A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government, Regnal history 2
THE RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE FIRST.
Of his comming to the Crowne.
ALthough Henry came not to the Crowne, as his Brother William did, by the gift of his Father, yet he came to it by the Prophesie of his Father: For, when his Father made his Will, and divided all his Estate in Land betweene his two eldest Sonnes, giving to Henry his youngest onelyonly a portion in money, with which division he perceived him to be much discontented; he said unto him, Content thy selfe Harry, for the time will come, that thy turne shall be served as well as theirs. And now the time was come that his prediction was accomplished; for on the fifth of August, in the yeare 1100. he was Crowned King of England, at Westminster, by Maurice Bishop of London, (as Deane of all the Bishops of England, and therefore might doe it without any prejudice to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, though he had beene present, who was indeed at this time in Exile.) But though it appeares fuisse in Fatis, to be decreed by the Divine Providence that it should be so, yet it would not have been so, if his owne endevours had not beene concurring. And therefore being in the New Forest, when his Brother King William was killed, he never stayed to complement the Dysaster, but rode presently to Winchester, and there, not without some opposition of the keepers, seis…d upon his Brothers Treasure, as knowing treasure to be the meanes for getting of Friends, and Friends the meanes for getting the Crowne; and having now gotten the first meanes, he made use of it for the s…cond, and both of them together brought him to this he is. Yet withall there were circumstances in his owne Person that conduced to it; his Brother was borne, when their Father was but a Duke, he, when he was a King; Robert was a Forrainer, being borne in Normandy, himselfe a Native, borne at Selby in Yorkeshire; and it was not the least circumstance, that he was called Beauclerke, as to say, a good Scholar, having beene bred in Cambridge; not perhaps that his learning was so great, but that it was great, either in respect of that age, which had but little; or in respect of his Brothers, who had none at all: and the People having beene oppressed before, by the ill Government of two Kings, that were illiterate; could not chuse but be glad to come under the Government of a King …hat was Learned. And though his Brother Robert, as being the Elder, had right unto it, yet he as out of sight was out of minde, and perhaps neglected, as being himselfe negligent; withall it was given out, that he was chosen King of Hierusalem, and therefore no looking for him to come home; and to give force to all these reasons, Henry Newborough Earle of Warwicke was a principall …urtherer.
His course for establishing himselfe in the Kingdome.
IT is a hard matter to keepe that safely, which is unjustly gotten; and therefore he tooke all possible care to overcome that hardnesse: which he effected by these meanes; First, he called Anselme Arch-bishop of Canterbury home from Exile; placed William Gyfford a learned man, in the Bishopricke of Winchester; and Monasteries that had beene long vacant, he furnished with good Abbots. And because it is no lesse pleasing to the People, to have bad instruments punished, then the good to be advanced, he cast Ralph Bishop of Durham, (a principall cause of their late oppressions) into prison: then mitigated the rigour of the new Lawes; and promised restitution of the old. And that there might be no abuse in measures, he ordained a measure, made by the length of his owne Arme, which is called a Yard. He restored to his Subjects the use of Lights and Fire in the night, which before had beene forbidden after eight a clocke at night. He acquited the People from the Taxe of Danegelt, and from all other unjust payments, which had beene imposed upon them by the two former Kings. He gave free liberty to the Nobility and Gentry of the Realme, to inclose Parkes for Deere, and Warrens for Coneyes; and such like game. And because he knew Scotland might be an ill Neighbour to him, if not tyed by some Bond, and none so sure as the Bond of Alliance, he therefore takes Matild sister of the present King Edgar to be his Wife.
His Troubles during his Raigne.
RAlph Bishop of Durham, the late King Williams great Instrument for Exactions, that had by this King beene committed to the Tower, made an escape, and passing over to Duke Robert in Normandy; incenseth him, not to suffer himselfe to be baffled by a younger Brother; as for his Brother William, there was some reason, because his Father had given him the Kingdome by his Will, but what could Henry pretend, who had his Portion given him in money? Besides, it was an agreement with his Brother William, with consent of all the Lords of the Re…lme, that the Surviver of them should succeed. With such like instigations, and withall assuring him, there were many in England would take his part; he easily perswaded the Duke to that, from which he could hardly have disswaded him; who thereupon with a convenient Army, puts to Sea, and lands at Portsmouth, while Henry waited for his comming about Hastings; and being landed there, much people resorted to him, that it was like to have beene a bloody businesse; but by mediation of Friends, working upon the flexible nature of Duke Robert, it was brought at last to this agreement, that King Henry should pay to Duke Robert, three thousand markes yearely, and Duke Robert should succeed him in the kingdome, if he survived. And thus, this cloud, that threatned so great a storme, brought with it, …ather Sunshine and faire weather: for now, to his possession of the Kingdome, there was added a right, and he might now justifie his being a King, without any scandall or usurpation. After this, another little cloud arose, but was soone dispersed: For Robert de Belesme Earle of Shrewsbury, a rash young man of disposition, but more through discontentment, though discontented for nothing, but that having a great Estate, he was not a King as well as some others, fortifyed the Towne of Shrewsbury, and the Castle of Bridgenorth, and got many Welshmen to assist him, but the King comming with a mighty Army, so terrifyed the Welsh, that they abandoned the Earle, and left him a prey to the King in his person, and more in his Estate, for the King seised his Estate into his hands, but for his Person he onelyonly banisht it the Realme. For as yet, the shedding of blood and putting to death, though for great Treasonable practises, was not much in use; Policy of State was not yet growne to that heighth of severity. The like attempt, and upon the like occasion, was made by William Earle of Mortaigne in Normandy, and of Cornwall in England, Unckle to the King, onelyonly for denying him the Earledome of Kent, which because he could not obtaine, he entred into Treasonable practises, by which he lost the Earledomes he had before. But these troubles were but as the labour of a Woman that is safely delivered; painefull for a time, but ending in joy: and indeed for the most part this King had the fortune to be a gainer by his losses.
After this, Duke Robert came in kindnesse into England, to visit… his Brother Henry; where he was so well pleased with his entertainment, that in requitall thereof, and to doe a favour to the Queene, that was his God-daughter; he released to King Henry, the three thousand markes, which he was yearely to pay him. But returning into Normandy, and considering better what he had done, he so repented him, that he spared not to give out, that his Brother had directly cousened him. Which comming to King Henryes eare, so incensed him, that he presently sent over a mighty Army, which forraged the Country, and wonne many Townes and Cities, and soone after went over himselfe; where he so prevailed, that he left Duke Robert but onelyonly Roan in all Normandy to put his head in, and this done, returnes into England. And now Duke Robert beginnes to be sensible of his owne weaknesse, and therefore comes over into England to try the u…ermost of his Brothers good nature; himselfe had sent him a Tunne of Wine to refresh him withall, when in a siege he was ready to perish for want of water: and it cannot be, but that gratefulnesse and naturall affection, meeting together, must needes worke something in the minde of a Brother. Thus resolved, he presents himselfe to the King, referring both his Dukedome and himselfe, and all differences and debates to his will and pleasure. But whether incensed with the scandalous words, Duke Robert had given out of him, or whether aspiring to joyne Normandy to England, as his Father had done before; King Henry scarce vouchsafed to heare him speake, at least vouchsafed not to make him any answer, but in a sullen manner turned away, and so left him: which scornefull usage put the Duke into such indignation, that he resolved to set his whole state at stake, and either to redeeme his disgrace, or to forfeit his life. So returning into Normandy, he useth all his force in raising of Forces, but King Henry suspecting his intentions, and not using to give Insurrections time to ripen, came upon him so suddenly with a mighty Army, that he drew him to a battell before he was halfe ready to fight. Yet desire of revenge so animated the Duke, and the Duke his Souldiers, that never battell was more fiercely fought, and the Normans seemed at first to have the better, till King Henry shewing himselfe in the Army, put such courage into his Souldiers, that they quickly made good the advantage they had in number, and King Henry obtained a compleate victory, both in slaughter of men, (of whom there wer… slaine above ten thousand) and in taking of prisoners, (to the number of foure hundred) amongst whom, besides divers other Great ones, as the Earle of Mortaigne, William Crispine, and William Ferreis, was Duke Robert himselfe, whom the King, (having first taken order for all things, in his new State of Normandy) brought over with him into England, and committed him to the Castle of Cardyffe in Wales, where he remained a prisoner till he dyed, used for a time with reasonable liberty for Recreation, till attempting to make an esc…pe, it was thought fit to put out his eyes; which though it encreased his misery, yet it shortned not his life, for he lived many yeares after, in all, from the time of his first imprisonment, sixe and twenty. And thus this great Duke, who in his birth was the joy of Nature, in his life was the scorne of Fortune; and it is not unworthy the observing, that the English wonne Normandy, the very same day forty yeare, the Normans had wonne England. Such Revolutions of fortune there are in kingdomes, and so unstable is the state of all worldly Greatnesse.
And now is King Henry as great as ever his Father was, and as Greatnesse draws envy, as much envyed as ever his Father was; and as Envy makes Enemies, as much opposed as ever his Father was: for now Fulke Earle of Angio…, and Baldwyne Earle of Flanders, upon small occasions, and Lewis the grosse King of France, upon none, but such as envy suggested, seeking to place William, Sonne to Duke Robert, in his Right to Normandy, assaulted the Kings Dominions, perhaps to try whether Greatnesse had not made him unwieldy; but King Henry, to shew that Greatnesse had made him more Active, went over into Normandy with a mighty Army, and at Nice encountred the French King, where a bloody Battell was fought, with exceeding valour on both sides, but at last King Henry repelled the French King, and recovered Nice, and after many other conflicts betweene them, with variety of Fortune, at l…st the King made peace with the Earle of Angiou; confirmed by a marriage of the Earles Daughter with his Sonne William … and upon this also the two Kings grow to a peace, in which William, Son to King Henry, being about seventeene yeares of age, was invested into the Dutchy of Normandy, doing homage for the same to the King of France: From whence it was afterward a Custome, that the King of Englands eldest Sonne (as long as Normandy remained in their hands) was made alwayes Duke of Normandy. After this, Charles Earle of Flanders, being slaine at Bruxels by a conspiracy of his owne people, and leaving no issue behind h…m, Lewis King of France invested William, Sonne to D…ke Robert, in the Earledome of Flanders, as descended from Ea…le Baldwyn, whose Daughter Maude was wife to King William the first, and Grandmother to this William: so as William now having gotten this steppe of advanc…ment, seekes to goe on, and to recover Normandy, and was thereof, by assist…ce of the King of France, in a faire possibility, when in a certaine light con…l…ct, receiving a wound in his hand, the thread of his faire possibility was upon a suddaine cut off, and of that light wound, he shortly after dyed.
King Henry now in perfect peace abroad, was not without some little disquietings at home, and marching thorow Powis-land in South Wales, to represse some Insurrections of the Welsh, he came to certaine Straights, where his maine Army could not passe, in which place the King was smitten with an Arrow full upon the breast, whereat he swore by our Lords death (his usuall Oath) that it was no Welsh arme, had shot that Arrow, yet in this dist…esse, for a thousand head of Cattell, he had the passage left open, and came safely off. And these were his troubles of Armes, both at home and abroad, during all his Raigne.
His Taxations and wayes for raising of money.
TOwards the marriage of his Daughter Maude with the Emperour, he obtained at his first Parliament at Salisbury, three shillings upon every Hide of Land, throughout the kingdome; which was afterward drawne to a custome, to receive ayde from the Subjects, whensoever the King gave his eldest Daughter in marriage. Besides this he had no more in all his Raigne, but onelyonly one supply for his Warres in France; but he kept Bishoprickes and Abbeyes voyd in his hands, and that of Canterbury five yeares together. By an Act of Parliament, or rather by a Synod of Bishops holden at London, he was authorised to punish marriage, and incontinency of Priests; which the Bishops afterwards repented, for he suffered Priests to have Wives for Fines, or rather tooke Fines of them whether they had wives or no, b…cause they might have them if they would. Punishments which before his time were mutilation of Member, he made Pecuniary. And the Provisions of his house, which were used to be paid in kind, were in his time rated at certaine prizes, and received in money. By this Chapter and the next before, it appeares there were in this Kings dayes, but few troubles at home, nor but few Taxations; whereo… the one may be thought to be cause of the other, the first perhaps of the second, but certainely the second of the first.
Lawes first instituted in his t…me.
HE first instituted the forme of the High Court of Parliament: for before his time, onelyonly certaine of the Nobility, and Prelates of the Realme were called to consultation, about the most important affaires of State, but he caused the Commons also to be assembled, by Knights and Burgesses of their owne appointment, and made the Court to consist of three parts, the Nobility, the Clergy, and the Common people, representing the whole body of the Realme, and appointed them to sit in severall Chambers, the King, the Bishops, and Lords of the Realme in one Chamber, and the Commons in another, to conferre together by them…elves. Other Orders of that Court he Ordained, as they are in use at this day. The first Councell of this sort was held at Salisbury, on the 19. day of Aprill, in the 16. yeare of his Raigne. He forbad the wearing of long haire; which at that time was frequent, after the manner of the French. He commanded Robbers upon the High way, to be hanged without redemption: of whom a famous one at that time was one Dunne, and of him, the place where he most used, by reason of the great Woods thereabouts, is to this day called Dunstable, where the King built the Borough as now it standeth. Counterfeiters of money he punished with pulling out their eyes, or cutting off their privy members, a punishment both lesse then death, and greater.
Affaires of the Church in his time.
AT his first comming to the Crowne, he fo…bore his claime to the Investit…res of Bishops, but after he had beene King some time, he claimed that both to invest Bishops, and to allow, or hinder appeales to Rome, belonged to him. In these, Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury opposed him, affirming that both of them belonged to the Pope. The contention at last was brought to the Pope, to whom King Henry sent William Warlewast, elect Bishop of Exceter, who saying to the Pope, that his Master would not, for the Crowne of his Realme, lose the Authority of Investing his Prelates, the Pope started up and answered, Neither will I lose the disposing of Spirituall Promotions in England, for the Kings head that weareth the Crowne; before God (said he) I avow it. So the contention grew long and hot, and many messengers were sent to and fro about it, the conclusion was (which proved no conclusion) that the King should receive homage of Bishops elect; but should not Invest them by Staffe and Ring: to which the King said no…hing for the present, but forbore not to doe it ever the lesse: for five yeares after the death of Anselme, Ralph Bishop of Rochester, was by the King made Arch-bishop of Canterbury, and notwithstanding all former Decrees, and Threatnings of the Pope, he received his Investiture of the King. About this time a Canon was made against the Marriage of Priests, to which purpose Iohannes Cremensis, a Priest Car…dinall, by the Kings licence came into England, and held a solemne Synod at London, where inveighing sharpely against it, affirming it to be no better then profest Adultery, he was himselfe the night following, taken in bed with a common harlot. Even Anselme himselfe, the most earnest enforcer of single life, dyed not, it seemes, a Virgin, for else he would never in his Writings make such lamentation for the losse thereof. Anselme about this time dying, Rodulph succeeded in the See of Canterbury, and Thomas dying, Thurstine succeeded in the Arch-bishopricke of Yorke: betweene which two Prelates, there arose great contention; Rodulph would not consecrate Thurstine, unlesse he would professe obedience; Thurstine was content to embrace his benediction, but professe obedience he would not: In this contention the King takes part with Rodulph, the Pope with Thurstine: after many passages in the businesse, upon the Popes threatning to Excommunicate the King, Thurstine entred upon his Bishopricke, and the King connived. In the tenth yeare of his Raigne, the Abbey of Ely was made a Bishops See, and Cambridgeshire was appointed for the Diocesse thereof, which because it belonged before to the Jurisdiction of Lincolne, the King gave the Bishop of Lincolne, in recompence thereof, the Manor of Spalding. This King also created a Bishopricke at Carlile, and endowed it with many Honours. In his time, the Order of the Templars beganne, and in the 27. yeare of his Raigne, the Grey Fryers, by procurement of the King, came first into England, and had their first house builded at Canterbury. I may here have leave to tell two stories of Church-men, for refreshing of the Reader: Guymond the Kings Chaplaine, observing that unworthy men for the most part were advanced to the best dignities of the Church, as he celebrated Divine Service before him, and was to read the…e words out of Saint Iames, [It rained not upon the Earth, III yeares and VI moneths] he read it thus; It rained not upon the Earth, one, one, one yeares, and five one moneths. The King observed his reading, and afterwards blamed him for it, but Guymond answered, that he did it of purpose, for that such Readers were soonest preferred by his Majesty. The King smiled, and in short time after, pre…erred him to the Government of Saint Frideswids in Oxford. The other is this, Thomas Arch-bishop of Yorke falling sicke, his Physitians told him, that nothing would doe him good, but to company with a woman; to whom he answered that the Remedy was worse then the disea…e, and so dyed a Virgin. This King granted to the Church of Canterbury, and to William and his successours, the Custody, and Constable-ship of the Castle of Rochester for ever.
Workes of Piety done by this King, or by others in his time.
THis King Founded and erected the Priory of Dunstable, the Abbey of Circester, the Abbey of Reading, and the Abbey of Shirborne. He also new builded the Castle of Windsor, with a Colledge there: He made also the Navigable River, betweene Torkesay and Lincolne, a worke of great charge, but greater use. His Wife Queene Maude, passing over the River of Lue, was somewhat endangered, whereupon she caused two stone-Bridges to be built, one at the head of the Towne of Stratford, the other over another Streame there, called Channel-bridge, and paved the way betweene them with Gravell. She gave also certaine Manors, and a Mill called Wyggon Mill, for repairing the same Bridges and Way. These were the first stone-Bridges that were made in England, and because they were Arched over like a bow, the Towne of Stratford was afterward called Bow. This Queene also founded the Priory of the Holy Trinity, now called Christs Church, within the East Gate of London called Aldgate; and an Hospitall of Saint Giles in the Field, without the West part of the City. In this Kings time Iordan Brifet Baron, Founded the House of Saint Iohn of Hierusalem, neare to Smithfield, in London, and gave 14. Acres of ground, lying in the field next to Clerkenwell, to build thereupon a House of Nunnes, wherein he with Myrioll his Wife were buryed in the Chapter house. Robert Fitsham, who came out of Normandy with the Conquerour, Founded anew the Church of Teukesbury, and was there buryed. Herbert Bishop of Norwich, Founded the Cathedrall Church there. The Priory and Hospitall of Saint Bartholomew in Smithfield, was Founded by a Minstrell of the Kings, named Reior who became first Prior there. Before this time Smithfield was a Laystall of all ordure and filth, and the place where Felons were put to Execution. Hugh Lacy Founded the Monastery of Saint Iohn at Lanthony, neare to Glocester. Iuga Baynard, Lady of little Dunmow, Founded the Church there, and gave to maintaine it, halfe a Hide of Land. This Lady Iuga was late Wife to Baynard, that first built Baynards Castle in London. Eud… the Kings Sewer, Founded the Monastery of Saint Iohn at Colchester, of blacke Chanons, and those were the first of that Order in England. Simon Earle of Northampton, and Mande his Wife, Founded the Monastery of Saint Andrew in Northhampton. In the seventh yeare of this Kings Raigne, the first Chanons entred into the Church of our Lady in Southwarke, called Saint Mary Overey; Founded by William Pountlarge knight, and William Dancyes, Normans. Robert the first Earle of Glocester, the Kings base Sonne, builded the Castles of Bristow and Cardyffe, with the Priory of Saint Iames in Bristow: And his Sonne Earle William began the Abbey of Kensham. Geoffrey Clinton, Treasurer, and Chamberlaine to the King, Founded the Priory at Kenelworth, of Regular Chanons. Henry Earle of Warwicke, and Margaret his Wife, Founded the Colledge of Saint Mar…, in the Towne of Warwicke; and Roger de Belemond his Sonne, and Ellyne his wife, translated the same Colledge into the Castle of Warwicke, in the yeare 1123. Roger Bishop of Salisbury built the Devises in Wiltshire; the Castles also of Mamesbury and Shirborne. He repaired the Castle of Salisbury, and environed it with a wall; he also built the stately Church of Salisbury: destined to a longer life then any of his other workes. Ralph, Bishop of Durham, began to build the Castle of Norham, upon the banke of the River of Tweed. In the 32. yeare of this Kings Raigne, the Priory of Norton in Cheshire, was founded by one William, the sonne of Nychel, and the Abbey of Cumbermere in the same Shire. The Colledge of Secular Chanons also in the Castle of Leycester, and the Abbey without the North gate of the same Towne, called Saint Mary de Prato. Also in this Kings Raigne, was Founded the Monastery of Plimpton in Devonshire, with the Cathedrall Church of Exet…r; the Priory of Merton, the Hospitall of Kepar, the Priory of Oseney neare Oxford by Robert de Oylye Knight: and the Hospitall of Saint Crosse neare Winchester by Henry Blois Bishop there: also Robert Earle of Ferrers Founded the Abbey of Merivall: and indeed so many in his time were built, that one would thinke the Inhabitants of England to be all Carpenters and Masons, that were able to finish so many great buildings in so short a time as this Kings Raigne.…
Casualties happening in his time.
IN this Kings dayes all the foure Elements were guilty of doing much mischiefe, but chiefely the water: For King Henry returning into England after his conquest of Normandy, left his sonne William with his sister Mary Countesse of Perche; Richard his sonne by a Concubine; the Earle of Chester with his wife Lucie, the Kings Neece by his sister Adela, and other Lords and Ladies, and passengers to the number of 180. to follow after him: who taking Shipping (and …he best Ship the King had) whether by carelesnesse, or drunkennesse of the Saylours, were all drowned. The Prince indeed was got into the Ship-boate, and out of danger; but hearing the lamentable cries of his sister, compassion wrought so in him, that he turned about his boate to take her in, which over-charged with the multitude, over-turned, and they all perished: none escaped but onelyonly one Saylour, who had been a Butcher, who by swimming all night upon the Mast, came safe to Land. An accident not more grievous then exemplary; for amongst other conclusions, from hence we may gather, that no state is so uncertaine as prosperity; no fall so sudden as into adversity; and that the rule [He that stands, let him take heed he fall not] cannot alwayes be observed, because a man happens sometimes to fall before it is possible for him to take heed. Another great mischiefe was in this Kings dayes wrought by the water; for by the breaking in of the Sea, a great part of Flanders was drowned: whereupon a great number of Flemmings being Suiters to King Henry for some place to inhabit; he assigned them a part in Wal… neare the Sea, called Pembrokeshire, where they have inhabited to this day: the King by this one action, working two good effects, both shewing compassion to distressed strangers, and putting a bridle upon unquiet Natives. But the water had another way to doe mischiefe as much by defect, as this was by excesse; for upon the tenth of October, the River of Medway many miles together did so faile of water, that in the midst of the Channell, the smallest vessels could not passe: and the same day also in the Thames, betweene the Tower of London and the Bridge, men waded over on foote for the space of two dayes: also at another time the River of Trent at Notingham was dryed up a whole day. Now for the Earth, though naturally it be without motion, yet it moves sometimes when it is to do mischiefe, specially being assisted by the Aire; as in this Kings dayes, it moved with so great a violence that many buildings were shaken downe, and Malmesbery saith, that the house wherein he sate, was lifted up with a double remove, and at the third time setled againe in the proper place. Also in divers places it yeelded forth a hideous noyse, and cast forth flames at certaine rifts many dayes together, which neither by water, nor by any other meanes could be suppressed. But yet the active Element of Fire was busiest of all, for first Chichester with the principall Monastery was burnt downe to the ground: From West-cheape in London to Aldgate, a long tract of buildings was consumed with fire: Worcester also and Rochester, even in the Kings presence; then Winchester, Bathe, Glocester, Lincolne, Peterborough, and other places, did also partake of this calamity, that there could be n… charging the fire with any partiality: and to speake of one forraine casualty, because a strange one. In Lombardy this yeare was an Earthquake that continued forty dayes, and removed a Towne from the place where it stood, a great way off.
Of his Wives and Children.
AT his first comming to the Crowne, he married Matild or Maude, sister to Edgar then King of Scotland, and daughter to Malcolme by Margaret the sister of Edgar Etheling. This Matild, if she were not a veyled Nun, she was at least brought up in a Nunnery, and thereby growne so averse from marriage, that when the motion was first made her to marry with King Henry, she utterly refused it, as resolved though perhaps not vowed, to die a Virgin; till at last importuned, and even forced by the authority of her brother, she rather yeelded then consented; for she did it with so ill a will, that it is said she prayed, if ever she had issue by the marriage, that it might not prosper: and indeed it prospered but untowardly, as will be seene in the sequell. But though she made this imprecation before she knew what it was to be a Mother, yet when she came to be a Mother, she shewed her selfe no lesse loving and tender of her children, then loyall and obsequious to her husband. And to make amends for this seeming impiety towards her children, there is a story related of her reall piety towards the poor: for a brother of hers comming one morning to visit her in her chamber, found her sitting amongst a company of Lazar people, washing and dressing their ulcers and sores; and then kissing them afterward when she had done: who wondring at it, & saying to her, How could she think the King should like to kisse that mouth, which had kissed such filthy ulcerous people? she answered; she had a greater King to kisse, who she knew would like her never the worse for it. By this Queen Matild, King Henry, according to some Writers, had foure children; but as the received opin…on is, onelyonly two, a sonne named William, and a daughter called Mawde; of whom the sonne at foureteene yeares old had fealty sworne to him by the Nobility of Shrewsbury: at seventeene married the daughter of F…lke Earle of Anjou: and at eighteene was unfortunately drowned, as hath beene shewed. The daughter lived to be an Empresse, and afterwards a Dutchesse; but could never come to be a Queene, though borne to a Kingdome; as shall be shewed hereafter. She survived her second husband seventeene yeares, living a Widow, and at R…an in Normandy died, and was buried there in the Abbey of Bec; though there be … Tradition that she was buried at Reading, in the Abbey there beside her Father: but …t appeares to have beene a custome in those dayes, for great personages to have their Monuments erected in divers places. After the death of this Queene Matild, who died at Westminster, in the eighteenth yeare of his Raigne, King Henry married Ade…za, the daughter of Godfry Duke of Lorraine; who though she were a beautiful and accomplisht Lady, yet had he never any iss…e by her. When she was to be Crowned, Ralph Arch-bishop of Canterbury, who was to doe the office, came to King Henry, sitting Crowned in his chaire of State, asking him who had set the Crowne upon his head? the King answering, he had now forgotten, it was so long since. Well (said the Arch-bishop) whosoever did it, did me wrong, to whom it belonged; and as long as you hold it thus, I will doe no office at this Coronation. Then (saith the King) doe what you thinke good: whereupon the Arch-bishop tooke the Crowne off from the Kings head; and after, at the peoples intreaty, set it on againe, and then proceeded to Crowne the Queene. By Concubines King Henry had many children; it is said seven sonnes, and as many daughters: of whom, some perished in the great Ship-wrack; of the rest, two of the sonnes, Reynold and Robert, were made Earles: Reynold of Cornwall, Robert of Glocester, and was a great assister of his sister Mawde, in her troubles with King Stephen, who after many acts of valour performed by him, in the twelfth yeare of King Stephen, died, and was buried at Bristow. The daughters were all married to Princes and Noble men of England and France, from whom are descended many worthy Families: particularly one of those daughters by An…e C… bet, was married to Fits-herbert, Lord Chamberlaine to the King… from which Fits-…erbert, our Family (absit i…vidia verbo) is by Females descended; passing by the na…es of Cummin, Chenduit, Brimpton, Stokes, Foxcote, Dyneley, and so to B…ker.
Of his Incontinency.
OF this enough hath beene said, in saying he had so many children basely… begotten: but if comparison be mad… betweene his brother …ufus and him, it may be said, that howsoever they might be equall in loosenesse of life; yet in that loosenesse, William Rufus was the baser, and King Henry the more Noble; for King Henry had certaine selected Concubines, to whom he kept h…mselfe constant; where King William tooke onelyonly such as he found: constant to the pleasure, but not to the persons.
His course for establishing the succession in Mawde and her issue.
HE married his onelyonly daughter Mawde, being but sixe yeares old, to the Emperour Hen…y the fourth; but he leaving her a Widow without issue… he married her againe to G…ffrey Plantagenet, sonne to Fulke Duke of Anjo… : not the greatest Prince that was a Suitour for her; but the fittest Prince for King Henries turne: for Anjou was neighbouring upon Normandy, a great security to it, if a friend; and as great a danger, if an enemy. And having thus placed her in marri…, h… now considers how to establish her succession in the Crowne of England … whereu…on he cals his Nobility together, and amongst them D…vid King o… Scots, and causeth them to give their Oaths of Allegeance to her and her issue: and a… thinking …e could never ma…e her succession …ure enough, he causeth his Lords the yeare …ter againe to tak… the like Oath, and after that a third time also; as conceiving that being doubled and trebled, it would make the tye of Allegeance the stronger: wherein nothing pleased him so much, as that Stephen, Earle of …loi…, was the first man that tooke the Oath, because he was knowne to be, at least known… he might be, a Pretender. But the King should have considered that N…ll… fides Reg…i … and therefore no Oath, though never so often iterated, sufficient to warrant loyalty in persons so deeply interessed, as Stephen was: yet providence could doe no more, and the King was well satisfied with it; especially when hee saw his daughter a mother of two sonnes: for this, though it gave him not assu…ance, yet it ga…e him assured hope to have the Crowne perpetuated in his Poste…ity.
Of Ireland in his time.
THe King of England as yet had nothing to doe with Ireland, the … was governed by its owne Kings: and the people of both Nations… … they were ne…ghbours, yet divided by a rough Sea, but little …quai…ted; but now beganne entercourse to be more frequented: and Murc…d…h, ch…fe King of the Irish, bore such awfull respect to King Henry, that he would doe nothing but by his counsell, and with his good liking.
Whom King Henry used as his Vicegerent in his absence.
HE was absent sometimes in Normandy, three or foure yeares together; during which times, he committed commonly the care of the Realme to Roger Bishop of …alisbury, a politick Prelate; and one as fit to be the second in government, as King Henry to be the first.
His pers…ge a…d conditions.
HE was a person tall and strong, …ad breasted, his limbes well kni…, and fully furnished with …lesh; his face well f…shioned, his colour cleare, his eyes large and faire, his eye-browes large and thick, his hair… black, and …omewhat thin… towards his forehead; his countenance pleasan…, specially when h… was disposed to mirth. A private man, vilified, and thought to have but little in him: but come to the Crowne, never any man shewed more excellent abilities: so true is the saying, Magistratus indicat virum. His naturall affection in a direct line was strong; in an oblique, but weake; for no man ever loved children more, no… a brother l…e. Though a King in act, yet he alwayes ac…ed not a King; but in ba…ls some…m…s the part of a common Souldier, though with more then common valou… …s at a ba… tell in France, where he so farre hazarded himselfe, that though he lost not his life, yet he lost his bloud.
Of his death and buriall.
A Discontent of minde upon some differences between him and his sonne in law, the Earle of Anjo…, brought upon him a distemper, which encreased by eating, against his Physiti…ns advise, of a L…mprey; a meate alwayes pl…s…ng … him… but never agreeing with him; cast him into a …aver, which in few …aye… put a p…i…d to his life: So cer…aine it is, that one intemperate action is eno…h to overthrow the temperance of a whole life; as of this King Henry it is said… th… he seldome did ea… but when he was hungry, never did drink but when he was …thirst… yet this but on…e yeelding to his sensuall appetite, made h…m forfe… all benefit of his former abstinence: though some write he too… his d…th by the f…ll off his h…rs…. He died upon the first of D…ember at night, in …he ye…re 1135. when he had Raigned five and thirty yeares, lived threescore and seven. His bowels, braines, and eyes, were bu…ied at Roan in No…mandy where he died: the rest of …i… body was stuffed with Salt, wrapped in Oxe hides, and brought over in… England, and with hono…rable Exequies, buried in the Monastery of …e…ding … which himselfe had Founded. His Physiti…n that …ooke out his braines, with the intolerable stinch shortly after died. In this King Henry ended the line of the N…rmans, as touching the Hei…es Males; and then c…me in the Fre…ch, by the title of Heires generall.
Men of n…te in his time.
MEn of learning in his time were many… first, Stephen Harding a Benedictine Monke, who was Founder of the Cistercian Orde… Then Anselme, Arch-bishop of C…terbury, who be…ides his activenesse in matters of State, writ many great and learned bookes. Then Walt…r C…l…, Arch-deacon of Oxford, who delivered a History written in the British tongue, from Brute to Cadwallader, to Geoffry of Mon…h to translat…, and added forty yeares of his owne …ime. Also … a Mon… of W…c…ster, who writ D… reb…s Gestis Anglorum. Also E…dm…r…s, a M…k of C…terbury, who …sides oth…r w…ks, writ the History of his owne t…me, under the two Willi…s and H…y the first.