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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e918958 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #56180 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56180) diff --git a/old/56180-0.txt b/old/56180-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index fdac0de..0000000 --- a/old/56180-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5501 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of York and Lancaster, by William Garmon Jones - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: York and Lancaster - 1399-1485 - -Author: William Garmon Jones - -Editor: S. E. Winbolt - Kenneth Bell - -Release Date: December 15, 2017 [EBook #56180] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YORK AND LANCASTER *** - - - - -Produced by Rose Mawhorter and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - Transcriber's Notes - All obvious spelling errors have been corrected. - The Greek word Ὠθεὰ has been corrected to Ὠ θεὰ. - - - - - BELL'S ENGLISH HISTORY SOURCE BOOKS - _General Editors_: +S. E. Winbolt+, M.A., and +Kenneth Bell+, M.A. - - - YORK AND LANCASTER - - - - - BELL'S ENGLISH HISTORY SOURCE BOOKS. - - _Volumes now Ready, 1s. net each._ - - - =449-1066.= =The Welding of the Race.= Edited by the Rev. - +John Wallis+, M.A. - - =1066-1154.= =The Normans in England.= Edited by +A. E. - Bland+, M.A. - - =1154-1216.= =The Angevins and the Charter.= Edited by - +S. M. Toyne+, M.A. - - =1216-1307.= =The Growth of Parliament, and the War with - Scotland.= Edited by +W. D. Robieson+, M.A. - - =1307-1399.= =War and Misrule.= Edited by +A. A. - Locke+. - - =1399-1485.= =York and Lancaster.= Edited by +W. Garmon - Jones+, M.A. - - =1485-1547.= =The Reformation and the Renaissance.= Edited - by +F. W. Bewsher+, B.A. - - =1547-1603.= =The Age of Elizabeth.= Edited by +Arundell - Esdaile+, M.A. - - =1603-1660.= =Puritanism and Liberty.= Edited by +Kenneth - Bell+, M.A. - - =1660-1714.= =A Constitution in Making.= Edited by +G. B. - Perrett+, M.A. - - =1714-1760.= =Walpole and Chatham.= Edited by +K. A. - Esdaile+. - - =1760-1801.= =American Independence and the French - Revolution.= Edited by +S. E. Winbolt+, M.A. - - =1801-1815.= =England and Napoleon.= Edited by +S. E. - Winbolt+, M.A. - - =1815-1837.= =Peace and Reform.= Edited by +A. C. W. - Edwards+, M.A., Christ's Hospital. - - =1837-1856.= =Commercial Politics.= By +R. H. - Gretton+. - - =1856-1876.= =Palmerston to Disraeli.= Edited by +Ewing - Harding+, B.A. - - =1876-1887.= =Imperialism and Mr. Gladstone.= Edited by - +R. H. Gretton+, M.A. - - * * * * * - - =1563-1913.= =Canada.= Edited by +James Munro+, - Lecturer at Edinburgh University. - - - BELL'S SCOTTISH HISTORY SOURCE BOOKS. - - =1637-1688.= =The Scottish Covenanters.= Edited by +J. - Pringle Thomson+, M.A. - - =1689-1746.= =The Jacobite Rebellions.= Edited by +J. - Pringle Thomson+, M.A. - - - LONDON: G. BELL AND SONS, LTD. - - - - - YORK AND LANCASTER - - 1399-1485 - - COMPILED BY - - W. GARMON JONES, M.A. - - ASSISTANT LECTURER IN HISTORY, UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL - - [Illustration] - - LONDON - G. BELL AND SONS, LTD. - 1914 - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -This series of English History Source Books is intended for use with -any ordinary textbook of English History. Experience has conclusively -shown that such apparatus is a valuable--nay, an indispensable--adjunct -to the history lesson. It is capable of two main uses: either by -way of lively illustration at the close of a lesson, or by way of -inference-drawing, before the textbook is read, at the beginning of -the lesson. The kind of problems and exercises that may be based on -the documents are legion, and are admirably illustrated in a _History -of England for Schools_, Part I., by Keatinge and Frazer, pp. 377-381. -However, we have no wish to prescribe for the teacher the manner in -which he shall exercise his craft, but simply to provide him and his -pupils with materials hitherto not readily accessible for school -purposes. The very moderate price of the books in this series should -bring them within the reach of every secondary school. Source books -enable the pupil to take a more active part than hitherto in the -history lesson. Here is the apparatus, the raw material: its use we -leave to teacher and taught. - -Our belief is that the books may profitably be used by all grades -of historical students between the standards of fourth-form boys -in secondary schools and undergraduates at Universities. What -differentiates students at one extreme from those at the other is not -so much the kind of subject-matter dealt with, as the amount they can -read into or extract from it. - -In regard to choice of subject-matter, while trying to satisfy the -natural demand for certain "stock" documents of vital importance, we -hope to introduce much fresh and novel matter. It is our intention -that the majority of the extracts should be lively in style--that is, -personal, or descriptive, or rhetorical, or even strongly partisan--and -should not so much profess to give the truth as supply data for -inference. We aim at the greatest possible variety, and lay under -contribution letters, biographies, ballads and poems, diaries, debates, -and newspaper accounts. Economics, London, municipal, and social life -generally, and local history, are represented in these pages. - -The order of the extracts is strictly chronological, each being -numbered, titled, and dated, and its authority given. The text is -modernised, where necessary, to the extent of leaving no difficulties -in reading. - -We shall be most grateful to teachers and students who may send us -suggestions for improvements. - - S. E. WINBOLT. - KENNETH BELL. - - -NOTE TO THIS VOLUME - -I have to thank Sir E. Maunde Thompson and the Council of the Royal -Society of Literature for so readily permitting me to quote from Sir -E. Maunde Thompson's edition of Adam of Usk's _Chronicle_. With three -exceptions, the sources quoted in this volume are contemporary, and, -where I have employed non-contemporary material, I have endeavoured to -justify its use in a prefatory note to the extract. - - W. G. J. - -_Postscript._--Mr. C. L. Kingsford, in his valuable critical account, -_English Historical Literature in the Fifteenth Century_, recently -published, argues strongly against the accepted authorship of the _Vita -et gesta Henrici Quinti_ (quoted on pp. 15-19). Hearne erroneously -attributes it to Thomas Elmham. Mr. Kingsford shows that the date of -its composition lies between 1446 and 1449, and that its anonymous -author was, in all probability, a foreigner. - - - - - TABLE OF CONTENTS - - - PAGE - +Introduction+ v - - DATE - - 1399. +The Coronation of Henry IV.+ _Chronicle of Adam of Usk_ 1 - - 1400. +Conspiracy of the Earls+ _Capgrave's Chronicle_ 2 - - 1401. +De Heretico Comburendo+ _Statutes of the Realm_ 3 - - 1401-2. +The Glendower War+ _Chronicle of Adam of Usk_ 4 - - 1403. +The Peril of Henry+ _Ellis's "Original Letters"_ 6 - - +The Battle of Shrewsbury+ _Chronicle of Adam of Usk_ 7 - - 1404. +French Aid for Glendower+ _Ellis's "Original Letters"_ 8 - - 1406. +Election of Knights of the - Shire+ _Statutes of the Realm_ 8 - - 1407. +Money-Grants to Initiate in - the Commons+ _Rotuli Parliamentorum_ 9 - - 1410. +Prince Henry and the Heretic+ _Gregory's Chronicle_ 11 - - 1413. +The Death of Henry IV.+ _Fabyan's "Chronicle"_ 12 - - +Electors and Elected to - Parliament to be Resident+ _Statutes of the Realm_ 13 - - 1414. +The Dauphin's Reply to Henry+ _Chronicle of Henry V._ 13 - - +The Commons and Legislation+ _Rotuli Parliamentorum_ 14 - - 1415. +The Conspiracy of Cambridge+ _Nicolas's "Agincourt"_ 15 - - +The Battle of Agincourt+ _Elmham's "Vita et gesta - Henrici Quinti"_ 15 - - 1416. +Borough Customs+ _Customs of Hereford_ 19 - - 1417. +The Execution of Sir John _Brief Chronicle of Sir John - Oldcastle+ Oldcastle_ 22 - - 1418. +The Siege of Rouen+ _Collections of a London - Citizen_ (_Camden Soc._) 23 - - 1420. +The Treaty of Troyes+ _Rymer's "Fœdera"_ 24 - - 1422. +The Death of Henry V.+ _Monstrelet's "Chronicles"_ 26 - - +A Begging Letter to Henry VI.+ _Ellis's "Original Letters"_ 27 - - 1424. +The Battle of Verneuil+ _Waurin's "Chronicles"_ 28 - - 1429. +To King Henry VI.+ _Wright's "Political Poems"_ 30 - - +The Battle of Herrings+ _Monstrelet's "Chronicles"_ 31 - - +Joan of Arc Raises the Siege - of Orleans+ _Waurin's "Chronicles"_ 32 - - 1430. +The Forty-Shilling Franchise+ _Statutes of the Realm_ 35 - - 1431. +The Condemnation of the Maid+ _Waurin's "Chronicles"_ 36 - - 1432. +The Education of Henry VI.+ _Paston Letters_ 40 - - 1439. +Precautions to Protect the - King against Infection+ _Rotuli Parliamentorum_ 43 - - 1445. +A Nobleman requests a Licence - for a Ship+ _Ellis's "Original Letters"_ 44 - - +Discomforts of Pilgrims at Sea+ _Early Naval Ballads_ 44 - - +Parliamentary Elections+ _Statutes of the Realm_ 46 - - 1446. +Henry VI. Reforms the Grammar - Schools+ _Excerpta Historica_ 47 - - 1449. +The French Recover Fougères+ _Reductio Normannie_ 48 - - +Capture of Verneuil+ _Reductio Normannie_ 49 - - 1450. +The Battle of Formigny+ _Reductio Normannie_ 51 - - +A Father's Counsel+ _Paston Letters_ 52 - - 1450. +Murder of Duke of Suffolk+ _Paston Letters_ 54 - - +Cade's Rebellion+ _Three 15th-Cent. Chronicles_ 55 - - 1451. +Packing a Jury+ _Paston Letters_ 58 - - +Partial Judges+ _Paston Letters_ 58 - - 1454. +Lawlessness+ _Paston Letters_ 59 - - +The Condition of Ireland+ _Ellis's "Original Letters"_ 62 - - +Beginnings of Civil Strife+ _Ingulph's "Chronicles"_ 63 - - +The King's Madness+ _Paston Letters_ 64 - - 1455. +The Battle of St. Albans+ _Archæologia_ 65 - - +An Unruly Noble+ _Rotuli Parliamentorum_ 69 - - +The Litigiousness of the Age+ _Gascoigne's "Loci e Libro - Veritatum"_ 70 - - 1457. +The Trial of Bishop Pecock+ _An English Chronicle_ 70 - - 1458. +A Sea Fight+ _Paston Letters_ 72 - - +The Evils in the Church+ _Gascoigne's "Loci e Libro - Veritatum"_ 73 - - 1459. +The Evils of Misgovernment+ _An English Chronicle_ 75 - - 1460. +York's Popularity+ _An English Chronicle_ 75 - - +The Battle of Northampton+ _An English Chronicle_ 76 - - +The Wanderings of Margaret+ _Gregory's Chronicle_ 78 - - +The Battle of Wakefield+ _Hall's "Chronicle"_ 79 - - +Ravages of the Lancastrians+ _Ingulph's "Chronicles"_ 80 - - 1461. +Battle of Mortimer's Cross+ _Collections of London - Citizen_ 81 - - +The Battle of Towton+ _Ingulph's "Chronicles"_ 81 - - +Accession of Edward IV.+ _Archæologia_ 83 - - 1463. +Mayor of London's Dignity+ _Collections of London - Citizen_ 83 - - 1464. +Marriage of Edward IV.+ _Collections of London - Citizen_ 84 - - 1465 (_circa_). +A Dinner of Flesh+ _Russell's "Boke of Nurture"_ 85 - - 1469. +Private Wars+ _Paston Letters_ 86 - - 1470. +Restoration of Henry VI.+ _Chronicles of the White Rose_ 88 - - 1471. +The Arrival of Edward IV.+ _Chronicles of the White Rose_ 88 - - +The Battle of Barnet+ _Chronicles of the White Rose_ 90 - - +The Plague+ _Paston Letters_ 92 - - +The Death of Henry VI.+ _Chronicles of the White Rose_ 92 - - 1472. +King Edward's Court+ _Archæologia_ 93 - - 1475. +An Englishman's Library+ _Paston Letters_ 96 - - 1478. +The Death of Clarence+ _Ingulph's "Chronicles"_ 97 - - 1479. +An Eton Boy's Letter+ _Paston Letters_ 100 - - +The University+ _Paston Letters_ 101 - - 1483. +Richard Usurps the Throne+ _Ingulph's "Chronicles"_ 102 - - +The Murder of the Princes+ _More's "History of King - Richard III."_ 106 - - +Character of King Richard III+ _Harding's "Chronicle"_ 108 - - 1484. +An Act against Benevolences+ _Statutes of the Realm_ 109 - - 1485. +Henry Tudor and the Welsh+ _MSS. Sources_ 110 - - +Proclamation against Tudors+ _Ellis's "Original Letters"_ 111 - - +Henry's Landing+ _Cambrian Biography_ 113 - - +Henry Summons Welsh Chiefs+ _Wynne's "Gwydir Family"_ 115 - - +The Journey to Bosworth+ _Cambrian Biography_ 116 - - +The Eve of Bosworth+ _Paston Letters_ 117 - - +The Battle of Bosworth Field+ _Ingulph's "Chronicles"_ 118 - - +The Last of the Plantagenets+ _Percy Folio MS._ 120 - - - - -YORK AND LANCASTER - -1399-1485 - - - - -THE CORONATION OF HENRY IV. (1399). - -=Source.=--_The Chronicle of Adam of Usk_, edited by Sir E. -Maunde Thompson, pp. 187, 188. (Royal Society of Literature, 1904.) - - -On the eve of his coronation, in the Tower of London and in the -presence of Richard late King, King Henry made forty-six new knights, -amongst whom were his three sons, and also the earls of Arundel and -Stafford, and the son and heir of the earl of Warwick; and with them -and other nobles of the land he passed in great state to Westminster. -And when the day of Coronation was come (13th October), all the peers -of the realm, robed finely in red and scarlet and ermine, came with -great joy to the ceremony, my lord of Canterbury ordering all the -service and duties thereof. In the presence were borne four swords, -whereof one was sheathed as a token of the augmentation of military -honour, two were wrapped in red and bound round with golden bands to -represent twofold mercy, and the fourth was naked and without a point, -the emblem of the executioner of justice without rancour. The first -sword the earl of Northumberland carried, the two covered ones the -earls of Somerset and Warwick, and the sword of justice the King's -eldest son, the prince of Wales; and the lord Latimer bore the sceptre, -and the earl of Westmoreland the rod. And this they did as well in the -coronation as at the banquet, always standing around the King. Before -the King received the crown from my lord of Canterbury, I heard him -swear to take heed to rule his people altogether in mercy and in truth. -These were the officers in the Coronation feast: The earl of Arundel -was butler, the earl of Oxford held the ewer, and the lord Grey of -Ruthin spread the cloths. - -While the King was in the midst of the banquet, sir Thomas Dymock, -knight, mounted in full armour on his destrier,[1] and having his sword -sheathed in black with a golden hilt, entered the hall, two others, -likewise mounted on chargers, bearing before him a naked sword and a -lance. And he caused proclamation to be made by a herald at the four -sides of the hall that, if any man should say that his liege lord here -present and King of England was not of right crowned King of England, -he was ready to prove the contrary with his body, then and there, or -when and wheresoever it might please the King. And the King said: -"If need be, sir Thomas, I will in mine own person ease thee of this -office." - - [1] Destrier = a charger, a war-horse. - - - - -CONSPIRACY OF THE EARLS (1400). - -=Source.=--Capgrave's _Chronicle of England_, pp. 275, 276 (Rolls -Series). - - -In the second year of this King the earls of Kent, Salisbury and -Huntingdon, unkind to the King, rose against him. Unkind were they, for -the people would have them dead and the King spared them. These men, -thus gathered, purposed to fall on the King suddenly at Windsor, under -the colour of mummeries in Christmas time. The King was warned of this -and fled to London. These men knew not that, but came to Windsor with -four hundred armed men, purposing to kill the King and his progeny, -and restore Richard again unto the crown. When they came to Windsor, -and thus were deceived, they fled to a town where the queen lay, fast -by Reading, and there, before the queen's household, he blessed him -this earl of Kent. "O benedicite," he said, "who may this be that -Harry of Lancaster hath taken the Tower at London, and our very King -Richard hath broken prison, and hath gathered a hundred thousand -fighting men." So gladded he the queen with lies, and rode forth to -Wallingford, and from Wallingford to Abingdon, warning all men by the -way that they should make them ready to help King Richard. Thus came he -to Cirencester, late at even. The men of the town had suspicion that -their tidings were lies, (as it was indeed,) rose and kept the entries -of the inns, that none of them might pass. There fought they in the -town from midnight unto nine of the clock in the morrow. But the town -drove them out of the Abbey and smote off many of their heads. The earl -of Salisbury was dead there; and worthy, for he was a great favourite -of the Lollards, and a despiser of the sacraments, for he would not -confess when he should die. - -The earl of Huntingdon heard of this and fled unto Essex. And as often -as he assayed to take the sea, so often was he born off with the wind. -Then was he taken by the Commons and led to Chelmsford and then to -Pleshy, and his head smote off in the same place where he arrested the -Duke of Gloucester. - - - - -DE HERETICO COMBURENDO (January, 1401). - -=Source.=--_Statutes of the Realm_, 2 Henry IV., c. xv. - - -Item, Whereas it is shewed to our Sovereign Lord the King on behalf -of the Prelates and Clergy of his realm of England in this present -Parliament, That although the Catholic Faith builded upon Christ and by -his Apostles and the Holy Church sufficiently determined, declared and -approved, hath hitherto by good and holy and most Noble Progenitors of -our Sovereign Lord the King ... [been] most devoutly observed, and the -Church of England most laudably endowed and in her Rights and Liberties -sustained.... Yet divers false and perverse People of a certain New -Sect of the Faith ... do perversely preach and teach these days, openly -and privily, divers new Doctrines, and wicked, heretical and erroneous -Opinions contrary to the same faith.... They make unlawful Conventicles -and Confederacies, they hold and exercise Schools, they make and write -Books, they do wickedly instruct and inform People, and, as much as -they may, incite and stir them to Sedition and Insurrection, and -maketh great Strife and Division among the people, and other Enormities -horrible to be heard daily do perpetrate and commit, in subversion of -the said Catholic Faith and Doctrine of the Holy Church. - -_Then follow clauses forbidding the Lollards to preach without license, -or to hold Schools for teaching the new doctrines, and a clause -punishing by fine and imprisonment all offenders who abjure their -heresy; finally_:-- - -If any Person within the said Realm and Dominions, upon the said wicked -Preachings, Doctrines, Opinions, Schools and heretical and erroneous -Information ... be before the Diocesan, and do refuse duly to abjure, -or by the Diocesan of the same place or his commission, after the -abjuration made by the same person, fall into relapse so that according -to the Holy Canons he ought to be left to the secular Court, whereupon -credence shall be given to the Diocesan of the same place, or to his -Commissionaries in this behalf; then the Sheriff of the County of the -same place, and Mayor and Sheriffs or Sheriff, or Mayor and Bailiffs -of the City, Town and Borough of the same County shall be personally -present in preferring of such sentences; and they, the same persons -and every one of them, after such a sentence promulgate, shall receive -them, and before the People in an high place do them to be burnt; that -such punishment may strike in fear to the minds of others, whereby no -such wicked doctrines and heretical and erroneous opinions ... against -the Catholic Faith, Christian Law and Determination of Holy Church, -which God forbid, be sustained or in any wise suffered. - - - - -THE GLENDOWER WAR (1401-1402). - -=Source.=--_Chronicle of Adam of Usk_, edited by Sir E. Maunde -Thompson, pp. 237, 238, 246, 247. - - -In this autumn (1401), Owen Glendower, all North Wales and Cardigan and -Powis siding with him, sorely harried with fire and sword the English -who dwelt in those parts, and their towns, and specially the town of -Pool. Wherefore the English, invading those parts with a strong power, -and utterly laying them waste and ravaging them with fire, famine, -and sword, left them a desert, not even sparing children or churches, -nor the monastery of Strata-Florida, wherein the King himself was -being lodged, and the church of which and its choir, even up to the -high altar, they used as a stable, and pillaged even the patens; and -they carried away into England more than a thousand children of both -sexes to be their servants. Yet did the same Owen do no small hurt to -the English, slaying many of them, and carrying off the arms, horses -and tents of the King's eldest son, the prince of Wales, and of other -lords, which he bare away for his own behoof to the mountain fastnesses -of Snowden. - -In these days, southern Wales, and in particular all the diocese -of Llandaff, was at peace from every kind of trouble of invasion -or inroad.... The commons of Cardigan, being pardoned their lives, -deserted Owen, and returned, though in sore wretchedness, to their -homes, being allowed to use the Welsh tongue, although its destruction -had been determined on by the English, Almighty God, the King of Kings, -the unerring Judge of all, having mercifully ordained the recall of -this decree at the prayer and cry of the oppressed.... - -... On the day of St. Alban (22nd June, 1402) near to Knighton in -Wales, was a hard battle fought between the English under sir Edmund -Mortimer and the Welsh under Owen Glendower, with woeful slaughter -even to eight thousand souls, the victory being with Owen. And alas! -my lord, the said sir Edmund ... was by the fortune of war carried -away captive. And, being by his enemies in England stripped of all -his goods and hindered from paying ransom, in order to escape more -easily the pains of captivity, he is known by common report to have -wedded the daughter of the same Owen; by whom he had a son Lionel, and -three daughters, all of whom, except one daughter, along with their -mother are now dead. At last, being by the English host beleagured in -the castle of Harlech, he brought his days of sorrow to an end, his -wonderful deeds being to this day told at the feast in song. - -In this year also the lord Grey of Ruthin,[2] being taken captive by -Owen, with the slaughter of two thousand of his men, was shut up in -prison; but he was set free on payment of ransom of sixteen thousand -pounds in gold. Concerning such an ill-starred blow given by Owen -to the English rule, when I think thereon, my heart trembles. For, -backed by a following of thirty thousand men issuing from their lairs -throughout Wales and its marches, he overthrew castles, among which -were Usk, Caerleon, and Newport, and fired the towns. In short, like -a second Assyrian, the rod of God's anger, he did deeds of unheard-of -cruelty with fire and sword. - - [2] Glendower's revolt arose out of a quarrel with Lord Grey of Ruthin. - - - - -THE PERIL OF HENRY (1403). - -=Source.=--Ellis's _Original Letters_, second series, vol. i., pp. -17-19. (London: 1827.) - - - [_French._]--Our most redoubted and sovereign Lord the King, I - recommend myself humbly to your Highness as your lowly creature and - continual orator. And our most redoubted and sovereign Lord, please - you to know that from day to day letters are arriving from Wales, - containing intelligence by which you may learn that the whole country - is lost, if you do not go there as quick as possible. For which reason - may it please you to prepare to set out with all power you can muster, - and march day and night for the salvation of these parts.... Written - in great haste at Hereford, the 8th July. - - Your lowly creature - - +Richard Kingeston,+ - - _Archdeacon of Hereford._ - - [_Postscript in English._]--And for God's love, my liege Lord, think - on yourself and your estate, or, by my troth, all is lost else; but - and you come yourself with haste, all other will follow after. And - note on Friday last Carmarthen town is taken and burnt, and the castle - yielded by Roger Wigmore, and the castle Emlyn is yielded; and slain - of the town of Carmarthen more than fifty persons. Written in - right great haste on Sunday; and I cry you mercy and put me in your - high grace that I write so shortly; for, by my troth that I owe to - you, it is needfull. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF SHREWSBURY (1403). - -=Source.=--_Chronicle of Adam of Usk_, edited by Sir E. Maunde -Thompson, pp. 252, 253. - - -In the next year, on behalf of the crown of England claimed for the -earl of March, a deadly quarrel arose between the King and the house -of Percy of Northumberland, as kin to the same earl, to the great -agitation of the realm...; and a field being pitched for the morrow -of Saint Mary Magdalene (23rd July), the King, by the advice of the -earl of Dunbar of Scotland, because the father of the lord Henry Percy -and Owen Glendower were then about to come against the King with a -great host, anticipating the appointed day, brought on a most fearful -battle against the said lord Henry and the lord Thomas Percy, then -earl of Worcester. And after that there had fallen on either side in -most bloody slaughter to the number of sixteen thousand men, in the -field of Berwick (where the King afterwards founded a hospice for the -souls of those who there fell) two miles from Shrewsbury, on the eve -of the said feast, victory declared for the king who had thus made the -onslaught. In this battle the said lord Percy, the flower and glory of -Christendom, fell, alas! and with him his uncle.... There fell also two -noble knights in the King's armour, each made conspicuous as though a -second King, having been placed for the King's safety in the rear line -of battle. Whereat the earl of Douglas of Scotland, then being in the -field with the said lord Henry, as his captive, when he heard victory -shouted for King Henry, cried in wonder: "Have I not slain two King -Henries (meaning the said knights) with mine own hand? 'Tis an evil -hour for us that a third yet lives to be our victor." - - - - -FRENCH AID FOR GLENDOWER (1404). - -=Source.=--Ellis's _Original Letters_, second series, vol. i., pp. -33, 34. (London: 1827.) - - -+William Venables and Roger Brescy to the King.+ - - Most puissant and redoubted liege Lord, we recommend us to your - sovereign Lord in all ways respectful and revered. May it please your - Royal Majesty to understand that Robert Parys, the deputy constable of - Carnarvon Castle, has apprized us through a woman, because there was - no man who dared to come--for neither man nor woman dare carry letters - on account of the rebels of Wales,--that "Oweyn de Glyndour," with - the French and all his other power, is preparing to assault the town - and castle of Carnarvon, and to begin this enterprize with engines, - sowes[3] and ladders of great length; and in the town and castle there - are not in all more than twenty-eight fighting men, which is too small - a force; for eleven of the more able men who were there at the last - siege of the place are dead; some of the wounds they received at the - time of the assault, and others of the plague; so that the said castle - and town are in imminent danger, as the bearer of this will inform - you by word of mouth, to whom your Highness will be pleased to give - full faith and credence, as he can inform you most accurately of the - truth.... Written at Chester the 16th day of January. - - Your poor lieges - - +William Venables of Kinnerton+ - - and +Roger Brescy+. - - [3] A machine for mining the walls. - - - - -THE MANNER OF ELECTION OF KNIGHTS OF THE SHIRE (1406). - -=Source.=--_Statutes of the Realm_, 7 Henry IV., c. xv. - - -Item our Lord the King, at the grievous complaints of his Commons -[in this present Parliament] of the undue election of the Knights of -Counties for the Parliament, which be sometimes made of affection of -the Sheriff, and otherwise against the form of the writs directed to -the Sheriff, to the great slander of the Counties and the hindrance of -the business of the Commonalty of the said County; Our Sovereign Lord -the King, willing therein to provide a remedy, by the assent of the -Lords spiritual and temporal and the Commons in this present Parliament -assembled, hath ordained and established, that from henceforth the -elections of such knights shall be made in the form that followeth: -That is to say at the next County to be holden after the delivery of -the writ of the Parliament, proclamation shall be made in the full -County of the day and place of the Parliament, and that all they -that be there present, as well suitors duly summoned for the same -cause as other, shall attend to the election of their knights for the -Parliament; and then, in the full County, they shall proceed to the -election freely and indifferently, notwithstanding any request or -command to the contrary; and after that they be chosen, the names of -the persons so chosen, be they present or absent, shall be written -in an Indenture under the Seal of all them that did choose them, and -tacked to the same Writ of Parliament; which indenture, so sealed and -tacked, shall be holden for the Sheriff's return of the said writ -touching the knights of the Shires. And in the writs of Parliament -to be made hereafter this Clause shall be put: _Et electionem tuam -in pleno Comitatu tuo factam distincte et aperte sub sigillo tuo et -sigillis eorum qui electioni illi interfuerint nobis in cancellaria -nostra ad diem et locum in brevi contentos certifices indilate_.[4] - - [4] And thy election in thy full county made, distinctly and openly - under thy seal and the seals of those present at that election, certify - without delay, to us in our chancery, at the day and place contained in - the writ. - - - - -MONEY-GRANTS TO INITIATE IN THE COMMONS (1407). - -=Source.=--_Rotuli Parliamentorum_ (Record Commission), vol. iii., -p. 611, § 21. - - -Be it remembered that on Monday the 21st day of November, the King our -sovereign lord being in the Council Chamber in the Abbey of Gloucester, -there being in his presence the lords spiritual and temporal at -this present Parliament assembled, there was a discussion among them -concerning the state of the realm and the defence of the same to -resist the malice of the enemies, who on every coast appeared to be -harassing the said realm and the faithful subjects of the same.... And -thereon it was demanded of the said lords, what aid would be sufficient -and necessary in this case. To which demand and question the lords -replied severally, that considering the necessity of the King on the -one part, and the poverty of his people on the other part, a less aid -could not suffice than to have a tenth and a half from the cities -and boroughs, and a fifteenth and a half from other laymen. Further, -to grant an extension of the subsidy on wool, leather and woolfels, -and three shillings on the ton, and twelve pence in the pound, from -Michaelmas next until Michaelmas in two years next ensuing. Thereon, -by command of the King our said lord, it was conveyed to the Commons -of this present Parliament that they should send to our said lord the -King and the said lords a certain number of persons of their company -to hear and to report to their colleagues what they should have as a -command of our said lord the King. And thereupon the said Commons sent -to the presence of the King our said lord, and the said lords, twelve -of their number: to whom, by command of our said lord the King, was -declared the question above-mentioned and the reply of the aforesaid -lords to it. This reply it was the will of our said lord the King that -they should convey to the rest of their colleagues [in the Commons]; -finally that they (of the Commons) should conform as near as possible -to the purpose of the aforesaid lords. This report thus conveyed to the -said Commons, they were greatly perturbed by it, saying and affirming -this to be in great prejudice and derogation of their liberties; and -when our said lord the King heard this, not wishing that anything -should be done at present nor in the future, which could turn in any -wise against the liberty of the estate for which they were come to -Parliament, nor against the liberties of the lords aforesaid, willed -and granted and declared, with the advice of the said lords, in the -following manner: That is to say, that it is lawful for the lords to -debate among themselves in this present Parliament, and in every other -[Parliament] in time to come, in the absence of the King, touching the -state of the realm and the remedy necessary for it. And that, in like -manner, it is lawful for the Commons, on their part, to debate together -touching the state and remedy aforesaid. Provided always that the lords -on their part and the Commons on theirs, make no report to our said -lord the King of any grant granted by the Commons and assented to by -the lords, nor of the communications concerning the said grant, before -the said lords and Commons shall be of one assent and of one accord in -this matter, and then in the manner and form that is customary, that -is to say by the mouth of the Speaker of the said Commons for the time -being, so that the said lords and Commons should have the agreement of -our said lord the King. Also our said lord the King wills, also with -the assent of the aforesaid lords, that the communications held in this -present Parliament as aforesaid shall not be treated as an example for -the future, nor be turned to the prejudice or derogation of the liberty -of the estate for which the Commons are now come together, neither in -the present Parliament nor in any other in the future. But he [the -King] wills that the said, and all the other estates, be as free as -they had been before. - - - - -PRINCE HENRY AND THE HERETIC (1410). - -=Source.=--Gregory's Chronicle in the _Collections of a London -Citizen_ (Camden Society), pp. 105, 106. - - -And that year there was an heretic, that was called John of Badby, -that believed not in the Sacrament of the Altar, and he was brought -into Smithfield for to be burnt, and bound unto a stake; and Sir Harry -Prince of Wales counselled him to hold the very right belief of Holy -Church, and he should fail neither lack no good. Also the Chancellor -of Oxford, one Master Courteney, informed him in the faith of Holy -Church, and the Prior of Saint Bartholomew brought the Holy Sacrament -with twelve torches and brought it before him. And it was asked him how -that he believed. And he answered and said that he wist well that it -was holy bread, and not God's own blessed body. And then was the tonne -put over him and fire put unto him; and when he felt the fire he cried -mercy. And anon the prince commanded to take away the fire, and it was -done so anon. And then the prince asked him if that he would forsake -his heresy and believe on the faith of all Holy Church, and he would -give him his life and goods enough while he lived; but he would not, -but continued forth in his heresy. And then the prince commanded him up -to be burnt at once, and so he was. And John Gylott, vynter, he made -two weavers to be taken, the which followed the same way of heresy. - - - - -THE DEATH OF HENRY IV. (1413). - -=Source.=--Fabyan's _Chronicle_, edited by Ellis, p. 576. (London: -1811.) - - -In this year and 20th day of November, was a great council holden at -the White Friars in London, by the which it was among other things -concluded, that, for the King's great journey that he intended to make -in visiting of the holy sepulchre of our Lord, certain galleys of war -should be made, and other purveyance concerning the same journey. -Whereupon all hasty and possible speed was made; but after the feast of -Christmas, while he was making his prayers at Saint Edward's shrine, to -take there his leave, and so speed him upon his journey, he became so -sick that such as were about him feared that he would have died right -there, wherefore they for his comfort bore him into the Abbot's place -and lodged him in a chamber, and there upon a pallet laid him before -the fire, where he lay in great agony a certain of time. At length when -he was come to himself, not knowing where he was, he enquired, of such -as there were about him, what place that was; the which showed to him -that it belonged to the Abbot of Westminster, and for he felt himself -so sick, he commanded to ask if that chamber had any special name, -whereunto it was answered that it was named Jerusalem. Then said the -King: "Loving be to the Father of Heaven, for now I know that I shall -die in this chamber, according to the prophecy of me before said, that -I should die at Jerusalem"; and so after he made himself ready and died -shortly after. - - - - -ELECTORS AND ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT TO BE RESIDENT (1413). - -=Source.=--_Statutes of the Realm_, 1 Henry V., c. 1. - - -... That the Knights and Esquires and others which shall be choosers -of those knights of the shires be also resident within the same shires -in manner and form as is aforesaid. And moreover it is ordained and -established, That the citizens and burgesses of the cities and boroughs -be chosen men, citizens and burgesses resident, dwelling and free in -the same cities and boroughs, and no other in any wise. - - - - -THE DAUPHIN'S REPLY TO HENRY (1414). - -=Source.=--"Chronicle of King Henry V.," printed in Nicolas's -_Battle of Agincourt_, pp. viii-ix. (London: 1827.) - - -And his lords gave him [Henry V.] counsel, to send ambassadors unto -the King of France and his council, and that he should give up to him -his right heritage, that is to say Normandy, Gascony, and Guienne, the -which his predecessors had held before him, or else he would it win -with dint of sword, in short time, with the help of Almighty God. And -then the Dauphin of France answered our ambassadors, and said in this -manner, that the King was over young and too tender of age to make war -against him, and was not like yet to be no good warrior to do and to -make such a conquest there upon him; and somewhat in scorn and despite -he sent to him a tonne full of tennis balls because he would have -somewhat for to play withal for him and for his lords, and that became -him better than to maintain any war; and then anon our lords that was -ambassadors took their leave and came to England again, and told -the King and his Council of the ungoodly answer that they had of the -Dauphin, and of the present the which he had sent unto the King; and -when the King had heard their words and the answer of the Dauphin, he -was wondrous sore aggrieved ... and thought to avenge him upon them as -soon as God would send him grace and might, and anon made tennis balls -for the Dauphin, in all haste; and they were great gun-stones for the -Dauphin to play withal. - - - - -THE COMMONS AND LEGISLATION (1414). - -=Source.=--_Rotuli Parliamentorum_ (Record Commission), vol. iv., -p. 22. - - -Item be it remembered, that the Commons presented to our sovereign lord -the King in this present Parliament a petition, the tenor of which -follows word for word. - -Our sovereign Lord, your humble and true lieges that have come for the -Commune of your land beseech your right righteousness, That so it hath -ever been their liberty and freedom that there should no statute nor -law be made unless they give thereto their assent: Considering that the -Commune of your land, the which that is, and ever hath been, a member -of your Parliament, be as well assenters as petitioners, that from -this time forward, by complaint of the Commune of any mischief asking -remedy by the mouth of their Speaker or else by petition written, that -there never be no law made thereupon and engrossed as statute and law, -neither by addition, neither by diminutions, by no manner of term or -terms the which that should change the sentence and the intent asked by -the Speaker's mouth, or the petitions beforesaid given up in writing -by the manner aforesaid, without assent of the aforesaid Commune. -Considering our sovereign Lord, that it is not in no wise the intent -of your Communes, that it be so that they ask you, by speaking or by -writing, two things or three or as many as them lust: But that ever it -stand in the freedom of your high regality to grant which of those that -you lust, and to refuse the remnant. - -The King of his grace especially granteth that from henceforth no -thing be enacted to the petitions of his Commune that be contrary to -their asking, whereby they should be bound without their assent. Saving -always to our liege Lord his real prerogative to grant and deny what -him lust of their petitions and askings aforesaid. - - - - -THE CONSPIRACY OF CAMBRIDGE (1415). - -=Source.=--Nicolas's _Battle of Agincourt_, p. lxxvii. (London: -1827.) - - -And then fell there a great disease and a foul mischief, for there -were three lords which the King trusted much on and through false -covetousness they had purposed and imagined the King's death and -thought to have slain him and all his brethren or that he had taken the -sea, which were named thus--Sir Richard, earl of Cambridge brother to -the duke of York, the second was the lord Scrope Treasurer of England, -the third was Sir Thomas Gray knight of the north country, and these -lords aforesaid, for lucre of money, had made promise to the Frenchmen -for to have slain King Henry and all his worthy brethren by a false -train suddenly or they had beware. But Almighty God of his great grace -held his holy hand over them and saved them from this perilous mien. -And for to have done this they received of the Frenchmen a million of -gold and that there was proved openly. And for their false treason -they were all judged unto the death. And this was the judgement, that -they should be led through Hampton and without Northgate there to be -beheaded, and thus they ended their life for their false covetousness -and treason. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF AGINCOURT (+October 25, 1415+). - -=Source.=--Elmham's _Vita et gesta Henrici Quinti_, pp. 59 _et -seq._ (Oxford: 1727.) - - -A.--_The Disposition and Order of the English Army._ - -The night being spent but Titan not yet risen above the horizon, scarce -had Friday dawned (on which the day the martyrdom of the blessed -Crispin and Crispinian is celebrated) than the King neglected not to -lead out his troops into the field, having first said matins and heard -mass, and thinking that his enemies would be more engaged in fighting -than in plundering, he ordered the horses of his men and whatever other -things his army had brought with them except their arms, to be left in -the village in which they had been quartered in the night, and assigned -to the care of a few soldiers.... But in order that his army, which was -very small in comparison to the French, might be able to fight without -a wide separation, he arrayed it for battle in this wise: to the middle -battalion, which he himself led, and in which under the mercy of God -he proposed to fight, he assigned and chose a likely place about the -middle of the field, so that it might meet the middle battalion of the -enemy. On his right, at scarcely any distance, he placed the vanguard -of his army and joined it to the wing at his right hand. But on the -King's left was the rearward of the army, to which the left wing was -likewise joined. These being so placed the providence of the divine -grace was manifestly displayed, which provided for so small an army so -apt a field enclosed within hedges and bushes ... to protect them from -being surrounded by the ambuscades of the enemy. Now the King was clad -in strong and very glittering armour; on his head he bore a helmet with -a large resplendent crest and a crown of gold glistening with precious -stones; his body begirt with a surcoat with the arms of England and -France, from which heavenly splendour there sprang forth, on the one -side, three golden flowers in a field of azure, on the other side -three golden leopards sporting in a ruby field.... [He], seated on a -noble horse of snowy whiteness, having also horses following bedecked -in kingly fashion with the richest trappings, wondrously incited his -army to deeds of valour. The nobles also, by the King's side, were -arrayed with coats of arms as became those about to engage in conflict. -And when the King heard someone wishing that whatever nobles of the -realm of England, who were well-disposed thereto, were present at this -affair, with kingly steadfastness he thus replied, "Truly I would not -that by one single person the number of this army should be increased. -For if in the number of fighting men, we were equal to, or perhaps, -stronger than, our enemies, and they were delivered into our hands -by the hazards of war, our indiscreet judgement would attribute the -victory to the greatness of our strength, and so due praise would by -no means be accorded. But if, after God's own manifold chastisement -for our sins, the divine judgement should determine to deliver us into -the hands of the enemy,... certainly then our army would be too great -to be exposed (which God forbid!) to so great a calamity. But if the -divine mercy should deign to deliver so many adversaries to so trifling -a force of fighting men, we should deem so great a victory certainly -bestowed by God upon us and return thanks to Him and not to our own -numbers. Lo! he who is splendidly and safely defended and armed in body -is fortified in mind much more gloriously by stern hope and unbroken -fortitude." - - -B.--_The Disposition and Order of the French Army._ - -The enemy, despising the idleness and inaction of the King's army, -endeavoured to prepare their numerous formations in proper order for -battle.... They drew up their army after their own fashion, as the -King had drawn up his; nevertheless the breadth of the field was not -sufficient to draw up so numerous a host into proper battle array. -For whereas the English army, throughout all its lines, was scarcely -strengthened with files of four men, one behind another crosswise, -all the French lines throughout their length were strengthened with -files of twenty or more fighting men, one behind the other. Also, in -the outermost flank of their army were placed a thousand soldiers, to -break through the English lines with cavalry charges; also certain -_saxi-voma_,[5] which might scatter the English when about to engage -in battle, or at least throw them into disorder, were drawn up along -the flanks of the army. But the number of standards and other warlike -ensigns, which were displayed by the French army, fastened on the -points of lances and rustling in the wind, seemed to exceed the -multitude of lances in the English army.... - - [5] Engines for hurling stones. - - -C.--_The Battle._ - -Thus drawn up across the fields on both sides and three bow shots, or -thereabouts, distant from each other, each army awaited the movements -of the other, but neither advanced against the other for some time. -Yet the French cavalry, advancing a little into the field, were by the -King's command forced to retreat hastily, through certain of the royal -archers, on to their army. Also certain French barons, by their own -wishes, came into the King's presence, and without being able to find -out anything the King proposed to do, were soon ordered to return to -their own army. Now King Henry, when he considered that a great part of -the short day was already passed, and readily believing that the French -were not disposed to move from their position, consulted the nobles and -experts as to what they should do, viz., whether he should advance with -his army, in the order in which it stood, against the enemy who refused -to move against him. They, having fully considered the circumstances of -so important a matter, decided that the King should advance with his -army towards the enemy, and mightily charge them in the name of God.... -Without delay both men-at-arms, unheeding their heavy arms, and the -archers, leaving behind in the field their sharp stakes which they had -previously prepared to meet the French cavalry, all having bowed the -knee and taken lumps of earth in their mouths,[6] with a warlike shout -piercing the heavens and with wonderful dash, flew fiercely along the -plain, and their outward bearing shewed how much courage fired their -hearts. And when they had approached within twenty paces of the ranks -of the enemy, not far from Agincourt, and the sounds of the trumpets -rending the air had stirred the spirits of the warriors to battle, the -enemy, now for the first time moving, advanced to meet the English. -Immediately the battle commenced with such fury that at the first -attack of such brave warriors, by the dire shock of lances and the -violent blows of swords the joints of their strong armour were broken, -and the first rank on both sides dealt deadly wounds. But, on the other -side, the warlike band of archers, with their strong and numerous -volleys, darkened the air, shedding, like a cloud laden with rain, an -unbearable multitude of piercing arrows, and, inflicting wounds on -the horses, either threw to the ground the French cavalry who were -drawn up to charge them, or forced them to retreat.... In this deadly -conflict be it remembered among other things that that bright shining -Titan of Kings so much exposed the precious treasure of his person to -every chance of war that he thundered upon his enemies swift terrors -and intolerable attacks.... After a while all the King's battalions, -foremost and hindmost, were victorious, each wing having overthrown the -enemy.... And, by divine mercy, having gained so glorious a triumph, -the magnanimous King ... was gratefully minded to return thanks most -devoutly for so great a victory. And, because so great a victory was -vouchsafed to him on the feast of St. Crispin and Crispinian, every day -throughout his life he heard mention of them in one of his masses. - - [6] As a sign of their desire and an acknowledgment of their - unworthiness to receive the Sacrament. - - - - -BOROUGH CUSTOMS (_circa_ 1416). - -=Source.=--"Customs of Hereford," in the _Journal of the British -Archæological Association_, vol. xxvii., pp. 460 _et seq._ (London: -1871.) - -[The customs of Hereford were placed on record in the reign of Henry -V., and rewritten in 1486. Many of the customs were of much older date; -even in 1486 some were of a duration from "time immemorial."] - - -_Election of Bailiff._--First of all we use at the Feast of St. Michael -to choose unto us a bailiff of our fellow-citizens, by the whole -consent of the city, who is powerful to labour and discreet to judge, -holding some tenements or hereditaments in the fee of our Lord the -King; and he to be our head next under the King, whom we ought, in all -things touching our King or the state of our city, to obey chiefly in -three things,--first, when we are sent for, by day or by night, to -consult of those things which appertain to the King or the state of -the city; secondly, to answer if we offend in any point contrary to our -oath, or to our fellow-citizens; thirdly, to perform the affairs of our -city at our own charges, if so be they may be finished sooner or better -than by any other of our citizens.... And this shall be the oath of the -bailiff when he is chosen. He shall not have respect to anyone's person -who hath been heretofore elected. - -_The Mayor's Oath._--First, that he shall be true to our Lord the King -in all things; secondly, that as much as in him lies, as well by day -as by night, he shall faithfully defend and keep the city of Hereford, -the city of our Lord the King; thirdly, he shall defend and maintain -the laws and customs of the city during his time;... fourthly, that he -shall administer justice and judgement to every one, not having respect -to any one's person; fifthly, that he shall not hold or keep the office -of his mayoralty but for one year after his election; sixthly, if so be -that he be a layman, he shall do all things belonging to his office by -the counsel of his faithful citizens.... - -_Concerning our courts_, we use to keep them on a Tuesday, from the -fifteenth day until fifteen days; unto which courts all citizens of -our Lord the King ought to come, and chiefly all those which hold any -tenement of our Lord the King; and especially to the two first courts -holden after the feasts of Michaelmas and Easter, at which two courts -the assize of bread and beer shall be ordained, and keepers to keep the -same assize; and unto the said courts and other courts [shall come] all -others who complain of any trespasses committed, or any other thing -touching the state of the city or themselves, and they ought to speak -the truth upon their own peril, not bringing with them any stranger ... -because we do not use that strangers shall come and implead amongst us, -and know the secrets of the courts, for divers dangers that thereby may -ensue.... - -_Night-Walkers._--And it shall be commanded ... that, among other -things, it shall be proclaimed that no vagabond or night-walker be -within our city, nor in the suburbs, after the ringing of our common -bell; and if anyone be taken after the ringing of the bell, let him -be brought unto the gaol of our Lord the King, and there he shall -stay until the morrow.... Concerning our bell, we use to have it in -a public place, where our chief bailiff may come, as well by day as -by night, to give warning to all men living within the said city and -suburbs. And we do not say that it ought to ring unless it be for some -terrible fire burning any row of houses within the said city, or for -any common contention whereby the city might be terribly moved, or for -any enemies drawing near unto the city, or if the city be besieged, -or any sedition shall be between any, and notice thereof given by any -unto our chief bailiff.... Also we use that if any one of our citizens -hath any tenements situate in the High Street of the city, or having -over part of the pavement, and it be ruinous, so that danger may happen -to us or to our children, or to others going along the city; and -especially if the Lord our King, or any of his, should happen to pass -along that street ... in such case our chief bailiff shall cause them to -be warned that have such tenements, that they amend them in more safer -manner within three days; and unless they do so, let three days more be -given them, in the behalf of our Lord the King and the commonalty; and -unless it be then done, our chief bailiff, taking with him the power -of the city, if it be needful, shall go to such a tenement, and in his -presence let it be thrown down at the costs of him to whom the tenement -belongeth, or if needful, at the costs of the commonalty;... - -_Brewers to the Cucking-Stools._--... And if any brewer hath brewed and -broken the assize of our Lord the King, allowed and publicly proclaimed -in the said city, she ought by the bailiff to be amerced the first and -the second time; and if she break the assize the third time, she ought -to be taken by the bailiff and to be led to the judgement which is -called the Gongestole.... - -_Scolds._--Also it was agreed upon concerning scolding women, that -by them many evils do arise in the city viz. by wrangling, fighting, -defaming, troubling by night those which are at rest, and often times -moving schisms between their neighbours, and by contradicting the -bailiff and ministers and others; and in their prison, by speaking ill -or cursing them,... wherefore, at all times when they shall be taken -and convicted, they shall have their judgement, without any redemption -to be made; and there they shall stand, with their feet bare, and their -hair hanging about their ears, by so much time as they may be seen of -all those which pass by that way ... and afterwards, the judgement being -finished, let her (the scold) be brought to the gaol of our Lord the -King, and there stay until she hath made redemption at the will of the -bailiff. And if she will not be amended by such punishment, let her be -cast out of the city. - - - - -THE EXECUTION OF SIR JOHN OLDCASTLE (1417). - -=Source.=--_Brief Chronicle of Sir John Oldcastle._ ("Harleian -Miscellany," vol. ii., pp. 276, 277.) - - -And upon the day appointed he was brought out of the Tower with his -arms bound behind him, having a very cheerful countenance. Then was he -laid upon an hurdle, as though he had been a most heinous traitor to -the Crown, and so drawn forth into Saint Giles Field, where they had -set up a new pair of gallows. As he was come to the place of execution, -and was taken from the hurdle, he fell down devoutly on his knees, -desiring Almighty God to forgive his enemies. Then stood he up and -beheld the multitude, exhorting them, in most goodly manner, to follow -the laws of God written in the Scriptures and in any wise to beware of -such teachers as they see contrary to Christ in their conversation and -living; with many other special counsels. Then was he hanged up there -by the middle in chains of iron, and so consumed alive in the fire; -praising the name of God so long as his life lasted. In the end he -commended his soul into the hands of God, and so departed hence most -christianly, his body resolved into ashes. - - - - -THE SIEGE OF ROUEN (1418). - -=Source.=--John Page's "Poem on the Siege of Rouen" in the -_Collections of a London Citizen_. (Camden Society.) - - -+The Sufferings of the Inhabitants.+ - - Meat and drink and other victual - In that city began to fail. - Save clean water they had enow, - And vinegar to put thereto, - Their bread was full nigh gone - And flesh, save horse, had they none. - They ate dogs, and they ate cats - They ate mice, horses and rats. - - * * * * * - - Then to die they did begin, - All that rich city within - They died faster every day - Than men might them in earth lay. - There as was pride in ray before, - Then was it put in sorrow full sore. - There as was meat, drink and song, - Then was sorrow and hunger strong. - If the child should be dead, - The mother would not give it bread. - - -+The Surrender.+ - - On the feast of St. Wulstan it fell, - That was upon a Thursday. - Our king then in rich array, - And royally in his estate - As a conqueror there he sate, - Within a house of Charity. - To him the keys of that city - Delivered unto him in fee. - - * * * * * - - There was neighing of many a steed, - There was shewing of many a weed, - There was many a jetton[7] gay, - Much royalty and rich array. - When the gates were opened there - And they were ready in for to fare, - Trumpetters blew their horns of brass, - Pipes and clarions both there was, - And as they entered they gave a shout - With a voice, and that a stout, - "St. George! St. George!" they cried on height, - "Welcome to Rouen, our king's own right." - - [7] Jetton = a piece of metal or ivory bearing an inscription or device. - - - - -THE TREATY OF TROYES (1420). - -=Source.=--Rymer's _Fœdera_, vol. ix., pp. 916-920. (London: 1709.) - - -Henry by the grace of God, King of England, Heir and Regent of France, -and Lord of Ireland to perpetual mind, to all Christian people, and -to all that be under our obedience we notify and declare that ... we -have taken a treaty with our aforesaid father [Charles of France], in -the which treaty it is concluded and accorded after the manner that -followeth: - -First, it is accorded between our aforesaid father and us that: for as -much as, by the bond of matrimony between us and our most dear and most -beloved Catherine, the daughter of our said father and of our most dear -mother, Isabel his wife, the same Charles and Isabel having been made -our father and mother, we shall have and worship, as it fitteth such -and so worthy a Prince and Princess for to be worshipped, principally -before all other temporal persons of this world. - -Also, we shall not disturb, disseize nor let our said father, but that -he hold and possess, as long as he liveth, as he holdeth and possesseth -at this time, the Crown and dignity royal of France, and rents, fruits, -and profits of the same.... - -Also, that the aforesaid Catherine shall take and have dower in our -Realm of England, as Queen of England, towards her wont for to take -and have--that is to say the sum of forty thousands scutes the year. - - * * * * * - -Also, that, after the death of our said father, and from thenceforward -the Crown and realm of France, with all their rights and appurtenances, -shall remainder and abide and be of us and of our heirs for evermore. -Also, forasmuch as our said father is holden with divers sickness, -in such manner as he may not attend in his own person for to dispose -for the needs of the aforesaid realm of France, therefore, during the -life of our said father, the faculty and exercise of the governance -and disposition of the public good and common profit of the said realm -of France, with the counsel of the nobles and wise men of the same -realm,... shall be and abide to us.... - -Also that we, to our power, shall defend and keep all and every peers, -nobles, cities, towns, commonalties and singulars[8] now or in time -coming, subject to our said father, in his rights, customs, privileges, -freedoms and franchises. - - [8] Singulars = individuals as opposed to corporations. - - * * * * * - -Also, that we, to our power and as soon as it may commodiously be done, -shall strive so to put into obedience of our said father all manner of -cities, towns, castles, places, countries and persons with the realm -of France, inobedient and rebel to our said father, holding the party -being, or have been, of that party commonly called Dauphin or Armagnac. - - * * * * * - -Also, by God's help, when it happeneth us to come to the Crown of -France, the duchy of Normandy and also all other places conquered by us -in the said realm of France, shall be under the commandment, obedience -and monarchy of the crown of France. - - * * * * * - -Also, that henceforward perpetually shall be still, rest and all -manner of wise shall cease all manner of dissensions, hates, rancours, -enemities and wars between the said realms of France and England.... - - - - -THE DEATH OF HENRY V. (1422). - -=Source.=--Monstrelet's _Chronicles_, translated by Johnes, vol. -ii., pp. 371-372. (Hafod Press, 1809.) - - -King Henry, finding himself mortally ill, called to him his brother -the Duke of Bedford, his uncle of Exeter, the earl of Warwick, sir -Louis de Robesart and others, to the number of six or eight of those in -whom he had the greatest confidence, and said that he saw with grief -it was the pleasure of his Creator that he should quit this world. He -then addressed the Duke of Bedford:--"John, my good brother, I beseech -you, on the loyalty and love you have ever expressed for me, that you -show the same loyalty and affection to my son Henry, your nephew, and -that, so long as you shall live, you do not suffer him to conclude any -treaty with our adversary Charles, and that on no account whatever the -duchy of Normandy be wholly restored to him. Should our good brother -of Burgundy be desirous of the regency of the Kingdom of France, I -would advise that you let him have it; but should he refuse, then take -it yourself. My good uncle of Exeter, I nominate you sole regent of -the Kingdom of England, for that you well know how to govern it; and I -entreat that you do not, on any pretence whatever, return to France; -and I likewise nominate you as guardian to my son,--and I insist, on -your love to me, that you do very often personally visit and see him. -My dear cousin of Warwick, I will that you be his governor, and that -you teach him all things becoming his rank, for I cannot provide a -fitter person for the purpose. I entreat you all as earnestly as I can, -that you avoid all quarrels and dissensions with our fair brother of -Burgundy; and this I particularly recommend to the consideration of my -fair brother Humphrey,--for should any coolness subsist between you, -which God forbid, the affairs of this realm, which are now in a very -promising state, would soon be ruined." ... The King then sent for his -physicians, and earnestly demanded of them how long they thought he -had to live. They delayed answering the question directly; but, not -to discourage hope, they said that it depended solely on the will -of God whether he would be restored to health. He was dissatisfied -with this answer, and repeated his request, begging of them to tell -him the truth. Upon this they consulted together, and one of them, as -spokesman, falling on his knees, said, "Sire, you must think on your -soul; for, unless it be the will of God to decree otherwise, it is -impossible that you should live more than two hours." The King, hearing -this, sent for his confessor, some of his household and his chaplains, -whom he ordered to chant the seven penitential psalms. When they came -to "_Benigne fac Domine_" where mention is made "_Muri Hierusalem_,"[9] -he stopped them, and said aloud, that he had fully intended, after he -had wholly subdued the realm of France to his obedience, and restored -it to peace, to have gone to conquer the Kingdom of Jerusalem, if it -had pleased his Creator to have granted him a longer life. Having said -this, he allowed the priests to proceed, and shortly after, according -to the prediction of his physicians, gave up the ghost. - - [9] "Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls - of Jerusalem" (Ps. li. 18). The king's words were: "Good Lord, thou - knewest that my mind was to re-edify the walls of Hierusalem" (Leland's - _Collectanea_, ii., 489). - - - - -A BEGGING LETTER TO HENRY VI. (1422). - -=Source.=--Ellis's _Original Letters_, second series, vol. i., pp. -95-96. (London: 1827.) - - -_To the King our Sovereign Lord._ - -Beseecheth meekly your poor liegeman and humble orator Thomas Hostell, -that in consideration of his service done to your noble progenitors -of full blessed memory, King Henry IV. and King Henry V., whose souls -God assoil; being at the Siege of Harfleur, there smitten with a dart -through the head, losing one eye and his cheek-bone broken; also at the -battle of Agincourt, and after, at the taking of the Carracks[10] on -the sea, there with a rod of iron his plates smitten in sunder, and -sore hurt, maimed and wounded; by means whereof he being sore enfeebled -and bruised, now fallen to great age and poverty; greatly in debt, and -may not help himself; having not wherewith to be sustained nor relieved -but of men's gracious alms; and being for his said service never yet -recompensed nor rewarded:--it please your high and excellent Grace, the -premises tenderly considered, of your benign pity and grace, to relieve -and refresh your said poor orator, as it shall please you, with your -most gracious alms at the reverence of God and in work of charity; and -he shall devoutly pray for the souls of your said noble progenitors and -for your most noble and high estate. - - [10] Carracks = ships. The event took place at the siege of Harfleur, - 1416. "After a long fight the victory fell to the Englishmen, and they - took and sunk almost the whole navy of France, in which there were many - ships, hulks, and carracks, to the number of five hundred, of which - three great carracks were sent to England" (Hall's _Chronicle_). - - - - -THE BATTLE OF VERNEUIL (1424). - -=Source.=--Waurin's _Chronicles_, 1422-1431, pp. 73-78. (Rolls -Series.) - - -The Duke of Bedford, the regent, took the field in very fair array, -and rode on until he had passed the woods near Verneuil; and when he -found himself in the plain he beheld the town and all the force of -the French arranged and set in order of battle, which was a very fair -thing to see; for without doubt I, the author of this work, had never -seen a fairer company, nor one where there were so many of the nobility -as there were there, nor set in better order, nor showing greater -appearance of a desire to fight; I saw the assembly at Azincourt, where -there were many more princes and troops, and also that at Crevant, -which was a very fine affair, but certainly that at Verneuil was of all -the most formidable and the best fought.... At the onset there was a -great noise and great shouting with tumultuous sounds of the trumpets -and clarions; the one side cried "Saint Denis!" and the others "Saint -George!" And so horrible was the shouting that there was no man so -brave or confident that he was not in fear of death; they began to -strike with axes and to thrust with lances, then they put their hands -to their swords, with which they gave each other great blows and deadly -strokes; the archers of England and the Scots, who were with the -French, began to shoot one against the other so murderously that it was -a horror to look upon them, for they carried death to those whom they -struck with full force. After the shooting, the opponents attacked each -other very furiously, hand to hand; and this battle was on a Thursday, -the seventeenth day of August, commencing about two hours after -noon.... Many a capture and many a rescue was made there, and many a -drop of blood shed, which was a great horror and irreparable pity to -see Christian people so destroy one another, for during this pitiable -and deadly battle mercy had no place there, so much did the parties -hate each other; the blood of the slain stretched upon the ground, and -that of the wounded ran in great streams about the field. This battle -lasted about three-quarters of an hour, very terrible and sanguinary, -and it was not then in the memory of man to have seen two parties so -mighty for such a space of time in like manner fight without being able -to perceive to whom the loss or victory would turn.... Elsewhere, the -duke of Bedford, as I hear related, for I could not see or comprehend -the whole since I was sufficiently occupied in defending myself, did -that day wonderful feats of arms, and killed many a man, for with an -axe which he held in his two hands he reached no one whom he did not -punish, since he was large in body and stout in limb, wise and brave in -arms; but he was very greatly harassed by the Scots, especially by the -earl of Douglas and his troop, insomuch that one knew not what to think -nor to imagine how the affair would terminate, for the French, who had -more men by one-half than the English, fought only to conquer.... - -Then the French began to be dismayed, losing altogether the hope of -victory which a little while before they thought was in their hands, -but each one of them sought a place where he could save himself, taking -flight as best he might, and abandoning the rest; some drew towards the -town and others took the fields.... - -Finally, the English pursued the French so, that they obtained the -complete victory on that day and gained the battle, but not without -great effusion of their own blood. - - - - -TO KING HENRY VI. ON HIS CORONATION (1429). - -=Source.=--Wright's _Political Poems_, pp. 141, 145. (Rolls -Series.) - - - Most noble prince of christian princes all, - Flowering in youth and virtuous innocence, - Whom God above list of his grace call - This day to estate of knightly excellence, - And to be crownéd with due reverence, - To great gladness of all this region, - Laud and honour to thy magnificence, - And good fortune unto thy high renown. - - * * * * * - - God of his grace gave unto thy kindred - The palm of conquest, the laurel of victory; - They lovéd God and worshipped him indeed, - Wherefore their names he hath put in memory, - Made them to reign for virtue in his glory; - And since thou art born of their lineage, - Before all things that be transitory - Love God and dread, and so 'gin thy passage. - - * * * * * - - And that thou mayst be resemblable found, - Heretics and Lollards for to oppress, - Like the emperor, worthy Sigismund; - And as thy father, flower of high prowess, - At the 'ginning of his royal nobless, - Voided all cokil[11] far out of Sion, - And Christes Spouse sat there in stableness, - Outraging foreigns that came from Babylon. - - * * * * * - - Prince excellent, be faithfull, true and stable; - Dread God, do law, chastize extortion; - Be liberal of courage, unmutable; - Cherish the church with holy affection; - Love thy lieges of either region; - Prefer the peace, eschew war and debate; - And God shall send thee from the heaven down - Grace and good hap to thy royal estate. - - [11] Cokil = weeds in corn. - - - - -BATTLE OF HERRINGS (1429). - -=Source.=--Monstrelet's _Chronicles_, translated by Johnes, vol. -ii., pp. 495, 496. (Hafod Press, 1809.) - - -The regent duke of Bedford, while at Paris, had collected about -five hundred carts and cars from the borders of Normandy and from -the Isle of France, which different merchants were ordered to load -with provisions, stores and other things, and to have conveyed to -the English army before Orleans.... This armament left Paris on Ash -Wednesday, under the command of Sir John Falstaff, who conducted the -convoy with his forces in good order, by short marches, until he came -near the village of Rouvroi in Beauce, situated between Genville -and Orleans. Many French captains, having long before heard of his -coming, were there assembled to wait his arrival, namely Charles duke -of Bourbon, the two marshals of France, the constable of Scotland and -his son ... and others of the nobility, having with them from three to -four thousand men. The English had been informed of this force being -assembled from different garrisons which they had in those parts, -and lost no time in forming a square with their carts and carriages, -leaving but two openings, in which square they enclosed themselves, -posting their archers as guards to these entrances, and the men-at-arms -hard by to support them. On the strongest side of this enclosure -were the merchants, pages, carters, and those incapable of defending -themselves, with their horses. The English, thus situated, waited two -hours for the coming of the enemy, who at length arrived with much -noise, and drew up out of bowshot in front of the enclosure. It seemed -to them that, considering their superior numbers, the state of the -convoy, and that there were not more than six hundred real Englishmen, -the rest being composed of all nations, they could not escape falling -into their hands, and must be speedily conquered. Others, however, had -their fears of the contrary happening, for the French captains did -not well agree together as to their mode of fighting, for the Scots -would combat on foot, and the others on horseback.... In the meantime -the constable of Scotland, his son and all their men, dismounted and -advanced to attack their adversaries, by whom they were received -with great courage. The English archers, under the shelter of their -carriages, shot so well and stiffly that all on horseback within their -reach were glad to retreat with their men-at-arms. The constable of -Scotland and his men attacked one of the entrances of the enclosure, -but they were soon slain on the spot.... The other French captains -retreated with their men to the places whence they had come. The -English, on their departure, refreshed themselves and then marched away -in haste for their town of Rouvroi, where they halted for the night. -On the morrow they departed in handsome array with their convoy and -artillery, and in a few days arrived before Orleans, very much rejoiced -at their good fortune in the late attack from the French, and at having -so successfully brought provision to their countrymen. - -This battle was ever afterward called the Battle of Herrings, because -great part of the convoy consisted of herrings and other articles of -food suitable to Lent. - - - - -JOAN OF ARC RAISES THE SIEGE OF ORLEANS (1429). - -=Source.=--Waurin's _Chronicles_, 1422-1431, pp. 171,172. (Rolls -Series.) - - -... The troops in Orleans then seeing that they were very strongly -pressed by the diligence of the besiegers, both by their engines and -by the towers which they had made around the town, to the number of -twenty-two, and that by the continuance thereof they were in danger of -being placed in servitude and obedience to their enemies the English, -prepared themselves for all risks and decided to resist with all their -power and in all the ways that they well could, so that, the better to -help, they sent to King Charles to obtain aid in men and provisions; -and there were then sent to them from four to five hundred combatants, -and soon after fully seven thousand were sent to them, and some boats -loaded with provisions coming down the river under the guidance and -protection of these men-at-arms, in which company was the maid Joan, -who had not yet done anything for which she was held in much esteem. - -Then the English captains holding the siege, knowing of the coming of -the said boats and of those who convoyed them, at once and in haste -endeavoured to resist by force in order to prevent them from landing -in the town of Orleans, and on the other hand the French exerted -themselves to bring them in by force of arms. On the vessels coming up -to pass there was many a lance broken, many an arrow shot, and many -a bolt shot by the engines, and so great a noise was made both by -the besieged and by the besiegers, both by defenders and assailants, -that it was horrible to hear them; but whatever force or resistance -the English could make there, the French in spite of them brought -their boats in safety into the town, at which the said English were -much troubled and the French joyful at their good fortune, so they -also entered the said town, where they were welcomed as well for the -provisions they had brought as for the maid whom they had taken back -with them, great rejoicings being made everywhere for the good succour -King Charles sent them, whence they plainly perceived the good will -that he had towards them, at which the inhabitants of the city rejoiced -greatly, making such a clamour that they were heard quite plainly by -the besiegers. - -Then when the next day came, which was Thursday, when every one was -refreshed, the maid Joan, rising early in the morning, spoke in council -to some captains and chiefs of squadrons, to whom she showed by -forcible arguments how they had come there on purpose to defend that -city against the ancient enemies of the kingdom of France, who were -greatly oppressing it, and to such a degree that she saw that it was in -great danger if good provision were not speedily made for it; so she -admonished them to go and arm themselves, and effected so much by her -words that she induced them to do so, and said to them that if they -would follow her she doubted not that she would cause such damage that -it would ever be remembered, and that the enemy would curse the hour of -her coming. - -The maid preached so well to them that they all went to arm themselves -with her; then they sallied out of the town in very fair array, and -setting out she said to the captains: "Lords, take courage and good -hope; before four days have passed your enemies will be vanquished." -And the captains and men-of-war who were there could not wonder -sufficiently at her words. - -So they marched forward and came very fiercely to attack one of the -towers of their enemies that was called the tower of Saint Leu, -which was very strong, and therein were from three to four hundred -combatants, who in a very short time were overcome, captured, or slain, -and the tower burnt and demolished; then, this done, the maid and -her people returned joyfully into the city of Orleans where she was -generally honoured and praised by all kinds of people. Again the next -day, which was Friday she and her men sallied from the town, and she -went to attack the second tower which was also taken by a fine assault, -and those within all slain or captured; and after she had caused the -said tower to be broken down, set on fire, and entirely annihilated, -she withdrew into the town, where she was honoured and exalted more -than before by all the inhabitants thereof. The Saturday following, the -maid sallied forth again and went to attack the tower at the end of the -bridge, which was marvellously large and strong, and besides occupied -by a great number of the best and most tried combatants among the -besiegers, who long and valiantly defended themselves, but it availed -them nothing, for at last, like the others, they were discomfited, -taken, and slain; among whom died there the lord of Molines, Glacedale, -a very valiant esquire, the bailly of Evreux and many other noble men -of high rank. - -After this brilliant conquest the French returned joyfully into the -town. - - - - -THE FORTY-SHILLING FRANCHISE (1430). - -=Source.=--_Statutes of the Realm_, 8 Henry VI., c. vii. - - -Item, Whereas the Elections of Knights of the shires to come to the -Parliaments of our Lord the King, in many counties of England have now -of late been made by very great, outrageous and excessive number of -people dwelling within the same Counties, of the which the most part -was of people of small substance and of no value, whereof every of -them pretended a voice equivalent, as to such elections to be made, -with the most worthy Knights and Esquires dwelling within the same -Counties; whereby manslaughters, riots, batteries and diversions among -the gentlemen and other people of the same counties shall very likely -rise and be, unless convenient remedy be provided in this behalf: Our -Lord the King, considering the premises, hath provided ordained and -established, by the authority of this present Parliament, that the -Knights of the Shires to be chosen within the same realm of England -to come to the Parliaments, shall be chosen in every County by people -dwelling and resident in the same, whereof every one of them shall have -free land or tenement to the value of forty shillings by the year, at -the least, above all charges; and that they which shall be so chosen -shall be dwelling and resident within the same Counties.... And every -sheriff of England shall have power to examine upon the Evangelists -every such chosen, how much he may expend by the year. - - - - -THE CONDEMNATION OF THE MAID JOAN (1431). - -=Source.=--Waurin's _Chronicles_, 1422-1431, pp. 239-244. (Rolls -Series.) - - -... "It is a sufficiently common report already spread abroad, as it -were everywhere, how this woman who caused herself to be called Joan -the maid, a false soothsayer, for two years or more, against the divine -law and the condition of her female sex, has clothed and conducted -herself in the dress and manner of man, a thing displeasing and -abominable to God, and in such condition was carried before our capital -enemy and yours, to whom and to those of his party she often gave it -out, and even to churchmen, nobles, and people, that she was sent by -God, presumptuously boasting herself that she often had personal and -visible communication with Saint Michael and a great multitude of other -angels and saints of Paradise, with Saint Katherine and Saint Margaret; -by which false givings-out, and by the hope of future victories which -she promised, she turned away the hearts of many men and women from -the truth, and turned them towards fables and lies: she also clothed -herself with armour suitable for knights and esquires, raised a -standard, and with too great excess, pride, and presumption demanded to -have the very excellent arms of France, which in part she obtained, and -bore them in many expeditions and assaults, that is to say, a shield -with two fleurs-de-lis of gold on a field azure, and a sword with the -point fixed upwards in a crown; and in this condition she has taken -the field, with the leadership of men at arms and archers, in armies -and great companies, to do and perpetrate inhuman cruelties, wickedly -shedding human blood, and causing also commotions and seditions of -the people, inciting them to perjuries, rebellions, superstitions, -and false beliefs, perturbing all good peace and renewing mortal -war, suffering herself to be revered and adored by many persons as a -sanctified soul, and otherwise acting damnably in many other matters -too long to express, which nevertheless have been well enough known -in many places, whereby nearly all Christendom has been greatly -scandalized. But the Divine Power having pity on His loyal people, -whom He has not long left in peril, nor suffered them to remain in the -vain, perilous, and novel cruelties into which they had thoughtlessly -thrown themselves, has been pleased to permit it in His great mercy and -clemency that the said shameful woman has been taken in your army and -siege which you were then maintaining on our behalf before Compiègne, -and put by your good help into our obedience and governance. And -because we were afterwards requested by the bishop in whose diocese -she had been taken that this Joan, branded and charged with crimes of -high treason against God, we would cause to be delivered to him as to -her ordinary ecclesiastical judge, as well for reverence of our mother -holy church, whose sacred ordinances we desire to prefer to our own -deeds and wishes as is right, as also for the honour and exaltation of -our true faith, we caused the said Joan to be given up in order that -he might try her, without wishing that any vengeance or punishment -should be inflicted upon her by our secular officers of justice, as -it was reasonably lawful for us to do, considering the great damages -and inconveniences, the horrible homicides and detestable cruelties -and evils, as it were innumerable, that she had committed against our -seignory and our loyal and obedient people. This bishop, the inquisitor -of errors and heresies being associated with him, and a great and -notable number of famous masters and doctors of theology and canon -law being summoned with them, commenced with great solemnity and due -gravity the trial of this Joan, and after he and the said inquisitor, -judges in this behalf, had on many different days questioned the -said Joan, they caused her confessions and assertions to be maturely -examined by the masters and doctors, and generally by all the faculties -of learning of our very dear and much loved daughter the University -of Paris, before which the said assertions and confessions were sent, -according to whose opinion and deliberation the said judges found this -Joan superstitious, a soothsayer by means of devils, a blasphemer of -God and of the saints, a schismatic, and erring many times from the law -of Jesus Christ. And to bring her back into the union and communion -of our holy mother the church, to cleanse her from such horrible and -pernicious crimes and sins, and to keep and preserve her soul from -perpetual torment and damnation, she was often, during a long time, -very lovingly and gently admonished that all her errors being rejected -by her should be put away, and that she should humbly return into the -way and straight path of truth, or otherwise she would put herself in -great peril of soul and body; but the very perilous and mad spirit -of pride and outrageous presumption, which is always exerting itself -to try to impede and disturb the path and way of loyal Christians, -so seized upon and detained in its bonds this Joan and her heart, -that for no holy doctrine, good counsels or exhortation that could be -administered to her, would her hardened and obstinate heart humble or -soften itself, but she often again boasted that all things that she -had done were well done, and she had done them at the commandment of -God through the angels and the said holy virgins who visibly appeared -to her: and what is worse, she recognized not, nor would recognize, -any upon earth save God only and the saints of Paradise, rejecting the -authority of our holy father the pope, the general council and the -universal church militant. And then the ecclesiastical judges, seeing -her said disposition pertinaciously, and for so long a space, remain -hardened and obstinate, caused her to be brought before the clergy -and people there assembled in very great multitude, in whose presence -her case, crimes, and errors were preached, made known, and declared -by a notable master and doctor of theology, for the exaltation of our -faith, the extirpation of errors, the edification and amendment of -Christian people. And there, again, she was lovingly admonished to -return to the union of holy church, correcting her faults and errors, -in which she still remained pertinacious and obstinate. This the judges -aforesaid seeing and considering, they proceeded further and pronounced -against her the sentence in such case by law prescribed and ordained; -but before the said sentence was read through she began seemingly to -change her disposition, saying that she wished to return to holy -church, which willingly and joyfully heard the aforesaid judges and -clergy, who thereto received her affectionately, hoping that her soul -and body were redeemed from perdition and torment. Then she submitted -herself entirely to the ordinance of the Church, and orally revoked -and publicly abjured her errors and detestable crimes, signing with -her own hand the schedule of the said revocation and abjuration; and -so our pitiful mother holy church rejoicing over the sinner showing -penitence, desiring to bring back to the shepherd, with the others, -the returned and recovered sheep which had wandered and gone astray -in the desert, condemned this Joan to prison to do salutary penance; -but she was hardly there any time before the fire of her pride, which -seemed to be extinguished, rekindled in her with pestilential flames -by the breathings of the enemy, and the said unhappy woman immediately -fell back into the errors and false extravagances which she had before -uttered and afterwards revoked and abjured, as has been said. For which -causes, according to what the judgements and institutions of holy -church ordain, in order that henceforward she might not contaminate the -poor members of Jesus Christ, she was again publicly preached to, and -as she had fallen back into the crimes and faults she was accustomed, -left to secular justice, which immediately condemned her to be burned. -And then she, seeing her end drawing near, recognized clearly that the -spirits which she had said had appeared to her many times before were -wicked and lying spirits, and that the promises which these spirits had -formerly made to her of delivering her were false, and so she confessed -it to have been a mockery and deceit; and she was taken by the said lay -justice to the old market-place in the town of Rouen, and was there -publicly burnt in the sight of all the people." - - - - -THE EDUCATION OF HENRY VI. (November 9, 1432). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. i., No. 18. - - -For the good rule, demising and surety of the King's person, and -draught of him to virtue and cunning, and eschewing of anything that -might give hindrance or let thereto, or cause any charge, default, -or blame to be laid upon the Earl of Warwick at any time without his -desert, he, considering that peril and business of his charge about the -King's person groweth so that that authority and power given to him -before sufficeth him not without more thereto, desireth therefore these -things that follow. - -First, that considering that the charge of the rule, demising and -governance, and also of nurture of the King's person resteth upon the -said Earl while it shall like the King, and the peril, danger, and -blame if any lack or default were in any of these, the which lack or -default might be caused by ungodly or unvirtuous men, if any such were -about his person; he desireth therefore, for the good of the King, and -for his own surety, to have power and authority to name, ordain, and -assign, and for that cause that shall be thought to him reasonable, to -remove those that shall be about the King's person, of what estate or -condition that they be, not intending to comprehend in this desire the -Steward, Chamberlain, Treasurer, Controller, nor Serjeant of offices, -save such as serve the King's person and for his mouth. - -_Responsio._--As toward the naming, ordinance, and assignation -beforesaid, it is agreed, so that he take in none of the four knights -nor squires for the body without the advice of my Lord of Bedford, him -being in England, and him being out, of my Lord of Gloucester, and of -the remnant of the King's Council. - -Item, the said Earl desireth that where he shall have any person in his -discretion suspect of misgovernance, and not behoveful nor expedient -to be about the King, except the estates of the house, that he may -put them from exercise and occupation of the King's service, till that -he shall more have speech with my Lords of Bedford or of Gloucester, -and with the other Lords of the King's Council, to that end that, the -default of any such person known unto him, [they] shall more ordain -thereupon as them shall think expedient and behoveful. - -_Responsio._--It is agreed as it is desired.... - -Item, that considering how, blessed be God, the King is growing in -years, in stature of his person, and also in conceit and knowledge of -his high and royal authority and estate, the which naturally causing -him, and from day to day as he groweth shall cause him, more and more -to grudge with chastising, and to loath it, so that it may reasonably -be doubted lest he would conceive against the said Earl, or any other -that would take upon him to chastise him for his defaults, displeasure, -or indignation therefore, the which, without due assistance, is not -easy to be borne. It like, therefore, to my Lord of Gloucester, and to -all the Lords of the King's Council, to promise to the said Earl, and -assure him, that they shall firmly and truly assist him in the exercise -of the charge and occupation that he hath about the King's person, -namely in chastising of him for his defaults, and support the said Earl -therein; and if the King at any time would conceive indignation against -the said Earl, my said Lord of Gloucester, and Lords, shall do all -their true diligence and power to remove the King therefrom. - -_Responsio._--It is agreed as it is desired. - -Item, the said Earl desireth that forasmuch as it shall be necessary -to remove the King's person at divers times into sundry places, as the -cases may require, that he may have power and authority to remove the -King, by his discretion, into what place he thinketh necessary for the -health of his body and surety of his person. - -_Responsio._--It is agreed as it is desired.... - -Item, forasmuch as the said Earl hath knowledge that in speech that -hath been had unto the King at part and in privy, not in the hearing -of the said Earl nor any of the knights set about his person, nor -assigned by the said Earl, he hath been stirred by some from his -learning, and spoken to of divers matters not behoveful, the said Earl -doubting the harm that might fall to the King, and the inconvenience -that might ensue of such speech at part as if it were suffered; -desireth that in all speech to be had with the King, he or one of -the four knights, or some person to be assigned by the said Earl, be -present and privy to it. - -_Responsio._--This article is agreed, excepting such persons as for -nighness of blood, and for their estate, owe of reason to be suffered -to speak with the King. - -Item, to the intent that it may be known to the King that it proceedeth -of the assent, advice and agreement of my Lord of Gloucester, and all -my Lords of the King's Council, that the King be chastised for his -defaults or trespasses, and that for awe thereof he forbear the more -to do amiss, and intend the more busily to virtue and to learning, the -said Earl desireth that my Lord of Gloucester, and my said other Lords -of the Council, or great part of them, that is to say, the Chancellor -and Treasurer, and of every estate in the Council, spiritual and -temporal, some come to the King's presence, and there to make to be -declared to him their agreement in that behalf. - -_Responsio._--When the King cometh next to London, all his Council -shall come to his presence, and there this shall be declared to him. - -Item, the said Earl, that all his days hath, above all other earthy -things, desired, and ever shall to keep his truth and worship -unblemished and unhurt, and may not for all that let [prevent] -malicious and untrue men to make informations of his person, such as -they may not, nor dare not, stand by, nor be not true, beseecheth -therefore my Lord of Gloucester and all my said Lords of the Council, -that if they, or any of them, have been informed of anything that may -be laid to his charge or default, and namely in his occupation and rule -about the King's person, that the said Earl may have knowledge thereof, -to the intent that he may answer thereto, and not dwell in heavy or -sinister conceit or opinion, without his desert and without answer. - -_Responsio._--It is agreed. - - +Cromwell.+ - +J. Ebor.+ - +W. Lincoln+ - +Suffolk.+ - +J. Huntington.+ - +H. Gloucester.+ - +P. Elien.+ - +J. Bathon. Canc.+ - +J. Roffen.+ - +H. Stafford.+ - - - - -PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT THE KING AGAINST INFECTION (1439). - -=Source.=--_Rotuli Parliamentorum_, vol. v., p. 31. (Record -Commission.) - - -To the King our Sovereign Lord; Shewen meekly your true liege people, -here by your authority royal in this present Parliament for the Commons -of this your noble realm assembled; how that a sickness called the -Pestilence, universally through this your realm runneth more commonly -than hath been usual before this time, the which is an infirmity most -infective; and the presence of such so infect most to be eschewed, as -by noble physicians and wise philosophers before this time plainly it -hath been determined and as experience daily sheweth. Wherefore we -your poor liege people, above all earthly thing tendering and desiring -the health and welfare of your most noble person, beseech your most -noble grace, in conserving of your most noble person and in comfort of -us all, in eschewing of any such infection to you to fall, which God -defend, graciously to conceive how where that any of your said Commons, -holding of you by Knight's service, oweth in doing you homage, by your -gracious sufferance, to kiss you, to ordain and grant by the authority -of this present Parliament, that every of your said lieges, in doing of -their said homage, may omit the said kissing of you.... - - - - -A NOBLEMAN REQUESTS A LICENCE FOR A SHIP TO CARRY PILGRIMS (1445). - -=Source.=--Ellis's _Original Letters_, Second Series, vol. i., pp. -110, 111. - - -+To the King our Sovereign Lord.+ - -Please it unto your Royal Majesty of your grace especially to grant -unto John Earl of Oxford, owner under God of a ship called the _Jesus -of Orwell_, that the said ship, without any fine or fee to be paid unto -you, may have licence, in the worship of God and of St. James, to make -the first voyage unto St. James[12] with as many persons as therein -would thitherward take their passage. Considering that by cause of the -loss of another ship ... the said Earl hath done upon the said ship -great cost to make it the more able to do you service and to withstand -your enemies in time of need. - -_Endorsed_--Donné à n're Palais de Westm. le xxviij jour de Feverer, -l'an etc xxiij. [February 28, 1445.] - - [12] The shrine of St. James of Compostella. - - - - -THE DISCOMFORTS OF PILGRIMS AT SEA (_circa_ 1445). - -=Source.=--_Early Naval Ballads_, vol. ii., pp. 1-4. (Percy -Society.) - - - Man may leve all gamys, - That saylen to Seynt Jamys; - For many a man hit gramys,[13] - When they begyn to sayle. - For when they have take the sea, - At Sandwyche or at Wynchylsee, - At Brystow,[14] or where that hit bee, - Theyr herts begyn to fayle. - - Anone the mastyr commaundeth fast - To hys shyp-men in all the hast, - To dresse hem soon about the mast - Theyr takeling to make. - With "howe! hissa!" then they cry, - "What, howte! mate, thou stondyst too ny, - Thy fellow may not hale the by;" - Thus they begyn to crake. - - * * * * * - - Thus menewhyle the pylgryms ly, - And have theyr bowls fast theym by, - And cry after hot malvesy, - "Thow helpe for to restore." - - And some wold have a saltyd tost, - For they myght ete neyther sode ne rost; - A man myght soon pay for theyr cost, - As for one day or twayne. - Some layde theyr bookys on theyr knee, - And read so long they myght nat see, - "Allas! myne head woll cleve in three!" - Thus seyth another certayne. - - Then commeth owre owner lyke a lorde, - And speketh many a royall worde, - And dresseth hym to the hygh borde, - To see all things be well - Anone he calleth a carpentere - And biddeth hym bryng his gere, - To make cabans here and there - With many a fabyl cell. - - A sak of straw were there ryght good, - For some must lyg them in theyr hood; - I had as lefe be in the wood, - Without mete or drynk, - For when that we shall go to bedde, - The pump was nygh our bedde hede, - A man were as good to be dede, - As smell thereof the stynk. - - [13] Troubles. - - [14] Bristol. - - - - -CONCERNING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS (1445). - -=Source.=--_Statutes of the Realm_, 23 Henry VI., c. 14. - - -_The statute recites 1 Henry V. c. 1 (see p. 13), and 8 Henry VI. c. 7 -(see p. 35), then proceeds_: - -... By force of which statutes elections of knights to come to -Parliament sometimes have been duly made and lawfully returned until -now of late that divers sheriffs, for their singular avail and lucre, -have not made due elections of knights, nor in convenient time, nor -good men and true returned, and sometime no return of the knights, -citizens and burgesses lawfully chosen to come to the Parliaments; -but such knights, citizens, and burgesses have been returned which -were never duly chosen, and other citizens and burgesses than those -which by the mayors and bailiffs were to the said sheriffs returned; -and sometimes the sheriffs have not returned the writs which they -had to make elections of knights to come to the Parliaments, but the -said writs have imbesiled, and moreover made no precept to the mayor -and bailiffs, or to the bailiffs or bailiff, where no mayor is, of -cities and boroughs, for the elections of citizens and burgesses to -come to the Parliaments, by colour of these words contained in the -same writs--"_Quod in pleno comitatu tuo eligi facias pro comitatu -tuo duos milites, et pro qualibet civitate in comitatu tuo duos cives -et pro quolibet burgo in comitatu tuo duos burgenses_;" and also -because sufficient penalty and convenient remedy for the party in -such case grieved is not ordained in the said statutes against the -sheriffs, mayors, and bailiffs, which do contrary to the form of the -said statutes: The King considering the premises hath ordained by -Authority aforesaid, that the said statutes shall be duly kept in all -points: and moreover that every sheriff, after the delivery of any such -writs to him made, shall make and deliver without fraud a sufficient -Precept under his seal to every mayor and bailiff, or to bailiffs -or bailiff where no mayor is, of the cities and boroughs within his -county, reciting the said writ, commanding them by the same precept, if -it be a city, to choose by citizens of the same city, citizens; and -in the same manner and form, if it be a borough, by burgesses of the -same to come to the Parliament. And that the same mayor and bailiffs, -or bailiffs or bailiff where no mayor is, shall return lawfully the -precept to the same sheriffs by indenture betwixt the same sheriffs, -and them to be made of the said elections, and of the names of the said -citizens and burgesses by them so chosen; and thereupon every sheriff -shall make a good and rightful return of every such writ, and of every -return by the mayors and bailiffs, or bailiffs or bailiff where no -mayor is, to him made. - - - - -HENRY VI. REFORMS THE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS OF LONDON (1446). - -=Source.=--_Excerpta Historica_, p. 5. (London: 1833.) - - -Henry by the grace of God King of England and of France and Lord of -Ireland: To our Chancellor of England greeting. Forasmuch as the right -reverend father in God the Archbishop of Canterbury and the reverend -father in God the bishop of London, considering the great abuses that -have been of long time within our city of London that many and divers -persons, not sufficiently instructed in grammar, presuming to hold -common grammar schools in great deceit as well unto their scholars as -unto the friends that find them to school, have of their great wisdom -set and ordained five schools of grammar, and no more, within our -said city. One within the churchyard of St. Paul's, another within -the collegiate church of St. Martin, the third in Bow church, the -fourth in the church of St. Dunstan in the East, the fifth in our -hospital of St. Anthony within our said city; the which they have -openly declared sufficient, as by their letters patent thereupon made -it appeareth more at large. We, in consideration of the premises, -have thereunto granted our royal will and assent. Wherefore we will -and charge you that hereupon ye do make our letters patent under our -great seal in due form, declaring in the same our said will and assent, -giving furthermore in commandment by the same our letters unto all -our subjects of our said city that they nor none of them trouble nor -hinder the masters of the said schools in any wise, but rather help -and assist them inasmuch as in them is. Given under our privy seal at -Guildford the 3rd day of May, the year of our reign xxiiij. - - - - -THE FRENCH RECOVER FOUGÈRES (1449). - -=Source.=--"Le recouvrement de Normendie," par Berry, Herault du -Roy, printed in _Reductio Normannie, pp. 245 et seq._ (Rolls Series, -1863.) - -[+Note.+--The author of this and other extracts relating to the -loss of Normandy was Jacques le Bouvier, surnamed Berry, the first -King-of-Arms of Charles VII. of France.] - - -The duke of Bretagne everywhere sent to all his subjects, well-wishers, -friends and allies, asking them to be so good as to help him to avenge -himself upon the English, and to help him to recover his town of -Fougères. And on this occasion to please the said duke of Bretagne, M. -Jehan de Bressay, knight, a native of the country of Anjou, Robert de -Flocques, esquire of the country of Normandy, bailly of Evreux, Jacques -de Clermont, esquire of the country of Dauphiné and lord of Mannay, and -Guillaume le Vigars, esquire, made the attempt to take the town and -castle of Pont de l'Arche, on the river Seine, by means of a merchant -of Louviers who often took a cart by the said Pont de l'Arche to go -to Rouen, which is about four short leagues above it.... And the said -merchant, with two others, upon a day in the month of May, being the -Thursday before the Ascension of our Lord, set out from Louviers and -went to take his cart, as he had often done, through the town of Pont -de l'Arche, pretending that he was taking merchandize to Rouen; and -in passing he asked the porter of the castle to be so good as to open -the gate of the castle for him very early next morning, and he would -give him a good gratuity, for he made him believe that he wished to -return speedily to Louviers for some merchandize. And so the merchant -passed through the town; and he returned about the hour of midnight, -accompanied by many of the said ambuscade on foot; and they lodged at -an inn in the country, adjoining the castle. They entered into the -said inn secretly, where they found the wife in bed alone, (who was -exceedingly terrified), for her husband was absent on his business. -And when it drew near daybreak, the said merchant went all alone to -call the said porter, who came to open the gate of the castle and the -bulwark for him, as he had promised the day before; and immediately -two persons came out of the inn to come to the bulwark along with the -merchant, of whom the said porter was apprehensive when he saw them -approach. But the said merchant told him that they were people of -Louviers, and then he was satisfied. Then the merchant entered with all -his wares, leaving the cart upon the bridge until such time as he had -thrown upon the ground for his (the porter's) reward, two bretons and -a placque; and as he was stooping to gather them, the merchant killed -him with a dagger.... The men of the castle heard the noise, and an -Englishman came down in his night-shirt, (a handsome fellow, young and -brave), who attempted to raise the bridge of the said castle, because -he saw that the said bulwark was already lost; but the said merchant -hastened to go to him, and killed him before he could raise the bridge, -which was a pity, for he was one of the bravest and most active young -men of his party. And thus the castle was won. - -And then all the foot-soldiers went along the bridge making great -shouts, to enter the town which they took; for the greater part of -the inhabitants were still in their beds, excepting one Englishman, -who valiantly and for a long time defended the gate of the bridge, to -hinder them from entering; but in the end he was killed and the town -taken. - - - - -HOW THE KING OF FRANCE DECLARED WAR AGAINST THE ENGLISH, AND WHY; AND -OF THE CAPTURE OF VERNEUIL (1449). - -=Source.=--"Le recouvrement de Normandie," printed in _Reductio -Normannie, pp. 254 et seq._ (Rolls Series, 1863.) - - -The King of France was duly informed of the war which the English made -upon the realm of Scotland, which was comprehended in the truce; and -also of the war which they made by sea upon the King of Spain, his -ally, who was also in the said truce; and in like manner upon his -subjects of La Rochelle and Dieppe, and elsewhere.... For as long as -the truce had continued, the English came from Mantes, Verneuil and -Loigny upon the roads from Paris and Orleans, robbing and murdering the -merchants and the honest people who were travelling along the roads ... -and they went by night to their houses in the open country, and took -prisoners in their beds the gentlemen who were of the party of the -King of France, cut their throats and murdered them vilely in their -beds. And it was their custom to cut the throats of these gentlemen -during the said truce. And these malefactors were called _False-Faces_, -because, when they did these things, they disguised themselves with -disorderly and frightful dresses and headpieces, painted with various -colours, and other clothes, so that they should not be known.... - -At this time a miller of the town of Verneuil who had his mill opposite -the walls of the town, was beaten by an Englishman who was going the -rounds, because he was asleep at his post. And for revenge he went -to the bailly of Evreux, and, after a certain treaty made between -them, he promised that he would admit him within the said town. -Hereupon assembled messire Pierre de Bressay, seneschal of Poitou, the -said bailly of Evreux, Jacques de Clermont and others. They came on -horseback and found themselves on Sunday 19th July in this year, at -break of day, near the walls of the said town. The said miller (who had -been on watch that night) made the others who kept watch with him go -down from the wall sooner than usual, because (in order to accomplish -his purpose) he made them believe that, as it was Sunday, they should -hasten to go, the bell having rung for Mass. By the help of the miller -the French placed their ladders to the right of the wall, and entered -the town without anyone noticing them. Six score Englishmen were -within, of whom some were slain and taken prisoners, and the others -betook themselves in great haste to the keep of the castle. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF FORMIGNY (1450). - -=Source.=--"Le recouvrement de Normendie," in _Reductio -Normannie_, pp. 333 _et seq._ (Rolls Series.) - - -... On the fifteenth of April they (the French) came up with the -English in a field near a village named Formigny, between Carentan -[Triviers] and Bayeux. And when the said English saw and perceived -them, they put themselves in order of battle, and sent very hastily -for the said Matthew Gough, who had left them that morning to go to -Bayeux, and he immediately returned. And then the French and the -English were one in the presence of the other, for the space of three -hours, skirmishing. And in the meantime the English made large holes -and trenches with their daggers and swords before them, in order that -the French and their horses should stumble if they attacked them. And -at the distance of a long bowshot behind the English there was a little -river between them, with a great abundance of gardens full of various -trees, as apples, pears, elms, and other trees; and they encamped in -this place because they could not be attacked in the rear. - -And in the meantime the lord of Richmond, Constable of France, the lord -of Laval, the lord of Loheac, marshal of France, the lord of Orval, -the marshal of Bretaigne, the lord of Saint-Severe, and many others -set out from Triviers, where they had slept that night, and joined -them, to the number of three hundred lances, and the archers. And when -the said English saw them come, they left the field, and the troops -marched and came to the river to place it behind them; for they were -afraid of the Constable's company, who had slept the night at a village -named Triviers, and had put himself in order of battle upon the arrival -of the said English at a wind-mill above the said Formigny. And then -marched the troops of the said lord of Clermont and his company, in -which were from five to six hundred lances and the archers, and they -charged the said English, as did also those of the said Constable, who -crossed the river by a ford and a little bridge of stone. And there -they attacked the English on both sides very bravely, so that in the -end they discomfited them close by the said river. - -And there there were killed, by the report of the heralds who were -there, and of the priests and good people who buried them, three -thousand seven hundred and seventy-four English. - - - - -A FATHER'S COUNSEL (+April 30, 1450+). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. i., No. 91. - -["Whoever has read this affecting composition will find it difficult to -persuade himself that the writer could have been either a false subject -or a bad man."--+Lingard.+] - - -_The Duke of Suffolk to his Son._ - -+My dear and only well-beloved Son+, - -I beseech our Lord in Heaven, the maker of all the world, to bless -you, and to send you ever grace to love him, and to dread him; to the -which, as far as a father may charge his child, I both charge you, and -pray you to set all spirits and wits to do, and to know his holy laws -and commandments, by the which ye shall with his great mercy pass all -the great tempests and troubles of this wretched world. And that also, -wittingly, ye do nothing for love or dread of any earthly creature -that should displease him. And there as any frailty maketh you to -fall, beseech his mercy soon to call you to him again with repentance, -satisfaction, and contrition of your heart never more in will to offend -him. - -Secondly, next him, above all earthly thing, to be true liege man -in heart, in will, in thought, in deed unto the King our most high -and dread Sovereign Lord, to whom both ye and I be so much bound -to; charging you, as father can and may, rather to die than be the -contrary, or to know any thing that were against the welfare or -prosperity of his most royal person, but that as far as your body and -life may stretch, ye live and die to defend it, and to let his highness -have knowledge thereof in all the haste ye can. - -Thirdly, in the same wise, I charge you, my dear son, as ye be bound -by the commandment of God to do, to love, to worship your lady and -mother, and also that ye obey always her commandments, and to believe -her counsels and advices in all your works, the which dread not but -shall be best and truest to you. And if any other body would stir you -to the contrary, to flee the counsel in any wise, for ye shall find it -nought and evil. - -Furthermore, as far as father may and can, I charge you in any wise -to flee the company and counsel of proud men, of covetous men, and of -flattering men, the more especially and mightily to withstand them, and -not to draw, nor to meddle with them, with all your might and power. -And to draw to you and to your company good and virtuous men, and such -as be of good conversation, and of truth, and by them shall ye never -be deceived, nor repent you of. Moreover, never follow your own wit -in no wise, but in all your works, of such folks as I write of above, -ask your advice and counsel; and doing thus, with the mercy of God, ye -shall do right well, and live in right much worship, and great heart's -rest and ease. And I will be to you as good lord and father as my heart -can think. - -And last of all, as heartily and as lovingly as ever father blessed his -child in earth, I give you the blessing of our Lord and of me, which of -his infinite mercy increase you in all virtue and good living. And that -your blood may by his grace from kindred to kindred multiply in this -earth to his service, in such wise as after the departing from this -wretched world here, ye and they may glorify him eternally among his -angels in heaven. - -Written of mine own hand - -The day of my departing from this land - - Your true and loving father - +Suffolk+. - - - - -THE MURDER OF THE DUKE OF SUFFOLK (+May 5, 1450+). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. i., No. 93. - - -+Right worshipful Sir+, - -I recommend me to you, and am right sorry of that I shall say, and so -washed this little bill with sorrowful tears, that on these ye shall -read it. - -As on Monday next after May day there come tidings to London that on -Thursday before the Duke of Suffolk come unto the coast of Kent full -near Dover with his two ships and a little spinner; the which spinner -he sent with certain letters to certain of his trusted men unto Calais -wards, to know how he should be received; and with him met a ship -called _Nicolas of the Tower_, with other ships waiting on him, and by -them that were in the spinner the master of the _Nicolas_ had knowledge -of the duke's coming. And when he espied the duke's ships, he sent -forth his boat to know what they were, and the duke himself spake to -them, and said, he was by the King's commandment sent to Calais wards, -etc. - -And they said he must speak with their master. And so he, with two or -three of his men, went forth with them in their boat to the _Nicolas_; -and when he come, the master bade him "Welcome, Traitor," as men say; -and further the master desired to know if the shipmen would hold with -the duke, and they sent word they would not in no wise; and so he was -in the _Nicolas_ till Saturday next following. - -Some say he wrote much things to be delivered to the King, but that is -not verily known. He had his confessor with him, etc. - -And some say he was arraigned in the ship on their manner upon the -impeachments and found guilty, etc. - -Also he asked the name of the ship, and when he knew it, he remembered -Stacy that said, if he might escape the danger of the Tower, he should -be safe; and then his heart failed him, for he thought he was deceived, -and in the sight of all his men he was drawn out of the great ship in -to the boat; and there was an axe and a block, and one of the lewdest -of the ship bid him lay down his head, and he should be fair fared -with and die on a sword; and took a rusty sword, and smote off his head -within half a dozen strokes, and took away his gown of russet, and his -doublet of velvet mailed, and laid his body on the sands of Dover; and -some say his head was set on a pole by it.... - -And the sheriff of Kent doth watch the body, and sent his under-sheriff -to the judges to know what to do, and also to the King what shall be -done. - - - - -CADE'S REBELLION (1450). - -=Source.=--_Three Fifteenth-Century Chronicles_, pp. 66-68 _and_ -94-99. (Camden Society.) - - -A.--+A Proclamation made by Jack Cade, Captain of the Rebels in -Kent.+ - -These be the points, causes and mischiefs of gathering and assembling -of us the King's liege men of Kent, the iiij day of June the year -of our Lord +M+iiijcl, the which we trust to Almighty God to -remedy, with the help and the grace of God and of our sovereign lord -the King, and the poor commons of England, and else we shall die -therefore: - -We, considering that the King our sovereign lord, by the insatiable -covetous malicious pomps, and false and of nought brought up certain -persons, that daily and nightly is about his highness, and daily inform -him that good is evil and evil is good, as Scripture witnesseth, _Ve -vobis qui dicitis bonum malum et malum bonum_. - -Item, they say that our sovereign lord is above his laws to his -pleasure, and he may make it and break it as him list, without any -distinction. The contrary is true, and else he should not have sworn to -keep it, the which we conceived for the highest point of treason that -any subject may do to make his prince run into perjury. - -Item, they say that the commons of England would first destroy the -King's friends and afterwards himself, and then bring the Duke of York -to be King.... - -Item, they say the King should live upon his commons and that their -bodies and goods be the King's; the contrary is true, for then needed -him never parliament to sit to ask good of his commons. - - * * * * * - -Item, it is to be remedied that the false traitors will suffer no man -to come into the King's presence for no cause without bribes where none -ought to be had, nor no bribery about the King's person, but that any -man might have his coming to him to ask him grace or judgement in such -case as the King may give. - - * * * * * - -Item, the law serveth of nought else in these days but for to do -wrong.... - -Item, we say our sovereign lord may understand that his false council -hath lost his law, his merchandise is lost, his common people is -destroyed, the sea is lost, France is lost, the King himself is so set -that he may not pay for his meat and drink, and he oweth more than -ever any King of England owed, for daily his traitors about him, where -anything should come to him by his laws, anon they ask it from him. - - * * * * * - -Item, his true commons desire that he will avoid from him all the false -progeny and affinity of the Duke of Suffolk ... and to take about his -noble person his true blood of his royal realm, that is to say, the -high and mighty prince the Duke of York, exiled from our sovereign -lord's person by the noising of the false traitor, the Duke of Suffolk -and his affinity. - - * * * * * - -Item, taking of wheat and other grains, beef, mutton, and other -victual, the which is unbearable hurt to the commons, without provision -of our sovereign lord and his true council, for his commons may no -longer bear it. - -Item, the statute upon the labourers and the great extortioners of -Kent. - - -B.--+The Capture and Death of Cade.+ - -... Then the commons of Kent arose and had chosen them a captain the -which named himself John Mortimer, whose very true name was John Cade, -and he was an Irishman, and so he come to Blackheath with the commons -of Kent. And the King with all his lords made them ready with all their -power for to withstand him.... And the Mayor of London with the commons -of the city came unto the King beseeching him that he would tarry in -the city and they would live and die with him and pay for the cost of -his household an half year; but he would not, but took his journey to -Kenilworth. And when the King was gone, the captain with the commons of -Kent came again to Blackheath. And the iij^{rd} day of July he came to -London; and as soon as they came to London they robbed Phillip Malpas. -And the iiij^{th} day of July he beheaded Crowmer and another man at -Mile End; and the same day at afternoon the Lord Say was fetched out of -the Tower to the Guild Hall for the mayor to have judgement, and when -he came before the mayor he said he would be judged by his peers. And -then the commons of Kent took him from the officers and led him to the -Standard in Cheap and there smote off his head. And then the captain -did draw him through London, and over London Bridge to Saint Thomas, -and there he was hanged and quartered, and his head and Crowmer's head -and another man's head were set on London Bridge.... And the v^{th} day -of July at night (and being Sunday) the commons of London set upon the -commons of Kent, for they began to rob.... Then the xij^{th} day of -July was in every shire proclaimed that what man that could take the -aforesaid captain and bring him to the King quick or dead, should have -a thousand marks, and as for any man that belonged to him x marks; for -it was openly known that his name was not Mortimer, his name was John -Cade.... And so one Alexander Iden, a squire of Kent, took him in a -garden in Southsea the xiij^{th} day of July; and in the taking of him -he was hurt and died that same night, and on the morrow he was brought -into the King's Bench, and after was drawn through London and his head -set on London Bridge. - - - - -PACKING A JURY (1451). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. i., No. 155. - - -Master Paston, we commend us unto you, letting you know the Sheriff -is not so whole as he was, for now he will show but a part of his -friendship. And also there is great press of people and few friends, as -far as we can feel yet.... Also the Sheriff informed us that he hath -writing from the King that he shall make such a panel to acquit Lord -Molynes. And also he told us, and as far as we can conceive and feel, -the Sheriff will panel gentlemen to acquit the lord, and jurors to -acquit his men; and we suppose that this is by the motion and means of -the other party. And if any means of treaty be proferred, we know not -what means should be to your pleasure. And therefore we would fain have -more knowledge, if ye think it were to do. - -No more at this time, but the Holy Trinity have you in his keeping. -Written at Walsingham, in haste, the second day of May, - - By your true and faithful friends, - +Debenham, Tymperley and White+. - - - - -PARTIAL JUDGES (1451). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. i., No. 158. - - -_Sir Thomas Howys to Sir John Fastolf._ - -Right reverend and worshipful master, I recommend me lowly unto -you.... The more special cause of my writing at this time is to give -you relation of the untrue demeaning of this our _determiner_, by the -partiality of the judges of it; for when the council of the city of -Norwich, of the town of Swafham, yours, my master Inglos, Pastons, -and many other plaintiffs had put in and declared, both by writing -and by word before the judges, the lawful exceptions in many wise, -the judges by their wilfullness might not find in their heart not as -much as a beck nor a twinkling of their eye toward, but took it to -derision. God reform such partiality.... It was the most partial place -of all the shire, and thither were called all the friends, knights and -squires and gentlemen that would in no wise do otherwise than they -would. And the said Tudenham, Heydon and other oppressors of their set -came down hither with four hundred horse and more; and considering how -their well-willers were there assembled at their instance, it had been -right jeopardous and fearful for any of the plaintiffs to have been -present.... - - - - -LAWLESSNESS (1454). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. i., No. 201. - - * * * * * - -These be divers of the riots and offences done in the hundred of -Blofeld in the county of Norfolk, and in other towns by Robert Ledham, -of Wytton by Blofeld, in the county of Norfolk. - - * * * * * - -_In primis_, on the Monday next before Easter day and the shire day, -the thirtieth year of our sovereign lord the King, ten persons of the -said rioters, with a brother of the wife of the said Robert Ledham, lay -in wait in the highway under Thorpe wood upon Phillip Berney, esquire, -and his man coming from the shire, and shot at him and smote the horse -of the said Phillip with arrows, and then overrode him, and took him -and beat him and spoiled him. And for their excuse of this riot, they -led him to the Bishop of Norwich, asking surety of the peace where they -had never warrant him to arrest. Which affray shortened the life-days -of the said Phillip, which died within short time after the said affray. - -Item, three of the said riotous fellowship the same day, year, and -place, lay in wait upon Edmond Brown, gentleman, and with naked swords -and other weapons fought with him by the space of one quarter of an -hour, and took and spoiled him, and kept him as long as they list, and -after that let him go. - -Item, forty of the said riotous fellowship, by the commandment of the -same Robert Ledham, jacked and saletted, with bows and arrows, bills, -and glaives upon Maundy Thursday, at four of the clock at afternoon, -the same year, coming to the White Friars in Norwich, and would have -broken their gates and doors, feigning them that they would hear their -evensong. Where they were answered such service was none used to be -there, nor within the said city at that time of the day, and prayed -them to depart; and they answered and said that afore their departing -they would have some persons out of that place, quick or dead, inasmuch -the said friars were fain to keep their place with force. And the mayor -and the sheriff of the said city were fain to arraign a power to resist -the said riots, which to them on that holy time was tedious and heinous -considering the loss and letting of the holy service of that holy -night. And thereupon the said rioters departed. - -Item, the said Robert Ledham on the Monday next after Easter day, the -same year, took from one John Wilton four cattle for rent arrear as he -said, and killed them, and laid them in salt, and afterwards ate them. - - * * * * * - -Item, in likewise the said Robert Ledham and his men assaulted one -John Coke of Witton, in breaking up his doors at eleven of the clock -at night, and with their swords maimed him and gave him seven great -wounds, and took from him certain goods and chattels, of which he had, -nor yet hath, no remedy nor restitution. - -Item, the same day and year they beat the mother of the same John Coke, -she being four score years of age and more, and smote her upon the -crown of her head with a sword; of which hurt she might never be healed -to the day of her death. - - * * * * * - -Item, on Mid Lent Sunday, the thirtieth year of our sovereign Lord the -King that now is, Robert Dallyng, Robert Church, Robert Taillor, Henry -Bang, Adam at More, with others unknown, by the commandment and assent -of the said Robert Ledham, made affray upon Henry Smith and Thomas -Chamber at South Birlingham, the said Henry and Thomas at that time -kneeling to see the using of the mass, and then and there would have -killed the said Henry and Thomas at the priest's back, unless they had -been prevented. - - * * * * * - -Item, the said Robert Ledham, continuing in this wise, called unto him -his said misgoverned fellowship, considering the absence of many of -the well-ruled of the said hundred, of afore-cast malice concocted, -purposed and laboured to the Sheriff of the shire that the said Robert -Church, one of the said riotous fellowship, was made baillie of the -hundred; and after caused the same Roger to be beginner of arising -and to take upon him to be a captain and to excite the people of the -country thereto. And thereupon, by covin of the said Robert Ledham, to -impeach all these said well-ruled persons, and as well other divers -substantial men of good fame and good governance that was hated by the -said Robert Ledham, and promising the said Roger harmless and to sue -his pardon by the men of Danyell; to the which promise the said Roger -agreed, and was arrested and taken by the said Ledham by covin betwixt -them, and impeached such persons as they list, to the intent that the -said substantial men of the country should be by that means so troubled -and endangered that they should not be of power to let and resist the -misrule of the said Ledham and his misgoverned fellowship, the which -matter is confessed by the said Robert Church. - - * * * * * - -Item, six or seven of the said Ledham's men daily, both work day and -holy day, use to go about in the country with bows and arrows, shooting -and playing in many closes among men's cattle, going from alehouse -to alehouse and menacing such as they hated, and sought occasion to -quarrel and debate. - -Item, notwithstanding that all the livelihood that the said Ledham hath -passeth not £20, besides the repairs and out-charges, and that he hath -no cunning nor true means of getting of any good in this country, as -far as any man may conceive, and yet keepeth in his house daily twenty -men, besides women and great multitude of such misgoverned people as -[have] been resorting to him, as is above said, to the which he giveth -clothing, and yet beside that he giveth to others that be not dwelling -in his household; and of the said men there passeth not eight that use -occupation of husbandry; and all they that use husbandry, as well as -other, be jacked and saletted ready for war, which in this country is -thought right strange, and is verily so conceived that he may not keep -this countenance by no good means. - -Item, the said Ledham, hath a _supersedeas_ out of the Chancery for -him and divers of his men, that no warrant of justice of peace may be -served against him. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE CONDITION OF IRELAND (1454). - -=Source.=--Ellis's _Original Letters_, Second Series, vol. i., pp. -117 _et seq._ (London: 1827.) - -[_A report, drawn up by the chief persons in the County of Kildare, to -Richard Duke of York, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland._] - - -Right high and mighty Prince and our right gracious lord, Richard Duke -of York, we recommend us unto you as lowly as we can or may; and please -your gracious Highness to be advertised that the land of Ireland was -never at the point finally to be destroyed, since the conquest of this -land, as it is now, for the true liege people in these parts dare nor -may not appear to the King our sovereign lord's courts in the said -land, nor none of the true liege people there to go nor ride to market -towns nor other places, for dread of being slain, taken or spoiled of -their goods; also the misrule and misgovernance had, done and daily -continued by divers gentlemen of the county and your liberty of Meath -and the county of Kildare, and namely because of a variance between the -earl of Wiltshire, lieutenant of the said land, and Thomas Fitzmaurice -of the Geraldines for the title of the manors of Maynooth and Rathmore -in the county of Kildare.... For Henry Bonyn knight, constituted -Treasurer of the said land under the great Seal, assembling with him -Edmund Butler cousin germane to the said Earl of Wiltshire and William -Butler, cousin to the said Earl, with their following, of the which -the most part was Irish enemies and English rebels, came unto the said -County of Kildare and there burnt and destroyed divers and many towns -and parish churches of the true liege people, and took divers of them -prisoners and spoiled them of their goods. And after the departure of -the said Henry and Edmund, the said William ... did so great oppression -in the said county of Kildare and in the county and liberty of Meath -that twenty-seven towns and more which was well inhabited on the feast -of St. Michael's last passed are now wasted and destroyed.... Also -please your Highness to be advertised that the said William Butler, -Nicolas Wogan, David Wogan and Richard Wogan came, with divers Irish -enemies and English rebels to the castle of Rathcoffy there, as Ann -Wogan sometime wife to Oliver Eustace, then being the King's widow,[15] -was dwelling, and burnt the gates of the said place, and took her with -them and Edward Eustace, son and heir to the said Oliver ... of the age -of eight years, and yet holdeth them prisoners, and took goods and -chattels of the said Anne to the value of five hundred marks. - - [15] Ellis notes "disposable in marriage by the King." - - - - -BEGINNINGS OF CIVIL STRIFE (1454). - -=Source.=--Ingulph's _Chronicles_, p. 419. (Bohn Edition.) - - -In the meantime, you might plainly perceive public and intestine broils -fermenting among the princes and nobles of the realm, so much so, -that in the words of the Gospel, "Brother was divided against brother -and father against father"; one party adhering to the King, while the -other, being attached to the said duke by blood or by ties of duty, -sided with him. And not only among princes and people had such a spirit -of contention arisen, but even in every society, whether chapter, -college, or convent, had this unhappy plague of division effected -an entrance; so much so, that brother could hardly with any degree -of security admit brother into his confidence, or friend a friend, -nor could any one reveal the secret of his conscience without giving -offence. The consequence was that, from and after this period of time, -the combatants on both sides, uniting their respective forces together, -attacked each other whenever they happened to meet, and quite in -accordance with the doubtful issue of warfare, now the one and now the -other for the moment gained the victory, while fortune was continually -shifting her position. In the meantime, however, the slaughter of men -was immense; for besides the dukes, earls, barons, and distinguished -warriors who were cruelly slain, multitudes almost innumerable of the -common people died of their wounds. Such was the state of the kingdom -for nearly ten years. - - - - -THE KING'S MADNESS AND RECOVERY (1454-1455). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. i., Nos. 195, 226. - - -A.--+January, 1454.+ - -As touching tidings, please it you to wit that at the Prince's coming -to Windsor, the Duke of Buckingham took him in his arms and presented -him to the King in godly wise, beseeching the King to bless him; and -the King gave no manner of answer. Nevertheless the Duke abode still -with the Prince by the King; and when he could no manner answer have, -the Queen come in, and took the Prince in her arms and presented him -in like form as the Duke had done, desiring that he should bless it; -but all their labour was in vain, for they departed thence without any -answer or countenance saving only that once he looked on the Prince and -cast down his eyes again, without any more. - - -B.--+January, 1455.+ - -_Edmund Clere to John Paston._ - -To my well-beloved Cousin, John Paston, be this delivered. - -Right well-beloved cousin, I recommend me to you, letting you wit such -tidings as we have. - -Blessed be God, the King is well amended, and hath been since -Christmasday, and on Saint John's day commanded his almoner to ride to -Canterbury with his offering, and commanded the Secretary to offer at -Saint Edward's. - -And on the Monday afternoon the Queen came to him, and brought my Lord -Prince with her. And then he asked what the Prince's name was, and the -Queen told him Edward; and then he held up his hands and thanked God -thereof. And he said he never knew till that time, nor wist not what -was said to him, nor wist not where he had been while he hath been sick -till now. And he asked who were godfathers, and the Queen told him, and -he was well pleased. - -And she told him that the Cardinal[16] was dead, and he said he knew -never thereof till that time; and he said one of the wisest Lords in -this land was dead. - - [16] Kemp, Archbishop of Canterbury. - -And my Lord of Winchester and my Lord of Saint John were with him on -the morrow after Twelfth day, and he speak to them as well as ever he -did; and when they come out they wept for joy. - -And he saith he is in charity with all the world, and so he would all -the Lords were. And now he sayeth Matins of Our Lady and evensong, and -heareth his Mass devoutly; and Richard shall tell you more tidings by -mouth. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF ST. ALBANS (+May 21, 22, 1455+). - -=Source.=--_Archæologia_, vol. xx., p. 519. - - -Be it known and had in mind that the 21st day of May the twenty-third -year of the reign of King Henry the sixth, our Sovereign Lord the King -took his journey from Westminster toward Saint Albans, and rested at -Watford all night; and on the morrow betimes he came to Saint Albans, -and with him ... gentlemen and yeomen to the number of two thousand and -more. And upon the twenty-second day of the said month above rehearsed -assembled the Duke of York, and with him came in company the Earl of -Salisbury, the Earl of Warwick with divers knights and squires unto -their party into the field, called the Key Field, beside Saint Albans. -Furthermore, our said sovereign Lord the King, hearing and knowing of -the said Duke's coming with other Lords aforesaid, pitched his banner -at the place called Boslawe in Saint Peter Street, which place was -called aforetime Sandiford, and commandeth the ward and barriers to be -kept in strong wise; the aforesaid Duke of York abiding in the field -aforesaid from seven of the clock in the morning till it was almost -ten without any stroke smitten on either party. The said Duke sent to -the King our sovereign Lord, by the advice of his Council, praying and -beseeching him to take him as his true man and humble subject; and -to consider and to tender at the reverence of Almighty God, and in -way of charity the true intent of his coming--to be good and gracious -sovereign Lord to his liegemen, which with all their power and might -will be ready at all times to live and die with him in his right. - -"Moreover, gracious Lord, please it your Majesty Royal of your great -goodness and righteousness to incline your will to hear and feel the -righteous party of us your subjects and liegemen; first, praying and -beseeching to our Lord Jesus of his high and mighty power to give unto -you virtue and prudence, and that through the mediation of the glorious -martyr Saint Alban to give you very knowledge to know the intent of our -assembling at this time; for God that is in Heaven knoweth that our -intent is rightful and true. And therefore we pray unto Almighty Lord -Jesus, these words--_Domine sis clipeus defensionis nostræ_. Wherefore, -gracious Lord, please it your high Majesty to deliver such as we will -accuse, and they to have like as they have deserved and done, and ye to -be honoured and worshipped as most rightful King, our governor. For -and we shall now at this time be promised, as afore this time is not -unknown, of promises broken which full faith fully hath been promised, -and there upon great oaths made, we will not now cease for none such -promise, surety, nor other, till we have them which have deserved -death, or else we to die therefore." - -And to that answered the King our sovereign Lord and said: "I, King -Henry, charge and command that no manner of person, of what degree, or -state, or condition that ever he be, abide not, but void the field, and -not be so hardy to make any resistance against me in mine own realm; -for I shall know what traitor dare be so bold to raise a people in mine -own land, wherefore I am in great distress and heaviness. And by the -faith that I owe to Saint Edward, and to the Crown of England, I shall -destroy them every mother's son, and they be hanged, and drawn, and -quartered, that they may be taken afterward, of them to have example to -all such traitors to beware to make any such rising of people within my -land, and so traitorously to abide their King and governor. And for a -conclusion, rather than they shall have any Lord here with me at this -time, I shall this day, for their sake, and in this quarrel myself live -or die." - -Which answer come to the Duke of York, the which Duke, by the advice -of the Lords of his Council, said unto them these words: "The King our -sovereign Lord will not be reformed at our beseeching nor prayer, nor -will not understand the intent that we be come hither and assembled -for and gathered at this time; but only his full purpose, and there -none other way but that he will with all his power pursue us, and if -taken, to give us a shameful death, losing our livelihood and goods, -and our heirs shamed for ever. And therefore, since it will be none -otherwise but that we shall utterly die, better it is for us to die -in the field than cowardly to be put to a great rebuke and a shameful -death; moreover, considering in what peril England stands in at this -hour, therefore every man help to help power for the right thereof, -to redress the mischief that now reigneth, and to quit us like men -in this quarrel; praying to that Lord that is King of Glory, that -reigneth in the Kingdom celestial, to keep us and save us this day -in our right, and through the help of His holy grace we may be made -strong to withstand the great, abominable and cruel malice of them that -purpose fully to destroy us with shameful death. We therefore, Lord, -pray to Thee to be our comfort and Defender, saying the word aforesaid, -_Domine sis clipeus defensionis nostræ_." - -And when this was said, the said Duke of York, and the said Earl of -Salisbury, and the Earl of Warwick, between eleven and twelve of the -clock at noon, they broke into the town in three divers places and -several places of the aforesaid street. The King being then in the -place of Edmond Westby hundredor of the said town of Saint Albans, -commandeth to slay all manner men of lords, knights, and squires and -yeomen that might be taken of the foresaid Duke of York. This done, -the foresaid Lord Clifford kept strongly the barriers that the said -Duke of York might not in any wise, with all the power that he had, -enter nor break into the town. The Earl of Warwick, knowing thereof, -took and gathered his men together, and furiously brake in by the -garden sides between the sign of the Key and the sign of the Chequer -in Holwell street; and anon as they were within the town, suddenly -they blew up trumpets, and set a cry with a shout and a great voice, -"A Warwick! A Warwick! A Warwick!" and unto that time the Duke of -York might never have entry into the town; and they with strong hand -kept it, and mightily fought together, and anon, forthwith after the -breaking in, they set on them manfully. And of them that were slain -and buried in Saint Albans, forty-eight. And at this same time were -hurt Lords of name--the King, our sovereign Lord, in the neck with an -arrow; the Duke of Buckingham, with an arrow in the visage; the Lord -of Stafford in the hand, with an arrow; the lord of Dorset, sore hurt -that he might not go, but he was carried home in a cart; and Wenlock, -knight, in like wise in a cart sore hurt; and other divers knights and -squires sore hurt. The Earl of Wiltshire, Thorpe, and many others fled, -and left their harness behind them cowardly, and the substance of the -King's party were despoiled of horse and harness. This done, the said -Lords, that is to wit, the Duke of York, the Earl of Salisbury, the -Earl of Warwick, come to the King, our Sovereign Lord, and on their -knees besought him of grace and forgiveness of that they had done in -his presence, and besought him of his Highness to take them as his -true liegemen, saying that they never intended hurt to his own person, -and therefore the King our sovereign Lord took them to grace, and so -desired them to cease their people, and that there should no more harm -be done; and they obeyed his commandment, and let made a cry in the -King's name that all manner of people should cease and not so hardy to -strike any stroke more after the proclamation of the cry; and so ceased -the said battle, _Deo gratias_. - - - - -AN UNRULY NOBLE (1455). - -=Source.=--_Rotuli Parliamentorum_, vol. v., p. 285. - - -... There be great and grievous riots done in the West Country at the -city of Exeter by the earl of Devonshire, accompanied with many riotous -persons, as it is said, with eight hundred horsemen and four thousand -footmen, and there have robbed the church (cathedral) of Exeter, and -taken the canons of the same church and put them to ransom, and also -have taken the gentlemen in that country, and done and committed many -other great and heinous inconveniences; that in abridging of such -riots ... a Protector and Defensor must be had ... and that he, in -abridging of such riots and offences, should ride and labour into that -country, for but if the said riots and inconveniences were resisted, -it should be the cause of the loss of that land, and if that land were -lost, it might be the cause of the subversion of all this land. - - - - -THE LITIGIOUSNESS OF THE AGE (_circa_ 1455). - -=Source.=--Gascoigne's _Loci e Libro Veritatum_, edited by Rogers, -pp. 108, 109. (Oxford: 1881). - - -Formerly, when there were many good and mature rectors of churches -resident there, the quarrels and dissensions which arose within a -parish or between parishioners, were generally settled by the good -handling and advice of such rectors, and there were few pleas and -actions through lawyers.... But now, by the lack of such good rectors, -strifes, quarrels, dissensions, actions and pleas are multiplied and -prolonged, and thus the money, which might have gone to good works, -owing to the number of the quarrels goes to the lawyers, advocates, and -counsel; whence by the multiplication of such dissensions and actions, -the number of these lawyers, jurists, advocates and defenders of evil -(who defend evil for love or for fear of evil) is far greater than it -need be. And yet many times the cause which has been pleaded long and -at great expense is settled and concluded by the interference of the -great. - - - - -THE TRIAL AND RECANTATION OF BISHOP PECOCK (1457). - -=Source.=--_An English Chronicle_, edited by Davies, pp. 75-77. -(Camden Society, 1856.) - - -And this same year, and the year of our Lord 1457, master Reginald -Pecock, bishop of Chichester, a secular doctor of divinity that had -laboured for many years for to translate Holy Scripture into English; -passing the bonds of divinity and of Christian belief, was accused of -certain articles of heresy, of the which he was convicted before the -archbishop of Canterbury and other bishops and clerks, and utterly -abjured, revoked and renounced the said articles openly at [St.] Paul's -Cross in his mother tongue, as followeth hereafter: "In the name of the -Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I, Reginald Pecock, bishop -of Chichester unworthy, of my own power and will, without any manner -of coercion or dread, confess and acknowledge that I here before this -time, presuming of my natural wit, and preferring my judgement and -natural reason before the New and the Old Testament, and the authority -and determination of our Mother, Holy Church, have held, written and -taught otherwise than the holy Roman and universal church teacheth, -preacheth or observeth ... and specially these heresies and errors -following, that is to say: - -'In primis, quod non est de necessitate fidei credere quod Dominus -noster Ihesus Christus post mortem descendit ad inferos. - -'Item, quod non est de necessitate salutis, credere in sanctorum -communione. - -'Item, quod ecclesia universalis potest errare in illis quæ sunt fidei. - -'Item, quod non est de necessitate salutis credere et tenere illud -quod consilium generale et universalis ecclesia statuit, approbat, seu -determinat in favorem fidei et ad salutem animarum, est ab universis -Christi fidelibus approbandum, credendum et tenendum.'[17] - - [17] "First, that it is not necessary to faith to believe that our Lord - Jesus Christ, after His death, descended into hell. - - _Item_, that it is not necessary to salvation to believe in the - communion of saints. - - _Item_, that the Church universal can err in matters of faith. - - _Item_, that it is not necessary to salvation to believe and to hold - that whatever a general Council of the Church ordains, approves, or - determines in matters of faith and for the salvation of souls, ought to - be approved, believed, and held by all faithful Christians." - -"Wherefore I, miserable sinner which here before long time have -walked in darkness, and now by the mercy and infinite goodness of God -reduced into the right way and light of truth, and considering myself -grievously to have sinned and wickedly have informed and infected the -people of God, return and come again to our Mother, Holy Church; and -all heresies and errors written and contained in my said books, works -and writings here solemnly and openly revoke and renounce ... submitting -myself, being now very contrite and penitent sinner, to the correction -of the Church and of my said lord of Canterbury.... And over this -declaration of my conversion and repentance, I here openly assert -that my said books, works and writing, for declaration and cause above -rehearsed, be deputed unto the fire and openly burnt in example and -terror of all other. - - 'Why wonder that reason not tell can, - How a maid is a mother, and God is man, - Flee reason and follow the wonder, - For belief hath the mastery, and reason is under.'" - -This made the said Pecock, as it was said. - -And after this he was deprived of his bishopric, having a certain -pension assigned unto him for to live on in an abbey, and soon after he -died. - - - - -A SEA FIGHT (+June 1, 1458+). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. i., No. 317. - - -_John Jerningham to Margaret Paston._ - -... Right worshipful cousin, if it please you for to hear of such -tidings as we have here, the embassy of Burgundy shall come to Calais -the Saturday after Corpus Christi day, as men say five hundred horse -of them. Moreover, on Trinity Sunday in the morning, came tidings unto -my Lord of Warwick that there were twenty-eight sails of Spaniards -on the sea, and whereof there was sixteen great ships of forecastle; -and then my Lord went and manned five ships of forecastle, and three -carvels, and four pinnaces, and on the Monday, on the morning after -Trinity Sunday, we met together afore Calais at four at the clock in -the morning, and fought that gathering till ten at the clock; and there -we took six of their ships, and they slew of our men about four score, -and hurt two hundred of us right sore; and there were slain on their -part about twelve score; and hurt five hundred of them. - -And it happed me, at the first aboarding of us, we took a ship of 300 -ton, and I was left therein and twenty-three men with me; and they -fought so sore that our men were fain to leave them, and then come they -and boarded the ship that I was in, and there I was taken, and was -prisoner with them six hours, and was delivered again for their men -that were taken before. And as men say, there was not so great a battle -upon the sea this forty winter. And forsooth, we were well and truly -beat; and my Lord hath sent for more ships, and like to fight together -again in haste. - - - - -THE EVILS IN THE CHURCH (+Written before+ 1458). - -=Source.=--Gascoigne's _Loci e Libro Veritatum_, edited by Rogers. -(Oxford: 1881.) - - -_Unworthy promotions_ [pp. 13, 14]. - -It is notorious now in the realm of England that boys, youths and -men dwelling in the courts of the worldly are placed in churches, in -high offices and in prelacies, others being set aside who have long -been occupied in study and preaching and in the guiding of the people -without thought of worldly lucre.... Among others unworthily promoted, -one foolish youth, eighteen years of age, was promoted to twelve -prebends and a great archdeaconry of the value of a hundred pounds, and -to one great rectory, and a certain layman received the rents of all -the said benefices, and spent upon the youth just as much as he, the -layman, pleased, and never rendered an account, and that youth was the -son of a simple knight, and, like an idiot, was drunk almost every day. - -_Non-residence_ [pp. 3, 149]. - -Some never or seldom reside in their cures, and he to whom a church is -appropriated and who is non-resident, comes once a year to his cure, -or sends to the church at the end of the autumn, and having filled -his purse with money and sold his tithes, departs again far away from -his cure to the court where he occupies himself in money-making and -pleasures.... O Lord God! incline the heart of the Pope, Thy vicar, to -remedy the evils which arise through the appropriation of churches, and -by the non-residence of good curates in the same. For now in England a -time draweth nigh when men will say, "Formerly there were rectors in -England, and now there are ruined churches in which cultured men cannot -decently live...." - -_Church dues oppressive_ [p. 13]. - -For Rome, like a singular and principal wild beast, hath laid waste -the vineyards of the church, reserving to herself the elections of -bishops, that none may confer an episcopal church on anyone unless they -first pay the annates or first-fruits and rent of the vacant church. -Also she hath destroyed the vineyard of God's church in many places, -by annulling the elections of all the bishops in England. Also she -destroys the church by promoting wicked men according as the King and -the Pope agree. - -_The abuse of the Sacraments_ [pp. 197]. - -It is now known that many infants die without baptism because the -parish churches have no fonts, and divers abbeys have licence and -custom that everyone of certain parishes should baptise in their -monasteries, and yet they cannot come conveniently by night, or at -other times to the font there. - -_Proud Prelates_ [pp. 22, 23]. - -Bishops were wont, as is manifest in the Life of St. Cuthbert, to -talk humbly and familiarly with their inferiors and every day to -give everyone of their flock an audience if he sought to speak with -his bishop. Recently a poor man came to the servant of a certain -archbishop, the son of a lord, and said "I marvel that the archbishop -does not give audience in his own person to his flock as his -predecessor was wont to do." The servant replied "My lord the present -archbishop was not bred in the same way as his predecessor" (meaning by -this that his lord the archbishop, who was so strange and distant to -his flock, was the son of a lord, and his predecessor was the son of a -poor man); the poor man answered the said servant, "Truly the present -archbishop and his predecessor were bred in different fashions, but it -is manifest that the predecessor was the better man and more useful to -his flock and to their souls and to the whole diocese." - - - - -THE EVILS OF MISGOVERNMENT (1459). - -=Source.=--_An English Chronicle_, edited by Davies, pp. 79, 80. -(Camden Society, 1846.) - - -In this same time the realm of England was out of all good governance, -as it had been many days before, for the King was simple and led by -covetous counsel, and owed more than he was worth. His debts increased -daily, but payment there was none; all the possessions and lordships -that pertained to the Crown the King had given away, some to lords and -some to other simple persons, so that he had almost nought to live on. -And such impositions as were put to the people, as taxes, tallages and -quinzimes (fifteenths), all that came from them were spent in vain, for -he held no household nor maintained no wars. For these misgovernances, -and for many other, the hearts of the people were turned away from them -that had the land in governance, and their blessing was turned into -cursing. The queen with such as were of her affinity ruled the realm as -they liked, gathering riches innumerable. The officers of the realm, -and especially the earl of Wiltshire, treasurer of England, for to -enrich himself, peeled the poor people and disinherited rightful heirs -and did many wrongs. The queen was defamed and slandered, that he that -was called Prince was not her son.... Wherefore she, dreading that he -should not succeed his father in the crown of England, allied unto her -all the knights and squires of Cheshire, for to have their benevolence, -and held open household among them ... trusting through them to make her -son King. - - - - -YORK'S POPULARITY (1460). - -=Source.=--_An English Chronicle_, edited by Davies, p. 93. -(Camden Society, 1846.) - - -+Ballad set upon the Gates of Canterbury.+ - - Send home most gracious Lord Jesu most benign, - Send home thy true blood unto his proper vein, - Richard duke of York, Job thy servant insign, - Whom Satan not ceaseth to set at care and disdain, - But by Thee preserved he may not be slain; - Set him _ut sedeat in principibus_, as he did before, - And so to our new song, Lord, thine ears incline, - _Gloria, laus et honor Tibi sit Rex Christe Redemptor_! - - Edward Earl of March, whose fame the earth shall spread, - Richard Earl of Salisbury named prudence, - With that noble knight and flower of manhood, - Richard Earl of Warwick, shield of our defence, - Also little Falconberg, a knight of great reverence; - Jesu them restore to their honour as they had before, - And ever shall we sing to thine High Excellence, - _Gloria, laus et honor Tibi sit Rex Christe Redemptor_! - - The dead man greeteth you well, - That is just true as steel, - With very good intent. - Also the Realm of England, - Soon to loose from Sorrow's bond - By right indifferent judgement. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF NORTHAMPTON (+July 10, 1460+). - -=Source.=--_An English Chronicle_, edited by Davies, pp. 96-98. -(Camden Society, 1846.) - - -The King at Northampton lay at Friars, and had ordained there a strong -and mighty field in the meadows, armed and arrayed with guns, having -the river at his back. The earls [March and Warwick] with the number of -sixty thousand, as it was said, came to Northampton and sent certain -bishops to the King beseeching him that, in eschewing of effusion of -Christian blood, he would admit and suffer the earls for to come into -his presence to declare themselves as they were. The duke of Buckingham -that stood beside the King, said unto them, "Ye come not as bishops for -to treat for peace, but as men of arms;" because they brought with them -a notable company of men of arms. They answered and said, "We come -thus for surety of our persons, for they that be about the King be not -our friends." - -"Forsooth!" said the duke, "the Earl of Warwick shall not come to the -King's presence, and if he come he shall die." The messengers returned -again and told this to the earls.... - -Then on the Thursday the x^{th} day of July, the year of our Lord 1460, -at two hours after noon, the said earls of March and Warwick let cry -through the field, that no man should lay hands upon the King nor on -the common people, but only on the lords, knights, and squires: then -the trumpets blew up, and both hosts encountered and fought together -half an hour,... The duke of Buckingham, the earl of Shrewsbury, the -lord Beaumont, the lord Egremont were slain by the Kentishmen besides -the King's tent, and many other knights and squires. The ordinance of -the King's guns availed not, for that day was so great rain that the -guns lay deep in water, and so were quenched and might not be shot. -When the field was done, and the earls through mercy and help had the -victory, they came to the King in his tent, and said in this wise: -"Most noble Prince, displease you not, though it hath pleased God of -his Grace to grant us the victory of our mortal enemies, the which by -their venomous malice have untruly steered and moved your highness to -exile us out of your land. We come not to that intent for to inquiet -nor grieve your said highness, but for to please your most noble -person, desiring most tenderly the high welfare and prosperity thereof, -and of all your realm, and for to be your true liegemen while our -lives shall endure." The King of their words was greatly recomforted, -and anon was led into Northampton with procession, where he rested -him three days, and then came to London, the xvj day of the month -abovesaid, and lodged in the bishop's palace. For the which victory -London gave to Almighty God great laud and thanking. - - - - -THE WANDERINGS OF QUEEN MARGARET (1460). - -=Source.=--Gregory's "Chronicle" in the _Collections of a London -Citizen_, pp. 208, 209. (Camden Society.) - - -And that same night the King [Henry VI.] removed unto London, against -his will, to the bishop's palace of London, and the Duke of York come -unto him that same night by torch-light and took upon him as King and -said in many places that "this is ours by very right." And then the -Queen, hearing this, voided unto Wales, but she was met beside the -Castle of Malpas, and a servant of her own that she had made both -yoeman and gentleman and after appointed for to be in office with her -son the prince, spoiled her and robbed her and put her so in doubt -of her life and son's life also. And then she come to the castle of -Hardelowe [Harlech] in Wales, and she had many great gifts and [was] -greatly comforted, for she had need thereof. And most commonly she -rode behind a young poor gentleman of fourteen year age, his name was -John Combe, born at Amysbery in Wiltshire. And there hence she removed -full privily unto the Lord Jasper, Lord and Earl of Pembroke, for she -durst not abide in no place that was open, but in private. The cause -was that counterfeit tokens were sent unto her as though they had come -from her most dread lord the King Harry the VI.; but it was not of his -sending, neither of his doing, but forged thing;... for at the King's -departing from Coventry toward the field of Northampton, he kissed her -and blessed the prince, and commanded her that she should not come unto -him till that he send a special token unto her that no man knew but the -King and she. For the lords would fain had her unto London, for they -knew well that all the workings that were done grew by her, for she was -more wittier than the King, and that appeareth by his deeds. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF WAKEFIELD (1460). - -=Source.=--Hall's _Chronicle_, pp. 250, 251. (London: 1809.) - -[+Note.+--Hall's _Chronicle_ was first published in 1542, and -therefore the following extract is by no means contemporary with the -events it describes. But it is the only account of the battle of -Wakefield, and it derives some authority from the fact that Hall had an -ancestor who was slain in the fight.] - - -The duke of York with his people descended down the hill in good order -and array and was suffered to pass forward, toward the main battle: -but when he was in the plain ground between his castle and the town -of Wakefield, he was environed on every side, like a fish in a net or -a deer in a buckstall: so that he, manfully fighting, was within half -an hour slain and dead, and his whole army discomfited.... While this -battle was in fighting a priest called Sir Robert Aspall, chaplain -and schoolmaster to the young earl of Rutland, second son to the -abovenamed duke of York, of the age of twelve years, a fair gentleman -and a maidenlike person, perceiving that flight was more safeguard than -tarrying, both for him and his master, secretly conveyed the earl out -of the field ... but or he could enter into a house the lord Clifford -espied, followed and taken, and by reason of his apparell demanded -what he was. The young gentleman, dismayed, had not a word to speak, -but kneeled on his knees imploring mercy and desiring grace both with -holding up his hands and making dolorous countenance, for his speech -was gone for fear. "Save him," said the Chaplain, "for he is a prince's -son, and peradventure may do you good hereafter." With that word the -Lord Clifford marked him and said, "By God's blood, thy father slew -mine, and so will I do thee and all thy kin," and with that word stuck -the earl to the heart with his dagger, and bade the chaplain bear -the earl's mother and brother word what he had done.... This cruel -Clifford and deadly blood-supper, not content with this homicide or -child-killing, came to the place where the dead corpse of the duke of -York lay, and caused his head to be stricken off, and set on it a crown -of paper and so fixed it on a pole and presented it to the Queen, not -lying far from the field, in great despite and much derision, saying, -"Madame, your war is done; here is your King's ransom." - - - - -THE RAVAGES OF THE LANCASTRIANS AFTER THE VICTORY OF WAKEFIELD (1460). - -=Source.=--Ingulph's _Chronicles_, pp. 421, 422. (Bohn Edition.) - - -The duke being thus removed from this world, the north-men, being -sensible that the only impediment was now withdrawn, and that there -was no one now who could care to resist their inroads, again swept -onwards like a whirlwind from the north, and in the impulse of their -fury attempted to overrun the whole of England. At this period -too, fancying that everything tended to insure them freedom from -molestation, paupers and beggars flocked forth from those quarters -in infinite numbers, just like so many mice rushing forth from their -holes, and universally devoted themselves to spoil and rapine, without -regard of place or person. For, besides the vast quantities of property -which they collected outside, they also irreverently rushed, in their -unbridled and frantic rage, into churches and the other sanctuaries of -God, and most nefariously plundered them of their chalices, books, and -vestments, and, unutterable crime! broke open the pixes in which were -kept the body of Christ, and shook out the sacred elements therefrom. -When the priests and the other faithful of Christ in any way offered -to make resistance, like so many abandoned wretches as they were, they -cruelly slaughtered them in the very churches or church yards. Thus -did they proceed with impunity, spreading in vast multitudes over a -space of thirty miles in breadth, and, covering the whole surface of -the earth just like so many locusts, made their way almost to the very -walls of London; all the moveables which they could possibly collect in -every quarter being placed on beasts of burden and carried off. With -such avidity for spoil did they press on, that they dug up the precious -vessels, which, through fear of them, had been concealed in the earth, -and with threats of death compelled the people to produce the treasures -which they had hidden in remote and obscure spots. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF MORTIMER'S CROSS (1461). - -=Source.=--Gregory's "Chronicle," in the _Collections of a London -Citizen_, p. 211. (Camden Society.) - - -Also Edward Earl of March, the Duke of York's son and heir, had a great -journey at Mortimer's Cross in Wales the second day of February next -so following, and there he put to flight the Earl of Pembroke,[18] -(and) the Earl of Wiltshire. And there he took and slew of knights and -squires to the number of 3,000. - - [18] Jasper Tudor. - -And in that journey was Owen Tudor taken and brought unto Hereford, and -he was beheaded at the market place, and his head set upon the highest -grice[19] of the market cross, and a mad woman combed his hair and -washed away the blood of his face, and she got candles and set them -about him, burning more than a hundred. This Owen Tudor was father unto -the Earl of Pembroke, and had wedded Queen Catherine, King Harry the -VI.'s mother, thinking and trusting all the way that he should not be -beheaded until he saw the axe and the block, and when that he was in -his doublet he trusted on pardon and grace till the collar of his red -velvet doublet was ripped off. Then he said: "That head shall lie on -the stock that was wont to lie on Queen Catherine's lap," and put his -heart and mind wholly unto God, and full meekly to his death. - - [19] Grices = steps upon which crosses are placed. - - - - -BATTLE OF TOWTON (1461). - -=Source.=--Ingulph's _Chronicles_, pp. 425, 426. (Bohn Edition.) - - -Edward pursued them as far as a level spot of ground, situate near -the castle of Pomfret and the bridge at Ferrybridge, and washed by -a stream of considerable size; where he found an army drawn up in -order of battle, composed of the remnants of the northern troops of -King Henry. They, accordingly, engaged in a most severe conflict, -and fighting hand to hand with sword and spear, there was no small -slaughter on either side. However, by the mercy of the Divine clemency, -King Edward soon experienced the favour of heaven, and, gaining the -wished-for victory over his enemies, compelled them either to submit to -be slain or to take to flight. For, their ranks being now broken and -scattered in flight, the King's army eagerly pursued them, and cutting -down the fugitives with their swords, just like so many sheep for the -slaughter, made immense havoc among them for a distance of ten miles, -as far as the city of York. Prince Edward, however, with a part of his -men, as conqueror, remained upon the field of battle, and awaited the -rest of his army, which had gone in various directions in pursuit of -the enemy. - -When the solemnities of the Lord's day, which is known as Palm -Sunday, were now close at hand, after distributing rewards among such -as brought the bodies of the slain, and gave them burial, the King -hastened to enter the before-named city. Those who helped to inter the -bodies, piled up in pits and in trenches prepared for the purpose, -bear witness that eight-and-thirty thousand warriors fell on that day, -besides those who were drowned in the river before alluded to, whose -numbers we have no means of ascertaining. The blood, too, of the slain, -mingling with the snow, which at this time covered the whole surface of -the earth, afterwards ran down in the furrows and ditches along with -the melted snow, in a most shocking manner, for a distance of two or -three miles. - - - - -POPULAR BALLAD ON THE ACCESSION OF EDWARD IV. (1461). - -=Source.=--_Archæologia_, vol. xxix., p. 130. - - -"_On Thursday the first week in Lent came Edward to London with thirty -thousand men, and so in field and town everyone called Edward King of -England and France._" - - Since God hath chosen thee to be his Knight, - And possessed thee in this right, - Then him honour with all thy might, - _Edwardus Dei gratia!_ - - Out of the stock that long lay dead, - God hath caused thee to spring and spread, - And of all England to be the head, - _Edwardus Dei gratia!_ - - Since God hath given thee through his might, - Out of that stock bred in sight, - The flower to spring and rose so white, - _Edwardus Dei gratia!_ - - Then give him laud and praising, - Thou virgin Knight of whom we sing, - Undefiled since thy beginning, - _Edwardus Dei gratia!_ - - God save thy countenance, - And so prosper to his pleasance, - That ever thine estate thou mayst enhance, - _Edwardus Dei gratia!_ - - - - -THE MAYOR OF LONDON'S DIGNITY (1463). - -=Source.=--Gregory's "Chronicle" in the _Collections of a London -Citizen_, pp. 222, 223. (Camden Society.) - - -This year, about Midsummer, at the royal feast of the Sergeants of -the Coif, the Mayor of London was desired to be at that feast. And -at dinner time he came to the feast with his officers, agreeing and -according unto his degree. For within London he is next unto the King -in all manner [of] thing. And in time of washing the Earl of Worcester -was taken before the mayor and set down in the midst of the high table. -And the mayor seeing that his place was occupied held him content, -and went home again without meat or drink or anything, but reward him -he did as his dignity required of the city. And took with him the -substance of his brethren the aldermen to his place, and were set and -served as soon as any man could devise, both of cygnet and of other -delicacies enough, that all the house marvelled how well everything was -done in so short a time.... - -Then the officers of the feast, full evil ashamed, informed the masters -of the feast of this mishap that is befallen. And they, considering -the great dignity and costs and charge that belonged to the city, anon -sent unto the mayor a present of meat, bread and wine and many divers -subtleties. But when they that come with the presents saw all the gifts -and the service that was at the board, he was full sore ashamed that -should do the message, for the present was not better than the service -of meat was before the mayor and throughout the high table. But his -demeaning was so that he had love and thanks for his message and a -great reward withal. And thus the worship of the city was kept and not -lost for him. And I trust that never it shall, by the grace of God. - - - - -THE MARRIAGE OF EDWARD IV. (1464). - -=Source.=--Gregory's "Chronicle" in the _Collections of a London -Citizen_, pp. 226, 227. (Camden Society.) - - -Now take heed what love may do, for love will not nor may not cast no -fault nor peril in nothing. - -That same year, the first day of May, our sovereign lord the King -Edward IV. was wedded to the Lord Rivers' daughter; her name is Dame -Elizabeth that was wife unto Sir John Grey.... And this marriage was -kept full secretly long and many a day, that no man knew it; but men -marvelled that our sovereign lord was so long without any wife, and -were ever feared that he had been not chaste of his living. But on All -Hallows' day at Reading there it was known, for there the King kept his -common council, and the lords moved him and exhorted him in God's name -to be wedded and to live under the law of God and Church, and (that) -they would send into some strong land to inquire a queen of good birth -according to his dignity. And then our sovereign might no longer hide -his marriage, and told them how he had done, and made that the marriage -should be opened unto his lords. - - - - -A DINNER OF FLESH (_circa_ 1465). - -=Source.=--_The Boke of Nurture_, by John Russell (1460-1470). -(Roxburghe Club, 1867.) - - -+The furst Course.+ - - Furst set for the mustard and brawne of boore, the wild swyne, - Such potage as the cooke hathe made of yerbis spice and wyne, - Beeff, moton, stewed feysaund, Swan with the Chawdyn,[20] - Capoun, pigge, vensoun bake, lech lombard,[21] frutur veaunt[22] fyne. - And then a Sotelte: } - Maiden mary that holy virgyne, } A Sotelte.[23] - And Gabrielle gretynge hur with an Ave } - - [20] A sauce for swans. - - [21] A dish of pork, eggs, cloves, currants, dates, and sugar powdered - together. - - [22] Meat fritter. - - [23] Made of sugar and wax. - - -+The Second Course.+ - - Two potages, blanger mangere and also Jely - For a standard vensoun rost kyd, faun or cony, - bustard, stork, crane pecock in hakille ryally,[24] - Partriche, wodcock plovere, egret, Rabettes sowkere,[25] - Great birds, larks gentille, Creme de mere, - dowcettes,[26] payne puff with lech Jely ambere. - - [24] Sewn in the skin. - - [25] Sucking rabbits. - - [26] Sweet cakes. - - ... A sotelte followynge in fere, - the course for to fullfylle, - An angelle goodly can appere, - And syngynge with a mery chere - Unto iij shepperds upon an hille. - - -+The iij Course.+ - - Creme of almondes and mameny the iij course in coost, - Curlew brew, snipes, quayles, sparows, martenettes rost, - Perche in gely, Crevise[27] dewe dough, pety perveis[28] with the - moost, - Quinces bake, leche dugard, Fritter sage, I speke of cost, - And soteltees fulle solemn: - that lady that conceived by the holygost, - him that distroyed the fiends boost, - presented plesauntly by the Kynges of Coleyn. - After this, delicates mo. - Blaunderelle, or pepyns with carawey in confite, - Wafers to eat, ypocras[29] to drink with delite. - Now this fest is fynysched voyd the table quyte. - - [27] Cray-fish. - - [28] Pies. - - [29] Spiced wine. - - - - -PRIVATE WARS (+September, 1469+). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. ii., No. 620. - - -_Margaret Paston to Sir John Paston._ - -I greet you well, letting you wit that your brother and his fellowship -stand in great jeopardy at Caister, and lack victuals; and Dawbeney and -Berney be dead, and divers others greatly hurt; and they fail gunpowder -and arrows, and the place sore broken with guns of the other party, so -that, but they have hasty help, they be like to lose both their lives -and the place, to the greatest rebuke to you that ever came to any -gentleman, for every man in this country marvelleth greatly that ye -suffer them to be so long in so great jeopardy without help or other -remedy. - -The Duke hath been more fervently set there upon, and more cruel, -since that Wretyll, my Lord of Clarence's man, was there, than he was -before, and he hath sent for all his tenants from every place, and -others, to be there at Caister at Thursday next coming, that there is -then like to be the greatest multitude of people that came there yet. -And they purpose them to make a great assault--for they have sent for -guns to Lynn and other place by the seaside--that, with their great -multitude of guns, with other shoot and ordnance, there shall no man -dare appear in the place. They shall hold them so busy with their great -people, that it shall not lie in their power within to hold it against -them, without God help them, or have hasty succour from you. - -Therefore, as ye will have my blessing, I charge you and require you -that ye see your brother be helped in haste. And if he can have no -means, rather desire writing from my Lord of Clarence, if he be at -London, or else of my Lord Archbishop of York, to the Duke of Norfolk, -that he will grant them that be in the place their lives and their -goods; and in eschewing of insurrections with other inconveniences that -be like to grow within the shire of Norfolk, this troublous world, -because of such conventicles and gatherings within the said shire for -cause of the said place, they shall suffer him to enter upon such -appointment, or other like taking by the advise of your council there -at London, if ye think this be not good, till the law hath determined -otherwise; and let him write another letter to your brother to deliver -the place upon the same appointment.... - -Do your devoir now, and let me send you no more messengers for this -matter; but send me by the bearer here of more certain comfort than ye -have done by all other that I have sent before. In any wise, let the -letters that shall come to the Earl of Oxenford come with the letters -that shall come to the Duke of Norfolk, that if he will not agree to -the tone, that ye may have ready your rescue that it need no more to -send therefore. God keep you. - -Written the Tuesday next before Holy Rood Day. - -In haste by your mother. - - - - -THE RESTORATION OF HENRY VI. (1470). - -=Source.=--_Chronicles of the White Rose_ (Warkworth's Chronicle), -pp. 117-118. (Bohn, London: 1845.) - - -Here is to know, that in the beginning of the month of October in the -year of our Lord 1470, the bishop of Winchester, by the assent of the -Duke of Clarence and the Earl of Warwick, went to the Tower of London, -where King Harry was in prison, (by King Edward's commandment,) which -was not worshipfully arrayed as a prince, and not so cleanly kept as -should beseem such a prince. They had him out and new arrayed him, -and did to him great reverence, and brought him to the palace of -Westminster, and so he was restored again to the Crown.... Whereof all -his good lovers were full glad, and the more part of people also.... -[For] when King Edward the Fourth reigned the people looked after ... -prosperities and peace, but it came not; but one battle after another, -and much trouble and great loss of goods among the common people; as -first the fifteenth of all their goods, and then a whole fifteenth, -and yet at every battle [they had] to come far out of their countries -at their own cost; and these and such other causes brought England -right low, and many men said King Edward had much blame for hurting -merchandize, for in his days they were not in other lands, nor within -England, taken in such reputation and credence as they were before. - - - - -THE ARRIVAL OF EDWARD IV. (1471). - -=Source.=--_Chronicles of the White Rose_, pp. 37, 38, 50, 51. -(Bohn, London: 1845.) - - -The same night following upon the morn, Wednesday and Thursday, the -14th day of March fell great storms, winds and tempests upon the -sea, so that the said 14th day, in great torment, he came to Humber -Head, where the other ships were dissevered from him, and every from -other, so that of necessity they were driven to land, every one far -from the other. The King, with his ship alone, wherein was the Lord -Hastings, his Chamberlain, and others to the number of five hundred -well chosen men, landed within Humber on Holderness side at a place -called Ravenspurne. The King's brother, Richard Duke of Gloucester, and -in his company three hundred men landed at another place, four miles -from thence. The Earl Rivers, and the fellowship being in his company, -to the number of two hundred, landed at a place called Powle, fourteen -miles from whence the King landed, and the remainder of the fellowship -where they might best get land. That night the King was lodged at a -poor village two miles from his landing, with a few with him; but that -night, and in the morning, the residue that were coming in his ship, -the rage of the tempest somewhat appeased, landed, and alway drew -towards the King. - -... The King at that time being at Warwick, and understanding his near -approaching, upon an afternoon issued out of Warwick, with all his -fellowship, by the space of three miles, into a fair field towards -Banbury, where he saw the Duke [of Clarence], his brother, in fair -array come towards him, with a great fellowship. And when they were -together within less than half a mile, the King set his people in -array, the banners displayed, and left them standing still, taking with -him his brother of Gloucester, the Lord Rivers, Lord Hastings, and a -few others, and went towards his brother of Clarence. And in like wise -the Duke for his part, taking with him a few noblemen, and leaving his -host in good order, departed from them towards the King. And so they -met betwixt both hosts, where there was right kind and loving language -betwixt them two, with perfect accord knit together for ever hereafter, -with as heartily loving cheer and countenance as might be betwixt two -brethren of so great nobility and estate. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF BARNET AND THE DEATH OF WARWICK (1471). - -=Source.=--_Chronicles of the White Rose_, pp. 63-68. (Bohn, -London: 1845). - - -On the morrow, betimes, the King, understanding that the day approached -near, betwixt four and five of the clock, notwithstanding there was -a great mist, and hindered the sight of each other, yet he committed -his cause and quarrel to Almighty God, advanced his banners, did blow -on trumpets, and set upon them, first with shot, and then, and soon, -they joined and came to hand-strokes, wherein his enemies manly and -courageously received them, as well in shot as in hand-strokes, when -they joined; which joining of their both battles (armies) was not -directly front to front, as they so should have joined, had it not -been for the mist, which suffered neither party to see the other, but -for a little space; and that of likelihood caused the battle to be the -more cruel and mortal; for so it was that the one end of their battle -overreached the end of the King's battle, and so at that end they were -much mightier than was the King's battle at the same end, that joined -with them, which was the west end, and therefore, upon that part of -the King's battle they had a greater distress upon the King's party; -wherefore many fled towards Barnet, and so forth to London, ere ever -they left off; and they (the Earl's party) fell into the chase of them -and did much harm. But the other parties, and the residue of neither -battle, might see that distress, neither the fleeing, nor the chase, -because of the great mist that was, which would not suffer any man to -see but a little from him; and so the King's battle, which saw none -of all that, was thereby in nothing discouraged, for, save only a few -that were near unto them, no man wist thereof; also the other party -by the same distress, flight, or chase, were therefore the greater -encouraged. And in likewise at the east end, the King's battle, when -they came to joining, overreached their battle, and so distressed them -there greatly, and so drew near towards the King, who was about the -midst of the battle, and sustained all the might and weight thereof. -Nevertheless upon the same little distress at the west end, anon -ran the news to Westminster, and to London, and so further to other -countries, that the King was distressed, and his field lost; but the -laud be to Almighty God! it was otherwise; for the King, trusting -verily in God's help, our blessed Lady's and Saint George, took to -him great hardiness and courage, for to suppress the falsehood of all -them that so falsely and so traitorously had conspired against him, -wherethrough, with the faithful, well-beloved, and mighty assistance of -his fellowship, that in great number dissevered not from his person, -and were as well assured unto him as to them was possible, he manly, -vigorously, and valiantly, assailed them in the midst and strongest of -their battle, where he, with great violence, beat and bare down before -him all that stood in his way, and then turned to the range, first on -that hand, and then on that other hand, in length, and so beat and bare -them down, so that nothing might stand in the sight of him, and the -well assured fellowship that attended truly upon him; so that, blessed -be God! he won the field there, and the perfect victory remained unto -him, and to his rebels the discomfiture of thirty thousand men, as they -numbered themselves. In this battle was slain the Earl of Warwick.... - -On the morrow after, the King commanded that the bodies of the dead -lords, the Earl of Warwick, and his brother, the Marquis, should be -brought to St. Paul's in London, and, in the church there, openly -shewed to all the people; to the intent that after that the people -should not be abused by feigned seditious tales, which many of them, -that were wont to be towards the Earl of Warwick, had been accustomed -to make; and, peradventure, so would have made after that, had not -the dead bodies there been shewed, open and naked and well known; -for, doubtless, else the rumour should have been sown about in all -countries that they both, or else at the least, the Earl of Warwick was -yet alive, upon the cursed intent thereby to have caused new murmurs, -insurrections and rebellions amongst indisposed people. - - - - -THE PLAGUE (1471). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. iii., Nos. 675, 681. - - -_Sir John Paston to John Paston._ - -... I pray you send me word if any of our friends or well-doers be -dead, for I fear that there is great death in Norwich, and in other -borough towns in Norfolk, for I assure you it is the most universal -death that ever I wist in England; for, by my troth, I cannot hear by -pilgrims that pass the country nor none other man that rideth or goeth -[through] any country, that any borough town in England is free from -that sickness; God cease it when it please Him. Wherefore, for God's -sake, let my mother take heed to my young brethren that they be not in -any place where that sickness is reigning, nor that they disport not -with any young people which resort where any sickness is, and if there -be any of that sickness dead or infect in Norwich, for God's sake, let -her send them to some friend of hers in the country.... - - -_Margaret Paston to her son John._ - -... As for tidings here, your cousin Barney of Wichingham is passed to -God, him God assoil. Veyly's wife and London's wife, and Pycard the -baker of Twmlond be gone also; all this household and this parish is as -ye left it, blessed be God; we live in fear, but we know not whether to -flee, for to be better than we be here. - - - - -THE DEATH OF HENRY VI. (+May 21, 1471+). - -A. =Source.=--_Chronicles of the White Rose_ (Warkworth's -"Chronicle"), p. 131. (Bohn, London: 1845). - - -And the same night that King Edward came to London, King Harry, being -in ward, in prison in the Tower of London, was put to death, the -twenty-first day of May, on a Tuesday night, betwixt eleven and twelve -of the clock; being then at the Tower the Duke of Gloucester, brother -to King Edward, and many others; and on the morrow he was coffined and -brought to St. Paul's, and his face was open that every man might see -him. And in his lying, he bled on the pavement there; and afterward -at the Black Friars was brought, and there he bled anew and afresh; -and from thence he was carried to Chertsey Abbey in a boat, and buried -there in our Lady Chapel. - - -B. =Source.=--_Chronicles of the White Rose_ (Fleetwood's "Arrival -of King Edward IV."), p. 93. (Bohn, London: 1845.) - - -Here it is to be remembered, that from the time of Tewkesbury-field, -where Edward, called Prince, was slain, then, and soon after, were -taken and slain at the King's will, all the noblemen that came from -beyond the sea with the said Edward, called Prince, and others also -their partakers as many as were of any might or puissance. Queen -Margaret herself was taken and brought to the King, and in every part -of England, where any commotion was begun for King Henry's party, anon -they were rebuked, so that it appeared to every man at once, the said -party was extinct and repressed for ever, without any manner of hope -of again quickening; utterly deprived of any manner of hope or relief. -The certainty of all which came to the knowledge of the said Henry, -late called King, being in the Tower of London. Not having before that -knowledge of the said matters, he took it to so great despite, ire, -and indignation, that of pure displeasure and melancholy, he died -the twenty-third day of the month of May. Whom the King did order to -be brought to the friars preachers at London, and there his funeral -service done, to be carried by water to an Abbey upon Thames' Side, -sixteen miles from London, called Chertsey, and there honourably -interred. - - - - -KING EDWARD'S COURT (1472). - -=Source.=--_Archæologia_, vol. xxvi., pp. 276 _et seq._ (London: -1836). - - -_The coming into England of the Lord Gruthuyse from the right high and -mighty Prince Charles duke of Burgundy._ - -When he [Gruthuyse] came to the castle of Windsor, into the quadrant, -my lord Hastings, chamberlain to the King, Sir John Parr, Sir John Don -with divers other lords and nobles received him to the King. The King -had caused to be imparrailled on the far side of the quadrant three -chambers richly hanged with cloths of Arras and with beds of state, -and when he had spoken with the King's grace and the queen, he was -accompanied to his chamber by the lord chamberlain and Sir John Parr -with divers more, which supped with him in his chamber; also there -supped with him his servants. When they had supped, my lord chamberlain -had him again to the King's chamber. There incontinent the King had -him to the queen's chamber where she had there her ladies playing at -morteaulx,[30] and some of her ladies and gentlemen at the closheys[31] -of ivory, and dancing. And some at divers other games accordingly. The -which sight was full pleasant to them. Also the King danced with my -lady Elizabeth, his eldest daughter. That done, the night passed over, -they went to his chamber. The lord Gruthuyse took leave, and my lord -chamberlain with divers nobles accompanied him to his chamber, where -they departed for that night. And in the morning when Matins was done, -the King heard in his own chapel our Lady's mass, which was melodiously -sung, the lord Gruthuyse being there present. When the mass was done, -the King gave the said lord Gruthuyse a cup of gold garnished with -pearl. In the midst of the cup is a great piece of unicorn's horn,[32] -to my estimation, seven inches compass. And in the cover was a great -sapphire. Then went he to his chamber where he had his breakfast. And -when he had broken his fast, the King came to the quadrant. My lord -prince also, borne by his chamberlain called Master Vaughan, which bade -the aforesaid lord Gruthuyse welcome. Then the King had him and all his -company into the little Park, where he made him to have great sport. -And there the King made him ride on his own horse, a right fair hobby, -the which the King gave him.... The King's dinner was ordained in the -lodge, and before dinner they killed no game save a doe; the which the -King gave to the servants of the lord Gruthuyse. And when the King -had dined, they went a-hunting again. And by the castle were found -certain deer lying; some with greyhounds and some run to death with -buck-hounds.... By that time it was near night, yet the King shewed -him his garden and Vineyard of Pleasure, and so turned into the castle -again where they heard evensong in their chambers. - - [30] A game resembling bowls. - - [31] Nine-pins. - - [32] A charm against poison in the cup. - -The queen ordained a great banquet in her own chamber. At which banquet -were the King, the queen, my lady Elizabeth the King's eldest daughter, -the lord Gruthuyse (etc).... There was a side table at which sat a -great view of ladies, all on the one side. Also in the outer chamber -sat the queen's gentlewomen, all on one side. And on the other side of -the table over against them, as many of the lord Gruthuyse's servants, -as touching to the abundant welfare like as it is according to such a -banquet. And when they had supped, my lady Elizabeth danced with the -Duke of Buckingham and divers other ladies also. Then about nine of the -clock the King and the queen, with all her ladies, brought the said -lord Gruthuyse to three chambers of Pleasance, all hanged with white -silk and linen cloth, and all the floors covered with carpets. There -was ordained a bed for himself, of as good down as could be gotten, -the sheets of Rennes, also fine fustians; the counterpoint cloth of -gold, furred with ermine, the tester and celer also shining cloth of -gold, the curtains of white sarcent; as for his head suit and pillows, -they were of the queen's own ordering. The second chamber was another -of state, the which was all white. Also in the same chamber was made -a couch with feather beds, hanged with a tent knit like a net, and -there was a cupboard. In the third chamber was a bath or two, which -were covered with tents of white cloth. And when the King and the -queen, with all her ladies, had showed him these chambers, they turned -again to their own chambers, and left the said lord Gruthuyse there, -accompanied with my lord chamberlain, which disrobed him, and went both -to the bath.... And when they had been in their baths as long as was -their pleasure they had green ginger, confits and ypocras, and then -they went to bed. - - - - -AN ENGLISHMAN'S LIBRARY (_circa_ 1475). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. iii., No. 869. - -[+Note.+--The original manuscript is much decayed, and the -portions between brackets represent attempted reconstructions of the -text.] - - -_The inventory of the English books of John [Paston] made the fifth day -of November, anno regni regis E. iiij...._ - -1. A book had of mine hostess at the George ... of _The Death of Arthur -beginning at Cassab[elaun_, _Guy Earl of] Warwick_; _King Richard Cœur -de Lion_;[33] A chronicle ... to Edward III. - -2. Item, a book of Troilus[34] which William Bra ... hath had near ten -years, and lent it to Dame ... Wyngfeld, and _ibi ego vidi_. - -3. Item, a black book with _the legend of Lad[ies,[35] la Belle Dame] -saunce Mercye_; _the Parliament of Bird[s_;[36] _the Temple of] -Glass_;[37] _Palatyse and Scitacus_; _the Me[ditations]_; _the Green -Knight_.[38] - -4. Item, a Book in print of the Play of the [Chess]. - -5. Item, a book lent Midelton, and therein is _Belle Da[me sans] -Mercy_; _the Parliament of Birds_; _Ballad ... of Guy and Colbronde_; -_of the Goose_ ... _the Disputation between Hope and Despair_; _... Mare -haunts_; _the Life of Saint Cry[stofer]_. - -6. A red book that Percival Robsart gave me _... of the Meeds of -the Mass_; _the Lamentation of Childe Ypotis_;[39] _a prayer to the -Vernicle_;[40] [a book] called _the Abbey of the Holy Ghost_. - - [33] A romance of the fourteenth century, first printed by Wynkyn de - Worde (1509-1528). - - [34] Chaucer's _Troilus and Cressida_. - - [35] Possibly Chaucer's _Legend of Good Ladies_. - - [36] Possibly Chaucer's _Parliament of Fowls_. - - [37] A poem by Lydgate (_circa_ 1370-1451). For a text of this poem see - Early English Text Society, Extra Series, lx. (1891). - - [38] An anonymous ballad of the fourteenth century. - - [39] In this ballad Ypotis = Epictetus (see Horstmann's _Altenglische - Legenden_ (1881)). - - [40] The "Vernicle," or "Veronica Kerchief" was one of the most popular - legends of the Middle Ages. Veronica, a lady of Jerusalem (afterwards - identified with the woman that had an issue of blood), seeing Christ - sinking beneath the burden of the Cross, wiped His face with a veil. - After this work of mercy the face of Christ was found imprinted on the - veil. - -7. Item, in quires:--Tully _de Senectute_[41] in divers [places] whereof -there is no more clear written. - - [41] Cicero's _De Senectute_. - -8. Item, in quires:--Tully or Cypio[42] _de Ami[citia]_ left with -William Worcester. - - [42] Scipio. In Cicero's dialogue, _De Amicitia_, the friendship of the - chief speaker, Gaius Lælius, with the younger Scipio, is taken as the - model of the theme. "Equidem ex omnibus rebus, quas mihi aut fortuna - aut natura tribuit, nihil habeo quod cum amicitia Scipionis possim - compare." - -9. Item, in quires, a book of _the Policy of In[gelond]_. - -10. Item, in quires, a book _de Sapientia_[43] ... wherein the second -person is likened to Sapi[ence]. - - [43] Lydgate's _Werke of Sapience_. - -11. Item, a Book _de Othea_,[44] text and gloss ... in quires. -Memorandum, mine old Book of Blazonings of Arms. - - Item, the new Book portrayed and blazoned. - - Item, a copy of Blazonings of Arms and the names to - be found by letter. - - Item, a book with arms portrayed in paper.... - -Memorandum, my Book of Knighthood and the man[ner] of making of -Knights, of Jousts, of Tour[nements], fighting in lists, paces holden -by so[ldiers] ... and challenges, statutes of war, and _De Regim[ine -Principum]_.[45] - - [44] A treatise on _Wisdom_. Dr. Gairdiner notes that the name is - derived from the Greek Ὠ θεὰ but was used in the Middle Ages as the - name for the Goddess of Wisdom (_Paston Letters_, vol. ii., p. 335, n. - 1). - - [45] Thomas Hoccleve (1370?-1449) wrote the _Regement of Princes_, - based on the _De Regimine Principum_ of Ægidius Colonna (see Early - English Text Society, Extra Series, lxxii., 1897). - -Item, a new Book of new Statutes from Edward IV. - - - - -DEATH OF CLARENCE (1478). - -=Source.=--Ingulph's _Chronicles_, pp. 479, 480. (Bohn Edition.) - - -Now each began to look upon the other with no very fraternal eyes. You -might then have seen (as such men are generally to be found in the -courts of all princes) flatterers running to and fro, from the one side -to the other, and carrying backwards and forwards the words which had -fallen from the two brothers, even if they had happened to be spoken -in the most secret closet. The arrest of the duke for the purpose of -compelling him to answer the charges brought against him happened under -the following circumstances. One Master John Stacy, a person who was -called an astronomer, when in reality he was rather a great sorcerer, -formed a plot in conjunction with one Burdet, an esquire, and one of -the said duke's household; upon which he was accused, among numerous -other charges, of having made leaden images and other things to procure -thereby the death of Richard, Lord Beauchamp, at the request of his -adulterous wife. Upon being questioned in a very severe examination as -to his practice of damnable arts of this nature, he made confession -of many matters, which told both against himself and the said Thomas -Burdet. The consequence was, that Thomas was arrested as well; and at -last, judgment of death was pronounced upon them both, at Westminster, -from the Bench of our lord the king, the judges being there seated, -together with nearly all the lords temporal of the kingdom. Being drawn -to the gallows at Tyburn, they were permitted briefly to say what they -thought fit before being put to death; upon which, they protested their -innocence, Stacy indeed but faintly; while, on the other hand, Burdet -spoke at great length, and with much spirit, and as his last words -exclaimed with Susanna, "Behold! I must die; whereas I never did such -things as these." - -On the following day, the Duke of Clarence came to the council-chamber -at Westminster, bringing with him a famous Doctor of the Order of -Minorites, Master William Goddard by name, in order that he might read -the confession and declaration of innocence above-mentioned before the -lords in the said council assembled; which he accordingly did, and -then withdrew. The king was then at Windsor, but when he was informed -of this circumstance, he was greatly displeased thereat, and recalling -to mind the information formerly laid against his brother, and which -he had long kept treasured up in his breast, he summoned the duke to -appear on a certain day in the royal palace of Westminster: upon which, -in presence of the Mayor and aldermen of the city of London, the king -began, with his own lips, amongst other matters, to inveigh against -the conduct of the before-named duke, as being derogatory to the laws -of the realm, and most dangerous to judges and jurors throughout the -kingdom. But why enlarge? The duke was placed in custody, and from that -day up to the time of his death never was known to have regained his -liberty. - -The circumstances that happened in the ensuing Parliament my mind -shudders to enlarge upon, for then was to be witnessed a sad strife -carried on before these two brethren of such high estate. For not a -single person uttered a word against the duke except the King; not one -individual made answer to the King except the duke. Some parties were -introduced, however, as to whom it was greatly doubted by many, whether -they filled the office of accusers rather, or of witnesses; these -two offices not being exactly suited to the same person in the same -cause. The duke met all the charges made against him with a denial, and -offered, if he could only obtain a hearing, to defend his cause with -his own hand. But why delay in using many words? Parliament being of -opinion that the informations which they had heard were established, -passed sentence upon him of condemnation, the same being pronounced by -the mouth of Henry, duke of Buckingham, who was appointed Seneschal -of England for the occasion. After this, execution was delayed for a -considerable time; until the Speaker of the Commons, coming to the -upper house with his fellows, made a fresh request that the matter -might be brought to a conclusion. In consequence of this, in a few days -after, the execution, whatever its nature may have been, took place -(and would that it had ended these troubles!) in the Tower of London, -it being the year of our Lord, 1478, and the eighteenth of the reign of -King Edward. - - - - -AN ETON BOY'S LETTER (1479). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. iii., No. 827. - - -_William Paston Junior to John Paston._ - -Right reverend and worshipful brother, after all duties of -recommendation, I recommend me to you, desiring to hear of your -prosperity and welfare, which I pray God long to continue to His -pleasure, and to your heart's desire; letting you wit that I received a -letter from you, in the which letter was eight pence with the which I -should buy a pair of slippers. - -Furthermore certifying you, as for the 13s. 4d. which ye sent by a -gentleman's man, for my board, called Thomas Newton, was delivered -to mine hostess, and so to my creditor, Mr. Thomas Stevenson; and he -heartily recommended him to you. - -Also ye send me word in the letter of 12 lbs. figs and 8 lbs. raisins. -I have them not delivered, but I doubt I shall have, for Alwedyr told -me of them, and he said that they came after in another barge. - -And as for the young gentlewoman, I will certify you how I first fell -in acquaintance with her. Her father is dead; there be two sisters of -them; the elder is just wedded; at the which wedding I was with mine -hostess, and also desired by the gentleman himself, called William -Swanne, whose dwelling is in Eton. - -So it fortuned that mine hostess reported on me otherwise than I was -worthy; so that her mother commanded her to make me good cheer, and -so in good faith she did. She is not abiding where she is now; her -dwelling is in London; but her mother and she come to a place of -hers five miles from Eton, where the wedding was, for because it was -nigh to the gentleman which wedded her daughter. And on Monday next -coming, that is to say, the first Monday of Clean Lent, her mother -and she will go to the pardon at Sheen, and so forth to London, and -there to abide in a place of hers in Bow Church Yard; and if it please -you to inquire of her, her mother's name is Mistress Alborow; the -name of the daughter is Margaret Alborow; the age of her is by all -likelihood eighteen or nineteen year at the furthest. And as for the -money and plate, it is ready whensoever she were wedded; but as for the -livelihood, I trow not till after her mother's decease; but I cannot -tell you for very certain, but you may know by inquiring. And as for -her beauty, judge you that when ye see her, if so be that ye take the -labour, and specially behold her hands; for and if it be as it is told -me, she is disposed to be plump. - -And as for my coming from Eton, I lack nothing but versifying, which I -trust to have with a little continuance. - - "Quare; - Quomodo non valet hora, valet mora. Unde deductum - Arbore iam videas exemplum. Non die possunt, - Omnia suppleri: sed tamen illa mora." - -And these two verses aforesaid be of mine own making. No more to you at -this time, but God have you in His keeping. Written at Eton, the even -of Saint Mathew the Apostle. - - - - -THE UNIVERSITY (1479). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. iii., No. 829. - - -_Edmund Alyard to Margaret Paston._ - -Right worshipful mistress, I recommend me unto you as lowly as I can, -thanking you for your goodness at all times; God grant me to deserve -it, and do that may please you. - -As for your son Walter, his labour and learning hath been and is in -the Faculty of Art, and is well sped therein, and may be Bachelor at -such time as shall like you, and then to go to law. I can think it to -his preferring, but it is not good he know it until the time he shall -change; and as I conceive there shall none have that Exhibition to the -Faculty of Law. Therefore move the executors that at such time as he -shall leave it, ye may put another in his place, such as shall like -you to prefer. If he shall go to law, and be made Bachelor of Art -before, and ye will have him home this year, then may he be Bachelor -at Midsummer, and be with you in the vacation, and go to law at -Michaelmas. What it shall like you to command me in this or any other, -ye shall have mine service ready. - -I pray you by the next messenger to send me your intent, that such as -shall be necessary may be purveyed in season. - -And Jesu preserve you. - -Written at Oxford, the iv day of March. - - Your scholar, - +Edmund Alyard+. - - - - -RICHARD DUKE OF GLOUCESTER USURPS THE THRONE (1483). - -=Source.=--Ingulph's _Chronicles_, pp. 485-90. (Bohn Edition.) - - -The body of the deceased King [Edward IV.] being accordingly interred -with all honour in due ecclesiastical form, in the new collegiate -Chapel of Windsor, which he had erected of the most elaborate -workmanship from the foundations; all were most anxiously awaiting the -day of the new King's coronation, which was to be the first Lord's -day in the month of May, which fell this year on the fourth day of -the said month. In the meantime the duke of Gloucester wrote the most -soothing letters in order to console the queen, with promises that -he would shortly arrive, and assurances of all duty, fealty, and due -obedience to his King and lord Edward the Fifth, the eldest son of -the deceased King, his brother, and of the queen. Accordingly, on his -arrival at York with a becoming retinue, each person being arrayed in -mourning, he performed a solemn funeral service for the King, the same -being accompanied with plenteous tears. Constraining all the nobility -of those parts to take the oath of fealty to the late King's son, he -himself was the first of all to take the oath. On reaching Northampton, -where the duke of Buckingham joined him, there came thither for the -purpose of paying their respects to him, Antony, earl of Rivers, the -King's uncle, and Richard Grey, a most noble knight, and uterine -brother to the King, together with several others who had been sent -by the King, his nephew, to submit the conduct of everything to the -will and discretion of his uncle, the duke of Gloucester. On their -first arrival, they were received with an especially cheerful and -joyous countenance, and, sitting at supper at the duke's table, passed -the whole time in very pleasant conversation. At last, Henry, duke -of Buckingham, also arrived there, and, as it was now late, they all -retired to their respective lodgings. - -When the morning, and as it afterwards turned out, a most disastrous -one, had come, having taken counsel during the night, all the Lords -took their departure together, in order to present themselves before -the new King at Stony Stratford, a town a few miles distant from -Northampton; and now, lo and behold! when the two dukes had nearly -arrived at the entrance of that town, they arrested the said earl of -Rivers, and his nephew Richard, the King's brother, together with some -others who had come with them, and commanded them to be led prisoners -into the north of England. Immediately after, this circumstance being -not yet known in the neighbouring town where the King was understood -to be, they suddenly rushed into the place where the youthful King was -staying, and in like manner made prisoners of certain others of his -servants who were in attendance on his person. One of these was Thomas -Vaughan, an aged knight and chamberlain of the prince before-named. - -The duke of Gloucester, however, who was the ringleader in this -outbreak, did not omit or refuse to pay every mark of respect to the -King, his nephew, in the way of uncovering the head, bending the -knee, or other posture of the body required in a subject. He asserted -that his only care was for the protection of his own person, as he -knew for certain that there were men in attendance upon the King who -had conspired against both his own honour and his very existence. -Thus saying, he caused proclamation to be made, that all the King's -attendants should instantly withdraw from the town, and not approach -any place to which the King might chance to come, under penalty of -death. These events took place at Stony Stratford on Wednesday, on the -last day of April, in the year above-mentioned, being the same in which -his father died. - -These reports having reached London on the following night, queen -Elizabeth betook herself, with all her children, to the sanctuary at -Westminster. In the morning you might have seen there the adherents -of both parties, some sincerely, others treacherously, on account of -the uncertainty of events, siding with the one party or the other. For -some collected their forces at Westminster in the queen's name, others -at London under the shadow of the lord Hastings, and took up their -position there.... - -... On the Monday following, they came with a great multitude by -water to Westminster, armed with swords and staves, and compelled the -cardinal lord archbishop of Canterbury, with many others, to enter the -sanctuary, in order to appeal to the good feelings of the queen and -prompt her to allow her son Richard, duke of York, to come forth and -proceed to the Tower, that he might comfort the King his brother. In -words, assenting with many thanks to this proposal, she accordingly -sent the boy, who was conducted by the lord cardinal to the King in the -said Tower of London. - -From this day, these dukes acted no longer in secret, but openly -manifested their intentions. For, having summoned armed men, in fearful -and unheard-of numbers, from the north, Wales, and all other parts then -subject to them, the said Protector Richard assumed the government -of the kingdom, with the title of King, on the twentieth day of the -aforesaid month of June; and on the same day, at the great Hall at -Westminster, obtruded himself into the marble chair. The colour for -this act of usurpation, and his thus taking possession of the throne, -was the following:--It was set forth, by way of prayer, in an address -in a certain roll of parchment, that the sons of King Edward were -bastards, on the ground that he had contracted a marriage with one -Lady Eleanor Boteler, before his marriage to queen Elizabeth; added -to which, the blood of his other brother, George, duke of Clarence, -had been attainted; so that, at the present time, no certain and -uncorrupted lineal blood could be found of Richard duke of York, except -in the person of the said Richard, duke of Gloucester. For which -reason, he was entreated, at the end of the said roll, on part of the -lords and commons of the realm, to assume his lawful rights. However, -it was at the time rumoured that this address had been got up in the -north, whence such vast numbers were flocking to London; although, at -the same time, there was not a person but what very well knew who was -the sole mover at London of such seditious and disgraceful proceedings. - -These multitudes of people, accordingly, making a descent from the -north to the south, under the especial conduct and guidance of Sir -Richard Ratcliffe; on their arrival at the town of Pomfret, by command -of the said Richard Ratcliffe, and without any form of trial being -observed, Antony, earl of Rivers, Richard Grey, his nephew, and Thomas -Vaughan, an aged knight, were, in presence of these people, beheaded. -This was the second innocent blood which was shed on the occasion of -this sudden change. - -After these events, the said Richard, duke of Gloucester, having -summoned Thomas, the cardinal archbishop of Canterbury, for the -purpose, was on the sixth day of the month of July following anointed -and crowned King, at the conventual church of Saint Peter at -Westminster, and, on the same day and place, his queen, Anne, received -the Crown. From this day forward, as long as he lived, this man was -styled King Richard, the third of that name from the Conquest. - - - - -THE MURDER OF THE PRINCES (1483). - -=Source.=--_The History of King Richard the Third_, by Sir Thomas -More, pp. 67 _et seq._ (London: 1557.) - -[+Note.+--More's life of Richard III. was written about 1513. It -has, however, almost the value of a contemporary authority, as much of -the information was derived from Cardinal Morton.] - - -But in the mean time for this present matter I shall rehearse you the -dolorous end of those babes, not after every way that I have heard, but -after that way that I have so heard by such men and by such means, as -methinks it were hard but it should be true. King Richard, after his -coronation, taking his way to Gloucester to visit in his new honour -the town of which he bore the name of his old, devised as he rode to -fulfill that thing which he before had intended. And forasmuch as his -mind gave him that, his nephews living, men would not reckon that he -could have right to the realm, he thought therefore without delay to -rid them, as though the killing of his kinsmen could amend his cause, -and make him a kindly king. Whereupon he sent one John Green, whom he -specially trusted, unto sir Robert Brackenbury, Constable of the Tower, -with a letter and credence also, that the same sir Robert should in -any wise put the two children to death. This John Green did his errand -unto Brackenbury kneeling before our Lady in the Tower, who plainly -answered that he would never put them to death, with which answer John -Green returning recounted the same to King Richard at Warwick, yet in -his way. Wherewith he took such displeasure and thought, that the same -night he said unto a secret page of his: "Ah! whom shall a man trust? -Those that I have brought up myself, those that I had thought would -most surely serve me, even those fail me, and at my commandment will -do nothing for me." "Sir," quoth the page, "there lieth one on your -pallet without that I dare well say, to do your grace pleasure, the -thing were right hard that he would refuse,"--meaning by this sir James -Tyrrell, which was a man of right goodly personage, and for nature's -gifts worthy to have served a much better prince, if he had well -served God, and by grace obtained as much truth and goodwill as he had -strength and wit. The man had a high heart, and sore longed upward, -not rising yet so fast as he had hoped, being hindered and kept under -by the means of sir Richard Ratcliff and sir William Catesby, which -longing for no more partners of the prince's favour, and namely not -for him whose pride they wist would bear no peer, kept him by secret -drifts out of all secret trust. Which thing this page well had marked -and known. Wherefore this occasion offered, of very special friendship -he took his time to put him forward, and by such wise do him good that -all the enemies he had, except the devil, could never have done him so -much hurt. For upon this page's words King Richard rose ... and came out -into the pallet chamber, on which he found in bed sir James and sir -Thomas Tyrrell, of persons alike and brethren of blood, but nothing of -kin in conditions. Then said the King merely unto them: "What, sirs! be -ye in bed so soon?" And calling up sir James broke to him secretly his -mind in this mischievous matter. In which he found him nothing strange. -Wherefore on the morrow he sent him to Brackenbury with a letter, by -which he was commanded to deliver sir James all the keys of the Tower -for one night, to the end he might there accomplish the King's pleasure -in such thing as he had given him commandment. After which letter -delivered and the keys received, sir James appointed the night next -ensuing to destroy them, devising before and preparing the means. The -prince, as soon as the protector left that name and took himself as -king, had it showed unto him that he should not reign, but his uncle -should have the Crown. At which word the prince, sore abashed, began to -sigh and said: "Alas! I would my uncle would let me have my life yet, -though I lose my kingdom." Then he that told him the tale used him with -good words, and put him in the best comfort he could. But forthwith was -the prince and his brother both shut up, and all other removed from -them, only one called Black Will or William Slaughter excepted, set to -serve them and see them sure. After which time the prince never tied -his points[46] nor ought heeded of himself, but with that young babe -his brother, lingered in thought and heaviness until this traitorous -death delivered them of that wretchedness. For sir James Tyrrell -devised that they should be murdered in their beds. To the execution -whereof he appointed Miles Forest, one of the four that kept them, a -fellow fleshed in murder beforetime. To him he joined one John Dighton, -his own horse keeper, a big, broad, square, strong knave. Then all the -others being removed from them, this Miles Forest and John Dighton, -about midnight (the innocent children lying in their beds) came into -the chamber and suddenly lapped them up among the clothes, so bewrapped -them and entangled them, keeping down by force the feather bed and -pillows hard unto their mouths, that within a while, smothered and -stifled, their breath failing, they gave up to God their innocent souls -into the joys of heaven, leaving to the tormentors their bodies dead in -the bed. Which, after the wretches perceived, first by the struggling -with the pains of death, and after long lying still to be thoroughly -dead, they laid their bodies naked out upon the bed, and fetched sir -James to see them. Which upon the sight of them, caused those murderers -to bury them at the stair foot, fairly deep in the ground under a heap -of stones. - - [46] Lace fastenings. - - - - -THE CHARACTER OF KING RICHARD III. - -=Source.=--Harding's _Chronicle_, pp. 547, 548. (London: 1812.) - - -... He was but of a small stature having but a deformed body; the one -shoulder was higher than the other; he had a short face and a cruel -look which did betoken malice, guile and deceit. And while he did -muse upon anything standing, he would bite his under lip continually, -whereby a man might perceive his cruel nature, within his wretched -body, strove and chafed alway within himself; also the dagger which he -bore about him, he would always be chopping of it in and out. He had -a sharp and pregnant wit, subtle, and to dissimulate and feign very -fit. He had also a proud and cruel mind, which never went from him to -the hour of his death, which he had rather suffer by the cruel sword, -though all his company did forsake him, than by shameful flight he -would favour his life, which after might fortune by sickness or other -condign punishment shortly to perish. - - - - -AN ACT TO FREE THE SUBJECTS FROM BENEVOLENCES (1484). - -=Source.=--_Statutes of the Realm_, 1 Richard III., c. ii. - - -The King remembering how the Commons of this his realm by new and -unlawful inventions and inordinate covetise, against the laws of this -realm, have been put to great thraldom and importable charges and -exactions, and in especial by a new imposition named a benevolence, -whereby divers years the subjects and Commons of this land against -their wills and freedom have paid great sums of money to their almost -utter destruction; For divers and many worshipfull men of this realm -by occasion thereof were compelled by necessity to break up their -household and to live in great penury and wretchedness, their debts -unpaid and their children unpreferred, and such memorials as they had -ordained to be done for the wealth of their souls were anentised and -annulled to the great displeasure of God and to the destruction of -this realm. Therefore the King will it be ordained, by the advice and -assent of his lords spiritual and temporal and the Commons of this -present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that -his subjects and the commonalty of this his realm from henceforth in no -wise be charged by none such charge or imposition called benevolence, -nor by any such like charge; And that such exactions called benevolence -before this time taken, be taken for no example to make such or anylike -charge of any his said subjects of this realm hereafter, but it be -damned and annulled for ever. - - - - -HENRY TUDOR AND THE WELSH (1485). - -=Sources.=--(_a_) Llanstephan MSS. 136, f. 80. (National Library -of Wales.) (_b_) _Ceinion Llenyddiaeth Gymreig_, i., pp. 220, 221. -(London, n.d.). (_c_) _Gwaith Lewis Glyn Cothi_, p. 477, lines 3-12. -(Oxford: 1837.) - -[+Note.+--The following extracts are translated from -contemporary Welsh poems. The first two are selected as examples of the -'bruts' or vaticinatory poems, written and circulated to stir up the -Welsh chieftains to support Henry. The third extract illustrates the -excitement among his countrymen on the eve of Henry's landing.] - - -(_a_) The knell of the Saxon shall be our satisfaction; a prince shall -we have of our own race.... Cadwaladr[47] will come to his own again -with his eightfold gifts and his doughty deeds.... Woe to the black -host beside the wave if misfortune should come to the strangers. -Jasper[48] will breed for us a Dragon; of the fortunate blood of -Brutus[49] is he. The Bull of Anglesey[50] is our joy; he is the hope -of our race. A great grace was the birth of Jasper from the stock of -Cadwaladr of the beautiful [spear] shaft. - - [47] The last King of Britain. The Tudors claimed descent from - Cadwaladr. - - [48] Jasper Tudor, uncle of the Earl of Richmond. - - [49] The mythical founder of the British race. - - [50] Henry Tudor. The home of the Tudors was at Penmynydd, in Anglesey. - -(_b_) We are waiting for him [Henry] to show, when he comes, the Red -Rose in high pomp. The Thames will run with blood on that day, and -there shall we be satisfied.... There is longing for Harry, there -is hope for our race. His name comes down from the mountains as a -two-edged sword; and his descent from the high places; and his sword -wins the day. He will win, ere his life be done, the unbelieving to the -Creed of the Cross. - - -+To Jasper Tudor.+ - -(_c_) In what seas are thy anchors, and where art thou thyself? When -wilt thou come to land and how long must we tarry? On the feast of the -Virgin[51] fair Gwynedd,[52] in her songs, watched the seas. In the -month of May she awaited, expecting thy coming from afar. God! August -has come,[53] and yet thou hast delayed ... Lord of Pembroke, awake thou! - - [51] March 25. - - [52] The Principality of North Wales. - - [53] Henry and Jasper Tudor landed at Milford on August 7 or 8, 1485. - - - - -PROCLAMATION AGAINST THE TUDORS (+June 23, 1485+). - -=Source.=--Ellis's _Original Letters_, Second Series, vol. i., pp. -162-166. (London: 1827.) - - -Forasmuch as the King our Sovereign Lord hath certain knowledge that -Piers, Bishop of Exeter, Jasper Tudor son of Owen Tudor calling himself -Earl of Pembroke, John late Earl of Oxford and Sir Edward Woodeville, -with other divers his rebels and traitors, disabled and attainted by -authority of the High Court of Parliament, of whom many be known for -open murderers, adulterers and extortioners, contrary to the pleasure -of God and against all truth, honour and nature, have forsaken their -natural country, taking them first to be under the obedience of the -Duke of Brittany, and to him promised certain things which by him and -his Council were thought things too greatly unnatural and abominable -for them to grant, observe keep and perform, and therefore the same -utterly refused. The said traitors seeing that the said Duke and his -council would not aid and succour them, nor follow their ways, privily -departed out of his country into France, there taking themselves to -be under the obedience of the King's ancient enemy Charles, calling -himself King of France; and to abuse and blind the commons of this -Realm, the said rebels and traitors have chosen to be their captain -one Henry Tudor, son of Edmund Tudor, son of Owen Tudor, which of -his ambitions and insatiable covetousness encroacheth and usurpeth -upon him the name and title of royal estate of this Realm of England, -whereunto he hath no manner [of] interest, right, title or colour, -as every man well knoweth;... and if he should achieve this false -intent and purpose, every man's life, livelihood and goods should -be in his hands, liberty and disposition; whereby should ensue the -disheriting and destruction of all the noble and worshipful blood of -this realm for ever. And to the resistance and withstanding whereof, -every true and natural Englishman born must lay to his hands for his -own surety, and well. And to the intent that the said Henry Tudor might -the rather achieve his said false intent and purpose by the aid ... -of the King's said ancient enemy of France, [he] hath covenanted and -bargained with him, and with all the Council of France, to give and -release in perpetuity all the right, title and claim that the Kings -of England have had and might have to the crown and realm of France, -together with the duchies of Normandy, Anjou and Maine, Gascony and -Guienne, the castles and towns of Calais, Guisnes, Hammes, with the -marches appertaining to the same, and to dissever and exclude the -arms of France out of the arms of England for ever.... And over -this ... the said Henry Tudor and other the King's rebels and traitors -aforesaid, have intended at their coming, if they can be of power, -to do the most cruel murders, slaughters, robberies and disherisons -that were ever seen in any Christian realm. For the which and other -inestimable dangers to be eschewed ... the King our Sovereign Lord -desireth, willeth and commandeth all and every of the natural and true -subjects of this his realm, to call the premises into their minds, and -like good and true Englishmen to endeavour themselves with all their -powers for the defence of themselves, their wives, children, goods -and hereditaments.... And our said Sovereign Lord, as a well-willed, -diligent and courageous Prince, will put his royal person to all -labour and pain necessary in this behalf ... and our Sovereign Lord -willeth and commandeth all his said subjects to be ready in their -most defensible array, to do his Highness service of war, when they -by open proclamation or otherwise shall be commanded so to do for the -resistance of the King's said rebels, traitors and enemies. - - - - -HENRY'S LANDING (+August, 1485+). - -=Source.=--_A Short View of the Long Life of that ever wise, -valiant and fortunate Commander, Rice ap Thomas, Knight._ (Cambrian -Register, 1795.) - -[+Note.+--The original manuscript, from which this account is -taken, was written about the year 1605, and therefore cannot claim to -have the value of a contemporary authority. But the continuator of the -Croyland Chronicle, the only contemporary account, is extremely meagre -in its details of Henry's journey through Wales; and this biography was -based on contemporary materials, the traditions of the Welsh bards and -similar matter. Moreover, in representing Rees as a confederate with -Richmond before the landing, it agrees with the contemporary English -ballad of the Lady Bessy.] - - -The Earl [of Richmond] having received Rice ap Thomas's answer, with -other joyful and comfortable advertisements from Morgan of Kidwelly, he -was so greatly encouraged therewith that no hopes of auxiliary forces -from the French King or any other necessary provisions whatsoever, -could make him any longer to disappoint his friends and confederates -with an expectation of his coming, and therefore with all convenient -speed furnishing himself with such men, money and munition as he could -readily procure, he enshipped himself and weighed anchor from Harfleur, -having but two thousand men in all, and they, God wot, poorly provided, -and so in seven days, with a prosperous gale, he landed at Milford. - -In the interim, Rice ap Thomas stood all upon thorns, as conceiving -there might be some private compact and underhand working between the -usurper and the French King, whereby the just pretences of Richmond -should be for ever confounded.... Hereupon Rice musters up all his -forces, calls all his friends about him, and where he found any want -among them either of arms or other necessaries for the war, he supplied -with his own store, whereof he had sufficient as well for ornament as -for use; so that in few days he had gathered together to the number -of two thousand horse and upward, of his own followers and retainers, -bearing his name and livery. His kinsmen and friends who came besides -with brave companies to do him honour were Sir Thomas Perrott, Sir -John Wogan, and John Savage.[54] ... Arnold Butler, Richard Griffith, -John Morgan and two of his own brothers, David the younger and John, -all of them worthy soldiers and very expert commanders, with divers -others.... There came likewise out of North Wales to this service many -worthy gentlemen both of name and note, especially of the Salisburies, -under the conduct of Robert Salisbury, a fast friend of Rice ap Thomas -in the French wars.... He [Rice] then set forth in most martial manner -towards the Dale, as his prophet whilom had advised him, a place not -far from his castle of Carew, from whence at that time he led his army, -and there meeting with the Earl of Richmond ready to take land, he -received him ashore, to whom he made humble tender of his service, both -in his own and in all their names who were there present, and laying -him down on the ground, suffered the Earl to pass over him, so to make -good his promise to King Richard that none should enter in at Milford -unless he came first over his belly.... Rice ap Thomas having made an -end of what he would say, the Frenchmen, lying aboard all this while, -were sent for to land; who upon their coming were marvellously well -received by the Welshmen, and entreated with all courtesy, (for that -sole virtue of courtesy towards strangers I think the Welsh go beyond -all nations of the world); every man, I say, striving to give them all -contentment, and cheering them up with fresh victuals.... The Earl of -Richmond then entreated the Earls of Oxford and Pembroke to muster the -French, and to take a view of their defects, who, upon inquiry, found -they wanted both necessary furniture of arms and other munition, -besides that they were very raw and ignorant in shooting, and handling -of their weapons; men, as it seemed, raised out of the refuse of the -people and clapped upon the Earl to avoid his further importunities. -Rice ap Thomas ... in his heart wished them back again in France, there -being not one man of quality among them.... This being done they -(Richmond and Rice) with the Earls of Oxford and Pembroke drew aside to -consider of their present state and condition, and what course was best -to be taken for their putting forward. In fine they concluded the Earl -should shape his course by Cardigan, and Rice ap Thomas by Carmarthen, -that so going several ways, the Welsh and the French might be kept -asunder, to prevent such jars and quarrels as commonly arise between -strangers; appointing Shrewsbury for their place of meeting. - - [54] Sir Gilbert Talbot's ten thousand dogs - In one hour's warning for to be, - And Sir John Savage's fifteen hundred white hoods, - Which would fight and never flee. - - * * * * * - - Sir Rees ap Thomas, a knight of Wales certain, - Eight thousand spears brought he. - Sir John Savage he hath no peer, - He will be wing to thee, - Sir Rees ap Thomas shall break the array, - For he will fight and never flee. - - _The Song of the Lady Bessy._ - - - - -HENRY SUMMONS THE WELSH CHIEFTAINS (1485). - -=Source.=--Wynne's _History of the Gwydir Family_, pp. 55, 56. -(London: 1770.) - -[+Note.+--On his landing in Wales, the Earl of Richmond, relying -on the promises of support he had received, wrote letters to his Welsh -friends and kinsmen. The following summons was sent to his relative, -John ap Meredith, a powerful chieftain of South Carnarvonshire.] - - - By the King - - Right trusty and well-beloved, we greet you well. And whereas it is so - that, through the help of Almighty God, the assistance of our loving - and true subjects, and the great confidence that we have to the nobles - and commons of this our principality of Wales, we be entered into the - same, purposing by the help above rehearsed, in all haste possible, - to descend into our realm of England, not only for the adoption of - the crown, unto us of right appertaining, but also for the oppression - of the odious tyrant, Richard late Duke of Gloucester, usurper of our - said right; and moreover to reduce as well our said realm of England - into its ancient estate, honour and property, and prosperity, as this - our said principality of Wales, and the people of the same to their - erst liberties, delivering them of such miserable servitude as they - have piteously long stood in: We desire and pray you, and upon your - allegiance strictly charge and command you, that immediately upon sight - hereof, with all such power as ye may make, defensibly arrayed for the - war, ye address you towards us, without any tarrying upon the way, - until such time as ye be with us, wheresoever we shall be, to our aid, - for the effect above rehearsed, wherein ye shall cause us in time to - come to be your singular good lord; and that ye fail not hereof as ye - will avoid our grievous displeasure, and answer it unto your peril. - Given under our signet at our [_place and date omitted in the MS._]. - -To our trusty and well-beloved John ap Meredith ap Jevan ap Meredith. - - - - -THE JOURNEY TO BOSWORTH (+August, 1485+). - -=Source.=--_Life of Rice ap Thomas._ (Cambrian Register, 1795). - - -The Earl having taken Livery and Seisin of part of his kingdom, and -now in the way of possessing himself with the whole, Rice ap Thomas -forthwith commanded the beacons to be set on fire, thereby to give -notice to all the countries adjacent of his landing, and withal to -summon his friends and kinsmen from all parts where his power was -extended, to come in with their forces, some in one place and some in -another, in his way to Shrewsbury.... Being in this glorious equipage -and so strongly provided on all hands, Rice ap Thomas made with all -speed for Shrewsbury, and, as he went, met with the Earl of Richmond -in his way, to whom he made humble obeisaunce, vowing to follow him -through all dangers, to the utter subversion both of the tyrant and -his wicked accomplices.... When the Earl was, as I said, in his way to -Shrewsbury, met and saluted by Rice ap Thomas with so goodly a band of -Welshmen, it was no small joy to him.... For you must know the Earl -all this while was much appalled and troubled in his mind, not knowing -well what to think of Rice ap Thomas, there being divers rumours -dispersed up and down through his army that the said Rice meant to side -with Richard, and for that purpose was ready to give him battle; which -rumour indeed, Rice himself, out of policy, had caused to be blown -abroad, to hoodwink the tyrant until he were in his full strength.[55] -And this his device he acquainted the Earl withal, at their first -meeting, and so together they marched on to Shrewsbury, where the Earl -was received with an _Ave_ cheer and "_God speed thee well_," the -street being strewed with herbs and flowers, and the doors adorned -with green boughs in testimony of a true hearty reception.... From -Shrewsbury they went to a small village called Newport, and there Sir -George Talbot came unto the Earl with two thousand tall men.... After -this for Stafford they go; thence to Lichfield and so to Atherstone, -where he and his father-in-law, the Lord Stanley, met and consulted -touching the ordering of their affairs, and how to give battle to King -Richard, which done they departed each to his charge. - - [55] The English chroniclers represent Rice as joining Henry for the - first time at Shrewsbury. - - - - -THE EVE OF BOSWORTH (+August, 1485+). - -=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. iii., No. 884. - - -_The Duke of Norfolk to John Paston._ - -_To my well beloved friend, John Paston, be this bill delivered in -haste._ - - Well beloved friend, I commend me unto you, letting you to understand - that the King's enemies be a-land, and that the King would have set for - the assumption Monday but only for Our Lady Day;[56] but for certain he - goeth forward assumption Tuesday, for a servant of mine brought to me - the certainty. Wherefore I pray you that ye meet with me at Bury ... and - that ye bring with you such company of tall men as ye may goodly make, - at my cost and charge, beside that ye have promised to the King; and I - pray you ordain them jackets of my livery, and I shall content you at - your meeting with me. - - Your lover - +J. Norfolk+. - - [56] The Assumption of Our Lady, August 15. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF BOSWORTH FIELD (+August 22, 1485+). - -=Source.=--Ingulph's _Chronicles_, pp. 503-504. (Bohn Edition.) - - -At daybreak on the Monday following there were no chaplains present to -perform Divine service on behalf of King Richard, nor any breakfast -prepared to refresh the flagging spirits of the King; besides which, -as it is generally stated, in the morning he declared that during -the night he had seen dreadful visions, and had imagined himself -surrounded by a multitude of demons. He consequently presented a -countenance, which, always attenuated, was on this occasion more livid -and ghastly than usual, and asserted that the issue of this day's -battle, to whichever side the victory might be granted, would prove -the utter destruction of the kingdom of England. He also declared that -it was his intention, if he should prove the conqueror, to crush all -the supporters of the opposite faction; while, at the same time, he -predicted that his adversary would do the same towards the well-wishers -to his own party, in case the victory should fall to his lot. - -At length, the prince and knights on the opposite side now advancing at -a moderate pace against the royal army, the King gave orders that the -Lord Strange[57] should be instantly beheaded. The persons, however, -to whom this duty was entrusted, seeing that the issue was doubtful in -the extreme, and that matters of more importance than the destruction -of one individual were about to be decided, delayed the performance of -this cruel order of the King, and, leaving the man to his own disposal, -returned to the thickest of the fight. - - [57] Stanley's eldest son, who was a hostage with Richard. - -A battle of the greatest severity now ensuing between the two sides, -the earl of Richmond, together with his knights, made straight for -King Richard, while the earl of Oxford, who was next in rank to him -in the whole army and a most valiant soldier, drew up his forces, -consisting of a large body of French and English troops, opposite -the wing in which the duke of Norfolk had taken up his position. In -the part where the earl of Northumberland was posted, with a large -and well-provided body of troops, there was no opposition made, as -not a blow was given or received during the battle. At length a -glorious victory was granted by heaven to the said earl of Richmond, -now sole King, together with the crown, of exceeding value, which -King Richard had previously worn on his head. For while fighting and -not in the act of flight, the said King Richard was pierced with -numerous deadly wounds, and fell in the field like a brave and most -valiant prince; upon which, the duke of Norfolk before mentioned, Sir -Richard Ratclyffe, Sir Robert Brackenbury, keeper of the Tower of -London, John Kendall, secretary, Sir Robert Percy, controller of the -King's household, and Walter Devereux, lord Ferrers, as well as many -others, chiefly from the north, in whom King Richard put the greatest -confidence, took to flight without engaging; and there was left no -part of the opposing army of sufficient importance or ability for the -glorious conqueror Henry the Seventh to engage, and so add to his -experience in battle. - -Through this battle peace was obtained for the entire kingdom, the -body of the said King Richard being found among the dead. Many insults -were also heaped upon it, and, not exactly in accordance with the laws -of humanity, a halter being thrown round the neck, it was carried to -Leicester; while the new King also proceeded to that place, graced with -the crown which he had so gloriously won. - -While these events were taking place, many nobles and others were -taken prisoners; and in especial, Henry, Earl of Northumberland, and -Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey.... There was also taken prisoner William -Catesby, who occupied a distinguished place among all the advisers of -the late King, and whose head was cut off at Leicester as a last reward -for his excellent offices. Two gentlemen, also, of the western parts -of the kingdom, father and son, known by the name of Brecher ... were -hanged. As it was never heard, nor yet stated in writing or by word of -mouth, that any other persons, after the termination of the warfare, -were visited with similar punishments, but that, on the contrary, the -new prince had shown clemency to all, he began to receive the praises -of all, as though he had been an angel sent down from heaven, through -whom God had deigned to visit His people, and to deliver it from the -evils with which it had hitherto, beyond measure, been afflicted. - - - - -THE LAST OF THE PLANTAGENETS (1485). - -=Source.=--_Bosworth Field_, in Percy Folio MS., iii. 256, 257. -(1868.) - - - Then to King Richard there came a knight, - And said, "I hold it time for to flee; - For yonder Stanley's dints they be so might, - Against them no man may dree. - Here is horse at thy hand ready; - Another day thou may thy worship win, - And for to reign with royalty, - To wear the crown and be our king." - "Nay! give me my battle-axe in my hand, - Set the crown of England on my head so high, - For by him that made both sea and land, - King of England this day will I die. - One foot will I never flee - Whilst the breath is my breast within." - As he said, so did it be; - If he lost his life, he died a King. - - -BILLING AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, GUILDFORD - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's York and Lancaster, by William Garmon Jones - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YORK AND LANCASTER *** - -***** This file should be named 56180-0.txt or 56180-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/6/1/8/56180/ - -Produced by Rose Mawhorter and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: York and Lancaster - 1399-1485 - -Author: William Garmon Jones - -Editor: S. E. Winbolt - Kenneth Bell - -Release Date: December 15, 2017 [EBook #56180] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YORK AND LANCASTER *** - - - - -Produced by Rose Mawhorter and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="tnotes"> -<p class="big">Transcriber's Notes</p> -<p class="center">All obvious spelling errors have been corrected.</p> -<p class="center">The Greek word Ὠθεὰ has been corrected to Ὠ θεὰ.</p> -</div> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /></div> - -<div class="titlepage"> -<p class="large">BELL'S ENGLISH HISTORY <br />SOURCE BOOKS</p> -<p class="center"><i>General Editors</i>: <span class="smcap">S. E. Winbolt</span>, M.A., and <span class="smcap">Kenneth Bell</span>, M.A.</p> -<p class="large">YORK AND LANCASTER -</p> -</div> - - -<div class="chapter"></div> -<div class="bbox"> -<p class="large"><a name="BELLS_ENGLISH_HISTORY" id="BELLS_ENGLISH_HISTORY"></a>BELL'S ENGLISH HISTORY -SOURCE BOOKS.</p> - -<p class="subheading"><i>Volumes now Ready, 1s. net each.</i></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p><b>449-1066.</b> <b>The Welding of the Race.</b> Edited -by the Rev. <span class="smcap">John Wallis</span>, M.A.</p> - -<p><b>1066-1154.</b> <b>The Normans in England.</b> Edited -by <span class="smcap">A. E. Bland</span>, M.A.</p> - -<p><b>1154-1216.</b> <b>The Angevins and the Charter.</b> Edited -by <span class="smcap">S. M. Toyne</span>, M.A.</p> - -<p><b>1216-1307.</b> <b>The Growth of Parliament, and the -War with Scotland.</b> Edited by <span class="smcap">W. D. Robieson</span>, M.A.</p> - -<p><b>1307-1399.</b> <b>War and Misrule.</b> Edited by <span class="smcap">A. A. Locke</span>.</p> - -<p><b>1399-1485.</b> <b>York and Lancaster.</b> Edited by -<span class="smcap">W. Garmon Jones</span>, M.A.</p> - -<p><b>1485-1547.</b> <b>The Reformation and the Renaissance.</b> -Edited by <span class="smcap">F. W. Bewsher</span>, B.A.</p> - -<p><b>1547-1603.</b> <b>The Age of Elizabeth.</b> Edited by -<span class="smcap">Arundell Esdaile</span>, M.A.</p> - -<p><b>1603-1660.</b> <b>Puritanism and Liberty.</b> Edited by -<span class="smcap">Kenneth Bell</span>, M.A.</p> - -<p><b>1660-1714.</b> <b>A Constitution in Making.</b> Edited -by <span class="smcap">G. B. Perrett</span>, M.A.</p> - -<p><b>1714-1760.</b> <b>Walpole and Chatham.</b> Edited by -<span class="smcap">K. A. Esdaile</span>.</p> - -<p><b>1760-1801.</b> <b>American Independence and the French -Revolution.</b> Edited by <span class="smcap">S. E. Winbolt</span>, M.A.</p> - -<p><b>1801-1815.</b> <b>England and Napoleon.</b> Edited by -<span class="smcap">S. E. 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Pringle Thomson</span>, M.A.</p></div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="center">LONDON: G. BELL AND SONS, LTD.</p> -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> -<div class="titlepage"> -<h1>YORK AND LANCASTER</h1> - -<p class="center">1399-1485</p> - -<p class="center">COMPILED BY</p> - -<p class="center">W. GARMON JONES, M.A.</p> - -<p class="center">ASSISTANT LECTURER IN HISTORY, UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/bell.png" alt="bell" /></div> - - -<p class="center">LONDON -G. BELL AND SONS, LTD. -1914 -</p> -</div> - - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_v" title="v">v</a></p> - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION</h2></div> - - -<p>This series of English History Source Books is intended -for use with any ordinary textbook of English History. -Experience has conclusively shown that such apparatus is -a valuable—nay, an indispensable—adjunct to the history -lesson. It is capable of two main uses: either by way of -lively illustration at the close of a lesson, or by way of inference-drawing, -before the textbook is read, at the beginning -of the lesson. The kind of problems and exercises that may -be based on the documents are legion, and are admirably -illustrated in a <i>History of England for Schools</i>, Part I., by -Keatinge and Frazer, pp. 377-381. However, we have no -wish to prescribe for the teacher the manner in which he shall -exercise his craft, but simply to provide him and his pupils -with materials hitherto not readily accessible for school -purposes. The very moderate price of the books in this -series should bring them within the reach of every secondary -school. Source books enable the pupil to take a more active -part than hitherto in the history lesson. Here is the apparatus, -the raw material: its use we leave to teacher and taught.</p> - -<p>Our belief is that the books may profitably be used by all -grades of historical students between the standards of fourth-form -boys in secondary schools and undergraduates at Universities. -What differentiates students at one extreme from those -at the other is not so much the kind of subject-matter dealt -with, as the amount they can read into or extract from it.</p> - -<p>In regard to choice of subject-matter, while trying to satisfy -the natural demand for certain "stock" documents of vital -importance, we hope to introduce much fresh and novel matter. -It is our intention that the majority of the extracts should be -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_vi" title="vi">vi</a>lively in style—that is, personal, or descriptive, or rhetorical, -or even strongly partisan—and should not so much profess to -give the truth as supply data for inference. We aim at the -greatest possible variety, and lay under contribution letters, -biographies, ballads and poems, diaries, debates, and newspaper -accounts. Economics, London, municipal, and social -life generally, and local history, are represented in these pages.</p> - -<p>The order of the extracts is strictly chronological, each -being numbered, titled, and dated, and its authority given. -The text is modernised, where necessary, to the extent of -leaving no difficulties in reading.</p> - -<p>We shall be most grateful to teachers and students who -may send us suggestions for improvements.</p> - -<p class="right"> -S. E. WINBOLT.<br /> -KENNETH BELL.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>NOTE TO THIS VOLUME</p> - -<p>I have to thank Sir E. Maunde Thompson and the Council -of the Royal Society of Literature for so readily permitting -me to quote from Sir E. Maunde Thompson's edition of Adam -of Usk's <i>Chronicle</i>. With three exceptions, the sources quoted -in this volume are contemporary, and, where I have employed -non-contemporary material, I have endeavoured to justify its -use in a prefatory note to the extract.</p> - -<p class="right"> -W. G. J. -</p> - -<p><i>Postscript.</i>—Mr. C. L. Kingsford, in his valuable critical -account, <i>English Historical Literature in the Fifteenth Century</i>, -recently published, argues strongly against the accepted -authorship of the <i>Vita et gesta Henrici Quinti</i> (quoted on pp. -15-19). Hearne erroneously attributes it to Thomas Elmham. -Mr. Kingsford shows that the date of its composition lies -between 1446 and 1449, and that its anonymous author was, -in all probability, a foreigner.</p> - - - - - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_vii" title="vii">vii</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS" id="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS"></a>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h2></div> - - - - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents"> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td> </td><td> </td><td align="left">PAGE</td></tr> -<tr><td> </td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Introduction</span></td><td> </td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_v">v</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">DATE</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1399.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Coronation of Henry IV.</span></td><td align="left"><i>Chronicle of Adam of Usk</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1400.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Conspiracy of the Earls</span></td><td align="left"><i>Capgrave's Chronicle</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_2">2</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1401.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">De Heretico Comburendo</span></td><td align="left"><i>Statutes of the Realm</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_3">3</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1401-2.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Glendower War</span></td><td align="left"><i>Chronicle of Adam of Usk</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_4">4</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1403.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Peril of Henry</span></td><td align="left"><i>Ellis's "Original Letters"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Battle of Shrewsbury</span></td><td align="left"><i>Chronicle of Adam of Usk</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1404.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">French Aid for Glendower</span></td><td align="left"><i>Ellis's "Original Letters"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_8">8</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1406.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Election of Knights of the Shire</span></td><td align="left"><i>Statutes of the Realm</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_8">8</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1407.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Money-Grants to Initiate in the Commons</span></td><td align="left"><i>Rotuli Parliamentorum</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1410.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Prince Henry and the Heretic</span></td><td align="left"><i>Gregory's Chronicle</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1413.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Death of Henry IV.</span></td><td align="left"><i>Fabyan's "Chronicle"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_12">12</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Electors and Elected to Parliament to be Resident</span></td><td align="left"><i>Statutes of the Realm</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1414.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Dauphin's Reply to Henry</span></td><td align="left"><i>Chronicle of Henry V.</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Commons and Legislation</span></td><td align="left"><i>Rotuli Parliamentorum</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1415.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Conspiracy of Cambridge</span></td><td align="left"><i>Nicolas's "Agincourt"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Battle of Agincourt</span></td><td align="left"><i>Elmham's "Vita et gesta Henrici Quinti"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1416.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Borough Customs</span></td><td align="left"><i>Customs of Hereford</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1417.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Execution of Sir John Oldcastle</span></td><td align="left"><i>Brief Chronicle of Sir John Oldcastle</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1418.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Siege of Rouen</span></td><td align="left"><i>Collections of a London Citizen</i> (<i>Camden Soc.</i>)</td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1420.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Treaty of Troyes</span></td><td align="left"><i>Rymer's "Fœdera"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1422.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Death of Henry V.</span></td><td align="left"><i>Monstrelet's "Chronicles"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Begging Letter to Henry VI.</span></td><td align="left"><i>Ellis's "Original Letters"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1424.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Battle of Verneuil</span></td><td align="left"><i>Waurin's "Chronicles"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1429.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">To King Henry VI.</span></td><td align="left"><i>Wright's "Political Poems"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Battle of Herrings</span></td><td align="left"><i>Monstrelet's "Chronicles"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Joan of Arc Raises the Siege of Orleans</span></td><td align="left"><i>Waurin's "Chronicles"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1430.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Forty-Shilling Franchise</span></td><td align="left"><i>Statutes of the Realm</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1431.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Condemnation of the Maid</span></td><td align="left"><i>Waurin's "Chronicles"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1432.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Education of Henry VI.</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1439.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Precautions to Protect the King against Infection</span></td><td align="left"><i>Rotuli Parliamentorum</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1445.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Nobleman requests a Licence for a Ship</span></td><td align="left"><i>Ellis's "Original Letters"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Discomforts of Pilgrims at Sea</span></td><td align="left"><i>Early Naval Ballads</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Parliamentary Elections</span></td><td align="left"><i>Statutes of the Realm</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1446.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Henry VI. Reforms the Grammar Schools</span></td><td align="left"><i>Excerpta Historica</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1449.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The French Recover Fougères</span></td><td align="left"><i>Reductio Normannie</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_48">48</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Capture of Verneuil</span></td><td align="left"><i>Reductio Normannie</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1450.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Battle of Formigny</span></td><td align="left"><i>Reductio Normannie</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Father's Counsel</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_52">52</a><a class="pagenum" name="Page_viii" title="viii">viii</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1450.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Murder of Duke of Suffolk</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Cade's Rebellion</span></td><td align="left"><i>Three 15th-Cent. Chronicles</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1451.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Packing a Jury</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_58">58</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Partial Judges</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_58">58</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1454.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Lawlessness</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Condition of Ireland</span></td><td align="left"><i>Ellis's "Original Letters"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Beginnings of Civil Strife</span></td><td align="left"><i>Ingulph's "Chronicles"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The King's Madness</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1455.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Battle of St. Albans</span></td><td align="left"><i>Archæologia</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">An Unruly Noble</span></td><td align="left"><i>Rotuli Parliamentorum</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Litigiousness of the Age</span></td><td align="left"><i>Gascoigne's "Loci e Libro Veritatum"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_70">70</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="left">1457.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Trial of Bishop Pecock</span></td><td align="left"><i>An English Chronicle</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_70">70</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1458.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Sea Fight</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Evils in the Church</span></td><td align="left"><i>Gascoigne's "Loci e Libro Veritatum"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1459.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Evils of Misgovernment</span></td><td align="left"><i>An English Chronicle</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1460.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">York's Popularity</span></td><td align="left"><i>An English Chronicle</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Battle of Northampton</span></td><td align="left"><i>An English Chronicle</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Wanderings of Margaret</span></td><td align="left"><i>Gregory's Chronicle</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Battle of Wakefield</span></td><td align="left"><i>Hall's "Chronicle"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Ravages of the Lancastrians</span></td><td align="left"><i>Ingulph's "Chronicles"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1461.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Battle of Mortimer's Cross</span></td><td align="left"><i>Collections of London Citizen</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Battle of Towton</span></td><td align="left"><i>Ingulph's "Chronicles"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Accession of Edward IV.</span></td><td align="left"><i>Archæologia</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1463.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mayor of London's Dignity</span></td><td align="left"><i>Collections of London Citizen</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1464.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Marriage of Edward IV.</span></td><td align="left"><i>Collections of London Citizen</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1465 (<i>circa</i>).</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Dinner of Flesh</span></td><td align="left"><i>Russell's "Boke of Nurture"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1469.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Private Wars</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_86">86</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1470.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Restoration of Henry VI.</span></td><td align="left"><i>Chronicles of the White Rose</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1471.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Arrival of Edward IV.</span></td><td align="left"><i>Chronicles of the White Rose</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Battle of Barnet</span></td><td align="left"><i>Chronicles of the White Rose</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Plague</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Death of Henry VI.</span></td><td align="left"><i>Chronicles of the White Rose</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1472.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">King Edward's Court</span></td><td align="left"><i>Archæologia</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_93">93</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1475.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">An Englishman's Library</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1478.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Death of Clarence</span></td><td align="left"><i>Ingulph's "Chronicles"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1479.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">An Eton Boy's Letter</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The University</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1483.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Richard Usurps the Throne</span></td><td align="left"><i>Ingulph's "Chronicles"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Murder of the Princes</span></td><td align="left"><i>More's "History of King Richard III."</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_106">106</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Character of King Richard III</span></td><td align="left"><i>Harding's "Chronicle"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1484.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">An Act against Benevolences</span></td><td align="left"><i>Statutes of the Realm</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">1485.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Henry Tudor and the Welsh</span></td><td align="left"><i>MSS. Sources</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Proclamation against Tudors</span></td><td align="left"><i>Ellis's "Original Letters"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Henry's Landing</span></td><td align="left"><i>Cambrian Biography</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Henry Summons Welsh Chiefs</span></td><td align="left"><i>Wynne's "Gwydir Family"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_115">115</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Journey to Bosworth</span></td><td align="left"><i>Cambrian Biography</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_116">116</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Eve of Bosworth</span></td><td align="left"><i>Paston Letters</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Battle of Bosworth Field</span></td><td align="left"><i>Ingulph's "Chronicles"</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_118">118</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Last of the Plantagenets</span></td><td align="left"><i>Percy Folio MS.</i></td><td align="left"><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_1" title="1">1</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="YORK_AND_LANCASTER" id="YORK_AND_LANCASTER"></a>YORK AND LANCASTER</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading">1399-1485</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_CORONATION_OF_HENRY_IV_1399" id="THE_CORONATION_OF_HENRY_IV_1399"></a>THE CORONATION OF HENRY IV. (1399).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>The Chronicle of Adam of Usk</i>, edited by Sir E. Maunde -Thompson, pp. 187, 188. (Royal Society of Literature, 1904.)</p> - - -<p>On the eve of his coronation, in the Tower of London and -in the presence of Richard late King, King Henry made forty-six -new knights, amongst whom were his three sons, and also -the earls of Arundel and Stafford, and the son and heir of the -earl of Warwick; and with them and other nobles of the land -he passed in great state to Westminster. And when the day -of Coronation was come (13th October), all the peers of the -realm, robed finely in red and scarlet and ermine, came with -great joy to the ceremony, my lord of Canterbury ordering all -the service and duties thereof. In the presence were borne -four swords, whereof one was sheathed as a token of the -augmentation of military honour, two were wrapped in red and -bound round with golden bands to represent twofold mercy, and -the fourth was naked and without a point, the emblem of the -executioner of justice without rancour. The first sword the -earl of Northumberland carried, the two covered ones the earls -of Somerset and Warwick, and the sword of justice the King's -eldest son, the prince of Wales; and the lord Latimer bore the -sceptre, and the earl of Westmoreland the rod. And this they -did as well in the coronation as at the banquet, always standing -around the King. Before the King received the crown from -my lord of Canterbury, I heard him swear to take heed to rule -his people altogether in mercy and in truth. These were the -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_2" title="2">2</a>officers in the Coronation feast: The earl of Arundel was -butler, the earl of Oxford held the ewer, and the lord Grey of -Ruthin spread the cloths.</p> - -<p>While the King was in the midst of the banquet, sir Thomas -Dymock, knight, mounted in full armour on his destrier,<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> and -having his sword sheathed in black with a golden hilt, entered -the hall, two others, likewise mounted on chargers, bearing -before him a naked sword and a lance. And he caused proclamation -to be made by a herald at the four sides of the hall -that, if any man should say that his liege lord here present and -King of England was not of right crowned King of England, -he was ready to prove the contrary with his body, then and -there, or when and wheresoever it might please the King. And -the King said: "If need be, sir Thomas, I will in mine own -person ease thee of this office."</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Destrier = a charger, a war-horse.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="CONSPIRACY_OF_THE_EARLS_1400" id="CONSPIRACY_OF_THE_EARLS_1400"></a>CONSPIRACY OF THE EARLS (1400).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Capgrave's <i>Chronicle of England</i>, pp. 275, 276 (Rolls Series).</p> - - -<p>In the second year of this King the earls of Kent, Salisbury -and Huntingdon, unkind to the King, rose against him. Unkind -were they, for the people would have them dead and the -King spared them. These men, thus gathered, purposed to fall -on the King suddenly at Windsor, under the colour of mummeries -in Christmas time. The King was warned of this and -fled to London. These men knew not that, but came to -Windsor with four hundred armed men, purposing to kill the -King and his progeny, and restore Richard again unto the -crown. When they came to Windsor, and thus were deceived, -they fled to a town where the queen lay, fast by Reading, and -there, before the queen's household, he blessed him this earl of -Kent. "O benedicite," he said, "who may this be that Harry -of Lancaster hath taken the Tower at London, and our very -King Richard hath broken prison, and hath gathered a hundred -thousand fighting men." So gladded he the queen with lies, -and rode forth to Wallingford, and from Wallingford to Abing<a class="pagenum" name="Page_3" title="3">3</a>don, -warning all men by the way that they should make them -ready to help King Richard. Thus came he to Cirencester, -late at even. The men of the town had suspicion that their -tidings were lies, (as it was indeed,) rose and kept the entries -of the inns, that none of them might pass. There fought they -in the town from midnight unto nine of the clock in the -morrow. But the town drove them out of the Abbey and -smote off many of their heads. The earl of Salisbury was -dead there; and worthy, for he was a great favourite of the -Lollards, and a despiser of the sacraments, for he would not -confess when he should die.</p> - -<p>The earl of Huntingdon heard of this and fled unto Essex. -And as often as he assayed to take the sea, so often was he -born off with the wind. Then was he taken by the Commons -and led to Chelmsford and then to Pleshy, and his head smote -off in the same place where he arrested the Duke of -Gloucester.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="DE_HERETICO_COMBURENDO_January_1401" id="DE_HERETICO_COMBURENDO_January_1401"></a>DE HERETICO COMBURENDO (January, 1401).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Statutes of the Realm</i>, 2 Henry IV., c. xv.</p> - - -<p>Item, Whereas it is shewed to our Sovereign Lord the King -on behalf of the Prelates and Clergy of his realm of England in -this present Parliament, That although the Catholic Faith -builded upon Christ and by his Apostles and the Holy Church -sufficiently determined, declared and approved, hath hitherto -by good and holy and most Noble Progenitors of our Sovereign -Lord the King... [been] most devoutly observed, and the -Church of England most laudably endowed and in her Rights -and Liberties sustained.... Yet divers false and perverse -People of a certain New Sect of the Faith ... do perversely -preach and teach these days, openly and privily, divers new -Doctrines, and wicked, heretical and erroneous Opinions contrary -to the same faith.... They make unlawful Conventicles -and Confederacies, they hold and exercise Schools, they -make and write Books, they do wickedly instruct and inform -People, and, as much as they may, incite and stir them to -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_4" title="4">4</a>Sedition and Insurrection, and maketh great Strife and Division -among the people, and other Enormities horrible to be -heard daily do perpetrate and commit, in subversion of the -said Catholic Faith and Doctrine of the Holy Church.</p> - -<p><i>Then follow clauses forbidding the Lollards to preach without -license, or to hold Schools for teaching the new doctrines, and a clause -punishing by fine and imprisonment all offenders who abjure their -heresy; finally</i>:—</p> - -<p>If any Person within the said Realm and Dominions, upon -the said wicked Preachings, Doctrines, Opinions, Schools and -heretical and erroneous Information ... be before the -Diocesan, and do refuse duly to abjure, or by the Diocesan of -the same place or his commission, after the abjuration made -by the same person, fall into relapse so that according to the -Holy Canons he ought to be left to the secular Court, whereupon -credence shall be given to the Diocesan of the same -place, or to his Commissionaries in this behalf; then the Sheriff -of the County of the same place, and Mayor and Sheriffs or -Sheriff, or Mayor and Bailiffs of the City, Town and Borough -of the same County shall be personally present in preferring of -such sentences; and they, the same persons and every one of -them, after such a sentence promulgate, shall receive them, and -before the People in an high place do them to be burnt; that -such punishment may strike in fear to the minds of others, -whereby no such wicked doctrines and heretical and erroneous -opinions ... against the Catholic Faith, Christian Law and -Determination of Holy Church, which God forbid, be sustained -or in any wise suffered.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_GLENDOWER_WAR_1401_1402" id="THE_GLENDOWER_WAR_1401_1402"></a>THE GLENDOWER WAR (1401-1402).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Chronicle of Adam of Usk</i>, edited by Sir E. Maunde -Thompson, pp. 237, 238, 246, 247.</p> - - -<p>In this autumn (1401), Owen Glendower, all North Wales -and Cardigan and Powis siding with him, sorely harried with -fire and sword the English who dwelt in those parts, and -their towns, and specially the town of Pool. Wherefore the -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_5" title="5">5</a>English, invading those parts with a strong power, and utterly -laying them waste and ravaging them with fire, famine, and -sword, left them a desert, not even sparing children or churches, -nor the monastery of Strata-Florida, wherein the King himself -was being lodged, and the church of which and its choir, even -up to the high altar, they used as a stable, and pillaged even -the patens; and they carried away into England more than a -thousand children of both sexes to be their servants. Yet did -the same Owen do no small hurt to the English, slaying many -of them, and carrying off the arms, horses and tents of the -King's eldest son, the prince of Wales, and of other lords, -which he bare away for his own behoof to the mountain fastnesses -of Snowden.</p> - -<p>In these days, southern Wales, and in particular all the -diocese of Llandaff, was at peace from every kind of trouble of -invasion or inroad.... The commons of Cardigan, being -pardoned their lives, deserted Owen, and returned, though in -sore wretchedness, to their homes, being allowed to use the -Welsh tongue, although its destruction had been determined -on by the English, Almighty God, the King of Kings, the -unerring Judge of all, having mercifully ordained the recall of -this decree at the prayer and cry of the oppressed....</p> - -<p>... On the day of St. Alban (22nd June, 1402) near to -Knighton in Wales, was a hard battle fought between the -English under sir Edmund Mortimer and the Welsh under -Owen Glendower, with woeful slaughter even to eight thousand -souls, the victory being with Owen. And alas! my lord, the -said sir Edmund ... was by the fortune of war carried away -captive. And, being by his enemies in England stripped of all -his goods and hindered from paying ransom, in order to escape -more easily the pains of captivity, he is known by common report -to have wedded the daughter of the same Owen; by whom he -had a son Lionel, and three daughters, all of whom, except -one daughter, along with their mother are now dead. At last, -being by the English host beleagured in the castle of Harlech, -he brought his days of sorrow to an end, his wonderful deeds -being to this day told at the feast in song.</p> - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_6" title="6">6</a> -In this year also the lord Grey of Ruthin,<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> being taken -captive by Owen, with the slaughter of two thousand of his -men, was shut up in prison; but he was set free on payment -of ransom of sixteen thousand pounds in gold. Concerning -such an ill-starred blow given by Owen to the English rule, -when I think thereon, my heart trembles. For, backed by a following -of thirty thousand men issuing from their lairs throughout -Wales and its marches, he overthrew castles, among which -were Usk, Caerleon, and Newport, and fired the towns. In -short, like a second Assyrian, the rod of God's anger, he did -deeds of unheard-of cruelty with fire and sword.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Glendower's revolt arose out of a quarrel with Lord Grey of Ruthin.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_PERIL_OF_HENRY_1403" id="THE_PERIL_OF_HENRY_1403"></a>THE PERIL OF HENRY (1403).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Ellis's <i>Original Letters</i>, second series, vol. i., pp. 17-19. -(London: 1827.)</p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>[<i>French.</i>]—Our most redoubted and sovereign Lord the -King, I recommend myself humbly to your Highness as your -lowly creature and continual orator. And our most redoubted -and sovereign Lord, please you to know that from day to day -letters are arriving from Wales, containing intelligence by -which you may learn that the whole country is lost, if you do -not go there as quick as possible. For which reason may it -please you to prepare to set out with all power you can muster, -and march day and night for the salvation of these parts.... -Written in great haste at Hereford, the 8th July.</p> - -<p class="right"> -Your lowly creature<br /> -<span class="smcap">Richard Kingeston,</span><br /> -<i>Archdeacon of Hereford.</i> -</p> - -<p>[<i>Postscript in English.</i>]—And for God's love, my liege Lord, -think on yourself and your estate, or, by my troth, all is lost -else; but and you come yourself with haste, all other will -follow after. And note on Friday last Carmarthen town is -taken and burnt, and the castle yielded by Roger Wigmore, -and the castle Emlyn is yielded; and slain of the town of<a class="pagenum" name="Page_7" title="7">7</a> -Carmarthen more than fifty persons. Written in right great -haste on Sunday; and I cry you mercy and put me in your -high grace that I write so shortly; for, by my troth that I owe -to you, it is needfull.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_BATTLE_OF_SHREWSBURY_1403" id="THE_BATTLE_OF_SHREWSBURY_1403"></a>THE BATTLE OF SHREWSBURY (1403).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Chronicle of Adam of Usk</i>, edited by Sir E. Maunde -Thompson, pp. 252, 253.</p> - - -<p>In the next year, on behalf of the crown of England claimed -for the earl of March, a deadly quarrel arose between the King -and the house of Percy of Northumberland, as kin to the same -earl, to the great agitation of the realm...; and a field -being pitched for the morrow of Saint Mary Magdalene -(23rd July), the King, by the advice of the earl of Dunbar of -Scotland, because the father of the lord Henry Percy and -Owen Glendower were then about to come against the King -with a great host, anticipating the appointed day, brought on -a most fearful battle against the said lord Henry and the lord -Thomas Percy, then earl of Worcester. And after that there -had fallen on either side in most bloody slaughter to the -number of sixteen thousand men, in the field of Berwick -(where the King afterwards founded a hospice for the souls of -those who there fell) two miles from Shrewsbury, on the eve -of the said feast, victory declared for the king who had thus -made the onslaught. In this battle the said lord Percy, the -flower and glory of Christendom, fell, alas! and with him his -uncle.... There fell also two noble knights in the King's -armour, each made conspicuous as though a second King, -having been placed for the King's safety in the rear line of -battle. Whereat the earl of Douglas of Scotland, then being in -the field with the said lord Henry, as his captive, when he heard -victory shouted for King Henry, cried in wonder: "Have I -not slain two King Henries (meaning the said knights) with -mine own hand? 'Tis an evil hour for us that a third yet -lives to be our victor."</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_8" title="8">8</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="FRENCH_AID_FOR_GLENDOWER_1404" id="FRENCH_AID_FOR_GLENDOWER_1404"></a>FRENCH AID FOR GLENDOWER (1404).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Ellis's <i>Original Letters</i>, second series, vol. i., pp. 33, 34. -(London: 1827.)</p> - - - - - - - - -<p><span class="smcap">William Venables and Roger Brescy to the King.</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Most puissant and redoubted liege Lord, we recommend us -to your sovereign Lord in all ways respectful and revered. -May it please your Royal Majesty to understand that Robert -Parys, the deputy constable of Carnarvon Castle, has apprized -us through a woman, because there was no man who dared to -come—for neither man nor woman dare carry letters on account -of the rebels of Wales,—that "Oweyn de Glyndour," with the -French and all his other power, is preparing to assault the -town and castle of Carnarvon, and to begin this enterprize -with engines, sowes<a name="FNanchor_3" id="FNanchor_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> and ladders of great length; and in the -town and castle there are not in all more than twenty-eight -fighting men, which is too small a force; for eleven of the -more able men who were there at the last siege of the place -are dead; some of the wounds they received at the time of the -assault, and others of the plague; so that the said castle and -town are in imminent danger, as the bearer of this will inform -you by word of mouth, to whom your Highness will be pleased -to give full faith and credence, as he can inform you most -accurately of the truth.... Written at Chester the 16th day -of January.</p> - -<p class="right"> -Your poor lieges<br /> -<span class="smcap">William Venables of Kinnerton</span><br /> -and <span class="smcap">Roger Brescy</span>. -</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3" id="Footnote_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> A machine for mining the walls.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_MANNER_OF_ELECTION_OF_KNIGHTS_OF_THE" id="THE_MANNER_OF_ELECTION_OF_KNIGHTS_OF_THE"></a>THE MANNER OF ELECTION OF KNIGHTS OF THE -SHIRE (1406).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Statutes of the Realm</i>, 7 Henry IV., c. xv.</p> - - -<p>Item our Lord the King, at the grievous complaints of his -Commons [in this present Parliament] of the undue election -of the Knights of Counties for the Parliament, which be some<a class="pagenum" name="Page_9" title="9">9</a>times -made of affection of the Sheriff, and otherwise against -the form of the writs directed to the Sheriff, to the great -slander of the Counties and the hindrance of the business of the -Commonalty of the said County; Our Sovereign Lord the -King, willing therein to provide a remedy, by the assent of the -Lords spiritual and temporal and the Commons in this present -Parliament assembled, hath ordained and established, that -from henceforth the elections of such knights shall be made in -the form that followeth: That is to say at the next County to -be holden after the delivery of the writ of the Parliament, -proclamation shall be made in the full County of the day and -place of the Parliament, and that all they that be there present, -as well suitors duly summoned for the same cause as other, shall -attend to the election of their knights for the Parliament; and -then, in the full County, they shall proceed to the election -freely and indifferently, notwithstanding any request or command -to the contrary; and after that they be chosen, the -names of the persons so chosen, be they present or absent, -shall be written in an Indenture under the Seal of all them -that did choose them, and tacked to the same Writ of Parliament; -which indenture, so sealed and tacked, shall be holden -for the Sheriff's return of the said writ touching the knights of -the Shires. And in the writs of Parliament to be made hereafter -this Clause shall be put: <i>Et electionem tuam in pleno Comitatu -tuo factam distincte et aperte sub sigillo tuo et sigillis eorum qui -electioni illi interfuerint nobis in cancellaria nostra ad diem et locum -in brevi contentos certifices indilate</i>.<a name="FNanchor_4" id="FNanchor_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4" id="Footnote_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> And thy election in thy full county made, distinctly and openly under thy -seal and the seals of those present at that election, certify without delay, to -us in our chancery, at the day and place contained in the writ.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="MONEY-GRANTS_TO_INITIATE_IN_THE_COMMONS_1407" id="MONEY-GRANTS_TO_INITIATE_IN_THE_COMMONS_1407"></a>MONEY-GRANTS TO INITIATE IN THE COMMONS (1407).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Rotuli Parliamentorum</i> (Record Commission), vol. iii., -p. 611, § 21.</p> - - -<p>Be it remembered that on Monday the 21st day of November, -the King our sovereign lord being in the Council Chamber -in the Abbey of Gloucester, there being in his presence the -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_10" title="10">10</a>lords spiritual and temporal at this present Parliament assembled, -there was a discussion among them concerning the state -of the realm and the defence of the same to resist the malice of -the enemies, who on every coast appeared to be harassing the -said realm and the faithful subjects of the same.... And -thereon it was demanded of the said lords, what aid would be -sufficient and necessary in this case. To which demand and -question the lords replied severally, that considering the -necessity of the King on the one part, and the poverty of his -people on the other part, a less aid could not suffice than to -have a tenth and a half from the cities and boroughs, and a -fifteenth and a half from other laymen. Further, to grant an -extension of the subsidy on wool, leather and woolfels, and -three shillings on the ton, and twelve pence in the pound, from -Michaelmas next until Michaelmas in two years next ensuing. -Thereon, by command of the King our said lord, it was conveyed -to the Commons of this present Parliament that they -should send to our said lord the King and the said lords a -certain number of persons of their company to hear and to report -to their colleagues what they should have as a command of -our said lord the King. And thereupon the said Commons -sent to the presence of the King our said lord, and the said -lords, twelve of their number: to whom, by command of our -said lord the King, was declared the question above-mentioned -and the reply of the aforesaid lords to it. This reply it was -the will of our said lord the King that they should convey to -the rest of their colleagues [in the Commons]; finally that -they (of the Commons) should conform as near as possible to -the purpose of the aforesaid lords. This report thus conveyed -to the said Commons, they were greatly perturbed by it, saying -and affirming this to be in great prejudice and derogation of -their liberties; and when our said lord the King heard this, -not wishing that anything should be done at present nor in the -future, which could turn in any wise against the liberty of the -estate for which they were come to Parliament, nor against -the liberties of the lords aforesaid, willed and granted and -declared, with the advice of the said lords, in the following -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_11" title="11">11</a>manner: That is to say, that it is lawful for the lords to -debate among themselves in this present Parliament, and in -every other [Parliament] in time to come, in the absence of -the King, touching the state of the realm and the remedy -necessary for it. And that, in like manner, it is lawful for the -Commons, on their part, to debate together touching the state -and remedy aforesaid. Provided always that the lords on their -part and the Commons on theirs, make no report to our said -lord the King of any grant granted by the Commons and -assented to by the lords, nor of the communications concerning -the said grant, before the said lords and Commons shall -be of one assent and of one accord in this matter, and then in -the manner and form that is customary, that is to say by the -mouth of the Speaker of the said Commons for the time being, -so that the said lords and Commons should have the agreement -of our said lord the King. Also our said lord the King -wills, also with the assent of the aforesaid lords, that the communications -held in this present Parliament as aforesaid shall -not be treated as an example for the future, nor be turned to -the prejudice or derogation of the liberty of the estate for -which the Commons are now come together, neither in the -present Parliament nor in any other in the future. But he -[the King] wills that the said, and all the other estates, be as -free as they had been before.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="PRINCE_HENRY_AND_THE_HERETIC_1410" id="PRINCE_HENRY_AND_THE_HERETIC_1410"></a>PRINCE HENRY AND THE HERETIC (1410).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Gregory's Chronicle in the <i>Collections of a London Citizen</i> -(Camden Society), pp. 105, 106.</p> - - -<p>And that year there was an heretic, that was called John of -Badby, that believed not in the Sacrament of the Altar, and -he was brought into Smithfield for to be burnt, and bound -unto a stake; and Sir Harry Prince of Wales counselled him -to hold the very right belief of Holy Church, and he should -fail neither lack no good. Also the Chancellor of Oxford, one -Master Courteney, informed him in the faith of Holy Church, -and the Prior of Saint Bartholomew brought the Holy Sacra<a class="pagenum" name="Page_12" title="12">12</a>ment -with twelve torches and brought it before him. And it -was asked him how that he believed. And he answered -and said that he wist well that it was holy bread, and not -God's own blessed body. And then was the tonne put over -him and fire put unto him; and when he felt the fire he cried -mercy. And anon the prince commanded to take away the fire, -and it was done so anon. And then the prince asked him if -that he would forsake his heresy and believe on the faith of all -Holy Church, and he would give him his life and goods -enough while he lived; but he would not, but continued forth -in his heresy. And then the prince commanded him up to be -burnt at once, and so he was. And John Gylott, vynter, he -made two weavers to be taken, the which followed the same -way of heresy.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_DEATH_OF_HENRY_IV_1413" id="THE_DEATH_OF_HENRY_IV_1413"></a>THE DEATH OF HENRY IV. (1413).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Fabyan's <i>Chronicle</i>, edited by Ellis, p. 576. -(London: 1811.)</p> - - -<p>In this year and 20th day of November, was a great -council holden at the White Friars in London, by the which -it was among other things concluded, that, for the King's -great journey that he intended to make in visiting of the holy -sepulchre of our Lord, certain galleys of war should be made, -and other purveyance concerning the same journey. Whereupon -all hasty and possible speed was made; but after the -feast of Christmas, while he was making his prayers at Saint -Edward's shrine, to take there his leave, and so speed him -upon his journey, he became so sick that such as were about -him feared that he would have died right there, wherefore they -for his comfort bore him into the Abbot's place and lodged him -in a chamber, and there upon a pallet laid him before the fire, -where he lay in great agony a certain of time. At length when -he was come to himself, not knowing where he was, he -enquired, of such as there were about him, what place that was; -the which showed to him that it belonged to the Abbot of -Westminster, and for he felt himself so sick, he commanded to -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_13" title="13">13</a>ask if that chamber had any special name, whereunto it was -answered that it was named Jerusalem. Then said the King: -"Loving be to the Father of Heaven, for now I know that -I shall die in this chamber, according to the prophecy of me -before said, that I should die at Jerusalem"; and so after he -made himself ready and died shortly after.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="ELECTORS_AND_ELECTED_TO_PARLIAMENT_TO_BE" id="ELECTORS_AND_ELECTED_TO_PARLIAMENT_TO_BE"></a>ELECTORS AND ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT TO BE -RESIDENT (1413).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Statutes of the Realm</i>, 1 Henry V., c. 1.</p> - - -<p>... That the Knights and Esquires and others which shall be -choosers of those knights of the shires be also resident within -the same shires in manner and form as is aforesaid. And -moreover it is ordained and established, That the citizens and -burgesses of the cities and boroughs be chosen men, citizens -and burgesses resident, dwelling and free in the same cities and -boroughs, and no other in any wise.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_DAUPHINS_REPLY_TO_HENRY_1414" id="THE_DAUPHINS_REPLY_TO_HENRY_1414"></a>THE DAUPHIN'S REPLY TO HENRY (1414).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—"Chronicle of King Henry V.," printed in Nicolas's -<i>Battle of Agincourt</i>, pp. viii-ix. (London: 1827.)</p> - - -<p>And his lords gave him [Henry V.] counsel, to send ambassadors -unto the King of France and his council, and that he -should give up to him his right heritage, that is to say -Normandy, Gascony, and Guienne, the which his predecessors -had held before him, or else he would it win with dint of sword, -in short time, with the help of Almighty God. And then the -Dauphin of France answered our ambassadors, and said in this -manner, that the King was over young and too tender of age -to make war against him, and was not like yet to be no good -warrior to do and to make such a conquest there upon him; -and somewhat in scorn and despite he sent to him a tonne full -of tennis balls because he would have somewhat for to play -withal for him and for his lords, and that became him better -than to maintain any war; and then anon our lords that was -ambassadors took their leave and came to England again, and -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_14" title="14">14</a>told the King and his Council of the ungoodly answer that they -had of the Dauphin, and of the present the which he had sent -unto the King; and when the King had heard their words and -the answer of the Dauphin, he was wondrous sore aggrieved -... and thought to avenge him upon them as soon as God -would send him grace and might, and anon made tennis balls -for the Dauphin, in all haste; and they were great gun-stones -for the Dauphin to play withal.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_COMMONS_AND_LEGISLATION_1414" id="THE_COMMONS_AND_LEGISLATION_1414"></a>THE COMMONS AND LEGISLATION (1414).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Rotuli Parliamentorum</i> (Record Commission), vol. iv., p. 22.</p> - - -<p>Item be it remembered, that the Commons presented to our -sovereign lord the King in this present Parliament a petition, -the tenor of which follows word for word.</p> - -<p>Our sovereign Lord, your humble and true lieges that have -come for the Commune of your land beseech your right -righteousness, That so it hath ever been their liberty and freedom -that there should no statute nor law be made unless they -give thereto their assent: Considering that the Commune of -your land, the which that is, and ever hath been, a member of -your Parliament, be as well assenters as petitioners, that from -this time forward, by complaint of the Commune of any -mischief asking remedy by the mouth of their Speaker or else -by petition written, that there never be no law made thereupon -and engrossed as statute and law, neither by addition, neither -by diminutions, by no manner of term or terms the which that -should change the sentence and the intent asked by the -Speaker's mouth, or the petitions beforesaid given up in -writing by the manner aforesaid, without assent of the aforesaid -Commune. Considering our sovereign Lord, that it is -not in no wise the intent of your Communes, that it be so that -they ask you, by speaking or by writing, two things or three -or as many as them lust: But that ever it stand in the freedom -of your high regality to grant which of those that you lust, -and to refuse the remnant.</p> - -<p>The King of his grace especially granteth that from hence<a class="pagenum" name="Page_15" title="15">15</a>forth -no thing be enacted to the petitions of his Commune -that be contrary to their asking, whereby they should be bound -without their assent. Saving always to our liege Lord his real -prerogative to grant and deny what him lust of their petitions -and askings aforesaid.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_CONSPIRACY_OF_CAMBRIDGE_1415" id="THE_CONSPIRACY_OF_CAMBRIDGE_1415"></a>THE CONSPIRACY OF CAMBRIDGE (1415).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Nicolas's <i>Battle of Agincourt</i>, p. lxxvii. (London: 1827.)</p> - - -<p>And then fell there a great disease and a foul mischief, for -there were three lords which the King trusted much on and -through false covetousness they had purposed and imagined -the King's death and thought to have slain him and all his -brethren or that he had taken the sea, which were named thus—Sir -Richard, earl of Cambridge brother to the duke of York, -the second was the lord Scrope Treasurer of England, the -third was Sir Thomas Gray knight of the north country, and -these lords aforesaid, for lucre of money, had made promise to -the Frenchmen for to have slain King Henry and all his -worthy brethren by a false train suddenly or they had beware. -But Almighty God of his great grace held his holy hand over -them and saved them from this perilous mien. And for to -have done this they received of the Frenchmen a million of -gold and that there was proved openly. And for their false -treason they were all judged unto the death. And this was -the judgement, that they should be led through Hampton and -without Northgate there to be beheaded, and thus they ended -their life for their false covetousness and treason.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_BATTLE_OF_AGINCOURT_October_25_1415" id="THE_BATTLE_OF_AGINCOURT_October_25_1415"></a>THE BATTLE OF AGINCOURT (<span class="smcap">October 25, 1415</span>).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Elmham's <i>Vita et gesta Henrici Quinti</i>, pp. 59 <i>et seq.</i> -(Oxford: 1727.)</p> - - -<p>A.—<i>The Disposition and Order of the English Army.</i></p> - -<p>The night being spent but Titan not yet risen above the -horizon, scarce had Friday dawned (on which the day the -martyrdom of the blessed Crispin and Crispinian is celebrated) -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_16" title="16">16</a>than the King neglected not to lead out his troops into the -field, having first said matins and heard mass, and thinking -that his enemies would be more engaged in fighting than in -plundering, he ordered the horses of his men and whatever -other things his army had brought with them except their -arms, to be left in the village in which they had been quartered -in the night, and assigned to the care of a few soldiers.... -But in order that his army, which was very small in comparison -to the French, might be able to fight without a wide -separation, he arrayed it for battle in this wise: to the middle -battalion, which he himself led, and in which under the mercy -of God he proposed to fight, he assigned and chose a likely -place about the middle of the field, so that it might meet the -middle battalion of the enemy. On his right, at scarcely any -distance, he placed the vanguard of his army and joined it to -the wing at his right hand. But on the King's left was the -rearward of the army, to which the left wing was likewise -joined. These being so placed the providence of the divine -grace was manifestly displayed, which provided for so small an -army so apt a field enclosed within hedges and bushes ... to -protect them from being surrounded by the ambuscades of the -enemy. Now the King was clad in strong and very glittering -armour; on his head he bore a helmet with a large resplendent -crest and a crown of gold glistening with precious stones; his -body begirt with a surcoat with the arms of England and -France, from which heavenly splendour there sprang forth, on -the one side, three golden flowers in a field of azure, on the -other side three golden leopards sporting in a ruby field.... -[He], seated on a noble horse of snowy whiteness, having also -horses following bedecked in kingly fashion with the richest -trappings, wondrously incited his army to deeds of valour. -The nobles also, by the King's side, were arrayed with coats of -arms as became those about to engage in conflict. And when -the King heard someone wishing that whatever nobles of the -realm of England, who were well-disposed thereto, were -present at this affair, with kingly steadfastness he thus replied, -"Truly I would not that by one single person the number of -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_17" title="17">17</a>this army should be increased. For if in the number of fighting -men, we were equal to, or perhaps, stronger than, our -enemies, and they were delivered into our hands by the -hazards of war, our indiscreet judgement would attribute the -victory to the greatness of our strength, and so due praise -would by no means be accorded. But if, after God's own -manifold chastisement for our sins, the divine judgement should -determine to deliver us into the hands of the enemy,... -certainly then our army would be too great to be exposed -(which God forbid!) to so great a calamity. But if the divine -mercy should deign to deliver so many adversaries to so trifling -a force of fighting men, we should deem so great a victory -certainly bestowed by God upon us and return thanks to -Him and not to our own numbers. Lo! he who is splendidly -and safely defended and armed in body is fortified in mind -much more gloriously by stern hope and unbroken fortitude."</p> - - -<p>B.—<i>The Disposition and Order of the French Army.</i></p> - -<p>The enemy, despising the idleness and inaction of the King's -army, endeavoured to prepare their numerous formations -in proper order for battle.... They drew up their army -after their own fashion, as the King had drawn up his; nevertheless -the breadth of the field was not sufficient to draw up so -numerous a host into proper battle array. For whereas the -English army, throughout all its lines, was scarcely strengthened -with files of four men, one behind another crosswise, -all the French lines throughout their length were strengthened -with files of twenty or more fighting men, one behind the -other. Also, in the outermost flank of their army were placed -a thousand soldiers, to break through the English lines with -cavalry charges; also certain <i>saxi-voma</i>,<a name="FNanchor_5" id="FNanchor_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> which might scatter -the English when about to engage in battle, or at least throw -them into disorder, were drawn up along the flanks of the -army. But the number of standards and other warlike ensigns, -which were displayed by the French army, fastened on the -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_18" title="18">18</a>points of lances and rustling in the wind, seemed to exceed the -multitude of lances in the English army....</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5" id="Footnote_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Engines for hurling stones.</p></div> - - -<p>C.—<i>The Battle.</i></p> - -<p>Thus drawn up across the fields on both sides and three bow -shots, or thereabouts, distant from each other, each army awaited -the movements of the other, but neither advanced against the -other for some time. Yet the French cavalry, advancing a little -into the field, were by the King's command forced to retreat -hastily, through certain of the royal archers, on to their army. -Also certain French barons, by their own wishes, came into the -King's presence, and without being able to find out anything -the King proposed to do, were soon ordered to return to their -own army. Now King Henry, when he considered that a -great part of the short day was already passed, and readily believing -that the French were not disposed to move from their -position, consulted the nobles and experts as to what they -should do, viz., whether he should advance with his army, in -the order in which it stood, against the enemy who refused to -move against him. They, having fully considered the circumstances -of so important a matter, decided that the King should -advance with his army towards the enemy, and mightily charge -them in the name of God.... Without delay both men-at-arms, -unheeding their heavy arms, and the archers, leaving -behind in the field their sharp stakes which they had -previously prepared to meet the French cavalry, all having -bowed the knee and taken lumps of earth in their mouths,<a name="FNanchor_6" id="FNanchor_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> -with a warlike shout piercing the heavens and with wonderful -dash, flew fiercely along the plain, and their outward bearing -shewed how much courage fired their hearts. And when they -had approached within twenty paces of the ranks of the enemy, -not far from Agincourt, and the sounds of the trumpets rending -the air had stirred the spirits of the warriors to battle, the -enemy, now for the first time moving, advanced to meet the -English. Immediately the battle commenced with such fury -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_19" title="19">19</a>that at the first attack of such brave warriors, by the dire -shock of lances and the violent blows of swords the joints of -their strong armour were broken, and the first rank on both -sides dealt deadly wounds. But, on the other side, the warlike -band of archers, with their strong and numerous volleys, -darkened the air, shedding, like a cloud laden with rain, an unbearable -multitude of piercing arrows, and, inflicting wounds -on the horses, either threw to the ground the French cavalry -who were drawn up to charge them, or forced them to retreat.... -In this deadly conflict be it remembered among other -things that that bright shining Titan of Kings so much exposed -the precious treasure of his person to every chance of war that -he thundered upon his enemies swift terrors and intolerable -attacks.... After a while all the King's battalions, foremost -and hindmost, were victorious, each wing having overthrown -the enemy.... And, by divine mercy, having gained so -glorious a triumph, the magnanimous King ... was gratefully -minded to return thanks most devoutly for so great a victory. -And, because so great a victory was vouchsafed to him on the -feast of St. Crispin and Crispinian, every day throughout his -life he heard mention of them in one of his masses.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6" id="Footnote_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> As a sign of their desire and an acknowledgment of their unworthiness -to receive the Sacrament.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="BOROUGH_CUSTOMS_circa_1416" id="BOROUGH_CUSTOMS_circa_1416"></a>BOROUGH CUSTOMS (<i>circa</i> 1416).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—"Customs of Hereford," in the <i>Journal of the British -Archæological Association</i>, vol. xxvii., pp. 460 <i>et seq.</i> (London: -1871.)</p> - -<p>[The customs of Hereford were placed on record in the reign of Henry V., -and rewritten in 1486. Many of the customs were of much older date; even -in 1486 some were of a duration from "time immemorial."]</p> - - -<p><i>Election of Bailiff.</i>—First of all we use at the Feast of St. -Michael to choose unto us a bailiff of our fellow-citizens, by -the whole consent of the city, who is powerful to labour and -discreet to judge, holding some tenements or hereditaments in -the fee of our Lord the King; and he to be our head next -under the King, whom we ought, in all things touching our -King or the state of our city, to obey chiefly in three things,—first, -when we are sent for, by day or by night, to consult of -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_20" title="20">20</a>those things which appertain to the King or the state of -the city; secondly, to answer if we offend in any point contrary -to our oath, or to our fellow-citizens; thirdly, to perform -the affairs of our city at our own charges, if so be they may be -finished sooner or better than by any other of our citizens.... -And this shall be the oath of the bailiff when he is chosen. -He shall not have respect to anyone's person who hath been -heretofore elected.</p> - -<p><i>The Mayor's Oath.</i>—First, that he shall be true to our Lord -the King in all things; secondly, that as much as in him lies, -as well by day as by night, he shall faithfully defend and keep -the city of Hereford, the city of our Lord the King; thirdly, -he shall defend and maintain the laws and customs of the city -during his time;... fourthly, that he shall administer justice -and judgement to every one, not having respect to any one's -person; fifthly, that he shall not hold or keep the office of his -mayoralty but for one year after his election; sixthly, if so be -that he be a layman, he shall do all things belonging to his -office by the counsel of his faithful citizens....</p> - -<p><i>Concerning our courts</i>, we use to keep them on a Tuesday, -from the fifteenth day until fifteen days; unto which courts -all citizens of our Lord the King ought to come, and chiefly all -those which hold any tenement of our Lord the King; and -especially to the two first courts holden after the feasts of -Michaelmas and Easter, at which two courts the assize of -bread and beer shall be ordained, and keepers to keep the -same assize; and unto the said courts and other courts [shall -come] all others who complain of any trespasses committed, or -any other thing touching the state of the city or themselves, -and they ought to speak the truth upon their own peril, not -bringing with them any stranger ... because we do not use -that strangers shall come and implead amongst us, and know -the secrets of the courts, for divers dangers that thereby may -ensue....</p> - -<p><i>Night-Walkers.</i>—And it shall be commanded ... that, -among other things, it shall be proclaimed that no vagabond -or night-walker be within our city, nor in the suburbs, after -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_21" title="21">21</a>the ringing of our common bell; and if anyone be taken after -the ringing of the bell, let him be brought unto the gaol of our -Lord the King, and there he shall stay until the morrow.... -Concerning our bell, we use to have it in a public place, where -our chief bailiff may come, as well by day as by night, to give -warning to all men living within the said city and suburbs. -And we do not say that it ought to ring unless it be for some -terrible fire burning any row of houses within the said city, or -for any common contention whereby the city might be terribly -moved, or for any enemies drawing near unto the city, or if -the city be besieged, or any sedition shall be between any, and -notice thereof given by any unto our chief bailiff.... Also -we use that if any one of our citizens hath any tenements -situate in the High Street of the city, or having over part of -the pavement, and it be ruinous, so that danger may happen -to us or to our children, or to others going along the city; and -especially if the Lord our King, or any of his, should happen -to pass along that street ... in such case our chief bailiff -shall cause them to be warned that have such tenements, that -they amend them in more safer manner within three days; and -unless they do so, let three days more be given them, in the -behalf of our Lord the King and the commonalty; and unless -it be then done, our chief bailiff, taking with him the power of -the city, if it be needful, shall go to such a tenement, and in -his presence let it be thrown down at the costs of him to whom -the tenement belongeth, or if needful, at the costs of the -commonalty;...</p> - -<p><i>Brewers to the Cucking-Stools.</i>—... And if any brewer hath -brewed and broken the assize of our Lord the King, allowed -and publicly proclaimed in the said city, she ought by the -bailiff to be amerced the first and the second time; and if she -break the assize the third time, she ought to be taken by the -bailiff and to be led to the judgement which is called the -Gongestole....</p> - -<p><i>Scolds.</i>—Also it was agreed upon concerning scolding women, -that by them many evils do arise in the city viz. by wrangling, -fighting, defaming, troubling by night those which are at rest, -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_22" title="22">22</a>and often times moving schisms between their neighbours, and -by contradicting the bailiff and ministers and others; and in -their prison, by speaking ill or cursing them,... wherefore, -at all times when they shall be taken and convicted, they shall -have their judgement, without any redemption to be made; -and there they shall stand, with their feet bare, and their hair -hanging about their ears, by so much time as they may be -seen of all those which pass by that way ... and afterwards, -the judgement being finished, let her (the scold) be brought to -the gaol of our Lord the King, and there stay until she hath -made redemption at the will of the bailiff. And if she -will not be amended by such punishment, let her be cast out -of the city.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_EXECUTION_OF_SIR_JOHN_OLDCASTLE_1417" id="THE_EXECUTION_OF_SIR_JOHN_OLDCASTLE_1417"></a>THE EXECUTION OF SIR JOHN OLDCASTLE (1417).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Brief Chronicle of Sir John Oldcastle.</i> ("Harleian -Miscellany," vol. ii., pp. 276, 277.)</p> - - -<p>And upon the day appointed he was brought out of the -Tower with his arms bound behind him, having a very cheerful -countenance. Then was he laid upon an hurdle, as though -he had been a most heinous traitor to the Crown, and so -drawn forth into Saint Giles Field, where they had set up a -new pair of gallows. As he was come to the place of execution, -and was taken from the hurdle, he fell down devoutly on -his knees, desiring Almighty God to forgive his enemies. -Then stood he up and beheld the multitude, exhorting them, in -most goodly manner, to follow the laws of God written in the -Scriptures and in any wise to beware of such teachers as they -see contrary to Christ in their conversation and living; with -many other special counsels. Then was he hanged up there -by the middle in chains of iron, and so consumed alive in the -fire; praising the name of God so long as his life lasted. In -the end he commended his soul into the hands of God, and -so departed hence most christianly, his body resolved into -ashes.</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_23" title="23">23</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_SIEGE_OF_ROUEN_1418" id="THE_SIEGE_OF_ROUEN_1418"></a>THE SIEGE OF ROUEN (1418).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—John Page's "Poem on the Siege of Rouen" in the <i>Collections -of a London Citizen</i>. (Camden Society.)</p> - -<p class="poemtitle"><span class="smcap">The Sufferings of the Inhabitants.</span></p> -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"> - - -<div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Meat and drink and other victual<br /></span> -<span class="i0">In that city began to fail.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Save clean water they had enow,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And vinegar to put thereto,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Their bread was full nigh gone<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And flesh, save horse, had they none.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">They ate dogs, and they ate cats<br /></span> -<span class="i0">They ate mice, horses and rats.<br /></span> -</div> - -<div> -<hr class="poemtb" /><br /></div> -<div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Then to die they did begin,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">All that rich city within<br /></span> -<span class="i0">They died faster every day<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Than men might them in earth lay.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">There as was pride in ray before,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Then was it put in sorrow full sore.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">There as was meat, drink and song,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Then was sorrow and hunger strong.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">If the child should be dead,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">The mother would not give it bread.<br /></span> -</div></div> - -</div> - -<p class="poemtitle"><span class="smcap">The Surrender.</span></p> -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">On the feast of St. Wulstan it fell,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">That was upon a Thursday.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Our king then in rich array,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And royally in his estate<br /></span> -<span class="i0">As a conqueror there he sate,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Within a house of Charity.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">To him the keys of that city<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Delivered unto him in fee.<br /></span> -</div> - -<div> -<hr class="poemtb" /><br /> -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_24" title="24">24</a></div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">There was neighing of many a steed,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">There was shewing of many a weed,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">There was many a jetton<a name="FNanchor_7" id="FNanchor_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> gay,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Much royalty and rich array.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">When the gates were opened there<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And they were ready in for to fare,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Trumpetters blew their horns of brass,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Pipes and clarions both there was,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And as they entered they gave a shout<br /></span> -<span class="i0">With a voice, and that a stout,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">"St. George! St. George!" they cried on height,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">"Welcome to Rouen, our king's own right."<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7" id="Footnote_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Jetton = a piece of metal or ivory bearing an inscription or device.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_TREATY_OF_TROYES_1420" id="THE_TREATY_OF_TROYES_1420"></a>THE TREATY OF TROYES (1420).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Rymer's <i>Fœdera</i>, vol. ix., pp. 916-920. (London: 1709.)</p> - - -<p>Henry by the grace of God, King of England, Heir and -Regent of France, and Lord of Ireland to perpetual mind, to -all Christian people, and to all that be under our obedience we -notify and declare that ... we have taken a treaty with our -aforesaid father [Charles of France], in the which treaty it is -concluded and accorded after the manner that followeth:</p> - -<p>First, it is accorded between our aforesaid father and us -that: for as much as, by the bond of matrimony between us -and our most dear and most beloved Catherine, the daughter -of our said father and of our most dear mother, Isabel his wife, -the same Charles and Isabel having been made our father and -mother, we shall have and worship, as it fitteth such and so -worthy a Prince and Princess for to be worshipped, principally -before all other temporal persons of this world.</p> - -<p>Also, we shall not disturb, disseize nor let our said father, -but that he hold and possess, as long as he liveth, as he -holdeth and possesseth at this time, the Crown and dignity -royal of France, and rents, fruits, and profits of the same....</p> - -<p>Also, that the aforesaid Catherine shall take and have dower -in our Realm of England, as Queen of England, towards her -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_25" title="25">25</a>wont for to take and have—that is to say the sum of forty -thousands scutes the year.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Also, that, after the death of our said father, and from -thenceforward the Crown and realm of France, with all their -rights and appurtenances, shall remainder and abide and be of -us and of our heirs for evermore. Also, forasmuch as our said -father is holden with divers sickness, in such manner as he -may not attend in his own person for to dispose for the needs -of the aforesaid realm of France, therefore, during the life of -our said father, the faculty and exercise of the governance and -disposition of the public good and common profit of the said -realm of France, with the counsel of the nobles and wise men -of the same realm,... shall be and abide to us....</p> - -<p>Also that we, to our power, shall defend and keep all and -every peers, nobles, cities, towns, commonalties and singulars<a name="FNanchor_8" id="FNanchor_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> -now or in time coming, subject to our said father, in his rights, -customs, privileges, freedoms and franchises.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8" id="Footnote_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Singulars = individuals as opposed to corporations.</p></div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Also, that we, to our power and as soon as it may commodiously -be done, shall strive so to put into obedience of our -said father all manner of cities, towns, castles, places, countries -and persons with the realm of France, inobedient and rebel -to our said father, holding the party being, or have been, of -that party commonly called Dauphin or Armagnac.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Also, by God's help, when it happeneth us to come to the -Crown of France, the duchy of Normandy and also all other -places conquered by us in the said realm of France, shall be -under the commandment, obedience and monarchy of the -crown of France.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Also, that henceforward perpetually shall be still, rest and -all manner of wise shall cease all manner of dissensions, hates, -rancours, enemities and wars between the said realms of -France and England....</p> - - - - - - - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_26" title="26">26</a></p> - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_DEATH_OF_HENRY_V_1422" id="THE_DEATH_OF_HENRY_V_1422"></a>THE DEATH OF HENRY V. (1422).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Monstrelet's <i>Chronicles</i>, translated by Johnes, vol. ii., -pp. 371-372. (Hafod Press, 1809.)</p> - - -<p>King Henry, finding himself mortally ill, called to him -his brother the Duke of Bedford, his uncle of Exeter, the earl -of Warwick, sir Louis de Robesart and others, to the number -of six or eight of those in whom he had the greatest confidence, -and said that he saw with grief it was the pleasure of his -Creator that he should quit this world. He then addressed -the Duke of Bedford:—"John, my good brother, I beseech -you, on the loyalty and love you have ever expressed for me, -that you show the same loyalty and affection to my son Henry, -your nephew, and that, so long as you shall live, you do not -suffer him to conclude any treaty with our adversary Charles, -and that on no account whatever the duchy of Normandy be -wholly restored to him. Should our good brother of Burgundy -be desirous of the regency of the Kingdom of France, I would -advise that you let him have it; but should he refuse, then -take it yourself. My good uncle of Exeter, I nominate you -sole regent of the Kingdom of England, for that you well -know how to govern it; and I entreat that you do not, on any -pretence whatever, return to France; and I likewise nominate -you as guardian to my son,—and I insist, on your love to me, -that you do very often personally visit and see him. My dear -cousin of Warwick, I will that you be his governor, and that -you teach him all things becoming his rank, for I cannot provide -a fitter person for the purpose. I entreat you all as earnestly -as I can, that you avoid all quarrels and dissensions with our -fair brother of Burgundy; and this I particularly recommend -to the consideration of my fair brother Humphrey,—for should -any coolness subsist between you, which God forbid, the affairs -of this realm, which are now in a very promising state, would -soon be ruined." ... The King then sent for his physicians, -and earnestly demanded of them how long they thought he -had to live. They delayed answering the question directly; -but, not to discourage hope, they said that it depended solely -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_27" title="27">27</a>on the will of God whether he would be restored to health. -He was dissatisfied with this answer, and repeated his request, -begging of them to tell him the truth. Upon this they consulted -together, and one of them, as spokesman, falling on his -knees, said, "Sire, you must think on your soul; for, unless it -be the will of God to decree otherwise, it is impossible that -you should live more than two hours." The King, hearing -this, sent for his confessor, some of his household and his -chaplains, whom he ordered to chant the seven penitential -psalms. When they came to "<i>Benigne fac Domine</i>" where mention -is made "<i>Muri Hierusalem</i>,"<a name="FNanchor_9" id="FNanchor_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> he stopped them, and said -aloud, that he had fully intended, after he had wholly subdued -the realm of France to his obedience, and restored it to peace, -to have gone to conquer the Kingdom of Jerusalem, if it had -pleased his Creator to have granted him a longer life. Having -said this, he allowed the priests to proceed, and shortly after, -according to the prediction of his physicians, gave up the -ghost.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9" id="Footnote_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> "Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of -Jerusalem" (Ps. li. 18). The king's words were: "Good Lord, thou knewest -that my mind was to re-edify the walls of Hierusalem" (Leland's <i>Collectanea</i>, -ii., 489).</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="A_BEGGING_LETTER_TO_HENRY_VI_1422" id="A_BEGGING_LETTER_TO_HENRY_VI_1422"></a>A BEGGING LETTER TO HENRY VI. (1422).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Ellis's <i>Original Letters</i>, second series, vol. i., pp. 95-96. -(London: 1827.)</p> - - -<p><i>To the King our Sovereign Lord.</i></p> - -<p>Beseecheth meekly your poor liegeman and humble orator -Thomas Hostell, that in consideration of his service done to -your noble progenitors of full blessed memory, King Henry IV. -and King Henry V., whose souls God assoil; being at the -Siege of Harfleur, there smitten with a dart through the head, -losing one eye and his cheek-bone broken; also at the battle -of Agincourt, and after, at the taking of the Carracks<a name="FNanchor_10" id="FNanchor_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> on the -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_28" title="28">28</a>sea, there with a rod of iron his plates smitten in sunder, and -sore hurt, maimed and wounded; by means whereof he being -sore enfeebled and bruised, now fallen to great age and -poverty; greatly in debt, and may not help himself; having -not wherewith to be sustained nor relieved but of men's -gracious alms; and being for his said service never yet recompensed -nor rewarded:—it please your high and excellent Grace, -the premises tenderly considered, of your benign pity and -grace, to relieve and refresh your said poor orator, as it shall -please you, with your most gracious alms at the reverence of -God and in work of charity; and he shall devoutly pray for -the souls of your said noble progenitors and for your most -noble and high estate.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10" id="Footnote_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Carracks = ships. The event took place at the siege of Harfleur, 1416. -"After a long fight the victory fell to the Englishmen, and they took and -sunk almost the whole navy of France, in which there were many ships, hulks, -and carracks, to the number of five hundred, of which three great carracks -were sent to England" (Hall's <i>Chronicle</i>).</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_BATTLE_OF_VERNEUIL_1424" id="THE_BATTLE_OF_VERNEUIL_1424"></a>THE BATTLE OF VERNEUIL (1424).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Waurin's <i>Chronicles</i>, 1422-1431, pp. 73-78. (Rolls Series.)</p> - - -<p>The Duke of Bedford, the regent, took the field in very -fair array, and rode on until he had passed the woods near -Verneuil; and when he found himself in the plain he beheld -the town and all the force of the French arranged and set in -order of battle, which was a very fair thing to see; for without -doubt I, the author of this work, had never seen a fairer company, -nor one where there were so many of the nobility as -there were there, nor set in better order, nor showing greater -appearance of a desire to fight; I saw the assembly at -Azincourt, where there were many more princes and troops, -and also that at Crevant, which was a very fine affair, but -certainly that at Verneuil was of all the most formidable and -the best fought.... At the onset there was a great noise -and great shouting with tumultuous sounds of the trumpets -and clarions; the one side cried "Saint Denis!" and the -others "Saint George!" And so horrible was the shouting -that there was no man so brave or confident that he was not -in fear of death; they began to strike with axes and to thrust -with lances, then they put their hands to their swords, with -which they gave each other great blows and deadly strokes; -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_29" title="29">29</a>the archers of England and the Scots, who were with the -French, began to shoot one against the other so murderously -that it was a horror to look upon them, for they carried death -to those whom they struck with full force. After the shooting, -the opponents attacked each other very furiously, hand to -hand; and this battle was on a Thursday, the seventeenth -day of August, commencing about two hours after noon.... -Many a capture and many a rescue was made there, and many -a drop of blood shed, which was a great horror and irreparable -pity to see Christian people so destroy one another, for during -this pitiable and deadly battle mercy had no place there, so -much did the parties hate each other; the blood of the slain -stretched upon the ground, and that of the wounded ran in -great streams about the field. This battle lasted about three-quarters -of an hour, very terrible and sanguinary, and it was -not then in the memory of man to have seen two parties so -mighty for such a space of time in like manner fight without -being able to perceive to whom the loss or victory would -turn.... Elsewhere, the duke of Bedford, as I hear related, -for I could not see or comprehend the whole since I was -sufficiently occupied in defending myself, did that day wonderful -feats of arms, and killed many a man, for with an axe -which he held in his two hands he reached no one whom he -did not punish, since he was large in body and stout in limb, -wise and brave in arms; but he was very greatly harassed by -the Scots, especially by the earl of Douglas and his troop, -insomuch that one knew not what to think nor to imagine -how the affair would terminate, for the French, who had -more men by one-half than the English, fought only to -conquer....</p> - -<p>Then the French began to be dismayed, losing altogether -the hope of victory which a little while before they thought -was in their hands, but each one of them sought a place -where he could save himself, taking flight as best he might, -and abandoning the rest; some drew towards the town and -others took the fields....</p> - -<p>Finally, the English pursued the French so, that they -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_30" title="30">30</a>obtained the complete victory on that day and gained the -battle, but not without great effusion of their own blood.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="TO_KING_HENRY_VI_ON_HIS_CORONATION_1429" id="TO_KING_HENRY_VI_ON_HIS_CORONATION_1429"></a>TO KING HENRY VI. ON HIS CORONATION (1429).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Wright's <i>Political Poems</i>, pp. 141, 145. (Rolls Series.)</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Most noble prince of christian princes all,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Flowering in youth and virtuous innocence,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Whom God above list of his grace call<br /></span> -<span class="i2">This day to estate of knightly excellence,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">And to be crownéd with due reverence,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">To great gladness of all this region,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Laud and honour to thy magnificence,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And good fortune unto thy high renown.<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> - - -<hr class="poemtb" /><br /> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">God of his grace gave unto thy kindred<br /></span> -<span class="i2">The palm of conquest, the laurel of victory;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">They lovéd God and worshipped him indeed,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Wherefore their names he hath put in memory,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Made them to reign for virtue in his glory;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And since thou art born of their lineage,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Before all things that be transitory<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Love God and dread, and so 'gin thy passage.<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> - - -<hr class="poemtb" /><br /> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">And that thou mayst be resemblable found,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Heretics and Lollards for to oppress,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Like the emperor, worthy Sigismund;<br /></span> -<span class="i2">And as thy father, flower of high prowess,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">At the 'ginning of his royal nobless,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Voided all cokil<a name="FNanchor_11" id="FNanchor_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> far out of Sion,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">And Christes Spouse sat there in stableness,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Outraging foreigns that came from Babylon.<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> - - -<hr class="poemtb" /><br /><a class="pagenum" name="Page_31" title="31">31</a> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Prince excellent, be faithfull, true and stable;<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Dread God, do law, chastize extortion;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Be liberal of courage, unmutable;<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Cherish the church with holy affection;<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Love thy lieges of either region;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Prefer the peace, eschew war and debate;<br /></span> -<span class="i2">And God shall send thee from the heaven down<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Grace and good hap to thy royal estate.<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11" id="Footnote_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Cokil = weeds in corn.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="BATTLE_OF_HERRINGS_1429" id="BATTLE_OF_HERRINGS_1429"></a>BATTLE OF HERRINGS (1429).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Monstrelet's <i>Chronicles</i>, translated by Johnes, vol. ii., -pp. 495, 496. (Hafod Press, 1809.)</p> - - -<p>The regent duke of Bedford, while at Paris, had collected -about five hundred carts and cars from the borders of Normandy -and from the Isle of France, which different merchants -were ordered to load with provisions, stores and other things, -and to have conveyed to the English army before Orleans.... -This armament left Paris on Ash Wednesday, under the command -of Sir John Falstaff, who conducted the convoy with his -forces in good order, by short marches, until he came near the -village of Rouvroi in Beauce, situated between Genville and -Orleans. Many French captains, having long before heard of -his coming, were there assembled to wait his arrival, namely -Charles duke of Bourbon, the two marshals of France, the -constable of Scotland and his son ... and others of the nobility, -having with them from three to four thousand men. The -English had been informed of this force being assembled from -different garrisons which they had in those parts, and lost no -time in forming a square with their carts and carriages, leaving -but two openings, in which square they enclosed themselves, -posting their archers as guards to these entrances, and the -men-at-arms hard by to support them. On the strongest side -of this enclosure were the merchants, pages, carters, and those -incapable of defending themselves, with their horses. The -English, thus situated, waited two hours for the coming of the -enemy, who at length arrived with much noise, and drew up -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_32" title="32">32</a>out of bowshot in front of the enclosure. It seemed to them -that, considering their superior numbers, the state of the convoy, -and that there were not more than six hundred real -Englishmen, the rest being composed of all nations, they could -not escape falling into their hands, and must be speedily conquered. -Others, however, had their fears of the contrary -happening, for the French captains did not well agree together -as to their mode of fighting, for the Scots would combat on -foot, and the others on horseback.... In the meantime the -constable of Scotland, his son and all their men, dismounted -and advanced to attack their adversaries, by whom they were -received with great courage. The English archers, under the -shelter of their carriages, shot so well and stiffly that all on -horseback within their reach were glad to retreat with their -men-at-arms. The constable of Scotland and his men attacked -one of the entrances of the enclosure, but they were soon slain -on the spot.... The other French captains retreated with -their men to the places whence they had come. The English, -on their departure, refreshed themselves and then marched -away in haste for their town of Rouvroi, where they halted -for the night. On the morrow they departed in handsome -array with their convoy and artillery, and in a few days -arrived before Orleans, very much rejoiced at their good -fortune in the late attack from the French, and at having so -successfully brought provision to their countrymen.</p> - -<p>This battle was ever afterward called the Battle of Herrings, -because great part of the convoy consisted of herrings and -other articles of food suitable to Lent.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="JOAN_OF_ARC_RAISES_THE_SIEGE_OF_ORLEANS_1429" id="JOAN_OF_ARC_RAISES_THE_SIEGE_OF_ORLEANS_1429"></a>JOAN OF ARC RAISES THE SIEGE OF ORLEANS (1429).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Waurin's <i>Chronicles</i>, 1422-1431, pp. 171,172. -(Rolls Series.)</p> - - -<p>... The troops in Orleans then seeing that they were very -strongly pressed by the diligence of the besiegers, both by -their engines and by the towers which they had made around -the town, to the number of twenty-two, and that by the con<a class="pagenum" name="Page_33" title="33">33</a>tinuance -thereof they were in danger of being placed in servitude -and obedience to their enemies the English, prepared -themselves for all risks and decided to resist with all their -power and in all the ways that they well could, so that, the -better to help, they sent to King Charles to obtain aid in men -and provisions; and there were then sent to them from four to -five hundred combatants, and soon after fully seven thousand -were sent to them, and some boats loaded with provisions -coming down the river under the guidance and protection of -these men-at-arms, in which company was the maid Joan, who -had not yet done anything for which she was held in much -esteem.</p> - -<p>Then the English captains holding the siege, knowing of -the coming of the said boats and of those who convoyed them, -at once and in haste endeavoured to resist by force in order to -prevent them from landing in the town of Orleans, and on the -other hand the French exerted themselves to bring them in by -force of arms. On the vessels coming up to pass there was -many a lance broken, many an arrow shot, and many a bolt -shot by the engines, and so great a noise was made both by -the besieged and by the besiegers, both by defenders and -assailants, that it was horrible to hear them; but whatever -force or resistance the English could make there, the French -in spite of them brought their boats in safety into the town, at -which the said English were much troubled and the French -joyful at their good fortune, so they also entered the said town, -where they were welcomed as well for the provisions they had -brought as for the maid whom they had taken back with them, -great rejoicings being made everywhere for the good succour -King Charles sent them, whence they plainly perceived the -good will that he had towards them, at which the inhabitants -of the city rejoiced greatly, making such a clamour that they -were heard quite plainly by the besiegers.</p> - -<p>Then when the next day came, which was Thursday, when -every one was refreshed, the maid Joan, rising early in the -morning, spoke in council to some captains and chiefs of -squadrons, to whom she showed by forcible arguments how -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_34" title="34">34</a>they had come there on purpose to defend that city against -the ancient enemies of the kingdom of France, who were -greatly oppressing it, and to such a degree that she saw that -it was in great danger if good provision were not speedily made -for it; so she admonished them to go and arm themselves, and -effected so much by her words that she induced them to do so, -and said to them that if they would follow her she doubted -not that she would cause such damage that it would ever be -remembered, and that the enemy would curse the hour of her -coming.</p> - -<p>The maid preached so well to them that they all went to arm -themselves with her; then they sallied out of the town in very -fair array, and setting out she said to the captains: "Lords, -take courage and good hope; before four days have passed -your enemies will be vanquished." And the captains and -men-of-war who were there could not wonder sufficiently at -her words.</p> - -<p>So they marched forward and came very fiercely to attack -one of the towers of their enemies that was called the tower of -Saint Leu, which was very strong, and therein were from three -to four hundred combatants, who in a very short time were -overcome, captured, or slain, and the tower burnt and demolished; -then, this done, the maid and her people returned -joyfully into the city of Orleans where she was generally -honoured and praised by all kinds of people. Again the next -day, which was Friday she and her men sallied from the town, -and she went to attack the second tower which was also taken -by a fine assault, and those within all slain or captured; and -after she had caused the said tower to be broken down, set on -fire, and entirely annihilated, she withdrew into the town, -where she was honoured and exalted more than before by all -the inhabitants thereof. The Saturday following, the maid -sallied forth again and went to attack the tower at the end of -the bridge, which was marvellously large and strong, and -besides occupied by a great number of the best and most tried -combatants among the besiegers, who long and valiantly -defended themselves, but it availed them nothing, for at last, -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_35" title="35">35</a>like the others, they were discomfited, taken, and slain; among -whom died there the lord of Molines, Glacedale, a very valiant -esquire, the bailly of Evreux and many other noble men of -high rank.</p> - -<p>After this brilliant conquest the French returned joyfully -into the town.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_FORTY-SHILLING_FRANCHISE_1430" id="THE_FORTY-SHILLING_FRANCHISE_1430"></a>THE FORTY-SHILLING FRANCHISE (1430).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Statutes of the Realm</i>, 8 Henry VI., c. vii.</p> - - -<p>Item, Whereas the Elections of Knights of the shires to -come to the Parliaments of our Lord the King, in many -counties of England have now of late been made by very -great, outrageous and excessive number of people dwelling -within the same Counties, of the which the most part was of -people of small substance and of no value, whereof every of -them pretended a voice equivalent, as to such elections to be -made, with the most worthy Knights and Esquires dwelling -within the same Counties; whereby manslaughters, riots, -batteries and diversions among the gentlemen and other -people of the same counties shall very likely rise and be, unless -convenient remedy be provided in this behalf: Our Lord the -King, considering the premises, hath provided ordained and -established, by the authority of this present Parliament, that -the Knights of the Shires to be chosen within the same realm -of England to come to the Parliaments, shall be chosen in -every County by people dwelling and resident in the same, -whereof every one of them shall have free land or tenement to -the value of forty shillings by the year, at the least, above all -charges; and that they which shall be so chosen shall be -dwelling and resident within the same Counties.... And -every sheriff of England shall have power to examine upon -the Evangelists every such chosen, how much he may expend -by the year.</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_36" title="36">36</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_CONDEMNATION_OF_THE_MAID_JOAN_1431" id="THE_CONDEMNATION_OF_THE_MAID_JOAN_1431"></a>THE CONDEMNATION OF THE MAID JOAN (1431).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Waurin's <i>Chronicles</i>, 1422-1431, pp. 239-244. -(Rolls Series.)</p> - - -<p>... "It is a sufficiently common report already spread -abroad, as it were everywhere, how this woman who caused -herself to be called Joan the maid, a false soothsayer, for two -years or more, against the divine law and the condition of her -female sex, has clothed and conducted herself in the dress and -manner of man, a thing displeasing and abominable to God, -and in such condition was carried before our capital enemy -and yours, to whom and to those of his party she often gave it -out, and even to churchmen, nobles, and people, that she was -sent by God, presumptuously boasting herself that she often -had personal and visible communication with Saint Michael -and a great multitude of other angels and saints of Paradise, -with Saint Katherine and Saint Margaret; by which false -givings-out, and by the hope of future victories which she -promised, she turned away the hearts of many men and -women from the truth, and turned them towards fables and -lies: she also clothed herself with armour suitable for knights -and esquires, raised a standard, and with too great excess, -pride, and presumption demanded to have the very excellent -arms of France, which in part she obtained, and bore them -in many expeditions and assaults, that is to say, a shield with -two fleurs-de-lis of gold on a field azure, and a sword with the -point fixed upwards in a crown; and in this condition she has -taken the field, with the leadership of men at arms and archers, -in armies and great companies, to do and perpetrate inhuman -cruelties, wickedly shedding human blood, and causing also -commotions and seditions of the people, inciting them to perjuries, -rebellions, superstitions, and false beliefs, perturbing all -good peace and renewing mortal war, suffering herself to be -revered and adored by many persons as a sanctified soul, and -otherwise acting damnably in many other matters too long to -express, which nevertheless have been well enough known in -many places, whereby nearly all Christendom has been greatly -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_37" title="37">37</a>scandalized. But the Divine Power having pity on His loyal -people, whom He has not long left in peril, nor suffered them -to remain in the vain, perilous, and novel cruelties into which -they had thoughtlessly thrown themselves, has been pleased -to permit it in His great mercy and clemency that the said -shameful woman has been taken in your army and siege -which you were then maintaining on our behalf before Compiègne, -and put by your good help into our obedience and -governance. And because we were afterwards requested by -the bishop in whose diocese she had been taken that this Joan, -branded and charged with crimes of high treason against God, -we would cause to be delivered to him as to her ordinary -ecclesiastical judge, as well for reverence of our mother holy -church, whose sacred ordinances we desire to prefer to our own -deeds and wishes as is right, as also for the honour and exaltation -of our true faith, we caused the said Joan to be given up -in order that he might try her, without wishing that any vengeance -or punishment should be inflicted upon her by our -secular officers of justice, as it was reasonably lawful for us to -do, considering the great damages and inconveniences, the -horrible homicides and detestable cruelties and evils, as it -were innumerable, that she had committed against our seignory -and our loyal and obedient people. This bishop, the inquisitor -of errors and heresies being associated with him, and a -great and notable number of famous masters and doctors of -theology and canon law being summoned with them, commenced -with great solemnity and due gravity the trial of this -Joan, and after he and the said inquisitor, judges in this behalf, -had on many different days questioned the said Joan, they -caused her confessions and assertions to be maturely examined -by the masters and doctors, and generally by all the faculties -of learning of our very dear and much loved daughter the -University of Paris, before which the said assertions and confessions -were sent, according to whose opinion and deliberation -the said judges found this Joan superstitious, a soothsayer by -means of devils, a blasphemer of God and of the saints, a -schismatic, and erring many times from the law of Jesus -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_38" title="38">38</a>Christ. And to bring her back into the union and communion -of our holy mother the church, to cleanse her from such -horrible and pernicious crimes and sins, and to keep and preserve -her soul from perpetual torment and damnation, she was -often, during a long time, very lovingly and gently admonished -that all her errors being rejected by her should be put away, -and that she should humbly return into the way and straight -path of truth, or otherwise she would put herself in great peril -of soul and body; but the very perilous and mad spirit of -pride and outrageous presumption, which is always exerting -itself to try to impede and disturb the path and way of loyal -Christians, so seized upon and detained in its bonds this Joan -and her heart, that for no holy doctrine, good counsels or -exhortation that could be administered to her, would her -hardened and obstinate heart humble or soften itself, but she -often again boasted that all things that she had done were well -done, and she had done them at the commandment of God -through the angels and the said holy virgins who visibly -appeared to her: and what is worse, she recognized not, nor -would recognize, any upon earth save God only and the saints -of Paradise, rejecting the authority of our holy father the pope, -the general council and the universal church militant. And -then the ecclesiastical judges, seeing her said disposition pertinaciously, -and for so long a space, remain hardened and -obstinate, caused her to be brought before the clergy and -people there assembled in very great multitude, in whose -presence her case, crimes, and errors were preached, made -known, and declared by a notable master and doctor of theology, -for the exaltation of our faith, the extirpation of errors, -the edification and amendment of Christian people. And -there, again, she was lovingly admonished to return to the -union of holy church, correcting her faults and errors, in -which she still remained pertinacious and obstinate. This the -judges aforesaid seeing and considering, they proceeded further -and pronounced against her the sentence in such case by law -prescribed and ordained; but before the said sentence was -read through she began seemingly to change her disposition, -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_39" title="39">39</a>saying that she wished to return to holy church, which willingly -and joyfully heard the aforesaid judges and clergy, who -thereto received her affectionately, hoping that her soul and -body were redeemed from perdition and torment. Then she -submitted herself entirely to the ordinance of the Church, and -orally revoked and publicly abjured her errors and detestable -crimes, signing with her own hand the schedule of the said -revocation and abjuration; and so our pitiful mother holy -church rejoicing over the sinner showing penitence, desiring -to bring back to the shepherd, with the others, the returned -and recovered sheep which had wandered and gone astray in -the desert, condemned this Joan to prison to do salutary penance; -but she was hardly there any time before the fire of her -pride, which seemed to be extinguished, rekindled in her with -pestilential flames by the breathings of the enemy, and the -said unhappy woman immediately fell back into the errors and -false extravagances which she had before uttered and afterwards -revoked and abjured, as has been said. For which -causes, according to what the judgements and institutions of -holy church ordain, in order that henceforward she might not -contaminate the poor members of Jesus Christ, she was again -publicly preached to, and as she had fallen back into the -crimes and faults she was accustomed, left to secular justice, -which immediately condemned her to be burned. And then -she, seeing her end drawing near, recognized clearly that the -spirits which she had said had appeared to her many times -before were wicked and lying spirits, and that the promises -which these spirits had formerly made to her of delivering her -were false, and so she confessed it to have been a mockery and -deceit; and she was taken by the said lay justice to the old -market-place in the town of Rouen, and was there publicly -burnt in the sight of all the people."</p> - - - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_40" title="40">40</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_EDUCATION_OF_HENRY_VI_November_9_1432" id="THE_EDUCATION_OF_HENRY_VI_November_9_1432"></a>THE EDUCATION OF HENRY VI. (November 9, 1432).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. i., No. 18.</p> - - -<p>For the good rule, demising and surety of the King's person, -and draught of him to virtue and cunning, and eschewing of -anything that might give hindrance or let thereto, or cause -any charge, default, or blame to be laid upon the Earl of -Warwick at any time without his desert, he, considering that -peril and business of his charge about the King's person -groweth so that that authority and power given to him before -sufficeth him not without more thereto, desireth therefore these -things that follow.</p> - -<p>First, that considering that the charge of the rule, demising -and governance, and also of nurture of the King's person -resteth upon the said Earl while it shall like the King, and the -peril, danger, and blame if any lack or default were in any of -these, the which lack or default might be caused by ungodly or -unvirtuous men, if any such were about his person; he -desireth therefore, for the good of the King, and for his own -surety, to have power and authority to name, ordain, and -assign, and for that cause that shall be thought to him reasonable, -to remove those that shall be about the King's person, of -what estate or condition that they be, not intending to comprehend -in this desire the Steward, Chamberlain, Treasurer, Controller, -nor Serjeant of offices, save such as serve the King's -person and for his mouth.</p> - -<p><i>Responsio.</i>—As toward the naming, ordinance, and assignation -beforesaid, it is agreed, so that he take in none of the four -knights nor squires for the body without the advice of my -Lord of Bedford, him being in England, and him being out, of -my Lord of Gloucester, and of the remnant of the King's -Council.</p> - -<p>Item, the said Earl desireth that where he shall have any -person in his discretion suspect of misgovernance, and not -behoveful nor expedient to be about the King, except the -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_41" title="41">41</a>estates of the house, that he may put them from exercise and -occupation of the King's service, till that he shall more have -speech with my Lords of Bedford or of Gloucester, and with -the other Lords of the King's Council, to that end that, the -default of any such person known unto him, [they] shall more -ordain thereupon as them shall think expedient and behoveful.</p> - -<p><i>Responsio.</i>—It is agreed as it is desired....</p> - -<p>Item, that considering how, blessed be God, the King is -growing in years, in stature of his person, and also in conceit -and knowledge of his high and royal authority and estate, the -which naturally causing him, and from day to day as he -groweth shall cause him, more and more to grudge with -chastising, and to loath it, so that it may reasonably be -doubted lest he would conceive against the said Earl, or any -other that would take upon him to chastise him for his -defaults, displeasure, or indignation therefore, the which, without -due assistance, is not easy to be borne. It like, therefore, -to my Lord of Gloucester, and to all the Lords of the King's -Council, to promise to the said Earl, and assure him, that they -shall firmly and truly assist him in the exercise of the charge -and occupation that he hath about the King's person, namely -in chastising of him for his defaults, and support the said -Earl therein; and if the King at any time would conceive -indignation against the said Earl, my said Lord of Gloucester, -and Lords, shall do all their true diligence and power to remove -the King therefrom.</p> - -<p><i>Responsio.</i>—It is agreed as it is desired.</p> - -<p>Item, the said Earl desireth that forasmuch as it shall be -necessary to remove the King's person at divers times into -sundry places, as the cases may require, that he may have -power and authority to remove the King, by his discretion, -into what place he thinketh necessary for the health of his -body and surety of his person.</p> - -<p><i>Responsio.</i>—It is agreed as it is desired....</p> - -<p>Item, forasmuch as the said Earl hath knowledge that in -speech that hath been had unto the King at part and in privy, -not in the hearing of the said Earl nor any of the knights -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_42" title="42">42</a>set about his person, nor assigned by the said Earl, he hath been -stirred by some from his learning, and spoken to of divers matters -not behoveful, the said Earl doubting the harm that might fall -to the King, and the inconvenience that might ensue of such -speech at part as if it were suffered; desireth that in all speech -to be had with the King, he or one of the four knights, or -some person to be assigned by the said Earl, be present and -privy to it.</p> - -<p><i>Responsio.</i>—This article is agreed, excepting such persons as -for nighness of blood, and for their estate, owe of reason to be -suffered to speak with the King.</p> - -<p>Item, to the intent that it may be known to the King that it -proceedeth of the assent, advice and agreement of my Lord of -Gloucester, and all my Lords of the King's Council, that the -King be chastised for his defaults or trespasses, and that for awe -thereof he forbear the more to do amiss, and intend the more -busily to virtue and to learning, the said Earl desireth that my -Lord of Gloucester, and my said other Lords of the Council, -or great part of them, that is to say, the Chancellor and -Treasurer, and of every estate in the Council, spiritual and -temporal, some come to the King's presence, and there to make -to be declared to him their agreement in that behalf.</p> - -<p><i>Responsio.</i>—When the King cometh next to London, all his -Council shall come to his presence, and there this shall be -declared to him.</p> - -<p>Item, the said Earl, that all his days hath, above all other -earthy things, desired, and ever shall to keep his truth and -worship unblemished and unhurt, and may not for all that let -[prevent] malicious and untrue men to make informations of his -person, such as they may not, nor dare not, stand by, nor be not -true, beseecheth therefore my Lord of Gloucester and all my said -Lords of the Council, that if they, or any of them, have been -informed of anything that may be laid to his charge or -default, and namely in his occupation and rule about the King's -person, that the said Earl may have knowledge thereof, to the -intent that he may answer thereto, and not dwell in heavy or -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_43" title="43">43</a>sinister conceit or opinion, without his desert and without -answer.</p> - -<p><i>Responsio.</i>—It is agreed.</p> - -<p class="indent4"> -<span class="smcap">Cromwell.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">J. Ebor.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">W. Lincoln</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Suffolk.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">J. Huntington.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">H. Gloucester.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">P. Elien.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">J. Bathon. Canc.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">J. Roffen.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">H. Stafford.</span><br /> -</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="PRECAUTIONS_TO_PROTECT_THE_KING_AGAINST" id="PRECAUTIONS_TO_PROTECT_THE_KING_AGAINST"></a>PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT THE KING AGAINST -INFECTION (1439).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Rotuli Parliamentorum</i>, vol. v., p. 31. (Record -Commission.)</p> - - -<p>To the King our Sovereign Lord; Shewen meekly your -true liege people, here by your authority royal in this present -Parliament for the Commons of this your noble realm -assembled; how that a sickness called the Pestilence, universally -through this your realm runneth more commonly than -hath been usual before this time, the which is an infirmity -most infective; and the presence of such so infect most to be -eschewed, as by noble physicians and wise philosophers before -this time plainly it hath been determined and as experience -daily sheweth. Wherefore we your poor liege people, above -all earthly thing tendering and desiring the health and welfare -of your most noble person, beseech your most noble grace, in -conserving of your most noble person and in comfort of us all, -in eschewing of any such infection to you to fall, which God -defend, graciously to conceive how where that any of your said -Commons, holding of you by Knight's service, oweth in doing -you homage, by your gracious sufferance, to kiss you, to -ordain and grant by the authority of this present Parliament, -that every of your said lieges, in doing of their said homage, -may omit the said kissing of you....</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_44" title="44">44</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="A_NOBLEMAN_REQUESTS_A_LICENCE_FOR_A_SHIP_TO" id="A_NOBLEMAN_REQUESTS_A_LICENCE_FOR_A_SHIP_TO"></a>A NOBLEMAN REQUESTS A LICENCE FOR A SHIP TO -CARRY PILGRIMS (1445).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Ellis's <i>Original Letters</i>, Second Series, vol. i., pp. 110, 111.</p> - - - - -<p><span class="smcap">To the King our Sovereign Lord.</span></p> - -<p>Please it unto your Royal Majesty of your grace especially -to grant unto John Earl of Oxford, owner under God of a ship -called the <i>Jesus of Orwell</i>, that the said ship, without any fine -or fee to be paid unto you, may have licence, in the worship of -God and of St. James, to make the first voyage unto St. -James<a name="FNanchor_12" id="FNanchor_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> with as many persons as therein would thitherward -take their passage. Considering that by cause of the loss of -another ship ... the said Earl hath done upon the said ship -great cost to make it the more able to do you service and to -withstand your enemies in time of need.</p> - -<p><i>Endorsed</i>—Donné à n're Palais de Westm. le xxviij jour de -Feverer, l'an etc xxiij. [February 28, 1445.]</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12" id="Footnote_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> The shrine of St. James of Compostella.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_DISCOMFORTS_OF_PILGRIMS_AT_SEA_circa_1445" id="THE_DISCOMFORTS_OF_PILGRIMS_AT_SEA_circa_1445"></a>THE DISCOMFORTS OF PILGRIMS AT SEA (<i>circa</i> 1445).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Early Naval Ballads</i>, vol. ii., pp. 1-4. (Percy Society.)</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Man may leve all gamys,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">That saylen to Seynt Jamys;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">For many a man hit gramys,<a name="FNanchor_13" id="FNanchor_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a><br /></span> -<span class="i3">When they begyn to sayle.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">For when they have take the sea,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">At Sandwyche or at Wynchylsee,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">At Brystow,<a name="FNanchor_14" id="FNanchor_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> or where that hit bee,<br /></span> -<span class="i3">Theyr herts begyn to fayle.<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Anone the mastyr commaundeth fast<br /></span> -<span class="i0">To hys shyp-men in all the hast,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">To dresse hem soon about the mast<br /></span> -<span class="i3">Theyr takeling to make.<br /></span><a class="pagenum" name="Page_45" title="45">45</a> -<span class="i0">With "howe! hissa!" then they cry,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">"What, howte! mate, thou stondyst too ny,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Thy fellow may not hale the by;"<br /></span> -<span class="i3">Thus they begyn to crake.<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> - - -<hr class="poemtb" /><br /> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Thus menewhyle the pylgryms ly,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And have theyr bowls fast theym by,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And cry after hot malvesy,<br /></span> -<span class="i3">"Thow helpe for to restore."<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">And some wold have a saltyd tost,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">For they myght ete neyther sode ne rost;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">A man myght soon pay for theyr cost,<br /></span> -<span class="i3">As for one day or twayne.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Some layde theyr bookys on theyr knee,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And read so long they myght nat see,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">"Allas! myne head woll cleve in three!"<br /></span> -<span class="i3">Thus seyth another certayne.<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Then commeth owre owner lyke a lorde,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And speketh many a royall worde,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And dresseth hym to the hygh borde,<br /></span> -<span class="i3">To see all things be well<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Anone he calleth a carpentere<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And biddeth hym bryng his gere,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">To make cabans here and there<br /></span> -<span class="i3">With many a fabyl cell.<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">A sak of straw were there ryght good,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">For some must lyg them in theyr hood;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">I had as lefe be in the wood,<br /></span> -<span class="i3">Without mete or drynk,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">For when that we shall go to bedde,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">The pump was nygh our bedde hede,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">A man were as good to be dede,<br /></span> -<span class="i3">As smell thereof the stynk.<br /></span> -</div></div></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13" id="Footnote_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Troubles.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_14" id="Footnote_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Bristol.</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_46" title="46">46</a></p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="CONCERNING_PARLIAMENTARY_ELECTIONS_1445" id="CONCERNING_PARLIAMENTARY_ELECTIONS_1445"></a>CONCERNING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS (1445).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Statutes of the Realm</i>, 23 Henry VI., c. 14.</p> - - -<p><i>The statute recites 1 Henry V. c. 1 (see p. 13), and 8 Henry VI. -c. 7 (see p. 35), then proceeds</i>:</p> - -<p>... By force of which statutes elections of knights to -come to Parliament sometimes have been duly made and lawfully -returned until now of late that divers sheriffs, for their -singular avail and lucre, have not made due elections of -knights, nor in convenient time, nor good men and true -returned, and sometime no return of the knights, citizens and -burgesses lawfully chosen to come to the Parliaments; but -such knights, citizens, and burgesses have been returned -which were never duly chosen, and other citizens and burgesses -than those which by the mayors and bailiffs were to the -said sheriffs returned; and sometimes the sheriffs have not -returned the writs which they had to make elections of knights -to come to the Parliaments, but the said writs have imbesiled, -and moreover made no precept to the mayor and bailiffs, or to -the bailiffs or bailiff, where no mayor is, of cities and boroughs, -for the elections of citizens and burgesses to come to -the Parliaments, by colour of these words contained in the -same writs—"<i>Quod in pleno comitatu tuo eligi facias pro comitatu -tuo duos milites, et pro qualibet civitate in comitatu tuo duos cives et -pro quolibet burgo in comitatu tuo duos burgenses</i>;" and also because -sufficient penalty and convenient remedy for the party in -such case grieved is not ordained in the said statutes against -the sheriffs, mayors, and bailiffs, which do contrary to the -form of the said statutes: The King considering the premises -hath ordained by Authority aforesaid, that the said statutes -shall be duly kept in all points: and moreover that every -sheriff, after the delivery of any such writs to him made, shall -make and deliver without fraud a sufficient Precept under his -seal to every mayor and bailiff, or to bailiffs or bailiff where no -mayor is, of the cities and boroughs within his county, reciting -the said writ, commanding them by the same precept, if it be a -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_47" title="47">47</a>city, to choose by citizens of the same city, citizens; and in the -same manner and form, if it be a borough, by burgesses of the -same to come to the Parliament. And that the same mayor -and bailiffs, or bailiffs or bailiff where no mayor is, shall return -lawfully the precept to the same sheriffs by indenture betwixt -the same sheriffs, and them to be made of the said elections, -and of the names of the said citizens and burgesses by them so -chosen; and thereupon every sheriff shall make a good and -rightful return of every such writ, and of every return by the -mayors and bailiffs, or bailiffs or bailiff where no mayor is, to -him made.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="HENRY_VI_REFORMS_THE_GRAMMAR_SCHOOLS_OF" id="HENRY_VI_REFORMS_THE_GRAMMAR_SCHOOLS_OF"></a>HENRY VI. REFORMS THE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS OF -LONDON (1446).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Excerpta Historica</i>, p. 5. (London: 1833.)</p> - - -<p>Henry by the grace of God King of England and of France -and Lord of Ireland: To our Chancellor of England greeting. -Forasmuch as the right reverend father in God the Archbishop -of Canterbury and the reverend father in God the bishop of -London, considering the great abuses that have been of long -time within our city of London that many and divers persons, -not sufficiently instructed in grammar, presuming to hold common -grammar schools in great deceit as well unto their -scholars as unto the friends that find them to school, have of -their great wisdom set and ordained five schools of grammar, -and no more, within our said city. One within the churchyard -of St. Paul's, another within the collegiate church of St. Martin, -the third in Bow church, the fourth in the church of St. Dunstan -in the East, the fifth in our hospital of St. Anthony within -our said city; the which they have openly declared sufficient, -as by their letters patent thereupon made it appeareth -more at large. We, in consideration of the premises, have -thereunto granted our royal will and assent. Wherefore we -will and charge you that hereupon ye do make our letters -patent under our great seal in due form, declaring in the same -our said will and assent, giving furthermore in commandment -by the same our letters unto all our subjects of our said city -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_48" title="48">48</a>that they nor none of them trouble nor hinder the masters of -the said schools in any wise, but rather help and assist them -inasmuch as in them is. Given under our privy seal at Guildford -the 3rd day of May, the year of our reign xxiiij.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_FRENCH_RECOVER_FOUGERES_1449" id="THE_FRENCH_RECOVER_FOUGERES_1449"></a>THE FRENCH RECOVER FOUGÈRES (1449).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—"Le recouvrement de Normendie," par Berry, Herault du -Roy, printed in <i>Reductio Normannie, pp. 245 et seq.</i> (Rolls -Series, 1863.)</p> - -<p>[<span class="smcap">Note.</span>—The author of this and other extracts relating to the loss of Normandy -was Jacques le Bouvier, surnamed Berry, the first King-of-Arms of Charles VII. -of France.]</p> - - -<p>The duke of Bretagne everywhere sent to all his subjects, -well-wishers, friends and allies, asking them to be so good as -to help him to avenge himself upon the English, and to help -him to recover his town of Fougères. And on this occasion to -please the said duke of Bretagne, M. Jehan de Bressay, knight, -a native of the country of Anjou, Robert de Flocques, esquire -of the country of Normandy, bailly of Evreux, Jacques de -Clermont, esquire of the country of Dauphiné and lord of -Mannay, and Guillaume le Vigars, esquire, made the attempt -to take the town and castle of Pont de l'Arche, on the river -Seine, by means of a merchant of Louviers who often took a -cart by the said Pont de l'Arche to go to Rouen, which is -about four short leagues above it.... And the said merchant, -with two others, upon a day in the month of May, being -the Thursday before the Ascension of our Lord, set out from -Louviers and went to take his cart, as he had often done, -through the town of Pont de l'Arche, pretending that he was -taking merchandize to Rouen; and in passing he asked the -porter of the castle to be so good as to open the gate of the -castle for him very early next morning, and he would give him -a good gratuity, for he made him believe that he wished to -return speedily to Louviers for some merchandize. And so the -merchant passed through the town; and he returned about the -hour of midnight, accompanied by many of the said ambuscade -on foot; and they lodged at an inn in the country, adjoining -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_49" title="49">49</a>the castle. They entered into the said inn secretly, where they -found the wife in bed alone, (who was exceedingly terrified), -for her husband was absent on his business. And when it -drew near daybreak, the said merchant went all alone to call -the said porter, who came to open the gate of the castle and -the bulwark for him, as he had promised the day before; and -immediately two persons came out of the inn to come to the -bulwark along with the merchant, of whom the said porter was -apprehensive when he saw them approach. But the said -merchant told him that they were people of Louviers, and then -he was satisfied. Then the merchant entered with all his -wares, leaving the cart upon the bridge until such time as he -had thrown upon the ground for his (the porter's) reward, two -bretons and a placque; and as he was stooping to gather them, -the merchant killed him with a dagger.... The men of the -castle heard the noise, and an Englishman came down in his -night-shirt, (a handsome fellow, young and brave), who -attempted to raise the bridge of the said castle, because he saw -that the said bulwark was already lost; but the said merchant -hastened to go to him, and killed him before he could raise the -bridge, which was a pity, for he was one of the bravest and -most active young men of his party. And thus the castle was -won.</p> - -<p>And then all the foot-soldiers went along the bridge making -great shouts, to enter the town which they took; for the -greater part of the inhabitants were still in their beds, excepting -one Englishman, who valiantly and for a long time -defended the gate of the bridge, to hinder them from entering; -but in the end he was killed and the town taken.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="HOW_THE_KING_OF_FRANCE_DECLARED_WAR_AGAINST" id="HOW_THE_KING_OF_FRANCE_DECLARED_WAR_AGAINST"></a>HOW THE KING OF FRANCE DECLARED WAR AGAINST -THE ENGLISH, AND WHY; AND OF THE CAPTURE -OF VERNEUIL (1449).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—"Le recouvrement de Normandie," printed in <i>Reductio -Normannie, pp. 254 et seq.</i> (Rolls Series, 1863.)</p> - - -<p>The King of France was duly informed of the war which -the English made upon the realm of Scotland, which was -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_50" title="50">50</a>comprehended in the truce; and also of the war which they -made by sea upon the King of Spain, his ally, who was also -in the said truce; and in like manner upon his subjects of -La Rochelle and Dieppe, and elsewhere.... For as long -as the truce had continued, the English came from Mantes, -Verneuil and Loigny upon the roads from Paris and Orleans, -robbing and murdering the merchants and the honest people -who were travelling along the roads ... and they went by -night to their houses in the open country, and took prisoners -in their beds the gentlemen who were of the party of the King -of France, cut their throats and murdered them vilely in their -beds. And it was their custom to cut the throats of these -gentlemen during the said truce. And these malefactors were -called <i>False-Faces</i>, because, when they did these things, they -disguised themselves with disorderly and frightful dresses and -headpieces, painted with various colours, and other clothes, so -that they should not be known....</p> - -<p>At this time a miller of the town of Verneuil who had his -mill opposite the walls of the town, was beaten by an -Englishman who was going the rounds, because he was -asleep at his post. And for revenge he went to the bailly of -Evreux, and, after a certain treaty made between them, he -promised that he would admit him within the said town. -Hereupon assembled messire Pierre de Bressay, seneschal of -Poitou, the said bailly of Evreux, Jacques de Clermont and -others. They came on horseback and found themselves on -Sunday 19th July in this year, at break of day, near the walls -of the said town. The said miller (who had been on watch -that night) made the others who kept watch with him go -down from the wall sooner than usual, because (in order to -accomplish his purpose) he made them believe that, as it was -Sunday, they should hasten to go, the bell having rung for -Mass. By the help of the miller the French placed their -ladders to the right of the wall, and entered the town without -anyone noticing them. Six score Englishmen were within, of -whom some were slain and taken prisoners, and the others -betook themselves in great haste to the keep of the castle.</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_51" title="51">51</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_BATTLE_OF_FORMIGNY_1450" id="THE_BATTLE_OF_FORMIGNY_1450"></a>THE BATTLE OF FORMIGNY (1450).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—"Le recouvrement de Normendie," in <i>Reductio Normannie</i>, -pp. 333 <i>et seq.</i> (Rolls Series.)</p> - - -<p>... On the fifteenth of April they (the French) came up -with the English in a field near a village named Formigny, -between Carentan [Triviers] and Bayeux. And when the said -English saw and perceived them, they put themselves in order -of battle, and sent very hastily for the said Matthew Gough, -who had left them that morning to go to Bayeux, and he -immediately returned. And then the French and the English -were one in the presence of the other, for the space of three -hours, skirmishing. And in the meantime the English made -large holes and trenches with their daggers and swords before -them, in order that the French and their horses should -stumble if they attacked them. And at the distance of a long -bowshot behind the English there was a little river between -them, with a great abundance of gardens full of various trees, -as apples, pears, elms, and other trees; and they encamped in -this place because they could not be attacked in the rear.</p> - -<p>And in the meantime the lord of Richmond, Constable of -France, the lord of Laval, the lord of Loheac, marshal of -France, the lord of Orval, the marshal of Bretaigne, the lord -of Saint-Severe, and many others set out from Triviers, where -they had slept that night, and joined them, to the number of -three hundred lances, and the archers. And when the said -English saw them come, they left the field, and the troops -marched and came to the river to place it behind them; for -they were afraid of the Constable's company, who had slept -the night at a village named Triviers, and had put himself in -order of battle upon the arrival of the said English at a wind-mill -above the said Formigny. And then marched the troops -of the said lord of Clermont and his company, in which were -from five to six hundred lances and the archers, and they -charged the said English, as did also those of the said Constable, -who crossed the river by a ford and a little bridge of -stone. And there they attacked the English on both sides -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_52" title="52">52</a>very bravely, so that in the end they discomfited them close -by the said river.</p> - -<p>And there there were killed, by the report of the heralds -who were there, and of the priests and good people who -buried them, three thousand seven hundred and seventy-four -English.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="A_FATHERS_COUNSEL_April_30_1450" id="A_FATHERS_COUNSEL_April_30_1450"></a>A FATHER'S COUNSEL (<span class="smcap">April 30, 1450</span>).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. i., No. 91.</p> - -<p>["Whoever has read this affecting composition will find it difficult to -persuade himself that the writer could have been either a false subject or a -bad man."—<span class="smcap">Lingard.</span>]</p> - - -<p><i>The Duke of Suffolk to his Son.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dear and only well-beloved Son</span>,</p> - -<p>I beseech our Lord in Heaven, the maker of all the -world, to bless you, and to send you ever grace to love him, -and to dread him; to the which, as far as a father may charge -his child, I both charge you, and pray you to set all spirits -and wits to do, and to know his holy laws and commandments, -by the which ye shall with his great mercy pass all the -great tempests and troubles of this wretched world. And that -also, wittingly, ye do nothing for love or dread of any earthly -creature that should displease him. And there as any frailty -maketh you to fall, beseech his mercy soon to call you to him -again with repentance, satisfaction, and contrition of your heart -never more in will to offend him.</p> - -<p>Secondly, next him, above all earthly thing, to be true liege -man in heart, in will, in thought, in deed unto the King our -most high and dread Sovereign Lord, to whom both ye and -I be so much bound to; charging you, as father can and -may, rather to die than be the contrary, or to know any thing -that were against the welfare or prosperity of his most royal -person, but that as far as your body and life may stretch, ye -live and die to defend it, and to let his highness have knowledge -thereof in all the haste ye can.</p> - -<p>Thirdly, in the same wise, I charge you, my dear son, as ye -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_53" title="53">53</a>be bound by the commandment of God to do, to love, to -worship your lady and mother, and also that ye obey always -her commandments, and to believe her counsels and advices -in all your works, the which dread not but shall be best -and truest to you. And if any other body would stir you to -the contrary, to flee the counsel in any wise, for ye shall find -it nought and evil.</p> - -<p>Furthermore, as far as father may and can, I charge you in -any wise to flee the company and counsel of proud men, of -covetous men, and of flattering men, the more especially and -mightily to withstand them, and not to draw, nor to meddle -with them, with all your might and power. And to draw to -you and to your company good and virtuous men, and such as -be of good conversation, and of truth, and by them shall ye -never be deceived, nor repent you of. Moreover, never follow -your own wit in no wise, but in all your works, of such folks -as I write of above, ask your advice and counsel; and -doing thus, with the mercy of God, ye shall do right well, and -live in right much worship, and great heart's rest and ease. -And I will be to you as good lord and father as my heart can -think.</p> - -<p>And last of all, as heartily and as lovingly as ever father -blessed his child in earth, I give you the blessing of our Lord -and of me, which of his infinite mercy increase you in all -virtue and good living. And that your blood may by his -grace from kindred to kindred multiply in this earth to his -service, in such wise as after the departing from this wretched -world here, ye and they may glorify him eternally among his -angels in heaven.</p> - -<p>Written of mine own hand</p> - -<p>The day of my departing from this land</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Your true and loving father</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Suffolk</span>.</span> -</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_54" title="54">54</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_MURDER_OF_THE_DUKE_OF_SUFFOLK_May_5_1450" id="THE_MURDER_OF_THE_DUKE_OF_SUFFOLK_May_5_1450"></a>THE MURDER OF THE DUKE OF SUFFOLK (<span class="smcap">May 5, 1450</span>).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. i., No. 93.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Right worshipful Sir</span>,</p> - -<p>I recommend me to you, and am right sorry of that -I shall say, and so washed this little bill with sorrowful tears, -that on these ye shall read it.</p> - -<p>As on Monday next after May day there come tidings to -London that on Thursday before the Duke of Suffolk come -unto the coast of Kent full near Dover with his two ships and a -little spinner; the which spinner he sent with certain letters to -certain of his trusted men unto Calais wards, to know how he -should be received; and with him met a ship called <i>Nicolas of -the Tower</i>, with other ships waiting on him, and by them that -were in the spinner the master of the <i>Nicolas</i> had knowledge -of the duke's coming. And when he espied the duke's ships, -he sent forth his boat to know what they were, and the duke -himself spake to them, and said, he was by the King's commandment -sent to Calais wards, etc.</p> - -<p>And they said he must speak with their master. And so he, -with two or three of his men, went forth with them in their -boat to the <i>Nicolas</i>; and when he come, the master bade him -"Welcome, Traitor," as men say; and further the master -desired to know if the shipmen would hold with the duke, -and they sent word they would not in no wise; and so he -was in the <i>Nicolas</i> till Saturday next following.</p> - -<p>Some say he wrote much things to be delivered to the -King, but that is not verily known. He had his confessor -with him, etc.</p> - -<p>And some say he was arraigned in the ship on their manner -upon the impeachments and found guilty, etc.</p> - -<p>Also he asked the name of the ship, and when he knew it, -he remembered Stacy that said, if he might escape the danger -of the Tower, he should be safe; and then his heart failed -him, for he thought he was deceived, and in the sight of all -his men he was drawn out of the great ship in to the boat; -and there was an axe and a block, and one of the lewdest of -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_55" title="55">55</a>the ship bid him lay down his head, and he should be fair -fared with and die on a sword; and took a rusty sword, and -smote off his head within half a dozen strokes, and took away -his gown of russet, and his doublet of velvet mailed, and laid -his body on the sands of Dover; and some say his head was -set on a pole by it....</p> - -<p>And the sheriff of Kent doth watch the body, and sent his -under-sheriff to the judges to know what to do, and also to the -King what shall be done.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="CADES_REBELLION_1450" id="CADES_REBELLION_1450"></a>CADE'S REBELLION (1450).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Three Fifteenth-Century Chronicles</i>, pp. 66-68 <i>and</i> 94-99. -(Camden Society.)</p> - - -<p>A.—<span class="smcap">A Proclamation made by Jack Cade, Captain of -the Rebels in Kent.</span></p> - -<p>These be the points, causes and mischiefs of gathering and -assembling of us the King's liege men of Kent, the iiij day -of June the year of our Lord <span class="smcap">M</span>iiijcl, the which we trust to -Almighty God to remedy, with the help and the grace of God -and of our sovereign lord the King, and the poor commons of -England, and else we shall die therefore:</p> - -<p>We, considering that the King our sovereign lord, by the -insatiable covetous malicious pomps, and false and of nought -brought up certain persons, that daily and nightly is about his -highness, and daily inform him that good is evil and evil is -good, as Scripture witnesseth, <i>Ve vobis qui dicitis bonum malum -et malum bonum</i>.</p> - -<p>Item, they say that our sovereign lord is above his laws to -his pleasure, and he may make it and break it as him list, -without any distinction. The contrary is true, and else he -should not have sworn to keep it, the which we conceived for -the highest point of treason that any subject may do to make -his prince run into perjury.</p> - -<p>Item, they say that the commons of England would first -destroy the King's friends and afterwards himself, and then -bring the Duke of York to be King....</p> - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_56" title="56">56</a> -Item, they say the King should live upon his commons and -that their bodies and goods be the King's; the contrary is -true, for then needed him never parliament to sit to ask good -of his commons.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Item, it is to be remedied that the false traitors will suffer -no man to come into the King's presence for no cause without -bribes where none ought to be had, nor no bribery about the -King's person, but that any man might have his coming to -him to ask him grace or judgement in such case as the King -may give.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Item, the law serveth of nought else in these days but for -to do wrong....</p> - -<p>Item, we say our sovereign lord may understand that his -false council hath lost his law, his merchandise is lost, his -common people is destroyed, the sea is lost, France is lost, the -King himself is so set that he may not pay for his meat and -drink, and he oweth more than ever any King of England -owed, for daily his traitors about him, where anything should -come to him by his laws, anon they ask it from him.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Item, his true commons desire that he will avoid from him -all the false progeny and affinity of the Duke of Suffolk... -and to take about his noble person his true blood of his royal -realm, that is to say, the high and mighty prince the Duke of -York, exiled from our sovereign lord's person by the noising -of the false traitor, the Duke of Suffolk and his affinity.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Item, taking of wheat and other grains, beef, mutton, and -other victual, the which is unbearable hurt to the commons, -without provision of our sovereign lord and his true council, -for his commons may no longer bear it.</p> - -<p>Item, the statute upon the labourers and the great extortioners -of Kent.</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_57" title="57">57</a></p> - - -<p>B.—<span class="smcap">The Capture and Death of Cade.</span></p> - -<p>... Then the commons of Kent arose and had chosen them -a captain the which named himself John Mortimer, whose very -true name was John Cade, and he was an Irishman, and so he -come to Blackheath with the commons of Kent. And the King -with all his lords made them ready with all their power for to -withstand him.... And the Mayor of London with the -commons of the city came unto the King beseeching him that -he would tarry in the city and they would live and die with -him and pay for the cost of his household an half year; but he -would not, but took his journey to Kenilworth. And when the -King was gone, the captain with the commons of Kent came -again to Blackheath. And the iij<sup>rd</sup> day of July he came to -London; and as soon as they came to London they robbed -Phillip Malpas. And the iiij<sup>th</sup> day of July he beheaded -Crowmer and another man at Mile End; and the same day at -afternoon the Lord Say was fetched out of the Tower to the -Guild Hall for the mayor to have judgement, and when he -came before the mayor he said he would be judged by his -peers. And then the commons of Kent took him from the -officers and led him to the Standard in Cheap and there smote -off his head. And then the captain did draw him through -London, and over London Bridge to Saint Thomas, and there -he was hanged and quartered, and his head and Crowmer's -head and another man's head were set on London Bridge.... -And the v<sup>th</sup> day of July at night (and being Sunday) -the commons of London set upon the commons of Kent, for -they began to rob.... Then the xij<sup>th</sup> day of July was in -every shire proclaimed that what man that could take the -aforesaid captain and bring him to the King quick or dead, -should have a thousand marks, and as for any man that belonged -to him x marks; for it was openly known that his name was -not Mortimer, his name was John Cade.... And so one -Alexander Iden, a squire of Kent, took him in a garden in -Southsea the xiij<sup>th</sup> day of July; and in the taking of him he -was hurt and died that same night, and on the morrow he was -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_58" title="58">58</a>brought into the King's Bench, and after was drawn through -London and his head set on London Bridge.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="PACKING_A_JURY_1451" id="PACKING_A_JURY_1451"></a>PACKING A JURY (1451).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. i., No. 155.</p> - - -<p>Master Paston, we commend us unto you, letting you know -the Sheriff is not so whole as he was, for now he will show but -a part of his friendship. And also there is great press of -people and few friends, as far as we can feel yet.... Also -the Sheriff informed us that he hath writing from the King -that he shall make such a panel to acquit Lord Molynes. -And also he told us, and as far as we can conceive and feel, -the Sheriff will panel gentlemen to acquit the lord, and jurors -to acquit his men; and we suppose that this is by the motion -and means of the other party. And if any means of treaty -be proferred, we know not what means should be to your -pleasure. And therefore we would fain have more knowledge, -if ye think it were to do.</p> - -<p>No more at this time, but the Holy Trinity have you in his -keeping. Written at Walsingham, in haste, the second day of -May,</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By your true and faithful friends,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Debenham, Tymperley and White</span>.</span> -</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="PARTIAL_JUDGES_1451" id="PARTIAL_JUDGES_1451"></a>PARTIAL JUDGES (1451).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. i., No. 158.</p> - - -<p><i>Sir Thomas Howys to Sir John Fastolf.</i></p> - -<p>Right reverend and worshipful master, I recommend me -lowly unto you.... The more special cause of my writing at -this time is to give you relation of the untrue demeaning of -this our <i>determiner</i>, by the partiality of the judges of it; for -when the council of the city of Norwich, of the town of -Swafham, yours, my master Inglos, Pastons, and many other -plaintiffs had put in and declared, both by writing and by -word before the judges, the lawful exceptions in many wise, -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_59" title="59">59</a>the judges by their wilfullness might not find in their heart -not as much as a beck nor a twinkling of their eye toward, but -took it to derision. God reform such partiality.... It was the -most partial place of all the shire, and thither were called all -the friends, knights and squires and gentlemen that would in -no wise do otherwise than they would. And the said Tudenham, -Heydon and other oppressors of their set came down -hither with four hundred horse and more; and considering -how their well-willers were there assembled at their instance, -it had been right jeopardous and fearful for any of the plaintiffs -to have been present....</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="LAWLESSNESS_1454" id="LAWLESSNESS_1454"></a>LAWLESSNESS (1454).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. i., No. 201.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>These be divers of the riots and offences done in the hundred -of Blofeld in the county of Norfolk, and in other towns by -Robert Ledham, of Wytton by Blofeld, in the county of -Norfolk.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>In primis</i>, on the Monday next before Easter day and the -shire day, the thirtieth year of our sovereign lord the King, ten -persons of the said rioters, with a brother of the wife of the -said Robert Ledham, lay in wait in the highway under Thorpe -wood upon Phillip Berney, esquire, and his man coming from -the shire, and shot at him and smote the horse of the said -Phillip with arrows, and then overrode him, and took him and -beat him and spoiled him. And for their excuse of this riot, -they led him to the Bishop of Norwich, asking surety of the -peace where they had never warrant him to arrest. Which -affray shortened the life-days of the said Phillip, which died -within short time after the said affray.</p> - -<p>Item, three of the said riotous fellowship the same day, -year, and place, lay in wait upon Edmond Brown, gentleman, -and with naked swords and other weapons fought with him by -the space of one quarter of an hour, and took and spoiled him, -and kept him as long as they list, and after that let him go.</p> - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_60" title="60">60</a> -Item, forty of the said riotous fellowship, by the commandment -of the same Robert Ledham, jacked and saletted, with -bows and arrows, bills, and glaives upon Maundy Thursday, -at four of the clock at afternoon, the same year, coming to the -White Friars in Norwich, and would have broken their gates -and doors, feigning them that they would hear their evensong. -Where they were answered such service was none used to be -there, nor within the said city at that time of the day, and -prayed them to depart; and they answered and said that afore -their departing they would have some persons out of that -place, quick or dead, inasmuch the said friars were fain to -keep their place with force. And the mayor and the sheriff of -the said city were fain to arraign a power to resist the said -riots, which to them on that holy time was tedious and heinous -considering the loss and letting of the holy service of that holy -night. And thereupon the said rioters departed.</p> - -<p>Item, the said Robert Ledham on the Monday next after -Easter day, the same year, took from one John Wilton four -cattle for rent arrear as he said, and killed them, and laid them -in salt, and afterwards ate them.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Item, in likewise the said Robert Ledham and his men -assaulted one John Coke of Witton, in breaking up his doors -at eleven of the clock at night, and with their swords maimed -him and gave him seven great wounds, and took from him -certain goods and chattels, of which he had, nor yet hath, no -remedy nor restitution.</p> - -<p>Item, the same day and year they beat the mother of the -same John Coke, she being four score years of age and more, -and smote her upon the crown of her head with a sword; of -which hurt she might never be healed to the day of her death.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Item, on Mid Lent Sunday, the thirtieth year of our sovereign -Lord the King that now is, Robert Dallyng, Robert Church, -Robert Taillor, Henry Bang, Adam at More, with others -unknown, by the commandment and assent of the said Robert -Ledham, made affray upon Henry Smith and Thomas Chamber -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_61" title="61">61</a>at South Birlingham, the said Henry and Thomas at that time -kneeling to see the using of the mass, and then and there would -have killed the said Henry and Thomas at the priest's back, -unless they had been prevented.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Item, the said Robert Ledham, continuing in this wise, -called unto him his said misgoverned fellowship, considering -the absence of many of the well-ruled of the said hundred, of -afore-cast malice concocted, purposed and laboured to the -Sheriff of the shire that the said Robert Church, one of the -said riotous fellowship, was made baillie of the hundred; and -after caused the same Roger to be beginner of arising and to -take upon him to be a captain and to excite the people of the -country thereto. And thereupon, by covin of the said Robert -Ledham, to impeach all these said well-ruled persons, and as -well other divers substantial men of good fame and good -governance that was hated by the said Robert Ledham, and -promising the said Roger harmless and to sue his pardon by -the men of Danyell; to the which promise the said Roger -agreed, and was arrested and taken by the said Ledham by -covin betwixt them, and impeached such persons as they list, -to the intent that the said substantial men of the country -should be by that means so troubled and endangered that they -should not be of power to let and resist the misrule of the said -Ledham and his misgoverned fellowship, the which matter is -confessed by the said Robert Church.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Item, six or seven of the said Ledham's men daily, both -work day and holy day, use to go about in the country with -bows and arrows, shooting and playing in many closes among -men's cattle, going from alehouse to alehouse and menacing -such as they hated, and sought occasion to quarrel and -debate.</p> - -<p>Item, notwithstanding that all the livelihood that the said -Ledham hath passeth not £20, besides the repairs and out-charges, -and that he hath no cunning nor true means of getting -of any good in this country, as far as any man may conceive, -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_62" title="62">62</a>and yet keepeth in his house daily twenty men, besides women -and great multitude of such misgoverned people as [have] been -resorting to him, as is above said, to the which he giveth -clothing, and yet beside that he giveth to others that be not -dwelling in his household; and of the said men there passeth -not eight that use occupation of husbandry; and all they that -use husbandry, as well as other, be jacked and saletted ready -for war, which in this country is thought right strange, and is -verily so conceived that he may not keep this countenance by -no good means.</p> - -<p>Item, the said Ledham, hath a <i>supersedeas</i> out of the -Chancery for him and divers of his men, that no warrant of -justice of peace may be served against him.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_CONDITION_OF_IRELAND_1454" id="THE_CONDITION_OF_IRELAND_1454"></a>THE CONDITION OF IRELAND (1454).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Ellis's <i>Original Letters</i>, Second Series, vol. i., pp. 117 <i>et seq.</i> -(London: 1827.)</p> - -<p>[<i>A report, drawn up by the chief persons in the County of Kildare, -to Richard Duke of York, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.</i>]</p> - - -<p>Right high and mighty Prince and our right gracious lord, -Richard Duke of York, we recommend us unto you as lowly -as we can or may; and please your gracious Highness to be -advertised that the land of Ireland was never at the point -finally to be destroyed, since the conquest of this land, as it is -now, for the true liege people in these parts dare nor may not -appear to the King our sovereign lord's courts in the said -land, nor none of the true liege people there to go nor ride to -market towns nor other places, for dread of being slain, taken -or spoiled of their goods; also the misrule and misgovernance -had, done and daily continued by divers gentlemen of the -county and your liberty of Meath and the county of Kildare, -and namely because of a variance between the earl of Wiltshire, -lieutenant of the said land, and Thomas Fitzmaurice of -the Geraldines for the title of the manors of Maynooth and -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_63" title="63">63</a>Rathmore in the county of Kildare.... For Henry Bonyn -knight, constituted Treasurer of the said land under the great -Seal, assembling with him Edmund Butler cousin germane to -the said Earl of Wiltshire and William Butler, cousin to the -said Earl, with their following, of the which the most part was -Irish enemies and English rebels, came unto the said County -of Kildare and there burnt and destroyed divers and many -towns and parish churches of the true liege people, and took -divers of them prisoners and spoiled them of their goods. And -after the departure of the said Henry and Edmund, the said -William ... did so great oppression in the said county of -Kildare and in the county and liberty of Meath that twenty-seven -towns and more which was well inhabited on the feast -of St. Michael's last passed are now wasted and destroyed.... -Also please your Highness to be advertised that the said -William Butler, Nicolas Wogan, David Wogan and Richard -Wogan came, with divers Irish enemies and English rebels to -the castle of Rathcoffy there, as Ann Wogan sometime wife to -Oliver Eustace, then being the King's widow,<a name="FNanchor_15" id="FNanchor_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> was dwelling, -and burnt the gates of the said place, and took her with them -and Edward Eustace, son and heir to the said Oliver ... of -the age of eight years, and yet holdeth them prisoners, and -took goods and chattels of the said Anne to the value of five -hundred marks.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15" id="Footnote_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Ellis notes "disposable in marriage by the King."</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="BEGINNINGS_OF_CIVIL_STRIFE_1454" id="BEGINNINGS_OF_CIVIL_STRIFE_1454"></a>BEGINNINGS OF CIVIL STRIFE (1454).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Ingulph's <i>Chronicles</i>, p. 419. (Bohn Edition.)</p> - - -<p>In the meantime, you might plainly perceive public and -intestine broils fermenting among the princes and nobles of -the realm, so much so, that in the words of the Gospel, -"Brother was divided against brother and father against -father"; one party adhering to the King, while the other, -being attached to the said duke by blood or by ties of duty, -sided with him. And not only among princes and people had -such a spirit of contention arisen, but even in every society, -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_64" title="64">64</a>whether chapter, college, or convent, had this unhappy plague -of division effected an entrance; so much so, that brother -could hardly with any degree of security admit brother into -his confidence, or friend a friend, nor could any one reveal the -secret of his conscience without giving offence. The consequence -was that, from and after this period of time, the combatants -on both sides, uniting their respective forces together, -attacked each other whenever they happened to meet, and -quite in accordance with the doubtful issue of warfare, now -the one and now the other for the moment gained the victory, -while fortune was continually shifting her position. In the -meantime, however, the slaughter of men was immense; for -besides the dukes, earls, barons, and distinguished warriors -who were cruelly slain, multitudes almost innumerable of the -common people died of their wounds. Such was the state of -the kingdom for nearly ten years.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_KINGS_MADNESS_AND_RECOVERY_1454-1455" id="THE_KINGS_MADNESS_AND_RECOVERY_1454-1455"></a>THE KING'S MADNESS AND RECOVERY (1454-1455).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. i., Nos. 195, 226.</p> - - -<p>A.—<span class="smcap">January, 1454.</span></p> - -<p>As touching tidings, please it you to wit that at the Prince's -coming to Windsor, the Duke of Buckingham took him in his -arms and presented him to the King in godly wise, beseeching -the King to bless him; and the King gave no manner of -answer. Nevertheless the Duke abode still with the Prince -by the King; and when he could no manner answer have, the -Queen come in, and took the Prince in her arms and presented -him in like form as the Duke had done, desiring that he -should bless it; but all their labour was in vain, for they -departed thence without any answer or countenance saving -only that once he looked on the Prince and cast down his eyes -again, without any more.</p> - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_65" title="65">65</a></p> - - -<p>B.—<span class="smcap">January, 1455.</span></p> - -<p><i>Edmund Clere to John Paston.</i></p> - -<p>To my well-beloved Cousin, John Paston, be this delivered.</p> - -<p>Right well-beloved cousin, I recommend me to you, letting -you wit such tidings as we have.</p> - -<p>Blessed be God, the King is well amended, and hath been -since Christmasday, and on Saint John's day commanded his -almoner to ride to Canterbury with his offering, and commanded -the Secretary to offer at Saint Edward's.</p> - -<p>And on the Monday afternoon the Queen came to him, and -brought my Lord Prince with her. And then he asked what -the Prince's name was, and the Queen told him Edward; and -then he held up his hands and thanked God thereof. And he -said he never knew till that time, nor wist not what was said -to him, nor wist not where he had been while he hath been sick -till now. And he asked who were godfathers, and the Queen -told him, and he was well pleased.</p> - -<p>And she told him that the Cardinal<a name="FNanchor_16" id="FNanchor_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> was dead, and he said -he knew never thereof till that time; and he said one of the -wisest Lords in this land was dead.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16" id="Footnote_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> Kemp, Archbishop of Canterbury.</p></div> - -<p>And my Lord of Winchester and my Lord of Saint John -were with him on the morrow after Twelfth day, and he speak -to them as well as ever he did; and when they come out they -wept for joy.</p> - -<p>And he saith he is in charity with all the world, and so he -would all the Lords were. And now he sayeth Matins of Our -Lady and evensong, and heareth his Mass devoutly; and -Richard shall tell you more tidings by mouth.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_BATTLE_OF_ST_ALBANS_May_21_22_1455" id="THE_BATTLE_OF_ST_ALBANS_May_21_22_1455"></a>THE BATTLE OF ST. ALBANS (<span class="smcap">May 21, 22, 1455</span>).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Archæologia</i>, vol. xx., p. 519.</p> - - -<p>Be it known and had in mind that the 21st day of May the -twenty-third year of the reign of King Henry the sixth, our -Sovereign Lord the King took his journey from Westminster -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_66" title="66">66</a>toward Saint Albans, and rested at Watford all night; and on -the morrow betimes he came to Saint Albans, and with him... -gentlemen and yeomen to the number of two thousand and -more. And upon the twenty-second day of the said month -above rehearsed assembled the Duke of York, and with him -came in company the Earl of Salisbury, the Earl of Warwick -with divers knights and squires unto their party into the field, -called the Key Field, beside Saint Albans. Furthermore, our -said sovereign Lord the King, hearing and knowing of the -said Duke's coming with other Lords aforesaid, pitched his -banner at the place called Boslawe in Saint Peter Street, -which place was called aforetime Sandiford, and commandeth -the ward and barriers to be kept in strong wise; the aforesaid -Duke of York abiding in the field aforesaid from seven of the -clock in the morning till it was almost ten without any stroke -smitten on either party. The said Duke sent to the King our -sovereign Lord, by the advice of his Council, praying and -beseeching him to take him as his true man and humble subject; -and to consider and to tender at the reverence of -Almighty God, and in way of charity the true intent of his -coming—to be good and gracious sovereign Lord to his liegemen, -which with all their power and might will be ready at all -times to live and die with him in his right.</p> - -<p>"Moreover, gracious Lord, please it your Majesty Royal of -your great goodness and righteousness to incline your will to -hear and feel the righteous party of us your subjects and liegemen; -first, praying and beseeching to our Lord Jesus of his -high and mighty power to give unto you virtue and prudence, -and that through the mediation of the glorious martyr Saint -Alban to give you very knowledge to know the intent of our -assembling at this time; for God that is in Heaven knoweth -that our intent is rightful and true. And therefore we pray -unto Almighty Lord Jesus, these words—<i>Domine sis clipeus -defensionis nostræ</i>. Wherefore, gracious Lord, please it your -high Majesty to deliver such as we will accuse, and they to -have like as they have deserved and done, and ye to be -honoured and worshipped as most rightful King, our governor. -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_67" title="67">67</a>For and we shall now at this time be promised, as afore this -time is not unknown, of promises broken which full faith fully -hath been promised, and there upon great oaths made, we will -not now cease for none such promise, surety, nor other, till we -have them which have deserved death, or else we to die -therefore."</p> - -<p>And to that answered the King our sovereign Lord and -said: "I, King Henry, charge and command that no manner -of person, of what degree, or state, or condition that ever he -be, abide not, but void the field, and not be so hardy to make -any resistance against me in mine own realm; for I shall -know what traitor dare be so bold to raise a people in mine -own land, wherefore I am in great distress and heaviness. -And by the faith that I owe to Saint Edward, and to the -Crown of England, I shall destroy them every mother's son, -and they be hanged, and drawn, and quartered, that they may -be taken afterward, of them to have example to all such -traitors to beware to make any such rising of people within -my land, and so traitorously to abide their King and governor. -And for a conclusion, rather than they shall have any Lord -here with me at this time, I shall this day, for their sake, and -in this quarrel myself live or die."</p> - -<p>Which answer come to the Duke of York, the which Duke, -by the advice of the Lords of his Council, said unto them these -words: "The King our sovereign Lord will not be reformed -at our beseeching nor prayer, nor will not understand the -intent that we be come hither and assembled for and -gathered at this time; but only his full purpose, and there -none other way but that he will with all his power pursue us, -and if taken, to give us a shameful death, losing our livelihood -and goods, and our heirs shamed for ever. And therefore, -since it will be none otherwise but that we shall utterly -die, better it is for us to die in the field than cowardly to be put -to a great rebuke and a shameful death; moreover, considering -in what peril England stands in at this hour, therefore -every man help to help power for the right thereof, to redress -the mischief that now reigneth, and to quit us like men in this -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_68" title="68">68</a>quarrel; praying to that Lord that is King of Glory, that -reigneth in the Kingdom celestial, to keep us and save us this -day in our right, and through the help of His holy grace we -may be made strong to withstand the great, abominable and -cruel malice of them that purpose fully to destroy us with -shameful death. We therefore, Lord, pray to Thee to be our -comfort and Defender, saying the word aforesaid, <i>Domine sis -clipeus defensionis nostræ</i>."</p> - -<p>And when this was said, the said Duke of York, and the said -Earl of Salisbury, and the Earl of Warwick, between eleven -and twelve of the clock at noon, they broke into the town in -three divers places and several places of the aforesaid street. -The King being then in the place of Edmond Westby hundredor -of the said town of Saint Albans, commandeth to slay -all manner men of lords, knights, and squires and yeomen that -might be taken of the foresaid Duke of York. This done, the -foresaid Lord Clifford kept strongly the barriers that the said -Duke of York might not in any wise, with all the power that -he had, enter nor break into the town. The Earl of Warwick, -knowing thereof, took and gathered his men together, and -furiously brake in by the garden sides between the sign of the -Key and the sign of the Chequer in Holwell street; and anon -as they were within the town, suddenly they blew up trumpets, -and set a cry with a shout and a great voice, "A Warwick! -A Warwick! A Warwick!" and unto that time the Duke of -York might never have entry into the town; and they with -strong hand kept it, and mightily fought together, and anon, -forthwith after the breaking in, they set on them manfully. -And of them that were slain and buried in Saint Albans, -forty-eight. And at this same time were hurt Lords of name—the -King, our sovereign Lord, in the neck with an arrow; -the Duke of Buckingham, with an arrow in the visage; the -Lord of Stafford in the hand, with an arrow; the lord of -Dorset, sore hurt that he might not go, but he was carried -home in a cart; and Wenlock, knight, in like wise in a cart -sore hurt; and other divers knights and squires sore hurt. The -Earl of Wiltshire, Thorpe, and many others fled, and left their -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_69" title="69">69</a>harness behind them cowardly, and the substance of the King's -party were despoiled of horse and harness. This done, the -said Lords, that is to wit, the Duke of York, the Earl of Salisbury, -the Earl of Warwick, come to the King, our Sovereign -Lord, and on their knees besought him of grace and forgiveness -of that they had done in his presence, and besought him -of his Highness to take them as his true liegemen, saying that -they never intended hurt to his own person, and therefore the -King our sovereign Lord took them to grace, and so desired -them to cease their people, and that there should no more -harm be done; and they obeyed his commandment, and let -made a cry in the King's name that all manner of people -should cease and not so hardy to strike any stroke more after -the proclamation of the cry; and so ceased the said battle, <i>Deo -gratias</i>.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="AN_UNRULY_NOBLE_1455" id="AN_UNRULY_NOBLE_1455"></a>AN UNRULY NOBLE (1455).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Rotuli Parliamentorum</i>, vol. v., p. 285.</p> - - -<p>... There be great and grievous riots done in the West -Country at the city of Exeter by the earl of Devonshire, -accompanied with many riotous persons, as it is said, with eight -hundred horsemen and four thousand footmen, and there have -robbed the church (cathedral) of Exeter, and taken the canons -of the same church and put them to ransom, and also have -taken the gentlemen in that country, and done and committed -many other great and heinous inconveniences; that in abridging -of such riots ... a Protector and Defensor must be had -... and that he, in abridging of such riots and offences, -should ride and labour into that country, for but if the said -riots and inconveniences were resisted, it should be the cause -of the loss of that land, and if that land were lost, it might be -the cause of the subversion of all this land.</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_70" title="70">70</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_LITIGIOUSNESS_OF_THE_AGE_circa_1455" id="THE_LITIGIOUSNESS_OF_THE_AGE_circa_1455"></a>THE LITIGIOUSNESS OF THE AGE (<i>circa</i> 1455).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Gascoigne's <i>Loci e Libro Veritatum</i>, edited by Rogers, -pp. 108, 109. (Oxford: 1881).</p> - - -<p>Formerly, when there were many good and mature rectors -of churches resident there, the quarrels and dissensions which -arose within a parish or between parishioners, were generally -settled by the good handling and advice of such rectors, and -there were few pleas and actions through lawyers.... But -now, by the lack of such good rectors, strifes, quarrels, dissensions, -actions and pleas are multiplied and prolonged, and thus -the money, which might have gone to good works, owing to -the number of the quarrels goes to the lawyers, advocates, and -counsel; whence by the multiplication of such dissensions and -actions, the number of these lawyers, jurists, advocates and -defenders of evil (who defend evil for love or for fear of evil) -is far greater than it need be. And yet many times the cause -which has been pleaded long and at great expense is settled -and concluded by the interference of the great.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_TRIAL_AND_RECANTATION_OF_BISHOP_PECOCK" id="THE_TRIAL_AND_RECANTATION_OF_BISHOP_PECOCK"></a>THE TRIAL AND RECANTATION OF BISHOP PECOCK -(1457).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>An English Chronicle</i>, edited by Davies, pp. 75-77. -(Camden Society, 1856.)</p> - - -<p>And this same year, and the year of our Lord 1457, master -Reginald Pecock, bishop of Chichester, a secular doctor of -divinity that had laboured for many years for to translate Holy -Scripture into English; passing the bonds of divinity and of -Christian belief, was accused of certain articles of heresy, of -the which he was convicted before the archbishop of Canterbury -and other bishops and clerks, and utterly abjured, -revoked and renounced the said articles openly at [St.] Paul's -Cross in his mother tongue, as followeth hereafter: "In the -name of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I, -Reginald Pecock, bishop of Chichester unworthy, of my own -power and will, without any manner of coercion or dread, confess -and acknowledge that I here before this time, presuming -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_71" title="71">71</a>of my natural wit, and preferring my judgement and natural -reason before the New and the Old Testament, and the -authority and determination of our Mother, Holy Church, -have held, written and taught otherwise than the holy Roman -and universal church teacheth, preacheth or observeth... -and specially these heresies and errors following, that is -to say:</p> - -<p>'In primis, quod non est de necessitate fidei credere quod -Dominus noster Ihesus Christus post mortem descendit ad -inferos.</p> - -<p>'Item, quod non est de necessitate salutis, credere in sanctorum -communione.</p> - -<p>'Item, quod ecclesia universalis potest errare in illis quæ -sunt fidei.</p> - -<p>'Item, quod non est de necessitate salutis credere et tenere -illud quod consilium generale et universalis ecclesia statuit, -approbat, seu determinat in favorem fidei et ad salutem -animarum, est ab universis Christi fidelibus approbandum, -credendum et tenendum.'<a name="FNanchor_17" id="FNanchor_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_17" id="Footnote_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> "First, that it is not necessary to faith to believe that our Lord Jesus -Christ, after His death, descended into hell. -</p> -<p> -<i>Item</i>, that it is not necessary to salvation to believe in the communion of -saints. -</p> -<p> -<i>Item</i>, that the Church universal can err in matters of faith. -</p> -<p> -<i>Item</i>, that it is not necessary to salvation to believe and to hold that whatever -a general Council of the Church ordains, approves, or determines in -matters of faith and for the salvation of souls, ought to be approved, believed, -and held by all faithful Christians."</p></div> - -<p>"Wherefore I, miserable sinner which here before long time -have walked in darkness, and now by the mercy and infinite -goodness of God reduced into the right way and light of truth, -and considering myself grievously to have sinned and wickedly -have informed and infected the people of God, return and come -again to our Mother, Holy Church; and all heresies and -errors written and contained in my said books, works and -writings here solemnly and openly revoke and renounce... -submitting myself, being now very contrite and penitent -sinner, to the correction of the Church and of my said lord of -Canterbury.... And over this declaration of my conversion -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_72" title="72">72</a>and repentance, I here openly assert that my said books, -works and writing, for declaration and cause above rehearsed, -be deputed unto the fire and openly burnt in example and -terror of all other.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">'Why wonder that reason not tell can,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">How a maid is a mother, and God is man,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Flee reason and follow the wonder,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">For belief hath the mastery, and reason is under.'"<br /></span> -</div></div></div> - -<p>This made the said Pecock, as it was said.</p> - -<p>And after this he was deprived of his bishopric, having a -certain pension assigned unto him for to live on in an abbey, -and soon after he died.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="A_SEA_FIGHT_June_1_1458" id="A_SEA_FIGHT_June_1_1458"></a>A SEA FIGHT (<span class="smcap">June 1, 1458</span>).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. i., No. 317.</p> - - -<p><i>John Jerningham to Margaret Paston.</i></p> - -<p>... Right worshipful cousin, if it please you for to hear -of such tidings as we have here, the embassy of Burgundy -shall come to Calais the Saturday after Corpus Christi day, as -men say five hundred horse of them. Moreover, on Trinity -Sunday in the morning, came tidings unto my Lord of -Warwick that there were twenty-eight sails of Spaniards on -the sea, and whereof there was sixteen great ships of forecastle; -and then my Lord went and manned five ships of forecastle, -and three carvels, and four pinnaces, and on the Monday, -on the morning after Trinity Sunday, we met together -afore Calais at four at the clock in the morning, and fought -that gathering till ten at the clock; and there we took six of -their ships, and they slew of our men about four score, and -hurt two hundred of us right sore; and there were slain on -their part about twelve score; and hurt five hundred of them.</p> - -<p>And it happed me, at the first aboarding of us, we took a -ship of 300 ton, and I was left therein and twenty-three men -with me; and they fought so sore that our men were fain to -leave them, and then come they and boarded the ship that I -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_73" title="73">73</a>was in, and there I was taken, and was prisoner with them six -hours, and was delivered again for their men that were taken -before. And as men say, there was not so great a battle -upon the sea this forty winter. And forsooth, we were well -and truly beat; and my Lord hath sent for more ships, and -like to fight together again in haste.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_EVILS_IN_THE_CHURCH_Written_before_1458" id="THE_EVILS_IN_THE_CHURCH_Written_before_1458"></a>THE EVILS IN THE CHURCH (<span class="smcap">Written before</span> 1458).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Gascoigne's <i>Loci e Libro Veritatum</i>, edited by Rogers. -(Oxford: 1881.)</p> - - -<p><i>Unworthy promotions</i> [pp. 13, 14].</p> - -<p>It is notorious now in the realm of England that boys, -youths and men dwelling in the courts of the worldly are -placed in churches, in high offices and in prelacies, others -being set aside who have long been occupied in study and -preaching and in the guiding of the people without thought of -worldly lucre.... Among others unworthily promoted, one -foolish youth, eighteen years of age, was promoted to twelve -prebends and a great archdeaconry of the value of a hundred -pounds, and to one great rectory, and a certain layman -received the rents of all the said benefices, and spent upon the -youth just as much as he, the layman, pleased, and never -rendered an account, and that youth was the son of a simple -knight, and, like an idiot, was drunk almost every day.</p> - -<p><i>Non-residence</i> [pp. 3, 149].</p> - -<p>Some never or seldom reside in their cures, and he to whom -a church is appropriated and who is non-resident, comes once -a year to his cure, or sends to the church at the end of the -autumn, and having filled his purse with money and sold his -tithes, departs again far away from his cure to the court where -he occupies himself in money-making and pleasures.... O -Lord God! incline the heart of the Pope, Thy vicar, to -remedy the evils which arise through the appropriation of -churches, and by the non-residence of good curates in the -same. For now in England a time draweth nigh when men -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_74" title="74">74</a>will say, "Formerly there were rectors in England, and now -there are ruined churches in which cultured men cannot -decently live...."</p> - -<p><i>Church dues oppressive</i> [p. 13].</p> - -<p>For Rome, like a singular and principal wild beast, hath -laid waste the vineyards of the church, reserving to herself the -elections of bishops, that none may confer an episcopal church -on anyone unless they first pay the annates or first-fruits and -rent of the vacant church. Also she hath destroyed the vineyard -of God's church in many places, by annulling the elections -of all the bishops in England. Also she destroys the -church by promoting wicked men according as the King and -the Pope agree.</p> - -<p><i>The abuse of the Sacraments</i> [pp. 197].</p> - -<p>It is now known that many infants die without baptism -because the parish churches have no fonts, and divers abbeys -have licence and custom that everyone of certain parishes -should baptise in their monasteries, and yet they cannot come -conveniently by night, or at other times to the font there.</p> - -<p><i>Proud Prelates</i> [pp. 22, 23].</p> - -<p>Bishops were wont, as is manifest in the Life of St. Cuthbert, -to talk humbly and familiarly with their inferiors and -every day to give everyone of their flock an audience if he -sought to speak with his bishop. Recently a poor man came -to the servant of a certain archbishop, the son of a lord, and said -"I marvel that the archbishop does not give audience in his -own person to his flock as his predecessor was wont to do." -The servant replied "My lord the present archbishop was not -bred in the same way as his predecessor" (meaning by this -that his lord the archbishop, who was so strange and distant -to his flock, was the son of a lord, and his predecessor was the -son of a poor man); the poor man answered the said servant, -"Truly the present archbishop and his predecessor were bred -in different fashions, but it is manifest that the predecessor was -the better man and more useful to his flock and to their souls -and to the whole diocese."</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_75" title="75">75</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_EVILS_OF_MISGOVERNMENT_1459" id="THE_EVILS_OF_MISGOVERNMENT_1459"></a>THE EVILS OF MISGOVERNMENT (1459).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>An English Chronicle</i>, edited by Davies, pp. 79, 80. -(Camden Society, 1846.)</p> - - -<p>In this same time the realm of England was out of all good -governance, as it had been many days before, for the King was -simple and led by covetous counsel, and owed more than he -was worth. His debts increased daily, but payment there was -none; all the possessions and lordships that pertained to the -Crown the King had given away, some to lords and some to -other simple persons, so that he had almost nought to live on. -And such impositions as were put to the people, as taxes, -tallages and quinzimes (fifteenths), all that came from them -were spent in vain, for he held no household nor maintained -no wars. For these misgovernances, and for many other, the -hearts of the people were turned away from them that had the -land in governance, and their blessing was turned into cursing. -The queen with such as were of her affinity ruled the realm as -they liked, gathering riches innumerable. The officers of the -realm, and especially the earl of Wiltshire, treasurer of England, -for to enrich himself, peeled the poor people and disinherited -rightful heirs and did many wrongs. The queen was -defamed and slandered, that he that was called Prince was not -her son.... Wherefore she, dreading that he should not -succeed his father in the crown of England, allied unto her all -the knights and squires of Cheshire, for to have their benevolence, -and held open household among them ... trusting -through them to make her son King.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="YORKS_POPULARITY_1460" id="YORKS_POPULARITY_1460"></a>YORK'S POPULARITY (1460).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>An English Chronicle</i>, edited by Davies, p. 93. -(Camden Society, 1846.)</p> - - -<p class="poemtitle"><span class="smcap">Ballad set upon the Gates of Canterbury.</span></p> -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Send home most gracious Lord Jesu most benign,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Send home thy true blood unto his proper vein,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Richard duke of York, Job thy servant insign,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Whom Satan not ceaseth to set at care and disdain,<br /></span><a class="pagenum" name="Page_76" title="76">76</a> -<span class="i0">But by Thee preserved he may not be slain;<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Set him <i>ut sedeat in principibus</i>, as he did before,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And so to our new song, Lord, thine ears incline,<br /></span> -<span class="i2"><i>Gloria, laus et honor Tibi sit Rex Christe Redemptor</i>!<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Edward Earl of March, whose fame the earth shall spread,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Richard Earl of Salisbury named prudence,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">With that noble knight and flower of manhood,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Richard Earl of Warwick, shield of our defence,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Also little Falconberg, a knight of great reverence;<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Jesu them restore to their honour as they had before,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And ever shall we sing to thine High Excellence,<br /></span> -<span class="i2"><i>Gloria, laus et honor Tibi sit Rex Christe Redemptor</i>!<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i5">The dead man greeteth you well,<br /></span> -<span class="i5">That is just true as steel,<br /></span> -<span class="i7">With very good intent.<br /></span> -<span class="i5">Also the Realm of England,<br /></span> -<span class="i5">Soon to loose from Sorrow's bond<br /></span> -<span class="i7">By right indifferent judgement.<br /></span> -</div></div></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_BATTLE_OF_NORTHAMPTON_July_10_1460" id="THE_BATTLE_OF_NORTHAMPTON_July_10_1460"></a>THE BATTLE OF NORTHAMPTON (<span class="smcap">July 10, 1460</span>).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>An English Chronicle</i>, edited by Davies, pp. 96-98. -(Camden Society, 1846.)</p> - - -<p>The King at Northampton lay at Friars, and had ordained -there a strong and mighty field in the meadows, armed and -arrayed with guns, having the river at his back. The earls -[March and Warwick] with the number of sixty thousand, as -it was said, came to Northampton and sent certain bishops to -the King beseeching him that, in eschewing of effusion of -Christian blood, he would admit and suffer the earls for to -come into his presence to declare themselves as they were. -The duke of Buckingham that stood beside the King, said unto -them, "Ye come not as bishops for to treat for peace, but as -men of arms;" because they brought with them a notable -company of men of arms. They answered and said, "We -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_77" title="77">77</a>come thus for surety of our persons, for they that be about the -King be not our friends."</p> - -<p>"Forsooth!" said the duke, "the Earl of Warwick shall not -come to the King's presence, and if he come he shall die." -The messengers returned again and told this to the earls....</p> - -<p>Then on the Thursday the x<sup>th</sup> day of July, the year of our -Lord 1460, at two hours after noon, the said earls of March -and Warwick let cry through the field, that no man should lay -hands upon the King nor on the common people, but only on -the lords, knights, and squires: then the trumpets blew up, -and both hosts encountered and fought together half an hour,... -The duke of Buckingham, the earl of Shrewsbury, the -lord Beaumont, the lord Egremont were slain by the Kentishmen -besides the King's tent, and many other knights and -squires. The ordinance of the King's guns availed not, for -that day was so great rain that the guns lay deep in water, and -so were quenched and might not be shot. When the field was -done, and the earls through mercy and help had the victory, -they came to the King in his tent, and said in this wise: -"Most noble Prince, displease you not, though it hath pleased -God of his Grace to grant us the victory of our mortal enemies, -the which by their venomous malice have untruly steered and -moved your highness to exile us out of your land. We come -not to that intent for to inquiet nor grieve your said highness, -but for to please your most noble person, desiring most -tenderly the high welfare and prosperity thereof, and of all -your realm, and for to be your true liegemen while our lives -shall endure." The King of their words was greatly recomforted, -and anon was led into Northampton with procession, -where he rested him three days, and then came to London, the -xvj day of the month abovesaid, and lodged in the bishop's -palace. For the which victory London gave to Almighty God -great laud and thanking.</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_78" title="78">78</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_WANDERINGS_OF_QUEEN_MARGARET_1460" id="THE_WANDERINGS_OF_QUEEN_MARGARET_1460"></a>THE WANDERINGS OF QUEEN MARGARET (1460).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Gregory's "Chronicle" in the <i>Collections of a London -Citizen</i>, pp. 208, 209. (Camden Society.)</p> - - -<p>And that same night the King [Henry VI.] removed unto -London, against his will, to the bishop's palace of London, and -the Duke of York come unto him that same night by torch-light -and took upon him as King and said in many places that -"this is ours by very right." And then the Queen, hearing -this, voided unto Wales, but she was met beside the Castle of -Malpas, and a servant of her own that she had made both -yoeman and gentleman and after appointed for to be in office -with her son the prince, spoiled her and robbed her and put -her so in doubt of her life and son's life also. And then she -come to the castle of Hardelowe [Harlech] in Wales, and she -had many great gifts and [was] greatly comforted, for she had -need thereof. And most commonly she rode behind a young -poor gentleman of fourteen year age, his name was John -Combe, born at Amysbery in Wiltshire. And there hence she -removed full privily unto the Lord Jasper, Lord and Earl of -Pembroke, for she durst not abide in no place that was open, -but in private. The cause was that counterfeit tokens were -sent unto her as though they had come from her most dread -lord the King Harry the VI.; but it was not of his sending, -neither of his doing, but forged thing;... for at the King's -departing from Coventry toward the field of Northampton, he -kissed her and blessed the prince, and commanded her that she -should not come unto him till that he send a special token -unto her that no man knew but the King and she. For the -lords would fain had her unto London, for they knew well that -all the workings that were done grew by her, for she was more -wittier than the King, and that appeareth by his deeds.</p> - - - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_79" title="79">79</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_BATTLE_OF_WAKEFIELD_1460" id="THE_BATTLE_OF_WAKEFIELD_1460"></a>THE BATTLE OF WAKEFIELD (1460).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Hall's <i>Chronicle</i>, pp. 250, 251. (London: 1809.)</p> - -<p>[<span class="smcap">Note.</span>—Hall's <i>Chronicle</i> was first published in 1542, and therefore the -following extract is by no means contemporary with the events it describes. -But it is the only account of the battle of Wakefield, and it derives some -authority from the fact that Hall had an ancestor who was slain in the fight.]</p> - - -<p>The duke of York with his people descended down the hill -in good order and array and was suffered to pass forward, -toward the main battle: but when he was in the plain ground -between his castle and the town of Wakefield, he was environed -on every side, like a fish in a net or a deer in a -buckstall: so that he, manfully fighting, was within half an -hour slain and dead, and his whole army discomfited.... -While this battle was in fighting a priest called Sir Robert -Aspall, chaplain and schoolmaster to the young earl of Rutland, -second son to the abovenamed duke of York, of the age of -twelve years, a fair gentleman and a maidenlike person, perceiving -that flight was more safeguard than tarrying, both for -him and his master, secretly conveyed the earl out of the field -... but or he could enter into a house the lord Clifford -espied, followed and taken, and by reason of his apparell -demanded what he was. The young gentleman, dismayed, had -not a word to speak, but kneeled on his knees imploring mercy -and desiring grace both with holding up his hands and making -dolorous countenance, for his speech was gone for fear. "Save -him," said the Chaplain, "for he is a prince's son, and peradventure -may do you good hereafter." With that word the -Lord Clifford marked him and said, "By God's blood, thy -father slew mine, and so will I do thee and all thy kin," and -with that word stuck the earl to the heart with his dagger, and -bade the chaplain bear the earl's mother and brother word -what he had done.... This cruel Clifford and deadly blood-supper, -not content with this homicide or child-killing, came to -the place where the dead corpse of the duke of York lay, and -caused his head to be stricken off, and set on it a crown of -paper and so fixed it on a pole and presented it to the Queen, -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_80" title="80">80</a>not lying far from the field, in great despite and much derision, -saying, "Madame, your war is done; here is your King's -ransom."</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_RAVAGES_OF_THE_LANCASTRIANS_AFTER_THE" id="THE_RAVAGES_OF_THE_LANCASTRIANS_AFTER_THE"></a>THE RAVAGES OF THE LANCASTRIANS AFTER THE -VICTORY OF WAKEFIELD (1460).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Ingulph's <i>Chronicles</i>, pp. 421, 422. -(Bohn Edition.)</p> - - -<p>The duke being thus removed from this world, the north-men, -being sensible that the only impediment was now -withdrawn, and that there was no one now who could care to -resist their inroads, again swept onwards like a whirlwind -from the north, and in the impulse of their fury attempted to -overrun the whole of England. At this period too, fancying -that everything tended to insure them freedom from molestation, -paupers and beggars flocked forth from those quarters in -infinite numbers, just like so many mice rushing forth from -their holes, and universally devoted themselves to spoil and -rapine, without regard of place or person. For, besides the -vast quantities of property which they collected outside, they -also irreverently rushed, in their unbridled and frantic rage, -into churches and the other sanctuaries of God, and most -nefariously plundered them of their chalices, books, and vestments, -and, unutterable crime! broke open the pixes in which -were kept the body of Christ, and shook out the sacred -elements therefrom. When the priests and the other faithful -of Christ in any way offered to make resistance, like so many -abandoned wretches as they were, they cruelly slaughtered -them in the very churches or church yards. Thus did they -proceed with impunity, spreading in vast multitudes over a -space of thirty miles in breadth, and, covering the whole -surface of the earth just like so many locusts, made their way -almost to the very walls of London; all the moveables which -they could possibly collect in every quarter being placed on -beasts of burden and carried off. With such avidity for spoil -did they press on, that they dug up the precious vessels, -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_81" title="81">81</a>which, through fear of them, had been concealed in the earth, -and with threats of death compelled the people to produce the -treasures which they had hidden in remote and obscure spots.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_BATTLE_OF_MORTIMERS_CROSS_1461" id="THE_BATTLE_OF_MORTIMERS_CROSS_1461"></a>THE BATTLE OF MORTIMER'S CROSS (1461).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Gregory's "Chronicle," in the <i>Collections of a London -Citizen</i>, p. 211. (Camden Society.)</p> - - -<p>Also Edward Earl of March, the Duke of York's son and -heir, had a great journey at Mortimer's Cross in Wales the -second day of February next so following, and there he put to -flight the Earl of Pembroke,<a name="FNanchor_18" id="FNanchor_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> (and) the Earl of Wiltshire. -And there he took and slew of knights and squires to the -number of 3,000.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18" id="Footnote_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Jasper Tudor.</p></div> - -<p>And in that journey was Owen Tudor taken and brought -unto Hereford, and he was beheaded at the market place, and -his head set upon the highest grice<a name="FNanchor_19" id="FNanchor_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> of the market cross, and -a mad woman combed his hair and washed away the blood of -his face, and she got candles and set them about him, burning -more than a hundred. This Owen Tudor was father unto the -Earl of Pembroke, and had wedded Queen Catherine, King -Harry the VI.'s mother, thinking and trusting all the way that -he should not be beheaded until he saw the axe and the block, -and when that he was in his doublet he trusted on pardon and -grace till the collar of his red velvet doublet was ripped off. -Then he said: "That head shall lie on the stock that was -wont to lie on Queen Catherine's lap," and put his heart and -mind wholly unto God, and full meekly to his death.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19" id="Footnote_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Grices = steps upon which crosses are placed.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="BATTLE_OF_TOWTON_1461" id="BATTLE_OF_TOWTON_1461"></a>BATTLE OF TOWTON (1461).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Ingulph's <i>Chronicles</i>, pp. 425, 426. -(Bohn Edition.)</p> - - -<p>Edward pursued them as far as a level spot of ground, -situate near the castle of Pomfret and the bridge at Ferry<a class="pagenum" name="Page_82" title="82">82</a>bridge, -and washed by a stream of considerable size; where -he found an army drawn up in order of battle, composed of -the remnants of the northern troops of King Henry. They, -accordingly, engaged in a most severe conflict, and fighting -hand to hand with sword and spear, there was no small -slaughter on either side. However, by the mercy of the -Divine clemency, King Edward soon experienced the favour -of heaven, and, gaining the wished-for victory over his -enemies, compelled them either to submit to be slain or to -take to flight. For, their ranks being now broken and scattered -in flight, the King's army eagerly pursued them, and -cutting down the fugitives with their swords, just like so -many sheep for the slaughter, made immense havoc among -them for a distance of ten miles, as far as the city of York. -Prince Edward, however, with a part of his men, as conqueror, -remained upon the field of battle, and awaited the rest of his -army, which had gone in various directions in pursuit of the -enemy.</p> - -<p>When the solemnities of the Lord's day, which is known as -Palm Sunday, were now close at hand, after distributing -rewards among such as brought the bodies of the slain, and -gave them burial, the King hastened to enter the before-named -city. Those who helped to inter the bodies, piled up in pits -and in trenches prepared for the purpose, bear witness that -eight-and-thirty thousand warriors fell on that day, besides -those who were drowned in the river before alluded to, whose -numbers we have no means of ascertaining. The blood, too, -of the slain, mingling with the snow, which at this time covered -the whole surface of the earth, afterwards ran down in the -furrows and ditches along with the melted snow, in a most -shocking manner, for a distance of two or three miles.</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_83" title="83">83</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="POPULAR_BALLAD_ON_THE_ACCESSION_OF_EDWARD_IV" id="POPULAR_BALLAD_ON_THE_ACCESSION_OF_EDWARD_IV"></a>POPULAR BALLAD ON THE ACCESSION OF EDWARD IV. -(1461).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Archæologia</i>, vol. xxix., p. 130.</p> - - -<p>"<i>On Thursday the first week in Lent came Edward to London -with thirty thousand men, and so in field and town everyone called -Edward King of England and France.</i>"</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Since God hath chosen thee to be his Knight,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And possessed thee in this right,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Then him honour with all thy might,<br /></span> -<span class="i3"><i>Edwardus Dei gratia!</i><br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Out of the stock that long lay dead,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">God hath caused thee to spring and spread,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And of all England to be the head,<br /></span> -<span class="i3"><i>Edwardus Dei gratia!</i><br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Since God hath given thee through his might,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Out of that stock bred in sight,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">The flower to spring and rose so white,<br /></span> -<span class="i3"><i>Edwardus Dei gratia!</i><br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Then give him laud and praising,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Thou virgin Knight of whom we sing,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Undefiled since thy beginning,<br /></span> -<span class="i3"><i>Edwardus Dei gratia!</i><br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">God save thy countenance,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And so prosper to his pleasance,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">That ever thine estate thou mayst enhance,<br /></span> -<span class="i3"><i>Edwardus Dei gratia!</i><br /></span> -</div></div></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_MAYOR_OF_LONDONS_DIGNITY_1463" id="THE_MAYOR_OF_LONDONS_DIGNITY_1463"></a>THE MAYOR OF LONDON'S DIGNITY (1463).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Gregory's "Chronicle" in the <i>Collections of a London -Citizen</i>, pp. 222, 223. (Camden Society.)</p> - - -<p>This year, about Midsummer, at the royal feast of the -Sergeants of the Coif, the Mayor of London was desired to be -at that feast. And at dinner time he came to the feast with -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_84" title="84">84</a>his officers, agreeing and according unto his degree. For -within London he is next unto the King in all manner [of] -thing. And in time of washing the Earl of Worcester was -taken before the mayor and set down in the midst of the high -table. And the mayor seeing that his place was occupied held -him content, and went home again without meat or drink or -anything, but reward him he did as his dignity required of the -city. And took with him the substance of his brethren the -aldermen to his place, and were set and served as soon as any -man could devise, both of cygnet and of other delicacies -enough, that all the house marvelled how well everything was -done in so short a time....</p> - -<p>Then the officers of the feast, full evil ashamed, informed the -masters of the feast of this mishap that is befallen. And they, -considering the great dignity and costs and charge that belonged -to the city, anon sent unto the mayor a present of meat, -bread and wine and many divers subtleties. But when they -that come with the presents saw all the gifts and the service -that was at the board, he was full sore ashamed that should do -the message, for the present was not better than the service of -meat was before the mayor and throughout the high table. -But his demeaning was so that he had love and thanks for his -message and a great reward withal. And thus the worship of -the city was kept and not lost for him. And I trust that never -it shall, by the grace of God.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_MARRIAGE_OF_EDWARD_IV_1464" id="THE_MARRIAGE_OF_EDWARD_IV_1464"></a>THE MARRIAGE OF EDWARD IV. (1464).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Gregory's "Chronicle" in the <i>Collections of a London -Citizen</i>, pp. 226, 227. (Camden Society.)</p> - - -<p>Now take heed what love may do, for love will not nor may -not cast no fault nor peril in nothing.</p> - -<p>That same year, the first day of May, our sovereign lord the -King Edward IV. was wedded to the Lord Rivers' daughter; -her name is Dame Elizabeth that was wife unto Sir John -Grey.... And this marriage was kept full secretly long and -many a day, that no man knew it; but men marvelled that our -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_85" title="85">85</a>sovereign lord was so long without any wife, and were ever -feared that he had been not chaste of his living. But on All -Hallows' day at Reading there it was known, for there the -King kept his common council, and the lords moved him and -exhorted him in God's name to be wedded and to live under the -law of God and Church, and (that) they would send into some -strong land to inquire a queen of good birth according to his -dignity. And then our sovereign might no longer hide his -marriage, and told them how he had done, and made that the -marriage should be opened unto his lords.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="A_DINNER_OF_FLESH_circa_1465" id="A_DINNER_OF_FLESH_circa_1465"></a>A DINNER OF FLESH (<i>circa</i> 1465).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>The Boke of Nurture</i>, by John Russell (1460-1470). -(Roxburghe Club, 1867.)</p> - - -<p class="poemtitle"><span class="smcap">The furst Course.</span></p> -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Furst set for the mustard and brawne of boore, the wild swyne,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Such potage as the cooke hathe made of yerbis spice and wyne,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Beeff, moton, stewed feysaund, Swan with the Chawdyn,<a name="FNanchor_20" id="FNanchor_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a><br /></span> -<span class="i0">Capoun, pigge, vensoun bake, lech lombard,<a name="FNanchor_21" id="FNanchor_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> frutur veaunt<a name="FNanchor_22" id="FNanchor_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> fyne.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And then a Sotelte: }<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Maiden mary that holy virgyne, } A Sotelte.<a name="FNanchor_23" id="FNanchor_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a><br /></span> -<span class="i0">And Gabrielle gretynge hur with an Ave }<br /></span> -</div></div></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20" id="Footnote_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> A sauce for swans.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21" id="Footnote_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> A dish of pork, eggs, cloves, currants, dates, and sugar powdered together.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_22" id="Footnote_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Meat fritter.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_23" id="Footnote_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Made of sugar and wax.</p></div> - - -<p class="poemtitle"><span class="smcap">The Second Course.</span></p> -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Two potages, blanger mangere and also Jely<br /></span> -<span class="i0">For a standard vensoun rost kyd, faun or cony,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">bustard, stork, crane pecock in hakille ryally,<a name="FNanchor_24" id="FNanchor_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a><br /></span> -<span class="i0">Partriche, wodcock plovere, egret, Rabettes sowkere,<a name="FNanchor_25" id="FNanchor_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a><br /></span> -<span class="i0">Great birds, larks gentille, Creme de mere,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">dowcettes,<a name="FNanchor_26" id="FNanchor_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> payne puff with lech Jely ambere.<br /></span> -</div> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_86" title="86">86</a></p> - -<div class="stanza"> -<span class="i2">... A sotelte followynge in fere,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">the course for to fullfylle,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">An angelle goodly can appere,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">And syngynge with a mery chere<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Unto iij shepperds upon an hille.<br /></span> -</div></div></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_24" id="Footnote_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Sewn in the skin.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_25" id="Footnote_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> Sucking rabbits.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_26" id="Footnote_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Sweet cakes.</p></div> - - -<p class="poemtitle"><span class="smcap">The iij Course.</span></p> -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Creme of almondes and mameny the iij course in coost,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Curlew brew, snipes, quayles, sparows, martenettes rost,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Perche in gely, Crevise<a name="FNanchor_27" id="FNanchor_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> dewe dough, pety perveis<a name="FNanchor_28" id="FNanchor_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> with the moost,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Quinces bake, leche dugard, Fritter sage, I speke of cost,<br /></span> -<span class="i8">And soteltees fulle solemn:<br /></span> -<span class="i0">that lady that conceived by the holygost,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">him that distroyed the fiends boost,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">presented plesauntly by the Kynges of Coleyn.<br /></span> -<span class="i8">After this, delicates mo.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Blaunderelle, or pepyns with carawey in confite,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Wafers to eat, ypocras<a name="FNanchor_29" id="FNanchor_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> to drink with delite.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Now this fest is fynysched voyd the table quyte.<br /></span> -</div></div></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_27" id="Footnote_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> Cray-fish.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_28" id="Footnote_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> Pies.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_29" id="Footnote_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> Spiced wine.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="PRIVATE_WARS_September_1469" id="PRIVATE_WARS_September_1469"></a>PRIVATE WARS (<span class="smcap">September, 1469</span>).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. ii., No. 620.</p> - - -<p><i>Margaret Paston to Sir John Paston.</i></p> - -<p>I greet you well, letting you wit that your brother and his -fellowship stand in great jeopardy at Caister, and lack victuals; -and Dawbeney and Berney be dead, and divers others greatly -hurt; and they fail gunpowder and arrows, and the place sore -broken with guns of the other party, so that, but they have -hasty help, they be like to lose both their lives and the place, -to the greatest rebuke to you that ever came to any gentleman, -for every man in this country marvelleth greatly that ye -suffer them to be so long in so great jeopardy without help or -other remedy.</p> - -<p>The Duke hath been more fervently set there upon, and more -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_87" title="87">87</a>cruel, since that Wretyll, my Lord of Clarence's man, was -there, than he was before, and he hath sent for all his tenants -from every place, and others, to be there at Caister at Thursday -next coming, that there is then like to be the greatest multitude -of people that came there yet. And they purpose them -to make a great assault—for they have sent for guns to Lynn -and other place by the seaside—that, with their great multitude -of guns, with other shoot and ordnance, there shall no -man dare appear in the place. They shall hold them so busy -with their great people, that it shall not lie in their power -within to hold it against them, without God help them, or have -hasty succour from you.</p> - -<p>Therefore, as ye will have my blessing, I charge you and -require you that ye see your brother be helped in haste. And -if he can have no means, rather desire writing from my Lord -of Clarence, if he be at London, or else of my Lord Archbishop -of York, to the Duke of Norfolk, that he will grant -them that be in the place their lives and their goods; and in -eschewing of insurrections with other inconveniences that be -like to grow within the shire of Norfolk, this troublous world, -because of such conventicles and gatherings within the said -shire for cause of the said place, they shall suffer him to -enter upon such appointment, or other like taking by the -advise of your council there at London, if ye think this be not -good, till the law hath determined otherwise; and let him -write another letter to your brother to deliver the place upon -the same appointment....</p> - -<p>Do your devoir now, and let me send you no more -messengers for this matter; but send me by the bearer here -of more certain comfort than ye have done by all other that -I have sent before. In any wise, let the letters that shall -come to the Earl of Oxenford come with the letters that shall -come to the Duke of Norfolk, that if he will not agree to the -tone, that ye may have ready your rescue that it need no -more to send therefore. God keep you.</p> - -<p>Written the Tuesday next before Holy Rood Day.</p> - -<p>In haste by your mother.</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_88" title="88">88</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_RESTORATION_OF_HENRY_VI_1470" id="THE_RESTORATION_OF_HENRY_VI_1470"></a>THE RESTORATION OF HENRY VI. (1470).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Chronicles of the White Rose</i> (Warkworth's Chronicle), -pp. 117-118. (Bohn, London: 1845.)</p> - - -<p>Here is to know, that in the beginning of the month of -October in the year of our Lord 1470, the bishop of Winchester, -by the assent of the Duke of Clarence and the Earl -of Warwick, went to the Tower of London, where King -Harry was in prison, (by King Edward's commandment,) -which was not worshipfully arrayed as a prince, and not so -cleanly kept as should beseem such a prince. They had him -out and new arrayed him, and did to him great reverence, and -brought him to the palace of Westminster, and so he was -restored again to the Crown.... Whereof all his good lovers -were full glad, and the more part of people also.... [For] -when King Edward the Fourth reigned the people looked -after ... prosperities and peace, but it came not; but one -battle after another, and much trouble and great loss of goods -among the common people; as first the fifteenth of all their -goods, and then a whole fifteenth, and yet at every battle -[they had] to come far out of their countries at their own -cost; and these and such other causes brought England right -low, and many men said King Edward had much blame for -hurting merchandize, for in his days they were not in other -lands, nor within England, taken in such reputation and -credence as they were before.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_ARRIVAL_OF_EDWARD_IV_1471" id="THE_ARRIVAL_OF_EDWARD_IV_1471"></a>THE ARRIVAL OF EDWARD IV. (1471).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Chronicles of the White Rose</i>, pp. 37, 38, 50, 51. (Bohn, -London: 1845.)</p> - - -<p>The same night following upon the morn, Wednesday and -Thursday, the 14th day of March fell great storms, winds and -tempests upon the sea, so that the said 14th day, in great -torment, he came to Humber Head, where the other ships -were dissevered from him, and every from other, so that of -necessity they were driven to land, every one far from the -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_89" title="89">89</a>other. The King, with his ship alone, wherein was the Lord -Hastings, his Chamberlain, and others to the number of five -hundred well chosen men, landed within Humber on Holderness -side at a place called Ravenspurne. The King's brother, -Richard Duke of Gloucester, and in his company three -hundred men landed at another place, four miles from thence. -The Earl Rivers, and the fellowship being in his company, to -the number of two hundred, landed at a place called Powle, -fourteen miles from whence the King landed, and the remainder -of the fellowship where they might best get land. That night -the King was lodged at a poor village two miles from his -landing, with a few with him; but that night, and in the -morning, the residue that were coming in his ship, the rage -of the tempest somewhat appeased, landed, and alway drew -towards the King.</p> - -<p>... The King at that time being at Warwick, and understanding -his near approaching, upon an afternoon issued out of -Warwick, with all his fellowship, by the space of three miles, -into a fair field towards Banbury, where he saw the Duke [of -Clarence], his brother, in fair array come towards him, with a -great fellowship. And when they were together within less -than half a mile, the King set his people in array, the banners -displayed, and left them standing still, taking with him his -brother of Gloucester, the Lord Rivers, Lord Hastings, and a -few others, and went towards his brother of Clarence. And -in like wise the Duke for his part, taking with him a few noblemen, -and leaving his host in good order, departed from them -towards the King. And so they met betwixt both hosts, where -there was right kind and loving language betwixt them two, -with perfect accord knit together for ever hereafter, with as -heartily loving cheer and countenance as might be betwixt -two brethren of so great nobility and estate.</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_90" title="90">90</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_BATTLE_OF_BARNET_AND_THE_DEATH_OF" id="THE_BATTLE_OF_BARNET_AND_THE_DEATH_OF"></a>THE BATTLE OF BARNET AND THE DEATH OF -WARWICK (1471).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Chronicles of the White Rose</i>, pp. 63-68. (Bohn, -London: 1845).</p> - - -<p>On the morrow, betimes, the King, understanding that the -day approached near, betwixt four and five of the clock, -notwithstanding there was a great mist, and hindered the sight -of each other, yet he committed his cause and quarrel to -Almighty God, advanced his banners, did blow on trumpets, -and set upon them, first with shot, and then, and soon, they -joined and came to hand-strokes, wherein his enemies manly -and courageously received them, as well in shot as in hand-strokes, -when they joined; which joining of their both battles -(armies) was not directly front to front, as they so should have -joined, had it not been for the mist, which suffered neither -party to see the other, but for a little space; and that of -likelihood caused the battle to be the more cruel and mortal; -for so it was that the one end of their battle overreached the -end of the King's battle, and so at that end they were much -mightier than was the King's battle at the same end, that -joined with them, which was the west end, and therefore, upon -that part of the King's battle they had a greater distress upon -the King's party; wherefore many fled towards Barnet, and -so forth to London, ere ever they left off; and they (the -Earl's party) fell into the chase of them and did much harm. -But the other parties, and the residue of neither battle, might -see that distress, neither the fleeing, nor the chase, because of -the great mist that was, which would not suffer any man to see -but a little from him; and so the King's battle, which saw -none of all that, was thereby in nothing discouraged, for, save -only a few that were near unto them, no man wist thereof; -also the other party by the same distress, flight, or chase, were -therefore the greater encouraged. And in likewise at the east -end, the King's battle, when they came to joining, overreached -their battle, and so distressed them there greatly, and so drew -near towards the King, who was about the midst of the battle, -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_91" title="91">91</a>and sustained all the might and weight thereof. Nevertheless -upon the same little distress at the west end, anon ran the -news to Westminster, and to London, and so further to other -countries, that the King was distressed, and his field lost; but -the laud be to Almighty God! it was otherwise; for the King, -trusting verily in God's help, our blessed Lady's and Saint -George, took to him great hardiness and courage, for to -suppress the falsehood of all them that so falsely and so -traitorously had conspired against him, wherethrough, with -the faithful, well-beloved, and mighty assistance of his fellowship, -that in great number dissevered not from his person, and -were as well assured unto him as to them was possible, he -manly, vigorously, and valiantly, assailed them in the midst -and strongest of their battle, where he, with great violence, -beat and bare down before him all that stood in his way, and -then turned to the range, first on that hand, and then on that -other hand, in length, and so beat and bare them down, so that -nothing might stand in the sight of him, and the well assured -fellowship that attended truly upon him; so that, blessed be -God! he won the field there, and the perfect victory remained -unto him, and to his rebels the discomfiture of thirty thousand -men, as they numbered themselves. In this battle was slain -the Earl of Warwick....</p> - -<p>On the morrow after, the King commanded that the bodies -of the dead lords, the Earl of Warwick, and his brother, the -Marquis, should be brought to St. Paul's in London, and, in -the church there, openly shewed to all the people; to the -intent that after that the people should not be abused by -feigned seditious tales, which many of them, that were wont to -be towards the Earl of Warwick, had been accustomed to -make; and, peradventure, so would have made after that, had -not the dead bodies there been shewed, open and naked and -well known; for, doubtless, else the rumour should have been -sown about in all countries that they both, or else at the -least, the Earl of Warwick was yet alive, upon the cursed -intent thereby to have caused new murmurs, insurrections -and rebellions amongst indisposed people.</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_92" title="92">92</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_PLAGUE_1471" id="THE_PLAGUE_1471"></a>THE PLAGUE (1471).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. iii., Nos. 675, 681.</p> - - -<p><i>Sir John Paston to John Paston.</i></p> - -<p>... I pray you send me word if any of our friends or well-doers -be dead, for I fear that there is great death in Norwich, -and in other borough towns in Norfolk, for I assure you it is -the most universal death that ever I wist in England; for, by -my troth, I cannot hear by pilgrims that pass the country nor -none other man that rideth or goeth [through] any country, -that any borough town in England is free from that sickness; -God cease it when it please Him. Wherefore, for God's sake, -let my mother take heed to my young brethren that they be -not in any place where that sickness is reigning, nor that they -disport not with any young people which resort where any -sickness is, and if there be any of that sickness dead or infect -in Norwich, for God's sake, let her send them to some friend -of hers in the country....</p> - - -<p><i>Margaret Paston to her son John.</i></p> - -<p>... As for tidings here, your cousin Barney of Wichingham -is passed to God, him God assoil. Veyly's wife and London's -wife, and Pycard the baker of Twmlond be gone also; all this -household and this parish is as ye left it, blessed be God; we -live in fear, but we know not whether to flee, for to be better -than we be here.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_DEATH_OF_HENRY_VI_May_21_1471" id="THE_DEATH_OF_HENRY_VI_May_21_1471"></a>THE DEATH OF HENRY VI. (<span class="smcap">May 21, 1471</span>).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading">A. <b>Source.</b>—<i>Chronicles of the White Rose</i> (Warkworth's "Chronicle"), -p. 131. (Bohn, London: 1845).</p> - - -<p>And the same night that King Edward came to London, -King Harry, being in ward, in prison in the Tower of London, -was put to death, the twenty-first day of May, on a Tuesday -night, betwixt eleven and twelve of the clock; being then at -the Tower the Duke of Gloucester, brother to King Edward, -and many others; and on the morrow he was coffined and -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_93" title="93">93</a>brought to St. Paul's, and his face was open that every man -might see him. And in his lying, he bled on the pavement -there; and afterward at the Black Friars was brought, and -there he bled anew and afresh; and from thence he was -carried to Chertsey Abbey in a boat, and buried there in our -Lady Chapel.</p> - - -<p class="subheading">B. <b>Source.</b>—<i>Chronicles of the White Rose</i> (Fleetwood's "Arrival of -King Edward IV."), p. 93. (Bohn, London: 1845.)</p> - -<p>Here it is to be remembered, that from the time of Tewkesbury-field, -where Edward, called Prince, was slain, then, and -soon after, were taken and slain at the King's will, all the -noblemen that came from beyond the sea with the said -Edward, called Prince, and others also their partakers as -many as were of any might or puissance. Queen Margaret -herself was taken and brought to the King, and in every part -of England, where any commotion was begun for King Henry's -party, anon they were rebuked, so that it appeared to every -man at once, the said party was extinct and repressed for -ever, without any manner of hope of again quickening; utterly -deprived of any manner of hope or relief. The certainty of all -which came to the knowledge of the said Henry, late called -King, being in the Tower of London. Not having before that -knowledge of the said matters, he took it to so great despite, -ire, and indignation, that of pure displeasure and melancholy, -he died the twenty-third day of the month of May. Whom -the King did order to be brought to the friars preachers at -London, and there his funeral service done, to be carried by -water to an Abbey upon Thames' Side, sixteen miles from -London, called Chertsey, and there honourably interred.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="KING_EDWARDS_COURT_1472" id="KING_EDWARDS_COURT_1472"></a>KING EDWARD'S COURT (1472).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Archæologia</i>, vol. xxvi., pp. 276 <i>et seq.</i> (London: 1836).</p> - - -<p><i>The coming into England of the Lord Gruthuyse from the right -high and mighty Prince Charles duke of Burgundy.</i></p> - -<p>When he [Gruthuyse] came to the castle of Windsor, into -the quadrant, my lord Hastings, chamberlain to the King, Sir -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_94" title="94">94</a>John Parr, Sir John Don with divers other lords and nobles -received him to the King. The King had caused to be imparrailled -on the far side of the quadrant three chambers richly -hanged with cloths of Arras and with beds of state, and when -he had spoken with the King's grace and the queen, he was -accompanied to his chamber by the lord chamberlain and Sir -John Parr with divers more, which supped with him in his -chamber; also there supped with him his servants. When -they had supped, my lord chamberlain had him again to the -King's chamber. There incontinent the King had him to the -queen's chamber where she had there her ladies playing at -morteaulx,<a name="FNanchor_30" id="FNanchor_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> and some of her ladies and gentlemen at the -closheys<a name="FNanchor_31" id="FNanchor_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> of ivory, and dancing. And some at divers other -games accordingly. The which sight was full pleasant to -them. Also the King danced with my lady Elizabeth, his -eldest daughter. That done, the night passed over, they went -to his chamber. The lord Gruthuyse took leave, and my lord -chamberlain with divers nobles accompanied him to his -chamber, where they departed for that night. And in the -morning when Matins was done, the King heard in his own -chapel our Lady's mass, which was melodiously sung, the lord -Gruthuyse being there present. When the mass was done, the -King gave the said lord Gruthuyse a cup of gold garnished -with pearl. In the midst of the cup is a great piece of unicorn's -horn,<a name="FNanchor_32" id="FNanchor_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> to my estimation, seven inches compass. And in -the cover was a great sapphire. Then went he to his chamber -where he had his breakfast. And when he had broken his -fast, the King came to the quadrant. My lord prince also, -borne by his chamberlain called Master Vaughan, which bade -the aforesaid lord Gruthuyse welcome. Then the King had -him and all his company into the little Park, where he made -him to have great sport. And there the King made him ride -on his own horse, a right fair hobby, the which the King gave -him.... The King's dinner was ordained in the lodge, and -before dinner they killed no game save a doe; the which the -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_95" title="95">95</a>King gave to the servants of the lord Gruthuyse. And when -the King had dined, they went a-hunting again. And by the -castle were found certain deer lying; some with greyhounds -and some run to death with buck-hounds.... By that time it -was near night, yet the King shewed him his garden and Vineyard -of Pleasure, and so turned into the castle again where -they heard evensong in their chambers.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_30" id="Footnote_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> A game resembling bowls.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_31" id="Footnote_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> Nine-pins.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_32" id="Footnote_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> A charm against poison in the cup.</p></div> - -<p>The queen ordained a great banquet in her own chamber. -At which banquet were the King, the queen, my lady Elizabeth -the King's eldest daughter, the lord Gruthuyse (etc).... -There was a side table at which sat a great view of ladies, all -on the one side. Also in the outer chamber sat the queen's -gentlewomen, all on one side. And on the other side of the -table over against them, as many of the lord Gruthuyse's -servants, as touching to the abundant welfare like as it is -according to such a banquet. And when they had supped, my -lady Elizabeth danced with the Duke of Buckingham and -divers other ladies also. Then about nine of the clock the -King and the queen, with all her ladies, brought the said lord -Gruthuyse to three chambers of Pleasance, all hanged with -white silk and linen cloth, and all the floors covered with -carpets. There was ordained a bed for himself, of as good -down as could be gotten, the sheets of Rennes, also fine -fustians; the counterpoint cloth of gold, furred with ermine, -the tester and celer also shining cloth of gold, the curtains of -white sarcent; as for his head suit and pillows, they were of the -queen's own ordering. The second chamber was another of -state, the which was all white. Also in the same chamber was -made a couch with feather beds, hanged with a tent knit like a -net, and there was a cupboard. In the third chamber was a -bath or two, which were covered with tents of white cloth. -And when the King and the queen, with all her ladies, had -showed him these chambers, they turned again to their own -chambers, and left the said lord Gruthuyse there, accompanied -with my lord chamberlain, which disrobed him, and went both -to the bath.... And when they had been in their baths as -long as was their pleasure they had green ginger, confits and -ypocras, and then they went to bed.</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_96" title="96">96</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="AN_ENGLISHMANS_LIBRARY_circa_1475" id="AN_ENGLISHMANS_LIBRARY_circa_1475"></a>AN ENGLISHMAN'S LIBRARY (<i>circa</i> 1475).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. iii., No. 869.</p> - -<p>[<span class="smcap">Note.</span>—The original manuscript is much decayed, and the portions -between brackets represent attempted reconstructions of the text.]</p> - - -<p><i>The inventory of the English books of John [Paston] made the fifth -day of November, anno regni regis E. iiij....</i></p> - -<ol> -<li>A book had of mine hostess at the George ... of <i>The -Death of Arthur beginning at Cassab[elaun</i>, <i>Guy Earl of] Warwick</i>; -<i>King Richard Cœur de Lion</i>;<a name="FNanchor_33" id="FNanchor_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> A chronicle ... to Edward III. - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_33" id="Footnote_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> A romance of the fourteenth century, first printed by Wynkyn de Worde -(1509-1528).</p></div> -</li> - -<li>Item, a book of Troilus<a name="FNanchor_34" id="FNanchor_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> which William Bra ... hath had -near ten years, and lent it to Dame ... Wyngfeld, and <i>ibi ego -vidi</i>. - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_34" id="Footnote_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Chaucer's <i>Troilus and Cressida</i>.</p></div> -</li> - - -<li>Item, a black book with <i>the legend of Lad[ies,<a name="FNanchor_35" id="FNanchor_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> la Belle -Dame] saunce Mercye</i>; <i>the Parliament of Bird[s</i>;<a name="FNanchor_36" id="FNanchor_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> <i>the Temple of] -Glass</i>;<a name="FNanchor_37" id="FNanchor_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> <i>Palatyse and Scitacus</i>; <i>the Me[ditations]</i>; <i>the Green Knight</i>.<a name="FNanchor_38" id="FNanchor_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_35" id="Footnote_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Possibly Chaucer's <i>Legend of Good Ladies</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_36" id="Footnote_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> Possibly Chaucer's <i>Parliament of Fowls</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_37" id="Footnote_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> A poem by Lydgate (<i>circa</i> 1370-1451). For a text of this poem see -Early English Text Society, Extra Series, lx. (1891).</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_38" id="Footnote_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> An anonymous ballad of the fourteenth century.</p></div> -</li> - -<li>Item, a Book in print of the Play of the [Chess].</li> - -<li>Item, a book lent Midelton, and therein is <i>Belle Da[me -sans] Mercy</i>; <i>the Parliament of Birds</i>; <i>Ballad ... of Guy and -Colbronde</i>; <i>of the Goose</i> ... <i>the Disputation between Hope and -Despair</i>; <i>... Mare haunts</i>; <i>the Life of Saint Cry[stofer]</i>.</li> - -<li>A red book that Percival Robsart gave me <i>... of the -Meeds of the Mass</i>; <i>the Lamentation of Childe Ypotis</i>;<a name="FNanchor_39" id="FNanchor_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> <i>a prayer to -the Vernicle</i>;<a name="FNanchor_40" id="FNanchor_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> [a book] called <i>the Abbey of the Holy Ghost</i>. - - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_39" id="Footnote_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> In this ballad Ypotis = Epictetus (see Horstmann's <i>Altenglische Legenden</i> -(1881)).</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_40" id="Footnote_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> The "Vernicle," or "Veronica Kerchief" was one of the most popular -legends of the Middle Ages. Veronica, a lady of Jerusalem (afterwards -identified with the woman that had an issue of blood), seeing Christ sinking -beneath the burden of the Cross, wiped His face with a veil. After this work -of mercy the face of Christ was found imprinted on the veil.</p> - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_97" title="97">97</a></p></div></li> - -<li>Item, in quires:—Tully <i>de Senectute</i><a name="FNanchor_41" id="FNanchor_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> in divers [places] -whereof there is no more clear written. - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_41" id="Footnote_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> Cicero's <i>De Senectute</i>.</p></div> -</li> - -<li>Item, in quires:—Tully or Cypio<a name="FNanchor_42" id="FNanchor_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> <i>de Ami[citia]</i> left with -William Worcester. - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_42" id="Footnote_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Scipio. In Cicero's dialogue, <i>De Amicitia</i>, the friendship of the chief -speaker, Gaius Lælius, with the younger Scipio, is taken as the model of the -theme. "Equidem ex omnibus rebus, quas mihi aut fortuna aut natura -tribuit, nihil habeo quod cum amicitia Scipionis possim compare."</p></div> -</li> - -<li>Item, in quires, a book of <i>the Policy of In[gelond]</i>.</li> - -<li>Item, in quires, a book <i>de Sapientia</i><a name="FNanchor_43" id="FNanchor_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> ... wherein the -second person is likened to Sapi[ence]. - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_43" id="Footnote_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Lydgate's <i>Werke of Sapience</i>.</p></div> -</li> - -<li>Item, a Book <i>de Othea</i>,<a name="FNanchor_44" id="FNanchor_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> text and gloss ... in quires. -Memorandum, mine old Book of Blazonings of Arms. - - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Item, the new Book portrayed and blazoned.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Item, a copy of Blazonings of Arms and the names to<br /></span> -<span class="i0">be found by letter.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Item, a book with arms portrayed in paper....<br /></span> -</div></div></div> - -<p>Memorandum, my Book of Knighthood and the man[ner] of -making of Knights, of Jousts, of Tour[nements], fighting in -lists, paces holden by so[ldiers] ... and challenges, statutes -of war, and <i>De Regim[ine Principum]</i>.<a name="FNanchor_45" id="FNanchor_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a></p> - -<p>Item, a new Book of new Statutes from Edward IV.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_44" id="Footnote_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> A treatise on <i>Wisdom</i>. Dr. Gairdiner notes that the name is derived -from the Greek Ὠ θεὰ but was used in the Middle Ages as the name for the -Goddess of Wisdom (<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. ii., p. 335, n. 1).</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_45" id="Footnote_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> Thomas Hoccleve (1370?-1449) wrote the <i>Regement of Princes</i>, based on -the <i>De Regimine Principum</i> of Ægidius Colonna (see Early English Text -Society, Extra Series, lxxii., 1897).</p></div> - - -</li> -</ol> - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="DEATH_OF_CLARENCE_1478" id="DEATH_OF_CLARENCE_1478"></a>DEATH OF CLARENCE (1478).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Ingulph's <i>Chronicles</i>, pp. 479, 480. (Bohn Edition.)</p> - - -<p>Now each began to look upon the other with no very fraternal -eyes. You might then have seen (as such men are generally -to be found in the courts of all princes) flatterers running -to and fro, from the one side to the other, and carrying -backwards and forwards the words which had fallen from the -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_98" title="98">98</a>two brothers, even if they had happened to be spoken in the -most secret closet. The arrest of the duke for the purpose of -compelling him to answer the charges brought against him -happened under the following circumstances. One Master -John Stacy, a person who was called an astronomer, when in -reality he was rather a great sorcerer, formed a plot in conjunction -with one Burdet, an esquire, and one of the said -duke's household; upon which he was accused, among -numerous other charges, of having made leaden images and -other things to procure thereby the death of Richard, Lord -Beauchamp, at the request of his adulterous wife. Upon -being questioned in a very severe examination as to his practice -of damnable arts of this nature, he made confession of many -matters, which told both against himself and the said Thomas -Burdet. The consequence was, that Thomas was arrested as -well; and at last, judgment of death was pronounced upon -them both, at Westminster, from the Bench of our lord the -king, the judges being there seated, together with nearly all the -lords temporal of the kingdom. Being drawn to the gallows at -Tyburn, they were permitted briefly to say what they thought -fit before being put to death; upon which, they protested -their innocence, Stacy indeed but faintly; while, on the other -hand, Burdet spoke at great length, and with much spirit, and -as his last words exclaimed with Susanna, "Behold! I must -die; whereas I never did such things as these."</p> - -<p>On the following day, the Duke of Clarence came to the -council-chamber at Westminster, bringing with him a famous -Doctor of the Order of Minorites, Master William Goddard by -name, in order that he might read the confession and declaration -of innocence above-mentioned before the lords in the said -council assembled; which he accordingly did, and then withdrew. -The king was then at Windsor, but when he was -informed of this circumstance, he was greatly displeased -thereat, and recalling to mind the information formerly laid -against his brother, and which he had long kept treasured up -in his breast, he summoned the duke to appear on a certain day -in the royal palace of Westminster: upon which, in presence -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_99" title="99">99</a>of the Mayor and aldermen of the city of London, the king -began, with his own lips, amongst other matters, to inveigh -against the conduct of the before-named duke, as being derogatory -to the laws of the realm, and most dangerous to judges -and jurors throughout the kingdom. But why enlarge? The -duke was placed in custody, and from that day up to the time -of his death never was known to have regained his liberty.</p> - -<p>The circumstances that happened in the ensuing Parliament -my mind shudders to enlarge upon, for then was to be witnessed -a sad strife carried on before these two brethren of such -high estate. For not a single person uttered a word against -the duke except the King; not one individual made answer -to the King except the duke. Some parties were introduced, -however, as to whom it was greatly doubted by many, whether -they filled the office of accusers rather, or of witnesses; these -two offices not being exactly suited to the same person in the -same cause. The duke met all the charges made against him -with a denial, and offered, if he could only obtain a hearing, to -defend his cause with his own hand. But why delay in using -many words? Parliament being of opinion that the informations -which they had heard were established, passed sentence -upon him of condemnation, the same being pronounced by the -mouth of Henry, duke of Buckingham, who was appointed -Seneschal of England for the occasion. After this, execution -was delayed for a considerable time; until the Speaker of the -Commons, coming to the upper house with his fellows, made -a fresh request that the matter might be brought to a conclusion. -In consequence of this, in a few days after, the -execution, whatever its nature may have been, took place (and -would that it had ended these troubles!) in the Tower of -London, it being the year of our Lord, 1478, and the eighteenth -of the reign of King Edward.</p> - - - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_100" title="100">100</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="AN_ETON_BOYS_LETTER_1479" id="AN_ETON_BOYS_LETTER_1479"></a>AN ETON BOY'S LETTER (1479).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. iii., No. 827.</p> - - -<p><i>William Paston Junior to John Paston.</i></p> - -<p>Right reverend and worshipful brother, after all duties of -recommendation, I recommend me to you, desiring to hear of -your prosperity and welfare, which I pray God long to continue -to His pleasure, and to your heart's desire; letting you -wit that I received a letter from you, in the which letter was -eight pence with the which I should buy a pair of slippers.</p> - -<p>Furthermore certifying you, as for the 13s. 4d. which ye -sent by a gentleman's man, for my board, called Thomas -Newton, was delivered to mine hostess, and so to my creditor, -Mr. Thomas Stevenson; and he heartily recommended him to -you.</p> - -<p>Also ye send me word in the letter of 12 lbs. figs and 8 lbs. -raisins. I have them not delivered, but I doubt I shall have, -for Alwedyr told me of them, and he said that they came after -in another barge.</p> - -<p>And as for the young gentlewoman, I will certify you how I -first fell in acquaintance with her. Her father is dead; there -be two sisters of them; the elder is just wedded; at the which -wedding I was with mine hostess, and also desired by the -gentleman himself, called William Swanne, whose dwelling is -in Eton.</p> - -<p>So it fortuned that mine hostess reported on me otherwise -than I was worthy; so that her mother commanded her to -make me good cheer, and so in good faith she did. She is not -abiding where she is now; her dwelling is in London; but her -mother and she come to a place of hers five miles from Eton, -where the wedding was, for because it was nigh to the gentleman -which wedded her daughter. And on Monday next coming, -that is to say, the first Monday of Clean Lent, her mother and -she will go to the pardon at Sheen, and so forth to London, -and there to abide in a place of hers in Bow Church Yard; -and if it please you to inquire of her, her mother's name is -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_101" title="101">101</a>Mistress Alborow; the name of the daughter is Margaret -Alborow; the age of her is by all likelihood eighteen or nineteen -year at the furthest. And as for the money and plate, it -is ready whensoever she were wedded; but as for the livelihood, -I trow not till after her mother's decease; but I cannot tell you -for very certain, but you may know by inquiring. And as for -her beauty, judge you that when ye see her, if so be that ye -take the labour, and specially behold her hands; for and if it -be as it is told me, she is disposed to be plump.</p> - -<p>And as for my coming from Eton, I lack nothing but versifying, -which I trust to have with a little continuance.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i16">"Quare;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Quomodo non valet hora, valet mora. Unde deductum<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Arbore iam videas exemplum. Non die possunt,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Omnia suppleri: sed tamen illa mora."<br /></span> -</div></div></div> - -<p>And these two verses aforesaid be of mine own making. No -more to you at this time, but God have you in His keeping. -Written at Eton, the even of Saint Mathew the Apostle.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_UNIVERSITY_1479" id="THE_UNIVERSITY_1479"></a>THE UNIVERSITY (1479).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. iii., No. 829.</p> - - -<p><i>Edmund Alyard to Margaret Paston.</i></p> - -<p>Right worshipful mistress, I recommend me unto you as -lowly as I can, thanking you for your goodness at all times; -God grant me to deserve it, and do that may please you.</p> - -<p>As for your son Walter, his labour and learning hath been -and is in the Faculty of Art, and is well sped therein, and may -be Bachelor at such time as shall like you, and then to go to -law. I can think it to his preferring, but it is not good he -know it until the time he shall change; and as I conceive -there shall none have that Exhibition to the Faculty of Law. -Therefore move the executors that at such time as he shall -leave it, ye may put another in his place, such as shall like -you to prefer. If he shall go to law, and be made Bachelor of -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_102" title="102">102</a>Art before, and ye will have him home this year, then may he -be Bachelor at Midsummer, and be with you in the vacation, -and go to law at Michaelmas. What it shall like you to -command me in this or any other, ye shall have mine service -ready.</p> - -<p>I pray you by the next messenger to send me your intent, -that such as shall be necessary may be purveyed in season.</p> - -<p>And Jesu preserve you.</p> - -<p>Written at Oxford, the iv day of March.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Your scholar,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Edmund Alyard</span>.</span> -</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="RICHARD_DUKE_OF_GLOUCESTER_USURPS_THE" id="RICHARD_DUKE_OF_GLOUCESTER_USURPS_THE"></a>RICHARD DUKE OF GLOUCESTER USURPS THE -THRONE (1483).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Ingulph's <i>Chronicles</i>, pp. 485-90. (Bohn Edition.)</p> - - -<p>The body of the deceased King [Edward IV.] being accordingly -interred with all honour in due ecclesiastical form, in the -new collegiate Chapel of Windsor, which he had erected of the -most elaborate workmanship from the foundations; all were -most anxiously awaiting the day of the new King's coronation, -which was to be the first Lord's day in the month of May, -which fell this year on the fourth day of the said month. In -the meantime the duke of Gloucester wrote the most soothing -letters in order to console the queen, with promises that he -would shortly arrive, and assurances of all duty, fealty, and -due obedience to his King and lord Edward the Fifth, the -eldest son of the deceased King, his brother, and of the queen. -Accordingly, on his arrival at York with a becoming retinue, -each person being arrayed in mourning, he performed a solemn -funeral service for the King, the same being accompanied -with plenteous tears. Constraining all the nobility of those -parts to take the oath of fealty to the late King's son, he himself -was the first of all to take the oath. On reaching Northampton, -where the duke of Buckingham joined him, there -came thither for the purpose of paying their respects to him, -Antony, earl of Rivers, the King's uncle, and Richard Grey, a -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_103" title="103">103</a>most noble knight, and uterine brother to the King, together -with several others who had been sent by the King, his -nephew, to submit the conduct of everything to the will and -discretion of his uncle, the duke of Gloucester. On their first -arrival, they were received with an especially cheerful and -joyous countenance, and, sitting at supper at the duke's table, -passed the whole time in very pleasant conversation. At last, -Henry, duke of Buckingham, also arrived there, and, as it -was now late, they all retired to their respective lodgings.</p> - -<p>When the morning, and as it afterwards turned out, a most -disastrous one, had come, having taken counsel during the -night, all the Lords took their departure together, in order to -present themselves before the new King at Stony Stratford, a -town a few miles distant from Northampton; and now, lo and -behold! when the two dukes had nearly arrived at the entrance -of that town, they arrested the said earl of Rivers, and his -nephew Richard, the King's brother, together with some -others who had come with them, and commanded them to be -led prisoners into the north of England. Immediately after, -this circumstance being not yet known in the neighbouring -town where the King was understood to be, they suddenly -rushed into the place where the youthful King was staying, -and in like manner made prisoners of certain others of his -servants who were in attendance on his person. One of these -was Thomas Vaughan, an aged knight and chamberlain of the -prince before-named.</p> - -<p>The duke of Gloucester, however, who was the ringleader in -this outbreak, did not omit or refuse to pay every mark of -respect to the King, his nephew, in the way of uncovering the -head, bending the knee, or other posture of the body required -in a subject. He asserted that his only care was for the protection -of his own person, as he knew for certain that there -were men in attendance upon the King who had conspired -against both his own honour and his very existence. Thus -saying, he caused proclamation to be made, that all the King's -attendants should instantly withdraw from the town, and not -approach any place to which the King might chance to come, -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_104" title="104">104</a>under penalty of death. These events took place at Stony -Stratford on Wednesday, on the last day of April, in the year -above-mentioned, being the same in which his father died.</p> - -<p>These reports having reached London on the following -night, queen Elizabeth betook herself, with all her children, -to the sanctuary at Westminster. In the morning you might -have seen there the adherents of both parties, some sincerely, -others treacherously, on account of the uncertainty of events, -siding with the one party or the other. For some collected -their forces at Westminster in the queen's name, others at -London under the shadow of the lord Hastings, and took up -their position there....</p> - -<p>... On the Monday following, they came with a great multitude -by water to Westminster, armed with swords and staves, -and compelled the cardinal lord archbishop of Canterbury, -with many others, to enter the sanctuary, in order to appeal to -the good feelings of the queen and prompt her to allow her -son Richard, duke of York, to come forth and proceed to the -Tower, that he might comfort the King his brother. In -words, assenting with many thanks to this proposal, she -accordingly sent the boy, who was conducted by the lord -cardinal to the King in the said Tower of London.</p> - -<p>From this day, these dukes acted no longer in secret, but -openly manifested their intentions. For, having summoned -armed men, in fearful and unheard-of numbers, from the north, -Wales, and all other parts then subject to them, the said Protector -Richard assumed the government of the kingdom, with -the title of King, on the twentieth day of the aforesaid month -of June; and on the same day, at the great Hall at Westminster, -obtruded himself into the marble chair. The colour -for this act of usurpation, and his thus taking possession of the -throne, was the following:—It was set forth, by way of -prayer, in an address in a certain roll of parchment, that the -sons of King Edward were bastards, on the ground that he -had contracted a marriage with one Lady Eleanor Boteler, -before his marriage to queen Elizabeth; added to which, the -blood of his other brother, George, duke of Clarence, had -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_105" title="105">105</a>been attainted; so that, at the present time, no certain and -uncorrupted lineal blood could be found of Richard duke of -York, except in the person of the said Richard, duke of -Gloucester. For which reason, he was entreated, at the end -of the said roll, on part of the lords and commons of the -realm, to assume his lawful rights. However, it was at the -time rumoured that this address had been got up in the north, -whence such vast numbers were flocking to London; although, -at the same time, there was not a person but what very well -knew who was the sole mover at London of such seditious -and disgraceful proceedings.</p> - -<p>These multitudes of people, accordingly, making a descent -from the north to the south, under the especial conduct and -guidance of Sir Richard Ratcliffe; on their arrival at the town -of Pomfret, by command of the said Richard Ratcliffe, and -without any form of trial being observed, Antony, earl of -Rivers, Richard Grey, his nephew, and Thomas Vaughan, an -aged knight, were, in presence of these people, beheaded. -This was the second innocent blood which was shed on the -occasion of this sudden change.</p> - -<p>After these events, the said Richard, duke of Gloucester, -having summoned Thomas, the cardinal archbishop of Canterbury, -for the purpose, was on the sixth day of the month of -July following anointed and crowned King, at the conventual -church of Saint Peter at Westminster, and, on the same day -and place, his queen, Anne, received the Crown. From this -day forward, as long as he lived, this man was styled King -Richard, the third of that name from the Conquest.</p> - - - - - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_106" title="106">106</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_MURDER_OF_THE_PRINCES_1483" id="THE_MURDER_OF_THE_PRINCES_1483"></a>THE MURDER OF THE PRINCES (1483).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>The History of King Richard the Third</i>, by Sir Thomas More, -pp. 67 <i>et seq.</i> (London: 1557.)</p> - -<p>[<span class="smcap">Note.</span>—More's life of Richard III. was written about 1513. It has, -however, almost the value of a contemporary authority, as much of the information -was derived from Cardinal Morton.]</p> - - -<p>But in the mean time for this present matter I shall -rehearse you the dolorous end of those babes, not after every -way that I have heard, but after that way that I have so heard -by such men and by such means, as methinks it were hard but -it should be true. King Richard, after his coronation, taking -his way to Gloucester to visit in his new honour the town of -which he bore the name of his old, devised as he rode to fulfill -that thing which he before had intended. And forasmuch as -his mind gave him that, his nephews living, men would not -reckon that he could have right to the realm, he thought -therefore without delay to rid them, as though the killing of -his kinsmen could amend his cause, and make him a kindly -king. Whereupon he sent one John Green, whom he specially -trusted, unto sir Robert Brackenbury, Constable of the -Tower, with a letter and credence also, that the same sir -Robert should in any wise put the two children to death. -This John Green did his errand unto Brackenbury kneeling -before our Lady in the Tower, who plainly answered that he -would never put them to death, with which answer John -Green returning recounted the same to King Richard at -Warwick, yet in his way. Wherewith he took such displeasure -and thought, that the same night he said unto a -secret page of his: "Ah! whom shall a man trust? Those -that I have brought up myself, those that I had thought -would most surely serve me, even those fail me, and at my -commandment will do nothing for me." "Sir," quoth the -page, "there lieth one on your pallet without that I dare well -say, to do your grace pleasure, the thing were right hard that -he would refuse,"—meaning by this sir James Tyrrell, which -was a man of right goodly personage, and for nature's gifts -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_107" title="107">107</a>worthy to have served a much better prince, if he had well -served God, and by grace obtained as much truth and goodwill -as he had strength and wit. The man had a high heart, -and sore longed upward, not rising yet so fast as he had -hoped, being hindered and kept under by the means of sir -Richard Ratcliff and sir William Catesby, which longing for -no more partners of the prince's favour, and namely not for -him whose pride they wist would bear no peer, kept him by -secret drifts out of all secret trust. Which thing this page -well had marked and known. Wherefore this occasion offered, -of very special friendship he took his time to put him forward, -and by such wise do him good that all the enemies he had, -except the devil, could never have done him so much hurt. -For upon this page's words King Richard rose ... and came -out into the pallet chamber, on which he found in bed sir -James and sir Thomas Tyrrell, of persons alike and brethren -of blood, but nothing of kin in conditions. Then said the -King merely unto them: "What, sirs! be ye in bed so soon?" -And calling up sir James broke to him secretly his mind -in this mischievous matter. In which he found him nothing -strange. Wherefore on the morrow he sent him to Brackenbury -with a letter, by which he was commanded to deliver -sir James all the keys of the Tower for one night, to the end -he might there accomplish the King's pleasure in such thing -as he had given him commandment. After which letter -delivered and the keys received, sir James appointed the night -next ensuing to destroy them, devising before and preparing -the means. The prince, as soon as the protector left that -name and took himself as king, had it showed unto him that -he should not reign, but his uncle should have the Crown. -At which word the prince, sore abashed, began to sigh and -said: "Alas! I would my uncle would let me have my life -yet, though I lose my kingdom." Then he that told him the -tale used him with good words, and put him in the best comfort -he could. But forthwith was the prince and his brother -both shut up, and all other removed from them, only one -called Black Will or William Slaughter excepted, set to serve -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_108" title="108">108</a>them and see them sure. After which time the prince never -tied his points<a name="FNanchor_46" id="FNanchor_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> nor ought heeded of himself, but with that -young babe his brother, lingered in thought and heaviness -until this traitorous death delivered them of that wretchedness. -For sir James Tyrrell devised that they should be -murdered in their beds. To the execution whereof he -appointed Miles Forest, one of the four that kept them, a -fellow fleshed in murder beforetime. To him he joined one -John Dighton, his own horse keeper, a big, broad, square, -strong knave. Then all the others being removed from them, -this Miles Forest and John Dighton, about midnight (the -innocent children lying in their beds) came into the chamber -and suddenly lapped them up among the clothes, so bewrapped -them and entangled them, keeping down by force the feather -bed and pillows hard unto their mouths, that within a while, -smothered and stifled, their breath failing, they gave up to -God their innocent souls into the joys of heaven, leaving to -the tormentors their bodies dead in the bed. Which, after the -wretches perceived, first by the struggling with the pains of -death, and after long lying still to be thoroughly dead, they -laid their bodies naked out upon the bed, and fetched sir -James to see them. Which upon the sight of them, caused -those murderers to bury them at the stair foot, fairly deep in -the ground under a heap of stones.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_46" id="Footnote_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> Lace fastenings.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_CHARACTER_OF_KING_RICHARD_III" id="THE_CHARACTER_OF_KING_RICHARD_III"></a>THE CHARACTER OF KING RICHARD III.</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Harding's <i>Chronicle</i>, pp. 547, 548. (London: 1812.)</p> - - -<p>... He was but of a small stature having but a deformed -body; the one shoulder was higher than the other; he had -a short face and a cruel look which did betoken malice, guile -and deceit. And while he did muse upon anything standing, -he would bite his under lip continually, whereby a man might -perceive his cruel nature, within his wretched body, strove -and chafed alway within himself; also the dagger which he -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_109" title="109">109</a>bore about him, he would always be chopping of it in and out. -He had a sharp and pregnant wit, subtle, and to dissimulate -and feign very fit. He had also a proud and cruel mind, -which never went from him to the hour of his death, which he -had rather suffer by the cruel sword, though all his company -did forsake him, than by shameful flight he would favour his -life, which after might fortune by sickness or other condign -punishment shortly to perish.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="AN_ACT_TO_FREE_THE_SUBJECTS_FROM_BENEVOLENCES" id="AN_ACT_TO_FREE_THE_SUBJECTS_FROM_BENEVOLENCES"></a>AN ACT TO FREE THE SUBJECTS FROM BENEVOLENCES -(1484).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Statutes of the Realm</i>, 1 Richard III., c. ii.</p> - - -<p>The King remembering how the Commons of this his realm -by new and unlawful inventions and inordinate covetise, -against the laws of this realm, have been put to great thraldom -and importable charges and exactions, and in especial by a -new imposition named a benevolence, whereby divers years -the subjects and Commons of this land against their wills and -freedom have paid great sums of money to their almost utter -destruction; For divers and many worshipfull men of this -realm by occasion thereof were compelled by necessity to break -up their household and to live in great penury and wretchedness, -their debts unpaid and their children unpreferred, and such -memorials as they had ordained to be done for the wealth of -their souls were anentised and annulled to the great displeasure -of God and to the destruction of this realm. Therefore the -King will it be ordained, by the advice and assent of his lords -spiritual and temporal and the Commons of this present Parliament -assembled, and by the authority of the same, that his -subjects and the commonalty of this his realm from henceforth -in no wise be charged by none such charge or imposition -called benevolence, nor by any such like charge; And that -such exactions called benevolence before this time taken, be -taken for no example to make such or anylike charge of any -his said subjects of this realm hereafter, but it be damned and -annulled for ever.</p> - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_110" title="110">110</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="HENRY_TUDOR_AND_THE_WELSH_1485" id="HENRY_TUDOR_AND_THE_WELSH_1485"></a>HENRY TUDOR AND THE WELSH (1485).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Sources.</b>—(<i>a</i>) Llanstephan MSS. 136, f. 80. (National Library of -Wales.) (<i>b</i>) <i>Ceinion Llenyddiaeth Gymreig</i>, i., pp. 220, 221. -(London, n.d.). (<i>c</i>) <i>Gwaith Lewis Glyn Cothi</i>, p. 477, lines 3-12. -(Oxford: 1837.)</p> - -<p>[<span class="smcap">Note.</span>—The following extracts are translated from contemporary Welsh -poems. The first two are selected as examples of the 'bruts' or vaticinatory -poems, written and circulated to stir up the Welsh chieftains to support Henry. -The third extract illustrates the excitement among his countrymen on the eve -of Henry's landing.]</p> - - -<p>(<i>a</i>) The knell of the Saxon shall be our satisfaction; a prince -shall we have of our own race.... Cadwaladr<a name="FNanchor_47" id="FNanchor_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> will come -to his own again with his eightfold gifts and his doughty deeds.... -Woe to the black host beside the wave if misfortune -should come to the strangers. Jasper<a name="FNanchor_48" id="FNanchor_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> will breed for us a -Dragon; of the fortunate blood of Brutus<a name="FNanchor_49" id="FNanchor_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> is he. The Bull of -Anglesey<a name="FNanchor_50" id="FNanchor_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> is our joy; he is the hope of our race. A great -grace was the birth of Jasper from the stock of Cadwaladr of -the beautiful [spear] shaft.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_47" id="Footnote_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> The last King of Britain. The Tudors claimed descent from Cadwaladr.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_48" id="Footnote_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> Jasper Tudor, uncle of the Earl of Richmond.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_49" id="Footnote_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> The mythical founder of the British race.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_50" id="Footnote_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> Henry Tudor. The home of the Tudors was at Penmynydd, in Anglesey.</p></div> - -<p>(<i>b</i>) We are waiting for him [Henry] to show, when he -comes, the Red Rose in high pomp. The Thames will run -with blood on that day, and there shall we be satisfied.... -There is longing for Harry, there is hope for our race. His -name comes down from the mountains as a two-edged sword; -and his descent from the high places; and his sword wins the -day. He will win, ere his life be done, the unbelieving to the -Creed of the Cross.</p> - - - - -<p><span class="smcap">To Jasper Tudor.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>c</i>) In what seas are thy anchors, and where art thou thyself? -When wilt thou come to land and how long must we tarry? -On the feast of the Virgin<a name="FNanchor_51" id="FNanchor_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> fair Gwynedd,<a name="FNanchor_52" id="FNanchor_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> in her songs, -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_111" title="111">111</a>watched the seas. In the month of May she awaited, expecting -thy coming from afar. God! August has come,<a name="FNanchor_53" id="FNanchor_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> and yet -thou hast delayed ... Lord of Pembroke, awake thou!</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_51" id="Footnote_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> March 25.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_52" id="Footnote_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> The Principality of North Wales.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_53" id="Footnote_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> Henry and Jasper Tudor landed at Milford on August 7 or 8, 1485.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="PROCLAMATION_AGAINST_THE_TUDORS_June_23_1485" id="PROCLAMATION_AGAINST_THE_TUDORS_June_23_1485"></a>PROCLAMATION AGAINST THE TUDORS (<span class="smcap">June 23, 1485</span>).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Ellis's <i>Original Letters</i>, Second Series, vol. i., pp. 162-166. -(London: 1827.)</p> - - -<p>Forasmuch as the King our Sovereign Lord hath certain -knowledge that Piers, Bishop of Exeter, Jasper Tudor son of -Owen Tudor calling himself Earl of Pembroke, John late Earl -of Oxford and Sir Edward Woodeville, with other divers his -rebels and traitors, disabled and attainted by authority of the -High Court of Parliament, of whom many be known for open -murderers, adulterers and extortioners, contrary to the pleasure -of God and against all truth, honour and nature, have forsaken -their natural country, taking them first to be under the -obedience of the Duke of Brittany, and to him promised certain -things which by him and his Council were thought things too -greatly unnatural and abominable for them to grant, observe -keep and perform, and therefore the same utterly refused. The -said traitors seeing that the said Duke and his council would -not aid and succour them, nor follow their ways, privily -departed out of his country into France, there taking themselves -to be under the obedience of the King's ancient enemy -Charles, calling himself King of France; and to abuse and -blind the commons of this Realm, the said rebels and traitors -have chosen to be their captain one Henry Tudor, son of -Edmund Tudor, son of Owen Tudor, which of his ambitions -and insatiable covetousness encroacheth and usurpeth upon -him the name and title of royal estate of this Realm of England, -whereunto he hath no manner [of] interest, right, title or -colour, as every man well knoweth;... and if he should -achieve this false intent and purpose, every man's life, livelihood -and goods should be in his hands, liberty and disposi<a class="pagenum" name="Page_112" title="112">112</a>tion; -whereby should ensue the disheriting and destruction of -all the noble and worshipful blood of this realm for ever. -And to the resistance and withstanding whereof, every true -and natural Englishman born must lay to his hands for his -own surety, and well. And to the intent that the said Henry -Tudor might the rather achieve his said false intent and purpose -by the aid ... of the King's said ancient enemy of -France, [he] hath covenanted and bargained with him, and -with all the Council of France, to give and release in perpetuity -all the right, title and claim that the Kings of England have -had and might have to the crown and realm of France, -together with the duchies of Normandy, Anjou and Maine, -Gascony and Guienne, the castles and towns of Calais, Guisnes, -Hammes, with the marches appertaining to the same, and to -dissever and exclude the arms of France out of the arms of -England for ever.... And over this ... the said Henry -Tudor and other the King's rebels and traitors aforesaid, have -intended at their coming, if they can be of power, to do the -most cruel murders, slaughters, robberies and disherisons that -were ever seen in any Christian realm. For the which and -other inestimable dangers to be eschewed ... the King our -Sovereign Lord desireth, willeth and commandeth all and -every of the natural and true subjects of this his realm, to call -the premises into their minds, and like good and true Englishmen -to endeavour themselves with all their powers for the -defence of themselves, their wives, children, goods and hereditaments.... -And our said Sovereign Lord, as a well-willed, -diligent and courageous Prince, will put his royal person to all -labour and pain necessary in this behalf ... and our Sovereign -Lord willeth and commandeth all his said subjects to be ready -in their most defensible array, to do his Highness service of -war, when they by open proclamation or otherwise shall be -commanded so to do for the resistance of the King's said -rebels, traitors and enemies.</p> - - - - - - - - - -<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_113" title="113">113</a></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="HENRYS_LANDING_August_1485" id="HENRYS_LANDING_August_1485"></a>HENRY'S LANDING (<span class="smcap">August, 1485</span>).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>A Short View of the Long Life of that ever wise, valiant and -fortunate Commander, Rice ap Thomas, Knight.</i> (Cambrian -Register, 1795.)</p> - -<p>[<span class="smcap">Note.</span>—The original manuscript, from which this account is taken, was -written about the year 1605, and therefore cannot claim to have the value of -a contemporary authority. But the continuator of the Croyland Chronicle, -the only contemporary account, is extremely meagre in its details of Henry's -journey through Wales; and this biography was based on contemporary -materials, the traditions of the Welsh bards and similar matter. Moreover, -in representing Rees as a confederate with Richmond before the landing, it -agrees with the contemporary English ballad of the Lady Bessy.]</p> - - -<p>The Earl [of Richmond] having received Rice ap Thomas's -answer, with other joyful and comfortable advertisements from -Morgan of Kidwelly, he was so greatly encouraged therewith -that no hopes of auxiliary forces from the French King or any -other necessary provisions whatsoever, could make him any -longer to disappoint his friends and confederates with an -expectation of his coming, and therefore with all convenient -speed furnishing himself with such men, money and munition -as he could readily procure, he enshipped himself and weighed -anchor from Harfleur, having but two thousand men in all, -and they, God wot, poorly provided, and so in seven days, with -a prosperous gale, he landed at Milford.</p> - -<p>In the interim, Rice ap Thomas stood all upon thorns, as -conceiving there might be some private compact and underhand -working between the usurper and the French King, -whereby the just pretences of Richmond should be for ever -confounded.... Hereupon Rice musters up all his forces, -calls all his friends about him, and where he found any want -among them either of arms or other necessaries for the war, he -supplied with his own store, whereof he had sufficient as well -for ornament as for use; so that in few days he had gathered -together to the number of two thousand horse and upward, of -his own followers and retainers, bearing his name and livery. -His kinsmen and friends who came besides with brave companies -to do him honour were Sir Thomas Perrott, Sir John -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_114" title="114">114</a>Wogan, and John Savage.<a name="FNanchor_54" id="FNanchor_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> ... Arnold Butler, Richard Griffith, -John Morgan and two of his own brothers, David the -younger and John, all of them worthy soldiers and very expert -commanders, with divers others.... There came likewise out -of North Wales to this service many worthy gentlemen both of -name and note, especially of the Salisburies, under the conduct -of Robert Salisbury, a fast friend of Rice ap Thomas in the -French wars.... He [Rice] then set forth in most martial -manner towards the Dale, as his prophet whilom had advised -him, a place not far from his castle of Carew, from whence at -that time he led his army, and there meeting with the Earl of -Richmond ready to take land, he received him ashore, to whom -he made humble tender of his service, both in his own and in -all their names who were there present, and laying him down -on the ground, suffered the Earl to pass over him, so to make -good his promise to King Richard that none should enter in at -Milford unless he came first over his belly.... Rice ap -Thomas having made an end of what he would say, the Frenchmen, -lying aboard all this while, were sent for to land; who -upon their coming were marvellously well received by the -Welshmen, and entreated with all courtesy, (for that sole virtue -of courtesy towards strangers I think the Welsh go beyond all -nations of the world); every man, I say, striving to give them -all contentment, and cheering them up with fresh victuals.... -The Earl of Richmond then entreated the Earls of Oxford and -Pembroke to muster the French, and to take a view of their -defects, who, upon inquiry, found they wanted both necessary -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_115" title="115">115</a>furniture of arms and other munition, besides that they were very -raw and ignorant in shooting, and handling of their weapons; -men, as it seemed, raised out of the refuse of the people and -clapped upon the Earl to avoid his further importunities. -Rice ap Thomas ... in his heart wished them back again in -France, there being not one man of quality among them.... -This being done they (Richmond and Rice) with the Earls of -Oxford and Pembroke drew aside to consider of their present -state and condition, and what course was best to be taken for -their putting forward. In fine they concluded the Earl should -shape his course by Cardigan, and Rice ap Thomas by Carmarthen, -that so going several ways, the Welsh and the French -might be kept asunder, to prevent such jars and quarrels as -commonly arise between strangers; appointing Shrewsbury -for their place of meeting.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_54" id="Footnote_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> -</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Sir Gilbert Talbot's ten thousand dogs<br /></span> -<span class="i0">In one hour's warning for to be,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And Sir John Savage's fifteen hundred white hoods,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Which would fight and never flee.<br /></span> - -<hr class="fn-poemtb" /> - -<span class="i0">Sir Rees ap Thomas, a knight of Wales certain,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Eight thousand spears brought he.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Sir John Savage he hath no peer,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">He will be wing to thee,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Sir Rees ap Thomas shall break the array,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">For he will fight and never flee.<br /></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<span class="i5"><i>The Song of the Lady Bessy.</i></span> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="HENRY_SUMMONS_THE_WELSH_CHIEFTAINS_1485" id="HENRY_SUMMONS_THE_WELSH_CHIEFTAINS_1485"></a>HENRY SUMMONS THE WELSH CHIEFTAINS (1485).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Wynne's <i>History of the Gwydir Family</i>, pp. 55, 56. -(London: 1770.)</p> - -<p>[<span class="smcap">Note.</span>—On his landing in Wales, the Earl of Richmond, relying on the -promises of support he had received, wrote letters to his Welsh friends and -kinsmen. The following summons was sent to his relative, John ap Meredith, -a powerful chieftain of South Carnarvonshire.]</p> - - -<p> -By the King<br /> -</p> - -<p>Right trusty and well-beloved, we greet you well. And -whereas it is so that, through the help of Almighty God, the -assistance of our loving and true subjects, and the great confidence -that we have to the nobles and commons of this our -principality of Wales, we be entered into the same, purposing -by the help above rehearsed, in all haste possible, to descend -into our realm of England, not only for the adoption of the -crown, unto us of right appertaining, but also for the oppression -of the odious tyrant, Richard late Duke of Gloucester, usurper -of our said right; and moreover to reduce as well our said -realm of England into its ancient estate, honour and property, -and prosperity, as this our said principality of Wales, and the -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_116" title="116">116</a>people of the same to their erst liberties, delivering them of -such miserable servitude as they have piteously long stood in: -We desire and pray you, and upon your allegiance strictly -charge and command you, that immediately upon sight hereof, -with all such power as ye may make, defensibly arrayed for -the war, ye address you towards us, without any tarrying upon -the way, until such time as ye be with us, wheresoever we -shall be, to our aid, for the effect above rehearsed, wherein ye -shall cause us in time to come to be your singular good lord; -and that ye fail not hereof as ye will avoid our grievous displeasure, -and answer it unto your peril. Given under our -signet at our [<i>place and date omitted in the MS.</i>].</p> - -<p>To our trusty and well-beloved John ap Meredith ap Jevan -ap Meredith.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_JOURNEY_TO_BOSWORTH_August_1485" id="THE_JOURNEY_TO_BOSWORTH_August_1485"></a>THE JOURNEY TO BOSWORTH (<span class="smcap">August, 1485</span>).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Life of Rice ap Thomas.</i> (Cambrian Register, 1795).</p> - - -<p>The Earl having taken Livery and Seisin of part of his -kingdom, and now in the way of possessing himself with the -whole, Rice ap Thomas forthwith commanded the beacons to -be set on fire, thereby to give notice to all the countries adjacent -of his landing, and withal to summon his friends and kinsmen -from all parts where his power was extended, to come in -with their forces, some in one place and some in another, in -his way to Shrewsbury.... Being in this glorious equipage -and so strongly provided on all hands, Rice ap Thomas made -with all speed for Shrewsbury, and, as he went, met with the -Earl of Richmond in his way, to whom he made humble obeisaunce, -vowing to follow him through all dangers, to the utter -subversion both of the tyrant and his wicked accomplices.... -When the Earl was, as I said, in his way to Shrewsbury, met -and saluted by Rice ap Thomas with so goodly a band of -Welshmen, it was no small joy to him.... For you must know -the Earl all this while was much appalled and troubled in his -mind, not knowing well what to think of Rice ap Thomas, -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_117" title="117">117</a>there being divers rumours dispersed up and down through his -army that the said Rice meant to side with Richard, and for -that purpose was ready to give him battle; which rumour -indeed, Rice himself, out of policy, had caused to be blown -abroad, to hoodwink the tyrant until he were in his full -strength.<a name="FNanchor_55" id="FNanchor_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> And this his device he acquainted the Earl withal, -at their first meeting, and so together they marched on to -Shrewsbury, where the Earl was received with an <i>Ave</i> cheer -and "<i>God speed thee well</i>," the street being strewed with herbs -and flowers, and the doors adorned with green boughs in testimony -of a true hearty reception.... From Shrewsbury they -went to a small village called Newport, and there Sir George -Talbot came unto the Earl with two thousand tall men.... -After this for Stafford they go; thence to Lichfield and so to -Atherstone, where he and his father-in-law, the Lord Stanley, -met and consulted touching the ordering of their affairs, and -how to give battle to King Richard, which done they departed -each to his charge.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_55" id="Footnote_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> The English chroniclers represent Rice as joining Henry for the first time -at Shrewsbury.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_EVE_OF_BOSWORTH_August_1485" id="THE_EVE_OF_BOSWORTH_August_1485"></a>THE EVE OF BOSWORTH (<span class="smcap">August, 1485</span>).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Paston Letters</i>, vol. iii., No. 884.</p> - - -<p><i>The Duke of Norfolk to John Paston.</i></p> - -<p><i>To my well beloved friend, John Paston, be this bill delivered in -haste.</i></p> - -<p>Well beloved friend, I commend me unto you, letting you -to understand that the King's enemies be a-land, and that the -King would have set for the assumption Monday but only for -Our Lady Day;<a name="FNanchor_56" id="FNanchor_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> but for certain he goeth forward assumption -Tuesday, for a servant of mine brought to me the certainty. -Wherefore I pray you that ye meet with me at Bury ... and -that ye bring with you such company of tall men as ye may -goodly make, at my cost and charge, beside that ye have -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_118" title="118">118</a>promised to the King; and I pray you ordain them jackets of -my livery, and I shall content you at your meeting with me.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Your lover</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><span class="smcap">J. Norfolk</span>.</span> -</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_56" id="Footnote_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> The Assumption of Our Lady, August 15.</p></div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_BATTLE_OF_BOSWORTH_FIELD_August_22_1485" id="THE_BATTLE_OF_BOSWORTH_FIELD_August_22_1485"></a>THE BATTLE OF BOSWORTH FIELD (<span class="smcap">August 22, 1485</span>).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—Ingulph's <i>Chronicles</i>, pp. 503-504. (Bohn Edition.)</p> - - -<p>At daybreak on the Monday following there were no -chaplains present to perform Divine service on behalf of King -Richard, nor any breakfast prepared to refresh the flagging -spirits of the King; besides which, as it is generally stated, in -the morning he declared that during the night he had seen -dreadful visions, and had imagined himself surrounded by a -multitude of demons. He consequently presented a countenance, -which, always attenuated, was on this occasion more -livid and ghastly than usual, and asserted that the issue of -this day's battle, to whichever side the victory might be -granted, would prove the utter destruction of the kingdom of -England. He also declared that it was his intention, if he -should prove the conqueror, to crush all the supporters of the -opposite faction; while, at the same time, he predicted that -his adversary would do the same towards the well-wishers to -his own party, in case the victory should fall to his lot.</p> - -<p>At length, the prince and knights on the opposite side now -advancing at a moderate pace against the royal army, the -King gave orders that the Lord Strange<a name="FNanchor_57" id="FNanchor_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> should be instantly -beheaded. The persons, however, to whom this duty was -entrusted, seeing that the issue was doubtful in the extreme, -and that matters of more importance than the destruction of -one individual were about to be decided, delayed the performance -of this cruel order of the King, and, leaving the man to -his own disposal, returned to the thickest of the fight.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_57" id="Footnote_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> Stanley's eldest son, who was a hostage with Richard.</p></div> - -<p>A battle of the greatest severity now ensuing between the -two sides, the earl of Richmond, together with his knights, -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_119" title="119">119</a>made straight for King Richard, while the earl of Oxford, -who was next in rank to him in the whole army and a most -valiant soldier, drew up his forces, consisting of a large body -of French and English troops, opposite the wing in which the -duke of Norfolk had taken up his position. In the part where -the earl of Northumberland was posted, with a large and well-provided -body of troops, there was no opposition made, as not -a blow was given or received during the battle. At length a -glorious victory was granted by heaven to the said earl of -Richmond, now sole King, together with the crown, of exceeding -value, which King Richard had previously worn on his -head. For while fighting and not in the act of flight, the said -King Richard was pierced with numerous deadly wounds, and -fell in the field like a brave and most valiant prince; upon -which, the duke of Norfolk before mentioned, Sir Richard -Ratclyffe, Sir Robert Brackenbury, keeper of the Tower of -London, John Kendall, secretary, Sir Robert Percy, controller -of the King's household, and Walter Devereux, lord -Ferrers, as well as many others, chiefly from the north, in -whom King Richard put the greatest confidence, took to -flight without engaging; and there was left no part of the -opposing army of sufficient importance or ability for the -glorious conqueror Henry the Seventh to engage, and so add -to his experience in battle.</p> - -<p>Through this battle peace was obtained for the entire kingdom, -the body of the said King Richard being found among -the dead. Many insults were also heaped upon it, and, not -exactly in accordance with the laws of humanity, a halter -being thrown round the neck, it was carried to Leicester; -while the new King also proceeded to that place, graced with -the crown which he had so gloriously won.</p> - -<p>While these events were taking place, many nobles and -others were taken prisoners; and in especial, Henry, Earl of -Northumberland, and Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey.... -There was also taken prisoner William Catesby, who occupied -a distinguished place among all the advisers of the late King, -and whose head was cut off at Leicester as a last reward for -<a class="pagenum" name="Page_120" title="120">120</a>his excellent offices. Two gentlemen, also, of the western -parts of the kingdom, father and son, known by the name of -Brecher ... were hanged. As it was never heard, nor yet -stated in writing or by word of mouth, that any other persons, -after the termination of the warfare, were visited with similar -punishments, but that, on the contrary, the new prince had -shown clemency to all, he began to receive the praises of all, -as though he had been an angel sent down from heaven, -through whom God had deigned to visit His people, and to -deliver it from the evils with which it had hitherto, beyond -measure, been afflicted.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"><h2><a name="THE_LAST_OF_THE_PLANTAGENETS_1485" id="THE_LAST_OF_THE_PLANTAGENETS_1485"></a>THE LAST OF THE PLANTAGENETS (1485).</h2></div> - -<p class="subheading"><b>Source.</b>—<i>Bosworth Field</i>, in Percy Folio MS., iii. 256, 257. (1868.)</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Then to King Richard there came a knight,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">And said, "I hold it time for to flee;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">For yonder Stanley's dints they be so might,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Against them no man may dree.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Here is horse at thy hand ready;<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Another day thou may thy worship win,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And for to reign with royalty,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">To wear the crown and be our king."<br /></span> -<span class="i0">"Nay! give me my battle-axe in my hand,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Set the crown of England on my head so high,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">For by him that made both sea and land,<br /></span> -<span class="i4">King of England this day will I die.<br /></span> -<span class="i2">One foot will I never flee<br /></span> -<span class="i4">Whilst the breath is my breast within."<br /></span> -<span class="i2">As he said, so did it be;<br /></span> -<span class="i2">If he lost his life, he died a King.<br /></span> -</div></div></div> - -<hr class="tb" /> -<p class="center">BILLING AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, GUILDFORD</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's York and Lancaster, by William Garmon Jones - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YORK AND LANCASTER *** - -***** This file should be named 56180-h.htm or 56180-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/6/1/8/56180/ - -Produced by Rose Mawhorter and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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