A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government

Of Acts done after He came of Age.

THe Scots in this mean time had made Roades into England, and taken and burnt divers Towns upon the Borders: whereupon the Duke of Lancaster, with his Brother the Earl of Buckingham, is sent with a mighty Army to repress them; but having entered Scotland, and not able to draw the Scots to a Battle, they only burnt certain Towns, and then returned.

About this time an Irish Frier, of the Order of the Carmelites, charged the Duke of Lancaster with heinous crimes • as that he intended to destroy the King, and us • rpe the Crown; showing the time, the place, and other circumstances of the whole plot. But the Duke called to his Answer, so cleared himself, a • least gave such colors of clearing, that the Accuser was committed to the custody of John Holland the kings half-brother, till a day appointed for further trial: The ni • ht before which day, the said Lord Holland and Sir Henry Green are said to have come to this Frier, and putting a cord about his neck, tied the other end about his privy members; and after hanging him up from the ground, laid a stone upon his belly, with the weight whereof his very back-bone burst asunder; thereby putting him to a most tormenting death: An act not more inhumane then unadvised; for though it took away the Accuser, yet it made the Accusation more suspicious.

At this time, though a Truce had been made with the Scots, yet they would not be quiet, but entered and won the Castle of Barwick, whereof the Earl of Northumberland was Captain, but had committed the keeping of it to another; for which being blamed, he went against them with an Army, but took an easier course, for with the sum of two thousand marks he bought them out, and had the Castle surrend • ed into his hands again. The king upon some new displeasure, being now incensed against the Duke of Lancaster, had a purpose to have him arrested, and arraigned of certain points of Treason, before Sir Robert Tresilian Chief Justice, though he ought to be tried by his Peers: but the Duke having intimation hereof • got him to his Castle of Pomfret, and stood upon his guard; till the Kings mother, (notwithstanding her indisposition of body, by reason of her corpulency) riding to and fro betwixt them, pacified the King, and made them friends.

In the ninth year of K. Richards Reign, the French -king sent the Admiral of France into Scotland, with a Thousand men of Arms, besides Cross-bows and others, to aid the Scots against the English ; with which aid the Scots encouraged, enter the English Borders: whereof K. Richard advertised, himself with a mighty Army enters Scotland ; and coming to Edingborough, and finding all the people fled • he set fire on the houses, burnt the Church of S. Giles, only Holy-Rood-house was spared at the Duke of Lancasters suit, in remembrance of friendship he had formerly received in that house. The Scots by no means could be drawn to any Battle; bu • to divert the Kings Army, they entered Cumberland, and besieged Carlisle, whereby the valor of Sir Lewis Clifford and Sir Thomas Musgrave they were repelled; and hearing of the Kings Army coming towards them, and fearing to be enclosed, they drew back into Scotland, and the King returned into England. But in this mean while, the English of Calais took many prizes of French ships at Sea, and many Booties also by land; at one time four thousand sheep, and three hundred head of great Cattle. This year the King called a Parliament at Westminster, where he created two Dukes, one Marquess, and five Earls: Edmund of Langly Earl of Cambridge, the Kings Uncle, was created Duke of York: Thomas of Woodstock Earl of Buckingham, his other Uncle, Duke of Gloucester: Robert Veere Earl of Oxford, was made Marquess of Dublin: Henry of Bullingbrooke son of John of Gaunt, was created Earl of Darby: Edward Plantagenet son to the Duke of York, was made Earl of Rutland: Michael de la Poole Chancellor of England, was created Earl of Suffolk : and Thomas Mowbray Earl of Nottingham, was made Earl Marshall. Also by a • thority of this Parliament, Roger Mortimer Earl of March, son and heir of Edmund Mortimer, and of the Lady Philip eldest daughter and heir to Lionell Duke of Clarence third son to king Edward the Third, was established heir apparent to the Crown of the Realm, and shortly after so Proclaimed: but going into Ireland to his Lordship of Vlster, was there by the wild Irish slain. This Roger Earl of March had issue, Edmund, Roger, Anne, Alice, and Eleanor ; which Eleanor was made a Nun: The two sons died without issue: Anne his eldest daughter, was married to Richard Earl of Cambridge, son to Edmund of Langley ; which Richard had issue by the said Anne, a son called Richard, that was after Duke of York, and father to king Edward the Fourth; also a daughter named Isabel, married to the Lord Bourchier. Also this year Henry of Bullingbrooke Earl of Darby, married the daughter and heir of Humphrey Bohun Earl of Hereford ; in whose Right he was after made Duke of Hereford.

This year also K. Richard holding his Christmas at Eltham, Leo king of Armenia came thither to him; who in fear to have his kingdom conquered by the Turks, was come into Christendom to seek for aid: but his chief Errand into England was, to have procured a Peace between the two kings of England and Fran • e ; but their spleenes were so great against one another, that it was not in the physic of hi • Power to cure them.

At this time, the Duke of Lancaster, taking with him his wife the Lady Const • nce, and a daughter he had by her named Katherine, and two other daughters which he had by his former wife, failed into Spain : he was attended in his journey with the Lord Lucie, the Lord Talbot, the Lord Basset, Willoughby, Fitzwater, Poy • ings, Br •• ston, and many other Lord's and knights, to the number of fifteen hundred men of Arms; whereof a thousand at the least were knights and Esquires. The king at his taking leave gave him a Crown of Gold, and commanded he should be called king of Spain : and the Queen likewise gave another Crown of Gold to the Dutche •• e. He landed first at Brest, and freed that Castle from the French: from thence he sailed, and arrived at the Groyne in Spain, where he remained a month; and then went to Compostella, where he stayed a while: In which time, his Constable Sir John Holl •• d won divers Towns. At Monson, the king of Portingale, and the Duke of L •• caster met; where a marriage was concluded between the said king of Portingale and the Lady Philip daughter to the Duke • which marriage shortly after was consummated, and the Lady sent into Portingale honorably accompanied. The Duke continued at Co • postella all the winter: At March the king of Portingale and he en •• ed the Confines of Castile, where they took many Towns; and passing over the River of Dure, entered into the Country De Campo : But the Spaniards not willing to come to a Battle, but meaning to weary them out with delays; the English not used • o such hot air, fell daily into many diseases: which the Duke seeing, accorded • o a Truce. There died in this action, the Lord Fi • zwater, Sir Richard Burley • • night of the Garter, the Lord Poynings, and Sir Henry Percy Cosin-german to the E •• le of Northumberland, also the Lord Talbot ; and in all, twelve great Lord's fourscore • nights, two hundred Esquires, and of the meaner sort above five hundred. When the Army was broken up, the Duke of Lancaster, and the Dutche • se his wife went into Portingale ; and after some stay there, they sailed to Bayon, in the Marches of Gascoigne, where he rested a long time after: In which mean while, there were offers made for a Marriage to be had, between the Duke of Berry, Uncle to the Fr •• ch king, and the Lady Ka • herine, daughter to the Duke of Lancaster: which the king of Spain understanding, he began to doubt, least if that marriage went forward, it might turn to his disadvantage; and thereupon by earnest suit, at length conc • uded a peace with the Duke of Lancaster, on this wise, That his eldest son He • ry should marry the the Lady Katherine, the Duke of Lancasters daughter, and be entitled Prince of Austurg • s ; and in consideration of this marriage, and that all claims should cease, which the Duke in right of his wife might challenge or pretend • It was agreed, that the said Duke should receive yearly the sum of Ten thous • nd marks, during the lives of him and his Duchess; and to have in hand the sum of two hundred thousand Nobles.

At this time, the French had a purpose to invade England, with no less a hope then to make a Conquest: and to that end, they prepared a mighty Navy; so as in the month of September, there were numbered about Sluis, Dam, and Bla • kerk • , 1 • 87 ships, besides those which were rigged in Britain by the Constable, who had caused an inclosure of a Field to be made of Timber, that when they were landed in E • gland, they might therewith inclose their field, and so lodge at more surety: but it so fortuned, that the Lord William Beauchampe Captain of Calais, took two of their ships, whereof one was laden with a piece of the said Inclosure; and after that, • nother ship, laden with Guns, Gunpowder, and other Instruments of war; and after that again, two ships more, laden with parcels of the said Inclosure, which K. • ichard caused to be reared and set up about Winchelsey Town: at last the foresaid Army came into Flanders, and arrived at Sluis ; where, after some stay, they were so distressed for victuals, that in the end of November, they were glad to be gone, and return into France.

At this time, in a Parliament, Robert Veere Earl of Oxford and Marques of Dublin, was created Duke of Ireland ; and Michael de la Poole, a Merchants son, had lately before been created E. of Suffolk, and made Chancellor of England. And now begins K. Richard to enter, I may say, upon the confines of his Destiny: His gracing of undeserving men, and disgracing of men deserving, if they were not the causes, they were at least the occasions of his own disgracing, and destruction in the end. He was now come to be of full age to do all himself; which was indeed to be of full age to undo himself: for the faults of his younger years might have the excuse to be but Errors; but the faults of the age he was now at, were peremp • ory against him, and admitted no defense. And to hasten the pace of his destiny the faster, the ill Counsel which before was but whispered in his ear, was now scarce forborne to be given him aloud: It is told him, that he is under tuition no longer, and therefore not to be control'd, as in former times he had been; That to be crossed of his will by his subjects, was to be their subject; It is no Sovereignty, if it be not absolute. At the instigation of which Counsel, the king in a Parliament now assembled, fell to expostulate with his Lord's, asking them what years they thought him to be 〈◊〉 who answering, that he was somewhat more then one and twenty; Well, then (sa •• he) I am out of Wardship, and therefore look to enjoy my kingdom as freely, 〈◊〉 yourselves at the like years enjoy your Patrimonies. But his flattering Favori •• should have remembered, that though the king may not be controlled, where he ca • command; yet he may be opposed, where he can but demand; as now indeed he wa • for when he came to demand a Subsidy towards his wars, he was answered, That he needed no subsidy from his Subjects, if he would but call in the debts which th • Chancellor owed him: and if he were so tender of him, that he could not find i • his heart to do it himself, they would do that work for him: and thereupo • charged him with such crimes, that all his goods were confiscate, and himself adjudged to die, if the king so pleased: though some write, his sentence was only to pay a Fine of twenty thousand marks, and a thousand pounds yearly beside. Upo • this provocation, the opposite side seek present revenge: It is devised, that the Duke of Gloucester as principal, and other Lord's that crossed the kings courses, should be invited to a Supper in London, and there be murdered. In the execu •• on of which plot, the former Lord Major, Sir Nicolas Brember, had a special hand • but the present Major Rich • rd Exton, moved to it by the king, would by no mean •• consent; and thereupon the plot proceeded not. But for all these harsh strains, and many such other that passed this Parliament, a Subsidy was at length granted to the king, of half a Tenth, and half a Fifteenth; but with condition, that 〈◊〉 should not be issued but by order from the Lord's, and the Earl of Arund • ll was appointed to receive it. But before this time, both Houses had directly agreed, that unless the Chancellor were removed, they would meddle no further in the P •• liament. The king advertised hereof, sent to the Commons, that they should se •• unto Eltham (where he then lay) forty of their House, to declare their minds 〈◊〉 him: but upon conference of both Houses, it was agreed, that the Duke of Glo •• st • r, and Thomas Arundell Bishop of Eli, should in the name of the Parliament go unto him: who coming to the king, declared, That by an old Statute, the king once a year might lawfully summon his Court of Parliament, for reformation of all corruptions and enormities within the Realm: and further declared, That by an old Ordinance also it was Enacted, That if the king should absent himself 40 days not being sick, the Houses might lawfully break up, and return home. At this the king is said to say, Well, we perceive our people go about to rise against us, and therefore we think we cannot do better then to ask aid of our Cosin the king of France, and rather submit us to him then to our own Subjects. To which the Lord • answered, They wondered at this opinion of his Majesty, seeing the French king was the ancient Enemy of the kingdom; and he might remember what mischiefs were brought upon the Realm in king John's time, by such a course. By these and the like persuasions, the king was induced to come to the Parliament: and soon after, John Fortham Bishop of Durham is discharged of his Office of Lord Treasurer; and in his place was appoint • d John • Gilber • Bishop of Hereford, a Frier of the order of Preachers: also Michael de la P •• le Earl of Suffolk, is discharged of his Office of Chancellor; and Thomas Aru • dell Bishop of Eli, by consent of Parliament, placed in his room. Also by Order of Parliament, thirteen Lord's were chosen to have oversight, under the king, of the w • ole government of the Realm: of which thirteen, there were three of the New-Officers named; as the Bishop of Eli Lord Chancellor, the Bishop of Hereford Lord Treasurer, and Nicolas Abbot of W • ltham Lord keeper of the Privy Seal: The other ten were, William Archbishop of C •• terbury, Alexander Archbishop of York, Edmund of L • ngley Duke of York, Thoma • Duke of Gloucester, William Bishop of Winchester, Thomas Bishop of Exeter, Rich • rd Earl of Arundell, Richard Lord Scr •• pe, and John Lord Devereux. But this participation of the Government being found inconvenient, held not long. Also in this Parliament, it was granted, that Robert de Veere, lately created Duke of Ireland, should have & receive to his own use 30000. marks, which the French-men were to give for the heirs of • he Lord Charles de Bl • ys: but it was granted upon • his condition • That before the next Easter he should pass over into Ireland, to recover such lands as the King had there given him: so desirous the Lord's and Commons were to have him removed from the Kings presence. But though the King gave way to this torrent of the Parliament for the present, yet as soon as the Parliament was dissolved, he dissolved also all that had been done, either against the Lord Chancellor, or against the Duke of Ireland, or against Alexander Nevill Archbishop of York ; and received them into more favor then ever he had done before.

In his Tenth year, about the Beginning of March, Richard Earl of Arundell appointed Admiral, and Thomas Mowbray Earl of Nottingham, the Earl of Devonshire, and the Bishop of Norwich, went to Sea, with a warlike power of men and • rmes, to watch for the Fleet of Flanders, that was ready to come from Rochell with wines; and meeting with them, they set upon them: and took of them, to the number of a hundred Vessels, all fraught with wines; so as wine grew so plentiful, that it was sold for thirteen shillings four pence the Tonne; and the best and choicest for twenty shillings. Besides this, they landed in Flanders, where they relieved and fortified Brest, and demolished two Forts which the Enemy had built against it. But this happy service of the Earl of Arundell ; the Duke of Ireland, the Earl of Suffolk, Sir Simon Burley, and Sir Richard Sturrey, who continued still about the King, seemed rather to envy, then to commend; insomuch that when the Earl of Nottingham, that had ever been the Kings play fellow, and of equal age to him, came to the Court, he was neither received by the Duke of Ireland with any good welcome, nor by the King with any good countenance: and therefore indeed, not by the King with any good Countenance, because not by the Duke of Ireland with any good Welcome.

About this time; the Duke of Ireland sought to be divorced from his lawful wife, daughter to the Lady Isabel, one of king Edward the third's daughters; and took to wife one Lancerona a Vintners daughter of Bohemia, one of the Queens maids: at which indignity, the Duke of Gloucester, that was unkle to the Lady thus forsaken, took great displeasure; which the Duke of Ireland understanding, studied how by some means he might dispatch the Duke of Gloucester out of the way. Easter was now past, the time appointed for the D. of Ireland's going over into Ireland ; when the King, with a show to bring him to the waters side, went with him into Wales, and in his company, Michael de la Poole Earl of Suffolk, Robert Tresilian L. Chie • Justice, and divers others; who there consulted how they might di • patch the Duke of Gloucester, the Earls of Arundel, Warwick, D • rby, Nottingham, with divers others of that Faction: but when the King had remained in those parts a good while, he returned, and brought back the Duke of Ireland with him; and so his voyage into Irel •• d was clean forgotten. About the same time, Robert Tresilian Chief Justice came to Coventry, where he Indicted two thousand persons. The King and the Queen came to Groby ; and thither came by his Commandment the Justices of the Re •• me, Robert Belknap Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, John Holt, R • ger Fulthorpe, and William Borough, knights: to whom it was propounded, to an • wer to these Questions following:

• First, Whether the New Statute and Commission made in the last Parliament, were against the kings Prerogative, or no? To which they all answered, It was.
• Secondly, How they ought to be punished, that procured the said Statute and Commission to be made? They answered with one assent, that they deserved death, except the king would pardon them.
• Thirdly, How they ought to be punished who moved the King to consent to the making of the said Statute and Commission? They answered, They ought to lose their lives, unless the King would pardon them.
• Fourthly, How they ought to be punished, that come • elled the king to the making of that Statute? They answered, They ought to suffer as Traitours.
• Fifthly, Whether the king might cause the Parliament to proceed upon Articles by him limited, before they proceeded to any other? They answered, That in this the king • hold over-rule; and if any presumed to do contrary, he was to be punished as a Traitour.
• Sixthly, Whether the king might not at his pleasure dis • olve the Parliament, and command the Lord's and Commons to depart? They all answered, He might.
• Seventhly, Whether the Lord's and Commons might, without the kings will, impeach Officers and Justices upon their offenses, in Parliament, or no? It was answered, They might not; and he that attempted contrary, was to suffer as a Traitour?
• Eighthly, How he is to be punished, who moved in the Parliament, that the Statute wherein Edward the Second was indicted in Parliament, might be sent for; by i • spection of which Statute, that present Statute was de • ised? It was answered, That as well he that moved it, as he that brought the 〈◊〉 into the House, were to be punished as Traitours?
• Ninthly, Whether the Judgment given in Parliament against Michael de la Po • le were erroneous and revocable? They answered, It was erroneous and revocable • and that if the Judgment were now to be given, the Justices would not give the same.
  In witness of the Premises, the Justices aforesaid, to these Presents have set their Seals; in the presence of Alexander Archbishop of York, Rob •• t Arcbishop of Dublin, John Bishop of Durham, Thomas Bishop of Chester, John Bishop of •• ng • r, Robert Duke of Ireland, Michael Earl of Suffolk, John Ripon Clerk, and John Blake.

At this time the Londoners incurred much obloquy; For, having before been pardoned by the king of some crime • • aid to their charge, they were now ready to comply with the king in his desires; and thereupon being impannelled, they indicted some Lord's of many crimes informed against them. But not only the Justices aforesaid, but all other Justices and Sheriffs of the Realm were called at this time to Nottingham : the chief cause was, to understand what power of men they could assure the king of, to serve him against the Lord's: and further, that where he mean • shortly to call a Parliament, they should so use the matter, that no knight or Burgess should be chosen, but such as the King and his Council should name. To which the Sheriffs made answer, that it lay not in their power to assemble any forces against the Lord's, who were so well beloved: And as for choosing knights and Burgesses, the Commons would undoubtedly look to enjoy their ancient liberties, and could not be hin • ered. But yet the king and the Duke of Ireland sent into all parts of the Realm, to raise men in this quarrel against the Lord's: Whereof the Duke of Gloucester being advertised, he came secretly to Conference with the Earls of Arundell, Warwick, and Darby ; who upon consultation, determined to talk with the king, with their Forces about them: and the king, on the other part, took advice how he might apprehend them apart; and thereupon, sent the Earl of Northumberland and others to the Castle of Rygate, to take the Earl of Arundell, who lay there at that time: but howsoever it fortuned, they fa •• ed of their purpose. After this, he sent others to apprehend him: but he being warned by a messenger from the Duke of Gloucester, conveyed himself away by night; and by morning was come to Haringey -Park, where he found the Duke of Gloucester and the Earl of Warwick, with a great power of men about them. The king hearing of this Assembly at Hari • gey -Park, called his Council, to hear their opinions what was fit to be done: Some were of opinion, that the king should assemble his friends, and joining them with the Londoners, give them battle; the chiefest of this mind was the Archbishop of York: Others thought best, the king should seek to appease the Lord's with fair promises, till a fitter opportunity to suppress them. But the king not yet resolved what course to take, caused only order to be taken, that no Citizen of Lond • n should sell to the Duke of Gloucester, the Earl of Arundell, or to any other of the Lord's, any armor or furniture of war, under a great pain. But for all this, the Lord's proceeded in their course, and sent the Arcbishop of Canterbury, the Lord John Lovell, the Lord Cobham, and the Lord John Devereux, requiring to have delivered to them such as were about the king, that were Traitours and Seducers both of him and the Realm: and further to declare, that their Assembling was for the honor and wealth both of him and the kingdom. The Duke of Ireland, the Earl of Suffolk, and two or three other about the king, per • wad • d him to offer Call •• to the king of France, to have his assistance against the Lord's. Withall, the king seat to the Major of London, requiring to know how many able men the City could make? To which the Major answered, that he thought it could make Fifty thousand men at an hours warning. Well then (said the king) go and prove what will be done. But when the Major went about it, he was answered, They would never fight against the kings friends, and defenders of the Realm. At the same time, the Earl of Northumberland said to the king: Sir, there is no doubt but these Lord's have always been, and still are your true and faithful subjects, though now distempered by certain persons about you, that seek to oppress them: therefore my advice is, that you send to them, to come before your presence in some public place; and I verily believe, they will show such reasons of their doings, that you will hold them excused. The Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of Eli Lord Chancellor, and other of the Bishops there present, approved all of the Earls advice: whereupon the king sent the Archb • shop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of Eli to the Lord's, requiring them to come to him to Westminster, on Sunday then next following: which, upon oath given by the Archbishop and the Chancellor, that no fraud nor evil practice should be used against them, they were content to do. But when the Lord's were ready to come at the day appointed, they heard of an Ambush laid to entrap them at the Mewes, and thereupon stayed, so as they came not at the time appointed: Whereupon, the king asking why they came not according to their promise? It was answered, because he kept not his promise, there being an Ambush of a Thousand armed men laid to surp • ize them at the Mewes. The king hearing this was astonied, and swore he knew of no such thing, and commanded presently the place should be searched, but it was true; an ambush was laid, but not at the Mewes, but in a place a • out Westminster, where Sir Thomas Tryvet and Sir Nicholas Brember had assembled them. This one action might have made the king sensible of his favorites abusing his authority; but that where affection makes the construction, all things are taken in a good sense; or was it perhaps they had a Warrant dormant, to prosecute the kings ends without the kings knowledge? Yet the Lord's after this, receiving a safe conduct from the king, came to Westminster ; of whose coming when the king heard, he appareled himself in his royal-Robes, and with his Scepter in his hand, came into the great Hall; before whom, the Lord's upon their knees presented themselves, the king bidding them welcome, and taking each of them by the hand; Then the lord Chancellor making a speech, wherein he blamed them for raising of Arms, and requiring to know the cause; they answered, They had done it for the good of the King and kingdom, and to take away the Tra • tors about the King. Upon this the king himself spake, asking him whether they thought to compel him by strong hand? have not I (saith he) sufficient men to beat you down? truly in this behalf I make no more account of you then of the basest skullion in my kytchin; yet after these great words, he lift up the Duke of Gloucester, who all this while was kneeling, and commanded the rest also to rise, and then led them courteously to his chamber, where they sat and drank together: And finally it was concluded they should all meet again, as well these Lord's, as those they accused, at the next Parliament; which the king promised to call speedily, and each party to receive there according to Justice, and in the mean time all parties to be in the kings protection. But when the Favorite Lord's heard this, they told the king plainly, they neither durst nor would put themselves to the hazard of such a meeting, and therefore the Duke of Ireland and the rest of that faction left the Court to be out of the way: But the king not enduring their abs • nce, app • l • ted Thomas Mollineux Constable of • he castle of Chester, to raise an Army, and to safe-conduct the duke of Ireland to him; But •• ey being come as far as Radcoat -bridge, were encoun • red by the Earl of Darby ; and the Duke of Ireland, not d • ring to join battle with him, fled; and being to pass a River, cast away his gantlets and sword (to be the more nimble) and giving his horse the spur, leapt into the river, and so escaped; that when these things were afterwards found, it was verily thought he had been drowned, till news came he was got into Holland, where being no very welcome guest, he went from thence into the Bishopric of Vtricht, and after two or three years scambling about in manner of a fugitive, at Lovaine in Brabant he ended his life. A man of many good parts, and worthy enough of his Princes favor, if with that favor he had not grown proud, and in that pride, injurious and insulting over others no less deserving then himself. He was valiant enough against any man but the Earl of D • rby, and of him indeed both the Genius of the Duke of Ireland, and of King Richard himself seemed to stand in fear, for neither of them durst meet him in the field, though encouraged to it by those about them.

About this time the Duke of Suffolk doubting some plots laid to surprise him, fled over to C • llis in disguise, shaving his beard, and counterfeiting himself a Poulterer, to sell certain foul which he had gotten; but being come to Calais, was by the Lord William Beauchampe, Deputy of the Town, sent back into England, whom the King notwithstanding permited to go at large, to make it be thought he was more afraid then hurt, more suspicious then he needed By this time the Lord's h • d gotten matter enough against the King, at least to justify their Arms, and thereupon with an Army of forty thousand men, they came to London, where after some debate, they were received; and then the Duke of Gloucester, the Earls of Darby and Nottingham went to the King in the Tower; to whom, after humble salutations, they shown the Letter which he had written to the Duke of Ireland, to levy an Army for their destruction: likewise the Letters which the French King had written to him, containing a safe conduct for him to come into France, there to do Acts to his own dishonor and the kingdoms.

This done, upon the Kings promise that he would come the next day to Westminster to treat further of these matters, the Lord's departed, only the Earls of Nottingham and Darby, at the Kings instance, stayed all night; but before the King went to bed, his mind was clean altered for keeping his promise to meet the Lord's the next day at Westminster: which the Lord's understanding, they sent peremptorily to him, that if he came not according to his promise, they would choose another king, that should hearken to the faithful Counsel of his Lord's. This touched the king so to the quick, that the next morning he went and met the Lord's; who there declared to him, how much it concerned the good of the kingdom, that those Traitours so often spoken of, should be removed from the Court: To which, the king, though much against his will, yet at last condescended. And thereupon presently Alexander Nevill Archbishop of York, and Thomas Rushoke Bishop of Chichester, and Confessor to the king, were expelled the Court; who not willing to come to after-reckonings, fled no man knew whither. They expelled also John Fourdham Bishop of Durham, Lord Treasurer; the Lord Zouch of Haringworth, the Lord Burvell, the Lord Beaumont, Albery de Veere, Baldwin de Bereford, Richard Adderbury, John Worth, Thomas Clifford, and John Lovel, knights: but constrained to put in Sureties to appear at the next Parliament. Also certain Ladies were expelled the Court; as the Lady Poynings, the Lady Mouling, and others; bound to appear at the next Parliament. There were also arrested, and committed to several Prisons, Sir Simon Burley, William Elmham, John Beauchamp Steward of the kings house, Sir John Salisbery, Sir Thomas Trivet, Sir James Berneys, Sir Nicolas Dagworth, and Sir Nicolas Brember, knights. Also Richard Clifford, John Lincoln, Richard Mitford, the kings Chaplains; Nicolas Sclake Dean of the kings Chapel, and John Blake a Lawyer.

Shortly after, the Parliament began, (called afterward, The Parliament that wrought wonders:) On the first day whereof, were arrested as they sat in their places, all the Justices (but only Sir William Skipwith: ) as Sir Roger Fulthorpe, Sir Robert Belknappe, Sir John Cary, Sir John Holt, Sir William Brooke, and John Alac • on the kings Serjeant at Law; and were all sent to the Tower, for doing contrary to an Agreement made the last Parliament. Also in the beginning of this Parliament, Robert Veere Duke of Irel • nd, Alexander Nevill Archbishop of York, Michael de la Poole Earl of Suffolk, and Sir Robert Tresilian Lord Chief Justice of England, were openly called to answer Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Gloucester, Richard Earl of Arundell, Henry Earl of Darby, and Thomas Earl of Nottingham, upon certain Articles of high Treason: and because none of them appeared, It was ordained by whole consent of Parliament, they should be banished forever, and all their land • and goods • eized into the Kings hands (their entailed lands only excepted.) Shortly after, the Lord Chief Justice Robert Tresilian, was found in an Apothecaries house in Westminster ; where being taken, he was brought to the Duke of Gloucester, who caused him the same day to be had to the Tower, and from thence drawn to Tyburne, and there hanged. On the morrow after, Sir Nicolas Brember was brought to his Answer; who being found guilty, was beheaded with an Axe which himself had caused to be made for beheading of others. After this, Sir John Salisbery, and Sir James Berneys, lusty young men, were drawn and hanged; as also John Be •• champ L. Steward of the Kings house, John Blake Esquire: and lastly, Sir Simon Burley, son to the great Sir John Burley Knight of the Garter, was beheaded on Tower-hill; whose death the King took more heavily and more heinously then all the rest. Also all the Justices were condemned to die; but by the Queens intercession, they were only banished the Realm, and all their lands and goods confiscate, only a small portion of money was assigned them for their sustentation. Finally, in this Parliament, an Oath was required and obtained of the King, that he should stand unto, and abide such Rule and Order as the Lord's should take: and this Oath was required also of all the Inhabitants of the Realm.

In the later end of the Kings eleventh year, the Earl of Arundell was sent to Sea, with a great Navy of ships and men of war; with whom went the Earls of Nottingham and Devonshire, Sir Thhmas Percy, the Lord Clifford, the Lord Camoi • , Sir William Elmham, and divers other Knights, to aid the Duke of Britain against the king of France: but before they came, the Duke of Britain was reconciled to the king of France ; and so needing not their aid, all this great Fleet returned with doing nothing. And it was indeed a year of doing nothing, unless we reckon some petty Inroades of the Scots : and that Sir Thomas Tryvet died with a fall off his horse: and that Sir John Holland, the Kings brother by the mother, was made Earl of Huntingdon: and that there was Contention in Oxford, between the Northern and the Southerne Scholars; which was pacified by the Duke of Gloucester.

In his twelveth year, Commissioners were appointed to meet at Balingham, betwixt Calli • and Bulloigne, to treat of a Peace between the Realms of England, France, and Scotland: and after long debating, a Truce was at last concluded, to begin at Midsomer next, and to last three years. But now the king, to show his plenary authority of being at full age, removed the Archbishop of York from being Lord Chancellor, and put in his place William Wickham Bishop of Winchester: also he removed the Bishop of Hereford from being Treasurer, and put another in his place: The Earl of Arundell likewise, unto whom the Government of the Parliament was committed, and the Admiralty of the Sea; was removed, and the Earl of Huntingdon put in his room.

About this time, the Lord John Hastings Earl of Pembroke, as he was practicing to learn to Just, was stricken about the Privy parts, by a knight called Sir John S ^t . John ; of which hurt he soon after died. In whose Family, it is memorable, that for many Generations together, no son ever saw his father, (the father being always dead, before the son was borne.) The Original of this Family was from Hastings the Dane, who in the Reign of K. Alfred, long before the Conquest, about the year 890. came with Rollo j • to England. But howsoever, in this John Hastings ended the then Honorable Titles of the Hastings ; for this man dying without issue, his Inheritances were dispersed to divers persons: The Honor of Pembroke came to Francis at Court, by the kings Gift: the Baronies of Hastings and Welford came to Reynold Gray of Ruthin: the Barony of Aburg • veny was granted to William Bea • • hamp of Bedford.

About this time, John Duke of Lancaster was created Duke of Aquitaine, receiving at the Kings hands the Rod and the Cap, as Investitures of that Duchy. Also the Duke of York's son and heir was created Earl of Richmond.

In his thirteenth year, a Royal Justs was Proclaimed to be holden within Smithfield in London, to begin on Sunday next after the Feast of S. Michael: which being published, not only in England, but in Scotland, in Almaigne, in Flanders, in Brabant, and in France ; many strangers came hither; amongst others, Valeran Earl of S. Poll, that had married king Richards Sister; and William the young Earl of Ostervant, son to Albert de Bav • ere Earl of Hollond and Heynoult. At the day • ppointed there issued forth of the Tower, about three a clock in the afternoon, sixty Coursers apparrelled for the Justs; and upon everyone an Esquire of Honor, riding a soft pace: After them, came forth four and thirty Ladies of Honor, ( Froyssard saith, threescore) mounted on Palfries, and every Lady led a knight with a chain of Gold: These knights being on the Kings part, had their armor and apparel garnished with white Hearts, and Crowns of Gold abo •• their necks; and so they came riding through the streets of London, unto Smithfield : The Justs lasted divers days; all which time the King and Queen lay at the Bishops Palace by Paul's Church, and kept open house for all Comers.

In his Fifteenth year, the Duke of Lancaster went into France, having in his train a thousand horse; and met the king of France at A • iens, to treat of a Peace between the two kingdoms: but after long debate, a Truce only was concluded for a year.

About this time also, the King required the Londoners to lend him a Thous • nd pounds: which they refused • o do; and not only so, but they abused an Italian Merchant, for offering to lend it. This moved the King to some indignation: to which was added the complaint of a Ryot committed by the Citizens, against the servants of the Bishops of Sali • bury L. Treasurer; for that, where one of the Bishops servants, named Walter Roman, had taken a horse-loaf out a Bakers basket, as he passed in the streets, and ran with it into his Lord's house; the Citizens thereupon assaulted the house, and would not be quieted, till the Major and Aldermen were fain to come, and with much ado appeased them. Upon complaint hereof, urged against the Citizens, by the Bishop of Salisbury L. Treasurer, and Thomas Arundell Archbishop of York L. Chancellor, the Major and Aldermen, and divers other substantial Citizens are arrested: the Major is committed to the Castle of Windsor, and the other to other Castles; the liberties of the City are seized into the Kings hands, and the authority of the Major utterly ceased; the king appointing a Warden to govern the City, first Sir Edmund Derligrug, and afterward Sir Baldwin Radington ; till at length, by special suit of the Duke of Gloucester, the king was contented to come to London, to so great joy of the Citizens, that they received him with four hundred on horse-back, clad all in one livery, and presented the king and Queen with many rich gifts: yet all gave not satisfaction, to have their liberties restored, till they afterwards paid Ten thousand pounds. This it is to provoke a Lyon: It may be fortune enough to us, if by any means we can but keep him quiet; for if once we provoke him to lay his paw upon us, it will be hard getting from him, and not be torn in pieces.

In his Sixteenth year, the Dukes of Lanc • ster and Gloucester are once again sent into France, to treat of a Peace: but when they could not agree with the French-Commissioners upon Articles propo • nded, there was only a Truce concluded for four years; though perhaps a further Agreement had then been made, but that the king of France fell newly again into his old fit of Frensie, which called away the French Commissioners from further Treaty.

In his Eighteenth year, a Proclamation was set forth, That all Irish men should avoid this Realm, and return home: The occasion was, because so many Irish were come over, that Irela • d in a manner was left unpeopled: in so much, that where K. Edward the Third had received from thence yearly the sum of Thirty thousand pounds, the king now laid forth as much to repel Rebels. Whereupon at Michaelmas K. Richard went himself into Ireland, attended with the Duke of Gloucester, the Earls of March, Nottingham, and Rutland, the Lord Thomas Percy L. Steward, and divers others of the English Nobility; to whom came in the Great O • eale king of Meth, Bryan of Thomond king of Thomond, Arthur Macmur king of Leymster, and C • nhur king of Cheveney and Darpe: and there K. Richard stayed all that winter, and after Christmas called a Parliament; at which time also, the Duke of York Lord Warden of England, in the Kings name called a Parliament at Westminster: to the which was sent forth of Ireland the Duke of Gloucester, that he might declare to the Commons the Kings great occasions for supply of money: whose words so far prevailed, that a whole Tenth was granted by the Clergy, and a Fifteenth by the Laity.

In his Twentieth year was the famous Enterview between the two Kings of England and France: There was set up for K. Richard a rich Pavilion, a little beyond Guysnes, within the English pale; and another the like for the French King, on this side Arde: The distance betwixt the two Tents was beset on either side with Knights armed with thei • swords in their hands, four hundred French on one side, and four hundred English on the other: The two Kings before their meeting, took a solemn Oath, for assurance of their faithful and true meaning, to observe the sacred Laws of Amity one toward another, in this Enterview. After the two Kings were come together, it was accorded, that in the same place where they met, there should be built at both their costs, a Chapel, for a perpetual memory, which should be called, The Chapel of our Lady of Peace. On Simon and Jude’s day, the kings talked together of Articles concerning the Peace; and having concluded them, they received either of them an Oath, upon the holy Evangelists, to observe and keep them. This done, the French king brought his daughter Isabel, and delivered her to K. Richard, who shortly after at Calais married her, and upon the 17. of January following, she was Crowned Queen at Westminster. A Match of great honor, but of little conveniency, and less profit; for the Lady being but eight years of age, there could be no hope of issue a long time, which was K. Richards greatest want; and as little supply of his wants otherwise, her Portion perhaps scarce paying the charges of his journey to fetch her, which cost him three hundred thousand marks.

The Duke of Lancaster, in the thirteenth year of K. Richards Reign, had been created Duke of Aquitaine: but when the Gascoigners would not receive him, showing reasons why that Dukedom ought not to be separated from the Crown of England, his Grant was revoked, and so it remained still in Demesne of the Crown.

At this time, in a Parliament, the Duke of Lancaster caused to be legitimated, the issue he had by Katherine Swinford, before he married her; of whom, Thomas Beaufort was created Earl of Sommerset.

This year also, the king receiviug the money back, which had been lent to the Duke of Britain, upon Brest, delivered up the Town unto him; and thereupon, the English soldiers that were there in Garrison, were all discharged and sent home; who, at a Feast which the king kept at Westminster, coming in companies together into the Hall; as soon as the king had dined, and was entering into his Chamber, the Duke of Gloucester asked him, if he did mark those men that stood in such troops in the Hall: Yes marry (said the king) who were they? They were (said the Duke) those soldiers, who by your rendering up of Brest have been sent home, and now must either starve or steal; and therewithal, very unadvisedly in words, taxed the king with unadvisednes of his deed: To whom the king in great anger replied, Why Uncle, do you think me either a Merchant, or a Fool, to sell my land? By S. John the Baptist, no: But could I refuse to render the Town, when tender was made of the money lent upon it? Indeed nothing could more discover the Duke of Glocesters, either weakness, if he knew not that Brest was but only a Morgage; or injustice, if knowing it, he would have had the king, though the money were tendered, to have kept it still: but such is the course of many, to take part with the Politicks against the Ethics; work their ends by doing unjustly, when doing justly ought to be their chiefest end. How-ever it was, the multiplying of words about this matter, kindled in the King such a displeasure against the Duke, that it could never afterward be quenched, but by his blood. And first he complained to his other two Unkles, the Dukes of L • ncaster and York, of his undutiful behavior towards him; who told the King, Their brother perhaps might let fall some unadvised words, but they knew his heart to be true and faithful. Yet doubting how far the King might press upon them to answer for their brothers faithfulness, they retired from Court: which gave the D • kes enemies time to incense the King farther against him. It happened, that the Duke of Gloucester had with him one day at his house, the Abbot of S. Albans, that was his Godfather, and the Prior of Westminster: and after dinner falling in talk with them, amongst other communications the Duke required the Prior to tell truth, whether he had any Vision the night before? To which the Prior was loath, at first, to make a direct Answer; but at last, being earnestly requested, as well by the Abbot as the Duke, he confessed that he had a Vision indeed, which was, that the Realm of England should be destroyed through the Misgovernance of K. Richard. By the Virgin Mary (said the Abbot) I had the very same Vision. Whereupon the Duke presently disclosed to them all the secrets of his mind, and by their devices contrived an assembly of divers great Lord's of the Realm, to meet at Arundell -Castle that day Fortnight • at which time he appointed to be there himself, with the Earls of D • rby, Arundell, Marsh • ll, and W • rwick ; also the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Abbot of S. Albans, the Prior of Westminster, with divers others: And accordingly all these met at Arundell Castle, at the day appointed: where receiving first the Sacrament, by the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to be assistant each to other, in all such matters as they should determine; They resolved to seize upon K. Richard, and upon the Dukes of Lancaster and York, and commit them to Prison; and all the other Lord's of the Kings Council, they determined should be drawn and hanged. But the Earl Marshall, that was Deputy of Calli • , and had married the Earl of Arundels daughter, discovered all their Counsel to the King; who thereupon, by a plot devised by his Council, took his brother the Earl of Huntingdon with him, and rising from supper, rode that night to the Duke of Glocesters house at Plashey in Essex. When the King came thither, the Duke was a-bed; but informed of it, cast his cloak about his shoulders, and came down, bidding the Kings Grace, with all reverence, welcome. The King courteously requested him to go and make him ready, for that he must needs ride with him a little way, to confer of some business. The Duke presently made him ready and came down; and as soon as the King and his Company was gone a little way from the house, and the Duke with him, the Earl Marshall arrested the Duke, as he had been appointed to do by the King; who immediately was sent to Calais, where, after some time, he was dispatched of his life, either strangled, or else smothered with pillows, as some write. At the very same time was the Earl of Arundell apprehended, by the Earls of Rutland and Kent: the Earl of Warwick also, when the King had invited him to dinner, and shown him very good countenance, was taken and arrested in the place: As likewise at the same time were apprehended, and committed to the Tower, the Lord John Cobham, and Sir John Ch • yny. Shortly after, the King procured them to be indicted at Nottingham, suborning such as should appeal them in Parliament; namely, Edward Earl of Rutland, Thom •• Mowbray Earl Marshall, Thom • s Holland Earl of Kent, John Holland Earl of Huntingdon, Thomas Beaufort Earl of Somerset, John Montacute Earl of Salisbury, Thomas L. Spenser, and the Lord William Scroope L. Chamberlain: and in the mean time, the King sent for a Power of Cheshi •• men, to keep Watch and Ward about his person.

On the 17. of September, a Parliament began at Westminster ; wherein the King complained as well of many things done by the Lord's in his Minority, as also of the hard dealing which they had used towards the Queen, who was three hours at one time on her knees, before the Earl of Arundell, for one of her Esquires, named John Calverley, who nevertheless had his head smitten from his shoulders; and all the answer she could get, was this: Madame, pray for yourself and your Husband, and let this suit alone. Those that set forth the Kings grievances in this Parliament, were John Bushie, William Bagot, and Thomas Green. The cause of a • sembling the Parliament was shown, that the King had called it for reformation of divers transgressions against the Peace of his Land, by the Duke of Gloucester, the Earls of Arundell, Warwick, and others. Then Sir John Bushie, Speaker of the Parliament, made request on behalf of the Commonalty, that they might be punished according to their deservings; and specially the Archbishop of Canterbury • who then • ate next the king, whom he accused of high Treason. When the Archbishop began to answer, Sir John Bushie besought the king that he might not be admitted to answer, lest by his great wit and cunning he might lead men away to believe him. And here Sir John Bushie in all his talk did not attribute to the king Titles of honor due and • ccustomed, but such as were fitter for the Majesty of God then for any Earthly Prince. And when the Archbishop was constrained to keep silence, Sir John Bushie proceeded; requiring on the behalf of the Commons, that the Charters of Pardon, granted to the Duke of Gloucester, and the Earls of Arundell and Warwick, should be revoked. The king for his part protested that they were drawn from him by compulsion, and therefore besought them to deliver their opinions, what they thought thereof: whereupon, the Bishops first gave their sentence, that the said Pardons were revocable, and might be called in; but pretending a scrupulosity, as if they might not with safe consciences be present where Judgment of Blood should pass, they appointed a Lay-man to be their Prolocutor for that turn. The Temporal Lord's likewise gave their sentence, that the Pardons were revocable: only the Judges and Lawyers were not of this opinion. But howsoever, the Archbishop of C • nterbury is hereupon condemned to perpetual Exile, and appointed to avoid the Realm within six weeks. Also the Earl of Arundell is by the Duke of La • caster who sat that day as High Steward, condemned of Treason, and on the Towerhill beheaded. There went to see the execution, divers Lord's; amongst whom was the Earl of Nottingham, that had married his daughter, and the Earl of Kent, that was his daughters son: to whom, at the place of his execution he said, Truly it would have beseemed you rather to be absent, then here at this business; but the time will come ere long, that as many shall marvel at your misfortune, as they do now at mine. After his death, a Fame went, that his head was grown to his body again: whereupon, the tenth day after his burial, his body, by the kings appointment was taken up, and then found to be a Fable. After this, the Lord Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick was brought forth, and charged with the like Treasons; but by the intercession of the Duke of Lancaster and other Lord's, after confession of his fault, was only confined into the Isle of Man. Likewise the lord Cobha • , and Sir John Cheyny were only banished, or (as Fabian saith) condemned to perpetual Prison. The Parliament after this was held at Shewsbery ; where, for the love the king bore to the Gentlemen and Commons of the Shi • e of Chester, he caused it to be Ordained, that from thenceforth it should be called and known by the name of the Principality of Chester ; and herewith intitled himself Prince of Ch • ster. At this Parliament also, called the Great Parliament, He created five Dukes, and • Duchess; one Marquess, and four Earls. The Earl of Darby was created Duke of Hereford ; the Earl of Nottingham, Duke of Norfolk ; the Earl of R • tland • D • ke of A • bemarle ; the Earl of Kent, Duke of Surrey ; the Earl of 〈◊〉 , Duke of Exceter ; and the Lady Margaret Marshall Countess of Norfolk, was created Duchess of Norfolk : The Earl of Somerset was created Marquess Dorse • ; the Lord Spenser was made Earl of Gloucester ; the Lord Nevill, Earl of West • erl •• d ; the Lord Scr •• pe, Earl of Wiltshire ; and the Lord Thomas Percy L. Steward of the king • house, was made Earl of Worcester: and for the better maintenance of their es •• te • , he divided amongst them a great part of those lands that belonged to the Duke of Gloucester, the Earls of Aru • dell and Warwick. Also in this Parliament, the Judges gave their opinions, That when Articles are propounded by the king to be handled in Parliament, if other Articles be handled before those be first determined, that it is Treason in them that do it. And in this Parliament, the king brought it so • bout, that he obtained the whole power of the Parliament to be conferred upon cer • taine persons, namely, John Duke of Lancaster, Edmund Duke of York, Edm ••• Duke of A • merle, Thomas Duke of Surrey, John Duke of Exceter, John Marque •• e Dorset, Roger Earl of March, John Earl of Salisbury, and divers others; or to any seven or eight of them: and these, by virtue of this Grant, proceeded to conclude upon many things, which concerned generally the knowledge of the whole Parliament, to the great prejudice of the State, and a dangerous example in time to come. A General Pardon was also granted for all offenses, to all the Kings subjects, but only to Fifty, whose names he would not express, but reserved them to his own knowledge, that when any of the Nobility offended him, he might at his pleasure name him to be one of the number excepted, and so keep them still within his danger. And for the more strengthening the Acts of this Parliament, the King purchased the Popes Bulls, containing grievous censures and curses to them that should break them. And now the heads of the opposite Faction having lost their heads, and all things as well settled as could be desired, the King was secure, as thinking himself safe; and he had indeed been safe, if Time and Fortune were not Actours in Revenge, as well as men; or rather, if a superior Power did not interpose, whose ways are as secret as himself is invisible.

It now fell out, (though W • iters differ what it was fell out) for some write, that Thom • s Mowbray accused the Duke of Hereford ; others, that Henry Duke of Herefo • d accused Thomas Mowbr • y Duke of Norfolk, for speaking words sounding highly to the Kings dishonor: to which the Duke of Norfolk being called to answer, charged the Duke of Hereford before the King, that he lied falsely. Whereupon a Combat was agreed upon between them: The King labored to make them friends; but not prevailing, he gave way to proceed in Combat, and the place to be at Coventry: where at the day and hour appointed, the Duke of Hereford, mounted on a white Cou • se • , b • rded with green • nd blew Velvet, embroidered sumptuously with Swans and Antelops of Goldsmiths work, approached the Lists; Of whom the Marshall, being the Duke of Surry, demanding who he was? he answered, I am Henry of L •• caster, Duke of Hereford, that am come hither to do my endeavor against Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk, as a Traitour, untrue to God, the King, his Realm, and me: Then incontinently he swore upon the holy Evangelists, that his quarrel was true and just, and thereupon required to enter the Lists, where in • Chair of green Velvet he sat down and reposed himself. Then came the Duke of N • rf • lke, his horse barded with Crimson velvet, embroidered richly with Lions of Silver, and Mulbery trees; and when he had taken his oath before the Constable the Duke of A • merle, that his quarrel was just, he entered the Lists, and sat him down in his Chair of Crimson velvet, curtained about with white and red Damask. Then the Marshall viewed their spears, to see that they were of equal leng • h; and then the Heralds proclaimed, on the Kings behalf, they should mount on horseb • ck, and address themselves to the Combat. But when they were set forward, and had their Speares in their Rests, the King cast down his Warder, and the Heralds cried, Stay, Stay. Then the king caused their Speares to be • aken from them, and deliberated with his Council, what was • it to be done in so weighty a cause. After two long hours, it was at last concluded, that Henry Duke of Hereford should within fif •• en days depart out of the Realm, and not return before ten years were expired, upon pain of death; And that Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk, should likewise avoid the Realm, and never to return into England, upon the like pain. It is observable, that this Censure was passed against the Duke of Norfolk, the very same day Twelve-month, in which he had taken order to put the Duke of Gloucester to death at Calli • , whereof he was then Governor. When these Judgments were once read, the king called before him both the Dukes, and made them swear, that the one should never come in place where the other was. After this, the Duke of N • rf • olke went into Alm • i •• , and from thence to Venice, where after some time he died with sorrow. The Duke of Hereford, at the taking his leave of the king, had four years of his Banishment released; • nd then went to Calais, and from thence to • aris, where, of the French king he was so kindly received, that by his favor he had obtained in marriage the only daughter of the Duke of Berry, Uncle to the French king, if King Richard by messengers had not hindered him.

It was a Custom in those days, to punish the delinquencies of Great men by banishment out of the Realm; a Custom not more grievous to the Subject, then dangerous to the Prince; for by this course, they had means to work so closely in their mines of Revenge, that the Fabric of a Kingdom was in danger to be blown up, before their working could be perceived. An example whereof was never more plainly seen then at this time, in the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Duke of Hereford: For they in their Banishment meeting often together, and aggravating the Grievances of king Richards Government, fell at last to consult by what means he might best be removed, seeing there was no hope he could ever be reclaimed. In the time of their consultation about it, John Duke of Lancaster, father to the Duke of Hereford, died, at Eli house in Holborne: And as if Fortune herself meant to do their work for them, Sollicitations came from many parts of England, to move the Duke of Hereford to come now & take the Government upon him, wherein they would be ready to assist him. The Duke heated before by the Archbishops instigation, and now set on fire by this solicitation, gives Fortune no leisure to alter her mind, by delaying the time, but without further deliberation prepares to be going: and taking with him the Archbishop, the Lord Cobham, Sir Thomas Erpington, and Sir Thom • s Ramston Knights; John Norbury, Robert Waterton, and Francis Coynt Esquires, and about some threescore other persons, as many as he could readily get; in three ships which the Duke of Britain lent him, he put to Sea; where hovering about the Coast a while, to mark the countenance of the shores, he landed at last, about the beginning of July, at Ravenspurre in Yorkshire: which no sooner was known, but there repaired to him, the Lord's, Willoughby, Ross: Darcie, and Beaumont ; and shortly after, at Doncaster, the Earl of Northumberland, and his son Sir He • ry Percy, with the Earl of Westmorland, and great numbers of the Gentry and common sort; of whom, though some had invited him to come to take the Goverment of the Realm upon him, yet he forbore to pretend that for any cause of his coming, but made a solemn Protestation, that he came only to take possession of the Inheritances descended upon him from his father, which king Richard most unjustly, and contrary to his promise, had seized into his hands: for this was a Reason had no objection: the other he reserved, till his Power should not need to regard Objections. And indeed, no snow-ball ever gathered greatness so fast by rolling, as his Forces, increased by marching forward; for by that time he came to Berkly, he had got a mighty Army; and within three days after, all the Kings Castles in those parts were surrendered to him. The Duke of York, left Governor of the Kingdom, used his best means to raise Forces to resist him, but found few willing to bear Arms against him: whereupon, and perhaps hearing withal that the Dukes coming was but only to take possession of his Inheritance, he thought good to go to Berkly to him, to have there some communication about it. At Berkly, at that time, was arrested the Bishop of Norwich, Sir William Elmham, and Sir Walter Burli • knights; Laurence Drew, and John Golofer Esquires. From Berkly the two Dukes went forward towards Bristow ; where in the Castle were the Lord William Scroope Earl of Wiltshire and Treasurer of England, Sir Henry Green, and Sir Henry Bushye ; who were taken, and brought forth bound before the Duke of Lancaster, and the day after arraigned before the Constable and Marshall, found guilty of Treason for misgoverning the King and the Realm, and presently had their heads smitten off. Sir John Russell also was taken there; but he feigning himself to be our of his wits, escaped for that time.

All this while K. Richard was in Ireland, where he performed Acts in repressing the Rebels there, not unworthy of him; and having with him amongst other of the Great Lord's, the Duke of Lancasters son Henry, he there for his towardliness in service, Knighted him • by which it appeared that he had no great fear of • he Father, when he graced the Son; and indeed he needed not have feared him i • his own absence out of England had not given him advantage. Six weeks were now pass • after the Dukes arrival in England ; in all which time king Richard had no notice • it, by reason the winds were contrary to come • orth of England: But as soon as 〈◊〉 heard it, and in what hostile manner he proceeded, he then determined to return instantly into England ; and had done it, but that the Duke of Aumerle his princip •• Counselor (whether out of a good meaning, but grounded upon errors, or ou • of an ill meaning, but shadowed with colors) by all means persuaded him to stay so long till things fitting for his journey might be made ready. It was king Richards ill luck to hearken to this Counsel: but yet he presently sent the Earl of Salisbury into England, to provide him an Army out of Wales and Ch • shire, against his own coming, which he promised faithfully should be within six days at the most. The Earl landed at Co • way in Wales, and had soon gotten to the number of Forty Thousand men: but the six days passed, and no news of the King: which made the soldiers suspect that he was dead, and thereupon were ready to disband; but at the Earl of Salisburies persuasion, they were contented to stay for some days longer; and when the King came not in that time neither, they then would stay no longer, but departed and went home. At length, about eighteen days after that the King had sent away the Earl of Salisbury, he took shipping, together with the Dukes of A • merle, Exceter, and Surrey, and diver • other of the Nobility; with the Bishops of London, Lincoln, and Carlisle ; and landed at Barklowly in Wales. He had about him some Ch • shire men, and was at first in no great doubt of prevailing: but when he heard that all the Castles from the borders of Scotland unto Bristow, were delivered to the Duke of Lancaster, and that the gratest part of the Nobility and Commons took part with him, and specially that his principal Counselors had lost their heads at Brist •• ; then, solvuntur frigore membra, he fell so utterly to despair, that calling his Army together, he licensed every man to be gone, and to shift for himself. The soldiers besought him to be of good cheer, swearing they would stand with him to the death: But this encouraged him not at all; so as the next night he stole from his Army, and with the Dukes of Exceter and Surry, the Bishop of Carlisle, Sir Stephen Scroope, and some half a score others, he got him to the Castle of Co •• ay, where he found the Earl of Salisbury, determining there to stay, till he might see the world at some better stay. Here the Earl of Worcester Steward of the Kings house, broke his white staff, and without delay went to the Duke of Lancaster ; who understanding that k. Richard was returned out of Ireland, he left the Duke of York at Bristow, and came back with his Power to Berkly, and from thence the next day came to Gloucester, then to Ross, after to Hereford, where came to him the Bishop of Hereford and Sir Edmund Mortimer : on the Sunday following he went to Ly • ster, and there the Lord Charleton came to him: from thence he went to Ludlow, and the next day to Shrewsbery, and thither came to him Sir Robert Leigh • nd Sir John Leigh, and many other, being sent from Chester, to offer their service; thither also came to him the Lord Scales, and the Lord • ardolphe, forth of Ireland : From Shrewsbery he went to Chester, and from thence sent for his son and heir, and likewise for the Duke of Glocesters son and heir (whom K. Richard had left in custody in Ireland ) with all speed to come into England ; but the Duke of Glocesters son through misfortune perished at Sea, or as some write, died of the plague; the sorrow whereof caused, shortly after, his mothers death. After this, the Duke sent the Earl of Northumberland to the king; who upon safe-conduct coming to him, declared, that if it might please his Grace to undertake, that there should be a Parliament assembled, in which Justice might be had, and herewith pardon the Duke of Lancaster of all things wherein he had offended, the Duke would be ready to come to him on his knees, and as an humble subject obey him in all dutiful services. Yet upon this conference with the Earl, some say, the king required only, that himself and eight more, whom he would name, might have honorable allowance, with the assurance of a private quiet life, and that then he would resign his Crown; and that upon the Earls Oath that this should be performed, the king agreed to go • with the Earl to meet the Duke: but after four miles riding, co • ming to the place where they had laid an Ambush, the King was enclosed, and constrained to go with • he Earl to Rutland, where they dined, and from thence to Flint, to bed. The 〈◊〉 had very few of his friends about him, but only the Earl of Salisbury, the • ishop of Carlisle, the Lord Scroope, Sir Nicolas Ferehye, and James D'Arthois a Gas ••• gne, who still wore a white Heart, the Cognisance of his Master K. Richard, and neither for Promises nor Threats would be drawn to leave it off.

The King being in the Castle of Flint, and Duke Henry with his Army approaching near the Town, the Archbishop of Canterbury, with the Duke of Aumerle a • d the Earl of Worcester, went before to the King; whom the King spying from the walls where he stood, went down to meet, and finding they did their due reverence to him on their knees, he took them up, and taking the Archbishop aside, n • ked with him a good while; and as it was reported, the Archbishop willed him to be of good comfort, for he should be assured not to have any hurt as touching his person. After this, the Duke of Lancaster came to the Castle himself, all-armed; and being within the first gate, he there stayed, till the King, accompanied with the Bish • p of Carlisle, and Earl of Salisbury, and Sir Stephen Scroope, who bore the sword before him, came forth, and sat down in a place prepared for him. As soon as the • Duke saw him, he came towards him, bowing his knee; and coming forward, did so the second time, and the third, till the king took him by the hand, and lift him up, saying, Deere Cousin, you are welcome. The Duke humbly thanking him, s •• d • My Sovereign Lord and king, the cause of my coming at this present, is (your Honor saved) to have restitution of my Person, my Lands and Heritage: Whereto the king answered: Deere Cousin, I am ready to accomplish your will, so that you may enjoy all that is yours without exception. After this, coming forth of the Castle, the king called for wine; and after they had drunk, they mou •• ed on horse-back, and rode to Chester, the next day to Nantwych, then to Newc • stle, from thence to Stafford, and then to Lichfield, and there rested Sunday: after that, they rode forward, and lodged first at Coventry, then at Dayntree, then at N • r • h • mpton, next day at Dunstable, then at S. Albans, and so came to London : In all which journey they suffered not the king to change his apparel, but made him ri • e still in one suit of raiment, and that but a simple one, though he in his time was • x •• eding sumptuous in apparel, having one Coat which was valued at Thirty Thousand marks: And in this • ort he was brought the next way to Westminster, and from thence the next day had to the Tower, and committed to safe Custodie. After this, a Parliament was called by the Duke of Lancaster, but in the name of • . Richard ; in which many heinous points of Misgovernment were laid to his charge, and were engrossed up in three and thirty Articles, the chief whereof were these:

• That he had wastefully spent the Treasure of the Realm.
• That without Law or Justice, he had caused the Duke of Gloucester, and the Earl of Arundell to be put to death.
• That he had borrowed great sums of money, and given his Letters Patents to repay the same, and yet not one Penny ever paid.
• That he had said, The Laws of the Realm were in his head, and in his breast: by reason of which fantastical opinion, he destroyed Noble-men, and impoverished the Commons.
• That he changed Knights and Burgesses of the Parliament at his pleasure.
• That most tyrannously he said, that the lives and goods of all his subjects were in his hands and at his disposition.
• That whereas divers Lord's were by the Court of Parliament appointed to treat of matters concerning the state of the Kingdom; they being busied about the same Commission, • e w •• t about to appeach them of high Treason.
• That by force and threats, he enforced the Judges of the Realm, at Shrewsbery, to condescend to his way, for the destruction of divers of the Lord's.
• That he caused his fathers own brother, the Duke of Gloucester, without Law to be attached and sent to Calais, and there without reason secretly murdered.
• That notwithstanding the Earl of Arundell at his Arraignment pleaded his Charter of Pardon, yet he could not be heard, but was shamefully and suddenly put to death.
• That he • ssembl • d certain La • cashire and C •• shire men, to m • ke war upon his Lord • and suffered them to rob and spoil, without prohibition.
• That though he had made Proclamation that the Lord's were not attached for any cri •• of Treason, yet afte • ward in the Parliament he laid Treason to their charge.
• That notwit • standing his Pardon granted to th • m, he enforced divers of the Lord's partak • rs to be again intolerably Fined, to their utter undoing.
• That without the • ssent of the Peers, he carried the Jewels and Plate of this Kingdom • into Ireland.

Upon these, and some other Articles, he was by Parliament adjudged to be deposed from all Kingly Honor, and Princely Government. And thereupon, the King being advised by his own servants, rather voluntarily to resign the Crown, then by compulsion to be forced to it; on the Monday before the nine and •• entieth day of September, in the year 1399. he made a sol • mne Resignation, bef • re diver • Lord's and others, sent to him for that purpose: and an Ins •• ume • t of hi • R • signation being made, he would needs read it before them all himself, and then subscribed it; and withal, made it his suit, that t •• Duke of Lanc • ster might be his Successor, and King after him; and for a sign of his desire hereof, he took his Sign • Ring of Gold from his finger, and put it upon the Duke of Lancasters ; that never man who had used a Kingdom with such violence, gave it over with such patience, or rather such willingness, that he seemed rather to affect it, then that he was any way forced to it. This Resignation of K. Richard being shown to the Parliament, both Houses gave their assent; and then C • mmissioners were appointed to pronounce openly the sentence of his deposing, which was done by the Bishop of Assaph, and all Allegiance renounced to him.

And now it is easy to be observed, what a wonderful concurrene of fortunes, in behalf of the Duke of Lancaster, and against K. Ri • hard, happened together, whereof if any one had been missing, he had never been turned • ut of his Throne in such manner as he was: For first, if it had not happened that K. Richard had been in Ireland at the time when the Duke began his attempt, it had • or been possisible for him to compass • his design as he did: And then, if King Richard being in Ireland, he had not by misfortune of weather been kept six weeks from hearing of the Dukes arrival, he had not given him so large a time for raising of Forces, and • o more easily might have resisted him: Or after K. Richard heard of the Dukes arrival, if he had followed the Earl of Salisbury, and not stayed so many days longer then he promised, he had found an Army ready to receive • im, sufficient at least to have given a stop to the Dukes proceedings: Or when at last he came over, and found his Army to fail him, if withal his own courage had not failed him, but that he had manfully put it to the hazard of a Battle, as his soldiers themselves would have had him to do, he could not choose but have made a better end of his business then now he did. But when all is done, there is no warding • he blows of Fortune; or to say better, No resisting the Decree of Heaven: but seeing that Decree is an Abyssus to us, and may perhaps but be conditional; we shall manifestly be Traitors to ourselves, if we use not our uttermost endeavors to divert it: That it may truly be said, King Richard lost his Crown, more by his own Treason, then by the Treason of any other.

Of his Taxations.

IN his second year, in a Parliament held at Gloucester: was granted to be paid by the Merchants, upon every sack of wool a Mark, for this present year; and for every pounds worth of wares, brought from beyond Sea, and sold here, six pence of the Buyer. In his Third year, in a Parliament of Westminster, a Subsidy was granted to be levied of the Great men of the Realm, to the end the Commons might be spared: The Dukes of Lancaster and Britain paid 20 marks; every Earl 6 marns; Bishops and Abbots with Miter, as much: every Monk, three shillings four pence: also every Justice, Sheriff, Knight, Esquire, Parson and Vicar, were charged after a certain rate; but no Commons of the Layitie. Also this year, in another Parliament, was granted a Tenth by the Clergy, and a Fifteenth by the Laity; but with this condition, That from thenceforth, which was in March, 1380. till the Feast of S. Michael, which should be in the year 1381. there should be no more Parliaments: but yet was not observed. In his Fourth year, in a Parliament at Northampton, a new kind of Subsidy was granted; of every Priest Secular or Regular, six shillings eight pence; and as much of every Nun; and of every man or woman, married or not married, being sixteen years of age, (beggars only excepted) four pence. In his Fifth year, a Subsidy was granted by the Merchants, of certain Customs of their wools which they bought and sold, called a Maletot, to endure for four years. In his Seventh year was granted him one Moyity of a Fifteenth by the Laity; and shortly after, a Moyitie of a Tenth by the Clergy. In his Ninth year, half of a Tenth, and half of a Fifteenth by the Laity. In his Eleventh year, there was granted him a Tenth of the Clergy, and a Fifteenth of the Laity. In hi • Twelveth year, at a Parliament, was granted of every Sack of wool, forty shillings; whereof, ten shillings to be applied presently to the Kings use; the other thirty to remain in the hands of Treasurers, towards the charges of wars, if any should happen. Also there was a Subsidy granted, of six pence in the pound; whereof • four pence to the use last mentioned; the other two pence to be at the kings pleasure. In his Fifteenth year, at a Parliament, was granted a Tenth of the Clergy, and a Fifteenth of the Laity, towards the charges of John • Duke of La • caster, sent into France. In his Eighteenth year, a Tenth was granted by the Clergy, and a Fifteenth by the Laity, towards his own journey into Ireland. In his Twentieth year, the Clergy granted him a Tenth, to be paid that year. In his one and twentieth year, upon pretence of having aided the Duke of Gloucester, and the Earls of Arundell and Warwick against him, he caused blank Charters to be made, which he compelled both Citizens and Gentlemen in the Country to seal, whereby he might charge them afterward to pay whatsoever he required. In his two and twentieth year, a Fifteenth and a half was granted; and for the Customs of wools, fifty shillings upon every Sack, of Englishmen borne, and three pounds of Strangers.

Of Laws and Ordinances in his time.

IN his second year, in a Parliament at Gloucester, it was enacted, That Merchant-strangers might buy and sell in Grosse, or by Retaile, within this Realm. In his Third year, in a Parliament at Westminster, It was Ordained, that the Privileges and Immunities of the Abby of Westminster should remain inviolate; but with this Proviso, against those that took Sanctuary with pu • pose to defraud their Creditours, That their lands and goods should be liable to their debts. In his Sixth year, a Parliament was holden, in which the Major of London, upon suggestion that the Fishmongers used great deceit in uttering of their Fish, obtained to have it Enacted, That from thenceforth, none of that Company, nor of the Vintners, Grocers, Butchers, or other that sold any provision of Victuals, should be admitted Major of the City: but in the Parliament next following, were restored to their liberty again, saving that they might not keep Courts among themselves, but that all transgressions of their Customs should be tried at the Majors Court. In his Eleventh year, K. Richard created John Beauchamp of Holt, Baron of Kedermister, by his Letters Patents; the first that was so made; for before this time, Barons were always made by calling them to Parliaments by the Kings Writ.

Affaires of the Church in his time.

IN the second year of this Kings Reign, there came messengers from the new-elected Pope Urban, to require the Kings aid against such Cardinals as he named Schism • ticks, that had elected another Pope, whom they named Clem • nt: which Cardinals sent messengers likewi • e to crave his aid for them, but through persuasion of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Vrbans request was granted, and Clement rejected. In his fourth year, John Wycliffe set forth his opinion touching the Sacrament of the Altar, denying the doctrine of Transubstantiation, in such sort, as the Church of Rome did then teach. In his sixth year, Henry Spencer Bishop of No • wi • h received Bulls from Pope Vrb • n, to grant all privileges of the Crusado to all such as would come over and assist him against the Anti-Pope Clement ; which being debated in Parliament, It was after much opposition, agreed that it should go forward; and thereupon, the Bishop not only gathered much money from such as would contribute to the expedition, but drew many great Captains to go themselves in person; as namely, Sir Hugh Calverley, sir William Farington, the Lord Henry Beau ••• t, sir William Elmham, sir Tho • as Tryvet, and divers others. The money raised by contribution, came to 25000 Franks, and the Army to 3000 Horse, and 15000 Foot; with which Forces, the Bishop passing over into Flanders, won the Towns of Graveling, Dunkirke, and Newport ; but at last encountered by a mighty Army of the French, he was put to the worse, and returned into England. In the twelveth year of this Kings Reign, an Act was made that none should pass the Seas to purchase promotions or provisions (as they termed them) in any Church or Churches. Also in this year Thomas late Earl of Lancaster, by reason of miracles reported to be done by him, was Canonized for a Saint. At this time also, the Wycliffe’s mervelously increased, Preaching against Pilgrimages and Images, whose greatest opposer was the Bishop of Norwich. In his thirteenth year, Proclamation was made, that all Beneficed men abiding in the Court of Rome, should return into England by a certain day, under pain of forfeiting their Benefices; and all other not Beneficed, under a certain pain likewise. Also about this time a Statute was made, that no Ecclesiastical person should possess Manours, Houses, Lands, Revenues, or Rents whatsoever at the hands of the Feoffee, without the Kings Licence, and the chief Lord's. In his eighteenth year, the Wycliffe’s were persecuted, and excommunication pronounced against them by the Archbishop of Canterbury. In this Schism of the two Popes, the French Clergy wrote in behalf of Clement their Pope, and sent it into England ; the Clergy of England on the contrary, wrote in behalf of Pope Urban, and so nothing was agreed.

Works of Piety in his time.

IN the 20 ^th year of this Kings Reign, William B • teman Bishop of Norwich built Trinity Hall in Cambridge. In the third year of his Reign, John Philpot Major of Lo • don, gave to the City certain Tenements, for the which the Chamberlain payeth yearly to thirteen poor people, to every of them seven pence the week forever; and as any of those thirteen persons dieth, the Major appointeth one to succeed, and the Recorder another. In the one and twentieth year of his Reign, King Richard caused the great Hall at Westminster to be repaired, both the Walls, Windows, and Roofe. In his time, Si ••• Archbishop of Canterbury, slain by the Rebels upon Tower hill, built the West-gate of Canterbury, and from thence to the North-gate, commonly called the long wall. Thomas Fits-Ala • or Arundell, being Bishop of Eli, built the great Gatehouse of Eli house in Holborne ; and being after Bishop of Canterbury, he built a fair spire steeple at the West-end of his Church there, called to this day, Arundell steeple, and bestowed a tuneable ring of five Bells upon the same.

Of Casualties happening in his time.

IN his third year, so great a mortality afflicted the North parts of England, that the Country became almost desolate. In his sixth year, on the 24 day of May, there happened so great an earthquake, or (as some write) a watershake, that it made Ships in the Havens to beat one against the other. In July, in the year 1389. whilst the King was at Sheene ; there swarmed in his Court such multitudes of Flies and Gnats, skirmishing with one another; that in the end they were swept away with brooms by heaps, and bushels were filled with them. In his twelveth year, in March, first there were terrible Winds; afterward followed a great mortality, and after that a great dearth; that a bushel • of wheat was sold for thirteen pence, which was then thought a great price; for the years before it was sold for six pence, and Wooll was sold for two shillings a stone. In his fourteenth year, on Christmas day, a Dolphin was taken at London-bridge, being ten foot long, and a monstrous grown fish. Ind his eighteenth year, an Exhalation, in likeness of fire appeared in the night in many places of England ; which when a man went alone, went as he went, and stayed as he stayed; sometimes like a wheel, sometimes like a Barrel, sometimes like a timberlogge; but when many went together, it appeared to be far off. Also in a Parliament time, there was a certain Image of wax made by Necromancie (as was said) which at an hour appointed, uttered these words:

The Head shall be cut off; the Head shall be lift up aloft; the feet shall be lift up above the Head : and then spake no more. This happened in the Parliament, called the Marvelous Parliament, not long before the Parliament that wrought wonders. In his one and thirtieth year, a River not far from Bedford, suddenly ceased his course, so as the channel remained dry by the space of three miles; which was judged to signify, the Revolting of the Subjects from their natural Prince. In his two and twentieth year, almost through all England, old Bay-trees withered, and afterwards grew green again; which was supposed to import some strange event. About the year 1380. the making of Gunnes was found by a Germa • e, which may well be reckoned amongst casualties, seeing it was found by casualty; for this Germane having beaten Brimstone in a mortar to powder, and covered it with a stone; it happened, that as he struck fire, a spark chanced to fall into the powder; which caused such a flame out of the mortar, that it raised the stone a great height; which after he perceived, he made a Pipe of iron, and tempered the powder with some other ingredients, and so finished that deadly Engine. The first that used it, were the Venetians against the inhabitants of Geneva.

Of his Wives.

KING Richard in his time had two Wives; the first was Anne Daughter to the Emperor Charles the Fourth, and Sister to the Emperor Wenceslaus ; who lived his wife ten years, and died without issue at Sheene in Surry, in the year 1392; whose death King Richard took so heavily, that he caused the buildings of that Palace to be thrown down and defaced, as though to revenge himself upon the place, could ease his mind, and mitigate his sorrow. His second Wife was Isabel Daughter to Charles the Sixth King of France ; She was married to him at eight years of age, and therefore never co-habited. After King Richards death she was sent home, and married afterwards to Charles Son and heir to the Duke of Orleans.

Of his Personage and conditions.

HE was the goodliest personage of all the Kings that had been since the conquest; tall of stature, of straight and strong limbs, fair and amiable of countenance; and such a one as might well be the Son of a most beautiful mother. Concerning his Conditions, there was more to be blamed in his Education, than in his Nature; for there appeared in him many good inclinations, which would have grown to be abilities, if they had not been perverted by corrupt flatterers in his youth. He was of a credulous disposition, apt to believe, and therefore easy to be abused. His greatest transgression was, that he went with his friends ultra aras, where he should have gone but us{que} ad aras. His greatest imbecility, that he could not distinguish between a flatterer and a friend. He seemed to have in him both a French nature and an English ; violent at the first apprehension, calm upon deliberation; He never shown himself more worthy of the Government, than when he was deposed as unworthy to Governe; for it appeared, that his Regality was not so dear unto him, as a private quiet lif •• which if he might have enjoyed, he would never have complained that Fortune had done him wrong.

Of his Death and Burial.

KIng Richard, shortly after his Resignation, was conveyed to the Castle of Leeds in Kent, and from thence to Pomfret ; where the common fame is, that he was served with costly meat, like a King, but not suffered once to touch it, and so died of forced famine. But Thomas Walsingham referreth it altogether to a voluntary pining of himself, through grief of his misfortunes. But one Writer, well acquainted with king Richards doings, saith, that king Henry sitting one day at his Table, said sighing, Have I no faithful friend that will deliver me of him who will be my death • This speech was specially noted by one Sir Piers of Ex • on ; who presently, with eight persons in his company, went to Pomfret, commanding the Esquire that took the Assay before king Richard, to do so no more, saying, Let him eat now, for he shall not eat long. King Richard sitting down to dinner, was served without Assay; whereat marvelling, he demanded of his Esquire, why he did not his duty? Sir (said he) I am otherwise commanded by Sir Piers of Ex • on, who is newly come from king Henry. When king Richard heard that word, he took the Carving knife in his hand, and stroke the Squire on the head, saying, The Devil take Henry of Lancaster and thee together: And with that word, Sir Piers entered the Chamber, with eight armed men, every of them having a Bill in his hand. King Richard perceiving this, put the Table from him, and stepping to the foremost man, wrung the bill out of his hands, and slew four of those that thus came to assail him; but in conclusion, was felled with a stroke of a Poll-axe, which Sir Piers gave him upon the head, with which blow he fell down dead • though it be scarce credible, that • man upon his bare word, and without showing any warrant, should be admitted to do such a fact. Sir Piers having thus slain him, wept bitterly: a poor amends for so heinous a trespass. King Richard thus dead, his body was embalmed, and covered with Lead, all save the face, and then brought to London, where it lay at Paul's three days together, that all men might behold it, to see he was dead: The corps was after had to Langley in Buckinghamshire, and there buried in the Church of the Friers Preachers: but afterward, by k. Henry the Fift, it was removed to Westminster, and there honorably entombed, with Queen Anne his wife; and that beautiful picture of a King, sitting crowned in a Chair of State, at the upper end of the Choir in S. Peters at Westminster, is said to be of him: although the Scots untruly write, that he escaped out of Prison, and led a solitary and virtuous life in Scotland, and there died, and is buried (as they hold) in the Black-Friers at Sterling. He lived three and thirty years, Reigned two and twenty and three months.

Men of Note in this Kings time.

MEn of Valour in his time were so many, that to reckon them all, would be a hard task; and to leave out any, would be an injury: yet to give an instance in one, we may take John of Gaunt Duke of Lanca • ter, whose valor was no less seen abroad then at home: In France, in Germany, in Spain ; in all which places he left Trophies of his Victories. But of learned men, we may name these: William Thorn an Augustine Frier of Canterbury, an Historiographer: Adam Merimouth, a Canon of Paul's Church in London, who wrote two Historical Treatises; one intitled Chronicon 40. annoru • ; another, Chr • nicon 60. • nnorum. William Packington sometime Secretary to the Black Prince, an excellent Historiographer: William Badbye a Carmelite Frier, Bishop of Worcester, and Confessor to the Duke of Lancaster: John • ourg, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge: William Sc • ade, a Monk of Buck • ast Abby in Devonshire: John Th • risbye Archbishop of York, Lord Chancellor of England, and a Cardinal: Willi • m Berton Chancellor of Oxford, an Adversary to Wycliffe: Philip Repington Abbot of Leicester, a Defender of Wycliffe: Walter Brit, a Scholar of Wycliffe’s, a writer both in Divinity and other Arguments: John Sharpe, a great adversary to Wycliffe, who wrote many Treatises: Peter Pateshall, a great favourer of Wycliffe: Marcell Ingelno, an excellent Divine, one of the first Teachers in the University of Heydelberg: Richard Withee a learned Priest, and an earnest follower of Wycliffe: John Swasham Bishop of Bangor, a great adversary to the Wycliffe’s: Adam Eston, a great Linguist, and a Cardinal: John Trevise, a Cornish man, and a secular Priest, who translated the Bible, Bartholomew, De Proprietatibus Rerum; Polichronicon of Ranulph Higden, and divers other Treatises: John Moon, an English man, but a Student in Paris ; who compiled in the French tongue, The Romant of the Rose ; translated into English by Geoffrey Ch • wcer, and divers others.

Of his coming to the Crown.

A Fter the Resignation of King Richard, and the sentence of his Deposing openly read in Parliament; Henry Duke of Lancaster riseth up from his seat; and first, making the Sign of the Cross upon his forehead and breast, he said: In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost : I Henry of Lancaster claim the Crown of England, as descended by right line from King Henry the Third. And having thus spoken, he sat down again. Upon this, the Archbishop conferred with the Lord's; and having heard their opinions, he • urned to the Commons, asking them, if they would join with the Lord's, in choosing Henry of Lancaster for their King: who all with one voice cried, Yea, Yea: whereupon going to the Duke, he bowed his knee, and taking him by the hand, led him to the Royal seat; and then began a Sermon, taking for his Text, out of the first Book of the Kings, cap. 9. Vir dominabitur in populo: wherein he declared what a happiness it is to a Nation to have a King of wisdom and valor, and shown the Duke of La • caster to be such a one; and as much the defects in both, of the late king Richard. The Sermon ended, the king thanked them all for his El • ction; and testified unto them, that he meant not to take advantage against any man's estate, a • coming in by Conquest; but that everyone should freely enjoy his own, as in times of lawful succession. And now a time was appointed for his Coronation; and accordingly, upon the 13 ^th day of October following, the very day wherein the year before he had been banished, he was Crowned at Westminster, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, with all Rites and Ceremonies accust • med. At his Coronation, he was anointed with an Oil which a Religious man had given to Henry, the first Duke of Lancaster, together with this Proph • re, That the kings anointed with this oil, should be the Champions of the Church. This oil coming to the hands of king Richard, as he was looking amongst his Jewels, going then into Ireland, he was desirous to be anointed with it, but that the Archbishop of Canterbury told him, it was not lawful to be anointed twice: whereupon putting it up again, at his coming afterwards to Fli • t, the Archbishop got it of him, and kept it till • he Coronation of king Henry, who was the first king of the Realm that was anointed with it. The day before the Coronation, the king in the Tower made one and • orty, some say but twelve, knights of the Bathe, whereof four were his own sons, Henry • Thomas, John • , and Humphrey, all then alive; and with th • m, • hree Earls, a • d five •• rons. Upon the Feast-day, many claimed Offices, as belonging to their Tenures, • o which, upon showing their Right, they were admitted. And now the King • ade divers new Officers: The Earl of Northumberland he made Constable of Eng •• nd ; the Earl of Westmorland was made Lord Marshall; Sir John Serle, Chancellor; • ohn Newbery Esquire, Treasurer; and Sir Rich • rd Clifford was made Lord Keeper of • he Privy Seal: The Lord Henry his eldest son, being then about thirteen years • f age, was created Prince of Wal • s, Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester, and • oone after also Duke of Aquitaine : and the Crown was by Parliament E •• ailed • o King Henry, and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten.

After this a Parliament was holden, in which the Acts made in the Eleventh year of King Richard were revived, and the Acts made in his one and twentieth year were wholly repealed; and they who by that Parliament were attainted, were re • tored to their Lands and Honors: whereupon Richard Earl of Warwick was de • ivered out of Prison, and the Earl of Arundells son recovered his Inheritance; • nd many other also that were banished, or imprisoned by King Richard, were then • ully restored to their liberty and estates. Also the King gave to the Earl of West • erland the County of Richmond ; and to the Earl of Northumberland the Isle of M • n, to be holden of him by bearing the sword wherewith he entered into England. And now was the time for showing of Spleens: Sir John Bagot then Prisoner in the Tower, accused the Earl of A • merle for speaking words against the Duke of Lanc • ster, now King: also the Lord Fitzwater accused him for the death of the Duke of Gloucester: the Lord M • rley appealed the Earl of Salisbury of Treason: and one Hall accused the Duke of Exceter, for conspiring the death of John of Gaunt the Kings father: But King Henry having entered the Throne in a storm, was willing now to have a Calme; and therefore laying aside the ones Accusations, he accepted of the others Excuses, and received the Duke of A • merle, and the Duke of Exceter into as much favor, as if they had never been accused:

And to qualify the hard opinion which foreign Princes might conceive of King Richards Deposing, He sent Ambassadors into divers Countries, to make it known, by what Title, and by what favor of the People he came to the Kingdom. To the Court of Rome he sent John Trenevant Bishop of Hereford, Sir John Cheyny Knight, and John Cheyny Esquire: Into France he sent Walter Sherlow Bishop of Durham, and Thomas Percy Earl of Worcester: Into Spain he sent John Trevor Bishop of Assaph, and Sir William Parre: and into Germany he sent the Bishop of Bangor, and certain others. Most of these Princes seemed either not to regard what was done, or were easily persuaded that all was done well: only Charles King of France was so distempered with this indignity offered to his son in Law K. Richard, that by violence of his Passion, he fell into his old pangues of Frensie; but somewhat recovered, he resolved to revenge it; wherein many Lord's of France shown themselves forward, but specially the Earl of S. Paul, who had married K. Richards half-sister: yet having prepared an Army in readiness, when afterward they heard of King Richards death, they dissolved it again, as considering the time was then past. The Aquitaines also, and specially the Citizens of Burdeaux, as being the place where K. Richard was born, were mightily incensed: but Sir Robert Knolls Lieutenant of Guyen, and afterwards Thomas Percy Earl of Worcester, being sent to them by the King, so persuaded them, that with much ado they continued in obedience.

It was about this time, moved in Parliament, what should be done with King Richard (for he was not as yet murdered:) Whereupon, the Bishop of Carlisle, • learned man and wise, and who had never given allowance to the Deposing of King Richard ; now that he was in a place of freedom of speech, he rose up, and said:

Much to this purpose was the Bishops speech; but to as little purpose as if he had gone about to call back Yesterday: The matter was too far gone; and scarce a person there present, that had not a hope of either a private or a public benefi • by that which was done. Yet against this speech of the Bishop there was neither Protesting nor Excepting; It passed in the House as but one man's opinion: And as for the King, it was neither fit he should use much severity against any Member of that Parliament which had so lately shown so much indulgence towards him; nor indeed safe, to be too hot in his Punishment, when he was yet scarce warm in his Government. Yet for a warning to use their liberty of speech with more moderation hereafter, the Bishop was arrested by the Marshall, and committed to Prison in the Abby of S. Albans, but afterward without further censure se • at liberty; till upon a conspiracy of the Lord's, wherein he was a Party, he was condemned to die, though through extremity of grief he prevented execution. But as for King Richard, and Edmund Mortimer Earl of March, enough was spoken by the Bishop in both their behalfes, to undo them both: and indeed, K. Richard was soon after made away; the Earl secured himself by retiring far off, to his Lordship of Wigmore : avoiding the danger of Contention, by not entering the Lists of Aspiring: But although the Divine Providence, for causes hidden from human knowledge, gave way at this time to the advancement of the younger, the House of Lancaster ; yet in the third Generation after, the elder, the House of Clarence recovered its Right, in K. Edwa •• the Fourth; that we may know, it is but staying the leisure of Heaven, for everyone to have his Right, either in Person, or by Proxy.

But whether incited by this speech of the Bishop, or otherwise out of the ran •• ur of envy is some, and malice in others; it was not long after, before there grew in the minds of many both Lord's and other, a malignant inclination towards King Henry ; and came first to be a Conspiracie in the house of the Abbot of Westminster. This Abbot was a kind of Book-statesman, but better read in the Politicks of Aristotle then of Solomon ; who remembering some words of King Henry, which he had spoken long before, when he was but Earl of Darby ; That Princes had too little, and Religious men too much: and fearing, lest being now king, he should reduce his words into act, he thought it better to use preventing Physic beforehand, then to sta • d to the hazard of a curing afterward: and thereupon invited to his house the discontented Lord's •• s namely, John Holland Duke of Exceter, Thomas Holland hi • brothers son, Duke of Surry, Edward Duke of A • merle, John Montacute Earl of S • lisbury, Hugh Spenser Earl of Gloucester, John Bishop of Carlisle, Sir Thomas Blunt, and Ma •• lin one of King Richards Chapel: who after dinner conferring together, and communicationg their spleenes against King Henry one with another; they resolved at last, both to take away the Kings life, and of the way how to do it. The device was this: They would publish a solemn Justs to be • olden at Oxford, at a day appointed, and invite the King to honor it with his presence; and there, in the time of acting the Justs, when all men's intentions should be otherwise busied, they would have him be murdered. This device was resolved on; Oaths for secrecy were t • ken; and Indentures sextipartite for performing conditions agreed upon between them, sealed and delivered: The Justs are proclaimed; the King is invited, and promiseth to come; secrecy of all hands kept most firmly to the very day: But though all other kept counsel, yet Fortune would not, but she discovered all; For it fortuned, that as the Duke of Aumerle was riding to the Lord's at Oxford, against the day appointed, he took it in his way to go visit his father the Duke of York ; and having in his bosom the Indenture of Confederacy, his father, as they sat at dinner, chanced to spy it, and asked what it was? to whom his son answering, It was nothing that any way concerned him; By S. George, saith his father, but I will see it: and there withal snatching it from him, read it; and finding the Contents, and reviling his son for being now the second time a Traitour, before to King Richard, and now to King Henry, he commanded his horses to be instantly made ready, and with all the speed he could make, rode to Windsor, where the King then lay: but the younger years of his son out-rid him, and came to the Court before him; where locking the Gates, and taking the keys from the Po • ter, pretending some special reason, he went up to the King, and falling on his knees, • sked his Pardon. The king demanding, for what offense? he then discovered the whole Plot: which he had scarce done, when his father came rapping at the Court-gates, and coming to the king, shown him the Indenture of Confederacy which he h • d taken from his son. This, though i • amazed the king, yet it informed him of the truth of the matter, whereof he was before doubtful; and thereupon lays aside his journey to see the Justings of others in jest, and takes care that he be not justled in earnest out of his Throne himself. In the mean time, the confederate Lord's being ready at Oxford, and hearing nothing of the Duke of Aumerle, nor seeing any preparation for the kings coming, were certainly persuaded that their Treason w • s discovered: Whereupon falling into consideration of the case they were in, they found there was no place left for them of Mercy, and there • fore were to stand upon their Guard, and provide the best they could for their safety: To which purpose, the first thing they did was to apparel Magdalene in Princely robes, a man as like to king Richard in countenance and pesonage, as one man lightly can be to another; and to give forth that he was king Richard escaped out of Prison, thereby to countenance their proceedings: The next thing was to dispatch me • senger • to the king of France, and require his assistance. This done, they set forward in Battle-array towards Windsor, against king Henry ; but finding him gone to London before they came, they then deliberate what course to take: Some advised to set K. Richard at liberty, before their counterfeit Richard should be discovered: Others • hought best to follow the king to London, and set upon him unprovided, and befo • e he had g • thered Forces. In this division of Advises, when they could not do both, they did neither; but as men amazed, ma • ched on, though they knew not well wh • there, till they came to Colbrooke ; by which time the king had gathered an Army of twenty thousand, and was marching towards them: but they not thinking so well of their c •• se, that they durst put it to the trial of a battle; or perhaps staying for aid out of France ; withdrew themselves back to Sunnings near to Reading, where the young Queen lay • to whom their coming gave some flashes of comfort, but quenched before they were thoroughly kindled: and from thence they march to Cicester ; where the Duke of Surry and the Earl of Salisbury • o • ke up their lodging in one Inn; the Duke of Exceter and the Earl of Gloucester in anoth •• : And now a strange Accident, beyond the reach of all consultation, gave a period to their Design; for who would think that a private company durst oppose those Lord's having their Army so near them? yet the Bailiff of the Town, upon intelligence (no doubt) that these Lord's were up in Arm • against the King, taking with him a company of Townsmen, in the night assaulted the Inn where the Duke of Surry and the Earl of Salis • ury lay; who thus assaulted, made shift to defend themselve • till three a clock in the afternoon; but then, being in danger to be taken, a Priest, one of their company, set divers houses in the Town on fi • e, thinking thereby to divert the Assailants from prosecuting the Lord's, to save their houses: but this inflamed them the more; and so hotly they pursued their as • ault, that they wounded the Duke and the Earl to death; who dying that night; their heads were stricken off, and sent up to London. With them also were taken, Sir Bennet Shelley, Sir Barnard Brocas, Sir Thomas Blunt, and eight and twenty other Lord's, Knights and Gentlemen; who were sent to Oxford, where the King then lay, and there were put to execution. The Duke of Exceter in the other Inn, hearing of this assault, fled out of the backside towards the Campe, intending to bring the whole Army to the rescue • but the soldiers having heard a clamour, and seeing fire in the Town, supposing the King had been come with all his Forces, out of a sudden fear dispersed them selves and fled; which the Duke seeing, he also, with Sir John Shelley, fled into Essex, where wandering and lurking in secret places, he was at last apprehended as he sat at supper in a friends house, and led to Plashey, and there shortly after beheaded; the place, where by his counsel and countenance, the Duke of Gloucester formerly had been apprehended: that we may observe, how the Divine Providence, in revenging of injuries, takes notice, and makes use of the very circumstance of place where the injuries are • one. The Earl of Gloucester fled towards Wales, but was taken, and beheaded at Bristow. Magdalene the counterfeit king Richard, was apprehended and brought to the Tower, and afterward hanged and quartered; with M ^r . Fereby, another of king Richards Chaplains. Divers other Lord's, and Knights, and Gentlemen, and a great number of mean persons, were in other places put to death; that so much Noble blood, at one time, and for one cause, hath scarce been heard or read of. The Abbot of Westminster, in whose house the Plot was contrived, hearing of these misfortunes, as he was going between the Monastery and his Mansion, fell suddenly into a Palsy, and shortly after, without speech, ended his life. About this time also, a strange piece of Treason is reported to have been practiced against the kings life: that there was found in his bed-clothes an Iron with three sharp pikes standing upright; that when the king should have laid him down, he might have thrust himself upon them. But seeing there is no farther mention of inquiring after it; it seems to have been but an idle rumour not worth believing.

But now that the hot English blood was well allayed, the Welch blood springs up as hot: For now, Owen Glendour an Esquire of Wales, brought up at the Inns of Court in London ; partly out of a desire to revenge a wrong done him (as he conceived) in a suit for lands in controversy between the Lord Grey of Ruthin and him, but chiefly out of an humor of aspiring, endeavored to draw the Welchmen to a general defection, telling them, That the English being at variance amongst themselves, now was the time to shake off their yoke, and to resume their own ancient Laws and Customs. To whose persuasions the Welchmen hearkening, made him their king and Captain; and he having gotten a competent Army, sets first upon his old Advers • ry • ey • old Lord Grey of Ruthin, and takes him Prisoner; yet with promi • e of Releasement, if he would marry his daughte • ; which offer, though the Lord Grey at first not only refused, but scorned, yet out of necessity at last he was contented to accept; when notwithstanding, his deceitful father in Law trifled out the time of his enlargement, till he died. But the Welchmen growing confident upon this success, break into the borders of Herefordshire, making spoil and prey of the Country as freely as if they had leave to do it; for indeed none opposed them but only the Lord Ed •• nd Mortimer, who had formerly withdrawn himself to his Castle at Wigmore ; an • he having assembled the Forces of the Country, and joining b • ttell with them, was taken Prisoner, and then fettered, and cast into a deep and vile Dungeon. It was thought if Glendour had as well known how to use his victory, as to get it; he might at this time have put the English yoke into a great haz • rd to be shaken off: but he having killed a thousand of the English, thought he had done for that time, and so giving over the pursuit, retired. The inhumanity of the Welsh women was here memorable, who fell upon the dead carcasses of the English, first stripping them, and then cutting off their privy parts, and noses; whereof the o • e they thrust into their mouths, the other they pressed between their buttock • . Many noble men, specially his kinsmen the Percies, solicited King Henry to deliver Mortimer ; but the King was deaf of that ear, he could rather have wished both him and his two Sisters in heaven, for then he should be free from concealed competitours.

These affronts were at this time suffered in the Welch, because the King was now employed in a more dangerous service with the Scots ; for they taking advantage of the distraction in the kingdom (as it was always their custom to do) had made an In-rode into the County of Northumberland, and sudden • y one night set upon the Castle of Werke ; took and spoiled it, and then returned. In revenge whereof, the English invaded and spoiled certain Islands of the Orkn • ys: Then the Scots set forth a Fleet, under the conduct of Sir Robert Logon ; but before he came to any action, he was encountered, and the greatest part of his Fleet taken. But these were but such affronts, as often happen between troublesome neighbors; for all this while the Peace was still in being between the Nations, but at last it brake out into an open war upon this occasion: Robert King of Scots had offered to match his Son David with a D • ughter of Geo • ge Earl of Dunbarre, and had received money of him in part of her portion; and afterward would neither suffer the March to proceed, nor yet pay back the money; but married his Son to a Daughter of Archibold Earl of D •• glass : Upon which indignity, George of Dunbarre flies into England to king Henry ; and with his aid makes divers incursions into Sco • land : Whereupon Rober • king of Scots sent to king Henry, that if he would have the Truce between them to continue, he should deliver to him George of Dunbarre. King Henry answered, that he had given him a safe conduct, and could not now recall it with his Honor; but as for continuing the Truce, king Robert might do in that what he thought best • Upon this answer, the king of Scots presently proclaimed war against him; But king Henry as ready in that matter as he, stayed not for king Roberts invading of England ; but himself with a puissant Army invaded Scotland, burning Castles, and Cities, and not sparing Churches, and Religious Houses. About the end of September, he besieged the Castle of Maydens in Edenbourgh, where Prince David, and the Earl Dowglasse were: At which time, Robert Duke of Albanye, who in the king of Scots sickness managed the business, sent an Herald to king Henry, protesting upon his honor, that if he would stay but six days, he would give him battle. K. Henry rewarded the Herald, and stayed; but six times six days passed, but neither Duke of Albany, nor any other for him appeared. And now winter came on, Victualls grew scant, and which was worst, a mortality began in the Engl • sh Campe; For which causes, king Henry removed his Siege, and retu • ned i • t • England. As soon as he was gone, sir Patrick Hebborne a Scottishman, having a good opinion of his valor, thought to do great matters; and with a competent Army of the men of L •• gh-dean, he invaded Northumberland, making great spoil, and loading his Soul • diers with prey, and prisoners; but in the Retreit, marching loosely and licentiously, was set upon by the Earl of Northumberland Vice-warden, at a Town called Neshye ; where Hebborne himself, and all the flour of L • ugh-dean were flaine; sir John and William Cockburne, sir William Busse, John and Thomas Hablington Esq • ires and a multitude of common Soldiers taken prisoners. On the Engl • sh part few sl • in • and none of any rank or quality: In revenge whereof, Archibold Dowglasse with an Army of twenty thousand entered Northumberland ; but at a place called Hom • ldon, were encountered by the English, under the leading of Henry Lord Percye, surnamed Ho • spu •• e, and George Earl of March, who put them to • light; and after the slau • hter of ten thousand of them, took five hundred prisoners; whereof the chieft were Mordack Earl of Fife, (son of the General, who in the fight lost one of his eyes) Thomas Earl of Murrey, Robert Earl of A • gus, the Earls of Atholl and Menli •• • and amongst the slain, were Sir John Swinton, Sir Adam Gourdon, Sir John Leviston, Sir Alexander Ramsey, and three and twenty other knights.

In this mean time, Glendour of Wales had solicited the king of France for aid, who sent him twelve hundred men of quality, but the winds were so contrary, that they lost twelve of their ships, and the rest returned home. The English, deriding this ill success of the French, so exasperated the French-king, that presently after he sent twelve thousand, who landed safely, and joined with the Welch; but as soon as they heard of the English armies approach, whether mistrusting their own strength, or suspecting the Welch-men's faithfulness, they ran to their ships and disgracefully went home.

King Henry 's Ambassadors lately sent into Britain to fetch the Lady Jane de Navarre Duchess of Britiane, the relict of John de Montford surnamed the Conqueror • with whom the king by Procurators had contracted Matrimony; in the beginning of February returned with her in safety: The king met her at Winchester, where the seventh of February the marriage was solemnized.

About this time some affronts were offered by the French: Valerian Earl of S. Paul, with seventeen hundred men, landed in the Isle of Wight, where he burnt two Villages and some few Cottages; but hearing the people of the Island to have assembled, he made haste to his ships, and returned home. Also John Earl of Clermont (the heir of Bourbon ) won from the English the Castles of S. Peter, S. Mary, and the New-Castle : The Lord de la Brett, won the Castle of Cal •• in ; places of great consequence to the English.

And now to make k. Henry sensible that a Crown can hardly ever sit easy upon the head, if it be not set on right at first; a new Conspiracy is hatching against him: The Percies, Earls of Northumberland and Worcester, with Henry Hotspur, began about thi • time to fall off from king Henry ; their reason was, First, because the king at their request refused to redeem their kinsman Mortimer from Glendours slavery; and then because he denied them the benefit of such prisoners as they had taken of the Scots, at Homildon or N • shye : whereupon they went of themselves, and procured Mortimer 's delivery, and then entered into a League offensive and defensive with Glendour, and by their Proxies, in the house of the Arch-deacon of Bangor, they agreed upon a Tripartite Indenture under their hands and seals, to divide the kingdom into three parts; whereby all England from Sever • and Trent, South and Eastward, was assigned for the portion of the Earl of March : All Wales and the Lands beyond Sever • Westward, were assigned to Owen Glendour : And all the remainder of land from Trent Northward, to be the portion of the Lord Percy. In this, as Glendour persuaded them, they thought they should accomplish a Prophesy; as though king Henry were the Mouldwarp cursed of God's own mouth; & they three were the Lyon the Dragon and the Wolf which should divide the Land among them. In this mean time king Henry, not acquainted with this Conspiracy, caused a Proclamation to be made, intimating that the Earl of March had voluntarily caused himself to be taken prisoner, to the end, the Rebels having him in their custody, might pretend some color for their Conspiracy; and therefore he had small reason to take care for his deliverance. Hereupon the Percies assisted with a company of Scots, and drawing to their party the Earl of Stafford, and Richard Scroope Archbishop of York and many other, purposed to join with the Captain of the Welch, but first they framed certain Articles against the king, and sent them to him in writing. That he had falsified his Oath given at his landing, swearing that he came but only to recover his Inheritance, and would not meddle with the King, or with the Crown. That most traitorously he had taken Arms against his Sovereign Lord, Imprisoned him, and then most barbarouusly caused him to be murdered. That ever since the death of king • ichard, he had unjustly kept the Crown from his kinsman Edmund M • rtimer Earl of March, to whom of right it belonged. That upon no occasion, he had imposed divers Taxes upon the people. That by his Letters he procured Burgesses and Knights of the Parliament to be chosen; for which causes and many other, they defyed him, and vowed his destruction, and the restoring of the Earl of March to his right. King Henry could not but know that all these Articles against him were true, yet seeing the knowing it hindered him not from seeking to get the Crown when he had it not; it could less hinder him from seeking to keep it now that he had it; and if he were able, being a private man, to get it from a King, he was likely to be more able, being now a king, to keep it from private • men; and as for any objections that Conscience could make, he had enough to answer them all: For, if his Title were good against king Richard, by his Resignation, it was as good against Mortimer by his swearing Allegiance; and upon these grounds, with a mind as confident as if all cyrcumstances were of his side, he raised an Army, and marched towards the Lord's, taking care they might by no means join with the Welch; and about Shrewsbury, on Saturday S. Mary Magdalens Eve, he encountered them, in which fight though the Scots and Henry Hotspur shown much valor, yet the victory rested on the kings side; Hotspur himself was slain, the Earl of Worcester was taken prisoner, together with Sir Richard Vernon, Sir Theobald Trussel, the Baron of Kinderton ; and the rest fled. On the kings part (besides the Earl of Stafford, who had that morning revolted from the Conspirators) were slain Sir Hugh Sherley, Sir John Clifton • Sir John Cockayn, Sir Nicholas Gausell, Sir Walter Blunt, Sir John Calverley, Sir John Massy of Puddingtr • , Sir Hugh Mortimer and Sir Robert Gausell, all which had been but that morning dubbed knights, with Sir Thomas Wendsley, who died afterwards of his wounds; of common Soldiers about sixteen hundred, but of the Conspirators above six thousand, whereof 36 the king slew with his own hand, but was once unhorsed by Dowglasse, who in his presence slew Sir Walter Blunt, with divers others, that day in all things attired like to the king; for which exployt, Dowglasse (being after by the fall of his horse taken prisoner) was by the kings command, carefully attended, and without Ransom set at liberty: In this batttell, the young Prince Henry, though wounded in the face with an Arrow, yet was not wounded in his courage, but continued fighting still. After this victory the king caused public thanks to be given to God, and then caused the Earl of Worcester to be beheaded, and many others of that Rebellion to be drawn hanged and quartered, and their heads placed on London Bridge: And then the king sent his son Henry Prince of Wales, with his whole Army into that Country; but before his coming, Owen Glendour was abandoned by all his Company, and lurking in the woods was there famished; many of his associates were taken and put to death. Whilest the Prince was in Wales, Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland, of his own accord, came and submitted himself to the king, protesting his innocence, a • not being once acquainted with any intent of Treason and Rebellion; whose excuse the king received for the present with gentle language, the rather for that he had the possession of Barwick Castle and other places of strength in his power, but yet he wiped not off the score of his misdemeanors out of his mind.

And now with the fourth year of his Reign ended all the great Troubles of this k. Henry the fourth: those that follow are but such accidents as are frequent in all times both abroad and at home. The Britons under the leading of the Lord of Castiles, spoiled the Town of Plymouth ; In revenge whereof, the Western-men, under the command of William Wilford, set forth • Fleet, which arriving in Britain, took forty ships laden with Oil and Wines, and burnt forty more. Again the French landed a thousand men in the Isle of Wight • where they got together a great booty of Cattle, but the Islanders coming upon them took away their booty, and made many of them leave their Carkases for a booty to the • sland. Yet the French would not leave so, but a while after, as having gotten new spirits, they cast Anchor before the Isle of Wight, and require no less then to have the Island into their possession, but a resolute answer of the Islanders frighted them away, and made them glad they were gone. Soone after this the Duke of Orleans, brother to the French king, in a vaunting style, sent a challenge to king Henry to meet him in the field, each of them to have a hundred in his Company; to which the king answered, That for his own valor it had sufficiently been tried, and for this challenge of the Dukes, neither the Person nor the Cause were worthy of his undertaking. Upon this refusal of the kings, divers taunts and jeeres were bandied be • ween them, till at last the Duke, in great passion, falls upon Vergie a Town in Guyen, but after three months assaulting it, being valiantly defended by Sir Robert An • field and three hundred Englishmen, he was glad to give over with loss, and return into France. Presently upon this, the Admiral of Britain, accompanied with the Lord du Castile, and thirty sails of ships, attempted to land at Dertmouth in Devonshire, but were repelled, and the Lord du Castile, and two of his brothers, and four hundred of his men were slain, besides two hundred taken Prisoners; of whom, the Lord Baquevile Marshall of Britain, was one. After this, five hundred men of arms, five hundred Cross-bows, and a thousand Flemmings, under the conduct of the Earl of S. Paul, laid siege to the Castle of Mar • k, three leagues fr • m C • llice ; but first by Sir Philip Hall Captain of Calais, and after by Sir Richard Aston Lieutenant of the English pale, they were forced to retire and fly: The Earl of S. Paul escaped to S. Omers, but left many of his men of quality behind him, and more taken Prisoners. After this, Thomas Duke of Clarence, the Kings second son, and the Earl of Kent, with competent Forces entered the Haven of Sluce, where they burnt four ships riding at anchour, and then returned to the relief of Calais, besieged at that time by the French; and in the way took three Carricks of G • noua richly laden, and brought them into the Chamber of Rye. And these were the troubles of this King abroad: But now at home, the Relics of the former Northern Rebellion began to revive; for now, Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland, Richard Scroope Archbishop of York, Thomas Mowbray Earl Marshall, the Lord's, Hastings, Fawconbridge, and Bardolfe, with divers others, conspired, at a time appointed, to meet upon Yorkswould-Downes, and there to bid defiance to king Henry. Articles of Grievances were framed, and set up in all public places, which drew multitudes to be partakers of the enterprize. But now, Ralph Nevill Earl of Westme • land, with the Lord John the Kings third son, the Lord's Henry Fitz-Hughes, Ralph Evers, and Robert Vmphrevile, make head against them; and coming into a Plain in the Forrests of Galltree, they sat down right against the Archbishop and his Forces, which were twenty thousand; and Westmorland perceiving the Enemies forces to be far more than theirs, he used this policy: he sent to the Archbishop, demanding the reason why he would raise Forces against the king? who answering, that his Arms were not against the king, but for his own defense, whom the king, upon the instigation of Sycophants, had threatened; withal he sent him a scrowle of their grievances, which Westmorland read, and seemed to approve, and thereupon desired a conference with him: The Archbishop more credulous then wise, persuaded the Earl Marshall to go with him to the place appointed to confer: the Articles are read and allowed of; and thereupon Westmorland seeming to commiserate the soldiers • having been in armor all day, and weary, wished the Archbishop to acquaint his Party, as he would his, with this their mutual agreement; and so shaking hands, in most Courtly friendship drank unto him; whereupon the soldiers were willed to disband, and repair home: which they had no sooner done, but a Tro • p of horse, which in a colorable manner had made a show to depart, wheeled about, and afterwards returned; and being come in • ight, the Earl of Westmorland arrested both the Arcbishop and the Earl Marshall, and brought them both Prisoners to the king at Po • fret ; who passing from thence to York, the Prisoners likewise were carried thither, and the next day both of them beheaded. At Durham, the Lord's Hastings and F • wconbridge, with two knights, were executed. Northumberland, with the Lord Bardolfe, fled first to Barwick, and after into Scotland, where they were entertained by David Lord Flemming: whereupon the king gave summons to the Castle of Barwick, which at first they refused to obey, but upon the planting and discharging of a Piece, they presently yielded without composition: and here William Greystock, Henry Baynton, and John Blink • nsop, knights, and five other were presently put to execution, and many others committed to several Prisons. About this time, James son and heir of Robert king of Scotland, a child of nine years old, attended by the Earl of Orkney, as he was sailing into France, was taken by certain Mariners of Norfolk, who brought him to the King at Windsor, the 30. of March, 1408. and the King sent them to the Tower of London.

Northumberland and Bardolfe, after they had been in Wales, France, and Flanders, to raise a Power against King Henry, returned back into Scotland, and after a year with a great Power of Scots entered England, and came into Yorkshire, making great spoil and waste as they passed: but Sir Thomas Rokesby Sheriff of York, levying the forces of the County, upon Bramham-moore gave them battle; in which Northumberland was slain, Bardolfe taken, but wounded to death, and the rest put to flight. About this time also, Sir Robert Vmphrevile Vice-admirall of England, with ten men of war entered Scotland, burnt their Gally • t, and many other ships over against Lieth, and brought away with him fourteen tall ships laden with corn and other staple commodities, which at his return he sent into the Markets round about, and thereby brought down the prizes of all things, and purchased to himself the name of Mend-market.

The Prince had been a Student In Queens College in Oxford, under the tuition of his Uncle Henry Beaufort, Chancellor of that University, afterwards Bishop of Lincol • e and Winchester, and lastly made a Cardinal, by the title of Eusebius. From Oxford, the Prince was called to Court, and the Lord Thomas Percy Earl of Worcester was made his Governor: but coming afterward to be at his own disposing, whether being by nature valorous, and not yet well stayed by time and experience; o • whether incited by ill companions, and emboldened by the opinion of his own greatness; he ran into many courses so unworthy of a Prince, that it was much doubted what he would prove when he came to be Prince. Once, it is said, he lay in wait for the Receivers of his fathers Rents, and in the person of a Thief set upon them and robbed them. Another time, when one of his companions was arraigned for felony before the Lord Chief Justice, he went to the Kings Bench bar, and offered to take the Prisoner away by force; but being withstood by the Lord Chief Justice, he stepped to him, and struck him over the face: whereat the Judge nothing abashed, rose up and told him, that he did not this affront to him, but to the King his father, in whose place he sat; and therefore to make him know his fault, he commanded him to be committed to the Fleet. You would have wondered to see how calm the Prince was in his own cause, who in the cause of his companion had been so violent: for he quietly obeyed the Judges sentence, and suffered himself to be led to Prison. This passage was not a little pleasing to the King, to think that he had a Judge of such courage, and a Son of such submission: but yet for these and such other pranks, he removed him from being President of the Council, and placed in it his third son John. This made the Prince so sensible of his fathers displeasure, that he thought it necessary to seek by all means to recover his • ood opinion; which he endeavored to do by a way as strange as that by which he lost it: for, attiring himself in a garment of blew Satin, wrought all with Eylet-holes of black silk, at every hole the needle hanging by which it was sowed, and about his arm a thing in fashion of a hounds collar, studded with SS. of gold, he came to the Court at Westminster : to whom, the King (though not well in health) caused himself, in a Chair, to be brought into his Privy Chamber; where, in presence of but three of four of his Privy Council, he demanded of the Prince the cause of his unwonted habit and coming? who answered, That being not only his subject but his son, and a son so tenderly always regarded by him, he were worthy of a thousand deaths, if he should intend or but imagine the least offense to his sacred Majesty, and therefore had fitted himself to be made a sacrifice; and therewithal reached his dagger, holding it by the point to his father, For (said he) I desire not to live longer, than I may be thought to be, what I am and shall ever be, Your faithful and obedient Vassall. With this or the like Answer, the King was so moved, that he fell upon his sons neck, and with many tears embracing him, confessed that his ears had been too open to receive reports against him, and promising faithfully, that from thenceforth no reports should cause any disaffection towards him • The king about this time, made his Son John Duke of Bedford, and his Son Humphe • Duke of Gloucester ; he made also sir Thomas Beauford Earl of Dorset, and the Earl of Arundel he created Duke of York.

The rest of king Henries days, from this time forward, being scarce a year, was free from all trouble both abroad and at home; unless perhaps he might be troubled in mind: for having shed so much English and Noblebloud; for expiation whereof, or else to the end he might join Valour and Devotion in one action together, which hitherto he but used singly; he took upon him the Crusado, and at a Council in White-Friars, order was taken, and great preparation was made for his journey to Jerusalem: But it was otherwise Decreed in Heaven; and yet not so otherwise, but that he ended his life in Jerusalem, as shall be shown hereafter.

Of his Taxations.

IN the very beginning of his Reign, it might pass instead of a Taxation, that he found in king Richards Coffers, in money and jewels, to the value of seven hundred thousand pounds. In his fourth year, an extraordinary Subsidy was granted him; Twenty shillings of every knights Fee, and of everyone that had twenty shillings a year in land, twelve pence and upward, according to that rate; and of everyone that had twenty pounds in goods, twelve pence, and upward according to that rate; but with this caution and protestation, that it should not hereafter be drawn for a President, and that no Record thereof should be made. In his sixth year, the Clergy granted to the king a Tenth. In his seventh year, the Clergy granted a Tenth and a half, and the Commons two Fifteens. In a Parliament holden the ninth year of his Reign, the king moved to have allowed him in every year wherein there was no Parliament kept • a Tenth of the Clergy, and a Fifteenth of the Layity; to which demands the Bishops assented, but the Commons would not. In his seventh year, a Parliament began which lasted almost a whole year, in which a Subsidy was at last granted; so sharp, that even Priests and Friers who lived of Alms, were forced everyone to pay a noble.

Of Laws and Ordinances made in his time.

IN this kings days, burning and execution by fire for controversies in Religion was first put in practice.

Also in the first year of his Reign an Act was made, that no person of what degree soever, should after that day allege for his excuse, any constraint or coa • cting of his Prince • for doing of any unlawful act; and that such excuse after that day, should stand him in no stead.

Also an Act was made, that no Lord, nor other, might give any Liveries to any but their household and meniall servants. In his twelveth year, the king caused a new coin of Nobles to be made, which was of less value than the old Noble, by four pence.

Also that all Rypiers, and other Fishers from any of the Sea-coasts, should sell their fish in Cornhill and Cheapside