In the noble Cite of grete Troye ther was a noble knyght & a man of grete poer that was called Ene­as and when the Cite of Troye was lost and destroied thurgh hem of Grece this Eneas with all his meyne fledde thens and come in to lumbardie that tho was lorde and gouernour of that londe a kyng that was called Latyne And an othir kyng ther was that was called Turocelyne that strongly werred vpon this kyng latyne that often tymes did hym moche harme And when this kyng latyne herde that Eneas was comen he vnderfeng hym with mochel honour and hym with helde for as moche as he had herde of hym & wist well that he was a noble knyght & a worthy of his body & of his dedes This Eneas helpe kyng Latyne in his werre & shortly for to telle so well & worthely he did that he slowe Turocelyne & discomfited hym & all his peple And whan all this was done kxng Latyne yaf all that londe y ^t was Turocelinis to Eneas in mariage with lauyne his doughter the most faire creature that any man wiste and so they lyued to gedrr in joye and myrthe all hir lyfes tyme And after he wedded a wyfe and vpon hir he begate a sone that was called Silu [...]yne & this Silueyne whan he coude some reson of man vn witing his fa­dre and ayenst his wyll acqueynted with a dam [...]sell that was cosin to Lauyne that was kyng Latynes dougter the quene that was Eneas wife and brought the damisell with childe And whan Ascanius his fadre it wist anone let enqnere of the wisest mastres and of the gretest clerkes what child the damisell shold bring forth and they ansuered and seid that she shold bring forth a sone that sholde quelle bothe fadre and moder and so he did For his moder died in bering of hym / And whan this child was borne / his fadre let calle hym Brute And the mastres said that he shold do moche harme & forwe in many diuerse places / and after he shold come to grete ho­nour and wurshipp This kyng Ascamus deide whan god wolde / and silueyne his sone resseyued the land and mode hym wōderlich well beloued amonge his peple And whan Brute that was Silueynus sone was xv. yere olde he went vpon a day with his fadre for to pley and solace and as this Brute shold shete vn to an [Page] her [...] his arwe myshapped and glaced and so there Brute qu [...]lled his fadre.

¶How Brute was driuen out of the land and howe he helde hym in Grece Ca.ij.

ANd when this mischance befalle was the peple of the lande [...]ade sorw y nowe and were sore an angred and for encheson therof they driuen Brnte oute of the lande and wolde nat suffre hym amonges hem and he sangh that he must not abide and went feo thens in to grece and ther he fonde vij.M. men that were of the [...]nage and kynred of Troye that were comen of grete blode as the storie telleth as of men and women and children the whiche were all holden in thraldome and bondage of the kyng Pandras of grece for the deth of achilles that was bitraied & slayne at troye This Brute was a wonder fair man and a stronge and huge of his age and of glad chere and semblant and also worthy of body and was welbeloued among his peple. This kyng Pandras herde speke of his goodnesse and his condicions and anone made hym duell with hym so that Brute bicome wōdre priue & moche beloued with the kyng so that long tyme Brute duelled with the kyng So at the last they of Troye and Brute spaken to gedre of kynred and of linage and of acqueyntance and ther pleyned hem vn to Brute of hir sorwe and of hir boūdage and of meny othir shames that the kyng Pandras had hem done and to Brute they saiden vpon a tyme / Ye be a lord of our linage and a strong man and a myghty be ye our captayn and lorde and we wull bicome your men and your cōmandementz done in all maner thynges and brynge ye vs oute of this wrecchednesse and bondage and fyght we wyth the kyng for thorgh the grace of the grete god we shal hym ouercome and we shul make yon kyng of the lande and to you done homage and of you we shull holde euermore Brut had tho grete pite of hir bondage that they were brought yn and preuelich went hym from the kynges court and all tho that were of Troye went and put hem in to wodes and in to montaignes and hem helde and sent vn to kyng Pandras that he sholde yeue hem leue sauelich for to Wend out of the lande for they nold no lenger duelle in his bondage The kyng Pandras wax tho sore annoied and tho swore that he wolde slee hem euerichone and ordeyned a gret poer and went to wardes hem al for to fight but Brut and his men man [...]che hem defended and fersely foughten and quelled [Page] all the kynges men that none of hem ascaped and token the kyng and hym helde in prison and ordeyned counceill bitwene hem what they myght done somme said that he shold be put to deth and somme said that he shold be exiled oute of the lande and somme said that he shold be brent / And tho spake a wyse knyght that was cal­led Menpris and said to Brute and to all tho of Troye yf kyng Pandras wolde yelde hym and haue his lyfe I counceill that he yeue vn to Brute that is our duke and our soueraigne his dou­ghter Gennogen to a wife and in mariage with hir an honderd shippes well araied and all his tresoure of gold and siluer of corne and of wyne and as moche as vs nedeth to haue of o thyng and othir and than go we oute of his land and ordeyne we vs lande elles wherefor we ne none of our kynred that comen after vs shall neuer haue pees in this lande amonges hem of Grece / for we haue slayne so many of hir knyghtes and of her othir frendes that euermore werre and contake sholde bene amonges vs Brute tho and alle his folke consented well to that counceille and this thyng they tolden to kyng Pandras and ther for to haue his lyfe graunted as moche as they axrd / and anone yaf vn to Brute Gennogen his doughter to wife and the hondred shippes with as moche as hem neded of all vitailles as before was ordeyned Brute tho toke his wife and all his men that forsoke the land of Grece and wenten hem vn to the see and hadden wynde and weder at wyll and comen the thridde day in to an Ile that was called Lor­gers Brute anone sen [...]e of his men a londe for to aspie the maner of the contre and they founden an olde Cite all wasted and forlet that nas therynne nethir man ne woman ne no thyng duellyng and in the myddell of this Cite they founden an olde temple of a faire ladie that was called Diane the goddesse and they comen ayene vn to Brute and tolde hym what they had seyne and founden and counc [...]illed hym to gone and to done sacrifice vn to dame Diane / For she was woned to yeue ansuere of what thyng that euer men prayed hir and namely vn to them that her honoured with sacrifice Brute went to that ymage and said Diane noble goddesse lady that all thyng hast in myght and in thy poer wyn­des watres wodes feldes and all thynges of the world and all [...] maner bestes that ther in bene to yowe I make my praier that [...]e me councelle and telle where and in what place I shall haue a couenable duellyng for me and for my peple and ther I shall ma­ke in honour of yow a well faire temple and a noble wherynne ye [Page] shull euermore bene honoured when he had done his praier Dia­ne ansuered in this maner Brute quod she go euen forth thy wey ouer the see in to fraunce to ward the we [...] and ther ye shull fyn [...]e an Ile that is called Albion and that Ile is bicompassed all with the see and no man may come therin but it bene by shippes And in that londe were woned to be geantz but nowe it is nat so but all wildernesse and that land is yowe destenyed and ordeyned for yow and for your peple.

¶How Coryn became Brutes man and how kyng Goffar was discomfited Capitulo tercio.

WHen Brute herde this ansuere of diane the goddesse anone he let the ancres wynde vp and sailed [...] to the high see & when he and his men had sailled xx. daies and moo they foūden fast beside a cost of the see a thousand men of the linage and kynred of Troye and hir soueraigne & hir master of all was cal­led Corin / And whan Brute wiste whennes they were he tho vn­derfeng hem with mochel [...]oye in to his shippes and hem lad forth with hym / This Coryn tho become Brutes man and to hym did feaulte and homage and so longe they sailled forth in the see till they comen in to Gascoyne and anone they arriued in the hauen of liegers and ther they duelled viij. daies hem for to resten and hir sailles to amende ther that it was nede Tydynge sone come to kyng Goffar that was lord of the lande how that mochel folke of strange lande weren arriued in his lande in the hauen of liegers wher­for he was sore angred and anoied that they comen and arriued in his lande withoute leue and anone he ordeyned hym a grete poer to driuen oute and to shend Brute with his peple but kung Goffar was discomfited and all his folke and hym selfe fledde in to feaūce to seke helpe and socour And in that tyme regned in feaūoe xij. kynges & the xj. assembled a grete poer for to helpe Goffar for to fight ayens Brute Goffar duelled with hem of fraunce halfe ayere and more And Brute in the mene tyme and his companie destroied all the lond of gascoyne and let take alle the tresour that kyng goffar had and let bringe it in to his shippes And this Brute founde in that lande a faire place and a couenable and there Brute made a faire Castell and a stronge ¶When that was done kyng Goffar come fro fraunce and xj. kynges with hym and broughten [Page] xx.M. men for to fyght with Brut and his companie and Brut had but vij.M. [...] m [...]n Nothelees when the ij. hostes metten to gedre Brut [...] [...] tho [...]gh helpe of hym self & of Turyn his cosin and of Corin [...] and manlich hym defended and fought so that in litel tyme they had quelled of the f [...]enshmen .ij.M. and mo and tho that were alyue fledden away ¶ And in this ba­taill Turyn that was Brutes cosin was slayne and Brute let enteer worthili hym when he had space & leiser in the castell that he had made and tho let calle the castell Tours for the name of Tu­rine that ther was enteered & yit in to this day ther is a noble cite that is called Tonrs when kyng Goffar wist that Turin was dede he come ayen with his men and after yaf a strong bataill vn to Brute but Brute and his men were so wery of fighting that they myght no lenger endure but maugre hym and all his Brute went in to his castell with all his men and made the yates fast for to saue hem selfe and for to take conceill amonges hem what were best for to done Brute and Coryn nōme conceill and ordeyned that Coryn priuely sholde gone oute and bussh hym in a wode til amorne So that in the mornyng whan Brnte sholde fight with his Enymies Coryn sholde come with his folke in that one side and slee and done all the harme that he myght And amornyng in the dawenyng Brute went out of the castell and faught with his Enymies and they fersely defended but withyn a litell tyme Brute and his folke slew viij.c. of Goffars men and tho come Coryn fro the buschement and smete to grounde he and his compa­nye all that wolde stonde or abide so that kyng Goffar and his folk were discomfited and fast they gūne to flee. And Brute and Coryn with hir companye ferselich hem pouesued and quel­led mo of hem in the fleyng than they diden in bataill And in that maner Brute had the victorie and natheles Brute made moche sorwe for his cosin Toryn that there was slayne and for othir also that he had lost of his men that is to seyn vij.c. and xv. the which nobely he let entier in the castell of Tonrs ther that he had entered Turyn his cosin.

¶How Brute arrined at Tottenesse in the yle of Albion and of the bataill that was bytuene Coryn and Gogmagog ¶Capitulo quarto

[Page]WHen all this was done Brute wolde no lenger ther duelle for to figgt ne no mo lese of his pep [...] For kyng Goffarus peple myght euery day e [...]resse mo and mo And Brutes lassen and ther for he toke all his men and went vn to the see & had wynd and weder at wyll / and the fifthe day afterward they arriued in an hauen at Tottenesse and comen in to the Ile of Albion and ther fonde nethir man nethir woman as the storie telleth / but Geantz and they woned in hilles & in caues Brute saw the lande was faire & at his likyng and good also for hym and for his folk as Diane the goddesse had hym behight Tho was Brute wonder glad and late assemble vpon a day all his folke to make a solempne sacrifice & a grete fest in honour & reuerence of Diane the goddesse thurgh whos counceill he was comen in to that land And whan they had hir solempnite made as they vpon a day sate at mete / ther comen in vpon hem sodenly xxx. Geantz & quelled of Brutes men xxx. Brute and his men anone sturten vp & foughten with the geantz and quelled hem euerichon / but one geant that was master of all that was called Gogmagog that was stronger and hier than any of the othir Geantz and Brute [...]epte hym and saued his lyf for encheson that he shold wrestell with Coryn / for Coryn was gref and hi [...]r than any of Brutes men from the gerdelstede vp ward

¶Gogmagog and Coryn vndertoke for to wrastlyn yfere and so to gedre they wrest [...]d longe tyme but at the last Gogmagog held Coryn so fast that he brak ij. ribbes of his side wherfor Coryn was sore angry and toke tho Gogmagog bitwene his armes and cast hym doune vpon a roche so that Gogmagog brak all to peces and so died an euell dethe and therfor the place is called yit vn to this day the saute of Gogmagog / And tho yaf Brute all that contre to Corin and Corin it called after his name Corne waille and his mē he called Cornewailles and so shull men of that contre bene called for euermore And in that contre duelled Corin & his men and made tounes & houses & inhabited the land at hir wyll

¶How Brute made london & called this lande Britaigne & scotland Albyne and walys Cambir Capitulo quinto

BRute and his men w [...]nten forth and sawe aloute in [...] places wher they myght fynde a good place and coue­nable that they myght make a Cite for hym and for his [Page] folke So at the last they comen by a fair Riuer that is called the Thamys and there brute bigan a fair ate and let calle it newe Troye in mynde and remembrance of the grete Troye from whiche place all hir linage was comen / And this brute let fall a doune wodes and let erye and sowe landes and done mowe medes for sustenance of hym and of his peple and he departed the land to hem so that euer [...]chon of them had a certain place for to duelle vpon And Brute let calle all this lande Bretaigue after his owne name and his folk he let calle Bretons And this Brute had goten an his wife Geunogen iij. soens that were worthy of dedes the fyrst was called lotryn the seconde Albanac & the thred kamber And Brute bare corone in the Cite of newe Troye xx. yere after tyme that the Cite was made & ther he made the lawes that the Bretons holden And this Brute was wonderly wel beloued among all men and Brutes sones also loued wonderly wel to gedre And when brute had sought all the londe in length & in brede he fonde a lande that [...]omed to Britaigue in the north and that land brute yaf to Albanac his sone and let calle it Al­banie after his name that nowe is called Scotland And Brute fond an othir contre toward the west and that yaf to Camber his othir sone and he let call it Camber after his name and nowe it is called wales And whan Brut had regned xx. yere as before is said he died in the cite of newe Troye and there his sone hym entered with mochel honour. And lotryn Brutes sone was crou­ned kyng with mochel solempnite of alle the lande of Breteyn̄ and after whan he was crouned Albanac and Camber his ij. brethern̄ whent ayen in to hir owne contre and liued with mikel ho­nour. And lotryn her brother regned and was kyng and gouer­ned the land well and wysely for he was a good man and won­der wel beloued of all his land / And it befell so that Albanac duelled in his owne lande with mochel honour and wurshipp & then̄e cam kyng humbar of hunland with a grete poer and ar­rined in albanie and wolde haue conquered the land and bigan to werre vpon Albanac and hym quelled in bataille. When Al­banac was slayne the folk of the land fled vn to lotryn and told hym for he was kyng of Bretaigue how that his brother was slayne and prayed hym of help for to a venge his brothers deth

¶Lotryne anone let assemble all the bretons of kent of [Page] douer in to derewent of Northfolk and Southfolke of keftefen and of lyndessey and when they were all ensembled they sped fast to ward their enemies for to yeue hem bataill Lotrine had sent to Camber his brother that he shold come also to hym with alle the power that he myght make hym for to helpe / and so he did with good wyll and so they comen all to gedres and toke her wey pre­uelich for to seche Humbar wher they myght hym fynde ¶ And so it befell that this Humbar was besides a water that was a gre­te Riuer with his folke hym for to disporte and tho come Lotrine and Camber his brother with all hir folke sodenly er that any of that othir wist ¶ And whan Humbar saw hem come he was sore adrad For as moche as his men wist it not and also they were vnarmed And anone Humbar for drede lept in to the water and drenched hym selfe and so died he and his men were alle slayne that none of hem ascaped and therfore is that water called Humbar and euermore shall be called thus for encheson that kyng humbar was therynne drenched

¶ And after that Lotryne wente to his shippes and toke there gold and siluer and as moche as he fand vn to hym selfe aud all that othir pilfre he yaf vn to othir folke of the hoost and they founden in one of the shippes a faire damisell that was kyng humbars doughter and was called Estrilde ¶ And whan Lotryne saw hir he toke hir with hym for hir fairnesse and for her was o [...] taken with loue and wolde haue w [...]dded hir / This tydynges come to Corin anon [...] he thought to auenge hym vpon Lotrine For as moche as Lotrine had made couenaunt for to spousen Corines doughter that was called Guentolen And Coryn in haste wente to hym vn to the newe Troye and thus said to Lotryne / nowe certes quod he ye rewarde me full euell for all the peynes that I suffred and haue had many tymes for Brute your fadre / and therfore I wull nowe auenge me vpon yowe and drowe his fauchon an high and wold haue slayne Lotryne / but the damisell wente bitw [...]n [...] hem and made hem acorded in this maner / that Lotrine sholde spouse Guentolen that was Corynes doughter And so Lotryne did And nethelees that he had spoused Guentolen Corynes dought preuelich he come to Estrilde and brought hir with childe and ga­te on hir a doughter thas was called Abren ¶Hit befell anone after that Corin died and anone as he was dede Lotrine for soke Guentolen his wife and made Estrilde quene And Guento­len wente thens all in wrath in to Cornewaille and seised all the [Page] londe in to hir honde / for as moche as she was hir fadres eir and vnderfong feaultes and homages of all the men of the land and after assembled a grete host & a grete poer for to ben vpon lotryne auenged that was hir lorde and to hym come & yaf hym a strong bataill and ther was lotryn slayne and his men discomfited the v. yere of his regne. Guentelon let take Estrild and Abram hir doughter and bynde bothe hondes & fete and cast hem in to a wa­ter and so they were drenched wherfor that water was euermore called aftir abram aftir the name of the damisel that was Estril dys doughter and Englisshmen calleth that water seuerne and walshmen calle it abram in to this day ¶ And when this was done Guentelon let croune hir quene of that lande and gouerned the land full wel & wisely vn to the tyme that Madhon hir sone that lotryne had beget vpon hir were of xx. witer age y ^t he myght be kyng so that y ^e quene regned xv. yere and tho let she croune hir sone and he regned and gouerned the land wel and honourabely & she went in to corn waille & ther she duelled all hir lyfes tyme.

¶Of kyng Madan howe he regned in pees all his lyfe and of Menpris and of Maulyn his sones and howe Menpris slowe Maulyn his brother & how wolues drou hym al to peces Ca.vj

WHen Madan had regned xxx. yere he died and lieth in newe troie and he had ij. sones that one me called Menpris and y ^• othir Maulyn and thes ij. bredren after hir fadre [...] deth strinen fast for the lande And menpris for encheson y ^t he was the eldest sone wolde haue had all that londe and Maulyn wold not suffre hym so that they token a day of loue and acorde And at this day Mē pris let quelle his brother thurgh treson and hym self afterward helde the londe and a none let croune hym kyng and regned / and after bicame so lither a man that he destroied in a while all y ^• men of his londe And at the last he bicame so wikked and so lecherous that he forsoke his own̄ wif and vsed the synne of sodomie wher for almyghty god was wroth and vpon hym toke vengeamice / For on a day as he went in a wode an huntyng he lost his folke and went allone vp and doune crieng after his men and ther com̄ wolfes and all to drou hym in to peces when̄ he had regned xxiiij yere and when his peple wist y ^t he was dede they made [...]oy y nowe and anone made Ebrac his son kyng and he regned with mochel [...]onour

¶Of kyng Ebrac how he conquerd frannce and bigate xx. so­nes and xxiij. doughtres Ca.vij.

[Page]THis Ebrac regned lx yere and a strong man was and a myghty And this Ebra [...] thurgh his myght and helpe of his bretons conquerd all frānce and wan ther so moche gold and siluer that whan he come ayen in to this lande he made a noble cite and after his name let calle it Ebrac that is called euery wik and this kyng made the castell of maidenes that now is called Eden­burgh This kyng had xx. sones and xxiij. doughtres by diuerse wymen goten and the sones wer called as ye shall here Brute Gr [...] nescheld Margand Seisel Morgh wyth Flengham Bladud Iak [...]n [...]ymbar Rocelm Spadogh Godeherl Thormnan Gldaugh Iorkanghut Haibor ketin Rother kaier and assaruth. And the doughtres highten as ye shull here after Elegyne ymogen oghdas Guenbran gnardich Augarel guenthold Tangustel gorghon michel medhan mailour Ondur Cambredan Ragan Renthely Nees [...] Cheghan Skaldud Gladus Heberhyn Abalaghe and Blandan and thees were tho xxiij. doughtres and the bretheren bicame good knyghtes and worthy in meny contres

¶Of the kyng brute grenesheld the fyrst sone of Ebrac the kyng Capitulo octauo.

AFter the deth of kyng Ebrac regned Brute grenesheld his sone xxx. yere that was Ebrakes fyrst sone that wel and nobly regned and whan tyme came he died and lieth at york

¶Of kyng leyl Ca.ix.

ANd whan Brute grenesheld was dede regned his sone leyl xxij. yere and he made a fair towne and let calle it karlille after his name and was a worthy man and moche beloued of his peple and whan he had regned xxij. yere he died and lieth at Carlille And in his tyme regned kyng Salomon in Ihrlm̄ and made the noble temple and to hym come Sibelle quene of Saba for to here and see yf it were soth that men speken of the grete and noble wit and wisdam of kyng Salamon and she fonde it soth that men had hir tolde

¶Of kyng lud ludibras that was kyng leyles sone Ca.x

ANd after this kyng leyl regned his sone lud ludibras that made the cite of Canterbury and of wynchestre and he reg­ned xiij. yere and died and lieth at wynchestre

¶Of kyng Bladud that was ludibras sone how he regned & was a good man and a nigromancer Ca.xj

And after this lud ludibras regned Bladud his sone a grete nigromancer and thurgh hie craft of nigromancie he made [Page] the meruaillous hote bath as the gest telleth and he regned xxj. yere and he lieth at the newe Troye

¶Of kyng Leir and of the ansuere of his yongest doughter that graciously was maried to the kyng of fraunce Ca.xij.

AFter this kyng Bladud regned Leir his sone and this Leir made the toune of leycestre and let calle the toune aft his name and he gouerned the toune well & nobely / This kyng Leir had ij. doughtres the fyrst was called Gonorill the secōd Rigan and the thridde Cordeill and the yongest doughter was fai­rest and best of condicions / The kyng hir fadre became an olde man and wold that his doughtres were maried [...]r that he deide / but first he thought to assay whiche of hem loued hym most aud best / for she that loued hym best shold best bene maried and he axed of the fyrste doughter how moche she hym loued and she ansuerd and said better than hir owne lyfe / Nowe certes quod the fadre that is a grete loue Tho axed he of the second doughter how moche she him loued and she said more and passyng all the creatures of the worlde [...] ma foy qd the fadre I may no more axe And tho axed he of the thridde doughter how moche she hym loued / certes fadre quod she my sustres haue tolde yow glosing wordes / but forsoth I shall telle trouth / For I loue yow as moch as I ought to loue my fadre & for to bring yow more in certain how I loue yow I shall yow telle / as moche as ye bene worth so moche shall ye be loued ¶The kyng hir fadre wente that she had scorned hym and become wonder wroth and swore by heuen and erth she sholde neuer ha [...]e good of hym but his dough­tres that loued hym so moche sholde bene well auaunced and ma­ried And the first doughter he maried to Maugles kyng of Scotland / and the second he maried to haneinos Erle of Cornewaille and so they ordeyned and spake bitwene hem that they sholde de­parte the Reame bitwene hem two after the deth of kyng Leir hir fadre so that Cordeill his yongest doughter shold no thyng haue of his land / but this Cordeill was wonder faire and of so good con­dicions [...]ud maners that the kyng of fraunce Agampe herde of hir speke & sente to the kyng leir hir fadre for to haue hir vn to his wyfe and praied hym therof / and kyng Leir hir fadre sent hym word that he had departed the londe vn to his two doughtres and said he had no more lande wherwith hir to marien

¶And whan Agāpe herde this ansuer he sente anone ayene to leir [Page] and said that he axed no thyng with hir but onely hir cl [...]thyng & hir body And anone kyng leir sent hir ouer the see to the kyng of fraunce And he resseyned hir with moche wurshipp and with moche solempnite hir spoused and made hir quene of fraunce.

¶Howe kyng leir was driuen out of his land thurgh his folie and howe Cordeil his yougest doughter helpe hym in his nede ¶Capitulo xiij.

WHus it fel afterward that tho ij. eldest doughtren wolde nat abide till leir hir fadre was dede but werred vpon hym whiles that he leued and moche sorwe and shame hym did wherfor they benōmen hym holy the roialme and bitwene hem had or­deyned that one of hem shold haue kyng leir to soiourne all his lyfe tyme with xl. k [...]yghtes and squyers that he myght wurshippfully gone and ride whidder that he wolde in to what contre that hym liked to pley and to solace. So that Managles kyng of Scotland had kyng leir with hym in the maner as is aboue said and or othir half yere wer passed Corneill that was his eldest d [...]ughter and quene of Scotland was so ānoied of hym and of his peple that anone she and hir lorde spake to gedre wherfor his kny­ghtes half and his squyers from hym were gone and nomo left but only xxx. and when this was done leir bigan for to make moche sorwe for encheson that his estate was empeired And men had of hym more scorne and despite then euer they had b [...]for Wherfor he nift what for to done and at the last thought that he wolde wende in to Corne waill to Rigan his othir doughter And when he was come the Erle and his wif that was leires doughter hym welcomed and with hym made moche Ioye & ther he duelled with xxx. knyghtes and squyers And he nad nought duelled ther scarsely tuelfmonth that his doughter of hym nas full and of his cō panie and hir lorde and she of hym had scorne and despite / so that from xxx. knyghtes they bronghten vn to x. and afterward .v. and so ther left with hym no mo. Tho made be forwe y now [...] aud said sore wepyng Allas that euer he come in to that londe and said yit had me hetter to haue duelled with my fyrst doughter And anon̄ wene thennes to his fyrst doughter But anone as she saw hym come she swore by god and his holy names and by as moche as she myght that he shold haue no mo with hym but one knyght yf he wolde ther abide Tho bigan leir ayen we [...]e and made moche sorwe & said tho allas nowe to long haue I lyuet that this sorwe and meschief is to me nowe falle For nowe am I porer that some [Page] tyme was riche / but nowe haue I no frende ne kyn that me wull do any good ¶But when I was riche all men me honoured and wurshipped and nowe euery man hath of me scorne and de­spite / and nowe I wote well that Cordeill my yongeste doughter said me trougth when she said as moche as I had so moche shold I bene beloued and alle the whil [...] that I had good tho was I beloued and honoured for my ricchesse but my two doughtres glosed me tho / and nowe of me they sette litell pris and soth tolde me Cordeill but I wolde nat beleue it ne vnderstond and therfore I let hir gone fro me as a thing that I sette litell pris of / & nowe wote I neuer what for to done sith my ij. doughtres haue me thus disceyued that I so moche loued / and nowe mot I nedes sechen hir that is in an othir land that lightely I let hir gone fro me withoute any rewarde or yiftes and she said that she loued me as moche as she ought to loue hir fadre by all maner of reson and tho I sholde haue ax [...]d of hir nomore / & tho that me othirwise behighten thurgh hir fals speche nowe haue me disceyued / In this maner Leir long tyme began to make his mone and at the last he shope hym to the see and passed ouer in to fraunce and asked and aspied wher the Q [...]ene myght be founden / and men tolde hym wher she was / And whan he come to the Cite that she was in / preuelich he sent his squyer vn to the quene to telle hir that hir fadre was comen to hir for grete nedes And when the squyer come to the quene he tolde hir euery dele of hir sustres from the begynnyng vn to the ende Cordeill the quene anone toke gold and siluer plente and toke it to the squyer in counceille that he shold gone and bere it vn to hir fadr [...] and that [...] shold go in to a certain Cite and hym araien laten and wasshen & than come ayene to hir and bring with hym an honest companye of knyghtes xl. atte lest with her meyne / and than he shold sende to hir lord the kyng and sayne that he were comen for to speke with his doughter and hym for to seen / and so he did. And whan the kyng and the q [...]ene herde that they comen with mochel honour they hym resseyued And the kyng of fraunce tho let sende thurgh alle his Reame and commaunded that all men sholde to hym bene en­tendant to kyng Leir the Quenes fadre in all maner of thyng / as it were to hym selfe When kyng Leir had duelled ther a moneth & more he tolde to the kyng and to the Quene his doughter / how his two eldest doughtres had hym serued / Agampe anone let ordeyne a grete host of fraunce and sent it in to Britaigne with leir the quenes fadre for to conquer his land ayene & his kyngdom / & Cordeill [Page] also come with hir fadre in to britaig [...]e for to haue the royame after hir fadres deth And anone they went to shipp and passed the see and come in to britaigue and foughten with the felons & hem scomfited and queld And tho had he his land ayen & after leued iij. yere and helde his royalme in pees and afterward died & Cor­deill his doughter hym let entier with mikel honour at leicestre

¶Howe morgan and Conedage that were newus to Cordeill wrrred vpon hir and put hir in to prison Ca.xiiij.

WHen that kyng leir was dede Cordeill his yongest doughter helde and had the land v yere and in the mene tyme died hir lord Agam̄p that was kyng of fraunce and after his deth she left widue And tho came Morgan and Conedage that were Cordeill sustre sones and to hir had Enymite for as moche as there aunte sholde haue the lande. So that bitwene hem they ordeyned a grete power and vpon hir werred gretly / and neuer they rest till they had hir taken and put hir vn to deth And tho Morgan and Conedage seised all the la [...]de and deꝑted it bitwene hem And they hel­de it xij. yere and when tho xij. yere were gone ther bigan bitwene hem a grete debate so that werred strongely yfere & euery of hem did othir moche disese For Morgan wolde haue had all the lande fro beyonde humbr̄ that Conedage helde But he come ayens hym with a strong po [...]r so that Morgan durst nat abide but fled awey in to wales and Conedage pursued hym and toke hym and queld hym Tho come Conedage ayen and seised alle the lande in to his hande and helde it and regned after xxxiij. yere and tho died and lieth at newe Troye

¶Howe Reignold that was Conedages sone regned after his fadre and in his tyme it rayned blode iij. dayes in tokenyng of grete deth Ca.xv

ANd after this Conedage regned Reignold his sone a wise knyght & an hardy & curteis that well & nobely go [...]ned the land & wonder well made hym beloued of all maner of folke & in his tyme it rayned blode that lasted iij. dayes as god wolde & sone after ther come grete deth of peple for hostes without nombre of peple foughten till that they were dede wherof no man myght haue lette til that almyghty god therof toke mercy and pite and thogan it cese & this Reignold regned xxij. yere & died & lieth at york

¶How Gorbodian regned in pees that was Reignoldes sone & aft he died & lith at york ca.xvj

AFter this Reignold reg­ned Gorbodian his sone xv. yere & died and lieth at york.

¶How Gorbodian had ij. sones & how that one s [...]owe that othir for to haue the heritage / & how ydoyne hir moder quelled that othir wherfor the land was destroied Ca.xvij

WHen this Gorbodian was dede his ij. sones that he had be­comen stoute & proude & euer werred to gedre for the land that one was called ferres & that othir porres / And this ferres wold haue all the land / but that othir wolde nat suffre him Ferres had a felons hert and thought thurgh treson to slee his brother but preuelich he went in to fraunce & ther abode with the kyng Syward till vpon a tyme whan he come ayene & faught with his brother ferres / but full euell it happed tho for he was slayne fyrst When ydoyne hir moder wist that Porres was dede she made grete sorwe for encheson y ^t she loued hym more than that othir & thought hym for to quelle preuely & preuely she come to hir sone vpon a nyght with ij. knyues & therwith cutte his throte & the body also in to smale peces who herd euer suche a cursed modre that quelled with hir owne hondes hir owne sone and longe tyme after laste the reproue & shame to the moder that for encheson of that one sone murdred that othir & so lost hem both

¶How iiij. kyngis courtesly helde all Britaine and which bene hir names Ca.xviij.

WHen the ij. bretheren were so dede they nad left behynd hem nethir sone ne doughter ne none othir of the kynred that myght haue the heritage & for as moch as the strengest mē driuen and scomfited the feblest and token all hir landes so that in euery contrey they had grete werre & strife vnder hem but among all othir thynges ther were amonges hem in the contre that ouercome all tho othir and thurgh hir strenght and myght they token all the landes and euery of hym toke a certayn contre and in his contre let calle hym kyng & one of hem was called Scater and he was kyng of Scotland and that othir was called Dawalliere and he was kyng of loegers & of alle the lande that was Lotrinus that was Brutes sone / The thridde was called Rudac and he was kyng of walys / and the iiij. was called Cloten and he was kyng of Cornewaille But this Cloten shold haue had all the lande by reson for ther was no man that wist none so rightfull heir as he was But they that were strengest set litell by hem that ware of lesse estate / & therfor this cloten had nomore land among hem than Cornewaille

¶Of kyng Donebaut that was Clotes sone and how he had wō ­ne the land Ca.xix

[Page]THis Cloten had a sone that was called Doneband that af the deth of his fadre bicome an hardy man and a fair & cur­teis so that he passed all the kynges of britaigue of fairnesse & of worthinesse And anone as he was knyght he wist wel whan that his fadre liued he was most rightfull heir of all the lande & sholde haue had by reson but othir kynges that were of more strength than he benōme hym his lande. And afterward this Doneband ordeyned hym poer and fyrst conquered all the lande of logiers & after he wolde haue couquered all Scotland and walys and sca­ter came with his men and yaf hym bataill and Rudac come ayen with his walshmen for to helpe hym But so it befell that Rudac was queld and Scater also in pleyn bataill & so Donebant had the victorie and conquerd all the lande and wel maintened it in pees and in quiete that neuer before it was so wel mayntened

Howe Doneband was fyrste kyng that euer wered croune of golde in Britaigue ¶Ca.xx.

THis Doneband let make hym a croune of golde and wered the cron̄e vpon his hede as (neu) neuer kyng did before & he ordeyned a statut that had a man done (neu) neuer so moche harme & he myȝt come in to the temple shold no man hym mysdoo but gone theryn sauf and in pees and after gone in to what cōtre that he wolde without eny harme and yf any man set any honde vpon hym he than sholde lese his life And this Doneband made the toune of Malmesbury and the toune of the vise And when he had regned wel & worthely xl. yere he died and lieth at newe Troye.

Howe Brenne and belin deꝑted bitwene hem the land aft the deth of Doneband hir fadre and of the werre Ca.xxj.

And after that thi [...] Doneband was dede his sones that he had departed the land bitwene hem as hir fadre had ordeyned so that Belyn his eldest sone had all the londe of britaigue on this half humber & his brother Brenne had all the land from humber vn to scotland but for as moche that Belin had the bett part brenne therfor wax wroth & wolde had more of the land & Belin his brother wold graunte hym no more Wherfor contak & werre arose bitwene hem two But brenne the yonger brother had no myȝt ne strenght a [...]ens belin and therfor brenne thurgh cōceill of his folk went fro thens in to norwey to te kyng Olsinges & praid hym of helpe & socour for to conquer all the land vpon belyn his brother vpon that couenāt that he wolde haue his doughter to wife & the kyng Olsinges hym graūted Belyn anon̄ as his brother was go [Page] to norwey he seised in to his honde all the lande of northumberland and toke all the Castelles and let hem arraie and kepe the costes of the see that Brenne shold not arriue in no side but that he were take ¶The kyng Olfynges lete assemble a grete host and delinered his doughter to Brenne and all the peple that he had ordeyned / & this damisell Samye had longe tyme loued a kyng that was called gutlaghen and to hym she tolde all hir counceill how that Brenne sholde hir haue and hir lede with hym for euermore & so he shold lese hir bnt that she myght forsake Brenne And whan Gutlagh had herd this tydyng he lay for to aspie Brenue with as many shippes as he myght haue so that the ij fletes metten to gedre & long tyme foughten so that Brenne and his shippes turned ayene and were discō fited And kyng Gutlagh toke Samye & put hir in to his shippe & Brenne shamfully fley thennes as a man discomfited ¶And Gutlagh wolde haue went in to his owne contre but ther come vp on hym a grete tēpest that v. daies lastid so that thurgh that tēpest he was driuen in to Britaigne with iij. shippes and no mo And tho that kepte the costes of the see token Gutlagh and Samye and all his folke and hem presented to Belyn / and Belyn put hem in to prison

¶How Belyn drofe oute of this lande kyng Gutlagh of Den­marke and Samye Ca.xxij

HIt was not longe after that Brenne ne come a [...]ene with a grete nauye & sente to his brother Belyn y ^• he shold yeld [...]yen his lande to his wife and to his folke and his castel­les also or elles he wold destroie his lande Belyn drade no thyng his manace and wold no thyng done after that he said wherfore Brenne come with his folke & fought with belyn & Brenne was discomfited and his folke slayne and hym selfe fledde with xij. mē in to Fraunce / And this Belyn that was Brennes brother wēt tho to yorke and toke counceill what he myght done with kyng gutlagh for kyng Gutlagh prof [...]ed to become his man and to holde hi [...] lande of hym yelding by yere a thousand pounde of siluer for euer­more and for sikernesse of this couenaunt to behold Gutlagh shold bring him good hostages and to him shold done homage and all his folke And yit shold swere vpon the boke that these couenantz shold neuer bene broke ne falsed ¶Belyn tho by counceill of his folke graunted hym his axyng And so Gutlagh become his man and Belyn vnderfeng of hym his homage by othe and by writing [Page] the same couenants And vpon these couenants kyng Gutlagh nōme samye & his folke and went thens & turned ayen to denma [...]c Euermore after were the couenāts holden and the truage payed til the tyme that honelos was kyng of denmarc and also of this lande thurgh his wif Gildeburgh that he had spoused for she wa [...] the right heir of this lande ¶This Belyn duelled tho in pees & wurshippfully hym helde among his barons and he made iiij. real weyes one from the Est in to west and that was called watlyng strete and an othir from the north vn to the south that was called Ikelmestrete and ij. othir weyes he made in bossynge thurgh oute the lande that on is called fosse and that othir fossedike and he maintened wel the good lawes that Doneband his fadre had made and ordeyned in his tyme as byfore is said

¶Howe accord was made betwene Brenne and Belyn thurgh Cornewen hir moder Ca.xxiij.

GRenne that was Belynꝰ brother had long tyme duelled in fraunce and ther had conquered a grete lordshipp thurgh mariage For he was duke of Burgoyne thurgh the doughter of the duke Fewyn that he had spoused that was right heir of the lande and this Brenne ordeyned a grete poer of his folk and al­so of fraunce and come in to this land for to fyght with Belyn his brother and Belyn come ayens hym with a grete poer of bretons & wold tho haue yeuen hym bataill but hir moder Cornewen̄ that tho liued had herd that that one brother wolde haue destroied that othir and went bitwene hir sones and hem made accorded with moche peyne So that at the last tho ij. bretheren with mi­chel blis went to gedre in to grete Troye that nowe is called lon­don and ther they duelled ayere and after they nōme hir conseill for to gone conquere all fraunce & so they diden and brent tounes and destroied the lande both in length & brede & the kyng of fraūce yaf hem bataill with his poer but he was ouercome & yaf truage vn to Belyn and to his brother. And after that they wenten forth to Rome & cōquered Rome & all lūbardie & Germanie and toke homage & feaulte of Erles Barons & of all othir & aft they come in to this lande of Britaigue & duelled with hir britons in Ioye aud rest & tho made Brenne the toune of Bristowe and sith he went ouer to his owne lordshipp & ther duelled he all his lyf [...] and Belyn duelled at newe Troye and ther he made a fair gate that is called Belyngesgate aft his owne name & whē this belin [Page] had regned nobely xj. yere he died & lieth atte newe Troie

How kyng Cormbatrus quelled the kyng of denmark for encheson that he wold not pay hym his truage Ca.xxiiij.

ANd after this Belyn regned his sone cormbatrus a good man & a worthy & the kyng of denmar [...] wolde not paye hym his truage that is to sey a M. pounde as he had swor­ne by oth for to pay it & also by writing recorded to Belyn his fa­dre wherfor he was euell paied & wroth & assembled a grete host of britons & went in to denmarke & slow the kyng Gutlagh & brouȝt the land in subiection all newe & toke of folke feautes & homages & after went ayene in to his land and as he come forth by Orkeney he fonde xxx. shippes full of men & women besides the cost of the see & the kyng axed what they were / An erle that was mastir of hem all courteisly ansuerd vn to the kyng & said that they were exiled oute of spayne & so that they had trauailled half a yere & more in the see to witen yf they myght fynde any kyng in any londe that of hem wolde haue pite or mercy to yeue hem any lande in any contre wherin they myghten duelle & haue rest and become his li [...]ge men and to hym wolde done homage and feaulte whiles that [...] and to his heires after hym and hym and of his heires holden that lande And when the kyng this herde he had pite of hem and yafe hem an Ile all wildernesse ther that no man was duellyng saufe only wilde bestes and the Erle thanked moch the kyng and beco­me his man & did hym homage and feaulte and toke all his folke and went in to the same Ile and the Erle was called Irlamal & therfor he let calle y ^• land Irlande aft his owne name The kyng Cormbatrus come ayene in to this land & regned xxv. yere & after he died and lieth at newe Troie

¶How the kyng Guentholen regned in goodnesse and well go [...] ned the land all his lyfes tyme Ca.xxv

ANd whan Cormbatrus was dede regned Guentholen his sone a man of good cōdicions & welbeloued & he go [...]ned the land well & wy [...]ely & he regned xxvj. yere and after died and lieth at newe Troie

¶How kyng seisell regned and well gouerned the lande after Guentholen ¶Ca.xxvj.

ANd after this Guentholen regned his sone Seisell well & worthely and well gouerned the land as his fadre had done beforne hym and he regned xv. yere and died and lith at newe Troie

¶How kymor regned after seisell his fadre and he begate howan that regned after Ca.xxvij.

ANd after seisell regned his sone kymor well & nobely xix. yere in pees & howan his sone x. yere and died and lieth at Ikaldoune

¶How kyng Mor with died thurgh meschaunce thurgh a best for his wikednesse Ca.xxviij

AFter this Howan regned morwith & become wikked & so sterne till at the last grete vengeaunce come to hym / for as [...]e went vpon a tyme by the see side he mete a grete [...] that was blak & horrible & hidous & he went that it had bene a whale of the see & bent an arblast & wold haue slayn̄ that best with a quarell but he myght not smyte him And when he had shot all his quarelles the beste anone come to hym in a grete hast & hym deuoured a lyfe & so he died for his wi [...]kenesse thurgh vengeaunce of god aft that he had regned ix. yere

¶Of Grandobodian that was morwiths sone that made the toune of Cambrigge Ca.xxix.

AFter this morwith was dede the britons croūed Grādobodi an his sone & this Grādobodiā long tyme regned in goodnesse & made temples & tounes & this Grandobodian made the toune of Cambrigge & the toune of Grauntham & was welbe loued of rich & poer for he honoured the rich and helpe the poer This Grandobodian had iiij. sones Arthogaill / Hesidur Higamus & petitur & when he had regned xj. yere he died & lieth at newe Troie

¶Of Artogaill that was Grandobodianus sone how he was made kyng & [...]th put a doune for his wikkednesse Ca.xxx

AFter Grandobodian regned his sone Artogaille v. yere & he become so wikked & so sterne that the britons wold not suffre hym to be kyng but put hym a doune & made Hesi­dur his brother kyng & he become so good & merciable that mē him called kyng of pite And whan he had regned v. yere he had so grete pite of his brother Artogaille y ^t was kyng before & anone he forsoke his dignite & toke his brother the croun̄ ayene & made him kyng ayens all the britons wyll / And afterward Artogaille become so good of condicion that he was welbeloued of all the land for he be­come so debonair & fre & did right & reson to all maner of men and he regned vj. yere and died and lieth at Grantham

¶How Hesidur was made kyng after the deth of Artogaill his brother Ca.xxxj

[Page]AFter the deth of Artogaill the Bretons [...]rouned an othir ty [...]e Hesidur but his ij. brethern̄ Higamus & Petitur haddē of hym grete despite & eke scorne & ordeyned hem helpe fo [...] to werre vpon the kyng hir brother and so they token hym & put hym in to prison the seconde yere of his regne & they deꝑted all [...] bi­twene hem both but Higamus leuyd but vij. yere & tho had petitur all the land & he made the toune of Pykeryng

¶Howe the Britons nomen Hesidur out of pr [...]son & made hym kyng the thridde tyme Ca.xxxij.

ANd when this Petitur was dede Britons nōme anone y [...]t Hesidur & made hym kyng the thrid tyme & tho regned he in pees xiiij. yere and after he died and lieth at karlille

¶Howe xxxiij. kynges regned in pees eche after othir after the deth of Hesidur Ca.xxxiij.

AFter the deth of Hesidur regned xxxiij. kynges euery aft [...]r othir in pees & without any long tarieng I shal tell hem all & howe long eche of hem regned as the storie telleth. The fyrst kyng of tho xxxiij. was called Gerbodia & he regned xij. yere & aft hym regned Morgan ij. yere. & after hym regned Cighnus vj. yere & after hym regned Idwalan viij. yere / & after hym regned Ro­hugo xj. yere. And after hym regned [...]oghen xiij. yere / And after hym regned Catill xv. yere / And after hym regned Porrex ij. yere And after hym regned Cheryn xvij. yere And after hym regned Coyll xij. yere And after hym regned Sulgenis xiiij. yere. And after hym regned Esdad xx. yere And after hym regned Andra­gie xv.ij. yere And after hym regned [...]rian v. yere / And after hym regned Elind ij. yere And after hym regned Eldagan xv. yere And after hym regned Claten xij. yere And aft hym regned Quirgunde viij. yere And after hym reg [...]ed Mortan vj. yere And after hym regned Bledagh iij. yere And after hym regned Caph j. yere And after hym regned Gen ij. yere And after hym regned Seisell & kyng Bled xxij. yere And kyng Tabreth xj. yere And Archinal xiiij. yere And Groll xxx. yere And Rodingu xxxij yer̄ And Hert [...]r v. yere And Hampir vj. yere And Car [...]our vij. yere And Digneill iij. yere And Samuel xxiiij. yere & Rede ij. yere & Eln vij. monthes & this Ely had iij. sone [...]lud ca [...]sibalā & enemyō

¶Howe lud was made kyng after the deth of Ely his fadre Capitulo xx [...]iiij.

AFter the deth of Ely regned lud his sone and gouerned wel [...]he land and moche honoured good folk & tēpred & amēded [Page] wikked folke This lud loued more to duelle at Troie than in any othir place of the land wherfor the name of newe Troie was lefte and tho was the Cite called ludstone / But the name is changed thurgh variance of lr̄ez and now is called london And this kyng made in the Cite a fair gate & called it ludgate after his name and the folke of the Cite hete it loundres and when he had regned xj. yere he deide and lieth at london & he had ij. yong sones And [...]aghen and Tormace / but they coude nethir speke ne go for yongth & therfor the britons crouned a strong knyght that was called lud that was Cassibalamus brother & made hym kyng of Britaigne

¶How the britons graūted to cassibalam that was ludes brother the land in whos tyme Iulius Cesar come twyes for to conquere the land Ca.xxxv.

AFter the deth of kyng lud regned his brother Cassibalam & become a good man & moche beloued of his britons so y ^• for his goodnesse & curtesie they graunted hym the Reame for euermore to hym & to his heires / & the kyng of his goodnesse bet norissh worthelich bothe sones that were lud his brothers & after made the eldest sone erle of Cornewaill & that othir erle of london And while this kyng Cassibalam regned come Iulius cesar that was Emꝑour of Rome in to this land with a poer of Romayns and wolde haue had this land thurgh strength / but Cassibalā o [...]come hym in bataille thurgh helpe of the britons & drofe hym out of thi [...] lande & he went ayene to Rome & assembled a grete poer an othir tyme & come ayene in to this land for to yeue bataille to Cassibalā but he was discōfited thurgh strength of the britons & thurgh helpe of the erle of Corne waill & the erle of london his brother & thurgh helpe of Gudian kyng of Scotland & Corband kyng of north wa­lys & of bretaill kyng of southwales / & in this bataill was slayn̄ Nennon that was Cassibalams brother wherfor he made moch sorwe / And so w [...]nt Iulius cesar oute of this land with a sewe of romayns that were left a lyue / And tho Cassibalam went ayene to london & made a fest vn to all his folk that tho had hym holpe and whan that feste was done eche man went in to his owne contre.

¶Of the debate that was bitwene Cassibalam & the Erle of lon­don and of the truage that was paied to Rome Ca.xxxvj

ANd after it befell thus vpon a day that the gentilmē of the kynges houshold & gentilmen of the Erles houshold of london after mete wente in fere for to play and thurgh [Page] debate that arose among hem Enelyn that was the Erles cosin of london queld Irenglas that was the kynges cosin wherfor the kyng swore that Enelin sholde bene honged but the Erle of lon­don that was Enelinꝰ lord wold nat suffre it wherfor the kyng was wroth to ward the Erle & thought hym destroie & preuely the Erle sent lr̄ez to Iulius cesar that he sholde come in to this lande for to helpe hym and hym a venge vpon the kyng & he wolde helpe hym with all his myght And when the Emꝑour herde this ty­dyng he was full glad and ordeyned a strong poer & come ayen the thrid tyme in to this land and the Erle of london halp hym with vij.M. men and at the thrid tyme was Cass [...]balan ouercom̄ and discomfited and made pees to the Emꝑour for iij.M. ponde of siluer yeldyng by yere for truage for this lande for euermore & half ayere passed the Emꝑour went to Rome and the Erle of london with hym for he durst not abide in this lond and after Cass [...]balan regned xvij. yere in pees and tho died he the xvij. yere of his regne and lieth at york

¶Howe lordes of the lande after the deth of cassibalan for enche [...]on that he had none heir made Andragen kyng Ca.xxxvij.

AFter the deth of Cassibalan for as moche as he had non heir of his body the lordes of the land by comune assent crouned Andragen Erle of Cornwaille and made hym kyng and he reg­ned well and worthely & was a good man & well gouerned the land & when he had regned viij. yere he died & lieth at london

¶Of kymbalyn that was Andragenys sone a good man & wel gouerned the lande Ca.xxxviij.

AFter the deth of Andragen regned Kymbalyn his sone that was a good man and well gouerned the lande in moche [...] sperite and pees all his lifes tyme and in his tyme was borne Ihū crist our sauyour of that swete virgin Marie. This kyng kymbe­lyn had ij. sones Guider and Armoger good knyghtes and worthy and when this kyng kymbalyn had regned xxij. yere he died and lieth at london

¶Of kyng Gynder that was kymbalynꝰ sone that wolde nat pay the truage to Rome for the lande that Cassibalan had graunted and howe he was slayne of a romayne Ca.xxxix

ANd after the deth of this kymbalyn regned Gynder his sone [...] good man and a worthy and he was of so high hert that he wolde nat pare to Rome that truag [...] that kyng Cassibalan bad graunted vn to Iulius Cesar wherfor the Emꝑour that [Page] was tho that was called Claudius cesar was sore annoied and or deyned a grete power of Romayns and come in to this lande for to conquere the truage thurgh strength and haue it of the kyng / but the kyng Gynder and Armager his brother gadred a grete hoost yfere of Britons and yafe bataille to the Emperour Clau­dius and queld of Romayns grete plente / The Emperour had afterward one y ^• was called Hamon that sawe that hir peple ware fast slayue preuelich he cast a way his owne armes and toke the armes of a dede Briton and armed hym with his armure and come in to the bataille to the kyng and said in this maner / Sir beye good of hert for goddis loue for the Romayns that bene yone ene­mies anone shull be slayne and discomfited euerychon / & the kyng yaf no kepe ne reward to his speche for encheson of the armes that he had vpon hym and went it had bene a Briton / but the traitour euer helde hym next the kyng / and preuelich vnder the shuldres of his armes he smote the kyng wher for he was dede and fell doune to the erthe / whan Armager sawe his brother dede he caste away his armes and toke to hym his brothers armes and come in to the bataille amonge the Britons and bad hem hertely for to fight and fast bey a doune the Romayns / and for the armes they wende it had he kyng Gynder that erst was slayne that they wise not then̄ gon the Britons hertely fight and quelled the Romains so at the last the Emꝑour forsoke the felde and fledde as faste as he myght with his folke in to the Cite of wynchestre and the fals traitour hamon that had queld the kyng faste anone gan for to flee with all the hast that he myght and Armager the kynges brother pursued hym full fersely with a ferse hert and drofe hym vn to a water and ther he toke hym / and anone smo [...]e of both hond hede and feet and hewe the body all to peces & tho cast him in to the water wherfor that water was called hamonus hauen and afterward ther was made a faire toune that yit standeth that is called southāpton / And afterward Armager went to wynchestre for to seke claudius cesar the Emꝑour & ther Armager hym toke / & Claudius the Emꝑour thurgh counceill of his romains that with hym were left a lyue made pees with Armager in this maner as ye shull here y ^• is to say how that Claudius the Emꝑour shold yeue to Armager Gennen his fair doughter for to haue to wife so that this land fro that tyme afterward shold be in the Emꝑours poer of Rome vppn suche couenaunt that neuer afterward none emꝑour of rome shold take none othir truage of this lād / but only feaulte & so they were [Page] acorded And vpon this conenant Claudius cesar sent to Rome for his doughter Gennen and whan she was come Claudius cesar yaf hir to Armager to wyf and Armager spoused hir at london with moche solempnite and myrthe & tho was Armager crouned and made kyng of Britaigue

¶Of kyng Armager in whose tyme seint Petre precked in Anti ochie with othir apostoles in du [...]erse contreis Ca.xl

THis kyng Armager regned well and worthely & the lande go [...]ned And Claudius Cesar in remēbraūce of this acord & for reuerence & honour of his doughter made in this land a fair toune & a fair castell and let calle the toune after his name Clau­cestren that nowe is called Gloucestre and when this was all done the Emꝑour nōme his leue & thowent ayen to Rome & Armager tho was kyng and go [...]ned the land well & nobely all his lyfes tyme and this Armager gote a sone on his wyfe that called was westmer and whiles that this armager regned seint petre preched in Antioche and ther he made a noble chyrch in which he sate fyrst in his chair and there he duelled vij. yere and after he went to Rome & was made pope till that New the Emꝑour let hym martrē and tho preched openly all the appostles in diuerse landes the right fayth And whan Armager had regned xxiiij. yere he died & lieth at london

¶How [...] kyng westmer yaf to Berynger an yland forlet & ther this Berynger made the toune of Berewike Ca.xli.

ANd after this Armager regned his sone westmer a good man & a worthy of body & well go [...]ned the lande. Hit befell so that tydynge came to hym on a day that the kyng Rodryk of gascoine was come in to his land with a houge numbre of peple and was duellyng in staynesmore And when kyng westmer herde tho tydynges he let assemble an houge host of britons and come to the kyng rodrik & yaf hym bataill & kyng westmer queld rodrik with his owne hondes in playne bataille And when kyng rodrikes mē sowe that hir lord was dede they yolden hem all vn to the kyng we stmer & bicomen his men for e [...]more and he yaf hem a contre that was forleten where in they myght duelle and thidder they went & duelled there all hir lyfes tyme & ix.c. men there were of hem & no mo lefte at that bataill. Hir go [...]nour and prince was called Berynger and anon̄ he bigan a toune that they myght there in duell and haue restorte and let calle the toune Berewyk vp twede and there they duelled and bicame riche but they had no women [Page] amonges hem & the britons wold nat yefe hir doughtres to the strā gers wherfor they went ouer see in to Irland & brought with hem women & tho hem tho spoused but the men koude nat vnderstonde y ^• langage ne the speche of the women & ther for they spoken to gedre as scottes & afterward thurgh chang [...]ng of hir langages in alle feaunce they were called tho scottes & so shullen that folk of that cō tre for euermore

¶How kyng westmer let arere a stone in the entring of westmer­land ther y ^• he slow roderic & ther he began first housing Ca.xlij

ANd after this bataill that is aboue said when Rodric was dede kyng westmer in remēbraunce of his victorie lete a­ [...]ere ther besides the wey a grete stone an high and yit hit stant & e [...]more shall stand and let graue in the stone l [...]ez that thus said The kyng westmer of Britaigne quelde in this place Roderic his enemie ¶And this westmer was the first man that made toun & hous in englond & at that stone beginneth westmerlād that westmer let calle after his owne name / & whan westmer had so done he duelled all his lyfes tyme in that contre of westmerland for he lo­ued that contre more than any othir contre / And when he had reg­ned xxv. yere he died & lieth at Carlille

¶Of kyng Coill that was westmers sone that helde his lande in pees his lyfes tyme Ca.xliij

AFter this kyng westmer regned his sone Coill a goodmā and a worthy & of good condicions & well gouerned his lande & of all men he had loue & pees & in his tyme was neuer contak debate ne werre in Britaigne & he regned & was kyng in pees all his lyfes tyme & whan he had bene kyng xj. yere he died and lieth at yorke

¶How kyng lucie regned after Coill his fadre that was a good man & after he become cristen Ca.xliiij.

AFter kyng coill regned lucie his sone that was a goodmā to god & to all y ^• peple he sent to rome to y ^• apostle eulēthre that tho was pope and said that he wold become a cristen man & resceyue baptisme in the name of god & torne to the right be­ [...]eu [...] ¶Eulenthre sent ij. begat that were called Pagan & Elibayn̄ in to this land & baptised the kyng & all his mayne and after wēt fro toune to toune and baptised the peple till alle the lande was baptised and this was in the C.lvj. yere after the incarnacion of our lord Ihū crist and this kyng lucie made tho in this land ij. erche [Page] bysshoppes [...]n at Canterburie an othir at york and othir many bysshoppes that yet bene in this lande ¶ And whan thees ij. le­gatz had baptized all that lande they ordeyned prestz for to bapta­ze children and for to make the sacrament & after they went ayen̄ to Rome and the kyng duelled in his lande and regned with mochel honour x.ij. yere and after died and lieth at Gloucestre.

¶How this land was longe wyth out a kyng and howe the bretons chosen a kyng Ca.xl.

THis kyng lucie had non̄ heir of his body bygoten that was afterward grete harme and sorwe to the land For aftir this kyng lucies deth non̄ of the grete of the land wold suffre an othir to be kyng but liued in werre and in debate amonges hem .l. yere without kyug But it befell afterward that a grete Prince come fro Rome in to this land that me called seuerie nought for to werre but for to saue the right of Rome. but natheles he had nat duelled halfe a yere in this lande that the bretonz ne quelled hym when tho of Rome wyst that seuerie was so slayne they sent an othir grete lord in to this land that me called Allec that was a strong man aud a myghty of body and duelled in this land long tyme and did moche sorwe to the Bretons so that after for pure malice they chosen hem a kyng amonges hem that me called astlepades & assembled a grete host of britons and went to london̄ to seche Allec there they founden hym and queld hym and all his felaws & one called walon defended hym fersely and fought longe with the bri­tons but at the last he was discomfited and the britons nōme hym and bonde handes aud feet and cast hym in to a water wher for that water afterward was called euermore walbcoke. Tho regned astlepades in quiete till one of his Erles that me called coill made a fair toun ayens the kynges wyll and le [...] call the toūne Colchestre after his name wherfor the kyng was full wroth and thought destroie the erle and bigan to werre vpon hym & brought grete power and yaf bataill to the erle and the Erle defended hym fersely with his power & slowe the kyng hym self in that bataill and tho was Coill crouned and made kyng of this land. This Coill regned and gouerned the royalme well and nobely for he was a noble man and welbeloued among the briton [...]. When tho of rome herde that Astlepodes was slayn̄ they were wonder glad and sent an othir grete Prince of Romanis that was called Constance and he come to the kyng Coill for to chalenge the truage that was woned to be paied to Rome And the kyng ansuerd wel [Page] and wysely and said that he wolde paye to Rom [...]all that right and reson wolde with good will And so they accorded tho with good will and withoute any contak and both they duelled to gedees in loue ¶The kyng Coyll yaf his doughter Eleyn̄ to Constance for to haue hir to his spouse that was both fair wyse and good and well lettred And this Constance spoused hir ther with moche honour / And it befell sone afterward that this kyng Coyll died in the yere of his regne xiij. and lieth at Colcestre entierd

¶Of kyng Constance that was a Romayne that was chosen kyng aft the deth of Coyl for as moche that he had spoused Eleyn thas was kyng Coyles doughter ¶Ca.xlvj.

AFter this kyng Coyl Constance was made kyng and crou­ [...]ed for as moche that he had spoused kyng Coyles doughter that was heir of the lande the whiche Constance regned well and worthely gouerned the lande and he bigate on his wif Eleyn a sone that was called Constantine and this kyng bare tre we fayth and truly did to hem of rome all his lyfe and when he had regned xv. yere he died and lieth at york.

¶How Constantine that was kyng Constances sone and the sone of seint Eleyn gouerned and ruled the lande and was Em [...]our of Rome ¶Ca.xlvij

AFter kyng Constances deth Constantine his sone and the one of seint Eleyn that fonde the holy crosse in the holy lāde and howe Conseantine bicame Emꝑour of Rome. Hit befell so in that tyme ther was an Emꝑour at Rome a Sarazyne a tiraunt that was called Maxence that put to deth all that beleued in god & destroied holy chyrche by all his poer and slough alle Cristē men that he myght fynde. And among all othir he let martre seint ka­terine and many othir cristen peple that had drede of deth that fled de and come in to this lande to kyng Constantine and tolde hym of the sorwe that Maxence dyde to Cristiente wherfor Constantine had pite and grete sorwe made and assembled a grete holt and a grete power and went ouer to Rome and nōme the Citee and quelled all that ther in were of mysbeleue that he myght fynde / And tho was he made Emꝑour and was a good man and gouerned hym so well that all landes to hym were attendaunt for to bene vnder his gouernaill. And this deuell tiraunt Maxence that tyme was in the lande of Grec [...] and herde this tydynge he [Page] become wode and soden [...]ch he died and so he ended his lyfe when Costantine went fro this land to Rome he toke with hym his mo­der Eleyne for the mochel wisdome that she coude and iij. othir grete lordes that he most loued that one was called Hoel an othir was called Dalerne and the thridde Morhin and toke all his lande to kepe vn to the Erle of Cornewaille that was called Octauian / And anone as this Octauian wist that his lord was duellyng at Rome he seised all the land in to his hand and ther with did all his wyll among high and lowe and they helde hym for kyng whā this tydynge come to Costantine the emꝑour he was wonder wroth to ward the erle Octauian and sente [...]aberne with xij. thousand mē for to destroie the Erle for his falsenesse & arriued at Porte smouth ¶ And when Octauian wist that he assembled a grete power of britons and discomfited [...]aberne / and [...]aberne fledde thens in to Scotland and ordeyned there a grete power and come ayene in to this land an othir tyme for to yeue bataille to Octauian When Octauian herde telle that he assembled a grete power and come to­wardes [...]aberne as moche as he myght so that the ij. hostes metten vpon steynesmore aud strongly smote to gedre / and tho was Octauian discomfited and fledde thens in to Norwey and [...]aberne sei­sed alle the land in to his hand tounes castelles as moch as they ther had ¶ And sith Octauian come ayene fro Norwey with a grete power and seised ayene all the land in to his hande and drofe out all the Romains & was tho made kyng and regned

¶How Maximian that was the Emꝑours cosin of Rome spou­sed Octauians donghter & was made kyng ¶Ca.xlviij.

THis kyng Octauian gouerned the land well and nobely but he nad none heir sauf a dought that was a yong child that he loued as moche as his lyfe and for as moch that he wax sike & was in point of deth & myght no lenger regne he wolde haue made one of his nepheus to haue bene kyng the whiche was a noble knyȝt & a strong mā y ^• was called Conan meriedoke & he shold haue kept the kynges doughter & haue maried hir when tym̄ had bene but the lordes of the lande nolde nat suffre it but yaf hir counseill to be maried to some high man of grete honour and than myght she haue all hir lust And the counseill of the Emꝑour Co­stantine hir lord and at this counceill they accorded and chose tho cador of cornewaille for to wēde to y ^• emꝑour for to do this message [Page] and he nōme the wey and went to Rome and tolde [...]eth Emꝑour this tydyng well and wysely & the Emꝑour sent in to this lande with hym his owne cosin y ^• was his vncles sone a noble knyght and a stronge thas was called Maximian and he spoused Octa­uians doughter and was crouned kyng of this lande

¶Howe Maximian that was the Emꝑours cosin conquered the lande of Amorican and yaf it to Conan Meriedok ¶Ca.xlix.

THis kyng Maximian bicome so riall that he thought to conquere the land of Amorican for grete ricchesse that he herde tell that was in that lande so that he ne lefte man thas was of worthinesse knyght squyer ne none othir man that he ne toke with hym to grete damage to all the lande for he left at home behynd hym no man to kepe the lande but nōme hem with hym fro this lande xxx.M. knyghtes that were doughty mēnys bodies and went ouer in to the lande of Amorican and ther slewe the kyng that was called Imball and conqnered all the lande.

And when he had so done he called Conan & said For as moche as kyng Octauian haue made yowe kyng of Britaigue and thurgh me ye were lette & destrobled that ye were nat kyng I yeue yowe all this land of Amorican and yowe ther of make kyng ¶ And for as moche as ye ben a briton and your men also and become fro britaigue I wull that this land haue the same name and no more be called Amorican but he called litell britaigne and the lande fro whens ye ben comen shall he called moche britaigue ¶ And so that men knowe that one britaigue fro that othir Conan meriedok thā ked hym hendely and so was he made kyng of litell britaigue

¶ And when all this was done Maximian went thens to rome and was tho made Emꝑour after Costantine Conan Meriedok dnelled in litell britaigue with mochel honour & let ordeyn ii.M. ploughmen of the lande for to erie the land to harwe it and sawe and feffed hem richely after that they were ¶ And for as moche as kyng Conan and none of his knyghtes ne none of his othir peple wolde nat take wifes of the nacion̄ of fraunce he tho sent in to grete Britaigue to the Erle of Cornwaille that me called Dionothe that chese thurgh out all the lande xj.M. of maydens that is to say viij.M. for the mene peple & iij.M. for the grettest lordes that sholde hem spouse ¶ And when Dionothe vn [...]fonge this cō ­maūdament he let seche thurgh all grete britaigne as many as the nōbre came to for no mā durst withstōde his cōmaūdamēts for as [Page] moche as all the land was take hym to warde and to kepe to done all thyng that hym good liked And when all the maydens were as sembled be let hem come before hym to london and let ordeyne for hē shippes hastely as moche as hem neded to y ^• viage & toke his owne doughter that was called Vrsula / that was the fairest creature that any man wist and wold haue sent hir to kyng Conan that sholde haue spoused hir and made hir quene of the land / but she had ma­de preuely to god a vowe of chastite that hir fadre wiste not ne no man elles that was lyuyng vpon erth.

¶How Vrsula and xj.M. maydens that were in hir companie went toward litell britaigne and all were martred at Coleyne Capitulo quinquagesimo

THis Vrsula chese vn to hir companie xj.M. maydens that of all othir she was ladie & mastresse and all they wēte in to shipp at one tyme in the water that was called the thamise and commaunded hir kyn and all hir frendes to Almyghty god and sailled to ward litell britaigne / But when they were comen in to the high see / a stronge tempeste arose as it was goddis wille

¶ And Vrsula with hir shippes and hir companie were driuen to ward hundland thurgh tempest and arriued in the hauen of the Cite of Coloyne / The kyng of the land that was called Geowan was tho in the Cite / & whan he wise the tydyng that so many fair may­dens were ther arriued / he toke Elga his brother and othir of his houshold with hym and went to the shippes to seen that faire companie and whan he saw hem so faire he and his companie wold haue ouerlayne hem & betake fro hem hir maydenhode But Vrsula that good maid counceilled praied warned & taught hē that were hir felawes that they shold defende hem with all hir myȝt and rather suffre deth than suffre hir body to be defoiled So that all tho maydens become so stedfast in god that they defended hem thurgh his grace so that none of hem had poer to done hem any shame / ¶Wherfor the kyng Gowan wax so sore annoied that he for wrath let slee hem euerichone anone right / and so were all tho maydenes martred for the loue of god and lien at Coloyne

¶How kyng Gowan come for to destroie this land & how a man of grete power that was called Gracian defended the land Capitulo quinquagesimoprimo

[Page]WHen all this was done kyng Gowan that was a sarazen called his brother Elga and said to hym that he sholde go to cōquere the lād that all tho fair maydens were in borne And he ordeyned tho a grete poer of Pehites of denmare of or­koney and of norwey and they come in to this lande and brent tounes & slewe folk and cast a doune chyrches and houses & religiō and robbed the lande in length & brede & put to deth all tho that wolde nat forsake the right beleue & cristendome ¶For as moche as ther was no soueraigne that myght hem helpe For the kyng Maximian had taken with hym all the worthy men he went to cō quere litell britaigne And in the same tyme that ye here nowe telle was seint Albone martred thurgh the wode tiraunt Dio [...]cian in the same place wher is nowe an Albaye made of seint Albone whiles that he was a paynyme ¶But he conuerted hym to god thurgh the predicacion̄ of a clere and a wyse man that was called Anabel that was herburghed a nyght in his house And this waz after the Incarnacion̄ of Ihū crist [...] xxvj. yere And men shull vnderston that seint Albone suffred his matirdome before that seint Edmond was martred and her for is seint Albone called the fyrst martir of England ¶This Gowannes brother & his folk that were sarazenes went thurgh out the lande & destroied all thyng that they founde and no thyng they ne spared When this tydyng came to Rome Nowe that kyng Gowan had bigōne for to stroie this lande the Emꝑour and tho of Rome sent a strong man and of grete poer that was called Gracian with xxiiij.M. men well fyghtyng for to cast out Sarazenes out of this lande & all they arrined at portesmothe ¶Maximian myght nat come hym selfe for as moche as he was chosen Emꝑour after the deth of Constantine that was seint Eleynes sone ¶When this Gracian was arrined with his host he let aspie priuely wher the kyng gowan myght be founde and he come vpon hem sodenly as they lay in hir beddes and descomfited hym & slew hem in hir beddes euery chon that non̄ of hym ascaped sauf Gowan that fled with moche sorwe in to his contre ¶Sone after it befell that Maximian was slayne at Rome thurgh treson And when Gracian wyse that ty­dynge be let croune hym kyng of this lande

¶Howe Gracian made hym kyng when Maximian was slayne and afterward the britons queld hym for his wikkednesse Ca.lij

¶His Gracian when he bigan to regne he bicome so wikked [Page] and so sterne and so moche sorwe did to the britons that they [...] hym amonges hem ¶Tho the kyng Gowan had vnderstond tha [...] Gracian was slayne and done to deth he assembled a grete power & come ayene in to this lande / and yf he had erst done harme tho did he moche more / for tho destroied he all this land and the cristen peple that was in moche britaigne so that no man was so hardie for to nem [...]ne god / and he that so did anone he was put to stronge deth ¶But the bisshopp of london that was tho that was called Gosselyn scaped and wente thens to them of Rome to seche socour to helpe cestroie the sarazenes that had destroied this land ¶ And the Ro­mains saide that they had be so ofte annoied for hir sending after folke in to Britaigne all for to helpe the Britons and they wold no more so done ¶ And so the bisshopp Gosselyne went thens withoute any socour or helpe ¶ And tho went he to the kyng of litell britaigne that was called Aldroie and this was the thridde kyng af­ter Gowan mer [...]edoke as before is said ¶The bisshopp praied this kyng Aldroie of helpe and socour ¶The kyng had grete pite in his hert when he had herde how the bisshopp fledde and how the Cri­sten men weren slayne in grete britaigne thurgh paynyms and sa­razenes he graunted hym Costantine his brother hym for to helpe with power of folke and hem did araie hors armure and shippes & all thyng that hem neded to that viage ¶ And whan all thyng was redy he called the bisshopp and to hym said I take yow here to helpe and socour Costātine my brother vpon this couenant that if god yeue hym grace the paynymes and the sarazenes to shende and discomfite that than ye make hym kyng And the bisshopp it graunted with good wyll ¶Costantine and the bisshopp toke leue of the kyng Aldroie and betoke hym to god and toke hir men xij.M. and wente to hir shippes and sailled toward grete Britaigne and arriued at tottenesse ¶When the Britons herde the tydynges that to hem come socour they were strongly holpen and ordeyned hem an huge nombre of peple and come to hem and vnderfenge hem with mochel honour ¶Gowan anone as he wist of this thynges he as­sembled all the sarazenes and come ayens hem and yafe hem bataille / And Costantine slow hym with his owne hondes And all tho othir sarazenes were discomfited and slayne that none ascaped but tho that were conuerted vn to god

¶How Costantine that was the kynges brother of litell Brita­igne was crouned kyng of mochel Britoigne for his worthinesse Capitulo quinquagesimotercio

[Page]ANone after the bataill they went to london and couned ther Costantine and made hym kyng of this lande and the bisshopp Goseline sette the croune on his hede & ānoynted hym as falleth to a kyng for to bene and tho bigan cristendome This kyng Costantine when he was crouned anone after he spoused his wife thurgh conceill of the britons and he begate iij. sones on hir / The fyrst was called Constance that othir Aurilambros and the thridde Vter Constance the elder brother when he came to age he made hym a monke at wyuchestere Costantine hir fadre waz slayne thurgh treson For it befell on a tyme that a Pchite come to hym vpon a day in message as it were & said that he wolde speke with the kyng priuely in conceill The kyng let wide his chambre of tho mē that were wythynne and ther abode no mo but the kyng and the Pehite and made a contenaunce as they he wolde haue spoke wyth the kyng in his ere and there he quelled hym with a longe knyfe and after went queyntely oute of the chambre into an othir chambre so at the last no man wyst where he was bicome ¶When the kynges meyn̄ wyst that hir lord was so dede they made so moche sorwe they nyse all what to done For as moche as his ij / sones Aurilambros and Vter weren so yonge that none of hem myght be kyng and the thridde brother was mōke at wyn chestre as is said be forne But vortiger that was erle of westsexe thought priuely in his hert thurgh queyntyse to be kyng and went to wynchestre ther that Constance was monke and to hym said Constance quod he your fadre is dede and yonr ij. bretheren that bene with Gosseline the bisshopp of london to norissh ben so yonge that none of hem may be kyng ¶Wherfor I conceill yowe that ye forsake your abit and come with me and I shall done so to the britons that ye shall be made kynge.

¶Of Constaunce that was kyng Costantines sone that was monk at wynchestre and howe he was made kyng after his fa­dres deth thurgh conceill of Vortiger that was Erle of westsexe for as moche as Aurilambros and Vter his ij. bretheren went but yonge of age And Vortiger let sle [...] hym to be kyng hym selfe ¶Capitulo liiij.

¶His Vorager conc [...]illed this Constan [...]t so moche till he [Page] forsoke his Abbot and went with hym And anone after he was [...]ouned and made kyng by assent of the Britons

¶This kyng Constance whan he was crouned and made kyng he wist ne knewe but litell of the worlde ne coude no thyng what knyghthode axed he made Vortiger his chief mastir and counceil­ler and ya fe hym all his power for to ordeyne and to do as moche as to the Reame aꝑteyned So that hym selfe nothyng enternel­led but only bare the name of kyng ¶When Vortiger saw that he had all the land in his ward and goueruaille at his owne wyll he thought a priue treson and to slee Constance the kyng / that he myght hym selfe bene crouned and made kyng and regne and let sende after an hondred knyghtes of Pehites the worthiest of all the land and hem helde with hym to duelle with hym as to be kepers of his body / as he wolde wende thurgh the land to ordeyne thynges that apꝑteyned to a kyng ¶ And this Vortiger honoured so mo­che the houdred knyghtes and so moche yafe hym of gold and sil­uer and so riche Iewrlles robes hors and othir thingis plente wher for they helde hym more lord than they did the kyng ¶ And Vor­tiger tolde hem yf he most be kyng ye as it were thurgh treson / he wolde make hem ricchest of the lande So at the laste thurgh grete yiftes that he had yeue largely / they cried thurgh the courte that Vortiger were better worthy to be kyng than Constance / wherfore Vortiger made semblant as he had bene wroth and departed thens fro the court and said he must gone elles whidder for thyng that he had to done / and so the traitour said for encheson that they shold slee hym that is to say Constance ¶When this Vortiger was gone it befell sone after that tho houndred knyghtes of Pehites breken the dores of the kynges chambre and ther they hym show and smyten of his heed / and bere it to Vortiger ther that he duelled And when Vortiger saw that heed / he wepte full tenderly with his eye And nothele [...]s he was somedell glad of his deth ¶ And anone let take the hondred knyghtes of Pehites and bynde hir hondes behynde hem and lede hem to london and / there they were dampned to the deth as fals traitours And anone after all the britons of the lande by commune assent crouned Vortiger and made hym kyng of the lande

¶How the wardeyns that had tho two children to kepe that we­re Costantines sones lad de hem to litell Britaigne for the treson & falsenesse of Vortiger. Capitulo quinquagesimoquinto

[Page]THis kyng Vortiger when he was crouned tho that had the ij. children in kepyng Au [...]lambros and Vter thurgh or dinaunce of Gosselyne tha [...] was bisshopp of london at his deth durst nat duelle in the lande with the children / but lad hem to the kyng of litell Britaigne / for as moche as be tho wyst the treson of Vortiger that tho was made kyng / thurgh whom Constance hir brother was slayne / wherfore the houndred knyghtes of Pehites were put to deth and beren all the blame / as that Vortiger had not wyst ther of nothir ther to consented ¶And so the kepers of tho two children dred left Vortiger wold put hem to dethe thurgh his treson and falsenesse as he had done hir brother beforne / And ther fore they were lad ouer in to litell Britaigne / and the kyng hem resseyued with mochel honour and lete hem to norisshe / and ther they duelled till they become faire knyghtes and stronge and fers and thought to be auenged vpon the dethe of Constance hir brother when they sawe hir tyme and so they did as ye shnll here tell afterward ¶Hit was not longe after that the tydynges ne come ouer see to the kynred of tho houndred knyghtes of Pehites that were dampned and put to the dethe thurgh Vortiger in this lande therfore they were wondrely wroth and sworen that they wolde bene auenged of hir kynnes deth / and comen in to this land with a grete power and robbed in many places and queld and did all the sorwe that they myght / Whan Vortiger it wist he made moche sorwe and sore was ann [...]ied / And in an othir place also tydynges came to hym that Aurilambros and Vter his brother ordeyned and assembled a grete host for to come in to mochel Bri­taigne that is to sey in to this lande to bene quenged vpon Constā ce hir brothers deth / So that in one halfe and in that othir he was brought in to so moche sorwe that he ne wyst whidder to wende

¶How Engist and xj. thousaud men come in to this lande [...] whom Vortiger yafe a place that called is thong [...]stell Capitulo quinquagesimosexto

ANd sone after this sorwe tydynge come to Vortiger that a grete nauye of strangiers were arriued in the contre of [...]ent but he wyst not whens they were ne wherfore they were come in to this land ¶The kyng sente anone a messaiger [Page] [...] that somme of bem sholde come and speke with hym for to [...] what folke they were and what they axed and in to what contre they wolde gone ¶Ther were ij. bretherne mastres and princes of that strong companie that one was called Engist and that othir horsse Engist went to the kyng and tolde hym enche­son wherfor they were ther arrined in his lande. ¶ And said Sir we ben of a contre that called is Saxonie that is the lande of Eermayne wher in is so moche for we that of the peple be so moche that the lande may not hem susteyne ¶The mastres and princes that haue the lande to gouerne and rule make to come before hem men and women that boldest ben among hem for to fyght and that best may trauaill in to diucrse landes

¶ And so they shull hem yeue hors and harnays Armure and all thyng that hem nedeth and after they shall sey to hem that they gone in to a othir contre wher that they mowe lyuen as hir aunce stres did beforne hem ¶ And therfor Sir kyng yf ye haue ought to do with our companye we be come in to your lande and with good wyll yowe wyl serue and your lande kepe helpe and de­fended, from your enymyes yf that yowe nedeth

¶When Vortiger herde this tydynge he said he wolde gladly hem withold vpon suche couenant yf they myght deliuer his lande of his Enemies he wolde yeue hem resonable londes wher they sholde duell for euermore Engist thanked hym goodly and in this maner he and his companye xj.M. shold dnell with the kyng Vortiger and so moche they did thurgh hir boldenesse that they deliuered the lande clene of his ennemyes Tho praied Engist the kyug of so moche land that he myght make to hym a Cite for hym and for his meyne ¶The kyng ansuerd it was not to done with out conc [...]ill of his britons ¶Engist praied hym eftsones of as moche place as he myght compase with a thonge of a skynne whervpon he myght make hym a maner and for him to duell on And the kyng graunted hym feely ¶Tho nōme Engist a bull skynne and cut it as smale as he myȝt all in to a thwonge all a rounde and ther with compased he as moche lande as he made vpon a fair ca­stell and when this castell was y made he let call it [...]hwongca­stell For as moche as the place was marked with a thonge

¶Of Ronewen that was Engistes doughter and howe the kyng Vortiger spoused hir for hir beaute Capitulo quinqnagesimo sepfimo.

[Page]WHen this Castell was maked and fnll well araied En­gist preuely sent by leter in to the contre that he came of after an houndred shippes fylled with strange men that ware bolde and well fyghtyng in all batailles / and that they shold bring with hem Rone wen his doughter that was the fairest crea­ture that a man myght see ¶ And when the peple was comen that he had sente after he toke hem in to the Castell with moch Ioye And hym selfe vpon a day wente vn to the kyng and praied him ther worthely that he wolde come and see his newe maner that he had made in the place that he compassed with a thonge of the skyn̄ ¶The kyng anone graunted it hym frely and with hym wente thidder and was well a paied with the Castell and with the fair werke / and to gedres ther they eten and dronken with mochel Ioye

¶ And whan nyght come that the kyng Vortiger shold gone in to his chambre for to take ther his nyghtes reste / Ronewen that was Engistes doughter come with a coupe of gold in hir honde and kneled beforne the kyng / and said to hym wassaille / and the kyng wist not what it was to mene ne what he sholde ansuere for as moch as hym selfe ne none of his Britons yit coude none Englissh speken ne vnderstond it / but speken tho the same langage that Britons yit done ¶Nothelees a latymer tolde the kyng the full vnderstondyng ther of wassaille / and that othir sholde an suere drynke haille ¶ And that was the fyrst tyme that was saille and drynkhaille come vp in this land / and from that tyme vn to this tyme it is will vsed in this lande.

¶The kyng Vortiger sawe the fairnesse of Rone wen and his armes laid aboute hir nekke and iij. swetely kylled hir and anone right he was anamered vpon hir / that be desided to haue hir to wife and asked of Engist hir fadr [...]. ¶ And Engiste graunted hym vpon this couenaunt that the kyng shold yeue hym all the cō tre of kent that he myght duelle in and his peple ¶The kyng hym graunted preuely with a good will And anone after he spoused the damisell that was moche confusion to hym selfe.

¶ And therfore all the Britons become so wroth for encheson that he had spoused a woman of mysbeleue / wherfor they went all from hym and no thyng to hym toke kepe ne helpe hym in thyng that he had to done.

¶Howe Vortymer that was Vortiger [...] sone was made kyng & Engist druien ou [...] and howe Vortymer was slayne Capitulo lviij.

THis Engist went in to kent and seised all the land in to his hande for hym and for his men and bicome in a litel whyl of so grete poer and so moche peple had that men wyst not in litell tyme which were the kynges men and whiche were Engistes mē wherfor all britaigne had of hym drede & said among hem that yf they ne toke othir coūceill bitwene hem all the lande sholde be betraied thurgh Engist and his peple ¶ [...]ortiger the kyng had bigoten on his fyrst wife iij. sones the fyrst was callet Vortimer that seconde Catagren and the thridde passent

¶The britons euerychon by one assent chosen Vortimer to be hir lorde and souerayne and hir coūceiller in euery bataille & crouned hym and made hym kyng and wolde suffre Vortiger no lenger to regne for encheson of the Alliance bitwene Engist and hym The bri [...]on [...] ordeyned a grete host to driue oute Engist and his cō ­panie of the lande and yafe hym iij. batailles that fyrst was in kent ther he was lorde The second wat at Tette forde And the thrid de was in a shire athishalf Cool in a more ¶ And in this bataill hem met Catagren and horsse Engistes brother so that eche of hē slewe othir ¶But for as moche as the contre was yeuen long be­fore to horne thurgh Vortiger tho he had spoused his cosin ther h [...] had made a fair castell that me called hornecastell after his owne name ¶ And Vortimer was so ānoied for his brothers deth Ca­tagren that he was dede in such a maner ¶Wherfor anone he let felle the castell to grounde ¶ And after that he ne left nyght ne day till he had driuen out Engist & all his peple of the lande And when Engist was driuen away Ronewen his doughter made for­wey nowe and quentelyn spake to hem that were next the kyng Vortimer and priuyest with hym and so moche she yaf hym of yiftes that he was enpoisened and died at london the iiij. yere of his regne and ther he lieth

¶Howe the britous chosen an othir tyme Vortiger to bene hir kyng and Engist came in to this lande open and they foughten to gedre. Ca.lix.

¶Fter Vortimers deth the Britons by hir commune assent [Page] eftsones made Vortiger hir kyng vpon this couenant that he shold neuer after suffre Engist ne none of his eftsones to come in to this land ¶ And whan all this was done Ronewen the Quene preuely sente by letter to Engist that she had enpoisened Vortimer and that Vortiger hir lord ayene bare the corone and regned and that he shold come in to this lande well arraied with moche peple for to auenge hym vpon the Britons and to wynne this lande a­yene ¶ And whan Engist hered this tydynge he made grete [...]oye and apparailled hym hastely with xv. thousand men that were doubghty in euery bataille and come in to this land ¶And whan Vortiger herd telle that Engist was come ayen [...] with a grete poer in to this land he assembled his Britons and tho wente ayens Engist for to haue yeue hym bataille and his folke ¶But Engiste drad hym sore of the Britons / For they had discomficed hym beforne / and had driuen hym oute with strength / wherfore Engist p [...]aied a loue day / and said he was not comen in to this lande for to fight / but to haue his lande ayene yf he myght acord with the Britons and of hem haue grace ¶The kyng Vortiger thurgh counceill of his Britons graunted a loue day and thus it was or deyned thurgh the Britons / that the same loue day shold bene holde fast be side Salisbury vpon an hull ¶ And Engist sholde come thidder with foure houndred knyghtes withoute moo / And the kyng with as many of the wysest of his lande ¶ And at that day the kyng come with his counceill as it was ordeyned But Engiste had warned his knyghtes preuelich and hem commounded that euery of hem shold put a longe knyfe in his hose ¶ And whan he said fair Sires nowe is tyme to speke of loue & pees euery mā a none shold drawe his knyfe and sler a Briton and so they queld a thousand lxj. of knyghtes and with moche sorwe many of hem ascared ¶Aud the kyng Vortiger hym selfe tho was ta­ken and lad to Thongcastell and put in to prison / and somme of Engistes men wolde that the kyng had bene brent all quyke

¶ And Vortiger tho for to haue his lyfe / graunted hem as moche as they wolde axe and yafe vp all the lande tounes Castelles Cites and burghes to Engist and to his folke ¶ And all the Britons fledde thens in to wales and there they helde hem still

¶ And Engiste wente thurgh the lande and seised alle the land with feaunchises and in euery place let cast a doune chyr­ches and houses of Religione and destroied Cristendome thurgh the lande and let change the name of the land / that no man of [Page] his were so hardy after that tyme to calle this lande britaigne but calle it Engistesland and he deꝑted all that londe to his men and ther made vij. kynges for to strenght the lād that the britons sholde neuer come after ther in ¶The fyrst kyngdeme was kent ther that Engist hym selfe regned and was lord and mastir ouer all the othir ¶An othir kyng had southsex [...] that nowe is Chichestre the iij. kyng had westsex ¶The iiij. kyng hadde Eestsexe ¶The v. kyng had Estangill that nowe is called northfolk Southfolc Mercheinerich that is to say the Erldome of Nichol ¶The vj. had leicestreshire Northm̄ptonshire ¶ Hertford & huntyngdon̄ ¶The vij. had Oxūford Gloucestre Wynchestre Warre wyk and Derby shire

¶Howe vortiger went in to wales and bigan there a castell that wolde nat stande without mortier tempred with blode Ca.lx

WHen Engist had deꝑted all the lāde in this maner bitwene his men he deliuered Vortiger out of prison and suffred hym frely to gone whidder he that wolde & be nōme his wey and went in to wales ther that his britons duelled for as moche as that lande was stronge and wykked to wy [...]e And engist neuer come ther ne knewe it neuer before that lande Vortiger helde hym ther with his britons and axed coūceill what hym was best all for to done ¶ And they yaf hym conceill to make a stronge castell that myght hym self ther in kepe and defende yf nede were

¶Masons in hast tho were fet and bigan the werke vpon the hylle of Breigh But certes thus it befell all the werk that the masons made a day adoune it fell anyght & wist not what it myȝt bene & ther of the kyng was sore ānoied of that chan̄ce & wyst nat what to done ¶Wherfor he let send after the wysest clerke and also le­red men that weren thurgh oute wales that myght bene founde.

¶For they sholde tell wherfor the foundament so failled vnder the werke and that they sholde hym telle what was best to done

¶And the wisest men lōge tyme had studied they said to the kyng that he sholde done seke a childe borne of awoman that neuer had with man to done and that childe he sholde slee and tempre with his blode the mortier of the werke and so sholde the werke euer endure withoute ende

¶Howe the kyng lete seche Merlyn thurgh all wales for to speke with hym ¶Ca.lxj.

[Page]WHen the kyng herde this he commaunded his messagiers anone to wende thurgh oute all wales to seke that childe yf they myght hym fynde / and that they sholde bring him forth with hem vn to hym / and in recorde and in witnesse of this thynge he had take hem his lr̄e that they ne were destourbled of no man ne lette ¶ And tho the messagiers wente thens and spedde so fast that they come in to a toune that was called [...]rar­mardine and as they passed forth hir way they founden ij. chil­dren of xxiiij. yere age chidden yfere with hasty wordes / and one of hem said to that othir Donebat quod he ye done all wronge to chi­de or strife with me ¶For ye haue no wit ne reson as I haue Certes Merlyn quod he of your wit ne of your reson I make no force for men telle communely that ye haue no thyng of god almy ghty sith ye had neuer fadre but euery man knoweth well who is your moder ¶The messagiers of the kyng Vortiger when they herde this strife bitwene tho two gromes they axed of hem that stode besides hem whens that Merlyn was borne / and also who hym norisshed and the folke hem tolde that a grete gentil woman hym bare in karmardine that was called Adhan ¶But neuer myȝt man wite who myght be the childes fadre ¶When the kynges messagiers herde this tydyng they went anone to hym that was wardeyne of the toune and tolde hym the kynges wyll and his l̄re she wed hym wherfor they were come thidder

¶Merlyn and his moder anone were sent before the wardeyne of the toune and he commaunded hem that they sholde gone to the kyng as it was ordeyned by his messagiers ¶Merlyn and his moder wente th [...]ns and comen vn to the kyng and there they were vnderfonge with mochel honour and the kyng axed of that lady yf that childe were hir sone / and who hym beagte

¶The lady ansuerd full tendrely wepyng and said she had ne­uer companie of man wordely ¶But Sir quod she as I was a yong mayden in my fadres chambre and othir of grete [...]nage we­re in my companie / that often tymes were wont to play and to so­lace I beleft allone in my chambre and wold nat gone oute for brēnyng of the sonne ¶ And vpon a tyme ther come a faire bache [...]er & entred in to my chābre they y ^• I was allone / but how he come in to me / & where I wiste it (neu) neuer ne yit wote it nat For y ^t dores were fast barred / & with me he did game of loue For I ne had myȝt ne poer hym to defende fro me / & ofte he come to me in y ^• forsaid ma­ner so that he begate this child / but (neu) neuer myȝt I wit what he was

¶Of the ansuerd of Merlyn wherfor the kyng axed why his werk myȝt not stond that he had bigōne ner proue ¶Ca.lxij.

WHen Merlyn had herde all that his moder had said spake [...]to the kyng in this maner. ¶Sir howe I was begoten ax ye no more for it falleth nought to ꝑowe ne to none othir to wyt but telleth me encheson wherfor I am to yow y brought and wherfor ye haue sent after me. Certes quod the kyng my wyse coūcelers haue done me to vnd (er)stonde that y ^e mortier of a werke that I haue bigōne behoued to be tempred with your blode or the foundement shall faill for euermore ¶Sir quod Merlyn wyll ye slee me for my blode for to tempre with your mortier ye qd the kyng orelles shall neuer my castel stande as my coūcelers done me to vnderstonde ¶Tho ansuerde Merlyn to the kyng Sir he said let hem com̄ bifore me tho wyse concelers and I wull proue that they say nat wele ne trewly ¶ And when the wyse were y comen Merlyn ax­ed yf his blode were the encheson to make the werke stand and endure All these wyse were abasshed and counde nat ansuere

¶Merlyn tho said to the kyng Sir I shall tell yow then cheson wherfor your werk thus fayleth and may nat stonde ¶Ther is vnder the montaigne ther that ye haue bigōne your towr a grete ponde of water and in the botome of the ponde vnder the water ther [...]. dragons that one is white that othir reed that fyghtē to ged [...] ayens your werk Do ye myne depe till your men come to the ponce and doth your men take away the water all oute & than ye shal se the dragons as I haue yo we tolde that to gedre fyght ayens your werk ¶ And this is the encheson certes wherfor the fundament failleth The kyng anone let digge vnder till that men come to that ponde and let done away all that water & ther they founde ij. dragons as Merlyn had tolde that egrely foughten to gedres ¶The white dragon egrely assailled the reede and laid on hym so strongly that he myght nat ēd [...]re but withdrowe hym and rested in the same caue [...] ¶ And when he had a whyle rested he went before & assailled the reed deagon angrely and helde hym so sore that he myȝt not ayens hym endure but wythdrowe hym and rested And after come ayene the white dragon and strongely fought with the reed dragon and [...]ote hym euell and hym ouercome that he fleigh thens and no more come ayene

¶Of the significacion̄ of tho ij. dragons that were in the bottom of the ponde that foughten to gedre. ¶Ca.lxiij.

[Page]THis kyng Vortiger and his men that faught this bataill had grete mervaille & praied Merlyn to telle hym what it myȝt betoken ¶Sir qd Merlyn I shall yow telle

The rede dragon betokeneth your self and the white betokeneth the folk of saxonie that fyrst ye toke and helde in this lande that nowe fighten ayens yowe and yo we haue driuen and enchaced.

¶But britons of your linage ouercomen hem and driuen hem a waye and sithen at the comyng ayen of the saxons they recouered this land and held it for euermore & driuen out the britons and did wyth this land hir wyll and destroid cristendome th [...]rgh out this lande ¶Ȝe had had fyrst Ioye with hir comyng but no we it is turned to yow grete damage & sorwe ¶For tho ij. bretherne of Constance that was kyng the which ye let slee Shulle come bifor a quinzeme passed with a grete poer from litell britaigne and shullen avenge the deth of hir brother & they shull brenne yowe fyrst with sorwe And after they shull slee a grete partie of Saxons & shull out driue all the remenaunt of the land & therfor abyde ye here no lenger to make castell ne none othir werke but anone goth elles where your lyfe all for to saue to god I yowe bytake / for trouth I haue said to yowe of thyng that shall befall ¶ And vnderstandeth well that Aurilambros shall be kyng but he shall be empoisened & litell tyme regne

¶Of kyng Aurilambros howe be pursued Vortig [...] & Engist & howe they diden ¶Co.lxiiij.

QErlyn and his moder deꝑted fro the kyng & turned ayen karmardyne ¶ And so after tydyng come to the bri­tons that Aurilambros & Vter his brother were arrined at Cottenesse with a grete host ¶And the britons anon̄ assembled hem & went to vnderfong Aurilambros & Vter with grete nobi­lesse & lad hem to london & crouned ther Aurilambros and made hym kyng and diden to hym homage And he axed wher Vorti­ger that was kyng myȝt be founde for he wolde be a venged of hi [...] brothers deth and after he wolde werre vpon paynyms ¶ And they told hym that Vortiger was in wales & so they ladde hym thidderward ¶Vortiger wist well that the bretherne come hym to conquere & flew thens in to a castell that was called Gerneth that stode vpon a hi [...]h montaigne and ther hym helde ¶Aurilā ­bros and Vter his brother & hir folk had beseged the castell full long tyme for the castell was stronge and well araied ¶So at the last they cast wyldefire and brent hous and men and all [Page] hir arraie and as moch as was withyn the castell / So that Vortiger was brend amonge all othir and so died he with mochel sorwe ¶The was Engist in kent and regned ther and herde this tydyng and anone fledde and wold haue gone in to Scotland for to haue had socour / but Anrilambros and his men met with hym in the northcontre and yafe hym bataille and Engist and his men hem de­fended whiles that they myght / but he and his folke weren discomfited and slayne And Otta his sone fley vn to yorke / and Aurilā bros hym folowed egrely Otta a litell while ayens hym stode / but afterward he putte hym to his mercy ¶ And Aurilambros vnder fenge hym & to hym and to his men he yafe the contre of Galewey in Scotland and ther they duelled ¶The kyng Aurilambros wēt tho th [...]rgh oute the lande and put away the name of Engisteslād that Engist after his name had called it before Tho let he it calle a­yene grete britaigne and let make ayene churches houses of religiō Castelles Cites and burghes and tounes that the Saxons had destroied and come to london & let make the walles of the Cite which Engist and his folke had cast a doune ¶The Britons led hym to the monte of Anbrian wher somme tyme was an hous of religion that tho was destroied thurgh paynymes ¶Wher of a knyȝt was called Anbry that somme tyme was founder of the hous and th [...]r for the hyll was called the mont of Brian / and after was called Ambresbury and shall for euermore

¶How Aurilambros did redresse the land of grete Britaigne that was destroied thurgh saxons Ca.lxv

HOw the kyng Aurilambros let amend and redresse the hous of Amlesbury and theryn put mon [...]es but nowe ther be nonnes a litell from the place that was called Salisbury ther tho the Saxones queld the britons wher Engist and he sholde haue made a loue day in which tyme ther were slayne a M.lxj. knyghtes thurgh treson of Engis [...] ¶The kyng ther of had grete pite / and thought to make in mynde of hem a monumēt of stone that myght endure to the worldes en [...]e And of this thyng they toke hir counce [...] what ther of was best foe to done ¶Tho spake to the kyng the bisshopp of london that was called Cernekyn that he shold enquere after Merlyn / for he coude beste telle how this thyng myȝt be made And Merlyn after was sought & foūde & come to y ^• kyng ¶And the kyng told [...] hym his wyll of the monumēt that he wold haue made ¶Tho ansuerde Merlyn to the kyng and said [Page] Ther ben grete stones in Irland and longe vpon the hull of kyan that men called Geants karoll and yf they were in this place as they bene there here they wolde endure euermore in remembraunce of tho knyghtes that here ben entered ¶Per ma foy ad the kyng as hard stones be in my land as in Irlād ¶Soth qd Merlyn ¶But in all your land ben none suche For Eeaunts set hem for grete gode of hem selfe ¶For at euery tymes that they were woū ­ded or in any maner hurte they wesshen the stones with hote wat and than wessh hem ther with & anone they were hole

¶Howe the britons went for to seche the grete stones in Irland Capitulo lxvj.

When this britons had herde of this thyng they wēt & swore among hem that they wolde gone seche the stones & nōme with hem Vter the kynges brother to ben hir cheueteyne & xv.M. men & Merlyn conceilled hem for to gone in to Irland & so they diden ¶ And when the kyng of Irland that was called Guillomer herd telle that strangiers were arri [...]ed in his lande he assembled a grete poer & fought ayens hem. but he & his folk was discomfited ¶The britons we [...]t biforne till they come to the mōte of kylian & climed vn to the mōte ¶But whenne they saugh the stones & the maner howe they stounde they had grete merwille and said bitwene hem that no man sholde remeue for no strength ne engyue so huge they were & so longe But Merlyn thurgh his craft [...] and queyntize remeued hem & brought hem in to hir shippes and come ayene in to this land And Merlyn sette the stones ther that the kyng wolde haue hem and set hem in the same maner that they stoden in Irland ¶And when the kyng saugh that it was ma­de he thanked Merlyn & richely hem re warded at his owne wyll and that place let calle stouhenge for euermore

¶How Passent that was Vortigers sone & the kyng Guillomer come in to this lande and howe a traitour that was called Cappa enpoysened the kyng Aurilambros ¶Ca.lxvij

ANd men shull vnderstond that Passant that was Vor­tigers sone leued in the same tyme and come in to this lande with a grete poer and arri [...]ed in the northco [...]tre and wolde bene a veuged of his fodres deth Vortiger. ¶ And strongly trusted vpon the companie that he had brought with hym out of the land of Germayne & had conquerd all the northcontre vn to yorke ¶And when kyng Aurilambros herd this he assembled a grete po [...]r of britons & went for to befyght hym And he & [Page] his peple were discomfited but passent ascaped thens with some of his folke / and fledde thens in to Irland and come to kyng Guillomer and praied hym of helpe and socour / The kyng graunted him with good wyll / and said he wold helpe hym with good wyll vp­on that couenant that I my selfe must gone with yow with alle my power in to Britaigne / and I wolde me auenge vpon the bri­tons rather than they in to my londe comē and token the stones with strength that called is Geauntz karoll The kyng Guillomer let or­deyne his shippes and wente to the see with xv.M. men and arri­ued in wales and begonne to robbe and moche sorwe don [...] ¶Hit befell so that kyng Aurilambros lay sike at wynchestre and myȝt not helpe hym selfe So that he sent in his name Vter his brother with a grete power to helpe wales and thidderwarde he wente as moche as he myght The kyng of Irland and Passent had herd [...]elle that Aurilambros was sike & to hym come a sarazen that was called Coppa & saide Sir qd he duelle ye here all in pees with your hoost and I behote yow thurgh my queyntize that I shall shee the kyng Aurilambros that is sike / yif ye do so quod Passent I shall yow richely auaunce This traitour Coppa put vpon hym an ab­byt of Religion and let shaue hym a brode croune and come to the kynges court and said that he wolde hele the kyng of his maladie Tho said the traitour Coppa vn to the kyng Sir ben of good com­fort for I shall yeue yow such a medicine that ye shull swete anon̄ right and lusten to sleep and haue good rest and the traitour yaf hym suche poyson that he sleep anone right and died in his slepyng And the traitour said that he wold gone oute in to the felde till he were a waked / and so scaped he away / For no man had to hym suspection for encheson of his Abbyt that he was in clothed and also for his brode croune But when the kynges men wyst that he was dede they becomen wonder sory / and fast sought the traitour / But they myght not fynde hym / For Coppa turued ayene to the host frowhens that he come

¶When Aurilambros was dede a sterre in the morne was seyne with a clere light and at the bought of the beme was seyne the hede of an horrible dragon Ca.lxviij

WHen the kyng Aurilambros was thus dede & enpoisened at wynchestre / amorne after that he was dede aboute the tyme of prime ther was seyne a st [...]rre grete and clere & the [Page] beme of that sterre was brighter thā the sonne and at the bouȝt of the beem apꝑed a dragōs hede and out of his mouth come ij. huge lightes that were as bright as any fire brennyg ¶And that one beme till toward fraunce and straught ouer the see thidder ward ¶And out of that beem come vij. bemes full clere & longe as it were the liȝt of fire ¶This sterne was se [...]n of many a man but none of hem wyst what it betokened ¶Vter that was the kynges brother that was in walys with his host of britōs saw that sterre & the grete light y ^• yaf he wondred ther of gretly what it myȝt betoken & let call Merlyn & praied him for to telle what it myȝt betokē

¶Of the betokenyng of the sterre ¶Ca.lxix

MErlyn saw that sterre & behelde hym lōge tyme & sithene [...] [...] qnoke & wept tenderly And said Allas allas that so noble kyng & worthy is dede ¶ And I do yowe to vn­derstonde that Aurilambros your brother is enpoysened & that I see well in this sterre & your self betokened by the hede of the dra­gon̄ that is seyn̄ at the bought of the beem that is your self that shall be kyng & regne And by the beem that stōt towardes the Est is vnderstonde that ye shall gete a sone that shall conquere all fraū ce & all the landes that ben lougyng to the croun [...] of fraunce that shall be a worthier kyng & of more honour than euer was any of his auncestres ¶ And by the beem that streyght toward Irland is betokened that ye shall geten a doughter that shall be quene of Irland ¶And the vij. bemes betokened that she shall haue vij. sones & euery of hem shall be kyng & regne with mochell honour & abyde ye no lenger here but goth & yeue bataille to your enemies & fyghted with hem boldely for ye shull ouercome hem & haue the victorie ¶Vter thanked hertely Merlyn and nōme his men and went toward his enymie & they foughten to gedre mortaly & so he discomfited his enymies all & destroied & hym self quelled passent that was Vortigers sone ¶ And his britons queld Guillomer that was kyng of Irland & all his men ¶ And Vter anon̄ after that bataill toke his way toward wynchestre for to done ētier Aurilambros kyng thas wat his brother ¶But tho was the body borne to stonhenge with mochel honour that he had done made in remēbraūce of the britons that ther ware slayn̄ thurgh treson of Engist that same day that they shold haue bene accorded & in the same place they entered Aurilambros the seconde yerr of his regne with all the wurshipp that myȝt belongen to such a kyug of whos soule god haue mercy.

¶Of Vter pendragon and wherfor he was called so after ye shall here / and how he was ouer take with the grete loue of Igerne that was the erle of Cornewailles wife Ca.lxx.

AFter the deth of Aurilambros Vter his brother was crouned and regned well and worthely and in remembraunce of the dragon that he was liked to he let make two dra­gons thurgh counceill of his britons / that one to be bore before hym whenne he went in to bataille / and that othir to abide at wynche­stre in the bisshoppes chyrche ¶And for that encheson he was called euer after Vter pendragon ¶ And Otta that was Engistes sone commended but litell Vter / that was made newe kyng and ayens hym began to meue werre / and ordeyned a grete companie of his frendes and of his kynne and of Ossa his brother and had take all the land from humber vn to yorke / but tho of yorke helde strongely agayne hem & nold not suffre hem to come in to the toune nothir to yelde the Cite to hem / And he beseged the toune anone right & yafe ther to a stronge assaute / but they of the Cite hem kepte well and strongly ¶ And when Vter herde ther of he come thidder with a grete power for to helpe & rescue the toune and put away the siege & yafe a stronge bataille and Otta & his companie hem defended as well as they myght but at the last they were discomfited & the most part of hem aueld and Otta & Ossa were taken & put in to prison at london ¶ And Vter hym selfe dnelled a while at yorke & after he went to london / and at the Ester after sueng he wolde bere corone and holde a solempne fest / and let sompne all his Erles and Ba­rons that they shold come to that fest and all tho that had wyfes sholde bring hem also to that feste and all comen at the kynges cō ­maundement as they were commaunded The fest was richely hol­den and all worthely set to mete after that they weren of estate so that erle Gorloys of Corne waill and Igerne his wyfe seten alther next the kyng / and the kyng saw the fairnesse of that lady that she had / And was ranysshed for hir beaute / and ofte he made to hir nyce semblant in lokyng & laughyng / so at the last the Erle ꝑceyued the [...]ue lokyng & laughyng & the loue bitwene hem & aroos [...]p frō the toble all in wrath & toke his wyfe & called to him his knyghtes & went thens all in wrath withoute takyng bene of the kyng

The kyng anone sent after hym that he shold come ayene and goo not thens in despite of hym ¶And the Erle wold not come ayene in no maner wyse ¶Wherfor the kyng was full wroth and in [Page] wrath hym deffied as his dedely ēnymy And the Erle wēt [...] in to Cornewaille with his wif in to the Castell of Tyntagell

¶ And the kyng let ordeyne a grete host & come in to Cornewaill for to destroie the Erle yf he myght But he had put hym in such a castell that was stronge & well araied of Tyntagell and wold not yeld hym to the kyng The kyng anone beseged the castell and ther duelled xv. dayes that neuer myght spede and euer thought vpon ygerne and vpon hir laid so moche loue that he nyst what to don̄ So at the last he called to hym a knyght that was called Vlfyn that was priue with hym and told hym all his conseill and axed of hym what was best for to done ¶Sir qd he dothe send aft [...]r Merlyn for he can telle yowe the best coūceill of any man lyuyng Merlyn anone was sent after and come to the kyng and the kyng told hym all his wyll. ¶Sir qd Merlyn I shall done so moche thurgh crafte that I can that I shall make yowe come this nyȝt in to the castell of Tyntagell and shall haue all your wyll of that lady

¶Howe Vter bigate on Igerne that was the Erles wif of Cornewaille Arthur kyng Ca.lxxj

MErlyn thurgh craft that he coude chāged the kynges figu [...] in to the likenesse of the erle & vlfyn garloys his chābir [...] ­ayne & to the figure of Iordan that was the Erles chambirlayne So that eche of hem was transfigured to othir likenesse. ¶ And when Merlyn had so done he said to the kyng Sir qd he nowe mowe ye gone sodeynly to the castell of Tyntagell & axen entre ther & haue your wyll The kyng toke priuely all the host to go [...]ne & lede to a knyȝt that he moche loued & nōme his way toward the castell & with hym vlfin his chambirlayn̄ & Merlyn ¶ And when they come thidder the Portier went that it had bene his own̄ lord & when tyme come for to go to ledde ¶The kyng wēt to bedde with Igerne the Erles wyf & did with hir all his wyll & bigate vpon hir a sone that was called Arthur. ¶Vpon the mor we the noble myghty kyng nōme his leue of the lady & went ayen to his host ¶ And the same nyght that the kyng lay by ygerne in bedde y fere with the Erles wif the kynges men yeuen a stronge assaut to the castell and the Erle and his men manly hem defended But at the last it befell so that atte same assaute the Erle hym selfe was slayne and the Castell taken.

¶ And the kyng anone turned ayene to Tyntagell and spoused Igerne with mochel honour & made hir quene & sone after tyme [Page] come that she shold be deliuered and bere a child a sone that was called Arthur / and after he gate on hir a doughter that was called Amya / And whan she come to age nobely was maried to a noble Baron that was called Aloth that was lord of leons ¶When Vter longe tyme had regned ther come vpon hym a grete sikenesse as it were a sorwe ¶And in the mene tyme tho that had to kepe Otta that was Engistes sone & Ossa his brother that tho were in prison men let hem gone for grete yiftes that they hem yaf & wente with hem ¶And when tho two bretheren were ascaped & comē ayen in to hir owne contre They ordeyned hem a grete hoost & a grete poer and begōne to were eftsones vpon the kyng

¶How kyng Vter chese Aloth to kepe the land of Britaigne whiles that he was sike / for as moche as he myght not for his sikenesse Capitulo septuagesimosecundo

ANd for as moche as kyng Vter was sike & myght not helpe hym selfe he ordeyned Aloth sone of Eleyne y ^• tho was chosen to be wardeyne & chiueteyne of all his folke and he anone & his britons assembled a grete hoost & yafe bataille to Otta and to his folke / but Otta at the last was discomfited Hit befell thus afterward thas this britons had dedignacion of Aloth and wolde nat to hym bene attendant / wherfor the kyng was annoied wonder sore & let put hem in a lytter in the hoost amonges folke

¶And they lad hym to veroloyne that tho was a faire Cite ther y ^• seint Albone was martred and after was that Cite destroied with paynyms & thurgh werre & thidder they had sence Otta & Ossa & hir peple & entred in to the toune & let make fase the yates and ther they halde hem / & the kyng come & hem beseged & made a stronge as­sauce / but tho that were within manlich hem defended ¶The kyng let ordeyne his gonnes & his engynes for to breke the walles & the walles were so stronge that no thyng myght hem mysdoo ¶Otta & his peple had grete despite that a kyng byggyng in a lytter had hem beseged / & they token counceill amonges hem for to stonde vp in the morwe & come oute & yeue bataille to the kyng & so they diden & in that bataille were bothe Otta & Ossa slayne / & all tho othir that ascaped a lyue fled in to Scotland & made Colegryne hir chyuetay ne / & the saxons that were a lyue & ascaped fro the bataile brough ten ayene a grete strength & amōges hem they seyden / that yf kyng Vter were dede they shold well conquere the land and amonges hē they thought enpoisen the kyng and ordeyned men for to done this [Page] dede / and yaf hem of yiftes grete plente this thyng to done and they ordeyned hem thidderward ther that the kyng was ducllyng & clo / thed hem in pouerwede the better all for to spede hir lither purpose / but nothelees for all hir falsenesse and queyntize they myght ne [...] come to nygh the kyng ¶But so at the last they aspied that the kyng drank / none othir licour but only water of a clere well that was nygh besides ¶ And thees fals traitours vpon a day preue­lich wente to the well & put therin poysen so that all the water was enpoisened / And anone after as the kyng had dronke of that wat he began to swell & sone after he died / and as many as dronken of that water deide also ¶ And anone as this falsenesse was aspied foll [...] of the toune let stoppe the well for euermore ¶When the kyng was dede his folke here hym to Stonhenge with grete solempnite of bisshops & of barons that were there that beried hym beside Aur [...] lambros his brother & after turned ayene tho euerichon & lot sende after Arthur his sone and they made hym kyng of the land with moch reuereuce after his fadres deth the xvij. yere of his regne

¶How Arthur that was the sone of Vter was crouned after his fadres deth & how he drofe Colegrine and the saxones and Cheldrik of Almayne oute of this land Ca.lxxiij

WHen Arthur was made kyng of the lād he was but yong of age of xv. yere / but he was faire and bolde and doubty of body and to meke folke he was good and cour [...]oi [...] and large of spendyng and made hym welbeloued among all men ther that it was nede ¶ And when he began to regne he swore that sax­ons neure shold haue pees ne rest till that he had driue hem oute of his lande / And let assemble a grate hoost and faught with Cole­grine the which after tyme that Otta was dede the saxons mayntened, And this Colkgrine was discomfited & fledde vij to yorke & toke the toune and ther helde hym ¶And the kyng beseged y ^• toune bnt he myght no thyng spede / for the toune was so stronge / and they withynne kepte the toune well & orpedly ¶And in the ment [...]yme Colegriue let the toune to Bladulf & fled hym selfe to Cheldryke that was kyng of Almayne for to haue of hym socour & the kyng assembled a grete power & come & arriued in scotland with v.C. shippes / & when Arthur wyst of this tydyng that he had nat poer and strength ynowe to fight ayens Cheldryk he let bene the fie [...]e & wente ot London And sente anone his lettres to the kyng of litell [Page] britaigne that was callyd hoel his nepheu his sustres sone that he sholde come to hym with all the poer that he myght and he assemb­led a grete hoste and arrined at southm̄pton ¶And when kyng Arthur it wyst he was glad y nowe & went ayens hem and hem resceyned with mochel honour so that tho ij hostes hem assembled & token hir way euen to ni [...]hol that Cheldrik had beseged but nouzt yit taken ¶And they come vpon Cheldrik & vpon his peple or they it wyst ther that they were & hem egrely assailled The kyng chel drik and his meyny defended hem manly by hir poer But kyng Arthur & his men quelled so many saxons that neuer er was say ne suche slaughter ¶ And Cheldrik & his men that were left aly­ue fledden a waye ¶ And Arthur hem poursued & drofe hem in to a wode that they myght no ferthir passe Cheldrik & his mē sawe well that they were brought in to moche disese & hem yolden to Arthur in this maner wyse that he sholde take hir hors & hir armure and all that they had they must only gone a fote in to hir shippes And so they wolde gone in to hir owne lande and neuer come a yen in to this land And vpon assurance of this thyng they yeuen hym good hostages ¶And Arthur by cōceill of his mē graunted this thyng and resseyued the hostages And her vpon the other wēt to hir shippes ¶And when they were in the hie see her wyll chāged as the deuel it wolde and they retourned hir nauye and come a yene in to this lande and arrined at To [...]tenesse and went out of hir shippes and nōme the land and clene robbed it and moche peple slew and token all the armure that they myght fynde and so they went forth till they comen to Bathe But the men of the toune shitten fast hir yates and wolde not suffre hem come with yn the toune and they defended hem well and orpedly ayens hem

¶Howe Arthur yafe bataill to the saxones when they come ayen and beseged the toune of Bathe and hem ouercome Capitulo. lxxiiij.

WHen Arthur herde this tydynge he let honge anone the hostages and lefte hoel of britayne his nepheu for to ke [...]e the marche to ward Scotland with half his peple & him selfe wēt to helpe reskew the toune of bathe & when be come thidder he yaf a stronge bataill to cheldrik & queld all most al the peple that he had for no man myȝt hym withstond ne endure vn [...] the stroke of his swerd ¶And ther bothe were slayne Colegryne and [Page] Bladud his brother ¶And Cheldryk fledde thens & wolde haue gone to his shippes / But when Arthur it wyst he toke x.M. knygh [...] to Cador that was Erle of Cornewaille for to lette & stoppe his comyng ¶And Arthur hym selfe went toward the marche of scotland, / For messagiers told hym that the scottes had beseged Hoell of britaigne ther that he lay sike and therfor he hasted thidderward ¶ And Cador pnrsued after Cheldryke & toke hym er he myght come to his shippes and queld Cheldryke and his peple Aud when Cador had done this viage / he hasted hym ayene as faste as he myght towardes Arthur and fonde hym in Scotland ther that he had rescued hoel of britaigne But the scottes were all ferre with in Mounref / And ther they held hem a while but Arthur hem pursued & they fled thens in to lymoigne that were in that contre lx. Iles and grete plente of briddes & grete plente of Egles that were woned to crie & fight to gedres & make grete noyse / whan folke come to robbe that land and werren as moch as they myght and so they diden for the Scottes were so grete rauenours that they to­ [...]e all that they myght fynde in the land of lymoigne without any sparyng and ther with they charged ayene the folke in to scotland for to wende

¶How kyng Arthur axed of Merlyn the auentures of vj. the last kynges that weren to regne in England and how the land sholde ende Ca.lxxv.

SIr qd Merlyn In the yere of incarnacion of Ihesu criste M.CC.xv. shall come a lambe oute of wynchestre y ^• shall haue a white tonge & trewe lippes / and he shall haue wri­ten in his herte holynesse ¶This lambe shall make many goddes houses / & he shall haue pees the most ꝑt of all his lyfe / And he shall make one of the fairest places of the world that in his tyme shall nat fully be made an ende ¶ And in the ende of his lyfe a wolf of a strang land shall do him moche harme & sorwe thurgh werre but at the ende the lambe shall be mastir thurgh helpe of a rede fox that shall come oute of the northwest and hym shall ouercome and the wolfe shall die in water / and after that tyme the lambe shall lyue no while / that he ne shall die ¶His sede than shall be in a strange land / & the land shall be withoute a gouernour a litell while

ANd after his tyme shall come a dragon melled with mercy and [...] with wodenesse that shall haue a [...]erd as a goot [...] shall yeue in englond shade we and shall kepe the land [Page] from colde & hete & his one scot shall be sette in wyke & that othir in london and he shall enbrace in babitacions and he shall open his mouth toward walis & the trembling of the hidour of his mouth his eres shall strech toward many habitacions and contries & his breth shall be full swete in strange lande ¶And in hiz tyme shall the rivers renne with blode and with brayne and he shall make in places of his land walles that sh [...]lle done moch harme vn to his seed after his tyme ¶Then shall ther come a peple out of the northwest during his regne that shall be lad thurgh out a wikked hare that the dragon shall done croune kyng that afterwad shall [...]lee ouer the see without comyng ayen for drede of the dragon

¶And in that tyme the sōne shall be as reede as blode as mē shull see thurgh all the world that shall betoken grete pestilence and deth of folk thurgh dent of swerde and that peple shall ben fadreles till the tyme that the dragon shall die thurgh an hare that shall meue ayens hym werre vn to the end of his lyfe that shall not fully bene ended in his tyme This dragon shall be hold in his tyme the best body of the world and he shall die besides the marches of a strange lande and the lande shall duelle fadreles without a good gouernour and me shall were for his deth from the Ile of shepey vn to the hauen of Marall ¶Wherfor Allas shall be the com­mune songe of fadrelees folk that shull ouerlynen in his land destroied.

ANd after this dragon shall come a goot out of kar that shall haue hornes and a berde of siluer and ther shall co­me out of his nostrell adomp that shall betoken hunger & for we and grete deth of the peple and mochel of his lande in the begynnyng of his regne shall be wasted

¶This goot shall go ouer to feaunce and shall opene the flour of his lyfe and of deth In his tyme ther shall arise an egle in Corne waille that shall haue fethers of golde that of pride shall be with out pere of the lande and he shall despise lordes of blode and after he shall flee shamfully by a bere at Gauersech and after shull be made brigges of men vpon the costes of the see and stones shull fall fro Castelles and many othir tounes shull be made playne

In his tyme shall seme that the bere shall brenne and a bataille shall be done vpon the armes of the see in a feld ordeyned as a sheld And at that bataille shall die many white heedes Wherfor his bataill shall be called the white bataille

[Page]¶ And the forsaid bere shall done this goot mochel harme and if shall come oute of the southwest & of his blood / than shall the goot lese moche of his land till at the tyme that shendshipp shall hym o [...] come / and than shall he cloth hym in a lyon skynne / and than shall he wynne that he had lost and more ther to / For a peple shall come oute of the northwest that shall make the goot sore adrad & he shall venge him of his enemies thurgh counceill of two owles that first shall be in ꝑill for to bene vn done / but the olde oule shall wende a certayne tyme / and after he shall come ayene in to this land

¶These two owles shullen do grete harme to many on and so they shall counceill the goot that he shall arere werre ayens the forsaid bere, and at the last the goot & the owles shall come at Burton vp Trent and shull wende ouer and for drede the bere shall flee / and aswan with hym fro his companie to Burton toward the north & ther they shull bene with an hard shour and than the swan shall be slayne with forwe and the bere taken and he heded alther next his nest that shall stonde vpon a broken brngge on whom the sonn̄ shall cast hir bemes / and many shall hym seke for vertu that fro him shall come ¶In the same shall die for sorwe and care / a peple of his land so that many landes shull bene on hym the more bolder afterward, and tho two owles shulle do moche harme to the forsaid flour of lyse and hir shull lede in distresse so that she shall passe o [...] in to fraunce for to make pees bitwene the goot and the flour delise and ther she shall duelle till a tyme that hir seed shall come & seche hir & they shullen be stille till a tyme that they shull hem cloth with grace / and they shull seche the owles and shull put hem to despitou [...] deth ¶ And after shall this goot bene brought to disese and grete augnyssh and in sorwe he shall leue all his lyfe.

AFter this Goot shall come oute of wyndesore a bore that shall haue an hede of white a lyons herte and a pitous [...]okyng / his visage shall be reste to sike men his worde shall bene stanchyng of therst / to hem that bene a therst his worde shall be gospell / his beryng shall be meke as a lombe /

In the fyrst yere of his regne he shall haue grete payne to Iustifie hem that bene vntrewe / And in his tyme shall his lande be multi­plied with aliens.

¶ And this bore thurgh fersenesse of herte that he shall haue / shall make wolfes become lambes / and he shall be called thurgh [Page] out the world boor of holynesse fersenesse of nobilesse and of me­kenesse and he shall done mesurably all that he shall haue to done vn to burgh of Ihrlm̄ and he shall whett his teth vpon the yates of Paris and vpon iiij. landes Spaigne shall tremble for drede Gastoyne shall swete In fraunce he shall put his wynge his gret taille shall rest in England softely Almayne shall quake for drede of hym This boor shall yeue mantels to ij. tounes of Englond and shall make the Riuer renne with blood and with brayne & he shall make many medewes reed and he shall gete as moche as his Auncestres diden and er that he be dede he shall bere iij. cron̄es and he shall put a land in to grete subiectione and after it shall be releued but not in his tyme ¶This boor after he is dede for his doughtynesse shall be entered at Coloigne and his land shall be than fullfylled of all good

AFter this Boor shall come a lambe that shall haue feet of leed an hede of bras an hert of a loppe a swynes skyn and an harde and in his tyme his lāde shall bene in pees the fyrst yere of his regne he shall do make a cite that all the world shall speke ther of ¶This lambe shall leue in his tyme a grete part of his lande thurgh an hidons wolfe but he shall recouer it & yeue a lordshipp to an Egle of [...] and this Egle shall well gouerne it till the tyme that pride shall hym ouergone Allas the sorwe For he shall deye of his brothers suerd and after shall the lande fall to the forsaid lambe that shall gouerne the land in pees all his lyfes tyme and after he shall die and the land be full fylled of all maner good

AFter this lambe shall come a molde warpe cursed of god­des mouthe a caytyfe a coward an hare he shall haue an Elderly skyne as a gote and vengeaūce shall fall vpon hym for synne In the fyrst yere of his regne he shall haue of all good grete pleute in his lande and toward hym also and in his lande he shall haue grete preisyng till the tyme that he shall suffre his peple lyue in to moche pride without chastisyuge wherfor god wull be wroth ¶Than shall aryse vp a dragon of the north that shall bene full fers and shall me [...] werre ayens the forsaid Molde warpe and shall yeue hym bataill vpon a stone.

¶This dragon shall gadre ayene in to his companye a wolfe that shall out come of west to begynne werre ayens the forsaid [Page] Molde werpe in his side and so shull the dragon and he bynde hir tailles to gedre ¶Than shall come a lion oute of Irland that shall falle in companie with hem / and than shall tremble the land that than shall be called Englond / as an aspen leef / And in that tyme shall castelles be felled a doune vpon thamyse and it shall seme that seuerne shall be drie for the bodies that shull falle dede therin The iiij chief flodes in Englond shull renne in bloode / and grete dred shull be and angnyssh that shull arisen ¶After the molde warpee shall flee and the dragon ¶The lyon and the wolfe hem shull driue a way / and the land shall be withoute hem / And the Moldewarpe shall haue no maner power sauf only a shippe wher to he may wende / And after that he shall gone to londe whan the see is withdra­we / And after that he shall yeue the thridde part of his lande / for to haue the fourth part in pees and rest / and after he shall leue in sorwe all his lyfes tyme / And in his tyme the hote bathes shullen becomen colde / and after that shall the Molde warpe die auentours­ly and sodenly / Allas the sorwe / for he shall be draynt in a flode of the see / His seed shall become fadrelees in strange land for euermo­re / And than shall the land be departed in iij. parties / that is to sey to the wolfe / to the dragon / and to the lyon / and so shall it be for euermore / and than shall this land be called the land of conqueste And so shull the rightfull heires of Englond ende

¶How Arthur ouercome Guyllomere that was kyng of Irland and how the scottes becomen his men Capitulo septuagesimosexto

WHen Guillomer that was kyng of Irland had tydynge that kyng Arthur was entred at Glastenbury / he ordey­ned a grete power of Irisshmen & come to the see with his Irissh peple & so come in to Scotland ouer the see / and arriued fast [...] by ther that kyng Arthur was with his hoost & anone as he wyste ther of he wente towardes hym / and yafe hym bataille / and ouercome hym anone right and Guillomer fledde with his men ayene in to Irland ¶And when this discomfiture was done / Arthur tur­ned hym ayene ther that he was in to the place ther that he had lefte the Scottes and wolde haue hem alle slayne / But the bisshoppes Abbotes and othir folke of the contre and ladies open hede come before kyng Arthur and cried hym mercy and said Sir gentill kyng and myghty haue mercy and pite of vs / And as your [Page] selfe ben of the right lawe to hold and maynten cristen dome fall grete dishonour it sholde be to quelle hem that byleue in almyghty god as ye done and for goddes loue haue mercy and pite of vs & suffre vs for to leue for we haue had moche sorwe and pyne for the saxon̄s haue many tyme thurgh our londe passed but that is [...] y nowe to yowe For often tymes they haue done vs sorwe & disese ¶For our castelles they haue taken and our bestes slayne and eten and moche harme they haue vs done and yf ye wolde nowe vs quelle it were none honour to a kyng to quelle hem that [...] hym mercy ¶For y nowe ye haue y done and vs ouercome and for the loue of god suffre vs for to lyue and haueth mercy of cri­sten peple that beleuen in crist as ye done ¶When kyng Arthur herde this sorwe he had pite of hem and yaf hem lyfe & lymme and they fyll doune to his fete and bicome his liegmen and he toke of hem homages ¶ And after that kyng Arthur turned ayen with his host and come ayen to yorke and there abode during that viage ¶ And tho yaf he all loegers to Aloth that had spoused his suster and othir yiftes grete plente and tho was Gawen his co­sin but of yonge age and to all his othir men that hym had serued in his werre he yaf riche yiftes and he thanked hem moche of hir good seruise

¶Howe kyng Arthur spoused Gūnore that was Gūnores cosin Erle of Cornwaille & after he conquerde of Giullomer all Irlād ¶Capitulo lxxvij.

WHen Arthur had brought his lande in pees and rest and in good state and rest was in euery contre tho nōme he & wedded a wyfe that was called Gūnor & made hir quene a fair lady and a gentill that Cador the Erle of Cornwaill had longe tyme norisshed in his chambre that was his owne cosin [...]ut neuer they had childe to gedre & nothelees kyng Arthur loued hir wonder well & derly And anone as wynter was passed he let as­semble a grete host and all his barons & said that he wolde wende in to Irland for to conquere the land and he taried not longe that he ne passed ouer in to Irlande ¶ And Guillomer the kyng let assemble a grete host and yaf bataill to kyng Arthur. But Guillomer was discomfited and yelde hym to the kyng Arthur and bicome his man and to hym did feaulte and homage and of hym helde all that lande fro that tyme forward

¶ And after passed kyng Arthur furthermore and conquered Gutlāde & Island & toke homages of folke & of the londe & th [...]r [Page] duelled xij. yere in pees and regned with Ioye and myrthe and werred no maner man ne no man vpon hym ¶ And he bicome so courtois and large and so honorable that the Emꝑours court of Rome ne none thurgh out all the worlde was not accompted to kyng Arthure that any man wyst ne none so well preised

¶And therfor the best knyghtes of all maner londes come to hym for to duelle and hem resseyned with good wyll and reuerence ¶ And all the knyghtes weren so good that no man knewe the werst And therfor kyng Arthur made a rounde table that when they sholde sitten to the mete all shuld be aliche hie and euenly ser­ued at the table that none myght make a vaūt that none [...] hier than othir And kyng Arthur had at that table Britons Frensh men Normans Flemynges Burgouners Mausers [...]oherms & of all the landes a this halfe monte of Gorye and of his lande of britayne and of the grete Corne waille of walys and of Irland and of Scotland and shortly to telle of all the landes that wold [...] wurshipp and chinalrie [...]eche comen to kyng Arthures court

¶Howe kyng Arthur come in to fraunce and conquerd that lā de of Froll that was a Romayne & hym queld Ca.lxxv.ij

SYth it befell that kyng Arthur thurgh conceill of his ba­rons & lordes wolde gone to conquere all fraunce that tho was cleped Galle thurgh romayns that tho helde that lād in hir poer & in hir lordshipp & the romayns had take that lande to a noble knyght & worthy of body that was called Frolle & when he wyst that Arthur come he ordeyned an host & a grete poer and fought with the kyng And he & his folk were discomfited & then nes they fled vn to Paris & entred the toune & closed the yates and ther hem helde ¶Arthur wyst that Froll was gone to [...] he pursued after & come thidder & hym beseged but the Cite was so stronge & well araied & tho that were withyn defended hem well & mā ­ly ¶Kyng Arthur duelled there more than a month & ther was so moche peple in the Cite & dispended all hir vitailles that were withyn and so grete hunger bicome amonges hem that they deiden wonder thikke withyn the Cite for hunger and comen to Frolle and praied hym to bene accorded with kyng Arthur for to haue pees and they wolde yelde hem to hym and the toune also ¶Froll saw that no lenger he ne myght holde the toune ayens hir wyll & trust gretly vpon his owne strength & sent to kyng Arthur that [Page] he shold come fight with hym body for body / and so shold they deꝑte fraunce bitwene hem two / Kyng Arthur anone graunted it & wolde nat that none of his peple vndertoke the bataille for him ¶And vpon the morwe bothe comen well armed withoute Paris ther that they shold fight and anon̄ they smyten to gedres so fersely & so well they foughten in bothe sides that no man coude deme the better of hē And so it befell that Frolle yaf Arthur such a stroke that he kne­led to the grounde wolde he nolde he / and as Frolle withdrowe his suerd he wounded kyng Arthur in the forhede that the blood fell a doune by his yien and his face ¶Arthur anone stert vp hertely when he felt him hurt as a man that semed almost wode / and he toke Tabourne his good suerd & drowe it vpon high / and yafe Frolle suche a stroke that ther with he clafe his heed doune to the sholdres so that his helme myght nat be his warrant / and so he fille a doune dede in the place / and tho of the Cite made grete sorwe for Frolle / anone euerichon yelde hem to kyng Arthur / and the toune also / and becomen his men and did to hym homage and feaulte / & he vnderfenge hem and toke of hem good hostages / And kyng Arthur after that went forth with his hoost and conquered Augien and Angiers Gascoyne Pehito Nauerne Burgoyne Berry Lo­therne Turyn and Peithers / and all the othir land of fraunce he conqnered hollych ¶ And when he had all conquered and taken by homages and feaultes he turned ayene to Paris and ther he duel­led longe tyme / and ordeyned pees longe tyme ouer all the contrey and thurgh oute all fraunce ¶ And whan pees was made o [...] all thurgh his noble knyghthood that he had and also for his owne worthynesse / And no man were he neuer so grete a lord durst not meue werre ayens hym nothir to arise for to make the lād of fraunce in quiete and pees / he woned ther ix. yere / and did ther many grete wondres and reproued many proude men and lither tirauntz & hem chastised after hir deseruise

¶How kyng Arthur auaunced all his men that had trauayled in his seruice Ca.lxxix

ANd afterward it befell thus at Estren ther that he helde a fest at Paris / richly he gan auaunce his knyghtes for hir seruice that had hym holpen in his conquest

¶He yafe to his stiward that was called Kay Augien & Angi­ers / And to Bedeler his Boteler he yafe Normandie that tho was called Neustrie / And to Holdyne his Chamburlayne [Page] he yaf Flaundres aud Mance And to Dorell his cosin he yaf [...]oloigne And to Richard his nepheu he yaf Pountyf And to all othir he yaf large lādes and [...]ees after they were of estate And when Arthur had thus his knyghtes feffed at auerill next after sneyng he come ayene in to Britayne his awne land And after at whytsontyde next sewyng by cōceill of his barons he wolde be crouned kyng of Glomergon aud helde a solempne fest and let sompne kynges Erles and barons that they sholde come thidder euerichone Ther was Scater kyng of Scotland Cadwere kyng of southwales ¶Guillomer kyng of northwales Maded kyng of Irland Malgamꝰ kyng of Gutland Achilles kyng of Iseland Aloth kyng of Denmark Gonewas kyng of norewey and Hel his cosin kyng of dorkeny Cador kyng of litell britaigne Morwyth erle of Cornewaille Mauran erle of gloucestre guerdon erle of wynchestre Boel erle of hertford Vrtegy erle of Oxūford Cursall erle of Bathe Ionas erle of Chestre Enerall erle of dorsestre Kymare erle of salisburi waloth erle of Caunterburi Iugerne er­le of chichestre Arall erle of leicestre & the erle of warwyke & many othir riche lordes Britons also ther cam mo that is to say dippō donaud gennes and many othir that be nat here nempned werē at that fest and many a fair fest kyng Arthur had holde biforne but neuer none suche ne so solempne & that lastyd xv. dayes with mochel honour and mirthe

¶Of the letter that was sent from the cite of Rome for pride to kyng Arthur Ca.lxxx.

THe in day as kyng Arthur sate at his mete amonge his kynges and among hem that seten at the feste byforne hem come yn xij eldren men of age richely araied and co­urtoisely salued the kyng and said they come from Rome sent as messagiers fro the Emꝑour and toke to hym a lr̄e that thus moche was to vnderstond ¶Gretly vs mervaileth Arthure that thou art ones so hardie with eien in thy hede to make open werre & contake ayens vs of Rome that owen all the worlde to deme for thou hast (neu) neuer yet biforne this tyme proued ne assaied the strēgth of the Romayns and therfor thou it shalt in a litell tyme For Iulius Cesar conquerd all the land of Britaigne and toke ther of truag [...] and oure folk haue it longe y had and nowe thurgh thy pride thou wythholdest it ¶Wherfore we commannde the that [Page] thou it yelde ayene / and yit hast thou more foly done / that thou hast slayne Frolle that was our baron of frannce all with wronge / & the [...]for all the cōmunes of Rome warnen & commaunde the vpon lyfe & lymme / that thou in hast be at Rome amendes to make of thy mysdedes that thou hast done / And if it so be that thou come nouzt / we shull passe the hylle of Ioye with strength / and we shull the seke wher euer thou may be founde and thou shalt nat haue a fote of land of thyn owne that we ne shall destroie / aud afterward with thy body we shull done on [...] wyll / when this lr̄e was rad / & all men it herd / they were annoied all that were at that solempnite / and the britons wolde haue slayne the messagiers / but the kyng wold not suffre hem / and said that the messagiers shold haue none harme / & mowe by reson none deserue / but commaunded hem to be wurshipp fully serued / And after mete he toke counceill of kynges [...]rles and barons / what ansuere he myght yeue ayene to the messagiers and they counceilled hym at onys that he shold assemble a grete poe [...] of all the landes of which he had lordshipp. and manly auenge hym vpon the Emꝑour of the despite that he had sent hym such a lr̄e / & they sworen by god & by his names that they shold hym pursue & brenne as moche as they myght / and said that they nold neuer faille kyng Arthur / and rather to be dede / And they let write a lr̄e to sende to the Emꝑour by the same messagiers in this maner

¶Of the bolde ansuere that kyng Arthur sent to the Emꝑour of Rome & to the romayns Ca.lxxxj.

UNderstondeth amonges yowe of Rome that I am kyng Arthur of Britaigne & frely it hold and shall hold and at Rome hastely I wyll be / nat to yeue yow trnage / but for to axen truage / For Costantine that was Eleynes sone y ^• was Emꝑour of Rome & of all the honour that ther to belongeth Aud Maximian kyng conquerd all fraunce and Almayne / and mont Ioie passed & conquered all lumbardie / and these ij. were myne auncestres and that they helde & had / I shall haue thurgh goddes wyll

¶Of the reuerence that Arthur did to the Emꝑours messagiers of Rome ¶Ca.lxxxij.

WHen this letter was made and enseled kyng Arthur to the messagiers yafe grete yiftes / and after that the messa­giers toke hir leue and went thens and come to the court of Rome ayene and tolde the Emꝑour how worthely they were vnderfongen and whiche a rialle companie he had hym to serue / and [Page] howe he was mor rially serued than the Emꝑour or any kyng [...] uyng in the worlde ¶ And when the Emꝑour had sayne the letē & herde what was ther yn and saw that Arthur wolde nat be ruled after hym he let assemble aud ordeyne an huge host for to de­stroie kyng Arthur yf that he myght. ¶ And kyng Arthur [...] touchyng his poer and partie ordeyned his poer & knyghtes of the rounde table

¶Of the kynges and lordes that comen to helpe kyng Arthur a­yens the Emꝑour ¶Ca.lxxxiij.

THe kyng of Scotlande and of Irland and of gutland of denmark & of Almaigne euery of hem had x.M. men The due of nor [...]ādie gastoyne Flādres Pehito & of Boloigne had iiij.M. Geryn of Chartres had x.M. Hoel of britaigne had xii.M. & hym selfe of his owne land xij.M. and of Arbala­stiers & of archiers & of othir folk in foot that no man coude hem nōbre And when all were redy for to wende kyng arthur his lād & Gūnore his wyfe toke to kepe to one of his nepheus that was a wys knyght & an hardy that was called Mordred but he was nat all trewe as ye shull here afterward kyng Arthur toke alle his reaulme to this Mordred sauf onely the croune And after that kyng Arthur nōme his host & went to southampton there that the shippes were bronght & the folk assembled & they deden hem to the see & had good wynd & wether at wyll & also sone as they myght they arrmed at Harflete And as sone as they myght they went out of hir shippes & spradden all the contre

¶Howe kyng Arthur fought with a Geaunte in spaigne that was called Dinabus that queld Eleyne that was kyng hoels co­sin of litell britaigne Ca.lxxxiiij.

BYng Arthur had not duelled in the cōtre but a litell while that men ne tolde hym that ther was comen a grete ge­ant in to spayne & had rauysshed fair Eleyn̄ that was cosin to ho [...]l of britaigne & had brought hir vpon an hyll that is called the mounte of seint Bernard & ther was no mā in that cōtre so bolde ne so hardy y ^• durst with hym fight ner come nere the place ther that geant duelled & he was called dinabus that moche sorwe did in the contre ¶When kyng Arthur herde this tydynge he called key and Bedewere and cōmaunded hem to go priuely and espye wher the geant myght be foūde and they comē to the Rinage ther that men sholde gone to the mounte that was alle enclosed aboute with water and yit is and euer shall he ¶ And they [Page] saw abrennyng fire vpon the hille / and ther was also an othir hille nye that / ther was ther vpon an othir fire brennyng ¶Key & Be­dewere comen to the next hill & founden a widewe openhede sittyng besides a tombe sore wepyng and grete sorwe made / & ofte she said Eleyne Eleyne And Key and Bedewere axed what hir was and wherfor she made so moche sorwe / and who lay in that tombe O qd she what sorwe and mysauenture faire lordes seke ye here / for yf the Geant may yowe here fynde / ye worth dede anone / Bene stille good wyfe qd they ther of dismay ye not / but telle vs the soth why thou makest so moche sorwe and wepyng ¶Sires qd she / for a damisell that I norisshed with my brest that was called Eleyne that was nece to Hoel kyng of Britaigne / and here lieth the body in this tombe that to me was betaken to norissh ¶So ther come a deuell a Ge­ant and rauisshed hir and me also and lad vs both away / and he wolde haue forlayne that maide that was so yonge and tendre of age / but she myght it nat suffre / so grete and so huge as the Geant was / And yf he now come as he is woned to do certis he wyll yow quelle both to / And therfor fast wende ye hennes And wherfor said they go ye not hennes ¶Certes Sir qd she when that Eleyne was dede the Geant made me to abyde to done and hannte is wyll and me must nedes it suffre And god it wote I do it not with my good wyll for me leuer were to be dede / than with hym to dele / So moche payne I haue when he me forlieth ¶When Key & Bedewere had herde all that this woman had tolde they turned ayene and come to kyng Arthur and tolde hym all that they had seyne and herde / Ar­thur anone toke hem both with hym and went preuelich by nyght that none of his hoost it wyst and come on the morwe erly to the geant and faught with hym strongly and at the last hym slowe And Arthur bad Bedewere smyte of his heed / and bring it to the hoost to shewe hem for a wonder / for it was so grete and so huge / When they comen ayene to the hoost / they tolden wherfor they had bene oute and shewed to hem the heed / and euery man was glad and Ioifull of the worthy dede that kyng Arthur had done that was hir lorde

¶ And Hoel was full sorwefull for his nece that was so loste / & after when he had space he let make a fair [...] chapell of our lady ouer Eleyns tombe

¶How kyng Arthur yafe bataille to the Emꝑour in the whiche bataille the Emꝑour was slayne Capitulo. lxxxv.

[Page]ARthur and his peple had tydyng that the Emꝑour had assēbled a grete poer az well of sarasyns as of paynymz and cristen mē wher of the nombre was lxxx.M. hors mē and fote men Arthur & his peple ordeyned fast forth in hir way toward the Emꝑour and passed Normandie and fraunce vn to Burgoyne and wold euen haue gone to the host For men tolde hym that the Emꝑours host wolde come to lucie The emꝑour and his host in the begyn̄yng of August remeued fro rome & cam forth right the way toward the host Tho comen kyng Arthures espies and said yf that Arthur wolde he sholde finde ther fast by the Emꝑour But they said that the Emꝑour had so grete poer with hym of kynges of the lande and of paynyms yfere and also cristen peple that it nere but grete foly to kyng Arthur to meten with hym for the espies tolde that the Emꝑour had v. men or vj. ayens one of his ¶Kyng arthur was bolde & hardy & for no thyng hym dismaied and said go we boldely in goddes name ayens the Ro­mayns that with hem lede sarasins and paynyms that no ma­ner trust they haue to god but only vpon hir strength. Go we nowe and sech hem Sharpely in the name of Almyghty god and slee we the paynyms and cristen men that ben ennmies with hem for to destroie cristen men and god shall vs helpe for we haue the right and therfor haue we trust in god and do we so that the enemies that be to cristendome and to god mowe be dede and destroied and that men mowe record the worthynesse of knyght hode When kyng Arthur had thus said they cried all wyth a high vois.

¶ God fadre almyghty wurshipped be thy name withouten end amen and graunte vs grace well to done and to destroie our ene­myes that bene ayens cristendome In the name of the fadre of the sone and of the holy gost amen and god yeue hym neuer grace ne worshipp in the world ne mercy of hym to haue that this day shall feyuten well for to smyte and egrely and so they riden softely and ordeyned his wynges well and wysely

The Emꝑour herd telle that kyng Arthur and his folk were redy araied for to fight with hym and thidder they come And he ordeyned his wynges in the best maner that he myȝt and more trust vpon his strength than in god almyghty and that was seyn afterward ¶For when tho ij. hostes mette the Emꝑour lost suche iiij. of his folk as did Arthur and so many were slayne what in that one side and in that othir that it was grete pite to wyt and to seen ¶In this bataill were slayne thurgh kyng [Page] Arthur v. kynges of the paynyms and of othir wonder moch pe­ple / And kyng Arthures men foughten so well that the roymains and paynyms had no more strength to withstonde / than xx. shepe ayens v. wolfee / And so it befell that in this bataille in showre that was wondre hard and longe during in that one side and in that othir the Emꝑour amonges hem there was slayne / but no mā wist for soth who him slowe

¶How kyng Arthut let entier his knyghtes that he had lost in y ^• betaille and how he sent the Emꝑours body to rome that ther was slayne in bataille Ca.lxxxvj

WHen the romaine wist that the Emꝑour was dede they for soke the felde and the paynyms also / And kyng Arthure after hem chaced till it was nyȝt & so many of hem queld that it was wonder to telle ¶ And tho turned kyng Arthur ayen tho it was nyȝt / & thanked god of his victorie / And in the morwe he let loke & see all the felde for his knyghtes that he had ther loste that is to say Borell Erle of Maunt Bedewere and Key and Li­giers Erle of Boloigne V [...]geti Erle of Baac Aloth erle of wynchestre Cursale erle of chestre and after holdein erle of Flaundres thees were the grete lordes that kyng Arthur lost in that bataille / amonge othir worthy knyghtes / And some he let entier in Abbeis by the contre somme he let be borne in to hir owne contre / And the Emꝑours body he let take & put vpon a beer & sent it to rome And sent to say the romains that for britaigne and fraunce whiche that he helde / othir truage wold he non [...] pay / And yf they ax [...]d him any othir truages / right suche truage he wold hem pay ¶The kyng let bere Key to kenen his owne Castell and ther he was entered / & Li­gier was borne to Boloigne ther he was lord / And Holden was borne to flaundres / and ther he was entered ¶And all the othir he let entier with mochell honour in Abbeis & in houses of religion in the contre ther that they were dede ¶And Arthur him selfe soiourned that same yere in Burgoyne with his host / and thought the same yere folewyng to passe the mounte of Ioye / & haue gone to rome all for to take the Cite / and haue put the romains in subiection but the wykked tiraunt Mordred hym lette as after ye shall here

¶How mordred the traitour to whom kyng Arthur toke his land to kepe and his castelles and helde it ayens hym ¶Ca.lxxxvij

WHen kyng Arthur had taken to mordred his Reame to kepe and was gone ayens the Emꝑour of Rome & was passed the see / Mordred anone toke homages & feautes of alle [Page] hem that were in this lande / and wolde haue had the lande to his owne vse / and toke castelles aboute and let hem araie / And aft this falsenesse he did an othir grete wronge / for ayens the lawe of cristē te / he toke his owne [...] wyfe as a traitour shold & [...]yned hym a grece host ayens Arthurs comyng to holde [...] hym with strength for euermore / And to shee kyng [...] if he myght and send by the see and land & lete assemble paynyms & cristen pe­ple / and he sente to sax [...]nes & to danois for to helpe him / And also Mordred sent to Chel [...]rik to [...]one men to come to him oute of Saxo­yne / that was a worthy duke / & byhet him yf that he brought with him moch peple he wold graunte him in heritage for euermore alle the laude from beyonde humbe [...] vn to scotland / And all the lande that Engist had of vortigers yift / when that he spoused his doughter ¶And Cheldrik come with grete strength & poer of peple / and Mordred had assembled also in his halfe that they had xl.M. of stronge knyghtes / when that they had nede

¶How Arthur enchased mordred the traitour & how he was slay ne & also kyng Arthur wounded to deth ¶Ca.lxxxviij

WHen this tydynge come to kyng Arthur ther that he was in Burgoyne he was full sore ānoied & toke alle frannce to ho [...]l for to kepe with haluendel of his men and praied him that he wolde it kepe till he come ayene / for him selfe woldwēd in to Britaigne / and an [...]nge him vpon mordred that was his tral tonr and forth went his way / and come to whytsand & made his men gone in to shippe and wolde haue arriued at sandewych / aud brought with him a grete host of fraunce also with his owne land [...] But er that he myght come to londe with his peple that were comen oute of his shippes Mordred was comen with all his power / and yafe a stronge bataille / so that kyng Arthur lost many a man [...] that he myght comen to londe ¶For ther was Gawen his nep [...]u slayne and Augnissell that helde scotland and many othir wher of kyng Arthur was full sory / But after that they were comē to lād mordred myght not ayens hem endure / but anone was discōfited & fledde this the same nyȝt with his men / & vpon the morne to londo [...] but tho of the cite wolde not suffre him to come in / & frō thens he fled to wynchestre & ther be helde him with his peple that with him [...] Kyng Arthur let take the body of Gawen his cosin and the body of Augnissell and let hem [...] in to Scotland in to hir owne [Page] centre and ther they were entered ¶And after anone kyng Ar­thur nōme his wey to destroie Mordred and fled fro thens in to Cornewaille ¶The quene Gūnore that was kyng Arthuris wif that tho [...] at yorke and herd that Mordred was fled thēz that he [...] must not endure ayens kyng Arthnr she was sore adrad and [...] grete doute and wist not what was best all for to done For the wyst well that hir lord kyng Arthur wolde neuer of hir haue mercy For the grete shame that she to hym had done & nōme hir wey priuely with iiij. men with oute mo & come to karli one & ther she duelled all hir lyfe that (neu) neuer was sey amonge folk hir lyfe during ¶Arthur wyst that Mordred was fledde in to Cornewaille & let send after his men in to Scotland & northum­berland vn to humber & let assemble folk withonte nombre & co­men fro thens in to Corne waille to seche and pursewe after mor­dred And Mordred had assembled to hym all the folk of Corne­waille & had peple withoute nombre and wyst that Arthur was comyng and had leuer to die & take his chaunce than lenger fle And abode & yaf an hard bataill to kyng Arthur and to his pe­ple so that so moche peple was slayne what of that on half and in that othir that no mā wyst who had the better ꝑtie But so it be fell at the last that Mordred was slayne and all his folk and the good chiualrie that kyng Arthur had gadred and norisshed of di­uerse landes And also the noble knyghtes of the rounde table that so moche was preised thurgh out all the world were there slayne And Arthur hym self was wounded to the deth but he let hym he borne in a litter to a vyoun to be heled of his wonndes & yit the britons supposen that he lyue in an othir land and that he shall come yet and conquere all Britaigne but certes this is the proficie of Merlyn he said that his deth shall be doubtous and said soth for men ther of yit haue doubte and shulle for euermore as me [...]aith ¶For men wyt nat whether that he lyueth or is dede

¶Arthur was borne to Auyon̄ the xxij. yere of his regne after the Incarnacionn of our lord Ihū crist vC. and xlvj. yere

¶Howe kyng Arthur deliuered the reaulme to Costantyn the sone of Cador his Nepheu Ca.lxxxix.

WHen kyng Arthur wyst that he myȝt no lēger regne he let come biforne hym Costantine that was Cadors sone erle Cornewaille his cosin & to hym bitoke all his reaume & to hym said and bad hym ther of to ben̄ kyng till that he come ayen̄ [Page] for as moche as he had none heir of his body begoten and [...] me was it that so noble a kyng and so doubty had no [...] body begoteu / but all thyng that god wull haue done [...] whos name be blisshed withouten ende Amen

¶How kyng Costantine was werred of Morde [...] [...] Capitulo lxxxx

THis Costantine was a noble knyght and a worthy of body & tho ij. sones that mordred had begoten had grete [...]uie to Costantine that tho was crouned kyng / and so that they begonne to meue werre ayens hym and assembled a grest host of hē that were before with mordrede / and had bene driuen away / and that diden moche sorwe thurgh all that land / that one brother ordeyned hym to london for to take the Cite and that othir to wynchestre / but Costantine come to london and s [...]ow hym that was ther / and after he wēt to wynchestre and slow hym that there was also / so that both his ennemies were dede / And when Costantine had regned worthely iiij. yere he died and lieth at london

¶Of the kynges Adelbright and of Edell Ca.lxxxxj

AFter kyng Costatines deth ther were ij. kynges in Britaigne that one was called Adelbright / that was a dan [...]y [...] and helde the contre of Northfolke & southfolke / that othir hight Edell and was a briton / and helde Nichol Lyndesey & all the land vn to humbet ¶These ij. kynges fast werred to gedres but after they we [...]en accorded and loued to gedre / as they had be borne of o body ¶The kyng Edell had a sustre that was called Orewenne / & he yafe hir thurgh grete frendeshipp to kyng Adelbright to wyfe / & he begate on hir a doughter that was called Argentill / And in the iij. yere after come vpon hym a stronge sikenesse that nedes he must die / And he sent to kyng Edelf his brother in lawe that he shold [...] me & speke with hym and be come to hym with good wyll ¶Tho praied he the kyng and co [...]red also in the name of god / that aft when he were dede he sholde take Argentill his doughter & the lande and that he kept hir well and norisshe hir in his chamber ¶ And when she were of age she shold be maried to the strongest and wur­thiest man that he myght fynde / and than he shold yelde vp hir land arene ¶Edell it graunted it and by oth confermed his praier.

And when Adelbright was dede and entered Edell toke the damisell Argentill and norisshed hir in his chambre / and she become the fairest creature that myght lyue or any man finde

[...] Edell maried the damisell to a knaue of hiz kyche [...] [...]

[...] kyng Edelf that was vncle to the damisell Argētill [...] howe that he myȝt falsely haue the lād from his nece for euermore & falsely ayens his othe thought to disceyne the damisell & to marie hir to a knaue of his kychen that was called Curan & he bicome the worthiest & strengist man of body that any man wyst in any land that tho leued and to hym he thought hir shendfully haue maried for to haue had hir land afterward but he was clene disceyued ¶For this Curan that was hauelockes sone that was kyng of kyrkelane in denmark & this Curan conquered his w [...]fes land & shewe kyng Edelf that was his wifes vncle and had all hir land as in an othir place it telleth more openly & he ne regned but iij. yere For saxons & danoys hym queld & that was grete harme to all britaigne & britons bare hym to St [...]nhe [...]g & ther they hym entered with mochel honour

¶Of kyng Conan Ca.lxxxxiij.

AFter this Curan regned Conan that was his co [...]in that was a wonder proude knyght & regned & coude haue no maner loue but euer he was medelyng with his peple & toke his vncle with werre & queld his ij. children. The saxones werred ayens hym oft tymes bnt he hem ouercome at the last aud so he was [...] pees all his lyfe tyme & he regned xiij. yere & after he died and lieth at london

Of kyng Cortif and of Gurmonde that comen thurgh the pay­nyms in to Britaigne Ca.lxxxxiiij.

AFter this Conan regned his cosin Cortif that was biha­ted of all his peple and no thyug beloued and this cortif lost all britaigne thurgh werre and in his tyme felle that gret myschef in britaigne that crystendome was destroied & all the britons were driuen oute and the lande y lost withoute auy recouer but afterward left the land to saxons as ye afterward shall here For in that tyme ther was a paynyme that was called Gurmōd that was the kynges sone Daufrikes of the paynyms folke that had the name after his fadre and was kyng sauf be bequath and yaf it to his brother & said y ^t he nolde (neu) neuer be kyng but yf he myȝt gete & conquere a reaume in a strange contre For he was bold and eke stronge of body & of hym ꝓfecied Merlyn & said that he sholde he a wolfe of the see and he let assemble paynyms wythoute [Page] nombre and let apparaill shippes and went by many londes and toke homages & feautes of many / aud so he went by the see and cō quered many diuerse landes / so that he come in to Irland [...] con­querd that land that ofte tymes werred vpon britons and britons vpon hem / and ofte wōnen & ofte losten / & yeue hostages to britons and so they sente to Gurmonde ther that he was in Irland that he shold come in to Britaigne & helpe hem ayens the britons / to helpe hem deliuer that land of hem / and they wolde hym holde gladly for hir lord / for he was a paynyme and they were paynyms & the Britons were cristen / well ought he them for to helpe so as they weren of one lawe ¶When Gurmond herd this praier he hasted hym as moche as he myght and arriued in scotland & come in to Northum­berland ther that the saxons were duellyng / and they confermed y ^• couenauntz bitwene hem that were made by othes and by hostag [...]s for to bere hym trewe fay & holde hym for lorde & pay to him truage by yere ¶Tho began the saxons & the Affricans to destroie robbe & brenne tounes and destroie all thyng in as moche as they myght / & spared nethir man woman ne childe lered ne lewde / that alle they queld and cast a doune tounes Castelles and churches / and so put they all the land in grete destruction / & as sone as they myght fleen they fledde thens as well pore as riche / Bisshoppes Abbotes Cha­nons / and all othir grete and smale somme in to litell Britaigne & somme in to Corne waille / All tho that shippes myght haue /

¶How kyng Gurmond drofe the kyng Cortife to Chichestre and queld the britons and thurgh quentise gete the toune Capitulo lxxxxv

COrtife the kyng fley thens in to Chichestre that tho was a good Cite and a stronge & ther helde hym xx. daies And this Gurmond it beseged / but the Cite was so stronge that he myght not gete that Cite by no maner engyn that he myȝt done / ¶Tho bythought they vpon a grete queyntise for to brenne the toune / they made engynes with glewe of nettes and token peces of tunder and of fire and bounde it to the sparwes fete and afterward let hem flee / and they anone right fley and logged hem in the toune ther that hir nestes were / and in stakkes and in euissyng of houses / & the fire began to tende & brend all y ^• toune / & when the britons saw that in [...]y side they hied hē oute & fauȝt but anon̄ they [Page] were slayne and discomfited and whiles the bataille dured the kyng priuely hid hym and stale awaye in to wales and mē wist neuer wher he bicome and so was the toune of Chichestre taken & destroued ¶ And after went Gurmond and destroied Citees & tounes that neuer were afterward made ayen as it is seyn yit in many places

¶Howe this land was cleped Englond for the name of engist and howe many kynges were made after in the land Capitulo lxxxxvj

WHen Gurmond had destroied all the land thurgh oute he yafe the londe to they saxōs anone the toke it with good wylle For the Saxones long tyme had desired it for as moche as they were of Engistes kynrede that fyrst had all the lād of britaigne and tho let hem be called Englisshmen for enchesou of Engistes name And the land they let calle it England in hir langage & the folk ben called Englisshmen for as moche as in his tyme it was called Engistes lond When he had cōquerd it of Vortiger that had spoused his doughter but from the tyme that brute come fyrst in to England this land was called britaigne and the folk britons But sith the tyme that this Gurmond eftsones con­quered it and yaf it vn to the saxons and they anone right chan­ged the name as bifore is said ¶ And when this was don̄ Gurmond passed ouer in to Fraunce and ther conquerd many londes and destroied all cristen peple ther that he come and the Saxones duelled in this lande and bygonne fast it to inhabit at hir owne wylle Aud they wolde haue made newe kynges and lordes bnt they myght neuer [...]ssenten to haue only o kyng for to be to hem entendaunt and therfore they made many kynges in diuerse Shires as it was in Engistes tyme The fyrst kyngdome was kent & that othir southsexe and the thridde westsexe and the iiij. Estsexe and the v. northumberlād and the vj. estangle that is to sey northfolk and southfolk and the vij. Merchenorth and that is the erledom̄ of Nichol huntyngdone Herford Glouchestre wynchestre warre­wyke and Derby and so departed the englissh all englond in vij. parties ¶ And after that it befell that tho kynges werred ofte tyme to gedre and euer he that was strengest bynōme hym that was feblest and so it was longe tyme that they nad no kyng crouned amonges hem ne no Cristen man was tho amonges hem ne cristendome nothir But were paynyms till that Seint Gregorie was pope of Rome that had seyn children of the nacion [Page] of Englond in the Cite of Rome / that were wonder fair creatures and had grete wyll and desire hem to beholde / and axed of the mar­chantz whennes they were and of what nacion / and men told him that they were of Englond / and Englissh they were called / but they and all the peple of Englond were paynyms / and beleued not vp­on god ¶Allas quod seint Gregorie well mowe they be called en­glissh for they haue the visages of Angeles & therfor well onght they to be cristen / And for this encheson seint Gregorie sent Seint Austyn in to Englond / and xl. good men with hym that were of good lyfe and holy men to preche and teche and to conuert the En­gliss peple / and hem turne to god / and that was in the vj. yere that seint Gregorie had bene pope / that is to say after the Incarnacion of our lord Ihesu crist v.C.lxxxvij / yere as the cronicles telleth

¶How seint Austyn baptised & conuerted kyng Adelbright and the bisshoppes that he made his felawes ¶Ca.lxxxvij

WHen seint Austyn come fyrst in to Englond he arriued in the Ile of Tenet / and so passed forth & come vn to Caun­terbury & ther soiourned And kyng Adelbright of kent that was of the linage of Engist fair vnderfeng seint Austyn and his felawes with mochel honour / and hem fonde all that hem ne­ded / and ferthermore he yafe hem a fair place / that nowe is called the Abbey of seint Austyns / in whiche place he lieth hym selfe shryned This kyng Adelbright was a good man / & with good wyll herde seint Austyns predicacions / & yafe hym leue to preche thurgh all his londe of kent to torne and conuerte to hym all the peple that he myght / It befell so afterward thurgh goddes grace / that in litell tyme the kyng hym selfe was conuerted to god & all his peple of his land was baptized And in the mene tyme while the peple turned hem to god Seint Austyn come to Rouchestre / & there preched goddes word / The paynyms therfor hym scorned and cast on hym reigh tailles / so that all his mantell was honged full of reigh tail­les / and for more despite they cast on him the guttes of reighes and of fissh wherfor the good man seint Austyn was sore annoied and greued and praied to god that all the children that sholde be borne afterward in that Cite of Rouchestre most haue tailles / And when the kyng wyst and herde of this vengeaunce that was fall thurgh seint Austyns praier / he let make an hous in honour of almyghty god wherin women sholde be deliuered of hir children at the brug­ges ende / in which hous yit women of the Cite bene deliuered of childe / when seint Gregorie had herde telle how the Englisshmen [Page] were turned to god and conuerted he sent to seint Austyn his pallione by a bishopp that was called Paulyn and made hym [...]mat and Erchebishopp of England and sent word that he than sholde ordeyne and make bishoppes in the land And anone as Austyn had the pallione of the dignite of the Erchebishoppe he made ij. bi­shoppes of his felaws that come with hym from Rome that one was called Mellit & he duelled at london And that othir was called Iustyn that held the diguite of Rouchestre & this bishopp mellit tho went to preche in to Essexe & baptised the kyng of the contre that was called Sicwith that was kyng adelbrightes cosin his susters sone This Iustine went to preche in southsexe & turned moche of the peple to god And seint Austyn wēt hym selfe prechyng thurgh out Englond

¶Howe seint Austyn went in to wales ther that the britons were and howe they nold nat be obbedient to the Erchebishopp of Canterbury Ca.xcviij

WHen all Englond was baptised & turned to god Seint Anstyn went in to that lond ther that the britons were & for to kepe hem from Englisshmē that is to seyne in to walis And ther he founde monkes & abbeis & vij. bishoppes ¶For the britons destroied all way the cristen peple that seint Austyn had cō uerted & said to the bishoppes that he was a legat of rome & [...]mat of all Englond & that they shold by all reson to hym be obedient & they said that they nold ¶But to Erchebishopp of Carlion̄ & said they nold neuer for no maner thyng bene obedient to the englishmē

¶For the englishmen they said ben our ad [...]saries & our enemies & haue driuē vs out of our owne cōtre & we ben cristen mē & euer haue bene & the englishmen haue euer ben paynyms but now late that they bene conuerted ¶Seint Austyn myȝt of hem none an­suere haue othirwyse but saiden apertely that they nolde neuer hē meke to hym ne to the pope of Rome And seint Austyn turned a yen tho to kyng Adelbright that was kyng of kent & tolde hym that his folk nolde not be to no man obedient but to the Erchebi­shopp of karlion̄ And when the kyng herde this he was sore ānoied and said that he wolde hem destroie and sent to Olferide kyng of Rorthumberlād that was his frende that he shold come to hym with all the poer that he myght and that he sholde mete hym at leycestre and from thens they wolde gone in to wales and destroie the Erchebishopp of Carlione and all tho that had refused Seint Austyn

¶How kyng Adelbright and the kyng Olfride queld Bre [...]male that was a kyng of britons that helde the contre of leicestre Capitulo lxxxxix

HIt befell so that ther was a kyng Britonn̄ that helde the contre of leicestre & all the coutre aboute named Brecma [...] And this briton̄ herde telle y ^• tho ij. englissh kynges wolde me [...]e ther at leicestre for to wende in to walis He let ordeyne all the poer that he had for to fight with thees ij. kynges but litell it a vailled hym for his folk that he had were slayne & hym self fled & lost his landes for e [...]more ¶ And these ij. kynges Adelbright & Elfride duelled a while at leicestre & deꝑted the lande amonges hē & token homages & feautes of folk of the contre And after they wē ten toward wales & tho of walys had herd telle of the scomfiture that Brecmal had at leicestre & were wonder sore adrad of tho [...]. kynges And nōme & chose amonges hem good men & holy of here mites monkes & prestes & of othir folk grete pleute that wenten baarfoot & wellewerd for to haue mercy of the ij. kynges But tho kynges were so sterne & so wykked that they nold (neu) neuer speke with hem but queld hem euerichone Allas for sorwe for they ne spared hem no more than the wolf dothe the shepe but smyton of the heedes of euerichoue & so all were there martred that to hem come that is to vnderstonde v.C. & xl. & afterward tho ij. kynges wēt fro thēs to Baugore for to quelle all tho that they myȝt there fynde of the britons And when the britons that herde that assembled & ordey­ned all hir poer for to fight with hem Tho was ther a baron̄ in wales that was called Bledrik of Cornewaille that som̄e tyme waz lord of Denenshire but the kyng Adelbright had driuen hym in to walys & yeue hym bataille And at that bataille was kyng adel­bright slayne & Elfrid woūded sore & forsoke the felde & the most part of his peple slayne And Elfrid fled in to northumberland that was his owne land ¶And afterward the peple of leicestreshire made with strength Cadewan y ^• was Brecynalis sone kyng of leicestre & he after regned nobely & with grete honour

¶How Cadewan kyng of leicestre and Elfride kyng of northū berlande were frendes and of the debate that after was bitwene Edwyn and Cadwalyn that were both hir sones. Capitulo Centesimo

[Page]ANd after that this bataille was done / the britons assemb­led hem and went thens / & comē vn to leycestre & made Cadewan that was Brecinales sone kyng of leycestre / & of all the contre / & he toke homages & feautes of all the folk of the contre / & after that he assembled a grete host & said he wold gone in to Northumberland to destroie kyng Elfride / & slee him if he myght & when he was comen thidder / frendes went so bitwene hem & made hem accorded in this maner / That Elfrid shold holde all the lande from humber vn to Scotland / & Cadewan sholde haue all the land athis side humber vn to the south / and after that they becomē good frendes all hir lyfes during & loued to gedre as they had be ij bretheren / And this Elfride had a sone that was called Edwyne y ^• h [...]d & helde all the land of Northumberland after his fadres deth as his fadre had holde all his lyfes tyme And Cadewan had an othir sone that was called Cad [...]alyn that helde his fadres lande as he it helde whiles he was a lyfe and they loued to gedre as they had be bretheren / And the loue last bitwene hem but only ij. yere

And after began debate bitwene hem thurgh a lither eniuons co­sin of Cadwalyne that was called B [...]ens / so that they assembled a grete host in both ꝑties / and at the last it befelle that Cadwalyne was discomfited / and Edwyn him pursued and drofe him fro pla­ce to place / so at last he fley in to Irland / And this othir destroied his land / and cast a doune castelles and brent his maners and de­ꝑted all Cadwalyns land amonge his frendes And longe tyme after come Cadwalyn ayene from Irland with a stronge power / & in playne bataille quelled Edwyne and all his frendshippes / and namely tho that witheld his landes thurgh Edwynes yift

¶How kyng Oswolde was queld thurgh kyng Cadwalyn and Peanda / and how Oswy that was seint Oswaldes brother regned after him and queld Peanda Ca.C.j

WHen that Edwyne was slayne Offris his sone vndertoke the w [...]rre ayens Cadwelyne his Eme so that this Offris deide during the werre / And after the deth of Offris tho regned a gentill cristen man that moche loued god almyghty / that had alle the lande of Northumberland by heritage that was cal­led Oswold / and he was kyng of all that lande / ¶But for as moch as he was frend to Edwyne and helde a grete part of the land of Cadwalyn / the same Cadwalyn werred vpon him and drofe him toward Scotland ¶And when Cadwelyn sawe [Page] that he nold not abyde Cadewalyn̄ nolde no lenger hym pu [...]sewe but toke somme of his folk to Peanda his brother in lawe and praied Peanda to pursewe Oswald till that he were take & slayn̄ And Cadwalyn turned home ayen when Oswald herd the tydyng that Cadwalyn turned home ayen he wolde no lenger flee but abode Peanda & yaf hym bataill and Peanda was discomfi­ted and fley and come ayene to Cadwalyn̄ and said that he wolde neuer hold o fote of lond of hym but yf were so that he wolde avenge h [...]m of Oswald Cadwalyn let assemble a grete host for to fiȝt with Oswold so that he & Peanda come vn to Northumberland & yeue bataill vn to Oswold and in the same bataill was Oswold slayne and his hede smyten of and after he was entered at the ab­bey of Bardeney in which place god hath wrought for hym ma­ny a fair miracle both ther and elles where ¶ And anone Oswy his brother seised in to his hand all the land that was Oswaldes and the folk of Northumberland loued hym wonder well and helde hym for hir lord but he had men of his kyn worthy y nowe that wolde haue departed the lond and they werred to gedre & for as moche as they were not strong y nowe they comen to Peanda and praied hym of helpe and socour and byhete hym of that lond largely vpon couenant that he wold hem ghye and helpe & counceil [...] ¶Peanda herd hir praier and so spake with the kyng Cadwallyn̄ that he shold ordeyne a grete host & f [...]st ordeyn̄ hym in to Northumberland for to fight with Oswy ¶ And Oswy was a meke man and moche loued pees and charite and praied Peanda of loue and pees and proferd hym of gold and of sil [...] grete pleute And this Peāda was so proude that he nolde graūte hym pees for no ma [...] thyng but for all thyng he wold with hym fight So at the last ther was set a day of bataill ¶ And Oswy euer had trust vpon god And this Peanda trust to moche vpon his pride and vpon his host that he had and to gedre they smyten egrely but Peanda anone was discomfited & slayne & this was after the Incarnacion̄ of our lord Ihū crist vj.C. [...] lv yere And this Oswy tho regned xxviij. yere and a kyng that was called Oswyne that was Peanda is cosin werred vpon kyng Oswy & to gedre foughten but Oswy had the victory of Oswyne & Oswyn̄ was discomfited and slayne and lieth at Tynnemouth.

How kyng Cadewaldre that was Cadewaleynes sone regned after his fadre and was the last kyng of britons Ca.C.ij.

[Page]AFter the deth of Cadwaleyne regned his sone Cadwala­dre well and nobely & his moder was the suster of kyng Peanda and whan he had regned xij yere he fell in to a grete sikenesse and than was ther so grete discord bitwene the lordes of the land that euery werred vpon othir / And yit in that tyme ther fell so grete derth and scarcite of corne & othir vitailles in this lond that a man myght goo iij. daies or iiij. fro toune to toune y ^• he shold nat fynde to bye for gold ne for siluer brede wyne ne none othir vit [...]ille wherwith a man myght lyue But only the peple liued by rotes of herbes for othir lyuyng had they none / so moche was it fa­illed all aboute Fisshes wildebestes and all othir thyng / so that yit to this mysauenture ther fell so grete mortalite and pestilence amōg the peple / by the corrupcion of the eir / that the lyuyng peple ne suffi­sed nat to burie the dede bodies / for they deide so sodenly both grete & smale / lord and seruant / eting goyng spekyng / so that neuer was herd of more sodeyne deth among the peple / For he that went for to burie the dede body / with the same dede body was buried / They that myghten flee fledden & forsoke hir landes & houses as w [...]ll for the grete hunger derthe and scarcite of corne and othir vitaill as for the horrible mortalite and pestilence in the land and wenten in to othir landes / for to saue hir lyues and left the land all desert / and waste so that ther was not any man to trauaille aud till the lond ne ere ne sowe / so that the land was bareyne of cornes and all othir fruytes for defaute of tiliers / and this mysauenture dured xj. yere and moo that no man myght ere ne sowe.

¶How Cadewaldre went out of this land in to litell Britaigne

CAdwaladre saw the grete hunger mortalite and pestilence and the lond all poure / and failyng cornes and othir vita­illes / and his folke ꝑissed / and sawe also the most ꝑtie of his land all wasted and voide of peple / he apparailled him and his folke that were left on lyue / and passed ouer in to litell Britaigne with a litell nauye vn to kyng Aleyne that he moche loued that was his cosin / and that his fadre had moch loued in his tyme And as they sailled in the see he made grete lamentacion / and so did alle tho that were with hym / and said

¶Dedisti nos dn̄e tan [...] oues esca [...] & in gentibus dispersisti nos

ANd than began Cadwaldre to compleyn hym to his folke pitously and said ¶Allas said he to vs wrecches and [Page] Caytyf For why for our grete synnes of the which we wolde nat amende vs whyle we had space of repentaunce is comen vpon vs this mysauentur whiche chaceth vs oute of our owne re­aulme and propre soyle fro and oute of which somtyme romayns Scottes Saxons ne danes myght nat exilen vs ¶But what a vailleth it nowe to vs that before tyme oftsithes haue goten many othir landes sith it is not the wylle of god that we abyde & duelle in our owne lande God that is werray Iugge that all thynges knoweth before they be done or made he sethe that we wolde not cessen of our synnes and that our enemies ne myght not vs ne our linage exilen fro and oute of our reaulme he wolde that we amēd vs of our folies and that we sene our propre defaultes And therfor hath he shewed to vs his wrath and wull chastise vs of our mysdedes Sith that he doth vs withoute bataille or strength of our enemyes by grete companyes wrecchedly to leue our owne reaulme and propre lande ¶Turne agayne ye Romayns tur­ne agayne ye scottes turne agayne ye Saxones turne agayne ye Fraunsois nowe sheweth to yowe Britayne all desert the which your power myght neuer make desert ne yit your power hath not nowe put vs in exil but ouly the power of the kyng Almyghty whom we haue ofte offended by our folies the whiche we wolde not leuen vn till he chastised vs by his dyvyne power Amōge the wordes and lamentacion that the kyng Cadwaladre made to his folk they arrined in litell Britaigne and come to kyng Aleyne before said And the kyng resseyued hym with Ioie and made hym to be serued wonder nobely and there he duelled longe ty­me after ¶The englissh peple that were lefte on lyue and were ascaped the grete hunger and mortalite lyued in the best wyse that they myght and moche peple spronge and come of hem

¶ And they senten in to Saxoyne where they were borne to hir frendes For men women and children to restore the citees with peple and othir tounes that were all voide of peple & fortolabour tranaille and tillen the erthe When the Saxons had herde this tydyng they comen in to this lond wonder thikke in grete compa­nies and logged and herburghed hem self in the contre all aboute where they wolde for they founde no man hem to lette ne withstou­de And so they woxen and multiplied gretly and vsed the cu­stomes of the contrees wher of they were comen and the lawes and the langage of hir owne land And they chaunged the na­mes of citees tounes castelles & burghes & yaf hem names & called [Page] hem as they be nowe called / And they helden the Countees the ba­ronages lordshippes and trees in maner as the Britons before ty­me had compaced hem / And among othir grete companies that come fro Germayne in to this land / came the noble quene that was called Sexburga with men and women withoute nombre / and arriued in the contre of Northumberland / and toke the land from Alby [...]ne in to Corne waille for hir and for hir folke For ther was none that myght letten hem / for all was desolat and voide of peple But it were a fewe poure Batons that were left in mountaynes and wodes vn till that tyme / ¶ And fro that tyme forth losten Britons this Royame for alle daies / and the Englissh peple be­gonne to reigne and departed the land bitwene hem and they made many kynges aboute by diuerse parties of the lond as here bene deuised / the fyrst of westsex / the second Merchenrich / the thridde Estangle / the fourth kent / the fifthe southsex / All thees regned in this land after Cadwaladre was passed oute of this land / and duelled in litell Britaigne with kyng Aleyne his cosin and tre­we frende ¶ And whan he had longe duelled there / and had knowyng that the mortalite and pestilence was ouer passed and that the londe was replenysshed of Aliene peple he thought to turne ayene in to his owne lande / and praied kyng Aleyne his cosin of socour and helpe that he myght be restored to his propre re­alme and fyrst dignite and kyng Aleyne graunted hym his praier ¶Than did [...]e apparaillen hym to take his way and viage in to this lande and praied god Almyghty deuoutly that he wolde make to hym demonstracion ȝif his praier in to this land were to hym plesaunte or none / for agayne the wyll of god Almy­ghty he wolde no thyng done / whan he had thus deuoutly made his praier / a vois fro heuen to hym said / and bad hym leue that Iourney a way in to Englond / and that he go to the pope of Rome For it was not the wyll of almyghty god that Britons regne no more in Britaigne ne neuer recouer the lande vn to the tyme that the prophecie that Merlyn said before be fullfylled / and that shold neuer bene vn to the tyme were comen that the reliques of his body shull bene brought fro Rome and translated in Britaigne And whan the reliques of othir saintes that haue bene hid for the [...]erse­cucion of the paynyme folke shull be founden and openly shewed than shall they recouer hir land ayene whiche they haue so longe tyme lost thurgh hir desertes ¶When Cadwaladre had herde this ansuere he meruailled gretly and told it to kyng Aleyne.

[Page]Than kyng Aleyne did send for the clergie of his lond & made hem to brynge the stories and ꝓfecies that Merlyn & sibille hadde said in hir ꝓphecies and when he knewe that the ꝓphecie that festo me had ꝓphecied of the egle and othir ꝓphecies accorded to the dy­uine ansuere that Cadwaladre had herd he counceilled hym to leue his peple and his navie & submitte hym to the disposicion̄ of god and done all that the angell had cōmaunded hym ¶Than Cadwaladre called Ynoz his sone and yvory his cosin that was his sustres sone & said to hem Taketh said he my folk & my navie that is here all redy and passe in to wales and be ye lordes of Britons that no dishonour come to hē by intereupcion̄ of the paynyme folke for defaute of lordes And he hym selfe left his reame of Britaigne & his folk for euermore and toke his way to Rome to the pope Sergius the whiche wurshipped hym moche and so he was confessed and toke penaunce for his synnes And he had not long duelled there that he ne died the xij. Kalend of May the yere of grace v.Clxxix.

¶How kyng Offa was souerayne aboue all the kynges of Engglond and how euery kyng werred vpon othir Ca.C.ij

IT befell so that all the kynges in that tyme that were in the lond as they of westsexe Merchenriche Estāgle of kēt and of southsexe and of othir costes eche werred vpon othir aud he that was most myghty benōme the lond of hym that was most feble But ther was a kyng amōges hem that was called Offa that was seint Oswaldes brother This Offa conquered all the kynges of the lande & regned aboue hem all And so gre­te was the werre in euery cōtre bitwene kynges that no mā myȝt wyt how the lande went But abbotes Priours & men of religion̄ written the lyves and the dedes of kynges & how long euery reg­ned had and in whos contre and in what mauer euery kyng died & of bisshoppes also And ther of made grete bokes and let calle hē the cronicles and the good kyng Alured had that boke in his ward & let bring it at wynchestre and let it fast be takked vn to a piler that men myȝt it not remeve ne bere it thens so that euery mā myȝt it see and ther vpon loke For ther in ben the lives of all the kynges that euer were in Englond

¶How the kyng of Northumberland Osbright forlay the wyfe of Buerne Bocard thurgh strength and after this Buer [...]e cō quered the kyng with poer and strength Ca.C.iij

[Page]ANd thus it it befell in the same tyme that ther was a kyng in Northumberlād that was called Osebright and soiourned in yorke / and this kyng went hym vpon a day in to a wode him for to disporte / and when he come ayene / he went preuely in to a good mannes house that was called Buerne And the good man of that place was gone that tyme to the see / for often tymes he was woned ther aspie and awaite theues and robbours that ofte tymes were woned to come in to the land to robbe brenne and slee / ¶The lady that was this Buernes wife was a wonder fair woman and welcomed the kyng with mochel honour / and worthely him serued in all thyng / when the kyng had eten / he toke the lady by the honde & lad hir in to a chambre and said that he wolde speke with hir a counceill / and all the folke from the chambre he made voide sauf only the lady & he / but the lady wist not wherfor he it ded / till that he had done with hir his wyll / And when he had done this dede he turned ayene to yorke And the lady he lefte ther wonder so re wepyng for the dede that he had y done ¶ And whan hir lord was comen home & sawe hir wepe & such sorwe & mornyng make he ax [...]d of hir what she had done & why she made such sorwe ¶Sir qd she queintely and falsely the kyng Osbright me hath done shame & vilanye ayens my wyll and tolde him trewthe how the kyng had hir forlayne with strength wherfor she said she had leuer to die than lyu [...] ¶Fair leef be still qd he / for ayens strength feblenesse is litell worth and therfor of me shalt thou neuer the lasse be loued / and namely for thou hast told me trewthe ¶And yf almyghty god graunte me lyfe / I shall the well auenge

¶This Buerne was a grete man and a myghty lord & was wel beloned and grete frendes had / and let sende for the grettest lordes of the lande & to hem made his compleint of the despite that the kyng to him had y done / and said that he wold bene auenged how so that euer it were / and all his frendes councrilled & grauuted to wend toward yorke ther that the kyng was / ¶ And Buerne toke his meyne and come to the kyng / And when the kyng him saw he cal­led hym courtously Buerne by name / and Buerne him ansuerd and to hym said / Sir I yow deffye / and yelde vp feautes / hoinages and londes / and as moche as I haue holde of yowe / and so fro this tyme foreward I wyll neuer of the no thyng hold / And so he deꝑted from the kyng withoute more speche or any abydyng / and toke [...]ue of his frendes and went to denmark / and playned to the kyng Godryne & tolde him of the despite / that kyng Osbright to him had [Page] done of his wife / and praied him of socour and of helpe him to auē go ¶When kyng Godryne of denmarke and the danois had herde the pleint of this Buerne and of the praier that he bad / they were wonder glad in hert / for as moche that they myght fynde cause for to gone in to Englond for to werre vpon the Englisshmen / and al­so for to auēge Buerne of the despite that the kyng had done to his wife / and for as moche as Burne was sibbe to the kyng of Den­marke / Anone they let ordeyne a grete host of men and let ordeyne shippes / and as moche as was nede to that viage / And when alle the host was a redy / the kyng made his ij bretheren chiuetayns that were noble knyghtes and bolde that one was called hungar and that othir hubba

¶How the danois toke yorke and quelled the kyng Osbright and afterward kyng Elle Ca.C.iiij.

WHen all thyng was a redy Tho ij. bretheren tok [...] leue of the kyng Godryn that went toward the see for to wende in to Englond as fast as they myght spede Nowe is Burne so well comforted and fast hied hym with the danois that they bene arriued in the Northcontre and comen thurgh oute holdernesse / and destroied all the contre and brend tounes and robbed folke / and quel­led all that myght be take till that they come to yorke ¶And when kyng Osbright saw hem come / he toke his peple that he had and co­me oute of the Cite and faught with hem / but no foyson he nad a­yens hem / and moche was the peple that ther was slayne in bothe parties And kyug Osbright hym selfe ther was slayne / and the Cite anone was take / and the danois wenten in And ther was also an othir kyng in Northumberland that Buernes frendes had chosen and helde hym for kyng a man that was called Elle / for as moche as they wold not to kyng Osbright bene entendaunt / for the despite that he had done to Buerne her cosin /

¶Hit befell thus that the kyng Elle was gone to wode hym for to desporte and of venison somdel he had take / and as he sate in the wode at m [...]te to a knyght he said / we haue well y sped and moche venison taken / and with that worde ther come in a man / and to hym said / yf ye so moche of venison had wonnen / an houndred ty­mes so moche more ther ayens ye haue lost / For alle this contre the Danois haue gete / and take the Cite of yorke / and ayens yowe shull it hold that neuer ye shull nat come theryn / And for soth [Page] they haue slayne the kyng Osbright And when kyng Elle these wordes herde he let assemble all the folk of the contre & ordeyned all the poer that he myȝt haue & wolde haue gete y ^• toun̄ of yorke with strength but the danois comen out anone and yafe hym hataill & qneld the kyng & the most ꝑtie of his men that he had broght with hym and the same place ther that they were slayne shall euer be called Ellecroft and that place is a lite [...] from yorke ¶ And tho a bode the danois neuer till they had conquered all Northumberland and in that contre they made wardeyns and went ferther in to the land and token Nothyngham and ther they abyden̄ all the wynter and diden the sorwe that they myght And after when Somer ty­me come they remeued from Notyngham and come in to Nichol & to lyndesey and to holand ¶For no man myght hem withstonde so moche poer & strength they had.

¶How seint Edmond the kyng was martred Ca.C.v.

ANd so ferre had the danois passed from contre vn to contre and euermore brennyng & robbyng and destroied all that they myght till they comen vn to Thetford. And in that contre they fonnden a cristen kyng that moche loued god and his werkes that was called Edmond And he was kyng of North­folk and southfolk ¶This seint Edmond kyng ordeyned as moche folk as he myght and fought with the danois but he & his folk were discōfited & the kyng hym selfe driuen vn to the castell of f [...]amelynham ¶And the danois hym pursued and comen vn to the same castell And when kyng Edmond saw that the castell myght not hem withstond he come ayens hem with whom the danois ferst speken And anone they axed of hym where kyng Edmond was nowe forsoth qd he when I was in the castell ther was y ^• kyng & when I went oute of the castell he went out also and whethir he shall ascape or die att goddes wyll mote it be ¶When seint Edmōd had nempned god by that they wysten well all that it was he hym self and anone hubba and humbar nōmen hym and said that he sholde god forsake and all cristen lawe as many othir had done hym beforne ¶ And seint Edmond said that he nold neuer but rather he wold suffre deth for goddes loue and his lawes to kepe tho nōme they kyng Edmond and bounde hym vn to a tree and ma­de hir archiers to hym shete with arewes till that his body Styk­ked as full of arewes as an vrchon̄ is full of prikkes but for all [Page] the payne that he had / he wolde neuer god forsake and in the same payne & turmēt he died and betoke his soule to god And when they saw that he was dede they smyten of his hede And this maner was seint Edmond martred

¶How hubba & hungar toke the toune of Redyng ¶Ca.C.vj

WHen seint Edmond was martred hūgar and hubba went thens with all hir danois vn to Redinge / And as they went thidderward they brende tounes & Cites and quelled all cristen peple that wold not god forsake & cast a doune churches & comen to Redinge & toke the toune and ther helde hem till that the kyng Edelf of westsex come thidder with all his power for to take the toune Tho comen oute the danois for to yeue bataill to kyng edelf and at that bataille was queld an erle of danois that was called Cidrake v [...]on the morwe come the kyng Elred & his brother Alured with a stronge power and a grete host / And the kyng Edelfe come ayene that had foughten the day before to that bataille / And the danois tho comen oute for to fight with hem and the bataill was wonder stronge / for many a man was ther slayne And the danois that day had the victorie / and the kyng Eldred & his brother Alu­red that day were discomfited But the iiij. day afterward the danois and the englisshmen foughten to gedre an othir tyme v [...]on Ekeldenne And ther was slayne a kyng of denmarke that was called Rafyng and iiij. erles of grete power And that day had the dano­is shame for they were druien vn to Engilfelde ¶ And the xv. day after the danois and the Englisshmen and the danois fongh [...]n an othir tyme at Rafyng & there were the englisshmen discom [...]d and from thens a danois that was called Roynt went to Reding with his host and destroied all that he myght take / And kyng Eldred fonght with him / but he was wounded so wherfor he was dede / and he had nat regned but v. yere and lieth at wonburne

¶Of kyng Alured & how the danois in his tyme praied him of mercy that they must gone oute of the land Ca / C.vij

AFter the deth of this Eldred regned his brother Alured that Dolfynes was called Tho went the danois and assembled hem / and wente for to seche Alured that tho was th [...] new [...] kyng of southsex / and ther they founden him at wiltone with a li [...]ell peple / & notheles he faught with hē / but at the laste he fledde thens from the f [...]lde / and wente in to westsex / and ordeyned so moche peple of his owne Realme and also of othir so till that he [Page] had a stronge host so that the danois had no poer ayens hym to stō de And he come to london with his host and ther were the danois soiourned and ther wolde he haue foughten with hem but the danois durst not with hym fighte but praied hym of pees and that they must gone ayene in to hir owne contre and neuermore in to England for to come ayen any harme to done And vpon this couenant they shold yeue hym to plegge good hostages and such az the Englisshmen wold axen

¶How hubba and hungar were quelled at Chippenham & how the danois brought hir kyng to our kyng Ca.C.viij.

ANd the same day that the Danois departed from london so fast they ridden both nyght and day & neuer toke rest of goyng till that they comen vn to Excestre and token tho the toune and there helde hem. ¶When kyng Alured herd the tydyng anone he let take the hostages And went from thens to excestre with all the poer that he had ¶ And when the danois herd tell of his comyng they wenten fro thens in to westsexe and comen to Chippenam and ther they diden moche [...]arme in the contre they robbed folk and brought hem in prison ¶The kyng Alured hem pursued and come vpon hem and fersely hem assailled and ther were slayne both hubba and hungar his brother and Buerne Bocard and in this bataille was moche folk slayne in o ꝑtie & in that othir but the gree of the felde left with the danois For as moche as y ^• [...]yng tho come with litell cōpany The kyng hasted hym as moche as he myȝt for to wend ayene & when the danois foundē hubba his body liggyng dede they entered it a [...]d made vpon it a grete logge and let calle it hubbeslowe and so it is called in to this day And that place is in deuenshire ¶The barones of somerset wilteshire and dorset herd telle how that hir kyng was discomfited & ordeyned all the poer that they myghten haue & comen to the kyng ther he was and thanked god that they had hym founde alyue for they had went that the danois had hym slayne. ¶Tho nōme they a counceill the kyng and his barons that they wolde gone & seche the danois with hem all for to fighten and so they ridden all that nyȝt hem all for to seche & comē a morwe abonte [...]me to Abyngdon ther y ^• the danois wer [...] ¶The kyng tho Alured & his barons assē bled & ther assailled the danois egrely & there yaf hem a strong bataill & the danois nobely put hem of longe tyme that no man wyst in whethir ꝑtie more peple were slayne. ¶But thus it befell as god wold that the kyng Alured had the victorie with [Page] mochel hononr for the danois were so driuē that they ne wyst whidder for to torne / and xv. daies the kyng hem pursued at his wylle / that glad and fayne they were for to speken of pee [...] and of accord & token hym good hostages / and said that they nold neuer more vpon hym werre ne no deba [...]e are [...] ¶And more ouer they behight to the kyng Alured that they wolde gone and bring hir owne kyng vn to hym / and that hir kyng and they all sholde be baptised / And vp on this condicion kyng Alured hym graunted lyfe & lymme / And said to hem that they shold gone hir kyng for to seche & at a [...]rtayne day to comen ayene that to hem was sette / And so they wente forth fast and comen ayene at hir day that was assigned / And all the danois brought hir kyng with hym ¶The kyng Alured anone bet [...] hem bene baptised and hir names change / so that the kyng of danois called was A [...]helston / & xxx. of his felawes names were changed also / And the othir were baptised to the right beleue. And all [...] this was done at westmynstre And after that the kyng Alured helde with hym kyng Ath [...]lstone & all his danois xij. daies at soiour­ne with mochel solempnite & yafe hym grete yif [...]es / after that they were baptised & so they deꝑted Tho was kyng alured all at ese when he had his enemies ouercome and that they were turned to the right beleue of Almyghty god

¶How the danois that comen in to fraunce with Gurmond comen ayene in to Englond and of the deth of kyng Alured ¶Ca.C.ix

ANd thu [...] it befell afterward that the danois of Northum­berland that were paynyms comen with a grete strength and an huge host of fraunce that is to vnderstonde with hē that went in to frannce / With Gurmond of Aufrike when he had conquerd Englond / And it yafe vn to the sax [...]ns / and tho that co­men fro fraunce arriu [...]d in kent / & sent in to Northumberland that they shold come to hem / and when tho ij. hostes were come and assembled / anone they went to destroie the cristen peple of Englond from place to place and diden moche sorwe ¶Hit befell thus as almyghty god wold an hard chaunce in Englond / For the good kyng Alured that was woned to abate the danois deide in the mene ty­me / ¶This kyng Alured regned xxx. yere / and a good kyng had bene / and well coude chastise his enemies / for he was a good c [...]rc / and let make many bokes / And a boke he made of Englissh / of auenture [...] of kynges and of batailles that had bene done in the [...]ond / & many othir bokes of gests he let hem write that were of gret [Page] wysdome & of good lernyng thurgh which bo [...]es many a mā may hym amend y ^• wyll hem rede & vpon loke vpon who [...] soule almy­ghty god hane mercy And this kyng Alured lieth at wynchestre

¶Of kyng Edward that was kyng Aluredes sone ¶Ca.C.x.

ANd after this Alured regned Edward his sone y ^• was a good man and a wyse that was called Edward that was wonder courtois ¶The danois did moche sorwe in the lond and hir poer encresed and gan for to wex from day to day for the danois comen ofte with hir companies in to this land A [...]d when the kyng sawe that he myght no better done he nōme trewes with hem and graunted hem his pees ¶ And notheles the trews dured nat long that the danois ne begōne strongly for to werre vp on the englisshmen and did hem moche sorwe wherfor kyng Ed­ward did assemble a grete host for to fight with hem ¶ And tho this kyng Edward died when god wolde This kyng Edward regned xxiiij. yere and lieth at wynchestre besides his fadre

¶Of kyng Adelston and of Edmonde Eldred and of Edewyne his brother Ca.C.xj.

AFter this Edward regned Athelston his sone And when he had regned iiij. yere he helde bataill ayens the da­ [...]oys and drofe kyng Gaufride that was kyng of the danoys and all his host vn to the see and rested by Scotland and nōme strongly the contre all ayere ¶ And after that tho of Cum­berland and the scottes of westmerland begōne to werre vpon kyng Athelston And he hem yaf so stronge bataille that he queld so many of hem that no man coude telle the nombre of hem & after that he ne regned but iij▪ yere And he regned in all xxv. and lieth at Malmesbu [...] ¶ And after this Adelston regned Edmonde his brother for as moche as kyng Adelstone had no sone And this Edmond was a worthy knyght and a doughty man of body & a noble knyght And he iij. yere after that he was kyng he went ouer humber in whiche place he fōd ij kynges of danoys that one was called Enelaf And that othir Renant This kyng Edmōd drofe hem both from the land and after wet and toke a grete prey in Cumberland This Edmond ne regned but vij. yere and lieth at Glastenburie ¶ And after this Edmond regned Eldrede his brother that avenged Edward his fadre of his enemies that hym quelled & afterward he seised northūberland in to his hand & made the scottes abowe & meke vn to his wyll ¶ And the seconde yere y ^• he had regned come Arnalaf guyran that was kyng of dēmarc [Page] and seised all Northumberland and helde that londe ij. yere / and after that come kyng Eldered with a grete poer and drofe him out of this land And this kyng Eldred was a noble man and a good of whos goodnesse seint Dunstan preched / and this kyng Eldred regned xj. yere & lieth at wynchestre ¶And after this Eldred Ed­wyne sone of Edmond his brother regned & was a lither man to­ward god & the peple / for he hated folke of his owne land & loued & honoured straunge men And sette litell by holy churche & betoke of holy church all the tresour that he myȝt haue that was grete shame & v [...]lanye to hym selfe & ꝑill to his soule And therfor god wold not that he shold nat regne no lenger than iiij. yere and died & lieth at wynchestre

¶Of kyng Edgar that regned a boue the kyng [...]s of scotland & of wales & how he was begiled thurgh takyng of his wife / Capitulo Centesimo duodecimo

ANd after this Edwyne regned Edgare his brother a mā that moch loued god & pees & holy church also And was a worthy lord bolde & myȝty & mayntened well this land in pees And this Edgar was lord & kyng aboue all the kynges of scotland & of walys / from the tyme that Arthur was a gone & neuer was sithen kyng of his power And this Edgare was seint Edwardes fadre And when Edgares wyfe was dede that was seint Edwardes moder & entered / he herde speke of the fairnesse of Estrilde that was Orgarus dought a baron of denēshire that was so fair a woman that all men speken ther of / he call [...]d o [...] of his knyghtes that he moche loued & trusted vpon & told hym / Go qd he to the n [...]ble baron Orgar of denenshire & see if his doughter be so fair as men sp [...]ken of / & if it be sothe / I wyll haue hir vn to my wyfe

¶This knyght that was called Edelwold went forth his way / & came ther that the lady was / & when he saw hir so fair he thought t [...] hane hir hym selfe to wyfe / and ther of spake to Orgar hir fadre and Orgar was an olde man and had no moo children but only hir and sawe that Edelwold was a fair yonge knyght and worthy and riche and was well with the kyng / and thought his doughter shold well be maried / & well beset vpon him & graunted him his doughter yf the good lord the kyng wold consent ther to

¶This Edelwold come ayene to the kyng & told him that she wa [...] fair ynowe v [...]on to see but she was wonder lothly ¶Tho ansuerd the kyng and said that he toke but litell charge / Sir quod Edel­wold tho she is hir fadres heir / and I am nat [...]che of landes [Page] and yf ye wold consent and graunte that I must hir haue than shold I be rich y nowe In goddes name qd the kyng I consent ther to Edelwold thanked tho moche the kyng & went ayen in to Denenshire & spoused the damisell & in that contre he duelled And thus it befell vpon a tyme that he tolde his coūceill & all this thyng vn to his wyf howe & in what maner he had begiled his lord the kyng that wold haue had hir to wyf And anone as she it wyst she loued hym neuer more afterward as she had done beforne

¶This lady conceyued by hym a sone and when tyme was that the child shold be borne Edelwold come to the kyng & praied hym to heue a sone of his at fontston the kyng hym graunted & let call hym Edgar of his owne name ¶ And when this was don̄ he thouȝt that he was syker y nowe of the kyng y ^• not wolde haue taken his wyfe for as moche as his lord was a [...]oly man and an amerous.

¶How that kyng Edgar wedded Estrilde after the deth of edelwold Ca.C▪xiij.

THus it befell that all men in kyng Edgarys court tho speken & said that Edelwold was richely avaunced thurgh the mariage of his wyf & yit they said he was avaunced an hunderd fold more For he had spoused the fairest woman that euer was seyn̄ And the kyng herde speke so moche of hir beaute he thought that Edelwold had hym desseyued and begiled and thought priuely in his hert that he wold gone in to Denenshire as it were for to hunt for the hert & for the hynde and othir wylde be­stes & than he sholde se ther the lady or he departed thennes And this lady was duelly [...]g at a maner besides the forest ther that the kyng wolde hunte & at that maner he was her burghed all nyght and whenne tyme come the kyng sholde sope and the sonne shone the kyng asked after his Gossyp and after his godsone and edelwold made hir come before the kyng And notheles yf it othir myght haue bene she sholde not haue comen in his sight by his wyll The lady welcomed the kyng and swetely hym cussed and he nōme hir the honde and tho next by hym her sette and so soped they to gedre And tho was a custome and an vsage in this land that when a man dronke vn to an othir the drynker shold sey wassayl and that othir sholde ansuere drynkehaille and thus did the kyng and the lady many tymes and also kyst And after sop [...] whent yme was gone to bedde the kyng went vn to his bed [...]rtely [Page] thenkyng vpon that ladies fairnesse and tho was ouercome for hir loue that hym thought that he shold die but of hir his wyll he had Vpon the morne the kyng Aroos and in the forest went hym ther to disporte with hertes and hyndes and all othir wylde bestes and of the hertes grete ple [...]te to that lady he sent & thries he went to solacen and speke with that lady whiles he duelled in that cō tre And after that the kyng remeued thennes and thought how he myght best deliuer edelwold from his wyfe as he had hym fyrst disceyued And the kyng anone after viij. dayes let ordeyne a parlament at Salesbury of all his baronage conceill to haue and for to ordeyne how the contre of Northumberland myȝt best ben kept that the danois comen not ther the land to destroie And this Edelwold come also vn to the kynges ꝑlement and the kyng sent hym to yorke for to be keper of that contre And thus it befell that men that knewe hym not slowe hym by the wey. And anone as the kyng herde that he was dede he let send after the lady Estrild that she shold come to the Cite of london and ther ben w [...]dded to the kyng with grete solempnite and wurshipp an held a solempne fe­ste and he wered a croune of gold and the quene an othir ¶ And seint dunston amorwe came vn to the kyng in to the chamber and founde the kyng abedde and the quene also yfere And seint dinistō axed ho she was the kyng ansuerde this is the quene Estrilde and the erchebisshopp seint dunston said that he did grete wrong and ayens goddes wyll to take a woman to wyfe whos child ye had take at the [...] fonstone and the quene for that word neuer after loued seint du [...]ston and nothelees the good man warned of that foli [...] to lete but his warnyng availled litell for the loue bitwene hem was so moche ¶The kyng begate vpon this woman a sone was called Eldred and tho this childe was vj. yere olde the kyng his fadre died and about that tyme he had regned xvij. yere & lieth at Glastenbury

¶Of seint Edward the martir how Estrild his stepmoder lete hym quelle for to make Eldred hir own̄ sone kyng Ca.C▪xiiij

ANd after this Edgar regned Edward his sone that he bagate on his fyrst wyfe that well and nobely gouerned the lande for he was full of all maner of goodnesse and lad full holy lyfe and aboue all thyng he loued god and holy chyrche and the quene Estrild his stepmoder let hym slee for en­cheson to make hir owne sone Eldred kyng and thus was he slayne as afterward ye shull here ¶Hit befell thus on a day [Page] [...]hat the kyng Edward went in to a wode for to play in the southcō tre besides a tou [...]e that is called warham in which forest was gre­te plente of hertes a [...]d hyndes / and as he had bene a while ther him for to pley he thought vpon his brother Eldred that was with his moder the quene for hir place was nygh the forest / and thought for to gone thidder and visite and see his brother / & toke with him but a litell meyne / and went him tho toward his stepmodre [...] house that in that tyme soiourned in the Castell of Corfe / and as he rode in the thikkenesse of the wode to aspie his game it befell that he wēt amys and lost his meyn [...] that with him come / and at the last he come oute of the wode / & as he loked aboute he sawe ther fast besides the maner that his stepmoder duelled in / and thidderward he went allone and anone it was told the Quene how that the kyng was comen allone withoute companie and therfor she made [...]oie y nowe and thought how that she myȝt done that he ner slayne as preuelich as she myȝt And anone preuelich she called to one of hir knyghtes to whom she had told moch of hir counceill bitwene hem / & both they comen to the kyng and courtously him resseyued / and the kyng told that he was come hir to visite and also for to speke with Eldred his bro­ther / The Quene many tymes him thanked and him praied for to aliȝte and herburgh with hir all that nyg [...]t ¶The kyng said that he myght not / but ayene he wolde wende vn to his folke if he myght hem finde / ¶ And when the Quene saw that he wolde nat abide she praied him that he wold ones drynke & he graunted hir and anone as the drinke come the quene dranke vn to the kyng and the kyng toke the cuppe and set it to his mouth and in the mene tyme whiles that he dranke / the knyght that was with the Quene with a knyfe smote euen the kyng vn to the hert / and there he fyll a doune dede of his palfray vn to the er [...]h The quene for this dede yaf to the knyght gold and siluer grete plente / and of othir ricchesse y nowe / And the knyght anone as this was done he went him ouer the see / and so escaped he oute of this land ¶When this kyng Ed­ward thus was matred / Hit was in the yere of incarnacion after our lord [...]hesu crist ix.C.lxxx. yere and he had regned xij. yere and an halfe and lieth at Glast [...]nbury.

¶Of kyng Eldred and how the kyng Swyne of denmarke helde Englond and how Eldred that was seint Edwardes brother wa [...] nat beloued in his reame and therfor he fledde in to Normandie. Capitulo Centesimo decimoquint [...]

[Page]AFter this kyng Edward regned Eldred his brother & seint dunston crouned hym & his seint dunston died sone after that he had foryeue the quene hir trespace Estrild for encheson that she was cause of kyng Edwards deth & seint dū ston had hir assoyled & penaunce hir emoyued & she lyved aft chast lyfe & clen [...] ¶This kyng Eldred wedded an Englissh woman and on hir begate Edmond Irenside & an othir sone that was called Edewyne And after died the quene hir modre And in that tyme come in to England Swyn that was kyng of denmark for to chalenge and conquer all that his auncestres had before that tym̄ and so he conquered & had it all at his axyng ¶For the good erle Cutbert of lyndesey & all the peple of northumberland and almost all the grete of England helde with Swyne that was kyng of dē mark for as moche as they loued not kyng Eldred for encheson that his good brother Edward was slayne falsely for en [...]heson of hym and therfor no man sette but litell by hym Wherfor kyng Swyne had all his wylle and toke all the land And Eldred the kyng fledde tho in to Normandie and so spake to the duke richard that the duke yaf hym his sustre Emma to wyfe vpon the whiche he begate ij. sones that one was called Alured and that othir Edward And when Swyn had conq [...]ered all the land he regned no [...]ely and leued but xv. yere & died and lieth at york.

¶Howe kyng Eldred came ayene from Normandie and how knoght the danois regned and of the werre bitwene hym and Edmond Irenside Ca.C.xvj.

AFter the deth of Swyne that was a danois knoght his sone duelled in Englond and wolde haue be kyng and [...]ho come ayene Eldred oute of Normandie with moche peple and with a strong meynye that knoght durst nat abyde but fley thens in to denmark The kyng Eldred had ayene his reame & helde so grete lordshipp that he began to destroie all tho that holpe Swyn that was a danois ayens hym ¶ And afterward come ayene this knoght from denmark with a grete power so that kyng Eldred durst nat with hym fight but fledde fro thens in to lon­don and ther held hym Tho come knoght and hym beseged so long till kyng Eldred died in the cite of london and lieth at seint pau­lus & he regned ix. yere

Of kyng knoght Ca.C.xvij

[Page]AFter the deth of this Eldr [...]d knoght that was a danois [...]gan tho for to regne / but Edmond Irenside that wa [...] kyng Eldredis sone be his fyrst wif ordeyned a gret [...] host and began to werre vpon kyng knoght & so he did many tymes & ofte / & the werre was so stronge & hard that wonder it was to wite and the Quene Emme that dnelled tho at westmynstre had grete drede of hir ij. sones of the werre Alured and Edward lest they shold be defoilled & mysdone thurg [...] this werre / wh [...]for she sente hē ouer see in to Normandie to the duke Richard hir vncle / and ther they duelled in sa [...]fte and pees longe tym [...] ¶This Edmond Irenside & knoght werred strōgely to gedres / but at the last they were accorded in this maner that they shold depart the reame bitwene hē and so they diden / and after they becomen good frendes & so well lo­ued that they becomen sworne brethren & so well loued to g [...]dres as they had he bretheren geten of o body and of one moder y borne

¶How kyng Edmond [...]renside traitoursly was slayne thurgh a traitour that was called Edrich of stratton ¶Ca.C.xviij.

ANd after tho regned kyng Edmond Irenside / & knoght the danois / but thus it befell afterward that in the same yere that they were accorded & so moch loued to gedre wher for a false thef traitour had enuie vn to the loue that was bitwene hem & frendshipp / whos name was Edrik of st [...]atton that was a grete lord that was Edmond Irensides man and of him helde alle the land that he had / and notheles he thought his lord to bitraie / & make knoght kyng of the land in entent richely to ben [...] auaunced and with hym [...]ene welbeloued / wherfor he praied his lord Ed­mond Irenside vpon a day with him for to eten and to duell [...] and the kyng courtously him graunted and to him come at his praier / and at the mete the kyng rially was serued with diuerse metes and drinkes / And whan nyght come that he shold goo to bedde the kyng toke his owne meyne & wente in to chambre / & a [...] he loked aboute he saw a wondre fair Image & well made & in semblāt as it were an archier with a bowe bent in his hond & in y ^• bowe a fyne arwe / Kyng Edmōd went tho nerre to behold it better what it myght bene and anone the arwe him s [...]ote thurgh the body and ther slowe the kyng / for that eugyn was made to quelle his owne lord traitoursly / And when kyng Edmond this was dede and slayne he nad regned but y. yere / and his peple for him made moch [Page] sorwe and his body they bere vn to Glastenburi and ther they hym entered And this fals traitour Edrith anone went to the Quene that was kyng Edmondes wife that wyst of hir lordes deth anon̄ he nōme from hir ij. sones that were fair & yong that hir lord had vpon hir goten that one was called Edward and that othir Edewyne & lad hem with hym at london & toke hym to kyng knoght that he shold do with hem what his wyll were and tolde hym how queintly he had queld kyng Edmond for encheson & loue of hym so that kyng knoght all Englond in his poer holly myght haue. ¶O thou fals traitour hast y ^• my trew brother slayn̄ for [...] ̄cheson of me a man that I most loued in the world Nowe be myne hede I shall for thy tranaille the well reward as thou hast deserued and anon̄ let hym take & bynde honde & feet in maner of a traitour and let cast hym in tho Thamyse and in this maner the false trai­tour ended his lyfe The kyng nōme the ij. children and toke hem to the Abbot of westmynster to warde and to kepe till he wyst what was best with hem to done

¶How kyng knoght sent kyng Edmondes sones both in to den­mark for to slee and how they were saued ¶Ca.C.xix

HIt befell sone afterward that kyng knoght had all the lande in his hande & spoused the qnene Emme thurgh cō sent of his Baronage for she was a fair woman y ^• was Eldredis wyfe and the dukes suster of Normādie & they leued to gedre with moche loue as reson wolde The kyng axed vpon a day conceill of the quene what was best to done with the sones that were Edmond Irensides ¶Sir qd she they be the right heires of the land and yf they be ven they wull do yowe moch sorwe with werre and therfor let send hem in to a strang land aferre to somme man that may hem defoylle and destroie. The kyng anone let calle a da­nois that w [...]s called walgar & cōmaunded hym that he sh [...]d lede tho ij. children in to Denmarke & so do & ordeyne for hem that neuer they herde moo tydynge of hem Sir said this walgar gladly your cōmaundement shall be done And nōme tho ij. children & led hem in to Denmark A [...]d for as moche as he saw that the children were wonder fair and also meke he had of hem grete pite and routh & wold nat hem slee but let hem to the kyng of hūgery for to norice For this walgar was welbeknowen with the kyng and welbe­loued Anone the kyng axed whens the children were And wal­gare told hym & said they were the right heires of ēglond & therfor [Page] men wold hem destroie / and th [...] sir to yow they be comen mercy and helpe for to seche / & for soth if they mowe lyuen your men they shull becomen / and of yow they shull holde all hir land The kyng of hungery hem vnderfenge with mochel honour and [...]et [...] hem worthely to bene kepte And thus it befell afterward that Edwyne the yōger brother died / and Edward the elder brother lyued a fair mā & a stronge & large of body & gentill & courtois of condicions So that all men him loued / And this Edward in the cronicles is cal­led amonges englisshmen Edward the out [...]lawe / And whan he was made knyght the kynges doughter of hungery so moche hym loued for his goodnesse and his fairnesse that she made and called him hir derlyng The kyng that was hir fadre ꝑceyued well the lo­ue that was bitwene hem two & had none heir but that doughter / & the kyng vouched his doughter to no man as well as he did to hym that she loued and he hir / and he yaf [...] h [...]r vn to hym with good wyll and Edward hir spoused with mochel honour / the kyng of hungerie sente after all his baronage and made a solempne fest & riche weddyng / and made all men to vnderstonde that he shold be kyng when that he were dede & therfor all they maden grete [...]oie / & of that tydynge they were full glad This Edward begate vpon this la­dy a sone was called Edgar helyng and afterward a dough [...] that was called Margarete that afterward was quene of Scotland & by the kyng of Scotland that was called Mancolyn she had a doughter that was called Maude that was Quene afterward of En­glond thurgh kyng Henry that was the first sone of the cōquerour that hir wedded And he begate on hir a doughter that was called Mande that after was Emꝑesse of Almayne / And of this Maude come the kyng of Englond that vn to this day is called Henry the Emꝑesse sone / And yit had this Edward an othir doughter by his wife that was called Cristian / and she was a nonne /

¶How kyng knoght that was a proude man conquered Norwey & how he become afterward meke and mylde ¶Ca.C.xx.

NOwe haue ye herde of Edmondes sones with Irenside that kyng Knoght wende that they had bene dede as he had commaunded walgar before / And this knoght had in his hond all Englond and Denmarke / and after that he wente to Norwey that land to conquere / But the kyng of the lande that was called Elaf come with his peple and wende his land wele haue kept and defended and so [...] he faught with hym / till at the [Page] last he was slayne in that bataille And tho this knoght nōme all that land in his honde And when he had conquered Norewey and taken feautes & homages ther he come after ayene in to England & helde hym selfe so grete a lord that hym thought in all the world his pere no mā was & become so proude & hauteyn that it was grete wonder And so it befell vpon a day as he had herd masse at west mynster & wold haue gone in to his palais the wawes of the thamyse so [...] wif [...]ely ayens him comen that all most they touched his [...] ¶Tho said the kyng with a proude hert I cōmaunde the water to turne ayene or elles I shall the mak [...] ¶The wawes for his cō maundement wold not spare but flowed ouer in hie more & more The kyng was so proude of hert that he wold not flee the water but abode stille in the water And bete the water with a smale yerde that he helde in his honde and cōmaunded the water that it sholde wende no ferther but for all his cōmaundement the water wolde not cese but euer wax more & more an high so that the kyng was all wete and stode depe in the water And when he saw that he had abyde ther to long & the water wolde no thyng done his commaundement tho sone he withdrowe hym and tho stode he vpon a stone and helde his hondes an high and said this worde in hering all peple ¶This god that maketh the see thus arise an high he is kyng of all kynges and of myghtes most and I am a caytyf and a man dedely and he may neuer die and all thyng doth his cōmaundement and to hym is obedient To that god I pray that he be my warrant For I knowlech me cayt yf feble and of no power and therfor I wull go to rome with out [...] any lettynge my wykkednesse to punysshe and me to amend ¶For of that god I clayme my land for to hold & of none othir And anon̄ made redy his heir & hym selfe to Rome withoute any lettynge and by the weye did many almesse dedes And when he come to Rome also And when he had ben ther and for his synnes done penaunce he come ayene in to Englond and become a good man and an holy and lefte al maner pride and stoutenesse and lyved an holy lyfe all his lyfe after and made ij Abbeis of seint Benet one in Englond & that othir in Norewey For as moche as he loued specialy seint Benet before all othir seintes And moche he loued also seint Edmond the kyng and ofte he yaf grete yiftes to the hows Wherfor it was made riche and when he had regned xx. yere he died and lieth at wynchestre

¶Of kyng Harold that leuer had gone in fote than rite an hors. Capitulo Centesimo vicesimo primo

[Page]THis knoght of whom we haue spoken before had ij. sones by his wife Emme that one was called hardyknoght & that othir harold / & he was so light of fote that men called hym comenlich harolde harefoot / And this harold had no thyng y ^• cond [...]cions & maner of kyng knoght that was his fadre / for he set but litell pris of chiualrie ne of no curtosie nothir of wurshipp / but only by his owne wyll ¶And he become so wykk [...]d that he exiled his moder Emme / & she went oute of the land in to flaundres / and there duelled with the erle werfor after ther was neuer good loue bitwene hym and his brother / for his brother him hated dedly / and when he had regned ij. yere & a litell more he died & lieth at westmynstre

¶Of kyng hardeknoght that was haroldes brother Capitulo Centesimo xxij.

AFter this harold harefoot regned his brother hardeknoght a noble knyght & a worthy & moche loued chiualrie & all maner goodnesse / And when this hardeknoght had reg­ned a litell while he let vncouer his brother harold & smyte of his hede that was his brother at westmynstre & let cast the hede in to a gonge & the body in to thamyse / & after com̄ fisshers & toke the body with hir nettes be nyght & bere hym to seint clementes church / and ther hym beried / And in this maner auenged hym hardeknoght of his brother / for in none othir maner he myght be auenged ¶This kyng hardeknoght was so large yeuer of mete and drinke that his tables were sette euery day iij. tymes / full with riall metes & drin­kes for his owne meyne & for all that comen vn to his court to be richely serued of riall metes ¶And this kyng hardeknoght sent after Emme his moder & made hir come ayene in to Englond / for she was driue oute of Englond / whiles that harold hare foot regned thurgh counceill of the erle godewyne that tho was the grettest lord of Englond next the kyng / & most myght do what he wold thurgh all englond thurgh his cōmaundemēt / for as moche as he had spoused the dought of the good kyng knoght that was a danois which doughter he had by his fyrst wife And when this quene was driue ou [...]e of Englond & come to the erle of flaundres that was called Balde wyne his cosin he fonde hir there all thyng that hir n [...]d [...]d vn to the tyme that she went ayene in to englond / that the kyng hardeknoght [Page] had sent for hir that was hir sone / and made hir come a­yene with mochel honour This kyng hardeknoght when he had regned v. yere he died & lieth at wrstmynstre

¶Of the vilonie that the danois did to the Englisshmen wherfore from that tyme after was no danois made kyng of Englond Capitulo Centesimo xxiij.

AFter the deth of this kyng hardeknoght for as moch as he nad no thing of his body begote / the erles and barons as­sembled and made a counceill & neuer more after no man that was a danois / though he were neuer so grete a man amonges hem he shold neuer be kyng of englond for the despite that the danoiz had done to engli [...]shm [...]n ¶For euer more beforne hand if it were so that englisshmen & dan [...]is hapeten to mete vpon a brigge the englishmen shold not be so hardy to meue ne ster [...] a foot / but stand stille till he danois were appa [...]sed forth ¶ And more ouer if the englisshmen had not abowed doune hir hedes to done reuerence vn to the da­nois / they shold haue bene bet & defouled / and soch maner despites & vilanie diden the danois to our englisshmen wherfor they were dri­uen oute of the land after tyme that kyng hardeknoght was dede / for they had no lord that hem myght maynten In this maner voi­ded the danois englond that neuer they come ayene ¶The erles & barons by hir commnne assent & counseill senten vn to Normandie for to seche tho ij. kretheren Alured and Edward that were duel­lyng with the duke Richard / that was hir Eme in entent for to croune Alured the elder brother and hym make kyng of englond and of this thyng to make an ende / the Erles and Barons made hir othe / But the erle Godewyne of westsex falsely and traitoursly thought to slee the ij. bretheren / anone as they shold come in to englond in entent to make his sone harold kyng the which sone he had begote vpon his wife that was kyng knoghtes doughter that was a danois / And this Godewyne preuely went hym in to sout hampton / for to mete there the ij. bretheren when that they shold co­me to lond / And thus it befell that the messagiers that went in to Normandie fou [...]de not b [...]t only Alured that was the elder bro­ther / for Edward his brother gone was to hungerie / for to speke with his cosin Edward the outelawe that was edmōdes sone with the Irenside / The messagiers told and said to Alured how that the erles and barons of englond sent after hym and that he boldelich [Page] shold come in to Englond and vnderfonge the reame For kyng hardeknoght was dede and all the danois driuen were oute of the land

¶How Godewyne the fals traitour toke Alured vpon Gildes­doune whenne he come fro normandie to bene kyng of Englond and did hym bene martred in the Ile of Ely Capitulo. C.xxiiij.

WHen Alured herd this tydyng he thanked god and in to shipp went with all the hast that he myȝt & passed the see & arri [...]ed at southampton ther that godewyn̄ the traitour was And tho this traitour saw that he was come he welcomed hym & vnder [...]eng hym with mochel [...]oie & said that he wolde lede hym to london ther that all the barons of Englond hym abode for to make hym kyng & so they wēt in hir wey toward london And when they come vpon Gildesdone tho said the traitour Godewyne to Alured take kepe aboute yowe both on the lyfte side and on the right side And of all ye shull be kyng and of such an hunderd more Nowe forsoth qd Alured I behote yowe and yf I be kyng I shall ordeyne and make such lawes wher of god and all folk shullen hem hold wel paied Nowe had the traitour cōmaunded all his men that were with hym that when they were come vpon Gildes­don̄ that they shold slee all that were in Alureds cōpanie that com̄ with hym from normandie and after that taken Alured and lede hym in to the Ile of Ely and ther put onte both his yien of his hede and afterward bring hym vn to deth And they diden so for they quelled all y ^• companie that xij. were in nōbre of gentilmen that were comen with Alured from normandie. ¶ And after nōmen Alured & lad hym in to the Ile of Ely and put out his yien oute of his hede and rent his wombe and nōmē the chief of his boels & put a stake in to the grounde & an ende of the boels ther to fastned And with nedles of [...]ren prikked the good child & so made hym go aboute the stake till that all his bowelles were drawen all oute And so died ther Alured thurgh treson of the erle Godewyne

¶When the lordes of Englond had herd & wyst how Alured that shold haue bene hir kyng was put vn to the deth thurgh the fals traitour Godewyne they were all wonder wroth & swore bitwene hem god & by his holy names that he shold die in more werse deth than did Edrith of stratton̄ that had betraied his lord Edmond [Page] Irenside / & they wold haue put hym to dethe / but the thefe traitour f [...]ey thennes in to denmarke and there helde him iiij. yere & m [...]re and lost all his land in Englond

¶Of seint Edward the confessour that was Aluredes brother how he was kyng of Englond ¶Ca.C.xxv.

ANd when this was done all the barons of Englond senten an othir tyme in to normandie / for that Edward shold come in to Englond with mochel honour / And this Ed­ward in his childehode loued almyghty god & hym drad And in honeste & clennesse lad his lyfe and hated sinne as deth And whē he was crouned and annoynted with a riall power he foryate nat his good maners & condicions that he first vsed / and foryate nat all good customs for no maner honour ne for no ricchesse ne for no maner higness / b [...]t euer more & more yaf hym to goodnesse & wel loued god and all mekenesse / and loued god and holy churche pas­sing all maner thyng and poure men also a [...]d hem loued and helde as they had hene his owne bretheren and to hem ofte yafe grete [...]l­messe with good wyll

¶Of the first specialte that god shewed for seint Edwardes loue by his lyfe Ca.C.xxvj

IT befell on a day as he went from the churche of westmynstre and had herde masse of seint [...]ohan Euangelist / for as moche as he loued seint Iohan E [...]angelist more specially after god and our lady than he did any othir seint And so ther co­me to hym a pilgryme and praied hym for the loue of god and of seint Iohan Enangeliste some good hym for to yeue And the kyng preuely toke his ringe of his fynger that no man ꝑceyued it / and yafe it to the pilgryme and he hit vnderfenge and went thennes This kyng Edward made all the good lawes of Englond that yit bene most holden / And was so merciable / and so full of pite that no man myght be more /

¶How the Erle Godewyne come ayene in to Englond and had ayene all his land and afterward seint Edward wedded his doughter Ca.C.xxvij

WHen the Erle Godewyne that was duellyng in denmark had mochel herde of the goodnesse of kyng Edward and that he was full of mercy and of pite And thought that he wold gone ayene in to Englond for to seche and to haue g [...]ac [...] of hym and that he myght haue his land a [...]ene in pees / and arraied hym as moch as he myght & put hym toward the see & come in [Page] to England to london ther that the kyng was that tyme and all the lordes of Englong and helde a parlement ¶Godewyne sent to hem that were his frendes and were the most grettest lordes of the land and praied hem to beseche the kynges grace for hym and that he wold his pees and his land graunt hym his enemies ladden hym before the kyng to seche grace And anone as the kyng hym saw he appeled hym of treson and of the deth of Alured his brother and these wordes vn to hym said. Traitour Godewyne quod the kyng I the appele that thou hast betraied and slayne my brother Alured ¶Certes sir qd Godewyne saue your grace and your pees and your lordshipp I neuer hym betraied ne slew him & ther for I put me in reward of the court Nowe fair lordes qd the kyng ye that bien my lieges Erles and barons of the lād that here ben all assembled Full well ye haue herd myne Appele and the ansuere also of Godwyne And therfor I wyll that ye award and doth right The Erles & barons tho drowen hem all to gedre for to done this award by hem selfe & so they speken diuersely amonges hem For somme said ther was (neu) neuer alliaunce by ho­mage serment seruice ne by lordshipp bitwene Godewyne & Alu­red for which thyng they myȝt hym drawe ¶And at the last they devised & demed that he shold put hym in the kynges mercy all to gedres Tho spake the erle [...]euerich of Couētre a good mā to god & to all the world & told his reson in this maner & said The Erle Godewyne is the best freuded man of Englond after the kyng and well myȝt it not bene gayn said that withoute conseill of godewyn̄ Alured was (neu) neuer put to the deth wherfor I award as touchyng my part that hym self & his sone & euery of vs xij. erles that bene his fredes wend before the kyng charged with as moche gold & sil [...] as we mowe bere bitwen our hondes & prayeng the kyng for yeue his euell wyll to the erle godewyn̄ & receyue his homage & his land yeld ayene ¶ And all they accorded vn to that award & co­men in this maner as is aboue said euery of hem with gold & sil [...] as moche as they myȝt bere bitwene hir hondes before the kyng & they saiden the forme and the maner of hir accord & of hir award

¶The kyng wolde not hem gayn say but as moche as they ordeyned he graunted and confermed And so was the Erle Godewyne accorded with the kyng and had ayene all his lande And afterward he bere hym so well and so wysely that the kyng [...]oned hym wonder moche and with hym was full priuee And withyn a litell tyme the kyng loued hym so moche that he [Page] spoused Godewynes doughter & made hir quen [...] And notheles for all that tho the kyng had a wife he lyued euer more in chastite / and in clennesse of body withoute any flesshly dede doyng with his wi [...] and the quene also in hir halfe lad holy lyfe ij. yere & deide ¶ And afterward the kyng lyued all his lyfe withoute any wif [...] ¶The kyng yafe the erledome of Oxenford to Harold that was Godewynes sone & made him erle And so well they were beloued bothe the fadre & he & so priue with the kyng both the fadre & the sone y ^• they myȝt done what thyng they wold by right For ayens right wold he no thyn [...] done for no maner man / so good & trewe he was of conscience / & therfor our lord [...]hesu crist grete specially loue to him shewed

¶How kyng Edward saw Sweyne kyng of denmarke drenched in the se [...] in the sacramēt as he stode & herd his m [...]sse Ca.C.xxv.ij

IT befe [...]l v [...]on whitsonday as kyng edward herde his masse in [...]he grete church of westmestre right at y ^• leuacion of [...] cristes body / & as all men were gadred in to the church & comen nere the Auter sacringe for to see the kyng his hondes lyft vpon high / & a grete laughter toke vp wherfor all that aboute him stode gretly gonne wond [...] / and after masse they axed why the kynges laughter wa [...] ¶Fair lordes qd the kyng Swryne the yōger that was kyng of deumarke come in to the see with all his pow [...]r for to haue comen in to Englond vpon vs to haue werred and I sawe hym and all his folke drenched in the high see And all this sawe I in the eleuacion of [...]hū cristes body bitwene the prestes hondes / and I had ther of so moch [...]oie / that I myght not my langhter withholde ¶ And the Erle leuerich besides him stode atte leuacion / and openlich he saw the fo [...]me of brede turne in to a likenesse of a childe yonge / and toke vp his right honde & fyrst blisshed y ^• kyng and afterward the erle / and the erle anone turned him toward the kyng to make him see that holy sight / And tho said the kyng / Sir Erle qd he I see well that ye see thanked be god tha [...] I haue ho­noured my god my sauiour visibely [...]hesu crist in fourme of man whos name be blisshed in all worldes Amen

¶How the ringe that seint Edward had yeue to a poure pilgryme for the loue of god and seint [...]ohan Euangelist come ayene vn to kyng Edward Capitulo C [...]nt [...]simo vic [...]simonon [...]

[Page]THis noble man seint Edward regned xiij. yere and thus it befell vpon a tyme beforne er he died that ij. men of Enlond were went in to the holy land and hadden done hir pilgremage and were goyng ayene to hir owne contre

And as they went in the wey they mette a pilgryme that cour­tosely hem salued and axed of hem in what land and in what cō tre they were borne And they said in Englond ¶Tho axed he who was kyng of Englond and they ansuerd and said the good kyng Edward Fair frendes tho said the pilgrime when that ye come in to your contre ayen I pray yowe that ye wold gone vn to kyng Edward and ofte tymes hym grete in myn name And ofte tymes thonk hym of his grete courtesye that he to me hath don̄ and namely for the ring that he yaf me when he had herde messe at westmynster For seint Iohannes loue Euangelist and nomme tho the ring and toke it to the pilgrymes And said I pray yowe for to gone and bere this ring and take it to kyng Edward and telle hym that I sent it hym and a full richer yifte I wull hym yeve For vpon the xij. day he shall come to me and euermore duelle in blisse withouten ende ¶Sir said the pilgrymes what māben ye and in what place is your duellyng Fair frendes quod he I am Iohan the euangelist and am duellyng with almyghty god and your kyng Edward is my frende and I loue hym spe­cialy for encheson that he hath euer lyued in clennesse and is cle­ne maid And I pray yowe my message all for to done as I ha­ue to yowe y said ¶When seint Iohan Euangelist had thus hem charged sodenly he voided oute of hir sight.

¶The pilgrimes tho thanked Almyghty god and went forth in hir way ¶ And when they had gone ij. er iij. myle they be­gonne to we [...] wery And sate adoune hem for to rest And so they fill a sleep ¶ And when they had slept well one of hem awoke & lyfte vp his hede and loked aboute and said vn to his felawe Aryse vp and wende we yn our way ¶What said that one felawe to that othir wher be we nowe ¶Certes said that othir it semeth me that this is nat the same contre that we laid vs in for to rest & [...]e [...]e For we were from Ih [...]lm̄ but iij. myles.

¶They nōmen vp hir hondes and blissed hem and went forth in hir way And as they went in hir way they saw shepeherdes goyng with hir shep that speken none othir langage but Englissh Le­ue frēdes qd one of the pilgrymes what cōtre is this & who is lord ther of And one of the shepeherdes ansuered this is the contre of [Page] kent in Englond of the which the good kyng Edward was lond The pylgrymes thanked to almyghty god and seint Johan Euan­gelist and went forth in hir way & come to Caunterbnry and fro thennes in to london / & ther they fonde the kyng / & told him all fro the beginnyng vn to the ende / as moch as seint [...]ohan had hem charged aud of all thynges how they spedde by the wey / and toke the ring to kyng Edward / and he vnderfeng it & thanked Almyghty god & se [...]t Johan Euangelist And tho made him a redy euery day from day to day for to wende oute of this lyfe / when god wold for hym sende.

¶How seint Edward died on the xij. day Ca.C.xxx.

ANd after it befell thus in cristesmasse eue as the holy man Edward was at goddes seruice matines for to here of y ^• high f [...]ste he become full sike / and in the morw [...] endured with moch [...]ayne the masse for to here & after let hym be lad in to his chambre ther for to resten him but in to his halle amōges his barons & his knyghtes myȝt he not come hem for to comfort & solace / as he was woned for to done at that worthy fest / wherfor alle hir myrth & comfort amonges all that were in the halle was turned in to care & sorwe / for encheson that they dred for to lese hir good lord the kyng ¶ And vpon seint [...]ohanes day Euangelist tho that come next the kyng vnderfenge his rightes of holy church as falleth to euery cristen man / and abode the mercy & the wyll of god / & tho ij. pylgrymes he let before hem come & yaf hem rich yiftes & betoke hem vn to god ¶ And also the Abbot of westmynstre he let be­fore him come & toke hym that ring in honour of god & seint Mari [...] & of seint Johan Euangelist / And the Abbot toke & put it among othir reliques / so that it is at westmynstre & euer more shall be & so lay the kyng sike till the xij. euen & tho died the good kyng edward at westmynster & ther he heth / for whos loue god had shewed many fair miracles And this was in the yere of incarnacion of our lord [...]hū crist .M.lxv. yere / And after he was translated & put in to the shrine thurgh the noble martir seint Thomas of Caunterbury /

¶How Harolde that was Godewynes sone was made kyng and how he scaped fro the duke of Britayne Ca.C.xxxi

WHen seint Edward was gone oute of this world & was gone to god and worthely entered as it aꝑteyned to such a lord for to be / the barōs of the lād wold haue had edward [Page] Helyngus sone to Edward the Outelawe that was Edmonde Irensides sone to be kyng for as moche as he was most kyndest kynges blode of the reame But haroldus sone thurgh the erle go dewyne aud the strength of his fadre gode wyne and thurgh othir grete lordes of the royame that were of his kyn and vn to hym sibbe seised all Engl [...]nd to his hande and anon [...] let croune hym kyng aft the ēteremēt of seint Edward ¶This Harolde that was gode wynes sone the secōde yere after that seint Edward was dede welde haue gone in to Flaundres but he was driue thurgh tempest in to the contre of Pountyfe and there he was take and broght to the duke william And this harold went tho that Duke william wolde haue bene a venged vpon hym for encheson that the erle Gode wyne that was haroldus fadre had let quelle alured that was seint Edwardes brother and principaly for encheson that Alured was quene Emmes sone that was Richardus moder duke of normandie that was Aiell to the duke william ¶ And nothelees whenne the duke williā had harolde in prison and vnder his poer for as moche as this harolde was a noble knyght wyse and wor­thy of body and that his fadre and he were accorded with good kyng Edward & therfor wolde not mysdone hym but all maner thynges that bitwene hem were spoken & ordeyned harolde by his good wylle swore vpon a boke & vpon holy saintes that he sholde spouse & wedde duke williams doughter after the deth of seint Edward & that he shold besily done his deuer for to kepe & saue the royame of englond to the ꝓfite & a vauntage of duke williā ¶And when harold had thus made his othe vn to duke williā he let hym go & yaf hym many riche yiftes And he tho went thennes & come in to England and anone ded in this maner when seint Edward was dede and as a man falsely forswore he let croune hym kyng of England and falsely brak the couenantz that he had made before with duke williā Wherfor he was with hym wonder wroth and swore that he wolde vpon hym bene a venged what euer so hym be fell ¶And anone duke williā let assemble a grete host & come in to England to a venge hym vpon harold & to conquere the land yf that he myght ¶And in the same yere that harold was cronned harolde harestrenge kyng of denmark arrined in scotlād & thouȝt to haue bene kyng of Englond & he come in to englond & queld & robbed and destroied all that he myȝt till that he com [...] to yorke & ther he quelled meny men of Armes a thousand and an C. prestes When this tydynge come to the kyng he assembled a strong poer & [Page] went for to fight with harold of Denmark and with his owne honde hym queld & the danois were discomfited & tho that left alyue with moche sorwe fley to hir shippes And thus kyng harold of Englond queld kyng harold of denmark

¶How william bastard duke of Normandie come in to Englōd and quelled kyng harold Ca.C.xxx [...]j

ANd when this bataill was done harold bicome so proud & wold no thyng part with his peple of thyng that he had goten but held it all to ward hym self wherfor the most ꝑtie of his peple were wroth and from hym deꝑted so that only with hym left no mo but his saudiour [...] And v [...]on a day as he sate at mete a messagier come to hym and said that william ba­stard duke of Normandie was arrined in Englond with a grete host and had taken all the lande aboute hastynge and also myned the castell Whenne the kyng had herd this tydynge he went thidder / with a litell peple with all the hast that he myght for a litell peple was with hym left ¶ And when he was come thidder he or­deyned for to ye ve bataill to the duke william But the duke ax [...]d hym of these iij. thynges yf that he wolde haue his doughter to wyfe as he had made and swore his othe & behight or that he wolde hold the lād of hym in truage or that he wolde detmyn̄ this thyng thurgh bataill [...] ¶This harold was a proude man and a stoute and trusted wonder moche vpon his strength and faught with the duke and with his peple but harold and his men in this bataille were discomfited and hym self was ther slayne and this bataille was ended at Tonbrigge in the secōde yere of his regne vpon seint kalixtes day and he lith at waltham

¶Of kyng william bastard and how he gouened hym well & wysely and of the werre bitweue hym and the kyng of f [...]aunce Capitulo C.xxxiij.

WHen william bastard duke of Normandie hod conquered all the land vpon Cristesmasse day tho next Sueng he let [...]roune hym kyng at westmynster & was a worthy kyng and yaf to Englisshmen largely londes and to his knyghtes.

¶ And afterward he went ouer the see and come in to Nor­mandie & ther duelled a whyl and in the seconde yere of his regne he come ayene in to Englond and broght with hym Mou [...]e his wyfe and let cron̄e hir quene of England on withsonday ¶And tho anone after the kyng of Scotland that was called Mancolyn [Page] began to striue and werre with the duke william And he ordeyned hym tho to ward Scotland with his men bothe by land and by see for to destroie the kyng Mancolyn / but they were accorded And the kyng of Scotland become his man and helde all his land of him And kyng william ress [...]yued of hym his homage and come ayene in to Englond / And whan kyng william had be kyng xvij. yere [...]aude the Quene died on whom kyng william had begoten ma­ny fair children / that is for to seyne Robert curthose williā [...]e Rous Richard also that deide Henry beauclerc / and Maude also y ^• was the erles wife of Bleynes & othir iiij. doughtres & after his wifes deth grete debate began bitwene hym & the kyng of f [...]aunce Ph [...]lip but at the last they were accorded And tho duelled the kyng of Englond in Normandie / and no man hym werred and he no mālon­ge tyme And the kyng of fraūce said vpon a day in scorne of kyng william / that kyng william had longe tym leyne in child bed and longe tyme had rested hym ¶ And this worde come to the kyng of englond ther that he lay in normandie at Roen / and for this word was tho ille paid and ek [...] wonder wroth toward the kyng of fraunce aud swore by god that when he were arise of his gysin he wold light a thousand candels to the kyng of fraunce ¶ And anone let assemble a grete host of Normandie and of englisshmen And in the beginnyng of heruest he come in to fraūce / and brend all the tounes that he come by thurgh all the contre and robbed and did alle the en [...]ll that he myght thurgh oute all fraunce and at the laste he b [...]en de the Cite of Mandos and commaunded his [...]eple for to [...]ere wode and as moche as myght brenne and hym selfe helpe ther to all that be myght with a good wyll ¶ And there was grete hete what of fire that was so grete and of the sonne that t [...]o was wonder hoot that all stuffed hym selfe become and felle in to a grete sikenesse / and whan he sawe that he was so stronge like / he ordeyned and as signed all Normandie vn to Robert Cur [...]hoos his sone / and all englond to william the Rous and bi [...]uath to henry beaucler [...] all his cresour / And tho he thus had done / he vnderfenge all the sacramēts of holy churche and deide the xxij. yere of his regne & lieth at Caan in Normandie

¶Of kyng william Roos that was william Bastardus sone that destroied tounes and houses of Religion for to make the newe forest Capitulo Centesimo trice [...]imoquarto

[Page]ANd after this william bastard regned his sone williā the Rous and this william was a wonder contrarions mā to god and to holy chyrche and lete amende and make the toune of Cardeis that the paynyms had destroied ¶This kyng william destroied holy chyrche and all hir possessions in what part he myght hem fynde And therfor ther was so moch de­bate bitwene hym and the erchebisshopp of Canterbury Ancelme for encheson that he vndernāme hym of his wikkednesse that he de stroied holy chyrche And for encheson ther of the kyng to hym bare grete wrath and for that ca [...]se he exiled hym oute of the lande And the erchebisshopp tho went to the court of Rome & ther duel­led with the pope ¶ And this kyng made the newe forest & cast and destroied xxvj. toune [...] and lxxx. houses of Religion all for to make his forest lenger and bredder And become wonder glad and proude of his wode and of his forest and of the wilde bestes that were ther yn that it was mervaill for to wyt so that mē called hym keper of wodes and of pastures and the lenger that he leued the more wykked he become both to god and to holy chyrche and to all his men. ¶ And this kyng let make the grete hall at west mynster so vpon a day of witsonday he helde theryn his fyrst feste and he loked aboute & said that the hall was to litell by the haluē dele ¶ And at last he become so contrarions that all thyng that plesed god displesed hym and all thyng that god loued he ha­ted dedely ¶ And so it befell that he dremed and met vpon a nyȝt a litell or that he deied that he was let blode and bled a grete quā ti [...]e of blode and a streme of blode lept an high to ward heuen more than an C. [...]ethem and the clernesse of the day was turned all in to derkenesse And the firmament also ¶ And when he awoke he had grete drede so that he nyst what to done and tolde his dreme to meny of his conceill and said that he had grete drede and supposed that hym was some myschaunce to come ¶ And the seconde nyght before a mōke dremed of the houhsold that the kyng went in to a chyrch with moche peple and he was proude that he despi­sed all the peple thas was with hym and that he nōme the ymage of the crucifixe aud shamfully lote it with his teth.

¶ And the crucifixe mekely suffred all that he ded but the kyng as a wode man rent of the Armes of the crucifixe and cast it vn­der his fete and defouled it and threwe it all abrode and a grete flamme of fire came oute of the crucifixes mouth of which dreme meny men had grete wonder ¶The goodman that had dremed [Page] this dreme had told it to a knyght that tho was most priue with the kxng of all men / and the knyght was called Hamundes sone and the monke a [...]d he tolde the dreme to the kyng and said that it shold betoken othir thyng than good / and notheles the kyng lau [...] ghed ther at ij. or iij. and litell set ther of And thought that he wold gone hunte and pley in the forest / and his men hym coūceilled that he shold not that day for no maner thyng come in the wode / so that he abode at home before mete But anone as he had eten no mā myȝt him lette that he nolde gone to the wod [...] for to haue his disport

¶ And so it be fell that one of his knyghtes that hight walter Tirell wolde haue shot to an hert and his arwe glā [...]ed vpon a braunche and thurgh mysauenture smote the kyng to the hert / and so he fell doune dede to the grounde withoute any worde spekyng and so ended his lyfe / And it was no grete wonder for the day that he deide he had let to ferme the erchebisshopprich of Caunterbury and xij. abbeis also / & euer more did grete destruction to holy church thurgh wrongfull takyng and axinges for no man durst withsay that he wolde haue done and of his lithernesse he wolde neuer withdra we nothir to amende his lyfe and therfor god wold suffre hym no len­ger regne in his wikkednesse and he had bene kyng xiij. yere and vj. wekes and lieth at westmynstre

¶Of kyng Henry [...]eauclerke that was william Rous brother & of the debate bitwene hym and Robert Curthose his brother Capitulo Centesimo xxxv.

ANd when this william rous was dede Henry beauclerke his brother was made kyng for encheson that william Rou [...] had no child begoten of his body and this henry beau­clerke was crouned kyng at london the iiij. day after that his bro­ther was dede that is to say the v. day of August ¶ And a none as An [...]lme that was Erch [...]bisshoppe of Caunterbury that was at the court of Rome herd that william Rous was dede he co­me ayene in to englond / and the kyng beauc [...]rk welcomed hym with mochel honour / ¶And the first yere that kyng henry was crouned he spoused Maude that was Margaretes dought [...]r the quene of Scotland and the Erch [...]bisshopp Ancelme of Caunterbury wedded hem And this kyng begate vpon his wife ij sones and a daughter / that is to say william Richard and Maude / And this Maude was after the Emꝑesse of Almayne

[Page]¶ And in the seconde yere of his regne his brother Robert Curthose that was duke of Normandie come with an huge maynye in to Englond for to chalenge the lande but thurgh conceille of the wyse men of the lande they were accorded in this maner that the kyng sholde yeue the duke his brother a thousand pounde euery yere and whiche of hem lengest leued sholde bene others heir and so bitwene hem shold be no debate ne strife ¶And when they were thus accorded the duke went home ayene in to Normandie And when the kyng had regned iiij. yere ther Aroos a grete debate bitwene hym and the Erchebisshopp of Canterbury Auncelme For cause that the Erchebisshopp wolde nat graunte hym for to take talliage of chyrches at his wylle And therfor eftsone the Erchebisshopp wēt ouer the see to the court of rome and ther duelled with the Pope ¶ And in the same yere duke of Normandie come in to Englond for to speke with his brother And amonge othir thynges the du­ke of Normandie for yaf to the kyng his brother the forsaid thousand pounde by yere that he sholde pay hym And with good loue the duke went tho ayene in to Normandie

¶ And when the ij. yere were a gone thurgh enticement of the de­uell and of lither men a grete debate arose bitwene the kyng and the duke so that the kyng thnrgh conceill went ouer the see in to Normandie ¶ And when the kyng of England was co­men in to Normandie [...] the grete lordes of Normandie turned to the kyng of Englond and helde ayens the duke hir owne lord and hym forsoke and to the kyng hem yelden and all the good c [...] stelles and tounes of Normandie And sone after was the duke taken and lad with the kyng in to Englond & the kyng let put the duke in to prison And this was the vengeaunce of god For when the duke was in the holy land God yafe hym suche myght and honour ther wherfor he was chosen to bene of Iherusalem kyng And he wold nat be it but forsoke it and therfor send hym that shame and despite for to be put in to his brothers prison ¶Tho seised kyng Henry all Normandie in to his hande and helde hit all his lyves tyme and in the same yere come the bisshopp Auncelme from the court of Rome in to Englond ayene and the kyng and he were accorded.

¶ And in the yere next comyng after ther began a grete deba­te bitwene kyng Phillipp of Fraunce And kyng Henry of Englond ¶Wherfor kyng Henry went in to Norma [...]die and the werre was strong bitwene hem two And tho died the kyng [Page] of fraunce / & lowys his sone was made kyng anone after his dethe And tho went kyng henry ayene in to englond / and maried Maude his doughter to Henry the Emꝑour of Almayne

¶Of the debate that was bitwene kyng lowys of fraunce & kyng Henry of englond and how kyng henries ij. sones were loste in the high see Capitulo Centesimo .xxxvj.

WHenne kyng Henry had bene kyng xvij. yere a grete deba­te aroos bitwene kyng lowys of fraunce and kyng henry of englond / for encheson that the kyng had sent in to Nor­mandie to his men that they shold bene helping to the erle of b [...]oyes as mochel as they myght in werre ayens the kyng of fraunce / and that they were as redy vn to hym as they wold ben vn to hir owne lord / for encheson that the erle had spoused his sustre dame Maude for which encheson the kyng of fraunce did moche sorwe to normandie / wherfor the kyng of englond was wonder wrothe and in haste went ouer the see with a grete power and come in to normandie for to defende that lande / and the werre bitwene hem lasted ij. yere till at the last they ij. foughten to gedre and the kyng of fraunce was discomfited and vneth scaped a way with moch [...]eyne and the moste part of his men were take / and the kyng did with hem what hym liked And somme of hem let he go frelich and somme let he put to the deth / But afterward tho ij. kynges were accorded / And when kyng Henry had holich all the land of Normandie / and scomfited his enemies of fraunce / he turned ayene in to englond with mochel honour / And his ij. sones william and Richard wolde come after hir fadre and went to the see with a grete companie of peple / but [...]r that they myght come to londe the shipp come ayens a roche & brake all in to peces and all were drenched that were therin sauf o man y ^t was in the sauie ship that ascaped / and this was on seint katerines day / and thees were the names of hem that were drenched that is to say william the kynges sone Richard his brother / the erle of Che­stre Qttonell his brother / Gieffrey ridell / walter emurcy / Godfrey er [...]hedeken / the kynges doughter / the Countesse of Perches / the kynges nece / the Countesse of Chestre / and many othir / When kyng henry and othir lordes arriued were in englond and herde these tydyn­ges / they made sorwe y nowe / and all hir myrthe & [...]oye was tur­ned in to mornyng and sorwe

¶How Maude the Emꝑesse come ayene in to Englond and how she was afterward wedded to Gieffroy the Erle of Angoy Capitulo C.xxxvij.

ANd when that ij. yere were agone that the Erle had duel­led with the kyng the Erle went tho from the kyng and began to werre vpon hym and did moche harme in the land of Normandie and toke ther a strong Castell and ther he duelled all that yere and tho come to hym tydyng that Henry the Emꝑour of Almaigne that had spoused Maude his doughter was dede and that she duelled no lenger in Almaigne And that she wolde come ayene in to Normandie to hir fadre ¶And when she was come to hym he nōme hir tho to hym and come ayene in to Englond and made the englisshmen done othe and feaute vn to the Emꝑesse And the fyrst man that made the othe was william the Erchebisshopp of Caunterbury And that othir kyng Dauid of Scotland and after hym all the Erles and barons of englōd Also after the noble man the Erle of Angoy a worthy knyght sent to the kyng of englond y ^• he wolde graūte hym for to haue his daughter to spouse Maude the Emꝑesse And for encheson that hir fadre wyst that he was a noble man the kyng graunted hym and consented ther to And tho nōme he his doughter and lad hir in to Normandie and come to the noble knyght Erle Gaufride and he spoused the forsaid Maude with mochel honour And the Erle be­gate vpon hir a sone that was called Henry the Emꝑesse sone

¶ And after when all this was done kyng Henry duelled all that yere in Normandie And after that longe tyme a grevous sikenesse toke hym wherthurgh he died And this kyng Henry regned xxxv. yere and iiij. monthes and after he died as before is said in Normandie and his hert was entered in the grete chyrche of our lady in Rouen And his body was brought with mochel honour in to England and entered at Redyng in the Abbey of the which abbey he was begynner and foundour

¶Howe Stephene kynge Henry sustres sone was made kyng of Englond ¶Ca.C.xxxviij

AFter this kyng Henry y ^• was the fyrst was made kyng his nepheu his sustres sone Stephen Erle of Bo [...]igne For anone as he herde the tydynge of his vncles deth he passed [...] see and come in to Englond thurgh counceill & strength [Page] and helpe of many [...] lordes in englond ayens hir othe that they had made to Maude the Emꝑesse toke the reame and let croune Stephen kyng of the land ¶ And the Erchebisshopp william of Caū t [...]rbury that first made the othe of feaute vn to maude the Emꝑesse set the croune vpon kyng Stephenes hede & hym annointed / & bis­shoppe Rogier of Salisbury maynteyned the kynges partie in as moth as he myght ¶The first yere that kyng Stephen began to regne he assembled a grete host & went hym toward Scotland / for to haue werred vpon the kyng of Scotland / but he come ayens hym in pees & in good man [...]r & to hym trusted / but he made to him none homage / for as moche as he had made homage vn to the Emꝑesse Maude ¶ And the iiij. yere of his regne Maude the Emꝑesse come in to englond / & tho began debate bitwene kyng Stephen & Maude the Emꝑesse ¶This Maude went vn to the Cite of Nichol and the kyng hyr beseged longe tyme and myght not spede so well the Cite was kepte and defended / and tho that were within the Cite queyn­tely ascaped away withoute any maner harme / & tho toke the kyng the Cite and duelled therin till condelmesse / And tho come the Barons that helde with the Emꝑesse that is for to say the erle Randulphe of Chestre / the Erle Robert of Ebucestre hugh / bygot / Robert of Morley / and brought with hem a stronge power & faught with the kyng & yafe hym a grete bataille / in which bataill kyng stephen was taken & sette in prison in the Castell of Bristowe

¶How Maude the Emꝑesse went fro wynchestre vn to Oxenford and after she ascaped to wallynford and what sorwe and disese that she had Capitulo Centesimo .xxxix.

WHenne the kyng was take & brought in to worde in the castell of Bristowe / this Maude the Emꝑisse anone was made lady of England & all men helde hir for lady of the lande / But tho of kente helde with the kyng Stephenes wife / and also william of Pree and his reteune helpe hem and helde werre a­yens Maude the Emꝑesse & anone aft y ^• kyng of Scotlād come to him with an huge nombre of peple / and tho went they yfere vn to wynchestre ther that the Emꝑesse was & wolde haue take hir / but the Erle of Gloucestre come with his power & faught with hem / & the Emꝑesse in the mene while that the bataille dured scaped fro thens and wente vn to Oxenford / & there hir helde / And in that bataille was the Erle of Gloucestre discomfited and taken / and with hym many othir lordes ¶ And for his deliueraunce [Page] was kyng Stephen deliuered oute of prison / And when he was deliuered oute of prison he went thens to Oxenford and beseged the Emꝑesse that was tho at Oxenford / and the sege endured fro Mihelmasse vn to seint Andrewes tyde / And the Emꝑesse let tho cloth hir all in whit lynnen cloth / for encheson that she nat wolde be ne knowe / for in the same tyme wa [...] moch snowe / & so she ascaped by the thamyse from hem away / that were hir ennemies / And fro thens she went to wallyngford / and ther hir helde ¶And the kyng wold haue beseged hir / but he had so moch to done with the erle Rā dulfe of Chestre / and with hugh bygot that stronglich werred vp on hym in euery place that he ne wist widder for to turne / And the Erle of Gloucestre halpe hem with his power

¶How Gaufride the Erle of Angron yafe vp vn to Henry the Emꝑesse sone all Normandie Capitulo Centesimo quadragesime.

ANd after this the kyng went vn to wilton / and wolde haue made a Castell there / but tho come to hym the Erle of Gloucestre with a stronge power / and almost had take the kyng / but yit the kyng ascaped with moch peyne / and williā martell ther was take / And for whos deliueraunce the yafe vn to the Erle of Gloucestre the good Castell of shirborne / that he had take ¶ And whan this was done the Erle Robert / and all the kynges enemies wente to Faringdone and begonne ther for to make a stronge Castell / but the kyng come thidder with a stronge power and drofe hem thens in that same yere The Erle Randulfse of Che­stre was accorded with the kyng / and come to his cour [...] at his com­maundement / And the Erle wende saufelich to come and the kyng anone set take hym and put hym in to p [...]son and must neuer for no thyng come oute till that he had yelde vp vn to the kyng the Castell of Nicholl the whiche he had take from the kyng with strength in the xv. yere of his regne ¶And Gaufride the Erle of Angeon yafe vp vn to Henry his sone all Normandie / And in the yere that next su [...]d deide the Erle Gaufride And Henry his sone the anone turned arene to Angeon / and there was made Erle with mochel honour of his men of the land / and to hym diden feaute and ho­mage the most rartie of his land ¶And tho was this henry the Emꝑesse sone Erle of Angewe and duke of Normādie

[Page]In the same yere was made diuorce bitwene the kyng of Fraunce and the quene his wyfe that was right heir of Gascoyne For en­cheson that it was knowe and proued that they were sible and nygh of blode And the spoused her Henry the Emꝑesse sone Erle of [...]ngoy and duke of Normandie and duke of Gascoyne

¶The xviij. yere of this kyng Stephen this Henry come in to en­glond with a strong power and began for to werre vpon kyng s [...]ephen and toke y ^• Castell of Malmesbury And did moche harme & the kyng Stephen had so moche werre that he nyst whidder for to wende but at the last they were accorded thurgh the Erchebisshopp Theobald and thurgh othir worthy lordes of Englond vpon this condicion that they shold depart the Reame of Englond bitwene hem so that Henry the Emꝑesse sone sholde holich halfe haue all the land of Englond And thus they were accorded And pees cried thurgh oute all Englond ¶And when the accorde was made bi­twene the ij. lordes Kyng Stephen become so sory for cause he had lost halfe Euglond and fell in to suche amaladie and died in the xix. yere viij. wekes and v. day of his regne all in werre and in contak and he [...]eth in the Abbey of Feueresham the whiche he let make in the vj. yere of his regne

¶Of kyng Henry the secōde that was the Emꝑesse sone in whos tyme seint Thomas of Caunterbury was Chaunceler Capitulo Centesimo quadrages [...]mopr [...]mo.

ANd after this kyng S [...]phen regned Henry the Emꝑes­se sone and was crouned of the Erchebisshopp Theobald the xvii. day before Cristemasse And in the same yere Thomas Beket of [...] Erchebisshopp of Caunterbury was made the kynges chaunceler of Englond ¶The seconde yere that he was crouned he let [...] adoune all the newe Castelles that were lon­gyug to the cr [...]ne the whiche kyng Stephen had yeue vn to di­uerse men and hem had made Erles and baron [...] for to holde with hym [...] to helpe hym ayenst Henry the Emꝑesse sone

¶ And the iiij. yere of his regne he put vnder his owne lord­shipp the kyng of wales And in the same yere when the kyng of Scotland had in his owne honde that is to seyn the Cite of karlille the Castell of Banburgh the newe Castell vpon Tyne and the Erldome of laucastre.

¶The same yere the kyng with a grete powrr went in to waly [...] & [Page] let cast a doune woles and make weyes and made stronge the Castell of Rutland basyng werke / and amōge the Castells he made an hous of the temple ¶ And in the same yere was Richard his sone borne / that afterward was erle of Oxenford and the fourthe yere of his regne he made Gaufride erle of Britaigne / and in that yere he chaunged his money / and the vj. yere of his regne he lad an huge hoste vn to Tolouse and conquere by it / And the vij. yere of his regne deide Thebault the Erchebisshopp of Caunterbury / And tho all the Cite of caunterbury all most thurgh meschief was brēd The ix. yere of his regne Thomas Beket his Chaunceler / was cho­sen to bene Erchebisshopp of Caunterbury ¶ And vpon seint bar nardis day he was sacred / and in that yere was borne Alienore the kyuges doughter ¶ And the x. yere of his regne seint Edward the kyng was translated with mochel honour And the xj. yere of his regne he helde his parlement of Northampton And from thens fled seint Thomas Erchebisshopp of Caunterbury / for the grete debate that was bitwene the kyng and hym / for yf he had bene founden in the morne he had be slayye / and therfor he fledde thens with iij. felawes on fote only that no man wist wher he was / and wente ouer the see to the pope of Rome / And this was the principall en­cheson for as moch as the kyng wolde haue put clerkes to dethe / that were atteint of felonie withoute any priuelege of holy church And the xij. yere of his regne was Iohan his sone borne / And the xi [...]j. yere of his regne deide Maude the Emꝑesse that was his mod [...] ¶ And in that same yere was Iohan his doughter borne ¶The xiiij. yere of his regne the duke henry of Saxone spoused Maude his doughter / And he begate on hir iij. sones / Henry Othus and william / And in the xv. yere of his regne deide the good Erle Robert of Gloucestre that founded the Abbey of nonnes of Eton

¶ And in the same yere Marike kyng of Iherusalem conquered Babiloigne The xvj. yere of his regne he let croune his sone Henry at westmynstre / and hym crouned Rogier Erchebisshopp of yorke in harmyng of Thomas Erchebisshopp of Caunterbury / wherfore the same Rogier was acursed of the Pope

¶Of kyng Henry that was sone of kyng Henry the Emꝑesse so­n [...] and of the debate that was bitwene hym and his fad [...] while that he was in normandie Capitulo Centesimo xlij.

[Page]AFter the coronacion of kyng Henry the sone of kyng henry the Emꝑesse sone ¶Tat same Henry the Emꝑesse son̄ went ouer in to Normandie and ther he let mar [...]e Elienore the doughter of the Dolfyne that was kyng of Almaigne And in the vij. yere that the Erchebisshopp seint Thomas had bene outelawed the kyng of frannce made the kyng and seint thomas accorded And tho come Thomas the Erchebisshopp to Canterbury ayene to his owne chyrche And this accord was made in the be­gynnyng of aduent And afterward he was quelled and mar­tred the v [...]day of Cristemasse that tho next come ¶For kyng Henry thought vpon seint Thomas Erchebisshope vpon Cristemasse day as he sate at mete and thees wordes said That yf he had any good knyght with hym he had be many day passed avenged vpon the Erchebisshopp Thomas ¶ And anone Sir william breton ¶Sir hugh morvile Sir william Tracy And Sir Reignold fitz vese beres sone in Englissh priuely went vn to the see and comen in to Englond to the chyrch of Canterbury and hym ther they martred at seint Benettes Autre in the modre chyrche And that was in the yere of Incarnacion of Ihesu crist M.C.lxxij. yere.

¶And anone after Henry the newe kyng began for to make were vpon Henry his fadre and eke vpon his brethren also

¶And so vpon a day the kyng of fraunce and a [...]l the kynges so­nes and the kyng of Scotland and the grettest lordes of englond were arisen ayens the kyng Henry the fadre and at the last as god wolde he conquered all his enemies ¶And the kyng of fraunce and he were accorded And tho sent kyng Henry the fadre specialy vn to the kyng of Fraunce and praied hym hertely for his loue that he wolde send to hym by letter the names of hem that be­gonnen the werre vpon hym ¶And the kyng of fraunce sent ayene to hym by a letter the names of hem that bygonnen the werre ¶The fyrst was Iohan his sone and Richard his brother and Henry his sone the newe kyng Tho was Henry the kyng wonder wrothe and cursed the tyme that euer he hem bigate

¶And whyle the werre dured Henry his sone the newe kyng died sore repentyng his mysdede and most sorwe made of onymā for cause of seint Thomas deth of Caunterbury

¶And praied his fadre with moche sorwe of hert mercy for his trespas and his fadre for yaf it hym And had of hym grete pite and after he died the xxxvj. yere of his regne and lieth at Re­dyng

¶How the cristen lost the holy land in the forsaid kynges tyme thurgh a fals cristen man that become a sarazene Ca.C.xliij

ANd while that kyng henry the Emꝑesse sone lyued & reg­ned the grete bataille was in the holy land bitwene the cristen men & the sarazenes / but the cristē men were ther quelled thurgh grete treson of the erle Tirpe that wolde haue had to wife / the q [...]ene of [...]hrlm̄ that some tyme was Baldewynes wife but she forsoke hym / & toke to hir lord a knyght a worthy man that waz called sir Gny ꝑches wherfor the erle Tirpe was wroth & wente a­none right to Soladyne that was soudan of Babiloigne & become sarazene & his man / & forsoke his cristendome & all cristen lawe and the cristen men wist not of this dedes / b [...]t went for to haue had grete helpe of hym as they were woned to haue before / And when they comen to the bataille / this fals cristen man turned vn to the saraze­nes / & forsoke his owne nacions & so were the cristen men ther quelled with the sarazenes / & thus were the cristen men slayne & put to horrible deth / & the cite of [...]h [...]lm̄ destroied / and the holy crosse borne away The kyng of fraunce & all the grete lordes of the land let hem crosse for to go in to the holy land / And amonges hem wente Ri­chard kyng henries sone first after the kyng of fraunce that toke the crosse to the Erchebisshopp of tours / but he toke nat the viage at that tyme for encheson that he was let by othir maner weyes and nedes to be done ¶ And whan kyng henry his fadre had regned xxxv. yere & v. monthes & iiij. daies he died & lieth at foundenerard

¶Of kyng Richard that conquerd all the holy lande that cristen men had [...] Ca.C.xliiij

ANd after this kyng henry regned Richard his sone a stronge man & a worthy and also bolde and he was crouned at westmynster of the Erchebisshopp Baldewyne of Caū ­terbury the iij. day of Septembre / & the ij. yere of his regne kyng Richard hym selfe and Baldewyne the Erchebisshopp of Caunterbury and Hubert bisshopp of Salisbury and Raudulphe Erle of Gloucestre / and othir many lordes of englond went in to the hooly land / and in that viage deide the Erchebisshopp of Caunterbury ¶And kyng Richard went before in to the holy land and rest not till that he come forth in his way vn to Cipres / and toke Cipres with grete force / and sithen kyng Richard wente forth toward the holy land and gete there as moche as the Cristen men hadden [Page] lost before & conquered the land ayene thurgh grete myght sauf only the holy crosse ¶ And when kyng Rihard come to the toune of Acres for to gete the cite Agrete debate a rose bitwene hym & the kyng of fraunce so that kyng of fraūce went ayene in to fraunce & was wroth toward the kyng Richard but er kyng Richard went ayene he toke the cite of Acres ¶ And whenne he had taken it he duelled in the cite a whyl but to hym come tydynge that the erle [...]ohan of Oxūford his brother wolde haue seised all Englond in to his hand And Normandie also and wold croune hym kyng of the land ¶ And whenne kyng Richard herde this tydynge he went a ye [...]e toward Englond with all the spede that he myȝt but the duke of Ostriche met with hym and toke hym and brought hym to the Emꝑo [...]r of Almaigne And the Emꝑour brought hym in to his prison And afterward he was deliuered for an huge raunsone that is for to say an hounderd thousand pounde And for whiche raunsone to be paied eche othir chalice of Englond was molte & made in to money & all the mōkes of the ordre of cisteanx yeuen all hir [...]okes thurgh englond to don̄ hē to selle & the raūsone for to pay

¶How kyng Richard come ayene from the holy land & avenged hym of his enemies Ca.C.xlvj.

WHiles this kyng Richard was in prison the kyng of fraū ce werred vpon hym strongely in Normandie and Iohan his brother werred v [...]on hym in Englond but the bishoppes & barons of Englond withstode hym with all the power that they myght gete & geten the castell of wyndesore & all othir castel­les ¶ And the forsaid Iohan saw that he had no myght ne poer ayens the barons of Englond for to fight but anone went hym ouer see vn to the kyng of fraunce And when kyng Richard com̄ out of prison and was deliuered and come in to Englond Anone after Cādelmasse in grete hast he went vn to Notyngham and the castell of Notyngham to hym was yolden And tho discomfited he Iohan his brother and that with hym helde And after he went vn to the Cite of wynchestre and ther he let hym croune kyng of Englond and after he went in to Normandie for to werre vpon the kyng of fraunce ¶ And the kyng of fraunce come with vj.C. knyght [...]s toward Gisors and the kyng Richard met hym and tho wolde haue yeue hym bataille but the kyng of fraunce fledde and an hundred knyghtes of his were take and ij. hundred ste­des were trapped with yren And anon̄ after went kyng Richard for to besege the Castell of Gaillard And as he rode vpon a day [Page] by the Castell to take auisement of the Castell / an arbalastier smote hym with a quarell that was enuenyned / & the kyng drofe oute the shafte of the quarell / but the quarellys hede aboode still in his hede / & it began for to rancle that [...]e myght not helpe hym selfe ne me­ue his arme [...] ¶ And tho he wist that he had dethes wounde that he myȝt not be hole for no maner thyng / he commaunded anone sharpely all his men fo to assaill the Castell / So that the castell was taken o [...] that he died / & so manlich his men diden that all the peple that were in the castell were all tak [...]n / & the kyng did with hē what he wold & cōmaunded his men that they shold bringe before him the mā that him so hurt & so woūded And when he come before the kyng y ^• kyng axed what was his name And he said / my name is Bartram gurdone / wherfor said the kyng hast thou me slayne / sith that I did the neuer none harme ¶Sir said he though ye did me neuer none har­me / ye your selfe with your honde quelled my fodre & my brother And therfor I haue qnytte nowe your trauaill ¶Tho said kyng Richard he that died vpon the crosse to bringe mānes soule from pyne of helle foryeue the my deth / & I also foryeue it the ¶Tho cōmaū ded the kyng that no man shold hym mysdo / But for all the kynges defending some of his men him folowed & preuely hym quelled / & the vj. day af [...] the kyng did shriuen him & sore repeutaūce hauyng of his mysdedes & was houseled & annoynted / & this kyng ne reg­ned but ix. rere & xxxix. wekes & deide & lieth besides his fadre at founte [...]erard

¶Of kyng Iohan that in the first yere of his regne loste alle Nor­mandie Ca.C.lxvj

WHen kyng Richard was dede for e [...]chesan that he had none heire nothir sone ne doughter his brother [...]ohan was made kyng & crouned at westmynstre of Huberd that was tho Erchebisshopp of Caunterbury ¶And whan he began to regne he become so meruaillous man & went ouer in to Normādie / & werred vpon the kyng of fraunce / & so longe they werred to gedre till at the last kyng Iohan lost Normandie and Angeon / wherfor [...]e was sore annoied it was no meruaille ¶Tho let he assemble be fore him at london erchebisshoppes bisshoppes abbotes & [...]ours erles & barons & helde there a grete [...]lemēt & axed ther of the clergie the tenthe of euery church of englond for to con [...]uere & gete ayene normādie & Au­geon that he had lost And thy wold not graunte y ^• thyng wherfor [Page] he was wonder wrothe And in the same tyme died bisshopp Hu­bert & the [...]our & the cou [...]t of Canterbury chosen ayens the kyngs wyll to to bene erchebisshop mastir stephā of langeton a good clere that woned at the court of rome & send to the pope hir Election & the pope cōfermed it & sacred him at viterbe when y ^• kyngwyst this tydyng he was wonder wroth & drofe the priour & the couēt fro Cā terbury & exiled hem out of englond & cōmaunded that no maner letter that come frō rome ne no manudemēt shold be vnderfonge ne pleted in Englond when this tydyng come to the pope He sent vn to kyng Iohan by his lr̄e & praied hym with good wyll & good hert that he wolde vnderfong stephan erchebisshopp of Canterburi vn to his chyrche & suffre the prior & his monkes to come ayene vn to hir own̄ duellynge but the kyng wold nat graūt it for no thyng

¶How kyng Iohan wolde no thyng done for the popes cōmaun demēt wherfor all Englond was ēterdited & suspēded Ca.C.lxvij

ANd at the last the Pope sent by his Auctorite & enioyned to the bisshoppes of Englond that yf the kyng wold noȝt vnderfong the priour of Canterbury & his monkes that they sholde done g [...]all interdityug thurgh out all Englond & graū ted full power to iiij. bisshoppes to pronounce the interdityng yf it were nede The fyrst was bisshopp williā of london & that othir bis­shopp Eustace of Ely & the iij. was bisshopp walter of wynchestre & the iiij. was bisshopp Giles of Herford And thees iiij. bisshoppes praied the kyng knelyng on hir knees & sore wepynge y ^• he wold done the Popes cōmanudement and shewed hym the bulles of the Enterditing but for no praier that they myght pray he wold not consent ther to And when the bisshoppes sawe this they went from the kyng And in the morne after the Anunciacion of out lady they pronounced the generall enterditing thurgh out all englond so that the chyrche dores were shit with keies and with othir fa­stenyng and with walles ¶ And when the enterditing was pronounced than the kyng began for to wex all out of mesure & nomme in to his honde all the possessions of the iiij. bisshoppes and of all y ^• clergye thurgh oute all the lāde and ordeyned men for to kepe it that the clerkys myght not haue hir lyuyng Wherfor the bisshopes cursed all hem that put or sholde medle with holy chyrch goodes ayens the wyll of hem that hem owed. And when the kyng wolde nat cese of his malice for no maner thyng the iiij. bis­shoppes afore said went ouer the see and went to the bisshopp of Canterbury and told hym all the thyng ¶And the [Page] Erchebisshopp to hem said that they shold gone ayene to Canterbury & he wolde come thidder to hem or elles he wold send thidder cer­teyn ꝑsones in his stede that shold done as moch as him selfe were there And when the bisshoppes herde this they turned ayen in to englond & comen vn to Canterbury The tydynge come to the kyng y ^• the bisshoppes were comen ayene to Canterbury & hym self myght not come thidder that tyme he send thidder bisshoppes Erles & Abbotes for to trete with hem that the kyng shold vnderfonge the erche bisshopp Stephen & the priour & all the monkes of Canterbury & that he shold neuer after that tyme no thyng take of holy chyrhe ayens the wyll of hem that owed the goodes & that the kyng sholde make full amendes to hem of whom he had any goodes taken & that holy chyrch shold haue all fraunchises as ferforth as they had in seint Edwards tyme the confessour

¶How stephen of langeton [...] come in to englond thurgh the popes cōmaundement & he went agayn Ca.C.xlviij.

WHen the fourme of accord thus was ordeyned hit was in a pair of Endentures & they put her seales vn to that one part & they that comen in the kynges name put her seal [...] to that othir part of endentures & the iiij. bisshoppes aboue said toke that o part of the endentures to hem & that othir part of the endentures they bare with hem to shewe the kyng when the kyng sawe the fourme and vnderstode he held hym full wel paid of all maner thyng as they had ordeyned sauyng as touchyng restitucion of the goodes for to make ayene to that thyng he nold nat accord and so he send word ayene to the iiij. bisshoppes that they shold done oute & put a way that o [...]oint of restitucion and they ansuerd that they nold not done o worde out Tho sent the kyng to the erchebisshopp by tho iiij. bisshoppes that he shold come to Caunterbury for to speke with hym ther and sent vn to hym saufcondit vuder plegges that is to seyne his Iustices Gilbert Peyte vyn̄ william de la Brener and Iohan be fitz hugh that in hir conduit saufely he shold come & gone ayene at his wyll [...] in this maner the Erchebisshopp Stephen come to Canterbury And whenne the Erchebisshopp was com̄ the kyng come to Chilham for he wolde come no ner to Cannterbury at that tyme but he sent by his tresorer bisshopp of wynchestre that he shold done oute of the endentures the clause of restitucion for to make of the goodes ¶ And the Erchebisshopp made his oth [Page] that he wold neuer done oute [...] worde ther of ne change of that the bisshoppes had spoken & ordeyned And tho the Erchebisshopp wente ayene to Rome withonte any more doyng Kyng [...]ohan was tho wrother than euer he was before / & let make a comune crie thurgh oute all englond that all tho that had holy church rentes & went o [...] the see that they shold come ayene in to englond at a certayn day or elles they shold lese hir rentes for euer more & that he cōmaūded to euery shereue thurgh out all englond that they shold enquere if any Bisshopp / Abbot / Priour / or any othir prelat of holy church fro y ^• day afterward resceyued any maūdemēt that come fro the pope that they shold take the body & bring it before him / & that they shold t [...] ­ke in to the kynges honde all hir landes of holy church that were yeuen to any man by the Erchebisshopp stephen or by the [...]our of caū terbury from the tyme of election of the erchebisshopp / & cōmaunded that all the wodes that were the erchebisshoppes shold be cast a dou [...] vn to the grounde & all solde

¶How kyng Iohan destroied the ordre of Cisteaux Ca.C.x [...]

ANd in the same tyme the Irisshmen begonne to werre vpon kyng [...]ohan / and kyng [...]ohan ordeyned hym for to wende in to Irland & [...]et arere an huge taxe thurgh oute all en­glond that is to say xxxv.M. marc / and sent thurgh all Englond to the monkes of the ordre of Cisteaux that they shold helpe hym of vj.M. marc of siluer ¶And they ansuerd & said that they durst no thyng done withoute hir chief Abbot of Cisteaux / wherfor kyng [...]ohan when he come ayene from Irland he did hem so moch sorwe & care that they nist where to a bide for he toke so moch raunsone of enery house of hem that the somme āmounted to ix.M.cc [...]. marc So that they were clene lost & destroied & voided hir hous & hir landes thurgh oute all englond / And the abbot of wauersey drad so moche his manace that he forsoke all the abbey & went thens & preuely ordeyned hym ouer see to the hous of Cisteaux when the tydynge co­me to the pope that the kyng had done so moche malice / tho was he to the kyngward full wroth / & sent ij. [...]gatz vn to the kyng that one was called Pandolfe & that othir durant that they shold warne the kyng in the popes name / that he shold cese of hie ꝑsecucion that he did vn to holy church and amende the wronge and the trespase that he had done to the Erchebisshoppe of Caunterbury and to the Priour and vn to the monkes of Caunterbury and to alle the [Page] clergie of Englond and that he shold restore the goodes aye [...] that he had taken of hem ayens hir wylle and elles they sholde curse the kyng by name and to do this thyng and to conferme the Pope toke hem his lr̄es in bulles patentz ¶These ij. legatz come in to Englond and comen to the kyng to Northampton ther that he helde his parlement and full courteisely they hym salued and sayden Sir we ben come fro the pope of rome the pees of holy chyrche and of the land to amend And we amonest yowe fyrst in the Popi [...] halfe that ye make full restitucion of the goodes that ye haue rauyshed of holy chyrche and of the lande and that ye vnderfonge stephen Erchebisshopp of Caunterbury in to his dignite and the priour of Caunterbury and his monkes & that ye yelde ayene vn to the Erchebisshopp all his landes and rents withoute any with holdyng ¶And Sir yit more ouer that ye such restitucion hem make as holy chyrche shall holde hir paied Tho ansuerd the kyng as touchyng the Priour and his monkes of Caunterbu­ry all that ye haue said I wull gladly do and all thyng that ye wyll ordeyne ¶But as touchyng the Erchebisshopp I shall telle yow in myne hert as hit lithe that the Erchebisshopp let his bishop riche and that the Pope than for hym wold pray and than vpon a venture me sholde like some othir bisshoppriche for to yeue hym in Engloud and vpon this condicion I wold hym resceyue and vnderfong ¶ And nothlees in Englond as Erchebisshopp yif he abyde he shall neuer haue so good saufconduit but he shall be take. ¶Tho said Pandolfe vn to the kyng Holy chyrche was woned neuer to discharge an Erchebisshoppe withoute cause resonably but euer the hath [...]e woned to chastyze princes that to god and holy chyche were inobedient ¶What how nowe quod the kyng manace ye me Nay said Pandolfe but ye nowe openly haue tolde as it standeth in your hert ¶ And to yowe we wull telle what is the Popes wylle and thus it stant that he hath yowe ho­ly enterdited and acursed for the wronges that ye haue done to holy chyrche and to the clergie And for as moche as ye duells and beth in wylle to a byde in ma [...] and wylle not come to no [...] ammendement ye shall vnderstonde that fro this tyme afterward the scentence / is vpon yowe ye ben and holdeth stede and strength and vpon all tho that wyth yowe haue communed before this tyme wethir they bene Erles Barons or Knyghtes or any othir what so euer they bene we hem o [...]oyle saufely vn to this day and fro this tyme afterward of what condicion euer that they [Page] be we hem accurse that with yowe comen / & so do we scentence vpon hem openly & specially ¶And we assoille quytely Erles Barons knyghtes & all othir maner men of hir homages seruices & feautes that they shold / vn to yowe done / and this tydynge to conferme / we yeue pleyne power to the bisshopp of wynchestre to the bisshop of nor the wych [...] ¶And the same power we yeue in scotland to the bisshoppes of Rouchestre & of Salisbury ¶And in walys we yeue the same power to the bisshoppes of seint dauid & of landaf and of seint asse / And more ouer we sende thurgh all cristendome that all the bisshoppes / be yonde the see that they done accurse a [...]le tho that helpeth yowe or any counceill yeueth yowe in any maner nede that ye haue to done in any ꝑtie of the world / And we assoille hem also all by the auctorite of the pope & cōmaunde hem also with yowe for to werre as with him that is en [...]mie to all holy church ¶Tho ansuerd the kyng what mowe ye done me more ¶Tho ansuerd Pandolf we sey ne to yowe in verbo dei that ye ne none heir that ye haue neuer after this day may be crouued Tho said the kyng by him that is almyȝty god & I had wist of this thing er y ^• ye come in to my land that ye had me brought such tydynge I shold haue made yowe ryde all an hole yere / Tho ansuerd Pandolfe full well wende we at our first comyng that ye wold haue bene obedient to god & to holy churche / & haue fullfylled the popes cōmaundement / & nowe we haue shewed to yowe & ꝓnounced the popes wylle as we were charged ther with And as nowe ye haue said that if ye had wist the cause of our co­myng that ye wold haue made vs [...] all an hole yere / and as well ye myght haue said that ye wold haue take an hole yere of respite by the popes [...]eue / But for to suffre what deth ye coude crdyne / we shull not spare for to telle yowe hollich all the popes message & his wylle that we were charged with

¶How Pandolfe deliuered a cler [...] that had falsed & counterfated the kynges money before the kyng hym selfe Ca.C.l.

ANd anone tho cōmaunded the kyng the shereues & [...] of northampton that were in the kynges presence that they shold bring forth all the [...]soners that they myght bene done vn to the deth before Pandolfe for encheson the kyng wende that they wold haue gayne said hir dedes for cause of deth all thinge that he had spoken afore / Whenne the [...]soners were come before the kyng the kyng cōmaunded some to be honged & some to bene drawe & some to [Page] drawe oute hir yien oute of hir hede and amōge all othir ther was a clerc had falsed the kynges money & the kyng cōmaunde that he shold be honged & drawe And when Pandolf herde this cōmaū dement of the kyng he stert hym by smertely & anone axed a boke & candell & wold haue cursed all [...] that set vpon the clerc any hōde And Pandolf hym selfe went for to seche a crosse & the kyng folewed hym & deliuered hym the clerc by the honde that he shold done with hym what that euer he wold And thus was the clerc deliuered aud went thens and Pandolfe & durant his felaw went fro the kyng Iohan & come ayene to the Pope of Rome and told hym that kyng Iohan wolde not amended bene but euer abide so occur [...] ¶ And nothelees the pope graunted that yere thurgh oute englond that men myght sing masses in couenable chyrches & make goddes body and yeve it to sike m [...]n that passe shold oute of this world And also that men myght cristen children oueralle

¶ And when the pope wyst and saw that the kyng wold not ben vnder the rule of holy chyrche for no maner thyng the pope tho sent to the kyng of Fraunce in remission of his synnes that he sholde take with hym all the power that he myght and wende in to En­glond for to destroie kyng Iohan ¶When this tydynge come to kyng Iohan tho was he sore annoied and sore drad left that he sholde lese his Reame and hym selfe be done to deth

¶Tho sent he to the pope messagiers and said that he wolde bene Iustified and come to ammendement in all thynges and wolde make satisfaction to all maner men after the popes ordeynaunce Tho sent the pope ayene in to Englond Pandolfe and othir messagiers comen to Canterbury ther the kyng abode And the xiij. day of May the kyng made an oth for to stand to the popes ordinaunce before Pandolfe the legate in all maner thynges in whiche he was accursed and that he shold make full restitucion to all men of holy chyrche and of religion and of the goodes that he had take of hem ayens hir wylle and all the grete lordes of Englond swore vpon the boke and by the holy dome that yf the kyng wolde nat holde his othe [...] they said that they wolde make hym holde it by strength.

¶Tho put the kyng hym to the court of Rome and to the Po­pe and tho yafe vp the royame of Englond and of Irland for hym and for his heires for euermore that sholde come after hym So that kyng Iohan and his heires sholde take tho ij. royams of the popes hand and sholde holde tho ij. Royamrs of the Pope as to ferme payng euery yere vn to the court of Rome a thousand marc [Page] of [...] / and tho toke the kyng the croune of his [...]rd and set hym on his knees and thee [...] wordes he said in [...]ering of all the grete lor­des of englond / here I resigne vp the crount and the reame of En­glond in to the popes [...]and Innocent the iij. & put me hollich in his m [...]rcy and in his ordinaun [...] ¶Tho vnderfeng Pandolfe the croune of kyng Iohan & kept it v. daies as for seisyn takyng of ij. rea­mes of [...]nglond and of Irland & confermed all maner thynges by his chartre that foleweth after

¶Of the letter obligatorie that kyng Iohan made vn to the court of Rome wherfor the petre [...] pen [...] bene gadred thurgh oute alle Englond Ca.C. [...].

TO all cristen peple thurgh oute the world duelling Iohan by the grace of god kyng of [...]nglond greting to yo [...]r vni­uersite / and knowe thyng it be that for as moche [...]s we haue greued & offended god and our modre church of Rome / and for as moche as we haue nede to the mercy of our lord Ihesu crist & we may no thyng so worthy offre as competent satisfaction to make to god & to holy church but if it were our owne body as with our [...]e­ames of englond and of Irland ¶Than by the grace of god we desire to meke vs for the loue of hym that meked hym to the deth of the crosse / thurgh coūseill of the noble Erles and baro [...]s we off [...]n and frely grannten to god & to the apposteles seint petre and seint Paule and to our modre church of Rome and to our holy fadre the pope Innocent the thridde and to all the ropes that cometh after hym all the reame and patronages of churches o [...] englond & of Irland with hir appertenaunces for remission of our sinnes and helpe and helthe of our kyn soules and of all cristen sou [...]s / so that fro this tyme afterward we wull resceyue and holde of our modr [...] churche of Rome as fee ferme doyng feaute to our holy fadre the pope Innocēt the thridde / and to all the popes that comen after hym in the maner aboue said / And in presence of the wise man Pandolfe the popes subdekene we maken liege homage as it were in the popes presence and before hym were and we shull done alle maner thynges aboue said and ther to we bynden vs and alle that cometh after vs / and our [...]eires for euer more withoute any gayne seyeng to the Pope and eke the ward of churche vacauntz and in token of this thyn­ge euer for to laste we wulle conferme and ordeyne that our spe­cialle rentes of the forsaid Royame sauyng S [...]int Petres pen [...] [Page] in all thyng to the moder chyrch of rome payeng by yere a M. marc of siluer at ij. termes of the yere for all maner customes that we sholde done for the forsaid Royames that is to seyne at mihelmasse and at Estren that is to seyne vij.C. marc for englond and ccc. marc for Irland sauyng to vs and to our heires our Iustices & our othir fraunchises & othir realtes that apꝑteyneth to the croune And all these thynges that before bene said we wull that it be ferme & stable withouten ende & to that obligacion we & our succes­sours & our heires in this maner ben bound that yf we or any of our heires thurgh any presumpcion falle in any point ayenst any of these thyngis aboue said and he be warned & he wull nat right amend hym he shall than lese the forsaid Reame for euermore and that this chartre of obligacion & our warrant for euermore be ferme and stable withoute gayne sayeng we shull fro this day after­ward be trewe to god & to the moder chirche of Rome & to the pope Innocent the thridde & to all that cometh after hym & the Reames of Englond & of Irland we shull maynten trewly in all maner pointz ayens all maner men by our power thurgh goddes helpe

¶How the clerkes that were outelawed oute of Englond come ayene & how kyng Iohan was assoiled Ca.C. [...]ij.

WHenne this chartre was made and enseled the kyng vnderfenge ayene his croune of pandolfes hande & sent anon̄ vn to Erchebisshopp Stephen & to all his othir clerkys & lewd men that he had exiled oute of his land that they shold co [...]e ayene in to Englond and haue ayene hir landes & hir ren [...]s and that he wold make restitucion of the goodes that he had taken of hirs ayenst hir wyll ¶The kyng hym selfe tho aud Pandolfe & Erles and barons went tho vn to wynchestre ayens the Erchebisshopp Stephen and when he was come the kyng went ayens hym and fel a doune to his fete and said to hym fair sir ye be wellcome and I cri [...] yowe mercy for [...]cheson that I haue trespased ayen [...] yow [...] ¶The Erchebisshopp toke hym vp tho in his armes and cussed hym courtoisely ofte tymes and after lad hym to the do [...]e of seint Swythynes chyrche by the honde and assoiled hym of the sentence and hym recōsiled to god and to holy chyrche and that waz on seint Margaretes day and the Erchebisshopp anone went for to syng masse and the kyng offred at the masse a marc of gold And when the masse was done all they went to vnderfonge all hir lan­des withoute any maner gayne sayeng And that day they made [Page] all myrthe and [...]oye y nowe / but yit was nat the enterditing rele­ced / for encheson the Pope had set that the enterditing shold nat ben vndone / till the kyng had made full restitucion of the goodes that he had take of holy churche and also that hym sel [...]e shold done homage to the Pope by a certayne legat that he shold sende in to Englond

¶Tho toke Pandolfe his leue of the kyng and of the Erchebisshop and went ayene vn to Rome / And the Erchebisshopp anone let co­me before him prelates of holy church at reding for to trete and coū seill how moch & what they shold axe of the kyng for to make re­stitucion of the goodes that he had taken of hem / And they ordeyned and said that the kyng shold yeue to the Erchebisshopp iij.M. marc for the wronge that the kyng had done vn to him And also to othir clerkes by porcions xv. thousand marc. And in the same tyme Nicholas bisshopp of Tuscan Cardmall penitauncer of Rome come in to engloud thurgh the Popes commaundement the v. [...]al. of Octo [...] & come to london the v. nonas of Octobre for encheson that kyng [...]ohan and all the kynges that comen after him shold euermore hold the reames of englond & of Irland of god & of the Pope payeng to the pope by yere as it is aboue said

¶How the [...]nterditinge was vndone in englond and of the debate that was bitwene kyng Iohan and the barons of the Reame Capitulo Centesimo quinquagesimo [...]ercio

WHen kyng Iohan had done his homage to the begat that shewed hym the popes lr̄e that he shold pay to [...]uliane and yelde ayene that was kyng Richardes wife the iij. part of the land of Englond and of Irland that he had withholde sith that kyng Richard deide ¶When kyng Iohan herde this he was wonder wrothe / for utterlich the enterditing myght nat bene vndo­ne till that he had made gree and restitucion to the forsaid Iulia­ne of that she axed The legat went tho ayene to he Pope after Cristemasse / and the kyng sent tho messagiers ouer see to Iuliane that was kyng Richardes wife for to haue a relese of that she axed of hym ¶ And so it befell that Iuliane deide anone after Estre / And in so moch the kyng was quyte of thyng that she axed ¶But tho at the fest of Seint Iohan that come next after thurgh the Popes commaudement the enterditing was first relesed thurgh all englond the vij. day of Inyll / And vij. yere was the land enterdited / and in the morwe men ronge and said massis thurgh oute london and [Page] so after thurgh oute all englond ¶And the next yere after ther [...]egā a grete debate bitwene kyng Iohan & the lordes of englond / for encheson that he wolde not graunte the lawes & hold the which seint Edward had ordeyned / & had bene vsed & hold vn to that tyme that he had hem broken / for he wold no lawe holde / but did all thing that him liked / & disherited many men withoute consent of lordes & perys of the land / and he wold disherite the good Erle Randulfe of Chestre for encheson that he vndertoke hym of his wikkednesse / and for cause that he did so moche shame & vilany to god & to holy churche / and also for he helde & haunted his owne brothers wife / & lay also by many othir women grete lordes doughtres / for he spared no wo­man that him liked for to haue / wherfor all the lordes of the land were with him wonder wroth and went to london and toke the cite ¶And for to cese this debate & sorwe the kyng & the Erchebisshopp and othir grete lordes of the land of englond assembled hem before the fest of seint Iohā baptist in a medewe besides the toun of Stanes that is called Romnemede / And the kyng made hem ther a chartre of fraūchises soche as they wold axē & in soche maner they were accorded and that accordement last nat f [...]ll longe / for the kyng him selfe sone after did ayens the poyntes of the same chartre that he had made wherfor the most partie of the land of lordes assembled hem & begon to we [...]re vpon kyng Iohan / and brend his tounes & robbed his folke and did all the sorwe that they myght / and made hem as stronge as they myght with all hir power & thought to driue hym oute of englond / and make lowys the kynges sone of frauuce kyng of englond ¶ And kyng Iohan sent tho ouer see & ordeyned so moche peple of Normans and of Picardes and of Flemmynges So that the land myght not hem susteyne but with moche sorwe / And amonge all these peple ther was a man of No [...]mādie that was called Faukes of brent and this Normand & his companie [...] thir church ne house of religion that they ne brend and [...] it [...] bare a way all that they myght take / so that the land [...] all de­stroied what in o side aud that othir ¶The barons & lordes of Englond ordeyned amonge hem the best spekers and wisest men / & sent hem ouer see to kyng Philipp of fraūce and praied hym that be wolde sende lowys his sone in to englond to bene kyng of englond and to vnderfenge the croune

¶How [...]owys the kynges sone of fraunce come in to englond with a stronge power of peple to be kyng of englond Capitulo C [...]ntesimo quinquagesimoquarto

[Page]WHen kyng Philipp of fraunce herde this tydyng he made certeyn aliaunce bitwene hem by her cōmune election that lowys kyng Philippes sone of fraunce shold go with hem in to Englond and driue oute kyng Iohan of the lande & all that were in presence of Lowys made vn to hym homage & bicome his men And the barons of Englond helde hem still at london & abidē Lowys the kynges sone of fraunce & this was the next saturday before the Ascencion of our lord that Lowys come in to Englond with a strong poer & that tyme kyng [...]ohan had taken all the castelles of Englond in to Aliens hondes And lowys come tho & bese­ged at rouchestre the castell & toke it with strength & the thursday in whitsonweke let honge all the Aliens that were theryn & the thursday tho next sueng he come to london & ther he was vnderfonge with mochel honour of the lordes that abyden hym ther & all to hym ma­de homage And afterward in the tewysday next after the trinite sonday he toke the castell of Reigate & in the morwe after the castell of Gilford & the friday next after the castell of Farneham and the monday next after the cite of wynchestre to hym was yolde & in the morwe after seint [...]ohanes day the Maner of woluesey & the tewisday aft the Vt [...]s of seint petre & seint paule they toke y ^• castell of Odiham And the monday next after seint Magarete day he ordey­ned hym toward beaumer for to besege the castell & ther he duelled xv. daies & myght not gete the castell & then went he thens & come to london & the Tour to hym was yolde

¶ And in the same tyme the Pope sent in to englond a legat that was called Swalo & of kyng [...]ohanes deth. Ca.C.lv.

ANd in the same tyme the Pope sent in to Englond a legat that was called Swalo & he was [...] Cardinal of Ro­ [...]ne for to maynten kyng [...]ohanes cause ayens the barōs of Englond but the barons had so huge part & helpe thurgh Lowys the kynges sone of fraunce that kyng Iohan wyst not whidder for to turne ne gone And so it fell that he wold haue gone to Ni­chol & as he went thidderward he come by the Abbey of swyneshe­de & ther he abode ij. daies And as he sate at the mete he axed amōk of the house how moche a lofe was worth that was sette before hym vpon the table And the monke said that the lofe was worth but an halfpeny. O quod the kyng tho here is grete chepe of brede Nowe quoth the kyng And I may leue such a lofe shall be [Page] worth xx. shilling or halfe a yere begon / and when he had seid this worde moch he thought & ofte he sighed & toke & ete of the brede and said by god the worde that I haue spoken it shall bene soth / The mō ke that stode before the kyng was for this worde full sory in hert / & thought rather he wolde him selfe suffre pitouse deth / and thought if he myght ordeyne ther for some maner remedie / And anone the monke went to his abbot and was shriuen of hym / & tolde the abbot alle that the kyng said / and praied his abbot for to assoille hym / for he wolde yeue the kyng such a wassaille that all englond shold be glad ther of and [...]oyfull / Tho went the monke in to a gardeyne & fonde a grete tode therin and toke hir vp & put hir in a cuppe and prikked the tode thurgh with a broche many tymes till that the venyme com̄ oute in euery side in to the cuppe / and tho toke he the cuppe and fylled it with good ale & brought it before [...] kyng and kne [...]yng said / sir qd he wassaille / for neuer daies of your lyfe ne dronke ye of such a cuppe / Begynne monke qd the kyng / and the monke drank a grete draught and toke the kyng the cuppe / and the kyng also dranke a grete draught & sette doune the cupp [...] ¶The monke anone right wēt in to the fermorie & ther died anone on whos soule god haue mercy Amen / and v. monkes s [...]ng for his soule specially & shullen whi­les the abbey stant ¶The kyng aroos vp anone full euell at ese / & commaunded to remeue the table and axed after the monke / & men told hym that he was dede for his wombe was [...] in sunder

When the kyng herd this he commaunded to [...] but alle it was for nought / for his bely began so to swelle for the drinke that he drā ke that he died withynne ij. daies the morw [...] after seint lukrs day And this kyng [...]ohan had fair children of his body begoten / that is to say Henry his sone that was kyng after his fadre / & Richard that was Erle of Cornewaille and Isabell that was Emꝑesse of Rome and E [...]eno [...] was Quene of scotland ¶ And this kyng Iohan whan he had regned xvij. yere [...]. mōthes and v. daies he deide in the Castell of Newerke & his body was buried at wyn­chestre

¶Of ky [...]g Henry the thridde that was crouned at Gloucestre / Capitulo C [...]ntesimo quinquag [...]simosexto

ANd after this kyng Iohan regned Henry his soue and was crouned at Gloucest [...] whan he was ix. yere olde on Seint Symondes day and Iude of Swalo the legat of Rome thurgh counceille of alle the g [...]ete lordes that helde with [Page] kyng Iohan his fadre that is to seyne the Erle Raudolfe of Che­stre william Erle Marchall william Erle of Penbroke william the Brener Erle of Feriers Serle the Maule baron and all othir grete lordes of Englond helde with lowys the kynges sone of fraū ­ce And anone after when kyng Henry was c [...]ouned Swalo the legat helde his counceill eat Bristo we at seint Martynes fest and ther were xj. bisshoppes of Englond and of walys and of othir prelates of holy chyrche a grete nombre and Erles and Barons and many knyghtes of Englond and all tho that were at that cō ceill swore feaut [...] vn to Henry the kyng that was kyng [...]ohanes so ne And anone after the legate enterdited walys for encheson that they helde with the barons of englond also all tho that holpen or yafe coūceill to meve werre ayene the newe kyng Henry he acursed hem and in the begynnyng he put in the sentence the kynges sone of fraunce lowys. And nothelees the same lowys wolde nat spare for to werre for all that but went anone and toke the castell of Berkamsted and eke the castell of Herford ¶And from that day afterward the barons did so moche harme thurgh oute all Englond and principally the frnshmen that were come wyth kyng lowys wherfore the grete lordes and all the cōmune peple of Englond let hem croice for to driue lowys and his companye oute of Englond But somme of the barons and eke of the frensh men were gone to the Cite of Nichole & token the Cite and helde it to kyng lowys profit But thidder come kyng Henries men with a grete power that is to seyn the Erle Raudolfe of Chestre and william Erle Marchall and william the Brener Erle of Fe­riers and many othir lordes with hem and yeuen bat [...]ille vn to Lowys men And ther was slayne the Erle of Perches and Lo­wys men were there foule discomfited And ther was take Serle Erle of wynchestre and Humfrey de Bowne Erle of Herford and Robert the sone of walter and many othir that begonne werre ayens the kyng they were taken and lad vn to kyng Henry kyng Iohanes sone ¶Whenne the tydyng of this scomfiture come vn to Lowys the kynges sone of fraunce he remeued thennes and went vn to london & let shit the yates fast of the Cite And anone after the kyng sent to the burgeis of london that they shold yeld hem vn to hym and the Cite also And he wolde hem graunte all the fraunchises that euer they were woned for to ha­ue and wolde conferme hem by his grete newe chartre vnder his grete seal And in the same tyme a grete lord that was called [Page] Eustace the monke come oute of fraunce with a grete companie of lordes & wolde haue come in to englond for to haue holpe lowys the kynges sone of fraūce / but hubert of borugh and the v. portes with v ij. shippes tho mette with hem in the high see & assailled hē egrely & ouer come hem with strength / & smyten of Eustace the monkes [...]eed & token also x. grete lordes of fraunce / & put hem in to prison / & queld almost all the men that come with hem & anone drenched the shippes in the see

¶How lowys turned ayene in to fraunce & of the confirmacion of kyng Iohanes chartre Ca.C.lvij

WHen lowys herde this tydynge he drad sore to be dede & loste and let ordeyne & speke bitwene the kyng & lowys by the [...]egat Swalo / & thurgh the Erchebisshopp of Caunterbu [...]ty & thurgh othir grete lordes that all the prisoners on that one halfe & on that othir shuld be deliuered & gone quyte / & lowys him selfe shold haue for his costages a M. pounde of siluer / and shold gone oute of englond & come neuer therin ayene / & in this maner was the accord made bitwene kyng henry & lowys / and tho was lowys assoilled of the popes [...]egat thas was called Swalo of scente [...]e that he was in & the barons of englond also / And after this kyng Henry and Swalo the legat and lowys went vn to Merton / & ther was the pees confermed and bitwene hem ordeyned And afterward Lowys went fro thens vn to london & toke his leue / and was brouȝt with mo [...]hel honour at the see with the Erchebisshopp of Caunter [...]bury / and with othir bisshoppes / and also with Erles and baronz and so went lowys in to fraunc [...] ¶ And afterward the kyng and the Erchebisshopp and erles & Barons assembled hem at london at mihelmasse that next come tho sewyng and helde ther a parlement & ther were tho renewed all the frannchises that kyng Iohan graunted had at Romnemede and kyng Henry tho cōfermed by his ch [...]rtre the which yit bene hold thurgh oute all englond And in that tyme the kyng toke of euery plough lande ij. shilling And hubert of burgh was made tho chief Iustice of englond And this was y ^• iiij yere of kyng henries regne / And in the same yere was seint Tho­mas of Caunterbury translated the .l. yere after his martirdome ¶ And after it was ordeyned by all the lordes of englond that all aliens sholde gone oute of englond and come no more therin and kyng Henry toke tho alle the Castelles in to his honde that kyng [Page] Iohan his fadre had yeue and taken vn to aliens for to kepe that helde with hym But the proude faukes of Brent richely let aray his Castell of Bedford whiche he had of the kynges yift Iohan and he helde that castell ayens kyng henries wylle with myght & strength ¶ And the kyng come thidder with a stronge poer & beseged the castell And the Erchebisshopp mastir stephen of langeton with a faire companie of knyghtes come to the kyng him for to helpe & from the ascencion vn to the assumpcion of our lady last the sege And tho was the castell wonne & take & the kyng let honge all tho that were went in to the castell with hir good wylle for to hold the castell that is for to seyne lxxx. men ¶ And tho afterward [...]aukes hym selfe was founde in a chyrche of Couentre And ther he forswore all Englond with moche shame and went tho ayene in to his own̄ contre ¶And whiles that kynge Henry regned Edmōd of Abyngdon that was tresorere of Salusbury was consacred Erchebisshopp of Canterbury And this kyng Henry sent ouer the see vn to the Erle of Prouynce that he sholde send hym his dought in to englond that was called Elienore & he wolde wedde her and so she came in to Englond after Cristemasse & in the morwe after seint Hillarie the Erchebisshopp Edmond spoused hem to gedre at Caunterbury And at the viij. of seint Hillarie she was crouned at westmynster with moche solēpnite And ther was a swete sight bitwene hem that is to seyne Edward that was next kyng after his fadre flour of [...] courtesy & of largesse & Margarete that was after quene of Scotlād & beatrice that was afterward Countesse of Britaigne and katerine that died maid in religion.

¶Of the quinzeme of godes that were graunted for the new chartres and of the purveaunce of Oxūford ¶Ca.C.lviij

ANd thus it befell that the lordes of Englond wolde haue somme addicions mo in the chartre of fraunchises y ^• they had of the kyng & speken thus bitwene hem & the kyng graunted hem all her axyng & made to hem ij. chartres that one ys called the grete chartre of fraunchises & that othir is called the chartre of forest & for the graunte of these ij. chartres Prelates Erles & barons & all the cōmunes of ēglond yaf to the kyng a M. marc of siluer when kyng Henry had bene kyng xliij. yere the same yere he and his lordes Erles and barons of the Rayme went to Oxū ­ford and ordeyned a lawe in amendement of the Royame And fyrst swore the kyng hym selfe and after alle the lordes of the [Page] Reame that they wolde hold that statute for euer more And who that hem brake shold be dede But the seconde yere after that ordinaū ce / the kyng thurgh counceill of Sir Edward his sone and of Richard his brother that was Erle of Cornewaille and also of othir repented hym of that othe that he had made for to hold that lawe & ordinaunce / and sent to the court of Rome to [...]ene assoilled of that othe / And in that yere next comyng after was the grete derth of [...]orne in englond / for a quartier of whete was worth xxiiij. shillinges and the poure peple ete neteles and othir wedes for hunger / & deide many a thousand for defaute of mete ¶ And in the xlviij. yere of kyng Henries regne began werre and debate bitwene hym and hi [...] lordes for encheson that he had broke the couenanutz that were made bitwene hem at Oxenford / ¶ And in the same yere was the toune of Northampton take and the folke slayne that were with ynne for ēcheson that they had ordeyned wyldefire for to haue brēd the Cite of london ¶ And in the moneth of May that come next after vpon seint Pancras day was the bataille of [...]ewes that is to seyne the wedenesday before seint Dunstones day and ther was take kyng Henry hym selfe and Sir Edward his sone and Ri­chard his brother Erle of Cornewaille and many othir lordes /

And in the same yere next sewyng / Sir Edward the kynges sone brake oute of the warde of Sir Symond of Mountfort erle of [...]ey c [...]stre at he reford and went to the barons of the marche and they vnderfenge hym with moc [...]el honour ¶ And in the same tyme Gillebert of Clarence Erle of Gloucestre that was in the ward also of the forsaid Symond thurgh the commaundement of kyng Henry that wente from hym with grete hert / for encheson that he said that the forsaid Gillebert was a foole iij his counceill / wherfor he ordeyned hym afterd so and [...]lde hym with kyng Henry

¶ And the Satirday next after the myddes of August / Sir Edward the kynges sone discomfited Sir Symond de Mountfort at kemlworth But the grete lordes that were ther with hym were taken that is to seyne Baldewyne wake / william of Moun­chensie and many othir grete lordes / And the tewysday next after was the bataille done at Euesham / And ther was quelled Sir Symond de Mountfort / Hugh the Spencer / and Mountforth that was Rafe Bassettz fadre of Draiton and othir many grete lor­des And whan this bataille was done all the gentilles that had bene with the Erle Symond were disherited / and they ordeyned to geder and did moche harme to alle the lande for they destroied [Page] hir ennemies in all that they myght.

¶Of the siege of kēlworth & how the gentilmen were disherited thurgh counceill of the lordes of the Reame of englond & how they come ayene and had hir landes Ca.C.lix.

ANd in the yere next comyng in May the forth day beforne the fest of seint dunstan was y ^• bataille and scōfiture at Chesterfelde of hem that were disherited and ther many of hem were quelled And Robert Erle of Feriers ther was takē and also Bawdewyne wake and Iohan da la hay with mochel sorwe ascaped thens And in seint [...]ohanes eue the baptist tho next sewyng began the siege of the castell of kemlworth & the siege last till seint Thomas eue the appostell in which day Sir hugh hasting had the castell for to kepe that yeldid vp the castell vn to the kyng in this maner that him self & all the othirthat were withyn the castell shold haue hir lyfe & lymme & as moche thyng as they had theryn both hors & harneis & iiij. daies of respite for to deliuer clenly the castell of hem self & of all othir maner thyng that they had withyn the castell & so they went from de castell And sir Simond the mountefort the yonger & the Countesse his moder were fledde ouer see in to Fraunce & ther helde hem as peple that were exiled oute of Englond for euermore And sone after it was ordeyned by the legat Octobone & by othir grete lordes the wysest of En­glond that all tho that had bene ayenst the kyng & were disherited sholde haue ayene hir landes by grevous Raunsone after that it was ordeyned & thus they were accorded with the kyng Tho was pees cried thurgh oute all Englond & thus the werre was ended And when this was done the [...]egat toke his leue of the kyng and of the quene & of all the grete lordes of Engl [...]nd & went tho to ro­me the lv. yere of kyng Henries regne And Edward kyng Io­hanes sone of Britaigne Iohan vessy Thomas of Clare Ro [...]ier of Clifford Othes of Grauntson Robert be Brus Iohan of ver­don and many othir lordes of Englond aud of byyonde the see to­ken hir way toward the holy land and the kyng Henry died in the mene tyme at westmynster when he had bene kyng lv. yere and xix wokes in seint Edmondes day the Erchebisshopp of Canterbury & he was entered atte westmynster on seint Edmondes day the kyng In the yere of [...]ncarnacion of our lord [...]hū crist M.CC.lxxij

¶Profecie of Merlyn of the kyng henry y ^• fyrst [...]pouned y ^• was [Page] kyng [...]ohanes sone ¶Ca.C.lx.

ANd of this Henry profecied Merlyn & said that a lo [...]be shold come oute of wynchestre in the yere of Incarnacion of our lord M.CC. and xvj. with trewe lippes & holynes se writen in his hert and he said soth for the good Henry the kyng was bore in wynchestre in the yere aboue said & he spake good wordes and swete and was an holy man and of good consciēce And Merlyn said that this Henry shold make the fairest place of all the world that in his tyme shold not be full ended and he said fothe for he made the newe werke of the abbey of seint Petres chyrch at westmynster that is fairer of s [...]ght than any othir chyrche y ^• men k [...]owe thurgh all cristendome but kyng Henry died er y ^• werke were fully made and that was grete harme ¶ And yit said Merlyn that this lambe shold haue pees the most tyme of his regne & he said full soth for he was neuer annoied thurgh werre ne disesed in no maner wise till a titell before his deth And yit said Merlin in his ꝓphecie more and in the regne and ende of the forsaid lambe a wolf of a strange lond shold done him grete harm̄ thurgh his werre And that he shold at the last bene mastir thurgh helpe of a reed fox that shold come oute of the northwest and shold hym ouercome And that he shold driue hym vn to the water and that profecie full well was knowe for withynne a litell tyme or the kyng died Simond of Mounteford Erle of Leicestre that was borne in fraunce began ayens hym strong werre thurgh whiche doyng many a good bachilere was shent and dede and disheated

¶ And when kyng Henry had the victorie at Euesham and Simond the Erle was slayne thurgh helpe and myght of Gillebert of Clare Erle of Glouchestre that was in kepyng and ward of the forsaid Simoude thurgh ordinaunce of kyng Henry that wēt ayene to the kyng with mochel power. ¶Wherfore the forsaid Simond was shent and that was grete harme to the communes of Englond that so good a man was shent for trouth and died in charite and for the commune profite of the same folk and ther for Almyghty god for hym hath Sithenes shewed many a faire miracle to diuerse men and women of the sikenesse and dissese that they haue had for the loue of hym

¶ And Merlyn also told and said in his profecie that after that tyme the lambe shold loue no whylle [...] than his seed shold bene in strange lande withoute Pasture ¶ And he said sothe for kyng Henry leued no while after when Simond mountfort [Page] was dede that kyng Henry ne deide anone after hym / And in the mene tyme Sir Edward his sone that was the best knyght of the world of honour was tho in the holy lande & gete there Acres / And in that contre he begate on dame Alienore his wife [...]ohan of Acres his donghter that afterward was Countesse of Gloucestre / And he made in the holy land such a viage that alle the world spake of his knyghthode / and euery man dead hym high & lowe thurghoute all cristendome / as the storie of him telleth as afterward ye shull he­re more openly / And from the tyme that kyng Henry deide / till that sir Edward was crouned kyng / all the grete lordes of englond were as fadr [...]les children withoute any socour that him myght maynten and gouerne and defende ayens hir dedely enemies

¶Of kyng Edward that was kyng henries sone Ca.C.lxj

ANd after this kyng Henry regned his sone Edward the worthiest knyght of all the world of honour / for goddes grace was in him / for he had the victorie of his enemies

¶And assone as kyng henry deide he come to london with a faire companie of prelatz and of Erles and barons & all maner men did hym moche honour / For in euery place that Sir Edward rode in london the stretes were couered ouer his hede with riche clothes of silke of tapites & with riche coueringe ¶And for [...]oye of his comyng the noble burgeis of the Cite cast oute at hir wyndowes golde and siluer hondes full in tokenyng of loue and of wurshipp sernyses & reuerence ¶And oute of the conduit of chepe ran white wyne and re [...]e as stremes doth of the water and euery man ther of myght drinke at hir owne wille ¶ And this kyng Edward was crouned & annoynted as right heire of Englond with moc [...]el honour And after masse the kyng wente in to his paleis for to holde a rialle feste amonges hem that hym did honour / And when he was fette vn to his m [...]te / the kyng Alisaundre of Scotland come for to done hym honour and reuerence with a queyntize and an houndred knyghtes with hym well horsed and draied / And whan they were light a doune of hir stedes they [...] hem gone whidder that they wolde and who that myght take hem toke at hir owne wylle withoute any chalenge ¶ And afterward come Sir Edmond kyng Edwardes brother a curteis knyght and a gentill of renonne / and the Erle of Cornewaille and the Erle of Gloucestre And after hem come the Erle of Penbroke / and the Erle of Garenne / And [Page] eche of hem by hem self lad in hir honde an hundred knyghtes gayly disgised in hir armes ¶ And when they were light of hir hors they let hem goū whidder that hem liked and who that myght hem take to haue hem stille withoute any lette And when all this waz don [...] ¶ Kyng Edward did his diligence & his myght for to amēd the reame & redresse the wronges in the best maner that he myght to the honour of god & holy chyrche & to maynten his honour and to amende the noyaunce of the cōmune peple

¶How ydeyne y ^• was lewelynes dought of walys [...]nce & aymer y ^t was y ^• erles brother of moūtfort were takē in the see Ca.C.lxij

THe fyrst yere afterward that kyng Edward was crou­ned Lewelyne prince of walys sent in to fraunce to the Erle Mountfort that thurgh counceill of his frendes the Erle shold wedde his doughter and the Erle tho avised hym vpon this thyng & sent ayene to Lewelyne & said that he wold sende after his doughter And so he sent Aymer his brother after the damisell and Lewelyne arraied shippes for his doughter and for Sir Aymer and for hir faire companie that shold goo with hir

¶And this Lewelyn did grete wronge for it was couenāt that he shold yeue his doughter to no maner man withoute counceill & consent of kyng Edward ¶And so it fell that a burgeis of Bristowe come in the see with wyne lade and met hem and hem toke with myght and power & anone the burgeis sent hem to the kyng ¶ And when lewelyn herde this tydynge he was wonder wroth and eke sorwefull and gan for to werre vpon kyng Edward & did moche harme vn to the Englishmen & bete a doune the kynges castelles & began fast to destroie kyng Edwardes londes ¶ And when tydyng come vn to kyng Edward of this thyng he went in to walys And so moche he did thurgh goddes grace and his grete poer that he drofe lewelyn vn to moche meschief that he fled all maner strength and come and yelde hym to kyng Edward and yaf hym .l.M. marc of siluer far to haue pees and toke the damisell and all his heritage and made an obligacion to kyng Edward to come to his parlement ij. tymes of the yere ¶ And in the seconde yere after that kyng Edward was crouned he helde a generall parle­ment at westmynster and ther he made the statutes for defaute of lawe by commue assent of all his baronage And at Estren next sewynge the kyng sent by his lr̄ez to Lewelyn Prince of wales that he shold come to parlement for his lande and for his holding in wales as the strength of the letter obligatorie witnessed

[Page]¶Tho Lowelyne had scorne & despite of the kynges cōmaundemēt and for pure wrath began ayene for to werre vpon king Edward and destroie his landes ¶ And tho kyug Edward herde this tydinge he wax wonder wroth vn to lewelyn & in hast assembled his peple and went hym toward walys & werred so vpon Lewelyn the prince till that he brought him in moche sorwe & disese ¶ And Le­welyn saw that his defence myȝt not auaille and come ayene & yel­de hym to the kynges grace / and cried hym mercy and longe tyme kneled before the kynges fete ¶The kyng had of hym pite & com­maunded hym for to arise / and for his mekenesse foryafe hym his wrath and to hym said / that it he trespaced ayene him an othir ty­me that he wolde destroie him for euermore / Dauid that was lewe­lynes brother that same tyme duelled with the kyng Edward & was a fell man and a sotill and enuious & ferre castyng and moche treson thought / and euermore helde hym stille for to wyt and aspie the kynges wylle / and euermore made good semblant / and semed so trewe that no man myght ꝑceyue his falsenesse

¶How Lewelyne thurgh eggynge of dauid his brother werred ayene vpon kyng Edward Ca.C.lx ij.

HIt was not longe after that tyme that kyug Edward ne yafe to Dauid lewelynes brother the lordshipp of frodeshā and made hym a knyght / & so mochel honour did he neuer after to no man of walys for encheson of hym / Kyng Edw [...]rd helde his parlement at london when he had done in walys alle that he wolde & chaunged his money that tho was full cutte and rounded wherfor the cōmune peple pleyned hem wonder sore / so that y ^• kyng let enquere of hem that suche trespaces diden and ccc. were at [...]int of such maner falsenesse wherfor somme were honged and somme dra­we and afterward honged ¶Aud afterward the kyng ordeyned that the sterling halpeny & ferthing shold gone thurgh out his lād and cōmaunded that no man fro that day afterward yaf ne [...]effed hous of religion with lande [...]ement with oute speciall leue of the kyng / and he that did sholde be punysshed at the kynges wylle / & the yift shold be for nought / And it was not longe after that lewelyn Prince of walis thurgh ticement of Dauid his brother a [...]d by bo­the hir consence they thought to disherite kyng Edward in as mo­che as they myȝt so that thurgh hem bothe the kynges pees was broken / And whan kyng Edward herde this / anone he sente his barōs [Page] in to northumberland and the sur [...]eis also that they shold gone & take hir viage vpon the traitours Lewelyn and Dauid And wō der hard was for to werre tho for it is wynter in walis when in othir cōtrees is somer ¶And Lewelyne let ordeyne & well arrai [...] & vitaille his good castell of Swandon & was theryn an huge nō bre of peple & plente of vitailles so that kyng Edward wyst not wher for to entre ¶And when the kynges me it ꝑceyued & also the strength of wales they let come in the see barges & botes and grete plankes as many as they myȝt ordeyne & haue for to gone to the forsaid castell of Swandone with men on fote and eke on hors ¶But the walshmen had so moche peple & were so stronge that they driuen he englishmen ayene so that ther was so moche prese of peple at the turnyng ayene that the charge & the berthen of hē ma­de the barges and botes sinke And ther was drenched full many a good knyght that is to seyne Sir Rogier of Clifford Sir williā of lyndesey that was sir Iohanes sone fitz Robert & sir Richard Tanny and an huge nombre of othir & all was thurgh hir owne folie for yf they had had good espies they had not bene harmed

¶When kyng Edward herd t [...]lle that his peple was so drenched he made sorwey nowe But tho come sir Iohan of vessye from the kyng of aragon & brougth with hym moch folk of bachilers and of Gascoynes & were sowdiours and duellyng with the forsaid sir Iohan of vessye & vnderfonge of hym wages & with hym were witholde & noble men it were for to fight & brent many tounes & queld moche peple of walshmen all that they myght take.

¶ And all tho with strength and myght made assaute to the Castell of Swandon and gete the castell And when Dauid the princes brother herd this tydyng he ordeyned hym to fligh [...] ¶And Lewelyn the prince saw that his brother was flowen and sore was abasshed For he had no power to his werre for to maynten ¶And so Lewelyn gan for to flee and wend well for to haue ascaped.

But an o morwe sir Rogier Mortiemer met with hym only with x. knyghtes and set hym rounde aboute and to hym went & smote of his hede and presented hym vn to the kyng Edward And in this maner the prince of walys was taken and his hede smyten of and all his heires disherited for euermore thurgh rightfull dome of all the landes of the reame

¶How Dauid that was Lewelynes brother prince of walys was put to the deth Ca.C lxiiij.

[Page]DAuid that was the Princes brother of walys thurgh pride wente for to haue bene Prince of walys / after his bro­thers deth And vpon that sent he after walsshmen to his ꝑlement at dinbigh and follilich made walys arise [...]yens the kyng and began to meue werre ayens the kyng / and did all the sorwe & disese that he myght by his power When kyng Edward herd of this thynge he ordeyned men to pursue vpon hym / And Dauid ferselich him defēded till that he come to the toun of seint morice / & ther was Dauid take as he fledde and led to the kyng And the kyng commaunded that he shold be honged and drawe and smyte of his hede and quarter hym and sende his hede to london and the iiij. quartiers sende to the iiij. tounes chief of walys / for they sholde ta­ke example aud ther of bene ware ¶ And afterward kyng Edward let crie his pees thurghoute all walys and seised all the land in to his hande / and all the grete lordes that were left a lyue come to done feaute and homage to the kyng Edward / as to hir kynde lord ¶And tho let kyng Edward amende the lawez of walys that were defectife ¶ And after he sent to alle the lordes of walys by his lr̄e patent / that they shold come all to his parlement And whan they were come the kyng said to hem full curteisely / Lordynges ye be well come / and me behoueth your counceill and your helpe for to wende in to Gascoyne for to amende the trespaces that me was done whan I was ther And for to entrete of [...]ees bitwene the kyng of Aragon and the Prince of Morrey

¶ And alle the kynges liege men Erles and Barons consented and gr [...]unted ther to

¶ And tho made hym kyng Edward redy and went in to Ga­scoyne and let amende alle the trespaces that hym was done in Gascoyne And of the debate that was bitwene the kyng of Aragon and the prince of Morrey he cesed and made hem accorded

¶ And while the good kyng Edward and the Quene Elieno­re his wife were in Gascoyne / the good Erle of Cornewaille was made wardeyne of Englond till that kyng Edward come ayene

¶ And tho enquered he of his traitours that congetted falfe­nesse ayens hym / and eche of hem alle vnderfenge her dome after that they had deserued ¶But in the mene tyme while that the good kyng Edward was beyonde the see to done hem for to make amendes that ayens hym had trespaced ther was a fals the [...]e a traitour that was called Rys ap Meriedoke beg [...]n for to make werre ayens kyng kyng Edward and that was for [Page] encheson of Sir Payne Tiptot wrongfully greved & disesed y ^• for said Ris ap Meriedo [...] ¶ And when kyng Edward herd all this he sent by his lr̄ez to Ris ap Meriedok that he shold begynne for to make no werre but that he shold be in pees for his loue And when that he come ayene in to Englond he wold vndertake the quarell & done amend all that was mysdone ¶The forsaid Ris ap meriedok despised the kynges cōmaūdemēt & spared not for to do all the sorw that he myȝt to the kynges men of englond but anone after he was taken & lad to york & ther he was drawe & honged for his felonye.

¶Of the redressynge that kyng Edward made of his Iustices & of his clerkes that they had done for hir falsenesse & how he drofe the Iewes oute of Englond for her vsery & mysbeleue Capitulo Centesimo lxv.

WHen kyng Edward had duelled iij. yere in gascoyne wylle come to hym for to wende ayene in to Englond and tho he was come ayen he fonde so many plaintes made to him of his Iustices & of his clerkes that had don [...] so many wronges & falsenesse that wonder it was to here ¶And for which falsenesse Sir Thomas weylond the kynges Iustice forswore Englond at the Toure of london for falsenesse that men put vpon hym wherof he was atteint & proued fals ¶ And anone after when the kyng had done his wylle of the Iustices ¶ Tho let he enquere and aspie how the Iewes desceyued & begiled his peple thurgh her sinne of falsenesse & of vserie & let ordeyne a priue parlement amonge his lordes & they ordeyned among hem that all the Iewes shold voide Englond for hir mysbeleue And also for hir fals vserie that they did vn to cristen men And for to spede and to make an ende of this thyng all the cōmunite of Englond yafe vn to the kyng the xv peny of all hir goodes meuable & so were the Iewes driuen oute of Englond ¶ And tho went Iewes in to fraunce and ther duelled thurgh leue of kyng philipp that tho was kyng of fraunce

¶How kyng Edward was seised in all the londe of Scotland thurgh consent & graunt of all the lordes of scotlād Ca.C.lxvj

HIt was not longe after that Alisaunder kyng of Scot­land nas dede And Dauid Erle of Huntyngdone that was the kynges brother of Scotland axed and clay­med the kyngdome of Scotland for encheson that he was right full heir But many grete lordes of Scotland saiden nay wherfor grete debate arose bitwene hem and hir frendes for as moche [Page] that they wolde not consent to his coronacion & in the mene tyme the forsaid dauid deide And so it befell that the sa [...]e dauid had iij dough t [...]es that worthelich were maried / the first doughter was maried to Bailloll / the seconde to Brus / the thridde to Hastinges And the for said Bailloll & Brus chalenged the land of scotland & grete debate & strife aroos bitwene hem iij. for encheson that eche of hem wold haue be kyng / And when the lordes of Scotland saw the debate bi­twene hem iij. they come to kyng Edward of englond & seised hym in all the land of Scotland as hir chief lord / And when the kyng was seised of the lordes of Scotland / the forsaid Bailloll Bru [...] Hastinges come to the kynges court & axed of the kyng whiche of hem shold be kyng of scotland And kyng Edward that was full gentill aud tre [...]e let enquere by the cronicles of Scotland & of the grete lordes of Scotland which of hem was of the eldest blode [...] it was founde that Bailloll was eldest And that the kyng of [...] land shold holde of the kyng of englond & done hym feaute & [...] ¶ And after this was done Bailloll went in to Scotland and ther was crouned kyng of scotland / And the same tyme was vpon the see stronge werre bitwene the englisshmen and the normans / but vpon a tyme the normans arriued all at douer & there they martred an holy man that was called Thomas of douer / And afterward were the normans [...] that ther scaped of hem not one ¶ And so ne after kyng Edward shold lese the duchie of Gascoyne thurgh kyng Phelip of fraunce thurgh fals casting of the dossepiers of the land wherfor sir Edmond that was kyng Edwardes brother ya­fe vp his homage vn to the kyng of fraunce ¶ And in that tyme the clerkes of englond graunted to kyng Edward halfendele of holy churh goodes in helping for to recouer his land ayene in Gasco­igne And the kyng sent thidder a noble companie of his bachillers and hym selfe wolde haue wente to Portesmouth / But he was let thurgh one Maddoke of walys that had seised the Castell of Swā done in to his hand / and for that encheson the kyng turned ayen vn to walys at crist [...]mass [...] ¶And for encheson that the noble lordes of englond that were sent in to Gascoyne had no comfort of hir lord the kyng they were take of sir Charles of fraunce that is to say [...] Iohan of Britaigne / sir Robert Tiptot / sir Rauf Tanny [...]ir [...] Bardolf / & sir Adam of Cretinges / & yit at the ascencion was [...] doke take in walys & an othir that was called morgan / & they we­re sent to the tour of london & there they were beheded

¶How sir Iohan bailloll kyng of scotland withsaid his homage [Page] & of sir Thomas Turbeluille Ca.C.lxvij.

ANd when sir [...]ohan bailloll kyng of scotland vnderstode y ^• that kyng Edward was werred in gascoyne to whom the [...]eame of scotlād was deliuered / falsely tho ayeus his othe withsaid his homage thurgh ꝓcuring of his folke / and sent to the court of Rome thurgh a fals suggestion to be assoilled of that othe that he swore vn to the kyng of englond / & so he was by lr̄ez enbul­led / Tho chosen they of scotland doussepers for to benymme edward his right And in that tyme come ij. card [...]alls frō the court of rome frō the pope Celestine for to trete of acord bitwene the kyng of frallce & the kyng of englond ¶ And as tho ij. Cardinals speken of a cord Thomas Turbel [...]lle was take at [...]ouns & made feaute and homage to the wardeyne of Paris & to him put his ij. sones in hosta­ge / for that he thought gone in to englond for to aspie the contre & telle hem when he come in to englond that he had broken the kynges prison of fraunce by nyȝt & said that he wold done that all englissh men & walshmen shold abowe to the kyng of fraunce / & this thynge for to bringe to the ende he swore / and vpon this couenant dedes were made bitwene hem / and that he shold haue by yere a M. ponndes worth of land to bring this thyng to an ende ¶This fals traitou [...] toke his leue & went thennes & come in to englond vn to the kyng & said y ^• he was broken oute of prison & that he had put him in suche ꝑill for his loue / wherfor the kyng coude him moch thanke and full glad was of his comyng / And the fals thefe traitour fro that day aspied all the doyng of the kyng & also his counseill for the kyng loued hym well & was with hym full priue But a clere of englond that was in the kynges house of fraunce herd of this treson & of the falsenesse & wrote to an othir clerke that was duellyng with the kyng of englond all how Thomas Turbeluille had done his false coniectyng & all the counceill of englond was write for to haue sent vn to the kyng of fraunce / & thurgh the forsaid lr̄e that the clerke had sent fro fraunce hit was founde vpon him wherfor he was lad to london & draw [...]n & honged ther for his treson / And his ij. sones that he had put in fraunce for hostages were tho beheded

¶Of the conquest of Berewyke Ca.C.lxviij

WHen tho two Cardinals were wente anene in to Fraunce for to trete of the pees at Cambrey the kyng sent thidder of his erles & barons / that is to say sir edmōd his brother [Page] Erle of laucastre & of leycestre sir henry lacy Erle of Nichol & [...] liain vessy a baron & of othir baronettz aboute xiiij. of the best and wysest of Englond And in the same tyme the kyng Edward toke his viage to Scotland for to werre vpon Iohan Bailloll kyng of Scotland ¶And sir Robert Roos of Berewyk fled fro the englishmen & went to the scottes Aud kyng Edward went hym to­ward Berewyk & beseged the toune And tho that were withyn manlich hem defended & sette a fire & brende ij. of kyng Edward is shippes and said in despite and reproue of hym ¶Wende kyng edward with his longe shankes To haue gete Berewyk all our vnt hankes Gas pikes hym And when he has don Gas dikes hym

[...] When kyng Edward herde this scorne anone thurgh his mygh tynesse he passed ouer the dikes assailled the toune and come to the yatys and gate and conquered the toune and thurgh his graci­ous power queld xxv. thousand and vij.C. Scottes And kyng Edward lost no man of renonne saue sir Richard of Cornewaille and hym quelled a flemmyng oute of the rede hall with a qua­rell as the forsaid Richard did of his helme and commaunded hem for to yelde hem and put hem to the kynges grace and the scottes [...]olde not wherfor that halle was brent and cast a doune and all tho that were withyn were brent And kyng Edward lost no mo men at that viage of simple estate but xxviij. Englishmen

And the wardeyne of the Castell yafe vp the keyes withoute any assaute And ther was taken william douglas and Sir Simond feisell and the Erle Patrike yeld hem to the pe [...]s but Ingham of Huuisremlle and Robert the Brus that were with the kyng Edward forsoke kyng Edward and helde with the Scottes and afterward they were take and put in to prison and af­terward the kyng foryaf hem hir trespace and deliuered hem out of prison ¶ And tho let kyng Edward close in Berewyk with wallys and with dyches. And afterward Robert Rous went to Tyndale and sette wuyebrugge a fire and Exham and Lamerstoke and queld and robbed the folk of the contre And afterward he went fro thennes vn to Dumbarre And the fyrst wedenesday of Marche the kyng sent the Erle of Garenne Sir hugh Percy and Sir hugh Spencer with a faire companye for to besege the Castell But one that was called Sir Richard Sy­ward a traitour a fals man ymagyned for to begile the En­g [...]sshmen and sent to the Englisshmen hem for to desceyu [...] And said that he wolde yelde to hem the Castell yf they wolde [Page] graunte hem viij. daies of respite / that he myȝt send & tell to sir Io­han bailloll kyng of scotland / how his men ferde that were with in the Castell & send him word if that he nold rem [...]e the stege of the englisshmen that they wold yelde the Castell to englisshmen ¶The messagier tho come to sir [...]ohan bailloll kyng of scotland ther that he was with his host & his message told hym ¶ And sir [...]ohan toke tho his host & come in the morwe erly toward the castell / ¶ And sir Richard siward saw hym come that was mastir of the counseil & keper of the castell & said vn to the englisshmen O god qd he now I see of folke a fair companie & well appailled I wull go ayen [...] hem & with hem to mete & hem assaill [...] ¶And sir hugh the Spencer saw the falsenesse of him & the treson & said to hym O traitour take & proued your falsenesse shall nat auaile yow / And hugh the spencer cōmaunded anone for to bynde him & in all hast went ayens hir enemies & qneld of the scottes xxij.M. For the scottes had that ty­me no man with hem of honour sauf sir Patrik graham that man­lich faught & longe & at the last he was queld / And tho said the englisshmen in reproue of the Scottes These scaterand scottes hold I for sottes of wrenches vnwarre / Erly in a mornyng in an euel timyng went ye fro diinbarre

WHen tho that were in the Castell saw the scōfitur [...] they yol­den the castell vn to englisshmen & [...]ounden hir bodies lon­des & Castelles to the kyng Edward / & so they were take ther in the castell iij. Erles and vij. barons & xxviij. knyghtes and xj. clerkes & vij. Picardes & all were presented to kyng Edward and he sent hem to the tour of london to bene kepte there

¶How kyng Edward of his grete grace deliuered ayene the Scottes out of prison that were chiuetayns of the land and they drowe hem to the frensshmen thurgh coūceill of williā waleys Ca.c.lxix

WHen kyng Edward had made tho an ende of the werre & taken the chiuetayns of Scotland / tho come sir Iohan bailloll & yelde hym to kyng Edward & put hym in his [...] / & he was lad to london / and whan kyng edward was come [...] / they were brought before him / & the kyng axed of hē how they wolde make amendes of that trespas & losse that they had done him & they put hē in his mercy / Lordingis qd the kyng I wull not yo­ur landes ne none of your goodes but I wull that ye make to me an othe vpon goddes body to ben trew [...] to me & (neu) neuer after this tyme ayens me bere armes / & all they cōsented to the kynges wyll & swo [...]e [Page] vpon goddes body ¶That is to seyne sir Iohan of Comyn [...] / & the Erle of the strathorne the erle of Carryk and also iiij. bisshoppes vndertoke for all the clergie and so the ky [...]g deliuered hem & ya [...]e hem saufconduit to wende in to hir owne lande And it was not longe afterward that they ne arisen ayene kyng Edward For encheson that they wyst well that kyng Edwardys folk was take in Gascoyne as before is said but sir Iohan Bailloll kyng of scotland wyst well that his land sholde haue forwe & shame for hir falsenesse & in hast went hym ouer the see to his owne landes and ther helde hym & come neuer more ayene wherfor the scottes chosen to hir kyng william walei [...]a [...]baud & an harlot comen vp of noȝt & moche harme did to the englishmen ¶ And kyng edward thouȝt how he myght haue deliueraunce of his peple that were taken in gascoyne & in hast went ouer the see in to flaundres for to werre vp on the kyng of fraunce And the erle of flaundres vnderfeng hym with moc [...]el honour & graunted hym all his landes at his owne wyll ¶And when the kyng of fraunce herd telle that the kyng of englond was arrined in flaundres & come with an huge poer him for to destroie he praied him to trews for ij. yere so that english marchantz & also frensh myȝt saufely gone & [...]om̄ in bothe sydes ¶The kyng Edward graunted it so that he must haue his men oute of [...] son that were in Gascoyne & the kyng of fraunce graunted an [...]e & so they were deliuered ¶ And in the same tyme the scottes sent by the bisshopp of seint Andrewes in to frannce to the kyng & to sir Charlys his brother that sir Charlys shold come with his power & they of scotland wold come with hir poer And so they shold gone in to englond that land for to destroie from scotland till that they come to kent And the scottes trust moche vpon the frenshmen but of that thyng they had no maner graūte ¶ And nothelees the scottes begōne to robbe & quelle in northūberlād & did moch harme

¶How william walleis let s [...]ee sir Hugh of Cressyngham & of the bataille of Fonkirke Ca.C.lxx.

WHen this tydyng was come to kyng Edward that williā walleis had ordeyned such a strong poer and that all scotland to hym was attendant aud redy to quelle Englishmen and to destroie the lande he was sore annoied and sent anon̄ [...]y letters to the Erle of Garren and to Sir Henry Percy and to Sir William latomer and to Sir hugh of Cressyngham his tresorer that they shold take poer and wende in to Northumberland & so forth in to Scotland for to kepe the contreis And when [Page] william waleys herde of hir coming he gan for to flee and the Englisshmen him folewed and drofe him till he come to Striue [...]yn / and ther he helde him in the Castell ¶ And the walsshmen eue [...]y day hē escried and manaced / and did all the despite that they my [...]t ¶So that the englisshmen vpon a tyme in a mornyug wente oute from the Castell the mountaunce of x. myle and passed ouer a brugge And william waleis come with a stronge power & drofe hem a bake / for the englisshmen had ayens him tho no myȝt but fled & they y ^• myȝt take the brugge ascaped / but sir hugh the kynges tresorer ther was slayne and many othir also / wherfor was made moche sorwe / Tho had kyng Edward sped all his nedes in Flaundres and was a yene come in to englond / and in haste toke his wey toward Scot­land and come thidder at asc [...]ncion tyde / And all that [...] founde be sette a fire and brend / But the poure peple of Scotland come to him wonder thikke and praied him for goddes loue that [...]e wolde haue on them mercy and pite / wherfor the kyng tho commaun­ded that no man sholde done harme to hem that were yolden to him ne to no man of ordre ne to no [...]ous of religion ne no maner chirch But let aspie all that he myȝt wher that he myght finde any of his enemies / Tho come a spie to the kyng and tolde him [...] the Scottes were assembled for to abyde bataille / and on seint marie Mag­dalen [...] day the kyng come to fonkirke and yafe bataille to the scottes And at that bataille were quelled xxviij. thousand and of Englisshmen but xxviij. and no mo of the whiche was a worthy knyght slayne that was a knyght an hospiteler that was called Frere Brian [...]ay ¶For when william waleys fled from the bataille / that same Frere Brian him pursued forselich and as his hors ran it st [...]rt in to amere of mareys vp to the bely ¶ And william waleis turned tho ayene and there quelled the forsaid Brian / and that was moche harm [...] ¶ And that while kyng Edward wente thurgh Scotland for to enquere if he myght finde a­n [...] of his ennemies And in that land he duelled as longe as him liked / and ther was none enemie that durst him abide ¶ And sone afterward kyng Edward went to southampton for he wol­de not abide in Scotland in winter seson for esement of his peple / And whan he come to london he let amende many mysdedes that were done ayens his pees and his lawe while that he was in Flaundres

Of the last mariage of kyng edward & how he wēt y ^• iij. tyme in [...] Ca.C.lxxj

[Page]ANd aftward it was ordeyned thurgh the court of Rome that kyng Edward sholde wedde dame margarete kyng Philippes [...]uster of fraunce and the [...]rhebisshopp Robert of wynchelsee spoused hem to gedre thurgh which mariage there waz made pees bitwene kyng Edward of Englond & kyng philipp of fraūce ¶Kyng Edward went tho the iij tyme in to Scotland and tho withyn the fyrst yere he had enfamined the londe so that ther left not on that ne come to his mercy sauf tho that were in the castell of Estreuelyne that was well vitailled & astored for vij. yere

¶How the castell of Estreuelyne was beseged ¶Ca.C.lxxij

HYng Edward come with an huge power to the Castell of Estreuelyn & beseged the castell but it litell a vailled for he myȝt do the scottes none harme For the castell was so stronge & wel y kept ¶ And kyng Edward saw that & thought hym vpon a queyntize & let make anone there ij. pe [...]re of high gale wes before the tour of the castell & made his othe that as many as were in y ^e castell were he erle or baron & he were take with strēgth but yf he wold the rather hym yelde he sholde bene honged vpon the gale we [...] ¶ And when tho that were in the castell herd this they come and yelde hem all to the kynges grace and mercy And the kyng foryafe hem all his maletalent And ther were all the grete lordes of Scotland swore to kyng Edward that they shold come to london to euery parlement & shold stonde to his ordinaunce

¶How troylebastonne was fyrst ordeyned Ca.C.lxxiij

THe kyng Edward went thens to london and went haue had reste & pees of his werre with which werre he was acupied xx. yere that is to seyne in wa [...]ys in gascoyne & in Scotland And thought how he myght recouer his tresour that he had spended aboute his werre & let enquere thurgh the reame of all mystakynges and wronges done thurgh mysdoers in englond of all the tyme that he had bene oute of his reame that men called Troillebaston And ordeyned ther to Iustices & in this maner he recouered tresour withoute nombre. And his encheson was for he had thought for to haue gon in to holy land for to werre vpon goddes enemies For encheson that he was croised longe tyme be­fore And nothelees that lawe that he had ordeyned ded moche good thurgh all Englond to hem that were mysbode For tho that trespaced were well chastized and afterward the meker [Page] and the better / & the poure cōmunes were in rest & in pees / And the same tyme kyng Edward enprisoned his owne sone Edward for encheson that walter of langeton bisshopp of Chestre that was the kynges tresorer had made vpon hym complaint / & said that the for said Edward thurgh coūceill & ꝓcurement of one piers of Gana­stone a squyer of Gascoyne had broke the parkes of the forsaid bis­shopp / & the forsaid piers coūceilled & lad the same edward And for this cause kyng edward exiled his sone out of englond for [...] more

¶Of the deth of william waleis the fals traitour Ca.C.lxxiiij

ANd when this kyng Edward had his enemies ouer come in walys Gascoyne & in Scotland and destroied his trai­tours but on [...]ch that ribaude william waleys that neuer to the kyng wold hym yelde and at the last in the toune of seint do meni [...] in the yere of kyug Edwardes regne xxxiij. that fals trai­tour was take & presented to the kyng / sauf the kyng wolde not see hym but sent hym to londōn to vnderfonge his [...]ugement & on seint Bartholom [...] wes eue he was honged and drawe / & his hede s [...]yten of and his boweles take oute of his body and brende / and his body quartred and sent to iiij. [...]he best tounes of Scotland / and his hede sette vpon a spere & sette vpon london brugge in example that the Scottes sholde haue in mynde for to [...]ere hem amys ayens hir liege [...]rd eftsones

¶How the Scottes comē to kyng Edward for to amende hir tre­space that [...] they had done ayens hym Ca.C.lxxv.

ANd at Mihelmasse tho next comyng kyng Edward held his parlement at westmynstre & thidder come the Scottes that is to seyne the bisshoppe of seint Andrewe Robert [...] Brus Erle of Carryk / Symond the frisell Iohan the Erle of [...] ­thell / and they were accorded with the kyng and bounde and by othe sworne / that afterward yf any of h [...]m [...]isbere hem ayens kyng Edward that they shold bene disherited for euer more / And whan hir pees was thus y made / they toke hir [...]eue priuelich and wente home to hir coutre.

¶How Robert the Brus chalanged Scotland Ca.C.lxxvj

ANd after this Robert the Brus Erle of Carryk sente by his lr̄e to the Erles and Barons of Scotland that they shold come to hym to Scone in the morwe after the [...] [...] of our lady / for high nedes of the land and the lordes come [...] [Page] the day assigned And at the same day Sir Robert the Brus said fair lordes full well ye knowe that in my ꝑsone duell [...]d the right of the Reame of Scotland & as ye wyte well am right full [...]eir Sith that sir [...]ohan Bailloll that was our kyng vs hath forsake & lef [...]e his lande ¶And though it so be that kyng Edward of englond with wrongfull power hath made me to hym assente ayens my wyll yf that ye wyll graunte that I be kyng of Scotland I shall kepe yowe ayens kyng Edward & ayens all maner men & with that worde the abbot of scone arose & before hem all said that it was reson for to helpe hym & the lande to k [...]pe & defende And tho said in presence of hem all that he wold yeue hym a M. pounde for to maynten that land & all the othir graunted the land to hym & with hir poer hym for to helpe & defied kyng Edward of englond & said that Robert the Brus shold be kyng of Scotland

¶How sir Iohan of Comyn gainesaid the crounyng of Sir Robert the Brus Ca.C.lxxvij

LOrdynges said sir Iohan of Comyn thenketh vpon the truthe & the othe that ye made vn to kyng Edward of ēglond & touchyng my self I wyll nat breke myne othe for no man & so he went fro that companie at that tyme wherfore Robert the Brus & all that to hym consented were wonder wroth and tho manaced sir Iohan of Comyn▪ ¶Tho ordeined they an othir conceill at donfris to the which come t [...]e forsaid Sir Iohan Comyn he duelled but ij. myle from donfris ther that he was woned for to soiourne and abyde

¶How sir Iohan was treitoursely queld Ca C.lxxviij.

WHen Robert the Brus wyst that all the grete lordes of Scotland were come to scone [...] sir Iohan Comyn y ^• soiourned tho nygh scone he sent after hym specially that sir Iohan Comyn shold come & speke with hym & vpon that he sent after hym Iohan Comyns his brother & praied hym for to come & speke with hym at the gray freris at donfris & that was the thursday after Candelmasse & sir Iohan graunted hym for to wend with hym ¶ And when he had herde masse he toke a so [...]e & drank and afterward he bestrode his palfray and rode his way & so come to donfris And Robert the brus saw hym come at a wyndowe as he was in his chambre and tho made Ioie y nowe [...] [...]ome ayens hym and colled hym aboute the nek and made [...] hym good semblant. ¶ And when all the Erle [...] and ba [...] [...] [Page] of Scotland were present [...]Robert the Brus spake and said Sires qd he ye wit well the encheson of this comyng and wherfor it is yf ye wull graunte that I mote be kyng of Scotland as right he [...]r of the lande and all the lordes that were there said with one vois that he shold be crouned kyng of Scotland a [...] that they wolde hym helpe and maynten ayens all maner men on lyfe and for hym yef it were nede die [...]The gentill knyght tho Iohan of Comyne ansuerd and said Certes neuer for me ner for to haue of me as moche helpe as the value of a botonne For that othe that I haue made to kyng Edward of Englond I shall hold while my lyfe last and with that worde he went fro the com­panie and wold haue went vpon his Palfray And Robert the Brus pursued hym with a drawe swerd and bare hym thurgh the body and Sir Iohan Comyn felle doune to the erthe But when Rogier that was Sir Iohan Comyns brother saw the fa [...] senesse and stert to Sir Robert the Brus and smote hym with a knyfe but the fals traitour was armed vnder So that the stroke myght do hym none harme And so moche helpe come aboute Sir Robert the Brus So that Rogier Comyn was there quelled and all to hewe in to smale peces.

And Robert the Brus turned ayene ther that Sir Iohan Comyn the noble baron lay wounded and pyned toward his deth besides the high auter in the chyrche at the gray freris & said vn to Sir Iohan Comyn O traitour thou shalt be dede and ne­uer after let myne a vauncement and shoke his swerd at the high au [...]er and smote hym on the hede that the brayne fyll adoune vp on the grounde and the blode stert an high vpon the walles And yit vn to this day that blode is sene ther that no water may wassh it away & so died that noble knyght in holy chyrche

ANd when the traitour Robert the Brus saw that no man tho wold let his coronacion he commaunded all hem that were of power shold come to his crounyng to seint Ioha­nes toune in Scotland And so it befell that on our lady day of Annunciacion the bisshopp of Glastone and the bisshopp of seint Andrewe crouned for hir kyng Robert the Brus in seint Ioha­nes toune and made hym kyng And anone after he drofe oute all [...]he Englishmen oute of Scotland and they fled and come and [...]layned vn to kyng Edward how Robert the Brus had driue [...]m oute of the land and disherited hem.

¶How kyng Edward dub [...]ed at w [...]stmynster xxiiij. score kny­ghtes Ca.C.lxxx

ANd whan kyng edward [...]erde of this meschief [...]e swore y ^• he wolde ther of [...]ene auenged / and said that alle the trai­tours of Scotland sholde bene honged & drawe & that they shold neuer [...]e raunsomed ¶And kyng edward thouȝt vpon this falsenesse that the Scottes had done / & send after all the bachillerie of ēglond that they shold come to london at witsontyde / [...] he dub [...]ed at westmynstre xxiiij. score knyȝtes ¶Tho ordeyned hym the noble kyng Edward for to wende in to scotland to werre vpon Robert y ^• Brus / & sent before hym in to scotland sir Aymer the valaunce er­le of Penbroke & sir henry Percy baronn with a fair cōpanie that pursued the scottes & brend tounes & Castelles / and afterward come the kyng hym selfe with erles & barons a fair companie /

¶How Robert the Brus was scomfited in bataille & how Sy­mond Frisell was slayne Ca.C.lxxxj.

THe friday next before the assumpcion of our lady kyng edward mette Robert the Brus beside seint Iohanes toune in scotland & with his companie / of which companie kyng Edward queld vij.M. ¶Wh [...]n Robert the Brus saw this meschi [...]f / he gan to flee & hid him that no man myȝt him finde But sir symond Frisell pursued him sore / so that he turned ayene & abode ba­taille / for he was a worthy knyght and a bolde of body / and the en­glisshmen pursued euer sore in euery side and queld the stede that sir Symond Frisell rode vpon / aud they toke him and lad him vn to the hoste ¶ And sir Symond began for to flat [...]r & speke faire / and said / lordes I shall yeue yow iijj.M. marc of siluer and myn horse myne harneis & all myue armure / and become a begger ¶Tho an­suerd Theobaude of Peuenes that was the kynges archier / Nowe god me so helpe it is for nought that thou spekest / for all th [...] [...] in englond I wolde the nat let gone withoute commaundement of kyng Edward ¶And tho was he lad to kyng Edward and the kyng wold not see hym but commaunded to [...]ede hym a way to haue his dome at london / and on our ladies euen natiuit [...] he was honged and drawen and his heed smyten of and honged ayene with cheynes of yren vpon the galewes And his hede was sette vpon london h [...]ugge vpon a spere / and ayenst Cristemasse the body was brend / for encheson that the men that k [...]te the body by nyght they sawe so many deueles raumpand with grete Iren [Page] crokes rennyng vpon the Gale wes and horribe [...]ch turmented the body and many that hem saw anone after they died for dr [...]de and some woxen madde or sore sikenesse they had And in that bataille was take the bisshopp of Baston the bisshopp of seint Andr [...]w [...]s and the Abbot of scone all armed with yren as men of armes as fals traitours and fals prelatz ayens hir othe & they were brouȝt to the kyng and the kyng sent hem to the Pope of Rome that he shold done with hem what his wyll were

¶How [...]ohan erle of atheles wat take & put to the deth Capitul [...] Centesimo lxxxij.

ANd at that bataille fled Sir Iohan Erle of Atheles & went in to a chyrche & ther hyd hym for drede but he myȝt haue there no refute for encheson that the chyrch was en­dited thurgh a generall sentence & in the same chyrche he was take ¶ And this sir Iohan went well haue had scaped from the deth / for encheson that he claymed kynered of kyng Edward And the kyng nold no lenger be taried of his traitours but sent hym to london in hast & there he was honged & his hede smy [...]en of & his body brent all to ass [...]his But at the praier of the Quene Margarete for encheson that he claymed of kyng Edward kynred his drawyng was foryeue hym

¶How Iohan that was william walleys brother was put to the deth Ca.C.lxxxiij.

WHen the grettest mastirs of Scotland were thus done to euel deth & shended for hir falsenesse Iohan that was wiliam walleis brother was take and done to deth as Sir Iohan erle of atheles was

¶How Robert the brus fled from scotland to Norwey Capitulo Centesimo lxxxiiij.

ANd at that same tyme was Robert the brus moche hated amonge the peple of Scotlād So he wyst not what was for to done & for to hide hym he went in to Norwey to the kyng that had spoused his suster & ther helde hym socour for to haue ¶And Robert the brus myght not befounde in Scotlād kyng Edward tho let crie his pese thurgh oute all the land & his lawes were vsed and his ministres serued thurgh oute all the land

¶How kyng Edward died Ca.C.lxxxv.

WHen kyng Edward had abated his enemies he turned a yene southward & a maladie toke hym at burgh vp sand in the marche of Scotlād & he wyst well that his deth waz [Page] full nygh & called to him sir henry the lacy erle of Nichol / sir Guyerle of warrewyke sir Aymer va [...]ence erle of penbroke / and sir Robert of Clifford baronn & praied hem vpon the faith that they hym owed that they shold make Edward of Carnariuan kyng of En­glond his sone as rathe as they myȝt / and that they shold nat suffre piers of Ganeston come ayene in to englond for to make his sone to vse riotte / and they graunted him with good wyll / And the kyng toke the sacrament of holy church as a good cristen mā shold & deide in verray repētaunce / & when he had be kyng xxxv. yere he deid and was buried at westmestre with mochel solempnite vpon whos soule god haue mercy Amen

¶Of Merlyns ꝓphecies that were declared of kyng edward that was kyng [...]enries sone Ca▪ C.lxxxvj.

ANd of this kyng Edward ꝓphecied Merlyn & called him a dragon the second kyng of the vi. last kynges that shold be for to regne in englond / and said that he shold be medled with mercy & also with strength & sternesse that shold kepe englōd fro colde & hete / & that he shold open his mouth toward walis / & that he sholde set his o foot in wyke / & that he shold closen with walles y ^• shold do moch harme to his seed / And he said soth for the good kyng Edward was medled with mercy & with fersenesse with mercy a yens his enemies of walys and after of Scotland / with fersenesse whan he put hem to deth for hir falsenesse & traitrie as they had de­serued it ¶And well kept he englond from colde & hete sith he kepte it from all maner enemies that ronne vpon hym to done hym any wronge ¶And well he opened his mouth toward walys & made it quake thurgh the hidour of his mouth when he cōquerd it thurgh dynt of swerd / for the prince [...]ewelyne and Dauid his brother Ri [...] and morgan were put vn to the deth for hir falsenesse and hir foly ¶And he sette his o foot in to wyke / and conquered Berewyke at the which conquest were slayne xxv. thousand and vii. houndred outetake hem that were brend in the reed halle ¶ And the walles that he let make shall be noyous vn to his [...]eed as men shull here after see in the lyfe of Sir Edward of Carnariuan his sone

¶ And yit Merlyn saide that he shold make riuers renne in blode & with brayne / and that semed well in his werres ther that he had the mastrie ¶ And yit Merlyn said that ther shold come a peple oute of the north west during the regne of the forsaid dragon that shuld be lad by an ylle grehounde that shold the dragon Croune kyng that afterward shold flee ouer the see for drede of the drag [...]n [Page] withoute comyng ayene and that was proued by Sir Iohan bailloll that kyng Edward made for to bene kyng of scotland that falsely arose ayens hym and after he fledde vn to his owne landes of fraunce & neuer come ayene in to scotla [...]d for drede of kyng Edward ¶And yit said Merlyn that peple that shold bede the forsaid Grehond shold be faderles vn till a certeyne tyme & he said soth for the peple of scotlād gretely were disesed sith that sir Iohan bailloll hir kyng fled from scotland ¶And yit said Merlyn that the son̄e shold become in his tyme as reede as any blode in tokenyng of gret mortalite of peple & that was well knowen when the scottes were slayne ¶And sith said Merlyn that ylke dragon shold norissh a fox that shold meue grete werre ayenst hym that shold not in his tyme bene ended And that semed well by Robert the Brus that kyng Edward norisshed in his chambre that sithenes stale away and meued grete werre ayens hym which werre was nat ended in his tyme ¶ And afterward Merlyn told that this dragon shold bene hold the best body of all the world & be said sothe for the good kyng Edward was the worthiest knyght of all the world in his tyme ¶ And yit said Merlyn that the dragon shold die in the marche of an othir lād & y ^• his lād shold be longe withoute any good keper & that men shold we [...]e for his dethe from the Ile of she pey vn to the Ile of marcyll ¶Wherfor allas sholde be hir cōmune songe amonge peple fadreles in the land wasted & that ꝓfecie was knowe ouerall full well For the good kyng Edward died at Burgh vp sandes that is vpon the marche of Scotland wherfor the Englishmen were discomforted & sorowed in northumber land ¶For encheson that kyng Edwardes sone sette by the Scottes no force for the Riott of piers of Ganaston wherfor allas waz the songe thurgh oute all englond For defaute of a good wardeyn from the Ile of shepey vn to the Ile of marcyll the peple made mo­che sorwe for good kyng Edwardes deth ¶For they wende that good kyng Edward sholde haue gone in to the holy lande for that was hollyche his purposse vpon whos soule god for his high grace haue mercy

¶Of kyng Edward y ^• was kyng edwardes sone Ca.C.lxxxvij

ANd after this kyng Edward regned Edward his sone that was bore in Carnariuan and this Edward went in to fraunce & spoused Isabell the kynges dought of fraūce [Page] the xxv. day of Ianiuer at the churche of our lady at Boloigne In the yere of our lord Ihesu crist a.M.CCC.vij. and the xx. day of Feuerer the next yere that come after he was crouned solemplich at westmynstre of the Erchebisshoppe Robert of wynchelsee and of the Erchebisshopp of Caunterbury / and ther was so grete prece of peple / that Sir Iohan Bacwell was dede and murdred

¶ And anone as the good kyng Edward was dede / Sir Ed­ward his sone kyng of Englond sente after Piers of Ganastone in to Gascoyne and so moche loued hym that he called him his brother / and anone after he yafe hym the lordshipp of wallyngford / and it was not longe after that he ne yafe hym the Erledome of Cornewaille ayens alle the lordes wyll of the Roya [...]e

¶ And tho brought he Sir walter of langeton bisshopp of Chestre in to prison in to the tour of london with two knaues allone hym to serue For the kyng was wroth with hym / for cause that Sir walter made compleint vpon hym to his fadre / wherfore he was put in to prison in the tyme of Troilebastone / And the forsaid Piers of Ganastone made so grete mastries that he wente in to the kynges tresorie in the Abbey of westmynstre and toke the table of gold with the trestelles of the same / and many othir riche [...]ewe­les that some tyme were the noble and good kyng Arthures and toke hem to a marchant that was called Aymery of Friscomban­de / For he shold bere hem ouer the see in to Gascoigne & so he wente thens / and they come neuer ayene after / wherfor it was a grete los­se vn to this land ¶And whan this Piers was so richely auaunced he become so proude and so stoute / wher of alle the grete lordes of the Reame had hym in despite for his grete beryng / wher for Sir Henry the lacy Erle of Nichol / and Sir Gny Erle of warrewyke the whiche good lordes the good kyng Edward Sir Edwardis kyng of Englond his fadre charged that Piers of ganastone shold not come in to Englond for to bringe his sone Ed­ward in to Riott ¶ And alle the lordes of Englond assem­bled hem at a certayn day at the freres prechours at london and speken of the dishonour that kyng Edward did vn to his Royame and to his croune and so they assented all bothe Erles and cōmunes that the forsaid Piers of Ganastone sholde bene exiled oute of Englond for euer more and so it was done for he forswore Englond and wente in to Irland and ther the kyng made hym [...] uetayne and gouernour of the land by his commission and [...] this Piers was chiuetayne of all the land / and did ther a [...]le [...] [Page] hym lyked and had power what [...]e wolde and that tyme were the templers exiled thurgh all cristiente for encheson that men put vp on hem that they sholde don̄ thyng ayens the feyth and good be leue ¶Kyng Edward loued Piers of Ganesto [...] so moche that he myght nat forlete his companie & so moche the kyng yafe & be­hight to the peple of Englond that the exilyng of the forsaid piers sholde bene reuoked at stamford thurgh hem that hym had exiled wherfor piers of Ganastone come ayene in to Englond And whē he was come ayene in to this land he despised the grettest lordis of this land and called sir Robert of Clare Erle of Gloucestre hore­sone And the Erle of Nicholl sir henry the lacy brostebely and sir Gny Erle of warrewik the blake hounde of Arderne and also he called the noble erle and gentill Thomas of Lancastre Cherle and many othir scornes and shame hem said and by many othir grete lordis of englond Wherfor they were to wardys hym full angry & sore annoied And in the same tyme died the Erle of Nichol but he charged or he was dede Thomas of Lancastre Erle that was his sone in lawe that he shold maynten his quarell ayens the same Piers of Ganastone vpon his beneson ¶ And so it was ordeyned thurgh helpe of the Erle of Lancastre and of the Erle of warre­wyke that forsaid sir Piers was beheded at gauersich besides warrewyke the xix. day of Iun̄ in the yere of grace a M.ccc. and xij. wherfor the kyng was sore annoied and praied god that he myȝt see that day to bene a venged vpon the deth of the forsaid Piers

¶ And so it befell afterward as ye sh [...]ll here allas the tyme For the forsaid Erle of Lancastre and many othir grete barons were put to Pitons deth and martred for encheson of the forsaid querell

¶The kyng was tho at london and helde a parlement and ordey­ned the lawes of sir Symond Mo [...]nfort wherfor the Erle of lancastre and the Erlys and all the clergie of Englond maden an othe thurgh counceill of Robert of wynchelsee for to maynten tho ordinaunces for euermore

¶How Robert the Brus come ayene in to Scotland & gadred a grete power of men for to werre vpon kyng Edward Capitulo Centesimo lxxxviij.

ANd when sir Robert the Brus that made hym kyng of Scotland that was fled in to Norwey for drede of dethe of the good kyng Edward and herde of therdebate [Page] that was in englond bitwene the kyng & his lordes he ordeyned an host & come in to englond in to northumberland & cleenly destroied the contre ¶And when kyng Edward herde this tydynge he let assemble his host & mette the scottes at Estreuelyne in the day of natiuite of seint Iohan baptist in the vij. yere of his regne / and in the yere of our lord [...]hesu crist a M.CCC. & xiiij. Allas the sorwe & losse that ther was done ¶For ther was slayne the noble erle Gillebert of Clare sir Robert of Clifford baronn / & many othir / & of othir peple that no man coude nombre / and ther kyng Edward was scom­fited / and sir Edmond of maule the kynges stiward for drede wēt and drenched hym selfe in a fressh riuer that is called Bannokes­borne / wherfor the Scottes said in reproue & despite of kyng Ed­ward for as moche as he loued to gone by water / & also for he was discomfited at Bannokesborne / therfor maydens maden a song ther of in that contre of kyng Edward of Englond and in this maner they songe ¶Māydens of englond sare may ye morne / for tiȝt haue ye lost your lemmans at Bannokesborne / with heualogh / what wende the kyng of englond / to haue gete scotland with rombilough

WHen kyng Edward was discomfited he was wonder sory and fast fledde with his folke that was left on lyue and went to B [...]rrewyke and ther helde hym / And after he to­ke hostages that is to witen vij. children of the richest of the toune and the kyng wente to london & toke counceill of thynges that we­re nedefull vn to the reame nf englond ¶ And in the same tyme i [...] befell that tho was in englond a ribaude that was called [...]ohan tanner / and he went and said that he was the good kyng Edwardes sone and let hym calle Edward of Carnariuan and therfor he was take at Oxenford / and ther he chalenged the frere carmes church y ^• kyng Edward had yeue hem the which church some tyme was the kynges halle ¶ Aud afterward was this Iohan lad to northampton and drawe and ther honged for his falsenesse / and er that he was dede he confessed and said before all the peple that ther was That the deuell behight hym that he shold be kyng of englond and that he had serued the deuell iij. yere /

¶How the toune of Berewyke was take thurgh treson & how ij Cardinalles were robbed in englond Ca.C.lxxxix.

ANd in mydlenten Sonday in the yere of our lord [...]hū crist M.CCC.xvj. Berewyke was lost thurgh fals t [...]son of one piers of spalding the which piers the kyng had put [Page] ther for to kepe that same toune with many burg [...]is of the toune / Wherfor the children that were put in hostage thurgh the burgeis of Berewyke fol [...]wed the kynges marchalsie many daies fe [...]ered in stronge yrens ¶And after that tyme ther come ij. Cardinals in to englond as the pope had hem sent / for to make pees bitwene Scotland & englond / And as they wente toward duresme for to haue sacred mastir lowys of Beaumont bisshopp of dureham and as they went they were taken & robbed vpon the more of wynglesdoune of which robbery sir guillebert of Middelton was atteint & take and honged & drawe at london / & his heed smyten of & sette vpon a spere and sette vpon Newegate / & the iiij. quarters sent to iiij. cites of englond ¶And that same tyme befell many mischefes in englond for the poure peple deide in englond for hunger & so moche & so fast deid that vuneth men myght hem bury for a quart of whete was worth xl. shillyng and ij. yere & an half a quarter of whete was worth x mar [...] / and ofte tymes the poure peple stale children & ete hem / & et [...] also all the houndes that they myght take and eke hor [...] and catte [...] And after ther fell a grete moreyne amonge bestes in diuerse con­tres of englond during kyng Edwardes lyfe

¶How the scottes robbed northumberland. Capitulo Centesimo. lxxxx.

ANd in the same tyme come the Scottes ayene in to englond and destroied Northumberland and brend that land & robbed it / and queld men women and children that leyne in cradells / and brend also holy church and destroied cristendome & toke & bare englisshmennys goodes as they had bene sarazenes or paynyms & of the wykked [...]esse that they diden / all the world spake ther of thurgh all cristendome

¶How the Scottes wolde not amende hir trespace / & therfor Scotland was enterdited Ca.C.lxxxxj.

ANd whan [...] Iohan the xxij. after seint Petre herde of the grete sorwe & meschief that the scottes wrought he waz wōder sory that cristēdome was so destroied thurgh the scottes / & namely they destroied so holy church wherfor the pope sent a generall sentence vnder his bu [...]e [...] of lede vn to the erchebissho [...]e of Caunterbury and to the erchebisshopp of yorke / that yf Robert the [Page] Brus of Scotland wolde not be Iustified and make amende [...] vn to the kyng of Englond Edward hir lord & make amendes of his losse and of his harmes that they had done in Englond & also to restore the goodes that they had taken of holy chyrch that the sentence sholde be pronunced thurgh all Englond ¶ And when the scottes herd this they wolde not lete hir malice for the popes com­maundement wherfor Robert Brus Iames douglas & Thomas Raudulph Erle of Mo [...]ref and all tho that with hem cōmuned or hem halpe in worde or in dede were acursed in euery chyrch thurgh englond euery day at masse iij. tymes and no masse sholde he songe in holy chyrch thurgh oute all Scotland but yf the scottes wolde make restitucion of the harmes y ^• they had made vn to holy chyrch wherfor many a good prest and holy men therfor were slayne thurgh the reame of Scotland for encheson that wold sing no masse ayens the popes cōmaundement and ayens his wylle & to done and fullfyll the tirauntz wylle

¶How sir hugh the spencers sone was made the kynges Cham­berlayne and of the bataille of Mitone Ca.C.lxxxxij.

ANd it was not longe afterward that the kyng ne ordey­ned a parlement at yorke and ther was sir hugh the spencers sone made chamburlayne and in the mene tyme while the werre last the kyng went ayene in to Scotland that it was wonder for to wit and beseged the toune of Berewyke but scottes went ouer the water of sole wath that was iij. myle from the kyn­ges hoste and priuely they stele awey by nyght and comen in to Englond and robbed and destroied all that they myght and spared no maner thyng till that they comen vn to yorke ¶And when the Englishmen that were lefte at home herde this thyng all tho that myght trauaille as wel monkes and prestes and freris and chanons and seculers come and mette with the scottes at Mitone vp swale the xij. day of October ¶Allas what sorwe for the English husbondmen that coude no thyng of the werre that ther were quelled and drenched in an arme of the se [...] And hir chi [...]i­teyns sir williā of melton Erchebishopp of york & the abbot of sel by with hir stedes fledde & comen vn to york & that was hir owne folie that they had that myschannce for they passed the wa [...] of swa­le & the scottes sette a fire the stakkes of hey & the smoke ther of was huge that the englishmen myght not see the scottes ¶ And when the englishmen were gone ouer the water tho comen the [Page] Scottes with hir wynge in maner of ashelde & come toward the en­glisshmē in aray & the englisshmen fl [...]d for vuneth they had any mē of armes / for the kyng had hem almost loste at the siege of Bere­wyke / & the scottissh hobi [...]rs went bitwene the bruge & the englissh men / And whan the grete host hem mette the englisshmen fledde bi­twene the hobilers & the grete host / and the englisshmen almost were there quelled / & he that myght wende ouer the water was saued / but many were draint / Allas for ther was slayne many men of re­ligion & seculers & eke prestes & clerkys & with moch sorwe the Erchebisshopp ascaped / & therfor the scottes called the bataille the white bataille

¶How kyng Edward did all maner thyng that sir hugh the spē cer wolde Ca.C.lxxxxiij.

ANd whan kyng Edward herde this tydynge he remeu [...]d his sege from Berewyke & come ayene in to englond / but sir hugh the spencer the sone that was the kynges Cham­burleyne kept so the kynges chambre that no man must speke with the kyng / but he had made with hym a frette / for to done his nede / & that ouer mesure / & this hugh [...]are hym so stoute that all men had of hym scorne & despite / & the kyng hym selfe wold not bene gouer­ned ne ruled by no maner man / but only by his fadre & by hym / & if any knyȝt of englond had wodes maners or lordes that they wolde coueit / anone the kyng must yeue it hem [...]or elles the man y ^• ought it shold be falsely endited of forest or of fel [...]nie / And thurgh suche doyng they disherited many a good bachiller & so moch land geten that it was wonder ¶And when the lordes of englond saw the grete couetise & the falsenesse of sir hugh the spencer the fadre & of Sir hugh the sone they come to the gentill Erle of lancastre / and axed hym of counceill of the disese that was in the Royame thurgh Sir hugh the spencer & his sone / and in hast by one ass [...]nte they made a [...]ue assemble at shirborne in Elmede / & all they made ther an othe / for to breke & destourble the doyng bitwene the kyng & sir hugh the spencer & his sone vpon hir power ¶And they wente in to the marc [...] of walys & destroied the land of the forsaid sir hughes

¶How sir h [...]gh the spencer & his fadre were exiled on [...]e of En­glo [...]d Ca.C.lxxxxiiij

WH [...]n kyng Edward sawe the grete harme and destructi­on that the Barons of Englond diden to Sir Hugh the spencers lande and to his sones in euery place that they [Page] comen vpon And the kyng tho thurgh his counseil exiled sir Io­han monbray Sir Rogier of clifford and sir Gosselyne dauill and many other lordes that were to hem consent wherfor the Barons did tho more harme than they diden before ¶ And when the kynge saw that the barōs wold not cese of hir cruelte the kyng was sore ad [...]ad left they wolde destroie hym and his reame for his meynte naunce but yf that he assented to hem And so he sent for hem by let tres that they shold come to london to his ꝑlement at a certeyn day as in his letters was conteyned And they comen with iij batail­les wel armed at all pointz and euery bataille had cote arumres of grene cloth and ther of the right quarter was yelwe with whit bendes wherfor that plement was called the ꝑlement of the whit bende And in that companie was sir [...]mfrey de Bohen̄ Erle of herford and sir Rogier of clifford sir Iohan Mombray sir Gecelin dauill sir Rogier Mortuner vncle of sir Rogier Mortimer of wigmore sir Henry of Trais sir Iohan Giffard & sir Bartholomewe of Badelesmore that was the kynges stiward that the kyng had sent to Shirborne in elmede to the Erle of Lancastre & to all that with hym were for to trete of accord that hym allied to the harons and come with that companie And sir Rogier dammorie and sir hugh Dandale that had spoused the kynges neces suster & sir Gillebert of Clare erle of Gloucestre that was queld in scotland as before is said And tho ij. lordes had tho ij. parties of the Erledome of Gloucestre & sir hugh the spencer the sone had the thridde part in his wyfes halfe the iij. suster & tho ij. lordes went to the barōs with all hir power ayens sir hugh hir brother in lawe and so ther come with hem Sir Rogier of Clifford sir Iohan Mombray Sir Gosselme dauill sir Rogier Mortimer of werk sir Rogier mortimer of wigmore his nepheu sir Henry trays sir Iohan Giffard sir Bar­tholomewe of badelesmore with all hir companie and many othir that to hem were cōsent All these grete lordes comen to westmynster to the kynges parlement and so they spoken and did that bothe sir hugh spencer the fadre & sir hugh the sone were outelawed of En­glond for euermore And sir hugh the fadre went to Douer & ma­de moche sorwe and felle doune vpon the grounde by the see banke acros with his armes and sore wepyng said Nowe faire En­glonde and good Englond to Almyghty god I the betake and thries cust the grounde and wende neuer to haue comen ayene and wepyng full sore cursed the tyme that euer he begate Sir Hugh his [...]one And said for hym he had lost all Englande and [Page] in presence of hem that were aboute hym he yafe hym his curse and went ouer the see to his landes / but sir hugh the sone wold not gon̄ oute of englond but helde hym in the see / & he & his companie robbed ij. dromondes beside sandewich and toke and [...]ere away all the good that was on hem the value of xl.M. pounde.

¶How the kyng exiled Erle Thomas of lancastre & all that helde with hym & how the Mortimer come & yelde hym to the kyng & of the lordes Ca.C.lxxxxv.

HIt was not longe after that the kyng ne made sir Hugh spencer the fadre & sir hugh the sone come ayene in to En­glond ayens the lordes wyll of the reame / And sone after the kyng with a stronge power come & beseged the Castell of bedes / & in the Castell was the lady of Badelesmere for encheson that she wold not graunte that Castell to quene Isabell kyng Edwardes wife / But the principall cause was for encheson that sir Bartholo­mewe badelesmere was ayens the kyng & helde with the lordes of englond / and notheles the kyng by helpe & socour of men of london & also of helpe of southerne men / the kyng gate the Castell mangre hē all that were therin & toke with hym all that he myght finde / And whan the barons of englond herd of this thyng sir Rogier Morti­mer and othir many lordes toke the toune of Brugge worth with strength wherfor the kyng was wonder wroth & let outelawe Thomas of lancastre & vmfrey de Bohoune erle of hertford & all tho that were assentant to the same quarell And the kyng assembled an huge host & come ayenst the lordes of englond wherfor the mortimerz put hem to the kynges mercy & his grace & anone they were sent to the tour of london & ther kept in prison And when the barons herd of this thyng they comen to Pounfret ther that erle Thomas soiourned & told hym how that Mortimers both had yelde hem to the kyng and put hem in his grace

¶Of the siege of Tykhille Ca.C.lxxxxvj

WHen Thomas erle of lancastre herde this / they were wōder wroth / & all that were of his companie / & gretly they were discōfited & ordeyned hir power to gedre & beseged the Ca­stell of Tykhill / but tho that were withynne so manlich defended hem that the barons myght not gete the Castell / & when the kyng herd that his Castell was beseged he swore by god & by his names [Page] that the siege sholde be remeued and assembled a huge power of peple and went thidderward to [...]eskewe the Castell and his poer encresed from day to day ¶Whenne the Erle of lancastre and the Erle of Herford and the barons of hir companie herd of this thyng they assembled all hir power and went hem to Burton vp Trent and kepte the brigge that the kyng shold nat passe ouer But it befell so on the x. day of March In the yere of grace M.ccc. and xxj. The kyng and the spencer Sir Aymer [...]alaunce Erle of Penbroke and Iohan Erle of Arundell and hir power went on [...] the water and discomfited the Erle Thomas and his com­panye and they fledde to the Castell of Tutbery and fro thennes they went to Pounfret And in that viage died Sir Rogier Dā morie in the Abbey of Tutbery And in that same tyme the Erle Thomas had a traitour with hym that was called Robert of Holand a knyght that the Erle had brought vp of nought and had norrisshed hym in his botelerie & had yeuen hym a thousand mar [...] of land by yere and so moche the Erle loued hym that he myght done in the Erles court all thyng that hym lyked bothe amonge hie and lowe and so queyntelich the thefe bare hym ayens his lord that he trusted more vpon hym than vpon any man a lyve. And the Erle had ordeyned by his lettres for to wende in to the Erledome of lancastre for to make men arise to helpe hym in that viage that is to seyne v.C. men of Armes But the fals traitour come not ther no maner men for to warne ne to make arise for to helpe his lorde And when the traitour herde telle that his lorde was discomfited at Burtone as a fals thefe traitour he stale a way and robbed in Rauenesdale his lordes men that come fro the scomfiture and toke of hem hors and harneis and all that they had and queld of hem all that he myght take and tho come and yelde hym vn to the kyng When the good Erle Thomas wyst that he was so betraied he was sore abasshed and said to hym selfe O almyghty god quod he how myght Robert holand fynde in his hert me to betraie sithenes that I haue loued hym so moch O god wele may nowe a man see by hym that no man may desceyue an othir rather than he that he trust most vpon he hath full euel yeld my goodnesse and the wurshipp that I to hym haue done and thurgh my kendenesse haue hym a vaunced and made hie from lowe and [...]e maketh me go from high vn to lowe but yit shall he die in euill deth

Of the scomfiture of Burbrugge Ca.C.lxxxxvij

THe good Erle Thomas of lancastre Humfrey de Bohonn̄ Erle of herford and the barons that with hem were token counceill bitwene hem at frere prechours at pounfrete Tho thought Thomas vpon the traitrie of Robert Holand and said in reproue / Allas holand had me hetraied / Ay is in the reed of some euell shrede / and by cōmune assent they shold all wende to the castell of Dunstanburgh the which ꝑteyned to the Erledome of lancastre and that they shold abide there till that the kyng had foryeue hem hir male talent ¶But when the good Erle Thomas this herde he ansu [...]rd in this maner and said / lordes qd he yf we go toward the north the northren men wyll seyne that we go toward the scottes & so we shull be hold traitours / for cause of distaunce that is bitwene kyng Edward and Robert the Brus that made hym kyng of scotland and therfor I sey as touchyng my selfe that I wull goo no fer [...]her in to the north than to myne owne Castell of Pounfrete

¶ And whan sir Rogier Clifford herde this he aroos vp anone in wrath and drowe his swerd and swore by almyghty god and by his holy names but if that he wolde gone with hem he sholde [...]e dede and that he wold slee hym there ¶The noble and gentill Erle Thomas of lancastre was sore adrad / and said fair sires I wyll gone with yowe whidder so euer ye me lede ¶Tho went th [...]y to gedre [...] in to the north and with hem they had vij.C. men of armes and come to Burbrugge ¶And whan Sir Andrewe of herkela that was in the northcontre thurgh ordinaunce of the kyng for to kepe the contre of scotland herde telle how that Thomas of lancastre was discomfited and his companie at Burton vpon Trent he ordeyned hym a stronge power / and sir Symond ward also / that was tho shereue of yorke and come and mette the barons at burbrugge and anone they breke the brugge that was made of tree [...] And whan Sir Thomas of Lancastre [...]erde that Sir An [...]ewe of herkela had brought with hym suche power / he was sore ad [...]ad / and sent for sir Andr [...]we of Herkela and with hym spake / and said to hym in this maner Sir Andrewe quod [...]e ye mowe well vnderstonde how that onr lorde the kyng ys lad and mysgouerned by moche fals counceille thur [...]h Sir Hugh the S [...]ncer the fadre and Sir hugh his sone / and Sir Iohan Erle of Arundell and thurgh Mastir Robert [...] a fals [...]iled clerke that now is in the kynges court duellyng / wherfor I pray yowe that ye wolde come with vs [Page] with all the power that ye haue ordeyned and helpe to destroie the venym of Englond and the traitours that ben therynne and we wull yeue vn to yow the best part of v. Erldomes that we haue & holde and we wull make vn to yow [...] an othe that we wull neue [...] done thyng withoute your counceill & so ye shull bene ef [...]as wel [...] with vs as euer was Robert of holand ¶Tho an [...]uerd sir Andrewe of herkela and said Sir Thomas that wold I not done ne consent ther to for no maner thyng ye myght me yeue withoute the wyll and commaundement of [...] the kyng for than shold I bene hold a traitour for euermore ¶ And when the noble Erle Thomas of laucastre saw that he nold not consent to hym for no maner thyng Sir Andrewe he said wyll ye nat consent to destroie the venym of the reame as we be consent At one word Sir andrew y telle the that or this yere be gone that ye shull bene take and holde for a traitour and more than ye hold vs nowe and in wers dethe ye shull die than euer died any knyght of Englond And vnder­stondeth well that ye ded neuer thyng that sorrer shall yowe repent and nowe goth and dothe that yowe good liketh And I wull pnt me vn to the mercy and the grace of god And so went the fals traitour Sir Andrewe of herkela in his way as a fals traitour tirant and as a fals forsworne man For thurgh the noble Erle Thomas of laucastre he vnderfenge the armes of chiualrie and thurgh hym he was made knyght

¶Tho myght men seen archiers drawe hem in that one side and in that othir and knyghtes also and foughten to gedre wonder sore and also among othir sir humfrey de Boughon Erle of her­ford a worthy knyght of renoune thurgh all cristendome stode and faught with his enemies vpon the brugge and as the noble lorde stode and faught vpon the brugge a thief a ribande skulked vnder the brugge and fersely with a spere smote the noble knyght in to the foundement so that his boweles comen oute there Allas the sorwe for ther was slayne the flour of solace and of comfort and also of curtesie ¶ And sir Rogier of clifford a noble knyȝt stode euer and faught and well and nobely hym defended as a worthy Baron But at the last he was sore wonuded in his hede and Sir william of Sullayand Sir Rogier of Bernefeld were slayne at that bataille ¶When Sir Andrewe of herkela saw that Sir Thomas men lancastre lassed and slaked anone he and his companie comen to the gentill knyght Sir Thomas of Laucastre and said yeld the traitour yeld the ¶The gen­till [Page] Erle an [...]uerd tho and said Nay lordes Traitours [...]e we none and to yowe wyll we neuer vs yelde while that our lyfes laste [...] but leuer we haue to be slayne in our treuthe than yelde vs to yow ¶ And sir Andrewe ayene grad vpon sir Thomas companie yollyng as a wode wolfe and said yelde yowe traitours taken yeld yowe & with an high [...]is said [...]ethe ware sires that none of yowe be hardy vpon lyfe and lymme to mysdone Thomas body of Lan­castre ¶ And with that worde the good Erle Thomas went in to the chapell & said knelyng vpon his knees and turned his visage towardes the crosse and said Almyghty god to the I me yelde and hollich put me in to thy mercy And with that the vileyns ribau­des lept aboute hym on euery side as tirauntz and wode turmen­tours and difpoilled hym of his armure and clothed hym in a robe of ray that was of his squyers liuere and forth lad hym vn to yorke by water ¶Tho myght men see moche sorwe and care for the gentill knyghtes fledden in euery side and the ribaudes and the vileyns egrely hem discried and grad an high yeld y [...]we traitours yelde yowe And when they were y yolde they were robbed & bounde as the ves allas the shame and despite that the gentill ordre of knyghthode ther had at that bataille and the lande tho was with oute lawe For holy chyrche tho had no more reuerence than it had bene a bordelhows and in that bataille was the fadre ayens the sone and the vncle ayens his nepheu For so moche vnkēdenesse was neuer seyn before in Englond as was that tyme amonge folk of one nacion For o kynrede had no more pite of that othir than an hungrie wolfe hath of a shepe and it was no wonder For the grete lordes of Englond were not all of o nacion but were medled with othir nacions that is for to seyne somme britons somme Saxons somme Danois somme Pehites somme frenshmen somme nor­mans somme Spaynardes somme Romayns somme Henaudes somme Flemmynges and of othir diuerse nacions the which na­cions accorded not to the kynde blode of Englond And yf so gre­te lordes had bene onlich wedded to English peple than sholde peez haue bene and reste amonges hem withoute any envie.

¶ And at that bataille was Sir Rogier Clifford take Sir Iohan Mombray Sir william Tuchet Sir william fitz william and many othir worthy knyghtes ther were take at that bataille And sir hugh dandell the next day after was taken and put in to prison and shold haue bene done to deth yf he had not spoused the kynges nece that was Erle Gilbertes suster of Gloucester [Page] And anone afterwas sir Bartholomew of Badelesmere taken at stowe parke a maner of the bisshoppes of lincolne that was his ne­pheu / and many othir barons & banerettz wherfor was made mo­che sorwe

¶H [...]w Thomas of lancastre was beheded at Pountfrete & v. ba­rons honged & deawen there / Capitulo Centesimo. lxxxxviij.

ANd nowe I shall telle yow of the noble Erle Thomas of lancastre / when he was taken & brought to yorke many of the Cite were full glad / & vpon him cried with high vois / A sir traitour ye arne welcome blessed be god / for nowe shull ye haue the reward that longe tyme ye haue deserued / and cast vpon him many snowe balles and many othir reproues did hym / but the gē ­till erle all suffred & said nothir one ne othir / And in the same tyme the kyng herd of this same scomfiture and was full glad & in hast come to Pountfrete & sir hugh the spēcer & sir hugh his sone & sir [...]ohan erle of arundell / & sir Edmond of wodestoke the kynges bro­ther erle of kent / and sir Aymer of valaunce erle of Penbroke and mastir robert baldoke a fals piled clerc that was [...]ue and duelled in the kynges court and all come thidder with the kyng / and the kyng entred in to the castell And sir Andrewe of herkela a fals ti­rant thurgh the kynges commaundement toke with hym the gentill erle Thomas to Pountfrete / & ther he was prisoned in his owne castell that he had newe made that stode ayens the Abbey of kyng Edward And sir hugh the spencer the fadre & his sone cast & thought how & in what maner the good erle Thomas of lancastre sholde be dede withoute any [...]ugement of his Perys / wherfor it was ordey­ned thurgh the kynges [...]ustices that the kyng shold put vpon hym pointes of treson / And so it befell that he was ledde to barre before the kynges Iustices barehede as a thief in a faire hall withyn his owne castell that he had made therin many a fair fest both to riche & eke to poure And these were his [...]ustices Sir hugh [...] the fa­dr [...] / Aymer of valaunce Erle of Penbroke / Sir Edmond of wo­destoke Erle of kent / Sir Iohan of Britaigne Erle of Riche­mond and Sir Robert of Malemethorppe Iustice / and Sir Ro­bert hym acoulped in this maner / Thomas at the firste / our lord the kyng and this court excludeth yowe of all maner ansuere Thomas our lord the kyng put vpon yowe that ye haue [Page] in his lande riden with baner displaied ayene his pees as a trai­tour And with that worde the gentill erle Thomas with an high vois said nay lordes forsoth and by seint Thomas I was neuer traitour ¶The Iustice said ayene tho ¶Thomas our lord the kyng put vpon yowe that ye haue robbed his folk and mordred his peple as a thefe ¶Thomas the kyng also put vpon yowe that he discomfited yowe and your peple with his folk in his owne reame wherfor ye went and fled to the wode as an outelawe And also ye were taken as an outelawe ¶ And Thomas as a trai­tour ye shull he honged by reson but the kyng hath foryeue yowe that Iewes for loue of quene Isabell And Thomas reson wolde also that ye sholde be honged but the kyng hath foryeue yowe that Iewes for cause and loue of your lynage But Thomas For as moche as ye were take fleyng and as an outelawe the kyng wyll that your hede shall be smyten of as ye haue well deserued Anone doth hym oute of prece and anone bryng hym to his Iugement. ¶The gentill knyght Thomas he had herde all these wordes with an high vois he cried sore wepyng And said Allas Seint Tho­mas [...]aire fadre Allas shall I be deed thus ¶Graunte me nowe blissefull god ansuere but all availled hym no thyng For the cursed Gascoynes put hym hidder and thidder and on hym cried with an high vois O kyng Arthur most dredfull well knowen is nowe thyn open traytrie an euell deth shalt thou die as thou hast well deserued ¶Tho sette they vpon his hede in scorne an olde Chapelet all to rent and to torne that was nat worth an halpenye And after they sette hym vpon a leue white Palfrey full vn semelich and eke all bare and with an olde bridell and with an horrible noise they drove hym oute of the Castell toward his deth and cast vpon hym many balles of snowe

¶ And as the turmentours lad hym oute of the Castell tho said he this pitonse wordes and his hondes helde vpon high towar­des heven Nowe the kyng of heven yeue vs mercy For the Erthely kyng hath vs forsake And a frere prechour went with hym oute of the Castell till that he come to the place that he ended his lyfe vn to whom he shrofe hym all his lyfe ¶ And the gentill Erle helde the frere wonder fast by the clothes and said faire fa­dre abide with vs till that I be ded for my flessh quaketh for drede of deth And soth for to say the gentill Erle sette hym vpon his knees & turned hym toward the Est but a ribaude that was called Higone of Mostone set hande vpon the gentill Erle and said [Page] in despite of hym Sir traitour turne the toward the Scottes thy [...]ou [...]e dede to vnderfong / and turned hym toward the north

¶The noble Erle Thomas ansuerd tho with a mylde vois & said now fair lordes I shall done all your wylle / and with that worde the frere went fro hym sore wepyng and anone a r [...]baude wente to hym and smote of his hede the xj. [...]al. of Auerill in the yere of grace M.CCC.xxj. Allas that euer such a gentill blode shal [...] bene done to deth withoute cause and reson And traitoursly was the kyng counseiled when he thurgh the fals counceill of the spencers / suffred Sir Thomas his vncles [...] sone bene put to such a deth and so ben be­heded ayen [...] all man of reson / and grete pite it was also that such a noble kyng shold bene desceyued and mysgouerned thurgh coū ­ceill of the false spencers / the which he mayntened thurgh loselrie ayens his honour and eke ꝓfite For afterward ther fill grete vengeaunce in englond for encheson of the forsaid Thomas deth

¶When the gentill erle of his lyfe was passed / The priour and the monkes of Pountfrete geten the body of sir Thomas of the kyng and they buried it before the high Auter on the right side

¶ [...] same day that this gentill lord was dede / ther were honged and drawe for the same [...]quarell at Pountfrete / Sir william tuchet Sir william Fitz william / sir watreyne of ysille / Sir Henry of Bradborne / and sir william / cheynie barons alle and [...]ohan page squyer ¶ And sone after at yorke were drawe and hong [...]d Sir Rogier Clifford / Sir Iohan of Momb [...]y barons / And Sir Gosselm dauill knyght / ¶ And at Bristowe were drawe and honged Sir henry of wymyngton / and sir henry Moūtfort barons And at Gloucestre were drawe and honged Sir Iohan Giffard aud Sir william of Elmebrugge barons / ¶ And at london were honged and drawe Sir Henry Tyes baron And at wynchelsee sir Thomas Colepepir knyght / And at wyndesore Sir Fraunceis [...]f waldenham baron / And at Caunterbury was drawe and honged Sir Bartholomewe of Badelesmere / and sir Barth [...]lomewe of asshebourneham barons / And at kerdyfe in walys Sir william flē myng baron

¶How kyng Edward went in to scotland with an hondr [...]d thousand men of armes & myght not spede Ca.C.lxxxxix

ANd when kyng Edward of Englond had brought the floure of Chiualrie v [...] to hir dethe thurgh couuceille of [Page] Sir hugh the spencer the fadre and Sir hugh the sone he become as wode as any lyonne And what so euer the spencers wolde haue it was done and so well the kyng loued hem that they myght done with hym all thynge that they wolde Wherfor the kyng [...] vn to Sir hugh spencer the fadre the Erledome of wynchestre and to sir Andrewe of harkela the Erledome of Cardoil [...] in preiudice and in harmyng of his croune ¶ And [...]yng Edward tho thurgh conseille of the spencers disherited all hem that had bene ayens hym in any quarell with Thomas of Lancastre & many othir were disherited also for encheson that the spencers coueited for to haue hir lan­des & so they had all that they wolde desire with wronge and ayens all reson ¶Tho made the kyng Robert of Baldok a fals pi [...]ed clerke chaunceler of England thurgh counceill of the forsaid spencers & he was a fals ribaud and a coueitons & so they counceilled the kyng moche that the kyng let take to his owne ward all the goodes of the lordes that wrongfully were put to the deth in to his owne hande and as well they token the goodes that were in holy chyrche as the goodes that were withoute and let hem be put in to his tresorie in london and let hem calle his forfaittz and by hir coū ceill the kyng wrought for euermore he disherited hem that the goodes owghten ¶ And thurgh hir counceill lete arere a tall [...]ge of all the goodes of Englond Wherfor he was the ricchest kyng that euer was in Englond after william Bastard of Normandie that conquered Englond ¶ And yit thurgh counceill of hem hym semed that he had not ynowe but made yit euery toune of englond fynde a man of armes vpon hir owne costages for to gone & werre vpon the scottes that were his enemies wherfor the kyng went in to Scotland with an hounderd thousend men of armes at wit­sontide in the yere of our lord Ihesu crist M.CCC. and xxij. But the Scottes went and hid hem in montains and in w [...]des and ta [...]ed the Englisshmen fro day to day that the kyng myght for no maner thyng hem fynde in playne felde wherfor many Englissh men that fewe vitailles hadden for hunger ther deiden wonder fast and sodenly for hunger in goynge and in comynge and namelich tho that had bene ayens Thomas of Lancastre and had robbed his men vpon his landes

¶Whenne kyng Edward sawe that vitailles failled hym he was tho wonder sore discomforted for encheson also that his m [...]n died and for he myght nouzt spe [...]e of his enemies So at the last he come ayene in to Englond ¶And anone after come [Page] Iames douglas & also Thomas Randulph with an hugh host in to Englond in to northumberland & with hem the englisshmen that [...]ere driuen oute of englond & come & robbed the contre and quelled the [...] / and also brend the toune that was called No [...]tallertone & many othir to [...]nes vn to yorke ¶ And when the kyng herde this ty [...]ynge he let [...] all maner men that myghten tranaille / and so the englisshmen [...] the abbey of Beigheland the xv. day after Mihelmasse in the same yere about said / and the englishmen were there discomfited / and at that scomfiture was take sir [...]ohan of Britaigne Erle of Richemond that helde the contre and Erledome of lancastre And after he paied an huge raunsone and was let gone / and af [...]er that he went in to fraunce and come neuer afterward ayene

¶How Sir Andrewe of herkela was take & put vn to the dethe that was erle of Cardoille. Capitulo ducentesimo /

ANd at that tyme sir Andrewe of herkela that newe was made Erle of Cardoille for cause that he had taken the good Erle Thomas of lancastre / he had ordeyned thurgh the kynges commaundement of englond for to bring hym alle the [...]ower that he myght for to helpe hym ayens the Scottes at the Abbey of beigheland / And whan the fals traitour had gadred alle the peple that he myght & shold haue come to the kyng vn to the Abbey of Brigheland the fals traitour lad hem by an othir cōtre thurgh Copeland and thurgh the erledome of lancastre / and wit thurgh the contre and robbed and queld folke all that he myght And ferthermore the fals traitour had taken a grete some of gold and siluer of sir Iames douglas for to be ayens the kyng of englond & to ben helpyng & holdyng with the Scottes thurgh whos treson the kyng of englond was scomfited at Beigheland er that he come thidder wherfor the kyng was toward hym wonder wroth / and let [...]uely enquere by the contre aboute / how that it was / and so men enquered & aspied / so at the last trewth was foūde & [...]ought & he atteint & ta­ken as a fals traitour / As the noble erle Thomas of lancastre him tolde / er that he were done vn to the deth at his takyng at bnrbruge and to hym said or that yere were done he sholde be take and holde a traitour And so it was as the holy man said wherfor the kyng sent priu [...]lich to Sir Anthoyne of lucy a knyght of the contrey [Page] of Cardoille that he sholde take sir Andrewe of harkela and put hym vn to the deth & to bringe this thyng vn to the ende the kyng sent his cōmissione So that the same Andrewe was take at Car­doill & led vn to the barre in the maner of an Erle worthely arraied & with a swerd gurt aboute hm & hosed & spored ¶Tho spake sir Anthoyne in this maner Sir Andrewe qd he the kyng put vp on the for as moche as thou hast bene orped in thy dedes he ded vn to the mochel honour & made the erle of Cardoill & thou as a trai­tour vn to thy lord the kyng & laddest his peple of this contre that sholde haue holpe hym at the bataill of Beigheland & thou laddest them away by the contre of Copeland & thurgh the erledome of lā castre Wherfor our lord the kyng was stomfited ther of the scottes thurgh thy treson & falsenesse And yf thou haddest come be tymes he had had the mastrie & all treson thou didest for the grete somme of gold & siluer that thou vnderfeng of Iames douglas a scotte the kynges enemie ¶And our lord the kynges wyll is that the ordre of knyghthode by the whiche thou vnderfeng all thyn honour and wurshupp vpon thy body be all brought to nouzt & thy estate vn­done that othir knyghtes of lower degre mowe after the beware y ^• which lorde hath the avaunced hugely in diuerse contrees in En­glond & that all mowe take example by the Hir lord afterward trewely for to serue ¶Tho cōmaūded he a knave anon̄ to h [...]we of his spores on his heles And after he let breke the swerde ouer his hede the which the kyng hym yaf to kepe & defende his lande therwith when he made hym Erle of Cardoille ¶ And after he let hym vnclothe of his furred Tabard & of his hode & of his furred cotes and of his gurdell & when this was done sir Anthoyne said vn to hym Andrewe quod he nowe art thou no knyȝt but a knave and for thy treson the kyng wylle that thou shalt be honged & drawe and thyn hede smyten of & thy bowelles taken oute of thy body & brent before the & thy body quartred & thyn hede smyten of and sent vn to london and ther it shall stonde vpon london brugge and the iiij. quarters shull be sent to iiij. tounes of Englond that all othir mowe beware & chastized by the And as Anthoyne said so it was done all maner thynge in the last day of October In the yere of grace M.CCC. & xxij. yere And the sonne tho turned in to blode as the peple it saw & that dured fro the morne till it was xj. of the clokke of the day

¶of the miracles that god wrought for seint Thomas l [...]ue of lā castre wherfor the kyng let close the chyrche dores of the Priorie of [Page] Pountfret for no man shold come therin to the body for to off [...]en Capitulo du [...]tesimo primo

ANd sone after that the good erle Thomas of lancastre was martred a preste that longe tyme had bene blynde dremed in [...]is slepyng that he shold gone vn to the hille ther that the good erle Thomas of lancastre was done vn to the deth and he shold haue his sight ayene / & so he dremed iij. nyghtes sewyng / & the prest let tho lede hym to the same hylle / & when he come to that place that he was martred on [...]deuoutely he made ther his praiers & praid god & seint Thomas that he must haue his sight ayen / & was in his praiers he laid his right honde vpon the same place y ^• the good man was matred on / & a drope of drye blode & smale sand cleued on his honde & ther with striked his yien / & anone thurgh the myȝt of god & of seint Thomas of lancastre he had his sight ayen / & thanked tho almyghty god & seint Thomas / And when this miracle was kno­wen amonge men the peple come thidder on euery side & kneled and made hir praiers at his tombe that is in the priorie of Pounfret / & praied that holy martir of socour & of helpe & god herd hir praier

¶Also ther was a yonge child drenched in a welle in the toune of Pountfrete & was dede iij. daies & iij. nyghtes & men comen and laid the dede child vpon seint Thomas tombe the holy martir / & the child arose ther from deth to lyfe / as many a man it saw / and also moch peple were oute of hir mynde & god hath sent hem hir mynde ayene thurgh vertue of that holy martir / And also god hath yeuen ther to / to creples hir goyug & to croked hir hondes & hir feet and to blynde also hir sight / & to many sike folke hir hele of diuerse ma­ladies for the loue of his good martir ¶Also ther was a rich man in Coundom in gascoyne / & such a maladie he had that all his right side roted & fell awey from hym / that men myȝt see his lyuer & also his hert / & so he stanke that vuneth men myȝt come nye hym wherfor his frendes were for hym wondre sory But at the last as god wolde they praied to seint Thomas of lancastre that he wollde pray to almyghty god for that prisoner & behight to gone to pountfrete for to done hir pilgrymage that the martir seint Thomas come vn to hym & annoynted ouer all his sike body / And ther with the good man awoke & was all hole / & his flessh was restored ayen that before was roted & falle away / For which miracle the good man & his frendes loued god and seint Thomas euer more after / And this good man come in to Englond and toke with hym iiij. felawes & come to Pounfreete vn to that holy martir and did hir pilgrymage [Page] but the good man that was sike come thidder all naked sauf his [...] / & when they had don [...] they turned home ayene in to hir contre & tolde of the miracle wher so euer they come ¶And also ij. men haue [...]heled ther of the mormal thurgh helpe of that holy martir though that euell behold incurable ¶When the spencers herd that god did such miracles for this ho [...]y martir / & they wold be leue it in no maner wyse-but said openlich that it was grete heresie such vertue of hym to beleue ¶ And when Sir hugh the spencer the sone saw alle this doynge anone he sente his missagier from Pountfrete ther that he duelled to the kyng Edward that tho was at Grau [...]e at Skipton for cause that the kyng shold vn do that pilgrymage ¶ And as the Ribaude the messagier wente to ward the kyng for to done his message he come by the hulle on the which the good martir waz done to dethe and in the same place he made his ordure / and whan he had done he went toward the kyng / And a stronge flix hym co­me vpon er he come to yorke / and shedde all his boweles at his fundement / And whan Sir hugh the spencer herde this tydyng some­d [...]ell he was ad [...]ad / and thought for to vndone the pilgrymage yf he myght by any maner way / a [...]d to the kyng wente and said that they shold be in grete sklaundre thurgh oute all cristendome for the deth of Thomas of lancastre yf that he suffred the peple done hir pilgrymage at Pountfrete / and so he counceilled the kyng that he cō ­maūded to closse the church dores of pountfrete in the which chirch the holy martir seint Thomas was entered / and thus they diden ayene all fraunchises of holy church / so that iiij. yere after myȝt no pilgryme come vn to that holy body ¶ And for encheson that the monkes suffred men come and honour that holy body of seint Tho­mas the martir / thurgh counceill of Sir hugh the spencer the sone and thurgh counceill also of mastir Robert of Baldoke the false piled clerke that was the kynges chaunceler the kyng consented that they shold be sette to hir wages and let make wardeins ouer hir owne good longe tyme / and thurgh commaundement of the forsaid Sir hugh the spencer xiiij. Gascoynes well armed kept the hulle ther that the good mā seint Thomas was done vn to his deth so that no pilgrime myȝt come by that way ¶Full well wente be to haue be take cristes myght & his power and the grete loo [...] of mi­racles that he shewed for his martir seint Thomas thurgh all cri­stendome And that same tyme the kyng made Robert of Baldok the piled clerke and fals thurgh praier of Sir hugh the spencer the sone Chauncelere of Englond / And in the same tyme was [Page] the Castell of walynford holden ayens the kyng thurgh the prisoners that were withynne the castell for seint Thomas quarell of Lancastre wherfor the peple of the contre come & toke the castell vp on the forsaid prisoners wherfor sir Iohan of Goldington knyght & sir Edmond of the beche prisoner & a squyer that was called Rogier of walton were take & sent to the kyng to Punfrete and ther they were done in to prison And the forsaid Rogier was sent vn to yorke & ther he was drawe & honged And anone after sir Rogier mortimer of wygmore krake oute of the toure of london in this maner the forsaid sir Rogier herd that he sholde be drawe & honged at london in the morne after seint laurence day and on the day before he helde a faire fest in the toure of london & ther was sir Stephen segraue constable of y ^• tour & many grete men with hem And whē they shold sope the forsaid Stephen sent for alle the officers of the tour and they come and souped with hym And when they shold take hir leue of hym a squyer that was called Stephen that was f [...]ll priuee with the forsaid Rogier thurgh his connceill yafe hem all suche drinke that the beste of hem all slept ij. daies and ij. nygh­tes & in the mene tyme be scaped away by water y ^• is to say by the thamyse & wēt ouer the see & helde hym in fraūce. Wherfor the kyng was sore ānoied & tho put the same Stephen out of his cōstablery

¶How the quene Isabell went in to fraunce for to treten of pees bitwene hir lord the kyng of Englond & the kyng of fraunce hir brother. Ca.CC.ij.

THe kyng went tho vn to london & ther thurgh coūceill of sir hugh the spencer the fadre & of his sone & of mastir robert Baldok a fals piled clerc his chaunceler let seise tho all the quenes londes in to his owne hande & also all the landes y ^t were sir Edwardis his sone & were so put to hir wages ayenst all maner reson and that was thurgh the falsenesse of the spencers

¶And when the kyng of fraūce that was quene Isabelles bro­ther herd of this falnesse he was sore ānoied ayens the kyng of englond and his fals councelers wherfor he sent a letter vn to kyng Edward vnder his seal that he sholde come in to feaūce at a certeyn day for to done his homage & ther to he somened hym and elles he sholde lese all gascoyne ¶And so it was ordeyned in Englond thurgh the kyng & his [...]nceill that quene Isabell shold wende in to fraunce for to trete of [...]ees bitwene hir lord & hir brother And that Oliuer of yngham sholde wende in to Gascoyne & haue with hym vij. thousend men and moo of armes to bene seueshall and [Page] wardeyne of gascoine & so it was ordeyned that quene Isabell wēt tho ouer see & come in to fraunce / & with hir went sir Aymer of [...] ­launce erle of Penkroke that was ther mordred sodenly in [...]ue va­ge but that was thurgh goddes vengeaunce / for he was one of the [...]ustices that consented to seint Thomas deth of lancastre & wold neuer after repente hym of that wykked dede / and at that tyme sir Oliuer of yngham went ouer in to Gascoyne & did moch harme to the kyng of fraunce and tho gete ayene that kyng Edward had loste & moch more ther to

¶How kyng Edward sent sir Edward his sone the eldeste in to fraunce Ca.cc.iij.

THe quene Isabell nad but a quarter of a yere in fraunce duelled that sir Edward hir eldest sone ne axed leue for to wende in to fraunce for to speke with his modre [...]sabell the quene / & the kyng his fadre graunted hym with a good wyll / & said to hym / Go my faire sone in goddis blissyng & myne / & thenke for to come ayen [...] as hastely as thou myght And he went ouer see & come in to fraunce And the kyng of fraunce his vncle vnderfenge hym with mochel honour & said vn to hym faire sone ye be welcom [...] and for cause that your fadre come not for to do his homage for the duchie of Gnyhenne as his Auncestres were wont for to do [...]yeue yow that lordshipp to holde it of me in heritage as all maner Auncestres diden to for yow wherfor he was called duke of Gnyhenne

¶How the kyng exiled his quene Isabell & Edward his eldeste sone Ca.cc.iiij

WHenne kyng Edward of englond herde telle how the kyng of fraunce had yeue the duchie of Gnyhenn [...] vn to sir Ed­ward his sone withoute consent & wyll of hym & that his sone had vnderfonge the duchie he become wonder wroth & sente to his sone by his lr̄e & to his wife also that they shold come ayene in to englond in all the hast that they myght ¶The Quene Isabell and sir Edward hir sone were wonder sore adrad of the kynges manace / and of his wrathe & principally the falsenesse of the spen­cers both of the fadre & of the sone / and at his cōmaundement they wold not come / wherfor kyng Edward was full sore annoied & let make a crie at london that yf Quene Isabell and Edward hir eldest sone come not in to Englond that they sholde bene hold as our enemies bothe to the Royame and to the croune of englond And for that they wold come in to Englond but bothe were exi­led [Page] the modre and hir sone ¶When the quene Isabell herd thees ty­dynges she was sore adrad to ben̄ shent thurgh the fals congettyng of the spencers And went with the kuyghtes that were exiled out of Englond for seint Thomas cause of lancastre that is to seyne sir Rogier of wigmore sir william Trussell sir Iohan of Cromwell & many othir good knyghtes wherfor they toke hir counseill & or­deyned amonges hem for to make a mariage bitwene the duke of Gnyhenne the kynges sone of Englond & the Erles doughter of he naud that was a noble knyght of name & a doughty in his tyme And yf that thyng myght be brought aboute than stode they tro­wyng with the helpe of god & with his helpe to recouer hir heritage in Englond wher of they were put oute thurgh the fals congettynges of spencers

¶How kyng Edward thurgh counceill of the spencers sent to the douzepers of fraunce that they shold helpe that the quene Isabell & hir sone sir Edward weren exiled oute of fraunce Ca.CC.v.

WHen kyng Edward & the spencers herde how Quene Isabell and sir Edward hir sone had alied hem to the Erle of benaud and to them that were exiled oute of England for encheson of Thomas of Lancastre they were so sory that they nist what to done ¶Wherfor Sir hugh spencer the sone said vn to Sir hugh his fadre in this maner wyse. ¶Fadre acursed be the tyme and the counceill that euer ye consented that Quene Isabell sholde gone vn to fraunce for to treten of accord bitwene the kyng of Englond and hir brother the kyng of fraunce for that was your coū ceill For at that tyme forsoth your wit failled ¶For I drede [...]e sore lest thurgh hir and hir sone we shull be shent but yf we take the better counceill Nowe faire sires vnderstondeth how mervail­lous felonie and falshede the spencers ymagined and cast for pri­uely they let fylle v. bar [...]ll ferrors with siluer the some amounted v. thousend pounde and they sent tho barelles ouer see priuely by an alien that was called Arnold of spaigne that was a brocour of london that he sholde gone to the douzepers of fraunce that they sholde procuren and speke to the kyng of fraunce that Quene Isabell and hir sone Edward were driue and exiled oute of fraunce ¶ And amonge all othir thynges that they were brought to the deth as priuely as they myȝt But almyghty god wolde not so for when this Arnold was in the hie see he was take with selandres [Page] that met hym in the see and toke hym and lad hym to hir lord Erle of henauld & moch [...]oye was made for that takyng / & at the laste this Arnold [...]uely stake away fro thens & come to london And of this takyng & of othir thynges the erle of henaude said to the Quene Isabell Dame maketh yow mery & bene of good chere for ye be more richer than ye went haue bene / & take ye these v. barelles full of siluer that were sent to the douzepiers of Fraunce for to quelle yow and your sone Edward / & thenketh hastely for to wende in to englond and taketh ye with yow sir Iohan of henaude my brother and v.C. men of armes for many of hem of fraunce in whom ye ha­ue had grete trust had grete deinte yow for to scorne And Almyghty god graunte yow grace your enemies to ouercome The Que­ne Isabell sent tho thurgh [...]enaud & fla [...]dres for hir soudiours / & ordeyned hir euery day for to wend in to englond ayene & so she had in hir companie sir Edmond of wodestoke that was Erle of kent that was sir Edwardes brother of englond

¶Whenne kyng Edward let kepe the costes by the see & let trie all the pri [...]e men of armes & footmen thurgh englond Capitulo ducentesimo .vj

WHenne kyng Edward herd telle that Quene Isabell & Edward hir sone wolde come in to englond with mauy aliens and with hem that were outelawed oute of Eng­lond for hir rebelnesse he was sore adrad to be put a doune and lese his kyngdome wherfor he ordeyned to kepe his castells in walys as well as in englond with vitailles and hir ap [...]ille and let kepe his Riuers and also the see costes wher of the v. portes tok [...] to kepe hem and also the se [...] ¶ And at the fest of decollacion of se [...]t [...]ohan baptist / the Citezems of london sent to the kyng to Porchestre an C.men of armes ¶ And also he commaunded ferthermore by his lr̄ez ordeyned that euery hondred and wapentake of englond to triours as well of men of armes as of men a foote / & that they shold bene put in xx. some & in an C. some & cōmaunded that all tho men were a red [...] when any oute [...]se or crie were made for to pursue and take the al [...]ens that comen to englond for to benymme hym the londe and for to put hym out of his kyngdome / ¶ And more ouer he let crie thurgh his [...]atent in euery faire and in euery mar­kete of Englond that the Quene Isabell and Sir Edward his eldest sone and the Erle of kent that they were take & saufely kept [Page] witho [...]te any maner harme vn to hem doyng and all othir maner peple that come with hem anone smyte of hir hedes withoute any maner raunsome ¶ And what man that myght bring sir rogiers [...]eed mortimer of wygmore shold haue an C. pounde of money for his trauaille And furthermore he ordeyned by his patent and cō maunded to make a fire vpon euery hie hyll besides the riuers and in lowe contres for to make hie Bekenes of tymbre that yf it so were that the Aliens come vn to the land by nyght that men sholde tende the bekenes that the contre myght be warned and come & mete hir enemies and in the same tyme died sir Rogier Mortimer his vncle in the tour of london

¶How the quene Isabell and sir Edward duke of Gnyhenne his sone come to londe at herewiche and how they diden Capitulo CC.vij.

THe quene Isabell & sir Erward hir sone duke of Gnyhē ne sir Edward of wodestoke Erle of kent & sir Iohan the erlys brother of henaud & hir companie drad not the manace of the kyng ne of his traitours for they trust all in goddiz grace & come vn to herewich in southfolk the xxiiij. day of Sptembre & in the yere of grace M.CCC.xxvj And the quene & sir Ed­ward hir sone sent lr̄ez to the maire & cominalte of london requy­ryng hem that they shold bene helpyng in the quarell & cause y ^• they had begonne that is to seyne to destroie the traitours of the reame But none ansuere was sent agayne wherfor the quene & Sir Edward hir sone senten an othir patent lr̄e vnder hir seales the te­nour of which letter here foleweth in this maner ¶Isabell by the grace of god quene of englond lady of Irland & Countesse of [...] & we Edward the eldest sone of the kyng of Englond duke of Gnyhenne Erle of Chestre of Pountyf & of Moustroille to the maire & to all the cominalte of the cite of london sendeth gre­tyng ¶For as moche as we haue before the tyme sent to yowe by our lr̄ez how we be come in to this land with good aray and in good maner for the honour and profite of holy chyrche and of our right dere lord the kyng and all the reame with all our myȝt and power to kepe and maynten as we and all the good folke of the forsaid Reame are holden to done And vpon that we pray yowe that ye wolde bene helpyng to vs in as moche as ye may in this quarell that is for the [...] profite of all the Reame and we haue had vn to this tyme n [...]ne ansuere of the forsaid lettres ne knowe not your wyll in that partie. Wherfor we [Page] send to yowe agayne and pray and charge yow that ye bere yowe so ayens vs that we haue no cause to greue yow but that ye bene to vs help [...]g by all the wayes that ye may or may knowen For we­tith well in certeyne that we and all tho that bene comen with vs in to this reame ne thenke not to done yf it lyke god any thyng but that shal be for the cōmune ꝓfite of all the reame but only to destroyen hugh spencer our enemye and enemie to all the reame as ye well knowe / wherfor we pray yow and charge yow in the faith that ye owe to our lord the kyng and to vs / and vpon all that ye shull [...] mowe forfet agayne vs that yf the said Hugh spencer our enemie come withynne your power that ye done hym hastely to bene taken and saufely kept vn till we haue ordeyned of hym our wille / and that ye leue it not in no maner wise as ye desire honour and profite of vs alle and of all the reame ¶ Vnderstondyng well that yf ye done our praier and maundemēt we shull the more be beholde vn to yowe / And also ye shull gete yowe wurshippe and profite yf ye sende vs hastely ansuere of alle your wylle / yenen at Baldok the vj. day of October ¶Whiche [...]ettre erly in the dawe­nyng of the day of Seint Denis was takked vpon the newe crosse in chepe / and many Copies of the same [...]etter were takked vpon wyndowes and dores and vpon othir places in the Cite that alle men passyng by the wey myght seen and rede And in the same ty­me kyng Edward was at london in the toure at his mete / and a messagier come in to the halle and said that the Quene Isabell was come to londe at herewyche / and hath brought in hir companie Sir Iohan of henaude and with hym men of armes withoute nombre ¶ And with that word Sir Hugh the [...] the fadre spake and thus to the kyng said / my moste wurshipfull lord and kyng of Englond nowe mowe ye make good chere for certeinly they bene alle oures

¶The kyng sawe this word comfortable yit he was f [...]ll sorewe­full and pensyfe in hert ¶ And the kyng had not yit fullich [...]en that ther come in to the halle an othir messagier and said that the Quene Isabell was arriued at herewych beside yepswyche in Southfolk Sir Hugh the spencer the fadre spake to the messagier and said telle soth in good faith to the messagier my fair frende is she come with a strength Certys Sir soth for to say / she ne hath in hir companie but vij. houndred [...] of armes / and with that worde Sir hugh the spencer the fadre cried with an high vois and said Allas allas we bene all betraied / for certys with so litell power she [Page] had neuer come to londe but folke of this londe were to hir consent ¶And therfor after the mete they toke hir coūceill & went toward walys for to arere the walshmen ayene quene Isabell and edward hir sone all for to fight & so they were in purpose euerichon

¶How mastir waltier Stapilton bisshopp of excestre that was the kynges tresorer was beheded at london Ca.CC.viij.

ANd in the same tyme kyng Edward was sore adrad best men of london wold yelde hem vn to the quene Isabell & to hir sone edward wherfor he sent mastir walter stapiltō his tresorer for to be wardeyne and keper of the cite of london with the maire And so he come to the Gildehall of london and axed the keies of the yates of the cite thurgh vertue & strength of his cōmission and wolde haue had the kepyng of the cite And the cōmuners ansuerd & said that they wolde kepe the cite to the honour of kyng Edward and of Isabell the Quene and of the duke the kynges sone withouten any mo The bisshopp was so sore annoied & swore othe that they all shold abie it anone as kyng Edward were come oute of walys ¶ And the cōmuners all anone of the cite token the bisshopp & lad hym amyddes chepe and there they smyten of his hede and set his heed in his right hond ¶ And after they beheded ij. of his squyers that helde with the bisshopp and one of hem was called williā of walle that was the bisshoppes nepheu That othir was called Iohan of Padyngton And also they toke a burgeis of london that was called Iohan marchall that was sir hugh the spen­cers aspie the fadre & smyten of his hede also And in that same ty­me that same bisshopp had in london a fa [...]r tour in makyng in his close vpon the riuer of the thamyse that was withoute templebarre and hym failled stone to make ther of an ende wherfor he cōmaunded his men to gone to the chyrche of frere carmes and ther they to­ken stone to make ther with the towre and moche sand and mortier and olde robous that was left ¶And for the despite that the bishop had done vn to holy chyrch he and his ij. squyers were buried in that sand as though they had bene houndes And they ther leyen xj. wekes till that the quene Isabell sent hir lr̄es to the cōmuners & praied hem that they wuld suffre & graunte that the bisshopp must betaken oute of that place and bene buried at excestre at his owne chyrche and so he was and his ij. squyers were buried at seint clemētz chyrch withoute tēple barre & it was no wōder though y ^• [Page] bisshopp died an euell deth For he was a coueitous man and had with hym no mercy & euell counceilled the kyng ¶And sone af [...] was arnold of spayne taken he that was assentaut to haue lad the v.M pounde of siluer in v. barelles ferriers vn to the douzepers of fraunce for to helpe & hast the quene Isabell to hir deth & Edward hir sone also And this arnold was put vn to deth withoute the Cite of london

¶How kyng Edward & sir hugh spencer and the Erle of arundell were taken Ca.CC.ix.

WHen kyng Edward had sent mastir walt Stapilton his tresorer in to london for to kepe the cite vn to hym ayene y ^• quene Isabell his wife & ayene Edward hir sone anone hym selfe toke with hym sir hugh spencer the sone and sir Iohan erle of arundell & mastir robert baldoke his chaunceler a fals pilled prest & token hir way toward bristowe And ther the kyng abode a litell terme & made sir hugh the spencer the fadre as conestable & keper of the castell And the kyng & that othir spencer went in to the shipp & sailled toward walys & toke no [...]eue of the stiward ne of none in the kynges housold And ouer in to walys for to arere the walshmen ayene dame Isabell the quene & the duke hir sone & the Erle of kent and sir Iohan of henaude and they w [...]nt & pursued after hem and hir power encresed euery day So at the last the kyng was taken vpon an hylle in walys and sir hugh the spencer the sone in that othir side of the same hylle and the fals piled clerc mastir Robert baldok there fast besides hem and were brouȝt ayene in to Englond as almyghty god wold & the kyng hym selfe was in sauf kepyng in the castell of kenilworth and hym kept sir henry that was seint Thomas brother of lancastre ¶And sir hugh spencer the fadre came and put hym in the quenes grace and Sir Edward hir sone duke of gnyhenne But sir hugh the spencer aft the tyme that he was take nolde ete no maner mete nothir drinke no maner drinke for he wyst to haue no mercy sauf only to be dede And the Quene and hir counceille tho had ordeyned that he sholde haue bene do to deth at london but he was so feble for his moche fa­styng that he was dede almost And therfor it was ordeyned that he sholde haue his Iugement at herford And at a place of the toure his hood was take from his heed and also from Robert of baldok that was a pilled clerk and a fals and the kynges Chauncelere [Page] and men set vpon hir hedes chapp clettz of sharpe netteles and two squyers blewe in hir eres with ij. grete bugles hornes vpon tho ij. prisoners that men myght here ther blowyng oute with hornes mo than a Myle And one Symond of Reding the kynges marchall before hem bare hir armes vpon a spere reuersed in token that they sholde be vndone for euer more ¶And vpon the morwe was Sir hugh spencer the sone dampned to the deth and was drawe and honged [...]e [...]ded and his boweles taken oute of his body and brend and after he was quartred / and his iiij. qnartiers were sent to iiij. tounes of Englond and his hede sent to london brugge / ¶ And this Symond for encheson that he despised Quene Isabell he was dra­we and honged in a stage made amydde the forsaid sir hughes ga­lewes ¶ And the same day a litell fro thens was sir Iohan of Aruudell beheded for he was of sir hugh spencers councelers

¶ And anone after was sir hugh spencer the fadre drawe honged and beheded at Bristowe / and after honged ayene by the armes with ij. stronge ropes / and the iiij. day after he was hewen all to pe­ces and houndes eten hym / and for that encheson that the kyng had yeuen hym the Erledome of wynchestre his hede was lad thidder & put vpon a spere And the [...] fals Baldoke was sent to london and ther he deide in prison amonges thefes / for men did hym no more re­uerence than they wold done vn to an hounde / and so deiden the traitours of englond blissed be almyghty god And it was no wōder for her thurgh counceill the good erle Thomas of lancastre was done vn to deth And all that helden with Thomas of lācastre thurgh the traitours were vndone and all hir heires disherited

¶How kyug Edward was put a doune and his dignite [...]enō ­me Capitulo d [...]centesimo decimo

ANd anone after as this was done the Quene Isabell and Edward hir sone and alle the grete lordes of englond at one assent sent to kyng edward to the castell of kenilworth the [...] that he was in kepyng vnder the ward of sir [...]ohan Hachim that was the bisshopp of Ely / & of sir [...]ohan of Percy a baron for encheson that he shold ordeyne his plement at a certeyn place in Englond for to redresse & amend the state of the reame ¶ And kyng Edward hem ansuerd and said lordes quod he / re see full well [...]ow it is / [...]o haueth here my seal / I yeue yowe alle myne powe [...] [Page] to ordeyne a parlement wher that ye wyll ¶ And they toke hir [...] of hym and come ayene to the barons of Englond. ¶And when they had the kynges patent of this thyng they shewed it to the lordes ¶ And tho was ordeyned that the parlement sholde bene at westmynster at the vtas of seint Hillarie ¶ And all the grete lordes of Englond let ordeyne for hem ther ayens that tyme that the parlement shold bene ¶And at which day that parlement was the kyng wold not come ther for no maner thyng as he had sett [...] hym selfe and assigned And notheles the barons sent to hym o tyme & othir And he swore by goddes soule that [...]e nolde come ther o foot Wherfor it was ordeyned by all the grete lordes of Englond that he shold no lenger bene kyng but bene deposed and said that they wold croune kyng Edward his sone the elder that was duke of Gnyhenne and sent so tydyng vn to the kyng ther that he was in­ward vnder sir Iohan Erle of Garenne and sir Iohan of Bo­thun that was bisshopp of Ely and sir Henry Percy a baron & sir william Trussell a knyght that wat with the Erle sir Thomas of Lancastre for to yelde vp hir homages vn to hym for all th [...] of Englond ¶And sir william Trussell said thees wordes