A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government, Royal biography 2
THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE SECOND.
KING Stephen being dead, Henry Duke of Anjou, by his Father Geoffry Plantagenet, succeeded him in the Kingdome of England by agreement; whom he preceded by right, as being Sonne and Heire of Mawde, sole daughter and Heire of King Henry the first; and was crowned at Westminster, by The…bald Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, on the seventeenth of December, in the yeare 1155. and was now a greater Prince then any of his Ancestours had beene before: and indeed, the Kingdome of England, the Dukedome of Normandy, and the Dukedome of Anjou in his owne right; and in the right of his wife Queen Eleanor, the Duchy of …uyen, and the Earldome of Poictou b…ing all united in his person, made him a Dominion of a larger extent then any King Christian had at that time.
He was borne at Ments in Normandy, in the yeare 1132. a great joy to his Father Geoffry, Duke of Anjou; a greater to his Mother Mawde the Empresse; but so great to his Grandfather King Henry the first, that it seemed to make amends for his sonne William, whom unfortunately he had lost before by Shipwrack. The yeares of his childhood were spent at home under the care of his Parents: at nine yeares old or there abouts, he was brought by his Unkle Robert Earle of Glocester into England, and placed at Bristow, where under the tuition of one Matthew his Schoolemaster, to instruct him in learning, he remained foure yeares, after which time he was sent into Scotland, to his great Unkle David King of Scots, with whom he remained about two yeares, initiated by him in the Principles of State, but chiefely of his owne estate: and being now about fifteene yeares of age, was by him Knighted, and though scarce yet ripe for Armes, yet as a fruit gathered before its time, was mellowed under the discipline of his Unkle Robert, one of the best Souldiers of that time. And now the Duke his Father not able any longer to endure his absence, sent with great instance to have him sent over to him; for satisfying of whose longing, Earle Robert provided him of passage, and conducted him himselfe to the Sea side, where he tooke his last farewell of him. Being come into Anjou, his Father, perhaps over-joyed with his presence, not long after died, leaving him in present possession of that Dukedome, being now about nineteene yeares of age: when shortly after he married Eleanor, late the wife of Lewis King of France, but now divorced. A yeare or two after he came againe into England, where after some velitations with King Stephen, they were at last reconciled, and his succession to the Crowne of England, ratified by Act of Parliament. Not long after he went againe into France, and presently fell to besiege a Castle which was detained from him by the French King: in the time of which siege, newes was brought him of King Stephens death; which one would have thought should have made him hasten his journey into England; yet he resolved not to stirre till he had wonne the Caste: which resolution of his being knowne to the Defendants, they surrendred the Castle; but yet no sooner, but that it was sixe weekes after before he came into England, when he was now about the age of three and twenty yeares.
His first Acts after he came to the Crowne.
He beganne his Raigne as Solomon would have begunne it, if he had beene in his place: for, first he made choyce of wise and discreet men to be his Consellours: then he banished out of the Realme all strangers, and especially Flemmings, with whom the Kingdome swarmed; as of whom King Stephen had made use in his warres, amongst whom was William of Ypres, lately before made Earle of Kent. Castles which by King Stephens allowance had beene built, he caused to be demolished, (of which there were said to be eleven hundred and fifteene) as being rather Nurseries of rebellion to the subject, then of any safety to the Prince. He appointed the most able men of that profession, to reforme abuses of the Lawes, which disorder of the wars had brought in: He banished many Lords, who against their Oath had assisted King Stephen against him; as thinking that men onc… perjured, would never be faithfull: and to the end he might be the lesse pressing upon the people with Taxations, he resumed all such Lands belonging to the Crown, which had any way beene aliened or usurped; as thinking it better to displease a few then many: and many other things he did, which in a disjoynted State were no lesse profitable and expedient, then requisite and necessary.
His Troubles during his Raigne.
HE had no Competitors, nor Pretenders with him for the Crowne; and therfore his troubles at first were not in Capite, strooke not at the roote, as K. Stephens did: but were onelyonly some certaine niblings at inferiour parts; till at last he brought them himselfe into his own bowels. For what was the trouble in his first yeare with the Welsh, but as an exercise rather to keep him in motion, then that it needed to disquiet his rest? for though they were mutinous for a time, while they looked upon their owne Bucklers; their Woods and Mountainous passages: yet as soone as K. Henry did but shew his sword amongst them, they were soone reduced to obedience for the present, and to a greater awfulnesse for the future. It is true, Henry Earle of Essex that bore the Kings Standard, was so assaulted by the Welsh, that he let the Standard fall to the ground, which encouraged the Welsh, and put the English in some feare, as supposing the King had beene slaine; but this was soone frustrated to the Welsh, and punished afterward in the Ea…le, by condemning him to be shorne a Monke, and put into the Abbey of Reading, and had his lands seised into the Kings hands. And what was his trouble with Malcolme King of Scots, but a worke of his owne beginning? for if he would have suffered him to enjoy that which was justly his owne, Cumberland and Huntingtonshire, by the grant of King Stephen, and Northumberland, by the gift of his Mother Maude the Empresse; he might have staied quietly at home, and needed not at all to have stir…ed his foote; but he could not endure there should be such parings off from the body of his Kingdome: and therefore went with an Army into the North, where he wonne not, but tooke Northumberland from him, with the City of Carl…ill, and the Castles of Newcastle and Bamberg: and meerely out of gratefulnesse, in remembrance of the many co…rtesies done him before, by David King of Scots; he left him the County of Hunting…on, but yet with condition to owe feal…y, and to doe homage to him for it. And what was his trouble with his brother Geoffrey, but a Bird of his owne hatching? For his Father Geoffrey, Duke of Anjou, had three sonnes, Henry, Geoffrey, and William; and dying he left his Dukedome of Anjou to his eldest son Henry, but to hold no longer then till he should come to be King of England, and then to deliver it up to his second sonne Geoffrey: and he made his Lords to sweare, not to suffer his body to be buried, untill his sonne Henry had taken his Oath to doe it; which Oath Henry afterward, in reverence to his Fathers body, did take: but as he tooke it unwillingly, so he willingly brake it, and sent presently to Adrian the then Pope, for a Dispensation of his Oath: which granted, he enters Anjou with an Army, and takes from his brother Geoffrey, being little able to make resistance, not onelyonly the Dukedome of Anjou, but some other Cities also, which his Father had absolutely given him for his maintenance: yet out of brotherly kindnesse was content to allow him a Pension of a thousand pounds a yeare: which brotherly kindnesse was so unkindly taken by his brother Geoffrey, that it brake his heart; and within a short time after died.
And thus these troubles begun by Henry himselfe, were soone ended; but now a trouble is comming on, begun by Lewis King of France, and this is like to stick longer by him. For King Lewis not having yet digested King Henries marriage with his divorced wife Eleanor, seekes all opportunities to expresse his spleene, by doing him displeasure; and a fit opportunity was now offered: for there fell out a difference betweene Raymond Earle of Saint Giles, and Henry King of England, about the Earledome of Tholouse, which Raymond possest, and Henry claimed: in this difference, King Lewis takes part with Raymond, as pretending it to be the juster side. Hereupon are great forces provided on both sides, and it was like to have come to a dangerous battell; but that by mediation of friends, a Peace was made; and to make the Peace the firmer, a marriage was concluded betweene Henry, King Henries eldest sonne, scarce yet seven yeares of age; and Margaret, daughter of King Lewis, not past three: who was delivered to King Henry to bring up till fit yeares for consummation. This was then thought a strong linke to hold them in friendship, but it proved afterward a cause to make the greater breach: and indeed when a sonne is once matched into a Family, the Father must never looke from thence afterward to have a good wish; seeing the daughter thus matched can have no advancement, but by the advancement of her husband; and he none, at least, none so w…ll, as by the ruine of his Father: yet this brake not out till some yeares after. It was now about the eighteenth yeere of King Henries Raigne, and his sonne Henry growne to be seventeene yeares of age… when it came into the Kings minde to have his sonne Henry crowned King, and Raigne with himselfe in his owne time; partly out of indulgence to his sonne, but chiefely, as having found by his owne experience, that Oaths for succession are commonly eluded: but Oaths for present Allegeance, as being Verba de Praesenti, can have no evasion: and pleasing himselfe with this conceit, he acquaints his Lords with his purpose, and causeth his sonne Henry to be crowned King by the hands of Roger Arch-bishop of Yorke; and all the Lords to sweare Allegeance to him: at the Feast of which solemnity, King Henry to honour his sonne, would needs carry up the first dish to his Table; whereupon the Arch-bishop Roger standing by, and saying merrily to the new King: What an honour is this to you, to have such a waiter at your Table? Why (saith he) what great matter is it for him that was but the sonne of a Duke, to doe service to me, that am the sonne of a King and Queene? Which the old King hearing, beganne to repent him, now it was too late of that he had done. For indeed the honour which by Gods commandement, children are to doe to their Parents; is by such making them their equals, in a manner abolished; at least it gives them stomachs to take more upon them then is fit. But King Henry passed it over, and meant to set the best side outward.
And now King Lewis tooke displeasure that his daughter was not crowned as well as her husband, and therefore to satisfie him in that point, King Henry sendeth his sonne Henry and his wife Margaret into England … and causeth them both to be crowned by Walter Arch-bishop of Roan: and shortly after, the young King Henry and his wife goe backe to King Lewis her Father, and by him with great joy, and variety of sports were entertained. In the time of their being there, King Lewis partly out of his old spleene to King Henry, and partly to make his sonne in law more absolure; fals oftentimes into conference with him, and finding his hot spirit to be fit tinder for such fire, tels him, it was a shame he should suffer himselfe to be made a stale; have the title of a King, and not the authority: and that as long as he stood in such termes, that which seemed an honour, was indeed a disgrace. With which words of King Lewis, the young King Henry was set afloate, and from that time forward, stucke not openly to oppose his Father: whereof his Father having intelligence, sent messengers to King Lewis, desiring him from the King their Master, to be a meanes to bring his sonne to more moderation. But King Lewis hearing the Embassadours name their Master King, with an angry countenance said unto them; What mean you by this to call him King, who hath passed his Kingdome over to his son? and with this answer sent them away. To this evill, another worse was added: that Queene Eleanor his wife enraged with jealousie of her husbands Concubines, both incenseth her sonne Henry, and perswadeth also two other of her sonnes, Richard and Geoffrey, to joyne against their Father; telling them, it would be better for them that their brother should prevaile, who could not chuse but allow them better maintenance, then their Father did. With these perswasions they passe over into Normandy, and joyne with their brother Henry; who emboldned by their assistance, growes now more insolent then he was before; that when messengers were sent to him from his Father, requiring him to lay downe his Armes, and to come lovingly to him: he proudly made answer, that his Father must not looke he would lay downe his Armes, unlesse himselfe first would lay downe his authority, and resigne the Kingdome. And now Lewis King of France, calling together the great Lords of his Kingdome, and with them William King of Scots, Hugh Earle of Chester, Roger Mowbray, Hugh Pigot, and other of his sonnes party; they all take their Oaths to assist the young King Henry with all their power; and thereupon all in one day, the French invade Normandy, Aquitaine and Britaine; the King of Scots Northumberland; and King Lewis the City of Vernoill, which he brought to that distresse, that it was agreed by the Inhabitants, if it were not succoured within three dayes, then to surrender it. King Henry hearing of this agreement, promiseth to succour them by that day. But here King Lewis useth a trick, gets that by fraud, which he could not doe by force; for he sends to King Henry, that if he were willing to have peace with his sonnes, he should meet him at a place appointed, at such a time, and he doubted not to effect it. King Henry glad of such an offer, and with that gladnesse perhaps blinded, and not suspecting any deceit, promiseth to meete; and comming to the place at the day, which was the day he should have succoured Vernoill, he stayed there all day looking for King Lewis comming; who instead of comming, sent word to Vernoill, that King Henry was defeated; and therefore their hope of succour was in vaine: whereupon the Citizens thinking it to be so indeed, because he came not according to his promise, surrendred the Towne: which King Lewis finding himselfe unable to hold, set it on fire, and so departed. But King Henry when he perceived the fraud, followed him with his Army, and tooke a bloody revenge of his fraud, with the slaughter of many of his men. At the same time also King Henries forces encountred Hugh Earle of Chester, and Robert Fulger, who had taken Dole in Britaine, tooke them prisoners, and brought them to King Henry: and about the same time likewise in England, Robert Earle of Leycester thinking to surprise Raynold Earle of Cornwall, and Richard Lacy, King Henries Generals, at unawares, was himselfe by them overthrowne, and the Towne of Leycester taken; which onelyonly the site of the place defended from being battered to the ground. Robert Earle of Leycester being thus defeated… passeth over into France, and being supplied by King Lewis with greater forces then before, is together with Hugh Bigot sent backe into England, to draw the Countrey to Henry the sonnes party; who at first assault take Norwich: and then setting downe before Bury, they are in a great battell, by Richard Lacy, and other of King Henries Captaines, overthrowne with the slaughter of tenne thousand men, and as many taken prisoners; amongst whom Earle Robert himselfe. Yet were not Roger Mawbray and Hugh Bigot so daunted with this overthrow, but that together with David the King of Sco…s brother, they gather new forces, and invade Northumberland and Yorkshire, when Robert Scoccee, Ralph Granula, William Vesci, and Barnard Bayliol (of whom Baynards Castle in London, first tooke the name) Knights of those parts, as…emble together, and fighting a great battell with them, overthrew them, and tooke the King of Sco…s prisoner, with many others. Yet is not Hugh Bigot daunted with this neither, but gathers new forces, and takes Norwich; and Robert Ferris, Nottingham: the newes whereof, when King Henry the sonne heard, he recovered new spirits, and obtaining new assistance from King Lewis, prepares himselfe afresh for warre: which King Henry the Father hearing, returnes speedily into England; and to appease Saint Thomas Beckets Ghost, goes to visit his Tombe, and there askes him forgivenesse. This done, he goes into Suffolke, and at Framingham Castle, which belonged to Hugh Bigot, stayes with his Army, when suddenly moved, by what instinct, no man knowes (unlesse the appeasing of Saint Thomas Ghost did worke it) both Hugh Bigot delivers up his Castle into King Henries hands, and likewise Roger Mawbray, Robert Ferris, and many others of that party, come voluntarily in, and submit themselves to the Kings mercy. Hereupon King Henry returnes to London, about which time he committed his wife Queene Eleanor to prison, for her practises against him. In the meane time, King Lewis understanding that Normandy was but weakly guarded, together with his sonne the young King Henry, and Philip Earle of Flaunders; he besiegeth Roan, which the Kings forces valiantly defended, till he came himselfe in person; and thereupon King Lewis despairing of any good to be do…e, sends messengers to King Henry for a truce, and appointed a day to meete at Gysors, where he doubted not to make a reconcilement betweene his sons and him; K. Henry agreed willingly, but of the meeting nothing was done: It seemes it was but one of King Lewis his old tricks to come fairely off.
After this truce made with King Lewis, King Henry hearing that his son Richard had in the meane time possest himselfe of a great part of the Province of Poicto… ; goes thither with an Army, where Richard at last, after some hesitation, as doubting his forces, submits himselfe to his Father, and askes his pardon; which his Father as freely grants, as if he had never committed any fault; and thereupon King Henry imployes him to King Lewis and his brother Henry, to perswade them to peace: who wearied now with the warres, were easily drawne, and so reconciliation on all parts is made; and to confirme the reconciliation betweene the two Kings, Henry and Lewis, his daughter Adela is affianced to King Henries sonne Richard, as Earle of Aquitaine, and because the Lady was but young, she was committed to the care of King Henry, till she should be fit for marriage. Upon this King Henry sets Robert Earle of Leycester, and Hugh Earle of Chester, giving hostages and oath for their Allegeance, at liberty; and William also King of Scots, paying a certaine mulct; for which he delivered in pawne the strong Castles of Berwick, Roxborough, and Sterling to King Henry, and was fined also to lose the County of Huntington, and never to receive any Rebels into his protection. These things done, the King with his sonnes returnes into England, where with all joyfulnesse they were received. It was now the yeare 1179. when King Lewis beganne againe to grow discontented with King Henry, because his daughter was not yet married to his sonne Richard, as was agreed: but King Henry making him promise to have them married within a few dayes, gave him satisfaction; though indeed he meant nothing lesse, for it was thought he kept her for himselfe, as with whom he had before that time, had unlawfull familiarity. The yeare after was memorable for nothing, or for nothing so much as the death of the young King Henry, who died then; whose Widow Margaret returning into France, was afterward married to Bela King of Hungary. Now King Henries sonne Richard, no longer enduring to have his marriage delayed, which his Father often promised, but would never suffer to be performed; fals into his old fit of discontentment: wherein though he cannot perhaps be justified, yet he may justly be excused, for to be kept from a wife at that time of his age, for which a wife was most proper; and especially having beene affianced so long before, which could not chuse but make his appetite the sharper: must needs be, if not a just cause, at least a strong provocation to make him doe as he did: Howsoever, from this fit of discontentment, he fals into a relaps of Rebellion, and infecting with it his brother Iohn, and a great part of his Fathers Adherents; they all take part with Philip (now after the decease of Lewis) King of France, who willing to make use of their assistance, before the streame of filiall awfulnesse should returne into the naturall Channell, takes them along with him, and besiegeth the City of Ments, in which King Henry at that time was himselfe in person; who apprehending the danger, and then resenting the mischiefe of falling into his enemies hands, gets him secretly out of the City, leaving it to defend it selfe, till he should returne with greater forces: but hearing afterward that the Towne was taken, he fell into so great a distraction of minde, that it made him break out into these blasphemous words; I shall never hereafter love God any more, that hath suffered a City so deare unto me, to be taken from me: but he quickly recollected himselfe, and repented him that he had spoken the words. Indeed Ments was the City in which he was borne, that to have this City taken from him, was as much as to have his Birth-right taken from him; and to say the truth, after he had lost this City, he scarce seemed to be alive; not onelyonly because he shortly after died, but because the state of Majesty which had all his life accompanied him, after this forsooke him: for now he was faine to begge peace of his enemies, who often before had begged it of him: now he was glad to yeeld to conditions, which no force before could have wrested from him. It is memorable and worth observing, that when these two Kings had meeting betweene Turwyn and Arras, for reconcilement of differences; there suddenly happened a Thunderbolt to light just betweene them, with so terrible a cracke, that it forced them for that time to breake off their conference: and afterward at another meeting, the like accident of Thunder happened againe, which so amazed King Henry, that he had fallen off his horse, if he had not beene supported by those about him; which could be nothing but drops let fall of the Divine anger, and manifest presages of his future dysasters. And thus this great Princes troubles, which beganne in little ones, and were continued in great ones, ended at last in so great a trouble, that it ended his life, and left him an example of desolation, notwithstanding all his greatnesse; forsaken of his friends, forsaken of his wife, forsaken of his children; and (if he were not himselfe when he blasphemed for the losse of Ments) forsaken of himselfe; which might be exemplar in this King, if it were not the common Epilogue of all greatnesse.
Of his Acquest of Ireland.
RObert Fits-stephen was the first of all Englishmen, after the Conquest, that entred Ireland, the first day of May, in the yeare 1170. with 390. men: and there took Werford, in the behalfe of Deruntius, sonne of Marcherdach, called Mac Murg, King of Leymster. In September following, Richard Earle of Chepstow, surnamed Strong-bow, sayled into Ireland with twelve hundred men, where he tooke Waterford and Dublin; and married Eeve, the daughter of Deruntius, as he was promised. From these beginnings, King Henry being then at rest from all Hostile Armes, both at home and abroad, takes into his consideration the Kingdome of Ireland, as a Kingdome which oftentimes afforded assistance to the French; and therefore purposing with himselfe by all meanes to subdue it: he provides a mighty Army, and in the Winter season saileth thither, taking Shipping at Pembroke, and landing neare to Waterford: where entring into consultation what course was fittest to be taken in the enterprise, suddenly of their owne accord, the Princes of the Countrey came in, and submitted themselves unto him, onelyonly R…d…rick King of Connacht stood out; who being the greatest, thought to make himselfe the onelyonly King of that Nation: but King Henry forbearing him for the present, who kept himselfe in his fastnesses of Bogges and Woods, and was not to be followed in the Winter season: takes his journey to Dublin, the chiefe City of the Countrey; and there calling the Princes and Bishops of the Nation together, requires their consent to have him and his heires to be their King: which they affirming they could not doe without the Popes authority; to whom, at their first conversion to the Christian Religion, they had submitted themselves; the King sent presently to Adrian the then Pope an English man, requiring his assent; which upon divers good considerations he granted: and hereupon the King built him a stately Palace in the City of Dublin; and having thus without bloud possest himselfe of the Kingdome, the Spring following he returnes joyfully into England. About foure yeares after Rodorick also sends his Chancellour to King Henry, to offer his submission, with a tribute to be paid of every tenne beasts, one sufficient. After this, in the one and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne, he sent his sonne Iohn to be the Governour there.
His Taxations, and wayes for raising of money.
TAxations in his time, was chiefely once; when he tooke Escuage of Englishmen, towards his warres in France, which amounted to 12400. pounds: but confiscations were many, because many Rebellions, and every Rebellion was as good as a Mine. Also vacancies of Bishopricks and Abbeys, kept in his hands, sometimes many at once; no time without some. He resumed also all Lands which had either beene sold or given from the Crowne by his Predecessours: but a principall cause that made him plentifull in money, was his Parcimony; as when he was injoyned for a Penance, to build three Abbeys, he performed it, by changing Secular Priests into Regular Chanons, onelyonly to spare cost. And it was not the least cause of alienating his sonnes from him; that he allowed them not maintenance answerable to their calling. And it could be nothing but Parcimony while he lived, which brought it to passe, that when he died, there were found in his Coffers, nine hundred thousand pounds besides Plate and Jewels.
Lawes and Ordinances in his time.
IN the beginning of his Raign, he refined and reformed the Lawes of the Realm; making them more tolerable & more profitable to his people then they were before. In the one and twentieth year of his Raign, he divided his whole kingdom into six several Circuits; appointing in every Circuit three Judges, who twice every year should ride together, to heare and determine Causes between man and man: as it is at this day, though altered in the number of the Judges, and in the Shires of Circuit. In this Kings dayes the number of Jewes all England over was great: yet, wheresoever they dwelt, they might not bury any of their dead any where but in London; which being a great inconvenience to bring dead bodies oftentimes from farre remote places, the King gave them liberty of buriall in the severall places where they lived. It was in this Kings dayes also ordained that Clergy-men offending in hunting the Kings Deere, should be punishable by the Civill Magistrate, according to the Lawes of the Land; which order was afterward taken with them for any offence whatsoever they committed. Though it be not a Law, yet it is an Ordinance which was first brought in by this King, that the Lions should be kept in the Tower of London.
Affaires of the Church in his tim….
THis Kings Raigne is famous for the contention of a Subject with the Prince, and though it may be thought no equall match, yet in this Example we shall find it hard to judge which of them had the victory. But before we come to speak of the Contention, it is fit to say something of the Man, and of the Quarrell. The man was Thomas Becket, borne in London, his Father, one Gilbert Becket, his Mother an outlandish Woman, of the Country of Syria. His first rising was under Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury, who taking a liking to him, (as one saith, no man knew for what) made him first Arch-deacon of Canterbury, and then used meanes to have him be the Princes Tutor, after that to be Chancellour of England, and after the decease of the said Theobald, was himselfe made Arch-bishop of Canterbury in his place. One memorable thing he did at his comming to be Arch-bishop, he surrendred his place of being Chancellour, as not thinking it fit to sit at the Helme of the Common-wealth, and of the Church, both at once. But now began the Contention betweene the King and him: the difference was, the King would have it ordained that Clergy men who were malefactors, should be tryed before the Secular Magistrate as Lay men were: This Becket opposed, saying, it was against the liberty of the Church, and therefore against the honour of God. Many Bishops stood with the King, some few with Becket the Contention grew long, and with the length still hotter, till at last Becket was content to assent to the Ordinance with this clause, Salvo Ordine suo: the King liked not the Clause, as being a deluding of the Ordinance: He required an absolute assent, without any clause of Reservation. At last, after many debatings and demurres, the Arch-bishop yeelds to this also, and subscribes the Ordinance, and sets his hand unto it. But going homewards, it is said, his Crosse-bearer and some other about him, blamed him for that he had done, but whether moved with their words, or otherwise upon second thoughts, the next day when they met againe, he openly repented his former deed, retracts his subscription, and sends to the Pope for absolution of his fault: which the Pope not onelyonly granted, but encouraged him to persist in the course he had begunne. It may be thought a Fable, yet is related by divers good Authours, that one time during this Contention, certaine fellows cut off the Arch-bishops horses taile; after which fact, all their Children were borne with tailes like horses; and that this continued long in their Posterity, though now long since ceased, and perhaps their Families too. But King Henry finding there was no prevailing with Becket by faire meanes, beginnes to deale more roughly with him, and first makes use of Authority upon his Temporalties; and withall a censure was spoken of to be intended against his person; which Becket understanding, thought it his best course to flee the Realme, and thereupon passing under the name of Dereman, he passeth over Sea, and there, two yeares by the Pope, and five by the King of France, was maintained as it were of Almes: in which misery, nothing vexed him so much, as that King Henry sent all his kindred, Men and Women, old and young into Banishment after him. And now King Henry finding that Becket stood much upon his Legatine Power, sent messengers to the Pope, desiring him to take that power from him, and to conferre it upon his Arch-bishop of Yorke, but the Pope answered, he would not doe so, but was content the King himselfe should be his Legate, and sent him Letters to that purpose, which King Henry tooke in such scorne, that he threw away the Letters, and sent them presently backe to him againe.
In this meane time, the King of France prevailed with King Henry to afford Becket a conference, hoping to bring them to some Agreement, where being together, King Henry alledged before the King of France, that he required nothing of Becket, but his assent to an Ordinance, to which in his Grandfather King Henries the first time, all the Bishops of the Realme, and the Arch-bishop of Canterbury that then was did give their Assent; yet this moved not Becket at all, but he continued his former Tenet, it was against the honour of God, and therefore desired to be excused. See now (saith King Henry) the perversenesse of this man, all that agrees not with his owne humour, is presently against the honour of God. While these things were thus a working, Becket had gotten him more friends at Rome, and by their meanes prevailed with the Pope, to give him power to interdict some Bishops in England that had done him wrong, and the Pope spared no… to threaten Excommunication to King Henry himselfe, if he restored not Becket to his Dignity. But whether awed with his threatning, or wonne by the King of Frances importunity, or else perhaps relenting in himselfe, he was contented at last that Becket should returne home, and enjoy his Bishopricke; who being come to Canterbury, the Bishops whom he had indicted, for Crowning the young King Henry, (which he said, was his right to have done) made humble suite unto him, to be released of the censure. Which, when the Arch-bishop would not grant, but with certaine cautions and exceptions, the Bishops discontented went over to the King, complaining of the hard measure that was offered them by the Arch-bishop: whereat the King being much moved, Shall I never (saith he) be at quiet for this Priest? If I had any about me that loved me, they would find some way or other to ridde me of this trouble. Whereupon foure knights standing by that heard the King make this complaint, namely Reynold Fits-urse, or Bereson, Hugh Morvyll, William Tracy, and Richard Britton, thinking they should doe an acceptable service to the King, went shortly after into England, and going to Canterbury, found the Arch-bishop then at Church, when upon the steps there, they strucke him upon the head with their swords and slew him the thirtieth day of December, in the yeare 1172. Afterward, with much adoe, by King Henries meanes they were pardoned by the Pope, onelyonly enjoyned Penance, to goe on P…lgrimage to Ierusalem, as some write; but others more probably, that the King abhorred them ever after; and that within three yeares they all dyed miserably. You have heard his persecution, and (as some would have it called) his Martyrdome: now heare the honours that have beene done him, and the visitations to his Tombe. And first King Henry himselfe comming to Canterbury, as soone as he came within sight of Beckets Church, lighting off his horse, and putting off his hose and shooes he went barefoot to his Tombe, and for a further penance suffered himselfe to be beaten with rods, by every Monke of the Cloyster. A few yeares after, King Lewis of France comes into England of purpose to visite the Shrine of Saint Thomas, where having paid his Vowes, he makes Oblations with many rich Presents. The like many Princes since that time have done; and many Miracles are reported to have beene done at his Tombe, which yet may be unbeleeved without unbeliefe, and with Faith enough. Another difference in this Kings dayes, was betweene the two Arch-bishops of England, about the jurisdiction of Canterbury over Yorke, which being referred to the Pope, he gave judgement on Canterburies side. Also in this Kings dayes there was a Schisme in the Church of Rome, two Popes up at once, of whom Alexander the third was one; which Schisme continued the space of almost twenty yeares. Also in this Kings dayes, one Nicholas Breakespeare, borne at Saint Albans, or as others write, at Langley in Hartfordshire, being a bondman of that Abbey, and therefore not allowed to be a Monke there, went beyond Sea, where he so profited in Learning, that the Pope made him first Bishop of Alba, and afterward Cardinall, and sent Legate to the Norwayes, where he reduced that nation from Paganisme to Christianity, and returning backe to Rome, was chosen Pope, by the Name of Adrian the fourth, and dyed being choaked with a Fly in his drinke. In his dayes also, Heraclius Patriarch of Hierusalem, came to King Henry, desiring ayde for the Holy Land, but not so much of money as of men; and not so much of men neither, as of a good Generall, as himselfe was; to whom King Henry answered, that though he were willing to undertake it, yet his unquiet State at home would not suffer him; with which answer the Patriarch moved, said, Thinke not Great King, that Pretences will excuse you before God, but take this from me, that as you forsake Gods cause now, so he hereafter will forsake you in your greatest need. But (saith the King) if I should be absent out of my kingdome, my own Sonnes would be ready to rise up against me in my absence; to which the Patriarch replyed, No marvaile, for from the Devill they came, and to the Devill they shall… and so departed. Also in this Kings dayes there came into England, thirty Germans, Men and Women, calling themselves Publicans, who denyed Matrimony, and the Sacraments of Baptisme, and of the Lords Supper, with other Articles, who being obstinate, and not to be reclaimed, the King commanded they should be marked with a hot iron in the forehead, and be whipped, which punishment they tooke patiently, their Captaine (called Gerard) going before them singing, Blessed are ye when men hate you. After they were whipped, they were thrust out of doores in the Winter, where they dyed with cold and hunger, no man da…ing to relieve them. This King after his conquest of Ireland, imposed the tribute of Peter pence upon that kingdome, namely, that every house in Ireland should yearely pay a penny to Saint Peter.
Workes of piety done by him, or by others in his time.
THis King Founded the Church of Bristow, which King Henry the eighth afterward erected into a Cathedrall: He also Founded the Priories of D…ver; of Stoneley; and of Basinwerke; and the Castle of Rudlan: and beganne the Stone Bridge over the Thames at London. He caused also the Castle of Warwicke to be builded. Maude the Empresse his Mother, Founded the Abbey of Bordesly. In his time also Hugh Mortimer Founded Wigmore Abbey, Richard Lucye the Kings Chiefe Justice laid the Foundation of the Coventuall Church, in the honour of Saint Thomas, in a place which is called Westwood, otherwise Les…es, in the Territory of Rochester, in the new Parish of Southfleete. He also builded the Castle of Anger in Essex. Robert Harding a Burgesse of Bristow, to whom King Henry gave the Barony of Barkeley; builded the Monastery of Saint Augustines in Bristow. In the tenth yeare of his Raigne, London Bridge was new made of Timber, by Peter of Cole-church a Priest. Robert de Boscue Earle of Leycester, Founded the monastery of Gerendon, of Monkes; and of Leycester, called Saint Mary de Prate, of Chanons Regular, and his Wife Amicia, Daughter of Ralph Montford, Founded Eaton, of Nunnes. In the two and twentyeth yeare of his Raigne, after the Foundation of Saint Mary Overeyes Church in Southwarke, the Stone bridge over the Thames at London, beganne to be Founded, towards which a Cardinall, and the Arch-bishop of Canterbury gave a thousand Markes. Aldred Bishop of Worcester Founded a Monastery at Glocester of Benedictine Monkes.
Casualties that happened in his time.
IN the Eleventh yeare of this Kings Raigne, on the six and twentyeth day of Ianuary, was so great an Earth-quake in Ely, Norfolke, and Suffolke, that it overthrew them that stood upon their feet, and made the Bells to ring in the Steeples. In the seventeenth yeare of his Raigne, there was seene at Saint Osythes in Essex, a Dragon of marveilous bignesse, which by moving, burned houses, and the whole City of Canterbury was the same yeare almost burnt. In the eighteenth yeare of his Raigne, the Church of Norwich with the houses thereto belonging was burnt, and the Monkes dispersed. At Andover, a Priest praying before the Altar, was slaine with Thunder. Likewise one Clerke and his Brother was burnt to death with Lightning. In the three and twentyeth yeare, a showre of Blood Rained in the Isle of Wight two houres together. In the foure and twentyeth yeare, the City of Yorke was burnt, and on Christmas day, in the Territory of Derlington, in the Bishopricke of Durham the Earth lifted up it selfe in the manner of an high Tower, and so remained unmoveable from morning till evening, and then fell with so horrible a noyse that it frighted the Inhabitants thereabouts, and the earth swallowing it up, made there a deepe pit, which is seene at this day: for a Testimony whereof Leyland saith, he saw the Pits there, commonly called Hell-kettles. Also in the same yeare, on the tenth day of Aprill, the Church of Saint Andrewes in Rochester was consumed with fire. In the eight and twentyeth yeare of his Raigne, Barnewell, with the Priory, neare unto Cambridge was burnt. In the thirtyeth yeare, the Abbey of Glastenbury was burnt with the Church of Saint Iulian. In the yeare 1180. a great Earthquake threw downe many buildings, amongst which the Cathedrall Church of Lincolne was rent in peeces the five and twentieth of Aprill: And on the twentieth of October, the Cathedrall Church of Chichester, and all the whole City was burnt. This yeare also, neare unto Orford in Suffolke, certaine Fishers tooke in their Nets a Fish, having the shape of a Man in all points, which Fish was kept by Bartholomew de Glanvile in the Castle of Orford sixe moneths and more; he spake not a word; all manner of meates he did gladly eate, but most greedily raw Fish, when he had pressed out the juyce; oftentimes he was brought to Church, but never shewed any signe of adoration: at length, being not well looked to, he stole to the Sea, and never was seene after. In the yeare 1188. on the twentieth of September, the Towne of Beverley with the Church of Saint Iohn there was burnt. And in this Kings time the bones of King Arthur, and his Wife Guynevour, were found in the Vale of Avalon, under an hollow Oake, fifteene foote under ground; the haire of the said Guynevour being then whole and of fresh colour; but as soone as it was touched, it fell to powder, as Fabian relateth.
Of his Wife and Children.
HE married Eleanor Daughter and heire of William Duke of Guien, late Wife of Lewis the seventh, King of France, but then divorced, but for what cause divorced is diversly related; some say King Lewis carryed her with him into the Holy Land, where she carryed her selfe not very holily, but led a licentious life, and which is the worst kind of licentiousnesse, in carnall familiarity with a Turke; which King Lewis though knowing, yet dissembled, till comming home, he then waived that cause, as which he could not bring without disgrace to himselfe, and made use of their nearenesse in blood, as being Cousins in the fourth degree, which was allowed by the Pope, as a cause sufficient to divorce them, though he had at that time two Daughters by her. Being thus divorced, Duke Henry marries her, with whom it was never knowne, but she led a modest and sober life, a sufficient proofe, that the former Report was but a slander. By this Queene Eleanor he had five Sonnes, William, Henry, Richard, Geoffry, and Iohn; and three Daughters, Maude, marryed to Henry Duke of Saxony; Eleanor, marryed to Alphonso the Eighth of that name, King of Castile; and Iane or Ioane, marryed to William King of Sicilie. Of his Sonnes, William dyed young. Henry borne the second yeare of his Raigne, was Crowned King with his Father, in the eighteenth yeare, and dyed the nine and twentyeth yeare, and was buryed at Roan; marryed to Margaret, Daughter of Lewis King of France, but left no issue. Richard, borne at Oxford, in the fourth yeare of his Fathers Raigne, and succeeded him in the kingdome. Geoffrey, borne the fifth yeare of his Fathers Raigne, marryed Constance, Daughter and Heire of Conan, Earle of Little Britaine, in the foureteenth yeare, and in the two and thirtieth yeare dyed; leaving by his Wife Constance, two Daughters, and a Posthumus Sonne named Arthur. Iohn, his youngest, called Iohn without Land, because he had no Land assigned him in his Fathers time; borne the twelfth yeare of his Fathers Raigne, and succeeded his Brother Richard in the kingdome. And this may be reckoned a peculiar honour to this King, that of his five Sonnes, three of them lived to be Kings; and of his three Daughters, two of them to be Queenes. Concubines he had many, but two more famous then the rest; and one of these two, more famous then the other: and this was Rosamond, Daughter of Walter Lord Clifford; whom he kept at Woodstocke, in lodgings so cunningly contrived that no stranger could find the way in, yet Queene Eleanor did, being guided by a thread: so much is the eye of jealousie quicker in finding out, then the eye of care is in hiding. What the Queen did to Rosamond when she came in to her, is uncertaine, but this is certaine, that Rosamond lived but a short time after, and lyes buryed at the Nunnery of Godst…w neare to Oxford. By this Rosamond King Henry had two Sonnes, William called Long-Sword; who was Earle of Salisbury in right of his Wife Ela, Daughter and Heire of William Earle of that Country, and had by her much issue, whose posterity continued a long time: And a second Sonne named Geoffrey, who was first Bishop of Lincolne, and afterward Arch-bishop of Yorke, and after five yeares banishment in his Brother King Iohns time, dyed in the yeare 1213. The other famous Concubine of this King Henry, was the Wife of Ralph Blewet a knight; by whom he had a Sonne named Morgan, who was Provost of Beverley, and being to be elected Bishop of Durham, went to Rome for a dispensation, because being a Bastard, he was else uncapable: But the Pope refu…ing to grant it, unlesse he would passe as the Sonne of Blewet, he absolutely answered, he would for no cause in the world deny his Father; and chose rather to lose the Dignity of the Place, then of his Blood, as being the Sonne, though but the base Sonne, of a King.
Of his personage and conditions.
HE was somewhat red of face, and broad breasted; short of body, and therewithall fat, which made him use much Exercise, and little Meate. He was commonly called Henry Shortmantell, because he was the first that brought the use of short Cloakes out of Anjou into England. Concerning endowments of mind, he was of a Spirit in the highest degree Generous; which made him often say, that all the World sufficed not to a Couragious heart. He had the Reputation of a wise Prince all the Christian World over; which made him often say, that all the World sufficed not to a Couragious heart. He had the Reputation of a wise Prince all the Christian World over; which made Alphonsus King of Castile, and Garsyas King of Navarre, referre a difference that was betweene them, to his Arbitrament: who so judicious…y determined the Cause, that he gave contentment to both Parties; a harder matter then to cut Cloath even by a thread. His Custome was to be alwayes in Action; for which cause, if he had no Reall Warres, he would have Faigned: and would transport Forces either into Normandy or Britaine, and goe with them himselfe, whereby he was alwayes prepared of an Army: and made it a Schooling to his Souldiers, and to himselfe an Exercise. To his Children he was both indulgent and hard: for out of indulgence he caused his Son Henry to be Crowned King in his owne time; and out of hardnesse he caused his younger Sonnes to Rebell against him. He was rather Superstitious, then not Religious; which he shewed more by his carriage toward Becket being dead then while he lived. His Incontinency was not so much that he used other Women besides his Wife, but that he used the affianced Wife of his owne Son: And it was commonly thought, he had a meaning to be divorced from his Wife Queene Eleanor, and to take the said Adela to be his Wife. Yet generally to speake of him, he was an excellent Prince; and if in some particulars he were defective, it must be considered he was a Man.
Of his death and buriall.
HE was not well at ease before, but when the King of France sent him a List of those that had conspired against him, and that he found the first man in the Lyst to be his Son Iohn, he then fell suddenly into a fit of Fainting, which so encreased upon him, that within foure dayes after he ended his life: So strong a Corrosive is Griefe of mind, when it meetes with a Body weakned before with sicknesse. He dyed in Normandy, in the yeare 1189. when he had lived threescore and one yeares; Raigned neare five and thirty: and was buryed at Founteverard in France. the manner of whose buriall was thus: He was Cloathed in his Royall Robes, his Crowne upon his head, white Gloves upon his hands, Bootes of Gold upon his legges, Gilt Spurres at his heeles, a great rich Ring upon his finger, his Scepter in his hand, his Sword by his side, and his face uncovered and all bare. As he was carrying to be Buryed, his Sonne Richard in great haste ranne to see him, who no sooner was come neare the Body, but suddenly at his Nostrils he fell a bleeding afresh; which though it were in Prince Richard no good signe of Innocency, yet his breaking presently into bitter teares upon the seeing it, was a good signe of Repentance. It may not be unseasonable to speake in this place of a thing which all Writers speake of, that in the Family of the Earles of Anjou, of whom this King Henry came, there was once a Princesse a great Enchantresse, who being on a time enforced to take the blessed Eucharist, she suddenly flew out at the Church window, and was never seene after: From this Woman these latter Earles of Anjou were descended, which perhaps made the Patriarch Heraclius say, of this King Henries Children, that from the Devill they came, and to the Devill they would. But Writers perhaps had beene more compleat, if they had left this Story out of their Writings.
Men of note in his time.
OF Clergy men, there was Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterbury, Hugh Bishop of Lincolne; Richard Bishop of Winchester; Geoffrey of Ely; Robert of Bathe; Aldred of Worcester; all Learned Men, and of great integrity of life. Of Military Men, there was Robert Earle of Leycester; Reynold Earle of Cornwall; Hugh Bigot, Robert Ferrys, Richard Lacy, Roger Mowbray, Ralph Fulger, Ranulph Granula, William V…sei, …nd Baynard Baylioll; Men of great atchievements in Warre, and of no lesse abilities in Peace.