Chapter III: Part 3

In this meane while, Hugh the earle of March so laboured with the Normans and Poictouins in the behalfe of the king of England, that they began to incline to his purpose: wherevpon he sent his letters by secret meanes vnto king Henrie, signifieng to him, that if it would please him to come ouer with an armie to make warre against the French king, they would be readie to turne vnto his side, and receiue him as their souereigne. King Henrie taking aduise what to answer and doo herein, with his welbeloued councellour Hubert of Burgh, thought it not good to attempt anie thing rashlie in this matter, bicause the dealings of the Normans were neuer without some fraud: but yet to satisfie the request of his fréends, he promised to come ouer shortlie vnto them, if in the meane time he might perceiue that they remained stedfast in their purpose, giuing them furthermore manie great and hartie thanks for their good meaning and singular kindnesse towards him.

[Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._]

[Sidenote: The Welshm[=e] besiege the castell of Montgomerie.]

Now things beyond the sea standing in this order, it happened in the moneth of August, that the soldiers which laie in garrison within the castell of Mountgomerie, tooke in hand to stocke vp a wood not farre from the said castell, through which lay an highwaie, where oftentimes manie fellonious robberies and murders were committed by the Welsh. As the souldiers were busie at worke in stocking vp the wood, there came vpon them an ambushment of Welshmen, which not onlie draue them awaie from their worke, but also tooke and slue diuerse of them, constreining the residue to flée into the castell, which immediatlie the Welshmen inuironed also about with a strong siege, thinking to find the defendants vnprouided.

[Sidenote: The king with an armie commeth to the succour of them within the castell.]

They within aduertised Hugh de Burgh, the lord chéefe iustice (to whome the castell belonged by the kings late gift) of the exploit and enterprise attempted by their enimies, with all possible hast: wherevpon the king at request of the said Hubert leuied a power, and came to raise the siege. But the Welshmen hearing of the kings approch, fled awaie like shéepe, so that comming to the castell, he found no resistance: howbeit, for so much as he saw the foresaid wood to be troublesome and an annoiance to the said castell, he willed it to be destroied. True it is, that the same wood was verie thicke and rough, and further it conteined also fiue leagues or fiftéene miles in length: yet by such diligence as was vsed, the same was wasted, stocked vp, and quickelie rid out of the waie by fire and other means, so that the countrie was made plaine a great waie about.

[Sidenote: The abbeie of Cride burnt.]

[Sidenote: The king beginneth to build a castell.]

[Sidenote: He is c[=o]streined to agrée with the Welshmen.]

After this, the king departed foorth into the Welsh confines, and comming to an abbeie of the white moonks called Cride, caused it to be burnt, bicause it serued as a refuge for his enimies. Then by the aduise of the lord chiefe iustice Hubert de Burgh, he set in hand to build a castell there, bicause the place séemed verie fit for fortification. But after the king with his armie had laine there thrée months, through lacke of vittels (the Welshmen still cutting the Englishmen off as they went abroad to fetch in forrage and other prouision) he was constreined to fall to agréement with Leolin their prince, and receiuing of the said prince the summe of thrée thousand marks, he was contented that so much of the castell as was alreadie builded, should be raced and made flat againe with the ground, before his departure from thence. Herevpon, manie men tooke occasion to iest at the lord chiefe iustice and his dooings about this castell, who at the beginning named it Huberts follie.

[Sidenote: The lord Willi[=a] de Breuse taken prisoner.]

[Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._]

[Sidenote: Strange sights in the aire.]

[Sidenote: _Polydor._]

Amongst other also that were taken prisoners by the Welshmen, whilest the king thus vainelie spent his time about the building of that fort, William de Breuse a right valiant man of warre was one, who being taken by Leolin prince of Wales, was by him cruellie put to death (as after shall appear) for the which act, and other such iniuries receiued at the same Leolins hands, king Henrie at length gréeuouslie punished him. ¶ For the most part of this summer season, great thunders happened in England: the element also séemed as though it had burned with continuall flames: stéeples, churches, and other hie buildings were striken with lightning, and the haruest was sore hindered by continuall raine. Also in the middest of the day there came a woonderfull darknesse vpon the earth, that the brightnesse of the aire séemed to be couered and taken awaie.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 13. 1229.]

[Sidenote: A parlement or a counsell holden.]

[Sidenote: The temporal lords refuse to aid the pope with monie.]

In the thirtéenth yeare of this king, Stephan the popes chapleine and his Nuncio came ouer vnto king Henrie, requiring to haue towards the maintenance of the popes warres against the emperour Frederike, a tenth part of all the mooueable goods within the realmes & countries of England, Wales, and Ireland, as well of spirituall persons as temporall. Wherevpon, a parlement or assemblie of the lords was called at Westminster, on the second sundaie after Easter, which was the 29 of Aprill. At which parlement, when the popes buls were read, and the matter therein conteined plainelie opened and examined, to the end it might appeare vpon what necessarie causes the pope was constreined to pursue the said wars, and to aske reléefe of faithfull christian people, being members of the holie church: the king, bicause he had by his procurators at Rome aforehand promised & bound himselfe to such paiment of tenths, sate still, and answered not to the contrarie (whereas the hope of a great number was reposed in him, that by his deniall the popes request shuld haue béene frustrat) so that when by his silence he was adiudged to consent, yet the temporall lords & laie men vtterlie denied to agrée vnto such paiment, not willing in any wise to bind their baronies and temporall possessions vnto the church of Rome.

[Sidenote: Stephan de Segraue. The tenths of the spiritualtie granted to the pope.]

Howbeit, the bishops, abbats, priors, and other ecclesiasticall persons, after they had shewed themselues to rest doubtfull (not without great grudging and murmuring in the meane time, for the space of thrée or foure daies togither) at length, for feare of excommunication, consented to be contributorie, but in such sort, as they had escaped for a farre more reasonable summe, if Stephan Segraue one of the kings councell had not by compact (as was thought) made with the Nuncio, wrought so in the matter, that the tenths were finallie granted, to the great impouerishment and inestimable damage of the church and realme of England. After this, the Nuncio shewed the procuratorie letters, whereby he was authorised to gather those tenths, and that not after a common manner, but by a verie straight and hard valuation.

[Sidenote: Vsurers.]

And for the more sure waie of procéeding herein, he had letters of authoritie from the pope, to excommunicate all such as should withstand him or his deputies in procéeding with those affaires. He shewed himself moreouer verie extreame in collecting of this monie, and namelie towards the prelats of the church, insomuch that appointing him a certeine day in the which vnder paine of excommunication they should make paiment, diuers for want of readie monie, were compelled to make shift with the chalices, and other vessels and ornaments belonging to their churches, and other were glad to take vp monie vpon interest, and for that shift there were come ouer with the Nuncio diuerse wicked vsurers vnder the name of merchants, which when they saw those that stood in néed like to be excommunicate for want of readie monie, they would offer themselues to lend vnto any that would borow, after the rate of one noble for the loane of twentie by the moneth, so bringing the néedie into their snares, to their irrecouerable losses and vndooing. Hereby the land was filled with bitter cursings (though in secret) by those that wished such vnreasonable exactors neuer to sée good end of the vse of that monie.

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: The earle of Chester wold not permit the tenths to be gathered within his land.]

From that day forward there wanted not in England certeine vsurers called Caursini, which sought nothing else but the wealth of such persons as they might get into their snares, namelie those whome the church of Rome dooth vex and put to trouble with hir exactions and paiments. The earle of Chester onlie stood manfullie against the paiment of those tenths, insomuch that he would not suffer his lands to be brought vnder bondage, neither wold he permit the religious men and préests that held of his fée to pay the same, although the rest of England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland were compelled to be contributorie thereto, hauing onelie this comfort, that not they alone, but also other forren regions were driuen to doo the like. Thus did the locusts of Rome from time to time sucke the swéetnesse of the land, and all to mainteine the pompe and pride of the same, wherein what other practises did they vse, than as one truelie testifieth:

Cuncti luxuriæ atq; gulæ, furtísq; dolísq;
Certatim incumbunt, &c.

[Sidenote: King Henrie prepareth to passe ouer into France.]

[Sidenote: The earle of Kent fallen into the kings displeasure.]

But to let this passe: king Henrie purposing to saile ouer into Britaine and inuade France, came to Portsmouth about Michaelmasse, with such an armie assembled out of England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, as the like for number of people had not béene knowne to haue passed ouer with any of his ancesters: howbeit when he should come to the verie point of imbarking his people, with vittels, armor, and other prouision, there were not ships sufficient to passe ouer the one halfe of the armie: wherefore when the king saw this default, he was sore offended, but chéefelie with Hubert the earle of Kent, lord chéefe iustice, insomuch that he openlie called him old traitor, and laid to his charge how he had thus vsed the matter of purpose, onelie to pleasure the quéene of France, of whome (as he said) he had receiued fiue thousand marks to hinder his procéedings. In this heat if the earle of Chester and other had not béene at hand, he had suerlie slaine the chéefe iustice euen there with his drawne sword, who was glad to auoid his presence, till his angrie mood was somwhat ouerpassed.

[Sidenote: Henrie earle of Britaine.]

[Sidenote: The kings iournie deferred.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 14. 1230.]

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: The king of Scots kept Christmasse with the king of England at Yorke.]

In the meane time there arriued Henrie earle of Britaine on the ninth of October, which should haue conducted the king in his countrie. But sith winter was come vpon them, he aduised him to stay till the next spring, and so he did. Then euerie man was licensed to depart home, and the earle of Kent reconciled againe into fauour. The erle of Britaine in like maner did homage to the king for Britaine, and the king restored him to all his rights in England, and further giuing him fiue thousand marks to defend his countrie against the enimies, sent him home againe in most courteous and louing maner. In this yeare of our Lord 1230 king Henrie held his Christmasse at Yorke, togither with the king of Scots, whome he had desired to come thither at that time, that they might make merrie: and so for the space of thrée daies togither, there was great banketting and sport betwéene them. On the fourth day they tooke leaue either of other, the king of Scots with rich gifts returning towards his countrie, and the king of England towards London.

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: A strange tempest at London. Sée Iohn Stow. pag. 261. of his large collecti[=o] printed 1580.]

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

Vpon the fiue and twentith day of Ianuarie also, while the bishop of London was at high masse within the church of S. Paule in London, a sudden darknesse ouershadowed the quiere, and therewith such a tempest of thunder and lightning, that the people there assembled thought verelie the church and stéeple had come downe vpon their heads. There came moreouer such a filthie sauour and stinke withall, that partlie for feare, and partlie for that they might not abide the sauour, they voided the church, falling on heapes one vpon another, as they sought to get out of the same. The vicars and canons forsooke their deskes, so that the bishop remained there onelie with one deacon that serued him at masse. Afterward, when the aire began to cleare vp, the people returned into the church, and the bishop went forward and finished the masse.

[Sidenote: The king gathereth monie towards his iournie into France.]

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: The Lord W. de Breuse hanged.]

[Sidenote: The king saileth ouer into France.]

In the meane time the king leuied a great summe of monie of the prelats of his land towards his iournie into France: he had also a great reléefe of the citizens of London. And the Iewes were constreined to giue to him the third part of all their moueable goods. In the moneth of Aprill, Leolin prince of Wales caused William de Breuse, whom he had taken prisoner long before (as aboue is mentioned) to be hanged on a paire of gallowes, for that he was taken (as was reported) in adulterie with the wife of the said prince. And on the last day of Aprill, the king with a puissant armie tooke the sea at Portesmouth, and landed at saint Malos in Britaine on the third day of May, where he was right ioifullie receiued of Henrie earle of that countrie. After he was thus arriued in Britaine, he entered into the French dominions, with the said earle, and the earle of Marsh his father in law, dooing much hurt within the same. His armie dailie increasing by the great numbers of Normans and other, which at the fame of the king of Englands arriuall in those parts, came flocking from diuerse places to aid him.

[Sidenote: Two brethr[=e] of the Paganels or Painelles.]

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: The earle of Kent beginneth now to beare ye blame for euerie thing amisse.]

Amongst other, there were two brethren that were Normans, Fouke and William, of the familie and surname of the Paganelles or Painelles, being men of great birth and estimation in their countrie, which brought with them thréescore knights or men of armes, right worthie and valiant in feats of war. These Noble men would faine haue persuaded the king to haue entred into Normandie, for that (as they affirmed) it should be an easie matter for him to subdue the whole countrie: whereto the king would gladlie haue consented, if the earle of Kent had not aduised him otherwise. After this, they besought him at the leastwise to grant them two hundred knights or men of armes of his armie, with whose aid they doubted not to be able (as they said) to expell all the Frenchmen out of Normandie, but neither would this be obteined, so that those Norman lords remained without comfort, whilest the French king caused their castels and manours to be seized vnto his vse.

[Sidenote: _Polydor._]

[Sidenote: He tooke the towne and castell of Angiers, saint Jame, Bonneroy, & Belesme. The annales of Aquitaine.]

[Sidenote: Poictou and Xantonge.]

[Sidenote: The French get the vpper hand.]

During this time, king Lewes (who a few daies afore had taken from the duke of Britaine the townes of Ardone, Campanell, and Belesme) being now certified by his espials, of the landing and inuasion made by the king of England, hasted foorth with his armie into the countrie of Aniou, and there by the side of the Loire, incamped, to staie the king of England, that he should not passe ouer the same riuer into Poictou, suspecting least the Poictouins (whom he had alwaie in some gelousie) would revolt vnto him. But the king of England aduertised of his approch, passed that riuer sooner than anie man would haue iudged, and incamped first in the countrie of Poictou, and after drew into the confines of Xantonge, the French king still following, and by the waie destroieng the townes of Fountney, and Villars, perteining to one Guie de Rochfort, a capteine belonging to the earle of March. Afterward also he passed the riuer of Charent, and wasted all the countrie of Xantonge. Where (if we may belieue some writers) the two kings ioined battell, which continued a long time right fierce & cruell: but at length the Englishmen giuing backe, the victorie remained on the French side, a great number of their aduersaries being slaine and taken.

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: Mirabeau.]

After this battell, they saie also that a peace was concluded betwixt them. But other writers haue recorded, that the matter was first taken vp by a truce without anie battell, bicause both the kings being yoong men, and as yet not verie skilfull in martiall affaires, were content to giue eare vnto quéene Blanch, to Philip erle of Bollongne, and to Ranulfe earle of Chester, which thrée tooke vpon them to intreat a peace, and prescribe the couenants of agréement, by which meanes they were at the last accorded. Amongst other things which were concluded at this present time, the duke of Britaine, and the earle of March were made fréends againe with the French king, and receiued eftsoones into his fauour. Thus ceassed the warres for that time betwixt the kings of England and France, as some haue witnessed. ¶ Howbeit if we shall beléeue other, which wrote and liued in those daies, there was no peace at that time concluded: but after that king Henrie had passed through Aniou and Poictou without battell, he came into Gascoigne, where he receiued the homages and fealties of manie noble men in those parties, and returning into Poictou, not onelie had the like also of sundrie lords and men of honour in that countrie, but also tooke the castell of Mirabeau by assault, thorough the manhood of the Englishmen, who chose rather with desperat aduentures to make entrance to honour, than by timorousnesse or want of courage to purchase reproch; for they knew verie well, that

Qui cupiunt fortes fieri, discrimina oportet
Multa pati, & multos coguntur ferre labores,

and therefore they made triall of their valiantnesse euen with obteinement of victorie to the discomfiture of the enimie, who gaped after the conquest.

[Sidenote: King Henrie returneth into Britaine.]

[Sidenote: He saileth home into England.]

[Sidenote: The earle of Chester left the kings lieutenant in Britaine.]

[Sidenote: What feats he wrought.]

[Sidenote: Pontorson burnt.]

This doone, and order taken for the safe kéeping of those quarters, he returned into Britaine, & comming to the citie of Naunts, remained a while there, spending the time vainlie in pleasure and banketting. Finallie in the moneth of October he tooke the sea, and returning into England after manie perils, landed at Portesmouth, the 27 of October, leauing behind him in Britaine 500 knights or men of armes, a thousand yeomen or stipendarie souldiers, for defense of the countrie against the Frenchmen, and appointed for their capteine the earle of Chester, the earle Marshall, and the earle of Albemarle, with certeine other valiant and approued warriours, who after the departure of the king, made two rodes into the French countries, but first into Aniou, where they remained 15 daies without battell, taking and destroieng the castell of Gonner, also Newchatell vpon the riuer of Sart, and finallie laden with plentie of rich spoiles, they returned into Britaine, from whence they set foorth. Shortlie after they entred into Normandie, destroieng the castell of Pontorson, & burning the towne: which enterprise when they had accomplished at their wils, they returned eftsoones into Britaine, where they were ioifullie receiued.

[Sidenote: S. James de Bewmeron.]

[Sidenote: A strange eclipse.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 15.]

The erle of Chester in this meane while strengthened & fortified the castell of S. Iames de Bewmer[=o], which (bicause it belonged to the right of his wife) the earle of Britaine had (sith the kings comming ouer) restored vnto him. ¶ In this yeare vpon the 14 of Maie, a maruellous eclipse of the sunne chanced immediatlie after the rising thereof, so that the earth séemed as it had béene couered againe with shade of night. On the 22 daie of Nouember the moone was likewise eclipsed, being as then 13 daies old.

[Sidenote: The duke of Saxonie c[=o]meth into England.]

[Sidenote: The king of Connagh.]

[Sidenote: Geffrey de Maurish lord chiefe iustice of Ireland.]

[Sidenote: Walter de Lacie, Richard de Burgh.]

Furthermore, whilest the king was in France, there came ouer into England the duke of Saxonie coosen to the king, and of the citizens of London was honourablie receiued. He was a man of such high and tall stature, that men tooke great pleasure to behold him. In the same yeare also in the moneth of Iulie, an Irish king that was gouernour of Connagh, vnderstanding that both the king of England, and the earle Marshall were gone ouer into France, and so Ireland left without anie great aid of men of warre on the English part, raised a mightie armie, and with the same entered into the marshes of the English dominion, spoiling and burning the countrie before him. Whereof when Geffrey de Maurish lord chiefe iustice of Ireland was aduertised, he called to him Walter de Lacie and Richard de Burgh, assembling therewithall a mightie armie, which he diuided into thrée parts, appointing the said Walter de Lacie, and Richard de Burgh, with the two first parts, to lie in ambush within certeine woods, thorough the which he purposed to draw the enimies, and marching foorth with the third, which he reserued to his owne gouernement, he profered battell to the Irishmen, the which when they saw but one battell of the Englishmen boldlie assaied the same.

[Sidenote: The Irishm[=e] vanquished by ye Englishmen in battell.]

The Englishmen according to the order appointed, feigned as though they had fled, and so retired still backer and backer, till they had trained the Irish within danger of their other two battels, which comming foorth vpon them, did set on them egerlie, whilest the other which séemed before to flée returned backe againe, and set vpon them in like maner, by meanes whereof the Irishmen being in the midst, were beaten downe on all parts, and vtterlie vanquished, with losse of 20 thousand men (as it was crediblie reported.) The king of Connagh was also taken and committed to prison.

[Sidenote: 1231.]

[Sidenote: A fiftéenth and tenth granted to the king.]

[Sidenote: _Polydor._]

[Sidenote: Englishmen sent to Spain against the Saracens.]

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: Escuage demanded.]

In the meane time king Henrie hauing spent a great deale of treasure in his iournie made into France, there was granted vnto him a fiftéenth of the temporaltie, with a disme and a halfe of the spiritualtie, towards the furnishing out of a new power of men to be sent into Spaine against the Saracens, which made sore warres vpon the christians in that countrie, wherevpon king Henrie being required of the K. of Aragon to aid him with some number of souldiers, he sent a great power thither with all spéed, and so likewise did the French king. By means whereof the Spaniards, being ioined with Englishmen and Frenchmen, obteined a noble victorie, in vanquishing those their enimies. Thus saith Polydor. But other write that the king on the seauen and twentith of Ianuarie, holding a parlement at Westminster (where the Nobles both spirituall and temporall were assembled) demanded escuage of all those that held any baronies of him, that is to saie, forren knights fée, fortie shillings, or thrée marks.

[Sidenote: The archb. of Canturburie standeth against the K. in defense of his cleargie.]

[Sidenote: Contention betwixt the archb. and the earle of Kent.]

Moreouer, the archbishop of Canturburie (as they say) stood against the king in this demand, mainteining that the cleargie ought not to be subiect vnto the iudgment of laie men, sith this escuage was granted in the parts beyond the seas without their consent. Wherevpon the matter as touching the bishops was deferred till the quindene of Easter, albeit that all the laitie, and other of the spiritualtie consented to the kings will. ¶ About this time also there chanced to rise a great strife and contention betwixt Richard the archbishop of Canturburie, and Hubert the earle of Kent, who as gardian to the yoong erle of Glocester had got into his hands the castell of Tunbridge, with the towne, and certeine other possessions which belonged to the archbishops sée, and therefore did the archbishop complaine to the king of the iniurie which he susteined.

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

Now when he perceiued no hope likelie to come for any redresse at the kings hands, he tooke an other way: and first by his pontificall authoritie accursed all those that withheld the same possessions, and all their mainteiners (the king excepted) and therewith appealing to the pope, he went to prosecute his appeale at Rome, whither the king and the earle sent also their procurators, and made the pope their arbitratour to iudge of the matter. In the end pope Gregorie hauing heard the whole processe of the controuersie, iudged the right to remaine with the archbishop, who hauing then obteined his desire, hasted toward England: but as he was returning homewards, he died by the way, not farre from Rome, whereby the popes iudgement tooke no place: for whilest the sée was void, there was none that would follow the suit: and such was the end of this controuersie for this time.

[Sidenote: Ralfe Neuill elected arch. of Canturburie.]

After the deceasse of this archbishop Richard, the moonks elected Ralfe Neuill bishop of Chichester the kings chancellor, an vpright man, and of iust dealing in all his dooings. In whome also it is to be noted, he would not giue one halfepenie to the moonks towards the bearing of their charges in their iournie to Rome, which they should take vpon them from thence to fetch his confirmation, according to the manner, least he should burthen his conscience with the crime of simonie which he greatlie abhorred, although some imputed this to procéed rather of a cloked spice of couetousnesse. Which practise of his maketh greatlie to the confounding of the indirect means now vsed to aspire vnto promotions, for the obteinment whereof no remedie is forborne; no, though the same be repugnant to reason, and vtterlie against conscience and honestie. But this is the temptation of auarice and ambition, which poison the minds of men in such sort, that rather than they will want their wished aduancement, they will vse these meanes that may further them most, namelie, fréendship, monie, and mightie mens countenance; which one noteth verie well in a distichon of neat deuise, saieng,

Artis, honestatis, recti, præcepta, decus, vim,
Conculcat, superant, spernunt, fauor, æra, potentes,

[Sidenote: Sim[=o] Langtons report of the conditions of Ralfe Neuill.]

But to the purpose from whence we are digressed. When the moonks came to the popes presence, vpon inquirie made, and chéefelie by report of Simon Langton, who (as some thinke) gaped for the dignitie, he vnderstood that the said Ralfe Neuill should be a man vnlearned, a courtier, hastie and short of word, and that which most displeased the pope, it was to be feared, that if he should be preferred to that roome, he would go about to deliuer the realme of England from the thraldome of the pope, and the court of Rome (into the which being made tributorie by king Iohn it had latelie béene brought) that (as he should alledge) it might serue God and holie church in the old accustomed libertie.

[Sidenote: Sée before in pag. 307.]

[Sidenote: The Pope maketh void the election.]

To bring this to passe (hauing the king thereto greatlie inclined, and all the realme readie to assist him in the same) he would not sticke to put his life in ieopardie, namelie vpon confidence of the right and appeales of Stephan the late archbishop of Canturburie, made in solemn wise before the altar of S. Paule in the cathedrall church of London, when king Iohn resigning his crowne into the hands of the legat, made that writing obligatorie most execrable to the whole world. When the pope had heard this tale told, he streit disanulled the election and request of the confirmation of the said Ralfe Neuill, granting libertie to the moonks to chose some other which might proue a wholsome shéepheard for the soule of man, profitable to the church of England, and a faithfull sonne to the sée of Rome, and so the moonks returning home, made relation to the couent how they had sped. After this, the moonks elected the prior of their house named Iohn to be their archbishop, who going to Rome for his confirmation, was persuaded in the end to renounce his election: so that at length one Edmund that was treasurer of the colledge of Salisburie, was elected, confirmed, and consecrated, a man of great zeale, being the foure & fortith archbishop that had gouerned that sée.

[Sidenote: The earle of Cornewall marrieth the countesse of Glocester.]

[Sidenote: The earle of Penbroke departeth this life.]

[Sidenote: _Polydor._]

[Sidenote: Leolin prince of Wales inuadeth the English borders.]

This yeare the kings brother the earle of Cornewall married the countesse of Glocester, widow to the late earle Gilbert, and sister to William Marshall earle of Penbroke, the which erle of Penbroke shortlie after the same marriage departed this life, and was buried on the fiftéenth day of Aprill, in the new temple at London, néere vnto his father. Moreouer, Leolin prince of Wales about this season enterprising to inuade the English confines, burned and wasted the countrie in most cruell wise. Whereof the king being aduertised, hasted foorth by great iournies, with purpose to reuenge such iniuries. But the enimies hearing of his comming (according to the custome of their countrie) withdrew into the mounteins, bogs, and marishes. Wherefore the king (séeing that he could not haue them at his pleasure, and least he should be thought to spend time in vaine) came backe, and left behind him a small troope of souldiers to resist their attempts, if they should happen to rise vp any more.

[Sidenote: The Welshmen put to flight.]

[Sidenote: The king goeth against the Welshmen.]

The Welshmen hauing intelligence that the king was returned home, brake foorth againe as before into the English marshes, and not onelie tooke preies and booties, but went about to destroie with fire and sword all that stood in their way. Howbeit in their returne, and as they ranged abroad somewhat vnaduisedlie, they were intrapped by the souldiers which the king had left there for the defense of the countrie, and put to flight néere the castell of Mountgomerie, with great slaughter & losse of their people. But Leolin nothing dismaied therwith, assembled a greater power than he had before, and began foorthwith to rob and spoile within the English marshes with paganish extremitie. Which thing when it came to the vnderstanding of the king, he was verie sore displeased, that so meane a man as Leolin was, should put him to so much trouble, therefore he raised a farre greater armie than he had doone at anie time before, and with the same came to the citie of Hereford.

[Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._]

[Sidenote: The Englishmen distressed.]

[Sidenote: Mawds castell repaired.]

In the meane time Leolin comming néere vnto the said castell of Mountgomerie, by the practise of a traitorous moonke, trained foorth the English souldiers which laie in garrison there, and counterfeiting to flée, till he had laid them vp in bogs and mires with their horsses, so as they could not helpe themselues, he fell vpon them, and so slue and tooke a great number of them euen as he could haue wished. The king aduertised hereof, hasted the faster forward, and comming into those parts, as he passed by an abbeie of the Cisteaux order (of which house the moonke was that had betraied the Englishmen of Mountgomerie) he burned a grange that belonged to the same abbeie, and further spoiling the same abbeie it selfe, he had set it on a light fire also, if the abbat therof had not redéemed it with the summe of thrée hundred marks of siluer. After this, he caused Mawds castell to be repaired and fortified, which the Welshmen in times past had ouerthrowne, and when the worke was finished, he left there a strong garrison of souldiers to kéepe backe the Welshmen from making their accustomed incursions.

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: Henrie earle of Britaine, and the earle of Chester distresse the French kings cariages.]

[Sidenote: A truce taken.]

Whilest the king was thus occupied in Wales, there was some busines in France: for in the moneth of Iune, the French king with an armie came to inuade the countrie of Britaine, but earle Henrie with the earle of Chester and the other English capteins found meanes to take and destroie all the cariages and wagons which came with vittels and other prouision to serue the French armie. When the Frenchmen perceiued they could not haue their purpose, by mediation of the archbishop of Reimes, and the earle of Bollongne on the French part, and by consent of the earles of Britaine and Chester on the English part, a peace was concluded, or rather a truce to indure for thrée yeares betwixt the two kings of England and France. This agréement was made the fift daie of Iulie, and then the earles of Britaine and Chester, with Richard Marshall, came ouer into England, and rode to the king, whom they found at Mawds castell, where he remained till the worke was finished, and then in the moneth of October returned into England.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 16. 1232.]

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: An vnorderlie & presumptuous attempt.]

In this meane time no small grudge arose among the people, by reason that their churches were occupied by incumbents that were strangers, promoted by the popes and their legats, who neither instructed the people, nor could well speake anie more English than that which serued for the collection of their tithes, in somuch that for the insolencie of such imcumbents as well the Noble men and those of good reputation, as other of the meaner sort, by an vndiscréet presumption attempted a disorderlie redresse, confederating themselues togither, and taking vpon them to write and direct their letters vnto bishops and chapters, commanding them by waie of inhibition, not to séeme to interrupt those that should seize vpon the beneficed strangers, or vpon their reuenues.

[Sidenote: The superscription of their letters.]

They also tooke vpon them to write vnto such religious men and others, which were farmers vnto anie of those strangers, forbidding them to stand accountable vnto the said strangers, but to reteine the rents and profits in their hands to answer the same vnto such as they should appoint for the receipt thereof. The superscription of their letters was this. ¶ "Tali episcopo, & tali capitulo, vniuersitas eorum, qui magis volunt mori quàm à Romanis confundi, salutem." That is to say, "To such a bishop and chapter, all those which had rather die than be confounded by the Romans, send gréeting." In the seale wherewith the said letters were sealed, were two swords ingrauen.

[Sidenote: Masking threshers.]

[Sidenote: The pope complaineth to the K. in blaming him.]

This matter went so farre foorth, that there were sundrie persons armed and disguised like mummers, which enterprised not onelie to take diuerse of those strangers that were beneficed men, but also came to their barnes, threshed vp their graine, and either made sale therof, or gaue it awaie for God his sake, shewing counterfeited letters vnder the kings seale, which they had procured for their warrant, as they did pretend. At length the pope vpon complaint made vnto him of such violent doings, wrote to king Henrie, blaming him not a little for suffering such disorders to be committed within his realme, commanding him vpon paine of excommunication to cause a diligent inquirie to be had of the offenders, and to sée them sharpelie punished, to the example of others.

[Sidenote: The pope c[=o]mandeth the offenders to be accursed.]

[Sidenote: Inquisitions taken.]

Moreouer he sent letters to the bishop of Winchester, and to the abbat of saint Edmundsburie, to make the like inquisition, and to accurse all those that should be found culpable within the south parts of England, as he did to the archbishop of Yorke, to the bishop of Durham, and to an Italian named Iohn a canon of Yorke, to doo the like in the north parts, so that the offenders should remaine accursed, till they came to Rome, there to fetch their absolution. Herevpon therefore a generall inquisition was taken, as well by the king as by the bishops, and manie found guiltie, some in fact, and some in consent: amongst which number there were both bishops and chapleins to the king, with archdeacons and deanes, knights, and manie of the laitie.

[Sidenote: The earle of Kent put in blame.]

[Sidenote: Sir Robert de Twing.]

There were some shiriffes and bailiffes also, which by the kings commandement were arrested and put in prison, and diuerse of all sorts did kéepe themselues out of the waie, and would not as yet be found. In like maner, Hubert earle of Kent, lord chéefe iustice, was accused to be chiefe transgressour in this matter, as he that had giuen foorth the kings letters patents to those disguised and masking threshers, who had taken vpon them so to sequester other mens goods, whereto they had no right. There came also to the king one sir Robert de Twing, a knight of the north parts, (which named himselfe William Wetherse, and had led about a companie of the foresaid maskers) protesting that he had doone it vpon iust cause to be reuenged vpon the Romans, which went about by sentence of the pope, and manifest fraud to spoile him of the parsonage of a certeine church which he held, and therefore he said he had rather stand accursed without iust cause for a time, than to lose his benefice without due iudgement. Howbeit the king and the other commissioners counseled him in the end to go to Rome to purchase his absolution, sith he was fallen in danger of excommunication, and there to sue for his pardon in the popes consistorie. And to incourage him the better so to doo, the king wrote also in his fauour to the pope, testifieng the right which he claimed to the church, whereby at length he obteined his suit (as after ye shall heare.)

[Sidenote: _Polydor._]

[Sidenote: A parlement.]

[Sidenote: A subsidie demanded, and denied.]

[Sidenote: The bishop of Winchesters counsell giuen to the king.]

The king called a parlement at Westminster, wherein declaring what charges he had béene at diuers waies, he required to haue a subsidie granted him, for the reléefe of his want, which was flatlie denied, the Nobles and other estats excusing the pouertie amongst all degrées of men, by manie euident reasons. Herevpon the bishop of Winchester being a verie eloquent and faire-spoken man, openlie counselled the king to fauour his people, whom he had alreadie made poore and bare with continuall tributes and exactions. And if it were so that he stood in such néed as was alledged, that then he should take into his hands againe such possessions and things, which during the time of his yoong yéeres he had bestowed vpon his seruants, without any good aduised consideration, for lacke of ripe iudgement and discretion, and againe to take from certeine couetous persons, who now were become horsseleches and caterpillers in the common-wealth, all such offices as they held, and had verie much abused, causing them to yeald vp their accounts, and to vse them after the manner of sponges, so that where he had in times past made them full of moisture, he might how wring them drie, following herein the example of Vespasian. And by this means it was not to be douted but he should haue inough of his owne, without dooing iniurie to any man.

[Sidenote: The king followeth the bishop of Winchesters counsell.]

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: Ranulfe Briton, Peter de Riuales.]

The king gaue verie good eare to the bishops words, and following his counsell, caused his receiuers, treasurers, and other such as had medled with anie of his receipts to come to a reckoning. And vnderstanding by the auditors appointed to take their accounts, that the most part of them had receiued much more and by other means than they had entered into their reckoning, he compelled them to restore it out of hand with interest. Also he caused the magistrats to be called to a reckoning, and manie of them being conuicted of fraud, were condemned to make restitution. And among other Ranulfe Briton treasurer of his chamber was put beside his office, and fined at a thousand marks, in whose place was set Peter de Riuales, or after some copies de Oruiales, a Poictouin, nephue or rather sonne to the bishop of Winchester, by whose aduice the king tooke a more strait account of his officers, and often remooued such as he iudged guiltie.

[Sidenote: The earle of Kent discharged of his office of chéefe iustice.]

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: The earle of Kent taketh sanctuarie.]

[Sidenote: The citizens of London their good deuotion towards the earle of Kent.]

At the same time also, Hubert earle of Kent was deposed from the office of high iustice, and Stephan Segraue appointed in his roome. The said Hubert (bicause he refused to answer a certeine dutie which was demanded of him to the kings vse) ran so farre into his displeasure, that he durst not abide his sight, but for safegard of himselfe got him to the abbeie of Merton, and there tooke sanctuarie. The king hearing of this his demeanor, was so highlie offended withall, that he sent to the Londoners, willing them to go thither and fetch him to his presence. The Londoners, which in no wise loued him, bicause of the death of their citizen Constantine, were verie readie to accomplish this commandement, insomuch that where the maior ouernight late declared to them the effect of the kings commission, there were twentie thousand of them in armor gotten forward earlie in the morning towards Merton, in full hope now to be reuenged of him, for the small good-will that he had borne, vnto their citie heretofore.

But the king being informed by the earle of Chester and others, that if the Londoners being thus in armor, and in so great a number, should commit any other outrage by the way, the matter might grow to some such inconuenience as would not easilie be staied, he sent to them a countermand to returne backe to the citie againe, which they did, though sorie in their hearts that they might not go through with their desired enterprise. Furthermore (sée héere the mutabilitie of fortune and hir inconstancie, whereof complaint hath béene made by our forefathers time out of mind, saieng,

[Sidenote: _Ouid. lib. 2. de trist. 5._]

Passibus ambiguis fortuna volubilis errat,
Et manet in nullo certa tenáxq; loco;
Sed modò læta manet, vultus modò sumit acerbos.
Et tantùm constans in leuitate sua est.)

now that the erle of Kent was thus out of the kings fauour, there were few or none of those whome he had before béene beneficiall vnto, that shewed themselues as fréends and louers vnto him, but all forsooke & were readie to saie the worst of him, the archbishop of Dubline excepted, who yet obteined of the king respit for him to make answere vnto such things as should lawfullie be obiected against him, both for the debt which should be due to the king, and also vpon points of treason, which were now laid to his charge. ¶ Wherin we may sée what hath béene the course of the world in former ages touching fréends, who in the spring of a mans felicitie like swallowes will flie about him; but when the winter of aduersitie nippeth, like snailes they kéepe within their shels: wherevnto the poet verie well alluding, saith.

[Sidenote: _Hor. lib. car. 1. od. 35._]

----diffugiunt cadis
Cum fæce siccatis amici,
Ferre iugum pariter dolosi.

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

After this, as the said Hubert would haue gone to S. Edmundsburie in Suffolke, where his wife as then remained, he was apprehended at Burntwood in Essex, within a chappell there (as saith Fabian.) But (as Matthew Paris saith) sir Robert de Cranecombe, with thrée hundred armed men was sent to apprehend him by the kings commandement, and so he was taken in a village belonging to the bishop of Norwich in Essex, and by the kings commandement cast into prison, but yet afterwards he was reconciled to the kings fauour, when he had lien foure moneths in prison, and thirtéene moneths banished the court.

[Sidenote: A subsidie granted in a parlement holden at Lambeth.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 17.]

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: Ranulfe earle of Chester departeth this life.]

[Sidenote: Erle Ranulfe thrice maried.]

[Sidenote: This Clemence was daughter to erle Ferrers.]

In this yeare, on the exaltation of the crosse, at Lambeth, in the assemblie of the states there, a subsidie was granted to the K. of the fortith part of euerie mans goods towards the discharge of his debts which he owght to the earle of Britaine. Also in the beginning of the seauentéenth yeare of his reigne, Ranulfe earle of Chester and Lincolne departed this life the six and twentith day of October, whose bodie was buried at Chester, and his bowels at Wallingford where he died. This earle Ranulfe was thrice married, first to Constance daughter and heire to Conan earle of Britaine and Richmund, and so in right of hir was intituled earle of those two places: which Constance had béene first married vnto Geffrey the third son of king Henrie the second, by whom she had issue Arthur (as before yée haue heard.) But by earle Ranulfe she had no issue at all, but was from him diuorced, and afterwards married vnto Guy vicount de Towars. Then after earle Ranulfe was so diuorsed from the said Constance, he married a ladie named Clemence, and after hir deceasse, he married the third time the ladie Margaret, daughter to Humfrey de Bohun earle of Hereford and Essex, constable of England.

[Sidenote: The partition of his lands.]

Howbeit he neuer had issue by any of those his wiues, so that Iohn Scot his nephue by his sister Mawd succéeded him in the earldome of Chester, and William Dalbenie earle of Arundell, nephue to him by his sister Mabell, had the manour of Barrow, and other lands that belonged to the said Ranulfe, of the yerelie value of fiue hundred pounds. Robert Quincie, he that married his sister Hauisa, had the earledome of Lincolne, and so of a baron became an earle who had issue by his wife, Margerie countesse of Lincolne, that was maried to Edmund Lacie earle of Lincolne. William earle Ferrers and of Darbie, that had married Agnes, sister to the said Ranulfe, had the castell and manour of Chartley, togither with other lands for his pourpart.

[Sidenote: This Roger Lacie is surnamed Helle.]

Here is also to be remembred, that the afore mentioned earle Ranulfe (or Randulfe whether ye list to call him) atchieued manie high enterprises in his time, as partlie in this booke ye haue alreadie heard: he held sore warres against the Welshmen, till at length an agréement was concluded betwixt him and Leolin prince of Wales. I remember I haue read in an old record, that vpon a time as this earle passed into Wales with an armie, his chance was to be ouerset by the Welshmen, so that he was driuen to retire into a castell, wherein the Welshmen did besiege him. And as it fortuned at that time, Roger Lacie the constable of Chester was not then with him, but left behind at Chester to sée the citie kept in order (for as it should séeme, their solemne plaies which commonlie are vsed at Whitsuntide were then in hand, or else their faire which is kept at Midsummer.)

Wherefore the earle sent a messenger in all possible hast vnto his constable, praieng him with spéed to come to his succour in that extreame point of necessitie. Lacie made no delaie, but assembling all the forreners, plaiers, musicians, and others which he could find within that citie fit to weare armor, went foorth with them, and in most spéedie maner marched toward the castell, where the Welshmen kept the earle besieged, who now perceiuing such a multitude of men comming towards them, incontinentlie left the siege and fled awaie. The earle then being thus deliuered out of that present danger, came foorth of the castell, returned with his constable vnto Chester, and in recompense of that seruice, gaue vnto his said constable Roger Lacie, the rule, order, and authoritie ouer all the forreners, plaiers, musicians, and other strangers resorting to Chester at the time, when such publike plaies (or else faire) should be kept & holden.

Iohn Lacie the sonne of the said Roger married Alice the daughter of Gilbert de Aquila, and after hir deceasse, he married the ladie Margaret, the daughter of Robert Quincie earle of Lincolne, of whom he begat Edmund Lacie constable of Chester, which Edmund after the deceasse of his father, married Alice the daughter of the marquesse of Saluces in Italie, which ladie was surnamed the quéene, of whom he begat Henrie Lacie earle of Lincolne, which Henrie married the ladie Margaret, daughter to William Long espée earle of Salisburie, by whom he had two sons, Edmund and Iohn, and two daughters, Alice and Ioan, which Alice Thomas earle of Lancaster married, who claimed and had the same rights and priuileges which ancientlie belonged to the said Roger Lacie, and other the constables of Chester, concerning the fines of forreners and others. ¶ This haue I the more willinglie declared, that it may appeare in what estimation and credit the Lacies constables Chester by inheritance liued in their time, of whose high valiancie, and likewise of other of that familie, highlie commended for their noble chiualrie in martiall enterprises ye may read in sundrie histories at large.

[Sidenote: The earle of Kent kept in prison within the castell of Vées.]

But now to returne and speake of other dooings, which chanced about the time in which the said Ranulfe earle of Chester departed this life. The king in the meane while seized into his hands a great portion of the treasure which Hubert de Burgh earle of Kent had committed to the kéeping of the templers. But whereas there were that trauelled to haue had him put to death, the king in respect of the seruice which he had doone to him and to his predecessors king Richard and king Iohn, granted him life, with those lands which he had either by purchase, or by gift of king Iohn, but neuertheless he caused him to be kept in frée prison at the castell of the Vées, vnder the custodie of foure knights belonging to the earles of Cornewall, Warren, Penbroke, and Ferrers, which foure earles were become suerties for him.

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: A great thunder.]

[Sidenote: 1233.]

[Sidenote: A wet summer.]

[Sidenote: Foure sunnes beside the accustomed sun.]

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._]

[Sidenote: A strange woonder.]