Chapter V: Part 5

These capteines hauing knowledge that Duncane was in one side of the countrie, and king William in another, determinned to issue foorth and trie the chance of warre, (which is doubtfull and vncerteine, according to the old saieng, [Sidenote: _Sen. in The._] Fortuna belli semper ancipiti in loco est) against the enimies, sith it should be a great rebuke to them to suffer the countrie to be wasted after that sort without reuengement. Herevpon riding foorth one morning, there arose such a thicke fog and mist that they could not discerne any waie about them, so that doubting to fall within the laps of their enimies at vnwares, they staied a while to take aduise what should be best for them to doo. Now when they were almost fullie resolued to haue turned backe againe, [Sidenote: Bernard de Balliolle.] by the comfortable words and bold exhortation of Bernard Balliolle, they changed their purpose, and rode forward, till at length the northerne wind began to waken, and droue awaie the mist, so that the countrie was discouered vnto them, and perceiuing where Alnewike stood, not knowing as yet whether the Scots had woone it or not, they staied their pace, and riding softlie, at length learning by the inhabitants of the countrie, that the Scotish king desparing to win Alnewike, had raised his siege from thence the same day, they turned streight thither, and lodging there all night, in the morning got to their horsses verie earelie, riding foorth towards the enimies that were spred abroad in the countrie to forey the same. They had anon espied where the king was, and incontinentlie compassed him about on euerie side, who perceiuing the English horssemen readie thus to assaile him with all diligence called backe his men from the spoile; but the more part of them being straied far off through the swéetnes they found in getting of preies, could not heare the sound of the trumpets, yet notwithstanding with those his horssemen which he could get togither, he encountred the English men which came vpon him verie hastilie.

The battell was begun verie fiercelie at the first, and well fought for a time, but the Scotish horssemen being toiled before in foreieng the countrie, could not long continue against the fierce assault of the English, but were either beaten downe, or else constreined to saue themselues by flight. [Sidenote: The king of Scots taken.] The king with a few other (who at the first had begun the battell) was taken. Also manie of the Scots that being far off, and yet hearing of the skirmish, came running toward the place, & were taken yer they could vnderstand how the matter had passed. [Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._] This taking of the king of Scots was on a saturdaie, being the seuenth[9] of Julie.

The English capteines hauing thus taken the Scotish king in the midst of his armie, conteining the number of 80000 men, returned to Newcastell, [Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._] greatlie reioising of their good successe, aduertising king Henrie the father hereof with all speed, who as then was come ouer from Normandie, [Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._ _Matth. West._ _Wil. Paruus._ _Ger. Dor._] and was (the same day that the Scotish king was taken) at Canturburie, making his praiers there before the sepulture of the archbishop Becket (as after shall appéere.)

[Sidenote: _Polydor._] In the meane while and somewhat before this time, the earle of Leicesters men, which laie at Leicester vnder the conduct of Robert Ferreis earle of Darbie (as some write) or rather of Anketille Malorie constable or gouernour (if we shall so call him, as Roger Houeden saith) came to Northampton, where they fought with them of that towne, and getting the victorie, [Sidenote: This chanced a little after Whitsuntide.] tooke two hundred prisoners, and slue or wounded néere hand as manie more, and so with this good successe in that enterprise returned againe to Leicester, from whence they first set foorth. The kings horssemen herevpon came streight waies to Northampton, and following the enimies, could not ouertake them.

[Sidenote: Rob. Ferreis.] Robert Ferreis earle of Darbie being now come vnto Leicester in aid of them that laie there, staied not past ten daies: but finding meanes to increase his number of horssemen, suddenlie made to Notingham, which Reignold de Lucie had in kéeping, [Sidenote: _Polydor._ _Reg. Houed._ Notingham taken.] and comming thither earelie in the morning tooke it, droue out the kings souldiers that laie there in garison, burned the towne, slue the inhabitants, and diuided their goods amongst his souldiers: which thing put the countrie about in such feare, that manie of the inhabitants submitted themselues vnto him.

King Henrie the sonne being hereof aduertised by letters oftentimes sent vnto him by this Robert Ferreis, and other his fréends here in England, eftsoones conceiued some good hope to obteine his purpose: and therefore determined to prepare for the warre. Herevpon he purchased aid of king Lewes, who (bicause the truce which he had taken with king Henrie the father was now expired) thought it was reason to further his sonne in lawes enterprise so farre as in him laie. [Sidenote: _W. Paruus._] Wherfore he made his prouision at Graueling, and there incamping with his people, staied till his ships were readie to transport him and his armie, which consisted of certeine horssemen, and of a number of Brabanders.

King Henrie the father being informed both of his sonnes purpose, and of the dooings in England, with all possible spéed determined to passe ouer into England, [Sidenote: _Polydor._] and therefore got his souldiers a shipboord, among whome were certeine bands of Brabanders: and so soone as the wind blew to his mind, he caused the sailes to be hoised vp, and the nauie to set forward. Being landed, he repaired first vnto Canturburie, there to make his praiers, [Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._] doubting least the bloud of the archbishop Thomas Becket being shed through his occasion, did yet require vengeance against him for that fact. From Canturburie he came to London, and tooke order for the placing of capteines with their bands in certeine townes about the coast, to defend the landing places, where he thought his sonne was like to arriue. [Sidenote: Huntington castell woone.] Then went he to Huntington, and subdued the castell there the 19. of Julie: for the knights and other souldiers that were within it yéelded themselues to the kings mercie, their liues and lims saued.

[Sidenote: _R. Houed._] After this, assembling his people on all sides, he made his generall musters at S. Edmundsburie, and determined to besiege the castels of Bunghey and Fremingham, which the earle Hugh Bigot held against him, who mistrusting that he was not able to defend himselfe and those places against the king, [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ Earle Bigot is accorded with the K.] agréed with the king to haue peace, paieng him the summe of a thousand markes by composition. This agréement was concluded the 25. of Julie. [Sidenote: The Flemings sent home.] Herevpon a multitude of the Flemings which Philip earle of Flanders had sent into England (as before is mentioned) vpon their oth receiued, not afterwards to come as enimies into England, had licence to returne into their countrie. Also the bands of souldiers that came into the realme with Rafe de la Haie departed without impediment by the kings sufferance.

[Sidenote: _R. Houed._] The king hauing thus accomplished that which stood with his pleasure in those parties, remoued from thence and drew towards Northampton. [Sidenote: The king of Scots presented to the King of England.] To which towne after his comming thither, the king of Scots was brought with his féet bound vnder the horsses bellie. Thither also came the bishop of Durham, and deliuered to the king the castels of Durham, Norham, and Allerton. Thither also came to the king Roger Mowbraie, and surrendred to him the castell of Treske, and Robert earle Ferreis deliuered vp into his hands the castels of Tutburie, and Duffield, and Anketill Mallorie, and William de Diue constables to the earle of Leicester yeelded to the king the castels of Cicester, Grobie, and Mountsorell, to the intent that he should deale more courteouslie with the earle their maister. [Sidenote: The earle of Glocester. The earle Richard of Clare.] Also William earle of Glocester, and earle Richard of Clare submitted themselues to the king, and so he brought all his aduersaries within the realme of England vnto such subiection as he himselfe wished; so that the king hauing atchiued the vpper hand of his enimies returned to London.

¶ All this hurlie burlie and bloudie tumult, was partlie to be ascribed to the king himselfe, who ouer tenderlie fauouring his sonne, did deiect and abase himselfe to aduance the other; partlie to the ambitious disposition of the youth, who was charged with roialtie, before he had learned sufficient loialtie, else would he not haue made insurrections against his father, that himself might obteine the monarchie, and the old king doo him homage: and partlie to the quéenes discontented or rather malicious mind, whose dutie it had béene (notwithstanding such dishonour doone hir by the king in abusing his bodie vnlawfullie) so little to haue thought of stirring commotions betwixt the father and the sonnes that she should rather haue lulled the contention asléepe, and doone what she possiblie could to quench the feruent fier of strife with the water of pacification. But true it is that hath béene said long ago, [Sidenote: _Pub. Mim._] Mulier nihil nouit nisi quod vult, Et plenum malorum est onus.

But what insued herevpon euen by waie of chastisement, but that which commonlie lighteth vpon tumult-raisers; namelie, either losse of life, or at least restraint of libertie? For the king after this happie atchiuement of his warlike affaires, being ruled by reason and aduise (as it is likelie) would not that so smoking a fierbrand (as quéene Elianor had prooued hirselfe to be) should still annoie his eies, [Sidenote: Quéene Elinor is committed to close prison.] and therefore (whether in angrie or quiet mood, that is doubtfull) he committed hir to close prison, bicause she had procured his sons Richard and Geffrey to ioine with their elder brother against him their father (as before ye haue partlie heard.)

But to procéed, king Lewes being aduertised that there was no great number of men of war left in Normandie to defend the countrie, raised a power, and comming to Rouen, besieged it verie streitlie. [Sidenote: _Polydor._] Shortlie after also king Henrie the sonne and Philip earle of Flanders came thither, meaning to obteine the possession of Normandie first, and after to go into England. [Sidenote: Rouen besieged by the Frech king. _Wil. Paruus._] The citizens of Rouen perceiuing in what danger they stood, without out faint harts prepared all things necessarie for defense, and did euerie thing in order, purposing not to giue ouer their citie for any threats or menaces of their enimies. Now whilest they within were busie in deuising how to repell the assault, and to defend themselues, the aduersaries about midnight came forth of their campe, and approching the walles with their ladders, raised them vp, and began to scale the citie. But the citizens being aduised thereof, boldlie got them to the loops and towers, ouerthrew the ladders of the enimies that were comming vp, and with arrowes, stones and darts beat them backe, to their great losse and ouerthrow. Howbeit though the enimies could not preuaile thus to get the citie by this assault, yet they continued the siege, and suffered not them with it to be in quiet, but daie and night assailed them by one meanes or other.

[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._ King Henrie returneth into Normandie.] King Henrie the father being aduertised héereof, after he had set his businesse in order, touching the suertie and safe defense of the English estate, he returned into Normandie and landed at Harfleet on a thursdaie being the eight daie of August, bringing backe againe with him his Brabanders, and a thousand Welshmen. In this meane while, king Lewes continued still his siege before Rouen, constreining them within by all meanes he could deuise to yeeld vp their citie. At length came the feast of Saint Laurence, on which daie the French king commanded that no man should attempt any enterprise against the citizens, granting them truce for that day, in worship of that saint. This truce was so acceptable a thing to them within, that they forgetting themselues, without all respect to the danger wherein the citie stood, threw off their armour, and gaue themselues to sléepe and rest. Some also fell to banketting and other pastimes in verie dissolute maner.

¶ But through this their remisse vsage and loose behauiour, and forgetting that a temporarie truce is no safe warrant of securitie and peace, they deriued danger and destruction to themselues; which it had beene their parts prouidentlie to haue preuented, and not through their carelesnesse to set open a gap of aduantage to their enimies, who pursued them with professed hostilitie, notwithstanding they reposed confidence in the truce that was granted. Héerein they are to be resembled to the cooks of whome Plautus speaketh verie neatlie, saieng, ---- coquos equidem nimis Demiror, qui tot vtuntur condimentis, eos eo Condimento non vtier quod præstat omnibus, Meaning sobrietie: so these delighting more in their dishes, than mistrusting their enimies, remembred to take the vse of any pleasure that the conuenientnesse of this present time might proffer; onelie as cookes among all their sawces doo mind nothing lesse than sobernesse: so these in the abundance of their ioies, thought nothing of after claps, which afterwards made them (like fooles) to sing an vnhappie had I wist. For the Frenchmen, perceiuing this their negligence, required licence of the French king to giue assault to the citie, declaring in what state the matter presentlie stood; who not meaning to violate the reuerence of that day, and his promised faith, with any such vnlawfull attempt, commanded his men of warre that made the request in no wise to stirre. [Sidenote: The Frenchmen assault the citie, without commandement of their king.] Howbeit the souldiers vpon couetousnesse of the spoile, raised the ladders to that part of the wall which they iudged to be most without warders, so that some of them mounting aloft, got vp, and were about to help vp their fellowes.

[Sidenote: Two préests.] Now it happened (as God would haue it) that two préests being gone vp into the steeple of the cheefe church, to looke about them for their pleasures, fortuned to sée where the French men were about to enter the citie, and streightwaies gaue knowledge to the citizens beneath. Wherevpon the alarum rose, insomuch that with all spéed the people ran to the place, [Sidenote: The Frenchmen are repelled.] and with such violence came vpon their enimies which were entred vpon the walles, that streightwaies they slue manie of them, and chased the residue out of the ditches, so that they returned with bleeding wounds to their campe, repenting them of their vnhappie enterprise, that turned them to such wo and greeuance.

[Sidenote: _Polydor._] The same day a little before night, king Henrie the father came vnto Rouen, and was receiued into the citie with great ioy and gladnesse: for he came thither by chance, euen about the time that the citie had thus like to haue bin surprised & taken at vnwares.

[Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._] ¶ There be that write, how the French king (immediatlie vpon the arriuall of king Henrie) left his field and departed, greatlie to his dishonor, burning vp his engines of warre, and not staieng till his men might haue leisure to charge their wagons with their armor and other stuffe, which they were glad to leaue behind for a prey to the English men issuing foorth vpon them. But other declare, that the French king being nothing abashed of king Henries comming, continued the siege, in hope to win the citie.

[Sidenote: _R. Houed._ The Welshmens good seruice.] The next day earlie in the morning (or as other say in the night season) the king did send foorth a certeine number of Welshmen to passe ouer the riuer of Saine, which they did, and by force made themselues waie through the French campe, getting without losse or danger vnto a great wood, and slue that day of their aduersaries aboue an hundred men. [Sidenote: _Nic. Triuet._] After this, lieng abroad in the countrie, they skirmished dailie with the French horssemen, and oft times cut of such prouision of vittels as came to nourish the campe. The king himselfe on the other side remaining within the citie, caused his people to issue out at the gates, and to kéepe the enimies occupied with skirmishes afore the citie. [Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._] And moreouer, where there was a great trench cast betwixt the French campe and the walles of the citie, he caused the same to be filled vp with fagots, stores, and earth. But although the French men sawe this the kings deed well enough, yet none of them issued foorth of their tents to hinder the English of their purpose.

Now king Lewes being sore vexed with his enimies on ech side, and perceiuing the citie would not be woone within any short time, began to wax wearie, and to repent himselfe (as afore) for taking in hand so chargeable and great a warre for another mans quarell. [Sidenote: The French king maketh an ouerture for peace.] Wherevpon he caused William bishop of Sens, and Theobald earle of Blois to go to king Henrie, and to promise vpon forbearance from warre for a time, to find means to reconcile him and his sonnes, betweene whom vnnaturall variance rested. Whereof K. Henrie being most desirous, and taking a truce, [Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ A truce.] appointed to come to Gisors [in the feast of the natiuitie of our ladie] there to meet king Lewes, that they might talke of the matter and bring it to some good end.

[Sidenote: The French king leaueth his siege.] The French king, so soone as he knew that truce was taken, raised his siege, and returning home, within a few daies after (according to the appointment) came to Gisors, and there communed with king Henrie: but bicause he could not make any agréement betwixt him and his sonnes at that time, he appointed another time to meet about it. King Henrie the father (whilest the truce continued with the French king) and his sonne Henrie went to Poictou, where his sonne Richard (whilest his father had beene occupied in other places) had gotten the most part of the countrie into his possession. But now hearing of his comming, and that a truce was taken with the French king and with his brother, he considered with himselfe, that without their assistance he was not able to withstand his fathers power. [Sidenote: Richard the kings sonne prepareth to resist his father.] Howbeit at length choosing rather to trie the matter with force of armes, than cowardlie to yéeld, he prepared for defense, furnishing diuerse townes and castels with garisons of men: and assembling togither all the other power that he was able to make, came into the field, & pitched his tents not far off from his father. In the meane while, which way soeuer his father passed, the townes and castels submitted themselues vnto him, [Sidenote: He beginneth to dispaire of good successe.] so that Richard began to despaire of the matter, insomuch that he durst not approch néere his father, but kept aloofe, doubting to be entrapped.

At length when he had considered his owne state, and weied how vnthankefullie the French king and his brother had dealt with him, [Sidenote: _Polydor._] in hauing no consideration of him at such time as they tooke truce, he determined to alter his purpose, and hauing some good hope in his fathers clemencie, thought best to trie it, which he found to be the best waie that he could haue taken. For oftentimes it chanceth, that latter thoughts are better aduised than the first, as the old saieng is, [Greek: Deuterai phrontides sophoterai.]

[Sidenote: The son submitteth himselfe to the father.] Herevpon Richard laieng armour aside, came of his owne accord vnto his father on the 21. of September, and asked pardon. His father most courteously receiuing him, made so much of him as though he had not offended at all. Which example of courtesie preuailed much to the alluring of his other sons to come to a reconciliation. For the bringing whereof to speedie effect, he sent this Richard vnto king Lewes, and to his other sonne Henrie, to commen with them of peace, at which time earle Richard did so effectuallie his message, that he brought them both in good forwardnesse to agree to his fathers purpose, so that there was a daie appointed for them to meet with their father, betwixt Towres in Touraine and Ambois.

[Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._ The father & sonnes are accorded.] King Henrie reioising hereat, kept his daie (being the morrow after the feast of S. Michaell) and there met him both king Lewes, and his two sonnes Henrie and Geffrey, where finallie the father and the sonnes were accorded; he promising to receiue them into fauour vpon these conditions.

[Sidenote: The conditions of the agréement.]
1 First the prisoners to be released fréelie without ransome on
both sides, and their offenses, which had taken either the one
part or the other, to be likewise pardoned.

[Sidenote: _R. Houed._]
2 Out of this article were excepted all those which before the
concluding of this peace had alreadie compounded for their
raunsomes, as the king of Scots, the earles of Leicester and
Chester, and Rafe Fulgiers, with their pledges.

3 It was also agréed that all those castels which had beene
builded in time of this warre, should be raced and throwne downe,
and all such cities, townes, castels, countries and places, as
had beene woone by either part during these wars, should be
restored vnto those persons that held the same, and were in
possession of them 15. daies before the departure of the sonnes
from king Henrie the father.

4 That king Henrie the father should assigne to his sons more
large reuenues for maintenance of their estates, with a caution
included, that they should not spend the same riotouslie in any
prodigall sort or maner.

[Sidenote: _R. Houed._]
5 To the king his sonne, he gaue two castels in Normandie, with
an increase of yearelie reuenues, to the summe of 15. thousand
pounds Aniouin.

[Sidenote: Richard.]
6 To his sonne Richard he gaue two houses in Poictou, with the
one halfe of all the reuenues of the countie of Poictou to be
receiued and taken in readie monie.

[Sidenote: Geffrey.]
7 And to his sonne Geffrey he granted in monie, the moietie of
that which he should haue by the mariage of earle Conans
daughter, and after he had maried hir by licence purchased of the
pope, he should enioy all the whole liuings and reuenues that
descended to hir, as in hir fathers writing thereof more at large
was conteined.

8 On the other part, king Henrie the son couenanted to & with the
king his father, that he would performe and confirme all those
gifts, which his father should grant out of his lands, & also all
those gifts of lands which he either had made and assured, or
hereafter should make and assure vnto any of his men for any of
their seruices: [Sidenote: John.] & likewise those gifts which he
had made vnto his sonne John the brother of king Henrie the sonne;
namelie, a thousand pounds in lands by yeare in England of his
demaine and excheats with the appurtenances, and the castell and
countie of Notingham, with the castell of Marlebrough, and the
appurtenances. Also a thousand pounds Aniouin of yearelie reuenues
in Normandie, and two castells there. And in Aniou a thousand
pounds Aniouin, of such lands as belonged to the earle of Aniou,
with one castell in Aniou, and one in Touraine, and another in
Maine.

Thus were the father and sons agréed and made freends, the sonnes couenanting neuer to withdraw their seruices and bounden dueties from their father, but to obeie him in all things from that day forward. Herewith also the peace was renewed betwixt king Henrie and king Lewes, and for the further confirmation, [Sidenote: A marriage concluded.] a new aliance was accorded betwixt them, which was, that the ladie Adela the daughter of king Lewes should be giuen in mariage vnto earle Richard the sonne of king Henrie, who bicause she was not yet of age able to marie, she was conueied into England to be vnder the guiding of king Henrie, till she came to lawfull yeares.

Thus the peace being concluded, king Henrie forgetting all iniuries passed, [Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._] brought home his sons in maner aforesaid, who being well pleased with the agreement, attended their father into Normandie, where Richard and Geffrey did homage to him, receiuing their othes of allegiance according to the maner in that case required. But king Henrie the sonne did no homage, [Sidenote: _R. Houed._ _Wil. Paruus._ saieth that he did homage also.] for his father (in respect that he was a king) would not suffer him, and therefore tooke onelie sureties of him for performance of the couenants on his part, as was thought expedient.

¶ All this dissention and strife was kindled (no doubt) by the meanes of certeine sowers of discord, sycophants, parasits, flatterers, clawbacks, & pickethanks, who had learned their lesson, that Principibus placuisse viris non vltima laus est, and thinking by their embossed spéech to tickle the eares and harts of the yoong princes, who by reason of their yoong yeares and nakednesse of experience in the course of worldlie maters, sought their owne aduancement, euen by flinging firie faggots of dissention betweene them, whose harts naturall affection had vnited. For by the tenor of the storie (marke it who will) we shall sée that no attempt of the sons against the father but had originall from the suggestions of euill disposed persons, who (like eeles that fatten not in faire running water, but in muddie motes and ponds) sought honour in hurlie burlies, & reached out long armes to riches by manie a ones impouerishment. This to be true, the finall euent and issue prooueth; namelie, the mutuall attonement and reconciliation wouen betweene the father and the sonnes; their remorse for their vndutifulnes, his louing fauour and gratiousnesse; their promptnesse to yéeld to conditions of agreement, his forwardnes to giue consent to couenants required; their readinesse to do the old king homage, his acceptable admission of their preferred seruice; with other circumstances to be collected out of the storie, all which doo prooue that this their disloiall resistance sprang rather by others incitement, than of their owne seeking. Thus we sée what alterations happen in the actions of men, and that euill things manie times (though naturallie bad) doo inferre their contraries, as one aptlie saith, Discordia fit charior concordia.

[Sidenote: Willi. king of Scots deliuered out of prison with other.] At length king Henrie went to Faleise, and there deliuered out of captiuitie William king of Scotland, Robert earle of Leicester, Hugh earle of Chester, with diuerse other Noble men which were kept there as prisoners, putting them to their ransomes, and receiuing of them pledges with an oth of allegiance. [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ Prisoners released.] This king Henrie the father released for his part the number of nine hundred 69. knights or men of armes (if yée list so to terme them) which had beene taken since the beginning of these passed warres.

As for king Henrie the sonne he also set at libertie aboue an hundred, and that without ransome paieng, according to the articles of the peace (as before you haue heard.) But yet some (as is alreadie specified) were excepted out of the benefit of that article, as William king of Scotland, who being not able to paie his ransome in present monie, deliuered vp in gage foure of the strongest castels within his realme into king Henries hands; [Sidenote: Castels deliuered by the K. of Scots.] namelie, Barwike, Edenbourgh, Roxbourgh, and Sterling, with condition, that if he brake the peace, and paied not the monie behind due for his raunsome, king Henrie and his successours should enioy for euer the same castels. He also couenanted, not to receiue any English rebels into his realme. [Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ _Matth. Paris._] Other write that the king of Scots did not onelie become the king of Englands liegeman at this time, and couenanted to doo homage vnto him for the realme of Scotland, and all other his lands, but also deliuered the castels of Barwike, and Roxbourgh to be possessed of the same king of England and his heires for euer, without any couenant mentioned of morgage.

Things being setled thus in good order, king Henrie leauing his sonne Henrie at Rouen, went to Argenton, and there held his Christmasse, and afterwards, namelie in the feast of the purification of our ladie, [Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._] both the kings (as well the father as the sonne) were at Mauns, [Sidenote: 1175.] and vpon their returne from thence into Normandie, [Sidenote: The kings of England and France méet at Gisors.] came to a communication with the French king at Gisors, and then being come backe into Normandie at Bure, the sonne (to put the father out of all doubt and mistrust of any euill meaning in him) sware fealtie to him against all persons, and so became his liegeman in the presence of Rothrod archbishop of Rouen, Henrie bishop of Baieux, William earle of Mandeuille Richard de Humez his conestable, and manie other.

After this they kept their easter at Chirebourgh, from whence they came to Caen, [Sidenote: Philip earle of Flanders.] where they met with Philip earle of Flanders, who had latelie before taken on him the crosse, to go to the holie land: where king Henrie the father required him to release all such couenants as king Henrie the sonne had made vnto him in time of his last warres, which he fréelie did, and deliuered vp the writing that he had of the same king concerning those couenants, and so they confirmed vnto him the yearelie rent which he was woont to receiue out of England, before the said warres.

[Sidenote: _Polydor._] Finallie, when king Henrie had visited the most part of the countrie, he came to Harflew, and caused his nauie to be decked and rigged, that he might saile ouer into England. Whilest he tarried heere till his ships were readie, he sent letters to his sonne king Henrie, willing him to repaire vnto him, and meaning that he should accompanie him into England. [Sidenote: Enuious persons readie to forge matters of suspicion.] Who at the first was loth to obeie his fathers will and pleasure herein, bicause some enuious persons about him had put in his head a doubt, least his father had not altogither forgot his former grudge, and that he ment at his comming into England to commit him to prison. Which was a surmize altogither void of likeliehood, considering that the father, in the whole processe of his actions betweene himselfe and his sonnes, was so farre from the desire of inflicting any corporall punishment, or leuieng anie fine vpon them for their misdemenour, that he alwaies sought meanes of reconcilement and pacification. And though this Henrie the sonne for his part deserued to be roughlie dealt withall; yet the father handled him so gentlie with courteous letters & messages, that shortlie after he came of his owne accord vnto Harflew, [Sidenote: The two kings the father and the sonne returne into England.] from whence shortlie after they sailed both togither ouer into England, landing at Portsmouth on a fridaie being the ninth of Maie, from thence they tooke their iournie streight to London, all the waies being full of people that came to see them, and to shew themselues glad and ioifull of their concord and happie arriuall. At their comming to the citie they were receiued with great reioising of the people, beseeching God long to preserue them both in health and honour.

[Sidenote: William de Breause.] The same yeare William de Breause hauing got a great number of Welshmen into the castell of Abergauennie, vnder a colourable pretext of communication, proponed this ordinance to be receiued of them with a corporall oth; That no traueller by the waie amongst them should beare any bow, or other vnlawfull weapon. [Sidenote: The Welshme not well dealt withall.] Which oth when they refused to take, bicause they would not stand to that ordinance he condemned them all to death. This deceit he vsed towards them in reuenge of the death of his vncle Henrie of Hereford, whom vpon easter euen before, they had through treason murthered, and were now acquited with the like againe.

[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ Reignold erle of Cornewall departed this life.] The same yeare died Reignold earle of Cornwall, bastard sonne to king Henrie the first without heirs male, by reason whereof the king tooke into his hands all the inheritance of lands and liuings which he held within England, Normandie and Wales, except certeine portions which the daughters of the same earle had by assignement allotted to them. Also Richard erle of Glocester deceassed this yeare, and his sonne Philip succeeded him.

[Sidenote: _Matth. West._ A synod held at London.] The same yeare was a synod of the cleargie kept at Westminster, wherein many things were decréed for the conseruation of religion. Amongst other things it was prouided, that those abbeies and churches which were void of gouernours, and could haue none placed in them by the time of the late ciuill warres, should now be committed vnto men worthie to enioy the same, for the reformation of disorders growne and plentifullie sproong vp in time of the vacations.

The realme now brought into good order and deliuered from the troubles of warre, as well at home as abroad, the king being at good leisure determined to ride about a great part of the realme, and comming to Yorke, [Sidenote: _W. Paruus._ The king of Scots dooth homage to the king of England.] sent for the king of Scots to come and doo his homage. Now the king of Scots (according to couenants before concluded) came vnto Yorke in the moneth of August, where dooing his homage about the twentith day of the same moneth in S. Peters church, the king granted further by his letters patents, that he and his successours kings of Scotland, should doo homage and fealtie to the kings of England, so often as they should be necessarilie required therevnto. In signe and token of which subiection, the king of Scots offered his hat and his saddle vpon the altar of S. Peter in Yorke, which for a remembrance hereof was kept there many yeares after that day.

The charter conteining the articles of the peace and agreement
concluded betwixt the two kings, which was read in S. Peters church
at the same time, exemplified as followeth.

[Sidenote: _R. Houed._]
Wilhelmus rex Scotiæ deuenit homo ligius domini regis Angliæ
contra omnes homines, de Scotia & de alijs terris suis, et
fidelitatem ei fecit vt ligio domino suo sicut alij homines sui
ipsi facere solent. Similiter fecit homagium Henrico filio regis
salua fide domini regis patris sui.

2 Omnes vero episc. abbates & clerus terræ Scotiæ & successores
sui facient domino regi sicut ligio domino fidelitatem, de quibus
habere voluerit, sicut alij episcopi sui ipsi facere solent, &
Henrico filio suo & Dauid & hæredibus eorum.

3 Concessit autem rex Scotiæ, & frater eius, & barones, & alij
homines sui domino regi, quòd ecclesia Scotiæ talem subiectionem
amodò faciet ecclesiæ Angliæ, qualem facere debet, & solebat
tempore regum Angliæ prædecessorum suorum.

4 Similiter Richardus episcopus Sancti Andreæ, & Richardus
episcopus Dunkelden. & Gaufridus abbas de Dunfermlin. & Herbertus
prior de Coldingham concesserunt, vt ecclesia Anglicana illud
habeat ius in ecclesia Scotiæ, quod de iure debet habere: & quod
ipsi non erunt contra ius Anglicanæ ecclesiæ. Et de hac
concessione sicut quando ligiam fidelitatem domino regi & domino
Henrico filio suo fecerint, ita eos inde assecurauerint.

5 Hoc idem facient alij episcopi & clerus Scotiæ, per
conuentionem inter dominum regem Scotiæ & Dauid fratrem suum &
barones suos factam, comites & barones & alij homines de terra
regis Scotiæ (de quibus dominus rex habere voluerit) facient ei
homagium contra omnem hominem, & fidelitatem vt ligio domino suo
sicut alij homines sui facere ei solent, & Henrico filio suo &
hæredibus suis salua fide domini regis patris sui. Similiter
hæredes regis Scotiæ & baronum & hominum suorum homagium &
ligiantiam facient hæredibus domini regis contra omnem hominem.

6 Præterea rex Scotiæ et homines sui nullu amodò fugitiuum de
terra domini regis pro felonia receptabunt, vel in alia terra sua
nisi voluerit venire ad rectum in curia domini regis & stare
iudicio curiæ. Sed rex Scotiæ & homines sui quàm citius poterunt
eum capient, & domino regi reddent, vel iusticiarijs suis aut
balliuis suis in Anglia.

7 Si autem de terra regis Scotiæ aliquis fugitiuus fuerit pro
felonia in Anglia, nisi voluerit venire ad rectu in curia domini
regis Scotiæ & stare iudicio curiæ, non receptabitur in terra
regis, sed liberabitur hominibus regis Scotiæ, per balliuos
domini regis vbi inuentus fuerit.

8 Præterea homines domini regis habebunt terras suas quas
habebant, & habere debent de domino rege, & hominibus suis, & de
rege Scotiæ & de hominibus suis. Et homines regis Scotiæ habebunt
terras suas, quas habebant, & habere debent de domino rege &
hominibus suis. Pro ista vero conuentione & fine firmiter
obseruando domino regi & Henrico filio suo & hæredibus suis Ã
rege Scotiæ & hæredibus suis, liberauit rex Scotiæ domino regi
castellum de Roxburgh, & castellum Puellarum, & castellum de
Striueling, in manu domini regis, & ad custodienda castella
assignabit rex Scotiæ de redditu suo mesurabiliter ad voluntatem
domini regis.

9 Præterea pro prædicta conuentione & fine exequendo, liberauit
rex Scotiæ domino regi Dauid fratrem suum in obsidem & comitem
Duncanum, & comitem Waldenum, similiter alios comites et barones
cum alijs viris potentibus quorum numerus 18. Et quando castella
reddita fuerint illis, rex Scotiæ & Dauid frater suus
liberabuntor. Comites quidem & barones prænominati vnusquisq;
postquam liberauerit obsidem suum, scilicet filium legitimum, qui
habuerit, & alij nepotes suos vel propinquiores sibi hæredes, &
castellis vt dictum est redditis liberabuntur.

10 Præterea rex Scotiæ & barones sui prænominati assecurauerunt,
quod ipsa bona fide, & sine malo ingenio, & sine occasione
facient vt episcopi & barones & cæteri homines terræ suæ, qui non
affuerunt quando rex Scotiæ cum domino rege finiuit: eandem
ligiantiam & fidelitatem domino regi & Henrico filio suo quam
ipsi fecerunt, & vt barones, & homines qui affuerunt obsides,
Liberabunt domino regi de quibus habere voluerit.

11 Præterea episc. comites & barones conuentionauerunt domino
regi & Henrico filio suo, quòd si rex Scotiæ aliquo casu Ã
fidelitate domini regis & filij, & à conuentione prædicta
recederet, ipsi cum domino rege tenebunt sicut cum ligio domino
suo contra regem Scotiæ, & contra omnes homines ei inimicantes.
Et episcopi sub interdicto ponent terram regis Scotiæ donec ipse
ad fidelitatem domini regis redeat.

12 Prædictam itaq; conuentionem firmiter obseruandam bona fide, &
sine malo ingenio domino regi & Henrico filio suo & hæredibus
suos à Wilhelmo rege Scotiæ & Dauid fratre suo & baronibus suis
prædictis, & hæredibus eorum assecurauit ipse rex Scotiæ, & Dauid
frater eius, & omnes barones sui prænominati sicut ligij homines
domino regis contra omnem hominem, & Henrici filij sui (salua
fidelitate patris sui) hijs testibus, Richardo episcopo
Abrincensi, et Iohanne Salisburiæ decano, & Roberto abbate
Malmesburiæ, & Radulpho abbate Mundesburg, hec non alijs
abbatibus, comitibus & baronibus, & duobus filijs suis scilicet
Richardo & Galfrido.

These things being recited in the church of S. Peters in Yorke, in the presence of the said kings, & of Dauid the king of Scots brother, and before an innumerable number of other people, the bishops, earles, barons and knights of Scotland sware fealtie to the king of England and to Henrie his sonne, and to their heires against all men, as to their liege and souereigne lords.

King Henrie hauing ended his businesse at Yorke with the king of Scots and others, which likewise did homage to him there, returned to London, in the octaues of S. Michaell, [Sidenote: A parlement at Windsor.] and he called a parlement at Windsor, whereat were present king Henrie the sonne, Richard archbishop of Canturburie, and other bishops of England, Laurence archbishop of Dublin with a great number of earles and barons of this realme. [Sidenote: Ambassadors from K. Connagh.] About the same time the archbishop of Tuamon, and the abbat of S. Brandon, with Laurence the chancellor of Roderike king of Connagh in Ireland were come as ambassadours from the said Roderike, vnto king Henrie, who willinglie heard them, as he that was more desirous to grow to some accord with those sauage people by some freendlie order, than to war with them that had nothing to lose: so that he might in pursuing of them seeme to fish with an hooke of gold. Therefore in this parlement the matter was debated, and in the end a peace concluded at the request of the said ambassadours, [Sidenote: A tribute of ox hides] the king appointing Roderike to paie vnto him in token of subiection, a tribute of ox hides.

The charter of the agreement was written and subscribed in forme
as followeth.

[Sidenote: The tenor of the charter of the agreement.]
Haec est finis & concordia quæ facta fuit apud Windshore in
octauis sancti Michaelis an. Gratiæ 1175. inter dominum regem
Angliæ Henr. secundum, & Rodericum regem Conaciæ, per catholicum
Tuamensem archiep. & abbatem C. sancti Brandani, & magistrum L.
cancellarium regis Conaciæ.

1 Scilicet quòd rex Angliæ concedit prædicto Roderico ligio
homini suo regnum Conaciæ, quamdiu ei fideliter seruiet, vt sit
rex sub eo, paratus ad seruicium suum sicut homo suus, & vt
teneat terram suam ita bene & in pace sicut tenuit antequam
dominus rex Angliæ intraret Hiberniam, reddendo ei tributum &
totam aliam terram, & habitatores terræ habeat sub se, &
iusticiet vt tributum regi Angliæ integrè persoluant, & per manum
eius sua iura sibi conseruent. Et illi qui modò tenent, teneant
in pace quamdiu manserint in fidelitate regis Angliæ, & fideliter
& integrè persoluerint tributum & alia iura sua quæ ei debent per
manum regis Conaciæ, saluo in omnibus iure & honore domini regis
Angliæ & suo.

2 Et si qui ex eis regi Angliæ & ei rebelles fuerint, & tributum
& alia iura regis Angliæ per manum eius soluere noluerint, & Ã
fidelitate regis Angliæ recesserint, ipse eos iusticiet &
amoueat. Et si eos per se iusticiare non poterit, constabularius
regis Angliæ, & familia sua de terra ilia iuuabunt eum ad hoc
faciendum, cùm ab ipso fuerint requisiti, & ipsi viderint quòd
necesse fuerit. Et propter hunc finem reddet prædictus rex
Conaciæ domino regi Angliæ tributum singulis annis, scilicet de
singulis decem animalibus vnum corium placabile mercatoribus, tam
de tota terra sua, quàm de aliena.

3 Excepto quòd de terris illis quas dominus rex Angliæ retinuit
in dominio suo, & in dominio baronum suorum, nihil se
intromittet, scilicet Duuelina cum pertinentijs suis, & Midia cum
omnibus pertinentijs suis sicut vnquam Marchat Wamailethlachlin
earn meliùs & pleniùs tenuit, aut aliqui qui eam de eo tenuerint.
Et excepta Wesefordia, cum omnibus pertinentijs suis, scilicet
cum tota lagenia. Et excepta Waterfordia cum tota terra illa, quæ
est à Waterford vsq; ad Duncarnam, ita vt Duncarnam sit cum
omnibus pertinentijs suis infra terram illam.

4 Et si Hibernenses qui aufugerint, redire voluerint ad terram
baronum regis Angliæ, redeant in pace, reddendo tributum
prædictum quod alij reddunt, vel faciendo antiqua seruicia quæ
facere solebant pro terris suis. Et hoc sit in arbitrio dominorum
suorum. Et si aliqui eorum redire noluerint, domini eorum & rex
Conaciæ accipiat obsides ab omnibus quos ei commisit dominus rex
Angliæ ad voluntatem domini regis & suam. Et ipse dabit obsides
ad voluntatem domini regis Angliæ illos vel alios, & ipsi
seruient domino de canibus & auibus suis singulis annis de
præsentis suis. Et nullum omninò de quacunque terra regis sit,
retinebunt contra voluntatem domini regis & mandatum. Hijs
testibus, Richardo episcopo Wintoniæ, Gaufrido episcopo Eliensi,
Laurentio Duuelinensi archiepiscopo, Gaufrido, Nicholao & Rogero
capellanis regis, Guilhelmo comite de Essex, alijs multis.

Moreouer, at this parlement the king gaue an Irishman named Augustine, the bishoprike of Waterford, which see was then void, and sent him into Ireland with Laurence the archbishop of Dubline to be consecrated of Donat the archbishop of Cassels. The same yeare, both England and the countries adioining were sore vexed with a great mortalitie of people, [Sidenote: A great derth.] and immediatlie after followed a sore dearth and famine.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 22. 1176.] King Henrie held his Christmas at Windsor, and about the feast of the conuersion of saint Paule he came to Northampton, & after the mortalitie was well ceassed, [Sidenote: A parlement at Northampton. _Matth. Paris._] he called a Parlement, whereat was present a deacon cardinall intituled of S. Angelo, being sent into England as a legat from the pope, to take order in the controuersies betwixt the two archbishops of Canturburie[10] and Yorke. This cardinall whose name was Hugh Petro Lion, assembled in the same place a conuocation or synod of the bishops and cleargie, as well of England as Scotland: in which conuocation, after the ceassing of certeine strifes and decrées made as well concerning the state of common-wealth, as for the honest behauiour of mans life, the cardinall consented that (according as by the kings lawes it was alreadie ordeined) all maner of persons within the sacred orders of the cleargie, [Sidenote: An act against préests that were hunters.] which should hunt within the kings grounds and kill any of his deare, should be conuented and punished before a temporall iudge. Which libertie granted to the king, did so infringe the immunitie which the cleargie pretended to haue within this realme, that afterwards in manie points, préests were called before temporall iudges, and punished for their offenses as well as the laitie, though they haue grudged indéed and mainteined that they had wrong therein, [Sidenote: _Polydor._] as they that would be exempted and iudged by none, except by those of their owne order.

[Sidenote: Obedience of the Church of Scotland to the Church of England.] Moreouer, in this councell the matter came in question touching the obedience which the church of the bishops of Scotland did owe by right vnto the archbishop of Yorke, whom from the beginning the popes of Rome had constituted and ordeined to be primat of all Scotland, and of the Iles belonging to that realme, as well of the Orkeneis as all the other. Which constitution was obserued by the bishops of those parts manie yeares togither, though after they renounced their obedience. Whervpon the archbishops of Yorke (for the time being) continuallie complained, so that these popes, Paschall the second, Calyxt the second, Honorius, Innocentius, Eugenius the third, and Adrian the fourth, had the hearing of the matter, and with often sending their letters, went about to reduce them to the prouince of Yorke. But the Scots still withstanding this ordinance, at length the matter thus in controuersie was referred to pope Alexander, who sent the foresaid cardinall Hugh as well to make an end of that contention, as of diuerse other: but yet he left it vndecided.

[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._ The king of the Scots commeth to the parlement.] William king of Scotland came personallie vnto this parlement at Northampton, by commandement of king Henrie, and brought with him Richard bishop of S. Andrew, and Josseline bishop of Glascow, with other bishops and abbats of Scotland, the which being commanded by king Henrie to shew such subiection to the church of England as they were bound to doo by the faith which they owght to him, and by the oth of fealtie which they had made to him, they made this answer, that they had neuer shewed any subiection to the church of England, nor ought. Against which deniall, the archbishop of Yorke replied, and brought foorth sufficient priuileges granted by the forenamed popes, to prooue the subiection of the Scotish bishops, and naimelie Glascow and Whiterne vnto the see of Yorke. But bicause the archbishop of Canturburie meant to bring the Scotish bishops vnder subiection to his see, he wrought so for that time with the king, that he suffered them to depart home, without yéelding any subiection to the church of England. The letters which the foresaid popes did send touching this matter, were remaining safe and sound amongst other writings in the colledge at Yorke, when Polydor Virgil wrote the histories of England, the copies whereof in an old ancient booke he confesseth to haue séene and read.

[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._ Diuision of the circuits for iustices itinerants.] But to speake further of things ordered and doone at this parlement holden at Northampton, the king by common consent of his Nobles and other states, diuided his realme into six parts, appointing thrée iustices itinerants in euerie of them, as here followeth, Hugh de Cressie, Walter Fitz Robert, and Robert Mantell, were deputed vnto Northfolke, Suffolke, Cambridgeshire, Huntingtonshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Hertfordshire: Hugh de Gundeuille, William Fitz Rafe, and William Basset were appointed to Lincolnshire, Notinghamshire, Derbishire, Staffordshire, Warwikeshire, Northamptonshire, and Leicestershire: Robert Fitz Bernard, Richard Gifford, Roger Fitz Remfrey, were assigned to Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, Sussex, Berkshire and Oxfordshire: William Fitz Stephan, Berthram de Verdon, Thurstan Fitz Simon were ordeined to Herefordshire, Glocestershire, Worcestershire, and Salopshire: Rafe Fitz Stephan, William Ruffe, and Gilbert Pipard were put in charge with Wilshire, Dorsetshire, Summersetshire, Deuonshire & Cornwall: Robert de Wals, Ranulf de Glanuile, and Robert Pikenet were appointed to Yorkeshire, Richmondshire, Lancashire, Copeland, Westmerland, Northumberland, and Cumberland.

[Sidenote: The oth of the iustices.] The king caused these iustices to sweare vpon the holie euangelists, that they should kéepe his assises which he first had ordeined at Clarendon, and after had renewed here at Northampton, & also caused all his subiects within the relme of England to kéepe and obserue the same.

[Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._] Moreouer at this councell, king Henrie restored vnto Robert earle of Leicester all his lands, both on this side the sea, and beyond, in maner as he held the same fiftéene daies before the warre. To William de Albenie earle of Arundell, he gaue the earledome of Sussex. About midlent, the king with his sonne and the legat came to London, where at Westminster a conuocation of the cleargie was called, but when the legat was set, and the archbishop of Canturburie on his right hand as primat of the realme, [Sidenote: The presumptuous demeanor of y^e archbishop of Yorke.] the archbishop of Yorke comming in, and disdaining to sit on the left, where he might séeme to giue preheminence vnto the archbishop of Canturburie (vnmanerlie inough indeed) swasht him downe, meaning to thrust himselfe in betwixt the legat, and the archbishop of Canturburie. And where belike the said archbishop of Canturburie was loth to remooue, he set his buttocks iust in his lap, but he scarslie touched the archbishops skirt with his bum, when the bishops and other chapleins with their seruants stept to him, pulled him away, and threw him to the ground, and beginning to lay on him with bats and fists, the archbishop of Canturburie yeelding good for euill, sought to saue him from their hands. Thus was verified in him that sage sentence, [Sidenote: _Pub. Mim._] Nunquam periculum sine periculo vincitur. The archbishop of Yorke with his rent rochet got vp, and awaie he went to the king with a great complaint against the archbishop of Canturburie: but when vpon examination of the matter the truth was knowne, he was well laught at for his labour, and "that was all the remedie he got. As he departed so bebuffeted foorth of the conuocation house towards the king, they cried out vpon him; Go traitor that diddest betray that holy man Thomas, go get thee hence, thy hands yet stinke of bloud." The assemblie was by this meanes dispersed, and the legat fled and got him out of the waie, as he might with shame enough, which is the common panion and waiting-woman of pride, as one verie well said, [Sidenote: _Pub. Mim._] Citò ignominia fit superbi gloria.