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Holinshed's Chronicles, vol. 3 of 6, slice 3 of 9: England, 1423-1461, Henry VI

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Title: Holinshed's Chronicles, vol. 3 of 6, slice 3 of 9: England, 1423-1461, Henry VI

Author: Raphael Holinshed


        
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Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOLINSHED'S CHRONICLES, VOL. 3 OF 6, SLICE 3 OF 9: ENGLAND, 1423-1461, HENRY VI ***

HENRIE THE SIXT,

sonne and heire to Henrie the fift.


[Sidenote: 1422.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 1.]

[Sidenote: _Buchan lib. 10._]

After that death had bereft the world of that noble prince king
Henrie the fift, his onelie sonne prince Henrie, being of the age of
nine moneths, or thereabouts, with the sound of trumpets was openlie
proclamed king of England and France the thirtith daie of August, by
the name of Henrie the sixt; in the yeare of the world fiue thousand,
thrée hundred, eightie and nine, after the birth of our Sauiour 1422,
about the twelfe yeare of the emperour Frederike the third, the fortith
and two and last of Charles the sixt, and the third yeare of Mordaks
regiment (after his father Robert) gouernour of Scotland. The custodie
of this yoong prince was appointed to Thomas duke of Excester, & to
Henrie Beauford bishop of Winchester. The duke of Bedford was deputed
regent of France, and the duke of Glocester was ordeined protectour of
England; who taking vpon him that office, called to him wise and graue
councellors, by whose aduise he prouided and tooke order as well for
the good gouernment of the realme & subiects of the same at home, as
also for the maintenance of the warres abroad, and further conquest to
be made in France, appointing valiant and expert capteins, which should
be readie, when néed required. Besides this, he gathered great summes
of monie to mainteine men of warre, and left nothing forgotten that
might aduance the good estate of the realme.

While these things were a dooing in England, the duke of Bedford regent
of France studied most earnestlie, not onelie to kéepe and well order
the countries by king Henrie late conquered; but also determined not
to leaue off warre & trauell, till Charles the Dolphin (which was
now aflote, because king Charles his father in the moneth of October
in this present yeare was departed to God) should either be subdued,
or brought to obeisance. And suerlie the death of this king Charles
caused alterations in France. For a great manie of the nobilitie,
which before, either for feare of the English puissance, or for the
loue of this king Charles (whose authoritie they followed) held on
the English part, did now reuolt to the Dolphin, with all indeuour
to driue the English nation out of the French territories. Whereto
they were the more earnestlie bent, and thought it a thing of greater
facilitie, because of king Henries yoong yeares; whome (because he was
a child) they estéemed not, but with one consent reuolted from their
sworne fealtie: as the recorder of the Englishmens battels with forren
nations, verie aptlie doth note, saieng:

    Hîc Franci puerum regem neglectui habentes
    Desciscunt, violátque fidem gens perfida sacro
    Consilio ante datam.

The duke of Bedford being greatlie mooued with these sudden changes,
fortified his townes both with garrisons of men, munition, and
vittels, assembled also a great armie of Englishmen and Normans, and
so effectuouslie exhorted them to continue faithfull to their liege
and lawfull lord yoong king Henrie, that manie of the French capteins
willinglie sware to king Henrie fealtie and obedience, by whose example
the communaltie did the same. Thus the people quieted, and the countrie
established in order, nothing was minded but warre, and nothing spoken
of but conquest.

[Sidenote: Pont Meulan surprised by the Fr[=e]ch.]

[Sidenote: 1423.]

[Sidenote: _Enguerant._]

The Dolphin which lay the same time in the citie of Poitiers, after
his fathers deceasse, caused himselfe to be proclamed king of France,
by the name of Charles the seuenth: and in good hope to recouer his
patrimonie, with an haultie courage preparing war, assembled a great
armie: and first the warre began by light skirmishes, but after it grew
into maine battels. The Dolphin thinking not to lose anie occasions
of well dooing, sent the lord Grauile to the towne of Pont Meulan,
standing on the riuer of Seine, who comming to the same vpon the
sudden, the fourtéenth of Ianuarie, tooke it and slue a great number of
English souldiors, which he found within it.

[Sidenote: Lord Grauile falsified his oth.]

When the duke of Bedford the regent, aduertised of this sudden
surprise, appointed the lord Thomas Montacute earle of Salisburie (a
man both for policie and courage, liker to the old Romans than to men
of his daies) accompanied with the earle of Suffolke, the lord Scales,
the yoong lord Poinings, sir Iohn Fastolfe maister of the houshold,
with himselfe and diuerse others, to besiege the said towne of Pont
Meulan, which after two moneths siege was rendred to the said earle,
and the lord Grauile sware to be true to the king of England euer after
that day: but shortlie after, forgetting his oth, he turned French
againe.

The earle of Salisburie appointed sir Henrie Mortimer, and sir Richard
Vernon, capteins of the towne, and from thence went into Champaigne,
and there besieged the towne of Sens, tooke it, and sir William Marin
the capteine within it, and slue all the souldiors that kept it, made
capteins there sir Hugh Godding, and sir Richard Aubemond. ¶ In this
season, Humfrie duke of Glocester, either striken in loue, or vpon some
other occasion, maried the ladie Iaquet or Iaquelin, daughter and sole
heire to William of Bauier duke of Holland, which was lawfull wife to
Iohn duke of Brabant then liuing, who afterwards (as after ye shall
heare) recouered hir out of the dukes hands.

[Sidenote: Affinitie an interteiner of friendship.]

The chances thus happening (as you before haue heard) Iohn duke of
Bedford, Philip duke of Burgognie, and Iohn duke of Britaine made a
fréendlie méeting in the citie of Amiens, where they renewed the old
league and ancient amitie made betwéene the noble prince king Henrie
the fift and them, adding thereto these conditions and agréements, ech
of them to be to the other fréend and aider; and the enimie of the one
to be enimie to the other; and all they to be fréends and aiders to
the king of England, welwiller to his welwillers, and aduersarie to
his aduersaries. And (bicause that affinitie is commonlie the bond of
amitie) there was concluded a mariage betwéene the duke of Bedford,
and the ladie Anne sister to the duke of Burgognie, which was after
solemnized at Trois in Champaigne, in the presence of the duke of
Burgognie brother to the bride, and of hir vncle the duke of Brabant,
the earles of Salisburie and Suffolke, and of nine hundred lords,
knights, and esquiers, with such feast and triumph, as before that time
had not béene séene of the Burgognions.

[Sidenote: The Parisiens preuented of their practises.]

Whilest these matters were in hand, the Parisiens, thinking to blind
the eies of the duke of Bedford, wrote to him how diuerse castels and
fortresses lieng about their territories, were replenished with their
enimies, dailie stopping their passages, and robbing their merchants,
to their vtter vndooing, if they by his helpe were not relieued. But
this was but a glose of the Parisiens, meaning to cause him to go about
the winning of some strong hold, whilest they in his absence might
bring into the citie Charles the Dolphin, that then called himselfe
French king; for so had they appointed, assigning to him the daie of
his comming, and the post of his entrie. But their practise being
discouered to the duke of Bedford, he with a great power entered into
Paris, one daie before the faire was appointed, & two nights before he
was looked for of his enimies being vnprouided, and suddenlie caused
the conspirators within the citie to be apprehended, and openlie to be
put to execution.

This doone, putting a mistrust in the Parisiens, he caused the castels
and fortresses néere and adioining to the citie, to be furnished with
Englishmen. And to auoid all night-watchers about Paris, and the
confines thereof, he first tooke into his possession either by assault
or composition, the towne of Trainelle and Braie vpon Seine. And
bicause two castels, the one called Pacie, and the other Coursaie were
also euil neighbours to the Parisiens, he sent sir Iohn Fastolfe great
maister of his houshold with a notable armie to win the same castels;
which he did, and with preie and prisoners returned backe againe to his
maister the regent.

[Sidenote: The English armie entreth the riuer and winneth the banke.]

In this verie season, the Dolphin sent the lord William Steward earle
of Buchquhane that was constable of France, and the earle of Ventadour
in Auuergne, and manie other noble men of his part, to laie siege to
the towne of Crauant in the countie of Auxerre, within the parts of
Burgognie. Wherof hearing the lord regent, and the duke of Burgognie
they assembled a great armie, and appointed the earle of Salisburie
to haue the guiding thereof; who with his capteins and men of warre,
English and Burgognions, came in good arraie to giue battell to the
besiegers. And bicause the riuer of Yonne, which runneth by the said
towne, was betwéene the English armie, and their aduersaries, they
could not well assaile their enimies, which defended the bankes and
passages verie stronglie: yet notwithstanding, both horssemen and
footmen of the English part couragiouslie put themselues into the
riuer, and with fine force recouered the banke, whome the Burgognions
incontinentlie followed.

When they were all gotten into the plaine, the archers shot, the
bill men strake, and long was the fight in doubtfull balance. But in
conclusion the Frenchmen not able to resist the force of the English
nation, were discomfited, slaine, and chased, leauing a glorious
victorie to the Englishmen and Burgognions. There were slaine of the
Frenchmen an eightéene hundred knights and esquiers, beside commons:
of Scots néere hand thrée thousand. Amongest the Frenchmen these were
chiefest that were slaine: the earle of Lestrake, the earl of Comigens,
the earle of Tonnoire, the lord Coquart de Comeron, the bastard of
Arminake, the viscount of Touraine, the bastard of Forrestes, the lord
de Port, and the lord Memorancie.

Of Scots the lord of saint Iohns towne, sir Iohn of Balgarie, sir
Iohn Turnbull, sir Iohn Holiburton, sir Robert Lislie, sir William
Coningham, sir William Dowglas, sir Alexander Hume, sir William Lislie,
sir Iohn Rotherford, sir William Craiford, sir Thomas Seton, sir
William Hamilton, and his sonne, Iohn Pillot. There were taken the
earle of Buchquhane constable of France, which lost his eie, the earle
of Ventadour, sir Alexander Meldrine, sir Lewes Ferignie, and two and
twentie hundred gentlemen of the French part. Of Englishmen there were
slaine sir Iohn Greie, sir William Hall, sir Gilbert Halsall one of the
marshals of the field, Richard ap Madocke, and one and twentie hundred
souldiers and men of warre.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 2]

After this fortunate victorie was the earle of Salisburie made (by
the lord regent) lieutenant and vicegerent for the king and the said
lord regent in the countries of France, Brie, and Champaigne; and sir
Iohn Fastolf was substituted deputie vnder the lord regent within the
duchie of Normandie on this side the riuer of Seine; and withall he
was also made gouernour of the countries of Aniou and Maine. The earle
of Salisburie after fiue moneths siege, wan by surrender the towne and
castell of Montaguillon in Brie; the capteins whereof, the one named
Pregent of Cotinie, and Guille Bourgois Britons, sware neuer to beare
armour against the Englishmen on this side the riuer of Loire. In the
mean time of that siege, the earle of Suffolke tooke by force the
castell of Coucie, and the strong castell of la Roch in Masconnois he
got by appointment.

[Sidenote: 1424]

[Sidenote: _Ann. 1423, per Buchanan._]

[Sidenote: Homage doone by the king of Scotland to king Henrie the
sixt.]

In this second yeare of king Henrie the sixt, Iames (the first of
that name & the hundred & second K. of Scotland, tooke to wife the
ladie Iane, daughter to Iohn earle of Summerset deceassed, and sister
to Iohn then duke of Summerset, and also coosine germane remoued to
king Henrie, and néece to the duke of Winchester, and to the duke of
Excester) was set at libertie, couenanting to paie a small portion
of monie more than was allowed to him for his wiues marriage monie,
and left hostages for the same. But before his departure out of the
realme, he did his homage vnto the the yoong king of England Henrie the
sixt at the castell of Windsor, before thrée dukes, two archbishops,
twelue earles, ten bishops, twentie barons, and two hundred knights
and esquiers, beside others, in order of words according to the tenour
hereafter following.




The formall recognisance or acknowledgement of the said homage.


I, IAMES STEWARD, K. of Scots, shall be true and faithfull vnto you
lord Henrie by the grace of God king of England & France, the noble
and superiour lord of the kingdome of Scotland; and to you I make my
fidelitie for the same kingdome of Scotland, which I hold and claime of
you; and I shall beare you my faith and fidelitie of life and lim, and
worldlie honour against all men; and faithfullie I shall knowledge and
shall doo you seruice due for the kingdome of Scotland aforesaid. So
God helpe me, and these holie euangelists.

       *       *       *       *       *

[Sidenote: _Buchan. lib. 10. An. 1425. W. P._]

But notwithstanding this his oth, and the great bounteous liberalitie
of the mother & vncles of his wife, in bestowing on him abundance of
plate & treasure, with rich clothes of arras; he had not béene long at
home, but that soone out of France into Scotland ouer came there Iames
Steward, who (after manie of the Scotish nobilitie by diuerse occasions
in France consumed) grew to be capteine of the horssemen there.
With him came the archbishop of Remes with power and commission for
concluding a league betwéene France and Scotland, and also of a mariage
betwéene Lewes the Dolphins sonne and Margaret Iameses daughter,
though both verie yoong. Which matters acordinglie accomplished, to
France againe they got them. So Iames became as firm French as any of
his predecessours.

[Sidenote: Compeigne surrendered to the English by a policie.]

But now to leaue the Scotish king amongst his countriemen in Scotland,
and returne to the dooings of England. I find that the duke of
Glocester, being protector and gouernour of the realme, prepared an
armie of ten thousand men, and sent them ouer to his brother the regent
into France; who comming into the territorie of Paris, were ioifullie
of him receiued. About the same time the Frenchmen got by stealth
diuerse townes out of the Englishmens hands, and amongst other the
faire towne of Compiegne was one, and the pretie towne of Crotoie an
other. When the duke of Bedford was aduertised hereof, he determined
not to let the matter passe in such sort, but with all conuenient spéed
sent foorth a force to recouer these townes againe. And first the earle
of Suffolke with the earle of Lignie, and diuerse other capteins of
the Englishmen went to besiege Compiegne, and lodged on the one side
of the riuer of Sohame, as the lord Lisle Adham, sir Thomas Ramston,
and the prouost of Paris laie on the other side. The Frenchmen within
the towne well furnished with good souldiers, munition, and vittels,
couragiouslie defended themselues.

[Sidenote: Compeigne & Crotoie recouered from the French.]

The Englishmen remembring that Guilliam Remond, other wise called
Mariolaine had béen the leader of the souldiers within the towne (which
Mariolaine before at Pacie was taken prisoner by sir Iohn Fastolfe)
caused him to be brought from Paris vnto the campe, and set him in a
chariot with an halter about his necke, and conueied him to the gibet
without the towne, sending word to them within, that if they would not
without delaie render the towne, their capteine should incontinentlie
be strangled afore their faces. Which moued the souldiers so much, by
reason of the loue they bare to their old capteine and gouernour, that
for the deliuerance of him and partlie of themselues they yéelded the
towne, so that both he and they might depart with horsse and harnesse
onelie in sure conduct and safetie. Yet yer this towne of Compiegne
was deliuered, sir Philip Hall, which was sent to Crotoie by the
lord regent with eight hundred men to besiege it, got it suddenlie
by assault yer the Frenchmen had either disposed their garrison, or
appointed their lodgings.

About the same time sir Iohn de la Poole brother to the duke of
Suffolke, being capteine of Auranches in Normandie, assembled all
the garrisons of the base marches of the countrie of Aniou, and came
before the citie of Angiers, burnt the suburbes, spoiled and destroied
the whole countrie; and hauing as manie prisoners as his men might go
awaie with, he was incountered by the earle of Aumarle, the vicount of
Narbonne, and six thousand Frenchmen; which finding the Englishmen out
of araie, incumbred with carriage of their great spoile, suddenlie set
on them, gaue them the ouerthrow, slue thrée hundred and tooke manie
prisoners; as the said sir Iohn de la Poole, sir Iohn Basset, Iohn
Aufort lieutenant of Faleise, Iohn Clifton, Henrie Mortimer, and other
to the number of six hundred.

But though the Frenchmen got here in this place, they went not awaie
with like gaine in an other: for the bastard de la Baulme, and the
lord Craignar capteins of Courallon, with a great band made rode into
Masconnois, whom by chance Matthew [1]Gough and other Englishmen,
which were also abroad in the countrie, met and incountred. There was
a sore fight betwéene the parties, being of courage and number in
maner equall. But after long conflict, the Frenchmen almost all were
slaine and taken, and the bastard being well horssed, fled; after
whome followed vpon the spurres, Matthew [2]Gough chasing him euen
to his castell gate, and there tooke him: for the which act he was
much praised of the erle of Salisburie (to whom he presented the said
bastard) and had not onelie the rights giuen him that belonged to the
prisoner but also was rewarded with a goodlie courser at the earles
hands.

[1] Or rather Goche.

[2] Goche.

About this season, Arthur brother to Iohn duke of Britaine, commonlie
called the earle of Richmond, hauing neither profit of the name, nor of
the countrie, notwithstanding that king Henrie the fift had created him
earle of Yurie in Normandie, and gaue him not onelie a great pension,
but also the whole profits of the same towne of Yurie; yet now, bicause
that the duke his brother was returned to the part of the Dolphin, he
likewise reuolting from the English obeisance, came to the Dolphin to
Poictiers, and there offered himselfe to serue him, whom the Dolphin
gladlie accepted, reioising more thereof, than if he had gained an
hundred thousand crownes: for the Britons within the towne of Yurie,
hearing that their maister was ioined with the Dolphin, kept both the
towne and castell against the duke of Bedford, furnishing it dailie
with new men and munition.

The lord regent aduertised hereof, raised an armie of Englishmen and
Normans, to the number of eightéene hundred men of armes, and eight
thousand archers and other. He had in his companie the earles of
Salisburie and Suffolke, the lords Scales, Willoughbie, and Poinings,
sir Reginald Graie, sir Iohn Fastolfe, sir Iohn Saluaine, sir Lancelot
Lisle, sir Philip Hall, sir Iohn Pashleie, sir Iohn Greie, sir Thomas
Blunt, sir Robert Harling, sir William Oldhall, and manie other, both
knights and esquiers, with whom he came before the towne of Yurie,
which was well defended, till they within perceiued themselues in
danger, by reason of a mine which the Englishmen made, wherevpon they
yéelded the towne. But the capteins of the castell would not presentlie
render the place, howbeit they promised to deliuer it, if the same were
not rescued at a day assigned by the Dolphin or his power.

Vpon this promise, hostages were deliuered into the possession of the
lord regent, by whose licence an herald was sent to the Dolphin, to
aduertise him of the time determined; who vnderstanding the distresse
of his fréends, incontinentlie sent Iohn duke of Alanson, as his
lieutenant generall, the erle Douglas, whome at their setting foorth
he made duke of Touraine, and the earle Buchquhane as then constable
of France, the erls of Aumarle, Ventadoure, Tonnere, Maulieurier, and
Forests, the vicounts of Narbonne, and Touars, the lords of Grauile,
Gaules, Malicorne, Mannie, Ballaie, Fountains, Montfort, and manie
other noble knights and esquiers, to the number of fiftéene thousand
Frenchmen and Britons, besides fiue thousand Scots, whome the earle
Dowglas had but latelie transported out of Scotland.

[Sidenote: Verneuil gotten from the Englishmen by crediting a lie.]

This roiall armie approched within two miles of Yurie. But when the
duke of Alanson understood by such as he had sent to view the conduct
of the Englishmen, that he could not get anie aduantage by assailing
them (although the Dolphin had giuen him streict commandement to fight
with the regent) he retired backe with his whole armie to the towne of
Vernueill in Perch, that belonged to the king of England; sending word
to the garrison, that he had discomfited the English armie, and that
the regent with a small number with him by swiftnesse of horsse had
saued himselfe. The inhabitants of Vernueill, giuing too light credit
herevnto receiued the duke of Alanson with all his armie into the towne.

In the meane time came the daie of the rescues of Yurie, which for
want thereof was deliuered to the duke of Bedford by the capteine
called Gerard de la Pallier, who presenting vnto the duke of Bedford
the keies of the castell, shewed him a letter also signed and sealed
with the hands and seales of eightéene great lords, who the daie before
promised by the tenour of the same letter to giue the duke battell, and
to raise the siege. "Well (said the duke) if their hearts would haue
serued, their puissance was sufficient once to haue proffered, or to
haue performed this faithfull promise: but sith they disdaine to séeke
me, God and saint George willing, I shall not desist to follow the
tract of their horsses till one part of us be by battell ouerthrowne."
And herewith he sent foorth the earle of Suffolke with six hundred
horssemen, to espie the dooings of the Frenchmen, and where they were
lodged. The earle riding foorth, passed by Dampuile, and came to
Bretueill, where he heard certeine newes where the Frenchman had gotten
Verneueill, and remained there still.

[Sidenote: The ordering of their battels.]

These newes he sent by post vnto the duke of Bedford, the which
incontinentlie vpon that aduertisement set forward in great hast
towards his enimies. The Frenchmen hearing of his comming, set their
people in arraie, and made all one maine battell without fore ward or
rere ward; and appointed foure hundred horssemen, Lombards and others
to breake the arraie of the Englishmen, either behind, or at the sides,
of the which was capteine sir Stephan de Vinoiles, called the Hire. The
duke of Bedford likewise made one entier battell, and suffered no man
to be on horssebacke, and set the archers (euerie one hauing a sharpe
stake) both on the front of the battell, and also on the sides, like
wings. And behind were all their horsses tied togither, either by the
reins or by the tailes, with the carts and cariages, to the defense
whereof were two thousand archers appointed.

Héerewith either part being come almost to the ioining, the duke
of Alanson, on the one side, exhorted his people to plaie the men,
declaring vnto them, that the conclusion of this battell should
either deliuer them out of vile seruitude, or place them in the vale
of bondage. On the other side, the duke of Bedford, to incourage his
men, willed them to remember how oft they had subdued those their
aduersaries in battell (with whome they should now cope) for the
most part, euer being the lesse number against the greater. Againe,
he declared how necessarie it was to tame the bold attempts of the
presumptuous Dolphin now in the beginning, least if the fire were
suffered further to burne, it must haue néed of the more water to
quench it.

[Sidenote: The battell of Vernoile the 28 of August, 1424.]

Manie words he vttered, to put them in hope of good successe and
victorie. But scarse had he ended his exhortation, when the Englishmen
rushed foorth, and boldlie set on their enimies, crieng, Saint George,
a Bedford, a Bedford: and the Frenchmen likewise cried Montioy saint
Denis. Then began the battell right fierce on both sides, continuing
for the space of thrée houres in doubtfull balance, fortune shewing hir
selfe so equall, that no eie could iudge to whether part she was more
fauourable. But at length, after that those foure hundred horssemen,
which were appointed, as yée haue hard, to brake the arraie of the
Englishmen, had passed thorough on the one side vnto the place where
the cariages and horsses stood, and could not passe further, by reason
of the fierce shot of the English bowes, they falling to the spoile
made a hand, and therewith departed. Those archers then that were
appointed to kéepe the cariages, being now at libertie, came forward,
and so fiercelie shot at the thickest prease of their enimies fighting
on foot, that in the end they were not able longer to indure, but were
borne downe by fine force, and so vanquished.

This battell was fought the eight and twentith of August, in the yeare
of our Lord a thousand foure hundred twentie and foure, in the which
battell were slaine of the Frenchmen the earles of Aumarle, Ventadour,
Forest, Marie, the lords Grauile, Gaules, Fountaines, Ambois, Touars,
Montenie, Combreste, Brunell, Tumble, and Poisie, beside thrée hundred
knights. The vicount Narbonne was hanged on a gibbet, bicause he
was one of the murtherers of the duke of Burgognie. Of Scots also
were slaine, Archembald earle Dowglas, that was made (as before is
mentioned) duke of Touraine, Iames Dowglas sonne to the said Archembald
earle of Wicton, Iohn earle of Bouqhen newlie made constable of France,
sir Alexander Meldrin, sir Henrie Balglauie, sir Iohn Sterling, William
of Homelsdon, sir James Graie, sir Robert Randen, sir Alexander
Linsaie, sir Robert Steward, sir Robert Swinton, and seauen and twentie
hundred Scots of name and armes, beside others.

[Sidenote: Fiue thous[=a]d saith _Aemilius_ but _Nicholas Giles_ saith
there died but foure thous[=a]d on both parts.]

[Sidenote: Dudley and Charleton, two of the English nobilitie, were
slaine at this battell, as _Ia. Meir_ saith.]

So that in this battell were slaine by report of Montioy king at armes
in France, and the English haralds there present, of Frenchmen & Scots
nine thousand and seauen hundred: and of Englishmen one and twentie
hundred, but no man of name, sauing fiue yoong esquiers. And there were
taken prisoners, Iohn duke of Alanson, the bastard of Alanson, the lord
of Faiect, the lord of Hormit, sir Piers Harison, sir Lois de Gaucourt,
sir Robert Brusset, sir Iohn Turnebull a Scot, and two hundred
gentlemen, beside common soldiers. The Frenchmen within Vernoill,
séeing the Dolphins armie thus ouerthrowne, deliuered the towne to the
regent, their liues saued. Then was sir Philip Hall appointed capteine
there, and the lord regent returned, and came to Rone, and after to
Paris.

The Dolphin that called himselfe king of France, was sore appalled with
the ouerthrow of his armie: for he was driuen out of all the countries
in maner, that apperteined to the crowne of France, & might resort
to none except to Bourbonois, Aluergne, Berrie, Poictow, Touraine, a
part of Aniow, and Languedoc: yet to shew himselfe as king, he erected
his court of parlement, his chancerie, & all other courts in the
citie of Poictiers, and there established his great seale, with all
due circumstances thereto apperteining: where he continued fouretéene
yeares togither, and then was remooued to Paris, after he had got that
citie, and expelled the Englishmen, as after shall appeare.

[Sidenote: The lord Scales sent to conquer Aniow and Maine.]

The duke of Bedford lieng at Paris, sent the lord Scales, sir Iohn
Montgomerie, sir Iohn Fastolfe, with two thousand men to winne the
countries of Aniow, and Maine, vnto whom were rendred without assault,
the strong castels of Beaumont le Vicount, Teune, Sillie, Osce,
Courceriers, Roussie, Vasse, Couetemenant, and twentie other, which
I doo héere passe ouer. Such was then the opinion conceiued of the
English puissance, so oft tried, prooued, and preuailing, that the
Frenchmen thought the Englishmen would haue all which they wished for
or wrought for.

[Sidenote: Mans deliuered to the Englishmen.]

The earle of Salisburie, with the said lord Scales, and the other
capteins before named, were appointed with an armie of ten thousand
men, to besiege the rich and strong citie of Mans, the chéefe citie
of all the countrie of Maine; whither when they came, they made their
approches, and planted their batterie to the wals, so that with the
shot of their great péeces (which kind of engins before that time had
not béene much séene nor heard of in France) the citie was within a few
daies despoiled of all hir towers and outward defenses. The citizens
and soldiers, perceiuing in what danger they stood, & knowing not how
to remedie the matter, offered the towne vpon this condition, that all
persons which would tarrie within the towne, might abide; and all that
would depart with horsse and harnesse onelie, should be permitted:
which offers were accepted, and the towne rendered, whereof the earle
made capteine the earle of Suffolke, and his lieutenant sir Iohn
Fastolfe.

After this, the earle of Salisburie besieged the faire towne of saint
Susan, whereof was capteine one Ambrose de Lore, a right valiant
chéefteine. The earle caused the towne to be assaulted at his first
commmg to it; but he lost more than he gained, and therefore left off
his assaults, and caused a trench to be cast about the towne, and so
planted his batterie, by force whereof he ouerthrew the walles, in such
sort that the capteine offered for himselfe and his soldiers 200000
crownes, so that they might depart in their doublets onelie, which
summe (bicause winter approched) was accepted, and the towne yéelded.
Of this towne sir Iohn Popham was made capteine. Then the erle went to
Maine la Iuhez, which towne after fiue wéekes siege was yéelded, and
appointed to the kéeping of sir Iohn Montgomerie, knight.

After the feast of the Purification of our ladie, the earle of
Salisburie besieged the castell de la Fert Barnard; during which siege
a sale was made of the towne of Alanson being in the Englishmens
possession, by a Gascoigne that was one of the garrison there. But
this sale being opened to the erle of Salisburie by the same Gascoigne
at the daie appointed, the lord Willoughbie and sir Iohn Fastolfe,
with two thousand men were sent to incounter with the buiers of that
towne; so that when Charles de Villiers chéefe merchant of this ware,
came earlie in a morning with two hundred horsemen, and thrée hundred
footmen, and approached the towne, abiding for the Gascoigne, yer he
was aware, the Englishmen had compassed him and his companie round
about, and setting vpon the Frenchmen, slue and tooke all the whole
number of them, saue Peter Danthenazie and fiue and twentie other,
which by the swiftnesse of their horsses saued themselues.

[Sidenote: Generall processions after victorie.]

After this conflict, the lord Willoughbie returned to the earle of
Salisburie, lieng still at siege before the towne de la Fert Barnard,
which shortlie after was rendered vp into the erle of Salisburies
hands, to whome the lord regent gaue it, to inioie to him and his
heires for euer. Beside this, the said earle partlie by assalt, &
partlie by composition tooke diuers other, as saint Kales; where he
made capteine Richard Gethin esquier; Thanceaux Lermitage, where he
made gouernour Matthew [3]Gough; Guerland of the which he assigned
ruler Iohn Banaster; Malicorne, whereof he made capteine William
Glasdale esquier; Lisle Soubz Boulton, whereof was made capteine sir
Lancelot Lisle knight; Loupelland, whereof was made capteine Henrie
Branch; Montseur, of the which was made capteine sir William Oldhall
knight: la Suze was assigned to the kéeping of Iohn Suffolke, esquier.
And besides this, aboue fortie castels and piles were ouerthrowne and
destroied. The newes hereof reported in England, caused great reioising
among the people, not onelie for the conquest of so manie townes &
fortresses, but also for that it had pleased God to giue them victorie
in a pitched field: whereof generall processions were appointed, to
render vnto God humble thanks for his fauour so bestowed vpon them.

[3] Or rather Goche.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 3.]

[Sidenote: A subsidie of tunnage and poundage.]

This yeare after Easter, the king called a parlement at Westminster,
by aduise of the péeres; and comming to the parlement house himselfe,
he was conueied through the citie vpon a great courser, with great
triumph, the people flocking into the stréets to behold the child,
whome they iudged to haue the liuelie image and countenance of his
father, and like to succéed him, and be his heire in all princelie
qualities, martiall policies, and morall vertues, aswell as in his
realmes, seigniories and dominions. In this parlement was granted to
the king a subsidie of twelue pence the pound, towards the maintenance
of his warres, of all merchandize, comming in or going out of the
realme, as well of Englishmen as strangers.

[Sidenote: The prince of Portingale commeth to London.]

During which parlement, came to London Peter duke of Quimbre, sonne to
the king of Portingale, cousine germane remooued to the king; which
of the duke of Excester and the bishop of Winchester his vncles was
highlie feasted, he was also elected into the order of the garter.
During the same season, Edmund Mortimer, the last earle of March, of
that name (which long time had béene restreined from his libertie,
and finallie waxed lame) deceassed without issue, whose inheritance
descended to the lord Richard Plantagenet, sonne and heire to Richard
earle of Cambridge, beheaded (as before yée haue heard) at the towne of
Southampton. ¶ In the time of this parlement also was sir Iohn Mortimer
cousine to the same earle, either for desert or malice, atteinted of
treason, and put to execution, of whose death no small slander arose
amongst the common people.

After all these things doone in England and in France, Humfreie duke of
Glocester, who had married the ladie Iaquet, or Iaqueline of Bauier,
countesse of Heinault, Holland, and Zeland (notwithstanding she was
coupled in marriage afore to Iohn duke of Brabant, as yet liuing, and
had continued with him a long space) passed now the sea with the said
ladie, and went to Mons or Bergen in Heinault, where the more part of
the people of that countrie came and submitted themselues vnto him, as
to their souereigne lord, in right of his said wife, the ladie Iaquet
or Iaqueline: with which dooing hir former husband was greatlie mooued.
And likewise the duke of Burgognie, being great friend to the same duke
of Brabant, was much offended: who of old familiaritie wrote louinglie
to the duke of Glocester, requiring him to reforme himselfe according
to reason, and to forsake his vngodlie life, both in kéeping of an
other mans wife, and also in séeking to vsurpe other mens rights and
titles.

Herevpon went letters betwixt them for a time, but at length when
the duke of Burgognie perceiued that the duke of Glocester meant to
mainteine his interest, & to make warre against the duke of Brabant; he
tooke part with the duke of Brabant so earnestlie, that he consented to
fight with the duke of Glocester bodie to bodie within lists in defence
of the duke of Brabants quarell, and further aided the duke of Brabant
in his warres against the duke of Glocester, with all his puissance,
insomuch that in the end (after the duke of Glocesters returne into
England) the duke of Brabant recouered all the towns in Heinault, which
the ladie Iaquet or Iaqueline held against him. And further the same
ladie was by composition deliuered by them of the towne of Mons vnto
the duke of Burgognie; who caused hir to be conueied vnto Gant, from
whence she made shift to escape into Holland, where she was obeied as
countesse of the countrie.

Then made she warre in hir owne defense against the dukes of Burgognie
and Brabant, who sought to spoile hir of all hir towns and lands: but
they procured pope Martin the fift (before whome the matter was) to
giue sentence that the first matrimonie with the duke of Brabant was
good, and the second with the duke of Glocester to be vnlawfull. But
in the meane time, the lord Fitz Walter was sent ouer to the aid of
the ladie Iaquet or Iaquelin, with a power of Englishmen, landed in
Zeland, néere vnto the towne of Zerixe, aginst whome came the duke of
Burgognie, and incountering with them and other such Hollanders and
Zelanders, as were ioined with them, néere to a place called Brewers
hauen, there discomfited them; so that of English, Hollanders, and
Zelanders, with the said lord Fitz Walter, were slaine seauen or eight
hundred, and the residue chased to the water. At length, when the duke
of Glocester vnderstood the sentence pronounced against him by the
pope, he began to wax wearie of his wife the said ladie Iaquet, by
whome he neuer had profit, but losse, and tooke in a second marriage
Eleanor Cobham, daughter to the lord Cobham of Sterberow, which before
(as the fame went) was his souereigne paramour, to his slander and
dishonour.

[Sidenote: Alias Bowron.]

[Sidenote: Twentie thousand hath _Nicholas Giles_. ]

[Sidenote: S. Iames de Beuuron besieged.]

A little before this time, sir Thomas Rampston, sir Philip Branch, sir
Nicholas Burdet, and other Englishmen, to the number of fiue hundred
men of warre, repared and fortified the towne of S. Iames de Beuuron,
situate on the frontiers of Normandie towards Britaine, within halfe a
league of the duke of Britains ground, with whome as then they had open
warre; and so began to doo manie displeasures to his people. Wherevpon
Arthur earle of Richmont and Yurie, brother to the said duke, and
latelie before created constable of France, assembled an huge power of
men to the number of fortie thousand (as some haue written) and with
the same came before the said towne of S. Iames de Beuuron, and planted
his siege verie stronglie about it, inforcing with his great ordinance
to ouerthrow the wals. And one day amongst other, he determined to giue
the assault, and so did, the which continued a long space verie hot and
earnest.

[Sidenote: Sir Nicholas Burdet.]

[Sidenote: _Enguerant de Monstreller._]

The Britons Britonants were come downe into a low bottome, where there
was a little pond or fish poole, and they must néeds passe by a streict
waie to come to the walles in great danger. On that side of the towne
was a little bulworke, which sir Nicholas Burdet kept, hauing with him
a fortie or eightie fighting men: and ouer against the same bulworke
there was a gate well furnished also with English souldiers; so that
the Britons which came downe into the ditches in great number to giue
the assault, heard on either side them the Englishmen (within the
said bulworke and gate) make a great noise, in crieng Salisburie and
Suffolke; with the which crie the Britons being maruelouslie astonied,
began to recoile in great disorder. And therewith the said sir Nicholas
Burdet issued foorth vpon them, and pursuing them right valiantlie,
slue them downe, so that there died of them what by the sword, and what
by drowning in the said poole, about seauen thousand or eight hundred,
and to the number of fiftie were taken prisoners. And beside this,
those Englishmen gained eightéene standards and one baner.

Incontinentlie the newes hereof were reported to the constable of
France, who was busie at the assault on the other side of the towne,
whereof he was sore displeased, and no lesse amazed; so that he caused
the retreit to be sounded, for all the siege on that side toward the
poole was alreadie raised. After this, vpon counsell taken amongst the
Frenchmen, it was determined that they should dislodge: and so about
the middest of the next night, the constable and all the residue of
his people departed toward Fougiers, leauing behind them great plentie
of artillerie both great and small, with victuals, and all their other
prouisions: as fourtéene great guns and fortie barrels of powder,
thrée hundred pipes of wine, two hundred pipes of bisket and flower,
two hundred frailes of figs and reisins, and fiue hundred barrels of
herrings.

[Sidenote: Dissention betwixt the duke of Glocester and the bishop of
Winchester.]

Somewhat before this season fell a great diuision in the realme of
England, which of a sparkle was like to haue grown to a great flame.
For whether the bishop of Winchester called Henrie Beaufort, sonne to
Iohn duke of Lancaster by his third wife, enuied the authoritie of
Humfrie duke of Glocester, protectour of the realme; or whether the
duke disdained at the riches and pompous estate of the bishop: sure it
is that the whole realme was troubled with them and their partakers:
so that the citizens of London were faine to kéepe dailie and nightlie
watches, and to shut vp their shops for feare of that which was
doubted to haue insued of their assembling of people about them. The
archbishop of Canturburie and the duke of Quimbre, called the prince of
Portingale, rode eight times in one daie betwéene the two parties, and
so the matter was staied for a time. But the bishop of Winchester, to
cléere himselfe of blame so farre as he might, and to charge his nephue
the lord protectour with all the fault, wrote a letter to the regent of
France, the tenor whereof insueth.




The bishop of Winchesters letter excusatorie.


Right high and mightie prince, and my right noble, and after one,
lieuest lord, I recommend me vnto you with all my hart. And as you
desire the welfare of the king our souereigne lord, and of his realmes
of England and France, your owne health, and ours also: so hast you
hither. For by my truth, if you tarie, we shall put this land in
aduenture with a field; such a brother you haue here, God make him a
good man. For your wisedome knoweth, that the profit of France standeth
in the welfare of England, &c. Written in great hast on All hallowen
euen. By your true seruant to my liues end, Henrie Winchester.

       *       *       *       *       *

[Sidenote: A parlement holden at Leicester.]

The duke of Bedford being sore gréeued and disquieted with these newes,
constituted the earle of Warwike, which was latelie come into France
with six thousand men, his lieutenant in the French dominions, and in
the duchie of Normandie; and so with a small companie, he with the
duchesse his wife returned againe ouer the seas into England, and the
tenth daie of Ianuarie he was with all solemnitie receiued into London,
to whome the citizens gaue a paire of basins of siluer and gilt, and
a thousand markes in monie. Then from London he rode to Westminster,
and was lodged in the kings palace. The fiue and twentith daie of
March after his comming to London, a parlement began at the towne of
Leicester; where the duke of Bedford openlie rebuked the lords in
generall, bicause that they in the time of warre, thorough their priuie
malice and inward grudge, had almost mooued the people to warre and
commotion, in which time all men ought or should be of one mind, hart,
and consent: requiring them to defend, serue, & dread their souereigne
lord king Henrie, in performing his conquest in France, which was in
manner brought to conclusion. In this parlement the duke of Glocester
laid certeine articles to the bishop of Winchester his charge, the
which with the answers hereafter doo insue; as followeth.




The articles of accusation and accord betwéene the lord of Glocester,
and the lord of Winchester.


[Sidenote: Articles set foorth by the duke of Glocester, against Henrie
bishop of Winchester.]

Here insueth the articles, as the kings councell hath concerned, the
which the high and mightie prince my lord of Glocester hath surmised
vpon my lord of Winchester chancellor of England, with the answer to
the same.

1 First, whereas he being protectour, and defendour of this land,
desired the Tower to be opened to him, and to lodge him therein;
Richard Wooduile esquier (hauing at that time the charge of the kéeping
of the Tower) refused his desire and kept the same Tower against
him vndulie and against reason, by the commandement of my said lord
of Winchester; and afterward in approouing of the said refusall, he
receiued the said Wooduile, and cherished him against the state and
worship of the king, and of my said lord of Glocester.

2 Item, my said lord of Winchester, without the aduise and assent of my
said lord of Glocester, or of the kings councell, purposed and disposed
him to set hand on the kings person, and to haue remooued him from
Eltham, the place that he was in, to Windsor, to the intent to put him
in gouernance as him list.

3 Item, that were my said lord of Glocester (to whome of all persons
that should be in the land, by the waie of nature and birth, it
belongeth to sée the gouernance of the kings person) informed of the
said vndue purpose of my said lord of Winchester declared in the
article next abouesaid, and in letting thereof, determining to haue
gone to Eltham vnto the king to haue prouided as the cause required;
my said lord of Winchester vntrulie, and against the kings peace, to
the intent to trouble my said lord of Glocester going to the king,
purposing his death, in case that he had gone that waie, set men of
armes and archers at the end of London bridge next Suthworke: and in
forebarring of the kings high waie, let draw the chaine of the stoupes
there, and set vp pipes and hurdles in manner and forme of bulworks:
and set men in chambers, cellars & windowes, with bowes and arrowes and
other weapons, to the intent to bring finall destruction to my said
lord of Glocesters person, as well as of those that then should come
with him.

4 Item, my said lord of Glocester saith and affirmeth, that our
souereigne lord his brother that was king Henrie the fift, told him on
a time, when our souereigne lord being prince was lodged in the palace
of Westminster in the great chamber, by the noise of a spaniell, there
was on a night a man spied and taken behind a [4]tapet of the said
chamber, the which man was deliuered to the earle of Arundell to be
examined vpon the cause of his being there at that time; the which so
examined, at that time confessed that he was there by the stirring and
procuring of my said lord of Winchester, ordeined to haue slaine the
said prince therein his bed: wherefore the said earle of Arundell let
sacke him foorthwith, and drowned him in the Thames.

[4] Or hanging.

5 Item, our souereigne lord that was, king Henrie the fift, said vnto
my said lord of Glocester, that his father king Henrie the fourth
liuing, and visited then greatlie with sickenesse by the hand of God,
my said lord of Winchester said vnto the king (Henrie the fift then
being prince) that the king his father so visited with sicknesse was
not personable, & therfore not disposed to come in conuersation and
gouernance of the people; and for so much, counselled him to take the
gouernance and crowne of this land vpon him.




The answer of the bishop.


Here insue the answers to the accusations made by my lord of Winchester
chancellour of England, vnto the causes and matters of heauinesse,
declared in the articles against him by my lord of Glocester.

1 First, as of the refusall made vnto my lord of Glocester, of opening
the Tower to him, of his lodging therein, by the commandement of my
said lord of Winchester; he answereth, that in the presence of my said
lord of Glocester before his comming out of his countrie of Heinault,
for causes such as were thought resonable, it séemeth lawfull that
the Tower should haue béene notablie stored and kept with vittels:
howbeit it was not foorthwith executed, and that in likewise after
that my said lord of Glocester, was gone into his said countrie of
Heinault, for seditious and odious billes and languages, cast and vsed
in the citie of London, sounding of insurrection and rebellion against
the kings peace, and destruction aswell of diuerse estates of this
land, as strangers being vnder the defense, in so much that in doubt
thereof, strangers in great number fled the land. And for the more sure
kéeping of the said Tower, Richard Wooduile esquier so trusted with
our souereigne lord the king that dead is (as well ye know) & also
chamberlaine and councellor vnto my lord of Bedford, with a certeine
number of defensible persons assigned vnto him, was made deputie there
by the assent of the kings councell, being that time at London, for
to abide therein, for the safegard thereof; and streictlie charged by
the said councell, that during that time of his said charge, he should
not suffer any man to be in the Tower stronger than himselfe, without
speciall charge or commandement of the king by the aduise of his
councell.

2 Item, that soone after (vpon the comming of my said lord of Glocester
into this land from his countrie of Heinault) the said lords of the
kings councell were informed, that my said lord of Glocester grudged
with the said maner of inforcing the Tower, and let saie to them of
London, that he had well vnderstand that they had béene heauilie
threatened for the time of his absence, and other wise than they should
haue béene, if he had béene in this land. Wherefore he was right euill
contented, and especiallie of the said forcing of the Tower, set vpon
them in manner of a chased villain, considering the good equitie and
truth that they had alwaies kept vnto the king, offering them there
vpon remedie if they would.

[Sidenote: Frier Randolph.]

3 Item, that after this, Richard Scot lieutenant of the Tower, by the
commandement of my said lord of Glocester, brought vnto him frier
Randolph, the which had long before confessed treason doone by him
against the kings person that dead is, for the which knowlege he was
put to be kept in the said Tower, & streictlie commanded vnder great
paine giuen vnto the said Scot, to kéepe him streictlie & suerlie, &
not to let him out of the said Tower without c[=o]mandment of the king
by aduise of his councell. The which frier Randolph, my said lord of
Glocester kept then with himselfe (not witting to the said Scot) as he
declared to my said lord of Winchester, soone after that he had brought
the said frier Randolph to my lord of Glocester; saieng to my lord of
Winchester, that he was vndoone but he helped him, & expressed, as for
cause of the withholding of frier Randolph: and saieng moreouer, that
when he desired of my said lord of Glocester, the deliuerance of the
said frier Randolph, to lead him againe vnto the Tower, or sufficient
warrant for his discharge: my said lord of Glocester answered him, that
his commandement was sufficient warrant and discharge for him. In the
which thing abouesaid, it was thought to my lord of Winchester, that
my said lord of Glocester tooke vpon him further than his authoritie
stretched vnto, and caused him to doubt and dread, least that he would
haue procéeded further. And at such time as the said Wooduile came
vnto him, to aske his aduice and counsell, of lodging my said lord of
Glocester in the Tower; he aduised and charged him, that before he
suffered my said lord of Glocester, or any person to lodge therein
stronger than himselfe, he should purueie him a sufficient warrant
therof, of the king, by the aduise of his councell.

4 Item, as to the said article of the foresaid causes of heauinesse,
my said lord chancellor answereth, that he neuer purposed to set hand
on the kings person, nor to remoue him, or that he should be remoued,
or put in any manner of gouernance, but by the aduice of the kings
councell. For he could not perceiue any manner of goodnesse or of
aduantage that might haue growne to him thereof, but rather great
perill and charge; and hereof my said lord of Winchester is readie to
make proofe, in time and place conuenient.

5 Item, as to the third article of the foresaid causes and heauines, my
lord chancellor answereth, that he was oft and diuerse times warned,
by diuerse credible persons, aswell at the time of the kings last
parlement, holden at Westminster, as before and since, that my said
lord of Glocester purposed him bodilie harme, & was warned therof and
counselled by the said persons, and that diuerse times, to absteine him
from comming to Westminster as my said lord of Winchester declared vnto
my said lord of Glocester.

6 Item, that in the time of the said parlement, diuerse persons of low
estate of the citie of London, in great number assembled on a day vpon
the wharfe, at the crane of the vinetrée, and wished and desired that
they had there the person of my lord of Winchester, saieng that they
would haue throwen him into the Thames, to haue taught him to swim
with wings. Whereof billes and language of slander and threatnings
were cast and spoken in the said citie by my said lord the chancellor,
which caused him to suppose that they that so said and did, willed and
desired his destruction, although they had no cause.

7 Item, that after the comming to London of sir Rafe Botiller, and
maister Lewes, sent from my lord of Bedford, to the rest of the lords
of the councell, they being informed, that my said lord of Glocester
did beare displeasure to my said lord of Winchester, they came to the
said lord of Glocester to his In, the second sundaie next before All
hallowdaie, and there opened vnto him, that they had knowledge and
vnderstanding of the said displeasure, praieng him to let them know if
he bare such displeasure against my said lord of Winchester, and also
the causes thereof. At the which time (as my said lord of Winchester
was afterwards informed) my said lord of Glocester affirmed that he was
heauie toward him, and not without causes that peraduenture he would
put in writing.

8 Item, that after the mondaie next before Allhallondaie last past in
the night, the people of the said citie of London, by the commandement
of my said lord of Glocester, as it was said (for what cause my lord
the chancellor wist not) assembled in the citie, armed and arraied,
and so continued all the night. Amongst diuerse of the which (the
same night by what excitation, my said lord the chancellor wist not)
seditious and heauie language was vsed, and in especiall against the
person of my lord the chancellor. And so the same mondaie at night, my
said lord of Glocester sent vnto the Ins of court at London, charging
them of the court dwelling in the same, to be with him vpon the morrow
at eight of the clocke in their best arraie.

9 Item, that on the morrow being tuesdaie next following, my said lord
of Glocester sent earlie vnto the maior and aldermen of the said citie
of London, to ordeine him to the number of thrée hundred persons on
horsse backe, to accompanie him vnto such a place as he disposed him to
ride, which (as it was said) was vnto the king, to the intent to haue
his person, and to remoue him from the place that he was in, without
assent or aduise of the kings councell. The which thing was thought
vnto my said lord the chancellor, that he ought in no wise to haue
doone, nor had not béene séene so before.

10 Item, that my said lord the chancellor, considering the things aboue
said, and doubting therefore of perils that might haue insued thereof,
intending to purueie there against, and namelie for his owne suertie
and defense, according to the law of nature, ordeined to let, that no
force of people should come on the bridge of London towards him, by the
which he or his might haue béene indangered or noied, not intending in
any wise bodilie harme vnto my said lord of Glocester, nor to any other
person, but onelie his owne defense, in eschewing the perill abouesaid.

11 Item, as toward the fourth and fift of the said articles, my lord
the chancellor answereth, that he was euer true to all those that were
his souereigne lords and reigned vpon him, and that he neuer purposed
treason or vntruth against any of their persons, and in especiall
against the person of our said souereigne lord Henrie the fift. The
which considering the great wisdome, truth, and manhood that all men
knew in him, he would not for the time that he was king, haue set on
my said lord the chancellor so great trust as he did, if he had found
or thought in him such vntruth. The which thing my said lord the
chancellor offered to declare and shew, as it belongeth to a man of his
estate to doo, requiring therevpon my lord of Bedford and all the lords
spirituall and temporall in this parlement, that it might be séene that
there were iudges conuenient in this case, that they would doo him
right, or else that he might haue leaue of the king by their aduise to
go sue his right, before him that ought to be his iudge.

12 And as toward the letter sent by my lord of Winchester vnto my lord
of Bedford, of the which the tenor is before rehearsed, of the which my
lord of Glocester complained him of the malicious and vntrue purpose
of my said lord of Winchester, as toward the assembling of the people,
and gathering of a field in the kings land, in troubling thereof, and
against the kings peace: my said lord of Winchester answereth, that if
his said letters duelie vnderstand, and in such wise as he vnderstood
and meant in the writing of them, it maie not reasonable be gathered
and taken, that my said lord of Winchester intended to gather any
field, or assemble people in troubling of the kings land, and against
the kings peace, but rather purposed to acquite him to the king in
his truth, and to kéepe the rest and peace in the kings land, and to
eschew rebellion, disobedience and all trouble. For by that that in the
beginning of the said letter, he calleth my said lord of Bedford his
lieuest lord after one, that is the king, whome he ought to accept of
dutie of his truth, the which he hath euer kept, and will kéepe.

13 Moreouer, in the said letter he desireth the comming home of my lord
of Bedford, for the welfare of the king and of his realmes of England
and of France, which stand principallie in kéeping of his rest and
peace, and praieth my said lord of Bedford to spéed his c[=o]ming into
England, in eschewing of ieopardie of the land, and of a field, which
he dread him might haue followed if he had long taried. As toward those
words; "If ye tarie, we shall put this land in aduenture with a field,
such a brother ye haue here, &c." My said lord of Winchester saith,
the sooth is: before or he wrote the said letter, by the occasion of
certeine ordinances made by the maior and aldermen of London against
the excessiue taking of masons, carpentars, tilers, plasterers, and
other labourers for their dailie iournies, and approued by the kings
deuise and councell, there were cast manie heauinesses and seditious
billes vnder the names of such labourers, threatning rising with manie
thousands, and menacing of estates of the land, and likewise seditious
and euill language sowen and so continued and likelie to haue insued,
of purpose and intent of disobedience and rebellion. To the redressing
of which, it séemed to my lord the chancellor, that my said lord of
Glocester did not his indeuour diligence that he might haue shewed. For
lacke of which diligence, they that were disposed to doo disobeisance
were incouraged & imboldned, so that it was like, that they should haue
made a gathering, and that the king and his true subiects should haue
béene compelled to haue made a field to haue withstand them; the which
field making, had béene aduenturing of this land, and in tokening that
it was neuer my said lord chancellors intent, to gather no field, but
as truth most stirred him against such as riotouslie would make such
assemblie against our souereigne lord, and the weale of this land, he
desired so hastilie the comming of my said lord of Bedford: the which
he would in no wise haue so greatlie desired, if he would haue purposed
him vnto any vnlawful making of a field; for he wist well, that my said
lord of Bedford would most sharplie haue chastised and punished all
those, that so would make any riotous assemblie.




When this answer was made, the duke caused this writing following
openlie to be proclamed.


Be it knowne to all folkes, that it is the intent of my lord of
Bedford, and all the lords spirituall & temporall, assembled in this
present parlement, to acquite him and them, and to procéed truelie,
iustlie, and indifferentlie, without any parcialitie in any maner or
matter or quarels, moued or to be moued betwéene my lord of Glocester
on that one partie, & my lord of Winchester chancellor of England
on that other partie. And for suer kéeping of the kings peace it is
accorded by my said lord of Bedford, & by my said lords spirituall and
temporall, an oth to be made in forme as followeth, that is to saie.




The oth of the lords.


That my said lord of Bedford, and my said lords, spirituall and
temporall, and ech of them shall (as far forth as their cunnings and
discretions suffice) trulie, iustlie, and indifferentlie counsell and
aduise the king, and also procéed and acquit themselues in all the said
matters, and quarels, without that they or any of them shall priuilie
and apertlie make or shew himselfe to be partie or parciall therein,
not leauing or eschewing so to doo for affection, loue, méed, doubt, or
dread of any person or persons. And that they shall in all wise kéepe
secret all that shall be commoned by waie of councell, in the matters
and quarrels abouesaid, in the said parlement, without that they or
any of them shall by word, writing of the king, or in any wise open or
discouer it to any of the said parties, or to any other person that is
not of the said councell: but if he haue a speciall commandement or
leaue therevnto of the king or my said lord of Bedford. And that ech of
them shall with all his might and power, assist by waie of counsell,
or else shew it vnto the king, my lord of Bedford, and to the rest of
my said lords to put the said parties to reason; and not to suffer
that any of the said parties by them, or by their assistance, procéed
or attempt by way of fight against the kings peace; nor helpe, assist,
or comfort any of them thereto: but let them with all their might and
power withstand them, and assist vnto the king, and my said lord of
Bedford, in kéeping of the kings peace, and redressing all such manner
of procéeding by waie of fight or force.

Dukes: the duke of Bedford, the duke of Norffolke, the duke of
Excester. Bishops: the archbishop of Ca[=n]turburie, the bishop of
Carleill, the bishop of Bath, the bishop of Landaffe, the bishop of
Rochester, the bishop of Chichester, the bishop of Worcester, the
bishop of saint Dauids, the bishop of London, the bishop of Duresme.
Earles: the earle of Northumberland, the earle of Stafford, the earle
of Oxford. Lords: the lord Hungerford, the lord Tiptost, the lord
Poinings, the lord Cromwell, the lord Borough, the lord Louell, the
lord Botreux, the lord Clinton, the lord Zouch, the lord Audeleie,
the lord Ferreis of Groubie, the lord Talbot, the lord Roos, the
lord Greie, the lord Greie of Ruthen, the lord Fitz Walter, the lord
Barkeleie. Abbats: the abbat of Waltham, the abbat of Glastenburie, the
abbat of S. Augustines in Canturburie, the abbat of Westminster, the
abbat of S. Maries in Yorke, the abbat of S. Albons not sworne bicause
he was not present. ¶ Which oth in manner and forme aboue rehearsed,
all the lords aswell spirituall as temporall, being in this parlement
at Leicester assembled, the fourth day of March, promised vpon their
faith, dutie, and allegiance, which they owe to the king their
souereigne lord, truelie to obserue and kéepe, according to the true
meaning and purport of the same.




The Arbitrement.


In the name of God Amen. We Henrie archbishop of Canturburie, Thomas
duke of Excester, Iohn duke of Norffolke, Thomas bishop of Duresme,
Philip bishop of Worcester, Iohn bishop of Bath, Humfrie earle of
Stafford, William Alnwicke kéeper of the kings priuie seale, Rafe lord
Cromwell, arbitrators in all maner of causes, matters and quarrels
of heauinesses & gréeuances, with all incidents, circumstances,
dependents, or connexes being and hanging betwéene the high & worthie
prince Humfrie duke of Glocester on the one partie, and the worshipful
father in God Henrie bishop of Winchester and chancellor of England
on the other partie, by either of them, for the pleasing of the said
quarrels and debates taken and chosen in maner and forme as it is
conteined more plainelie in a compromise made therevpon, of the which
the tenor insueth in this forme.

[Sidenote: 1424]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 4.]

Memorandum, the seauenth daie of March in the fourth yeare of our
souereigne lord the king, Henrie the sixt, the high and mightie
prince Humfrie duke of Glocester at the reuerence of God, and for the
good of the king our souereigne lord in this land, & namelie at the
reuerence, and especiallie at the request and praier of the mightie
and high prince my lord of Bedford his brother, agréed him to put, and
putteth all maner matters and quarels indéed, with all their incidents,
circumstances, dependents and connexes that touchen him and his person,
that he hath in anie wise doo, or féeleth himselfe gréeued or heauie
against my lord his vncle, my lord of Winchester: or else that my lord
of Winchester findeth him agréeued against him, in as much as they
touch him or his person from the beginning of the world vnto this daie,
in the aduise, ordinance and arbitrement of the worthie father in God,
Henrie archbishop of Canturburie, the high and noble prince Thomas duke
of Excester, and Iohn duke of Norffolke, the worshipful father in God
Thomas bishop of Duresme, Philip bishop of Worcester, Iohn bishop of
Bath, the noble lord Humfrie earle of Stafford, the worshipfull persons
maister William Alnewicke kéeper of the kings priuie seale, and Rafe
lord Cromwell, promising and behighting by the faith of his bodie, &
word of his princehood and kings sonne, to doo, kéepe, obserue, and
fulfill for him and his behalfe, all that shall be declared, ordeined,
and arbitrated, by the foresaid archbishop, dukes, bishops, earle,
kéeper of the priuie seale, and lord Cromwell in all matters and
quarels abouesaid.

Granting also and promising ouer that, to be comprehended in the
foresaid arbitrement, as toward putting awaie all heauinesses and
displeasures, in anie wise conteined, by my lord of Glocester against
all those that haue in anie wise assisted, counselled, or fauoured
vnto his said vncle of Winchester, and as toward anie matters that
be touching my lord of Glocester, remitteth it, and the gouernance
thereof vnto the king & his councell, they to déeme it by the aduise
of his councell, as him thinketh it to be doone. In witnesse of the
which thing to this present compromise my said lord of Glocester hath
subscribed his name with his owne hand: Humfreie Glocester. And in like
forme my lord of Winchester in another compromise hath subscribed with
his owne hand vnder the word of his priesthood, to stand at the aduise,
ordinance, & arbitrement of the persons abouesaid, Mutatis mutandis.

       *       *       *       *       *

A decrée or order taken by the kings councell for the pacifieng
  of the quarels and variances that were betwéene the duke of
  Glocester, and the bishop of Winchester.

The causes aforesaid and quarels by vs séene, heard, and diligentlie
examined and decréed, by the assent of the said parties, ordeine and
award, that my lords of Glocester and of Winchester, for any thing
doone or spoken, by that one partie against that other, or by anie of
theirs, or anie other person or persons, afore the seuenth daie of
this present moneth of March, neuer hereafter take causes, quarels,
displeasures, or heauinesses, that one against the other, ne neither
against the counsellers, adherents, or fauourers of that other for
anie thing or things that are past. And that my said lord of Glocester
be good lord to my said lord of Winchester, & haue him in loue and
affection as his kinsman & vncle. And that my said lord of Winchester
haue to my said lord of Glocester true and sad loue and affection, doo
and be readie to doo him such seruice as apperteineth of honestie to my
said lord of Winchester and his estate to doo. And that each of them be
good lord vnto all those adherents, counsellers, and fauourers of that
other, and shew them at all times fauourable loue and affection, as for
anie thing by them doone or said, before the seauenth daie of March.

And we decrée, ordeine, and award, that my said lord of Winchester,
in the presence of the king our souereigne lord, my lord of Bedford,
and my lord of Glocester, and the residue of the lords spirituall and
temporall, and commons being in this this present parlement, saie and
declare in maner and forme that followeth: My souereigne lord, I haue
well vnderstand, that I am noised among the states of your land, how
that the king our souereigne lord that was, at that time being prince,
and lodged in the great chamber at Westminster, by the baieng of a
spaniell, there was on a night taken behind a [5]tapet in the same
chamber, a man, that should haue confessed, that he was there by mine
excitation and procuring, to haue slaine the foresaid prince there in
his bed; wherevpon he was sacked, and foorthwith also drowned in the
Thames.

[5] Or hanging.

Furthermore, I am accused, how that I should haue stirred the king
that last died, the time also that he was prince, to haue taken the
gouernance of this realme, and the crowne vpon him, his father liuing
the same time, being king. Through which language and noising, I
féele my name and fame greatlie enblemished in diuerse mens opinions.
Wherevpon, I take first God to my witnes, and after all the world, that
I haue béene at all times, and am true louer, and true man, to you my
souereigne lord, and shall be all my life. And also, I haue béene to my
souereigne lord that was your father, all the time of his reigne, true
man, and for such he tooke me, trusted me and cherished me to his liues
end; and as I trust, no man will affirme the contrarie, nor neuer in my
life procuring nor imagining death nor destruction of his person, ne
assenting to any such thing, or like thereto, the time that he was king
or prince, or else in other state.

I was likewise true man to king Henrie the fourth; all the time that he
was my souereigne lord, and reigned vpon me. In which matters, in all
maner of wise that it liketh to you my souereigne lord for to command
me, I am readie for to declare me: and furthermore, where, how, and
when it shall like you, by the aduise of your councell, to assigne
me. Wherefore I beséech you my souereigne lord, as humblie as I can,
considering that there is no grounded processe, by the which I might
lawfullie in these matters abouesaid, be conuict (blessed be God) to
hold me, and declare me, by the aduise of all the lords, spirituall
and temporall, being in this present parlement, true man to you my
souereigne lord, and so to haue béene vnto my souereigne lords that
were your father and grandfather, and true man also to haue béene at
all times to your said father whilest he was prince, or else in anie
other estate, the said slander and noise notwithstanding, and this same
declaration to be inacted in this your said present parlement.

The which words declared in maner as it is abouesaid, it séemeth to
my said lords the arbitrators, that it is méet, that my said lord of
Winchester draw him apart, and in the meane time, the lords being
present, be singularlie examined therevpon, and saie their aduise.
And if it be assented by them, in maner as my said lord of Winchester
desireth, let him be called againe, and that then my lord of Bedford
haue these words in effect that follow: Faire vncle, the king my lord
by the aduise of his councell, hath commanded me to saie to you, that
he hath well vnderstand and considered all the matters which yée haue
héere openlie declared in his presence, and therevpon yée desire a
petition, that he will declare you, and by the aduise and assent of
the lords spirituall and temporall, being in this present parlement,
he declareth you a true man to him, and that yée haue so béene to my
lord his father, and grandfather, also true man to my lord his father
while he was prince, or else in anie other estate, the said dislander
and noising notwithstanding, and will that the said declaration be so
inacted in this present parlement.

After the which words thus said (as before is declared) it was decréed
also by the said lords arbitrators, that the said lord of Winchester
should haue these words that follow vnto my said lord of Glocester: My
lord of Glocester, I haue conceiued to my great heauinesse, that yée
should haue receiued by diuerse reports, that I should haue purposed
and imagined against your person, honor, and estate, in diuerse maners,
for the which, yée haue taken against me great displeasure: Sir, I
take God to my witnesse, that what reports so euer haue béene to you
of me, peraduenture of such as haue had no great affection to me, God
forgiue it them, I neuer imagined, ne purposed anie thing that might be
hindering or preiudice to your person, honor, or estate: and therefore
I praie you, that yée be vnto me good lord from this time foorth;
for by my will, I gaue neuer other occasion, nor purpose not to doo
hereafter by the grace of God. The which words so by him said, it was
decréed by the same arbitrators, that my lord of Glocester, should
answer and saie: Faire vncle, sith yée declare you such a man, as yée
saie, I am right glad that it is so, and for such a man I take you.
And when this was doone, it was decréed by the same arbitrators, that
euerie each of my lord of Glocester, and Winchester, should take either
other by the hand, in the presence of the king and all the parlement,
in signe and token of good loue & accord, the which was doone, and the
parlement adiorned till after Easter.

       *       *       *       *       *

At this reconciliation, such as loued peace reioised (sith it is a
fowle & pernicious thing for priuat men, much more for noblemen to
be at variance, sith vpon them depend manie in affections diuerse,
whereby factions might grow to the shedding of bloud) though others, to
whom contention & hartgrudge is delight, wished to sée the vttermost
mischéefe that might therof insue, which is the vtter ouerthrow and
desolation of populous tribes, euen as with a litle sparkle whole
houses are manie times consumed to ashes; as the old prouerbe saith,
and that verie well and aptlie;

    Sola scintilla perit hæc domus aut domus illa

But when the great fier of this dissention, betwéene these two noble
personages, was thus by the arbitrators (to their knowledge and
iudgement) vtterlie quenched out, and laid vnder boord; all other
controuersies betwéene other lords, taking part with the one partie or
the other, were appeased, and brought to concord, so that for ioy the
king caused a solemne fest to be kept on Whitsundaie; on which daie he
created Richard Plantagenet, sonne and heire to the erle of Cambridge,
(whome his father at Southampton had put to death, as before yée haue
heard) duke of Yorke, not foreséeing that this preferment should be
his destruction, nor that his séed should of his generation be the
extreame end and finall conclusion. He the same daie also promoted Iohn
lord Mowbraie, and earle marshall, sonne and heire to Thomas duke of
Norffolke (by king Richard the second exiled this realme) to the title,
name, and stile of duke of Norffolke.

During this feast, the duke of Bedford adorned the king with the
high order of knighthood, who on the same daie dubbed with the sword
these knights, whose names insue: Richard duke of Yorke, Iohn duke
of Norffolke; the earle of Westmerland, Henrie lord Persie, Iohn
lord Butler, sonne to the earle of Ormond, the lord Rosse, the lord
Matrauers, the lord Welles, the lord Barkelie; sir Iames Butler, sir
Henrie Greie of Tankaruile, sir Iohn Talbot, sir Rafe Greie of Warke,
sir Robert Véere, sir Richard Greie, sir Edmund Hungerford, sir Walter
Wingfield, sir Iohn Butler, sir Reginald Cobham, sir Iohn Passheleu,
sir Thomas Tunstall, sir Iohn Chedocke, sir Rafe Langstre, sir William
Drurie, sir William ap Thomas, sir Richard Carnonell, sir Richard
Wooduile, sir Iohn Shirdlow, sir Nicholas Blunket, sir William Cheinie
iustice, sir William Babington, sir Rafe Butler, sir Robert Beauchampe,
sir Edmund Trafford, sir Iohn Iune chéefe baron, and diuerse others.

[Sidenote: The duke of Excester dieth.]

After this solemne feast ended, a great aid and subsidie was granted
for the continuance of the conquest in France, and so therevpon monie
was gathered, and men were prepared in euerie citie, towne, and
countrie. During which businesse, Thomas duke of Excester, great vncle
to the king, a right sage and discréet councellor, departed out of this
mortall life, at his manor of Gréenewich, and with all funerall pompe
was conueied through London to Berrie, and there buried. ¶ In the same
yeare also died the ladie Elizabeth, halfe sister to the same duke, and
of the whole bloud with king Henrie the fourth, maried first to the
lord Iohn Holland, duke of Excester, and after to the lord Fanhope,
buried at the blacke friers of London.

[Sidenote: _Fr. Thin._]

[Sidenote: 1425]

[Philip Morgan after the death of Iohn Fortham (sometime treasuror of
England, bishop of Elie and Durham, both which bishopriks, for anie
thing that I can yet sée, he inioied both at one time) was made bishop
of Elie in the yeare of our redemption 1425, in this sort. Henrie the
sixt and manie of the nobilitie had written to the conuent of the
church of Elie, to choose William Alnewicke (doctor of both lawes
confessor to the king and kéeper of the priuie seale) to be their
bishop. Notwithstanding which (they hauing more regard to their owne
priuileges and benefit) chose Peter the prior of Elie to succéed in
the place of Iohn Fortham. But none of both these inioied that roome;
for Martin bishop of Rome (stepping into the matter to make the third
part, neither fauouring the kings motion nor approouing the monks
election) remooued this William Morgan from the sée of Worcester vnto
Elie, sometime called Helix: as I haue séene it set downe in Saxon
characters in an ancient booke of the liues of saints written in the
Saxon toong, about the yeare of Christ 1010, before the time of Edward
the confessor, and much about the time of Albo Floriacensis. This
Morgan sat at Elie nine yeares, twentie and six wéeks, and foure daies,
departing this life in his manour of Hatfield, in the yeare 1434, and
was buried at the Charterhouse of London; being the twentie and fourth
bishop that was installed in that place.]

[Sidenote: 1426]

While these things were thus a dooing in England, the earle of Warwike,
lieutenant for the regent in France, entered into the countrie of
Maine, & besieged the towne of Chateau de loire, the which shortlie to
him was rendered, whereof he made capteine Matthew [6]Gough, esquier.
After this, he tooke by assault the castell of Maiet, and gaue it for
his valiantnesse to Iohn Winter esquier, and after that he conquered
the castell of Lude, and made there capteine William Gladesdale
gentleman. Here he was informed, that the Frenchmen were assembled in
the countrie of Beausse, wherevpon he hasted thitherwards to haue giuen
them battell, but they hauing knowledge of his approch, durst not abide
to trie the matter with him by a pight field, but fled before he came
néere them.

[6] Or rather Goche. Iohn Winter.

[Sidenote: The earle of Warwike made gouernour of the yoong king.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 5.]

The earle in his returne wan the castell of Montdublean by surrender;
where he left the valiant lord Willoughbie, and then returned to Paris.
During which season, he was ordeined by the thrée estates of the realme
of England, to be gouernour of the yoong king in the place of the duke
of Excester deceassed; howbeit, he did not as yet returne into England,
but remained in France for a season, and atchiued manie worthie
enterprises. Whilest the lord regent of France was thus in England,
meanes was made by the duke of Burgognie, for the deliuerie of the duke
of Alanson, taken at the battell of Vernoile, and now for the summe
of two hundred thousand crownes he was set at libertie; but he would
not by anie meanes acknowlege the king of England to be his liege and
souereigne lord.

[Sidenote: 1427.]

[Sidenote: The bishop of Winchester made a cardinall.]

[Sidenote: _W. P._]

After that the duke of Bedford had set all things in good order in
England, he tooke leaue of the king, and togither with his wife
returned into France, first landing at Calis, where the bishop
of Winchester (that also passed the seas with him) receiued the
habit, hat, and dignitie of a cardinall, with all ceremonies to it
apperteining: which promotion, the late K. right déeplie persing into
the vnrestrainable ambitious mind of the man, that euen from his youth
was euer to checke at the highest; and also right well ascerteined
with what intollerable pride his head should soone be swollen vnder
such a hat: did therefore all his life long kéepe this prelat backe
from that presumptuous estate. But now the king being yoong and the
regent his fréend, he obteined his purpose, to his great profit, and
the impouerishing of the spiritualtie of this realme. For by a bull
legantin, which he purchased from Rome, he gathered so much treasure,
that no man in maner had monie but he: so that he was called the rich
cardinall of Winchester.

[Sidenote: The lord of Rustinian taken and his people slaine and
discomfited.]

After that the lord regent was arriued in France, the lord of
Rustinian, marshall of Britaine, assembled a great companie of the
British nation, which fortified and repared the towne of Pontorson:
and after the said marshall, with a thousand men, entered into the
countrie of Constantine, and comming before the towne of Auranches, was
incountered by the Englishmen of that garrison; & after long fight, his
people were put to the worse, chased, and discomfited, and he himselfe
taken prisoner in the field. The duke of Bedford, hearing that the
towne of Pontorson, situate within leagues of Mont Saint Michaell, was
newlie fortified, and stronglie defended, sent thither the earle of
Warwike, accompanied with the lord Scales, and other valiant capteins
and souldiers, to the number of seauen thousand men, to besiege the
towne; who so inuironed it on euerie side, that no man could steale
neither in nor out.

The siege thus long continuing, vittels began to wax scant in the
English armie: wherefore the lord Scales, hauing in his companie sir
Iohn Harpeleie bailiffe of Constantine, sir William Brearton bailiffe
of Caen, sir Rafe Tesson, sir Iohn Carbonell, and thrée thousand good
men of warre, departed from the siege to get vittels, powder, and other
things necessarie for their purpose. And as they were returning with
their cariages by the sea coast, néere to Saint Michaels Mount, they
suddenlie were incountered by their enimies, whereof were chéefe, the
baron of Coloses, the lord Dausebost, capteine of the said Mount, the
lord Mountabon, the lord Montburchier, the lord of Chateaugiron, the
lord of Tintignat, the lord of Chateaubrian, with six thousand men of
warre.

[Sidenote: A hot skirmish.]

[Sidenote: On the cene thursdaie.]

[Sidenote: _Enguerant._]

The lord Scales and his companie, perceiuing themselues beset on the
one side with the sea, & on the other with their enimies, alighted from
their horsses, and like couragious persons, there in an vnspeakeable
furie, set on their enimies. The fight was fierce & cruell. The
Englishmen kept themselues close togither; so that their enimies
could get no aduantage of them. At the last, the lord Scales cried S.
George they flée. Wherevpon, the Englishmen tooke such courage, and
the Frenchmen that fought before, were so dismaied, that they began to
flée in déed. The Englishmen leaped on horssebacke, and followed them
so, that they slue and tooke aboue eleuen hundred persons, among the
which were taken the baron of Coloses, the vicount of Rone, and others.
The lord of Chateaugiron, with a Scotish capteine, & diuerse other men
of name were slaine. After this victorie, the lord Scales with his
vittels, prouision, and prisoners, returned to the siege, where he was
of the earle and other noble men ioiouslie receiued.

Whilest the siege continued thus before Pontorson, Christopher Hanson,
and other souldiers of the garrison of Saint Susan, made a rode into
the countrie of Aniou, and came to a castell called Ramfort, which
castell was so priuilie scaled, that the capteine within, and his
companie, were taken or slaine, before they knew of their enimies
approching. When knowledge hereof was giuen vnto the Frenchmen which
were assembled, to the number of twentie thousand, to raise the siege
that laie before Pontorson, they left that enterprise, and went to
recouer the said castell of Ramfort, and so comming before it, planted
their siege so on ech side of it, that at length by composition the
Englishmen within, doubting to be taken by force, rendered vp the
castell, hauing libertie to depart with bag and baggage.

[Sidenote: Pontorson rendered to the Englishmen.]

Shortlie after, the lord of Raix, calling himselfe lieutenant generall
for the Dolphin, entred into Maine with an armie of thrée thousand
men, and by force tooke the castell of Malicorne, wherof was capteine
an Englishman, one Oliuer Osbatersbie. In like maner, they tooke the
little castell of Lude, and therein William Blackborne, lieutenant
for William Glasdale esquier. After this, the Frenchmen returned
backe to the Dolphin, and kept not on their iourneie to Pontorson,
for that they vnderstood by espials, that the earle of Warwike, and
the Englishmen there, determined to giue them battell, if they once
attempted to raise the siege. They within the towne, being streictlie
besieged, perceiuing no likelihood of succours, and séeing the English
armie dailie increase, fell to treatie for doubt to be taken by force,
and so rendered the towne vpon condition, that they might depart with
horsse and harnesse onelie. Which being granted to them, the erle
like a valiant capteine entred into the towne, and there appointed
for gouernors, the lord Ros, and the lord Talbot, and leauing there a
conuenient garrison, returned to the lord regent.

After the taking of this towne of Pontorson, there was a league and
treatie concluded betwéene the regent and the duke of Britaine; by
the articles of which agréement, the townes of Pontorson and saint
Iames de Beuuron were beaten downe to the ground and raced. When the
lord of Raix was departed out of Maine (as ye haue heard) Christopher
Hanson, Philip [7]Gough, Martin Godfrie, called the Scaler, tooke by
stealth the castell of saint Laurence de Mortiers. At the same time,
when the capteine and the most part of his companie were gone foorth
to heare masse, in a church ouer against the same castell, and kéeping
themselues close, till the capteine returned, they tooke him as he
was entered within the first gate, & so was this castell stuffed with
Englishmen, and capteine thereof was appointed sir William Oldhall.

[7] Or rather Goche.

The same season, sir Iohn Fastolfe, gouernour of the countries of Aniou
and Maine, assembled a great puissance of men of warre, and laid siege
before the castell of saint Owen Distais, beside the towne of Lauall;
and after he had laine there ten daies, the castell was deliuered, they
within departing with their liues and armour onelie to them granted, by
the tenor of the composition, which they tooke with the same sir Iohn
Fastolfe. After the winning of this castell, the Englishmen remooued
to the strong castell of Grauile, and after twelue daies, they within
offered to yéeld the castell by a daie, if they were not succoured by
the Dolphin or his power: the offer was taken and pledges deliuered.

[Sidenote: Hostages executed for promise broken.]

Then sir Iohn Fastolfe returned in post to the regent, aduertising him
of this composition and agréement; wherefore, the said regent raised
a great power to fight with the Frenchmen at the daie appointed,
and in his companie were the earles of Mortaigne and Warwike, the
lord Ros and Talbot, sir Iohn Fastolfe, sir Iohn Aubemond, sir Iohn
Ratcliffe, and diuerse other, to the number of twentie thousand men;
and so marched forwards, in hope to méet and ioine battell with their
aduersaries. But the French power, being not far off from the place,
durst not approch. Wherefore, the regent sent to sir Iohn Fastolfe
incontinentlie, to receiue the castell; but they within (contrarie to
promise and appointment) had newlie vitteled & manned the place, and so
forsaking the pledges, and their fellowes in armes, refused to render
the fortresse; wherefore, the pledges were brought before their sight,
and there before the castell openlie put to death.

[Sidenote: The lord Talbot, a valient capteine.]

After this the lord Talbot was made gouernour of Aniou and Maine, and
sir Iohn Fastolfe was assigned to an other place, which lord Talbot,
being both of noble birth, and of haultie courage, after his comming
into France, obteined so manie glorious victories of his enimies,
that his onelie name was & yet is dreadfull to the French nation, and
much renowmed amongst all other people. This lustie and most valiant
capteine entered into Maine, where he slue men, destroied castels,
burnt townes, and in conclusion suddenlie tooke the towne of Lauall.
The lord Loehac, and diuerse other, withdrew into the castell, in the
which they were so streictlie besieged, that in the end they agréed
to paie the lord Talbot an hundred thousand crownes, for licence to
depart, with all their bag and baggage.

Then was this castell deliuered to the kéeping of Gilbert Halsall,
which after was slaine at the siege of Orleance, in whose place
Matthew [8]Gough was made capteine there: who being at the iournie
of Senlis, by treason of a miller that kept a mill adioining to the
wall, the Frenchmen entered into the towne, and brought it againe into
their subiection. Now the duke of Bedford hearing that the towne of
Montargis, in the territorie of Orleance, was but slenderlie kept, and
not thoroughlie furnished, sent the erle of Suffolke, with his brother
sir Iohn Poole, and sir Henrie Bisset, hauing in their companie a six
thousand men, to assalt that towne; but when they came thither and
found the towne both well manned and stronglie fortified, contrarie to
their expectation, they surceassed from giuing the assault, and onelie
laid their siege round about it.

[8] Or rather Goche.

The earle of Warwike was appointed to lie with a great number of men
of warre, at S. Mathelines de Archempe, to incounter the Frenchmen,
if they would attempt to aid or vittell those within the towne.
The situation of this towne was such, that by reason of waters and
marishes, the English armie must néeds seuer it selfe into thrée
parts, so that the one could not easilie helpe the other, but either
by boats or bridges. This siege continued aboue two moneths, so that
in the meane time the Frenchmen had leasure to prouide for the succour
thereof; and so it came to passe, that the constable of France Arthur
of Britaine, the lord Boisac one of the marshals, Stephan la Hire,
Pothon de Saintreiles, the lord Grauile, and diuerse others, to the
number of thrée thousand horssemen, were sent foorth by the Dolphin.

[Sidenote: A great slaughter by negligence of the watch at Montargis.]

These priuilie in the night season came on that side, where sir Iohn de
la Poole and sir Henrie Bisset laie, whome they found so out of order,
and without good watch, that the Frenchmen entered into their lodgings,
slue manie in their beds, and spared none, for their resistance was but
small. Sir Iohn de la Poole with his horsse saued himselfe, and sir
Henrie Bisset escaped by a boat, and eight other with him. The residue
fléeing in plumpes, and striuing to passe by a bridge of timber, the
which was pestered with preasse of the multitude, brake, and so there
were a great number drowned: insomuch that there were slaine by the
enimies swoord, and drowned in the water, fiftéene hundred men.

[Sidenote: Sir Nicholas Burdet.]

[Sidenote: _Polydor._]

The earle of Warwike hearing of this misfortune, departed from saint
Mathelines with all spéed, and comming before Montargis, offered
battell to the French capteins, which answered, that they had manned
and vittelled the towne, and intended to doo no more at that time. The
Englishmen héerevpon came softlie backe againe with all their ordinance
to the duke of Bedford. Yet had not the French so great cause to
vaunt of their successe: for at this verie time, sir Nicholas Burdet,
appointed by the duke of Summerset to indamage his enimies in the
coasts of Britaine, sent horssemen into euerie part, woorking all the
displeasure to the people that might be deuised. The countrie, through
which he passed, was wasted, the townes were burnt, the houses spoiled,
and great number of prisoners taken, the small villages were destroied,
and the walled townes ransomed, and so without hurt or damage the said
sir Nicholas Burdet returned into Normandie.

These newes being signified to the constable, and other the French
capteins, asswaged their great mirth and triumphant ioy, concerned for
the victorie of Montargis, that loth they were to attempt anie further
enterprises against the English nation. But the duke of Alanson, who
(as ye haue heard) was latelie deliuered out of captiuitie, reuiued
againe the dulled spirits of the Dolphin, and somewhat aduanced, in
hope of good spéed, the fainting harts of his capteins; so that (some
occasion offered) they determined to atchiue a notable feat (as they
tooke it) against the Englishmen, which was the recouerie of the city
of Mans out of their hands: for so it happened, that diuers of the
chéefe rulers in that citie, and namelie diuerse spirituall persons,
meaning to reuolt to the Dolphins side, aduertised him by letters of
their whole minds, which letters were conueied vnto him by certeine
friers.

The Dolphin glad of those newes, appointed the lords de la Breth
and Faiet, marshals of France, accompanied with the lords of Mount
Iehan, of Buell, Doruall, Torsie, Beaumanor, the Hire, and his brother
Guilliam, with fiue hundred other valiant capteins and souldiers, to
the accomplishing of this enterprise; who comming thither at the daie
assigned, in the night season approched towards the walles, making
a little fire on an hill, in sight of the towne, to signifie their
comming, which perceiued by the citizens that néere to the great church
were watching for the same, a burning cresset was shewed out of the
stéeple, which suddenlie was put out and quenched. What néedeth manie
words?

[Sidenote: Mans lost by treason of the citizens.]

The capteins on horsseback came to the gate, the traitors within slue
the porters and watchmen, and let in their fréends, whereby the footmen
entered first, and the men of armes waited at the barriers, to the
intent that if néed required, they might fight it out in open field.
Hereby manie Englishmen were slaine, and a great crie and garboile
raised through the towne, as in such surprises is woont. The cause of
this mischéefe was not knowen to any, but onelie to the conspirators;
for the remnant of the citizens being no partakers, imagined, that the
Englishmen had made hauocke in the towne, and put all to the sword. The
Englishmen on the other side iudged, that the citizens had begun some
new rebellion against them, or else had striuen amongst themselues.

The earle of Suffolke, which was gouernour of the towne, hauing perfect
knowledge by such as scaped from the wals, how the matter went,
withdrew without any tarriance into the castell, which standeth at the
gate of saint Vincent, whereof was constable Thomas Gower esquier,
whither also fled manie Englishmen; so as for vrging the enimie, prease
of the number, and lacke of vittels, they could not haue indured long;
wherefore they priuilie sent a messenger to the lord Talbot, which
then laie at Alanson, certifieng him in how hard a case they were. The
lord Talbot hearing these newes, like a carefull capteine in all hast
assembled togither about seuen hundred men, & in the euening departed
from Alanson, so as in the morning he came to a castell called Guierch,
two miles from Mans, and there staied a while, till he had sent out
Matthew [9]Gough, as an espiall, to vnderstand how the Frenchmen
demeaned themselues.

[9] Or rather Goche.

Mathew [10]Gough so well sped his businesse, that priuilie in the night
he came into the castell, where he learned that the Frenchmen verie
negligentlie vsed themselues, without taking héed to their watch, as
though they had béene out of all danger: which well vnderstood, he
returned againe, and within a mile of the citie met the lord Talbot,
and the lord Scales, and opened vnto them all things, according to
his credence. The lords then, to make hast in the matter, bicause the
daie approched, with all spéed possible came to the posterne gate, and
alighting from their horsses, about six of the clocke in the morning,
they issued out of the castell, crieng, saint George, Talbot.

[10] Goche.

[Sidenote: Mans recouered.]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._]

[Sidenote: Traitors executed.]

The Frenchmen being thus suddenlie taken, were sore amazed, in so much
that some of them, being not out of their beds, got vp in their shirts,
and lept ouer the walles. Other ran naked out of the gates to saue
their liues, leauing all their apparell, horsses, armour, and riches
behind them, none was hurt but such as resisted. ¶ Hard shift was made
on all hands for safetie of life, and happie was he that could find a
place of refuge where to lurke vnspide and vnhurt of the enimie; who
in the execution of their vengeance were so peremptorie, that it was a
matter of great difficultie or rather impossibilitie to escape their
force. To be short, there were slaine and taken, to the number of foure
hundred gentlemen, the priuat souldiers were frankelie let go. After
this, inquisition was made of the authors of the treason, and there
were found & condemned thirtie citizens, twentie priests, and fiftéene
friers, who according to their demerits were all hanged.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 6.]

[Sidenote: Duke of Execester deceased.]

[Sidenote: 1428.]

The citie of Mans being thus recouered, the lord Talbot returned to
Alanson, and shortlie after the earle of Warwike departed into England,
to be gouernour of the yoong king, in stéed of Thomas duke of Excester,
latelie departed to God, and then was the lord Thomas Montacute earle
of Salisburie sent into France, to supplie the roome of the said earle
of Warwike, who landed at Calis with fiue thousand men, and so came to
the duke of Bedford as then lieng in Paris, where they fell in councell
togither concerning the affaires of France, and namelie the earle of
Salisburie began maruellouslie to phantasie the gaining of the citie &
countrie of Orleance.

[Sidenote: Montacute earle of Salisburie a politike and valiant man.]

This earle was the man at that time, by whose wit, strength, and
policie, the English name was much fearefull and terrible to the
French nation, which of himselfe might both appoint, command, and doo
all things in manner at his pleasure, in whose power (as it appeared
after his death) a great part of the conquest consisted: for suerlie,
he was a man both painefull, diligent, and readie to withstand all
dangerous chances that were at hand, prompt in counsell, and of courage
inuincible, so that in no one man, men put more trust; nor any singular
person wan the harts so much of all men.

[Sidenote: _W. P._]

[Sidenote: _Les grandes chroniques de Britagne._]

Herevpon, after this great enterprise had long béene debated in the
priuie councell, the earle of Salisburies deuise therein was of them
all granted and allowed, so that he being replenished with good hope of
victorie, and furnished with artillerie & munition apperteining to so
great an enterprise, accompanied with the earle of Suffolke, and the
lord Talbot, and with a valiant armie, to the number of ten thousand
men, departed from Paris, and passed through the countrie of Beausse.
There he tooke by assault the towne of Genuille, and within fiue daies
after had the castell deliuered vnto him, by them that were fled into
it for their safegard. He also tooke the towne of Baugencie, suffering
euerie man which would become subiect to the king of England, to inioie
their lands and goods. The townes of Meun vpon Loire, and Iargeaulx,
hearing of these dooings, presented to them the keies of their townes
vpon like agréement. [About Maie in this 1428, the towne of Naunts
and territories there with a fearefull earthquake were shaken, houses
castels and strong buildings in such terrour, as it was thought the end
of the world had béene come.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 7.]

[Sidenote: Orleance besieged.]

[Sidenote: Bastard of Orleance.]

After this, in the moneth of September the earle came before the citie
of Orleance, and planted his siege on the one side of the riuer of
Loire; but before his comming, the bastard of Orleance, the bishop
of the citie, and a great number of Scots, hearing of the earles
intent, made diuerse fortifications about the towne, and destroied the
suburbes, in which were twelue parish churches, and foure orders of
friers. They cut also downe all the vines, trées, and bushes, within
fiue leagues of the citie, so that the Englishmen should haue neither
refuge nor succour.

[Sidenote: A bulwarke at Orleance taken.]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._]

After the siege had continued full thrée wéekes, the bastard of
Orleance issued out of the gate of the bridge, and fought with the
Englishmen; but they receiued him with so fierce and terrible strokes,
that he was with all his companie compelled to retire and flée backe
into the citie. But the Englishmen followed so fast, in killing and
taking of their enimies, that they entered with them. ¶ The bulworke
of the bridge, with a great tower standing at the end of the same, was
taken incontinentlie by the Englishmen, who behaued themselues right
valiantlie vnder the conduct of their couragious capteine, as at this
assault, so in diuerse skirmishes against the French; partlie to kéepe
possession of that which Henrie the fift had by his magnanimitie &
puissance atchiued, as also to inlarge the same. But all helped not.
For who can hold that which will awaie: In so much that some cities by
fraudulent practises, othersome by martiall prowesse were recouered
by the French, to the great discouragement of the English and the
appalling of their spirits; whose hope was now dashed partlie by their
great losses and discomfitures (as after you shall heare) but chéeflie
by the death of the late deceassed Henrie their victorious king; as
Chr. Okland verie trulie and agréeablie to the storie noteth:

    Delphinus comitésque eius fera prælia tentant,
    Fraude domi capiunt alias, virtute receptæ
    Sunt vrbes aliæ quædam sublapsa refertur
    Anglûm spes retrò languescere pectora dicas,
    Quippe erat Henricus quintus, dux strenuus olim,
    Mortuus: hinc damni grauior causa atque doloris.

In this conflict, manie Frenchmen were taken, but more were slaine, and
the kéeping of the tower and bulworke was committed to William Glasdale
esquier. By the taking of this bridge the passage was stopped, that
neither men nor vittels could go or come by that waie. After this,
the earle caused certeine bulworkes to be made round about the towne,
casting trenches betwéene the one and the other, laieng ordinance in
euerie place where he saw that any batterie might be deuised. When they
within saw that they were enuironed with fortresses and ordinance,
they laid gun against gun, and fortified towers against bulworkes, and
within cast new rampiers, and fortified themselues as stronglie as
might be deuised.

The bastard of Orleance and the Hire were appointed to sée the walles
and watches kept, and the bishop saw that the inhabitants within the
citie were put in good order, and that vittels were not vainelie
spent. In the tower that was taken at the bridge end (as before you
haue heard) there was an high chamber, hauing a grate full of barres
of iron, by the which a man might looke all the length of the bridge
into the citie; at which grate manie of the chéefe capteins stood manie
times, viewing the citie, and deuising in what place it was best to
giue the assault. They within the citie well perceiued this tooting
hole, and laid a péece of ordinance directlie against the window.

[Sidenote: The earle of Salisburie slaine.]

It so chanced, that the nine and fiftith daie after the siege was laid,
the earle of Salisburie, sir Thomas Gargraue, and William Glasdale,
with diuerse other went into the said tower, and so into the high
chamber, and looked out at the grate, and within a short space, the
sonne of the maister-gunner, perceiuing men looking out at the window,
tooke his match (as his father had taught him who was gone downe to
dinner), and fired the gun; the shot whereof brake, and shiuered the
iron barres of the grate, so that one of the same bars strake the earle
so violentlie on the head, that it stroke awaie one of his eies, and
the side of his chéeke. Sir Thomas Gargraue was likewise striken, and
died within two daies.

The earle was conueied to Meun on Loire, where after eight daies he
likewise departed this world, whose bodie was conueied into England
with all funerall appointment, and buried at Bissam by his progenitors,
leauing behind him an onelie daughter named Alice, married to Richard
Neuill, sonne to Rafe earle of Westmerland, of whome more shall be said
héereafter. The damage that the realme of England receiued by the losse
of this noble man, manifestlie appeared; in that immediatlie after
his death, the prosperous good lucke, which had followed the English
nation, began to decline, and the glorie of their victories gotten in
the parties beyond the sea fell in decaie.

Though all men were sorowfull for his death, yet the duke of Bedford
was most striken with heauinesse, as he that had lost his onelie right
hand, and chéefe aid in time of necessitie. But sith that dead men
cannot helpe the chances of men that be liuing, he like a prudent
gouernour appointed the earle of Suffolke to be his lieutenant and
capteine of the siege, and ioined with him the lord Scales, the lord
Talbot, sir Iohn Fastolfe, and diuerse other right valiant capteins.
These persons caused bastilles to be made round about the citie, and
left nothing vnattempted, that might aduance their purpose, which to
bring to wished effect there was not anie want, as of no cautelous
policie, so of no valiant enterprise, tending to the enimies ouerthrow.

[Sidenote: 1429.]

[Sidenote: _Enguerant._]

In the Lent season, vittels and artillerie began to waxe scant in
the English campe, wherefore the earle of Suffolke appointed sir
Iohn Fastolfe, sir Thomas Rampston, and sir Philip Hall, with their
retinues, to ride to Paris, to the lord regent, to informe him of their
lacke, who incontinentlie vpon that information prouided vittels,
artillerie, and munitions necessarie, and loded therewith manie
chariots, carts, and horsses: and for the sure conueieng of the same,
he appointed sir Simon Morhier, prouost of Paris, with the gard of the
citie, and diuerse of his owne houshold-seruants to accompanie sir
Iohn Fastolfe and his complices, to the armie lieng at the siege of
Orleance. They were in all to the number of fiftéene hundred men, of
the which there were not past fiue or six hundred Englishmen.

These departing in good order of battell out of Paris, came to Genuille
in Beausse, and in a morning earlie, in a great frost, they departed
from thence toward the siege; and when they came to a towne called
Rowraie, in the lands of Beausse, they perceiued their enimies comming
towards them, being to the number of nine or ten thousand of Frenchmen
and Scots, of whome were capteins Charles of Cleremont, sonne to the
duke of Bourbon then being prisoner in England; sir William Steward
constable of Scotland, a little before deliuered out of captiuitie,
the earle of Perdriake the lord Iohn Vandosme, the Vidame of Chartres,
the lord of Toures, the lord of Lohar, the lord of Eglere, the lord of
Beauiew, the bastard Tremoile, and manie other valiant capteins.

[Sidenote: 1500 English did slaie and väquish 10000 French.]

Wherefore sir Iohn Fastolfe set all his companie in good order of
battell, and pitched stakes before euerie archer, to breake the
force of the horssemen. At their backes they set all the wagons and
carriages, and within them they tied all their horsses. In this maner
stood they still, abiding the assault of their enimies. The Frenchmen
by reason of their great number, thinking themselues sure of the
victorie, egerlie set on the Englishmen, which with great force them
receiued, and themselues manfullie defended. At length, after long
and cruell fight, the Englishmen droue backe and vanquished the proud
Frenchmen, & compelled them to flée. In this conflict were slaine the
lord William Steward constable of Scotland, and his brother the lord
Dorualle, the lord Chateaubriam, sir Iohn Basgot, and other Frenchmen
and Scots, to the number of fiue and twentie hundred, and aboue eleuen
hundred taken prisoners, although the French writers affirme the number
lesse.

[Sidenote: The battell of herrings.]

After this fortunate victorie, sir Iohn Fastolfe and his companie
(hauing lost no one man of anie reputation) with all their cariages,
vittels, and prisoners, marched foorth and came to the English campe
before Orleance, where they were ioifullie receiued, and highlie
commended for their valiancie and worthie prowesse shewed in the
battell; the which bicause most part of the cariage was herring and
lenton stuffe, the Frenchmen called it the battell of herrings. The
earle of Suffolke being thus vittelled, continued the siege, and euerie
daie almost skirmished with the Frenchmen within, who (at length being
in despaire of all succours) offered to treat, and in conclusion, to
saue themselues and the citie from captiuitie of their enimies, they
deuised to submit the citie, themselues, and all theirs vnder the
obeisance of Philip duke of Burgognie, bicause he was extract out of
the stocke and bloud roiall of the ancient kings of France, thinking by
this means (as they did in déed) to breake or diminish the great amitie
betwéene the Englishmen and him.

[Sidenote: _W. P._]

This offer was signified by them vnto the duke of Burgognie, who with
thanks certified them againe, that he would gladlie receiue them, if
the lord regent would therewith be contented. Herevpon he dispatched
messengers to the duke of Bedford, who though some counselled that it
should be verie good and necessarie for him to agrée to that maner
of yéelding; yet he and other thought it neither conuenient nor
honourable, that a citie so long besieged by the king of England,
should be deliuered vnto anie other prince, than to him, or to his
regent, for that might be a verie bad president to other townes in anie
like case. Herevpon the regent answered the Burgognian ambassadors:
that after so long a siege on his part, and obstinat a resistance
of theirs, he might not receiue rendring and conditions at their
appointment. At this answer the duke hoong the groine, as concerning
that our side should enuie his glorie, or not to be so forward in
aduancing his honour as he would haue it.

[Sidenote: _W. P._]

[Sidenote: _Ieha de Tillet._]

[Sidenote: _Les chronic. de Bretagne_: _Le Rosier_ calleth him Robert.]

[Sidenote: _Ione de Arc Pusell de dieu._]

[Sidenote: _In vita Bundvicæ._]

[Sidenote: _Grand Chro._ 4.]

In time of this siege at Orleance (French stories saie) the first wéeke
of March 1428, vnto Charles the Dolphin, at Chinon as he was in verie
great care and studie how to wrestle against the English nation, by one
Peter Badricourt capteine of Vacouleur, (made after marshall of France
by the Dolphins creation) was caried a yoong wench of an eightéene
yéeres old, called Ione Arc, by name of hir father (a sorie shéepheard)
Iames of Arc, and Isabell hir mother, brought vp poorelie in their
trade of kéeping cattell, borne at Domprin (therefore reported by Bale,
Ione Domprin) vpon Meuse in Loraine within the diocesse of Thoule.
Of fauour was she counted likesome, of person stronglie made and
manlie, of courage great, hardie, and stout withall, an vnderstander
of counsels though she were not at them, great semblance of chastitie
both of bodie and behauiour, the name of Iesus in hir mouth about all
hir businesses, humble, obedient, and fasting diuerse daies in the
wéeke. A person (as their bookes make hir) raised vp by power diuine,
onelie for succour to the French estate then déepelie in distresse,
in whome, for planting a credit the rather, first the companie that
toward the Dolphin did conduct hir, through places all dangerous, as
holden by the English, where she neuer was afore, all the waie and by
nightertale safelie did she lead; then at the Dolphins sending by hir
assignement, from saint Katharins church of Fierbois in Touraine (where
she neuer had béene and knew not) in a secret place there among old
iron, appointed she hir sword to be sought out and brought hir, that
with fiue floure delices was grauen on both sides, wherewith she fought
& did manie slaughters by hir owne hands. On warfar rode she in armour
[11] cap a pie & mustered as a man, before hir an ensigne all white,
wherin was Iesus Christ painted with a floure delice in his hand.

[11] From head to foot.

[Sidenote: This salutation appeareth after héere.]

[Sidenote: _Les grand chronic._]

Vnto the Dolphin into his gallerie when first she was brought, and
he shadowing himselfe behind, setting other gaie lords before him to
trie hir cunning from all the companie, with a salutation (that indéed
marz all the matter) she pickt him out alone, who therevpon had hir
to the end of the gallerie, where she held him an houre in secret and
priuate talke, that of his priuie chamber was thought verie long, and
therefore would haue broken it off; but he made them a sign to let hir
saie on. In which (among other) as likelie it was, she set out vnto him
the singular feats (forsooth) giuen her to vnderstand by reuelation
diuine, that in vertue of that sword shée should atchiue, which were,
how with honor and victorie shée would raise the siege at Orleance,
set him in state of the crowne of France, and driue the English out of
the countrie, thereby he to inioie the kingdome alone. Héerevpon he
hartened at full, appointed hir a sufficient armie with absolute power
to lead them, and they obedientlie to doo as she bad them. Then fell
she to worke, and first defeated indéed the siege at Orleance, by and
by incouraged him to crowne himselfe king of France at Reims, that a
little before from the English she had woone. Thus after pursued she
manie bold enterprises to our great displeasure a two yeare togither,
for the time she kept in state vntill she were taken and for heresie
and witcherie burned: as in particularities hereafter followeth. But in
hir prime time she armed at all points (like a iolie capteine) roade
from Poictiers to Blois, and there found men of warre, vittels, and
munition, ready to be conueied to Orleance.

Héere was it knowne that the Englishmen kept not so diligent watch
as they had béene accustomed to doo, and therefore this maid (with
other French capteins) comming forward in the dead time of the night,
and in a great raine and thunder entred into the citie with all their
vittels, artillerie, and other necessarie prouisions. The next daie
the Englishmen boldlie assaulted the towne, but the Frenchmen defended
the walles so, as no great feat worthie of memorie chanced that daie
betwixt them, though the Frenchmen were amazed at the valiant attempt
of the Englishmen, whervpon the bastard of Orleance gaue knowledge to
the duke of Alanson, in what danger the towne stood without his present
helpe, who comming within two leagues of the citie, gaue knowledge to
them within, that they should be readie the next daie to receiue him.

This accordinglie was accomplished: for the Englishmen willinglie
suffered him and his armie also to enter, supposing that it should
be for their aduantage to haue so great a multitude to enter the
citie, whereby their vittels (whereof they within had great scarsitie)
might the sooner be consumed. On the next daie in the morning, the
Frenchmen altogither issued out of the towne, woone by assault the
bastile of saint Lou, and set it on fire. And after they likewise
assaulted the tower at the bridge foot, which was manfullie defended.
But the Frenchmen (more in number) at length tooke it, yer the lord
Talbot could come to the succours, in the which William Gladesdale the
capteine was slaine, with the lord Moolins, and lord Poinings also.

The Frenchmen puffed vp with this good lucke, fetched a compasse about,
and in good order of battell marched toward the bastile, which was in
the kéeping of the lord Talbot: the which vpon the enimies approch,
like a capteine without all feare or dread of that great multitude,
issued foorth againt them, and gaue them so sharpe an incounter, that
they not able to withstand his puissance, fled (like shéepe before
the woolfe) againe into the citie, with great losse of men and small
artillerie. Of Englishmen were lost in the two Bastiles, to the number
of six hundred persons, or thereabout, though the French writers
multiplie this number of hundreds to thousands, as their maner is.

[Sidenote: The siege of Orleance broken vp.]

The earle of Suffolke, the lord Talbot, the lord Scales, and other
capteins assembled togither in councell, and after causes shewed to
and fro, it was amongst them determined to leaue their fortresses and
bastiles, and to assemble in the plaine field, and there to abide all
the daie to sée if the Frenchmen would issue foorth to fight with them.
This conclusion taken was accordinglie executed: but when the Frenchmen
durst not once come foorth to shew their heads, the Englishmen set fire
of their lodgings, and departed in good order of Battell from Orleance.
The next daie, which was the eight daie of Maie, the earle of Suffolke
rode to Iargeaux with foure hundred Englishmen, and the lord Talbot
with an other companie returned to Mehun. And after he had fortified
that towne, he went to the towne of Lauall, and woone it, togither with
the castell, sore punishing the townsmen for their cankered obstinacie
against them.

Thus when the Englishmen had seuered themselues into garrisons, the
duke of Alanson, the bastard of Orleance, Ione le Pusell, the lord
Gawcourt, and diuerse other capteins of the Frenchmen, came the twelfe
daie of Iune, before the towne of Iargeaux, where the earle of Suffolke
and his two brethren soiourned, & gaue to the towne so fierce an
assault on thrée parts, that Poiton de Sentrailes, perceiuing an other
part void of defendants, scaled the wals on that side, and without
difficultie tooke the towne, and slue sir Alexander Poole, brother
to the erle, and manie other, to the number of two hundred. But the
Frenchmen gained not much thereby, for they lost thrée hundred good men
and more. Of the Englishmen fortie were taken, with the earle and his
other brother named Iohn.

[Sidenote: Prisoners slaine by the French as they were taken.]

The Frenchmen, as they returned to Orleance, fell at variance for
their prisoners, and slue them all, sauing the earle and his brother.
Shortlie after, the same French armie came to Mehun, where they tooke
the tower at the bridge foot, and put therein a garrison. From thence
they remooued to Baugencie, and constreined them that were within the
towne to yéeld, vpon condition they might depart with bag and baggage.
At the same place there came to the duke of Alanson, the new constable
Arthur of Britaine, and with him the lord Dalbret, and other. Also
after this the earle of Vandosme came to them, so that by the dailie
repaire of such as assembled togither to strengthen the French part,
they were in all to the number betwéene twentie and thrée and twentie
thousand men.

[Sidenote: _Nichol. Giles._]

[Sidenote: Fiue thous[=a]d saith _Hall_.]

All which being once ioined in one armie, shortlie after fought with
the lord Talbot (who had with him not past six thousand men) néere
vnto a village in Beausse called Pataie: at which battell the charge
was giuen by the French so vpon a sudden, that the Englishmen had not
leisure to put themselues in arraie, after they had put vp their stakes
before their archers, so that there was no remedie but to fight at
aduenture. This battell continued by the space of thrée long houres;
for the Englishmen, though they were ouerpressed with multitude of
their enimies, yet they neuer fled backe one foot, till their capteine
the lord Talbot was sore wounded at the backe, and so taken.

[Sidenote: Great losse on the English side. The lords Talbot, Scales,
and Hungerford taken.]

Then their hearts began to faint, and they fled, in which flight were
slaine aboue twelue hundred, and fortie taken, of whome the lord
Talbot, the lord Scales, the lord Hungerford, & sir Thomas Rampston
were chéefe. Diuerse archers, after they had shot all their arrowes,
hauing onelie their swords, defended themselues, and with helpe of some
of their horsmen came safe to Mehun. This ouerthrow, and speciallie the
taking of the lord Talbot, did not so much reioise the Frenchmen; but
it did as much abash the Englishmen: so that immediatlie therevpon,
the townes of Ienuile, Mehun, Fort, and diuerse other, returned from
the English part, and became French. From this battell departed
without anie stroke striken sir Iohn Fastolfe, the same yeare for his
valiantnesse elected into the order of the garter. But for doubt of
misdealing at this brunt, the duke of Bedford tooke from him the image
of saint George, and his garter; though afterward by meanes of fréends,
and apparant causes of good excuse, the same were to him againe
deliuered against the mind of the lord Talbot.

[Sidenote: The French king crowned.]

Charles the Dolphin that called himselfe French K. perceiuing fortune
to smile thus vpon him, assembled a great power, and determined to
conquer the citie of Reimes, that he might be there sacred, crowned,
and annointed, according to the custome of his progenitours, that all
men might iudge that he was by all lawes and decrées a iust and lawfull
king. In his waie thitherwards he besieged the citie of Auxerre, the
citizens whereof compounded with him to yéeld, if they were not rescued
within certeine daies. From thence he came before Trois, and after
twelue daies siege had that citie deliuered vnto him, by composition,
that the capteine sir Philip Hall (with his people and mooueables)
might depart in safetie. After that Trois was yéelded, the communaltie
of Chaalons rebelled against sir Iohn Aubemond their capteine, and
constreined him to deliuer the towne vpon like composition. In
semblable manner did they of Reimes, desiring him to giue safe conduct
to all the Englishmen safelie to depart. When Reimes was thus become
French, the foresaid Charles the Dolphin in the presence of the dukes
of Lorraine and Barré, and of all the noble men of his faction, was
sacred there king of France by the name of Charles the seauenth, with
all rites and ceremonies thereto belonging. They of Auxerre, when the
terme of their appointment was expired, submitted themselues to him;
and so likewise did all the cities and townes adioining.

[Sidenote: Ione taken to be a witch.]

The duke of Bedford aduertised of all these dooings, assembled his
power about him, and hauing togither ten thousand good Englishmen
(beside Normans) departed out of Paris in warlike fashion, and passing
thorough Brie to Monstreau fault Yonne, sent by his herald Bedford,
letters to the French king, signifieng to him; that where he had
(contrarie to the finall conclusion accorded betwéene his noble brother
K. Henrie the fift, & king Charles the sixt, father to him that was
the vsurper) by allurement of a deuelish witch, taken vpon him the
name, title, & dignitie of the king of France; and further had by
murther, stealing, craft, and deceitfull meanes, violentlie gotten,
and wrongfullie kept diuerse cities and townes belonging to the king
of England his nephue; for proofe thereof he was come downe from Paris
with his armie, into the countrie of Brie, by dint of sword and stroke
of battell to prooue his writing and cause true, willing his enimie to
choose the place, and in the same he would giue him battell.

The new French king being come from Reimes to Dampmartine, studieng
how to compasse them of Paris, was halfe abashed at this message. But
yet to set a good countenance on the matter, he answered the herald,
that he would sooner séeke his maister, than his maister should néed to
pursue him. The duke of Bedford hearing this answer, marched toward the
king, and pitched his field in a strong place. The French king, though
at the first he meant to haue abidden battell; yet when he vnderstood
that the duke was equall to him in number of people, he changed his
purpose, and turned with his armie a little out of the waie. The duke
of Bedford, perceiuing his faint courage, followed him by the hils and
dales, till he came to a town not far from Senlis, where he found the
French king and his armie lodged; wherefore he ordered his battels
like an expert chéefteine in martiall science, setting the archers
before, and himselfe with the noblemen in the maine battell, and put
the Normans on both sides for wings. The French king also ordered his
battels with the aduise of his capteins.

[Sidenote: The French armie fled in the night.]

[Sidenote: Boheme.]

Thus these two armies laie two daies and two nights either in sight of
other, without anie great dooing, except a few skirmishes, wherein the
dukes light horssemen did verie valiantlie. At length in the dead of
the night (as priuilie as might be) the French king brake vp his campe,
and fled to Braie. The duke of Bedford had much adoo to staie his
people in the morning from pursuit of the French armie: but for that he
mistrusted the Parisiens, he would not depart farre from that citie,
and so returned thither againe. ¶ In this season pope Martin the fift
of that name, meaning to subdue the Bohemers that dissented from the
church of Rome in matters of religion, appointed Henrie Beaufort Bishop
of Winchester & cardinall of saint Eusebie, to be his legat in an armie
that should inuade the kingdome of Boheme, and to bring a power of
men with him out of England. And because the warre touched religion,
he licenced the cardinall to take the tenth part of euerie spirituall
dignitie, benefice, and promotion.

This matter was opened in the parlement house, and assented to:
wherevpon the bishop gathered the monie, and assembled foure thousand
men & aboue, not without great grudge of the people, which dailie
were with tallages and aids wearied and sore burdened. As this bishop
was come to Douer readie to passe the seas ouer into Flanders, the
duke of Glocester hauing receiued letters from the duke of Bedford,
conteining an earnest request to reléeue him with some spéedie aid of
men of warre, was constreined to write vnto the bishop of Winchester,
willing him in time of such néed, when all stood vpon losse or gaine,
to passe with all his armie toward the duke of Bedford, to assist him
against his aduersaries; which thing doone, and to his honour atchiued,
he might performe his iournie against the vngratious Bohemers. The
cardinall (though not well contented with this countermand) yet least
he should run into the note of infamie, if he refused to aid the regent
of France in so great a cause, passed ouer with his power, and brought
the same vnto his coosine to the citie of Paris.

About the same season, the French king, in hope to be receiued into
the townes of Campaigne and Beauuois (by reason of the fauour and good
will which the inhabitants bare towards him) was come with an armie
towards Campaigne. Whereof the duke of Bedford being aduertised, and
hauing now his host augmented with the new supplie, which the cardinall
had of late brought vnto him, marched forward with great spéed toward
the place where he vnderstood the French king was lodged: and comming
to Senlis, he perceiued how his enimies were incamped vpon the mount
Pilioll, betwéene Senlis and Campaigne.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 8.]

Here might either armie behold the other: wherevpon for the auoiding
of dangers that might insue, the campes were trenched, and the battels
pitched, and the fields ordered as though they should haue tried the
matter by battell: but nothing was doone except with skirmishes, in
the which the Normans sore vexed the Frenchmen; and therefore receiued
great commendations and praises of the lord regent: who vndoubtedlie
determined to haue giuen battell to his enimies if they would haue
abidden it. But after the armies had thus lien ether in sight of other,
for the space of two daies together, the French king not determining
to aduenture in an open battell the whole chance of the game, least
he might thereby receiue a perpetuall checkemate, in the night season
remooued his campe, and fled to Crespie, though his number was double
to the English armie. The duke of Bedford, séeing that the French king
was thus cowardlie recoiled with all his power and armie, returned
againe to Paris, euer suspecting the deceitfull faith of the Parisiens.

[Sidenote: Boheme.]

[Sidenote: The pope did vnlegat the cardinall of Winchester.]

[Sidenote: K. Henries coronation at Westminster.]

The bishop of Winchester, after that the French king was retreated
backe, went into Boheme, and there did somewhat, though shortlie after
without anie great praise or gaine he returned into England, more
glad of his comming backe than of his aduancing forward. Anon after
the pope vnlegated him, and set an other in his place, wherewith he
was nothing contented. On the sixt daie of Nouember, being the daie
of saint Leonard, king Henrie in the eight yeare of his reigne was at
Westminster with all pompe and honour crowned king of this realme of
England. In the same yere the French king was receiued into the towne
of Campaigne, and shortlie after were the townes of Senlis and Beauuois
rendered to him. And the lord Longueall tooke by stelth the castell of
Aumarle, and slue all the Englishmen within it.

[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._]

Also about the same time, the Frenchmen recouered castell Gaillard
foorth of the Englishmens hands, where the lord Barbason was found
in a dungeon, inclosed within a great grate of iron like to a little
chamber, and foorthwith they brake open the grate: but Barbason would
not come foorth, because he had giuen his faith and promise to one
Kingston that was capteine of that fortresse for the king of England,
to be true prisoner, vntill the Frenchmen had sent to the same Kingston
(that was departed vpon such couenants as they were agréed vpon at
the deliuerie of that fortresse) willing him to come backe againe
vpon safe conduct. Which at their earnest request he did, and withall
discharged the lord Barbason of his oth; and so then he came foorth,
and remained at his libertie, to the great reioising of the Frenchmen,
which iudged that he had béene rather dead than aliue all that time of
his imprisonment.

[Sidenote: A parlement at Rone called by the duke of Bedford.]

About the same time also the French king sought by all meanes possible
to breake the amitie betwixt the realme of England, and the house of
Burgognie. Whereof the duke of Bedford hauing intelligence, thought it
stood him vpon the more earnestlie to looke to his charge; and namelie
as it were an anchorhold, he determined to prouide that he might defend
and safelie kéepe the duchie of Normandie, and therefore appointing the
bishop of Terrowen and Elie, named Lewes of Lutzenburgh, chancellor
for king Henrie of the realme of France, to remaine at Paris vpon the
defense of that citie, with a conuenient number of Englishmen, he
departed into Normandie, and comming to Rone, called a parlement there
of the thrée estates of the duchie, in the which he declared manie
things vnto them, touching the happie life, and great fréedome which
they might be assured to inioy, so long as they continued vnder the
English obeisance: and therefore he exhorted them to abide constant
in their allegiance, faith, and promise made and sworne to his noble
brother king Henrie the fift.

[Sidenote: The French got saint Denis.]

[Sidenote: Ione had a hurt in the leg and a fall, drawen all durtie out
of the mire.]

Whilest the duke of Bedford was busie to reteine the Normans in their
due obedience, the French king departed from Senlis; and comming to the
towne of saint Denis, found it in maner desolate, so that he entered
there without resistance, and lodged his armie at Mount Martyr and
Amberuilliers, néere vnto the citie of Paris; and from thence sent
Iohn duke of Alanson, and his sorceresse Ione la Pusell, with thrée
thousand light horssemen to asssault the citie, and followed himselfe,
in hope to get it, either by force or treatie. But the English
capteins euerie one kéeping his ward and place assigned, so manfullie
defended themselues, their walles and towers with the assistance of
the Parisiens, that they repelled the Frenchmen, and threw downe Ione
their great goddesse into the bottome of the towne ditch, where she lay
behind the backe of an asse sore hurt in the leg, till the time that
she (all filthie with mire and durt) was drawne out by Guischard of
Thienbrone, seruant to the duke of Alanson.

The French king, perceiuing that he could not preuaile in this
enterprise, left the dead bodies behind him, and taking with him the
wounded capteins, returned into Berrie. But in the meane waie, the
inhabitants of Laignie submitted themselues vnto him. The duke of
Bedford being in Normandie, hearing of this sudden attempt, with all
hast possible came to Paris, where he gaue manie great thanks, with
high commendations vnto the capteins, souldiers and citizens for their
assured fidelitie, great hardinesse & manlie dooing. Which his gentle
words so incouraged the harts of the Parisiens, that they sware,
promised and concluded, to be fréends for euer to the king of England,
and his fréends, and enimies alwaies to his foes and aduersaries,
making proclamation by this stile: "Fréends to K. Henrie, fréends to
the Parisiens; Enimies to England, enimies to Paris." Marie whether
this was vttered from their harts, it is hard so to saie, for the
sequeale of their acts séemed to proue the contrarie.

[Sidenote: Saint Denis by vs recouered againe.]

Soone after these dooings, came to Paris with a great companie Philip
duke of Burgognie, and then vpon long consultation had for the
recouerie of their losses, it was agréed that the duke of Bedford
should raise an armie, & that the duke of Burgognie should be his
deputie, and tarie at Paris for the defense of the citie. The duke of
Bedford then without any great resistance recouered againe the towne
of saint Denis, with diuerse other fortresses. And after this he sent
the bastard of Clarence to laie siege to the castell of Torsie, the
which (notwithstanding the great strength therof) after six moneths
siege, was rendred vp into his hands. During the siege of this castell,
sir Thomas Kiriell knight, with foure hundred Englishmen departed from
Gourneie in Normandie, and rode by Beauuois, spoiling and wasting the
countrie to the suburbes of Cleremont. Whereof the earle of that towne
hauing aduertisement, assembled all the men of warre of the garrisons
adioining, and with the same set forward to fight with the Englishmen,
whom he found in a streict place néere to Beauuois.

[Sidenote: La Hire.]

[Sidenote: Laignie besieged by the Englishmen.]

[Sidenote: _Le Rosier._]

The earle of Cleremont, perceiuing that he could not hurt them with
his men of armes, by reason of the strength, came downe on foot with
all his companie, and fiercelie set on the Englishmen: but by the
terrible shot of the English archers, the Frenchmen in the end were
constreined to flée; and the Englishmen perceiuing the matter, streight
leapt on horssebacke and followed the chase. In the which were taken
two hundred prisoners, and thrise as manie slaine. The earle escaped
by the swiftnesse of his horsse. At the same season the earle of
Suffolke besieging the towne of Aumarle (whereof was capteine the lord
of Rambures) after foure and twentie great assaults, had the towne
and castell simplie to him rendred. Thus by little and little the
Englishmen recouered manie townes which before they had lost. Howbeit
about the verie same time, the Frenchmen stale the towne of Lauall, by
treason wrought by a miller, which kéeping a mill that ioined to the
wall, suffered the French to passe through his mill into the towne.
Shortlie after also sir Steuen de Vignoilles, surnamed la Hire, tooke
by scaling the towne of Louiers in Normandie. The Englishmen in the
cold moneth of December besieged the towne of Laignie in the which was
the Pusell, and diuerse other good capteins.

[Sidenote: _W. P._]

[Sidenote: 1430]

[In the moneth of Maie 1430, with a valiant man in feats of armes
on the duke of Burgognions side, one Franquet and his band of thrée
hundred souldiers, making all towards the maintenance of the siege, the
Pusell Ione and a foure hundred with hir did méet. In great courage and
force did she and hir people sundrie times assaile him, but he with his
(though much vnder in number) by meanes of his archers in good order
set, did so hardilie withstand them, that for the first and second
push she rather lost than wan? Wherat this captinesse striken into a
fretting chafe, called out in all hast the garrison of Laignie, and
from other the forts thereabout, who thicke and thréefold came downe
with might and maine, in armour and number so far excéeding Franquets,
that though they had doone hir much hurt in hir horsemen; yet by the
verie multitude were they oppressed, most in hir furie put to the
sword; & as for to Franquet that worthie capteine himselfe, hir rage
not appeased, till out of hand she had his head stroken off: contrarie
to all manhood (but she was a woman, if she were that) & contrarie to
common right & law of armes. The man for his merits was verie much
lamented, and she by hir malice then found of what spirit she was.]

[Sidenote: Campiegne besieged.]

After this the duke of Bourgognie accompanied with the earles of
Arundell, and Suffolke, and the lord Iohn of Lutzenburgh besieged
the towne of Campiegne with a great puissance. This towne was well
walled, manned and vittelled, so that the besiegers were constreined
to cast trenches, and make mines, for otherwise they saw not how to
compasse their purpose. In the meane time it happened in the night of
the Ascension of our lord, that Poiton de Saintreiles, Ione la Pusell,
and fiue or six hundred men of armes issued out by the bridge toward
Mondedier, intending to set fire in the tents and lodgings of the lord
Bawdo de Noielle.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex Gesnero._]

[Sidenote: Richard Fleming bishop of Lincolne.]

[Sidenote: The books that he wrote.]

¶ In this yeare of our Lord, among diuerse notable men of learning and
knowledge, one Richard Fleming, English borne, a doctor of diuinitie
professed in Oxford, did flourish: who by the prouidence of God grew
in such fauour with this king Henrie the sixt, & the nobles néere &
about him, that he was preferred to the bishops sée of Lincolne. This
man founded Lincolne college in Oxford, in which vniuersitie he had
béene a profitable student. Diuerse bookes he wrote (as the vniuersitie
librarie dooth beare witnesse) whereof these following haue béene
séene vnder their names and titles; to wit: A protestation against the
Spaniards, the Frenchmen, and the Scots, made in the generall councell
holden at Sens: one booke of the Etymologie of England; besides diuerse
other treatises, as Gesner reporteth Ex bibliotheca Oxonii, aforesaid.

[Sidenote: Ione the Pusell taken.]

At the verie same time that Campeigne was besieged (as before is said)
sir Iohn of Lutzenburgh, with eight other gentlemen, chanced to be
néere vnto the lodging of the said lord Bawdo, where they espied the
Frenchmen, which began to cut downe tents, ouerthrow pauilions, & kill
men in their beds: wherevpon they with all spéed assembled a great
number of men, as well English as Burgognions, and couragiouslie set
on the Frenchmen, and in the end beat them backe into the towne, so
that they fled so fast that one letted another, as they would haue
entered. In the chase and pursute was the Pusell taken, with diuerse
other, besides those that were slaine, which were no small number.
Diuerse were hurt also on both parts. Among the Englishmen, sir Iohn
Montgomerie had his arme broken, and sir Iohn Steward was shot into the
thigh with a quarell.

[Sidenote: _W. P._]

[Sidenote: _Chroniques de Britaigne._]

[As before ye haue heard somewhat of this damsels strange beginning
and procéedings, so sith the ending of all such miraclemongers dooth
(for the most part) plainelie decipher the vertue and power that they
worke, by hir shall ye be aduertised what at last became of hir; cast
your opinions as ye haue cause. Of hir louers (the Frenchmen) reporteth
one, how in Campeigne thus besieged, Guillamne de Flauie the capteine
hauing sold hir aforehand to the lord of Lutzenburgh, vnder colour of
hasting hir with a band out of the towne towards their king, for him
with spéed to come and leauie the siege there, so gotten hir foorth
he shut the gates after hir, when anon by the Burgognians set vpon
and ouermatcht in the conflict she was taken: marie yet (all things
accounted) to no small maruell how it could come so to passe, had she
béene of any deuotion or of true beléefe, and no false miscreant,
but all holie as she made it. For earlie that morning she gat hir to
saint Iameses church, confessed hir, and receiued hir maker (as the
booke termes it) and after setting hir selfe to a piller, manie of the
townesmen that with a fiue or six score of their children stood about
there to sée hir, vnto them "(quod she) Good children and my déere
fréends, I tell you plaine one hath sold me. I am betraied and shortlie
shall be deliuered to death; I beséech you praie to God for me, for I
shall neuer haue more power to doo seruice either to the king or to the
realme of France againe."

[Sidenote: _Le Rosier._]

[Sidenote: _In la vie du Charles septiesme._]

[Sidenote: Fiue thousand pounds fr[=e]ch crowns in monie.]

[Sidenote: An hundred and fiftie crownes rent.]

Saith another booke, she was intrapt by a Picard capteine of Soissons,
who sold that citie to the duke of Burgognie, and he then put it ouer
into the hands of the lord of Lutzenburgh, so by that meanes the
Burgognians approched and besieged Campeigne, for succour whereof
as damsell Ione with hir capteins from Laignie was thither come,
and dailie to the English gaue manie a hot skirmish, so happened it
one a daie in an outsallie that she made by a Picard of the lord of
Lutzenburghs band, in the fiercest of hir fight she was taken, and by
him by and by to his lord presented, who sold hir ouer againe to the
English, who for witchcraft and sorcerie burnt hir at Rone. Tillet
telleth it thus, that she was caught at Campeigne by one of the earle
of Ligneis soldiers, from him had to Beaureuoir castell, where kept a
thrée months, she was after for ten thousand pounds in monie and thrée
hundred pounds rent (all Turnois) sold into the English hands.

In which for hir pranks so vncouth and suspicious, the lord regent by
Peter Chauchon bishop of Beauuois (in whose diocesse she was taken)
caused hir life and beléefe, after order of law to be inquired vpon
and examined. Wherein found though a virgin, yet first shamefullie
reiecting hir sex abominablie in acts and apparell to haue counterfeit
mankind, and then all damnablie faithlesse, to be a pernicious
instrument to hostilitie and bloudshed in diuelish witchcraft and
sorcerie, sentence accordinglie was pronounced against hir. Howbeit
vpon humble confession of hir iniquities with a counterfeit contrition
pretending a carefull sorow for the same, execution spared and all
mollified into this, that from thencefoorth she should cast off hir
vnnaturall wearing of mans abilliments, and kéepe hir to garments
of hir owne kind, abiure hir pernicious practises of sorcerie and
witcherie, and haue life and leasure in perpetuall prison to bewaile
hir misdéeds. Which to performe (according to the maner of abiuration)
a solemne oth verie gladlie she tooke.

[Sidenote: _Polydo. 23. in H. 6._]

[Sidenote: _Les grand chron._]

[Sidenote: _Les grandes chronic. le 4 liure._]

But herein (God helpe vs) she fullie afore possest of the féend, not
able to hold hir in anie towardnesse of grace, falling streight waie
into hir former abominations (and yet séeking to éetch out life as long
as she might) stake not (though the shift were shamefull) to confesse
hir selfe a strumpet, and (vnmaried as she was) to be with child. For
triall, the lord regents lenitie gaue hir nine moneths staie, at the
end wherof she found herein as false as wicked in the rest, an eight
daies after, vpon a further definitiue sentence declared against hir to
be relapse and a renouncer of hir oth and repentance, was she therevpon
deliuered ouer to secular power, and so executed by consumption of fire
in the old market place at Rone, in the selfe same stéed where now
saint Michaels church stands, hir ashes afterward without the towne
wals shaken into the wind. Now recounting altogither, hir pastorall
bringing vp, rude without any vertuous instruction, hir campestrall
conuersation with wicked spirits, whome in hir first salutation to
Charles the Dolphin, she vttered to be our Ladie, saint Katharine,
and saint Annes, that in this behalfe came and gaue hir commandements
from God hir maker, as she kept hir fathers lambs in the fields (where
saints in warres among christen men were (be we sure) neuer so parciall
patrons or partners to maintenance of horrible slaughters, rapines, and
bloudshed) hereto hir murtherous mind in killing of Franquet hir owne
prisoner, hir two yeares continuance in hir abominations and deadlie
mischiefe without anie hir trauell or motion betwéene the princes
for peace, hir relapse at last & falling againe into hir abiured
iniquities, by hir virginitie (if it were anie) by hir holie words, hir
fasting and praiers what they might be, sith satan (after S. Paule) can
change himselfe into an angell of light, the déeplier to deceiue.

[Sidenote: _Christianissimus rex._]

[Sidenote: _Tillet._]

[Sidenote: This prelate at his death left a hundred and fiftéene
crownes in gold, that vnder colour of warres with the infidels he had
fléesed from christen princes.]

[Sidenote: _Piatina._]

These matters may verie rightfullie denounce vnto all the world hir
execrable abominations, and well iustifie the iudgement she had, and
the execution she was put to for the same. A thing yet (God wot) verie
smallie shadowed, and lesse holpen by the verie trauell of the Dolphin,
whose dignitie abroad foulle spotted in this point, that contrarie to
the holie degrée of a right christen prince (as he called himselfe) for
maintenance of his quarels in warre would not reuerence to prophane
his sacred estate, as dealing in diuelish practises with misbeléeuers
and witches. Which maladie he full sorilie salued (like one that to
kill the strong sent of onions would cheaw a cloue of garlike) so a six
and twentie yeares after, he pact with pope Calixt the third, by whose
mandat directed to his thrée delegats, the bishops or Paris, Reimes,
and Constance, at the cathedrall church of Paris, in presence of Ione
(the pusels mother) Iohn and Peter hir brethren, the seuen and twentith
daie of Nouember 1455, the validitie and goodnesse of the processe and
sentence vpon hir was called in question, and in great solemnitie sit
vpon.

[Sidenote: _Li. 23 in vita. H. 6._]

Wherein the cause was so sincerelie canuassed among them, that
afterward, on the eight of Iulie 1456, a quite contrarie sentence was
there declared; of effect, that this Ione (forsooth) was a damsell
diuine, no fault in the Dolphin for his counsell and witcherie
practises with hir; the processe, iudgement, and condemnation against
hir all wrong and iniurious. And for iustification and remembrance
aswell of hir innocencie in life and death, as also of the sinceritie
of their later sentence, a new crosse in that old market to be reared.
In this tale of Tillets is she further likened to Debora, Iahell, and
Iudith, and vnto Romane Clelia compared by Polydor, that shames not
somewhat also to carpe at hir iudgment, and much pitieth hir paine. But
what puritie or regard of deuotion or conscience is in these writers
trow yée, who make no consideration of hir heinous enormities, or else
any difference betwéene one stirred vp by mercie diuine, or naturall
loue, and a damnable sorcerer suborned by satan? And thus much of this
gentle Ione, and of hir good oratours that haue said so well for hir:
now iudge as ye list.]

After the bestowing of this Pusell in sort as yée haue heard, the siege
still continued before Campiegne, and the duke of Bedford sent to the
duke of Burgognie lieng at the siege, the earle of Huntington, and sir
Iohn Robsert (two iollie gentlemen, of no lesse prudence to parle with
the enimie, than puissance to incounter them) with a thousand archers
(whose actiuitie, I warrant you, stood not then vpon the first triall)
which dailie skirmished with them within, and made such bastiles &
fortresses, that the towne had béene rendred into their hands, but
that the duke of Burgognie departed from the siege to go into Brabant,
to receiue the possession of that duchie, by the death of his cousin
Philip the duke of that countrie, as then departed this world.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 9.]

[Sidenote: 1431.]

Sir Iohn de Lutzenburgh was left by the duke of Burgognie as generall
of the siege before Campiegne, the which he raised within a short space
after, contrarie to the minds of the Englishmen, which were verie
desirous to haue lien there till the towne had béene rendered, which
if the siege had béene continued but eight daies longer, must néeds
haue come to passe; by reason that pestilence and famine had almost
consumed all the souldiers within the towne, so that it remained in
maner without defense. After the breaking vp of this siege, Iohn duke
of Norffolke tooke againe the townes of Dampmartine, and the Chasse
Mongaie, with diuerse other townes. Also the earle of Stafford tooke
the towne of Brin countie Robert, and from thence forraged all the
countrie to Sens, and after tooke Quesnoie in Brie, Grand Puis, and
Rampellon.

During this time, the Frenchmen on the otherside tooke Louiers and
Villeneuf. Then also did the towne of Melun rebell, and had such aid of
other townes adioining, that the English souldiers were faine to leaue
Melun, Morret, and Corbell. Thus did things wauer in doubtfull balance
betwixt the two nations English and French. But bicause the English
sore mistrusted further danger, it was concluded, that king Henrie in
his roiall person with a new armie should come into France, partlie
to visit and comfort his owne subiects there, and partlie either by
feare or fauour (bicause a child of his age and beautie dooth commonlie
procure them loue of elder persons) to moue the Frenchmen to continue
their due obeisance towards him.

[Sidenote: King Henrie the sixt in person goeth with an armie into
France.]

[Sidenote: S. Albons.]

[Sidenote: _Ed. Hull._]

Wherefore after a great host conuenient for that purpose assembled, and
monie for maintenance of the warre readie gathered, and the realme set
in an order vnder the gouernement of the duke of Glocester protector
(which during the kings absence appeased diuerse riots, and punished
the offenders) the king with a great power tooke shipping at Douer on
saint Georges euen within night, and landed at Calis on the morrow
being saint Georges daie, and sundaie, by seuen of the clocke in the
morning. He remained in Calis a good space, and from thence he remoued
to Rone, being there receiued with all triumph. He taried in that citie
a long time, his nobles dailie consulting on their great businesse &
weightie affaires.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex Polychron._]

[Sidenote: A widow without Algate murthered in hir bed by a Breton
whome she charitablie reléeued.]

¶ In this kings time, & somewhat about this yeare, a certeine Breton,
whom a good honest widow had receiued into hir house, and conceiued
well of him in opinion, was by hir mainteined of hir owne pursse, &
(as Polychronicon saith) she found him of almes and for Gods sake.
This charitable déed of hirs deserued a deuout mind to God ward, and
a thankfull hart to hir. But (good soule) how was she recompensed?
[12]Euen murthered in hir bed by the hands of that villaine whome
so bountifullie she succored, and motherlike tendered. Vnto which
bloudie fact (which was a preparatiue to a further mischéefe bred
in his vnnaturall hart) he added another offense: for when he had
dispatched the woman, vsing the riddance of hir to his aduantage, and
as he had obteined oportunitie (to his thinking) he conueied all that
she had awaie with him for his owne reléefe. Then being persecuted with
guiltinesse of conscience, which troubleth offenders with ceaselesse
vexations, and forceth them from place to place to séeke corners of
euasion and shift, he tooke priuilege of holie church at saint Georges
in Southwarke, where laieng hands on the crosse, as a shield of
sufficient safegard, he abiured this land, and by that meanes thought
himselfe frée from afterclaps.

[12] O fowle ingratitude.

[Sidenote: The murther reuenged by women at the appointment of Gods
iustice.]

Neuerthelesse, God (whose mercifull nature abhorreth the effusion of
mans bloud) prepared a punishment for the malefactor, who passing
through the suburbs of London, without Algate (the place where he had
commited the murther) the women of the same parish and stréet (as it
were inraged) came out with stones, staues, kenell doong, and other
things, wherewith they so bethwackt him on all parts of his bodie, that
they laid him a stretching, and rid him quite of life. In the wreking
of this their téene they were so fell and fierce, that the constables
with their assistants (which were no small number) dooing what they
could by their authoritie and maine strength, were not able to rescue
him out of the womens hands; who had sworne in their hearts (as it
séemed by the maner of their reuenge which was void of all mercie)
to sée the end of such a villaine as most vnnaturallie had slaine a
woman, a neighbour, a widow, a pitifull woman, a good neighbour, an
honest widow; the wretch himselfe being a fugitiue, a stranger borne, a
begger, and he to whome she shewed hir selfe the staffe of his support.
O singular ingratitude which nature abhorreth, law dissalloweth, heauen
disclaimeth, God detesteth, humanitie condemneth, and euerie good bodie
to the verie death defieth; as the old distichon excellentlie and with
good sense noteth;

    Lex & natura, coelum, Deus, omnia iura
    Damnant ingratum, moerent ilium quoq; natum.

But to returne to the affaires of king Henrie, who in the moneth of
Nouember remooued from Rone to Pontoise, and so to saint Denis, to
the intent to make his entrie into Paris, and there to be sacred king
of France. There were in his companie of his owne nation, his vncle
the cardinall of Winchester, the cardinall and archbishop of Yorke,
the dukes of Bedford, Yorke, and Norffolke, the earles of Warwike,
Salisburie, Oxenford, Huntington, Ormond, Mortaigne, and Suffolke. Of
Gascoigns, there were the earles of Longuille and Marche, besides manie
other noble men of England, Guien, and Normandie. And the chéefe of the
French nation were the dukes of Burgognie, and Lewes of Lutzenburgh,
cardinall and chancellor of France for king Henrie: the bishops of
Beauuois and Noion, both péeres of France, beside the bishop of Paris,
and diuerse other bishops; the earle of Vaudemount, and other noble
men, whose names were superfluous to rehearse. And he had in a gard
about his person thrée thousand price archers, some on horssebacke, and
part on foot.

[Sidenote: King Henrie the sixt crowned in Paris.]

[Sidenote: _Le Rosier historiad._]

To speake with what honour he was receiued into the citie of Paris,
what pageants were prepared, and how richlie the gates, stréets, and
bridges on euerie side were hanged with costlie clothes of arras &
tapestrie, it would be too long a processe, and therefore I doo héere
passe it ouer with silence. On the seauentéenth daie of December,
he was crowned king of France, in our ladie church of Paris, by the
cardinall of Winchester, the bishop of Paris not being contented that
the cardinall should doo such an high ceremonie in his church and
iurisdiction. After all the ceremonies were finished, the king returned
toward the palace, hauing one crowne on his head, and another borne
before him; and one scepter in his hand, and the second borne before
him. As touching other the roiall seruices and princelie appointments,
they are verie diligentlie & at large set out in the French chronicle
of that time. This coronation of the king, Anglorum prælia as manie
other good and memorable matters, so this also he hath noted, saieng
thereof in comelie breuitie and truth, as after followeth:

    Aeternæ famæ paulo post rege sepulto,
    Parisijs, diadema vias & compita circum
    Junior Henricus portat lepidissimus infans.

This high and ioious feast passed not without some spot of displeasure
among the English nobilitie: for the cardinall of Winchester, which
at this time would haue no man be equall with him, commanded the duke
of Bedford to leaue off the name of regent, during the time that the
king was in France, affirming the chéefe ruler being in presence, the
authoritie of the substitute to be cléerlie derogate, according to the
common saieng; In the presence of the higher power, the smaller giueth
place. The duke of Bedford tooke such a secret displeasure with this
dooing, that he neuer after fauoured the cardinall, but stood against
him in all things that he would haue forward. This was the root (as
some haue thought) of that diuision amongst the English nobilitie,
where through their glorie within the realme of France began first to
decline.

[Sidenote: Montargis recouered by the English.]

The next daie after the solemne feast of the kings coronation, were
kept triumphant iusts and torneis, in the which the earle of Arundell,
and the bastard of S. Paule, by the iudgement of the ladies woone the
price. The king kept open hall the space of fiue daies to all commers,
and after (bicause the aire of Paris séemed contrarie to his pure
complexion) by the aduise of his councell, he remooued to Rone, where
he kept his Christmasse. But before his departure from Paris, the noble
men as well of France and Normandie did to him homage, and the common
people sware to him fealtie. In this meane time, sir Francis called
the Aragoignois, a noble capteine of the English part in Normandie,
tooke by force and policie the towne of Montargis, with a great preie
of treasure and prisoners, and put therein a garrison, leauing it well
furnished with vittels and munition.

[Sidenote: The lord Talbot ransomed by exchange.]

[Sidenote: The holie shéepheard.]

About the same time, the earle of Arundell, being truelie informed that
the lord Bousac, marshall of France, was come to Beauuois, intending to
doo some feat in Normandie, assembled the number of thrée and twentie
hundred men, and comming néere to the said towne of Beauuois, sent a
great number of light horssemen to run before the towne, to traine out
the Frenchmen within; the which issuing out and following the English
horssemen vnto their stale, were so inclosed and fought with, that in
maner all the number of them, saue a few which fled backe into the
towne with the marshall, were slaine or taken. Amongst other of the
chéefest prisoners, that valiant capteine Pouton de Santrails was one,
who without delaie was exchanged for the lord Talbot, before taken
prisoner at the battell of Pataie. There was also taken one called
the shéepheard, a simple man, and a sillie soule; but yet of such
reputation for his supposed holinesse amongst the Frenchmen, that if
he touched the wall of any of their aduersaries townes, they beléeued
verelie it would incontinentlie fall downe.

[Sidenote: Vaudemont besieged.]

This chance succéeded not fortunatlie alone vnto the English nation,
for Richard Beauchampe earle of Warwike had a great skirmish before the
towne of Gournie, where he discomfited and repelled his enimies: and
beside those that were slaine, he tooke fortie horssemen, all being
gentlemen of name and armes. Like chance happened to the fréends of
king Charles, towards the marches of Loraine, where Reigner duke of Bar
besieged the towne of Vaudemont perteining to the earle thereof named
Anthonie, coosine to the same duke Reigner. This earle, before the
dukes approching, left a conuenient crue within the towne to defend it,
and with all spéed rode to the dukes of Bedford and Burgognie, being
then at the foresaid great triumph at Paris, where he purchased such
fauour at their hands, bicause he had euer taken their parts, that not
onelie sir Iohn Fastolfe was appointed to go with him, hauing in his
companie six hundred archers, but also the duke of Burgognies marshall
named sir Anthonie Toulongon, accompanied with fiftéene hundred other
men of warre.

When the duke of Bar heard that his enimies were thus comming towards
him, like a hardie capteine he raised his siege, and met face to face
with the earle and his companie, betwéene whome was a cruell and
mortall battell. The horssemen of the French side endured long, but in
conclusion the English archers so galled their horsses, and so wounded
the men, that the Barrois, Almains, and other of duke Reigners side
were compelled to flée. In the chase was taken the duke of Bar, the
bishop of Metz, the lord of Roquedemaque, sir Euerard of Salseburgh,
the vicont Darcie, and two hundred other, beside thrée thousand which
were slaine.

[Sidenote: Saint Seuerine besieged.]

In this luckie time also, no lesse occasion of victorie was offered
to the Englishmen in an other part, if they could haue vsed it with
such circumspect warinesse as had béene expedient. For Robert lord
Willoughbie, and Matthew [13]Gough, a valiant Welshman, with fiftéene
hundred Englishmen, laid siege to a towne in Aniou called saint
Seuerine. Whereof Charles the French king being aduertised, sent
with all spéed the lord Ambrose de Lore, with manie noble men to the
succours of them within the towne, wherof the same lord Ambrose was
capteine: and therefore made the more hast to reléeue his deputie, and
the other being streictlie besieged, but yet staied at the towne of
Beaumont, till his whole power might come to him.

[13] or rather Goche.

The Englishmen aduertised of this intent of the capteine, came vpon him
in the night, and found the Frenchmens watch so out of order, that a
thousand men were entered into the campe before they were espied; by
reason whereof the Englishmen found small resistance. But when the daie
began to appeare, and that the sunne had set foorth his bright beames
abroad, that all things might be séene, the Englishmen giuen wholie to
spoile, followed not their enimies in chase, but being contented with
their preie and game, began to retreit toward the siege againe, which
the lord Willoughbie still mainteined with a part of the armie.

But sée the chance. The Frenchmen which were c[=o]ming after, hearing
by the noise of the people that some fraie was at hand, put spurres to
their horsses, and set on the Englishmen pestered with bag and baggage
of the spoile and preie which they had gotten in the French campe. The
other of the Frenchmen which before had fled, returned againe, and
aided their fellowes; so that the Englishmen being taken out of order,
were compelled to flée, of whome Matthew [14]Gough and diuerse other
were taken prisoners. And yet of the other part manie were slaine, and
a great number taken: amongst whom was the lord de Lore, who (for all
that the Frenchmen could doo) was kept, and not deliuered. The lord
Willoughbie hearing of this mishap, raised his siege, and departed
verie sore displeased in his mind, but could not remedie it.

[14] Goche.

[Sidenote: A legat from Rome sent to treat a peace betwixt the English
and the French.]

[Sidenote: A truce for six yeares.]

[Sidenote: Chartres taken by treason notwidthstanding the truce.]

[Sidenote: The two errours.]

About this season, Nicholas the cardinall of the holie crosse was sent
into France, as a legat from Eugenie the fourth as then bishop of Rome,
to treat a peace betwéene the Englishmen and Frenchmen. But when after
great instance and labour made betwéene the parties, he saw their
obstinate and froward minds, nothing inclined to anie agréement, he
wan so much at their hands by earnest sute, that a truce was granted
to indure for six yeares to come: but as the same was hardlie granted,
so was it of the Frenchmen soone and lightlie broken. For the bastard
of Orleance newlie made earle of Dunois, tooke by treson the towne
of Chartres from the Englishmen, affirming by the law of armes, that
stealing or buieng a towne, without inuasion or assault, was no breach
of league, amitie, or truce. In which towne he slue the bishop, bicause
he was a Burgognian. Hereby did new malice increase, and mortall warre
began eftsoones to be put in vse.

Whilest these things were dooing in France, the cardinall of Winchester
was come backe againe into England, to appease certeine commotions
and sturres attempted by sundrie persons vnder colour of religion:
but after that William Mandeuile, and Iohn Sharpe the chéefe authors
thereof were apprehended and executed by the gouernour and the kings
iustices, the residue yéelded and confessed their offenses, whereof
two articles were these (as some write) that priests should haue no
possessions, and that all things by order of charitie among christian
people should be in common. Other thought their opinions were not such
errours, but that their enimies spread abroad such rumors of them, to
make them more odious to the people.

[Sidenote: A parlement called by the duke of Glocester the king being
in France.]

[Sidenote: A peace concluded with the Scots.]

After that, a parlement was called by the duke of Glocester, in the
which monie was assigned to be leuied, and men appointed, which should
passe ouer into France to the aid of the duke of Bedford, for the
maintenance of the warres: bicause it was suspected the truce would
not long continue. During this parlement, Iames the king of Scots
sent ambassadors to conclude a peace with the duke of Glocester, who
(bicause the king was absent) referred the matter to the thrée estates.
After long consultation, not without great arguments, a peace was
concluded. When the parlement was ended, the cardinall well furnished
with men & monie, departed out of England, and came to Rone to the
king, to whome also resorted the duke of Bedford from Paris, to consult
of things not vnlikelie to follow.

Herevpon a great councell was kept in the castell of Rone, and manie
doubts mooued, and few weightie things out of hand concluded. At
length, after great disputation, with manie arguments ended, the dukes
of Bedford and Yorke, and Edmund late earle of Mortaigne, and now (by
the death of Iohn duke of Summerset, leauing behind him a sole daughter
and heire, maried to the earle, and called Margaret after the countesse
of Richmond) atteined to the name and title of duke of Summerset,
approoued the reason of those, that held it expedient to haue an armie
in a redinesse for defense, least the Frenchmen suddenlie should
attempt anie enterprise to the danger of the Englishmen, and losse of
those townes and countries that were vnder them.

[Sidenote: 1432]

[Sidenote: King Henrie returneth out of France into England.]

When all things were agréed, king Henrie came to Calis, from thence to
Douer; and so by easie iournies the one and twentith daie of Februarie
to London, where he was triumphantlie receiued, and richlie presented,
as in the chronicles of Robert Fabian it maie at large appeare. After
that the king was departed into England, the duke of Bedford regent
of France, and captein of Calis, taried behind in the marches of
Picardie, where he was informed certeine souldiers of Calis grudging
at the restraint of woolles, began to murmur against the king and his
councell, to some danger of the towne. The duke vpon due examination
had caused diuerse to be put to death, and manie banished that towne
and marches for euer.

[Sidenote: The duchesse of Bedford sister to the duke of Burgognie
deceassed.]

[Sidenote: The duke of Bedford marieth with the earle of saint Paules
daughter.]

In the meane time, the ladie Anne duchesse of Bedford departed this
life at Paris, by whose death the fast knot of faithful friendship
betwixt the duke of Bedford and his brother in law the duke of
Burgognie began somewhat to slacken. Shortlie after, to wit, about the
beginning of the next yeare 1433, the said duke of Bedford being thus a
widower, through the persuason of the lord Lewes of Lutzenburgh bishop
of Terwine and Elie, and chancellor of France for king Henrie, agréed
to marrie the ladie Iaquet, daughter to Peter earle of saint Paule, and
néece to the said bishop, and to the lord Iohn of Lutzenburgh.

The mariage was solemnized at Terwine with great triumph. Which ended,
the duke with his new spouse (being about the age of seauentéene
yeares) came vnto Calis, and so into England, from whence in the
moneth of August next he returned to Paris. The duke of Burgognie,
though nothing pleased with this new aliance contracted by the duke
of Bedford, with the house of Lutzenburgh, but yet not able to doo
anie thing to let it; bicause of the mariage consummate yer he could
find any power or knowledge to hinder it. Whilest these things were a
dooing, in some places the French souldiers of the Dolphins, lacking
wages (as the time serued) tooke both Englishmen and Burgognians,
ransoming and spoiling them at their pleasure. Herewith the regent much
mooued, prepared for warre after six moneths the truce had béene taken:
and so the warre againe was renewed.

[Sidenote: The Frenchmen breake the peace and take the towne of Saint
Valerie.]

[Sidenote: Laignie besieged.]

The Frenchmen anon as open truce-breakers, raised a crue, and suddenlie
tooke the towne of saint Valerie in Normandie, néere to the mouth of
the riuer of Some. An other armie, vnder the leading of sir Ambrose de
Lore, wasted and destroied all the countrie about Caen. The duke of
Bedford on his part sent the earle of Arundell, the earle of Warwikes
sonne, the lord Lisle Adam marshall of France for king Henrie, and
twelue hundred men of warre with ordinance and munition to besiege
the town of Laignie vpon the riuer of Marne. The earle with shot of
canon brake the arch of the bridge, and got from the Frenchmen their
bulworke, and set it on fire. Diuerse assaults were attempted, but the
towne was well defended: for there were within it an eight hundred men
of armes, besides other meane souldiers.

The duke of Bedford herewith gathered an armie of six thousand men,
whereof were capteins; Robert lord Willoughbie, sir Andrew Ogard
chamberlaine to the duke, sir Iohn Saluaine bailiffe of Rone, sir Iohn
Montgomerie bailiffe of Caux, sir Philip Hall bailiffe of Vernoill, sir
Richard Ratcliffe deputie of Calis, sir Rafe Neuill, sir Rafe Standish,
sir Iohn Hanford, sir Richard Euthin, sir Richard Harington bailiffe
of Eureux, sir William Fulthorpe, sir Thomas Griffin of Ireland, Dauid
Hall, Thomas Stranguish, Leonard Ormstone esquiers, and Thomas Gerard.
All gentlemen of courage, and as forward to giue the French the foile,
as the French for their liues to giue them the discomfiture. But vnto
which side the victorie should befall, vncerteine it was before the
triall of both their chances had determined the doubt by the euent of
the conflict.

The duke of Bedford furnished with this armie and companie of worthie
capteins came to the siege before Laignie, where he made a bridge of
boats, and brought his ordinance so néere the towne, that to all people
it séemed not long able to resist. But the earle of Dunois, otherwise
called the bastard of Orleance, with diuerse hardie capteins, as
valiantlie defended as the Englishmen assaulted. At length the French
king, perceiuing this towne to be the thrée cornerd keie betwéene the
territories Burgognion, English, and French, and the losse thereof
should turne him to irreuocable damage, sent the lord of Rieux, Poiton,
the Hire, the lord Gawcourt, and six thousand men, with great plentie
of vittels, to the intent either to raise the siege, or else to vittell
the towne.

The Frenchmen made a brag, as though they would haue assailed the
Englishmen in their campe, but when they perceiued the courage of the
lord regent, and the desire he had to fight, they framed themselues
so in order of battell, as though they could doo all things, and yet
in effect did nothing: but that whilest part of them mainteined a
skirmish, a sort of rude & rusticall persons were appointed to conueie
into the towne thirtie oxen, and other small vittels. But this swéet
gaine was déerelie paied for, if the losse with the gaine be pondered
in equall balance: for hauing regard to their 30 leane oxen, in the
skirmish were slaine the lord Saintreiles brother to that valiant
capteine Poiton de Saintreiles, also capteine Iohn brother to the lord
Gawcourt, and fiftie other noble and valiant personages.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 11]

The Frenchmen thus politiklie hauing doone their feat, in the beginning
of August, remooued their armie vnto Fort vnder Yer, where, by a bridge
of tuns they passed into the Ile of France. The duke of Bedford (like
a wise prince) not minding to leaue the more in ieopardie for hope
of the lesse, nor the accident for the substance, raised his siege,
and returned to Paris, nothing more minding than to trie his quarrell
with dint of sword against the enimies, if they would thereto agrée.
And herevpon sent Bedford his herald to the lord Gawcourt and other
capteins of the French armie, offering them battell and a pitched
field within a conuenient time, and where they would appoint. The
French capteins answered the English herald, that there was time to
gaine, and time to lose: and for choise of times they would vse their
owne discretions.

[Sidenote: 1433]

[Sidenote: The castell of Rone like to be taken by treason of the
capteine.]

Shortlie after, Piers Audebeufe constable of the castell of Rone,
corrupted with monie, suffered the marshall of France, with two
hundred other, as persons disguised to enter the place by stealth: but
they were soone espied, and driuen to the dungeon, where they were
constrained to yéeld themselues prisoners: of the which some were
hanged, some headed, and some ransomed, at the pleasure of the regent.
This pageant thus plaied, the lord regent sent the earle of sainte
Paule, and Robert lord Willoughbie, with a competent number of men to
besiege the town of S. Valerie, which the Frenchmen a little before
had taken. This siege continued the space of thrée wéeks; at the end
whereof the Frenchmen within yéelded the towne, and departed with their
horsse and harnesse onelie to them saued.

[Sidenote: The lord of saint Paule deceassed.]

The earle put there in garrison fresh and valiant souldiers, and
appointed capteine there, sir Iohn Aubemond. ¶ In the same towne
(whether by infection of aire, or by corrupt vittels, which the
townesmen did eat) a great pestilence shortlie after happened, which
consumed within a small time two parts of the people. The earle of
saint Paule, and the lord Willoughbie returning backe to the regent,
were ioifullie receiued, and within a while after, the earle departed
from Paris to laie siege to the castell of Mouchas. But being incamped
néere the towne of Blangie, he by a sudden maladie departed this life,
the last of August, leauing his seigniories to Lewes de Lutzenburg
his sonne and heire. Bicause this dead earle was father in law to the
regent, solemne obsequies were kept for him both in Paris and in London.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 12.]

[Sidenote: Prisoners killed.]

In the meane season, the Frenchmen entering into high Burgognie,
burnt, tooke, and destroied diuerse townes; wherevpon the Burgognians
assembled a great armie, both to reuenge their quarrels, and to recouer
their townes taken from them. To whome as to his fréends the duke
of Bedford sent the lord Willoughbie, and sir Thomas Kiriell, with
a conuenient number of souldiers, which entering into the lands of
Laonnois, were incountered with a great power of their enimies. But
after long fight, the Frenchmen were ouerthrowne, and of them left dead
in the field an hundred and sixtie horssemen, beside prisoners, which
after vpon vrgent cause were all killed.

[Sidenote: 1434.]

[Sidenote: The lord Talbot saileth into France.]

Whilest these things happened thus in France, Iohn lord Talbot gathered
togither a crue of chosen men of warre in England, to the number of
eight hundred, and sailed into Normandie, and passed by Rone to Paris.
In his waie he tooke the strong castell of Ioing betwéene Beauuois and
Gisours, and caused all the Frenchmen within to be taken and hanged,
and after raced and defaced the castell. After he had rested himselfe
a while at Paris, and taken aduise with the councell there, what waie
it should be best for him to take, without prolonging time; he with the
lord de Lisle Adam and others, departed from thence, hauing in their
retinues sixtéene hundred men of warre. And comming to the castell
of Beaumont vpon Oise, whereof was capteine sir Amadour de Vignoils
brother to the Hire, they found it abandoned by them that had it in
kéeping, who were withdrawne to the towne of Creill.

[Sidenote: The lord Talbot.]

[Sidenote: Earle of Arundell.]

Thither therefore the lord Talbot followed, who slaieng in a skirmish
the said Amadour, he wan at length the said towne of Creill, and after
the townes of Pont S. Marence, Neufuile in Esmoie, la Rouge maison,
Crespie in Valois, & Cleremont in Beauuois, and after with great riches
and good prisoners returned to Paris. Neither had the lord Talbot such
good and prosperous successe alone but the earle of Arundell also at
the verie same season tooke the castell of Bomeline, & raced it to the
ground, after he got by force the castell of Dorle, & from thence came
to S. Selerine, where the lord Ambrose de Lore, being capteine, issued
out and fought with the Englishmen so egerlie, that he droue them backe
an arrow shoot by fine force: but the earle so incouraged his men,
that they gaue a fresh onset vpon the Frenchmen, and followed it so
fiercelie, that they slue a great number of them, and droue the residue
into the towne.

[Sidenote: Louiers besieged.]

[Sidenote: Saint Selerine won by assault.]

After this victorie, he besieged Louiers, whereof was capteine the
Hire, and his brother, who rendered the towne without assault. Then
the earle assembling togither a great armie, returned againe to S.
Selerine, & inuironed the towne with a strong siege. When he had lien
there almost thrée moneths, euerie daie attempting or dooing somewhat,
he finallie gaue so fierce an assault, that by force he entered the
towne, and slue Iohn Almaigne, and Guilliam saint Albine, the chéefe
capteins, and eight hundred other men of warre. The children of le
seigneur de Lore were taken prisoners. The earle put new men of warre
into the towne, and made capteine there sir Iohn Cornewall. After this,
he before the strong towne of Sillie pitched his campe. The inhabitants
terrified at the losse of saint Selerine, deliuered him pledges,
vpon condition, that if they were not rescued within thirtie daies
next, then they (their liues saued) should render the towne into his
possession: which offer was receiued.

The French king, being aduertised hereof by a post, appointed (as
some saie) Arthur earle of Richmont (or as other write, Iohn duke of
Alanson) with a great companie of men of warre to go to the rescue of
this towne. But whether it was the earle or duke, certeine it is at
his approching to the siege, he incamped himselfe by a brooke side,
ouer the which a man might haue striden, & perceiuing how stronglie the
English were incamped against him, he thought it not for his profit
to giue battell; & so in the night season raised & went his waie
without further attempt. When they within the towne knew that their
succours failed, they rendered themselues to the mercie of the earle
of Arundell, who gentlie receiued them, and leauing a garrison in the
towne, departed to Mans, and in his waie tooke the castels of Mellaie
and saint Laurence. About this time the lord Willoughbie & sir Thomas
Kiriell, returning with great victorie out of Burgognie, passing by the
towne of Louiers, latelie reduced to the English obeisance, furnished
it both with men and munition.

[Sidenote: An insurrection in Normandie.]

Among so manie good chances, some euill are accustomed to happen, or
else the gainers would not know themselues. And so at this time it
happened, that a great number of the common and rusticall people in
Normandie dwelling by the sea coast, either prouoked by the French
king, or desirous of alteration and change (which thing the commons
much couet and desire) made an insurrection, put on harnesse, and
by force expelled certeine English garrisons out of their holds,
publishing and proclaming openlie, that their onelie purpose and
intent was to expell and banish the whole English nation out of their
countries and coasts. Wherefore it maie be likelie, that the blacke
Morian will sooner become white, than the people bred in France will
heartilie loue an English borne. For it standeth not with their enuious
nature to alter their malicious maners; as the old prouerbe saith
truelie of them:

    Celtica natura semper sequitur sua iura.

These rebels thus frantikelie assembled, with all spéed marched toward
Caen, to the intent there both to increase their number, and also to
consult what waie they should follow in their new begun enterprise.
But the dukes of Yorke and Summerset, then lieng in Normandie,
hauing perfect knowledge hereof, immediatlie sent foorth the earle
of Arundell, and the lord Willoughbie with six thousand archers, and
thirtéene hundred light horssemen, to staie and kéepe them from making
anie further progresse. The earle of Arundell appointed the lord
Willoughbie, with two thousand archers, and certeine horssemen to go
afore him, and lie in a stale within some couert place. Which doone,
the earle followed; & so kéeping in the multitude at the backe, droue
them before him as deare into a buckestale: and when the miserable
wretches came néere to the stale, the earle made a token, whereat a
gun shot off for a signe. Therewith the lord Willoughbie set on them
before, and the earle behind, shooting so fiercelie, that the poore
caitiues, wounded and galled with the shot of arrowes, threw awaie
their harnesse, and cried out instantlie for mercie.

The earle of Arundell mooued with compassion, caused his souldiers
to staie from further slaughter, and apprehending those that were
knowen to be stirrers and leaders of the rest, let the other returne
home without further damage: but yet, yer the souldiers could be
brought backe vnder their standards, there were aboue a thousand of
the rebels slaine. And this commotion thus appeased, vpon inquirie
of the principall offenders, such as were found guiltie were put to
terrible executions; as they had well deserued. During which rebellion,
Peter Rokeford and his companie gat by treason the towne of Diepe and
diuerse other holds thereto adioiming. After the earle of Arundell
had obteined so good successe in his enterprises (as partlie ye haue
heard) he attempted another, which was the last worke and finall labour
of his liuing daies. For the duke of Bedford, being informed that his
aduersaries had gotten the towne of Rue, and therein put a garrison,
which sore vexed the countries of Ponthieu, Arthois, and Bolennois,
sent word to the earle that he without delaie should besiege the said
towne.

The earle obeieng his commandement assembled his people, and came to
Gourneie, where he heard tell how there was a castell néere to Beauuois
called Gerberoie, the which being fallen in decaie, Charles the French
king had appointed sir Stephan de Vignoils, commonlie called the Hire,
to repare and newlie to fortifie, bicause it stood commodiouslie to
serue as a countergarrison against the English townes and fortresses
on those frontiers. The earle aduertised hereof, and perceiuing that
this new building would be greatlie preiudicial to the Englishmen,
determined first to dispossesse his enimies of that place, supposing
to find small resistance: but he was deceiued. For there was the said
Hire, and thrée thousand men of warre with him. The erle comming
thither, incamped himselfe with fiue hundred horssemen in a little
close not farre from the castell.

The Frenchmen, perceiuing that the earle and his horsses were wearie,
and that his archers were not yet come, determined to set vpon him
before the comming of his footmen, the which they knew to be little
more than a mile behind. Wherfore for a policie, they set foorth fiftie
horssemen, as though there had béene no mo within the castell. The
earle perceiuing this, sent foorth sir Randolfe Standish to incounter
them, hauing with him an hundred horsses. The Frenchmen fought
couragiouslie awhile, and suddenlie came out all the remnant, and
slue sir Randolfe Standish and all his companie, and boldlie set on
the earle and his band, which manfullie resisted the Frenchmen, till
at length the Hire caused thrée culuerings to be shot off amongst the
Englishmen, wherof one strake the earle on the ancle, and so brake his
leg, that for paine he fell from his horsse.

[Sidenote: The earle of Arundell deceassed.]

Then the Frenchmen entered amongst the Englishmen, tooke the earle
lieng on the ground, with sir Richard Wooduile, and six score more,
and there were slaine almost two hundred. The residue saued themselues
as well as they might. The earle was caried to Beauuois, where of his
hurt he shortlie died, & was buried in the frier Minors. He was a
man of singular vertue, constancie, and grauitie, whose death in so
troublous a season did sore appall the harts of the English people.
Thus oftentimes varied the chance of doubtfull warre, so that one time
the Englishmen got by assault, and yéelded diuerse strong townes,
castels, and piles: and at another season the French people, sometime
by bargaine, sometime by assault, obteined the same againe, or other in
their stéed.

[Sidenote: The duke of Bourbon dieth at London.]

[Sidenote: _W. P._]

About the moneth of Iune in this twelfth yeare, Iohn duke of Bourbon
and Auuergne, taken prisoner at the battell of Agincourt eightéene
yéeres past (as before ye haue heard) now paieng his ransome, which
was eightéene thousand pounds sterling, was taken with a most sore
and grieuous feuer, the which made an end of his life in the citie of
London, on the same daie that was appointed for his departure towards
France, whose corpse was interred in the graie friers of the same
citie. ¶ This yeare also about the latter end of Maie, was a méeting
appointed to be had at saint Omers betwixt the dukes of Bedford and
Burgognie, for the qualifieng of certeine displeasures and grudges
betwixt them kindled and mainteined by some flattering taletellers, who
raising matters of reproch touching their honors, bred such grudges,
that all loue betwixt them ceassed, all affinitie reiected, and all
old fréendship forgotten; such enuie insueth where enimitie once hath
princes harts possessed.

These two dukes come into the towne of saint Omers, the duke of Bedford
being then regent of France, sonne, brother, and vncle to kings,
thought that the duke of Burgognie should haue come and visited him in
his lodging. The duke of Burgognie on the other part, being lord and
souereigne of the towne, iudged it as much vnméet for him to go to the
regent where he was lodged. Howbeit by intreatie of fréends, to méet
in a place indifferent betwéene both their lodgings was appointed;
which offer not accepted, both parties departed discontent, and neuer
after saw nor communed togither. Thus by the proud disdaine and enuious
discord of these two high stomached princes, Bedford not minding to
haue anie péere, and Burgognie not willing to abide anie superior,
shortlie after England much lost, and Burgognie greatlie gained not, as
by the sequeale may appeare.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 13]

[Sidenote: A towne surprised by entrance of a common priuie.]

[Sidenote: The fruits of warre.]

The bastard of Orleance, called the earle of Dunois, the lord Rochford
marshall of France, with other, in the beginning of this thirtéenth
yeare, tooke the towne of S. Denis by treason, skirmished with them
of Paris, and leauing behind them a great garrison, tooke the towne
of Howdone, and Pont saint Marence by composition. And at the same
time was the towne of Pont Meulan taken by the sudden scaling of two
fishermen, who entered vp at a common priuie standing in the wall.
Thus warre continuallie lasted betwixt these two mightie nations,
English and French, within the realme of France (than which therefore
no countrie thought more miserable.) And though the poore people and
inhabitants of the good townes and villages, susteined most losse in
their substance, yet the men of warre oftentimes paied déerest for the
bargaine, being daily slaine, wounded, and taken prisoners; for warre
seldome beareth anie other fruit.

[Sidenote: _W. P._]

[Sidenote: 1434.]

[Sidenote: _Onophrius Panuinius._]

[It may serue verie well here to recount, how somewhat before these
daies, Martin the fift, in the fiftéenth yeare of his popedome, An.
1431, agréeing vpon a generall councell to be holden at Basill the same
yeare, did anon after deceasse: whom Eugenie the fourth succéeding, and
liking right well of the time and place, by his authority signified and
sent with Iulian Cesarine his legat, did confirme the choise. Wherevpon
as the councell the ninetéenth of Iulie the same 1431 was there begun,
and his holinesse soone after aduertised how malapertlie his ghostlie
children had imbusied themselues in checking at their holie fathers
faults, and about reformation of his church at Rome; his sublimitie
therat highlie offended (for great cause it had) commanded his legat
by and by to dissolue that synod, and in his name to appoint a new at
Ferrar, and so come his waie: vnder colour forsooth how that place was
méetest for the prelats of the Gréeke church, who had to confer with
the Latine councell about points of religion, wherein they long had
remained at square.

But these Basilien clerks, there still fastlie conteining themselues,
so smallie regarded this summons of Eugenie (who then with his prelats,
as the time was run on, vpon prorogation from Ferrar kept an other
councell at Florence 1439) as by a confident countermand cited Eugenie
and all his cardinals to come to them at their solemne set councell at
Basill. Which his supremassie (for so best became it, notwithstanding
sundrie citations) vtterlie contemning to doo, they soone after
like verie impious imps, first for contumacie accurssed his holie
fatherhood, then depriued him of his papasie, and out of hand chose
another in his office, one Amedius late duke of Sauoie, who afore that
time hauing giuen vp his possessions & dignitie vnto his children,
became an heremite in a monasterie of his own building by mount Geuenna
in Sauoie nigh the lake Leman, where he by title of Decanus militum
Iesu Christi, and ten more of nobilitie with him, had setled themselues
to liue.

[Sidenote: _An. 3. Nichol._]

The vertuous minded man thus chosen pope by spirituall counsell
inueigled, left the holie life (such as it was) that he had profest,
tooke the papasie vpon him the same 1439, and called Felix the fift,
which promotion yet he not long inioied. For after, by his successour
Nicholas the fifts ambition, that had suborned emperour Frederike to
be a worker in the matter, this sillie Amedius was coosined of his
popes golden crowne for a cardinalls felt hat. Then (good man) at
last could he find, whether were néerer to christen profession, the
life of a vertuous prince ruling in iustice, of a solitarie heremite
vértuouslie occupied, of an imperious pope that may know no péere, or
of a licentious cardinall to liue as he list. This poore prince had
experience of all, and then knew the best: when well might he lament
him, but too late repent him.

[Sidenote: 1435]

And in the fift yeare of this Basilien councell that had a continuance
of eleuen yeare (whereof an eight were run yer Felix was chosen, in
which Eugenie remaining pope still, though of curst hart he neuer
came at them) motion was made among Sigismund the emperour and other
christen kings (who for appeasing this schisme betwéene the pope
and his prelats, were all present by person or proxie) that sith
such horror of bloudshed betwéene the two nations continuallie so
lamentablie raged in France, some mediation might be made for accord:
whereof one thing séemed to minister occasion of the more hope,
bicause the duke of Burgognie was willing (so that it were not of his
owne sute) to returne and reconcile himselfe with the French king his
mortall enimie and ancient aduersarie.]

[Sidenote: A solemne tretie of peace at Arras.]

Héerevpon by authoritie of this generall councell, two graue prelats,
the one Nicholas Albergat a Carthusian frier, intituled a préest
cardinall of the holie crosse; the other Hugh Lusignan a Cyprian,
Gréeke, bishop cardinall of Prenest in Italie, came to the towne of
Arras in Arthois, whither were sent from the king of England, Henrie
Beauford cardinall of Winchester, Henrie archbishop of Yorke, William
de la Poole earle of Suffolke, and Iohn Holland earle of Huntington,
with diuerse other knights and esquiers. And for the French king were
there present Charles duke of Bourbon, Lewes erle of Vandosme, Arthur
of Britaine constable of France, the archbishop of Reimes, and sir
Philip Harecourt. The duke of Burgognie was there in proper person,
accompanied with the duke of Guelders, and the earles of Estampes,
Lignie, S. Paule, Vaudemont, Neures, and Daniell sonne to the prince of
Orange, with a great gard and a gallant companie.

Vpon the daie of the first session, the cardinall of S. Crosse declared
to the thrée parties the innumerable mischéefes, that had followed
to the whole state of the christian common-wealth by their continual
dissention and dailie discord, exhorting them for the honour of God,
& for the loue which they ought to beare towards the aduancement of
his faith and true religion, to conforme themselues to reason, and to
laie aside all rancor, malice and displeasure; so that in concluding
a godlie peace, they might receiue profit and quietnesse héere in
this world, and of God an euerlasting reward in heauen. After this
admonition, and diuerse daies of communication, euerie partie brought
in their demands, which were most contrarie, and farre from anie
likelihood of comming to a good conclusion.

The Englishmen would that king Charles should haue nothing but what it
pleased the king of England, and that not as dutie, but as a benefit
by him of his méere liberalitie giuen and distributed. The Frenchmen on
the other part would that K. Charles should haue the kingdome franklie
and fréelie, and that the king of England should leaue the name, armes,
and title of the king of France, and to be content with the dukedomes
of Aquitaine and Normandie, and to forsake Paris, and all the townes
which they possessed in France, betwéene the riuers of Some and Loire,
being no parcell of the duchie of Normandie. To be bréefe, the demands
of all parts were betwéene them so farre out of square, as hope of
concord there was none at all.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl._]

The cardinals séeing them so farre in sunder, minded not to dispute
their titles, but offered them reasonable conditions of truce and
peace for a season, which notwithstanding, either of frowardnesse,
or of disdaine on both parts, were openlie refused. Insomuch that
the Englishmen in great displeasure, departed to Calis, and so into
England. ¶ One writer affirmeth, that they being warned of a secret
conspiracie mooued against them, suddenlie departed from Arras, and
so returned into their countrie. But what cause soeuer hindered their
accord and vnitie (sith this and that may be surmized) certeine it is,
that the onelie and principal cause was, for that the God of peace and
loue was not among them, without whom no discord is quenched, no knot
of concord fastened, no bond of peace confirmed, no distracted minds
reconciled, no true fréendship mainteined: for had he béene among them,
their dissenting and waiward willes had sounded the swéet harmonie of
amiable peace, which of all things that God hath bestowed vpon man is
the verie best, and more to be set by than manie triumphs, as the poet
excellentlie well saith:

[Sidenote: _Sil. Ital. lib._ 11.]

    ---- pax optima rerum
    Quas homini nouisse datum: pax vna triumphis
    Innumeris potior, pax custodire salute

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