Transcriber’s Notes

About this book. Although the title indicates that the Chronicle begins in 1089, it actually begins in 1189 with the reign of Richard I, and ends in 1483 with the death of Edward IV. It is based on two manuscripts, now in the British Library, written by anonymous scribes in the 15th Century. It recounts events not only in the City of London—such as the elections of Mayors and Sheriffs—but also in the British Isles and France, covering battles, coronations, births and deaths of prominent people, tempests, earthquakes, plagues, and other noteworthy occurrences.

The Chronicle was first published in 1827, in a limited edition of 250 copies, with copious notes and an extensive section of illustrative documents. Although the editors of the 1827 edition are not named, the British Library catalogue identifies them as Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas, G.C.M.G., and Edward Tyrrell (whose signature appears at the end of the dedication).

This e-book was prepared from a 1995 reprint of the 1827 edition, published by Llanerch Publishers, and from images of the 1827 edition at the Internet Archive, www.archive.org.

Orthography. The Chronicle section is written in 15th-Century English. The original spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and hyphenation have been preserved in this e-book.

Numbers and dates in lowercase Roman numerals often end in a “j,” signifying “i.”

Blank spaces in the text are represented by long dashes (——).

Formatting. The Chronicle section of the original utilizes unique page headers indicating the name of the monarch and the years covered on that page, e.g., REX HENRICUS T’CIUS [1238-1242.]. These have been retained in this e-book and inserted in the appropriate chronological place.

The original contains numerous sidenotes. In the Chronicle section, sidenotes marked with an asterisk were added by the editors and are here treated as footnotes.

A
Chronicle of London,

FROM 1089 TO 1483;

WRITTEN IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY,

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME PRINTED

FROM MSS. IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM:

TO WHICH ARE ADDED

Numerous Contemporary Illustrations,

CONSISTING OF ROYAL LETTERS, POEMS, AND OTHER ARTICLES DESCRIPTIVE
OF PUBLIC EVENTS, OR OF THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS
OF THE METROPOLIS.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR
LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, PATERNOSTER-ROW;
AND HENRY BUTTERWORTH, No. 7, FLEET STREET.

M.DCCC.XXVII.

[ONLY TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY COPIES PRINTED.]

RICHARD TAYLOR, PRINTER,
SHOE-LANE.

Fac-simile of a page of the Chronicle of London in the Harleian M.S. 565, fol. 37.

To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of London.

This Volume presents to your notice an early Chronicle of the great Metropolis over which you preside.

The rising taste for literature, and particularly that part of it relating to the History of your ancient City, which has lately been evinced by you in the formation of a Library, as well as in the private Collections made by several of your members on the same subject, renders it probable that the publication of this Chronicle, which has never before been printed, may not be deemed unacceptable.

Amongst the “Illustrations” will be found some interesting and ivimportant documents taken from the Archives of your Corporation;—they give a faint idea of the valuable historical information contained in your Records; and it may be hoped that these specimens will induce you to follow the example set by the Great Council of the Nation in printing the Parliamentary Records, and that at no very distant period measures may be taken for the publication of such of the documents in your possession as will illustrate the History of England, and of the City of London.

PREFACE.

The present period is so distinguished for historical research, that the publication of an English Chronicle, written in the fifteenth century, will not it is presumed require any other prefatory remarks to recommend it to attention, than a brief account of the MSS. from which it has been transcribed. Two copies are extant in the British Museum; the one in the Harleian MS. 565, the other in the Cottonian MS. Julius B. i. and the material variations between them are either alluded to, or inserted in the Notes. The copy in the Harleian MS. ends with the 22nd year of the reign of Henry the Sixth, Anno 1442, about which time the volume was evidently written: but the other transcript, which is in a much later hand, is continued to the death of Edward the Fourth, Anno 1483, though after the accession of that monarch the narrative is barren and unsatisfactory. It may therefore be inferred that the original compiler did not survive the death of Henry the Sixth, and that the continuation was by another person. With the events of that period the writer is consequently to be deemed contemporary; and all which he relates of the reigns of Henry the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth, are peculiarly deserving of notice; for some curious facts are mentioned, many of which have never,vi it is believed, been so fully detailed, even if they were previously known; whilst of earlier times his statements are as worthy of credit as those of other Chroniclers who did not live in the ages of which they respectively treat.

This volume is called “A Chronicle of London” in the title-page, from the author having so particularly confined himself to the Metropolis; and still more, because he has, like his successor Fabian, commenced each year with the election of the Lord Mayors and Sheriffs of London, whose names are uniformly recorded, but unfortunately no clue exists by which the name of the writer can be ascertained.

To the history of England however, no less than to that of London, this Chronicle will, it is confidently expected, be considered a valuable addition; and the laudable avidity evinced by the Corporation, under whose patronage it appears, as well as by numerous natives of the metropolis, to possess every work relating to its early history, justifies the hope that by them at least it will be favourably received.

Towards the end of the volume the following Illustrations are introduced, the most important of which have, with the obliging permission of Henry Woodthorpe, Esq. the Town Clerk, been copied from the invaluable muniments in the City Archives.

A curious Latin Poem on the dispute between King Edward the First and the King of France, relative to some lands in Gascony in 1295. From the MS. in the Town Clerk’s Office, marked Liber Custumarium.

A fragment of a French Poem on the treacherous conduct of Sir Thomas Turbeville, in 1296. From the Cottonian MS. Caligula A. xviii.vii

A Letter from King Edward the Third to Edward Prince of Wales, giving an account of the Battle of Scluyse, dated 28th June, 14 Edward III. 1340. From the MS. in the Town Clerk’s Office, marked Letter F.

A Letter from Edward the Black Prince to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of London, dated 22nd of October 1356, detailing the proceedings of the English Army under his command, and informing them of the Battle of Poictiers. From the MS. in the Town Clerk’s Office, marked Letter G.

A Letter from a Priest, named Robert Prite, to some Nobleman, dated 8th of December 1356; in which he speaks of the Battle of Poictiers, and relates other news of the times. From the original in the Cottonian MS. Caligula D. iii.

A Declaration of Bernard Du Troy, a Gascon gentleman, made on his death-bed, 1st of July 1361, that he was the individual who took John King of France prisoner at the Battle of Poictiers. Also from the Cotton MS. Caligula D. iii.

A Proclamation of Richard II., dated at Chelmsford on the 5th of July 1381, to the Earl of Warwick and others, denying that Wat Tyler and his followers were supported by his authority; and commanding them to use all possible means for the preservation of the peace in Warwickshire, and the places under their jurisdiction. Also from the Cottonian MS. Caligula D. iii.

A Poem, by Lydgate, describing the Expedition of Henry the Fifth into France, the Battle of Agincourt, and the magnificent Pageant prepared by the City of London, in honour of his return to the Metropolis. From the Harleian MS. 565.

Another Poem, by Lydgate, describing the Pageant and Reception of Henry the Sixth into London on the 21st of February 1431, after his coronation as King of France. Also from the Harleian MS. 565.

Two copies of a Poem on the reconciliation of the Lords of the Yorkist faction with King Henry the Sixth and his adherents; the one from the Cottonian MS. Nero A. vi., and the other from the Cottonian MS. Vespasianus B. xvi.viii

A Ballad sent by a Pursuivant to the Sheriffs of London and their Brethren on May Day at Bishop’s Wood, at an honorable dinner; each of them bringing his dish: by John Lydgate. From Ashmole’s MS. No. 6943.

Two copies of a Ballad, also by Lydgate, entitled “London Lickpenny;” the one from the Harleian MS. 542, and the other from the Harleian MS. 367.

A short Ballad, also by Lydgate, upon the Emptiness of his Purse. From the Harleian MS. 2255.

Another Ballad, by Lydgate, in ridicule of the Forked Head-dresses of Females. From the Harleian MS. 2255.

A Ballad on Fraudulent Millers and Bakers; likewise by Lydgate. From the same MS.

The whole of these articles were written at the periods to which they relate, and the greater part of them are for the first time printed; whilst the few that have been before published, are inserted either because more correct copies have been discovered, or because they are so intimately connected with some of the others that they could not with propriety be omitted.

Most of the pieces enumerated have escaped the notice of Historians; and as they tend in an important degree to illustrate the Manners and Customs of the Metropolis, their appearance in this volume cannot fail, it is hoped, to be acceptable to those who are interested in the early History of London or of this Kingdom.

WILL’ CON’TOR. WILL’ RUFFUS. HEN. PR. STEPHAN. HEN. SECUNDUS. RIC. JOHN. HENRICUS. EDWARD TRES. RIC. HEN. IIIJtus.

NOMI’A CUSTODU’ LONDON’ TEMPORE REG’ RIC’I PRIMI, QUI CORONATUS FUIT APUD WESTM’ TERCIO DIE SEPTEMBR’ ANNO D’NI MILL’O Cmo lxxxix.

HE same day that the king was crowned and the nyght folwynge alle the Jewes that myghte be founden weren for the moste partie slayne and brent. And in this yere began the ordre of seynt Tonyes in Pruce. Will’m’ rex Scotie fecit homagiu’.In that yere in the monthe of Decembre cam kyng William of Scotlande to Caunterbury and dede homage to kyng Richard.

This yere the emperor Frederyk deyde in his goynge to Jerusalem; and in this yere began the orde of oure lady in Pruce, that is to sey in 2the yere of oure lord a ml’clxxxx.

This yere the kyng with many lordes of Engelond wente over the see in to the holy land and toke the strong citee of Acres and killed manye Sarasygnes. And in this yere Hugo Nonant bysshopp of Coventre and Lychefelde, thanne beynge the popes legat, putte out alle the monkes of the priorye of Coventre and putte in seculere chanons.

This yere the kyng toke the Ile of Cipre; and the prynce of the same ile he lete folowe hym in sylver cheynes.

This yere the kyng comynge homward fro the holy lond was taken of the duke of Ostrich and brought to the emperor, and there he was emprysoned and afterward raunsoned at an c ml’ li’, whiche somme to pay everych other chalys in Engelond was broken and coyned into moneye, and the monkes of Cisteux’ solden there bookes for to paye the kynges raunsone.

In this yere the kyng come in to Engelond, and tok the castell of Notynghame, and disherited John his brother. And the same yere kyng Richarde was crowned ayeyne at Westm’. And in the same yere an heretyke called with the longe berd was drawen and hanged for heresye and cursed doctrine that he had taughte

The same yere, the yere of oure lorde a ml’clxxxxviij, began the ordre of Trynyte. The same yere deyde pope Celestyne; and thanne succeded Innocent. Slewe the frenche king.And in this yere kyng Richard seiled over the see into Normandye and sclewe the kyng of Fraunce.

In this yere, that is to sey the yere of oure lord a ml’cxxxxix, the kyng was sclayne atte the castell Gaillarde in Fraunce with schot of a venemed quarelle in the heed. Neverthelees or he deyde the castell was wonne and his body setthe entered at Pount Ebrarde with hys fadir Henry the secounde. Whan the kyng Richard was thus hurt, with his owne hand he pulled out the quarelle, and anon the wonde rancled; and whan the kyng wyste that his wounde was dedly, he comaunded anoone his peple scharply assawte the town, and so it was wonne: and4 the kyng dede his will with them that were withinne: among othere he lete comaunde hym to be brought before hym that schotte that quarrelle; and whanne he cam the kyng asked his name. Bertram Gordon.Sire, seide he, my name is Bertram Gordone. Wherfore, seide the kyng, have ye sclayne me? dede y yow ever ony harme? Nay, sire, q’d Bertram; but, sire, with youre owne hond ye sclowe my fadir and my brothir, the whiche y have quytte yow. Now thanne, q’d the kyng, he that deyde for us on the crosse he save us from helle, he foryef yow my deth, and y foryef it yow. And the kyng comaunded hym an hundred schillynges of silver, and chargyd upon lyf and membre that no man schulde dow hym non harme: natheless certeyn persones of the kynges hous sued after hym and sclow hym after his departyng. And so kyng Richard obite is the vj day of April.

NOMINA COSTODUM TEMPORE REGIS JOH’IS QUI CORONATUS FUIT APUD WESTM’ IN DIE ASCENSIONIS D’NI, ANNO Ml’ Cmo NONAGESIMO NONO.

In this yere kyng John loste all Normandye and Angoye be werre; and he toke of every plowe lond in Engelond iiis. toward hise werres.5

This yere the kyng held his parlement at Londone, and asked of the clergye the stynte of every chirche in Engelond for to conquere ayen Normandye and Angoye. And in this yere deyde Huberd erchebisshop of Caunterbury; and thanne the priour and the covent of Caunterbury chosen in there chapytre hous the noble clerk Stephen of Langeton, ayens the kynges will, whome the pope sacred at Viterke. S’cus Hugo de Lincoln isto anno monebat’. And this yere deide seynt Hughe of Lincoln; also the erchebysshopp of Caunterbury; and the priour of Cricherche, and all the monkes weren exiled.

This same yere, be the avyse of wyse men of the citee of London that were chosene xxxv men whiche were sworne to holde and mayntene with the maire the assyses.

In this yere of oure lord a ml’ccij, there fallen grete reynes, and hailstones as gret as an ey medlyd with reyn, where thorugh trees, vines, cornes, al manner frutes were moche distroied; and the peple were sore abaysshed, and foules were seyn berynge fyer in the eyr in there billes.for there were seyn foules fleynge in the eyre berynge in there billes brennyng coles, whiche brenden manye houses. And in this yere Engelond and Walys were enterdited, and stood so vj yere and more, for the kynges trespas.6

In this yere of oure lord a ml’cciij a quarter of whete was worth xxv s., and a cistern of wyn was worth iiij s.

In this yere were seyn at oones too fulle mones in the firmament. And in this yere of oure lord a ml’cciiij began the ordre of Frere P’chours, in the cuntre of Tholomeis, undir duke Domynyk. Also in this yere was a strong wynter and an hard, fro the circumcisione of oure lord til the annunciation of oure lady.

This same yere the plees of the coroune were pleted in the tour of London, and Hugh of Cisell was drawe and hanged.

This yere the enterdytynge of the reaume was new proclamed thorugh out Engelond. Also in this yere was born Herry the kynges sone; and in this yere the kyng wan Irlond.7

In this yere was the firste maire of London; and seynt Marie Overeye was that yere begonne.

In this same yere the land was reconsyled, and the enterdytyng cesed: and in this yere the stone brigge of Londone was first begonne to make.

In this yere an eretyk was brent for eresye, the whiche be craft quenchyd ofte the fire.

In this yere was gret discencione be twen the kyng and hise lordes; and Lowys the kynges son of Fraunce was waget to come into Engelond with manye Frensshmen, whiche dede moche harme in the reaume or they wenten home; and the kyng wente with his hoost to Berham Downe. And in this yere, on seyn Benettes day, Southwerk, Londone brigge, and the moost part of London was brent.8

In this yere, that is to seye the yere of oure lord a ml’ccxiiij, began the ordre of seynt Fraunceys, besyde the assise of Frere Menours. And in this yere, in the fest of Gordiam in Septembre, the barons entred the citee of Londone, and strong werre was betwen the kyng and the lordes: and Rog’ Fitz Aleyn, maire, was discharged of his meiralte be the forsaid barons, and afterward they chosen Cerle meire, and the schirreves as it folwith: and yet lasted the werres.

NOMI’A MAIOR’ ET VICECOMITU’ LONDON’ TEMPORE REGIS HENR’ T’CIJ, QUI CORONATUS FUIT APUD GLOUCESTR’ IN DIE S’C’OR’ SIMONIS ET JUDE ANNO D’NI MILL’MO CCm xvj, ET ANNO ETATIS SUE NONO.

In this yere Walys was entirdited: also Eustache the Monk wyth manye Frensshemen as he was comynge into Engelond ward, for to helpe Lowys the kynges sone of Fraunce, was taken in the see be Hubert of Burgh and the V portes; and Eustache heed was smeten of, and the schippes drowned. And in this yere Lowys retorned home ayene with his meyne, and he hadde a ml’ mark of sylver.

This yere the kyng hadde of every plough land in Engelond ij s. And in this yere seynt Thomas of Canterbury was translated the l yere after his martirdome.10

This yere the kyng was crowned ayeyn at Westminster, and Hubert of Burgh was mad the kynges chief justice.

This yere of oure lord a mlccxxiiij,[3] the emperour Baldewyn which whanne he wente to bataile to fyghte with Godes enemyes he hadde a croos boren before hym, whiche crosse seynt Eleyne made of the crosse that Cryst deyde upon; and there was an Englyssh prest that tyme with hym that was called Sr. Hughe, and he was borne in Norfolke, the whiche preest broughte the same crosse to Bromholm in Norfolke. Plees of the crowne. Castell of Bedf’ was stroid.Also in this yere the plees of the crowne were pletyd in the tour of London. Also in this yere was the castell of Bedford beseged, whiche endured fro the ascencione of oure lord unto the assumpcion of oure lady; at whiche day be greet crafte and strong assaught it was wonne and distroid: and sithe it was not beldyd ayeyne because it was rebell to the kyng. Ordre of Frere Carmes began.
A gret wynd.Also in this yere began the ordre of Frere Carmes. Also in this yere upon seynt Lukes day there blew a gret wynd out of the north, whiche caste doune manye houses, steples and torrettes of chirches, and turned up so downe trees in wodes and in orchardes, at whiche tyme Firy dragons were seyne.fyry dragons and wykkes spirytes grete noumbre were seyn openly fleyng in the eyre.

This yere a gret discencione aros in London be empechement of Walter Bokerell, so that Constantyne Fitz Arnulf the morwe aftere oure lady daye, the assumpcion, was drawe and hanged. And in this yere the kyng was purposed to have cast down the walles of London.

In this yere, that is for to seye the yere of oure lord a mlccxxiiij, in the feste of seynt Bertylmewe the apostell, the ordre of Frere Menours [4] cam ferst into Engelond. Also in this yere a man of Alderbery feyned hym Cryst, whiche was brought to Oxon’, and there he was crucifyed.

In this yere the plees of the crowne were pletyd in the tour of London; and John Harleon failed of his lawe for the deth of Lambard his liege.

This yere the schirrevehood of London and Midd’ weren leten to ferme to the schirreves of London for cccli be yere, whiche was graunted the xviij day of Feverere in this sayd yere. Weres in Tempse were stroid.Also the same day it was graunted be the kyng that alle the weres in Thamyse schulde ben broken up and distroied, and never after schulde be set ayene. Also the xvj day of March in this yere the kyng graunted be his chartre to hise citezeyns of London, that The citezeynes of London scholde paye noo toll on this syde the see, no beyonde the see.no toll schulde be taken of them in no kynges lond, as well on this syde the see as beyonde the see; and yf ony toll were taken of ony citezeyn of London, that thanne the schirreves of London schulde taken at London distresse of the folk of the contre, what tyme that they myghte be founden in London notwithstondynge. Also the xviij day of August suynge the kyng graunted to the maire of London waryne.

In this yere, the viij day of Juyn the libertes and the fraunchises of London were ratified; Clerkes and seriaunts of the schirreve.and also the kyng graunted that every schirreve of London schulde have too clerkes and too seriauntes and no mo for that office. Also the kyng graunted the same tyme to the citezeyns of London that they schulde have A comown seal.a comown seal, whiche schulde ben in kepynge of too aldermen and too commons of the citee: and the forsaid seal scholde nought be denyed nor warned to poure no riche of the same citee whanne thei hadde nede, yf there cause were reson13able; and that no mede schulde be take no payed of eny man in no manner wyse for the said seall.

In this yere it was be the maire and be the aldermen, with the counseill and assent of alle the citee, and be othe sworne on the Evaungelies, that fro this tyme forth there schull never schirreves of London abyde leng’ in that office thanne on yere. And in this yere the same Roger was discharged of the office of the meiralte.

In this yere aroos a gret discord betwen the kyng and Hubert of Burgh; which Hubert fledde to the chapell of Brendewode, and there he was taken and thanne imprisoned in the tour of London, and after he was exiled. Also this yere was a gret harm done in the citee of London for the fyere of dame Jonet Lumbarde.

In this yere Sr. Edmond was sacred erchebysshop of Caunterbury, whiche now is called seynt Edmond of Pounteney, whiche Edmonde dede afterwarde revoke Hubert of Burgh, that com ayene into Engelond and submitted hym to the kynges grace. This yere, in the iiij idus of Feverer’, was a gret wynd, a gret erthequake, and a gret thondyr. Quarantisme parte.Eodem anno idem rex accepit ab om’ib’ reb’ mobilib’ le quarantisme p’ totam Angl’ in adjutor’m sibi in suis bellis.

In this yere, the morwe after seynt Hiller day Edmond the erchebisshop of Caunterbury spoused the kyng and dame Elianore the erles doughter of Provynce togidere at Caunterbury; and on the viij day of seynt Hillar sche was crowned at Westminster, and thanne the statut of Mertone was mad.

This yere on seynt Botolf even was borne Edward the kynges15 sone. Trantesime parte.It’m in cest an prist le roy en son eide le xxxme des moebles p’ tout la terre.

Eod’m anno d’n’s Simon Mountfort desponsavit Alianoram sororem d’m reg’ H. et comitissam Pembr’. Et anno sequ’ fecit d’c’m d’n’m comitem Leyc’. Edwardus long’ femorib’.Et eodem anno, i.e. anno iiijto natus fuit filius eius Edwardus, int’ ip’m et Alianoram reginam, qui postea vocab’ Edwardus longis femorib’.

This yere deide Rog’ bysshop of London: and William of the Marche was drawen and hangyd.

This yere the kyng com into Engelond fro Bordeux; and the plees of the crowne were pletyd in the tour of London before16 William of York, Richard Paschelewe, Herry Braha and Jerome of Saxton, justices. Also werre began betwen the kyng and Thlewelyn prince of Walys; also Griffith Thlewelyn sone fel out of the tour of London and brak his nekke.

This yere Mich’ Tony meire of London, and Nicholl Batte schirreve, were convicte before the kyng of periuracion be the othe of alle the aldermen, for as muche as Nicholl Batte lefte schirreve over his yere; wherefore Michael Tony was deposed fro the meiralte and Nich’ Batte fro the schirevehod, and another chosen as it is aforeseid.

Eod’m anno idem rex renovavit eccl’iam Westm’ ult’ med’m p’ unam archam. And this same yere was seynt Edmond of Pounteney translatyd.[5]

Eod’m anno s’c’us Edmundus fuit canonizatus eciam frat’ reg’ H. et comes Cornub’ incept fundamentu’ monast’ij de Hayles.[6]

In this yere, the Thorsday before the feste of Simond and Jude was a gret wynd and an horrible tempest whiche dede muche harme thorugh all Engelond; and Lodowyke the kyng of Fraunce tok Damaske the iiij kal. of Juyne.

In this yere of oure lord a mlccl began the ordre of frere Austyns; also in this yere the kyng wente into Scotlond to marie his doughter to Alisaundre the kyng of Scottes.

This yere the kyng graunted be his chartre on the xij daye of Juyne, that the schirreves of London schulde yerly ben allowed in the Eschequier for there office of the schirrevehood vijli. Also that after the meire be chosene he schulde be presented to the barons of the Escheker. And in this yere the kyng schipped at Portesmouth toward Burdeux.18

This yere the quene, and Edward here sone, and Boneface the erchebysshop of Caunterbury sailed over the see toward Burdeux. Also this yere, the day of St. Paulyne the bysshop, fell manye mervailes be the watres of the see, as full grete hete and droughte.

In this yere Edward the kynges sone spoused the kynges suster of Spayne. Also in this yere the kyng com from Burdeux thorugh Fraunce, and arryved at Dovore on Cristemasse day: and on seynt John day he com to London, and enprisoned the schirreves in the tour of London a monyth and more, for on John Frome that was undyr there warde whiche escapyd out of Newegate, the whiche John was taken in warde for the deth of a priour that was the kynges alye; and new schirrefs mad, as it folowith.

This yere deyde Robert Grostede bysshop of Lyncoln, in the vij idus of Octobre. And in this yere, the Soneday before the translacion of seynt 19Edward, the wyf of Sr. Edward the kynges sone com into Engelond and to London; and Sr. Edward com hymself on seynt Andrew evene to London. The crucifienge of a child.And in this yere a litell child called Hughe of Lincoln was taken of Jewes and crucified.

Eodem anno fuit Ric’us comes Cornub’ et frat’ reg’ H. coronatus in regem Almiaine.

In this yere Ric’us erle of Cornub’ was chosen emperor; and Thlewellyn prynce of Walys held werre ayens the kyng. Also this yere, abougte the convercion of seynt Poule, A gret compleynt made to the kyng of the citee of London.tydynges comen to the kyng that the cite of London was nought trewly, no in due maner gowerned: wherupon was mad an inquisicion be xxvj men of every warde; and John Mauncell, examyned be the kynges counseill, tolde the tale for alle the companye, and seyde that Richard Hardell mair, Robert Catelongre schirreve, John Tholesone, Nich’ Batte, Nich’ Fitz Jocy, Mathew Bokerell, John le Meynoure, Arnold Tednore, and Herry Walmode, aldermen, were worthy to be prevyd of there offices, and never after to bere stat in the citee. The parlement at Oxon.Also in this yere after Trynyte Sonedaye was the parlement at Oxenford, where aroos a gret discord betweye the barons on the too partye, and Audymere eslyte of Wynchestre, William Valence, Geffrey of Wynchestre, and the kynges brethren, on the other20 partie, for divers trespaces and transgressions; wherefore the kynges brethren were somond to come to the parlement at Wynchestre; and whanne the parlement was begonne, the forsaid kynges brethren wolde nought obeye to the lawe; wherfore two of them weren exiled, whiche passed the see at Dovorre.

This yere scutage was gadered in Engelond of every knyghtes fee xl s. The same yere, the morwe after Al Sowlen day, Ric’ of Gravesende at Caunterbury was sacred bysshop of Lincoln be Bonoface erchebysshop of Caunterbury. And in this yere, that is to seye the yere of our lord a mlcclviij, Jewe.there fel a Jewe into a pryve at Teukesbury upon a Satirday, the whiche wolde nought suffre hym selfe to be drawe out of the preve that day for reverence of his Sabot day: and Sr. Richard of Clare, thanne erle of Gloucestre, herynge therof, wolde nought sufrre hym to be drawe out on the morwe after, that is to say the Soneday, for reverence of his holy day; and so the Jewe deyde in the preve. A quart’ of whete at xxiiij s.Also in this yere was a gret derthe of corn, for a quarter of whete was worth xxiiij s. And in this yere Richard the erle of Cornewaille was crowned emperour of Almayne.

In this yere, abougte Alhalwen tyme, the kyng with the quene,21 with other barons and lordes, seyled over the see to the kyng of Fraunce, and dwelled there half yere and more with gret honoure and love, so that he hadde no wil homward; but he was thretned be the co’e counsaill of Engelond that but if he come home here sounne they wolde chesyn them a newe kyng: and there was gret discord, and a rysynge betwen Edward the kynges sone and Richard thanne erle of Worcestre,[8] so that all Engelond was meved to werre; for whiche, a lytel before Whitsonday the kyng come into Engelond, an cam into London, and lay in the bysshopes palys of London besyde Poules, unto the tyme that pees was stablisched thorough alle Engelond.

This same yere, abought the fest of the traunslacion of seynt Thomas, the kyng with the quene sailled over the see into Fraunce, and the erle of Worcestre [10] deyde.

In this yere began the barons werres, in whiche there were many ful worthy lordes sclayn, and moche myschief and sorwe was that time in Engelond.22

In this yere the town of Northampton was taken, and manye of the men that were founden withinne were sclayn, forasmoche as thei hadde ordeyned wyldefeer for to abrent the citee of London. Also this yere, after the purificacion of oure lady, the kynges litell halle at Westm’ with the chaumbre were brent. Also in this yere, at Whitsontyde, there aroos a grete discord betwen the kyng and his barons, and the bysshop of Hereford was taken and lad into Walys into a castell. Also in that discord Elianore the quene was foule repreved and almost sclayn upon London bregge: and after this, a litel before Mighelmesse, the kyng and the quene sailed into Fraunce, to the kynges parlement of Fraunce.

This yere the kyng com fro Fraunce and held his parlement at Redyng, fro which parlement the kyng and the lordes departed in wrathe; and the kyng wente ayene to the parlement into Fraunce: and after this, for werre and defaute, the stretes of London were cheyned. And abought the purification of oure lady the kyng com home fro Fraunce; Barons werre.and the barons token the town of Northt’ the Satirday nest before Passion Sonday; and the Wednesday nest folwynge there were manye Jewes sclayn and distroyd. And in the morwe of seynt Pancras, in the monthe of May, was the Bellum de Lewes.bataile of Lewes, betwen the kyng and the23 barons of the reaume, in whiche bataile manye men were sclayn on both parties: and in this bataile the kyng was taken and Sr. Edward his sone, and Richard erle of Cornewayle and manye othere were lad into diverses castelles. Stella comata.And in the same yere appered stella comata whiche endured xv dayes.

In this yere Edwarde the kynges sone brak oute of warde of Sire Simond Mountford erle of Leycestre and of Hereford, and he wente to the barons of the March, and they reyceyved hym withe moche honour. And on the Satirday in the myddes of August he scomfited Simon of Mountford at Kelyngworth. Bellu’ de Evesham.And on the Wednesday nest after was the batall of Evesham; and there was sclayn Simond of Mountford erle of Leycestre, the lord Spenser, Sr. Rauff Bassett, Sr. Thomas Asteley, William Maundevyle, Sr. John Beauchamp, Sr. Guy Bailliof, Sr. Roger Roule, &c. and the barouns discomfited.[11]

In this yere Sr. John Savylle was taken with strong hond at Cesterfeld; atte whiche tyme the lord Ferrers fledde, and be a woman was betrayed in the chirche, and so taken. And Octobon the popes legat held a counseill at Northt’, where he accursed alle thoo that stoden with the erle of Leycestre Simond, or hym helpith or favoureth.24

This yere, that is to seye the yere of oure lord a mlcclxvij, began the empire of Tartaryn, the whiche emperour is called the grete Cane; and he is now holden grettest and most myghty lord of alle the world. In this yere the kyng held his parlement at Marleburgh, in the octaves of seynt Martyn, where, be the assent of alle the nobles and choson comoners of Engelond, were mad the statuts called the Statuts of Marleburgh.

This yere Octobouns the popes legat held his counseyll at seynt Poules in London.

This yere the kyng lete translate ayeyne the body of seynt Edward into a precious schryne; and there weren alle the lordes spirutuelx and temporelx of Engelond. And in the xvj day of March the kyng ordeyned that no man schulde gon ought of the citee of London be water no be londe to regrate ony Hoc Ao concessit civib’ Londo’.vitaile. Also in this yere after Estren the kyng graunted to the citezens of London alle there liberties and fraunchises. And on the morwe of seynt Lucye the virgyne was T’re mot’.gret erthequake aboughte evesong tyme.25

In this yere Edwarde the kynges sone, in the feste of Philip and Jacob, tok his vyage into the holy lond with manye othere grete lordes bothe of Engelond and of other londes.

In this yere, the V kal. of Feverer’, the yere of oure lord a mlclxx, the stepil of the chirch of seynt Marie at the Bowe fel down in Chepe, and perysshed moche peple. The Sowdon sente l’res to Edward the kynges sone be a Sarasyn, whiche wolde a sclayn the said Edward, whiche Edward strangled the Sarasyn.And in this yere Edwarde the kynges sone was wounded of a Saresyn at Acres, whiche broughte hym lettres fro the Sowdone, the whiche Sowdone menynge tresone hadde sent the same Sarasyn with the lettres unto the said kynges sone Edward, whiche for hete of the contrey eyre satt on a bedde in his doublet, and opened them. Whiles the lettres weren in redynge, the said Sarasyn, knelynge befor hym, drowe out a knyf yvenymed, and wolde have smyten the sayd Sr. Edward in the bely, and failed; but he smot hym in the arm and eft ayeyne in the foot: whiche Saresyn he stranglyd betwen his too handes to the deth; and sithens he was cured therof, blessyd be God. Also in this yere the said Sr. Edward comynge hom thorough Fraunce, he dede the tornement at Chalons, whiche was proposed for his distruccion for envye.

These two scherreves were convict before the barons of the26 Escheker, in the fest of seynt Andrew; forasmoche as they token mede of the bakers of London, and wolde nought leten them be corrected and justified: wherefore they were deposyd of there offices; and in there stedes were seet John Bedle and Richard Parys. And in this yere, on seynt Edmondes day the bisshope, in the yere of oure lorde a mlcclxxij, kyng Herry the thridde deyde, and rially was beryed at Westm’.

NOMI’A MAIOR’ ET VICECOM’ TEMPORE REG’ EDWARDI PRIMI FILIJ REG’ HENR’ T’CIJ, QUI INCEPIT REGNARE IN C’STINO S’C’I ED’I ARCHIEP’I ANNO D’NI MILL’MO DUCENTESIMO SEPTUAGESIMO S’C’DO.

This yere Thlewyne the prynce of Walys rebelled ayens the kyng; and the kyng scomfited hym in bataile, and drof hym to so muche myschief that he cam and yeld hym, and paied to the kyng l ml marc of silver for to have his pees, and made hys othe for to comen to the kynges parlement too tymes in the yere. Eod’m anno f’res in vestimentis saccor’ in exules mitabant’. It’m stat’ erat concessum p’ bigamis; it’m p’ p’sonis p’motis non consecratis ad eccl’ias.

This yere, that is to sey the yere of oure lord a mlcclxxiij, the xiiij kal. of Septembre, the kyng Edward was crowned at Westm’ of Robert Kilward thanne erchebysshop of Caunterbury. Also in this yere the kyng confermed to the citezeins of London alle there liberties and fraunchises. For chastyse bakers and mellers.Also he yaf them a chartre for to chastyse bakers and mellers; that is to seye, for bakers that make nought breed after the assise, and for mellers that stelen mele and corne, the herdell; and for nyght walkers the toune. Et eod’m anno reveniebat a t’ra s’c’a et coronabat’ cu’ sua regina Alianora filia reg’ Hispanie apud Westm’.

In this yere the kyng helde his parlement at Westm’; and at Estre next suynge he sente be his lettre to Thlewelyne prynce of Walys that he schulde comen to his parlement: wherof Thlewyne hadde gret dispite, and rebelled ayeyne: and thanne the kyng made newe werre to Walys so scharply that of verry nede the prynce of Walys yald hym to the kyng; and longe tyme he knelyd before the kyng, and the kyng dede hym grace. Tr’e motus.And in this yere, the day of seynt Parthi and Racmeti was a grete erthe quake aboughte the houre of prime.

And in this yere of oure lord a mlcclxxv, Mich’ Tony, for manye trespasces and defautes be hym in the werre tyme done, he was accused, jugged, and dampned, and was drawen and hanged.28

In this yere, in the fest of seynt Michell, the kynges benche and the echeqer were removed fro Westm’ to Schrovesbery, and in the xv day of seynt Hillere next folwynge thei were brought ayeyn to Westm’.

In this yere of oure lord a mlcclxxviij, the kyng of Scotlond come to the kynges parlement at London. Also in this yere, the viij day of seynt Martyn, alle the Jewes of Engelond were taken for clippyng of money: and in the feste of seynt Lucie alle the goldsmythes of London, and alle thoo that kepten the Change, and manye other men of the citee weren arested and taken for beyenge of plates of sylver, and for chaunge of grete money for smal money, whiche were indited be the wardes of the citee. And on the Monday next after the Epithanie the justyces setene at the Yeldhalle to make delivreaunce; that is to seyn, Sr. Stephen of Pencestre, Sr. John of Cobham, and other which that them lust to assocye to them. The hous of the Frere P’chours was founded at Castell Baynard.
The town of Boston was brente 1275 [In a modern hand].And there were forjugged and drawen and hanged iij Englyssh Jewes.[12] And in the same yere the hous of the Frere Prechours began to be founded at Castell Baynard. Also Robert Kylwardby the erchebysshop of Caunterbury in this yere was mad cardenall,29 and frere John Pecche, a Frere Menour, was thanne made erchebysshop of Caunterbury. And in this yere the town of Booston was brent.

In this yere the kyng made newe money of silver called half penys and farthynges, alle rounde, of whiche were none sen before. Also in this yere upon seynt Denys day fel A gret snowe.a gret snow, of whiche cam grete floodes and huge. Eod’m anno s’c’us Hugo Lincoln’ ep’us t’nslatus fuit.

In this yere the werre aroos ayeyne betwen the kyng and the prynce of Walys upon Palm Sonday; on whiche day David the princes brother tok Sr. Roger Clyfford at Hawardyn, and sclowe and tok manye of his mene, and beseged the castell of Flynt and Rothelan, and tok the toun of Claupautern [13] and caste adowe the walles.

In this yere the kyng with a gret oost wente into Walys and30 remeved and brak the sege of the castell of Flynt and Rothelan. And in this yere in the iij idus of Decembre, Thlewelyn prince of Walys was sclayn, and his hed smyten of be Sr. Edmond Mortymer, and sente it to the kyng, whiche that tyme lay at Rothelan; and the kyng sente it to London, and comaunded that it schulde be sett upon the tour of London. And that said prynce of Walys before or he was sclayn, come into the landes of the forsaid Sr. Edmond Mortymer, and occupied manye of hise lordschippes, wherfore the said Sr. Edmond manly with meyne fillen on hym as it is before seyd. And it was seid that yif the forseid prince hadde lyved too dayes longere than he dede, alle the Walssh tonge hadde holly ben enclyned to hym. And in this yere, on seynt Leonard day, Sr. Roger Clyfford the yonger was droughned betwen Snowdon and Englessey, and manye othere also, whiche because there myghte nought abyde the comynge of the Walsshe men, unwysly, withoughten hors, passed the bregge of Penbroke.[14] S’cus Thom’ Hereford’ ep’us obiit.Also in this yere deide seynt Thomas the bysshop of Hereford, whiche was called Thomas Cantel’. After hos disses succedyd into the bysshopriche, Richard of Swynfeld.

In this yere aboughte the feste of Natyvyte of seynt John Baptiste, David the brother of Thlewelyn was taken and holden in pryson at Rothelan, unto the fest of seynt Mighell, and thanne lad to Schrovesbury, and there he was dampned to be ded; and first he was drawen thorugh the citee with hors unto31 the galowes, thanne hanged, and afterward beheded; and thanne his bowels brent, and the laste his bodye quarterd in iiij quarters, whiche were sent to be sett up in iiij parties in Engelond; and be the kyng comaunded that his hede schulde be seete on the tour of London. And fro that tyme forth the kyng occupied alle the lond of Walys. And thanne he dyvyded it into schires and hundredys, in maner as it is in Engelond; and at Abbercouewe [15] he made a gret and a strong castell, fro whiche place the monkes of Cisteux remeved; and in another place a mancion edified for them. He made there a fair toun, and he lete make the castell of Carnarvan in Snowdon, where that his sone was born: and also he lete make the castell of Plaupautuvouc.[16] The kyng of Aragon occupied the kyngdom of Cecile, and put out kyng Charles.And also in this yere Petir kyng of Aragon occupyed the kyndom of Cecilie, ant putte out kyng Charles, whiche anon after mad an ende of hys lyf; wherfore the pope Martyn accursed the said Petir, and the kyngdom of Aragon he yaf to the kynges sone of Fraunce. And in this yere aroos werre betwen the kyng of Fraunce and the kyng of Spayne; and the kyng of Fraunce with a gret ooste wente into Spayne, whiche dede nothyng worthy to be preysed. Laur’ Doket was hangen in Bowe chirche.Also in this yere Reynold of Lanfare,[17] Robert Pynot, Poule of Stebenhithe, Thomas Corewener, John Tholosan, Thomas Russell, and Robert Scot, weren accused of the deth of Laur’ Doket, whiche was hongen in Bowe chirche: and they were dampned, drawe, and hanged; and on Alyce a woman was brent for the same cause: and Rauf Crepyn, Jordan Gret conduyt in Chepe.Goodcheppe, Gilbert Clerk, and Geffrey Clerk, weren atteynt and sent to prison into the tour of London. Also in this yere the grete conduyt in Chepe was newe begonne to maken.

This yere upon seynt Petyr day and Poule the fraunchise of London was sesed into the kynges hand; forasmoche as Gregory Rokesby maire yelde up the seal at Berkynge chirche, and toke it to Rauf Asshewy; and thanne was Rauf Sandwych mad wardeyn of the citee. And in this yere the kyng of Fraunce wente into Aragon with a gret powere. Edward the kynges sone was born.Also in this yere Edward the kynges son was borne.[19] And the kyng dwelled in Walys tyl ayens Cristemasse, and he held his Cristemasse at Bristoll.

This yere kyng Philipp of Fraunce com out of Aragon, where he loste the most part of his oost, and deyde: and Philipp his sone was crowned kyng in the feste of the Epithanie. And in this yere deyde kyng Petyr of Aragon. Also in this yere, in the feste of the Nativite of oure lady, Sr. Edmond Mortymer receyved the ordre of knyghthod of kyng Edward at Wynchestre. Also, this seid Sr. Edmond wedded Margarete the doughter of Sire William de Fowles,[20] cosyn to the quene, at Additamenta Glouc’.London. And in this yere were mad at London, the statutes whiche ben seid additamenta Glouc’.

In this yere, alle the Jewes of Engelond were put to a gret33 tribute, to be payed to the kyng. Also this yere the kyng passed the see into Fraunce, aboughte the Invencion of the Holy Cross; and of the kyng of Fraunce he was worthyly resceyved, and so yorned a certeyn time with the kyng of Fraunce at Parys, whiche yald up certeyn londes of Gascoigne to the kyng Edward, whiche long tyme hadde wrongfully be withholden out of his handes. Grete haylstones.Also in this yere, in the March of Walys fel the grettest hailstones that evere were seyn in that countre, whiche dede grete harme to beestes and to houses and to corn.

This yere seynt Thomas of Hereford was translatyd. Also, aboughte Pentecost, Rys ap Geredith began partie ayeyns the kynges pees, and werred in the kynges londes.

This yere was so gret plente of whete that men solden a quarter of whete for xvjd. And in this yere was a passyng hoot sommer, and specially in hervest.

This yere kyng Edward cam out of Gascoigne into Engelond upon oure lady day, the Assumpcion. And in this yere Sr. Thomas Weylond justice, Adam of Skretton, and alle moost alle other34 justices were convicte of false domes yevynge, and grevously punysched; some of lesyng and forfaityng of alle there goodes, and some be redempcion of moche money.

In this yere alle the Jewes were exiled out of Engelond, to voyde the reaume of Engelond be Alhawen tyme, upon peyne of lesynge of there heedes or eny of them mighte be founden withinne the reaume; The vth of ther moveable goodes.and for to have this graunted of the kyng don and performed, the co’es of the reaume grauntyd for to yeve the kyng the V parte of there moveable goodes. This same yere Gilbert the erle of Gloucestre wedded dame Johanne the kynges doughter. And in this yere forthwith the dukes sone of Braban wedded dame Margrete the kynges other doughter. Obiit regina Elianora.And in this yere, on seynt Andrew even, deyde quene Elianore kyng Edward wyf. Also in this yere aroos a grete stryf betwen the V Portus and Flaundres. The staple of wolles was ordeyned at Sandwych.Also this yere the kyng ordeyned the newe feyre and market at Sandewych, where alle the wolles of Engelond schal be brought, and there sold.

In this yere Acres was wonne of the Sarasynes the xv day of Maii, and utterly destroid, and alle tho that dwelden withinne that myghte be founden were sclayn. Natheles manye escapid awey be schippes. Also quene Elianore the kynges modyr deyde. And in this yere the kyng prisoned his sone for mayntenaunce of diverses traitoures.35

In this yere the kyng of Scotlond come to the kynges parlement to London. Also that type iij men token away too prisoners fro Baskle seriaunt of London; wherfore the ryghte handes of the same iij men weren smyten of at the Standard in Chepe. mors.Also in this yere, iiij nonas April, deyde pope Nicholas. mors.Also in this yere deyde Sr. Robert Burnell bysshop of Bathe, and thanne chaunceler of Engelond. mors.Also in this yere frere John Pecche erchebysshop of Caunterbury deyde. And in this same yere anon after Whitsonday, the justices of eyr saten at Hereford. And in this yere anon after the feste of seynt Michel, they saten at Schrowesbury.

In this yere fel the grettest snowe that evere was seyn before this tyme; wherfore a vercyfyer made in metre thise vers:

And in this yere the erle of Barre wedded dame Elianore the kynges doughter at Bristoll, aboughte the Exaltacion of the Holy Crosse.36

In this yere was a gret rysyng in Walys, wherfore the kyng wente into Walys and made pees and reeste. Also the townes of Bloy and Bayone werre wonne be Sr. John Seynt John and other worschepful bachelers of Engelond. The Normanes arryved at Dovorre.Also the same yere the Normaunes arryved at Dovorre and brent a gret part of the towun and martyred an holy man that was clepyd Seynt Thomas of Dovorre: but the Normaunes were sclayn every modir sone, ther eschapid none. Also in this yere the kyng was defraunded of his lond in Gascoigne in this manner, sothly: the kyng hadde yoven the forseyd lond of Gascoyne to the kynges suster of Fraunce, for that sche schulde be yoyned to hym in fre mariage, and be some of his counseill enfeffed here in the sayd lond of Gascoigne; whiche lond of Gascoigne sche yaf to Charles here brother and to other, and the matrymoigne betwen here and kyng Edward sche sette at noughte, and wolde noughte stonden therto. Wherfore kyng Edward sente hyse ambassatours to the kyng of Almaigne, Spayne, and of Aragon, and to manye other dukes and erles beyonde the see, preyenge and askynge counseill and helpe of the seid matier: of whiche some because of affynyte and for yeftes yeven, and some for good and faire beheste of yeftes, graunted the kyng his axynge.

In this yere the kyng lete areste alle the wolles of Engelond,37 wolle felles and hydes; and he tok to hym alle the money to hym graunted of the pope in subsidie of the holy lond, and collecto’s [22] of the same dysme thorugh Engelond, and he dede for to be born to London into his Eschequer: also the convocacion of the clergye of alle Engelond beynge at London the Wednesday nest after the fest of seynt Mathy, the kyng asked a gret some of the clergye toward his werres whiche he hadde with diverses regiones and provynces; The clergye of Engelond graunted moche good to the kyng for his werres.
And the lay peple graunted the x p’t of there goodes.and the clergye graunted hym halven dele there goodes sp’uelx and temp’elx, oughtake benefices not passynge x marc: and the said taske the kyng let gadere at iij tymes evenly of the yere. Also in this yere [23] the kyng hadde of lay peple of Engelond the x part of there goodes, whiche he let gadere at two tymes of the yere be even porcions. The same yere the werre aroos betwen the kyng and the Walssh peple, in whiche werre was sclayn greet multitude of peple: and that werre began aboughte the feste of seynt Cosine and Damyan. And in this yere a worthy marchaund callyd Laurence of Lodolowe was dreynt in the see to Flaundres ward. Also in this yere Sr. Thomas Turbevyle for treson was drawen and hanged. And in this yere Sire John Seynt John discomfyted the erle of Artoys; but in the seconde bataile the said Sr. John was taken and enprisoned in Fraunce. And in this yere Sr. Herry Mortymer resceyved the ordre of knyghthoode at Portesmouth. Also this same yere the kyng Edward, magre alle the Scottes of Scotlond, xxv ml and viiic Scotts.he toke the toun and the castell of Berewyk, and killed there xxv ml and viij c Scottes; and there were taken Sr. William Douglas, Sr. Symond Freshell, and the erle Patryke. And in this yere, that is to sey the yere of oure lord a 38mlcclxxxxvij, The kyng tok the castell of Edenburgh with alle the regalies of Scotlond.the kyng tok the castell of Edenburgh, where he fond the regalyes of Scotlond, that is to seye the kynges see, his crowne of gold, and his ceptre, whiche regalyes the kyng offred sithens to seynt Edward at Westm’, in the morwe after seynt Bothulphes day: and at Myssomer, John Bailhol kyng of Scotlond come to the kynges pees to London. Also this yere Edward the kynges sone was admirall upon the see.

This yere the kyng lete gadere in Engelond in diverses schires an hundred thousand quarters of corn, and sente it over the see into Gascoigne: and the kyng passed the see in August, and with hym xxti ml [24] Walsh men and too ml Englysshmen and too ml Irysshmen; and there aroos a stryf betwen the kyng and his lordes, that non of them wolde passen with hym over the see; and the kyng arryved in Flaundres: and there was taken trewes for too yere betwen kyng Edward and kyng Philipp of Fraunce; and Sr. John Seynt John and other prysoners were frely delyvered out of pryson.

In this yere, in the feste of seynt Andrew, the kyng graunted to the lordes all there axynge of the poyntes of the olde chartre: also the Scottes areysed werre ayeyns the kyng of Engelond: also the viij day of Paske, Thomas Romayn, Richard Romayn,[25] Richard Gloucestre, Nicholl Faryndon, Adam Halyngbery,39 Thomas Cely, John Dunstale, Richard Asshwy, John Wade and William Storteford, weren aresteed for brekyng of the toune in Cornhull. And in the viij day of May [26] in this yere the kyng faught with the Scottes at Fowkyrk, in which bataile xxiij ml [27] Scottes were sclayn, and of Englysshmen but xxviij, honoured be the highe Godes grace.

This same yere the fraunchise of London was graunted ayeyn for ij ml marc, whiche was sesed ayeyn into the kynges hond; and for to make leve of that some, the servauntes bowys in the citee were sette at the tallage as well as the maistres. Also in this yere men of London wenten and sercheden the chirche of Seynt Martyns in the feld for tresoure of gold, thorough the wordes of a gardyn’, whiche seyde how there was a gold hord; but they founde nought: wherfore the dene of Poules of London, be comaundement of the erchebysshop of Caunterbury, denounced them alle accursed openly at the Crosse of Poules that sergeden as above seyd. A maryage betwen the kyng and Margarete the kynges sust’ of Fraunce.
He wan all Scotland.Also in this yere Robert Wynchelsee erchebysshop of Caunterbury spoused the kyng Edward and Margarete the kynges suster of Fraunce togidere: and also pees was mad betwen bothe kynges. And in this yere the kyng wente the thridde tyme beyounde the see into Scotlond, and thanne wan it alle.

This yere come the kyng to London and ordeyned the Trail40baston, whiche wente thorough the reaume, and arrered therby moche tresour. And this yere quene Margarete com into Engelond.
The kyng enprysoned his sone Edward.And in this yere the quene Margarete com into Engelond; and the citeizens of London reden ageine here in good aray, abought cc persones atte the leeste. Also this yere the kyng enprysoned his sone Edward, because that Waulter Langeton bysshop of Chestre hadde compleyned that the forsaid Edward, be counseill of Pers of Gavaston, esquyer of Gascoigne, hadde broken his parkes; and forasmoche as the said Edward the kynges sone was ladde and governed be the said Pers, the kyng dede exile the forseid Piers for evere.

In this yere the kyng held his parlement at Caunterbury, and the werre aroos betwen the kyng of Fraunce and of Flemynges.

This same yere, that is for to seye the yere of oure lord a mlcccv, were alle the Templers distroyd in oo day thorugh out alle Cristendome.41

In this yere William Waleys, that was sworne liege man to the kyng of Engelond, presented hymselfe to be kyng of Scotlond, and rebelled ayens kyng Edward: nevertheles he was taken and sent to London, where he was dampned, drawen, and hanged and beheded, and his bowels brent and the body quarterd; and his hede sette upon London brigg, and hys foure quarters sent into the foure beste townes in Scotlond: and this was don upon seynt Bertilmewes even. A parlement at Westm’.
R. le Bruz.And in the fest of seynt Myghell the kyng held his parlement at Westm’; to the whiche parlement come ought of Scotlond the bysshop of seynt Andrew, Robert le Bruz erle of Caryk, Simon Frysell, and John erle of Athelles, whiche weren sworne to be trewe lieges to kyng Edward.

This yere Robert Bruz made hym kyng of Scotlond, and Sr. John Comyn was sclayn atte Grey Freres in Donfres, because he wolde not falsen his othe that he made to kyng Edward; wherefore the kyng sente after alle the bachellarye of Engelond that thei schulde comen to Westm’ at Whitsontyd thanne nest folwyng; and there he doubbed cclxxx knyghtes: and the Fryday [28] nest before the assumpcion of oure lady, the kyng mette with Robert le Bruz be syde seynt Jones towne, and killed of his meyne vij ml; and Robert le Bruz fledde: and Simond Frissell was take, and on oure lady even the Nativite he was drawen42 and hanged at London, and beheded. Bysshoppe of Boston.And in the forsaid bataille were taken the bysshop of Boston, the bysshop of seynt Andrewes, the abbot of Stone, alle armed, whom the kyng sente to the pope, to do with them what he wolde. Also Sr. John the erle of Athelles was taken also at the same bataille; and at the request of the quene, because he claymed kynrede of kyng Edward, his drawynge was relesed; nevertheles he was Bisshoppe of Burdeux made pope.honged and his body brent alle to asshes. And also in this yere the erchebysshop of Burdeux was mad pope.

In this yere deyde the noble and most doughted prynce kyng Edward the firste, in the day of translacion of seynt Thomas of Caunterbury, whos body lith worthyly entered at Westm’.

Transcriber’s Note: Edward I actually died in 1307, the 36th year of his reign.

NOMI’A MAIOR’ ET VICECOMITU’ LONDON’ TEMPORE REG’ EDWARDI SECUNDI DE CARNARVAN’, QUI CORONATUS FUIT APUD WESTM’ Xmo KAL’ MARCII [29] ANNO D’NI MILL’MO CCCmo vijo.

This yere the kyng Edward wente into Fraunce and wedded Isabell the kynges doughter of Fraunce, the xv day of Januer’, in oure lady chirche at Boloigne; and the xx day Fever’ sche43 was crowned at Westm’: and there was so gret prees of peple that Sr. John Bakwell was crowsed to the deth. Also in the same yere the kyng anon after the deth of his fadir sente into Gascoigne for Pers of Gavaston; and he yaf hym the lordschipe of Walyngford and the erledom of Cornuwayle: and this same yere prophecyed the chanon of Bridlyngton.

In this yere the schirreves of London paid for the accomptes of London and Middlesex ccccli. Also in this yere, that is to seye the yere of oure lord a ml cccmo xmo, the ordre of Templers were distroid on oo day thorugh alle Cristendome, whiche ordre began in the yere of oure lord a ml lxxxxviij. Also in the same yere began the ordre of Paulyns, that is to say Crowched Freres.

This yere of oure lord a ml cccxiiij the kyng Edward with a ryall oost wente into Scotlond; and upon Missomer day faught with the Scottes at Strywelyn; and there he was discomfited and fledde, and moche of his peple sclayn.

In this yere it befell that there was a rebaude called John Tannere, the whiche wente aboughte and seyde that he was the goode kyng Edward sone, and called hymself kyng Edward of Carnarvan, and seide thorugh necligence of his noryce, whil he lay in his cradel a sowe com in and foule rente hym, and the noryce durste nought tellen it, but toke a tannere sone [36] and kepte hym in hys stede, and so he was putt to kepyng of another noryce, be whiche he was preved of his rewme: and for to make this the more certeyne to be belevyd, he schewed the places of the woundes which that he seyde the sowe hadde mad. And he seyde that kyng Edward maners were acordyng with the maners of his fadyr the water-berere,[37] for as moche as he loved swyche rude werkes: and for this seyenge moche peple yaf credence to hym and leved his wordes. Also the same John Tanner chalangyd the chirche of the Frere Cannes at Oxenford, whiche was som45tyme the kynges halle, and kyng Edward hadde yeve it to them to make thereof there chirche. But natheles at the last he was preved fals, and was taken and brought to Northampton, and there he was drawen and hanged; and before that he was put to his penaunce he confessed before the peple that the devell be hyghte hym that he schulde be kyng of Engelond, and knowloched that he hadde served the devell iij yere and more.

The same yere, that is to sey the yere of oure lord a mlcccxvj, upon Midlentyne Soneday, the toun and the castell of Berewyk was lost thorugh treson of Piers of Spaldyng, thanne beynge kepere of the same toun and castell. In this yere too cardenales comen into Engelond for to make pees betwen Engelond and Scotlond, whiche weren robbed upon the more of Wygelysdon; of whiche robbery Sr. Robert of Middelton was ateynt, and jugged to be drawe an hanged and beheded at London, and his hede sett up at Neugate; and hise quarters were sent to iiij principale citees of Engelond. And in this yere was an orible moreyn of beestes.

This yere was a gret derthe of corn and other vitailes, for a busshell of whete was worth vs: and the poure peple eten for hunger cattes and hors and houndes; and too yere and an half a quarter of whete was worth ii marc; and the poure peple stal46 children and eten them, and thanne anon after there fille a gret pestilence among the peple.

This yere the Scottes comen into Engelond and distroyden Northumbr’: and the citee of London sente to Yorke cc men of armes; and Scotlond was entyrdyted.

This yere the kyng held his parlement at Yorke; and Sr. Hugh Spencer [39] was mad chaumberleyn of Engelond. And in this yere was Thomas the erle of Lancastre beheded.

This yere were the Spencers bothe the fadyr and the sone exiled out of Engelond; after they were ayeyne revoked be the kyng.

This yere of oure lord a mlcccxxj was strongly the barouns werre; and Thomas erle of Lancastre the xij kal’ of Aprill was beheded. And in this yere was the rysynge of the erles and barons of this lond; and they token Sr. Piers of Gaveston, the kynges sworn brother, and smot of his hed; for which the47 kyng afterward in oo day dede do beheded xx/iiij lordes and gentyles for the deth of the seid Piers.

In this yere of oure lord a mlcccxxij, the laste day of Octobre, the sonne was turned into blod, and so endured fro the morwe of the day unto xj of the belle [46] befor noon.

This same yere the kyng hadde the syxte peny of moebles goodes thorugh out Engelond. Also in this yere in the monthe of Juyne, forasmoche as the officers of the kynges houshold have ben alwey behynden, and in no certeynte of that they ought to don, nor in no certeyn what thei schulde taken of the kyng be resone of there offices, whereof examination of the saide offices ne myghte not be done, ne the officers charged as they oughte to ben, to gret damage and dishonor to the kyng, and the governaunce of his houshold not wel disposed, the kyng havynge reward to the state above seyd, and hise goodes in other manner dispendid thanne they oughte, comaunded Sire Bertilmewe Badlesmere styward of his houshold, Sire Hugh Spencer chamberleyn, Sire Roger of Norbury tresorer, and Sire Gilbert of Wyghton countroller, that thei schulde ordeyne thereupon remedie; whiche be the vertu of the kynges comaundement, ordeyned alle manere officers of houshold, and what service every officer schulde have, and what every officer schulde take, and48 what servaunts every officer schulde have, and what the servaunts schulde take: and whan alle the ordinaunce was made and rad before the kyng in presence of the worschipfull fadres William Milton erchebysshop of Yorke, Maistre Walter Stapilton bysshop of Excestre, the bysshop of Ely chaunceler of Engelond, the bishopp of Norwych, the bysshop of Salisbury, Sire Herry le Scrop, Sire Herry Sprignell, justices, it was assentyd and contentyd perpetuelly to be observed.

This yere the quene wente into Fraunce; and after wente Sr. Edward the kynges sone to his modir into Fraunce; and the kyng of Fraunce made hym duke of Guyon: wherfore kyng Edward was wroth with quene Isabell his wyf, and with Edward hys sone; and thorugh counseill of the Spensers the kyng dede exile the quene his wyf and Edward his sone, and tok into hys handes alle there landes and lordschippes that they hadden in Engelond.

In this yere quene Isabell and Edward hire sone beynge in Fraunce, and knowyng the malyce of the kyng, thorugh entisement of the Spensers, sente for the lordes and gentiles that were exiled out of Engelond for Thomas cause of Lancastre, that is to sey, Sr. Roger Mortymer, Sr. William Trussell, Sr. John Cromwell, and manye othere, A mariage betwen the kynges sone Edward and the erles dought’ of Henowde.whiche alle togideres ordeyned to make49 a maryage betwen Edward the kynges sone and the erles doughter of Henowde. And whan that maryage was acorded to be mad, the erle of Henawde graunted to quene Isabell and to Edward here sone, and to othere lordes of there companye, to brynge them with strong pouere into Englond. And whanne tydynges thereof comen to the kyng Edward, he and the Spensers made moche sorwe, and ordeyned to kepe the see cost, and withstanden them that they schulde nought londen. And at the fest of the decollacion of seynt John Baptyst, the citezeins of London sente to the kyng to Porchestre an C men of armes: and the kyng lete do crye thorugh every good market of Engelond, that whoso myghte take Sr. Roger Mortymer, he schulde have an cli for his trawaile. And the Wednesday nest before the fest of seynt Mighell, whiche was thanne the Monday, the quene and Edward hire sone, Sire Roger Mortymer, the erles brother of Henawde, and othere grete in there companye, arryved at Orewelle in Essex, faste be Herewych: and whanne they were landed the contre alle aboughte fel to them be there owne fre wylle. And the quene and Sr. Edward hire sone senten a lettre to the maire and the comonalte of London, requyryng them that they schulde be helpynge to them in the quarell and cause that the quene and Edward hire sone, heir of the ream of Engelond, hadde begonne; that is for to seye, for to distroye the traytours and enemyes of the sayd reaume. But non ansuere was sente ayeyne, for doughte of the kyng and of the too Spensers, the fadyr and the sone, at that tyme weren in the citee of London, with manye othere lordes with them. And forasmoche as non50 answere was sent ayeyn fro the meire and the comons of London of the said lettre, the quene and Edward here sone senten another lettre therupon, with hangynge seall, to the citee of London, whiche lettre, in the dawnyng of the day was takked upon the newe crosse in Chepe; and manye copies of the same lettre were takked upon wyndous, dores, and othere open places in the citee of London, that alle men myghte rede them that wenten be the weye: and this was done on seynt Denys day, that is to seye the ix day of Octobre.[47] And as the kyng was at his mete, tydynges comen to hym therof: and anoon the kyng, the Spensers bothe the fadir and the sone, the erle of Arundell, and maister Walter Baldok, fledden into Walys; and the kyng lefte maister Walter Stapilton bisshop of Excestre to have the governaunce of the citee of London; whiche bysshop axed to have the keyes and governaunce of the citee be vertu of the comission: where thorugh debate aroos betwen hym and the citee, so that he was taken and lad to the standard in Chepe, and his hede was there smyten of, and his hede sette in his right hand: and too of hyse squyers were beheded the same tyme, that is to sey the xiiij day of Octobre, the yere of oure lord a mlcccxxvjti.

In this yere the kyng and bothe Spensers, Robert Baldok chaunceler, and the erle of Arundell, were taken in the hilles of Walys, and the 51kyng was put into sauf warde; but Sr. Hugh Spenser wolde never after that he was taken eten mete, wherfore at Hereford he was drawen, hanged, beheded and quartered: and then was the sone of Sr. Hugh Spenser the fadyr was drawen,[48] hanged and beheded at Bristoll. Also in this yere, be the assent of alle the lordes of Engelond spirituelx and temperelx, and be alle the comonalte of the reaume, be fre eleccion of them alle, and resyngnacion of kyng Edward the fadyr, Sire Edward his sone was chosen kyng of Engelond.[49]

NOMI’A MAIOR’ ET VICECOMITU’ LONDON’ TEMPORE REG’ EDWARDI T’TIJ, QUI CORONATUS FUIT APUD WESTM’ DIE D’NICA PRIMO DIE FEBRUAR’ ANNO D’NI MILL’MO CCCmo xxvjto, ET ANNO ETATIS SUE xiiij,[50] P’RE SUO AD TUNC VIVENTE.

In this yere were seyn in the firmament too mones, and in this yere were too popes. Also in this yere, the vj day of March, the kyng confermed the lettres and the fraunchises of London. Also he graunted that the meire schulde ben on of the justices at Newgate. Also he graunted to the schirreves of London and Midd’ the ferme of the schirrevehode for cccli be yere, as it was in old tyme. Also he graunted that the schirreves of London ne the citezens schulde nought be charged with men that fledden to holy chirche, ne they schulde not be constreyned to gone out of the citee of London to eny werre.52 Also the same tyme the kyng graunted that the liberties and fraunchises of London schulde nought after that tyme for no cause be taken into the kynges hond: Southwerk was graunted to ferme.and the same tyme Suthwerk was graunted to the schirreves of London to have to ferme: also the same yere, after the fest of Pask’, the kyng ordeyned an huge oost for to feighte ayens the Scottes; and Sr. John of Henaude come into Engelond with [51] men of armes for to helpe the yonge kyng Edward. And the Scottes comen into Engelond and deden muche harme, and distroyden the contreye tyl they comen to the park of Stanhope in Wyrdale, where they helden them in a busshement in the parke. And the kyng besette the park alle aboughte that the Scottes schulde never escaped: but thorugh treson of the Mortymer they escapid everych on, and so the kyng was disceyved. And also in this same yere of oure lord a mlcccxxvj, be treson of Sire Roger Mortymer, kyng Edward [52] was sclayn in the castell of Berkele.[53] Also in this yere, in the [54] conversion of seynt Poul after Cristemesse, the kyng spoused dame Philip’ the erles doughter of Henawde at York. The foundacion of Garlykhithe chirch.Et id’m Ric’us Rothyng’ tunc vic’ fundavit eccl’iam de Garlykhithe s’c’i Jacobi et dotavit.

This yere, in the feste of Pentecost, the kyng helde his parlement at North’; at whiche parlement, thorugh counseill of the Mortymer, the kyng of yonge age and withinne age accorded with the Scottes, and foryaf and relesed them al the homage and feautee that they oughte to do to the crown of Engelond53 be chartre ensealed and an endenture, in whiche were conteyned alle the homages and feautes that the kyng of Scotlond and the lordes of the same lond schulde do to the kyng of Engelond, which was ensealed with alle the seales of alle the grete lordes of Scotlond spirituelx and temporelx, and other chartres and remembraunces that kyng Edward and hise barons hadde of right in the lond of Scotlond; with the blakke crosse.which alle, thorugh counseille of quene Isabell the kynges modir, and Sr. Roger Mortymer, were delyvered to the Scottes with the blak crosse of Scotlond, the whiche goode kyng Edward the kynges ayell [55] hadde conquered in Scotlond and broughte it fro the abbeye of Stone, whiche was a precious relyke, the whiche was also delyvered to the Scottes: also the kyng, thorugh counseill of his modir and of the Mortymer, relesed and foryaf alle that right that the barons out of Engelond hadden in ony londes of Scotlond of olde conquest.

This same yere David Bruz the sone of Robert Bruz, be ordynaunce of the kynges modir and of the Mortymer, spousyd at Berewyk dame Johanne of the Tour, the kynges suster, upon Marie Magdaleyn day, in the yere of oure lord a mlcccxxviij: and whanne the maryage was done, the A p’lement at Salesby. Rog’ Mortemer was made erle of Marche: Sr. John Eltham the k’ brother erle of Cornewalle.Scottes called here in despyte of Engleyssh men “make pees”;[56] but the kyng bar the blame wrongfully. This yere the kyng helde his parlement at Salesbury; and at that parlement Sire Roger Mortymer was 54mad erle of the March, and Sr. John Eltham the kynges brother was also mad erle of Cornwayle. Also this same yere Sire Edmond Wodestoke erle of Kent, the kynges uncle, was beheded at Wynchestre, thorugh procurment of the quene, the kynges modir, and of the Mortymer. Dyd homage to the kyng of Fraunce.Also in this yere the kyng seyled into Fraunce, that is to seye the yere of oure lord a mlcccxxviij, and dede homage to the kyng of Fraunce for the ducherye of Guyene and for the counte of Pountyf.

This yere Edward the firste begeten sone of kyng Edward the thridde was born at Wodstoke, the day of seynt Viti and Modest’.

In this yere Edward Bailloil, the sone of John Bailloil sumtyme kyng of Scotlond, come into Engelond chalangynge his right heritage of the kyngdom of Scotlond, and arreyved at Dounfermelyne; where, faste be the abbeye, ii ml Englysshmen scomfited and xl ml Scottes.[57] Sr. Rog’ Mortim’ was hanged.In the same yere Sire Roger Mortymer was hanged upon a theves galowes, on seynt Andrew even, in the yer of oure lord a mlcccxxxti.

The same yere kyng Edward beseged the town and the castell of Berewyk: and upon seynt Margeretes even the Scottes in55 wondyr grete noumbre comen for to remove the sege, with whom the kyng faughte and discomfyted them: and there were sclayn of the Scottes viij erles and a ml and ccc knyghtes and squyers, The yeldyng of the castell of Berewyk and the town.and of footfolke mo thanne xxxv ml; and of Englysshmen there were dede a knyght and a squyere and xij footfolke. And so upon seynt Margarete day the town and the castell were yolde to the kyng, in the yere of oure lord a mlcccxxxj.

Also in the same yere the kyng Edward sclough many Scottes, and he recovered the castell of Kilbrigge.

In this yere the kyng of Scotlond come into Engelond to the newe castell upon Tyne: and aboughte the feste of the Nativite of seynt John baptiste, there he dede homage to kyng Edward. The same yere the duke of Bretayne dede homage also to the kyng for the counte of Richemond.

This same yere was a gret moreyn of beestes and of men also, and gret habundance of reyne, where thorugh there was so gret derthe of corne that a quarter of whete was worth xl s.56

In this yere the Scottes offendeden ayeyne: and the kinge wente over the Scottyssh see and werred upon the Scottes, and overcame them myghtyly, at whiche tyme the erle of Morre was taken.

This same yere, in the monthe of Juyne and July, in diverses parties of hevene appered stella co’mata. Also in this yere was gret plente of vitaile, that a quarter of whete was sold at London for ij s; and a fat oxe for vj s. viijd; and vj pegons for a peny: but natheles it was ful gret scarste of money. Also this yere deyde Sr. John of Eltham.

In this yere kyng Edward made of the counte of Cornwayle a duche, which he yaf to Edward his firste begetyn sone, withe the erledom of Chestre. Also, the kyng graunted that the seriaunts bothe of the meire and the schirreves of London schulde beren before the maire and the schirreves of London maces of silver and over gilte, withe the kynges armes.

In this yere the kyng and the quene seyled to Braban; and at57 the town of Andewarp the quene chylded Sr. Leonell. And this same yere in Braban the kyng made first cleyme to the crowne of Fraunce.

This same yere the kyng held his parlement at London; and he axed to begynne hise werres the fyfthe part of alle the moeble goodes of Engelond, and the custume of wolles, and the ix schef of every manere of corn, the which was graunted. And in this yere the kyng changed hise armys: and also the kyng made the coyne of goold; that is for to seyne the noble, the half noble, and the ferthyng. And this yere was called the firste yere oft oure kyng of the regne of Fraunce.

This same yere the kyng faught with the Frensshmen at Scluse, where there were sclayn of Frensshmen xxx ml; and the kyng toke and scomfyted at the sayd bataill of Scluse cccx schippes. And in this yere the kyng began the bataill of Torneye, and the town of seynt Amandys was distroied. And in the same yere, on seynt Andrewes even, kyng Edward come fro beyonde the see be nyghte to the tour of London, and there tok manye lordes and peres of the reaume and putte them into preson. And in this yere of kyng Edward began the firste yere of his regne of the kyngdom of Fraunce.58 The comaundement of the Emp’or of Tartary.Also in this yere of oure lord a m ccc xlti, there was sente out a maundement fro the emperor of Tartarye into alle hise londes and kyngdomes, that every man schulde use what lawe and beleve that he wolde, be so that he schulde worschep non idoles but only everelyvynge God.

In this yere was a gret turnement at Dunstaple of alle the chivalrye and gentyles of Engelond. And in this yere was a gret erthequake.

This same yere the noble kyng Edward held his parlement at London, in whiche parlement he made Edward his oldest sone prynce of Walys.

In this yere the kyng began the rounde table at Wyndesore, that is to seye, the ordre of Knyghtes of the Garter.59

This yere the kyng sailed over the see into Bretayne and into Guyen, and come ageyn this same yere.

This same yere kyng Edward seyled into Normandye; and in the xij day of Juyll he arryved at Hogges; and the xvj [59] day of Juyll the kyng faught with the Normaundes at the brigge of Cadoun, where there were taken the erle of Ewe, the lord Tankervyle, and an hundred knyghtes, and of men of armes vij [60] c; and moche peple of Normandye were sclayn. The bataile of Cressy.Also in this same yere in the xxvj day of August, the yere of oure lord a mlcccxlvj, was the bataile of Cressy, in whiche bataill were sclayn the kyng of Beame, the duke of Loreyne, the erle of Alaunson, the erle of Flaundres, the erle of Bloys, the lord of Harecourt, the lord of Awmarle, the erle of Navers, and manye othere knyghtes and barons to the noumbre of xvc xlij; and kyng Phillip fledde. Sege of Caleys.And the thridde day of Septembre folwynge the kyng began the sege of Caleys, whiche sege he contynued unto the thridde day of August next folwynge. Also the same yere, durynge the forsaid sege, David kyng of Scotlond was taken at the bataille of Derham, the xvj kal’ of Novembre, whiche kyng was raunsoned at an hundred ml marcs, to be payed in x yere, that is to sey every yere x ml mark.

This yere durynge the segee of Caleys the kyng Phillip of Fraunce, purposynge to remeve the sege, cam the xxvij day of Juyll, and proposed bataille to kyng Edward, and assigned day and place; and kyng Edward accepted it with a glad chere: and kyng Philipp undirstondynge of this thinge, the nyghte folowynge he brende the tentes and cowardly fledde awey: Caleys was yolden.and so the peple withinne the town, seynge no comfort of rescues, yolden the town to the kyng with the castell the ixe day of August. And aboughte the feste of seynt Mighell kyng Edward, which dede a glorious tryumphe, retorned ayene into Engelond.

In this yere began the grete pestilence among the Sarazynes, that unethes it lefte the x man alyve. A gret reyn.And this same yere, that is to seye the yere of oure lord a ml cccmo xlviijo, it reyned contynuelly for the moste partye fro the Nativite of seynt John baptist unto Cristemasse next folwynge.

This same yere of oure lord a mlcccxlviijo [61] was the grete pestylence at London, which endured fro the feste of Myghelmesse unto the monthe of August sewyng.

In this yere of oure lord a mlcccl the kyng faughte with the Spaynardes on the see, besyde Wynchelse and Romeneye: and thankyd be God the kyng hadde the victorye, and wan there manye a faire vessell.

In this yere of oure lord a mlccclj the kyng made newe moneye; that is to seye grotes, and half grotes, and penyes: natheless the weyte was lasse be v s. in the pound than the olde starlyng. Also in this yere two fysshmongers were beheded at the standard in Chepe.

In this yere was a gret derthe of vitailes in somer tyme. In this yere was a gret droughte, whiche endured fro the begynnyng of March unto the laste ende of Juyll.

The same yere after Estre the kyng held his parlement at Westm’, in whiche parlement Herry erle of Lancastre was mad duke of Lancastre, whiche was the firste duke of Lancastre.62

In this yere kyng Edward and kyng Phillip of Fraunce were sworne to kepe pees; and kyng Edward schulde have in pees, withoute homage doyng, alle the londes of Guyon, Angeoy, and Normandye, and othere that longen to hym be heritage of olde tyme. The staple of wolles were ordeyned.Also this yere the kyng revoked the staple of wolles out of Flaundres, and ordeyned it to be in diverses places of Engelond; that is to seye, at Westm’, Caunterbury, Chichestre, Bristoll, Lincoln, and at Hull.

This same yere deyde kyng Philip of Fraunce, and John his eldest sone was crowned kyng of Fraunce. And the same yere kyng Edward seyled over the see and landed at Caleys, whiche with all his oost rood forth into Fraunce to mete with kyng John, that wykkedly hadde broken the pees. And anon kyng John wyste of his comynge, cowardly he fledde: and he dede all his peple ’carie awey there vitailes and goodes, that kyng Edward and his peple’[62] in nothing schulde be refresshed. Also the The custume of wollys was graunted to king E.same yere the Scottes token the town of Berewyk, but the castell was kepte stille be Englysshmen. Also the same yere was graunted to kyng Edward the custume of wolles; that is to say, l s. of the sakke for the terme of vj yere folwynge.

This yere Sr. John Bailloil kyng of Scotlond yaf up the 63reaume of Scotlond and the crowne to kyng Edward at Rokesburgh. Also in this yere the town of Berewyk was yolden up to kyng Edward. And in this same yere, that is to seye the yere of oure lord a ml ccclvjto, the xix day of Septembre, kyng John of Fraunce was taken at the bataill of Peyters be the doughty prynce Edward the firste sone of kyng Edward. Also Sire Philip his sone was taken with hym; and the erle of Pountys, the erle of Ewe, the erle of Longeville, the erle of Tankervyle, with othere viij erles and thre bysshoppes: and there were sclayn the duke of Burbon, the duke of Daceus constable of France, and the bysshop of Chalons, and manye othere grete lordys of Fraunce; and the dolphyn fledde.

In this yere prynce Edward, with kyng John of Fraunce and with alle hise presoners, comen into Engelond the xxiiij day of May, aboughte iij of the belle at afternoon he rod over London brigge toward the kynges paleys at Westm’. Also the same yere were ryall justes in Smythfeld, there beynge present thre kynges, that is to say the kyng of Engelond, the kyng of Fraunce, the kyng of Scotlond; and manye othere grete lordys of diverses regyons.

This same yere the kyng helde ryally seynt George feste at Wyndesore, there beynge kyng John of Fraunce; the whiche64 kyng John seyde in scorn, that he sawe never so ryall a feste and so costelewe mad with tailles of tre, withoughte payeng of gold and sylvere.

This yere, in the xiiij kal’ of Juyn, Sire John erle of Richmond, the kynges sone, wedded dame Blaunche.[63] Also in this yere kyng Edward seyled to Caleys, and rood up into Fraunce, because Charles regent of Fraunce thanne meved werre.

This same yere, that is for to seye the yere of oure lord a mlccclx, the xiiij day of Aprill thanne beynge the morwe after Estre day, kyng Edward with hys oost lay aboughte Parys; Blak Monday.whiche day was a foul derk day of myst and of hayl, and so bitter cold that manye men deyde for cold: wherfore unto this day manye men callen it the blake Moneday. This same yere were rovers on the see, undyr the governayle of the erle of Seynt Poule; whiche the xv day of March distroied the townes of Rye and Hastinge and othere be the see syde, and sclewen manye men. Also in this yere the pees was made betwen the kyng Edward and kyng John of Fraunce, the xv day of May: and kyng Edward sente hise ambassatours into Fraunce, and toke the othe of Charles regent of Fraunce, whiche othe was plight undir this forme: Charles dede lete solempnely a masse to be songen; and whanne Agnus Dei was thries seyd, Charles leyde his right hand65 upon the patene, whereupon lay Godes body, and his lefte hond pressyng don upon the masse bok, seyenge, We swern upon the holy precious Goddes body, and upon the Evaungelies, fermely to holden anentes us pees and concord fourmed betwen the too kynges of Fraunce and of Engelond, and in no manere to do the contrerie. Also in this yere mennes, bestes, trees, and housynge were alle to smyte with violent lyghtnynge, and sodeynly peresshyd; and the devell in mannes lyknes spak to men goynge be the weye.

Also in this yere, in the kal’ of Juyn, fell a blody reyne in Burgoyn, and a blody crosse apered in the eire fro the morwe unto myd day at Boloyne, the whiche afterward moved hym and fel down into the see. And in this yere prynce Edward wedded the countesse of Kent. And in this yere was the seconde gret pestilence, in whiche good Herry of Lancastre deyde, and Sr. John erle of Richemond, the kynges sone, was mad duke of Lancastre. And in the same yere began the grete companye.

This same yere upon seynt Maurys day, the yere of our lord a mlccclxj, was the gret wynd whiche caste doun tres, houses, pynacles and steplees of chirches and manye places in Engelond. Lyonell the k’ son duke of Clarence.Also 66this yere Sr. Leonell the kynges sone was mad duke of Clarence, and Sr. Edmond of Wodestoke was made erle of Caumbregg.

In this yere comen thre kynges into Engelond to vysyte and to speke with kyng Edward; that is to seye, kyng John of Fraunce, the kyng of Scottes, and the kyng of Cipre.

This same yere of oure lord a mlcccmolxiiij was the batell of Orrey in Britayne, where Sr. Charles de Bloys chalanged to be duke John kyng of Fraunce deide at Saveye.
A gret frost that longe dured.of Bretayne was sclayn, and Sr. Bertram Claykyn was take with manye othere lordes and knyghtes. Also this same yere, at Saveye besyde Westm’, deyde John kyng of Fraunce. And also in the same yere was a strong cold frost, whiche endured fro seynt Andrewes day unto the kal’ of Aprill.

This same yere, the vij kal’ of Feverer, Edward the firste sone of prynce Edward was born; whiche in the age of vij yere endyd hys lyf. Also in this yere was grete and stronge batailes67 of sparwes in Engelond in diverses places, whereof the bodyes were founden in the feldes dede withoughte noumbre. And in this yere manye men and bestes were enfect with pokkes where thorugh they deyden. And in this yere on seynt Barnaby day was Cornwayle hanged.

This same yere, that is to say the yere of oure lord a mlccclxvij, in the monthe of March appered stella comata. Also in this yere was the bataille of Nazers in Spayne, where prince Edward with his companye scomfyted the bastard of Spayne, and restored kyng Petir ayeyn to his reaume that was put out be the forseid bastard; and there was taken the erle of Dene, Sr. Olyver Claykyn, and manye othere; thankyd be God.

In this yere Sire Leonell duke of Clarence with a fayre meyne sailled over the see toward Melane; whiche aboughte the natyvyte of oure lady the same yere deyde. iij pestilencia.In this yere was the thridde pestilence,[64] in whiche deyde dame Blaunche of68 Lancastre. And in this yere the Frensshmen meved ayeyn werre.

In this yere was so gret derthe of corne in Engelond that a busshell of whete was worth xl d. And in this yere was the grete vyage into Fraunce be Sr. Robert Knolles. And in this yere Mortherer of Pembrok in Cristemasse weren at the countesse hous; and the same Mortherer sclewen of men, women, and children in the cradell, xiij; and this was don be a fysshmongre that the countesse hadde founde to scole and brought up of a child. And in this yere, the day of the assumpcion of oure lady, the yere of oure lord a mlccclxix, deyde dame Philip quene of Engelond.

In this yere the houses and gardynes were drowe doun aboughte Poules. And in this yere the duke of Lancastre seiled over the see and rood thorugh Fraunce: and Sr. John Haukewod florysshed that tyme in Lumbardie. And in this yere the prynce with hys wyf and hise meyne comen into Engelond, levynge behynden hym the duke of Lancastre in Gascoigne, and the erle of Cambregge.

In this yere the chaunceller, the tresorer of Engelond, bys69shopes, and the pryve seall were discharged of there offyces, and in there stede were put seculere lordes.

This same yere, at Awrastelynge, John Northwold, mercer, was sclayn at the blak heth, wherethorugh aroos a gret discencion and debate among the craftes of London. And in the same yere the duk of Lancastre and Too cardinalx were sent fro the pope into Engelond for to trete for pes.
A bataill upon the see betuen Englysshmen and Flemynges.the erle of Cambregge come out of Gascoyne into Engelond, and wedded the doughter of kyng Petyr. And the same yere too cardinalx were sent fro the pope to entrete for the pees betwen the two reaumes. And in this yere was a bataill upon the see betwen Englisshmen and Flemynges, where there were taken of Flemynges xxv schippes lade with salt of the bay. Also in this yere the erle of Pembroke was taken at the Rochell be the Spaynardes, on the even of the nativite of seynt John baptiste.

In this yere the duke of Lancastre seiled into Flaundres, and passed be Parys thorugh Burgoyne and alle Fraunce into Burdeux, withoughte ony withstondyng. And in this yere Sire Alex’ Neville was mad erchebysshop of Yorke, and Thomas Arundell bysshop of Ely, maistre Herry Wakefeld bysshop of Worcestre.70

In this yere, at the town of Bruges in Flaundres, was tretyd upon diverses articles hangynge betwen the pope and kyng Edward. Also the same yere was treted at Bruges for the pees betwen the too reaumes. Ladyes ledde lordes bridel.Also in this yere rood dame Alice Perrers, as lady of the sune,[65] fro the tour of London thorugh Chepe; and alwey a lady ledynge a lordys brydell. And thanne began the grete justes in Smythefeld whiche endured vij nyght.

In this yere was the thridde grete pestilence, in whiche dyed the honorable knyght Edward lord Spenser, and lythe beryed at Tewkesbery.

In this yere, upon Trinite Soneday the viij day of Juyn, withinne the kynges paleys of Westm’ deyde the noble flour of knyghthood, that is to seye, the goode prince Edward, whoos body lith worthily entered at Caunterbury a for yeyns seint Thomas schryne. Also in this yere oon Prentyng of Norfolk71 was enprisoned in the erles place of Northumbr’, for whiche the peple of London aroos and wolde a sclayn the erle and cast down his place. Also in this yere Richard the sone of prynce Edward was mad prynce of Walys.[66]

In this yere was graunted to the kyng of every persone, man and woman, above the age of xiiij yere, iiij d; and of every man of holy chirche avaunced xij d; and of every man nought avaunced iiij d. freres only except. And this same yere the cardynall of Engelond was smyten with the palsye and loste his speche, and upon Marie Magdaleyne day he dyde. Also in this yere, the xij day of Aprill, Sr. John Mynstreworth knyght was beheded. Also in this yere, in the xij kal’ of Jull, that is for to seye on seynt Albones even, at Schene, deyde the moost excellent and doughted prynce Edward the thridde: the whiche Richard, the sone of goode prynce Edward the sone of the sayde kyng Edward, at the age of xj yere began to reigne: the whiche forsaid kyng Edward lyth ryally entered at Westm’.

NOMINA MAIOR’ ET VICECOMITU’ LONDON’ TEMPORE REGIS RIC’I S’C’DI, QUI CORONATUS FUIT APUD WESTM’ xvij KAL’ AUGUSTI, ANNO D’NI MILL’MO CCCmo lxxvijo, ANNO ETATIS SUE xjo, DURANTE T’M’IO ET ANNO MAIORATUS NICHOLAI BREMBRE ET VICECOM’ SUP’ D’CO ANNO PRIMO.

In this yere of oure lord a mlcccmolxxviij, in the morwe after seynt Laurence day, was Robert Hawle sclayn in the chirche of Westm’ be Sr. Aleyn Boxley, Sr. Rauf Fereres and Markle, whiche was sithen a sergeaunt of armes. Also the same yere was ordeyned that every persone undirgrowe schulde pay iiij d. to the kyng; and this cause was most cause of the rysyng after, for in Kent they began to serche first maydens and othere.

This yere the parlement was at Northt’; and there was Kirkeby drawe and hanged for the deth of a marchaunt of Jene, and a whit frere was punysshed for wordes that they hadde seyde be the duke of Lancastre. And in this yere were galeys in Thamyse, and brende Gravesende and Tilbury; for which cause Sr. Rauf Ferrers was apeched. And in this yere was the bataill betwen Sr. John of Audeslay knyght, and Thomas Kat’ynge esquyer.73

This yere was the rysyng of the co’es of Essex and of Kent, for a talaye ordeyned that every man and woman betwen the age of lx and xvj yere schulde paye to the kyng xij d.; the whiche comones brenden the chirche and the houses of seynt Jones at Clerkenwelle, and at the Tour hill they beheded maistre Simond Sudbury, than erchebysshop of Caunterbury and chaunceller of Engelond; and frere Robert Hales priour of seynt Jones hous, thanne tresorer of Engelond; and frere William Appulton a grey frere, because he was phisicion to the duke of Lancastre, and Roger Leche sergeaunt of armes; and Richard Lyons was beheded at the standard in Chepe; and Richard Somere was beheded at the Milende; and Legat of Holbourn was beheded at Goterlane ende in Chepe; and manye questmongers, jorours, men of lawe, Flemynges, and othere aliens as they comen to honde they were beheded in diverses places. They brende Saveye.And thise said arrysers brenden the dukes place of Lancastre called Saveye, and wolde fayn an had the duke of Lancastre, but as grace was he myghte not be founden: and this was don on Corpus Cristi day, thanne beynge on the xj day of Juyn the yere of oure lord a mlccclxxxj. And on the morwe after, that is to saye Fryday, and thanne on the Satirday after Corpus Cristi day, the kyng anon after rood into Smythfeld, and William Walworth thanne beynge maire of London, Sr. Robert Knolles and also aldermen and othere citezeins of London with hym: and there they metten with Jake Strawe ledere of the uprysers. And this Jake Strawe spak to the kyng heded as it74 hadde be to his felawe: and John Blyton that bar the maires swerd of London bad hym don of his hode while he spak to the kyng; wherfore Jake Strawe wax an angred, and mynte to caste his daggere to Blyton. Jake Strawe was sclayn.And thanne William Walworth, maire of London, drewe his baselard and smot Jake Strawe on the hed: and with that, Rauf Standyssh, that bar the kynges swerd, roof Jake Strawe thorugh the body with a swerd; and there he fyll doun ded. And anon his hede was smeten of and sett on a pole. And there the kyng made knyghtes, that is to seye, William Walworth maire of London, Rauf Standyssh, Robert Launde, Nicholl Brembre, Nicholl Twyford, and John Philpot. And anoon they wenten into seynt Jones feld, and there they founden alle the arrysers. And anon they were besett aboughte with the peple of London, so that they might non of them escape away: and thanne the kyng dede crye that no man schulde don them bodyly harme; and they were fayne to escape awey with there lyfves, and left there wepenys behynde them. Nevertheles afterward manye of them weren arrested, and be the lawe don to the deth in diverses schires of Englond, some drawen and hanged, and some hanged, and some beheded.

This yere kyng Richard wedded quene Anne the emperours doughter of Almaygne, that was a gracious lady. And in this yere of oure lord a mlccclxxxij, in the xxj day of May upon Wednesday anon after noon, was a gret erthequake in Engelond.75

This yere sire Herry Spenser bysshop of Norwich seyled into Flaundres with a croceryd to werre on the Flemynges. In that vyage wente Sr. William Elmham, Sr. William Faryndon, Sr. Thomas Trevet, and othere; and on seynt Urbanes day the pope, there were sclayn besyde Dunkirke xj ml and v hundred Flemynges. Also in this yere fill debate in London betwen John Northampton, William Essex, John Moore, and Richard Norbury on that on partye, and the fysshmongers on the othere partye.

In this yere John Northampton, John More and Richard Norbury were dampned into the tour of London, to be drawe and honged for certeyn congregacion mad ayeyns the pees in the citee of London. And in this yere Sr. Nicholl Brembre was chosene maire of London be stronge hand of certeyne craftes of London.

In this yere were called ayeyne to there ansuere John Northampton, John More, and Richard Norbury in the tour of London, before Sr. Robert Tresylyan justice, and before Sr. John Deverose thanne styward of the kynges houshold, and before Sr. Nicholl Brembre thanne maire of London. Sr. Edmunde Langeley erle of Cambrygge made duke of Yorke.In this yere the76 kyng at parlement be assent of the comounes made Sr. Edmond Langeley, thanne erle of Caumbregge, duke of Yorke; Sire Thomas Wodestoke, thanne erle of Notyngham, duke of Gloucestre; Sr. Robert le Veer, thanne erle of Oxenford, duke of Irlond; and sitthe he made hym marqwys of Develyn, Sr. Mychel Pole was made erle of Suff’.and yaf hym alle the comodites of Irlond, terme of hys lyf, to mayntene the werres of Irlond: also Sr. Mighell of Pole was mad erle of Suffolke, and Sr. John Urmonde was mad erle of Urmond. In this yere kyng Richard, the duke of Lancastre, with a grete powere redyn into the north, and distroied into the Scottes see. A gret bataill in the palys of Westm’.And in this yere was the bataille in the palys at Westm’, betwen Martigo Novyle of Naverne apeler, and John Walssh defender; the whiche Martigo apeled the said John that he schulde have p’posyd and sold the castell of Chirburgh: the whiche John there hadde the victorye and was mad knyght, and the said Martigo was drawen and hanged. Also in this yere Sr. Nicholl Brembre was chosen maire ayeyne, be the said craftes and be men of the contre at Harowe and the contre there aboughte, and not be fre eleccion of the citee of London as it owith to be: and the oolde halle was stuffed with men of armes overe even, be ordinaunce and assente of Sr. Nicholl Brembre for to chese hym maire on the morwe; and so he was.

In this yere was a gret rydynge fro the tour of London to Westm’; and evere a lord ledde a ladyes bridell. And on the morwe began the justes 77in Smythefeld, whiche lasted too dayes. There bar hym well Sr. Herry of Derby, the dukes sone of Lancastre, that othere was the lord Beaumond, the thridde Sr. Simond of Beuerley, the ferthe Sr. Piers Courteneye.[68]

This yere the erle of Arundell admirall of Engelond faught on the see with the Flemynges, upon oure lady day in lenten, and scomfyted them, and tok manye schippes lade with Rochell wyn; among whiche schippes was oo schipp called Mewes Colman,[69] and that schipp was the admyrall of Flaundres, the whiche was taken and manye othere prisoners. The some of schippes grete and smale, at that tyme take, were lxxxvj schippes, in whiche were accompted xvijm tounes of wyne. Also the duke of Lancastre in this yere, with his duchesse dame Constance, sayled over the see into Spayne with a gret peple, to clayme his wyfves right: and he tok with hym John Northt’, for doughte elles he myghte have be sclayn whiles he hadde ben oughte of the reaume.

In this yere was the rysyng of lordes of Engelond; that is for to seye, Sr. Thomas of Wodstok duke of Gloucestre, Sr. Herry erle of Derby, Sr. Richard erle of Arundell, Sr. Thomas erle of Warrewyk, Moubray the erle marchall, and Sr. Thomas the erle of 78Notyngham, ayens othere certeyn lordes, that is to weten, Sr. Robert de Veer erle of Oxenford, that was mad markys of Develyn and after duke of Irlond, whiche fledde into Loveyne in Braban, and there he deyde; Sire Mich’ of Pole erle of Suffolk, whiche also fledde to the same place, and there deyde; Sire Alexander Nevyll erchebysshop of York, the whiche fledde to Scotlond, and there deyde; Robert Tresilian the kynges justice and Nicholl Brembre knyght were drawe to Tyborne and hanged. Also the same tyme Sire Johan Beauchamp, Sr. James Diverses knyghtes were hanged, and diverses justices were exiled for everemore.Berners, and Sire Simond of Beuerle, knyghtes, were beheded at the Tour hill; but Sr. John of Salisbury was drawen and hanged; and also Robert Bealknap, John Holt, Robert Cary, William Burgh, Robert Fulthorp, and John Lokton, justices, weren exiled into Irlond, there for to dwelle alle there lyf tyme.

This yere, in the moneth of May, weren the justes in Smythfeld betwen the erle of Notyngham and the erle of More, Scott.; also betwen the lord Welles and Sr. David Lyndesey, Scott.; also betwen there Nicholl Bemenere and John Bron, Scott.

In this yere were justes betwen Sr. Piers Courtenay and Sr. William Danyell, Scott. And in this yere John Northampton cam home and posseded his goodes.79

This yere was scarcete of corn. Neverthelees the seide meire, be good counseill, sente his men over the see with gold into divers contres and broughte home corn, so that the prys was well amendyd.[71]

whiche John Hende occupied the office of the meire into the morwe after the natyvyte of seynt John baptist, Edward Dalyngreg’ and Baldewyn Radyngton were mad kepers of the citee of London.the whiche was put down be the kyng and his counseill at Notyngham, and ordeyned Sr. Edward Dalyngregy, knyght, kepere of the citee; and on the xxij day of Juyll the said Edward was discharged of his office, and Sr. Bawdewyn Radyngton at Wyndesore was mad kepere of the citee of London, and so stod in office into the feste of seynt Symond and Jude; at whiche day, be leve of the kyng, they chosen officers in the Yelde halle of London for the yere folwyng as it folwith. The remevyng of the court to Yorke.And in this yere the courtes were remeved, and withdrawe fro London to York fro the feste of the nativite of seynt John baptist unto Cristemasse folwynge; and all this disese above seyd was for this cause. In this yere Thomas Arundell erchebysshop of York was thanne chaunceler of Engelond, and Waltham bysshop of Salesbury was thanne tresorer of Engelond; For an hors loof.the serwauntes of whiche tresorer arrered a grete debate in Fletestrete ayens men of the towne for an hors loof, for whiche the tresorer pleyned80 upon the citee to the kyng, and wykkedly enformed the kyng; thorugh whiche enformacion and procurment of the chaunceler, the kyng sesed the fraunchise and the liberte of London into hys hond: and the kyng hadde of London x ml lib’ or he wolde be plesyd.

In this yere, that is to seye in the xij day of Juyn the yere of oure lord a mlccclxxxxiiij, the goode lady quene deyde at Shene, and lith entered worthyly at Westm’.

In this yere, aboughte the feste of Al Halwen, Isabell the kynges doughter of Fraunce was spoused to kyng Richard at Caleys, whiche afterward, on the viij day of Januer, was crowned quene at Westm’; at whos comynge to London the81 priour of Typtre in Essex, with othere viij persones, upon London bregge in the gret prees weren crowsed to the deth.

The whiche Adam Bamme deyde the vj day of Juyn; and Richard Whityngton occupyed the office of the mairalte the remenaunt of the yere be patent of the kyng; and thanne after, on seynt Edwardes day, he was chose maire for the yere folwynge. Also in this yere the xxj day of Juyll, the regne of the kyng xxjti yere begynnynge, Sr. Thomas of Wodestoke duke of Gloucestre was arested at Paske;[74] and Sr. Richard erle of Arundell, and Sr. Thomas erle of Warrewyk, the lord Cobham, and Sr. John Cheyne weren also arested. And in the monthe of Septembre nest folwynge the kyng helde hys parlement at Westm’, The makynge of lordes.at whiche parlement Edward erle of Roteland was made duke of Awmarle, Herry erle of Derby was mad duke of Hereford, Thomas earl Marchall was mad duke of Norfolk, Sr. John erle of Huntyngdon was mad duke of Excetre, the erle of Kent was mad duke of Surry, the erle of Somerset was mad marquys of Dorset, Sr. Thomas Percy was mad erle of Worcestre, the lord Spenser was made lord [75] of Gloucestre, the lord Nevyle was mad erle of Westmerland. Also the parlement was enyourned to Schrovesbury into the xv day of seynt Hillar. The erle of Arundell was condempned.And in the forsaid parlement was mad a gret hale in the paleys of Westm’, in whiche Richard the erle of Arundell was dampned to the deth, and he was beheded at the Tour hill.[76]

In this monthe of Feverer was the parlement at Schrovesbury, at whiche parlement was ordeyned the deth of the duke of Gloucestre the kynges uncle, whiche was foule mordred at Caleys, in the prynces inne, with two towayles made in snare wyse, and put aboughte his nekke; and so was that worthy knyght strangled to the deth. Also the lord Cobham was jugged to perpetuel prison: and forasmoche as the erle of Derby thanne mad duke of Hereford was of counseill and assent of the deth of lordes and knyghtes don to dethe in the xj yere of the kyng, he was also exiled. There schulde a ben a bataill at Coventre betuen the duk of Hereford and the duk of Norf’, and anon in the same place they were exiled.
Thomas Arundell erchebisshop of Caunterbury was exiled. Rog’ Walden made erchebysshop.Also in this yere schulde a ben a bataile at Coventre betwen the duke of Hereford and the duke of Norfolke, withinne lystes: and whanne they were assembled in the place, the kyng toke up there quarell into his hand: and anoon in the same place they were bothe exiled; that is to seye, the duke of Hereford for x yere, and Thomas duke of Norfolk for an hundred yere, whiche debate was for wordes of treson whiche schulde have ben spokyn be these too lordes of the kyng. Also in this yere Thomas Arundell erchebysshop of Caunterbury was also exiled and translated to another bysshoperiche, and Sr. Roger Walden was made erchebysshop of Caunterbury; and thanne the kyng thorugh wykked counseill disherited the heirs of the lordes that were put to dethe, as it is above seyd, and dampned to perpetual prison. And he sente to Rome, to have the statutes and the ordinaunces mad in the parlement begonnen at Westm’ and ended at Schrovesbury, confermed of the pope; the whiche was doun and graunted be the pope and be hym confermed, which83 confirmacion was proclamed at the crosse in Powles and at seynt Marie Spitele in Estre woke before alle the peple. The kyng hadde the citee of London and othere schires in grete hate.Also the kyng thorugh his counseill hadde the citee of London and othere diverses shires of Engelond in grete hate and grete indignacion, and lete enditen them as for rebelles: and he toke to hym Chestreschire men whiche were most famulier with hym, wherfore the citizeins of London and the peple of the said schires so endited as before is seid, were full hevy and sorwefull; and thanne the citizeins of London for plesaunce of the kyng thorugh counseill and helpe of Roger Walden the erchebysshop of Caunterbury, and of Braybroke, &c.[77] Moreover in this yere, for alle that, Chestreschire men maden a grete fray in Blank chartres were seled, &c. whiche coste London a ml li’.Fryday strete on a nyght in there innes; the whiche weren well beten and hurte with arowes and brought thanne to the countor. Also this yere, be selyng of blank chartres,[78] the citee of London paied to the kyng a ml li’, and othere schires as they myghte beren.

Ye schull wete that Thomas the son and heyre of Richard the erle of Arundell, whiche Thomas after the deth of his fadir was duellynge in houshold with Sr. John Holand duke of Excetre, and holden at no reputacion but alwey in gret repref and dispite, in moche disese and sorwe of herte, thorugh helpe of William Scot mercer of London privyly in a gromys clothynge, sailed over the see and cam to his uncle the erchebysshop of Caunterbury, that tyme beynge at Coloigne. Obiit Joh’es duk Lancastr’.Ferthermore in this yere84 deyde the duke of Lancastre, and lith entered at seynt Poules at London. Also in this yere after Estren, in the lattere ende of the yere of the conquest of kyng Richard, Kyng Richard seyled the seconde tyme into Irlond.the same kyng Richard sailed the secounde tyme into Irlond; and he hadde with hym amonges othere Herry the eldeste sone of the duke of Hereford, whom he made knyght [79] in Irlond; and the saide kyng Richard was there too monthes and sumwhat more. The duke of Hereford with othere lordes exiled landed at Ravenspore in Yorkschire.And in the mene tyme cam in Herry duke of Hereford, for his fadir the duke of Lancastre was ded, for whiche he cam to cleyme his heritage, and broughte with hym Thomas of Arundell the erchebysshop of Caunterbury whiche was exiled; and also he broughte with hym hys sone Thomas, and also Thomas the erles son of Arundell to cleyme his herytage; and they landed in the north contre, at a place that is clepyd Ravenspore besyde Bedlyngton. And anon as they were landed there comen to hym hastyly the erle of Northumberlond and Sr. Herry his sone, and the erle of Westmerland, Robert of Watton, and manye othere lordes and gentiles of the north contre. And thanne the seid duke of Hereford with alle tho above seid reden to Chestre with gret strenkthe. And anon as the kyng herde telle that duke Herry was come, he hied hym out of Irlond into Engelond, in hope to be strong ayens hys enemys: The kynges mene turned ayens hym.and as sone as the peple of the kynges herde telle that the duke was landed, alle the kynges meyne into lytell turned ayens the kyng, and wenten ayeyns his adversaryes, that seynge the kyng withdrowe hym to the castell of Flynt. And the duke with his lordes and gentiles comen to the castell of Bristoll, and there they 85token Sr. William Scrop thanne erle of Wyltshire and tresorer of Engelond, Sr. Herry Grene, Sr. John Busshy, and Perkyn of Lee: and on the xxxti day of Juyll they were beheded as for traytours. And whanne they hadde so don they reden ayeyne to Chestre, and thider to them cam kyng Richard in pees. And thanne the kyng and the duke and the othere seid lordes reden in fere to Londonward: and in the firste day of Septembre they comen to London everych on: Kyng Richard was put into the tour of London, and anon after he resigned his dignyte.and in the morwe suynge kyng Richard was put into the tour of London tyl tyme that the parlement, whiche began at Westm’ on seynt Jeromys day the laste day of Septembre;[80] whiche day, in the tour of London, kyng Richard resigned his dignyte in this yere of his regne xxiij; and duke Herry was be generall accorded in parlement chosyn kyng, his regne thanne begynnynge, and sithen crowned. Thanne was Sr. John Slake at Westm’, dene of the kynges chapell, arested and put in prison in Ludgate, and othere certeyn monkes of Westm’. Also Sr. William Bagot, knyght, was arested besyde Develyn in Irlond, and brought to London.

NOMI’A MAIOR’ ET VICECOMITU’ LONDON’ TEMPORE REGIS HENR’ QUARTI, QUI CORONATUS FUIT APUD WESTM’ IN DIE T’NSLAC’O’IS S’C’I EDWARDI REG’ ET CONFESSORIS, ANNO D’NI MILL’MO CCCmo NONOGESIMO NONO.

This yere, on the twelfthe day after Cristemasse, the erle of86 Kent, the erle of Hunt’, the lord Spenser, Sr. Rauf Lumley, and manye othere knyghtes and squyres were purposyd to have sclayn the kyng and hise children at Wyndesore, and thoo that helde with them be a mommynge; but, as it fortuned, the kyng hadde warnynge; and anon he rood to London in gret haste, and made hym strong to ryde on hise adversaries afore said; the whiche lordes were assembled at Redynge, purposyng for to do as they hadde ment; and fro thens they come to Wyndesore, and deden moche harme thereaboughte. And whanne they hadde aspied that the kyng was forth to London, they token there wey to Surcetre, and made cryes be the weye, and at Surcetre also, seyenge that kyng Richard was up with alle Walys and Chestyrschire; and kyng Herry fledde to the tour of London: but for all that the toun aroos and toke them with grete strenkthe; Decapitacio d’nor’.and there they beheded the erle of Kent and the erle of Salesbury; also the erle of Huntyngton was beheded at Plasshe in Essex, the whiche was fled and wolde a passed the see to have brought in Frensshmen for to distroye Engelond; and he myghte have no wynd to brynge hym over, and he was take and beheded as it ys above seid. Also at Sucetre the same tyme was beheded Sr. Rauf Lumley; and at Oxenford were beheded Sr. Thomas Blount, Sr. Benet Cely, Thomas Wyntreshull squyer, and othere aboughte xxvij persones, and the hedes of the lordes sent to London. At Bristowe was beheded the lord Spenser, and there his hed sett up: afterward was taken Sr. Bernard Brocas, Sr. Thomas Schelley, Maudeleyn parson, Sr. William Fereby prest; and there were drawen, hanged, and beheded, at Tyborne. And anon after deyde kyng Richard in the castell of Ponfreyt, whos body was87 beryed at Langeley. Also in this yere of oure lord a mlcccc, the kyng rood into Scotlond. And in this yere began the werre in Walys be Oweyn of Glendore.

In this yere a quarter of whete was worth xvj s. Also this yere kyng Herry rood into Wales be the excitacion of the lord Grey Ruthyn, for to distroye Owan of Glondere. In this yere was here the emperor of Constantynnoble: and the kyng helde his Cristemasse at Eltham; and men of London maden a gret mommyng to hym of xij aldermen and there sones, for whiche they hadde gret thanke. And the same yere Sr. William Sautre prest was degraded of his presthood, and brent in Smythefeld for an heretyk.[81]

This same yere was dame Johanne duchesse of Breteyne spoused to kyng Stella comata.Herry with moche solempnyte at Westm’. Also in Lenten this yere schewed in the west in the sky a sterre called Stalla Comata, whiche The bataill of Humbelton hill.
The conduyt in Cornhill.endured v wokes. Also in this yere the prior of Launde, Sr. Roger Claryndon knyght, and viij frere Menours weren drawen and hanged at Tyburne. Also this yere, the xiiij day of Septembre, was the bataill with the Scottes at Humbledon hill, where there were taken and sclayn wol ny88 alle the gentyles of Scotlond. Also this same yere was mad the conduyt in Cornhull.

This same yere, on Maudelyn even, betwen Englysshmen and Englysshmen was the sory bataill of Schrovesbury, that is to seye betwen kyng Herry and Sr. Herry Percy sone of the erle of Northumberland; the whiche Sr. Henry Percy was there sclayn and there beryed; and on hys syde manye another man also sclayn; and on his syde the erle Douglas of Scotland lost his on eye; and Sr. Thomas Percy brother to the said Sr. Herry Percy was there taken and kept too dayes after on lyve; and for he was embassator before the batall betwen the kyng and Sr. Herry Percy, manye a good man loste there hys lyf, wherfore they seyde Sr. Thomas was drawen, hanged and beheded, and his hede [82] sett upon London brigge: also in the said bataille the prynce was schot in the heed wyth an arowe; and the erle of Stafford sclayn undyr the kynges banere, and Sr. William Graunsell, with manye othere knyghtes and squyers:[83] and forasmoche as som peple seyde that Sr. Herry Percy was alyve, he was taken up ayen out of his grave, and bounden upright betwen to mille stones, that alle men myghte se that he was ded.

This William Askam was prentys to William Walworth, sume89 tyme maire, that was prentys sum tyme with John Lovekyn; and alle schirreves and meires ech after other in on house. The takyng of William Cerle.In this yere William Cerle yoman of the robys with kyng Richard, whiche was on of them that mordred the goode duke of Gloucestre at Caleys, was taken in the march of Scotlond and brought to London, where that he was drawen, and hanged, boweld, and his bowels brente before hym, and thanne beheded and quartered at Tyburne. In this yere the lord Castell, with gret peple of Bretouns and Normaundes, londed at the Blake Pole, too mile fro Dertmouth, and there he was sclayn; and the peple fledde.

In this yere Thomas the kynges sone was admirall of the see and seiled into Flaundres, and he landed at Scluse and yaf theretoo a grete sawte, and he brente bothe in Cahaunt and in Flaundres. Also he toke the carykes of Jene, whiche he broughte to Wynchelsey; and there, thorugh mysgovernaunce, the carikes [84] with alle the good therinne was brent. Richard Scrop the erchebysshop of York and the lord Moubray were beheded.
The children of the erles of March were stole out of the castell of Wyndesore.Also in this yere of oure lord a mlccccv, Richard Scrop erchebysshop of York, and the lord Moubray [85] were beheded a lytel out of York, upon Whitson Moneday. Also the same yere were the children of the erle of Marche stolen out of the castell of Wyndesore, aboughte mydnyght as it was seid, and were led into Walys to Owayn of Glendore, for he was a rebell to oure kyng that tyme, and alle Walys for the more partye be v yere before. Also the forseid children were brought ayene to the90 kyng; and the lady Spenser was accused, and here brother, that was called duk of York, of gret treson for the forseid children; and the cause was, for they seyden that the eldere chyld was trewe kyng. Also the forseyd duke was in kepynge of Sr. John Pelham at Pevensey, in the castell, unto the parlement nest folwynge.

This same yere, be the comaundement of the kvng, alle the weres betwen London and Midweye were pulled up and distroyed be the meire of London and the comonalte. Also in this yere was Travars, yoman of the kynges chaumbre, arestyd for poysonyng of hys wyf in Northamptonschire; and on Jonet Legge was also arested for the consentynge of poysonynge of the same woman: and the said Travars was hongen, and his bowels brent, and thanne quarterd; and the said Jonet hadde here lyf.

In this yere, the xvij day [86] of Juyll, the erle of Kent wedded the dukes doughter of Melane, at seynt Marie Overey: and in this yere deyde the good Sr. Robert Knolles. Rempston was dreynt.In this yere Sr. Thomas Rempston, knyght, was dreynt faste be London bregge: and in this yere was the bataille in Smythfeld betwen John Walssh clerk, and Percyval Sondon.

In this yere the erle of Northumberland and the lord Bardolf, whiche arysyn ayeyns the kyng, were taken in the north cuntre and beheded; and the hed of the forsaid erle and a quarter of the lord Bardolf were sent to London, and sett upon London brigge. Also in this yere was a strong wynter whiche endured xiiij wokes. Also this yere the erle of Kent was sclayn, thorugh his owne folye, at Bryak in Bretayne, for he rood withoughte basnet, and was marked with a quarell. In this yere greyn was suych plente that smal greyn was at xij d., xiiij d., and xvj d. the beste civile greyn.

This yere was the pleye at Skynners Welle,[87] whiche endured Wednesday, Thorsday, Fryday, and on Soneday it was ended; and thanne began the fetees of werre in Smythfeld for diverses chalanges. First it began be the seneschall of Henawde and the erle of Somerset, for the Henawde soughte hyder to seke awntures, the whiche fight lasted iij dayes; and on the Moneday, Sr. John and another Henawde; and on the Tuwesday, Sr. John Philipp with another; and on the Wednesday, John Grey and his adversarie: and on the Fryday the kyng wolde suffre nothing to be don. On the Satyrday, Standyssh and his adversarie: on the Moneday suynge, Styward and his adversarie: on the Tuesday, Souche and his adversarie. On the Moneday after, Sr. John Grene, Cornewayle, and his felawes;[88] and on92 the Satirday, tho too broughten hise brethren and there adversaries: and, as God wolde, evere the Englyssh partye hadde the victorie.

This same yere there was a clerk that beleved nought on the sacrament of the auter, that is to seye Godes body,[89] which was dampned and brought into Smythfeld to be brent, and was bounde to a stake where as he schulde be brent. And Herry prynce of Walys, thanne the kynges eldest sone, consailed hym for to forsake his heresye, and holde the righte wey of holy chirche.[90] And the prior of seynt Bertelmewes in Smythfeld broughte the holy sacrament of Godys body, with xij torches lyght before, and in this wyse cam to this cursed heretyk: and it was asked hym how he beleved; and he ansuerde, that he belevyd well that it was halowed bred and nought Godes body; and thanne was the toune put over hym, and fyre kyndled thereinne: and whanne the wrecche felte the fyre he cryed mercy; and anon the prynce comanded to take awey the toune and to quenche the fyre, the whiche was don anon at his comaundement: and thanne the prynce asked hym if he wolde forsake his heresye and taken hym to the feith of holy chirche, which if he wolde don, he schulde have hys lyf and good ynowe to lyven by: and the cursed schrewe wold nought, but contynued forth in his heresye; wherfore he was brent, and a versyfyer made of hym, in metre, thise too verses:

Also in this yere the stokkes betwen the Cornhull and the Pultrye was begonne to make, and in the yere nest folwynge it was ful complet and made. In this yere was a fray mad in Estchepe, be the kynges sones Thomas and John, with men of the town. Also this same yere there went the duke of Clarence, the duke of Yorke, the erl of Dorset, to the duke of Orlions, ageyn the duke of Burgoyne, and landed at Hogges.

This yere was the fight in Smythefeld betuen Gloucestre and Artour, for wordes that Gloucestre hadde appeled Arthur of: and whanne they hadde well foughten, the kyng tok the bataille into his hond, and wolde lete them feighte no more. Also this yere, on seynt Petres even, was gret debate in Brigge street betuen the lord Thomas men and men of London. Also in this yere comen ambassatours to the kyng fro the duke of Burgoyne, for to have men out of Engelond to helpe hym in werre ayeyns the duke of Orlyons: but the kyng wolde no men grauntte, for which the ambassatores spaken therof to the prynce: and he sente to the duke of Burgoyne the erle of Arundell and the lord Cobbeham, with othere lordes and gentyles, with a faire retenewe and well arrayed peple. The Yeldhalle was begone to make newe.Also this yere the Yeldhalle of London was begonne to make newe. Also in this yere the duke of Burgoyne, with help of Englysshmen, sclewe moche peple of the dukes of Orlyons at the brigge of Seyntclowe. Also in this same yere was Rys Dye, squyer, of Walys, drawen, hanged, and beheded, and quartred, and the quarters salted.94

This yere the xij day of Octobre, the yere of oure lord a mlccccxj, there weren in Themyse iij flodes upon a day. Also the same yere the lord Thomas, the kynges sone, was mad duke of Clarence. Also in this yere comen into Engelond ambassatores out of Fraunce fro the duke of Orlyons, to have men over in helpynge hym ayens the duke of Burgoyne [92] before seid in that other yere. And in the comemoracion of seynt Poul, the laste day of Juyn, come prynce Herry, the sone of kyng Herry the forthe, to London, with moche peple of lordes and gentyles: and the kyng lay thanne at seynt Jones hous til the Soneday nest folwynge; and thanne he remeved to the bysshopes paleys of London, and lay there fro Satirday tyl Friday after; and thanne he remeved to Rotherhithe. And prynce Herry lay at the bysshoppes inne of Dorham, fro the seid day of his comynge to towne unto the Moneday nest after the feste of Septem fratrum. And thanne rood Thomas the kynges sone duke of Clarence, and with hym the duke of York, and Beauford thanne erle of Dorset, toward Hampton with a gret retenewe of peple: and on the Tuesday rood the erles brother of Oxenford, and on the Wednesday rood the erle of Oxonford; and they alle lay at Hampton, and aboden the wynde tyl on the Thorsday the firste day of August; the whiche Thorsday, Fryday, and Satyrday, they passed out of the haven the noumbre of xiiij schippes: and on the Soneday they were dreven inne ayeyne with the wynd: and after, on seynt Laurence even and seynt Laurens day, they arreved at Seynt Fasters, faste be95 Hogges in Normandye. And on the xxiij day of Septembre prynce Herry come to London to the counseyll, with an huge peple. The newe coyn for nobles.Also in this yere the kyng lete coynen newe nobles; and they were lesse of weyghte than the olde noble be the peys of an half peny weighte; so that [93] be juste weyghte liij nobles, j d, and an halpeny weighte, schulde maken a pound weighte of Troye.

In this yere of oure lord a mlccccxij, the xxj [94] day of March, on a Moneday, deyde kyng Herry the forthe, at Westm’. And lyghth entered at Caunterbury, on the north syde of seynt Thomas schryne the martyr. Thanne Herry, the sone and heire of the sayd kyng Herry the forthe, began to reigne, and com to London; and ayens hym was a gret rydynge of men of London, and broughte hym to the tour of London upon the Fryday; and on the morwe he rood thorugh Chepe with a gret roughte of lordes and knyghtes, the whiche he hadde newe made in the Toure on the nyght before, unto Westm’. Coronac’o H. quinti.And on the morwe, that is to say Passion Soneday, the whiche was a ful trobly wet day, he was crowned at Westm’ with michel ryalte. And in this yere, the firste day of Septembr’, it hayled strongly. In this yere my lord of Dorset lay at the sege of the castell of Mount Andre in Gyan; and Blounte was capitayn of the castell of Sobyre. Also another companye of Englysshmen lay in the town of Barbesey; and there was don a jorney betwen Englysshmen and Frensshmen be syde Mount Andre, in the monthe of August: and96 thorugh the grace of God iij c Englysshmen xvij lesse, toke and sclewe viij m of Frensshmen: and there were take the lord Hayle, the lord Morlet, the bastard of Clynton, the lord en le Sale de Mary, the maire of Rochell, the capytayn of Tholomonde, the capitayn of Ryons, the capitayne of seynt John the Evangelist, the capitayn of Racheford, the capitayn of Urlound, and manye othere capitaynes and gentiles whiche were to longe to telle. Sr. John Oldcastle was arested, put into the Tour of London, and after brak out.In this yere was the lord Cobbeham, called Sr. John Oldcastell, arested and put into the Tour of London, for certeyn poyntes of heresye whiche he held ayens the beleve of holy chirche: and after he brak prison and wente away.

NOMI’A MAIOR’ ET VICECOMITU’ LONDON’ TEMPORE REG’ HENR’ QUINTI, QUI CORONATUS FUIT APUD WESTM’ NONO DIE MENSIS APRIL ANNO D’NI MILL’MO CCCCxiij.

In this yere, on seynt Edmondes day the kyng, there was a gret convocacion of clergye at Poules in London, whiche contenued tyl the iiij day of Decembre; Kyng Richard boones were feet fro Langeley and beried at Westm’.and thanne was the kyng and his counseill accorded to fette the bones of kyng Richard fro Langele to London, and to berye them at Westm’;[96] and there was don a dirige ryally; and on the morwe the masse was solempny songon. And on the Soneday sewyng, Thomas Arundell erchebysshop of Caunterbury and manye othere97 bysshoppes, at the crosse of Poules accursed Sr. John Oldcastell lord of Cobbeham and alle hise mayntenours. And in the xix day of Decembre cam the Frensshe ambassatours to London, fro the kyng of Fraunce to the kyng of Engelond. Morover in the twelfthe day in Cristemasse it was certefied the kyng, that Sr. John Oldcastell was up with a stronge peple ayeyns hym. Wherfore the kyng be hys counseill cam to London the viij day of Januar’; and with hym cam hise brethren, and the erchebysshop of Caunterbury, and Courtenaye the bysshop of Norwych, and manye othere lordes and bachelers. And the nexte nyght the kyng with hyse brethren and the bysshopes token the feld ayeyns Sire John Oldcastell, beyonde seynt Gyles in Holborne, betwen Westm’ and the highe weye toward Tyborne; and there the kynges peple token diverses men as they comen be the weye, of whiche on was a squyere of Sr. John Oldcastell, and othere diverses men also: and there was muche folk arested and put into the Tour of London, of whiche folk there were xij men drawen fro the Thoure of London as a Fryday at nyghte thorughe the town to Neugate, and there they were tyl on the morwe; and they with othere xxv men, that is to seye xxxvij persones, were drawen, hanged, and brent; and tho that were drawe were said arrysers ayeyns the kyng: and certaynly the said Sr. John Oldcastell with gret multitude of Lollers and heretykes were purposyd with ful wyll and myght for to have distroyed the kyng and hyse brethern, whiche ben protectours and defendours of Holy Chirche, and them also that ben in degre of holy ordre in the service of God and of his chirche, the which will and purpos, as God wolde, was lette; and98 Sr. John Oldcastell fledde and escaped. Obiit Thomas Arundell arch’ep’us Cantuar’.
A parlement at Leycestr’.
John the K. brother duke of Bedforthe.
Humferey the K. brother duke of Glowcester.Forthermore in this yere the xix day of Feverer, deyde Thomas Arundell the erchebysshop of Caunterbury. Also in this yere was a parlement at Leycestre, and there was the lord John the kynges brother mad duke of Bedeford and erle of Kendale, and the lord Humfrey hys brother was mad duke of Gloucestre and erle of Pembroke, and Sr. Richard the dukes brother of York was mad erle of Caumbregge. And in this yere in the monthe of Juyll wente oure ambassatours into Fraunce, and some of the ambassatours wenten into Constaunce to chesen the pope: and some wenten to the emperor; that is to seye, to the emperor wente the erle of Warwyk, the lord Fitz Hugh, Sire Walter Hungerford, Sr. Rauf Rocheford, Maistre Philipp Morgan, Maistre John Henyngham, with comission. And to the cytee of Constantyne wente the bysshop of Bathe, the bysshop of Salesbury, the bysshop of Chestre, the abbot of Westm’, the abbot of York, the abbot of Gerseye, with othere doctours. Also into Fraunce wente the bysshop of Dorham, the bysshop of Norwych, the erle of Salysbury, the lord Grey Codonore, Sr. John Pelham, Robert of Waterton, and othere. Forthemore on the Monday the xxiij day of Septembre began a grete counseill at Westm’; and on the neste Monday after, that is to seye the firste day of Octobre anno d’ni mill’mo ccccmoxv. Chicheley B. of seynt De’ mad archebissh’ of Canterbury.
Nyauncer took seynt Anne chirch for scleyng of Sr. John Tybbay.Also the same yere was Sr. Herry Chicheley bysshop of seynt Davyes mad erchebisshop of Caunterbury, and Sr. Richard Courtenay mad bysshop of Norwych. And in the same yere on seynt Marie Maudeleyn day, John Neauser squyer, and his men, sclowen Maistre John Tybbay clerk, as he passed thorugh Ladlane; for the whiche deth the99 same John Nyauncer and iiij of his men fledden into seynt Annes chirche withinne Aldrichgate; and withinne the same chirche they were mured up, and men of diverses wardes watched them nyght and day. And the forsaid John Nyauncer and his men forsuoren the kynges lond, and passyd thorugh the citee of London toward Caleys in there schertes and breches, and ich of them a crosse in there hand.

In this yere was Sperepoynt drawe and hanged for counterfetynge of the kynges seall. Also in this yere John Claydon skynner, and Richard Turmyne bakere, were brent in Smythfeld for heresye. And on the iiij day of March after, was the pardon of the lord Cobbeham, that is to seye Sr. John Oldcastell, proclamed. On Palme Soneday the xvj day of March was William Elys sone brought out of the Tour of London be comaundement of the kyng, and delivered to the said maire for to kepe hym in warde, and specyally in yrens, for tales that he hadde told of the kyng; and also for the peple seyde that they myghte non yren fetres no lokkes holden hym; and there he was cheyned to an yren post at the counter gate in Chepe, ayens the Standard. The grete werk of Shene was begonne.
Newe gates in London.Also the same yere was the kynges grete werk begonne at Shene; and in hys tyme was mad newe g’tes at London wall, and a newe gate, and the prevy that stod withinne the more was drawe doun and set on this syde of the wall over the comown dych that comyth out of the more. And in his tyme [97] the kyng made his vyage toward the costes of Normandye; and he rood thiderward100 thorughout the citee of London toward the town of Hampton, that is to weten the xviij day of Juyn, the yere of his regne the thridde begynnyng; and at Hampton he lay stille for to abiden his retenue and his stuff that longith for werre: The deth of lordes at Hampton.and in his lyenge there, the Moneday the v day of August next after were put to dethe there Sire Richard of Yorke erle of Caumbregge, the lord Scrop that tyme tresorer of Engelond, and Sr. Thomas Gray knyght, for treturye and ymagynyng of the kynges deth. And in the same yere on the morwe after seynt Laurence day, the xj day of August the Sonday, the kyng and alle his retenue schipped iij houres after noon at Portesmouth, toward the town of Harefleu in Normandye; and he landed at Kedecaux iij myle out of the town of Harefleu on oure lady even the assumpcion, the xiiij day of August. Sege of Harfleu.And the kyng began to leye his sege to the town of Harfleu the xvij day of August: and the kyng lay there at the sege fro the same xvij day of August unto the xxij day of Septembre or the town were yolden up; and his lyenge there aboughte the town there dyed many on of his retenue, that is to weten, the erle of Suffolk, the bysshop of Norwych, Courtenay, Sr. John Philip, and manye othere knyghtes and squyers, and othere comoun peple whiche were nought nombred. The yeldyng of the toun of Harfleu.

The lord Beauford capitayn.And the same xxij day of Septembre the toun of Harfleu was yolden up to the kyng, and alle the keyes of the toun brought to hym: and the kyng abode tyl the laste day of Septembre, til that he hadde mad governaunce withinne the town: and he made his Em [98] the lorde Beauford the erle of Dorset, captayn of Harfleu. And the Tuesday the firste day of Octobre the kyng toke his weye fro Harfleu toward his 101town of Caleys, with the noumbre of viijl fytyng men: and the Frensshmen of Fraunce broken there brigges and pyled the forthes of the water of Some and othere diverses wateres, that the kyng myghte nought passe but with moche disese til he com to the water of Swerdes; and there the kyng and his oost passyd over. And on the xxv day of Octobre was Fryday, and seynt Crispyn and Crispianiani day the lordes and the chyveteynes of Fraunce lay with a gret oost enbatailed to the noumbre of vixx ml, and wolde a stopped the kynges weye that he schulde nought a passed to his town of Caleys. The bataill of Aigincourt this day.And the kyng with his oost batailed hym ayens the Frensshmen, and manfully he faught ayens them in a feld that is called Aigincourt, and sclowe and toke of them of dukes, erles, barons, knyghtes, and cheveteyns to the noumbre of xij ml; and of the comown peple mo thanne the noumbre of iij ml, that is for to weten, the duke of Orlyons and the duke of Burbon, the erle of Vendon, the erle of Ewe and the erle of Richemond, with Sr. Bursegaunt; Mort.and there sclayn the duke of Launson, the duke of Braban and the duke of Bare, and the erle of Navers, the lord de la Brytte constable of Fraunce, and the seneschall of Henaude, with manye othere lordes, knyghtes, and squyers, and worthy men v ml and mo. Mort.And on oure syde were sclayn the duke of York, the erle of Suffolk, and Sr. Richard of Kyghle, and David Gamme squyer, with a fewe mo othere persones to the noumbre of xviij. And the xxix day of Octobre, the morwe after seynt Simondes day and Jude, the same day the newe meire schulde ryde and taken his charge at Westm’, the same day erly in the morwe comen tydynges to London while that men weren in there beddes,102 that the kyng hadde foughton and hadde the bataille and the feld aforseid. Alle the bellys of London were ronge for yoye.And anoon as they hadde tydynges therof, they wente to alle the chirches in the citee of London and rongon alle the belles of every chirche; and solempnely alle the prestes of every chirche, and othere men that were lettered songen Te deum Laudamus, &c. And ayens ix of the belle were warned alle the ordres of relygeous men of the citee of London, for to go a procession fro seynt Poules unto seynt Edward schryne at Westm’. And the newe maire and hise aldermen with alle the craftes of London, and the quen with alle here lordes also wente from seynt Poules unto Westm’, and offred at seynt Edwardes schryne aforeseid, or the meire tok his charge; and whanne the meire hadde taken his charge, every man come rydyng hom fro Westm’ on horsbak, and were ioyful and glad for the goode tydynges that they hadde of the kyng, and thankyd oure lord J’hu Crist, his modir seynt Marye, and seynt George, and alle the holy company of hevene, and seyde Hec est dies quam fecit d’n’s.

In this yere began the generall counseill at Constaunce. Also in this yere, that is to say the xxviij day of Octobre, the kyng com to his town of Caleys, and was there til the xvj day of Novembre: and that same day the kyng schipped fro his town of Caleys toward Engelond, and he landed the same day at nyght at Dovorr, and com forth alle the woke after toward London: and the Fryday at nyght the kyng come to Eltham,103 and there he lay al that nyght; and on the morwe was Satyrday, the xxiij day of Novembre, the maire of London and alle the aldermen, with alle the craftes of London, reden every man in reed, with hodes reed and white, The comyng of oure kyng to London.and mette with the kyng on the Blakeheth comyng from Elthamward toward his citee of London; and ayens his comynge was ordeyned moche ryalte in London, that is to weten at London bregge, at the conduyt in Cornhill, at the gret conduyt in Chepe, and at the crosse in Chepe was mad a ryall castell, with angels and virgynes syngynge therinne; and so the kyng and hise presoners of Frensshmen reden thorugh London unto Westm’ to mete, and there the kyng abod stille. The maire and the aldermen presentyd the kyng with a ml li in too basyns of gold worth vc li.
Sigismund the emperor of Almayne com to London.And on the morwe after, it was Soneday and the xxiiij day of Novembre, the maire and alle the aldermen, with too hundred of the beste comoners of London, wente to Westm’ to the kyng, and present hym with a ml pound, in too basynes of gold worth vc li. And in this tyme the emperor of Almayne com into Engelond with viijc hors to seynt George feste; that is to wete, the firste day of Maij, at nyght, he landed at Dovorr; and on the Satyrday, the seconde day of Maij, he cam to Caunterbury and bod stylle there unto the v day of Maij: and the Thorsday, the vij day of May,[99] the maire and alle the aldermen, with alle the craftes of the citee, reden alle in rede gownes, and hodes white and reed, The metyng of the kyng and the emperor.and mette with the emperor on the Blakehethe; and the kyng and alle hise lordes mette with hym at seynt Thomas Wateryng, and there the kyng put hym on the right hond, and the erchebysshop on the left hond, and so they come rydynge thorugh the citee of London and104 forth to Westm’: The duke of Holand com to London.
The removyng of the emperor.and the xxix day of Maij the duke of Holand come to London, and he lay at the bysshopes place of Ely in Holbourne; and he abod stylle there unto the xxj day of Juyn. And the xxvj day of Juyn the emperor remeved fro Westm’ toward the castell of Ledes in Kanc’, and from the castell of Ledes unto Eltham, and from Eltham forth to Caunterbury; and he schipped out of Engelond the xvj day of August. The kyng wente to Caleys for trete with adversaries of Fraunce.And the same yere the kyng wente to Caleys for to trete wyth his adversarije of Fraunce: and the same yere the duke of Bedford, the kynges brother, was mad capitayn of the see for a quarter of a yere; and the same tyme he and his retenue took iij carykes and drowned the forthe, and a gret hulke was drowned also: and anon after, in the same yere, was taken a gret carryke at Dertemouth. And in this same yere, that is to weton on the Mighelmesse day, was Benet Wolman drawen and hanged, and his heed smyten of and set on London bregge for tretory: and in the same yere, the viij day of Octobre, was a p’chemyn’ of Trille melle strete drawen and hanged, and his heed smyten of and set upon London brigge for tretory: The galy halfpence were stroyd.and in the same yere weren alle the Galy half pens fordon at a parlement holden at Westm’, the whiche parlement began the xv day of March. Also in the same yere, that is for to seye in the begynnyng of the forthe yere of the reigne of kyng Herry the fyfthe, Bellu’ sup’ mare int’ I. ducem Bed’ et adv’sar’ reg’.the duke of Bedford and the erle of March, with othere certeyne lordes and there retenue, foughton with vij carykes of Jene, and with aboughte l othere vesselles, some hulkes, some barges, some galys, and some105 galyottes; of whom, blessyd be God, he toke iij carykes with there patrons, and drowned a gret hulke that was called the Blake hulke of Flaundres, and the remenant fledden there wey: and this was don upon oure lady day the assumpcion, the iiij yere above seid.

And in this same yere was a parlement at Westm’ holden, and it began the xix day of Octobre; and at that parlement was the erle of Dorset mad duke of Excestre: A begger was drawen for disfiguryng of children.and in this same yere, on seynt Katerine even, was a begger drawen and hanged for dysmembrynge of yonge children, and he was drawen in his owne carre from the Leden halle unto Tyborne: and in this same yere was a theff sclayn, withoughte seynt Marie Spytell, that highte Robert Somerford: and the same yere held his Cristemasse at Wyndesore: and the same yere were too women hanged at Tybourne; that oon was a spycer wyf of Seynt Albons, and that other was the baillyf wyf of Vynesbury; Thomas Pedwardyn kepere of Sprottes keye was sclayn on Estreday.and the same yere was the same bally hanged: and the same yere was Thomas Petwardyn, kepere of Sprottes keye, sclayn in seynt Dunston chirche in the Est, in the hyghe chancell, on the Esterday at evesong tyme, with the lord Straunge and his men, and there was Sr. John Trussell and hise sone, and othere men of his, sore wounded; and that fray began betwen the lord Strange wyf and Sire John Trussell wyf: The bataill on the see betuen the erl of Hunt’ and the kynges adversaries.and the same yere, upon seynt Petyr day and Poule, the erle of Huntyngdon, with othere certeyn lordes and there106 retenue, foughten with ix carykes of Jene, the grettest that evere were seyn in this coostes, and scomfited them; of whiche, thanked be God, he toke iiij grete with there patrons, and the admirall of them alle was called the bastard of Burbon, with alle the tresoure that they alle schulde aben waged with for a quarter of a yere; and the othere carykes fledden awey. Also the same yere, the xxx day of Juyll, the The castell of Touk with the toun was yolden.
Cane was goten and manye othere townes and castelles.kyng with alle his oost seyled into Fraunce, and londed in Normandye, upon Lammes day, a litell besyde the castell of Touke; the whiche castell he toke first after he was landed, and yaf it to his brother the duke of Clarence, with alle that longith thertoo.[100] Also the same yere, that is to say anno quinto, the kyng gat Cane Beyeux, and manye othere townes and castelles and riche abbeys, longe before seynt Edward day.

In this yere the generall counseill was ended at Constaunce, and an unyte mad in Holy Chirche; and a pope chosen on seynt Martyn day, be fre eleccion and comowne assent of alle the generall counseill cristen, whiche pope was called Martinus quintus. Sr. John Oldcastell was taken in Walys.Also in this yere, on the feste of seynt Lucie the virgyne, the yere of oure lord a mlccccxvij, Sr. John Oldcastell lord of Cobbeham was taken in the march of Walys, and brought to Westm’, where he was forjugged; and he was drawe thorugh the citee of London, which in his dayes was heed of heretykes and Lollers; and he was hanged be a cheyne of iren, and was brent up the galawes and alle.[101]

The whiche John Bryan, schirreve of London,[102] fell in the water of Thamyse, the whiche was cause of his deth, and dyed on the x day of Octobre; and in his stede John Perneys was chosen for the remenaunt of the yere. The sege of Roen.Also the same yere the kyng of Engelond with his lordes beseged the citee of Roen,[103] the whiche sege dured half a yere and more; but at the laste, thorugh the grace of God, it was yolden to hym upon the day of seynt Wolstan, alle ayens there will, God wot, for nede compelled them therto for defaute of vitaill; for as it was seid there deyde withinne the town for defaute of vitaille, mo thanne xxx ml durynge the same sege. Sacr’m ducis de Burgoyne.Also in the same yere the dolphyn of Fraunce sente after the duke of Burgoyn, to whom, as men seyn, nought fully vij nyght before he was sworn un on Godes body sacred to ben good and trewe for to come and speke with hym be syde Parys, at the town of Monstreux, with certeyn persones undir sauf conduyt; and whanne he cam thedir, notwithstondyng the gret othe that was mad betuen them bothe, nother his sauf conduyt, The duk of Burgoyn was sclayn.the viscount of Burbon, as the duke kneled before the dolphyn, smot hym with an ax in the heed; and so that the forseid dolphyn and hise complices falsly and untrewly, and ayens alle manere lawe of armes, morthered the forseid duke and made an ende of hym. Frere Randolf.Also this same yere frere Randolf, a mayster of dyvynyte, that sumtyme was the quene Johanne confessor, at the excitynge of the forseid quene, be sorcerye and be nygramancie wrought for to astroyd the kyng: but, as God wolde, his falsnesse at the laste was aspyed;108 wherefore be comown parlement the quene forfetyd here landes.

This same yere was the kyng Herry the fyfthe mad heir and regent of Fraunce, and wedded to dame Katerine the kynges doughter of Fraunce, at Troys [104] in Champayn, upon Trynyte Soneday; and anoon after he hymselfe and hise lordes, with the duke of Burgoyne and manye othere ryalles of Fraunce, wenten and leyd sege to manye diverses citees, townes and castellys, whiche weren holden with the dolphyns men and Armenakes, and wan them; but Melau sur Seyne was on of the werste that evere he leyde sege to, for ther was inne a schrewd meyne of rebelles.

This yere on Candelmasse day be the morwe the kyng come into Engelond with hys quene, and landed at Dovorr; and on the xiiij day of Fever, upon seynt Valentynes day, the kyng come to London; and the xxj day of the same monthe the quene come to London; and on the xxiij day of the same monthe sche was crowned at Westm’.[105] A parlement at Westm’.
The kyng ordeyned certeyn weyghtes for gold.Also this same yere, anoon after Estren, the kyng helde his parlement at Westm’; in whiche parlement was ordeyned, that no man after Cristemasse thanne nest folwynge schulde putten forth no proffre no gold in payment but yf it held the weyte, wherfore the most part of109 the peple ordeyned them balaunces and weytes. And anoon after Pentecost the kyng seiled over the see to Caleys, and passyd forth into Fraunce. The deth of the duke of Clarence.This same yere upon Estre even afore noon, that is for to say the xxij day of March, the yere of oure lord a mlccccxxj, the duke of Clarence with manye other lordes were sclayn beyounde the water of Leyre in Fraunce; and manye lordes were taken prisoners the same tyme, of the whiche the erle of Hunt’, and the erle of Somerset with hys brother, were principales. The town of Mileu was yolden.Also the same yere, betuen Cristemasse and Candelmasse, the town of Mileu’ was yolden to the kyng, and alle cheveteyns with the sowdyours were ledd to Parys in the croke of the mone they myght seyn, for of them there skaped thens but fewe on lyve.

This yere, on the thridde day of December, began the parlement at Westm’, whiche was holden be the duke of Bedforde, thanne lyftenaunte of Engelond; in whiche parlement was graunted a quynzyme and a dyme, the kyng hymself thanne lyenge at the sege of Mieux in Bry’, in Fraunce, the half of whiche xve and xme to be payd at the purification of oure lady nest folwynge, and that the kynges deputes schulde resceyve in payement swyche gold as wente; that is to seye, zif a noble were worth v s. viij d., the kyng schulde taken it to the value of vj s. viij d.; and if it were lesse than v s. viij d., thanne the persone so payenge that money schulde make good the surplus to110 the value of v s. viij d. to the kyng, in contentyng the kyng of the hol noble of vj s. viij d.; and in cas the noble so paied were better of value thanne v s. viij d., it was accorded that the kyng schulde paye to the awnere therof the overplus above v s. viij d.: also thanne was gret scarcete of whit moneye in Engelond, that is to seye of sylver, for every man, because of the said newe eschange, outred gold and kept sylver in as moche as they myghte. The birthe of kyng Herry the vjte.Also in the forseid monthe of Decembre, on seynt Nicholl day, the yere of oure lord a mlccccxxj, Herry the kynges sone was born at Wyndesore, whos goodfadres at the font were Herry bysshop of Wynchestre, sithe Cardynall, and John duke of Bedford, and Jacomyn duchesse of Holand was hys goodmodyr; and his goodfadir at his confirmacion was Herry Chicheley erchebysshop of Caunterbury. Mewes in Bry’ was yolden.
The newe wedercock of Poules was set up.Also in the monthe of May,[106] the yere of oure lord a mlccccxxij, and of the kyng the x yere, the citee of Mewes in Bry’, whiche longe tyme hadde be seged, was yolde to the kyng. Also the same yere, the xiij day of August, the newe wedircock was set upon Seynt Poules stepill of London: and the laste day of the same monthe of August deyde the most excellent, and most graciouse, and most doutyd prynce of Cristen chivalrye, Herry of Engelond the fyfthe, after the conquest the xe, whos boones, in the begynnyng of Novembre folwynge, were brought into Engelond, and after to London; and on the vij day of Novembre he was ryally entered at Westm’.

NOMI’A MAIOR’ ET VICECOMITU’ LONDON’ TEMPORE REG’ H’ SEXTI PU’ NON UNI’ ANNI QUI REGNARE CEPIT PRIMO DIE SEPTE’BR’ ANNO D’N’I MILL’MO CCCCmo xxijdo.

This same yere upon a Wednesday the xxj day of Octobre, on the morwe be vj [107] and vij on the belle, deyde kyng Charles kyng of Fraunce the kynges aiel of Engelond, in his ostell of seynt Poule withinne Parys, whos body was worthyly entered in seynt Denys. Also the vij daye of Novembre the same yere, oure kyng Herry the fyfthe nobely was entered at Westm’. A parlement at Westm’.
The governaunce of the K. was ordeyned by parlemente.
Wm. Tailor an heretyk was brent.Also in this yere the kynges parlement was holden at Westm’, which parlement began the Moneday nest before the feste of seynt Martyn, that is to seye the ix day of Novembre, in whiche parlement was ordeyned the governaunce of the kyng, how and in what manere he schulde be governed in his tender age.[108] Also in this yere on the firste day of March Maistr’ William Taillor prest, was disgraded of his ordre of presthood; and in the morwe after he was brent in Smythefeld for certeyn poyntes of heresye.

This yere upon Satyrday, that is to sey the xiij day of Novembre, the kyng and the quene his modir remeved from Wyn112desore toward the parlement at London, the whiche began at Westm’ on the xxj day of Octobre before; and on the forsaid xiij day of Novembre at nyght, the kyng and the quene were logged at Stanes; and upon the morwe thanne beynge Soneday the kyng was born toward his modir chare, and he schriked and cryed and sprang, and wolde nought be caryed forthere; wherefore he was born ayeyne into the inne, and there he bood the Soneday al day; and on the Moneday he was born to the chare, and he beynge thanne gladde and merye chered; and at even come to Kyngeston, and there rested the nyght; and on the Tuesday he come to Kenyngton; and upon Wednesday he cam to London [109] with a glad sembland and mery chere, in his modyr barm in the chare rood thorugh London to Westm’; and on the morwe brought into the parlement. The weddyng of the kyng of Scottes.Also this same yere in the monthe of Feverer, Sire Jamys Styward kyng of Scottes spoused dame Johanne the duchesses doughter of Clarence, of hir first housbonde the erle of Somerset, at seynt Mary Overe. The bataill of Vermill.And this same yere the xvij day of August was the bataill of Vermill in Perche, betuen the duke of Bedford regent of Fraunce, and the Armynakes, with the Scottes: but thankyd be God the victorye fell to the Englyssh partye; for there were sclayn of oure adversaryes the erle of Bougham, the erle Douglas, the erle of Almar, the erle of Tonnar, the erle of Vauntedore, and the viscount Nerbon that traytourly sclewe the duke of Burgoyne knelyng before the dolphyn at Moterell, and manye mo to the noumbre of x ml and mo: but the moste vengeaunce fell upon the proude Scottes; for there wente to schep wassh of them the same day mo thanne xvijc of cote armes be a countynge of herowdes.

This same yere [110] the duke of Gloucestre with his wyf the duchesse of Holand wenten over the see into Henauude, for to taken possession of hys wyfves herytage, where he was worschipfully receyved and taken for chif lord of the lond: but not longe after it happed so that he was fayn to retorne hom ageyn, and lefte hys lady behynde hym with all the tresour that he broughte thedyr, in a town that men callen Mouns in Henauude, the whiche was swore to hym to ben good and trewe, and to kepe the lady in sauf warde tyl he come ageyn: but at the laste they that weren in the forseid town becomen fals, and delyvered that worthy lady to the duke of Burgoyn; and he sent here to Gaunt there to ben kept, but as God wolde for here, withinne a schort tyme thens sche ascaped awey in a mannes wede, and com to a town of hire owne in Seland that is clepyd Sirixe, and fro thens into Holand that is called Tirgowe, where with helpe of here frendes that were there, sche withstood the duke of Burgoyne and al his malyce. The sege of Mauns.Also the same yere the erle of Salysbury, the erle of Suffolk, the lord of Wylughby, and the lord Scales, with there meyne leyden a sege to the citee of Mauns, the whiche citee was yolden up to them withinne schort tyme, with manye othere stronge townes and castells to the nowmbre of xxxvjti.

This same yere, that is for to seye the morwe after seynt114 Symon day and Jude, the meire rood to Westm’, and took his charge as the custume is of the meires of London. And the same day at even and alle the nyght folwynge was strong and grete wacche: An hevynesse roos betuen the bysshop of Wynchestre and the duke of Gloucestre.and the morwe nest folwynge moche peple of the citee of London in savynge and kepynge the kynges pees, arraied in sufficient harnes to stonde with the duke of Gloucestre protector of Engelond, and be the maire of London, and in defens of the citee ageyn the bysshop of Wynchestre;[111] and the peple that to hym was withholden of the countes of Lancastre and Chestre, and of othere cuntres; but thankyd be God there was non harme don on neythir partye. The kyng was mad knyght.
Kyng Herry made manye knyghtes with his owne handes.Also the same yere John duke of Bedford made kyng Herry the vjte, his goodsone, knyght at Leyc’, upon Witsoneday. And anoon forthwith the kyng Herry dobbed alle the knyghtes whos names here folwen, that is for to sey, first, the duke of York, the sone and heire of the duke of Norfolk, the erle of Oxenford, the erle of Westmerland, the sone and heire of the erle of Northumberland, the sone and heire of the erle of Ormond, the lord Roos, Sire James Boteller, the lord Mautravers, Sr. Herry Gray of Tankervyle, Sr. William Nevyle lord of Faucomberge, Sr. George Nevyle lord of Latymer, the lord of Welles, the lord of Berkeley, the sone and heir of the lord Talbot, Sire Raf Grey of Werke, Sire Robert Veer, Sire Richard de Gray, Sire Edmond of Hungerford, Sire Robert of Segewyk was hanged [in another hand.]Wyngefeld, Sire John Botiller, Sire Reynald Cobham, Sire John Passhelewe, Sire Thomas Tunstall, Sire John Chidiok, Sire Rauf Langeford, Sire William Drury, Sire William ap Thomas, Sire Richard Carbonell, Sire Richard Wodevyll, Sire John Shardelowe, Sire Nicholl Blouket, Sire115 Rauf Radclyff, Sire Edmond Trafford, Sire William Cheyne, Sire William Babyngton, Sire John Juyn, and Sire Gilbert Beauchamp.

This same yere aboughte Schroftyd the duke of Bedford wyth his lady passed the see to Caleys: and a litel before passyd the see to Caleys Herry bysshop of Wynchestre; The bysshop of Wynchestre was mad cardynall.and upon oure lady day the Annunciacion anno d’n’i mill’mo ccccmo xxvij, the bysshop of Wynchestre was made cardynall in seynt Marye chirche of Caleys ful solempnely, where were the same time the duke of Bedford regent of Fraunce and his duchesse; The cardynall haat.and before or the masse was begonne whiche the bysshop schulde don, the popes cosyn broughte the cardinall hat and with gret reverence sette it upon the heyghe auter, and there it stood alle the masse tyme; and whanne the bysshop hadde don the masse and was unreversed, Wille Wawe was hanged: the hedes of buttes of suete wyn were smeton out [in another hand.]thanne was don on hym an abyte in manere of a freres cope of fyn scarlet furred with pured; and thanne he there knelynge upon his knees before the heighe auter the popes bulles were reed to hym; and the firste bulle was his charge; and the seconde bulle was that he schulde have and reioyssen alle the benefices sp’uelx ant temperellx that he hath in Engelond; and whanne this was don the regent of Fraunce duke of Bedford, How the hat was seet on his heed.wente up to the heighe auter and tok the cardinall haat and sette it upon the bysshopes heed of Wynchestre, and bowed and obbeyed to the bysshop and tok hym before hym.116

This same yere [113] fro the begynnyng of April into Halwemasse was so gret abundance of reyn, where thorugh nought only hey was distroied, but also moche corn, for it reyned almost every other day more or lasse.

This same yere,[114] the iij day of Novembre, deyde the worshipfull Sire Thomas de Mountagu erle of Salisbury before Orlyons, thorugh schetyng of a gonne as he lay at the sege before the forseid cite; God have mercy on his sowle. Forthermore duryng that sege, at the begynnyng of Lenten neste folwynge, vii ml of Frensshmen and mo with many a Scot fel upon oure men as they wente thiderward with vitailes be sydes a town that is called Yamvyll, where Sr. John Styward and his brother with mo than vijc Scottes that thei were governours of, lighten a fote, and were sclayn every modir sone be Sr. John Fastolf, Sr. Thomas Rempston, and othere capitayns of oure syde, the whiche hadde nought passyng vc fytynge men with them at all withoughte chartres; but Charles of Burbon and the bastard of Orlions, with alle the Frensshmen sittynge on horsbak seynge the governaunce, trussed them and wente away. Also a lytel before Witsonday nest folwynge, was the forsayd sege broken up be the duke of Launson and his power; and alle oure lordes and capitayns of the same sege disparpled, that is to say the117 erle of Suffolk and his brother, the lord Talbot, and the lord Scales with many mo, the whiche sone after were taken everych on at myschief. The mordryng of a widewe be a fals Breton.Furthermore, this same yere betwen Estren and Witsontyd a fals Breton mordred a wydewe in here bed, the whiche fond hym for almasse withoughte Algate in the subbarbes of London, and bar awey alle that sche hadde, and afterward he toke socour of Holy Chirche at seynt Georges in Suthwerk; but at the laste he tok the crosse and forswore the kynges land; and as he wente hys way it happyd hym to come be the same place where he had don that cursed dede, Here women maden an ende of the Breton.and women of the same paryssh comen out with stones and canell dong, and there maden an ende of hym in the hyghe strete, so that he wente no ferthere notwithstondynge the constables and othere men also, whiche hadde hym undir governaunce to conduyt hym forward, for there was a gret companye of them, and hadde no mercy, no pyte. Also this same yere, the viij day of Novembre, the duke of Norfolk with many a gentilman squyer and yoman, tok his barge at seynt Marye Overeye betwen iiij and v of the belle ayens nyght, and purposyd to passe thorugh London bregge, where the forseid barge thorugh mysgovernaunce of steeryng, fill upon the pyles and overwhelvyd, the whiche was cause of spyllyng of many a gentilman and othere, the more ruthe was, but as God wolde, The duke of Norfolk was in perille at London bregge.the duke hymself and too or iij othere gentylmen seenge that myschief, leped upon the pyles, and so were saved thorugh helpe of them that weren above the brigge, with castyng down of ropes.

The same yere, upon seynt Leonardes day, the kyng Herry the vjte, noughfully viij yere old, was crowned at Westm’;[115] at whos coronacion was mad xxxv knyghtes; and on Seynt Georges day nest folwynge, afore noon, he passyd over the see to Caleys: also the xxiij day of May, after noon ayens nyght, before the town of Compigne, The pucell de Dieu was take.there was a woman taken armed in the feld, with many othere capitayns, the whiche was called la pucelle de Dieu, a fals wyche, for thorugh here power the dolphyn and alle oure adversaries trusted holy to have conquered ayen alle Fraunce, and nevere to an had the wers in place that sche hadde ben inne, for they helden here amonges them as for a prophetesse and a worthy goddesse. A wolle pakker a heretike.Also the same yere, aboughte Candelmasse, Richard Hunden, a wolle packer, was dampned as a fals heretyk and a lollard, and brent at the Tour hill, the whiche was of so large consciens that he wolde eten fleysh on Frydays.[116]

This same yere aboughte Mydlenten was Sr. Thomas Baggeley, prest and vyker of Mabenden in Essex, besyde Walden, dysgraded of his presthod and dampned as for an heretyk, and afterward brent in Smythfeld. Lollardes.Also the same yere, in somer, the kyng beynge in Fraunce with alle hise temperall lordes for the most partye, the lollardes, with manye mo othere that119 weren enclyned to there secte, casted billes aboughte in every good town in Engelond, and purposed for to have made a rysyng and distroyed Holy Chirche and the reaume; but, thanked be Almyghty God, there falsnesse and there treson was sone aspyed and distroyed; for on William Maundevyll, sum tyme a wever of Abendon, and bailly of the town, that called hymself Jakke Sharp a lollerd was behedyd at Abyndon.Jakke Sharp of Wygemoresland in Walys, and schulde a ben chief mayster of them alle, was taken at Oxenford, and hedyd at the seid toun of Abyndon, on Tuesday in Whitson wyke, with many mo of his felas, and in many mo othere places of the reaume also.

This same yere, the xvj day of Decembre, G beynge the dominical lettre, kyng Herry the vjte was crowned kyng of Fraunce at Parys, in the chirche of Notre Dame, with gret solempnyte and rialte; and anoon after he turned ayen into Engelond, and landed at Dovorr the ix day of Feverer’, and come to London the xxj day of the same month, where he was ryally resceyved, alle the craftes rydynge ayens hym all in white.

This same yere the duke of Bedford regent of Fraunce com to Caleys the Tuesday before Estre day;[118] and in the morwe after the sowdeours were arested and put into warde: and in120 the Estre woke the forsaid regent rood into Picardie to Tyrywe, The regent of Fraunce was wedd.
Sowdeors of Caleys were banschyd and some ded.and there the bysshop of Tyrewyn dede wedde the regent to the erles doughter of Seynt Poule; and whanne they were weddyd he com to Caleys ageyn: and the xj day of Jun, on seynt Barnabe day, were foure sowdeours of Caleys beheded; that is for to sey, John Maddeley, John Lunday, Thomas Palmere, and Thomas Talbot; and v score and x banshyd that same tyme, and before that tyme were banshyd vj score; and so on Midsomer-even after com the regent and his lady to London, that faire citee.

This same yere,[119] aboughte Whitsondtyd, the lollardes of Prage were distroyd, for at too jorneys there were sclayn of them mo thanne xxti ml with there cheveteynes; that is for to sey, P’copins, Shaphoo, and Lupus, P’sbit; and there also was taken onlyve Maister Piers clerk of Engelond, and an Englyssh heretyk and enemye to all Holy Chirche. A gret frost durynge xj wokes.Also this same yere was a gret frost and a strong, lastynge more than xj wokes, for it dured fro seynt Kateryne even unto seynt Scolastyce day the virgyne, in Feverer.

This same yere [120] in hervest tyme, at the citee of Aras, there was a gret counseill and a strong, to trete for the pees betwen Engelond and Fraunce, of manye a gret lord both sp’uelx and121 temperelx, but as it is seyn ofte tyme that undir tretys is treson, so was it there; for The duk of Burgoyn was sworn
of whiche oth he was assoyled of a cardynall.the duke of Burgoyne that was sworn upon Godes by sacred, to be good and trewe to the kyng of Engelond and hise successores, there, of a cardinall that was callyd cardinall of Crouche, unwetynge the holy fadyr the pope, was asoyled of that othe to holde with oure adversarye the dolphyn, that hadde mordred his owne fadyr before tyme. Also this same yere the kyng of Aragon, the kyng of Navare, and the Maister of seynt James, with iij c knyghtes and squyers and mo, were taken in the see of Jauneys, upon seynt Domynyk day.

This same yere [121] upon Alle Halwe nyght, was the toun of Depe stole and take with Armynakes: and on newe yeres tyd nest folwynge the toun of Harflieu also, for defaute of good kepynge, the whiche kyng Herry the fyfthe gette before the bataill of Agincourt, with a strong sege and a ryall, first of alle the townes of Normandye. The duke of Burgoyne with a ryall power leyde sege to Caleys:Also this same yere the ix day of Jule, the duke of Burgoyn with a ryal power leyde a sege to the town of Calys, and contynued unto the xxix day of the same monthe; and that day, blessyd be Almighty God, his male writhed, for a strong bastyll that he hadde mad upon the water syde was taken and distroied, and alle that were withinne sclayn unto the noumbre of vc men oughttake iij persones, that is for to sey, a knyght, a prest, a frere, the whiche knyght seyde that the duke of Burgoyn was nought thre men from hym in the122 same bastill that tyme that he was taken; and there they sette there tentes a fyre, and wenten there way, and loste there stuff.and thanne a morwe erly also the oost sette there tentes a fyre, and wente there wey with sorwe, levynge gret stuff behynden them bothe of vitailes and of other thynges also. And the seconde day of August nest folwynge, the duke of Gloucestre, with the duke of Norfolk, the erle of Warrewyk, the erle of Stafford, the erle of Hunt’, the erle of Oxonford, the erle of Devenschire, the erle of Morteyn, and the erle of Uwe, with manye othere lordes, barons, and knyghtes, squyers, and yemen, unto the noumbre of l ml and mo, passyd over the see with v hundred seyles and mo, and londed at the forseid toun of Caleys; Oure lordes wenten into Flaundres and distroyed the town of Poperyng, and manye othere townes.
The kyng of Scottes leyde sege to the castell of Rokysburgh, and shamfully brak up the sege and wenten away.and the iiij day after, they passyd forth over the water of Gravelynge and comen into Flaundres, where they brenden and sclewe all that they myghte come to xj dayes durynge, in to gret harm of that cuntre, and pryncypally to the toun of Poperynge and of Belle, where Haukyns drank be note withoughte cuppe; and thanne they turned ageyn and comen hom sauf and sounde, blessyd be God of his soude. Also this same yere, the xiij day of August, the kyng of Scottes and hys wyf lyenge at the sege of the castell of Rokysburgh, with a gret power of Scottes and a gret ordinaunce brak up the sege and wente his way shamfully, and lefte his ordinaunce and his stuff behynden hym as a coward, and mo thanne vij score of his galyentires sclayn and taken at the same sege: and so myghte he wel sey, that in the crook of the mone com he thedirward, and in the wylde wanyande wente homward:

This yere, the secunde day of Januar, deyde quene Katerine, the whiche was kyng Herry wyf the fyfthe. Also this yere, the xiiij day of Januar, fyl doun a tour of London bregge toward Suthwerk, with too arches and al that stood therupon.[123] Also this same yere, the ix day of Jull, deyde quen Jane kyng Herry the forthe wyf, that before was duchesse of Bretayne. Also this same yere deyde alle the lyons that weren in the Tour of London, the whiche was nought sen in no mannys tyme before out of mynde.

This same yere on Oweyn, no man of birthe nother of lyflode, brak out of Neugate ayens nyght at serchynge tyme, thorugh helpe of his prest, and wente his wey hurtynge foule his kepere; but at the laste, blessyd be God, he was taken ayeyn; the whiche Oweyn hadde prevyly wedded the quene Katerine, and hadde iij or iiijor chyldren be here, unwetyng the comoun peple tyl that sche were ded and beryed. Will’m Goodgrom was hangen.Also the same yere on William Goodgrom of London, corsour, for scleynge of a man of court in Hosyere lane be syde Smythfeld, was hangen at Tybourne.

This same yere,[124] upon newe yere day after mete, at Baynard castell fyl a down sodeynly a stak of wode and killed iij or iiij124 men myschevesly, withoughten othere mo that were there sore hurt. Also anon after at Bedford, on the schire day, weren xviij men at onys murdred myschevously withoughte any strok, in fallynge doun hedlynge at the stayre of there Shire-hous, and manye mo foule hurt. Obit’ comit’ Warr’.Also the laste day of Aprill, at Roane in Normandye died Sr. Richard Beauchamp erle of Warwyk, there beynge lieutenaunt undir the kyng, on whos soule God have mercy! Knyghtes of the bath.Also the same yere anon after Estre, W. Estfeld of London, mercere, and Lowys John were made knyghtes of the bathe. Also the same yere was the newe cunduyt in Fletstret begonnen to make. A gret derthe of corn.Also this yere was so gret derthe of corn that men were fayn to ete rye bred and barly, the whiche nevere ett non before; and rather thanne fayle, bred mad of benes, peses, and fecches, and wel were hym that might hav ynowe therof; for a bushel of whete was worth iii s. at London, and in sum cuntre derrere; and that mad bakers lordes: but y prey God nevere let us see that day no more yf his wille be. The erle of Hunt’ with a faire meyne wente over the see into Gascoigne.Also in this same yere wente over the see the erle of Huntyngdon with a faire mene into Gascoigne and Gyan, for to defende that land fro the kynges enemyes. Also the same yere wente the duke of Norfolke, the erle of Stafford, the erchebysshop of York, and othere lordes and bysshoppes over the see to Caleys, for to trete for the pees betwen Engelond and Fraunce and betwen Engelond and Flaundres. Robert Chicheley citezein of London deyde.
Bawdes were sett on the pillory, and strompettes were led to Neugate.Also the same yere deyde a worthy citezein of London, Robert Chicheley, grocer, that yaf to xxiiij hundred men a gret dyner. Also the same yere in hervest tyme weren too baudes sett on the pillory, and iij strompettes were led to Neugate, and there were put on there125 hedes ray hodees, and with roddes of a cubitt of lengthe in there handes, and so they were leed be the schirreves officers to the pillory in Cornhull, and there was there charge reed, how they schulde be put out of the franchise of London citee, and no more comyn withinne the walles of the citee, but they comen in with there raye hodees on there hedes upon certeyn peyne. Also the same yere in hervest tyme were brent at the standard in Chepe diverses nettes, cappes, sadelys, and othere chaffare, for they were falsly mad and deseyvably to the peple.

This same yere [125] deyde the countesse of Arundell and of Huntyngdon, in Gascoigne. Also this yere were too bargemen hanged in Tempse beyownde seynt Katerines, for scleying of iij Flemynges and a child, beynge in a schip in Tempse of there contre, and weren homward; and there they hengen til the water hadde wasted them be ebbyng and flowyd, so the water bett upon them. Maist’ Richard was brent as a heretike.Also the same yere upon a Fryday, that is for to sey the ijde day of August, was on Maister Richard Wyche, sum tyme vicary of Depforde in the schire of Kent, brent for lollery at the Tour hill; Lowlars.and there manye of his secte and of his lord wenten and offred at the same place where he was brent, tyl manye of them were aspyed and put in prison; and for doughte that there schulde a ben a maner of arysyng of suyche mysbelevers, the maire, the schirreves, with alle the aldermen, be comown counseill and comown assent, dede ordeyne diverses wacches of diverses wardes of the citee, that a certeyn schulde126 wacchen a day and as manye a nyght at the same place, unto the tyme that the maire with his counseill wolde sende them discharge. Also this same yere on a Fryday, that is for to seye the xij day of August, aboughte iij of the belle at afternoon, there fill a sodeyn thondyr clap with a gret reyn and a lyghtnynge, the Ignis.whiche lyghtnynge entred in at a wynde and distroyd moche hey which was stuffed in a gret hous at the Sterre in Bredstrete; and the remenaunt of the hey was cast out and had in to Chepe, the quantyte of l cart full: and so, worschepyd be God, there was not moche more harme do, but palbrakyd sore therein and lost the hey. Ignis.Also on Fryday xiiij nyght after that, in the nyghtes tyme was a goldsmyth hous be syde the crosse in Chepe althernest the Egle brent, and al that was therinne; but it were the lesse and a part of the tannere at the Egle, and the good man of the Egle hadde moche harm as it was seyd. Also in this same yere began the parlement at Westm’ at Mighelmesse ant lasted to Cristemasse, and enyorned til after the feste to Redyng in Berkschire, and so it lasted there til Schroftyd, and there endyd; Merchaunts straungers to be oosted with Englisshmen.and at the whiche parlement was ordeyned that all marchauntes strangers schulde gon to oost with Englysshmen withinne too dayes after they be comen into the lond, in what partie of the lond soevery thei be, to selle there marchaundyse, and bye ayen withinne viij monthes after there comynge, and gon ageyn withinne the same terme; and in cas that eny of there marchaundyse leve unsold at there partynge, they to have it with them withoughten eny custom payenge; and the goodes that thei bye and selle shall yeven to there hoost for every xx s., worth, ij d.,127 except the Estirlynges. Also at the same parlement was graunted that the kynges vitaill schulde be payed; and the town of Caleys for to be made ageyn; and the see for to be kept with the V portus of Engelond; and that every houshold of Duche peple shall paye to the kyng be yere xvj d., and every servaunt of them shall paye vj be yere. And in this yere come pardon into Engelond fro the pope of Rome, undir his lettre and seall of leed, of as moche power as he has, to every prest to assoilen every Cristeman that yevyth a part of his goodes to the sustentacion of the popes werres in strengthynge of the Cristen feith. Also in this yere was cried pees betwen Engelond and Zelond, Holond ant Freselond perpetuell. Also in this same yere was a man drawen and hanged, hedid, and quarterd, and sett up at diverses places, for he tok up bestes and all maner vitaill in the cuntre in the kynges name, and was but a thef, and so robbyd the cuntre with treson.

In this same yere wente the duke of York into Normandye, with the erle of Oxenford, the erle of Ewe, Sire Richard Wodevyle, Sr. Jamys of Ormond, the lord Clynton, and many othere gentiles, with a faire retenewe of peple, and was mad regent of Fraunce for v yere, and he shippyd at Portesmouth in Hamptonshire. In this same yere, the morwe after seynt Katerine day, was a chalange in armes provyd afore the kyng, withinne lystes mad in Smythfeld, betwen Sr. Richard Wodevill, knyght of Engelond, and a knyght of Spayn, whiche knyght for his128 lady love shulde fyghten in certeyn poynts of armes, that is to seye, with ax, swerd, and daggere; and or thei hadde do with the polax the kyng cried, hoo.[126] Also moreover in the same yere was a fightyng at the Tothill betwen too thefes, a pelour and a defendant, and the pelour hadde the feld and victory of the defendant withinne thre strokes. Also in this yere was the duke of Orlyons delyvered out of preson, and sworn to the kyng and othere certeyn lordes that that tyme were there present, that he shulde nevere beren armes ageyn the corowne of Engelond; and also that he schulde trete for pees betwen bothe reaumes Engelond and Fraunce, and ellys he to comen ayen into Engelond and yelden hym to the kynges grace. And in this yere was wyn, salt, and whete, gret chepe in the parties of Engelond. Also in this same yere the duchesse of Gloucetre was arested and put in Holt, for she was suspecte of treson; and a clerk that was longyng to here, whiche was clepyd Roger Whiche, was taken for werchynge of sorcery ayens the kyng, and he was put into the Tour; and after, he was brought into Poules, and there he stood up on high on a scaffold ageyn Poulys crosse on a Sonday, and there he was arraied like as he schulde never the in his garnementys, and there was honged rounde aboughte hym alle hise intrumentis whiche were taken with hym, and so shewyd among all the peple; and after, he was broughte to fore the lordys, and there he was examyned; and after broughte to the Yeldehalle, and there he was regned aforen the lordes of the kynges counseill and to fore alle the juges of this land; The lady of Gloucestre.and anon after, the lady of Gloucestre afornseid was mad to apere thre sondry dayes129 afore the kyng and alle hise lordes spiruell and temperell; and there she was examyned of diverses poyntes of wicchecraft, of the whiche she knowleched that she hadde used thorugh the counseill of the Wicche of Eye; the whiche was brent on the even of Symond and Jude in Smythefeld.

In this yere [127] my lady of Gloucestre hadde confessyd here wichecraft, as it is afornseid she was yoyned be alle the spriualte assent to penaunce; to comen to London fro Westm’ on the Moneday next suynge and londe at the Temple brigge out of here barge, and there [128] she tok a taper of wax of ijlb in here hond, and wente so thorugh Fletstrete on here foot and hoodles unto Poules, and there she offred up here taper at the high auter; and on the Wednesday nest suenge she com fro Westm’, be barge, unto the Swan in Tempse strete, and there she londyd, and wente forthe on here feet thorugh Brigge strete, Groschirche strete, to the Ledenhalle, and so to Crichirche in the wyse afornseyd; and on Fryday she londed at Quen hithe, and so forth she wente into Chepe, and so to seynt Mighell in Cornhull, in the forme afornseid; and at iche of the tymes the mair with the schirreves and the craftes of London were redy at the places there she sholde londe: and after, Roger the clerk afornseyd on the Satirday, that is to sey the xviij day of Novembre, was brought to the Yeldehalle, with Sire John Hom prest, and William Wodham squyer, the 130whiche Sr. John and William hadden there chartres at that tyme; and the clerk was dampned, and the same day was drawe fro the Tour of London to Tiborn, and there hanged, hedyd, and quartered, and the heed sett upon London bregge; and his oo quarter at Hereford, another at Oxenford, another at York, and the fourthe at Cambregge; and the lady put in prison, and after sent to Chestre, there to byde whill she lyvyth. Also the same yere was a parlement, and it began at Cristemas and lasted til Estre; at the whiche parlement was ordeyned that the see schulde ben kept half a yere at the kynges coost, and therfore to paye an holl fyftene, and London to lene hym iij ml lib’. And that yere, the laste day of —— save on, there was a batayle in Smythfeld, withinne lystes, aforn the kyng, betwen the lord Beaufe a Arrogonere, and John Ashele squyer of the kynges hous, a chalange for spere to caste pollex and dagger at the lord aforeseyd in brekynge of his gauntelette and reysyng of his umbrary, and hadde hym at myschief redy to a popped hym in the face with his dagger, tyl the kyng cried hoo: and there the seid Asshle was mad knyght in the feld.[129] Talbot was made erle of Shrewesbery.
Gascoyn and Gyan loste.Also in this same yere come the lord Talbot out of Fraunce and was mad erle of Schrovesbury, and wente over into Fraunce ayen with iij ml men. And in this yere come tidynges unto the kyng that Gascoigne and Gyan was lost, save Burdeux and Bayon, be the Armynakes take: in the mene tyme ambassatours of the same partye of Armynackes were come unto the kyng to entrete for a mariage of the erle of Armynakes doughter to be weddyd to the kyng; but because of the same treson the seid mariage was daisshyd. Also this same yere wente a werre in foure parties of Engelond, of every coost131 xxiiij schippes a werre. And in that same yere com hom out of Fraunce the erle of Ewe and Sr. James of Urmond into Engelond.

In this same yere the erle of Schrovesbery leide a sege bothe be water and be lande to Depe, and kepte it awhile til he ferde so foule with hys men that they wolde no lenger abyde with hym; and so he was fayn to hye hym thens to Roane, and so brake sege. Also in this yere the citezeins of the citee of Norwich aresyn ayens the priour of Crichyrche of the same citee, for certeyn newe customes and bondschipes that he wolde have begonne to have reysyd of the seid citee of alle the comons therinne: wherfore the comons aroos, and wolde a fryred and sautyd the priory and have distroid the prior of the place into the tyme they hadde the fals contryved evidens that weren sealed be old tyme with the comoun seall unwetynge of them, but thorugh a priour of old, and certeyn false aldermen of the same citee, that now arn dede; and the comowns kepte with strong hond the town ayens the duke of Norfolk and alle his pissounz, that wolde a comen thider for the cause afornseid. Wherfore the kyng sente thider the chief juste John Fortescu, the erle of Stafford, and the erle of Huntyngdon, and seten there in sessyons, at the whiche were manye of the citee endyted, and the priour also; and also the citee loste there libertes and fraunchises and fredoms that they hadde afore, and all 132the citee cesed into the kynges hand; and a knyght callyd Sr. John Clyfton mad capytayn therof: and manye of the worthy men there of the citee ben fled into othere cuntres over the see, for drede, with as moche of there goodes as they myghte have with them, and lefte there faire places stonde stille. Sr. William Bonevylle went to Burdeux.Also in this yere wente Sr. William Bonevylle, knyght, to Burdeux with viij c of goode fytynge men, to kepe the town unto the tvme a grett retenewe myght be mad and sent thider. Also in this yere deide Henry Chicheley erchebisshop of Caunterbury, in the Passion weke, and is beryed in Caunterbury; and for hym was the bisshop of Bathe, magister John Stafford chaunceler of Engelond, stalled erchebisshop of Caunterbury. And in this yere wente over the see the erle of Somerset with x ml of goode men; and he hadde over with hym gret ordinance of gonnes, brigges, scalyng laddres, and manye mo othere thinges whom J’hu spede for his mercy. And in this yere com over from Normandye the cardinall erchebisshop of Roon, chaunceler of Normandye and bysshop of Ely into Engelond, with the erle of Schrovesbury that was the lord Talbot, and my lord Facombregg, with the Tresore of Normandye and manye othere. And in this yere was lost a good town in Normandye of the lord Scales, that is called there Graundevyle, in the coost of Baas Normandye, toward the coost of Bretaigne, wyth his bastard sone therinne; and the substaunce of alle the good that the lord Scales hadde in that land was thereinne, the whiche was falsly sold be a man that he trusted most too whiles he was at Roon. Also in this yere was gret losse of shippes in the narwe see on oure party, be enemyes of Depe, Boloigne, and Bretayne. Also in this133 same yere was cryed that alle men that wolde aventur ony corn or vitaill to Burdeux or to Bayon, or to ony othere place of that cost on oure party, schulde gon custom fre; whiche caused moche corn and vitaill to be shipped thider. Also in this yere was a mad woman pressyd to the deth, for sche hadde spoken ungoodly and to presomptuosly unto oure liege lord the kyng at the Blak heth; and whanne she was brought aforn the juge she wolde not speke a word, for the which obstinacye she was put to the deth as y have rehersyd beforn. Also this same yere deide the bisshop Tirvyn bisshop of Ely, the —— day of Septembre, and lyth....

[Here the Chronicle in the Harleian MS. terminates: the following continuation is copied from the Cottonian MS. Julius B. I.]

This yere came the duke of Somerset out of Fraunce into Engelond, that had lost many of his men: and that yere the erle of Suffolk, the privey seall, Sir Robert Rose, and the kyngs secretarie went in ambassade into Fraunce to trete for peas; an peas was made for xviij monethes; and the suerte hadde of the maiden for mariage afore record of alle the rial of Fraunce, in presence of our ambassades: and so comen ageyne into England presentyng unto the kyng thes tithings, for the which in alle England and Fraunce was made grete solempnite and134 ioie. And this yere deide the duke of Somerset, on whose soule God have mercy. And that yere was ordeyned thurgh England that no market shuld be more upon the Sonday. Creacion Ao. xxij R’ H. vjti.And in that yere the erle of Stafford was made duke of Bukkyngham, the erle of Dorset markes of Dorset, the erle of Suffolk markes of Suffolke, and the erle of Warwike duke of Warwike.

This yere came quene Margret into England with grete roialte of the kyngs oost, and was receyved at London the xxviij day of May in the moost goodly wise, with alle the citezeins on horsebak ridyng ayenst hir to the Blak heth in blew gownes and rede hodes; and in the cite in diverse places goodly sights ayenst hir comyng: and on the xxx day of May, that was Sonday, sche was crowned at Westm’, and iij daies after open justs for alle that wolde come. And this yere the priour of Kilmayne in Irland appeelid the erle of Ormond. And this yere came certen ambassadours out of Fraunce, undre saf condit, to treat for peas general to be hadde, which accordid not but for xij monthes after the xviij monthes afore writen, and so went home ayen. And this yere was the translacion of Seint Edwarde made holy day in alle London. Also in this yere Paulis steple was set a fire with lyghtnyng.

This yere was the parliament of Bury set, for the good duk of Gloucestre, with grete treason prively wrought ayenst his comyng thider, and was logid in the hospitale, for whom was reised iijxx ml men; and as he sate at his souper, lordes of diverse degrees came to hym in the kings name, dischargyng hym of the kyngs presence and of alle other maner answeres; and so thei arestid hym of high treason, which he mekely obeied; and his men were voided from him ful hevyly departyng; and after he deceased, the certente howe God knowes: and than was the parliament fynisshed and done. Also this yere was the bataile betwene the Armurer and his man.

In this yere was an heretike brent at the Tour Hill upon Hokmonday. Also this yere were grete flodes, which drowned Stebenhith marshe, Rayneham, and other lowe places. And this yere a quarter of whete fil fro the price of ix s. to iiij s.

In this yere was Normandy lost, and the duke of Suffolk136 bihedid in a ship called Nicholas of the Tour. Also the comoens of Kent arose, and Jak Cade was their capitayne, callyng hymself Mortymer, by whome were ij knyghts slayne at Sevenok in Kent, that is to sey Sr. Humfrey Stafford and Sr. William Stafford, brethren, and many of theire men. Than the kyng and his hoste went to Barkhamsted; and after seint Petres day, the capitayne came ageyn to Blakheth, and so over London brige into London on Friday at after none, and bigan to riful and robbe: and on Saturday he came over the brigge ageyne, and than were the men of Essex embatailid at the Mile ende, and there was Crowmer shiref of Kent bihedid; also at the standard in Chepe was Sr. Jamys Fynes lord Saye bihedid, and the body drawen into Suthwerk; and there was bihedid Hawardyne a theef and a man queller. And on the Sonday at nyght, the lord Scalis and Mathewe Gough with theire mayny, and with men of London, wenten over the brigge to the Stulpes in Suthwerke, and faught with the capitayne and his host al that nyght til on the Moneday ix of the clok, and that was seint Thomas even, and than the capitayne fired the drawbrigge; and there was slayne Mathewe Gough and Sutton the alderman: and after that the capitayne fledde into Sussex, and thider was pursued and slayne. And after, in the same yere, Richard Plantagenet duke of Yorke came out of Irland unto Westm’, with roial people, lowely bisechyng the kyng that justice and execucion of his lawes myght be hadde upon alle such persones about him and in al his realme, frome the highest degree unto the lowist, as were long tyme noisid and detectid of high treason ageinst his137 persone and the wele of his realme, offring hymself therto, and his service at the kings comaundement, to spend bothe his body and goodes: and yet it might not be perfourmed. Than sone after was callid a set a parliament, wherynne alle the comoens were aggreed, and rightfully electe hym as heire apparent of England, nought to procede in any other matiers till that were graunted by the lordes, whereto the kyng and lordes wold not consent nor graunte, but anon brake up the parliamente.

This yere was Burdeux lost. And this yere was Sr. Pieres de Brasil, and the bastard of Orliaunce, and Manypeny taken. And this yere was the duke of Somerset robbid at Blak freris. And this yere was the parliament at Westmynster. And this yere the stokkes was dividid bitwene fisshmongers and bochers.

In this yere came Richard Plantagenet duke of Yorke out of Walis, over Kyngston brige to the Blak heth, withe grete power, to clere hymself ageynst kyng Herry of such things as his adversaries had shewed ageynst hym. And the kyng with his lordes came ridyng thurgh London with a roial power toward the Blak heth; and there the lordes spiruel and temperell toke the matier in hand, to trete bitwixt them, to make rest and peas; wherto the seid duke at last graunted and aggreed, on the condicion that his peticions bifore askd for the138 wele of the kyng and of al his realme myght be graunted and hadde, and his enymys to be comytted to the Tour to abide the lawe; and so the lordes were aggreed and graunted that it shuld be, and were sworne ech to other. And furthwith the duke sent his men home ageyne, and he mekely came and submitted hymself at the Blak heth to the kyng, his adversaries there standyng present, contrary to thappointment and there othes; and so thei brought ungirt thurgh London bitwene ij bisshoppes ridyng unto his place; and after that made hym to swere at Paulis after theire entent, and put him frome his good peticions which were for the comoen wele of the realme, contrary to theire othes and aggreements made bifore in the felde.

This yere was the parliament at Redyng. And this yere was therle of Shrowisbure and the lord Lile his sone slayne: prynce Edward the kyngs sone was borne: and upon seint Barthilues day was a man of seint Johnys arrestid, wherfore was moch to doo at the Wrastlyne.

This yere came the duke of Yorke to London to the parliament; and there the duke of Somerset was arrestid and ladde to the Tour, and the duke of Yorke made protectour of England. And this yere the riding to Westm’ was fordone, and goyng thider bi barge bigonne.139

In this yere the xxij day of Maij was the first bataile at Seint Albanes; and was there slayne the duke of Somerset, therle of Northumberland, the lord Clifford, and a knyght callid Sr. Barthilmeu Nantwesil, and xxv squyers, with other people, which were buried there. Also this yere Scotts leide sege to Berwik.

This yere was a strife betwene yong men of the Mercery and Lumbardes. And this yere was seen the blasyng sterre.

In this yere the lord Egremond brake out of Newegate; and anon after brake out upon the ledes diverse other prisoners. And this yere came the duke of Yorke to his place at Baynardes castel in London.

In this yere Sandwich was robbid and dispoilid by Frensshemen. And this yere was a grete watch in London, and al the gates kepte every nyght, and ij aldermen watchyng: and withynne a while after the kyng and lordes were accorded, and went a procession in Paulis. And this yere was bisshop Pecock abiurid, and his bokes brent at Paulis.140

In this yere was affrey bitwene gentilmen of Court and men of Fletestrete; and the gentilmen were driven with archers fro the standard in Fletestrete into theire Innes, and some were slayne and some taken the xiij day of Aprile: wherfore William Tailour alderman of Fletestrete ward, with other mo, were afterward sent to Wyndisore castel, and there kepte as prisoners. And sone after, kyng Henry, the quene and lords, lete make a grete gaderyng of people northward, wherof was grete noise: than therle of Warwike came frome Caleise thurgh London, and his fader therle of Salisbury came fro Middilham toward the duke of Yorke with iij ml men; and the quene Margrete lay by the way as he come with xiiij ml of the floure of Chestreshire, Lancastreshire and Derbyshire, Comes Sar’.which set upon the seid erle of Salisbury and his compeigny at Blore heth, the xxiij day of Septembre; and there were slayne of the quenes partie the lord Awdley, with many knyghts, squiers, and other people, the seid erle holdyng his wey to Ludlowe, where he mette with the duke of Yorke and his sones therles of the Marche and Ruthland, and therle of Warwik aforseid; and toward them came kyng Henry with l ml men. And in the nyght the duke of Yorke and his sones, and therle of Salisbury with his sone, voidid into Walis; and there departid the duke of Yorke with his seconde sone therle of Ruthland into Irland; and therles of Marche, Warwik and Salisbury, bought a ship, and so gete to Caleise and there were received.141

In this yere, about Midsomer, therles of March, Warwik and Salisbury, landed at Sandwich, gadred people in Kent, and went thurgh London to Northampton; and the kyng had taken a felde, and was slayne on his partie the duke of Bukyngham, therle of Shrowisbury, the lord Beaumont and the lord Egremond, mych peple drowned in the river, the kyng taken and brought to London, and callid a parliament; and the duke of Yorke came out of Irland, and to Westm’ the xth day of Octobre, and there made clayme to the crowne; Titulus E. reg’ iiijti.aggrement was made bitwene the kyng and him, and he was made protectour, his title allowid to be kyng after the kyngs deceas; and ayenst Cristmas went northward and was slayne at Wakefelde with other; Mortymer crosse.

Saint Albans.and at Candilmas therle of Marche discomfeited therle of Wiltshire and other at Mortymers crosse; and at Shroftide came the lordes of the North to seint Albonys, and there discomfeited therle of Warwik and his compeigny, and toke the kyng with them into the North. Therle of Warwik fledde thens Westward to therle of March: than came therle of March and therle of Warwik with moch people to London, and there the people callid him kyng; Palme Sonday felde.and he toke it upon him, and went Northwardes and faught with the lords of the North beside Sherborne, where were moch people slayne upon Palme Sonday: and he bigan to reigne the iiijth day of March.

NOMI’A MAIOR’ ET VIC’ TEMP’E R’ EDWARDI iiijti.

In this yere the kyng Edward the iiijth was crowned at Westm’, on Sonday the xxviij day of Juyn.

In this yere therle of Oxonford, and the lord Awbrey his sone, with other knyghts, were bihedid upon a new scaffold on the Tour hille.

In this yere was the sergeaunts fest, and the maire of London shuld have dyned there; and bicause the chief place was not kepte for him while the kyng was not there nor of his blode, he came awey with alle his compeigny of this cite, and dyned at home in his owne place.143

This yere quene Elizabeth was crowned at Westm’ the Sonday bifore Witsonday. And this yere was first the roial, half roial, and quartern aungel, and aungellet of golde. Also this yere kyng Herry was taken in the North, and brought into the Tour of London.

This yere the xj day of Feverer was the prynces borne, the kyngs first childe, at Westm’, and named Elizabeth, [after qwene, and maried to kyng Henry the vij.][130]

This yere the lord Scalis, Sr. Anthony Widvile, faught with the bastard of Burgoyne in Smethfeld.

This yere the duke of Clarence weddid therle of Warwiks144 doughter at Caleis: Hegcote felde.and the same yere was the lord Herbert and diverse other slayne at Hedgecote felde.

This yere the kyng discounfeited the comoens of Lyncolneshire biside Staunford; and the duke of Clarence and therle of Warwike fled into Fraunce at Eastre, and came ageyne at Mighelmas; and than king Edward fledde into Flaundres to the duke of Burgoyne; Comes Wigoon.and therle of Worcestre was biheded at Tour Hille.

This yere kyng Edward landid in the North with fewe people, and came to London on Sher Thursday, and toke his journey furth ageyne on Eastre even; and upon Eastre day met with therle of Warwik and marquys Mountague his brother at Barnet, and there slewe them with moch other people: and than was quene Margret and prynce Edward hir sone with theare compeigny, landid in the West; and kyng Edward met them at Tewkesbury; and there was the prynce slayne with many others: and while the kyng was there, came the bastard Faconbrige with shipmen and moche other people to London, and firid at London brige biside seint Katerynes and without Algate: and afterward the kyng rode into Kent with moch people, and assid the contrey at moch money for theire risyng.145

This yere after Cristmas apperid a blasyng sterre, and contynnued v weke and more.

This yere was a grete watche upon seint Petres nyght, the kyng beyng in the Chepe; and there fill affrey bitwixt men of his household and the constablis; wherfore the kyng was gretely displeasid with the cunstablis.

This yere the kyng askid of the people grete goodes of theire benevolence, to gone over the see and so passid to Caleis, and so furth into Picardie; and there upon a brige, kyng Lewes of Fraunce and he spake togider, and toke appointment bitwixt them upon certen mariages and certen money in hand, and l ml crownes of sterling money yerely to be sent to the kyng out of Fraunce, duryng theire lives and a year after, so to be paide: and the kyng retourned ageyne over into England.

This yere an heretike callid Habraham was taken, which146 accusid diverse persones of the cite and other places, of which some were abjurid at, and did theire penaunce at Paulis.

This yere the abbot of Abyndon a pardon of pleyne remission,[131] and the wallis of London were bigonne to be newe repaired.

This yere the parliament was at Westm’; and the duke of Clarence was atteyntid of high treason, and afterward put to deth in the Tour of London.

This yere a wex chaundler in Flete strete had bi crafte, perced a pipe of the condit withynne the grounde, and so conveied the water into his selar; wherfore he was jugid to ride thurgh the citee with a condit upon his hedde. And this yere was grete deth of people; wherfore the kynges courts were not kepte at Westm’ frome Easter to Midsomer nor in the Guyldhall from Easter to Midsomer.

This yere were the diches about the Tour newe cast, and the Tour newe repeired: and certen merchaunts of Bristowe were accusid of money makyng; and the kyng examyned them and147 there accuser, and there accuser forsoke that he hadde done; wherfore he sent them home, and also sent theire accuser to Bristowe, there to have his jugement. Also this yere the duches of Burgoyne came into England to see the kyng hir brother, which shewid to hir great pleasure, and so she departid ageyne. And this yere the duke of Gloucestre, and therle of Northumberland reisid grete people agein the Scottes, which fledde and wold not bide.

This yere a quarter of whete was worth xij s. and more. Also the duke of Gloucestre, and therle of Northumberlond, with many other lordes and moch people went into Scotland unto Edenburgh, and there made proclamacons in the kyngs name of England; and in their comyng homeward the sege contynued at Berwike, unto the towne and castell were geten with grete assauts. Also about seint Laurence tide was grete enquery at Caleis, for counterfeityng of the keies of Cales.

NOTES;

CONTAINING

THE MATERIAL VARIATIONS

BETWEEN

THE PRECEDING COPY OF THE CHRONICLE,

AND

THE TRANSCRIPT IN THE COTTONIAN MS. JULIUS B. I.

NOTES.

Note A. (erroneously printed Note D.) page 9.

Note B. page 16.

Ao. xxx. Hen. III.—“This yere was seint Edmond of Pountney translated, et ven’ sanguis depositus fuit in hospic’ s’c’i Thome apud conductu’ usq’ ad festu’ s’c’i Edwardi, quo die d’n’s rex cu’ honorabili p’cessione ven’al’ apud Westm’ deposuit.”

Note C. page 16.

Ao. xxxj. Hen. III.—“In this yere there was an erthquake thurghout England.”

Note C. page 21.

Note D. page 23.

To the account given in the text is added “and London lost theire fraunchise.”

Note E. page 28.

“And there were forjuged, drawen and hanged, iij Englisshe christen men, and ijc iiijxx and xiij Englisshe Jues.”

Note F. page 37.

“Also the same yere the kyng had his counseile there with erlis, barons, and other of his counseile; and the kyng toke of the lay people” 152&c.

Note G. page 43.

Note H. page 43.

Note I. page 46.

Note K. page 50.

In the Cottonian MS. is the following copy of the letter from queen Isabel and prince Edward:

“Isabel, by the grace of God quene of England, ladie of Ireland and countes of Pountif, and we Edward, the eldist son of the kyng of England, duke of Guyen, erle of Chestre, of Pontif and of Mounstroille, to alle the comonialte of London senden gretyng. Forasmoch as we have bifore this tyme sent to you by oure lettres how we ben comen into this lande with good arreie and in good manere, for the honor and profite of Holy Chirch, and of oure dere lord the kyng and alle the realme, with alle oure myght and power to kepe and mayntene, as we and alle the good folke of the seid realme are holden to done, and upon that we praied you that ye wolde be helping to us in as moche as ye shulde mowe in this quarell that is for the comon profite of alle the realme, and we have had in thys time non answere of the seid lettres, ne knowe not your wille in that partie: wherfore we send to you ageyne, and charge you and praie that ye bere you so ageins us that we have no cause to greve you, but that ye ben to us helping by alle the weres that ye may or shalle conne and mowe. For weteth wele in certein that we, and alle thoo that ben comen with us into this realme, think not to doo, ne we shulle not done if it like God, eny thing but that shal be for the comon profite of the realme, but onely to distroie Hugh Spencer our enymy, and enymy to alle the seid realme, as ye well knowe; wherfore we praie you, and charge you in the feith that ye owe to oure lord the kyng and to us, and up alle that ye shalle mowe forfeit ayens us, that if the said Hugh Spencer oure enemy come withynne your power, that ye do153 hym oure wille, and that ye leve not in no manner, as ye desire honour and profite of us alle, and of alle the realme; and weteth of that ye done oure praier and mandement, we shalle the more be holden to you, and also ye shalle gete you worship and profite if ye send us hastely alle your wille. Yeven at Baldok the vjte day of Octobre.”

Note L. page 54.

“In this yere Edward Bailolle, the son of John Bailolle sometyme kyng of Scotland, came into England chalengyng his right heritage, that is to sey, the kingdome of Scotland; with whome many grete lordes of England went into Scotland, and at Domfrevelyn arrividden, where fast by an abbeie ij ml of Englisshemen discomfited xij ml of Scottes.” &c.

Note M. page 58.

In the copy in the Cottonian MS. this event is said to have occurred in the fifteenth year of Edw. III.—“Also this same yere, that is to seye the xv yere of his reigne of England, was the first yere of his reigne of France, and he came fro Tourney.”

Note N. page 64.

“This yere [Ao. xxxiiij. Edw. III.] the blode all fresshe flowid out of the tombe of Thomas sometyme erle of Lancastre. Also this yere the kyng chose his sepulture at Westmynstre. Also this yere, the yere of oure lord ml iijc lx, the xiiij day of Aprile and the morn after day, the kyng Edward with his hoste lay about Paris,” &c. as is related in the text to have occurred in the thirty-fifth year of Edward III., though the king’s expedition to Calais against the regent of France is stated to have occurred in the thirty-fourth year.

Note M. page 67.

The sheriff called in the text Adam Wymondham, stands as Adam Wymbyngham in the Cottonian MS.; and though the death of dame Blaunch duchess of Lancaster is there mentioned, no notice occurs of the pestilence.

Note N. page 70.

The following is the account of the events in this year [Ao. xlix. Edw. III.], in the copy in the Cottonian MS.—“In this yere, at the towne of Brugges in Flaundres, was tretid upon diverse articles hangynge atwixt the pope and kyng Edward. Also the same tyme at Brugges was tretid for a peas bitwixt the ij realmes Fraunce and England. Also this yere deide William Witlesey archebisshop of154 Caunterburye, and the monkes chose the cardinall of England; and the kyng was wroth therwith, and wolde not consent therto, ne the pope nor cardinall; and so Maister Symon succedid.”

Note O. page 71.

The only event noticed in the copy in the Cottonian MS. in the 51st Edw. III. is the death of Edward prince of Wales, and his burial at Canterbury.

Note P. page 71.

It is singular that in both MSS. the events mentioned in the text, as well as the death of Edward the Third, are said to have occurred in the fifty-second year of that monarch’s reign, for he died in the fifty-first year, namely on the 21st of June 1377. The commencement of his reign is always calculated from the 25th of January 1327, when his father resigned the crown.

Note Q. page 77.

Ao. ix. Richard II.—The copy in the Cottonian MS. only states under this year, that “This yere, the yere of oure lord ml iijc and iiijxx and vj, kyng Richard went into Scotland with a roial power.”

Note R. page 79.

Ao. xiv. Richard II.—No other circumstance is mentioned under this year in the Cottonian MS., than the following,

Note S. page 80.

The occurrences mentioned in the text as having taken place in the 15th of Richard II. are in the Cottonian MS. assigned to the following year; but no notice is taken under either year of “the pley of St. Katerine.”

Note T. page 80.

King Richard’s expedition into Ireland in the 18th year of his reign, is not noticed in the copy in the Cottonian MS.

Note U. page 81.

The Cottonian MS. adds, that the earl of Arundel was beheaded at Tower hill, “in the same place where Sr. Symon of Burelle was bihedid. And the duke of Gloucestre the kyngs uncle was foule murdred at Caleis, in the Princes inne, with ij towailis made snarewise, and put about his necke. And therle of Warwik and155 lord Cobham were dampned to perpetuall prison;” which is stated in the text to have occurred in the 21st of Ric. II. “And the parliament was enjourned to Shrowesbury, unto the xv day of seint Hillarie, where it was endid, and where moch people were disheritid.”

Note X. page 83.

Instead of the words “and of Braybroke &c.” the following occur in the copy in the Cottonian MS.

“and of the bisshop of London, Braybroke, putten a supplicacion to the kyng, the tenor wherof foloweth in this fourme;

“To our full excellent right doutful sovereigne and ful graciouse lord the kyng.

“Ful mekely bisechen your humble lieges spirituell and temperell, tharchbisshop of Caunterburye, the bisshop of London, the maire, shireves, and aldermen, and alle other spirituell and temperell gentills and comons of your cite of London; that forasmoch as full grete and sorowefull malices, trespases, and wikkid commecturacions of some men, and of many evil doers of the seid cite, have been procured, done, and evil done to your roial maieste, to grete and perpetuell confusion and repreef of the evil doers, and grete velany and shame to alle dwellyng withynne the same cite, as wele innocent as unknowyng therof, as other; which malfaisours or evil doers, for there trespases have deserved harde and lither chastisement and punysshement, ne were that the high benignite of you oure doutful lord fulfilled, of al grace wol not procede ayens them after there deserts, which if ye shulde ayenst them procede, shulde be distrucion, and nought withouten cause of grete multitude of your people without nombre. Pleese it to your full excellent and doutful roial maieste, graciously to considere the grete repentaunce of your seid misdoers, and there brennyng desire that thei have to aske mercy, and to redresse in al manere, and refourme after there power as moche as it shalle mowe bene any wise possible, there excesses, folies, and defauts aboveseid, and of thabundaunt welle of grace; wherof the Almyghty Kyng, exempler of al mercy and grace, hath endued you to receyve them to your mercie and grace, and holly to foryeve alle that malfaisours or evil doers, or they dwellyng in the same cite, by cause of them have trespasid to your roial excellent maieste biforeseid; and your seid humble lieges wol submitte them, and submitten them in dede to doo, bere, and obeie almanere thing that shal in eny manere please the same your roial maieste, and evermore that your seid humble lieges bisechen that thei may be receyved to grace by Roger Walden archbisshop of Caunterbury, Braybroke bisshop of London, Richard Whityngton maire of London, &c. sufficiantly enformyd, and havyng ful and sufficiaunt auctorite and power for al your humble lieges of the seid cite, and in there name to swere and truely to holde, kepe, and observe, lowen and mayntene with al there power, with156outen fraude or malengyne, alle the statuts, stablisshements, and jugements done or yolden or yeven in your high parliament bigonnen at Westminster the Monday next after the exaltacion of the Holy Cros, the yere of your graciouse reigne xxj, and fro thens aiourned to Shrowesbury unto the quinizime of seint Hillarie than next suyng, and there termined and endid: and alle other statuts and ordinunces and stablisshmentis, sithen hiderto done and made withouten ever to comon done, or procuren anything ther ageyne in any maner to that ende, that thei shal mowen be put thurgh your habundaunt grace out of al suspecion, and to ben holden as thei desiren above al thing your true lieges, for the love of God, and in the werke of charite. In witness of the which thing, and for the things aboveseid, wele and truely to holde, kepe and observe, and mayntene for al daies with al ther power, in manere as it is aboveseid without ende to done or procure the contrarie, and to live and deie your seid humble lieges, of whom ther names severally ben underwriton, as wele for themself, as in the name of the residue of the same cite to this supplicacion have set there sealis, that is to wite, we by the grace of God archbisshop of Caunterbury primate of England, Robert Braybroke bisshop of London, Richard Whityngton, William of Askeham, John Wodcok, and many other.”

Note Y. page 83.

“And than after the presentacion of the seid supplicacion, there were made many blank chartres; and alle the men of every crafte of the cite as wele allowes and servaunts as the maisters, were charged to come to the Yeldhalle, to set there sealis to the seid blank chartres.” But the disturbance “by Chestreschire men in Fryday strete,” mentioned in the text, is not noticed.

Note Z. page 91.

“And also Sir John Cornewaile, Sir Richard of Arundell, the son of Sir John Cheyne and other Frensshemen.”

Note AA. page 92.

“And holde the righte wey of Holy Chirche, and hym shulde want no goode. Also Courtney, that tyme chaunceller of Oxonford, prichid and enfourmed hym the feith of Holy Chirche, and the prior of seynt Barthemew” &c.

Note BB. page 94.

The copy in the Cottonian MS. adds, “And about the fest of seint Laurence the duke of Clarence seilid into Fraunce, to help the duke of Orliaunce,” but it takes no notice of the arrival of the prince and his attendants in London, or of the departure of the duke of Clarence, the duke of York, &c. to Southampton.157

Note CC. page 96.

The mayor and sheriffs mentioned in the text and in the copy in the Cottonian MS., as having served those offices in the 14th Hen. IV., are in the latter also assigned to the 1st Hen. V.; whilst the mayor and sheriffs stated in the text to have served in the 1st Hen. V., are in the latter attributed to the 2nd year of that monarch’s reign. But there is manifestly much confusion respecting the year of the king’s reign in which the events occurred, in the copy from which the text has been taken, and which will again be alluded to in a future note.

Note DD. page 96.

The copy in the Cottonian MS. adds, “And were put in his owne sepulture that he made himself, with quene Anne his wiffe.” This is the only circumstance mentioned under the 1st Hen. V. in that MS.: and under the 2nd Hen. V., the transactions concerning Sir John Oldcastle &c., which in the text are stated to have occurred in the preceding year, are related.

Note EE. page 99.

In the Cottonian MS. under the third year of Hen. V., and when the mayor and sheriffs mentioned in the text as serving in the 2nd Hen. V. are stated to have held those offices, the king’s expedition is properly noticed. This error cannot be explained in any other manner than by attributing it to the transcriber; for it is notorious that Henry quitted England, besieged and captured Harfleur, and fought the battle of Agincourt, in the third year of his reign. The account of that expedition is so differently related from that in the text, that it is here given at length.

“The kyng with alle his hoste seiled over the see with ij ml shippis and mo; and the xvj day of August a litle from Harflete he landid: and the Saturday next after thassumpcion of oure lady he leide siege about Harflete, and contynued the sege unto the Sonday next before the fest of seint Michel, upon which Sonday the towne of Harflete was delyvered to the king, that was the xxij day of Septembre. But it is to wite, that on Tuesday bifore, that was the xvij day of Septembre, at xij of the belle wythynne nyght, the lordes that were capteynes and governours of the towne, that is to sey the lord Gaucourt, the lord Tutvill, and mo other lordes, senten out an haraude of armes unto the duke of Clarence, praiyng him at the reverence of God that he wolde send to the kyng, bisechyng hym that he wolde of his high and gracious lordship, graunt them leve to trete with what persones that the kyng wolde assigne to them. And the kyng at the reverence of God, and at there request, assigned therle of Dorset, the lord Fitz Hugh, and Sr. Thomas of Erpyngham, to here what thei wolde desire. And thei desired that158 the kyng wold not werre upon them fro that houre at mydnyght, unto the Sonday next after the fest of seint Michel; and but it were so that thei were rescued by bataile of the Frensshe kyng or with the dolphyn by that day, thei to yelde the towne to the kyng, and thei to have theire lives and goodes. And the kyng sent them worde that if thei wolde delyver the towne on the morwe next after the houre of mydnyght aforseid, without any condicion, he wolde accepte it, and in any other wise he bad them seke no trete. And yet the Frensshe lordes praied oure lordes to biseke the kyng at the reverence of God and of oure lady, that he wolde graunte them that same Tuesday nyght, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and the Sonday til an houre after none: and in that meane tyme the lordes that were capitayns of the towne, to come to the kyng with xxij knyghts and squyers with them, of the moost sufficient men withyn the towne, and thei to be sworen openly afore alle the people upon Goddis body. But it so were that the Frensshe kyng or the dolphyn rescued them by that Sonday, by the houre of none or anon after none, thei to delyver the towne to the kyng, and alle there bodies and goodes to done with them whatsoever him list, without eny condicion, with that the kyng wolde suffre them to send to the Frensshe kyng viij persones out of the towne, lettyng him wite in what plite thei stond: and they graunted them. And upon the Wednesday by the morowe these lordes comen out of the towne, and xxij knyghts with them; and come the procession solempnely and stately, with xxiiij copis of a sute before Goddis body, with many worshipful lordes, knyghts, and squyers, and other moch multitude of people fro the kings tent, as solempnely done and as stately as any man saugh ever such a thing done bifore that time; but the kyng was not there present. And the Frenssh lordes there made there othes upon the holy sacrament. And the othes thus done, the Frensshe lordes with theire felauship were brought to the kyngs tents, and there thei eten in the kyngs halle: but in all this tyme thei sawe not the kyng. And when thei had eten, they were departid and delyvered to certen lordes for to in hostage unto the Sonday at the houre after none, as it was accordid whan thei received. And at the houre on Sonday after none, the kyng had a tent pight on an hille bifore the towne, and there he sate in his estate roial, and al his lordis about hym; and than came the Frensshe lordes with iijxx and iiij with them, of the moost sufficient men that were withynne the towne, and to the kyng in his propre persone yelded up the keies of the towne, and there bodies and goodes to the kyngs grace without eny condicion: and this was done the xxij day of Septembre, the yere of oure lord ml iiijc xv. And anon after that, the kyng ostered from thens xxj daies thurgh the realme of Fraunce, fro Harflete toward Caleys; and the Friday, that is to sey the day of the holy seints Crispyn and Crispinian, alle the roial power of Fraunce, excepte the Frenssh kyng, the dolphyn, the duke159 of Bourgoyne, and the duke of Barre were bifore the kyng in his heigh weie, as he shulde passe to Caleis, faire embatailed in iij batailes, to the nombre of lx ml men of armes, and the fairist armed men that eny man saugh ever in any place. And the kyng seyng wele that thei wolde not suffre hym to passe withouten bataile, seid to his title mayny, ’Sires and felawes, the yonder men letten us of oure wey; and if thei wol com to us, let every man preve hymself a good man this day, and avaunt banere in the best tyme of the yere.’ And he rode furth with his basnet upon his hedde, and all other men of armes went upon theire fete a fast paas in holle arraie, an Englisshe myle er thei assemblid. And thrugh the grace of God the kyng made his heigh wey thrugh the thikkest prees of alle the bataile. And there was slayne the duke of Launson, the duke of Braban, the duke of Bare, vj erles, the constable of Fraunce, the seneschall of Henaude, the maister Arblaster, and of other lordes grete plente. And there was take the duke of Orliaunce, the duke of Burbon, the counte of Richmond, the counte Ewe, the marschal Sir Bursequant, and many other lordes and knyghts. And there were slayne of Frensshemen v ml, and of al estats of Englisshemen passid not xxviij persones. And of estats of thenglisshe, the duke of Yorke, therle of Suffolke, ij knyghts, and Davy Game; and of gentilmen no moo. And the xxiiij day of Novembre the kyng with all his prisoners came to London in good prosparite. Also this same yere bigan the general counsell at Custance.”

Note FF. page 103.

The arrival of the emperor is differently noticed in the copy in the Cottonian MS.

“This yere [Ao. iv. Hen. V.] the vij day of Maij came themperour of Almayne, Segismundus, to London; and the fest of seint George was deferrid til his comyng, and than solempnely holden at Wyndisore: and at the procession the kyng went on the upper side of themperour, and so alle the masse tyme stode in the higher place, and at mete he sate on the right side of themperour; and the duke of Bedford, and the chaunceller of England, and the bisshop of Develyn, sate on the lefte side of themperour: and the duke of Briga and another duke of themperours compeigny sate upon the kings side; and all these saten on that oon side of the table. And the first sotelte was oure lady armyng seint George, and an angel doyng on his spores; the ijde sotelte was seint George ridyng and fightyng with the dragon, with his spere in his hand; the iijde sotelte was a castel, and seint George, and the kynges doughter ledynge the lambe in at the castel gates. And all these sotelties were served to the emperor and to the kyng, and no ferther: and other lordes were served with other sotelties after theire degrees. And the same tyme duke William of Holand came into England; but he was not at that fest. Also the emperour laye at Westminster the tyme that he abode in England; and160 the duke of Holand laie at the bisshop of Elies place. And after Midsomer the duke of Holand seilid home ageyne. And after that themperour and the kyng went to Caleys: and than the duke of Burgoyne and the counte Charles his son came to Gravenyng; and the sent thider his brother the duke of Gloucestre, and therle of the March, to abide there in hostage while the duke of Burgoyne come to Caleys. And in the myddis of the river the lordes metten togider; and the dukes son of Burgoyne receyved there oure lords, and led them furth with hym into Flaundres: and the erle of Warwik receyved the duke of Burgoyne and brought him to Caleys, where he spake with the kyng of diverse matiers atwixt them ij. And he toke his leve of the kyng: and the erle of Warwik brought hym agayne to Grevenyng Water; at which tyme also the counte Charlis brought our lordes to the same place, where either of these lordes token live of other. And than the kyng retorned ageyne into England; and themperour seiled into Holand, and so passid furth into Custaunce.”

Note GG. page 106.

“with all the lordships longyng thereto. And than the duke of Clarence with other lordes rode furth to Cane: and upon our Lady even the Assumpcion, he mustred hym bifore the towne of Cane; and the Tuesday next after our Lady day, that was the xxvij day of August, the kyng with all his host came to Cane, and ther leide his sege, and contynued til our Ladies even the Nativite, upon which even by strong assaute the towne was wonne. And than the kyng leide strong sege to the castel, which was yolden to hym. And while he was abidyng at Cane, he sent the duke of Clarence with other lordes to Baieux, and bisegid and wan it. And the same yere the kyng bisegid Argentyne, bothe towne and castell, which were yolden to hym. Also the kyng wan many castelles and townes, and strong abbeis long before seint Edwardis day.”

Note HH. page 106.

“upon the moru after the fest of seint Lucie the virgyn and martir, the yere of our lord ml iiijc xvij. Also the same yere, about Alhalowen tide, the kyng leide a sege to Falowes, and contynued it to the xx day of Decembre: and than thei of the towne desired to trete with the kyng. And the kyng committid the trete unto Thomas erle of Salisbury, to Herry lord Fitz Hugh, to Sr. John Cornewaille, and Sr. William Harington knight, as commissioners for his partie: and as for the partie of the towne, Sr. John Meultone, Sr. Gilbert Mousteins, lordes of Faiete, capitaynes of men of armes and of shot withynne the towne of Faloys, and with them upon the same entrete, the lord of Gamulle; which parties entreted and accorded upon the articles and appointments folowyng.”161

[Then follows the treaty alluded to, which extends to eleven folios, but it is not of sufficient interest to require insertion.]

“Which castel was delyvered up and yolden to the kyng in manner and fourme as it is bifore seid. And than the kyng lete parten his hoste to journey diverse weys; that is to say, oone partie the duke of Clarence with many ful worthis with hym: and he gate many townes, castells and strong abbeis. And the duke of Gloucestre another partie of the oste; and with hym therle of the March, the lord Grey, the lord Clifford, Sir Water Hungerford steward of the kyngs house, with ful many other knyghts and squiers: and he gate er he leide his sege to Chirburgh, xxiiij townes and castells. And after Eastrene he leide sege to Chirburgh, and contynued it unto Michelmas, at whiche tyme bothe towne and castel of Chirburgh was yolden to hym. And the iijde parte of the hoste the kyng delyvered to therle of Warwik and other lordes with hym, which gate many strong townes, castells and abbeis. And after Eastern the kyng leide a sege to Lovers, and wan it: and afterward he leide a sege and wanne Pount Large. And than he leide a sege to the cite of Rone and contynued; and duryng the sege the maire of London was chosen upon seint Edwardes day.”

Note II. page 107.

Ao. vij. Hen. V.—“Also the kyng contynued his sege from seint Edwardes day unto the xiij day of Janeuary, at which day thei of the cite desired to trete: and the kyng comytted with hym for to trete, therles of Warwik and Salisburie, the lord Fitz Hugh, Sir Water Hungerford, Gilbert Humfrevile, John de Vasques de Almada, and Robesard, knyghts: and for the parte of Rone these followyng.”

“And the forseid cite was yolden to oure sovereigne lord the kyng upon seint Wolstanes day: and after that the kyng gate many strong castells and townes.”

Note KK. page 108.

Ao. viij. Hen. V.—“And the xx day of Maij the yere of oure lord ml cccc xxti the kyng come to Troys in Champayne, where he was worthely receyved of al the lordes spiritual and temperal that were with the kyng of Fraunce. And upon the morue the kyng and quene of Fraunce, and dame Katerine his sustre, the duke of Burgoyne metten togiders in seint Petres chirche of Troys, in the body of the same chirch; and after went thei up to the high auter, and there tharticles of the peas redde, and the othes made on either partie: and than was the kyng and dame Katerine sured togiders. And upon the morue after Trinity Sonday, that was than the iijd day of Juyn, the yere of our lord m iiijc and xx, in the chirch of seint Petre of Troys the kyng weddid dame Katerine, kyng doughter of Fraunce,162 and was made regent of Fraunce. The convencions of which accord followen here after, that is to say.”

“And thanne after that the fest and solempnetie of the mariage was done, the kyng conquerid many townes and castells. Also the kyng leid his sege to Milon sur Seyne, duryng which sege the maire and shireves of London were chosen.”

Note LL. page 108.

Ao. viij. Hen. V.—“And whanne the solempnite was done in the chirch, she was brought ful worthely into the greet halle.

Of the sittyng of the astates at the coronacion of Quene Kateryne hereafter foloweth: that is to say;

Thei saten upon the right side of the Quene, and served next the Quene, and covered at every course.

The kyng of Scotland sate in his astate upon the lefte side of the Quene, which was served at every course, the ij bisshops aforseid.

The duches of Yorke, the countes of Huntyngdon; they saten on the same side that the kyng of Scotlande sate.

Therle of March knelyng upon the deys on the right side of the Quene, held a sceptre upright of the Quenes.

Therle Marchall knelyng on the same deys upon the left side of the Quene, held another sceptre of the Quenes upright.

Of the maner of sittyng of the astates at the other tables in the Halle.

First the Barons of the Five Poortes biganne the table of astate in the halle upon the right hand of the Quene.

The Maire of London and his brethren thaldermen biganne the table of astate in the halle on the lefte hand of the Quene, with other comoners of the cite, and other men byneth them at the same table.

The Bisshoppes biganne the table in the myddis of the halle; that is to say, the table next to the table of the Five Poortes on the right hand.

And than after saten the Justices, and after them worshipful Knyghts and Squiers.

And the Ladies biganne the table in the myddes of the halle afore ayenst the table of the Maire and Aldermen.

The lady Nevile, wiffe to the sone and heire of the erle of Westmoreland and doughter of the erle of Somerset. [or rather erle of Kent.[132]]

Here bigynneth the servyce at the first Course.

Brawne with mustarde. Dedel in Borneux. Furmente with baleyne. Pike. Laumprey powdred. Great Elis poudred. Trought. Codlyng. Plaies and merlyne fried. Crabbes great. Lech lumbarde florisshid with colars of esses and brome coddes of gold in a Target with the armes of the kyng and the quene departid. Tarves. A Sotelte, callid a pellican on hire nest with briddis and an ymage of Seint Katerine with a whele in hire hande disputyng with the Hethen clerks, having this Reason in hir hande, Madame la Roigne; the Pellican answeryng Cest enseigne; the briddes answeryng Est du roy pur tenir joie. A tout gent il met sentent.

The iid Course is this folewyng.

Gely florisshed with columbyne floures of white potages. Blaundesore. Breme. Congre. Soles with mulet. Cheveyne. Barbel with Roch. Samon fressh. Halibut. Gurnarde rostid. Roches boilet. Smelt fried. Losters. Lech damaske with the kyngs worde Une sanz pluz writon of white lettre. Lamprey in paste suyng. Flampan florisshed with a scochyn roial, theryn three crownes of golde and plantid with floure de lice of golde and floures of camomil wrought of confections. A Sotelte, a panter with an ymage of Seint Katerine in the same tariage and a whele in hire hand, and a Reason in hire other hand. The Reason was this: La Roigne ma file. The panter answeryng In cest Ile: another best answeryng with this Reason, Of Albion: another best saiyng, Aves Renowne.

This is the iijd Course folowyng.

Dates in compost. Creme motley. Carpe. Dorrey. Turbut. Tench. Peerch with gogyns. Sturgeon fresshe. Welkes. Porpes rostid. Memise fried. Creves de ewe douce. Shrympes grosse. Elis with laumprons rostid. A Lessh callid the White Lessh, with hauthorne leves grene and redd hawes. A mete in paste with iiij aungels in fourme of Sent Katerine whele in the myddes with a Reason—

A Sotelte, A Tigre lokyng in a mirour and a man ridyng on horsebak armed with a tigre whelp in his barme, and throwyng mirours for his defence; and a Reason writon, Par force saunz Droit Jay pris ce best. Another Reason for thanswere of the tigre

Note MM. page 110.

Ao. ix. Hen. V.—“Also in the moneth of Maii, the quene at Hampton toke hir viage into Fraunce the yere of our lord ml iiijc and xxij, and of the kyng the xth yere, the cite of Mewes in Bry’, which long tyme had ben bisegid, was yolden in maner as folowith after.”

Note NN. page 111.

Ao. i. Hen. VI.—“Also there was graunted to the kyng V nobles of every sakke of wolle to custume duryng iij yere.” “And the forseid first day of March was the trete of the delyveraunce of Pount Melank, which was taken and long holden by the partie called Armynakkes, and delivered in maner as after folowith.”

“Also this same yere Newegat was bigonne to make newe by thexecutors of Richard Whityngton. Also the same yere in somer tide was great plente of al maner cornes and fruytes: but a litle before Midsomer there bigan to falle moch reyne, which contynued lasse or more every day as for the moost partie; howsoever the wynde stode unto viij daies bifore Cristmas, so that men myght not gadre ynne there, and namely the codde corne, and yet was there plente of corne ynough.”

Note OO. page 112.

Ao. ii. Hen. VI.—“And upon the Wednesday with a glad chere sate in his modres lappe in the chare, and rode thurgh the cite to Westm’ the xvij day of Novembre, the yere of our lord ml cccc xxiij, and there was brought into the parliament; where the Speker of the parliament, in the name and for al the comons of England, spake to the kyngs persone these wordes after folowyng.”

The speech assigned to the Speaker is then given; after which it is stated that on “The xxvj day of Novembre the kyng with his modir remoeved from Westminster to Waltham, and a certen tyme there were abidyng; and fro thens he remoevid to Hertford, where he helde his Cristmas, and the kyng of Scotts with him.” An account of the proceedings in Parliament in this year, especially of the impeachment of Sir John Mortymer, knight, and of the statutes enacted166 therein then follows at some length, and is succeeded by a minute account of the French towns and castles taken by the duke of Bedford, the earl of Salisbury, Sir John Radcliff seneschal of Guyenne, and Sir John Beauchamp. It is also noticed, that in that year “therle of the March with many other lordes and great retinue went into Irland, and there deide.” After stating the loss of the Scots at the battle of Vermuil, it is added, “Wherfore it may be seid of them the worde of olde tyme,

Note PP. page 113.

“Also this yere after Eastre the king helde his parliament at Westm’, which bigan the laste day of Aprile; and the kyng come to London the xxvij day of Aprile, which was Saturday, with his moder in his chare from Wyndisore unto Seint Paulis; and at the west dore he was taken out of his chare by his uncle the duke of Gloucestre, and by his bele uncle the duke of Excestre: and he went upon his fete fro the west dore to the steires, and so up into the quere; and than he was borne up and offred: and than was set upon a courser and so rood thrugh the Chepe and London to Kenyngton. And the kyng held his see diverse daies in the parliament.” Then follows an account of the grants made by that parliament to the king, and of some statutes enacted therein. The success of the English army under the earl of Salisbury is related in a most minute manner, and the agreement for the surrender of Mauns is given at length: but nothing is stated of sufficient interest to justify so long a note as a copy of the narrative and treaty in question would require.

Note QQ. page 114.

“defense of the cite. And anon after the bisshop of Wynchestre sent a lettre over the see into France unto the duke of Bedford, the tenor wherof after foloweth:

‘To the most high and myghty prynce and my right noble lord the regent of Fraunce and duke of Bedford.

‘Right high and myghty prynce and my right noble and after oon, levist lord, I recommand me unto you with al myn hert and affinite: and as ye desire the welfare of the kyng our sovereign lord and of his realmes of England and Fraunce, and your owne wele and our alle, so haste you hider; for by my trouth if ye tarie we shal put this land in a venture with a felde; such a brother ye have here, God make him a good man, for your wisedom knoweth wele that the prosperite of Fraunce stant in the welfare of England. High and myghtie prince, I bisech you holdeth Maister John Estcourt, your counseilour, escusid of his tarry167ing, for it is moch ayenst his wille, but the counsell here hath made hym; and ye hist to give credence to your chamberleyne Sr. William Boteller. The blessid Trinite kepe you. Writon in grete haste on Alhalowen even,

“And ageyn Cristmas the duke of Bedford came out of Fraunce into England. And the kyng helde his Cristmas at Eltham; and the bisshop of Wynchestre helde his Cristmas at Marton: and bicause that he wolde not come in the cite of London, for evil wille that he hadde therto, the counsel was holden at Seint Albones after Cristmas: but there wolde not the duke of Gloucestre come. At which counsel was ordeyned that the parliament shulde ben at Leicestre, which parliament bigan in the bigynnyng of Lenton; where, by good trete and arbitracion of the lords spiriele and temperel, was made a good unite and accorde atwixt the duke of Gloucestre and the bisshop of Wynchestre, in fourme as after folowith.”

“And thus was the accord made atwixt these ij lordes of Gloucestre and Wynchestre; and the parliament was ajourned til after Easter. Also the same yere of the kyng, and of our lord ml iiijc xxv, Arthur erle of Richemont, and Richard his brother, and the baron of Columbe, with great multitude of Britons, leien at the sege of Seint Jaquys de Ber’on to the some of xx ml of Britons, which gaven assaute to the towne, and were beten and myghtely put of, rebukid and slayne of them iiijc: and in the towne were cheveteynes Sir Thomas Remston, Sir Philip Braunch, Sir Nichol Burdet, and Sir Richard Stafford, and with them ixc persones, Englisshe and Normaunes. And the nyght folowyng, fast by the towne, in ij milles, were iijc Britons loggid; and the seid knyghts with a certeyn mayny went out and brent the milles, and slough of the Britons bitwene iij and iiij score. And afterward Arthur and his men maden another assaute, and there losten vijxx and oon standardes and getens, and viijxx men of cote armes and legge harneis; and Arthur was sore hurt in the thigh nygh the body: and so thei withdrowen them homeward to Breteigne. But Thomas de Burgh with people of the garison folowid after them, and slough of them xxvc. And the Britons lefte byhynde them there gonnes and there wyne, the some of vjc pipes of wyne, with flour, brede, figges, reisins, and grete plente of egges and butter, with moch fisshe, and so fled with mischief.”

Note RR. page 116.

Ao. vj. Hen. VI.—“This yere the kyng held his parliament at Westminster, and was ajourned til after Cristmas: and in this parliament the kyng helde his see diverse daies.” Then follows an account of the grants made to the king, and168 of other proceedings therein. “Also this yere the erle of Salisbury sailid over the see with a feire compeigny; and the Carde come to London upon seint Gilis day: and the maire of London, and aldermen, with the craftes, roden ayenst him, and receyved him worthely. Also the same yere therle of Sarum was slayne at the sege of Orliaunce: but yet was the sege holden by other lordes and contynued, but not long after.”

Note SS. page 116.

The death of the earl of Salisbury is, as has just been noticed, stated in the Cottonian MS. to have taken place in the preceding year. “This yere [Ao. vij. Hen. VI.] about Midsommer, the Cardenal seilid over the see with a feire compeigny wagid for to have, and werred upon the Lollards in Prage: but a litel before the departyng of the Cardenal out of England, therle of Suffolk, the lord Talbot, the lord Scalis, and many other lordes, knyghts, and squyers, were taken and slayne at the sege of Orliaunce, and the sege broken.”

Notes TT and UU. page 118.

Furmentie, with venyson. Viande Roial planted with losenges of golde. Bore-hedes in castells of earmed with golde.[134] Beef. Moton. Signet. Capon stued. Heron. Grete Pike. A redd Lech with lions corvyn theryn of white. Custarde Roial with a leparde of golde sittyng theryn. Fritour like a sonne with a flour de lice therynne. A Sotelte, Seint Edward and seint Lowes armed in cote armours bryngyng yn bitwene them the kyng in his cote armour with this scripture suyng:

Here foloweth the second Course; that is to wite,

Viand blank, barrid of golde. Gely partid writen and notid Te Deum Laudamus. Pigge endored. Crane. Bitore. Conyes. Chikyns endored. Partrich. Pecok enhakill. Great breame. Leches white with an antelope of redde corven theryn, a crowne about his neck with a cheyne of golde. Flampayne poudred with lepardis and flours de lice of golde. Fritour, a lepardis hedde with ij Ostrich169 fethers. A Sotelte, themperour and the kyng that ded is, armed, and there mantells of the garters; and the kyng that nowe is, knelyng before them with this Reason.

The iijd Course sueth; that is to say,

Blaunde Surrey poudrid with quatrefoilis gilt. Venyson rostid. Egrettes. Curlewe. Cokkes. Plover. Quailis. Snytes. Grete birdes. Larkes. Carpe. Crabbe. Lech of iij colours. A colde bakemete like a shelde quarterly redde and white, set with losengs and gilt, and flours of borage. Fritour crispes. A Sotelte of our lady sittyng and hir childe in hir lappe, and she holdyng in hir hand a crowne and seint George knelyng on that oo side and seint Denyse on that other side, presentyng the kyng, knelyng to our lady, with this Reason folowyng;

“This same yere, the xxij day of Janeuere, there was an heretik brent at the Tour hille: and on the morue next after there was a batayle done in Smythfelde, withynne listes, bifore the kyng, bitwene John Upton appellaunt, and John Downe defendaunt; and whan thei hadde long foughton, the kyng toke it up into his handes and fargaff bothe partes. Also this yere the kyng passid the see to Caleis upon seint Georges day, and many grete lordes with hym; that is to say, First, the Cardenall bisshop of Wynchestre, and than other bisshops folowyng; that is to say, the bisshop of Bath, the bisshop of Ely, the bisshop of Rochestre. Dukes; the duke of Yorke and the duke of Norfolk. Erles; therle of Stafford, therle of Huntyngdon, therle of Warwik, therle of Oxonford, therle of Devonshire, therle of Morteyn, therle of Ewe, therle of Ormond. Barons; the lord Beaumont, the lord170 Bourghchier, the lord Tiptofte, the lord FitzWater, the lord Roos, the lord Audeley, the lord Faconbrigge, the lord Grey Codnore, the lord Welles.”

[The capture of the Maid of Orleans is then noticed in nearly the same words as those in the text; and is followed by a copy of the letter which the duke of Burgoyne “wrote unto the kyng at Caleis.”]

“My moost doubtid lord, I recomaunde unto you asmoch and as mykely as I may. And please it you to wete my moost doubtid lorde, that this day, the xxiij day of Maij, about vj at after none, your adversaries and myn, that were with grete power in the towne of Compeigne, afore which towne I am loggid with my folke, and with those that ye senten undre governaunce of Sr. John Mountgomery and Sr. John Steward, came out with grete puyssaunce upon the van warde which was next them; and with them came she that thei calle the Pucelle, with many of there chief chiefteynes: and ageine them anone came my cosyn Sr. John Luxenburgh, and other of your folkes and of myn, which made right grete and sharp resistence: and I came thider in myn owne persone, and founde that the seid adversaries were put abak, and by the pleasaunce of our blessid Creatour it fil so; and God yaf me such grace, that she that thei calle the Pucelle was taken, and with many hire capitaynes, knyghts, and squyers, and other taken, and drowned, and dedde, whose names I knowe not yet.”

This letter is succeeded by an account of the “Journeis that were done after the kyng was landid at Caleis.”

“The first Journey was at Pountnake: the Pucelle with a grete power was put to flight.

“The second Journey was in a wodde biside Compeigne: the Pucelles mayny ijc were discounfeited of xxx Englisshemen, and there were xij Armynaks prisoners.

“The iijd Journey the Pucelle was taken at Compeigne, and many of her mayny slayne and drowned.

“The iiijth Journey the lord was, the lord Wilby brent a chirch and vjxx men and boies therynne.

“The vth Journey the lorde Scales toke and slough of the dukes men of Launson, iijc.

“The vjth Journey the kyngs householde mayny, biside Parys, an Englisshe mile out of Boys, seint Vyncent token a strong abbeie with tretis.

“The vijth Journey the lord Chamberleyne distressid La Here, and slough and toke of his meyny into iijc: and at the same Journey was slayne Sr. Symon Filbrigges sone and his heire.

“The viijth Journey therle of Huntyngdon toke gonnes, quarrells, and crosbowes, comyng toward Compeigne the nombre of an c and xx men of armes, and vileyns many.171

“The ixth Journey the seid erle of Huntyngdon and his compeigny token vj strengthes and chirches, and brent many; and he gate a grete towne callid Crepynaloys. And thei praied hym that thei myght stand in the same forme that thei of Compeigne shulde, and therto thei sent hym ij ml salves of golde for expenses.

“The xth Journey the seid erle of Huntyngdon made a rode frome the duke of Burgoyne, and met with a compeigny of Scotts, distressid them, and toke there capitayne.

“The xjth Journey ijc Englisshemen of the kyngs house were bifore seint Lis, and token bestes and lx prisoners, whose capitayne was called Arnold Gilias of Alafeert Baynarde, the whiche as men wende myght paie a ml marc of golde, and another was La Heres brother.

“The xijth Journey the duke of Norfolk met with Lumbards vjxx speres, distressid them and toke their capiteyne, and many moo chirches, abbeis, and castells that were strong viij or ix, and hangid them that were therynne, and breke downe castells and chirches that were right strong.

“The xiiijth Journey therle of Stafford gate Arlmarle, and therynne vjxx and vj men; of the which vxx were hangid, and the remenaunt in the kings wille.

“The xvjth Journey the first day of July, there were comyng towards Compeigny of Scotts and of Armynakes to the nombre of iiij ml. and in theire comyng thiderward therle of Huntyngdon met them, and there toke the capiteyne of the Scotts and iiijxx other gret capiteyns: and there were slayne and taken xvc of Scottis and Armynakes.

“The xvijth Journey the duke of Norfolk gate Dammartyn and twoo other grete townes: and the dolphyn was that tyme at Jargowe, v leges biyonde Orliaunce.”

Note XX. page 119.

Ao. xj. Hen VI.—The only event noticed under this year in the Cottonian MS. is “that the meyre, aldermen, and shireves in scarlet, with comoens of London in grene, rodde to the Blak heth to receyve my lord of Bedford.”

Note YY. page 120.

Ao. xij. Hen. VI.—No other circumstance is mentioned in the Cottonian MS. than that “this yere was a Text writer brent at the Tour hille for heresie.”

Note ZZ. page 120.

Ao. xiij. Hen. VI.—“In this yere was a grete frost that enduryd from seint172 Katerines day unto seint Valentynes day after, wherfore the vyntage myght not come to London but by carte over Shoters hille frome Gravesende, Northflete, Greneheth, and other places both on Kent side and Essex.”

Note AAA. page 121.

Ao. xv. Hen. VI.—“This yere was another grete frost enduryng xj weks. Also this yere was openly knowen that the duke of Burgoyne was falsely forsworne to the crowne of England; for he laied sege to Caleis, and did make a strong bastelle; to the which bastel Englisshemen made strong assaute ij tymes, and the iijd tyme thei gate it, and token certeyn persons, and slough alle the remenaunt, and brent the bastelle; and than my lordes the dukes of Gloucestre, and of Northfolke, therle of Huntyngdon, therle of Stafford, and therle of Warwik, with many other lordes and barons, knyghts, and squiers, were apointed for to gone over and fight with the seid duke of Burgoyne; but the sege was broken er thei came there; for at that time alle the shyppes of England were arrestid, and went a werr fare half a yere, to for er these lordes went over the see: and thei did moche harme to our enymys; for thei toke Spaynardes, Britons, Flemyngs, Scotts, and other nacions of diverse contreis, and a galey chargid with diverse merchaundise. And than thei were countermandid to diverse havons of England for to have over the seid lordes; and at that tyme every lord found a certen of men of theire owne cost, and every feed man went with his lord: and every abbeie and house of religion founde certen men to gone over the see. Also at that tyme London found a certen of sowdiers to Caleis; and also gave unto the werres ml li: and many other townes of this land found men to gone over the see: and my lord of Gloucestre toke his ship at Wynchelsee, and many other lordes with hym, and went furth to Caleis with alle his hoste, and the shippes aweytyng upon the hoste by the costes of Flaundres, the Munday next after seint Laurence day, in the yere of our lord ml iiijc xxxvij, and lay that night in the felde at a place callid Sparkes place, bisides Oye: and upon the morowe he passid the water of Gravenyng, at x of the belle, with l men nombrid a myle byneth the towne; and there he made knyghts, and passid to a village callid Meerdike; and that thei brent, and alle the townes as thei went. And also thei brent a good open towne callid Popryng, and many other villages; and a towne was callid Belle and so furth, West Flaundres; and our shippes brent an ile callid Cagent.”

Note BBB. page 123.

Ao. xv. Hen. VI.—“In this yere the toure at the gate on London brigge, and ij arches with alle the housyng therupon fil downe into Thamyse, which no man cowde let to grete hurt. And this yere died quene Kateryne at Bermonsey, and173 was buried at Westminster in seint Marie chapel withynne thabbeie. And in this yere the kyng of Scotts was slayne in Scotland, of a knyght of the same land callid Sir Robert Grame.”

Note CCC. page 123.

Ao. xvij. Hen. VI.—“In this yere the duke of Orliaunce went over the see to Caleis with certein lordes of this land, and so was delyvered by composicion made. And in this yere therle of Huntyngdon was sent into Gascoyne and Guyen. And wheat was at xvjd a busshell alle that yere: and yet there was moch wheat brought out of Pruyte. And that yere was ordeyned that strumpettes shuld were rede hoddes and white roddes in there handes.”

Note DDD. page 125.

Ao. xviij. Hen. VI.—“In this yere was ordeyned by parliament that al strangers shuld goo to oost. And this yere ij men were hangid in Thamys, at the last hille beyond seint Katerynes; for thei had robbid and murdred vitailers in the water. And in this yere Sir Richard Wiche sometyme vicarie of Depford, and another secular man were dampned for heretiks, and brent at Tour hille, in a mornyng at vij of the belle.”

[The following article is prefixed to the copy of the preceding Chronicle, in the
Harleian MS. 565.]

COPIA TABULE PENDENTIS AD COLUMPNAM IUXTA TUMULUM DUCIS LANCASTR’ IN ECCLESIA SANCTI PAULI LONDON’.

Ecclesia sancti Pauli London’ continet infra limites suos tres acras terre et dimidiam. unam rodam et dimidiam et sex virgas constratas. Longitudo eiusdem ecclesie continet dclxxxx pedes. Latitudo eiusdem ecclesie continet cxxx pedes. Altitudo occidentalis testudinis continet ab ara cij pedes. Altitudo testudinis nove fabrice continet ab ara lxxxviij pedes. Cumulus ecclesie continet in Altitudine cl pedes cum cruce. Altitudo fabrice lapidie campanilis eiusdem ecclesie continet a plana terra cclx pedes. Altitudo fabrice lignee eiusdem campanilis continet cclxxiiij pedes. Attamen in toto non excedit quingentos et xxti pedes. Item pomellum eiusdem campanilis potest continere in sua concauitate si fuerit vacuum decem bussell’ bladi cuius rotunditas dyametri continet xxxvj vncias. que faciunt tres pedes cuius circumferencia continet cxiij vncias que faciunt nouem pedes et dimid. cuius superficies si sit circumrotunda debet continere quatuor milia lxviij vncias que faciunt xxviij pedes quadratas et quartam partem vnius pedis quadrati. Hasta crucis eiusdem campanilis continet in altitudine xv pedes cuius transversorium continet sex pedes. In qua Cruce Anno Domini Millesimo cccmo xxxixo xjmo kl. Augusti videlicet in festo sancte Marie Magdalene multe preciose reliquie plurimorum sanctorum ad Salvacionem eiusdem et tocius edificii sibi subiecti cum magna processionis Solempnitate collate fuerunt vt Deus omnipotens per merita gloriosa omnium sanctorum quorum reliquie in illa Cruce continentur ab tempestate et periculo in sua proteccione conservare dignetur. De cuius misericordia omnibus fabrice huius ecclesie auxilium procurantibus xxvij Anni Cl. dies omni tempore anni conceduntur preter Staciones Romane que sunt xliiijor anni et quam plura alia beneficia.

COPIA ALTERIUS TABULE PENDENTIS AD MEDIAM COLUMPNAM. IBIDEM INTER DICTUM TUMULUM DICTI DUCIS ET TUMULUM SANCTI ROGERI NUPER EPISCOPI LONDON’.

Anno Domini Cmo xlo. Invencio ymaginis crucifixi ad hostium Boriale sancti Pauli London’. in magno fluuio Thamisie. per Lucium 175primum Regem Anglie Christianum. Anno Domini Millesimo lxxxvijo mensis Julii die septimo Ecclesia sancti Pauli London’ et omnia que in ea erant cum magna parte Civitatis igne erant consumpta. tempore Mauricii Episcopi London’ regnante primo Rege Normannorum Willielmo Conquestore qui fundavit Monasteria de Bello in Sussex ubi ipse pugnaverat et Bermondesey iuxta London’. Londini maxima pars combusta.
Templum Pauli iterum combustum.
Nota.
Anno iiijto Regis Johannis.Anno Domini Millesimo Cmo xxxijdo Idus Aprilis combusta erat Civitas London in maxima parte ex igne Gilberti Beget. Anno Domini Millesimo Cmo xxxvijo combusta erat ecclesia sancti Pauli London’ per ignem ad pontem London’ accensum et inde processit ad ecclesiam extra Barras noui templi London’. Anno Millesimo Cmo lmo tam valida erat glacies quod Thamisia potuit per equestres pertransiri. Anno Millesimo ccijdo tante pluuie tonitrua et grandines ceciderunt ut lapides quadranguli ad quantitatem ovorum mixti cum pluuia de celo descenderunt ex quibus arbores vinee et segetes multum erant destructe homines erant contriti et aves per aiera volantes Visi sunt carbones ignitos in rostris deferre et domos incendere. Eodem Anno.
Anno vjto regis Johannis.
Eodem anno.
Anno vijo regis H. iijcii.Anno Domini Millesimo CCmo iiijto Incepit ordo fratrum predicatorum in Tholosanis partibus sub Duce Dominico. Eodem anno yemps asperima a circumcisione domini vsque ad Annunciacionem perduravit. Anno Domini Millesimo ccmo xiiijo Sanctus Franciscus incepit ordinem fratrum Minorum iuxta assisum. Et Anno Millesimo ccmo xxiiijto venerunt primo in Angliam per biennium ante obitum sancti Francisci. Anno vto regis H. tertij.Anno Millesimo ccmo xxjo In festo sancte Luce Euangeliste irruit ventus vehemens a septentrione quaciens domos et pomeria nemora et turres ecclesiarum. Visi que sunt dracones ignei et maligni spiritus in turbine volitare. Anno xliijo regis H. iij.Anno Millesimo ccmo lviijo apud Teukysbury quidam Judeus perdiem Sabbati cecidit in latrinam nec permisit se extrahi die Sabbati propter reuerenciam sui Sabbati. Set Ricardus de Clare Comes Glouernie non permisit eum extrahi die dominica sequente propter reuerenciam sui Sabbati. et sic mortuus est. Anno ixo regis E. sec’di.

Anno xxiiijto regis E. tercij.

Ao. xxxvto et xxxvjto regis E. tercij.

Anno xliijo regis E. iijcii.

Anno vto regis Ricardi secundi. Anno Mo cccmo xvjo Magna lues animalium et hominum maxima que inundacio ymbrium fuit ex qua prouenit tanta bladi cariscia quod quarterium tritici pro xl. s’. vendebatur. Anno domini Mo cccmo xlviijo Incepit magna pestilencia London’ circa festum sancti Michaelis et duravit usque ad festum sancti Petri ad uincula proxime sequens. Anno Domini Millesimo cccmo lxjo xviij kl. Februar. in festo sancti Mauri abbatis accidit ventus vehemens et terribilis per totam Angliam. Eodem anno fuit secunda pestilencia in qua obiit vir nobilis et Strenuus Henricus Dux Lancastrie. Anno Domini Millesimo cccmo lxviijo erat tercia pestilencia in qua obiit nobilis domina Blanchia Lancastrie ducissa. que in ecclesia sancti Pauli London’ honorifice iacet tumulata. Anno Domini Millesimo cccmo lxxxijdo xijo kl. Junii videlicet feria iiijta ante pentecosten inmediate post nonam erat terre motus magnus per totam Angliam.

COPIA MAGNE TABULE IBIDEM PENDENTIS PER DICTAM TUMBAM DICTI ROGERI NUPER EPISCOPI LONDON’.

In principio creavit Deus celum et terram et omnia que in eis sunt. Sexto autem die a creacione mundi factus fuit prothoplasmus Adam. 1.Prima etas mundi ab Adam usque ad Noe secundum Ebreos continet Mille sexcentos quinquaginta sex annos. secundum Septuaginta interpretes duo Milia ducentos xlta iiijor annos. Secundum vero Jeronimum non plene duo Milia. Secundum Metodum duo Milia. cuius diuersitatis causa est quia isti non computant secundum morem sacre scripture minucias temporum vel annorum que super sunt Millenis atque Centenis annis. A principio mundi vsque ad diluuium Noe duo Milia ducentos quinquaginta sex annos. 2.Secunda etas a Noe vsque ad Abraham continet secundum septuaginta Interpretes Mille septuaginta duos annos. Secundum Ebreos Mille Ducentos viginti duos annos. 3.Tercia etas ab Abraham vsque ad David continet secundum Ebreos octo centenos xlta duos annos. Secundum autem septuaginta Interpretes multo minus quoniam deficiunt in duobus annis. 4.Quarta etas a David usque ad transmigracionem Babilonis continet secundum Ebreos quatuor Centenos septuaginta tres annos. Secundum septuaginta interpretes parum minus quia deficiunt in vno anno. 5.Quinta etas a transmigracione Babilonis vsque ad Christum continet quinque Centenos octoginta quinque annos. Secundum alios quinque Centenos nonaginta nouem annos. 6.Sexta etas a Christo vsque ad finem mundi. Anni ab Origine mundi vsque ad incarnacionem domini nostri Jesu Christi quinque Milia nonaginta novem. Anni ab incarnacione eiusdem vsque ad passionem suam triginta tres imperfecti. Anni a creacione mundi vsque ad destruccionem Troie iiij ml xxx anni. A destruccione Troie vsque ad construccionem noue Troie que nunc Londonia vocatur lxiiijor anni. A construccione noue Troie ad construccionem Romane vrbis ccclxxxx anni. Ab vrbe condita vsque adventum Christi dccxv anni. Ab origine mundi iiij ml lxxxxiiij post destruccionem Troie videlicet anno Ml Cmo quinto ante incarnacionem Christi. Brutus quidam nobilis de genere Troiano ortus cum magna multitudine Troianorum per responsum dee Diane in insulam a Gigantibus olim Albion vocatam et inhabitatam intravit et Gigantes omnes destruxit. inter quos erat quidam fortissimus nomine Gogmagog et terram illam nomine suo Britanniam vocauit. Deinde a Saxonibus sive ab Anglis eam conquerentibus vocata est Anglia. Et idem Brutus primus Rex Britonum construxit primam Britannie vrbem que nunc Londonia vocatur in memoriam Troie prius destructe vocans eam trinouantum id est Troiam nouam que per tempus longum Trinouans vocabatur. Regnante tunc Ely sacerdote in Judea et archa testamenti a Philisteis capta fuit. Post mortem Bruti regnarunt in Britannia lviij Reges. Deinde regnavit rex Lud qui muros vrbis Trinouantum177 fortiter edificauit que per ipsum Caerlud vocabatur. Anglice Loudesdon’ et innumeris turribus circumcinxit quam pre omnibus Ciuitatibus regni amauit. Et ideo precepit vt domos et edificia edificarent que aliarum vrbium edificiis prepollerent. eo defuncto corpus eius in predicta vrbe iuxta Januam quam ipsemet construxit et a nomine suo Ludesgate vocata fuit nobilissime reconditum est. Demum Anglici vocauerunt eam Londene. Postmodum Normanni vocauerunt eam Loundres que Latine dicitur Londonia. Post mortem Lud regnauit Cassibellanus frater eius videlicet anno. lviijo. ante incarnacionem Christi. tempore cuius venit Julius Cesar in Britanniam cum multitudine copiosa et bis deuictus et fugatus et expulsus. Tercio per auxilium Androgei ducis Kanc’. reuocatus in Britanniam eam Romane potestati tributariam fecit.

Brutus etatis sue anno xvo. egressus ab Italia ad Insulam Leogeciam nauigio perueniens. Dianam inibi consuluit dicens.

Brutus tali responso confortatus classe parata. in Insulam Albion que nunc Anglia dicitur cum suis applicuit et in ea regnare cepit etatis 178sue anno xxxvto. qui regni sui xxiiijto. London’ sepelitur. Anno Milleno. ducenteno. quadrageno quinto post mortem Bruti Rex Lucius extat. Anno gracie cmo. xxiiijto. Coronacio Lucii primi Regis Christiani. regnantis lxxvij annis London’ sepultus est. A morte Bruti vsque ad regnum Arthuri regnarunt in Anglia diuisim C. Reges. quorum sexdecim erant Christiani. Anno d.xvjo. Coronacio Arthuri Regis qui regnauit annis xxvj. de cuius obitu vel sepultura. certum non referunt historie. Anno diiijxxvito. ab Anglis dicitur Anglia diuisa per octo regna id est Kanciam. Su’htsexiam. Westsexiam. Merciam. Estsexiam. Estangliam. Derram. et Berviciam. Anno dcmo. primo. cepit regnare. Rex Sebertus. renouator ecclesie Westm’. quam beatus Petrus tunc dedicauit. in qua Rex ipse regni sui anno xvo. timulatur. Anno dcmo xxxvto. Coronacio Oswaldi Regis regnantis novem Annis martirio coronatur. Anno dcmo. xxxvjto. Coronacio Oswyny Regis qui imperii sui anno ixo. martirizatus iacet apud Tynmouth. Anno dccmo. lxxvjto. Coronacio Ethelbristi Regis. qui regni sui anno viijo. martir effectus Herefordie sepultus est. Anno dcccmo. xxjo: Coronacio et martirium Kenelmi Regis qui Wynchecombie conditus est. Anno dcccmo. lvto. Coronacio Edwardi Regis apud Bures qui post annos xv. martirio laureatus ibidem requiescit. Anno dcccmo. lxxvjmo. Coronacio Alfredi Regis primi Monarche Anglie. qui sui regiminis anno xxixo. Wynton’: humatus est. Anno dccccmo. primo. Coronacio Edwardi primi filii Alfredi apud Kingeston’ hic annis xxiiijor. imperauit London’ sepelitur. Anno dccccmo. xxiiijto. Coronacio Athelstani Regis apud Kyngeston’. qui post annos xvj Malmesbury sepultus est. Anno dccccmo xlo. Coronacio Edwardi secundi Regis filii Athelstani apud Kyngeston’. hic anno regni sui sexto. Glaston’ sepelitur. Anno dccccmo. xlvjto. Coronacio Edredi Regis apud Kyngeston’ qui regni sui anno ixo. Wynton’. sepultus est. Anno dccccmo. lvto. Coronacio Edwyni Regis apud Kyngeston hic annis quatuor regnauit Wynton’ sepultus est. Anno dccccmo lixo. Coronacio Edgari. Regis. qui regnauit xvj. annis iacet Glaston’. Anno dccccmo lxxvo. Coronacio Edwardi secundi. filii Edgari apud Westm’ qui regni sui anno iiijto. martirio insignitus Septonie tumulatur. Anno dccccmo lxxixo. Coronacio Ethelredi Regis apud Kyngeston’ et anno xxxviijo. regni sui London’ sepelitur. Anno Millesimo xvjo. Coronacio Edwardi tercii ferri lateris apud Kyngeston’ et humatio apud Glaston’. Anno Millesimo xvijo. Coronacio Knutonis Regis apud Westm’ et regni sui anno xixo. Wynton’ sepultura. Anno Millesimo. xxxvto. Coronacio Haroldi primi Regis. hic regni sui anno quinto London’ humatus est. Anno Millesimo xlo. Coronacio Hardeknuti Regis et anno secundo regni sui humatio. Wynton’. A natiuitate Jesu Christi vsque ad regnum secundi Edwardi Regis et confessoris fluxerunt diuisim in Anglia Centum Reges et lxta et quinque Reges. de quibus Oswynus Oswaldus. Ethelbertus Kenelmus Edwardus Edwardus Martirizati. et Constans Cedwallus Sebertus Wynfridus Ethelredus. Edbertus. Offa.179 et Kynredus in Monachatu sepulti sunt. Anno gracie Millesimo xlijdo. Coronacio sancti Edwardi Regis et confessoris apud Wynton’ qui regni sui anno xxvto. in ecclesia Westm’ quam ipse constitui fecerat honorifice collocatur. Anno Millesimo lxvjto. Coronacio Haraldi Ducis apud Westm’ et sepultura illius apud Waltham. Anno Millesimo lxvijo. Coronacio Willielmi primi Ducis Normannie apud Westm’ qui regni sui anno xlvijo. Angliam describi fecit in vno volumine dicto Domusday et Anno iiijo. post cadamu’ sepelitur. Anno Millesimo lxxxo. Coronacio Willielmi Rufi. apud Westm’. et regni sui anno xiijo. Wynton’ tumulatur. Anno Millesimo Cmo. Coronacio Henrici primi Regis fratris Willielmi Rufi. apud Westm’ regnantis xxxv. annis. apud Redyng sepultus est. Anno Mo. Cmo xxxvto. Coronacio Stephani Regis apud Westm’. hic regni sui anno xixo. Feuersham humatus est. Anno Millesimo Cmo liiijto. Coronacio Henrici secundi imperatoris apud Westm’ et anno regni sui xxxvto. apud Fontem Ebraldi sepultura. Anno Cmo lxiiijto. Translacio sancti Edwardi Regis et confessoris apud Westm’ tertio Jdus. Octobr’. per beatum Thomam Archiepiscopum Cantuar’. Anno Millesimo Cmo. lxxxixo. Coronacio Ricardi Regis apud Westm’ qui cum regnasset annis xjim. apud Fontem Ebraldi tumulatur. Anno Millesimo Cmo. lxxxxixo. Coronacio Johannis Regis apud Westm’ et sui regiminis Anno xviijo. Wygorn’ sepelitur. Anno Millesimo. CCmo. xvj. Coronacio Henrici filii Regis Johannis apud Glouerniam qui Anno quarto sequente iterum coronatus est apud Westm’. regni sui lvijo. ibidem tumulatur. Anno Millesimo CCmo. lxxiiijio. xiiij. kl. Septembr. Coronacio Edwardi primi post conquestum apud Westm’ qui regni sui anno xxxvto. ibidem sepelitur. Anno Millesimo cccmo. vijo. x. kl. Marcij. Coronacio. Edwardi secundi. apud Westm’. qui regni sui Anno xxo. Gloucestr. timulatur. Anno Millesimo cccmo. xxvjto. Coronatur Edwardus tercius flos Milicie Christiane apud Westm’ etatis sue anno xiiijo. Anno Millesimo cccmo. xlvjto. tercio die Septembr’. Edwardus tercius subjugauit imperio suo villam de Caleys.Idem dominus Rex Edwardus incepit obsidere villam de Caleys cum Castro et suam obsidionem continuauit vsque tercium diem Augusti anno reuoluto. quo die dicta villa cum Castro suo imperio subjugauit. Anno Millesimo cccmo. xlo. viijo. kl. Julij. Illustris Rex Anglie Edwardus tercius apud le Sclus Francigenas vicit in nauali bello. Anno Millesimo cccmo. xlvjto. vijo. kl. Octobr. per Anglicos debellantur Franci apud Cressy. Et Rex Boenie punitur. David rex Scotie captus est.
Capcio Johannis Regis Francie.Eodem anno xvjo. kl. Nouembr’. Scoti vincuntur ab Anglis apud Durham. et capitur David Rex Scocie. Anno Mo. cccmo. l.vjto. xiijo. kl. Octobr’. Capcio Johannis Regis Francie apud Peyters per principum Egregium Edwardum primogenitum Edwardi tercij Regis graciosi. Anno Millesimo cccmo. lxxvjto. vjto. Idus Junij obijt idem Princeps Edwardus quo die festum Trinitatis contingebat. Anno Millesimo cccmo. lxxvijo. xjo. kl. Julij. obijt Rex Edwardus tercius flos Milicie. Christiane. et tercio Nonas eiusdem. apud Westm’ 180est sepultus. Anno regni sui l.jo. Ric’ filius Edwardi.

Henricus iiijtus.

Henricus quintus vitam obijt in Francia.Anno Millesimo cccmo. lxxvijo. xvijo. kl. Augusti apud Westm’. Coronacio Ricardi secundi filij Edwardi Principis Wallie anno etatis sue xjmo. Anno Millesimo cccmo. lxxxxixo. tercio Idus Octobr. apud Westm’. Coronacio Illustris Regis Henrici quarti. Anno Millesimo. ccccmo. xiijo. nono die Aprilis apud Westm’. Coronacio Illustris Regis Henrici quinti qui apud Boys seynt Vyncent iuxta Parisiam in Francia vitam suam finiuit. vltimo die Augusti anno regni sui. xo. incipiente. Et postea ossa sua apud Westm’ sepulta fuerunt. Anno domini Millesimo ccccmo. xxijdo. Henricus Rex Anglie Sextus. tunc puer non etatis vnius anni Coronatus fuit die sancti Leonardi Episcopi et confessoris apud Westm’ anno regni sui viijo. incipiente. Et postea. idem Rex coronatus fuit Rex Francie apud Parisiam. in ecclesia beate Marie ibidem. xvjo. die Decembr’. anno regni sui xmo. incipiente.

A COPY OF THE TABLET HANGING AT THE COLUMN NEAR THE TOMB OF THE DUKE OF LANCASTER, IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT PAUL’S, LONDON.

The church of St. Paul, London, contains within its limits three acres of land and a half; one rood and a half, and six perches covered. The length of the same church contains dclxxxx feet. The breadth of the same church contains cxxx feet. The height of the western dome contains from the altar cij feet. The height of the dome of the new building contains from the altar lxxxviij feet. The whole pile of the church contains in height cl. feet with the cross. The height of the stone fabric of the belfry of the same church contains, from the level ground, cclx feet. The height of the wooden fabric of the same belfry contains cclxxiiij feet. But altogether it does not exceed five hundred and xxty feet. Also the ball of the same belfry is capable of containing, if it were vacant, ten bushels of corn; the rotundity of which contains xxxvj inches of diameter, which make three feet; the surface of which, if it were perfectly round, ought to contain four thousand lxviij inches, which make xxviij square feet, and the fourth part of one square foot. The staff of the cross of the same belfry contains in height xv feet. The cross beam of which contains six feet. In which cross, in the year of our Lord one thousand cccxxxix, on the xith of the kalends of August, namely on the feast of saint Mary Magdalene, many precious reliques of several saints were deposited with great solemnity of procession, for the preservation of the same cross and the whole building beneath them; that the Almighty God, through the glorious merits of all the saints whose reliques are contained in that cross, might deign to preserve them from tempest and peril under his protection. Of whose mercy to all the xxvij procuring succour to the fabric of this church, cl days are set apart at every time of the year, besides the Roman ordinances which are xliiijor in the year, and very many other benefits.

A COPY OF THE OTHER TABLET HANGING AT THE MIDDLE COLUMN AT THE SAME PLACE, BETWEEN THE SAID TOMB OF THE SAID DUKE AND THE TOMB OF SAINT ROGER LATELY BISHOP OF LONDON.

In the year of our Lord cxl, the Invention of the image of the Crucifix, at the northern door of saint Paul, London, in the great river of Thames, by Lucius the182 first Christian king of England. In the year of our Lord one thousand lxxxvij, on the seventh day of the month of July. The church of St. Paul, London, and all things which were in it, with great part of the city, were consumed by fire; in the time of Maurice bishop of London, and in the reign of the first king of the Normans, William the Conqueror who founded the Monasteries of Battle in Sussex, where himself had fought, and Bermondsey near London. Most part of London burnt.
The church of Paul again burnt.In the year of our Lord one thousand cxxxij, the ides of April, the city of London was burnt in chief part, from the fire of Gilbert Beget. In the year of our Lord one thousand cxxxvij the church of saint Paul, London, was burnt by a fire kindled at London bridge, and which advanced thence to the church without the bars of the new temple, London. In the year one thousand cl, so strong was the ice, that the Thames could be crossed over by people on horseback. The iiijth year of king John.In the year one thousand ccij such great rains, thunder and hail fell, that quadrangular stones, to the bigness of eggs descended from the sky mixt with rain; by which trees, vines, and cornfields were much destroyed; men were bruised, and birds flying through the air The same year.
The vjth year of king John.
The same year.
In the vijth year of K. H. iijrd.seemed to bear lighted coals in their beaks, and to set the houses on fire. In the year of our Lord one thousand cciiij, began the order of preaching freres in the parts of Tholouse under their founder Dominic. The same year a most bitter winter endured from the circumcision of our Lord until the annunciation. In the year of our Lord one thousand ccxiiij, St. Francis began the order of minor freres near Assise. And in the year one thousand ccxxiiij, they first came into England, two years before the decease of saint Francis. In the vth year of K. H. the third.In the year one thousand ccxxj, at the festival of saint Luke the Evangelist a violent wind rushed from the north, shattering houses and orchards, and the towers of churches; and there were seen fiery dragons and evil spirits fluttering in the tempest. In the xliijrd of king H. iij.In the year one thousand cclviij, at Teukysbury, a certain Jew on Saturday fell into a cesspool, and would not allow himself to be drawn out on the Saturday, on account of his reverence of his sabbath; but Richard de Clare earl of Gloucester would not allow him to be drawn out on the following Sunday because of his reverence of his own sabbath; and so he died. In the ixth year of king Edw. second.In the year M. cccxvj, a very great pestilence of animals and men, and inundation of rains took place, whence was produced so great a dearness of corn, that a quarter of wheat was sold for xl s’. In the xxiiijth year of K. Edw. the third.
In the xxxvth and xxxvjth year of king Ed. third.

In the xliijrd year of king Edw. third.

In the vth year of king Richard second.In the year of our Lord M. cccxlviij, there began a great plague at London, about the festival of saint Michael, and it endured until the festival of saint Peter ad vincula next following. In the year of our Lord one thousand ccclxj, the xviijth kl. of February, on the festival of saint Maurus abbot, happened a violent and terrible gale throughout all England. In the same year was a second plague, in which died that noble and brave man, Henry duke of Lancaster. In the year of our Lord one thousand ccclxviij, was a third plague, in which died the noble lady Blanche,183 duchess of Lancaster; who lies honorably entombed in the church of saint Paul, London. In the year of our Lord one thousand ccclxxxij, the xijth kl. of June, namely, the iiijth day before pentecost, immediately before noon, there was a great earthquake throughout all England.

A COPY OF THE GREAT TABLET HANGING IN THE SAME PLACE, BY THE SAID TOMB OF THE SAID ROGER LATELY BISHOP OF LONDON.

In the beginning God created the heaven and earth and all things which are in them. But on the sixth day from the creation of the world, was made the first-formed Adam. 1.The first age of the world, from Adam to Noeh according to the Hebrews, contains a thousand, six hundred and fifty six years; according to the Seventy Interpreters, two thousand two hundred xliiij years. But according to Jerome not completely two thousand; according to Metodus two thousand. The cause of which diversity is, that these do not compute according to the manner of sacred Scripture the minutiæ of times, or of years, which are over and above the thousands and hundreds of years. From the beginning of the world until Noeh’s flood, are two thousand two hundred fifty six years. 2.The second age from Noeh until Abraham, contains according to the Seventy Interpreters, a thousand and seventy two years: according to the Hebrews, a thousand two hundred and twenty two years. 3.The third age from Abraham until David, contains according to the Hebrews, eight hundred and xl two years; but according to the Seventy Interpreters much less, since they are deficient by two years. 4.The fourth age from David until the carrying away captive into Babylon, contains according to the Hebrews, four hundred and seventy three years; according to the Seventy Interpreters little less, for they are deficient in one year. 5.The fifth age, from the carrying away captive into Babylon, until Christ, contains five hundred and eighty five years. According to others, five hundred and ninety years. 6.The sixth age is from Christ until the end of the world. The years from the beginning of the world until the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, are five thousand ninety nine. The years from the incarnation of the same until his passion, thirty three incomplete. The years from the creation of the world until the destruction of Troy, iiij ml xxx years. From the destruction of Troy until the erection of new Troy, which is now called London, lxiiij years. From the erection of new Troy to the erection of the Roman city, ccclxxxx years. From the building of the city until the coming of Christ, dcc.xv years. From the beginning of the world iiij ml lxxxxiiij years, after the destruction of Troy, namely, in the mc and fifth year before the incarnation of Christ; Brutus, a certain noble person sprung of the Trojan race, with a great multitude of Trojans, through the184 response of the goddess Diana, entered into the island formerly called Albion and inhabited by giants; and destroyed all the giants, amongst whom was one very mighty, by name Gogmagog; and he called that land after his own name Britain. Afterwards by the Saxons or Angles that conquered it, it was called England. And the same Brutus the first king of the Britons constructed the first city of Britain, which is now called London, in remembrance of the Troy before destroyed, calling it Trinovantum, that is new Troy, which for a long time was called Trinovans. Ely the priest was then reigning in Judea, and the ark of the testimony captured by the Philistines. After the death of Brutus there reigned in Britain lviij kings. Afterwards reigned king Lud, who strongly built the walls of the city of the Trinovantes, which was by him called Caerlud, in English Loudesdon, and surrounded it with innumerable towers; which he loved above all the cities of the realm, and therefore directed that they should build houses and edifices, which should surpass the buildings of other cities. At his death his corpse was most nobly laid up in the aforesaid city near the gate which he himself built, and was called from his name Ludesgate. At length the English called it Londene: afterwards the Normans called it Loundres which in Latin is called Londonia. After the death of Lud reigned Cassibellanus his brother, namely, in the lviijth year before Christ’s incarnation; in whose time came Julius Cesar into Britain with a copious multitude, and being twice overcome and routed and driven off, the third time being recalled into Britain, he, by the aid of Androgeus duke of Kent, made it tributary to the Roman power.

“Whosoever thou art: if thou wishest to know the English kings or laws, thou wilt read by perusing these. I will record the greater or nobler kings; when they reigned, and where the people buried them. Four thousand and a score years was Adam made before Brutus.”

Brutus in the xvth year of his age departing from Italy, arriving at the island Leogecia in his ship, consulted there Diana, saying:

“O mighty Goddess of the woods, terror of the wild boars, who hast power to pass through ethereal space and the infernal abodes: unfold earthly fate; and say what lands thou wishest us to inhabit; Tell also the dwelling in which I shall venerate thee for ever; in which I shall consecrate temples to thee with virgin dances.”

“Brutus, under the setting sun, beyond the Gallic realms, there is an island in the ocean all inclosed by sea; there is an island in the ocean, once inhabited by giants, now indeed desert, fit for thy tribes. This seek, for it shall be to thee185 a perpetual abode; Hence shall arise another Troy to thy sons; Here from thine offspring shall Kings be born, and to them shall all the earth be subject.”

Brutus, comforted with such a reply, and having prepared a fleet, steered with his people into the Island Albion which is now called England, and began to reign therein, in the xxxvth year of his age; who in the xxiiijth of his reign is buried at London. In the year one thousand two hundred and forty five, after the death of Brutus, king Lucius flourishes. In the year of grace cxxiiij was the coronation of Lucius the first Christian king, who after reigning lxvij years, was buried at London. From the death of Brutus until the reign of Arthur, there reigned in England separately C kings, of whom sixteen were Christians. In the year dxvj, was the coronation of king Arthur, who reigned xxvj years; concerning whose death or burial, histories do not relate anything certain. In the year diiijxxvj from the Angles, Albion is called Anglia, divided into eight kingdoms; that is, Kent, Suthsex, Westsex, Mercia, Estsex, Estanglia, Derram, and Bervic. In the year dc and one, began to reign king Sebert the renovator of the church of Westminster, which he then dedicated to the blessed Peter, in which the king himself in the xvth year of his reign is entombed. In the year dcxxxv, the coronation of king Oswald, who after reigning nine years is crowned with martyrdom. In the year dcxxxvj the coronation of king Oswyny, who in the ixth year of his reign being martyred, lies at Tynmouth. In the year dcclxxvj the coronation of king Ethelbrist, who in the viijth year of his reign being made a martyr, was buried at Hereford. In the year dcccxxj the coronation and martyrdom of king Kenelm, who was buried at Wynchecombe. In the year dccclv the coronation of king Edward at Bures, who after xv years obtaining the laurels of martyrdom, rests in the same place. In the year dccclxxj the coronation of king Alfred, the first monarch of England; who in the xxixth year of his government was buried at Wynton. In the year dcccc and one, the coronation of Edward the first, son of Alfred, at Kyngeston; he governed xxiiijor years, and is buried at London. In the year dccccxxiiij, the coronation of king Athelstan at Kyngeston; he after xvj years was buried at Malmesbury. In the year dccccxl, the coronation of king Edward the second, son of Athelstan, at Kyngeston; he in the sixth year of his reign is buried at Glastonbury. In the year dccccxlvj, the coronation of king Edred at Kyngeston, who in the ixth year of his reign was buried at Wynton. In the year dcccclv, the coronation of king Edwyn at Kyngeston; he reigned four years; and was buried at Wynton. In the year dcccclix, the coronation of king Edgar, who reigned xvj years; he lies at Glastonbury. In the year dcccclxxv, the coronation of Edward the second, son of Edgar, at Westminster, who in the iiijth year of his reign adorned with martyrdom, is buried at Septon. In the year dcccclxxix, the coronation 186of king Ethelred at Kyngeston, and in the xxxviijth year of his reign he is buried at London. In the year one thousand xvj, the coronation of Edward the third iron-side, at Kyngeston, and his burial at Glastonbury. In the year one thousand xvij, the coronation of king Knute at Westminster, and in the xixth year of his reign, his burial at Wynton. In the year one thousand xxxv, the coronation of king Harold the first; he in the fifth year of his reign was buried at London. In the year one thousand xl, the coronation of king Hardeknute, and in the second year of his reign, his burial at Wynton. From the nativity of Jesus Christ until the reign of Edward the second, king and confessor, there passed separately in England a hundred kings, and lxty and five kings; of whom Oswyn, Oswald, Ethelbert, Kenelm, Edward, Edward, were martyred; and Constans, Cedwall, Sebert, Wynfrid, Ethelred, Edbert, Offa, and Kynred were buried in monks’ orders. In the year of grace one thousand xlij, the coronation of saint Edward king and confessor, at Wynton; who in the xxvth year of his reign is honorably inshrined in the church of Westminster, which he himself had made to be erected. In the year one thousand lxvj, the coronation of duke Harald at Westminster, and his burial at Waltham. In the year one thousand lxvij, the coronation of William the first, duke of Normandy, at Westminster; who in the xlvijth year of his reign caused England to be described in a volume called Domusday; and in the iiijth year after, is buried at Caen. In the year one thousand lxxx, the coronation of William Rufus at Westminster, and in the xiijth year of his reign, he is buried at Wynton. In the year one thousand C the coronation of king Henry the first, brother of William Rufus, at Westminster, who after reigning xxxv years, was buried at Redyng. In the year Mcxxxv, the coronation of king Stephen at Westminster, he in the xixth year of his reign was buried at Feversham. In the year one thousand cliiij, the coronation of the emperor Henry the second at Westminster, and in the xxxvth year of his reign, his burial at Fontevrault. In the year one thousand clxiiij, was the translation of saint Edward king and confessor, at Westminster, on the third of the Ides of October, by the blessed Thomas archbishop of Canterbury. In the year one thousand clxxxix, the coronation of king Richard at Westminster, who when he had reigned xjen years, was buried at Fontevrault. In the year one thousand clxxxxix, the coronation of king John at Westminster; and in the xviijth year of his government he is buried at Wygorn. In the year one thousand ccxvj, the coronation of Henry, son of king John at Gloucester; who in the fourth year following was again crowned at Westminster; in the lvijth of his reign is interred at the same place. In the year one thousand cclxxiiij, the xiiij. kl. of September, the coronation of Edward the first after the Conquest, at Westminster, who in the xxxvth year of his reign is buried at the same place. In the year one thousand cccvij, the x kl. of March, the 187coronation of Edward the second at Westminster; who in the xxth year of his reign is buried at Gloucester. In the year one thousand cccxxvj, is crowned Edward the third, the flower of the Christian knighthood, at Westminster, in the xiiijth year of his age. Edward the third subjugated to his dominion the city of Caleys.In the year one thousand cccxlvj, on the third day of September, the same lord king Edward began to besiege the town of Caleys with the castle, and continued his siege until the third day of August, the succeeding year, on which day he subjugated the said town with the castle to his dominion. In the year one thousand cccxl, the viij kl. of July, the illustrious king of England Edward the third conquered the French at le Sclus in a naval engagement. In the year one thousand cccxlvj the vijth kl. of October, the French are vanquished by the English at Cressy, and the king of Bohemia is punished. David king of Scotland is taken.
The capture of John, king of France.In the same year, the xvjth kl. of November, the Scots are overcome by the English at Durham, and David king of Scotland is taken. In the year Ml. ccclvj the xiijth kl. of October, was the capture of John king of France at Peyters, by the excellent prince Edward the first-born of the gracious king Edward the third. In the year one thousand ccc lxxvj, the vjth of the Ides of June, died the same prince Edward, on which day fell the festival of the Trinity. In the year one thousand ccclxxvij, the xjth kl. of July, died king Edward the third, the flower of the Christian knighthood; and on the third of the nones of the same month, he was buried at Westminster, in the ljst year of his reign. Richard, son of Edward.

Henry iiijth. In the year one thousand ccclxxvij, the xvijth kl. of August, at Westminster, was the coronation of Richard the second, son of Edward prince of Wales, in the xjth year of his age. In the year one thousand ccclxxxxix, the third of the Ides of October, at Westminster, was the coronation of the illustrious king Henry the fourth. Henry the fifth died in France.In the year one thousand ccccxiij, the ninth day of April, at Westminster, was the coronation of the illustrious king Henry the fifth; who, at Boys Seynt Vyncent near Paris in France, ended his life on the last day of August, in the xth year of his reign, commencing. And afterwards his bones were interred at Westminster. In the year of our Lord one thousand cccc xxij, Henry the sixth king of England, then a child of not the age of one year, was crowned on the day of saint Leonard bishop and confessor, at Westminster, in the viijth year of his reign, commencing. And afterwards, the same king was crowned king of France at Paris, in the church of the blessed Mary there, on the xvjth day of December, in the commencement of the xth year of his reign.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

In the 36th page of the preceding Chronicle it is stated that “In this yere (1295) the kyng [Edward the first] was defraunded of his lond in Gascoigne in this manner, sothly: the kyng hadde yoven the forseyd lond of Gascoyne to the kynges suster of Fraunce, for that she schulde be yoyned to hym in fre mariage: and be some of his counseill enfeffed here in the sayd lond of Gascoigne, whiche lond of Gascoigne sche yaf to Charles here brother, and to other; and the matrymoigne betwen here and kyng Edward sche sette at noughte, and wolde noughte stonden therto.”—That circumstance is the subject of the following Fragment of a curious Poem preserved in the archives of the Corporation of the City of London, in the MS. entitled Liber Custumarium, fol. 84; from which it has been extracted by the obliging permission of Henry Woodthorpe, Esq. the Town Clerk. The leaf which contained the concluding stanzas has been lost; but judging from the number of those which remain, it originally consisted of about nine more verses. It is written in the hand of the period in which the events to which it alludes took place, and as the documents in the volume from which it is copied end in the succeeding reign, there is every reason to presume that it was entered in the Records of the City of London within a short period after it was composed. Every line of each verse contains the same letter in the middle of the line, and every line ends with the same letter: these two letters are placed in the middle and at the end of each verse, separated from the words to which they belong, but connected with them by lines in the manner in which the first verse of the Poem is here printed, and which has been considered sufficient to show the singular manner in which it was originally written.192

HIC INCIPIT QUIDA’ RISMUS F’TUS DE P’DIC’ONE VASCON’ ET DE RIUSD’ CONQUESTU P’ R’ E’ FILIU’ REG’ H’.

P. 37. Anno 24 Edward I, 1296. “Also in this yere Sr. Thomas Turbevyle for treson was drawen and hanged.”

Of the conduct which caused Sir Thomas Turbeville’s execution, the following fragment of a curious contemporary poem in the Cottonian MS. Caligula A. xviij, presents perhaps the most accurate information which is extant. It immediately precedes, and is written in the same hand as, the only contemporary copy of the Roll of Carlaverock which is known to exist, and hence it is highly probable that it was composed by the same person. Under any circumstances, however, it cannot fail to be deemed to possess sufficient interest to render it a valuable illustration to the passage in the text.

P. 57. “This same yere [anno 14th Edw. III. 1340] the kyng faught with the Frensshmen at Scluse, where there were sclayn of Frensshmen xxx ml; and the kyng toke and scomfyted at the sayd bataill of Scluse cccx schippes.” Of this passage, the following letter from king Edward the Third to Edward the Black Prince, giving an account of his victory over the French fleet at Sclyse, on Saturday the 24th of June 1340,—which, with the permission of Henry Woodthorpe, Esq., the Town Clerk, has also been extracted from the City Archives, letter F. fol. 39,—is an interesting illustration. This document, which has escaped the attention of Historians, presents an authentic detail of that memorable event; and it is evident from it that Robert de Avesbury, the contemporary writer upon whom the greatest reliance has hitherto been placed, has fallen into some errors in his narrative of the transaction. He informs us that on the day after the battle a rumour of it reached London, but that it was discredited until the ensuing Wednesday, namely the 28th of June, when the Prince of Wales received a letter from the king informing him of his success, of which letter that writer asserts that the annexed was a copy:

“Edwardus Dei Gracia Rex Angliæ et Franciæ et Dominus Hiberniæ, &c. Effusam circa nos hiis diebus propiciacionis divinæ clemenciam, ad vestri contemplacionem et læticiam, vobis ducimus intimandam. Scitis autem, immo vos et alios [136] fideles nostri quadam participacione sensitis, quantis fuimus et sumus guerrarum lacessiti turbinibus, et velut in mari magno procellosis fluctibus agitati. Sed licet sint mirabiles elaciones maris, mirabilior tamen in altis Dominus, qui procellam convertens in auram, jam inter tot adversa clementissime nos respexit. Nam cum pridem ordinassemus passagium nostrum necessarium versus partes Flandriæ, Dominus Philippus de Valesio, persecutor noster infestissimus, hoc prævidens, classem maximam navium armatarum quam in expugnacionem nostram nostrorumque fidelium misit, ut vel sic nos caperet, vel nostrum transitum impediret. qui transitus si, quod absit, fuisset impeditus, ardua negocia, quæ prosequimur, fuissent penitus in ruina: quinimmo nos et nostri fuissemus verisimiliter confusionis [137] magnæ subjecti. Sed Deus misericordiarum, videns nos in tantis periculis constitutos, graciosius et cicius, quam humana racio judicare poterat, misit nobis magnum navale subsidium, et insperatum numerum armatorum, ac semper ventum prosperum juxta votum, et sic, sub spe cœlestis auxilii, et justiciæ nostræ fiducia, dictum portum navigio venientes, invenimus dictam classem et hostes nostros ibidem paratissimos ad prælium in multitudine copiosa; quibus, in festo Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptistæ proximo præterito, ipse spes nostra Christus deus per conflictum fortem et validum nos prævalere concessit, facta199 strage non modica dictorum hostium, capta eciam quodammodo tota dicta classe, cum læsione gentis nostræ modica respective, sicque tucior de cetero patebit transitus nostris fidelibus supra mare, et alia bona plurima sunt ex hoc nobis et nostris fidelibus verisimiliter proventura, de quo spes pulcherima jam arridet. Nos autem, tantam cœlestem graciam devotissime contemplantes, ipsi Salvatori nostro laudes et gracias humiliter exsolvimus, deprecantes, ut, qui jam et semper in oportunitatibus copiosis graciis [138] nos prævenit continuatis, nos auxiliis prosequatur, et nobis regere temporaliter sic concedat in terris, ut in eo lætemur æternaliter in excelsis. Dileccionem vestram attente rogamus et per Dei misericordiam obsecramus, quatinus soli Deo vivo, qui tantum signum nobiscum fecit in bonum, in devotæ laudis præconium assurgentes, nos, jam in remotis agentes, et nedum jura nostra recuperare, sed sanctam ecclesiam catholicam attollere, et in justicia populum regere cupientes, sibi devotis oracionum instanciis recomendare curetis, facientes pro nobis missas, et alia piæ placacionis officia misericorditer exerceri, et ad hoc clerum et populum vestræ diocesis salutaribus monitis inducatis, ut Deus ipse, miseratus nobis, progressum felicem et exitum annuat graciosum, detque servo suo cor docile, ut recte judicare possimus et regere et sic facere quod præcipit, ut mereamur assequi quod promittit. Teste Edwardo duce Cornubiæ et Comite Cestriæ filio nostro carissimo Custode Angliæ apud Waltham Sanctæ Crucis xxviiivo. die Junii, anno Regni nostri Angliæ xiiiito. Regni vero Franciæ primo.”

It is however manifest from that document having been tested by the Prince of Wales, that it was rather a proclamation issued in consequence of the dispatch from the king to the prince, than the dispatch itself, of which the letter now for the first time printed may be deemed the only copy which is extant. Nor must it be forgotten that the date affixed to the article given by Avesbury tends to excite a suspicion of its authenticity; for it is tested by the prince at Waltham Holy Cross upon the precise day, the 28th of June, on which the king’s letter was written, and which could not therefore possibly have arrived on the day in question at Waltham. It is somewhat singular that as the battle was concluded on the 25th of June, the king should not have written until the 28th; but this may perhaps be accounted for by those arrangements which his success would necessarily have required, and which may be supposed to have engaged the monarch’s whole attention for some days. The letter in Avesbury’s Annals gives no particulars of the battle, though that writer relates that the enemy were beaten; that more than thirty thousand of them were slain; that many leapt into the sea from fear and were drowned; and that their fleet consisted of two hundred large ships, on board of one of which four hundred dead bodies were found. The Royal dispatch, however, affords much more minute information, and corrects the statements both in Avesbury and in the preceding Chronicle. It asserts that the French200 fleet amounted to one hundred and eighty sail; that they were nobly defended the whole of a day and a night; that they were all captured in the engagement excepting twenty-four which took to flight, and part of them were subsequently taken at sea; that the number of the men at arms and other armed persons amounted to thirty-five thousand, of whom five thousand escaped; that the English ships captured by the French at Middleburgh were then retaken; and that among the prizes were three or four as large as ’the Christopher,’ which we may infer was then the largest ship of the English navy.

It is unquestionable from what has been said, that this document supplies some important facts in the history of the times, whilst its entry among the Records of the City of London tends to establish that the Mayor of the city was accustomed at that early period to receive an official account of every public transaction, and of which another example will be found in a subsequent page.

The events which led to the battle of the Swyne, or as it is more generally termed of the Scluse, are too familiar to require repetition.

“Nota de Bello Aquatico:—
l’ra d’ni e’ dirett’
filio suo duci cornub’
de bello sup’ mare
p’cusso die nativit’
s’c’i joh’is bapt’

“Tresch’ fitz no’ pensoms bien q’ vo’ estes desirons assavoir bones novelles de no’ et coment il no’ est avenuz puys n’re aler Denglet’re si vo’ fesom savoir q’ le Joedi’[139] ap’s ceo q’ no’ dep’times du Port Dorewełł,[140] no’ siglames tut le iou ret la nuyt suaunte, et le vendredi [141] en tour hour de noune no’ venismes s’ la costere de fflaundres devant Blankebergh ou no’ avioms la vewe de la fflote de nos enemys qi estoyent tut amassez ensemble en port del Swyne et p’ ceo q’ la Tyde nestoit mis adonges p’ assembler a eux no’ yherbergeasmes tut cel noet le samady le iour de seint Johan [142] bien ap’s houre de noune a la Tyde nous en noun de Dieu et en espoire de n’re droite querele entrames en dit port s’ nos ditz enemys qi avoyent assemble lours niefs en moult fort array et lesqu’x fesoient ml’t noble defens tut cel iour et la noet ap’s, mes dieu p’ sa puissaunce et miracle no’ ottroia la victorie de mesmes noƷ enemys de qai no’ m’cioms si devoutement come no’ poems. Et si vo’ fesoms savoir q’ le nombre des niefs galeyes et g’nt barges de nos enemys amounta a ixxx et ditz, lessqueles estoient toutz pris sauve xxiiij. en tut lesqueles senfuirent et les uns sont puye pris s’ mier et le nombre des gentz darmes et autres gentz armez amounta a xxxv Miłł de quele nombre p’ esme cink’ Ml sont eschapees, et la remenaunt ensi come no’ est donc a entendre p’ ascuns gentz q’ sont pris en vie,201 si gissent les corps mortz et tut pleyn de lieux sr la costere de fflaundres. Dautre p’t totes nos niefs, cest assavoir Cristofre et les autres qi estoient p’dues a Middelburgh, sont ore regaignez, et il yount gaignez en ceste navie trois ou quatre auxi graundes come la Cristofre: les fflemengs estoient de bone volente davoir venuz a no’ ala bataille du commencement tanqe ala fin issint dieu n’re seignr ad assez de grace monstre de qei’ no’ et toutz nos amys sumes tut ditz tenutz de lui rendre grace et m’ciz. N’re entent est a demorer en pees en le ewe taunt qe no’ eoms pris c’teyn point ove no’ alliez et autres nos amys de fflandres de ceo q’ soit affaire. Trescher fitz dieu soit gardeyn de vo’. Don’ souz n’re secree seal en n’re nief Cogg [143] Thom’, le Mescredy en la veille seint Piere et seint Paoul.[144]

P. 63. “And in this yere, that is to seye the yere of oure lord a ml ccclvjto, the xix day of Septembre, kyng John of Fraunce was taken at the bataill of Peyters be the doughty prynce Edward, the firste sone of kyng Edward.” &c.

It would be difficult to name a more interesting document connected with English History than that by which, through the courtesy of Henry Woodthorpe, Esq., Town Clerk of the City of London, the passage in the text will be illustrated; namely, a copy of the letter from Edward the Black Prince to the Mayor, Aldermen and Comonalty of London, acquainting them with the achievement of the battle of Poictiers. This important record, which has never before been printed, occurs among the archives of the city, in a contemporary MS. entitled Letter G. fol. 53b. and was, there can be little doubt, entered into that volume soon after the receipt of the original.

The greater part of the Prince’s letter is occupied by the detail of the proceedings of the army for some days previous to the battle, and in describing the efforts of the Cardinal Peregort to produce a peace or truce between the kings of France and England; whilst the conflict itself is mentioned in a few words. Independently of the particulars of the English forces and their rencontres with the enemy which this letter so minutely relates, its most important statement is that of the precise day when the battle took place, for historians have differed materially upon the point. The Prince, however, expressly says that it occurred on the eve of the feast of St. Matthew, i.e. the 20th of September. His letter was dated at Bordeaux on the 22nd of the following month, and was sent to the Mayor of London by the Prince’s chamberlain Sir Neel Loring; and the manner in which he refers the Mayor and Citizens to that distinguished knight for further information, cannot fail to be noticed, from its great similarity to the conclusion of a modern military dispatch. Another feature of this and other documents of the same nature in early periods, is the great simplicity and modesty with which they are written. An expression of gratitude to God alone interrupts the unadorned narrative; and the defeat of an army infinitely superior in numbers, and the capture of one of the most powerful sovereigns of the times together with his eldest son, are thus laconically related: “The battle took place on the eve of St. Matthew; and, praise be to God, the enemy were discomfited, and the king and his son were taken, and great numbers of other people taken and slain.” To present as many contemporary documents as could be collected relative to this memorable event, two other letters are introduced, as well as the affidavit of an individual203 who claimed to have been the person to whom king John of France surrendered himself.

One of the letters alluded to, which is printed in the Archæologia, vol. i. p. 213, is also from the Black Prince, to Reginald Bryan bishop of Worcester, dated at Bordeaux on the 20th of November, briefly informing him of his success, which he attributes in a great measure to the efficacy of that prelate’s prayers.

The other letter is from Robert Prite to some English nobleman, dated on the 8th of December 1356, whose clerk, or probably priest, he styles himself, and is taken from the original on vellum in the Cottonian MS. Caligula D. III. f. 33. After mentioning the battle of Poictiers, the particulars of which he says he will learn from a knight whom the duke of Lancaster had sent into England to the king, the writer acquaints him with some other news of the time, as well as with what had occurred in some of his towns; and entreats him to come over as soon as possible. This letter, which is now for the first time printed, though not so important as the others, is nevertheless of interest, as connected with the battle of Poictiers, and with other public and private transactions of the period.

The third document on the subject is the solemn declaration of Bernard du Troy, a Gascon gentleman, made on his death-bed the 1st of July 1361, that he was the person who took the king of France prisoner at the battle of Poictiers; which point it is evident from this instrument, as well as from historians, had been much disputed. This very curious article, which also occurs in the Cottonian MS. just mentioned, is highly interesting; for it not only shows who were the claimants to the honour of having captured the king, but the ardour with which that claim was supported. It is however doubtful whether the love of fame or pecuniary interest prompted this declaration at so awful a moment; but his motive, like those of most other human actions, was probably of a mixed nature; for whatever might be the renown which was attached to the exploit, the ransom to which the true claimant would be entitled must have been an object of great consideration to him or to his heirs. Du Troy carefully provides, that those who would support his pretensions with their swords should partake of the benefits which might arise from their valour; and this circumstance presents a curious picture of the manners of the age. Sir Denys de Morbeque of whom he speaks, is thus noticed by Froissart. “There was much pressing at this time through eagerness of taking the king: and those that were nearest to him, and knew him, cried out ‘Surrender yourself, surrender yourself, or you are a dead man.’ In that part of the field was a young knight from St. Omer, who was engaged by a salary in the service of the king of England: his name was Denis de Morbeque, who for five years had attached himself to the English, on account of having been banished in his younger days from France for a murder committed in an affray at St. Omer.204 It fortunately happened for this knight, that he was at the time near to the king of France when he was so much pulled about. He by dint of force, for he was very strong and robust, pushed through the crowd and said to the king in good French, ‘Sire, sire, surrender yourself.’ The king, who found himself very disagreeably situated, turning to him, asked ‘To whom shall I surrender myself; to whom? Where is my cousin the Prince of Wales? if I could see him I would speak to him.’ ‘Sire,’ replied Sir Denys, ‘he is not here; but surrender yourself to me, and I will lead you to him.’ ‘Who are you?’ said the king. ‘Sire, I am Denys de Morbeque, a knight from Artois, but I serve the king of England because I cannot belong to France, having forfeited all I possessed there.’ The king then gave him his right-hand glove, and said ‘I surrender myself to you.’ There was much crowding and pushing about, for every one was eager to cry out ‘I have taken him.’”

Most of the witnesses to Du Troy’s declaration were celebrated peers and knights both of England and France.

L’RA D’NI EDWARDI PRINCIPIS GALL’ MAIOR ALDR’S ET COM’ITATI CIVITATIS LONDON’ DIRECTA DE NOV’ BAT’I IUXta POYTERS.

Tresch’e et tres bien ameez endroit des novelles es p’ties ou nous sumes voillitz savoir qe puis l’eure qe nous certifiasmes a n’re tresredoute Sr et piere le Roi qe no’ estoions en p’pos de chivaucher env’s les enemis es p’ties de Fraunce no’ p’smes n’re chemyn p’ le pais de Peregort et de Lymosyn et tout droit v’s Burges en Were ou no’ entendismes davoir troues le fitz le Roi le counte de Peytiers et la sov’aigne cause de n’re aler v’s celles p’ties estoit qe nous entendismes davoir eu noveles de n’re dit Sr et piere le Roi come de son passage et puis q’ no’ ne trovasmes le dit counte ne nul autre g’unt poair illeosqes nous no’ treismes dev’s leyre et maundasmes noz gentz au chivaucher a conoistre si no’ p’uons nulle p’t avoir trovez passage lesqueles gentz encontrerent les enemis et avoient faire assemble si qe les uns des ditz enemys estoient mortz et pris les queuz p’soners disoient qe le Roi de France avoient envoiee Grismoton q’estoit encelle compaignie p’ lui faire asavoir c’teines novelles de no’ et de n’re poair et si avoit le dit Roi p’ mesmes le cause envoie en autre p’tie le Sr de Creon Monsr Busigaut le Mareschal de Clermount et aut’s et disoient les ditz p’soners qe le dit Roi avoit p’s certe in p’pos de combatre ovesq’ nous a quele heure nous estoioms sr le chymyn env’s Tours et encostoavit dev’s Orliens et lendemein la ou nous estoions loggiez aviens novelles qe les ditz Sire de Creon et Busigaut estoient en un chastel bien p’s de n’re loggiz et p’ismes p’pos de y aller et venismes loggier205 entour eux et acordasmes d’assailler le dit lieu lequel estoit gayne p’ force ou estoient tout plein de lo’r gentz p’s et mortz auxint les uns des n’res y furent mortz mes les ditz Sires de Creon et Busigaut se treerent en une fort Tour qil y avoit la quele se tenoit cynk jours avant qelle feust gaignee et la se rendirent ils et illeosqes estoions c’tifiez qe touz les pontz sr leyre estoient debruses et qe nulle p’t purriens avoir passage sr qei nous p’ismes n’re chemyn tout droit a Tours et la demourasmes devant la ville quatre iours deins quelle estoient le Counte Dangeo et le Mareschal de Clermount od g’nt poair des gentz. Et a n’re dep’tir d’illeoqs no’ p’ismes le chemyn p’ passer ascuns daung’ des eawes et en entente davoir encountree ovesqe n’re tres ch’ cosyn le ducs de Lancastre de qi no’ aviens certeins novelles qil se voillent afforcier de trere dev’s nous a quelle heure le Cardenal de Peregort vynt a nous a Monbezon a troiz lieues de Tours ou il no’ p’la tout plein des choses touchauntes trewes et pees sr quele p’lance no’ lui fesoiens respounse qe la pees ne avient poair a ffaire ne qe nous ent voloiens meller saunz le comaundement et le volunte de n’re tresch’ Sr et piere le Roi ne de trewe nestoiens al heure avisez qe se eust estee le meillo’ p’ noq de y avoir acordee car illeosqes estoiens non plus plenement c’tifiez qe le Roi se tailla p’ toutes voies de combatre ove nous si q’ nous no’ treismes dilleoqes v’s chastel Heraud sur le passage del eawe de la Vivane ou no’ desmourasmes quatre iors ettendauntz de savoir plus la c’tein de lui le quel Roi vint od son poair a chaveny a cynk lues de nous p’ passer mesme lewe v’s Poyters et sr ceo p’ismes p’pos de hastier dev’s lui sr le chemyn qil devereit passer p’ estre combatuz ove lui mes ses batailles estoient passeez devant qe no’ estoions venuz au lieu ou nous entendismes de lui avoir encountree hors pris p’tie des gentz de lour entour sept centz homes darmes qe se combatirent od les n’tres ou estoient p’s le countes de Soussoire et de Junhy le Sr de Chastillion et tout plein dautres pris et mortz p’ties de lour et des n’res et puis les p’suievrent noz gentz tanq’ a Chaveny bien a treis lieus loyns p’quoi il nous convienoit logger cel jour a plus pres de celle place qe nous poiens p’ recoiller noz gentz et lendemeyn p’ismes n’re chemyn tout droit dev’s le Roi et mandasmes noz descov’res qe troverent lui od son poair p’st bataille es champs a une lue de Peiters et alasmes a plus p’s de lui qe nos poiams p’ndre n’re places et nous mesmes a pie et en arraie de bataille et p’st de combatre ove lui ou vynt le dit Cardinal requerraunt molt entierment p’ une pettit suff’nce issint qe home purroit faire parler dasemble c’teins gentz des p’ties en atente d’acord et de bone pees quelle chose il emp’st qil amereit a bon fey sur quoi nous p’ismes avis et lui otreiasmes sa requeste sur quoi furent ordeyner c’teins gentz dune p’t e d’autre a tretir sur celle matirs lequel trete ne p’st nul exploit Et adonqes volleit le dit Cardinal avoir purchace une trewe en destourbaunce de la bataille a son gree a quel treve ne voilloit assentir Et demaunderent les Fraunceys c’teins chivalers d’une p’t et206 d’autre p’ prendre owelle place issint qe la bataille ne se purroit en nulle man’e failler et en tieu man’e estoit cel jour delaiee et demourerent les batailles d’une p’t et d’autre tote noet chescun en lour place et tanqe le demein entour un prime et p’ ascuns forces qe estoient p’ entre les ditz batailles nul ne voloit a autre taunte davauntage demp’ndre a venir l’un sur l’autre Et p’ defaute des vitailles si bien p’ aut’s enchessons acorde estoit qe nous deveriens prendre n’re chemyn encosteant p’ devant eux en tieu man’e q’ s’ils voilont la bataille ou trere dev’s nous en lieu q’ nestoit mye tres graundment a n’re desavauntage qe nous le preindreins et ensint estoit fait sr quoi le bataille se prist la surveile de seint Matheu et loiez ent soit dieux les enemys estoient desconfitz et pris le Roi et son fitz et tot plein des aut’s g’ntz pris et mortz si come n’re Tresch’ ame bach’r Monsr Neel Loereng n’re chaumberlein portr de cestes qu ent ad assetz pleine conisance vous sav’a plus pleinement dire a monstre come nous ne vous purroins escrire A qi voilletz pleine foi et credence doner Et n’re seignr vuis voille garder Donnez souz n’re secre seal a Burdeux le xxij jour d’Octobr’.

LETTER FROM THE BLACK PRINCE TO THE BISHOP OF WORCESTER, DATED 20TH OCTOBER 1356, RELATING TO THE BATTLE OF POITIERS, WHEREIN THE FRENCH KING WAS MADE PRISONER, &C. EX REGISTRO REGINALDI BRIEN WIGORN. EPISCOPI. FOL. 113. COMMUNICATED TO THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES BY DR. LYTTELTON, DEAN OF EXETER.

L’RA D’NI PRINCIPIS WALL’ DE CAPCIONE R. FRANCIÆ PAR LE PRINCE DE GALES.

Reve’nt piere en Dieu, et tresch’ ami. Nous vous mercions entierement de ce que nous avons entendu q’ vous estes si bien et si naturelment porte dev’s nous, en p’ant Dieux p’r nous et p’r n’re exploit; et sumes tout certiens q’ p’r cause de vous devoutes p’eres et dautres, Dieu nous a en toutes nos besoignes be’ vueliz aide; de quoi nous sumes a touz jo’s tenuz de lui grazier, en p’ant que v’re part ancy vieullietz faire en continuant dev’s nous come devant ces heures avetz fait, de quoi nous nous tenons g’n’ment tenuz a vous. Et, rev’ent piere, endroit de n’re estat, dont nous penceons bien q’ vous desirez la v’re merci doier bones nouvelles, vuellietz entendre q’ a la faisance de cestes estions sains et heures et tout en bon point, loiez en soit Dieux q’ nous donit y ces mesmes de vous toutes soitz oir et207 saver, et de ce nous vueilletz certifier p’r vos l’res et p’ les entrevenantz a plus souvent q’ vous p’res bonement en droit de nouvelles ceandroitz. Vueilletz savoir q’ la veille de la translation Saint Thomas de Canterbire, nouz commenceasmes a chivauch’ ove n’re povar v’s les parties de France et souvraignement p’ cause q’ nous entendismes la venue de n’re treshonn’e seign’r et piere le Roy la endroit, et si neismes dev’s les parties de Burges en Berye, Orlions, et Tours, et avions nouvelles q’ le Roy de France ove g’nt povar bien pres de celles marches venoit p’ combattre ove no’s, et approcheasmes tant q’ la battaille se prist entre nous en tiele maniere q’ les ennemis estoient disconfitez, grace en soit Dieux, et le dit Roi et son fils et plusiers autres g’ntz pris et mortz, les noms de queaux nous vous envions p’ n’re tresch’ bachiler Mons’ Roger de Cottesford portoir de cestes. Rev’ent piere en Dieux, et n’re tresch’ ami, le Saint Esprit vous ait toute jours en sa guarde. Donne souz n’re seal a Birdeaux, le xxe jour d’ Octob’r.

[Tradita fuit ista l’ra Domino Reginaldo de Briene, Ep’o Wygorn, apud Alvech’, pr’mo die Decemb’, an’ Dom’ Mo. ccc. quinquagesimo sexto, cum cedula nomina continente capt’ et mortuorum in bello praedicto, cujus cedulae tenor insequitur p’ o’ia —— parte folii istius suprascriptus]

A Rev’ent Piere en Dieux Evesqe de Worcester, ces sont les noms de ceaux q’ estoient pris a la battaile de Poyters p’ le Prince de Gales fitz a noble Roi de Engleterre Edward Tierts.

A LETTER FROM ROBERT PRITE, CLERK, TO SOME ENGLISH NOBLEMAN, DATED 8th DECEMBER 1356, GIVING HIM INFORMATION OF THE BATTLE OF POICTIERS, AND OTHER INTELLIGENCE.

Mon t’sg’nt et t’sredoute seign’. Nous tenons com’unement p’decea et p’ c’tein q’ le Roi de Fr’nce le duc d’Orliens deux filz du roi les deux mareschalx de [F’ance] et plusours autres g’ntz seign’s ont este mortz en la bataille q’ad este entre le P’nce de Gales et eux et dit ho’me q’ Monsr Loys v’re frere Monsr Martin [le] Roi les Navarrois ont en la p’m’e bataille et ceux descomfirent la busoigne209 et tua Monsr Martin le Roi et ce purrez vous savoir plus au plein p’ un Chivaler qi le duc de Lancastr’ ad envoie nadgaires en Englet’re dev’s le Roi. Et se p’ti de la busoigne le duc de Normandie qi sicome home dit est venuz a Paris et ad signifie ces novelles a Monsr Rob’t de Cleremont son lieutenant es p’ties de seint Loo. Des autres novelles de p’decea, plese vous savoir mon t’sredoute seignur q’ le poeple de ce paiis est molt esbay de la longe demoer q’ vous faites p’dela moemens les gentils genz; a qui Monsr Godefrey de Harecourt p’lemente touz les iours et les enhorte estre oveges lui et de lui faire hom[age] come a lieutenant le Roi d’Englet’re et especialement a ceux qi tenent p’decea fort’estes et fait pullier p’my voz villes q’ qicunqes voudra estre a lui obeissant il ne serra greve de taillee ne aut’s subsides p’ qeconqz affaire q’ ce soit et q’ ceux il gardera et defendera contre vous et aut’s dont plusours gentilz homes et autres bones villes lui ont entierement accordez sa volonte p’ sa petite puissance q’ils veient q’ vous avez et en outre ad fait le dit Godefrey mettre la main en la t’re qe feust vassailles Honriot de Pemot J de Chesnos et en plusours aut’s lieux et fait iniunccion q’ nul ne obbeisse a vous sr peine de la teste et tant d’autres choses plus g’nt q’si vous accordez a venir p’decea vous trouviez petit de voz gent qi pr’ vous face riens car de iour en iour. Il fait conu’tir le paiis et tiegne q’ a son poair. Il lev’a de voz gentes de la seint Michel la greigunure p’tie et navez ja p’sent officer a qi la people voille ore obeir p’ la doute de Godefrey, si vous voillez avancer sicome vous poez veer q’ busugne est et p’dela mettez tiel remede come vouz verrez q’ bon s’ra, car les Engleis p’decea tiennent sa p’tie, et si ne feust l’esp’ance, q’ iai de v’re brieve venue Je vous envoiasse p’chemement aucune finance. Mon t’sredoute Sr n’re Seignr vous doint bone vie et longe, et vous ait en sa seincte garde, t’stre a seint benet les viijne iour docenb’r.

A DECLARATION OF BERNARD DU TROY, A GASCON GENTLEMAN, THAT HE WAS THE PERSON WHO TOOK KING JOHN OF FRANCE AT THE BATTLE OF POICTIERS.

In Dei Nomine Amen. Uniu’si nouerint p’ p’n’tes q’ Anno d’ni mill’imo cccmo. sexsagesimo primo die pima mens’ Julij Indict’one 210xiiija pontificat’ s’cissimi in xp’o p’ris et dni. d’ni Innocentij ppe. sexti anno nono inpresentia not’ et testiu’ subsc’ptor’ p’sonal’r constitut’. discretus vir Bernardus deu Troy scutifer de vasconia. licet infirm’ corpore mente t’n sanus et intellectu. Corpus sacatissimu’ ih’u x’p’i. q’d ut fidel’ xp’ian’ Recip’e volebat p’ ei’ Ai’e saluat’one in manu sacerdotis habens p’oc’lis in domo habitato’is sue London’ in Carreria et Rop’ia verba dixit et p’tulit que sequntur. Carissimi d’ni. q’ nil certius morte nec incertius hora mortis. Et quia tempus p’ic’losum est vt nulli lat’e possit Jus meu’. et cu’ctis notu’ fiat. Dico Ego Bernardus deu troy p’d’cs cor’ vob’ om’ib’. q’ in p’ic’lo Ai’e mee et p’ sacm corpus ih’u x’p’i q’d hic cor’ om’ib’ est sacatum et intendo Recip’e p’ saluato’e mee Ai’e pecaticis. q’ die belli de poitiers Ego cepi Rege’ francie. et se mi Reddidit Rex p’d’cs et meus ver’ pisionarius est et null’ ali’ ius habet in eo p’ter me de Jure u’l Rato’ne. Et querelam qam cora’ d’no n’ro Rege Anglie. Et ei’ consilio a d’co bello cita p’sequt’ sum sup’ d’to Rege francie pisionario meo est bona et in ea ut Attemptaui et p’sequt’ sum volo mori tanqam bona et iust’ querela. Al’ corpus ih’u xp’i sacatissimu’ quod ut supa dixi ut fidel’ xp’ian’ p’ salute Ai’e mee volo Recip’e sit ad dampnato’em mea’ q’d deus euertat. Et Rogo d’nm Geraldum de tartasia d’nm de poyana milite’ hic p’ntem Eo casu quo de hac infirmitate decederem q’ querela’ mea’ aucdacter Recipiat tanqa’ bona’ conta d’nm denisium de morbek milite’ et q’mcu’que aliu’ Jus meum sup’ d’co Rege francie vero pisionario meo vsurpar’ nitente’. qui conta deu’ et Justicia’. me et Jus meu’ absorbet. et p’ falsas suggestiones. et cautelas vsq’ inp’ntem die’ impediuit et impedit mi’ iuste et d’cam q’relam p’seqatur ad fine’ et bellu’ faciat si Judicet’ sup’ hoc sub p’ic’lo Ai’e mee qua’ quide’ q’rela’ d’c’s d’ns de poyana ibi p’ns p’seq’ndam et finiendam ac bellu’ si Indicetur aut Indicaret’ in se suscipiendum et faciend’ p’misit et fide sua media stipulauit. Eo Aute’ casu quo dict’ d’ns de poyana nollet d’cam querelam p’sequi aut no’ posset morte aut impedimento aliquo impedit’. volo Ego Bernardus deu troy p’d’cs q’ pelegin’ deu cause socius me’ in Armis d’cam q’relam p’seqatur et finiat Ac bellu’ Recipiat et faciat p’ d’ca q’rela si iudicatu’ fuit sub p’ic’lo Anime mee ut p’dixi de comodo aute’ et finantia qd’ p’ue’iat ex d’co Rege francie vero pisionar’ meo sup’ quo d’n’m n’r’m Rege’ eius Ai’am et conscientia’ onero, volo q’ deductis expen’ illi’ qui p’seq’t’ si bellu’ subseqatur exinde bellu’ faciens Ecia’ p’te, habeat duas alias p’tes inter hered’ meos, peleginu’ deu canse, et socios qui in Armis erant socij mei d’ca die, Rat’onab’l’r diuidant’ sicut ordinaret’ Rat’onab’l’r et Reperiretur ip’os Jus habere. si aute’ bellu’ non subseqatur ex querela p’d’ca qd’ absit. volo q’ de comodo qd’ p’ue’iat deductis expen’ p’seq’ut’ Recipiat ip’e p’sequens iuxta ei’ conscientia’. Residu’ ut supa dc’m est diuidat’. Sup’ d’co tamen p’ficus et emolume’to conscienta’ d’ci d’ni n’ri Regis onero ut p’dixi. Rogans et 211Reqirens magrm guill’m. de Wolneston’. et magr’m philipu’ de London’. et alios notarios hic p’ntes q’ sup’ hiis om’ibus faciant et Recipiant. Vnu’ duo v’l pl’a publica instr’a que concessim’ agenda in f—— et testimoniu’ p’missor’. Acta sunt hec sub anno indict’one pontificat’ mense die ... supad’cis. Test’ Nobiles viri d’ni Oliueri’ de Clisson. Guill’m’ de mont agut Bartholomeus de borearhs —— Rob’rt’ de holand’ thomas de Ros. Joh’n’s de br—— Joh’n’s —— ccl’ de london’ Berdus de Brotas. gerdus de menta R’ndus se —— —— p—— a—— a—— Berdus de la quinnada petrus de brassas Ardus de ——

P. 73. “And at the Tour hill they beheded maistre Simond Sudbury, than erchebisshop of Caunterbury and chaunceler of Englond; and frere Robert Hales priour of seynt Jones house, than tresorer of Engelond,” &c.

The rebellion noticed in the text is so important an event in the history of England as well as of the Metropolis, that no apology can be required for the insertion of an inedited document in any degree connected with it. In the Fœdera, tom. vii. are several proclamations on the same subject, and among them one tested at London on the 15th June 1381, directed to the sheriff of Kent; but the following, dated at Chelmsford on the 5th of July in that year, has never, it is believed, been printed. It appears from it that the rebels had asserted that they were supported by the king’s authority; and His Majesty therefore, not merely denies the fact, but commands the earl of Warwick and the other persons in that county to whom the instrument is addressed, to use every possible effort to suppress the disturbance of the public peace, in places under their jurisdiction.

COPIA PROCLAMATIONIS R. RICARDI IIdi SUPER INSURRECTIONE JACK STRAW ET WAT TYLER.

Ricardus dei gr’a Rex Angl’ et Franc’ et Dominus Hib’n’ dil’cis et fidelib’ suis Thome Comiti Warr’ Joh’i Buttourt Joh’i de Bermyngeham Henr’ de Arden’ Will’o de Clynton Militib’ Rob’to Burgilon’ et Joh’i Catesby: sal’t’m Satis vob’ et aliis ligeis n’r’is credimus esse cognitum qualit’ qamplures malef’c’ores iam nouit’ conta pacem n’ra’ in diu’sis Com’ regni n’ri Angl’ in maximam turbaco’em fideliu’ ligeor’ n’ror’ in diu’sis congregac’o’ib’ et conuenticulis illicitis quasi hostilit’ insurrexerunt ven’abilem p’rem Simonem nup’ Archiep’m Cantuar’ tocius Angl’ Primatem Cancellar’ n’r’m et fr’em Rob’tum de Hales nup’ Priorem Hospitalis s’ci Joh’is Jer’l’m in Angl’ Thes’ n’r’m Joh’em Cauendish nup’ Capitalem Justic’ n’r’m et qamplures alios ligeos et s’uientes et fideles n’ros absq’ culpa crudelit’ occidendo arsuras incendia p’straco’es et varias alias destrucco’es eccl’iar’ Man’ior’ domor’ rer’ et aliar’ possessionu’ fideliu’ ligeor’ n’ror’ enormit’ et p’peram p’petrando Quia v’o malef’c’ores p’d’ci falso et mendacit’ asseruerunt et affirmarunt ip’os mala homicidia et dampna p’d’ca ex n’ris auctoritate et voluntate fecisse et p’petrasse vt ip’i sic maliciam suam continuare valeant et de p’missis licet indigni cicius excusent’ ad v’ram et alior fideliu’ ligeor’ n’ror’ quor’cumq’ volum’ p’uenire noticiam quod213 p’missa mala homicidia et dampna quecunq’ ex auctoritate et voluntate n’ris minime p’cesserunt neq’ fiunt set exinde vehemencius contristati ea in n’r’m maximu’ vitup’iu’ et Corone n’re p’iudiciu’ et tocius regni n’ri dampnu’ et turbac’o’em non modica redundare sentimus. Et ideo vob’ sup’ fide et ligeancia quib’ nob’ tenemini firmit’ munigendo mandamus qd’ p’sens mandatum n’r’m in singulis locis infra Com’ Warr’ tam infra lib’tates qam exta ubi melius expedire videritis ex p’te n’ra publice p’clamari et vlt’ius inhiberi fac’ ne qui cuiuscumq’ status seu condico’is fu’int infra Com’ p’d’c’m seu alibi insurg’e seu congregaco’es vel conuenticula huiusmodi fac’e vel levare seu quicqam aliud attemptare seu p’curare p’sumant seu p’sumat aliquis eor’ p’ quod pax n’ra ibidem infringi aut populus n’r inquietari aut turbari pot’it sub forisf’cura vite et membror’ et o’i’m alior’ que nob’ forisfac’e pot’unt in futur’ Damus eciam vob’ et cuil’t v’r’m et quibuscumq’ aliis fidelib’ n’ris tenore p’senciu’ potestatem et mandatum sp’ale quibuscumq’ malef’corib’ conta pacem n’ram et quietem p’p’li n’ri insurg’e seu huiusmodi congraco’es et conuenticula illicita fac’e volentib’ modis om’ib’ quib’ melius pot’itis vel sciu’itis eciam si oporteat manu forti tanqam rebellib’ et inimicis n’ris et tocius regni n’ri resistendi et que’l’t ip’or’ iuxta eor’ dem’ita et discreco’es v’ras castigandi et puniendi et insurrecc’o’es et turbac’o’es quascumq’. si que ibidem quod absit fiant pacificandi et sedandi et om’ia alia faciendi et exequendi que conseruaco’em pacis n’re et quietem p’p’li n’ri conc’nere pot’unt in Com’ p’d’co et p’tib’ eiusdem quibuscumq’. In cuius rei testimoniu’ has l’ras n’ras fieri fecim’ patentes T’ me ip’o apud Chelmersford’ quinto die Julij Anno R’ n’ quinto.

In pp. 99-102, as well as in pp. 157-159, an account is given of Henry the Fifth’s expedition into France in the year 1415, and of the battle of Agincourt. In the Harleian MS. No 565, from which the preceding Chronicle was transcribed, the following Poem occurs on the same subject, a correct copy of which has never been published, though at the end of Hearne’s edition of Elmham’s Life of Henry the Fifth, a poem is inserted so very similar to the annexed that it may be presumed to have been taken from another copy of the same. It is said to have been transcribed from the Cottonian MS. Vitellius D. xii., which is not now extant: but upon collating this piece with the one printed by Hearne, it appears, after allowing for the various readings which frequently occur in different copies of an early poem, that many words were erroneously given by that zealous antiquary. Notwithstanding that it possesses but little claim to poetical merit, it is highly curious, from its being nearly if not quite contemporary with the events which it relates; for there can be no doubt of its having been a production of the prolific pen of that “drivelling monk,” as he has been severely termed, the monk of Bury, John Lydgate, several of whose other pieces, from their presenting a faithful but rude picture of the manners and transactions of the times, are also inserted in this volume. The garrulous monk, in the article which is the subject of these remarks, particularly notices every circumstance in which the Mayor and Citizens of the Metropolis were concerned, and hence it is an appropriate illustration of a “Chronicle of London.” It is worthy of observation, that the story of the tennis-balls having been sent as a satirical present from the Dauphin to Henry the Fifth, and to which Shakspeare alludes, is frequently mentioned in the poem, and furnishes the writer with several metaphors.

But besides the historical information with which the poem abounds, and which is corroborated by the best authorities, it cannot fail to be considered of much interest, from the description of the magnificent reception of the king into London, after his return from France.

A POEM BY JOHN LYDGATE, MONK OF BURY, DESCRIBING THE EXPEDITION OF HENRY THE FIFTH INTO FRANCE IN 1415, THE BATTLE OF AGINCOURT, AND THE KING’S RECEPTION INTO LONDON ON HIS RETURN.

God that all this world gan make
And dyed for us on a tre,
Save Ingelond for Mary sake,
Sothfast God in Trinyte;
And kepe oure kyng that is so free,
That is gracious and good with all,
And graunt hym evermore the gree,
Curteys Crist oure kynge ryall.

Oure kyng sente into France ful rathe,
Hys bassatours bothe faire and free;
His owne right for to have,
That is, Gyan and Normande;
He bad delyvre that his schulde be,
All that oughte kyng Edward,
Or ellys tell hym certeynle,
He itt gette with dynt of swerd.
Wot ye right well that thus it was,
Gloria tibi Trinitas.

And than answerde the dolfyn bold
To oure bassatours sone ageyn,
Me thinke youre kyng he is nought old,
No werrys for to maynteyn;
Grete well youre kyng, he seyde, so yonge
That is bothe gentill and small;
A tonne of tenys ballys I shall hym sende,
For to pleye hym with all.
Wot ye right well, &c.217

A dien Sire, seide oure lordis alle,
For there they wolde no longer lende:
They token there leve, bothe grete and smalle,
And hom to Ingelond they gum wende;
And thanne they sette the tale on ende,
All that the Dolfyn to them gon say;
I schal hym thanke thanne, seyde our kynge,
Be the grace of God if that y may.
Wot ye right well, &c.

The kyng of Fraunce that is so old,
Onto oure kyng he sente on hy,
And prayde trews that he wolde hold
For the love of seynt Mary.
Oure Cherlys of Fraunce gret well, or ye wende,
The Dolfyn prowed withinne his wall,
Swyche tenys ballys I schal hym sende
As schall tere the roof all of his all.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Oure kyng ordeyned with all his myght,
For to amende that is amys,
And that is all for Engelond ryght,
To geten agen that scholde ben his;
That is, al Normandie forsothe y wys,
Be right of eritage he scholde it have,
Therof he seith he wyll nought mys,
Crist kepe his body sounde and save.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Oure kyng at Westmenster he lay,
And his bretheren everych on;
And other many lordes that is no nay,
The kyng to them seyde anon,
To Fraunce y thenke to take the way,
Sires, he seyde, be swete seynt John;
Of good counsaill y will yow pray,
Wat is youre will what y shall don?
Wot ye right well, &c.218

The duk of Clarence, thanne seyd he,
My lord it is my right full will,
And other lordys right manye,
We hold it right reson and skyll,
To Fraunce we wolde yow redy bryng,
With gladder will than we kon say.
Gramercy, sires, seide our kyng,
I schall yow qwyte if that y may.
Wot ye right well, &c.

I warne yow he seyde bothe olde and yonge,
Make yow redy withoughte delay;
At Southampton to mete youre kynge,
At Lammas on seynt Petrys day;
Be the grace of God ant swete Mary
Over the see y thenke to passe:
The kyng let ordeyn sone in hy,
What y mene ye knowe the casse.
Wot ye right well, &c.

After anon, with right good chere,
Hyse gret gonnys and engynes stronge,
At London he schipped them alle in fere,
And sone fro Westmenster then sprongye,
With alle hyse lordys, sothe to saye:
The mair was redy and mette hym there,
With all the craftes in good araye,
It is ful soth what nede to swere.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Heyl, comely kyng, the mair gan say,
The grace of God now be with the,
And speed the well in thy jornay,
Almyghti God in Trinite,
And graunt the evermore the degre,
To felle thin enemys bothe nyght and day;
Amen, seyde alle the comunalte,
Graunt mercy, sire, oure kyng gan say.
Wot ye right well, &c.219

To seynt Poulys he held the way;
He offred there full worthyly:
Fro thens to the quen that same day,
And tok his leve ful hendely;
And thorugh out London thanne gan he ryde;
To seynt George he com in hye,
And there he offred that iche tyde,
And other lordys that weren hym bye.
Wot ye right well, &c.

And fro thens to Suhthampton, unto that strond,
For sothe he wold no longer there dwell:
XV hundryd shippys redy there he fond,
With riche sayles and heye topcastell.
Lordys of this lond, oure kyng gan there sell,
For a milion of gold as y herd say,
Therfore there truayle was quyte them full well,
For they wolde a mad a queynte aray.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Therfore song it was wailaway;
There lyvys they lost anon right in hast:
And oure kyng with riall aray,
To the se he past.
And landyd in Normandye, at the water of Sayn,
At the pyle of Ketecaus, the sothe y yow say,
On oure lady even, the assumpcion, the thirdde yer of hys rayn,
And boldely hys baner there he gan display.
Wot ye right well, &c.

And to the town of Harflew there he tok the way,
And mustred his meyne faire before the town,
And many other lordys I dar well say,
With baners brighte and many penoun:
And there they pyght there tentys a down,
That were embroudyd with armys gay;
First, the kynges tente with the crown,
And all othere lordes in good aray.
Wot ye right well, &c.220

My brother Clarence, oure kyng gan say,
The tother syde shull ye kepe,
With my doughter and hire maydyns gay,
To wake the Frensshmen of there slepe.
London he seyde shall with here mete,
My gonnys shall lyn upon this grene,
For they shall play with Harflete,
A game at tynes as y wene.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Mine engynes that bethe so kene,
They shull be sett be syde this hill,
Over all Harflewe that they may sene,
For to loke if they play well.
Go we to game be Godys grace,
Myne children ben redy everych on,
Every greet gonne that there was,
In his mouth he hadde a ston.
Wot ye right well, &c.

The Capteyn of Harflewe sone anon
To oure kyne he sente on hy,
To wyte what was his wille to don
That he was come with his navy;
Delivere me this toune, oure kyng gan say;
Nay sire, he seyde, be seynt Denys;
Thanne shall y it gete, if y may,
Be the grace of God and myn devys.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Myne pleyers that y have hedyr brought,
Their ballys beth of stonys round,
Be the helpe of hym that me dere bought,
They shall youre wall have to ground.
The Frensshmen cried ’Amound,’ ’Amound;’
This toun, they seyde, us moste kepe.
The kyng, seith he, will nought fro this ground
Or he have yolde this toun Harflete.
Wot ye right well, &c.221

Tenys seyde the grete gonne,
How felawes go we to game,
Among the houses of Harflewe roune,
It dide the Frensshmen right gret grame;
Fyftene before, seyd London, tho
His ball wol faire he gan it throwe,
That the stepyll of Harflete and bellys also,
With his breth he dide down blowe.
Wot ye right well, &c.

XXXti is myn, seyd Messagere,
And smartly went his way;
Ther wallys that were mad right sure,
He brast them down the sothe to say.
The kynges doughter, seyde here, how thei play,
Herkenyth myne maydenys in this tyde;
Fyve and forty that is no nay,
The wallys wente doun on every syde.
Wot ye right well, &c.

The engynes seide, to longe we abyde,
Let us gon to ben on assent;
Wherevere that the ball gan glyde,
The houses of Harflew they all to rent.
An Englyssh man the bulwerk brent,
Women cryed alas! that they were bore,
The Frensshmen seide now be we shent,
From us this toun now it is lore.
Wot ye right well, &c.

It is best now that we therfore,
That we beseche the kyng of grace,
That he asayle us now no more,
For to dystroye us in this place;
For but the Dolfyn us reskewe,
This toun to delivere wyl we sikerly,
Messagers thei let make newe,
And to the kyng they come in hy.
Wot ye right well, &c.222

The lord Gaucourt certeynly,
For he was capteyn in that place,
And Gilliam Bocher com hym by,
And othere also bothe more and lasse;
To fore the kyng whan they com was,
I wot they sette them on there kne;
Heil comely kyng, thei seyde, in this plas,
The grace of God now is with the.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Of trews we wolde beseche the,
Unto it be Sounday atte non,
And but it thanne reskewyd be,
We shall to yow delyvere this toun:
The kyng thanne seyde to them ful son
I graunte you grace al this tyde,
Somme of yow go forth anon,
The remenaunt with me shall abyde.
Wot ye right well, &c.

The capteyn hied hym with al his myght,
Unto Roon for to ryde,
He wende the Dolfyn have founde there right
But he was goon, durst he nought abyde.
Of helpe the capteyn besowte that tyde,
Harflew from us is lost for ay,
The wallys ben doun on every syde,
We may no longere it kepe, be God verray.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Of good counsaill I wolde yow pray,
What is youre will what shall y don,
Bataill us moste thene be Soneday,
Or ellys delivere hym the toun.
The lordys of Roon togydere gon rown,
And bad he sholde the town up yelde,
The kyng of Ingelond is fers as lyon,
We wil noughte mete hym in the felde.
Wot ye right well, &c.223

The capteyn went agen withoute lettyng,
Before the kyng on kneys gan fall,
Heyl, he seyde, comely kyng,
Most worthy prynce in this world riall,
Here y have brought yow the keyes alle,
Of Harflew that faire toun,
All is youre owne both towr and halle,
At your will Lord and at your croun.
Wot ye right well, &c.

I thanke God, thann eseyde oure kyng,
And Mary his modir that is so fre;
Myn uncle Dorset withoute lettyng,
Capteyn of Harflewe schall ye be.
And al that is in that toun,
Wot stille shall abyde,
To maken up that is adoun,
That hath ben fellyd on every syde.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Meyne, I now shall with yow ride,
To se the toun there overall,
Wyff no child lett non abyde,
But have them ought bothe grete and small;
And let stuffe the toun overall,
With Englysshmen thereinne to be.
They left no Frenssh blod withinne the wall,
But hadde all oute the comunalte.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Four hundred women and children men myght se,
Whanne they wenten out sore gon they wepe;
The grete gonnes engynes to the trewle,
They were brought into Harflete,
Oure kyng unto the castell yede,
And restyd hym there as his will was
Sire, he seyde, so God me spede
To Caleys warde I thenke to pas
Wot ye right well that thus it was,
Gloria tibi Trinitas.

PASSUS SECUNDUS.

Whanne Harflete was getyn, that ryall toun,
Through the grace of God omnipotent;
Oure kyng he made hym redy bown,
And to Caleys ward full faire he went,
My brother Clarence verament,
Ye shall ryde al be my syde,
My cosyn York ye take entent,
For ye shall also this tyde.
Wot ye right well, &c.

My cosyn Huntyngdon shall with me ryde,
The erl of Suffolk that is so fre,
The erl of Oxenford shall not abyde,
He shall comen forth with his meyne,
Sire Thomas Erpyngham, that nevere dide faille,
And yit another so mote y thee,
Sire John the knyght of Cornewaille,
He dar abyde and that know yee.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Sire Gilbert Umfreville wil us avayle,
The lord Clyfford so God me spede,
Sire William Boucer that will not faille,
They will us helpe when we hav nede.
Toward Caleys full faire they yede,
In the cuntrey of Picardie,
And out of Normandie they gan ryde,
Now Crist save all the cumpanye.
Wot ye right well, &c.225

Our kyng rood forth, blessed he be,
He sparid neither dale ne doun,
Be townes grete, and castell hyghe,
Til he com to the water of Som;
The brigge the Frensshemen hadde drawe a doun,
That over the water he myght nought ryde;
Oure kyng made hym redy bown,
And to the water of Turwyn he com that tyde.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Oure kyng rood forth thanne full good sped,
Into the countrey of Turvyle,
To Agyncourt now as he is ride,
There as oure kyng dyd his bataile;
Be the water of Swerdys withoute faile,
The Frensshemen oure kyng thei did aspye,
And there they thought him to asaile,
All in that feld certeynlye.
Wot ye right well, &c.

The Frensshemen hadde oure kynge umbast
With bataill strong on every syde;
The duke of Orlions seyde in hast,
The kyng of Ingelond with us shall byde;
He gaf hym leve this way to ryde,
Be God, me thenke, he was not wys,
Therefore shall y now be hys gyde,
Or that he come to strong Caleys.
Wot ye right well, &c.

The duke of Braban answerd then,
And seyde, be God in Trinite
Ther be so fewe of thise Inglysshmen
I have no deynte them to se;
Alas! he seyde, what nedith us alle
To day so many for to comen here,
XXti of us it will befalle
Of them on prisonere.
Wot ye right well, &c.226

The duk of Burbon sware be seynt Denys,
And other lordes many on,
We will goo pleye them at dys,
The lordys of Ingelond everych on,
Ther gentilmen seide, be swete seynt John.
Ther archers be sold full fayr plente,
And alle the beste bowemen ich on,
All for a blank of oure mone.
Wot ye right well, &c.

And thanne answerde the duke of Barrye,
With wordes that were full mochell of pryde,
Be God, he seyde, y wil not sparye,
Over the Englysshmen y thenke to ryde;
And if that they dar us abyde
We shall overthrowe them alle in fere,
Goo we and slee them in this tyde,
And come hom agen to oure dynere.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Oure gracious kyng, that is so good,
He batailyd hym ful rially;
Stakes he hewe doun in a wood,
Beforn our archers pyght them on hy;
Oure ordynaunce the Frensshemen gan aspy,
They that were ordeynyd for to ryde,
They lighted doun with sorwe and cry,
And on their feet their gon abyde.
Wot ye right well, &c.

The duke of York thanne full son
Before oure kyng he fell on kne,
My liege lord, graunt me a bon,
For his love that on croys gan die,
The fore ward this day that ye graunt me,
To be before yow in this feld;
Be myn baner sleyn wil y be,
Or y will turne my backe, or me yelde.
Wot ye right well, &c.227

Gramercy, cosyn, seyde our kyng,
Thenk on the right of mery Ingelond;
And thanne he gaff hym his blessyng,
And bad the duke he sholde up stond;
Crist, he seyde, that shop bothe sone and sonde,
And art lord and kyng of myght,
This day hold over me thin holy hond,
And spede me well in al my right.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Help seynt George oure lady knyght,
Seynt Edward that is so fre,
Oure lady that art Godys modyr bright,
And seynt Thomas of Caunterbure;
He bad alle men blithe to be,
And seyde, Felas, well shall we spede,
Every man in his degre,
I shall yow quyte full well youre mede.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Oure kyng seyde, Felas, what tyme of day?
Sire, thei seyde, it is ner pryme:
Go we anon to this jornay,
Be the grace of God it is good tyme,
For alle the seyntes that lyn in shryne,
To God for us they be praieng;
The religious of Ingelond all benynge,
’Ora pro nobis’ for us they syng.
Wot ye right well, &c.

The kyng knelyd doun in that stounde,
And Englysshmen on every syde,
And thries there kyssyd the grounde,
And on there feet gon glyde:
Crist, seyde the kyng, as y am thi knyght,
This day me save for Ingelond sake,
And lat nevere that good Reme for me be fright,
Ne me on lyve this day be take.
Wot ye right well, &c.228

Avaunt baner, withoute lettyng.
Seynt George before avowe we hyme,
The baner of the Trynyte forth ye bryng,
And seynte Edward baner at this tyme;
Over, he seyde, Lady Hevene Quene,
Myn own baner with hire shall be;
The Frensshman seyde al be dene,
Seynt George all over oure kyng they se.
Wot ye right well, &c.

They triumpyd up full meryly,
The grete bataille togyder yede;
Oure archiers shotte full hertyly,
And made Frensshmen faste to blede;
There arwes wente full good sped,
Oure enemyes therwith doun gon falle,
Thorugh bresplate, habirion, and bassonet yede,
Slayn there were xj thousand on a rowe alle.
Wot ye right well, &c.

Oure gracious kyng men myghte knowe,
That day he faught withe his owne hond,
He sparyd nother heigh no lowe,
There was no man his dynt myght stond;
There was nevere no kyng yit in this lond,
That evere dyd better in a day,
Therfore all Ingelond may synge oo song,
’Laus Deo’ we may well say.
Wot ye right well, &c.

The duk of Gloucestre, that is no nay,
That day full worthyly he wroughte,
On every syde he made good way,
The Frensshemen faste to grounde he brought.
The erl of Huntyngdon sparyd nought;
The erl of Oxenford layd on all soo;
The yonge erl of Devenshire he ne rought;
The Frensshmen faste to grounde gan goo.
Wot ye right well, &c.229

The duk of Orlions thanne was woo,
That day was taken prisonere;
The erl of Ewe he was also;
The duke of Braband slayn was there;
The duke of Barre fast hym by;
The duke of Launson wente nevere away;
Ne the erle Neverse certeynly,
Ne many other lordes that y cannot say.
Wot ye right well, &c.

The erl of Rychemond certeynly,
That day was taken in the feld;
The erl of Vendue was right sory;
And Sir Bursegaunt he gan hym yeld.
And thus oure kyng conqueryd the feld,
Through the grace of God omnipotent;
He toke his prisoners yonge and olde,
And faire to Caleys ward thanne he went:
The yere of his regne the thridde this was.
Gloria tibi Trinitas.

PASSUS TERCIUS.

And there he restyd verrament,
At his owne will whilys that it was,
And shipped thanne in good entent,
And at Dovorr landyd y ges;
To Caunterbury full fair he past,
And offered at Seynt Thomas shryne;
Fro thens sone he rod in hast,
To Eltham he cam in good tyme.
Wot ye right well, &c.230

The Mayr of London was redy bown,
With alle the craftes of that cite,
Alle clothyd in red thorugh out the town,
A semely sight it was to se:
To the Blak heth thanne rod he,
And spredde the way on every syde;
XXti Ml men myght well se,
Our comely kyng for to abyde.
Wot ye right well, &c.

The kyng from Eltham sone he cam,
Hyse presenors with hym dede brynge,
And to the Blak heth ful sone he cam,
He saw London withoughte lesynge;
Heil, ryall London, seyde oure kyng,
Crist the kepe evere from care;
And thanne gaf it his blessyng,
And praied to Crist that it well fare.

The Mair hym mette with moche honour,
With all the aldermen without lesyng;
Heil, seyde the mair, the conquerour,
The grace of God with the doth spryng;
Heil duk, heil prynce, heil comely kyng,
Most worthiest Lord undir Crist ryall,
Heil rulere of Remes withoute lettyng,
Heil flour of knyghts now over all.

Here is come youre citee all,
Yow to worchepe and to magnyfye,
To welcome yow, bothe gret and small,
With yow everemore to lyve and dye.
Grauntmercy, Sires, oure kyng gan say;
And toward London he gan ride;
This was upon seynt Clementys day,
They wolcomed hym on every syde.231

The lordes of Fraunce, thei gan say then,
Ingelond is nought as we wen,
It farith be these Englisshmen,
As it doth be a swarm of ben;
Ingland is like an hive withinne,
There fleeres makith us full evell to wryng,
Tho ben there arrowes sharpe and kene,
Thorugh oure harneys they do us styng.

To London brigge thanne rood oure kyng,
The processions there they mette hym ryght,
’Ave Rex Anglor,’ their gan syng,
’Flos mundi,’ thei seyde, Goddys knyght.
To London brigge whan he com ryght,
Upon the gate ther stode on hy,
A gyaunt that was full grym of syght,
To teche the Frensshmen curtesye.

And at the drawe brigge, that is faste by,
To toures there were upright;
An antelope and a lyon stondyng hym by,
Above them seynt George oure lady knyght,
Besyde hym many an angell bright,
’Benedictus’ thei gan synge,
’Qui venit in nomine domin.’ goddes knyght,
’Gracia Dei’ with yow doth sprynge.

Into London thanne rood oure kyng,
Full goodly there thei gonnen hym grete;
Thorugh out the town thanne gonne they syng,
For joy and merthe y yow behete;
Men and women for joye they alle,
Of his comyn thei weren so fayn,
That the Condyd bothe grete and smalle,
Ran wyn ich on as y herde sayn.232

The tour of Cornhill that is so shene,
I may well say now as y knowe,
It was full of Patriarkes alle be dene,
’Cantate’ thei songe upon a rowe;
There bryddes thei gon down throwe,
An hundred there flewe aboughte oure kyng,
’Laus ejus’ bothe hyghe and lowe
’In ecclesia sanctorum’ thei dyd syng.

Unto the Chepe thanne rood oure kyng;
To the Condyt whanne he com tho,
The XII apostelys thei gon syng,
’Benedict. anima domino’
XII kynges there were on a rowe,
They knelyd doun be on asent,
And obles aboughte oure kyng gan throwe,
And wolcomyd hym with good entent.

The Cros in Chepe verrament,
It was gret joy it for to beholde;
It was araied full reverent,
With a castell right as God wolde,
With baners brighte beten with gold.
And angelys senssyd hym that tyde;
With besaunts riche many a fold,
They strowed oure kyng on every syde.

Virgynes out of the castell gon glyde,
For joye of hym they were daunsyng,
They knelyd a doun alle in that tyde,
’Nowell,’ ’Nowell,’ alle thei gon syng.
Unto Poules thanne rood oure kyng,
XIIII bysshopes hym mette there right,
The grete bellys thanne did they ryng,
Upon his feet full faire he light.233

And to the heighe auter he went right,
’Te Deum’ for joye thanne thei gon syng;
And there he offred to God almyght:
And thanne to Westminster he wente withoute dwellyng.
In xv wokes forsothe, he wroughte al this,
Conquered Harfleu and Agincourt;
Crist brynge there soules all to blys,
That in that day were mort.

Crist that is oure hevene kyng,
His body and soule save and se;
Now all Ingelond may say and syng,
’Blyssyd mote be the Trinite,’
This jornay have ye herd now alle be dene,
The date of Crist I wot is was,
A thousand foure hundred and fyftene.
Gloria tibi Trinitas.

P. 119. [Ao 10 Hen. VI.]—“John Welles, grocer, maior. This same yere, the xvj day of Decembre, G beynge the dominical lettre, kyng Herry the vjte was crowned kyng of Fraunce at Parys, in the chirche of Notre Dame, with gret solempnite and rialte; and anoon after he turned ayen into Engelond, and landed at Dovorr the ix day of Feverer’, and come to London the xxj day of the same month, where he was ryally resceyved, alle the craftes rydynge ayens hym, all in white.”

The following poem by Lydgate presents a very minute account of the manner in which the young monarch was received into London after his coronation as king of France, and of the pageant upon the occasion. Two copies exist in MS. in the British Museum; one in the Harleian MS. 565, which has been literally transcribed; the other in the Cottonian MS. Julius B. II; and the variations between them will be found in the notes. About one third of this article, taken from the former of those MSS., is printed in Malcolm’s London, vol. ii. p. 89, but it conveys a very imperfect idea of the whole composition; for not only has the orthography of the extract been modernized, but the most interesting descriptions do not occur. The annexed is therefore, it is presumed, the only correct copy which has ever been published, and it cannot fail to be deemed an exceedingly curious illustration of the passage in “The Chronicle,” as well as of the manners of the period. Lydgate does not mention upon what day of the month the circumstance took place, but says that it was “upon a Thorsday” “toward the ende of wyndy Februarie:” and as the 21st of February in 1431 fell on a Thursday, there is little doubt that it was on that day that Henry entered London.235

“THE COMYNGE OF THE KYNG OUT OF FRAUNCE TO LONDON.” BY JOHN LYDGATE “THE MONK OF BURY.”

Toward the ende of wyndy Februarie,
Whanne Phebus was in the fysshe roune,[146]
Out of the signe which callyd is Aquarie,
Newe kalendas were entred and begonne,
Of Marches comyng, and the mery sonne,
Upon a Thorsday shed [147] hys bemys bright
Upon London, to make them glad and light.

The stormy reynes [148] of alle there hevynesse,
Were passyd away, and alle there [149] grevaunce,
For the sixte Henry, rote of there gladnesse,
Ther hertys joye, ther worldis suffissaunce,
Be trewe assent [150] crownyd kyng of Fraunce;
The even [151] rejoysyng the day of his repaire,
Made at his comynge the wedir to be so faire.

A tyme, y trowe of God, for hym provydyd,
In alle the hevenes there was no clowde sayne;
From other daies that day was so devydyd,
And fraunchisyd from mystys and from rayn;
The erthe [152] attempred, the wyndes smothe and playne,
The Citezeines thorugh out the Citee,
Halwyd that day with gret solempnyte.

And lyk for David after his victorie,
Rejoysyd was al Jerusalem,
So this Cite with laude, pris, and glorie,
For joye mustred lik the sonne bem,
To geve ensample thorugh out this Reem;
Al of assent who so can conceyve,
There noble kyng were glad to resceyve.236

There clothyng was of colour ful covenable;
The noble Mair clad in red velwet,
The Shireves, the Aldermen, ful notable,
In furryd clokes, the colour of scarlet;
In statly wyse whanne they were met,
Ich on were wel horsyd, and mad no delay,[153]
But with there Maire rood forth in there way.

The Citezeyns ich on of the Citee,
In there entent that they were pure and clene;
Ches them of whit a ful faire lyvere,
In evry craft as it was wel sene;
To shewe the trowthe that they dede mene,
Toward the kyng hadde mad them feithfully,
In sundry devyses embrowdyd richely.

And for to remembre of other alyens,
First Geneweys, thorugh thei were strangers,
Florantynys, and Venyciens,
And Esterlyngs, clad [154] in there manere,
Conveyd with seriaunts and othere officers,
Statly horsyd, after the Mair ridyng,
Passyd the subbarbes to mete with the kyng.

To the Blake heth whanne they dyd atteyne,
The Mair of prudence in especialle,
Made them hove in renges tweyne,
A strete betwen ech party lik a walle,
Alle clad in whit, and the most principalle,
A fore in red, with the [155] Mair rydyng,
Til tyme that he saw the kyng comyng;

Thanne with his sporys, he tok his hors anone,
That to beholde it was a noble sight,
How lyk a man he to the kyng is gone,
Right well cheryd of herte, glad, and light;
Obeienge to hym, as hym ought of right:
And after that he cunningly abraid,
And to the kyng even thus he sayd;

“Sovereigne lord and noble kyng, ye be wolcome out of youre rem of Fraunce, into this youre blessyd rem of Ingelond, and in especial unto youre most notable Citee of London, otherwise callyd youre chambre, we thankynge Almyghty [156] God of the good and gracious athenyng of youre crowne of Fraunce, besechynge of his mercyful grace to sende yow prosperite and many yeris, to the comfort of alle your lovyng pepill.”

But for to tellen alle the circumstauncys,
Of every thyng shewed in centencs,
Noble devyses, diverse ordinauncys,
Conveid be scripture with ful gret excellence;
Al to declare, y have non eloquence,
Therfore y pray to alle tho that it schal rede,[157]
For to correcte where as they se nede.

First, whan they [158] passyd was the fabour,
Entring the brigge of this noble town,[159]
There was a peler reysyd lik a tour,
And theron stod a sturdy champyone,
Of look and chere, stern as a lyone;
His swerd uprered, prowdly gan manace,
Alle foreyn enemyes from the kyng to enchace;

And in defens of his estat riall,
The geaunt wolde abyde ech aventure,
And alle assautes that were marcyall,
For his sake he proudly wolde endure;
In tokenynge wher of, he hadde a long [160] scripture,
On either syde declaryng his entent,
Whiche sayde thus, be good avisement.

“Alle tho that ben enemys to the kyng,
I schal them clothe with confucione;
Make hym myghti be vertuos levyng,
His mortall fou to oppressen and bere a downe,
And hym to encresene as Cristes champione;
Alle myschevys from hym to abrigge,
With the grace of God, at the entryng of this [161] brigge.”

238 Too antilopis stondyng on either syde,
With the armes of Ingelond and of Fraunce,
In token that God schall for hym provide,
As he hath title be juste eneritaunce,
To regne in pees, plente, and alle plesaunce;
Cesyng of werre, that men myghte ryden and [162] gone,
As trewe liegis, there hertys mad bothe oone.

Forthermore, so as the kyng gan ryde,
Middes of the brigge there was a toure on lofte;
The lord of lordes beynge ay his gyde,
As he hath be and yit wil be ful ofte.
The tour araied with velwetty softe,
Clothys of gold, silk, and tapicerie,
As apperteynyth to his regalye.

And at his comyng, of excellent beaute,
Benygne [163] of port, most womanly of chere,
There issued out, empresses thre;
There here displaied, as Phebus in his [164] spere,
With crownettys of gold and stones clere;
At whos out comyng thei gaf swyche a light,
That the beholders were stonyed in there sight.

The first of them was callyd [165] Nature,
As sche that hath undyr here demayne,
Man, beest, and foul, and every creature,
Withinne the bondys of here goldyn cheyne;[166]
Eke hevene, and erthe, and every creature,[167]
Grace.This empresse of custum doth enbrace:
And next here com here suster callyd Grace.

Passyng famous, and of gret reverence,
Most desyryd in alle regions;
For where that evere shewith here presence,
She bryngeth gladnes to citees and to townys.
Of alle welle fare she halt [168] the possessionys,
For y dar sey, prosperite in no place,
No while abidith, but if there be grace.

239 In tokene that Grace shal [169] longe continue,
Fortune.Unto the kyng, she shewyd here ful benygne;
And next here com the empresse Fortune,
To hym aperyng with many a noble signe,
And riall tokenys, to shew that he was digne,
Of God disposyd as lust [170] ordeygne,
Upon his hed to were crownes tweyne.

These thre ladies, al of on entent,
Thre goostly gyftes, hevynly, and devyne,
Unto the kyng anon they dyd present;
And to his hignesse they dyd anon enclyne,
And what they weren pleynly to determyne;
Grace gaf hym first at his comynge,
Two riche gyftes, sciens and cunnynge.

Nature gaf hym eke strengthe, and fayrnesse,
For to be lovyd and dred of every wight;
Fortune gaf hym eke prosperite, and richesse;
With this scripture aperyng in ther sight,
To hym applied of verey due right,
Intende prospere procede et regna.“First undirstonde and wilfully procede,
And longe to regne,” the scripture seide in dede.

This is to mene, who so undirstondith aright,
Thow shalt be fortune have long prosperite;
And be nature thow shalt have strengthe, and myght,
Forth to procede in long felicite;
And grace also hath grauntyd unto the,
Vertuously longe in thi roiall citee,
With septre and crowne to regne in equyte.

On the right hand of these Empresses,
Stode thir [171] maydenys verey celestialle;
Like Phebus bemys shone there golden tresses,
Upon there hedes ech havyng a crownalle,
Of port and chere semyng immortalle:
In sight transsendyng alle erthely creatures,
So angelik they weren of there figures.

240 Al clad in white, in tokene of clennesse,
Liche pure virgynes as in there ententys,
Schewynge outward an hevenly fresshe brightnesse;
Stremyd with sonnys weren alle there garmentys,
Aforne provyded for pure innocentys:
Most colombyne of chere and of lokyng,
Meekly roos up at the comyng of the kyng.

They had on bawdrikes al on saphire hewe,
Goynge outward gan the kyng salue,
Hym presentyng with ther gyftes newe,
Lik as thei [172] thought it was to them due;
Whiche gostly giftes, here in ordre suwe,
Down descendyng as silver dewe from hevene,
Al grace includyd [173] withinne the giftes sewene.

These riall giftes ben of vertu most
Goostly corages, most soveraygnely delite,
The [174] giftes callyd of the Holy Goost,
Outward figuryd be seven dowys white;
Seyenge [175] to hym, lik as clerkes write,
“God the fulfille with intelligence
And with a spirit of goostly sapience

God sende also to thi moost availe,
The to preserve from alle hevynesse;
A spirit of strenghthe, and of good counsaile,
Of cunnyng, drede, pite, and of lownesse:”
Thus thise ladies gan there gyftes dresse,
Graciously at there out comyng,
Be influence light upon the kyng.

These Empresses hadde on there left syde,
Othere vij virgines, pure and clene,
Be attendaunce continually to abyde,
Al clad in whit, smete ful of sterrers shene;
And to declare what they wolde mene,
Unto the kyng with fulle gret reverence,
These weren there gyftes shortly in sentence;
241

God the endue with a crowne of glorie;
And with a [178] septre of clennesse and pite;
And with a sheld of right,[179] and victorie;
And with a mantel of prudence clad thow be;
A sheld of feith for to defende the;
An helm of helthe wrought to thin encres;
Girt with a girdell of love and perfight pees.

These vij virgynes of sight most hevenly,
With herte, body, and handys reioysyng,
And of there [180] cheres aperid murely,
For the kynges gracious hom comyng;
And for gladnesse they began to synge,
Most angelik with hevenly armonye,
This same roundelle which y shal now specifie.

Soverayne lord, Wolcome to youre Citee;
Wolcome oure joye, and oure hertys plesaunce;
Wolcome oure gladnes, Wolcome oure suffisaunce;
Wolcome, Wolcome, right Wolcome, mote ye be;
Syngyng to fore thi riall mageste,
We seye of herte, withoughten variaunce,
Soverayn lord, Wolcome, Wolcome, oure [181] joye;

Meir, Citezeins, and al the Comonte,
At youre hom comyng newe out of Fraunce,
Be grace relevyd of al ther olde grevaunce,
Syng this day with gret solempnyte.
Thus resceyvyd, an esy paas rydyng,
The kyng is entred into this Citee;
And in Cornhull anon at his comynge,

To do plesaunce to his mageste,
A tabernacle surmontyng of beaute,
There was ordeyned, be full fresshe entaille,
Richely arraied with rialle apparaille;
This tabernacle of moost magnyfycence,
Was of this byldyng verrey imperiall,
Mad for the lady callyd dame Sapience.
242
To for whos face moost statly and rialle,
Were the vij sciences callyd liberalle;
Rounde aboughte as makyd is memorie,
Which never departyd from his [182] consistorie,
Septem sciencie liberales.Frist ther was Gramer, as y reherce can,
Chef founder [183] and rote of al connyng,
Whiche hadde afore here old Precian;

And Logyk hadde afore here ek [184] stondyng,
Aristotill so clerkly disputyng;
And Retoryk hadde eke in her presence,
Tullius, callyd myrrour of eloquence;
And Musyk hadde royde of all discorde,
Boice, here clerk, with hevenly armonye,
And instrumentis al of on acorde;

For to practyse with sugryd melodye,
He and his clerkes [185] there wittes dyd applye,
With touche of strengys, on orgons we [186] playeng,
There craft to shewe at the [187] comynge of oure kyng;
And Arsmetrik, be castynge of nombrarie,
Ches Pictogoras for here partye,
Callyd chief clerk to governe here liberarie.

Euclude tok mesures be craft of gemetrie,
And al ther heighest [188] stod Astronomye;
Albunisar last with here of vije,
With instrumentis that raught up into hevene;
The chief princesse callyd dame Sapience,
Hadde to fore here wrete [189] this scripture,
Kynges, quod she, moost of excellence,

Be me thei regne, and moost in joye endure,
For thorugh myn helpe, and my besy cure,
To encrese ther glorie and high renone,
They shull of wisdome have ful possession.
And in the front of this tabernacle,
Sapiens, a scripture gan devyse,
Able to be reed withoughten a spectacle,243

To yonge kynges seying in this wyse,
Undirstondith and lernyth of the wyse,
On right remembryng the highe lord to queme,
Sith ye be juges other folk to deme;
Forthermore the matir doth devyse.
The kyng procedyng forth upon his way,
Com to the Condyte mad in sercle wyse;

Whom to resceyve, ther was mad no delay,
And myddys above in ful riche aray,
There sat a child of beute procellyng,
Middys of a [190] trone raid like a kyng,
Domina misericord’ a dextris et domina veritat’ a sinistris et cum clemencia roborabit’ thronus eius.
Misericordia et Veritas custodiunt Regem.Whom to governe, there were assygned tweyne,
A lady, Mercy, sat on his right syde;
On his lefte honde yf y shall nought feyne,

The lady Trouthe, his domys to provyde;
The lady Clemence on loft dyd a byde,
Of God ordeyned in the same place,
The kynges throne strongly to enbrace;
For be the sentence of prudent Salamon,
Mercy and Right kepen every kyng,
And Clemence kepit be reson,

His myghti throne from myschief and fallyng,
And makith it strong with longe abydyng;
For y dar say these ladies thre,
A kyng preserve in long felicite.[191]
Iudiciu’ et Iusticiam.Thanne stod afore [192] also [193] the sayd kyng,
Two juges, with ful highe noblesse;
Viijte seriauntes ich on representyng;

For comon profith doom and right wisnesse:
Honor Regis iudiciu’ diligt. Deus iudiciu’ tuum Regi da, et justiciam tuam filio Regis.Withe this scripture, whiche shalle expresse,[194]
Honour of kyng is in every mannys sight,[195]
Of comone custom lovyth equyte and right,
Kyng Davyd wrot, the sawter berith witnes,
Lord God, quod he, thi dome yif us [196] to the kyng,
And yif thi trouthe, and thi right wysnes,

244 To the kynges sone here in his levynge,
To us declaryng, as be ther wrightyng,
That kynges, prynces, sholde aboughte hym drawe,
Folk that ben trewe, and wel expert in lawe.
The kyng forthe rydyng entred Chepe anone,
A lusty place, a place of alle delitis,
Com to the Condyte, wher as cristalle ston,

The water ran, like welles of Paradys:
The holsome licour, ful riche and of gret pris,
Lik to the water of Archedeclyne,
Thetis est dea aquar’.Whiche be meracle were turnyd to [197] wyn:
Thetes, which that is of waters chief goddesse,
Bachus est deus vini.Hadde of the wellys power non nor myght,
For Bachus shewyd ther his fulsomnesse,

Of holsome wynes, to every maner wight:
For wyn of nature makith hertys light,
Wherfore Bachus, atte reverence of the kyng,
Shedde out his plente at his hom comyng.
Wyn is a lycour of [198] recreacione,
That day presentyd in tokne of [199] gladnes,
Into the kyngges famous highe renone,

From [200] to exile al maner hevynes,
For with his comyng, the dede berith witnes,
Out of this [201] lond he put away al trowble,
And made of newe oure joyes to be dowble.
Eke at thise welles, there were virgines thre,
Whiche drew [202] up [203] wynes of joye and of plesance;
Mercy, and Grace, there ther sustre eke Pite,

Mercy mynystred wynes of attemperaunce;
Grace shed here licour of good governaunce;
And Pite preferryd with ful good foysone,
Wynes of comfort and consolacione;
The wyn of Mercy stanchith of [204] nature,
The gredy thristes of cruelle hastynes;
Grace with here licour cristallyn and pure,

245 Differith vengeaunce of furious wodnes,
And Pite blemsyght the swerd of rightwysnes,
Covenable welles, most holsome of savour,
For to be tasted of every governour.
O how thise wellys who so tok good hede,
With there licours moost homsome to ataine,
Afore devysyd notably in dede,

For to accorde with the Mairis name,[205]
Whiche be report of his worthy fame,
That day was besy in all his governaunce,
Unto the kyng for to done plesaunce.
There were ek trees, with levys fresshe of hewe,
Al tyme of the yer ful of frutes lade,
Of colour hevenly and evere eliche newe.

Orenges, almondys, and the pomegarnade,
Lymons, dates, there colours fresh and glade,
Pypyns, quynces, blaundrellys to disport,
And the pom cedre, corageus to recomfort:
Eke othere frutes, whiche that more comown be,
Quenyngges, peches, costardes, and wardons,
And othere manye ful faire and freshe to se.

The pome water, and the gentil ricardouns,
And agaynes hertes for mutegacions,[206]
Damasyns, whiche with there tast delite,
Ful gret plente bothe of blak and white.
And besydes this gracious paradis,
Al ioghe [207] and gladnesse for to multiplie,
Two olde men, ful circumspect and wys,

Ther did apere, like folkys faire:[208]
The ton was Ennok, that [209] other Elye,
The kyng presentyng ther gyftes ful notable;
Nichil proficiat inimicus in eo Et filius iniquitatis non apponat nocere ei.That God conferme his state ay to be stable,
The firste seide, withe benynge chere,
Gretly desyryng his prosperite,
That non enemy have on hym powere,

246 Nor no [210] child be fals inequyte,
Perturble nevere his felicite;
Thus old Ennok, the processe gan welle telle,
And preid for the kyng as he rood be the welle.
After Elias with his lokkes hore,
Dominus conservet eum vivificet eum et beatum faciet eum &c.Wel devoutly seyde,[211] lokyng on the kyng,
God conserve the and kepe the evermore,

And make hym blessyd in erthe here levyng,
And preserve hym in al manere thyng,
And special among kynges alle,
In enemyes handes that he nevere falle.
Haurietis aquas in gaudio de fontibus salvatoris.And at the [212] frontour of these welles clere,
Ther was a scripture comendyng ther [213] licour;
Ye shall drawe waters with good chere,

Out of wellys of oure savyour,
Whiche han vertu to curyne al langour,
Be influence of ther grete swetnesse,
Hertys avoidyng of al ther hevynesse.
Than from thise welles of fulsome abundaunce;
With ther licours as any cristalle clere,
The kyng rood forthe with sobre continaunce,

Toward a castell, beldyd [214] of jasper grene,
Upon whos toures the sonne shone ful [215] shene;
Ther clerly shewyd be notable remembraunce,
The [216] kynges title of Ingelond and of Fraunce.
To grene trees ther grew upright,
From seynt Edward and from seynt Lowys,
The roote etake,[217] palpable to the sight,

Conveyd be [218] kynges of gret prys,
Some bare lebardes, some bar flour de lys;
In nowthir armes founde was ther no lak,
Whiche the sixte Henry may now bere on his bak;
The pedegre be iuste successione,
As trewe cronycles trewly determyne,
Unto the kyng is now descendyd down,

247 From eyther party, right as any lyne:
Upon whos hed now freshly done shyne,
Two riche crownes, moost soverayne of plesaunce,
To brynge in pees betwen Ingelond and Fraunce.
Upon this castelle, on the tother syde,
Ther was a tree, whiche sprang out of Jesse,
Ordeyned of God ful longe to abyde,

Davyd first [219] crownyd [220] for his humylyte,
The braunches conveide, as men myghte se,
Lynyally, and [221] the genelogye,
To Crist J’hu, that was borne of Marie;
And whi the Jesse was sett on that partye,
This was the cause in especialle;
For next to Powlys y dar well specyfie,

Is the party moost chief and principalle,
Callyd of Londone, the chirche cathedralle,
Whiche oughte of resone the devys for [222] to excuse,
To alle tho that wolde agen it frowne or muse.
And fro that castelle the kyng forth gan hym dresse,
Toward Poules chief chirche of this citee;
And at the [223] Conduyt he [224] light and a liknesse,

Indyvysyble mad of the Trinite,
A throne compassyd of his riall se;
Aboughte whiche shortly to conclude,
Of hevenly angelles was [225] a gret multitude,
To whom was gevyn a precept in scripture,
Wreten in the front of the highe stage,
That thei shuld do there besy cure,

To kepe the kyng sure [226] from al damage,
In his lyf here, duryng alle his age,
His highe renone to shyne,[227] and sprede [228] ferre,
Longitudinem dierum replebo eum et ostendam illi salutare meum.Of hise too remes to sese the mortall werre.
And last was wreten in the frontours,
I shall fulfille hym with yoye and abundaunce
And with lengthe of many [229] holsom yers;

248 And y shalle shewe hym my helthe [230] with al plesaunce,
And of his lieges feithfull obeisaunce,
Multiplie and encrese his lyne,
And make his noblesse thorugh out [231] the world to shyne;
Love of his peple, favour of alle strangers,
In both hise remes, pees, reste, and unyte,
Be influence of the nyne spers;

Longe to contynue in his riall se,
Grace to cherisshe the Mair and the Citee,
Longe in his mynde to be conceyved,
With how good will [232] that day he was resceyvyd.
Comynge to Poules, there he light a down,
Entred the chirche ful demure of chere,
And there to mete hym with processione,

Was the archebisshope and the chaunceler,
Lincolne, and Bathe, of hol hert and entier,
Salesbury, Norwych and Ely,
In pontificall arayed richely;
There was the bysshope of Rouchestre also,
The deen of Poules, the chanons everyich on,
Of dute as they oughte to do,

On processione with the kyng to gone,
And though y can nought reherce them on be one,
Yit dar y seye in [233] there entent,
To done ther dever ful trewly they ment;
Lyk ther estates forthe thei gan precede,
With observaunces longyng for a kyng,
Solempnely gan hym conreye in dede,

Up in to the chirche, with ful devout syngyng;
And whanne he had mad his offryng,
The Mair, the Citezeins, abood, and lefte hym nought,
Unto Westmynster til thei hadde hym brought;
Where, all the covent in copis richely,
Mette with hym of custome as they ought;
The abbot after moost solempnely,
249
Among the relikes, the scripture [234] out he [235] sought,
Of seynt Edward, and to the kyng he brought;
Though it were longe, large, and of gret weighte,
Yit on his shuldres the kyng bar it on heighte,
In the mynstre, whiles alle the bellys ronge,
Til that [236] he come to the heighe auter;
And ful devoutly Te Deum there was songe.

And all [237] the peple, glad of look and cher,
Thankynge [238] God with alle there hertys entier,
To se there kyng with too crownes shyne,
Ex duabus arboribus viz s’c’i Edwardi et s’c’i Lodewyci.From too trees treuly fet the lyne:
And aftyr this,[239] it ys verrey sothe,
Unto his palys of kyngly apparaile,
With his lordes the kyng anon forth goth,

To take his reste after his travaile;
And thanne of wysdom, whiche [240] may so moche availe,
The Meir, the Citezeins, which al this [241] thing ded se,
Be hom repaired in to there Citee.
The Shirreves, the Aldermen in fere,
The Satyrday alther next suyng,
There Mair presentyd with all there hertes entere,

Goodly to be resceyved of the kyng;
And at Westmenster confermed there [242] a thyng,
The Mair and they with ful hol entent,
Unto the kyng a gyfte gan [243] present;
The whiche gifte, thei goodly han disposyd,
Tok an hamper of gold that shene shone;
A thousand pound of gold ther inne closyd:[244]

And there with alle to the kyng they gone,
And fill on knees to fore hym everych on,
Ful humbly the trouthe to devyse,
And to the Kyng the Mair seide in this wyse;

Moost cristen prince and noble kyng, the goode folke of youre moost notable Citee of London, other wyse callid [245] youre Chambre, besechyn in there moost lowly250 wyse they mow be recomaundyd to youre highnesse, and that it can like unto youre noble grace to resceyve this litel gyfte gevyne with as good a wille, trouthe,[246] and lounesse, as ever any gift was gevyn to any erthely prynce.

Be glad, O Londone, be glad ant make gret joye,
Citee of Citees, of noblesse procellyng;
In thi begynnyng called Newe Troye,
For worthynesse thank God of all thing,
Whiche hast this day resceyved so the [247] kyng,
With many a signe and many an observaunce,
To encrese thi name be newe remembraunce.

Swyche joye was [248] in the consistorie,
Mad for the tryumple with al the surpluage,
Whan Cesar Julius com hom with his victorie,
Ne for the conquest of Stepyon [249] in Cartage,
As Londone made in every maner age,
Out of Fraunce at his [250] hom comyng,
In to this Citee of there noble kyng.

Of vij thinges y preyse this Citee;
Of trewe menyng, and feithfull obeisaunce,[251]
Of rightwysnesse, trouthe, and equyte,
Of stabilnesse, ay kept in alegiaunce,
And for of vertu, thou hast suche suffisaunce
In this land here, and othere londes alle,
The kynges Chaumbre, of custom men the calle.

O noble Meir, be it into [252] youre plesaunce,
And unto [253] alle that duellithe in this Citee,
On my rudenes and on myn ignoraunce,
Of grace and mercy for to have pite,
My symple makyng for to take at gre;
Considere this that in the [254] moost lowly wyse,
My wille were good for to do [255] servyse.

Here endith the makyng of the Comynge of the Kyng out of Fraunce to Londone, Be the monk of Bery.—Deo gracias.[256]

P. 139. Ao 36 Hen. VI. “In this yere was a grete watch in London, and al the gates kepte every nyght, and ij aldermen watchyng: and withynne a while after the kyng and lordes were accorded, and went a procession in Paulis.”

The temporary reconciliation between the adherents of the King and of the Duke of York, so briefly alluded to in the text, and which is best illustrated by the following extract from a contemporary letter, served, like every other event of his times, for the exercise of Lydgate’s pen; but his description of it in the following ballad is infinitely more valuable from its historical accuracy, than its poetical merit. Of this article there are two copies extant; one in the Cottonian MS. Nero A. vi. and the other in the Cottonian MS. Vespasianus B. xvi.: the latter copy has been printed, though very erroneously, and with the orthography modernized, by Mr. Sharon Turner; but the former has not been before noticed. As they differ in some places from each other, and are very short, it has been thought advisable that both transcripts should be inserted.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM JOHN BOKKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF: DATED ON THE WEDNESDAY AFTER MID LENT SUNDAY, i.e. 15 MARCH, 1457.

“Lyke it your maistership to wyte, that as for tidings, the Counsell is, the fornone, at the blake Frires, for the ease of resortyng of the Lordes that ar withinne the toun; and at afternon at the white Frirers in Fletstrete, for the Lordis with owte the town; and all things shall come to a good conclusion with God is grace; for the Kyng shall come hidre this weke, and the Quene also, as some men sayn, and my Lord Buk and Stafford with hire, and muche puple. My Lord of Caunterbury takith grete peyne up on hym daily, and will write unto yow the certeynte of suche tidings as falle; and shuld have doon or this tyme, saf for that he wolde knowe an ende of the mattre.”

UPON THE RECONCILIATION OF THE LORDS OF THE YORKIST FACTION WITH THE KYNG AND HIS ADHERENTS.

Whan Charyte ys chosen with stats to stonde,
Stedfast and styll, with oute distaunce,252
Then wreth may be exilid out of thys londe,
And God oure gide to have governaunce;
Wysdom and welthe with all plesaunce,
May ryghtfulle reigne, and prosperite,
For love hath underleyde wrethfull vengeaunce;
Reioyse Enlond the lords acordid bee.

Reioyse, and thonke God, and sorw no more,
For now shal encrese thi consolacone;
Oure enemes quake for drede ful sore,
That pees ys made that was divisione,
Whiche ys to them grete confusione,
And to us joy and felicite;
God hold them longe in every seasone,
That Englond may reioyce, the concord and unite.

Now ys sorw with shame fled yn to Fraunce,
As a felon that hath forsworne thys lond;
Love hath put owte malicius governaunce,
In every place both fee and bonde;
In Yorke, in Somersett, as y undyrstonde,
In Warwikke also ys love and charite,
In Salisbury eke, and yn Northumberlond,
That every man may reioyce the concord and unite.

Egremond,[257] and Clyfford,[258] and other forseyd,
Ben sett yn the same opynyone;
In every quartre love is thus leide,
Grace and wisdome hath the dominacione;
Awoke welth, and welk in thys regione,
Rewnde abowte in towne and cite,
And thonke them that brought it to thys conclusion;
Reioyse Englond the concord and unite.

253 At Poules in London, with grete renowne,
On oure Lady day the pes was wrought;
The kyng, the quene, with lords many one,
To worshyppe that virgine as they oght,
Went a prosession, and sparyd right noght,
In sight of alle the comonialte,
In tokyn that love was in hert and thoght;
Reioice Englond the concord and unite.

There was by twene them lovely countenaunce,
Whyche was grete yoy to alle that there were,
That long tyme hadd ben in variaunce,
As frynds for ever they went yn fere,
They went togedre, and made good chere;
O Fraunce and Bretayne, repent shall ye,
For the bergeyne shalle ye bye fulle dere;
Reioice Englond the concord and unite.

Our sovereyn lord the kyng, God kepe alway,
The quene and the bisshope of Canterbury,[259]
And other that have labored to thys love day,
God preserve them we pray hertly;
And Londone for they fulle diligently,
Kept the pees in trobull and in adversite;
To brynge yn rest they labored ful treuly;
Reioice Englond the peas and unite.

Off thre things, y preys thys worshypfull Citee:
The ferst, of trewe feythe that they owe to the kyng;
The secounde, of love of eache comonialte;
The thyrde, of good rule evermore kepyng;
The whyche God mayntene ever long durynge,
And save the Maire and all the hole Citee,
And that ys amys brynge to amendyng,
That Englond may reioice the pees and unite.

IBID.

Whan Charite is chosen with states to stonde,
Stedfas and stille without distaunce,
Than wrathe may be exiled out of this londe,
And God oure gide to have the governaunce.

Wisdom and wellthe with alle plesaunce,
May rightful regne and prosperite,
For love hath underlaide wrathful veniaunce;
Reioise Anglond oure lordes acorded to be.

Reiose and thanke God, for evermore;
For now shal encrese thi consolacion,
Oure enemyes quaken and dreden fulsore,
That peas is made ther was division,

Whiche to them is a gret confusion,
And to us ioy and felicite;
God hold them longe in every season:
That Anglond may reioise concord and unite.

Now is sorowe with shame fled in to Fraunce,
As a felon that hath forsworn this londe;
Love hath put out malicious governaunce,
In every place bothe fre and bonde;

In Yorke, in Somerset as I understonde,
In Warrewik also is love and charite,
In Sarisbury eke, and in Northumbrelande;
That every man may reioise concord and unite.

Egremown, and Clifford, with other forsaide,
Ben set in the same opynyon;
In every quarter love is thus laide,
Grace and wisdom hath thus the dominacion:

Awake Welthe, and walke in this region,
Rounde aboute in toun and cite,
And thanke them that brought hit to this concluson;
Reioise Anglond to concorde and unite.255

At Poules in Londone, with gret renoun,
On oure Ladi day in Lente this peas was wrought;
The kinge, the quene, with lordes many oone,
To worship that virgine as thei ought,

Wenten a procession, and spariden right nought,
In sighte of alle the comynalte,
In token that love was in herte and thought;
Reiose Anglond in concorde and unite.

Ther was bytwyn them lovely contynaunce,
Whiche was gret ioy to alle that ther were,
That long tyme hadden be in variaunce;
As frendes for ever that had be in fere,

Thei wenten togeder, and made goud chere;
France and Britayn repente shul thei,
For the bargayn shul thei abye ful dere;
Reiose Anglond in concorde and unite.

Oure soveraigne lord kyng God kepe alwey,
The quene, and the archbisshope of Canterbury,
And the bisshop of Wynchestre chanceller of Anglond,
And other that han labured to this love day.

God preserve them we pray hertly,
And London for thei ful diligently,
Kepten the peas in trowbel and adversite,
To bryng in reste thei labured ful truly;
Reioise Anglond in concorde and unite.

Of thre thynges I praise the worshipful Cite;
The first, the true faithe that thei have to the kyng;
The seconde, of love to the comynalte;
The thrid, goud rule for evermore kepynge;

The whiche God maynteyn evermore durynge,
And save the Maier and alle the worthi Cite;
And that is amys God brynge to amendynge,
That Anglond may reioise to concord and unite.

Neither of the ensuing articles, the whole of which are the production of the indefatigable Lydgate, can possibly be assigned to its proper date; and they are therefore arranged in the following order.

1. A Balade sent by a Poursyant to the Shirreves of London, acompanyed with theire Bretherne upon Mayes Daye, at Busshopes Wod, at an honurable Dyner, ech of them bringginge his Dysshe.

This Ballad, which occurs in Ashmole’s Collection of Manuscripts, is introduced from its having been addressed to the Sheriffs of London; but it contains little that is worthy of attention.

Of the numerous Ballads composed by ’The Monk of Bury,’ this is perhaps the most curious and the best known; and, from its presenting a great deal of information relative to the Metropolis in the fifteenth century, it is of considerable interest. Two copies exist in MS. in the British Museum; one in the Harleian MS. 367, which is printed in Noorthouck’s and Dr. Pugh’s History of London, as well as in several other works; the other, in Stow’s hand-writing, in the Harleian MS. 542: and as they differ very materially from each other, a copy of each is inserted. To this Ballad, it has been thought right to add another, by the same writer, which has never been before printed, on a very similar subject; namely,

In which he treats this, perhaps the greatest of all human misfortunes, since it prevents the alleviation of almost all others, with singular address. The subject seems to have been a favourite one with our early poets; for there is a Ballad with nearly the same title by Chaucer; and another is printed in ’The Boke of St. Albans.’

The head-dresses of females in the reign of Henry the Sixth closely resembled the cauchoises still worn by those of Normandy; and which excited the displeasure of Dan John in so great a degree as to have induced him to invoke the aid of his Muse in effecting their abolition. It seems no subject escaped that eternal scribbler’s attention; and if his abilities had equalled his disposition, he would probably have become the Juvenal of his age. Upon this occasion, however, he appears to have soared on rather a higher wing than usual; and the moral of his lay is the truism which has since been so beautifully expressed, that loveliness

This short Ballad would appear, from the following passage in Fabian’s Chronicle, to have been written in the 15th of Edw. IV. Ao 1475, if it were not, that though the date of Lydgate’s death has never been precisely ascertained, yet it is scarcely possible he could have lived to that year.

“This yere this mayer [Robert Bassett] dyd sharpe correccion upon bakers, for makynge of lyght brede; in so moche thatt he sett dyverse upon the pillory,” &c.

A similar circumstance might however have occurred some years before, notwithstanding that it is not noticed by the writers of the period.

A BALADE MADE BY LYDEGATE, SENT BY A POURSYANT TO THE SHIRREVES OF LONDON, ACOMPANYED WITH THEIRE BRETHERNE UPON MAYES DAYE, AT BUSSHOPES WOD, AT AN HONURABLE DYNER, ECHE OF THEM BRINGGINGE HIS DYSSHE.

Mighty Flourra, goddes of freshe floures,
Whiche clothed hast the soyle in lousty grene;
Made buddes springe with his swete showres,
By influence of the sonnes so sheene,
To do plesaunce of entent ful clene,
Unto the states whiche that now sitte here;
Hath veere doune sent hir owen doughter dere,
Making the vertue that dured in the roote,
Called of clerkes, the vertue vegytable,
For to trascend moste holsome and moste sweete,
Into the crope this saysoun so greable.
The bawmy lykour is so comendable,
That it rejoythe with the fresshe moysture,
Man, beeste, and foole, and every creature,
Whiche hathe repressed, swaged, and bore doune,
The grevous constreinte of the frostes heere;
And caused foolis for joye of this saysonne,258
To cheese their mates, thane by natures loore,
With al gladnesse theire courage to restore,
Sitting on bowes fresshly nowe to synge,
Veere for to save at his home comynge;
Ful pleinly meninge in theire ermonye,
Wynter is goone, whiche did hem gret peyne;
And with theire sweete sugre melodye,
Thanking Nature theire goddesse sovereyne,
That they nowe have no mater to compleyne,
Hem for to proygne every morowneynge,
With lousty gladnesse at Phebus uprysinge;
And to declare ye hys magnifysence,
Howe vere inbringethe al felicytee,
After wynter’s mighty prevolence
Avoydinge stormys of al adversytee.
For shee hathe brought al prosperitee
To alle the states of this regyoun,
At his comynge to fore youre hye renoun,
To the mighty prynces, the palme of theire victorie;
And til knighthode nowe, she dothe presente
Noblesse in armes, laude, honnour, and glorie;
Pees to the people, in al hir best entente,
With grace and mercy fully to consente,
That provydence of hys discressioun,
Avoyde discorde and al derysyoun.
Wynter shal passe of hevynesse and trouble;
Flowres shal springe of perfite charite;
In hertes there shal be no meninge double;
Buddes shal of trouthe and unytee;
Plenty for to exyle duplicytee;
Lordes to regne in theire noble puissance;
The people obeye with feythful obeyssaunce;
Of alle estates there shal bee oone ymage;
And princes first shal ocupye the hede;
And prudent juges to correcte outrages,
Shal trespassours consteynen under drede,
That innosentes in theire lowlyhede,
As truwe comunes may bee theire socour,
Truwly contune in theire faithful labour;259
And by the grace of oure lorde Jhesu,
That holly chirche may have parseveraunce,
Bee faythfull founde in al pertinaunce,
Mayre, provost, shirreff, eche in his substaunce,
And aldremen, whiche have the governaunce
Over the people, by vertue may abyde,
That noone oppression bee done to the pourayle.
Thus as the people of prudent pollycye,
Prynces of the right shal governe;
The chirche preye; the juges justefye;
And knighthode, manly, and prudently discerne,
Til light of trouthe so clerely the lanterne,
That rightewysnesse throughe this regyoune,
Represse the darknesse of al extorcyoune.
Thes be the tythinges wheeche that wee have brought:
Troubles exylinge of wynters rude derknesse;
Wherfore rejoye yowe in hert, wille, and thought;
Somer shal folowe to yowe, of al gladnesse;
And sithen she is mynistre of lustynesse,
Let her be welcome to yowe at hir comyng;
Sith she to yowe hathe brought so glad tythinge,
The noble princesse of moste magnifisence,
Qweene of al joye, of gladde suffisaunce,
May I be nowe comen to youre hye excellence,
Presenting yowe prosperous plesaunce,
Of al welfare moste foulsome haboundaunce;
As shee that hathe under hir demayne,
Of floures fresshe, moste holsome, and sovereraine.

This Princesse hathe by favour of nature,
Repared ageine that wynter hathe defade,
And foolis loustely reviv ——
Theire lusty notes, and theire ermenye glade;
And under braunches, under plesant shade,
Rejoyssing theire with many swete odours,
And Zepherus with many fresshe odours,260
Copirted fayre, with motleye whyte and rede,
All hilles, pleynes, and lusty bankes grene,
And made hir bawme to fleete in every mede;
And fury Tytane shewe oute heer tresses sheene,
And upon busshes, and hawthornes kene,
The nightingale with plesant ermonye,
Colde wynter stormes nowe she dothe defye.
On Parnoso, the lusty Muses nyene,
Citheera with hir sone nowe dwellis,
This sayson singe, and theire notes tuwyne,
Of poetrye, besyde the cristal wellis,
Calyope the dytes of hem tellis;
And Orpheus with hees stringes sharpe,
Syngethe a roundell with his temperd herpe.
Wherfore to alle estates here present,
This plesant tyme, moste of lustynesse,
May, is nowe comen to fore yowe of entent,
To bringe yowe alle to joye and fresshnesse,
Prosparitee, welfare, and al gladnesse;
And al that may youre hyenesse qweerne and pleese,
In any parte or doone youre hertes eese.

LONDON LICPENYE.

[From the Copy in the Autograph of John Stow, in the Harleian MS. 542, f. 102.]

In London ther I was lent,
I saw myselfe where trouthe shuld be ateynte;
Fast to Westminstar ward I went,
To a man of lawe to make my complaynt;
I sayd for Maris love, that holy seynt,
Have pity on the powre that would procede;
I would gyve sylvar, but my purs is faynt,
For lacke of money I may not spede.261

As I thrast thrughe out the thronge,
Among them all my hode was gonn;
Netheles I let not longe,
To Kyngs benche tyll I come;
Byfore a juge I knelyd anon,
I prayd hym for Gods sake he would take hede;
Full rewfully to hym I gan make my mone,
For lacke of money I may not spede.

Benethe hym set clerks a great rowt,
Fast they writen by one assent;
There stode up one and cryed round about,
Richard, Robert, and one of Kent:
I wist not wele what he ment,
He cried so thike there indede,
There were stronge theves shamed and shent,
But they that laked money mowght not spede.

Unto the Comon place y yowde thoo,
Where sat one with a sylker houde;
I dyd hym reverence as me ought to do;
I tolde hym my case as well as I coude,
And sayd all my goods by nowrd and by sowde,
I am defrawdyd with great falshed;
He would not geve me a momme of his mouthe,
For lake of money I may not spede.

Then I went me unto the Rollis,
Before the clerks of the Chauncerie;
There were many qui tollis,
But I herd no man speke of me;
Before them I knelyd upon my kne,
Shewyd them myne evedence, and they began to reade.
They seyde trewer thinge might there nevar be,
But for lacke of money I may not spede.262

In Westminster hall I found one,
Went in a longe gown of ray;
I crowched and kneled before them anone,
For Marys love of helpe I gan them pray;
As he had be wrothe, he voyded away,
Bakward his hand he gan me byd,
I wot not what thow menest gan he say,
Ley downe sylvar, or here thow may not spede.

In all Westminstar hall I could find nevar a one,
That for me would do, thowghe I shuld dye;
Without the dores were Flemings grete woon;
Upon me fast they gan to cry,
And sayd, Mastar, what will ye cepen or by?
Fine felt hatts, spectacles for to rede;
Of this gay gere a great cawse why,
For lake of money I might not spede.

Then to Westminster gate y went,
When the sone was at highe prime;
Cokes to me, they toke good entent,
Called me nere, for to dyne,
And proferyd me good brede, ale, and wyne;
A fayre clothe they began to sprede,
Rybbes of beffe bothe fat and fine;
But for lacke of money I might not spede.

In to London I gan me hy;
Of all the lond it bearethe the prise,
Hot pescods, one gan cry,
Strabery rype, and chery in the ryse;
One bad me come nere and by some spice,
Pepar, and saffron, they gan me bede,
Clove, grayns, and flowre of rise;
For lacke of money I might not spede.263

Then into Chepe I gan me drawne,
Where I sawe stond moche people;
One bad me come nere, and by fine cloth of lawne,
Paris thred coton and umple;
I seyd there upon I could no skyle,
I am not wont there to in dede,
One bad me by an hewre my hed to hele;
For lake of money I might not spede.

Then went I forth by London stone,
Thrught out all Canywike strete;
Drapors to me they called anone,
Grete chepe of clothe they gan me hete;
Then come ther one, and cried hot shepes fete;
Risshes faire and grene, anothar began to grede,
Bothe melwell and makarell I gran mete;
But for lacke of money I myght not spede.

Then I hied me into Est Chepe;
One cries ribes of befe, and many a pie;
Pewtar potts they clatteryd or a heape;
Ther was harpe, pipe, and sawtry;
Ye by cokke, nay by cokke, some began to cry;
Some sang of Jenken and Julian, to get themselves mede;
Ful fayne I wold hadd of that mynstralsie,
But for lacke of money I cowld not spede.

Into Cornhill anon I yede,
Where is moche stolne gere amonge;
I saw wher henge myne owne hode,
That I had lost in Westminstar amonge the throng;
Then I beheld it with lokes full longe,
I kenned it as well as I dyd my crede,
To be myne owne hode agayne; me thought it wrong,
But for lacke of money I might not spede.264

Then came the Taverner, and toke me by the sleve,
And seyd Ser, a pint of wyn would yow assay?
Syr, qwod I, it may not greve,
For a peny may do no more then it may:
I dranke a pint, and therefore gan pay;
Sore a hungred away I yede,
For well London lykke peny for ones eye,
For lake of money I may not spede.

Then I hyed me to Byllingesgate,
And cried wagge wagge gow hens;
I praye a barge man, for Gods sake,
That they would spare me myn expens;
He sayde, ryse up, man, and get the hens,
What menist thow, I will do on the no almes dede,
Here scapeth no man byneth ij pens,
For lacke of money I myght not spede.

Then I conveyed me into Kent;
For of the law would I medle no more,
By caus no man to me would take entent,
I dight me to the plowe even as I did before.
Thus save London that in Bethelem was bore,
And every trew man of law God graunt hymsels med,
And they that be othar, God theyr state restore;
For he that lacketh money with them he shall not spede.

LONDON LYCKPENY.

A BALLADE COMPYLED BY DAN JOHN LYDGATE MONKE OF BERY, ABOUT —— YERES AGOE, AND NOW NEWLY OVERSENE AND AMENDED.

To London once, my stepps I bent,
Where trouth in no wyse should be faynt:
To Westmynster ward I forthwith went,
To a man of law to make complaynt.
I sayd, for Mary’s love that holy saynt,
Pity the poore that would proceede;
But for lack of mony I cold not spede.

And as I thrust the prese amonge,
By froward chaunce my hood was gone;
Yet for all that I stayd not longe,
Tyll at the kynge bench I was come.
Before the judge I kneled anon,
And prayd hym for Gods sake to take heede;
But for lack of money I myght not spede.

Beneth them sat clarkes a great rout,
Which fast dyd wryte by one assent;
There stoode up one and cryed about,
Rychard, Robert, and John of Kent;
I wyst not wele what this man ment:
He cryed so thycke there indede,
But he that lackt mony myght not spede.

Unto the common place I yode thoo,
Where sat one with a sylken hoode;
I dyd hym reverence, for I ought to do so,
And told my case as well as I coud,
How my goods were defrauded me by falshood.
I gat not a mum of his mouth for my meed,
And for lack of mony I myght not spede.266

Unto the Rolls I gat me from thence,
Before the clarkes of the chauncerye,
Where many I found earnyng of pence,
But none at all once regarded mee:
I gave them my playnt uppon my knee;
They lyked it well when they had it reade,
But lackyng mony I could not be sped.

In Westmynster hall I found out one,
Which went in a long gown of raye;
I crouched and kneled before hym anon:
For Maryes love, of help I hym praye.
I wot not what thou meanest, gan he say;
To get me thence he dyd me bede,
For lack of mony I cold not speed.

Within this hall, neithere ryche nor yett poor,
Wold do for me ought, although I shold dye;
Which seing, I gat me out of the doore,
Where Flemynge began on me for to cry,
Master, what will you copen or by,
Fyne felt hatts, or spectacles to reede?
Lay down your sylver, and here you may spede.

Then to Westmynster gate I presently went,
When the sonn was at hyghe pryme;
Cokes to me, they tooke good entent,
And profered me bread with ale and wyne,
Rybbs of befe both fat and ful fyne;
A fayre cloth they gan for to sprede,
But wantyng mony I might not be speede.

Then unto London I dyd me hye,
Of all the land it beareth the pryse;
Hot pescods one began to crye,
Straberry rype, and cherryes in the ryse:
One bad me come nere, and by some spyce,
Peper, and sayforne, they gan me bede;
But for lacke of money I myght not spede.267

Then to the Chepe I began me drawne,
Where mutch people I sawe for to stande;
One ofred me velvet, sylke, and lawne,
An other he taketh me by the haunde,
Here is Parys thred, the fynest in the launde.
I never was used to such thyngs in dede,
And wanting mony I myght not spede.

Then went I forth by London stone,
Throughout all Canwyke streete;
Drapers mutch cloth me offred anone:
Then comes me one, cryd hot shepes feete,
One cryde makerell, ryshes grene, another gan greete,
One bad me by a hood to cover my head;
But fore want of mony I myght not be sped.

Then I hyed me into Estchepe;
One cryes rybbs of befe, and many a pye;
Pewter potts they clattered on a heape,
There was harpe, pype, and mynstrelsye;
Yea by cock, nay by cock, some began crye,
Some songe of Jenken and Julyan for there mede;
But for lack of mony I myght not spede.

Then into Cornhyll anon I yode,
Where was much stolen gere amonge;
I saw where honge myne owne hoode,
That I had lost amonge the thronge;
To by my own hood I thought it wronge,
I knew it well as I dyd my crede;
But for lack of mony I could not spede.

The Taverner took mee by the sleve;
Sir, sayth he, wyll you our wyne assay?
I answerd, that can not mutch me greve,
A peny can do no more than it may:
I dranke a pynt, and for it dyd pay;
Yet sore a hungerd from thence I yede,
And wantyng my mony I cold not spede.268

Then hyed I me to Belyngsgate;
And one cryed hoo, go we hence;
I prayd a barge man for Gods sake,
That he wold spare me my expence.
Thou scapst not here, quod he, under ij pence,
I lyst not yet bestow my almes dede:
Thus lacking mony I could not speede.

Then I convayed me into Kent;
For of the law wold I meddle no more,
Because no man to me tooke entent,
I dyght me to do as I dyd before.
Now Jesus that in Bethlem was bore,
Save London, and send trew lawyers there mede,
For who so wants mony with them shall not spede.

UPON THE EMPTINESS OF HIS PURSE:

BY JOHN LYDGATE.

Riht myhty prynce, and it be your wille,
Condescende leiser for to take,
To seen the content of this litil bille,
Which whan I wrot, myn hand I felte quake;
Tokne of mornyng weryd clothys blake,
Cause my purs was falle in gret rerage;
Lynyng outward, his guttys wer out shake,
Oonly for lak of plate, and of coignage.

I souhte leechys for a restoratiff,
In whom I fond no consolacione;
Appotecaryes for a confortatiff;
Dragge nor dya was noon in Bury tone,269
Botme of his stomak was tournyd up so done;
A laxatif did hym so gret outrage,
Made hym slendre by a consumpcione,
Oonly for lak of plate, and of coignage.

Ship was ther noon, nor seilis rede of hewe,
The wynd froward to make hem ther to londe;
The flood was passyd, and sodeynly of newe,
A lowh ground ebbe was faste by the stronde;
No maryneer durste take on honde,
To caste an ankir for streihtnesse of passage,
The custom skars, as fow may undirstonde,
Oonly for lak of plate, and of coignage.

Ther was no tokne sent done from the Tour,
As any gossomer the countirpeys was liht,
A fretyng etyk causyd his langour,
By a cotidian which heeld hym day and nyht:
Sol and Luna wer clypsyd of ther liht,
Ther was no cros nor preent of no visage,
His lynyng dirk, ther wer no platys briht,
Oonly for lak, and scarsete of coignage.

Harde to likke hony out of a marbil stoon,
For ther is nouthir licour nor moisture;
An ernest grote, whan it is dronke and goon,
Bargeyn of marchauntys stant in aventure.
My purs and I be callyd to the lure
Off indigence, our stuff leyd in morgage;
But ye, my lord, may al our soor recure,
With a receyt of plate, and of coignage.

Nat sugre plate maad by thappotecarye,
Plate of briht metal yevith a mery sone,
In Boklerys bury is noon such letuary;
Gold is a cordial, gladdest confeccione,270
Ageyn etiques of oold consumpcione,
Auru’ potabile, for folk ferre ronne in age,
In quynt essence best restauracione,
With silver plate, enprentyd with coignage.

O seely bille! why art thu nat ashamyd,
So malapertly to shewe out thy constreynt;
But povert hath so nyh thy tonne attamyd,
That nichil habet is cause of thy compleynt.
A drye tisyk makith oold men ful feynt;
Reediest weye to renewe ther corage,
Is a fresshe dragge of no spycis meynt,
But of a briht plate, enpreentyd with coignage.

Thu mayst afferme, as for thyn excus,
Thy bareyn soyl is sool and solitarye;
Of cros nor pyl ther is no reclus,
Preent nor impressione in al thy seyntuarye.
To conclude breefly, and nat tarye,
Ther is no noyse herd in thyn hermytage;
God sende soone a gladdere letuarye,
With a cleer sone of plate, and of coignage.

ON FORKED HEAD DRESSES:

BY JOHN LYDGATE.

Off God and kynde procedith al bewte:
Crafft may shewe a foreyn apparence,271
But nature ay must have the sovereynte:
Thyng countirfet hath noon existence,
Twen gold and gossomer is gret difference;
Trewe metal requerith noon allay,
Unto purpoos by cleer experyence;
Bewte wyl shewe, thouh hornes wer away.

Riche attires of gold, and perre,
Charbonclis, rubies of moost excellence,
Shewe in dirknesse, liht wher so they be,
By ther natural hevenly influence.
Doubletys of glas yeve a gret evidence;
Thyng contirfet wil faylen at assay:
On this mateer concludyng in sentence,
Bewte wyl shewe, thouh hornys wer away.

Aleyn remembryth his compleynt, who lyst see
In his book of famous eloquence;
Clad al in floures and blosmys of a tree,
He sawh Nature in hir moost excellence,
Upon hir hed a keverchef of Valence,
Noon othir richesse of countirfet array;
T’exemplefye by kyndly providence,
Bewte wil shewe, thouh hornys wer away.

Famous poetys of antiquyte,
In Grece and Troye, renoumyd of prudence,
Wroot of queen Helene, and Penelope,
Off Polyceene with hir chaast innocence:
For wyves trewe calle Lucrece to presence,
That they wer fayr, ther can no man sey nay;
Kynde wrouht hem with so gret dilligence,
Ther bewte couthe, hornys wer cast away.

Clerkys recorde by gret auctorite,
Hornys wer yove to beestys for diffence;272
A thyng contrary to femynyte,
To be maad sturdy of resistence:
But arche wyves egre in ther violence,
Fers as tygre for to make affray,
They have despyt ageyn conscience,
Lyst nat of pryde, ther hornys cast away.

Noble Pryncessys, this litel shoort ditee,
Rewdly compiled, lat it be noon offence,
To your womanly merciful pitee,
Thouh it be rad in your audience:
Peysed ech thyng in your iust advertence,
So it be no displesaunce to your pay,
Undir support of your pacience,
Yevyth example, hornys to cast away.

Grettest of vertues is humylite,
As Salomon seith, sone of sapience,
Moost was accepted to the Deite.
Takith heed heer of yeuyth, to this woord credence,
How Maria, whiche hadde a premynence
Above alle women, in Bedleem whan she lay,
At Cristes birthe no cloth of gret dispence,
She weryd a keverche, hornys wer cast away.

Off birthe she was hihest of degre,
To whom alle aungelis did obedience;
Of David is lyne which sprang out of Jesse,
In whom alle vertues by iust convenience,
Maad stable in God, by goostly confidence:
This roose of Jerycho, ther greuh noon suych in May,
Poore in spirit, parfight in pacience,
In whoom alle hornys of pryde wer put away.273

Moodir of J’hu, myrour of chastite,
In woord nor thouht that nevir did offence,
Trewe exemplaire of virginite,
Heedspryng and welle of parfit contynence,
Was nevir clerk, by rethoryk nor science
Kowde alle hir vertues reherse to this day;
Noble Pryncessys of meeke benyvolence,
B’example of hir, your hornys cast away.

ON FRAUDULENT MILLERS AND BAKERS.

Put out his hed lyst nat for to dare,
But lyk a man upon that tour to abyde,
For cast of eggys wil not conys spare,
Tyl he be quaylled body, bak, and syde;
His heed endooryd, and of verray pryde,
Put out his armys, shewith abrood his face,
The fenestrallys be made for hym so wyde,
Cleymyth to been a capteyn of that place.

The bastyle longith of verray dewe ryght,
To fals bakerys it is trewe herytage;
Severelle to them, this knoweth every wight,
Be kynde assyngned for ther sittyng stage,
Wheer they may freely shewe out ther visage,
Whan they take oonys there possessione,
Owthir in youthe or in myddyl age,
Men doon hem wrong yif they take hym done.274

Let mellerys and bakerys gadre hem a gilde,
And alle of assent make a fraternite;
Undir the pillory a litil chapell bylde,
The place amorteyse and purchase liberte,
For alle thoo that of ther noumbre be;
Whatevir it coost afftir that they wende,
They may cleyme be just auctorite,
Upon that bastile to make an ende.

FOOTNOTES

[145] Thus Lydgate, infra,

“For they shall play with Harflete,
A game at tynes, as y wene,
Mine engynes that bethe so kene
They shall be sett besyde this hill,
Over all Harflew that they may sene
For to loke if they play well;
Go we to game be Godys grace,
Myne children ben redy everych on
Every greet gonne that there was,
In his mouth he hadde a ston.”

But Shakspeare’s expressions are still more similar to those of an inedited Chronicler of the period: “And whan the kyng had hard ther wordis and the answere of the dolphynne, he was wondre sore agreved and right evell assayd towarde the Frensshmen, and toward the kyng and the Dolphynne, and thought to avenge hym upon them as sone as Good wold send hym grace and myght, and anon lette make tenys ballis for the Dolpynne in all the hast that they myght be made; and they were grete gonne stones for the Dolpynne to play wythall.” Cottonian MSS. Claudius A. viii.

Custodes.—	Herry Cornhill.	Anno primo.
	Richard Fitz Reyvery.

Custodes.—	John Herlyonn.	Anno secundo.
	Roger le Duke.

Custodes.—	William Hav’hille.	Anno tercio.
	John Buknote.

Custodes.—	Nicholl Doket.	[Anno quarto.]
	Pers Newelyne.

Custodes.—	Roger Duke.	Anno vto.
	Ric’ the sone of Aleyne.

	William Fitz Isabell.	Anno vjto.
	William Fitz Arnulf.

Custodes.—	Robert Besaunt.	Anno vijo.
	Jokell le Josne.	3

[Custodes.]—	Gerard de Antiloche.	Anno viijo.
	Robert Duraunt.

[Custodes.]—	Constantyne Fitz Arnulf.	Anno xmo.
	Robert le Beale.

[Custodes.]—	Arnold Fitz Arnulf.	Anno primo.
	Ric’us Fitz Berthi.

[Custodes.]—	Roger Desert.	Anno s’c’do.
	Jacob’ Fitz Barthi.

[Custodes.]—	William Fitz Alice.	Anno tercio.
	Simon de Aldermanb’y.

[Custodes.]—	Wat’ Broune.	Anno quinto.
	Will’m’ Chamb’leyne.

[Custodes.]—	John Holylond.	Anno viij.
	Edward Fitz Gerard.

	Rog’ de Wynchestre.	Anno ix.
	Edmond Hardell.

Henr’ Fitz Aldewyne, P’mus maior.	Petrus Duke.	Anno xo.
Henr’ Fitz Aldewyne, P’mus maior.	Thom’ Neell.

Rog’ Fitz Aleyn, maior.	Martin Fitz Alice.	Anno xvo.
Rog’ Fitz Aleyn, maior.	Peter Bate.

William’ Hardel, drap’.	John Travers.	Anno xvijo.[1]
	Andr’ Newlond.

Id’m maior.	Rauf Eylond.	Anno xiiijmo.
	Constantin’ Josne.

Cerle, merc’, maior.	Thomas Bokerell.	Ao s’c’do.
	Rauf Guylond.

Id’m maior.	John Vyell.	Ao. t’cio.
	John Spyc’.

Id’m maior.	Ric’ Reng’.	Anno vito.
	Th’ Lambard.

Ric’ Reng’, maior.	Will’s Joynour.	Anno vijo.
	Thomas Lamberd.

Rog’us Duke, maior.	Steph’us Bokerell.	Anno xjmo.
	Henr’ Cobham.

Id’m maior.	Walt’ Wynchestre.	Anno xiijmo.
	Rob’ Fitz John.

Id’m maior.	Ric’ Fitz Walter.	Anno xiiijmo.
	John Wobourne.

Andrew Bokerell, m’.	Mich’ of Seynt Eleynes.	Ao. xvo.
	Walt’ Senford.

Id’m maior.	Herry Edelmetone.	Anno xvjo.
	Gerard Batte.

Id’m maior.	Simon Fitz Marie.	Anno xvijmo.
	Rog’ Blounte.

Andrew Bokerell, m’.	Ric’ Assheby.	Ao. xviijo.
	John Norman.

Id’m maior.	Gerard Batte.	Anno xixo.
	Robert Hardell.

Andrew Bokerell, m’.	Herry Cobham.	Ao. xxmo.
	Jordan Coventre.

Id’m maior.	John Colsan.	Ao. xxjmo.
	Gerveys Cordewan’.

Ric’ Reng’, maior.	Joh’nes Wyghale.	Ao. xxijmo.
	Joh’n Saundres.

William Joynour, m’.	Renerus Bungey.	Ao. xxiijo.
	Rauf Asshewy.

Mich’ Tony, m’.	Ric’ Spyc’	Ao. xxviijo.
	Nich’s Batte.

John Gisors, m’ p’	John Cornehull.	Ao. xxixo.
maiore p’te ann’.	David Benteley.

Petrus Fitz Aleyn, m’.	John Vyell.	Anno xxxjmo.
	Nicholl Batte.

A Chronicle of London,

FROM 1089 TO 1483;

WRITTEN IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY,

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME PRINTED

FROM MSS. IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM:

TO WHICH ARE ADDED

Numerous Contemporary Illustrations,

CONSISTING OF ROYAL LETTERS, POEMS, AND OTHER ARTICLES DESCRIPTIVE OF PUBLIC EVENTS, OR OF THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE METROPOLIS.

PREFACE.

NOMI’A MAIOR’ ET VIC’ TEMP’E R’ EDWARDI iiijti.

NOTES;

CONTAINING

THE MATERIAL VARIATIONS

BETWEEN

THE PRECEDING COPY OF THE CHRONICLE,

AND

THE TRANSCRIPT IN THE COTTONIAN MS. JULIUS B. I.

NOTES.

Note A. (erroneously printed Note D.) page 9.

Note B. page 16.

Note C. page 16.

Note C. page 21.

Note D. page 23.

Note E. page 28.

Note F. page 37.

Note G. page 43.

Note H. page 43.

Note I. page 46.

Note K. page 50.

Note L. page 54.

Note M. page 58.

Note N. page 64.

Note M. page 67.

Note N. page 70.

Note O. page 71.

Note P. page 71.

Note Q. page 77.

Note R. page 79.

Note S. page 80.

Note T. page 80.

Note U. page 81.

Note X. page 83.

Note Y. page 83.

Note Z. page 91.

Note AA. page 92.

Note BB. page 94.

Note CC. page 96.

Note DD. page 96.

Note EE. page 99.

Note FF. page 103.

Note GG. page 106.

Note HH. page 106.

Note II. page 107.

Note KK. page 108.

Note LL. page 108.

Note MM. page 110.

Note NN. page 111.

Note OO. page 112.

Note PP. page 113.

Note QQ. page 114.

Note RR. page 116.

Note SS. page 116.

Notes TT and UU. page 118.

Note XX. page 119.

Note YY. page 120.

Note ZZ. page 120.

Note AAA. page 121.

Note BBB. page 123.

Note CCC. page 123.

Note DDD. page 125.

COPIA TABULE PENDENTIS AD COLUMPNAM IUXTA TUMULUM DUCIS LANCASTR’ IN ECCLESIA SANCTI PAULI LONDON’.

COPIA MAGNE TABULE IBIDEM PENDENTIS PER DICTAM TUMBAM DICTI ROGERI NUPER EPISCOPI LONDON’.

A COPY OF THE TABLET HANGING AT THE COLUMN NEAR THE TOMB OF THE DUKE OF LANCASTER, IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT PAUL’S, LONDON.

A COPY OF THE GREAT TABLET HANGING IN THE SAME PLACE, BY THE SAID TOMB OF THE SAID ROGER LATELY BISHOP OF LONDON.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

HIC INCIPIT QUIDA’ RISMUS F’TUS DE P’DIC’ONE VASCON’ ET DE RIUSD’ CONQUESTU P’ R’ E’ FILIU’ REG’ H’.

L’RA D’NI EDWARDI PRINCIPIS GALL’ MAIOR ALDR’S ET COM’ITATI CIVITATIS LONDON’ DIRECTA DE NOV’ BAT’I IUXta POYTERS.

COPIA PROCLAMATIONIS R. RICARDI IIdi SUPER INSURRECTIONE JACK STRAW ET WAT TYLER.

PASSUS SECUNDUS.

PASSUS TERCIUS.

A
Chronicle of London,

CONSISTING OF ROYAL LETTERS, POEMS, AND OTHER ARTICLES DESCRIPTIVE
OF PUBLIC EVENTS, OR OF THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS
OF THE METROPOLIS.

Mich’ Tony, m’.	Nicholl Jocie.	Ao. xxxijdo.
	Geffrey Wynchestr’.

Rog’ Fitz Rog’, m’.	Rauf Hardell.	Ao. xxxiijcio.
	John Tholosan.

John Norman, m’.	Humfrey Bras faber.	Anno xxxiiijto.
	Will’m Fitz Richard.

Adam Basynges, m’.	Laur’ Frowyk.	Ao. xxxvto.
	Will’s Fitz Richard.

John Tholosan, m’.	Will’m Durham.	Ao. xxxvjto.
	Thomas Wyborne.

Nicholl Batte, m’.	John Northampton.	Ao. xxxvijo.
	Richard Pychard.

Ric’ Hardell, m’.	Robt. Lyntone, drap’.	Ao. xxxviijo.
	Will’m Asshwy, merc’.

Id’m maior.	Stephan Distergate.[7]	Ao. xxxixo.
	Herry Walmode.

Id’m maior.	Matheu Bokerell.	Anno xlo.
	John le Mynour.

Id’m maior.	Th’ Fitz Richard.	Anno xlijdo.
	Robt. Catelongre.

Will’m Fitz Richard, m’.	Adam Brounyng.	Ao. xliiijto.
	Ric’ Coventre.

Id’m maior.	John Northt’.	Ao. xlvto.
	Ric’ Pychard.

	John Tallour.	Ao. xlvjto.[9]
	Ric’ Walbrooke.

Th’ Fitz Thomas, m’.	Philip Walbrok.	Ao. xlvijmo.
	Ric’ Taillour.