A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government, Regnal history 5
THE REIGNE OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND.
RICHARD, called of Burdeaux, because born there, the onelyonly Sonne of Edward the black Prince, was by his Grandfather in his life-time declared to be his Heire and lawfull Successour; and accordingly after his death was crowned King of England, at Westminster, the sixteenth day of Iuly, in the yerre 1377. by Simon Su…bury Archbishop of Canterbury: And for the more solemnity of his Coronation, he then m…de nine Knights, and created foure Earles: Thomas of Woodstock, King Edward the Thirds youngest Sonne, was created Earle of Buckingham and Northampton; Thomas Mowbray, younger brother of Iohn L. Mowbray, Earle of Nottingham; Gifford Angoulesme a Gascoigne, was made Earle of Huntington; and Henry Percy sonne of Henry L. Percy, was created Earle of Northumberland. At the time of the Coronation, the Duke of L…ncaster, by the name of Iohn King of Castile and Leon, and Duke of Lancaster, put in his claim as Earle of Leicester, to have the place of Earle Marshall of England; as Duke of Lancaster, to carry the sword called Curtana; as Earle of Lincolne, to be Carver that day; all which to be executed by himselfe, or by his sufficient Deputy; which, with the fees thereunto belonging, were confirmed unto him. As likewise, divers others made their claimes: Robert de Veere, E…rle of Oxford, to have the office of Chamberlaine, and to powre out water for the King to w…sh: Iohn Wiltshire Citizen of London, by reason of a Moyitie of the Manour of Heydon, holden in Sergeantie, claimed to hold a Towell for the King to wipe with when he went to meat: Thomas Beauchampe Earle of Warwick, to beare the third Sword before the King; and also to exercise the office of Pantler: Sir Iohn Argentine, by reason of his Manour of Wimondtey in the County of Hartford, to serve the King at his Cup: William L. Furnivall, for his Manour of Fernham, to support the Kings right arme when he held the Royall Scepter: Anne late wife of Iohn de Hastings Earle of Pem…rooke, …or hi… Manour of Ashele in Norfolke, to have the Office of Naperer; which she was admitted to doe by her Deputy Sr. Thomas Blunt: Richard Earle of Arundell, for his Manour of B. in Kent, was admitted to be chiefe Butler: The L. Major of London, to attend in his owne person, as chiefe Cup-waiter: Sir Iohn Dimmock, for his Manour of Scrivelbie; and Sir Baldwin Frevile, for his Castle of Tamworth, in the County of Warwick, contended for the Office of being the Kings Champion; but adjudged to Dimmock: William de Latimer, and Iohn the sonne and heire of Iohn Mowbray of Axholm, joyntly petitioned to have the Office of Almoner; but adjudged to Latimer: Richard Lion, as Tenant of the Manour of L. held by the service of making wafers for the King at his Coronation, was thereunto admitted: The Barons of the Cinque-Ports were admitted to beare the Kings Canopy, upon foure staves of silver, over the Kings head; and also to sit at meat in the Hall, at the highest Table on the Kings right hand: Iohn Fitz-Iohn, by reason of his Manour of S. in Norfolk, was admitted to be chiefe Larde…er: Richard Herring, for the Manour of C. in the County of Surry, claimed to be Usher of the Kings Chamber; but because that claim did no way concern the Coronation, he was left to pursue his Right some other time. The Coronation it selfe was performed with great solemnity: After a Sermon, the King tooke his Oath; and then the Archbishop blessed the King; which done, he tore …ff his garments, and strippped him into his shirt; then he annoynted his hand…, head, breast, shoulders, and the joynts of his armes, with the s…cred Oyle; and after certaine Prayers, he then cl…dd… him, first with the Coat of S. …dward, and after with his Mantle: after which, the Archbishop delivered him the Sword, saying, Accipe Gladium; with which two Earles gyrded him: Then he gave him Bracelets, saying… Accipe Armillas: After this, he put upon him an upper vesture called a Pall, saying… Accipe Pallium: In the meane time, while the Archbishop blessed the Crowne, he to whose Office it pertained, put spurres on his heeles; after the Crown was blessed, the Archbishop set it on his Head, saying, Coronet te Deu…: then he delivered him a Ring, saying, Accipe An…lum: Immediately herewith came the L. Fur…ivall, by virtue of his Office, offering him a red Glove; which the Arch B. blessed, and putting it on his hand, gave him the Scepter, saying, Accipe Scep…rum: and after that, in his other hand, delivered him a Rod, on the top whereof stood a Dove, saying, Accipe Virgam Virtuti… ; and then blessed the King, saying, Benedicat te De…: which done, the King kissed the Bishops and Abbots, by whom he was afterward led to his seat: and so ended the solemnity.
The tender yeares of the King, being but eleven yeeres of age, required a Protector: but being perhaps thought dangerous to commit that Authority to onelyonly one, who might rather seeke to get it for himselfe, then to keep it for another, It was thought fit to commit it to many; and thereupon Iohn Duke of Lancaster, Edm…d Earle of Cambridge, the Kings Unkles; with some other Lords and Bishops, were joyned in Commission to manage the State; and Guishard de Angoulesme appointed to be his Schoole-master. And now the Kings Minority made forreigne Princes conceive, that this would be a time of advantage for any that had quarrell to England: which the French and Scots tooke presently hold of; For, the French came now, and burnt the Town of Rye; and soone after, entring the Isle of Wight, burnt divers Townes there; and though they were repelled from the Castle by the valiant Sir Hugh Tyrrell Captaine thereof, yet they constrained the men of the Isle to give them a thousand Markes, to spare the residue of their houses and goods: and departing thence, they set on land where they saw advantage, burning sundry Towns neere to the shoare; as Portsmouth, Dertmo…th, and Plimmouth: and then sayling towards Dover, they burnt Hastings, assaulted Winchelsey; but being valiantly defended by the Abbot of Battell, were forced to retire: After this, they landed not far from the Abby of Lewis, at a place called Rottington; where the Prior of Lewis, with Sir Thomas Cheyny, and Sir Iohn F…llesly, encountring them, were overthrowne, and taken Prisoners. And no lesse then the French, were the Scots also now busie; for comming one morning by stealth, they wonne the Castle of Barwick; but shortly after, upon knowledge thereof had, they were driven out againe by the Earles of Northumberland and Nottingham; and all the Scot… they found in it, except Alexander Ramsey their Captaine, put to the sword. About Michaelmas, a Parliament was held at Westminster, wherein Alice Pierc…, the late Kings Concubine, was banished the Realms, and all her goods confiscate; and two Tenths of the Clergie, and two Fifteenths of the Temporalty were granted; but so, as that two Citizens of London, William Walworth, and Iohn Philpot, should receive and keepe it, to see it bestowed for defence of the Realme. In this time, Sir Hugh Calverley, Deputy of Callis, burnt six and twenty French ships in the Haven of Bulloigne: and at the same time a great Navy is set out, under the guiding of the Earle of Bucki…gham, the Duke of Britaine, the Lord L…timer, Sir Robert Knolls and others, with a purpose to intercept the Spanish Fleet; but through Tempest were twice driven back: when in the mean time, one Mercer a Scottish Pyrate, came to Sc…rborough, tooke there divers ships, and committed many outrages: and no order being taken to repell him, a Citizen of L…do… n…med Iohn Philpot, at his own charges set forth a Fleet, and in his own person encountring them, tooke the said Mercer, and all his ships: and returning home, in stead of being rewarded for his service, he was called in question for presuming to raise a Navy, without advice of the Kings Councell: but he gave …uch reasons for that he had done, that not onelyonly he came off then wi…h credit, but lives in reputation for it to this day. Indeed Reasons of State, though they may secretly be censured, yet they must not openly be controlled, for this were to bring Authority into contempt, and in stead of Errors to bring in Confusion; but yet when wrongs be offered that are publick, every particular person seemes to have an interest in taking revenge; and though it may be no manners not to stay the States leisure, yet it can be no offence to doe their worke for them. Many actions passed at this time with the French and Scots, some prosperous, and some adverse: The Scots burne Roxborough; this was adverse: but the Earle of Northumberland entring Scotland with ten thousand men, spoyleth the Lands of the Earle of March, the chief Incendiary, this was prosperous: but when the Northern men would needs make a Road into Scotland, and were encountred by the Scots, and put to flight, this was adverse. Anon after Midsomer, the Duke of Lancaster, with the Earles of Buckingham, Warwick, Stafford, and others of the Nobility, with a strong Power to…ke the Sea, and landing in Britaine, besieged the Towne of S…. Malo, but finding strong opposition, is forced to raise his Siege, and returne home: this was adverse. And now againe, the Scots by night entred secretly into the Castle of Berwick, and slew Sir Robert Baynton, that was Constable there: this also was adverse: But when the Earle of Northumberland, being advertised ther…of, came with a Power, assau…ted the Castle, and after two daye… defence recovered it againe; this was prosperous. William Montacute E…rle of Salisbury, the Kings Lieutenant in Callis, forrageth the Country round about, and furnisheth Callis with Booties of French cattell: Sir Hugh Calverley and Sir Thomas Percy made Admiralls… put to Sea… and take divers ships laden with merchandise, and one sh…p of warre: Sir Iohn H…leston, Captaine of Chierbourg in France, issuing forth, assaults a Fortresse of the French, which was the storehouse of their Provision, and with much valour takes it: these were prosperous: But when Sir Iohn Clerke, lying in Ga…rison in a Castle in Britaine, where la… many Eng…sh ships in the Haven, …ad …he…e ships let upon by the French, where though he shewed incredible valo…r in the action, yet the ships were taken, and himselfe slaine: this was adverse. Also in the third yeere of this Kings Reigne, Sir Iohn Arundell, Sir Hugh Calverley, Sir Thomas Percie, Sir William Elmham, Sir Thomas Banister, and many other Knights, went to Sea, with a purpose to passe over into Britaine; but were so beaten back w…th Tempest, that divers of their ships were …ast away; and Sir Iohn Arundell, Sir Thomas Banister, Sir Nicolas Trumping…on, Sir Thomas Dale, and above a thousand others were all drowned; onelyonly Sir Thomas Percie, Sir Hugh Calverley, Sir William Elmham, and certaine others escaped. It may not be imper…inent to note here the sumptuousnesse of those times; for this Sir Iohn Arundell was then said in his Furniture to have two and fifty new sutes of apparell of cloath of Gold and Tissue, all lost at Sea. This yeere also, there being found inconvenience in having many Governors of the King and Kingdome, it was by Parliament decreed, Th…t the Lord Thomas Beauchampe, Earle of Warwick … should himself alone hold the place of Protector. About this time Sir Iohn Annesley Knight accused Thomas Katrington Esquire, for betraying the Fortresse of St. Saviour to the French: which Katrington denying… at the suit of Annesly a solemne combat is permitted to be between them; at which combat the King and all the great Lords were present: the Esquire Katrington was a man of a mighty statu…e, the Knight Annesley a little man… yet through the justnesse of his cause, after a long fight, the Knight prevailed, and Katrington, the day after the combat dyed. In the beginning of the fourth yeere of this King, Thomas of Woodstock Earle of Buckingham, the Kings Unkle, with divers Earles and Lords, and an Army of seven or eight thousand, was sent into France, to aide the Duke of Britaine; but the King of France at that time dying, the Duke of Britain grew to have peace with the new King; whereupon the Earle of Buckingham came home againe, without doing much, but making of Knights, and forraging the Country. In this time the French and Spanish Gallies did much mischiefe on the Coast of England: they burnt Rye, H…sti…gs, a…d Portsmouth; and at last, ent…ing the River of Thames, they came up to Gravesend, where they burnt most part of the Towne, and taking many Prisoners and Booties returned into France. At this time also, there fell out an Accident of great disturbance to the Realme; for the Commons rose in divers parts, beginning at Dep…ford in Kent: and the cause of their Rising grew (as was thought) through the rude behaviour of a Collector of the Poll-money, who comming into the house of one Iohn Tyler, and demanding Pollmony of his wife for a daughter of hers, and she saying that her daughter was not of that age to pay, the rude fellow said, he would presently see whether that were so, or no, and thereupon forceably turned up her clo…thes; whereat the mother making an outcry, her husband being at work hard by, and hearing the noyse, came in with his lathing-staffe in his hand, with which he gave the Collector such a blow on the head, that his braines flew out, and he presently dyed. Upon this, at the complaint of Tyler amongst his neighbours, and withall, a factious Clergie-man, one Iohn …ll, taking occasion hereat to rip up the ground of this Misgovernment, and telling the people, that this difference of mens Estates, where some are Potentates, and some are Bondmen, was against Christian liberty, taking for his Theame, When Adam delv'd and Eve span, who was then … Gentleman? he so incensed them, that the Commons in divers parts drew together; and whether beginning in Kent, or otherwise in Essex, they drew at last into their faction the Commons of S…ssex, Hartfordshire, Cambridgshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, and other Shires; and arresting all such as passed, made them sweare to be true to K. Richard, and to the Commons, and never to receive any King that should be called Iohn; which they did for the envy they bore to Iohn Duke of Lancaster. Thus their number still increased, that by that time they were come as farre as Black-heath, they were esteemed to be a Hundred Thousand. The first thing they did when they came to London, was to send for one Richard Lyon, a grave Citizen, who had been Tylers Master, and his head they struck off, and carried it upon a pole, in Triumph before them: The next day they goe to the Savoy, the Duke of La…casters house, which they set on fire, burning all his rich Furniture, breaking in pieces all his Pla…e and Jewels, and throwing them into the Thames, saying, They were men of justice, and would not like Robbers enrich themselves with any mans goods: and when one of their fellowes was espyed to thrust a faire silver piece into his bosome, they tooke him, and cast both him and the piece into the fire: Two and thirty of them were got into the Dukes Wine-Cellar, where they stayed drinking so long, till the rafte…s of the house, on fire, fell upon them, and so covered them, that not able to get out, they were heard cry seven dayes after, and then perished. From the Savoy they went to the Temple, where they burnt the Lawyers lodgings, with their bookes and writings, and all they could lay hand on: Also the House of St. Iohns by Smithfield they set on fire, so that it burned for the space of seven dayes together. After this they came to the Tower, where the King was then lodged; and though he had at that time sixe hundred armed men, and as many Archers about him, yet he durst not but suffer them to enter; where they abused the Kings mother, offering to kisse her, in such rude manner, that she fell into a swound: and finding in the place Simon Thybold Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellour; and Sr. Robert Hales also Lord Treasurer; they led them to the Towerhill, and there in most cruell manner struck off their head…, as also of divers others: Neither spared they sacred places; for breaking into the Church of the Augustine Fryers, they drew forth thirteene Flemmings, and beheaded them in the open streets; as also seventeen other, out of other Churche…. Yet after all these outrages, the King proclaimed Pardon to all such as would lay down Armes, and goe quietly home; which the Essex-men did, but the Kentish-men continued still, with their Captaine Wat Tyl…r: to whom when the King sent Sir Iohn Newton to understand what his meaning was; Wat Tyler, offended because he came on horse-back, told him, it became him to light from his horse in his presence; a…d therewith drew out his dagger to strike him: the King perceiving his Knight to be in danger, bade him alight from his horse: but when this would not pacifie him, the Major of London, William Walworth, by the Kings appointment rode to him and arrested him, and gave him such a blow on the head, that he astonied him; and then other of the Kings servants drew their swords, and thrust him through in divers parts of his body, so as he died there in the place. When the Commons saw this, they cryed out, Our Captain is slain, let us revenge it. Here the King, though very young, not above fifteen yeeres of age, yet had the courage to ride unto them, telling them, that now their Leader was dead, he would be their Leader himselfe; and if they would follow him into the fields, they should have whatsoever they desired. In the meane time, the Lord Major Walworth had gone into the City, and raised a Thousand armed men, and meeting Sir Robert Knolls by chance, got him to be their Leader; who comming into the fields where the Rebels were, so daunted them, that throwing downe their weapons, they cryed for mercy: that it was a wonderfull thing to see how suddenly Fear overtook Presumption; for scarce their words of Insolency were out of their mouths, when they fell to words of most servile submission: And as strange an alteration in those about the King, to see how suddenly Boldnes surprized Feare; for scarce they left trembling at the sight of the Rebels, when suddenly upon sight of this Ayde their fingers itched to be setting …pon them, but that the King would not suffer it, because some amongst them were there by compulsion, and to set upon them thus mingled, might as well be the death of the innocent, as of the guilty. But to pacifie them the more, the King caused his Charter of Manumission to be sent unto them; which yet stayed them not from committing outrages at S…. Albans, and cancelling the antient Charters of the Abbots and Monks there. Besides, the Sedition was more generall, then that the appeasing it in one place could be finall; for at the same time there were gathered together in Suffolk to the number of Fifty thousand, by the setting on of one Iohn Wraw a lewd Priest: and these fell to destroying the houses of Lawyers speciallly; and Sir Iohn Cavendish L. Chiefe Justice of England, they beheaded, and set his head upon the Pillory in St. Edmundsbury. The like commotion of the Commons was at the same time also in Cambridgeshire, in the Isle of Ely, and in Norfolke, under the guiding of one Iohn Littester a Dyer: and to countenance their proceeding the more, they had a purpose to have brought William Vfford Earle of Suffolke into their fellowship; but he, advertised of their intention, suddenly rose from supp…r, and got him away: but many other Lords and Knights they compelled to be sworne to them, and to ride with them; as the Lord Scales, the Lord Morley, Sir Iohn Brewi…, Sir Stephen Hales, & Sr. Robert Salle, who not enduring their insolencies, had his braines dasht out by a Country Clowne that was his Bondman: The rest terrified by this example, were glad to carry themselves submissively to their Chieftaine Iohn Lit…ester, who named himselfe King of the Commons, and counted it a preferment for any to serve him at his Table, in taking the assay of his meates and drinkes, with kneeling humbly before him, as he sate at meat. And now these fellowes, upon a c…nsultation, send two choycemen, namely, the L. Morle… and Sir Iohn Brewi…, with three of their chiefe Commons, to the King, for their Charter of Manumission and Enfranchising: who being on their way, at Itchingham not farre from New market, they met with Henry Spenser Bishop of Norwich; and he examining them if there were any of the Rebels in their company, and hearing that thr…e of the chiefe were there present, he presently caused their heads to be struck off; and then pursuing on towards Northwalsham in Norfolke, where the Commons stayed for Answer from the King; by that time he came thither, where he had at first but eight Launces, and a small number of Archers in his company, his number was so increased, that it came to be a compleat Army, with which he set upon the Rebels, discomfited them, and tooke Iohn Littester and their other Chieftains, whom he caused all to be executed; and by this meanes the Country was quieted. After this, the Major of London …ate in Judgment upon Offenders; where many were found culpable, and lost their heads; amongst other, Iack Straw, Iohn Kirkeby, Alane Tredder, and Iohn Sterl…ng, who gloried that he was the man had slaine the Archbishop. Also Sir Robert Tresilian Chiefe Justice, was appointed to sit in Judgement against the Offenders; before whom above fifteen hundred were found guilty, and in sundry places put to death: amongst others, Iohn Ball Priest, their Incendiary; of whom it is not impertinent to relate a letter he wrote to the Rebell-rabble of Essex; by which we may see how fit an Oratour he was for such an Auditory, and what strength of perswasion there was in Non-sence: Iohn Sheepe St. Mary Priest of Yorke, and now of Colchester, greeteth well Iohn Namelesse, and Iohn the Miller, and Iohn Carter; and biddeth them that they beware of guile in Borough, and stand together in Gods name: and biddeth Piers Plowman goe to his work, and chastise well Hob the robber, and take with you Iohn Trewman and all his fellowes, and no moe. Iohn the miller ye ground small, small, small; the Kings Sonne of Heaven shall pay for all. Beware or ye be woe: Know your friend from your foe: Have enough, and say Ho; and doe well and better: Flee sinne, and seeke peace, and hold you therein: and so biddeth Iohn Trewman and all his fellowes.
Neither is it impertinent to declare the Confession of Iack Straw at his execution: When we were assembled (said he) upon Blackheath, and had sent to the K. to c…me to us, our purpose was to have slaine all Knights and Gentlemen that should be about him: and as for the King, we would have kept him amongst us, to the end the people might more boldly have repaired to us; and when we had gotten power enough, we would have slaine all Noblemen, and specially the Knights of the Rhodes; and lastly we would have killed the King, and all men of possessions, with Bishops, Monkes, Parsons of Churches; onelyonly Friers Mendicants we would have spared, for administration of the Sacraments: Then we would have devised Laws according to which the people should have lived; for we would have created Kings, as Wat Tyler in Kent, and other in other Countries: and the same evening that Wat Tyler was killed, we were determined to set fire in foure corners of the City, and to have divided the spoyle amongst us: and this was our purpose, as God may helpe me now at my last end.] For his service done in this seditious businesse, the King knighted the Major William Walworth, and gave him a hundred pounds a yeere in Fee; also he knighted five Aldermen his brethren, girding them abou… the waste with the girdle of knighthood, which was the manner of Graduating in those dayes: And to doe the City it selfe honour, he granted there should be a Dagger added to the Armes of the City; for till this time the City bore onelyonly the Crosse without the Dagger.
And now all parts being quiet, the King by Proclamation revoked and made void his former Charters of Infranchising the Bondmen of the Realme; and that they should stand in the same condition they were before. In the time of this sedition, the Duke of Lancaster had been sent into Scotland, to keep the Scots quiet; who so carried the matter, that before the Scots heard of the Sedition, a Truce was concluded for two or three yeeres. But the Duke comming back to Berwick, was denied by the Captaine Sir Matthew Redman, to enter the Towne, because of a Commandement given him by the Earle of Northumberland, L. Warden of the Marches, not to suffer any person to enter the same; which the King indeed had appointed to be done, forgetting the Duke of Lancaster that was then in Scotland: but howsoever, this bred such a spleen in the Duke against the Earle, that at his comming home, he laid many things to the Earles charge, and the Earle as stoutly answered his objections: and so farre it proceeded, that both of them came to the Parliament which was then beginning, with great numbers of Armed men, and themselves in Armour, to the great terrour of the people: but the King, wisely taking the matter into his owne hands, made them friends. At which time, the Lady Anne, Sister to the Emperour Wincesl…us, and affianced wife to the King, was come to Callis; whereupon the Parliament was Prorogued: the Lady was brought to London, joyned in mariage to the King, and Crowned Queene at Westminster by the Archbishop of Canterbury, with great solemnity. After the Mariage, the Parliament began againe; in which William Vfford Earle of Suffolke being chosen by the Knights of the Shires to deliver in behalfe of the Commonwealth certaine matters concerning the same, the very day and houre in which he should have done the businesse, as he went up the staires towards the upper House, he suddenly fell down and dyed, having been merry and well before, to all mens judgements. About this time the Lord Scroope was deposed from the Chancellourship, for refusing to seale some Grants which the King had made: and the King receiving the great Seale at his hands, kept it a certaine time, and sealed with it such Grants and Writings as he pleased; till at length it was delivered to Robert Braybrooke Bishop of London, who was made Lord Chancellour.
Henry Spenser Bishop of Norwich, had lately with the Kings leave raised an Army, and was gone into France, in behalfe of Pope Vrban, against the Anti-pope Clement; and entring first into Fla…ders, he tooke and sacked many Townes; at last besieged Ypres; till by an Army of French (greater then was thought could have been raised in France) he was forced to raise his siege: and then passing divers places, he came to Gr…eling; from whence he writ to King Richard, that if ever he meant to try battell with the French, now was the time. The King was at that time at Dayntrie in North…mptonshire; and being at supper when the word was brought him, he instantly rose from the Table, got to horse-back, and rode in Post with such speed that he came to St. Albans about midnight; where making no stay, but while he borrowed the Abbots Gelding, he hasted forth till he came to Westminster, as though he had meant never to rest till he had given battell to the French-men: but after he had taken councell of his pillow, his minde was altered, and h… thought it better to imploy some other, then to goe himselfe: so the Duke of Lancaster is thought the fittest man; but he protracted the time so long in making preparation, th…t before he could be gone, the Bishop was come away: And this indeed is the condition of many, to spend so much time in preparing, that they utterly lose all opportunity of acting; like to men that are putting on their cloathes so long, till it be time to put them off againe. Shortly after, a Truce was concluded between Fra…ce and England, to endure till the Feast of St. Michael, which should be in the yeere 1384.