Chapter IV: Part 4

And sithe now late the noble prince[112] Henry the v^{te}. how in his daies, withyn the space of .vij. yere and .xv. daies, thoroughe sieges lieng, [[113] wan the towne of Harflete bethyn .xl. days, made Thomas Beauford then erle Dorset hys oncle capteyn of yt. And the seyd erle made ser John Fastolfe chevaler his lieutenaunt wyth M^l.v^c soudeours, and the baron of Carew, wyth .xxxiij. knyghtys, contynuelly defended the seyd toune ayenst the myghty power of Fraunce by the space of one yere and half aftyr the seyd prince Herry. v^{te}. departed from Hareflue. And the seyd towne was beseged by the Frenshe partye by lond and also by see, wyth a grete navye of carekys, galeyes, and shyppis off Spayne, tille that yn the meene tyme Johan duc of Bedfor(d), the erle of Marche your moste noble antecessour, accompanyed wyth many other nobles, wyth a puissaunt armee of shypps, fought wyth the carrekys and shypps lyeng at Seyn hede before Hareflue, were {16} taken and many one sleyn and drowned; and so vyttailled Harflue yn grete famyn, that a wreched cowys hede was solde for vj s. viij d. sterling, and the tong for xl d., and dyed of Englysh soudeours mo then v^c. yn defaut of sustenaunce. And the second voyage after wythynne the tyme before seyd Johan erle of Hontyndon was made cheif admyralle of a new armee to rescue Harflue, beseged of the new wyth a grete navy of shyppys and carekys of the Frenshe partye, [which] were foughten wyth and ovyrcom throw myghty fyghtyng; and of the new vitailled Hareflue, the seyd erle Dorset then beyng yn England at the Emperour comyng hedre, called Sygemondus. I briefly title thys incident to th'entent not to be foryete how suche tweyn myghety batailles were foughten uppon the see bethyn one yere and half, and how the seyd toune of Hareflue was deffended and kept ayenst the puyssaunt power of Fraunce beseged as yt were by the seyd tyme; and as for wache and ward yn the wynter nyghtys I herd the seyd ser Johan Fastolfe sey that every man kepyng the scout wache had a masty hound at a lyes, to berke and warne yff ony adverse partye were commyng to the dykes or to aproche the towne for to scale yt. And the seyd prince Herry v^{the},[114]] albeit that it consumed gretlie his peple, and also by batailes yeveng, conquerid [the towne of Harflete[114]], and wanne bothe the saide Duchie of Normandie first and after the Roiaume of Fraunce, conquerid and broughte in subjeccion and wanne be his gret manhode, withe the noble power of his lordis and helpe of his comonys, and so overleid the myghtie roialle power of Fraunce be the seide sieges lieng, first in his first viage at Harflete, and in the second viage he made manly besegid Cane, the cite of Rone, Falleise, Argenten, Maunt, Vernonsurseyne, Melun, Meulx, Enbrie, and at many other castellis, forteressis, citeis, and townes to long to rehers. Also had gret batailes on the see ayenst many grete carekkis and gret shippes that beseiged Hareflue after it was Englisshe. And had a gret discomfiture at the bataile of Agincourt in the yere of Crist M^l.iiij^cxv. {17} at his first viage, where many dukes, erlis, lordis, and knightis were slaine and take prisoneris that bene in remembraunce at this day of men yet livyng. And after allied hym to the Frenshe king Charlis .vj.^{te} is doughter, because of whiche alliaunce gret part of the roiaume of Fraunce were yolden unto hym his obeisaunce. And now also in the said noble conquest hathe be kepte undre the obediaunce of Englisshe nacion from the begynnyng of the said late conquest by .xxxv. yeris be continued and kept by roialle power, as first be the noble and famous prince Johan duke of Bedforde, regent and governoure of the roiaume of Fraunce by .xiij. yeris, with the eide and power of the noble lordis of this lande, bothe youre said royaume of Fraunce and duchie of Normandie was kept and the ennemies kept ferre of in gret subjeccion.

[Sidenote: Joh'es dux Bedforde.]

How that in Johan duke of Bedforde tyme be his lieutenaunt erle of Salisburie had the victorie at the batelle of Cravant.

[Sidenote: Bellum de Cravant.]

[Sidenote: Thomas Montagu comes Sarum.]

[Sidenote: Will's Pole comes Suff'.]

[Sidenote: Dominus Willughby.]

[Sidenote: Vindicatio mortis ducis Clarenciae.]

[Sidenote: Secunda vice punicio mortis ducis Clarenciae.]

In profe wherof how and in the first yere of the reigne of king Harry the sixt, at whiche tyme his seide uncle toke uppon hym the charge and the name of Regent of the roiaume of Fraunce, that had the victorie at the bateile of Cravant, where as at that tyme Thomas Montagu the noble erle of Salisburie, the erle of Suffolke, the marchalle of Bourgoine, the lord Willoughebie, withe a gret power of Phelip the duke of Bourgoine is host, holding the partie of the said Johan regent of Fraunce, duc of Bedford, withe the eide and help of the trew subgettis of this lande, had the overhande of the ennemies assembled to the nombre of .ix. M^l. Frenshemen and Scottis at the said bataile of Cravant in the duchie of Bourgoine, where there were slayne of the ennemies to the nombre of .iiij. M^l., beside .ij. M^l. prisonneris take, of whiche gret part of them were Scottis, the erle Bougham being chief capitein over them;[115] which late before were the cause of the male-infortuned journey at Bougee, where the famous {18} and victorious knight Thomas duc of Claraunce, youre nere cousyn, for the right of Fraunce, withe a smale company of his side, withe the Scottis to a grete nombre there assembled among hem in the feelde, was slayn, withe many a noble lorde, baron, knightis, squyers of Englond, that never so gret an overthrow of lordes and noble bloode was seene in no mannys daies as it was then. Aboute the nombre of .ij^c. l. cote-armes slaine and take prisoneris as yt was seyd, be the saide Scottis holding withe youre adverse party of Fraunce, whiche God of his infinite goodenes sone after at the saide batelle [of] Cravant, and after at the bateile of Vernell, was sent a chastisement upon the saide Scottis for theire cruelltie vengeable and mortelle dethe of the said victorious prince, duke of Claraunce, and of other of his noble lordis and knightis.

How Johan duke of Bedforde had yn his owne parsone the batelle of Vernelle.

[Sidenote: 1423.]

[Sidenote: Batelle of Cravant.]

[Sidenote: Batelle of Vernoyle.]

[Sidenote: 1424.]

Also in the said daies, sone after the saide batelle of Cravant, in the yere of Crist M^l.iiij^c.xxiij., the .iij. yere of King Harry the sext, the .xvij. day of August, the said Johan duke of Bedford had a gret discomfiture and the victorie upon your adversaries of Fraunce and of Scottis at the batelle of Vernelle in Perche, where as Johan cleping hym duc of Alaunson, lieutenaunt for the Frenshe partie, was take prisoner that day, and the said erle Bougham of Scotlonde, marchalle of Fraunce, whiche was cause of that noble prince Thomas duke of Claraunce dethe, was in the said bataile overthrow and sleyne, and the erle Douglas made duc of Tourayne, aswelle as his sonne and heire that was in the feelde at Shrewisburie ayenst king Henry the .iiij^{the}, and another tyme being ayenst the said Johan duc of Bedford at Homeldonhille in Scotlond, was also slaine at the said batelle, withe many other grete lordis of the Frenshe partie slayne and taken prisoneris at the said bataile. {19}

How that the grettir part of the counte of Mayne, the cite of Mauns, withe many other castellis, were yolden.

[Sidenote: Mayn.]

[Sidenote: Redempcio Joh'is dicentis [se] ducem de Allunson pro .clx. M^{l}. salux bene solutis ultra alia onera suarum expensarum.]

And, overmore, not long after, youre auncien enheritaunce in the counte of Mayne, the cite of Maunce, conquerid and brought be the said regent duc of Bedforde, withe the power of his lordis and helpers, in subgeccion, [by the erle of Salysbery, lord Scalys, ser John Fastalf, ser John Popham, ser N. Mongomery, ser Wylliam Oldhalle, chevalers, and many othyr noble men of worshyppe.[116]] And whiche counte of Mayne was accustomed sithen to be in value yerely to the eide and helpe of the werres of Fraunce, and to the releve of the kyng ys subgettis obeisauntes lyvyng uppon the werre for the furtheraunce of that conquest, .x. M^l. li. sterlinges. Also the said regent of Fraunce, with the power of youre noble bloode and lordes, wanne the feeld at the forseid grete bataile of Vernelle in Perche ayenst the power of the Frenshe adverse party of Fraunce, being assembled to the nombre of .xl. M^l. fighters of the Frenshe partie; and there Johan cleping hymsilf duke of Alaunson, lieutenaunt to Charles the .vij. calling hym Frenshe king, taken prisonner, withe many other lordis, barons, and knightes, and noble men of worship, whiche paied to the said regent duc of Bedforde for his raunson and finaunce allone .clx. M. salux, beside his other grete costis and charges, whiche was a gret relief and socoure to the eide of the conquest, whiche bataile was in the yere of Crist M^l.iiij^c.xxiiij., the seyd .iij^d. yere of the reigne of king Henry sext.

[Sidenote: Nota bene pro titulo Regis Henrici sexti.]

How that Henry the sext was crouned king be the might of grete lordes.

[Sidenote: Coronatio Regis Henrici sexti.]

[Sidenote: De magna fama regni Angliae tempore regis Hen. vi^{th}]

And he also, for a gret act of remembraunce to be had in writing, was crouned king of Fraunce in the noble citee of Paris, in the yere of Crist M^l.iiij^c.xxix., the .ix. yere of his reigne, withe right gret solennyte amongis the lordis spirituelle and temporelle, and be the gret mighte and power, as well in goodes and richesse, of his graunt {20} oncle Henry cardinalle of Englande, byshop of Wynchester, and by the gret mighte and power of his uncle Johan regent of the roiaum of Fraunce, duc of Bedforde, being present at that tyme to their grettist charge and cost to resist theire gret adversarie of Fraunce calling hym Dolphin. For sethen the roiaume of Englonde first began to be inhabite withe peple was never so worshipfulle an act of entreprise done in suche a case, the renoume of which coronacion spradde thoroughe alle cristen kingis roiaumes.

[Sidenote: A courageous recomfortyng.]

[Sidenote: Exortacio militaris.]

O then ye most noble and cristen prince, for notwithestanding gret conquestis and batailes had in the said roiaume be the famous knight king Edwarde the thrid, he never atteyned to that souvraine honoure but by valiauntnes of Englishe men, whiche have in prowes avaunced hem, and governed so nobly as is before briefly historied and specified, be youre saide noble, puissaunt, and vailaunt progenitours in divers regions, and inespecialle in Fraunce and Normandie, and in the duchie of Gascoigne and Guyen, that this sodenly wern put oute of by usurpacion ayenst alle trouthe and knyghthode. Now therfore, in repairing this undew intrusion uppon yow, mantelle, fortifie, and make yow strong ayenst the power of youre said adversaries of Fraunce. For now it is tyme to clothe you in armoure of defense ayenst youre ennemies, withe the cotes of armes of youre auncien feernesse, haveng in remembraunce the victorious conquestis of youre noble predecessours, the whiche clothing many histories, cronicles, and writinges witnessithe moo than myn simple entendement can not suffice to reherse in this brief epistle.

Of the noblesse of Ectour and other mighty kinges of Grece.

[Sidenote: Nota de exemplis aliorum nobilium.]

[Sidenote: Hector.]

[Sidenote: Agamemnon.]

[Sidenote: Ulixes.]

[Sidenote: Hercules.]

[Sidenote: 1. j.]

[Sidenote: 2. ij.]

[Sidenote: 3. iij.]

And also let be brought to mynde to folow the steppis in conceitis of noble courage of the mighty dedis in armes of the vaillaunt knight Hector of Troy, whiche bene enacted in the siege of Troy for a perpetuelle remembraunce of chevalrie [that your noblesse ys decended of[117]]. Also of the dedis in armes of Agamemnon the {21} puissaunt king of Greece, that thoroughe cruell and egre werre ayenst the Trojens bethin .x. yere day conquerid the gret cite of Troie. In like wise of the famous knight Ulixes, that alle his daies dispendid in marciall causis. And of the .xij. puissaunt entreprinses and aventurous dedis that Hercules, as it is figured and made mencion in the vij^{the} metre of the .v. booke of Boecius, toke uppon hym, putting himself frome voluptuouse delites and lustis, being subget to grete laboure, wynnyng renomme and worship; whiche .xij. entreprinses of Hercules, albeit it be thought [but a poesye[118]] impossible to any mortalle man to doo or take uppon hym, as for to bereffe the skyn of the rampant lion, wrestlid withe Antheus and Poliphemus, the gret giauntes, and hym overthrew, he slow the serpent clepit Ydra, made tame the proude beestis clepid Centaurus, that be of halfe man and halfe best, and many soche wonderfulle entreprises as is wreten that Hercules did, whiche is writen in figure of a poesy for to courage and comfort alle othre noble men of birthe to be victorious in entreprinses of armes. And how, in conclusion, that there is no power, puissaunce, ne strenght, who so lust manly [wyth prudens[118]] put forthe hymsilf may resist and withestande ayenst such gret entreprises.

How a conquerour shulde use in especialle thre thinges.

[Sidenote: A conqueroure shuld use iij thinges.]

[Sidenote: j.]

[Sidenote: ij.]

And, as Vegecius in his booke of Chevalrie counceilithe that a conquerour shulde use thre thinges in especialle whiche the Romains used, and alle that tyme they had the victorie of here ennemies, that is to wete, The first was science, that is forto undrestonde prudence, to seene before the remedies of bonchief, or the contrarie; The second was exercitacion and usage in dedis of armes, that they might be apte and redie to bataille whan necessite fille; the thrid was naturalle love that a prince shulde have to his peple, as doing his trew diligence to doo that may be to the comon wele of his peple, whiche is to be undrestonde in the executing of justice egallie. And for to kepe them in tranquillite and pece within hemsilfe.

{22}

[Sidenote: Menne of noblenesse shuld lefe sensualites and delites.]

How men of noblesse ought lefe sensualitees and delites.

Let it no lenger be suffred to abide rote, no forto use the pouder and semblaunce of sensualite and idille delites, for Water Malexander seiethe, that voluptuous delitis led be sensualite be contrarie to the exercising and haunting of armes. Wherfor, like and after the example of the boore whiche knowethe not his power, but foryetithe his strenghte tille he be chafed and see his owne bloode, in like wise put forthe youre silf, avaunsing youre corageous hertis to werre, and late youre strenght be revyved and waked ayen, furious, egre, and rampanyng as liouns ayenst alle tho nacions that soo without title of right wolde put you frome youre said rightfulle enheritaunce. And where is a more holier, parfiter, or a juster thing than in youre adversary is offence and wrong-doing to make hym werre in youre rightfull title, where as none other moenys of pease can be hadde. And therfore considering be this brief declaracion that youre right and title in alle this royaumes and contrees is so opyn--

[Sidenote: Mentio brevis de titulo ducatus Normandiae.]

Here is briefly made mencion of the first title of Normandie, and how frely it holdithe.

[Sidenote: Nota pro titulo ducatus Normanniae.]

[Sidenote: Richardus dux Normandiae cepit in bello Lodovicum regem Franciae, qui resingnavit totum titulum Ricardo de ducatu predicto.]

[Sidenote: ccccc.^{th}xxx.v^{te}.]

[Sidenote: Arma ducatus illius.]

For as youre first auncien right and title in youre duchie of Normandie, it is knowen thoroughe alle cristen landes, and also of highe recorde by many credible bookis of olde cronicles and histories, that William Conqueroure descendid frome duc Rollo, after cristned and called Roberd, that came out of Dennemarke aboute the yere of Crist .ix^c.xij., was righte duke of Normandie by yeft of Charlys the symple, king of Fraunce, [who] maried his doughter to Rollo and gave hym the saide ducdome. And after Richarde due of Normandie, in the yere of Crist .ix^c.xlv. in plaine batelle before the cite of Rone toke Lowes king of Fraunce prisoner, and the said Lowes relesid the seide dukedom to the said Richarde and to alle his successours to holde frely in souvereinte and resort of none creature but of God, as in act therof is made mencion that was sene and rad uppon this writing. {23} And after the said William Conquerour being king of Englond, of whome ye and youre noble progenitours bene descendid and entitled this .v^c.xxxv. yere, and beere in armes by the saide duchie of Normandie in a feelde of gulis .ij. libardis of golde.

[Sidenote: Nota de tempore quo Rex Angliae intitulatus ducatui de Angew et comitatui Mayne.]

How long the king is entitled to the righte enheritaunce of Angew and Mayne.

[Sidenote: Matildis filia et heres Henrici primi copulata fuit imperatori, et quo mortuo copulata fuit Galfrido Plantagenet, et ex ea Henricus .ij. natus est.]

[Sidenote: 1127.]

[Sidenote: Angew. Nota, pro titulo ducat' Andegav'.]

And that as for youre next enheritaunce that fille to youre seide progenitoures and to you in the duchie of Anjou and countee of Mayne and Tourayne, it is also notorily knowen among alle cristen princes and be parfit writing how that dame Maude, whiche was doughter and soule heire to that puissaunt king Henry the first, that after she weddid was to the emperoure of Almayne; after his decese the saide Maude emperesse was maried the yere of Crist .M^l.cxxvij. to Geffry Plantagenest son to Fouke king of Jherusalem, that was erle of Anjou, of Mayne, and Toreyne, by whome the saide Maude had issue that most famous king in renome Henry the seconde, whiche be right of his moder Maude was right king and enheritoure of Englonde, also duke of Normandie seisid. And be right of his foresaide father Geffrey Plantagenet was bethout any clayme or interupcion right enheritour and seisid of the said countee of Anjou, Mayne, Toreyne continued this .iij^c.xlvij. yer. [And the noble actys of the seyd erles of Angew wyth her lynealle dessentys ben wryten yn the cronicles called _Ymago historiarum_ that maister Raffe de Diceto dene of Poulys yn seynt Thomas Canterbery days wrote notablye. And therfore the armys of the noble erlys that for her prowesse were chosen king of Jerusalem wold be worshypped, because yowr hyghnes ys descended of the eyr masle, that ys to wete of Geffry Plantagenest erle of Angew, and the countee of Mayne by maryage was unyoned to the erledom of Angew to longe to wryte.[119]]

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[Sidenote: Gyen.]

Here is made mencion of the title of Gascoigne and Guien, and how long agoo passed possessid.

[Sidenote: Nota, pro titulo Vasconiae.]

[Sidenote: M^{l}.cxxxvij.]

[Sidenote: Alienora et Aliciae filiae et heredes Will'mi ducis Guion.]

[Sidenote: Nota, divortio facta inter regem Franciae et Alienoram.]

[Sidenote: Henricus ij^{d'} Angliae rex superduxit Alienoram filiam et heredem Willielmi ducis de Guien circa M.cxlvj^{ad}]

[Sidenote: Nota pro titulo Henrici ij.]

[Sidenote: Nota bene, Karolus vij rex Fraunciae primo intrusionem fecit in ducatum Normanniae, Gascon, Guion, etc. circa annum M^{l}iiij^clj.]

And than for to be put in remembraunce of youre auncien enheritaunce, verray right and title in youre duchies of Gascoigne and Guien, withe the countrees, baronnyees and seignouries therto belonging. It is in like fourme knowen of highe recorde, enacted in divers cronicles, as amongis many other historialle bookis of auctorite, that aboute the yere of Crist .M^l.cxxxvij. William the duke of Guien died bethout heire masle, uppon his voiage he made to seint James, havyng .ij. doughters and heires, called Alienore, the second Alice, and king Lowes of Fraunce in his yong age, by the agrement of Lowys le gros his father, spoused the said Alienor, to whome the said duchie was hole enheriter. And after the said king Lowes came to yeris of discretion, the archebisshoppis of Sens, of Rayns, of Rone, and of Burdeux, withe others barouns, made relacion to the said king Lowes that the saide Alienor was so neere of his blode that he might not laufullie be the chirche kepe her to wiffe, so be theire counceile they bothe were departed laufully, and the said king Lowes maried after that Constance the king of Spayne doughter. And the said Alienor the duches of Gascoigne and Guien went to Burdeux. Than came the forsaid king Harry the seconde of Englande, that was the Erle of Anjou is sonne and heire, and wedded the said Alienor about the yere of Crist M^l.cxlvj. by whome he was duke of Gascoigne and Guien, and his heires after hym, of whom ye bene descended and come right downe. And the said king Henry the seconde bare in armes frome that day forthe the saide libarde of golde withe the other two libardis of the same that is borne for Duke of Normandie. So in conclusion he was, be right of his moder dame Maude, the empresse, king of Englonde and duke of Normandie, and, be right of his father Geffry Plantagenest, erle of Anjou and of Mayne and Torayne; be right of his wiffe dame Alienor, duke of Guien; of whiche duchie of Gascoigne and Guien your noble {25} progenitours have continually be possessid and seased of, this .iij^c.xxviij. yere complete, tille that by intrusion of youre said adversarie Charlis the vij^{the}. of Fraunce have disscasid yow in or about the monithe of June the yere of Crist M^l.iiij^c.lj., as he hathe late done of youre enheritaunce of Fraunce and Normandie and of the counte of Mayne, thoroughe umbre of the said fenied colour of trewes, ayenst alle honoure and trouthe of knighthode.

How the historier procedithe in his matier of exhortacion.

[Sidenote: Nota bonum concilium.]

[Sidenote: Magister Alanus de Auriga dicit.]

And for to think to alle cristen nacions for to fight in bataile if the cas require it soo, that youre said enheritaunce can not be recuverid by none other due meane of pease, bothe for youre defens for the recuverey of youre roiaume of Fraunce, duchie of Normandie, and sithen sone after the duchie of Gascoigne, that alle cristen princes opynly may know it is youre verray true enheritaunce, and for salvacion of youre enheritaunce by undew menys lost; for that yt ys wryten by [maister Aleyn Chareter, _id est_ de Auriga, in hys boke of Quadrilogue, secretaire to Charlys le bien amee, the yere of Crist .1422. yn thys termys: "Ayenst Herry the .v^{th}., named kyng," yn provokyng the adverse partye to werre ayenst the seyd king Herry. How[120]] the famous clerke of eloquence Tullius seithe in his booke of retherique that, like as a man recevethe his lyving in a region or in a countree, so is he of naturall reason bounde to defende it; and law of nature, as welle as law imperiall whiche is auctorised by popis and emperours, wol condescend and agre to the same. Also Caton affirmithe withe the said Tullie. Therfor late not this gret and importune losses now by infortune and of over grete favoure and trust put to youre adversaries, fallen ayenst this lande undre the umbre and coloure of trewes and abstinence of werre late hadde and taken at Towris atwixen Charlis the .vij^{th}. youre adversaire of Fraunce and your predecessour {26} Harry the sext, and now uppon the exercise and usaige of bataile and left by so little a tyme, forto discomfort or fere to a new recovere. Not so: God defende that! for the famous poet Ovide seiethe that who so levithe the pursute and foloweing of good fortune for one mysaventure, it shalle never come to hym. And namely the said Water Malexander agreithe hym to the same saieng, and affermyng that good courages of hertis be not mynissed, broken, ne lessid for disusage and levyng armes for a litille season, nether for sodeyn recountres and hasty comyng on, be force of whiche one mysadventure may folow.

[Sidenote: Nota quod pro defectu excercicii armorum mala sequentur exercitui Romanorum.]

How for the defaute of exercise of armes the gret nombre of Romains were scomfited by men of Cartage.

[Sidenote: Syr Alanus de Auriga.]

[Sidenote: Notand' est.]

[Sidenote: Nota de cede Romanorum.]

[Sidenote: Nota de annulis inventis super digitos Romanorum occisorum.]

A, mercifulle God! what was the losses of the Romayns, whiche in defaute and by negligence lost by a litille tyme left the exercise of armes was fulle gret ayenst the doughty men of Cartage, whan alle the puissaunce of the Romains were assembled in bataile, where that were so many noble men and coragious peple, the whiche were innumerable, assembled and joyned in bataile, that men say was betwene Camos and Hanibal prince of Cartage, the whiche discomfit before duke Camos in Puylle be suche power that the ringis of golde take frome the fingers of ded bodies of the said Romains, whiche were men of price and renomme, and Titus Livius seiethe in his booke of Romayne batailes were extendid and mesurid to the quantite of mesure of .xij. quarters or more, whiche Hanibal brought withe hym to his countre of Cartage in signe of victorie.

[Sidenote: Nota de experiencia armorum ex parte Romanorum.]

How after the seide gret descomfiture that a few nombre of Romans expert in werre (_unfinished_)

But the worthy Romains, for alle that, left not the hope and trust of recovering on another day, whan God lust, onnere and fortune, theyme so exercised daily armes, [and] after accustumyng hem ayene {27} to werre, were by experience lerned and enhardid, that, as by the exorting and comforting of one of theire princes, he assembled another time in bataile ayenst the litille residue that were left of the said Romayns, and by subtile craft of wise policie and good conduyt in actis of werre they fille and tooke uppon theym and charged theym so moche that by unware of theire purveiaunce met withe the said Haniballe at certen streightes and narow places fille into the handis of Romains, to the gret discomfiture and destruccion of Haniballe his gret oost of Cartage.

[Sidenote: Exercitium armorum excedit divicias.]

How men of armes welle lerned and excercised is of a grettir tresoure then any precious stones or riche tresour.

Dame Cristen saiethe in the first booke of the Tree of Batailes that there is none erthely thing more forto be allowed than a countre or region whiche be furnisshed and stored withe good men of armes well lerned and exercited; for golde, silver, ne precious stones surmountethe not ne conquerithe not ennemies, nother in time of pease wardithe the peple to be in rest, the whiche thing a puissaunt man in armes dothe.

How a few nombre of the Romains that were expert and connyng in the werre descomfited .c.iiij^{xx}.M^l. of Frenshemen that the prince of hem tolde and set right litille by.

[Sidenote: Magister Alanus de Auriga. Id est compilam de libro suo.]

[Sidenote: In multitudine gencium non consistit victoria, ut infra. Nota bene.]

[Sidenote: Averaunces. D'n's Talbot. D'n's Fauconberge. Harflete.]

[Sidenote: J. dux Som', Ed's Dors'. Cane.]

[Sidenote: Fastolf. Harynton.]

[Sidenote: Nota bene et applica.]

Also ye may consider by example of king Bituitus of the countre of Gaule clepid Fraunce, the whiche went ayenst the Romains withe an hondred and fourescore thousande men of armes; and he saw so few a companie of the Romains comyng that he despraised hem, and seid of gret pride that there were not inoughe of the Romains for to fede the doggis of his oost: neverthelesse, that few company were so welle excersised and lerned in armes that there were ynoughe whiche overcome and destroied the said king of Gaule and alle his gret {28} oost; whiche storie may be verified in every bataile or journay atwix youre adversarie of Fraunce and youre predecessoures entreprises this .xxxv. yeres that continued in possession frome king [named[121]] Henry the .v. is conquest till it was lost: for at the bataile of Agincourt descomfited by seid king Henry the .v.^{th} [wyth a few nomber.[121]] And at the bataile of the see ayenst the carrakes descomfited by Johan duke of Bedforde and the erle of the Marche being principalle cheveteins also in that bataile [wyth a few nombre yn comparison of the grete Frensh navye.[121]] Also at the journay of Kedecause descomfited be Thomas Beauforde erle Dorset after was duke of Eccestre; [the erle of Armonak conestable of Fraunce beyng aboute x.M^l fyghtyng men ayenst aboute .ix^c. accompanyed wyth the erle Dorset.[121]] Also at the bataile of Cravaunt descomfited by [Johan duc of Bedford as by hys lieutenaunt[121]] Thomas Montague the erle of Salisbury and Roberd [lord[121]] Willugheby chiefeteynes. And at the bataile of Vernelle fought and descomfited by Johan regent duke of Bedforde, the said erle of Salisbury and the erle of Suffolke, [lord Wyllughby, lord Pownynnys, ser John Fastolf, and many other noble men yn armys.[121]] Also at the bataylle of Roveraye foughte [ayenst the bastard of Burbon, the bastard of Orlyance,[121]] be ser Johan Fastolfe, ser Thomas Rempstone, chiefteins, upon the vitailing the siege of Orliaunce. Also at the rescue of the cite [of] Averaunces fought by Edmonde duke of Somerset and the erle of Shrewisburie and lorde Fauconberge chiefeteins. And at the second wynnyng of Hareflete fought [beseged[121]] by Johan duke of Somerset, by Edmund erle of Dorset, and the erle of Shrewisbury, at the rescue of Cane fought by ser Johan Fastolfe and ser Richarde Harington, and his felouship, [ayenst .xxx.M^l. men.[121]] And so in many other [sodeyn jorneys and[121]] sharpe recountres sodenly met and foughten, to long to write here. And also for the gret part at any maner bataile, journey, enterprise, [seges,[121]] and rescuse of places, it hathe bene alway seen that the power of Fraunce have be in nombre of peple assembled ayenst youre power {29} by double so many, or by the thrid part, yet youre right and title have bene so goode and fortunat, and men so well lernid and exercised in armes, that withe few peple have descomfited the gret multitude of your adverse partie.

How Vegesse in his Booke of Chevalrie also gretly recomendithe exercise in men of armes.

[Sidenote: Vegescius de re militari.]

O then, seith Vegecius in his Booke of Chevalrie, therbe none that knowethe the gret merveilles and straunge aventures of armes and knighthode, the whiche be comprehendid and nombred in dedis of armes, to tho that be exercised in suche labouris of armes, that withe wise conduyt prudently can aventure and hardely take uppon theym such sodein entreprinses on hande.

[Sidenote: Animacio.]

[Sidenote: Concideracio.]

O then, ye noble Englisshe chevalrie, late it no mervaile be to yow, in lessing youre courage ne abating of your hardiesse, they that ye renew youre coragious hertis to take armes and entreprinses, seeing so many good examples before yow of so many victorius dedis in armes done by youre noble progenitoures, and that it hathe be a thing to moche left discorage you not; for, thoughe that ye were in renomme accepted alleway withe the most worthi as in dede of armes, but now at this time ye ben take and accepted in suche marcialle causes that concernithe werre on the left hande, as withe the simplest of price and of reputacion. And it is to suppose that it is rather in defaute of exercising of armes left this .xxiiij. yere day that the londes were lost, thoroughe the said coloure of trewes, and for lak of good provisions bothe of artillery and ordenaunce for the werre and soudeyng to be made in dew season, and for singuler covetice reignyng among some peple endowed with worldly goodes, that can not depart but easily withe finaunce [wagyng[122]] and soulde theim in tyme of nede, then for defaut of good corage and manhode, whiche is to deme werre never feerser ne corageouser to dedis of armes, so they may be cherished and avaunced therafter, as ben at this day.

{30}

How dame Cristen counceilithe to make true paimentis to sowdieris.

[Sidenote: Hic nota optime pro solucione soldariorum.]

[Sidenote: Nota concilium.]

[Sidenote: Nota bene, ne forte.]

For ye shalle rede in the first part of the Arbre of Batailes, where dame Cristen exhortithe and counceilithe that every chieftein and capiteyne of men of armes ought to have goode paimentis and sewre for assignacion of paiment for his sowdieris for so long tyme that he trustithe to endure and be souded in that voiage and armes; for to that singlerly before thing alle chieveteyns shulde have regarde, by as moche as it is the principalle and chief cause of the good spede and conduit of here entreprise, and the undoing and mischief of it [the contrarye[123]], if the paimentis be not duely made to the soudeours; for late it be put in certein that no cheveteyn can not have ne kepe long tyme good men of armes eville paied or long delaied, but discoragethe them as sone as paiment failethe, and takethe theire congie and licence of theire prince, if they can have licence, orellis they departethe bethout licence. And also of overmoche trust and avauntage gyven to your adversaries be this dissimiled trewes as otherwise. And also when that the cheveteins take more kepe to good than to worship [and] using justice. And as welle as in defaute of largesse to youre obeissauntes, not rewarding ne cherisshing youre obeissauntes subgettis yolden and sworne stedfastly abiding under your obeissaunce, but suffring them to be oppressid and charged unduely in divers wises, as well by over gret taskis and tailis rered uppon them, and therto they finding bothe horsmete and mannysmete to youre soudeours riding be the contre without contenting or agreing hem, becaus of nompower of youre said men ben not paide of here wages and soude, by lak of simple payment [caused the rather the ducdom of Normandy to be lost.[123]]

[Sidenote: Nota peroptimum concilium istud.]

[Sidenote: Inquiratur pro libro illo, bonum est.]

[Sidenote: Nota bene, ne forte.]

[Sidenote: Nota bene.]

[Sidenote: Dux Bedfordiae.]

[Sidenote: Nota bene.]

[Sidenote: Exhortacio.]

[Sidenote: Nota bene.]

[Sidenote: Exhortacio ad observandum ordinacionem principis in bello.]

[Sidenote: Verba m'ri Alani de Auriga.]

And the same dame Cristen in the .xiiij. chapiter seiethe that a noble good cheveteyn, whiche wolbe a leder of a felowship in werre, he must use justice to Goddis pleasure; and that he may stand in the grace and favoure of the worlde, and of his retenu and {31} of other peple undre hym, that the said chieftein must pay his men of soude so justly and truly, bethout any defalking [or] abbregging of here wagis, that they have no nede to lyve by pillage, extorcion, and rapyn uppon the countreis of here frendis that be yolden undre obeisaunce of here prince. And be this way the ost may never faut, for then the ost shalbe furnished of alle costis coostis[124] commyng withe vitailes inoughe; so that it be provided that marchauntes and vitailers may surely passe and come, and that a payne resonable be made, that uppon forfeiting that payne no man take vitaile beforce without payment made in hande, as the proclamacions made by Henry the .v^{the}., that victorious prince, in his host. [And also the statutes made by Johan regent of Fraunce, duc of Bedford, by a parlement at Cane, yn the .ij^{de}. yeere of [blessed[125]] Henry .vj^{te}., named kyng, uppon the conduyt of the werre, that I delyvered to your hyghenes enseled, the day before your departyng out of London, that remayned yn the kepyng of ser Johan Fastolfe for grate autoritee, a. iij.[126]] And that no damage or offence be done to the marchauntes. It is fulle gret jupardie and perille to an oost where as covetise of pillage and rappyne reignithe among men of armes more than theire entencion is to kepe and meinteine the right of theire prince's partie. And the worship of chevalrie and knighthode ys that they shulde peine hem to wynne. And suche as ben of that inordynat condicion of covetise and rappyne oughte rather be clepid pilleris, robberis, extorcioneris, than men of armes chevalerous. In example the said dame Cristen puttithe that the men of armes of the countre of Gaule, whiche now is Fraunce, that had in a tyme a discomfiture and the overhande uppon the Romains, being assembled withe a grete oost embatailed upon the river of Rosne in Burgoyne; and the men of Gaule had wonne gret praies and good, as horse harneis, vesselle of golde and of silver gret plente; but as to the worldly goodes they set no count ne prise of it, but cast it into the river. And in semblable wise it was saide of Johan duke of Bedforde, then regent, that the day he had the victorie at the {32} bataile of Vernaile, he exhorted, making an oration to his peple, that they attende not to covetise, for no sight of juelx and riches of cheynes of golde or nouches [or] ringis cast before hem or left in the feelde, to take them up, whiche might be the losse of the feeld, tille God had shewed his power and fortune; but onely to worship and to doo that that they come for. And so be the jugement of God had the victorie withe gret worship and riches, be the raunsonyng of prisoneris, and be rewardis of the said regent in londis and goodis to every man for theire welle doing that day, rewarded in lifelode of londes and tenementis yoven in the counte of Mayne to the yerely valeu of .x.M^l. marcs yerely, whiche was .lx.M^l.li. Turneis, as it is of record to shew; the whiche was don aftyr the Romayns' condicion, seeing that thei set so litille by goodis dispising but onely by worship, the whiche the saide Romains were gretly astonied and dred her power, for thei saw it never done before. And wolde Jhesus for his highe grace that every prince, chieftein, or captein wolde be of so noble condicions as is before made mencion of! I have be credibly enfourmed by tho as were present in bateile withe the fulle noble and victorius prince of renomme king Henry the .v^{te}. youre cousin and antecessour, used the saide counceile among his ostes. And also at the bateile of Agincourt be the exortacion of that forseyd noble prince Henry the .v^{the}. counceiled to set not be no tresure, praies, ne juelx and vesselle of golde and of silver, aswelle of tho that were his there lost, ne of the juelx that he wonne, but only to his right and to wonne worship. And that also fulle noble prince youre cousin Johan duke of Bedforde, another victorius prince, folowed his steppis tho daies that he was regent of the roiaume of Fraunce, and whan his chariottes of his tresoure and vesselle at the bataile of Vernelle in Perche was bereved frome hym by Lombardis and other sowdieris holding youre adverse partie, he comaunded the oost embatailed not forto breke ne remeve [theyr aray[127]] for wynnyng or kepyng worldly goodis, but only to wynne worship in the right of Englonde that day, whiche he hadde the victorie to his grettist renomme.

{33} But yet it most be suffred paciently the fortune that is gevyn to youre ennemies at this tyme, and late the case be taken for a new lerning, and to the sharping of goode corages, to the refourmyng and amendement of theire wittis. For the saide Ovide the lawreat poet saiethe that it happithe often times that mysaventures lernithe tho that bene conquerid to be wise. And so at other times in actis and dedis of armes that for lak of providence or mysfortune were overthrow, enforcethe hem to be conquerours [another seson.[128]] Here is yet noone so gret inconvenient of aventure ne mysfortune falle at this tyme, but that it hathe be seene fallen er now [yn kyng Johan dayes and in kyng Edward iij^d day, as yn hys gret age put owt of Normandye and off many castells and townes yn Gyen by kyng Charlys the .v^{te}.[128]]

[Sidenote: Defectus pecuniae ad solvendum soldarios fuit causa una prodicionis ducatus Normanniae.]

How the duchie of Normandie for lak of a sufficient arme waged in due time, that king Johan [of England[128]] had not sufficiently wherof to wage [his peple,[128]] he lost the duchie of Normandie.

[Sidenote: Infinita mala ex sensualitate corporis.]

[Sidenote: .1203.]

For a like mysfortune and overthrow fille unto us for defaute of providence and helpe in dew tyme, and sensualite of lustis of the bodie idely mispendid, and for lak of finaunce and goode[gh] to soude and wage goode mennys bodies over into Normandie and other contrees, ande thoroughe the umbre of trewes, the hole privacion of your duchie of Normandie, and of Angew, Mayne, and Torayne, and a gret part of Gascoigne and Guyen, was in king Johan daies by king Philip dieudonne of Fraunce, the yere of Crist .M^l.ij^c.iij^o. in the monithe of Maij began.

{34}

[Sidenote: Treugae pluries infractae.]

How many divers times trewes that were taken betwene king Richarde the first, king Johan, and king Edward the thrid at the finalle peas generalle betwene tho kinges and the Frenshe kinges, were afterwarde be the Frenshe partie first broken.

[Sidenote: Nota fallacias Francorum in rupcione treugarum; vide et attende bene.]

[Sidenote: Treuga pessima a^{o} Xp'i 1259.]

[Sidenote: De infinitis dampnis ex ilia treuga sine pace.]

[Sidenote: De pluribus treugis sine effectu durationis.]

[Sidenote: Edward ij^{d}.]

[Sidenote: Nota pro titulo regis.]

[Sidenote: Effectus maritagii Isabellae reginae heredis regni Franciae.]

[Sidenote: Edwardus ij^{us} duxit Isabellam filiam et heredem Karoli regis Franciae a^{o}. X^{l}. M^{l}.ccc.xxv^{t}i.]

And thus undre the coloure of trewes at divers times taken atwixt youre noble progenitoures king Henry the seconde, and also divers treties taken betwene the said king Johan and king Philip, and also sondry tymes trewes taken betwene king Richarde the first and the Frenshe king Philip dieudonne. And notwithestanding so oft tymes trewes and alliaunces taken and made betwene the forsaide kinges of Englonde and of Fraunce, alle waye whan the Frenshe partie coude have and fynde any avauntage or coloure to breke here trewes they did make new werre ayenst this lande. Also there was another trewes made at Paris the monithe of Octobre the yere of Crist M^l.cclix. betwene king Henry the thrid and Lowes king of Fraunce, the whiche king Lowes haveng grete conscience that he heelde bethout title of right the duchie of Normandie, the counte of Angew, Mayne, and Toureyne, out of the handis of the kinges of Englonde, therfore toke a trewis withe king Henry the thridde; and the saide king Lowes graunted and confirmed to the saide king Henry and to his heires for ever all the right that he hadd or myght have in the duchie of Gascoigne, withe thre eveschies clepid diocesis and citees in the saide duchie, that is to witt, Limogensis, Caourcensis, and Pieregourt. Also at[129] Agenois and Peito. And a peas to be made atwix bothe kinges undre the condicion that the saide king Henry thrid shuld relese unto king Lowes alle his right in Normandie and in the countre of Anjou, of Mayne, and Toreyne, your verray auncient enheritaunce tailed, whiche albeit if the said king Henry thrid had alone made any suche relese it was of none strenght ne effect, for it was never graunted be the auctorite of the parlement of thre astatis of his roiaume. For it is to be undrestande that be no law imperialle ne by no dew reason can be founded {35} that a prince may not gyve away his duchees or countees ne his demaynes that is his propre enheritaunces to a straunge parsone, of what astate or degre he is, bethout the agrement and consenting of a parlement of his lordis spirituelle and temporelle, and of his comyns assembled, and a sufficient nombre of every of hem, as it hathe bene accustumed; so in conclusion the relese of king Henry thrid to king Lowes was and is voide. And if any relese of king Lowes to the said king Henry in the said duchie of Gascoine had be made it standithe of fulle litille effect, becaus it was the said king Henry propre enheritaunce by his aiel king Henry the second that weddid dame Alienor duchesse and heriter of Guien, as is before expressid. And so the said king Lowes relese was a confirmacion of the said duchie of Guien into king Henry thrid is possession and a disclayme frome the kinges of Fraunce for ever. Also ther was another trux and pease made the yere of Crist M^l.cclxxix., at Amyens, betwen king Edwarde first and king Philip of Fraunce, that the said king Edwarde shulde holde peasibly all the saide landes in Gascoigne. Another trewes and peas made at Paris the yere of Crist M^l.ij^c.lxxxvj. betwene the said king Edwarde first and king Philip of Fraunce for the saide duchie of Guien. Another trews made at Paris, the yere of Crist M^l.iij^c.iij^o., the monithe of Maij, betwene king Edwarde first and king Philip of Fraunce, that marchauntes and alle maner men might passe to bothe roiaumes of Englond and Fraunce bethout empeshement, and heelde not long. Another trux made in the yere of Crist M^l.cc.xiij., in a towne clept in Latyn Pissaicus, betwene king Edwarde second and king Phelip king of Fraunce for the said duchie of Guien. And in the yere of Crist M^l.iij^c.xxiiij. king Charles of Fraunce and of Navarre seased certein townes and forteresses in Guien for defaut of homage of the king Edwarde second for the said duchie of Guien, whiche townes and forteresses after was delivered ayen to the king Edwarde by the moyen of Edmonde erle of Kent, his lieftenaunt. Also another pease made in the yere of Crist M^l.iij^c.xxv. betwene king Edwarde second and king Charles de Valoys of Fraunce, be reason and meane that {36} the saide king Edwarde weddid dam Isabel king Charles of Fraunce daughter, [soule[130]] enheriter of Fraunce; and at that tyme king Edward made Edmond his brother erle of Kent his lieftenaunt for the duchie of Guyen, whiche fulle nobly governed and kept that contre.

[Sidenote: a^{o}. X^{l}. M^{l}.ccc.xxv^{t}i.]

[Sidenote: Bellum Scluse.]

Also in semblable wise in the yere of Crist M^l.iij^c.xl. the .xiij. yere of king Edwarde the thrid, after the saide king had wonne the gret bataile of Scluse ayenst Philip de Valois his adversarie, and besieged Tourenay in Picardie, whan the saide Philip de Valois and the [kyngis[130]] Frenshe lordis were gretly rebuked and put abak, they desired a trux of king Edwarde frome the monithe of Septembre tille the feest of saint John next sueng, to the gret damage of the king Edwarde conquest. And the Bretons making under that colour mortalle werre to this land, but they were kept in subgeccion, and a gret bataile of descomfiture ayenst them had by the erle of Northampton, then the kingis lieutenaunt in that parties.

Also the yere of Crist M^l.iij^c.xliij^o., the .xix. day of Januarii, another gret trux for the yere take withe Philip de Valois calling hym king, youre saide adversarie, and his allies, and the saide trux broken be the seide Philip bethin thre yeris after, comaunding the Bretons to make werre ayenst youre progenitours.

[Sidenote: Obcidio Cane.]

[Sidenote: Bellum Cressye.]

And the noble king Edwarde the thrid, seeing that, in the monithe of Julie, the yere of Crist M^l.ccc.xlvij^o., the .xx. yere of his reigne, disposed hym ayen to werre ayen withe the saide Philip, and wanne upon hym the strong towne of Cane, [and had[130]] the sore fought bataile of Cressy, the castelle of Calix by a harde siege bethin few daies after leide and (_unfinished_.)

[Sidenote: De pace finali quamvis non sortiebatur diu effectum.]

[Sidenote: .1363.]

[Sidenote: Chaundos chevalier.]

[Sidenote: De magnificencia Joh'is Chundos.]

[Sidenote: Princeps Edwardus.]

[Sidenote: De pluribus comitatibus in Vasconia sub obediencia regis Angliae.]

[Sidenote: 1364.]

How notwithestonding a finalle peas was made solempnely be the fulle assent of king Johan of Fraunce prisoner, as it is the chief auctorite, and comprehendid in many articles most sufficiauntly grounded by auctorite of the Pope, confermed that, for alle that it helde not passe .vij. or .viij. yere after. And so contynued by .xiij. {37} yeris fro the saide tyme mortal werre continued tille a final generalle peas was made after by agrement of king Johan of Fraunce that was take betwene the said noble king Edwarde the thrid and the saide king Johan the monithe of Maij the yere of Crist M^l.iij^c.lx., at Bretigny, the Pope assentyng, and be mediacion of cardinales, archebishoppis, bisshoppis, abbotis, dukes, erles, barons, and lordis, and by the assent of bothe parties of Englande as of Fraunce, and confermed by the saide Pope and the sacramentis of both cristen kinges, made bothe by hemselfe and by here commissaries in suche solempne wise that alle cristen princes wolde have thought it shulde stande ferme and have bene stable for ever, ande whiche finalle peas dured not scant .viij^{the}. yere after, but that it was broke fraudulentlie be feyned causes and colourable quarellis of the Frenshe partie, as of the erle of Armenak and other lordis of Guien. And after king Charles the .v^{the}, of Fraunce, son to king Johan, under colour of the seide trux and fynal peas made be his father, put king Edwarde the thrid and his sonnes and other his lieutenauntes out of alle his conquest, aswelle of alle the londis that king Edwarde conquerid in Fraunce, Normandie, Burgoyne, and Flaundres, and out of many other countee[gh], baronies, and lordshippes, and of a gret part of the duchie of Guien, whiche countee[gh] and lordshippes in Gascoigne and Guien were given utterly and plenerlie to doo none homage, ne sovereinte to holde but of the saide noble king Edwarde, and of alle his enheriteris, never to resort ayen in homage ne feute to youre adversaries of Fraunce, as it is expresly enacted and recorded in the registres of alle the homagieris of Guien and Gascoigne, that was made by the erle of Armenak, the lorde de la Brette, vicecountes, barons, chevalers, and escuiers, and alle other nobles of the saide duchies, made to the saide king Edwarde and to prince Edwarde the duke of Guien the kingis lieutenaunt; that is to wete, in the cathedralle chirche of saint Andrieu chirche at Burdeux, the .xix. day of Juilly, the yere of Crist M^l.iij^c.lxiij., present there ser Thomas Beauchampe erle of Warewik, that aventurous and most fortunat knighte in his daies, and ser John Chaundos of Herfordshire {38} vicount de Saint Saveoure [in Normandye,[131]] whiche had bene in many batailes, and had the governaunce of M^l. speris, and was comissarie for king Edwarde, withe a fulle grete ost of multitude of peple well defensid in Guien. And so, after that prince Edwarde had received alle the homages aboute Bourdeux, Bordelois, and Bassedois, within the seneschalcie of Gascoigne, than he and the said comissaries went to alle the countees foloweng and received theire homages and feutees bothe in the name of King Edwarde .iij^d., and than in like fourme did homage to the prince as Duc of Guien. And was no differens betwene the bothe homages doing to the King and to the Duc of Guien, except that homager at his othe making to the saide duke he reserved the sovereinte and the ressort dew to his highe soverein seigneur king Edwarde. [So he] toke the homages of alle the vassallis and subgettis in the seneschalcie of Agenois, after in the seneschalcie of Landis, after in the counte of Bigorre, then in the seneschalcie of Pierregort, in the seneschalcie of Caoursyn and Roergev' and Lymosyn, also in the counte of Engwillom, also in the seneschalcie of Xantonge, than in the counte of Poitou and Poytiers. By whiche it may be considerid be the said countees and countrees before specified, it was of a wide space and many a thousand peple that were at that tyme and yet ought be under youre obeisaunce. And the saide prince Edwarde and the kinges commissaries made here journeis by .viij. monithes day as tille the .iiij^{the}. day of Aprille the yere of Crist M^l.iij^c.lxiiij., or thei coude receive alle the saide homagiers; whiche now in the yere of Crist M^l.iiij^c.li., after that hole Normaundie was lost, and also Gascoigne and Guien yoven up in defaute of socoure [of an armee made[131]] in season, many of youre saide trew liege peple be overcome by youre adversaries of Fraunce, and many a thousand peple of nobles and others coherted and be force ayenst theire hertis wille and entent to become homagiers to youre saide adversarie by the hole privacion of the saide duchie of Guien, as of Normandie, whiche withe the helpe of almightie God and {39} saint George, chief defendoure and protectoure of these youre londis, withe the comfort of youre true subgectis, shalnot abide long in theire possession ne governaunce.

[Sidenote: De pace finali.]

[Sidenote: .1420.]

[Sidenote: Pro titulo regis nota.]