A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government, Regnal history 5 · Part 1
Of Acts done after He came of Age.
THe Scots in this meane time had made Roades into England, and taken and burnt divers Townes upon the Borders: whereupon the Duke of Lancaster, with his Brother the Earle of Buckingham, is sent with a mighty Army to represse them; but having entred Scotland, and not able to draw the Scots to a Battell, they onelyonly burnt certaine Townes, and then returned.
About this time an Irish Frier, of the Order of the Carmelites, charged the Duke of Lancaster with heynous crimes… as that he intended to destroy the King, and us…rpe the Crowne; shewing the time, the place, and other circumstances of the whole plot. But the Duke called to his Answer, so cleered himselfe, a… least gave such colours of cleering, that the Accuser was committed to the custody of Iohn Holland the kings halfe-brother, till a day appointed for further tryall: The ni…ht before which day, the said Lord Holland and Sir Henry Greene are said to have come to this Frier, and putting a cord about his neck, tyed the other end about his privy members; and after hanging him up from the ground, laid a stone upon his belly, with the weight whereof his very back-bone burst asunder; thereby putting him to a most tormenting death: An act not more inhumane then unadvised; for though it took away the Accuser, yet it made the Accusation more suspitious.
At this time, though a Truce had been made with the Scots, yet they would not be quiet, but entred and wonne the Castle of Barwick, whereof the Earle of Northumberland was Captaine, but had committed the keeping of it to another; for which being blamed, he went against them with an Army, but took an easier course, for with the summe of two thousand markes he bought them out, and had the Castle surrend…ed into his hands againe. The king upon some new displeasure, being now incensed against the Duke of Lancaster, had a purpose to have him arrested, and arraigned of certaine points of Treason, before Sir Robert Tresilian Chiefe Justice, though he ought to be tryed by his Peeres: but the Duke having intimation hereof… got him to his Castle of Pomfret, and stood upon his guard; till the Kings mother, (notwithstanding her indisposition of body, by reason of her corpulency) riding to and fro betwixt them, pacified the King, and made them friends.
In the ninth yeere of K. Richards Reigne, the French-king sent the Admirall of France into Scotland, with a Thousand men of Armes, besides Crosse-bowes and others, to ayde the Scots against the English; with which ayde the Scots encouraged, enter the English Borders: whereof K. Richard advertised, himselfe with a mighty Army enters Scotland; and comming to Edingborough, and finding all the people fled… he set fire on the houses, burnt the Church of S. Giles, onelyonly Holy-Rood-house was spared at the Duke of Lancasters suit, in remembrance of friendship he had formerly received in that house. The Scots by no meanes could be drawn to any Battell; bu… to divert the Kings Army, they entred Cumberland, and besieged Carlile, whereby the valour of Sir Lewis Clifford and Sir Thomas Musgrave they were repelled; and hearing of the Kings Army comming towards them, and fearing to be inclosed, they drew back into Scotland, and the King returned into England. But in this meane while, the English of Callis tooke many prizes of French ships at Sea, and many Booties also by land; at one time foure thousand sheep, and three hundred head of great Cattell. This yeere the King called a Parliament at Westminster, where he created two Dukes, one Marquesse, and five Earles: Edmund of Langly Earle of Cambridge, the Kings Unkle, was created Duke of Yorke: Thomas of Woodstock Earle of Buckingham, his other Unkle, Duke of Glocester: Robert Veere Earle of Oxford, was made Marquesse of Dublin: Henry of Bullingbrooke sonne of Iohn of Gaunt, was created Earle of Darby: Edward Plantagenet sonne to the Duke of Yorke, was made Earle of Rutland: Michael de la Poole Chancellour of England, was created Earle of Suffolke: and Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham, was made Earle Marshall. Also by a… thority of this Parliament, Roger Mortimer Earle of March, sonne and heire of Edmund Mortimer, and of the Lady Philip eldest daughter and heire to Lionell Duke of Clarence third sonne to king Edward the Third, was established heire apparent to the Crowne of the Realme, and shortly after so Proclaimed: but going into Ireland to his Lordship of Vlster, was there by the wilde Irish slaine. This Roger Earle of March had issue, Edmund, Roger, Anne, Alice, and Eleanor; which Eleanor was made a Nun: The two sonnes dyed without issue: Anne his eldest daughter, was maried to Richard Earle of Cambridge, sonne to Edmund of Langley; which Richard had issue by the said Anne, a sonne called Richard, that was after Duke of York, and father to king Edward the Fourth; also a daughter named Isabel, maried to the Lord Bourchier. Also this yeere Henry of Bullingbrooke Earle of Darby, maried the daughter and heire of Humfry Bohun Earle of Hereford; in whose Right he was after made Duke of Hereford.
This yeere also K. Richard holding his Christmas at Eltham, Leo king of Armenia came thither to him; who in feare to have his kingdome conquered by the Turkes, was come into Christendome to seeke for ayde: but his chiefe Errand into England was, to have procured a Peace between the two kings of England and Fran…e; but their spleenes were so great against one another, that it was not in the physick of hi… Power to cure them.
At this time, the Duke of Lancaster, taking with him his wife the Lady Const…nce, and a daughter he had by her named Katherine, and two other daughters which he had by his former wife, failed into Spaine: he was attended in his journy with the Lord Lucie, the Lord Talbot, the Lord Basset, Willoughby, Fitzwater, Poy…ings, Br… ston, and many other Lords and knights, to the number of fifteen hundred men of Armes; whereof a thousand at the least were knights and Esquires. The king at his taking leave gave him a Crowne of Gold, and commanded he should be called king of Spaine: and the Queen likewise gave another Crown of Gold to the Dutche…e. He landed first at Brest, and freed that Castle from the French: from thence he sailed, and arrived at the Groyne in Spaine, where he remained a monethmonth; and then went to Compostella, where he stayed a while: In which time, his Constable Sir Iohn Holl…d wonne divers Townes. At Monson, the king of Portingale, and the Duke of L…caster met; where a mariage was concluded between the said king of Portingale and the Lady Philip daughter to the Duke… which mariage shortly after was consummated, and the Lady sent into Portingale honorably accompanied. The Duke continued at Co…postella all the winter: At March the king of Portingale and he en…ed the Confines of Castile, where they tooke many Townes; and passing over the River of Dure, entred into the Country De Campo: But the Spaniards not willing to come to a Battell, but meaning to weary them out with delayes; the English not used …o such hot aire, fell daily into many diseases: which the Duke seeing, accorded …o a Truce. There dyed in this action, the Lord Fi…zwater, Sir Richard Burley … …night of the Garter, the Lord Poynings, and Sir Henry Percy Cosin-german to the E…le of Northumberland, also the Lord Talbot; and in all, twelve great Lords fourscore …nights, two hundred Esquires, and of the meaner sort above five hundred. When the Army was broken up, the Duke of Lancaster, and the Dutche…se his wife went into Portingale; and after some stay there, they sailed to Bayon, in the Marches of Gascoigne, where he rested a long time after: In which meane while, there were offers made for a Mariage to be had, betweene the Duke of Berry, Unkle to the Fr…ch king, and the Lady Ka…herine, daughter to the Duke of Lancaster: which the king of Spaine understanding, he began to doubt, least if that mariage went forward, it might turne to his disadvantage; and thereupon by earnest suit, at length conc…uded a peace with the Duke of Lancaster, on this wise, That his eldest sonne He…ry should marry the the Lady Katherine, the Duke of Lancasters daughter, and be intituled Prince of Austurg…s; and in consideration of this mariage, and that all claimes should cease, which the Duke in right of his wife might challenge or pretend… It was agreed, that the said Duke should receive yeerely the summe of Ten thous…nd marks, during the lives of him and his Dutchesse; and to have in hand the summe of two hundred thousand Nobles.
At this time, the French had a purpose to invade England, with no lesse a hope then to make a Conquest: and to that end, they prepared a mighty Navy; so as in the monethmonth of September, there were numbred about Sluis, Dam, and Bla…kerk…, 1…87 ships, besides those which were rigged in Britaine by the Constable, who had caused an inclosure of a Field to be made of Timber, that when they were landed in E…gland, they might therewith inclose their field, and so lodge at more surety: but it so fortuned, that the Lord William Beauchampe Captaine of Callis, tooke two of their ships, whereof one was laden with a piece of the said Inclosure; and after that, …nother ship, laden with Guns, Gunpowder, and other Instruments of warre; and after that againe, two ships more, laden with parcels of the said Inclosure, which K. …ichard caused to be reared and set up about Winchelsey Towne: at last the foresaid Army came into Flanders, and arrived at Sluis; where, after some stay, they were so distressed for victuals, that in the end of November, they were glad to be gone, and returne into France.
At this time, in a Parliament, Robert Veere Earle of Oxford and Marques of Dublin, was created Duke of Ireland; and Michael de la Poole, a Merchants son, had lately before been created E. of Suffolk, and made Chancellor of England. And now begins K. Richard to enter, I may say, upon the confines of his Destiny: His gracing of undeserving men, and disgracing of men deserving, if they were not the causes, they were at least the occasions of his owne disgracing, and destruction in the end. He was now come to be of full age to doe all himselfe; which was indeed to be of full age to undoe himselfe: for the faults of his younger yeeres might have the excuse to be but Errors; but the faults of the age he was now at, were peremp…ory against him, and admitted no defence. And to hasten the pace of his destiny the faster, the ill Counsell which before was but whispered in his eare, was now scarce forborne to be given him aloud: It is told him, that he is under tuition no longer, and therefore not to be controll'd, as in former times he had been; That to be crost of his will by his subjects, was to be their subject; It is no Soveraignty, if it be not absolute. At the instigation of which Counsell, the king in a Parliament now assembled, fell to expostulate with his Lords, asking them what yeeres they thought him to be … who answering, that he was somewhat more then one and twenty; Well, then (sa… he) I am out of Wardship, and therefore looke to injoy my kingdome as freely, … your selves at the like yeeres enjoy your Patrimonies. But his flattering Favori… should have remembred, that though the king may not be controlled, where he ca… command; yet he may be opposed, where he can but demand; as now indeed he wa… for when he came to demand a Subsidy towards his warres, he was answered, That he needed no subsidie from his Subjects, if he would but call in the debts which th… Chancellour owed him: and if he were so tender of him, that he could not finde i… his heart to doe it himselfe, they would doe that work for him: and thereupo… charged him with such crimes, that all his goods were confiscate, and himselfe adjudged to dye, if the king so pleased: though some write, his sentence was onelyonly to pay a Fine of twenty thousand markes, and a thousand pounds yeerly beside. Upo… this provocation, the opposite side seek present revenge: It is devised, that the Duke of Glocester as principall, and other Lords that crossed the kings courses, should be invited to a Supper in London, and there be murthered. In the execu… on of which plot, the former Lord Major, Sir Nicolas Brember, had a speciall hand… but the present Major Rich…rd Exton, moved to it by the king, would by no mean… consent; and thereupon the plot proceeded not. But for all these harsh straines, and many such other that passed this Parliament, a Subsidie was at length granted to the king, of halfe a Tenth, and halfe a Fifteenth; but with condition, that … should not be issued but by order from the Lords, and the Earle of Arund…ll was appointed to receive it. But before this time, both Houses had directly agreed, that unlesse the Chancellour were removed, they would meddle no further in the P… liament. The king advertised hereof, sent to the Commons, that they should se… unto Eltham (where he then lay) forty of their House, to declare their mindes … him: but upon conference of both Houses, it was agreed, that the Duke of Glo… st…r, and Thomas Arundell Bishop of Ely, should in the name of the Parliament goe unto him: who comming to the king, declared, That by an old Statute, the king once a yeere might lawfully summon his Court of Parliament, for reformation of all corruptions and enormities within the Realme: and further declared, That by an old Ordinance also it was Enacted, That if the king should absent himself 40 dayes not being sick, the Houses might lawfully break up, and returne home. At this the king is said to say, Well, we perceive our people goe about to rise against us, and therefore we thinke we cannot doe better then to aske ayd of our Cosin the king of France, and rather submit us to him then to our own Subjects. To which the Lord… answered, They wondred at this opinion of his Majesty, seeing the French king was the antient Enemy of the kingdome; and he might remember what mischiefes were brought upon the Realme in king Iohns time, by such a course. By these and the like perswasions, the king was induced to come to the Parliament: and soon after, Iohn Fortham Bishop of Durham is discharged of his Office of Lord Treasurer; and in his place was appoint…d Ioh… Gilber… Bishop of Hereford, a Frier of the order of Preachers: also Michael de la P…le Earle of Suffolke, is discharged of his Office of Chancellour; and Thomas Aru…dell Bishop of Ely, by consent of Parliament, placed in his roome. Also by Order of Parliament, thirteen Lords were chosen to have oversight, under the king, of the w…ole government of the Realme: of which thirteen, there were three of the New-Officers named; as the Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellour, the Bishop of Hereford Lord Treasurer, and Nicolas Abbot of W…ltham Lord keeper of the Privy Seale: The other ten were, William Archbishop of C…terbury, Alexander Archbishop of York, Edmund of L…ngley Duke of York, Thoma… Duke of Glocester, William Bishop of Winchester, Thomas Bishop of Exeter, Rich…rd Earle of Arundell, Richard Lord Scr…pe, and Iohn Lord Devereux. But this participation of the Government being found inconvenient, held not long. Also in this Parliament, it was granted, that Robert de Veere, lately created Duke of Ireland, should have & receive to his own use 30000. markes, which the French-men were to give for the heires of …he Lord Charles de Bl…ys: but it was granted upon …his condition… That before the next Easter he should passe over into Ireland, to recover such lands as the King had there given him: so desirous the Lords and Commons were to have him removed from the Kings presence. But though the King gave way to this torrent of the Parliament for the present, yet as soone as the Parliament was dissolved, he dissolved also all that had been done, either against the Lord Chancellour, or against the Duke of Ireland, or against Alexander Nevil Archbishop of York; and received them into more favour then ever he had done before.
In his Tenth yeere, about the Beginning of March, Richard Earle of Arundell appointed Admirall, and Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham, the Earle of Devonshire, and the Bishop of Norwich, went to Sea, with a warlike power of men and …rmes, to watch for the Fleet of Flanders, that was ready to come from Rochell with wines; and meeting with them, they set upon them: and tooke of them, to the number of a hundred Vessels, all fraught with wines; so as wine grew so plentifull, that it was sold for thirteen shillings foure pence the Tonne; and the best and choysest for twenty shillings. Besides this, they landed in Flanders, where they relieved and fortified Brest, and demolished two Forts which the Enemy had built against it. But this happy service of the Earle of Arundell; the Duke of Ireland, the Earle of Suffolke, Sir Simon Burley, and Sir Richard Sturrey, who continued still about the King, seemed rather to envy, then to commend; insomuch that when the Earle of Nottingham, that had ever been the Kings play fellow, and of equall age to him, came to the Court, he was neither received by the Duke of Ireland with any good welcome, nor by the King with any good countenance: and therefore indeed, not by the King with any good Countenance, because not by the Duke of Ireland with any good Welcome.
About this time; the Duke of Ireland sought to be divorced from his lawfull wife, daughter to the Lady Isabel, one of king Edward the third's daughters; and took to wife one Lancerona a Vintners daughter of Bohemia, one of the Queenes maids: at which indignity, the Duke of Glocester, that was unkle to the Lady thus forsaken, tooke great displeasure; which the Duke of Ireland understanding, studied how by some meanes he might dispatch the Duke of Glocester out of the way. Easter was now past, the time appointed for the D. of Irelands going over into Ireland; when the King, with a shew to bring him to the waters side, went with him into Wales, and in his company, Michael de la Poole Earl of Suffolke, Robert Tresilian L. Chie… Justice, and divers others; who there consulted how they might di…patch the Duke of Glocester, the Earles of Arundel, Warwick, D…rby, Nottingham, with divers others of that Faction: but when the King had remained in those parts a good while, he returned, and brought back the Duke of Ireland with him; and so his voyage into Irel…d was cleane forgotten. About the same time, Robert Tresilian Chiefe Justice came to Coventry, where he Indicted two thousand persons. The King and the Queene came to Groby; and thither came by his Commandement the Justices of the Re…me, Robert Belknap Lord Chiefe Justice of the Common Pleas, Iohn Holt, R…ger Fulthorpe, and William Borough, knights: to whom it was propounded, to an…wer to these Questions following:
First, Whether the New Statute and Commission made in the last Parliament, were against the kings Prerogative, or no? To which they all answered, It was.
Secondly, How they ought to be punished, that procured the said Statute and Commission to be made? They answered with one assent, that they deserved death, except the king would pardon them.
Thirdly, How they ought to be punished who moved the King to consent to the making of the said Statute and Commission? They answered, They ought to lose their lives, unlesse the King would pardon them.
Fourthly, How they ought to be punished, that com…elled the king to the making of that Statute? They answered, They ought to suffer as Traitours.
Fiftly, Whether the king might cause the Parliament to proceed upon Articles by him limited, before they proceeded to any other? They answered, That in this the king …hould over-rule; and if any presumed to doe contrary, he was to be punished as a Traitour.
Sixthly, Whether the king might not at his pleasure dis…olve the Parliament, and command the Lords and Commons to depart? They all answered, He might.
Seventhly, Whether the Lords and Commons might, without the kings will, impeach Officers and Justices upon their offences, in Parliament, or no? It was answered, They might not; and he that attempted contrary, was to suffer as a Traitour?
Eightly, How he is to be punished, who moved in the Parliament, that the Statute wherein Edward the Second was indicted in Parliament, might be sent for; by i… spection of which Statute, that present Statute was de…ised? It was answered, That as well he that moved it, as he that brought the … into the House, were to be punished as Traitours?
Ninthly, Whether the Judgement given in Parliament against Michael de la Po…le were erronious and revocable? They answered, It was erronious and revocable… and that if the Judgement were now to be given, the Justices would not give the same. In witnesse of the Premises, the Justices aforesaid, to these Presents have set their Seales; in the presence of Alexander Archbishop of Yorke, Rob…t Arcbishop of Dublin, Iohn Bishop of Durham, Thomas Bishop of Chester, Iohn Bishop of …ng…r, Robert Duke of Ireland, Michael Earle of Suffolk, Iohn Ripon Clerk, and Iohn Blake.
At this time the Londoners incurred much obloquie; For, having before beene pardoned by the king of some crime… …aid to their charge, they were now ready to comply with the king in his desires; and thereupon being impannelled, they indicted some Lords of many crimes informed against them. But not onelyonly the Justices aforesaid, but all other Justices and Sheriffes of the Realme were called at this time to Nottingham: the chiefe cause was, to understand what power of men they could assure the king of, to serve him against the Lords: and further, that where he mean… shortly to call a Parliament, they should so use the matter, that no knight or Burgesse should be chosen, but such as the King and his Councell should name. To which the Sheriffes made answer, that it lay not in their power to assemble any forces against the Lords, who were so well beloved: And as for choosing knights and Burgesses, the Commons would undoubtedly look to enjoy their antient liberties, and could not be hin…ered. But yet the king and the Duke of Ireland sent into all parts of the Realme, to raise men in this quarrell against the Lords: Whereof the Duke of Glocester being advertised, he came secretly to Conference with the Earles of Arundell, Warwick, and Darby; who upon consultation, determined to talke with the king, with their Forces about them: and the king, on the other part, tooke advice how he might apprehend them apart; and thereupon, sent the Earle of Northumberland and others to the Castle of Rygate, to take the Earle of Arundell, who lay there at that time: but howsoever it fortuned, they fa…ed of their purpose. After this, he sent others to apprehend him: but he being warned by a messenger from the Duke of Glocester, conveyed himselfe away by night; and by morning was come to Haringey-Parke, where he found the Duke of Glocester and the Earle of Warwick, with a great power of men about them. The king hearing of this Assembly at Hari…gey-Parke, called his Councell, to heare their opinions what was fit to be done: Some were of opinion, that the king should assemble his friends, and joyning them with the Londoners, give them battell; the chiefest of this minde was the Archbishop of York: Others thought best, the king should seeke to appease the Lords with faire promises, till a fitter opportunity to suppresse them. But the king not yet resolved what course to take, caused onelyonly order to be taken, that no Citizen of Lond…n should sell to the Duke of Glocester, the Earle of Arundell, or to any other of the Lords, any armour or furniture of warre, under a great paine. But for all this, the Lords proceeded in their course, and sent the Arcbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Iohn Lovell, the Lord Cobham, and the Lord Iohn Devereux, requiring to have delivered to them such as were about the king, that were Traitours and Seducers both of him and the Realme: and further to declare, that their Assembling was for the honour and wealth both of him and the kingdome. The Duke of Ireland, the Earle of Suffolk, and two or three other about the king, per…wad…d him to offer Call… to the king of France, to have his assistance against the Lords. Withall, the king seat to the Major of London, requiring to know how many able men the City could make? To which the Major answered, that he thought it could make Fifty thousand men at an houres warning. Well then (said the king) goe and prove what will be done. But when the Major went about it, he was answered, They would never fight against the kings friends, and defenders of the Realme. At the same time, the Earle of Northumberland said to the king: Sir, there is no doubt but these Lords have alwaies been, and still are your true and faithfull subjects, though now distemper'd by certaine persons about you, that seeke to oppresse them: therefore my advice is, that you send to them, to come before your presence in some publick place; and I verily believe, they will shew such reasons of their doings, that you will hold them excused. The Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellour, and other of the Bishops there present, approved all of the Earles advice: whereupon the king sent the Archb…shop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of Ely to the Lords, requiring them to come to him to Westminster, on Sunday then next following: which, upon oath given by the Archbishop and the Chancellour, that no fraud nor evill practice should be used against them, they were content to doe. But when the Lords were ready to come at the day appointed, they heard of an Ambush laid to intrap them at the Mewes, and thereupon stayed, so as they came not at the time appointed: Whereupon, the king asking why they came not according to their promise? It was answered, because hee kept not his promise, there being an Ambush of a Thousand armed men laid to surp…ize them at the Mewes. The king hearing this was astonied, and swore he knew of no such thing, and commanded presently the place should be searched, but it was true; an ambush was laid, but not at the Mewes, but in a place a…out Westminster, where Sir Thomas Tryvet and Sir Nicholas Brember had assembled them. This one action might have made the king sensible of his favorites abusing his authority; but that where affection makes the construction, all things are taken in a good sense; or was it perhaps they had a VVarrant dormant, to prosecute the kings ends without the kings knowledge? Yet the Lords after this, receiving a safe conduct from the king, came to Westminster; of whose comming when the king heard, hee apparelled himselfe in his royall-Robes, and with his Scepter in his hand, came into the great Hall; before whom, the Lords upon their knees presented themselves, the king bidding them welcome, and taking each of them by the hand; Then the lord Chancellor making a speech, wherein he blamed them for raysing of Armes, and requiring to know the cause; they answered, They had done it for the good of the King and kingdome, and to take away the Tra…tors about the King. Upon this the king himself spake, asking him whether they thought to compel him by strong hand? have not I (saith he) sufficiēt men to beat you down? truly in this behalf I make no more account of you then of the basest skullion in my kytchin; yet after these great words, he lift up the Duke of Glocester, who all this while was kneeling, and commanded the rest also to rise, and then led them courteously to his chamber, where they sate and dranke together: And finally it was concluded they should all meete againe, as well these Lords, as those they accused, at the next Parliament; which the king promised to call speedily, and each party to receive there according to Justice, and in the meane time all parties to be in the kings protection. But when the Favorite Lords heard this, they told the king plainly, they neither durst nor would put themselves to the hazard of such a meeting, and therfore the Duke of Ireland and the rest of that faction left the Court to bee out of the way: But the king not enduring their abs…nce, app…l…ted Thomas Mollineux Constable of …he castle of Chester, to rayse an Army, and to safe-conduct the duke of Ireland to him; But …ey being come as far as Radcoat-bridge, were encoun…red by the Earle of Darby; and the Duke of Ireland, not d…ring to joyne battell with him, fled; and being to passe a River, cast away his gantlets and sword (to bee the more nimble) and giving his horse the spur, leapt into the river, and so escaped; that when these things were afterwards found, it was verily thought hee had been drowned, till news came he was got into Holland, where being no very welcome guest, hee went from thence into the Bishoprick of Vtricht, and after two or three yeeres scambling about in manner of a fugitive, at Lovaine in Brabant he ended his life. A man of many good parts, and worthy enough of his Princes favor, if with that favor he had not grown proud, and in that pride, injurious and insulting over others no lesse deserving then himselfe. Hee was valiant enough against any man but the Earle of D…rby, and of him indeede both the Genius of the Duke of Ireland, and of King Richard himselfe seemed to stand in feare, for neither of them durst meet him in the field, though encouraged to it by those about them.
About this time the Duke of Suffolke doubting some plots laid to surprize him, fled over to C…llis in disguise, shaving his beard, and counterfeiting himselfe a Poulterer, to sell certain foule which hee had gotten; but being come to Callis, was by the Lord William Beauchampe, Deputy of the Town, sent back into England, whom the King notwithstanding permited to goe at large, to make it be thought hee was more afraid then hurt, more suspicious then he needed By this time the Lords h…d gotten matter enough against the King, at least to justifie their Armes, and thereupon with an Army of forty thousand men, they came to London, where after some debate, they were received; and then the Duke of Gloucester, the Earles of Darby and Nottingham went to the King in the Tower; to whom, after humble salutations, they shewed the Letter which he had written to the Duke of Ireland, to levy an Army for their destruction: likewise the Letters which the French King had written to him, conteining a safe conduct for him to come into France, there to doe Acts to his own dishonor and the kingdoms.
This done, upon the Kings promise that he would come the next day to Westminster to treate further of these matters, the Lords departed, only the Earles of Nottingham and Darby, at the Kings instance, stayed all night; but before the King went to bed, his minde was cleane altered for keeping his promise to meete the Lords the next day at Westminster: which the Lords understanding, they sent peremptorily to him, that if he came not according to his promise, they would choose another king, that should hearken to the faithfull Counsell of his Lords. This touched the king so to the quick, that the next morning he went and met the Lords; who there declared to him, how much it concerned the good of the kingdome, that those Traitours so often spoken of, should be removed from the Court: To which, the king, though much against his will, yet at last condiscended. And thereupon presently Alexander Nevil Archbishop of York, and Thomas Rushoke Bishop of Chichester, and Confessour to the king, were expelled the Court; who not willing to come to after-reckonings, fled no man knew whither. They expelled also Iohn Fourdham Bishop of Durham, Lord Treasurer; the Lord Zouch of Haringworth, the Lord Burvell, the Lord Beaumont, Albery de Veere, Baldwin de Bereford, Richard Adderbury, Iohn Worth, Thomas Clifford, and Iohn Lovel, knights: but constreined to put in Sureties to appeare at the next Parliament. Also certaine Ladies were expelled the Court; as the Lady Poynings, the Lady Mouling, and others; bound to appeare at the next Parliament. There were also arrested, and committed to severall Prisons, Sir Symon Burley, William Elmham, Iohn Beauchamp Steward of the kings house, Sir Iohn Salisbery, Sir Thomas Trivet, Sir Iames Berneys, Sir Nicolas Dagworth, and Sir Nicolas Brember, knights. Also Richard Clifford, Iohn Lincolne, Richard Mitford, the kings Chaplains; Nicolas Sclake Deane of the kings Chappell, and Iohn Blake a Lawyer.
Shortly after, the Parliament began, (called afterward, The Parliament that wrought wonders:) On the first day whereof, were arrested as they sate in their places, all the Justices (but onelyonly Sir William Skipwith:) as Sir Roger Fulthorpe, Sir Robert Belknappe, Sir Iohn Cary, Sir Iohn Holt, Sir William Brooke, and Iohn Alac…on the kings Serjeant at Law; and were all sent to the Tower, for doing contrary to an Agreement made the last Parliament. Also in the beginning of this Parliament, Robert Veere Duke of Irel…nd, Alexander Nevill Archbishop of York, Michael de la Poole Earle of Suffolke, and Sir Robert Tresilian Lord Chiefe Justice of England, were openly called to answer Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Glocester, Richard Earle of Arundell, Henry Earle of Darby, and Thomas Earle of Nottingham, upon certaine Articles of high Treason: and because none of them appeared, It was ordained by whole consent of Parliament, they should be banished for ever, and all their land… and goods …eized into the Kings hands (their intailed lands onelyonly excepted.) Shortly after, the Lord Chief Justice Robert Tresilian, was found in an Apothecaries house in Westminster; where being taken, he was brought to the Duke of Glocester, who caused him the same day to be had to the Tower, and from thence drawne to Tyburne, and there hanged. On the morrow after, Sir Nicolas Brember was brought to his Answer; who being found guilty, was beheaded with an Axe which himselfe had caused to be made for beheading of others. After this, Sir Iohn Salisbery, and Sir Iames Berneys, lusty young men, were drawne and hanged; as also Iohn Be…champ L. Steward of the Kings house, Iohn Blake Esquire: and lastly, Sir Symon Burley, sonne to the great Sir Iohn Burley Knight of the Garter, was beheaded on Tower-hill; whose death the King tooke more heavily and more heynously then all the rest. Also all the Justices were condemned to dye; but by the Queenes intercession, they were onelyonly banished the Realme, and all their lands and goods confiscate, onelyonly a small portion of money was assigned them for their sustentation. Finally, in this Parliament, an Oath was required and obteined of the King, that he should stand unto, and abide such Rule and Order as the Lords should take: and this Oath was required also of all the Inhabitants of the Realme.
In the later end of the Kings eleventh yeere, the Earle of Arundell was sent to Sea, with a great Navy of ships and men of warre; with whom went the Earles of Nottingham and Devonshire, Sir Thhmas Percy, the Lord Clifford, the Lord Camoi…, Sir William Elmham, and divers other Knights, to ayde the Duke of Britaine against the king of France: but before they came, the Duke of Britaine was reconciled to the king of France; and so needing not their ayde, all this great Fleet returned with doing nothing. And it was indeed a yeere of doing nothing, unlesse we reckon some petty Inroades of the Scots: and that Sir Thomas Tryvet dyed with a fall off his horse: and that Sir Iohn Holland, the Kings brother by the mother, was made Earle of Huntington: and that there was Contention in Oxford, between the Northerne and the Southerne Scholars; which was pacified by the Duke of Glocester.
In his twelveth yeere, Commissioners were appointed to meet at Balingham, betwixt Calli… and Bulloigne, to treat of a Peace betweene the Realmes of England, France, and Scotland: and after long debating, a Truce was at last concluded, to begin at Midsomer next, and to last three yeeres. But now the king, to shew his plenary authority of being at full age, removed the Archbishop of York from being Lord Chancellor, and put in his place William Wickham Bishop of Winchester: also he removed the Bishop of Hereford from being Treasurer, and put another in his place: The Earle of Arundell likewise, unto whom the Government of the Parliament was committed, and the Admiralty of the Sea; was removed, and the Earle of Huntington put in his roome.
About this time, the Lord Iohn Hastings Earle of Pembrooke, as he was practising to learne to Just, was stricken about the Privy parts, by a knight called Sir Iohn St. Iohn; of which hurt he soone after dyed. In whose Family, it is memorable, that for many Generations together, no sonne ever saw his father, (the father being alwaies dead, before the sonne was borne.) The Originall of this Family was from Hastings the Dane, who in the Reigne of K. Alured, long before the Conquest, about the yeere 890. came with Rollo j…to England. But howsoever, in this Iohn Hastings ended the then Honorable Titles of the Hastings; for this man dying without issue, his Inheritances were dispersed to divers persons: The Honour of Pembrooke came to Francis at Court, by the kings Gift: the Baronies of Hastings and Welford came to Reynold Gray of Ruthin: the Barony of Aburg…veny was granted to William Bea… …hamp of Bedford.
About this time, Iohn Duke of Lancaster was created Duke of Aquitaine, receiving at the Kings hands the Rod and the Cap, as Investitures of that Dutchy. Also the Duke of York's sonne and heire was created Earle of Richmond.
In his thirteenth yeere, a Royall Justs was Proclaimed to be holden within Smithfield in London, to begin on Sunday next after the Feast of S. Michael: which being published, not onelyonly in England, but in Scotland, in Almaigne, in Flanders, in Brabant, and in France; many strangers came hither; amongst others, Valeran Earle of S. Poll, that had maried king Richards Sister; and William the young Earle of Ostervant, sonne to Albert de Bav…ere Earl of Hollond and Heynoult. At the day …ppointed there issued forth of the Tower, about three a clock in the afternoone, sixty Coursers apparrelled for the Justs; and upon every one an Esquire of Honour, riding a soft pace: After them, came forth foure and thirty Ladies of Honour, (Froyssard saith, threescore) mounted on Palfries, and every Lady led a knight with a chaine of Gold: These knights being on the Kings part, had their armour and apparell garnished with white Hearts, and Crownes of Gold abo… their necks; and so they came riding through the streets of London, unto Smithfield: The Justs lasted divers dayes; all which time the King and Queen lay at the Bishops Palace by Pauls Church, and kept open house for all Commers.
In his Fifteenth yeere, the Duke of Lancaster went into France, having in his traine a thousand horse; and met the king of France at A…iens, to treat of a Peace between the two kingdomes: but after long debate, a Truce onelyonly was concluded for a yeere.
About this time also, the King required the Londoners to lend him a Thous…nd pounds: which they refused …o doe; and not onelyonly so, but they abused an Italian Merchant, for offering to lend it. This moved the King to some indignation: to which was added the complaint of a Ryot committed by the Citizens, against the servants of the Bishops of Sali…bury L. Treasurer; for that, where one of the Bishops servants, named Walter Roman, had taken a horse-loafe out a Bakers basket, as he passed in the streets, and ran with it into his Lords house; the Citizens thereupon assaulted the house, and would not be quieted, till the Major and Aldermen were faine to come, and with much adoe appeased them. Upon complaint hereof, urged against the Citizens, by the Bishop of Salisbury L. Treasurer, and Thomas Arundell Archbishop of York L. Chancellour, the Major and Aldermen, and divers other substantiall Citizens are arrested: the Major is committed to the Castle of Windsor, and the other to other Castles; the liberties of the City are seized into the Kings hands, and the authority of the Major utterly ceased; the king appointing a Warden to governe the City, first Sir Edmund Derligrug, and afterward Sir Baldwin Radington; till at length, by speciall suit of the Duke of Glocester, the king was contented to come to London, to so great joy of the Citizens, that they received him with foure hundred on horse-back, clad all in one livery, and presented the king and Queene with many rich gifts: yet all gave not satisfaction, to have their liberties restored, till they afterwards paid Ten thousand pounds. This it is to provoke a Lyon: It may be fortune enough to us, if by any meanes we can but keepe him quiet; for if once we provoke him to lay his paw upon us, it will be hard getting from him, and not be torne in pieces.
In his Sixteenth yeere, the Dukes of Lanc…ster and Glocester are once againe sent into France, to treat of a Peace: but when they could not agree with the French-Commissioners upon Articles propo…nded, there was onelyonly a Truce concluded for foure yeeres; though perhaps a further Agreement had then been made, but that the king of France fell newly againe into his old fit of Frensie, which called away the French Commissioners from further Treaty.
In his Eighteenth yeere, a Proclamation was set forth, That all Irish men should avoyd this Realme, and returne home: The occasion was, because so many Irish were come over, that Irela…d in a manner was left unpeopled: in so much, that where K. Edward the Third had received from thence yeerely the summe of Thirty thousand pounds, the king now laid forth as much to repell Rebels. Whereupon at Michaelmas K. Richard went himself into Ireland, attended with the Duke of Glocester, the Earles of March, Nottingham, and Rutland, the Lord Thomas Percy L. Steward, and divers others of the English Nobility; to whom came in the Great O…eale king of Meth, Bryan of Thomond king of Thomond, Arthur Macmur king of Leymster, and C…nhur king of Cheveney and Darpe: and there K. Richard stayed all that winter, and after Christmas called a Parliament; at which time also, the Duke of Yorke Lord Warden of England, in the Kings name called a Parliament at Westminster: to the which was sent forth of Ireland the Duke of Glocester, that he might declare to the Commons the Kings great occasions for supply of money: whose words so farre prevailed, that a whole Tenth was granted by the Clergie, and a Fifteenth by the Laytie.
In his Twentieth yeere was the famous Enterview between the two Kings of England and France: There was set up for K. Richard a rich Pavilion, a little beyond Guysnes, within the English pale; and another the like for the French King, on this side Arde: The distance betwixt the two Tents was beset on either side with Knights armed with thei… swords in their hands, foure hundred French on one side, and foure hundred English on the other: The two Kings before their meeting, took a solemne Oath, for assurance of their faithfull and true meaning, to observe the sacred Lawes of Amity one toward another, in this Enterview. After the two Kings were come together, it was accorded, that in the same place where they met, there should be builded at both their costs, a Chappell, for a perpetuall memory, which should be called, The Chappell of our Lady of Peace. On Simon and Iudes day, the kings talked together of Articles concerning the Peace; and having concluded them, they received either of them an Oath, upon the holy Evangelists, to observe and keepe them. This done, the French king brought his daughter Isabel, and delivered her to K. Richard, who shortly after at Callis maried her, and upon the 17. of January following, she was Crowned Queen at Westminster. A Match of great honour, but of little conveniency, and lesse profit; for the Lady being but eight yeeres of age, there could be no hope of issue a long time, which was K. Richards greatest want; and as little supply of his wants otherwise, her Portion perhaps scarce paying the charges of his journey to fetch her, which cost him three hundred thousand markes.
The Duke of Lancaster, in the thirteenth yeere of K. Richards Reigne, had been created Duke of Aquitaine: but when the Gascoigners would not receive him, shewing reasons why that Dukedome ought not to be separated from the Crown of England, his Grant was revoked, and so it remained still in Demesne of the Crown.
At this time, in a Parliament, the Duke of Lancaster caused to be legitimated, the issue he had by Katherine Swinford, before he maried her; of whom, Thomas Beaufort was created Earle of Sommerset.
This yeere also, the king receiviug the money back, which had been lent to the Duke of Britaine, upon Brest, delivered up the Towne unto him; and thereupon, the English souldiers that were there in Garrison, were all discharged and sent home; who, at a Feast which the king kept at Westminster, comming in companies together into the Hall; as soone as the king had dined, and was entring into his Chamber, the Duke of Glocester asked him, if he did marke those men that stood in such troops in the Hall: Yes marry (said the king) who were they? They were (said the Duke) those souldiers, who by your rendring up of Brest have been sent home, and now must either starve or steale; and therewithall, very unadvisedly in words, taxed the king with unadvisednes of his deed: To whom the king in great anger reply'd, Why Unkle, doe you thinke me either a Merchant, or a Foole, to sell my land? By S. Iohn Baptist, no: But could I refuse to render the Town, when tender was made of the money lent upon it? Indeed nothing could more discover the Duke of Glocesters, either weaknesse, if he knew not that Brest was but onelyonly a Morgage; or injustice, if knowing it, he would have had the king, though the money were tendred, to have kept it still: but such is the course of many, to take part with the Politicks against the Ethicks; work their ends by doing unjustly, when doing justly ought to be their chiefest end. How-ever it was, the multiplying of words about this matter, kindled in the King such a displeasure against the Duke, that it could never afterward be quenched, but by his blood. And first he complained to his other two Unkles, the Dukes of L…ncaster and Yorke, of his undutifull behaviour towards him; who told the King, Their brother perhaps might let fall some unadvised words, but they knew his heart to be true and faithfull. Yet doubting how far the King might presse upon them to answer for their brothers faithfulnes, they retired from Court: which gave the D…kes enemies time to incense the King farther against him. It happened, that the Duke of Glocester had with him one day at his house, the Abbot of S. Albans, that was his Godfather, and the Prior of Westminster: and after dinner falling in talke with them, amongst other communications the Duke required the Prior to tell truth, whether he had any Vision the night before? To which the Prior was loath, at first, to make a direct Answer; but at last, being earnestly requested, as well by the Abbot as the Duke, he confessed that he had a Vision indeed, which was, that the Realme of England should be destroyed through the Misgovernance of K. Richard. By the Virgin Mary (said the Abbot) I had the very same Vision. Whereupon the Duke presently disclosed to them all the secrets of his minde, and by their devices contrived an assembly of divers great Lords of the Realme, to meet at Arundell-Castle that day Fortnight… at which time he appointed to be there himselfe, with the Earles of D…rby, Arundell, Marsh…ll, and W…rwick; also the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Abbot of S. Albans, the Prior of Westminster, with divers others: And accordingly all these met at Arundell Castle, at the day appointed: where receiving first the Sacrament, by the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to be assistant each to other, in all such matters as they should determine; They resolved to seize upon K. Richard, and upon the Dukes of Lancaster and York, and commit them to Prison; and all the other Lords of the Kings Councell, they determined should be drawne and hanged. But the Earle Marshall, that was Deputy of Calli…, and had maried the Earle of Arundels daughter, discovered all their Counsell to the King; who thereupon, by a plot devised by his Councell, tooke his brother the Earle of Huntington with him, and rising from supper, rode that night to the Duke of Glocesters house at Plashey in Essex. When the King came thither, the Duke was a-bed; but informed of it, cast his cloake about his shoulders, and came down, bidding the Kings Grace, with all reverence, welcome. The King courteously requested him to goe and make him ready, for that he must needs ride with him a little way, to conferre of some busines. The Duke presently made him ready and came downe; and as soone as the King and his Company was gone a little way from the house, and the Duke with him, the Earle Marshall arrested the Duke, as he had been appointed to doe by the King; who immediately was sent to Callis, where, after some time, he was dispatched of his life, either strangled, or else smothered with pillowes, as some write. At the very same time was the Earle of Arundell apprehended, by the Earles of Rutland and Kent: the Earle of Warwick also, when the King had invited him to dinner, and shewed him very good countenance, was taken and arrested in the place: As likewise at the same time were apprehended, and committed to the Tower, the Lord Iohn Cobham, and Sir Iohn Ch…yny. Shortly after, the King procured them to be indicted at Nottingham, suborning such as should appeale them in Parliament; namely, Edward Earle of Rutland, Thom… Mowbray Earle Marshall, Thom…s Holland Earle of Kent, Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington, Thomas Beaufort Earle of Somerset, Iohn Montacute Earle of Salisbury, Thomas L. Spenser, and the Lord William Scroope L. Chamberlaine: and in the meane time, the King sent for a Power of Cheshi… men, to keep Watch and Ward about his person.
On the 17. of September, a Parliament began at Westminster; wherein the King complained as well of many things done by the Lords in his Minority, as also of the hard dealing which they had used towards the Queen, who was three houres at one time on her knees, before the Earle of Arundell, for one of her Esquires, named Iohn Calverley, who neverthelesse had his head smitten from his shoulders; and all the answer she could get, was this: Madame, pray for your selfe and your Husband, and let this suit alone. Those that set forth the Kings grievances in this Parliament, were Iohn Bushie, William Bagot, and Thomas Greene. The cause of a…sembling the Parliament was shewed, that the King had called it for reformation of divers transgressions against the Peace of his Land, by the Duke of Glocester, the Earles of Arundell, Warwick, and others. Then Sir Iohn Bushie, Speaker of the Parliament, made request on behalfe of the Commonalty, that they might be punished according to their deservings; and specially the Archbishop of Canterbury … who then …ate next the king, whom he accused of high Treason. When the Archbishop began to answer, Sir Iohn Bushie besought the king that he might not be admitted to answer, lest by his great wit and cunning he might lead men away to believe him. And here Sir Iohn Bushie in all his talke did not attribute to the king Titles of honour due and …ccustomed, but such as were fitter for the Majestie of God then for any Earthly Prince. And when the Archbishop was constrained to keepe silence, Sir Iohn Bushie proceeded; requiring on the behalfe of the Commons, that the Charters of Pardon, granted to the Duke of Glocester, and the Earles of Arundell and Warwick, should be revoked. The king for his part protested that they were drawne from him by compulsion, and therefore besought them to deliver their opinions, what they thought thereof: whereupon, the Bishops first gave their sentence, that the said Pardons were revocable, and might be called in; but pretending a scrupulosity, as if they might not with safe consciences be present where Judgement of Blood should passe, they appointed a Lay-man to be their Prolocutor for that turne. The Temporall Lords likewise gave their sentence, that the Pardons were revocable: onelyonly the Judges and Lawyers were not of this opinion. But howsoever, the Archbishop of C…nterbury is hereupon condemned to perpetuall Exile, and appointed to avoyd the Realme within sixe weekes. Also the Earle of Arundell is by the Duke of La…caster who sate that day as High Steward, condemned of Treason, and on the Towerhill beheaded. There went to see the execution, divers Lords; amongst whom was the Earle of Nottingham, that had maried his daughter, and the Earle of Kent, that was his daughters sonne: to whom, at the place of his execution he said, Truly it would have beseemed you rather to bee absent, then here at this businesse; but the time will come ere long, that as many shall marvell at your misfortune, as they doe now at mine. After his death, a Fame went, that his head was grown to his body againe: whereupon, the tenth day after his buriall, his body, by the kings appointment was taken up, and then found to be a Fable. After this, the Lord Thomas Beauchamp Earle of Warwick was brought forth, and charged with the like Treasons; but by the intercession of the Duke of Lancaster and other Lords, after confession of his fault, was only confin'd into the Isle of Man. Likewise the lord Cobha…, and Sir Iohn Cheyny were onelyonly banished, or (as Fabian saith) condemned to perpetuall Prison. The Parliament after this was held at Shewsbery; where, for the love the king bore to the Gentlemen and Commons of the Shi…e of Chester, he caused it to be Ordained, that from thenceforth it should be called and known by the name of the Principality of Chester; and herewith intitled himselfe Prince of Ch… ster. At this Parliament also, called the Great Parliament, He created five Dukes, and … Dutchesse; one Marquesse, and foure Earles. The Earle of Darby was created Duke of Hereford; the Earle of Nottingham, Duke of Norfolke; the Earle of R…tland … D…ke of A…bemarle; the Earle of Kent, Duke of Surrey; the Earle of …, Duke of Exceter; and the Lady Margaret Marshall Countesse of Norfolke, was created Dutchesse of Norfolke: The Earle of Somerset was created Marquesse Dorse… ; the Lord Spenser was made Earle of Glocester; the Lord Nevill, Earle of West…erl…d; the Lord Scr…pe, Earle of Wiltshire; and the Lord Thomas Percy L. Steward of the king… house, was made Earle of Worcester: and for the better maintenance of their es…te…, he divided amongst them a great part of those lands that belonged to the Duke of Glocester, the Earles of Aru…dell and Warwick. Also in this Parliament, the Judges gave their opinions, That when Articles are propounded by the king to be handled in Parliament, if other Articles be handled before those be first determined, that it is Treason in them that doe it. And in this Parliament, the king brought it so … bout, that he obtained the whole power of the Parliament to be conferred upon cer…taine persons, namely, Iohn Duke of Lancaster, Edmund Duke of Yorke, Edm… Duke of A…merle, Thomas Duke of Surrey, Iohn Duke of Exceter, Iohn Marque…e Dorset, Roger Earle of March, Iohn Earle of Salisbury, and divers others; or to any seven or eight of them: and these, by virtue of this Grant, proceeded to conclude upon many things, which concerned generally the knowledge of the whole Parliament, to the great prejudice of the State, and a dangerous example in time to come. A Generall Pardon was also granted for all offences, to all the Kings subjects, but only to Fifty, whose names he would not expresse, but reserved them to his own knowledge, that when any of the Nobility offended him, he might at his pleasure name him to be one of the number excepted, and so keepe them still within his danger. And for the more strengthening the Acts of this Parliament, the King purchased the Popes Buls, containing grievous censures and curses to them that should break them. And now the heads of the opposite Faction having lost their heads, and all things as well setled as could be desired, the King was secure, as thinking himselfe safe; and he had indeed been safe, if Time and Fortune were not Actours in Revenge, as well as men; or rather, if a superiour Power did not interpose, whose wayes are as secret as himselfe is invisible.
It now fell out, (though W…iters differ what it was fell out) for some write, that Thom…s Mowbray accused the Duke of Hereford; others, that Henry Duke of Herefo…d accused Thomas Mowbr…y Duke of Norfolke, for speaking words sounding highly to the Kings dishonour: to which the Duke of Norfolk being called to answer, charged the Duke of Hereford before the King, that he lyed falsly. Whereupon a Combat was agreed upon between them: The King labored to make them friends; but not prevailing, he gave way to proceed in Combat, and the place to be at Coventry: where at the day and houre appointed, the Duke of Hereford, mounted on a white Cou…se…, b…rded with green …nd blew Velvet, imbroidered sumptuously with Swans and Antelops of Goldsmiths worke, approached the Lists; Of whom the Marshall, being the Duke of Surry, demanding who he was? he answered, I am Henry of L…caster, Duke of Hereford, that am come hither to doe my endeavour against Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke, as a Traitour, untrue to God, the King, his Realme, and me: Then incontinently he swore upon the holy Evangelists, that his quarrell was true and just, and thereupon required to enter the Lists, where in … Chaire of green Velvet he sate downe and reposed himselfe. Then came the Duke of N…rf…lke, his horse barded with Crimson velvet, imbroidered richly with Lyons of Silver, and Mulbery trees; and when he had taken his oath before the Constable the Duke of A…merle, that his quarrell was just, he entred the Lists, and sate him down in his Chaire of Crimson velvet, curtained about with white and red Damask. Then the Marshall viewed their speares, to see that they were of equall leng…h; and then the Heralds proclaimed, on the Kings behalfe, they should mount on horseb…ck, and addresse themselves to the Combat. But when they were set forward, and had their Speares in their Rests, the King cast down his Warder, and the Heralds cryed, Stay, Stay. Then the king caused their Speares to be …aken from them, and deliberated with his Councell, what was …it to be done in so weighty a cause. After two long houres, it was at last concluded, that Henry Duke of Hereford should within fif…en dayes depart out of the Realme, and not returne before ten yeeres were expired, upon paine of death; And that Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke, should likewise avoyd the Realme, and never to returne into England, upon the like paine. It is observable, that this Censure was passed against the Duke of Norfolke, the very same day Twelve-monethmonth, in which he had taken order to put the Duke of Glocester to death at Calli…, whereof he was then Governour. When these Judgements were once read, the king called before him both the Dukes, and made them sweare, that the one should never come in place where the other was. After this, the Duke of N…rf…olke went into Alm…i…, and from thence to Venice, where after some time he dyed with sorrow. The Duke of Hereford, at the taking his leave of the king, had foure yeeres of his Banishment released; …nd then went to Callis, and from thence to …aris, where, of the French king he was so kindly received, that by his favour he had obtained in mariage the onelyonly daughter of the Duke of Berry, Unkle to the French king, if King Richard by messengers had not hindered him.
It was a Custome in those dayes, to punish the delinquencies of Great men by banishment out of the Realme; a Custome not more grievous to the Subject, then dangerous to the Prince; for by this course, they had meanes to worke so closely in their mines of Revenge, that the Fabrick of a Kingdome was in danger to be blown up, before their working could be perceived. An example whereof was never more plainly seen then at this time, in the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Duke of Hereford: For they in their Banishment meeting often together, and aggravating the Grievances of king Richards Government, fell at last to consult by what meanes he might best be removed, seeing there was no hope he could ever be reclaimed. In the time of their consultation about it, Iohn Duke of Lancaster, father to the Duke of Hereford, dyed, at Ely house in Holborne: And as if Fortune herselfe meant to doe their worke for them, Sollicitations came from many parts of England, to move the Duke of Hereford to come now & take the Government upon him, wherein they would be ready to assist him. The Duke heated before by the Archbishops instigation, and now set on fire by this sollicitation, gives Fortune no leisure to alter her minde, by delaying the time, but without further deliberation prepares to be going: and taking with him the Archbishop, the Lord Cobham, Sir Thomas Erpington, and Sir Thom…s Ramston Knights; Iohn Norbury, Robert Waterton, and Francis Coynt Esquires, and about some threescore other persons, as many as he could readily get; in three ships which the Duke of Britaine lent him, he put to Sea; where hovering about the Coast a while, to marke the countenance of the shores, he landed at last, about the beginning of July, at Ravenspurre in Yorkeshire: which no sooner was knowne, but there repaired to him, the Lords, Willoughby, Rosse: Darcie, and Beaumont; and shortly after, at Doncaster, the Earle of Northumberland, and his sonne Sir He…ry Percy, with the Earle of Westmerland, and great numbers of the Gentry and common sort; of whom, though some had invited him to come to take the Goverment of the Realme upon him, yet he forbore to pretend that for any cause of his comming, but made a solemne Protestation, that he came onelyonly to take possession of the Inheritances descended upon him from his father, which king Richard most unjustly, and contrary to his promise, had seized into his hands: for this was a Reason had no objection: the other he reserved, till his Power should not need to regard Objections. And indeed, no snow-ball ever gathered greatnesse so fast by rolling, as his Forces, increased by marching forward; for by that time he came to Berkly, he had got a mighty Army; and within three dayes after, all the Kings Castles in those parts were surrendred to him. The Duke of Yorke, left Governour of the Kingdome, used his best meanes to raise Forces to resist him, but found few willing to beare Armes against him: whereupon, and perhaps hearing withall that the Dukes comming was but onelyonly to take possession of his Inheritance, he thought good to goe to Berkly to him, to have there some communication about it. At Berkly, at that time, was arrested the Bishop of Norwich, Sir William Elmham, and Sir Walter Burli… knights; Laurence Drew, and Iohn Golofer Esquires. From Berkly the two Dukes went forward towards Bristow; where in the Castle were the Lord William Scroope Earle of Wiltshire and Treasurer of England, Sir Henry Greene, and Sir Henry Bushye; who were taken, and brought forth bound before the Duke of Lancaster, and the day after arraigned before the Constable and Marshall, found guilty of Treason for misgoverning the King and the Realme, and presently had their heads smitten off. Sir Iohn Russell also was taken there; but he feigning himselfe to be our of his wits, escaped for that time.
All this while K. Richard was in Ireland, where he performed Acts in repressing the Rebels there, not unworthy of him; and having with him amongst other of the Great Lords, the Duke of Lancasters sonne Henry, he there for his towardlinesse in service, Knighted him… by which it appeared that he had no great feare of …he Father, when he graced the Sonne; and indeed he needed not have feared him i… his owne absence out of England had not given him advantage. Six weekes were now passe… after the Dukes arrivall in England; in all which time king Richard had no notice… it, by reason the windes were contrary to come …orth of England: But as soon as … heard it, and in what hostile manner he proceeded, he then determined to returne instantly into England; and had done it, but that the Duke of Aumerle his princip… Counsellor (whether out of a good meaning, but grounded upon errors, or ou… of an ill meaning, but shadowed with colours) by all meanes perswaded him to stay so long till things fitting for his journy might be made ready. It was king Richards ill luck to hearken to this Counsell: but yet he presently sent the Earle of Salisbury into England, to provide him an Army out of Wales and Ch…shire, against his own comming, which he promised faithfully should be within sixe dayes at the most. The Earle landed at Co…way in Wales, and had soon gotten to the number of Forty Thousand men: but the sixe dayes passed, and no newes of the King: which made the souldiers suspect that he was dead, and thereupon were ready to disband; but at the Earle of Salisburies perswasion, they were contented to stay for some dayes longer; and when the King came not in that time neither, they then would stay no longer, but departed and went home. At length, about eighteen dayes after that the King had sent away the Earle of Salisbury, he tooke shipping, together with the Dukes of A…merle, Exceter, and Surrey, and diver… other of the Nobility; with the Bishops of London, Lincolne, and Carlile; and landed at Barklowly in Wales. He had about him some Ch…shire men, and was at first in no great doubt of prevailing: but when he heard that all the Castles from the borders of Scotland unto Bristow, were delivered to the Duke of Lancaster, and that the gratest part of the Nobility and Commons tooke part with him, and specially that his principall Counsellors had lost their heads at Brist… ; then, solvuntur frigore membra, he fell so utterly to despaire, that calling his Army together, he licensed every man to be gone, and to shift for himselfe. The souldiers besought him to be of good cheere, swearing they would stand with him to the death: But this encouraged him not at all; so as the next night he stole from his Army, and with the Dukes of Exceter and Surry, the Bishop of Carlile, Sir Stephen Scroope, and some halfe a score others, he got him to the Castle of Co…ay, where he found the Earle of Salisbury, determining there to stay, till he might see the world at some better stay. Here the Earle of Worcester Steward of the Kings house, broke his white staffe, and without delay went to the Duke of Lancaster; who understanding that k. Richard was returned out of Ireland, he left the Duke of York at Bristow, and came back with his Power to Berkly, and from thence the next day came to Glocester, then to Rosse, after to Hereford, where came to him the Bishop of Hereford and Sir Edmund Mortimer: on the Sunday following he went to Ly…ster, and there the Lord Charleton came to him: from thence he went to Ludlow, and the next day to Shrewsbery, and thither came to him Sir Robert Leigh …nd Sir Iohn Leigh, and many other, being sent from Chester, to offer their service; thither also came to him the Lord Scales, and the Lord …ardolphe, forth of Ireland: From Shrewsbery he went to Chester, and from thence sent for his sonne and heire, and likewise for the Duke of Glocesters sonne and heire (whom K. Richard had left in custody in Ireland) with all speed to come into England; but the Duke of Glocesters son through misfortune perished at Sea, or as some write, dyed of the plague; the sorrow whereof caused, shortly after, his mothers death. After this, the Duke sent the Earle of Northumberland to the king; who upon safe-conduct comming to him, declared, that if it might please his Grace to undertake, that there should be a Parliament assembled, in which Justice might be had, and herewith pardon the Duke of Lancaster of all things wherein he had offended, the Duke would be ready to come to him on his knees, and as an humble subject obey him in all dutifull services. Yet upon this conference with the Earle, some say, the king required onelyonly, that himselfe and eight more, whom he would name, might have honorable allowance, with the assurance of a private quiet life, and that then he would resigne his Crown; and that upon the Earles Oath that this should be performed, the king agreed to go… with the Earle to meet the Duke: but after foure miles riding, co…ming to the place where they had laid an Ambush, the King was enclosed, and constrained to goe with …he Earle to Rutland, where they dined, and from thence to Flint, to bed. The … had very few of his friends about him, but onelyonly the Earle of Salisbury, the …ishop of Carlile, the Lord Scroope, Sir Nicolas Ferehye, and Iames D'Arthois a Gas…gne, who still wore a white Heart, the Cognisance of his Master K. Richard, and neither for Promises nor Threats would be drawne to leave it off.
The King being in the Castle of Flint, and Duke Henry with his Army approaching neere the Towne, the Archbishop of Canterbury, with the Duke of Aumerle a…d the Earle of Worcester, went before to the King; whom the King spying from the walls where he stood, went downe to meet, and finding they did their due reverence to him on their knees, he tooke them up, and taking the Archbishop aside, n…ked with him a good while; and as it was reported, the Archbishop willed him to be of good comfort, for he should be assured not to have any hurt as touching his person. After this, the Duke of Lancaster came to the Castle himselfe, all-armed; and being within the first gate, he there stayed, till the King, accompanied with the Bish…p of Carlile, and Earle of Salisbury, and Sir Stephen Scroope, who bore the sword before him, came forth, and sate down in a place prepared for him. As soone as the… Duke saw him, he came towards him, bowing his knee; and comming forward, did so the second time, and the third, till the king tooke him by the hand, and lift him up, saying, Deere Cousin, you are welcome. The Duke humbly thanking him, s…d… My Soveraigne Lord and king, the cause of my comming at this present, is (your Honour saved) to have restitution of my Person, my Lands and Heritage: Whereto the king answered: Deere Cousin, I am ready to accomplish your will, so that you may enjoy all that is yours without exception. After this, comming forth of the Castle, the king called for wine; and after they had drunke, they mou…ed on horse-back, and rode to Chester, the next day to Nantwych, then to Newc…stle, from thence to Stafford, and then to Lichfield, and there rested Sunday: after that, they rode forward, and lodged first at Coventry, then at Dayntree, then at N…r…h…mpton, next day at Dunstable, then at S. Albans, and so came to London: In all which journy they suffered not the king to change his apparell, but made him ri…e still in one suit of raiment, and that but a simple one, though he in his time was …x…eding sumptuous in apparell, having one Coate which was valued at Thirty Thousand markes: And in this …ort he was brought the next way to Westminster, and from thence the next day had to the Tower, and committed to safe Custodie. After this, a Parliament was called by the Duke of Lancaster, but in the name of …. Richard; in which many heinous points of Misgovernment were laid to his charge, and were ingrossed up in three and thirty Articles, the chiefe whereof were these:
That he had wastefully spent the Treasure of the Realme.
That without Law or Iustice, he had caused the Duke of Glocester, and the Earle of Arundell to be put to death.
That he had borrowed great summes of money, and given his Letters Patents to repay thesame, and yet not one Penny ever paid.
That he had said, The Laws of the Realme were in his head, and in his breast: by reason of which fantasticall opinion, he destroyed Noble-men, and impoverished the Commons.
That he changed Knights and Burgesses of the Parliament at his pleasure.
That most tyrannously he said, that the lives and goods of all his subiects were in his hands and at his disposition.
That whereas divers Lords were by the Court of Parliament appointed to treat of matters concerning the state of the Kingdome; they being busied about the same Commission, …e w…t about to appeach them of high Treason.
That by force and threats, he enforced the Iudges of the Realme, at Shrewsbery, to condiscend to his way, for the destruction of divers of the Lords.
That he caused his fathers own brother, the Duke of Glocester, without Law to be attached and sent to Callis, and there without reason secretly murthered.
That notwithstanding the Earle of Arundell at his Arraignment pleaded his Charter of Pardon, yet he could not be heard, but was shamefully and suddenly put to death.
That he …ssembl…d certaine La…cashire and C…shire men, to m…ke warre upon his Lord… and suffered them to rob and spoyle, without prohibition.
That though he had made Proclamation that the Lords were not attached for any cri… of Treason, yet afte…ward in the Parliament he laid Treason to their charge.
That notwit…standing his Pardon granted to th…m, he enforced divers of the Lords partak…rs to be againe intolerably Fined, to their utter undoing.
That without the …ssent of the Peeres, he caried the Iewels and Plate of this Kingdom… into Ireland.
Upon these, and some other Articles, he was by Parliament adjudged to be deposed from all Kingly Honour, and Princely Government. And thereupon, the King being advised by his owne servants, rather voluntarily to resigne the Crowne, then by compulsion to be forced to it; on the Monday before the nine and …entieth day of September, in the yeere 1399. he made a sol…mne Resignation, bef…re diver… Lords and others, sent to him for that purpose: and an Ins…ume…t of hi… R…signation being made, he would needs read it before them all himselfe, and then subscribed it; and withall, made it his suit, that t… Duke of Lanc…ster might be his Successor, and King after him; and for a signe of his desire hereof, he tooke his Signe… Ring of Gold from his finger, and put it upon the Duke of Lancasters; that never man who had used a Kingdome with such violence, gave it over with such patience, or rather such willingnes, that he seemed rather to affect it, then that he was any way forced to it. This Resignation of K. Richard being shewed to the Parliament, both Houses gave their assent; and then C…mmissioners were appointed to pronounce openly the sentence of his deposing, which was done by the Bishop of Assaph, and all Allegiance renounced to him.
And now it is easie to be observed, what a wonderfull concurrene of fortunes, in behalfe of the Duke of Lancaster, and against K. Ri…hard, happened together, whereof if any one had been missing, he had never been turned …ut of his Throne in such manner as he was: For first, if it had not happened that K. Richard had been in Ireland at the time when the Duke began his attempt, it had …or been possisible for him to compass… his designe as he did: And then, if King Richard being in Ireland, he had not by misfortune of weather been kept sixe weekes from hearing of the Dukes arrivall, he had not given him so large a time for raising of Forces, and …o more easily might have resisted him: Or after K. Richard heard of the Dukes arrivall, if he had followed the Earle of Salisbury, and not stayed so many dayes longer then he promised, he had found an Army ready to receive …im, sufficient at least to have given a stop to the Dukes proceedings: Or when at last he came over, and found his Army to faile him, if withall his own courage had not failed him, but that he had manfully put it to the hazard of a Battell, as his souldiers themselves would have had him to doe, he could not chuse but have made a better end of his busines then now he did. But when all is done, there is no warding …he blowes of Fortune; or to say better, No resisting the Decree of Heaven: but seeing that Decree is an Abyssus to us, and may perhaps but be conditionall; we shall manifestly be Traitors to our selves, if we use not our uttermost endeavours to divert it: That it may truly be said, King Richard lost his Crown, more by his own Treason, then by the Treason of any other.