Chronicles Of England,

Scotland And Ireland

By
Raphael Holinshed
 Chronicles Of England, Scotland And Ireland
RICHARD THE FIRST,
Second sonne to Henrie the second.
Richard the first of that name, and second sonne of Henrie the second,
began his reigne ouer England the sixt day of Julie, in the yere of our Lord
1189. in the seauen and thirteeth yeare of the emperour Frederike the first,
in the eleuenth yere of the reigne of Philip the second king of France, and
king William surnamed the Lion as yet liuing in the gouernement of
Scotland.
This Richard, immediatlie after the solemnities of his fathers funerals were
ended, made hast to Rouen, where he was ioifullie receiued, and
proclamed duke of Normandie, receiuing the inuesture according to the
custome, on the twentith day of Julie. Then studieng to set all things in
good order on that side the sea, he made search where his fathers treasure
was preserued, and therevpon attached Stephan de Turnham, who was
seneschall or gouernour (as we may call him) of Aniou, and committing
him to prison, compelled him to make deliuerie of all such summes of
monie as he had hid and laid vp in certeine castels by the commandement
of the late king his father.
Whilest he was thus occupied, his brother John came to him, to whom he
ioifullie gaue the welcome, and besides all other things which his father
had bequeathed vnto him by his testament in England, amounting to the
value of foure thousand pounds of yearelie rent, with the earledome of
Mortaigne, he procured a marriage for him (being now a widower) for his
further aduancement with the ladie Isabell, daughter to Robert earle of
Glocester, which earle had appointed the said John to be his heire as before
is mentioned, although Baldwine the archbishop of Canturburie forbad the
mariage, bicause they were coosens in the third degree of consanguinitie.
To Robert earle of Leicester also he restored all his lands which had béene
taken from him, and such persons as his father had disherited, he restored
likewise to their former rights and possessions, howbeit those had forsaken
his father, and taken part with him against his said father, he séemed now
so much to mislike, that he remooued them vtterlie from his presence, and
contrariwise preferred such as had continued faithfull vnto his father in
time of the troubles.
At length, king Richard remembring himselfe of his mother quéene
Elianor, who had béene separated from the bed of hir husband for the
space of sixtéene yeares, and was as yet deteined in prison in England,
wrote his letters vnto the rulers of the realme, commanding them to set hir
againe at libertie, and withall appointed hir by his letters patents, to take
vpon hir the whole gouernment of the kingdome in his absence. The
quéene being thus deliuered, and hauing now the cheefe authoritie & rule
in hir hands, rode in progresse about the realme, to sée the estate thereof;
and as she passed from place to place, she shewed gladsome countenance
to the people wheresoeuer she came, dooing also what she could to
pleasure them, that she might thereby win their good willes to hir, and to
hir sonne: but speciallie remembring by hir late experience and tast thereof,
what an irksome & most gréeuous thing imprisonment was, she caused the
gailes to be opened, and foorthwith set no small number of prisoners at
libertie by the way as she passed through the countries, according to the
verse of Virgil,
Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco.
In the meane time, king Richard concluding a league with Philip king of
France, receiued all those places againe which were taken from his father
by the same Philip, togither with his wife Adela, whom vpon suspicion
that she had beene dishonested in hir person before, without anie sufficient
proofe thereof had, he forsooke, & sent hir home with hir dowrie, and
otherwise with great and princelie gifts, most bountifullie inriched, hauing
alreadie concluded a marriage with the ladie Berengaria, daughter to
Garsias king of Nauarre, who was sent into Sicill vnto hir sister Joane, that
he might marrie hir there, as he passed that waie towards the holie land.
Whilest these things passed thus in these parties, the christians in the holie
land dailie sent hither for aid, wherevpon the two kings of France and
England tooke counsell togither, and determined with all conuenient speed
to ioine their powers, & with ships prepared for that purpose to saile into
Syria. Hauing thus concluded, they went about to prepare themselues of
necessarie prouision for so long a iournie. Now when king Richard had set
in order his affaires in Normandie and France, he came ouer into England,
landing at Portesmouth the 13. of August. With him also came his brother
John, vnto whom he assigned the castels of Marlebridge, Lutegareshall,
Peake, Bollesour, the honor of Wallingford, Tikehill and Eie, with the
earledoms of Mortaigne, Dorset, Sumerset, Notingham, Derbie,
Deuonshire, and Cornewall, with the earledome of Lancaster, intituling
him earle of the same, whereby he was so exalted in state and degree, that
he séemed in manner of a tetrarch, hauing as it were a fourth part of the
realme in gouernance: but yet the king held some of the castels (in those
counties and honors thus giuen to his brother) in his owne hands.
Moreouer, vnto William Marshall he gaue in marriage the daughter of
Richard earle of Chepstow, togither with the earledome which hir father
possessed: and to Gilbert Fitz Roger the sonne of Rainfrey he gaue the
daughter of William de Lancaster. After he was landed (as before ye haue
heard) he hasted to Winchester, where his mother quéene Elianor with the
most part of the English nobilitie had laine a good space to attend his
comming, and there on the euen of the assumption of our ladie, the king
was by them receiued with great ioy and triumph.
¶ Here is to be noted, that whilest the quéene and lords laie in Winchester
waiting for the kings arriuall, Geffrey Riddle the bishop of Elie departed
this life. He is named by Geruasius Dorobernensis the proud bishop of Elie:
but he might rather haue named him the rich bishop, for he left in his
cofers no small quantitie of treasure, of the which thrée thousand and two
hundred marks came to the kings part towards the charges of his
coronation. No maruell though Geruasius spake somewhat in his dispraise,
for (as he himselfe confesseth) he was no fréend but an enimie to moonks.
But to let this passe, soone after the kings comming into England, he was
informed that the Welshmen had broken into the English marshes, and
destroyed certeine townes; to represse whose presumptuous attempts he
made towards them, but was yet staied for that time, & reuoked by his
mother. At Salisburie he found his fathers treasure, highlie reioising, for
that the summe was far greater than he thought it would haue prooued, for
besides the pretious stones, apparell, and iewels, it was reported he had
there the sum of nine hundred thousand pounds in readie coine. With this
good hap king Richard not a little aduanced, came to London on the first of
September, where he had appointed prouision to be made for his
coronation, and so calling a councell of the Nobles of the realme, he
receiued the crowne with all due and accustomed solemnitie, at the hands
of Baldwin the archbishop of Canturburie, the third daie of September.
At his coronation, first the archbishops of Canturburie, Roan, Trier, and
Dublin, which were present, with all the other bishops, abbats, and
cleargie, apparelled in rich copes, and hauing the crosse, holie water and
censures carried afore them, came to fetch him vnto the doore of his priuie
chamber, and there receiuing him, they led him vnto the church at
Westminster, till he came before the high altar with a solemne procession.
In the middle of the bishops and cleargie went foure barons, bearing
candlesticks with tapers, after whom came Geffrey de Lucie bearing the
cap of maintenance, and John Marshall next to him, bearing a great and
massiue paire of spurs of gold: then followed William Marshall earle of
Striguill aliàs Pembroke, who bare the roiall scepter, in the top wherof was
set a crosse of gold: and William de Patrike earle of Salisburie going next
him, bare the warder or rod, hauing on the top thereof a doue. Then came
thrée other earles, Dauid brother to the king of Scots, the earle of
Huntington, John the kings brother earle of Mortaigne, and Robert earle of
Leicester, ech of them bearing a sword vpright in his hand with the
scabberds richlie trimmed and adorned with gold.
The earle of Mortaigne went in the midst betwixt the other two. After them
followed six earles and barons, bearing a checker table, vpon the which
was set the kings scochens of armes, and then followed William Mandeuill
earle of Albemarle, bearing a crowne of gold a great heigth before the king,
who followed the same, hauing Hugh bishop of Durham on the right hand,
and Reignold bishop of Bath on the left, ouer whom a canapie was borne:
and in this order he came into the church at Westminster, where before the
high altar in the presence of the cleargie & the people, laieng his hand vpon
the holie euangelists and the relikes of certeine saincts, he tooke a solemne
oth, that he should obserue peace, honour, and reuerence to almightie God,
to his church, and to the ministers of the same all the daies of his life. Also
that he should exercise vpright iustice to the people committed to his
charge, and that he should abrogate and disanull all euill lawes and
wrongfull customes, if anie were to be found within the precinct of his
realme, and mainteine those that were good and laudable.
This doone, he put off all his garments from the middle vpwards, his shirt
excepted which was open on the shoulders, that he might be annointed.
The archbishop of Canturburie annointed him then in thrée places, to wit,
on the head, on the shoulders, and on the right arme, with praiers in such
case accustomed. After this, he couered his head with a linnen cloth
hallowed, and set his cap aloft thereon; and then when he had put on his
roiall garments and vppermost robe, the archbishop tooke vnto him the
sword wherewith he should beat downe the enimies of the church; which
doone, two earles put his shoes vpon his feet, and hauing his mantell put
on him, the archbishop forbad him on the behalfe of almightie God, not to
presume to take vpon him this dignitie except he faithfullie meant to
performe those things which he had there sworne to performe. Wherevnto
the king made answer, that by Gods grace he would performe them. Then
the king tooke the crowne beside the altar, and deliuered it to the
archbishop, which he set vpon the kings head, deliuering to him the
scepter to hold in his right hand, and the rod roiall in his left hand, & thus
being crowned he was brought backe by the bishops and barons, with the
crosse and candelsticks, and three swords passing foorth before him vnto
his seat. When the bishop that sang the masse came to the offertorie, the
two bishops that brought him to the church, led him to the altar, and
brought him backe againe.
Finallie when masse was doone, and all things ended in order as was
requisit, he was brought with solemne procession into his chamber, where
he put off his heauie rich apparell, and put on a crowne and other
garments more light and easie, and so went to dinner, whereat wanted no
store of meats & drinks, which were serued out in most princelie and
bountifull wise.
Vpon this daie of king Richards coronation, the Jewes that dwelt in London
and in other parts of the realme, being there assembled, had but sorie hap,
as it chanced. For they meaning to honour the same coronation with their
presence, and to present to the king some honourable gift, whereby they
might declare themselues glad for his aduancement, and procure his
freendship towards them, for the confirming of their priuileges & liberties,
according to the grants and charters made to them by the former kings: he
of a zealous mind to Christes religion, abhorring their nation (and doubting
some sorcerie by them to be practised) commanded that they should not
come within the church when he should receiue the crowne, nor within the
palace whilest he was at dinner.
But at dinner time, among other that pressed in at the palace gate, diuerse
of the Jewes were about to thrust in, till one of them was striken by a
Christian, who alledging the kings commandement, kept them backe from
comming within the palace. Which some of the vnrulie people perceiuing,
and supposing it had béene doone by the kings commandement, tooke
lightlie occasion thereof, and falling vpon the Jewes with staues, bats and
stones, beat them and chased them home to their houses and lodgings.
Héerewith rose a rumor through the citie, that the king had commanded
the Jewes to be destroied, and therevpon came running togither, to assault
them in their houses, which when they could not easilie breake vp nor
enter, by reason the same were strongly builded, they set fire on them, so
that diuers houses were consumed, not onelie of the Jewes, but also of their
neighbours, so hideous was the rage of the fire. Here we see that
Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis.
The king being aduertised of this riotous attempt of the outragious people,
sent some of his councellours, as Ranulfe de Glanuille lord Justice, and
other officers to appease the tumult: but their authoritie was nothing
regarded, nor their persuasions any whit reuerenced, but their thretnings
rather brought themselues in danger of life among the rude sort of those
that were about to spoile, rob, and sacke the houses and shops of the Jewes:
to the better accomplishment of which their vnlawfull act, the light that the
fire of those houses which burned, gaue after it was once night, did
minister no small helpe and occasion of furtherance. The Jewes that were in
those houses which were set on fire, were either smoldred and burned to
death within, or else at their comming foorth most cruellie receiued vpon
the points of speares, billes, swords and gleaues of their aduersaries that
watched for them verie diligentlie.
This outrage of the furious and disordered people continued from the
middest of the one day, till two of the clocke on the other; the commons all
that while neuer ceassing their furie against that nation, but still killing
them as they met with any of them, in most horrible, rash and
vnreasonable maner. At length, rather wearied with their cruell dooings,
than satisfied with spoile, or mooued with respect of reason or reuerence of
their prince, they withdrew themselues from their riotous enterprise, after
they had executed manie vnlawfull and horrible enormities. This great riot
well deserued sore and gréeuous punishment, but yet it passed ouer
without correction, in respect of the great number of the transgressors, and
for that the most part of men for the hatred generallie concerned against
the obstinate frowardnesse of the Jewes, liked the dooings hereof well
inough, interpreting it to be a good token, that the ioifull daie of the kings
aduancement to the crowne should be dolefull vnto the Jewes, in bringing
them to such slaughter and destruction. Finallie, after that the tumult was
ceassed, the king commanded that no man should hurt or harme any of the
Jewes, and so they were restored to peace, after they had susteined infinit
damage.
¶ The occasion of this tragedie and bloudie tumult (redounding to the
Jewes great vexation and pitifull distresse, but to the satisfieng of the
peoples furious and vnbridled pronesse to crueltie) sprang principallie
from the king, who if he had not so lightlie esteemed of the Jewes when
they repaired vnto him with their present, in signe of submission and hope
of obteining their sute then purposed to be exhibited; this hurlie burlie had
not insued. For it was a violent example & a mightie motiue to the people
to maligne the Jewes; as also a hart-gréefe to them in respect of their
reiection, when the prince gaue them so discourteous a repulse. Here
therefore is to be obserued, that the people is the princes ape, as one verie
well saith. For looke whereto he is inclined, note wherein he delighteth; the
same is the practise of the people: in consideration whereof the mightie
ones of the world haue speciall cause to haue an eie to their course of life, &
to set caueats before their actions, that the people may in them sée none but
good signes of commendable & vertuous imitation. For
—— regis imagoVulgus, & ad mores accedere principis optat.Qualis enim
rex est talis quoque subditus illiEsse solet populus, studijsque tenetur
ijsdem.
Shortlie after, to wit, the 15. day of September, a councell was holden at
Pipewell, where the bishops and abbats being assembled, there were in
presence of the king and of the archbishop of Canturburie elected certeine
bishops and abbats to such places as then were vacant: and amongst other,
William de Longchampe the kings chancellor was elected to the sée of Elie,
Geffrey the kings bastard brother vnto the archbishoprike of Yorke, who
was the 32. in number that had gouerned the same, Geffrey de Lucie to
Winchester, one Hubert Walter to Salisburie, and Richard archdeacon of
Elie, and the kings treasurer to the see of London. The abbeies that were
prouided of abbats were these, Glastenburie, Shirborne, Persore and
Feuersham. In like manner, John the elect of Whitherne was consecrated
bishop of that see, by the hands of the archbishop of Dublin. Also in this
councell the king ordeined Hugh bishop of Durham, and William
Mandeuille earle of Albemarle, lord chéefe iustices of England, hauing
deposed Ranulfe de Glanuille from that roome.
Moreouer, the king being thus established in the estate of the kingdome,
did not forget his iournie which he had promised into the holie land, but
with all diligence made his prouision, and namelie he sought to gather
monie to furnish his charges, and so therevpon leuied a tax, engaged, sold,
and let to farme his lands, tols, customs, and other his reuenewes, with
certeine counties and offices, so that he made an exceeding summe of
monie. He also found, that Ranulfe de Glanuille lord chéefe iustice, and
other of the head magistrates had not behaued themselues vprightlie in the
administration of their offices; so that he both deposed the said lord cheefe
iustice as is aforesaid, and almost all the shiriffes and their deputies within
the realme of England, putting them to greeuous fines for their offenses
and transgressions, and so by that meanes he got no small deale of monie.
¶ Here note by the waie, how William Paruus affirmeth, that where this
Ranulfe Glanuille, being a man of high wisedome and stept into age, saw
that, manie things were doone by the new king, not so aduisedlie, nor with
such foresight as they ought to be, sought of his owne accord to be
discharged of his office, that he might the better prepare himselfe to go in
that iournie to the holie land, as by taking vpon him the crosse he had
vowed in the daies of king Henrie, and so he solemnelie renounced his
office, which other (nothing so worthie of it) did afterwards inioy.
Moreouer, the king vnderstanding that Hugh Putsey or Pudsey bishop of
Durham, being a verie aged man, had much monie, he sold to him the
manour of Seggesfield or Sadberge, with the wapentake belonging to the
same, and also found meanes to persuade him to buy his owne prouince,
which he did, giuing to the king an inestimable summe of monie, and was
therevpon created an earle by the king for the same: wherevpon he was
intituled both bishop and earle of Durham, whereat the king would iest
afterwards and saie; "What a cunning craftesman am I, that haue made a
new earle of an old bishop?"
Furthermore, the same bishop gaue to the king a thousand markes to be
made chéefe iustice of England, and that he might tarrie at home, and not
go into the holie land. And bicause he would not be reprooued of any
person, he obteined of the apostolike sée (which faileth no man that is
surcharged with white or red mettall, and would be eased) a licence for a
summe of monie to be dispensed with for that iournie. The king thus being
earnestlie bent to make commoditie of those things, for the which he might
get any monie at all, the citizens of London presented vnto him a great
summe towards the furnishing foorth of his enterprise. Wherevpon to
acquite their courtesie, he granted them large priuileges, and ordeined that
the citie should be ruled by two head officers, which they should choose
amongst themselues remoueable from yeare to yeare by the name of
bailiffes. The names of the two first bailiffes chosen by force of that
ordinance, were, Henrie Cornehill, and Richard Fitz Reiner.
The citie before those daies euer since the comming in of William
Conquerour, and a good while before his time, was gouerned by certeine
officers or rulers named Port Greues (which word is deriued of two Saxon
words, as Port and Greue. By Port is meant a towne, and by Greue a
gardian or ruler, as who should saie, A kéeper or ruler of a towne.) These
rulers with the lawes & customes then vsed within this citie, were
registered in a booke called (as some haue said) Doomesdaie, but through
negligence after these lawes and customes were changed and altered, the
booke was lost, so that the remembrance of such rulers as were before the
daies of this Richard the first are not to be had. These bailiffes euer entred
at Michaelmasse, and so continued foorth their yeare.
Thus began the citie first to receiue the forme and state of a common-
wealth, and to be diuided into felowships, which they call crafts or
corporations. Such also are admitted to the fellowships of these companies,
as haue truelie serued as apprentises a certeine number of yeares, as seuen
at the least, vnder which time of seruice expired, there is none made frée,
nor suffered to inioy the liberties of that citie, sauing such as are borne free,
that is to saie, of fréemen within the citie, of whome at this time, it is not
much materiall to make any further report. The citie thus consisting of the
said craftes or occupations, chooseth out of the same a senat or companie of
graue councellours, whom they name Aldermen (E) changed into (A)
according to the old Saxon pronuntiation. It is also diuided into 26. tribes
or wards, of the which euerie one hath his seuerall Alderman, or ouerseer,
who haue both authoritie sufficient, and large priuileges to mainteine the
good gouernement of their portions withall. Out of the number of these,
there is another officer yearelie chosen and appointed, called the Maior,
who ruleth all the rest.
But now to returne vnto the further dooings of king Richard before his
departure out of England towards his iournie into the land of Palestine,
commonlie called Holie land, it is said, he made such sale of things
apperteining to him, as well in right of the crowne, as otherwise, that it
séemed to diuerse he made his reckoning neuer to returne againe, in so
much that some of his councellours told him plainelie, that he did not well
in making things awaie so freelie, to the dishonoring of his maiestie, and
preiudice of his successour; vnto whome he answered, "that in time of need
it was no euill policie for a man to help himselfe with his owne," and
further ioined hereto these words, "that if London at that time of néed
would be bought, he would surelie sell it, if he might méet with a
conuenient merchant that were able to giue him monie inough for it."
Another way he had also to gather riches, and that was this. He had a
licence of pope Innocent the third, to dispense with such as pleased him
within his realme, for their vowes made to go into the holie land, although
they had taken on them the crosse for that purpose, namelie such as he
should appoint to remaine behind him for the defense of his countrie: and
of these also he tooke abundantlie, and diuerse other he compelled to fine,
namelie, to the end that he might get their monie likewise, that hereby he
obteined no small summe toward the furniture of his iournie. But both
pope & prince forgat in the meane while, that
Boni pastoris est tondere pecus non excoriare.
This yeare also in the moneth of Nouember, as Matthew Paris saith,
Johannes de Anagnia a cardinall and legat from the pope arriued here in
England, comming on land at Douer, and bicause the king was as then in
the north parts, the same cardinall was prohibited on the behalfe of the
kings mother quéene Elianor, to passe any further without the kings
commandement. And so he staied there thirtéene daies at the charges of
the archbishop of Canturburie, till the king came to those parties, by whose
wisedome a direction was taken for the quieting of the controuersie betwixt
the archbishop, and the moonkes of Canturburie, for the chappell church of
Hakington now called S. Stephans.
In the same moneth of Nouember, by the kings appointment, Geffrey the
elect of Yorke, who was the kings brother, with other barons and lords of
Yorkeshire, receiued William king of Scotland at the water of Tweed, and
from thence with all due reuerence and honour they brought him vnto
Canturburie, where the king had called a councell of the lords of his realme
both spirituall and temporall, in the which euerie of them tooke an oth to
be true to the king, and to continue in due obedience vnder him and his
lawes, which oth also the king of Scots receiued, being there present, and
likewise king Richards brethren earle John and Geffrey the archbishop of
Yorke.
The king of Scots therefore hauing receiued this oth, and thinking the time
to serue his purpose for redéeming of those castels, which were deliuered
to king Henrie as gages for his ransome, paid now vnto king Richard ten
thousand markes, and had restitution for the same, that is of Berwike,
Roxburgh, Sterling, and Edenburgh. But William Paruus saieth, that
Edenburgh was restored to him in the daies of king Henrie, by reason of
his wife which he tooke in the parties beyond the seas: and herewith
agréeth the Scotish chronicle. King Richard also assigned to queene Elianor
his mother, the accustomed dower, with manie lordships and honours
beside, as an augmentation thereof. About which time died William de
Mandeuille earle of Albemarle at Rouen, and Hugh de Putsey the nephue
of the bishop of Durham died at Aclet, and was buried at Durham. Also
Formalis archbishop of Trier died at Northampton, and was there buried in
the church of S. Andrews.
In the meane time, king Richard still desirous to furnish himselfe with
monie, deuised yet another shift, and feigned that he had lost his seale;
wherefore he commanded a new to be made, which being doone, he
caused it to be proclaimed and published in euerie countrie, that those to
whome he had granted any thing by his déed or charter, meaning to inioy
the same in suretie, should not thinke it much to come and haue it
confirmed by his new seale, least afterward the other being lost, their
lawfull titles might be called into question. Wherevpon manie that could
not come to him whilest he was in England, were glad to follow him, and
saile ouer into Normandie, and there to fine at his pleasure for the new
seale, to the end that their writings might be confirmed thereby, and made
so much the more sure to them and their successours. For the same
businesse also Remigius the prior of S. Albons, and manie other went ouer
to their great costs, charges, and trauell, after he was transported into
France.
I find moreouer about the same time, that the kings brother earle John
exhibited a sore complaint against the Romane legat and other bishops, for
that the archbishop of Canturburie, after the appeale made vnto the
apostolike sea, had put his lands vnder interdiction for his mariage made
with the earle of Glocesters daughter: which when the legat heard, he
foorthwith confirmed the appeale, and released the earles lands of the
aforesaid interdiction. The same time also, the tenth part of all the
mooueable goods thorough the realme of England was leuied to the aid of
the warres in the holie land. And this collection passing vnder the name of
an almes, was extended vpon the goods as well of the spirituall men as
temporall.
After all this, K. Richard desirous to set order in the gouernment of his
realme, appointed Hugh bishop of Durham to haue the rule of the north
parts as cheefe iustice from Humber northwards toward Scotland,
deliuering vnto him also the keeping of Winchester castell: the residue of
the kingdome (with the custodie of the towre) he assigned to the
gouernance of William Longchampe bishop of Elie, whome he had made
cheefe iustice of that part, and chancellour of the realme, a man of great
diligence and knowledge in the administration of things, but verie factious
and desirous of rule, honour and riches farre aboue all measure. And with
these two he ioined in commission Hugh Bardulfe, William Marshall earle
of Chepstow, or rather Penbrooke, Geffrey Fitz-Peter, & William Brewer,
men of great honour, wisedome, and discretion.
On the fift day of December, he departed from Canturburie, and went to
Douer, there to take water, and so on the eleuenth day of December he
passed ouer vnto Calice, where he found Philip earle of Flanders readie to
receiue him, who attended vpon him till he came into Normandie, where
the king held his Christmas at Burun, and immediatlie came to an
enteruiew with the French king at Gue S. Remige, where they concluded
peace togither, to be kept betwixt them & their countries on ech part; the
which was put in writing, and confirmed with their oths and seales in the
feast of saint Hilarie.
Furthermore, about the purification of our ladie, Elianor the quéene
mother, and the ladie Alice sister to the French king, Baldwine archbishop
of Canturburie, John bishop of Norwhich, Hugh bishop of Durham,
Geffrey bishop of Winchester, Reignold bishop of Bath, William Bishop of
Elie, Hubert bishop of Salisburie, and Hugh bishop of Chester, with
Geffrey the elect of Yorke and John earle of Mortaigne the kings two
brethren, by commandement of the king passed ouer into Normandie, to
commen with him before his setting forward.
¶ Some write, that now at this present, the king should ordeine or rather
confirme the bishop of Elie his chancellour to be lord chéefe iustice ouer all
England, and the bishop of Durham to be lord iustice from Trent
northwards. But whensoeuer they were thus aduanced to such dignities,
howsoeuer they came by them, directlie or indirectlie, true it is, that
immediatlie therevpon, strife and discord did arise betwixt them: for
waxing proud and insolent, they disdained ech other, contending which of
them should bare most rule and authoritie, insomuch that whatsoeuer
séemed good to the one, the other misliked, as in cases whereparteners in
authoritie are equall, it often happeneth. The like hereof is noted before
betwéene the archbishops of Canturburie and Yorke in diuerse kings
reignes. For the nature of ambition is to delight in singularitie, to admit no
peere, to giue place to no superior, to acknowledge no equall. Hereto
alludeth the poet verie neatlie, and exemplifieth it in the old Romans, the
order of whose actions is continued at this day, as by the words insuing
may be gathered, and ordinarilie obserued booth here and elsewhere;
—— olimRomulidæ orabant, iacto post terga pudorePlebeios, quoties
suffragia venabantur,Cerdonúmq; animos precibus seruilibus atq;Turpibus
obsequijs captabant, muneribúsq;Vt proprijs rebus curarent publica
omissis;Pérq; forum medium multis comitantibus irent,Inflati vt vento
folles, ac fronte superba, &c.
Moreouer, at the same time he caused his two brethren, earle John, and
Geffrey the elect archbishop of Yorke to take an oth not to returne into
England during the terme of thrée yeares next insuing, without his consent
and licence first had. This he did, foreséeing what might happen, prouiding
as it were against such practises as his brethren might happilie attempt
against him. But yet his mother quéene Elianor procured him to reuoke
that decree immediatlie, least it might seeme to the world, that hir sonnes
should stand in feare one of another. And so the earle of Mortaigne was
licenced to returne into England at his pleasure, swearing an oth at his
departure to obeie the kings beheast, and truelie to serue him, according to
the dutie of a good and loiall subiect. The bishop of Elie lord chancellour
and cheefe iustice of England was also sent backe hither into this realme, to
set forward things behoouefull for the kings iournie.
In like maner the king sent to Rome to obteine that the said bishop of Elie
might be constituted the popes legat through both the prouinces of
Canturburie and Yorke, and likewise through Wales and Ireland. Which
was soone granted by the bulles of pope Clement the third, bearing date
the 5. of June. For the which office the bishops gaue him 1500. marks, to the
great offense of the king, as he shewed afterward to cardinall Octauian that
came to visit him when he arriued in the riuer of Tiber, being vpon his
iourneie towards Messina, as after may appeare. But in the meanetime,
calling togither the lords, and peeres of those his dominions on that side
the sea, to wit, Normandie, Britaine, Aniou, Poitou, and Guien, he
consulted with them what number of soldiors and how many ships it
should be conuenient for him to take with him and furnish into Asia: and
herewith he did command them also to obeie Robert earle of Leicester,
whome he appointed to remaine amongst them as his lieutenant or
vicegerent of those parts during his absence.
¶ But here to leaue king Richard in consultation for matters appertaining to
his iournie, and shew brieflie what happened (by the waie) to the Jewes,
which as then dwelt heere in England, after that king Richard was passed
ouer into Normandie: ye haue heard how after the riot against them at
London, when the king was crowned, he tooke order that they should
remaine in peace vnder his protection, and commanded that no person
should in anie wise molest them. But now after that he was gone ouer, and
that the souldiers (which prepared themselues to follow him) began to
assemble in routs, the heads of the common people began to wax wild and
faine would they haue had some occasion of raising a new tumult against
the Jewes, whome (for their vnmercifull vsurie practised to the vndooing of
manie an honest man) they most deadlie hated, wishing most earnestlie
their expulsion out of England. Hervpon by reason of a riot committed
latelie against them, at the towne of Lin in Norfolke, where manie of them
were slaine, other people in other parts of the realme, taking occasion
hereat, as if they had béene called vp by the sound of a bell or trumpet,
arose against them in those townes where they had any habitations, and
robbed and bet them after a disordered and most riotous maner.
As at Stamford (on the faire day in Lent); at Lincolne and at Yorke, in
which citie after a number of them had béene besieged certeine daies
within a towre of the kings (whither they fled for succour) one of their
learned gouernours caused foure hundred of their companie to consent to
haue their throts cut one at an others hands, he himselfe cutting his wiues
throt first, whose name was Anna, then his childrens, one after another,
and last of all slue himselfe onelie rather than he would fall into the hands
of the christians, that had thus long besieged them. The rest perceiuing
what their great Rabbi had doone, set fire vpon all their goods and
substance, which they had gotten into the tower with them, and so
consuming the same, would haue burnt also the residue of their fellowes
which would not agrée to the Rabbies counsell, in the cruell murthering of
themselues, if they had not taken a strong turret hard by within that tower,
and defended themselues both from the fire and crueltie of their brethren,
who had made awaie themselues in such manner as I haue said: and that to
the number of foure hundred, or (as some write) fiue hundred at the least.
On the morow, those that were saued, called out to the people, and not
onelie shewed how and after what sort their fellowes were dispatched, but
also offered to be baptised, and forsake their Judaisme, if they might haue
their liues saued from the imminent & present danger wherein they saw
themselues to be wrapped, through the furie of the people. To be short, this
thing was granted, and they came foorth, howbeit they were no sooner
entred into the prease, but they were all slaine, and not one man of them
preserued.
After this also, the people ran to the cathedrall church, and broke into those
places where their bonds and obligations laie, by the which they had
diuerse of the kings subiects bound vnto them in most vnconscionable sort,
and for such detestable vsurie as (if the authors that write thereof were not
of credit) would hardlie be beleeued. All which euidences or bonds they
solemnelie burned in the middest of the church. After which, ech went his
waie, the souldiers to the king, and the commons to their houses, and so
was the citie quieted. This happened at Yorke on Palmesundaie eeue, being
the 17. of March: and vpon the 15. of that moneth, those that inhabited in
the towne of S. Edmundsburie in Suffolke, were set vpon, and manie of
them slaine. The residue that escaped, through the procurement of the
abbat then named Samson, were expelled, so that they neuer had anie
dwellings there since that time.
Thus were the Jewes vnmercifullie dealt with in all places in maner
through this realme, the first beginning whereof chanced at London (as
before ye haue heard) and the next at Lin, of which I thinke it good to note
some part of the maner therof, although breeflie, and so to returne to my
purpose. The occasion therefore of the tumult at Lin chanced by this
meanes: it fortuned that one of the Jewes there was become a christian,
wherewith those of his nation were so mooued, that they determined to kill
him where soeuer they might find him. And herevpon they set vpon him
one daie as he came by, through the streets: he to escape their hands fled to
the next church; but his countriemen were so desirous to execute their
malicious purpose, that they followed him still, and inforced themselues to
breake into the church vpon him. Herewith the noise being raised by the
christians that sought to saue the conuerted Jew, a number of mariners
being forreners, that were arriued there with their vessells out of sundrie
parts, and diuerse also of the townesmen came to the rescue, and setting
vpon the Jewes, caused them to flee into their houses.
The townesmen were not verie earnest in pursuing of them, bicause of the
kings proclamation and ordinance before time made in fauour of the Jewes:
but the mariners followed them to their houses, slue diuerse of them,
robbed and sacked their goods, and finallie set their dwellings on fire, and
so burnt them vp altogither. These mariners being inriched with the spoile
of the Jewes goods, and fearing to be called to accompt for their vnlawfull
act by the kings officers, got them foorthwith to shipboord, and hoising vp
sailes, departed with their ships to the sea, and so escaped the danger of
that which might haue béene otherwise laid to their charge. The
townesmen being called to an accompt excused themselues by the
mariners, burdening them with all the fault. But although they of Lin were
thus excused, yet they of Yorke escaped not so easilie. For the king being
aduertised of such outrage, doone contrarie to the order of his lawes and
expresse commandement, wrote ouer to the bishop of Elie his chancellour,
charging him to take cruell punishment of the offenders.
The bishop with an armie went to Yorke, but the cheefe authors of the riot
hearing of his comming, fled into Scotland: yet the bishop at his comming
to the citie, caused earnest inquirie to be made of the whole matter. The
citizens excused themselues, & offered to proue that they were not of
counsel with them that had committed the riot, neither had they aided nor
comforted them therein an anie maner of wise. And in déed the most part
of them that were the offenders, were of the countries and townes néere to
the citie, with such as were crossed into the holie land, and now gone ouer
to the king, so that verie few or none of the substantiall men of the citie
were found to haue ioined with them. Howbeit this would not excuse the
citizens, but that they were put to their fine by the stout Bishop, euerie of
them paieng his portion according to his power and abilitie in substance,
the common sort of the poore people being pardoned, and not called into
iudgement, sith the ringleaders were fled and gone out of the waie: and
thus much by waie of digression touching the Jews.
Now to returne vnto the king, who in this meane time was verie busie to
prouide all things necessarie to set forward on his iournie; his ships which
laie in the mouth of the riuer of Saine, being readie to put off, he tooke
order in manie points concerning the state of the common-wealth on that
side, and chéefelie he called to mind, that it should be a thing necessarie for
him, to name who should succeed him in the kingdome of England, if his
chance should not be to returne againe from so long and dangerous a
iournie. He therefore named (as some suppose) his nephue Arthur, the
sonne of his brother Geffrey duke of Britaine, to be his successour in the
kingdome, a yoong man of a likelie proofe and princelie towardnesse, but
not ordeined by God to succéed ouer this kingdome.
About the same time the bishop of Elie, lord chancellour and cheefe iustice
of England, tooke vp to the kings vse, of euerie citie in England two
palfries and two sumpter horsses, & of euerie abbeie one palfrie and one
sumpter horsse, & euerie manour within the realme found also one palfrie
and one sumpter horsse. Moreouer, the said bishop of Elie, deliuered the
gouernement of Yorkeshire to his brother Osbert de Longchampe: and all
those knights of the said shire, the which would not come to make answer
to the law vpon summons giuen them, he commanded to be apprehended
and by and by cast in prison. Also when the bishop of Durham was
returned from the king and come ouer into England to go vnto his charge,
at his meeting with the lord chancellour at Elie (notwithstanding that he
shewed him his letters patents of the grant made to him to be iustice from
Trent northward) the said lord chancellour taking his iournie to Southwell
with him, there deteined him as prisoner, till he had made surrender to
him of the castell of Windsor, & further had deliuered to him his sonnes,
Henrie de Putsey, and Gilbert de la Ley, as pledges that he should keepe
the peace against the king and all his subiects, vntill the said prince should
returne from the holie land. And so he was deliuered for that time, though
shortlie after, and whilest he remained at Houeden, there came to him
Osbert de Longchampe the lord chancellours brother, and William de
Stuteuille, the which caused the said bishop to find sufficient suretie that
he should not thence depart without the kings licence, or the lord
chancellors, so long as the king should be absent. Herevpon the bishop of
Durham sent knowledge to the king how and in what sort he had béene
handled by the chancellor.
In the meane time the king was gone into Gascoigne, where he besieged a
castell that belonged to one William de Chisi, and tooke both the castell
and the owner, whome he caused to be hanged for the spoiles and
robberies which he had committed vpon pilgrims that passed by those
parts toward Compostella, to visit the bodie of saint James. After this, the
king came backe vnto Chinon in Aniou, and there tooke order for the
setting foorth of his nauie by sea, ouer which he appointed chéefe
gouernours Gerard archbishop of Aux, Bernard bishop of Baieux, Robert
de Sablius, Richard de Camuille, and William de Fortz de Vlerun,
commanding all those that should passe foorth with his said nauie, to be
obedient vnto these persons as his deputies and lieutenants. Herewith they
were appointed to prouide victuals to serue all those that should go by sea
for the space of 60 daies.
The king also made the same time certeine ordinances to be obserued
among the seafaring men which tended to this effect:
1 First, that if any man chanced to slea an other on the shipboord, he
should be bound to the dead bodie and so throwne into the sea.
2 Secondlie, if he killed him on land, he should yet be bound to him as
before, and so buried quicke togither.
3 Thirdlie, if any man should be conuicted by lawfull witnesse, that he
drew any weapon to strike any other, or chanced by striking at any man to
draw bloud of him that was smitten, he should lose his hand.
4 Fourthlie, if he gaue but a blowe with his fist without bloudshedding, he
should be plunged three seuerall times ouer head and eares in the water.
5 Fifthlie, if any man reuiled another, he should for euerie time so misusing
himselfe, forfeit an ounce of siluer.
6 Sixtlie, that if anie man were taken with theft or pickerie, and thereof
conuicted, he should haue his head polled, and hot pitch powred vpon his
pate, and vpon that, the feathers of some pillow or cushion shaken aloft,
that he might thereby be knowne for a theefe, and at the next arriuall of the
ships to any land, be put foorth of the companie to seeke his aduenture,
without all hope of returne vnto his fellowes.
These were the statutes which this famous prince did enact at the first for
his nauie, which sithens that time haue been verie much inlarged. About
the same time John Bishop of Whiterne in Scotland, suffragane to the
church of Yorke, ordeined Geffrey archbishop of Yorke, préest. At the same
season also the election of the same Geffrey was confirmed by pope
Clement, who among other things that he wrote to the chapiter of Yorke on
his behalfe, in the end he addeth these words: "We do therefore admonish
you all, and by the apostolicall bulles command you, that you exhibit both
reuerence and honour vnto him as vnto your prelat, that thereby you may
appeare commendable both before God and man. Giuen at Lateran in the
nones of March and third yeare of our gouernment."
Whilest these things were in dooing, there came into France legats from the
said Clement, to mooue the two kings to make all the spéed possible
towards their iourneie, bicause of the great danger wherein things stood in
Palestine, requiring present helpe. Herevpon king Richard (his men and
prouision being readie) commanded that his ships should set forward, & to
coast about by the streicts of Giberalterre to come vnto Marseilles, where
he appointed to méet them, and so with a chosen companie of men he also
set foorth thitherwards by land, and comming to Tours, receiued the scrip
and staffe as a pilgrime should, at the hands of the archbishop there.
After this, both the kings of England and France met at Vizeley in the
octaues of the natiuitie of S. John Baptist, and when they had remained
there two daies they passed foorth to the citie of Lion; where the two kings
departed in sunder, and each one kept his iournie, the one toward Guenes,
where his nauie was appointed to come to him, and the other to Marseilles,
there to méet with his fléet, according to his appointment. But the English
ships being let and staied by the way by contrarie winds and rigorous
tempests, which tossed themto and fro vpon the coasts of Spaine, could not
come in any conuenient time vnto Marseilles, so that king Richard thinking
long to tarrie for them, & perceiuing they could not kéepe their appointed
time, he hired ships from all places thereabouts, and embarking himselfe
and his men in the same, vpon saint Laurence euen, sailed foorth towards
Sicile, where he was appointed to méet with king Philip.
Here is to be noted, that king Richard made not all that iourneie from
Marseilles to Messina by sea, but sundrie times comming on land, hired
horsses, and rode foorth alongst the coast, appointing with his ships and
gallies where to meet him, and sometimes he rested certeine daies togither
in one place or other as at Portdelphin, at Naples, and at Salerne, from
whence there departed from him Baldwine archbishop of Canturburie,
Hubert bishop of Salisburie, and the lord Ranulfe de Glanuille, the which
taking vpon them to go before, with prosperous wind and weather in short
space landed at Acon, which was then besieged, as you shall heare
hereafter.
At Rome the king came not, but being within the streame of the riuer of
Tiber, there came to him a cardinall named Octauianus, bishop of Hostia,
to whome be spake manie reprochfull words of the couetousnesse vsed in
the court of Rome (a vice reputed the common nursse of all mischéefes, as
one verie well noteth,
Vbi auaritia est, habitant fermè omnia ibidemFlagitia, impietas, periuria,
furta, rapinæ,Fraudes atq; doli, insidiæq; & proditiones,Iurgia & infandæ
cædes, &c.)
Bicause they had receiued seauen hundred marks for the consecration of
the bishop of Mauns, and 1500. marks for the confirming of the bishop of
Elie the popes legat. And againe no small summe of monie they had
receiued of the archbishop of Burdeaux, when vpon an accusation brought
against him by the cleargie of his prouince he should haue béene deposed.
In the meane time whiles king Richard thus passed forward towards
Messina, the nauie that was appointed to coast about Spaine and to méet
him at Marseilles, was tossed (as before is said) with wind and tempests,
and a part thereof, that is, to wit, ten ships driuen here and there on the
coasts of Spaine, of which number nine arriued at Lisbone and the tenth
being a ship of London arriued at the citie of Sylua, which was then the
vttermost citie of Spaine, that was inhabited with christians.
The Saracens at that time made warres against the king of Portingale, so
that the Portingales stood in néed of aid, in so much that they of Sylua did
not onelie intreat the Englishmen to staie with them for a time, but also got
grant of them to breake their ship, with the timber whereof they might the
better fortifie their towne, promising that their king should recompense
them with an other as good as theirs, and also further satisfie them for their
seruice, during the time of their abode therein defense of that citie.
Likewise of those that arriued at Lisbone there went to the number of fiue
hundred vnto saint Iranes, where the king of Portingale then was, looking
to be assaulted by his enimies: but by the counterfet death of the great K. of
the Saracens named Boiac Almiramumoli (who feared these new succours,
and doubted the sequele of his dooings, to the end he might depart with
honour, he fained himselfe dead) the king of Portingale was for that time
presentlie deliuered out of danger.
Herevpon he returned to Lisbone, where he found three score and thrée
other ships of king Richards nauie there newlie arriued, ouer the which
were chéefe capteins Robert de Sabuuille, and Richard de Camuille: which
at their comming to land could not so gouerne their people, but that some
naughtie fellowes amongst them fell to breaking and robbing of orchards:
some also entring into the citie, behaued themselues verie disorderlie. But
yet by the comming of the king, their lewdnesse was staied; so that he
seemed not to séeke reuenge of the pilgrims, but rather with courteous
meanes to bridle their vnlawfull attempts: wherevnto the diligence of the
English capteines not a little preuailed for a while, but yet for all that could
be done on both sides, within three daies after, a new tumult was raised
betwixt the English pilgrims and the townesmen, and diuerse hurt and
killed on either part.
Wherevpon the king caused the gates of the citie to be shut, and all those
that were come from the ships into the citie to eat and drinke (being in
number about seauen hundred) were apprehended and committed to
ward: and before they could be released, sir Robert Sabuuille and sir
Richard Camuille were glad to agree with the king, so as all former
offenses being remitted, and things taken by either part restored, the
Englishmen promised to obserue the peace against the king of Portingale
and his people; and he likewise couenanted for him and his subiects, that
they should kéepe the peace against all pilgrims that went foorth in this
voiage, and vse them like his fréends, and thus the quarell ceased.
Soone after, the English nauie departed from Lisbone, and came into the
mouth of the riuer of Taie, betwéene Caperico and Belem, where the same
daie on saint James éeue the lord William de Forzdulerun arriued also with
thrée and thirtie other ships, and so then they were in all about an hundred
and six sailes verie well furnished and manned, and so from thence taking
their course towards Marseilles, finallie they arriued there in the octaues of
the assumption of our ladie; and staieng there an eight daies (till they had
repaired such things about their ships as were néedfull) they set forward
againe, and came to Messina in Sicile in the feast of the exaltation of the
crosse. On the sunday following also came the French king thither, hauing
lost no small part of his nauie by tempests of weather.
King Richard as then remained at Salern, and hearing that his nauie was
gone towards Messina, he departed thence on the thirteenth day of
September, and hasted forth towards Messina, passing by Melphi and
Cocenza, and so at length comming to Faro de Messina, he passed the
same, and on the 23. day of September arriued at Messina with great noise
of trumpets and other instruments, to the woonder of the French king and
others that beheld his great puissance and roiall behauiour now at this
comming. The same time he went vnto the French kings lodging, to
commen with him of their businesse: and immediatlie the French king
tooke the sea, in purpose to haue passed forward on his iournie but by
contrarie wind he was staied and kept backe within the hauen, wherevpon
both the kings determined to winter there, and in the meane time to
prouide themselues of alle things necessarie for their iournie, against the
beginning of the next spring. On the 30. of September he receiued his sister
the quéene of Sicile, the widow of William the late king of that Ile, whom
he placed in a strong fortresse, which he tooke the same day and left
therein a conuenient garison of men of armes and demilances for the
safegard of the place and of his said sister.
¶ But now for the better vnderstanding of the cause of such quarelling as
fell out betwixt the Englishmen and the Sicilians, yée shall vnderstand that
a little before the arriuall of the kings of England and France in those parts,
king William of Sicile was departed this life, leauing no issue behind him.
Wherevpon the lords of the Ile elected one Tancred to their king, a bastard
sonne of Roger sometime king of that land, and grandfather to this last
decessed king William. This Tancred though he receiued king Richard
verie courteouslie; yet he greatlie trusted him not, bicause he demanded
the dowrie of his sister quéene Joane, wife to the late king William to be
restored, whereas he had not readie monie to discharge it.
Furthermore to depart with the citie of Mount saint Angelo; with all the
countrie therevnto belonging; which was indéed assigned to hir for hir
dowrie, he thought in no wise profitable: but king Richard did not onelie
require that citie and countie with a chaire of gold, according to the
custome of that kingdome in right of his sister, as due to hir by way of hir
dowrie, but also he required to his owne vse a table of gold conteining
twelue foot in length, and one foot and a halfe in breadth, & two tressels of
gold to beare vp the same table, with 24. siluer cups, and as manie dishes of
siluer, with a tent of silke of such largenesse that two hundred knights
might sit at meat within it: also fortie thousand measures of wheat, with as
manie of barlie, and as manie of wine, beside one hundred armed gallies,
with all furniture and vittels sufficient to serue the gallie-men in the same
for the terme of two yeares. These things he demanded as due to him being
heire to his father king Henrie, accordinglie as was deuised by king
William in his last will and testament, which demands seemed intollerable
to the said Tancred: so that if he could haue shifted the matter, he was loth
to haue heard thereof.
Moreouer, bicause pope Clement in right of the church pretended a title to
the realme of Sicile, now that king William was dead without heires, he
doubted of some practise that might be made against him betwixt king
Richard and the pope. Wherevpon he thought to prouide against all
attempts that might be made, fortifieng his townes & castels with strong
garisons, and tooke counsell with the citizens of Messina, by what meanes
he might soonest dispatch his countrie of that present danger, and procure
K. Richard to get him forward on his iournie.
Whilest these things were in hand, there was ministred to the English men
occasion of displeasure: for as it oftentimes chanceth (where an armie is)
certeine of the vnrulie souldiers within Messina vsed themselues
somewhat riotouslie, wherevpon the citizens offended therewith, got them
to armour, and chased all the souldiers out of the citie. King Richard who
laie in campe without the walles néere to the citie, was so highlie
displeased herewith, that he caused his men to arme themselues, and to
prepare ladders and other necessarie things to assault the citie: but by the
mediation of the French king & curteous excuse of king Tancred (alledging
the fault to rest onelie in a sort of rude citizens, whome he promised to
punish) the matter was taken vp, and staied for a time, till at length it was
perceiued, that the Sicilians subtilie went about to feed king Richard with
faire words, till he should be readie to set forwards on his iournie, and so
should the matter passe without further punishment.
Herevpon king Richard, not minding to be so mocked at their hands,
approched one daie to the wals and gates with his armie in good araie of
battell to giue the assault, which was doone so earnestlie, and so well
mainteined, that finallie the citie was entred by force, and manie of the
citizens slaine, but the slaughter had béene much greater, if king Richard
had not commanded his men to spare the sword, mooued with the
lamentable noise of poore people crieng to him for mercie and grace. The
Englishmen hauing got possession of the citie pight vp the banners with
the armes of the king of England round about the wals, wherewith the
French king was sore displeased, and required that the same might be
taken downe, and his set vp: but the king of England would not so agrée.
Neuerthelesse to pacifie the French kings mood, he deliuered the citie of
Messina into the custodie of the knights Templers and Hospitalers, till he
might be satisfied of such things as he demanded of king Tancred.
After this on the 8. daie of October, the two kings of England and France,
before a great number of earles, barons, and others, both of the cleargie and
temporaltie, tooke their solemne othes, that the one should defend the
other, and also either others armie in this iournie, both comming and
going, without fraud or deceipt: and the like oth was receiued by the earles
and barons on both parties. Then the two kings by aduise and consent of
both their armies deuised these ordinances.
1 That all pilgrims which chanced to die in this iournie might dispose at
their pleasure all their armour, horsses, and apparell, and halfe of those
things which they had with them, so that they sent nothing home into their
countries, and the other halfe should be at the discretion of Walter
archbishop of Rouen, Manser bishop of Langres, of the maister of the
temple, and of the maister of the Hospitall, of Hugh duke of Burgoigne, of
Rafe de Coucie, of Drogo de Marlow, of Robert Sabuill, Andrew de
Chauennie, and of Gilbert Wascoile, which should imploie the same
towards the support of the wars in the holie land against the infidels as
they thought most expedient.
2 That no man should plaie at anie game within the armie for monie, except
knights and chapleins, the which should not loose in one daie and night
aboue 20 shillings, they to forfeit an 100 shillings so oft as they lost aboue
that summe: the persons aforenamed to haue the same to be distributed as
afore is said. The two kings might plaie, and command their seruants in
their presence likewise to plaie, so that they excéeded not the summe of 20
shillings. And also the seruants of archbishops, bishops, earles and barons,
by their maisters commandement might play, not excéeding that summe:
but if anie seruants or mariners, or other of like degrée, were found to play
without licence, the seruants should be whipped naked three daies round
about the campe, except they ransomed foorth themselues, at the pleasure
of the persons aboue named: and the mariners should be plunged ouer
head and eares in the sea three mornings togither, after the vse of seamen,
except they redeem that punishment, at the discretion likewise of the said
persons: and those of other like meane degrées being neither knights nor
chapleins should be punished as seruants.
3 That if anie pilgrime borrowed anie thing of an other whilest he was on
his iournie, he should be bound to paie it: but if he borrowed it before his
setting foorth, he was not bound to answer it till his returne home.
4 That if anie mariner or seruant, reteined in wages with anie man in this
iournie, departed from his master without licence, no other person might
receiue him, and if he did, he should be punished at the discretion of the
forenamed persons.
5 That no vitteler or other should buy any bread to sell againe, nor any
meale within the compasse of the campe, except the same were brought by
a stranger, neither might they buy any paast or other thing to sell againe in
the campe, or within a league of it.
6 That if anie man bought corne wherof to make bread, it was appointed
how much he should gaine in one measure beside the bran.
7 That other occupiers, which vsed buieng and selling of wares, should
gaine one penie in 10 pence, neither should anie man refuse anie of the
kings coine, except it were broken within the circle.
8 That no man should buy anie flesh to sell it againe, except a liuing beast,
which he should kill within the campe.
9 That no man should make bread to sell, but after the rate of penie loaues.
Wherin the penie English was appointed to go for foure pence Aniouine.
All these ordinances with other were decreed and ordeined to be obserued
and kept by the counsell, consent, and agreement of the kings of England,
France, and Sicile.
But to returne now to the dissention betwixt the Englishmen and them of
Messina: ye shall vnderstand that the tumult being once ceassed, and
diuerse of the chéefe offenders in the late commotion put to death, king
Tancred shortlie after came thither, and sought to auoid all suspicion out of
king Richards head, that he might conceiue of him for béeing in anie wise
culpable in that which his subiects of Messina had attempted against him,
and therefore hauing recouered monie of his freends, he restored vnto king
Richard the dowrie of his sister quéene Joane, and further offered vnto him
to ioine in new alliance with him, offering his daughter in mariage vnto
Arthur duke of Britaine, the kings nephue, with a great summe of monie
for hir dowrie, if it so should please him.
King Richard accepted the offer, and so ioined in peace and affinitie with
the king of Sicile, receiuing of him twentie thousand ounces of gold for the
same mariage to be had, and an honorable dowrie assigned foorth of the
lands that belonged to the said Arthur for the said ladie to inioy during hir
life, in case she suruiued hir husband. And if it so chanced, that by the
death of either of them the mariage could not take place, then should king
Richard restore the same twentie thousand ounces of gold againe. But
beside these twentie thousand ounces of gold thus giuen by king Tancred
for the mariage of his daughter, he gaue other twentie thousand ounces to
king Richard for an acquitance and quite claime of all manner of duties,
rights, and demands, which either he or his sister might pretend, either by
reason of anie bequest, dowrie, or anie other manner of waie.
Here is to be noted, that before this conclusion of peace was had, king
Richard prouided for his owne defense, in case that king Tancred and his
people would haue attempted force against him, in so much that he
fortified certeine places, and built a strong castell aloft vpon the top of an
hill fast by Messina, which castell he called Mategriffon. Also whereas the
admirall of Sicile called Margaret, and one Jordane del Poine, men of great
authoritie vnder king Tancred, fled out of Messina with all their families
and riches, which they had either in gold or siluer, king Richard seized
vpon their houses, their gallies, and possessions, so that he made himselfe
as strong as he could, to resist all attempts that might be made against him
by his enimies. But now to procéed.
The variance being thus appeased betwixt them, great discord chanced to
arise betwixt king Richard and king Philip, who was much offended with
king Richard, for that he had thus vsed violence against them of Messina,
and compelled king Tancred to agrée with him for monie, to the great
offense and breach of the lawes of Herberrough, sith the Sicilians verie
liberallie aided and furnished the christians armie with vittels and
necessarie prouisions. The Frenchmen also had much enuie thereat, that
shortlie after vpon a small occasion they picked a quarell against the
Englishmen, and from words fell to strokes on both sides, so that there had
beene much hurt & slaughter committed, if the two kings had not doone
their best to appease the fraie begun.
But this businesse though it was quietlie as then taken vp and staied, yet
bred it such displeasure betwixt the princes and their people, that it turned
to the great hurt and hinderance of their good proceedings in their whole
enterprise, so that the occasion of a full and perfect victorie easilie slipped
out of their hands, as you shall heare hereafter.
An other also of the chéefest causes of grudge betwixt the two kings was,
for that king Richard in familiar talke confessed vnto king Philip, that he
would marie the king of Nauarres daughter, and cléerelie forsake his sister
Adela: which gréeued king Philip not a little, though he dissembled the
matter for a time, and rather alledged other causes of displeasure,
wherewith to defame king Richard to the world, as one that sought his
owne commoditie in spoiling those whom he ought rather to haue
defended. But to proceed.
Whilest the English and French armies thus soiourned all the winter time
in Sicile, notwithstanding the troubles aforesaid, to the hinderance of king
Richards purposes, for the making of his prouisions readie for his iournie,
he yet caused engins to be framed, his ships to be newlie calked, rigged
and repaired of such hurts as they had receiued both in their long voiage
which they had made, and also by certeine wormes, the which during their
lieng there, had in diuerse places gnawne and eaten them through to the
great danger of their losse, and vtter decaie. Moreouer at the same time he
pardoned all wrecks by sea through all his dominions, releasing for euer all
his right to the same, in such wise that euerie person making wrecke by
sea, and comming aliue to land, should haue all his goods frée and cleare to
himselfe. Furthermore he decréed, that if he chanced to perish in the ship,
then his sons and daughters, brethren or sisters, that could prooue
themselues to be next heires to him, should haue the same goods; but if he
had neither sonne nor daughter, brother nor sister, then should the king
haue those goods by waie of his prerogatiue.
This resignation made by king Richard, was confirmed by his charter giuen
at Messina in the moneth of October and second yeare of his reigne. Also
vpon a godlie repentance wherewith it did please the mercifull God to
touch his hart, he called all those prelats togither which were then with him
at Messina into the chappell of Reginald de Moiac, & there in presence of
them all falling downe vpon his knees he confessed the filthie life which he
had in lecherous lust before that time led, and humblie receiued penance
inioined him by the same bishops, and so became a new man, fearing God,
and delighting to liue after his lawes.
Furthermore hearing of the great fame of abbat Joachim, he sent for him
ouer into Calabria, who came to Messina, and being asked sundrie
questions by king Richard, he made woonderfull answer thereto: as in
Houeden and other writers it may appéere, which for breefenesse I passe
ouer. About the same time he gaue vnto his nephue Otho, the sonne of his
sister Maud, sometime duchesse of Saxonie, the countie of Yorke. But
although some were contented to receiue him as their lord, and to doo
homage to him, yet other refused him, alledging that they would not
renounce their fealties due to the king, till they might sée him againe, &
talke with him face to face. Wherevpon the king changing his purpose,
gaue vnto the said Otho the countie of Poictou in steed of the said countie
of Yorke, as after shall appeere.
The two kings of England and France held their Christmasse this yeare at
Messina, and still the king of England vsed great liberalitie in bestowing
his treasure freelie amongst knights and other men of warre, so that it was
thought he spent more in a moneth than anie of his predecessours euer
spent in a whole yeare. In the moneth of Februarie he sent his gallies to
Naples, there to receiue his mother and his wife that should be, to wit the
ladie Berengaria daughter to the king of Nauarre, and Philip earle of
Flanders that came with them. But his mother quéene Elianor and the ladie
Berengaria went to Brindize in Puglia, where they were honorablie
receiued of Margaret king Tancreds admirall. Moreouer the earle of
Flanders comming to Naples, and finding there the gallies of king Richard,
went aboord the same, and so came to Messina, at the first following the
king of England in all things, till the French king hauing enuie thereat,
allured him awaie, and then he hoong altogither on his sléeue. The first
daie of March the king of England departed from Messina, to go to the citie
of Cathina, there to common with king Tancred, who came thither to meet
him.
Here king Richard vnderstood, that the French king had sollicited king
Tancred to set vpon the king of England and his armie, to chase them out
of his realme: and for the more easie accomplishment thereof, he had
promised him his aid, whensoeuer he would giue the aduenture. King
Tancred deliuered also to king Richard such letters as the French king had
written to him concerning this matter. Wherevpon at his returne to
Messina, king Richard shewed by his frowning countenance, that he was
nothing pleased with the French king, but sought occasions to get him out
of his companie.
The French king perceiuing it, required to vnderstand the cause of this
sudden mutation: wherevpon king Richard nothing fearing his power,
declared the truth plainelie vnto him by the mouth of the earle of Flanders:
and when the other denied the practise, he for proofe of the thing, shewed
him the same letters which king Tancred had deliuered vnto him. The
French king was not a little abashed hereat, and wist not well what to saie,
nor what excuse to make, the matter was so plaine. But yet at length he
said: "Well now I perceiue the king of England seeketh to haue some
quarell whie he may refuse to marrie with my sister. For these are but
forged matters, and no truth resteth in them."
When the king of England vnderstood this maner of answer, he replied in
this wise; "That as for the French kings sister, he might not marrie, for as
much as he was able to produce good witnesse to prooue that his father
had lien with hir and got a child of hir. And as for his priuie procéeding
and practise with Tancred, he néeded no further testimonie than his owne
hand and his seale, the partie himselfe being present who receiued them,
the messenger also being not far off that carried them betwéene both the
parties."
When the French king was throughlie informed of the first point, through
counsell of the earle of Flanders and others, he pacified himselfe, and was
contented to release the king of England of his faith giuen by oth for the
contract made with his sister Alice: in consideration of which releasement
and deliuerance, the king of England couenanted to giue yearelie to the
French king two thousand marks of starling coine for the terme of fiue
yeares togither: and at his returne home, it was agreed, that he shuld also
deliuer vnto the French king his sister the said ladie Alice, with the towne
of Gisors, and all other things which the French king had granted to him
with his said sister. On the other part, the French king granted, that the
dutchie of Britaine should apperteine to the dominion of the dutchie of
Normandie, so as the duke of Britaine should be accompted the liege man
of the duke of Normandie, and that the duke of Normandie should answer
the French king for both the dutchies, as well of Britaine as Normandie.
These agréements were ratified and confirmed with solemne oths receiued,
and charters giuen vnder their hands and seales, vpon the 30. of March.
About this time the French king (now that the season of the yeare was
come) set forward toward the holie land, leauing king Richard behind him
in Sicile: and the two and twentith day after his setting foorth from
Messina, he arriued at the siege of Acres or Acon. The same day also that
the French king departed from Messina, queene Elianor the mother of king
Richard arriued there, bringing with hir the ladie Berengaria the daughter
of Sanctius the king of Nauarre, and the fourth day after quéene Elianor
tooke leaue of hir sonne king Richard, and departed homeward towards
England, taking hir iournie by Rome about the businesse of Geffrey the
elect of Yorke, as to entreat the pope that he would confirme and
consecrate him archbishop, or to authorise some other to doo it in his
name. The ladie Berengaria remained behind with the kings sister Joane
quéene of Sicile.
After this in the moneth of Aprill, on the Wednesday in the passion weeke,
king Richard (after he had finished and made an end of all conclusions
with king Tancred) did also set forward with his sister Joane, who tooke
with hir the ladie Berengaria daughter to the king of Nauarre, affianced to
him long before, as aboue is partlie mentioned. His nauie consisted in
thirteene mightie great ships with triple sailes, an hundred carikes or rather
hulkes, and fiftie gallies. He was no sooner abroad in the maine sea, but a
great tempest arose, wherewith his whole nauie was sore tossed and
turmoiled vp and downe the seas, and at length driuen on the coast of
Cypres, where séeking to take harbour, & to come on land, the Cypriots
would not suffer him, but shewed countenance to driue him backe, and to
resist his landing. Also whereas six of his ships were so driuen by force of
tempest from the residue, that thrée of them perished, and three being cast
vpon the shoare of Cypres before the kings arriuall there, the souldiers and
other people in the same were compelled to come on land for sauing their
liues, where otherwise they stood in danger of drowning, the people of the
Ile assailing them in right cruell sort, slue diuerse, and tooke the residue
prisoners, and so deteined them for a certeine season.
King Richard then vnderstanding this iniurie to him doone by the Cypriots,
& perceiuing they would resist his landing, prepared himselfe and his
people to enter vpon them by force. The king of Cypres Isakius or Cursach
(whome Houeden nameth emperour of Cypres) had assembled the most
part of all the power of men that he might make (though few of them were
armed, or had any great skill in feats of warre) and caused them to set
boords, logs of wood, benches, formes, and great chests afore them, as a
defense, and as it were in steed of a wall, that by succour thereof they
might the better kéepe off their enimie from landing.
But K. Richard, so incouraged his men by his presence, & hartened them
with such comfortable words as he vttered vnto them, that rowing to the
shoare with their galies and small botes, hauing the archers afore them,
they easilie got to land, droue their enimies backe, and so farre pursued
them (being but footmen, weatherbeaten, wearie, and weat) as
conuenientlie they might, for the shortnes of time. King Richard hauing
thus got foot on land, approched the towne of Limezun, which he with his
souldiers entred, and finding it emptie of people (which were fled awaie)
but full of riches and great plentie of victuals, as corne, wine, oile, and
flesh, he seized therevpon.
The same day also the kings sisters and the ladie Berengaria with the
residue of the kings nauie entred the hauen of Limezun. In the meane time
the king of Cypres (hauing escaped from the battell) got togither his men
which were fled and dispersed sundrie waies, and incamped within six
miles of king Richard, threatning that the next day he would eftsoones giue
battell: which when king Richard vnderstood, he caused his people to be
armed the next morning long before day, and so comming by guides vnto
the place where the Cypriots with their king were lodged, suddenlie they
assailed them yer they had anie warning of his marching towards them, by
reason whereof they were slaine like beasts in great numbers. Howbeit,
their king and a few other escaped and fled away naked, hauing no time to
put on their apparell, his treasure, horsse, armour and standard were
taken, which standard king Richard straitwaies determined to send vnto
saint Edmunds shrine, and so did.
Having thus vanquished his aduersaries, he came backe to Limezun: and
the third day after, Guie king of Jerusalem and his brother Geffrey de
Lucignan with the prince of Antioch Raimond and his sonne named also
Raimond earle of Tripoli, with other noble men, arriued at Limezun
aforesaid, to visit king Richard, and to offer him their seruices, and so
became his men, in swearing fealtie to him against all other persons
whatsoeuer.
The same day the king of Cypres perceiuing himselfe vnable to resist the
great puissance of king Richards armie, sent ambassadours, and offered to
king Richard the summe of twentie thousand marks of gold, in recompense
of the monie which his men that were drowned had about them, and also
to restore those to libertie which he had taken prisoners, and to make
deliuerie to their hands of all their goods. Furthermore he offered to go
with him into the holie land personallie, and to serue him with an hundred
knights 400 light horssemen, and 500 well armed footmen, & also to deliuer
to king Richard his daughter and heire in hostage, and to acknowledge him
his souereigne lord, by swearing to him fealtie for his kingdome, as for that
which he should confesse to hold of him.
King Richard accepted these offers, and so the king of Cypres came in and
sware fealtie to king Richard, in presence of the king of Jerusalem, the
prince of Antioch, and other barons, and promised vpon his oth then
receiued, not to depart till all things couenanted on his part were
performed. Then king Richard assigned tents for him and his to lodge in,
and appointed certeine knights and other men of warre to haue the
custodie of him. But the same day after dinner vpon repentance of that
which he had doone, he deceiued his keepers and stale awaie, sending
knowledge backe to the king that he would not stand to the couenants,
which were concluded vpon betwixt them.
King Richard seemed to like the matter well enough, and foorthwith
deliuered a part of his armie vnto the king of Jerusalem and to the prince of
Antioch, appointing them to persue the king of Cypres by land, whilest he
with one part of his gallies and Robert de Turneham with the other might
search about the coast by sea, to prohibit his passage by water. In euerie
place where they came, such ships and gallies as they found they seized
into their hands, and no resistance was made against them, by reason the
people fled to the woods and mountains, leauing the cities, townes and
castels void in all stéeds, where the king or the said sir Robert de
Turneham with their vessels began to appéere. When they had taken their
pleasure thus alongst the coasts, they returned againe vnto Limezun. The
king of Jerusalem and the other that went foorth by land, when they could
not spéed of their purpose, returned also, in which meane time a great
number of Cypriots came in, and submitting themselues to king Richard,
were receiued as his subiects.
On the 12. daie of Maie, the ladie Berengaria daughter to the king of
Nauarre was maried according to a precontract vnto king Richard at
Limezun aforesaid in the Ile of Cypres, one of the kings chaplins executing
the order of the marriage. The same daie also she was crowned by the
bishop of Eureux, the archbishops of Apamea and Aux, with the bishop of
Baion ministring vnto him. After the solemnitie of this marriage and
coronation ended, king Richard set forward with his armie into the
countrie of Cypres, and first wan (by surrender) the citie of Nichosia, and
after the strong castell of Cherin, within the which was the daughter of the
king of Cypres, which ladie humblie yeelded hir selfe vnto K. Richard,
(who counting it reproach to be extreme with such as submit themselues,
and speciallie the female sex, according to the old saieng,
Pacere subiectis nobilis scit ira leonis)
had pitie of hir case, and sent hir to his wife the new quéene, willing that
she might be honorablie vsed. From thence passing forward, these castels
were deliuered into his hands, Baffes and Buffeuent, Den, Amur, Candace,
and afterwards all the other castels and cities, townes and places of
strength within that Ile one after an other. Finallie, hearing that the king of
Cypres was inclosed in an abbie called Cap S. Andrew, he marched
thitherwards: but when the king of Cypres heard of his approch, he came
foorth and submitted himselfe wholie into his hands. The king first
appointed him to the kéeping of his chamberlaine Rafe Fitz Geffrey, and
after sent him into the citie of Tripoli, there to be kept in close prison. Who
when he heard he should be committed to close prison, and remaine in
fetters, said, "that if he laie in irons, he should shortlie end his life."
Wherevnto king Richard when he heard of it, answered: "He saith well,
and therefore bicause he is a noble man, and our mind is not to haue him
dead, but onelie to be kept safe from starting anie more awaie, and dooing
new hurt, let him be chained in giues and fetters made of siluer," and so he
was.
But to procéed. After the king had set the countrie of Cypres in good staie,
he deliuered the keeping thereof vnto Richard de Camuille and Robert de
Turneham. This doone vpon the wednesdaie in the Whitsunwéeke he
tooke the sea againe, and passed ouer to the citie of Acres, which as then
was besieged by the christian armie, as ye may read in the description of
the holie land, onelie giuing you to vnderstand, that such was the valiancie
of king Richard shewed in manfull constreining of the citie, that his praise
was greatlie bruted both amongst the christians and also the Saracens.
Howbeit the secret enimitie betwixt him and the French king eftsoones
reuiued, by occasion of such discord as chanced betwixt Guido king of
Jerusalem, and Conrade the marques of Tire, so that parties were taken,
and whereas both the Pisans and Geneuois did offer their seruice vnto king
Richard, yet bicause the Geneuois were confederat with the French king,
who tooke part with the marques, he refused them, and receiued the
Pisans, ioining himselfe with king Guido to support him against his
enimies.
Here is to be remembred, that before king Richard arriued at the siege, he
incountred on the sea a mightie great ship called a Drommond, which one
Saphaldine the brother of Saladine a prince of the Saracens had sent, to
refresh them with vittels. This ship king Richard caused féercelie to be
assailed with his gallies, and at length bowged hir with all the vittels and
prouision within the same, as wild-fire, barels of firie serpents, armour and
weapons of sundrie sorts, besides all the mariners and men of warre,
except such as were taken to mercie and saued aliue, being about 200 in the
whole, whereas there were aboord the same ship 500 men of warre, as
some write, though other haue but 800.
¶ But now to other accidents that chanced this yere. On Midsummer eeue
there was such an eclipse of the sunne, the moone being the same time 27
daies old, that for the space of thrée houres (for so long it lasted) such
darkness came ouer the face of the earth, that euen in the daie time (for this
eclipse began about nine of the clocke in the morning) the stars appeared
plainelie in the element.
In the same moneth of June, Richard de Camuille, whome the king had left
(as ye haue heard) gouernour in Cypres, chanced to fall sicke, and
comming without licence to the siege of Acres, there died. After whose
death the Cypriots and those called Griffones and Ermians reuolted from
the English obedience, and chose to them a king, one that was a moonke of
the familie of Isachus their former king: but Robert de Turneham, who after
the deceasse of Richard Camuille remained sole gouernour of the Ile,
gathered a power of men togither, and giuing battell to the new king
(whom Houeden nameth also emperour) vanquished him with his
complices, tooke him prisoner, and hanged him on a paire of galowes. The
same moneth also died Rafe Fitz Geffrey, who had the other king Isac in
custodie, and then king Richard deliuered him to the knights of the
hospitall, who sent him to the castell of Margant, there safelie to be kept as
prisoner to the vse of the king of England.
Now will we returne vnto the affaires of England and make some mention
of the dooings there. Yee shall vnderstand, that after king Richard was set
forward on his iournie, William Longchampe lord chancellour and bishop
of Elie, appointed (as ye haue heard) gouernour of the realme, began to
exercise his authoritie to the vttermost, taking vpon him the state of a
prince, rather than of a subiect. He had of late (as before ye haue heard)
procured such fauor at the hands of pope Clement, that he was instituted
by him legat of the apostolike see here in England, so that pretending a rule
both ouer the clergie and temporaltie, and by reason that he had both the
authoritie of pope and king in his hands, he vsed the same to his most
aduantage, as well in causes ecclesiasticall as temporall, whereby he
wrought manie oppressions both against them of the clergie and
temporaltie. He mainteined such a port and countenance in his dooings,
that he would ride with a thousand horsses, by meanes whereof when he
came to lie at abbeis and other places (bringing with him such a traine) he
was verie burdenous vnto them, speciallie when he laie at their houses any
space of time.
This man called a conuocation at Westminster, wherein at the suit of Hugh
Nouant bishop of Chester, it was decreed, that the moonks of Couentrie
should be displaced, and secular canons brought into that house to supplie
their roomes. Which was doone by the authoritie of the said lord
chancellour, being bribed by the foresaid bishop of Chester (as some
writers haue recorded) for displeasure which he bare to the moonks, by
reason of a fraie which they had made vpon the said bishop in their church
at Couentrie, and drawne bloud of him before the alter there, as he
alledged.
But some haue written, that the bishop of Chester procured a licence of the
pope, to alter the state of that church in sort aboue mentioned, which is
most likelie, surmising against the moonks, that they were most manifest
and stubborne disturbers of that peace and quietnesse which ought to
remaine amongst churchmen: and yet he himselfe sowed the strife and
dissention amongst them, and namelie betwéene the prior and his couent.
Moreouer, the said lord chancellour depriued such rulers of their
administrations and gouernements, as the king had appointed to beare any
high authoritie within the realme, pretending not onelie the kings
commandement, but also alleadging a reason which mooued him so to
doo, as thus, that he might thereby take awaie all occasions of grudges
from the people, which otherwise might thinke, and would not sticke to
saie, that they were oppressed by the rule of manie kings in stéed of one
king. He did also depriue Hugh the bishop of Durham of all his honour
and dignitie, and put the bishop of Winchester to great trouble. Moreouer,
doubting least the Nobles of the realme would rise against him, and put
him out of his place; he sought to kéepe them lowe, and spoiled them of
their monie and substance. Likewise pretending a colour of doubt, least
earle John the kings brother should attempt any thing against his brother
the king now in his absence, he sought also to kéepe him vnder. To be
bréefe, he plaied in all points the right part of a tyrant, and shewed
himselfe such a one in all respects as mainteined his title,
Non disceptando aut subtilibus argumentisVincere, sed ferro mauult sua
iura tueri,Pontifices nunc bella iuuant, sunt cætera nuga,Nec præcepta
patrum nec Christi dogmata curant,Iactant se dominos rerum & sibi cuncta
licere.
At length the king receiued aduertisement from his mother queene Elianor
of his demeanor, and that there was great likeliehood of some commotion
to insue, if spéedie remedie were not in time prouided. Wherevpon being
then in Sicile, he sent Walter the archbishop of Rouen into England with
commission, to ioine in administration of the kingdome with his chancellor
the said bishop of Elie. But the archbishop comming into England was so
slenderlie interteined of the chancellour, and in effect so litle regarded, that
notwithstanding his commission and instructions brought from the king,
he could not be permitted to beare any rule. But the chancellour deteining
the same wholie in his hands, ordered all things at his pleasure, without
making the archbish. of Rouen, or any other of counsel with him, except
such as it pleased him to admit for the seruing of his owne turne.
¶ He certeinelie beléeued (as manie other did) that king Richard would
neuer returne with life into England againe, which caused him to attempt
so manie vnlawfull enterprises, and therefore he got into his hands all the
castels and fortresses belonging to the crowne, and furnished them with
garisons of souldiers, as he thought necessarie, depriuing such capteins of
their roomes as he suspected not to fauour his procéedings.
One Gerard de Camuille had bought of the king the kéeping of the castell
of Lincolne, vnto whome also the sheriffewike of the shire was committed
for a time, but the lord chancellour, perceiuing that he bare more good will
vnto earle John the kings brother than to him (which John he most
suspected) he tooke from him the shiriffewike, & demanded also to haue
the castell of Lincolne deliuered into his hands, which Gerard refused to
deliuer, and perceiuing that the chancellor would practise to haue it by
force, he fled vnto earle John, requiring him of competent aid and succour.
The chancellor on the other part, perceiuing what hatred diuerse of the
Nobles bare him, thought good to prouide for his owne suertie the best that
he could, and therefore sent for a power of men from beyond the sea: but
bicause he thought it too long to staie till they arriued, he came to Lincolne
with such power as he could make, and besieged the castell. Erle John the
kings brother aduertised hereof, raised such numbers of men as he might
make of his freends, seruants and tenants, and with small a doo wan the
castels of Notingham and Tickhill within two daies space. This doone, he
sent to the lord chancellour, commanding him either to breake vp his siege,
or else to prepare for battell. The chancellour considering with himselfe
that there was small trust to be put in diuerse of those lords that were with
him, bearing good will to earle John, and but hollow harts towards him,
raised his siege and departed with dishonour.
Not long after, one of his hornes was broken off by the death of pope
Clement, whereby his power legantine ceased: wherewith being somewhat
abashed, he came to a communication with earle John, and vpon certeine
conditions made peace with him. Shortlie after the souldiers which he had
sent for, arriued in England, and then he began to go from the agréement
made with earle John, affirming that he would either driue the same earle
out of England, or else should earle John doo the like to him: for it was not
of sufficient largenesse to hold them both. Howbeit, shortlie after, a peace
was eftsoones concluded betwixt them with condition, that if it chanced
king Richard to depart this life before his returne into England, not leauing
any issue of his bodie begotten, that then the chancellour renouncing the
ordinance made by king Richard (who had instituted his nephue Arthur
duke of Britaine to be his heire and successour) should consent to admit
earle John for king of England, contrarie to the said ordinance.
But in the meane time it was agréed, that earle John should deliuer vp the
castels of Notingham and Tickhill, Notingham to the hands of William
Marshall, and Tickhill to the hands of William Wendenall, they to kéepe
the same vnto the vse and behoofe of king Richard, that vpon his returne
he might doo with them as should please him: prouided that if it so
chanced, that he should die before he could returne from his voiage, or that
the chancellour went from the agréement now taken, then immediatlie
should the foresaid castels of Notingham and Tickhill be restored vnto
earle John.
Moreouer, the other castels of such honours as were assigned to earle John
by the king his brother, were committed vnto the custodie of certeine
persons of great trust and loialtie, as the castell of Wallingford to the
archbishop of Rouen, the castell of Bristow to the bishop of Lincolne, the
castell of the Peake to the bishop of Couentrie, the castell of Bolesofres vnto
Richard de Peake (or if he refused, then should the bishop of Couentrie
haue it in kéeping) the castell Eie was committed to Walter Fitz Robert, the
castell of Herford to Roger Bigot, and to Richard Reuell the castell of
Excester and Launston. These persons to whom these castels were thus
committed to be kept, receiued also an oth, that they should faithfullie
kéepe them to the kings behoofe, and if he chanced to die, before he should
returne, then the same should be deliuered vnto earle Johns hands. Also
there were three castels that perteined to the crowne, deliuered likewise in
trust, as the castell of Windsor vnto the earle of Arundell, the castell of
Winchester vnto Gilbert de Lacie, and the castell of Northampton vnto
Simon de Pateshull.
It was also agréed, that bishops, abbats, earles, and barons, valuasors, and
freeholders should not be disseised of their lands, goods or chattels,
otherwise than by order of the iustices or officers of the king, so that they
should be iudged in the kings courts according to the lawfull customes and
ordinances of the realme, and likewise that earle John should cause the
same orders to be obserued through all his lands. Prouided that if any man
attempted to doo otherwise vpon support or maintenance of earle John, he
should stand to be reformed by the archbishop of Rouen if he chanced then
to be in England, and by the kings iustices, and by those that had sworne to
obserue this peace: and also earle John himselfe at their request should see
such reformation to be had.
Moreouer, it was agréed that all those castels that had bin built or begun to
be builded since the kings passage ouer towards his iournie, should be
razed, and no new made or fortified till his returne, except in manours
perteining to the kings demaine, if need required, or by his speciall
commandement, either by letters, or sufficient messengerrs. That the
shiriffewike of Lincolne, which the lord chancellour had assigned vnto
William de Stuteuille should be restored to Gerard de Camuille, who had a
daie appointed him to appéere in the kings court, to heare what might be
laid against him: and if such matter could be prooued, for the which he
ought to loose the said shiriffewike and the castell of Lincolne, then he
should depart from them by the iudgement of the court, or else not.
Neither should earle John mainteine him against the iudgement of that
court, nor should receiue any outlawes, or such as were notoriouslie
knowen for enimies to the king, and so named, nor should suffer them to
be receiued within the precinct of his liberties.
To hold, mainteine and obserue this peace, the said earle and chancellour
sware in the hand of the archbishop of Rouen with seuen barons on either
part. On the part of earle John these were the names of them that receiued
the oth: Stephan Ridell his chancellour, William de la Mare, Robert de la
Mare, Philip de Turechester, William de Kahennes, Gilbert Basset &
William de Montacute. On the chancellours part, the earles of Arundell and
Salisburie, earle Roger Bigot, and the earle of Clare, with Walter Fitz
Robert, William de Breuse, and Roger Fitz Ramfrey. These things were
concluded in this sort, the authoritie and commandement of the king yet in
all things saued and reserued: but so, that if before his returne he should
signifie his pleasure to the contrarie of the ordinances aboue mentioned,
then should the castels of Notingham and Tickhill be restored vnto earle
John, notwithstanding what soeuer the king should command touching the
same. Thus was the peace concluded eftsoones betwixt earle John and the
chancellour.
In this meane while, Geffrey the elect archbishop of Yorke, after long suit
and manie delaies contriued, speciallie by the chancellour, obteined his
pall, being consecrated by the archbishop of Towrs, by virtue of his buls
obteined from pope Celestine. The chancellour aduertised herof, and
vnderstanding that he meant to come shortlie into England to be installed,
was in a great chafe, bicause that during the time of the vacation, he had
vsed the reuenues of that see at his pleasure, and therefore now to forego
them he was nothing contented. Herevpon he wrote his letters vnto
Matthew de Clare shiriffe of Kent in this forme.
The lord chancellours letters to the shiriffe of Kent.
Præcipimus tibi quòd si Eboracen. Electus ad aliquem portum in balliua
tua applicuerit, aut aliquis nunciorum eius, eum retineri facias, donec
mandatum nostrum indè receperis. Et similiter præcipimus, quòd omnes
literas papæ aut magni alicuius viri quæ illic venerint, facias retineri. The
English whereof is thus.
"We command you that if the elect of Yorke shall arriue at any port or
hauen within your bailiwicke, or any messenger of his, that you cause them
to be arested and kept, till you haue commandement from vs therein. And
we command you likewise, to stay, attach, and keepe all letters that come
from the pope, or any other great man."
Likewise, whereas Baldwine archbishop of Canturburie, hauing taken his
iournie into the holie land, and arriuing there before the king, chanced to
depart this life at Tyrus, the last yeere, vpon the feast daie of S. Edmund,
the chancellour found meanes to keepe that sée also vacant, that he might
receiue the profits thereof, during the vacation, and find meanes to be
prepared to it in the end. But as touching the sée of Yorke, although he had
(as before is said) made his hand of the reuenues belonging to the same
from time to time at his pleasure, yet now after that he heard how Geffrey
had receiued the pall, he made hauocke, wasting & spoiling all that would
yeeld him anie monie, without respect of right or wrong. Moreouer, he
caused the hauens to be watched, with commandement giuen to the
townes on the sea coast, that they should not suffer the archbishop Geffrey
to take land. At length yet he arriued at Douer, where he was by the
aforesaid Matthew de Clare first staied, and after taken out of the abbeie by
the chancellours commandement, and committed to prison within the
castell, where a Noble man that had maried the chancellors sister was
capteine.
The newes of whose imprisonment was anon bruted through the realme,
wherewith the Nobles fretted, and the commons curssed: finallie all men
detested such tyrannie in the chancellour. But namelie the kings brother
earle John stormed at the matter, and with all spéed assembled an armie
out of those places where he bare rule, increasing the number with a power
of Welshmen. There came to him the bishop of Winchester, with manie
earles and barons, also the bishop of Bath and Chester, which latelie before
had béene chéefe fauourers of the chancellour in all his dooings: but now
that the world was changed, they shewed themselues the most earnest
enimies he had, as well in words as déeds.
In an assemblie of all the bishops of England, all those were
excommunicate in solemne wise, with candels light, and other such
ceremonies, which had either giuen commandement, or were present as
partakers, to pull out of the church the archbishop of Yorke, or his people
by violence, and had imprisoned them in maner (as before yée haue heard:)
but this was after the archbishop was set at libertie, as shuld appeare by
Matthew Paris, for the chancellour repenting himselfe (though now too
late) of his cruell dealing against the archbishop of Yorke, wherewith he
had kindled such a brand against him, commanded the said archbishop
(namelie at the instant sute of the bishop of London, or rather at the
commandement of earle John, as Houeden saith) to be set at libertie. But
the displeasure once kindled in the hearts of the Nobles, could not so
easilie be quenched with his deliuerie, as it was spéedilie set on fire by his
imprisonment, so that they being now in armour, purposed to abate the
pride of the chancellour, and to deliuer the common-wealth, of such an
vglie tyrant. And to begin, they summoned, and assigned him a
peremptorie day to appeare at Reading, to make answer vnto such
iniuaries as he had doone against the archbishop of Yorke, and the bishop
of Durham, sithens the departure of his souereigne lord the king.
At which day there came to Reading earle John, and the archbishop of
Rouen, with manie other bishops, earles, and barons, abiding there all that
day, to sée if the chancellour would appeare or no; but he came not:
wherevpon they prepared to march foorth towards London, and
therewithall set forward in like maner. He on the other side being a man of
a great courage, had gathered an armie of such strangers and other his
fréends as he could make, and therewith went foorth, and encamped néere
to Windsor, there to abide his aduersaries, and to giue them battell, if they
came forward and would abide it. But when they approched, and he
perceiued also how diuerse of his freends shranke from him, and went to
his enimies, he durst not attempt the hazard of a field, but fled backe to
London, and there withdrew into the tower, with all his host, bicause he
durst not commit himselfe to the doubtfull fellowship of the citizens.
Through his great pride and statelie port which he mainteined, as partlie
yée haue heard, he had procured to himselfe no small hatred amongst all
degrees of men, and namelie such as by the kings appointment ought to
haue beene parteners with him in gouernement of the realme sore repined
at his presumptuous proceedings, for that he disdained (as it séemed) to
vse their aduise, or to ioine them with him in the administration of things,
so that now in time of his trouble he wist not in whome he might put his
trust.
After he was thus retired into the tower of London, earle John, the
archbishop of Rouen, and the other bishops, earles, and barons associated
togither against him, followed him at the héeles, entered the citie, and
besieged the tower on ech side. On the morrow after, being the fourth day
after the octaues of saint Michaell, they came togither into Paules church-
yard, where they publikelie declared the iniurious wrongs doone and
practised by the chancellour; namelie against the archbishop of Yorke, and
the bishop of Durham. Those also that had béene appointed as associats
with him, accused him, in that he had taken vpon him to rule and gouerne
all things after his owne will, not vouchsafing to haue their aduise or
councell in such sort as had béene conuenient.
The archbishop of Rouen and William Marshall earle of Pembroke shewed
there before all the people the kings letters which he had sent from
Messina, appointing that they should be associats with him in gouernment
of the kingdome; and that without the counsell and aduice of them and
others assigned thereto, he should not meddle with the rule of the land,
and that if he should doo any thing to the hinderance of the common-
wealth, or séeke to meddle with the affaires of the realme, without their
good aduise, that then he should be deposed. Héerevpon it seemed good to
earle John, and to all the bishops, earles and barons of the realme, and to
the citizens of London, there assembled, that the said chancellour should be
deposed, and so they proceeded, and deposed him in déed, appointing the
archbishop of Rouen in his place, who would not take vpon him to doo
anie thing touching the rule of the land, without consent of his associats
assigned to him, and the barons or the eschecker.
The same day, earle John, and the archbishop of Rouen, and other of the
kings iustices, granted to the citizens of London the priuilege of their
communaltie; and the said earle and archbishop, and in maner all the
bishops, erls and barons of the realme sware to mainteine the said priuilege
firme and stable, so long as should please their souereigne lord. And the
citizens of London sware to be true, and to doo their faithfull seruice vnto
king Richard and his heirs, and if he chanced to die without issue, then to
receiue earle John the brother of king Richard for their king and souereigne
lord, and therevpon sware fealtie to him against all men, sauing that which
they owed vnto his brother king Richard.
The chancellour perceiuing the multitude to be such which he had with
him in the tower, as the place was not able to hold them any long time,
after he had remained within it one night, he came foorth vnto earle John,
and to the other that were thus entred the citie, and now readie to besiege
him, of whome he got licence for them that were inclosed within the tower,
to depart without damage, and therewith deliuered vp the tower into the
hands of the archbishop of Rouen, with the castell of Windsor, and certeine
other castels, which he held within the realme, but not all: notwithstanding
he couenanted to make deliuerie of the residue, which yet remained in the
hands of them whome he had appointed to the kéeping of the same. And
for assurance of that couenant to be performed before he departed the
realme, he deliuered his brethren, and one that was his chamberleine, to
remaine with the lords as hostages.
This doone, he hasted to Canturburie, where he promised to receiue the
crosse of a pilgrime to go into the holie land, and to render vp the crosse of
his legatship, which he had vsurped a yeare and a halfe after the death of
pope Clement, to the preiudice of the church of Rome, and to the detriment
and great hinderance of the English church. For there was not any church
within the realme, which had not béene put to fine and ransome by that
crosse, nor any ecclesiasticall person went frée, but the print of the crosse
appeared in him and his purse. From Canturburie he got him to Douer to
his brother in law, and finallie séeking means to passe ouer into France,
and doubting to be discouered, he apparelled himselfe in womans raiment,
& got a web of cloth on his arme, as though he had beene some
housewifelie woman of the countrie: but by the vntowardlie folding and
vncunning handling of his cloth (or rather by a lewd fisherman that tooke
him for an harlot) he was suspected and searched so narrowlie, that by his
priuie members he was prooued to be a man, and at length knowne,
attached, and committed to prison, after he had beene reprochfullie
handled by them that found him, and by the wiues of the towne, in such
vnséemlie apparell.
Earle John would haue had him punished, and put to some open reproofe
for his passed tyrannicall dooings; but the bishops, and other of the barons,
for reuerence of his order, procured his deliuerance, with licence to passe
ouer into Normandie where he was borne. Thus was the bishop of Elie a
man full of pride and couetousnesse ouerthrowne with shame, and
receiued for his hie climing a reprochfull downefall: for none are more
subiect to ruine and rebuke, than such as be aloft and supereminent ouer
others, as the poet noteth well saieng:
Summa petit liuor, perflant altissima venti,Summa petunt dextra fulmina
missa Iouis.
In time he was deposed from his office of being chancellour, and not
without warrant, for in verie déed, king Richard hauing receiued
aduertisements from the lords and peeres of the realme, of the chancellours
presumptuous and hautie demeanour, with wrongs offered to diuerse
persons, wrote to them againe as followeth.
A letter of king Richard directed to the States of the land for the deposing
of the bishop of Elie from his office of lord chancellour.
Richard king of England sendeth greeting to William Marshall, to Gilbert
Fitz Peter, and Henrie Berdulfe, and to William Brewer, peeres. If it so
chance that our chancellour hath not faithfullie handled the affaires and
businesse of our realme (committed vnto him) by the aduise and counsell
of you, and others to whome we haue also assigned the charge of
gouernement of the same realme: we command you, that according to your
disposition in all things to be doone concerning the gouernement thereof,
you order and dispose as well for eschetes, as all other things, &c.
By force of this commission, the lords were the bolder to procéed against
him as ye haue heard. Now after his comming into the parties beyond the
seas, he ceassed not with letters and messengers to present his complaint to
the pope of Rome, and to king Richard of the iniuries receiued at the hands
of earle John and his complices. Herevpon pope Celestine wrote in déed to
all the archbishops and bishops that were within the realme of England, in
behalfe of the said bishop of Elie, declaring, that for so much as the king of
England was gone into the holie land to warre against the enimies of our
faith, leauing his kingdome vnder the protection of the apostolike see, he
could not but haue speciall regard to see that the state, rights and honour
thereof were preserued from all danger of decaie.
Wherefore, vnderstanding that there had beene certeine attempts made by
John erle of Mortaigne and others, both against the king and the bishop of
Elie, that was not onelie legat of the apostolike sée, but also gouernour of
the land appointed by the king, which attempt sounded greatlie to the
reproch of the church of Rome, and danger of damage to insue to king
Richard, if remedie were not the sooner found: therefore he commanded
them by the vertue of their obedience, to excōmunicat the earle of
Mortaigne, or any other that was knowne to haue laid any violent hands
vpon the said bishop of Elie, or deteined him as captiue, or inforced him to
any oth, or else had changed the state of rule in the kingdome of England
to other forme, than king Richard had ordeined at his setting forward
towards the holie land: and that not onelie all the councellours, authors,
aiders and complices of those that had committed such outrage, but also
their lands should stand interdicted, so that no diuine seruice should be
vsed within the precinct of the same, except penance and christning of
infants. This to remaine till the said bishop & kingdome were restored into
the former estate: and that the parties excommunicated should present
themselues with letters from the bishops vnto the apostolike see to be
absolued, etc.
Herevpon also the bishop of Elie himselfe wrote vnto the bishop of
Lincolne and other, touching this matter: but the bishops did neither any
thing in accomplishment of the effect of the popes letters, nor at his owne
supplication. And therefore perceiuing small helpe to come that waie, he
sought to obteine the fauour and fréendship of earle John, and of his
mother quéene Elianor. In the meane time, the lords, barons and prelates of
the realme, after they had depriued him of all authoritie, and banished him
out of the land, ordeined the archbishop of Rouen in fauour of the kings
commission, to haue the chéefe rule and administration of things touching
all the affaires of the common-wealth; but yet so as earle John had the
dooings in manie points, so that he might séeme in manner an associat
with him, whereof sprang much inconuenience. For this John being a man
(as he is noted by some writers) of an ambitious nature, was suspected to
aspire vnto the kingdome: in somuch that he had ioined with the French
king, after the same king was returned foorth of the holie land, against his
brother king Richard, if his mother quéene Elianor had not persuaded him
to the contrarie.
Whilest these things were a dooing, on the twelfth daie of Julie, the citie of
Acres was surrendred into the Christian mens hands, for the Soldan
Saladine (being approched néere to the siege of the christians with a
puissant armie, in hope to haue raised their siege) when he perceiued it laie
not in his power to worke any feat to the succour of his people within the
citie, and that they were so constreined that they must néeds yéeld, he
holpe to make their composition, and promised to performe certeine
couenants on their behalfe. Herevpon, the Saracens within Acres
couenanted not onelie to deliuer the citie vnto the christians with fiue
hundred prisoners of christians which they had within the same, but also
to procure that the holie crosse should be to them deliuered, with a
thousand other christian prisoners, such as the christian princes should
appoint out of those numbers which Saladine had in his custodie, and
further, to giue them two hundred thousand Besans. And till these
couenants were performed, it was agréed, that the Saracens, which were at
that present left within the citie, should remaine as pledges, vnder
condition, that if the same couenants were not performed within fortie
daies, then should they stand at the mercie of the christian princes as
touching life and lim.
These things thus concluded, and the citie yéelded vp into the christian
mens hands, the French king vpon enuie and malice conceiued against
king Richard (although he pretended sicknesse for excuse) departed
homewards,setting from Acres the last day of Julie. Now then, after the
departure of king Philip, when the day approched, in the which the
Saracens should performe the couenants; or else stand to the iudgement of
life and death at the pleasure of the christian princes: it was perceiued that
the couenants would not be fulfilled according to the agréement. For
Saladine, as it well appeared, ment not to performe that which for the
safegard of his men he had vndertaken, and did but dallie with the
christians to prolong the time: wherevpon sentence was giuen foorth, that
for default in such behalfe, the Saracens remaining as pledges should loose
their heads.
Saladine hauing knowledge thereof, sent word to king Richard and to the
whole christian armie, that if his people that were in the christian mens
hands lost their heads, he would not faile but cause the heads of all those
christians which he had in captiuitie to be cut off also. Notwithstanding
which answer, on the fourteenth day of August king Richard issued foorth
of the citie, passing the vttermost ditches, and incamped himselfe neere the
armie of Saladine, who the same daie sent rich presents vnto king Richard,
requiring of him a longer day for performance of the couenants, but that
would not be granted. Wherefore vpon the said deniall, Saladine caused all
those christian prisoners which he had in his hands to be beheaded on the
eightéenth day of August, on which day king Richard aduanced foorth
towards the lodgings of the Saracens, and skirmished with them verie
hotlie, so that manie were wounded and slaine on both parts: and amongst
other one of king Richards companions at all exercises named Peter Mignot
lost his life there. Furthermore, although king Richard knew that Saladine
had put the christian prisoners to death in such wise as you haue heard, yet
would not he preuent his terme appointed for the execution of the Saracens
that were in his custodie, but abiding vnto the twentith day of August, he
then caused those Saracens which fell to his lot, at the time of the surrender
of Acres, being in number about 2600. to be brought foorth of the citie, and
néere to the walles in the sight of Saladine and all his host they had their
heads chopped off. The duke of Burgoigne caused execution to be doone
within the citie vpon those which fell to the French kings share, the number
of the which rose to two thousand and foure hundred, or thereabouts: for
the whole number was reckoned to be about fiue thousand that thus lost
their liues through the inconstancie of their prince: yet diuerse of the
principall had their liues saued. The Saracens themselues also spake much
euill of Saladine for this matter, bicause that refusing to performe the
articles of couenants, he had occasioned the enimie to slea those that had so
valiantlie serued in defense of the citie, to the vttermost ieopardie of their
liues. And heere is verified that knowne verse,
Quicquid delirant reges plectuntur Achiui.
But now to leaue forren matters, and to returne home into England: we
find, that on the second of December, the monks of Canturburie chose to
their archbishop Reignold bishop of Bath, who within fifteene daies after
his election, departed this life, and lieth buried at Bath. Also this yeare, or
(as Ger. Dor. saith) in the yeare following, the bishop of Durham sought
meanes to withdraw his subiection from the archbishop of Yorke, for which
attempt the archbishop of Yorke, vpon trust of the popes grant, did not
excommunicate the said bishop, notwithstanding that he appealed to the
popes consistorie three seuerall times, putting his owne matter and his
churches to be examined and tried by the pope, where vpon he obeied not
the excommunication: and signifieng the cause vnto Rome, obteined such
fauour, that the pope and his cardinals reuersed the sentence, and iudged
the excommunication to be of none effect. And further they decreed, that if
the archbishop of Yorke had broken the altars and chalices, as information
was giuen, in which the bishop of Durham had celebrated after his appeale
made to the court of Rome, that then should the said bishop of Durham be
acquited from owing any subiection to the said archbishop for so long as
they two should liue togither.
True it is, that the archbishop had not onelie broken the altars and chalices
which the bishop had vsed in déed for the celebration of masse, but also
held his owne brother John earle of Mortaigne for excommunicate, bicause
he had eat and dronke in companie of the said bishop, and would not
communicate with him, till he came to receiue absolution, and to make
satisfaction for his fault. In the end the bishops of Lincolne and Rochester,
with the abbat of Peterburrow, were appointed by the pope to haue the
hearing of this matter, as iudges authorised by his buls, who sat therevpon
at Northampton, vpon S. Calixt his day, where after they had heard both
parties argue what they could in either of their cases, they gaue a longer
day, to wit, vntill the feast of the natiuitie of saint John Baptist next after, to
see if by anie good means there might some agréement haue beene had
betwixt them, or (if that could not be) that then the popes leters should
stand in force as before, & the helpes of either part saued, as though no
delaie had béene vsed. And to this, both parties were agreeable, speciallie
at the motion of the bishop of Lincolne.
This yeare also, Roger de Lacie conestable of Chester tooke Alan de Lec
and Peter de Bouencort, and vpon despite hanged them, for that being put
in trust amongst other with the kéeping of the castels of Notingham and
Tickhill, which he had receiued into his custodie of the bishop of Elie
quondam lord chancellour, they had consented to the treason of Robert de
Crokeston, & Eudo de Duuille, which deliuered the same castels vnto John
earle of Mortaigne. The same earle of Mortaigne was highlie offended for
the death of those two persons, and therefore wasted the lands of the said
Roger which lay within the compasse of his iurisdiction.
But now touching the departure of the French king from Acres, diuerse
occasions are remembred by writers of the emulation and secret spite
which he should beare towards king Richard, and beside other alreadie
touched, one was for enterteining and reléeuing the earle of Champaigne in
such bountifull wise in his necessitie, that he was readie to forsake the
French kings seruice, and cleaue to king Richard. But howsoeuer it came to
passe, partlie through enuie (as hath béene thought) conceiued at the great
déeds of king Richard, whose mightie power and valiantnesse he could not
well abide, and partlie for other respects him moouing, he tooke the sea
with thrée gallies of the Geneuois, and returned into Italie, and so home
into France, hauing promised first vnto king Richard at his departure out of
the holie land, and after to pope Celestine at Rome, that he would not
attempt any hurtfull enterprise against the English dominions, till king
Richard should be returned foorth of the holie land. But this promise was
not kept, for after that he was returned into France, he first sought to
procure the foresaid erle John, king Richards brother, to rebell against him,
promising him not onelie aid to reduce all his brothers dominions into his
hands, but also to giue his sister Adela in marriage, whom king Richard
vpon suspicion of vnchast liuing, had forsaken, as before ye haue heard.
But when earle John was dissuaded by his mother, from accepting this
offer (which otherwise as it is said he would willinglie haue receiued) king
Philip still reteined a malicious rancor in his hart, and in reuenge of old
displeasures, would haue attempted the warre against the subiects of king
Richard, if his lords would haue ioined with him: but they considering
what slander would redound hereby both to him and them for the iniurie
doone to the christian common-welth, in making warre against him that
was occupied in defense of the faith against the common enimies of
christendome, would not giue their consent thereto, and so the matter
rested, till king Richard was taken prisoner in Almaigne, and then what
followed, it shall after appeare.
In the meane while, the christian armie atchiued some worthie enterprises
in the holie land, though not manie, by reason of such enuious discord as
reigned amongst the chéefe gouernours. It chanced yet on the éeue of the
Natiuitie of our ladie next after the departure of king Philip, as king
Richard marched foorth towards Japh ancientlie called Joppa, that the
Soldan Saladine taking aduantage of the place, did set vpon the rereward
of the christians: but his Saracens (after they had fought right fiercelie from
noone till sunne setting) were so beaten backe at length, and repelled with
such losse and disaduantage, that in 40. yeares before they had not
susteined at one time greater damage. Amongst other of the christians
slaine at that encounter, was one James Dauenes, a man of high prowesse
and valiancie.
Moreouer, king Richard wan diuerse townes and castels out of the enimies
hands, as Ascalon, Darus, and diuerse other, and some he fortified, as
Ascalon aforesaid, and Port Japh, otherwise called Joppa. There were
sundrie encounters also betwixt the Saracens and christians, wherein king
Richard and his people bare themselues so manfullie, that the victorie for
the most part continuallie rested on their side. At one time also, hearing of
a great conueie of vittels, munitions, and other things which came from
Babylon towards Jerusalem to furnish Saladine and his armie (which
conueies they call carauannes) king Richard with a competent power of
men met them on the waie, and distressed those that were attendant vpon
the safegard of that carriage, being in number about two thousand
horssemen, besides a great multitude of footmen, and therewith tooke the
carriages with foure thousand and six hundred camels and dromedaries,
besides an innumerable sort of mules, asses, and other beasts of burthen.
¶ But to speake of all the worthie exploits atchiued by king Richard and his
valiant capteins there in the holie land against the infidels, it would require
a long treatise, and therefore here we passe them ouer. This is to be noted,
that amongst other of whom we find honorable mention made by writers
for their high valiancie shewed in those exploits, these are named as cheefe,
Robert earle of Leicester, Hubert bishop of Salisburie, with the earles of S.
Paule and Dreux, beside diuerse other, as Hugh de Gourney, William de
Borrez, Walcline de Ferrers, Roger de Toonie, James de Auenes, the bishop
of Beauuois, William de Barres, William de Tarland, Drogo de Merlo,
Robert de Nealle, Henrie Fitz Nicholas, Robert de Newburg, Rafe de S.
Marie, Arnold de Bois, Henrie de Mailoc, William & Saule de Bruil,
Andrew de Chauignie, Henrie de Graie, Peter de Pratellis, Stephan de
Turneham, Baldwin Carron, Clarenbald de Mount Chablon, Manser de
Lisle, Richard de Orques and Theodorike Philip, Ferrike de Vienne, Gilbert
Malemaine, Alexander d'Arsie, Stephan de Longchamp, Seguin de Barret,
Roger de Glanuille, Raimond Fitz Prince, Bartholomew de Mortimer,
Gerard Furniuall, Rafe de Malleon, Roger de Sacie, William de Poole, Hugh
de Neuill, Henrie Teutch or (if ye will) Teutonicus the kings
standardbearer, with diuerse others, as well Englishmen, Frenchmen,
Normans, Poictouins, Aniouines, Britans, Gascoignes, as other nations, of
whome partlie mention is alreadie made before in this booke, and partlie
for breefenesse diuerse are omitted.
But now to returne, sure it is, that king Richard meant to haue recouered
the citie of Jerusalem, and all the holie land out of the Saracens hands, by
the assistance of almightie God: if the doubt which he had of his brother
the earle of Mortaigns practises, & the French kings doings, which were
brought to him with a greeuous report, had not reuoked him home. For
diuerse messengers were sent dailie into the holie land, to aduertise him of
such dangers as were like to insue, if by his speedie returne the same were
not preuented. And first after Easter, there came to him the prior of
Hereford with letters from the bishop of Elie, conteining a sore information
against his brother earle John, for hauing expelled those whom he had
appointed rulers ouer the realme of England, and altered the state of things
there contrarie to the ordinances by him deuised afore his setting forward
vpon his iournie (as before ye haue partlie heard.)
Vpon receipt of which letters, he meant immediatlie at the first to haue
returned, and to haue left behind him a conuenient power of men, to wit,
thrée hundred knights or men of armes, and two thousand chosen
footmen, to abide vpon the defense of the holie land, with other christians
at his costs and charges. But yet at length he was persuaded to tarrie,
speciallie till things were set in some better staie, which were out of order
by the death of the marques of Montferrato, lord of Tire, whom two
traitorous Saracens of the kind which they name Assassini had murthered.
After whose death Henrie earle of Champaigne nephue to king Richard
married his wife, and was made king of Jerusalem, Guido resigning to him
his title, vnto whome as it were in recompense king Richard gaue the Ile of
Cypres: although some write, that the knights Templers had bought it of
him before. Thus king Richard remaining still in the holie land, shortlie
after Whitsuntide, there came an other messenger to him, one John de
Alanzon a clearke, bringing worsse newes out of England than the prior of
Hereford had brought before, which in effect conteined, that his brother
earle John was alied as a confederat with the French king, and meant
through his setting on, to seize into his possession the whole realme of
England, notwithstanding the persuasion of his mother quéene Elianor and
other his fréends to the contrarie.
Herevpon king Richard was fullie persuaded to returne home, but yet
through the admonition of certeine persons, and namelie of one William de
Poicters, a chapleine of his, he eftsoones altered his purpose, and so
remained there, till at length through enuie and malice still increasing
amongst the Christians, he perceiued how no good purpose go forward,
since that which séemed good to some, was misliked of other; and
speciallie our writers put great blame in the French men, who either vpon
disdaine or other displeasure would not be persuaded to follow their
aduise, which were knowne best to vnderstand the state of things in those
parties. And herevpon, when the armie was aduanced to Betenoble, a place
not past foure leagues distant from Jerusalem, bicause their mind might not
be fulfilled for the besieging of Jerusalem, which they had intended to take
in hand (whereas the residue would rather that they shuld haue gone to
besiege Babylon in Aegypt, and that vpon sundrie great respects) the
Frenchmen raised their field, and returned againe to Acres in great despite,
putting the rest of the armie also (so much as in them laie) in danger of
vtter ruine and distresse.
Then king Richard and the other Christian capteins perceiuing how the
matter inclined, and giuing ouer all hope of any more good successe,
followed them. So that after they were thus returned to Acres, king Richard
still doubting least his long absence from home might put him in danger of
more losse here, than he saw hope of present gaine to be had there, in such
diuersitie of humours and priuie malice which reigned among them, he
determined fullie to depart homewards, with no lesse purpose to returne
thither againe after he had setled things at home in such sure stay as was
expedient for the suertie of his owne estate and quietnesse of his people.
Herevpon being readie to enter into his ships at Acres [or as some haue,
being on his iournie homewards in Cypres] he was aduertised that the
Souldane Saladine had taken the town of Japh, slaine a great number of the
christians within it, and besieged the residue within the castell, the which
(constreined through feare) had compounded to yéeld, if within thrée daies
there came no succour.
King Richard being hereof aduertised, and turning gréef into valiancie,
with all spéed sailed backe vnto Japh, and landing there with his people,
caused his enimies to forsake the towne: but anon assembling themselues
againe togither, they turned once more to besiege it, wherevpon he issued
foorth into the fields, and fought with them sundrie daies togither, till
finallie they were content to forsake their enterprise, and to depart thence
for altogither. In these conflicts the valiant courage of King Richard, and
the worthie manhood of his souldiers right well appeared: for he brought
not with him at that time vnto Japh aboue 80 men of armes, and foure
hundred other souldiers with crossebowes, and yet with that small
handfull of men, and some aid of them that he found there in the castell, he
did not onelie bid battell to the enimies, which were numbered to 62
thousand, but also put them to the woorsse, and caused them to flee backe,
to their great shame and confusion.
Thus Japh being deliuered out of the enimies hands, king Richard fell sicke
at a castell called Cephas, and so remained there certeine daies, till he had
recouered his health. In which meane time the Soldane Saladine seeming to
lament his case, sent vnto him certeine of his councellors to common with
him of peace, declaring that although he well vnderstood that king Richard
ment shortlie to returne into his countrie, and that after his departure out
of the east parts, he could with small adoo recouer all that the christians yet
held within the holie land, he would neuerthelesse in respect of king
Richards high prowes, and noble valliancie, grant a peace for a certeine
time, so that not onelie Ascalon, but also all other such townes and places
as the christians had fortified or woone since the conquest of Acres should
be raced, as touching their walles, bulworks, gates, and other fortifications.
King Richard (though he perceiued that this offer of peace tended vnto this
point cheefelie, that Saladine would thereby adnihilate whatsoeuer the
christian armie had doone in the holie land since his & the French kings
arriuall, so that by the said peace he should gaine more than by the edge of
his sword) did somewhat staie at this offer and demand, as a thing greatlie
dishonourable to the christians, to lose by treatie of peace so much or rather
more than they got by force of warres (a meere token of faint and féeble
courage) yet considering that in such necessitie both of his departure from
thence, and also of lacke of other succors to resist the puissance of the
enimies, after his comming awaie, he iudged it best to take the offer at the
enimies hands in auoiding of some greater euill. Herevpon therefore was a
peace concluded to endure for thrée yeares, thrée moneths, thrée wéeks,
thrée daies, and three houres, to begin at Easter next insuing. And among
other articles, it was couenanted, that the christians should haue frée
passage to come and go vnto the citie of Jerusalem, to visit the holie
sepulchre there, which was granted; so that amongst a great number of
christians that presentlie vpon this conclusion went thither, Hubert bishop
of Salisburie was one, who had continued about the king during the time of
all his iournie till this time.
King Richard hauing thus concluded with Saladine, tooke the sea, and
comming againe into Cypres, sent his wife queene Berengaria with his
sister Joane (late quéene of Sicile) into England by the long seas, but he
himselfe not minding to lie long on the seas, determined to take his course
into Grecia, and so by land to passe homewards with all speed possible.
Howbeit yer he could atteine his purpose, his chance was to be driuen by
tempest into the coast of Istria, not farre from Aquilia, where he stood in
some doubt of his life. For if he had beene knowne and taken, they would
surelie haue killed him, bicause of the slander that went of him, as guiltie
of the death of Conrade the marquesse of Montferrato, who indéed was
slaine by two of the Assassini in the citie of Tyrus, whilest king Richard
was in the holie land (as before yée haue heard.)
He therefore hauing here made shipwracke, and doubting to fall into the
hands of any person in those parts that bare good will vnto the marquesse
(against whome he had indeed shewed himselfe not fréendlie in a quarrell
betwixt the said marquesse and Guido king of Jerusalem) made the best
shift he could to get away, yet knowledge being had of him, and serch
made after him by one Meinard of Gorezein, he lost eight of his seruants,
and so came to a towne within the bishoprike of Saltzburge called Frisake,
where he was eftsoones in danger to haue beene taken againe by one
Frederike de saint Soome, who notwithstanding tooke six of his men, but
yet he himselfe with three other of his companie made shift to get away.
Finallie comming to Vienna in Austrich, and there causing his seruants to
prouide meat for him, more sumptuous and fine than was thought requisit
for so meane a person as he counterfeited then to beare out in countenance,
it was streightwaies suspected that he was some other maner of man than
he pretended, and in fine, those that marked more diligentlie the maner of
him, perceiued what he was, and gaue knowledge to the duke of Austrich
named Leopold, being then in the citie of Vienna, what they had seene. His
page that had the Dutch toong, going about the towne to change gold, and
buy vittels, bewraied him, hauing by chance the kings gloues vnder his
girdle: wherevpon comming to be examined for feare of tortures confessed
the truth.
The duke streightwaies caused the house where he was lodged, to be set
about with armed men, and sent other into the house to apprehend him.
He being warie that he was descried, got him to his weapon: but they
aduising him to be contented, and alledging the dukes commandement, he
boldlie answered, "that sith he must be taken, he being a king, would yéeld
himselfe to none of the companie but to the duke alone, and therefore if it
would please him to come, he would yéeld himselfe into his hands." The
duke hearing of this, spéedilie came vnto him, whom he meeting, deliuered
vp his sword, and committed him vnto his custodie. The duke reioising of
such a preie, brought him vnto his palace, and with gentle words
enterteined him, though he meant no great good towards him, as well
inough appeared in that he committed him to the keeping of certeine
gentlemen, which without much courtesie looked streightlie inough to him
for starting awaie, in somuch that they kept him in cold irons (as some
authours doo write.) He was taken after the maner aforesaid in December
vpon S. Thomas éeue, in the yéere of our Lord 1192. and in the fourth yeare
of his reigne.
The duke of Austrich owght the king no good will, bicause he had cast
downe his ensignes pitcht vp in a turret at Acres, which he had woone at
the verie time when that citie was deliuered by the Saracens: for while they
were in tretie on the one side, the duke on the other, not knowing anie
thing thereof, gaue the assault vnto that part of the towne which was
appointed vnto him to besiege. And so being entred the towne, and
perceiuing that by treatie it was to be deliuered, he retired into the turret
which he had first woone and entred, and there set vp his standard and
ensignes, which king Richard (as the Dutch writers affirme) comming
thither, threw downe and trode vnder his féet.
But Geruasius Dorobornensis declareth this matter somewhat otherwise, as
thus. After that the said citie of Acres was rendred into the christian mens
hands (saith he) diuerse lords tooke their lodgings as they thought good,
and hanged foorth their ensignes. And as it chanced, the duke of Austrich
placing himselfe in one of the fairest palaces of all the citie, put foorth his
ensigne, whereof king Richard being warie, came thither with a companie
of hardie souldiers about him, and threw downe the dukes ensigne, so
displacing him out of that so pleasant and beautifull a lodging. For this
cause, and also surmizing that king Richard should be guiltie of the death
of the marques Conrade, the duke of Austrich shewed such discourtesie
towards him. But concerning the murther of the marques, the chéefe
gouernour of those Saracens called Assassini cleared king Richard by a
letter written and directed vnto the duke of Austrich in manner as
followeth.
A letter directed to the duke of Austrich, wherein king Richard is cleared of
the death of the marquesse of Mountferrat, whereof he was vehementlie
suspected.
Lvpoldo duci Austriæ, Vetus de Monte salutem. Cùm plurimi reges &
principes vltra mare Richardum regem Angliæ & dominum de morte
marchisi inculpent, iuro per dominum qui regnat in æternum, & per legem
quam tenemus, quòd in eius mortem nullam culpam habuit. Est siquidem
causa mortis ipsius marchisi talis. Vnus ex fratribus nostris in vnam nauem
de Satalei, ad partes nostras veniebat, & tempestas illum fortè ad Tyrum
appulit, & marchisus fecit illum capere & occidere, & magnam pecuniam
eius rapuit. Nos verò marchiso nuncios nostros misimus, mandantes vt
pecuniam fratris nostri nobis redderet, & de morte fratris nostri nobiscum
se concordaret, & noluit.
Nec non & nuncios nostros spreuit, & mortem fratris nostri super
Reginaldum dominum de Sidonis posuit, & nos tantùm fecimus per amicos
nostros, quod in veritate scimus, quòd ille fecit illum occidere & pecuniam
rapere. Et iterum alium nuncium nostrum nomine Edrisum misimus ad
eum, quem in mare mergere voluit, sed amici nostri illum à Tyro
festinanter fecerunt recedere, qui ad nos peruenit, & ista nobis nunciauit.
Nos quoque ex illa hora marchisum desiderauimus occidere. Túncque duos
fratres misimus ad Tyrum, qui eum apertè & ferè coram omni populo Tyri
occiderunt.
Hæc ergò fuit causa mortis marchisi, & benè dicimus vobis in veritate,
quòd dominus Richardus rex Angliæ in hac marchisi morte nullam culpam
habuit. Et qui propter hoc domino regi Angliæ malum fecerunt, iniustè
fecerunt, & sine causa. Sciatis pro certo, quòd nullum hominem huius
mundi pro mercede aliqua vel pecunia occidimus, nisi priùs nobis malum
fecerit. Et sciatis quòd has literas fecimus in domo nostra ad castellum
nostrum Messiat in dimidio Septembri, anno ab Alexandro 1505.
The same in English.
Vetus de Monte to Lupold duke of Austrich sendeth greeting. Where
manie kings and princes beyond the seas blame Richard king of England of
the marques his death, I sweare by the lord that reigneth euerlastinglie, and
by the law which we hold, that he was not in fault for his death. For the
verie cause of the marques his death was such as followeth. One of our
brethren in a ship of Satalie came towards our parties, and chanced by
tempest to be driuen vnto Tyre, and the marques caused him to be taken
and slaine and tooke a great portion of monie that he had in the ship with
him. Whervpon we sent our messengers to the marques, commanding him
to restore vnto vs the monie of our brother, and to compound with vs for
our said brothers death, and he would not.
Moreouer, he also contemned our messengers, & laid the fault of our
brothers death vpon Reginald lord of Sidon, and we did so much through
our freends, that we got full vnderstanding that the marques himselfe
caused him to be slaine, and tooke his monie. And therefore we sent vnto
him againe an other messenger named Edrisus, whome he would haue
drowned in the sea, but our freends made such shift, that they procured
him to depart with speed from Tyre, who returned to vs, and signified
these things to vs for certeine. And from that houre euer after we had a
desire to slea the marques: and so then we sent two of our brethren vnto
Tyre, who openlie, & in a manner in presence of all the people of Tyre slue
him.
This therefore was the verie cause of the death of the marques: & we say to
you in good sooth, that the lord Richard king of England, in this death of
the marques was nothing culpable: and they that haue doone anie
displeasure vnto the king of England for this cause, they haue doone it
wrongfullie, and without anie iust occasion. Know ye for certeine, that we
do not vse to kill anie man of this world for anie bribe, or for monie, except
he haue doone to vs some harme afore time. And know ye that we haue
made these letters in our house at our castell of Messuat, in the midst of
September, in the yeare from Alexander the great, 1505.
¶ Thus we see how king Richard was cleared of that crime concerning the
marques his death by the tenour of this letter. And verelie it is most like
that king Richard would haue béene loth to haue communicated his
purpose vnto such a wicked kind of pagans as the Assassini were, if he had
pretended any such matter, but rather would haue sought his reuenge by
some other meanes. Now therefore to our purpose.
The newes of the taking of king Richard was anon bruted and blowne ouer
all Germanie, wherevpon the emperour Henrie the sixt, the sonne of
Frederike the first, sent in all hast vnto the duke, persuading him to deliuer
the king into his hands, being able to susteine and abide the malice of all
them that would be offended with the taking and deteining of him
prisoner, as the pope and others. The emperour well vnderstood the wealth
and riches of England, and therefore hoped to make some good purchase
by ransoming the king, if he might get him out of the dukes hands. The
duke perceiuing also the emperours meaning, durst not well denie his
request, and therefore he deliuered the king vnto them that were sent from
the emperour, who couenanted to giue vnto the said duke the summe of
6000. pounds of Cullen weight for the hauing of the said king. The
emperour thus receiuing the king at the hands of the duke of Austrich,
commanded that he should be committed to close prison, and would not
doo so much as once speake with him. This he did, to cause the king vpon
an indignation and wearinesse of that maner of life, to make speed in
offering some large masse of monie for his libertie & deliuerance. ¶ Thus
we sée how couetousnesse infected the hearts of the mightie, and what
occasion the emperour and duke did take, to inrich themselues by the
meanes of the king, whome they forced not to impouerish, so their owne
greedie worme were serued. But this hath béene a disease not so generall
as ancient, according to his words that said,
Vix ego Saturno quenquam regnante videbam,Cuius non animo dulcia
lucra forent.
Here is to be remembred by the waie, that about the same time, or
somewhat before, in the yeare of our Lord 1192. the pope sent two legats
(namelie, Octauian bishop of Hostia, and Jordane de Fossa noua) into
Normandie, to reconcile the bishop of Elie and the archbishop of Rouen:
but comming vnto Gisors, they were staied from entring any further into
the countrie, wherevpon they did interdict the whole duchie of
Normandie, togither with William Fitz Radulfe lord steward of that
countrie, bicause he was the man that had so staied them. Immediatlie
herevpon, queene Elianor, and the archbishop of Rouen sent vnto those
legats Hugh bishop of Durham, requiring them to release that sentence of
interdiction so pronounced against the steward and countrie of Normandie
in the kings absence, but they would not, except they might be receiued
into Normandie: howbeit, the pope being sent vnto, released it, and caused
the legats to release it also, and yet they entred not into Normandie at all.
This yeare, whilest the seneschall of Gascoigne laie sicke, the earle of
Pieregort, and the vicount of March, and almost all the lords and barons of
Gascoigne, began to waste and destroie the lands of king Richard. And
though the seneschall manie times by messengers required a peace, or at
the least some truce, yet could he not haue any grant thereof: wherfore
vpon his recouerie of health he inuaded the lands of the said earle, tooke
the castels and fortresses and some of them he fortified, and kept to the
kings vse, and some of them he raced downe to the ground. He also
inuaded the vicounts countrie, and subdued it to the kings gouernement.
Shortlie after came the brother of the king of Nauarre, with eight hundred
knights or men of armes to the seneschals aid, and so they two togither
entring into the lands of the earle of Tholouse, tooke diuerse castels and
fortresses within the same, of the which some they fortified, and some they
raced, and rode euen to the gates of Tholouse, and lodged in maner vnder
the walles of the citie.
A little before Christmas also, diuerse of those that had béene in the holie
land with king Richard, came home into England, not knowing but that
king Richard had beene at home before them, and being asked where they
thought he was become, they could say no more but that they had seene
the ship wherein he first went aboord, arriuing at Brendize in Puglia. At
length, when newes came that he was taken and staied as prisoner, the
archbishop of Rouen and other the rulers of the realme of England, sent the
abbat of Boxeley and the abbat of Roberts-bridge with all spéed into
Almaine to speake with him, and to vnderstand his state, and what his
pleasure was in all things. Who comming to Germanie, passed through the
countrie into Baierland, where at a place called Oxefer they found the king
as then on his iournie towards the emperour, to whom (as yée haue heard)
the duke of Austrich did send him. The said abbats attended him to the
emperours court, and remained there with him till the emperour and he
were accorded, in manner as after shall be shewed: and then after Easter
they returned with the newes into England.
Vpon report hereof order was taken for manie things, but cheefelie for the
state: in which dealings, forsomuch as those which had the rule of the land
stood in great doubt of things (for the inconstant nature of earle John was
of them much suspected) first they caused a new oth of allegiance to be
made to king Richard, and receiued of the people. They fortified also such
townes and castels as were of importance, both with repairing the walles
and other defenses about the same, and furnishing them with men,
munition and vittels. Thus was the land brought into some order.
In the meane while, the French king being aduertised that king Richard
was deteined as prisoner reioised not a little thereat, and with all speed by
secret messages did send for his brother earle John, who was readie to
come at his call. And being come, he exhorted him not to suffer so
conuenient an occasion to passe, but to take the gouernement of the realme
of England now into his hands, promising him all such aid as he could of
him reasonablie require: with other like talke still tending to the
prouocation of the earle to forsake his allegiance vnto his brother. And to
say the truth, earle John was easilie persuaded so to doo, and therefore
vpon his immediat returne into England, assembled an armie, and with the
same (and such strangers as he brought with him) began to prooue
maisteries, first winning the castels of Windsore, Wallingford, Notingham,
and diuerse other, and fortifieng the same to his owne vse and defense.
The barons of the land, iudging such vnlawfull doings not to be anie longer
suffered, first besieged the castell of Windsore, and after preparing to leuie
a greater force, did put them within in such feare, that they yéelded vp the
same, séeking to escape by flight, some into one place, and some into an
other, the which yet being apprehended were put to worthie execution. But
this was not doone without continuance of time, & without great trouble &
charges to the realme: for whereas there was a practise betwixt the French
king and earle John, that a great power of strangers, & namelie Flemings
should haue come into the realme (for whose transporting a great number
of ships were brought togither at Witsand) yet the high prouidence and
goodnesse of God disappointed their purpose. For their messengers being
taken which were sent hither into England, the treason was reuealed, and
by the queene mothers appointment (who cheefelie then ruled the land) a
great companie of knights, men of armes, and commons of the countrie,
watched the sea coasts ouer against Flanders, to keepe the enimies from
landing. They began thus to watch in the passion wéeke, and so continued
till a certeine time after Easter. Howbeit earle John came secréetlie ouer, in
hope to haue not onelie the assistance of the Welshmen and of manie other
his freends in England, but also of the Scots, howbeit, the king of Scots
would not meddle. He therefore with such Welshmen and other as he had
brought ouer, and such Englishmen as he could get to take his part, began
such attempts (as before ye haue heard) to the disquieting of the whole
realme, and great displeasure of the king.
Moreouer, beside that power of the barons which laid siege to Windsor
castell, there were Noble men also in other parts of the realme that were
readie to resist him. And amongst other, Geffrey the archbishop of Yorke,
with Hugh Bardolfe one of the kings iustices, and William de Stuteuille,
assembled an armie, and comming to Doncaster, fortified the towne: but
when the archbishop would haue gone forward to besiege the castell of
Tickhill, which earle John had in possession, the other two his associats
would not consent to go with him, bicause they were seruants, and
reteined with earle John. Herewith the archbishop being sore offended,
departed from them, calling them traitors to their king, and enimies to the
realme.
About the same time did the French king enter into Normandie with an
armie, & comming to the towne of Gisors, besieged it, the which one
Gilbert de Vascoll or Guascoill capteine thereof (to his high reproch)
yéelded vp vnto him, with an other castell also called Nefle, which he had
likewise in kéeping. After this, the French king entring into the countrie of
Veuxine or Veulquessine, wan diuers towns and fortresses in the same, and
passing forward, tooke Val de Rueil, and Neusburge, and finallie comming
before the citie of Rouen he laid siege thereto: but the earle of Leicester
being gotten into the citie before the French kings comming thither, so
incouraged the citizens, that they stoutlie standing to their defense, caused
the French king to his great dishonour to raise his field, hauing lost there
more than he wan. Yet to saue other townes and castels from taking, and
the countrie from destruction, the rulers of the same procured a truce for a
great summe of monie, which they couenanted to giue, deliuering vp foure
notable castels by waie of engagement, till the summe agreed vpon should
be to him contented and dulie paid.
In the meane time, earle John as head of all the conspiratours, perceiuing
himselfe not able to atchieue his purpose as then, nor to resist the lords and
barons of the realme, being vp in armour against him, and now growen to
greater stomach, bicause they vnderstood by the bishop of Salisburie latelie
arriued, of the kings welfare, and hope of deliuerance; and furthermore,
considering that he was disappointed both of Scots and Flemings as he had
well hoped should haue come to his aid: he tooke a truce with the lords of
the kings side, by the earnest trauell of the bishop of Salisburie, till the feast
of All saincts, so as the castels of Windsore, Wallingford, and the Peake,
should remaine in the hands of his mother queene Elianor; but the castels
of Notingham and Tickhill remained still in his owne possession, the which
with such other castels as he held within the land, he furnished with
garrisons of his owne men and freends, and then went againe ouer into
France to the French king, to purchase some new aid at his hands
according to his promise.
Here will we leaue earle John conferring with the French king, and returne
to the king of England. Vpon Palmesundaie after that he was deliuered (or
rather betraied) into the emperours hands, he was brought before the
princes and lords of the empire, in whose presence the emperour charged
him with diuerse vnlawfull dooings: and namelie picked a quarell at him
for the wrongs and hurts doone to the Sicilians in time of his soiourning in
their Ile, as he went towards the holie land. For albeit the said emperour
had nothing as then to doo in the countrie, yet for somuch as he had latelie
recouered the Ile of Sicile out of king Tancreds hands, and was now
intituled king thereof by the pope, in right of his wife Constance, the
daughter of Roger king of Sicile, and so by reason therof seemed to be
gréeuouslie offended with him for his dooings about the recouering of the
monie from Tancred, which neuerthelesse was iustlie due vnto his sister for
her dowrie, as in the processe afore I haue alreadie declared. King Richard
notwithstanding these vaine and other friuolous obiections laid to his
charge, made his answears alwaies so pithilie and directlie to all that could
be laid against him, and excused himselfe in euerie point so not onelie
greatlie commended him for the same, but from thencefoorth vsed him
more courteouslie, and suffered that his fréends might haue accesse to him
more fréelie than before they could be permitted.
The pope also being aduertised of the taking of king Richard, was much
offended, that anie Christian prince, hauing taken vpon him the defense of
the Christian faith against the infidels, should be so vsed in his returne
from so godlie an enterprise: and therefore sent both to the duke of
Austrich, and to the emperour, requiring them to set him at libertie. But the
emperour declared plainlie that he would be answered for such summes of
monie as king Richard had taken out of Sicile before he would release him
or set him at libertie.
When king Richard perceiued that no excuses would serue, though neuer
so iust, but that he must néeds paie to his couetous host some great summe
of monie for his hard interteinment, he sent the bishop of Salisburie into
England, to take order with the barons of the realme to prouide for the
paiment of his ransome, which bishop (as yée haue heard) after the peace
concluded with Saladine, went vnto Jerusalem to visit the holie sepulchre,
and now comming into Sicile, as he returned homewards, had knowledge
there how king Richard was taken prisoner in Austrich, and remained in
the emperours hands: wherevpon he turned that waie foorth, and
comming to him, was now sent into England with commission (as I haue
said) to leauie monie for the kings ransome. He landed here the twentith
day of Aprill, by whose comming the land was the sooner brought in quiet:
for the agréement which earle John tooke (as before yée haue heard) was
cheefelie procured by his meanes. For till his comming, the castell of
Windsore was not woone, the siege being but slackelie followed by the
archbishop of Rouen, who had diuerse of his fréends within it, and
therefore was not verie earnest against them.
When the bishop of Salisburie was departed towards England, the bishop
of Elie came to the king and trauelled so earnestlie betwixt the emperour
and him, that finallie the emperour (partlie through his suit, & partlie for
that he had beene verie much called vpon by the pope and other for his
deliuerie) tooke order with him for the redéeming of his libertie, and
appointed what summe he should pay for his ransome, which (as some
write) was two hundred thousand markes: other saie that it was but 140
thousand marks of the poise of Cullen weight. But William Paruus, who
liued in those daies, affirmeth it was one hundred thousand pounds, and
Roger Houeden saith an hundred thousand marks of Cullen poise, to be
paid presentlie at the kings first comming into England, and fiftie thousand
marks afterwards, that is to say, thirtie thousand to the emperour, and
twentie thousand to the duke of Austrich, as it were in recompense of the
iniurie done to him in the holie land; where king Richard ouerthrew his
ensignes: and for the same to deliuer sufficient suerties.
Moreouer, we find in Roger Houeden that the emperour amongst other the
articles of this agréement thus concluded betwixt him and king Richard,
gaue and granted, and by his letters patents confirmed vnto him these
lands hereafter mentioned, that is to saie: Prouance with the citie of Vienne,
and Viennois, the citie of Marseils, Narbon, Arles and Lion vpon the
Rhone, with the countrie vp to the Alps, and all those possessions which
belonged to the empire in Burgoine, with the homages of the king of
Aragon and of the earle of S. Giles: wherein is to be noted, that with the
precinct of the premisses thus granted to king Richard, fiue archbishops
sées, and thirtie three bishops sées are included. Howbeit the truth is, that
the emperour neuer had possession of these countries, cities, and towns
himselfe, neither would the inhabitants receiue any person so by him
appointed to their lord and gouernour, wherefore the king made small
account of that his so large grant. But after he once vnderstood the
certeintie of the summe that he should paie for his ransome (which
businesse he most attended) he sent one with letters by and by and in great
hast into England to his treasurers, requiring them with all conuenient
spéed to prouide monie, and to send it to him by a day, that he might be set
at libertie with spéed.
These letters being come to the quéene mother, and other that had charge
in gouernance of the realme, tooke order that all maner of persons as well
spirituall as temporall, should giue the fourth part of their whole reuenues
to them for that yeare accrewing, and as much more of their mooueable
goods, and that of euerie knights fée there should be leuied the sum of
twentie shillings. Also that the religious houses of the orders of the
Cisteaux and Sempringham should giue all their wools for that yeare
towards the kings ransome.
Now those that had commission to leuie this monie, being poisoned with
couetousnesse, and incensed with a gréedie desire (than the which as the
poet saith,
—— nulla est hac maior Erinnys,Hanc memorant Acheronte satam, per
tristia DitisRegna truces agitare faces, &c.)
vsed much streightnesse in exacting it, not onelie leuieng it to the vttermost
value and extent of mens lands, goods, and possessions, but after their
owne willes and pleasures: so that vnder colour of the kings commission,
and letters to them directed, there séemed not a tribute or subsidie to be
raised, but by some publike proclamation all the goods and substance of
the people to be appointed as a prey to the kings officers, whereby it came
to passe, that not onelie priuate mens goods, but also the chalices, iewels,
and vessels belonging to the church were turned into monie, and a farre
greater summe made than was at the first commanded, a great part of the
ouerplus being conuerted to the vse of those, through whose hands the
receipt passed. There was no priuilege nor freedome allowed to exempt
any person or place for being contributorie towards the paiment of this
monie. The order of Cisteaux that were neuer charged with any paiment
before, were now assessed more déepelie than the rest.
The bishop of Norwich lamenting the iniurious dealings of the pettie
officers, and pittieng the people of the church, collected halfe the value of
all the chalices within his diocesse himselfe, and to make vp the other halfe
of the whole summe, he spared not to giue a great portion of his owne
treasure. The abbat of S. Albons acquitted all those churches within the
compasse of his iurisdiction, by the gift of an hundred marks. But the
bishop of Chester had verie ill lucke with his collections; for hauing
gathered a great summe of monie to the kings vse, he was spoiled thereof
in one night, as he lodged neere vnto Canturburie, being vpon his iournie
towards the king. And bicause Matthew de Cléere that laie in the castell of
Douer was knowne to aid those that robbed the said bishop, the archbishop
of Canturburie pronounced him accurssed.
About this time, and on the morrow after the natiuitie of saint John Baptist,
the bishop of Elie lord chancellour arriued in England, not shewing
himselfe in any statelie port (for he tooke vpon him neither the dignitie of
chancellour nor legat, nor yet of iustice) but onelie as a simple bishop and
messenger sent from the king. The quéene mother, the archbishop of
Rouen, and such other as had gouernment of the land, hearing of his
comming, met him at saint Albons, where he shewed to them the
emperours letters, conteining the agreement made betwixt him and king
Richard, and withall appointed certeine lords & barons to go with him at
his returne backe to the king, as Gilbert bishop of Rochester, Sifrid bishop
of Chichester, Bennet abbat of Peterborow, Richard earle of Clare, Roger
Bigot earle of Norfolke, Geffrey de Saie, and diuerse other. It was also
ordeined at this same time, that the monie gathered towards the paiment of
the kings ransome should remaine in custodie of Hubert bishop of
Salisburie, Richard bishop of London, William earle of Arundell, Hameline
earle of Warren, and of the Maior of London, vnder the seales of the
quéene mother, and of the archbishop of Rouen.
¶ But sée the hap of things, whilest ech one was thus occupied about the
aforesaid monie; it chanced that king Richard was at the point to haue
béene deliuered into the hands of his deadlie aduersarie the French king, as
hereafter you shall heare, noting by the waie the dangerous estate of
princes, the manifold distresses whereinto by sinister fate (as well as the
inferior & rascall rout of common drudges) they be driuen. For what
greater calamitie, what gréeuouser hartach, what more miserable casualtie
could haue happened vnto a bondman, than to be deliuered to and fro
from the hand of one enimie to another, to be bought and sold for monie, to
stand to the courtesies of forren foes, of a king to become a captiue?
whervnto the poet did right well allude, when he said,
Sæpius ventis agitatur ingensPinus, & celsæ grauiore casuDecidunt turres,
feriúntq; summosFulmina montes.
The emperour vpon displeasure conceiued against the bishop of Liege,
which latelie had atteined to that benefice contrarie to the emperours
pleasure, who wished the same rather to an other person, hired certeine
naughtie fellowes to go into France, where the bishop remained for feare of
the emperours malice, and there to find meanes traitorouslie to slea him,
which they accordinglie did, by reason whereof the duke of Louaigne that
was brother to the bishop, and other of his kinsmen, vpon knowledge had
thereof, meant to haue made the emperour warre, in reuenge of that
murther: insomuch that the emperour, to haue the French kings aid against
them, was minded to haue deliuered K. Richard vnto him.
Howbeit after that the matter was taken vp, and a concord made betwixt
the emperour and his nobles, he changed his purpose also touching the
deliuering ouer of king Richard, who perceiuing that till his ransome were
paid (which would amount to the summe of an hundred & fiftie thousand
marks) he should not get libertie: and putting great confidence in the
dexteritie and diligence of Hubert bishop of Salisburie (whome he sent as
ye haue heard into England to deale for the leuieng of the same) he thought
good to aduance the same bishop to the metropolitane sée of Canturburie,
which had beene vacant euer sithence the decease of archbishop Baldwine,
that died (as ye haue heard) in the holie land.
Herevpon writing to the bishops of the realme, and to the moonks of
Canturburie, he required them to procéed to the election of an archbishop
for that see, and withall commended vnto them the foresaid Hubert, as a
man most sufficient and méet for that roome. He wrote likewise to the
queene to further that matter, and easilie hereby obteined his desire. For
shortlie after, the same Hubert was elected by the bishops and moonks,
which assembled togither for that purpose. He was the 41 archbishop that
gouerned that see: for although Reginold bishop of Bath was elected before
him, yet bicause he died yer he was installed, he is not put in the number.
The king being now put in good hope of his spéedie deliuerance, sent into
England, willing his mother quéene Elianor, the archbishop of Rouen and
others, to come ouer vnto him into Almaine, and in the meane time he
ordeined Hubert the archbishop of Canturburie to remaine at home as lord
cheefe iustice. After this, the emperour with the aduice of the princes of the
empire, assigned a day to king Richard, in which he should be deliuered
out of captiuitie, which was the mondaie next after the twentith day of
Christmasse. Wherevpon king Richard wrote vnto Hubert archbishop of
Canturburie in forme as followeth.
The tenour of king Richards letters to the said archbishop.
Richardus Dei gratia rex Angliæ, & dux Normaniæ & Aquitaniæ, & comes
Andigauiæ, venerabili patri nostro in Christo, & amico charissimo Huberto
eadem gratia Cantuariensi archiepiscopo salutem & sinceræ dilectionis
plenitudinem. Quoniam certiores sumus, quòd liberationem nostram
plurimùm desideratis, & quòd liberatio nostra admodum vos lætificat,
scripto volumus quòd lætitiae nostræ participes sitis. Inde est quòd
dilectioni vestræ dignum duximus significare, dominum imperatorem
certum diem liberationis nostræ nobis praefixisse, in die lunæ proxima post
vicessimum diem natiuitatis Domini, & die dominica proxima sequenti
coronabimur de regno prouinciæ, quod nobis dedit. Vnde mittimus in
Angliam literas domini imperatoris super hijs patentes, vobis & cæteris
amicis nostris beneuolis. Vos autem interim pro omni posse vestro quos
scitis nos diligere, consolari velitis, & quos scitis promotionem nostram
desiderare. Teste meipso apud Spiram 22. die Septembris.
The emperour also signified by his letters to the lords of England his
resolute determination in this matter, as followeth.
The tenour of the emperours letters to the States of England touching king
Richard, and the day of his deliuerance, &c.
Henricus Dei gratia Romanorum imperator, & semper Augustus, dilectis
suis archiep. episcopis, comitibus, baronibus, militibus, & vniuersis alijs
fidelibus Richardi illustris regis Anglorum gratiam suam & omne bonum.
Vniuersitati vestræ duximus intimandum, quòd dilecto amico nostro
Richardo illustri regi Anglorum domino vestro certum diem liberationis
suæ statuimus, à secunda feria post diem natiuitatis domini in tres
septimanas apud Spiram siue apud Berenatiam, & inde in septem dies
posuimus ei diem coronationis suæ de regno Prouinciæ, quod ei
promisimus: & hoc certum habeatis, & indubitatum, nostri siquidem
propositi est, & voluntatis, præfatum dominum vestrum specialem
promouere sicut amicum nostrum, & magnificentiùs honorare. Datum
apud Theallusam vigilia beati Thomæ Apostoli.
Before this king Richard had sent the bishop of Elie into France vnto his
brother earle John, who preuailed so much with him, that he returned into
Normandie, and there sware fealtie vnto his brother king Richard, and so
was contented to forsake the French king. But whereas king Richard
commanded that all such castels and honours as he had giuen to him afore
time, should now be restored to him againe, as well those in England, as
the other on the further side the sea: such as had the same castels in
kéeping would not obeie the kings commandement herein, refusing to
make restitution of those places, according to the tenour & purport of the
kings writ, vnto the said earle of Mortaigne, by reason of which refusall, he
returned againe to the French king, and stucke to him. Herevpon the
French king gaue vnto him the castels of Dreincourt, and Arques, the
which ought to haue béene deliuered vnto the archbishop of Reimes as in
pledge, who had trauelled as a meane betwixt the French king to whom he
was vncle, and the king of England to whom he was cousine, procuring a
meeting for agreement to be had betwixt them at a certeine place betwixt
Vaucolur and Tulle in the borders of Lorraine. But notwithstanding all that
he could doo, matters were so farre out of frame, and such mistrust was
entred into the minds of the parties, that no conclusion held. So that all the
hope which king Richard had, was by paiment of his ransome to redéeme
his libertie, and then to shift with things as he might. And so finallie when
the monie was once readie, or rather a sufficient portion thereof, the same
was conueied ouer into Germanie, and paiment made to the emperour of
the more part of the kings ransome, and sufficient pledges left with him for
the rest, as the archbishop of Rouen, the bishop of Bath [Baldwin Wac] and
other which were of late come out of England to see and salute the king.
Herevpon king Richard, after he had beene prisoner one yeare, six weekes,
and thrée daies, was set at libertie on Candlemasse day (as most writers
agrée) and then with long and hastie iournies, not kéeping the high waies,
he hasted foorth towards England. It is reported that if he had lingred by
the way, he had béene eftsoones apprehended. For the emperour being
incensed against him by ambassadors that came from the French king,
immediatlie after he was set forward, began to repent himselfe in that he
had suffered him so soon to depart from him, and herevpon sent men after
him with all speed to bring him backe if they could by any meanes
ouertake him, meaning as then to haue kept him in perpetuall prison.
Some write that those ambassadours sent from the French king, with other
from earle John, came to the emperor before king Richard was deliuered,
offering in the French kings name fiftie thousand marks of siluer, and in
the name of earle John thirtie thousand, vpon condition that K. Richard
might remaine still in captiuitie vntill the feast of S. Michaell next insuing;
or else if it might so please him, he should receiue a thousand pounds of
siluer for euerie moneth, whilest king Richard should be deteined in his
prison, or otherwise fiftie thousand marks of siluer more than the first
offer, at one entire paiment, if he would deliuer him into their hands, or at
the leastwise to kéepe him prisoner by the terme of one whole yeare.
The emperour hearing of such large offers, and yet hoping for more,
contrarie to his promise and letters patents therefore granted, proroged the
day in which king Richard should haue béene set at libertie, till
Candlemasse after, at which daie he was brought from Haguenaw vnto
Spiers, where the emperour had called a councell to intreat further of the
matter touching his redemption. Here the emperour shewed the letters
which he had receiued from the French king and earle John vnto king
Richard, who vpon sight and perusing of the same, was maruellouslie
amazed, and began to despaire of all speedie deliuerance.
Indéed the emperour sought delaies vpon a couetous desire of the monie
offered by the French king and earle John, but yet such princes and great
lords as had vndertaken for the emperour, that the couenants and articles
on his part agréed vpon in the accord passed betwixt him and king
Richard, should be in ech behalfe performed [that is to saie, the
archbishops of Ments, Cullen, and Saltzburge, the bishops of Wormes,
Spiers, and Liege, the dukes of Suaben, Austrich, & Louain, the Palsgraue
of the Rhine, and others] came to the emperour, and reproouing him for his
couetous mind, in that he deferred the restoring of king Richard to his
libertie, contrarie to the composition, did so much preuaile, that the
emperour receiuing pledges for the paiment of the monie yet behind (as
before ye haue heard) released king Richard out of captiuitie on the second
or (as Roger Houeden saith) the fourth day of Februarie, being a dismall
day and an infortunate (as they note them in kalendars.) And where the
king would haue left Robert de Nouant the bishop of Couentries brother
for a pledge amongst the other, he refused to be one of the number,
alledging that he was seruant to earle John. King Richard greeuouslie
offended herewith, commanded that he should be apprehended, and
committed to prison, & so he was. This Robert was one of those that came
with the letters from the French king and earle John to the emperour, about
the staieng of king Richards deliuerance.
Furthermore, king Richard the same day in which he was restored to
libertie, summoned by his letters Hugh Nouant bishop of Couentrie, to
appeare in his court, to answer such things as were to be obiected against
him, both before spirituall iudges in that he was a bishop, and also before
temporall in that he had holden and exercised a temporall office. On the
verie same day also the emperour and the princes of the empire, sent letters
vnder their hands and seales to the French king, and to John erle of
Mortaigne, commanding them immediatlie vpon sight of the same letters,
to restore vnto king Richard all those castels, cities, townes, lands, and
other things, which they had taken from him during the time of his
remaining in captiuitie, and if they refused thus to doo, then they gaue
them to vnderstand by the same letters, that they would aid king Richard
to recouer that by force, which had beene wrongfullie taken from him.
Moreouer king Richard gaue and by his deed confirmed vnto sundrie
princes of the empire for their homage and fealtie, certeine yearelie
pensions, as to the archbishop of Ments and Cullen, to the bishop of Liege,
to the dukes of Austrich and Louaine, to the marquesse of Mountferrat, to
the duke of Meglenburge, to the duke of Suaben the emperors brother, to
the earle of Bins, to the earle of Holland, and to the sonne of the earle of
Henault, of all the which, and other mo, he receiued homage, or rather had
their promise by oth to aid him against the French king, which French king,
now that he sawe no hope nor likelihood remaining to bring the emperour
to the bent of his bowe for the deteining of K. Richard still in captiuitie,
raised a power foorthwith, & entring into Normandie (the truce
notwithstanding) tooke the towne of Eureux, with diuerse other fortresses
thereabouts, and after he had doone mischéefe inough, as it were wearied
with euill dooing, he granted eftsoones to stand to the truce, and so
returned home.
Finallie after king Richard had dispatched his businesse with the
emperour, and the princes of Almaigne, he set forward on his iournie
towards England, and hauing the emperours passeport, came to Cullen,
where he was ioifullie receiued of the archbishop, the which archbishop
attended on him till he came to Antwerpe, where king Richard tooke the
water in a gallie that belonged to Alane de Trenchmere, but in the night he
went into a ship of Rie, being a verie faire vessell, and so laie aboord in hir
all the night, and in the morning returned to the gallie, and so sailed about
the coast, till he came to the hauen of Swin in Flanders, and there staieng
fiue daies, on the six day he set foorth againe, and at length in good safetie
landed at Sandwich the twelfe daie of March, and the morrow after came to
Canturburie where he was receiued with procession, as Ger. Dor. saith.
From thence he went to Rochester, and on the Wednesday being the
sixteenth of March, he came vnto London, where he was receiued with
great ioy and gladnesse of the people, giuing heartie thanks to almightie
GOD for his safe returne and deliuerance.
¶ It is recorded by writers, that when such lords of Almaine as came ouer
with him, saw the great riches which the Londoners shewed in that
triumphant receiuing of their souereigne lord and king, they maruelled
greatlie thereat, insomuch that one of them said vnto him; "Surelie oh king,
your people are wise and subtile, which do nothing doubt to shew the
beautifull shine of their riches now that they haue receiued you home,
whereas before they seemed to bewaile their need and pouertie, whilest
you remained in captiuitie. For verelie if the emperour had vnderstood that
the riches of the realme had bin such, neither would he haue beene
persuaded that England could haue béene made bare of wealth, neither yet
should you so lightlie haue escaped his hands without the paiment of a
more huge and intollerable ransome."
The same yeare that king Richard was taken (as before is mentioned) by the
duke of Austrich, one night in the moneth of Januarie about the first watch
of the same night, the northwest side of the element appeared of such a
ruddie colour as though it had burned, without any clouds or other
darknesse to couer it, so that the stars shined through that rednesse, and
might be verie well discerned. Diuerse bright strakes appeared to flash
vpwards now and then, diuiding the rednesse, thorough the which the
stars séemed to be of a bright sanguine colour. In Februarie next insuing,
one night after midnight the like woonder was séene, and shortlie after
newes came that the king was taken in Almaigne.
On the second daie of Nouember also a little before the breake of the daie,
the like thing appeared againe with lesse feare and woonder to the people
(than before) being now better accustomed to the like sight againe. And
now the same daie and selfe houre that the king arriued at Sandwich, being
the second houre of that daie, whilest the sunne shone verie bright and
cleare, there appeared a most brightsome and vnaccustomed clearnesse,
not farre distant from the sunne, as it were to the length and breadth of a
mans personage, hauing a red shining brightnesse withall, like to the
rainbow, which strange sight when manie beheld, there were that
prognosticated the king alreadie to be arriued.
In this meane while the bishop of Durham with a great armie besieged the
castell of Tickhill; and earle Dauid brother to the king of Scots, with
Ranulfe earle of Chester, and earle Ferrers, besieged the castell of
Notingham, whilest at the same present the archbishop of Canturburie
with a great power besieged Marleburgh castell, the which within a few
daies was rendred into his hands, the liues and lims of them within saued.
Also the castell of Lancaster was deliuered to him, the which the same
archbishops brother had in kéeping vnder earle John, and likewise the
abbeie of S. Michaels mount in Cornwall, the which abbeie Henrie de la
Pomerey chasing out the moonks, had fortified against the king, and
hearing newes of the kings returne home, died (as it was thought) for
méere gréefe and feare. These three places were surrendered to the
archbishop before the kings returne, but Tickhill & Notingham held out.
King Richard being returned into England, and vnderstanding both how
the French king made warre against him in Normandie, and that the state
of England was not a little disquieted, by the practise of his brother earle
John and his complices, speciallie by reason that diuerse castels were
defended by such as he had placed in them, he thought good with all speed
to cut off such occasions as might bréed a further mischéefe. Wherevpon he
first went to Notingham, and within thrée daies after his comming thither
(which was on the daie of the Annunciation of our ladie) he constreined
them that kept the castell there in his brothers name, to yeeld themselues
simplie vnto his mercie, after they had abidden diuerse assaults, by the
which euen the first daie the vtter gates were burnt, and certeine defenses
destroied, which they had made before the same.
The cheefe of them that were within this castell to defend it were these,
William de Vendeuall conestable there, Roger de Mountbegun, Rafe
Murdach, Philip de Worceter and Ranulfe de Worceter, brethren. The
morow after the surrender was made, the king went to Clipstone, and rode
into the forrest of Shirewood, where he had neuer béene before, the view
whereof pleased him greatlie. The castell of Tickhill was likewise at the
same time yéelded vnto the bishop of Durham, who receiued it to the kings
vse, and them that kept it as prisoners, without anie composition, but
standing simplie to the K. mercie. For although those that had these castels
in keeping, were sufficientlie prouided of all necessarie things for defense,
yet the sudden comming of the king (whom they thought verelie would
neuer haue returned) put them in such feare, that they wist not what to
make of the matter, and so (as men amazed) they yéelded without anie
further exception. The bishop of Durham bringing those prisoners with
him which had yéelded vp this castell of Tickhill, came to the king the 27
daie of March, the verie daie before that Notingham castell was giuen ouer.
Moreouer, this is to be remembred, that during the siege of Notingham,
contention arose betwixt the two archbishops of Canturburie and Yorke,
about the carriage of their crosses. For Hubert archbishop of Canturburie
comming thither, had his crosse borne before him; the archbishop of Yorke
(hauing no crosse there at all) was verie sore offended, that anie other
should go with crosse borne before him in his diocesse, and therfore
complained hereof to the king. But the archbishop of Canturburie
mainteined that he had not doone anie thing but that which was lawfull for
him to doo, and therevpon made his appeale to Rome, that the pope might
haue the hearing and iudging of that controuersie betwixt them.
In the meane time, after the king had got the castells of Notingham and
Tickhill into his hands (as ye haue heard) he called a parlement at
Notingham, where the quéene mother sat on the right hand of him, and the
archbishops of Canturburie & Yorke on the left, with other bishops, earles
and barons according to their places. On the first daie of their session was
Gerard de Camuille discharged of the office which he had borne of shiriffe
of Lincolne, and dispossessed both of the castell & countie. And so likewise
was Hugh Bardolfe of the castell and countie of Yorke, and of the castell of
Scarbourgh, and of the custodie and kéeping of the countrie of
Westmerland, the which offices being now in the kings hands, he set them
on sale to him that would giue most. Hereof it came to passe, that where
the lord chancellour offered to giue fiftéene hundred markes before hand,
for the counties of Yorke, Lincolne and Northampton, and an hundred
markes of increase of rent for euerie of the same counties, Geffrey
archbishop of Yorke offered to the king thrée thousand markes aforehand,
onelie for the countie of Yorke, and an hundred markes yearelie of
increase, and so had the same committed to his regiment.
Moreouer in this parlement, the king demanded iudgement against his
brother John, and Hugh Nouant the bishop of Couentrie and Chester, for
such traitorous and most disloiall attempts as they had made against him
and his countries, and iudgement was giuen that both the said earle and
bishop should haue summons giuen them peremptorilie to appeare, and if
within fortie daies after, they came not to answer such plaints as might be
laid against them, then should earle John forfeit all that he had within the
realme, and the bishop should stand to the iudgement of the bishops, in
that he was a bishop, and to the temporall lords in that he had béene the
kings shiriffe.
In this parlement also, in the kalends of Aprill, the king procured a
subsidie to be granted to him, to wit, two shillings of euerie plough land
through England, which maner of subsidie by an old name is called
Teemen toll, or Theyme toll. He also commanded that euerie man should
make for him the third part of knights seruice, accordinglie as euerie fée
might beare, to furnish him foorth into Normandie. He demanded of the
moonks Cisteaux, all their wooles for the same yeare. But bicause that
seemed an ouer greeuous burthen vnto them, they fined with him, as after
shall appeare. The fourth day of this parlement, by the kings permission
manie greeuous complaints were exhibited against the archbishop of
Yorke, for extortion and other vniust vexations, which he had practised:
but he passed so little thereof, that he made no answer vnto their billes.
Moreouer through the procurement of the lord chancellour, Gerard de
Camuille was arreigned for receiuing théeues, and robbers, which had
robbed certeine merchants of their goods, that were going to the faire of
Stamfort; also they appealed him of treason for refusing to stand to his
triall by order of the kings lawes at commandement of the kings iustices,
bearing himselfe to be earle Johns man, and aiding the same earle against
the king. But all these accusations he flatlie denied, and so his aduersaries
put in pledges to follow their suit, and he put in the like to defend himselfe
by one of his fréeholders.
The same daie king Richard receiued the king of Scots at Clipstone,
comming now to visit him, and to reioise with him for his safe returne
home after so long a iournie, and so manie passed perils. After they had
spent the time a certeine space in ioy and mirth, the fourth of Aprill at their
being togither at Malton, the king of Scots required of king Richard to haue
restored to him the counties of Northumberland, Cumberland and
Westmerland, with the countie of Lancaster also, the which in right of his
predecessors belonged to him (as he alledged.)
King Richard assembling a parlement of the Nobles of his realme at
Northampton, about sixtéene daies after that the Scotish king had made
this request, gaue him answer that by no means he might as then satisfie
his petition: for if he should so doo, his aduersaries in France would report
that he did it for feare, and not for any loue or hartie fréendship. But yet
king Richard in the presence of his mother quéene Elianor, and the lords
spirituall and temporall of his realme togither at that present assembled,
granted and by his déed confirmed vnto the said king of Scots, and to his
heires for euer, that whensoeuer he or any of them should come by
summons of the king of England vnto his court, the bishop of Durham, and
the shiriffe of Northumberland should receiue him at the water of Twéed,
and safe conduct him vnto the water of These, and there should the
archbishop of Yorke, and the shiriffe of Yorke be readie to receiue him of
them, and from thence giue their attendance vpon him vnto the borders of
the next shire.
It was also granted to the said king, that he should be attended from shire
to shire by prelats and shiriffes, till he came to the kings court, also from
the time that the king of Scotland should enter this realme of England, he
should haue dailie out of the kings pursse for his liuerie an hundred
shillings, and after he came to the court, he should haue an allowance
dailie for his liuerie, so long as he there remained, thirtie shillings and
twelue manchet wastels, twelue manchet simnels, foure gallons of the best
wine, and eight gallons of houshold wine, two pound of pepper, foure
pound of cumin, two stone of wax, or else foure links, and fortie great and
long colpons of such candels as are serued before the king, and foure and
twentie colpons of other candels that serue for the houshold. And when he
should returne into his countrie againe, then should he be conueied with
the bishops and shiriffes from countie to countie, till he come to the water
of Twéed, hauing an hundred shillings a day of liuerie, &c: as is before
appointed. The charter of this grant was deliuered vnto William king of
Scots in the towne of Northampton, in Easter wéeke, by the hands of
William bishop of Elie lord chancellour, in the yeare of our lord 1194, and
in the fift yeare of king Richard his reigne.
After this, on the fiftéenth day of Aprill, king Richard hauing the said king
of Scots in his companie came to Winchester, where he called a councell,
and there in open assemblie he highlie commended all those of the
Nobilitie, that in his absence had shewed themselues faithfull, and resisted
his brother, and such other his complices, which had as disloiall persons
rebelled against him. Here he also proclaimed his said brother, and all
those that tooke his part, traitours to the crowne, and tooke order for the
punishment of them, that (being of their faction) could by any means be
apprehended.
Furthermore, to put awaie as it were the reproofe of his captiuitie and
imprisonment (by the reuiuing of his noblenesse, which he had in high
estimation.
—— pretio nam dignior omni estNobilitas, hæc non emitur nec venditur
auro)
he caused himselfe to be eftsoones crowned by the archbishop Hubert, on
the 18 of Aprill, at Winchester, and so shewed himselfe as a new crowned
king (in hope of good successe and better lucke to follow) in the presence
of the said king of Scots, who bare one of the thrée swords before him,
going in the middle betwixt two earles, that is to saie, Hamelin earle of
Warren going on his right hand, and Ranulfe earle of Chester on his left.
The canapie vnder the which he went was borne vp also by foure earles,
Norffolke, Lislewight, Salisburie, and Ferrers. The bishop of Elie lord
chancellour went on the right hand of the king, and the bishop of London
on the left. At dinner also the citizens of London serued him in the butterie
by reason of two hundred marks which they had giuen the king that they
might so doo, notwithstanding the claime and challenge made by the
citizens of Winchester, the which serued him in the kitchin.
The archbishop of Yorke was commanded that he should not be present at
the coronation, least some tumult might arise about the hauing of his crosse
borne afore him, to the displeasure of the archbishop of Canturburie, who
stood in it, that no prelat within his prouince ought to haue any crosse
borne before him, himselfe excepted.
After this, he called a parlement, by vertue whereof he reuoked backe and
resumed into his hands all patents, annuities, fées, and other grants (before
his voiage into the holie land) by him made, or otherwise granted or
alienated. And bicause it shuld not seeme that he vsed a méere violent
extortion herein, he treated with euerie one of them in most courteous
wise, bearing them in hand, that he knew well they ment not to let foorth
their monie to him vpon vsurie, but would be contented with such
reasonable gaine and profit, as had béene raised to their vse in time of his
absence of those things which they held of him by assignation in way of
lone, so that now the same might be restored to him againe, sith he ment
not to sell them, but to let them foorth as it were to farme for the time, as all
men might well vnderstand, considering that he could not mainteine the
port of a king without receipt of those profits which he had so let foorth.
With these gentle words therefore mixed with some dreadfull allegations,
he brought them all into such perplexitie, that not one of them durst
withstand his request, nor alledge that he had wrong doone to him, except
Hugh the bishop of Lincolne, who sticked not to saie, that the king in this
demand did them and the rest open iniurie. The bishop of Durham lost his
earledome, and was constreined to content himselfe with his old
bishoprike, and to leaue the dignitie of an earle, or at the leastwise the
possessions which he had bought of the king before his setting forward
into the holie land.
Thus the king recouered those things for the which he had receiued great
summes of monie, without making any recompense, where the most part
of the occupiers had not receiued scarselie a third part of the principall
which they had laid foorth. For no sufficiencie of grant, patent, or other
writing to any of them before made, did any thing auaile them. Moreouer,
where he had borrowed a great summe of monie of the merchants of the
staple, he wrought a feat with the moonks of the Cisteaux order to
discharge that debt. He told these moonks that being constreined with
vrgent necessitie, he had borowed that monie of the merchants beyond the
sea, vpon confidence of their good beneuolence, and therefore he required
them to extend their liberallitie so farre toward him, as to deliuer so much
wooll in value, as should discharge that debt. To be short, the moonks
being ouercome with the kings words, threatning kindnesse vpon them,
fulfilled his request. Moreouer not satisfied herewith, he leuied a taske
throughout the realme, exacting of euerie hide of land two shillings,
according to the grant made to him at Notingham: and the same was
generallie gathered, as well of the spirituall mens lands as of the temporall.
The king of Scots vnderstanding that the bishop of Durham had giuen ouer
and resigned the earledome of Northumberland into the kings hands,
thought good once againe to assaie if he might compasse his desire, and
herewith he began his former suit afresh, offering to king Richard fiftéene
thousand markes of siluer for the whole earledome of Northumberland
with the appurtenances, as his father earle Henrie did hold the same
before. The king taking counsell in the matter, agreed that he should haue
it for that monie, excepting the castels: but the king of Scots would haue
castels and all, or else he would not bargaine.
Finallie, after he had sundrie times mooued this suit for the hauing of the
lands vnto which he pretended a title, and could get nothing of king
Richard but faire words, putting him as it were in hope to obteine that he
required at his next returne out of France, vpon the 22 daie of Aprill being
fridaie, he tooke leaue of the king, and returned towards his countrie, not
verie ioifull, in that he could not obteine his suit. King Richard in this
meane while caused all those prisoners that were taken in the castels of
Notingham, Tickhill, Marleburgh, Lancaster, and S. Michaels mount, which
were of any wealth to be put in prison, that they might fine for their
ransoms. The residue he suffered to depart vpon suerties, that were bound
for them in an hundredth marks a peece, to be forth comming when they
should be called.
Now the king (after he had gathered a great portion of monie, and
ordeined diuerse things for the behoofe of the common-wealth, thereby to
satisfie the harts of the people) prepared himselfe to saile into Normandie.
But first he reconciled the archbishop of Yorke, and the bishop of Elie lord
chancellour, aswell for the apprehension & imprisoning of the archbishop
at Douer, as for the dishonourable expulsion of the chancellour out of
England, in such wise that the chancellour should vpon reasonable
summons giuen to him by the archbishop, sware with the hands of an
hundred préests with him, that he neither commanded nor willed that the
archbishop should be apprehended. The controuersie betwixt the two
archbishops about the bearing of their crosses, the king would not meddle
withall, for (as he said) that perteined to the pope. Yet the archbishop of
Canturburie complained to king Richard of the iniurie doone to him at that
present by the archbishop of Yorke, presuming within his prouince to haue
his crosse borne before him. At length when the kings prouision was once
readie for his voiage into Normandie, he came to Douer, and hearing that
the French king had besieged the towne of Vernueil, and that the same was
in danger to be taken, he tooke the sea togither with his mother quéene
Elianor on the ninth daie of Maie, and transporting ouer into Normandie,
arriued at Harfléet with an hundred great ships fraught with men, horsses
and armour.
The French king hearing of king Richards arriuall, and that he was
comming with a great power to the succour of them within Vernueil, and
was alreadie incamped néere to the towne of the Eagle, he plucked vp his
tents in the night before Witsundaie, and leauing the siege, departed from
thence, and tooke a certeine small fortresse by the waie as he marched,
wherein he left a few souldiers to keepe it to his vse. King Richard herewith
entring into the French dominions, sent three bands of souldiers towards
Vale de Ruell, and went himselfe vnto Loches, and besieging that castell
wan it within a short time. The Normans also recouered the citie of Eureux
out of the French mens hands, but those that were sent vnto Ruell, and had
besieged the castell there an eight daies without any gaine, hearing that the
French king was comming towards them, departed thence, & came backe
to the kings campe, wherevpon the French king comming to Ruell raced it
to the ground, bicause his enimie should not at anie time in winning it
nestle there to the further damage of the countrie.
About the same time, Robert earle of Leicester issuing foorth of Rouen in
hope to worke some feat to the damage of the Frenchmen, as he rode
somewhat vnaduisedlie in the lands of Hugh Gourney, fell within danger
of his enimies, who tooke him prisoner, and a few other that were in his
companie. The French king after this came with his armie into the coasts of
Touraine; and marched neere Vandosme, and there incamped, whereof
king Richard being aduertised, drew néere to Vandosme, meaning to
assaile the French king in his campe, who hauing knowledge thereof
dislodged with his armie earlie in the morning, and fled awaie (to his great
dishonour) in all hast possible. The king of England with his people
following in chase of the Frenchmen slue manie, and tooke a great number
of prisoners, amongst whome was the French kings chéefe treasurer. Also
the Englishmen tooke manie wagons and sumpters laden with
crossebowes, armour, plate, apparell, and the furniture of the French kings
chapell. This chanced about 37 daies after his fléeing in the night from
Vernueil, of which two flights of the French king (in manner as ye haue
heard) we find these verses written:
Gallia fugisti bis, & hoc sub rege Philippo,Nec sunt sub modio facta
pudenda tuo.Vernolium sumit testem fuga prima, secundaVindocinum,
noctem prima, secunda diem.Nocte fugam primam rapuisti, manè
secundam,Prima nictus vitio, víq; secunda fuit.
France, twice thou fledst, while Philip reign'd,the world dooth know thy
shame,For Vernueil witnesse beares of th' one,next Vandosme knowes the
same.The first by night, the next by day,thy heart and force doo
showe,That first through feare, and next by force,was wrought thine
ouerthrowe.
In this meane while certeine rebels in Guien, as the lord Geffrey de Rancin
or Rancon, and the earle of Engolesme with their complices, vpon
confidence of the French kings assistance, sore disquieted the countrie.
Howbeit, the sonne of the king of Nauarre, and brother to Berengaria the
quéene of England, entring into Guien with an armie, wasted the lands of
both those rebels, till he was called home by reason of his fathers death
which chanced about the same time. Shortlie after Geffrey Rancin died, and
king Richard comming into his countrie, wan the strong castell of
Tailleburge by surrender, which apperteined to the same Geffrey with
others, and then going against the other rebels, he wan the citie of
Engolesme from him by force of assault. All which time the French king
stirred not, by reason that there was some communication in hand for a
truce to be taken betwixt him and king Richard, which by mediation of
certeine bishops was shortlie after concluded, to endure for twelue
moneths. The bishop of Elie was chéefe commissioner for the king of
England, and this truce was accorded about Lammas, and serued to little
purpose, except to giue libertie to either prince to breath a little, and in the
meane time to prouide themselues of men, munition, ships & monie, that
immediatlie after the terme was expired, they might with greater force
returne to the field againe, for they had not onelie a like desire to follow the
warres, but also vsed a like meane and practise to leuie monie.
For whereas they had alreadie made the temporaltie bare with often
paiments, and calling them foorth to serue personallie in the warres, they
thought best now to fetch a fleece from the spiritualtie and churchmen,
considering also that they had béene by reason of their immunitie more
gentlie dealt with, and not appointed to serue themselues in anie maner of
wise. To colour this exaction which they knew would be euill taken of
manie, they bruted abroad, that they leuied this monie vpon purpose, to
send it into the holie land, towards the paiment of the christian souldiers,
which remained there vpon defense of those townes, which yet the
Saracens had not conquered. King Richard therfore comming to Towrs in
Touraine, required a great summe of monie of the cleargie in those parts,
and the like request he made throughout all those his dominions, on that
further side of the sea. King Philip for his part demanded likewise
intollerable tithes and duties of all the churchmen in his territories, and
those that had the gathering of that monie serued their owne turne, in
dealing most streightlie with sillie préests, making them to paie what they
thought good, though sometime beyond the bounds of equitie and reason.
In September, the iustices itinerants made their circuits thorough euerie
shire and countie of this realme, causing inquisitions to be taken by
substantiall iuries of plées of the crowne both old and new, of
recognisances, of escheats, of wards, of mariages, of all maner of offendors
against the lawes and ordinances of the relme, and of all other
transgressors, falsifiers, and murtherers of Jewes; of the pledges, goods,
lands, debts, and writings of Jewes that were slaine, and of other
circumstances touching that matter. Likewise of the accompts of shiriffes,
as to vnderstand what had béene giuen towards the kings ransome, how
much had béene receiued, and what remained behind to receiue. Also of
the lands that belonged to erle John, and what goods he had, and what he
held in demaine, in wards, escheats, and in gifts, and for what cause they
were giuen. Furthermore, of his fautors and partakers, which had made
fines with the king, and which not, with manie other articles touching the
same earle. Also of vsurers, and of their goods being seized, of wines sold
contrarie to the assise, of false measures, and of such as hauing receiued
the crosse to go into the holie land, died before they set forward. Also of
grand assises that were of an hundred shillings land or vnder, and of
defaults, and of diuerse other things, the iurats were charged to inquire,
and present the same.
The iustices also were appointed to cause the manours, farmes and lands
which the king held in demaine, or by wards and escheats, to be surueied
by a substantiall iurie, and to take order for the conuerting of them to such
vse, as the king might be answered of the gaines rising by the same at the
farmers hands. Also, the Iewes were appointed to inroll all their debts,
pledges, lands, houses, rents and possessions. Moreouer, inquisition was
taken of iustices, shiriffes, bailiffes, conestables, foresters and other officers
belonging to the king, to vnderstand in what maner they had behaued
themselues in taking and seizing of things into their hands, and of all such
goods, gifts and promises had and receiued by occasion of leasure made of
the lands of earle John and his fautors, and who receiued the same, and
what delaie was granted by commandement of Hubert archbishop of
Canturburie, then lord chéefe iustice.
In this meane time, whilest these inquisitions were thus taken in England,
king Richard comming foorth of Poictou into Aniou, caused all the bailiffes
and officers of that countrie, and also of Maine, to fine with him for their
offices. After this, when he came downe into Normandie, he séemed in
shew to be offended with his chancellour the bishop of Elie, about
concluding of the truce with the French king (where as ye haue heard he
was cheefe commissioner) misliking greatlie all that was doone therein,
and therefore he tooke the seale from him, and caused a new seale to be
made, commanding to be proclaimed thorough all his dominions, that
whatsoeuer had béene sealed with the old seale, should stand in no force,
both for that his chancellor had wrought more vndiscreetlie than was
conuenient; and againe, bicause the same seale was lost, when Roger Malus
Catulus his vicechancellour was drowned, who perished, among other by
shipracke, néere to the Ile of Cypres, before the king arriued there, being as
then on his iournie into the holie land. Therefore all men had
commandement to come to this new seale, that they might haue their
charters and writings confirmed.
Furthermore, whilest the truce yet lasted, king Richard sailed ouer into
England, where he caused turnies to be exercised in diuerse places, for the
better training vp of souldiers in feats of warre, that they might growe
more skilfull and perfect in the same, when they should come to the triall
of their forces, whereby he raised no small summes of monie for granting
license to his subiects so to tournie. Euerie earle that would tournie, paid to
him for his licence twentie marks, euerie baron ten marks, and euerie
knight hauing lands, did giue foure marks, and those that had no lands
two marks, to the great damnifieng of the people; hauing learned the
common lesson, and receiued the ordinarie rule followed of all, and
neglected of none; namelie,
—— opus est nummis vel morte relictis,Vel sorte inuentis, vel quauis arte
paratis,Quippe inopem mala multa pati contingit vbíq;,Nec sine diuitijs fas
cuiquam ducere vitamFœlicem, &c.
The charter of this grant was deliuered by the king vnto William earle of
Salisburie, to haue the kéeping thereof: but Hubert Walter the archbishop
of Canturburie, and lord chéefe iustice, bade his brother Theobald Walter
collector of the monie, for the scraping and raking togither whereof, in
huge sums, he put the former shifts of extortion and exaction in practise.
The tenour of the charter concerning the turnements before remembred.
Richard by the grace of God king of England, duke of Normandie and
Aquitaine, and earle of Aniou, to the reuerend father in Christ, Hubert
archbishop of Canturburie, and primat of all England, sendeth greeting.
Know ye that we haue granted turnaments to be kept in England in fiue
steeds, to wit, betwixt Sarisburie and Wilton, betwixt Warwike and
Kenelworth, betwixt Stanford and Warmeford, betwixt Brackley and
Nixburgh, betwixt Blie & Tickhill, so that the peace of our land be not
broken, nor yet our iustices authoritie diminished, nor any damage doone
to our forrests. Prouided that what earle soeuer will turney there, shall giue
to vs twentie markes, a baron ten marks, a knight that hath lands foure
marks and he that hath no lands shall giue two marks.
Moreouer, no stranger shall be admitted to turney there, wherevpon we
command you, that at the daie of the turnieng, ye haue there two clarkes,
and two of our knights to receiue the oth of the earles and barons, which
shall satisfie vs of the said summes of monie, before the turnieng begin,
and that they suffer none to turnie, till (before) they haue made paiment,
and haue caused to be entred how much & of whom they haue receiued:
and ye shall take ten marks for this charter to our vse, whereof the earle of
Salisburie, and the earle of Clare, and the earle of Warren are pledges.
Witnesse myselfe, at Ville Leuesche, the two and twentith of August.
Furthermore, ordinances were made and set foorth for the safe keeping of
the peace, so that such as would turney, neither by the waie in comming or
going, or whilest the turnieng lasted, should violentlie take any thing to
serue their necessarie vses, without paieng therefore to the owner
according to the woorth, nor should doo iniurie to any man in any manner
of wise. But now to the other dooings of king Richard, who made no long
abode in England at this time, but shortlie returned into Normandie,
bicause he heard that king Philip had an armie readie leuied. Wherefore
meaning to buckle with him vpon occasion offered, he made the more hast,
and being landed there, approched vnto the borders of the French
dominions, incamping himselfe with his armie in the field, to wait for the
time that the truce should be expired, least the enimie should in any exploit
preuent him. In like manner king Philip hauing with him earle John king
Richards brother, kept his souldiers and men of warre in a readines with
him, to worke any feat that should be thought expedient assoone as the
truce should end.
Whilest both these kings were thus bent to powre out their malice, and to
ease their stomachs with dint of sword, there came messengers from the
pope, exhorting him vnto peace and quietnesse, but his exhortation little
auailed. For they regarding it little or nothing, immediatlie as the truce was
expired, got them abroad into the field, & king Richard drew towards
Isoldune, a towne situat in the confines of Berrie, whither it was reported
that the French king meant to come: and there staid for him a whole day
togither. But the French king hearing that king Richard was there to looke
for him, thought it best not to come there at all. Wherefore king Richard
went the next daie vnto a castell called Brison, and tooke it vpon his first
approch. Then went he to a towne called Nouencourt and perceiuing the
same to be strong and well manned, tooke not in hand to assaile it till the
third daie after his comming thither, at what time he so inclosed the same
round about with diligent watch and ward, that a cat could not haue
escaped out of the place, neither by daie nor night, but that she should
haue béene espied. They within being put in feare herewith, yeelded vp the
towne the daie next following, in which meane time the French king
besieged Albemarle.
Herevpon king Richard, hauing left a garrison of souldiers in Nouencourt,
came to raise the enimie from his siege, & setting vpon the Frenchmen,
there began a sharpe fight: but the Englishmen being wearie with trauell of
their passed iournie, and hauing rashlie entred into the battell, were not
able to indure the Frenchmens violence, so that (not without great losse)
they were constreined to retire with swift flight, or (to saie the truth) to run
awaie a maine pase. The French king hauing thus chased his enimies,
returned to assault Albemarle, woone the castell by force, and the towne by
composition, permitting the garrison there to depart with all their armour.
This doone, he ruinated the castell flat to the ground. Robert earle of
Leicester offered to the French king a thousand marks sterling for his
ransome, and to quite claime to him and his heires for euer all the right
which he had to the castell of Pascie, with the appurtenances, and to get a
confirmation thereof for him both of the pope, and of the king of England:
but for that the warre still lasted, the French king tooke a respite in
answering this offer, neuerthelesse afterwards in the yeare next insuing, he
tooke it, and so the earle was set at libertie.
Not long after this foresaid repulse, the king of England hauing refreshed
his souldiers with some rest after their great trauell, went to Million, and
giuing assault to the towne wan it at the first brunt, and made it plaine
with the earth. Then was a motion made for peace betwixt the two kings,
being now wearied with long wars: whereof when earle John was
aduertised, who (as it should séeme by some writers) hauing tarried with
the French king till this present, began now to doubt least if any agréement
were made, he might happilie be betraied of the French king by couenants
that should passe betwixt them: he determined therefore with himselfe to
commit his whole safetie to his naturall brother, and to no man else,
perceiuing that the French king made not so great accompt of him after the
losse of his castels in England, as he had doone before.
Herevpon comming to his brother king Richard, "he besought him to
pardon his offense, and though he had not dealt brotherlie towards him,
yet that he would brotherlie forgiue him his rebellious trespasse, adding
furthermore, that whereas he had not heretofore beene thankefull for his
manifold benefits which he had receiued at his hands, yet he was now most
sorie therefore, and was willing to make amends: wherewith he
acknowledged the safegard of his life to rest in him, for the which he was
bound to giue him thanks, if he would grant thereto." The king mooued
with his words, made this answer (as it is said) that he pardoned him
indéed, but yet wished that he might forget such iniuries as he had
receiued at his hands, which he doubted least he should not easilie doo.
Herewith erle John being yet put in good hope of forgiuenesse, sware to be
true euer after vnto him, and that he would endeuour himselfe to make
amends for his misdeeds past, and so was shortlie after restored vnto his
former degree, honour and estimation in all respects.
But by some writers it should appeare, that earle John, immediatlie vpon
conclusion of the first truce, came from the French king, and submitted
himselfe to his brother, and by mediation of the quéene their mother was
pardoned, receiued againe into fauour, and serued euer after against the
French king verie dutifullie, séeking by new atchiued enterprises brought
about (to the contentation of his brother) to make a recompense for his
former misdemeanor, reputing it meere madnesse to make means to
further mischeefe; for
—— stultum est hostem iritare potentem,Atq; malum maius tumidis sibi
quærere verbis.
But at what time soeuer he returned thus to his brother, this yeare (as
Roger Houeden saith) he was restored to the earledoms of Mortaigne in
Normandie, and Glocester in England, with the honour of Eie (the castels
onelie excepted) and in recompense of the residue of the earledoms which
he had before inioied, togither with certeine other lands, his brother king
Richard gaue vnto him a yeerelie pension amounting to the summe of eight
thousand pound of Aniouin monie. ¶ Now here to staie a while at matters
chancing here about home, I will speake somewhat of the dooings of
Leopold duke of Austrich, who as one nothing mooued with the pestilence
and famine that oppressed his countrie in this season, but rather hauing his
hart hardened, began to threaten the English hostages that they shuld loose
their liues, if king Richard kept not the couenants which he had vndertaken
to performe by a day appointed. Wherevpon Baldwin Betun one of the
hostages was sent by common agréement of the residue vnto king Richard,
to signifie to him their estate. King Richard willing to deliuer them out of
further danger, sent with the same Baldwin his coosen, the sister of Arthur
duke of Britaine, and the daughter of the emperour of Cypres, to be
conueied vnto the said duke of Austrich, the one, namelie the sister of
Arthur to be ioined in marriage with the dukes sonne, and the other to
continue in the dukes hands to bestow at his pleasure.
But in the meane time, on saint Stephans day, duke Leopold chanced to
haue a fall beside his horsse, and hurt his leg in such wise, that all the
surgions in the countrie could not helpe him, wherevpon in extreame
anguish he ended his life. And whereas before his death he required to be
absolued of the sentence of excommunication pronounced against him by
the pope (for apprehending of king Richard in his returning from his
iournie made into the holie land) he was answered by the cleargie, that
except he would receiue an oth to stand to the iudgement of the church for
the iniurie doone to king Richard, and that vnlesse other of the Nobilitie
would receiue the like oth with him if he chanced to die (whereby he might
not fulfill that which the church héerein should decrée) that yet they
should see the same performed, he might not otherwise be absolued.
Wherefore he tooke the oth, and the Nobles of his countrie with him, and
therewithall released the English pledges, remitted the monie that yet
remained behind of his portion aforesaid, and immediatlie therewith died.
After his deceasse, bicause certeine péeres of the countrie withstood the
performance of the premisses, his bodie laie eight daies longer aboue
ground than otherwise it should haue doone, for till such time as all the
pledges were perfectlie released, it might not be buried. Also Baldwin de
Betun approching neere to the confines of Austrich, when he heard that the
duke was dead, returned with the two ladies vnto his souereigne lord king
Richard. Thus (as ye haue heard) for feare of the censures of the church
were the pledges restored, and the residue of the monie behind released.
¶ All this was both pleasant and profitable for king Richards soules helth
(as may be thought) bicause he tooke occasion therof to amend his owne
former life, by considering how much he might be reprehended for his
sundrie faults committed both against God and man. A maruellous matter
to heare, how much frō that time forward he reformed his former trade of
liuing into a better forme & order. Moreouer, the emperour gaue to the
Cisteaux moonks 3000 marks of siluer, parcell of king Richards ransome, to
make siluer censers in euerie church throughout where they had any
houses: but the abbats of the same order refused the gift, being a portion of
so wrongfull and vngodlie a gaine. At which thing, when it came to the
knowledge of K. Richard, he greatlie maruelled at the first, but after
commended the abbats in their dooings, and cheeflie for shewing that they
were void of the accustomed gréedinesse of hauing, which most men
supposed them to be much infected withall.
King Richard this yeare pardoned Hugh Nouant bishop of Couentrie of all
his wrath and displeasure conceiued toward him, and restored to him his
bishoprike for fiue thousand marks of siluer. But Robert Nouant the same
bishops brother died in the kings prison at Douer. Also whereas the
archbishop of Yorke had offended king Richard, he pardoned him, and
receiued him againe into fauour, with the kisse of peace. Wherevpon the
archbishop waxed so proud, that vsing the king reprochfullie, he lost his
archbishoprike, the rule of Yorkeshire which he had in gouernment as
shiriffe, the fauour of his souereigne, and (which was the greatest losse of
all) the loue of God. For
Nemo superbus amat superos, nec amator ab illis,Vult humiles Deus ac
mites, habitatq; libenterMansuetos animos procul ambitione
remotos,Inflatos verò ac ventosos deprimit idem,Nec patitur secum puro
consistere olympo.
Moreouer, through the kings request, pope Celestine this yeare made the
archbishop of Canturburie legat of all England by his buls directed to him,
bearing date at his palace in Rome called Lateran the fifteenth kalends of
Aprill, in the fourth yeare of his papasie. Furthermore, the pope wrote to
the English cleargie, giuing them to vnderstand that he had created the
said archbishop of Canturburie his legat, commanding them so to accept
him: by vertue of which letters, the archbishop Hubert being now both
archbishop of Canturburie, legat of the apostolike sée, and lord chéefe
iustice of England, appointed to hold a councell at Yorke, and therefore
gaue knowledge by the abbat of Binham in Northfolke, and one maister
Geruise, vnto the canons of Yorke, and to the archbishops officials of his
purposed intention.
The said canons and officials well considering of the popes letters, which
were deliuered vnto them by the messengers, signified for answer, that
they would gladlie receiue him as legat of the apostolike sée, but not as
archbishop of Canturburie, nor as their primat. Herewith he came to Yorke
vpon saint Barnabies daie being sundaie, and was receiued with
procession. On the morrow after, he held a court of plees of the crowne, of
assises, and such other matters touching the king. On the next day being
Tuesday, he entred into the monasterie of saint Maries in Yorke, and
deposed the abbat, bicause of his infirmitie of bodie, at the request of the
moonks, but the abbat appealed to the popes consistorie. Then he
assembled the cleargie in the church of Saint Peter in Yorke, and there held
a synod for reformation of things amisse in the church, and amendment of
manners in the cleargie, so that diuerse decrées were made, the which for
bréefenesse we omit to speake of in particular. This yeare also, the said
archbishop Hubert caused all men throughout the realme of England to
receiue an oth of obseruing the kings peace, and to sweare that they should
not be robbers, nor abbettors of robbers, nor in any wise consenting vnto
them, but should doo what in them might lie to apprehend all such
offendors, and to discouer them to the kings officers to be apprehended,
and to pursue them vpon hew and crie to the vttermost of their powers,
and those that withdrew themselues from such pursuit, should be
apprehended as partakers with the offendors.
About this time the emperour sent to king Richard, requiring him in no
wise to conclude any peace with the French king, but rather to inuade his
dominions, promising to aid him all that he might. But king Richard, to
vnderstand further of the emperours mind herein, sent ouer his
chancellour the bishop of Elie vnto him in ambassage. In the meane time
the warre was still continued betwixt him and the French, by the which
they were commonlie put to the worse, and king Richard inuading their
borders, did much hurt in wasting the countries on each side. The French
king was at one time so narrowlie chased, that as he would haue passed a
bridge that laie ouer the water of Saine, he was in danger of drowning by
the fall of the same vnder him, but yet at the length he escaped, and got to
the further side.
After this, the two kings came to a communication togither, in the which a
motion was made, that Lewes the French king his sonne and heire should
haue the sister of Arthur duke of Britaine in marriage, and that king
Richard in consideration thereof should surrender vnto them and to their
heires the townes of Gisors, Bademont, with the countrie of Veulquessine
or Veuxine le Normant, Vernon, Iuerie and Pascie; and further should giue
vnto them twentie thousand marks of siluer. On the other side it was
mooued, that the French king should resigne vnto king Richard all that he
could demand in the countie of Engeulesme, and should restore vnto him
the counties of Albemarle and Augie, with the castell of Arkes, and all
other castels which he had taken in Normandie, or in any partie during
these last warres. But there was a respit taken for the full concluding and
assuring of these conditions, till the octaues of All saints, that king Richard
might vnderstand the emperours pleasure, without whose consent he
might not conclude any thing concerning that matter, bicause he had sent
such word vnto him by the lord chancellour, who at this time was
attendant in his court.
In the meane time, the emperour being aduertised of the whole matter, and
of the articles afore mentioned, gaue knowledge to king Richard by the
bishop of Elie at his returning backe, that this forme of peace nothing liked
him, but rather made directlie to his discontentment: the which least he
might séeme to saie without sufficient ground of reason, he alledged, that it
should sound to king Richards dishonour, if he surrendred and gaue vp
anie thing that he had not in possession. And to encourage him to recouer
those things which had beene taken from him, the emperour pardoned him
of the seauentéene thousand marks of siluer, which yet remained behind
due to him for the kings ransome. Howsoeuer the matter passed, the two
kings met not in the octaues of All saints, according to the appointment,
although they were come, and approched verie néere to the place where
they should haue communed togither: but through the dissimulation of the
Frenchmen, they departed, without seeing one an other, and immediatlie
began the warre as fiercelie as at anie time before.
The French king tooke the towne of Diep, which king Richard had latelie
repared, and burned it, with the ships that harbored in the hauen: after
this, commming to Isoldun, he wan the towne and besieged the castell. But
king Richard aduertised thereof, came with quicke spéed (making of thrée
daies iournie but one) and entred into the castell of Isoldun to defend the
same against his aduersaries: and foorthwith there resorted such numbers
of men vnto him, when they heard how he was besieged, that the French
king doubting how to retire from thence in safetie, made suit first to haue
licence to depart, and after when that would not be granted, he required at
the leastwise to talke with the king of England about some agréement.
Wherevnto king Richard condescended, and so comming togither, they
concluded vpon a truce to indure from that daie, being saturdaie next after
the feast of saint Nicholas, vnto the feast of saint Hilarie next insuing, and
then to méet againe néere vnto Louiers with their councels, that they might
grow by some reasonable way vnto a finall peace and concord. And
according to this article, shortlie after the same feast of S. Hilarie, they met
at Louiers, where finallie they were accorded to conclude a peace on these
conditions, that the French king should release to the king of England
Isoldun, with the countrie about, woon by him sith the beginning of these
wars; likewise, all the right which he had in Berrie, Auuergine, and
Gascoigne, and the countie of Albemarle. On the other part, the king of
England should resigne Gisors, and certeine other places, and namelie
Veuxine or Veulquesine vnto the king of France.
Herevpon were suerties also bound for performance, and the forfeiture of
fiftéene thousand marks assigned to be paid by the partie that first brake
the peace. Shortlie after, the French king repenting him selfe of the
agreement, began to make a warre anew, so that king Richard seized into
his hands all the goods andpossessions which belonged to the abbats of the
order of the great monasterie of Clunie, and of saint Denise & la Charitie,
which had become suertie for the French king in the summe of 1500 marks
aforesaid. This yeare died William de Forz earle of Albemarle, in whose
place succéeded Baldwine de Betun by the kings gift, and married the
countesse of Albermarle.
There was a motion also made for a marriage betwixt the lord Otho, sonne
to Henrie duke of Saxonie, king Richards nephue by his sister, and the
ladie Margaret, daughter to the king of Scots, so as they should haue
inioied the countries of Lothian, Northumberland, and the countie of
Caerleill with the castels. For the conclusion of which marriage, the
archbishop of Canturburie was sent about Christmas to commune with the
king of Scots: but bicause the Scotish quéene was then conceiued of child,
hir husband (in hope that God would send him a sonne) refused to stand
vnto the aboue mentioned couenants.
At this time king Richard sent the abbat of Caen (who was also the elect of
Durham) into England, to take an accompts of those that had the receipts of
the kings monie: for this abbat had informed the king, that his receiuers
and officers here in the realme dealt not iustlie in making their accompts,
but both deceiued the king, and oppressed his people, in exacting more
than was due, and concealing that which they ought to stand accomptable
for. The king supposing his words to be true, or at least likelie so to be, and
that in reforming such vntruth in his officers, it should be both profitable to
him, and well liked of the people, sent this abbat ouer with commission, to
be as it were his generall auditour.
Howbeit, Hubert archbishop of Canturburie, which was gouernour of the
realme in causes both temporall and spirituall (by reason he had the kings
authorise as his vicegerent, & therefore sufficientlie countenanced, & also
the popes as his legat authorised) did somewhat stomach the matter, in
that it should be thought he did suffer such abuses in the kings officers,
and not reforme them. But he held him content and said little, sith the
abbat shewed him the kings commission to doo that which he went about,
although he brought it not to passe. For whereas he came ouer in lent, and
gaue out commandements, that all such as had any thing to doo in receipt
of the kings monie, should appeare before him after Easter, he tarried not
to see Easter himselfe, but was called into another world by the stroke of
death, there to render accompts for his owne acts here in this life
committed.
At the same time there was another person in London called William with
the long beard, (aliàs Fitz Osbert) which had likewise informed the king of
certeine great oppressions and excessiue outrages vsed by rich men against
the poore (namelie the worshipfull of the citie, the Maior and Aldermen)
who in their hoistings, when any tallage was to be gathered, burdened the
poore further than was thought reason, to ease themselues; wherevpon the
said William being a seditious person, and of a busie nature, ceassed not to
make complaints. Now bicause the king gaue eare vnto him at the first, he
tooke a boldnesse thereof, & drawing vnto him great routs of the poorer
sort of people, would take vpon him to defend the causes of those that
found themselues greeued with the heauie yoke of richmen and gentlemen.
He was somewhat learned, and verie eloquent: he had also a verie good
wit, but he applied it rather to set dissention betwixt the high estates and
the low, than to anie other good purpose. He accused also his owne brother
of treason, who in his youth had kept him to schoole, & beene verie good
and beneficiall brother vnto him, bicause now he would not still mainteine
him with monie to beare out his riottous port. Moreouer, he declared to the
king, that by extortion and briberie of certeine men of great wealth, he lost
manie forfeits and escheats.
Manie gentlemen of honour sore hated him for his presumptuous attempts
to the hindering of their purposes: but he had such comfort of the king, that
he little passed for their malice, but kept on his intent, till the king being
aduertised of the assemblies which he made, commanded him to ceasse
from such dooings, that the people might fall againe to their sciences and
occupations, which they had for the more part left off, at the instigation of
this William with the long beard, so named of the long heare of his beard,
which he nourished of purpose to seeme the more graue and manlike, and
also as it were in despite of them which counterfeited the Normans (that
were for the most part shauen) and bicause he would resemble the ancient
vsage of the English nation. The kings commandement in restraint of the
peoples resort vnto him, was well kept a while, but it was not long yer they
began to follow him againe as they had doone before.
Then he tooke vpon him to make vnto them certeine collations or sermons,
taking for his theme, Haurietis aquas in gaudio de fontibus saluatoris, that
is to saie: Ye shall draw in gladnesse waters out of the founteins of your
sauiour. And hereto he added, "I am (said he) the sauiour of poore men; ye
be the poore, and haue assaied the hard hands and heauie burdens of the
rich: now draw ye therefore the healthfull waters of vnderstanding out of
my wels and springs, and that with ioy. For the time of your visitation is
come: I shall part waters from waters, by waters I vnderstand the people,
and I shall part the people which are good and méeke, from the people that
are wicked and proud, and I shall disseuer the good and euill, euen as light
is diuided from darknesse."
By these and such persuasions and means as he vsed, he had gotten two
and fiftie thousand persons, readie to haue taken his part, as appeared after
by a roll of their names found in his kéeping, besides diuerse instruments
of iron to breake vp houses, and other things seruing to such like purposes.
So that he brought the commoners into a great liking of him: but the rich
and wealthie citizens stood in much feare, so that they kept their houses, in
armes, in doubt to be robbed and murthred by him in the night season.
The archbishop of Canturburie (vnto whome the rule of the realme
chéefelie belonged) being aduertised hereof, sent for the greatest number of
the citizens, and vsing them with gentle words, persuaded them to deliuer
pledges, the better to assure him, that no such thing should chance, which
was suspected of manie, though he was loth to conceiue any such opinion
of them. They being ouercome with his courteous words, gaue vnto him
pledges.
After this, when the foresaid William ceased not to make congregations of
the people, at length the archbishop sent a commandement vnto him, that
he should appeare before him and other of the councell, at a certeine
prefixed daie, to answer to such things as might be laid to his charge. To be
short, he did so at the time appointed, but with such a rout of the common
people about him, that the archbishop durst not pronounce against him,
but licenced him to depart for that time, giuing him soft and gentle words.
Howbeit, certeine persons were then appointed by the said archbishop and
other of the councell to watch him sometime, when he should haue no
great companie about him, and then to apprehend him.
Amongst those that were thus commanded to attach him, were two
burgesses of the citie, who hauing espied a conuenient time for the
execution of their purpose, set vpon him to haue take him, but he getting
an ax, defended himselfe manfullie: and in resisting slue one of them, and
after that fled into the church of S. Marie Bow, kéeping the same not as a
place of sanctuarie, but as a fortresse: in somuch that by the help of such as
resorted vnto him, he defended it against his aduersaries, till with fire and
smoke they constreined him to come foorth, and all those that were there
with him: amongst them also was his concubine, who neuer left him for
any danger that might betide him.
The people regarding the danger of their pledges, came not out to aid him,
as it was much doubted they would haue doone. Wherefore being thus
attached, he was brought foorth, and comming out of the church, the sonne
of that burgesse whome he had slaine (as you haue heard) strake him verie
sore into the bellie with a knife, in reuenge of his fathers death. After this,
he was had to his arraignment before the archbishop, sitting within the
towre, and being condemned, was from thence drawne with horsses to the
place of execution called the Elmes, and there hanged on a gibet, with nine
of his adherents, which had defended the church against the kings power:
and yet for all this, the grudge ceassed not, but the common people raised a
great slander vpon the archbishop, both for causing him to be taken out of
the church, where he claimed priuilege of sanctuarie, and also for putting
him to death, who was innocent (as they alledged) and not giltie of those
crimes that were laid against him: who sought onelie the defense of poore
people against extortioners, and such as were wrong dooers.
This rumor rose so fast, that at length (by bruting abroad, that certeine
miracles should be wrought by a chaine, wherein he was bound in time of
his imprisonment) he was taken for a saint. The place also where he
suffered, was visited by women, and other superstitious folks, as a plot of
great holinesse, till at length the archbishop caused it to be watched, to the
end that no such foolishnesse should be vsed there. In fine, the opinion
which the people had thus fondlie conceiued of his vertue and innocencie,
was by little and little remooued out of their heads, when his acts were
more certeinelie published: as the sleaing of a man with his owne hands,
and the vsing of his concubine within Bowe church, during the time of his
being there. Also the archbishop accursed a préest, which had first brought
vp the false report and fained fable of the miracle wrought by the chaine,
whereby the occasion of idolatrie was first giuen, and might easilie haue
béene continued, if the archbishop had not béene the wiser man, and by
such means repressed the rumour. ¶ So that we are to note by this example
the force of counterfeit holinesse and feigned harmelesnesse in hypocrits,
—— qui pelle sub agniVipereum celant virus morésq; luporum;Et stolidos
ficta virtutis imagine fallunt.
But now to return vnto the dooings of king Richard in France. Ye haue
heard how a peace was concluded (as some haue written) but the same
continued not long: for the French king séeming to repent himselfe of that
he had doone (as is aforesaid) brake the peace, and raising a power,
besieged Albemarle; at length wan it, and raced it downe to the ground,
then king Richard gaue vnto him thrée thousand marks of siluer for the
ransome of his knights and yeomen, or demilances (as I may call them) that
were taken in that fortresse. After this, the French king wan Nouencourt,
and earle John tooke the castell of Gamages.
About the same time also king Richard gaue vnto his nephue Otho the
earledome of Poictou. Which I haue thought good to note out of Roger
Houeden, to remooue the doubt of Iohn Bouchet, who in the third part of
his annales of Aquitaine, maruelleth at an old panchart or record which he
had séene, by the tenour whereof it appeared, that this Otho intituled
himselfe duke of Aquitaine and earle of Poictou, being in his castell of
Monstereulbonin neere to Poictiers, in the yeare a thousand, one hundreth,
ninetie nine, in presence of Geffrey de Lusignen, and others, and granted
vnto a certeine person the office of cutting the monie in the mint of that
towne, as by the same panchart it further appeareth.
The sight whereof brought the said Bouchet into a great perplexitie,
considering that no chronicle which he had either seene, or heard of, made
mention of any Otho that shuld be duke of Aquitaine, or erle of Poictou,
either before that time, or after. Where againe it was euident to him, that
queene Elianor the mother of king Richard, as then liuing, named hir selfe
dutchesse of Aquitaine, and countesse of Poictou; & likewise king Richard
intituled himselfe duke of Aquitaine, and earle of Poictou, euer after he had
fianced the earle of Barcelons daughter, as by diuerse records both of the
mother and the sonne he had séene perfect notice. At length yet he gesseth
(and that trulie) that it should be this Otho, to whom the mother and sonne
had assigned the dutchie of Aquitaine and countie of Poictou, for the
maintenance of his estate, he holding the same till the yeare 1199, in the
which he was made emperour by king Richards good helpe, as after shall
be shewed more at large.
About this time also as the countesse of Britaine, the mother of duke
Arthur came into Normandie to haue spoken with king Richard, Ranulph
earle of Chester hir husband meeting hir at Pountourson, tooke hir as
prisoner, and shut hir vp within his castell at S. James de Beumeron: and
when hir sonne Arthur could not find means to deliuer hir out of captiuitie,
he ioined with the king of France, and made great hauocke in the lands of
his vncle king Richard, wherevpon the king gathered a mightie armie, and
inuading Britaine with great force, cruellie wasted and destroied the
countrie.
Here is also to be noted, that in this seuenth yeare of king Richard, a great
dearth chanced through this realme of England, and in the coasts about the
same. Also about the same time died William earle of Salisburie, the sonne
of earle Patrike, whose daughter and heire king Richard gaue in marriage,
togither with the earledome of Salisburie, vnto his base brother, surnamed
Long Espée.
It chanced moreouer about the same time, that earle John the kings brother,
with certeine capteins of such hired souldiors as some call Brabanceni;
others, the Routs; and the French histories name them Costereaux, or
Coterels, went abroad to atchiue some enterprise against the bishop of
Beauuois, and other Frenchmen, which had doone much hurt to king
Richards subiects in those parties. The chéefe leaders of those Routs or
Costereaux, which went foorth with earle John, and serued vnder him at
that time, were two Prouancois, Marchades & Lupescaro. These riding
foorth into the countrie about Beauuois made hauocke in robbing and
spoiling all afore them.
Anon as Philip the bishop of Beauuois, a man more giuen to the campe
than to the church, had knowledge hereof, thinking them to be a méet preie
for him, with sir William de Merlow and his sonne, and a great number of
other valiant men of warre, came foorth into the fields, and encountring
with the enimies, fought verie stoutlie. But yet in the end the bishop, the
archdeacon, and all the chéefe capteins were taken: the residue slaine and
chased. After this, earle John and the foresaid capteins passed foorth, and
wan the towne of Millie, and so returned.
Earle John and Marchades presented the two prelats with great triumph
vnto K. Richard earlie in the morning, lieng yet in his bed; as those that
were knowne to be his great enimies, saieng to him in French; "Rise
Richard, rise, we haue gotten the great chantour of Beauuois, and a good
quier man (as we take it) to answer him in the same note, and here we
deliuer them vnto you to vse at your discretion." The king séeing them,
smiled, and was verie glad for the taking of this bishop, for that he had
euer found him his great aduersarie: and therefore being thus taken
fighting in the field with armour on his backe, thought he might be bold in
temporall wise to chastise him: sith he (not regarding his calling) practised
to molest him with temporall weapons: wherevpon he committed him to
close prison all armed as he was.
It chanced soone after, that two of his chaplins came vnto the king to
Rouen, where this bishop was deteined, beseeching the king of licence to
attend vpon their maister now in captiuitie: vnto whome (as it is of some
reported) the king made this answer; "I am content to make you iudges in
the cause betwixt me and your maister, as for the euils which he hath either
doone, either else gone about to doo vnto me, let the same be forgotten.
This is true, that I being taken as I returned from my iournie made into the
holie land, and deliuered into the emperours hands, was in respect of my
kinglie state, vsed according therevnto verie fréendlie and honourablie, till
your maister comming thither (for what purpose he himselfe best knoweth)
had long conference with the emperour. After which, I for my part in the
next morning tasted the fruit of their ouernights talke, being then loden
with as manie irons as a good asse might not verie easilie haue borne.
Iudge you therefore, what maner of imprisonment your maister deserued
at my hands, that procured such ease for me at the emperours hands."
The two chaplins had their mouths stopped with these words thus by the
king vttered, and so departed their waies. The bishop being still deteined in
prison, procured suit to be made to the pope for his deliuerance: but the
pope, being truelie informed of the matter, and wiselie considering that the
king had not taken the bishop preaching, but fighting, and kept him
prisoner rather as a rough enimie, than as a peaceable prelat, would not be
earnest with the king for his deliuerance, but rather reprooued the bishop,
in that he had preferred secular warfare before the spirituall, and had taken
vpon him the vse of a speare in stéed of a crosier, an helmet in steed of a
miter, an herbergeon in stéed of a white rochet, a target for a stoale, and an
iron sword in lieu of the spirituall sword: and therefore he refused to vse
any commandement to king Richard for the setting of him at libertie. But
yet he promised to doo what he could by waie of intreating that he might
be released.
It is reported by some writers, that the pope at first, not vnderstanding the
truth of the whole circumstance, should send to king Richard, commanding
him by force of the canons of the church to deliuer his sons the bishop and
archdeacon out of their captiuitie. To whom the king sent their armour
with this message written in Latine, "Vide an tunica filij tui sit an non," that
is, "See whether these are the garments of thy sonnes or not:" alluding to
the saieng of those that caried Josephs coate to Jacob. Which when the pope
saw, he said: "Naie by S. Peter, it is neither the apparell of my sonnes, nor
yet of my brethren: but rather they are the vestures of the children of
Mars:" and so he left them still to be ransomed at the kings pleasure. The
bishop thus séeing no hope to be deliuered without some agréement had
betwixt the two kings, became now through irkesomenesse of his bonds, an
earnest mediatour for peace, whereas before he had beene an extreme
stirrer vp of war. Such a schoolemaister is imprisonment, & plucker downe
of loftie courages. But to proceed.
About the same time the archbishop of Rouen put all the countrie of
Normandie vnder sentence of interdiction, bicause king Richard had begun
to fortifie a castell at Lisle Dandelie, vpon a péece of ground which the
archbishop claimed to apperteine vnto his sée. The matter was brought
before the pope, who perceiuing the intent of king Richard was not
otherwise grounded vpon any couetous purpose to defraud the church of
hir right, but onelie to build a fortresse in such place as was most expedient
for defense of the countrie about, to preserue it from inuasion of the
enimies; he counselled the archbishop not to stand against the king in it,
but to exchange with him for some other lands: which was doone, and the
interdiction by the pope released. The bishop of Elie lord chancellour,
being sent about this businesse towards Rome, departed this life by the
way at Poictiers, in Januarie.
But the bishops of Durham & Lisieux that were sent with him, passed
forward, and comming to Rome, informed the pope of the matter, who
tooke order with the bishops (as before is mentioned.) The king gaue to the
church in Rouen in recompense, his milles which he had in Rouen, so that
the said church should paie the almes of old time appointed to be giuen for
the same. He gaue to the said church likewise the towne of Diepe, and the
towne of Bussels, so that the church should likewise paie the almes
assigned foorth of the same, being the summe of 372 pounds of Aniouine
monie: also the manour of Louers, and the forrest of Alermound with the
deere and the appurtenances. But now to other dooings.
About the same time, or not long before, whereas there had beene long
contention betwixt the kings of England, and the earles of S. Giles for the
earldome of Tholouse, king Richard by way of aliance fell now at an
appointment with the earle Raimond that held those lands; for whereas the
countesse Constance wife to the said Raimond earle of Tholouse and aunt
to king Philip was now departed this life, king Richard concluded a
mariage betweene the said earle and his sister Joane quéene of Sicile,
sometime wife to William king of Sicile, so that being thus ioined in aliance
with the said earle of Tholouse on the one side, he procured a league also
with Baldwine earle of Flanders on the other, vnto whom he gaue fiue
thousand markes in reward, vpon condition, that he should couenant not
to grow to any agréement with the French king without his consent.
Likewise Reginold the earle of Bolongne, that was sonne to earle of
Chateau Marline, alied himselfe with them against the French king, and so
did Baldwine earle of Guines with diuerse other.
Thus King Richard by such aliance hauing his part greatlie strengthened,
prepared himselfe to the warre more earnestlie than before, and tooke
order with the earle of Flanders, that they should inuade the French
dominions in two seuerall quarters both at one time, as the earle by
Flanders, & he himselfe by Normandie, according to the appointment
betwixt them deuised. The earle preparing an armie, first wan the towne of
Dowaie, and then besieged saint Omers, and wan it after fiue weekes siege:
wherevpon they of Aire yeelded to him; shortlie after he entred into Artois,
& besieged the citie of Arras.
At the same time king Richard marching towards Gisors, wan in his waie
the castell of Corselles, & destroied it; that doone, he came to Gisors, and
besieged the towne, wasting all the countrie round about him where he
came. The French king being thus troubled with the inuasion of his enimies
in two seuerall places at one present time, sent certeine bands of his
souldiors towards Arras to kéepe the earle of Flanders plaie, whilest he
himselfe went against king Richard: and comming vnto Gisors, found it
streictlie besieged of the same king, so that he wist not well how to enter
the towne. But yet at length faigning to giue battell to king Richard (who
vpon desire to receiue it, came abroad into the field) the French king
rushed foorth with all his whole force to make towards the towne, & so got
into it, though not without great losse and damage of his people.
King Richard not meaning to breake vp his siege from before the towne,
(notwithstanding the French king had entred it) staied a certeine time of
purpose to win it, knowing the gaine to be the greater, and his name more
famous, if he might atchiue his purpose, now that his aduersarie was
within it, but when he saw it would not be, he raised his siege, and
departed towards Cleremont, spoiling all the countrie by his forrais as he
went, so that he wan great pillage, wherewith his souldiers were loden and
made verie rich.
It chanced, that in a skirmish Hugh de Chaumount was taken prisoner, one
that was of the French kings priuie councell; and king Richard appointed
him to the kéeping of Robert Ros, who charged one of his seruants named
William de Spinie with the custodie of him. But the said Hugh corrupting
his kéeper the foresaid William with rewards, (whereof it is said,
—— acceptissima semperMunera sunt, author quæ pretiosa facit)
escaped out of the castell of Bonneuille, where he was within ward, to the
great displeasure of king Richard, who caused Robert Ros to paie for a fine,
the summe of twelue hundred marks, which the prisoner should haue
paied for his ransome: and further, commanded William de Spinie to be
hanged for his disloiall dealing.
King Philip, after that the king of England was remooued from Gisors (as
before yée haue heard) assembled a great host, and with banner displaied,
entred into Normandie, and wasted the countrie from Newburge to
Beaumont le Rogier, and that doone, returned into France, licencing his
men to returne vnto their homes. About the same time, he sent vnto king
Richard, requiring him to appoint fiue champions, and he would appoint
other fiue for his part, which might fight in lists, for triall of all matters in
controuersie betwixt them, so to auoid the shedding of more giltlesse
bloud. King Richard accepted the offer, with condition, that either king
might be of the number, that is, the French king one of the fiue vpon the
French part; & K. Richard one of the fiue vpon the English part. But this
condition would not be granted. Herevpon when shortlie after it was
signified to king Richard, that ships vsed to come out of England to saint
Valerie with victuals, which were sold and conueied awaie vnto the French
K and other his enimies, he rode to saint Valeries, and set the towne on fire,
and such ships of England as he found there he also burnt, and hanged the
mariners by the necke, diuiding the graine and other victuals which were
found in the same ships amongst his owne souldiors.
About the same time he got the fauour of them of Champaigne and of the
Britons, and William Crespine also was constreined to deliuer vnto him the
castell of Auge, but the French king recouered it by siege, whilest king
Richard entring into Aluergne wan diuerse castels there, to the number of
ten out of king Philips hands. In the meane time the earle of Flanders made
sore war against the French king for his part, and training the same king
within streits, so that he was almost inclosed on ech side, he constreined
him to agrée to such composition as pleased the same earle to appoint, but
afterwards the French king refused to stand to the couenants of that
agréement, and so the warre continued betwixt them as before.
At length king Richard and the French king concluded vpon an abstinence
of warre to indure from the feast of S. Hilarie for one whole yere,
purposing in the meane time to make a finall peace and agréement. In
which season Baldwine earle of Flanders came into England to doo his
deuotions vnto the shrine where Thomas the archbishop laie buried at
Canturburie. The same yeare also somewhat before this time, Rise ap
Griffin king of Wales departed this life, after whose death there fell discord
betwixt his sonnes for the succession, till the archbishop Hubert went to the
marshes of that countrie and made an agréement betwixt them. Not long
after, Roger the brother of Robert earle of Leicester, elected bishop of saint
Andrews in Scotland, receiued the order of préesthood, and was
consecrated bishop by the hands of the bishop of Aberdine.
This yeare it was ordeined that measures of all manner of graine should
conteine one quantitie throughout the realme, that is to saie, one resonable
horsselode, and that the measures of wine and ale with all maner of liquors
should be of one iust quantie according to the diuersitie of the liquor: also
that weights should be of like rate throughout the relme, and that cloth
should conteine two yards in breadth within the lists, of perfect goodnesse
throughout, as well in the middest as by the sides, and that one manner of
yard should be vsed through the relme. It was also ordeined that no
merchants within the realme should hang any red or blacke clothes before
their windowes, nor set vp any pentises or other thing whereby to darken
the light from those that came to buy their cloth, so as they might be
deceiued in choosing thereof.
Also it was enacted that there should be foure or six substantiall honest
men chosen in euerie towne, and likewise in shires, with the head officers
of cities and boroughes, which had a corporation, to see that the assises
aforesaid were truelie kept, and that if anie were found to be offending in
the premisses, to cause their bodies to be attached and commited to prison,
and their goods to be seized to the kings vse: and if those that were chosen
to haue regard thereto, were tried to be negligent, so that by others, and not
by them any offenders chanced to be conuicted before the iustices, then
should the regarders be put to their fines, for the negligent looking to their
offices.
King Richard held his Christmasse this yeare at Roan, and Hubert the
archbishop of Canturburie legat of the apostolike sée, named lord chéefe
Justice of England, was about the same time in the marshes of Wales at
Hereford, and there receiued into his hands the castels of Hereford,
Bridgenorth and Ludlow, remoouing those that had the same in kéeping,
and appointing others in their roomes. Afterwards comming by Couentrie,
he placed the moonks againe in the cathedrall church of that citie, by
commandement of pope Celestine, and chased out the secular canons,
which the bishop Hugh Nouant had brought into the same church when he
remooued the moonks.
In the Christmasse wéeke also there came messengers to Rouen from the
archbishops of Cullen and Mentz, and from other states of the empire,
which declared vnto king Richard, that all the princes of Germanie were
appointed to assemble at Cullen, the two & twentith of Februarie, about the
choosing of a new emperour, in place of the late deceassed Henrie: and
therefore they commanded him by force of the oth and league in which he
was bound to the emperour and empire, that all excuse of deniall or
occasions to the contrarie ceasing and set apart, he should make his repaire
vnto Cullen at the aforesaid day, to helpe them in choosing of some
worthie personage that might and was able to haue the empire. King
Richard doubting to put himselfe in danger, bicause he had not discharged
all the debts due for his ransome, staied at home, but yet he sent diuerse
noble men thither, and did so much in fauour of his nephue Otho, that by
the helpe of the foresaid two archbishops of Cullen and Mentz, the same
Otho was elected emperour. But of this matter more shall be said hereafter.
Moreouer, about the same time king Richard required by the archbishop of
Canturburie his chéefe iustice, an aid of 300 knights to be found by his
subiects of England, to remaine with him in his seruice for one whole
yeare, or else that they would giue him so much monie, as might serue to
reteine that number after the rate of thrée shillings a daie of English monie
for euerie knight. Whereas all other were contented to be contributors
herein, onelie Hugh bishop of Lincolne refused, and spake sore against the
archbishop that moued the matter. But how soeuer that request tooke
place, king Richard (as we find) leuied this yeare a subsidie of fiue shillings
of euerie hide of land within the realme, two commissioners, that is to say,
one of the spiritualtie, & a knight of the temporaltie, being appointed as
commissioners in euerie shire, with the assistance of the shiriffe, and
others, to sée the same assessed & rated after an hundred acres of land to
the hide of land, according to the custome.
The same yeare also the moonks of the house of the holie Trinitie,
otherwise called Christes church in Canturburie, exhibited their complaint
vnto pope Innocent, that their archbishop Hubert (contrarie to his order
and dignitie) exercised the office of high iustice, and sate in iudgement of
bloud, being so incumbred in temporall matters, that he could not haue
time to discharge his office touching spirituall causes: wherevpon the pope
sent vnto king Richard, admonishing him not to suffer the said archbishop
to be any longer troubled with temporall affaires, but to discharge him
thereof, and not to admit any spirituall person from thencefoorth vnto any
temporall administration.
He further prohibited by vertue of their obedience, all manner of prelats
and men of the church, that they should not presume rashlie to take vpon
them any maner of secular function or office. Whervpon the archbishop
was discharged of his office of chéefe iustice, and Geffrey Fitz Peter
succéeded in gouernement of the realme in his stéed. ¶ Geruasius
Dorobernensis saith, that the archbishop resigned that office of his owne
accord, and that not till after his returne from the marshes of Wales, where
he had ouerthrowne the Welshmen, and slaine fiue thousand of them.
Which victorie other ascribe vnto Geffrey Fitz Peter, which Geffrey (as the
said Dorobernensis saith) succeeded the archbishop in the office of lord
cheefe iustice, but not vntill August, in the tenth yeare of the kings reigne.
In this yeare, immediatlie vpon the expiring of the truce which was taken
till haruest might be ended, the warre betwixt the two kings of England &
France began eftsoones to be pursued with like earnestnesse as before:
wherevpon manie encounters chanced betwixt the parties, with taking of
townes and fortresses, as commonlie in such cases it happeneth. Twise the
French king was put to the worsse, once in September betwixt Gamages
and Vernon, where he was driuen to saue himselfe by flight, loosing
twentie knights, and thréescore seruitors or yomen, which were taken,
besides those that were slaine: and againe, in the same moneth on
Michaelmasse euen betwixt Curseilles and Gisors, at what time he came to
succour Curseilles, bringing with him 400 knights, besides seruitors, and a
great multitude of commons. But the castell was woone before he could
approch it.
King Richard being aduertised of his comming, hasted foorth to méet him,
and giuing the onset vpon him, forced him to flée vnto Gisors, where at the
entring of the bridge there was such preasse, that the bridge brake, so that
amongst other, the king himselfe with his horsse and all fell into the riuer
of Geth, and with much adoo was releeued, and got out of the water, no
small number of right hardie and valiant gentlemen being taken at the
same time, which put themselues forward to staie the Englishmen, till the
king was recouered out of the present danger. To conclude, there were
taken to the number of an hundred knights, and two hundred barded
horsses, besides seruitors on horssebacke, and footmen with crossebowes.
Amongst other prisoners these are named, Matthew de Montmorancie,
Gales de Ports, Iollen de Bray, and manie other also innumerable. King
Richard hauing got this victorie, wrote letters thereof vnto the archbishops,
bishops, abbats, earles and barons of his realme, that they might praise God
for his good successe.
¶ A notable example to all princes that haue the conquest ouer their
enimies, to referre the happie getting thereof to God, and to giue praise
vnto him who giueth victorie vnto whom it pleaseth him. Which the
Psalmograph saw verie well, and therefore ascribed all the issue of his
prosperous affaires to God, as may well be noted by his words, saieng
expresselie,
—— ab illoMunior, hic instar turris & arcis erat,Dura manus in bella meas
qui format & armat,Ad fera qui digitos instruit arma meos.
Now will we staie the proceedings of the king of France at this time, and
make no further relation thereof for a while, till we haue touched other
things that happened in England at the same season. And first ye shall
vnderstand, that Hugh Bardolfe, Roger Arundell, and Geffrey Hachet, to
whom as iustices, the counties of Lincolne, Notingham, Yorke, Derbie,
Northumberland, Westmerland, Cumberland, and Lancaster were
appointed for circuits, held not onelie plées of assises, and of the crowne,
but also tooke inquisitions of escheats, and forfaitures of all maner of
transgressions, and of donations of benefices, of marriages of widowes and
maids, and other such like things as apperteined to the king, whereby any
aduantages grew to his vse, the which for tediousnesse we passe ouer.
These things were streightlie looked vnto, not without the disquieting of
manie.
Herewith came an other trouble in the necke of this former, to diuerse
persons within the realme, through inquiries taken by the iustices of the
forrests: for Hugh Neuille, Hugh Waley, and Heruisius Neuill, appointed
iustices itinerants in that case, were commanded by the king to call before
them archbishops, bishops, earles, barons, knights, and fréeholders, with
the reeue, and foure of the substantiall men of euerie towne or village, to
heare and take knowledge of the kings commandement, touching the
ordinances of forrests, the which were verie straight in sundrie points, so
that whereas before those that offended in killing of the kings deere were
punished by the purse, now they should loose their eies and genitals, as the
lawe was in the daies of king Henrie his grandfather: and those that
offended in cutting downe woods or bushes, or in digging and deluing vp
of turues and clods, or by any other maner of waie made waste and
distruction in woods or grasse, or spoile of venison, within the precinct of
the forrests, contrarie to order, they should be put to their fines.
He gaue commandement also, that it should be lawful to the forresters to
take and put vnder arrest, as well préests and those of the cleargie, as
temporall men, being found offendors in forrest grounds and chases.
Manie other ordinances were decréed touching the preseruation of forrests,
and the kings prerogatiue, aduantages and profits rising and growing by
the same, as well for sauing of his woods and wasts, as in pannage and
agistements, greatlie to the restraint of them that might vsurpe or incroch
vpon the grounds within the compasse of his forrests.
Ye haue heard before, how the moonks of Canturburie did send to exhibit a
complaint to the pope, for that their archbishop tooke vpon him to deale in
exercise of matters belonging to a temporall man, and not to such a one as
had rule ouer the spiritualtie: but this was not the cause that did gréeue
them so much, as that he went forward with the erection of that church at
Lameth, which his predecessor archbishop Baldwine had first begun at
Haketon, now called S. Stephans (as before ye haue heard) and after was
driuen through the importunate suit of the moonks to leaue off, and race
that which he had there begun, to obeie the popes pleasure: and after laid a
new foundation at Lameth.
The moonks of Canturburie therefore still fearing least that church should
greatlie preiudice such rights and liberties, as they pretended, namlie in the
election of their archbishop, would neuer rest, but still complained and
followed their suit in most obstinate maner in the court of Rome, as well in
the daies of the said Baldwine, as now against Hubert, (when he tooke in
hand to continue the worke according to the purpose of his predecessour
the said Baldwine, which was to haue instituted a colledge there, and to
haue placed secular canons in the same) and such was the earnest trauell of
the moonks herein, that in the end now after the deceasse of pope
Celestine, they found such fauour at the hands of pope Innocent his
successor, that the same Innocent directed his letters of cōmandement to
the archbishop, and other bishops of this land, to destroie and race the
same foundation, as a péece of worke derogatorie to the sée of Canturburie,
and verie preiudiciall to the estate of holie church.
The archbishop at the first trusted to be borne out by the king (who was
highlie offended with the moonks for their presumptuous dealing) and
therefore refused to obeie the popes commandement. The king in deed
stomached the matter so highlie, that he sent letters vnto the moonks by no
worsse messengers than by Geffrey Fitz Peter, and Hugh Fitz Bardolfe his
iustices, signifieng to them not onelie his high displeasure for their
presumptuous proceedings in their suit without his consent, but also
commanding them to surceasse, and not to procéed further in the matter by
virtue of any such the popes letters, which they had purchased contrarie to
the honour and dignitie of his crowne and realme. Moreouer, he wrote to
the bishops, commanding them to appeale; and to the archbishop,
forbidding him in any wise to breake downe the church which he had so
builded at Lameth.
The shiriffe of Kent also was commanded to seize into his hands all the
tenements and possessions that belonged to the moonks (a frie of satan and
as one saith verie well of them and the like leuen of lewdnesse,
—— sentina malorum,Agnorum sub pelle lupi, mercede colentesNon
pietate Deum, &c.)
who neuer the lesse were so stout in that quarell, that they would not
prolong one daie of the time appointed by the pope for the racing of that
church. Herevpon the king for his part and the bishops in their owne
behalfes wrote to the pope. Likewise the abbats of Boxeley, Fourd,
Stratford, Roberts-bridge, Stanlie, and Basing Warke, wrote the matter to
him: and againe the pope and the cardinals wrote to the king, to the
archbishops, and bishops: and so letters passed to and fro, till at length the
pope sent a Nuncio of purpose, to signifie his full determination, as in the
next yeare it shall be shewed at full.
About the same time Geffrey Fitz Peter, lord cheefe iustice of England,
raised a power of men, and went into Wales to succour the tenants of
William de Brause, which were besieged of the king, or rather prince of
that countrie, named Owen, the brother of Cadwalaine, in Mauds castell:
but the lord chéefe iustice comming to the reskue of them within, gaue
battell to the aduersaries, and vanquishing them slue three thousand of
them, and seauen hundred of those that were taken prisoners and
wounded. And all the while the warres continued in France, the losse for
the most part still redounded to the Frenchmen. Earle John burnt
Newburg, and tooke eighteene knights of such as were sent to the reskue.
The earle of Leicester with a small companie came before the castell of
Pascie, which (although the Frenchmen held it) did yet of right belong vnto
the said earle. The souldiors within issued foorth, and being too strong for
the earle, caused him to flee, for otherwise he had béene taken. But
returning on the morrow after with more companie about him, and laieng
ambushes for the enimie, he approched the said castell, and trained the
Frenchmen foorth till he had them within his danger, and then causing his
men to breake out vpon them tooke an eightéene knights, and a great
multitude of other people. Also Marchades with his rout of Brabanders did
the Frenchmen much hurt, in robbing and spoiling the countries.
About this season the archbishop of Canturburie went ouer into
Normandie to speake with king Richard, and at the French kings request
he passed into France, to common with him of peace, which the French
king offered to conclude, in restoring all the townes and castels which he
had taken (Gisors onelie excepted) and touching the possession and title
thereof, he was contented to put the matter in compremise, to the order
and award of six barons in Normandie to be named by him; and of six
barons in France which king Richard should name. But king Richard
would not thus agrée, except the earle of Flanders and others which had
forsaken the French king to take his part, might be comprised in the same
peace. At length yet in Nouember, there was truce taken betwixt the two
kings till the feast of S. Hilarie next insuing.
In the meane time pope Innocent the third, vnderstanding in what present
danger things stood in the holie land, and on the other side, considering
what a weakening it was vnto christendome, to haue these two kings thus
to warre with mortall hatred one against the other: he thought it stood him
vpon to trauell betwixt them, to bring them vnto some peace and
agreement. Héerevpon he dispatched one Peter the cardinall of Capua into
France, as legat from the sée of Rome, vnto the two foresaid kings, to
instruct them in what present danger the state of the christians in Asia
presentlie stood, so that without the aid of them and of other christian
princes, it could not be holpen, but needs it must come to vtter ruine, and
the Saracens yer long to be possessed of the whole. Therefore both in
respect hereof, and also for the auoiding of the further wilfull spilling of
christian bloud in such ciuill and vngodlie warre, he besought them to staie
their hands, and to ioine in some fréendlie band of concord, whereby they
might with mutuall consent bestow their seruice in that necessarie and
most godlie warre, wherein by ouercomming the enimies of Christ, they
might looke for worthie reward at his hands, which is the frée giuer of all
victories.
The cardinall comming into France, and dooing his message in most
earnest wise, was present at the interuiew appointed betwixt the two kings
in the feast of S. Hilarie, but yet could not he bring his purpose to full
effect: onelie he procured them to take truce for the term of fiue yeares,
farther he could not get them to agrée. ¶ The fault by authors is ascribed
aswell to king Richard, as to king Philip: for king Richard being first euill
vsed, and put to hinderance, determined either to vanquish, or neuer to
giue place.
This forbearance from warre was concluded and taken in the yeare 1199
after the incarnation, and tenth of king Richards reigne. But immediatlie
after, there arose matter of new displeasure betwixt these two kings to
kéepe their minds in vre with secret grudges, though by reason of the truce
they outwardlie absteined from declaring it by force of armes. It chanced
that in the election of a new emperour, the electors could not agrée, one
part of them choosing Otho duke of Saxonie, nephue to king Richard by his
sister Maud, and another part of them naming Philip duke of Tuscaine, and
brother to the last emperour Henrie.
King Richard (as reason was) did procure what fauour he could to the
furtherance of his nephue Otho: and king Philip on the contrarie part, did
what he could in fauour of the foresaid Philip. At length Otho was
admitted by the pope to end the strife: but yet the grudge remained in the
harts of the two kings: Philip finding himselfe much gréeued in that he had
missed his purpose, and Richard being as little pleased for that he had
woone his so hardlie, and with so much adoo. And thus matters passed for
that yeare.
In the beginning of the next, the popes Nuncio came with letters, not onlie
to the archbishop and bishops of England, but also to the king himselfe,
signifieng the popes resolute decree touching the church and colledge of
Lameth to be broken downe and suppressed. Wherevpon the king and
archbishop (though sore against their willes) when they saw no waie
longer to shift off the matter, yéelded to the popes pleasure: and so the
archbishop sent his letters to Lameth, where the 21 daie of Januarie they
were read, and the 27 daie of the same moneth was the church cast downe,
& the canons which were alreadie these placed, had commandement to
depart from thence without further delaie. Thus the moonks in dispite of
the king and archbishop had their willes, but yet their vexation ceassed not,
for the king and archbishop bearing them no small euill will, for that they
had so obteined their purpose contrarie to their minds and intents,
molested them diuerse waies, although the moonks still vpon complaint to
the pope, were verie much releeued, and found great freendship both with
him and likewise with his court. ¶ So that it may be obserued that these
dishclouts of the popes kitchen haue in all ages, since their first quickening
béene troublesome and mutinous, sawcie and insolent, proud and
malapert. But,
Proh pudor! hos tolerare potest ecclesia porcos,Cùm sint lasciui nimiùm,
nimiúmq; superbi,Duntaxàt ventri, veneri somnóq; vacantes?
In this meane time, king Richard being now at rest from troubles of warre,
studied busilie to prouide monie, meaning to make a new voiage into the
holie land. Therefore finding himselfe beare of treasure, by reason of the
French warres had emptied his cofers, he set a great tax vpon his subiects,
and by that meanes, hauing recouered a great summe, he builded that
notable strong castell in Normandie, vpon the banke of the riuer of Saine,
named Chateau Galiard: which when it was finished he fell a iesting
thereat and said; "Behold, is not this a faire daughter of one yeares growth."
The soile where this castell was builded, belonged to the archbishop of
Rouen, for which there followed great strife betwixt the king and the
archbishop, till the pope tooke vp the matter (as before ye haue heard.)
After this, he determined to chastise certeine persons in Poictou, which
during the warres betwixt him and the French king, had aided the
Frenchmen against him: wherevpon with an armie he passed foorth
towards them, but by the waie he was informed, that one Widomer a
vicount in the countrie of Britaine, had found great treasure: and therefore
pretending a right thereto by vertue of his prerogatiue, he sent for the
vicount, who smelling out the matter, and supposing the king would not
be indifferent in parting the treasure, fled into Limosin, where although the
people were tributaries to the king of England, yet they tooke part with the
French king.
There is a towne in that countrie called Chalus Cheuerell, into which the
said vicount retired for safegard of himselfe, and then gaue the townesmen
a great portion of treasure, to the end they should defend him and his
quarell for the rest. King Richard still following him, as one that could not
auoid his fatall ordinance, hasted into the confines of Limosin, fullie
determining either to win the towne by force, if the inhabitants should
make resistance, or at leastwise, to get into his hands the preie, which he so
earnestlie pursued. At his first approch he gaue manie fierce assaults to the
towne, but they within hauing throughlie prouided aforehand for to
defend a siege, so resisted his attempts, that within thrée daies after his
comming, he ceassed to assaile the towne, meaning to vndermine the
walles, which otherwise he perceiued would verie hardlie be gotten;
considering the stoutnesse of them within, and withall, the naturall
strength and situation of the place it selfe.
Herevpon therefore on the 26 of March, whiles he (togither with capteine
Marchades) went about vnaduisedlie to view the towne (the better to
consider the place which waie he might conueie the course of his mine)
they came so farre within danger, that the king was stricken in the left
arme, or (as some write) in the shoulder, where it ioined to the necke, with
a quarell inuenomed (as is to be supposed by the sequele.) Being thus
wounded, he gat to his horsse, and rode home againe to his lodging, where
he caused the wound to be searched and bound vp, and as a man nothing
dismaid therewith, continued his siege with such force and assurance, that
within 12 daies after the mishap, the towne was yéelded vnto him,
although verie little treasure (to make any great accompt of) was at that
time found therein.
In this meane season, the king had committed the cure of his wound to one
of Marchades his surgions, who taking in hand to plucke out the quarell,
drew foorth onelie the shaft at the first, and left the iron still within, and
afterwards going about most vnskilfullie to get foorth the head of the said
quarell, he vsed such incisions, and so mangled the kings arme, yer he
could cut it, that he himself despaired of all helpe and longer life, affirming
flatlie to such as stood about him, that he could not long continue by
reason of his butcherlie handling. To be short féeling himselfe to wax
weaker and weaker, preparing his mind to death, which he perceiued now
to be at hand, he ordeined his testament, or rather reformed and added
sundrie things vnto the same which he before had made, at the time of his
gooing foorth towards the holie land.
Vnto his brother Iohn he assigned the crowne of England, and all other his
lands and dominions, causing the Nobles there present to sweare fealtie
vnto him. His monie, his iewels, and all other his goods mooueable he
willed to be diuided into thrée parts, of the which Otho the emperor his
sisters sonne to haue one, his houshold seruants an other part, and the
third to be distributed to the poore. Finallie remembring himselfe also of
the place of his buriall, he commanded that his bodie should be interred at
Fonteurard at his fathers feet, but he willed his heart to be conueied vnto
Rouen, and there buried, in testimonie of the loue which he had euer borne
vnto that citie for the stedfast faith and tried loialtie at all times found in
the citizens there. His bowels he ordeined to be buried in Poictiers, as in a
place naturallie vnthankefull and not worthie to reteine any of the more
honorable parts of his bodie.
Moreouer he caused the arcubalistar that wounded him, to be sought out,
whose name was Barthram de Garden, or Peter Basill (for so he named
himselfe as some write) who being brought before the king, he demanded
wherein he had so much offended him, that he should so lie in wait to slea
him, rather than Marchades, who was then in his companie, and attendant
on his person? The other answered boldlie againe, saieng; "I purposed to
kill thee, bicause thou sluest my father, and two of my brethren heretofore,
and wouldest also now haue slaine me, if I had happened to fall into thy
hands. Wherefore I intended to reuenge their deaths, not caring in the
meane time what became of my selfe, so that I might in anie wise obteine
my will of thée, who in such sort hast bereft me of my freends." The king
harkening vnto his words, and pondering his talke by good aduisement,
fréelie pardoned him, and withall commanded that he should be set at
libertie, and thereto haue an hundred shillings giuen him in his pursse, and
so to be let go. Moreouer, he gaue strait charge that no man should hurt
him, or séeke any reuenge for this his death hereafter. Thus the penitent
prince not onelie forgaue, but also rewarded his aduersarie. Howbeit after
his deceasse, Marchades getting him into his hands, first caused the skin to
be stripped off his bodie, and after hanged him on a gibit.
At length king Richard by force of sicknesse (increased with anguish of his
incurable wound) departed this life, on the tuesdaie before Palmesundaie,
being the ninth of Aprill, and the xj. daie after he was hurt, in the yeare
after the birth of our Sauiour 1199. in the 44 yeare of his age, and after he
had reigned nine yeares, nine moneths, and od daies: he left no issue
behind him. He was tall of stature, and well proportioned, faire and
comelie of face, so as in his countenance appeared much fauour and
grauitie, of haire bright aborne, as it were betwixt red and yellow, with
long armes, and nimble in all his ioints his thighes and legs were of due
proportion, and answerable to the other parts of his bodie.
As he was comelie of personage, so was he of stomach more couragious
and fierce, so that not without cause, he obteined the surname of Cueur de
lion, that is to saie, The lions hart. Moreouer he was courteous to his
souldiors, and towards his fréends and strangers that resorted vnto him
verie liberall, but to his enimies hard and not to be intreated, desirous of
battell, an enimie to rest and quietnesse, verie eloquent of speech and wise,
but readie to enter into ieopardies, and that without feare or forecast in
time of greatest perils.
These were his vertuous qualities, but his vices (if his vertues, his age, and
the wars which he mainteined were throughlie weied) were either none at
all, or else few in number, and not verie notorious. He was noted of the
common people to be partlie subiect vnto pride, which surelie for the most
part foloweth stoutnesse of mind: of incontinencie, to the which his youth
might happilie be somewhat bent: and of couetousnesse, into the which
infamie most captieins and such princes as commonlie follow the warres
doo oftentimes fall, when of the necessitie they are driuen to exact monie,
as well of fréends as enimies, to mainteine the infinit charges of their wars.
Hereof it came, that on a time whiles he soiourned in France about his
warres, which he held against K. Philip, there came vnto him a French
préest whose name was Fulco, who required the K. in any wise to put from
him thrée abhominable daughters which he had, and to bestow them in
marriage, least God punished him for them. Thou liest hypocrite (said the
king) to thy verie face, for all the world knoweth that I haue not one
daughter. I lie not (said the préest) for thou hast thrée daughters, one of
them is called pride, the second couetousnesse, and the third lecherie. With
that the king, called to him his lords & barons, and said to them; "This
hypocrite heere hath required me to marrie awaie my thrée daughters,
which (as he saith) I cherish, nourish, foster and mainteine, that is to say
pride, couetousnesse, and lecherie. And now that I haue found out
necessarie & fit husbands for them, I will doo it with effect, and seeke no
more delaies. I therefore bequeath my pride to the high minded templers
and hospitallers, which are as proud as Lucifer himselfe. My couetousnesse
I giue vnto the white moonks, otherwise called of the Cisteaux order, for
they couet the diuell and all. My lecherie I commit to the prelates of the
church, who haue most pleasure and felicitie therein."
There liued in the daies of this king Richard, men of worthie fame amongst
those of the cleargie, Baldwine archbishop of Canturburie, and Hubert who
succeeded him in that sée, also Hugh bishop of Lincolne, a man for his
worthinesse of life highlie to be commended. Moreouer, William bishop of
Elie, who though otherwise he was to be dispraised for his ambition and
pompous hautinesse, yet the king vsed his seruice for a time greatlie to his
profit and aduancement of the publike affaires. Also of learned men we
find diuerse in these daies that flourished here in this land, as Baldwine of
Deuonshire that came to the bishop of Worcester in this kings time, and
after his deceasse, he was aduanced to the gouernment of the archbishops
sée of Canturburie, who wrote diuerse treatises, namelie of matters
perteining to diuinitie. Daniell Morley well seene in the Mathematicals,
Iohn de Hexam, and Richard de Hexham two notable historicians;
Guilielmus Stephanides a moonke of Canturburie, who wrote much in the
praise of archbishop Becket. Beside these, we find one Richard, that was an
abbat of the order Premonstratensis, Richard Diuisiensis, Nicholas
Walkington, Robert de Bello Foco, an excellent philosopher, &c. ¶ See Bale
in his third Centurie.
In martiall renowme there flourished in this kings daies diuerse noble
capteines, as Robert earle of Leicester, Ranulfe de Fulgiers, two of the
Bardulphes, Hugh and Henrie, thrée Williams, Marshall, Brunell, and
Mandeuill, with two Roberts, Ros and Sabeuile. Furthermore, I find that in
the daies of this king Richard, a great derth reigned in England, and also in
France, for the space of three or foure yeares during the wars betwéene him
& king Philip, so that after his returne out of Germanie, and from
imprisonment, a quarter of wheat was sold at 18 shillings eight pence, no
small price in those daies, if you consider the alay of monie then currant.
Also immediatlie after, that is to say, in the yeare of our Lord, a thousand,
one hundred, nintie six, which was about the seuenth yere of the said kings
reigne, there followed a maruellous sore death, which dailie consumed
such numbers of people, that scarse there might be found any to kéepe and
looke to those that were sicke, or to burie them that died. Which sickenesse
was a pestilentiall feuer or sharpe burning ague. The accustomed manner
of buriall was also neglected: so that in manie places they made great pits,
and threw their dead bodies into the same, one vpon an other. For the
multitude of them that died was such, that they could not haue time to
make for euerie one a seuerall graue. This mortalitie continued for the
space of fiue or six months, and at length ceassed in the cold season of
winter.
In the octaues of Pentecost before this great death, in the first houre of the
day, there appeared two sunnes, the true sunne & another, as it were a
counterfeit sunne: but so apparentlie, that hard it was to the common
people, to discerne the one from the other. The skilfull also were compelled
by instruments to distinguish the one from the other: in taking their
altitudes and places, whereby in the end they found the new apparition, as
it were, to wait vpon the planet, and so continued by the space of certeine
houres. At length when the beholders (of whom Wil. Paruus that recorded
things in that age was one) had well wearied their eies in diligent marking
the maner of this strange appearance, the counterfeit sunne vanished
awaie.
This strange woonder was taken for a signification of that which followed,
that is to say, of war, famine and pestilence: or to say the truth, it
betokened rather the continuance of two of those mischiefs. For warre and
famine had sore afflicted the people before that time, and as yet ceassed
not: but as for the pestilence, it began soone after the strange sight, whereof
insued such effect, as I haue alreadie rehearsed.