Observations of all the Kings of England, Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII.
RICHARD the second.
HE descended from four Edwards, of which the first three were succeeding Kings; the fourth Prince of Wales sirnamed the black Prince, who dying before his father Edward the third, did not attain the Crown. The Civil Warres of England by Sir▪ Francis B…ondi an Italian.
He was crowned in the eleventh year of his age,In Richardo fuit forme gratia, animus non vilis, quem consociorum perversitas improbitas, insulsitas, extiuxit… fuit item summa infelicitas, qui in talent cal…itatem in… cidit ut in maximi beneficii perten… accepe…it, abdicare se imperio, pro quo, …ortaies soleant … omnia pro…icere. Polyd Virg. Ang. hist. l 21. and sufficiently shewed the miserable condition of such States as are governed by an Infant King.
He was the goodliest personage of all the Kings that had been since the conquest.
The beautifull picture of a King sighing, crowned in a Chair of Estate, at the upper end of the Quire in St. Peters at Westminster, is said to be of him, which witnesseth how goodly a creature he was il… outward lineaments. Speed.
He had nothing worthy his great fortunes but his great birth.
When he had with full hand bestowed upon Sim… Montford Earl of Leicester, all the benefits he could, yea and given his own sister i… marriage,He may be compared to Lewis the tenth of France, called Hu…, which signifies mutiny, because of his …arbulent disposition. he raised a most dangerous War, and spoiled shamefully a great part of England, under pretence of restoring the Commonwealth and maintaining liberty: neither left he any thing undone, to bring, the King under, to change the State & of a M…rchy to bring in an Oligarchy. But in the …, after that fortune had for a good while favourably smiled upon him,this Montford gave the King … Dan. hist. f…l. 172. Cambd. Brit … Worcestershire. he was slain at Evesh…m in Worcestershire, with many other of the Barons his Complices, by the prowess of Prince Edward.
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Although the Kingdome endured great Crosses in the affairs of State under this King, yet some have thought, that it found as great a blessing in matters of Religion, which in those dayes took so deep root in this our Land by the preaching of Iohn Wickliffe, that the branches thereof did spread themselves even over the Seas. Speeds Chronicle.
He was the onelyonly Son of that famous Cheiftain, the black Prince of Wales: (a renowned son of a renowned father) but (as a plant transplanted into a savage soyl) in degree and disposition wholly degenerate, retained a tincture of the light inconstancy of his Mother,Mr. Bacons Uniform Government of England, part 2. c. 1. and the luxuriousness of his great Grandfather, Edward the second, and running his course, came to his end.
He had in his Court a thousand persons in ordinary allowance of diet, three hundred servitors in his Kitchin,Sir Iohn Arundel had two and fifty new suits of Apparel of cloath … gold or tissue Hollinsh. above three hundred Ladies Chamberers, and Landerers. His Apparel was sumptuous, and so was it generally in his time: he had one Coat of gold and stone valued at thirty thousand Marks. One interview with the French King at Ards, Chron. in Rich. the second. Daniels third Book of Civil Wars.when his Wife Isabel was delivered unto him, cost three hundred thousand Mark….
Queen Anne his Wife, Daughter to the Emperour Charles the fourth, first taught English women the manner of sitting on horseback,…ambd. Bri…annia in Sur…ey. which now is used: whereas before-time, they rode very unseemly astride, like as men do.
The Civil Wars in England, had their beginning from his bad Government,Bellum Baroni…um. Henry the fourth did first commence them, and Henry the fifth suspended them, but they again brake forth under Henry the sixth.
Wat Tyler the Master of the Kentish Rebels, was slain with a Dagger by William Walworth Mayor of London, close by the Kings side, in the Kings defence, who was therefore Knighted, and the City since giveth for Arms the Dagger.
He was first deposed, then slain. Men are easily emboldened (saith Guicciardine c. 3. of his History of Italy) against a Prince that is fallen into contempt.
The most current report at that time went, that he was Princely served every day at the Table with abundance of costly meats, according to the order prescribed by Parliament, but was not suffered to taste or touch any one of them, and so perished of famine.
Mr. Fox saith he was at Pamfret Castle famished to death.
Sir Pierce of Extone at last killed him,Haywards life and Raign of Henry the fourth. though he with an Axe wrested out of one of their hands, first killed four of those which came with him to murther him.
At the point of his death he groaned forth these words. My great Grandfather King Edward the second was in this manner deposed, imprisoned and murthered: by which means my Grandfather King Edward the third obtained possession of the Crown; and now is the punishment of that injury powred upon his next successor. Well this is right for me to suffer, but not for you to do; your King for a time may joy at my death, and enjoy his desire; but let him qualifie his pleasures with the expectation of the like justice: for God who measureth all our actions by the malice of our minds, will not suffer this violence unrevenged.
He lived three and thirty years, raigned two and twenty and three moneths.
Thus far the Plantagenets, have continued in an unquestionable right line; now follows the division of the houses of Lancaster & York, three of each succeeding in their order.
Of Lancaster,
Henry the fourth sirnamed Bulling brook.
Henry the fifth of Monmouth.
Henry the sixth of Windsor.
Of Yorke three others succeeded upon a better title.
1. Edward the fourth.
2. Edward the fifth.
3. Richard the third.
HENRY the fourth.
He was son to Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, from the loyn… of whom the greatest number of the Kings of England, Spain & Portugall, since his time, as also several other persons of eminent dignity are descended. Mr. Dugdal…s History of St. Pauls Cathedrall.
He was annointed with an oyl which a certain religious man gave unto Henry the first Duke of Lancaster (Grandfather to the King by the mothers side) when he served in the Wars of King Edward the third,Haywards life and Raign of K. Henry the fourth. beyond the seas; together with this Prophesie, that the Kings which should be annointed therewith, should be the Champions of the Church.
There was a great contest then between the white and red Rose,Inter flores regia dignitas penes Rosam est. Apud Anglos regia Rosa rubra stirpis Eboracensis, alba Lancast…ensis. Spelm. Aspilogia. the houses of Yorke and Lancaster. Speed.The red Rose prevailed now, he being the first renowned King of the house of Lancaster.
He first studied a popular party as needing all to support his titles.
There was in his Raign a Parliament held at Coventry, called Parliamentum indoctorum, the lack-learning Parliament, either for the unlearnedness of the persons, or for their malice to learned men
During the time of this Kings Raign execution by fire was first put in practice within this Realm,Trussels life and Raign of Richard the second. for controversies in points of Religion.
He shed the bloud of Gods Saints, and raigned neither long nor h…p…ily.
Mr. Fox …aith his time was full of trouble, bloud and misery. He was the first of the Kings of England (saith he) that put out his hand to the shedding of the bloud of the Saints, since the conquest.
Humphrey his son was by his brother King Henry the fifth created Duke of Glocester, Humfridus filius Henrici quarit, s…ater Henrici quinti, patruus Henrici sexti Regum Angliae, excoluit tum juvenis, tum etiam senex virtutem ut qui maximo. Hinc clarus domi militiae que & bonis omnibus gratiss…mus. Amavit praeter caetera politas literas, quibus etiam impendio invigilavit. Vidi ego libellum de rebus astronomicis ab eo non infaeliciter scriptum Mecaenas ille quidem doctorum omnium, quos illis temporibus, vel Anglia, vel Gail…a, vel Italia protulii. Testes exemplaria antiquissima quidem illa numero 1296, quae Academiae ad Isidis vi…um▪ fitae inchoata ibidem longè pulcherrim… operis Bibliotheca liberaliter contulit. Lel. comment in Cygn. Cant. Vide ejus l. 3. de vtris illustribus.he was Protector of the Kingdome of England for twenty five years in the time of King Henry the sixth. He was a man, who nobly deserved of the Commonwealth and of learning, as being himself very learned, and a magnificent Patron and benefactor of the University of Oxford, where he had been educated, and was generally called the good Duke. Speed.
This Duke Humphrey purchased a wonderfull number of Books, in all Sciences, whereof he freely gave to a Library in Oxford, a hundred and twenty nine fair Volumes. Bales Conclusion to Leylands New years gift to King Henry the eight.
One saith, all the Henries of the house of Lancaster (even to Henry the seventh) were most eminent for great vertues. Henry the fourth for his behaviour and courtesie. Henry the fifth for his valour and magnanimity. Henry the sixth for his justice and piety.
The renowned Prince King Henry the fifth during the life of his father,He took delight to lie lurking in high wayes, to steal from himself: for observing the times that his Tenants were to bring home his rents, he would set upon them, yea sometimes to the danger of his life; making them make good in their accounts as much as had been stolen from them: neither could they defraud him; for he himself knew best how much they had lost. And if they chanced to hurt or evil treat him, he liked them the better. Sir Francis Biondi of the Civil Warres of England. was noted to be fierce and of wanton courage. One of his servants whom he favoured, was for felony by him committed, arraigned at the Kings Bench, whereof the Prince being advertised, and incensed by light persons about him, in furious rage came hastily to the Barre where his servant stood as prisoner, and commanded him to be ungived and set at liberty. William Gascoigne the chief Justice of the Kings Bench, exhorted the Prince to be ordered according to the ancient Laws of the Realm, or if he would have him saved from the rigour of the Laws, that he should obtain if he might of the King his father his gracious pardon, whereby no Law or justice should be impeached. With which answer the Prince being more inflamed, endeavoured himself to take away his servant. The Judge considering the perillous example and inconvenience that might thereby ensue,The Prince impatient of contradiction, and who was naturally given to blows, insomuch as he would disguise himself to seek occasion for them, gave the Judge such a Cuffe on the ear, as would have stunned any one who had been less resolute then he: but the Judge neither frighted with the blow, nor losing his former gravity, said unto him, that the injury done unto him sitting on that seat, was an offence done unto the King, to whom, and to whose Laws, he the Prince was doubly obliged; as a Subject, and as a son, Sir Francis Biondi of the Civil Warres of England. with a valiant courage and spirit commanded the Prince upon his allegiance to leave the prisoner, and to depart his way: with which commandement the Prince being set all in a fury, in a terrible manner came up to the place of judgement, some thinking that he would have slain the Judge, or have done him some hurt, but the Judge sitting still without moving, declaring the majesty of the Kings place of judgement, and with an assured bold countenance, spake thus to the Prince: Sir remember your self, I keep here the place of the King your soveraign Lord and Father, to whom you owe double obeysance, wherefore in his name I charge you desist from your wilfulness and unlawfull enterprise, and from henceforth give good example to those which after shall be your proper Subjects … and now for your contempt and disobedience, go you to the prison of the Kings Bench, whereto I commit you, and remaine you there prisoner, untill the pleasure of the King your Father be further known. With which wordes being abashed, and also wondering at the marvellous gravity of that worshipfull Justice, the Prince laying his weapon apart, doing reverence, departed, and went to the Kings Bench as he was commanded, whereat his servants disdaining, came and shewed to the King all the whole affair. He a while studying, after, as a man all ravished with gladness, holding his hands and eyes towards heaven cried out with a loud voice: O mercifull God how much am I bound to thy infinite goodness, …ff…ecially, for that thou hast given me a Iudge who feareth not to minister justice, and also a sin, who can suffer semblably; and obey justice.
Sir Thomas Eliot in his Governour,p. 102, 103. saith, here a man may behold three persons worthy memory:
First a Judge, who being a Subject, feared not to execute justice on the eldest son of his soveraign Lord, and by order of nature his successor.
Also a Prince, son and heir of the King in the midst of his folly, more considered his evil example, and the Judges conscience in justice, then his own estate, and wilfull appetito.
Thirdly a noble King, and wise father, who contrary to the custome of parents, rejoyced to see his son and the heir of his Crown, to be for his disobedience by his Subject corrected.
The Oath ex officio (it should rather be called in officiosum) was brought into the Church under him. The Prelates requiring it to discover those which that age esteemed Hereticks, and especially, those which they called Lollards, which Master Fox in his Acts and Monuments calls a bloudy Law.
In his admonition to his son at his death, he said, Of English men, so long as they have wealth and riches, so long shalt thou have obeysance, but when they be poor, they are alwayes ready to make insurrection at every motion.
All the time of his sickness, his will was to have his Crown set upon his Bolster by him, and one of his fits being so strong upon him, that all men thought him directly dead; the Prince coming in, took away the Crown:Sir Francis Biondi of the Civil Wars of England. when suddenly the King recovering his senses, missed his Crown; and asking for it, was told, the Prince had taken it: whereupon the Prince being called, came back with the Crown,Sir Richard Bakers Chronicle. and kneeling down, said: Sir to all our judgements, and to all our griefs, you seemed directly dead, and therefore I took the Crown as being my right: but seeing to all our comforts you live, I here deliver it much more joyfully then I took it, and pray God you may long live to wear it your self.
In his time were the two famous Poets Chaucer and Gower.
None of the sons of Henry the fourth did degenerate: a thing not usuall in so large a family. Henry the fifth died gloriously in the pursuit of his conquests, the Duke of Clarence valiantly fighting, and though of a naturall death and Glocester of a violent, yet died they not with less fame then did the others. Biondi his History of the Civil Warres of England, l. 5. in Henry the sixth.
The Duke of Bedfords death is to be numbred among the chiefest causes of the loss of France. He was a prudent Prince, of long experience in Arms and Government, obeyed by his own, feared by his enemies. Id. ibid.
Fourth Henry was by some blind Bard foretold,
That he should never die, till he had seen
Ierusalem: fourth Henry will be old,
Ierusalem for him shall be unseen:
No, he shall see it, when he least doth ween.
He swouns at prayers, and by religious men
Is straight convey'd unto Ierusalem.
Sir Francis Huberts History of Edward the second.
The like Prophesie we read of Pope Sylvester the second, to whom being inquisitive for the time and place where he should die, it was answered that he should die in Ierusalem, who then saying Mass in a Chappell (called likewise Ierusalem.) perceived his end there to be near, and died.
In this Kings time Guild-Hall in London was built.
Gower being very gracious with him, carried the name of the only Poet in his time.
He and Chaucer were Knights.
Grasion. Hollinsh.The King died in Ierusalem-Chamber in minster in the year of his age forty six.
He raigned thirteen years and a half, wanting five dayes. Fourteen years say others.