Richarde the firſte.

An. reg. 1. RIcharde the firſte of that name, and ſeconde ſonne of Henry the ſecond, beganne hys raigne ouer England the ſixth day of Iuly, in the yeare of oure Lord.1189 1189. in the ſeuen and thirtith yeare of the Emperour Frederick the firſt, in the eleuenth yere of the raigne of the ſecond Phillip K. of Fraunce,VVil. Par. and Kyng William ſurnamed the Lion, as yet liuing in the gouernement of Scotland.

This Richard immediately after the ſolemnities of his fathers funerals were ended, made haſt to Rouen, where hee was ioyfully receyued, and proclaymed Duke of Normandy,Mat. Par. receyuing the inueſture according to the cuſtome, on the twentith day of Iuly. Then ſtudying to ſet all thyngs in good order on that ſide y^e Sea, he maketh ſearch where his fathers treaſures were preſerued, and therevppon attached Stephen de Turnham,Stephen de Turnham committed to priſon. the whiche was Seneſhall or gouernour (as we may cal him) of Aniou, and committing him to priſon, cōpelled him to make deliuery of all ſuch ſummes of money as he had hidde and layde vp in certaine Caſtels by the commandement of the late Kyng his father. Whileſt he was thus occupied,Mat. Paris. Polidor. his brother Iohn commeth to him, whome hee ioyfully welcommeth, & beſides al other things whiche his father had bequeathed vnto him by his teſtamente in Englād, amounting to y^e value of four M. lb. of yerely rent, with y^e Erledome of Morteigne, he procured a mariage for him being now a Widower) for his further aduauncement with the Lady Iſabell,Iſabel daughter to the Erle of Glowceſter, married to Iohn the kings brother. She is named by diuerſe Authors Hau[...]ſia.
Mat. Paris. Rog. Houed. daughter to Robert Erle of Glowceſter, which Erle, had appoynted y^e ſaid Iohn to be hys heire as before is mentioned, although Baldwine the Archbiſhop of Canterbury forbad y^e mariage, bycauſe they were couſins in the thirde degree of conſanguinitie. To Robert Erle of Leiceſter alſo, he reſtored al his lands which had bin taken frō him, and ſuch perſons as his father had diſinherited, he reſtored lykewiſe to their former rightes & poſſeſſions, howbeit thoſe that had forſaken hys father and taken part with him againſt his ſayde father, he ſeemed now ſo much to miſlike, that hee remoued them vtterly from his preſence, and contrariwiſe preferred ſuch as had continued faythful vnto his father in time of the troubles.

Mat. ParisAt lēgth, King Richard remembring himſelfe of his mother Queene Eleanor, which had beene ſeparated from the bed of hir huſband for the ſpace of ſixteene yeres, and was as yet deteyned in priſon in Englande, wrote his letters vnto the Rulers of the Realme,The King mother ſet at libertie. commaunding them to ſet hir agayne at libertie, and withall appoynted hir by his letters patēts, to take vpon hir the whole gouernement of the Kingdome in his abſence. The Queene being thus deliuered, and hauing nowe the chiefe authoritie and rule in hir hands ſhe rode in progreſſe about the Realme, to ſee y^e eſtate therof, and as ſhee paſſed frō place to place, ſhe ſhewed gladſome countenance to the people whereſoeuer ſhe became, doing alſo what ſhe could to pleaſure thē, that ſhe might therby win their good willes to hir, and to hir ſonne: but ſpecially remembring by hir late experience and taſt thereof what an irkſome and moſt greeuous thing impriſonmente was, ſhe cauſed the iayles to be opened, and forthwith ſet no ſmall number of priſoners at libertie by the way as ſhe paſſed through the coūtreys, according to the verſe of Virgill.

Non ignara mali miſeris ſuceurrere diſco.

Which may be thus engliſhed.

By proofe earſt had of others ill, 
Their woe, to eaſe I learne the skill.

In the meane time, King Richard concluding a league with Phillippe King of Fraunce, receyueth all thoſe places againe which were taken frō his father by the ſame Phillip, togither with his wife Adela, whom vpon ſuſpition that ſhe had bin diſhoneſted in hir perſon before, without any ſufficient proofe therof had, he forſaketh, & ſendeth hir home with hir dower and otherwiſe with greate and princely giftes, moſt bountifully enriched (hauing already concluded a marriage with the Lady Berengaria, daughter to Garſias Kyng of Nauarre, who was ſente into Sicill vnto hir ſyſter Ioane, that hee mighte marry hir, there as hee paſſed that way toward the holy lande.

Whileſt theſe things paſſed thus in theſe parties, the Chriſtians in the holy land dayly ſent hither for ayde, whervpon the two Kings of Frāce and Englande tooke counſell togither, and determined with all conueniente ſpeede to ioyne theyr powers, [...]e two kings Englād and [...]nce deter [...]ne to go in [...] the holy [...]de.
Southham [...] the xii. of [...]guſt hath [...]. Dor and with Shippes prepared for that purpoſe to ſayle into Siria. And hauing thus, concluded, they goe about to prepare themſelues of neceſſary prouiſion for ſo long a iourney. King Richard hauing thus ordred his affayres in Normandy and Fraunce, commeth ouer into England, landing at Porteſmouth the thirteenth of Auguſt. With hym alſo came his brother Iohn, vnto whome hee aſſigned the Caſtels of Marlebridge, [...]. Houed. [...]th. Paris. Lutegareſhal, Peake, Bolleſour, the honor of Walingford, Tikehill and Eye, with the Erledomes of Mortaigne, Dorſet, Somerſet, Nottingham, Derby, Deuonſhire, and Cornewall, with the Earledome of Lancaſter, entitling hym Earle of the ſame, whereby hee was ſo exalted in ſtate and degree, that hee ſeemed in manner of a Tetrarke, hauing as it were a fourth part of the Realme in gouernaunce: but yet the Kyng helde ſome of the Caſtels (in thoſe Counties and honors thus giuen to his brother) in his own hands.

Moreouer, vnto William Marſhall he gaue in marriage the daughter of Richard Erle of Chepſtow, togither with the Earledome which hir father poſſeſſed, and to Gilbert Fitz Roger the ſon of Ramfrey, he gaue the daughter of William de Loncaſter.

After he was landed as before ye haue heard, he haſted to Wincheſter, where his mother Queene Eleanor, with the moſt part of the Engliſh nobilite, hadde layne a good ſpace to attende his comming, and there on the euen of the aſſumption of our Lady, the King was by them receyued with great ioy and triumph.

Heere is to bee noted, that whileſt the Queene and Lordes lay in Wincheſter wayting for the Kings arriuall, Geffrey Riddle the Biſhop of Ely departed this life. Hee is named by Geruaſius Dorobernenſis the proude Biſhop of Ely: but hee might rather haue named him the rich Biſhoppe, for he left in his cofers no ſmall quantitie of treaſure, of the which three thouſand and two hūdred marks, came to the Kings part towards the charges of his coronation. It is no maruell although Geruaſius ſpake ſomewhat in his diſprayſe: for as he himſelfe confeſſeth, he was no friend but an enemie to Monkes. But to let this paſſe, ſoone after the Kings comming into Englande, hee was enformed that the Welchmē had broken into the Engliſh marches, and deſtroyed certain townes, to repreſſe whoſe preſumptuous attēptes he made towards them, but was yet ſtayed for that tyme,His fathers treaſure. and reuoked by his mother. At Saliſburie he foūd his fathers treaſure, highly reioycing for that the ſumme was farre greater than he thought it wold haue prooued, beſides the precious ſtones, apparrell, and iewels. It was reported he hadde here the ſumme of nine hundred thouſand poundes in ready Coyne. With this good happe, King Richard not a little aduaunced, Rog. Houedē. Gau. Vinſaf. Nic. Triuet. 
The ſeconde of September hath Geruaſi. came to London on y^e firſt of September, where he had appoynted prouiſion to be made for his Coronation, and ſo calling a Counſell of the Nobles of the Realme, he receyued the Crowne with all due and accuſtomed ſolemnitie, by the handes of Baldwin the Archbyſhop of Canterbury, the thirde daye of September. After this manner, firſt the Archbiſhoppes of Caunterbury, Roan, Trier, and Dublin,The order of his Coronatiō 
Mat. Par. whych were preſent, with all the other Biſhops, Abbots and Cleargie, apparelled in rich Coapes, and hauing the Croſſe, holy water and Cenſures carried afore them, came to fetch him vnto the dore of his priuie chamber, and there receyuing him, they led him vnto y^e Church at Weſtminſter, till he came before the high aulter with a ſolemne proceſſion. In the middle of the Biſhops and Cleargie went four Barons, bearing Candleſtickes with tapers, after whome came Geffrey de Lucy bearing the cappe of maintenance,Rog. Houe. and Iohn Mareſhall next to him, bearing a paire of ſpurres of golde, greate and maſſiue, then followed William Marſhall Earle of Striguill, alias Pembroke, who bare the regall Scepter, in the toppe whereof was ſette a croſſe of golde: and William de Patrice Earle of Saliſbury going next him, bare y^e warder or rod, hauing on the top therof a doue. Then came three other Earles, Dauid brother to y^e K. of Scottes, Earle of Huntington, Iohn the Kings brother Earle of Mortaing, and Roberte Earle of Leiceſter, each of them bearing a ſword vpright in hys hand with the ſcabberdes richly trimmed, and adorned with golde. The Erle of Mortaing went in the middeſt betwixt the other two. After them followed ſixe Earles & Barons, bearing a Checker table, vpō the which was ſet the Kings Scochens of armes,Rog. Houedē. and then folowed William Mā deuill Earle of Albemarle, bearing a Crowne of golde a greate height before the K. who followed the ſame, hauing Hugh Biſhop of Durham on the right hand, and Reginald Biſhop of Bath on the left, ouer whom a Canapie was borne, and in this order he came into the Churche at Weſtminſter, where before the high Aulter in the preſence of the Cleargie, and the people, laying hys hande vpon the holy Euangeliſtes and the relikes of certaine Sainctes, he tooke a ſolemne oth,His othe. that hee ſhoulde obſerue all the dayes of his life, peace, honoure, and reuerence to almighty God, to hys Churche, and to the miniſters of the ſame. Alſo y^t he ſhould exerciſe vpright iuſtice to the people cō mitted to his charge and that he ſhould abrogate and diſanull all euil lawes & wrongful cuſtomes, if any were to be found within the precinct of thys Realme, and mainteyne thoſe that were good and laudable. This done, he put off all his garmentes from the middle vpwards, his ſhirt excepted, whiche was open on the ſhoulders, that he myght bee annoynted. The Archbiſhop of Canterbury annoynted him then in three places, that is to wit, on the head, on the ſhoulders, & on the right arme, with prayers in ſuch caſe accuſtomed. After thys, he couered his head with a linnen cloth hallowed, and ſet his cappe aloft thereon, and then when he had put on his royall garmentes and vppermoſt robe, the Archbiſhop tooke to him the ſword wherwith hee ſhoulde beate downe the enimies of the Church: which done, two Earles put his ſhowes vppon his feete, and hauing his mantell putte on him, the Archbiſhop forbad him on the behalfe of Almighty God, not to preſume to take vpon hym this dignitie, except hee faithfully meante to performe thoſe things whiche he had there ſworne to performe. Whervnto the K. made aunſwere, that by Gods grace he woulde performe them. Then the King tooke the Crowne beſide the Aulter, and deliuered it to the Archbiſhop, the which he ſet vppon the Kings head, deliuering to him the Scepter to hold in his right hande, and the rod Royall in his left hand, and thus being Crowned, he was brought backe by the Biſhops and Barons, with the Croſſe and Candleſtickes, and three ſwordes paſſing foorth before him vnto his ſeate. Whē the Biſhop that ſang the Maſſe came to the offertory, y^e two Biſhops that brought him to the Churche, led him to the Aulter, and brought him backe againe. Finally when Maſſe was done, and all things ended in order as was requiſite, hee was brought with ſolemne Proceſſion into his chamber, where he put off his heauie rich apparell, and put on a Crowne and other garments more lighter and eaſie, and ſo went to dinner, whereat wanted no ſtore of meates and drinkes, whiche were ſerued forth in moſt princely and bountifull wiſe.

VVi. Paruus.Vpon this day of King Richards Coronatiō, the Iewes y^t dwelt in Londō and in other parties of the Realm, being there aſſembled, had but ſory hap, as it chanced, for they meaning to honor the ſame Coronation with their preſence, and to preſent to the K. ſome honorable gift,The Iewes meant to pre [...]ent him with [...] rich gifte. whereby they might declare themſelues glad for his aduauncement, and procure his friendſhip toward them, for the confirming of their priuiledges and liberties, according to the grauntes and charters made to them by the former Kings, King Richard of a zelous minde to Chriſtes Religion,Math. Paris. abhorring their nation (and doubting ſome ſorcerie by them to be practiſed) commaunded that they ſhould not come within the Church when he ſhould receyue the Crowne, nor within the Palace whileſt hee was at dinner. But at dinner time, among other that preſſed in at the Palace gate, diuers of the Iewes were about to thruſt in, till one of them was ſtriken by a Chriſtiā,A Iew ſtriken. who alledging y^e kings commaundement, kept them backe from cōming within the Palace, which ſome of the vnruly people perceyuing, and ſuppoſing it had bin done by y^e kings commaundement, tooke lightly occaſion heereof, and falling vpon the Iewes with ſtaues,The people fall vpon the Iewes and beate them. battes and ſtones, beate them and chaſed them home to their houſes and lodgings. Herewith roſe a rumor through the Citie, that the K. had commaunded the Iewes to be deſtroyed, and therevppon came running togither, to aſſault them in their houſes, whiche when they coulde not eaſily breake vp nor enter by reaſon y^e ſame were ſtrōgly builded they ſet fire on thē, ſo that diuers houſes were conſumed, not only of the Iewes,Their houſes are ſet on fire. but alſo of their neighbours, ſo hideous was the rage of the fire.

The K. being aduertiſed of this riotous attēpt of the outragious people, ſent ſome of his Counſellours, as Raufe de Glaunduile Lord Iuſtice, and other officers to appeaſe the tumulte: but their authoritie was nothing regarded, nor their perſwaſions any thing heeded, but their threatnings rather brought themſelues in daunger of lyfe among the rude ſorte of thoſe that were about to ſpoyle, robbe, and ſacke the houſes and ſhoppes of the Iewes, to the better accompliſhment of which their vnlawfull acte, the light that the fire of thoſe houſes that brēned, gaue after it was once night, did miniſter no ſmall help and occaſion of furtherance. [...]ewes brent [...]o death. The Iewes that were in thoſe houſes that were ſet on fire, were either ſmoldred and brenned to deathe within, or elſe at their comming foorthe moſt cruelly receiued vpon the poyntes of ſpeares, billes, ſwordes & gleaues of their aduerſaries that watched for them very diligētly. This wood rage of the furious and diſordred people, continued frō the middeſt of the one day, till two of the clocke on the other, the commons all that while neuer ceaſſing their fury againſt y^e nation, but ſtil killing thē as they met with any of them, in moſt horrible, raſh & vnreaſonable maner. At length, rather weried with their cruell doings, than ſatiſfied with ſpoyle, or moued with reſpect of reaſon or reuerēce of their Prince, they withdrewe themſelues from their riotous enterpriſe after they had executed many vnlawfull & horrible enormities ſo great a riot wel deſerued ſore & greeuous puniſhment, but yet it paſſed ouer without correction, in reſpect of the great number of the trāſgreſſors, and for that the moſt part of mē for the hatred generally cōceiued againſt obſtinate frowardnes of y^e Iewes, liked y^e doings hereof well ynough, interpriting it to be a good token y^t the ioyfull day of y^e kings aduancemēt to y^e Crown ſhuld be doleful to the Iewes in than to ſuch ſlaughter and deſtruction.

Finally, after that the tumult was ceaſſed, the King commaunded that no man ſhould hurte or harme any of the Iewes, and ſo they were reſtored to peace after they had ſuſteyned infinite domage.

Shortly after, to witte,A Counſell [...] Pipewell. the fifteenth daye of September, a Counſell was holden at Pipewell, where the Biſhoppes and Abbots beeing aſſembled, there were in preſence of the king and of the Archebiſhoppe of Canterburye elected certayne Biſhops and Abbots to ſuche places as then were vacant: and amongeſt other, William de Longchampe the kings Chancellor was elected to the ſea of Elye,VVi. Paruus. Geffrey the kings baſtarde brother vnto the Archbiſhoprike of Yorke, who was the xxxij. in number that hadde gouerned the ſame, Geffreye de Lucy to Wincheſter, one Huberte Walter to Saliſburye, and Richard Archdeacon of Elye, and the kings Treaſorer to the ſea of London. The Abbeys that were prouided of Abbots were theſe, Glaſtenbury, Shirborne, Perfore and Feuerſham.The Biſhop of Whiterne conſecrate[...]. In lyke maner, Iohn the elect of Whiterne, was conſecrated Biſhop of that ſea by the handes of the Archbiſhop of Dublyn. Alſo in this Councell the kyng ordeyned Hughe Biſhop of Durham,Rog. Houed. and William Mandeville Earle of Albemarle, Lord chiefe Iuſtices of England, hauing depoſed Ranulf de Glanuille from that roomth.

Moreouer, the king being thus eſtabliſhed in the eſtate of the kingdome did not forget his iorney which he had promiſed into the holy land, but with all diligence made his prouiſion, and namely he ſought to gather money to furniſh his charges, and ſo therevpon leuied a taxe, engaged ſold, and let to ferme his lāds, his tolles, his cuſtomes, and other his reuenewes, with certayne counties and offices, ſo that he made an exceeding ſumme of money.

Math. Paris.He alſo found, that Ranulfe de Glanuile Lord chiefe Iuſtice, and other of the head magiſtrates had not borne themſelues vprightly in the adminiſtration of their offices, ſo that hee both depoſed the ſayd Lord chiefe Iuſtice as is aforeſayd, and almoſt all the Sheriffes and their deputies with in the Realm of England, putting them to greeuous fynes for their offences and tranſgreſſions, and ſo by that meanes hee gotte no ſmall deale of money. Heere note by the way,VVil. Par. how William Parvus affirmeth, that where this Ranulfe Glā uille being a man of high wiſedome and ſtept into age, ſawe that many things were done by the new King, not ſo aduiſedly, nor with ſuche foreſight, as they ought to be, ſought of his owne accord to be diſcharged of his office, that he myghte the better prepare himſelfe to goe in that iourney to the holy land, as by taking vpon him the croſſe he had vowed in the dayes of King Henry, and ſo he ſolemnly renounced his office, which other nothing ſo worthie of, it did afterwards enioy.

Moreouer, the King vnderſtāding that Hugh Putſey or Pudſey Biſhop of Durham, beeyng a very aged man, had muche money, he ſold to hym the manor of Seggeſfielde or Sadberg, with the wapentake belonging to the ſame, and alſo found meanes, to perſwade him to buy his owne Prouince, which he did, giuing to the King an ineſtimable ſumme of money, and was therevpon created an Erle by the King for the ſame:The Biſhop of Durham. Sadberge. The Biſhop Durham [...] an Earle. wherevppon he was entitled both Biſhoppe and Earle of Durham, whereat the Kyng woulde ieſt afterwards and ſay, what a cunning craftes man am I, that haue made a newe Earle of an olde Byſhoppe.

Moreouer, the ſame Biſhop gaue to the kyng a thouſande markes to be made chiefe Iuſtice of England, and that he mighte tarry at home, and not goe into the holy land, and bycauſe he would not be reprooued of any perſon, he obteyned of the Apoſtolike See (whiche fayleth no man that is ſurcharged with white or red mettall, and would be eaſed) a licence for a ſumme of money to be diſpenſed with for that iourney. The King thus beeyng earneſtly about to make chieuauncie of thoſe things, for the which he might get any money at all, [...]e citezens [...] London pre [...]t money to [...]e king.
[...]lidor. the Citizens of London preſented vnto him a greate ſumme towardes the furniſhyng foorth of his enterpriſe. Wherevpon the Kyng to acquite their courteſie, graunted them large priuileges, [...]berties gran [...] to London and ordeyned that the Citie ſhoulde bee ruled by two head officers, which they ſhould chooſe amongſt themſelues remoueable from yeare to yeare by the name of Baylifes. [...]wo bayliffs. The names of the two firſte Baylifes choſen by force of that ordynance, were Henry Cornehill, and Richard Fitz Reyner.

The Citie before thoſe dayes euer ſith the comming in of William Cōquerour, and a good while before his time, [...]rte grenes. was gouerned by certayne officers or rulers named Port Greues (whiche worde is deriued of two Saxon words, as Porte & Greue, Port is as much to meane as a towne, and Greue a gardeyne or a ruler, as who ſhoulde ſay a keeper or a ruler of a Towne.) Theſe rulers with the lawes and cuſtomes then vſed within this Citie in olde time, were regiſtred in a booke called (as ſome haue ſayd) domeſday, but through negligence after theſe lawes and cuſtomes were chaunged and altred, the booke was loſt, ſo that the remembraunce of ſuche rulers as were before the dayes of this Richarde the firſte, are not to bee had.

Theſe Baylifes euer entred at Michalmas, and ſo continued foorth their yeare.

Thus began the citie nowe firſt to receyue the forme and ſtate of a common wealthe, and to bee deuided into felowſhippes whych they cal craftes. Such alſo are admitted to the felowſhips of theſe companies, [...]prentices. as haue truely ſerued as apprentices a certaine number of yeares, as ſeauen at the leaſt, vnder which time of ſeruice expired, there is no[...] made free, nor ſuffred to enioy the liberties of that Citie, [...]emen. ſauing ſuch as are borne free, that is to ſay, of freemen within the Citie, of whome at thys time, it is not muche materiall to make any further report.

The Citie thus conſiſting of the ſayd craftes, chooſeth out of the ſame a Senate or company of graue councellors, whome they name Aldermen, the .E. changed into. A. according to the olde Saxon pronunciation. [...]ardes. It is alſo deuided into. 26. tribes or wardes, of the whiche euery one hath his ſeueral Alderman, or ouerſeer, who haue both authoritie ſufficiente, and large priuileges to mainteyne the good gouernement of their portions withall.

Out of the number of theſe, there is another officer yearely choſen and appoynted, called the Maior, who ruleth all the reſt.The Maior.

But now to returne vnto the further doings of K. Richard before his departure out of England towards his iourney into the lande of Paleſtine, commonly called holy lād, it is ſaid, he made ſuch ſales of things apperteyning to hym, as well in right of the Crowne, as otherwiſe, that it ſeemed to diuers, how he made his reconing neuer to returne againe, in ſo much, that ſome of his Councellors told him playnely, that hee did not well in ſetting things away ſo freely, to the diſhonoryng of his maieſtie, and preiudice of his ſucceſſor,King Richard ſetteth things things on ſale.
Ran. Higd. VVil. Par. vnto whome hee aunſwered, that in time of neede it was no euill policie for a man to helpe himſelfe with his owne, and further ioyned herr to theſe words that if Londō at that time of neede would be bought, he would ſurely ſel it if he might meete with a cōueniēt Marchant that were able to gyue him money inough for it. Another way he hadde alſo to gather riches, and that was this. He hadde a licence of Pope innocente the thirde to diſpence with ſuche as pleaſed him within his Realme, for their vowes made to goe into the holy lande, although they hadde taken on them the Croſſe for that purpoſe, namely ſuch as he ſhould appoint to remayne behynd him for the defence of his countrey: and of theſe alſo hee tooke abundantly, and dyuers other hee compelled to fyne, namely, to the ende that hee mighte get theyr money likewiſe, that heereby, hee obteyned no ſmall ſumme towarde the furniture of his iourney.

Thys yeare alſo in the moneth of Nouember, as Mathewe Paris hathe, Iohannes de Anagnia a Cardinall and Legate from the Pope arriued heere in Englande, commyng a land at Douer, and bycauſe the King was as then in the North parts, the ſame Cardinall was prohibited on the behalfe of the Kings mother Queene Eleanor, to paſſe any further without the Kyngs commaundement. And ſo he ſtayed there thirtene dayes at the charges of the Archbiſhop of Caunterbury, till the King came into thoſe parties, by whoſe wiſedome, a direction was taken for the quieting of the controuerſie betwixt the Archbyſhoppe, and the Monkes of Caunterbury for the Chappell Church of Hakinton now called Saint Stephens.

In the ſame moneth of Nouember,Rog. Ho[...] by y^e kings appoyntmente, the electe of Yorke Geffrey that was the Kings brother,William [...] of Scottes. with other Barons and Lords of Yorkſhire, receyued William Kyng of Scotlande at the water of Tweede, and from thence with all due reuerence and honor, they broughte hym vnto Caunterbury,A Counſell called at Caunterbu[...] where the King had called a Counſell of the Lordes of hys Realme both ſpirituall and temporall in the whiche,Polidor.
An othe. 
Mat. Par. euery of them tooke an othe to be true to the Kyng, and to continue in due obedience vnder him and his lawes, whiche othe alſo the Kyng of Scottes receyued, being there preſente, and lykewiſe King Richardes breethren Earle Iohn and Geffrey the Archbyſhop of Yorke.

Math. Paris. Polidor.The Kyng of Scottes therefore hauyng receyued this othe, and thynkyng the tyme to ſerue hys purpoſe for redeemyng of thoſe Caſtels whiche were deliuered to King Henry as guages for his raunſome, payde now vnto Kyng Rycharde tenne thouſand markes, and hadde reſtitution of the ſame,Reſtitution made to the K. of Scottes.
VVil. Par. that is to witte, of Berwike, Roxburgh, Sterling, and Edenburgh. But William Parvus ſayeth, that Edenburgh was reſtored to him in the dayes of King Henry, by reaſon of his wife whiche he tooke of the parties of beyonde the Sea: and heerewith agreeth the Scottiſhe Chronicle.

Kyng Richarde alſo aſſigned to Queene Eleanor hys mother, the accuſtomed dower, with many Lordſhippes and honors beſide, as an augmentation thereof.Rog. Houed. About which tyme dyed William de Maundeuille Earle of Albemarle at Rouen, and Hugh de Putſey the nephew of the Biſhoppe of Durham, dyed at Aclet, and was buryed at Durham.

Alſo Formalis Archbiſhoppe of Trier dyed at Northampton,Nic. Tr[...] and was there buried in the Church of S. Androwes. In the meane tyme, Kyng Richard ſtill deſirous to furniſhe himſelfe of money, deuiſed yet another ſhift, and feigned that hee hadde loſt his ſeale, wherefore hee commaunded a new to be made, which being done, he commaunded it to bee proclaymed and publiſhed in euery countrey, that thoſe to whome hee hadde graunted any thing by his deede or charter,Mat. Pa[...] meaning to enioy the ſame in ſuretie, ſhuld not thinke it muche to come and haue it confirmed by his new ſeale, leaſt afterwarde the other beeing loſt, their lawfull titles might be called into queſtion. Wherevppon many that could not come to hym whileſt he was in England, were glad to followe him and to ſayle ouer into Normandy, and there to fyne at his pleaſure for the newe ſeale, to the ende that their writings mighte bee confirmed thereby, and made ſo much the more ſure to them and their ſucceſſors. For the ſame buſineſſe alſo, Remigius the Prior of S. Albons, and many other went ouer to their great coſtes, charges, and trauel, after he was tranſported ouer into France.

I fynde moreouer, about the ſame tyme that the kings brother Erle Iohn exhibited a ſore cō plainte before the Romaine Legate and other Biſhops, for that the Archbiſhop of Canterburye after the appeale made vnto the Apoſtolike ſea, had put his landes vnder interdiction for hys mariage made wyth the Earle of Glouceſters daughter: whiche when the Legate hearde, hee foorthewith confirmed the appeale, and releaſſed the Earles landes of the aforeſayde interdiction. The ſame tyme alſo, the tenth part of at the mouable goodes thorough the realme of Englande was leuyed to the ayde of the warres in the holy land. And this collection, paſſing vnder the name of an Almes, was extended vpon the goodes as well of the ſpirituall men as temporall.

After all thys, Kyng Richarde deſyrous to ſette order in the gouernemente of his Realme,Hughe bishop of Durham gouerneth the north partes.
Math. Paris. appoynted Hugh biſhoppe of Durham to haue the rule of the Northe parties as chiefe Iuſtice from Humber northwardes towarde Scotland, delyuering vnto him alſo the keepyng of Wyncheſter Caſtell: the reſidue of the kingdom (with the cuſtodie of the Towre) he aſſigned to the gouernaunce of William Longchampe Biſhop of Elye,VVilliā Longchampe bishop of Elye. whome he had made chiefe Iuſtice of that parte, and Chauncellour of the realme, a man of gret diligence and knowledge in the adminiſtration of thinges, but verie factious and deſyrous of rule, honoure and riches farre aboue all meaſure. And with theſe .ij. biſhops he ioyned in commiſſion Hughe Bardulfe, William Marſhall Earle of Chepſtow, or rather Pembrooke, Geffrey Fitz Peter, and William Brewer, men of great honour, wyſedome, and diſcretion.

Rog. Houed. 
King Richarde paſſeth ouer in to Normandie.On the fifth daye of December, he departed from Canterbury, and went to Douer, there to take the water, and ſo on the eleuēth day of Decēber, he paſſed ouer vnto Caleys, wher he found Philippe Earle of Flaunders readie to receyue hym, who attended vppon him tyll he came into Normandie, where the kyng helde his Chriſtmaſſe at Burun, & immediately he came to an enterviewe with the French king at Eue S. Remye,1190.
Vadum ſancti Remigit.
A league betvvixt the kinges of England and Fraunce. where they concluded a peace together, to bee kepte betwixte them and their countreys on eche parte, the whiche was put in writyng, and confirmed with their othes and ſeales in the feaſt of Saincte Hillarye.

And furthermore, aboute the Purification of our Ladye, Eleanor the Queene mother, and the Lady Alice ſiſter to the French kyng,Rog. Houede. Baldwyne the Archebiſhop of Canterbury, Iohn biſhoppe of Norwiche, Hugh Biſhop of Durham, Geffrey Byſhoppe of Wyncheſter, Reginalde Biſhoppe of Bathe, William Biſhoppe of Elye, Huberte Biſhoppe of Saliſburye, and Hugh Biſhoppe of Cheſter, with Geffreye the electe of Yorke, and Iohn Earle of Mortaigne the kynges two bretherne, by commaundement of the Kyng paſſed ouer into Normandye, to commen with him before his ſetting forwarde.

Some write, that nowe at this preſente, the Kyng ſhoulde ordeyne or rather confirme the Biſhoppe of Elye his Chauncellour to be Lorde chiefe Iuſtice ouer all Englande, and the biſhop of Durham to bee. Lorde Iuſtice from Trente Northwardes. But when ſoeuer they were thus aduaunced to ſuche dignities,Contētion betvvixte tvvo ambitious Byshops. true it is that immediatly thervpon ſtryfe and diſcorde did aryſe betwixt them, contending which of them ſhuld bearemoſt rule & authoritie, in ſo muche y^t what ſoeuer ſeemed good to the one, the other miſlyked therof, as in caſes where parteners in authoritie are equall, it often hapneth: But thoſe controuerſies are nowe decided, and all matters betweene them, lykely hereafter to moue contention, appeaſed by the king.

Moreouer, at the ſame time he cauſed his two brethren, Earle Iohn and the Electe Archbiſhop of Yorke Geffrey to take an othe not to return into England during the terme of .iij. yeres next enſuing, without his conſent & licence firſt had.

This he didde, foreſeeing what myghte happen, prouiding as it were agaynſte ſuche practiſes as his brethren might haply attempt againſt him. But yet his mother Queene Eleanor procured him to reuoke that decree immediatly, leaſt it myght ſeeme to the world, that hir ſons ſhould ſtande in feare one of an other.Earle Iohn licenced to returne into Englande. And ſo the Erle of Mortaigne was licenced to returne into England at his pleaſure, ſwearing an othe at his departure to obey the kings pleaſure, and truly to ſerue hym, accordyng to the duetie of a good and loyal ſubiect. The Biſhop of Ely lord Chauncellor and chiefe Iuſtice of Englande was alſo ſent back hyther into this realme, to ſet forward thyngs behouefull for the kings iourney. And in like maner the king ſent to Rome to obteyn that the ſaid biſhop of Ely mighte be conſtituted the Popes Legate through bothe the Prouinces of Canterbury and Yorke,The bishop of of Elye returneth. and likewyſe thorough Wales and Ireland. Which was ſoone granted by the bulles of Pope Clement the third, bearing date the .v. of Iune. For the which office the Biſhops gaue him .1500. markes, to the greate offence of the king, as he ſhewed afterward to Cardinal Octauiā, y^e came to viſit him when he arriued in the riuer of Tyber, being vpon his iorney towards Meſſina, as after may appere. But in y^e mean time, calling togither y^e lords & peeres of thoſe his dominions on y^e ſide the ſea, to wit,Polidor. Normādie, Britain, Aniou, Poytou, & Guyen, he cō ſulteth with them what number of ſoldiors and howe many ſhippes it ſhould bee conuenient for hym to take with hym and furniſhe into Aſia: and herewith he dothe commaunde them alſo to obey Robert Earle of Leyceſter, whome he appointed to remayn amongſt them as his Lieutenaunt or vicegerent of thoſe parties during his abſence.

But here to leaue king Richard in conſultation for matters apertayning to his iourney, and ſhewe briefly what happened (by the way) to the Iewes, whiche as then dwelt here in Englande, after that king Richarde was paſſed ouer into Normandie.

Ye haue hearde alreadie howe after the ryotte committed againſte them at London,VVil. Paruus when the king was crowned, the king toke order that they ſhould remayn in peace vnder his protection, and commaunded that no perſon ſhoulde in any wiſe moleſt them. But nowe after that he was gone ouer, and that the Souldiours (whiche prepared themſelues to follow him) beganne to aſſemble in routes, the heades of the common people began to waxe wylde,The hatred borne to the Ievves. and fayne would they haue had ſome occaſion of reyſing a newe tumulte agaynſt the Iewes, whome (for theyr vnmercyfull vſurye practiſed to the vndoyng of many an honeſt man) they moſte deadly hated, wyſhing moſt earneſtly their expulſion out of Englande.

Herevpon by reaſon of a riot committed lately againſt them, at the towne of Linne in Norfolke, where many of them were ſlayne, other people in other partyes of the Realme, takyng occaſion hereof, as if they hadde bin called vp by the ſounde of a bell or Trumpette, aroſe agaynſt them in thoſe Townes, where they had any habitations, and robbed and bet them after a diſordered and moſt riottous manner.

As at Stanforde (on the fayre day in Lente) at Lyncolne, and at Yorke,Io. Taxter. in whiche Citie after a number of them had bene beſieged certaine dayes within a towre of the kings (whither they fledde for ſuccour) one of their lerned gouernors cauſed foure hundred of their companie to conſente to haue their throates cut one at an others hands, he himſelf cutting his wiues throate firſt,Fiue hundred hath Ho[...]ede[...] and Taxter. whoſename was Anna, thē his childrens, one after an other, and laſt of all, ſlewe hymſelfe, onely rather than hee woulde fall into the handes of the Chriſtians, that hadde thus long beſieged them. The reſt perceyuing what the great Rabbi had done, they ſet fire vpon all their goods and ſubſtance which they had gotten into the Tower with them, and ſo conſuming the ſame, woulde haue brente alſo the reſidue of their fellowes which would not agree to the Rabbies counſell, in the cruell murthering of themſelues, if they had not taken a ſtrong turret hard by within y^t tower and defended themſelues both from the fyre, and crueltie of their brethren, who had made awaye themſelues in ſuche manner as I haue ſayd: and that to the number of foure hundred, or (as ſome write) fyue hundred at the leaſte.

On the morowe, thoſe that were ſaued, called out to the people, and not onely ſhewed how and after what ſorte their fellowes were diſpatched but alſo offred to bee baptyſed, and forſake theyr Iudaiſme, if they myght haue theyr liues ſaued from the imminent and preſent daunger wherein they ſawe themſelues to be wrapped, thorough the furie of the people. To be ſhort, thys thyng was graunted, and they came foorthe, howbrit they were no ſooner entred into the preaſe, but they were all ſlayne, and not one man of them preſerued.

After this alſo, the people ranne to the Cathedrall Churche, and broke into thoſe places, where theyr bondes and oblygations laye, by the whyche they hadde dyuers of the Kynges ſubiectes bounde vnto them in moſte vnconſcionable ſorte, and for ſuche deteſtable vſurye, (as if the Authours that wryte therof were not of credite) would hardly be beleeued. All whyche Euydences or bondes they ſolemnely burned in the myddeſt of the Churche. After whyche, eche went his way, the Souldiours to the king, and the commons to their houſes, and ſo was the Citie quieted.

This hapned at Yorke on Palmſunday men, being the .xvij. of Marche: and vpon the .xv. of that moneth, thoſe that inhabited in the towne of Saint Edmunds Burye in Suffolke, were ſette vppon, and manie of them ſlayne. The reſidue that eſcaped, thorough the procuremenſe of the Abbotte then, named Sampſon, were expulſed, ſo that they neuer had anye dwellings there ſince that tyme.

Thus were the Iewes vnmercyfully dealte with in all places in maner through this realme, the firſt beginning wherof chaunced at London (as before ye haue heard) and the next at Linne, of whiche I thinke it good to note ſome parte of the maner thereof, although briefly, and [...] to returne to my purpoſe agayne.

The occaſion therfore of the tumult at Linne chaunced by this meanes: It fortuned that one of the Iewes there, was become a Chriſtian, wherwith thoſe of his nation were ſo moued, that they determined to kill hym where ſoeuer they might find him. And herevpon they ſette vppon him one day as he came by, through the ſtreates: he to eſcape their handes fled to the nexte churche, but his countreymen were ſo deſirous to execute theyr malicious purpoſe, that they followed him ſtill, and enforced themſelues to breake into the Churche vpon him. Heerewith the noyſe beeing rayſed by the Chriſtians that ſoughte to ſaue the conuerted Iewe, a number of mariners beeing forreyners, that were arriued there wyth their veſſells out of ſundrye partes, and dyuerſe alſo of the Towneſmen came to the reſkue, and ſetting vpon the Iewes, cauſed them to flee into their houſes.

The Towneſmen were not verie earneſt in purſuing of them, bicauſe of the kings proclamation and ordinaunce before tyme made in fauour of the Iewes:The ſlaughter made of the Ievves at Lyn. but the maryners followed them to theyr houſes, ſlewe diuers of them robbed and ſacked their goods, and finally ſet their dwellings on fyre, and ſo brente them vp altogither.

Theſe Marriners beeing enryched wyth the ſpoyle of the Iewes goodes, and fearyng to bee called to accompte for their vnlawfull acte by the Kinges officers, gotte them foorthwith to ſhipboorde, and hoyſting vp ſayles, departed with their ſhippes to the ſea, and ſo eſcaped the danger of that whiche might haue bene otherwyſe layde to their charge.

The Townſmen being called to an accompt excuſed them ſelues by the Mariners, burdening them with all the faulte. But thoughe they of Lynne were thus excuſed, yet they of Yorke eſcaped not ſo eaſyly. For the Kyng bryng aduertiſed of ſuche outrage, done contrarie to the order of his Lawes and expreſie commaundement, wrote ouer to the Biſhoppe of El[...]e hys Chauncellour, commaunding him to take cruel puniſhement of the offenders.

The Biſhop with an armye wente to Yorke, but the chiefe authors of the ryot hearyng [...] his comming, fledde into Scotlande: yet the Biſhop at his comming to the Euie, cauſed earneſt inquirie to bee made of the whole matter.

The citezens excuſed themſelues, and [...] to proue that they were not of counſell with them that had cōmitted the ryot, neither had they [...]ydes nor cōforted thē therin in any maner of wiſe. And in deede the moſt part of thē that were the offenders, were of the coun[...] townes neere to the citie, with ſuch as wer [...] into [...] [...]nd, & now goneouer to the king, ſo that ve[...] [...] or none of the ſubſtantiall men of the Citie were founde to haue ioyned with them. Howbeit, this woulde not excuſe the Citizens, but that they were put to their fine by the ſ[...]te Biſhop,The Citizens of Yorke put to their fyne for the ſlaughter of the Ievves. [...]ery of them paying his portion according to [...] [...]ower and abilitie in ſubſtance, the common [...]rte of the poore people being pardoned, and not called into iudgement, ſith the ringleaders were[...]led and gone out of the way.

But now to return vnto the king, who in this meane time was very bulle to prouide all things neceſſarie to ſet forward on his iourney, his ſhippes whiche laye in the mouthe of the ryuer of Sayne, beyng readie to put off, he tooke order in many poyntes concerning the ſtate of the common wealth on that ſide, and chiefely hee called to mynde, that it ſhould be a thyng neceſſarie for him, to name who ſhuld ſuccede him in the kingdome of Englande, if his chaunce ſhoulde not bee to returne agayne from ſo long and daungerous a iourney. He therfore named (as ſome ſuppoſe) his nephewe Arthure,Mat. VVest. the ſonne of his brother Geffreye Duke of Britayne, to bee his ſucceſſour in the Kingdome, a young manne of a lykely proofe and Princely towardneſſe, but not ordeyned by GOD to ſucceede ouer this kingdome.

Aboute the ſame tyme the Biſhoppe of Elye, Lorde Chauncellour and chiefe Iuſtice of Englande, tooke vp to the kinges vſe, of euerye citie in England two Palfreys and two Sumpter horſſes, and of euery Abbey one Palfrey, and one Sumpter horſe, and euery Manour within the Realme, founde alſo one Palfreye and one Sumpter horſe.

Moreouer, the ſayde Biſhoppe of Elye deliuered the gouernement of Yorkeſhire to his brother Oſberte de Longchampe: And all thoſe Knyghtes of the ſayd ſhire, the whyche woulde would not come to make aunſwere to the lawe vpon ſommons giuen them, hee cōmaunded to be apprehēded and by & by laid in priſon. Alſo when the Biſhoppe of Durham was returned from the Kyng and come ouer into England to goe vnto his charge, at his meting with the lord Chancelor at Bice notwithſtanding that he ſhewed him his letters patentes of the graunt made to him to be Iuſtice from Trent Northwarde) the ſayde Lorde Chancellor taking his iourney to Southwell with hym,The Bishop of Durham re [...]rayned of li [...]ertie. there deteyned him as priſoner, till he had made ſurrender to him of the Caſtell of Wyndſore, and further had delyuered to him his ſonnes, Henrye de Putſey, and Gilbert de la Ley as pledges that he ſhould keepe the peace agaynſt the king and all his ſubiectes, vntill the ſaid Prince ſhould retourne from the holy lande. And ſo he was deliuered for that tyme, though ſhortly after, and whyleſt hee remayned at Houeden, there came to hym Oſberte de Longchanipe the Lord Chancellors brother, & William de Stute bille, the whiche cauſed the ſayd Biſhop to fynde ſufficient ſuretie that he ſhould not thence departe without the kings licence, or the Lorde Chancellours, ſo long as the king ſhould be abſent.

Herevpon the Biſhop of Durham ſent knowledge to the kyng howe and in what ſorte he had bin handled by the Chauncellour.

In the meane tyme the king was gone into Gaſcoigne, where he beſieged a Caſtell that belonged to one William de Chiſi, and toke both the Caſtell and the owner,VVilliam de Chiſi. whome he cauſed to be hanged for the ſpoyles and robberies whiche hee had committed vpon Pilgrimes that paſſed by thoſe parties towarde Compoſtella, to viſite the bodie of Saint Iames.

After this, the king came backe vnto Chinon in Aniou, [...] kinges na [...] is ſet foorth and there toke order for the ſettyng forth of his nauie by ſea, ouer which he appointed chiefe gouernours Gerarde Archbiſhop of Aux, Bernard biſhop of Baieux, Robert de Sablius, Richarde de Camville, [...]ion. Sab[...]olus, or Sabaille. and William de Forz de Vlerun, commaundyng all thoſe that ſhoulde paſſe foorth with his ſayde nauie to be obediente vnto theſe perſones as his deputies and lieutenauntes.

Herewith they were appointed to prouide victuals to ſerue all thoſe that ſhoulde goe by ſea for the ſpace of threeſcore dayes,Polidor. the king alſo made the ſame tyme certaine ordinaunces to be obſerued among the ſeafaring men whiche tended to this effect:

[...]lcers of men.Firſt, that if any man chaunced to ſlea an other on the ſhipbourde, he ſhould be bounde to the dead bodie, and ſo throwne into the ſea: ſecondly if he killed hym a lande, he ſhoulde yet be bounde to him as afore, and ſo buryed quicke together.

Thirdly,Bravvlers. if any man ſhoulde be conuicted by lawfull witneſſe, that he drewe any weapon to ſtrike any other, or chaunced by ſtrikyng at any man to draw bloud of him that was ſmitten,Punishment in bloud dra[...] he ſhoulde loſe his hand. Fourthly if he gaue but a blowe with his fiſte without bloudſhedding, he ſhould be ſowſed .iij. ſeuerall times ouer head and eares, in the water. Fiftly,Reuliers. if any man reuiled an other, he ſhoulde for euery tyme ſo miſuſing him ſelfe, forfait an vnce of ſiluer. Sixtely, that if any man were taken with theft or pikerie, and thereof conuicted, hee ſhoulde haue his head polled,Thefts and pikerie. and hotte pitche powred vppon his pate, and vpon that, the feathers of ſome pillowe or Cuiſhion ſhaken alofte, that he myghte therby be knowne for a theef, and at the next arriuall of the ſhippes to any lande, be put for thof the company to ſeke his aduenture, without all hope of returne vnto his fellowes.

And theſe were the Statutes whyche this famous Prince did enacte at the fyrſte for hys Nauie, which ſithens that time haue bene very much enlarged. About the ſame tyme Iohn Biſhop of Whiterne in Scotlande, Suſtragant to the Church of Yorke ordeyned Geffreye Archebiſhoppe of Yorke,VVil. Paruus. Prieſt, and at the ſame ſeaſon the election of y^e ſame Geffrey was cōfirmed by Pope Clement, the whiche among other thinges that he wrote to the Chapiter of Yorke on his behalfe: In the ende he addeth theſe wordes:

We doe therefore admoniſhe you all, and by the Apoſtolicall Bulles commaunde you, that you exhibite bothe reuerence and honoure vnto him as vnto your Prelate, that thereby you may appeare commendable dothe before God and man.

Whyleſt theſe thynges were in doing, there came into Fraunce Legates from the ſayde Clemente to moue the two kyngs to make all the ſpeede poſſible towardes their iourney, bycauſe of the greate daunger where in things ſtoode in Paleſtine, requiring preſent helpe. Herevpon K. Richarde (his men and prouiſion being ready) commaunded that his ſhippes ſhuld ſet forwarde, and to caoſte aboute by the ſtreytes of [...]nora[...]terre to come vnto Marſe[...]es,Polidor. where hee appoynted to meete them,King Richard ſette forvvard on his iourney. and ſo with a choſen company of men, he alſo ſette foorth thitherwardes by [...]nde, and commyng to Tears, receyueth the ſcrippe and ſtaffe,Rog. Houed. as a Pilgrime ſhoulde, at the handes of the Archbiſhop there.

After this, both the Kings of Englande and Fraunce met at Vizeley in the Octaues of the Natiuitie of Saynt Iohn Baptiſt, and when they had remayned there two dayes they paſſed foorth to the Citie of Lyon.

Anno. 2.Where the two Kyngs departed in [...]under, and eache one kept his iourney, the one towarde Genes, where his nauie was appoynted to come to him, and the other to Marſeilles, there to mete with his fleete, accordyng to his appoyntement.

But the Engliſhe ſhippes being let and ſtayd by the waye by contrary wyndes and rigorous tempeſtes,The Englishe fleete ſtayd by contrary vvindes. whiche toſſed them to and fro vppon the coaſtes of Spayne, coulde not come in any conuenient tyme vnto Marſeiles,Tvventie galeys and .xii. other veſſelles hath Houeden. ſo that king Richarde thinkyng long to tarrie for them, and perceyuing they could not keepe their appoynted tyme, he hired ſhips from al places theraboutes, & embarquyng himſelfe and his men in the ſame,Vpon the .7. daye of Auguſt hath Houeden. vpon S. Laurēce euen, ſailed forth towards Sicile, wher he was apointed to mete w^t K. Philip.

Heere is to be noted, that king Richard made not all that iourney from Marſeilles to Meiſina by Sea,Rog. Houedē but ſundry times comming a lande, hyred Horſes, and rode foorth alongſt the coaſt, appoynting with his Shippes and Galleyes where to meete him, and ſometimes hee reſted certayne dayes togither in one place or other, as at Port-Delph[...]n, at Naples, and at Salerne, from wh[...]ce there departed from him Baldwine Archbyſhop of Counterburie, Huberte Biſhop of Saliſburie, and the Lorde Ran[...]te or G[...]amiſſe, the whyche taking vpon them to goe before, with proſperous wind and wether in ſhort ſpace, landed at Icon, which was the beſieged as you that hear herafter.

At Rome the King came not, but being within the ſtreame of the Riuer of Tibet, there came to him a Cardinall named Octa[...]n[...], Biſhop of Hoſtia,King Richarde blameth the court of Rome for couetouſneſſe. to whome hee ſpake many reprochfull wordes of the couetouſneſſe vſed in the Courte of Rome, bycauſe they had receyued ſeuen hundred markes for the conſecration of the Biſhoppe of Manus, and .1500. markes for the confirming of the Biſhop of Elie the Popes legate: And againe no ſmall ſum of money they had receiued of the Archb. of Burdeaur, when vpon an accuſation brought againſt him by y^e clergie of his prouince he ſhould haue bin depoſed. In the meane time whyles King Richarde thus paſſeth forwarde towardes Meſſina, the nauie that was appointed to coaſt about Spayne and to meete him at Marſeiles, was toſſed (as before is ſayde) with wynde and tempeſtes, and sparte therof, that is to witte, tenne ſhippes driuen here and there on the coaſtes of Spayne, of whiche number nyne arriued at Liſbone, and the tenth beyng a ſhippe of London, arriued at the Citie of Sylua, whiche was then the vttermoſte Citie of Spayne, that was inhabited with Chriſtians.

The Sarazenes at that tyme made warres agaynſte the Kyng of Portyngale, ſo that the Portyngales ſtoode in neede of ayde, in ſo much that they of Sylua didde not onely entreate the Engliſhemenne to ſtay wyth them for a tyme, but alſo gotte graunte of them to breake theyr ſhyppe, wyth the tymber, wherwyth they might the better, fortifye theyr towne, promylyng that theyr King ſhoulde recompence them with an other as good as theyrs, and alſo further ſatiſfye them for their ſeruice, duryng the tyme of their aboade there in defence of that Citie. Lykewiſe of thoſe that arriued at Liſborie there went to the number of fyue hundred vnto Saint Iranes,The king of Portingale. where the Kyng of Portyngale then was, lookyng to bee aſſaulted by his enimyes: but by the counterfaite death of the great kyng of the Sarazen named Boiac Almiramumoli, (who feared theſe newe ſuccoures,Almiramumoli king of the Saracenes. and doubte the ſequele of hys dooyngs, to the ende he might departe wyth honoure, he fayned hymſelfe [...]ad) ſo that the kyng of Portyngale was for that tyme preſentely delyuered oute of daunger. Wherevpon he retourned to Liſbone, where he founde three ſcore and three other ſhippes of king Richardes Nauie there newely arriued, ouer the whyche were chiefe Capitaynes Robert de Sabuville,Robert de Sabuville. VVilliam de Camville. and Richarde de Camville: The whych at theyr commyng to lande coulde not ſo gouerne theyr people, but that ſome naughtye fellowes amongeſt them fell to breakyng and robbyng of Orchardes: ſome alſo entring into the Citie, behaued themſelues very diſorderedly: But yet by the comming of the kyng, theyr lewdneſſe was ſtayed, ſo that hee ſeemed not to ſeeke reuenge of the Pilgrimes, but rather with courteous meanes to brydle their vnlawfull attemptes: wherevnto the diligence of the Engliſhe Capitaynes not a little preuayled for a whyle, but yet for all that coulde bee doone on bothe ſydes, within three dayes after, a newe tumulte was reyſed betwixte the Engliſhe Pilgrimes and the Towneſmen,A mutenie betvvixt the Englishmen and the tovvnſmen of Lisbone. and diuers hurte and kylled on eyther parte, whervppon the king cauſed the gates of the Citie to be ſhut, and al thoſe that were come from the ſhips into the citie to eate and drinke (beyng in number aboute ſeauen hundred) were apprehended and committed to warde:Englishmenne committed to priſon. and before they could bee releaſſed ſir Roberte Sabville and ſir Rycharde Camville were gladde to agree wyth the kyng, ſo as all former offences beeyng remitted, and thynges taken by eyther parte reſtored, the Engliſhmenne promyſed to obſerue the peace aneynſt the Kyng of Portyngale and hys people, and hee lykewyſe couenaunted for hym and hys ſubiectes, that they ſhoulde keepe the peace aneynſt all Pilgrimes that went foorthe in thys voyage, and vſe them lyke hys frendes, and thus the quarell ceaſſed.

Soone after, the Englyſhe Nauye departed from Lyſbone, and came vnto the mouthe of the Ryuer of Taye betweene Caperico and Belem,The Englishe shippes meete agayne togither. where the ſame daye on Saint Iames euen the Lorde Willyam de Forzdulerun arryued alſo wyth three and thyrtie other ſhippes, and ſo then they were in all aboute an hundred and ſixe ſayles very well furniſhed and manned, and ſo frō thence taking their courſe towards Marſeiles finally they arriued there in the octaues of the Aſſumption of our Lady, and ſtaying there an eight dayes (till they had repared ſuche thinges aboute their ſhippes as were needefull) they ſette forwarde againe, and came to meſſina in Sicile in the [...]raſte of the Exaltation of the Croſſe. On the Sunday folowing alſo, came the Frenche king thither,They a[...] Meſsina. hauing loſt no ſmall parte of hys nauye by tempeſts of weather. King Richarde as then remayned at Salerue, and hearyng that his nauy was gone towardes Meſſina, he departed thence on the thirtene daye of September, and haſted forthe towardes Meſſina, paſſing by Melphi and Cocenza, and ſo at length comming to Faro de Meſſina, hee paſſed the ſame and on the .xxiij.Kyng Richard[...] arriueth as Meſſina. day of September arriued at Meſſina with greate noyſe of trumpettes and other inſtrumentes, to the wonder of the Frenche king and other that behelde his great puiſſance and royall behauiour now at his commyng. The ſame tyme he went vnto the French kings lodging, to commen with him of their buſines: and immediatly the French king tooke the ſea, in purpoſe to haue paſſed forward on his iorney, but by contrary winde he was ſtayed and kept backe within the hauen, whereupon bothe the Kings determined to Winter there, and in the meane time to prouide them ſelues of all things neceſſarie for their iorney, againſt the beginning of the next ſpring.

The .xxx. of September he receiued his ſiſter the Quene of Sicil, the widow of William late king of that yle, whom he placed in a ſtrong fortreſſe, which he tooke the ſame day, and left therin a conuenient garniſon of menne at armes and demylaunces for the ſafegarde of the place and of his ſaid ſiſter.

But nowe for the better vnderſtandyng of the cauſe of ſuche quarellyng as fell out betwixt the Engliſhmen and y^e Siciliās, ye ſhal vnderſtand that a little before the arriuall of the Kings of Englande and Fraunce in thoſe parties, Kyng William of Sicile was departed this life, leauing no iſſue behinde him: Whereupon the lordes of the Ile elected one Tancrede to their king, a baſtard ſonne of Roger ſometyme king of that lande, and Graundfather to this laſte deceaſſed king William.

This Tancrede though he receiued king Richard very courteouſely: Yet he greately truſted him not, bicauſe he demaunded the dower of his ſiſter Quene Ioane, wife to the late king William to be reſtored, wheras he had not ready money to diſcharge it.

And furthermore to departe with the Citie of Mount Sainct Angelo, with all the countye therevnto belongyng, whiche was in deede aſſigned to hir for hir dower, he thoughte in no wyſe profytable: but king Rychard did not only require that Citie & countie wyth a chaire of gold,A chaire of golde. accordyng to the cuſtome of that kingdom in ryght of his ſiſter, as due to hir by way of hir dower, but alſo herequired to his owne vſe a table of golde conteyning .xij.King Kichards demaundes for for the dovver of Meſsina by of his ſiſter vvife to king VVilliam. foot in length, & one foot, and an half in breadth, and ij. treſtelles of golde to beare vp the ſame table with .xxiiij. ſiluer cuppes and as many diſhes of ſiluer, with a tente of ſilke of ſuche largeneſſe that two hundred knightes might ſyt at meate within it: alſo fortie thouſande meaſures of wheate, wyth as many of barly, and as many of wine, beſide one hundred armed Galleys with all furnyture and victuales ſufficiente to ſerue the Galey men in the ſame for the terme of .ij. yeres. Theſe things he demaunded as due to him being heyre to his father king Henrye, accordingly as was deuiſed by kyng William in his laſt wil and teſtament, which demaundes ſeemed intollerable to the ſaid Tancred: ſo that if he could haue ſhifted the matter he was lothe to haue harde thereof.

Moreouer, bycauſe Pope Clemente in right of the Churche pretended a title to the Realme of Sicille, nowe that King William was dead without heires, hee doubted of ſome practiſe that myghte bee made agaynſte him betwixte King Richard and the Pope. Wherevppon he thought to prouide againſt all attemptes that mighte bee made, fortifying hys Townes and Caſtels with ſtrong garniſons, and tooke counſell with the Citizens of Meſſina, by what meanes hee mighte ſooneſt diſpatche hys Countrey of that preſent daunger, and procure King Richarde to get him forward on his iourney.

Whileſt theſe things were in hand, there was miniſtred to the Engliſh-men occaſion of diſpleſure: for as it oftentimes chanceth (where an army is) certaine of the vnruly Souldiers within Meſſina vſed themſelues ſomewhat riotouſly, wherevpon the Citizens offended therewith, go[...]e them to armoure, and chaced all the Souldiers out of the Citie. King Richarde who lay in Campe without the Walles, neere to the Citie, was ſo highly diſpleaſed herewith, that he cauſed his men to arme them ſelues, and to prepare ladders and other neceſſary things to aſſault the citie: but by the mediation of the Frenche Kyng, and curteous excuſe of Kyng Tancred (alledging the faulte to reſt only in a ſorte of rude Citizens, whome he promyſed to puniſhe) the matter was taken vp, and ſtayed for a tyme, tyll at lengthe it was perceyued, that the Sicilians went about to feede foorth king Richarde with fayre wordes, tyll he ſhould be ready to ſet forwardes on his iourney, and ſo ſhould the matter paſſe without worthy puniſhmente.

Whervpon king Richarde not mynding to be ſo mocked at their handes, approched one daye to the walles and gates with his armie in good away of battayle to giue the aſſaulte, whiche was giuen ſo earneſtly,K. Richard aſſaulteth and entreth the citie force. and ſo well maynteyned that finally the Citie was entred by force, and manye of the Citizens ſlayne, but the ſlaughter had bene muche greater, if kyng Richarde had not commaunded hys menne to ſpare the ſworde, moued with the lamentable noyſe of the poore people, crying to hym for mercye and grace.

The Engliſhmen hauyng got poſſeſſion of the Citie pighte vp the banners wyth the Armes of the King of Englande rounde aboute the walles, wherewith the Frenche kyng was ſore diſpleaſed, and required that the ſame myghte be taken downe, and hys ſette vppe: But the king of England woulde not ſo agree. Neuertheleſſe to pacifie the French kings moode, he deliuered the citie of Meſſina vnto the cuſtodie of the Knightes Templers and Hoſpitalers, tyll he might be ſatiſfied of ſuche things as hee demaunded of king Tancrede.

After this on the .viij. day of October, the two kings of Englād & France, before a great number of Earles,The tvvo kinges of England and France receyue a ſolemn othe. and Barons, and other, bothē of the Clergie and temporaltie tooke their ſolemne othes, that the one ſhould defend the other, and alſo eyther others armye in this iourney, bothe comming and going, without fraude or deceipt: and the lyke othe was receyued by the Erles and Barons on both partes.

Ordinaunces deuiſed.After this the two kings by aduiſe and cōſent of both their armies, deuiſed theſe ordinaunces, that all Pilgryms which chaunced to dye in this iourneye myghte diſpoſe at their pleaſure of all their armure, horſes, and apparell, and of half of thoſe things whiche they had with them, ſo that they ſent nothing home into their countreys, and the other half ſhuld be at the diſcretion of Walter Archbiſh. of Rouen, Manſer biſhop of Langres, of the maiſter of the Temple, & of the maiſter of the Hoſpitall of Hugh duke of Burgoigne, of Rafe de Coucy, of Drogo de Marlow, of Rob. Sabuill, Andrew de Chauenny, and of Gilbert Waſcoyle, which ſhuld imploy the ſame towardes the ſupport of the warres in the holy Lande againſt the Infidels as they thought moſte expedient.Play forbidden Moreouer it was ordeined that no man ſhoulde play at any game within the armie for money, except knights and chapleyns, the which ſhuld not loſe in one day and nyght aboue .xx.ſs. they to forfait an .C.ſs. ſo ofte as they loſt aboue that ſumme: the perſons aforenamed to haue the ſame to be diſtributed as afore is ſayd. The two kyngs might playe, and commaunde their ſeruants in their preſence likewiſe to play, ſo y^t they exceded not the ſumme of .xx.ſs. And alſo the ſeruants of Archbiſhops, biſhops, erles and barons, by their maiſters cōmandemēt might play, not exceeding that ſumme: But if any ſeruants or Maryners, or other of lyke degree, were found to play without licence, the ſeruauntes ſhoulde bee whipped naked .iij. days round about the campe, excepte they raunſomed foorth themſelues at the pleſure of the perſons aboue named: and the Matyners ſhould be dowſed ouer heade and eares in the ſea for .iij. mornings togither, after the vſe of ſeamen, except they redeemed that puniſhmēt at the diſcretion lykewiſe of the ſayd perſons: and thoſe of other the lyke meane degrees being neyther knyghtes nor chapleyns ſhould be puniſhed as ſeruauntes.

Borrovving.Alſo if any Pilgrime borrowed any thyng of an other whyleſt he was on his iourney, hee ſhould be bound to pay it: but if he borrowed it before his ſetting forth, he was not bound to anſwere it till his returne home.Souldiours [...] mariners d[...] ting from [...] maiſters.

If any mariner or ſeruaunt reteyned in wages with any man in this iourney, departed from his maſter without licēce, no other perſon might receiue him, and if he did, he ſhoulde be puniſhed at the diſcretion of the forenamed perſones.

Moreouer it was ordeyned,Victualers. that no vittayler or other ſhold buy any bread to ſel again, nor any meale within the cōpaſſe of the campe, except the ſame were brought by a ſtranger, neyther might they buy any paſte or other thing to ſell agayne within the campe, or within a league of it.

If any man any bought corn to make bread of, was appoynted howe muche hee ſhoulde gayne in one meaſure beſyde the branne. Other occupiers that vſed buying & ſellyng of wares ſhould gayne one peny in .x. d neither ſhould any man refuſe any of the kynges coyne, excepte it were broken within the circle. No man ſhoulde buye any fleſhe to ſell it agayne, except a lyue beaſte, whiche he ſhould kill within the campe.

Moreouer, no man ſhoulde make bread to ſell, but after the rate of penye loanes. Wherein the peny Engliſh was apointed to go for foure pens Aniouyne. Al theſe ordinances with other were decreede and ordayned to be obſerued and keepte by the councell, conſente, and agreemente of the kinges of England, Fraunce, and Sicile.

But to returne now to the diſſention betwixt the Engliſhmen and them of Meſſina: Ye ſhall vnderſtande that the tumult beyng once ceaſſed,Polidor. and dyuers of the chief offenders in the late commotion being put to deth, king Tankrede ſhortly after came thyther, and ſought to auoyde al ſuſpition out of king Richardes heade, that hee might conceyue of hym: for beeing in any wyſe culpable in that whiche his ſubiectes of Meſſina had attempted againſt him, and therfore hauing recouered money of his friendes, he reſtored vnto kyng Richarde the dowrie of his ſiſter Quene Ioane, and further offred vnto him to ioyne in newe allyance with hym, offering his daughter in mariage vnto Arthur Duke of Britayne, the kings nephewe, with a greate ſumme of money for hir dowrie, if it ſo ſhould pleaſe hym.

King Richarde accepted the offer, and ſo ioyned in peace and affinitie with the king of Sicil, receyuyng of hym twentie thouſande ounces of golde for the ſame maryage to bee had, and an honorable dowrie aſſigned foorth of the landes that belonged to the ſayde Arthure for the ſayde Lady to enioye duryng hir lyfe, in caſe ſhe ſuruiued hir huſbande. And if it ſo chaunced, that by the death of either of them the mariage could not take place, then ſhoulde King Richarde reſtore the ſame twentie thouſand ounces of golde agayne. But beſyde theſe twentie thouſand vnces of Golde thus giuen by kyng Tancrede for the mariage of his daughter, he gaue other twentie thouſande ounces to King Richarde for an acquitaunce and quite clayme of all manner of dueties, rightes, and demaundes, whiche eyther he or his ſyſter myghte pretende, eyther by reaſon of any bequeſt, dower, or by any other manner of waye.

Here is to bee noted, that before thys concluſion of peace was hadde, kyng Richarde prouided for his own defence, in caſe that king Tancrede and his people would haue attempted force agaynſt him, in ſomuch that he fortified certaine places, and buylte a ſtrong caſtell alofte vpon the toppe of an hill faſt by Meſſina, whiche caſtell he called Mategriffon.

Alſo where as the Admirall of Sicile called Margaret, and one Iordane del Poyn, men of great authoritie vnder king Tancrede, fledde out of Meſſina with all their families & riches, which they had eyther in golde or ſiluer, king Richard ſeyſed vppon theyr houſes, theyr Galeys, and poſſeſſions, ſo that he made hymſelfe as ſtrong as he coulde, to reſiſt all attemptes that myght bee made agaynſt hym by his enimies. But now to proceede.

The variance beeing thus appeaſed betwixte them, greate diſcorde chaunced to aryſe betwixt King Richarde and kyng Philippe, who was muche offended wyth king Richard, for that he had thus vſed violēce againſt them of Meſſina,The lavves of Herbourrough. & compelled king Tancrede to agree with him for money, to the greate offence and breache of the lawes of Herberrough, ſith the Sicilians verye liberally ayded and furniſhed the Chriſtians armie with victuals and neceſſarie prouiſions.

The Frenchemen alſo had muche enuie therat, that ſhortly after vpon a ſmall occaſion they picked a quarell agaynſt the Engliſhemen,Englishmen & Frenchmen fought. and from wordes fell to ſtrokes on bothe ſydes, ſo that there had bin much hurt and ſlaughter committed,Diſcorde in an armye, the hinderer of al profitable enterpriſes. if the two kings had not doone their beſt to appeaſe the fray begonne.

But this buſineſſe though it was quietlye as then taken vp and ſtayed, yet bredde it ſuche diſpleaſure betwixt the Princes and their people, that it turned to the greate hurte and hinderance of their good proceedings in their whole enterpriſe, ſo that the occaſion of a full and perfecte victorie eaſily ſlipped out of their handes, as you ſhall heare hereafter.

In other alſo of the chiefeſt cauſes of grudge betwixt the two kings was, for that king Rycharde in familiar talke, confeſſed vnto Kyng Philip, that he woulde marrie the king of Nanarres daughter, and cleerely forſake his ſiſter Adela: Whiche grieued king Philippe not a little, though he diſſembles the matter for a tyme, and rather alledged, other cauſes of diſpleaſure, wherwith to defame king Richard to the world, as one that ſought his own commoditie in ſpoyling thoſe whome he ought rather to haue defended. But to procede.

Whyleſt the Engliſhe and Frenche armyes thus ſoiorned for the Winter time in Sicile, not withſtanding the troubles aforeſayd, to the hinderaunce of king Richards purpoſes, for the making of his prouiſions readie for his iourney, he yet cauſed engins to be framed, his ſhippes to be newly calked, rigged and repared of ſuch hurtes as they had receyued both in their long voyage which they had made, & alſo by certaineworms the which duryng the tyme of theyr lying there, had in diuers places gnawen and eaten thē thorough to the great daunger of their loſſe, & vtter decay Moreouer at y^e ſame time he pardoned al wreckes by ſea throughe all hys dominions,VVreckes pardoned. releaſing for euer al his right to the ſame, in ſuch wiſe that euery perſō makyng wrecke by ſea, & comming aliue to lande, ſhoulde haue all his goodes free and cleare to him ſelf. Furthermore he decreed, that if he chaunced to periſhe in the ſhippe, then his ſonnes and daughters, brethren or ſiſters, that coulde proue themſelues to be next heires to him, ſhoulde haue the ſame goodes, but yf he had neither ſonne nor daughter, brother nor ſiſter, then ſhoulde y^e king haue thoſe goodes by way of his prerogatiue.

This reſignation made by king Richard, was confirmed by his charter gyuen at Meſſina in the Moneth of October and ſecond yeare of his raigne. Alſo vpon a godly repentaunce wherewith it dyd pleaſe the mercyfull God to touche his harte, he called all thoſe prelates together which were then with him at Meſſina into the Chappell of Reginald de Moyac,King Richards confeſsion. and there in preſence of thē all falling downe vpon his knees hee confeſſed the filthy life whiche in lecherous luſtes he had before that time led, and humbly receyued pennaunce enioyned hym by the ſame biſhops, and ſo became a newe man fearing God, and delyghting to lyue after hys lawes.

Furthermore hearing of the greate fame of Abbot Ioachim,Abbot Ioa [...]him. he ſent for him ouer into Calabria, who came to Meſſina, and being aſked ſundry queſtions by kyng Richard, hee made wonderfull aunſwers thereto: as in Houeden and other writers it maye appeare, whiche for breefneſſe I paſſe ouer.

Aboute the ſame tyme he gaue vnto his nephue Otho, the ſon of his ſiſter Mande, ſometime Ducheſſe of Saxonie, the Countie of Yorke. But although ſome were contented to receyue hym as theyr lorde, and to do homage to him, yet other refuſed him, alledging y^t they woulde not renounce theyr fealties due to the kyng, till they might ſee him agayn, and talke with him face to face. Wherevpon the kyng chaungyng his purpoſe, gaue vnto the ſayde Otho the Countie of Poycton in ſtead of the ſayd Countie of Yorke, as after ſhall appere.

The two kings of Englande and Fraunce helde their Chriſtmaſſe this yeare at Meſſina,1191
The large expenſes of king Richard. and ſtill the king of Englande vſed great liberalitie in beſtowing his treaſure freely amongeſt knightes and other men of warre, ſo that it was thought he ſpent more in a moneth thā any of his predeceſſours euer ſpent in a whole yeare.

In the month of February be ſent his Gallies to Naples there to receiue his mother & his wife that ſhould be, to wit the Lady Berengaria daughter to the king of Nauar, and Philip Erle of Flaunders that came with thē. But his mother Queene Elynore and the ladye Berengaria, went to Brindize in Puglia,The earle of Flanders where they wer honorably receiued of Margaret king Tancrede his admirall. Moreouer the Erle of Flaunders comming to Naples, and finding there the Galleyes of king Richarde, went a boorde the ſame, and ſo came to Meſſina, at the firſt following the king of England in all things, tyll the French kyng hauing enuie thereat, allured hym awaye, and then he hoong altogither on his ſleeue.

The firſt daye of Marche the kyng of Englande departed from Meſſina, to goe to the Citie of Cathina, there to commen with king Tancrede, who came thyther to meete hym.

Here king Richarde vnderſtoode,K. Richard talketh vvith king Tancrede. that the Frēch king had ſolicited king Tancrede to ſet vpon the king of Englande and his armye, to chaſe them out of his realme: and for the more eaſy accompliſhment therof, he had promyſed him his ayde, whenſoeuer he would giue the aduenture.

King Tancrede deliuered alſo to king Richard ſuche letters as the Frenche king hadde written to him cōcerning this matter. Whervpon at his returne to Meſſina, king Richard ſhewed by his frowning countenaunce that he was nothyng pleaſed with the Frenche king, but ſought occaſiōs to get him out of his companie.

The Frenche king perceyuing it, required to vnderſtande the cauſe of this his ſodain mutation: Whervpon king Richard nothing fearing his power, declared the trouthe playnely vnto hym by the mouth of the Erle of Flanders: and when the other denyed the practiſe, he for profe of the thing, ſhewed him the ſame Letters whiche king Tancrede had deliuered vnto hym. The Frenche kyng was not a little abaſhed hereat, and wiſt not well what to ſay, nor what excuſe to make, the matter was ſo playne. But yet at length he ſayde: Well nowe I perceyue the king of England ſeeketh to haue ſome quarel why he may refuſe to mary with my ſiſter For theſe are but forged matters, and no truth reſteth in them.

When the King of Englande vnderſtode this maner of anſwere, he replied in this wiſe▪ That as for the Frenche kings ſiſter, he might not marry, for as muche as he was able to produce good witnes to proue that his father had lyen with hir and got a child of hir. And as for his priuie proceedings and practiſe with Tancrede, he neded no further teſtimonie than his owne hande and his ſeale, the partie himſelfe being preſent who receiued them, the meſſenger alſo being not far off that carried them betweene bothe the parties. When the Frenche kyng was thoroughly enfourmed of the firſte point, through councell of the Earle of Flanders and others, hee pacifyed hym ſelfe, and was contented to releaſe the king of England of his faith giuen by othe for the contract [...] with his ſiſter Alice [...] inconſideration of whiche releaſe the Kyng of Englande coue[...]nted to gyue yearely to the Frenche K[...] two thouſande Markes of ſterlyng coyne for the terme of fyue yeares togyther. And at [...]i[...] returne home, it was agreed, that he ſh[...]ld alſo dely[...] vnto the French Kyng hys ſyſter the ſayde Ladye Alyce, wyth the Towne of Gyſours, and all other thynges whiche the Frenche Kyng hadde graunted to hym with his ſayde ſiſter. On the other part, the French kyng graunted, that the Duchye of Brytaine ſhoulde appertayne to the domynion of the Du[...]e of Normandye, ſo as the Duke of Brytaine ſhould be accompted the liege man of the Duke of Normandye, and that the duke of Normandie ſhould anſwer the French king for bothe the Duchies, as well of Brytayne as Normandie.

Theſe agreementes were ratified and confirmed with ſolemne othes reciued, and charters giuen vnder their hands and ſeales, vpon the .xxx. day of Marche.

And herewith the Frenche king nowe that the ſeaſonable tyme of the yeare was come,The Frenche king ſetteth foorth from Meſsina tovvardes the holy lande. ſet forwarde towarde the Holye lande, leauyng King Richarde behynde him in Sicile: And the two & twentie day after his ſetting foorthe from Meſſina, he arriued at the ſiege of Ar[...] or Acon.

The ſame day alſo that the Frenche King departed from Meſſina, Queene Eleanor the mother of king Richard, arriued there, brynging with his the lady [...]ing[...] [...] m[...] ter of [...]ctius the kyng of [...]anarre, and the fourth day after Quene Elinore toke leaue of her ſonne King Richarde,Quene Elynor returneth by Rome. and departed h[...]warde towardes Englande, taking hir [...]an by R[...]e, for the [...]ſineſſe of Geffrey the [...] of Yorke; as to intreat the Pope that he would confirme and conſecrate him: A[...] biſh[...] [...] to autoriſe ſome other to doe it in his [...].

[...]e[...] [...] [...]e[...]engaria remayned behind with the Kings ſiſter [...]on[...] Q[...]ne, of [...]e[...]

(After [...] in the moneth of Aprill, o[...] the Wedneſday in the Paſſ[...] [...]eake [...] Richarde after hee had finished and made an ende of all [...]lu[...]ions with kyng Tancrede, he did alſo ſet forward with his ſiſter Ioane, who tooke with hir the Ladie Berengaria, daughter to king of Nauarre, fianc[...]d to him long before, as aboue is partly mencioned. His nauie conſiſted in [...] mightie greate ſhips with tryple ſayles, an hundred Carikes or ra[...]r H[...]s, M. Paris. 
150. Ships and and .53. galeys hath Roger Houeden. and .l. Galeys. He was no ſooner abroade in the mayne ſea, but a great tempeſt roſe, wherewith his whole nauy was [...]ore toſſed and t[...]rmoyled vp and downe the ſeas, and at lengthe driuen on the coaſt of Cyp[...], where ſeeking to take harbour, and to come a land, the [...]ypriots would not ſuffer him, but ſhewed c[...]ū tenaunte to driue him backe, and to reſiſt hys landing. Alſo where as .vj. of his ſhippes were ſo driuen by force of tempeſte from the reſidue, that three of them periſhed, and three beeyng caſte vppon the ſhoare of Cypr[...] before the Kynges arriuall there, the Souldiours and other people in the ſame, were r[...]mpelled to come a land for ſauing of the [...]lin[...]s, where otherwiſe they ſtoodi[...] danger of drowning, the people of the yle aſſailed them in right cruell wyſe, ſlewe diuers, and tooke the reſidue priſoners, and ſo deteyned them for a certaine ſeaſon.

Kyng Richarde then vnderſtanding thys iniurie to him doone by the Cypriotes, perceyuing they woulde reſiſte his landyng, he prepared hym ſelfe and his people to enter vpon them by force. The king of Cypres Iſakius or Curſach, whome Houeden nameth Emperour of Cypres, had aſſembled the moſt parte of all the power of men that he myght make (though fewe of them were armed, or hadde any greate ſkill in feates of warre) and cauſed thē to ſet boords, logs of wood, henches, formes, and great cheſtes afore thē, as a defence, and as it were in ſteed of a wal, that by ſuccour therof they mighte the better keepe off their enemie, from landing, but king Richarde ſo encouraged his menne by his preſence, and ſuche comfortable wordes as he vttered vnto them, that rowing to the ſhoare with their Galeyes and ſmall boates, hauyng the Archers afore them, they eaſily got a lande, droue theyr enimyes backe,The Englishemen take lande & chaſe their enimies. and chaſed them ſo farre (as they being but footemen,) wetherbeaten, weary, and we at conueniently myghte, for the ſhorteneſſe of the tyme. King Richarde hauing thus got [...]te a land, [...]ſrun. approched the towne of Limeſzun which he wyth hys ſouldyers entred, and fyndyng it emptie of people (the which were ſtedde away) but full of riches and great plentie of victuals, as corne wine, oyle, and fleſhe, he ſeyzed therevpon.

The ſame daye alſo the Kings ſiſters and y^e Ladye Berengaria with the reſid[...] of the Kings nauie entred the hauen of Limezun[...] In the meane time the [...]ing of Ci[...] (hauing eſcaped from the bataile) got together his men whiche were fled and diſperſed ſundry wayes, and encamped within .vj. myles of kyng Rychard, threatning that the next daye he woulde eft[...]nes gyue battaile: which when king Rychard vnderſtoode, hee cauſed hys people to bee armed the next morning long before daye and to comming by guides vnto the place, where y^e the Cipriotes with their king were lodged,King Richarde vvith a camiſado vanquisheth the Cipriots, & chaſeth them oute of their campe. ſodenly thei aſſailed them ere they had any warning of hys marching towardes thē, by reaſon whereof they were ſlaine like beaſtes in greate number. Their king yet and a few other eſcaped and fled away naked, hauing not time to put vpon thē their apparell,Io. Textor. hys treaſure, horſe armour and ſtanderd were taken, which ſtanderd king Richard ſtraightwayes determined to ſende vnto Sainte Edmunndes ſhrine, and ſo did. And hauing thus vanquiſhed his aduerſaries,The K. of Ieruſalem and other noble men do fealtie vnto king Richard he came backe to Limeſzun: and the thyrde day after, Guy king of Ieruſalem & his brother Geffrey de Lucignan with the Prince of Antioche Raymond and hys ſonne named alſo Raymonde earle of Tripoli with other noble men arriued at Limeſzun aforeſaid, to viſite king Richard, and to offer to him their ſeruices, and ſo became his menne, in ſwearyng fealtie to him agaynſt all other perſons what ſo euer. The ſame day the king of Cypres perceyuing hymſelf vnable to reſiſt the great puiſſance of king Richards armie, ſent ambaſſadours, and offered to king Richard the ſumme of .xx. thouſand marks of gold,The offers of the king of Cypres. in recompence of the money whiche his men that were drowned had aboute them, and alſo to reſtore thoſe to libertie whiche he had taken priſoners, and to make deliuerie to their handes of all their goodes. Furthermore, he offered to go with hym into the holy lande in perſon, & to ſerue him with an hundred knightes iiij.C. lyghte horſemen, and .v.C. well armed footmen,The king of Cypres ſub[...] ceth himſelfe. and alſo to deliuer to king Richard his daughter and heyre in hoſtage, and to acknowledge him his ſoueraigne lorde, by ſwearing to him fealtie for his kingdome, as for that which he ſhoulde confeſſe to holde of him.

King Richard accepted theſe offers, and ſo the king of Cypres came in & ſware fealtie to kyng Richard, in preſence of the king of Ieruſalem, the Prince of Antioche, and other barons, and promiſed vppon his othe then receyued, not to departe till all thinges couenaunted on hys parte were performed. Then king Richarde aſſigned tentes for him and his to lodge in and appointed certayne knyghtes & other men of warre to haue the cuſtody of him, but the ſame day after dinner vpon repentaunce of that which he had done, he deceiued his kepers & ſtale away, ſending knowledge backe to the king that he woulde not ſtande to the couenauntes, which wer concluded vpon betwixt them. King Richarde ſeemed to like the matter well inoughe, and forthwith deliuered a parte of his army vnto the king of Ieruſalem and to the Prince of Antioche, appointing them to purſue the king of Cipres by lāde whyleſt her with one parte of his Gallies and Roberte de Turneham with the other mighte ſearche aboute the coaſte by ſea to prohibite his paſſage by water. In euery place where they came, ſuche ſhippes and Gallies as they found they ſeazed into their handes, and no reſiſtance was made againſte them by reaſon the people fled to the woods and mountains, leauing the cities, townes and caſtelles: boyd in all ſteedes where the King or the ſaide ſir Roberte de Thorneham with theyr veſſelles began to appeare. When they had taken their pleſure thus alongſt the coaſtes, they retourned againe vnto Limeſzun.

The king of Ieruſalem and the other that went forthe by lande, when they coulde not ſpeede of their purpoſe, they returned alſo, and in the meane time a great number of Cypriots came in, and ſubmitting them ſelues to king Richar, dwere receiued as his ſubiects. On the xij. day of May the Lady Berengaria daughter to the kyng of Nauarre was maried according to a precontract vnto king Richarde at Limeſzun aforeſaide in the Ile of Cipres,Roberte de Turnham. The king of England marieth the Ladye Berengaria. She is crovvned Queene. one of the kings Chapleins executing the order of the mariage. The ſame day alſo ſhe was crouned by the Biſhoppe of Eureux, the Archebiſhoppes of Apamea and Aux, with the Biſhope of Baion miniſtring vnto him.

After the ſolempnitie of this mariage and coronation ended, king Richarde ſet foreward with his army into the countrey of Cipres and firſt wanne by ſurrender the citie of Nichoſia, and after the ſtrong caſtell of Cherin, within the whiche was the daughter of the king of Cipres, whiche Ladie humbly yelded hir ſelfe vnto king Richard, who hauing pitie of hir caſe, ſent hir to his wyfe the newe Queene, willyng that ſhe might be honorably vſed. From thence paſſing forward, theſe caſtels were deliuered into his hands,Caſtels deliue [...] the [...]ng [...] [...]ande. Baffes and Buffevent, Den, Amur, Cā dace, and afterwards all the other caſtels and cities, townes and places of ſtrengthe within that Iſle one after an other. Finally hearing that the king of Cipres was encloſed in an Abbey called Cap S Andrew, he marched thitherwards: but when the king of Cypres hearde of his approche, he came foorth and ſubmitted himſelfe wholly into his hands.The K. of Cypres agayn ſubmitteth himſe[...] to the king of Englande. Rafe Fitz Ge[...] frey. The king fyrſte appointed him to the keping of his chamberlain Rafe Fitz Geffrey, and after ſent him vnto the Citie of Tripoli, there to be kept in cloſe priſon. Who when he heard he ſhould be committed to cloſe priſon, and remayn in fetters, ſayde, that if he lay in yrons, he ſhould ſhortly ende his lyfe. Wherevnto king Richarde when he hearde of it, aunſwered: He ſpeaketh it very wel, and therfore bycauſe he is a noble man, and our minde is not to haue hym dead, but only to be kept ſafe from ſtarting any more away, and doing newe hurt, let him he chained in giues and fetters made of ſiluer, and ſo he was. But to proceede. After the king had ſet the countrey of Cipres in a good ſtay, he deliuered the keping therof vnto Richard de Camvill and Robert de Turnham. And this done, vpon the Wedneſday in the Whitſon weke he tooke the ſea again,He areiud th[...] on the Saterday in VVh[...] ſonvveke, being the ſaterday alſo nex[...] before the fe[...] of S. Bernabe[...] 
Galfridus Vinſaunt. and paſſed ouer to the Citie of Acres, which as then was beſieged by the Chriſtian army, as yee maye reade in the deſcription of the holy lande, onelye giuing you to vnderſtande, that ſuche was the valiancie of king Richarde ſhewed in manfull conſtreining of the citie, that his praiſe was gretly bruted both amongſt the chriſtians, and alſo the Sarazins. But the ſecrete enimitie betwixte him and the Frenche King eftſoones renued by occaſion of ſuch diſcord as chaunced betwixt Guido king of Ieruſalem, and Conrade the Marques of Tire, ſo that parties were taken, and where as both the Piſanes and Genevoys did offer their ſeruice vnto king Richard, yet bicauſe the Genevoys were confederat with the French king, who tooke parte with the Marques, hee refuſed them and receiued the Piſanes,Piſanes and Genevoys. ioining himſelf with king Guido to ſupporte hym agaynſt his enemies. Here is alſo to be remembred that before king Richarde arriued at the ſiege, he encountred on the ſea a mighty great ſhippe called a Drommond, which one Saphaldine the brother of Saladine a Prince of the Saraſines had ſent to refreſhe them with vittelles. Mat. Paris. N. Triuet. 
Saphaldine, the brother of Sa [...]adine. This ſhippe king Richard cauſed fiercely to be aſſailed with his Gallies, and at length bowged hir with all the victuals and prouiſion within the ſame, as wilde fire, barells of firie ſerpents, armor and weapons of ſundrie ſortes, beſides all the Mariners and men of warre, except ſuche as were taken to mercy and ſaued a liue, being aboute .ij.C. in the whole, whereas ther were aboord the ſame ſhippe .xv.C.Ni. Triuet. Mat. Paris. men of warre, as ſome wryte, thoughe other haue but .viij.C.

But nowe to other incidents that chaunced this yeare. On Midſomer euen there was ſuch an Eclipſe of the Sunne,An Eclipſe of [...]he Sunne▪ the Moone being the ſame time .xxvij. dayes olde that for the ſpace of .iij. hours (for ſo long it laſted) ſuche darknes came ouer the face of the Earthe, that euen in the daye time (for this Eclipſe beganne aboute ix.The ſeuenth [...]oure of the day ſayth Ma [...]hevv Paris. of the clocke in the morning) the ſtarres appeared playnly in the element.

In the ſame moneth of Iune, Richarde de Camville, whom the king had left (as ye haue heard) gouernour in Cypres,Richarde de Camville deceaſſeth. chaunced to fall ſicke, and comming without licence to the ſiege of Acres there dyed. After whoſe death the Cipriots and thoſe called Griffones and Ermians, reuolted from the Engliſhe obedience, and choſe to them a kyng, one that was a Monke of the familie of Iſachius their former kyng: but Roberte de Turnham, who after the deceaſſe of Richarde de Camville remained ſole gouernoure of the Ile, gathered a power of men togyther, and giuyng battayle to the newe king (whome Houeden nameth alſo emperour) vanquiſheth him wyth his complices, taketh him priſoner, and hangeth him on a pair of galowes. The ſame month alſo died Rafe Fitz Geffrey, who had the other king Iſac in in cuſtodie, and then king Richarde deliuered him to the knightes of the Hoſpitall, who ſent him to the caſtell of Margant, there ſafely to be kepte as priſoner to the vſe of the king of Englande. But now at length to returne vnto the affaires of England to make ſome mention of the doings there. Ye ſhall vnderſtande, that after king Richarde was ſet forwarde on his iorney, the Lorde Chauncellour William Longchampe, Biſhop of Ely, appoynted (as ye haue heard) gouernour of the Realme, began to exerciſe his authoritie to the vttermoſt,Polidor. taking vppon him the ſtate of a Prince, rather than of a ſubiect. He had of late (as before ye haue heard) procured ſuche fauour at the hands of Pope Clement, that hee was inſtituted by him Legate of the Apoſtolike ſea here in England,The Lorde Chancellour called the Popes legate in Englande. ſo that pretending a rule bothe ouer the clergie and temporaltie, and by reaſon that he had both the authoritie of Pope and King in his handes, he vſed the ſame to his moſte aduauntage, as well in cauſes Eccleſiaſticall as temporall, wherby he wrought manie oppreſſions both againſt them of the clergie and temporaltie. He mainteined ſuch a port and countenaunce in his doings,The ſtatelye port of the Lord Chauncellour. that hee woulde ryde with a thouſande horſſes, by meane whereof when he came to lye at Abbeys and other places (bringyng with hym ſuch a trayne) he was very burdenous vnto them,Ran. Higd. ſpecially when hee laye at their houſes any ſpace of tyme.

He called a Conuocation at Weſtminſter,A conuocation wherein at the ſuite of Hugh Nouaunt biſhop of Cheſter, it was decreed,Monkes of Couentrie diſplaced.
Polidore. Ran. Higd. VVil. P[...]. that the Monkes of Couentrie ſhoulde bee diſplaced, and ſecular canons brought into that houſe to ſupply their roomths. Which was done by the authoritie of the ſayd Lord Chancellor,The occaſion. Ran. Higd. being brybed by the foreſayd Biſhoppe of Cheſter (as ſome writers haue recorded) for diſpleaſure whiche hee bare to the Monkes, by reaſon of a fray which they had made vpon the ſayd Biſhop in theyr Churche at Couentrie, and drawne bloud of him before the Altare there, as he alledged.

But ſome haue written,VVil. Par[...] that the Biſhop of Cheſter procured a licence of the Pope, to alter the ſtate of that Churche in ſorte aboue mentioned, whiche is moſte lykely, ſurmizyng agaynſt the Monkes, that they were manyfeſte and moſte ſtubborne diſturbers of that peace and quietneſſe whiche oughte to remayne amongſt Churchmen: and yet he him ſelf ſowed the ſtrife and diſſention amongeſt them, and namelye betweene the Prior and his Couent.Ran. Higd. Polidore. Moreouer the ſayde Lorde Chauncellor depriued ſuche rulers of theyr adminiſtrations and gouernementes, as the King had appointed to beare any highe authoritye within the Realme, pretending not onelye the kings commaundement, but alſo aledging a reaſon whiche moued him ſo to doe, as thus, that he might thereby take awaye all occaſions of grudges from the people,The Lorde Chancellors [...]eaſon. which otherwiſe might think, and wold not ſticke to ſaye, that they were oppreſſed by the rule of many kinges in ſteede of one king.The Bishop of Durham.
The bishop of VVincheſter. Hee dydde depriue alſo Hughe the Biſhoppe of Durham of al his honour and dignitie, and putte the Byſhoppe of Wincheſter to greate trouble.

Moreouer doubting leaſt the Nobles of the realme wold riſe againſt him, and put him out of his place, he ſoughte to keepe them lowe, and ſpoyled them of theyr money and ſubſtaunce.The Lorde Chancellours meanyng to keepe Earle Iohn lovve. Likewiſe pretending a colour of doubte leaſte Earle Iohn the kings broher ſhoulde attempt any thing againſt this brother the kinge nowe in his abſence, hee ſoughte alſo to keepe hym vnder.

To be brief, he played in all points the right parts of a tirant, till at length the king receiuing aduertiſemēt frō his mother Quene Elenor of his demeanor, and that there was great likelihood of ſome commotion to enſue, if ſpeedy remedy were not in time prouided, he being as then in Sicile,VValter the Archbishop of Rouen ſent into England. ſent Walter the Archebiſhop of Rouen into Englande with Commiſſion to ioyne in adminiſtration of the kingdome with his Chancellor the ſayde Biſhop of Elie. But the Archebiſhop cōming into England was ſo ſlenderly entertayned of the Chauncellor, and in effect ſo litle regarded,He is little regarded of the Lorde Chauncellour. that notwithſtanding his commiſſion and inſtructions brought from the king, he could not be permitted to beare any rule, the chauncellor deteining the ſame wholly in hys handes, ordering all thyngs at his pleaſure, wythout makyng the Archebiſhoppe of Rouen, or any other of counſel with him, except ſuche as it pleaſed hym to admitte for the ſeruing of his owne turne.

He certeinely beleeued (as many other did) that king Richarde woulde neuer returne with life into England agayne, which cauſed hym to attempt ſo many vnlawfull enterpriſes and therfore he got into his handes all the Caſtels and fortreſſes belongyng to the Crowne, and furniſhed them with garniſons of ſouldiers, as he thought neceſſarye, depriuyng ſuche Captaines of their roomthes as he ſuſpected not to fauout his proceedings.

One Gerarde de Camville had bought of the king the keeping of the Caſtell of Lincolne, vnto whome alſo the Sherifwike of the Shire was commytted for a tyme, but the Lorde Chauncellor, perceiuing that he bare more good will vnto Earle Iohn the kyngs brother than vnto him, (which Iohn he moſt ſuſpected, tooke from hym the Sherifwike, and demaunded alſo to haue the caſtell of Lincolne delyuered into his handes, whiche Gerard refuſed to deliuer, and perceiuing that the Chancellor wold practiſe to haue it by force, he fledde vnto Earle Iohn, requiring him of syde and ſuccour.

The Chancellor on the other parte perceyuing what hatred diuers of the nobles bare vnto hym, he thought good to prouyde for his owne ſuertye the beſte that hee coulde, and therefore he ſent for a power of men from the partyes of beyonde the ſea, but bicauſe he thought it to long to ſtaye till they came, he commeth to Lincolne,The Lord C[...] cellour beſiegeth the caſte[...] of Lincolne. with ſuche power as he coulde make, and beſieged the Caſtell.

Earle Iohn vv[...]neth the caſtels of Notingham and Tickuil.Earle Iohn the Kyngs brother aduertiſed hereof, reyſed ſuche numbers of men as he might make of hys frendes, ſeruauntes and tenauntes, and wyth ſmalle a doe wanne the Caſtelles of Nottyngham and Tickhill within two dayes ſpace.

This done, hee ſendeth to the Lorde Chauncellour, commaundyng hym eyther to breake vp his ſiege, or elſe to prepare for battaile. The Chancellour conſidering wyth hym ſelfe that there was ſmall truſte to bee put in diuers of thoſe Lordes that were with him, bearing good will to Earle Iohn, and but hollowe hartes towardes hym,The Chauncellour rayſeth his ſiege vvith dishonour. reyſed his ſiege and departed wyth dyſhonour. Not long after, one of hys hornes was broken off by the deathe of Pope Clement, wherby his power Legantine ceſſed: and herewith being ſomwhat abaſhed, he commeth to a cōmunication wyth Earle Iohn, and vpon certayne conditions, maketh peace wyth him.The Lorde Chauncellour and earle Iohn are agreed. Shortly after the ſouldyers which he had ſent for, doe arryue in Englande, and then hee began to goe from the agreemente made wyth Earle Iohn, affyrmyng that he woulde eyther dryue the ſame Earle out of Englande, or elſe ſhulde Earle Iohn doe the like to hym:The Chauncellour breaketh the agreement. For it was not of largeneſſe ſufficient to holde them bothe. Yet ſhortelye after peace was efteſoones concluded betwixte them,The lord Chā cellor and erle [...]ohn make an other agrement with condition, that if it chaunced kyng Rycharde to departe this life before his retourne into Englande, not leauing any iſſue of hys bodie begotten, that then the Chancellour renouncyng the ordinaunce made by king Richarde, who had inſtituted his Nephew Arthur Duke of Britayne to be his heyre and ſucceſſour) ſhoulde conſent to admit Earle Iohn for king of Englande contrarye to the ſayde ordynaunce. But in the meane time it was agreed that Earle Iohn ſhulde deliuer vp the caſtels of Notingham and Tickhyll, Notyngham to the handes of Wyllyam Marſhall, and Tickhil to the handes of Wyllyam Wendenall, they to keepe the ſame vnto the vſe and behoofe of king Richarde, that vpon his retourne he might doe wyth them as ſhulde pleaſe him: but if it ſo chaunced, that hee ſhulde dye before he coulde retourne from his voyage, or that the Chancellour wente from the agreement nowe taken, then immediatlye ſhulde the foreſayd caſtelles of Notingham and Tickhill be reſtored vnto Earle Iohn.

Moreouer, the other caſtels of ſuche honours as wer aſſigned to Earle Iohn by the king his brother, were commytted vnto the cuſtodye of certayne perſons of great truſt and loyalty, as the caſtell of Wallingforde to the Archebiſhop of Rouen, the caſtell of Briſtowe to the biſhop of Lincolne, the caſtel of the Peake, to the Biſhoppe of Couentry, the caſtell of Boleſofres vnto Richard del Peake (or if he refuſed, then ſhoulde the biſhop of Couentrey haue it in keping) the caſtell of Eye was comitted to Walter Fitz Roberte, the caſtell of Herford to Roger Bigot, and to Richard Revel the caſtels of Exceter and Launſton. Theſe perſons to whō theſe caſtels were thus cōmitted to be kept, receiued alſo an othe, y^t they ſhuld faithfully kepe them to the kings behoofe, & if he chanced to die, before he ſhulde retourne, then the ſame ſhould be deliuered vnto Earle Iohns handes.

Alſo there were .iij. caſtelles that pertayned to the crowne delyuered,Caſtels deli[...] red in truſt as the keeping [...] certain per[...] lykewyſe in truſte as the caſtell of Winſor vnto the Earle of Arundell, the caſtell of Wincheſter vnto Gilbert de Lacye, and the caſtell of Northampton vnto Simon de Pateſhulle.

It was alſo agreed, that Biſhoppes, Abbots, Earles, and Barons, Valuaſores, and Freehoulders ſhoulde not bee diſſeyſed of theyr landes, goodes or catailes otherwiſe than by order of the Iuſtices or officers of the king, ſo that they ſhulde be iudged in the kings courtes according to the lawfull cuſtomes and ordynaunces of the Realme: and lykewyſe Earle Iohn ſhoulde cauſe the ſame orders to be obſerued throughe all his landes: and if any man attempted to doe otherwiſe vpon ſupporte or mainteinaunce of the Earle Iohn, hee ſhoulde ſtande to be refourmed by the Archebiſhoppe of Rouen if he chaunced then to be in Englande, and by the kings Iuſtices, and by thoſe that hadde ſworne to obſerue this peace: and alſo Earle Iohn him ſelfe at theyr requeſt ſhoulde ſee ſuche reformation to bee hadde. All thoſe Caſtels that had bene buylte or begunne to bee buylded ſith the Kinges paſſage ouer towards his iourney, ſhould be raſed, and no new made or fortifyed tyll hys retourne, excepte in Manours perteyning to the Kyngs demayne, if neede required, or by hys ſpeciall commaundemente, eyther by Letters, or ſufficiente meſſengers. The Sheriffwike of Lincolne which the Lord Chancellor had aſſigned vnto William de Stuteville ſhould be reſtored vnto Gerarde de Camville, who had day apointed hym to apere in the kings court, to hear what might be layd againſt him: & if ſuche matter coulde be proued, for y^e which he ought to loſe y^e ſayd ſheriffwike & the caſtell of Lincolne, then he ſhould depart frō them by iudgemēt of y^e court, or elſe not. Neither ſhuld erle Iohn maintain him againſt y^t iudgemēt of y^t court, nor ſhuld receyue any outlaws, or ſuch as were notoriouſly knowen for enimies to the king, and ſo named, nor ſhuld ſuffer thē to be recepted within precinct of his liberties: & to hold, maintein & obſerue this peace. The ſaid earle & Chācellor ſware in the hand of y^e Archb. of Rouen w^t .7. barons on either part. On the part of earle Iohn theſe were the names of them that receued y^t othe: Stephā Ridell his Chancellor, William de la Mare, Rob. de la Mare, Philip de Turecheſter, Williā de Kahennes, Gilbert Baſſet, & Williā de Montacute. On the Chācellors part, y^e erles of Arundell and Saliſbury, Earle Roger Bigot, and the Earle of Clare, with Walter Fitz Robert, Williā de Breuſe, and Roger Fitz Ramfray. Theſe things were concluded in this ſorte, the authoritie and commaundement of the king yet in all things ſaued and reſerued: but ſo that if before his returne hee ſhoulde ſignifie his pleaſure to the contrary of the ordinances aboue mē tioned, then ſhould the Caſtels of Nottingham and Tickhill be reſtored vnto Earle Iohn notwithſtanding whatſoeuer the King ſhould commaund touching the ſame.

An. Reg. 3. Math. VVeſt. [...]olidor.
Geffrey the Archbiſhop [...] Yorke. [...]g. Houed.Thus was the peace concluded eftſoones betwixt Earle Iohn and the Chauncellour.

In this meane while, the elect Archbyſhop of Yorke Geffrey, after long ſute and many delaies contriued, ſpecially by the Chauncellor, obteyned his Pall, being conſecrated by the Archbyſhop of Tours, by vertue of Bulles obteined from Pope Celeſtine.

The Chauncellor aduertiſed heereof, and vnderſtanding that hee meant to come ſhortly into England to be inſtalled, he was in a great chaft, bycauſe that during the time of the vacation, hee had vſed the reuenewes of that See at his pleaſure, and therefore now to forgoe them, hee was nothing contented. Heerevpon hee wrote his letters vnto Mathew de Clere, Sherife of Kente in this forme: [...]at. Paris, 
[...]he Lorde [...]hancellors [...]ters to the [...]crife of [...]nte. Praecipimus tibi quod ſi Eboracen. Electus ad aliquem portum in balliua tua applicuerit, aut aliquis nunciorum eius, eum retineri facias, donec mandatum noſtrum inde receperis. Et ſimiliter praecipimus, quòd omnes literas Papae aut magnialicuius viri, quae illic venerint, facias retineri. The Engliſh whereof is this. Wee commaunde you, that if the elect of Yorke ſhall arriue at any Port or Hauen within your Baiſywicke, or any meſſenger of his, that you cauſe them to be arreſted, and kepte, till you haue commaundement from me therein. And I commaunde you likewiſe, to ſtay, attach, and keepe all letters that come from the Pope, or any other great mā. Such care had the Chancellour in this matter. [...]lidor. 
[...]e death of [...]e Archbyſhop of Canterbury.
Taxtor. Likewiſe, wheras Baldwine the Archbiſhoppe of Caunterbury, hauing taken his iourney into the holy lande, and arriuing there before the Kyng, chaunced to depart his life at Tyrus, the laſt yeare, vppon the feaſt day of Saint Edmonde. The Chancellour founde meanes to keepe that See alſo vacante, that he might receyue the profites thereof, during the vacation, and finde meane to bee prepared to it in the ende. But as touching the See of Yorke, although he had (as before is ſayd) made his hande of the reuenewes belonging to the ſame from tyme to tyme at hys pleaſure, yet nowe after that he hearde howe Geffrey hadde receyued the palle, hee made hauocke waſting and ſpoyling all that woulde yeelde hym any money, without reſpect of right or wrong. Moreouer, he cauſed the hauens to bee watched, with commaundemente giuen to the Townes on the ſea coaſt,The Archbyſhop of Yorke arriueth and is committed to warde. that they ſhoulde not ſuffer the Archbiſhop Geffrey to take lande. At length yet he arriued at Douer, where he was by the foreſayd Mathew de Clere firſt ſtayed, and after taken out of the Abbey by the Chauncelloures commaundemente, and committed to pryſon within the Caſtell, where was capitayne a noble man that had maried the Chancellors ſiſter.

The newes of whoſe enpriſonement was anon bruted thorough the realme, wherwith the nobles fretted, and the commons curſſed: finally all men deteſted ſuch tyrannie in the Chauncellour. But namely the Kings brother Earle Iohn ſtormed at the matter, and with all ſpede aſſembled an armie out of thoſe places where he bare rule, encreaſing the number with a power of Welchemen. There came to him the biſhop of Wincheſter, with many Earles and barons, alſo the biſhop of Bathe and Cheſter, whyche lately before hadde bene chiefe fauourers of the Chauncellour in all his doings: but nowe that the worlde was chaunged, they ſhewed themſelues the moſt earneſt enimies hee had, as well in wordes as actes.

In an aſſemblie of all the Biſhoppes of England, al thoſe were excommunicate in ſolemne wiſe, with Candles light, and other ſuche Ceremonies which hadde eyther giuen commaundement, or were preſent as partakers, to pull out of the Church the Archbiſhop of Yorke, or his people by violence, and had impriſoned them in maner (as before yee haue heard) but this was after the Archbiſhop was ſet at libertie, as ſhould appeare by Mathew Paris, for the Chauncelloure repenting himſelfe, (thoughe now too late) of hys cruell dealing againſt the Archbyſhop of Yorke, wherewith hee hadde kindled ſuche a brande againſte him) commaunded the ſaid Archbyſhop, (namely at the inſtante ſute of the Biſhoppe of London,) or rather at the commaundemente of Earle Iohn as Houeden hath) to be ſet at libertie. But the diſpleaſure once kindled in the harts of the Nobles, coulde not ſo eaſily bee quenched with his deliuerie, as it was ſpeedily ſet on fire by his empriſonment, ſo that they being now in armour, purpoſed to abate the pride of the Chauncellor, Rog. Houed. 
The Chancellour ſummoned to appeare and to deliuer the common wealth of ſuch an vglie Tiraunt. And heerewith to begin, they ſummoned and aſſigned hym a peremptory daye to appeare at Reading, to make aunſwere vnto ſuch iniuries as he had done againſt the Archbyſhop of Yorke, and the Byſhop of Durham, ſithence the departure of his ſoueraigne Lorde the Kyng. At whiche daye, there came to Readyng Earle Iohn, and the Archbyſhoppe of Rouen, with many other Byſhops, Earles, and barons, abiding there all that day, to ſee if the Chauncelloure woulde appeare or no: but hee came not: wherevppon they prepared to marche foorthe towards London. And therwithall ſet forward in like maner. He on the other ſide beyng a man of a greate courage, had gathered an army of ſuche ſtraungers and other his friendes as hee coulde make, and therewith went foorth, and encamped neere vnto Windſor, there to abide his aduerſaries, and to giue them battayle, if they came forward and would abide it. But when they approched, and that hee perceyued howe dyuers of his friendes ſhranke from him and went to hys enimies, he durſt not attempt the hazard of a field, but fledde backe to London,The Chancellor retireth to London. and there withdrew into the Tower, with all hys hoſt, bycauſe hee durſt not committe himſelfe to the doubtfull felowſhip of the Citizens. Through his great pride and ſtately port which he mainteyned, as partly yee haue heard, hee had procured to himſelfe, no ſmall hatred amongſt all degrees of menne. And namely ſuche as by the Kyngs appoyntmente oughte to haue bin parteners with him in gouernement of the Realm, ſore repined at his preſumptuous proceedings, for that he diſdeyned, as it ſeemed, to vſe their aduice, or to ioyne thē with him in the adminiſtration of things, ſo that nowe in time of his trouble, he wiſt not in whome hee might put truſt.

After hee was thus retired into the Tower of London, Earle Iohn the Archbiſhoppe of Rouen, and the other Biſhops, Earles, and Barons aſſociate togither againſte hym, followe him at the heeles, enter the Citie, and beſiege the Tower on each ſide. And on the morrowe after, being the fourth day after the Octaues of Sainte Michaell, they come togither into Poules church yarde, where they publikely declare the iniurious wrongs done and practiſed by the Chauncellour,A decla[...] made aga[...] the Lorde Chancel[...] namely againſt the Archbiſhop of Yorke, and the Biſhop of Durham. Thoſe alſo that had bin appointed as aſſociates with him, accuſed hym in that he had taken vpon him to rule and gouerne all things after his owne ſelfe will, not vouching ſaue to haue their aduice or councell in ſuche ſorte as had bin conuenient. The Archbiſhop of Rouen, and William Marſhall Earle of Pembroke ſhewed there afore all the people the Kyngs letters which he hadde ſent from Meſſina,The te[...] this letter he rea[...] appear[...]. appoynting that they ſhoulde bee aſſociate with hym in gouernement of the Kingdome, and that without the councell and aduice of them and others aſſigned thereto, hee ſhoulde not meddle with the rule of the land, and that if hee ſhoulde doe anye thing to the hinderaunce of the common wealthe, or ſeeke to meddle with the affayres of the Realme, withoute theyr good aduice, that then he ſhould be depoſed.

Heerevppon it ſeemed good to Earle Iohn, and to all the Biſhoppes, Earles and Barons of the Realme, and to the Citizens of London there aſſembled, that the ſayd Chancellour ſhould bee depoſed, and ſo they proceeded, and depoſed him indeede, appoynting the Archbiſhoppe of Rouen in his place, who woulde not take vppon him to do anye thing touching the rule of the land, without conſent of his aſſociates aſſigned to him, and the Barons of the Eſchecker.

The ſame day, Earle Iohn, and the Archbiſhop of Rouen and other of the Kings Iuſtices, [...]e Citizens London. graunted to the Citizens of London the priuiledge of their communaltie, and the ſayde Earle and Archbiſhop, and in manner all the Byſhops, Earles and Barons of the Realme, ſware to mainteyne the ſayd priuiledge firme and ſtable, ſo long as ſhould pleaſe their ſoueraigne Lorde. And the Citizens of Londō ſware to be true, and to do their faithfull ſeruice vnto Kyng Richarde and his heires, and if hee chanced to die withoute iſſue, then to receyue Earle Iohn the brother of Kyng Richarde for their King and ſoueraigne Lord, and therevpon ſware fealty to him againſt all men, ſauing that whiche they owed vnto hys brother Kyng Richard. The Chancellor perceyuing the multitude to be ſuche whiche hee hadde with him in the Tower, as the place was not able to hold them any long tyme, after he had remayned within it one night, he came foorth vnto Earle Iohn, and to the other that were thus entred the Citie, and now ready to beſiege hym, of whome, hee getteth licence for them that were encloſed within the Tower, to departe withoute domage, [...]e Chaun [...]lor yeel [...]th vp the [...]wer. and therewith delyuered vp the Tower vnto the handes of the Archbiſhoppe of Rouen, with the Caſtell of Windſor and certayne other Caſtels, which he held within the Realme, but not all: notwithſtanding hee couenaunted to make deliuerie of the reſidue which yet remained in the hands of them whome hee had appoynted to the keeping of the ſame. And for aſſurance of that couenaunt to be performed before he departed the Realme, hee deliuered his breethren and one that was hys Chamberlayne, to remayne with the Lords as hoſtages. And this done, hee haſted to Caunterbury, where he promiſed to receyue the Croſſe of a Pilgrime to goe into the holy lande, and to render vp the Croſſe of hys Legateſhip, whiche he had vſurped a yeare and a halfe after the death of Pope Clemente, to y^e preiudice of the Churche of Rome, and to the detrimente and greate hinderaunce of the Engliſhe Church, [...]e print of [...] Legates [...]oſle. for ther was not any one Church within the Realme whyche hadde not bin put to fyne and Raunſome by that Croſſe, nor any eccleſiaſticall perſon went free, but the print of y^e Croſſe appeared in him and his purſe. From Caunterbury, he getteth hym to Douer vnto his brother in law, and fynally ſeekyng meanes to paſſe ouer into Fraunce, and doubting to be diſcouered, he apparrelled himſelfe in womans rayment,The Biſhop of Elie late Lord Chancellor diſguiſeth himſelfe in womans apparrell. got a webbe of cloth on his arme, as though he hadde bene ſome huſwifely woman of the countrey, but by the vntowardly folding & vncūning handling of his cloth, (or rather by a lewde fiſherman that tooke him for an harlotte) hee was ſuſſpected and ſearched ſo narrowly,He is bewraid that by hys priuy members he was prooued to be a man, and at length, knowen, attached, and committed to priſon, after hee hadde bene reprochfully handled by them that founde hym, and by the Wiues of the Towne, in ſuche vnſeemely apparrell.Earle not the Biſhops friend Earle Iohn woulde haue hadde hym puniſhed, and putte to ſome open reproofe for hys paſſed tyrannicall doyngs, but the Byſhoppes, and other of the Barons, for reuerence of hys order, procured hys delyueraunce, with licence to paſſe ouer into Normandy, where hee was borne.

Thus was the Biſhoppe of Elie depoſed from hys office of being Chauncellour, and not withoute warrant, for in very deede,Mat. Par. King Richarde hauing receyued aduertiſementes from the Lordes and Peeres of the Realme, of the Chauncellors preſumptuous and hautie demeanor, with wrongs offered to dyuers perſons, wrote to them agayne in this wiſe.

RIcharde Kyng of Englande ſendeth greetyng to William Marſhall, to Gilberte Fitz Peter, and Henry Berdulfe, and to William Brewer Peeres. If it ſo chaunce that oure Chauncelloure hathe not faythfully handled the affayres and buſineſſe of oure Realme (committed vnto hym) by the aduice and councell of you, and other to whom wee haue haue alſo aſſigned the charge of gouernemente of the ſame Realme: wee commaund you, that according to youre diſpoſition in all things to bee done concerning the gouernemente thereof, you order and diſpoſe as well for eſchetes, as all other things. &c. By force of this commiſſion, the Lords were the bolde[...] to proceede againſte hym as ye haue heard.The Biſhop of Earle compleyneth of hys wrongs receyued. After his comming into the parties of beyonde the Seas, he ceaſſed not with letters and meſſengers to preſent his complainte to the Pope of Rome and to King Richarde, of the iniuries receyued at the hands of Earle Iohn and his complices.The Popes letters vnto the Archbiſhop and Biſhops of Englande. And heerevpō Pope Celeſtine wrote indeede to all the Archbiſhops and Byſhops that were within the Realme of England, in behalfe of the ſayd Biſhop of Elie, declaryng, that for as much as the King of Englande was gone into the holy lande to warre againſt the enimies of oure faythe, leauyng hys Kyngdome vnder the protection of the Apoſtolyke See, hee coulde not but haue ſpeciall regard to ſee that the ſtate, rightes and honor thereof, were preſerued from all daunger of decay:Note how the Pope defendeth hys Chapleynes. wherevppon, vnderſtanding that there had bene certayne attemptes made by Iohn Earle of Mortaigne, and others, both againſte the King, and the Biſhop of Elie, that was not onely Legate of the Apoſtolyke See▪ but alſo gouernoure of the land appoynted by the King▪ whyche attempte ſounded greatly to the reproche of the Churche of Rome, and danger of domage to enſue to Kyng Richard, if remedie were not the ſooner founde: wherefore he commaunded them by vertue of their obedience, to excommunicate the Earle of Mortaigne, or any other that was knowen to haue layde any violent hands vppon the ſayde Biſhoppe of Ely, or deteyned him as Capt[...]ne, or enforced hym to any othe, or elſe had chaunged the ſtate of rule in the Kingdome of England to other forme, than Kyng Richarde had ordeyned at his ſetting forwarde towards the holy land: and that not only all the councellors, auctors, ayders and complices of thoſe that had committed ſuch outrage, but alſo theyr landes ſhould ſtande interdited, ſo that no deuine ſeruice ſhoulde be vſed within precinct of the ſame, except pennaunce and Chriſtning of Infants. This to remayne till the ſayde Byſhop and Kyngdome were reſtored into the former eſtate: and that the parties excommunicated, ſhuld preſent themſelues with letters from the Biſhops vnto the Apoſtolike See to be aſſoyled. &c. Heerevppon alſo the Biſhop of Ely himſelfe wrote vnto the Byſhop of Lincolne and other, touchyng this matter: but the Biſhoppes did neyther anye thing in accompliſhment of the effect of y^e Popes letters, nor at his owne contemplatiō. And therfore perceyuing ſmall help to come that way, hee ſoughte to obteyne the fauor and friendſhippe of Earle Iohn, and of his mother Quene Eleanor. In the meane time, the Lords, Barons and Prelates of the Realme after they had depriued hym of all authoritie, and baniſhed him ſoorthe of the lande, they ordeyned the Archbiſhop of Rouen in fauour of the Kings commiſſion,The Ar[...] ſhop of [...] chiefe g[...] nour of E[...] lande. to haue y^e chiefe rule and adminiſtration of things touchyng all the affayres of the common wealth, but yet ſo as Earle Iohn had the doings in many poyntes, ſo that he might ſeeme in manner as aſſociate with him, whereof ſprang muche inconuenience. For this Iohn beeing a man (as hee is noted by ſome writers) of an ambitious nature, was ſuſpected to aſpire vnto the Kyngdome. In ſo much, that hee had ioyned with the French King after the ſame King was returned forth of the holy land againſt his brother Kyng Richard, if his mother Quene Eleanor hadde not perſwaded him to the contrary.

Whileſt theſe things were a doyng, R[...]g. H[...] VVil P[...] 
Fift[...]e[...] Functi[...] other ag[...] with H[...] as Ger[...] Me[...]cu[...] [...] ting Alt[...] cus a [...] on the twelfth day of Iuly, the Citie of Acres was ſurrendred into the Chriſtian mens handes, for the Soldan Saladine (beeyng approched neere to the ſiege of the Chriſtians with a puiſſaunte Army in hope to haue reyſed theyr ſiege) when hee perceyued it lay not in hys power to worke any feate to the ſuccoure of hys people within the Citie, and that they were ſo conſtreyned that they muſt needes yeelde, hee holpe to make theyr compoſition, and promiſed to performe certayne couenauntes on their behalfe.

Heerevppon, the Saraſynes within Acres couenaunted not onely to delyuer the Citie vnto the Chriſtians with fyue hundred Priſoners of Chriſtians whyche they hadde within the ſame, but alſo to procure that the holye Croſſe ſhoulde bee to them deliuered, with a thouſande other Chriſtian Priſoners, ſuche as the Chriſtian Princes ſhoulde appoynte out of thoſe numbers whyche Saladyne hadde in hys cuſtodye, and further, to gyue them two hundred thouſande Beſans.

And tyll theſe couenauntes were performed, it was agreede, that the Saraſynes whyche were at that preſente lefte within the Citie, ſhoulde remayne as pledges, vnder condition, that if the ſame couenauntes were not performed within fortie dayes, then ſhoulde they ſtande at the mercy of the Chriſtian Princes as touchyng lyfe and lymme.

Theſe thyngs thus concluded, and the Citie yeelded vp into the Chriſtian mens handes,The Citie of Acres. the Frenche Kyng vppon enuy and malice conceyued agaynſte Kyng Richarde although hee pretended ſickneſſe for e[...]cuſ[...] departed homewardes,The Fre[...] K. ret[...] home. ſetting from Actes the laſt daye of Iuly. Nowe then, after the departure of Kyng Phillippe, when the daye approched, in the whiche the Saraſines ſhoulde performe the couenauntes, or elſe ſtande to the iudgement of lyfe and death at the pleaſure of the Chriſtian Princes. It was perceiued that the couenantes would not bee fulfilled according to the agremeent. For Saladyne, as it well appeared, mente not to performe that which for the ſafegarde of his men hee had vndertaken, and did but dally with the Chriſtians to prolong the time, whervpō ſentēce was giuen forthe that for defaulte in ſuche behalfe, the Saraſynes remayning as pledges ſhuld loſe their heades. Saladyne hauing knowledge thereof, ſent worde to King Richard and to the whole Chriſtian army, that if his people that were in the chriſtion mens hands loſt their heades, he would not faile but cauſe the heades of all thoſe Chriſtians which he had in captiuitie to be cut off likewiſe: but notwithſtāding this anſwere on the fourtene day of Auguſt King Richarde iſſued forth of the citie paſſing the vttermoſt ditches and encamped himſelfe neere y^e army of Saladyne, who y^e ſame day ſent vnto King Richarde riche preſentes requyring of hym a longer day for performaunce of the couenauntes,Saladine cauſeth the Chriſtian priſoners to be beheaded. but that would not be granted: wherefore vpon the ſayd denyall, Saladyne cauſed al thoſe Chriſtian priſoners which he had in his handes to be beheaded vpō y^e eightenth day of Auguſt, on whyche day Kyng Rycharde aduaunced forth towardes the lodgings of the Saraſins, and ſkirmiſhed wyth them very hottely, ſo that manye were wounded and ſlayne on both parts: amōgſt other one of King Richards companions at al exerciſes named Peter Mignot loſt his life there. Furthermore, although K. Richard heard that Saladyne had put to death the chriſtian priſoners in ſuche wiſe as you haue harde, yet woulde not hee preuente his terme appointed for the execution of the Saraſyns that were in hys cuſtody, but abiding vnto the twentie day of Auguſt, he then cauſed thoſe Saraſyns whiche fel to his lot, at the time of the ſurrender of Acres being in number about .2600. to be brought foorth of the citie, and neere to the walles in the ſight of Saladine and all his hoſt, they had their heads chopped off.

The Duke of Burgoigne cauſed execution to be done within the citie of thoſe whiche fell to the French Kings ſhare, the number of the which roſe to two thouſande and foure hundred, or thereaboutes, for the whole number was reckned to bee about fyue thouſande that thus loſte theyr lyues through the inconſtancie of their Prince.Rog. Houed. Yet diuers of the principall had their liues ſaued. The Sarazens themſelues alſo ſpake muche euill of Saladine for this matter, bycauſe that refuſing to performe the articles of couenauntes, he hadde occaſioned the enimie to ſlea thoſe that hadde ſo valiantly ſerued in defence of the Citie, to the vttermoſt ieopardie of their liues.Gerua. Dor[...]. But now to leaue foraine matters, and to returne home into England: We finde that the ſecond of December, the Monkes of Caunterbury choſe to their Archbyſhop Reginald Biſhop of Bath, the which within fifteene dayes after his election, departed thys life, and lyeth buried at Bath. Alſo this yere, or as Gerua. Doro. hath in the yere following, the Biſhop of Durham ſought meanes to withdraw his ſubiection frō y^t Archbiſhop of Yorke, for whyche attempt,S[...]le betwixt the Archbyſhop of Yorke and the Byſhop of Durham. the Archbiſhoppe of Yorke vpon truſt of the Popes graunte, did not excommunicate the ſayd Biſhop, notwithſtanding that hee appealled to the Popes conſiſtory three ſeuerall tymes, putting his owne matter and his Churches to be examined and tryed by the Pope, wherevpon hee obeyed not the excommunication: and ſignifying the cauſe vnto Rome, obteyned ſuche fauor, that the Pope and his Cardinals reuerſed the ſentēce, and iudged the excommunication to be of none effect. And further they decreed, that if the Archbiſhop of Yorke had broken the Aulters and Chalices, as information was giuen, in whiche the Biſhoppe of Durham had celebrated after his appeale made to the Courte of Rome, that then ſhoulde the ſayd Byſhop of Durham be acquited from owing any ſubiection to the ſayde Archbyſhop for ſo long as they two ſhould liue togither. True it is, that the Archbiſhop had not only broken the Aulters and Chalices which the Byſhop had vſed in deede for the celebration of Maſſe, but alſo helde his owne brother Iohn Earle of Mortaigne, for excommunicate, bycauſe hee had eate and dronke in company of the ſayd Byſhop, and would not communicate with him, till hee came to receyue abſolution, and to make ſatiſfaction for his fault. In the end, the Biſhops of Lincolne and Rocheſter, with the Abbot of Peterburgh, were appointed by the Pope to haue the hearyng of this matter, as Iudges, authoriſed by hys Bulles, who ſate therevpon at Northampton, vppon Saint Kalixt hys daye, where after they had heard both parties argue what they could in eyther of their caſes, they gaue a longer day, that is to witte, till the feaſt of the natiuitie of Sainct Iohn Baptiſt nexte after, to ſee if by anye good meanes there mighte ſome agreement haue bene hadde betwixt them, or, if that coulde not bee, that then the Popes letters to ſtande in force as before, and the helps of eyther parte ſaued, as though no delay hadde bin vſed. And to thys, both parties were agreeable, ſpecially at the motion of the Byſhoppe of Lincolne.

This yeare alſo, Roger de Lacy Conneſtable of Cheſter, tooke Alan de Lee,Roger Lacy Conneſta[...] of Cheſter. and Peter de Bouencort, and vppon deſpite hanged them, for that beeyng put in truſt amongſt other with the keepyng of the Caſtels of Nottingham and Tickhill▪ which he had receyued into his cuſtody of the Biſhop of Elie Lord Chauncellor, they had conſented to the treaſon of Roberte de Crokeſton, Endo de Duville, which deliuered the ſame Caſtels vnto Iohn Earle of Mortaigne. The ſame Earle of Mortaigne was highly offended for the death of thoſe two perſons, and therefore waſted the lands of the ſaid Roger which lay within the compaſſe of his iuriſdiction.

But now touching the departure of the Frēch King from Acres, diuers occaſions are remembred by Writers of the emulation and ſecret ſpite which he ſhould beare towardes King Richarde, and beſide other already touched, one was, for enterteyning and relieuing y^e Erle of Champaigne in ſuche bountifull wiſe in his neceſſitie, that hee was ready to forſake the Frenche Kings ſeruice, and cleaue to Kyng Richard: but howſoeuer it came to paſſe partly through enuy as hathe bene thought, conceyued at the great deedes of Kyng Richarde, whoſe greate power and valiancie hee could not well abide, and partly for other reſpects hym moouing, hee tooke the Sea with three galltys of the Genewes, and returned firſt into Italy, and ſo home into Fraunce, hauing promiſed firſt vnto Kyng Richarde at hys departure out of the holy lande, and after to Pope Celeſtine at Rome, that hee woulde not attempte any hurtfull enterpriſe againſte the Engliſhe dominions, till King Richarde ſhoulde be returned foorth of the holy land: but this promiſe was not kept, [...]e euill dea [...]g and [...]each of [...]miſe of [...] French K. for after that he was returned into Fraunce, hee firſte ſoughte to procure the foreſayde Earle Iohn King Richards brother, to rebell agaynſte him, promiſing him not onely ayde to reduce all his brothers dominions into his handes, but alſo to giue him his ſiſter Adela in marriage, whome King Richard vpon ſuſpition of vnchaſt lyuing, had forſaken (as before yee haue heard) but when Earle Iohn was diſſwaded by his mother, from accepting this offer (which otherwiſe as it is ſaid he would willingly haue receyued,) King Phillip ſtill reteyned a malitious rancor in his hart, and in reuenge of olde diſpleaſures, woulde haue attempted y^e war againſt y^e ſubiectes of K. Richard, if his Lords woulde haue ioyned with hym: but they conſidering what ſlaunder woulde redound hereof, both to him and them for the iniurie done to the Chriſtian common wealthe, in making warre againſte hym that was occupyed in defence of the faith againſte the common enimies of Chriſtendome, would not giue theyr cō ſente hereto, and ſo the matter reſted, till Kyng Richarde was taken priſoner in Almaigne, and then what followed, it ſhall after appeare.

In this meane while, VVil. Par. 
Enuious diſcord among the Chriſtiās. the Chriſtian army atchieued ſome worthy enterpriſes in the holye lande, thoughe not many, by reaſon of ſuche enuious diſcord as reigned amongſt the chiefe gouernours. It chaunced yet on the euen of the Natiuitie of our Ladye nexte after the departure of king Phillip, as king Richard marched forth towards Iapha antiently called Ioppe, the Soldan Saladine taking the aduantage of the place, ſet vpon the rerewarde of the Chriſtians:King Richard diſcomfiteth the Saraſynes neere to Porte Iaph. but hys Saraſynes (after they had fought right fiercelye from noone [...]ill ſunne ſetting) were ſo beaten backe at lengthe, and repulſed with ſuche loſſe, that in fortie yeares before, they hadde not ſuſteyned at one tyme greater domage.

Amongſt other of the Chriſtians ſlayne at that encounter, was one Iames Dauenes, a mā of high prowes and valiancie.

[...]g. Houed.Moreouer, Kyng Richarde wanne dyuers Townes and Caſtels out of the enimies hands, as Aſcalon, Darus, and dyuers other, and ſome hee fortifyed, as Aſcalon aforeſayde, and Porte Iaph, otherwiſe called Ioppa. There were ſundry encounters alſo betwixte the Saraſynes and Chriſtians, wherein Kyng Richarde and hys people bare themſelues ſo manfully, that the victory for the moſt parte continually reſted on their ſide.

1192At one time alſo, hearing of a great conuoy of vittayles, munitions and other things whiche came from Babylone towardes Ieruſalem to furniſh Saladine and hys army (whych conuoys they call Caravann[...]s) Kyng Richarde with a competente power of menne mette them on the way, and diſtreſſed thoſe that were attendaunte vppon the ſafegarde of that carriage, beeing in number aboute two thouſande Horſemen, beſyde a greate multitude of footemenne, and therewith tooke the carriages with foure, thouſande and ſyxe hundred Cammels and Drommodaries, beſyde an innumerable ſort of Mules, Aſſes, and other beaſtes of burthen.

But to ſpeake of all the worthy exploytes atchieued by King Richarde and his valiant Captaynes there in the holy lande againſte the Infidels, it woulde require a long treatiſe, and therefore heere we paſſe them ouer.

This is to bee noted, that amongſt other of whome wee finde honorable mention made by writers for their high valiancie ſhewed in thoſe exploytes,The names of ſuch noble men as were famous for their valiant doings in this voyage. theſe are named as chiefe, Robert Erle of Leyceſter, Hubert Byſhop of Saliſburie, with the Earles of Saint Paule and Dreux, beſide diuers other, as Hugh de Gourney, William de Borrez, Walcline de Ferrers, Roger de Toony, Iames de Auenes, the Byſhop of Beanuoys, William de Barres, William de Tarland, Drogo de Merlo, Robert de Nealle, Henry Fitz Nicholas, Roberte de Newburg, Raufe de Sainte Mary, Arnald du Boys, Henry de Ma[...]loc, William and Saul de Bruil, Andrew de Chauigny, Henry de Gray, Peter de Pratellis, Stephen de Turnham, Baldwin Carron, Clarenbalde de Mont Chablon, Manſer de Lyſle, Richarde Deorques, and Theoderike Phillip, Ferrike de Vienne, Gilberte Malemayne, Alexander d' Arſy, Stephen de Longehamp, Seguin de Barret, Roger de Glanuille, Raymond Fitz Prince, Bartholmew de Mortimer Gerard Furniual, Raufe de Malleon,de Pole alias de Stragno. Roger de Sacy, William de Poole, Hugh de Neuill, Hēry Teutch, or if ye will Te[...] tonicus the Kings Standerdbearer, with dyuers other, as well Engliſhmen, Frenchmen, Normans, Poictouins, Iniouines, Britons, Gaſcoignes, as of other nations, of whome partly mention is already made before in this booke, and partly for breefeneſſe dyuers are omitted. But nowe to returne, ſure it is, that Kyng Richarde meant to haue recouered the Citie of Ieruſalem, and all the holy land out of the Sarazens hands, by the aſſiſtance of almighty God. If the doubte whiche hee had of his brother the Earle of Mortaings practiſes, and the French Kings doyngs, whiche were brought to him with a greeuous report, had not reuoked him home: for diuers meſſē gers were ſent dayly into the holy land to aduertiſe hym of ſuch daungers as were like to enſue,Galf. Vinſaf. if by his ſpeedy returne the ſame were not preuented.

And firſt after Eſter, there came to him y^e Prior of Hereforde with letters from the Biſhop of Ely, conteyning a ſore information againſt hys brother Earle Iohn, for hauing expulſed thoſe whome he had appoynted rulers ouer the Realme of England, and altred the ſtate of things there contrary to the ordinances by hym deuiſed afore his ſetting forwarde vpon his iourney (as before yee haue partly heard.) Vpon recept of which letters, he meant immediately at the firſt to haue returned, and to haue left behinde him a conuenient power of men, to witte, three hundred Knightes or men of armes, and two thouſand choſen footemen, to abide vpon the defence of the holy lande, with other Chriſtians at his coſtes and charges. But yet at length he was perſwaded to tarry ſpecially til things were ſet in ſome better ſtay, whiche then were out of order by y^e death of the Marques of Montferrato, Lord of Tire,The Marques of Montferrato m[...] by the A[...] fini. whome two traiterous Sarazens of y^e kinde which they name Aſſaſſini had murthered. After whoſe death, Hēry Earle of Champaigne that was nephew to kyng Richarde, married his wife, and was made K. of Ieruſalem, Guido reſigning to him his title, vnto whome as it were in recompence, King Richard gaue the Iſle of Cipres, although ſome write, y^t y^e Knightes templers had bought it of him before. Thus K. Richard remaining ſtil in the holy lād, ſhortly after Whitſontide, there came an other meſſenger to him, one Iohn de Alenzon a Clerke, bringing worſe newes out of Englande than the Prior of Hereford had broughte before, whiche in effect conteyned, that his brother Erle Iohn was alied as a confederate with the French King,Earle Iohn purpoſed [...] leaſe vpon the Kingd[...] in his brothers ab[...] and meant through his ſetting on, to ſeiſe into his poſſeſſion the whole Realme of England, notwithſtanding the perſwaſion of his mother Queene Eleanor, and other hys friendes to the contrary.

Herevpon K. Richard was fully perſwaded to returne home, but yet through the admonition of certaine perſons, and namely of one William de Poicters, a Chaplaine of his,William de Poicters Ki[...] Richards Chaplayn[...] hee eftſoones altered his purpoſe, and ſo remayned there, till at length through enuy and malice ſtill encreaſing amongſt the Chriſtians, he perceyued how no good purpoſe could goe forward, ſince that which ſeemed good to ſome, was miſliked of other: and ſpecially oure writers put great blame in the Frenchmenne, the which eyther vpon diſdeyne, or other diſpleaſure, would not be perſwaded to followe theyr aduice, whych were knowen beſt to vnderſtand the ſtate of thinges in thoſe parties. And heerevppon, when the armye was aduaunced vnto Betenoble, a place not paſt foure leagues diſtaunte from Ieruſalem, bycauſe theyr mynde myghte not bee fulfilled for the beſieging of Ieruſalem, which they had intended to take in hand where as the [...] woulde [...]er that they ſhoulde haue gone to beſiege Ba[...]lon in Egypt, and that vppon ſundry greate [...]eſpectes the French [...]tmyſed myſed theyr fielde, and [...]ed agayne to [...] in great deſpite, putting the [...] of the armie alſo ſo much as in them ſay in [...]aunger of [...] [...]ne and diſtreſſe.

An. reg. 4. King Richarde then and the other Chriſ[...]an Captaines perceyuing how y^e matter [...] ned, and giuing ouer all hope of any more good ſa[...]eſſe followed them. And after they were thus re[...]d to Acres, K. Richard [...]ll doubting leaſt his long abſence from home might putte him in daunger of more loſſe here, than hee ſawe hope of preſent gaine to be had there, in ſuch diuerſitie of humours and priuie malice which raigned amōg them, he determined fully to depart homewards, with no leſſe purpoſe to returne thither again after he had ſetled things at home in ſuch ſure ſtay as was expedient for the ſuretie of his own eſtate and quietneſſe of his people.

Herevpon being readie to enter into his ſhips at Acres, [or as ſome haue,VVil. Par, being on his iourney homewardes in Cypres,] he was aduertiſed that the Souldan Saladine had taken the towne of Iapha, ſlaine a great number of the Chriſtians within it, and beſieged the reſidue within the Caſtell, the which (conſtreyned through feare) had compounded to yeelde, if within three dayes there came no ſuccour.

King Richarde being hereof aduertiſed, and turning griefe into valiauncie, with all ſpeede ſayled backe vnto Iapha, and landing there with his people, cauſed his enimies to forſake the towne: but anon aſſembling themſelues againe togyther, [...]ing Richard [...]ſcueth Port [...]ph. thy turned once more to beſiege it, wherevpon hee iſſued forth into the fieldes, and fought with them ſundrie dayes togither, tyll finally they were content to forſake theyr enterpriſe and to depart thence for altogyther.

In theſe conflicts the valiant courage of king Richarde, [...]d. Niger. [...]at. Paris. and the worthie manhoode of his ſouldiers right well appeared: for hee brought not with him at that tyme vnto Iapha about .lxxx. men of armes, and foure hundred other ſouldiers with Croſſebowes, and yet with that ſmal handfull of men, with ſome ayd of them that he found there in the Caſtell, he did not onely byd battaile to the enimies, which were numbred to .lxij.M. but alſo put them to the worſe, and cauſed them to flee backe, to theyr great ſhame and confuſion.

Thus Iapha beeing deliuered out of the enimies hands, king Richarde fell ſicke at a Caſtell called Cephas, and ſo remayned there certaine dayes, till he had recouered his health.Cephas. King Richard fell ſicke. In which meane time, the Soldan Saladine ſeeming to lament his caſe, ſent vnto him certain of his Counſellers to common with him of peace, declaring that although he well vnderſtoode that king Richarde ment ſhortly to returne into his countrey, and that after his departure out of the Eaſt parties, he coulde with ſmall ado recouer all that the Chriſtians yet helde within the holye lande, hee woulde neuertheleſſe in reſpect of king Richardes high prowes, and noble valiancie, graunt a peace for a certaine time, ſo that not only Iſcalone, but alſo al other ſuch townes and places as the Chriſtians had fortified or wonne ſith the conqueſt of Acres ſhoulde be razed, as touching their walles, bulwarkes, gates, and other fortifications. King Richard (though hee perceyued that this offer of peace tended vnto this poynt chiefly, that Saladine woulde thereby a[...]nihilate whatſoeuer the Chriſtian armie had done in the holy lande ſithe his and the French kings arriuall, ſo that by the ſayd peace he ſhould gaine more than by the edge of his ſword,) did ſomwhat ſtay at this offer and demaund as a thing greatly diſhonourable to the Chriſtians, to loſe by treatie of peace ſo muche or rather more than they gotte by force of warres, (a meere token of faynt and feeble courage) yet conſidering, that in ſuch neceſſitie both of his departure from thence, and alſo of lacke of other ſuccors to reſiſt the puiſſance of the enimies, after his cō ming away, he iudged it beſt to take the offer at the enimies handes in aduoyding of ſome greater euill.A peace concluded betwixt the Chriſtians and Sarafins. Herevpon therefore was a peace concluded to endure for three yeares, three monethes, three weekes, three dayes, & three houres, to beginne at Eaſter next enſuing. And among other articles, it was couenaunted, that the Chriſtians ſhoulde haue free paſſage to come and goe vnto the Citie of Ieruſalem to viſite the holye Sepulchre there, which was graunted, ſo that amongeſt a great number of Chriſtians that preſently vpon thys concluſion went thither,Hubert biſhop of Saliſburie. Hubert Biſhop of Saliſburie was one, who had continued aboute the king during the time of all his iourney till thys time. King Richard hauing thus cōcluded with Saladine,King Richard taketh his iorney homewardes. tooke the Sea, and comming againe into Cypres, ſent his wife Queene Berengaria with his ſiſter Ioane, late Queene of Sicell into Englande by the long Seas, but he himſelfe not minding to lie long on the Seas, determined to take his courſe into Grecia, and ſo by lande to paſſe homewardes with all ſpeede poſſible. Howbeit ere hee coulde attaine his purpoſe, his chaunce was to bee dryuen by tempeſt into the coaſt of Iſtria, not farre from Aquileia, where he ſtoode in ſome doubt of his lyfe. For if hee had beene knowne and taken, they woulde ſurely haue kylled him, bycauſe of the ſlaunder that went of him,King Richard ſlaundered for the death of the Marques of Monferrat[...]. as guiltie of the death of Conrade the Marques of Monferato, who in deede was ſlaine by two of the Aſſaſſini in the Citie of Tirus, whileſt King Richarde was in the holye lande (as before yee haue hearde.) He therefore hauing here made Shipwracke, and doubting to fall into the handes of anye perſon in thoſe parties that bare good will vnto the Marques, (agaynſt whome he had indeede ſhewed himſelfe not friendly in a quarrell betwixt the ſayd Marques and Guido the king of Ieruſalem) made the beſt ſhift he coulde to gette away, yet knowledge being hadde of him, and ſearch made after him by one Meynard of Gorezeyn, VVil. Par[...]s. 
Erle of Gorze. hee loſt an eight of hys ſeruauntes, and ſo came to a towne within the Biſhoprike of Saltzburg called Fryſake,Saltzburg. where he was eftſoones in daunger to haue beene taken againe by one Frederike de Saint Soome, who notwithſtanding tooke ſixe of hys menne, but yet hee himſelfe wyth three other of hys companie made ſhift to get awaye. And finally comming to Vien in Oſtriche,King Richard commeth to Vienna. and there cauſing his ſeruauntes to prouide meate for him more ſumptuous and fine than was thought requiſite for ſo meane a perſon as hee counterfeyted then to heare the countenaunce of,Polidor. it was ſtreight wayes ſuſpected that he was ſome other maner of man than hee ſhewed himſelfe to bee, and in fine, thoſe that marked more diligently the maner of him, perceyued what he was, and gaue knowledge to the Duke of Auſtrich named Leopolde, being then in the Citie of Vienna, what they had ſeene. His Page that had the Tentch tongue, goyng aboute the towne to chaunge Golde, and buit vittayles, bewrayed him, hauing by chaunce the kings gloues vnder hys girdle: wherevpon comming to bee examined, for feare of tortures confeſſed the truth.

The Duke ſtreight wayes cauſed the houſe where he was lodged,Raufe [...] to bee ſette aboute wyth armed menne, and ſente other into the houſe to apprehende him. He being ware that he was diſcried, gotte him to his weapon: but they aduiſing him to bee contented, and alledging the Dukes commaundement, hee boldely anſwered, that ſithe hee muſte bee taken, he beeing a king, woulde yeelde himſelfe to none of the companie but to the Duke himſelfe, and therefore if it woulde pleaſe him to come, hee woulde yeelde himſelfe into his handes. The Duke hearing of this, ſpeedily came vnto hym,King [...] ſubmi[...] himſelfe [...] the Duke o[...] Auſtriche. whome hee meeting, deliuered vp his ſworde, and committed him vnto his cuſtodie.

The Duke reioyſing of ſuch a pray, brought him vnto his Palace, and with gentle wordes enterteyned him, thoughe hee ment no greate good towardes him, as well ynoughe appeared in that hee committed hym to the keeping of certayne Gentlemen, which wythout muche curteſie looked ſtreightly ynough to him for ſtarting awaye, inſomuche that they kept hym in colde Irons as ſome Authours doe wryte.Nic. Tri[...] Hee was taken after the maner aforeſayde in December vpon Saint Thomas euen the yeare of our Lorde .1192. and in the fourth yeare of hys raigne.

The Duke of Auſtriche ought the King no good wil bycauſe he had caſt downe his enſignes pight vp in a Turret at Acres,Polich[...]. whiche hee had wonne at the verye time when that Citie was delyuered by the Saraſins: for whileſt they were in treatie on one ſide, the Duke on the other,The cauſe[...] the diſple[...] betwixt the Duke of [...] ſtrich & ki[...] Richard. not knowing any thing thereof, gaue the aſſault vnto that part of the towne which was appoynted vnto him to beſiege. And ſo beeing entred the towne, and perceyuing that by treatie it was to be delyuered, he retired into the Turret which he had firſt wonne and entred, and there ſet vp his Standart and enſignes, whiche king Richarde as the Tentch wryters affyrme, comming thyther, threwe downe and trode vnder hys feete.

But Geruaſius Dorobornenſis declareth this matter ſomewhat otherwiſe, [...]r. Do. as thus. After that the ſayde Citie of Acres was rendred into the Chriſtian mens handes (ſayth he) dyuerſe Lords tooke their lodgings as they thought good, and hanged forth theyr enſignes. And as it chaunced, the Duke of Auſtriche placing himſelfe in one of the fayreſt Palayces of all the Citie; put forth hys Enſigne, whereof King Richarde beeing ware, came thither wyth a companie of hardie Souldiers aboute hym, and threwe downe the Dukes Enſigne, ſo diſplacing him oute of that ſo pleaſaunt and beautifull a lodging. [...]g. Houed. For this cauſe and alſo ſurmiſing that king Richarde ſhoulde be guiltie of the death of the Marques, Conrade the Duke of Auſtriche ſhewed ſuche diſcourteſie towardes him. But concerning the murther of the Marques, [...]ing Richard [...]eared of the [...]eath of the [...]arques of [...]ountferate. the chiefe gouernour of thoſe Saraſins called Aſſaſſini cleared King Rycharde by a Letter wrytten and directed vnto the Duke of Auſtriche in maner as followeth.

Cùm plurimi Reges & Principes vltra mare Richardū Regem Angliae & dominū de morte, Marchiſi inculpent, iuro per dominū qui regnat in aeternum, & per legem quam tenemus, quod in eius mortem nullam culpam habuit: Eſt ſiquidem cauſa mortis ipſius Marchiſi talis, vnus ex fratribus noſtris in vnam nauem de Satalei, ad partes noſtras veniebat, & tempestas illum fortè ad Tyrum appulit, & Marchiſus fecit illum capere & occidere, & magnam pecuniam eius rapuit. Nos verò Marchiſo nuncios noſtros miſimus, mandantes vt pecuniam fratris nostri nobis redderet, & de morte fratru nostri nobiſcum ſe concordaret, & noluit. Nec non & nuncios noſtros ſpreuit, & mortem fratris noſtri ſuper Reginaldum dominū de Sidonis poſuit, & nos tantum fecimus per amicos noſtros, quòd in veritate ſcimus, quòd ille fecit illum occidere & pecuniam rapere. Et iterum alium nuncium nostrum nomine Edriſum miſimus adeum, quem in Mare mergere voluit, ſed amici nostri illum à Tiro feſtinanter fecerunt recedere, qui ad nos peruenit, & ista nobis nunciauit. Nos quo que ex illa hora Marchiſum deſiderauimus occidere. Tunc que duos fratres miſimus ad Tirum qui eum aperte & fere coram omni populo Tiri occiderunt. Haec ergo fuit cauſa mortis Marchiſi, & benè dicimus vobis in veritate, quòd dominus Richardus rex Angliae in hac Marchiſi morte nullā culpam habuit. Et qui propter hoc domino regi Angliae malum fecerunt iniustè feceterunt & fine cauſa: Sciatis pro certo, quòd nullum hominē huius mundi pro mercede aliqua vel pecunia occidimus, niſi prius nobis malū fecerit.

The ſame in Engliſh is thus.

Where many kings and princes beyonde the Seas blame Richarde king of Englande of the Marques his death. I ſweare by the Lorde that reigneth euerlaſtingly, and by the lawe whiche we holde, that hee was not in fault for hys death. For the verye cauſe of the Marques hys death was ſuche as followeth. One of our brethren in a Shippe of Satalie came towardes oure partyes, and chaunced by tempeſt to be driuen vnto Tyre, and the Marques cauſed him to be taken and ſlaine, and tooke a greate portion of money that hee hadde in the Shippe wyth hym. Wherevppon we ſent oure Meſſengers vnto the Marques, commaunding hym to reſtore vnto vs the money of our brother, and to compounde wyth vs for oure ſayde brothers death, and he woulde not. Moreouer, he alſo contemned our Meſſengers, and layde the faulte of oure brothers death vppon Reginalde Lorde of Sidon, and wee did ſo muche through our friendes, that wee gotte full vnderſtanding that the Marques himſelfe cauſed him to bee ſlayne, and tooke his money. And therefore we ſent vnto hym againe an other Meſſenger named Edriſus, whome he woulde haue drowned in the Sea, but oure friendes made ſuche ſhifte, that they procured hym to departe wyth ſpeede from Tyre, who returned to vs, and ſignifyed theſe thinges to vs for certayne. And from that houre euer after wee hadde a defyre to ſlea the Marques: and ſo then wee ſent two of our brethren vnto Tyre, who openly, and in a manner in preſence of all the people of Tyre ſlue hym. This therefore was the verye cauſe of the death of the Marques: and wee ſaye to you in good ſooth, that the Lorde Richarde King of Englande, in thys death of the Marques was nothing culpable: and they that haue done anye diſpleaſure vnto the King of Englande for thys cauſe, they haue done it wrongfully, and wythout any iuſt occaſion. Know ye for certaine, that wee doe not vſe to kill anye man of this worlde for any brybe, or for money, excepte hee haue done to vs ſome harme afore tyme.

Thus wee ſee howe King Richarde was cleared of that cryme concerning the Marques his death by the tenour of this letter. And verily it is moſte lyke that King Richarde woulde haue beene loth to haue communicated his purpoſe vnto ſuche a wicked kynde of Paganes as the Aſſaſſini were, if hee hadde pretended any ſuche matter, but rather would haue ſought his reuenge by ſome other meanes. Now therefore to our purpoſe. The newes of the taking of king Richard was anon bruted and blowne ouer al Germany,1193 wherevpon the Emperour Hē ry the .vj. the ſonne of Fredericke the firſt, ſent in al haſt vnto the Duke, perſwading him to deliuer the king into his hands, being able to ſuſteine and abide the malice of all them that would be offended with the taking and deteining of him priſoner, as the Pope and other. The Emperour well vnderſtoode the wealthe and riches of Englande, and therefore hoped to make ſome good purchaſe by raunſoming the king, if he might get him out of the Dukes handes. The Duke perceiuing alſo the Emperoures meanyng, durſt not well denye his requeſt, [...] and therfore he deliuered the king vnto them that were ſent from the Emperour, who couenaunted to giue vnto the ſaide Duke the ſumme of .6000. pounde of Colen weight for the hauing of the ſaid king. The Emperour thus receiuing the king at the handes of the Duke of Auſtriche, commaunded that he ſhoulde be committed to cloſe priſon, and woulde not ſo muche doe as once ſpeake wyth hym. Thys he dyd to cauſe the king vpon an indignation and wearines of that maner of life to make ſpede in offering ſome large maſſe of money for his libertie and deliueraunce.Rog. [...] Here is to be remembred by the way, that aboute the ſame time or ſomewhat before, in the yeare of our Lord .1192. the Pope ſent two Legates (that is to witte,Two Leg[...] from the p[...] Octanian Biſhop of Hoſtia, and one Iordane de Foffa noua) into Normandie, to agree the Biſhop of Ely, and the Archebiſhoppe of Rouen: but commyng vnto Giſors, they were ſtaied from entring any further into the countrey,Normandi[...] interdited. wherevpon they dyd interdite the whole Duchie of Normandie, together with William Fitz Radulfe Lorde Steward of that countrey, bycauſe hee was the man that had ſo ſtaied them. Immediatly herevpon, Quene Elenor, and the Archebiſhoppe of Rouen ſent vnto thoſe Legates Hugh Biſhop of Durham, requiring them to releaſe that ſentence of interdiction ſo pronoūced agaynſt the ſteward and country of Normandie in the kings abſence, but they would not, except they might be receiued into Normā die: howebeit, the Pope being ſent vnto, releaſed it, and cauſed the Legates to releaſe it alſo, & yet they entred not into Normandie at all. Alſo this yeare whileſt the Seneſhall of Gaſcoigne laye ſicke, the Earle of Pieregort,The Earle of Pieregon [...] others wa[...] king of England[...] lan[...] and the Vicount of Marche, and almoſt all the Lordes and Barons of Gaſcoignes, began to waſt and deſtroye the landes of King Richard, and although the Seneſhall many tymes by meſſengers required a peace, or at the leaſt ſome truce, yet coulde he not haue any graunte thereof:The Seneſchal of Gaſcoigne reuengeth that [...]tie. wherefore vppon hys recouery of healthe he inuaded the landes of the ſayde Earle, tooke the Caſtels and fortreſſes, and ſome of them he fortefied, and kept to the Kyngs vſe, and ſome of them hee raſed downe to the ground. Hee alſo inuaded the Vicountes countrey, and ſubdued it to the Kyngs gouernemente.

Shortly after came the brother of the Kyng of Nauarre,The king of Nauerres brother. with eight hundred Knyghtes or men of armes to the Seneſhals ayde, and ſo they two togither entring into the lands of the Earle of Tholouſe, tooke dyuers Caſtels and fortreſſes within the ſame, of the whiche ſome they fortified, and ſome they raſed, and rode euen to the gates of Tholouſe, and lodged in manner vnder the walles of the Citie.

A little before Chriſtmas alſo, diuers of thoſe that had bin in the holy lande with King Rychard, came home into England, not knowyng but that King Richarde had bin at home before them, and beeing aſked where they thought hee was become, they coulde ſaye no more but that they had ſeene the ſhippe wherein he firſt went aboorde, arriued at [...]rendize in Puglia.

At length when the newes came how he was taken and ſtayed as priſoner, the Archbiſhop of Rouen and other the rulers of the realm of Englande, [...]e Abbots of [...]ley & Ro [...]ts Bridge. ſent with all ſpeede the Abbot of Boxeley, and the Abbot of Roberts bridge into Almaine to ſpeake with him, and to vnderſtand his ſtate, and what his pleaſure was in all things. They comming into Germanie, paſſed through the Countrey into Baierlande, where at a place called Oxefer, they founde the King as then on hys iourney towardes the Emperour, to whome (as ye haue hearde) the Duke of Auſtriche did ſende him.

The ſayd Abbots attended him to the Emperours Court, and remayned there with him till the Emperor and he were accorded, in maner as after ſhall be ſhewed: and then after Eaſter they returned with the newes into Englande. [...]r. Do[...] Vpon report whereof order is taken for many things, but chiefely for the ſtate: in which dealings, and foraſmuch as thoſe which had the rule of the land ſtoode in great doubt of things (for the inconſtant nature of Earle Iohn was of them much ſuſpected,) firſt they cauſed a newe othe of allegiance to be made to king Richarde, and receyued of the people. They fortifyed alſo ſuch townes and Caſtelles as were of importaunce, both wyth repayring the walles and other defences aboute the ſame, and furniſhing them with men, munition and vitayles.

Thus was the lande brought into ſome order, in which meane while the Frenche King being aduertiſed that King Richarde was deteyned as priſoner, reioyced not a little thereof, and wyth all ſpeede by ſecrete Meſſages dydſende for hys brother Earle Iohn,The French king counſelleth king Iohn to vſurge againſt his brother. who was readie to come at his call. And being come, hee exhorteth him not to ſuffer ſo conuenient an occaſion to paſſe, but to take the gouernment of the Realme of Englande nowe into his handes promiſing hym all ſuche ayde as hee coulde of hym reaſonably requyre: wyth other like talke ſtill tending to the prouocation of the Earle to forſake hys allegeanuce vnto hys brother. And to ſaye the truth, Earle Iohn was eaſily perſwaded ſo to doe, and therefore vpon his immediate returne into Englande, he aſſembled an armie, and wyth the ſame (and ſuche ſtraungers as hee brought ouer wyth him) begynneth to proue mayſteryes, fyrſt wynning the Caſtelles of Wyndſore, Wallingforde, Notingham, and dyuerſe other, and fortifying the ſame to his own vſe and defence.

In the meane tyme, the Barons of the land not iudging ſuche vnlawfull doyngs to bee anye longer ſuffered, fyrſt beſieged the Caſtell of Wyndſore, and after preparing to leuie a greater force, did put them within in ſuche feare, that they yeelded vp the ſame, ſeeking to eſcape by flight, ſome into one place, and ſome into an other, the which yet being apprehended were put to worthie execution.

But this was not done without continuance of tyme, [...]er. D[...]r. and without great trouble and charges to the Realme: for where as there was a practiſe betwixt the French King and Earle Iohn, that a great power of ſtraungers, and namely Flemings ſhoulde haue come into the Realme, (for whoſe tranſporting a greate number of Shippes were brought togyther at Witſande) yet the high prouidence and goodneſſe of God diſappoynted theyr purpoſe. For their meſſengers being taken whiche were ſent hither into Englande, the treaſon was reuealed, & by the Queene mothers appoyntmente, (who chiefly then ruled the lande, a great company of Knightes, men of armes, and commons of the countrey, watched the Sea coaſtes, ouer againſt Flaunders, to keepe the enimies from landing. They began thus to watch in the Paſſion weeke, and ſo continued till a certaine time after Eaſter. Howbeit, Earle Iohn came ſecretly ouer, in hope to haue not only the aſſiſtance of the Welchmen and of many other his friendes in Englande, but alſo of the Scottes, howbeit, the Kyng of Scottes woulde not meddle. Hee therefore with ſuche Welchmen and other as he had brought ouer, and ſuch Engliſhmen as he could get to take his part, beganne ſuch attemptes (as before yee haue hearde) to the diſquieting of the whole Realme, and great diſpleaſure of the Kyng.

Moreouer, beſyde that power of the Barons which layde ſiege to Windſor Caſtel, there were noble men alſo in other parties of the Realme, that were ready to reſiſt hym.The Archb. of Yorke. Hugh B[...]rdolf. William de Stuteuille. And amongſt other, Geffrey y^e Archbiſhop of Yorke, with Hugh Bardolfe one of the Kings Iuſtices, and William de Stuteuille, aſſembled an army, and comming to Doncaſter, fortified the Towne: but when the Archbiſhop would haue gone forwarde to beſiege the Caſtell of Tickhill whiche Earle Iohn had in poſſeſſion, the other two his aſſociates would not conſent to goe with him, bycauſe they were ſeruauntes, and reteyned with Earle Iohn. Heerewith the Archbiſhop beeyng ſore offended, departed from them, calling them Traitors to their Kyng, and enimies to the Realme.

About the ſame tyme alſo, dyd the Frenche King enter into Normandy with an army, and comming to the Towne of Giſors, he beſieged it, the which one Gilbert de Vaſcoll or Guaſcoll that was Captayne thereof, to hys hygh reproch, yeelded vnto hym, with an other Caſtell alſo called Nefle, whiche hee hadde lykewiſe in keeping.

After thys, the Frenche King entring into the Countrie of Veuxm, or Veulqueſſin,VVil. P[...] wanne dyuers Townes and fortreſſes in the ſame, and paſſing forwarde, tooke Val de Rucil, and Neufburg, and fynally comming before the Citie of Rouen hee layde ſiege thereto:Rouen beſieged. but the Earle of Leyceſter beeyng gote into the Citie before the French Kyngs comming thither, ſo encouraged the Citizens,The Earle of Leyceſter. that they ſtoutly ſtanding to theyr defence, cauſed the Frenche Kyng to hys greate diſhonor, to rayſe his field, hauing loſt there more than hee wanne. Yet to ſaue other Townes and Caſtels from taking, and the countrey from deſtruction the Rulers of the ſame procured a truce for a greate ſumme of money,Polidor. which they couenaunted to gyue, deliuering vp foure notable Caſtels by way of engagemente, till the ſumme agreed vpon ſhould be to him cōtented and payd.

In the meane time, Earle Iohn as head of all the conſpirators, perceyuing hymſelfe not able to archieue hys purpoſe as then, nor to reſiſt the Lords and Barons of the Realme, beeing vp in armoure againſte hym, and nowe growen to greater ſtomacke, bycauſe they vnderſtood by the Biſhop of Saliſbury lately arriued, of the Kings welfare, and hope of deliueraunce. And furthermore, conſidering that he was diſappoynted both of ſuch Scottes and Flemmings as he had well hoped ſhoulde haue come to his ayde, hee tooke a truce with the Lordes of the Kyngs ſide, by the earneſt trauayle of the Biſhop of Saliſbury,Micha[...] hath Ger. D[...]. till the feaſt of all Sainctes, ſo as the Caſtels of Windſor, Walingford, and the Peake; ſhoulde remaine in the hands of his mother Quene Eleanor, but y^e Caſtels of Nottinghā and Tickhill, remayned ſtill in his owne poſſeſſion, the whiche with ſuch other Caſtels as hee helde within the lande, he furniſhed with garniſons of his owne men and friendes, and then went againe ouer into Fraunce to the French king, to purchaſe ſome new ayde at his hands, according to his promiſe.

[...]il. Paruus.Here will we leaue Earle Iohn conferring with the French king, and returne againe to the king of Englande. Vpon Palme Sunday after that he was deliuered into the handes of the Emperour, he was brought forth afore the Princes & lordes of the Empyre, [...]e Emperor [...]rgeth king [...]chard with [...]aries done [...]he Sicilians in whoſe preſence the Emperour charged him with diuerſe vnlawfull doings: but namely hee picked a quarell with him for the wrongs and hurtes done to the Sicilians in time of his ſoiourning in theyr Ile, as he went towardes the holy lande. For albeeit the ſayde Emperor had nothing as then to doe in the countrey, yet forſomuch as he had lately recouered the Ile of Sicille out of king Tankreds handes, and was now entituled king thereof by the Pope, in right of his wife Conſtance, the daughter of Roger king of Sicill, and ſo by reaſon therof ſeemed to be grieuouſly offended with him for his doings about the recouering of the money from Tancred, which neuertheleſſe was iuſtly due vnto his ſiſter for hir dower, as in the proceſſe afore I haue alredy declared: King Richard notwithſtanding theſe and other friuolous obiections layde to hys charge, [...]il. Paruus. [...]at. VVeſt. 
[...]e kings wiſ [...]e in ma [...]g his an [...]re. made his anſweares alwayes ſo pithily & directly to all that could be layd agaynſt him, and excuſed himſelfe in euery point ſo throughly, that the Emperor much marueyled at his high wiſedom and prudence, and not only greatly cōmended him for the ſame, but from thenceforth vſed him more curteouſly, and ſuffred that his friends might haue acceſſe to him more freely thā before they could be permitted to do. [...]idor: The Pope alſo being aduertiſed of the taking of K. Richard, was much offended, that any Chriſtiā Prince hauing taken vpon him the defence of the Chriſtian faith againſt the Infidels, ſhoulde be ſo vſed in his returne from ſo godly an enterpriſe: & therfore ſent both vnto the Duke of Auſtrich, & vnto the Emperor, requiring them to ſet him at libertie. But the Emperor declared plainly that he woulde bee anſwered for ſuch ſummes of mony as king Richard had taken out of Sicill before he would releaſe him vnto libertie. Wherevpon when king Richard perceyued that no excuſes woulde ſerue though neuer ſo iuſt, [...]e Biſhop of [...]sburie ſent [...]o England but that he muſt needes pay to his couetous hoſt ſome great ſumme of money for his hard interteynment, he ſent the Biſhop of Saliſburie into England, to take order with the Barons of the realme to prouide for the paymēt of his raunſom, which Biſhop (as ye haue heard) after the peace cōcluded with Saladine, went vnto Ieruſalē to viſit the holy Sepulchre, and now comming into Sicil, as he returned homewards, had knowledge there how king Richard was taken priſoner in Auſtriche; and remayned in the Emperors handes: whervpon he turned that way forth, and comming to him, was nowe ſent into Englande with Commiſſion (as I haue ſayd) to leuie money for the kings raunſome. He landed here the .xx. day of Aprill, by whoſe comming the lande was the ſooner brought i[...] quiet for the agreement which Earle Iohn tooke (as before yee haue heard) was chiefly procured by his meanes.Ger. Dor. For till his comming the Caſtell of Windſore was not wonne, the ſiege being but ſlackly followed by the Archbiſhop of Rouen, who had dyuerſe of his friendes within it, and therefore was not verie earneſt agaynſt them.

After that the Biſhop of Saliſburie was departed towardes Englande,Rog. Houed. the Biſhop of Elie came to the king,The Biſhop of Ely commeth to the king. and trauayled ſo earneſtly betwixt the Emperour and him, that finally the Emperour (partly through his ſute, and partly that he had beene very much called vpon by the Pope and other for his deliuerie) tooke order with him for the redeeming of his libertie,The Emperor agreeth with king Richard for his rāſome.
Nic. Triuet: Mat. Par. and appoynted what ſumme he ſhould pay for his raunſome, which (as ſome write) was two hūdred thouſand Markes: other ſay that it was but .140. thouſande Markes of the poyſe of Coleigne weight. Wil. Paruus who liued in thoſe days, affirmeth, it was one hundred thouſand pounds, but Roger Houeden hath an hundred thouſande Markes of Colen poiſe, to be payd preſently at the kings firſt comming into Englande, and fiftie. M. markes afterwards, that is to ſay, thirtie thouſande to the Emperor, and twentie thouſand to the Duke of Auſtriche, as it were in recompence of the iniurie done to hym in the holy lande, where king Richarde ouerthrew his enſignes: and for the ſame to deliuer ſufficient ſureties.

Moreouer we finde in Roger Houeden thatRog. Houed. the Emperour amongeſt other the Articles of thys agreement thus concluded betwixte hym and king Richard gaue and graunted, and by his letters patents confyrmed vnto him theſe landes hereafter mētioned,Landes aſsigned to king Richard. that is to ſay: Prouance with the Citie of Vienne, and Viennois, the Citie of Marſells, Narbō, Arles, & Lion vpō the Rhone, with the countrey vp to the Alpes, & all thoſe poſſeſſions which belonged to the Empyre in Burgoine, with the homages of the king of Aragon, & of the Erle of S. Giles (wherein is to be noted, y^t with the precinct of the premiſſes thus graunted to king Richard. v. Archbiſhops ſeas, and. xxxiij. Biſhops ſeas are included.) Howbeit the truth is, that the Emperour neuer had poſſeſſion of theſe countreys, cities, and townes himſelfe, neither would the inhabitants receyue any perſon ſo by him appoynted to theyr Lorde and gouernour, wherefore the king made ſmal account of that his ſo large graunt. But after that he once vnderſtood the certaintie of the ſumme that he ſhuld pay for his raunſome (which buſineſſe he moſt attended) he diſpatched one with letters by and by, and in great haſt into Englande to his treaſorers,Polidor. requiring them with all conuenient ſpeede to prouide money, and to ſende it to him by a day, that hee might be ſet at libertie with ſpeede.

Rog. Houed. 
Order taken for leuying money to pay the kings raunſome.Theſe letters being come to the Queene mother, and other that had charge in gouernaunce of the realme, tooke order that al maner of perſons as well ſpirituall as temporall, ſhould giue y^e fourth part of their whole reuenues to thē for that yeare accrewing, and as much more of their moueable goodes, and that of euery knights fee there ſhould be leuied the ſumme. of xx. s. Alſo that religious houſes of the order of the Ciſteaux & Sempringham ſhoulde giue all their woolles for that yeare towards the kings raunſome, and thoſe that had cōmiſſion to leuie this mony,The hard dealing of officers in the collection. vſed much ſtraightneſſe in exacting it, not onely leuying it to the vttermoſt value and extent of mens landes, goodes, and poſſeſſions, but after their owne willes and pleaſures: ſo that vnder colour of the kings cō miſſion, and letters to them directed, there ſeemed not a tribute or ſubſedie to be rayſed, but by ſome publike proclamation, all the goodes and ſubſtance of the people to be appoynted as a pray to the kings officers,Church iewels. whereby it came to paſſe, that not onely priuate mens goodes, but alſo the Chalices, Iewels, and veſſels belonging to the church were turned into money, & a farre greater ſumme made than was at the firſt commaunded, a great part of the ouerplus being conuerted to the vſe of thoſe, through whoſe handes the receipt paſſed. There was no priuiledge nor freedome allowed to exempt any perſon or place for beeing contributorie towardes the payment of thys money. The order of Ciſteaux that were neuer charged with any payment before, were now aſſeſſed more deeplye than the reſt.

The Biſhop of Norwich lamenting the iniurious dealings of the petty officers,The [...] Norwi[...] ▪ and pitying the people of the Church, collected halfe the value of all the Chalices within his Dioceſſe himſelfe, and to make vp the other halfe of the whole ſume, he ſpared not to giue a great portion of his owne treaſure.

The Abbot of Saint Albones acquit all thoſe Churches within the compaſſe of his iuriſdiction,The Al[...] Saint Al[...] by the gyft of an hundred Markes.The Bi[...] Cheſter. But the Biſhop of Cheſter had very yll lucke with his collections, for hauing gathered a great ſumme of money to the kings vſe, he was ſpoyled thereof in one night, as he lodged neare vnto Canterburie, being on his iourney towards the king:Mathew[...] Clere. & bycauſe Mathew de Cleere that lay in the Caſtel of Douer was knowne to ayde thoſe that robbed the ſayd Biſhop, the Archbiſhop of Canterburie pronounced him accurſed.

About this tyme, and on the morrow after the Natiuitie of Saint Iohn Baptiſt, Rog. H[...] 
The Bi[...] of Elie. the Byſhop of Ely Lord Chancellour arryued in Englande, not ſhewing himſelfe in any ſtatelyke port (for hee tooke vppon him neyther the dignitie of Chancellor nor Legate, nor yet of Iuſtice) but onely as a ſimple Biſhoppe and Meſſenger ſent from the king.

The Queene mother, the Archbiſhop of Rouen, and ſuche other as had gouernment of the lande, hearing of his comming, mette hym at Saint Albones, where hee ſhewed to them the Emperours letters, conteyning the agreement made betwixt him and king Richarde, and withall appoynted certaine Lordes and Barons to goe with him at his returne backe to the king, as Gilbert Biſhop of Rocheſter, Sifrid Biſhop of Chicheſter, Bennet Abbot of Peterborow, Rychard Earle of Clare, Roger Bigotte Earle of Norffolke, Geffrey de Saye, and dyuerſe other.

It was alſo ordeyned at this ſame tyme that the money gathered towarde the payment of the kings raunſome ſhoulde remaine in cuſtodie of Hubert Biſhop of Saliſburie, Richarde Biſhop of London, William Earle of Arundell, Hamelyne Earle of Warrenne, and of the Maior of London, vnder the ſeales of the Queene mother, and of the Archbiſhop of Rouen: but ſee the happe of things, whileſt eche one was thus occupied about the aforeſayde money it chaunced,Anno [...] VVil. P[...] that king Richarde was at poynt to haue beene deliuered into the handes of his deadly aduerſarie the French king after this maner:

The Emperour vpon diſpleaſure conceyued againſt the Biſhop of Liege, which lately had atteyned to that benefice cōtrarie to the Emperors pleaſure, who wiſhed the ſame rather to an other perſon, hyred certayne naughtie fellowes to goe into Fraunce, where the Biſhop remayned for feare of the Emperors malice, and there to finde meanes trayterouſly to ſlea him,The biſhop of [...]iege mur [...]hered. which they accordingly did, by reaſon wherof the Duke of Lonaigne that was brother to the Biſhop, and other of his kinſmen, vpon knowledge had therof, ment to haue made the Emperour warre, in reuenge of that murther. Inſomuche that the Emperour to haue the Frenche Kings ayde agaynſte them, was mynded to haue delyuered king Rycharde vnto him: howbeit after that the matter was taken vp, and a concorde made betwixt the Emperour and his nobles, he chaunged his purpoſe alſo touching the deliuering ouer the King Richarde, who perceyuing that tyll his raunſome were payde (which woulde amounte to the ſumme of an hundred fiftie thouſand Markes) he ſhould not get libertie: and putting greate confidence in the dexteritie and diligence of Hubert biſhop of Saliſburie (whome hee ſent as yee haue heard into England to deal for the leuying of the ſame) he thought good to aduaunce the ſame Biſhop to the Metropolitane Sea of Canterburie, which had bene vacant euer ſith the deceaſe of the Archbiſhop Baldwin, that died (as ye haue heard) in the holy land. [...]Vil. Paruus. Herevpon wryting to the Byſhops of the realme, and to the Monkes of Canterburie, he required them to proceede to the election of an Archbiſhop for that Sea, and withall commended vnto them the foreſayde Hubert, as a man moſt ſufficient and meet for that roumth. He wrote likewiſe to the Queene to further that matter, [...]ubert Biſhop Salisburie [...]cted Arch [...]iſhop of Canterburie. and eaſily hereby obteyned his deſire. For ſhortly after, the ſame Hubert was elected by the Biſhops and Monkes, which aſſembled togither for that purpoſe. He was the .xlj. Archbiſhop that gouerned that Sea: for although Reginald Biſhop of Bath was elected before him, yet bycauſe he dyed ere he was inſtalled, he is not put in the number.

The king being now put in good hope of hys ſpeedie deliuerance, ſent into Englande, willing his mother Queene Elenor, the Archbiſhop of Rouen and others, to come ouer vnto him into Almain, [...]bert Arch [...]hop of Cā [...]burie, Lord [...]efe iuſtice. and in the meane tyme he ordeyned Hubert the Archbiſhop of Canterburie to remaine at home as Lorde chiefe Iuſtice.

After this, the Emperour with the aduice of the Princes of the Empyre, hee aſſigned a daye to King Rycharde in whiche hee ſhoulde be delyuered oute of captiuitie, which was the Mondaye nexte after the twentieth day of Chriſtmaſſe. Wherevpon King Richarde wrote vnto Hubert Archbyſhop of Canterburie in forme as followeth.

Quoniam certiores ſumus, quòd liberationem noſtram plurimùm deſideratis, & quòd liberatis noſtra admodum vos laetificat, ſcripto volumus quòd latitiae noſtrae participes firis. Inde eſt quòd dilectioni veſtrae dignum duximus ſignificare, dominū Imperatorem certum diē liberationis noſtrae nobis praefixiſſe, in die lunae proxima post viciſsimā die Natiuitatis domini, & die dominica proxima ſequente covonabimur dé regno prouinclae, quod nobis dedito Vnde mittimus in Angliae literas domini Imperatoris ſuper hijs patetes, v[...]bis & caeteris amiois noſtris beneuolis. Vos ante interim pro omni poſſe veſtro quos ſcitis nos diligere, cōſolare velitis, & quos ſcitis promotionem noſtram deſiderare.

The Emperor alſo ſignified by his letters to the Lordes of England his reſolute determination in this matter, as followeth.

Vniuerſitati veſtrae duximus intimandū, quòd dilecto amico noſtro Richarde illuſtri regi Anglorū domino veſtro certū die liberationis ſuae ſtatuimus à ſecunda feria poſt die natiuitatis domini in tres ſeptimanas apud Spiram ſiue apud Berenatiā, & inde in ſeptē dies poſuimus ei diē coronationis ſuae de regno Prouinciae, quod ei promiſimus: & hoc certū habeatis, & indubitatū, noſtri ſiquidē propoſiti eſt, et voluntatis, praefatum dominū veſtrū ſpecialē promouere ſicut amicū noſtrum, & magnificentius honorare.

Before this K. Richard had ſent the Biſhop of Ely into France vnto his brother Erle Iohn, the which did ſo much with, him that he returned into Normandie, and there ſware feaultie vnto his brother king Richard, and ſo was contented to forſake the French king. But where as king Richard commaunded that all ſuch Caſtels and honors as he had giuen to him afore time ſhoulde now be reſtored to him againe, as well thoſe in England, as the other on the further ſide the ſea:The kings commaundement not obeyed. ſuch as had the ſame Caſtels in keeping woulde not obey the kings commaundement herein, refuſing to make reſtitution of thoſe places, according to the tenor & purport of the kings writ, vnto y^e ſaid Earle of Mortaigne, by reaſon of which refuſall, he returned again to the French king, and ſtuck to him: whervpō the French king gaue vnto him y^e caſtels of Dreincourt, & Arques, the which ought to haue bin deliuered vnto y^e Archb. of Reimes as in pledge, who had trauelled as a meane betwixt y^e French K. to whō he was vncle, & the K. of England to whō he was couſin, procuring a meting for agreement to be had betwixt them at a certain place betwixt Vaucolour and Tulle in the borders of Lorraine. But notwithſtanding all that he coulde doe, matters were ſo farre out of frame, and ſuche miſtruſt was entred into the myndes of the partyes, that no concluſion helde. So that all the hope which king Richard had, was by payment of hys raunſome to redeme his libertie, and then to ſhift wyth things as hee myght.

And ſo finally when the money was once redie,1194 or rather a ſufficient portion thereof, the ſame was conueyed ouer into Germany, and payment made to the Emperour of the more parte of the Kings raunſome, and ſufficient pledges left with him for the reſt, as the Archebiſhoppe of Rouen, the Biſhoppe of Bath, Rog. Houed. 
King Richard releaſed out of captiuitie. [Barlowyn Wac] and other which were of late come oute of Englande to ſee and ſalute the king.

Herevpon king Richard after he had bene priſoner one yeare, ſixe weekes, and three dayes, was ſet at libertie on Candlemaſſe day (as moſte wryters agree) and then with long and haſtie iorneys, not keeping the high wayes, he haſted forth towards England. It is reported that if hee had lingred by the way, he had beene eftſoones apprehended. For the Emperor being incenſed againſt him by Ambaſſadors that came from the French King, immediately after he was ſet forward, beganne to repent him ſelfe in that hee had ſuffred him ſo ſoone to depart from him, and herevpon ſent men after him with all ſpeede to bring hym back, if they coulde by any meanes ouertake him, meaning as then to haue kept him in perpetuall priſon.

Rog. Houed. 
The offers of the French K. and Erle Iohn to haue the K. of Englande kept ſtill in priſon.Some write that thoſe Ambaſſadours ſent from the Frenche King, with other from Earle Iohn, came to the Emperor before king Richard was deliuered, offring in the French kings name fiftie thouſand markes of ſiluer, and in the name of Earle Iohn thirtie thouſande, vpon condition that king Richard might remain ſtil in captiuitie vntill the feaſt of S. Michaell next enſuing, or elſe if it might ſo pleaſe him, he ſhoulde receyue a thouſand pound of ſiluer for euery month whileſt king Richard ſhould bee deteyned in hys priſon, or otherwiſe fiftie thouſand markes of ſiluer more thā the firſt offer, at one entier payment, if he woulde delyuer him into their handes, or at the leaſtwiſe to keepe him priſoner by the tearme of one whole yeare. The Emperor hearing of ſuch large offers, and yet hoping for more, contrarie to his promiſe and letters patents therefore graunted, proroged the day in which king Rychard ſhould haue bene ſet at libertie, till Candlemaſſe after, at which day hee was brought from Haguenaw vnto Spiers, where the Emperour had called a Councell to intreate further of the matter touching his redemption. Here the Emperor ſhewed the letters which he had receiued from the French king and Earle Iohn vnto king Richarde, who vpon ſight and peruſing of the ſame, was maruellouſly amaſed, and began to diſpaire of all ſpeedy deliuerance. In deed the Emperour ſought delayes vpon a couetous deſire of the money offred by the French king and Erle Iohn, but yet ſuch princes and great Lordes as had vndertaken for the Emperour,The prin[...] that had vn[...] taken fort[...] Emperor [...] performe [...] couenant. that the couenants and articles on his part agreed vpō in the accord paſſed betwixt him and king Richarde, ſhould bee in eche behalfe performed, that is to wit, the Archbiſhops of Mens, Colen, & Saltzburg, the Biſhops of Wormes, Spiers, & Liege, the dukes of Suaben, Auſtrich, & Louain, y^e Palſgraue of y^e Rhine, and others, came to the Emperor, and reprouing him for his couetous mind, in that he deferred the reſtoring of king Richard to his libertie, contrary to the compoſition, did ſo much preuaile, that the Emperor receyuing pledges for the payment of the money yet behind (as before ye haue heard) releaſed king Richard out of captiuitie on the ſecōd (or as Roger Hou. hath the fourth) day of Februarie, being a diſmole day and an infortunate, (as they note them in kalenders.Robert de Nouant.) And where the king would haue left Robert de Nouāt the Biſhop of Couentries brother for a pledge amongſt the other, he refuſed to be one of the number, alledging that he was ſeruant to Earle Iohn. King Richard grieuouſly offended herewith, commaunded that he ſhould be apprehēded, and committed to priſon, and ſo he was. This Robert was one of thoſe that came with the letters frō the French king and Erle Iohn to the Emperor, about the ſtaying of king Richards deliuerance.

Furthermore, king Richarde the ſame day in which he was reſtored to libertie, ſummoned by his letters Hugh Nouant Biſhop of Couentrie, to appeare in his court to anſwere ſuch things as were to be obiected againſt him, both afore ſpiritual iudges, in that he was a Biſhop, & alſo before temporall in that he had holden and exerciſed a temporall office.

Alſo the ſame daye the Emperour and the Princes of the Empyre, ſent letters vnder theyr hands and ſeales to the French king, and to Iohn Erle of Mortaigne, cōmaunding them immediately vpon ſight of the ſame letters, to reſtore vnto king Richard al thoſe Caſtels, cities, townes, landes, and other things, whiche they had taken from him during the time of his remayning in captiuitie, and if they refuſed thus to doe, then they gaue them to vnderſtande by the ſame letters, that they would ayde King Richarde to recouer that by force, which had beene wrongfully taken from him. Moreouer king Richard gaue and by his dead confirmed vnto ſundry Princes of the Empyre for their homage and fealties, certaine yearely pencions, [...]atly pentis giuen by [...] king to [...]taine prin [...] of the Em [...]e.
[...]emburg. as to the Archbiſhop of Mens and Colen, to the Biſhop of Liege, to the Dukes of Auſtrich and Louaigne, to the Marques of Mountferrate, to the Duke of Meglenburg, to the Duke of Suaben the Emperors brother, to the Erle of Bins, to the Erle of Holland, and to the ſonne of the Erle of Henault, of all the which, and other mo, he receyued homage, or rather had their promiſe by oth to ayde him againſt the French king, which French King now that he ſawe no hope to bryng the Emperour to the bent of his Bowe for the deteyning of king Richarde ſtyll in captiuitie, rayſed a power forthwith, VVil. Paruus. 
The French king inuadeth Normandie. and entring into Normandie (the truce notwithſtanding) tooke the towne of Eureux with diuerſe other Fortreſſes thereaboutes, and after he had done miſchiefe ynough, as it were as weryed with euill doing, he graunted eftſoones to ſtand to the truce and ſo returned home:

Finally after that king Richarde had diſpatched his buſineſſe with the Emperour, and the Princes of Almaigne, he ſet forwarde on hys iourney towardes Englande, and hauing the Emperors paſſeport, came to Colen, where of the Archbiſhop he was ioyfully receyued, the which Archbiſhop attended vppon him till hee came to Andwarpe, where king Richarde tooke the water in a Galley that belonged to Alan de Trenchmere,Rog. Houed. but in the night he went into a Shippe of Rie, being a verie fayre veſſell, and ſo laye abourde in hir all the nyght, and in the morning returned to the Galley, and ſo ſayled aboute the coaſt, tyll hee came to the Hauen of Swyn in Flaunders, and there ſtaying fiue dnyes,He landed the xx. of March being ſunday as Ro. Houed. and Radulf de Diceto doe write. on the ſixth daye hee ſette forth againe aad at length in good ſafetie landed at Sandwiche the .xij. of March, and the morrow after came to Canterburie, where hee was receyued with Proceſſion, as Ger. Dorobor. hath. From thence hee went to Rocheſter, and on the Wedneſday being the .xvj. of Marche, hee came vnto London, where he was receyued with great ioy and gladneſſe of the people, gyuing heartie thankes to almightie God for his ſafe returne and deliuerance.

It is recorded by wryters, that when ſuche Lordes of Almaine as came ouer with him ſawe the great ryches which the Londoners ſhewed in that triumphant receyuing of their ſoueraigne Lorde and king, they maruelled greatly thereat, inſomuch that one of them ſayde vnto him, ſurely oh king, your people are wiſe and ſubtile which doe nothing doubt to ſhewe the beautifull ſhine of theyr ryches nowe that they haue receyued you home, where as before they ſeemed to bewayle theyr neede and pouertie, whyleſt you remayned in captiuitie. For verily if the Emperour had vnderſtoode that the riches of the realme had bin ſuch, neither wold he haue bin perſwaded that Englande coulde haue bene made bare of wealth▪ neyther yet ſhould you ſo lightly haue eſcaped his handes without the payment of a more huge and intollerable raunſome.

The ſame yeare that king Richarde was taken (as before is mentioned by the Duke of Auſtrich, one night in the Moneth of Ianuarie about the firſt watch of the ſame night, the northweſt ſide of the Element appeared of ſuch a ruddie colour as though it had burned, without any clowdes or other darkeneſſe to couer it, ſo that the ſtarres ſhined through that redneſſe, and might be very well diſcerned. Diuerſe bright ſtrakes appeared to flaſh vpwards now and then, deuiding the redneſſe, through the which the ſtarres ſeemed to be of a bright ſanguine colour.

In Februarie nexte enſuing, one night after midnight the like wonder was ſeene, and ſhortly after newes came that the king was takē in Almaine.

And likewiſe the ſeconde day of Nouember a little before the breake of the day, the like thing appeared againe with leſſe feare and wonder to the people (than before) being now better accuſtomed to the like ſight againe. And now the ſame day & ſelfe houre that the king arriued at Sandwiche being the ſecond houre of that day, whileſt the Sunne ſhone verie bright and cleare, there appeared a moſte brightſome and vnaccuſtomed clearneſſe, not farre diſtant from the Sunne, as it were to the length and breedth of a mans perſonage, hauing a red ſhining brightneſſe withall, lyke to the Rainbowe, which vnketh ſight when many behelde, there were that prognoſticated the king alreadie to be arriued.

Rog. Houed. 
Diuerſe ſieges helde at one time.In this meane while the Biſhop of Durham with a great armie beſieged the Caſtell of Tickhill, & Erle Dauid brother to the king of Scots, with Ranulfe Erle of Cheſter, and Erle Ferrers, beſieged the Caſtell of Notingham, whileſt at the ſame preſent the Archbiſhop of Canterbury with a great power beſieged Marlebourgh caſtell, the which within a few dayes was rendred into his handes, the lyues and lymmes of them within ſaued.

Alſo the Caſtell of Lancaſter was deliuered to him, the which the ſame Archbiſhops brother had in keeping vnder Earle Iohn,Saint Michaels Mount. and likewiſe the Abbay of Saint Michaels Mount in Cornwal, the which Abbey Henry de la Pomerey chaſing out the Monkes, had fortified agaynſt the king, and hearing newes of the Kings returne home, died (as it was thought) for pure grief and feare. Theſe three places were ſurrendered to the Archbiſhop before the kings returne, but Tickhill and Notingham helde out.

King Richard being returned into England, and vnderſtanding both howe the French King made warre agaynſte him in Normandie, and that the ſtate of Englande was not a little diſquieted, by the practiſe of hys brother Erle Iohn and his complices, ſpecially by reaſon that dyuerſe Caſtelles were defended by ſuch as he had placed in them, he thought good with all ſpeede to cutte of ſuch occaſions as myght breede a further miſchiefe.The king [...] eth to Notingham and [...] neth the c[...] And therevpon he firſt went to Notingham, and within three dayes after his comming thither (which was on the day of the Annunciation of our Ladie) hee conſtrayned them that kept the Caſtell there in his brothers name, to yeeld themſelues ſimply vnto his mercie,Reg. Ho[...] after they had abydden dyuerſe aſſaultes, by the which euen the firſt day the vtter gates were burnt, and certaine defences deſtroyed, which they had made before the ſame.

The chiefe of them that were within this caſtell to defende it were theſe, William de Vendeuall Coneſtable there, Roger de Mounthegun, Raufe Murdac, Philip de Worcetter, and Ranulfe de Worcetter brethren.

The morrow after the ſurrender made, the king went to Clipeſtone,The forreſt Shirewood and rode into the forreſt of Shirewood, where he had neuer beene before, the view whereof pleaſed him greatly.

The Caſtell of Tickhill was likewiſe at the ſame tyme yeelded vnto the Biſhop of Durham, who receyued it to the kings vſe, and them that kept it as priſoners, without any compoſition, but ſtanding ſimply to the kings mercie. For although thoſe that had theſe Caſtelles in keeping, were ſufficiently prouided of all neceſſarie things for defence, yet the ſodaine comming of the king (whome they thought verily woulde neuer haue returned) put thē in ſuch feare,The Caſte[...] Tickhill y[...] ded. that they wiſt not what to make of the matter, and ſo (as menne amazed) they yeelded wythout anye further exception.

The Biſhop of Durham bringing thoſe priſoners with him which had yeelded vp this Caſtell of Tickhill, came to the king the .xxvij.Rog. Hou[...] day of March, the verye day before that Notingham Caſtell was gyuen ouer.

Moreouer this is to be remembred, that during the ſiege of Notingham, there roſe contention betwixt the two Archbiſhoppes of Canterburie and Yorke,Strife be[...] the Archbiſhops for [...] ing of th[...] Croſſes. about the cariage of their Croſſes: for Hubert Archbiſhop of Canterburie comming thyther, hadde his Croſſe borne afore him, the Archbiſhoppe of Yorke (hauing no Croſſe there at all) was verye fore offended that any other ſhoulde goe with Croſſe borne before him in his Dioces, and therefore complayned hereof to the King: But the Archebyſhop of Canterburie mainteined that he had not done any thing but that which was lawfull for hym to doe, and therevpon made his appeale to Rome, that the Pope might haue the hearing and iudgement of that controuerſie betwixt them.

In the meane time, after the king had got the Caſtelles of Notingham and Tickhill into hys handes (as ye haue heard) he called a Parliament at Notingham, where the Queene mother ſat on the right hād of him, and the Archbiſhops of Canterburie and Yorke on the left, with other Byſhops, Earles and Barons according to theyr places.

[...]fficers diſ [...]arged.On the fyrſt day of theyr ſeſſion was Gerarde de Camville diſcharged of the office whiche he had borne of Sherif of Lyncolne, and diſpoſſeſſed both of the Caſtell and countie. And ſo likewiſe was Hugh Bardolfe of the Caſtell and Countie of Yorke, [...]eutenant [...]ips ſet on [...]e. and of the Caſtell of Scarbourgh, and of the cuſtodie and keeping of the Countrey of Weſtmerlande, the which offices being nowe in the kings handes, he ſet them on ſale to hym that woulde gyue moſt. Hereof it came to paſſe, that where the Lorde Chancellor offred to giue fiftene hundred Markes before hande, for the Counties of Yorke, Lyncolne and Northampton, and an hundred Markes of encreaſe of rent for euery of the ſame counties, [...]he Archbi [...]op of Yorks [...]er. Geffrey Archbiſhop of Yorke offred to the king three thouſand Markes aforehand, onely for the countie of Yorke, and an hundred M[...]ckes yearly of increaſe, and ſo had the ſame committed to hys regiment.

Moreouer in this Parliament, the king demaunded iudgement agaynſt his brother Iohn, [...]e Biſhop of [...]ſter. and the Biſhop of Couentrey and Cheſter, Hugh Nouaunt, for ſuch trayterous and moſt diſloyall attemptes as they had made agaynſt him and his Countreyes, and iudgement was giuen that both the ſayde Earle and Byſhoppe ſhould haue ſummons giuen them peremptorily to appeare, and if within fortie dayes after, they came not to anſwere ſuch playntes as might be layde againſt them, then ſhoulde Earle Iohn forfeyt all that he had within the realme, and the Biſhop ſhould ſtande to the iudgement of the Biſhoppes, in that hee was a Biſhoppe, and to the temporall Lordes in that hee hadde beene the Kinges Sherife.

In this Parliament alſo, in the Kalendes of Aprill,A ſubſidie[...] the king procured a ſubſedie to be graunted vnto him, that is to witte, two ſhillings of euery plough lande through England, which maner of ſubſidie by an olde name is called [...]eemen toll, or Theyme tolle. He alſo commaunded that euery man ſhoulde make for him the thirde parte of knightes ſeruice, accordingly as euerye fee might beare, to furniſh him forth into Normandie. He demaunded of the Monkes Ciſteaux, all their woolles for the ſame yere. But bycauſe that ſeemed an ouer greeuous burthē vnto them, they fined with him as after ſhall appeare.

The fourth day of this Parliament,The Archbiſhop of Yorke accuſed. by the kings permiſſion manye grienous complayntes were exhibited agaynſt the Archbiſhop of Yorke, for extortion and other vndue vexations, whiche he had practiſed: but he paſſed ſo little thereof, that he made no anſwere vnto their villes.

Moreouer through the procurement of the Lorde Chancellor, Gerarde de Camville was arreigned of recepting theenes, & robbers,Gerarde de Camuile charged with felonie & treaſon. which had robbed certaine marchantes of theyr goodes, that were goyng to the fayre of Stamfort: alſo they appealed him of treaſon for refuſing to ſtand to his trial by order of the kings lawes at cōmaū dement of the kings iuſtices, bearing himſelf to be Earle Iohns man, and ayding the ſame Erle agaynſt the king. But all theſe accuſations hee flatly denyed, and ſo his aduerſaries put in pledges to follow their ſute, and he put in the like to defend himſelfe by one of his free holders.

The ſame day King Richarde receyued the king of Scottes at Clipeſton,The king of Scottes commeth to ſee the king of Englande. comming nowe to viſite him, and to reioyce with him for his ſafe returne home after ſo long a iourney, and ſo many paſſed perilles.

After they had paſſed the tyme a certaine ſpace in ioy and myrth, the fourth of Aprill at theyr being togither at Malton, the king of Scottes requyred of king Rychard to haue reſtored to him the Counties of Northumberlande, Cumberlande and Weſtmerlande, with the Countie of Lancaſter alſo, the which in right of his auncettors belonged to him, (as he alledged.)

A Parliament.King Richard aſſembling a Parliament of the Nobles of his realm at Northampton about xvj. dayes after that the Scottiſh king had made this requeſt, gaue him anſwer that by no meanes he might as then ſatiſfie his petition, for if hee ſhould ſo do, his aduerſaries in France would report that he did it for feare, and not for any loue or hartie friendſhip.His right belike was ſmall But yet king Richard in the preſence there of his mother Queen Elenor, & the Lordes ſpirituall and temporall of his realme togither at that preſent aſſembled,A grant made to the king of Scots what allowance he ſhould haue when he commeth into England. graunted and by his deed confirmed, vnto the ſayd king of Scots, and to his heyres for euer, that whenſoeuer he or any of them ſhould come by ſummons of the K. of England vnto his Court, the Biſhop of Durham, and the Sherif of Northumberland ſhould receyue him at the water of Tweede, and ſafe-conduct him vnto the water of Theſe, and there ſhould the Archbiſhop of Yorke, and the Sherife of Yorke be ready to receyue him of thē, and from thence to giue their attendaunce vpon him vnto the borders of the next ſhire, and thus ſhoulde he be attended from ſhire to ſhire by Prelates and Sherifes, till he came to the kings Court, alſo from the time that the king of Scotland ſhoulde enter this realm of England, he ſhould haue dayly out of the kings purſſe for his liuerey an hundred ſhillings, and after he came to the Court, he ſhould haue of allowance dayly for his liuerey, ſo long as he there remained .xxx. ſhillings, and .xij. manchet Waſtels .xij. manchet Symnels, foure gallons of the beſt wine, & .viij. gallons of houſhold wine, two pound of pepper, foure pounde of cumin, two ſtone of wax or elſe foure Links, and xl. great and long colpones of ſuch candels as are ſerued before the king, and .xxiiij. colpones of other candels that ſerue for the houſhold. And when he ſhoulde returne into his Countrey againe, then ſhoulde he be conuayed with the Biſhoppes and Sherifes from Countie to Countie, tyll he come to the water of Tweede, hauing an hundred ſhillings a daye of lyueray. &c. as is before appoynted.

The charter of this graunt was deliuered vnto William King of Scottes in the Towne of Northampton in Eaſter weeke, by the handes of William Biſhop of Ely Lorde Chancellor, in the yeare of our Lorde .1194. and in the fifth yeare of king Richard his raigne.

After this, on the .xv. day of Aprill king Richard hauing the ſayd king of Scots in his companie, came to Wyncheſter,A C[...] holdes [...] Winche where he called a Councell, and there in open aſſembly he highly commended all thoſe of the Nobilitie, that in hys abſence hadde ſhewed themſelues faythfull, and reſyſted hys brother, and ſuche other hys complyces, which hadde as dyſloyall perſones rebelled agaynſt him. Here hee alſo proclaymed hys ſayde brother, and all thoſe that tooke hys parte, traytours to the Crowne, and tooke order for the puniſhment of them, that (being of theyr faction,) coulde by any meanes bee apprehended.

Alſo (as it were to put away the reproufe of hys Captiuitie and impriſonement,) hee cauſed himſelfe to bee eftſoones crowned by the Archbiſhoppe Hubert, [...]e king [...]ed of [...]. and ſo ſhewed himſelfe as a newe crowned King (in hope of good ſucceſſe & better lucke to follow,) in the preſence of the ſayd king of Scots, [...]g Houed. 
[...] k. of Scots [...]eth one [...] ſwordes [...]ore the K. England. who bare one of the three ſwordes before him, going in the middle betwixt two Earles, that is to witte Hamelyn Erle of Warren going on his right hande, and Ranulfe Erle of Cheſter on his left. The Canapie vnder the which he went was born vp alſo by foure Erles, Norffolke, Liſlewight, Saliſburie, and Ferrers. The Biſhop of Ely Lorde Chancellor went on the right hand of the king & the Biſhop of Londō on the left. [...]he Citizens [...] London. At dinner alſo the Citizens of London ſerued him in the butterie by reaſon of two. C. markes which they had giuen the king, that they might ſo doe notwithſtanding the clayme and chalenge made by the Citizens of Wincheſter, the which ſerued him in the Kitchyn. The Archbiſhop of Yorke was commaunded that hee ſhould not be preſent at the coronation, leaſt ſome tumult myght riſe about the hauing of hys Croſſe borne afore him, to the diſpleaſure of the Archbiſhop of Canterburie, who ſtoode in it, that no Prelate within his Prouince ought to haue anye Croſſe borne before him, himſelfe excepted.

Thus was the King etfſoones Crowned the ſeconde time at Wincheſter. the .xvij. of Aprill.

Parliament [...]lled.After this, he called a Parliament, by vertue whereof he reuoked backe and reſumed into hys handes all patentes, annuities, fees, and other grauntes (before his voyage into the holy lande) by him made, or otherwiſe graunted or alienated, and bycauſe it ſhuld not ſeeme that he vſed a mere extort violence herein, he treated with euerie one of them in moſt curteous wiſe, bearing them in hand, that he knew wel they ment not to let forth theyr money to him vpon vſurie, but woulde be contented with ſuch reaſonable gain and profits, as had bene rayſed to their vſe in tyme of his abſence of thoſe things which they helde of him by aſſignation in way of lone, ſo that now the ſame might be reſtored to him againe, ſith he ment not to ſell them, but to let them forth as it were to ferme for the time, as all menne might well vnderſtande, conſidering that he coulde not mainteyne the porte of a king without receipt of thoſe profits which he had ſo let forth. With theſe gētle wordes therefore mixed with ſome dreadful allegations, he brought them al into ſuch perplexitie, that not one of them durſt withſtand his requeſt,The bold courage of the Biſhop of Lincolne. nor alledge that he had wrong done to him, except Hugh the Biſhop of Lincolne, who ſticked not to ſay, that the king in this demaunde did thē and the reſt open iniurie.The Biſhop of Durham loſt his Erledome. The Biſhop of Durhā loſt his Erledome and was conſtreined to cōtent himſelfe with his olde Biſhoprike, and to leaue the dignitie of an Earle, or at the leaſtwiſe the poſſeſſions which hee had bought of the king before his ſetting forwarde into the holy lande.

Thus the king recouered againe thoſe things for the which hee had receyued great ſummes of money, without making any recompence, where the moſt part of the occupiers had not receyued ſcarcely a thirde part of the principall which they had layde forth. For no ſufficiencie of graunt, patent, or other wryting to any of thē before made, did any thing auaile them. Moreouer, where he had borrowed a great ſumme of money of the Marchāts of the Staple,K Richardes practiſes. he wrought a feat with the Monkes of the Ciſteaux order to diſcharge that debt.The Monkes Ciſteaux. He told theſe Monkes that being conſtrayned with vrgent neceſſitie, hee had borowed that money of the Marchantes beyonde the ſea, vpon confidence of their good beneuolence, and therfore he required them to extend their liberality ſo farre towarde him, as to delyuer ſo much wool in value, as ſhoulde diſcharge that debt. To bee ſhort, the Monks being ouercome with the kings wards, threatning kindneſſe vpon them, fulfilled his requeſt. Moreouer not ſatiſfied herewith, he leuyed a taſke throughout the Realme, exacting of euerie hyde of lande two ſhillings, according to the graunt made to him at Notingham: and the ſame was generally gathered, as well of the ſpirituall mens landes as of the temporall.

Rog. Houed. 
The king of Scots maketh ſuite for Northumberland.The king of Scottes vnderſtanding that the Biſhop of Durham had giuen ouer and reſigned the Earledome of Northumberlande into the kings handes, thought good once againe to aſſay if he might compaſſe his deſire, and herewith hee beganne his former ſuyte afreſh, offring to king Richarde fiftene thouſande Markes of Siluer for the whole Earledome of Northumberlande with the appurtenances as his father Erle Henry did hold the ſame before. The king taking counſell in the matter, agreed that he ſhould haue it for that mony, excepting the Caſtels: but the king of Scottes woulde haue Caſtels and all, or elſe hee would not bargaine.

Finally, after he had ſundry times moued this ſuyte for the hauing of thoſe landes vnto whiche he pretended a title, and could get nothing of K. Rich. but fayre words, putting him as it were in hope to obtein y^t he requyred vpō his next returne out of Fraunce, vpon the .xxij. day of Aprill being Fryday, he tooke leaue of the king, and returned towardes his Countrey, not verye ioyfull in that hee coulde not obteyne his ſuyte. King Richarde in this meane while cauſed all thoſe priſoners that were taken in the Caſtels of Notingham, Tickill, Marlebourgh, Lancaſter, & S. Michaels mount, which were of any welth to be put in priſon,Mainpriſe. that they might fine for their raunſōs. The reſidue he ſuffred to depart vpō ſureties that were boūd for thē in an C. marks a peece to be forth cōming when they ſhould be called. And now at lēgth the king after he had gathered ſome greate portion of money, and ordeyned diuerſe things for the behoofe of the common welth, therby to ſatiſfie the harts of the people, he prepared himſelfe to ſaile ouer into Normandie. But firſt he made the Archbiſhop of Yorke,Rog. Ho[...] & the Biſhop of Ely Lord Chancellor friendes, aſwell for the apprehenſion & impriſoning of the Archb. at Douer, as for the diſhonourable expulſion of the Chancellor out of Englād, in ſuch wiſe that the Chācellor ſhuld vpō reaſonable ſummōs giuē to him by the Archbiſhop ſweare with the hands of an hundred prieſts with him, that he neither commaunded nor willed that the Archbiſhop ſhoulde be apprehended. The controuerſie betwixt the Archb. of Canterburie, and the Archb. of Yorke, about the bearing of their Croſſes, the K. woulde not meddle with, for as he ſayd, that perteyned to the Pope. Yet the Archb. of Canterburie cōplayned to king Richard of the iniurie done to him at that preſent, by the Archb. of Yorke, preſuming within his prouince to haue his Croſſe borne before him. At length when the kings prouiſion was once readie for his voyage into Normandy, he came to Douer, and hearing that the Frenche king had beſieged the towne of Vernueil, and that the ſame was in daunger to bee taken, hee tooke the Sea togyther with his mother Queene Elenor on the ninth day of May,The king tranſport[...] ouer into Fraunce. and tranſporting ouer into Normandie, arriued at Harfleete with an hundred great Shippes fraught with men, horſes and armour.

The French king hearing of king Richardes arriuall, and that he was comming with a great power to the ſuccour of them within Vernueill,The French king rayſe[...] his ſiege [...] Vernueil. and was alreadie encamped neare to the towne of the Eagle, he plucked vp hys Tentes in the night before Whitſunday, and leauing the ſiege, departed from thence, and tooke a certaine ſmall Fortreſſe by the way as he marched, wherein he left a fewe Souldiers to keepe it to his vſe.

King Richarde herewith entring into the French dominions, ſent three bandes of ſouldiers towards Vale de Ruell, & went himſelf vnto Loches, and beſieging that Caſtell wanne it within a ſhort tyme. The Normans alſo recouered the Citie of Eureux out of the French mens hands,Nic. Triuet: but thoſe that were ſent vnto Rueill, and had beſieged the Caſtell there an eight dayes wythout any gayne, hearing that the Frenche King was comming towardes them, departed thence, and came backe to the Kings campe, wherevpon the French king comming to Ruell razed it to the grounde, bycauſe his enimie ſhoulde not at any time in wynning it neſtle there to the further domage of the Countrey.

About the ſame tyme Robert Earle of Leyceſter iſſuing forth of Rouen in hope to worke ſome feate to the domage of the Frenchmen,Rog. Houed. as he rode ſomewhat vnaduiſedly in the landes of Hugh Gourney,The Earle of Leyceſter taken priſoner. hee fell within daunger of hys enimies, who tooke hym priſoner, and a few other that were in his companie.

The French king after this came with his armie into the coaſts of Touraine, and came neare vnto Vandoſme, and there encamped, whereof king Richarde being aduertiſed, cōmeth to Vandoſme, meaning to aſſayle the French K. in his campe, who hauing knowledge therof diſlodged with his armie early in the morning, and fledde away (to his great diſhonour) in all haſt poſſible. The King of Englande with his people following in chaſe of the French men ſlue many, and tooke a great number of priſoners, amongeſt whome was the french kings chiefe treaſurer.

Alſo the Engliſh men tooke many Wagons and Sumpters laden with Croſſebowes, armor, plate, apparell, and the furniture of the Frenche Kings Chapell.

This chaunced about .xxxvij. dayes after his [...]eeing in the night from Vernueil, of which two flightes made by the French king in maner as ye haue heard, we find theſe Verſes written:

Gallia fugiſti bis, & hoc ſub rege Philippo,
Nec ſunt ſub modio facta pudenda tus. 
Vernolium, ſumit teſtem fuga prima, ſecunda
Vindocinum, noctem prima, ſecunda diem,
Nocte fugam primam rapuiſti, mane ſecundam,
Prima metus vitio, vi que ſecunda fuit.

In Engliſh thus.

France, twice thou fledſt, while Philip raignde,
the worlde doth know thy ſhame,
For Vernueil witneſſe beares of t[...] one,
next Vandoſme knowes the ſame.
Thy firſt by night, and next by day,
thy heart and force do ſhowe,
That firſt through feare, and next by force,
VVe wrought thine ouerthrow.

This meane while in Euien certaine rebels, as the Lorde Geffrey de Rancin or Rancon,Geffrey de Rancon. The Earle of Engoleſme. and the Erle of Engoleſme with theyr complices, vppon confidence of the Frenche kings aſſiſtaunce, ſore diſquieted the countrey. Howbeit the ſonne of the King of Naueere,The king of Nauerres brother. and brother to Berengaria the Queene of Englande, entring into Guienne with an armye, waſted the landes of both thoſe Rebelles, till hee was called home by reaſon of his fathers death which chanced about the ſame time.An. reg. 6. Shortly after Geffrey Rancin died. And king Richard comming into the countrey wan the ſtrong Caſtell of Taylleburge by ſurrender, which apperteined to the ſame Geffrey with others, and then going agaynſt the other rebels,Engoleſme wonne. he wan by force of aſſault the Citie of Engoleſme from him. All which time the Frenche king ſtirred not, by reaſon that there was ſome communication in hande for a truce to bee taken betwixt him & K. Richard,Polidor. VVil. Paruus. which by mediation of certaine Biſhops was ſhortly after concluded, to endure for twelue monethes, the Byſhoppe of Elie was chiefe commiſſioner for the Kyng of England,Pol[...]dor. and this truce was accorded aboute La[...]mas, and ſerued to little purpoſe, excepte to giue libertie to eyther Prince, to breath a little, and in the meane time, to prouide themſelues of men, munition, ſhippes and money, that immediately after the tearme was expired, they mighte with greater force returne to the field agayne, for they hadde not onely a lyke deſire to followe the warres, but alſo vſed a like meane and practiſe to leaue money.Great exactiōs For whereas they hadde already made the temporaltie bare with often payments, and callyng them foorthe to ſerue with their perſons in the warres, they thoughte beſt nowe to fetch a fleece from the ſpiritualty and Churchmē, alſo conſidering that they hadde bin by reaſon of their immunitie more gently dealt with, and not appointed to ſerue themſelues in any manner of wiſe,The coulour pretended in leaving of money. and to colour this exaction withall, whiche they knewe woulde be euill taken of many, they bruted it abroade that they leuied this money vppon purpoſe, to ſend it into the holy lād, towards the payment of the Chriſtian Souldiers, whych remained there vppon defence of thoſe Townes, which yet the Saraſſas had not conquered. K. Richard therefore comming to Tours in Tourame, required a greate ſumme of money of the Cleargie in thoſe parties, and the like requeſt hee made through out all thoſe his dominions, on that further ſide of the Sea. King Phillippe for his parte demaunded likewiſe intollerable tythes and dueties of all the Churchmen in his territories, and thoſe that hadde the gathering of that money, ſerued their owne turne in dealing moſte ſtraightly with ſilly Prieſtes, making them to pay, what they thought good, though ſometyme beyond the boundes of equity and reaſon.

Rog. Houed. 
Inquiſitions taken by a Iury of ſundry matters.In September, the Iuſtices Itinerantes made their circuites through euery Shire and Countie of thys Realme, cauſing inquiſitions to be taken by ſubſtanciall iuries of pleacs of the Crowne both olde and new, of recogniſances, of eſcheates, of wardes, of marriages, of all maner of offendors againſte the lawes and ordinaunces of the Realme, and of all other tranſgreſſors, falſifiers, and murtherers of Iewes, of the pledges, goods, lands, debtes, and writings of Iewes that were ſlayne, & of other circumſtances touching that matter. Likewiſe of the accomptes of Sherifes, as to vnderſtande what had bin gyuen towards the Kyngs raunſome, howe muche had bin receyued, and what remayned behynde to receyue.

Alſo of the landes that belonged to Earle Iohn and what goodes he had,Earle Iohn. and what he helde in demayne, in wardes, eſcheates, and in giftes, and for what cauſe they were giuen.

Alſo of his fautors and partakers whyche had made fine with the King, and whiche not, with many other articles touching the ſame Earle.

Alſo of Vſurers,Vſurers. and of their goodes being deceaſſed, of wines ſolde contrary to the aſſiſe, of falſe meaſures, and of ſuche as hauing receyued the Croſſe to goe into the holy lande, dyed before they ſet forward. Alſo of graund aſſiſes that were of an hundred Shillings lande or vnder, and of defaultes, and of dyuers other things, the Iurates were charged to enquire, and preſent the ſame.

Alſo the Iuſtices were appointed to cauſe the manours, fermes and lāds which the King held in demayne, or by wardes, and eſcheates, to bee ſurueyed by a ſubſtantiall Iurie, and to take order for the conuerting of them to ſuche vſe, as the Kyng myght be aunſwered of the gaynes ryſing by the ſame at the Fermers handes.

Alſo, the Iewes were appoynted to enrolle all their debtes, pledges, lands, houſes,Iewes. rentes and poſſeſſions.

Moreouer,Iuſtices Sherifes and other office[...] there was inquiſition taken of Iuſtices Sherifes, Bailifes, Conneſtables, Foreſters and other officers, belonging to the Kyng to vnderſtande in what manner they hadde behaued thēſelues in takyng and ſeaſing of things into their handes, and of all ſuche goodes, giftes and promiſes hadde and receyued by occaſion of ſeaſure made of the landes of Earle Iohn and his fautors, and who receyued y^e ſame,Hubert Ar[...] biſhop of Canterb[...] Lorde chie[...] Iuſtice. and what delay was graunted by commaundemente of Huberte Archbiſhoppe of Caunterbury, then Lorde chiefe Iuſtice.

In this meane tyme, whyleſt theſe inquiſitions were thus taken in Englande, King Rycharde comming foorth of Poictow into Anion,Officers [...] to fine for their office[...] The King offended [...] the Lorde Chauncell[...] cauſed all the Baylifes and officers of that countrey, and alſo of Mayne, to fyne with hym for theyr offices, and after this, when hee came downe into Normandy, he ſeemed in apparance to bee offended with his Chauncellour the Byſhoppe of Elie, about concludyng of the truce with the Frenche Kyng (where as ye haue heard hee was chiefe commiſſioner) miſliking greatly all that was done therein, and therefore hee tooke the ſeale from him, and cauſed a newe Seale to bee made, commaunding to be proclaymed thorough all his dominions, that whatſoeuer hadde bin ſealed with the olde Seale, ſhoulde ſtande in no force, both for that his Chauncelloure hadde wroughte more vndiſcretely than was conueniente, and agayne, bycauſe the ſame ſeale was loſt, when Roger Malus Catulus hys vice-chauncelloure was drowned, who periſhed amongſt other by Shipwracke,A new ſeale. neere to the Iſle of Cipres, before the Kyng arriued there, beeyng as then on hys iourney into the holye lande. Therefore all menne hadde commaundemente to come to this new ſeale, that would haue theyr charters and writings confirmed.

Furthermore, whileſt the truce yet laſted, king Richard ſayled ouer into England, Mat. Paris. 
The king returneth into Englande. He graunteth the engliſhe men li[...]ence [...]o turney. where he cauſed turneys to bee exerciſed in dyuers places, for the better trayning of men of armes in feates of warre, that they might atteyne to be more ſkilfull and perfect in the ſame, when they ſhoulde come to the triall of their forces, whereby hee rayſed no ſmall ſummes of money for graunting licence to his ſubiectes ſo to tourney. Euery Earle that woulde tourney, payde to hym for hys licence twentie markes, Rog. Houede[...] 
Fynes payde not licence to exerciſe tur [...]mentes. euery Baron tenne markes, and euery Knighte hauyng landes, dyd gyue foure markes, and thoſe that hadde no landes two markes.

The charter of this graunte was delyuered by the Kyng vnto William Earle of Saliſburie, to haue the keeping thereof: but Huberte Walter the Archbiſhoppe of Caunterbury, and Lorde chiefe Iuſtice, made his brother Theobald Walter collector of the money. The tenor of the charter was as followeth.

Furthermore, there were ordinances made and ſet foorthe for the ſafekeeping of the peace, ſo that ſuche as woulde tourney, neyther by the way in comming or going, or whileſt the turneying laſted, ſhoulde violently take any thyng to ſerue theyr neceſſarie vſes, without paying therefore to the owner accordyng to the worth, nor ſhould do iniurie to any man in any manner of wiſe. But now to the other doings of Kyng Richard. Hee made no long abode in Englande at this tyme, but ſhortly returned agayne into Normandy, bycauſe hee hearde that Kyng Phillippe hadde an army ready leuied,I thinke hee came not ouer at all into Englande at thys tyme, but rather ſente his mynde vnto the Archbiſh. and therefore meanyng to buckle with hym vppon occaſion offered, hee made the more haſt, and beeing landed there, hee approched to the boroures of y^e Frēch dominions, encamping himſelfe with his army in the fielde to waite for the time that the truce ſhould be expired, leaſt the enimie ſhould in any exployte preuent him. In ſemblable wiſe King Phillippe hauing with hym Earle Iohn Kyng Richardes brother, kept his Souldiers and men of warre in a readineſſe with hym, to worke any feate that ſhould be thought expedient aſſoone as the truce ſhould ende.1195
Meſſengers frō the Pope. Whileſt both theſe Kyngs are thus bent to poure out their malice, and to eaſe theyr ſtomackes with dint of ſworde, there came meſſengers to eyther of them from the Pope, exhorting them vnto peace and quietneſſe, but hys exhortatiō little auayled, for they regarding it little or nothing, immediately as the truce was expired, gote them abroade into the field,Iſold[...] King Rychard draweth towards Iſoldune, a Towne ſituate in y^e confines of Berry, whither it was reported, that the Frēch King meant to come: and there ſtayed for him a whole day togither. But the French Kyng hearing that Kyng Richarde was there to looke for him, thought it beſt not to come there at all. Wherefore King Richarde went the next day vnto a Caſtell called Bryſon, and tooke it vppon his firſt approch. Then wente he to a Towne called Nonen Courte, and perceyuing the ſame to be ſtrong, and well manned, he tooke not in hand to aſſayle it, til the thyrd day after his comming thither, at what time hee ſo encloſed the ſame rounde aboute with diligente watch and ward, that a Catte could not haue eſcaped out of the place, neyther by day nor nyght, but that ſhe ſhould haue bin eſpied. They within being put in feare herewith, yeelded vp y^e Towne the day nexte following, in whiche meane tyme,Nonen C[...] yeeldeth [...] king Rich[...] Albemarle beſieged.
Math. VV[...] Polidor. the French Kyng beſieged Albemarle, wherevpō King Richard hauing left a garriſon of Souldiers in Nonen Courte, came to reyſe the enimie from his ſiege, and ſetting vpon the Frenchmē, there began a ſharp fighte: but the Engliſhmenne weary with trauayle of their paſſed iourney, and being raſhly entred into the battayle, were not able to endure the Frenchmens violence, and ſo not without great loſſe, were conſtreyned to retire in fleeing wiſe, or to ſay the troth, apace to runne away, ſo that the French K. hauing thus chaſed his enimies, returneth to aſſalt Albemarle, and winneth the caſtell by force, and the Towne by compoſition, permitting the garniſon there to depart with all their armour. This done, he ruinated the Caſtel flat to the ground. Rog. Houedē. The Earle of Leiceſters offer for his raunſome. Robert Erle of Leyceſter offered to the French Kyng for hys raunſome a thouſande markes ſterling, and to quite clayme to him and his heires for euer, the right which he had to the caſtell of Paſey, with the appurtenaunces, and to get a confirmation thereof for him both of the Pope, and of the King of England: but for that the warre ſtill dured, the Frenche King tooke a reſpite in aunſweryng this offer, but yet afterwardes in the yeare nexte enſuing, he tooke the offer, and ſo the Earle was ſet at libertie. It was not long after this foreſaid repulſe, but the K. of England hauing refreſſhed his Souldiers with ſome reſt, after their greate trauaile, went to Million, and gyuing aſſault to the Towne, wanne it at the firſt brūt,Million [...] and [...]a[...]ed. and made it playne with the earth. After this, ther was motion made for a peace betwixt y^e two Kings,A m[...] peace. being now weried with long warres: wherof when Earle Iohn was aduertiſed, who as it ſhoulde ſeeme by ſome writers, hauing tarried with the Frēch King till this preſent, began now to doubt leaſt if any agreement were made, he might happily hee betrayed of the Frenche King by couenauntes that ſhould paſſe betwixt them: he determined therefore with him ſelfe to committe hys whole ſafetie to his naturall brother, and to no man elſe, perceyuing that the French King made not ſo great accompt of him after the loſſe of hys Caſtels here in Englande, as he had done before. Herevpon comming to his brother Kyng Rychard, he be ſought him to pardon his offence, and though he had not dealt brotherly towards hym, yet that he would brotherly forgiue him his Rebellious treſpaſſe adding furthermore, that wheras he had not heretofore bin thankfull for his manifold benefites whiche hee hadde receyued at hys hands, yet hee was now moſt ſory therefore, and was willing to make amendes: and herewith hee acknowledged the ſafegard of hys life to reſt in him, for the whiche hee was bounde to giue hym thankes, if he would graunt thereto. The Kyng moued with his words, made this aunſwere (as it is ſayde) that he pardoned him indeede, but yet wiſhed that he might forget ſuche iniuries as hee had receyued at his hands, which he doubted leaſt he ſhould not eaſily do. [...]le Iohn re [...]neth to the [...]og his bro [...]r, and is [...]doned. Herewith Earle Iohn being yet put in good hope of forgiueneſſe, ſware to be true euer after vnto him, and that hee woulde endenor himſelfe to make amendes for hys paſſed miſdoings, and ſo was ſhortly after reſtored vnto his former degree and honor in all reſpectes. But by ſome writers it ſhuld appeare, that Erle Iohn, [...]Vil. Par. [...]g. Houed. [...]at. Par. immediately vppon concluſion of the firſte truce, came from the Frenche King, and ſubmitted himſelfe to his brother, and by mediation of the Queene their mother, was pardoned, and receyued agayne into fauour, and ſerued euer after againſt the French King very dutifully, ſeekyng by new atchieued enterpriſes brought about, to y^e contentation of his brother, [...]g. Houed. to make a recompēce for his former miſdemeanor: but at what time ſo euer he returned thus to his brother, this yeare (as Roger Houeden hath) he was reſtored to y^e Erledomes of Mortaigne in Normādie, and Glowceſter in England, [...]g. Houed. with y^e honor of Eye (the Caſtels only except) and in recompence of the reſidue of the Erledomes which he had before enioyed togither with certaine other lands, his brother king Richarde gaue vnto him an yeerely pention, amounting to the ſumme of eyght thouſand lb. of Anioum money. Here to ſtay a while from matters chauncing heere about home, I will ſpeake ſomewhat of the doing of Leopald Duke of Auſtrich, who as one nothing moued with the peſtilence & famnie that oppreſſed his countrey in this ſeaſon, but rather hauing his hart hardned, began to threaten the engliſh pledges,Rog. Houedē. VVil. Paruus. Mat. Paris: Polichron.
Bald wine de Betun. that they ſhoulde loſe their liues if King Richarde kept not the couenauntes which he had vndertaken to performe by a day appointed. Wherevpon Baldwine Betun one of the hoſtages was ſente by common agreement of the reſidue vnto King Richarde, to ſignifie to him their eſtate. King Richard willing to deliuer them out of further daunger, ſente with the ſame Baldwin his couſin, the ſiſter of Arthur Duke of Britayne, and the daughter of the Emperour of Cipres, to be conueyed vnto the ſayde Duke of Auſtrich, the one, to witte, the ſiſter of Arthur, to be ioyned in marriage with the Dukes ſonne, and the other to remayne in the Dukes handes, to diſpoſe of hir at his pleaſure. But in the meane time, on Saint Stephens day, Duke Leopald chaunced to haue a fall beſyde his Horſe,Duke Leopald catcheth a fall beſyde his Horſe and dyeth of the hurt. wherewith hee did hurt hys legge, in ſuche wiſe, that all the Chirurgians in the Countrey coulde not help him, wherevpon in extreame anguiſh he ended hys lyfe, and where before his death hee required to be aſſoyled of the ſentence of excommunication pronounced againſte him by the Pope, for (apprehending of Kyng Richarde in hys returning from his iourney made into the holye lande,) hee was aunſwered by the Cleargie, that except hee woulde receyue an oth to ſtande to the iudgement of the Churche for the iniurie done to Kyng Richarde, and that alſo excepte other of the nobilitie would receyue the lyke oth with him if he chaunced to die (whereby hee might not fulfill that whyche the Churche heerein ſhoulde decree) that yet they ſhoulde ſee the ſame performed, he might not otherwiſe bee aſſoyled. Hee therefore tooke the othe, and the Nobles of his countrey with hym, and therewithall releaſſed y^e Engliſh pledges, pardoned the money that yet remained behinde, of his portion aforeſaide, and immediately therewith dyed. After his deceſſe, bycauſe certayne peeres of the Countrey withſtoode the performance of the premiſſes, his body lay eyghte dayes longer aboue grounde than otherwiſe it ſhould haue done, for till ſuche time as all y^e pledges were perfectly releaſſed, it might not be buried. Alſo Baldwin de Betun being approched nere to the confynes of Auſtrich, when he hearde howe the Duke was dead, hee returned backe with the two Ladies vnto his maſter King Richarde.

Thus (as yee haue heard) for feare of y^e Cenſures of the Churche were the pledges reſtored, and the reſidue of the money behynde releaſſed.

Thys thyng was to King Richarde bothe pleaſaunt, and alſo profitable for his ſoule healthe (as may bee thoughte) bycauſe hee tooke occaſion thereof to amend his owne former life, by conſidering how muche hee myghte bee reprehended for his ſundry faultes committed both agaynſte God and man. A maruellous matter to heare, howe greatly from thencefoorth he reformed hys paſſed trade of liuing into a better forme and order.White Monks Moreouer, the Emperour gaue to the Ciſteaux Monkes three thouſand markes of ſiluer percell of King Richards raunſome, to make ſyluer ſenſe[...]s in euery Church through out where they had any houſes, but the Abbots of the ſame order refuſed the gifte, being a portion of ſo wrongfull and vngodly a gayne. At which thing, when it came to the knowlege of King Richard, he greatly maruelled at the firſt, but after commended the Abbots in their doings, but chiefly for ſhewyng that they were voyde of the accuſtomed greedineſſe of hauing, whiche moſt men ſuppoſed them to be much infected with.

Rog. Houedē. 
Hugh Nouant Biſhop of Couentrie reſtored to his See.King Richarde this yeare pardoned Hugh Nouant Biſhop of Couentrie of all his wrathe and diſpleaſure conceyued towarde hym, and reſtored to him his Biſhopricke for fiue thouſande markes of ſiluer, but Roberte Nouant the ſame Byſhops brother dyed in the Kyngs priſon at Douer.

The Archb. of Yorke.Alſo whereas the Archbiſhop of Yorke hadde offended Kyng Richard, hee pardoned him, and receyued him againe into fauoure, with the kiſſe of peace, wherevppon the Archbiſhoppe waxed ſo proude, that vſing the King reprochfully, hee loſt both his Archbiſhopricke, and the rule of Yorkeſhire, whyche hee hadde in gouernemente as Sherife.

Pope Celeſtine.
The Archb. of Caunterbury is made the Popes Legate.Moreouer, through the Kings requeſt, Pope Celeſtine this yeare made the Archbyſhoppe of Caunterbury Legate of all Englande by hys Bulles directed to hym, bearing date at hys Palace in Rome called Laterane, the fifteene Kalendes of Aprill, in the fourth yeare of hys Papacie.

And further, the Pope wrote alſo to the Engliſhe Cleargie, giuing them to vnderſtande, that hee had created the ſayde Archbiſhop of Caunterbury hys Legate, commaunding them ſo to accept him: by vertue of whiche letters, the Archbyſhop Huberte beeyng nowe both Archbyſhoppe of Caunterbury, Legate of the Apoſtolike ſea, and Lorde chiefe Iuſtice of Englande, appoynted to holde a Counſell at Yorke, and therefore gaue knowledge by the Abbot of Binnham in Northfolke, and one maſter Geruiſe, vnto the Canons of Yorke, and to the Archbiſhoppes officials of his purpoſed intention.

The ſayd Canons and officials well conſidering of the Popes letters whiche were delyuered vnto them by the meſſengers, ſignifyed for anſwere, that they woulde gladly receyue hym as Legate of the Apoſtolyke See, but not as Archbyſhoppe of Caunterbury, nor as theyr primate.

Heerewith he came vnto Yorke vppon Sainte Barnabees day beeing Sunday, and was receyued with Proceſſion.

On the morrowe after, he helde court of pleaes of the Crowne, of aſſiſes, and ſuche other matters, touching the King, and on the nexte daye beeyng Tweſday, he entred into the monaſterie of Sainte Maries in Yorke, and depoſed the Abbot, bycauſe of his infirmitie of body at the requeſt of the Monkes, but the Abbot appealed to the Popes conſiſtory.

A Synode [...]den at Y[...] After this, hee aſſembled the Cleargie in the Church of Saint Peter in Yorke, and there helde a Synode for reformation of thyngs amiſſe in the Church, and amendmente of manners in the Cleargie, ſo that dyuers decrees were made there, the whiche for breefeneſſe we omitte to ſpeake of in perticular. Thys yeare alſo, the ſayd Archbyſhoppe Huberte cauſed all menne throughout the Realme of Englande to receyue an othe, for to obſerue the Kynges peace, and hat they ſhoulde not be robbers, nor receptors of robbers, nor in any wiſe conſenting vnto them, but ſhould do what in them mighte lie, to apprehend all ſuche offendors, and to diſcouer them to the kings officers to bee apprehended, and to purſue them vppon hew and crie to the vttermoſt of their powers, and thoſe that withdrew thēſelues from ſuch purſute, ſhould be apprehended as partakers with the offenders.

[...]e Emperor [...]deth to the [...]g.About this time alſo the Emperour ſent to K. Richarde, requiring him in no wiſe to conclude any peace with the Frenche King, but rather to inuade his dominions, promiſing to ayde hym in all that hee might:An. reg. 7. but Kyng Richard to vnderſtand further of the Emperours mind herein, [...]e Bishop of [...]e is ſent to [...] Emperour ſent ouer his Chauncellor the Biſhoppe of Elie vnto him in ambaſſadge, and in the meane time the warre was ſtill continued betwixte hym and the Frenche, by the whiche they were commonly put to the worſe, and Kyng Richarde inuadyng their bordures, did much hurt in waſting y^e coū treys on each ſide. The Frenche Kyng was at one time ſo narrowly chaſed, that as hee woulde haue paſſed a bridge that lay ouer the water of Sayne, hee was in daunger of drowning by the fall of the ſame vnder him, but yet at lengthe hee eſcaped, [...]he two kin [...]s talke to [...]her. and gote to the further ſide. After thys, the two Kings came to a communication togyther, in the which a motion was made, that Lewis the French Kyng his ſonne and heire ſhould haue in marriage the ſiſter of Arthur Duke of Britaine, and that Kyng Richarde in conſideration thereof, ſhoulde ſurrender vnto them and to their heires the Townes of Giſors, Bademont, with the countrey of Veulqueſſine, or Veuxine le Normant, Vernon, Iuery and Paſcy, and further, ſhoulde giue vnto them twentie thouſande markes of ſiluer and on the other ſyde, the French Kyng ſhoulde reſigne vnto King Richarde all that he could demaund in the countie of Engenleſme, and alſo reſtore vnto hym the Counties of Albemarle and Augy, with the Caſtel of Arkes, and all other Caſtels which he had takē in Normandy, or in any partie during theſe laſt warres. But ther was a reſpite taken for the full concluding and aſſuring of theſe conditions, till y^e Octaues of all Saints, that King Richard myghte vnderſtande the Emperours pleaſure, withoute whoſe conſent he myght not conclude any thing concerning that matter, bycauſe he had ſent ſuch word vnto him by the Lorde Chauncellor, who at this time was attendant in his court. In the meane time, the Emperoure being aduertiſed of the whole matter, and articles afore mentioned, gaue knowledge to King Richarde by the Byſhoppe of Elie at his returning backe, that thys forme of peace nothing lyked hym,The Emperor diſſuadeth the king from agreeing to the peace. for (as hee alledged) it ſhould ſound to King Richardes diſhonor if he ſurrendred any thing that he had not in poſſeſſion, and to encourage him to recouer thoſe things which had bin taken from him, the emperoure pardoned him of y^e ſeuenteene M. markes of ſiluer which yet remained behynde due vnto hym for the Kings raunſome. Howſoeuer the matter paſſed, the two Kings met not in the Octaues of all Saints, according to the appoyntment, although they were come, and approched very nere to the place, where they ſhoulde haue communed togither: but through the diſſimulation of the Frenchmen, they departed, withoute ſeeing the one the other,The vvarre is begon afreſh. and immediately they beginne the warre as fiercely, as at any time before. The French Kyng alſo tooke the Towne of Dieppe whiche King Richard hadde lately repared, and brenned it, with the Shippes that harbored in the Hauen.

After this, comming to Iſoldun, hee wanne the Towne and beſieged the Caſtell: but Kyng Richarde aduertiſed thereof,The haſt which king Richard made came with quicke ſpeede (making of three dayes iourney but one) and entred into the Caſtell of Iſoldun to defend the ſame againſte his aduerſaries: and forthwith there reſorted ſuche numbers of men vnto hym when they hearde howe he was beſieged, that the Frenche Kyng doubting howe to retire from thence in ſafetie, made ſute firſt to haue licence to depart, and after when that would not be graunted, he required at the leaſt wiſe to talke with the Kyng of Englād about ſome agreement: whervnto Kyng Richard condeſcended, and ſo comunyng togyther,The two kings againe talke togither of peace. they concluded vppon a truce to endure from that day, being Saterday next after the feaſt of Saint Nicholas, vnto the feaſt of S. Hillarie next enſuing, and then to meete againe neere vnto Louiers with their counſels, that they might grow by ſome reaſonable way, vnto a finall peace and concord. And according to thys Article,1196. ſhortly after the ſame feaſt of Sainte Hillarie,The conditiōs of the peace concluded betwixt the two kings.
Math. Paris. they mette at Louiers, wher finally they were accorded to conclude a peace on theſe conditions, that the French King ſhoulde releaſſe to the King of England Iſoldun, with the Countrey aboute, wonne by him ſith the beginning of theſe warres. Likewiſe, all the right which he had in Berry, Auuergne, and Gaſcoigne, and the County of Aubemarle.

Math. VVeſt.Vpon the other parte, the King of Englande ſhould reſigne Giſors, and certayne other places, and namely Veuxin or Veulqueſſine to y^e Kyng of Fraunce.Mat. VVest. Mat. Par. Herevpon were ſureties alſo bounde for performance, and the forfeyture of fifteene thouſande markes aſſigned to be payde by y^e partie that firſt brake the peace. Wherevppon, ſhortly after, when the French Kyng repenting hym ſelfe of the agreement, began to make war a new, King Richard ſeaſed into his hands all y^e goodes and poſſeſſions that belonged to the Abbots of the order of the great Monaſtery of Cluny, and of Saint Denice and la Charitie, whiche hadde become ſuretie for the French King in y^e ſumme of 1500. markes aforeſayde.

Rog. Houedē. 
The Erle of Albemarle departed his life.This yeare dyed William de Forz Earle of Albemarle, in whoſe place ſucceeded Baldwine de Betun by the Kinges gifte, and married the Counteſſe of Albermarle.

Otho ſonne to the duke of Saxony.There was a motion alſo made for a marriage betwixte the Lorde Otho, ſonne to Henry Duke of Saxony, Kyng Richardes nephewe by hys ſyſter, and the Lady Margaret, daughter to the Kyng of Scottes, ſo as they ſhould haue enioyed the Countreys of Lothian, Northumberlande,Lawnes. and the Countie of Careleil with the Caſtels.

For the concluſion of this marriage, the Archbiſhop of Caunterbury was ſente about Chriſtmas to commune with the Kyng of Scottes: but bycauſe the Scottiſh Queene was then conceyued of childe, hir huſbande (in hope that God woulde ſende hym a ſonne) refuſed to ſtand vnto the aboue mentioned couenauntes.

About thys time alſo, VVil. P[...] Ran. H[...] 
The Ab[...] Caen ſe[...] Englan[...] King Richarde ſente the Abbot of Caen, (that was alſo the elect of Durham) into England, to take an accompts of thoſe that hadde the receyptes of the Kyngs money: for this Abbot had enformed the Kyng, that his receyuors and officers heere in the Realme, dealt not iuſtly in their accomptes makyng, but both deceyued the King,Fraudul[...] dealing [...] ficers. and oppreſſed hys people, in exacting more than was due, and concealing that which they ought to ſtand accomptable for.

The Kyng ſuppoſing hys wordes to be true, or at the leaſt wayes likely ſo to bee, and that in reforming ſuch vntroth in his officers, it ſhoulde bee both profitable to him, and well liked of the people, ſent this Abbot ouer, with commiſſion, to be as it were his generall Auditor. Howbeeit, the Byſhoppe of Caunterbury Hubert, whiche was gouernour of the Realme in cauſes both Temporall and ſpirituall, by reaſon he hadde both the Kings authoritie as his vicegerent, and alſo the Popes as his Legate authoriſed, dyd ſomewhat ſtomacke y^e matter, in that it ſhoulde be thought, that he did ſuffer ſuch abuſes in the Kyngs officers, and not reforme them: but he helde hym cō tente and ſayde little, ſith the Abbot ſhewed him the Kings commſſion to do that which he wente aboute, although hee brought it not to paſſe, for whereas hee came ouer in the Lente ſeaſon, and gaue out commaundements, that all ſuch as had any thing to doe in receipt of the Kyngs money, ſhould appeare before him at after Eaſter, he tarried not to ſee Eaſter himſelfe, but was called into another world, by the ſtroke of death, there to render an accomptes for his owne actes heere in thys life committed.

At the ſame time,Fabia[...]. VVil. P[...] Mat. P[...] Ran. Hig[...] 
William [...] bert. there was another perſon in London called William with the long berde (alias Fitz Oſbert) whyche hadde lykewiſe enformed the Kyng of certayne great oppreſſions and exceſſiue outrages vſed by rich men againſt the poore, (as namely the Worſhipfull of the Citie, the Maior and Aldermenne, the whyche in theyr hoyſtings, when any tillage was to bee gathered, burdened the poore further than was thought reaſon to eaſe themſelues,The foule [...] order in the Citizens of London. wherevppon the ſayde William beeyng a ſeditious perſon, and of a buſie nature, ſeaſſed not to make complayntes:) and whereas the Kyng gaue eare vnto him at the firſt, he tooke a boldneſſe thereof, and drewe vnto him greate routes of the poorer ſort of people, and woulde take vpon hym to defend the cauſes of thoſe that founde themſelues greeued with the heauie yoke of riche menne, and gentlemen. He was ſomwhat learned, and very eloquent: he had alſo a verie good witte, but he applyed it rather to ſet diſſention betwixt the hye eſtates and the lowe, than to any other good purpoſe: Hee accuſed alſo his owne brother of treaſon, who in his youthe hadde kepte him to ſchole,The vnnatural [...]ngratitude of Fitz Osbert. and bin verye good and beneficiall brother vnto him, bycauſe now he would not ſtill maynteyne hym with money to beare out his riottous port.

Moreouer, he declared to the Kyng, that by the extortion and bryberie of certaine menne of great wealth, he loſt many forfaytes and eſcheates. Many Gentlemen of honor ſore hated hym for his preſumptuous attempts to the hyndering of theyr purpoſes: but he had ſuche comforte of the king, that he little paſſed of their malice, but kept on his intent, till the king beeing aduertiſed of the aſſemblies whiche he made, commaunded hym to ceaſſe from ſuche doings, that the people myghte fall agayne to theyr ſciences and occupations whiche they hadde for the more part lefte off, at the inſtigation of thys Willyam wyth the Long bearde, ſo named of the long, heare of his beard,VVhy he [...]vare his long [...]earde.
Mat. Paris. whiche he nouriſhed of purpoſe to ſeme the more graue and manlyke, and alſo as it were in deſpite of them which counterfaited the Normans (that were for the moſte parte ſhauen,) and bycauſe he woulde reſemble the auncient vſage of the Engliſh nation. The kyngs commaundement in reſtraynt of the peoples reſort vnto him, was well kepte a whyle, [...]abian. but it was not long ere they beganne to follow him againe as they hadde doone afore. Then he toke vpon him to make vnto them certain collations or ſermons, taking for his theme, Haurietis aquas in gaudio de fontibus ſaluatoris, His orations to [...]he people. That is to meane: Ye ſhall drawe in gladneſſe waters oute of the fountaynes of oure Sauiour. And hereto he added, I am (ſayd he) the ſauyour of poore menne. Ye be the poore, and haue aſſayed the harde handes and heauie burdens of the ryche: Nowe drawe ye therefore, the healthfull waters of vnderſtandyng out of my welles and ſpryngs, and that with ioye. For the tyme of your viſitation is commen: I ſhall (ſayde he) departe waters from waters: by waters I vnderſtande the people, and I ſhall departe the people whych are good and meke, from the people that are wicked and prowde, and I ſhall diſſeuer the good and euyll, euen as the lyghte is deuyded from darkeneſſe.

[...]eruaſius Dorober.And by ſuche perſwaſyons and meanes as he vſed, he hadde gotten two and fyftie thouſande perſons, readye to haue taken his parte, as appeared after by a rolle of theyr names founde in hys keepyng, beſydes dyuers Inſtrumentes of yron to breake vp houſes, and other thynges, ſeruyng to ſuche lyke purpoſes.

Thus hee broughte the Comm[...]uers into a great lykyng of hym: but the ryche and wealthye Citezens ſtoode in greate feare, ſo that they kepte theyr houſes, in armes, in doubte to bee robbed and ſlayne by hym in the nyghte ſeaſon.

The Archebyſhoppe of Canterburye (vnto whome the rule of the Realme chiefely be[...]nged,) beeing aduertiſed heereof, ſendeth for the greateſt number of the Citizens, and vſing them wyth gentle woordes, perſwaded them to delyuer pledges, the better to aſſure hym, that no ſuche thyng ſhoulde chaunce, whyche was ſuſpected of manye, thoughe he was lothe to conceyue anye ſuche opinyon of them. They beeing ouercome with his courteous wordes, gaue vnto him pledges.

After this, when the foreſayd Willyam ceaſſed not to make congregations of the people,He is called before the Archb[...] of Canterbury Lorde chief Iuſtice or preſident of the realme. at lengthe the Archebiſhoppe ſente a commaundemente vnto hym, that hee ſhoulde appeare before him and other of the Counſell, at a certayne prefixed daye, to aunſwere to ſuche thynges as myghte he layde to his charge.

To be ſhorte, he didde ſo, at the tyme appointed, but with ſuche a route of the common people aboute hym, that the Archebiſhoppe durſte not pronounce agaynſte him, but licenced him to departe for that tyme, giuyng him ſofte and gentle woordes: But certayn perſons were then appoynted by the ſayde Archebyſhoppe and other of the Counſell to watche hym ſometyme when he ſhould haue no great companie aboute hym, and then to apprehende him.

Amongſt thoſe that were thus commaunded to attache hym, were two burgeſſes of the Citie, the whych hauing eſpyed a conuenient tyme for the execution of theyr purpoſe, ſette vppon hym to haue taken hym, but he getting an Axe, defended hymſelfe manfully: and in reſyſtyng, ſlewe one of them, and after that fledde into the Churche of Saynt Marye Bowe,He fleeth into the churche of S. Mary Bovv. kepyng the ſame not as a place of Sainctuarie, but as a fortreſſe: In ſo muche that by the helpe of ſuche as reſorted vnto hym, he defended it agaynſte his aduerſaryes, tyll with fyre and ſmoake, they conſtrayned hym to come foorthe, and all thoſe that were there with him:His concubine. Amongeſt them alſo was his concubine, who neuer lefte hym for any daunger that myght betyde him.

The people regardyng the daunger of theyr pledges, came not out to ayde hym, as it was muche doubted they woulde haue done. Wherefore being thus attached, he was brought forth, and commyng out of the Churche, the ſonne of that burgeſſe whome he had ſlayne, (as you haue heard) ſtrake hym very ſore into the belly with a knife, in reuēge of his fathers death. After this, he was had to his araignmēt before the Archbiſhop, ſittyng within the Towre, and beeing condemned, was from thence drawn with horſſes to the place of execution called the Elmes, and there hanged on a Gybet,He is executed. with nyne of his adherents, whiche hadde defended the Churche agaynſt the kings power: and yet for al this, the grudge ceaſed not,VVil. Paruus Mat. Paris. but the common people reyſed a greate ſlaunder vpon the Archbiſhoppe, both for cauſing him to be taken out of the churche,The Archbish. of Canterburye euill ſpoken of, for the death of VVilliam Fitz O[...]bert. where he claimed the priuiledge of Sayntuarie, and alſo for putting him to death, who was innocent (as they alledged) and not giltie to thoſe crimes that were layde agaynſt him: who ſought onely the defence of poore people agaynſt extortioners, and ſuche as were wrong doers.

This rumour roſe ſo faſte, that at lengthe (by bruting abroade,An old vvhore monger, and a nevve ſaint. that certayne miracles ſhoulde be wroughte by a chayne, wherin he was bounde in tyme of his impriſonment) hee was taken for a Sainte. The place alſo where he ſuffred, was viſyted by women, and other ſuperſtitious folks, as a plotte of great holyneſſe tyll at lengthe the Archebiſhoppe cauſed it to be watched, to the end that no ſuche fooliſheneſſe ſhould be vſed there. At length the opinion whiche the people had thus fondly conceyued of his dertue and innoceneye, was by little and little remoued out of their heades, when his actes were more certaynely publyſhed: as the ſlea[...]ng of a manne with his owne handes, and the vſyng of his Concubine within Bowe Churche, during the tyme of his being there.

Alſo the Archbiſhoppe accurſed a Prieſt, which had firſte broughte vp the falſe reporte and fayned Fable of the miracle wroughte by the chayne, wherby the occaſion of Idolatrie was firſt giuen, and might eaſily haue bin continued, if the Archbiſhop had not bin the wyſer man, and by ſuche meanes repreſſed the rumour.

But now to returne vnto the doings of kyng Richard in France. Ye haue heard how a peace was concluded (as ſome haue written) but the ſame continued not long: for the Frenche kyng ſeeming to repente hymſelfe of that he had done, (as is aforeſayd) breaketh the peace, and reyſing a power, beſieged Albemarle, and at lengthe wanne it, and raſed it downe to the ground, and kyng Richarde gaue vnto hym three thouſande Markes of Syluer for the ranſom of his knightes, and yeomen, or demylaunces (as I may call them) that were taken in that fortreſſe. After thys, the Frenche kyng wan Nonencourte, and Earle Iohn tooke the caſtell of Gamages.

Aboute the ſame tyme alſo kyng Rycharde gaue vnto hys Nephew Otho the Earledome of Poictowe:The Earledome of Poict[...]. Whyche I haue thoughte good to note oute of Roger Houeden,Iohn Bou[...] his doubt. to remoue the doubte of Iohn Bouchet, that in the thyrde parte of hys Annales of Aquitayne, meruayleth of an olde Pancarte or Recorde, whyche he had ſeene, by the tenoure whereof, it appeareth, that this Otho entitled hymſelfe Duke of Aquitayne and Earle of Poictou, beyng in his Caſtel of Manſterculbonin nere to Poictiers, in the yeare a thouſande, one hundred nyntie nyne, in preſence of Geffrey de Luſignen, and others, and graunted vnto a certaine perſon, the office of cutting the money in the mynte of that towne, as by the ſame Pancarte it further appeareth. The ſyghte whereof, broughte the ſayde Bouchet into a greate perplexitie, conſyderyng that no Chronicle whyche hee hadde eyther ſeene, or hearde of, made mention of any Otho that ſhould be Duke of Aquitayn, or Erle of Poictou, eyther before that tyme, or after: Where againe it was euydente to hym, that Queene Eleanore the mother of Kyng Rycharde, as then lyuing, named hir ſelfe Ducheſſe of Aquitaine, and Counteſſe of Poictou: and likewyſe Kyng Richard entitled himſelfe duke of Aquitayn, and Earle of Poictou, euer after he had [...]nced the Earle of Barcelones daughter, as by dyuers recordes both of the mother, and the ſonne hee had ſeene perfect notice. At length yet he geſſeth (and that truly) that it ſhould be this Otho, to whom the mother and ſonne had aſſigned the Duchie of Aquitayne and countie of Poictou, for the maintenance of his eſtate, he holdyng the ſame till the yeare .1199. in the whiche he was made Emperour by king Richards good helpe, as after ſhall be ſhewed more at large.

Ranulph earle of Cheſter, toke his vvyfe the Ducheſſe of Britayn, priſoner.About this time alſo as the Counteſſe of Britayn, the mother of duke Arthur came into Nurmandie to haue ſpoken with king Richard, Ranulph Earle of Cheſter hir huſbande meeting hir at Pountourſon, tooke hir as priſoner, and ſhutte hir vp within his caſtel at S. Iames de Bevmeron: and when hir ſonne Arthur could not finde meanes to deliuer hir out of captiuitie, he ioyned with the king of France, and made great hauock in the lands of his vncle king Richard, whervpon the king gathered a mightie armie, and inuading Britayn with great force, cruelly waſted and deſtroyed the countrey.

A dearth.Here is alſo to bee noted, that in this .vij. yeare of king Richard, a great dearth chanced through this realme of England, and in the coaſts about the ſame. Alſo aboute, the ſame tyme dyed William Erle of Saliſbury,The death of the Earle of Salisburye. the ſonne of Erle Patrike, whoſe daughter and heire Kyng Richarde gaue in mariage, together with the Erledome of Saliſbury, vnto his ha[...]e brother, Iu[...]named Lōg Eſpe[...]

It chaunced moreouer,Rog. Houed[...] Mat. Paris. aboute the ſame time, that Erle Iohn the kings brothir with certain capitaynes of ſuche hyred ſouldiors [...]s ſome ca[...] [...]anc[...]nt, other the Row[...], and the French hiſtories name them Caſt[...]u[...]s, or Coterells went abrode to atchieue ſome enterpriſe againſt the biſhop of Beauvoys, and other Frenchmen, whiche had d[...]mache hurt to king Richards ſubiectes in thoſe parties. The chief leaders of thoſe Rōiltes or Caſte[...], whiche went foorth with Erle Iohn, and ſerued v[...]r him at that tyme, wire two Pr[...]co[...], Marchades, and Lupeſcaro.Marchades, & Lupeſcaro. Theſe riding forth[...] coūtrey about Beauvoys, made haue [...]ing and ſpoyling all afore them. And as Philip the Biſhop of Beauvoys, a man more giuen to the campe than to the Churche, had knowledge hereof, thinkyng them to be a meete pray for him, with ſir William de Merlow and his ſonne, and a greate number of other valiaunt men of warre, came forth into the fields, & encoūtring with the enimies, [...]ought very ſtoutly. In the ende yet the Biſhop, the Archdeacon,The Bishop of Beauvoys taken priſoner and all the chiefe capitaynes were taken the reſidue ſlayne and chaſ[...]d.

After this, Earle Iohn and the foreſayd Capitaynes paſſed foorth, and wann the towne of Milly, and ſo returned.

The two Prelates, Erle Iohn and Marchades, preſented with grente triumph vnto Kyng Rycharde earely in the mornyng, lying yet in his hedde, as thoſe that were knowne to bee his greate eniemies, ſaying to hym in Frenche, Ryſe Richarde, aryſe, wee haue gotten the great Chauntour of Beauvoys, and a good quier man (wee take it) to aunſwere him in the fame note, and here we delyuer them vnto you to vſe at your diſcretion.

The king ſeeing them ſmyled, and was verye gladde for the taking of this Biſhop, for that he had euer founde hym his greate aduerſarie: and therefore beeyng thus taken fightyng in the fielde with armour on his backe, he thought he myght bee [...]olde in temporall wyſe to chaſtyſe hym: Sith hee (not regardyng hys callyng) practiſed to moleſte hym wyth Temporall weapons: And herevppon hee committed hym to ſtrayte pryſon all armed as he was.

It chanced ſoone after, that two of his chaplaynes came to the Kyng vnto Rouen, where this Byſhoppe was deteyned, beſeechyng the Kyng of licence to attend vppon theyr mayſter nowe in captiuitie: Vnto whome (as it is of ſome reported) the Kyng made thys aunſwere: I am contente to make you Iudges in the cauſe betwixte mee and your maiſter. As for the euils whiche he hath either done, either elſe gone aboute to doe vnto mee, lette the ſame be forgotten. This is true, that I being taken as I returned from my iorney made into the holy land, and deliuered into the Emperors hands, was in reſpect of my kingly eſtate, vſed acording thervnto verie friendly and honorably, till your maiſter comming thither (for what purpoſe hee himſelfe beſt knoweth) had long conference with the emperor. After whiche, I for my parte in the nexte morning taſted the frute of their ouernights talk, being then loden, with as many yrons, as a good Aſſe mighte not verie eaſily haue borne. Iudge you therfore, what maner of impriſonment your maiſter deſerueth at my handes, that procured ſuch eaſe for me at the Emperors handes.

The two Chaplaines had their mouths ſtopped with theſe wordes thus by the King vttered, and ſo departed their wayes. The Biſhop being ſtill deteyned in priſon, procured ſuite to be made to the Pope for his deliuerance: but the Pope, being truly informed of the matter, and wiſely conſidering that the king had not taken the Biſhop preaching, but fighting, and kept him priſoner rather as a roughe enimie, than as a peaceable prelate, would not be earneſt with the king for hys deliuerance, but rather reproued the Biſhoppe, in that he had preferred ſecular warrefare before the ſpirituall, and had taken vppon him the vſe of a ſpeare in ſtead of a croſier: an helmet in ſtead of myter: an habergeon in ſtede of a white rochet: a tergate for a ſtoale: and an yron ſworde, in lieu of the ſpirituall ſword: and therfore he refuſed to vſe any commandment to king Richarde, for the ſetting of him at libertie. But yet he promiſed to doe what he coulde by way of intreating, that he might be releaſſed.

It is reported by ſome writers, that the Pope at firſt, not vnderſtanding the truth of the whole circumſtance, ſhould ſend to king Richard, commanding him by force of the Canons of y^e church to delyuer his ſonnes the Biſhop and Archdeacon out of their captiuitie. To whom the king ſente their armour with this meſſage in Latine, Vide an tanica filij tui ſit, an non, that is, See whether theſe are the garments of thy ſonnes, or not: alluding to the ſaying of thoſe y^e caryed Ioſephs cote to Iacob. Geneſ. 37. Which whē y^e Pope ſaw, he ſaid: Nay by S. Peter, it is neither the apparell of my ſons, nor yet of my brethren: but rather they are the veſtures of the children of Mars and ſo he left thē ſtill to be raunſomed at the kings pleaſure. The Biſhop thus ſeeing no hope to be deliuered without ſome agreement had betwixt the two kings, became now through yrkſomneſſe of his bondes, an earneſt mediatour for the peace, wheretofore he had bin an extreme ſtirrer vp of warre. Suche a Schoolemaiſter is impriſonmente, and plucker downe of loftie courages. But to proceede.

An. reg. 8. About the ſame tyme the Archbiſhop of Roan put all the countreye of Normandie vnder ſentence of interdiction, bycauſe kyng Richarde had begonne to fortifye a Caſtell at Liſle Dandely,Normandie i[...] terdited by t[...] Archbishop [...] Rouen. vpon a peece of grounde whiche the Archbiſhoppe claymed to appertayne vnto his ſea. The matter was broughte afore the Pope, who perceyuyng the intent of King Richarde was not otherwyſe grounded vpon any couetous purpoſe to defraude the Churche of hir ryght, but only to buyld a fortreſſe in ſuche place as was moſte expedient for defence of the countrey about, to preſerue it from inuaſyon of the enimies: He counſelled the Archbiſhop not to ſtande againſte the King in it, but to exchaunge with hym for ſome other landes, whiche was doone, and the Interdiction by the Pope releaſſed. The Biſhop of Ely Lord Chā cellour,The Biſhop [...] Elye dep[...] this lyfe. being ſente about this buſineſſe towardes Rome, departed this life by the way at Poictiers in Ianuarie. But the Biſhops of Durham and Liſteux that were ſent with him, paſſed forward, and comming to Rome, informed the Pope of the matter, who toke order with the Biſhoppes (as before is mencioned.) The kyng gaue to the Church in Rouen in recompence, his milles whiche he had in Rouen, ſo that the ſayde Churche ſhould paye the almes of olde tyme appoynted to be giuen for the ſame. He gaue to the ſaid churche likewyſe the towne of Diepe, and the Towne of Buſſeles, ſo that the Churche ſhoulde lykewyſe paye the almes aſſigned foorth of the ſame, being the ſumme of .372. poundes of Aniouyne money: Alſo the manour of Louers, and the Forreſt of Alermounde with the deere, and the appurtenances. But now to other doings.

About the ſame time, or not long before, where as there had beene long contention betwixte the kings of England, Rog. H[...] The king and the Earle of Tholouſe agreed. and the Earles of S. Gyles for the Earledome of Tholouſe, King Richarde by way of aliaunce fell nowe at an appointement with Erle Raimond, that helde thoſe landes: for where as the Counteſſe Conſtaunce wife to the ſaide Raymond Erle of Tholouſe and Aunte to Kyng Phillip was now departed this life, King Richarde concluded a mariage betwene the ſayde Erle and his ſiſter Ioane, Quene of Sicill, ſomtime wife to William King of Sicill, ſo that being thus ioyned in alliaunce with the ſaide Earle of Tholouſe on the one ſide, Mat. Paris. The Earle of Flanders alyed vvith K. Ric[...] he procured a leage alſo with the Earle of Flaunders Baldwyne on the other, vnto whome hee gaue fiue thouſande markes in rewarde, vpon condition that he ſhuld con[...]naunte not to growe to any agreement with the Frenche King without his conſent.Iaco. Me[...]. Les An[...] de France.

Likewiſe the Earle of Bolongne Reginald, that was ſon to the Earle of Chaſteau Martine, alied hymſelfe with them againſt the Frenche King, and ſo dydde Baldwine Earle of Guynes with diuers other.

And thus Kyng Richarde by ſuche aliaunce hauyng his parte greatly ſtrengthened, prepared himſelfe to the warre more earneſtly than before, and taking order with the Erle of Flanders, that they ſhould inuade the French dominions in two ſeuerall quarters bothe at one time, as the Earle by Flannders, and he himſelfe by Normandye, acording to appointment betwixt them deuiſed.

Iaco. Meir. VVil. ParuusThe Erle preparing an armie, firſte wan the Towne of Dowaye, and then beſieged Saincte Omers, and wan it after .v. weekes ſiege: whervpon they of Ayre yelded vnto him.Tovvns vvon by the Earle of Flaunders. Shortely afer he entred into Artoys, and beſieged the Citie of Arras.

At the ſame time king Richard marching towards Gyſors, wanne in his waye the Caſtelle of Corſelles, and deſtroyed it. That doone, hee came to Gyſors,Gyſors beſieged. and beſieged the towne, waſting all the countreye rounde aboute hym where hee came.

The Frenche king beeing thus troubled wyth the inuaſion of his enimies in two ſeueral places at one preſent time, ſente certayne bandes of hys ſouldiors towards Arras, to keepe the Earle of Flaunders play, whileſt he himſelf goeth againſt king Richard: and cōming vnto Gyſors▪ findeth it ſtraitly beſieged of the ſame king ſo that he wiſt not well how to enter the towne.

At lengthe yet fayning to gyue battayle to Kyng Richarde, who vppon deſyre to receyue it, came abroade into the field,The French king entreth to Gyſors. the French king ruſheth foorth with all his whole force to make towardes the Towne, and ſo gotte into it, thoughe not withoute greate loſſe and damage of his people.

King Richard not meanyng to breake vp his ſiege from beefore the Towne, (notwythſtanding the Frenche kyng hadde entred it) ſtayed a certayne tyme of purpoſe to wynne it, knowing the gayne to bee the greater,King Richard reiſeth his ſi[...] and hys name more famous, if hee myghte atchieue hys purpoſe, nowe that his aduerſarie was within it. But when hee ſawe it woulde not bee, hee reyſed his ſiege, and departed towardes Cleremonte, ſpoyling all the Countrey by hys forray[...] as hee wente, ſo that hee wanne greate pillage, wherewith hys Souldiers were loaden and made verie ryche.

It chaunced, that in a ſkirmiſhe, Hugh de Chaumount was taken Priſoner,Hugh de Chaumount taken priſoner. one that was of the Frenche Kynges priuie councell, and king Richarde appoynted hym to the keepyng of Roberte Ros, who charged one of hys ſeruauntes named William de Spyney with the cuſtody of hym. But the ſayde Hugh corruptyng hys keeper the foreſayde William, eſcaped out of the Caſtell of Bonneville, where he was within warde, to the greate diſpleaſure of kyng Rycharde, who cauſed Roberte Ros to paye for a fyne,Robert Roſſe p[...] to his fyne fo[...] eſcape. the ſumme of twelue hundred markes, whyche the Priſoner ſhoulde haue payde for hys raunſome: and further, commaunded William de Spyney to bee hanged for hys diſloyall dealing.

Kyng Phillippe, after that the King of Englande was remoued from Giſors (as before yee haue hearde,) aſſembled a greate hoſt, and with banner diſplayed, entred into Normandy;Mat. Paris. and waſted the countreye from Newburg to Beaumountle Rogier, and that done, returned into Fraunce, licencing his men to returne vnto theyr homes.

About the ſame time, Ni. Triuet. 
The Frenche kings requeſt for a combate. he ſente vnto King Richarde, requiring him to appoynte fiue Champions, and he woulde appoynte other fyue for hys parte, which myghte fyghte in liſtes, for triall of all matters in controuerſie betwixte them, ſo to auoyde the ſheadyng of more giltleſſe bloud. K. Richard accepted the offer, with condition, that eyther king myght be of the number,Kyng Richarde anſvvere. that is, the Frenche king one of the fiue vppon the Frenche parte, and kyng Richarde one of the fyue vpon the Engliſh part. But this condition would not be graunted.

1196.Herevpon, when ſhortly after it was ſignified to Kyng Richarde,Mat. Paris. that ſhips vſed to come oute of Englande to Sainte Valerye with victualles whiche were ſoulde and conueied awaye vnto the Frenche king and other his enimies, hee rode to Sainte Valeries, and ſet the towne on fire, and ſuche ſhippes of Englande as he founde there, he alſo brent, [...]hips brent, & [...]ariners hanged. and hanged the mariners by the necke, deuiding the graine and other victualles whiche were founde in the ſame Shippes amongeſt his owne ſouldiers.

[...]es Annales [...]e France.About the ſame time he got the fauour of them of Champaigne and of the Brytons, and Willyam Creſpine alſo was conſtrayned to delyuer vnto hym the Caſtell of Auge, but the Frenche king recouered it by ſiege, whileſt king Rycharde entryng into Aluergue wanne dyuers caſtelles there, to the number of tenne out of king Philips handes.An. reg. 9. In the meane time the Earle of Flaunders made ſore warre agaynſte the frenche king for his part, and treyning the ſame kyng within ſtreites, ſo that he was almoſt encloſed on eche ſide, he conſtrayned him to agree to ſuch compoſition as pleaſed the ſame Earle to appoynt, but afterwardes the frenche king refuſed to ſtande to the couenauntes of that agreement, and ſo the warre continued betwixt them as before.

Rog. Houed.At length king Richarde and the frenche king concluded vpon an abſtinence of warre to endure from the feaſt of Saint Hillary for one hole yere,One year[...] [...]mon[...]el[...] 
VVil. P[...] purpoſing in the mean time to make a finall peace and agreement.

In which ſeaſon Baldwine Earle of Flaunders came into Englande to doe hys deuotions vnto the ſhrine where Thomas the Archebiſhop, laye buried at Canterburye. The ſame yeare alſo ſomewhat before this time,Griffin king [...] of VVales d[...] ed this lyfe. Riſe ap Griffin king of Wales departed thys life, after whoſe deathe there fell diſcorde betwixt his ſonnes for the ſucceſſion, till the Archebiſhoppe Hubert went to the marches of that country and made an agreemēt betwixt them.

Not long after, Roger the brother of Robert earle of Leiceſter, elected biſhoppe of Saint Andrewes in Scotland, receiued the order of prieſtehoode, and was conſecrate biſhoppe by the handes of the biſhop of Aberdine. And this yeare it was ordeigned that meaſures of all manner of grayne ſhoulde conteigne one quantitie throughout the Realme, that is to ſay, one reſonable horſelode,VVeyg[...]s and meaſures. and that the meaſures of wine and ale wyth all manner of licours ſhuld be of one iuſte quantitie according to the diuerſitie of the licour: alſo that weightes ſhoulde be of like rate throughout the Realme, and that clothe ſhoulde conteine twoo yardes in breadth within the liſts, of perfect goodnes throughout, aſwell in the middes as by the ſides, and that one manner of yarde ſhuld be vſed through the realme: it was alſo ordeigned that no marchantes within the Realme ſhoulde hang anye redde or blacke clothes afore theyr ſhoppe windowes, nor ſet vp any pentiſes or other thing whereby to darken the light from thoſe that come to buye theyr clothe, ſo as they might be deceyued in chooſing thereof.

Alſo it was enacted that there ſhoulde be foure or ſyxe ſubſtanciall honeſt menne choſen in euerye towne: and lykewyſe in Shyres, wyth the head officers of Cities and Boroughes, whiche hadde a Corporation, to ſee that the Aſſyſes aforeſayde were truely kepte, and that if anye were founde to be offendyng in the premiſſes, to cauſe their bodyes to bee attached and committed to priſon, and their goodes to be ſeyſed to the kings vſe: And if thoſe that were choſen to haue regarde thereto, were tryed to bee negligente, ſo that by other, and not by them anye offenders chaunced to bee conuicted afore the Iuſtices, then ſhoulde the regarders bee put to theyr fynes, for the negligente looking to their offices and charge.

Kyng Richarde helde his Chriſtmaſſe this yeare at Roan, and Huberte the Archbiſhoppe of Canterburye Legate of the Apoſtolique ſea, named Lorde chiefe Iuſtice of Englande,1198. was aboute the ſame time in the marches of Wales at Hereforde, and there receyued into his handes, the Caſtels of Hereforde, Bridgenorth and Ludlow, remouing thoſe that had the ſame in keping,Monkes placed agayne in the churche of Couentrie. & appoynting other in their roomths. Afterwards coming by Couentrie, he placed y^e Monks agayne in the Cathedrall churche of that Citie by commandement of Pope Celeſtine, and chaſed out the ſecular Canons, whiche the Biſhop Hugh Nouant had brought into the ſame church when he remoued the Monkes.

In the Chriſtmaſſe weeke alſo there came to Rouen meſſengers from the Archebiſhoppes of Coleyn and Mentz, and from other ſtates of the Empire,Meſſengers frō the ſtates of Germanie. the whiche declared vnto kyng Richard, that all the Princes of Germanie were appointed to aſſemble at Coleyn, the .xxij. of Februarie about the chooſing of a newe Emperour, in place of the late deceaſſed Henrye: and therefore they commaunded him by force of the othe and league in whiche he was bounde to the Emperour and Empire, that all excuſe of denyal or occaſions, to the contrary ceaſſyng and ſette a parte, he ſhould make his repaire vnto Coleyne at the foreſayde daye, to helpe them in chooſing of ſome woorthye perſonage that mighte and was able to haue the Empire. King Richard doubting to put hymſelfe in daunger, bicauſe he had not diſcharged all the debte due for his raunſome, ſtayed at home, but yet he ſent diuers noble men thyther, and did ſo muche in fauour of his nephue Otho, that by the helpe of the foreſayd two Archbiſhops of Colemand Mentz. the ſame Otho was elected emperour. But of this matter more ſhall bee ſayde hereafter.

Three hundred knights of m[...]n of a[...] to bee founde.Moreouer about the ſame tyme king Richard required by the Archebiſhop of Canterburye his chiefe Iuſtice, an ayde of .iij. hundred knightes to be founde by his ſubiectes of England, to remain with him in his ſeruice for one whole yere, or elſe that they woulde giue him ſo muche money, as myght ſerue to reteyne that number after the rate of .iij. ſ. a daye of Englyſhe money for euerye knyghte. Whereas all other were contented to be contibutories herein, onely Hughe Biſhop of Lincoln refuſed,The biſhop of Linc[...]ne. and ſpake ſore againſt the Archbiſhop that moued the matter.

But howe ſo euer that requeſte tooke place, King Richarde (as we fynde) leuyed thys yeare a Subſidie of fiue ſhillings of euery hide of lande within the realme two Commiſſioners, that is to witte, one of the Spiritualtie, and a knyghte of the Temporaltie being appoynted as Commiſſioners in euery Shire, with the aſſiſtance of Sheriffe, and others, to ſee the ſame aſſeſſed and rated after an hundred acres of lande to the hyde of lande, according to the cuſtome.

The ſame yeare alſo the Monkes of the houſe of the holye Trinitie,The Mon[...] of Chriſts c[...] che ſend to Pope, com[...] ning of thei[...] Archbishop[...] otherwyſe called Chriſtes churche in Canterbury, exhibited their complaint vnto Pope Innocent, that theyr Archebiſhoppe Hubert (contrary to his order and dignitie) exerciſed the office of highe Iuſtice and ſate in iudgement of bloud, beeing ſo encombred in temporall matters, that he could not haue time to diſcharge his office touchyng Spirituall cauſes: wherevpon the Pope ſent vnto kyng Richard,The Pope [...] deth to the [...] admoniſhing hym not to ſuffer the ſayde Archebiſhop to bee any longer troubled with temporall affaires, but to diſchardge hym thereof and not to admit any ſpirituall perſon from thenceforthe vnto any temporall adminiſtration.

He further prohibited by vertue of their obedience all manner of Prelates and menne of the churche that they ſhoulde not preſume raſhlye to take vpon them any maner of ſecular function or office. Whereupon the Archebiſhoppe was diſcharged of his office of chief Iuſtice, and Geffrey Fitz Peter ſucceded in gouernement of the realme in his ſteede. Geruaſius Dorobernenſis ſayth, that the Archebiſhoppe reſigned that office of hys owne accorde, and that not till after his retourne from the marches of Wales, where he had ouerthrowen the Welchemen, and ſlayne fyue thouſande of them. Whiche victory other aſcribe vnto Geffrey Fitz Peter, whiche Geffrey (as the ſayd Dorobernenſis ſayth) ſucceeded the Archebiſhop in the office of Lorde chiefe Iuſtice, but not vntill Auguſte, in the tenthe yeare of the Kings Reigne.

In which tenth yeare immediatly vpon the expiring of the truce whiche was taken till harueſt might be ended,An. reg 1[...] the warre betwixt the two kyngs of Englande and Fraunce beganne eftſoones to be purſued with like earneſtnes as before, wherupon many encounters chaunced betwixt the parties, wyth taking of Townes and fortreſſes. as commonly in ſuche caſes it happeneth.

Twice the French king was put to the worſe, once in September betwixt Gamages and Vernon, wher he was driuen to ſaue himſelf by flight loſing twenty Knights, and threeſcore ſeruitors or yeomen, whiche were taken, beſides thoſe that were ſlayne.

And againe in the ſame moneth on Michaelmaſſe euen betwixte Curſeilles and Gyſours, at what time he came to ſuccor Curſeilles, bringing with him .400. knightes, beſide ſeruitors, & a great multitude of cōmons. But the caſtel was won before he could approch to it. And K. Richard aduertiſed of his coming, haſted forth to mete him, and giuing the onſet vpon him, forced him to flee vnto Gyſors, where at the entring of the bridge there was ſuche preaſſe, that the bridge brake, ſo that amongſt other,King Philip almoſt drovvned the king himſelfe wyth hys horſe and all fel into the riuer of Gethe, and with muche a doe was relieued, and gotte out of the water, no ſmall number of right hardie and valiant Gentlemen, beeing taken at the ſame tyme, whiche put themſelues forwarde to ſtay the Engliſhmen tyll the king was recouered out of that preſent daunger.

To conclude,Seuen ſcore hath Rog. Houeden. there were taken to the number of an hundred Knightes, and two hundred barded horſes, beſides ſeruitours on horſebacke, and footmen with Croſſebowes. [...]ath. Paris. [...]g. Houed. Amongſt other Priſoners theſe are named, Mathewe de Montmorancie, Gales de Ports, Iollen de Bray, and many other innumerable.

King Richard hauing got this victorie, wrote letters therof vnto y^e Archbiſhops, biſhops, abbots erles & barons of his realme, y^t they might prayſe GOD for his good ſucceſſe. And ſuche were the proceedyngs of the K. of Fraunce at thys tyme, the farther relation whereof ſhall ſtay a whyle, till we haue touched other things that hapned in England at the ſame ſeaſon. And firſt ye ſhall vnderſtand, that Hugh Bardolfe, Roger Arundell, and Geffrey Hachet, to whome as Iuſtices, the counties of Lincolne, Notingham, Yorke, Derby, Northumberland, Weſtmerland, Cumberlande, and Lancaſter, were appoynted for circuites, helde not only pleas of aſſiſes, and of the Crowne, [...]quiſitions [...]ken. but alſo tooke Inquiſitions of Eſcheates, and for faytures of all manner of tranſgreſſions, and of donations of benefices, of maryages of widowes and maydes, and other ſuch lyke things as appertayned to the king, whereby any aduantages grewe to his vſe, the which for tediouſneſſe we paſſe ouer.

Theſe thynges were ſtrayghtly looked to, not without the diſquieting of many. And heerewith came an other trouble in the necke of this former, to dyuers perſons wythin the Realme thorough Inquiries taken by the Iuſtices of the Forreſtes, for Hugh Neuyl, Hugh Waley, and Heruiſius Neuylle, appoynted Iuſtices Itinerantes, in that caſe, were commaunded by the king to call afore them Archebiſhoppes, Biſhoppes, Earles, Barons, Knyghtes, and Freeholders, wyth the Reeue, and foure of the ſubſtanciall men of euery towne or village, to heare and take knowledge of the kings commaundement, touchyng the ordinaunces of Forreſtes,Ordinances of forreſtes. the whiche were verie ſtraighte in ſundry poyntes, ſo that where as before thoſe that offended in killyng of the kyngs deere were puniſhed by the purſe, now they ſhould loſe their eyes and genitories, as the lawe was in the dayes of king Henry his grandfather: and thoſe that offended in cutting downe wooddes or buſhes, or in digging and deluing vp of turues and cloddes, or by any other maner of way made waſte and deſtruction in wooddes or graſſe, in waſte or venyſon, within the precinct of the Foreſtes, contrary to order, they ſhould be put to their fines. He gaue commaundement alſo, that it ſhoulde bee lawefull to the Forreſters to take and put vnder arreſt, as well Prieſtes,Prieſts to be areſted offēding in foreſtes. and thoſe of the Clergie, as temporall men, beyng founde offendyng in Forreſt groundes and chaſes.

Manye other ordinaunces were decreed touching the preſeruation of Foreſts, and the kings prerogatiue, aduauntages and profites riſing and growing by the ſame, as well for ſauyng of hys wooddes and waſtes, as in pannage and agiſtementes, greately to the reſtraynte of them that myghte vſurpe or incroche vppon the groundes within compaſſe of his foreſtes.

Ye haue heard before, how the Monks of Cā terbury did ſende to exhibite a complaynte to the Pope, for that their Archbiſhoppe tooke vpon him to deale in exerciſe of matters belongyng to a temporall man,Gerua. D[...]. and not to ſuche one as had rule ouer the ſpiritualtie: but thys was not the cauſe that dydde greeue them ſo muche, as that hee went forwarde wyth the erection of that churche at Lameth, which his predeceſſor the Archbiſhop Baldwin had firſt begonne at Haketon,The Churche of Lammeth. nowe called Saint Stephens (as before ye haue heard) and after was driuen throughe the importunate ſuite of the Monkes to leaue off, and raſe that, which he had there begonne, to obey the Popes pleaſure: and after layde a newe foundation at Lameth.

The Monkes of Canterburie therefore ſtill fearing leſte that churche ſhulde greately preiudice ſuch right and liberties, as they pretended, namely in the election of their archbiſhop, woulde neuer reſte, but ſtill complayned and followed their ſuite in moſt obſtinate manner in the court of Rome, aſwel in the dayes of the ſayde Baldwine, as nowe agaynſte Huberte, (when he took in hande to continue the worke accordyng to the purpoſe of hys predeceſſoure the ſayde Baldwine, whiche was to haue inſtituted a Colledge there, and to haue placed ſecular Canons in the ſame) and ſuch was the earneſt trauaile of the Monkes herein, that in the end nowe after the deceaſſe of Pope Celeſtine, they founde ſuch fauour at the handes of Pope Innocent hys ſucceſſor, that the ſame Innocent directed his letters of commaundement to the Archbiſhoppe,The Pope commaundeth the church of Lammeth to be raſed. and other biſhopps of this lande, to deſtroye and raſe the ſame foundation, as a peece of woorke derogatorie to the ſea of Caunterbury, and verie preiudiciall to the eſtate of holy church. The Archebiſhoppe at the firſt truſted to be borne out by the king (who was highelye offended wyth the Monkes for theyr preſumptuous dealing) and therefore refuſed to obeye the Popes commaundement The king in deed ſtomacked the matter ſo highely, that he ſente letters vnto the Monks by no worſe meſſengers than by Geffrey Fitz Peter, and Hugh Fitz Bardolfe his Iuſtices, ſignifying to them not only hys high diſpleaſure for their preſumptuous proceedings in their ſuit without his conſent, but alſo commaunding them to ſurceaſſe, and not to proceede further in the matter by vertue of anye ſuche the popes letters, which they had purchaſed contrary to the honour and dignitie of his crowne and realme.

Moreouer, he wrote to the biſhops, cōmaunding them to appeale, and to the Archbiſhop, forbidding hym in anye wiſe to breake downe that churche whiche hee had ſo builded at Lameth.The preſumptuoes ſtoutneſſe of the Monks. The Sherif of Kent alſo was cōmaunded to ſeaſe into his handes all the tenementes and poſſeſſions that belonged to the Monkes, who neuertheleſſe were ſo ſtout in that quarell that they woulde not prolong one daye of the tyme appoynted by the Pope for the raſing of that church. Hereupon the kyng for hys parte and the biſhops in their owne behalfes wrote to the Pope. Likewiſe the Abbots of Boxeley, Fourd, Stratford, Roberts Bridge, Stanley, and Baſing Wark, wrote to hym the matter: and agayne the Pope and the Cardynalles wrote to the king, to the Archebiſhoppes, and biſhoppes: and ſo letters paſſed to and fro, till at length the Pope ſente a Nuncio of purpoſe, to ſignifie his full determination, as in the nexte yeare it ſhall be ſhewed at full.

Aboute the ſame tyme Geffreye Fitz Peter,VVelchmen vanquished. Geruaſ. Doro aſcribeth this victorie vnto Hubert Arch[...] of Canterbu[...] and ſayth the[...] vvere ſlayne aboute .500. of the enimies. Lorde chief Iuſtice of England, reyſed a power of men, and wente into Wales to ſuccoure the tenāts of Williā de Brauſe, which were beſieged of the king, or rather Prince of that countrey named Owen, the brother of Cadwalayn, in Mawdes Caſtell,Maudes caſtel. but the Lorde chiefe Iuſtice comming to the reſkue of them within gaue battayle to the aduerſaries, and vanquiſhyng them, ſlewe three thouſande of them, and ſeuen hundred of thoſe that were taken priſoners and wounded. And all the whyle the warres continued in Fraunce, and the loſſe for the moſte parte ſtill redounded to the Frenchemen. Erle Iohn brent Newburg, and toke eightene knightes of ſuche as were ſente to the reſkue.

The Earle of Leyceſter.The Earle of Leyceſter with a ſmall companie came before the Caſtell of Paſcy, which (although the Frenchemen helde it) didde yet of ryght belong vnto the ſayde Earle. The Souldiours within iſſued foorth, and being too ſtrong for the Earle, cauſed hym to flee, for otherwyſe he had bin taken. But returning on the morrowe after with more companie about hym, and laying ambuſhes for the ennemie, hee approched the ſayde Caſtell, and trayned the Frenchemen foorth tyll he had them within his daunger, and then cauſing his men to breake out vpon them tooke an .xviij. knightes, and a greate multitude of other people.Marchades. Alſo Marchades with his route of Brabanders did the Frenchemen muche hurt in robbyng and ſpoyling the countreys.

About which ſeaſon the Archbiſhop of Canterbury went ouer into Normandie to ſpeake with king Richarde, and at the Frenche kings requeſt he wente into France, to commen with him of peace, the whyche the Frenche king offered to conclude, in reſtoryng all the townes and Caſtels whiche he had taken (Giſours only excepted) and touching the poſſeſſion and title therof, he was contented to put the matter in comprimiſe, to the order and awarde of ſixe barons in Normādie to be named by him, and of ſixe Barons in Fraunce whyche kyng Richarde ſhoulde name.

King Richarde woulde not thus agree, except the Earle of Flaunders and other whyche had forſaken the Frenche king to take his part, myght be cōpriſed in the ſame peace. At length yet in Nouember, there was truce taken betwixt the two kings til the feaſt of S. Hillarie next enſuyng.

In the mean time Pope Innocent the third vnderſtanding in what preſent daunger things ſtoode in the holy lande, and on the other ſyde, conſydering what a weakenyng it was vnto Chriſtendome, [...] taken [...] the [...] kings. to haue theſe two Kinges thus to warre with mortall hatred one againſt the other: hee thoughte it ſtoode him vppon to trauaile betwixt them, to bring them vnto ſome peace and agreement. Heervpon he diſpatched one Peter the Cardinal of Capua into France, as legate from the ſea of Rome, vnto the two foreſayd kinges, to enſtruct them in what preſent daunger the ſtate of the Chriſtians in Aſia preſently ſtoode, ſo that without the ayde of them and of other Chriſtian Princes, it coulde not be holpen, but needes it muſte come to vtter ruine, and the Saraſyns ere long to be poſſeſſed of the whole. Therfore bothe in reſpecte hereof, and alſo for the auoydyng of the further wylfull ſpillyng of Chriſtian bloud in ſuche ciuile and vngodly warre, he beſought them to ſtaye theyr handes, and to ioyne in ſome friendly bande of concord, whereby they might with mutuall conſent beſtow their ſeruice in that neceſſarie and moſt godlye warre, wherin by ouercōming the enimies of Chriſt, they mighte looke for worthye rewarde at his handes, whiche is the giuer of all victories.

The Cardinall comming into Fraunce, and doing his meſſage in moſte earneſt wiſe, was preſent at the enterview appointed betwixt the two Kings in the feaſt of Saint Hillarie,1199. but yet coulde not he bring his purpoſe to full effect:Rog. Houede. onely he procured them to take truce for the terme of fiue yeares:A truce concluded for .v. yeres further he coulde not get them to agree.

The faulte by authors is aſcribed aſwell to king Richard, as to king Philip: for king Richarde being firſt euyll vſed, and put to hinderaunce, determined eyther to vanquiſhe, or neuer to giue place.

This abſtinence of warre was concluded & taken in the yeare .1199. after the incarnation, and tenth of king Richards reigne. But immediatly after, there aroſe matter of newe diſpleaſure betwixt thieſe twoo Kyngs to keepe their minds in vre with ſecret grudges, though by reaſon of the truce they outwardlye abſteined from declaring it by force of armes. It chaunced that in the election of a new emperor, the Electors could not agree, one parte of them choſing Otho Duke of Saxonye, nephew to to king Richard by his ſiſter Mande, and another parte of them namyng Philippe Duke of Tuſkayne, and brother to the laſte Emperour Henrye.

Contention about the chooſing of the emperour.King Richard (as reaſon was) did procure what fauour he coulde to the furtheraunce of his nephew Otho: and king Philip on the contrary part, did what he could in fauour of the foreſayde Philippe. At length Otho was admitted by the Pope to ende the ſtryfe: but yet the grudge remayned in the heartes of the two Kinges.

Philip fyndyng himſelfe muche greeued in that he had miſſed his purpoſe, and Richarde being as little pleaſed, for that hee had won his ſo hardly, and with ſo muche adoe.

And thus matters paſſed for that yeare. In the beginning of the nexte, the Popes Nuncio came with letters, not only to the Archbiſhop & Biſhops of England, but alſo to the king himſelfe, ſignifying the Popes reſolute decree touching the church and colledge of Lameth to be broken downe and ſuppreſſed. Rog. Houedē. 
The Popes letters to the king for the churche of Lameth. Whervpon the King and Archbiſhop, althoughe ſore agaynſt theyr willes, when they ſaw no way longer to ſhift off the matter, yelded to the Popes pleaſure: and ſo the Archbiſhop ſente his letters to Lameth, where the .xxi. day of Ianuarye, they were red, and the .xxvij. day of the ſame month was the Churche caſte downe, and the Canons which were alredy there placed, had cōmaundement to depart from thēce without further delay. Thus the Monkes in deſpite of the Kyng and Archbiſhop had their willes, but yet theyr vexation ceaſſed not, for the King and Archbyſhop bearing them no ſmall euill will, for that they had ſo obteyned their purpoſe contrary to their myndes and intents, moleſted them, dyuers wayes,The Monkes borne out by the Pope. although the Monkes ſtill vppon compleynt to the Pope, were very muche relieued, and founde great friendſhip both with him, and with his court.

In this meane time, King Richard beeyng now at reſt from troubles of warre, ſtudyed buſily to prouide money, meaning to make a new voyage into the holy lande. Therefore finding himſelfe bare of treaſure, by reaſon the French warres had emptied his cofers, he ſetteth a great taxe vpon his ſubiects,A Taxe. Fiue shillings of euery plough land, as ſayth Mathevv VVeſtmin. and by that meanes, hauing recouered a great ſumme, hee builded that notable ſtrong Caſtell in Normā dy, vpon the banke of the Riuer of Sayne, named Chateau Galiard:Chaſteau Galyard buylt. which when it was finiſhed, he fell a ieſting thereat and ſayd, behold, is not thys a fayre daughter of one yeares growth. The ſoile wher this Caſtel was builded, belonged to the Archbiſhop of Rouen, for whiche there followed greate ſtrife betwixte the Kyng, and the Archbyſhoppe, till the Pope tooke vp the matter (as before ye haue heard.)

After this, he determined to chaſtiſe certayne perſons in Poictou, whiche during the warres betwixt him and the Frenche King, had ayded the Frenchmen againſt him: wherevpon with an army, he paſſed forthe towards them, but by the way he was enformed, that one Widomer a Vicount in the countrey of Britayne,Images of a Emperor an[...] of his vvyf[...] and children of fine gold[...] The Annal[...] of Aquitayn[...] hadde found a great treaſure: and therfore pretending a right therto by vertue of his prerogatiue, hee ſent for the Vicoūt, who ſmelling out the matter, and ſuppoſing the King woulde not be indifferent in parting the treaſure, fled into Lymoſin, where although the people were tributaries to the K. of England, yet they tooke part with the French King.

Ther is a town in y^e contrey called Chaluz Cheuerell,Chalus Cheuerelle. Rog. Houe[...] into whiche the ſayde vicount retired for ſafegarde of himſelfe, and then gaue the townſemen a greate portion of treaſure, to the ende they ſhould defend him and his quarel for the reſt. King Richarde ſtill following him, as one that coulde not auoyd his fatal ordinance, haſted into the confines of Lymoſin, fully determining eyther to winne the towne by force, if the inhabitants ſhould make reſiſtance, or at the leſt wiſe, get into his hands the praie, which he ſo earneſtly purſewed.

At his firſt approch he gaue many fierce aſſautes to the Towne, but they within hauing thoroughly prouided aforehande for to defende a ſiege, ſo reſiſted his attempts,King Richa[...] beſiegeth C[...] lus. that within three dayes after his comming, he ceaſſed to aſſaulte the towne, meaning to vndermine the walles, which otherwiſe he perceyued would very hardly be gotten, conſidering the ſtouteneſſe of them within, and withall, the naturall ſtrengthe and ſituation of the place it ſelf. Herevpon therfore the .xxvj. of March, whiles he together with capitayn Marchades goeth about vnaduiſedly to view y^e town (the better to conſider y^e place which waye hee might conueye the courſe of his myne) they came ſo farre within daunger,He is vvo[...] that the king was ſtriken in the left arme or (as ſome write) in the ſhulder, where it ioyned to the necke,Rad. Nig[...] wyth a quarrel enuenimed (as is to be ſuppoſed by the ſequele.) Being thus wounded, he gat to his horſe, and rode home agayne to his lodgyng, where hee cauſed the wounde to be ſearched and bounde vp; and as a man nothing diſmayde therewith, hee continued his ſiege with ſuch force and aſſurance, that within twelue dayes after the miſhappe, the towne was yelded vnto hym, althoughe verye little treaſure (to make any great accompt of) was at that time founde therin.

In this meane ſeaſon, the king had committed the cure of his wounde vnto one of Marchades his ſurgeons, who taking in hand to pluck out the quarrel, drew forth only the ſhaft at the firſt, and left the yron ſtill within, and afterwardes going about moſt vnſkilfully to get forth y^e head of the ſaide quarrel, he vſed ſuche inciſions, and ſo mangled the kings arme, ere he coulde cut it, that he himſelfe diſpaired of all helpe and lenger life,The king deſ [...]ired of lyfe affirming flaſly to ſuch as ſtood about him, that he could not long continue by reaſon of his but [...]herly handling. To be ſhort, feling himſelf to waxe weaker and weaker, and preparing his mind to death, which he perceiued now to be at hand, [...]e ordeyneth [...]s teſtament. he ordeined his teſtament, or rather reformed and added ſundry thinges vnto the ſame which he before had made at the time of his going forth towards the holy land. Vnto his brother Iohn he aſſigned the crowne of Englande and all other his lands and dominions, cauſing the nobles ther preſēt to ſwear fealtie vnto him. His money, his iewels, and all other his goods mouable he willed to be diuided into .3. partes, of the which Otho the emperor his ſiſters ſonne to haue one, [...]g. Houedē. his houſeholde ſeruantes an other part, and the third to be diſtributed to the poore Finally, remmebring himſelf alſo of the place: of his burial, he cōmaunded that his body ſhuld be enterred at Fonreuerarde at his fathers feet, but he willed his hart to be conueyed vnto Rouen,Mat. Pa[...]. and there buryed, in teſtimonie of the loue whiche he had euer borne vnto that citie for the ſtedfaſte faithe and tryed loyaltie at all tymes found in the citizēs there. His bowels he ordeined to be buryed in Poictiers as in a place naturally vnthankefull and not worthy to reteine any of the more honorable partes of his bodye.

Moreouer he cauſed the Arcbaleſtar that had wounded him, to be ſoughte out, whoſe name was Barthram de Gurden, [...]g. Houed. or as ſome write, he named himſelfe Peter Bafill, who being broughte before him, he demanded wherin he had ſo much offended him, that he ſhoulde to [...]ye in awayſe to ſlea him rather than Marchades, who was then in his company, and attendant on his perſon? The other anſwered boldly again, ſaying, I purpoſed to kil thee, bicauſe thou ſleweſt my father, and two of my brethren heretofore, and wouldeſt alſo now haue ſlayn me, if I had hapned to fall into thy hands: Wherfore I entended to reuenge their deaths, not caryng in the meane tyme what became of my ſelf, ſo that I might in any wyſe obteyne my will of thee, who in ſuche ſort haſt bereft me of my friendes. The king herkning vnto his wordes, and pondering his talke by good aduiſement, [...]at. Paris. he freely pardoned him, and with all commaunded that he ſhoulde be ſette at libertie, and thereto haue an hundred ſhillings giuen hym in his purſe, and ſo to bee lette goe. Moreouer, he gaue ſtraight chardge that no manne ſhould hurte him, or ſeeke anye reuenge for thys his deathe hereafter. Thus the penitent prince not only forgaue, but alſo rewarded his aduerſarie. Howbeit after his deceaſſe, Marchades getting him into his hands, he firſt cauſed the ſkinne to be ſtripped of his bodie, and after hanged him on a gibet.

At length king Richard by force of ſickeneſſe increaſed with anguiſh of the incurable wounde,King Richard departed th[...] lyfe. departed this lyfe, on the tuiſday before Palme-Sunday, beyng the ninth of Apryll, and the .xj. day after he was hurt, in the yeare after the birth of our Sauior .1199. in the .xliij. yeare of his age, and after he had reigned ix. yeares .ix. monethes and odde dayes: he lefte no iſſue behind: him.His ſtature and shape of body.
Gal. Vinſ[...] 
His diſpoſition of mynde. He was of ſtature tall, and well proportioned, fayre and comely of fare, ſo as in his countenance appeared much fauor and grauitie. Of heare bright Aborne, as it were betwixte redde and yealowe, wyth long armes, and [...]bl[...] in all hys ioyntes. Hys thighes and legges of due proportion, and aunſwerable to the other partes of his bodie. As he was comely of perſonage, ſo was hee of ſtomacke more couragious and fierce, ſo that notwithout cauſe, he obteyned the ſurname of Cueur de Lyon, that is to ſaye, the Lyons harte. Moreouer, he was curtuous to his Souldiours, and towardes his friends and ſtrangers that reſorted vnto hym verie liberall, but to his enimies hard & not to be intreated, deſirous of battayle, an enimie to reſte and quietneſſe, verie eloquente of ſpeeche and wyſe, but readie to enter into ieopardyes, and that without feare or forecaſt in tyme of greateſt perilles.

Th[...]ſe were his vertuous qualities, but his [...]ices (if his vertues, his age, and the warres whiche he maintained were throughly weyed) were either none at all, or els fewe in number, & not very notorious. He was noted of the cō mon people to be partly ſubiect vnto pride, which ſurely for the more parte foloweth ſtouteneſſe of mynde: He was noted alſo ſomewhat of incontinencie, to the which his youth might haply bee ſomewhat bent: and laſtly of couetouſneſſe, into the whiche infamie moſte Capitaynes & ſuche Princes as commonly folow the warres doe oftentimes fall, when of neceſſitie they are driuen to exact money, as wel of their frēds as enimies, to mainteyn the infinite charges of their warres.

Hereof it came, that on a time whiles hee ſoiourned in Fraunce aboute his warres whiche he held againſt King Phillip, ſomwhat before the truce was taken betwixte them,Fulco a prieſt. there came vnto him a french prieſt whoſe name was Fulco, a preacher and a man of ſome reputation of holineſſe amongeſt the common people. This prieſt required the king in any wiſe to put from him three abbominable daughters which he had, and to commit them to mariage, It all God puniſhed him for them Thou [...]eſt hipocrite (ſayde the king) to thy verie face: for all the worlde [...]noweth, that I haue not one daughter. I lye not (ſaide the prieſte) for thou haſte three daughters: one of them is called pride, and an other couetouſ[...]eſſe, and the thirde lecherie. With that the king called vnto him his Lordes and Barons, and ſayde vnto them: This hipocrite [...] required [...] to [...]ie forth my three daughters, which as he ſayth. I ther[...] and maintaine, that is to ſaye, pride, [...]touſneſſe, and lecherie. And nowe that I haue [...]de ou[...] apt huſbandes for them, I will [...]o[...]i[...]ich effecte, and [...]erke no more delates: I therefore requi[...] my pride to the high minded [...]mp[...]s, and [...], whiche are as: proude as Lucifer [...]neſſe [...] y^e couetouſneſſe; I giue to the to [...]r[...] Monkes, otherwiſe ca[...]ed of the [...]iſt[...]aut order, for [...]y couet the deu[...]ll and all. My lecheri[...] co[...] to the p[...]tate[...] of the Churche, who haue [...] pleaſure and felicitie ther[...].

There liued in the dayes of thys King Richarde, men of worthie ſame amongſt [...] of the Clergie. Baldwine Archbiſhoppe of Canterburie, [...]vvin and [...]ert Arch [...]ps of Can [...]rie. and Hubert that ſucceeded him [...] that ſea, alſo Hugh Biſhop of Lincbine, a man to[...] his worthineſſe of life [...]ghly, to bee cou[...] Moreouer William biſhop of Ely, who [...]ug[...] otherwiſe hee was to bee d[...]d to for his ambition and pompouſe ha[...]tines, yet the king [...] ſed his ſeruice for a time greatly to his pro[...] and aduauncement of the publique affaires. Alſo of learned men, we finde diuers in theſe dayes that flouriſhed [...]ere in this lande, a[...] Baldwin[...] of Deuonſhire that came to bee Biſhop of W[...]ites in this king[...] tyme and after his deceaſſe, he was aduaunced to the Gouernement of the Archebiſhops ſea of Canterbury: hee wrote diuers treatiſes, namely of matters pertaining to diuinitie. Daniell Morley well ſeene in the Mathematicals. Iohn de Hexam, and Richard de Hexham two notable hiſtoricians. Guch[...]m[...]s: Stephanides a Monke of Canterburye, [...] Bale. who wrote muche in prayſe of the Archebiſhoppe Becket.

Beſide theſe, we finde one Richard, that was an Abbot of the order Premonſtratenſis, Richard Diuiſtenſis, Nicholas Warkington, Robert de Bello Foco, an excellente Philoſopher. &c. See Bale Centuria tertiae.

In martiall renoume there flouriſhed in thys kings dayes diuerſe noble captaines, as Roberte Earle of Leceiſter, Ranulfe de Fulgiers, two of the Bardulphes, Hugh and Henrie, three Willyams, Marſhall, Brunell, and Maundeuil, with two Roberts, Roe and Sabevile. Furthermore, I fynde, that in the dayes of this king Richard, great dearth raigned in Englande, and alſo in Fraunce,A great dearth. for the ſpace of three or foure yeares during the warres betweene hym and Kyng Phylippe, ſo that after his retourne oute of Germanie, and from impriſonment, a quarter of wheate was ſoulde at .xviij. ſhillings eight pens, whiche was no ſmall price in thoſe dayes, if you conſyder the alaye of moneye then curraunt.

Alſo imediatelye after: that is to witte, in the years of our Lorde a thouſande, one hundred [...]ntia[...], whiche was about the .vij. yeare of the ſaide king raigne, there folowed a maturilous ſore death whych dayly conſumed ſuch nū ber of people,A great mortalitie of people.
VVil. Paruus that [...]eth might there bee founde anye to keepe and lo[...]e to thoſe that [...]e ſicke, or to burye them that dyed. Whiche ſickneſſe was a peſtilenciall F[...]u[...] or ſharpe brenning A[...]we. The[...] cuſtomed maner of Buryal was alſo neglected: So that in manye places they made greate pittes, and that we theyr deade bodies into the ſame, [...] another. For the multitude of them that dyed was ſuch that they coulde not haue time to make for euery one a ſeuerall [...]au[...].

This mortalitie continued for the ſpace of [...] o[...] [...]j, moueth [...] and at length ceaſſed in the cold ſeaſon of [...]ynte[...]. In the Octaues of P[...]thecoſte before this great death,Tvvo Sunnes. in the fi[...] ho[...]re of the day, there appeared two Sunnes, the true Sunne and an other, as it were a counterfaite ſunne: but ſo apparantly, that [...]arue it was to the common people, to diſ[...]rene the one from the other. The ſkilfull alſo were compelled by inſtruments to diſtinguiſh the one from the other in taking their altitudes and places, whereby its the ende they founde the newe apparition, Is it were, to waite vppon the P[...]net, and ſo continued by the ſpace of certaine houres.

At lengthe when the beholders & (of whome Wilhelmus Paruus that recorded thinges in that age was one) had well wearied their eyes in diligent marking the manner of this ſtronge appearaunce, the counterfayte ſunne vaniſhed awaye.

This ſtraunge wonder was taken for a ſignification of that whiche followed, that is to witte, of warre, famine, and peſtilence: or to ſaye the truthe, it betokened rather the continuaunce of two of thoſe miſchieues. For warre and famine hadde ſore afflicted the people before that time, and yet ceaſſed not: But as for the peſtilence, it began ſoone after that vnketh ſight, whereof enſued ſuche effecte, as I haue alreadye rehearſed.