A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government, Royal biography 1

A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government · Royal biography 1

p. 27THE LIFE OF KING WILLIAM THE FIRST, CALLED THE CONQVEROUR.

His Parentage and Descent.

THere were six Dukes of Normandie in France, in a direct line succeeding from father to sonne. The first was Rollo, who of a private man in Denmarke, comming forth with the exuberancy of his Nation, wrested by force of Armes from Charles the Simple King of France, to bee made Duke of Normandy. The second was William his sonne, called Long Espee, or Long Sword. The third was Richard his sonne, called the Hardie, who had Richard, and a daughter called Emma, married to Ethelred King of England, father of Edward the Confessor. The fourth was Richard the second his sonne, called the Good. The fifth was Richard the third his sonne, who by a first wife had three sonnes, Richard, Robert and William, and by a second, two other sonnes, William Earle of Argues, and Ma…ger, Archbishop of Roan. So as Richard his eldest sonne by his first wife succeeded him by the name of Richard the fourth, and dying without issue, the Dukedome descended to Robert his second sonne by his first wife; which Robert was father to our William the Conquerour, of whom it is thus recorded: that riding one time abroad, he happened to passe by a company of Country Maides that were a dancing, where staying a while to looke upon them, he was so taken with the handsomnesse and gracefull carriage of one of them whose name was Arlotte, a Skinners daughter, (from whence as some thinke our word Harlot comes) that affection commanding him, and authority her, he caused her that night to be brought to his bed; where being together, what was done or said betweene them is no matter for History to record, though some Historians have recorded both; making her not so modest as was fit for a Maide: onelyonly tenne monthes after, it appeared that at this time our Duke William was begotten; who proving a man of extraordinary spirit, we may attribute it to the heate of affection in which he was begotten.

His succeeding in the Dukedome, notwithstanding his Bastardie.

IT appeares by many examples, that Bastardie in those dayes was no barre to succession, till a law was afterward made to make it a barre. It brought some disgrace where the mother was meane, but no impediment where the father was Noble; and even his Bastardie seemed to have some allay, if it be true (as some write) that his father tooke the said Arlotte afterward to be his wife, and yet perhaps he had not the Dukedome so much by succession, as by gift. For when hee was about p. 28nine yeares old, his father calling his Nobility together, caused them to swear Allegeance to this base sonne of his, and to take him for their Liege Lord after his decease. Neither was this in those dayes infrequent, for Princes to conferre their Principalities after their owne deceases upon whom they pleased; counting it as lawfull to appoint successours after them, as substitutes under them; even in our time and Kingdome, the Duke of Northumberland prevailed with King Edward the sixth, to exclude his two sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, and to appoint the Lady Iane Grey, daughter of the Duke of Suffolke, to succeed him.

His Education and Tuition in his minoritie.

HIs father having declared and appointed him to be his Successour, went soone after (whether out of devotion, or to do Penance for procuring his brothers death, whereof he was suspected) into the Holy Land, in which Journey he died, having left the tuition of his young sonne to his two brothers, and the Guardianship to the King of France, in whose Court for a time he was brought up. A strange confidence, to commit the tuition of a sonne that was base, to Pretenders that were legi…i…ate, and to a King of France, who aimed at nothing more, then to reannexe this Dukedome to his Crowne. But it seemes his confidence was grounded upon the proximitie of blood in his brothers, and upon the merits of his owne service formerly done to the King of France; which though it proved well enough with him, yet is not to betaken into example to follow.

His Troubles in his minoritie.

FIrst, Roger de Tresny, who derived his Pedegree directly from Rollo, and had won much honour by his valour in the warres, (notwithstanding the Oath of Allegeance he had formerly taken) takes exception to his Bastardy, and invites Complices to assist him in recovering the Dukedome to … legitimate Race: a fal…e pretext if the Fate of Duke William had not beene against it; who though hee were himselfe but young, and could not do much in his owne person, yet the Divine Providence raised him up friends that supplied him with Assistance, and particularly Roger de Beamont, by whose valour this Roger de Tresny, with his two brothers, was defeated and slaine. After Roger de Tres…y, William de Arques his Unckle layes claime to the Dutchy, and assisted by the King of France comes to a battaile, but by the valour of Count Gyfford, the Dukes Generall, was likewise defeated: and these were troubl…s before he arrived to seventeene yeares of age. After this, one Guy Earle of Burgoigne, Grandchild to Richard the second, Duke of Normandy, grew sensible also of his Right to the Dukedome, and joyning with Viscount Neele, and the Earle of Bes…in, two powerfull Normans, conspired Duke Williams death, and had effected it, if a certaine Foole about him, had not stolne away in the night, to the place where the Duke was, and never left knocking and crying at the gate, till he was admitted to his presence, willing him to flye for his life instantly, or he would be murthered. The Duke considering that being related by a Foole, it was like to be the more palpable, and that there might be danger in staying, none in going, rode instantly away, all alone, toward Falaise, his principall Castle, but missing his way, he happ…ned to passe where a Gentleman was standing at his doore, of whom he asked the way, and was by him, as knowing him, directed; which he had no sooner done, but the conspiratours came presently inquiring if such a one had not passed that way, which the Gentleman affirmed, and undertooke to be their guide to overtake him, but leading them of purpose a contrary way, the Duke by this meanes, came safely to F…l…ise; and from thence journeyes to the King of France, complaining of his inj…ries; and imploring his ayd, as one that wa… …is homager, and committed to his care… by his …ervant his Father. The King of France moved with his distre…se, and remembrance of his Fathers meri…s, though he wish…d he was lesse then he was, yet he …o ayded him, that he made him greater then he p. 29was; for himselfe in person, suffering much in the Battaile, procured him the Victory. By which we may see that folly, and fortune, and even Enemies themselves are all assistants to the Destinies; or to say better, indeed to the divine Providence. Many other affronts were offered him, some by meaner Princes; some afterward by the King of France himselfe, who was now growne jealous of his Greatnesse; all which he encountred with such dexterity, that made his Bastardy, as it were become Legitimate, and Vertue her selfe to grow proud of his person.

His Carriage afterwards in Peace.

BY this time he was come to the age of two and twenty yeares, and where all this while he had shewed himselfe a valiant Generall in Warre, he now began to shew himselfe a provident Governor in Peace, composing and ordering his state, wherein he so carryed himselfe, that as his Subjects did both feare and love him, so his Neighbouring Princes did both feare and hate him, or if not hate him, at least emulate him.

His Incitements for Invading of England.

HE was now growne about fifty yeares old: an Age that might well have arrested all ambitious thoughts in him, but who can thinke himselfe too old for a Kingdome; when Galba for attaining the Romane Empire, was contented to buckle on Armour, being fourescore yeares old? The D…ke in his time of peace came over into England to visite his cousin King Edward, who besides his Princely entertainment, made him at that time (as some thinke) a promise to leave him his Successour in the Kingdome; & Harold after this, going over to the Duk… in Normandy, for procuring some friends of his to be released, the better to effect it, tooke his solemne Oath to assist him for obtaining the Kingdome. So as having the word of Edward, and the oath of Harold, he had now sufficient obligations to expect it. But hearing of the death of King Edward, and that Harold was Crowned King, he thought himselfe not more forgotten by Edward, then wronged by Harold; and therefore sent messengers to him to put him in mind of K. Edwards P…omise, and his owne Oath: but Harold puffed up with the conceit of being a King, as though that very name were enough to expiate all breach of Oathes, and that nothing could binde him, who had now the fetters in his owne hand; returned onelyonly sleight answers, that his Oath was forced, and voyd in it selfe, as being made without consent of the Kingdome. Whereupon the Duke thus sleighted by Harold, endevours to make him an honest man by force, assuring himselfe, he should find him the weaker Enemy, for finding him a perjured Friend.

The Reasons that facilitated his Conquest of England.

DUke William incensed with Harolds answers, acquaints his Nobility with his purpose, who with some adoe consented to ayd him, as likewise many other great Lords of France, but specially Baldwyn Earle of Flanders, whose daughter he had marryed; and who being at that time Guardian of the young King of France, procured ayde from him also; and to make the Enterprise the more successefull, Pope Alexander the second sent him a Banner with an Agnus of Gold, and one o… the haires of Saint Peter. So as the preparation of the Duke, both by Sea and Land was very great, having three hundred saile of ships, and as some write, 890… and as one Norman, above a thousand, and as Cemeticensis, three thousand: and though Harold had likewise provided a warlike Fleet to encounter him, yet it was at tha… time unfortunately diverted another way; for Taustay…e his Brother, being then in rebellion in the North, and Harold Harfager: King of Norway, at the same time invading those parts, and perhaps upon a bruite, that the Dukes… Fleet was not yet ready to come forth, removed both his Fleet and Army thither: where though he p. 30got the Victory at Stamford, with the death both of his Brother Toustayne, and of the King of No…way, yet it made way for the Duke to land quietly, and he entred the Kingdome, as one may enter a house, when the doores are all left open. By this meanes King Har…lds shipping, (the best wall of defence to an Island) was utterly frustrate: and as for his Land Forces, they were by his Battaile at Stamford, exceedingly both weakned and impaired; yet hearing that Duke William was landed at Pemsey, not farre from Hastings in Sussex, he repaired thither with all speed, and gathering together his broken Forces, and encreasing them by all the meanes he could, made himselfe ready to give the Duke Battaile. Duke William in the meane time, as soone as he had landed his men, sent his ships presently away, that there might be no thinking of any thing, but either Death or Victory. And then going himselfe on land, it is said, his foot slipped, and he fell downe; which some that stood by, taking for an ill signe, No (saith he) I have by this, taken possession of this Land. And indeed Presages are but as Animus ejus qui praesagit, as in this Dukes fall it afterwards fell out. Many wayes of composition, betweene Duke William, and King Harold were propounded, yet Harold would hearken to none, as nothing doubting of successe, and perhaps thinking it a disgrace, to capitulate for that, which was now his owne: and when one of his Brothers called Gyrth, being lesse interessed, and therefore clearer sighted, intreated him to consider what a fearefull thing it was to breake an Oath, which he so solemnely had sworne: Harold seemed to conceive, that nothing which he did, being a private man, could be of force to binde him now being a Prince; and so on the fourteenth day of October, being Saturday, in the yeare 1066. (which day he liked the better, because it was his Birth-day, hoping, that the day of his Birth would not so much degenerate, to prove the day of his death, though even this also bred no good blood to the Action, for the Souldiers of Harold, thinking thereby to honour their Kings Birth-day, spent the night before in revelling and drinking, where the Souldiers of the Duke, out of consideration of their next dayes worke, spent the night in quietnesse and devotion) they joyned battaile, (the Kentish-men being placed in the Fore-front, as by an ancient custome is their due, and King Harold with his Londoners, leading the maine Battaile) where though their Armies were not much unequall in number, (for they were each of them neare about threescore thou…and men) yet there was great oddes in the expertnesse of their Souldiers, and more in the advantage of their weapons: for, the Duke had with him all the flowre of France and Flanders, where King Harold had lost his best men, in his late Battaile: and for advantage of weapons, the Normans had long Bowes and Arrowes, which of the English at that time, were not at all in use: what mervaile then that the Normans got the Victory, though King Harold losing his life, yet lost no Reputation; and though the English Souldiers shewed no lesse valour, in being Conquered, then the Normans did in Conquering. One circumstance may not be omitted, that King …arold as an expert Generall, had ordered his men in so firme a Body, that no force of the Normans could disorder their Rankes, till Duke William … used a Stratagem, commanding his men to retire, and to counterfeit flight; by which he drew the English on, upon a hollow ground, covered with earth, whereinto many of them fell, and perished, and besides into an ambush of his Horsemen, which unexpectedly fell upon them, and cut them in pieces. Withall, there seemes one great errour to have beene committed (at least, if it were an errour, and not rather a nece…sity) that there was not a supplementall Army provided; (as his Brother Gyrth would have had it) which might have come on if the first had failed, and would have beene of great advantage against a wearyed Army. But when Sic visum est superis, all humane force is weake and cannot withstand, all humane Providence is unprovided, and cannot prevent. The body of Harold at his Mother Thyrace suite was recovered, and lyes buryed in Waltham Abbey, which he had begunne to build, at least to repaire. But here Gyraldus Cambrensis tels a strange story, that Harold was not slaine in the Battaile, but onelyonly wounded and lost his left eye, and then escaped by flight to Chester, where he afterwards led a holy Anchorets life.

p. 31How Duke William proceeded after his victory at Hastings.

AS his Valour wonne him the Victory, so his Victory wonne him a Crowne; that now of an old Duke, he was suddenly become a young King: and indeed, nothing so much renues life, and makes the yeares in a manner young againe: as addition of Honour, specially when it is the fruite of merit. First therefore, having given publicke thankes to God for his happy successe, he led his Army towards London, not the direct way (perhaps doubting some new Encounter) but coasting about through part of Kent, through Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Barkeshire, where at Wallingford he passed over the Thames; and then through Oxford…shire, Buckinghamshire, and Hartfordshire, untill he came to Barkehamstead, where there came unto him Aldred Arch-bishop of Yorke, Woolstan Bishop of Worcester, Willfere, Bishop of Hereford, and many other Prelates, accompanyed with Edgar Atheling, with Earle Edwyn and Mar…har, Brothers, and men of the greatest sway in the Kingdome, and many others of the Nobility. It is true, upon the defeate at Hastings, Earle Edwyn and Marchar, had a purpose to set up Edgar Atheling, as next Heire of the Royall blood; and Grand-childe to Edmund …ronside, and so beloved of the people, that he was called their Darling: but considering his young yeares, and other inabilities, but specially finding the mindes of the Bishops, (who at that time bore all the sway) to be otherwise inclined, they desisted from that course, and thus the Duke, without any opposition, comming to London, was received by Bishops, and Lords and all, with great joy, though small gladnesse, and if he had not their hearts, yet he had their knees, for in most humble manner they submitted themselves to him, acknowledging him for their Soveraigne Lord, and upon Christmas-day after, he was Crowned at Westminster by Aldred Arch-bishop of Yorke, the Arch-bishop of Canterbury Stigand, not being admitted to doe that office, for some defect in his Investiture; and perhaps for some aspersion in his manners.

How he rewarded his followers.:

THough he hath had the name of Conquerour, yet he used not the Kingdome as gotten by Conquest, for he tooke no mans living from him, nor dispossessed any of their goods, but such onelyonly, whose demerit made unworthy to hold them; as appeares by his Act to one Warren a Norman, to whom he had given the Castle of Sherborne in Norfolke; for when Sherborne, who was owner of it, acquainted the King, that the Castle was his; and that he had never borne Armes against him; he presently commanded Warren, to deliver it quietly up unto him… OnelyOnly vacancies of Offices, and filling up the places of those who were slaine or fled, were the present meanes he made use of, for preferring his Followers. One speciall preferment we cannot omit, that where one Herlowyn a Nobleman in Normandy, had marryed his Mother Arlette, and had by her a Sonne named Hugh Lupus, he gave to the said Hugh, the Earledome of Chester, to hold of him as freely by his sword, as himselfe held England by his Crowne, by vertue of which Grant, the said Hugh ordained under him foure Barons, Nigell he made Baron of Halton: Malbanke, Baron of Nantwich: Eustace Baron of Mawpase; and Vernon, Baron of Shipbrooke: Such an Honour, as no Subject before or since, ever enjoyed the like.

What meanes he used for securing himselfe in the Kingdome:

BEsides the Oath of Fealty, which he tooke of all his Lords both Spirituall and Temporall, at his Coronation; in Lent following, going into Normandy, he tooke along with him the greatest part of the great men of the Kingdome, of whom, Edwyn and Marchar, the two Earles of Northumberland and Mercia, Stigand p. 32Arch-bishop of Canterbury, Edgar Atheling, Waltheoff sonne to Syward formerly Earle of Northumberland, and Agelnothus Abbot of Glastenbury were the chiefe; leaving the care of the Kingdome in his absence to Odo Bishop of Bayeux, his Brother by the Mother; and to William Fits Osburne, whom he had made Earle of Hereford. And to abate the greatnesse of the Prelates, which at that time was growne in a manner unlimited, he ordained that from thenceforth, they should not command with any Temporall Authority whatsoever. And because the common people are no lesse to be feared for their number, then the Nobility for their greatnesse, he first tooke from them all their Armour, to the end, that leaving them without stings, they might afterward be but Droanes. And because there is seldome any danger from singular numbers, but all the danger riseth from plurality: therefore to prevent conspiracies and combinations, which are commonly contrived in the night, he commanded that in all Townes and Villages, a Bell should be rung at eight a clocke in the Evening, and that in every house they should then put out their Fire and Lights (which was called Couure Feu) and goe to Bed. And for more security he erected Castles in the most doubtfull places of the Kingdome. One at Yorke, another at Lincolne, a third at Nottingham, (at that time called Snottingham) and a fourth at Hastings, where he first Landed. By these meanes the Kingdome was quiet all the time of his being away in Normandy, saving onelyonly that Edrick the Forester, in the County of Hereford, calling in to his ayde the Kings of Wales, made some small disturbance. And indeed all the States of the Kingdome might in his very person finde something to make them apt to tolerate his Government. For first, the People might thinke themselves in a sort advanced, being now made members of a greater Body; when the Dukedome of Normandy should come to be annexed to the Kingdome of England; and by experience of his good Governement being a Duke, they might well hope, he would not governe worse being made a King. And the Nobility might be well content, as having a King of their former Kings choosing, and though a Stranger, yet no Alien, as having in him many veines of the same blood, and therefore likely also to have some ve…nes of the same goodnesse, of their good King Edward. But specially the Clergy could not chuse but be content, as having a King who came commended to them, by a commending as strong as a commanding, the Popes Benediction.

What Troubles or Insurrections were during his Raigne.

BUt the Body of a State being more obnoxious to crudities and ill humours, then the state of a Naturall body; It is impossible to continue long without distempers; notwithstanding any preservatives that can be applyed. And therefore in the second yeare of his Raigne, brake forth the discontentment of Edgar Etheling, justly the first, as having most cause, being the next of the late Royall blood, and therefore most apt to be sensible of servitude; who taking along with him his mother Agatha, and his two Sisters, Margaret and Christine; stole secretly away to Sea, with intention to passe into Hungary, the Country where he was borne; but by cont…ary winds was cast upon the Coast of Scotland, where the King Malcolme, not onelyonly most kindly entertained him, but for a stricter bond of kindnesse, tooke his Sist…r Margaret to Wife, by whom he had many Children, out of which, in the second Generation after, a match was found, by which in the person of King Henry the second, the Sax…n and Norman blood were conjoyned, the union whereof continues in the race of our Kings of England to this day. Not long after to Edgar in Scotland, came the two great Earles, Edwyn and Marchar, brothers to Agatha the late King Harolds Wife; also Hereward, Gospatrick, and Syward, with many other Lords; and shortly after Stigand and Aldred Arch-bishops, with divers of the Clergy. And these Lords being together in Scotland, did but watch opportunity, to recover that, which for want of taking opportunity they had lost; And assisted by the Scots, they invaded the North parts, spoyling the Country, and killing many for the fault they had themselves committed, but all they could do, was but to forrage the Country, and so returne.

p. 31After this, in the third yeare of his Raigne, the two sonnes of Swayne King of Denmarke, Harold and Canutus, with a Fleet of 240. ships, entered Humber, and invaded the North parts, with whom the English Lords in Scotland joyned, and …orraged all the Country, till they came neere to Yorke. When the Normans that were in the Towne, to save the City, set fire on the suburbs; but the fire not so contented, by assistance of a violent winde, tooke hold of the City it selfe, burning a great part of it, and which perhaps was more worth then the City, a Library of excellent Bookes, and the Normans that were left in defence of the City, to the number of three thousand, were all slaine. King William hearing hereof was so much incensed, that with all speed he raised an Army, and entred Northumberland, wasting the Country that already lay wast; and yet for all his great rage, was contented with a great summe of money, to purchase the Danes departure. By these devastations in many Shires of the Kingdome, but especially in Northumberland, so great a Dearth and Famine followed, that men were glad to eate horses and dogges, cats and rats, and what el…e is most abhorrent to nature; and betweene Yorke and Durham, the space of 60. miles, for nine yeares together, there was so utter desolation, as that neither any house was left standing, nor any ground tilled.

Many other insurrections there were in his Raigne; as at Exceter, at Oxford, in the Isle of Ely, and many times by the Scots in the Northerne parts; but all these were easily supprest, for they were but scattered Forces; Et dum singuli pugnant, universi vincuntur; whereas if they had united themselves into an Army, they might perhaps have made it a Warre, which now were little more then Routs and Riots. Yet some write, that King William granted Cumberland to Malcolme King of Scots, to hold from him conditionally, that the Scots should not attempt any thing prejudiciall to the Crowne of England, for which Grant King Malcolme did him Homage.

The greatest and last was an Insurrection raised in Normandie, by his sonne Robert, the more dangerous because unnatural, for by the instigation and assistance of Philip King of France, (emulous now of K. Williams greatnesse) he entred Normandie, & claimed it as in his owne right. His father indeede had made him a promise of it long before, but Robert impatient of delay, as counting so long staying to bee little better then disinheriting, endeavoured by strong hand to wrest it from his father. But his father King William hearing hereof, with a strong Army passeth over into Normandie, where in a battaile meeting hand to hand with his sonne, was by him unhorsed, and hurt in the arme: but his sonne perceiving him by his voyce to bee his father, suddenly leapes off his horse, takes up his father, casts himselfe downe at his feete, and humbly intreats his pardon; which as a father he easily grants, embraceth his sonne, and ever after, the sonne from the father had fatherly love, and the father from the sonne a filiall obedience. But though his father did thus pardon him, yet it seemes there is a Nemesis, or to say better, a Divine Providence, that did not pardon him; for after this, it is observed he never prospered in any thing hee undertooke. It cannot perhaps be discovered, whether the Kings severity begat his subjects Insurrections, or his subjects Insurrections the Kings severity; but which of them soever was the mother, it is certaine they were nurses each of them to other.

His aptnesse to forget Injuries.

CErtainly there is no such goodnesse of nature, as aptnesse to be reconciled; of which vertue it seemes King William had a large proportion, for he seldome remembred injuries after submission. Edric the first that rebelled against him, he placed in Office neere about him. Gospatric who had beene a factious man, and a plotter of conspiracies against him, he made Earle of Glocester, and trusted him with managing a War against Malcolme King of Scots. Eustace Earle of Boleyne, who in the Kings absence in Normandy attempted to seise upon Dover Castle, he received afterward into great favour and respect. The Earles Marchar & Syward, with Wolnoth the brother of Harold, a little before his death, he released out of prison. Edgar, who as p. 32next heire to the Saxon Kings, had often attempted by Armes to recover his right, he not onelyonly after twice defection pardoned, but gave him also allowance as a Prince: It is said twenty shillings a day, or rather a pound weight of silver, and other large livings besides; so as Edgar finding the sweetnesse of safety, and the pleasures of a Country life, spent the rest of his dayes (which were many) retired from Court, neither envying nor being envyed. Only Waltheoff Earle of Northumberland, and Northam…ton, of all the English Nobility was put to death in all the time of this Kings Raigne; and not he neither, till hee had twice falsified his Oath of Allegeance.

Of new Acquests to this Kingdome, by this Kings meanes.

IN the thirteenth yeare of his Raigne, he subdued Wales, and made it tributary to him, as before in the seaventh yeare of his Raigne, he brought Malcolme King of Scots to do him Homage, and thereupon to give him Hostages; that if England made him greater then he was before, a King of a Duke; he no lesse made England greater then it was before, three Kingdomes in one.

Of his Exactions and courses for raysing of money.

AS his Taxations were many in number, so they were various in kinde, not alwayes bringing in money directly, but sometimes obliquely saving it. The first taxe he laid upon his subjects was in the first yeare of his Raigne, after his returne out of Normandie; a grievous taxe all writers say, but none what taxe it was. In the third yeare of his Raigne he ransacked all Monasteries, and all the gold and silver of either Chalices or Shrines, he tooke to his owne use. Likewise he Sessed all Bishops and Abbots what number of souldiers they should finde to serve him in his warres: also the strangers which he maintained in Pay, he dipsersed into Religious houses, and some also among the Nobility to bee maintained at their charge. Many other taxations he made, but last of all in the eighteenth yeare of his Raigne, by the advise of Roger Earle of Hertford, he caused the whole Realme to be described in a Censuall Roll, (whereof hee tooke a President from King Alfred) so as there was not one Hyde of Land, but both the yearely rent, and the owner thereof was therein set downe: How many Ploughlands, what Pastures, Fennes or Marishes, what Woods, Farmes, and Tenements were in every Shire, and what every one was worth: Also how many Villaines every man had; what Beasts, what Cattell, what F…es, what other goods, what rent or commodity his Possessions did yeeld. This booke was called the Roll of Winton, because it was kept in the City of Winchester. By the English it was called Doomesday booke, either by reason of the generality thereof, or else corruptly, instead of Domu… Dei booke, for that it was laid in the Church of Winchester, in a place called Domu… Dei. According to this Roll taxations were imposed; sometimes two shillings, and at this time six shillings upon every Hyde of Land, (a Hyde containing as some account it, twenty Acres, bu… as Master Lambert proveth, a hundred Acres.) In all those Lands which he gave to any man, hee reserved Dominion in chiefe to himselfe, as also a yearely rent, and likewise a Fine whensoever the Tenant did alien or dye. These were bound to him by Oath of Fealty and Homage, and if any died, his heire being within age, the King received the profits of his Lands, and had the custody and disposing of the heires body, untill his age of one and twenty yeares. To be short, his greedinesse of money was so great, that he spared not his owne brother Odo, but found accusations against him… to the end he might seise upon his Treasure; which was infinite great, and which he had gathered in hope to buy the Papacy. OnelyOnly one kinde of profit he forbare to meddle with, that is, Vacancies of Abbeys and Bishopricks, which he alwayes reserved for the Successours: but then he tooke another course of farre greater profit, for he compelled all men to make new Fines at his pleasure, for confirmation of any Grant or Priviledges formerly granted by any Prince of the p. 35Realme: by which devise he got into his possession, the greatest part of all the riches of the Land, as well of the Clergie, as of the Laity. And one particular may not be omitted that is reported of him, which was this: The Monkes of Ely to purchase their peace, agreed to give him seven hundred Markes, when comming to pay it, there wanted a Groat in the weight, (for in those dayes greater summes were not payd by tale, but by weight) which the King understanding, denied them all composition for Peace, untill with much suite he was intreated to accept of a thousand Markes more.

Of his Lawes and Ordinances, and Courts of Iustice erected by him.

ALthough at his Coronation he had taken an Oath to observe the Lawes of King Edward then in use, yet afterwards (perhaps counting his Coronation Oath but a matter of course) he abrogated many, and in their stead brought in the Lawes of Normandie; commanding them to be written in French, and also that all Causes should be Pleaded, and all matters of Forme dispatched in French; upon a pretense to dignifie the French tongue, but with a purpose to intrappe men through ignorance of the language, as indeed it did: or perhaps to make the Normans language predominant in the Kingdome as he had made their persons; which yet hee was so farre from effecting, that there is not so much as any footsteps remaining of the Norman language in the English tongue. Formes of Judgement, and trials by Fire and Water, called Ordeal, formerly used, were in short time after the Conquest disused, and in the end utterly abrogated by the Pope, as derived from Paganisme. That of Combat continued longer, but of no ordinary use: and all actions both criminall and reall, began now to be wholly adjudged by the Verdict of twelve men, according to the custome of Normandie, where the like Forme is used, and called by the name of Enquest, with the same cautions for the Jurours, as it is here continued to this day; though by the Lawes of Ethelred it appeares, that the triall by twelve men was in use long before his time. And where before the Bishop and the Alderman were the absolute Judges to determine all businesse in every Shire, and the Bishop, in many Cases, shared in the benefit of the Mulcts with the King; now hee confined the Clergie within the Privince of their owne Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction, to deale onelyonly in businesse concerning rule of soules, according to the Canons and Lawes Episcopall. And where the Causes of the Kingdome were before determined in every Shire, and by a Law of King Edward, all matters in question were upon speciall penalty decided in their Gemote, or Conventicle held monethly in every Hundred: Now he ordained that foure times in the yeare, for certaine daies, the same businesses should be determined in such place as he would appoint, where he constituted Judges to attend for that purpose. Also he Decreed there should be Sheriffes in every Shire, and Justices of Peace for punishment of Malefactors. Finally he ordained his Councell of State, his Chancery, his Exchequer, (Scaccarium corruptly called so, of the word Statarium, or rather of the Boord or Table where the Officers sate;) also his Courts of Justice, which alwayes removed with his Court. These places he furnished with Officers, and assigned foure Termes in the yeare for determining controversies among the people. The place of these Courts was Westminster, where King William Rufus afterward built a stately Palace. Now for his provisionary Revenues, the Kings Tenants who held Lands of the Crowne, payd him no money at all, but onelyonly Corne and other victuals; and a just note of the quality and quantity of every mans ratement, was taken through out all the Shires of the Kingdome, and levyed ever certaine, for maintenance of the Kings house. OnelyOnly the Kentish men procured the continuance of their ancient Lawes by a trick; for King William riding towards Dover, at Sw…nscombe two miles from Gravesend, the Kentish men met him, but in the forme of a moving wood, by reason of the great boughes they had cut and carried in their hands, and compassing the King about, they onelyonly made suite for the continuan… of their Lawes, which the King without any great scruple granted, and glad he was so ridde of them. A strange conceite p. 36in the Kentish men, to hazard themselves more, for the preserving a simple Custome; then for preserving the Liberty of themselves and their Country: But such is the violence of conceit, till it be mastered by time, or rather so very a Changeling is Humane Reason, that what they then cut downe great Woods to defend, they have since beene content to see abolished, without cutting downe so much as a twigge. But one Law especially he made, extreamely distastefull to all the Gentry of the Land: for where before they might at their pleasure hunt and take Deere which they found abroad in the Woods; Now it was Ordained, under a great penalty, no lesse then putting out their eyes; that none should presume to kill or take any of them, as reserving them onelyonly for his owne delight. And indeed so great delight he tooke in that kinde of sport, that he depopulated a great part of Hamshire, the space of thirty miles, where there had beene (saith Car…on) six and twenty Townes, and fourescore Religious Houses, and made it a Habitation for such kind of Beasts; which was then, and to this day is called the New-Forest. But the lamentable dysasters that have happened to this Kings Issue, doe plainely shew, that there is a power, that observes all our Actions, and which we may know to be Memorem Fandi atque Nefandi. But in the first yeare of this Kings Raign…, he granted to the City of London, their first Charter and Liberties, in as large forme, as they enjoyed them in the time of King Edward the Confessor, which he granted at the suite of William a Norman, Bishop of London; in gratefull remembrance whereof, the Lord Major and Aldermen, upon the solemne dayes of their resort to Pauls, doe still use to walke to the Gravestone, where this Bishop lies interred. Also this King was the first, that brought the Jewes to inhabite here in England, as likewise he made a Law, that whosoever forced a woman, should lose his genitals: and in his time, long Bowes came first into use in England, which as they were the weapons with which France under this King Conquered England: so they were the weapons with which England under after-Kings, Conquered Fra…ce; as if it were not enough for us to beate them, if we did not beate them with their owne weapons. This King also appointed a Constable of Dover Castle, and a Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports, with Immunities as they are at this day.

Affaires of the Church in his Raigne.

IN the twelfth yeare of his Raigne, Lanfranke Arch-bishop of Canterbury, held a Synod at London, where amongst other things, he removed Bishops Sees, from small Townes to great Cities, as from Silliway to Chichester; from Kyrton to Exceter; from Wells to Bathe; from Shirborne to Salisbury; from Dorchester to Lincolne; and from Lichfield to Chester; and from thence againe to Coventry; and not long before, the Bishopricke of Lindafferne, otherwise called Holy Land, upon the river Tweede, had beene translated to Durham. In the sixth yeare of his Raigne, a controversie arising betweene the two Arch-bishops of Canterbury and Yorke, they appealed to Rome, and the Pope remitted it to the King and Bishops of England. Hereupon a Synod is holden at Windsor, where sentence was given on Lanfranks then Arch-bishop of Canterburies side: that in matters of Religion, the Arch-bishop of Yo…ke, should ever be subject to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury: OnelyOnly at Rome it was decreed, for matter of Title, that the See of Yorke should be stiled Primas Angliae, and the See of Canterbury, Primas totius Angliae, as it is at this day. And as the Arch-bishop of Yorke oweth obedience to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury; So all the Bishops of Scotland owe obedience to the Arch-bishop of Yorke, as to the Primate of Scotland.

But as this King tooke downe the Prelates in Temporalties, for he ordained they should exercise no Temporall Authority at all; So in Spiritualties, he rather raised them, as may be seene by a passage betweene Aldred Arch-bishop of York, and the King: for at a time, upon the repulse of a certaine suite, the Arch-bishop in great discontentment offered to depart, when the King, in awe of his displeasure, stayed p. 37him, fell downe at his feet, desired pardon, and promised to grant his suite. The King all this while being downe at the Arch-bishops feet… the Noblemen that were present, put him in mind that he should cause the King to arise, Nay (saith the Arch-bishop) let him alone, let him find what it is to anger Saint Peter. And as by this story, we see the insulting pride of a Prelate in those dayes: So by another, we may see the equivocating false-hood of a Prelate at that time; For St… gand Arch-bishop of Canterbury would often sweare, he had not one penny upon the Earth, when under the Earth it was afterward found he had hidden great Treasure. Also it is memorable, but scarce credible of another Bishop, who being accused of Simony, and denying i…, the Cardinall before whom he was to Answer, told him, that a Bishopricke was the gift of the Holy Ghost, and therefore to buy a Bishopricke, was against the Holy Ghost, and thereupon bid him say, Glory be to the Father, and to the Sonne, and to the Holy Ghast; which the Bishop beginning, and oft essaying, could never say, [and to the Holy Ghost] but said it plainely when he was put out of his Bishopricke. And yet was not the Church in that Age so barren of Vertue, but that it afforded some good Bishops, as William Bishop of Durham, Founder of University Colledge in Oxford, but specially Bishop Woolstan; whom, upon Lanfrankes reporting, to be insufficient for the place, for want of Learning, the King commanded to put off his Pontificall Robes, and to leave his Bishopricke: when suddenly out of a divine Inspiration, Woolstan answered: A better then you, O King, bestowed these Robes upon me, and to him I will restore them. And therewithall going to Saint Edwards Shrine, who had made him a Bishop, and putting off his Robes, he strucke his Staffe upon Saint Edwards Monument, which stucke so fast in the stone of it, that by no strength it could be drawne forth, till he drew it forth himselfe: which so terrifyed both Lanfranke and the King, that they intreated him to take his Robes againe, and keepe his Bishopricke. Also Oswald Bishop of Salisbury, who devised a Forme of Prayers to be daily used in his Church, and was used afterwards in other Churches, from whence proceeded the common saying of Secundum usum Sarum. In this Kings time was Berengarius, who denyed the true body of Christ to be in the Sacrament; Also in his time, Pope Gregory the seventh, removed marryed Priests from executing Divine Service, whereof great troubles arose in England.

Workes of Piety, by him, and others in his time.

THis King Founded the Abbey of Baltell in Sussex, where he overcame Harold; the Abbey of Selby in Yorkeshire; and a third neere London, called Saint Saviours. He founded also the Priory of Saint Nicholas at Exceter; and gave great priviledges to Saint Martins le Grand in London; which Church was founded before the Conquest, by Ingelricus and Emardus his Brother, Cousins to King Edward the Confessour. These were this Kings workes of Piety in England, but in Normandy he Founded also an Abbey at Caen: where his Wife Maude built likewise a Monastery of Nunnes. He gave also to the Church of Saint Stephens in Caen, two Manors in Dorsetshire, one Mannor in Devonshire, another in Essex, much Land in Barkeshire, some in Norfolke, a Mansion house in Woodstreete; London, with many Advowsons of Churches, and even he gave his Crowne and Regall Ornaments to the said Church, being of his owne Foundation, for the redemption whereof, his Sonne Henry gave the Manour of Brydeton in Dorsetshire. In this Kings time, Robert, sonne to Hyldebert La…ie, Founded the Priory of Pon…fraite; Henry Earle Ferrers Founded a Priory within his Castle at Tutbury; Alwyn Chylde, a Citizen of London, Founded the Monastery of Saint Saviours at Bermondsey in Southwarke, and gave to the Monkes there divers Rents in London: Also in this Kings time, Mauric… Bishop of London, after the firing of the former Church of Saint Paul in London, began the Foundation of the new Church, a worke so admirable, that many thought it would never have beene finished. Towards the building of the East end whereof, the King gave the choyce stones of his Castle, at p. 38the West end of the City, upon the banke of the River Thames; which Castle having beene at that time fired, in place thereof Edward Kilwarby Arch-bishop of Canterbury, did afterwards Found a Monastery of Blacke-fryers. The King also gave the Manor of Storford to the same Maurice, and to his Successours in that See; after whose decease, Richard his next Successour, bestowed all the Rents of his Bishopricke, to advance the building of this Church, maintaining himselfe by his private Patrimony; and yet all he could doe, made no great shew, but the finishing of the worke was left to many other succeeding Bishops. In the fifteenth yeare of this Kings Raigne, William Bishop of Durham, Founded University Colledge in Oxford: Also one Gylbert a Norman Lord, Founded the Abbey of Merton in Surrey, seven miles from London; and Thomas Arch-bishop of Yorke, first builded the Minster of Yorke. In this Kings sixteenth yeare, his Brother Duke Robert, being sent against the Scots, builded a Fort, where at this day standeth New Castle upon Tyne: but the Towne and Walls w…re builded afterward by King Iohn. Also in this Kings time, Ledes Castle in Kent was builded by Creveken, and the Castle of Oxford, by Robert d' Oylie: two Noble men that came into England with him. Osmond Bishop of Salisbury built the new Church there; Also Waring Earle of Shrewesbury, built two Abbeyes, one in the Suburbs of Shrewesbury, and another at Wenlocke.

Casualties happening in his time.

IN the twentyeth yeare of his Raigne, so great a fire happened in London, that from the West-gate to the East-gate, it consumed Houses and Churches all the way, and amongst the rest the Church of Saint Paul, the most grievous fire that ever happened in that City. Also this yeare, by reason of distemperature of weather, there insued a Famine: and afterwards a miserable mortality of Men and Cattell. Also this yeare in the Province of Wales, upon the Sea shoare, was found the body of Gawen, sisters sonne to Arthur, the great King of the Britaines: reported to be foureteene foot in length. Also in this Kings time, a great Lord …itting at a Feast, was set upon by Mice, and though he were removed from Land to Sea, and from Sea againe to Land, yet the Mice still followed him, and at last devoured him.

Of his Wife and Children.

HE had to Wi…e, and her onelyonly; Mathilde or Maude, Daughter to Baldwyn Earle of Flanders. She was Crowned Queene of England, the second yeare of his Raigne: the seventeenth yeare of his Raigne, she dyed; a Woman onelyonly memorable for this, that nothing memorable is Recorded of her, but that she built a Nunnery at Caen in Normandy, where she lies Buryed. By her he had foure sonnes and fiv… daughters. His Sonnes were, Robert, Richard, William, and Henry: of whom Robert the eldest, called Court-cayse, of his short thighes, or Court-hose, of his short Breeches, or Courtois, of his courteous behaviour: (for so many are the Comments upon his name) succeeded his Father in the Dutchy of Normandy. Richard his second Sonne, was kild by mis-fortune, hunting in the New-Forest. William his third Sonne, called Rufus, succeeded his Father in the Kingdome of England. Henry his youngest Sonne called Beauclerke, for his Learning, had by his Fathers Will, five thousand pounds in money, and the inheritance also of his Mother. His Daughters were Cicelie, C…nstance, Adela, Margaret, and Elenor, of whom Cicelie was Abbesse of Caen in Normandy. Constance was marryed to Alan Earle of Britaine. Adela to Stephen Earle of Blois. Margaret affianced to Harold King of England, but never marryed, and dyed young. Elenor, betroathed to Alphonsus King of Gallitia, but desiring to dye a Virgin, she had her wish, spending her time so much in Prayer, that with continuall kneeling, her knees were brawned.

p. 39Of his Personage and Conditions.

HE was but meane of stature, yet bigge of body, and therewithall so strong, that few were able to draw his Bow: growing in yeares, he was bald before; his beard alwayes shaven, after the manner of the Normans; and where in his younger time, he was much given to that infirmity of Youth, which grows out of strength of Youth, Incontinency: after he was once marryed, whether out of satiety, or out of Grace, he was never knowne to offend in that kind. Of so perfit health, that he was never sicke, till that sicknesse whereof he dyed. Of a sterne countenance, yet of an affable nature: In warre, as expert as valiant: In Peace, as provident as prudent: and in all his Enterprises, as Fortunate, as Bold and Hardy. Much given to Hunting and Feasting, wherein he was no lesse pleasant then magnificent. He made no great proficience in Learning; as having had his education in the licentiousnesse of the French Court: yet he favoured learned men; and drew out of Italy, Lanfranke, Anselme, Durand, Traherne, and divers others, famous at that time for Learning and Piety. Very devout he was, and alwayes held the Clergy in exceeding great Reverence: And this is one speciall honour attributed unto him, that from him we beginne the Computation of our Kings of England.

His Places of Residence.

HIs Christmas he commonly kept at Glocester; his Easter at Wi…chester; and his Whi…sontide at Westminster; and once in the yeare, at one of these places would be new Crowned; as though by often putting on his Crowne, he thought to make it sit the easier upon his head. And for the houses which the Kings of England had in those dayes in London; I finde that at Westminster was a Palace, the ancient habitation of the Kings of England, from the time of Edward the Confessour: which in the Raigne of King Henry the Eight, was by casuall fire burnt downe to the ground. A very large and stately Palace this was, and in that Age, for building incomparable. The Remaines whereof, are the Chamber of assembling the High Court of Parliament, and the next unto it, wherein anciently they were wont to beginne the Parliament, called Saint Edwards painted Chamber, because the Tradition holdeth, that the said King Edward dyed in it. Adjoyning unto this, is the White-hall, wherein at this day the Court of Requests is kept; Beneath this is the Great Hall, where Courts of Justice are now kept: This Hall which we now have, was built by King Richard the second, out of the Ground; as appeareth by his Armes engraven in the stone worke: (when he had plucked downe the old Hall, built before by William Rufus) and made it his owne habitation. But the aforesaid Palace, after it was burnt downe in anno 15…2. lay desolate, and King Henry the Eighth shortly after translated the Kings seat, to a house not farre off, built by Cardinall Woolsey … and is called White-Hall. The Tower of London also was anciently used by the Kings of England to lodge in. Other Houses they anciently had; one where Bridewell now standeth, out of the ruines whereof, the now Bridewell was built. Another called the Tower Royall, now the Kings Wardrobe. Another in Bucklers-bury, called Sernes Tower. Another where now the Popes-head Taverne is, over against the Old Exchange; and oftentimes they made use of Baynards Castle. But these are all long since demolished, that we may see Palaces and places have their Fa…es and periods as well as men.

His Death and Buriall.

TOwards the end of his Raigne, he appointed his two sonnes Robert and Henry with joynt authority, Governors of Normandy: These went together, to visit the King of France, lying at Constance, where entertaining the time with variety of p. 40sports; Henry played with Lewis the Daulphin of France at Chesse, and winning much money of him, Lewis grew so cholericke, that he threw the Chess-men at Henries face; calling him the sonne of a Bastard: and thereupon Henry strucke Lewis with the Chess-board, and had presently slaine him, if his Brother Robert had not stept in, and stayed him. Upon this the King of France invades Normandy, and drawes Robert, King Williams eldest sonne, to joyne with him against his Father: but King William comming presently over with an Army, was soone reconciled to his Sonne, yet being corpulent and in yeares, was by this meanes much distempered in Body, and so retyred to Roan, where he stayed, as not being well in health. The French King hearing of his sicknesse, scoffingly said, that he lay in Childe-bed of his great belly. Which so incensed King William, that he swore by Gods Resurrection and his Brightnesse, (his usuall Oath) that assoone as he should be Churched of that Childe, he would offer a thousand Lights in France; and indeed he performed it; for he entred France in Armes, and …et many Townes and Corne-fields on fire, in which he was so violent, that by reason of his travaile and the unreasonable heate, being in the monethmonth of August, it brought upon him a relapse of his sicknesse, and withall, leaping on horse-backe over a ditch, his fat belly did beare so hard upon the pommell of his saddle, that he tooke a rupture in his inner parts; whereupon returning to Roan, his sicknesse so encreased, that in short time he dyed; and that which is scarce credible, yet Recorded for certaine, the very same day he dyed at Roan, his death was knowne at Rome, a thousand miles off. In all the time of his sicknesse, he retained to the very last, his memory and speech: and shewed many demonstrations of Devotion, and true contrition, specially for his severity used towards the English. And thus he who was a Conquerour of men, was conquered himselfe by death; the ninth day of September, when he had Raigned twenty yeares, and neare eleven moneths, in the threescore and fourth yeare of his age: I may well say, he was conquered by Death; seeing death used him more despitefully… then ever he living used any whom he had conquered: For no sooner was the breath out of his body, but his attendants purloyning what they could lay hands on, forsooke him and fled: leaving his body almost naked upon the Ground. Afterwards, William Arch-bishop of Roan, commanded his body should be conveyed to Caen, but his command was little regarded: till at last, one H…rlewyne, a Country Knight, at his owne charges caused his body to be Embalmed, and conveyed thither; where the Abbot and Monkes meeting the Corps, suddenly in the middest of their solemnities, a violent fire brake out in the Towne, with the fright whereof, every man left the place; and thus was his body the second time left forlorne. In the end a few Monkes returned and accompanyed the Herse to the Abbey Church; but when the Divine Office was ended, and the body ready to be laid in the Grave, one Anselme Fits Arthur, stood up, and claimed that Ground to have beene the Floore of his Fathers house, which King William had violently wrested from him; and thereupon charged them, as they would answer it before the dreadfull face of God, not to cover his Body with the Earth of his Inheritance. Whereupon after some pause, agreement was made with him, and three pound was payed in hand for the Ground broken up, and a hundred pounds more afterward for the Ground it selfe, payed him by Henry the Kings youngest Sonne, who onelyonly of all his Sonnes was present at the Funerall. And yet this was not all, but when his Body was to be put in the Earth, it happened that the Sepulchre of Stone which stood within the G…ave, was hewne somewhat too strait for his fat belly, so as they were faine to presse it downe with some violence, with which, whether his bowels burst, or whether some Excrements were forced out of their naturall passage; such an intolerable stinke proceeded from him, that none were able to endure it, but made all the hast they could to be gone. And yet neither was this the last of his miseries: For in the yeare, 1562. when Castillion tooke the City of Caen, certaine dissolute Souldiers opened his Tombe, and not finding the Treasure they expected, threw forth his bones with great derision: whereof some were afterward brought into England. p. 41So that if we consider his many troubles in life, and after his death, we may well thinke, that notwithstanding all his greatnesse, a very meane man would hardly be perswaded to change fortunes with him.

Men of Note in his time.

MEn of Learning in his time, were but rare in this Island, yet some there were, particularly Marianus Scotus, a Historiographer, and Alpheredus a Monke o… Beverley, a Writer also of Historicall Argument. And as for Men of Valour, they are not to be expected in a time of Servitude, but as if all the English Valour were now remaining in the Kentish men, they onelyonly made resistance, when all other Countries had submitted.