A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government, Regnal history 7

A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government · Regnal history 7

p. 46THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE FIFTH.

HENRY of Monmouth (so called from the place in Wales, where he was born) eldest Son of King Henry the fourth, succeeded his Father in the kingdom of England, to whom the Lords of the Realm swore Homage and Allegiance, before he was yet Crowned; an honor never done before to any of his Predecessors: and afterwards, on the ninth of Aprill, in the yeare 1412, he was Crowned at Westminster, by Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury; with all Ri…es and Solemnities in such case accustomed: And as the Scripture speaks of Saul, that assoone as Samuel had annointed him King, he had a new heart given him, and he became another man than he was before. So was it with this king Henry; for presently after his Coronation, he called before him all his old Companions, who had been fr…tres in malo with him; strictly charging them, not to pre…ume to come within ten miles of his Court, untill such time as they had given good proofe of their amendment in manners; and least any of them should pretend want of maintenance to be any cause of their taking ill courses, he gave to every one of them a competent meanes whereby to subsist. And knowing (as he did) the fashion of the Scots and Welch; that in times of change they would commonly take adva…tage, to make Inroades upon the Borders; he therefore ca…sed Forts and Bulwarks in fit places to be erected, and placed Garrisons in them, for preventing or repelling any such incu… sions. Immediately after this, he called a Parliament, where a Subsidie was granted without asking: and in this Parl…ament the Commons began to harp upon their old string, of taking away the Temporalties of the Clergie; and the Bishops fearing how it might take in the kings ears, thought it best to divert him, by striking upon another string, which they knew would be more pleasing to him; which was, to shew him the great right he had to the Crown of France. And hereupon Chicheley Archbishop of C…nterbury, in a long narration, deduced the kings Right from Is… bel Daughter to Philip the fourth, married to king Edward the second; from whom it discended by direct line to his Majesty, and no hinderance of enjoying it, bu… pretension of the Sal…que laws; which (said he) was neither according to the law of God, nor yet intended at first to that Nation; and though his Predecessors, by reason of other incumbrances forbore to prosecute their Claime, yet he being free from all such incumbrances, had no lesse power, than right to do it. This indeed struck upon the right string of the kings inclination; for as he affected nothing more than true glory, so in nothing more than in Warlike actions. Hereupon, nothing was p. 47now thought of, but the Conquest of France. First there…ore he begins to alter in his Arms the bearing of Semy-de-Luces, and quarters the three Flower Deluces, as the Kings of Fra…ce then bare them; and that he might not be thought to steale advantage, but to do it fairly, he sent Embassadours to Charles the sixth then king of France, requiring in peaceable manner, the surrender of the Crown of Fra…ce; which if he would yeeld unto, then King Henry would take to Wife his Daughter Katherine; but if he refused to do it, then King Henry would with fire and sword enforce it from him, or lose his life. The Ambassador… sent, were the Duke of Exeter, the Archbishop of Dublin, the Lord Gray, the Lord High Admirall, and the Bishop of Norwich, with five hundred horse: who comming to the Court of F…ance, were at first received and feasted, with all the honor and shew of kindnes that …ght be; but assoone as their message was delivered, and that it was knowne what they c…me about, the copy of their entertainment was altered, and they were sent away with as little complement, as they wer… before received with honor; only told, that the king would speedily make Answer to the King their Master, by his owne Ambassadors: and speedily indeed he did it; for the Earle of Vendosme, William B…tier Archbishop of Bourges, Peter Fresnel Bishop of Lysea…x, with others, were arrived in England, assoone almost as the E…glish were returned… But being come, the Archbishop of Bourges made a long Oration in the praise of Peace, concluding with the tender of the Lady K…theri…e, and 50000 Crowns with her in Dower, besides some Towns of no great importance: To which King H…y, by the Archbishop of Ca…terbury made Answer; That these offers were trifles, and that without yeelding to his demands, he would never desist from that he intended: and with this Answer, the French Ambassadors were dismissed. It is sayd, that about this time, the D…lphi… (who in the King of France his sicknes, managed the State) sent to King Henry a Tonne of Tennis Balls, in derision of his youth, as fitter to play with them, then to manage Arm…; which king He…ry tooke in such scorne, that he promised with an oath, it should not be long ere he would tosse such iron b…lls amongst them, that the best armes in France should not be able to hold a Racket to r…tur…e th…m. And now all things are prepared and in a readines for the kings journey into France, his men shipped, and himselfe ready to go on shipb…rd; when sodainly a Treason was discovered against his Person, plotted by Richard Earle of Cambridge, H…y Lord Scroope of Masham, Lord Treasurer, and Thomas Grey Earle of N…thu…berl…d, and plotted and procured by the French Agents. These being appreh…ded, and upon examination confessing the Treason, and the money (which was sayd to be a Million of Gold) by them for that end received; were all of them immediately put to death. From this Richard Earle of Cambridge, second Sonne of Edmund of L…gle…, did Richard afterward Duke of Yorke claime and recover the Crown from the La…castrian Family. This execution done, and the winde blowing faire, king Henry weighs Anchor; and with a Fleet of 1200 Sayle, (Grafton saith, but 140 ships) but Enguerant saith, 1600, attended with six thousand spears, and 24000 Foo…, besides Engineers and labourers; he puts to Sea, and on our Lady Eve landeth at Caux; where he made Proclamation, that no man upon paine of death, should robbe any Church, or offer violence to any that were found …narmed; and from thence passing on, he besieged Har…lew; which when no succour came within certain dayes agreed upon, the Town was surrendred and sacked. Of this Towne he made the Duke of Exeter Captain, who left there for his Lievetenant, Sir Iohn F…lstoffe, with a Garrison of 1500 men. It is said that when king Henry entred H…r…lew, he passed along the streets bare foot, untill he came to the Church of St. Martin; where, with great devotion, he gave most humble thanks to God, for this his first atchieved Enterprize. From thence he marched forward, and comming to the River of Soame, he found all the Bridges broken; whereupon he passed on to the bridge of Sr. Maxenae, where 30000 French appearing, he pitcht his Campe, expecting to be fought with; and the more to encourage his men, he gave the …rder of knighthood to Iohn Lord Ferrers of Groby, Reynold Graystocke, Percy Temp…s…, Christopher Morisby, Thomas Pickering, William Huddleston, Henry Mortimer, Ioh… p. 48Hosbalton, Philip Hall, but not perceiving the Fre…ch to have any minde to figh… he marched by the Town of A…yens to Bow…s, and there stayed two dayes, expec…ing battell, and from thence marched to Corby; where the Peasants of the Coun…ry, with certain men of Arms sent from the Dolphi…, charged the right wing of the English, which was led by Hugh Stafford Lord Bo…rchier, and wonne away his Standard, but was recovered againe by Iohn Bromeley of Bromeley, a Commander in the Lo… Staffords Regiment, who with his own hand slew him that had taken the Colo… and then taking them up, displayed the same; with sight whereof, the English were so encouraged, that they presently ro…ted the Fre…ch, and put them to flight: which valiant exploit, the Lord Stafford recompenced, by giving to Bromeley an A…ity of fifty pounds a yeare out of his lands in Staffordshire. After this, the king marched towards Callice, so strictly observing his Proclamation against Church robbing… that when one was complained of for having taken a silver Pyxe …ut of a Church, he not only caused the same to be restored, but the souldier also to be hanged: which point of Discipline, both …ept the re… from offending in that kinde, and drew the people of the Country, under hand to relieve his men with all things necessary. The French king hearing that king He…ry had passed the River of S…ame; by advice of his Councell (who yet were divided in opinion) sent Montjoy the French king at Arms to defye king Henry, and to let him know he should be fought with; which king Henr…, though his Army was much infected with Feavers, whereof the Earl of Stafford, the Bishop of Norwich, the Lords Molines and Burnell, were lately dead… yet he willingly heard, and rewarded the Herald for his me…age: and first having cleered a passage over a bridge, where of necessity he was to passe, on the 22 of October he passed over with his Army: At which time the Duke of York that led the Rereward, had discovered the Enemy to come on …pace, whereof he sent word to the king; who thereupon made a stand, and appointing his Officers what course to hold, and encouraging his Souldiers, they all attended when the battell should begin. The French Army was divided into three battels; in the first were placed eight thousand men at Arms, foure thousand Archers, and fifteen hundred Crosse-bowes, the wings consisting of two thousand two hundred men at Arms; this battaile, was led by the Constable of France himselfe, the Dukes of Orleance and Bourbon, the Earles of Ewe, Richmond, and Va…dosme, the Lord Dempier, the Lord Admirall of France, the Marshall Bouciquale, and others. The middle Battaile, wherein were more men at Arms, was commanded by the Dukes of Barre, and Al…so…, and by the Earles of V…mon…, Salings, Blamont Grantpee, and Rusey. In the Rereward, we…e all the remainder of the French forces, guided by the Earles of M…rle, Dampmartin, Fauco…bridge, and the Lord Lo…rey, Captaine of Ardy. The Frenchmen thus ordered, being six times, some say ten times as many as the English, (who were not above nine thousand) thought of nothing, but of the booty they should get: In the meane time king Henry having made choice of a piece of grou…d halfe fen…ed on his back with the Village, wherein they had rested the night before, on both sides having strong hedges and ditches, begun there to order his battell; but first he appointed an ambush of two hundred Archers, which upon a watchword given, should discharge their whole flight upon the flanke of the Enemies horse: The Vauntguard consisting of Archers only, was conducted by the Duke of Yorke; who out of an heroicke courage made su…e for that place, with whom were joyned the Lords Beaumont, Willoughby, and F…hope. The maine Battaile was led by the king himselfe, which consisted of Bill-men, and some Bow-men; with him were the Duke of Glocester his Brother, the Earle Marshall, Oxford, and Suff…lke. The Rereward was led by Thomas Duke of Exeter, the kings Uncle, consisting of all sorts of weapons; the horsemen as wings guarded the companies on both sides. The king to prevent the fury of the French Cavallery, by the direction of the Duke of Yorke, appointed divers stakes studded with iron at both ends, of six foot long, to be pitched behinde the Archers, and appointed Pyoners to attend to remove them, as they should be directed: These things thus ordered, publique Prayers were humbly made, and the on-set was presently given by the French horsemen; whereupon p. 49Sir Walter Orpington, according to direction, caused the Bow-men behind the …dges, to let flie their arrowes; which so galled the French horses, that either they cast their Riders, or through their unrulinesse so opened their Ranks, that the right wing of the English horse had way to come in upon the French foot; & withall, the French horse disorderly retiring, they were miserably troden down & disranked by their own company. Upon which, the King with his Main-battell came on with such …, that himselfe in person charged the Duke of Ala…son, by whom he was well neere unhorsed; but afterward, having first slaine two of the Dukes men, he ch…ged the Duke againe, and with his sword beat him from his horse; whom the Kings Guard, notwithstanding the King cryed out to the contrary, slew outright: and with his fall, the maine-battell of the French first gave ground, then turned their backs, and lastly cast away their weapons and fled. But then certaine of the French-horsemen that first ran away, led on by Robert Bondile and the Captain of Agincourt, meaning to wipe away the blot of running away from souldiers, by fighting with boyes, set upon the Pages and Laundresses that were left in the Campe; who gave such a lamentable shreeke, that king Henry verily thought some fresh forces had been come: whereupon he caused all the arrowes that were sticking in the field, to be g…hered, and the stakes to be plucked up, and made ready to be againe used; amongst which the Duke of Yorks body was found, miserably hacked and defaced: the fight whereof, together with danger of a second Charge, made king Henry give o…der, the Prisoners should be all slaine, except onelyonly some principall men, whom …e caused to be bound back to back, and so left. For which fact, though done in cold blood, yet the King could not justly be taxed with cruelty, seeing the number of the prisoners was more than of his own souldiers; and nothing could give assurance of safety, but their slaughter. But all was not yet done: for the Earles of Marle and F…co…bridge, with sixe hundred men at Armes, who had stood still all day, began now to stir, and gave a brave Charge upon King Henries Army: but being but few, and their horses galled with the stakes, they had onelyonly the honour to dye bravely; and indeed, they slew more of the English, than the whole Army had done before. And now at last, the King being satisfied by the Scouts, that no Enemy was more to be seen, he asked what the place was called? and being told, Agincourt; Well then (said he) this shall be from henceforth called the Battell of Agincourt: and presently he c…sed the whole Army, in their array as they were, to give God thankes; causing the Clergie there present, to sing the Psalme of David, In exitu Israel de Aegypto; and made Proclamation, that every one, at the verse, Non nobis Domine, sed nomini tu… d… gloriam, should kneele downe, and the horse-men bow their bodies: and then singing Te Deum and other holy Hymnes, they marched to the Enemies Camp, where the souldiers had liberty given them to take the spoyle.

A great Victory no doubt, but yet a Victory by which the English gained not one foote of ground in France, more then they had before; and which …o…shelet attributeth not so much to the valour of the English, as to the indiscretion of the French, who had so streightned the vantguard of their Army, and pent them up so close together, that they had not roome to draw out their swords; so true is that saying, Quos Deus vult perdere, dementat. The next day after the Battayle French He…uld… came to aske leave to bury their dead, and had it; and the English Hera…lds, appointed to make search, made returne that there were slayn of the French above ten thousand, whereof a hundred twenty six were of the Nobility bearing …; of Knights and Gentlemen of Coat-Armour, seven thousand eight hundred seventy foure, whereof five hundred were knigh…ed the night before the Battell: & of common souldiers, about sixteen hundred. Amongst the slain of the Nobility, were Charles le Brets High Constable, Iaques of Chatillon Admir…, the great Master of France, the Master of the Crossebowes, the Dukes o… …a…son, Bra…, and Barre; the Earles of Nevers, Marle, Vaudemont, Beaumont, Gra…ee, Rousey, F…uconbridge, F…ys, and Lestreuck: There was taken Prisoners, Charles Duke of Orleance, Iohn Duke of Bourbon, the Lords Danvert, Fosseux, Humiers, Roy, C…wn…, …court, No…ll, Bonciqualt; to the number in all of fifteen hundred. On the English p. 50part were slaine, Edward Duke of York, and the Earle of Suffolk, and not full six hundred in all; but (saith C…xt…n) not above six and twenty in all; and Paulu… Aemilius saith, besides the two Lords, onelyonly two Knights, and but ten private souldiers in all: a Miracle rather then a Victory. But not onelyonly K. Henry was the death of the French Lords before-named, in the field with his sword; but of another great Prince, at home, with his Victory; for Lewis the Dolphin, eldest sonne of Ch…rles the sixth, king of France, presently upon it, without any other cause apparent, fell sick and dyed. Yet king He…ry, to make his enemies the better contented with their overthrow, and to take away the envy of his Victory; at his returne into England with his Prisoners, which was on the sixt of November following, he presently gave straight order, that no Ballad or Song should be made or sung, more then of Thanksgiving to God for his happy Victory and safe Returne; but without words of either disgracing the Fre…ch, or extolling the English. At his entrance into London, the City presented him with a thousand pounds, and two Basons of Gold worth five hundred pounds more. The bodies of the Duke of Yorke and the Earle of Suffolke were brought into England, and the Dukes buried at Fodringhey in Northamptonshire, the Earles at New-Elm… in Oxfordshire.

About this time, the Emperour Sigismond Cosin-german to king Henry, having been first in France, came accompanid with the Archbishop of Rhemes, Ambassador from the French king, into England; for whom there were thirty great ships sent from the King to waft him over: but approaching to land at Dover, the Duke of Glocester, with a company of Gentlemen, having their swords drawn, s…ept up to the knees in water, saying to him, That if he came as the Kings friend, he should be welcome; but if as claiming any jurisdiction, they would resist him: whereupon the Emperour renounceth all Imperiall Authority; and is thereupon admitted to land, and received with as much honour as could be done him; and afterward, together with Albert D…ke of Holland, who was lately likewise arrived at Winchester, is elected Companion of the Order of the Garter, and sa…e in their Cells at the solemnity of the Feast. A principall cause of the Emperors comming, was to mediate a Peace between England and France; wherein he had brought king Henry to a good degree of inclination; till newes came of the besieging of Harflew by the French, and of the Earle of Armi…iacks setting upon the Duke of Exceter, being Governour there: and then he presently grew so averse from Peace, that he would hearken no more to any Treaty of it; Not that he misliked they should treat of Peace with their swords in their hands, as all wise men would doe; but that to treat of Peace, and in the time of the Treaty to do… acts of Hostility, was an affront to all honesty, and not to be tolerated with any patience.

And now the Earle of Arminiack having set downe before the Towne, the Vice-Admirall of France brought up the whole Navy of the French, with intent whilst the Earle should assaile it by land, to have entred the Towne by the waters side: but of this purpose, the valour and diligence of the Duke of Exce…er prevented them. A…oone as king Henry had intelligence hereof, he would presently have gone himself; but being disswaded by the Emperor, he sent his brother the Duke of Bedford, with the Earles of March, Oxford, Huntington, Warwick, Arundell, Salisbury, De… shire, and divers others, with two hundred Saile, to the rescue of Harflew; who upon the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady, came to the mouth of the River Seyne: whereupon, Norbo… the French Admirall set forward, and got the mouth of the Haven: and here began a Fight, which was resolutely maintained on both sides, untill the English having sunke five hundred Vessels one and other of the French, and taken three great Carricks of Genoua, wonne the harbour, and at last, though with some opposition made by their Gallies, relieved Har…lew, and made the Earle of Arminiack glad to raise his Siege. Upon the news hereof, the Emperor desisted from mediating any further for Peace with France; and entring into a League defensive and offensive with king Henry, wherein onelyonly the Pope was excepted, on the 19 of October he departed towards Germany, whom king Henry accompanied to Callis; whither the Duke of Burgundy came, to confirme the League concluded p. 51on before by the Earle of Warwick and him, concerning Flanders and Arthois only. In the meane time the French had hyred divers Carracks and other great ships of the Geno…aes and Italians, which joyning with the french-fleete, lay at the mouth of the River of Seyne, under the command of Iaques Bastard of Bourbon, to hinder all succors from comming to Har…lew; but Iohn Earle of Huntington (sonne to the Duke of Exeter beheaded at Cicester) being sent to s…oure the coasts, encountred with him, and after a long fight tooke him Prisoner, and three of his great Carricks, with all the money for the halfe yeers pay of the fleete, and sinking three other of his Carricks, and dispersing the rest, cleered the mouth of the River and then returned to the king at Southampton. And now upon the twenty third of July, in the …ourth yeere of his Reigne, the king himselfe, with the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester, the Earles of Huntington, Warwick, Devo…shire, Salisbury, Suffolke and Somerset, the Lords Rosse, Willoughby, Fits-hugh, Clynton, Scroope, Matrevers, Bourch…er, Ferrers of Groby, Ferrers of Chartley, Fa…hope, Grey of Codnor, Sir Gilbert Vmphrevile, Sir Gylbert Talbot, and an Army consisting of twenty five thousand five hundred twenty eight fighting men, besides a thousand Artificers and Pyoners, tooke shipping at Portsmouth, and upon the first of August landed in Normandy neere to the Castle of Tonque, which hee presently besieged, and upon the ninth of August had it yeelded to him, at which time the Earle of Salisbury tooke the Castle of Albervilliers which the king gave him, to him and his heires, being the first land given by the king in France.

At the winning of Tonque, the king made eight and twenty Knights; and from thence marched with his Army to Caen; where to prevent the Citizens from sallying out, he cast up a Mount; and then making many assaults, but finding them to doe little good, he caused his Pyoners to undermine the walls: which being done, upon the fourth of September he offered the Besieged their lives, if they would submit: which they refusing, he thereupon made a shew of a generall assault, whilst many of his men entred the City under the foundation, of whom the Duke of Clarence with his Company was the first: and they comming upon the backs of those that defended the walls, easily overcame them; and then the whole Army entred without resistance. The next day, the King caused all the principall men of the Towne to come before him at their Senate house; where some of them, for their stubborne refusing the grace he had offered them, were adjudged to death, and the rest fined: the spoyl of the Town was distributed amongst the souldiers. The Captaine of the Castle stood out a while; but being advertised that the king had sworne to shew no mercy, if he did not surrender; he gave twelve Hostages, that if it were not relieved before the twentieth of September, he would then give it up; which not comming, he performed: and so the king had possession both of C…en and the Castle.

And now Charles the new Dolphin, being but seventeene yeeres of age and bare of money, had got into his possession all the jewels, plate and money of the Queen his mother; which so incensed her against him, that to doe him a spight, she placed the Duke of Burgundy in chiefe authority about the king, who by reason of his infirmity was u…able himselfe to manage the State; and the Duke having now the sword in his hands, meant first …o represse the growing boldnesse of the Dolphyn, and afterward to repell the common Enemy: and the Dolphyn likewise, envying the Dukes advancement above him, meant first to take down his swelling greatnes, and afterward to fall upon the forreigne adversary; and thus while private respects were preferred before publique, whilest the Duke and the Dolphyn had their first intentions against one another, not looking afte… king Henry, but in the second place, after their owne turnes served, an easie way was left for king Henries proceedings, and hee went on at his pleasure with small opposition. Hee sent the Duke of Clarence, who tooke in the City of Bayeux, as likewise the Duke of Glo… cester the City of Lyse…x; whilst himselfe remayning still at Caen, put out of the city the natives that were impotent or yong infants to the number of fifteen hundred, & in their places put English people, and finding a great masse of money and plate, deposited p. 52by the Citizens in the Castle, …e caused the same, upon proofe, to bee respectively delivered to the right owners… upon condition they would acknowledge him for their Soveraigne; which moderate and just dealing wonne him more hearts then the force of his Armes had wonne him knees, specially with the Normans, who are easier to bee drawn with gentlenesse and love, then forced by violence and compulsion. From hence the king marched the first of October to Corfye Castle, which within three dayes yeelded. The fourth of October he came to Argenton, which not relieved by a day agreed upon, was likewise surrendred. The Towne of Al…nson endured eight daies siege, but in the end did as other their neighbour Townes had done. From Alanson the Earle of S…lisbury was sent to Faleys, to view the strength thereof, whom the king presently followed, where the besieged concluded, if it were not relieved before the second of January, then to yeelde up the Towne: No reliefe comming, the Towne was yeelded up, and soone after upon the like termes, the Castle. From hence the king returned to Caen, to put in execution a Proclamation he had formerly made; That if the inhabitants of Normandy that were fled, returned not by a day assigned, hee would then grant their Lands to his souldiers: and thereupon he gave to the duke of Clarence during life, the Vicounties of A…ge, Or…er and Pon…i…, with all the Lands of those that were not returned according to the Proclamation. All the Lent the king lay at Bayeux, whilest his Navy still kept the Seas, and daily tooke many French ships, but upon the sixteenth of July such a Tempest took them, that they were driven to fall in with Southampton; and yet, with all their diligence, could not so save themselves, but that two Ballingers, and two great Carricks laden with merchandize, were in the very Haven drowned. In the meane time the Earle of VVarwick and the Lord Talbot besieged the strong Castle of D…mfront: The Duke of Cl…rence tooke Court…n and Burney; and many other being taken, as Cha…bois, Bechelouyn, H…rcourt, Fantgernon, Cre…en…r, Anvyll…ers, B…gles, in all of them he placed Captaines and Garrisons, and particularly in Fres…y, Sir Robert Brent, lately made Viscount. The Duke of Glo… cester also, with the Earle of March, and the Lord of Codnor, tooke in all the Isle of Co…st…ti…e, except Chereburg, and then returned to the king, but was sent back to take in that City also: which after some time, when no reliefe came, was, together with the Castle, likewise surrendred; although by this time the Duke of Burg…di… and the Dolphyn, by mediation of the Pope, were reconciled, and began to joyne thei… Forces to make resistance. And now the Duke of Exeter the kings Uncle, with a supply of fifteene thousand men out of England, came to the king, who presently took in the City of Eureux; and the Earle of Ryme, the strong Cast…e of Mill…y le Vesco.

The next thing attempted, was the siege of Ro…, a Citie strongly fortified, both with walls and di…ches, and to which there was no convenient passage, but by the Citie of Lovie… ; to this Citie therefore he first layes …iege, which when no reliefe came within a time agreed on, was surrendred; and yet there was another impediment to be removed, a stone-bridge, which hindred the approach to Roan, being exceeding strongly guarded: For this, King Henry devised floats of wicke…, covered with be…sts hides, by which the Duke of Cl…rence with his quarter passed the River, …nd then laid siege to the Towne on …hat side; and for the other side, he had other devises made with hogsheads and pipes, fastned to …irrepoles and Barges, with which he passed his men over at pleasure; and in the meane time he caused divers of his Souldiers that could swimme, to make shew of passing the River three miles off another way; with which the French-men being deluded, drew all their forces thither, …nd by this meanes the Fort being left unfurnished of sufficient guard, was presently forced to surrender, and the Souldiers were taken to the Kings grace; The bridge being thus gained, the Duke of Exeter was sent, and with him Windsor the Herald, to summon the Citizens to surrender the Towne; who not only gave proud answers, but also made a sallye forth, though with the losse of thirty of their men. Upon this obstinacie of theirs, the King presently orders his siege; his own quarter was the Ch…rteux, the Duke of Clar…nce at St. Gervays, the Duke of Exeter p. 53at Port St. Dennis, and every great Commander had his quarter assigned, so as the Citie was begirt round, and a great chaine of iron set upon piles, and a strong wooden bridge for passage from one Campe to the other, was made over the River. At this time the Earle of Kilmayne with sixteen hundred Irish came to the King, and had their quarter assigned them, who behaved themselves with great valour: The Kings Cosen Germane the King of Portugall, sent likewise a Navie of Ships to the mouth of the River of Seyne, which stopped all passage of succour to Roan; many policies and practices were used against the Citie, but none prevailed, till famine forced it; for there being in Roan 210000 persons at the begining of the Siege, and the Siege continuing long, it grew to that extremity, that the Citizens dranke no thing but vinegar and water, and had little to eate, but Rats and Mice, Cats and dogs, and such like: Great numbers of the poorer sort were thrust out of the Citie, who not suffered to passe the English Army, miserably perished; onelyonly …pon Christmas-day, in honor of Christs birth, the King relieved and suffered to passe as many as were at first put out, but not others that were put out the second time, but suffered them to perish.

In this distresse, a Parley is required by the Citizens; who notwithstanding their misery, yet stood upon such high termes, that nothing was concluded, only a truce for eight dayes was granted them; the eight dayes ended, and nothing yet agreed upon amongst themselves, they crave one day longer, and neither in that day could any thing be agreed on; then they crave four dayes more, in which the multitude and common people so pressed the Magistrates and Governours of the Citie, that on the fourth day, being about the nineteenth of Ianuary, the Citie was surrendred, and the Inhabitants themselves, and all their goods were yielded to the Kings mercy; the Duke of Exeter was appointed to take possession, who accordingly entred with his Souldiers. The next day after, being Friday the twentieth of Ianuary, the King himselfe made his entry, with four Dukes, ten Earles, eight Bishops, sixteen Barons, and others, and was by the Clergie conducted to our Lady Church; where after publique thanksgiving, he tooke Homage and fealty of the Burgesses and Inhabitants; making Proclamation, that all that would come and acknowledge him to be their Soveraigne, should enjoy the benefit of his Protection, and retaine their possessions, whereupon many came in, and many Townes were surrendred. In this time of the Kings lying at Roan, the Earle of Salisbury tooke in Hunflew, Munster de Villiers, Ewe, and Newcastle; the Duke of Clarence tooke Vernon, and Naunt; and the Earle of Warwicke la Roche Guyon.

And now the Duke of Burgundie seeing the great successes of King Henry, could thinke of no better way for his own safety, then to make a reconciliation betweene the two Kings; to which end, Ambassadors are sent to procure their meeting; at which time, King Henry for their service already performed, and in hope of more here…fter, made the valiant Gascoigne Captaine le Beuff, Earle of Longuevyle, Sir Iohn Gra… Earle of T…nkevyle, and the Lord Bo…rch…er Earle of E…. Upon the l…st of M…y, King Henry accompanied with the Dukes of Clarence, Glocester, and Exeter, his Uncle Beaufort, the Bishop of Winchester, with the Earles of March, and Salisb…ry, and a thousand men at Armes, entred the place appointed for the meeting of the two Kings. The French Queene (her Husband being taken with hi… …) with the Duke of Burg…igne, and the Earle of St. Paul, and a company of Ladies… amongst whom, as a bait to entangle the Kings affection, was the kings D…ughter, the beautifull Lady Katherine; with whose sight, though the King was marvellously taken, yet he made no shew thereof, till other things should be agreed upon; but the Dolphin having made means to the Duke of Burgoigne to hinder all agreement, nothing was effected; whereupon at their parting, the King told the Duke, that he would have both the Lady, and all his other Demands, or else drive the King of France out of his kingdome, and him out of his Dukedome: Upon thi…, the Duke thought it best to agree with the Dolphin, and upon the sixth of Iuly, Articles of their reconcilement are signed and sealed; In the meane time, the Ea…le of Long…vyle surprized the Towne of Ponthoyse, but had scarce beene able to p. 54make good the surprize, if the Duke of Clarence had not co…e to his …uc…ur; … thence the Duke marched to Paris, and there stayed two dayes, but pe…ceivi… no shew of sallye to be made, he returned to Ponth…yse, whither the King himselfe came; and from thence marching on, tooke in the Castle of Vanyon Villeirs; and on the last of August, the Castles of Gysors, and Galyard, and Dumall; so that now all Normandy (Mou…t St. Michael only excepted) was reduced to the possession of the King of England, which had beene wrongfully detained from him, ever since the yeare 1207.

The Dolphin all this while, though having outwardly made a reconcilement with the Duke of Burgoigne, yet inwardly bearing a spleene against him, intended nothing so much as his destruction; which to e…ect, he procured a meeting betweene the Duke and him, and all the Peers of the Realm at Mountstrew; where the Duke though humbling himselfe in reverence to the Dolphin on his knee, was most barbarously murthered; which act, was so much the lesse to be pitied in the Duke, by how much he in the like kinde, upon the like enterview, had caused Lewis the Duke of Orleance to be murthered. But though this barbarous act might justly incens… Philip Earle of Carolois the Duke of Burgoig…es heire to seeke revenge; yet as a wise and and politicke Prince, he forbore for the present to make shew of choller or distemperature, and considering with himselfe, that difference betweene the Dolphin and him, would but give King He…ry the greater advantage, he endeavoured to propose an overture of peace betweene the two Kings; And to that end Ambassadors are sent from the King of France, and the yong Duke of Burgoig…, whom the King kindly entertained, but seemed to intimate unto them, that hee could give no great credit to their propositions, unlesse the Lady Katherine would joyne in them, whose innocence he knew would never abuse him. Whilest these things are in agitation, the Earle of Salisbury tooke in Fres…y, and the Earls Marshall and Huntington entred into Mayn, who approaching Ments, were encountred by the forces of the Dolphin, whereof they slew five thousand, and tooke two hundred prisoners; for which, newes being brought to Roan, whither King Henry was come to solemnize the Feast of Christs Birth, thanksgiving to God were publickly made; and in the instant thereof, arrived other Ambassadors from the King and Queene of France, and a letter from the Lady Katherine to King Henry, was secretly by the Bishop of Arr…s delivered; The conclusion of all was, that the king of England should speed himselfe to Troyes, there to be Espoused to the Lady Ka…herine, and to have assurance of the Crowne of France, after the decease of the present king Charles: Whereupon, with a Guard of fifteen thousand choice Souldiers, accompanied with the Duke of Clare…ce and Glocester, the Earls of Warwicke, Salisbury, Huntington, Lo…g…evile, Tankervile and Ewe; the king of England came to Troyes in Champaign, upon the eighteenth day of May, where he was met by the Duke of Burgoign…, and divers of the French Nobility, who attended him to the Pallace, where the Queen with her Daughters, the Dutchesse of Burgoigne, and the Lady Katherine gave him Princely entertainment; and after some intercourse of complement between the Princes and the Ladies, K. Henry tendred to the Lady Katherine a Ring of great value, which she (not without some blushing) received; and afterward, upon the twentieth day of May, she was affianced to him in St. Peters Church, and on the third of Iune following, the marriage was solemnized; and therewithall king Henry was published to be the only Regent of the Realme, and Heire apparent to the Crown of France; the Articles whereof, with all convenient expedition were Proclaimed both in England and in France, and the two kings, and all their Nobles, and other Subjects of account, were sworne to observe them; and in particular the Duke of Burgoigne.

And thus was the Salique Law violated, and the heire Male put by his Sucession in the Crowne, which the Genius of France will not long endure, a while it must; and therefore the maine endeavour of both kings now is, to keep him down, whom they had put downe; and thereupon, on the fourth day of Iune, king Henry with the French king, Iames king of Scots, who was newly arrived, the Duke of Burgoig…e … p. 55the Prince of Orenge, one and twenty Earles, five and forty Barons, with many Knights and Gentlemen, and an Army consisting of French, English, Scotish, Irish, and Dutch, to the number of six hundred thousand, marched towards the Dolphin; and upon the seventh day, laid siege to the Towne of Se…s, which sided with the Dolphin, which after foure dayes siege was yielded up. From thence they removed, having the Duke of Bedford in their company, who was newly come out of E…gla…d, with large supplies of men and money to Monst…, which was taken by Escalado, onelyonly the Castle held out still; during the siege whereof, king Henry cre…ed an Officer of Armes, to be king of Heralds over the Englishmen, and intitled him Garter; whom he sent with offers of mercy to the Castle, but was by the Captaine thereof reproachfully upbraided: for punishment of which his presumption, … Gibbet was erected, and in view of Mounsieur Guitry the said Captaine, twelve of his friends were executed: whereupon those of the Castle treated for peace; but the king, in eight dayes together, would not grant so much as a parley… so that after six weekes siege, they were enforced (their lives saved) simply to yield. From thence the king marched to Melun upon Sein, and besieged it the thirtieth of Iuly; the Captaine whereof was Barbason a Gascoigne, no lesse politick than valiant, who countermined some, and stopt other Mines made by the English, and fo…ght hand to hand in the Barriers with king Henry; yet at last, through Famine and Pestilence was forced to yeild; but being suspected to have had a hand in the murther of the Duke of Burgoigne, he was sent prisoner to Paris; and presently thereupon, both the kings with their Queens, the Duke of Burgoigne and his Dutchesse, with a Royall Traine came thither; where the French king was lodged in the House of S. Paul, and the king of England in the Castle of Lo…vre. And here the three States of France anew under their hands and Seals in most a…thenticke manner Ratified the former Articles of king Henries Succession in the Crowne of France; the Instruments whereof were delivered to the king of England, who sent them to be kept in his Treasury at Westminster.

And now King Henry began to exercise his Regency, and as a badge of his Authority; he caused a new Coyne which was called a Salute, to be made, whereon the Armes of France and England were quarterly stamped; he placed and displaced divers Officers, and appointed the Duke of Exeter with five hundred men, to the Guard of Paris: He awarded out Processe against the Dolphin, to appeare at the Marble-Table at Paris, which he not obeying, Sentence was denounced against him, as guilty of the murther of the Duke of Burgoigne; and by the sentence of the Parliament, he was banished the Realme.

After this, the King making Thomas Duke of Clarence his Lievetenant Generall of Fra…ce and Normandy; on the 6^th of Ianuary, with his beloved Queen Katherine he left Pari…, and went to Amyens, and from thence to Calli…, and thence landing at Dover, came to Canterbury, and afterward through Lo…do… to Westminster; where the Queene upon St. Matthews day, the fourth of Febru…ry was Crowned; the King of Scots sitting at dinner in his State, but on the left hand of the Queen, the Archbishop of Ca…terbury, and the Kings Uncle the Bishop of Winchester being on the right hand, All were served with covered messes of silver, but all the Feast was Fish, in observation of the Lent season.

After this, the king tooke his Progresse through the Land, hearing the complaints of his poore Subjects, and taking order for the administring of Justice to high and low; and then met the Queen at Leicester, where they kept their Easter.

In the meane time, the Duke of Clarence making a Road into A…jo…, came to the Citie of Ampers, where he knighted Sir William Rosse, Sir Henry G…d…ard, Sir Rowla…d Vyder, Sir Thomas Beauford his naturall Son; and returning home laden with prey, was advertised that the Duke of Alanson intended to intercept his passage; whereupon, he sent the Scout-master, Andrew Fogosa … Lombard, to discover the face of the Enemy; who being corrupted, brought report that their number was but small, and those but ill ordered, that if he presently charged, there could be no resistance. The Dukes credulity caused him to draw all his horses together, and p. 56leaving his bowes and bill… behinde which were his chief…st strength, with his … only he makes towards the Enemy; but the Traitor leading to a straight, where by his appointment an ambush was layd, tha… the Duke could neither retreat, nor flee; he soone perceived the Trea…chery, but finding no remedy, he manfully set sp… to his horse, and charged upon the Enemy; but over-layd with multitude, and wearied with fight, was himselfe, with the Earle of Ta…kervile, the Lord Rosse, the Ea…le of Angus, Sir Iohn …, and Sir Iohn Vere…d, and above two thousand English slaine; The Earls of S…erset, Suffolke and Pearch, Sir Iohn Berkl…y, Sir Ralph Nevill, Sir Willi… B…wes, and 60 Gentlemen were taken prisoners: The body of the Duke of Cl…rence, was by Sir Iohn Beauford his base Son, (the D. dying without other issue) convey'd to England, and buried at Canterbury besides his Father: and this disaster happened upon …aster-Eve. The King was at Beverley when he heard of his brothers death, and presently thereupon, dispatched away Edmund Earle of M…rt…gne into Nor…dy, making hi… Lievtenant thereof; and then calls his high Court of Parliament to Westminster, requiring ayd by money to revenge his br… thers death, which was readily granted; and the king thus provided, sent his brother the Duke of Bedford with an Army to C…lli…, consisting of foure thousand men at Arms, and foure and twenty thousand Archers, whom about the middle of May he followeth himselfe, and saf…ly a…riving at C…lli…, hasted to relieve Charters, which the Dolphin with seven thousand men had besieged; but hearing of the kings comming, was retired to Tours. The king of Scots, with the Duke of Glocester, about the eighth of Iuly besieged Dreux; which agreed, if it were not relieved by the twentieth of that monethmonth, then to surrender it; no reliefe comming, it was surrendred. The king pursu…d the Dolphin from place to place, but could not overtake him, but in the way, surprized the Towne of B…wg…cy, where all that craved it, he …ooke to mercy, as likewise he did at Ro…gemo…t; from thence he went to Orleance, and from thence to Vigne… St. To…, and from thence to Paris; where having fitted himselfe with supplies, he went and sate downe before Menixe in Brye, which after some opposition, he also tooke; and thereby had possession of all the Fortresses in the Isle of France, in …, in …rye, and in Champaigne.

Upon St. Nicholas day, in the yeare 1422, Queen Katherine was brought to bed of a Son at Windsor, who was by the Duke of Bedford, and Henry Bishop of Winchester, and the Countesse of Holland Christned by the name of Henry; whereof, when the king had notice, out of a Propheticke rapture he sayd; Good Lord, I Henry of Monmouth shall small time Reigne and much get, and Henry borne at Windsor, shall long time Reigne and lose all, but Gods will be done.

About this time the Dolphin layd siege to Cosney, which the king was intentive to relieve, as being a Town of the Duke of Burgoignes; and therefore tendredit more than if it had beene hi… owne; and making over-hasty journeys, he over-heat himselfe with travell; and comming to S…lys, found himselfe so ill at ease, that he was forced to remaine there, and to send his brother the Duke of Bedford to prosecute his designe, which the Duke performed, and the Dolphin upon his approach, retired into Berry; whereof, in mockage he was after called the king of Berry. But the kings Feaver and fl… increasing, he was removed to Boys de Vincens; where growing worse and worse, within a few dayes he dyed. But somewhat before his departure, he had made his Brother the Duke of Bedford Lievetenant Generall of Nor…dy, and Regent of the kingdome of France, and his Brother the Duke of Glocester, he had made Protector of England, and of his Sons Person: Exhorting all to be true and faithfull to the Duke of …urgo…g…e, to be at unitie amongst themselves, to be loyall to their young Prince, to be serviceable to his dearly beloved Queene, to hold a…d preserve what he by his valour, and Gods assistance had wonne; and never to conclude contract of amitie with the Dolphin, or Duke of Alanson, untill they had submitted themselves to the kings Grac…. And so giving God thanks for all his favors and blessings bestowed upon him, in the midst of saying a Psalme of David, he departed this life; who might justly have prayed God with David, Take me …ot away in the midst of my dayes, for he dyed about the age of five or six and thirty years, p. 57which in Davids account is the midst of the number of the dayes of mans life: but though he dyed in the midst of his dayes, yet he dyed in the fulnesse of his Glory; and of whom it may he said,—Iam que arce potitus, Ridet anhel…tes dur… ad fastig… montis. When he had Reigned nine yeares and five moneths.

Of his Taxations.

IN his first yeere an incredible sum of money was given him by the Clergy, to di…ert him from a motion propounded to take away their Temporalties. And in the same yeere a Subsidie was granted him both by the Clergy and the Laity. In his fourth yeere was granted him, towards his warres in France, two whole Tenths of the Clergy, and a fifteenth of the Laity; which being farre too short to defray his great charge, he was forced to pawne his Crowne to the Bishop of Beauford his Uncle for a great sum of money, as also certain Jewels to the Lord Major of London, for ten thousand markes. In his ninth yeere in a Parliament at We…minster, for revenge of the Duke of Clarence death, two tenths of the Clergy, and one fifteenth by the Laity, which because the haste of the businesse could not stay the usuall course of collection, the Bishop of Winchester brought in presently twenty thousand pounds, to receive it againe when the Subsidie should be gathered. The same yeere also, the Duke of Bedford in the kings absence called a Parliament, wherein was granted towards his warres, one fifteenth to be paid in such money as was at that time current. These are all the Subsidies that were given him, notwithstanding his many and great atchievements, by which it appeares what great matters a moderate Prince may doe, and yet not grieve his subjects with Taxations.

Of Lawes and Ordinances made by him, or in his …ime.

HE ordained the king of Heralds over the English, which is called G…rter.

In his ninth yeare, in a Parliament holden at Westminster, It was ordained, that no man should offer Gold in payment, unlesse it were weight; and thereupon were appointed ballances and weights.

An act made in the thirteenth yeare of king Richard the Second, which disabled the Alien Religious to enjoy any B…nefices within England, was in the beginning of this kings Reigne put in execution: and further, this king excluded also the French from all preferments Ecclesiasticall; and those Priors Aliens Conventuall, who had institution and induction, were bound to put in security, not to disclose or cause to be disclosed, the Counsell and secre…s of the Realme.

Affaires of the Church in his ti…e.

IN the beginning of his Reigne, the Wickliffs increased greatly, of whom Sir Iohn Oldcastle was a Chiefe; who by mariage of a kinswoman of the Lord Cobham… of C…ling in Kent, obtained that Title: This knight, being very valorous, and in great favour with the king, was in a Synod at London accused for maintaining of Wickliff… doctrine: whereof the king being informed, sent for him, and instantly dealt with him to submit himselfe to the censure of the Church: But Sir Iohn Oldcastle told the King, that he owed his subjection onelyonly to his Majestie; and as for others, he would stand for the truth against them, to the uttermost of his life. Upon this, he was served by Processe, to appeare in the Archbishops Court; and not appea…ing, was condemned of Contumacy, and afterwards in a Synod at Rochester, was by the Archbishop pronounced to be an Heretick; who then enacted that Decree, That the Holy Scriptures ought not to be translated into the English tongue: But marke the judgement that fell upon his owne tongue, who…e rootes and blade shortly after (as is recorded) grew so bigge in his mouth and throat, that he could neither speake, nor swallow downe meat, but in horrour lay languishing, till at last …ved by famine, he so dyed. In the meane time, Sir Iohn Oldcastle wrote his Beliefe, p. 58and presented it himselfe to the King; which the King would in no wise receive, but suffered him, in his presence, and Privy chamber, to be summoned; who appearing before the Archbishop, after divers examinations, he was condemned of Heresie, and committed to the Tower of London, from whence shortly after he escaped, and got into Wales. The king, by his Proclamation, promised a thousand Marks to any that should bring him in: but so much was his doctrine generally favoured, that the kings offer was not much regarded, but he continued foure yeares after undiscovered: At last he was taken in the borders of Wales, within a Lordship belonging to the Lord Powes, who brought him to London, before the Duke of Bedford Regent of the Realme; where in the end he was condemned, and finally was drawn from the Tower to S. Giles field, and there hanged in a chaine by the middle, and after consumed with fire, the gallowes and all. At the time of his first conviction, foure yeares before, it was rumour'd, that twenty thousand men in armes were assembled in S. Giles field: whereupon, the king, at midnight, himselfe in person went thither, where he found many indeed, who upon examination confessed, that they came to meet their Captaine Sir Iohn Oldcastle, but without any intent against the king: yet was Sir Roger Acto…, and eight and twenty others of them apprehended, and executed in Smithfield; and all the Prisons in and about London were filled with them.

In his third yeare, the order of Church service throughout England, was changed from the use of Pauls to the use of S…lisbury, to the great disliking of many in those dayes.

In his fourth yeare, a Councell was holden at Constance, whither he sent Ambassadors, the Earle of Warwick, the Bishops of Salisbury, Bath, and Hereford; the Abbot of Westminster, and the Prior of Worcester: In which Councell it was decreed, that England should have the title of the English Nation, and should be accounted one of the five principall Nations in ranke before Spaine; which often before had been moved, but never granted till then. And herein were all Wickliffs positions condemned: also Iohn Husse, and Hierome of Prague (notwithstanding the Emperours safe-conduct) were both of them burned. In this Councell, the Schisme of Anti-popes, which had continued the space of nine and twenty yeares, was reformed: …e…edict the 13. had been elected by the Spaniard; Gregory the 1…. by the French; Iohn the 24. by the Italians: And now in this Councell, begun in February 1414, and continued above three yea…es; wherein were assembled, besides the Emperour, the Pope, and the Palsgrave of R…ime, foure Patriarks, twenty seven Cardinals, seven and forty Archbishops, one hundred and threescore Bishop…, Princes and Barons with their attendants, above thirty thousand; The foresaid elected Popes were all put down, or else resigned; and in the place, as legitimate Pope, was elected Otho Lolo…na, by the name of Marti… the fifth.

In this yeare also, fell out an Accident, which shews the strict observance of Ecclesiasticall censures in those dayes. The wives of the Lord Strange, and Sir Iohn Trussell of War…ington in Cheshire, striving for place at a Sermon in S. Dunst…s Church in the East, their husbands being present, fell themselves to striving in their wives behalf…, and great part-taking there was on both sides, some slaine, and many wounded: The delinquents were committed to the Counter, the Church suspended, and upon examination, the Lord Strange being found guilty, was by the Archbishop of Canterbury adjudged to this Penance, which was accordingly performed: The Parson of S. Dunst…s went before, after whom followed all the Lords servants in their shirts; after them went the Lord himselfe, bare-headed, with a waxe taper in his hand; then followed the Lady, bare-footed; and then last came the Archdeacon Reynold R…ood: in which order they went from Pauls where the sentence was given, to S. Dunst…s Church; where at the rehallowing thereof, the Lady filled all the Vessels with water, and according to the sentence, offered to the Altaran ornament of the value of ten pounds; and the Lord, a Pixe of silver, of five pounds A Penance, no doubt, which the Lord and the Lady would have redemed with a great deale of money, if the discipline of the Church had in those dayes allowed p. 59it: but it seemes, the commutation of Penance was not as yet come in use.

In his ninth yeare, in a Parliament at Leicester, a hundred and ten Priories alient were suppressed, because they spoke ill of his Conquests in France; and their possessions were given to the King: but by him, and King Henry the sixth, were afterward given to other Monasteries, and Colledges o… learned men.

Works of Piety by him, or others in his time.

THis King re-edified his Royall Manour, which was then called Sheene, now Richmond, and founded two Monasteries not farre from it; the one of Carthusians, which he named Bethelem; the other of Religious men and women of the Order of S. Bridget, which he named Syon: He also founded the Brotherhood of Saint Giles without Cripplegate in London. In the second yeare of his Reigne, Mooregate neere to Colemanstreet was first made, by Thomas Fawkener Major of London, who caused also the ditches of the City to be cleansed, and a common Privy that was on the Moore without the wall, to be taken downe, and another to be made within the City upon Wallbrooke, into the which brooke he caused the water of the City to be turned by grates of iron in divers places. In his sixth yeare, William of Sevenoak Major of London, founded in the Town of Sevenoak a Free schoole and thirteen Almshouses. This man was found at Sevenoak in Kent, anew-borne infant of unknown Parents, but by charitable people was Christned and brought up, bound prentise in London, and came at last to be Major of the City. Also Robert Chic…ely Major of London gave liberally to the Almshouses founded by his brother Henry Chiche…y Archbishop of Canterbury, at Higham-Ferrers in Northamptonshire, where they were born. But Henry Chicheley the Archbishop founded two Colledges in Oxford; one called Bernard Colledge, renewed by Sir Thomas White, and named S. Iohns Colledge; the other called All-Soules, which continueth at this day as he left it. Also Iohn Kempe Archbishop of Canterbur…, converted the Parish-Church of Wye in Kent where he was borne, into a Colledge of Secular Priests.

Casualties happening in his time.

IN the fift yeere of his Reigne a great part of the City of Norwich was burnt, with all the house of the Friers Preachers, and two fryers of that Order. In his third yeere, on the feast of the Purification, seaven Dolphins came up the River of Th…mes, whereof foure were taken.

Of his Wife and issue.

HE married Catherine the daughter of king Charles the sixth of France, who was his Queene two yeeres and about three moneths, married at Troyes in Champaigne the third day of June 1420. and afterward February the foureteenth crowned at Westminster: Shee surviving king Henry, was re-married to Owen Teu… an Esquire of Wales, who pretended to be discended from Cadwallade… the antien… king of Wales, though some write him to be the sonne of a Brewer, whose meannesse of estate was recompensed by the delicacy of his personage; so absolute in all the lineaments of his body, that the only contemplation of it might well make her forget all other circumstances; by him she had three sonnes, Edmond, I…sper, and Owen, and a daughter that lived but a while. Her sonne Owen tooke the habit of Religion at Westminster, the other two were by king Henry the sixt (their halfe brother) advanced in honor: Edmond was created Earle of Richmond, and marrying the sole heyre of Iohn Beaufort Duke of Somerset, was Father, by her, unto Henry the s…aventh, king of England, the only heyre of the house of Lancaster. Iasper her second sonne was first created Earle of Pembroke, and after Duke of Bedford, but dyed without lawfull issue. This Queen…, either for devotion or her owne safety, …oke into the Monastery of Bermo…dsey in Southwarke, who dying the second o… p. 60January 1436. she was buried in our Ladies Chappell within St. Peters Church at VVestminster, whose corps taken up in the Reigne of king Henry the s…aventh, her Grand-childe (when he laid the foundation of that admirable structure) and her Coffin placed by king Henry her husbands Tombe, hath ever since so remained, and never since re-buried, where it standeth (the cover being loose) to bee seene and handled of any that will. By her king Henry had only one son, named Henry, who succeeded him in the Kingdom.

Of his Personage and Conditions.

HE was tall of stature, leane of body, and his bones small but strongly made, somewhat long necked, black haired, and very beautifull of face, swift in runing, so as hee with two of his Lords, without bow or other engine, would take a wilde Buck or Doe in a large Parke: Hee delighted in songs and musicall Instruments, insomuch that in his Chappell amongst his private prayers, he used certaine Psalmes of D…vid, translated into English meeter by Iohn Lydgate Monke of Bury. And indeed it may be truly said of him as was said of Aenae…s: Quo justior alter; Nec pi…tate fuit, nec bello major & ar…i…, for he seldom fought ba…ell where he got not the victory, and never got victory whereof he gave not the glory to God, with publique Thanksgiving. He was a better man, a King then a Subject; for till then he was not in his right Orbe, and therfore no mervaile if he were somthing exorbitant. He was of a mercifull disposition, but not to the prejudice of wisedom; as thinking wise cruelty to be better then foolish pitty. He was no lesse politick then valian…, for he never fought battell, nor wonne Town, wherein hee prevailed not asmuch by stratagem as by force. He was so temperate in his dyet, and so free from vain-glory, that we may truly say, he had something in him of Caesar which Alexander the Gre… had not, that he would not bee drunke; and som…hing of Alexander the Great, which Caesar had not, that he would not be flattered. He was indeede a great affector of Glory, but not of glory the bl…st of mens mouthes, but of the Glory that fills the sailes of Time. He dyed of full yeeres, though not full of yeeres: if he had lived longer he might have gone over the same againe, but could not have gone further. If his love were great to Military men, it was not small to Clergy men, insomuch as by many he was called the Prince of Priests.

Of his Death and Buriall.

SOme say he was poysoned, which Polydore Virgill saith was much suspected: The Scots write that he died of the disease called St. Fi…cre, which is a Palsie and a Crampe: E…guerant saith that he died of St. Anthonies fire: But Peter Basset Esquire, who at the time of his death was his Chamberlaine, affirmeth that hee died of a Pleurisie, which at that time was a sicknesse strange and but little known. Being dead his body was embalmed and closed in lead; and laid in a Chariot-Royall richly apparelled in cloath of Gold, was conveyed from Boys de Vin…n…es to Paris, and so to Roa…, to A…bevyle, to C…llys, to D…ver, and from thence through London to Westminster, where it was interred next beneath King Edward the Confessor; upon whose Tombe Queene Katherine caused a Royall picture to be layed, covered all over with silver plate gilt, but the head thereof altogether of massie silver; all which at that Abbies suppression were sacrilegiously broken off and transferred to p…ophaner uses. Hee dyed the last day of August, in the yeere one thousand foure hundred twenty two, when he had reigned nine yeeres and five Moneths, lived eight and thirty yeeres.

Of men of Note in his time.

MEN of valour in his time were so frequent, that we may know it to be a true saying, Regis ad exemplu… ; and men of learning likewise in such numbers, that p. 61we may know the Prince to have been their Patron. First Alayn de Lyn, a Carmelite Frier in that Towne, who wrote many Treatises; Then Thomas Otterborne a Franciscan frier who wrote an History of England; Then Iohn Seguerd, who kept a Schoole in Norwich, and wrote sundry Treatises, reproving as well the Monkes and Priests as Poets for writing of filthy verses. Robert Ros… a Carmelite frier in Norwich; who writing many Treatises, yet said nothing against the Wickle…ists. Richard C…yster borne …o Nofolke, a man of great holinesse of life, favoring (though secretly) the doctrine of VVickliff…; William Wallis a Black frier in Li…, who made a booke of Moralizations upon Ovids Metamorphosis… William Taylor a Priest and a Master of Art in Oxford, a stedfast follower of Wickliffes doctrine, and burnt for the same at Smithfield in London the last yeere of this …ings reigne. Bartholomew Florarius, called so of a Treatise which he wrote called Florarium, who writ also another Treatise of Abstinence, wherein he reproveth the corrupt manners of the Clergie, and the p…ofession of the Friers Men…icants. Als… Titus Livi… de Fo… L…vis…is an It…lian born…, but seeing he …as r…siant here, and w…ote the life of this King, it is not unfit to make mention of him in this place: also many others.