Chapter VII: Part 7

Brutus tali responso confortatus classe parata. in Insulam Albion que nunc Anglia dicitur cum suis applicuit et in ea regnare cepit etatis sue anno xxxv^{to}. qui regni sui xxiiij^{to}. London' sepelitur. Anno Milleno. ducenteno. quadrageno quinto post mortem Bruti Rex Lucius extat. Anno gracie c^{mo}. xxiiij^{to}. Coronacio Lucii primi Regis Christiani. regnantis lxxvij annis London' sepultus est. A morte Bruti vsque ad regnum Arthuri regnarunt in Anglia diuisim C. Reges. quorum sexdecim erant Christiani. Anno d.xvj^{o}. Coronacio Arthuri Regis qui regnauit annis xxvj. de cuius obitu vel sepultura. certum non referunt historie. Anno diiij^{xx}vi^{to}. ab Anglis dicitur Anglia diuisa per octo regna id est Kanciam. Su'htsexiam. Westsexiam. Merciam. Estsexiam. Estangliam. Derram. et Berviciam. Anno dc^{mo}. primo. cepit regnare. Rex Sebertus. renouator ecclesie Westm'. quam beatus Petrus tunc dedicauit. in qua Rex ipse regni sui anno xv^{o}. timulatur. Anno dc^{mo} xxxv^{to}. Coronacio Oswaldi Regis regnantis novem Annis martirio coronatur. Anno dc^{mo}. xxxvj^{to}. Coronacio Oswyny Regis qui imperii sui anno ix^{o}. martirizatus iacet apud Tynmouth. Anno dcc^{mo}. lxxvj^{to}. Coronacio Ethelbristi Regis. qui regni sui anno viij^{o}. martir effectus Herefordie sepultus est. Anno dccc^{mo}. xxj^{o}: Coronacio et martirium Kenelmi Regis qui Wynchecombie conditus est. Anno dccc^{mo}. lv^{to}. Coronacio Edwardi Regis apud Bures qui post annos xv. martirio laureatus ibidem requiescit. Anno dccc^{mo}. lxxvj^{mo}. Coronacio Alfredi Regis primi Monarche Anglie. qui sui regiminis anno xxix^{o}. Wynton': humatus est. Anno dcccc^{mo}. primo. Coronacio Edwardi primi filii Alfredi apud Kingeston' hic annis xxiiij^{or}. imperauit London' sepelitur. Anno dcccc^{mo}. xxiiij^{to}. Coronacio Athelstani Regis apud Kyngeston'. qui post annos xvj Malmesbury sepultus est. Anno dcccc^{mo} xl^{o}. Coronacio Edwardi secundi Regis filii Athelstani apud Kyngeston'. hic anno regni sui sexto. Glaston' sepelitur. Anno dcccc^{mo}. xlvj^{to}. Coronacio Edredi Regis apud Kyngeston' qui regni sui anno ix^{o}. Wynton'. sepultus est. Anno dcccc^{mo}. lv^{to}. Coronacio Edwyni Regis apud Kyngeston hic annis quatuor regnauit Wynton' sepultus est. Anno dcccc^{mo} lix^{o}. Coronacio Edgari. Regis. qui regnauit xvj. annis iacet Glaston'. Anno dcccc^{mo} lxxv^{o}. Coronacio Edwardi secundi. filii Edgari apud Westm' qui regni sui anno iiij^{to}. martirio insignitus Septonie tumulatur. Anno dcccc^{mo} lxxix^{o}. Coronacio Ethelredi Regis apud Kyngeston' et anno xxxviij^{o}. regni sui London' sepelitur. Anno Millesimo xvj^{o}. Coronacio Edwardi tercii ferri lateris apud Kyngeston' et humatio apud Glaston'. Anno Millesimo xvij^{o}. Coronacio Knutonis Regis apud Westm' et regni sui anno xix^{o}. Wynton' sepultura. Anno Millesimo. xxxv^{to}. Coronacio Haroldi primi Regis. hic regni sui anno quinto London' humatus est. Anno Millesimo xl^{o}. Coronacio Hardeknuti Regis et anno secundo regni sui humatio. Wynton'. A natiuitate Jesu Christi vsque ad regnum secundi Edwardi Regis et confessoris fluxerunt diuisim in Anglia Centum Reges et lx^{ta} et quinque Reges. de quibus Oswynus Oswaldus. Ethelbertus Kenelmus Edwardus Edwardus Martirizati. et Constans Cedwallus Sebertus Wynfridus Ethelredus. Edbertus. Offa. et Kynredus in Monachatu sepulti sunt. Anno gracie Millesimo xlij^{do}. Coronacio sancti Edwardi Regis et confessoris apud Wynton' qui regni sui anno xxv^{to}. in ecclesia Westm' quam ipse constitui fecerat honorifice collocatur. Anno Millesimo lxvj^{to}. Coronacio Haraldi Ducis apud Westm' et sepultura illius apud Waltham. Anno Millesimo lxvij^{o}. Coronacio Willielmi primi Ducis Normannie apud Westm' qui regni sui anno xlvij^{o}. Angliam describi fecit in vno volumine dicto Domusday et Anno iiij^{o}. post cadamu' sepelitur. Anno Millesimo lxxx^{o}. Coronacio Willielmi Rufi. apud Westm'. et regni sui anno xiij^{o}. Wynton' tumulatur. Anno Millesimo C^{mo}. Coronacio Henrici primi Regis fratris Willielmi Rufi. apud Westm' regnantis xxxv. annis. apud Redyng sepultus est. Anno M^{o}. C^{mo} xxxv^{to}. Coronacio Stephani Regis apud Westm'. hic regni sui anno xix^{o}. Feuersham humatus est. Anno Millesimo C^{mo} liiij^{to}. Coronacio Henrici secundi imperatoris apud Westm' et anno regni sui xxxv^{to}. apud Fontem Ebraldi sepultura. Anno C^{mo} lxiiij^{to}. Translacio sancti Edwardi Regis et confessoris apud Westm' tertio Jdus. Octobr'. per beatum Thomam Archiepiscopum Cantuar'. Anno Millesimo C^{mo}. lxxxix^{o}. Coronacio Ricardi Regis apud Westm' qui cum regnasset annis xj^{im}. apud Fontem Ebraldi tumulatur. Anno Millesimo C^{mo}. lxxxxix^{o}. Coronacio Johannis Regis apud Westm' et sui regiminis Anno xviij^{o}. Wygorn' sepelitur. Anno Millesimo. CC^{mo}. xvj. Coronacio Henrici filii Regis Johannis apud Glouerniam qui Anno quarto sequente iterum coronatus est apud Westm'. regni sui lvij^{o}. ibidem tumulatur. Anno Millesimo CC^{mo}. lxxiiij^{io}. xiiij. kl. Septembr. Coronacio Edwardi primi post conquestum apud Westm' qui regni sui anno xxxv^{to}. ibidem sepelitur. Anno Millesimo ccc^{mo}. vij^{o}. x. kl. Marcij. Coronacio. Edwardi secundi. apud Westm'. qui regni sui Anno xx^{o}. Gloucestr. timulatur. Anno Millesimo ccc^{mo}. xxvj^{to}. Coronatur Edwardus tercius flos Milicie Christiane apud Westm' etatis sue anno xiiij^{o}. Anno Millesimo ccc^{mo}. xlvj^{to}. tercio die [Sidenote: Edwardus tercius subjugauit imperio suo villam de Caleys.] Septembr'. Idem dominus Rex Edwardus incepit obsidere villam de Caleys cum Castro et suam obsidionem continuauit vsque tercium diem Augusti anno reuoluto. quo die dicta villa cum Castro suo imperio subjugauit. Anno Millesimo ccc^{mo}. xl^{o}. viij^{o}. kl. Julij. Illustris Rex Anglie Edwardus tercius apud le Sclus Francigenas vicit in nauali bello. Anno Millesimo ccc^{mo}. xlvj^{to}. vij^{o}. kl. Octobr. per Anglicos debellantur Franci apud Cressy. Et Rex Boenie punitur. Eodem anno xvj^{o}. kl. Nouembr'. Scoti vincuntur ab Anglis apud Durham. et [Sidenote: David rex Scotie captus est.] capitur David Rex Scocie. Anno M^{o}. ccc^{mo}. l.vj^{to}. xiij^{o}. [Sidenote: Capcio Johannis Regis Francie.] kl. Octobr'. Capcio Johannis Regis Francie apud Peyters per principum Egregium Edwardum primogenitum Edwardi tercij Regis graciosi. Anno Millesimo ccc^{mo}. lxxvj^{to}. vj^{to}. Idus Junij obijt idem Princeps Edwardus quo die festum Trinitatis contingebat. Anno Millesimo ccc^{mo}. lxxvij^{o}. xj^{o}. kl. Julij. obijt Rex Edwardus tercius flos Milicie. Christiane. et tercio Nonas eiusdem. apud Westm' est sepultus. Anno regni sui l.j^{o}. Anno Millesimo ccc^{mo}. [Sidenote: Ric' filius Edwardi.] lxxvij^{o}. xvij^{o}. kl. Augusti apud Westm'. Coronacio Ricardi secundi filij Edwardi Principis Wallie anno etatis sue xj^{mo}. Anno Millesimo ccc^{mo}. lxxxxix^{o}. tercio Idus Octobr. apud Westm'. [Sidenote: Henricus iiij^{tus}.] Coronacio Illustris Regis Henrici quarti. Anno Millesimo. cccc^{mo}. xiij^{o}. nono die Aprilis apud Westm'. Coronacio Illustris Regis [Sidenote: Henricus quintus vitam obijt in Francia.] Henrici quinti qui apud _Boys seynt Vyncent_ iuxta Parisiam in Francia vitam suam finiuit. vltimo die Augusti anno regni sui. x^{o}. incipiente. Et postea ossa sua apud Westm' sepulta fuerunt. Anno domini Millesimo cccc^{mo}. xxij^{do}. Henricus Rex Anglie Sextus. tunc puer non etatis vnius anni Coronatus fuit die sancti Leonardi Episcopi et confessoris apud Westm' anno regni sui viij^{o}. incipiente. Et postea. idem Rex coronatus fuit Rex Francie apud Parisiam. in ecclesia beate Marie ibidem. xvj^{o}. die Decembr'. anno regni sui x^{mo}. incipiente.

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

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

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

[Sidenote: The Invention of the image of the Crucifix.]

In the year of our Lord cxl, the Invention of the image of the Crucifix, at the northern door of saint Paul, London, in the great river of Thames, by Lucius the first Christian king of England. In the year of our Lord one thousand lxxxvij, on the seventh day of the [Sidenote: The church of St. Paul burnt.] month of July. The church of St. Paul, London, and all things which were in it, with great part of the city, were consumed by fire; in the time of Maurice bishop of London, and in the reign of the first king of the Normans, William the Conqueror who founded the Monasteries of Battle in Sussex, where himself had fought, and Bermondsey near London. In the year of our Lord one thousand cxxxij, the ides of [Sidenote: Most part of London burnt.] April, the city of London was burnt in chief part, from the fire of Gilbert Beget. In the year of our Lord one thousand cxxxvij the church [Sidenote: The church of Paul again burnt.] of saint Paul, London, was burnt by a fire kindled at London bridge, and which advanced thence to the church without the bars of the new temple, London. In the year one thousand cl, so strong was the ice, that the Thames could be crossed over by people on horseback. In the [Sidenote: The iiij^{th} year of king John.] year one thousand ccij such great rains, thunder and hail fell, that quadrangular stones, to the bigness of eggs descended from the sky mixt with rain; by which trees, vines, and cornfields were much destroyed; men were bruised, and birds flying through the air seemed [Sidenote: The same year.] to bear lighted coals in their beaks, and to set the houses on fire. [Sidenote: The vj^{th} year of king John.] In the year of our Lord one thousand cciiij, began the order of preaching freres in the parts of Tholouse under their founder Dominic. [Sidenote: The same year.] The same year a most bitter winter endured from the circumcision of [Sidenote: In the vij^{th} year of K. H. iij^{rd}.] our Lord until the annunciation. In the year of our Lord one thousand ccxiiij, St. Francis began the order of minor freres near Assise. And in the year one thousand ccxxiiij, they first came into England, two [Sidenote: In the v^{th} year of K. H. the third.] years before the decease of saint Francis. In the year one thousand ccxxj, at the festival of saint Luke the Evangelist a violent wind rushed from the north, shattering houses and orchards, and the towers of churches; and there were seen fiery dragons and evil spirits [Sidenote: In the xliij^{rd} of king H. iij.] fluttering in the tempest. In the year one thousand cclviij, at Teukysbury, a certain Jew on Saturday fell into a cesspool, and would not allow himself to be drawn out on the Saturday, on account of his reverence of his sabbath; but Richard de Clare earl of Gloucester would not allow him to be drawn out on the following Sunday because of [Sidenote: In the ix^{th} year of king Edw. second.] his reverence of his own sabbath; and so he died. In the year M. cccxvj, a very great pestilence of animals and men, and inundation of rains took place, whence was produced so great a dearness of corn, [Sidenote: In the xxiiij^{th} year of K. Edw. the third.] that a quarter of wheat was sold for xl _s'._ In the year of our Lord M. cccxlviij, there began a great plague at London, about the festival of saint Michael, and it endured until the festival of saint Peter ad [Sidenote: In the xxxv^{th} and xxxvj^{th} year of king Ed. third.] vincula next following. In the year of our Lord one thousand ccclxj, the xviij^{th} kl. of February, on the festival of saint Maurus abbot, happened a violent and terrible gale throughout all England. In the same year was a second plague, in which died that noble and brave man, [Sidenote: In the xliij^{rd} year of king Edw. third.] Henry duke of Lancaster. In the year of our Lord one thousand ccclxviij, was a third plague, in which died the noble lady Blanche, duchess of Lancaster; who lies honorably entombed in the church of [Sidenote: In the v^{th} year of king Richard second.] saint Paul, London. In the year of our Lord one thousand ccclxxxij, the xij^{th} kl. of June, namely, the iiij^{th} day before pentecost, immediately before noon, there was a great earthquake throughout all England.

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

[Sidenote: The ages of the world.]

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

VERSES.

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

Brutus in the xv^{th} year of his age departing from Italy, arriving at the island Leogecia in his ship, consulted there Diana, saying:

THE WORDS OF BRUTUS: VERSES.

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

THE REPLY OF DIANA.

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

Brutus, comforted with such a reply, and having prepared a fleet, steered with his people into the Island Albion which is now called England, and began to reign therein, in the xxxv^{th} year of his age; who in the xxiiij^{th} of his reign is buried at London. In the year one thousand two hundred and forty five, after the death of Brutus, king Lucius flourishes. In the year of grace cxxiiij was the coronation of Lucius the first Christian king, who after reigning lxvij years, was buried at London. From the death of Brutus until the reign of Arthur, there reigned in England separately C kings, of whom sixteen were Christians. In the year dxvj, was the coronation of king Arthur, who reigned xxvj years; concerning whose death or burial, histories do not relate anything certain. In the year diiij^{xx}vj from the Angles, Albion is called Anglia, divided into eight kingdoms; that is, Kent, Suthsex, Westsex, Mercia, Estsex, Estanglia, Derram, and Bervic. In the year dc and one, began to reign king Sebert the renovator of the church of Westminster, which he then dedicated to the blessed Peter, in which the king himself in the xv^{th} year of his reign is entombed. In the year dcxxxv, the coronation of king Oswald, who after reigning nine years is crowned with martyrdom. In the year dcxxxvj the coronation of king Oswyny, who in the ix^{th} year of his reign being martyred, lies at Tynmouth. In the year dcclxxvj the coronation of king Ethelbrist, who in the viij^{th} year of his reign being made a martyr, was buried at Hereford. In the year dcccxxj the coronation and martyrdom of king Kenelm, who was buried at Wynchecombe. In the year dccclv the coronation of king Edward at Bures, who after xv years obtaining the laurels of martyrdom, rests in the same place. In the year dccclxxj the coronation of king Alfred, the first monarch of England; who in the xxix^{th} year of his government was buried at Wynton. In the year dcccc and one, the coronation of Edward the first, son of Alfred, at Kyngeston; he governed xxiiij^{or} years, and is buried at London. In the year dccccxxiiij, the coronation of king Athelstan at Kyngeston; he after xvj years was buried at Malmesbury. In the year dccccxl, the coronation of king Edward the second, son of Athelstan, at Kyngeston; he in the sixth year of his reign is buried at Glastonbury. In the year dccccxlvj, the coronation of king Edred at Kyngeston, who in the ix^{th} year of his reign was buried at Wynton. In the year dcccclv, the coronation of king Edwyn at Kyngeston; he reigned four years; and was buried at Wynton. In the year dcccclix, the coronation of king Edgar, who reigned xvj years; he lies at Glastonbury. In the year dcccclxxv, the coronation of Edward the second, son of Edgar, at Westminster, who in the iiij^{th} year of his reign adorned with martyrdom, is buried at Septon. In the year dcccclxxix, the coronation of king Ethelred at Kyngeston, and in the xxxviij^{th} year of his reign he is buried at London. In the year one thousand xvj, the coronation of Edward the third iron-side, at Kyngeston, and his burial at Glastonbury. In the year one thousand xvij, the coronation of king Knute at Westminster, and in the xix^{th} year of his reign, his burial at Wynton. In the year one thousand xxxv, the coronation of king Harold the first; he in the fifth year of his reign was buried at London. In the year one thousand xl, the coronation of king Hardeknute, and in the second year of his reign, his burial at Wynton. From the nativity of Jesus Christ until the reign of Edward the second, king and confessor, there passed separately in England a hundred kings, and lx^{ty} and five kings; of whom Oswyn, Oswald, Ethelbert, Kenelm, Edward, Edward, were martyred; and Constans, Cedwall, Sebert, Wynfrid, Ethelred, Edbert, Offa, and Kynred were buried in monks' orders. In the year of grace one thousand xlij, the coronation of saint Edward king and confessor, at Wynton; who in the xxv^{th} year of his reign is honorably inshrined in the church of Westminster, which he himself had made to be erected. In the year one thousand lxvj, the coronation of duke Harald at Westminster, and his burial at Waltham. In the year one thousand lxvij, the coronation of William the first, duke of Normandy, at Westminster; who in the xlvij^{th} year of his reign caused England to be described in a volume called DOMUSDAY; and in the iiij^{th} year after, is buried at Caen. In the year one thousand lxxx, the coronation of William Rufus at Westminster, and in the xiij^{th} year of his reign, he is buried at Wynton. In the year one thousand C the coronation of king Henry the first, brother of William Rufus, at Westminster, who after reigning xxxv years, was buried at Redyng. In the year Mcxxxv, the coronation of king Stephen at Westminster, he in the xix^{th} year of his reign was buried at Feversham. In the year one thousand cliiij, the coronation of the emperor Henry the second at Westminster, and in the xxxv^{th} year of his reign, his burial at Fontevrault. In the year one thousand clxiiij, was the translation of saint Edward king and confessor, at Westminster, on the third of the Ides of October, by the blessed Thomas archbishop of Canterbury. In the year one thousand clxxxix, the coronation of king Richard at Westminster, who when he had reigned xj^{en} years, was buried at Fontevrault. In the year one thousand clxxxxix, the coronation of king John at Westminster; and in the xviij^{th} year of his government he is buried at Wygorn. In the year one thousand ccxvj, the coronation of Henry, son of king John at Gloucester; who in the fourth year following was again crowned at Westminster; in the lvij^{th} of his reign is interred at the same place. In the year one thousand cclxxiiij, the xiiij. kl. of September, the coronation of Edward the first after the Conquest, at Westminster, who in the xxxv^{th} year of his reign is buried at the same place. In the year one thousand cccvij, the x kl. of March, the coronation of Edward the second at Westminster; who in the xx^{th} year of his reign is buried at Gloucester. In the year one thousand cccxxvj, is crowned Edward the third, the flower of the Christian knighthood, at Westminster, in the xiiij^{th} year of his age. In the year one thousand cccxlvj, on the third day of September, the same [Sidenote: Edward the third subjugated to his dominion the city of Caleys.] lord king Edward began to besiege the town of Caleys with the castle, and continued his siege until the third day of August, the succeeding year, on which day he subjugated the said town with the castle to his dominion. In the year one thousand cccxl, the viij kl. of July, the illustrious king of England Edward the third conquered the French at le Sclus in a naval engagement. In the year one thousand cccxlvj the vij^{th} kl. of October, the French are vanquished by the English at Cressy, and the king of Bohemia is punished. In the same year, the xvj^{th} kl. of November, the Scots are overcome by the English at [Sidenote: David king of Scotland is taken.] Durham, and David king of Scotland is taken. In the year M^{l}. ccclvj [Sidenote: The capture of John, king of France.] the xiij^{th} kl. of October, was the capture of John king of France at Peyters, by the excellent prince Edward the first-born of the gracious king Edward the third. In the year one thousand ccc lxxvj, the vj^{th} of the Ides of June, died the same prince Edward, on which day fell the festival of the Trinity. In the year one thousand ccclxxvij, the xj^{th} kl. of July, died king Edward the third, the flower of the Christian knighthood; and on the third of the nones of the same month, he was buried at Westminster, in the lj^{st} year of his reign. In the year one thousand ccclxxvij, the xvij^{th} kl. of [Sidenote: Richard, son of Edward.] August, at Westminster, was the coronation of Richard the second, son of Edward prince of Wales, in the xj^{th} year of his age. In the year one thousand ccclxxxxix, the third of the Ides of October, at [Sidenote: Henry iiij^{th}.] Westminster, was the coronation of the illustrious king Henry the fourth. In the year one thousand ccccxiij, the ninth day of April, at [Sidenote: Henry the fifth died in France.] Westminster, was the coronation of the illustrious king Henry the fifth; who, at Boys Seynt Vyncent near Paris in France, ended his life on the last day of August, in the x^{th} year of his reign, commencing. And afterwards his bones were interred at Westminster. In the year of our Lord one thousand cccc xxij, Henry the sixth king of England, then a child of not the age of one year, was crowned on the day of saint Leonard bishop and confessor, at Westminster, in the viij^{th} year of his reign, commencing. And afterwards, the same king was crowned king of France at Paris, in the church of the blessed Mary there, on the xvj^{th} day of December, in the commencement of the x^{th} year of his reign.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

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

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

Satis novit seculu______ ____De lingua Galloru_____ \_ _/ \_ Qualiter fit speculu___ \ / ___Patens traditoru_____ \ \===m===/ \===m Quia p' p'fidia________/ _/ \_ \___Pessimam ip'oru______/ _/ _/ \_ _/ Jam p'dit Vasconia____/ \__Princeps Anglicoru__/

Rex fidem adhibuit Dictus Gallicorum Egit quod non debuit Nam fraus miserorum Seriem composuit Quorumdam verborum Que Regi transposuit Cetus nunciorum

Per verba credencie Nuncii dixerunt Q'd magnates Francie Simul tractaverunt Qdq; Regi Anglie Dare voluerunt Natam Regis Gallie Heu q'd hic venerunt

Ad hec dux Burgundie Quidam nunciorum Ait q'd in flumine Multi Northmannorum Perierunt pridie Per nautas Anglorum Additis hastucie Causis Bayonorum

Ut ergo concordia Pacis jam addatur Et omnis discordia Prorsus repallatur Celsitudo regia Francie precatur Q'd sibi vasconia Totalis reddatur

Proponit brevissime Vos tunc reseisire De terra vasconie Nec quid deperire Ius v'r'm certissime Potestis hoc scire Si q'd petit p'pere Placet exaudire

Si seisinam habeat Per sex septimanas Tunc mandare placeat Q'd transire lanas Gens anglor' faciat Et sic causas vanas Pars utraq; deleat Res collando sanas

Ait vir considera Rex que petierunt Nova sunt non vetera Hec que tibi ferunt Pulcram inter cetera Tibi promiserunt Prout dicit littera Quam Galli miserunt

Hoc audito Langetum Statim prosilivit Ad regem consilium Dedit sicut scivit Et Lacy p' sompnium Certe non dormivit Quin eiusdem devium Seisine nutrivit

Puellam rex diligens Vinculis amorum Penitus consensiens Dictis consultorum Fieri precipiens Litteras servorum Pro dolor nam nesciens Erat futurorum

Demum in Vasconia J. Lacy p'rexit Litteras ab Anglia Secumq; devexit Ac sub manu Gallia Vascones contexit Anglis inutilia Heu' q'd tot aspexit

Gallici Vasconiam Sibi subjugarunt Et in manum Anglicam Dare recusarunt Neq; regis filiam In spousam pararunt Regi dare quoniam Ip'm subsannarunt

Exp'tem Vasconie Foris judicarunt Magni pares Francie Et exheredarunt Regem n'r'm Anglie Parum hunc amarunt Nam causam malicie Sibi demonstrarunt

Audiens p'fidiam Rex exheredatus Quam habet p' F'nciam Satis est iratus Jurat p' ecc'iam Non erit letatus Quousq; Vasconiam Fuerit lucratus

Rex vocat Pontifices Ad parliamentum Et Anglorum Comites Flores sapientum Quinq; Portus fomites Barones p' centum Volant ut irundines In mari p' ventum

Clerus et milicia Gentis Anglicane Vovent cum leticia Q'd seroq; mane Parantur ad omnia Que genti p'phane Francie sunt noxia Nam sup'bit vane

Rex Anglor' nobilis Vocatus Edwardus Ferox est et stabilis Tanq'm leopardus Fortis et non debilis Velox et non tardus[135] Senciet id flebilis Pomposus Picardus.

[Footnote 135: A similar description of Edward the First, which was suggested by his arms, occurs in the "Roll of Carlaverock," a poem composed in the year 1300.

"En sa baniere trois luparte
De or fin estoint mis en rouge
Courant felloun fier et harouge
Par tel signifiance mis
Ke ausi est vers ses enemis
Le Rois fiers felouns et hastans
Car sa morsure n'est tastans
Nuls ki ne en soit envenimez."]

* * * * *

P. 37. Anno 24 Edward I, 1296. "Also in this yere S^{r}. Thomas Turbevyle for treson was drawen and hanged."

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

Seignurs e dames estutez De un fort tretur orrez Ke aveit pur veu une treson Thomas Turbelvile ot a non A Charlys aveit p'mis E jure par seint Denys Ke il li freit tute Englet'e Par quentise e treson conquere E Charles li premist grant don Teres e bon garison Li treitre a Charlis dit Ke il aparillast sanz respit De bone nefs grande navie E de gent forte co'paignie E il le freit par tens garner Ou il dussent ariver En Engleter sodeinement Li traiture sanz targement en Englet'e tot se mit Au rei sire Edewars vint e dist Ke si apres li vodera fere Tutes ses choses deust co'quer Ki sire Charlis li aveit A force e a tort tollet Issi ke' li losengur de ambe part fu t'tur Sire Edeward nentendi mie Del treitre sa tricherie Ke il aveit issi purveu A grant honur le ad receu E en sa curt fut grant mestre Q'nt ot espie tut son estre E le conseil de Engleter Li treitre feseit un bref fere A sire Charlis priveme't On ariver devisse't sa gent En Engletere e li pais prendre A sire Edeward fu fet entendre Cum den le ont destine E le bref ly fut mustre E tout ensemble la treson Li rei fit prendir cel felon Thomas le treitur deva't dit Ke fist fere cel estrit A Lundres par mie la citee Treigner le fist en une coree De une tor envolupe Nul autreme't ne fut arme Haume nont ne habergun Cillante pierres a g'nt fusui' Aveit il entur son flanc Ke li raerent le sanc Apres fu li traiture pendu E le alme a la Belzebub rendu Je aveit autre gareson Issi deit len servir felon En furches peut li malurez Des chenes e de fer liez Nul home nel deit enterrer Tant cu' son cors porra durer Iloec pendra cel trichur Ten garison ad pur son labour Ore puira Charles pur ver Apres li longem't garder Einz kil venge pur sa treison Demander de li garison Sire Edeward pur la g'nt navye De France ne dona une aylle De vaillante gent fist la mer De tut part mut ben garder De Engleter sunt failliz Ly Franceys e sunt honiz En la mer grant tens flote'nt Li cors plusurs de eus tuere't A Dovere firent sodoineme't Une assaut e de lur gent Plus de v sent y perdirent Unkes plus de prou ne firent Ore sunt tuz ieo quide neez Ou en lur teris retornez E penduz pur lur servise Ke Engleter naveyent prise E ceo Charles lour p'mist Si nul de ens revenist Sire Charles bon chevaler Lessez ester ton guerrer Acordez a ton cosin E pur pensez de la fin Si Engleter guerirez James ben nes pleyterez Je ne firent voz ancestres Ke se tindrent si grant mestres Ly ducs Lowys ton parent E stace le moyne enseme't E autres Franceys assez Ke ne sunt pas ici nomez Damne deu omnipotent Vo' doynt bon acordement avie.

* * * * *

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

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

[Footnote 136: _Sic._]

[Footnote 137: _Sic._]

[Footnote 138: _Sic._]

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

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

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

"NOTA DE BELLO AQUATICO:--
L'RA D'NI E' DIRETT'
FILIO SUO DUCI CORNUB'
DE BELLO SUP' MARE
P'CUSSO DIE NATIVIT'
S'C'I JOH'IS BAPT'

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

14^{o} R. Edw. 3^{ii}."

[Footnote 139: June 22, 1340.]

[Footnote 140: Dover.]

[Footnote 141: June 23.]

[Footnote 142: June 24.]

[Footnote 143: The Navy at the period consisted of ships, galleys, barges, _batelli_ or boats, _snakae_ or cutters, and _cogee_ or COGS.--See the Observations prefixed to the _Liber Quotidianus Contrarotulatoris Garderobae Anno Regni Regis Edwardi Primi vicesimo octavo_, p. liv.]

[Footnote 144: June 28.]

* * * * *

P. 63. "And in this yere, that is to seye the yere of oure lord a m^{l} ccclvj^{to}, the xix day of Septembre, kyng John of Fraunce was taken at the bataill of Peyters be the doughty prynce Edward, the firste sone of kyng Edward." &c.

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

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

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

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