A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government, Royal biography 6 – Royal biography 7
THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE SECOND.
Of his Acts before, and at his Coronation.
EDward of Carnarvan, eldest Sonne of King Edward the first, succeeded him in the kingdome; and never did Prince come to a Crowne with more applause of Nobility and People; and there was good cause for it: For he had beene trained up in all good courses for Piety and Learning; he had seene the Government of his Father, from whose Example he could not but have learned many good Lessons; he had been initiated in the wayes of State, having beene left Governour of the Realme, and presiding in Parliament in his Fathers absence; and he was now three and twenty yeares old, a fit age for bearing the weight of a Scepter; and yet for all these advantages, there wanted not feares of him in the mindes of many, who could not but remember what prankes he had played not long before; how he had broken the Bishop of Chesters Parke, and in most disorderly manner had killed his Deere, for which both himselfe had beene committed to Prison, and his Friend Pierce Gaveston banished the Realme: and if he did such things being but Prince, what might not be feared of him comming to be King? For seldome doth advancement in honour alter men to the better; to the worse often, and commonly then, when it is joyned with an Authority that sets them above controlement. Neither yet was their feare more out of what they had seene, then out of what they saw; for where he should have endevoured to accomplish the charge his Father had given him in his death-bed, he seemed to intend nothing lesse: nothing more then wholly to breake it; for he presently called home Pierce Gaveston from banishment; and the two and thirty thousand pounds, which his Father had specially appointed for the Holy Warre; either all or the most of it he be…towed upon Gaveston: and for carrying his Fathers bones with him about Scotland; it had beene well if he had suffered them quietly to be laid at rest in England; for after the Corps had beene kept above ground, sixteene weekes in the Abbey of Waltham, and that the Bishop of Chester, Walter Langton, the then Lord Treasurer, and Executor of his Fathers Will, was busie in preparing for his Funerals; he sent the Constable of the Tower to arrest him, and imprison him at Wallingford, seising upon all his Goods, and giving them to Gaveston; and all for old grudges. And (that which seemed a high straine of incongruity) before he had seene performed his Fathers Funerals, which was not till the 27. of October following; he entred into Treatie of his owne Nuptials, forgoing over to Boleigne, on the two and twentieth of Ianuary, he marryed Isabell, the Daughter of Philip the Faire, King of France: which Marriage was honoured with the presence of foure Kings, the King of France himselfe, the King of Nav…rre his Sonne, the King of the Romans, and the King of Sicilie: and three Queenes besides the Bride, Mary Queene of France, Margaret the Dowager Queene of England, and the Queene of Navarre: and yet did Gavest…n exceed them all in bravery. This was observed by the Lords of England: and thereupon when his Queene and he came afterward to be Crowned, they went unto him, signifying what a hainous transgression of his Fathers will it was to call home G…veston; and seeing the charge was no lesse given to them then to him, if he did not performe it they would; and therefore unlesse he would remove Gaveston from the Court and kingdome, they would hinder his Coronation from proceeding: which strooke such a dampe to Prince Edwards spirits, to thinke what a disgrace it would be to him; if so many of his great Friends being present, Charles of Valois, the King of Frances Brother, the Dukes of Britaine and Brabant, the Count of Luxenburg, who was afterward Emperor, the Duke of Savoy, the two Dutchesses of Brabant & Artois, with many other Princes and great Ladies, if now his Coronation should be called in question, that he solemnly swore he would do what they desired in the next Parliament, so they would be quiet now; and thereupon, on the 24. day of February, in the yeare 1307. his Queene and he were both Crowned at Westminster, by the hands of Henry Bishop of Winchester, by Commission from Robert Arch-bishop of Canterbury, being then in Exile, and out of the kingdome: At which solemnity there was so great a presse of People, that Sir Iohn Blackwell knight was crowded to death. And now in the very Act of his Coronation, there was given another provocation to the Lords against Gaveston: for the King had appointed him to carry the Crowne of Saint Edward before him, (the greatest honour could be done to a Subject) which added to the other honours the King had done him, (for he had made him Earle of Cornewall, Lord of Man, and Lord Chamberlaine) so incensed the Lords, that they entred into consultation, how to suppresse this violence of the Kings affection; which shortly after they put in execution. Portion in money King Edward had none with his Wife: but the King of France gave him the Dutchy of Guyenne, which he had seised upon before, as confiscate to him: and thereupon King Edward did him Homage for that Dutchy, and for the County of Ponthieu.
Of his difference with his Lords about Gaveston.
VVE shall have here no Quinquennium Neronis, no such five yeares, as Nero afforded in the beginning of his Raigne; but this King at his first entrance will shew what he is, and what he will continue to be as long as he lives; for though he tooke some great and grave men to be of his Councell, yet (as appeared afterward) he did it rather to the end they should be pliant to him, then that he had any meaning to apply himselfe to them; For let them say what they would, Gaveston must be the Oracle; all the Kings actions were but Gavestons impressions: And now Gaveston presently after the Coronation, to let the world be a witnesse of his worthinesse, and that the King had not bestowed his Favours upon him without cause; caused to be published a Turneament at Wallingford: whither came all the great Lords of the kingdome, as Thomas Earle of Lancaster, Humfrey Earle of Hereford, Aymer Earle of Pembroke, and Iohn Earle of Warren, with many others, all Valiant men at Armes; yet none had the honour of the day like to Gaveston. And thus farre he did well, if he could have stayed here, if having gotten true glory, he had not falne into vaine-glory: For the Lords envyed him not so much for his advancement in Honours, as they hated him for his insolency in Manners: for in a scornefull pride he would be casting scoffes upon them all, calling Thomas Earle of Lancaster the Stage Player, the Earle of Lincolne Burstenbelly; …imer de Valence Earle of Pembroke, Ioseph the Iew; and Guy Earle of Warwicke, the blacke Dogge of Arderne; which scoffes together with his other insolencies, drew such a party upon him, that in the next Parliament, the whole assembly obtaines of the King to draw Articles of their grievances: of which the chiefe were, that the great Charter of Magna Charta should be observed… that all strangers should be banished the Court and kingdome; that the businesse of the State should be treated of by the Counsell of the Clergy and the Nobles; and that the King should not begin any warre, nor goe out of the kingdome without consent of Parliament. Which Articles, though seeming harsh to the King, yet for avoyding of further inconvenience, he yeelds unto them; and specially to the bani…hment of his Minion Gaveston, as hoping that would excuse him for all the rest; and Robert of Winchelsey, Arch-bishop of Canterbury, lately called home from Exile, pronounceth Excommunication against all such as should oppose the Articles. Hereupon Gaveston is sent away into Ireland, where he lived awhile, not as a banisht man, but as Lieutenant rather of the Country, and indeed not unworthily; for in the time of his being there, he is said to have made a Journey into the Mountaines of Dublin, and to have broken and subdued the Rebels there; built New Castle in the Kerns Country, repaired the Castle of Kevyn, and passed up to Munster, and Thoumond: performing every where much service with great valour and worthinesse, that if he had stayed there but a while longer, he might perhaps by his desorts in Ireland, have redeemed his defects in England: but the King impatient of his absence, and asking advice what meanes might be used to recall him; It was told him, that if he could but match him with the Earle of Glocesters sister, a man of such greatnesse, and so greatly beloved of the people, for his sake certainely no man would grudge at his comming home. Hereupon the King sends for Gaveston, and makes up the match betweene them, and marryed they were at Barkamstead; but this did no good. For Gaveston still working upon the King in such manner, that he scarce left him meanes to sustaine himselfe, and as little to maintaine the Queene; nothing being done but as Gaveston would have it; put the Lords into a new discontentment; who thereupon went againe to the King, and told him plainly, that unlesse he would put Gaveston out of the Court and kingdome, they would rise up in Armes against him as a perjured King. This put the King into a great strait: Loath he was to leave Gaveston, and fearefull he was to provoke the Lords; in the end, his feare prevailing over his love, he was content he should be Banished, and in such sort Banished, that if ever he returned, or were found in the kingdome, he should be held, and proceeded against as an Enemy of the State. So once againe is Gaveston sent packing out of the kingdome, and goes into France, but found no safe Harbouring there: For the King of France hearing of it, gave strait charge, if he were found in his Dominions to apprehend him: Then he passeth into Flanders, but is there no sa…er then in France: After waving about, and finding no place to rest in safety, he returnes secretly into England, relying upon the Kings Love, and the Duke of Glocesters Favour. The King receives him as an Angell sent from Heaven, and to be out of the Lords Eye, goes a Journey to Yorke, taking Gaveston along with him, and there thinkes to be in quiet; but the Lords hearing of it follow him thither, chusing for their Generall, Thomas Earle of Lancaster, a man possest of five Earledomes, Lancaster, Leycester, Ferrers, Lincolne, and Salisbury, besides the Liberty of Pickering, and the Honour of Cokermore, and other Lands in Wales; and there was not a man of the whole Nobility that was not of the Party, but onelyonly Gilbert Earle of Glocester, the Kings Sisters Sonne; These Lords sent to the King, either to deliver Gaveston into their hands, or at least to send him peremptorily out of the kingdome. But the King led by ill Counsell, and little regarding the Lords Message, takes Gaveston with him to New-Castle upon Tine, thence to Tynmouth, where the Queene then lay, who (though great with Childe, and entreating the King with teares to stay with her) yet such was his desire to see Gaveston put into some place of security, that hearing of the Lords approaching, he tooke a Ship, and passed with Gaveston to Scarborough, and leaving him there in a strong Castle, not easie to be wonne, he went himselfe into Warwickshire; perhaps that the Lords might see he had not Gaveston with him. But the Lords hearing where Gaveston was, assaulted the Castle with such violence, that Gaveston seeing no meanes to escape, was content to render himselfe; requesting onelyonly, that he might but once be allowed to see the Kings face; and the King hearing he was taken, desired as much: to which the Earle of Pembroke consented; and taking Gaveston into his custody, promised upon Forteiture of all he had, to have him forth-comming: but desiring to be with his Wife that night, who lay not farre off, at Dedington h… delivers him to his Servants to carry to Wallingford; From whom, as they passed by Warwicke, the Earle of that place hearing of it, tooke him forcibly from his keepers, and brought him to his owne Castle. Where after long deliberation, whether it were wisedome to suffer Gaveston to speake with the King or no; It was at last concluded to take of… his head; which at a place thereby, called Blacklow, was presently put in execution. His Corps was carryed to Oxford, and kept there two yeares, till the King caused it to be brought to Longley, and there builded a Monastery of purpose, where his Soule should be prayed for.
This Gaveston was the Sonne of a Gentleman of France, who had done good service for King Edward the first, in France; and for his sake this Sonne of his was taken and brought up with the Prince: a man of excellent parts of body, and of no lesse Endowments of minde; Valiant and Witty; to which if we might adde Vertuous, he had beene compleate; Though the Lords (whether they had heard so, or whether they said it to weane the King from him) told the King that his Father was a Traitor to the King of France, and for the same was executed; and that his Mother was burnt for a Witch; and that this Gaveston was banished out of France for consenting to his Mothers Witch-craft; and that he had now bewitched the King himselfe. But why should the Lords be so violent against Gaveston? might not the King place his Affection where he pleased? Might he not make his owne choyce of what companion he liked? No doubt he might; and fit he should: but yet in this case, the Lords had great cause to doe as they did; both in regard of the King, of themselves, and of the Common-wealth. It is true, if the Valour of Gaveston could as well have made the King Valiant, as his riot made him riotous; there might some good have come of their extraordinary conjunction: but seeing Vertues are but personall, Vices onelyonly are communicative; it now made the King not onelyonly more Vicious then otherwise he would have beene, but Vicious, where otherwise he would not have beene; and therefore great cause in regard of the King, to remove Gaveston from his company; and no lesse in regard of the Lords themselves; For Gavestons advancing was their debasing; his greatnesse with the King made them but Cyphers: but in regard of the Common-wealth, most cause of all; For while the King was altogether ruled by Gaveston, and Gaveston himselfe was altogether irregular; the Common-wealth could have but little hope of Justice, but was sure to suffer as long as Gaveston was suffered. And this may be sufficient to justifie the Lords, that it be not interpreted to be Rebellion, which was indeed but Providence.
Of his Troubles with Scotland.
ANd now we have seene two of the charges of his Fathers Will broken by the King, and punished in him; the two and thirty thousand pounds appointed for the Holy Warre, bestowed upon Gaveston, and the King for it punished himselfe with want; Gaveston called home from banishment, and the King for it punished with the losse of his Subjects love. It remaines to see how well he performed the third charge of his Fathers Will, for subduing of Scotland. It was now the sixth yeare after the death of his Father King Edward, and Robert Bruce now gotten to be King of Scotland, had stayed all this while to see how this new King Edward would prove: and when he found by the courses he held, that he was like to prove a good easie Enemy; he thereupon tooke heart, and began to stirre, and in a very short time had brought almost all Scotland under his obedience; and finding no opposition he entred the English Borders, tooke and burnt Townes; that now King Edward, unlesse he would sit still, and suffer Bruce to come and pull his Crown from his head, he could not chuse but doe something to stop his proceeding. Hereupon he prepares an Army, but like himselfe, fitter for a Court then for a Campe: Many men, and great Bravery; but readie… to take spoiles, then to make spoile: and accordingly they sped; For going to raise the siege at Str…veling, defended for King Edward, by the valiant knight Philip Mowbray; the Kings Army consisting of a hundred thousand, was defeated and overthrowne by the Scots Army, consisting of scarce thirty thousand: So true is that saying of an ancient Souldier; There is more hope of an Army where the General is a Lion, though the Souldiers be but Sheepe; then of an Army where the Generall is a Sheepe, though the Souldiers be Lions. But indeed the Scots, besides Valour, used Policy: For having in their owne Army none but Foot, no Horse at all, they had made Trenches in the Ground three foot deepe, covering them with Twigges and Hurdles, where the English Horsemen were to passe, who Floundring in those Trenches, were killed no lesse by their owne Fellowes then by the Enemy. In this Battell, called of Bannocks borough, were slaine the Lord Mawle, the Lord Clifford, the Lord Tiptoft, the Lord William Marshall, Sir Giles, Doctor Argenton, and seven hundred Knights and Squires, specially Gylbert Earle of Glocester, who had shewed much Valour that day; and whom the Scots would willingly have kept for ransome; if they had knowne him; but he had forgotten to put on his Coate of Armes, whereby to be knowne. The slaughter of common Souldiers was certainely great, though perhaps not so great as Hector Boetius speakes of, who saith they were fifty thousand. There were taken Prisoners, Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford, Iohn Seagrave, Iohn Claveringham, William Latimer, and Sir Roger Northbrooke, bearer of the Kings shield; the King himselfe with the Bishops, the Earles of Hartford and Pembroke, and Hugh Spenser, saved themselves by flight; Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford, was afterward released in exchange for Bruces Wife, who had beene long kept a Prisoner in England. After this, many English fell away to the Scots, and all the North parts from Carlile to Yorke, came under their Subjection; and the English grew so faint-hearted, and into such contempt, that three Scots durst venture upon a hundred English, when a hundred English durst scarce encounter with three Scots. And what can be thought the cause of this great dysaster to this King, but the want of his Fathers blessing for not performing the charge he gave him dying, which is commonly accompanyed with the want of a higher blessing, without which a Vacat is set upon the labours of men, that makes them all frustrate? But Bruce, not satisfied with his Acquests in England, sends his Brother Edward into Ireland also; who so farre prevailed, that many Irish came in unto him, and in the end Crowned him King of a great part of that Island, and so continued the space of three yeares; till the Primat of Armagh, and the Lord Brinningham, Justiciar of Ireland, gathering Forces together opposed him, and in a Battaile taking him Prisoner, at Dundalke cut off his head, with the slaughter of many thousands of the Scots besides. With which the Scots are so incensed, that they invade againe the English Borders, forraging as farre as Yorke; whereupon a Parliament is assembled at London, wherein an ayde is granted of Armed men to goe against them; London sets forth two hundred, Canterbury forty, Saint Albons ten, and so proportionably for all Cities and Boroughs, whereby a great Army was levyed; which comming to Yorke, through mutiny, emulation, and other impediments, was soone dissolved, and returned backe without effecting any thing. Not long after the Towne of Berwicke was betrayed to the Scots, through the treason of Peter Spalding the Governour, and other Englishmen; whom the King of Scots to make them an Example, caused to be hanged for being Traitors to their Country. King Edward hearing of the surrendring of Berwicke, raiseth an Army, and beleaguers it; but the Scots to divert his Forces, enter upon England by other wayes, and were like to have surprised the person of the Queene, lying then neare …orke. The siege of B…rwicke is notwithstanding eagerly continued, and the King in great possibility to have regained the Towne, had not the Earle of Lancaster with his foll…wers withdrawne himselfe upon discontent, hearing the King say he would give the keeping thereof to Hugh Spen…r the younger, who was now grown a speciall favourite of the Kings, and theref…r… not to be en…ured by the Earle. In the mean … the Scots wonne the Castles of …, and Mid…ord; so as they possessed the greater part of all North…mberland, burning all before them, … they came to …pon, which Towne they spoyled… and carrying there three dayes, they received … thousand Markes to save the Towne from burning, as they had done the Townes of Nor…hallerton, Bor…ugh-bridg… and others. In their returning backe, they … Knaresborough, and Shipton in C…ven; and all other afore them, carrying into … land a marvellous number of Cattell, besides prisoners, men and women… The… … shire men thus grievously endammaged, gather together to the number of ten thousand: and at the Towne of Mitton, tenne miles from Yorke, encounter the Sco… where they lost three thousand of their men, and were defeated… which b…ttell, because of the many Spirituall men that were in it, was called the white battell. Whereof when the King heard… he left the siege of Be…wicke, to follow the Scots, but they returned another way. The yeare following, King Edward once againe with a great Army entred Scotland; but the Scots having destroyed all afore, the King oppressed with famine was forced to re…urne… whom the Scots followed, and in a place of the Forest of Blackmore, se… upon him that he hardly escaped; where were taken Iohn Earle of Britaine, and the Lord of Sil…ac…, the French Kings Embassadour, and many others. After this, King Edward finding the Scots either too strong, or too wily for him, made a Truce with them for two yeares, some say for thirteene. And this was the successe of this unfortunate King in his warres with Scotland.
Of his tr…bles at home.
BUt his troubles abroad were not so grievous as those at home; or rather, they were those at home that made his troubles abroad so grievous; for though the Lords having made an end of Gaveston, and cut off his head, thought they had made an end of their need to beare Armes, and had cut off the head of all their discontents; yet as if Gaveston had beene a Phoenix, as it were out of his ashes another Phoenix riseth presently up, and puts the Lords to as much trouble as ever Gaveston did. For now the younger Spenser upon a sudden growes as great a Favorite of the Kings as ever Gaveston was: and indeed in all points just such another, equall to him in goodlinesse of personage, in favour of the King, and in abusing the Lords, for though they were the Lords themselves that brought him at first in to be the Kings Chamberlaine, the rather (as was thought) because he was one whom the King did not love: yet being once in the place, he so wonne upon the King by diligent service, and by complying with the Kings humour; that he brought the King at last to comply with his humour, and nothing must be done but as Spenser would have it. It seemes it was the Kings nature, that he could not be without a bosome friend; one or other to be an Alter idem: and to seeke to remove such a one from him, was to seek to remove him from him selfe… as impossible a thing as to alter nature; yet the Lords being more sensible of their owne grievance, to be insulted on by a Favourite, then of the Kings grievance to be affronted by his subjects, are more intentive to worke their owne ends then the Kings: and therefore to remove Spenser and his Father from the King, which they knew was a worke not to be done but by strong hand; they continue their Armes, and conf…der…ting together, they send to the King, peremptorily requiring the confirmation and execution of the Articles formerly granted; threatning withall, that unlesse he presently performe the same, they would constraine him to it by force of Armes: and thereupon assemble strong forces about Dunstable, where the King …hen lay. The great Prelates of the kingdome, with the Earle of Glocester, labour to appease them, and with two Cardinals sent lately by the Pope to reforme these disorders: they repaire to Saint Alb…ns, and desire conference with the Lords, who receive them very peaceably; but the Letters which the Pope had written to them, they refuse to receive, saying, they were men of the Sword, and cared not for reading of Letters; that there were many w…rthy and learned men in the kingdome, whose counsell they would use, and not strangers, who knew not the cause of their commotion: so the Cardinals with this answer returned to London. But the Prelates of England …o labour the businesse, that the Lords were content to yeeld up to the King such horses, treasure, and jewels, as they had taken of Pierce Gaveston at New-Castle, so as the King would grant their Petitions; and thereupon Iohn Sandall Treasurer of the kingdome, and Ingelard Warle keeper of the Wardrobe, are sent to Saint Albons to receive those things at their hands.
Shortly after a Parliament is called at London, wherein the King complaines of the great contempt was had of him by the Barons, their rising in Armes, their taking and murthering Pierce Gaveston, and such other affronts. Whereunto with one accord they answer, that they had not offended therein, but rather merited his love and favour; having taken Armes, not for any contempt of his royall person, but to destroy the publike enemy of the kingdome, which otherwise would never have beene done. Which stout resolution of theirs, the Queene with the Prelates and the Earle of Glocester seeing, they seeke by all meanes to qualifie their heate; and at length so prevailed with them, that they humble themselves to the King, and crave pardon for that they had done, which they obtained; and the King receives them into grace, as his loyall subjects: grants them their Articles… and particular pardons by his Charter, for their Indemnity concerning the death of Gaveston: and for the greater shew of true reconcilement, Guy de Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke, is made of the Kings Counsell, though shortly after he ended his life, not without suspition of poyson; as being a man much envied by such as possest the King. The King kept his Christmas at Clipston, and his Easter at Clarendon: and they seemed to be all good friends, but this reconcilement of the King with his Barons, was but as the covering of fire with ashes, every little wind that blew, made it breake out into flames afresh; & the time being so unsetled as it was, it was impossible but such winds would continually be blowing. It was such a wind blew, when the great Earle of Lancaster had his wife (a Lady who had lived with him alwayes in good fame) taken out of his house at Canford in Dorsetshire … by one Richard Saint Martin … a deformed lame Dwarfe, who challenged her to be his wife, and that he had lien with her before the Earle married her… and this wind was made to blow the stronger, by the Ladies owne confession; for upon examination, she voluntarily averred, it was all true: and thereupon the o…gly fellow in her right claimed the two Earledomes of Lincolne and S…lisbury, which he durst not have done… if he had not beene back'd with great Abettours: and it was not without aspersion upon the King himselfe. It was another such wind blew, when at the Feast of Pentecost, at dinner in the open Hall at Westminster; a woman fantastically disguised, entred on horsebacke, and riding about the Table, delivered the King a Letter, wherein was signified the great neglect he shewed of such as had done him and his Father noble services, taxing him for advancing men of unworthy parts, and such other complaints; which Letter read, and the woman departed, put the King into a great rage; they who guarded the doore being sharply reprehended for suffering her to enter in such manner, answered, It was the fashion of the Kings house in times of Festivals, to keepe out none that came as this woman did, to make sport. Search being made for the woman, she is found and examined who set her on; she confessed a knight gave her money to doe it; the knight is found, and upon examination, boldly answered, he did it for the Kings honour, and to no other end; and thereupon escaped without further trouble. It was such another wind blew, when a knight was taken passing by Pomfret, with Letters sealed with the Kings Seale, directed to the King of Scots, about murthering the Earle of Lancaster; which messenger is executed, his head set upon the top of the Castle, and the Letters reserved to witnesse the intended plot. Which whether it were fained, or true, the report thereof reflected upon the King, and made many to take the Earles part. It was such another wind blew, when a fanatick fellow, one Iohn P…dras, a Tanners sonne of Exeter, gave forth, that himselfe was th tr…e Edward, eldest sonne of the late King Edward the first, and by a false Nurse was changed in his Cradle, and that the now King Edward was a Carters son, and laid in his place: but this wind was soone blowne over, when at his death, being drawne and hanged, he confessed he had a Familiar Spirit in his house in the likenesse of a Cat, that assured him he should be King of England, and that he had served the said Spirit three yeares before to bring his purpose about. But most of all, it was such a wind blew, when a Baron named William Brewis, having wasted his estate, offers to sell unto divers men, a part of his inheritance called Powis. Humphrey … Earle of Hereford, obtaines leave of the King to buy it, & bargains for it. The two Roger M…rtimers, Unkle and Nephew, great men likewise in those parts, not understanding, it seemes, any thing of the former bargaine, contract also for the same Land with the said Sir William Brewis. Hugh Spenser the younger, hearing of this sale, and the land adjoyning to part of his, obtaines a more speciall leave of the King, being now his Chamberlaine, and buyes it out of their hands. The Earle of Her… ford complaines hereof to the Earle of Lancaster: who thereupon at Sherbourne enters into a new confederation with divers Barons there assembled, taking their Oaths intermutually, to live and die together in maintaining the right of the kingdome; and to procure the banishment of the two Spens…r…, father and sonne, whom they now held to be the great seducers of the King, and oppressours of the State, disposing of all things in Court at their pleasure, and suffering nothing to be obtained but by their meanes: and under this pretence they take Armes, and comming armed to Saint Albons, they send to the King, being then at London, the Bishops of London, Salisbury, Hereford, and Chichester, (who were there assembled to consul… for peace) requiring him as he tendred the qu…et of the Realme, to rid his Court of those Traitours, the Spensers, condemned in many Articles of high treason by the communalty of th… Land; and withall to grant his Letters Patents of pardon and indemnity both to them and all such as tooke part with them. The King returnes answer, that Hugh Spenser the father was now beyond the Seas, imployed in his businesse, and his sonne was guarding the Cinque-ports according to his office; and that it was against Law of Custome they should be banished without being heard: and withall swore, he would never violate the Oath made at his Coronation, by granting Letters of pardon to such notorious offenders, who contemned his person, disturbed the kingdome, and violated the royall Majesty. Which answer so exasperated the Lords, that presently they approached to London, and lodged in the Suburbs, till they had leave of the King to enter into the City, where they peremptorily urge their demands: to which at length by mediation of the Queene, and the chiefe Prelates, the King is wrought to condescend, …nd by his Edict, published in Westminster Hall, by the Earle of Hereford, the Spensers are banished the kingdome. Hugh the father hearing it, keepes beyond the Seas, but the sonne secretly hides himselfe in England, expecting the turne of a better season. And indeed shortly after, the Arch-bishop of Canterbury in a Councell holden at London, pronounceth the banishment of the Spensers to have beene erronious; and thereupon the Edict is revoked, and the Spensers are called home, and se… in as great authority as they were before. But the Lords having thus obtained their desire, with the Kings Letters of indemnity returne home, but yet not with such security as to give over the provision for their owne defence. Not long after there fell ou… an unexpected accident, that suddenly wrought the Lords confusion. The Queene making her progresse towards Canterbury, intended to lodge in the Castle of Leedes, belonging to the Lord Badlesmer, (who had beene long the Kings Steward, but now tooke part with the Lords) and sending her Marshall to make ready for her and her traine; they who kept the Castle told him plainely, that neither the Queene, nor any else should enter there without Letters from their Lord. The Queene her selfe goes to the Castle, and receives the like answer; whereupon she is driven to take such lodging otherwhere as could be provided. Of which indignity she complaines to the King; who tooke it so to heart, that presently with a power of armed men out of London, he laies siege to the Castle, takes it, hangs the keeper Thomas C…epepper, sends the wife and children of the Lord Badlesmer to the Tower, and seiseth upon all his goods and treasure. And having this power about him, and warmed with successe and the instigation of the Queene, suddenly directs his course to Chi…hester, where he keepes his Christmas, and there provides for an Army against the Barons: whereof many (seeing the Kings power encreasing) lef… their Associats, and yeeld themselves to his merciemercy: amongst whom were the two Roger Mor…i…rs, men of great might and meanes; the Lord Hugh Audely, the Lord M…rice Barkely, and others: who notwithstanding, contrary to their expectation, were sent to divers Prisons. The Earles of Lancaster and Hereford seeing this sudden change, withdrew themselves and their companies from about Glocester, towards the North-parts: whom the King followes with his Army; wherin were the Earles of Ath…ll & Angus; and at Burton upon Trent, where they had made a head, discomfited their forces, and put them to flight. In the meane time the Earle of Lancaster had sent into Lancashire a knight of his, named Robert Holland, (one whom he had brought up of naught) to raise more forces amongst his Tenants; but he hearing of this flight of his Lords, goes with his forces to take the Kings part; which so dismaies the Earle, that he beganne now to thinke of suing to the King for grace; but being in the way, at a Towne called Borough-bridge, was there set upon by Sir Simon Warde Sheriffe of Yorke, and Sir Andrew Harkeley Constable of Carlile, who utterly defeat his forces: In which fight was slaine the Earle of Hereford, (who fighting valiantly upon a Bridge, was by a Varlet skulking under the Bridge, thrust with a Speare into the fundament) Sir Roger Benefield, Sir William Sulland and others; there was taken the Earle of Lancaster, Sir Roger Clifford, Sir Iohn M…wbray, Sir Roger Tuckets, Sir William Fits-Williams, with divers other, and were led to Yorke. This field was fought the fifteenth day of March, in the yeare 1320. It was not long …fter that Sir Hugh Daniell, Sir Bartholomew de Baddelsmer were taken. Three dayes after the Earle of Lancaster is brought to Pomfret, where the King sitting himselfe in judgement with Edmund Earle of Kent his brother, the Earle of Pem…ke, the Earle Warren, Hugh Spencer, lately created Earle of Winchester, and others; sentence of death is given against him, to be drawne, hanged, and beheaded as a Traitor. The two first punishments are pardoned, in regard he was of Royall bloud: onelyonly beheaded he was the same day without the Towne of Pomfret, before his owne Castle. To speake of the Miracles said to be done by him after his death, might be fit for a Legend, but not for a Chronicle, and therefore I omit them. By the like judgement were condemned, the Lord Roger Clifford … the Lord Warren Lisle, the Lord William Tuchet, Thomas Maudit, Henry Bradburne, Willi…m Fits-Williams, William Lord Cheyney, Thomas Lord M…wbray, Ioceline Lord Danill, all which were executed at Yorke. Shortly after, the Lord Henry Teyes is taken, drawne, hanged, and quarter…d at London; the Lord Aldenham at Windsor; the Lords Baddlesmere and Ashburton at Canterbury: at Cardiffe in Wales, Sir William Flemming; at Bristow, Si… Henry Womington; and Sir Henry Montford Bannerets; at Glocester, the Lord Clifford … and Sir William Elminbridge, principall men in principall places, to spread the more …e… rour over the kingdome: all their estates and inheritances are confiscated, and …ny new men advanced by the same. And this is the first bloud of Nobility that ever was shed in this manner in England since William the Conquerour.
But not long after, the King in a calmer humour, beganne to have a sense o… the Earle of Lancasters execution, which he discovered upon this occasion: some …bou… him making earnest suite for a Pardon to one of the Earles followers; and pre…ng the King hard to it, he fell into a great p…ssion, excl…iming …g…inst them as unjus… and wicked Counsellours, who would urge him to save the life of a notorious V… let, and would not speake one word for his neare kinsman, the Earle of Lancaste…: who (said he had) he lived, might have beene use…ull to me, and the whole kingdome; but this fellow the longer he lives, the more mischiefe he will doe, and therefore by the soule of God, he should die the death he had deserved. Sir Andrew Harkeley, who was the man that tooke the Earle of Lancaster prisoner, being advanced for his service to the Earledome of Carlile, enjoyed his honour but a while; for the next yeare after, either thrust out into discontent by the Spensers, envying his high preferment, or combining with the Scots, upon hope of a great match, (as he was accused) he is degraded of all his honours; drawne, hanged, and quartered at Lond…n for Treason. But now the King of France summons King Edward to come and doe his homage for Gascoyne; and he not comming, all his Territories in France are adjudged to be forfeited, and many places of importance are sei…ed on by the French. Hereupon a Parliament is called, and it is by common consent of all agreed, that the King should not goe in person himselfe, in regard of the distraction of the times, but should send some speciall man to excuse his appearance; whereupon Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings brother is sent, but to little effect. Then it is thought fit the Queene should goe, and indeed the Queene went; but what was the cause of her going, there is amongst Writers great variance: some say she was sent by the King to accommodate this businesse, which she negotiated so well, as that all quarrels were ended, upon condition the King should give to his sonne Edward, the Dutchie of Aquitaine, with the Earledome of Ponthieu, and send him over to doe his homage for them; which after many consultations… the King is wrought to yeeld unto; and the Prince is sent with the Bishop of Exeter and others to the Court of France accordingly: but others say… she went out of discontent, to complaine to her brother the King of France, for wrongs offered her by the Spensers, who had so alienated the Kings minde from her, that he would scarce come where she was, nor allow her fit maintenance for her calling. But whatsoever was the cause of her going… there appeared no cause of her staying, but that she had gotten into her company, Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigm…re, a gallant young Gentleman… whom she specially favoured, lately escaped out of the Tower of London, by giving his keepers (as was said) a sleeping drinke. And withall, the Bishop of Exeter perceiving some plots to be in hand, and their close consultations made without him, withdrawes himselfe secretly, and discovers to the King what he observed in their courses. Whereupon the King sends presently for the Qu… and Prince, and solicits the King of France to hasten their return; which when he saw was neglected and delaied, he caused them openly to be proclaimed enemies to the kingdome, banished them and all their adherents out of the Land: and withall causeth all the Ports to be strongly kept; and sends three Admirals to attend in severall Coasts to hinder their landing. It was not without suspition, that as the King for love of the Spensers, had his minde alienated from loving the Queen; so the Queen for love of M…rtimer, had her minde alienated from loving the King, and therefore having him with her, c…red not how long she staied. However it was, when the Queene heard of the Kings Proclamation, she knew there was no returning for her into England without some good assistance: whereupon soliciting her brother the King of France, he aided her with men and money (say some: but others, that he refusing to aide her, as being wrought under hand by the Spensers against her; she left the French Court, and went into Heynault, to the Earle of that Countrey, who upon a contract betweene her sonne Prince Edward and Philippa the Earles daughter… …ided her with a competent Army, under the conduct of his brothe… Iohn: and with them and her beloved Mortimer, she tooke shipping and landed at Orwell, a Port neare unto Harwich in Suffolke: where presently came to her the Earle Marshall, Henry Earle of Leycester, and Henry Earle of Lancaster with the wry neck, called T…rtc…ll, with many other Lords and Bishops. The King at this time being at London, and hearing of the Queenes landing with such forces, and chiefely how all the Realme ranne flocking to her, was …uddenly strucken into a great amazement; and though he had his great Counsellours the Spensers about him, yet now he found what little good th…ir counsel could do him: and indeed in this case, what should he, or what could he do? To stay in London was apparent danger, for he plainely saw the Lond…ners to be more inclining to take the Queenes part then his; and to goe from London to any other place was as unsafe, all places being possest eithe… with certaine Enemies or uncertaine Friends… at last the Isle of Lundy is thought of, a place plentifull of provision… abounding with Conies, Fish and Fowle, and the Island of hard accesse, as having but one place in it where it could be entred, and that so narrow, that a few might easily keepe out many; upon this place he resolves… and taking with him the Earle of Glocester, the Spensers, and Robert …ald…cke, with some fe… others, he …akes shipping, but by contrary windes is driven backe, and raine through Tempests to land in Wales, and there in the Abbey of Neth in … kept himselfe close. In the meane time the Queene was come to Oxford where Ad…m Bishop of Hereford Preaching tooke for his Text, Caput meum dol…, and thereupon inferred, that the kingdome being now deadly sicke of its head, it was fit to remove that head, and put a sounder in the place. At this time also, th… L…d…ners to shew their love to the Queene, seised upon Walter Staplet…n the good Bishop of Exceter and Lord Treasurer of England, left Governo…r the… by the King, and with great despight beheaded him, as also divers others, onelyonly because they favoured the King. In the meane time, the Queene went from Oxford to Glocester, and from thence to Bristow, where Hugh Sp…ncer the Father was, a man of fou…escore and ten yeares old, who is there taken, and without examination or Judgement, in most cruell manner Executed, having his heart pulled out of his body being yet alive, and his body left hanging upon the Gallowes. After this the Queene stayed at H…reford the space of a monethmonth… and then dividing her Army, she sends one part of it, under the Conduct of Henry Earle of Lancaster, and Ryce a Powell a Clerke, …o find out the King: and this Ryce being a Welsh…an, and knowing th… Country well, brought the Earle to the Monastery of N…th… where the King was, whom they there take together with Spenser the Sonne, Rober… Bald…cke, and Simon of Reading. The King is by the Bishop of Hereford committed to the custody of the Earle of Leycester: where all that Winter he was used no worse then was fit for a captive King. But Edmund Earle of Arundell, Iohn Daniel, and Th…m… Micheldens, at the instance of Mortimer, are all three beheaded. Presently after is Hugh Spenser the younger, who was now Earle of Glocester, drawne, hanged and quar…e…ed, his head sent up to be set upon London Bridge, and his foure quarters bestowed in severall Cities. The like is done with Simon of Reading, but Robert Baldocke is committed to New-Gate, against whom, when no just cause of death could be found, there was used so much cruelty in his imprisonment, that he shortly after dyed.
Presently after Christmas a Parliament is called, wherein it is agreed to depose the King, and set up his Sonne; which he hearing refused it, unlesse his Father would freely resigne; whereupon are appointed three Bishops, two Earles, two Abbots, foure Barons, and of every City a Burgesse, to goe to the King; (in custody then at Kenelworth) The Bishops were, Iohn of S…ratford Bishop of Winchester, Adam Torleton Bishop of Hereford, and Henry Bishop of Lincolne. But the Bishops of Winchester and Lincolne, getting to the King before the rest came, perswade the King to resigne his Crowne to his eldest Sonne; cra…tily promising him he should have as good maintenance afterward, as ever he had when he was King. And contrarily threatning him, that if he did it not, the people would exclude both him and his Sonne too, and m…ke a King of another Race. By these promises and threatnings, the meeke King is drawne to yeeld to the Bishops mo…on; but when afterward the Bishop of Hereford, and the other Commissioners came, and were sate in a place appointed to take his Resignation, the King comming forth amongst them in mourning Robes, upon a sudden fell downe in a swound… in whom the Earle of Leycester, and the Bishop of Winchester, had much ado… to recover life; but then the Bishop of Hereford rising up, delivered the cause of their comming, as the other Bishops before had done. To which …he King answered, that as he much grieved his People should be so hardned against him as utterly to reject him; so it was some comfort unto him, that they would yet receive his Son to be their Soveraigne. After this, Thomas Blunt knight, Steward of the Kings house, brake the Staffe of his Office; and William Tr…ssell Speaker of the Parli… ment, in name of the whole kingdome, pronounced a Forme of Renouncing all Allegeance to Edward of Carnarvan. Here Caxton writes, that from the time of this Kings Deposing, which was in December, to the time of his Sonnes Crowning, which was not till Candlemas following, all Pleas of the Kings Bench were stayed, and all Prisoners, arrested by Sheriffes, commanded to be set at liberty; which seemes to have little probability, seeing his Sonne Edward presently upon his Deposing was received for King: But howsoever so great a Dowre was then assigned to Queene Isabel, that scarce a third part of the Revenues of the Crowne is le…t for the new King and his Wife: And to the late King is allowed a hundred Markes … monethmonth for his maintenance; with which he lived with his Cousin the Earle of Leycester, in good plenty and contentment for a time; onelyonly this grieved h…m most of all (he said) that the Queene his Wife would never be gotten to come to see him: For he swore most devoutly that from the time he first saw her face, he could never like of any other Woman. By which it may appeare, that neither Gaveston no… the Spensers had so debauched him, as to make him false to his bed, or to be disloyall to his Queene. But the Queene being hardned against him, and conceiving he had too great Liberty under the Earle of Leycester, by advise of her pestilent Counsellour, Adam Torleton Bishop of Hereford, appoints Thomas Go…rney, and Io… Matrevers knights, to take him from the Earle into their owne Custody, and to carry him whither they thought good; who thereupon take him from Kenelw…rth, and carry him first to Corfe Castle, and from thence to Bristow, where they shut him in the Castle; till upon knowledge of a Plot laid to get him out, and send him beyond Sea, they tooke him in the night and carryed him to B…rkeley Castle, where by the way they abused him most inhumanely, as Sir Thomas de la More a knight of Glocestershire in his Life relateth: For to the end he should not be knowne, they shaved his Head and Beard, and that in most beastly manner; for they took him from his Horse and set him upon a Hillocke, and then taking puddle water out of a Ditch thereby, they went to wash him, his Barber telling him that cold water must serve for this time: whereat the miserable King looking sternely upon him, said, That whether they would or no, he would have warme water to wash him: and therewithall to make good his word, he presently shed forth a showre of teares. Never was King turned ou… of a kingdome in such a manner; Many kingdomes have beene lost by the chance of Warre, but this kingdome was lost before any Dice were cast; no blow strucke, no Battell fought; done forcibly, and yet without force; violently, and yet with consent; both parties agreed, yet neither pleased; for the King was not pleased to leave his kingdome, and the Queene was not pleased to leave him his life; it was not safe to leave him a part, by which he might afterward recover the whole; and therefore this was the marke now aimed at, having taken away his kingdome openly, how they might take away his life secretly; be the Authours of it, and not be seene in it; but this must be the Contents of a Chapter hereafter.
Of his Taxations.
BY this King it appeares, there is something else besides the grievance of Taxations, that alienates the mindes of English Subjects from their King; for never were fewer Taxations then in this Kings time, yet never were the Subjects minds more alienated from their King, then they were from him. Before his Coronation, in a Parliament holde… at Westminster, …ere was granted him a fifteenth of the Clergy, and a twentieth of the Temporalty. In his fifth yeare in a Parliament at L…don, was granted him a fifteenth of the Temporalty. In his fifteenth yeare was granted the sixth pen…y of temporall mens Goods, through England, Ireland, and Wales, towards his Warre… with Scotland. And more then these we reade not of: but then at the defeate of the Earle of Lancaster, there were Confiscations that supplyed the place of Taxations, by which (as one saith) he became the richest King that had beene since the Conquest.
Of his Lawes and Ordinances.
HE Ordained that the moneyes of his Father, though counted base by the People, should be currant. In the eight yeare of his Raigne, by reason of a dear…h which raised the price of all Victuals, it was Ordained by Parliament, that an Oxe fatted with grasse, should be sold for fifteene shillings; fatted with Corne, for twenty; the best Cow for twelve shillings; a fat Hogge of two yeares old, three sh…llings foure pence; a fat Sheepe shorne, foureteene pence, with the Fleece, twenty pence; a fat Goose for two pence halfe-penny; a fat Capon two pence; a fat Hen a penny; foure Pigeons a penny; whosoever sold for more, should forfait their Ware to the King. But after these Rates imposed, all kinde of Victuals grew so scarce, that provision could hardly be made for the Kings house; whereupon shortly after, the Order was revoked, and Market Folkes permitted to make the best of their Wares. In this Kings time an Ordinance was made against knights Templars, accused of Heresie and other crimes, and they were all apprehended, and committed to divers Prisons. The like was done by all the Kings of Christendome, at one instant, being condemned in a Generall Counsell at Vienna. In the 14. yeare of his Raigne, on the 15. of October, the Clerkes of the Exchequer went towards Yorke with the Booke called Domus Dei, and other Records and Provision that laded one and twenty Carts, but within halfe a yeare they were brought backe againe.
Affaires of the Church in his time.
IN the 17. yeare of his Raign the Bishop of Hereford was arrested… accused of High Treason, for aiding the Kings enemies in their late rebellion; but he refu…ed to answer, (being a consecrated Bishop) without leave of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, whose Suffragan he was, (and who he said was his direct Judge, next the Pope) or without the consent of his fellow Bishops: who then all arose, and humbly craved the Kings Clemency in his behalfe; but finding the King implacable, they tooke him away from the Barre, and delivered him to the custody o… the Arch-bishop of Canterbury: shortly after, he was againe taken and convented as before, which the Clergy understanding, the Arch-bishops, Canterbury, Yorke, and Dublin, with tenne other Bishops, all with their Crosses erected, went to the place of Judgement, and againe tooke him away with them; charging all men, upon paine of Excommunication, to forbeare to lay violent hands upon him; with which audacious Act, the King was so much displeased, that he presently commanded inquiry to be made ex Officio Iudicis, concerning those Objections against the Bishop; wherein he was found guilty, though absent, and had all his Goods and Possessions seised into the Kings hands. In this Kings time the Crowchet Fryers came first into England. In his time, Pope Iohn the two and twentieth, first Instituted the Feast of Corpus Christi; begunne before by Urban the fourth.
Workes of piety done by him, or by others in his time.
THis King founded Oriall Colledge, and Saint Mary Hall in Oxford: He builded … Church of Fryers at his Manour of Langley, where the soule of Gaveston, should b… prayed for. In this Kings twentieth yeare, Richard Rothing Sheriffe of London b…lded the Parish Church of Garlickhithe in London. Ralph Baldocke Bishop of London gave two thousand Markes to the building of the new Worke of the Chappell, on the South side of Pauls Church: And left much more by his Testament.
Casualties.
IN the eighth yeare of this Kings Raigne, was so great a dear…h, that Horses and Dogges were eaten, and Theeves in prison pluckt in peeces those that were newly brought in amongst them, and eate them halfe alive; which continuing three yeares, brought in the end such a pestilence, that the living scarce sufficed to bury the dead. In the fourth yeare of his Raigne, the Church of Middleton in Dorsetshire, with all the Monuments, was consumed with Lightning, the Monkes being at Mattins. In this Kings time, digging the Foundation of a worke about Pauls, were found more then a hundred heads of Oxen and kine, which confirmed the opinion, that of old time it had beene the Temple of Iupiter, and that there was the Sacrifice of Beasts.
Of his Wife and Children.
HE marryed Isabel Daughter of Philip the Faire, King of France, she being but twelve yeares of age; who lived his Wife twenty yeares, his Widdow thirty, and dying at threescore and three yeares old, at Rysings neare London, was buried in the midst of the Gray Fryers Quire in London. By her he had issue two Sons and two Daughters: his eldest Sonne named Edward of Windsor, because borne there, succeeded him in the kingdome. His second Sonne named Iohn of Eltham, because borne there, was at twelve yeares old created Earle of Cornwall: he dyed in Scotland, in the flowre of his Youth, unmarryed. His eldest Daughter Ioane, being a childe, was marryed in the fourth yeare of King Edward her Brother, to D… vid Prince of Scotland, Sonne to King Robert Bruce, at seven yeares old, who comming afterward into England to visit her Brother, dyed here, and was buryed at the Gray Fryers in London. His second Daughter Eleanor, was marryed to Reginold the second Earle of Gelder, with a portion of fifteene thousand pounds, and had issue by him two Sonnes, who were Earles successively.
Of his Personage and Conditions.
HE was faire of body, and of great strength, but given much to drinke, which made him oftentimes bewray his owne Secrets; For his other conditions, his greatest fault was, that he loved but one, for if his love had beene divided, it could not have beene so violent. He was extreame in nothing but in loving; and though love moderated, be the best of affections, yet the extremity of it is the worst of passions. He was rather unfortunate then unhappy; seeing unfortunatenesse is in the Event, unhappinesse in the Cause; and if his fortune had beene to love good men, his owne goodnesse would have made him happy. Two Vertues were eminent in him above all his Predecessours, Continence, and Abstinence: So continent that he left no base issue behind him; So abstinent, that he tooke no base courses for raising of money. They who despised him being alive, so much honoured him being dead, that they could have found in their hearts to make him a Saint.
Of his Death and Buriall.
MAny wayes were attempted to take away his life: First, they vexed him in his dyet, allowing him nothing he could well endure to eate, but this succeeded not. Then they lodged him in a chamber over carion and dead carkasses, enough to have poysoned him; and indeed he told a workman at his window, he never endured so great a misery in all his life, but neither did this succeed: Then they attempted it by Poysons, but whether by the strength of his constitution, or by the Divine Providence, neither did this succeed. At last the pestilent Achit…phel, the Bishop of Hereford, devised a Letter to his keepers, blaming them for giving him too much liberty, and for not doing the service which was expected from them: and in the end of his Letter wrote this line, Edwardum Octidere …lite timere bonum est: Craftily contriving it in this doubtfull sense, that both the keepers might find sufficient warrant, and himselfe might find sufficient excuse. The keepers guessing at his meaning, tooke it in the worst sense, and accordingly put it in execu…ion; they tooke him in his bed, and casting heavy bolsters upon him, and pressing them hard downe, stifled him; and not content with that, they heated an iron red hot, and through a pipe thrust it up into his Fondament, that no markes of violence might be seene; but though none were seene, yet some were heard; For when the Fact was in doing, he was heard to roare and cry all the Castle over. Gourney and Matrevers, his murtherers, looking for reward, had the reward of murtherers: For the Queene and Bishop Torleton disavowing the command, threatned to question them for the Kings death: whereupon they fled beyond Sea; and Gourney after three yeares being taken in France, and sent into England, was in the way upon the Sea beheaded. Matrevers flying into Germany, had the grace to repent, but lived ever after miserably. Thus dyed this King in the yeare 1327. more then halfe a yeare after his deposing; when he had Raigned almost 19. yeares, lived 43. His body was c…rryed to Glocester, and there without any Funerall Pompe buryed in the Monastery of Saint Peter, by the Benedictine Fryers.
Of Men of note in his time.
IN this Kings time, of Martiall men were many, whose Acts have beene spoken of in the late Kings life. Of Learned men, also many, as Iohn Duns the great Logician, called Doctor Subtilis, borne in Northumberland, at Emildune a Village three miles distant from Al…wi…ke; though both the Scots and the Irish challenge him for thei…s. Robert Walsingham a Carmelite Fryer, who wrote divers Treatises. Robert Baston borne in Nottingham-shire, a Carmelite Fryer of Scarborough, whom King Edward tooke with him into Scotland, to write some Remembrances of his victories; but being taken by the Scots was constrained by Robert Bruce to write Remembrances of his overthrowes. William Rishanger, a Monke of Saint Albans, an Historiographer; Ralph Baldocke Bishop of London, who wrote a History intituled Historia Anglica; Iohn Walsingham, a Carmelite Fryer, who wrote divers Treatises; Nicholas de Lyra a Jew by birth, who wrote many excellent Treatises in Divinity; William Ockam a Fryer Minor, who wrote divers Treatises, and namely against Iohn Duns, and also against Pope Iohn the 23. in favour of the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria; Thomas Haselwood, a Canon of Leedes in Kent, who wrote a Chronicle, called Chronicon compendiarium; Robert Perscrutator, borne in Yorkeshire, a blacke Fryer and a Philosopher, or rather a Magician; and lastly, though not least worthy to be remembred, Iohn Mandevile, the great Travellour, a Doctor of Physicke, and a Knight.