A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government, Regnal history 5 · Part 2 – Part 10
Of his Taxations.
IN his second yeere, in a Parliament held at Glocester: was granted to be paid by the Merchants, upon every sack of wooll a Mark, for this present yeere; and for every pounds worth of wares, brought from beyond Sea, and sold here, sixe pence of the Buyer. In his Third yeere, in a Parliament of Westminster, a Subsidie was granted to be levied of the Great men of the Realm, to the end the Commons might be spared: The Dukes of Lancaster and Britain paid 20 marks; every Earl 6 marns; Bishops and Abbots with Miter, as much: every Monk, three shillings foure pence: also every Justice, Sheriffe, Knight, Esquire, Parson and Vicar, were charged after a certaine rate; but no Commons of the Layitie. Also this yeere, in another Parliament, was granted a Tenth by the Clergie, and a Fifteenth by the Laytie; but with this condition, That from thenceforth, which was in March, 1380. till the Feast of S. Michael, which should be in the yeere 1381. there should be no more Parliaments: but yet was not observed. In his Fourth yeere, in a Parliament at Northampton, a new kinde of Subsidie was granted; of every Priest Secular or Regular, sixe shillings eight pence; and as much of every Nunne; and of every man or woman, maried or not maried, being sixteen yeeres of age, (beggers onelyonly excepted) foure pence. In his Fifth yeere, a Subsidie was granted by the Merchants, of certaine Customes of their wools which they bought and sold, called a Maletot, to endure for foure yeeres. In his Seventh yeere was granted him one Moyity of a Fifteenth by the Laytie; and shortly after, a Moyitie of a Tenth by the Clergie. In his Ninth yeere, halfe of a Tenth, and halfe of a Fifteenth by the Laytie. In his Eleventh yeere, there was granted him a Tenth of the Clergie, and a Fifteenth of the Laytie. In hi… Twelveth yeere, at a Parliament, was granted of every Sack of wooll, forty shillings; whereof, ten shillings to be applyed presently to the Kings use; the other thirty to remaine in the hands of Treasurers, towards the charges of warres, if any should happen. Also there was a Subsidie granted, of sixe pence in the pound; whereof… foure pence to the use last mentioned; the other two pence to be at the kings pleasure. In his Fifteenth yeere, at a Parliament, was granted a Tenth of the Clergie, and a Fifteenth of the Laytie, towards the charges of Ioh… Duke of La…caster, sent into France. In his Eighteenth yeere, a Tenth was granted by the Clergie, and a Fifteenth by the Laytie, towards his own journey into Ireland. In his Twentieth yeere, the Clergie granted him a Tenth, to be paid that yeere. In his one and twentieth yeere, upon pretence of having ayded the Duke of Glocester, and the Earles of Arundell and Warwick against him, he caused blanke Charters to be made, which he compelled both Citizens and Gentlemen in the Country to seale, whereby he might charge them afterward to pay whatsoever he required. In his two and twentieth yeere, a Fifteenth and a halfe was granted; and for the Customes of wools, fifty shillings upon every Sack, of Englishmen borne, and three pounds of Strangers.
Of Lawes and Ordinances in his time.
IN his second yeere, in a Parliament at Glocester, it was enacted, That Merchant-strangers might buy and sell in Grosse, or by Retaile, within this Realme. In his Third yeere, in a Parliament at Westminster, It was Ordained, that the Priviledges and Immunities of the Abby of Westminster should remaine inviolate; but with this Proviso, against those that tooke Sanctuary with pu…pose to defraud their Creditours, That their lands and goods should be lyable to their debts. In his Sixth yeere, a Parliament was holden, in which the Major of London, upon suggestion that the Fishmongers used great deceit in uttering of their Fish, obtained to have it Enacted, That from thenceforth, none of that Company, nor of the Vintners, Grocers, Butchers, or other that sold any provision of Victuals, should be admitted Major of the City: but in the Parliament next following, were restored to their liberty againe, saving that they might not keepe Courts among themselves, but that all transgressions of their Customes should be tryed at the Majors Court. In his Eleventh yeere, K. Richard created Iohn Beauchamp of Holt, Baron of Kedermister, by his Letters Patents; the first that was so made; for before this time, Barons were alwayes made by calling them to Parliaments by the Kings Writ.
Affaires of the Church in his time.
IN the second yeere of this Kings Reigne, there came messengers from the new-elected Pope Vrban, to require the Kings ayd against such Cardinals as he named Schism…ticks, that had elected another Pope, whom they named Clem…nt: which Cardinalls sent messengers likewi…e to crave his ayd for them, but through perswasion of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Vrbans request was granted, and Clement rejected. In his fourth year, Iohn Wickliffe set forth his opinion touching the Sacrament of the Altar, denying the doctrine of Transubstantiation, in such sort, as the Church of Rome did then teach. In his sixth year, Henry Spencer Bishop of No…wi…h received Bulls from Pope Vrb…n, to grant all priviledges of the Crusado to all such as would come over and assist him against the Anti-Pope Clement; which being debated in Parliament, It was after much opposition, agreed that it should go forward; and thereupon, the Bishop not only gathered much money from such as would contribute to the expedition, but drew many great Captaines to go themselves in person; as namely, Sir Hugh Calverley, sir William Farington, the Lord Henry Beau…t, sir William Elmham, sir Tho…as Tryvet, and divers others. The money raised by contribution, came to 25000 Franks, and the Army to 3000 Horse, and 15000 Foot; with which Forces, the Bishop passing over into Flanders, wonne the Towns of Graveling, Dunkirke, and Newport; but at last encountred by a mighty Army of the French, he was put to the worse, and returned into England. In the twelveth yeare of this Kings Reigne, an Act was made that none should passe the Seas to purchase promotions or provisions (as they tearmed them) in any Church or Churches. Also in this yeare Thomas late Earle of Lancaster, by reason of miracles reported to be done by him, was Canonized for a Saint. At this time also, the Wickliffs mervelously increased, Preaching against Pilgrimages and Images, whose greatest opposer was the Bishop of Norwich. In his thirteenth yeare, Proclamation was made, that all Beneficed men abiding in the Court of Rome, should return into England by a certain day, under pain of forfeiting their Benefices; and all other not Beneficed, under a certain pain likewise. Also about this time a Statute was made, that no Ecclesiasticall person should possesse Manours, Houses, Lands, Revenues, or Rents whatsoever at the hands of the Feoffee, without the Kings Licence, and the chiefe Lords. In his eighteenth yeare, the Wickliffs were persecuted, and excommunication pronounced against them by the Archbishop of Canterbury. In this Schisme of the two Popes, the French Clergy wrote in behalfe of Clement their Pope, and sent it into England; the Clergy of England on the contrary, wrote in behalfe of Pope Vrban, and so nothing was agreed.
Works of Piety in his time.
IN the 20th yeare of this Kings Reign, William B…teman Bishop of Norwich builded Trinitie Hall in Cambridge. In the third year of his Reign, Iohn Philpot Major of Lo…don, gave to the Citie certain Tenements, for the which the Chamberlain payeth yearly to thirteen poore people, to every of them seven pence the week for ever; and as any of those thirteen persons dyeth, the Major appointeth one to succeed, and the Recorder another. In the one and twentieth yeare of his Reign, King Richard caused the great Hall at Westminster to be repaired, both the Walls, Windows, and Roofe. In his time, Si… Archbishop of Canterbury, slain by the Rebels upon Tower hill, built the West-gate of Canterbury, and from thence to the North-gate, commonly called the long wall. Thomas Fits-Ala… or Arundell, being Bishop of Ely, built the great Gatehouse of Ely house in Holborne; and being after Bishop of Canterbury, he built a faire spire steeple at the West-end of his Church there, called to this day, Arundell steeple, and bestowed a tuneable ring of five Bells upon the same.
Of Casualties happening in his time.
IN his third yeare, so great a mortality afflicted the North parts of England, that the Country became almost desolate. In his sixt yeare, on the 24 day of May, there happened so great an earthquake, or (as some write) a watershake, that it made Ships in the Havens to beat one against the other. In Iuly, in the year 1389. whilest the King was at Sheene; there swarmed in his Court such multitudes of Flyes and Gnats, skirmishing with one another; that in the end they were swept away with brooms by heaps, and bushels were filled with them. In his twelveth yeare, in March, first there were terrible Windes; afterward followed a great mortality, and after that a great dearth; that a bushel… of wheat was sold for thirteen pence, which was then thought a great price; for the years before it was sold for six pence, and Wooll was sold for two shillings a stone. In his fourteenth year, on Christmas day, a Dolphin was taken at London-bridge, being ten foot long, and a monstrous grown fish. Ind his eighteenth year, an Exhalation, in likenesse of fire appeared in the night in many places of England; which when a man went alone, went as he went, and stayed as he stayed; sometimes like a wheele, sometimes like a Barrell, sometimes like a timberlogge; but when many went together, it appeared to be far off. Also in a Parliament time, ther was a certain Image of waxe made by Necromancie (as was sayd) which at an houre appointed, uttered these words:
The Head shall be cut off; the Head shall be lift up aloft; the feet shall be lift up above the Head: and then spake no more. This happened in the Parliament, called the Marvellous Parliament, not long before the Parliament that wrought wonders. In his one and thirtieth yeare, a River not far from Bedford, suddenly ceased his course, so as the channell remained dry by the space of three miles; which was judged to signifie, the Revolting of the Subjects from their naturall Prince. In his two and twentieth yeare, almost through all England, old Bay-trees withered, and afterwards grew green againe; which was supposed to import some strange event. About the yeare 1380. the making of Gunnes was found by a Germa…e, which may well be reckoned amongst casualties, seeing it was found by casualty; for this Germane having beaten Brimstone in a morter to powder, and covered it with a stone; it happened, that as he struck fire, a sparke chanced to fall into the powder; which caused such a flame out of the morter, that it raised the stone a great heigth; which after he perceived, he made a Pipe of iron, and tempered the powder with some other ingredients, and so finished that deadly Engine. The first that used it, were the Venetians against the inhabitans of Geneva.
Of his Wives.
KING Richard in his time had two Wives; the first was Anne Daughter to the Emperour Charles the Fourth, and Sister to the Emperour Wenceslaus; who lived his wife ten years, and dyed without issue at Sheene in Surry, in the year 1392; whose death King Richard tooke so heavily, that he caused the buildings of that Pallace to be thrown down and defaced, as though to revenge himselfe upon the place, could ease his minde, and mitigate his sorrow. His second Wife was Isabel Daughter to Charles the Sixth King of France; She was married to him at eight years of age, and therefore never co-habited. After King Richards death she was sent home, and married afterwards to Charles Son and heire to the Duke of Orleance.
Of his Personage and conditions.
HE was the goodliest personage of all the Kings that had been since the conquest; tall of stature, of streight and strong limbes, faire and amiable of countenance; and such a one as might well be the Son of a most beautifull mother. Concerning his Conditions, there was more to be blamed in his Education, than in his Nature; for there appeared in him many good inclinations, which would have grown to be abilities, if they had not been perverted by corrupt flatterers in his youth. He was of a credulous disposition, apt to believe, and therfore easie to be abused. His greatest transgression was, that he went with his friends ultra aras, where he should have gone but us que ad aras. His greatest imbecilitie, that he could not distinguish between a flatterer and a friend. He seemed to have in him both a French nature and an English; violent at the first apprehension, calm upon deliberation; He never shewed himself more worthy of the Government, than when he was deposed as unworthy to Governe; for it appeared, that his Regality was not so deare unto him, as a private quiet lif… which if he might have enjoyed, he would never have complained that Fortune had done him wrong.
Of his Death and Buriall.
KIng Richard, shortly after his Resignation, was conveyed to the Castle of Leeds in Kent, and from thence to Pomfret; where the common fame is, that he was served with costly meat, like a King, but not suffered once to touch it, and so dyed of forced famine. But Thomas Walsingham referreth it altogether to a voluntary pining of himselfe, through grief of his misfortunes. But one Writer, well acquainted with king Richards doings, saith, that king Henry sitting one day at his Table, said sighing, Have I no faithfull friend that will deliver me of him who will be my death… This speech was specially noted by one Sir Piers of Ex…on; who presently, with eight persons in his company, went to Pomfret, commanding the Esquire that tooke the Assay before king Richard, to doe so no more, saying, Let him eat now, for he shall not eat long. King Richard sitting down to dinner, was served without Assay; whereat marvelling, he demanded of his Esquire, why he did not his duty? Sir (said he) I am otherwise commanded by Sir Piers of Ex…on, who is newly come from king Henry. When king Richard heard that word, he tooke the Carving knife in his hand, and stroke the Squire on the head, saying, The Devill take Henry of Lancaster and thee together: And with that word, Sir Piers entred the Chamber, with eight armed men, every of them having a Bill in his hand. King Richard perceiving this, put the Table from him, and stepping to the foremost man, wrung the bill out of his hands, and slew foure of those that thus came to assaile him; but in conclusion, was felled with a stroke of a Poll-axe, which Sir Piers gave him upon the head, with which blow he fell down dead… though it be scarce credible, that … man upon his bare word, and without shewing any warrant, should be admitted to doe such a fact. Sir Piers having thus slaine him, wept bitterly: a poore amends for so heynous a trespasse. King Richard thus dead, his body was embalmed, and covered with Lead, all save the face, and then brought to London, where it lay at Pauls three dayes together, that all men might behold it, to see he was dead: The corps was after had to Langley in Buckinghamshire, and there buried in the Church of the Friers Preachers: but afterward, by k. Henry the Fift, it was removed to Westminster, and there honorably entombed, with Queen Anne his wife; and that beautifull picture of a King, sitting crowned in a Chaire of State, at the upper end of the Quire in S. Peters at Westminster, is said to be of him: although the Scots untruly write, that he escaped out of Prison, and led a solitary and vertuous life in Scotland, and there dyed, and is buried (as they hold) in the Black-Friers at Sterling. He lived three and thirty yeares, Reigned two and twenty and three moneths.
Men of Note in this Kings time.
MEn of Valour in his time were so many, that to reckon them all, would be a hard taske; and to leave out any, would be an injury: yet to give an instance in one, we may take Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lanca…ter, whose valour was no lesse seen abroad then at home: In France, in Germany, in Spaine; in all which places he left Trophies of his Victories. But of learned men, we may name these: William Thorne an Augustine Frier of Canterbury, an Historiographer: Adam Merimouth, a Canon of Pauls Church in London, who wrote two Historicall Treatises; one intitled Chronicon 40. annoru… ; another, Chr…nicon 60. …nnorum. William Packington sometime Secretary to the Black Prince, an excellent Historiographer: William Badbye a Carmelite Frier, Bishop of Worcester, and Confessour to the Duke of Lancaster: Iohn …ourg, Chancellour of the University of Cambridge: William Sc…ade, a Monke of Buck…ast Abby in Devonshire: Iohn Th…risbye Archbishop of Yorke, Lord Chancellour of England, and a Cardinall: Willi…m Berton Chancellour of Oxford, an Adversary to Wickliffe: Philip Repington Abbot of Leicester, a Defender of Wickliffe: Walter Brit, a Scholar of Wickliffs, a writer both in Divinity and other Arguments: Iohn Sharpe, a great adversary to Wickliffe, who wrote many Treatises: Peter Pateshall, a great favourer of Wickliffe: Marcell Ingelno, an excellent Divine, one of the first Teachers in the University of Heydelberg: Richard Withee a learned Priest, and an earnest follower of Wickliffe: Iohn Swasham Bishop of Bangor, a great adversary to the Wickliffs: Adam Eston, a great Linguist, and a Cardinall: Iohn Trevise, a Cornish man, and a secular Priest, who translated the Bible, Bartholmew, De Proprietatibus Rerum; Polichronicon of Ranulph Higden, and divers other Treatises: Iohn Moone, an English man, but a Student in Paris; who compiled in the French tongue, The Romant of the Rose; translated into English by Geoffry Ch…wcer, and divers others.