, whither the Lorde Talbot followed them, and ſleaing in a ſkirmiſh the ſaid Amadour, he wan at length the ſayd Towne of Creil, & after the townes of Pont S. Maxence, Neufville in Eſmay, la Rouge Maiſon, Creſpy en Valoys, and Cleremont in Beauvoſis, & after with great ryches and good priſoners returned to Paris: neither had the Lorde Talbot ſuch good & proſperous ſucceſſe alone, but the Erle of Arundel alſo at the verie ſame ſeaſon tooke the Caſtell of Bomeline, and razed it to the grounde, and after got by force the caſtell of Dorle, and from thence came to S. Selerine, where the Lord Ambroſe de Lore, beeing Captayne, iſſued oute and fought with the Engliſh men ſo egerly, that hee droue them backe an arrowe ſhoote by fine force: but the Earle ſo encouraged his men, that they gaue a freſhe onſet vppon the French menne, and followed it ſo fiercely, that they ſlue a greate number of them, and droue the reſidue into the towne.

Loueits beſieged.After this victorie, he beſieged Louiers, wherof was Capitayne the Hyre and hys brother, which rendred the towne without aſſault.

Then the Earle aſſembling togither a greate armie, returned againe to Saint Selerine, and enuyroned the towne with a ſtrong ſiege. When hee had lyen there almoſt three monethes, euerye day attempting or doing ſomewhat, hee finally gaue ſo fierce an aſſault, that by force he entred the Towne, and ſlue Iohn Allemaigne, and Guilliam Saint Albine, the chiefe Captaynes, and eight hundred other men of warre. The children of le Seigneur de Lore were taken pryſoners. The Earle put newe men of warre into the towne, and made Captaine there Sir Iohn Cor[...]wall.

After this hee came before the ſtrong Towne of Sillye, and there pytched hys Campe. The Inhabitauntes diſmayed with the chaunce that had happened to them of Saint Selerine, deliuered to hym pledges, vppon thys condition, that if they were not reſkued wythin thirtie dayes next enſuing, then they (theyr lyues ſaued) ſhould render the towne into his poſſeſſion: which offer was receyued.

The French King being aduertiſed hereof by a poſt, appoynted (as ſome ſay) Arthure Earle of Richmont, (or as other wryte, Iohn Duke of Alanſon) with a great companie of men of warre to goe to the reſkue of this towne, but whether it was the Earle or the Duke, certaine it is at hys approching to the ſiege, he encamped himſelfe by a brooke ſide, ouer the whiche a man might haue ſtryden, and perceyueng how ſtrongly the Engliſhmen were encamped agaynſt him, he thought it not for his profit to gyue battayle, and ſo in the night ſeaſon cayſed and went his way wythoute further attempt.

When they within the towne knew that their ſuccours fayled, they rendred themſelues to the mercie of the Earle of Arundell, who gently receyued them, and leauing a garniſon in the town, departed to Mans, and in his way tooke the Caſtelles of Mellay and S. Laurence.

About this time the Lorde Willoughbie and ſir Thomas Kiriell, returning with great victorie oute of Burgoigne, paſſing by the towne of Louiers lately reduced to the Engliſh obeiſance, furniſhed it both with men and munition.

Amongſt ſo many good chaunces, ſome euill are accuſtomed to happen,An in[...] in Normandy or elſe the gayners woulde not knowe themſelues. And ſo at thys tyme it happened, that a great number of the common and ruſticall people in Normandye dwelling by the Sea coaſt, eyther prouoked by the Frenche King, or deſyrous of alteration and chaunge (which thing the commons much couet and deſire) made an inſurrection, put on harneis, and by force expulſed certaine Engliſhe garniſons oute of theyr holdes, publyſhing and proclayming openly, that theyr onelye purpoſe and intent was to expell and baniſhe the whole Engliſhe Nation out of theyr Countreys and Coutes. Wherefore it may euidently appeare, that the blacke Morian will ſooner chaunge hys colour, than the vniuerſall people bredde in France, will heartily loue or inwardly fauour an Engliſh borne childe.

Herevpon this vngracious people, forgetting theyr dutie and allegiance vnto theyr ſoueraigne Lorde and King, frantikely aſſembled themſelues togither, and with all ſpeede marched toward Caen, to the intent there both to encreaſe theyr number, and alſo to conſult what way they ſhuld follow in their new begun enterpriſe.

But the Dukes of Yorke and Sommerſet, whiche then were lying in Normandie, hauing perfect knowledge of all the doing of theſe rebel[...], immediately without delay ſent forth the Earle of Arundell, and the Lorde Willoughbye with ſixe thouſande Archers, and .xiij. C. light horſemen to ſtay and keepe them from making anye further progreſſe. The Earle of Arundell appoynted the Lorde Willoughbie, with two thouſande Archers, and a certaine number of Horſemen to goe afore hym, and to lie in a ſtale within ſome couert place. This done, the Earle followed, and encloſing the ragged multitude at the backe, droue them before him, as they hadde beene Deare into a Buckeſtale, and when the ignoraunt multitude approched nere to the place of the ſtale, the Earle made a token, and ſhotte a Gunne for a ſigne. Therewyth the Lorde Wylloughbie ſette on them before, and the Earle behynde, ſhooting ſo fiercely, that the daſtarde people, wounded and galled with the ſhot of arrowes, threwe away theyr harneſſe, deſiring nothing but death.

The Earle of Arundell mooued with compaſſion, cauſed his ſouldiers to ſtaye from further ſlaughter, & apprehending thoſe which he thought to be the leaders & chiefe ſtyrrers of the people, let the other returne home without any further domage: but yet ere the ſouldiers coulde bee brought backe vnder their ſtandarts, there were aboue a thouſand of the rebels ſlaine.

After this commotion was thus appeaſed, vpon inquirie had of the principall offenders, ſuch as were found guiltie were put to terrible executions as they had well deſerued.

During which rebellion, Peter Rokeforde, and his companie, gat by treaſon the Towne of Deepe, and dyuerſe other holdes thereto adioyning.

After the Earle of Arundell had obteyned ſo many conqueſtes, and notable victories (as partly ye haue hearde) hee attempted another, whiche was the laſt worke and finall labour of his lyuing dayes. For the Duke of Bedford being infourmed that his aduerſaryes hadde gotten the Towne of Rue, and therein putte a garniſon, whiche ſore vexed the Countreyes of Ponthieu, Arthois, and Bolennoys, ſent worde to the Erle that he without delay ſhuld beſiege y^e ſaid towne. The Erle obeying his commaundement aſſembled his people, and came to Gourney, where hee heard tell how there was a Caſtel neare to Beauays called Gerberoy, the which being fallen in decay, Charles the French King had appoynted ſir Stephen de Veignoilles, commonly called the Hyre, to repayre and newly to fortifie, bycauſe it ſtoode commodiouſly to ſerue as a countergarniſon agaynſt the Engliſh townes and fortreſſes on thoſe frontiers.

The Erle aduertiſed hereof, and perceyuing that this new building would be greatly preiudidiciall to the Engliſhe men, determined firſt to diſpoſſeſſe his enimies of that place, ſuppoſing to finde ſmall reſiſtaunce, but he was deceyued, for there was the ſayde Hyre, and a three thouſand men of warre with him. The Erle cōming thither, encamped himſelfe with fiue. C. horſemen in a little cloſe not farre from the Caſtell.

The Frenchmen perceyuing that the Earle and his horſes were wearie, and that his archers were not yet come, determined to ſet vpon him before the comming of his footemen, the which they knewe to be little more than a mile behinde. Wherefore for a policie, they ſet forth fiftie horſemen as though there had beene no mo within the Caſtell. The Erle perceyuing this, ſent forth ſir Randolfe Standiſh to encounter them, hauing with him an hundred horſes.

The Frenchmen tought couragiouſly a while, and ſodainly came out all the remnant, and ſlue ſir Randolfe Standiſh, and all his companie, and boldly ſet on the Erle and his hande, which manfully reſiſted the French men, till at length the Hyre cauſed three Culuerings to be ſhotte off amongſt the Engliſhmen, whereof one ſtrake the Earle on the ancle, and ſo brake his legge, that for payne he fell from his horſe. Then the French menne entered amongeſt the Engliſhenne, tooke the Earle lying on the grounde, wyth Sir Rycharde Wooduile, and ſixe ſcore moe, and there were ſlaine almoſte two hundred. The reſidue ſaued themſelues as well as they might.

The Earle was caryed to Beauays, where of his hurt he ſhortly dyed, and was buried in the Frier Minors.

He was a man of ſyngular vertue, conſtancy, and grauitie, whoſe death in ſo troublous a ſeaſon did ſore appall the heartes of the Engliſhe people.

Thus did mightie Mars oftentymes chaunge his variable countenaunce, ſo that one tyme the Engliſh menne got by aſſault, and yeelding dyuerſe ſtrong Townes, Caſtelles, and Pyles, and at another ſeaſon the Frenche people, ſomtime by bargaine, ſometyme by aſſault obteyned, the ſame againe, or other in their ſteede.

Aboute the Moneth of Iune in this twelfth yeare, Iohn Duke of Bourbon and Auuergne, taken priſoner at the battayle of Agineourt .xviij. yeares paſt (as before ye haue heard) nowe paying his raunſome, whiche was eightene thouſande pounde ſterling, was taken with a moſte ſore and grieuous Feuer, the which made an and of his lyfe in the Citie of London,The Duke of Bourbon dyeth at Londō. the ſame daye that was appoynted for his departure towarde Fraunce, whoſe corps was enterred in the gray Friers of the ſame Citie. So thus maye euerye creature ſee, howe man purpoſeth,Continuatio[...] Chro. of Flau. and God diſpoſeth.

This yeare alſo about the latter end of May▪ was an enteruiew appoynted to be had at Saint Omers betwixt the Dukes of Bedford & Burgoigne, for the qualifying of certaine diſpleaſures and grudges betwixt them kindled and mainteyned by ſome flattering taletellers, which feyning things of reproche touching highly theyr honors, bredde ſuche grudges, that all loue betwixte them ceaſſed, all affynitye was forgotten, and all olde familiaritie was drawned through diſdayne in the bottomleſſe caue of Obliuyon. Suche a peſtilent breathe hath flatterye, and ſuche myſchiefe enſueth of Princes lyght credence.

Theſe two Dukes being come to the towne of S. Omers, the duke of Bedford being Regent of France, and ſonne, brother, and vncle to kings, thought that the Duke of Burgoigne ſhoulde haue come and viſited him in hys lodging.

The Duke of Burgoigne on the other parte, being Lorde and ſoueraigne of the Towne, iudged it not meete to goe to hym where hee was lodged, but was content by intreatie of friendes to meete him in a place indifferente betweene both theyr lodgings, which offer was not accepted, and ſo both parties departed diſcontent, and neuer after ſawe nor communed togither.

Thus by the prowde diſdeyne and enuious diſcorde of theſe two highe ſtomacked Princes, Bedforde not mynding to haue any Peere, and Burgoigne not willing to abyde any ſuperiour, ſhortly after Englande loſte, and Burgoigne gayned not long, as by the ſequele maye appeare.

An. reg. 13. The Baſtarde of Orleans called the Earle of Dunoys, the Lorde Rochforde Marſhall of Fraunce, with other, in the beginning of thys thirtenth yeare, tooke the Towne of Saint Denys by treaſon, ſkyrmiſhed with them of Paris, and leauing behynde them a great garniſon, tooke the Towne of Howdone, and Pont S. Maxence by compoſition.

And at the ſame tyme was the towne of Pont Meulan taken by the ſodaine ſealing of two fyſhermen which entred vp at a cōmon priuie ſtanding in the wall.

Thus as yee maye perceyue, the warre was continually purſued betwixte theſe two mightye Nations, Engliſhe and Frenche, within the Realme of Fraunce, beeing as it were the lyſtes within the which they had appoynted to trye the game, ſo that no Countrey in the worlde was thought more miſerable than the ſame. And though the poore people and Inhabitantes of the good Townes and Villages, ſuſteyned moſt loſſe in theyr ſubſtaunce,The fruites of warre. yet the menne of warre oftentymes payed deare for theyr chieuance, being dayly ſlaine, wounded, and taken priſoners, and that on both partes, as the chaunce of warre accuſtomably falleth out.

At length when ſacietie of ſlaughter, aboundaunce of murders, remembraunce of loſſe of goodes and expences had ſomewhat ſoftened the ſtonie bea[...]tes of theſe loftie ſtomacked people, ſo that eyther parte was deſirous of peace, yet the one diſdained openly to offer it, and the other priuately to receyue it.

The crye and noyſe of this deteſtable warre was blaſted throughe Chriſtendome, but ſpecially the bruyte thereof was greate at Baſile, where the generall Councell was as then holden, the Emperour Albert, and all the Princes of Chriſtendome beeing preſent there, eyther in perſone or by theyr procuratours, for the abholiſhing of the Sciſme that then continued in the Churche of Rome for this indubitate Pope.

Wherefore the Emperour and the temporall Princes,1435 ſuppoſing the exhortation of ſpirituall Fathers ſhoulde muche profite to the quieting of the ſtryfe betwixt the Realmes of England and Fraunce, deſyred Eugenie then Pope, to bee a mediatour betwixt them.

And one thing put them in good hope of ſome good concluſion, bycauſe the Duke of Bourgoigne was wylling (ſo that it were not of hys owne ſuyte) to returne & reconcile himſelfe, with the French King his mortall enimie and auncient aduerſarie.

Herevpon by authoritie of this generall Councell, two diſcrete perſons,A ſolempe treatie of peace [...] Arras. the Cardinals of the holy Croſſe, and Cypres, came to the towne of Arras in Arthoys, whither were ſent from the King of Englande, Henrie Beauforde Cardinal of Wincheſter, Henrie Archbiſhop of Yorke, William de la Poole Earle of Suffolke, and Iohn Hollande Earle of Huntingdon, with dyuerſe other Knights and Eſquiers. And for the French king were there preſent Charles Duke of Bourbon, Lewes Earle of Vandoſme, Arthure of Brytayne Coneſtable of Fraunce, the Archbiſhop of Reimes, and ſir Philip Harecourt.

The duke of Burgoigne was there in proper perſon, accompanied with the duke of Guelders, and the Erles of Eſtampes, Lygny, S. Paule, Vandemont, Neures, and Daniel ſonne to the Prince of Orange, with a great gard and a gallant companie.

Vpon the day of the firſt ſeſſion, the Cardinal of S. Croſſe, declared to the three parties the innumerable miſchiefes, that had followed to the whole ſtate of the chriſten cōmon welth by theyr continual diſſention and dayly diſcord, exhorting them for the honour of God, and for the loue which they ought to beare towards the aduancement of his fayth and true religion, to conforme themſelues to reaſon, and to lay aſide all rancor, malice & diſpleaſure, ſo that in concluding a godly peace, they might receyue profit and quietneſſe here in this worlde, and of God an euerlaſting rewarde in heauen.

After this admonition thus to them giuen, & after diuerſe dayes of communication, euery part brought in their demaunds, which were moſt cō trarie, and farre from any likelyhood of comming to a good concluſion.

The Engliſhmen required that K. Charles ſhould haue nothing but what it pleaſed the king of England, & that not as dutie, but as a benefite by him of his mere liberalitie giuen and diſtributed. The Frenchmen on the other part woulde that king Charles ſhoulde haue the Kingdome frankly and freely, and that the king of England ſhoulde leaue the name, armes and tytle of the King of Fraunce, and to bee contente with the Dukedomes of Aquitaine and Normandie, and to forſake Paris, and all the townes whiche they poſſeſſed in France, betwene the ryuers of Some and Loyr, being no percel of the Duchie of Normandie. To bee briefe, the pride of the one part, and the ambition of the other, hindered concorde, peace, and quietneſſe.

The Cardinals ſeeing them ſo farre in ſunder, mynded not to diſpute theyr tytles, but offred them reaſonable conditions of truce and peace for a ſeaſon, which notwithſtanding either of frowardneſſe, or of diſdeyne vpon both partes, were openly refuſed. Inſomuch that the Engliſhmen in great diſpleaſure, departed to Calays, and ſo into England.

One Writer affyrmeth, that they being warned of a ſecrete conſpiracie moued agaynſt them, ſodainly departed frō Arras, and ſo returned into their Countrey.

Whiles this treatie of peace was in hande, the Lorde Talbot, the Lorde Willoughbie, the Lorde Scales, with the Lorde Liſle Adam, and fiue thouſande men of warre, beſieged the towne of Saint Denys with a ſtrong hand. The Erle of Dunoys hearing thereof, accompanied wyth the Lorde Lohac, and the Lorde Bueill, wyth a great companie of horſemen haſted thitherwards to rayſe the ſiege, and by the waye encountred with ſir Thomas Kiriell, and Mathew Gough, ryding alſo towarde Saint Denys, betweene whom was a great conflict, and many ſlaine on both partes, but ſodainly came to the ayde of the Frenchmē, the garniſon of Pont Meulan, which cauſed the Engliſhmen to returne withoute any greate harme or domage, ſauing that Mathewe Gough by foundering of his horſe was taken, and caryed to Pont Meulan.

Saint Deniſe taken by the Engliſhemen.In the meane time was the towne of Saint Deniſe rendred to the Engliſhmen, the which razed the walles & fortifications, ſauing the walles of the Abbey, and of the tower called Venin.

Shortly after the towne of Pontoyſe, where ſir Iohn Ruppelley was captaine, rebelled, and by force the Engliſhe menne were expulſed, the Inhabitantes yeelding themſelues to the French King. This towne was ſmall, but the loſſe was greate, bycauſe it was the Key that opened the paſſage betwixt the Cities of Paris and Roan.

But nowe to returne to the communication at Arras, which after the departure of the Engliſh Commiſſioners held betwixt the Frenchmen and Burgonians, till at length a peace was concluded, accorded, and ſworne betwixt K Charles and Duke Philippe of Burgoine, vpon certaine cōditions, as in the French hyſtories more plainly appeareth.

After that the ſame peace was agreed, the duke of Burgoigne, to ſet a vayle before the King of Englandes eyes, ſent Thoiſon Dore his King at Armes to King Henrie with letters, excuſing the matter by way of information, that hee was conſtrayned to enter into this league with King Charles, by the dayly outcryes, complaintes, and lamentations of his people, alledging agaynſte hym that hee was the onelye cauſe of the long continuance of the warres, to the vtter empoueriſhing of his owne people, and of the whole nation of Fraunce: Therefore ſith hee coulde not otherwiſe doe, but partlye to content his owne people, and chiefely to ſatiſfie the requeſt of the whole generall counſayle, was in maner compelled for his part to growe to a peace and amitie wyth King Charles: he likewyſe wiſhed that King Henrie vppon reaſonable and honeſt conditions of agreement offered, ſhould in no wyſe refuſe the ſame, whereby the long continued warre at length myght ceaſſe and take ende, to the pleaſure of almightye God, whiche is the Authour of peace and vnitie: and hereto hee promyſed hym his ayde and furtherance, wyth many fayre and pleaſant flattering words, which I paſſe ouer.

The ſuperſcription of this letter was thus.

To the high and mightie prince, Henrie by the grace of God King of Englande, his welbeloued couſin.

Neither naming him king of Fraunce, nor his ſoueraigne Lorde, according as (euer before that time) he was accuſtomed to do.

This Letter was much marueyled at, of the Counſayle, after they had throughly conſidered and pondered all and ſingular the contentes therof, and as reaſon moued them, they could not but be muche diſquieted therewith, ſo farre forth that dyuerſe of them ſtomaked ſo muche the vntruth of the Duke, that they coulde not temper theyr paſſions, nor brydle their tongues, but openly called him traytor.

But when the rumor of the Dukes reuolting was publiſhed amōgſt the people, they left words and fell to beſtowing of ſtrypes: for being pricked with this euill tidings, they ranne in great outrage vppon all the Flemings, Hollanders, and Burgonions which thē inhabited within y^e Citie of London, and the Suburbes of the ſame, and ſlue and hurt a great nūber of them before they, by the kings proclamation, coulde be ſtayed from ſuch iniurious doing, for the king nothing more mynded than to ſaue innocent bloud, and to defend them that had not offended.

The officer at armes was willed to tell hys maiſter, that it ſtoode not with his honor to bee enimye to the Engliſhe Nation, and that his dutie was (all things conſidered) to keepe hys auncient truth and olde allegiance, rather than to bee the occaſion of newe warre. And further it was not the point of a wiſe man to leaue the certaine for the vncertaine, and truſt vpon the vnſtedfaſt holde of a newe reconciled enimie.

When the Meſſenger with thys aunſwere was diſpatched and ſent awaye, the King of Englande and his Counſayle purpoſed to worke the Duke of Burgoigne ſome diſpleaſure, and therevpon by rewardes, corrupted certaine rulers of Cityes and Townes within his Dominions to moue ſome rebellion agaynſt hym, which indeede ſore troubled the Dukes wittes and a great while diſquieted his minde by their diſobedyent conſpiracie.

An. reg. 14. The death of the Duke of Bedford Regent of France.This yeare the .xiiij. day of September dyed Iohn Duke of Bedforde Regent of Fraunce, a man as politike in peace, as hardie in warre, and yet no more hardie than mercifull, when hee had the victorie, whoſe bodie was with all funerall pompe, and ſolemne Exequies buryed in the Cathedral Church of our Lady in Rouen, on the North ſyde of the highe Aulter, vnder a ſumptuous and coſtlye monument, whiche Tombe when King Lewis the eleuenth by certayne vndiſcreete perſones was counſayled to deface, affyrming that it was a greate dyſhonour, both to the King and to the Realme, to ſee the enimye of hys father and theyrs to haue ſo ſolemne and riche memoriall:A worthy ſaying of a wiſe Prince. He aunſwered ſaying, what honour ſhall it bee to vs, or to you, to breake this monument, and to pull out of the grounde the deade bones of him, whome in hys lyfe tyme neyther my father nor your progenitours, wyth all theyr power, puiſſaunce, and friendes were once able to make flee one foote backewarde, but by hys ſtrength, wytte, and policie, kept them all oute of the principall Dominions of the Realme of Fraunce, and out of thys Noble and famous Duchie of Normandie: Wherefore I ſay, fyrſt, God haue his ſoule, and let hys bodie nowe lye in reſt, whiche when hee was alyue, woulde haue diſquieted the prowdeſt of vs all: and as for the Tombe, I aſſure you, is not ſo decent nor conuenient, as his honour and actes deſerued, although it were much rycher, and more beautifull.

The froſt was ſo extreme thys yeare begynning about y^e .xxv. daye of Nouember,Great froſt. and continuing tyll the tenth of Februarie, that the Shippes wyth Marchandice arryuing at the Thames mouth, coulde not come vppe the Riuer, by reaſon it was ſo frozen, and ſo their lading being there diſcharged, was brought to the Citie by lande.

After the death of that Noble Prince the Duke of Bedforde, the bright Sunne that in Fraunce commonly ſhone moſte fayre and beautyfull vppon the Engliſhe menne, beganne to be clowdie, and daylye to waxe more darke, for the Frenchmenne beganne not onely to wythdrawe theyr obedyence whiche they had by oth promyſed to the King of England, but alſo tooke ſword in hande and openly defyed the Engliſhmenne: but yet coulde not all theſe miſhappes any thing abaſhe the valiaunt courages of the Engliſhe people: for they hauing no myſtruſt in God and good fortune, ſette vppe a newe ſayle,The Duke of Yorke made Regent of France. beganne the warre agayne afreſhe, and appoynted for Regent in Fraunce, Richard Duke of Yorke, ſonne to Richard Erle of Cambridge.

Although the Duke of Yorke was worthye both for byrth and courage of this honor and preferment, yet hee was ſo diſdeyned of Edmonde Duke of Sommerſet being couſin to the King, that by all meanes poſſible hee ſought hys hynderaunce, as one glad of hys loſſe, and ſorye of his well doing: by reaſon whereof, ere the Duke of Yorke coulde gette hys diſpatche, he was conſtrayned to lynger, tyll Paris and dyuerſe other of the chiefeſt places in Fraunce were gotten by the French king.

The Duke of Yorke perceyuing his euil wil, openly diſſembled that, which he inwardly mynded, and thus eyther of them wrought things to the others diſpleaſure, till through canered malice, and peſtiferous diuiſion, continuing in the heartes of theſe two Princes, at length by mortall warre they were both conſumed, wyth almoſt all theyr whole lynes and offſprings.

The Normans of the Countrey of Caux, beeyng heartened by the death of the Duke of Bedforde, beganne a new rebellion, fiue diuerſe Engliſhmen, robbed many Townes that were vnder y^e Engliſh obeyſaunce, and tooke the towne of Herflew by aſſault, and dyuerſe other townes. But the Lorde Regent beeing aduertiſed, ſente forth the Lorde Scales, ſir Thomas Kiriel, and the Lorde Hoo, whiche ſo afflicted thoſe rebels of Caux, y^t they ſlue aboue .v.M. perſōs, & burnt all the Townes and villages in the Countrey, not being walled, ſo that in that parte, was neyther habitation nor tillage, for all the people fled into Britaine, and all the beaſts of the Countrey were broughte to Caudebecke, where a good ſheepe was ſolde for an Engliſh peny, & a Cow for twelue pence. Dayly was ſkirmiſhing and fighting in euery part, in ſo much, that the Lord Scales diſcomfited at the Rye beſide Roan, the Hire, and fifteene hundred valiant Frenchmen, of the whiche, aboue three hundred, were taken priſoners, beſide ſeauen goodly faire courſers.

Amongſt other of the priſoners, were ſir Richard Reignold de Fountaynes, ſir Alayne Gerond, Alayn de Monſay, and Geoffrey Grame, capitayne of the Scottes. But yet this victorie and others the lyke, ſtayed not the Frenchemen from working treaſon dayly, in ſomuche, that diuers townes turned to the part of K. Charles, and ſome were taken by practiſe, as Dieppe, Boys de Vincennes, and other.

Heere is one chiefe pointe to be noted, that eyther the diſdeyne among the chiefe peeres of the realme of England (as ye haue heard) or the negligence of the Kings counſell (whiche did not foreſee daungers to come) was the loſſe of the whole dominion of France, betweene the ryuers of Soane and Marne, and in eſpeciall, of y^e noble Citie of Paris. For where before, there were ſent ouer thouſands for defence of the holdes and fortreſſes, now were ſent hundreds, yea and ſcores, ſome raſcalles, and ſome not able to drawe a bowe, or carrie a bill: for the Lord Willoughby, and the Biſhop of Terrouanne, whiche had the gouernaunce of the great Citie of Paris,1436 had in their company, not two thouſand Engliſhmen, which weakeneſſe, King Charles wel perceiued, and therefore he appointed the Conneſtable, Arthur of Britaigne, the Earle of Dunoys, the Lords de la Roche, and Liſle Adam, with other valiant Captaines and men of warre, as well Burgonions as Frenche, to goe before Paris, truſting by fauoure of certaine Citizens, with whome he had intelligence, ſhortly to bee Lorde of the Citie, without great loſſe or battell. So theſe Captaines came before the Citie of Paris but perceiuing y^t all things ſucceeded not, according to their expectatiō, they returned to Mont Martir, and the next day, ſuddainely ſet on the Towne of Saint Denis, and conſtreyned the Engliſhmen that kept it, to flee into the Abbey, and into the tower Venin.

In this conflict, two hundred Engliſhmen were ſlayne, and the reſidue vppon a reaſonable compoſition, rendred vp the place, and departed to Paris.

Thomas Lorde Beaumonte, whiche of late was come to Paris with eight hundred men, iſſued foorth of the citie with .vj.C. ſouldiors only intending to view the doings and number of the Frenche armie, but he was ſodeynly eſpyed and compaſſed aboute, ſo that within a ſmall ſpace he was diſcomfited and taken, and wyth him .lxxx. priſoners, beſide .ij.C. which wer ſlain in y^e field, & the remnant chaſed to the very gates of the citie. The Pariſians, & eſpecially y^e maſter of y^e Halles, and ſome of the Vniuerſitie, & Michael Lallier, and many notable burgeſſes of the Citie (which euer with an Engliſhe countenāce couered a French heart) perceiuing the weaknes of the Engliſhmen, and the force of the Frenchmen, ſignified to the Frenche Capitaynes their myndes and intentes, willing them with all diligence to come, that they myght receyue ſo riche a pray to them without any difficultie, ready to be giuen and deliuered into their handes.

The Conſtable delaying no time, came with his power, and lodged by the Charter houſe, and the Lord Liſle Adam, approching to the walles, ſhewed to the Citizens a Charter, ſealed with the great ſeale of King Charles, by the whiche he had pardoned them their offences, and graunted to them all their olde liberties,The treaſon of the Pariſians. and auntient priuiledges, ſo that they would heereafter be to him true and obedyente: whiche thing to them declared, they ranne aboute the towne, crying Saynt Denis, liue King Charles. The Engliſhmen perceyuing this, determined to keepe the gate S. Denis, but they were deceiued, for the cheynes were drawen in euery ſtreete, and women and children caſt downe ſtones & ſcalding water on the Engliſhmens heads, and the Citizens in armour fought with them, and chaſed them from ſtreete to ſtreete, and from lane to lane, and ſlew and hurt diuers and many of them. The Biſhop of Tyrwine, Chancellor there for King Henry, the Lord Willoughby, and Sir Simon Moruiher, tooke great payne to appeaſe the people, but when they ſaw that all auailed not, they withdrewe into the Baſtell of Saint Anthony, whiche fortreſſe, they had well vittailed, and furniſhed with men and munitions.

Whileſt this rumor was in the Towne, the Earle of Dunois, and other, ſcaled the walles, and ſome paſſed the riuer by boates, and opened the gate of Saint Iames,Paris yelded to the frenche King. by the which, y^e Conneſtable, with his banner diſplayde, entred, at whoſe entrie, the Pariſians made great ioy. The Byſhop and the Lord Willoughby, with theyr ſmall companye, defended their fortreſſe tenne dayes looking for ayde, but when they ſaw that no comfort appeared, they yeelded their fortreſſe, ſo that they and theirs, with certaine baggage, might peaceablye returne to Roan.

Thus was the Citie of Paris broughte into the poſſeſſion of Charles the French King, thorough the vntrue demeanor of the Citizens, the which contrarie to their othes, and promiſed allegiance, like wauering and inconſtant mynded people, reuolted from the Engliſhmē, when they ſawe them at the weakeſt.

After this glorious gayne, the Frenchmen beſieged the towne of Crayle vpon Oyſe, wherof Sir William Chamberlaine was Captaine, the which with fiue hundred Engliſhmen, iſſued out of the Towne, and after long fight, diſcomfited his enimies, and ſlew two hundred, & tooke a greate number priſoners: the remnant not lyking the market, departed to Compeigne, and other townes adioyning. During whiche ſeaſon, twelue Burgeſſes of the Towne of Giſors ſold it for money, vnto Poyton de Xantrailes, but be had not the Caſtell deliuered, and therefore with all his power, he beſieged the ſame, whereof, the Lord Talbot being aduertiſed, ſent for the lord Scales, and they both with eighteene hundred men, reſcued the Caſtell, tooke the Towne, and diſcomfited their enimies, and ſlewe of them aboue four hundred perſons. Nowe according to the olde prouerbe (when the ſteede is ſtollen, ſhut the ſtable dore) the Duke of Yorke appointed at the laſt Parliament, to be regent of Fraunce (after that Paris, Saint Denis, Saint Germaines in Lay, and diuers other Townes in Fraunce were taken and betrayed for lacke of conuenient ſuccours) was ſente ouer into Normandie with eight thouſande men, and in his company, the Earles of Saliſburie, and Suffolke, and the Lord Fawconbridge, and dyuers other valiante Captaynes.

When he was landed, the Earle of Saliſburie beſieged the Caſtell of Chamboys, whyche ſhortly was to him rendred.

Then the Duke remoued to Roan, where hee ſet good orders, and did great iuſtice in the countrey, wherefore the Normans in theyr Chronicle, highly extoll him for that point. Howbeit, they ſay, that he gate by long ſiege, the Towne and Abbey of Fecamp, and did none other notable acte, during the time of his rule and gouernement.

In this fourtenth yeare, the Duke of Burgoigne determined by the aduice of his counſell,The Duke of Burgoyne prepareth an army againſt Calaya. to attempte the winning of Calais. The prouiſion was wonderous great which was made for the atchieuing of this enterpriſe: whereof, Sir Iohn Ratclife, deputie of the Towne of Calais, hauing perfect intelligence, aduertiſed king Henrye, and his counſell, whiche incontinently ſente thither the Earle of Mortaigne, ſonne to the Duke of Somerſet, and the Lord Cameys, with fifteene hundred men, and greate foyſon of vittailes, whiche iſſued out of Calais, and came before Grauelin, where they were encountred with a great number of Flemings, whych were ſhortly diſcomfited, and four hundred of them ſlaine, and ſixe ſcore taken priſoners. And within two dayes after, the Engliſhmen draue by fine force, the Lords of Warren and Bado, to the barriers of Ard, and diſcomfited their companie, to the number of fifteene hundred, and ſlewe ſeauen valiant Captaynes, & tooke many Gētlemen priſoners.

The Duke of Burgoigne remayning ſtil in his former purpoſe, aſſembled togither, of Flemings, Picards, Hollanders, and Henneweyes, a great army, to the number of fortie thouſand, ſo well armed, ſo well vittailed, ſo well furniſhed with ordinaunce, and ſo well garniſhed in all things, that they thought in their harts, and blaſted amongſt themſelues, that the Caliſians woulde leaue their towne deſolate, and flee for their ſafegard, hearing onely of the Dukes approch: but they reconed before their hoſt, and ſo payde more than the ſhot came to.

When this mightie army was paſt the water of Graueline, the Duke intending to begin his great conqueſt, aſſaulted the little poore Caſtell of Oye, which hauing in it but fiftie ſouldiers, of the which, twelue ſolde their liues deerely, the remnant compelled by neceſſitie, yeelded themſelues to the dukes mercie, which to pleaſe the Gantoyſe, beeing of number moſt puiſſante in all the armye, liberally gaue to them, both the Caſtel, and priſoners, the which rude and beaſtly people, nothing expert in the lawes of armes, not only raſed the Caſtell, but alſo hanged nine and twentie of the captiues, and hadde ſo done with the reſidue, if the Duke, diſdeyning theyr crueltie, had not intreated for the reſt.

After this victorie, the Picardes beſieged the Caſtell of Marke, and gaue three aſſaultes to it. The Engliſhmen within, being in number two hundred, and ſixe, vnder the gouernemente of their Captayne Sir Iohn Gedding, valiauntly defended the place, till at length, deſpairing of ſuccours, they yeelded themſelues, their liues and limmes ſaued. The Caſtel of Marke being thus deliuered, was raſed to the ground.

After this, the Duke of Burgoigne, accompanyed with the Duke of Cleues, the Earle of Eſtampes, the Lords of Dantoing, Croy, Criſquy, Humiers, and many other valiant Barons and Knightes, with his great army,Caleys beſieged by the duke of Burgoigne. came before the towne of Calais, and placed his ſiege about the ſame, moſt to his aduantage: hee gaue three aſſaultes to the Towne, but his people gayned nothing at the ſame, ſo that they were conſtreyned to abſteyne, from further approching to the walles.

At the firſt aſſault, the Hyre which was come to ſee the Duke of Burgoigne, was ſore wounded and hurte.

Beſide this, one thing troubled the Dukes eyes, bycauſe that at euery tyde, Shippes arriued in the Hauen out of England, openly before his face, laden with vittailes, munitions and men.

The Duke one day roade about to view and behold the ſituation of the towne, to the intente to take his moſt aduantage, eyther by aſſaulte or otherwiſe: hee was quickly eſpyed, and with the ſhotte of a canon, a Trumpetter, which rode next before him, and three horſſes in his companie were ſlayne out of hand.

The Lorde of Croy, and a conuenient number with him, was appoynted to beſiege the Caſtell of Guiſnes, where he gote little profite, and did leſſe harme. Moreouer, for y^e better aduācing of his enterprice, the Duke minded to ſtoppe vp the Hauē, ſo that no ſuccours ſhould enter there. Heerevpon, he cauſed foure greate Hulkes to bee fraught with great ſquare ſtones, cimented and ioyned togither with leade, to the intente they ſhoulde lie ſtill lyke a Mount, and not to ſeuer in ſunder. Theſe Shippes, with the reſidue of the Dukes nauie, were conueyd into the mouth of Calais Hauen, and at a full Sea, by craft and policie, were ſonke downe to y^e ground, but whether God woulde not that the Hauen ſhoulde be deſtroyed, eyther the conueyghers of the Hulkes knewe not the very channel, theſe foure greate Shippes, at the low water, lay openly vppon the ſands, without hurting the roade or Channell, whiche when the ſoldiers perceyued, they iſſued out of the towne, brake the Shippes, and caried both the ſtones, and timber into the Towne.

Another deuice yet was accompliſhed by the Duke, whiche was the building of a ſtrong baſtell, ſet on a little Mountayne, furniſhed with foure hundred men, and much artillerie, whyche fortreſſe did impeach the Engliſhmen from iſſuing forth of the Towne, to their high diſpleaſure.

Whiles theſe things were adding, there arriued in the Dukes armie an Herrault of England, called Penbroke, belonging to the Duke of Glouceſter, which declared to the Duke of Burgoigne, that the protector of Englande his maiſter (if God woulde ſend him wind and weather) woulde giue battell to him, and to his whole puiſſance, either there, or in any other place within his owne Countrey, where he would appoynte, but the daye he could not aſſigne, bycauſe of the inconſtancie of the winde. The Duke (lyke a noble man) aunſwered the Herrault, Sir, ſay to your maiſter, that his requeſt is both honorable, and reaſonable: howbeeit, hee ſhall not neede to take the paines to ſeeke me in mine owne countrey, for (God willing) he ſhall finde me here, till I haue my will of the Towne, readye to abyde hym, and all the power he can make.

After the Herrault had receyued this anſwer, hee was highly feaſted, and had a cuppe, and an hundred guildens to him giuen in rewarde, and ſo he returned to Calaice.

After whoſe departure, the Duke called a Counſell in the chiefe pauilion of the Gantois, about this meſſage of the Engliſhe Herrault, where it was determined with greate courage, that they would abide the battell, if the Duke of Glouceſter came to offer it.

Whileſt this great matter was in conſultation, the Caliſians not wel contented with y^e baſtill which the Duke hadde newly builded, iſſued out of the Towne in greate number, parte on horſebacke and part on foote.

The footemen ranne to aſſault the baſtill, and the horſemen went betweene the army, and the aſſailantes to ſtoppe the ayde and ſuccours that might come.

Vppon the ſounding of the alarme, the Duke himſelfe in perſon was comming on foote, to relieue his men, but beeing kepte backe a ſpace by the Engliſh horſemen, in that delay of time, the baſtill was wonne by fine force, and eyght ſcore perſons of thoſe that kept it ſlayne, beſide the reſidue whiche were taken priſoners, and ledde to Calaice, with all the ordinance and artillerie, to the high diſpleaſure of the Duke, and hys counſayle.

The nexte day after, there ſprang a rumor in the armye (no man could tell how) that y^e Duke of Glouceſter with a great puiſſance was alreadie embarqued, and woulde arriue at the nexte tide. What was the very cauſe, I cannot truely write, but ſurely the ſame nyghte, the Duke fledde away, and ſente in all haſt to the Lorde of Croy,The Duke of Burgoigne breaketh vp the ſiege before Calais, and fleeth. to reyſe his ſiege before Euiſnes, whyche tidings were to him very ioyous, for he neither got nor ſaued, ſo theſe two Captaines departed, leauing behynd thē, both ordinance, vittailes, & great riches.

The French writers to ſaue the honor of the Duke of Burgoigne ſaye, that there was a certaine diſcord & comotion amōgſt the Flemings & Duche nation, affirming, that the great lords and the Picards whom y^e frenchmē greatly extolle) woulde betray and ſell the Flemings, and their frendes, & that for the ſame cauſe, in a great furie they cried, home, home, and would not tarrie for anye requeſt that the Duke coulde make, and ſo by their miſgouernaunce, the Duke was enforced to reyſe his ſiege, and to depart.

The Flemmiſh authors affirme the contrarie, ſaying, that they were readie to abide y^e comming of the Duke of Glouceſter: but the Duke of Burgoigne fearing to be entrapped betweene the Engliſhe armye without, and the garriſon within the Towne of Calaice, fled away in the nighte, giuing to them no warning thereof before, ſo that for lacke of time, and conueniente ſpace to lade and carrie their ſtuffe, and beeyng commaunded vpō the ſuddaine, to diſlodge with all ſpeede, they left behinde them their vittailes, tents, and other things, to their greate loſſe and detriment. Howſoeuer the matter was, the froth is, that he fled the ſix and twentith day of Iuly, in the nighte, and the next day in the morning, the Duke of Glouceſter landed in Calaice hauen, and ſtreight went into the camp, where hys enimies the night before were lodged, and there he founde manye faire peeces of ordinance, and eſpecially, one called Dygeon, ſo named, after the chiefe Towne of Burgoigne, beſide pauilions, wine, beere, meale, and innumerable vittell.

The Duke of Glouceſter, ſeing his enimies reculed, hauing in his company fiue and twentie thouſand men, entred into Flanders,The Duke of Glouceſter ſpoileth Flanders. burning houſes, killing ſuch as made reſiſtāce, deſtroying the Countrey on euery parte, ſetting fire in the Townes of Poperinch, Bailleul, and other.

Alſo, they waſted the ſuburbes of diuers cloſed Townes, and after paſſed by Neweaſtell, Rimeſture, and Valon Chapell, and then entring into Arthois, they came to Arques and Blandeſques, ſetting fire in euery part wher they came.

Thus they paſſed by Saint Omers, and finally by Arde, returned to Guiſnes, and ſo to Calaice at ſixe weekes ende, with greate booties of Cattell, and other riches.

In all this their iourney, they had but ſmall ſtore of bread, whiche cauſed much faintneſſe, and diuers diſeaſes in the armie, whereof a greater number dyed, than did of the enimies ſworde: and yet the Flemings write,Earland. that they of Bruges diſtreſſed, to the nūber of two M. Engliſhmen in this iourney howbeit,Engue[...]t. the french writers affirme, that the Engliſhmen loſt moe of theyr company in the marches about Arde, than they did in all other places where they had bin before, hauing paſſed through the parties of Flaunders, without encounter, or anye domage done to thē by the enimies.

After that the Duke of Glouceſter was returned into Englād, he was aduertiſed, that Iames King of Scottes hadde beſieged the Caſtell of Rockeſbourrough, with thirtie thouſand menne, but the Captayne therof, Sir Raufe Grey, defended it ſo manfully, for the ſpace of twentie dayes, that King Iames being then aduertiſed, that the Earle of Northumberlande was comming to fight with him, fledde, with no leſſe loſſe than diſhonor, home to his towne of Edenburgh.

An. reg. 15. Shortly after that the Duke of Burgoigne had bin before Calais, as in the laſt yere is mentioned, by meane of friendes, and at the deſire of Princes, a truce or abſtinence of warre for a time was moued, betweene the King of Englande, and the ſaid Duke, for the whiche cauſe, were ſente to Graueline for the King of Englande, Henry Beauford, Cardinall of Wincheſter, Iohn Lorde Moumbray Duke of Northfolke, Humfrey Earle of Stafforde, and dyuers other, well learned, and honorable perſonages. And for the Duke of Burgoigne, there appeared the Ducheſſe his wife, the Byſhop of Arras, the Lord of Croy, and diuers other.

A truce taken betweene the king of England and the ducheſſe of Burgoigne.At this treatie, a truce was taken for a ſmall time, and for a leſſe ſpace obſerued, which abſtinence of warre was concluded, betweene the King of Englande, and the Ducheſſe of Burgoigne (enterleſſing the Duke, and his name.)

Some thinke, that the King of Englande woulde neuer enter in league with him, bycauſe he had broken his promiſe, oth, and writing, ſealed to him, and to his father.

Other imagined this to bee done of a cautell, to caſt a miſt before the Frenche Kings eyes, to the intent hee ſhould beleeue, that this feate was wroughte by the Ducheſſe, without aſſente or knowledge of the Duke or his counſell.

Thus may yee ſee, that Princes ſometyme, with ſuche vayne gloſes, and ſcornefull expoſitions, will hide theyr doyngs, and cloke their purpoſes, to the intent, they woulde not eyther be eſpyed, or elſe that they maye plucke their heads out of the coller, at their pleaſure.

1437About this ſeaſon, Queene Catherin mother to the king of England, departed out of this life, and was buried by hir huſband in the minſter of Weſtminſter.

Catherin mother to Kyng Henry, maried Owen Ten [...].This woman, after the death of kyng Henry the fifth hir huſband, beyng yong and luſtie, following more hir owne wanton appetite than friendly counſel, and regarding more priuate affection than hir princelyke honour, tooke to huſband priuily a goodly Gentleman, and a ryght beautyfull perſon, endued with manye goodlye giftes bothe of nature and grace, called Owen Tenther, a man deſcended and come of the noble lynage and auncient lyne of Cadwallader laſt king of the Britons, by whom ſhe conceyued and brought forth three goodly ſonnes, Edmund, Iaſper, & an other, which was a Monke in Weſtminſter, and liued a ſmall time: alſo a daughter, which in hir youth departed out of this tranſitorie life.

King Henrye, after the death of his mother, bycauſe, they were his breethren of one wombe deſcended, created Edmond Earle of Richmōd, and Iaſper Earle of Pembroke, which Edmōd engendred of Margaret daughter and ſole heire to Iohn Duke of Somerſet, Henry, which after was King of this Realme, called Henry the ſeauenth, of whome yee ſhall heare more in place conuenient. This Owen, after the death of the Queene his wife, was apprehended, and committed to warde, bycauſe that contrarie to the ſtatute made in the ſixte yeare of this King, hee preſumptuouſly had married the Queene, without the Kings eſpeciall aſſent, out of whiche priſon, he eſcaped, [...]d let out other with him, and was againe apprehended, and after eſcaped agayne.

Likewiſe, the Ducheſſe of Bedforde, ſiſter to Lewes Earle of Saint Paule, minding alſo to marrie rather for pleaſure than for honor, without counſel of hir friends, maried a luſty knight, called Sir Richarde Woduile, to the great diſpleaſure of hir Vncle the Biſhop of Tyrwine, and the Earle hir brother.

This Sir Richarde, was made Baron of Riuers, and after Earle, and had by this Lady many noble ſonnes, and faire daughters, of the which, one was y^e Lady Elizabeth, after Quene of Englande, by reaſon ſhee was married vnto Edward the fourth, as heereafter ſhall appeare.

Whileſt this marriage was a celebratyng, Iane late Queene of England, and before Ducheſſe of Britaine, daughter to the King of Nauerre, and wife to King Henrie the fourth, dyed at the manor of Hauering, and was buryed by hir huſband at Canterburie.

And about the ſame time, deceaſſed alſo the Counteſſe of Warwike, and Henrie Archbyſhop of Yorke.

In this yeare alſo, the Duke of Somerſet, accompanyed with y^e Lords of Fancombridge, Talbot, Sir Francis Surien the Arragonnois, Mathewe Gough, Thomas Paulet, Thomas Harington, Walter Limbrike, Iohn Gedding, William Watton Eſquiers, and Thomas Hilton, Bailife of Roane, with a great cōpanie of the Engliſhe partie,Harflew beſieged & won by the Engliſhmen. beſieged the Towne of Harflew (lately before gotten by the Frenchmē) both by water and lande: the Captayne within the towne, was one Sir Iohn d'Eſtouteuille, hauing his brother Robert with him, and a fixe hundred good fighting men.

The aſſailants caſt trenches, and ſo fortifyed themſelues in their campe and lodgings, that when the Earles of Ewe and Dunois▪ the valiant baſterd of Bourbon, the Lord Gawcourt, and other famous Captaines, with a four thouſand mē, ſent to the reſcue of them within, came before the Towne, they coulde not ſuccour theyr frendes, nor annoy their enimies by any meanes they could deuiſe, and ſo for feare to loſe honour they returned backe again, with much trauaile, and little profite. The Capitaines within the towne perceiuing they could not bee ayded, did ſhortly after render the town to the duke of Somerſet, who after cōmitted it to the keepyng of Thomas Paulet, William Lymbrik, Chriſtofor Barker, and George ſaint George, whiche many yeres (til the deuiſion began in England) manfully and valiantly defended both the town and hauen. But afterward, when this Duke of Somerſet was Regent and gouernour of Normandie, he not only loſt this towne of Harflew, but alſo the citie of Roan, and the whole duchie of Normandie, where as nowe being but a deputie, he got it to his high prayſe and glorie.

Iames king of Scottes murthered.In this yeare was Iames kyng of Scottes murthered by certaine traitours of his own ſubiectes.

The Lord Talbot beſieged Tankerville, and after four moneths, had it ſimply to him rēdred.

This towne was no great gayne to the Engliſhmen, for in the meane ſeaſon, the Frenche king in his own perſon beſieged the ſtrong town of Monſtreau on fault Yōne, whereof Thomas Gerarde being capitayne, more for deſire of reward, than for feare of enimies, ſold the Towne to the French King, and had of him great gifts, and good cheere, as afterwards was opēly knowen.

This Towne had bin reſcued or the Frenche King fought withall, if one chance had not happened, for the Duke of Yorke about that tyme, was diſcharged of his office,The Earle of Warw[...]k made Regent of Fraunce. and the Earle of Warwike preferred to the ſame, ſo that the duke of Yorke, lying as then at Roan, woulde haue gladly reſcued the Towne, if his authoritie had not ſurceaſſed, & the Erle of Warwike could not come in time, for y^e wind was contrarie to him.

This preſente yeare, was a Parliament holden at Weſtminſter, in the whiche, manye good and profitable actes for the preſeruation of concord at home, and defence againſt the enimies abroade, were ordeyned and deuiſed.

Arthur of Britaigne, Conneſtable of France, and Iohn Duke of Alanſon, were ſente by the Frenche King into Normandie, with a greate army, to beſiege the towne of Auranches, ſtanding vpon the knoppe of an hill, where after they had layen a certayne ſpace, without gayne, the Lord Talbot with a valiant company of men, came thither, and offered the enimies battaile, which when they, at all hands refuſed, the Lorde Talbot perceyuing theyr faint harts, reyſed his field, and in the open ſight of them all, entred into the Towne, and the next day, iſſued out, and finding the Frenchmen riding abroade to deſtroy the playne Countrey, he compaſſed them about, and ſlewe many of them, and tooke diuers priſoners.

Although the Frenchmen gote neyther honor nor profit by this iourney, yet they enterpriſed a greater matter, as the winning of Roan, in ſo much, that Pothon de Santreiles, and the Hire, with manye other notable Captaines, hauyng promiſe of certaine burgeſſes of that Citie, to haue entrie made thē, ſecretly in the night, came forwarde to a Towne called Riſe or Riz, not paſt a foure leagues frō Roan, and there lodged.

The Lord Talbot, the Lorde Scales, and ſir Thomas Kiriel, hearing of their approche, ſette out of Roan at midnight, and with great paine, came to Riſe in the morning ſo couertly, that y^e Frenchmen beeing ſuddainely ſurpriſed, and ſet vpon like men, all amaſed ranne away, & fledde.

In the chaſe were taken, the Lorde of Foū taines, Sir Aleine Geron, SIr Lewes de Balle, and threſcore Knightes and Eſquiers, beſide other, and there wer ſlaine two hundred and moe.

The Hire eſcaped very narrowly, by ſwiftneſſe of his horſe, though not vnwounded.

The Engliſhmen returned to the Towne of Riſe, and founde there greate number of horſes, and other baggages, which they ioyouſly brought with them to Roan.

On the ſixth day of Nouember,An. reg. 16. this preſent yeare, the Earle of Warwike, as Regente of France, paſſed the Sea, after hee had bin ſeauen times ſhipped and vnſhipped, & landed at Homflew, with a thouſande freſh Soldiers, and came to Roan, and then the Duke of Yorke returned into England.

Betweene y^e change of theſe two Captaines, the Duke of Burgoigne (whiche ſore enuied the glorie of the Engliſhmen) beſieged the Towne of Croytoy, with tenne thouſand men and moe,Crotoy be[...] gedly [...] of Burgoig[...] hauing with him greate plentie of gunnes, and goodly ordinance.

The Earle of Warwike aduertiſed heereof, ſente the Lorde Fawcombridge, Sir Thomas Kiriell, ſir Iohn Montgomerie, Thomas Limbrike, Thomas Chandos, Dauie Hall, and dyuers other Knightes and Eſquiers, and manye tall yeomen, to the number of fiue thouſand mē, which paſſed y^e riuer of Somme, beſide y^e towne of Saint Valerie, wading in the water vp to y^e chinne, ſo glad were they to reſcue their felowes.

Crotoy reſ [...]ed.When the Duke of Burgoigne was enformed of the approching of the Lorde Talbot, hee with all his power, ſauing four hundred (whych were left in a baſtill by him there newly builded) fled to Abuille, the baſtill was ſoone gained by y^e Engliſhmen, and thoſe within eyther ſlayne or taken.

After this, the Lord Talbot ſent to the Duke of Burgoigne, ſignifying to hym, that except he would come forth, & giue him battell, he woulde vtterly waſt his Countrey of Picardie, and according to his promiſe, he brent Townes, ſpoyled and ſlewe many people in Picardie: but for all thoſe his doings, the Duke of Burgoigne appeared not, but got him from Abuile to Amiens, ſo that the Lorde Talbot abode twentie dayes fall in Picardie and Arthois, deſtroying al afore him, and after returned without impeachment.

And in the meane ſeaſon, Sir Thoms Kiriell had gotten all the Dukes cariages and ordinance, and left as much vittaile in the towne of Croytoy, as would ſerue ſixe hundred menne a whole yeare, and conueyed the reſidue to the Earle of Warwike, who highly prayſed them for their hardie doings.

1438After this enterprice atchieued, Henry Earle of Mortaigne, ſon to Edmond Duke of Sommerſet, arriued at Chierburg with foure hundred archers, and three hundred ſpeares, and paſſed through Normandie, till he came into the countie of Maine, where he beſieged a Caſtell called Saint Anyan, in the which, were three hundred Scottes, beſide Frenchmen. This Caſtel he toke by aſſaulte, ſlewe the Scottes, and hanged the Frenchmenne, bycauſe they were once ſworne Engliſh.

After this, hee got alſo an other Caſtell, two miles from Sainte Iulians, called Alegerche, which was ſhortly after recouered, and the Lord Camewis, which came to the reſcue of y^e ſame, in the meane way was entrapped, and taken.

Thus flowed the victorie, ſometime on the one partie, and ſometime on the other. For about the ſame time alſo, the Townes of Meaux in Brie, and Saint Suſan, were ſolde and delyuered to the French parte, by the vntrueth of the burgeſſes, and inhabitants of the ſame townes, about the latter ende of this ſixteenth yeare.

An. reg. 17. Dearth of victuals.
1439This yeare, by reaſon of great tempeſts, vnmeaſurable windes, and rayne, there roſe ſuche ſcarcitie, that wheate was ſolde at three ſhillings foure pence the buſſhell, wine at twelue pence the gallon, bayſalt at fourteene pence the buſſhell, and malt, at thirteene ſhillings foure pence the quarter, and all other graynes were ſolde at an exceſſiue price, aboue the olde rate.

In the moneth of Iune, the Earle of Huntington (as Stewarde of Guien) with two M. archers, and four hundred ſpeares, was ſent into Gaſcoigne, as a ſupply to the Countrey, and commons of the ſame: for the K. of Englande and his counſaile were enformed, that the Erle of Dunois lay in the frontiers of Tholouſe ſecretly, by rewards and faire promiſes practiſing to procure diuers townes in Guiēne, to become French, wherefore this Erle (like a politike warrior) altered not onely the Captaines in euerye Towne and Citie, but alſo remoued the magiſtrates, and changed the officers from towne to towne, & roome to roome, ſo that by this meanes, the Earle of Du[...]oys at y^e time, loſt both trauel and coſt. In the ſame moneth alſo, Sir Richard Wooduile, ſir William Chamberlaine, ſir Wil. Peito, and ſir Wil. Stor[...]e, with a M. men, were ſent to ſtuffe the Townes in Normandie, which at that time, had thereof great neede, for y^e Engliſh Captaines had ſmall cōfidēce in the Normans, & not too much in ſome of their owne nation, for that harlot briberie, with hir fellowe couetouſneſſe,Two ſhrewd[...] perſwaders. ranne faſte abroade with Frenche Crownes, that vnneth anye creature (without ſpeciall grace) coulde holde either hande cloſe, or purſe ſhut. In this yere, the Dolphin of France, alied with Iohn Duke of Alanſon, and Iohn Duke of Burgoigne, rebelled againſt his father King Charles, but in the end, by wiſe perſwaſions, and wittie handling of the matter, y^e knotte of that ſeditious faction was diſſolued, and the King with his ſonne, and the other confederates openly and apparantly pacified.

The Engliſhmen whiche euer ſought theyr aduantage) hearing of this domeſticall deuiſion in France, reiſed and armie, and recouered againe diuers townes, whiche were ſtollen from them before, and prepared alſo to haue recouered y^e Citie of Paris, til they heard of the agremēt made betwixte the father and the ſonne, for then they left off that enterprice, and wente no further about it.

In the moneth of Nouember in this preſente yere, there was ſuch a great froſt, & after that,Anno. re. 18. ſo deepe a ſnow, y^t al the ground was couered theewith, & al y^e diches froſen, which weather, put the Engliſhmen in hope to recouer againe y^e towne of Ponthoiſe,Ponthoiſe recouered by the Engliſh. by the French King gotten before by corrupting with money diuers burgeſſes of y^e Towne, wherefore the Engliſhmen, being clothed all in white, w^t Iohn L. Clifford their Captain, came in y^e night to y^e diches, and paſſed thē without danger, by reaſon of the froſt, ſcaled the walles, ſlew the watch, & tooke the towne, with many profitable priſoners.

After the regaining of the Towne of Ponthoyſe, the Lord Richarde Beauchamp, Erle of Warwike, dyed in the Caſtell of Roan, and was conueyed into England, and with ſolemne Ceremonies, buryed in his Colledge of Warwike, in a very faire and ſumptuous ſepulture.

Anno. re. 19. About the beginning of Lente, the Duke of Somerſet, and the Lorde Talbot, with other Captaines and men of warre, to the number of two thouſand, whiche they had aſſembled in the marches of Normandie, towards Rouen, marching forward towards Picardie, paſſed ouer the Riuer of Somme, and through the Towne of Monteruel, came before the fortreſſe of Folleuille, whiche the Duke beſieged, whileſt the Lorde Talbot entred further into the Countrey.

After that the Duke had mounted his greate artillerie,Enguerrant. and began to batter the holde, the Captayne within chanced to be ſlaine, with a ſhotte of the ſame artillerie, and ſhortly after, the baterie being ſtill continued, the reſt of the menne of warre that ſerued vnder him, yeelded the place, in which, the Duke left a competent gariſon of ſoldiers, whiche afterwardes, ſore endomaged the Countrey.

This done, the Duke followed the Lorde Talbot, who was alreadye entred a good way within the Countrey of Santhois, and nowe ioyning their powers togither, they came to a fortreſſe called Lyhons, in Santhois, whyche was alſo rendred vnto them, after they hadde brent the church which the Coūtrey people kept againſte them, and woulde not yeelde it, till they were fiered out, and brent and ſlayne, to the nū ber of three hundred.

After the fortreſſe was deliuered into theyr handes by compoſition, the Duke with his power lay there about tenne dayes, ſending diuers troupes of his menne of warre abroade into the Countrey, whiche ſpoyled the ſame, tooke y^e fortreſſe of Herbonneres, and the Lord therof within it, who for his raunſome, and to haue his ſubiects and houſe ſaued from ſpoyle and fire, compounded with his takers for a thouſand Saluz of golde, which he paid to them.

Finally, after the Duke of Somerſet, and the Lord Talbot with their power, had layne in Lyhons about tenne dayes, they departed from thence, and returned into Normandie, without any empeachment.

After the death of the Earle of Warwike, the Duke of Yorke was againe made Regente of Fraunce,1441
The Duke of Yorke againe made regent of France. which accompanyed with the Earle of Oxforde, the Lorde Bourchier called Earle of Ewe, Sir Iames of Ormond, the Lord Clinton, Sir Richarde Wooduille, and diuers other noble men, ſayled into Normandie, before whoſe ariuall, the Frenche King ſore greeued w[...] [...] taking of the Towne of Ponthoiſe, aſſem[...] [...] greate armie,P[...]e beſieged by the french King. and beſieged the ſaid towne [...] ſelfe in perſon, enuironing it with baſtilles, [...] ches, and ditches, beating the walles and B[...] warkes with ſhot of great ordinance, and giuing therevnto diuers greate and fierce aſſaultes, [...] Iohn Lorde Clifford, like a valiant Captayne, defended the Towne ſo manfully, that y^e frenche men rather loſt than wanne.

The Duke of Yorke at his landing receyued true aduertiſement of this ſiege, wherevppon, hee ſent for the Lord Talbot, and a great number of Soldiers, and ſo came neere to the Towne of Ponthoiſe, and there encamped himſelfe, and therewith, ſente worde to the French King, that thither hee was come to giue him battell, if hee woulde come out of his ſtrength and baſtilles, but the Frenche King, by aduice of his councell, determined not to venture his perſon, with men of ſo baſe degree, but meant to keepe his groun[...], bidding the Lorde Regente to enter at his pe[...], and in the meane ſeaſon, did what hee coulde to ſtoppe the paſſage of the riuer of Oyſe, ſo that no vittaile ſhould be brought to the Engliſh armie by that way, in hope ſo to cauſe them to recule backe.

The Duke of Yorke, perceyuing that y^e [...]ch King minded not to fighte, purpoſed to paſſe ouer the riuer of Oyſe, and ſo to fighte with hym in his lodging, whervpon, he remoued his camp, and appointed the Lorde Talbot, and other, to make a countenaunce, as they woulde paſſe the riuer by force at the port of Beaumont, and appoynted an other companye in boates of timbet and leather, and bridges made of cordes & ropes (whereof he had great plentie caried with hym in Chariots) to paſſe ouer beneath the Abbey.

While the Lorde Talbot made a crie, as though he would aſſault the gate, certaine Engliſhmen paſſed the water in boates, and drew a bridge of cordes ouer, ſo that a greate number of them were gote to the other ſide, ere the Frenchmen were aduiſed what had happened. When they ſaw the chance, they ranne like madde mē, to haue ſtopped the paſſage, but it was too late, for the moſt parte of the Engliſhmen were gote ouer, in ſo muche, that they chaſed theyr enimies backe, and ſlewe Sir Guilliam de Chaſtell,Eng[...] d[...] Mo[...]. nephew to the Lorde Taneguy du Chaſtell, and diuers other.

The Frenchmen ſeeing their euill happe irrecouerable, returned to the French King, and told to him, what had chanced, wherevpon, he doubting to be aſſailed to his diſaduantage, thoughte not good longer to tarrie, but with all ſpeede, remouing his ordinance into the baſtill of Sainte Martin, whiche hee had newly made, diſlodged in the nyghte from Maubuyſſon, and wente to Poyſſy, leauyng the Lorde de Cotigny admirall of Fraunce, with .iij.M. men to keepe the baſtile. If he had taried ſtil at Maubuyſſon, the Lord Talbot which had paſſed the riuer of Oyſe in two ſmall leather boates, had eyther taken or ſlayne hym the ſame night.Hall.

The Engliſhmen the next daye in good order of battayle came before the town of Ponthoyſe, thinkyng there to haue founde the French king, but he was gone, and in his lodging they found great riches, and muche ſtuffe whiche he coulde not haue ſpace to carie away for feare of the ſodayn inuaſion. Then the Duke with his power entred into the towne, and ſent for new victual, and repaired the towers and bulwarkes aboute the Towne, and diuers tymes aſſaulted the baſtile of the Frenchmen, of the whiche hee made no great accompte, bycauſe they were not of power eyther to aſſaulte or ſtoppe the victuals or ſuccours from the towne.

After this, the Duke intendyng once agayne to offer the Frenche king battaile, left behind him at Ponthoyſe for captain there, ſir Geruais Clifton, ſir Nicholas Burdet, Henry Chandos, and a thouſande ſouldiors, and therewith remouing with his whole armie, came before Poyſſy, where he ſet himſelfe and his men in good order of battayle ready to fighte. There iſſued out ſome of the Frenche Gentlemen to ſkirmiſhe with the Engliſhemen, but to their loſſe: for dyuers of them were ſlain, and foure valiant horſemen taken priſoners. The Duke perceyuing the faynte hearts of the Frenchmē, and that they durſt not encounter in field with the Engliſhe power, diſlodged from Poyſſi, and came to Maunte, and ſoone after to Roan.

An. reg. 20. When the Regent and the lord Talbot were returned agayne into Normandie, the Frenche K. conſidering howe muche it ſhoulde redounde to his diſhonor to let reſt the town of Ponthoyſe in his enimies hāds,Po[...]thoyſe gotten by the Frenche. ſith he had bin at ſuch charges and trauaile aboute the winnyng therof, hee eftſoones aſſembled all his puiſſance, and retourning ſodeinly again vnto Ponthoyſe, he firſte by aſſault gat the church, and after the whole town, toke the captain, and diuers other Engliſhmen, and ſlewe to the number of .iiij.C. whiche ſolde their lyues dearely: for one French writer affirmeth, that the French king loſt there .iij.M. men and the whole garniſon of the Engliſhmen was but only a thouſand. Enguerant Sir Nicholas Burdet flayne. Among other that were ſlayne here of the defendants, was ſir Nicholas Burdet knight, chief Butler of Normandie.

After this hotte tempeſte, the weather began ſomewhat to waxe more calme: for king Henry and kyng Charles, agreed to ſende Ambaſſadours to commen of ſome good concluſion of peace: So that King Henry ſente the Cardinall of Wyncheſter, wyth dyuers other noble perſonages of his counſel to Caleys, with whom was alſo ſent Charles duke of Orleans yet priſoner in England, to the intent that he might be both author of the peace, and alſo procurer of his owne deliueraunce.

The French king ſent the Archbiſhop of Reimes, and the Erle of Dunoys: and the Duke of Burgongne ſent the Lord de Creuecueur, & dyuers other. All theſe mette at Caleys, where the Duke of Orleans curteouſly receiue the Earle of Dunoys (his baſtarde brother) thanking him greatly for his paynes taking in gouerning hys landes and countrey, during the time of his captiuitie and abſence. Diuers cōmunications wer had, as well for the deliueraunce of the Duke, as for a fynall peace, but nothyng was concluded, ſauyng that an other meetyng was appoynted, ſo that in the meane ſeaſon the demaundes of eyther partie mighte be declared to their Soueraigne Lordes and Maiſters And herevpon the Commiſſioners brake vp their aſſemble, and returned into their countreys.

The Engliſhmen as the Frenche writers recorde, required not only to poſſeſſe peaceably the two Duchies of Aquitayne and Normandie, diſcharged of al reſort, ſuperioritie, and ſoueraintie againſte the Realme of Fraunce, the Kings and gouernors of the ſame, but alſo to be reſtored to al the towns, cities, and places, which they within .30. yeres nexte before gone and paſt, had conquered in the realme of Frauce. Whiche requeſt the Frenchmen thought very vnreſonable, and ſo both parts minding rather to gain or ſaue than to loſe, departed for y^t time, as ye haue heed.

After this meting thus proroged, Philip D. of Burgogne, partly moued in conſcience to make amends to Charles duke of Orleans as yet priſoner in Englād for the death of duke Lewes his father, whom duke Iohn, father to this D. Philip, cruelly murthered in the Citie of Paris, and partly intending the aduancement of his neece, y^e Lady Marie, daughter to Adolfe duke of Cleue, (by the which aliāce, he truſted, that al old rā [...] ſhuld ceaſſe) contriued ways to haue the ſayd D. of Orleans ſet at libertie, vpon promiſe by hym made to take y^e ſaid lady Mary vnto wife. This Duke had bin priſoner in Englande euer ſith the bataile foughten at Agincourt, vpon the daye of Criſpyne and Criſpynian in the yere: 1415. and was ſet now at libertie in the moneth of Nouember, in the yeare .1440. paying for his raunſome .iiij.C. thouſand crowns, though other ſay but .iij. hundred thouſande. The cauſe that he was deteined ſo long in captiuitie, was to pleaſure thereby the Duke of Bourgongne: For ſo long as the Duke of Burgongne continued faithfull to the King of Englande, it was not thought neceſſarie to ſuffer the duke of Orleans to be caunſomed, leaſt vpon his deliuerance hee would not ceaſſe to ſeeke meanes to be reuenged vpon the duke of Burgongne, for the old grudge and diſpleaſure betwixt their two families, and therfore ſuche ranſome was demaunded for him as he was neuer able to paye: but after that the duke of Burgongne had broken his promiſe, and was turned to the French part, the counſell of the king of England deuiſed how to deliuer the duke of Orleans, that thereby they might diſpleaſure the duke of Burgoygne: Whych thing the duke of Burgogne perceyuing, doubted what mighte followe if he were deliuered without his knowledge, and therfore to hys greate coſte practiſed his deliuerance, payde his raunſome, and ioyned w^t him amitie & aliance by mariage of his niece.

The Duke of Orleans deliuered.This Duke being nowe deliuered, and ſpeaking better Engliſh than Frenche, after his arriuall in France, repaired to the Duke of Burgogne, and according to hys promiſe and conuention, maryed the Ladie Mary of Cleue, in the towne of Saint Omers, on whome he begat a ſonne, whiche after was Frenche Kyng, and called Lewes the twelfth.

Yet here is to be noted, that olde rancour ſodainly appeaſed, cōmonly ſpringeth out againe, for although the vnhappie deuiſion betwixte the two families of Orleans & Burgogne, were by benefyte of this mariage for a tyme ſtayed and put in forgetfulneſſe, for the ſpace of twenty yeres and more, yet at length it brake out betwene their children and Couſins, to the great vnquietyng of the more parte of the Chriſtian world, ſpecially in the tymes of Kyng Frauncis the fyrſte, and hys ſonne Henry the ſeconde, very heyres of the houſe of Orleans: For Iohn erle of Angoleſme, vncle to this Duke Charles, begatte Charles, father to the ſayde King Francis, whyche Earle Iohn had bene as pledge in England for the debt of Lewes Duke of Orleans, ſith the laſt yere of K. Henry the fourth, till that nowe his nephewe beyng deliuered, made ſhifte for money, and raunſomed hym alſo, and at length reſtored him to his countrey,

In the begynnyng of thys twentieth yeare, Richarde Duke of Yorke, Regent of Fraunce, and gouernour of Normandie, determined to inuade the territoryes of his enimyes both by ſundrye Armyes, and in ſeuerall places, and there vppon without delaying of tyme, he ſente the Lord of Willoughby wyth a great crew of Souldiours to deſtroye the countrey of Amyens, and Iohn Lorde Talbot was appoynted to beſiege the Towne of Dieppe, and the Regent hym ſelfe accompanyed wyth Edmunde Duke of Somerſet, ſet forward into the Duchy of Aniow. The Lorde Willoughdy[...] accordyng to hys Commiſſyon entred into the countrey of hys enimyes in ſuche wyſe vppon the ſodayife, that a great numbre of people were taken ete they coulde withdrawe into any place of ſafegarde or foreclet.

The Frenchemenne in the garnyſons adioyning, aſtonyed wyth the clamoure and crye of the poore people, iſſued out in good order, and manfully foughte wyth the Englyſhmen, but in the end, the Frenchmen ſeyng theyr fellowes in the forfront ſlayn down, & kyld without mercie, tourned their backes, and fled: the Engliſhmen followed, and ſlewe manye in the chaſe, and ſuche as eſcaped the ſworde, were robbed by the Earle of Saynte Pol, whyche was commyng to ayde the Englyſhmen.

In thys conflicte were ſlayne aboue ſix hundred men of armes, and a great number taken.

The Dukes of Yorke and Somerſet lykewyſe entred into Aniow and Mayne, and there deſtroyed Townes, and ſpoyled the people, and wyth great prayes and Priſoners, repayred agayne into Normandie, whether alſo the lorde Willoughby withdrewe after his valyaunt enterpriſe atchieued (as before ye haue heard) with ryche ſpoyle and good priſoners.

The Duke of Somerſet not ſatiſfyed wyth hys former gayne,This [...]oulde be as Enga[...] rant note the tvvo yeares after this preſent yeare xx. 10 to vv[...]te. An. 1443. entred into the marches of Britayne, and tooke by fierce aſſaulte, a towne named la Gerche, appertayning to the Duke of Alanſon, ſpoyling and burning the ſame.

This done, he went to Ponzay, where he ſoiorned two Moneths, ſendyng foorth dayly his men of warre to deſtroy the countreys of Aniou Traonnoys, & Chatragonnoys. The Frenche Kyng ſente the Marſhall Loyach with .iiij.M. men to reſiſt the inuaſiōs of the duke of Somerſet, whiche Marſhall intended to haue ſet on the Duke in his lodgyngs in the deade tyme of the night: but this enterpriſe was reueled to the D. who marched forward, and met the Frenchmen halfe the way, and after long fighte, diſcomfited them, ſlewe an hundred of the Marſhals men, and toke .lxij. priſoners, wherof the chiefe were the Lord Dauſigny, ſir Lewes de Burſt, and al the other (almoſt) were knightes and Eſquiers.

After this encounter, the duke toke the towne of Beaumont le vicount, & manned all the fortreſſes on the frontiers of his enimies, and wyth riche booties and priſoners, returned again to the duke of York. In this meane time y^e L. Talbot beſieging the town of Dieppe, enuironed it with deepe trenches and terrible rampiers, buyldyng alſo vppon the mount Poulet, a ſtrong and defenſyble Baſtyle, but at lengthe perceyuyng the Towne to be ſtrongly defended, and that he lacked ſuch furniture of men, victuals, & ordinance as was neceſſarie for the winning of it, he delyuered the cuſtodie of the haſtile, with the gouernaunce of the ſiege to his baſtarde ſonne, a valyaunt yong man, and departed to Roan for aide, money and munition. The Frenche king aduertiſed hereof, ſente his ſonne the Dolphyn of Vyenne wyth the Earle of Dunoys,Hl. M. hath hi[...]oli[...] Giles. and a fifteene thouſande men to reyſe the ſiege from Dieppe. Three dayes they aſſayled the Baſtyle, in the which .vj.C. Engliſhmen were encloſed, and at length bicauſe pouder & weapon failed thē within, the Frenchmen wan it, and tooke the baſtard Talbot pryſoner, with ſir William Peytowe, and ſir Iohn Repley, whiche ſhortly after were redemed. The other Engliſhe ſouldiours ſeyng the baſtyle wonne by the Frenchemen, ſtood all a day in good order of battaile, and in the nyghte followyng, politikely returned to Roan, without loſſe or damage. In the aſſaulting of the baſtile, the Frenchemen ſaye, they ſlewe two hundred Engliſhmen, and denye not but that they loſt fiue hundred of their owne men, beſide thoſe that were hurte.

Whyles theſe thinges were a doing, Philippe Duke of Burgongne made ſuche ſharpe warre agaynſt the Earle of Saint Pol, in taking from him his townes and Caſtels,The Earle of ſaint Poll re [...]o[...]eth to the Frenche that hee was conſtrayned to renounce his allegiaunce ſworne and promiſed to the King of Englande, and returned to the Frenche parte.

1442
[...]art[...] beeſieged. The Engliſhe capitaynes in Guyenne beſieged the ſtrong towne of Tartas, belongyng to the Lord Dalbreth theyr olde and auncient enemie. The capitains wythin the town perceiuing that they were not able to reſiſte the force of the Engliſhmen any long time, tooke this appointment, that the Towne ſhould remayne Neuter, and for the aſſuraunce thereof, they delyuered Cadet the ſonne of the Lorde de la Brethe in pledge, vpon this condition, that if the ſaid lorde de la Breth would not aſſent to the agreement, then he ſhoulde ſignifye his refuſall to the Engliſhe Capitaines within three monethes nexte enſuing, and be to haue his pledge, and they to do their beſt. The French K. at the requeſt of the lords of Guyenne, cauſed the lord de la Breth to ſignifye his diſagreement vnto the Erle of Huntington, as then lieutenāt to the K. of England in the duchie of Aquitayne: and therw^t to gratifie the Lords of Guyenne, he aſſembled an armie of lx.M. men, & came to Tholouſe, and ſo to Tartas, to whom the chieftains of the town, ſeing no ſuccors cōming from the K. of Englād, rendred the towne, and Cadet de la Breth, whiche was left there as a pledge, was alſo deliuered.

The French king after the yelding of Tartas remoued to S. Severe, which towne he toke by force, ſlew .iij.C. perſons, and toke ſir Thomas Rampſton priſoner. After this, he came to the citie of Arques, toke a bulwarke by force, and had the Towne yelded to him by compoſition.

The capitayn which was the Lord of Montferrant departed with all the Engliſhe crewe to Burdeaux, where he founde the Earle of Longville, the Capdaw be Buefft. & ſir Tho Rampſton, whiche was a little before deliuered. After this, the fortreſſes of the Ri[...] & Mermandie, wer alſo yelded to y^e French K. who notwithſtanding at lēgth was cōſtrained for lack of victuals (whiche wer[...] of by the Engliſhmen, y^t lay abrode in diuers fortre[...]s for y^e purpoſe, to break vp his armie, and to retire into France.The chaunce of vvarre. And then after his departure, the engliſhmē recouered again the citie of Arques, & the other t[...]ons by the Frenche king gayned, & toke priſoner his [...]atenant called Reignal[...] Ge[...] the Burgonion, & many other Gentlemen, & al the meane ſouldiors were either ſlaine or hanged.

While the Frenche Kyng was in Gayenne,The Lorde Talbot. the Lorde Talbot toke thē towne of Co[...] chete, and after matched towarde Gail[...]on, which was beſieged by the baſtarde of Orleans, otherwiſe called the Erle of Dunoys, which erle hearing of the Lord Talbots approche,The Ka[...] of Duno[...]. wiſed his ſiege, & faued himſelf. The Frenchmen a little before this ſeaſon, had taken the towne of Enreu[...] by treaſon of a Fiſher. Sir Francis the Arragonoys hearing of that chance, apparelled .vj. ſtrōg felows, like men of the countrey, with ſacks and baſkets, as cariers of corne & victual, & ſent the to the caſtel of Cornyl, in the which diuers engliſh men wer kept as priſoners, & he with an ambuſh of Engliſhmen lay in a valey nye to y^e fortreſſe. The ſix counterfait huſbandinē entred the caſtel vnſuſpected, and ſtreight came to the chāber of y^e captain, & laying hands on him, gaue knowledge to them that lay in ambuſh to come to their ayd the which ſodeinly made forth, and entred y^e caſtell, ſlewe and tooke all the Frenchmen, & ſet the Engliſhmen at libertie: which thing done, they ſet fire in the caſtell, and departed to Roan with their bootie and priſoners.

Thus maye ye ſee, that in warre nothyng is certain, and victorie is euer doubtfull, whiche ſometyme ſmyled on the Engliſhe parte, and ſometime on the Frenche ſide, according to hir variable nature. But nowe to ſpeake ſomwhat of the doings in England in the meane tyme.

Whyleſt the men of war were thus occupied in martiall feates, and dayly [...]irmiſhes within the Realme of Fraunce, ye ſhall vnderſtande that after the Cardinall of Wincheſter, and the Duke of Glouceſter, were to the outward apparaunce of the worlde, reconciled eyther to other. the Cardinall, and the Archebyſhop of Yorke ceaſſed not to do many things without the conſent of the King or of the Duke,A nevv breach [...]etvveene the Duke of Glou [...]ſter, and the [...]ishoppe of [...]Vincheſter. being during the minoritie of the K. gouernour and protector of the Realme, wherfore the ſayde Duke lyke a true hearted Prince, was nothyng pleaſed, and therevppon in wrytyng declared to the Kyng wherein the Cardinall and the Archebyſhoppe hadde offended both his Maieſtie and the lawes of the realme.

This complaynt of the Duke of Glouceſter was conteyned in foure and twentie articles, as in the Chronicle of Maiſter Hall ye may reade at full, the whyche for breefeneſſe I here omitte.

But the chefeſt point reſted, in that it was apparant howe the Cardinall hadde from tyme to tyme through the ambitious deſyre to ſurmount all others in high degrees of honour and dignitie, ſought to e[...]che himſelfe to the great & apparant hynderaunce of the king, as in defraudyng hym not onely of his treaſure, but alſo in doing and practiſing thyngs greatly preiudiciall to his affaires in Fraunce, and namely by ſettyng at libertie the Kyng of Scottes, vpon ſo eaſy conditions, as the Kynges Maieſtie greately loſte thereby.

When the Kyng hadde hearde the accuſations thus layde by the Duke of Glouceſter agaynſte the Cardinall, he commytted the examination thereof to his Counſell, whereof the more parte were ſpirituall perſons, ſo that what for feare, and what for fauoure, the matter was winked at, and nothyng ſayde to it: onely faire countenance was made to the Duke, as though [...]o malice hadde beene conceyued agaynſt hym: but venym wyll breake out, and inwarde grudge wyll ſoone appeare, whiche was thys yeare to all men apparant: for dyu[...]rs ſecrete attemptes were aduaunced forwarde thys ſeaſon agaynſt thys noble man Humfrey Duke of Glouceſter a farre off, whiche in concluſyon came ſo neere, that they bere[...]te hym bothe of lyfe and lande, as ſhall hereafter more playnly appeare.

For fyrſt this yeare, Dame Eleanore Cobham, wyfe to the ſayde Duke, was accuſed of treaſon, for that ſhee by ſorcerie and enchauntement entended to deſtroy the kyng, to the intent to aduaunce hir huſbande to the Crowne.

Vppon thys, ſhee was examined in Sayncte Stephens Chappell before the Byſhop of Canterbury, and there by examination conuicte and iudged to doe open penaunce in three open places wythin the Citie of London, and after that adiudged to perpetual impriſonmēt in the yſle of Man, vnder y^e keping of ſir Io. Stanley knight.

At the ſame ſeaſon were arreſted, arrayned, and adiudged gyltie, as ayders to the Ducheſſe, Thomas Southwell Prieſte, and Chanon of Saynte Stephens at Weſtminſter, Iohn Hun prieſt, [...]s Iohn [...]. Roger Bolyngbrooke, a cunning Necromancer as it was ſaid, and Margerie Iordayn, ſurnamed, the Witche of Eye.

The matter layde againſt them, was for that they, at the requeſte of the ſayde Ducheſſe, had deuyſed an Image of waxe, repreſentyng the Kyng, whiche by their ſorcerie by little and little conſumed, entendyng thereby in concluſion, to waſte and deſtroye the Kyngs perſone.

Margerie Iordayne was brente in Smyſhfielde, and Roger Bolyngbrooke was drawne to Tyborne, and hanged and quartered, taking vpon his death, that there was neuer any ſuche thing by them imagined. Iohn Hun hadde his pardon, and Southwell dyed in the Tower before execution.

The Duke of Glouceſter bare all theſe thinges paciently, and ſayd little.

Edward ſon to the duke of Yorke was borne this yeare the .xxix. of Aprill at Roan,King Edvvard the fourthe borne. his father being the Kings lieutenant of Normandie.1442

The Counſell of Englande forgat not the late enterpriſe of the Frenche king,An. reg. 21. atchieued in the Duchie of Guyenne, and therfore doubting ſome other the lyke attempte, they ſente thyther Syr Wyllyam Wooduile wyth eyght hundred menne to fortifye the frontiers, and farther, ſet foorth a proclamation, that all men which wold tranſporte anye Corne, Cheeſe, or other victuall thyther, ſhoulde pay no maner of cuſtome or tallage: whyche licence cauſed the Countrey of Aquitayne to bee well furnyſhed of all thynges neceſſarye.

Aboute this ſeaſon Iohn the valiaunt Lorde Talbot for his approued prowes and tried valiancie ſhewed in the Frenche warres,Iohn Lorde Talbot cre[...] Earle of Shrevvebury. was created Earle of Shreweſbury, and with a companie of three thouſande menne ſente agayne into Normandie, for the better defence of the ſame.

In this yeare dyed in Guyenne the Counteſſe of Comynges,1443 to whome the French king and alſo the Earle of Arminacke pretended to be heyre, inſomuche that the Earle entred into all the landes of the ſayde Ladie, and bycauſe hee knewe the Frenche Kyng woulde not take the matter well, to haue a Roulande agaynſte an Olyuer, he ſente ſolemne ambaſſadours to the king of Englande, offeryng him his daughter in mariage, wyth promyſe to be bounde (beſide greate ſummes of money, whyche hee woulde giue wyth hir) to deliuer into the Kyng of Enlands handes, all ſuche Caſtelles and Townes as he or his aunceſters deteyned from him within any part of the Duchie of Acquitayne, eyther by conqueſt of his progenitors, or by gifte or deliuerie of any Frenche king, and further to ayde the ſame Kyng, wyth money for the recouerye of other Cityes wythin the ſame Duchye by the Frenche Kyng, or by any other perſone from hym vniuſtly kept, and wrongfully withholden.

Thys offer ſeemed ſo profytable and alſo honorable to King Henry and to the realme, that the Ambaſſadours were well hearde, honourably receyued, and wyth rewardes ſente home into theyr countrey.

After whome were ſente for the concluſion of the marriage into Guyenne, ſir Edwarde Hull, ſir Robert Ros, and Iohn Gra[...]ton deane of S. Seuerines, the whyche (as all the Chronographers agree) both concluded the marryage, and by proxie affyed the yong Ladye.

The Frenche kyng not a little offended herewyth, ſent his eldeſt ſonne Lewes the Dolphyn of Vyenne into Rouergue wyth a puiſſant armye, whyche tooke the Earle and hys youngeſt ſonne, with both his daughters, and by force obteyned the countreyes of Arminack, Lovuergne, Rouergue, and Mouleſſonoys, beſide the cities Seuetac, Cadeac, and chaſed the baſtarde of Arminack out of his countreyes, and ſo by reaſon hereof, the concluded mariage was deferred, and that ſo long that it neuer tooke effect, as hereafter it may appeare.

Thus whyleſt England was vnquieted, and Fraunce by ſpoyle,An. reg. 22. ſlaughter, and brenning ſore defaced: all Chriſtendome lamented the continuall deſtruction of ſo noble a realme, and the effuſion of ſo muche chriſten bloud, wherfore to agree the two puiſſant Kings, all the Princes of Chriſtendome trauayled ſo effectuouſly by their oratours and Ambaſſadors,The dyet at To[...] or a peace to bee [...]d betvvene Englande and Fraunce. that a dyet was appoynted to be kept at the citie of Tours in Tourayne, where for the king of Englande appeared William de la Poole Earle of Suffolke, doctour Adam Molyns keeper of the Kings priuie ſeale, alſo Sir Robert Ros, and diuers other. And for the French king were appointed Charles duke of Orleans, Lewes de Bourbon earle of Vandoſme, greate Maiſter of the Frenche Kynges houſeholde, Piers de Breſſe Stewarde of Poyctowe, and Bertram Beaunau Lorde of Precigny.

There were alſo ſente thyther Ambaſſadours from the Empire, from Spayne, from Denmarke, and from Hungarie, to bee mediatours betwixte the two Princes.

The aſſemble was greate, but the coſte was muche greater, inſomuche that euerye parte for the honour of theyr Prince and prayſe of theyr countrey, ſette foorth themſelues, as well in fare as apparell, to the vttermoſte.

Many meetings were had, and many things moued to come to a fynall peace: but in concluſion by reaſon of many doubtes whyche roſe on both parties, no finall concorde coulde be agreed vppon, but in hope to come to a peace, a certayn truce as well by ſea as by lande,A truce for .18. moneths. was concluded by the Commiſſioners for eyghteen Moneths,1444 whyche afterwarde agayne was prolonged to the yeare of our Lord .1449. if in the mean time it had not bene broken.

In the treatyng of this truce, the Earle of Suffolke extending his commiſſion to the vttermoſt, without the aſſent of his aſſociates, imagined in his fantaſie, that the next way to come to a perfecte peace, was to moue ſome marriage betwene the Frenche Kinges kinſewoman the Ladye Margarete daughter to Reynet Duke of Aniou, and hys Soueraygne Lorde Kyng Henrye.

This Reyner duke of Aniou named himſelfe king of Sicile, Naples, and Ieruſalem, hauing only the name and ſtile of thoſe realmes, without any penie profite, or foote of poſſeſſion.

This mariage was made ſtraunge to the erle at the firſt, and one thyng ſeemed to bee a greate hinderaunce to it, whiche was, bicauſe the kyng of Englande occupyed a greate parte of the Duchye of Aniowe, and the whole Countie of Mayne, apperteyning (as was alledged) to king Reyner.

The Earle of Suffolke (I can not ſaye) eyther corrupted with brides, or too muche affectioned to thys vnprofytable mariage, condeſcended and agreed, that the Duchie of Aniowe and the Countie of Mayne ſhould be deliuered to the King the brydes father, demaunding for hir marriage, neyther pennye nor farthyng, as who woulde ſay, that this newe affinitie paſſed all riches, and excelled bothe golde and precious ſtone. And to the intent that of this truce might enſue a finall concorde, a daye of enterview was appointed betwene the two kings in a place conuenient betwene Chartres and Roan.

When theſe thyngs were concluded, the earle of Suffolke wyth his companie retourned into Englande, where he forgat not to declare what an honourable truce he hadde taken, out of the whyche there was a greate hope that a fynall peace myght growe the ſooner for that honourable marryage, whyche hee hadde concluded, emittyng nothyng that myght extoll and [...]te foorth the perſonage of the Ladye, or the nobilitie of her kinne.

But although this mariage pleaſed the kyng and dyuers of hys Counſell, yet Humfrey duke of Glouceſter protector of the realme was much agaynſte it, alledging that it ſhould be both contrarie to the lawes of God, and diſhonorable to the Prince, if he ſhoulde breake that promiſe and contract of mariage made by ambaſſadors ſufficiētly therto inſtructed, with the daughter of the Erle of Arminack, vpon conditions both to him and his realme, as much profitable as honorable. But the Dukes wordes coulde not be heard, for the Earles doings were only liked and allowed. So that for performance of the concluſions, the Frenche king ſent the Erle of Vandoſme, great maiſter of his houſe, and the Archebiſhop of Remes fyrſt peere of Fraunce, and diuers other into Englande, where they were honorably receyued and after that the inſtrumentes were once ſealed and deliuered on both partes, the ſayd ambaſſadors retourned into their countreys with greate giftes and rewardes.

When theſe things were done, the king both for honour of his Realme,Creations of eſtates. and to aſſure to himſelfe mo frends, he created Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington Duke of Exceſter as his father was, and Humfrey Erle of Stafford was made duke of Buckingham: & Henry erle of Warwike was erected to the title of duke of Warwike, to whom the K. alſo gaue the caſtell of Briſtowe, with y^e Iſle of Ierneſey, and Garneſey. Alſo the erle of Suffolk was made Marques of Suffolk, which Marques with his wife and many honorable perſonages of men and women richely adorned both with apparell & iewels, hauing with them many coſtly chariots & gorgeous horſlitters, ſailed into France for the conueyance of the nominated Queene into the realm of England. For king Reigner hir father, for all his long ſtile had too ſhort a purſe to ſend his daughter honorably to the King hir ſpowſe.

This noble copany came to the citie of Tours in Tourayne, An. reg. 23.
1445 where they were honorably receiued both of the French K. and of the K▪ of Sieil.

The Marques of Suffolke as procurator to K. Henry, eſpouſed the ſayd Lady in the churche of S. Martins.

At the whiche mariage were preſente the father and mother of the bryde, the Frenche Kyng himſelf, which was vncle to the huſband, and the French Queene alſo, whiche was Aunt to the wyfe. There were alſo the Dukes of Orleans, of Calabre, of Alanſon, and of Britayne, vij. Erles .xij. barons, xx. Biſhops, beſide knightes and Gentlemen.

When the feaſt, triumph, bankets and iuſtes were ended, the Lady was deliuered to the Marques, which in great eſtate he conueyed through Normandie vnto Diepe, and ſo trāſported hir into Englande, where ſhee landed at Porteſmouth in the moneth of Aprill.

This woman excelled al other, aſwel in beautie and fauor, as in wit and policie, and was of ſtomacke and courage more lyke to a man, than a woman.

Shortly after hir arriuall, ſhee was conueyed to the towne of Southwike in Hamſhire, where ſhe with all nuptiall ceremonies was coupled in matrimonie to King Henrye the ſixte of that name,Margaret daughter to Reiner king of Sicill and Ieruſalem maried to Henry the ſixt. and vpon the thirtie of Maye nexte followyng, ſhee was Crowned Queene of thys realme of Englande at Weſtminſter, with all the ſolemnitie thereto appertayning. This mariage ſeemed to many both infortunate and vnprofitable to the realme of Englande, and that for many cauſes. Fyrſte, the King had not one penye with hir, and for the fetchyng of hir, the Marques of Suffolke demaunded a whole fiftenth in open parliamente. And alſo, there was deliuered for hir the duchye of Aniou, the Citie of Mans, and the whole Countie of Mayne, whiche Countreys were the verye ſtayes and backeſtandes to the Duchie of Normandie.

And furthermore, the Earle of Arminacke tooke ſuche diſpleaſure with the Kyng of Englande for thys marryage, that hee became vtter enemye to the Crowne of Englande, and was the chiefe cauſe that the Englyſhemen were expulſed oute of the whole Duchie of Aquitayne.

But moſte of all it ſhoulde ſeeme, that God was diſpleaſed wyth this marriage: For after the confirmation thereof, the Kings friends fell from hym, bothe in Englande and in Fraunce, the Lordes of his Realme fell at diuiſion, and the commons rebelled in ſuche ſorte, that fynally after many fieldes foughten, and many thouſands of men ſlayn, the Kyng at length was depoſed, and his ſonne ſlayn, and his Queene ſent home agayne, with as muche myſerie and ſorrowe as ſhe was receyued with pompe and triumph: ſuch is the inſtabilitie of worldly felicitie, and ſo wauering is falſe flattering fortune.

This yere after the deceaſſe of Henry Chicheley Archbiſhop of Canterbury, ſucceeded Iohn Stafford in gouernment of that ſea, being tranſlated from Bathe and Welles. He was the .lxj. Archbiſhop, as Polydore noteth.

During the tyme of the truce, Richard duke of Yorke and dyuers other capitaines, repaired into Englande, both to viſite their wyues, children and frendes, and alſo to conſult what ſhuld be done, if the truce ended.

For the whiche cauſe a Parliament was called,An. reg. 24. in the which it was eſpecially cōcluded, that by good foreſight Normandie mighte be ſo furniſhed for defence before the ende of the Truce,1446 that the Frenche king ſhould take no aduantage through wante of tymely prouiſion: for it was knowne, that if a peace were not concluded, the Frenche kyng did prepare to imploye his whole puiſſance to make open warre. Herevppon money was graunted,The Duke of Somerſet made Regent of Normadie. an armye leuyed, and the Duke of Somerſet appoynted to be Regent of Normandie, and the Duke of Yorke therof diſcharged.

I haue ſeene in a Regiſter booke belongyng ſomtime to the Abbey of S. Albons, that the D. of Yorke was eſtabliſhed Regent of France after the deceaſe of the duke of Bedford, to continue in that office for the terme of .v. yeres, which being expired, he returned home, and was ioyfully receiued of the king with thanks for his good ſeruice, as he had full well deſerued in tyme of that his gouernement: and further, that now when a newe Regent was to be choſen & ſent ouer to abide vpon ſafegard of the countreys beyond the ſeas as yet ſubiect to the Engliſh dominion, the ſaid duke of Yorke was eſtſoones (as a man moſt mete to ſupplie that roomth) appointed to go ouer again as Regent of Fraunce with all his former allowances.

But the Duke of Somerſette ſtill maligning the Duke of Yorkes aduauncement, as hee had ſoughte to hinder his diſpatche at the firſte when he was ſent ouer to be regent, as before ye haue heard: he likewyſe nowe wrought ſo, that the king reuoked his graunt made to the duke of Yorke for enioying of that office the terme of other fiue yeares, and with helpe of Williā Marques of Suffolke obteyned that graunt for him ſelfe: Whiche malicious dealing the Duke of Yorke mighte ſo euill heare, that in the ende the heate of diſpleaſure burſt out into ſuche a flame, as conſumed at length not only bothe thoſe two noble perſonages, but alſo many thouſandes of others, though in dyuers tymes & ſeaſons, as in places hereafter as occaſion ſerueth, it ſhal more euidently appeare. But nowe to returne to the Parliament.

The Marques of Suffolke ſuppoſing that all men had as well lyked his doinges (duryng the tyme of hys Legation in Fraunce) as the ſame pleaſed himſelfe,The Marques of Suffolkes requeſtes. the ſeconde daye of Iune in the fyrſt Seſſion of this Parliamente, before all the Lordes bothe Spirituall and Temporall in the hygher houſe aſſembled, openly, eloquently, and boldly declared his payne, trauaile, and diligence ſuſteyned in his ſayde Legation, as well for the takyng and concluding an abſtinence of warre, as in the making of the marriage, opening alſo to them, that the ſayd truce expired the firſte of Aprill next comming, except a ſmall peace, or a farther truce were concluded in the meane ſeaſon: and therfore he aduiſed them to prouide and forſee things neceſſarie for the warre (as though no concorde ſhoulde ſuccede) leaſt happly the Frenchemen perceyuing them vnprouided, wold take theyr aduantage, and agree neyther to peace nor amitie, ſaying vnto them, that ſyth hee hadde admonyſhed the Kyng and them accordyng to hys duetie, if anye thyng happened otherwyſe than well, hee was therof innocente and guyltleſſe, and hadde acquyted hymſelfe like a true and louyng ſubiecte, and a faythfull counſayloure, praying the Lordes to haue it in remembraunce.

Lykewyſe on the morrowe after, he deſcended into the common houſe, accompanyed with certain Lordes, and there declared the ſame matter to the Knyghtes, Citizens, and Burgeſes, praying the Commons for hys diſcharge, that as well all hys dooyngs and proceedyngs in the Kyngs affaires beyonde the ſea, as alſo his aduertiſemente and counſell opened to the Lords and Commons nowe together aſſembled, might bee by the Kyng and them enacted and enrolled in the Recordes of the Parliament.

Wherevppon the morrow after, the Speaker William Burleye, and the company of the lower houſe, repayred vnto the Kyngs preſence, then ſyttyng amongſt the Lordes of the vpper houſe, and there humblye required that the requeſt of the Marques myght be graunted, and ſo likewiſe the Lords made the like petition kneling on their knees, in ſo muche that the Kyng condeſcended to their deſires: and ſo the labors, demeanors, diligences, and declarations of the ſayde Marques, together wyth the deſyres not only of the Lordes, but alſo of the commons, as wel for the honor of him, and his poſteritie, as for his acquitall & diſcharge, were enacted & enrolled in the records of the Parliament. By y^e Quenes meanes ſhortly after alſo, was the ſaid Marques aduaunced ſo in authoritie, that hee ruled the Kyng at his pleaſure, and to his hyghe preferment, obteyned the wardſhips both of the bodye and landes of the Counteſſe of Warwike, and of the Ladie Margaret ſole heire to Iohn Duke of Somerſet, whiche Ladie was after mother to King Henry the ſeuenth: and beſide that, cauſed the kyng to create Iohn de Foys, ſonne to Gaſton de Foys, Earle of Longvile, and the Captaw de Bueff Earle of Kendall, whiche Iohn had maryed his neece, and by his procurement the king elected to the order of the garter, the ſayde Gaſton, and Iohn his ſonne, giuyng to the ſonne towards the mayntenaunce of hys degree, landes and caſtelles, amounting to the ſumme of one thouſande poundes, whiche landes, name, and ſtyle, the iſſue and lyne of the ſayde Earle of Kendale at this daye haue and enioye.

Theſe things being thus in doing, the French king ſeeyng that the Towne of Mans was not deliuered accordyng to the appoyntement taken by force of the mariage, rayſed an armie for to recouer the ſame. Wherof the king of England beeing aduertiſed (leaſt the breache of the truce ſhould come by him) cauſed the towne to be deliuered without any force.

A commotion in Norvviche.This yeare was a great commotion in Norwiche agaynſt the Prior of the place. At length the Citizens opened the gates to the Duke of Norffolke whiche came thyther to appeaſe the matter, though at the fyrſt they woulde not ſuffer hym to enter.

The chiefe offenders were accordyng to their demerites,The liberties of Norvviche ſeaſed into the kings handes. greuouſly puniſhed and executed, and the Mayre was diſcharged of hys office, & Sir Iohn Clyfton was made Gouernour there, till the Kyng hadde reſtored the Citizens to theyr auncient liberties.

This commotion was begonne for certayne newe exactions whyche the Pryour claymed and tooke of the Citizens,Indirect meanes ſought to reforme vvrongs. contrarye to theyr auncient freedome: But thys was not the way to come to their right, and therefore they were worthily corrected.

Whyleſt the warres ceaſſed by occaſion of the truce,An. reg. 25. the myndes of men were not ſo quiet but that ſuch as were bent to malicious reuenge, ſoughte to compaſſe their prepenſed purpoſe, [...] agaynſt forreyn foes and enemies of their countrey, but againſte their owne countrey menne, and thoſe that hadde deſerued verye well of the common wealthe: and this ſpecially for lacke of ſtoutneſſe in the Kyng, who by his authoritie myghte haue ruled bothe partes,The deſcri[...] of Kyng Henry the [...]e. and ordered all differences betwixte them, as might haue ſtande wyth Reaſon: but where as hee was of ſuche pacience and integritie of lyfe, as nothing ſeemed to hym woorthie to be regarded, but that apperteyned vnto Heauenly matters and health of hys ſoule, the ſauyng whereof, hee eſteemed to bee the greateſt wyſedome, and the loſſe therof the extremeſt folly that might be.

The Queene contrary wyſe, was a woman of a greate witte, and no leſſe courage,Deſcription of the Queene. deſyrous of honoure, and furnyſhed wyth the giftes of reaſon, policye and wyſedome, but yet to ſhew hir ſelfe not altogether a man, but in ſome one poynte a verie woman, oftentymes when ſhe was vehemente and fully bente on a matter, ſhe was ſodeynly lyke a Weathercocke, mutable and tournyng.

Thys woman diſdaynyng that hir huſband ſhould be ruled rather than rule, could not abyde that the Duke of Glouceſter ſhoulde do all thinges concernyng the order of weyghtye affayres, leaſt it myghte bee ſayde, that ſhe had neyther wytte nor ſtomacke, whyche woulde permitte and ſuffer hir huſbande beeyng of perfecte age, lyke a young pupill to bee gouerned by the diſpoſition of an other manne. Althoughe thys toye entred fyrſte into hir brayne thorough hir owne imagination, yet was ſhee pricked forwarde to reforme the matter both by ſuche of hir huſbandes counſell, as of long tyme had borne malice to the Duke for his playneneſſe vſed in declaryng theyr vntrouth, as partely yee haue hearde, and alſo by the aduertiſement giuen to hir from Kyng Reygner hir father, aduyſyng hir, that ſhee and hir huſbande ſhoulde in anye wyſe take vppon them the rule and gouernance of the Realme, and not to bee kepte vnder, as wardes and deſolate Orphanes.

What needeth many wordes?The Queene taketh vppon hir the gouernment, and diſchardgeth the Duke of Glouceſter. the Queene perſuaded by theſe meanes, firſte of all excluded the Duke of Glouceſter from all rule and gouernaunce, not prohibiting ſuche as ſhee knewe to bee hys mortall foes to inuente and imagine cauſes and griefes agaynſt hym and hys, in ſo much that by hir procurement, diuers noble men cōſpired againſt him, of the which diuers writers affirme the Marques of Suffolk, and the duke of Buck. to be the chief, not vnprocured by y^e Cardinall of Wincheſt. & the Archbiſhop of Yorke. Dyuers Articles were layde agaynſte hym in open counſel and in eſpecially one, that he had cauſed menne adiudged to dye, to bee put to other execution, than the lawe of the land aſſigned: for ſurely the duke being very wel learned in the lawe ciuill, deteſting malefactors, & puniſhing offences, gat greate malice and hatred of ſuche as feared condigne rewarde for their wicked dooings. Althoughe the duke ſufficiently aunſwered to all things againſt him obiected: yet bicauſe his death was determined, his wiſdome little helped, nor his innocencie nothing auailed.

But to auoyde the daunger of ſome tumulte that might be reyſed, if a Prince ſo well beloued of the people ſhuld be openly executed, they determined to worke their feats and bring him to deſtruction, ere he ſhuld haue ani knowledge or warning thereof. So for the furtherance of their purpoſe,1447
A parliament [...] Ed [...]desbury. a parliament was ſummoned to be kepte at Berry, wheather reſorted all the peeres of the realme, and amongſt them the duke of Gloceſter, which on the ſecond day of the ſeſſion was by the lorde Beaumond, then high coneſtable of England, acompanied with the duke of Buckingham, and others, arreſted, apprehended, and put in warde, and all his ſeruauntes ſequeſtred from him, and .xxxij. of the chief of his retinew wer ſent to diuers priſons, to the greate admiratiō of the people. The duke the night after he was thus committed to priſon,The Duke of Glouceſter ſo [...]ly [...]rthe [...]ed. beeing the .xxiiij. of February was founde deade in his bedde, and his body ſhewed to the lordes and commons, as though hee had dyed of a palſey, or of an impoſtume: but all indifferent perſons (as ſaithe Hall) well knewe, that hee dyed of ſome violent deathe: ſome iudged him to be ſtrangled, ſome affirme that an hotte ſpit was put in at his fundement: other write that he was ſmouldered betwene .ij. fetherbeds, and ſome haue affirmed that hee dyed of verye griefe, for that he might not come openly to his anſwere. His deade corps was conueied to S. Albons, and there buried. After his death none of his ſeruāts ſuffred, although [...]ue of them, to wit, ſir Roger Chāberlain knight, Middle[...]on, Herbert, Arteiſe eſquiers, and Richard Nedhā gentleman, were arreigned, condempned and drawen to Tiborne, where they were hanged, let downe quick, & ſtriped to haue bin bowelled and quartered, but the Marques of Suffolke cōming at that inſtant brought their pardons, ſhewed the ſame openlye, and ſo theyr lyues were ſaued.Dukes of Gloceſter vnfor [...].

Some thinke that the name and title of Glouceſter, hathe bene vnluckye to diuerſe, whiche for their honoures haue bene erected by creation of princes, to that ſtile and dignitie, as Hughe Spenſer, Thomas of Woodſtocke, ſon to Kyng Edwarde the thirde, and this Duke Humfrey: Whiche .iij. perſons by miſerable deathe [...]iſhed their dayes, and after them king Richarde the thirde alſo, Duke of Glouceſter, in ciuill war was ſlaine and brought to death: ſo that this name of Glouceſter is taken for an vnhappy ſtile, as the prouerbe ſpeaketh of Seians horſe, whoſe rider was euer vnhorſed, and whoſe poſſeſſor was euer brought to miſery.

But ſurely, by the vnworthy deathe of this noble Duke and politike gouernor, the publike wealthe of the Realme of Englande came to greate ruyne, as by the ſequele of this pamphlet may more at lardge appeare.

There is an olde ſaid ſaw, that a man intendyng to auoyde the ſmoke, falleth into the fyre: So heree, the Queene mindyng to preſerue hir huſbande in honoure, and hirſelfe in auctority, conſented to the deathe of this noble man, whoſe only deathe brought that to paſſe, whyche ſhee hadde moſte cauſe to haue feared, whyche was, the depoſing of hyr huſbande, the decay of the houſe of Lancaſter, whyche of likelyh[...] hadde not chaunced if this Duke hadde liued: for then durſte not the Duke of Yorke haue attempted to ſet forthe his title to the Crowne, as hee afterwardes didde, to the greate diſquieting of the Realme, and deſtruction of Kyng Henry and of many other noble men beſide.

This is the opinion of menne, but gods iudgementes are vnſearcheable, againſt whoſe decree and ordinaunce preuaileth no humaine counſaile.

But to conclude with this noble Duke: he was no doubt a right mirrour of an vpright and politike gouernour, bending all his endeuoures to the aduauncement of the common wealth, no leſſe louing to the poore commons, than beloued of them again. Learned he was, and wiſe, full of curteſie, and voide of all pride and ambition, a vertue rare in perſonages of ſuche high eſtate, albeit where the ſame chaunceth, moſt commendable.

But ſithe the praiſe of this noble man deſerueth a large diſcourſe, and meete for ſuche as haue cunning howe to handle the ſame, I referre the readers vnto Maiſter Fores booke of Actes, and Monumentes, fyrſte Volume Page 833.

In this ſixe and twentieth yere of the raign of this King,An. reg. 26. but in the firſte of the rule of the Queene, I finde nothing done worthye of rehearſall within the Realme of Englande, but that the Marques of Suffolke, by greate [...] of the Kyng, and more deſire of the Queene, was erected to the title and name of Duke of Suffolke whiche dignitie hee ſhorte time inioyed: for Richard duke of Yorke being greatly alyed by hys wife to the chiefe Peeres and Potentates of the Real[...]e, ouer and beſide hys own progeny, perceiuing the king to be a ruler not ruling, and the whole burthen of the realm to reſte in the ordinaunces of the Queene, and the Duke of Suffolke, began ſecretly to allure his friendes of the Nobilitie, and priuily declared vnto them hys tytle and ryghte to the crowne, and likewiſe didde he to certaine wiſe and ſage gouernours and rulers of diuers Cities and Townes: whych priuy attempt was ſo pollitickely handled, and ſo ſecretly kepte that his prouiſion was ready before his purpoſe was openly publiſhed, and his friendes opened themſelues ere the contrary parte coulde them eſpie: for in concluſion, time reueled truthe, and olde hidde hatred ſoddainely ſprong out, as yee maye hereafter both learne and heare.

During theſe doings, Henry Beauford Biſhop of Wincheſter,1448 and called the riche Cardinall, departed out of this worlde, and was buried at Wincheſter.The deathe of the Bishoppe of [...]Vincheſter & [...]s deſcription. This man was ſonne to Iohn Duke of Lancaſter, deſe[...]ded of an honourable linnage, but borne in baſte, more noble in bloud than notable in learning, hault of ſtomacke, and highe of countenaunce, riche aboue meaſure, but not very liberall, dyſdainfull to his kinne, and dreadefull to hys louers, preferring money before friendeſhippe, manye things beginning and fewe performing: hys couetous inſaciabilitie, and hope of long lyfe, made hym bothe to forgette God, his Prince, and hymſelfe: of the getting of his goodes both by power Legantine, and ſpirituall bribery, I will not ſpeake, but the keeping of them for his ambitious purpoſe was bothe greate loſſe to hys naturall Prince and natiue countrey: for hys hydden riches might haue well holpen the King, and his ſecret treaſure might haue relieued the communaltie, when money was ſe[...]nte and importunate chardges were dayly immenent.

An. reg. 27. After the deathe of this Prelate, the affaires in Fraunce were neither well looked to, nor the gouernors of the countrey wel aduiſed:Sir Frauncis Suriennes. for an engliſh capitain called ſir Frācis Suriennes, ſurnamed the Aregonois, of the countrey wher he was borne, a man for his wit and actiuitie admitted into the order of the Garter tooke by ſkaling ſoddainely in the nyght of the euen of our Lady day in Lent,Fongieres. a Town on the Fronters of Normandy, belonging to the Duke of Britaine called Fougiers, ſpoylyng the ſame and killing the inhabitantes.

The Duke of Britaigne beeing hereof aduertiſed, ſent worde by the biſhop of Remines to the Frenche Kyng, beſeching him of his aid and counſaile in the matter.

The French King foorthwith ſent his [...] uer Iohn Hauart, and Iohn Coſinet one of the Maiſters of his requeſtes to the King of Englande: and to the Duke of Somerſet, he diſpatched Peter de Fontaines the Maiſter of his horſe, to the whiche meſſengers aunſwere was made aſwell by the Kyng as the duke, that the fact was done without their knowledge. And for the truce to be kepte, and not onely reſtitution, but alſo amends to be made to the Duke of Britayne, a daye of dyet was appoynted to be kepte at Louniers, where the commiſſioners on both partes being aſſembled, the frenchmen demaunded amendes, wyth no ſmall recompence. The Engliſhemen aunſwered that without offence, nothing by Iuſtice ought to be ſatiſfied, affirming the doing of Sir Frauncis Sureinnes to be only his act without conſent eyther of the Kyng of Englande, or of the Duke of Somerſet hys lieuetenaunt and Regent.

But whiles wyth long delay, they talked of this matter at Louniers, certain Frenchmen by aduertiſement of a wagoner of Louniers,Pont de Larc[...] taken by the Frenchmen by a ſube[...] [...] vnderſtāding that the town of Pont de Larche was but ſlenderly manned. The wagoner laded his wagon, and paſſed forward hauing in his companye twoo ſtrong Varlettes clad like Carpenters, wyth greate axes on their ſhoulders, and hereto le Seigneur de Breze wyth a choſen company of men of armes, lodged himſelfe in a buſhement neare to the gate of Saint Andrewe, and Capitayne Floquet accompanied wyth ſir Iames de Cleremont, and another greate companye priuily lurked vnder a woode towarde Louniers.

When all things were appointed for the purpoſe, earely one morning about the beginning of the moneth of October, deuiſed to take the ſame town on this maner: The wagoner came to the gate, and called the porter by name, praying hym to open the gate, that hee myghte paſſe to Roan, and retourne agayne the ſame nyght.

The Porter (whiche well knewe the voyce of hys cuſtomer) tooke little heede to the other twoo companions, and ſo opened the one gate and ſent another fellowe of hys to open the formoſte gate. When the Chariot was on the drawe bridge betwene both the gates, the chariot Maiſter gaue the Porter money, and for the nonce let one peece fall on the grounde, and while the Porter ſtouped to take it vp, the wagoner wyth hys dagger ſtroke hym in at hys throate, ſo that he cried for no helpe, and the .ij. great lubbers ſlewe the other porters, and with their axes cut the axeltree of the wagon, ſo that the drawe bridge coulde not be ſhortly drawen vppe. This done they made a ſigne to Capitaine Floquet, whyche wyth all ſpeede entred the Towne, ſlewe and tooke all the Engliſhemenne: and amongeſt other, the Lorde Fauconbridge Capitaine of the ſaide Towne was taken priſoner. The loſſe of this place was of no ſmall importance, being the very kay & paſſage ouer the riuer of Seyne, from France into Normandy, beeing diſtant from Roan onely foure leagues.

When requeſt was made to haue it reſtored againe to the Engliſhemen, aunſwere was made, that if they woulde reſtore to the Duke of Britayne, the Towne of Fougieres wyth condigne amends for the domages done there, the Towne of Pont Larche ſhoulde then bee againe deliuered, or elſe not.

And ſhortely after, in hope of good ſpeede the Frenche King aſſembled an army, and deuiding the ſame into three parts, gotte by ſurrender after ſundry aſſaults, and loſſe of diuers of his men, the townes of Lovuiers, and Gerborye, whereof Wyllyam Harper was Capitayne. Alſo the Towne, Caſtell, and greate Tower of Verneueil in Perche were rendred into the Frenche Kyngs handes, after twenty dayes of reſpite graunted, to ſee if reſcues wold haue come.

The Frenche wryters affirme the Towne to be taken by aſſault. Thus was the warre renued, before the terme of the truce was fullye expired, and the Engliſhe Capitaines were brought to their wittes end, what with appeaſing dayly rumors wythin the Townes, and what wyth ſtudie howe to recouer caſtels loſte and taken, for while they ſtudied how to keepe and defende one place, foure or fiue other folowing fortunes chaunce tourned to the french parte. The chiefe cauſe of whyche reuoltyng was, for that it was blowen abroade throughe France, how the realm of England, after the death of the duke of Glouceſter by the ſeuerall factions of princes was deuided in two parts, and that Wyllyam de la Poole lately created Duke of Suffolke, and diuerſe other whythe were the occaſion of the ſaide Duke of Glouceſters deathe, vexed and oppreſſed the poore people, ſo that mennes mindes were, not intentiue to outwarde affaires: but all their ſtudye giuen to keepe off wrongs offered at home, the Kyng lyttle regardyng the matter, and the Quene ledde by euill counſell, rather further[...]d ſuche miſchiefes, as dayly beganne to growe, by ciuill diſcorde, than ſought to reforme them, ſo that the Normans and Gaſcoignes vnderſtanding in what ſtate thynges ſtoode tourned to the Frenche parte, as he, reafter it maye appeare.

Aboute the ſame time alſo, beganne a newe rebellion in Irelande,A rebellion in in Irelande. but Richarde Duke of Yorke beeing ſent thither to appeaſe the ſame, ſo aſſwaged the fury of the wilde and ſauage people there, that he wanne hym ſuche fauoure amongeſt them, as coulde neuer bee ſeparated from hym, and hys lynnage, whiche in the ſequele of thys hiſtorye maye more plainely appeare.

The Frenchemenne hauing perfect vnderſtandyng of the vnreadineſſe of the Realme of England, diſplayd their banners,The Englishe loſſe all in Fraunce. and ſet forth theyr armyes, and in ſhorte ſpace gat by yelding, Conſtance, Gyſors, Caſtell Galliarde, Ponteau de Mere, ſaint Lo, Feſtampe, Newcaſtell, Touque, Mauleon, Argenton, Liſieux, and diuers other Townes and places within the countrey of Normandy.

Lykewiſe in Guienne was the Towne of Mauliſſon rendred to the Erle of Fois. Theſe Townes were not yelded voluntarily by the Engliſhe ſouldiors: but they were compelled thereto by the inhabitants of the townes, which hauyng intelligence of the feeble eſtate of the Realme of Englande, roſe againſte the Capitaynes, opened the gates to the ennemyes, or conſtreined them to render vpon compoſition. By whyche enforcement, was the riche Citie of Roan deliuered:Roan yelded to the Frenchemenne. for ſurely the Duke of Somerſet and the Earle of Shrewſbury had well kepte that Citie, if they had bin no more vexed with the Citizens, than they were wyth theyr ennemies. For after that the Frenche Kyng had giuen ſummonaunce to the Citie, the inhabitantes ſtreyght wayes didde not only deuie which way they might betray the citie, but alſo put on armor, and rebelled openly againſt their Capitaines, the whiche perceyuing theyr vntruthe, retired into the Caſtell or Pallaice, where for a certayne ſpace,Harflevve be[...] ſeged. Sir Thomas Curſon. wyth arrowes and handegunnes, they ſore moleſted the vntrue citizens, but at lengthe vnderſtanding the great puiſſaunce of the Frenche King, and diſpairing of all aide and ſuccoure, they yelded vpon condition, that wyth all their goodes and armoure they ſhoulde ſafely departe to Caen, and that certayne Townes ſhoulde bee deliuered by a daye. And till the ſame Towns were rendred, the Earle of Shrewſbury, and the Lord Butler ſonne to the Earle of Ormonde, were lefte behinde as pledges, whiche were ſent to the caſtell of Evreux, bycauſe they ſore feared the malice of the citizens of Roan.

The Frenchemenne followyng the victorye came to Harflewe, and fiercely aſſaulted the walles, but by the highe prowes and vndaunted valiauncy of the Capitayne, Syr Thomas Curſon they were to their great loſſe manfully by him repulſed, and beaten backe. The frenchmen learning witte by this greate periſt, lefte their ſkaling, and deuiſed dayly howe to batter and break the walles, make the breaches reaſonable for them to enter. This ſiege long continued to the greate loſſe of bothe parties. When Sir Thomas Curſon ſawe no likelyhoode of gaine,Harflevve yelded to the Frenche. but great apparance of preſent loſſe, hee fell at compoſition with the enimies, and ſo departed wyth all his goodes.

An. reg. 28. After which Towne rendred, the fortreſſe of Hunflewe was vppon like compoſition alſo yelded. Thus maye you ſee howe fortune is euer wythout meaſure, eyther too muche fauouring, or too much hating: for beſide theſe towns ſurrendred in Normandye, the Duke of Britain recouered againe Fougieres, ſaint Iames de Beuuron, and diuers other.

1450In the meane ſeaſon the King of Englande ſente into Normandye (with a newe ſupply of a thouſande fiue hundreth men) a right valiant Capitayne called Sir Thomas Kiriell,Sir Thomas Kiriell. who ioygning hymſelfe wyth other Engliſhe capitaines recouered the Townes of Liſieux, and Valongnes, and hauing wyth him power ſufficient, as he tooke it, to keepe the fieldes, he departed the twelfth of April from Valongnes, meaning to paſſe towardes Baieux, and after to Caen, but on the eyghteenth day of the ſame Moneth, hee was encountred at a place called Formigny betwixt Carenten and Baieux, by the Earle of Cleremont, and other Frenchemen with Scottes. At the firſt onſet, the Engliſhemen receyued their enemies wyth ſuche manhoode, that the Frenchemen were driuen back, and the Engliſhmen took from them two Culuerines, albeit in the ende, by the comming of the Coneſtable of Fraunce, Arthur de Britaine Earle of Richmont, who broughte with hym twoo hundreth or twelue ſcore menne of armes,The Englishemen ouerthrovven at [...]o[...]gny. and an eyght hundred archers or demylaunces, the Engliſhemenne were diſcomfited, put to flight, and ſlaine to the number of three thouſande ſeuen hundred three ſcore & thirteen, as Enguerāt noteth, beſide priſoners, of whom there were diuers perſonages of accompte, as the ſaide Sir Thomas Kiriell hymſelfe. Syr Henry Norbery, Sir Thomas Drewe, Syr Thomas Kirkly, Chriſtofer Anberton, Arpell, Helice, Alengour, Iennequin, Vacquier, Gobarte, Caleuille, and ſundry other.

Sir Robert Veer, and ſir Mathew Gough that valiant Welchmā, and many other eſcaped ſo wel as they might ſome to Baieux ſome to Caen, and other to other places as ſeemed to ſtand beſt with their ſafeties.

After thys victorye obteyned, the Frenche Kyng aſſembled an army royal,Caen beſieged and yelded to the Frenche. and cōming before Caen, beſieged it on all ſides, and after makyng hys approches fiercelye aſſaulted the walles, but the Duke of Somerſet, and the other Capitaines within the Towne, manfully withſtoode their enemies, ſhewyng both force and greate pollicye in defendyng and beatyng backe the aſſailants. The Frenche Kyng perceyuing hee coulde not preuaile that way, ſent for all his greate ordinaunce to Paris, whiche beeing brought, he dayly ſhotte at the walles, and did ſome hurte, but to the Caſtell whych ſtoode on a rocke, and in it a Dungeon vnable to be beaten downe, hee didde no harme at all. Though the duke of Somerſet was the kings lieuetenaunt, yet Syr Dauy Hall as captain of thys Towne, for hys Mayſter the Duke of Yorke owner therof, tooke vpon hym the chiefe chardge. Sir Roberte Veer was Captaine of the Caſtell, and Sir Henry Radforde Captaine of the Dungeon. Dayly the ſhotte was greate, but more terrible than hurtfull, ſauing one daye a ſtone ſhot into the Towne, feſt betweene the Ducheſſe of Somerſet, and hir children, whiche being amazed with this chaunce, beſought hir huſband kneeling on hir knees, to haue mercy and compaſſion of his ſmalle infantes, and that they might bee deliuered oute of the Towne in ſafegarde.

The Duke more pityfull than hardy, moued wyth the ſorrowe of hys wife, and loue of his children, rendred the Towne agaynſte the minde of Sir Dauy Hall, (whoſe counſell and faithefull diligence in acquyting himſelfe to aunſwere the truſte committed to hym by hys Maiſter,) if other hadde followed, the Frenche had ſuſtayned more trauaile and loſſe, ere they ſhoulde haue ſo eaſely atteined their purpoſe. The concluſion of the ſurrender was, that the Duke of Somerſette and his, might departe in ſafegarde with all their goodes and ſubſta[...]e: ſir Dauy Hall with diuers of his truſty frinds departed to Chierburghe, and from thence ſailed into Ireland to the duke of Yorke, making relation to hym of all theſe dooings, whyche thing kindled ſo great a rancour in the Dukes harte and ſtomacke, that hee neuer lefte perſecuting of the Duke of Somerſette, till hee had broughte hym to hys fatall ende, and confuſion.

After the obteyning of this ſtrong towne of Caen, the Earle of Cleremonte beſieged the Citie of Liſieux, whereof was Capitaine Mathewe Goughe wyth three hundred Engliſhe men, who in the ende, deliuered that towne, vppon condition, that he and his people might departe to Chierburghe. Then was Falaiſe beeſieged, whereof were Capitaynes, for the Erle of Shrewſbury that was the owner, Andrew Trollop, and Thomas Cotton eſquiers, which being in dyſpaire of all ſuccours, agreed to deliuer it vpon twoo conditions:

The one was, that the erle their Maſter whiche remayned in pledge, for performaunce of certaine appointmentes, concluded at the deliuerye of Roan (as yee haue hearde) ſhoulde be ſet at libertie. The other, that if they were not reſcued within .xij. dais, that then they & theirs ſhoulde departe wyth armoure, and all their goodes moueable, whither it pleaſed them. At the day appoynted, the Towne was rendred, and ſo likewiſe was the Towne of Damfront vppon the ſemblable agreement. Nowe reſted onely Engliſhe the Towne of Chierburghe, wherof was captayne one Thomas Gonville, whyche ſurely as long as victuall and munition ſerued, defended the Town right manfully, but when theſe twoo handes were conſumed, hee beeing deſtitute of all comforte and ayde, vppon a reaſonable compoſition, yelded the Towne, and went to Callais, where the Duke of Somerſette, and many other Engliſhemen then ſoiorned. Thus was Normandye loſte clerely out of the Engliſhemennes hands, [...] Normandy [...] after it had continued in their poſſeſſion the ſpace of .xxx. yeares by the conqueſte of Henry the [...]e. In the whiche Duchte were an hundred ſtrong Townes and fortreſſes, able to be kepte and holden, beſide them whiche were deſtroyed by the warres, and in the ſame is one Archebiſhoppricke, and ſixe Biſhopprickes. Some ſaye that the Engliſhemenne were not of puiſſaunce eyther to manne the Townes, as they ſhoulde haue bene, or to inhabite the countrey, whiche was the cauſe that they could not keepe it. Other ſaye, that the Duke of Somerſette, for his owne peculiar aduauntage, kepte not halfe the number of ſouldiours whiche he was appoynted and allowed, but put the wages in his purſe, but the chiefe, and onely cauſe vndoubtedly, was the deuiſion within the realm, euery great man deſiring rather to be reuenged on his foe at home, than on the common enimie abroade, as by that whiche followeth, you may plainely perceiue.

An. reg. 29. For whileſt the Frenche made theſe conqueſts in the Duchie of Normandie, three miſchieuous Capitaynes, ſette the people of thys realme (aſwell thoſe of the nobilitie, as of the meaner ſorte) in ciuill warre and ſedition: for among the highe Princes and Peeres reigned inwarde grudge, among the Clergie flattery and adulation, and among the communaltye diſdaine of laſciuious ſoueraigntie, whyche the Queene wyth hir mynions and vnprofitable counſellors daily tooke and vſurped vpon them. Wherefore they (not minding to bee charged further than their backes were able to beare, and herewyth perceiuing how throughe want of prouydent wiſedome in the gouernoure all things went to wracke, aſwell within the realm as without) beganne to make exclamation againſt the Duke of Suffolk,The commons exclame againſt the duke of Suffolke. affirming him to bee the onely cauſe of the deliuerie of Aniow, and Maine, the chief procurour of the Duke of Glouceſters death, the very occaſion of the loſſe of Normandy, the ſwallower vp of the kyngs treaſure, the remoouer of good and vertuous counſellours from aboute the Prince, and the aduauncers of vicious perſons, and of ſuche, as by their dooings ſhewed themſelues apparant aduerſaries to the common wealthe.

The Quene doubting not only the dukes deſtruction, but alſo hir owne confuſion, cauſed the Parliament beefore begon at the blacke Friers, to be adiourned to Leiceſter,The Parliamēt adiourned from London to Leiceſter, and from thence to VVeſtminſter. thynking there by force, and rigor of lawe, to ſuppreſſe and ſubdue all the malice and euill wil conceſned againſte the Duke and hir, at whiche place fewe of the Nobilitie would appeare: wherefore it was againe adiourned to Weſtminſter, where was a full apparaunce.

In the whiche ſeſſion the commons of the nether houſe, put vp to the kyng and the lords many articles of treaſon, miſpriſion, and euill demeanor, againſte the Duke of Suffolke, the effect whereof wyth hys aunſweres here enſueth, as we finde the ſame recorded in the Chronicles of Maiſter Edwarde Hall,

1 Fyrſte they alledged that hee hadde traiterouſlye excited, prouoked,Articles proponed by the Commons againſt the duke of Suffolke and counſayled Iohn Earle of Dunois baſtarde of Orleans, Bertram Lorde Preſigny, Willyam Coſinet, ennemies to the King, and friendes and Ambaſſadours to Charles, calling himſelf French Kyng, to enter into this Realme, and to leauie warre againſte the King and his people, to the intent to deſtroy the K. and his frendes, and to make Iohn his ſon King of this realm, marying him to Margaret, ſole heire to Iohn Duke of Somerſet, pretending and declaring hir, to be nexte heire inheritable to the crowne, for lack of iſſue, of the kings body laufully begotten.

2 Item, the ſaide Duke being of the Kings priuie and neare counſaile, allured by greate rewards and faire promiſſes, made by the forſaid Earle of Dunois, cauſed the King to delyuer and ſette at libertye, Charles Duke of Orleans, ennemy to the King, and the Kings noble father, whiche delyueraunce was prohibited by expreſſe words, in the laſte will of the kings moſte victorious father.

3 Item, that beefore the departure of the ſaide Duke of Orleans, the aforenamed Duke of Suffolke trayterouſlye faſte cleauyng to Charles called the Frenche King, counſailed, prouoked, and entiſed the ſaide Duke of Orleans, to moue the ſame Kyng to make warre againſte England, both in Fraunce and Normandie: according to which procurement and counſayle, the ſaide Frenche King hathe recouered the whole Realme of Fraunce, and all the Duchie of Normandie, and taken priſoners the Earle of Shreweſoury, the Lorde Fauconbridge, and many other valiant Capitaines.

Theſe three Articles aforenamed he denyed, eyther for facte or thought.

4 Farther it was alledged, that he beeyng ambaſſador for the K. of England, to Charles calling hymſelfe Frenche King, promyſed to Reyner king of Sicile, and to Charles Dangiers his brother, ennemies to the king, the releaſe of Aniow, wyth the deliueraunce of the Countie of Maine, and the citie of Mawnt or Mauns, wythout the knowledge of the other Ambaſſadours, which him accompanied, which promiſe after his return, he cauſed to be performed, to the kings diſinheritance and loſſe irrecuperable, and to the ſtrengthe of his enemies, and feebliſhement of the Duchie of Normandie. To this article he anſwered, that his commiſſion was to conclude, and doo all thinges accordyng to his diſcretion, for the obteynyng of a peace, and bycauſe wythout deliuerye of thoſe countreys, hee perceyued that truce coulde not bee obteyned, he agreed to the releaſe and deliueraunce of them.

5 Alſo they ſurmiſed, that the ſaide Duke beeing in Fraunce in the Kings ſeruice, and one of the priuieſie of his counſaile there, traiterouſlye declared and opened to the Capitains and Conduiters of warre, apperteyning to the Kinges enemies, the Kinges counſaile, purueyance of his armies, furniture of his towns, and all other ordynaunces, whereby the Kings enemies (enformed by hys trayterouſe information) haue gotten Townes and fortreſſes, and the king by that meane depriued of his inherytaunce.

6 Item, the ſayde Duke declared to the Earle of Dunoys, to the Lord Preſigny, and Wyllyam Coſinet ambaſſadors for the french king lying in Londō, the priuities of the kings counſaile, bothe for the prouiſion of further warre, and alſo for defence of the Duchie of Normandye, by the diſcloſing whereof, the Frenchemenne knowing the Kinges ſecretes, preuented the tyme, and obteyned theyr purpoſe.

7 Item, that the ſaide Duke at ſuche time as the King ſent Ambaſſadours to the French King, for the intreating of peace, tr[...]cou[...]y beefore their comming to the Frenche Courte certified king Charles of their commiſſion, authoritie and inſtructions, by reaſon whereof, neither peace nor amitie ſucceded, & the kings inheritaunce loſte, and by hys enemyes poſſeſſed.

8 Item, the ſame Duke ſayde openly in the ſtarre chamber before the lords of the counſaile, that hee had as highe a place in the counſaile houſe of the French king, as hee had there, and was aſwell truffed there as here, and could remoue from the French king, the p[...]ieſt man of his counſaile, if hee would.

9 Item, when armies haue bene p[...]ared, and ſouldiours readie waged to paſſe on[...] the Sea, to reſiſte the Kings enemies: the ſayde duke corrupted by rewards of the french king, hathe reſtrayned and ſtayed the ſaide armies, to paſſe any farther.

10 Item, the ſaid Duke being Ambaſſador for the King, compriſed not in the league as the kings alies, neyther the king of Arragon, neyther the Duke of Britaigne, but ſuffred them to bee compriſed on the contrarie parte, by reaſon wherof, the olde amitie of the king of Arragon, is eſtranged from this Realme, and the Duke of Britaine became enemie to the ſame: Giles his brother the Kinges ſure freinde, caſte in ſtrong priſon, and there like to ende and finiſhe his dayes.

All theſe obiections hee vtterly denyed, or faintly auoided, but none fully excuſed. Diuers other crimes were layde to hys charge, as enriching hymſelfe with the Kynges goodes and lands, gathering togither, and making a Monopolie of offices, fees, wardes, and Farmes, by reaſon wherof, the Kings eſtate was greatly miniſhed and decayed, and he and his kinne highely exalted and enriched, with many other pointes, which bycauſe they be not notable nor of greate force or ſtrengthe, I omitte and ouerpaſſe.

The Quene which entierly loued the duke, doubting ſome commotion and troudle to ariſe, if hee were let go vnpuniſhed,The Duke of Suffolke committed to the Tovver. cauſed him to be committed to the tower; where he remained not paſte a Moneth, but was agayne deliuered and reſtored to the Kynges fauour, as muche as euer hee was beefore. This dooing ſo much diſpleaſed the people, that if politike prouiſion hadde not bin, greate miſchiefe had immedyatly enſued: for the commons in ſundry places of the Realme aſſembled togyther in greate companyes, and choſe to them a Capitaine, whome they called Blewberde,Blevvberde Capitaine of the Rebe[...] but ere they hadde attempted any enterpriſe their leaders were apprehended, and ſo the matter pacified without any hurte committed.

After this little rage thus aſſwaged, the parliament was adiourned to Leiceſter, whyther came the King and Queene in great eſtate, and wyth them, the Duke of Suffolke as chiefe counſellors. The commons of the lower houſe not forgetting their olde grudge, beſought the King, that ſuche perſons as aſſented to the releaſe of Aniow, and delyueraunes of Mayne might bee duely puniſhed, and to bee priuie to that ſake they accuſed as principall, the Duke of Suffolke, with Iohn Biſhop of Saliſbury, and Sir Iames Fines, Lord Day, and diuers other. When the king perceiued that there was [...]o remedy to appeaſe the peoples fury by any diſſembling wayes, to beginne a ſhorte way to pacifie ſo long an hatred, hee fyſte ſequeſtred the Lorde Saye being Threaſourer of England, and other the Dukes adherems from their offices, and toomthes, and after baniſhed the Duke of Suffolke as the abhorred tode, and common noyſaunce of the realme for the terme office yeares, meaning by this exile to appeaſe the furious rage of the people, and after when the matter was forgotten, to reuolte hym home againe: but fortune woulde not that to vngracious a perſon ſhoulde ſo eſcape, for when hee ſhipped in Suffolke, intending to tranſporte ouer into Fraunce, hee was encountred with a ſhippe of warre, apperteyning to the Duke of Exceter, Conneſtable of the Tower of London, called the Nicholas of the Tower. The Capitayne of that Barke wyth ſmall fight entred into the Dukes ſhip, and perceyuing hys perſon preſent, brought hym to Douer Rode, and there on the one ſide of a cocke boate,The death[...] of the Duke of [...]. cauſed his heade to be ſtriken off, and left his body with the heade lying there on the ſands, which corps beyng there founde by a chaplein of his, was conueyed to Wingfield colledge in Suffolke, and there buried. This end had William de la Poole Duke of Suffolke, as meane iudge by Gods prouidence, for that he hadde procured the deathe of that good duke of Glouceſter, as before is partly touched.

But the deathe of this Duke broughte not the Realme in quiet, for thoſe that fauoured the Duke of Yorke, and wiſhed the Crowne vppon his heade, for that (as they iudged) hee hadde more right therto, than he that ware it, procured a commotion in Kent on this manner.

[...]ke Cades [...]on in [...].A certain yong man of a goodly ſtatu[...]e and right pregnaunt of witte, was enticed to take vppon hym the name of Iohn Mortimer (allthoughe his name was Iohn Cade) and not for a ſmall pollicie, thinking by that ſurname, that thoſe which fauored the houſe of the Earle of Marche woulde be aſſiſtaunce to hym.

This Captaine aſſembled a greate companye of tall perſonages, aſſuring them, that the enterpriſe whiche he tooke in hande, was bothe honorable to God and the kyng, and profitable to the whole Realme, for it eyther by force or pollicye they might gette the King and Quene into their hands, that he woulde cauſe them to bee honourablye vſed, and take ſuche order for the puniſhing and reforming of the miſdemeanors of their counſellours, that neither fifteenes ſhoulde hereafter be demaunded, nor once any impoſitions or taxes ſhoulde bee ſpoken of.

The Kentyſhe people prouoked with theſe perſwaſions and other faire promiſſes of liberty (which they moſt deſire) in good order of battaile, thoughe not in great number, came with their ſaide Capitaine vnto the plaine of Black heath, betwene Eltham and [...]newiche.

And to the intent the cauſe of this glorious Capitaines comming thither, might bee ſhadowed from the King and his counſaile, vnder a cloked veile of good meaning, thoughe his intent was malicious, he ſent vnto hym an humble ſupplication, affirming that his comming was not againſt his grace, but againſt ſuche of his counſellours, as were louers of themſelues, and oppreſſors of the poore communaltye: flatterers of the King, and enemies to his honor: ſuckers of his purſe, & robbers of his ſubiectes: parciall to their friendes, and extreeme to their enemies: through bribes corrupted, and for indifferency dooing nothing.

This proude bill was of the King and hys counſaile diſdainfully taken, and vppon conſultation hadde, it was concluded, that ſuche proude Rebelles ſhoulde rather bee brought down by force and violence, than pacified with faire wordes, and gentle aunſwers: Wherevppon the King aſſembled a greate army, and marched towarde them, whiche hadde lyen on Blacke heathe by the ſpace of eight dayes.

The ſubtill Capitain Iacke Cade, intending to bring the King [...]lker within the compaſſe of his nette, brake vp his Campe,The Staffordes ſlaine at Seuenock by Iacke Cade. and retired backe to the town of Seu[...]nocke in Kent. The Queene whiche bart the rule being of his retraite well aduertyſed, ſente Syr Hamfery Stafford Knighte, and William hys, brother, with many other gentlemenne, to followe the chaſe of the Kentiſhemenne, thinking that they hadde fledde, but they were deceyued, for at the firſt ſkirmiſhe bothe the Staffords were ſtaine, and all their company ſhamefully diſcomfited.

The Kings army being at this time come to Blacke heath, hearing of this diſcomſiture, beganne to grudge and marmure amongeſt themſelues, ſome wiſhing the Duke of Yorke at home to ayde the captaine hys couſin: ſome deſiring the ouerthrowe of the Kyng and hys counſayle: other openlye crying oute on the Queene and hyr complices.

This rumor publiſhed abroade, cauſed the King and certaine of his counſaile (to appeaſe the furious rage of the multitude) to commit the Lorde Say Threaſourer of England, vnto the Tower of London, and if other againſte whome like diſpleaſure was borne, hadde bene preſent, they had ben likewiſe cōmitted. When Iacke Cade had obteyned the victorie againſte the Staffordes, hee apparrelled hymſelfe in ſir Humfreys brigandins ſet full of guilt nailes, and ſo wyth pompe and glorye, retourned againe toward London, diuers idle and vagarande perſons reſortyng to hym from Suffex, and Surrey, and other places, and from other parties to a greate number. Thus this glorious Capitaine enuironed wyth a multitude of euill, rude and ruſticall people, came againe to the plaine of Blacke heathe, and there ſtrongly encamped hymſelfe, to whome were ſent from the Kyng, the Archebiſhoppe of Canterburye, and Humfrey Duke of Buckingham, to common with hym of his greeues and requeſtes.

Theſe lords founde hym ſober in talke, wiſe in reaſoning, arrogant in hart, & ſtiffe in opinion, for by no meanes he would graūt to diſſolue his army, except the king in perſon wold come to him, and aſſent to all things he would require. The king after he had vnderſtoode the preſumptuous aunſwers and requeſtes of this villanous rebell, beganne aſmuche to doubt his owne familiar ſeruauntes, as hys vnknowen ſubiectes, (which ſpared not to ſpeake, that the Capitaynes cauſe was profitable for the common wealthe) departed in all haſte to the Caſtell of Killingworthe in Warwickeſhire, leaning only behind him the lord Scales to keepe the tower of London. The Kentiſhe captaine beeing aduertiſed of the Kings abſence, came firſte into Southwark, and there lodged at the white harte, prohibiting to all his retinue murder, rape, and robbery, by which coloure of well meanyng, hee allured to hym the hartes of the common people. But after this, hee entred into the Citie of London, and cutte the ropes of the drawe bridge, ſtrikyng hys ſworde on London ſtone, ſaying now is Mortimer lord of this citie. And after a flattering declaration made to the Maior of his thither comming, he departed againe into Southwarke, and vpon the thirde day of Iuly bee cauſed ſir Iames Fines Lorde Say and threaſorer of England, to be brought to the Guyld hall, & there to be arreined, which being before the kings Iuſtices, put to anſwer, deſired to be tried by his Peeres, for the lenger delay of his life. The captaine perceyuing his dila[...]orie plea,The Lord [...] be[...]ded as the S[...]anderd in Cheaps by force tooke hym from the officers, & brought hym to the ſtanderd in Cheaps▪ and there before his confeſſion ended, cauſed his heade to bee ſtriken off, and pitched it vpon a[...] highe pole, which was openly borne before him throughe the ſtreetes. And not content herwith hee went to Mileend, and there apprehended [...] Iames Cromer then ſheriffe of Kent, and ſon in lawe to the ſaide Lorde Say, cauſing likewiſe hym without confeſſion or excuſe [...] to bee beheaded, and his heade to bee [...]ed [...] pole, and with theſe .ij. heades this blondy [...] cher entred into the citie againe, and in deſpite cauſed them in euery ſtreete to kiſſe togither, to the great deteſtation of all the beholders. After this, ſucceeded open rapine, and manifeſt robbery in diuers houſes within the citie, and eſpecially in the houſe of Philip Malpas Ad[...]rmā of London, & diuers other, ouer and beſide raunſoming and fining of diuers notable merchāt[...], for the ſuertye of their liues, and goods, as Roberte Horne Alderman, whyche p[...]yde .[...].C. marks: he alſo put to execution in Southwarke diuers perſones, ſome for breakyng hys ordynaunce, other being of his olde acquaintaunce, loſt they ſhoulde bewraye his baſe linnage diſparaging him for his vſurped ſurname of Mortimer. The Maior and other the Magiſtrates of London, perceyuing themſelues neyther to bee ſure of goodes, nor of life well warranted, determined to repulſe and keepe out of their citie ſuche a miſchieuous t[...]raunt and his wicked company, and to be the better able ſo to do, they made the lorde Scales and that renoumed captaine Mathewe Goughe priuye bothe of their intent and enterpriſe, beſeeching them of their helpe and furtherance therin. The Lord Scales promiſed them his aide with ſhoting off the artillery in the tower, and Mathew Gough was by hym apointed to aſſiſte the Maior & Londoners in all that he might, and ſo he & other captaines appointed for defence of the Citie, tooke vpon them in the night to keepe the brydge, and woulde not ſuffer the Kentiſhmen once to approche. The rebelles which neuer ſoundly ſlept for feare of ſodaine chaunces, hearing that the bridge was thus kept, ran with greate haſte to open that paſſage, where betwene bothe parties was a fience and cruell encounter. Mathew Goughe perceuing the rebelles to ſtand to their tackling more manfully than hee thought they woulde haue done, aduiſed his company, not to aduance any further towarde Southwarke, till the day appeared that they [...]ght ſee where the place of icoperdy reſted, and ſo to prouide for the ſame: But thys little auailed. For the rebelles wyth theyr huge multitude draue backe the Citizens frō the ſtoulpes at the bridge foote, to the drawe bridge, and began to ſet Arc in dyuers houſes: greate ruth it [...] to beholde that [...] like chance, for [...] to eſchu[...] the fire, fell vp[...] [...] their enimies we[...]pon, and ſo died: [...], with children in their armes a[...] [...]a[...] die paſt good remembrāce, [...]ept into y^e riuer, other doubting how to haue themſelues, betwene fire, water, & ſword, were in their houſes [...], and [...] hered. Yet y^e Captaines nothing regarding theſe vauntes, ſoughte on the bridge all the night valiantly, but in [...], y^e rebels ga[...] the draw bridges drowned many, & ſlew Iohn Sotton Alderman, & Robert Heyſand, a hardye Citizen, w^t many other, [...] Mathew Gough, a man of great wit, & much experience in feares of chiualry, y^t which in cōtinual warres, had ſpēt his time in ſeruice of the King and his father.

This fore conflict endured in doubtfull wiſe on the bridge, till nine of the clocke in the morning, for ſometime, the Londoners were beaten backe to S. Magnus corner: and ſuddaynely againe, the Rebels were repulſed to y^e ſtoulpes in Southwarke, ſo that both parts being faint and weerie, agreed to leaue off from fighting till the next day, vppon condition, that neyther Londoners ſhould paſſe into Southwarke, nor y^e Kentiſhmen into London.

After this abſtinence of warre taken, thys rakehell Captaine hoping vppon more friendes, brake vp the gaſles of the Kings benche, and the Marſhalſey, and ſet at libertie a ſwarme of galauntes, both meete for his ſeruice, and apt for his enterpriſe.

The Archbiſhop of Canterburie being Chā cellor of Englande, and as then for his ſuretie lying within the Tower, called to him the Byſhop of Wincheſter, who likewiſe for feare, lurked at Halywell: theſe two Prelates, ſeeing the furie of the Kentiſhe people, by reaſon of theyr late repulſe and beating backe, to bee ſomewhat aſwaged, paſſed the riuer of Thames, from the Tower into Southwarke, bringing with them vnder the kings great ſeale, [...] e[...]emities [...]metimes politie doth more than [...]ength. a general pardon vnto all the offendors, and cauſed the ſame to be openly publiſhed. The poore people were ſo glad of this pardon, and ſo readye to receiue it, that without bidding farewell to their Captayne, they withdrew thēſelues y^e ſame night, euery mā towardes his owne home, as men amazed, and ſtriken with feare, but Iacke Cade, deſpayring of all ſuccours, and fearing nowe the ſequeale of his lewde dealings, departed ſecretely in habite diſguiſed into Suſſex, hoping ſo to eſcape, but after that proclamation was made, that who ſo euer could apprehēd the ſaid Iacke Cade, ſhuld haue in rewarde a M. markes for hys paynes, many ſought for him, but few eſpied him, tyll at length, one Alexander I[...], a valiant Eſquier of Ke[...]e, founde him one in a garden, and hym there in his defence, manfully flew,Iacke Cade, a deſperate Rebell ſlayne. and brought his dead body to London, whoſe head was pitched on a polle, and ſet vpon London bridge.

After this, the King himſelfe came into Kent, and there [...] vpon the offendors: and if he had not mingled his luſt [...] with uſed▪ as, more than fiue hundred by [...], had [...]iuiſtly put to [...] puniſhing only the ſtubbornie heads, and diſordred [...] [...] ders, deliuered and pardoned [...] perſons, to the great [...].

During the commo[...] ad[...] London, Raufe Bi[...]e Saliſburie, was by [...] namito[...], and [...], and ſo from thenceforth, dayly followed murther, ſlaughter, and d[...]ſtruction.

The French King vnderſtanding all this ciuill diſcord, and rebellious ſtories in England, made thereof his foundations, [...]ping to get vnto his handes and poſſeſſion, the Duchie of Aquitaine, and therevpon, ſent y^e Erles of [...] and Perigort, to lay ſiege to the towne of B[...]rgerat, ſituate vppon the riuer of Douerdo[...]ne, of whiche towne was Captaine, Iohn Ge[...], who vppon reaſonable conditions, rendred the Towne: but yet the Lorde Ca[...], ſir George Seymor, and ſir Iohn Atu[...]der, [...] diuers other valiant Captaines, hauing the gouernance of the Countrey, manned Townes, gathered people, and recomforted the fa[...]ing harts of the Gaſcoignes in all that they could, & withall, ſent letters ouer into England, certifying to y^e kings maieſtie, that without ſpeedie aide, & ready ſuccours, the whole countrey was like to bee conquered & won out of the Engliſhmens poſſeſſiō.

Many letters were ſente, & manye faire aunſweres were brought, but reliefe neyther appeared, nor one man of warre was thither ſhipped, by reaſon whereof, the frenchmen purſuing the victorie, gote the fortreſſes of Ianſacke, and S. Foye, with diuers other peeces of importaunce thereaboutes. Alſo, about y^e ſame time, the L. Doruall, third ſonne to the L. de la Breth, with a great number of men, as wel on horſebacke as on foote, departed from Ba[...]as, to conquere and deſtroy y^e Ile of Medor, wherevpon, the Maior of Burdeaux iſſuing out, & encountring with his enimies, was vāquiſhed, loſing ſixe C. Engliſhmen & Gaſcoignes: albeit, the frenchmen gained not this victorie with cleere hands, for ther were ſlaine of them to the nūber of eight C. perſons.

After this, the baſtarde of Orleans, with hys brother Iohn Earle of Angoleſme,145[...] whiche had bin long priſoner in England, and many other valiant Captaynes, beſieged y^e Caſtell of Mōtguyon, which to them was rēdered. Afterward, they beſieged the Towne of Blay, ſtanding on the riuer of Garōne, the which in concluſion by very force, was cōquered and won. The baſterd of Kendall, Captaine of the Caſtell, ſeeing the towne loſt, vpon certaine reaſonable conditions, deliuered his fortreſſe to the baſterd of Orleans, the french kings Lieutenāt. After this, y^e townes of Burge and Liborne, after fiue weekes ſiege, were likewiſe yelded to the frenchmē. Thē was y^e Citie of Acques beſieged by the Erle of Foys, and the Vicont de Lawtree his brother, and other noble men. So likewiſe alſo was the ſtrong towne of Rion by the Earle of Arminacke, extreame enimie to y^e realm of Englād, for breach of y^e mariage cōcluded betweene K. Henrye and his daughter. The Earle of Ponthieuvre layde ſiege to Chatillon in Perigort, and the Earle of Dunoys enuironned with greate puiſſaunce the towne of Fronſacke. The Engliſhmen perceiuing in what ſtate they ſtood within y^e towne, couenanted with the ſaid Earle, y^t if the Towne were not ſuccoured, and the Frenchmen fought with before the feaſt of the natiuitie of S. Iohn Baptiſt next enſuing, y^e then the towne of Frō ſack ſhould be yeelded to them, whiche was the ſtrongeſt fortreſſe in all that Countrey, and the very key of Guyenne. Hereof wer pledges delyuered, & writings made and ſealed, which agreement once blowen through the countrey, the citie of Burdeaux, and all other townes (excepte Bayonne) made the like agreement. So did al y^e noble men and Gentlemen whiche were ſubiects and vaſſals to the Crowne of Englande. Euery day was looking for ayde, but none came, for the diueliſhe deuiſion that raigned in Englande, ſo encombred the heads of the noble men there, that the honor of the Realme was cleerely forgotten, ſo that (to conclude) the day appointed came, but ſuccour looked for came not, by reaſon wherof, all y^e townes in Aquitaine (except Bayonne) deliuered their keyes, and became vaſſales to the french nation, yet the Citizens of Burdeaux, in hope of reſcues, required a longer daye of battell, which was graunted, but at the day appoynted, when no reliefe came, they rendred themſelues and the Citie to their aduerſaries, their liues and goodes ſaued, with licence and ſafeconduit to all perſons which would depart and ſaile into England. Then finally was the Citie of Bayon beſieged, and with mines and baterie conſtreyned to yeeld it ſelfe into the Frenchmens handes.

Beſide the agreements taken and made with the townes, diuers noble mē made ſeuerall compoſitiōs, as Gaſton de Foys, Capdaw de Buef, whome King Henrie the fifth made Earle of Longeuile, and Knight of the garter, whoſe anceſtors were euer true to Englande, whiche agreed, that he and his ſon Iohn de Foys, whom King Henrie the ſixth made Earle of [...]ten[...] and alſo Knight of the garter, ſhoulde [...] all their landes in Aquitaine, giuen to them by the kings of Englande, or by the Dukes of [...] taine, and bycauſe their intente was [...] y^e king of England, they agreed to deliuer [...] cuſtodie of the Erle of Foys, the [...] and [...] of the ſaide Earle of Krudale, beeing of the age of three yeares, to the intent, that if he at his [...] age denyed to become ſubiect to the French King, or before that time deceaſſed, that thē after y^e death of his father and grandfather, all the ſaide landes ſhould wholly remaine to the next heire of theyr bloud, either male or female, being vnder the obeyſance of the French King or his heires. Many other noble men, whoſe harts were good Engliſh, made like compoſitiōs, and ſome came into England, and others wente to Calais, & dare great offices there, as the L. Duras, whiche was Marſhall of that Towne, and Monſ. Vauchere, which was deputie there, vnder y^e Erle of Warwike. Thus were the Engliſhmen cleerely diſplaced, and loſt the poſſeſſiō of al y^e coūtreys, townes, Caſtels, and places within the Realme of France, ſo y^e only Calais, Hāmes, & Guines, w^t the marches therof, remained in their hāds, of al thoſe their dominiōs & ſeigniories which they ſometime held in the parties of beyond the ſeas.

The Duke of Yorke pretending (as yee haue heard) a right to the Crowne, An. reg. [...] The Duke of Yorke ma[...] clayme to the Crowne▪ as heire to Lionel Duke of Clarence, came this yere out of Irelād vnto London, in the Parliament time, there to conſult with his eſpecial friends, as Iohn Duke of Northfolke, Richarde Earle of Saliſburie, and the Lorde Richarde his ſonne, whiche after was Earle of Warwike, Thomas Courtney Earle of Deuonſhire, and Edward Brooke lord Cobham.

After long deliberation, & aduice takē, it was thought expediente, to keepe their chiefe purpoſe ſecret, and that the Duke ſhould reyſe an armye of mē, vnder a protext to remoue diuers Counſellors about the King, and to reuenge the manifeſt iniuries done to the common wealthe by y^e ſame rulers, of the which as principall, the D. of Somerſet was namely accuſed, both for that he was greatly hated of the commons for y^e loſſe of Normandie, and for that it was wel knowē; that he would be altogither againſt the Duke of Yorke in his chalenge to bee made (when tyme ſerued) to the Crowne.

Therfore, when the Duke of Yorke had thus by aduice of his ſpeciall friends, framed the foundation of his long intended enterpriſe, VVheth[...] The Duke of Yorke rayſed a great pow[...] for recoue[...] of his right of the Crowne. he aſſembled a greate hoſt, to the number of ten M. able men, in y^e marches of Wales, publiſhing opēly, that y^e cauſe of this his gathering of people, was for the publike wealth of the Realme.

The King muche aſtonyed at the matter, by aduice of his counſell, reyſed a great power, and marched forward toward the Duke, but he being thereof aduertiſed, turned out of that way, whiche by eſpials he vnderſtoode that the King held, and made ſtreighte towarde London, and hauing knowledge that he might not be ſuffered to paſſe through the Citie, hee croſſed ouer the Thames at Kingſton bridge, and ſo kept on towards Kent, where he knewe that he hadde both friendes and good willers, and there on Brent heath, a mile frō Dertforde, and twelue miles frō London, he embatelled, and encamped hymſelfe very ſtrongly, enuironing his field with artillerie and trenches.

The King hereof aduertiſed, brought his army with all diligence vnto blacke heathe, and there pight his tents.

VVhethāſted.Whileſt both theſe armies lay thus embatelled, the King ſente the Byſhop of Wincheſter, and Thomas Boucher, Biſhoppe of Elie, Richard Wooduille, Lord Riuers, & Richard Andrew, the keeper of his priuie ſeale, to the Duke, both to know the cauſe of ſo great a com[...], & alſo to make a concord, if y^e requeſts of the D. and his companye ſeemed conſonant to reaſon.

The Duke hearing the meſſage of the Byſhops, aunſwered, that his comming was neyther to damnifie the K. in honor, nor perſon, neither yet any good man, but his intente was, to remoue from him certaine euill diſpoſed perſons of his counſayle, bloudſuccors of the nobilitie, pollers of the Cleargie, and oppreſſors of y^e poore people, amongſt whome, he chiefly named Edmond Duke of Somerſet, whome if the Kyng would commit to warde, to aunſwere ſuche articles as againſt him in open Parliament ſhuld bee both proponed and proued, hee promiſed not only to diſſolue his army, but alſo offered hymſelfe like an obediēt ſubiect, to come to the kings preſence, and do to him true and faithfull ſeruice, according to his loyall and bounden duetie.

When the Biſhops & the others, were returned with this aunſwere, for the auoiding of bloudſhed, & pacifying of y^e D. and his people, the D. of Somerſet was committed to warde, as ſome ſay, or elſe commanded to keepe himſelfe priuie in his owne houſe, as other write, till the furie of the people were ſomewhat qualified.

But it ſhuld ſeeme by that whiche ſome haue writē,VVhethāſted. y^e the D. of Yorke was deceiued of y^e hope whiche he had, to be aided of the Kentiſhmen, in ſo much, y^e whē he ſaw himſelfe ouermatched by y^e K. in number of people, who had got togither thrice as many men as y^e D. had there w^t him, y^e D. was y^e more eaſie to deale with, & ſo cōming to y^e K. and ſubmitting himſelfe, by mediatiō of certaine of y^e nobilitie, he obteined pardon of that his former preſumptuous enterpriſe, & within a few dayes after his cōming to London with the K. he openly in the Church of S. Paule (the K. being preſent) receiued a ſolemne oth, that from thenceforth, he ſhould no more commit any ſuch offence, nor attempt any thing, either againſt the K. or any other of his liege people, contrarie to y^e order of law and iuſtice. Howſoeuer the matter wente, troth it is, that the D. of Yorke, the firſte day of March, diſſolued his army, & brake vp his camp, & came to y^e kings tent, where contrary to his expectatiō, & againſt promiſe, made by y^e K. as other write, he found the D. of Somerſet going at large, & ſet at libertie,The Duke of Yorke accuſeth the D. of Somerſet. whom the Duke of Yorke boldly accuſed of treaſon, briberie, oppreſſion, and many other crimes.

The Duke of Somerſet not only made anſwere to the Dukes obiections, but alſo accuſed him of high treaſon, affirming, that he with hys fautors and complices, had conſulted togither, how to obteine the ſcepter & regal crowne of this realm: by mean of which words, the K. remoued ſtreight to London, and the Duke of Yorke as priſoner, rode before him, & ſo was kepte awhile.

The King aſſembled togither a great Counſaile at Weſtminſter, to heare the accuſations of the two Dukes, the one obiecting to the other many haynous and greeuous crimes.

But the Duke of Somerſette, whiche nowe conceyued in his minde the thing that ſhortly followed, inceſſantly exhorted the Counſayle, that the Duke of Yorke, by cōpulnon or otherwiſe, might be driuen to confeſſe his offence, that ſo being atteinted of treaſon, he might ſuffer execution, and his children to be taken as aduerſaries to their natiue countrey, to the intente, that by the loſſe of this only Prince, and his ſequeale, all ciuill war, and inward deuiſion might ceaſſe and be repreſſed, beſieching almightie God, that ſo greate an enimie to the King and his bloud, might neuer eſcape puniſhmente, nor continue long in life.

The Duke of Somerſet ſette forth this matter the more vehemently, bycauſe hee knewe perfectly, that the Duke of Yorke dayly imagined with himſelfe, howe to get the Crowne, and to depoſe and deſtroy both the King and him,Deſtenie, or rather Gods prouidence cannot be auoyded. but the neceſſitie of deſtenie cannot by any mannes deuiſe, bee either letted or interrupted, for many things (to common iudgement) declared the D. of Yorkes innocencie in this caſe. Firſt, his free and voluntarie comming to the King, without conſtreynt, when he was partly of puiſſance able to haue encoūtred with the kings whole power. Secondly, his humble ſubmiſſiō, and reaſonable requeſts, as well on his owne behalfe, as for the poore commons, whiche argued, that hee fought for no ſoueraignetie, but theſe things he vſed for a cautele, to daſle mens eyes withall.

1452While the counſayle treated of ſauing or diſpatching of this dolorous D. of Yorke, a rumor ſprang through London, that Edward Erle of Marche, ſon & heire apparant to the ſaid D. accōpanyed with a great army of Marchmē, was comming towarde London, which tidings ſore appalled the Queene, and the whole counſayle.

Beſide this, the very ſame day, came Ambaſſadors frō the chiefe Citizens & magiſtrates of y^e Citie of Burdeaux, whereof the chiefe were, the Erle of Kendale, and the L. de Leſparre, which ſignified to y^e Counſaile, that if they would ſende an armie into Gaſcoigne, the people of y^e countrey would reuolt from the frēch part, & eftſones become Engliſhe. Theſe two things ſore troubled the heads of the Counſaile, which leaſt inward fedition might binder outward conqueſts, ſet the D. of Yorke at libertie, & permitted him to goe to his Caſtell of Wigmore, in the marches of Wales, by whoſe abſence, the D. of Somerſet roſe in ſuch high fauour, both with the King and Queene, that his word only ruled, and hys voice alone was heard.

The Counſaile not forgetting the offer of y^e Gaſcoignes,An. reg. [...] 1453 & that they might now haue y^e Citie of Burdeaux, with the country round about, by requeſt of the inhabitants, appointed the valiant Captaine Iohn A. Talbot, Earle of Shreweſburie, to goe thither with an armie, who arriuing in the Iſle of Madre, paſſed forthe with his power, being ſcant three thouſand men, and tooke the ſtrong towne of Fronſacke, and dyuers other townes and fortreſſes. The inhabitantes of Burdeaux, hearing of the Earles arriual, ſent to him meſſengers in the darke night, requiring him with all ſpeede, to come and receiue the Citie. The Earle loſt not one houre, but haſted forth, and came before that Citie, eare the french men within vnderſtood any thing of the Citizēs purpoſe. When they were aduertiſed that there was a gate ſet open for the Engliſhmen to enter, they thought to haue eſcaped ſecretly by a poſterne, but they were purſued, ſlayne, and taken, by the L. de Leſparre, and other of the Engliſh armie.

After the regaining of Burdeaux, there arriued at Blay the baſterde of Somerſet, ſir Iohn Talbot, L. Liſle by his wife, ſonne to the ſayde Earle of Shreweſburie, the L. Molius, the L. Harington, the Lorde Cameis, Sir Iohn Howard, Sir Iohn Montgomerie, ſir Iohn Vernon, with .22. hundred men, with vittailes and munitions.

When the Erle was thus, according to hys in[...]te, of all things furniſhed, firſte he fortifyed B[...]aux with Engliſhmen, and ſtore of vittayle, and after that, he rode into the Countrey abroade, where hee obteyned Cities, and gote Townes, without ſtroke, or dint of ſworde, for the people already aweeryed of the French ſeruitude, and longing ſore to returne to the Engliſh libertie, ſeemed to deſire nothing more than to haue the Earle to receyue them into the Engliſh obeyſance. Amongſt other townes, y^e towne and Caſtell of Chaſtillon in Perigort, was to him deliuered, the which he fortified with men, and ordinance very ſtrongly.

In the meane time, the Frenche King beeyng aduertiſed of all theſe doings, reyſed an army to reſiſt this inuaſion made by the Earle of Shreweſburie, and firſte he appointed his Captaynes to beſiege the Towne of Chaſtillon, to the reſcue whereof, the Earle haſled forward, hauyng in his company eight hundred horſemen, vnder the leading of his ſonne the Lord Liſle, the Lord Molins, the Lord Cameys, Sir Edward Hu[...], Sir Iohn Howard, and Sir Iohn Vernon.

Hee appointed alſo fiue thouſande footemen, vnder the conduit of the Earle of Rendalle, and the L. de Leſparre, to follow him with al ſpeede.

In his way, hee tooke by fine force a tower, whiche the Frenchmen had taken, and ſlewe all that he found within it, and after by the way, he met fiue hundred frenchmen, going a foraging, of whome he ſlew the more part, and cha[...]d the other to the campe.

The Frenchmen that lay at the ſiege, perceyuing by thoſe good runners away, that the Erle approched, left y^e ſiege, & retired in good order into the place whiche they hadde trenched, diched and fortified with ordinance.

The Earle aduertiſed how the ſiege was remoued, haſted forwarde towardes his enimies, doubting moſt, leaſt they woulde haue bin quite fledde and gone before his comming: but they fearing the diſpleaſure of the French King (who was not farre off) if they ſhould haue fled, abode the Earles comming, and ſo receiued him, that though he firſte with manfull courage, and ſore fighting wanne the entrie of their camp,The valiant Earle of Shre [...]esbury and his ſonne mā nely ſlayne. yet at length, they compaſſed him about, and ſhooting him through the thigh with an handgunnue, ſlew his horſe, and finally killed hym, lying on the ground, whome they durſt neuer looke in the face, while he ſtoode on his feete.

It was ſaid, that after he perceyued there was no remedie, but preſente loſſe of the battell, hee counſelled his ſonne the Lord Liſle, to ſaue himſelfe by flight, ſith the ſame could not redounde, to any great reproch in him, this being the firſte iourney in which he had bin preſent. Manye wordes hee vſed to perſwade him to haue ſaued his life, but nature ſo wrought in the ſonne, that neither deſire of life, nor feare of death, coulde either cauſe him to ſhrinke, or conneigh hymſelfe out of the daunger, and ſo there manfully ended his life with his ſaid father.

There died alſo the Erles baſterd ſonne, Hē ry Talbot, and Sir Edwarde Hull, elect to the order of the garter, and thirtie other menne of name, and right valiant perſonages of the Engliſh nation.

The Lord Molines was taken priſoner with lx. others. The reſidue of the Engliſh people fled to Burdeaux, and other places, of whom in the flight were ſlayne aboue a thouſand perſons.

Thus at this battaile of Chatillon fought the xiij. day of Iuly in this yere, ended his life Iohn Lord Talbot, and of his progenie the firſt Erle of Shrewſbury, after that he with muche fame and moſte victorie, had valiantly made warre, and ſerued his Prince and countrey by the ſpace of .xxiiij. yeares, in the parties of beyond the ſea, whoſe corps was left on grounde, and after was founde by his frendes, and conueyed to Whitchurch in Shropſhire, where it was enterred.

After thys diſcomfiture dyuers Lordes fledde to Burdeaux, but the Earle of Candall, the lordes of Montferrant, of Roſayn, and of Dangladas entred into the Caſtell of Chaſtillon, whiche by y^e ſpace of ten days they defended, but in the ende, diſpayring of all ſuccours, rendred the fortreſſe, and came ſafe to Burdeaux.

After this, the townes of Saint Million, Liborne, and all other whiche the Earle of Shreweſburie had conquered, rendred themſelues to the Frenchmen, Burdeaux only except, the whiche Citie beeing the laſt refuge of the Engliſhe people, the French King in perſon beſieged with all his puiſſance, and in concluſion, conſtreyned both the garniſons and inhabitants to yeelde,Burdeaux yelded againe to the Frenche. ſo that the Engliſhmen and Gaſcoignes myghte ſafely depart into England or to Calaice, with all their ſubſtance, and that the Lordes de Leſparre, Duras, and thirtie other, ſhould neuer vppon paine of death, be founde within any of the French Kings dominions, which Lord de Leſparre being after taken in Gaſcoigne diſguiſed, was made ſhorter by the head.

When this compoſition was agreed and ſealed, the Engliſhmen were ſhortly tranſported ouer into Englande, in the moneth of October this preſent yeare.

Thus was the Duchie of Aquitaine, whyche had continued in the Engliſhe poſſeſſion, from the yeare of our Lorde .1155. vnto this preſente yeare, which is neere hands three hundred yeres, by the mariage of Alienor, daughter and heyre to William Duke of Aquitaine, wife to Kyng Henry the ſecond, finally reduced and broughte againe to the Frenche obedience and ſeruitude.

Within that only Duchie, be foure Archbyſhops, foure and twentie Biſhops, fifteene Erledomes, two hundred and two Baronies, and aboue a thouſand Captaineſhippes and Balifewikes, whereby yee maye conſider, what a loſſe this was to the Realme of England.

The thirtenth day of October this yeare, was the Q. deliuered at Weſtmin. of a faire ſonne, which was chriſtened,The Queene deliuered of hir ſon Prince Edward. and named Edward.

His mother ſuſteyned not a little ſlander and obloquie of the common people, who had an opinion, that the King was not able to get a childe, and therefore ſticked not to ſay, that thys was not hys ſonne, with manye ſlaunderous words, greatly ſounding to the Queenes diſhonor, which neede not heere to be rehearſed.

After the birth of this childe, he highly aduanced his brethren on his mothers ſide, for Edmōd he made Earle of Richmond, which was father to King Henry the ſeuenth, and Iaſper he created Erle of Pembroke, which died without iſſue.

This yeare, Iohn Stafford, Archbyſhoppe of Caunterburie departed this life, & Iohn Kemp, Archbiſhoppe of Yorke, was remoued from that Sea, to ſucceede in place of the ſaid Stafford, being the .62. Archbyſhoppe there, and Iohn Both Byſhop of Couentrie and Liechfield, was tranſlated to Yorke, beeing the .51. Archbyſhoppe of that Churche.

When the warres were ended in forayne parties,An. reg. 32. ciuil diſſention began againe to renne within the Realme, beeing deuided into two ſeuerall factions,1454 for King Henry diſcended of the houſe of Lancaſter, clayming the Crowne from hys grandfather King Henry the fourth (firſt author of this deuiſion) and Richard Duke of Yorke, as heire to Lyonell Duke of Clarence, third ſonne to King Edward the third, wreſtled for y^e game, and ſtroue for the wager, by reaſon whereof, the nobles as well as the common people, were into partes deuided, to the vtter deſtruction of many a man, and to the great ruyne & decay of this region: for while the one partie ſtudyed to deſtroy the other, all care of the common wealth was ſet aſide, and iuſtice and equitie cleerely exiled.

The duke of Yorke imagineth the deſtructiō of the Duke of Somerſet.The Duke of Yorke aboue all things, firſte ſought meanes how to prouoke the malice of the people againſt the Duke of Sommerſet, imagining, y^t he being made away, his purpoſe ſhould ſhortly come to a good concluſion.

He alſo practiſed to bring the King into the hatred of the people, for that hee was not a man apt to the gouernemente of a Realme, wanting both witte, and ſtomacke, ſufficient to ſupply the roomth which he held.

Many of the high eſtates, not liking y^e world, and diſalowing the actes and doings both of the King and his counſaile, determined to practiſe howe things might come to ſome alteration.

When the Duke vnderſtoode their mindes, he chiefly entertayned, and wanne the fauour of two Neuilles, and both named Richarde,He [...] hymſelf with the Neuilles. the one Earle of Saliſburie, and the other Earle of Warwike, the firſt being the father, and y^e ſecond the ſonne.

This Earle of Saliſburie, was ſecond ſonne to Raufe Neuill Earle of Weſtmerland, whoſe daughter the Duke of Yorke had married,The ſiſter of Rich. Neuille erle of Saliſbury. and the ſayde Richard was eſpouſed to Lady Alice, the only childe and ſole heire of Thomas Montacute Earle of Saliſburie, ſlayne at the ſiege of Orleans (as before is declared) of which woman, he begate Richarde, Iohn and George: Richard the eldeſt ſonne, eſpouſed Anne, the ſiſter & heyre of the entire bloud, to Lord Henry Beauchamp Earle, and after Duke of Warwike, in whoſe right and title he was created, and named Erle of Warwike.

This man through a certaine naturall inclination and practiſe, did ſo ſet forward a ſort[...] good qualities whiche reſted in him, with wittie and gentle demeanor towards all maner of perſons, both of high and lowe degree, that he grew into ſuche fauoure and eſtimation amongſt the common people,The deſcriptiō of the erle of Warwike. that they iudged him able to do all things, & that without hym nothing could be well done. For whiche cauſes his authoritie ſo farfoorth increaſed, that whiche way he bowed, that way ranne the ſtreame, and what parte hee tooke, that ſayde got the game.

When the Duke of Yorke hadde faſtened hys chaine betwene theſe two ſtrong pillers,An. reg. .33. he with his frendes wrought ſo effectuouſly, and handled his buſineſſe ſo politikely,The duke of Somerſet arreſted. that the Duke of Somerſet was arreſted in the Quenes great chamber, and ſente to the Towre of London, where he kept his Chriſtmaſſe without great ſolemnitie, againſt whome, in open Parliamente were layd diuers and heynous articles of high treaſon,1455 as wel for the loſſe of Normandie, as for the late miſchance which happened in Guyenne.

The king at y^e time was ſicke at Clarendon, and conueyed to London, by reaſon whereof, no fynall determination proceeded in thys weightie cauſe, but all was put in ſuſpence, tyll the next aſſemblie of the high Court of Parliamente.

VVe[...]amſtedWee finde in ſome Writers, that whileſt the K. was ſicke, the D. of Yorke bare all the rule, & gouerned as Regent or Viceroy, by authoritie committed to him by the Lords of the Realme, then aſſembled in counſell, to ſee to the preſeruation, and good gouernemente of the common wealth,The king ſick during the time of that y^e kings ſicknes, which was ſo greeuous, that hee lay ſenſeleſſe, and was not able for a time, either to goe or ſtande.

The Duke of Yorke therefore hauing obteyned an abſolution of the Pope, to diſcharge him of his oth before taken, did now diſcouer the ſparkes of his hatred, hid vnder the aſhes of diſſimulation, againſt the D. of Somerſet: but yet when the K. had recouered ſtrength againe, and reſumed to hym hys former princely gouernemente, eyther of hys owne mynde, or by the Queenes procurement,The duke of Somerſet ſette at libertie. hee cauſed the Duke of Somerſet to be ſet at libertie, by whiche doyng, great enuie & diſpleaſure grew. And to aggrauat more the malice of the D. of Yorke, & his friēds, the Queene whiche then bare the chiefe rule, cauſed the Duke of Somerſet to be preferred to the Captaineſhippe of Calaice,He is made de [...]ie of Caleis wherewith not only the commons, but alſo many of the nobilitie were greately greeued and offended, ſaying, that he had loſt Normandie, and ſo would he do Calaice.

The Duke of Yorke and his adherentes, perceyuing that neither exhortation ſerued, nor accuſatiō preuailed againſt the Duke of Somerſet, determined to reuenge their quarrell, and obteyne their purpoſe by open warre: and ſo he being in the marches of Wales,The duke of Yorke aſſembled an army. accompanyed with his ſpeciall friends, the Earles of Saliſburie, and Warwike, the Lorde Cobham, and others, aſſembled a power, and like warlike perſons, marched toward London.

The King enformed heereof, aſſembled lykewiſe a great hoſt, & meaning to meete with the Duke, rather in the North parts than about London, where it was thought he had too many friends, with great ſpeede, and ſmall lucke, being accompanied with the Dukes of Somerſet, and Buckingham, the Earles of Pembroke, Stafford,VVhethāſted. Northumberlande, Deuonſhire, Dorſet, & Wilſhire, the Lords Clifford, Sudley, Berneis, Roos, and others, beeing in all aboue two thouſande men of warre, departed from Weſtminſter the twentith, or as ſome haue, the one and twentith of May, and laye the firſte nighte at Wadford. Of whoſe doings, the Duke of Yorke by eſpials hauing ſtill aduertiſement, with al his power, beeing not paſt three thouſande men (as ſome write) coaſted the Countrey, and came to the ſaid Towne of Saint Albons, the third day next enſuing.

The King had pight his Standert in a place called Goſelowe, otherwiſe Sandiford, in Saint Peeters ſtreete: the Lord Clifforde kept the barriers of the Towne, to ſtoppe that the D. being aſſēbled in Keye fielde, ſhuld not enter y^e towne.

But the King, whē he heard firſt of y^e Dukes approche, ſente to him meſſengers, as the Duke of Buckingham, and others, to vnderſtād what he meant by his comming,VVhethāſted. thus furniſhed after the manner of warre.

The Duke of Buckingham, doing his meſſage as hee had in commaundement,The duke of Buckingham ſent to the D. of Yorke. was aunſwered by the Duke of Yorke and his complices, that they were all of them the Kings faithfull liege ſubiects, and intended no harme to him at all: and the cauſe of our comming hither (ſay they) is not to doe anye hurt to his perſon, but let that wicked and naughtie man the Duke of Somerſet bee deliuered vnto vs, who hathe loſt Normandie,The Duke of Somerſet burdened with all thinges that had happened amiſſe. and taken no regard to the preſeruation of Gaſcoigne, yea, and furthermore, hath brought this Realme of England vnto this miſerable eſtate, that where it was the floure of nations, and the Princeſſe of all prouinces, now doth it ſitte as a widowe forſaken, not hauyng any louing ſonnes, but ſuche whome that euill man ſeeketh to deſtroy, and to deuoure both thē and their ſubſtance: if it therefore pleaſe the kyng to deliuer him into our handes, wee are readye without trouble or breach of peace, to returne in quiet home into our Countrey, but if the Kyng be not minded ſo to doe, but denye our requeſt, bycauſe he will by no meanes miſſe him, let hym vnderſtand, that we will rather dye in the fielde, than now to returne without our hoped pray.

The King aduertiſed of this the aunſwere and purpoſed intention, more wilfull than reaſonable, choſe rather to trie the hazard of battell, than to deliuer the Duke of Somerſet into the handes of his enimies, whiche they perceyuyng, ſtraightway ſounded the trumpet to battell, or rather as Hall hath, while king Henry ſent forth his Ambaſſadors to treate of peace, at the one end of y^e towne, the Erle of Warwike,The firſt battaile at Sainte Albons. VVhethāſted with his Marchmen entred at the other end, & fiercely ſetting on y^e kings foreward, within a ſmall tyme diſcomfited the ſame. The place where they firſt brake into y^e towne, was about the middle of S. Peters ſtreete. The fight for a time was ryghte ſharp & cruell, for y^e D. of Somerſet, w^t the other lords, cōming to y^e ſuccours of their companiōs that were put to y^e worſe, did what they could, to boate backe y^e enimies, but the D. of Yorke,Hall. ſent euer freſh men to ſuccour the weerie, & to ſupplye the places of them that were hurt, by which policie, the Kings army was finally brought to cō fuſion, and all the chiefetaines of the fielde ſlaine and beaten downe, for there dyed vnder y^e ſigne of the Caſtell, Edmond Duke of Sommerſet, who as hath bin reported, was warned long before to auoyde all Caſtels: and beſide hym laye Henry the ſeconde of that name, Earle of Northumberland,Thomas Lord Cliffords hath Whethamſted Humfrey Erle of Stafford, ſonne to the Duke of Buckingham, Iohn Lord Clifford, Sir Barthram Antwiſell Knight, a Norman borne (who forſaking his natiue Countrey to continue in his loyal obedience to King Henrie, came ouer to dwell heere in Englande when Normandie was loſt,) William Zouche, Iohn Boutreux, Raufe Bapthorp, with his ſonne W. Corwyn. W. Cotton, Gilbert Faldinger, Raynold Griffon, Iohn Dawes, Elice Wood, Io. Eithe, Ra. Woodwarde, Gilbert Skarlock, and Rafe Willoughby Eſquiers, with manye other, in all to the number of .viij. thouſande, as Edwarde Hall ſayth in his Chronicle, if there eſcaped not a fault in the Impreſſion, as .8000. for .800. ſith hundreds in very deede, would better agree with the number of the Kings whole power, whiche he brought with him to that battell, beeyng not many aboue two thouſande, as by writers it appeareth.

Humfrey Duke of Buckingham, being woū ded, and Iames Butler Earle of Ormond and Wilſhire, and Thomas Thorp, Lord chief Baron of the Eſchequer, ſeeing fortune thus to bee againſt them, left the King poſt alone, and with a great number fledde away.

Thoſe that thus fledde, made the beſt ſhifte they coulde to get away, through gardens, and backeſides, through ſhrubbes, hedges, & woddes, ſeeking places where to hide themſelues, til that daungerous tempeſt of the battell were ouerblowen.

The kinges part vanquiſhed.Diuers of the Kings houſe alſo that coulde better ſkill to play the Courtiers than warriors, fledde with the firſt, and thoſe of the Eaſt partes of the Realme, were likewiſe noted of too much lacke of courage, for their ſpeedie withdrawing themſelues, and leauing the King in danger of his aduerſaries, who perceyuing hys men thus fledde from him, withdrewe into a poore mans houſe to ſaue himſelfe from the ſhot of arrowes, that flewe about his eares as thicke as ſnowe, falling from the ſkye,

The Duke of Yorke aduertiſed of the place, into the whiche the King was withdrawen, haſted thither with all ſpeede, and comforted hym in the beſt wiſe he could, aſſuring him, that now that the common enimie of the Realme was diſpatched, to witte, the Duke of Sommerſet, he had cauſe rather to reioyce, than to bee ſorie, ſith his deſtruction was the Kings preſeruation, and for himſelfe and all his adherents, he vndertooke that they were and would remayne duryng life, his moſt faithfull liege people, ready in al points to ſerue hym, as his truſtie and obediente ſubiectes.

After he hadde vſed ſuche words to him as he thought beſt to comforte him with, he broughte him forth of that ſimple houſe (into the which he was crept) withe all due reuerence, ſhewed towarde hym, fyrſte to the Shrine, and after to his chamber.

Whileſt the Duke of Yorke was about thus to comfort the King, the Souldiers that had the victorie nowe in their hands, applyed the ſpoyle, namely, the Northerne men, ſtripping not only thoſe that had borne armour againſt them, but alſo the Towneſmen and other, with whome they might meete, ſo that it was thoughte, if the King had taken vp his lodging at his firſt comming thither, within the Abbey, as hee did not, but in the middes of the Towne (to prouide the better to reſiſt his enimies) the Abbey had beene ſpoyled alſo.

This was the ende of the firſte battell at S. Albons, whiche was foughte on a Thurſeday, next before the feaſt of Penthecoſt, being y^e three and twentith daye of May, in thys three & thirtith yeare of the kings raigne.

The bodies of the noble men, were buried in the monaſterie in our Ladies Chappell, and the meane people, in other places.

This Edmond Duke of Sommerſet, left behinde him three ſonnes, Henrye, Edmonde,Foure of th[...] to wit, the D[...] of Somerſet, the earle of Northumberland, & the [...]. Clifford, wo[...] buried in o[...] Ladies chapel. VVethamſt[...] and Iohn, which to the extremitie of death, tooke part with the line of King Henry.

The Duke of Yorke hauing got this victorie, remembred well, that hee hadde publiſhed abroade howe the onely cauſe of this warre was, for the aduancemente of the common wealthe, and therefore vſing al courteſie, would not touch the Kings perſon, after anye violente ſorte, but with all honor, and due reuerence, conueyed him to London, and ſo to Weſtminſter, to whiche place, was ſummoned a Parliamente,A parliament. whyche began the ninth daye of Iuly, in the whiche ſeſſiō, the late Duke of Glouceſter was openly declared a true ſubiect, both to the King, and to the Realme.

Beſide this, it was enacted, that no perſon ſhoulde either iudge or report any poynt of vntroth of the Duke of Yorke, the Earles of Saliſburie and Warwike, or of anye Knighte, Eſquier, archer, or other, for comming in warlike aray againſt the King, at Saint Albons, conſidering theyr enterprice was only, to ſee y^e kings perſon in ſafegard.

But all the blame was put vpon the Duke of Sommerſet, Thomas Thorp, VVetham[...] Collaterall. A letter kep[...] from the king of purpoſe. Baron of the Eſchequer, & Wil. Ioſep Eſquier, y^e kings collateral companion, bicauſe that they vpō a malitious purpoſe, kept a certain letter from y^e kyngs knowledge, and would in no wiſe ſuffer it to be deliuered vnto him, notwithſtāding y^e ſame made to the aduancement of ſome good aſſured peace, if it had beene throughly and aduiſedly read, weyed, and conſidered, in which letter they declared, that as faythfull and humble ſubiectes, they requyred onely that it would pleaſe the king (whoſe honor, health, ſuretie and preſeruation, they chiefly wyſhed) not to giue credence to theyr aduerſaries malicious ſuggeſtions, till theyr comming to his preſence, vnto the which they hūbly beſought him that they might be admitted as his faythfull liege people, to ſhewe the intent and purpoſe of their commings, which was to none other ende, than to enlarge theyr fidelitie and allegiance towards his moſt dread perſon, intending to put themſelues with as much diligence, induſtrie, and trauaile in all things that might preferre & aduaunce his honour, health, ſuretie, and ſafegarde, as anye ſubiect he had liuing.

The keeping back of this letter from the kings ſight and knowledge, did miniſter matter ſufficient ynough to the Parliament to colour and inſtifie for well done all tranſgreſſions committed in the late battayle and chaſe at Saint Albons.The Duke of Yorkes comming againſte the k. iuſtified

In this Parliament alſo, the Duke of Yorke was made Protector of the realme,The D. of York [...]de protec [...] of the [...]. and the Erle of Saliſburie was appoynted to be Lord Chancellor, and had the great ſeale to him deliuered, and the Earle of Warwike was elected to the office of the captainſhip of Calays, and the territories of the ſame, and thus the rule of the Realme reſted in the orders of the Duke and Chancellor, and all warlike affayres remayned principally in the Erle of Warwike. And ſo amongſt them it was agreed, that king Henry ſhould ſtill raigne in name and dignitie, but neyther in deede nor in authoritie, not mynding to deſtroy him leaſt they might ſodainly prouoke the furie of the common people agaynſt them, bycauſe that of the ſymple ſort of people hee was for hys holyneſſe of lyfe, and aboundant clemencye muche fauoured and highly eſteemed.

VVhethom. [...]e acte for the [...]ng to reuoke [...] grants.In this Parliament alſo it was enacted, that the king ſhoulde reſume, take into his handes againe, haue and retaine in his poſſeſſion, all honours, Caſtels, Lordſhips, townes, villages, manours, landes, tenements, waſtes, foreſts, chaſes, rentes, reuerſions, fees, fermes, ſeruices, iſſues, profites, counties, aduouſons of Priories, Churches, hoſpitals, and free Chapels, and all other reuenues with theyr appurtenances, the whiche had paſſed from him ſith the firſt day of his raigne vnto that preſent, eyther by his letters patents or authoritie of Parliament, and any other meanes, whether by graunt, confirmation, or releaſe from him made in fee ſimple, or fee taile for tearme of life or yeares, to anye maner of perſon and perſons in Englande, Wales, Scotlande, or the Marches, in Irelande, or in the townes of Calays, and Guiſnes, and the marches there, and likewiſe all grauntes made of ſuche things as is aboue mentioned, being parcell of the Duchie of Lancaſter, and further all graunts of offices, rowmeths, fees, wages, or commodities, not accuſtomed to belong to any office or charge before the ſayde firſt day of the kings raigne, were likewiſe reuoked.

Diuerſe other things were alſo conteyned within this reuocation, and generall reſumption of things into the kings hands, with certaine exceptions yet and prouiſoes had, as were thought cō uenient, and as by the ſame act it doth and may more plainly appeare.

Moreouer nowe that the Duke of Yorke and his adherēts had wraſted the whole rule and gouernment into their handes.

All ſuche perſons as the king eyther loued, or the Queene fauoured, were put beſide the priuie counſaile, and ſuche put in their places, as was knowne to fauor the houſe of Yorke.

Alſo the officers were chaunged,Shifting of officers. throughout the realme at the will and diſpoſition of the Protector, Chancellor, and captain of Calays, ſo that they cōſtituted as it were a triumuirate, ruling all things at their owne diſcretion. And yet in all theyr rule I finde not that any mention is made of theyr deferring of iuſtice, or of any polling or bryberie as was openly proued by ſuch as gouerned before their time. Onelye they were noted with an execrable and damnable offence of diuerſe ſpirituall perſons, and namely of the Abbot of Weſtminſter and his Munkes, for that they toke oute of the Sanctuarie at Weſtminſter Iohn Hollande Duke of Exeter, being repugnant to the order taken in the laſt Parliament, and conueyed him to the Caſtell of Pomfret.

But that venemous worme, that dreadfull Dragō called diſdaine of ſuperioritie, which hath conſumed the bloud of ſo manye noble Princes, and deſtroyed the lygnage of ſo many gouernors in all realmes and kingdomes, as well Pagan as Chriſtian, coulde not but incenſe the heartes of the Lord Henrie Beauforde,Henry D. of Sommerſe[...] newly inueſted duke of Somerſet by the death of Duke Edmond hys father, which at the battaile of Saint Albons (as aboue is rehearſed) loſt his life, and of Humfrey Duke of Buckingham (who had loſt his ſonne and heyre at the ſame battaile) and of other lordes and men of authoritie fauouring the part of king Henrie, whiche bewayled the vnſure ſtate of the ſame king, bycauſe they perceyued wherevnto the cloked courteſie and diſſembling maner of the Duke of Yorke did drawe, and therefore thought it neceſſarie to puruey for a remedie ere the miſchiefe happened. Herevpon they conſulted with the Queene, and by hir aduice was a great coū ſail called at Greenwich,The Duke of York diſcharged of his office. where the duke of York was diſcharged of his protectorſhippe, and the Earle of Saliſburie depriued alſo of his office: whiche malicious chaunge amongeſt the Nobilitie cauſed ſodaine alterations, and ſeditious attemptes to ſpring and aryſe in the communaltie, and in eſpeciall wythin the Citie of London. For a yong Marchaunt which before time hadde beene in dyuerſe Cities within the Countrey of Italy,1456 and there forbydden by the Magiſtrates to weare anye weapon, chalenged an Italian in Cheapeſide for wearing a Dagger, alledging agaynſte hym the lawes of hys owne Countrey: and bycauſe the Italian aunſwered ſomewhat diſdainefully, the Marchaunt not wylling to ſuffer ſo open a reproche in a ſtreete ſo fraught with people, tooke by force from him his Dagger and with the ſame brake his pate.

This Italian in greate haſt complayned to the Maior of thys offence, ſo that at the nexte Court holden at the Guilde hall, the Marchant was ſent for, and his offence beeing declared vnto him, he was commaunded to warde, wherevpon dyuerſe other light perſons within the Citie, aſſembled togyther in great plumps,An vptote in the citie of London. and by force conſtrayned the Maior to delyuer the pryſoner out of Newgate, and not ſo ſatiſfied, like madde men ran to the ſeuerall houſes of dyuerſe Venetians,A foule diſorder. Lucaſes, and Florentines, and them ſpoyled, robbed, and rifled wythout reaſon or meaſure.

The Maior perceiuing this enormious doing, aſſembled a greate number of ſubſtantiall and graue Citizens, which not without great bloudſhed and mayming of ſundrie perſons finally appeaſed the rage, and cauſed the miſruled people to depart to their houſes.

The begynner of this outragious vprore got him to Weſtminſter, and there regiſtred him for a Sanctuarie man.

The Queene whiche now againe ruled all things, aduertiſed of this vnlawful miſdemeanor ſent the dukes of Exceter and Buckingham, accompanied with other noble men, to Lōdon with a commiſſion of Oyer and Determiner, for the puniſhment of ſo ſeditious an offence: But when the Maior, the two Dukes, and the two chiefe iuſtices were ſet in the Guild hall for performance of theyr Commiſſion, vppon intelligence that a number of lyght wytted Citizens, were mynded in armour to reſkue the priſoners that had beene apprehended for the late committed robberie and ryot as as they ſhoulde goe to their triall and arraigment: the two Dukes and the other commiſſioners ſodenly departed from the Guildehal & left their inquirie for that daye, though in deede they were in no ſuch daunger as they doubted: for certaine diſcreete and ſage Citizens ſo handled the matter, that no miſorder followed of that great tumult and ſodaine furie of the people.

The Maior on the next day called a common counſaile,A common counſel [...] whereof the number was an hundred foureſcore and odde perſons, & by authoritie of the ſame, ordeyned that all wardens of myſteryes ſhould aſſemble their myſteries in their common halles, where they ſhoulde exhort them to the obſeruation of peace, and if they ſpyed any man eyther readie to ſtyrre a rumor, or deſirous of the deliuerance of ſuch as were accuſed and in priſon, that their names ſhoulde be ſecretly written, and couertly deliuered to the Lord Maior: which politike doing finally ended the outragious attemptates of the vnruly people. And ſo the commiſſioners returned to the Guildehall, where many of the robbers were attainted and put to execution, beſide diuerſe greate fines and raunſomes payed, which were ſet vpon the heades of dyuerſe Marchants for winking at the matter.

This yeare Iohn Kempe Archebiſhoppe of Canterburie departed this lyfe, and Thomas Burſtlyer Byſhoppe of Elye was remoued to ſucceede in his place, beeing the threeſcore and three Archbiſhop that ſat in the ſea of that Archbiſhops ſea.

The French nation hearing of the ciuill diſſention within the Realme of England, An. reg. 35. 1457 thought to worke ſome domage to the Engliſhe people, in reuenge of olde iniuries.

Herevpon were two Nauies appoynted to inuade the townes ſtanding vppon the rynage of the Sea. The Captaynes of the one Fleete, was William Lorde Pomyers, and of the other Sir Peers Breſſy, a great ruler in Normandie.

Theſe two captaines taking their courſe oute of the mouth of Saine, ſeuered themſelues, the one Weſtwarde, and the other Eaſtward, which was ſir Peter de Breſſy. This luſtie Captaine ſayling alongſt all the coaſtes of Suſſex & Kent, durſt not once take lande, till hee arryued in the Downes, and there hauing by a certaine eſpyall perfite notice that the Towne of Sandwiche was neyther peopled nor fortified,Sandwich ſp[...] led by the French. bycauſe that a lyttle before, the chiefe Rulers of the Towne were from thence departed, for to auoyde the peſtilenciall plague, whiche ſore there afflicted and ſlue the people, entred the Hauen, ſpoyled the towne, and after ſuch poore ſtuffe as he there foūd rifled and taken, hee fearing an aſſemble of the Countrey, ſhortly returned.

The Lorde Pomyers likewyſe tooke hys courſe Weſtwarde,Foulnay. and by nyght burnt certaine houſes in Foulnay, and with a little pyllage retyred into Brytaine.

The Scots alſo not forgetting their old prāks, entred into Northumberlande,The Scots inuade England. king Iames the ſeconde being there in perſon) and burned certain poore houſes, and little cottages: but in the verie middeſt of theyr great enterpriſe, they hearing of the duke of Yorkes marching toward them with a great armie, with much paine and no gaine, in all haſt returned to their countrey.

But nowe to paſſe ouer outwarde inuaſions and to returne to the dayly diſorder put in bre amongeſt the Nobles at home, a greate conflict chaunced betwene the Lord Egremonde, and the ſonnes of the Earle of Saliſburie, in the whiche fray, many perſons were ſlaine, and a great number hurt.

The Lorde Egremond could not eſcape, but by force was taken and brought before the kings counſaile, & there the King & the Queene to ſhew themſelues to all perſons indifferent, adiudged him to paye to the Earle of Saliſburie a greate ſumme of money,The Lord Egremond committed to new gate. and for his heynous offence committed agaynſt the Kings lawes, hee was committed to the gaile of Newgate within the Citie of London, oute of the whiche by helpe of friendes hee eſcaped,He made an eſcape. to the great vexation of the Sherifes of London at that tyme being.

The Queene ſecretely thyrſting for the deſtruction of the Duke of Yorke and his friendes, perceyued that ſhe could attempt nothing againſt him neare to the Citie of London, bycauſe the Duke was had in more eſtimation there among the Citizens and communaltie, than eyther the King hir huſbande, or hirſelfe, and therefore ſhee cauſed the King to make a progreſſe into Warwikſhire for his health and recreation, and ſo with hawking and hunting came to the Citie of Couentree, where dyuerſe wayes were ſtudied to cō paſſe the Queenes long wiſhed deſire: for the accompliſhing whereof, the Duke of Yorke, the Earles of Saliſburie,A practiſe to [...] [...]pped the Duke of Yorke. and Warwike (whoſe deſtruction was chiefly ſought) were ſent for to Couentrie by the Kings letters, vnder his priuie ſeal, to which place the ſayd Lordes without ſuſpition of euill, obediently reſorted, but beeing admoniſhed by ſecrete friendes, what was intended agaynſt them, they auoyded that daunger, where as otherwiſe their lyues had beene loſt without al remedie. And ſo not ſaying farewell, they deparparted from the Court, the Duke vnto Wygmoore in the marches of Wales, the Erle of Saliſburie to his faire Caſtell of Middleham in the North countrey, and the Erle of Warwike ſayled to the towne of Calays.

But nowe although the bodies of theſe three noble perſonages were thus ſeparated, yet theyr heartes were knitte and coupled in one, and ſtyll went meſſengers with letters betwixt them, to communicate theyr deuiſes, and to giue ſignification of theyr mindes and purpoſes from one to another.

In this yeare Reginald Peacocke Biſhop of Chicheſter, abiured at Paules Croſſe, An. reg. 39. 1458 and all his bokes were burnt, & he himſelf cōmaunded to kepe his owne houſe during his naturall life, bycauſe y^t he being very wel learned, & better ſtomacked, beganne to moue queſtions, not priuily but openly, in the Vniuerſities, concerning the annates, Peter pens, and other iuriſdictions and authorities apperteyning to the Biſhop of Rome, and not onely put forth ſuch queſtions, but declared hys minde and opinion in the ſame.

Some ſay he held, that ſpirituall perſons by Gods lawe ought to haue no temporall poſſeſſions.

Other wryte that he ſayde that perſonall tythes were not due by Gods law.VVhetham. And as ſome haue recorded, hee helde that it was not needefull to belieue that Chriſt after his paſſion did deſcend into hell, neither yet to beleeue in the Catholike Church, nor the communion of Saints.

Alſo that he held howe the vniuerſall Church might erre in matters of fayth. And that it is not of neceſſitie to beleue, that that which is allowed, ordeyned, and determined in fauour of fayth, and the health of mans ſoule, by a generall Counſaile or by the vniuerſall Church, ought to be allowed and holden of all chriſtian people.

Moreouer he helde, that it was lawfull to euerie man to vnderſtande the ſcriptures in the literall ſenſe, and that none is bounde to cleane vnto any other ſenſe, vpon anye neceſſitie of ſaluation.

King Henrie and his adherentes perceyuing that the Duke of Yorke lay ſtill and ſtyrred not, returned to London, and there called a great coū ſaile, openly declaring that the French and Scots enboldned by the ciuill diſcorde within this realm would attempt to annoy the ſame, as of late they had ſhewed apparant tokens of theyr euill malicious meaning, and would not ceaſſe vpon occaſions to doe further diſpleaſures, tyll they perceyued a perfite concorde and an vnfeyned amitie to be concluded betwene him and his friendes, and thoſe of the contrarie part and confederacie.

And to the intent that he woulde be the chiefe Author of peace, hee promiſed ſo to entertaine the Duke of Yorke and his ſautors, that al old g[...]ueges being not onely inwardly forgotten, but alſo outwardly forgiuen, ſhould be the cauſe of perpetuall loue and aſſured amitie.

This deuiſe was of all men preſent will taken, and adiudged for the beſt. Wherevpon dyuerſe graue perſons were ſente to the Duke of Yorke, and al other the great eſtates of the realm, whiche ſince the battaile of Saint Albons neuer met nor communed togither, commaunding thē for great cauſes and reaſonable conſiderations, to reſort to the kings Palace without delay.

At his cōmaundement came to London Rychard Duke of Yorke, with foure. C. men, and was lodged at Baynards caſtell being his owne houſe,The peeres of the Realme called to a treatie. and after him came the Erle of Saliſburie with fiue hundred men, and was likewiſe lodged at his owne houſe called the Herber. Then came the Dukes of Exceter, and Somerſet with .viij. hundred men, and were lodged without Temple Barre, and the Earle of Northumberlande, the Lorde Egremonde, and the Lord Clifforde came with .xv. C. men, and lodged withoute the Citie. The Erle of Warwicke alſo came from Calais with ſix hundred men in red Iackets, embrodered with white ragged ſtaues behind and before, and was lodged at the gray Friers.

Thus were all thoſe of the one faction lodged within the citie, and thoſe of the other without in Holborne, towarde Weſtmynſter, and in other places of the Suburbs, as who ſayd y^t as the Iewes diſdeined the companie of the Samaritains, ſo the Lancaſtrians abhorred the familiaritie of the Yorkiſh lynage.

After y^e theſe Lords were thus come vnto Lō don, the King and the Queene ſhortly followed, comming thither the .xvij. day of Marche, and lodged in the Biſhops Palace.

Bicauſe no riotous attempt or bickering ſhuld be begon betweene any of the parties, or their retinues, the Maior and Aldermenne of the Citie kept great watch, as well by day as by night, ryding about the citie by Holborne, and Fleetſtreet, with fiue thouſand men well armed & arrayed, to ſee good order and peace on all ſides kept.

The Lordes which lodged within the city held a dayly counſaile at the black Friers. The other parte ſoiourning without the walles, aſſembled lykewiſe in the Chapiter houſe at Weſtminſter. At length by the diligent trauaile, good exhortation, and prudent aduice of the Archb. of Cant. & other vertuous Prelates, both parties were perſwaded to come to a communication, and ſo did, where after long debating of their grieuaunces, they were accorded, promiſing to forget all olde rancors,The Lords are brought to agree. and to be friendes eche to other, and obedient to the King, whereof writings were ſealed, ſigned and deliuered. The principall poyntes whereof the king beeing named and reputed as whole arbitratour conſiſted herein. VVhetham. The awarde.

Firſt, that at the coſts, charges, and expences, of the Duke of Yorke,The cleergy [...] reſure in thoſe dayes to loſe nothing by theſe contentions howe ſo euer the world went. the Erles of Warwik, and Saliſburie, xlv. poundes of yearely rent, ſhoulde be lawfully aſſigned, giuen and aſſured by waye of a mortizement for euer, vnto the Monaſterie of Saint Albones, for Suffrages and Obites to be kept, and almes to bee employed for the ſoules of Edmond late duke of Somerſet, Henry late Erle of Northumberland, and Thomas late L. Clifford, which being ſlaine in the late battaile of S. Albones, were buried there in the Abbey Church, and alſo for the ſoules of all other ſlaine in the ſame battaile. The ſaide Duke of Somerſet, the Earle of Northumberlande, and L. Clifforde, by vertue of the ſame award, were declared for true and faithfull liegemen to the king, & ſo to be holdē and reputed in the day of their deathes, aſwel as y^e ſaid duke of York, the erles of Warwik & Saliſh.

Moreouer it was decreed, that the D. of York ſhould giue to Elenore Ducheſſe of Somerſet, & to Henrie Duke of Somerſet hir ſon, the ſumme of fiue thouſand Markes of good aſſignments of debts which the K. ought to him for his wages due, during the time of his ſeruice in Irelād, to be diuided as the K. ſhould think cōuenient betwixt the brethren & ſiſters of the ſayd D. of Somerſet.

Alſo that the Erle of Warwick ſhould giue to the Lorde Clifforde, the ſumme of a thouſande Markes, in good and ſufficient aſſignmentes of debts which the king ought to him to be deſtributed betwixt the ſaid L. Clifford his brethren and ſiſters. Alſo where Thomas Percie knight,The Lord Egr[...]mond L. Egremond, & Richard Percy his brother, ſonnes of the Lady Elenor Counteſſe of Northumberland, had bin in a Seſſions holdē within y^e countie of Yorke before Richard Bingham, & [...]auſe Pole the kings Iuſtices & other cōmiſſioners, cō demned vnto the Erle of Saliſburie in the ſum of viij. M. marks, & to the ſame erle, and to his wyfe Alice in the ſum of fiue. M. marks. & to Tho. Neuil knight, ſonne to the ſaid Erle of Saliſburie, in the ſumme of a. M. marks, & to the ſaid Thomas & Mawd his wife, in the ſum of two. M. markes, and to Iohn Neuil knight, ſon to the ſaid Erle of Saliſburie, in the ſumme of .viij. C. markes for tranſgreſſions & treſpaſſes there found to bee done by the ſaid L. Egremond, & Richard his brother, vnto the ſaid erle of Saliſb. Alice, Thom. Neuil, Mawd & Iohn Neuil, as by the record appeared. It was ordeyned that the ſaide Erle & his ſonnes ſhould releaſe all the ſaid ſummes of money, & the executions thereof, and likewiſe releaſe vnto Rau[...] Verney, & Iohn Steward late Sherifes of London, vnto whoſe cuſtodie the ſaide L. Egremond had bin for the ſame cōdemnations cōmitted, and from thē eſcaped, al actions which they or any of thē might haue againſt the ſaide Verney & Steward for the ſame eſcape. But yet it was decreed by this award, that the ſayd Lorde Egremonde ſhould be bound by recogniſance in the Chancerie to keepe the peace againſt the ſayde Earle and his wife, their children, ſeruants and tenants.

Alſo where diuerſe knights, Eſquiers and other ſeruaunts and tenaunts to the ſayd Earle of Northumberland, & to the ſayd lord Egremond, were by their ſeuerall Obligations bound, by occaſion of the ſayde debates vnto the ſayde Duke of Yorke, Earle of Saliſburie, or any of theyr children, to ſtande to theyr order and gouernement, it was ordeyned that the ſame obligations ſhoulde be deliuered to them that ſo ſtoode bound, before the feaſte of Saint Peter ad Vincula nexte enſuing, at the Citie of Yorke, or elſe that the parties ſo bounde, ſhoulde haue ſufficient acquittances in diſcharge of the ſame obligations.

It was further awarded, that all variaunce, diſcord debates, controuerſies, appeales & actions perſonels that were or had beene betwixt any of the perſons aforeſayde, or anye of theyr ſeruants or tenants, ſhould be for euer determined and ended, ſauing to euerie one his title, action & right, which he had by any euidēce of arrerages of rents or ſeruices, accompts, detinues, or debtes due by reaſon of anye lawfull contract or deede had and made for any reaſonable conſiderations, other thā the variance before ſayd.

And for the more aſſurance of both parties, it was ordeyned that eyther ſhould releaſe to other all maner of actions, that were mere perſonals and appeales, whiche anye of them mighte haue againſt the other, by reaſon of the variaunces and diſcordes afore mentioned.

Alſo it was decreed, that if any action, ſuyte or quarell, chaunced betwixt any of the ſeruantes or tenants of any of the parties, for matter or tytle ſuppoſed to be had, occaſioned or moued before this time, that from thenceforth, none of the ſayd partyes ſhould maintaine, ſupport, or ayde any of them that will ſo ſue and moue ſtrife and debate, but ſhould rather ſo deale as the matter may be brought to peace and quietneſſe.

It was further awarded, that if any man cō playned, pretended or ſurmiſed, that this awarde was not kept, but in ſome poynt broken by anye of the parties, for y^t which breach he would haue a Scire facias, or ſome other action proſecuted in the kings name vpon any recogniſance made to the king for the performāce of this award, yet ſhould not the ſame Scire facias or action be proſecuted till the kings counſaile might be throughly certified of the matter by the complaynant, and vpon conſideration ſee iuſt cauſe, why the ſame Scire facias or action ought to be had & proſecuted in the kings name. And if any variaunce roſe betwixt the counſayle of both the partyes in making of the recogniſaunces, releaſes, acquittaunces or other wrytings, the ſame variaunce ſhoulde bee deterned by the two Lords chiefe Iuſtices that ſhould be fully inſtructed of the kings intention in thys behalfe.

And beſydes this, it was notifyed and declared by the ſame awarde that the parties being ſeuerally bounde in the Chauncerie in great ſums to obey and performe this awarde, ordinance and iudgement made by the King, it was the Kings will and pleaſure, that the ſame recogniſaunces ſhould ſtand in force, and no parcels of the ſums therein conteyned to bee pardoned in anye wiſe, withoute the agrement and conſent of the partie, for whoſe aſſurance the ſame recogniſaunce was taken. And if any of the ſayde ſummes, or anye parcell thereof ſhoulde bee recouered by action or execution taken & proſecuted in the kings name, vpon any of the ſayde recogniſaunces, the partie to whoſe hynderaunce the awarde was broken, ſhoulde haue the one halfe of the money ſo recouered, and the other moitie ſhoulde be aſſigned to the Treaſorer of the kings houſe, towardes the charges and expences of the ſame houſe.

This ordinance, award and agreement, was giuen vp vnder the kings great ſeale, at the kings Palace of Weſtminſter, the .xxiiij. day of March in the .xxxvj. yeare of his raigne.

For the outwarde publiſhing of this ioyfull agreement,A ſolem[...]ne proceſsion at Paules. there was vpon our Ladie daye in Marche a ſolemne Proceſſion celebrate within the Cathedrall Churche of Saint Paule in the Citie of London, at the which the king was preſent in his habite royall, with his Crowne on his heade. Before him went hand in hande the duke of Somerſet, the Earle of Saliſburie, to Duke of Exceter, and the Erle of Warwike, and ſo one of the one faction, and another of the other: and behinde the King the Duke of Yorke, and the Queene with greate familiaritie to all mennes ſightes, though their heartes were as farre in ſunder, as their bodies were then nere ioyned by that their mutuall leading hande in hande. For notwithſtanding this cloaked pageant, and diſſembling Proceſſion, it ſhortly after appeared, that theyr thoughtes were all inuenomed, and full of ranke poyſon, though their tongues and flattering countenaunces vttered the taſte of moſte ſweete and pleaſant ſugred confections.

But as fire incloſed in a ſtrayte place,An. reg. 37. will by force vtter his flame, and as the water beeing ſtopped will in proceſſe of time burſt out and win paſſage, ſo this canered Crocodrile, coulde not long lurke in malicious myndes, but in concluſion according to hir nature ſhee ſhewed hirſelfe. For after this apparant concord, and inward diſcorde, according to the verie propertie of diſſimulation, diuerſe noble men of byrth finally regarding theyr honours, forgot theyr othe, and brake theyr promiſe.

For not long after this diſſimuled amitie,The frule of diſsimulation 1459 a certaine fray eyther by chaunce, or of a pretenced purpoſe, was made vpon a yeoman of the Erles of Warwike, by one of the kings ſeruants, in the which the aſſaylant was ſore hurt, but the erles man fled.

The kings meniall ſeruauntes ſeeing theyr fellow hurt, and the offender eſcaped, aſſembled togither and watched the Earle, when hee returned from the counſaile chamber towardes hys Barge,The Erle of Warwicke aſſaulted. and ſodainly ſet on him, the yeomen with ſwordes, and the blacke garde with ſpittes and fireforkes. After long fight, and many of the Earles men maymed and hurt, by helpe of hys friendes hee tooke a Wherry, and ſo eſcaped to London.

The queenes purpoſe.The Queene aduertiſed hereof, incontinently commaunded that he ſhoulde bee apprehended and committed to the tower, where (if he had bin taken) he had ſhortly ended his dayes.

By this vnhappy fray, there aroſe anon after ſuch trouble and terrible warre, that the whole Realme was thereby diſquieted. For after thys diſpleaſure done to the Earle, and the Queenes good minde towardes him, by his ſecrete friendes reuealed, he with all diligence tooke his iourney to Warwicke, and after into Yorkſhire, where he found the Duke of Yorke, and the Erle of Saliſburie, declaring vnto them the aſſault made vpon him by the kings ſeruants, and the pretenſed euill purpoſe of the Queene. After whiche complaint made, he fearing to be diſpoſſeſſed of hys roumth at Calays, with great ſpeed embarqued himſelfe and ſayled thither.

He was not onely Deputie or Lieutenant of Calais, but alſo high Admiral of the Seas, VVhetha[...] The Erle of warwicke l[...] Admiral. which office was to him confirmed for the ſpace of fiue yeares, wherevpon whether before hys arryuall now at Calais, or ſhortly after, I cannot ſaye, but this yeare aboute the myddeſt of Sommer, the ſayde Earle hauing with him a .xiiij. well appoynted ſhippes, ſayled abroade to ſkoure the Seas, and by chaunce mette wyth fiue greate ſhippes, whereof three were Carakes of Genoa, and the other two were of Spaine, bigger in heigth and length than the Carakes.

The Earle thoughe hee was vneth able to deale agaynſt them, yet he valiantly encountring them, there was a right ſore and long continued battaile fought betwixt them, for it laſted almoſte the ſpace of two dayes. In the ende yet the victorie fell to the Engliſhe, ſo that two of thoſe ſhippes being forced to ſaue themſelues by flight, the other three were taken, which the Erle brought vnto Calais, with all the Marchandice abourde in the ſame,A riche Priſe. the value whereof in Wine, Oyle, Waxe, Iron, cloth of Golde, and other ryches, was eſteemed to the ſumme of ten thouſand pound and aboue, by reaſon whereof, that was ſolde nowe for .xij. pens, which woulde not haue beene bought before for two ſhillings.

There were taken a greate number of priſoners, beſide a thouſand perſons of the enimies that were ſlaine in the fight. Of the Erles part there were fiftie ſlaine.

The Earles fame hereby encreaſed not a little, and many a bleſſing hee had for this peece of ſeruice.

An. reg. 38. But now to the former purpoſe. After that the ſayde Erle was departed the realme, and gone ouer to Calais, the Duke of Yorke, and the Erle of Saliſburie falling in conſultation togither, it was at length agreed betwixt them, with aduice of theyr friendes, that the ſayde Earle of Saliſburie with a warlike companie ſhould march toward the king, and ſignifie to him by way of cō plaint, both the manifeſt iniurie done to his ſon, and alſo the vncurteous breach of the ſworne amitie and late agreement, in which ſute if he preuayled, hee ſhoulde not then let paſſe the occaſion giuē for reuenge of diſpleaſures to him done,The Erle of Salisbury. both by the Queene and hir ſiniſter counſaylers.

After concluſion of this deuiſe, the Erle of Saliſburie remoued from Middleham Caſtell,Three th[...] hath Whe[...] hamſted. accompanied with foure or fiue thouſand men, and toke his way through Lancaſhire, to paſſe that waye towardes London.

In the meane ſeaſon, the Queene which was aſſyſted and ruled by the dukes of Somerſet and Buckingham, hauing a vigilant eie to all hir buſineſſe, ymagined that the Erle of Warwike had kindled this fire, to the intent to ſet the Crown on the Duke of Yorkes head: [...]l. Andley wherefore ſhe appointed Iames Twichet Lorde Audley (bycauſe his power laye in thoſe partyes by the whiche the Earle of Saliſburie muſte paſſe) to rayſe an hoſt of men wyth all ſpeede, and to giue battaile to the ſame Earle, if he lawe cauſe and place conuenient.

[...] vetuſto [...]ce.Shee had deuiſed a cogniſaunce of the whyte Swanne, which ſhe willed all ſuch as ſhee knew to beare fauour vnto hir ſonne to weare, for a ſignification of their good mindes and heartie loue towardes him, whiche cogniſaunce ſhe had giuen to many Gentlemenne of Cheſſhire, and other countreyes thereaboute.

She hirſelfe lay the ſame time at Eccleſale in Staffordeſhire, but the King, remayned at Colleſhill in Warwikeſhire, whither the Earle of Saliſburie ment to come, as he pretended to haue communed with him for a reformation of matters depending in controuerſie betwixt him and of the Duke Yorke and others. But the Queene conſtruing that they ment no good, neither to hir, nor hir huſbande, requeſted the Lorde Awdeley to apprehende hym, if by anye meanes hee might.

VVhethāſted.The Lorde Awdeley according to hys commiſſion, aſſembled aboue tenne thouſande men of Cheſſhire and Salo[...]ſhire, and knowing by hys eſpialles, which way the Earle kept,Blore heath. approched neare to him, vpon a fayre playne called Bloreheathe, wythin a myle of a towne called Drayton in Sh[...]ſhyre. The Earle perceyuing in what it [...]ardie he, ſtoode determined to abyde the aduenture, with fame and honour, rather than to flie with loſſe and reproch, and ſo encamped himſelfe all the night on the ſide of a little brooke; not verie brode but ſomewhat deepe.

In the morning early being the day of Saint Tacle, hee cauſed his ſouldiours,The xxiii of September. to [...] theyr flightes towards the Lorde Awdeleyes companie, whiche lay on the other ſide of the ſayde water, and then hee and all his people made a ſigne of retreyt. The Lorde Awdeley ſuppoſing hys aduerſaries had fledde in deed, cauſed his Trumpettes quickly to blowe vp, and ſetting forth hys vowarde, ſpeedily paſſed the water.Polecle often times ouerc[...] meth force. The Earle of Saliſburie which knewe the ſleightes of warlike policie, ſodainly returned and ſet vpon the Lorde Awdeley and his chiefe Captaynes, ere the reſidue of his armye coulde paſſe the water. The fight was ſore and dreadfull. The Earle deſyring the ſauing of hys lyfe, and hys aduerſaryes coueting his deſtruction, fought ſore for the obteyning of theyr purpoſe: but in concluſion the Earles armie, as men not looking for other ſ[...] cours nor meane to eſcape, but by theyr owne manhood, ſo egrely aſſaulted theyr foes,The L. Audley ſlayne. that they ſlue the Lord Awdeley, and all his Captaynes, and diſcomfited all the remnant of his people.

[...]e [...]ember [...]ae in the [...] of [...]er [...]eath.In this battaile was ſlaine .xxiiij. hundred perſons, but the greateſt loſſe fell on the Cheſſhire men, bycauſe one halfe of the ſhire was on the one part, and the other halfe on the other, of which number were ſir Tho. Dutton, ſir Iohn Doune, and ſir Hugh Venables, ſir Richarde Molineux, ſir William Trowtberke, ſir Iohn Legh of the Both, and ſir Iohn Egerton, knightes, Iohn Done, and Iohn Dutton Eſquiers.

But the Earles two ſonnes, the one called ſir Iohn Neuill, & the other ſir Thomas Neuill,The Erle of Soliſburies ſonne apprehended. were ſore woūded, y^e which ſoberly iorneying into y^e north cuntry, were apprehēded by y^e Q. friends, and togither with ſir Thomas Harington that was likewiſe taken, were conueyed to Cheſter, but their keepers delyuered them ſhortly after, or elſe had the Marche menne deſtroyed the Gayles. Such fauour had the Commons of Wales to the Duke of Yorke his hande, that they could not ſuffer any wrong to be offred, or euill worde to be ſpoken agaynſt him or his friends.

After this battell fought at Blower heath (as before ye haue heard) the Duke of Yorke perceyuing that the deſtruction of him and his friendes was intended, and that his priuie intentes were alreadie diſcloſed to the king and the Queene, hee thought nowe no longer to lynger his buſineſſe, but with all diligence to diſplay and aduance his banner. And therefore ſending for his chiefe mate the Earle of Saliſburie, after long communication had of theyr weightie affayres, they determined to rayſe an armie,The Duke of Yorke aſſembleth an army and by fine force eyther to die, or to winne theyr purpoſe.

Herevpon were men forthwith aſſembled, friendes ſent for, and a puiſſaunt armie was gathered, both of Northren men and Welchmen, whiche in good order came into the marches of Wales adioyning to Shropſhire, determining there to abide their enimies, or to meete them if occaſion ſerued.

There came to him from Calais the Earle of Warwike, bringing with him from that towne a great number of expert men in martiall feates, whereof two were Captaines knowne for men of great experience and approued policie, as they had well declared the ſame in the warres of Normandie and Guyenne, the one called Andrewe Trollop,Andrew Trollop, Iohn Blūt and the other Iohn Blont.

The king hauing aduertiſment of all the dukes doings,The king raiſeth an army. purpoſes, and whole intent, ſent foorth Commiſſioners to leuie a power in all partes of the realme, where he thought to haue any faythfull friendes or fauourers, by reaſon whereof a great number of men of warre was aſſembled.

Many for the loue they bare to the king reſorted to his ſide, but mo for the feare conceyued of the Queenes diſpleaſure, whoſe frowning countenaunce was their vndoing, and hir indignation their death.

To be briefe, the king accompanied with the Dukes of Somerſet, and Exceter, and other of the lyne of Lancaſter, determined eyther by force or by policie, to bring the duke of Yorke to confuſion, and therevppon marching forwarde they came vnto Worceſter, where as well to refreſhe his people, as to take further aduice what was beſt to be done, VVhetham. The Biſhop of Saliſbury ſent to the Duke of Yorke and others. be ſtayed for a time, and at length it was determined, that the king ſhould firſt ſend vnto the aduerſaries, a meſſenger of good accoūt, as the Bi. of Saliſbury, Richard Beauchampe, to offer vnto them a cleare and rece generall pardon, of all treſpaſſes, offences, and tranſgreſſions whatſoeuer, if they woulde giue ouer theyr enterprice, and become true and obedient ſubiects.

When the Biſhop was come vnto them, and hadde declared his meſſage, they firſt withdrewe themſelues apart, and feſt togither in counteſſe, and after they gaue aunſwere by the mouth of the Earle of Warwike, whiche conſiſted of three poymes: Fyrſt,Their anſwe[...] that as concerning the par[...] they durſt not truſt vnto it, conſidering they ha[...] dyuerſe pardons before, and the ſame confyrmed by Parliament, and yet nothing anaylable to their aſſurance.

Secondly, that notwithſtanding ſuche pardons, thoſe that were about the king were preſumptuous and vnruly, that they cared not at in to breake the kings commaundements, nor were any thing abaſhed to be noted for y^e breach ſhewe.

Thirdly, although by law of the lance, and right of the ſtatute, euery Lorde by vertue of the knigs writ, being called to the Parliamēt, ought ſafely to come, ſafely there to remaine, and ſafely to depart and returne home, this notwithſtāding, the ſayd erle of Warwike himſelfe, at a certaine counſail holden at Weſtminſter, by vertue of the kings writ of priuie ſeale beeing there in perſon, & labouring to his knowledge to giue good aduice & counſaile for the profit of the cōmon wealth, was yet in danger of death, if the Lorde aboue had not the better prouided for his eſcape, more than anye humaine power or force of the kings pardon: for the whiche cauſe (quoth he) ſith the kings pardon may be likned in theſe days to a buckler of glaſſe, or to a ſtaffe of reed, in the which is no truſt, wee dare not commit our ſelues vnto the defence of any ſuch pardons. But if any other way might be deuiſed for their ſureties, wherevnto they might ſafely truſt (he ſayde) they were readie to come to his grace, and to ſue for his fauour.

The King receyuing ſuche aunſwere in theſe words, or other to the like effect, was nothing cō tented therewith, and ſo commaunded his ſtandartes eftſoones to aduaunce, but yet before hee came neare to the place where they were encamped, the ſayde Lordes wrote to him a letter in theyr owne excuſe, proteſting they meante no harme in the worlde agaynſt hys perſon, as by theyr demeanours and proceedings it might well appeare, who had euer fled and withdrawing thē ſelues from place to place, from towne to towne, from village to village, and from Countie to Countie, which might ſerue for an euident token that they ſought for nothing but onely theyr owne ſafegardes and quietneſſe of the Realme, with ſo much fauour, as in good and ſafe ſuretie they might come to his preſence, to declare certaine things which in their opinions might turne to the welth of the realm: and further to make anſwere all things, that had be[...] obiected agaynſt them, and nowe (ſayde they) we are here remayning in the vttermoſt partes and confines of the lande, that is in the Marches towardes Wales, not farre from Ludlow, not vpō any preſumptuous meaning, but [...]ther in all [...]ūble to wtineſſe of mind & bodie, to abide his graces cōming, which they be ſought of God might be in ſome peaceable maner and fauourable in their behalfes.

The king hauing receyued this letter, and coniecturing that venome lay hid vnder ſo ſweet and ſoft ſpeeche, commaunded his armie againe to marche forth, and comming within halfe a mile of the aduerſaries campe, pight downe his field, and forthwith cauſed proclamation to bee made,A proclamatiō that whoſoeuer of his aduerſaries would giue ouer his iewde begon enterprice, and repayre to his preſence to ſue for mercie, he would pardon him of all offences.

This Proclamation comming to the vnderſtāding of them in the duke of Yorks hoſt, cauſed a great number that were there with him agaynſt the king, to get away and come to the kings ſide.

Moreouer, there roſe among the reſidue greate murmuring, ſo as they ſeemed very lyke to grow to a grieuous mutinie. Amongſt other of thoſe that came to the kings campe, Andrew Trollop was chiefe,Andrew Trollop forſaketh the Lords. who with y^e other Galiſiās which had long ſerued the king, and liued a long time by his wages, perceyuing now that they ſhould fight agaynſt theyr ſoueraigne Lorde himſelfe (whoſe friend they eſteemed before that time the Erle of Warwike euer to haue bene, and in no wiſe hys enimie) in the dead of the night before the daye of the battell tary ſecretly departed from the Dukes campe, and ſubmitted themſelues to the king, admoniſhing him of all things diuiſed for his loſſe and deſtruction. For the Duke of Yorke perceyuing by his expert Captaynes,VVhethāſted. a way how to ſet vppon his enimies, and eaſily to diſcomfit them, thought to take the occaſion, and ſo on the nexte morning ment to haue aſſayled the king and hys people ere they could haue bene readie, or ware of his determination: but nowe by the going away thus of his captaynes and people, no effect followed of that his ymagination.The eſtimatiō of Andrew Trollop. For being aduertiſed that Andrew Trollop was thus departed, hee was now as much diſcomforted therby, as before by the truſt which he put in him he was encouraged, and therewith perceyuing that all his counſayle and purpoſe was by the forenamed Andrew reuealed and diſcloſed, thought it better for him and his to depart in ſuretie, than to abide y^e [...]ce of mutable fortune:The Duke of Yorke his cō plices flee. whervpon he with his yonger ſonne Edmond Erle of Rutland, ſecretly fled into Wales, and ſo paſſed into Ireland, where hee was with all ioy and honour gladly receyued, all the Iriſh offring to die and liue with him.

The Erle of Marche ſonne and heire apparant to the ſaid duke, accompanied with the Earles of Saliſburie and Warwicke, and ſir Iohn Wenlocke, ſtale of waye the ſame might, [...] came into Deuon[...] wh[...], by the [...] of Iohn Dynham eſquier [...] after was highe Treaſorer of England[...] [...] the days of king Henrie the ſeuenth) they bought a ſhip whiche caſt, [...]. Markes at Exmoath, and ſayled into Gerueſey, and after came to Calais, and were let le[...] at the poſt[...], and ioyfully welcomed [...] friendes, namely of ſir William Neuil Lord Fouronbridge, that was the Erle of Warwikes vncle, and brother to the Erle of Saliſburie, who had the towne & Caſtel in keeping.

But now to returne to the king when in the morning he was aduertiſed that the duke of York and his partakers wer fled[...] gone, he cauſed al his horſmen to folow them, although in [...], for they were got farre ynoughe out of daunger (as before ye haue heard.)

The king pardoned all the poore ſouldiours ſauing certaine ring leaders of the which ſome he puniſhed and fired, and ſome he hanged and quartered.

After th[...] he [...] ouer to Ladlow, and there brake vp his hoſt, and ſpoyled the towne and Caſtell, and ſent the Duches of Yorke with hir two yong ſonnes to be kept in Warre with the Duches of Buckingham hir [...]. This done, he proclamed theſe Lordes, trayedore to him, enimies to their countrey, and rebels to the crowne, confiſcating their lands, goods, and offices, and committed the gouernaunce of the north partes to the Erle of Northumberland,The Duke of Somerſet made Captaine of Caleys. and to the Lord Clifford, as to his truſtie and moſte faithfull friendes, and of his towne of Calais, her made Captaine Henrie the new duke of Somerſet. Thys duke reioyſing much in his new office, choſe forth dyuerſe valiant and hardie ſouldiers, and with great pompt ſhortly after tooke the ſeas, and ſayled towards Calais, but when he thought to haue entred the hauen, the artillery ſhut ſo hotly, both out of the town, and from Riſe [...]ane, that he ſuffring there a ſororepulſe, was faine to lande at Whitſandbay, and ſent worde to the Captaines of the towne to receyue him as the kings lieutenant, ſhewing to them his letters patents, but neither he nor his writing was once regarded, & ſo of neceſſitie hee reſorted to the Caſtell of Guiſnes, dayly ſkirmiſhing with the garniſon of Calais, more to his loſſe than gaine.

Diuers of the mariners of thoſe ſhips that wēt ouer with him, after his arriuall owing more good will to the Earle of Warwike than to this yong duke, conneyd their ſhips into the hauē of Calais, and in them diuerſe of the erle of Warwikes enimies, as Iamin Findyll, Iohn Felow, & diuerſe other, the which being preſented vnto the Earle of Warwike, hee cauſed their heades to bee ſtryken off.

Shortly after Rycharde Lorde Ryuers, and ſir Anthonie[...] Wooduile his valiaunt ſonne that was after Lorde Scales, accompanied with foure hundred warlike perſons, were appointed to paſſe ouer to Guiſnes, to ayde the Duke of S[...]erſet agaynſt his aduerſaries, which lay in Calais, but as they ſoiourned at Sandwich abiding for wind and weather to tranſport them ouer, the Erles of Marche and Warwike had knowledge thereof,Iohn Dynham and ſent Iohn Dynham with a ſmall number of men (but a multitude of valiant heartes) vnto the towne of Sandwich, which ſodainly entred the ſame,The Lord Riuers taken. and took the Lorde Riuers in his bed, and his ſonne alſo, robbing houſes, and ſpoiling ſhips, and beſide this, they tooke the principall ſhippes of the kings nauie, and had them away with them to Calais, and there preſented them to the Earle of March, of whom he was ioyfully receyued, for though in the fight hee was fore hurte and maymed in the legge, ſo as he halted euer after, yet hee bare himſelfe ſo worthtly in that enterprice, that hys prayſe was great amongſt all men.

After this good fortune thus chaunced to the Lordes, dyuerſe of the beſt ſhippes taken in the Hauen of Sandwiche, were well vitayled and manned, and with them the Earle of Warwike ſayled into Irelande, to common with the Duke of Yorke of his great affayres and buſineſſe.

The weather and wind were ſo fauourable to the Earles purpoſe, that within leſſe than thirtie dayes hee paſſed and repaſſed from Calais to Dubline, and backe againe.

The Duke of Exceter being chiefe Admirall of the Sea, lay in the Weſt Countrey, and durſte not once meddle with the Earle of Warwikes name, as he came by, by reaſō of y^e miſtruſt which hee had in the Captaines and Mariners of hys own nany, who by their murmuring wel ſhewed that they wiſhed y^e erle of Warwiks good ſucces.

During this time, the king called a Parliament in the Citie of Couentrie,A parliamente at Couentry which began the xx. of September, in the whiche the Duke of Yorke and his confederates were attaynted of highe treaſon.VVhethāſted. But yet when the King ſhoulde come to giue his conſent vnto the actes paſſed in the ſame Parliament, and that the Clerke of the Parliament had read that ſtatute of the attainder of thoſe Lordes, ſuch was the kings modeſtie and great zeale vnto mercie,The kings inclination to me[...]y. that he cauſed a prouiſo to be had in and added vnto the ſame ſtatute, that it might be lawfull vnto him at all tymes fully without authoritie of any other Parliament, to pardon the ſame noble men, and reſtore them againe to their former eſtates, degrees, and dignities in all things, ſo that they would come in vnto him, and in the ſpirite of him [...] him of grace and fauor[...].

Herewith alſo or [...] was taken for [...] of the hauens and landing places alongſt [...] coaſtes.

Sir Simond Mountforde with a great [...] of men was appoynted to kepe the Dutch [...] the fiue Portes,Osbert Mentforde eſquire hath Whethiſteed, who ſhould alſo haue goe c[...] to Guynes with v.C. ſouldiers, to the ayde of the Duke of [...]omerlet. and all men paſſing [...] [...] ders were vpon paine of death prohibited to paſſe bee Calais, leaſt the Lordes there [...] ſome of them any money, as they did preſt lately before of the Marchants of the Staple [...] xviij.M. pound. The Lords were of ignorant of all the kings prouiſions made agaynſt them, but were aſcerteyned dayly what was [...] in the kings priuie Chamber,The Lord Fauconbridge was chiefe of this co[...]e ſaith Wherhmaſteed. wherefore firſt they ſent a company to Sandwiche vnder the gouernance of the Lord Fauconbridge, whiche tooke the town, and ſir Simon or Oſbert Moūtford within it, and ſent him with all his mates to Calais, where incontinently he with twelues of his chiefe fellowes loſt their heades on the Sandes before Riſebanke.

After the kings name guyned, and his Captaynes, on the arriange of the ſea taken, and deſtroyed, the Lords lying at Calais, being aduertiſed frō the Lord Fauconbridge, who after the [...] king of Mountfōrt lay ſtill in Kent, that the people of that Countrey and other partes were altogither bent in their fauour, they conceyued therevpon ſo great hope in their friendes within the Realme, that they determined to paſſe the [...], and therewith entring their ſhippes, with a ſtrife hundred men landed with them at Sandwich.

And from thence came to Canterburie and to paſſing throughe Kent, VV[...]ed 
1466 there came to them the Lord Cobham, Iohn Guilford, William Peche, Robert Horne, and many other Gentlemen, ſo that before they approched to London, their number was eſtemed aboue .xl. thouſand fightnigmē, for the fame of their landing being oure knowne, Gentlemen repayred, and yeomen reſorted out of all the South partes of the realme, vpon whiche rumor, Thomas Lorde Scales, a man in greate fauor with the King and Queene, accompanied with the Earle of Kendall a Gaſcoigne, and the Lorde Louell, reſorted to London with a greate companie of armed men, declaring to the Maior that their repayre onely was to defende and keepe the Citie, from ſpoyle of ſuch traytors as the king was credibly informed did thither reſort, to whō the Maior anſwered, that hee needed no fellowe helper, either to defend or gouerne the citie to him committed in charge. With which aunſwere the lord Scales and his aſſociates nothing cōtented, entred into the tower, dayly deuiſing way[...] [...] to grieue the Citizens, whō he perceyued to fauor rather the duke of Yorkes part, than the kings.

But ſhortly after the Earles of Marche and Warwicke, and other of their affinitie, came to London, and were of the Maior and Citizens ioyouſly receyued, to whom reſorted the Archbiſhop of Canterburie, the Biſhops of London, Lyncolne, Saliſburie, Ely, and Exceter, with many other Prelates, and religious perſons.

Vpon good deliberation and aduiſe had and taken amongſt theſe Lordes how to go forwarde with their weightie enterprice, the Earles of Marche and Warwike, William Lorde Fauconbridge, Henrie Lorde Bourchier, called Erle of Eu, with a great number of men whiche came out of Kent, Eſſex, Surrey, and Suſſex, to the number (as ſome wryters affyrme) of .xxv. M. perſons, departed from London toward the king lying at Couentrie, then called the Queenes ſecrete herbour,Couentry the Queenes ſecret Harbor. leauing behinde them to keepe the Londoners in theyr promiſed obeyſance, the Erle of Saliſburie, the Lorde Cobham, and ſir Iohn Wenlocke, which tooke ſuch order and watched the gates and entries on eche ſide ſo diligently, that no ſuccours might come to the Lord Scales lodging in the Tower, who tooke therewith ſuch diſpleaſure, that he ſhot out his great ordinaunce agaynſt them within the Citie, and they likewiſe ſhot at him againe, to the hurt and no pleaſure of both partes.

The king hauing knowledge of all theſe doings, aſſembled a great armie, and accompanied with the duke of Somerſet (lately come frō Guiſnes) & the duke of Buckingham, and diuerſe other great Lordes that tooke his parte, came to Northamton, where the Queene perceyuing hee puiſſance to be able to matche in ſight with the aduerſaries, tooke vpon hir to encourage hir friends and well willers: for the King ſtudied of nothing but of peace, quietneſſe, and ſolitarie life. When the whole hoſt of the kings part was aſſembled, the ſame iſſued forth of the towne, and paſſing ouer the riuer of Nine, lodged in the new fielde betweene Harſington and Sandifford, ſtrongly fencing themſelues about with high banks, and deepe trenches.

VVhethāſtedOn the other part, the Lords being herewyth aduaunced verie neare the place where the kings people lay without Northāton, the Biſhops that were there with them, by the aduice and conſent of the ſaid Lordes, ſent vnto the king the Biſhop of Saliſburie to vnderſtand his mind, & to moue him vnto ſome treatie of peace, and to admitte the Archbiſhop of Canterburie, and the other biſhops there preſent, to be mediatours in the matter, that ſome good accord might be concluded betwixt the parties, ſo as an vniuerſall peace might bee reſtored in all parts through the whole realme.

The Biſhop of Saliſburie doing this meſſage not ſo circumſpectly as had beene conuenient, returned without bringing any towardly anſwere, but rather wardes of high deſpite and vtter diſtance. For the Lordes that were about the king truſting in their warlike engines and ſtrength of place in whiche they were enrāped, though otherwiſe inferior in number of [...], purpoſed to ab[...]e the brunt of battel, & ſo led with the ſpirite of raſhneſſe, ſent none other anſwere back againe by the biſhop, but continuelious words ſounding greatly to the reproch of theyr aduerſaries, who beeing ſore offended therewith, determined to ſeeke reuenge with dynt of ſworde.

The Erle of Marche as thē being in the flour[...] of his luſtie and moſt couragious youth, lying betweene Toucetor and Northampton, determined to ſet on the kings armie without longer delay: and therevpon in the night ſeaſon remoued his campe toward Northampton, & in marching forwarde ſet his men in order of battaile, whereof the vātwarde was led by the Erle of Warwick, whiche eyther by ſtrength, or ſtealth,The battel of Northampton. wanne a ſtreyte which the Lorde Beaumont kept, going toward the kings campe, and herewith entring freſhly wyth his people, beganne the battayle aboute ſeuen of the clocke the ninth day of Iulye. After him followed the Earle of Marche with the banner of his father. Other write,VVhethāſted that the Earle of Marche led the forewarde, the Earle of Warwicke the middleward, and the lord Faucōbridge the [...]erewarde.

Moreouer that Edmond Lord Grey of Ruthin, who was on the kings ſide,The L. Grey of Ruthen. fayled in y^e truſt committed to him: for where the enimies coulde not (without great daunger to be beaten downe and ſlaine) enter vpon the Kings campe, by reaſon of a mightie trench and rampyre pight full of pyles, and ſharpe ſtakes, wherewith the campe was compaſſed about, the ſayd Lord Gray came with his men, and with helping handes pulled the enimies vp, & receyued them into the field, where the battaile was begonne with greate force and violence, for being now entred the field, they ſette vpon the Kings people ſo fiercely, that it ſeemed they mente eyther to obteyne the victorie, or to dye for it, euen all the whole number of them.

The fight continued ryght fierce and cruell, Hall. The kings part diſcomfited. wyth vncertayne victorie, till the houre of nine, at whiche tyme the Kings armie was diſcomfited, and of the ſame ſlaine and drowned in the Riuer, few leſſe than ten thouſande tall Engliſh men,The k. taken. and the king himſelfe left comfortleſſe alone was taken by the aduerſaries, as a man predeſtinate to miſerie.

At this battaile were ſlaine Humfrey Duke of Buckingham, Iohn Talbot Earle of Shreweſburie, a valiaunt perſonne, and not degenerating from his noble parentes, Thomas lord Egremond, Iohn Viſcont Beaumont, & ſir William Lucie which made great haſte to come to part of the fight, and at his fyrſt approche was ſtryken in the heade wyth an Axe.

Beſide theſe that were ſlaine, many were taken pryſoners, bycauſe they left theyr horſes, alighting to fight on foote. The Duke of Somerſet, and other, whiche narrowly eſcaped, fled with the Queene & prince into the biſhoprike of Durham. The Erles hauing got the victorie in thys bloudie battaile, conueyed the king to London, & lodged him in the Biſhops Palace.

The tower de liuered to the Erle of March.After whoſe comming to the Citie, the tower was deliuered to the Erle of Marche, vpon a certaine compoſition, but the Lord Scales ſuſpecting the ſequele of the deliuerie thereof, tooke a wherrie priuilye, intending to haue fledde to the Queene, but hee was eſpyed by dyuerſe watermen belonging to the Earle of Warwike (whiche wayted for his forth comming on the Thames) and ſodenly taken,The L. Scales ſlayne. and ſhortly ſlaine with many dartes and daggers, and his bodie left naked & all bloudie at the gate of the Clink, which after was buried in the Churche adioyning. Then were diuerſe perſons apprehended, and indyted of treaſon, whereof ſome were pardoned, & ſome executed.

Tho. ThorpeThomas Thorpe ſeconde Baron of the Eſchequer, was committed to the Tower, where he remayned long after, for that he was knowne to be great friend to the houſe of Lancaſter.

An. reg. 39. During this trouble, a Parliament was ſummoned to begin at Weſtminſter, in the month of October next following.

In the meane time the Duke of Yorke aduertiſed of all theſe things, VVhethāſted The Duke of Yorke commeth forth of Ireland. ſayled from Dubline towardes Englande, and landed at the redde banke neare to the Citie of Cheſter, with no ſmal companie, and from Cheſter by long iourneys, hee came to the Ci[...] of London, which he entred the Fryday before the feaſt of S. Edward the Confeſſor,VVhethāſted with a ſword borne naked befor him, with trumpets alſo ſounding, and accompanied with a great traine of men of armes, and other of hys friends & ſeruants. At his cōming to Weſtm. he entred the palace, & paſſing forth directly through the great hall, ſtayed not till he came to the chamber, wher the King and Lordes vſed to ſit in the Parliament time,A ſtrange demeanor of the D. of Yorke. cōmonly called the vpper houſe or chamber of the Peeres, and being there entred, ſtept vp vnto the throne royall, & theyr laying his hande vppon the cloth of eſtate, ſeemed as if hee ment to take poſſeſſion of that whiche was hys ryght, for hee helde his hande ſo vpon that cloth a good pretie while, and after withdrawing hys hande, turned hys face towardes the people, beholding theyr preaſſing togither, and marking what countenance they made.

Whileſt he thus ſtoode and behelde the people, ſuppoſing they reioyced to ſee his preſence, the Archbiſhop of Canterburie Thomas Bourcher, came vnto him, and after due ſalutations, aſked him if he would come and ſee the King. Wyth which demaunde he ſeeming to take diſdaine, anſwered briefely, and in fewe wordes thus:His bold ſpee[...] I remember not that I know any within this realm, but that it beſeemeth him rather to come and ſee my perſon, than I to goe and to ſee his. The Archbiſhop hearing his anſwere, went backe to the King, and declared what anſwere he hadde receyued of the Dukes owne mouth.

After the Archbiſhop was departed to the king that lay in the Queenes lodging, the Duke alſo departed, and wente to the moſte principall lodging that the king hadde within all his Palace, breaking vp the lockes and doores, and ſo lodged himſelfe therein, more lyke to a King than a Duke, continuing in the ſame lodging for a time to the great indignation of many, that could not in any wiſe lyke of ſuch preſumptuous attempts, made by the ſayde Duke, to thruſt himſelfe in poſſeſſion of the Crowne, and to depoſe King Henrie, who had raigned ouer them ſo long a time.

Maiſter Edwarde Hall in his Chronicle maketh mention of an Oration which the Duke of Yorke vttered ſitting in the regall ſeate there in the Chamber of the Peeres, eyther at this hys firſt comming in amongſt them, or elſe at ſome one tyme after, the which we haue thought good alſo to ſet downe, although Iohn Whethamſted the Abbot of Saint Albones, who liued in thoſe dayes, and by all likelyhoode was there preſent at the Parliament, maketh no further recytall of any wordes, which the Duke ſhoulde vtter at that time in that his booke of Recordes, where hee entreateth of this matter. But for the Oration (as maiſter Hall hath written thereof) wee finde as followeth.

During the time (ſayth he) of this Parliament, the Duke of Yorke with a bolde countenance entred into the chamber of the Peeres, and ſat down in the throne roial, vnder the cloth of eſtate (which is the kings peculiar ſeate) and in the preſence of the nobilitie, as well ſpirituall as temporall, (after a pauſe made) he began to declare his title to the Crowne, in this forme and order as enſueth.

MY ſingular good Lordes,The Duke of Yorkes [...] made to the Lords of the Parliament. maruayle not that I approche vnto this throne: for I ſit here as in the place to mee by very iuſtice lawfully belonging, and here I reſt, as to whō this chaire of right apperteineth, not as hee which requyreth of you fauour, parcialitie, or bearing, but egal right, friendlye indifferencie, and true adminiſtration of Iuſtice: For I beeing the partie grieued, and complaynant, cannot miniſter to my ſelf the medicine that ſhould helpe me (as expert Leches and chirurgiās may) except you be to me both faithful ayders and alſo true Counſaylers. Nor yet this noble Realme and our naturall Countrey ſhall neuer be vnbu[...]led from hir dayly Feuer, except I as the principall Phiſition, and you as the true and truſtie Apothecharies) conſult togither, in making of the potion, and trie out the cleane and pine ſtuffe, frō the corrupt and putrifyed drugges. For vndoubtedly the root and bottom of this long feſtured canker, is not yet extyrpate, nor the feeble foundation of this fallible buylding, is not yet eſpied, which hath been, and is the daylie deſtructiō of the nobilitie, and the continual confuſion of the poore comunaltie of this realme & kingdome. For all you know (or ſhould know) that the high and mightie prince K. Richarde the ſeconde, was the true & vndoubted heire to the valiant conqueror & renowmed prince K. Edward the third, as ſon & beire to the hardie knight & couragious captaine Edward prince of Wales, duke of Aquitaine and Cornwal, eldeſt ſonne to the ſaid K. Edward the third, which king was not onely in deed, but alſo of all men reputed & taken for the true and infallible heire to the wiſe and politique prince king Henrie the third, as ſon & heire to king Edwarde the ſeconde, ſonne and heire to king Edwarde, the firſt, the verie heyre and firſt begotten ſonne of the ſayd noble and vertuous prince king Henrie the thirde. Whiche king Richarde of that name the ſecond, was lawfully and iuſtly poſſeſſed of the Crown and Diademe of this realme and region, till Henrie of Darbie Duke of Lancaſter and Hereforde, ſonne to Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaſter, the fourth begotten ſonne to the ſayde king Edward the thirde, & yonger brother to my noble aunceſter Lionel duke of Clarence, the third begotten ſonne of the ſayd king Edward, by force and violence, contrarie both to the dutie of his allegiance, and alſo to his homage to him both done and ſworne, rayſed warre and battayle at the caſtell of Flinte in Northwales, agaynſt the ſayde king Richarde, and him apprehended, and impriſoned within the tower of London, during whoſe life and captiuitie, he wrongfully vſurped and intruded vpon the royall power, and high eſtate of this realm and region, taking vpon him the name ſtile, and authoritie of king and gouernour of the ſame. And not therewith ſatiſfyed, and contented, cōpaſſed and accompliſhed the death and deſtruction of his naturall Prince, and moſte worthie ſoueraigne Lord, not as a common homicide and butcherly murtherer, but as a regicide, & deſtroyer of his king. After whoſe piteous death, & execrable murther, the right and title of the Crowne, and ſuperioritie of this Realme was lawfully reuerted and returned to Roger Mortimer Earle of Marche, ſonne and heyre to Ladie Philippe the onely childe of the aboue rehearſed Lionell Duke of Clarence, to whiche Rogers daughter called Anne, my moſt deareſt and welbeloued mother, I am the verie true and lineall heyre, whiche diſcent all you cannot iuſtly gainſay, nor yet truely denie. Then remember this, if the tytle be mine, why am I put from it? If I bee true heyre to the Crowne (as I am in deede) why is my ryght withholden? If my clayme bee good, why haue I not iuſtice? For ſurely learned men of great ſcience and knowledge, ſaye and affyrme, that lineall diſcent, nor vſurped poſſeſſion can nothing preuayle, if continuall clayme bee lawfullye made, or openly publiſhed. For the auoyding of which ſcruple and ambiguitie: Edmonde Earle of Marche my moſte welbeloued Vncle in the tyme of the firſte Vſurper in deede, but not by right called King Henrie the fourth, by hys couſins the Earle of Northumberlande, and the Lorde Percie, he beeing then in captiuitie wyth Owen Glendor, the Rebell in Wales, made hys tytle and righteous clayme to the deſtruction of both the noble perſons. Likewiſe my moſt deereſt Lorde and father, ſo farre ſet forth that right and tytle, that hee loſt his life and worldly ioy at the towne of Southhampton, more by power than indifferent Iuſtice. Sithe whoſe death, I comming to my full age, haue neuer deſyſted to purſue my tytle, and requyre my right, whiche by meanes of ſinyſter counſayle and iniuſt detention, I can neyther obteyne nor recouer. So that of fine force, I am compelled to vſe power in ſteade of prayer, and force in ſteade of requeſt (not as I ſayde before) for my priuate emolument, and peculiar profite, but to reſtore peace, loue, and quietneſſe to thys oure naturall Region, which euer ſith the firſt vngodly vſurpation of the aforenamed Henrie, vntruly called king Henrie the fourth, hath beene clearely baniſhed, and oute of the ſame iniuſtlye exyled. What murthers and manſlaughters hathe beene perpetrated and committed wythin thys Countrey, ſithe the begynning of that vngracious vſurpation? what number of noble men haue beene ſlaine, deſtroyed, and executed ſithe that infortunate day? It is to lamentable and manifeſt. For although Henrie of Lancaſter Earle of Darbye tooke vpon hym the Scepter and the Crowne, and wrongfullye bare the name and ſtyle of a King, and was not muche tickled wyth myne Vncle the Earle of Marche, at that tyme being wythin age: yet was he neuer in ſuretie of himſelfe, nor had or enioyed any profite, quietneſſe, either in minde or in bodie: For ſurely, a corrupt, conſcience neuer feeleth reſt, but looketh when the ſworde of vengeance wil diſcende and ſtrike: his ſon alſo called king Henrie the fifth, obteyned notable victories, & immortal praiſes for his noble actes done in the realm of Frāce: yet God for y^e offēce of his vntrue parent: ſodenly touched him, vnbodying his ſoule in the flower of his youth, and in the glorie of hys conqueſt. And although he had a fayre ſonne and a yong, apparant heyre, yet was this orphan ſuch a one, as preachers ſaye, that God threatned to ſende for a puniſhment to his vnruly & vngracious people, ſaying by his Prophet Eſay, I ſhal giue you children to be your Princes, and infants without wiſdome, ſhall haue the gouernaunce of you. The Prophet lied not, if you note all things in an order: for after this Henrie the fift (whoſe fame no man can iuſtly reproue or deface) ſucceded his ſonne, whom all we haue called our naturall Prince, and obeyed as his heyre, in whoſe time & wrongfull raigne, I require you diligently to conſider, with what great torments and afflictions God hath whipped and ſcourged this miſerable Iſle, yea with ſuch and ſo many ſcourges and plagnes, as no nation (the Egiptians only except) were euer tormented or afflicted withal. I wil not ſpeake of rebellious murthers, & oppreſſions, which of late haue beene done and exerciſed here among vs: But I will declare & manifeſt to you, how the crown and glory of this realm is by the negligence of this ſilly man, and his vnwyſe counſail miniſhed, defaced and diſhonored. Is not Normandie which his father gate regained & cō quered again, by y^e inſolencie of him and his couetous counſaile? Is not the whole duchie of Aquitaine, by two .C. and odde yeares peaceably poſſeſſed by the kings of this realme, in one yere and a little more, gottē out of our hands & ſeigniory? What ſhoulde I ſpeake of Aniou and Maine, or the loſſe of the Iſle of France, with the rich Citie of Paris. Alas it is too apparaunt, neither will I moleſt you with the recitall of all the particulers thereof: But now in the middeſt of this affliction and to make an ende of the ſame, God of his ineffable goodneſſe looking on this countrey, with hys eies of pitie and mercie, hath ſent me in the truth, to reſtore againe his decayed kingdome, to hys ancient fame and olde renowne, whereof here in open Parliament according to my iuſt and true title, I haue and do take poſſeſſion of this royall throne, not putting diffidence, but firme hope in Gods grace, that by his diuine ayd and aſſiſtance of you the Peeres of this realme, I ſhall beautifie and mainteyne the ſame to the glorie of him, honour of my bloud, and to the publique wealth as well of you all here preſent, as of all the poore Commons and ſubiectes of this kingdome and regiment.

When the Duke had made an ende of hys Oration, the Lordes ſate ſtyll as men ſtryken into a certayne amaſedneſſe, neyther whiſpering nor ſpeaking forth a worde, as thoughe theyr mouthes had bene ſowed vp.

The Duke not verie well content with their ſtrange ſilence, aduiſed them to conſider throughly, and ponder the whole effect of his wordes and ſayings, and ſo neyther fully diſpleaſed, nor yet altogither pleaſed, departed to his lodging in the kings Palace.

While he was declaring thus his tytle in the chamber of the Peeres, there happened a ſtraunge chaunce in the verie ſame inſtaunt amongeſt the Commons in the neather houſe then there aſſembled:Prodigious [...] kens. for a Crowne whiche did hang in the middle of the ſame to garniſhe a braunch to ſee [...] vppon, without touche of any man, or rygour of wind, ſodainly fell downe. And at the ſame time alſo fell downe the Crowne which ſtoode on the toppe of the Caſtell of Douer, whiche chaunces were interpreted by the common people, to be as ſignes that the Crowne of the Realme ſhoulde bee deuided and chaunged from one lyne to an other.

The Lordes of the Realme forgotte not the Dukes demaunde, and therfore to take ſome good direction therein, dyuerſe of them, as well of Spirituall Lordes, as Temporall, wyth many graue and ſage perſons of the Communaltie daylye aſſembled at the blacke Friers and other places, to treat and commen of this matter, being of ſo great importance.

During which time the Duke of Yorke, although he and the King were both lodged in the Palace of Weſtmynſter, yet would hee not for any prayers or requeſt made vnto him, once byſite or ſee the King, tyll ſome perfect concluſion were taken in thys greate and weightie matter, ſaying and affyrming, that he was ſubiect to no man, but onely to God, and hee was Lorde and ſuperiour and none other.

The King of Scottes partlye encouraged through the ciuill diſcorde here in England, and partly for the diſpleaſure which he had conceyued for the death of Edmonde Duke of Somerſet his mothers brother,The Caſtel of Roxburh [...] ſieged. The k. of [...] through miſfortune [...] this yere beſieged the Caſtell of Roxbourgh, and by the breaking of a Bombarde, as the ſame was ſhotte off agaynſte the Caſtell, hee chaunced to bee ſlaine. Yet the Scottes lefte not off theyr enterpryſe aſſaulting the Caſtell, tyll they gatte it, and then defended it a long tyme after, tyll Rycharde Duke of Gloceſter it conquered and deſtroyed.

After long debating of the matter, with many arguments made, and deliberate conſultation had amongeſt the Peeres, Prelates, and Commons of the realme, vpon the vigill of all Saints, it was condiſcended and agreed by the three eſtates,The deter[...] nation of the parliament [...] cerning the [...] tailing of th[...] Crowne. for ſo much as King Henrie had beene taken as King by the ſpace of .xxxviij. yeares and more, that he ſhould enioy the name and title of King, and haue poſſeſſion of the Realme during his naturall lyfe.

And if he eyther dyed, or reſigned, or forfeyted the ſame for breaking or going agaynſt any poynt of thys concorde, then the ſayde Crowne and authoritie royall ſhould immediately bee deuoluted, and come to the Duke of Yorke, if hee then lyued, or elſe to the next heyre of his lynage. And that the D. of York from thenceforth ſhould bee Protectour and Regent of the lande.

This agreement beeing put in Articles, was engroſſed, ſealed, and ſworne by the two parties, and alſo enacted in the highe Court of Parliament. For ioy whereof the King hauing in hys companie, the Duke of Yorke, roade to the Cathredrall Churche of Saint Paule within the Citie of London, and there on the daye of all Saintes with the Crowne on hys heade, wente ſolemnly in Proceſſion, and was lodged a good ſpace after in the Biſhops Palace, neare to the ſayde Church.

The Duke of Yorke proclaymed heire appeare and pro [...] of the [...]ne.And vpon the Saterday next enſuyng, Rycharde Duke of Yorke was by ſound of Trumpet ſolemnely proclaymed heyre apparaunt to the Crowne of Englande, and Protector of the Realme.

The parliamēt at Couentrye [...]e fruſtrateAfter this, the Parliament kept at Couentrie the laſt yeare, was declared to bee a diueliſhe counſaile, and onely celebrate for the deſtruction of the Nobilitie, and no lawfull Parliament, bycauſe they which were returned, were neuer elected according to the due order of the lawe, but ſecretely named by them, which deſyred rather the deſtruction than the aduauncement of the common wealth.

When thoſe agreementes were done and enacted, the King diſſolued his Parliament, whiche was the laſte Parliament that euer hee ended.

The Duke of Yorke well knowing that the Queene woulde ſpurne agaynſt the concluſions agreed vpon in this Parliament, cauſed both hirſelfe and hir ſonne to be ſent for by the King. But ſhe being a ſtout Dame, vſing to rule, and not to be ruled, and thereto counſayled by the Dukes, of Exceter, and Somerſet, not only denyed to come, but alſo aſſembled a greate army, entending to take the King by fine force oute of the Lordes handes.

The Protector being in London, and hauing perfite knowledge of all theſe doings, aſſigned the Duke of Norffolke, and the Earle of Warwike his truſtie friendes to be about the King, and hee with the Earles of Saliſburie and Rutlande, and a conuenient number of men, departed out of Lō don the ſeconde day of December northward, and ſent to the Earle of Marche his eldeſt ſonne to followe him with all hys power. The Duke came to his Caſtell of Sandall beſide Wakefield on Chriſtmaſſe euen, and there beganne to aſſemble his tenaunts and friendes. The Queene being therof aſcerteyned, determined to cope with him ere his ſuccour were come. And ſo hauing in hir companie the Prince hir ſonne, the Dukes of Exceter, and Somerſet, the Earle of Deuonſhire, the Lorde Clifforde, the Lorde Ros, and in effect all the Lordes of the North partes, wyth xviij. thouſande men (or as ſome write .xxij. thouſande) marched from Yorke to Wakefielde, and had baſe to the Duke, euen before his Caſtell Gates. He hauing with him not fully fiue thouſande perſones, contrarie to the myndes of hys faythful Counſailers, would needes iſſue forth to fight with his enimies.

The Duke of Somerſet and other of the Queenes part, deuiſed how to take theyr moſte aduauntage, and ſo appoynted the Lord Clifford to lie in one ſtale, and the Earle of Wilſhire in another, and the Duke with other kept the main battaile.

The Duke of Yorke wyth his people diſcended downe the hill in good order and army, & was ſuffred to paſſe on towarde the maine battail:The battaile of Wakfielde. but when he was in the plaine [...]ld betwene his caſtel and the town of Wakefield, he was enuironed on euery ſide, like a fiſhe in a net,The Duke of Yorke ſlayne ſo that he manfully fighting was within halfe an houre ſlaine & dead and his whole armie diſcomfited: and with hym dyed of his truſtie friends, his two baſtarde Vncles, ſir Iohn, and ſir Hugh Mortimers, ſir Dauy Hall,Only ſ[...]uen C. Southern men ſaith Whethā [...]ted. ſir Hugh Haſtings, ſir Thomas Neuill, William, and Thomas Aparre, both brethren, and two thouſande and eyght hundred other, whereof many were yong Gentlemen, and heires of greate parentage in the South partes, whoſe lynages reuenged theyr deathes wythin foure Monethes next and immediately enſuing, as after ſhall appeare.

In this conflict was wounded and taken priſoner, Richarde Earle of Saliſburie, ſir Richarde Lymbricke, Raufe Stanley, Iohn Harow, captaine Hanſon, & diuerſe other. The Lord Clifford perceyuing where the Earle of Rutland was cō ueyed out of the fielde by one of his fathers chapleyns, and ſcholemaiſter to the ſame Earle, followed him, and ouertaking him, and vnderſtanding what he was, ſtabbed him to the heart with a dagger as he kneeled afore him.

This Earle was but a childe at that time of xij. yeares of age, but neither his tender yeares, nor his dolorous countenance which he ſhewed in holding vp both his handes, and crauing mercie and grace with his lamentable geſture (for hys ſpeache was gone for feare) coulde not plie the cruel heart of the Clifford to take pitie vpon him,The cruel murder of the yong Erle of Ruclād ſo that hee was noted with great infamie, for that his vnmerciful act and murther made of that yong gentleman.

But the ſame Lorde Clifforde not ſatiſfied herewith, came to the place where the dead corpſe of the Duke of Yorke lay, and cauſed his heade to be ſtriken off, and ſet on it a Crowne of Paper, and ſo fixed it on a Poil, and preſented it to the Queene, not lying farre from the fielde, in greate diſpite and muche dereſion, at which preſent muche ioy, and great reioyſing was ſhewed: but they laughed then, that ſhortly after lamented, and were glad then of other mennes deathes, that knewe not theyr owne to bee ſo neare at hande.

VVheshāſted.Some write that the Duke was taken aliue, and in deciſion cauſed to ſtande vpon a [...] on whoſe heade they put [...]arlande in ſteade of a Crowne which they had faſhioned and ſhade of Segges, or Bulruſhes, and hauing ſo crowned him with that Garlande, they kneeled downe [...] fore him as the Iewes did to Cho[...]e in ſcorns, ſaying to him, haue King withoute [...], hayle King without heritage, hayle Duke and Prince without people or poſſeſſions. And at length hauing thus ſcorned him with theſe and dyuerſe other the lyke deſpitefull wordes they ſtroke off his heade, whiche (as yee haue heard) they preſented to the Queene.

Many deemed that this miſerable end chaunced to the Duke of Yorke, as a due puniſhment for breaking his othe of allegiance to his ſoueraigne Lord king Henry but other helde him diſcharged thereof,Mark the Pope diſpenſation. bycauſe he obteyned a diſpenſation from the Pope, by ſuch ſuggeſtion as his procurators made vnto him, whereby the ſame othe was adiudged voyd, as that which was receyued vnaduiſedly, to the preiudice of himſelfe, and diſinheriting of all his poſteritie.

After this victorie obteyned thus by the N. and hir part, the Earle of Saliſburie and all the priſoners were ſent to Pomfret,The priſon[...] be headed.
1491 and there beheaded, whoſe heades togyther with the Duke of Yorkes head, were conueyed to Yorke, and their ſet on Polles ouer the gate of the Citie, in deſpite of them and their lynage.

The Erle of Marche ſo commonly called, but now after the death of his father, in deede and in ryght verie Duke of Yorke, lying at Glouceſter was wonderfully amazed, when the ſorowfull newes of theſe miſhappes came vnto hym: but after comfort gyuen to him by hys faythfull louers and aſſured allyes, hee remooued to Shrewſburie, declaring to the Inhabitauntes of that towne, and to them of the other townes in thoſe partyes, the murther of his father, the ieopardie of himſelf, and the preſent ruine of the cōmon welth.

The people on the Marches of Wales, for the fauour which they bare to the Mortimers linage, more gladly offred him their ayde and aſſyſtance than he could deſire the ſame, ſo that hee had incontinently a puiſſaunt armye, to the number of [...] thouſand, ready to go againſt the Queene, and the murtherers of his father.

But when hee was ſetting forwarde,The erle of Pē broke. newes was brought to him, that Iaſper Earle of Pembroke, halfe brother to King Henrie, and Iames Butler Earle of Ormond and Wilſhire, had aſſembled togither a greate number of Welche and Iriſhe people, ſodainely to take and ſurpriſe him: he being here with quickened, retyred backe and mette with his enimies in a fayre [...], neare to Mortimers Croſſe, not farre from Hereford caſt,The Bare[...] Mortimers croſſe. on Candlemaſſe day in the morning, at whiche tyme the ſonne (as ſome wryte) appeared to the Earle of March like three Sunnes, and ſodainly ioyned altogither in one, vppon whiche ſight hee tooke ſuche courage, that he fiercely ſetting on his enimyes, put them to flight: and for this cauſe, menne ymagined, that he gaue the Sunne in his [...] for his Badge or cogniſaunce. Of his enimies were left dead on the groūd three thouſand and .viij. hundred. The Erles of Pembroke and [...], but ſir Owen Eruther, father to the ſayd erle of Pembroke, which Owē had maried K. Hennes mother as ye haue hearde before) with Dauid Floid,Owen Ten [...] and other [...] and be headed. Morg[...] & diuerſe other wer take, and beheaded at Hereford.

During this ſeaſon, the Queene encouraged with hir late gayned victorie, with a great multitude of Northerne people, marched towarde London, intending to vndoe all that which had bin ordeyned in the laſt Parliament.

VVhethāſted.Theſe Northerne people, after they were once paſſed ouer the riuer of Trent, ſpoyled and waſted the Countrey afore them, in maner as if they had bin in the land of forayne enimies. At length, they approched to Saint Albons, & hearing that the Duke of Northfolke, and the Erle of Warwike, with other, whome the Duke of Yorke had left to gouerne the King in hys abſence, had by the Kings aſſent, aſſembled a great hoſt,The Not [...]e men ouer into Saint Albons. and were encamped neere to that Towne. Thoſe Northerne Lordes and other that were with the Queene, made forwarde, and entring into Saint Albons, meante to paſſe through the Towne, and ſo to coape with their enimies, but finding a ſorte of archers raunged neere to the greate croſſe in the market place, to defend their paſſage, they were receyued with ſuche a ſtorme of arrowes which came flying about their eares as thicke as hayle, that they were quickly repulſed backe, and with loſſe, driuen to retire vnto the Weſt ende of the Towne, where by a lane that leadeth Northwards vp to Saint Peters ſtrete, they made their entrie, and had there alſo a ſharp encounter, againſt certayne hands of the kings people,They paſſe through it. but yet after greate ſlaughter on both partes, they gote through, and vppon the heathe that lyeth at the North ende of the towne, called Barnard heath, they had a farre greater conflict with foure or fiue thouſande of the Kyngs armie, that ſeemed as they had bin anaunt courrers, whiche gaue tho onſet ſo fiercely at the beginning,The ſecond [...]ell at [...]nt Albons. that the victorie reſted doubtfull a certaine time, ſo that if y^e Eaſterne and Southerne men had continued as they began, the field had bin theirs, but after they had ſtoode to it a pretie while, and perceyued none of their fellowes from the great armie to come and aſſiſt them, they began to faint, and turning their backes, fledde amaine,The Kings part fleet[...]. ouer hedge and ditch, through thicke and thinne, wooddes and buſhes, ſeeking ſo to eſcape the handes of their cruell enimies, that followed them with egre minds, to make ſlaughter vpon them, namely, the Northerne prickes, nowe in the chace purſued moſt hotely, and bare downe, many, and more had done, if the night comming vppon, had not ſtayed the execution of their vnmercifull willes.

When the daye was nowe cloſed and darkened with the ſhadow of night, thoſe that were about the King, being in number a twentie thouſande perſons, hearing howe euill their fellowes had ſped, began vtterly to deſpaire of the victorie, and ſo fell without anye long tar[...]ance, [...] running away, by reaſon whereof, the nobles that were about the King, perceyuing how the game went, and withall ſaw no comfort in the King, but rather a good will and affection towards the contrarie part, they withdrew alſo, leauing the King accompanyed with the Lord Bonneuille, and Sir Thomas Kiriell at Kent, which vppon aſſurance of the Kings promiſe, tarried ſtill with him, and fled not, but their truſt deceyued them, for at the Queenes departing from Saint Albons, they were both beheaded, though contrarie to the minde and promiſe of hir huſbande. Sir Thomas Thorp, Baron of the Eſcherke[...], was alſo beheaded the ſame day, at Highgate, by the commons of Kent.

Such was the fortune of this ſeconde battell foughte at Sainte Albons, vppon Shroue Teweſday, beeing the ſeuententh of Februarie, in which were ſlayne three and twentie hundred men, and not aboue, of whome,1916. as Iohn Stow noteth. Sir Iohn Grey ſlayne. no noble man is remembred, ſaue Sir Iohn Grey, whiche the ſame day was made knight, with twelue other, at the village of Colney.

Now after that the noble men and other wee fled, and the king lefte in man[...] alone without any power of men to garde his perſon, hee was counfelled by an eſquyer called Th[...]s Hoo, a man wel languāged, and well ſerue in the laws, to ſend ſome conuenient meſſengere to the Northern lordes, aduertiſing them that he wold a [...] gladly come vnto them (whome [...]s [...]new to bee his verie frendes, and had aſſembled themſelues togyther for his ſeruice, to the ende he might remaine with them, as before he had remained vnder the gouernment of the Southern lords. According to the aduice and counſel of this eſquier, the king thought it good ſo to ſende vnto them, and withall appointed the [...]ame eſqui[...]r to beare the meſſage,Thomas Ho[...] Eſquier, ſent to the Northerne Lorde. who firſte went & declared the ſame vnto the Erle of Northumberlande, and returning backe to the king, brought certayne lordes with him, who conueyed the King firſt vnto the Lorde Cliffords tent, that ſtoode next to y^e place where the Kings people had encamped.

This done, they went and brought y^e Quene and hir ſonne Prince Edwarde vnto his preſente, whome hee ioyfully receiued, embracing and kiſſing them in moſt louing wiſe, and yeelding hartie thankes to almightie God, whome it hadde pleaſed thus to ſtrengthen the forces of the Northerne men, to reſtore his der[...]ely beloued and onely ſonne againe into his poſſeſſion.

Thus was the Queene fortunate in hir two battailes,Hall. but vnfortunate was the King in all his enterpriſes: for where his perſon was preſent, the victorie ſtill fledde from him to the contrary part.

The Queene cauſed the King, to dubbe hir ſon prince Edward Knight,Prince Edward made knight. with .30. other perſons, which the day before, fought on hir ſide againſt his part.

This don, they went to y^e abbey, where of the abbot & Monks they were receiued, w^t hymnes & ſongs, & ſo brought to the high Altare, & after to the Shryne, & ſo to the chamber in which the K. was wont to lodge. The Abbot made ſuite y^t order might be taken to reſtrain the Northern men frō ſpoiling y^e town, & proclamation in deed was made to y^t effect, but it auailed not: for they mainteined, y^t the ſpoile of things was granted thē by couenāt, after they were once paſſed ouer y^e riuer of Trent: & ſo not regarding any proclamation or other cōmandement,The Northren men ſpoile the Towne of S. Albons. The Queene ſendeth to the Maior of London for vittailes. they ſpared nothing that they could lay hāds vpon, if the ſame were mete for thē to carie & beare away. The Queene hauing thus got the victorie, ſēt to y^e Maior of Lō don, cōmanding him without delay to ſend certain carts laded with Lenton victuals for the refreſhing of hir & hir army. The Maior incōtinētly cauſed carts to be laded, & wold haue ſent thē forward, but the cōmons of the citie would not ſuffer them to paſſe, but ſtayed them at Criplegate, notwithſtanding, the Maior did what hee could by gentle perſwaſions to quiet them.

During which controuerſie, diuers of y^e Northerne horſemen, came & robbed in the ſuhurbes of y^e Citie, & would haue entred at Criplegate, but they were repulſed by y^e comoners, and three of thē ſlaine, whervpō the Maior ſent y^e Recorder to Barnet to y^e kings counſel there, to excuſe the matter, & the Ducheſſe of Bedford, the Lady Scales w^t diuers fathers of y^e ſpiritualtie, wēt to y^e Q. to aſwage hir diſpleaſure cōceiued againſt y^e Citie. The Q. at their hūble requeſt by aduice of hir counſell, appointed certaine Lordes and knights, with four C. tall perſons, to ride to the citie, & there to view & ſee the demeanor & diſpoſition of y^e people: & diuers Aldermē were apointed to meete thē at Barnet, & to conuty them to London. But what man purpoſeth, God diſpoſeth, for al theſe deuiſes were ſhortly altered into an other forme, bicauſe true report came not only to the Q. but alſo to the Citie, that the Earle of Marche, hauing vanquiſhed the Erles of Pē broke & Wilſhire, had met w^t the Erle of Warwike (after this laſt battell at Sainte Albons) at Chipping Norton by Cotſold, and that they w^t both their powers, wer cōming toward Londō. The Q. hauing little truſt in Eſſex,The Queene returneth Northward. and leſſe in Kente, but leaſt of all in London, with hir huſband & ſon, departed frō S. Albōs, into y^e North countrey, where the roote and foundation of hir aide and refuge only conſiſted.

The Duches of Yorke, ſeeing hir huſbande and ſonne ſlaine, and not knowing what ſhould ſucceede of hir eldeſt ſonnes chance, ſent hir two yonger ſonnes, George and Richard, once y^e ſea, to the Citie of Vtrecht in Almayne, where they were of Phillip Duke of Burgoine well receyued, and ſo remayned there, till their brother Edward had gote the Crowne, and gouernemēt of the Realme.

The Earles of Marche and Warwike, hauing perfect knowledge that the King and Q. with their adherents, were departed from Sainct Albons, rode ſtraight to London, entring there with a great number of men of warre, the firſte weeke of Lent, whoſe comming thither was no ſooner knowen, but that the people reſorted out of Kent, Eſſex, and other the counties adioyning, in great numbers, to ſee, aide, and comfort this luſtie Prince, and flower of chiualrie, in whome, the hope of their ioy, and [...] of theyr quietneſſe only conſiſted.

This prudent yong Prince, minding to take time when time ſerued, called a great Counſell, both of the Lords ſpirituall and temporall, and to them repeaſed the title and right that hee had to the Crowne, rehearſing alſo the articles concluded betwixte King Henrie and his father, by their writings ſigned and ſealed, and alſo con[...]emed by a[...]e of Parliament, the breaches whereof, he neither forgate, nor left vndeclared.

After the Lordes had conſidered of this matter, they determined by authoritie of the ſayde Counſell, that bycauſe King Henry hadde done contrarie to the ordinances in the laſt Parliament concluded, and was inſufficient of hymſelfe to rule the Realme, hee was therefore depriued of all kingly honor, and regall ſoueraignetis, & incontinently, was Edward Earle of March, ſonne and heire to Richarde Duke of Yorke, by the Lords in the ſaid Counſel aſſembled, named, elected,The Earle of Marche elected K[...]ng. and admitted for King and gouernoure of the Realme, on whiche day, the people of the Earles parte, beeing in their muſter in Sainte Iohns field, and a great number of the ſubſtanciall Citizens there aſſembled, to beholde theyr order,The Lord Faucombridge. ſuddainely the Lorde Fawcombridge, whiche tooke the muſters, wiſely declared to the people, y^e offenes and breaches of the late agreemente, committed, ſuffered, and done, by Kyng Henrye the ſixth, and demaunded of the people, whether they would haue the ſaid King Henry, to rule & reigne any longer ouer them, to whome they with whole voice aunſwered, nay, nay. Then he aſked them, if they woulde ſerue, loue, honor, and obey the Earle of Marche, as theyr earthly prince and ſoueraigne Lorde, to whyche queſtion they aunſwered, yea, yea, crying Kyng Edwarde, with manye greate ſhoutes and clapping of hands.

The Lordes were ſhortly aduertiſed of the louing conſente whiche the commons frankely and freely of their owne free willes had gyuen, wherevpon incontinently, they all with a conuenient number of the moſt ſubſtanciall commons, repayred to Baynards Caſtell, makyng iuſt and true reporte of their election and admiſſion, and the louing aſſent of the commons.

The Earle after long pauſing, firſt thanked God of his greate grace, and benefite then towards him ſhewed, and the Lords and cōmons alſo for their hartie fauoure, and aſſured fidelitie: notwithſtanding, like a wiſe Prince, he alledged his inſufficiencie for ſo great a roomth, & weightie burthen, as lacke of knowledge, want of experience, and diuers other qualities to a gouernour apperteining, but yet in concluſion, beyng perſwaded by the Archbyſhop of Caunterburie, the Byſhoppe of Exeter, and other Lordes then preſente,The Earle of Marche taketh vpon [...] as King. hee agreed to their petition, and tooke vpon him the charge of the Kingdome, as forfeited to him by breache of couenauntes, eſtabliſhed in Parliamente, on the behalfe of Kyng Henry.

But now before we proceede any further, ſith the raigne of King Henrye may ſeeme heere to take ende, we will ſpecifie ſome ſuch learned mē as liued in his time. Iohn Leland, ſurnamed the rider (in reſpect of the other Iohn Leland, that paynefull antiquarie of our time) wrote dyuers treatiſes, for the inſtruction of Grammarians: Iohn Haynton, a Carmelite or white Friet (as they called them) of Lincolne: Roberte Colman, a Frantiſcane Frier of Norwich, and Chancellor of the Vniuerſitie of Oxford: Williā White a Prieſt of Kent, profeſſing y^e doctrine of Wicklife, and forſaking the order of the Romayne Churche, married a wife, but continued his office of Preaching, till at length, in the yeare. 1428. he was apprehended, and by William, B. of Norwiche, and the Doctors of the Friers Mendicantes, charged with thirtie articles, which he maynteyned, contrarie to the doctrine of the Romane Church then in vſe, and in September, the ſame yeare, ſuffered death by fire: Alexander Carpenter, a learned man, ſet forthe a Booke called Deſtructorium Vitiorum, wherin he enueygheth againſt the Prelates of the Churche of that time, for their crueltie vſed, in perſecuting the poore and godly Chriſtians: Richarde Kendale, an excellente Gramarian: Iohn Bate, Warden of the white Friers in Yorke, but borne in the bordures of Wales, an excellent Philoſopher, and a diuine, he was alſo ſeene in y^e Greeke tong, a thing rare in thoſe dayes: Peter Baſſet, Eſquier of the priuie chamber to King Henrye the fifth, whoſe life he wrote: Iohn Pole a prieſt, that wrote the life of S. Walburgh, daughter to one Richard, a noble man of this Realme of Englande, whiche Walburg as hee affirmeth, builded our Lady Churche in Andwerp: Thomas Iſmaelite, a Monke of Sion: Walter Hilton, a Chartreaux Monke alſo of Sheene, eyther of theſe wrote certaine treatiſes full of ſuperſtition, as Iohn Bale noteth: Tho. Walden ſo called of the Towne where he was borne, but his fathers ſurname was Netter, a white Frier of London, and the three and twentith prouinciall gouernour of his order, a man vndoubtedly learned, and throughly furniſhed with cunning of the Scholes, but a ſore enimie to them y^t profeſſed the doctrine of Wicklife, writing ſundrye greate volumes and treatiſes againſte them: hee dyed at Rouen in Normandie, the ſeconde of Nouember, in the yere .1430. Richard Vllerſton, borne in Lancaſhire, wrote diuers treatiſes of Diuinitie: Peter Clearke, a ſtudent in Oxforde, and a defender of Wicklifes doctrine, wherevpō, when he feared perſecution heere in England, he fled into Bohenie, but yet at length, he was apprehended by the Imperialiſtes, and dyed for it, as ſome write,Fabian and Caxton. but in what order, is not expreſſed: Roberte Hownde ſlow, a religious man of an houſe in Howndeſlow beſide London, wherof he tooke his ſurname: Thomas Walſinghā, borne in Northfolke, in a Towne there of the ſame name, but profeſſed a Monke in the Abbey of Sainte Albons, a diligente hiſtorici[...]ie: Iohn Tilney, a white Frier of Yermouths, but a ſtudent in Cambridge, and proued an excellent diuine: Richarde Fleming, a Doctor of diuinitie, profeſſed in Oxford, and by the King aduanced to the gouernement of the Biſhopricke of Lincolne: he founded Lincolne colledge in Oxford, in which Vniuerſitie, he had bin ſtudente: Iohn Lowe, borne in Worceſterſhire, an Auguſtine Frier, a Doctor of diuinitie, and prouinciall in England of his order, and by King Henry the ſixth, made firſte Biſhop of Saint Aſſaph, and after remoued from thence to Rocheſter: Thomas Ringſtede the yonger, not the ſame y^t was Byſhop, but a doctor of the lawe, and Vicar of Mildenhall in Suffolke, a notable preacher, and wrote diuers treatiſes: Iohn Felton, a doctor of Diuinitie of Magdalene Colledge in Oxforde: Nicholas Botleſham, a Carmelite Frier borne in Cambridgeſhire, and ſtudent firſte in the Vniuerſitie of Cambridge, and after in Paris, where he proceeded Doctor of Diuinitie: Thomas Rudburne, a Monke of Wincheſter, and an Hiſtoriographer: Iohn Holbroke, borne in Surrey, a greate Philoſopher, and well ſeene in the Mathematikes: Peter Paine, an earneſt profeſſor of Wiclifes doctrine, and fearing perſecution heere in England, fled into Boheme, where he remained in great eſtimation for his greate learning and no leſſe wiſedome: Nicholas Vpton, a Ciuilian, wrote of Heraldry, of colours in armorie, and of the duetie of chiualrie: William Beckley, a Carmelite Frier of Sandwich, and warden of the houſe there, a diuine, and profeſſed degree of Schole in Cambridge: Iohn Torp, a Carmelite Frier of Norwiche: Iohn Capgraue, borne in Kent, an Auguſtine Frier, proceeded Doctor of diuinitie in Oxforde, was admitted prouinciall of his order, and proued without controuerſie, the beſt learned of anye of that order of Friers heere in England, as Iohn Bale affirmeth: hee wrote manye notable volumes, and finally, departed this life at Lynne in Northfolke, the twelfth of Auguſt, in the yere 1464. which was in the fourth yeare of K. Edward the fourth: Humfrey Duke of Glouceſter, Earle of Pembroke, and Lorde Chamberlaine of Englande, alſo protector of the Realme, during the minoritie of his nephew King Henrye the ſixth, was both a greate fauourer of learned men, and alſo very well learned himſelfe, namely in Aſtrologie, whereof beſide other things, hee wrote a ſpeciall treatiſe, entituled, Tabula directionum: Iohn Whethamſted, otherwiſe called Frumentarius, was Abbot of Sainte Albo[...]s, and highly in fauoure with the good Duke of Glouceſter laſt remēbred; hee wrote diuers treatiſes, and among other, a booke as it were of records of things, chancing whileſt he was Abbot, whiche booke I haue ſeene, and partly in ſome parcell of this Kings time, haue alſo followed: Roger Onley, borne in the Weſt countrey (as Bale thinketh) was acenſed of treaſon, for practiſing with the Ladye Eleanor Cobham, by ſorcerie, to make the King away, and was therof condemned, and dyed for it, though he were innocent therof, as ſome haue thought, he wrote a treatiſe, entituled, Contra vulgi ſuperſ[...]iones, alſo an other De ſua innocentia: Nicholas Cantlow, a Welchman borne, diſcended of an auntient family in Southwales, as by Bale it ſhould appeare, became a Frier Carmelite in Briſtow: Henry Wichinghā, a Carmelite Frier of Norwiche, a notable diuine, a greate Preacher, and wrote alſo ſundrie treatiſes of diuinitie: Iohn Lidgate, a Monke of Burie, an excellente Poet, and chiefe in his time in that facultie, of al other that practiſed the ſame within this land, he trauelled through Fraunce and Italy to learne the languages and ſciences, how greatly he profited in atteyning to knowledge, the workes whyche he wrote, doe ſufficiently teſtifie: Nicholas Hoſtreſham, an excellent Phiſition: Iohn Blackney, a religious man, of the order of the Trinitie, entituled, De redemptione captiuorum, and Prior of an houſe of the ſame order, at Ingham in Northfolke, he was ſurnamed Blackney, of the towne where he was borne: Thomas Beckington, Biſhop of Bathe, wrote againſte the lawe Salique, whereby the Frenchmen woulde ſeclude the Princes of this Realme, from theyr title to the Crowne of Fraunce: Iohn Baringhā, a Carmelite Frier of Ippeſwich or Gippeſwiche, in Suffolke: Dauid Boys, borne in Wales, and a Frier Carmelite, profeſſed in Glouceſter, a doctor of diuinitie: Iohn Brome, an Auguſtine Frier: Michael Trigurie, a Corniſhe man borne, whome for his excellencie in learning, K. Henry the fifth appointed to be maſter or gouernoure, whether ye liſt to call him, of that ſchole or Vniuerſitie, which he inſtituted in the Citie of Caen in Normandie, after hee had broughte it vnder his ſubiection: Iohn Amundiſham, a Monke of Sainte Albons: Oſwalde Anglicus, a Monke of y^e Chartreux order: Iohn Keningale, a Carmelite Frier of Norwiche: Peter de Sancta fide. that is, of Sainte Faith, a Carmelite alſo of Norwiche: Reginalde Pecocke, Biſhop of Chicheſter, of whome yee haue heard before, he was borne in Wales, and Student in Oriall Colledge in Oxforde, where hee proceeded doctor of Diuinitie, hee wrote manye treatiſes touching the Chriſtian religion: Iohn [...]named B[...]ie of the towne where hee was borne, an Auguſtine Frier in the Towne of Clare in Suffolke: Robert Fleming Thomas Gaſcoigne, borne at Hun[...]te in Yorkſhire, of that worſhipfull familie of y^e Gaſcoignes there, a Doctor of Diuinitie, and Chancellor of the Vniuerſitie of Oxforde William Stapilhart, borne in [...]ente, but by profeſſion, a white Frier in London: Robert Funinghā borne in Northfolke, a Franciſcane Frier in Norwich: Nicholas Mo[...]ute an Hiſtoriographer: Iohn Chādler, Chancellor of Welles: William Botoner, diſcended of a good houſe, a Knight by degree, and borne in Briſtowe, very ſtudious in antiquities, and other ſciences: Iohn Stowe, a Monke of Norwiche, but Student in Oxeford, where he proceeded doctor of Diuinitie: Thomas Langley, a Monke of Hulme: Nicholas Bingey, borne in a Towne of Northfolke of that name, wrote an hiſtorie, called Adunationes chronicorum. Henrye Beauford Biſhoppe of Wincheſter, baſe ſonne to Iohn Duke of Lancaſter, of whome before we haue made ſufficient mention: hee was aduanced to the dignitie of Cardinall, by Pope Martine the fourth, in the yeare .1426. Adam Homlington, a Carmelite Frier: William Coppinger, maſter of the Vniuerſitie of Oxford: Thomas Stacie, an experte Mathematicien, and no leſſe ſkilfull in Aſtronomie: Iohn Talaugerne, a Monke of Worceſter: William Sutton, an Aſtrologicien: Robert Balſacke, wrote a booke entitled De re militari, that is to ſaye, of warre or cheualrie, ſo that as is thoughte, hee was both a good ſouldier, and a painefull ſtudent of good letters: Thomas Dā do, a Carmelite Frier of Marleburg, hee wrote the life of Alphred Kyng of Weſt Saxons: William Grey, borne of the noble houſe of the Greys of Codnor: hee [...] attayne to ſome excellencie of learning into Italy, where hee hearde that noble Clea[...]e Guarinus Veronenſis reede in Ferrar[...]: hee was pre[...]erred to the Biſhopricke of Elie, in the yeare .1454. by Pope Nicholas the fifth, when Thomas Burchier was tranſlated from thence to Caunterburie: Iohn Kemp, Archbiſhop of York, and after remoued from thence to Caunterbury, as before yee haue heard: hee was made Cardinall of Saint Albine, by Pope Eugene the fourth: Adam Molins or Milner (as Bale calleth hym) keeper of the Kinges prittie Seale, excellently learned, in time of the ciuill warre betwixt King Henry, and the Duke of Yorke, loſt his head as many other did, in time of thoſe helli[...]e tragedies, God deliuer euerye Chriſtian Realme from the like: Thomas Chillenden, a Doctor, both of the lawe Ciuill and Canon, became at length a Monke in Canterburie: Roberte Bale, ſurnamed the elder, excellently learned in the lawes of the Realme, was aduanced to the office of Recorder of London, gathered as it were a Chronicle of the cuſtomes, lawes, foundatiōs, changes, reſtoring Magiſtrates, offices, orders, and publique aſſemblies of the Citie of London, with other matters, touching the perfect deſcription of the ſame Citie: he wrote other works alſo touching the ſtate of the ſame citie, and the actes of King Edwarde the thirde, hee departed this life in the yeare of our Lorde .1461. euen about the beginning of the raigne of King Edward the fourth, vnto whome we will nowe agayne returne.