Chapter VIII: Part 8

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

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

L'RA D'NI EDWARDI PRINCIPIS GALL' MAIOR ALDR'S ET COM'ITATI CIVITATIS LONDON' DIRECTA DE NOV' BAT'I IUX^{ta} POYTERS.

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

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

[_Archaeologia, Vol._ I. _No._ XLIV. _p._ 213.]

L'RA D'NI PRINCIPIS WALL' DE CAPCIONE R. FRANCIAE PAR LE PRINCE DE GALES.

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

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

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

John de Valoys, Roy de France.
Mons. Philip son fitz.
Arcevesque de Leyens.

{ Mons. Jakes de Bourbonn, Counte de Pountois.
{ Mons. John d'Artoys, Counte d'Eu.
{ Mons. Charles de Artoys, Counte de Souggevil.
{ Le Counte de Tankervill.
{ Le Counte de Ventadour.
Countes { Le Counte de Saussier.
{ Le Counte de Salesberg.
{ Le Counte de Vendome.
{ Le Counte de Wademont.
{ Le Counte de Dammartyn.
{ Le Counte de John de Nasso.
{ Le Counte de Salerplok.
{ Le Chatelaine de Composta.

{ Le Visconte de Narbone.
Viscontes { Le Visconte de Vychichoart.
{ Le Visconte de Walemont.
{ Le Visconte de Beaumont.

Le S. de Sully.

{ Mess. Arnold Doudinham.
{ Mess. Rauf de Coussy.
{ Le S. de Danbeney.
Bannerets { Le S. de Denyn.
{ Le S. de Saint Dyser.
{ Le S. de la Tour.
{ Le S. Damboisa.
{ Le S. de Derval.
{ Le S. de Manhales.
{ Le S. de Planuche.
{ Le S. de Montagu.
{ Le S. de Beaufremont.
{ Le S. de Plamory.

Mons. Giscard D'Angle Seneschal de Sentonge.
Mons. Moris Mauvinct Sen. de Tours en Toreyne.
Mons. Renaud de Guilhon Sen. de Peyton.

{ Mons. Pierres de Creon.
{ Mons. Giscard de Arx.
{ Mons. Gauter de Castellion.
{ Mons. Giscard de Beanyon.
{ Le S. de Basentin.

Ceaux furent ceaux dessoutz p's devant la battaile a Remoartin.

{ Le S. de Acon.
Bannerets { Mons. Busignaut.
{ Mons. Guy Turpin.

{ Mons. Guilliaume de Lorak.
Bachelers { Mons. Folles de Forsela.
{ Mons. Jakelyn de Ponsey.

Et sont pris outre les noms dessus escptz des gentz d'armes. M. ix^{e}. xxxiii. Gaudete in Domino semper.

Les nomes de ceaux q'furent mortz a la dite battaile sont ceux.

{ Le Duc de Bourbon.
Ducs. { Le Duc Datermes.
{ Le Evesque de Chalons.

Mons. Rob de Duras.
Le Marischal de Clermont.
Le Visconte de Vrons.
Mons. Geffrei de Charsey.
Mons. Renaud de Pointz.
Le S. de Landas.
Le S. de Chastel Vileyn.
Le S. de Argenton.
Le S. de Mountgay.
Le S. de Malevrer.
Mons. John de Sausar.
Mons. Lewis de Broyse.
Mons. Guilliem de Viele.
Mons. John de Jole.
Mons. Andrew de Chaveny.
Mons. Eustas de Kirpemont.

Et outre le noms surnometz sont mortz des gentz d'armes M.M. ccccxxvi. Iterum dico gaudete.

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

[_Original on vellum in the Cottonian MS. Caligula_ D. III. f. 33.]

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

V're Clerc

ROB^{T}. PRITE.

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

[_Lat. on vellum. Cottonian MSS. Caligula_ D. III. f. 74.]

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

* * * * *

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

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

COPIA PROCLAMATIONIS R. RICARDI II^{di} SUPER INSURRECTIONE JACK STRAW ET WAT TYLER.

[_Cottonian MS. Caligula_ D. III. _super Membr._ f. 100.]

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

p' ip'm Regem.

* * * * *

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

"_Ambass._ He therefore sends you, meeter for your spirit,
This tun of treasure; and, in lieu of this,
Desires you, let the dukedoms that you claim,
Hear no more of you--This the Dauphin speaks.

_K. Hen._ What treasure, uncle?

_Exeter._ Tennis-balls, my liege.

_K. Hen._ We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us;
His present, and your pains, we thank you for:
When we have match'd our rackets to these balls,
We will in France, by God's grace, play a set,
Shall strike his father's crown into the hazard:
Tell him, he hath made a match with such a wrangler,
That all the courts of France will be disturb'd
With chaces....

And tell the pleasant prince,--this mock of his
Hath turn'd his balls to gun stones;[145] and his soul
Shall stand sore charged for the wasteful vengeance
That shall fly with them:"

_Henry the Fifth_, Act I. Scene II.

[Footnote 145: Thus Lydgate, _infra_,

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

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

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

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

[_Harl. MSS._ 565.]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PASSUS SECUNDUS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PASSUS TERCIUS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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