Chronicle of John Harding in Metre, The

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¶The chronicle of Ihon_Hardyng in metre, from the first begynnyng of Englande, vnto the reigne of Edwarde the fourth where he made an end of his chronicle. And from that tyme is added with a continuacion of the storie in prose to this our tyme, now first imprinted, gathered out of diuerse and soundrie autours of moste certain knowelage and substanciall credit, that either in latin or els in our mother toungue haue writen of the affaires of Englande.

Londini. In officina Richard_Graftoni. Mense Ianuarii.

1543.

Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum.

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¶The dedicacion of this present woorke, vnto the right honorable lorde Thomas duke of Norffolke, by th'enprynter, Richard_Grafton.

LOrde Thomas of Norffolke duke moste gracious

Of noble auncestrie and blood descended

A captain right woorthie and auenturous

And from Scotland euen newely retended

Wher Englandes querele ye haue reuenged

In the behalf of our noble kyng Henry

I wyshe you all health, honour, and victorie

¶And because it hath pleased almightie God

In the right title and querele of Englande

To vse your stocke as an iron rod

Wherewith to scourge the falsehood of Scotland

In whom is no truthe ne holde of any bande

Ihon_Hardynges chronicle, as me-thought was

Moste mete to bee dedicated, to your grace

¶For Hardyng a true-herted Englysheman

An esquier valiaunt hardie and bolde

And not vnlearned, as the time was than

Serched out of chronicles, bothe late an[d] olde and] an 1543

All that euer by the same hath bee told

How from the begynnyng, Scotlande dooeth reigne

Under kynges of Englande, as their souerain

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¶And Hardynges owne self, hath the partie bee

That from Scotlande, oft-tymes hath brought

Their seales of homage and fealtee

Unto the kyng of Englande, as he ought

Unto whom the Scottes then sued and sought

Yeldyng to liue in humble subieccion

Of Englandes gouernaunce and proteccion

¶But that people of their propre nature

Hath euen from the first, been so vntowarde

So vnstedfast, inconstaunte and vnsure

That nothyng maie possibly bee more frowarde

So haue thei continued from thens-foorthwarde

Neuer gladde to bee in quiet and rest

But to defeccion, aye readie and prest

¶Wherefore Ihon_Hardyng, to his lorde and maister

Whom in his tyme he serued without blame

Edwarde, first duke of Yorke, and after

Kyng of this realme, the fourthe of that name

In this chronicle affermeth of the same

That thei will rebell, till by prouision

The kyng of England shall haue made theim both one

¶And in-dede England, hath oft been constreigned

The Scottes slackenesse in dooyng their homage

To pricke forewarde, when thei would haue refreined

With the sharpe spurre of marciall forceage

And to abate their wantonnesse of courage

With the iron rodde, of due correccion

As oft as thei attempted defeccion

¶For the Scottes will aye bee bostyng and crakyng

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Euer sekyng causes of rebellion

Spoyles, booties, and preades euer takyng

Euer sowyng quereles of dissension

To burne and steale is all their intencion

And yet as people, whom God dooeth hate and curse

Thei alwaies begynne, and euer haue the woorse

¶ Englande hitherto hath neuer lacked power

As oft as nede wer, the Scottes to compell

Their duetie to dooe, and menne of honour

Englande hath had, as stories dooe tell

Whiche whensoeuer the Scottes did rebell

Wer hable at all tymes, theim to subdue

And their obedience, to England renue

¶Emonges the whiche noumbre, your noble father

In the twelfth yere of Henry_the_seuenths reigne

By aunciente recorde, as I can gather

Beeyng of suche credence as cannot feigne

Yode into Scotlande their pryde to restrein

With sembleable power (as bookes dooen auowe)

And like commission as your grace had now

¶That season he did so valiauntely

The Scottes vanquishyng and puttyng to flight

That thei ranne awaye moste shamefully

Not hable of hym t'abide the sight

Nor hable to sustein, the brunt of his might

Soondrie castelles, he raced down to the grounde

Whiche to the honour of Englande did redound

¶ Kyng Iamy also, makyng greate braggue and vaunte

Hauyng his armie not a myle of that daie

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Your father as a captain valyaunt

Made in a moment, for feare to runne awaye

The Scottish kyng, sending foorth heraldes tway

Chalenged your father, with many a proude woorde

Battayle to wage, and trye it by the sworde.

¶And choose thou sir Earle, quod kyng Iamy then

Whether we shall fight, armie against armie

Or elles I and thou, trye it manne for manne

For sparyng bloodshed, of either compaignie

That if it chaunce me, to haue the victorie

Nought shall I demaunde, for Englandes losse and thine

Sauing Barwike toune, for euer to bee mine

¶Then to the heraldes, saied this noble knight

Shewe to your kyng, that in this place purposely

Battayle for to wage, my tentes haue I pight

I am not come to flee, but to fyght sharpely

As where he standeth, he maye see with his eye

And fyrst where he would, bloodshed saued to bee

Therof am I no lesse desirous then he.

¶Secundarily, where it is his likyng

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That I a poore Earle, and of meane estate

Maye combattre, with hym beyng a kyng

That our two fightes, may ceasse all debate

He dooeth me honour, after suche highe rate

That I must nedes graunt, my-selfe bounde in this case

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Humble thankes to rendre to his grace

¶Now as for the towne of Barwike, it is knowen

(Which your lorde requireth in case I bee slaine)

Is the kyng my souereins, and not mine owne

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So that graunte therof in me dooeth not remain

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But thys maie ye bear worde to your lord again thys=thus

My person and lyfe, aduenture I shall

More precyous to me, then the round worlde all.

¶When kyng Iamy, by his heraldes twoo

Spedefullye returnyng, had due knowlage

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Muche otherwyse, then he loked for thoo

Of the Earles stout aunswer and message

Fled out of hand, and would no battayle wage

So that your father retourned home victour

With coumfort, laude, praise, ioye and honour

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¶The same your father, in the fyfth yere

Of our moost noble kyng Henry_the_eyght

When hys grace and his armie at Turney were

And the same kyng Iamy, of Scotland streyght

Agaynst England, his banner dyspleyght

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Uanquished the Scottes, and with your helpyng hand

Slew there king Iamy, and brought him to England

Agayne in the .xv. yere of the same reygne

Your-selfe in proper personne full courageous

Set forth againt the Scottes, without dysdeygne

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Lyke a captayne valyaunt and venturous

Wher ye brent Iedworth, a toune right populous

Wyth diuers victories, that your grace then had

Whiche made all Englande, to reioyse and be glad

¶The yere folowyng also, as bookes testify

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The Scottes came, with an houge power

Of .lx. thousande men vnder the Duke of Albany

Besiegyng Warke castel, thynkyng it to deuour

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But heryng that your grace, dyd approch that hour

The Scottes trembled, and so dyd theyr Duke

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And cowardly fled, to their shame and rebuke.

¶Sembleably, by thys your last viage

Nowe thys last October and Nouember

Made into Scotlande, to their great damage

It dooeth as me semeth, ryght well appere

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That when pleaseth our king to send you thether

Your house in hys ryght, is appoynted by God

To bee to the Scottes, a sharpe scourge and rod

Wherfore thys chronycle of Ihon_Hardyng

I haue thought good, to dedycate to your grace

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Because the same in euery maner of thyng

Doothe best set out the nature of that place

With distaunce of tounes, and euery myles space

Besechyng your grace to take in good parte

Myne honest labours and beneuolent harte

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The preface into the Chronycle of Iohn_Hardyng.

EMonges all wryters, that haue put in vre

Their penne and style, thynges to endite

None haue behynd theim, left so greate treasure

Ne to their posteritee, haue dooen suche delite

As thei whiche haue taken peines to write

Chronycles and actes, of eche nacion

And haue of the same, made true relacion.

¶By Chronycles we knowe, thynges auncient

The succession of tymes, and menne

the state of policies, with their regiment

Howe long eche partie hath ruled, and when

And what were all their procedynges then.

Chronicles make reporte of matiers dooen

And passed many thousand yeres gooen

¶By Chronycles we knowe, in eche countree

What men haue been, of prowesse marciall

What persones chiefly in actiuitee

When and betwene whom, warres haue befall

Either ciuile or els externall

Howe the same haue been, conueighed and wrought

Or els appeaced, and to quiete brought

¶Chronicles dooe recorde and testifye.

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Euen from the worldes first beginninges

And dooe kepe in continuall memorie

The course and processe, of all maner thinges

The liues and maners, of princes and kynges

As well Gentiles as Iudaicall

As well Iuste and godly, as tyrannicall

¶What persones to their prince and countree

Haue been louing true and obedient

And at all times of necessitee

Haue serued the same, with good entent

And constauntly therin, haue their liues spent

In Chronicles are regestred feithfully

To their immortall honoure and glorye

¶Contrarye-wise, who to their souerains

Or to their countrees, haue been wicked traitours

Or by collusion and crafty traines

Haue rebelled against their gouernours

Or the same to helpe, haue been slacke proctours

Are sembleably sette out by name

To their endelesse infamy, reproche, and shame.

¶These thinges, and others a thousande mo

Wherby realmes, haue decaied or growen

Chaunged in processe, and altered to and fro

Fruitefull and expedient to bee knowen

Are in Chronicles, so plainly showen

That thinges antique, to vs bee as apparent

As yf at their doinges, we had been present.

¶Wherfore Goddes worde and holy scripture

Whiche abandoneth all maner vanitee

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Yet of Chronicles admitteth the lecture

As a thing of greate fruite and vtilitee

And as a lanterne, to the posteritee

For example, what they ought to knowe

What waies to refuse, and what to folowe.

¶The bible bookes, of Iudges and kynges

Althoughe moste full, of high diuine misterie

And farre surmounting all Ethnike dooynges

Yet yf they bee read, and take literally

Hath the fourme and course of a plain historie

What kynges serued God, and who trangressed

Whiche thereby prospered, or wer oppressed

¶The bookes of the kynges euery-where

Yf thinges seme touched ouer_briefly

To a larger storye, dooeth vs referre

Whiche were Chronicles of eche manne truely

Sette out at length, to our memorie

Albeit those Chronicles (as it is euident)

Are loste, and dooe not remain at this present

¶The bookes inscribed, Paralipomena

A perfecte membre, and piece of the bible

Is a summarye, of the kynges of Iuda

And therfore in Hebrue, it hath the title

And appellacion, of a Chronicle

The Machabees also, by my deming

Is a plaine historye, of holy writing

¶Whiche bookes, if they had neuer been set out

It had been a greate maime to our knowlage

A lamentable lacke, withouten doubte

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A greate cause of blindnesse to our age

And to our faith, inestimable damage.

But the spirite of God, the authour was

That those examples, might bee our glasse.

¶Chronicles therfore, of true reporte

Whether of Christian realmes or no

Are matier of pleasaunce, fruite, and comforte

And for a thousande causes and mo

Diligently to bee attended vnto

Yea, and all maner writers of the same

Worthie laude, thanke, honoure and immortal fame

¶Neither is any-one to bee reiected

That in this behalfe, hath dooen his endeuoure

For though some bee, such as might bee corrected

Yet those that haue, therein bestowed laboure

Haue minded to profyte vs to their power

Neither any is so full, but somwhere dooeth faile

Nor any so bare, but dooeth somthing auaile.

¶And what an exceding benefite trowe ye

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Is it for eche manne, to haue cognicion

Of all actes, bothe of his owne countree

And also of euery forein nacion

As yf he had liued, when eche thing was dooen

And to view the actes of antiquitee

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As though he did nowe, presentlye theim see

¶Chroniclers therfore, I can highly commende

And emonge others, this authour Ihon_Harding

Who with all his power, to this point did contend

To the vttermost extent of his learning

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That Englishe-men might haue vnderstanding

Of all affaires, touching their owne countree

Euen to his dayes, from olde antiquitee

¶And though his conning, were not so muche

As some others nor his intelligence

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Yet his good minde, entent, and zele was suche

That in hym lacked, no pointe of diligence

After suche bookes, as he thought of credence

Feithfully to describe, suche thinges in rime

As happened to Englande, from tyme to tyme

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¶But in thinges dooen, before his own dayes

He foloweth his authours, at auenture

Without choice or difference of the true wayes

Nor well assured, who were corrupte or pure

Nor whether they were certaine or elles vnsure

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Whether fabulous, or menne of veritee

Whether vaine, or of good authoritee.

¶But what-soeuer, in his owne time was dooen

That he reporteth with all fidelitee

Right so as eche thing, ended or begonne

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Withoute any spotte of insynceritee

Or dissimulation of the veritee

He founde all meanes, the veray trueth to know

And what he knewe certainly, that did he shewe.

¶From the beginning of Henry_the_fourth kyng

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Of this realme of Englande, after the conquest

Euen to Edwarde_the_fourthes reigning

Whiche was thre score yeres and one at the leste

He leaueth nothing vnwriten at the largest

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That was or semed to bee of importaunce

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Touchyng peace and warre, wyth Scotlande or Fraunce

¶Unto the Scottes, he coulde neuer bee frende

Because he sawe theim towardes England

False from the begynnyng, to the last ende

Neuer standyng to anye league ne bande

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Homage, fealtee, ne wryting of theyr hande

Neuer so readie to make rebellyon

As when thei promised moost subiection

¶That if Ihon_Hardyng, bee a trew man

And in this behalfe inspyred with prophecie

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Thei wyll neuer bee, but as thei were than

False to England, suttle, and craftie

Entendyng myschiefe, when thei shewe contrary

Spoylers and robbers, that amende wyll neuer

Tyll our kyng shall haue made theim Englyshe for euer

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¶Neither is there anye, that euer wrote

Which in matiers of Scotland could better skill

Nor which their falshoode and vntrueth to note

Had more affection or better wyll

Or better knew water, woodde, toune, vale and hyll

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Or was more feruente the Scottes to persue

Who to England he knew, woulde neuer be true

¶Neyther anye Chronicler that euer was

Eyther dooth or can, more largly declare

Euen from Brutus, howe it came to passe

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That kynges of Englande the soueraines are

And ouer Scotlande oughte rule to beare

Hymselfe is wytnes, of their subiection

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And homage, vnder Englandes protection

¶In other thinges, the tymes were suche

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That though this werke haue some spice of blindnesse

Yet is the authour, not to be blamed much

For Popyshe errour, that season doubtlesse

Did all the worlde ouer_go and oppresse

Therfore such thinges, we must in good part take

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And pardon that faulte, for the tymes sake

¶Yet haue we thought best, the autour to set out

Euen in suche fourme, as hymselfe dyd endite

It wer an vnquod thyng, yf we should go about

To alter and chaunge, that olde men haue wryte

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Secondly to vs, it maye bee greate delyte

The blindnesse of those tymes to consider

From whiche hathe pleased God vs to delyuer

¶Fynally the darkenesse of those dayes to see

To the honoure of our kyng dooeth redound

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To whom by goddes helpe geuen it hath bee

All Popyshe trumperye for to confounde

Which thyng, al trew English hertes hath bound

Incessauntly to praye, for kyng Henrye_the_eyghte

Whose godly wisedome, hath made all streyghte

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And for-asmuch as Hardyng, his boke doth ende

With Edward_the_fourth, whose seruaunt he was

And to whome also, this booke he dyd commende

Consideryng also, the tyme and space

Beyng .lx. yeres and more, I coulde not let passe

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So many goodly statutes and decrees

Battayles, and stories, not good to lese.

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Wherfore I annexed theim by continuacion

Begynning wyth Edwarde the fourth of that name

Then Edward_the_fyfth, kyng by generation

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Whom Richard_the_third, to his immortal shame

Cruelly murdered, the story sayeth the same

But plaged he was, to hys greate greuaunce

With a shamefull death, as Goddes vengeaunce

Then Henry_the_.vii. nexte doothe ensue

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Father vnto our moost dred soueraigne lorde

And of Henry_the_.viii , some-thyng that is true

I haue here set forth, as wryters dooe accorde

Not in metre, but obseruyng worde, for worde

Myne authours, that wrote it all in prose

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Reportyng the truth, without fraude or glose

¶Now right gentle reader, thy parte shalbe

My good wyll and zele, my payne and labour

To entreprete and take in good parte and gre

Geuing to the same, suche good wordes of fauour

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As may enforce me with all myne endeuour

The settyng forth of mo werkes to take in hande

To thy solace, and honour of Englande.

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¶The Proheme of Iohn_Hardynge into this his chronycle.

THe moste substaunce of power and of myght,

Through age distilled, into debilitee

Of me that am this time an aged wight

And greate faute, haue of habilitee

This labour now shuld haue withhold fro me

But that my witte would haue some diligence

My ghoost to kepe from synne and insolence.

¶This werke is great, and longe to bryng to fyne

So doeth it euer fro tyme to tyme encrease

And long hath dooen, afore Christ dyd enclyne,

In Marie mother and mayden without lease

To chronicle, so men haue theim put in prease

Some in meetre, and some also in prose

Some in Latyn, full wysely did it close.

¶And some in Frenche, they made for intellecte

Of men that could no Latyn vnderstande

More sufficiently endited and protecte

By ferre then I can it nowe take in hande

And some in lynes two, theyr ryme ay bande

But though my witte be not so curious

As theirs by ferre to make it glorious.

¶Yet wyll I vse, the symple witte I haue

To your pleasaunce and consolacion

Moste noble lorde and prince, so God me saue

That in chronycles hath delectacion

Though it be farre aboue myne estimacion

Into balade I wyll it nowe translate

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Ryght in this forme with all myne estymate.

My lorde of Yorke vnto your sapience.

I wyll remember a notabilyte

Of your elders rule and regymence

That had this lande of olde prioryte

Which ruled were after their dignitee

In vertue digne by roiall gouernaunce

And in vyce rulyd and misgouernaunce.

By whiche knowledge your discrete sapience

All vyce euermore destroye maye and reproue

By vertuous and blessed full dilygence

And vertue loue, that maye not ought greue

Howe ye shall rule your subiectes while ye lyue

In lawe and peace and all tranquyllite

Whiche been the floures of all regalyte.

¶ Edward_the_thyrde that was king of this land

By ryght title, and very iuste discent

And kyng of Fraunce as I can vnderstande

By his mother quene Isabell the gent

Sister and heyre of Charles by hole entent

For Charles dyed without any chylde

The ryght discent vnto his mother mylde

Why shulde the French forbarre you of your right

Sith God of heauen in libro numeri Numeri. .xxvii.

Gaue to Moises this lawe that nowe is lyght

In the chapiter seuen and twenty

By these wordes the doughter ryghtfully

Of Salphaat aske the fathers heritage Salphaat

Geue them in possessyon amonge the cosynage.

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¶This kyng Edward reignyng in his dayes

In mercyall actes, tryumphe and victorie

Aboue all princes famed was alwayes

Fyue sonnes had, the worlde out to crye

Ther wer no mo suche of one patrymonye

Edwarde the prince and eldest sonne of age

Who gat Richarde, that had the heritage.

¶ Leonell next-borne, after in Antwerpe

In Brabant lande, that wedded vnto his wyfe

The erles doughter of Ulster as men do karpe

And begatte on her Philip his doughter ryue

And also his heire, whome he loued as his lyue

Whome erle Emonde of Marche the Mortimer

Wedded to his wyfe and begatte the erle Roger.

Edwarde_the_thyrd had fyue sonnes.

the five lines following are bracketed against the previous line

Edwarde prince.

Leonell.

John duke of Lancastre.

Edmounde duke of Yorke.

Thomas of Woodstocke duke of Gloucester.

¶That erle was after of Marche and of Ulster

With wylde Irishe that slayne wer in Irelande

Who had a sonne, erle Emonde_Mortymer

That dyed without yssue I vnderstande

To whome dame Anne, his syster, vnto his land

Was veraye heyre, whom the erle of Cambridge wed

And gatte of her your-selfe as I haue red

¶ Why should ye not then be her veraye heyre

Of all her lande and eke of all her right

Sith Iesu_Christe of Iude-lande so feire

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By veray meane of his mother Mary bryght

To be kyng, claymed tytle and right

And so dyd name hym-selfe kyng of Iewes

So by your mother, the right to you acrewes.

¶After Lyonell that was duke of Clarence

And of Ulster the erle was, by his wyfe

And of Italie, for his greate excellence

Kyng should haue been, without any stryfe

Of all Europe, without comparatyfe

The royall laude, and to his espousaile laude: lande?

The dukes doughter of Melayn without faile.

¶ Iohn borne in Gaunt, of Flaunders chief cytee Ihon duke of Lancaster born in Gaunt.

The thyrde soonne was, of good kyng Edwarde

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That wedded dame Blaunch, ful of feminytee

Duke Henryes doughter and heire afterwarde

Of Lancastre, by lawe of kynde and forwarde

Who gat and bare the fourth kyng Henry Henrye_the_fourth.

That kyng Rycharde deposed wrongfully.

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¶Who gatte Henry_the_fyfth lyke conqueroure

Of Normandy, and mykill parte of Fraunce Henrye_the_fyfth.

That excelled bothe kyng and Emperoure

In marcyall actes, by his gouernaunce

Who gatte Henry_the_sixte at Gods pleasaunce Henrye_the_syxte.

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Of suche symplenesse and disposicion

As menne maye se by his discrecion.

¶For when Henry_the_fourth first was crouned

Many a wyse man, sayd then full commenly

The third heyre shuld not ioyse but be vncrouned ioyse: see OED joise vb 2

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And deposed of all regalitee

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To this reason they dyd there wittes applye,

Of euill-gotten good, the third should not enioyse

Of longe agone, it hath bene a commen voyse.

¶Howe the maker of this booke saieth his auyse in briefe for the duke of Yorke.

¶O my lorde of Yorke, God hath prouyde

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In this for you, as men sayen commenly

So that no slouth you from his grace deuyde

But take it as he hath it sent manly

And rule well nowe ye haue the remedye

But neretheles, let euery man haue the right

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Both frende and foo, it may encrease your might.

¶Treate well Percy of marchys lyne discended

To helpe your right with might and fortifye

By tender meanes to holde hym well contented

Remembryng hym, by wyttie polycye

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Howe by processe of tyme and destenye

Your right might all bene his, as nowe is yours

Through gods might, make them your successours

¶ Edmounde was then the .iiij. sonne, at Langlay Edmound duke of yorke.

Borne, as knowen was well in the lande

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A noble prince after, as men might say

At batayle of Orray, that fought sore with his hande

And Iohn of Gaunt his brother, I vnderstande

That fought ful sore, for Ihon of Mountfort right

Agayne Charles of Bloys a manly knight.

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¶This Edmounde was after duke of Yorke creat

And had a sonne that Edward had to name

Whom kyng Richarde made to be denominate

In all his writtes exaltyng his fame

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Kyng of Portyngale, his father yet at hame

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Lyuyng in age I trawe of .lxxx. yere

A fayre person, as a man might se any-where.

¶ Thomas_Woodstoke, the .v. sonne was in-dede

Duke of Gloucester, that tyme made and create Thomas of woodstocke duke of gloucester.

By kyng Richarde murdered whom for his mede

150

Kyng Henry quyt with death preordinate

By Goddes dome and sentence approbate

Who sleeth, so shall he be slayne by his sentence

Well more murder whiche asketh ay vengeaunce Mat. xxvii.

¶Who laye afore Paris, a moneth daye

155

With hoste royall without any batell

Of all enemyes moste dred he was alwaye

And Scottes moste hym dred without any fayle

For as they trowed by theyr owne rehersaile

Of prophecyes he shulde theyr lande conquere

160

And make the kyng to Englande homegere.

¶Nowe haue I made vnto your owne knowlege

A remembraunce of Edwardes sonnes fyue

Your exampler to geue you a corage

So noble princes, I trowe were none alyue

165

After my wytte as I can discryue

The eldest sonne, whose lyfe I haue lefte oute Edward prince of Walys the eldest sonne of kynge Edward_the_.iii.

Who that in Fraunce and all landes was moste doute

¶Of the ryghte and tytles that my Lorde of Yorke hath to Fraunce and Spayne with Portingale and other landes by_yonde the sea, Ierusalem and other landes.

¶At batell of Poytiers tooke kynge Iohn

With great honoure triumphe and vyctory

sig: a4

170

By merciall actes, and verteous life aloone

And in Spayne, as made is memorie

The kyng Petro, by knightly victorie

To his kyngdome, he did restore again

By his brother putte out, with muche pain

¶The appoinctement bytwixt duke Iohn and duke Emund who should bee kyng of Castle and Lyon, and what the maker of this booke sawe and red at London , to syr Robert_Umfrewill then lorde Umfrewill.

175

¶This kyng Petro to giue hym to his mede

Had nothyng els but doughters twoo full faire

Whiche he betooke, to that prince in-deede

For his wages, for cause thei [were] his heire were] where 1543

With whome he did, to Englande so repaire

180

And Constaunce wedde, vnto his brother Iohn

Emund his brother, the younger had anone

¶ Dame Isabell, the younger hight by name

Bytwene these brethren, was appoinctment

The first heire male, whiche of the sisters came,

185

The kyng should been, and haue the regiment

To you my lorde of Yorke, this dooeth appent Duke of Yorke.

For your vncle Edwarde, was first heire male

To whome your father, was heire with_out faile.

¶So kynge of Spayne, and also of Portyngall

190

Ye should nowe bee, by lyne of bloodde discent

By couenaunt also and appoinctement whole

As I haue seen of it the muniment

Under seale wryten, in all entent

Whiche your vncle, to my lorde Umfrewill

195

At London shewed, whiche I red that while

sig: [a4v]

¶For Spayne and Portyngale beare the renoume

And commen name as I haue herde expressed

Both to the realmes of Castyll and Lyon.

And so the kynge of Spayne hath aye adressed

200

His royall style in wrytyng well impressed

Kyng of Castill and also of Lyon,

Accompted both so for his region.

¶Nowe be ye knowe, of your title to Englande The tytle of the kinges of Englande to Scotland and Ireland.

By consequens to Wales and Scotlande

205

For they perteyne, as ye maye vnderstande

Of auncient tyme, to the crowne of Englande

By papall bull, ye haue the right to Irelande,

Gascowe, Paitowe and Normandye

Pountyf, Bebuile, Saunxie and Sauntignye.

210

¶And all the lande beyonde the charente

Of Dangolesme, Dangolismoys and Luyrezyne

Of Caoure, Caourenon , Pyridor and Pirygunt countre

Of Rodis, Ronegeauis, Dagon , Dagenoyse the fine

Tharbe, Wigor and Gaure shoulde to you enclyne,

215

With all the fraunchyses and all souerayntie

As hath the kyng of Fraunce in his degre.

¶Note, that I Ihon_Hardyng maker of this booke, delyuered to kyng Henry_the_syxte the copie of the treatie of this land as kyng Edward_the_thyrd treated and had them after the battayll of Poytours.

¶ Calys and Marke, Colne, Hammys, Oye and Wale,

Sandegate and Guysons, with all the whole countre

With all the landes and townes betwene them all

220

With all fraunchyses and royall souerayntie

sig: [a5]

All those of right be yours in propertie

What by treate and what by veraye right

As kyng Edwarde them had of mykyll might.

¶To Ierusalem, I saye ye haue great right

225

For erle Geffraye, that hight Plantagenet

Of Aungeoy erle, a prince of passyng might

The eldest sonne to Fouke, and first begette

Kyng of Ierusalem by his wife dewly sette

Whose sonne Geffray foresaide gatte on his wyfe

230

Henry_the_seconde that knowen was full ryfe.

¶Yet haue ye more fro Bawdewyn_Paraliticus

Kyng afterward, to the same kyng Henry

The croune sente and his banner precious

As veraye heyr of whole auncestrie

235

Descent of bloode by tytle lynyally

From Godfray_Boleyn and Robert_Curthose Godfraye_Boleyn. Robert_curthose.

That kynges were therof and chose.

¶He sente hym also the Sepulture keyes

Resygnyng wholy vnto hym all his ryght

240

For to defende the lande from Sarizenes

For he was sicke and had therto no might

And all the lande, destroyed was to sight

By the Soudyan to great lamentacion

Of Goddes people, and all Christen nacion.

245

¶He sente hym also the keyes of Dauids towre

With Heraclye, that of Ierusalem

Was Patriarke and greatest of honour

And with templers, which brought hym into this realme

Besekyng hym that he would them susteine

sig: [a5v]

250

Full humbly askyng supportacion

For the cytiee and christen consolacion.

¶All these titles, the chronicles can recorde

If they be seen by good deliberacion

Many of theim to these full well accorde

255

As I haue seen with greate delectacion

By clerkes wrytten for our informacion

As in olde feldes, cornes freshe and grene grewe

So of olde bookes commeth our cunnyng newe Out of old bookes commeth newe knowledge

¶Of this I wyll nowe cease and forth procede

260

To my mater, wher fyrst I beganne

To chronicles of this lande for worthihed

To remembre in balade as I can

To that entent to please both God and man

And eke to please good femynitie

265

Of my lady your wife dame Cecely. The dukes wyfe named Cecely.

¶That in Latyn hath litell intellect

To vnderstande the great nobilytie

Of this ilke lande of whiche she is electe

Tyme commyng like to haue the souerayntie

270

Under your rule as shulde feminitee

Whiche if it maye please her ladyshippe

My hert will reioyse of her inward gladshippe.

¶For well I wote your great intelligence

That in latyn hath good inspeccion

275

Will pleased bee of your hie sapience

My lady that is vnder your proteccion

Your heyre also maye rede at theyr eleccion

Whiche if it may please your nobilitee

sig: [a6]

Of my laboure I would reioysed bee.

280

¶Also for your heyres and for your successours

In tyme commyng to haue a clere knowlege

How of this realme the noble gouernours

Haue kept with helpe of Baronage

In victorye, tryumphe and surplusage

285

Sith Brute it wanne in his prioritee

It hath been kept in worthy dignitee

¶But howe this ysle enbrased with this sea

Unedefied was knowne first and founde

That Albion was named of propertee

290

Of dame Albione that first therein had ground

And after long, how Brute therof was crowned

That of his owne name called it Brytayne

And buylded it, wher all before was playne.

¶The ende of the Proheme.

sig: [a6v]

Here begynneth the Chronycle of Iohn_Hardynge.

The firste Chapter.

THe whyle that Troye was reignyng in his might

In Greece there was a kynge right excellente

That Dioclesian , some booke sayeth he hight Kyng Dioclesyan and Albyne his wyfe.

And of Surray that had the regimente,

Dame Albyne hight his wife, a lady gente

Who doughters had .xxx. wedded to there degree

To kynges all of greate nobilitee.

¶Whiche fell in pryde, and hye elacion

Thynkyng to be in no subieccion

Of husbandes more, ne dominacion

But only by a fell conieccion

Toke hole purpose and full affeccion

To kyll there lordes slepyng sodaynly

Soueraynes to be, and lyue all seuerally.

The .ij. Chapter.

THe youngest suster, the mater all discured

To her husbande, and to her father gent

For whiche she was of al that dede assured

But they were putte in exile by iudgement

sig: [a7]

So rightfull were the princes of there entente

They iudged them to be put in the see

In shyppe to passe echeone fro there countree.

¶As fortune would, to make there auenture

Which by processe, with streames to and fro This chronicle is not true.

And tempestes greate, and sore disauenture

Of sickenes great and mykell other wo

And moste of all, they knewe not whether to go

Tyll at laste they came vnto this ysle

That then was waste, as chronicles do compile.

¶But I dare saye, this chronicle is not trewe,

For in that ylke tyme, in Surraye was no kyng

Ne afterwarde, to tyme that Saul grewe

Ne no kyng was in Surray euer lyuyng Saul was the fyrste kyng in the thyrde age.

That had that name, for Saule was the first kyng

Of Surray realme, at the ende of the thyrde age

In Samuels tyme, the prophete wyse and sage.

The .iij. Chapter.

NE afore Brute, was in no realme that name,

No kyng on liue, that hight ne called so

But of Arginos the kyng of full hye fame

sig: [a7v]

Had doughters fifty, whose name was Danao

The kyng of Egipte, his brother Egisto

Had soonnes also fifty together wedde

In chronicles of olde as I haue redde

¶Whiche doughters, slew their husbandes echone

Long before Brute was of his mother bore

So fynde I by these women alone

And by these soonnes thus slain before

The chronicle trewe, in their persones more

Then in the doughters of Dioclesian

Were in no lande that tyme so hight kyng none

¶So in the yere of Aioth Iudge of Israell

These ladies here landed full weery and sore

Seuenty and twoo as Hugh dooeth tell

Whiche was I saie an hundred yere afore

That Brute came into this lande and more

By fyue yeres trulye, and well accompted

Of yeres ode so muche more amounted

¶Also in Surray there was no kyng before

Kyng Alexaunder dedde and expired

For Seleucius was the first kyng thore

By all chronicles that I haue enquired

That chronicle should not bee desired

Seyng that it is not trew ne autenticke

By no chronicle vnto the trewth oughte like

¶I dare well saie he saw neuer Hugh_Genesis This sheweth that our chronicle is false in the begynnyng,begynnyng] beegynnyng 1543 begynnyng] beegynnyng 1543

Ne he redde neuer the chronicles of Surry

Of Israell Iude ne of Egipciis

Of Argiuos, of Athenes, ne Thessaly

sig: [a8]

Of Macedon, Cesile, ne of Assery,

Of Lacedemon, of Lyde, ne yet of Latyn,

Of Affrique, of Asis, ne yet of Babelyn,

¶Of Perce, ne Meede, Italye, ne Albany,

Of kyng Alexaunder, ne of his successors

That afore-tyme reigned dyuersly

In dyuerse realmes, citees castelles and toures

Of Romany, ne of state of emperours

For had he seene all these and their stories

Of Dioclesian, he would make no memories,

The .iiii. Chapiter

THese ladies so ay dwellyng in this Isle

The yeres of Aioth seuenty and two no lees

Dame Albyne was as menne can compile

The eldest sister, and thought she would encrees

Hir-self aboue theim all apon the dees

Sittyng, she tooke feauty, then of theim all

Trewe to hir to bee, for aught that might bee_fall

¶And then she gaue this Isle a propre name

Of Albion, out of hir name as chief

And called it so, frome thens-forward the same

She ordained then bowes to their relief

Arowes and boltes and bowstrynges made in brief

To slee the Dere, the Bull, and also the Bore

The Beer, and byrdes, that were therin before,

sig: [a8v]

¶With pitfalles great and trappes thei did begile

The beastes and byrdes to theyr sustenaunce

They gatte eche daye with nettes and other wile

The fyshe in stagnes and waters sufficiaunce

Eche daye they made wyttye cheuesaunce

To helpe them-selfe at their necessitee

For hungre, that they shulde not perished bee.

The .v. Chapter.

THese ladies with meate and drynke replete

100

And of nature reuigured corporally

And all there care forgette and vnder fete

Had great desyre to play them womanly

As wemen yet wyll do full louyngly

For to fulfyll the werke of womanhed

105

And bryng forth frute, the lande to rule and lede.

¶So wer they tempted with inwarde meditacion

And vayne-glorye within their hertes implyed

To haue comforth of mennes consolacion

And knewe nothyng, howe of them to prouyde

110

But inwardly theim they glorifyed

So hote that spyrites in mannes forme

Laye by theim their desyres to performe

¶So duryng forth in suche lust and delyte

With nature of theim-selfe and feminacion

115

The spyrites gatte children, that were Gyauntes tyte

Of them through their owne ymaginacion

sig: b[1]

By feruent hete, moued with temptacion

Thus gatte they then great Giauntes ful of might

Within shorte tyme that were longe and wight.

The .vi. Chapter.

120

THe fathers then by theyr doughters laye

Mother ne syster agayne it not replyed

Of chylder fell sonnes and doughters ay

They gatte eche daye and strongly multiplied

Of theim this ysle then was so fortifyed

125

So stronge then was this generacion

None durst it noye for theyr malignacion.

¶Amonge theim fell so great vnkyndnesse

Accordynge ryght well to there lyfe inordinate

That echone of theim dyd other oppresse

130

That none of theim was lefte on lyue of that estate

Of .xij. thousande within a lytell date

Whose pryde fell afore the incarnacion

Twelue hundreth yere, by veraye computacion.

¶But Bartholomew de proprietatibus rerum

135

Sayth howe this ysle of Albion had name

Of the see-bankes full whyte all or sum

That circuyte the ysle as shyppes came

Fro ferrome sene, as thei through the see-fame ferrome: see OED ferren

Sailed by and by for rypes and roches whyte

140

To shipmen were greate gladnesse and delyte.

¶But Maryan saieth the chronicler to sewe

sig: [b1v]

That dame Albion was the first that named it so

Both-two myght be together clere and trewe

That shippes so saylinge to and fro

145

And at her coming they called it so both-two

And so both waies maye be right sure and trewe

From whiche there wyll no chronycler it renewe

¶Of this nowe wyll I sease and saye no more

To time come efte that Brute hath wonne this lande Brutus

150

And slayne them all in batell foughten sore

But nowe of Brutus ye shall well vnderstande

Howe that he did in Greece and tooke on hande

And of what bloude he cam by clere discente

And howe in Greece he had greate regiment.

155

¶And howe he gate this ysle by his prowesse

And called it by name the ysle of Britayne

And of his name for theyr worthynesse

He called his men Britaynes ay furth certayne

That Troyans were afore not to layne

160

To whiche I praye the holy Trinyte

That is one God in personnes thre.

¶Of helpe and spede to bryng this boke to ende The oracyon of the authoure for the makyng of this booke.

For symple is my wytte of all scyence

Of rethoryke as yet neuer I kende

165

And symple am of all intellygence

Yet wyll I not so hurte my conscyence

On olde goddes to muse or on to call

That false were euer and euer so wyll be_fall.

¶Of Saturnus ne yet of Marcury The names of false goddes.

170

Of Iubiter of Mars ne yet of Uenus

sig: b2

Of Pallas ne of Mynerue ne Megary

Ne of Phebus Ceres ne of Geneus

Of Cupyde ne yet of Thisophonus

Dyan Bacchus ne of Cerbery

175

All these I wyll refuse nowe and defye

¶And to the god in heuen I praye in magestie

My wytte to enforce with might and sapience

With langage suche as may ought pleasaunt be

To your pleasaunce and noble excellence

180

For I am bare and naked of eloquence

By insuffycience and all symplicyte

To ende this booke as were necessyte.

The .vii. Chapiter.

AS chronycles telleth and make notificacyon Brutus

Who-so them wel shal know and vnderstand

185

Of what kynne blode and generacyon

Brutus firste came that conquered all this lande

It to remember I haue nowe take on hande

Through all olde stories by philosyphers compiled

In balade thus it shall be made and fyled

190

¶As out of olde feldes newe corne groweth eche yere

Of olde bokes by clerkes newe approued

Olde knyghtes actes with mynstrelles tonge stere

The newe corage of yonge knightes to be moued

sig: [b2v]

Wherfore me-thinketh old thinges shuld be loued

195

Sith olde bokes maketh young wittes wise

Disposed well with vertues exercyse. Oute of old bokes commeth new wisedome.

¶At olde Adam therfore I wyll begyn Adam.

Who was I fynde, the first olde creatur

Conueyng downe lynyally in kyn

200

As discent in byrth and in gendur

Next vnto Brute, as mencion maketh scriptur

I shall reporte, as God wyll please to lede

My symple ghoost with language it to fede.

¶For well I wote, without his supportacion

205

For to reporte his veraye genealogie

Howe he by discent in all generacion

From Adam downe to Troyane Auncetrye

Gotten and borne certeyne in Italye

Full herde it is, although I woulde full fayne

210

So symple be my spyrites and my brayne. The generacion of Brute.

¶Of Adam whiche was the fyrst creature Adam.

Came Seth forsothe and Seth gat Enos than Seth. Enos.

And Enos gatte afterwarde full sure

A sonne that hight and called was Canayn Canayn

215

Who gatte Melaliel, as scripture tell can Melaliel

Who gatte Iareth of whom Enoke came Iareth. Enoke

That Matusaly gatte of mykill fame. Matusale.

¶ Matusale gatte Lameke, who Noe gatte Lamech. Noe.

And Noe Iaphet, who gatte Cichym than Iapheth. Cichym.

220

That Cipre gatte after whom Cipres hatte Cipre.

Cipre gatte Crete, that the ysle of Crete began Crete.

A famouse and a ryght notable man

sig: b3

And Crete gatte a sonne hight Cely Cely.

Who gatte Saturne a wyse man and a wittye Saturne

225

¶Of whome came then Iubiter of Frigy Iubiter.

Whiche is Turky wherin Troyes citee

In honour stode and in great victorye

And Iubiter gate Dardanus no lee Dardanus.

That of Frigy in greate felicitee

230

So reygned kyng greatly magnifyed

And as a God amonge theim glorifyed.

¶Of whom came so his sonne Eritonus Eriotonus.

Who gatte a sonne that firste Troye edifyed

That Troilus hight of whome came kyng Ilis Troilus Ilis.

235

That Ilyon made a palays of great pryde Ilyon.

Whiche for passyng other was both long and wyde

Where Hercules slough kynge Lamadone Hercules Lamadone.

And led awaye the royalles of the towne.

¶ Lamedone gatt the kyng Priamus Priamus.

240

Who made agayn his palays Ilion

And Troies citee also more glorious

Then they were before their subuercion

And royall without peruercion

In ioye and myrth they stode many a yere

245

And Achilles with hym his brother dere. Achilles was Priamus brother.

The .viii. Chapiter.

O Lamedon of Troye that bare the crowne

What fortune droue the, to dooe Iasone vnkyndnesse

sig: [b3v]

Where he to paye, was so readye and bowne

For his vitayle that came in by distresse

250

Of tempest greate standing in heuinesse

Hym for to dryue oute of the regyon

And not refreshe hym at his requisicyon. Lamedon shewed to Iason vnkind[n]esse.

Whiche was the cause after of thy heuynesse

When he the slough and destroyed all thy cytee

255

And caste downe all thy myght and great nobles

With lytell thing that sauyd might haue bee

O good lorde? why shoulde thy royal dignytee

To straungers shewe that cruell vnkyndnesse

That to thy lande purposed no distresse.

260

Of Priamus came Hector and Troylus

Dephebus Helenus and Parys Hector, Troilus Dephebus Helenus, and Parys, came of Pryamus.

Of royall bloude and dukes full glorious

Of excellence and greatest of empryse

Whiche were all slayne by fortunes excercyse

265

A[t] the sege of Troye knyghtly in the defence At] All 1543

In mercyall actes as princes of excellence

¶The palays greate and the noble cytee

By Grekes seeged, longe and many a yere Greekes

Was wonne at laste and wast as men yet see

270

This kyng and quene both-two were slayne in feere

Where Anchises and Eneas his sonne dere

And Ascaneus the sonne of Eneas

Escapyd awaye and on the sea dyd passe. Anchyses, Eneas, Ascaneus.

The .ix. Chapiter.

sig: b4

ANd in Cicile they after did aryue

275

Where Anchises dyed and was dispent.

Eneas and his sonne to the sea gan dryue Eneas.

With shippes .xii. to Italy had they mente

But wynde theim droue, again there entent

Into Affrique, where for Eneas sake

280

They welcome wer and worthely vptake.

¶Fro thence after he tooke the sea agayn

And landed then in Italia

In Tibre mouth with trauayll and with payne

Where the towne and porte is of hostia

285

Where by the God he bidden was to ga

To helpe the kyng Euandre in his right Euandre.

For after hym the God that land hym hight.

¶To whom he went as hym was prophecied

And welcome was into Italie

290

Of kyng Euandre greatest magnified

For his wisedome fame and cheualrye

For his worshippe and for his auncetrye

He gaue hym than greate lordshippe and riches

And gold enough right of his worthynes

295

¶ Kyng Euandre made warre on kyng Latene Latene.

In whose defence Turnus kyng of Tuskayn Turnus

Came, with greate hoste of Tuskalayns so fyne

Agayn Euandre, wher Turnus then was slayne

Eneas did that dede and that derayn

300

With mighty strokes courage and cheualrous

He wanne the felde in batell fortunous.

Betwene Euandre so and the kyng Latene

sig: [b4v]

The peace he made, reste and concordaunce

And kyng Latens his doughter that hight Labyne

305

Wedded to his wyfe, by veray good accordaunce

Betwene theim forth was no more discordaunce

And Eneas kyng was made of Tuskayne

Of whiche the kynge Euandre was full fayne.

¶Sone after then dyed the kyng Latene

310

Whose realme Eneas had also in peace

In which he made a castell fayre and fyne

Labynyon it hyght wythout leace

His wyues name to worshyppe and encreace

Of whome he gatte a soonne, and dyed afore

315

That he was brought into this worlde and bore

¶This worthy prince, kyng Eneas mortally

Ended his lyfe that was of hye prowesse

Where-so God wyll to reigne eternally

Within the house of fame, where as I gesse

320

Wer knightes fell of noble worthynesse

That more desyred in armes to haue a fame

Then be the best in dede, and beare no name

The .x. Chapiter.

BUt than his soonne Siluius_Postumus Silphius.

Newe-borne so young and tendre of age

325

Kyng of this lande was made Astanius Asta[ni]us Astanius] Astamus 1543 Astanius] Astamus 1543

His brother dere that ruled his heritage

And peaceably kepte out of all seruage.

sig: [b5]

Twenty wynter and eyght full mannely,

And gatte a soonne that called was Syluy.

330

¶Whiche Siluius gatte and generate

His soonne Brutus on Crensa labius nece Siluius the father of Brutus.

All priuelie by hym de_virginate

And sore besought by his subtilitees

And sumwhat of hir womanly petees

335

That tendred hym of god femynete

As womanhod would of all humilitee

¶Soo after sone, the fate of death would soo

That passe away muste nede Ascanius

He gaue his brother Siluius_posthumus tho

340

His heritage and riches plentuous

But Brutus waxed eche daye full beauteous The praise of Brute.

And in mannehod well more in all vertue

Was none hym like in no place that menne knewe

¶Of .xv. yere when he was commen to age

345

At huntyng as he shotte at a dere

He sleugh his father vnto his greate damage Howe Brutus slewe his father,

And at his birth as saieth the chronicler

His mother dyed as wrytten is full clere

Anone after as he was of hir bore

350

For whiche .ii. causes his herte was wonder sore

¶Seyng I[n]ly this fals fortunite Inly='bitterly': see MED inli, adv.

The soroes greate in hym so multiplied

That there for shame of his fortunite

In no wyse would he no lenger dwell ne byde

355

But into Grece his sorowes for to hide

He went anone where exiles wer of troye

sig: [b5v]

Whose sorowes great he leched all with ioye.

¶ Sir Helenus was Priamus sonne of Troye Helenus. Priamus.

And Anchises an olde worthy knight Anchises.

360

And .vi.M. that of hym had great ioye

Of gentilmen of Troye exiled forth-right

That hym besought with instaunce day and night

To helpe theim out of their great heped sorowe

In whiche they lay oppressed euen and morowe.

365

¶For whiche he wrote his letter in that tide

To kyng Pandras that kyng was of that lande Pandras.

Requiryng hym to let hym passe and ride

Frely, where-so they would withouten bande

For whiche the kyng with power tooke on hande

370

To siege Brutus within his castell fayre

To whom Troyans strongly gan repayre.

¶To Brutus so, to helpe theim at there might Brutus.

Who then anone sent forth Anacletus. Anacletus

His prysoner, whome he had taken ryght

375

Unto the hoste, to tell theim how Antigonus Antigonus .

Laye in the wood stollen awaye fro Brutus

Who went to theim, that next the wood then laye

And bad theim come and rescowe hym or daye.

¶Whiche warde so brake and to the wood can ryde

380

Brutus with that with all his hole power

There brake in and would no longer abyde

But slough the Grekes and tooke the kyng in fer

But than as saith the veray chronicler

No lenger wolde he there abyde ne dwell

385

But furthermore as chroniclers doeth tell,

sig: [b6]

¶With kyng Pandras, he made his appoinctement Pandras.

Hym to deliuer, on this condicion

To wedde his doughter, by will and assent

Dame Innogen and shippis of his region

390

With vitaile and riches, to wynne lande and towne,

For there he woulde, no longer make soiourne

But with Troyans, to their lande attourne

¶All this promysses and whole apoinctement

Fulfilled and spede, Brute with his wife

395

So sailed furth thorowe the Grekish oryent

To marytayne, and twoo pillers ganne he driue

That Hercules also with busy liue The pillers that Hercules made of brasse.

To tyme he came to an olde citee

No creature therin, that tyme coulde see

400

¶But a goddas, menne called Diane Diane the Goddas,

That coulde declare, and expounde destynie

To whome Brute anone went vp alone

And laye afore hir, there full deuoutely

With candell brennyng, and with ceremonie

405

Besekyng hir, of succour and grace

Where that he might, hir worship in sum place

¶With his Troyanes, therin for to abyde

And inherite, to whome then saied Dyane

By_yonde all Gualle, an Isle full long and wide

410

Enclosed whole, within the occiane

With Giauntes kepte [is] destyned, the ala[ne] is] his 1543; alane] alaan 1543

And thy Troyanes, to haue and enhabite

Therin to dwell, for euermore and enheret

¶So sailyng furth, by Columpnes of Hercules

sig: [b6v]

415

Whiche been of brasse, by Hercules their sette

For when he came into the sea no lees

Of Spayne, wher that his meny Troianes mette

Of their lynage as it was to their dette

Thei came with hym echeone by one accorde

420

Corneus their capitain was and lorde Corneus capitain of the Troyans

The .xi. Chapiter.

HE sailed so fourth by the sea Aquitaine

Where that he arriued that nowe is Guyan lande

And sleugh the buckes of whiche thei wer full faine,

The bere and the bore and hartes all that thei fande

425

With-out licence or yet any warand

Wherfore Guffor kyng of the lande full fell

With Troyanes faught, but Goryne their bare the bell Goryne,

¶ Brute tooke shippe and arriued in Albion

Where Diane saied, should been his habitacion

430

And when he came the coastes of it vpon

He was full glad and made greate exultacion

Reioysed highly of his fortunacion

In armes of Troye couered and well araid

Of whiche Troyanes wer full well apaid

435

He bare of goulis twoo liones of golde

Countre Rampant with golde onely crouned The armes of Brute

Whiche kynges of Troie in bataill bare full bolde

To whiche from Troye was distroyed and confounded

Their children slain, the next heire was he founde

440

And in tho armes this Isle he did conquere

sig: [b7]

As Marian saieth the veray chronicler Maryan chronicler.

¶At Totnesse so this Brutus did arriue

Corneus also and all their coumpaignie Corneus

The giauntes also he sleugh doune beeliue

445

Through all the lande in battaile mannely

And left no moo but Gogmagog onely Gogmagog,

In all this Isle, so had he theim destroyed

Whom in prisone he kepte and anoyed

The .xii. Chapiter.

BUt for he would knowe all his resistens

450

What he might dooe more then Corneus

He made theim bothe dooe their sufficience

In all wrastleyng whiche was moost rigorous

And to defende or sawte moost curious

On the sea-banke, afore Brutus thei mette

455

Where by accorde the daye and place was sette

¶This Gogmagog so thra[s]te Corneus thraste] thrafte 1543see OED threst, thrast, 3, 4

That rybbes three were broken in his side

Corneus then of might full laborous

Thought he would sone reuenge that tide

460

With that he stode and sette his legges wyde legges] leggues 1543

And gatte hym vp betwene his armes faste

And ouer the roche into the sea hym caste

¶Whiche place hight yet Gogmagoges_sawte

By_cause he leped their frome Corneus

465

All if it wer nothyng in his defaute

sig: [b7v]

But by the might of Coryn, full vigorous Coryn.

Who was alway in bataill fortunous

For whiche Brutus had hym in greate deynte

And gaue hym aye worship and dignite

470

¶This Brutus, thus was kyng in regalite

And after his name, he called this Isle Briteyn, This Isle Briteyne.

And all his menne, by that same egalite

He called Briteynes, as chroniclers all saine

Of whiche thei all were full glad and faine

475

To Corneus he gaue to his availe Corneus.

The duchie whole, and lande of Cornwayle.

The .xiij. Chapiter.

SO was the name, of this ilke Albyon

All sette on side, in kalandes of achaunge achaunge: see OED, achange

And putte awaye with greate confusion

480

And Briteyn hight, so furth by newe eschaunge Briteyne.

After Brutus, that slewe these Giauntes straunge

And wanne this Isle, by his magnyficence

In whiche he dwelled long tyme in excellence

¶The citee greate, of Troynouaunt so faire

485

He buylded then on Thamis for his delite

Unto the north, for his dwellyng and for his moost. repeier

Whiche is to saie in our language perfect,

Newe_Troye, in bookes as I canne nowe endicte

And nouell_Troye, in frenche incomperable

490

Of Breteyne, a citee moost profytable

¶This Briteyne is in length eyght .C. myle

sig: [b8]

Fro Mo[u]sehole, that is in Cornewayle right The length and bredth of the Isle of Bryteyne.

Unto the north end of Catenes, to compile northend: see OED north-end

And also in bredeth, frome sainct_Dauid that hight

495

To Yarmoth, that in Norffolke, is by sight

Twoo hundred myle, accoumpted well and clene

As autours saie, this Isle dooeth whole contein

The .xiiij. Chapiter.

IN which through-out, his peace and lawe he set

Whiche been the floures of all regalite

500

With-out whiche, but if thei twoo bee met

There maie no prince holde principalite

Ne endure long in worthy dignite

For if those twoo, bee nought vp_holden than

What is a kyng, more worth then his liege-manne

505

¶This kyng Brute, kepte well this Isle in peace

And sette his lawes of Troye, with ordre, rites,

And consuetudes, that might the lande encreace

Suche as in Troye, he knew was most profittes

Unto the folke and the common profettes

510

He made theim wryten, for long rememory

To rule the Isle, by theim perpetually

¶His menne he did rewarde full royally

With landes and rentes, that with hym suffred pain

And Troynouaunt, he made full specially

515

An Archflaume, his sea Cathedrall certain

A temple therof, Apolyne to opteyne,

By Troyane lawe, of all suche dignite

sig: [b8v]

As archbyshop hath nowe in his degree.

The .xv. Chapiter.

THis kyng Brutus this ysle deuided in .iii Howe Brutus deuided this ysle.

520

A lytell afore out of this ysle he dyed,

To his thre sonnes that were full faire to se Thre sonnes of Brute.

After his dayes to ioyse he signifyed

And when he had the Isle all tripertyed

He called the chyefe Logres after Locryne

525

That doth extende fro Mo[u]sehole to Humber fine.

¶Fro Humbar north vnto the Northwest sea Locryne Cambir Albanacte.

Of all Britaine which he called Albanye

For Albanacte the kyng therof to be

His second sonne, that was both good and manly

530

To holde it of Locryne perpetually

And of his heyres by homage and feaute

As to chiefe lorde longeth the suffraintie.

¶And fro the water of Waage right in the southe

And Strigell castell to Seuerne all by and by

535

And so to Dee at Chester as it is full couth

Ryght in the North cambre he called for_thy

For Cambre shulde it haue all plenerly

And on Locryne it should euer be homage

And of his heyres euermore in herytage.

The .xvi. Chapiter.

sig: c[1]

540

AS after the lawes of Troye the soueraintie

And all resorte of ryght doth apertayne

To the eldest brother in propertie

The eldest syster ryghte, so by ryght shulde bene

Souerayne lady and ouer them all quene

545

By equytie of that ylke lawe and ryghte

In place where it is holden lawe perfyghte.

¶This kyng Brutus made people faste to tylle

The lande aboute in places both farre and nere

And sowe with sede and get theim corne full wele

550

To lyue vpon and haue the sustynaunce clere. Brutus ordered the people to sowe corne.

And so in feldes both farre and nere.

By his wysdome and his sapience

He sette the lande in all suffycience.

And as the fate of death doth assygne

555

That nedes he muste his ghoost awaye relees

To his goddes Dyane he dyd resygne

His corps to be buryed withouten lees

In the temple of Apolyne, to encreace

His soule amonge the goddes euerychone

560

After his merytes trononized highe in trone.

Fro beginnyng of the worlde to Brutus

Into this isle entred fyrste at Totnesse

Foure thousande yere .lxxx. and .iiii. were thus

As the chronycles therof beareth witnesse

565

And after the incarnacion to expresse

A thousande hole, a hundreth and fyftene

And of Hely Iudge in Iuly was eyghtene.

In the thyrde age he came into this ysle

sig: [c1v]

And in the yere as it is afore expressed

570

But howe longe that he reygned or shorte whyle

Walter of Oxforde hath confessed

Foure and twenty yere, as he hath inpressed

And other sayne he reigned thre and fourty yere

But Marian saith thre score he reygned here

575

¶Whiche is moste lyke to be verifyed

By all his workes and greate operacions

Whiche in shorte tyme myght not been edifyed

Ne performed with shorte occupacyons

But in longe tyme by good consyderacyons

580

Rather it is lyke he reigned thre score yere,

By his greate workes and beginninges that appere

The .xvii. Chapiter.

THis eldest sonne was king that hight Locrine

Of all Britayne hauing the souerante

Hauing Logres as Brute dyd determine

585

To whome Cambre and Albanacte the free

Obeying both vnto his royalte

There homage made as to the lorde souerayne

And Emperoure of that lande of Britayne. Locryne

¶There homage made and to Cambre went

590

Albanactus then rode to Albyne

And reigned so by lyfe in one assente

Eche one other to helpe and fortifye

And thus in peace holding their regalite

sig: c2

But as they satte so beste in peace and reste

595

Kyng Humbar arose in Albyne full preste

The .xviii. Chapiter.

IN the ryuer that called is Humbar nowe

Where Albanactus anon did with hym fyght

And in batel stroke Humbar on the browe

And felde hym were he neuer so wight

600

But Humbar arose agayne with all his myght

And in that stoure was Albanacte slayne *The death of Albanact

Kyng Humbar had the felde with mikyll payne.

¶ King Locryne then and Cambre elles his brother

With hoostes great vpon king Humbar faughte

605

That of Humbarlande was king with many other

In Albany that mikyll sorowe wrought

And with hym met where he before had fought

Where sore for fyght he fledde to the ryuer The ryuer of Humbar wherof it tooke the name.

And there was drowned in that water clere.

610

¶A greate parte of his hooste was drowned also

As they dyd flee in that water clere

And many slayne that myght no further go

And many other taken for prysonere

Locryne the felde had, and his brother dere

615

And to the shyppes where they had all rychesse

Theyr men to helpe that suffred there distresse

sig: [c2v]

¶All Albayne into his hande he seased

And helde hole to Logres ioyned then agayne

As it was firste and that lande well pleased

620

Of the resorte the people were full fayne

But in the shyppes a lytell from Almayne

He fande the kynges daughter of Germanye

Dame Estrylde that was full womanly.

¶Whome for his wyfe he helde at his plesaunce

625

For whiche the duke Corneus was wroth

But frendes then by noble gouernaunce

The playne trouth to saye in soth

Made hym to wed, all yf it were full loth

The doughter so of Duke Corneus

630

With all frendeshyppe they were accorded thus

¶ Dame Gwendolyne that hight by proper name

Of whome he gate a sonne that hight Maddan

And in the meane-whyle in preuy wyse at hame

He helde Estrylde as his loue and leman

635

Therof his wyfe vnwetyng, or any other man

And of her gate a doughter full femynyne

That Sabren hyght as chronycles do deuyne.

¶In this meane-tyme Corneus so dyed

To whome the quene Gwendolyne was heire

640

Whome kyng Locryne forsoke and replyed

And Estrylde weddid agayne that was full fayre

But Gwendolyn to Cornewayle dyd repayre

With her power, and faught with kyng Locrine

Where he was slayne and had none other fyne. How Locryn was slaine in battayle by hys wyfe Gwendolyne.

645

¶She drowned Estrelde and her doughter dere

sig: c3

In a ryuer whiche that tyme had no name

But fro thens-forth for Sabryn farre and nere

That ryuer that was plentuous of name name: emend to game?

Was called then Seuerne that hath greate fame

650

Thus Seuerne firste had name in propertee

Of that lady that drowned was in specyaltee The ryuer of Seuerne, wherof it tooke the name.

The .xix. Chapiter.

GWendolyne so after fro kyng Locryne

Had reigned hole .x. yere and was slayne

The quene was of all Logres landes so fine

655

And of all Albaine also through-out incertayne

Crowned quene and so reigned with mayne

And seruyce tooke of Cambre for his lande

Who gouerned well her tyme, I vnderstande

¶Fyftene yere and then her sonne she crowned

660

That Maddan hyght and into Cornewaile went

And then she dyed with sycknesse sore confounded

And to her goddes her wofull herte she sent

And thus this quene in her beste entente

To set amonge the [goddes] euerychone goddes] goddesse 1543

665

Euer to complayne her wedowhed alone

The .xx. Chapiter.

MAddan her sonne was king of Britain then

Hauyng Logres and also Albany

That fourty yere there reygned as a man

sig: [c3v]

Kepyng the lande in peace from tyrannye

670

In whose tyme was none in his monarchye

Durste ought vary or any-thing displease

So was he dred, and set the realme in ease. Maddan kyng of Britain that is England and Scotlande.

Throughe all Britayne durste none another dysplese

So wel the lawe and peace he dyd conserue

675

That euery man was gladde other to please

So dred they hym they durst no-thing ouer_terue

Againe his lawe, nor peace but theim conserue

So was he dred through his great sapience

Both in, and oute by all intellygence.

680

¶He dyed so, and to his father yede

His sonnes two Maulyne and eke Memprise

A daye then sette whiche of theim shoulde precede

To the croune but then by couetyse

And that ylke daye the yonger Memprise

685

Slewe his brother Maulyne elder of age

To that entent to haue the herytage. Howe that one brother slew th'other to be kynge.

Memprise thus kyng destroied, his men all-oute

Their landes their go[o]des or elles their liues certayne goodes] goddes 1543

He tooke from theim all his lande aboute Mempryse kyng of Britaine

690

Fulfylled all with pryde and great disdayne

His comonnes all with taxes did distrayne

So tirauntely, he lefte theim nought to spende

By consequent, thrifteles he was at ende.

His wyfe he dyd refuse and foule forsake

695

Usynge the synne of horribilyte

With beastes ofte in-stede right of his make

Whiche by all ryght and equytee The wretched end of Mempryse.

sig: [c4]

Uengeaunce asked by fell bestialitee

And so hym fell, as to the wood he wente

700

A route of wolffes hym slough and all to_rent.

The .xxi. Chapiter.

EBranke his sonne then crowned was anone

Who shippes great made on the sea to sayle Ebranke reygned lx. yeres.

Withhelde his knightes with hym so forthe to gone

Upon warre he went without fayle

705

Then into Gaule with a full manly tayle

Wher that he had riches innumerable

To holde estate royall incomparable.

¶ XX. wyues he had as chronicles saith

And .xx. sonnes of his owne generacion

710

And doughters fayre .xxx. that wer not laith

Whiche doughters so for theyr releuacion

Into Italie with great supportacion

There to be wedded in Troyan bloodde and maried

For ladies theyr with Troyans wer alyed.

715

¶In Albany he made and edifyed

The castell of Alclude whiche Dumbritayne

Some autours by chronycle hath applied Some] And some 1543The Castell of Dumbrytayne in Scotland.

And some sayen on the pight wall certayne

sig: [c4v]

And the west-ende it stode that nowe is playne

720

And some menne sayen it is Yorke cytee

Thus stande menne nowe in ambyguytee

¶But sooth it is, he made this Dunbrytayne

A castell stronge that standeth in Albany

Upon a roche of stone, hard to optayne

725

About the whiche the sea floweth dayly

And refloweth again nocturnally

Twyse in his course and to the sea again

In the whiche no horsse maye dunge certain.

¶He made also the mayden-castell stronge

730

That men now calleth the castell of Edenburgh The castel of Edinburgh.

That on a roche standeth full hye out of throng

On mounte_Agwet wher men may see out-through

Full many a towne, castell and boroughe

In the shire aboute, it is so hye in heigth

735

Who wyll it scale he shall not fynde it light.

¶He made also vpon mounte_Dolorous

A castell strong that this daye Bamburgh hight The castell of Bamburgh.

That on a roche is sette full hye and noyous

Full hard to gette, by any mannes might

740

The castell is so stronge and so well dight

If menne therin haue stufe sufficient

Or it be wonne many one muste bee shent.

¶His sonnes all he sent to Germanye

To wynne the same lande by labour and conquest

745

Under the rule of their brother Analye

Duke Assarake that was the eldest

A worthy knight proued with best

sig: [c5]

All Germanye they gatte at theyr entent

And lordes wer made their as there father ment.

750

¶Sixty yere whole he stoode and bare the crowne

Reignyng fully in all prosperytee

No enemyes durst again hym vp ne downe

Warre, ne do in no wyse again his royaltee

He made a temple in * Ebranke citee That is yorke.

755

Of Dyane, where an archeflame he sette

To rule temples as that tyme was his dette.

The .xxii. Chapiter.

BRutus_Greneshilde then by his name full ryght.

Both good and trewe, and easy of all porte

His people all that came into his syght

760

With all his might euermore he recomforte

Of all there sorowe that they to hym reporte

And why he hight Greneshilde to his surname

Because he bare on grene ay-wher he became. Brutus_greneshilde reigned .xii yeres.

¶ Xii. yere he stoode reignyng full well in peace

765

And dyed so and by his father buryed

In Ebranke afore Dyane no lees

With Britons hole thyther accompanyed

With all honours that might bee multiplyed

In any wyse with all seruyse funerall

770

As longed to the fate of death ouer-all.

The .xxiii. Chapiter.

sig: [c5v]

THen Leyle his sonne was kyng of Britain so Leyle kyng of Britain reygned .xxv. yeres.

That Carleele made that tyme in Albany

That now Carleile is called by frend and fo

Whiche in Englyshe is to say fynally

775

The cytie of Leyle, for in brytayn tongue playnly The cytee of Carleile by whom it was buylded.

Cair is to saye a citee in theyr language

As yet in Wales is there commen vsage.

¶This ilke kyng Leyle made then in that citee

A temple grate, called a temple flaumyne

780

In whiche he sette a flaume in propertee

To gouerne it by their lawes dyuyne

Of Iupiter, Saturne and Appolyne

That then wer of all suche in dignitee

After theyr lawes, as nowe our byshoppes bee.

785

¶When he had reigned hole .xx. yere and fyue

In youth full well, and kepte lawe and peace

But in his age his people beganne to stryue

Failyng his lawes, cyties wold not warre cease

Cyuill warres greately beganne to encreace

790

And he dyed then settyng no remedy

Buried at Carleyle in his citee royally.

The .xxiiij. Chapiter.

RUdhudebras his sonne was kyng anone Rudhudebras kynge reygned xxxix. yeres.

Cair_kent he made, that now is Caunterbury

Cair_went also and buylded of lyme and stone

795

That Wynchester is nowe, a towne full mery

sig: [c6]

Caire_Paladoure, that nowe is Shaftesbury

Where an Engel spake syttyng on the wall

Whyle it was in workyng ouer-all

¶In whiche citees, he made then temples three

800

And flaumes also as nowe these bishoppes been

To kepe the rites after their moralytee

Of there goddes, as in there bookes was seen

Of their fals lawes as thei dyd meen

When he had reigned by thyrtye yere and nyne

805

The dulful death made hym to earth enclyne

The .xxv. Chapiter.

BLadud his sonne, sone after hym did succede

And reigned after then full .xx. yere Bladud reigned .xx. yeres.

Cair_Bladud so that now is Bath I rede

He made anone the hote bathes there in fere

810

When at Athenes he had studied clere

He brought with hym .iiii. philosophiers wise

Schole to holde in Brytayne and exercyse.

¶ Stamforde he made that S[t]amforde hight this daye Stamforde] Samforde 1543

In whiche he made an vniuersitee Stamforde.

815

His philosophiers as Merlyn doth saye

Had scolers fele of greate habilitee

Studyng euer alwaye in vnitee

In all the seuen liberall science

sig: [c6v]

For to purchace wysedome and sapience

820

¶In cair_bla[dud] he made a temple right bladud] bla[..]m 1543letters broken

And sette a flamyne theirin to gouerne

And afterward a * Fetherham he dight A manne decked in fethers,

To flye with wynges as he could beest descerne

Aboue the aire nothyng hym to werne

825

He flyed on high to the temple Apolyne

And ther brake his necke for al his great doctrine

The .xxvi. Chapiter.

HIs soonne was kyng high sette in royaltee

Of all Brytaynes by name that hight kyng Leyr Leyr kyng,

Who Laiceter made after hym called to bee

830

Cair_Leyr his citee that buylded was full faire

He had doughters three to been his heire

The first of theim was called Gonorelle

The next Ragan and the youngest Cordelle

¶Emonges theim, as Leyr satte on a daye

835

He asked theim, howe muche thei hym loued

Gonorell saied more then my-self ay

And Ragan saied more then was after prouid

For ioye of whiche, the kyng was greately moued

I loue you more then all this worlde so fayre

840

He graunted theim twoo, of thre partes to bee heire

¶ Cordell the youngest, then saied full soberly

Father as muche as ye been in value

So muche I loue you, and shall sikirly

sig: [c7v]

At all my might and all my herte full trewe

845

With that he greuid at hir and chaunged hewe

Senne thou me loues, lesse then thy sisters twain

The leest porcion shalt thou haue of Bryteine

¶With that Maglayn duke of Albaine

Gonorell weddid, and had the lande all-out

850

Euin of Walis, and of Cornwayle ther-by

That duke was of those twoo landes stoute

Ragan weddid, to whiche twoo dukes no doubte

Kyng Leyr gaue rule and gouernaunce

Of all Bryteine, for age and none puissaunce

The .xxvii. Chapiter.

855

A Temple that in his citee of Kaireleir

A Flamyne also, as he a bishop were

In name of Ianus the folke into repere

And then he wente, Gonorell to requier

Of the greate loue, that she aught hym so dere

860

That of hir promyse she failed vnkyndly

Wherfore he wente, vnto Ragan in hye

¶She failed also for all hir greate promyse

And to Cordell that weddid was into Fraunce

Long after that he wente in greate distres

865

To helpe to wynne hym his inheritaunce

She succurred hym, anon with all plesaunce

Bothe with gold and syluer of right greate quantitee

To gette his lande again in all suertee

¶ Aganippe hir lorde, was kyng of Fraunce

sig: [c7v]

870

That graunt hym menne, and goud sufficient

And sent his wife with hym, with great puisaunce

With all aray, that to hir wer apent

His heire to been, by their bothes assent

For he was olde, and might not well trauell

875

In his persone, the warres to preuaile

¶ Kyng Leyr thus wanne his lande, with all might again

And r[ei]gned well there after full thre yere, reigned] riegned 1543

And died so, buried at Kairleir menne sayn

In Ianus temple, in whiche tyme for age clere

880

The kyng of Fraunce, Aganype in fere

Dyed, wherfore Cordell his ayre was soo

To rule Brytaine alone with_outen moo

The .xxviii. Chapiter.

COrdell quene of Fraunce, and doughter to kyng Leyr, Cordell quene ofFraunce

Quene of Englande after hir fathers daye

885

Fiue yeres reigned, as for hir fathers heyre,

And gouerned well the realme, all menne to paye

His sister soonne, then Morgan of Albanie

And Condage also of Cambre and Cornewaile

In battaill greate, hir tooke and putte in baill

890

¶For sorow then, she sleugh hir-selfe for tene

And buried was, by_side hir father right

In Ianus temple, whiche kyng Leyr made I wene

At Kairleyr, so that nowe Laicester hight

Thus died this quene, that was of muche might

sig: [c8]

895

Hir soule went to Ianus, whome she serued

And to Mynerue, whose loue she had deserued

The .xxix. Chapiter.

MOrgan the eldest soonne of Dame Gonorell, Morgan.

Clamed Brytein, as for his heritage

Warred sone of Condage as I spell

900

That kyng was of Cambre, in younge age

Duke of Cornewaile also for his homage

But this kyng Morgan was kyng of Albany

Soonne and heire of the eldest soonne varelie

¶ Condage was kyng of Cambre, that Walis is nowe C[ambre]Cambre] Condage 1543 is that which we nowe call Walis Cambre] Condage 1543

905

And duke of Cornewaile his patrimonye,

Claymed Logres as soonne and heire to Regawe

The myddill sister for his mothers proprete

As she that aught to haue hir partourye

At Glomorgane, with Morgan did he meete

910

In bataill sleugh hym, there casten vnder fete

The .xxx. Chapiter.

COndage was kyng of all greate_Britaine Condage reigned xxxiii. yeres.

And in his hande, he seased all Albanie

For his eschete, that ought to hym againe

Resorte of right, and returne verelye

915

He made a Flamyne, a temple also in hye,

Of Mars at Perch, that nowe [is] .s._Iohns towne is] his 1543

sig: [c8v]

In Albany that now is Scotlande region

¶He made another temple of Mynerue

In Cambre, which now is named bangour

920

The thyrde he made in Cornwayle for to serue

Of Mercury, in place where he was bore

For his people to serue the goddes there

Wherby he reygned .xxx. yere and three

In rest and peace and all tranquilitee.

925

¶ Ryueall his sonne that was pacificall Ryueall reygned xxii. yeres.

Crowned was than easye of gouernaile

In whose tyme the greate tempest dyd befall

That dayes thre the flyes did hym assayle

Enuenoned foule vnto the death no faile

930

And rayned bloodde the same .iii. dayes also

Greate people dyed, the lande to mykell woo.

¶ Gurgustyus his sonne so reygned then Gurgustius reygned xv. yeres.

In mykill ioye and worldly celynesse

Kepyng his landes from enemyes as a manne

935

But drunken he was eche daye expresse

Unaccordynge to a prince of worthynesse

Out of drunkennesse succedeth euery vice

Whiche all men shuld eschewe if thei wer wise.

¶ Scicilius his sonne then did succede Scicilius reygned xiiii. yeres.

940

In whose tyme eche man did other oppresse

The lawe and peace was exiled so in-dede

That ciuill warres and slaughter of men expresse

Was, in euery parte of the lande without redresse

And murderers foule through all his lande dayly

945

Without redres or any other remedy.

sig: d[1]

¶ Iago succeded, and kyng was of this lande Kyng Iago reigned x. yere.

As eiuill as was the kyng of Scicilus

The same vices, as I vnderstand

Or els wourse, and more malicious

950

Wherfore our lorde, toke vengeaunce of hym thus

He smote theim bothe, in suche a letargie

That sone thei dyed, for_marrid with frenesie

¶ Kymar his soonne had then the diademe Kyng Kimar reigned .xx. and viii. yere.

And kyng then was, with all kyndes of royalte

955

Kepyng his lande, as well did so hym seme

In lawe and peace, with greate felicite

The common-weale and their vtilite

He did prefer euer in vniuersall

Whiche to a prince is a vertu principall

960

¶First if he kepe not lawe nor peace certein

His people will nothyng dred ne doubt

Than stande he moost in parell to bee slaine

Or els putte doune right by his vnderlout

No better is he bee he neuer so stout

965

Then is his subiect, or another wight

That with rebell, vnlawfull kill hym might

¶ Gorbonyan that was his soonne and heire Gorbonian reigned .xi. yere.

Was kyng, who had that tyme but soonnes twoo

The eldre hight Ferrex that was full faire

970

The younger hight Porrex whiche discordid so

That either of theim was alwaye others foo

For that the father sent Ferrex into Fraunce

To kyng Syward, that was of greate puisaunce

¶But after long, when he had reigned .xi. yeres

sig: [d1v]

975

Dyed awaye frome all royalte

Leuyng his lande by his good rule in clere

In sufficiente and all prosperite

Ferrex heryng of his mortalite

With power strong came to this lande againe

980

And with Porrex faught sore wher he was slaine,

¶For sorow of whiche ther mother that Indon hight

To Ferrex came with hir maydens all in ire

Slepyng in bed slew hym vpon the night

And smote hym all on peces sette a_fyre

985

Loo this cruell mother sett on fyre

With suche rancor that she could not ceas

Whiche for passyng ire was mercyles

The .xxxj. Chapiter.

CLotane that then was duke of Cornwaile Clotane with his feloes reigned .x. yeres.

Next heire then was by all succession

990

But Pinner then had Logres in gouernaile

And kyng ther-of was by wrong ingression

Ruddan had Cambre in his possession

And Stater was then kyng of Albany

Thus was this Isle then lede by tirannye

995

¶Thus Brytain was to foure kynges deuided

Echeon of theim warryng on other

The barons also on warre were so prouided

That all the people to wast father and mother

Thei spared none, all wer thei sister or brother

1000

And eche citee on other bothe towne and tour

sig: d2

And eche tyranne was a conquerour

¶And lordes faine subiectes then to been,

The poore menne that afore the warre wer desolate

Of all honour and worship that was seen

1005

Through their manhode with people congregate

Lordeship conquered and roose to high astate

Laddes and boyes, the ladeis tho did wedde

Their kynne afore, nether lande ne hous hadde

¶Fourty wynter thus duryng barons warre

1010

This Isle so stoode in sorowe and in strife

In faute of might, the weaker had the wer

And suffered wrong that was then their life

For who that might, aught gette with spere or knife

He helde it furth, as for his heritage

1015

And waxid a lorde that a_fore was a page

¶Defaute of peace and lawe, sette theim on hight

To ouer_runne lordes, and bee victorious

As worthy was for of their wrongfull might

The lordes were cause that thei were rygurous

1020

That would not so their wronges malicious

At first withstande and punishe trespassoures

But suffer theim endure in their erroures

The .xxx[ii].

xxxii] xxx 1543

Chapiter.

DEfaut of lawe, was cause of this mischief

Wronges susteined by mastry and by might

1025

And peace laied downe that should haue been the chief,

sig: [d2v]

Through whiche debates folowed all vnright

Wherfore vnto a prince, accordeth right

The peace and lawe euen with equite

Within his realme, to saue his dignite

1030

¶What is a kyng without lawe and peace

Within his realme sufficiently conserued

The porest of his, maye so encrease

By iniury and force, of menne preserued

Till he his kyng, so with strength haue ouerthrowed

1035

And sette hym-self in royall maieste

As tratour Cade made suche an iuoperte

¶O ye my lorde of Yorke and veraie heire

Of Englande, so this matter well impresse

Deipe in your breste, lette it synke softe and feire

1040

And suche defautes, sette you aye to represse

At the begynnyng, lette your high noblenes

The trespassoures to chastes, and to restreine

And lette theim not, lawe, ne peace, disobeine

¶O ye lordes, that been in high estate

1045

Kepe well the lawe, with peace and gouernaunce

Lest your hur[d]es you hurte, and depreciate hurdes] hurtes 1543hurdes=herdsmen

Whiche been as able with wrongfull ordynaunce

To reigne as ye, and haue also greate puisaunce

For lawe and iustices, in lordes vnpreserued

1050

Causeth many of theim to bee ouerthrowed

The .xxxi[ii].

xxxiii] xxxi 1543

Chapiter.

KYng Clotein died, that reigned in Cornewaile

Wherfore his soonne Dunwallo_Moluncius Dunwallo reigned .xl. yeres.

Was kyng of all his realme without faile

A mannly prince in armes full c[ou]rageous courageous] cuorageous 1543

1055

Assembled his hoost, and came full vigorous

Of kyng Pynner in Logres intrusour

And sleugh hym ther as wrongfull gouernour

¶ Kyng Ruddan and kyng Stater

Of Albanie with hoostes strong and wyght

1060

Gaue hym battaill with mighty power

Where Ruddan and Stater wer slain downe-right,

With all their hoostes and their greate might

And Dunwallo had the victory

With muche ioye and manhod mightely

1065

¶ Dunwallo so-called Moluncius

At Troynouaunt with royal diademe

Of gold crouned moost riche and precious

Upon his hede as did hym well bese[m]e beseme] besene 1543

The first he was as chronicles expreme

1070

That in this Isle of Brytein had croune of golde

For all afore, copre and gilt was to beholde Dunwallo was the first king of Bryteine that was cro[u]nedcrouned] croned 1543 with golde.crouned] croned 1543

¶He graunted pardon vnto all trespasoures

Of whiche thei were full glad and ioyus

Amendyng all their faultes and errours

1075

With all their hertes full beneuolous

He eked then by his witte full curious

With his lawe called lawe Moluntyne

sig: [d3v]

Chargyng all menne to theim fully to enclyne

¶He graunted vnto the temples euery one

1080

And to the plough and all commen wayes

To markettes and faires wher menne should gonne

Fraunchesies so greate and liberties alwais

That all menne beeyng in theim night or dayes

Should not be taken ne troubled in any wyse

1085

Neither by lawe nor by no maistries

¶Sixe temples he made in Cambre and Logres als

And in the lande also of Albany

Of Flamynes as fele, to serue their goddes fals

A temple also in troynouaunt sothely This temple was s Poules churche in London

1090

Of peace and concorde he made verely

In whiche when there fell any discorde

Emong his lordes, there were thei made accorde

¶When he had stond so kyng by fourty yere

He dyed awaye, and buryed was full fayre

1095

In his temple then of concord full clere

At troynouaunt with greate repeir

To whome Belyn was eldest soonne and heire

And Brenny next was borne of younger age

Wherfore Belyn had all the whole heritage

The .xxxi[iii].

xxxiiii] xxxi 1543

Chapiter.

sig: d4

1100

BElyn was kyng and sat in royall trone

Crowned with all maner of royaltee Belyn.

To Brenny his brother he gaue the lande anone

Of Albany, for whiche homage and feautee

He made forthwith as to the souerayntee

1105

His man became and kyng of Albany

Confirmed was and made full honorably.

¶But after sone, his men hym sette to warre

Upon Belyn, that fought in batayll sore

But Brenny fled and his men discomfite wer

1110

For then he went vnto Norwaye therfore

And in that he dwelled thore

Wher he wedded the kynges doughter fayre

That taken wer by sea homewarde in repayre.

¶By the kyng of Denmarke, that Cuthelake hight

1115

Who by tempest into Logres wer driue

And brought vnto Belyn mykell of might

Wher he bande hym, as chronycles doth briefe

Denmark to holde, of Belyn to haue leife

Home with his wyfe to passe so anone

1120

Whom Belyn graunted home agayn so to gone

¶ Brenne anone greate hoste of Belyne brought

Wher in the forest that tyme of Colatre

In batayll strong, kyng Brenny all forfought

Discomfite, fled in Burgoyn for feare

1125

To duke Segwyn, to whom he gan hym beare

So manfully and wisely in all-thyng

That he hym wedded vnto his doughter ying.

Sone afterwarde this duke Segwyn dyed

sig: [d4v]

So Brenny than was duke by his wyfe

1130

That to his brother alwaye full sore anoyed

Came with great hoste to fight with hym ful ryfe

Conwen their mother by her prerogatyfe

Betwyxte theim treated and made there wel accorde

On her blissyng nomore for to discorde.

1135

¶With wordes peteous, and mothers naturesse

Shewyng her pappes and wombe with great beautie

Lo here the wombe that bare you with syckenesse

As womanhode would and femynitee

Lo here the pappes, as was necessitee

1140

That fed you ofte in your tendre age

For my loue nowe let be all this outrage.

The .xxx[v].

xxxv] xxxij 1543

Chapter.

SO made she theim at one and well accorde

And made theim kisse and councelled theim to gone

To their landes lest thei after discord

1145

Whiche thei did with hostes greate anone

With manly men-of-armes full greate wonne

All Fraunce, thei wanne Sauoye and Lunberdy

Tuskayne also and all great Italye.

¶Thei sieged Rome, wherfore their councellours

1150

Galbo and Porcenna came it to rescue

With hostes greate, wher then these Emperours

Slewe syr Galbo and Porcenna the trewe

And Rome thei wanne that alway was vntrewe

Italye throughout obeyed theyr dominacion

sig: [d5]

1155

Without more stryfe or altercacion.

¶ Kynge Belyne there no lenger would abyde

But lefte Brenny alone with all that lande

And home he came with mykill ioye and pride

And Albyon he seased in his owne hand

1160

And so kyng and lorde of all Brytayn lande

A citee fayre he made that Kaire_vske hight

Whiche men nowe callen Carlyon by name ful right.

The .xxx[v]i.

xxxvi] xxxiii 1543

Chapter.

IN Brytayn then he made from Cornwel-sea sea='see'

[Hye-wayes] of lyme and stone through all Brytayn hye wayes] 1543 omits

1165

That men might ryde and go in al suertee

Unto the sea by northe Catenes certayne

Whiche vnto all men was brode and playne

Another he made in bredth fro saint_Dauid towne

Unto the sea flowynge at Southamptone.

1170

¶Thre archeflamynes he made through al Brytayn

As archebyshoppes now in our lawes been

There temples all to gouerne and domayne

At Troynouaunt on Logres to ouer_seen

Her fals goddes to serue and to queme

1175

At Ebranke another for Albany

And at Karleon for Cambre on soueraynly.

¶A towne he made ful hie that hight Belyn_gate

sig: [d5v]

At Troynouaunt his citee moste royall

Thyrtene flamynes of bishoppes high estate

1180

And temples as many, in citees all

So that there were in his tyme ouer-all

With other so afore edificate

Xxviii. flamynes in temples ordynate.

¶And at his death, he bad his corps to be brent

1185

Into powder all in a barell of golde

To put, and sete vpon his toure to represent

His body hole, who that seen it wolde

His triumphes all, that enemyes might beholde

Well wrought about, in ymagerie and scripture

1190

Full royally wrought for to refigure.

¶He reigned had then one and forty yere

When he thus died and to his God had sent

His woofull ghoost out of his corps full clere

Emong the goddes, euermore to bee present

1195

For whiche his people of wepyng coulde not stent

There sorowes great in teares bitter thei did stepe

Whiche in streames ranne and fro their eyen did wepe.

The .xxx[v]ii.

xxxvii] xxxiiii 1543

Chapiter.

GUrgwyn his sonne was crowned after him

Of Britayn bare then the diademe Gurgwyn reigned xxx. yeres.

1200

Who made his lawe, vpon lyfe and lymme

His peace also he kepte, as he did deme

As his iudges coulde it full wel exprime

Into Denmarke he went for his truage

Whiche kyng Cuthelake graunt him in heritage

sig: [d6]

1205

¶He slewe the kyng, and Danes great multitude

His seruise had, and made the lande to enclyne

To his lordshyppe and to his altitude

There truage paye, forthwarde no more declyne

And as he came by sea then homewarde fyne

1210

He founde shippes thyrty full of myghty men

Accordyng well as many fayre women

¶At whose request, of his speciall grace

He gaue to theim the land, that nowe is Irelande

Wher they did wone and make their dwellyng-place

1215

There gouernaunte, so then I vnderstande

Was Partheleyn to holde it then hym bande

Of kyng Gurgwyn and all his lynage

Perpetually by feautee and homage. Howe Irelande was hold of this kyng and his heires.

¶Neuerthelesse some chronicles reporte

1220

That Irelamall their capitayn had to name

By whome it was so bigged and supporte

That out of Spayn wer exiled and thither came

And some sayth that Hiberus of great fame

There duke was than and there gouernour

1225

That of Spayne afore had been the floure

¶This king Gurgwyn his surname was Batrus

Came home agayn after the voyage sore

All forbeten, so was he corageus

That from his corps his ghoste departed thore

1230

Reigned that had .xxx. yere afore

In Carlion after his high degre

Was buried so with full greate royaltee.

The .xxxv[iii].

xxxviii] xxxv 1543

Chapiter.

GUytelyn his sonne gan reigne as heyre Guytelyn reygned .x. yere.

Of all Brytayn aboute, vnto the sea

1235

Who wedded was to Marcyan full fayre

That was so wyse in her femynitee

That lawes made of her syngularytee

That called wer the lawes Marcyane

In Britayne tongue of her owne witte alane.

1240

¶This Guytelyn was good of his estate

Full iuste he was in all his iudgement

Wise and manly of porte erly and late

Right meke and good euer in his entente

Although of state he was right excellent,

1245

With eche poore man that came to his presence

Through whiche he waxed of moste hie sapience.

¶When he had reigned ful peacebly .x. yere

He lefte the realme to his sonne and heire

And to his wife to be his counceller

1250

For his sonne then was .vii. yere olde full fayre

Whom at her death she sent for all repayre

Of Barons all their she delyuered hym

To kepe, in payne of losse life and lymme.

¶ Sicilius his sonne reygned .xxiiii. yere Sicilius reygned. xxiiii. yeres

1255

And crowned was and dyed in iuuentude

That gouerned wel the realme full well and clere

At Karlyon buryed after consuetude

As kynges afore in all simylitude

With all repayre of all his Baronage

sig: [d7]

1260

As well accorded vnto his hye parage

¶ Rymar his sonne the barons dyd crowne * Rymar kynge.

With honoure suche as fell to his degree

Who twenty yere and one so bare the crowne

And kepte lawe and all tranquilytee

1265

And peteous was euer as a king shulde be

In ryghtwesnesse accordyng with his lawe

Hauyng pytee and mercy where hym sawe

¶ Danius kyng his brother dyd succede * Danius kynge.

Duryng .x. yere in warre and greate payne

1270

Withouten reste he was alwaye in-dede

The lawe vnkepte, was cause there-of certayne

As myne authour it lyste nothyng to layne

I wyll it nowe wryte and in this boke expresse

That men may knowe his foly and lewdenesse

The .xxx[ix].

xxxix] xxxvi 1543

Chapiter.

1275

MOruyle his sonne a baste goten and bore Moruyle reygned. xvii. yere.

On Tangusta his specyall paramour

Was crowned then after faught full sore

With the kyng of Morians as a conqueroure

Where he hym kylled and had the felde that houre

1280

And lefte no man on lyue and brente theim all

His Ire exceded his wytte and gouernall

¶Sone after then came fro the yrishe_sea

sig: [d7v]

A bestyous fyshe, a monstre sume dyd it call

Wherof afrayde was all the comontye

1285

For it deuoured the folke both great and smalle

Wherfore the kyng his yre myght not apall

Ne cesse, afore he foughten with it had

All sodaynly alone as a man ryght mad

¶Where both were dead or any man it knewe

1290

His yre full fell was and vntemperate

His discrecyon out of his brayne flewe

But he coulde not by reason ordynate

Proroge his wyll ne yre inordynate

By other meanes with people multytude

1295

It to haue slayne by wytte and fortytude.

¶He reigned had that tyme but seuentene yere

When he thus dyed and fondly dyd expire

Unsemingly of any prynce to heare

That he with suche a monstre shoulde desyre

1300

To fyghte alone so preuely of yre

But sonnes he had full fayre then fyue

Of manly men also substantyfe.

¶ Gorbonian his eldest sonne of fyue Gorbonyan reygned .x. yere.

Was after kyng and helde the maieste

1305

Ryghtwesse and trewe to euery creature

In peace his realme and all tranquillyte

And to his people he helde all equyte

Tyllers of lande with golde he dyd comforte

And soudiours all, with goodes he dyd supporte

1310

¶ Arthegall his brother signed with Diade[m]e Diademe] Diadene 1543 Arthegall

The kyng was then with all solempnytee

sig: [d8]

By natyfe byrth nexte brother as men deme

Who good men hated of his iniquyte

Oppressyng them by greate subtylyte

1315

And all fals folke with ryches dyd auaunce

His Barons all deposed hym for that chaunce

The .x[l].

xl] xxvii 1543

Chapiter.

ELydoure then the thirde brother generate * Eledoure kyng reygned v. yeres

Was kyn[g]e create by all successyon kynge] kyne 1543

And bare the crowne with all royal estate

1320

By lordes wyll and there concessyon

That ruled well withoute oppressyon

When he had reigned so fully fyue yere

Arthegall he founde that was his brother dere

¶As he was gone on huntyng for his disporte

1325

In the forest and woode of collatre

That sought had frendes and found had no comforte

But heuy was and of full simple chere

Whome Eledoure toke in his armes clere

And brought hym to his cytee of Alclude

1330

That then was of great myght and fortytude.

¶In Albany then was it the greatest citee tho

Besyde the woode that tyme of collatre

Where his Barons and many other moo

At his biddyng were come and presente there

1335

Whome syngulerly he made them for to swere

Unto Arthegall his brother to be trewe * Arthegall reygned .x. yere.

So purposed he, to crowne hym all newe.

sig: [d8v]

¶And then anon in haste so forth they rode

To Ebranke and helde then his parlyament

1340

Where of good loue and tender brotherhod

The crowne he set with very trewe entente

On Arthegalles hede and thought it was wel spent

By hole decree and iudgement of his mouth

And made hym kyng agayne by north and south

1345

¶ Arthegall kyng crowned so all newe agayne

Full well his lordes after dyd loue all perlees

Forsoke all vyces and tooke to vertue playne

And set his lande and people in all kyn[d]e and ease kynde] kyne 1543see OED kind, sb. 5(b)

Reigning .x. yere, he fell in greate disease

1350

In maladye of dyuerse great syckenesse

Dead and buried at Carleyle as I gesse.

The .x[l]i.

xli] xxxvii 1543

Chapiter.

THe Briteines all crowned Eledoure Eledoure reigned xiii yere

That reygned after .xiii. yere in dignytee

So well theim payde to haue hym gouernoure

1355

For his goodnesse and his benignyte

And for he was so full of al pytee

That in all-thynge mercy he dyd preserue

Well better euer then men coulde it deserue.

¶ Iugen with force and eke syr Peredoure Iugen and Peredour reigned .vii yere together.

1360

His brethren two on hym rose traytorously

Deposed hym oute of his hye honoure

And prisoned hym full sore and wrongfullye

All in the towre of Troynouaunt for_thy

And parted the realme betwixte theim two

1365

Together reignyng .vii. yere and no mo

sig: e[1]

¶ Paredour then had all the lande full clere Paradour reigned by hym-self iiii. yeres

And crouned was, reignyng after worthely

His lawe and peace, kepyng full well foure yere

And dyed then, and to his goddes full hye

1370

He passed so, and buryed full royally

After their rites and their olde vsage

With greate honour by all the baronage.

The .x[lii].

xlii] xxxix 1543

Chapiter.

ELedour was kyng all newe made againe Eledour reigned. x. yeres.

Thrise crouned that kepte his olde condicion

1375

Of whome the lordes and commons wer full faine

And sory for his wrongfull deposicion

He reigned so fro losse and all perdicion

Reignyng after full peacebly tenne yere

Buried full faire, at Alclude his citee clere.

1380

¶ Gorbonian that was Gorbonian his soonne Gorbonian kyng of Brytaine.

The croune after his vncle in all thynges

That ruled well fro tyme that he begonne

Full well beloued with olde and also with young

He reigned tenne yere of Brytein kyng

1385

And dyed then with worship whole enterred

As to suche a prince of right should bee required

¶ Morgan that was the soonne of kyng Arthegall, Morgan reigned. xiiii. yere

Was crowned then and held the royalte

Full fourten yere he ruled the realme ouer-all

1390

The lawe and peace with all tranquillite

He kepte full well in all prosperite

For whiche he was full greately magnified

sig: [e1v]

In all his realme with people la[u]defyed

¶ Emnan his brother so was crouned kyng Emnan kyng reigned .vii. yere.

1395

Seuen yere reigned in all kynd of tiranny of] ofe 1543

For whiche he was deposed as an vnderlyng

When he had reigned seuen yere fully

That to god and manne was euer contrarie

Till all his lordes and commons euerione

1400

Whiche wer full glad awaye that he was gonne.

¶ Iuall the soonne of kyng I[u]gen did reigne Kyng Iuall reigned .xx. yere.

Louyng alwaye to kepe all rightwesnese

Hatyng all vices, and of good menne was faine

All vicious menne, he helde in sore distres

1405

Helpyng poore menne fallyng in feblenes

When he had reigned full well by twenty yere

He dyed awaye as saieth the chronicler

¶ Rymo the soonne that of kyng Paradour Kyng Rymo reigned xvi. yere.

Crouned was then, louyng all gentilnes

1410

All vertue euer he louid and all honour

And in his tyme was plenty and larges

Of his people full well belouid I gese

And dyed so in all felicite on hye

Sixten yere whole reigned when he ganne dye

1415

¶ Gerennes then the soonne of Eledour Kyng Gerennes reigned, xx. yere.

To reigne beganne and ruled well this daye

And sone the deathe hym toke and dyd deuour

If I the treuth of hym shall saye

That twenty yere he reigned all menne to paye

1420

The lawe and peace full well aye conserued

Of his commons the loue aye deserued, Kyng Catellus

sig: e2

Catellus his soonne then ganne succede reigned, x. yere.

Kepyng the lawe and peace as he had hight

Oppressours all, that poore menne did ouer_lede

1425

He hanged euer on trees full hie to sight

That ensample of theim euery manne take might

Tenne yere reigned full of felicite

And dyed so vnder his vnsure deite

¶ Coile his soon[n]e after hym succede Kyng Coile re[i]gned,reigned] regned 1543 xv yere.reigned] regned 1543

1430

And crouned was, reignyng so twenty yere

In lawe and peace as to his worthihede

Accordyng was for lawe and peace conserued clere

As euery manne maye se bothe farre and nere

The floures been of royall dignyte

1435

In whiche he reigned twenty yere ere he did dye

¶ Porrex his soonne was crouned in his astate Kyng Porrex,

Esye of porte to speake with euery wight

Their comonnyng to hym was delicate

Who reson spake he fauoured as was right

1440

Who viceous spake or did in his sight

He chasticed theim after the cause required

Reignyng fiue yere, of no lande had he fered

¶ Cheryn his soonne norished in dronkennes Kyng Cheryn.

Customably, to whiche folowed all kynde of vyce

1445

It exiled witte out of his brayn doubteles

And reason after that, made hym full vnwyse

He was of all his gouernaunce so nyce

And reigned so in Brytein but one yere

When he dyed laied, was on the bere

1450

¶His soonne Fulgen reigned but one yere Fulgen,

sig: [e2v]

Eldred his brother and Androge hight the thirde Fulgence, Eldred and Androge

Kynges after hym echeone were synguler

A yere reignyng whose good rules are hid

For-why, vnto no manne was it kyde

1455

Thei dyed sone, for long that might not dure

In suche dronkennes, full weake was their nature

¶ Uryan the soonne of kyng Androge Uryan.

Three yere reigned, that was full lecherous

A mayden young, wher he did ride or goo

1460

He had euery daye, he was so vicyous

But yet he was gentill and bounteous

All if he had maydens in suche charte charte=cherte, 'affection'

Wedowes and wifes, he had in greate plentie

¶ Elynde was kyng, and fiue yere bare the croune, Elynde.

1465

Full well ruled the realme in all kynd of thyng

In Astronomye, full redy aye and bowne

Dedancius also reigned fiue yere full young Dedancius.

Who the realme ruled in all maner thyng

Full peseably frome that Elynde was dedde,

1470

Bothe-twoo dyed in their floreshed youthede

¶ Detonus then was kyng reignyng twoo yere,

Gurguncius so twoo yere bare also the croune

And Meryan twoo yere by wrytyng clere

Bledudo then full ready bowne

1475

Twoo yere also bare the croune

Cappe and Owen and then Sicilyus

Eche after other by twoo yere reigned thus Detonus . Gurguncius. Merian Bledudo Cappe. Owen and Sicilius all these reigned eche of them .ii. yeres.

¶ Bledud_Gabred reigned, expert in song Bledud._Gabred. cantor.

And in all musike instrumentes

sig: e3

1480

Farre passyng was all other and had been long

Suche was his cunnyng and his sentementes

That for a god in all folkes ententes

In myrth and ioye and maner of melodye

Thei honoured hym tenne yere onely

1485

¶ Archiuall, then his brother reigned so

And Eldoll after his soonne, succeded anone

And Redon then his soonne, came nexte hym thoo

Redrike his soonne, when his father was gonne

Croune and septer receiued, hath anone

1490

Samuell, Pirre, Peneysell and Capre

Seuerally echeone reigned twoo yere Archiuall. Eldoll. Redon Redrike, Samuel Pirry. Penisell and Capre. eche of these reigned two yeres.

The .xl[iii].

xliii] xl 1543

Chapiter.

ELynguellus whiche was Capre his sonne

Bothe wyse and sadde, and in his realme helde right,

He herd all menne what counsaill that thei conne

1495

For oftymes a symple manne to sight

More wysedome hath in his insight

And better reason canne in his braynes fynde

Then canne a lorde, though he maye beres bynde,

¶Who in his lande did wrong or any vnright,

1500

He prisoned hym in sore and greate distresse

He gaue his menne that souldyours were full wight

Lyuelode to liue vpon, frome all destres

sig: [e3v]

Sicke folke and poore caste into feblenesse

He visited aye, and reigned had seuen yere

1505

When that he dyed and left his realme full clere

¶ Hely his soonne, in all thyng good and wise

Succeded then, the Isle_of_Hely made Howe Hely the soonne of Elyngwellus made the Isle_of_Hely.

His palais gaye that might right well suffice

He buylded ther that was bothe long and brade

1510

Wherin he dwelled muche, and moost abaide

The lawe and peace he kepte and conserued

Which him vpheld that he was neuer ouer_terued

¶Three soonnes he gatte, Lud and Cassibalam Kyng Hely reigned .xl. yere.

The third was called that tyme sir Nemynus

1515

When he had reigned sixty yere in certaine

The death cruell to menne that is aye noyeous

In his commyng that is alwaye douteous

Hym sleugh a_waye, who was at Hely buryed

Afore his god that ther was edified

The .xli[iii].

xliiii] xli 1543

Chapiter.

1520

HIs soonne and heire was Lud of muche might Kyng Lud reigned .xl. yere.

Then crouned by all the baronage

His citees all[,] eke his castelles wight all, eke his castelles] all eke his heritage, castelles 1543

He did repeire that were his heritage

And where was worthy his seruesse and homage

1525

To hym was doone, in landes al aboute

Was none withstode so was he dred and doubte

With walles faire, and towres freshe about

sig: [e4]

His citee great of Troynouaunt full fayre

Full well he made and batelled throughout

1530

And palays fayre, for royalles to appeare

Amendyng other defectyfe and vnfayre

From London_stone to his *palays royall This palays is nowe the bishop of Londons palays beside Poules.

That nowe Ludgate is knowen ouer-all.

¶Betwene Londonstone and Ludgate forth-right

1535

That called was then for his name Ludstone

He made men buyld, that London so then hight

His Palays fayre then made he there anone

With toures high, bothe of lyme and stone

Besyde Ludgate, and his temple nere thereby

1540

His God to serue and hym to glorifye.

¶When he had reigned by fourty yere all-out

He died so, and in his temple fayre

Entoumbed was, with stories all about

Androgeus was then his sonne and heyre

1545

Passyng of sight and I[n]ly fayre Inly='very'; see MED, inli, 2(a)

Tenancius his yonger sonne of age

Which wer to young to rule the heritage.

¶ Cassibalayn there vncle then was kyng Cassibalayn reigned. xxxiii. yere.

And founde his neuewes full honestly and well

1550

And nourtred theim while thei wer chylder ying

And at there age when they could reason fele

He theim auaunced right worshipfully and well

Androge he made and created duke of Kent

Of Troynouaunt also by whole entent.

The .xl[v].

xlv] xlii 1543

Chapiter.

1555

HE made also then Tenancius

Duke of Cornwail that time of mikel might

In whiche tyme so came Caesar Iulius

Into the lande of Fraunce that nowe so hight

And on a daye walkyng vp and downe full right

1560

On the sea-syde, wher he this lande did see

Desyryng sore of it the souerayntee.

¶His nauye greate with many soudyoures

To sayle anone into this Britayn made

In Thamis aroue, wher he had ful sharpe sho[u]res shoures] shores 1543

1565

And countred was with Brytons that abade

With Cassibalayn the kyng of Brytons brade

Wher after battayll smytten and forfought

Iulius fled and then preuayled nought.

¶To Fraunce agayn and there he did soiorne

1570

The Frenche wer fayn of his discomfiture

And trowed to make hym so fro theim retorne

But the Britons full besely did there cure

In this batell as came them of nature

The dukes of kent and eke of Cornewayle

1575

And Nemynus theyr Eme did moste preuayle.

¶ Crudan the kyng that tyme of Albany

Gnechet the kyng also of Uenedose

That north_wales nowe is called specially

And kyng Bretayle that was full vertuous

1580

A manne in armes passyngly curious

Of Denycye, south_wales that nowe hight

sig: [e5]

He asked helpe of Fraunce that fayled hym right.

¶Then sent he to all landes there-about

To poore menne all, he gaue full great ryches

1585

And exyled men of warre that wer full stoute

He gaue liuelode and felons all douteles

He delyuered quyte, fre of all distres

All outlawed menne, he graunted full perdon

The bondemen also of euery region.

The .xl[v]i.

xlvi] xliii 1543

Chapiter.

1590

IN whiche meane-tyme, when he was redy so

With his nauy came to brytayn again

Into Thamis where Cassibalayn tho

Great pyles of tree and yron sette hym again

His shippes to peryshe and so he did certain

1595

Throughe whiche, greate parte of hys nauy was drowned

And some other in batayl wer confounded

¶Then fled he eft with shippes that he had

Into the lande of Fraunce wher he was ere

Hym purposyng to Rome, full wo by_stad

1600

Of his rebuke with sorowe and with care,

But then the kyng full glad of his euell fare

A feaste royall at Troynouaunt he made

Where great discorde, with his neuewes he had

The .xl[v]ii.

xlvii] xliiii 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [e5v]

PUrposed fully on theim to bee auenged

1605

For whiche thei sent anone to Iulius

And prayed to come his right that he had chalenged

To clayme it hole thei wrote hym right thus

Thei should hym helpe with people plenteous

Through whose councell, ful gladly then he came

1610

At Douer arryued with mykeil ioye and game.

¶Where then the kyng Cassybalayn he met

And fought full sore, where that Androgeus

Out of a woode on Cassibalayn set

And to a mounte hym droaue, where that Iulius

1615

And he hym sieged again full coragious

He fought ful sore with all manly defence

All nyght afore, by myghty resistence.

¶But some for drede of famyshement

He treated with the duke Androgeus

1620

To paye his tribute to Roome in good entent

And to amende all thynges greuous

With all his might and hertes beneuolence

Androgeus to all this did assente

And made Iulius to this fully consent.

1625

¶This truage was .iii.M. li. well payde

Eche yere to Rome of siluer good and fyne

These princes thus accorded wer and daied

In peace and reste and Iulius went fro heyne

To warre vpon Pompey, that nought wold enclyne

1630

To Romys Senate after that Iulius

Hym had conquered by warre full fortuous.

¶With whome then went the duke Androgeus

sig: [e6]

And in Britayne no lenger wolde abyde

He lefte his brother duke Tennancius

1635

In Britayne with Cassybalyn that tyde

And so to Rome with Iulius dyd ryde

But Neminus brother of Cassybalayne

Full manly fought on Iulius tymes tweyne.

¶With strokes sore, ayther on other bette

1640

But at the laste this prynce syr Iulius

Crosea_mors, his swerde in shelde sette

Of the worthy sir Neminus worthy] manly worthy 1543

Whiche of manly force and myght vigorous

The swearde he brought away oute of the felde

1645

As Iulius it set faste in his shelde.

¶Through which stroke, sir Neminus then died

And buried was at the north gate certayne

Of London then, where nowe is Scotlande edified

London cytee royall of all Britayne

1650

Thus this worthy knyght in his graue be fayne

Crosea_mors, his swearde layde by his syde

Whiche he brought from Iulius that tyde.

¶After whiche accorded this kyng Cassybalayn

Reigned fully in Britayne then .vii. yere

1655

Payeng trybute to Rome alwaye certayne

Rulyng his lande in lawe and peace full clere

And reygned had in all, full thyrtye yere

And foure aboue vnto his god so yede

Buryed at Ebranke with all knyghtly worthihede.

The .xlv[iii].

xlviii] xlv 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [e6v]

1660

TEmancius his neuewe then full faire Temancius reygned. xvii. yere.

Kyng Luds sonne that duke was of Cornewayle

With Diademe was crowned as ryght heire

Of all Britayne had the gouernalle

Who kepte the lande in his tyme by good gouernalle

1665

Full .xvii. yere to his god then wente

Buryed full fayre as to suche a prynce appente.

¶ Kymbalyne so was his sonne and heyre

Noryshed at Rome instructe with cheualre

That knyght was made with honour great and fayer Kymbelyne.

1670

By Octauyan reigning then enterly

Emperour then of Romes great monerchy

In whose tyme was both peace and all concorde

Through all the worlde, and borne was christ oure lorde

This Kinbelyne reigned fully .x. yere

1675

And ruled this lande in lawe and peace full well

And dyed then as sayth the chronycler

That ilke same yere that christe was borne with zele

Of his mother a mayden fayre and wele

For christen folke by grace then to redeme

1680

From payne of hell to blysse as clerkes deme

¶From tyme the worlde firste was begoonne and made

Unto the tyme of Christes natiuytee

Accompted ere through christendom full brade

Fyue .M. yere .ix. score and .xix. bee

1685

Or goddes sonne cam man for to bee

As [O]rosius the discyple of Austyne Orosius] Crosius 1543

In this writyng so as he coulde determyne.

¶ Guyder his sonne and heyre full corageous Guyder

sig: [e7]

That crowned was and kyng of excellence reigned .xliiii. yere.

1690

The trybute which the Romayns had of vs

Denied then and made greate resystens

With great trouble and manly violence

Unto the tyme that he had reygned clere

In Bretayne by .iiii. and fourty yere.

1695

¶In whiche yere then the Emperour Claudius

At Caire_peers that nowe porchestre hight

Arryued a_lande with people full corageous

He closed the gates afore with mykyll myght

And the cytee assauted both daye and nyght

1700

The cytezens to famyshe and conquer

His name in armes and honour to proffer.

¶But king Guider fought there with th'emperour

And slewe men on euery syde aboute

Rescowyd the towne as very protectour

1705

And made hym to fle, were he neuer so stoute

But one Hamon rode faste into the route

Hauyng on him the Britains sygne of warre

Who in the prees slewe the kyng Guyder.

The .xl[ix].

xlix] xlvi 1543

Chapiter.

ARuiragus that sawe his brother slayne

1710

His brothers armis vpon hym-self he cast Aruiragus reigned .xl.iiii. yere.

And king was then of all that great_Britain

Upon Hamon pursued tyll at the laste

He droue hym into the hauen full faste

And drowned him there, after hight Hamon_towne

sig: [e7v]

1715

That men nowe call shorte speche Southhampton

To winchester kyng Aruiragus rode

Whether Claudius came with Romans ful of pryde

Where Aruiragus with Britayns him abode

But as they should haue fought in that tyde

1720

By both theyr councelles they were drawen on side

Claudius doughter to wed they were accorde

And truage to paye eche yere withoute discorde.

Then Claudius sente for dame Gennyse

his doughter fayre full womanly to see

1725

She came in haste as then it myght suffyse

To come oute frome so farre lande and countre

And in a mede with floures of greate beaute

Wedded they were, where Claudius then made

A cytee fayre Cayre_glowe to name it had

1730

¶Of his name it was so denominate

Nowe Gloucester standynge on seuerne syde *Wherof Gloucester was so named.

The maryage after Christe was incarnate

Was in the yere fourtye and syxe that tyde

So in Britayne two yere he dyd abyde

1735

Orcades ysles in the meane-tyme he conquered

In whiche he enfeffid the kyng and hym preferred.

¶And home to Rome he passed so agayne

But after agayne, the kyng truage denyed

And none wolde paye, wherefore Uaspasyan

1740

Hyther was sent with Romains fortifyed

At Ruteporte that nowe Sandwiche is notifyed

The kyng hym met and put hym frome the lande

To Totenesse went and notwithstandyng fande.

sig: [e8]

¶So went he forth to Exceter his waye

1745

Caire_Penelgorte then hight and it assai[led] assailed] assaide 1543

Where then the kyng hym met the seuentene day

With hoste full stronge, but then the king preuayled

But Gennyse the quene greatly auayled

By her trety made them full well accorde

1750

That with Rome he dyd no more discorde.

The .[l].

l] xlvii 1543

Chapiter.

VAspasyan wintered then in Britayne

At the prayer of quene Gennyse

And had truage then fully payde agayne

To Uaspasyan, as before was the gyse

1755

With whome Ioseph full holy and full wyse

Of Aramathie with his felowes fourtene

Into this lande then came and gaue contene.

¶For whome so then Uaspasyan praid the kyng Uaspasian

The quene also to hym to be good lorde

1760

And good ladie, which they graunted in all-thing

Declaring then, and fully dyd recorde

This worthy Uaspasyan by his owne worde

Howe he hym tooke oute of Cayphas prysone

Preserued by god and not by mannes reasone.

1765

¶For fourty yere and two he in prisone laye

Fro Christes death to tyme that he hym fande

Withoute meate or drynke by any maner waye

sig: [e8v]

But only was conforted by goddes sonde

And howe he hym brought oute of Ierusalem lond

1770

All this he tolde, the king and eke the quene

And prayde theim his supporters to been.

¶After the wynter nexte in somer-tyed

Uaspasyan to Rome then went agayne

Ioseph abode and fully landifyed

1775

The lawe of Christe, to whiche he was full fayne

And the kyng gaue the sothe to sayne

Twelue hydes of lande that then Mewtryn hight

Whiche Glastenbury is nowe named full right

In bretayne then this Ioseph dyd conuerte

1780

Brytons ay howe to knowe the incarnacyon

Afore that Paynyms and also peruerte

He taught them of his conuersacyon

Of his passyon and his resurreccyon

With other thinges as the chronycler saith

1785

That apperteygneth to Christes fayth

¶ Agrestes reygned by .iiii. and syxty yere Agrestes.

When he was dead and in caire_glawe was buryed

In a temple entoumbed fayre and clere

Of his goddes that there were deifyed

1790

Aboute whyche tyme so oure ladye Mary dyed

Or elles assumpte in body and soule on lyue

Unto the blysse after her ioyes fyue.

¶But Uaspasyan with his hoste full royall

And Ioseph also came into Britayne

1795

The yere of Chryste was then accompte in all

Seuenty and syxe the sooth for to sayne

sig: f[1]

When Uaspasian to Roome retourned home again

The kyng enduyd Ioseph in meutryne

The .[li].

li] xlviij 1543

Chapiter.

IOseph conuerted this kyng Arui[rag]us Aruiragus] Aruigarus 1543

1800

By his prechyng to knowe the lawe deuine

And baptized hym as writen hath Nen[ni]us Nennius] Neninus 1543

The chronicler in Bretain tongue full fyne

And to Christe[s] lawe, made hym enclyne Christes] Christe 1543

And gaue hym then a shelde of siluer white

1805

A crosse endlong and ouer-twhart full perfect

¶These armes were vsed through all Brytain

For a common signe eche manne to knowe his nacion

Frome enemies whiche nowe we call certain

Sainct Georges armes by Nenyus enformacion

1810

And thus this armes, by Iosephes creacion

Full long afore sainct George was generate

Were worshipt heir of mykell elder date

The .[lii].

lii] xlix 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [f1v]

MAryus his soonne was then intronizate

And sette on high in trone of maiestie

1815

With croune of golde full royally coronate

As worthy was vnto his royalte

Who nourished was at Rome in his iuuente

With his mothers kynne the beest of the empire

With Claudius also, that was his oune graundsir

1820

¶In whose tyme a peight hight Rodrike

With power greate by sea came fro Sythy

As proude and bryme as lyon marmerike

Arreued so vp in Albanye

Distroiyng whole the lande all sodainly

1825

With whome the kyng then faught in greate battell

And sleugh hym with_oute any faile

¶Wher then in signe of his high victorye

He sette there vp a stone in remembraunce

Of his triumph, of his aduersatie

1830

Titled on it, his fame for to auaunce

Howe the peightes, there brought to vttraunce

Wher the redde crosse is nowe in Westmerlande

In Stanys_more, as I canne vnderstande

¶Then to the peightes left a_liue, he gaue catenese

1835

To dwell vpon and haue in heritage

Whiche weddid [wer], with Irish as I gesse wer] wher 1543

Of whiche after Scottes came on that linage

For Scottes bee to saie their langage

A colleccion of many into one

1840

Of whiche the Scottes were called so anone

The .l[iii].

liii] l 1543

Chapiter.

BUt Mewynus the Bryton chronicler,

Saieth in his chronicles other-wise other] orther 1543

That Gadelus and Scota in the yere

Of Christe seuenty and fiue, by assise

1845

At stone inhabitte as might suffise

And of hir name that countre there-aboute

Scotlande she called that tyme with_outen doubt

¶This Scota was, as Mewyn saieth the sage

Doughter and bastarde of kyng Pharao that daye

1850

Whome Gadele wedded, and in his olde age

Unto a lande he went, where he inhabited ay

Whiche yet of his name is calle Gadelway Howe Galway had fyrst the name of kyng Gadelus

And with the peightes he came into Albanie

The yere of Christ aforsaid openlye

1855

¶And at hir death she left a precious stone

In Albany, on whiche Moses did preache

And buryed there she was by hir-self alone

Whiche stone was holy, as some menne then did teache

And did miracles, so was the common speache

1860

In honour it was had, bothe of greate and small

And holden for a relique moost speciall

¶This stone was called the regall of Scotlande The regall of scotlande

On whiche the Scottish kynges wer brechelesse set

At their coronomente as I canne vnderstande

sig: [f2v]

1865

For holynes of it so did thei of debte

All their kynges vpon this stone was sette

Unto the tyme kyng Edward with long shankes

Brought it awaye again the Scottes vnthankes,

¶At Westmonestery it offered to sainct Edward

1870

Where it is kepte and conserued

To tyme that kynges of Englande afterward

Should coroned bee, vnder their fete obserued The subieccion of Scotland.

To this entent kept and reserued

In remembraunce of kynges of Scottes alway

1875

Subiectes should bee, to kynges of Englande ay

¶Also afore the fifte kyng Henryes daye

Their siluer coigne was as it ought to bee

The kynges face loked on side all-waye

To his soueraigne lorde of Englande as I see

1880

Whiche to been hetherwarde of egalite

Unto their lorde thei haue of newe presumed

To looke euen furth, whiche would nowe bee consumed

¶ Kyng Maryus kepte the realme in lawe and peace

Full of riches and of prosperyte

1885

And dyed so at Sarum buryed dowteles

When he had reigned sixty yere and three

His tribute payed, full well to Roome citee

Of Christes faith sumwhat he was enformid

But muche more he neded to haue been reformid

1890

¶ Coylus his soonne was kyng then crouned so Coylus, reigned xiii. yere.

Who mutryed was at Roome in greate vertue mutryed? =inducted? (see below); emend to nutryed (cf. L. nutrire)?

Held well his lawes egall to frende and foo

And in his dooynges full iuste he was and trewe,

sig: f3

His life alwaye and rule in vertue grewe

1895

That full great name of hym was notifyed

And in all landes of honoure multiplied.

¶The lordes, gentiles, yemen, and commontee

He cherished well, and in no wise oppressed

And to theim gaue, wher was necessitee

1900

And tribute payde to Rome vndistressed

And at his death with sickenesse impressed

He buried was at Norwhiche then full clere

When he reigned had fully .xiii. yere.

¶Somewhat in fayth of Christ, he was instruct

1905

But not fully, as was necessitee

Like as he was in Rome with hym inducte

So helde he forth in all stabilitee

And as he harde in all symylitee

Howe Ioseph had his graundser enformed

1910

With benyng herte and wil, he hym confyrmed.

The .li[iii].

liiii] li 1543

Chapter.

AFter kyng Coile, his sonne then Lucius Lucyus kyng.

So crowned was with royall diademe

In all vertue folowed his father Coilus

To compare hym in all that myght beseme

1915

He put his will after as his witte could deme

sig: [f3v]

In so farre forth, that of Christentee

He contynued so a Christen man to bee.

¶And in the yere of Christes incarnacion

An .C. foure score and tenne

1920

Eleuthery the first, at supplicacion

Of Lucyus, sente hym twoo holy menne

That called wer Faggan and Duuyen

That baptized hym, and all his realme throughoute

With hertes glad and laboure deuoute.

1925

¶Thei taught that folke, the lawe of Christ eche daye

And halowed all the temples in Christes name

All mawmentes and Idols caste awaye

Through all Britayn, of al false goddes the same

The temples flamynes, the Idols for to shame

1930

They halowed eke and made bishoppes sees

Twenty and .viii. at dyuers great citees.

¶Of .iii. archeflamynes, thei made archbishoprikes

One at London, Troynouaunt that hight

For all Logres with lawes full autentikes

1935

To rule the churche and christentee in right

Another at Carlyon a towne of might

For all Cambre, at Ebranke the thirde

From Trent north, for Albany is kyde.

¶All these workes Eugeny then confirmed

1940

The kyng then gaue to Faggan and Duuyen

The ysle of Analoon and by cherter affirmed

That was called otherwyse Mewtryen

Also frely as Ioseph and his holy men

Had it afore, then-forth for theyr dispence

sig: f4

1945

Wherof thei wer glad, and thought it sufficience.

¶But when this kyng had reygned in co[n]templacion contemplacion] cotemplacion 1543

Fyftie and .iiii. yere in all prosperitee

He departed to God, desyryng his saluacion

In heauen to dwell, with all felycytee

1950

Where the Aungelles synge incessauntely

Glory, honoure and euerlastyng prayse

Be to the lambe of God, nowe and alwayes.

¶At Cairglowe buried, after his dignitee

For whom all men made great lamentacion

1955

Who bare before the baptyme of propertee

His Auncestres armes, and after with consolacion

He bare the armes, by his baptizacion

Whiche Ioseph gaue vnto Arui[rag]us Aruiragus] Aruigarus 1543

As the Briton saith, that hight Mewynus

1960

¶For cause he had none heire to kepe the lande

Through all Britayn the barons gan discorde

Unto the tyme that Romayns toke on hande

To chese a prince by there stedfaste accorde

But .iiii. yere wer gone or then they could accorde

1965

In whiche tyme then Seuer the senatour

Hether came to be theyr gouernoure.

The .l[v].

lv] lii 1543

Chapiter.

SEuerus thus the worthy senatour Seuerus kyng.

Descended downe, right heire to Androgeus

The eldest soonne of Lud that with the Emperoure

sig: [f4v]

1970

Out of Britayn that went with Iulius

Whiche Senatoure afore-sayd Seuerus

To Britayn came and was intro[n]izate intronizate] intromizate 1543

And with a crowne of golde was coronate.

¶He brought with hym from Rome two legion[s] legions] legion 1543

1975

With whom great part of Britons held ful sore

And other parte of the northren Britons

With Fulgen stode was kyng of Scotlande bore

Gathered great people euer more and more

With whom the Pightes and fugitiues .viii. esenable esenable: emend to resenable?

1980

Destroyed the lande by warre full violable

The .l[vi].

lvi] liij 1543

Chapter.

BUt kyng Seuer hym droue with batayl sore

Farre north vnto the Scottishe sea

Wher thei abode and dwelled forth euermore

Betwene the Scottishe sea and twede no lee

1985

But some bookes sayen to Tyne in certayn

And so is like, for Seuer there did make

A dike, and wall for the Scottes and Pightes sake.

¶From Ty[nm]outh to Alclud his fayre citee Tynmouth] Tymnouth 1543

With turues and soddes and wer theim to againstand

1990

Where the water myght not the Enemytee

Kepe of warre from his trewe Britayn lande

By fyfty myles accompted I vnderstande

To the weste sea, that was of greate Brytayn

This wal with dikes, pightes and Scottes did refrein

sig: [f5]

1995

¶But kyng Fulgen of Pightes and Scottes again

With hoste full great, sieged Ebranke citee

Whiche Seuer rescowed, and was slayn

And Fulgen also for_beten there did dye

Receaued his guerdon for his tyrannye

2000

At Ebranke the kyng Seuer was buried

With victorie and honours glorified.

¶ Getan his sonne, a Romayne generate Getan king of Britain chosen by the Romayns.

The Romaynes then, hastely did crowne

And Britons bloodde together congregate

2005

By hole assente, and playne eleccion

Bassyan chase without collucion

For borne he was of the feminytee

Of Britayn bloodde and consanguitee.

¶This Bassian with Getan then did fight

2010

In great batayll wher Getan so was slayn

To Bassian so discended all the right Bassian reygned vii. yere.

Of whiche the Brytons all were full fayn

Within .iiii. wekes was all this done full playn

But Bassian then his brother buried

2015

And Romayns all on hepes mortifyed.

Bassian then was crouned kyng of Brytayn

Full well he helde the realme .vii. yere in peace

To tyme Caranse confedered hym agayn

With Scottes and Pightes vpon hym gon encrease

2020

All fugitiues, outlawes to hym came prease

For long he had a robber been by the sea

And richer was, then any kyng myght bee.

By his manhode set all on roberye

sig: [f5v]

Of lowe bloodde came, rysen by insolence

2025

To soudyours he gaue wages full greatly

For to betraye the kyng by diligence

He to the kyng so made by violence

Whiche promyse kepte, he slewe the kyng anone

In place wher-as thei wer with hym alone.

The .l[vii].

lvii] liiii 1543

Chapiter.

2030

THrough treason of Carense Scottes and the Pightes Caranse reigned iiii. yeres.

Assented so by fals confederacion

Through his giftes and his subtyll slightes

Betwene theim wrought in councell priuatly

This false Carense so gatte the monarchie

2035

Of all Britayn within the sea aboute

Foure yere he reigned, of porte that was ful stoute

¶The Barons were so with gold englaymed englaymed: see OED engleim

By this Carense and by his language swete

Semyng like truth in maner as he proclaymed

2040

As nothyng is more redy for to mete

Then coueteous and falshode as men lete

So wer they all with his giftes enfecte

The kynge was slayne and he was electe.

¶But when to Rome was knowne the false disceyt

2045

Of this Caranse and his wronge intrucion

The Senate sent a letter by theyr conceyte

Hym to distroye by dewe execucion

Who for his faute gaue hym absolucion

sig: [f6]

In batell stronge slewe hym and had the felde

2050

And Scottes all and pyeghtes that with hym helde

The .lv[iii].

lviii] lv 1543

Chapiter.

O Worthy lorde and duke of Yorke that been

Consyder well this case full lamentable

The righ[t]wes king wel gouerned as it was sene rightwes] righwes 1543

Thus murdred was, of him that was vnhable

2055

And set hym-selfe in trone moste honourable

Of all Britayne, yet came he vp of nought

And of lowe bloude, and it were wysely sought.

¶Good lorde when ye be set well vnder crowne

With treytours and misruled ryatours

2060

Dispence right so, with all suche absolucyon

And lette hym seke no other correctours

But maynteyne theim, your lawes gouernours

And ouer all-thyng, be ye the chefe Iustyce

To kepe the peace, that no false you suppryse

The .l[ix].

lix] lvi 1543

Chapiter.

2065

ALlecto then crowned and made kyng * Allectus kyng reygned .iii. yere

Of all Britayne reigning fully yeres thre

And well he ruled in all maner werkyng

By power of the Romans greate postee

That brought with him from Rome legions thre

2070

But Britayns then dyd set a parlyament

And chase a kyng by theyr hole assent

sig: [f6v]

¶ Asclipiade that was duke of Cornewayle

Who with Brytons to troynouaunt came

Whylest Romans were by theyr hole gouernalle

2075

At sacrifyce of their goddes faynte and lame

Agaynste whome Alecto of greate fame

Full mightly then faught tyll he was slayne

But Gallus drewe all Romans in agayne.

And kepte the wallys for whiche Asclepiadote

2080

The seege aboute the cytee strongly layde

In which meane-while Britons brake in, god wote

And slewe Gallus and Romains sore affrayde

All out of araye and sore dismayde

Besyde a broke that walbroke men nowe call

2085

That Galbroke then was called there ouer-all

Of Gallus name that slayne was in that place

And some sayne of walshemen afterwarde

Walbroke it called for a sodaine case

That then byfell vpon a daye full harde

2090

Of the Brytons that with theim so miscaryed

Ouer that ylke brooke full sore and harde distressed

By Cornyshmen slayne downe ther, and oppressed

The .l[x].

lx] lvii 1543

Chapiter.

ASclepiadote was crowned king agayne * Asclepiadote reygned .x. yere.

In royall wyse with all solempnyte

2095

The lawes well he helde and put in great payne

Ouer trespassours, for their peruersite

sig: [f7]

Theuys and robbers on galowis hanged to be

But in his tyme the Emperoure Dioclesyan

Into Britayne then sente Maximian.

2100

¶This Maximian to surname Hercelyus

A tyraunte false that christente anoyed

Through all Britayne of werke malycious

The christoned folke felly and sore destroyed

And thus the people with hym foule accloyed

2105

Religyous men the prestes and clerkes all

Wemen with chylde and bedred folkes all

¶Chyldren soukyng vpon the mothers pappis

The mothers also withouten any pytee

And chyldren all in theyr mothers lappys

2110

The crepyls eke and all the christentee

He kylled and slewe with full great cruelte

The churches brent all bokes or ornamentes

Bellys, relyquys that to the churche appendes

The .l[xi].

lxi] lviii 1543

Chapter.

HE slew that time and martyred saint Albone

2115

And with him also Iulus and Araon

And Amphimabal that wolde not dye alone

But offered hym to dye with him anone

For Christes loue as faste as he myght gone

For thousandes sele were martered in those daies

2120

Whose soules be nowe in blysse and shal alwaies

¶Asclepiadote reygned fully but .x. yere.

sig: [f7v]

Who for great feare suffred all this payne

And durste nothyng agayne this tyraunt steare

But him withdrewe to hyde hym was full fayne

2125

This persecucyon as some chronyclers sayne

The .x. yere was of Asclepiadote

For whiche duke Coyle agayne him rose ful hote

¶The duke Caire_colun that hight Coylus

Whiche cytee nowe this daye Colchester hight

2130

Then crowned was that slewe Asclepiadotus

For cause he came not fourth with all his might

The tyraunt fell to agaynstande as he hight

Wherfore Britayns were all full gladde and fayne

Of kynge Coylus that succured all theyr payne.

The .l[xii].

lxii] lix 1543

Chapiter.

2135

HE ruled the realme in lawe and peace ful wel Kyng Coylus reygned .xi. yere

That for his wyt and vertuosyte

Able he was as chronycles coulde fele

To haue ruled all the emperalyte

For ryghtwesnesse, manhode, and moralytee

2140

A doughter had he and none other heire

Elyne that hyght farre passyng good and fayre.

¶That afterwarde she was and is canonyzed

In shryne at Rome that is saynt Elyne

Her father Coyle set her to be excercysed

2145

In philosophye and other scyence clene

In whiche she coulde her-selfe ryght wel demeane

That she was able by wytte and sapience

sig: [f8]

The realme to rule and haue therof the regence

The .lx[iii].

lxiii] lx 1543

Chapiter.

THe Romans sent to Britayne Constancius

2150

That Spayne had put in hole subieccyon

Unto Rome, as chronicles haue writen thus

Who landed here withoute reieccyon

To whome kyng Coyle by good direccyon

His message sente, offeryng hym his truage

2155

And he to stande king, and holde his herytage

¶Of whiche, Constance was glad of his entente

And here abode at prayer of the kynge

His doughter wed by their whole assente

Elyne his heyre that was both good and yonge

2160

Of hye wysdome and womanly conning

And there-with-all the fairest that men knewe

More Angelyke then womannyshe of hewe

¶Within fyue wekes after her father dyed

Buryed at Care_Colune his owne cytee

2165

Greatly commended, well famed and laudifyed,

Both on this syde and beyonde the sea

Eleuen yere reigned in greate dignyte

And ouer all-thyng alway comon publyke

Of his realme wrought not many kinges him lyke

The .lxi[iii].

lxiiii] lxi 1543

Chapiter.

2170

COnstance was king crowned with Diademe Constaunce kyng reygned .xv yere

And Elin quene through al great_britain

On whom he gate a sonne that had bapteme

sig: [f8v]

That Constantyne called was then in certayne

But kyng Constaunce of Rome was hye cheftaine

2175

By the senate fyrste made the Emperoure

And after kyng of Britayne and gouernoure.

Whiles he laboured for Romes publyke profete

With his felowe that hyght Galerius

That Emperoure of Rome by greate delyte

2180

Whiche of maxence of porte malicyous

Werryd full sore with werke full cheualrous

And all the weste this constaunce had and hylde

Galerius had the Este there-in to bylde.

¶And after when this Constaunce of Britayne

2185

Was crowned kyng the comon-wele preferryd

Of all his realme not lettyng for disdayne

He wrought it aye and no tyme it differed

As chronycles of hym sayde and referred

And when he had reygned hole .xv. yere

2190

At Ebranke was he buryed full clere.

The .lx[v].

lxv] lxii 1543

Chapiter.

HIs sonne ful yonge Constantyne his heire Constantyne reygned .xxxiiii. yere.

Then crowned was by all the baronage

Who lykely was, semely and ryght feire

Of .xv. yeres, so in his tender age

2195

Great manhode had to rule his heritage

Of greate wysdome was and of sapience

By discrecyon had he intellygence.

sig: g1

¶He had also a lambishe pacience

To here all pleyntes mekely with sobernes

2200

A lyons chere in felde with good regence

Discrecion good, to chastys[e] wickednes chastyse] chastysh 1543

The welfare of his realme with busines

Preserued euer and kepte in regyment

And wher nede was, he made suppowelment

2205

¶The Senatours of Roome by letters well endite

Praied hym to come to Roome as emperour

For to destroye Maxence and disherit

Of Christen folke the cruell turmentour

Of Christen faieth, the cursed confoundour

2210

For of his birth thei saied it sette hym so

Maxence to stroye that was his fathers fo

¶For whiche he went to Roome with greate power

Of Britons strong, with flemynges and Barbayns

Henauldes, Gelders, Burgonians and Frenche full clere

2215

Duchemenne, Lumbardes also many Almains

The yere of Christ three .C. and ten with Romains

Mette with Maxence and with Dioclesian

And their feloe that hight Maximian

¶Sumwhat afraid of their multitude

2220

Constantyne then he held vp to heuen

And sawe a crosse in whiche was enclude

This reason good in hoc vinco. full euine

His ferdnes so anone then did hym leuen

In signe of whiche, a crosse of goules he bare

2225

In his baner white, and with hym faught he there

¶He had the felde and putte theim to the flight

sig: [g1v]

Wherfore euer after he bare twoo armes clere

In all likenes to euery mannes sight

As Englishemenne in this lande bare theim here

2230

Sainct Georges armes nowe called withouten wer

Thus hath the kyng of englande, to theim right

Throughe eldres gootten, by god his verey might

¶The senate whole, hym mette and magnified

His high tryumphe, and mighty victorye

2235

With laude and honour fully glorified

As vsage was, that tyme of Romanye

At certain gates sette vp for memory

And crouned hym in imperiall trone

That so manly had quit theim of their foone

The .lx[vi].

lxvi] lxiii 1543

Chapiter.

2240

BUt howe that he a leaper after grewe

And by his leches, vtterly infourmed

Many innocentes whiche ther were borne newe

For his health should slain been and disformed

By theim into heale again returned

2245

In whose bloodde bathed, he should haue been

His leprous swames, to haue weshed of clene swames=squames

sig: g2

¶But howe their death of emperiall pitee

He then released, rather to haue his pain

Then to recouer by tyranne crueltee

2250

His health and life so to gette again

For whom these innocentes, should haue been slain

And howe he was, by Siluester made clene

With holy-water that yet in Roome is seen Sorcerie

¶Nor howe he sente his mother sainct Elin

2255

To seke the holy-crosse, whiche she hym brought

Ne howe she brought the clerkes with hir again

Of Iewes lawe, it to approue for nought

With Christen clerkes, by reason well out-sought

Ne when our lawe by Siluester for trewe

2260

Was best approued, that other lawe vntrewe

¶Howe then he gaue his awne palais royall Constantine first graunted to the .b. of Rome the primacye.

With Roome all whole, and all the dignite

Through-out Romany, with sea emperiall

To Siluester that had the papall sea

2265

He gaue it to hym all quite and free

And to his successours perpetually

Ne howe he distroyed the aryans heresy

¶Nor howe he went frome Roome to Besaunce

And of his name, then called it Constantyne

2270

Nowe menne it call, by all rememoraunce

Constantyne_noble, wher to dwell he did enclyne

There his lawes to kepe and to determyne

And there he sette his throne emperiall

And for his domes, his sea iudiciall

2275

¶Nor howe he dyed, after that Nichomeyd

sig: [g2v]

In cathologe emong the sainctes noumbred

Of Maye the twenty and one daye in-dede

Under shryne buryed and subumbred

Emong all Christen kynges worthy to bee remembred

2280

Whose daye and feast the Grekes haue eche yere

Solemply, as for a sainct full clere

¶And when he dyed, reigned had and imperate

In Brytain, Roome, and also at Constantyne

By thirty and foure yere ende, and determinate

2285

And in the yere of Christ as menne did determine

When this worthy emperour, his life should fyne

Three hundred was and fourty also full euen

So when his soule was rauished into heuen

¶And these longyng not to Brytons gouernaunce

2290

But vnto Roome and the empire

Whiche me nede not with my stile auaunce

For Marian hath the Rooman chronicler

All the whole substaunce and the mater

So well it maye with rethorike termes fayred

2295

Whiche by my simplenes I would not wer appaired

¶But after his daye came one Octauius Octauius

Duke of Westesax that crouned was for kyng

That sleugh the werdeins of consta[n]tynus constantynus] constatynus 1543

Whiche that he sette for Brytain gouernyng

2300

In his absence to keipe it in all-thyng

For whiche the senate Traherne to Brytain sent

Sainct Elyns vncle that into Brytain wente

¶With legyons three at Portesmouth did lande

And to Wynchester then rode furth-right

sig: g3

2305

Where Octauius came, hym to withstande

And with hym faught and putte hym to flight

Went to Portesmouth again full right

Wher then he shipped full faste to Albanye

Wher on stanemore thei faught again on hye

2310

¶Wher Traherne wanne the felde with victorie, Kyng Traherne.

And into Logres came crouned with dignite

And well did rule then all his monarchie

All menne hym loued for his sanguynite

In his tyme in greate nobilite

2315

He kepte [i]t well frome all tyranny it] tt 1543

Foure yere complete in all-thyng worthily

¶In whiche tyme, so then the said Octauius

Procured his death by whiche then was he slain

By a traytour full false and odyus

2320

So was he kyng of Brytain then again

And sone then after, he fell in age vnbain

A doughter he had, that was bothe good and faire

Whom sume counsailed, bycause she was his here

¶To Conan_Meryadoke anone for to marye

2325

And other counsailed vnto Maximian

Kyng Traherne his soonne a prince of Romanye

To Constantyne next heire he was alaane

Whiche maryage was fulfilled and tane

Maximian hir wed, then Octauius

2330

By fourten yere then reigned and dyed thus

¶ Maximian after hym ganne succed

And crouned was maugre of all his fone

For ire of whiche Conan departed in-deede

sig: [g3v]

And warred sore on Logres so anone Maximian reigned in all xxxiiii. yere.

2335

Wherfore the kyng, full faste with hooste gan gon

And countred hym with bataile fell and strong

The kyng preuayled, that other so did emong

¶Till on a daye, their frendes made theim accorde

The kyng ruled the lande, full well in peace

2340

Fiue yere fully, without any discorde

In whiche tyme, he gatte full greate riches

Thought in hym-self, ouer the sea to passe

Hauyng no will, in Bryton long to abide

But into Fraunce, he was so sette in pryde

2345

¶With hoost full greate he landed in Armorike

A duchy that was longyng vnto Fraunce

The lesse_Brytain, nowe of Gaule kyngrike

And conquered it by marciall gouernaunce

To Conan then, it gaue hym to auaunce

2350

To holde of hym, and called it lesse_Brytain

And stuffed it then with Brytons, soth to sain

¶And furth he went and wan the realme of Fraunce

And so by processe, Almaigny hym obeyed

So did a greate parte of Italy, by accordaunce

2355

He putte to flight Gracyan, that hym desobeyed

And Ualentynyan, with hym conueighed

And sleugh by battaile, Fulgen mightely

And Emperour was made of Romany

¶ Conan the kyng, then of litle_Brytayn

2360

To Dyanote the duke of Cornewaile sent

For Ursula his doughter, letters plain

His wife to bee, in verey good entent

sig: g4

With her also of maydens, that wer gente

Xi. thousande, in his lande to bee wed The .xi.M. vyrgins.

2365

For Frenchewemen, they would haue none to bed

¶This Dianote, custos was of Britayn

His doughters with those virgyns then-forthe sente

In Thamis shipped, and cast in Almayne

By tempest greate, there shippes all to_rente

2370

Many of theim wer dead, and many shente

In sykenes, frayde in stormes, and sore tempest

That ful fayn them there, wold haue had there rest.

¶ Gwames was then kyng of Houndelande

And Malga kyng of Pightes, paynymes hatous

2375

In whose landes they arryued, I vnderstande

Unto theim then, they were full odyous

Passyng yrefull, and full malicious

And for they would not, be deuirgynate

They slewe theim all, through crueltee and hate.

2380

¶Whiche now been saynts, and marters euerychone

In nonnes mynster, conserued in Coleyn

That noumbred been, both with frend and foone

Xi. thousand virgins, of greate_Britayn

Maximian the emperoure of Romayn

2385

When he had reigned .xxxiiii. yere

By Gracyans frendes was buried, and layd on bere.

The .lx[vii].

lxvii] lxiiii 1543

Chapiter.

GRacian, when Maximian was slayne Gracian kyng.

To Britayn sent then, by the Senatours

In whose time king Malga and king Gwayme

sig: [g4v]

2390

This lande ouer_road, standyng in all honoures

That mortall fooes, and cruell tormentours

To Christen fayth wer and malicious

All mercylesse and passyng rigorous.

¶Whiche kynges two, roote of all crueltee

2395

Full false paynemes replete of felony

The churches brent, and slewe the commontee

Wyues nor childre, ne yet the clargye

Ne religious ne yet the prelacye

Their spared not, but mercylesse theim kylled

2400

Of wickednes so foule, thei wer fulfylled.

¶But Gracian that crowned was and kyng

In domys false, and in his iudgementes

Fell dispiteous great tallages takyng

Both of the lordes there landes and rentes

2405

And of gentilles agayn all there ententes

So did he also of all the commontee

For whiche thei slewe hym without pitee

¶ Gwames and also Malga the kynges two

Destroyng Britayn without any reste

2410

The Senate sent a legion of knightes tho

Into this lande, of eche region the beste

Chosen out of all the worthieste

The whiche putte Gwames and Malga to flight

That shipped home vnto there lande full right.

The .lxv[iii].

lxviii] lxv 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [g5]

2415

THis legion and Britons hole assembled

That made a wall well-wrought of lyme and stone

Where Seuer made of turues and soddes sembled

With castelles strong and towres for the nones

At eche myles ende to agaynstande all the foonyse

2420

From sea to sea as yet it is well seen

In dyuers places, where it was wonte to been.

¶This legion home returned then agayn

For Britayn then suffred great disease

The Scottes and Pightes ther did theim ful great payn

2425

Syxe yere then next, of whiche to haue some ease

To kyng Aldrye there sorowes to apease

Of [l]esser_Britayn, then sent theim Constantyne lesser] esser 1543

To be there head and also there medecyne.

¶This Constantyn kyng Aldries brothers wife Constantyne reigned .x. yere.

2430

Was crowned then with royall diademe

At Caircester as Brytons could deuyse

That with his hoste royall as did hym seme

Gwayme and Malga, as chronicles do exprieme

The Scottes and Peightes he venged and ouercam

2435

That Brytayne wrought afore full mykel shame.

¶Thre sonnes he had full fayre by his wife

Constance then was the eldest sonne of all

That was not wise, wherfore then in his life

He made hym monke, he was so bestiall

2440

To gette the life aboue celestiall

His secounde sonne that hight Aurelius

His surname was called Ambrosius.

sig: [g5v]

¶The youngest sonne hight Uterpendragon

These two were wyse, but young they wer of age

2445

To ther vncle sent, to be at his direction

Nurture to learne, and all maner language

By whiche after they maye haue knowelage

With discrecion and all good ordinaunce

To rule and haue the realme by gouernaunce

2450

¶When Constantyne had reigned well .x. yere

Upon a daye, as he in his garden went

A Peight that was in his house, hym full nere

Hym slewe anone, by treason and consent

Of Uortiger, that euer in his entent

2455

Conspyred had, to haue the regaltee

Of greate_Britayn, the kyng so to bee.

The .lx[ix].

lxix] lxvi 1543

Chapiter.

COnstaunce his sonne the monke was in Cairgwente Constaunce kyng.

[By] Uortiger duke of westsex, was that daye By] 1543 omits

In haste crowned, by barons hole assente

2460

Knowyng he shulde, be but a foole alwaye

The realme to saue, and kepe out of disraye

He waged Peightes, on hundreth to serue the kyng

Alwaye vpon his body abydyng

¶He made the kyng, full certenly beleue

2465

Thei shuld espie emong the enemytee

sig: [g6]

By their frendes, that no Peightes shuld hym greue

Ne Scottes of theyr greate peruersitee

But thei of it, afore in certayntee

Shuld let hym witte, there malice to vnderstande

2470

Such subtyll meane, to fage the kyng he fande.

¶And vnder that, a while he payed theyr wage

Full well with chere, full good and all pleasaunce

Unto a daye he sayd, to theyr knowlage

The kyng no more would haue theyr attendaunce

2475

But wer he kyng, he shuld theim well auaunce

Whiche thyng, and euer came to preefe

About his persone, they shuld be cherished as cheefe

¶There wages also, full well shuld be payde

For whiche behest, anone they slewe the kyng

2480

And brought his head to hym full foule arayde

Of which he made hym wroth, in all semyng

But to London, by his subtyll wrytynge

He gaue charge, the Peightes all to kyll

And none escape, nether for good ne yll.

2485

¶This Uortiger, protectour was that yere

And in his handes, the kynges castels all

He had, and sawe he might the crowne full clere

Haue at his wyll, so dred the lordes temperall

And prelates hie, that were spirituall

2490

His heuynesse and indignacion

That they assented to his coronacion.

¶When Constaunce thus, the kyng had been one yere

And could nothyng, of rule ne gouernaunce

The commons sawe, he was an ideote clere

sig: [g6v]

2495

Theyr voyces all gaue, with all theyr obeisaunce

To Uortiger with theyr hole attendaunce

As comons would euer yet of olde and newe

Eche yere their kyng to chaunge and renewe.

The .lx[x].

lxx] lxvii 1543

Chapiter.

THis Uortiger then crowned kyng of might Uortiger kynge of Britayn reygned. xviii. yeres

2500

The Peightes and Scottes for he there kyng so kylled

They sclaundred hym, that mikell good he hight

Unto Peightes, the kyng haue slayn and spilled

By suche treason his will they so fulfilled

And after by his preuy ordinaunce

2505

He made the same be slayne, for the same chaunce

¶For whiche they aroose on hym to been auenged

With ful great hoste destroyed both corn and towne

And brent his lande, and felly reuenged

In whiche tyme came into this region

2510

Engist and Horsus dukes of great renoune

By sort sent out all voyde of Saxonye

With menne of warre also of Germanye.

sig: [g7]

¶In shyppes thre arryued so then in Kent

When Uortyger at Caunterbury laye

2515

Whiche he withhelde anon, and farre him sent

To warre on the Scottes and Pyeghtes aye

That brent his lande and noyed day by daye

Peynemis they were and trowyd of Mercury

And on Uenus theyr goddes of Payanie.

2520

¶That Mercurie woden, in their language

Was called so by his propre name

For whome they honoured of olde and age

The fourth daye in euery weke at hame

And so of Mercury geuing it a name

2525

And of woden called it wednisdaye *Wednysdaye, wherof it was named.

Of olde custome as they haue vsed alwaye

¶And Uenus also, was theyr hygh goddesse

For whome alwaye they halowed the sixte daye

Of euery weke in prayer and holynesse

2530

Who in theyr tonge friday was called alwaye

For whose honoure, that named was frydaye

The Sonne the Moone, Iubiter and Saturne

And Mars the God of armes, they dyd adorne

¶The yere after of Christes incarnacyon

2535

Foure hundreth full fourty and syxe also

Was when Engyst into this regyon

Firste came, and hauen[ed] with thre shippes and no mo hauened] hauen 1543see OED haven, vb.

As saynte Bede sayeth in gestis anglorum so

With scottes and Pieghtes they faught ful mightely

2540

And droue theim oute and had the victorye.

¶This Engist had then none habitacyon

sig: [g7v]

Desyringe so a castell in to dwell

Hym and his men, to kepe frome all aduersacyon

Of Scottes and peyghtes that enemyes were then fell

2545

As all olde Chronyclers canne you tell

Asked as much ground, as a bulleis-skyn thonge

Myght cyrcuyte fully of brede and longe

¶Whiche the king him graunted then anone

He made a thonge then of a bullys skyn

2550

So small and longe, that rounde about dyd gone

A stony grounde to set his castell in

And thus by subtelte and his sleyghty gyn

Where then he made Thongcastre as men tolde

In Lyndesey, that nowe is Castre_of_the_wolde.

2555

¶ Engyst then sent for his doughter Rowan

That came anone, with shyppes eyghtene

Well stuffed of men, for they were of Britayne

Agayne the Scottes and Peightes to opteyne

Whome Uortiger then, thought ful longe to sene

2560

She proferred him a drynke and sayde wassayle

As he was learned, he sayde to her drynke hayle

¶Which wordes fyrst came vp so into this land

With that he set his herte her for to loue

That he her wed by all kyndes of lawfull bonde

2565

As then the church could best hym learne and moue

And thus the Saxons by Uortiger set aboue

For whiche his sonnes, and all the Baronage

Hym hated sore, ryght for his maryage

¶Of Paynimes bloodde, for to their ydolatrye

2570

Greate people were then, turned and peruerte

sig: [g8]

And greate also in Pilagien heresye

Were accombred, and hole to it aduerte

Wherfore his sonne, the people to conuerte

For Lupus sent, and his felowe Germayne

2575

Christen fayth to preache, in all Britayne.

Which bishoppes .ii, the folke conuert did againe

By processe so, and home agayne then went

This Engyst then, to please the kyng full fayne

For his sonne Occa, to Germany sent

2580

For Ebissa and Cherdryk by consent

Of Uortiger, that .iii.C. shyppes brought

Of men-of-warre, the best that might be sought.

Of whiche his sonne, that then hight Uortimer

Of his fyrste wyfe, and also the barons all

2585

Of suche multytude of people, affrayed were

And to the kyng, as then it did befall

Compleyned had, without helpe in generall

Wherfore anone, together they dyd consent

This Uortymer to crowne by hole assent.

The .lx[xi].

lxxi] lxviii 1543

Chapiter.

2590

THen Uortimer they crowned anon-ryght Uortymer kynge of Britayne.

With royalte, that might to it appende

That was ful wise approued, lyke a knight

In all courage, that to knighthode did extende

sig: [g8v]

For to assayle or elles for to defende

2595

Who with myscreauntes faught sore vpon Derwent

So did he elles at all place where he went

¶At Abirforth he fought with theim also

The better ay he had where-as he yede

But Catigerne his brother was kylled tho

2600

And horne also was slayne by greate manhode

And thus Uortimer victorius where-so he yede

An-other tyme vpon the north-sea bankes

He faught with them, in batayle their vnthankes

¶They fled vnto the ysle then of Tenecte

2605

Where he theim syeged fearfully and assayled

And slewe theym doune on hepes ay as they met

That theyr power almoste then was fayled

All forefoughten and full sore batayled

Besought the kyng they myght haue his lycence

2610

To Germany to make their reuertence.

¶So wente they home, with lytell folke alyfe

That in his tyme, they came no more agayne

But cytees all, and churches amended full ryfe

The christentee to mainteyne was full fayn

2615

But then anone the subtell quene Rowayne

Made hym to be poysoned, of whiche he dyed

With her venymes thus was he mortifyed.

¶In a pyller of brasse he layde on hyght

At the gate where Saxons, had landed afore

2620

He bad his men for also farre as he myght

Hym se, he truste they wolde not nerre come thore

But neuerthelesse, they letted not therfore

sig: h[1]

But buryed hym at Troynouaunt citee

As he them bade, with all solempnite

2625

¶ Kyng Uortiger was crouned then again

For Engest sent and bade hym come anone

For Uortimer his soonne was deade and slain

Who with three hundred shippis full of menne echone

In Brytain landed, and to the kyng ganne gone

2630

Of whome he was full glad and well reioysed

And of his folke that were of greate power noised

¶But Brytons all, and also the baronage

To fight with hym, arose by whole consent

For whiche he sent to theim by message

2635

That to the realme, none euill he ment euill] eiuill 1543

But for to helpe the lande in his entent

And if thei were of his hoost, displeased

As thei could best deuise, thei should been eased

¶And bad theim set a daye where thei might mete

2640

By their auise his power home to sende

Or all to holde, for their common quiet

Fro their enemies, the realme for to defende

All his defaute by their auise t'amende

The Brytons thought his profer reasonable

2645

And to the realme also full profitable

¶Thei sent hym woorde to mete the first daye of Maye

With foure hundred so on euery side

Upon the plain of Sarum in meeke araye The craft and pollicye of Engist

That Caire_Cradok was called so that tyde

2650

Byside Awmesbury full fair edefied

Again whiche daye, this Engist bad his menne

sig: [h1v]

Within their hoses a long knif to haue then

¶And when he saied Nemyth, your sexes then Nemyth: ='take'; see OEDs.v. nim

Eche manne then slee, a Bryton with his knife

2655

For so I shall, vs marshall as I can

A_fore a Bryton, a Saxon sette full rife

So shall wee reue theim sonest of their life

And sette vs ay in rest and moost quiete

At a daye lymete, together when wee mete

2660

¶A daye assigned, as was his ordinaunce

The watche-woorde saied, eche panyme a Bryton slewe

Foure .C. lordes, of Christes holy creaunce

Betrayed were, by Engist so vntrewe

The death of whome, many a Bryton did rewe

2665

Whose corps all, were buryed at Awmisbury

Whiche after that daye, was made a Nonnorye

¶With the hoost of panymes came full fast

And toke the kyng, held hym at Troynouaunt

For_marred sore and greately was agast

2670

What-so thei asked, anone he did theim graunt

The citees all and castels sufficiaunt

To lette hym passe awaye without troublaunce

Whiche Engist graunted, because of aliaunce

The .lx[xii].

lxxii] lxix 1543

Chapiter.

sig: h2

ENgist with his hoost had all th'orient

2675

The South and North, in all the greate_Britain

In his kepyng, except the'occident

Whiche Brytons held of warre and muche pain

By olde chronicles, as I haue herd saine

And then anone, he called it Engestes_lande

2680

Whiche after was shorted, and called England Englande wherof it was so named.

¶Through the commons, that thought it long to say

And muche lighter, in tongue to saie Englande

Then with their mouth, ouer-long to name it aye

By long producyng, to call it Engistislande

2685

And thus came first in, as I vnderstande

As I conceiue, thus came first Englandes name

For short speach, corrupt per sincopene sincopene: see MED, sv sincopis

¶But Engist then, gaue all the lande about

To Saxons all, and kyng was so of Kent

2690

But Uortiger in Cambre sought through-out

To buylde vpon, a castell to his entent

To holde hym in, fro the panymes violent

Whiche in Cambre, the castell of Genoren

He made full strong, in the lande of Hergigyen

2695

¶Upon the ryuer of Ewey, on Cloarte_hill

But of dragons and of the water vnder

That Merlyn saied, that castell did so spill

Ne of his birth that many menne on wounder

Of that werke, bothe aboue and vnder

2700

That no father had, ne of his prophecye

I cannot wryte of suche affirmably

¶Notwithstandyng, that philo[so]phiers wise philosophiers] philophiers 1543

sig: [h2v]

Affirme well, that sprites suche there been

Bitwene the moone and th'erth called Incubice

2705

That haue gotten chyldren of wemen vnseene

As in stories diuerse I haue so seen

Howe the philosophier, wise Magancius

Affirmeth it also, and Apuleyus

The .lxx[iii].

lxxiii] lxx 1543

Chapiter.

AUrelius_Ambrose brother of Constaunce

2710

Into Britain with strong and greate power

And segid then Uortiger by ordinaunce

In his castell of Genoren full clere

Whiche with wild-fire he brent, and hym in feere

And crouned was by all the baronage

2715

To reioyse Britain that was his heritage

¶He sought Engist that panyme was full grym

With hoostes thei faught, but Aurele had the better

The Saxons fled, before that were full brime

For in their quarel, it might bee no better

2720

Duke Eldoll toke Engist and did hym fetter

In Kent as he hym mette awaye fleyng

At Conanburgh hym brought to the kyng

¶Where he was heded with swerd, and decollate

And Occa then and his soonne Ebissa

2725

His cousins dere at Yorke came, in ful late

And with hym Saxons full many one moo

Wher then the kyng, hym segid with muche woo

But Occa then, and al his compaignie

Came to the kyng to whome he gaue mercye

sig: h3

2730

¶The kyng then made a worthy sepulture

With the stone-hengles, by Merlins whole aduise

For all the lordes Brytons hye nature

That there were slain in false and cruell wise

By false Engest and his feloes vnwise

2735

In remembraunce of his forcasten treason

Without cause, or any els encheson

¶But Pascencius the soonne of Uortiger

With hoost of Irish, Cambre he destroyed

With whome the kyng faught with his power

2740

And droue hym out, to Irelande sore anoyed

Of his people many slain and foule acloyed

But Eopa then clad in monkes clothyng

With his poysonis, then poysoned had the kyng

¶But then the kyng of Irelande and Pascence

2745

In Cambre brent, the kyng full sicke then laye

He sent Uterpendragon for defence

With hoost royall and mighty greate araye

He faught with hym, for whiche thei fled that daye

With shame and hurt to Irelande home again

2750

Uterpendragon the felde so had full plain

¶Then Uter sawe a starrye beame full bright

And asked Merlyn, what that it might meane

He said it is Stella Cometa righte

It sygnifieth the kyng his death to been

2755

That nowe is gonne to the blisse I ween

The dragon also, thy-self dooeth signifye

With beames twoo extendyng seuerally

¶The beame southward, to Fraunce that dooeth extende

sig: [h3v]

Thy soonne that thou shalt haue dooeth signifie

2760

That shall conquere, all Fraunce vnto th'end

Almaignie also and all Germanie

And so to Roome, throughout al Romanie

Aboue all princes, in his tyme moost famed

Through Christente moost dred and best named

2765

¶That other beame to Irelande extendyng

Thy doughters eke dooeth also signifie

Their children also, that of theim shalbe comynge

The realme to haue with all the regalie

Thus Merlyn to hym dooeth specifie

2770

So went he furth anone to Cairgwente

Where he had woorde of his brothers enterrement

¶Within the Giauntes_carole that so then hight

The stone_hengles, that nowe so named been

Where prelates and dukes, erles and lordes of might

2775

His sepulture to worship there were seen

Thus this worthy kyng, was buryed by_dene

That reigned had, that tyme but thirten yere

When he was dedde and laied so on beere

The .lxxi[iii].

lxxiiii] lxxi 1543

Chapiter.

HIs brother Uter, at Cairgwent was cround Uter_Pendragon kyng of Brytain.

2780

In trone royall then fully was admit

Twoo dragons made of gold royall that stound

That one offred of his deuout wit

In the mynster there-as he had promit

That other before hym, euer in battaile bare

2785

Of gold in goulis, wher-so he gan to fare

sig: [h4]

¶Th'armes also of Troye, that Brutus bare

Th'armes also, of good kyng Lucius

Whiche after baptyme, his armes alwaye ware

The same armes that kyng Constantynus

2790

At his batayll against Maxencius

So bare alwaye, that saynt George armes we call

Whiche Englyshemen nowe worshippe ouer-all.

¶And for he bare, the dragon so in warre

The people all, hym called then Pendragon

2795

For his surname, in landes nere and farre

Whiche is to saye, in Britayn region

In theyr language, the head of the dragon

And in the north, as he a castell made

Pendragon hight, wher he his dwellyng had.

2800

¶But Occa sonne then, of that false Engist

And Oysa also, the sonne of Occa with

That northlande brent, of which when Uter wyst

He faught with theim, there saued theim no grith

Nor none of the people, that came theim with

2805

He tooke Occa and Oysa, in batayll

Beside Dane_hill, wher they did hym assayle.

¶The Saxones also he slewe, that with hym came

And had the felde, with all the victorie

For ioye of whiche, he made great ioye and game

2810

Proclaymed his feast, of Pasche solemply

To holde at London, wher then he made his crye

That euery lorde, his wife with hym shuld bryng

For worshippe of that feast, and of the kyng.

The .lxx[v].

lxxv] lxxii 1543

Chapiter.

EMonges other, Gorloys duke of Cornewayle

2815

His wife did bring Igrene fayre of figure

Whose beautee their, all others made to faile

So well and hole auised was nature

Her womanhede exceded euery creature

That though nature, her beautee woulde haue amende

2820

Hir connyng might therto in no wise extende.

¶Of whiche beautee, and of her goodlyhede

The kyng with loue, so greatly was oppressed

It chaunged all his corage and manhede

In kalendes of eschaunge, he was so impressed

2825

For whiche the duke with hir then home adressed

Perceauynge well, the kynges fykelnesse

Was set for loue, on her womanlynesse

¶In Tyntagell his castell strong, he her set

Hymselfe then laye, in castell Dymyoke

2830

Wher then the kyng hym sieged her to get

But Merlyne then, from it hym did reuoke

And by his councell subtelly dyd prouoke

Knowyng his loue, he had to dame Igrene

By coniurisons made in haste full yerne.

2835

¶He made the kyng, vnto duke Gorloys like

Hymselfe like to Brethel in all semblaunce

That then was the dukes preuy myke

And Ulfyn lyke, by all kyns gouernaunce

Unto Iordan in all maner conysaunce

2840

That moste knewe of the dukes preuytee

sig: [h5]

By whiche he brought to Igrene all three.

¶Thus laye the kyng hir by, euer when he would

She trustyng then, that he had been hir lorde

But euer his siege he made sadly to been holde

2845

His people assautyng the castell by one accorde

But Gerloys men, then pleynly did recorde

Theyr lorde was slayn and Uter had the felde

Of which she merueyled, and then fast hym behelde.

¶There gatte he then, on hir a sonne full fayre

2850

And fro hir went, vnto his hooste agayn

The duke was slayne, with all his moste repayre

Of whiche the kyng, glad is not to layne

To Tyntagell with all his hoste full fayne

He came anone, and had it at his wyll

2855

He comforted hir, and bad her holde it styll

¶But then betwene theim two he did discure

The priuetee in all, as it was wrought

And sette his daye to wed hir and to cure

Of heuynes, that she was then in brought

2860

Her lordes death so muche was in hir thought

For hir so slayne, hir wyfehode also defouled

Afore that tyme, that euer was kept vnfouled.

¶And at the daye, he wedded hir and cround

And she ferforth with childe was then begonne

2865

To comforte her, he sette the table rounde

At Wynchester, of worthiest knightes alone

Approued best in knighthode of their foone

Whiche table rounde Ioseph of Arimathie

For brether made of the seynt-Grall onely.

sig: [h5v]

2870

¶In whiche he made, the seege pereleous

Where none shulde sytte, without great mischiefe

But one that shuld be moste religious

Of knightes all, and of the rounde table chiefe

The saynt-Graal, that shuld recouer and acheue

2875

By aduenture of his fortunitee

And at his death, a virgyne shulde bee.

¶But at hir tyme, the quene had borne a soonne

That Arthure hight, and was of statur fayre

More large of lymme, and wysest vnder sunne

2880

Of his age then, to bee his fathers heyre

Of all his lymmes, right comly, stronge and fayre

But Occa then and Oysa, that afore

Stale home, were come and warred in Britayn sore.

¶The kyng sent forth, syr Loth of Lowthian

2885

A worthy prince, hardy and bounteous

His doughter had wedded, that hight then dame Anne

A manly manne, and right cheualrous

The first knight, that was electe right fortunous

Of the table round, that ofte with theim did fight

2890

That ofte preuayled, and sometyme put to flight.

¶For whiche the kyng, ordeyned a horse-litter

To beare hym so then, vnto the verolame

Wher Occa laye, and Oysa also in feer

That saynt_Albones, nowe hight of noble fame

2895

Bet downe the walles, but to hym forth they came

Wher in battayll, Occa and Oysa were slayne

The felde he had, and therof was full fayne.

¶There was a well, whiche his enemyes espied

sig: [h6]

That he vsed the water ofte to alaye

2900

His drynkes, all his sores to be medifyed

Whiche they venomyd, with poyson on a daye

Of whiche he dyed, and went to blisse for aye

In the carole, besyde his brother dere

As to suche a prynce, it dyd ryght well affere.

2905

¶He reygned had then .ix, and thyrtye yere

And in the yere of Chrystes natiuyte

Fyue hundreth and syxtene, then was full clere

The realme he lefte, in good felicyte

Arthure his sonne, to haue the royalte

2910

To reygne and rule the realme, that then was able

That of his age, was none so commendable.

The .lxx[vi].

lxxvi] lxxiii 1543

Chapiter.

ARthure his sonne vp_growen, then peerlesse Kynge Arthure.

Throughout the world approued of his age

Of wyt and strength, beawte and largesse

2915

Of persone hye, aboue his Baronage

And other all, of Brytons vasselage

By his shoulders, exceded in longitude.

Of all membres, full fayre in latytude,

¶At Circestre then of .xv. yere of age

2920

When Dubryk archbishoppe of Ca[ir]lyon Cairlyon] Carilyon 1543

sig: [h6v]

With all estates within his herytage

Assembled there Duke, earle, lorde, and baron

And commentye of all the regyon

Upon his hedde did sett the dyademe

2925

In royall wyse, as wele hym dyd beseme.

¶The yere of Christes byrth .v.C. and syxtene

Was whan he was crowned all with golde

Where than he made, a vowe for to sustene.

The chrysten fayth, the churche also to vpholde

2930

The peace and lawes, mawgre who-so other wold

The Saxons also, to warre and destroye

That of longe tyme, had done vs greate anoy

¶ King Arthure sought the Saxons in Scotland

His chiefe baner of goules was to see

2935

An ymage of our Lady of golde enthronde

Crowned of golde, as freshe as it myg[h]t be myght] mygt 1543

His other banner was of the Trynite

Of golde and goulis of saynt george was the third

The .iiii. was Brutus armes knowen and kyd

2940

¶The fyfte baner of goulis .iii. crownes of gold

The syxte of Goulis, a dragon of golde fyne

With hoost full great, of Britons that were bolde

On Douglas_water the Saxons he did vntwine

Colgrim that was their capitayne fled fro thyne

2945

To Yorke anon, and it with people helde

His men then slayne, the kyng had so the felde.

¶ Cheldrik and Baldoffe, two dukes of Germanie

With hostes great, then landed in Britayne

To Colgrym came, and brent that lande in hye

sig: [h7]

2950

But to Arthure kyng Howell came full fayne

With hoost great, his systers sonne certayne

Of lesse_Britayne, that with his vncle went

Against Colgrym to fyght in his entent.

¶ Cador the duke, that tyme of Cornewayle

2955

The kynges brother of his mothers syde

Came to the kyng, with people that might auayle

So dyd all other, of all Britayne full wyde

With their enemies then met of mikell pryde

And vaynqueshed theim at Lyncolne then seging

2960

For whiche they fled full faste that syege leauing that] that, 1543

¶To Calidon wood nere vnto the sea

Where the kynges two, theim seged sore about

That for famishment [vn]fought, they swore to be vnfought] and fought 1543

The kynges men and their lande throughoute

2965

For to voide their people, of all the land out and out

Colgrym, Baldolffe, and also duke Cheldryk

That chieftayns were with dughty duke Cordrik

¶And leyde hym hostage, all this to spede

And when they were vpon the sea agayne

2970

They landed eft at Totnesse so in-dede

And seged Bathe where Arthure was full faine

Their hostages honged in their syght ful plaine

And with them fought Colgrym and Baldof slewe

To Cordryk gaue westsex to be his man trewe.

2975

¶ Duke Cador then folowed vpon the chace

And slewe Cheldryk, and his of Saxonie

And to the kyng agayne came for this case

That kyng beseged was in Albanye

sig: [h7v]

Wherfore they went, with hoste full manly

2980

To Alclud, where Scottes and peightes laye about

Theim discomfyted, and hym delyuered oute.

The Scottes and peightes, he droue into oute-ysles

Of Scotland then, and there became his men

To lyue in peace, that euer were full of wyles.

2985

But Gwillomare, the kyng of Irelande then

Ouer kyng Arthure, full harde warre beganne

With hoste full greate, of Iryshe and Saxonye

In Scotlande brent, and also in Alba[n]ye.

¶But then the kyng hym met, and with hym faught

2990

Discomfyted hym, and put hym to the flygt

Unto Irelande, with batayle sore vnsaught

Of Scotlande, then of Lowthyan by ryght

The kyng was then, that loth of Lowthian hight

The fyrste knyghte, was so of the table rounde

2995

To Arthure true, and also his lyegeman founde

¶His syster Anne, vnto his wyfe had wed

On whome he gate the curteous knyght Gawen

In Dunbar castell, his lyfe ther he ledde

And Aguzell was kyng, that tyme certayne

3000

Of Albanye, and Uryan, of Murref playne

The kyng was then, to kyng Arthure full trewe

His lyegeman aye, and chaunged not of newe.

¶The kyng Arthure, then wedded to his wyfe

Gwaynore faiereste of any creature

3005

That tyme accompted, for passyng birth natyfe

So I[n]ly fayre, she was of her fygure

More aungelyk, then womannyshe of nature

sig: [h8]

In so ferfurth, men thought them-selues wel eased

Her to beholde, so well al folke she pleased.

3010

¶The table rounde, of knightes honourable

That tyme were voyde, by great defycience

For many were, through actes marcyable

Dispended then, by warres violence

Wherfore the kyng, then of his sapience

3015

The worthyest of euery realme aboute

In the table rounde, then sent without doute.

¶The thre kynges foresayde of Scotlande

Two kynges also of Walys, full chyualrous

Howell the kyng of lesse_Briteyne lande

3020

And duke Cador, of Cornewayle corageous

And worthy Gawen, gentyll and amarous

And other fel, theyr rule was wronges to oppresse

With their bodyes, where lawe myght not redresse

The fayth, the church, Maydens, and widowes clene

3025

Chyldren also, that were in tender age

The common profyte, euer-more to sustene

Agayne enchauntmentes, his body for to wage

Agayne whiche-crafte, of the deuelles rage

Theim to destroye, and all kinde of sorcerye

3030

Of whiche were many, that tyme in Brytaynye.

¶On whitsonday, alwaye euery yere

They shoulde eche one at the feaste be with the king

In anye place, where-euer so that he were

But yf he were in prysone, or harde lettyng

3035

By dede of armes, death, or elles sycke lyeng

In whiche cases, one of the table rounde

sig: [h8v]

Shulde seke hym all the yere, tyll [he] were found. he] here 1543

¶Also their rule was eche one should tell

His owne actes of warrys auenture

3040

Afore the kyng at meate howe hym byfell

In his trauayle or of his misauenture

The Secretorye, should put it in scrypture

For none auaunt, it should not then betake

But for his rule to holde, the king then dyd it make

3045

¶Also to steare and moue, yonge knightes corage

To seche armes and warrys of worthynesse

And of dyuerse landes, to learne the language

That elles wolde lyue at home in ydylnesse

For honoure and ease, abideth not together doutlesse

3050

Also it moueth these poore and yonge knighthode

To be auaunced, by theyr ladies lyuelode.

¶For doute it not, Ladies ne gentylwemen

No cowardes loue, in maner that is abusyon

And shamefull also repreuable amonges men

3055

His cowardyse doth him greate confusyon

A man to withdrawe him, by feynt collusyon

For better is, with honour for to dye

Then with lyfe, ay ashamed for to be

¶The somer nexte, Arthure went to Ireland

3060

With batayle sore forfoughten yt conquered

And of the kyng had homage of that lande

To holde of hym, so was he of hym feared

And also gate as chronycles haue vs lered

Denmarke, Friselande, Gotelande, and Norway

3065

Iselande, Greneland, Th' isle_of_Man and Orkynay

sig: i[1]

¶He conquered these, to hold of hym euermore

He made kyng Loth that was of Lowthian

Of Norway kyng, wher he had fought full sore

And Lowthyan he made his soonne Gawayne

3070

The kyng to hold of hym by homage then

For Norway was his veray heritage

Discent of bloodde of kyng Sechelynes lynage

¶ Kyng Arthure then, through Christentie moost famed

And conquerour aboue all kynges royall

3075

Was then moost doubted of manhode and best named

But kynges and princes of Septentrionall

His to present moost high emperiall

Eche daye came newe, that then more like it semid

An heuenly life, then erthely as menne demid

3080

¶He held his houshold, and the rounde table

Some time at Edenburgh, some tyme at Striueline

Of kynges renomed, and moost honourable

At Carleile sumwhile, at Alclud his citee fyne

Emong all his knightes and ladies full femenine

3085

At Bamburgh also and Ebrank citee

At London at Wynchester, with greate royalte

At Carlion, Cardif, and Aualyne

In Cornwaile also Douer and Cairelegion

And in Scotlande at Perthe and Dunbrytain

3090

At Dunbar, Dumfrise and sainct_Iohns towne

All of worthy knightes, moo then a legion

At Donydoure also in Murith region

And in many other places, bothe citee and towne

¶But euer as next, the valey is the hill

sig: [i1v]

3095

After long rest commeth sharpe labour

Kyng Arthure then had so firmely sette his will

To conquer Fraunce as his progenitour

Maximian did, with full greate honour

Wherfore he sent, to all his homagers

3100

That to hym came with all their powers

The .lxx[vii].

lxxvii] lxxiiii 1543

Chapiter.

ANd into Fraunce anone so furth he went

And in Paris Frolle that was gouernour

Bysegid then, who vnto Arthure sent

Profered hym bataile, with full greate honour

3105

With hande for hande, for right of th'emperour

To fight with hym, to iudgen all the right

Whiche to fulfill, Arthure graunted and hight

¶At a daye assigned, thei twoo together mette

Within an Isle without Paris citee

3110

Wher either other, with wepons sore then bette

But kyng Arthure, by greate humanyte

That daye hauyng, of hym the souerei[gn]te souereignte] souereingte 1543

Sleugh Froll that daye, with Caleburne his swerd

For whiche all Fraunce, of hym were sore aferd

3115

¶ Paris thei yeld, and all the realme of Fraunce

The royals all, to kyng Arthure obeyed

sig: i2

Seruice did hym, and all whole obeisaunce

As to their kyng, and hym no more disobeyed

He sent Howell, with hoost and hym conueighed

3120

To Guyan then, who made Guytard obeye

To kyng Arthure, with all that euer he maye

¶ Nauerne and Spain, Portyngale, Aragon

Prouince, Sauoye, and Langdok with also

Flaundres, Braban, Henauld and Burgoyn

3125

Orliaunce, Poytiers and Lectoo

Cateloig[n]e eke Almaignie and many mo

Holande, Selande, and Gelders within fere

His menne became, as prince without pere

¶At Paris then he feasted all th'astates

3130

By fourty dayes, were he and also the quene

Were crouned then and had the lande subiectes

In all honour and ryalte as was seen

He feasted all the commonalte full clene

The prelates whole and the vniuersite

3135

And ladies all, with their feminite

¶Nine yere, he helde his throne riall in Fraunce

And open hous, greately magnified

Through all the world, of welthe and suffisaunce

Was neuer prince, so highly gloryfied

3140

The rounde table, with princes multipl[i]ed multiplied] multipled 1543

That auentures then sought cotidianly

With greate honour, as made is memory

¶And when he had, so ruled Fraunce n[ine] yere nine] neni 1543

To Brytain went, he home then again

3145

At Cairlion his citee faire and clere

sig: [i2v]

At witsondaye to se, his knightes faine

He sette his feast royall, the sooth to sayne

By fourty dayes, for all that there woulde been

Moost for his knightes, that he desired to seen

3150

¶At whiche feast he, and the quene also

Crouned were, with royall diademe

By Dubrice, that th'archibishop was tho

At Carlion as the churche did deme

With all rialtie as well did beseme

3155

Th'archebishopes of London and Ebrank

Came to that feast, and had full muche thanke

¶At the Enoyntyng of this moost noble kyng

Th'archebishop of London the right arme

Th'archbishop of Yorke by all writyng

3160

The left held vp, without any harme

While the people to see that sight, did swarme

This was their charge and verey dewe seruise

Of anonxcion tyme, to dooe and excersise

¶ Kyng Agurell that was of Albanye

3165

The kyng Posses of Southwalis that hight

And of Northwalis Ewayn the kyng manly

And duke Cader of Cornwaile by right

A_fore the kyng bare foure sweordes full bright

Whiche was seruice of greate antiquite

3170

For their landes dewe, to his souerente

¶Afore the quene Gwaynour, the queenes came

Of Southwalis, Northwalis and Albanye

And the duches of Cornwaile, of greate fame

Right well bee_seen of chere benyngly

sig: i3

3175

Eche of theim bare on her hande on hie

A turteldoue, that was of coloure white

To please the queene, so was her moste delite.

¶ Syr Kay was then the duke of Aungeoy

At Parys made by Arthur and create

3180

His stewarde was that had with mekell ioye

A thousande knightes, to serue early and late

Ententyfly not feynt, wery ne mate

Duryng the feast, clothed all in Ermyn

For best araye, that he could best ymagyn.

3185

¶ Sir Bedwer then at that feast was Boteler

A thousande knightes with hym consociate

The feast to serue, of wynes good and clere

Clad all in graye, of pelury preordinate

That was full riche, accordyng to there estate

3190

Thetis goddesse of waters ther had no might

For Bacchus god of wynes, shed his power right

¶Thousandes many, of lordes and knightes honorable

Eche daye duryng the feast imperiall

Afore the kyng and quene incomperable

3195

To masse and meate, went in especiall

A thousande ladies of estate temporall

Besyde thousandes that were of lesse degree

Wyues and wydowes with other virginitee.

The .lxxv[iii].

lxxviii] lxxv 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [i3v]

THer was no knight, accompted of honoure

3200

But if he wer, in warre approued thrise

Nor with ladies, beloued as paramoure

Whiche caused knightes, armes to exercyse

To be vertuous, and clene of life and wise

It comforte also ladies, and theyr femynitee

3205

To lyue the more, in perfite chastitee.

¶And when this feast royall was dissolued

The kyng rewarded so highly, eche estate

And in his mynde, ymagened and inuolued

Howe sone and when, at tyme preordinate

3210

They might agayn bee consociate

And commaunded theim, at the nexte Pentecost

There for to bee with him, both least and moste.

¶ Dubricyus, then archebyshop of Cairlyon

Mekely ceased, and hole forsoke his cure

3215

Purposyng so of good religion

An heremytes lyfe, thence-forwarde to endure

In whose steade, Dauid of life full pure

Was set to rule the churches dignitee

To Gods pleasaunce with all libertee.

3220

¶To Mangauero, the sea Pontificall

Of Chichester he gaue withouten lette

Of Wynchester with the commoditees all

To Duuyan he gaue, and hym in sette

To God and the churche, as fell of dewe dette

3225

Th'ysle of alclud also Pontificall

To Eledoure, he graunted, as might befall.

¶As then befell, the feast of Whytsondaye

sig: i4

That all his knightes, of the table rounde

To his presence, were commen in good araye

3230

And euery knight, his auenture that stounde

Had tolde the kyng, as his order was founde

Whiche aduentures, the kyng made all be written

In his register, euer to be knowen and weten.

The .lxx[ix].

lxxix] lxxvii 1543

Chapiter.

GAlaad that tyme, was .xv. yere of age

3235

The goodlyest afore, that men had seen

Whom Launcelot gat in very clene spousage

On Pelles doughter, that kyng full longe had been

Of Uenedose, that northwales is nowe, men wene

Clene armed, came at meate and obeyed the kyng

3240

The quene also, and estates there syttyng.

¶And sate hym downe, in the siege pereleous

Of the table rounde, where none durst sitte afore

But Ioseph, that was full religious

That made it so, ere Galaad was bore

3245

And kyng Arthure, that satte therin therfore

And neuer moo, that it had ought presumed

But they were brent therin, shamed and consumed.

¶Whiche Ioseph sayd, afore that tyme ful long

In Mewyns booke, the Britayn chronicler

3250

As writen is, the Britons iestes emong

sig: [i4v]

That Galaad the knight and virgyne clere

Shuld it acheue and auentures [all in] fere all in] in all 1543

Of the seyntgraale and of the great_Briteyn

And afterwarde a virgyne, dye certeyne

3255

¶But the knightes all then of the round table

Conceyued well and fully then beleued

He was the same persone incomperable

Of whom Merlyn sayd euer shuld been wel cheued

Moste fortunate of all knightes that then lyued

3260

For whiche they all anone to hym attende

In all thynges that to knighthode appende.

¶At supper as he sate agayn at euen

In the same seege with full knightly constaunce

That proued well, whiche made theim al beleuen

3265

That by his rule and noble gouernaunce

To all knightes he shuld do great pleasaunce

In speciall to all of that order

Ful greate worshyp and all knightly honoure

¶So sodenly, doores and wyndowes al clapped

3270

With hydeous noyce, farre passyng meruelous

Opened and sperred, al by theim-selfs fast rapped

For whiche thei trust of some cause meruelous

As with that noyse the saynt-Graall precious

Flowe thryse about, within the hall full ofte

3275

Flytteryng ful fast, aboue theim high on lofte.

¶And as it came sodenly vnknowen

Right so it went a_waye withouten lees

The knightes all that tyme that had it sawen

Amerueled were, of it doutelesse

sig: [i5]

3280

Wherfore they all with wepens gan to presse

To see and wete, what thyng it myght bee

But whether it went, they could no more it see.

The .lxx[x].

lxxx] lxxvii 1543

Chapiter.

BUt on the morowe, Galaad and other knightes

Afore the kyng by one assent compered

3285

Where Galaad made his auowes and hightes

Neuer to lye, but he were presoned

In one place in no maner of grounde

Two nightes together, no-where tyll he it see

Besought the kyng his knight that he might bee.

3290

¶The kyng hym made a knight of the table round

And armes wolde haue geue him, but he wold none

Afore that he gatte theim in a stronge grounde

By auenture, or els vpon his foone

And tooke his leaue to passe so forth anone

3295

The knightes all, then of the rounde table

Graunt hym seruice a yere, then perdurable.

The .lxx[xi].

lxxxi] lxxviii 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [i5v]

FOr whiche the kyng with heuy and dulful chere

Thus sayd: O God what shall I do or say

That my knightes al, which I had in quere

3300

Thus sodenly fro me, that passe awaye

They my blisse, my hertes hele eche daye

My landes helpe, custodyes of my crowne

And membres of my corps, to kepe my region.

¶O God, that deth wold brest myne hert of twayne

3305

Who shall maynteyne, my crowne and my ryghtes

I trowe no-more, to see you eft agayne

Thus hole together, and so goodly knightes

Would God, I might make myne auowe and hightes

To passe with you, in what land so ye go

3310

And take my parte with you, both in well and wo.

¶This Galaad then, rode forth, with his route

At euery waye, he made a knight for to departe

To tyme they were, all seuerally gone oute

And one with hym, so had echone theyr parte

3315

And yf any met, another at any arte arte] arcte 1543arte=a district or locality; see MED, sv. art, n.(2) and OED, airt

His rule was so, he shuld his felowe tell

His auentures, what-so that hym befell.

¶And also sone, as theyr waye laye on sundry wise

They shulde departe, and mete no more agayn

3320

But aduenture, it made of exercyse

Of diuers stretes, that together layne

Of this mater, is no more to seyne.

But when he had, his felowes al conueyed

He tooke his waye, full like a knight arayed.

3325

¶Of auenture he came to Auelon

sig: [i6]

Where that he fou[n]d a shylde, that was ful white

A crosse therin of Gowlys, by it one

A speare also, a sweard of great delyte

The whiche with hym, he bare awaye full tyte

3330

He gyrde hym with the swerde, anon full ryght

The shylde he hunge, vpon his shoulder lyght.

¶The spere he toke on hande, ful lyke a knyght

But there he founde in bokes clerely wryten

Howe Ioseph loste that shylde, therin forth-ryght

3335

When he there dyed, as then it was well weten

And also in scrypture, lefte there wryten

That no man should it beare, without mischeue

But one that should, the doughteous siege acheue.

¶That same was wryten, ryght there of that swerd

3340

Whiche Uacyan lefte there, when he dyed

And of the speare, he was nothyng a_ferde

All, yf the same parell of it was notifyed

Lyke as to_fore of it was specifyed

But when that he had, laboured so foure yere

3345

He founde in walys, the Saintgraal full clere.

¶Then rode he forth, vnto the holy-lande

Through god and holy inspiracyon

To god he gaue his seruyce, and hym bonde

To chastyte, and greate contemplacyon

3350

And kyng was made, by hole coronacyon

Of [S]arras then, and duke of Orboryk Sarras] Garras 1543

Of whome the people, full well dyd theym lyke.

¶ Syr Boers with hym went, and syr Percyuall

And other moo of the table rounde.

sig: [i6v]

3355

Whome knyghtes he made of the seynt-Graall

Whiche order so he ordeyned then, and founde

At Sarras, that to Egypt lande doth bounde

To lyue chaste, and maynteyne christentye

Lyke as Ioseph dyd of Armathye.

3360

¶But longe after vpon the whitsondaye

Sir Boers and Percyuall came to the kyng

With knyghtes all, that lyuyng were that day

At Carlyon, but Percyuall dyd bryng

Unto that courte full dolorous tidyng

3365

Syr Galaad his herte closed all with golde

Unto the kyng full openly and tolde.

¶Howe Galaad had acheued the auenture

In kyng Pellis householde with greate honoure

That called was the saint-Graall by scrypture

3370

And kyng was made, by his worthy laboure

As he that was of knyghthode a worthy floure

Of Sarras so and duke of Orboryk

Besyde Egypte, where there was none hym lyke

Where thenne he made .xii. knightes of the order

3375

Of saynt-Graall in full signifycacyon The saynt-Graall what it is.

Of the table, whiche Ioseph was the founder

At Aualon, as Mewyn made relacyon.

In token of the table refyguracyon

Of the brotherhede of Christes souper and maundie

3380

Afore his death of hyghest dignytee.

¶And howe Galaad then at his deth you prayed

His herte to bury, besyde kyng Eualake

And duke Saraphe, in golde thus arayed

sig: [i7]

Where they be buryed, besyde Ioseph their make

3385

And thus muche he prayed you to do, for his sake

In the chapell of our Lady, Chrystes mother

At Glastenbury, with dyuers sayntes other

¶This kyng Arthure with Princes and barons al

And all knyghtes of the rounde table

3390

To Glastenbury then rode as myght befall

And there enterred the hert of Galaad honorable

With all seruyce for the death accordable

And ouer it he hanged his shylde that he bare

The whiche afore, saint George armes were.

3395

¶And when this feaste, was come vnto an ende

The kyng Arthure also and quene Gwaynour

To all estates, greate gyftes gaue and sende

As they were wonte eche yere afore

For his great honoure encreased more and more

3400

Of hyghe knyghthode, houshold and all largesse

Aboue all princes moste famous he was doutlesse

¶These were knightes then of the table rounde

Morued the Earle that tyme of Gloucestre

Of shrewisbury, th'erle-Heralde that stounde

3405

Th'erle Mawren also of Worcestre

Th'erle Ingence that was of Leycestre

Arthegall th'erle of Warwyke full corageous

Th'erle Curson of Chestre full bounteo[u]s

¶ Kymar then Earle of Caunterbury

3410

When the Earle of Bathe, and Ionathall

Th'earle of Dorcestre, Gallus erle of Salisbury

The earle Gurgen, of Herforde knowen ouer-all

sig: [i7v]

Beuyse, Earle of Oxenforde, that men dyd call

Gwerande earle, that was of Excestre

3415

And Paradoure, the earle of wynchester

Cador the duke, that then was of Cornewayle

The kynges brother was, on the syster syde

Dame Igrene was their mother, without fayle

Gwytelene earle of Carlele, was that tyde

3420

Waldeue the duke, commended and landifyed

Of Northumberlande, a lorde of greate power

Fro Humbar north, to Twede then was full clere

¶ Kynge Aguzell, that was of Albany

Kyng Uriayn, of Murref, with Ewayne

3425

His son[n]e, that was corageous and manly

And the noble and curteous knyght Gawayne

That kyng was then, of al fayre Lowthyan

And syster-sonne, vnto the kyng Arthure

Mordred his brother, was of the same ordoure.

3430

¶ Loth of Lowthian, that kyng was of Norway

Of Lowthyan, that kyng afore had been

Father to Gawayne, and murdred was that daye

Kyng Uryan of South_walys I wene

The kyng Pellis, of Northwalis full clene

3435

The kyng Howell also of lytell_Britayne

Boers and Hester, Degionaunt and Ewayn.

¶ Syr Percyuall Launcelot_Delake and kaye Launcelot_Delake] Launcelot, Delake 1543

Sir Colingraunt Bedewer, and syr Degarye

Geryn of Charters, the douzepers of Fraunce gaye

3440

The kynges of man, Orkeney, Irelande all thre

Of Iselande, Gotlande, and dukes of dignyte

sig: [i8]

Of Portyngale, Nauerne, and Cateloyne

Of Spayne the kinges, and the duke of Burgoyne

¶ Syr Lyonell Gryffith, Kynkar Olenius

3445

Donalde Macoyle, Cynmarke, and Gorbonian

Kymbalyn Rydran, Eualake, and Carthelius

Crade, and Cradok, Dunwallon, and Morgan

Gadwaloure, Eneas, and Ternuan

And many mo, that were full longe to wryte

3450

Whiche with my style, I canne not nowe endyte.

The .lxx[xii].

lxxxii] lxxix 1543

Chapiter.

BUt whyles the kyng sate in his trone royal

His prynces all, and knyghtes of dignite

Aboute him there th'ambassade imperyall

Were fayre brought vnto his royall dignite

3455

That Prynces were of authoryte

Of moste rype age, and reuerende chere

With Olliffe Braunchies, in their [h]andes clere handes] landes 1543

¶O tokyn of message, and legacye

A stately pase, vnto his hye presence

3460

Where they offered, of Lucius_Heberye

The letters then, on knees with reuerence

Of whiche this, the wordes and comprehence

As foloweth nowe, when they were reed and sene

As chronyclers wryten, thus do contene.

sig: [i8v]

3465

¶ Lucius of Rome, the Emperoure

Procurator for the all hole senate

Of the Publyke profyte, chiefe gouernoure

By hole Senate made and denominate

To Arthure kyng of Britayne procreate

3470

Sendeth gretyng, lyke as thou haste deserued

Nowe in Fraunce, which was to vs preserued.

¶Amerueled much, of wronges that thou hast done

Within our lande of Fraunce by great rygour

Without ryght, that better had bene vndone

3475

By yf thy wytte amende, thy foule erroure

That syth of Fraunce, then were the gouernour

No trybute payde, but as thyne owne conquest

Haste holde it aye, vnder thyne areste.

¶And for thou haste no wyll, it to amende

3480

And were so prowde, to do so cruell a dede

Kyng Froyle to sle, to vs that dyd apende.

And mekell more, for cause thou takest no hede

Of the gate imperyall, that we lede

To whiche all landes obey, and paye truage

3485

Saue thou alone, gaynstandest of thyne outrage

¶Wherfore we byd strayghtly and commaunde

That from August nowe, nexte within a yere

Thou come to Rome, and pay that we demaunde

The truage, which thou haste of thy power

3490

Of Britayne longe withholde, so in feare

And thy defautes, amende thou did in Fraunce

By sentence of the Senates ordynaunce.

¶And elles, we shall approche to thy countre

sig: k1

And what-so thy foly hath vs be_refte

3495

With sweordes, wee shall it make restored bee

Till our senate, as first it was infefte

The liuelode, that thy father [t]o the lefte to] so 1543

Thou art els like for thine intrusion

To lose and be brought into confusion

3500

¶Wrytten at Roome in the consistorye

By whole auise, of all the wise senate

At Pasche last past, to byde in memorie

Their regestred and determinate

Lest thy youthed, our letters and the date youthed=youthhead

3505

Would couer, with feyned forgetfulnesse

Trustyng in vs, the same defaute I gesse

¶With that the kyng went to the Giauntes toure

With princes all that were of his counsaile

By their aduise, to wryte to th'emperour

3510

For his honour, and for his gouernall

Of whiche so wise, would not for_gette ne faill

So well were made to Lucius and endite

Whiche saied right thus, as in my stile I wryte

The .lxxx[iii].

lxxxiii] lxxx 1543

Chapiter.

ARthure kyng of all the greate_Brytain

3515

And Emperour of Rome, by title of right

Whiche deforced by Lucius Romain

Pretendyng hym for Emperour of might

Unto the same Lucius, for thyne vnright

Usurper of the sea emperiall

3520

Sendeth gretyng, as enemie moost mortall

sig: [k1v]

¶To the senate of Roome it is well knowen

Howe Iulyus Ceaser with iniurye

The truage had, Brytain was brought so lowe

By helpe of erle Androgeus, and his traytorye

3525

That brought hym in, by his false policye

Without right or title of discent

Or any right, that to the senate appent

¶And what-so he had, then by iniurye

Leefull to vs, nowe is it to withstande

3530

For what-euer thyng, is take vniustly

Maye neuer be had, as I can vnderstande

By any other, to hold it with strong hand

Frome hym that had it, well and rightfully

By none other maye bee had lawfully

3535

¶By whiche reason, the wrong we shall defende

And hold our realme so, in our first astate

Of seruage free, as it to Brute apende

Who held it free, afore that Roome bare date

Whose right to vs, is nowe determinate

3540

And by suche right, as thou dooest nowe pretende

We maye clayme Roome, and to th'empire ascende

¶For kyng Belyn, that was our auncetour

And Brenny also, the kyng of Albanye

All Roomain did wyn, by conquest there

3545

Of Roome thei had, and all greate Italie

And sleugh th'emperour, by their great maistrie

And crouned were in the sea empiriall

Wher no prince was, that tyme to theim egall

¶But yet we haue, a better title of right

sig: k2

3550

To th'empire whiche nowe we will pretende

For Constantyne, sainct Elyn soonne of right

By right of bloodde, of Constaunce downe discende

Emperour was, that Roome did well defende

Again Maxence, and his feloes tweyn

3555

Whiche there made, muche Christen people to dien

¶ Maximian kyng of greate_Brytain

By whole decre, and will of the senate

Was emperour of Roome, and ruled almaigne

Whose rightes we haue, and al their whole astate

3560

And heire of bloodde, borne and generate

Wherfore we clayme, the throne empirial

Frome hens-furth, by lawe Iudicial

¶As to the daye, whiche thou hast vs sette

To paye to Roome, the tribute and truage

3565

We shall bee their, to chalenge of dewe debte

Truage of Roome, with all their rerage

And to enioyse and hold our heritage

Of Roome citee, to kepe the souereigne sea

With all that longeth to th'emperalite

3570

¶And if thou wilt me sonner haue or seeke

Bryng Romanye with the, wher-so thou will

With me I shall bryng, Brytain eke

And whiche of vs, that daye maye other kyll

Bere Roome with hym, and Brytain also their-till

3575

Wryten at our citee of Cairlion

By whole aduise of all our region

The .lxxxi[iii].

lxxxiiii] lxxxi 1543

Chapiter

THe kyng then gaue vnto that hie ambassate

Full riche giftes and golde enough to spend

And bad theim giue their lordes in whole senate

3580

His letters so, whiche he then to hym send

And bad theim saie, that soner then he wend

He should hym se, before the daye assigned

In trust of whiche, theim with his seale assigned

¶This noble kyng Arthure, his princes prayed

3585

And barons all, and knightes honorable

To passe with hym, at wagis to bee payed

With their power, and their retenue able

For to directe, his right full resonable

Marciall actes, th'empire to obtein

3590

To whome thei all consented, whole and clene

¶And with the kyng, thei passed forth anone

Into Brytain, wher Howell then was kyng

Wher then he hard, the countre make greate mone

For a Gyaunt, horrible in all-thyng

3595

That rauished had, by his cruell werkyng

Kyng Howell sister, Elein without pere

Bytwene his armes, was slain and layed on bere

¶For whiche the kyng, to mount_Michell then went

With that Gyaunt, that faught a bataile sore

3600

With Caliborne his sweord, or that he stint

He sleugh hym there, to death for euermore

And charged Kay, for his victorie thore

To smyte his hedde of, then for memorye

sig: k3

In worship of his worthy victorye

3605

¶In whiche mount, kyng Howell hir tombe made

A chapell faire, theron edefied

Sith that tyme hether, vpon that place abade

Wher that Gyaunt, and she were homycied

But all his hoost, and people hym magnified

3610

And all the landes about, wholy enioyed

Of that Gyauntes death, so felly anoyed

¶The kynges all, of Portyngale and Spain

Of Nauerne also, and eke of Catheloyne

Unto hym came, and dukes of Almaigne

3615

The dukes of Sauoy, and of Burgoyne

Douze-peres of Fraunce, and the duke of Lorain

The kynges also, of Denmarke and Irelande

Of Norwey, Iselande and of Gotelande

¶Through Fraunce,Burgoyn, Sauoye and Lumbardie

3620

Into Italy, and so through all Tuskayn

Fro Tuskayn, then so into Romany

To Awbe ryuer, kyng Arthure came so than

And loged on that water as manne

Wher with Lucius, he faught, in battaile strong

3625

Either other proued, with strokes sore emong

¶But kyng Arthure, and the princes all

His knightes also there, of the round table

So manfully theim bare, that daye ouer-all

That neuer their better were seen, nor more able

3630

So were Romaynes, that daye full commendable

Ne none might dooe better in any wise

So worthely thei faught without feyntise

sig: [k3v]

¶And at the last the Brytons bare the bell

And had the felde, and all the victorye

3635

Wher Arthure sleugh, as chronicles dooeth tell

Th'emperour Lucius_Hibery

And toke his felow contributorye

But Lucyus hedde, to Roome for his truage

He sent his corps also, for their arerage

The .lxxx[v].

lxxxv] lxxxii 1543

Chapiter.

3640

THe senate sent vnto the kyng Arthure

And prayed hym, th'empire to admit

Whiche became hym, and semed hym of nature

As Constantyne did in the honour sitte

And al truage forthward, thei would remitte

3645

Of greate_Brytain, neuer to aske it more

But make it free, as it was euer before

¶To whiche prayer, kyng Arthure did consent

And came to Roome, in royall high astate

Wher the citee, by good and whole assent

3650

Full richely hym mette, and the senate

With greatest laude, that might been estimate

And euery gate, his triumphe and his glorie

Full curyously was wrought, in great storie

¶The seuen orders in procession

3655

Full solemplye, at Peters_churche hym mette

The wifes whole by good discrecion

The wydowes after full deuoutly sette

sig: k4

In order came then, nexte as was there dette

The virgyns then, of pure virgynitee

3660

And then th'ynnocentes of tender iuuentee

¶Th'orders all of good religion

The preastes, and clerkes seculer

The byshop and cardinalles in vnyon

With the sacrement, and lightes clere

3665

And Belles ryngyng, therewith in fere

Euery order with laude and reuerence

Reioysed greatly of his magnificence.

¶At the Capytole, in the sea imperiall

They crowned hym, with crownes thre of golde

3670

As Emperoure, moste principall

And conquerour, that daye moste worthy holde

Wher then he fested, the citee manyfolde

Of Rome the byshop, and all his cardinals

The senatours, with other estates als.

The .lxxx[vi].

lxxxvi] lxxxiii 1543

Chapiter.

3675

ALl that wynter, at Rome he did soiourne

In palays of Mayns_palacium

The somer cam, that home he might retourne

At whiche somer, so when it was come

Tydynges came to Arthure, hole and some

sig: [k4v]

3680

That duke Mordred, was kyng of all Britayn

And wedded Gwaynour, to his wyfe certayn

¶For whiche at Rome, he made his ordenaunce

To rule that lande, and all the hole Empire

And home in hast, with full great purueyaunce

3685

To Britayne came, to venge hym on that sire

That trayterously, agayn hym did conspire

To rauyshe his wife, by stronge and mighty hande

And also for vsurpyng the crowne of his lande.

¶At porte_Rupyn, whiche nowe Douer hight

3690

He landed then, where duke Morded hym met

And fought full sore, by all a_daye to night

Wher syr Gawen and Anguzell, were sore bet

And slayne both-two, so sore they were ouer-set

But Arthure had the felde, and Mordred fled

3695

To Wynchester that night, full fast hym sped.

¶The kyng folowed fast, vpon the chace

And there he fought agayn, with hym full sore

Where many princes and lordes in that case

Were slayn on bothe sydes, for euermore

3700

Of the round table, that longe had been afore

Many worthy knightes, there were spended

For Arthures loue, that might not been amended.

¶The rounde table, at Wynchester beganne

And there it ended, and there it hangeth yet

3705

For there were slayn, at this ylke battayl than

The knightes all, that euer did at it sitte

Of Britayne borne, saue Launcelot yode quyte

And with the kyng, folowed on the chase

sig: [k5]

When Mordred fled to Cornwayle, for that case.

The .lxxx[vii].

lxxxvii] lxxxiiii 1543

Chapiter.

3710

WHer on the water, that called was Camblayne 'W' of 'WHer' is guide letter in space set for large capital

Mordred abode, with mightie hoste and stronge

With Arthure fought, that day of hie disdayne

Full oft alone, euer as they met amonge

But Arthure slewe Mordred, with his knyfe long

3715

That Calibourne was called, of suche vertue

That whomsoeuer he smote therwith he slewe.

¶But this Mordred, gaue Arthure deaths wound

For whiche he yode, his woundes to medifie

Into th'ysle of Aualon, that stound

3720

And gaue Britayne, that was full solitarie

To Constantyne, duke Cader sonne on hye

His neuewe was, for Cader was his brother

As well was knowen, they had but one mother.

¶ Kyng Arthure then, in Aualon so died

3725

Wher he was buried, in a chapell fayre The death of kyng Arthure.

Whiche nowe is made, and fully edified

The mynster churche, this daye of great repayre

Of Glastenbury, where nowe he hath his leyre

But then it was called the blacke chapell

3730

Of our Lady, as chronycles can tell.

¶Wher Geryn erle of Charters then abode

sig: [k5v]

Besyde his toumbe, for whole deuocion

Whether Launcelot_delake, came as he rode

Upon the chace, with trompette and clarion

3735

And Geryn tolde hym, ther all vp and downe

Howe Arthure was, there layde in sepulture

For whiche with hym to byde, he hight full sure

¶And so they abode, together in contemplacion

And preastes were, aboute his toumbe alwaye

3740

In prayers greate, and holy meditacion

With heare, the fleshe repressyng night and daye

Three dayes eche weke, at breade and water aye

They fasted and lyued in great sorowe and penaunce

To soules helth and Goddes hye pleasaunce.

3745

¶But when the quene Gwaynour had perceyued

Howe Mordred was fled awaye then thryse

From Yorke then yode, lest she were deceyued

On fote by night, with a mayden full wise

To Carlion to lyue, in Goddes seruice

3750

In the mynster of saynt Iuly, with Nonnes

In prayers whole, and greate deuocions.

¶This kyng Arthure, to whom none was condigne

Through all the world, so was he then perelesse

His life and soule, to God he dyd resigne

3755

The yere of Christ, as chronicles expresse

Fyue hu[n]dreth and two, in sothefastnesse hu[n]dreth] hudreth 1543

And fourtye also, accompted hole and clere

At his endyng, without any were.

The .lxxxv[iii].

lxxxviii] lxxxv 1543

Chapiter.

REigned he had then, sixe and twenty yere

3760

Moste redoubted in erth and moste famous

The worthiest, and wysest without pere

The hardyest man, and moste coragious

In actes marciall, moste victorious

In hym was neuer, a drope of cowardise

3765

Nor in his herte a poynte of couetyse.

¶There was neuer prince, of giftes more liberal

Of landes geuyng, ne of meate so plenteous

Agayn his fooen, was moste imperiall

And with his owne subiectes moste bounteous

3770

As a Lyon in felde, was moste douteous

In house a lambe, of mercy euer replete

And in iudgement euer eguall was and discrete.

¶O good lorde God, suche treason and vnrightes

Why suffred thy deuyne omnipoten[c]e omnipotence] omnipotente 1543

3775

That of theim had precience and forsightes

That myght haue lette, that cursed violence

Of Mordredes pryde, and all his insolence

That noble kyng forpassyng conqueroure

So to destroye, by treason and erroure.

3780

¶ Fortune false, executryse of weerdes

That euermore, so with thy subtilitee

To all debates, thou strongly so enherdes

That where men euer, would lyue in charitee

Thou doest perturbe, with mutabilitee

sig: [k6v]

3785

Why stretchest thou so thy whele vpon Mordred

Agayne his eme, to do so cruel dede

¶Wherthrough that high, and noble conqueroure

Without cause, shuld algates peryshed bee

With so many kynges, and princes of honour

3790

In all the worlde, might none there better bee

O fals Fallas, of Mordredes propertee

Howe might thou so, in Gwynoure haue such might

That she the death caused of so many knightes

¶O false beautie, of Gwaynour predestinate

3795

What vnhappe made the, false to thy lorde

So good a prince, and so fortunate

Was neuer yet seen, as all men can recorde

The whiche betwene you made so greate discorde

That he and all his princes, wer there slayne

3800

Thy chaungeable hert, to venge he was so fayne

¶But O Mordred tofore, so good a knight

In greate manhode, proudly aye approued

In whom thyne eme, the noblest prince of might

Put all his trust, so greately he the loued

3805

What vnhappe, thy manly ghost hath moued

Unto so foule, and cruell hardynesse

So many to be slayn, through thyn vnhappynes

¶The highnesse of thyne honoure, had a fall

When thou began, to do that iniurie

3810

That great falshode, thy prowesse did appall

As soone as in the entred periurie

By consequens, treason and traitourie

Thy lorde and eme, and also thy kyng souerayn

sig: [k7]

So to betraye thy felowes eke certayne.

The .lxxx[ix].

lxxxix] lxxxvi 1543

Chapter.

3815

COnstantine his brother sonne was crowned

Duke Cador, sonne of Cornwaile bounteous

Afore had been, one of the table rounde

In Arthures tyme, a knight was ful auenturous

In trone royall was set, full precyous

3820

With Diademe on his hed sygnifyed

At Troynouaunt, where no wight it replyed.

¶Who then anone, with Saxons sore did fight

And also with Mordred sonnes two

Their capitaynes were, and put theim to the flyght

3825

That one fled to wynchester, and hyd hym so

That other to London, with mykyll woo

Where Constantyne theim bothe in churches slew

At the autres, where they were hyd in mewe.

¶This constantyne set all his lande in peace

3830

And reygned well foure yere, in greate noblesse

And dyed then, buryed at Caroll no lesse

Besyde Uterpendragon full expresse

Arthures father, of greate worthynesse

Whiche called is the stone-Hengles certayne stone-Hengles] stone, Hengles 1543

3835

Besyde Salysbury vpon the playne.

¶ Aurelius_Conan, his cosyn fayre * Aurelius_Conan, king of Britayne, reygned thre yere.

The sea royall then helde, and ganne succede

To hym, as nexte then of bloude and heyre

sig: [k7v]

His vncle, and his sonnes two in-dede

3840

In prysone slewe, to crowne hym-selfe I rede

That should haue been, kynges of all Britayne

Afore hym so, yf they had not be slayne.

¶He maynteyned aye ciuyle warre and debate

Bytwene Cytees, Castelles, and countees

3845

Through al his realme, with mysruled men associate

Whiche was greatly agaynst his royaltees

And but thre yere, he reygned in dignitees

As God so wolde, of his hye ordynaunce

For wronge lawes, maketh shorte gouernaunce.

3850

¶Then Uortyper, succeded after hym Uortiper king of Britayne reygned .vii yere

Crowned was then, with all the royalte

Agaynste whome, the Saxons stronge and grym

Made full greate warre, destroyed the comente

But in batayle, by greate humanyte

3855

He them ouercame, and set his lande in peace

Unto the tyme, that death made him decease.

¶Seuen yere he reigned, and his people pleased

And tender was he, of his comynalte

Aboue all-thyng, he sawe that they were eased

3860

The publyke cause, afore the syngulerte

Preserued also, as it of ryght should be

For commons fyrst, for prynces supportacion

Were set, and nought been waste by dominacion

¶ Malgo nexte hym, to the crowne attayned Malgo king of Britayn reygned. xxii. yere.

3865

Feyrest of other, that euer was in his daye

All tyranny, fully he restreyned

And conquered holy, thryse of Orkenay

sig: [k8]

Irelonde, Denmarke, Iselonde, and eke Norway

And Gotlande also, obeyed his royalte

3870

He was so wyse, full of fortunyte.

Within his realme, was none so large ne strong

Ne none that was, in feacte of warre so wise

With swerde or axe, to fyght in the thronge

Nor with his speare, that had suche exercyse

3875

For to assayle hys fooes, and them suppryse

And defence also, he had great keenyng

As any prynce euer had, or any kyng.

But one defaute he had, of greate offence

Of Sodome synne, he wolde it not amende

3880

He haunted it euer, withoute any defence

Whiche greued god, and brought hym to an end

Two and twenty yere, as dyd appende

His lande he helde, in peace and vnyte

Without suppryse of any enmytee.

3885

¶ Carreys was then crowned kyng anone * Carreys, king of Britayne, reygned thre yere.

That loued well in all cytees debate

Betwene townes and citees euery_chone

And in suche wyse, maynteyned early and late

Imagened of his wyll preordinate

3890

So muche in warre, that cytees and countrees

Full comen were, of his malicyousnesse.

¶For which Britons, made hym full mykel war

And Saxons also, vnto kyng Gurmound sent

Of affrycans, that then in Irelande were

3895

Who with his fleete to perfourme his entent

To Britayne came, by all theyr hole assent

But Saxons then, and he were full accorde

sig: [k8v]

And Britons also, that had ciuyle discorde

The .[xc].

xc] lxxxvii 1543

Chapiter.

GUrmounde, that then was mighty conquerour

3900

King of Affricans, most dred in euery lond

With helpe of Britons and theyr great socour

And of Englishe and Saxons had made them bonde

That dwelled that tyme in Northumberlande

And other places in Britayne, vnder truage

3905

Rose with hym whole, agayne the kynges outrage

¶And fought with him, and put hym to the flight

To Circestre went, and strongly helde the towne

But kyng Gurmound, the towne then seeged right

And gate it so, with myght and greate renowne

3910

Wherfore he fled to wales, for his proteccyon

What came of him, myne authour nought expressed

But with the death, I trowe he was oppressed

¶But Gurmound then, Britaine hole destroied

Bothe churche and towne, and eke the christen faith

3915

For he a Paynym was, and sore a[u]oyded

The chrystentye, as Gyldas wrote and seyth

Through Logres that whole was lost, with paynim leyeth

The prelates, all curates, and religyous

With reliques all fledde awaye, full dolorous.

3920

¶And hid them then in hilles, woodes and caues

sig: l1

Th'archbishops, the one in London then

And Tadyok of Yorke, that fled fro Knauis

With sainctes bones, to wildernes fast ranne

And hid hym there, and Gurmond sore did banne

3925

With crosse and bell, and with greate candill-light Cursyng

Thei cursed hym, as ferre as the churches might

¶This kyng Gurmond gaue all Northumberland

From Trent North, that then hight Berun and deyre

Northfolke, Southfolke and Cambrydge_shire at hande

3930

Whiche Estangle, Bede calleth in his storie

And all fro Trent to Themis, for memorye

Mers he called, all to English gaue

That dwelled ther, for euer to reioyse and haue

¶He gaue all these, to Englishe-menne in-deede

3935

Whiche came out of a lande, hight angulo

In Germany that was, and with woodes I rede

Replenished of wild bestes, buck and doo

Sith that tyme hether, hathe been and yet is so

Wherfore thei were, of it called Englishemenne

3940

All Logres and Northumberlande, Anglande then

¶He gaue Sussex then to the Saxons

Essex, Midelsex, with Surry whole and Kent

But then Hamshire, Barkeshire, toures and townes

And Shropshire whole, and Gloucester as then apent

3945

All these were called, Westsex as Bede ment

Thus dalt he the lande, to theim therin dwellyng

Whiche long afore, paied truage to the kyng

¶Then went he home, through Fraunce and it distroied

And many other landes and regions

sig: [l1v]

3950

But Brytons then, to the West parties sore anoyed

Droue theim of Logres, with all religions

To liue in peace, for dred of rebelions

For after Carreis was fled, thei had no kyng

To tyme Cadwan, was made by their chosyng

3955

¶So stode thei then, kyngles by twenty yere Howe the Britons were kynglesse xx. yere.

Fro the yere of Christ, fiue hundred and four score

And therto three, as clerly dooeth apere

Unto the yere after that Christ was bore

Sixe hundreth and three, without any more

3960

When Cadwan was of Brytons, kyng elect

And crouned was, to rule theim and protect

¶O kyng Carreis, vnhappiest creature A lamentacion of the maker of this booke to the lordes.

That in Brytain reigned euer afore

What infortune made the flee from thy cure

3965

What caused the to maintene so euermore

Cyuile discord within thy realme so sore

That might haue reigned, ouer many a lande

Through whiche, thyne owne is lost I vnderstand

¶Thou vnderstandest full litill th'euangilye

3970

That euery realme, within it-selfe deuide

Shall desolate bee made, as clerkes tell Mat xii.

And euery hous on other, shall fall and slyde

Thy wycked will, that nowe is knowen wyde

That suffred so debate, bytwyne lorde and lorde

3975

Bytwyne citees and landes, cyuyle discord

¶The cause was of thy disheriteson

And of thy realmes desolacion

That with lawe and peaceble constitucion

sig: l2

Might haue been saued, with greate consolacion

3980

And the churche preserued, in greate prosperacion

The Christen faith, in thy lande distroyed

That with the peace, shuld haue be kepte vnnoyed

¶O woful Carreis, thyne heires and thy Brytons

Their children all, the widdowes and their wifes

3985

The commonalte in citees and in townes

The churche also may banne, full sore those striues

By thy supporte, that rest so many their liues rest: reft?-or rest=seized, see OED rest, vb. 3, 3?

Wher lawe and peace, if thou had well conserued

All had been saued, with thanke of god deserued

3990

¶Defaute of lawe, was cause of this mischiefes

Wronges sustened, by maistry and by might

And peace layed downe, that should haue been the chief

For whiche debate folowed and vnright

Wherfore vnto a prince accordeth right

3995

To kepe the peace, with al tranquillite

Within his realme, to saue his royalte

¶What is a kyng, without lawe and peace

Within his realme sufficiently conserued

The poorest of his realme, maye so encrease

4000

By iniury and force, to bee preferred

Till he his kyng, with strength haue ouerterued

And sette hym-self in royall maieste

If that he bee, in suche a ieopardie

¶O ye lordes and princes of high astate The councel of the maker to duke Richard of Yorke.

4005

Kepe well the lawe and peace in gouernaunce

Lest your subiectes defoule you and depreciate

Whiche been as able, with wrongfull gouernaunce

sig: [l2v]

To reigne as ye, and haue as greate puysaunce

If peace and lawe been voyed, and vnytee

4010

The floures are lost, of all your souerentee

¶O worthy prince, O duke of Yorke I meane

Discendid downe of highest bloodde royall

Se to suche ryotes, that none sustene

And specially, that alyens none at all

4015

Inhabite not with power, greate ne small

That maye this lande, ought trouble or ouer_ride

For twies it was so wonne, with muche pride

¶Through Uortiger, by Engist and Horsus

Whome he receiued, whiche after hym distroyed

4020

And with his helpe full false and noyous

The worthy bloodde of Brytain, sore anoyed

At the Caroll murdred, and all accloyed

And nowe again, when Carreis was exiled

The kyng Gurmond, and the Saxons hym beguiled

4025

¶For Saxons, Peightes, and Englishemenne

Reigned then through all the Logres lande

Deuided in seuen realmes fully then

Westsex Sussex, and Kente I vnderstande

Estsex and Mers, Estangle, and Northumberlande

4030

That droue Brytons, into the West countre

To Walis and Cornwaile, fro towne and citee

The .[xci].

xci] lxxxviii 1543

Chapiter.

WHils Ethelberte was reignyng kyng of Kent 'W' of 'WHils' is guide letter in space set for large capital

Sainct Austin sent by Gregory of R. bisshop

Landed in Tenet, with clerkes of his assent

sig: [l3]

4035

And many monkes, to teache the faith I hope

That clothed were, echeone vnder a blacke cope

Whiche in procession, with crosse and belles came

The latinies syngyng in Iesus his name

¶In the yere of Christ his incarnacion

4040

Fiue hundreth foure score and sixtene

Kyng Ethelbert, had in his dominacion

All Kent throughout, with greate ioy as was seen

Were baptized then, in holy water clene

To whome Gregory sent Mellito and Iusto

4045

With other clerkes, and doctours many mo

¶ Gregory hym made, archebishop of Caunterbury

Of all Englande, hiest then primate

And had the paule with hyest legacye paule=pallium

By Gregorye, sent to hym and ordinate

4050

Fro London then, thus was that tyme translate

To Caunterbury, the sea Metropolitan

And Lo[n]don sette, as for his suffrigan.

¶ Saynt Augustyne then, with helpe of Ethelbert

Saynt_Augustyns made, and Christes churche also

4055

That Christes_churche hight, as it was aduerte

And sacred so by hym, and halowed tho

For the chiefe sea, Metropolitan so

Of all Englande, by Gregory ordinate

And saynt Augustyne, of all Englande primate.

4060

¶Then Augustyne made Peter a clerke deuoute

Of saynt_Augustynes th'abbot religious

And made Mellito, as Bede clerly hath note

Of London then byshoppe full vertuous

sig: [l3v]

A clarke that was then beneuolus

4065

Who then conuerted, of Essex the kyng Sebert

And all his lande, baptized with holy herte

¶ Kyng Ethelbert, sainct_Poules edefied

And kyng Sebert Westminster founded

Mellito theim both halowed and edefied

4070

Austyn then, made clerke full wel grounded

Iusto that hight, of Rochester full well bounded

The bishop then to preache, and helpe Austyn

And to baptise the folke by his doctrine

¶ Saint Austyn set ful nere to Walis his seane

4075

That prelates all, bishops and doctours wise

Of Brytons bloodde, thither might well atteine

To make all rest and loue in humble wise

Through all the churche and lande, by good auice

To whiche sean came, th'archbishop of Brytain

4080

And bishops fiue, with doctours wise certain

¶In whiche Austyn syttyng as president

Archbishop and also the high primate

Required and prayed, with all his whole entent

As he that was of England high prelate

4085

By Gregory sacred and ordinate

Of fraterne loue and due obedience

To helpe hym furth, with all their diligence

¶To conuerte and to teache the Saxons all

The Englishe also, in Christen feith and trewe

4090

And baptize theim, through Brytain ouer-all

The pasche to kepe, as Roome did then full dewe

To whiche Brytons aunswered, that they not knewe

sig: l4

That he had suche estate, in all Britayn

For they had three archebyshops to obeyn.

4095

¶Of Cairlyon, London and Yorke citee

By byshops of Rome graunted to vs and ordinate

Full long afore ye had suche dignitee

Wherfore we will obeye, no newe primate

And specially none Englyshe newe prelate

4100

For Englyshemen, and Saxons haue vs noyed

And haue our lande, and all our kyn destroyed

¶And Pasche we wyll holde forth as we afore

And holy fathers, vnto this daye haue vsed

We wyll not chaunge, for youre doctrine ne lore

4105

There shall no newe, emong vs been abused

As saynt Iohn did, we haue it not refused

That on Christes bozome, saw his great priuetees

So will we vse, and none other solempnitees.

¶ S. Austyne saied, sith ye nowe thus forsake

4110

The seed of God, to sowe by your doctryne

The Christen fayth, for to encrease and make

By ryghtfull dome of God, ye muste enclyne

Under theyr handes, that fro the fayth declyne

The cruel death to suffer, for hie vengeaunce

4115

Sith ye refuse Christes wyll and ordinaunce

¶This tyme eche kyng warred on others lande

Of seuen kynges, of Saxones nacion

And of Englyshe with Peightes I vnderstand

And Britons also, did great aduersacion

4120

But Ethelfryde of Englyshe gouernacion

Of Northumberlande kyng, and Panyme cruell

sig: [l4v]

Fought with Aydan, the kyng of Scottes fell.

The .[xcii].

xcii] lxxxix 1543

Chapiter.

AT Degfastan, wher Ethelfryde preuayled

And sette Aydan, in his subiection

4125

To Bedes dayes, the Scottes no more assayled

Englande, but aye obeyed his ediccion Homage of the Scottes.

And was his man, without contradiccion

And held of hym, his lande as was accorde

By many yeres, thens-forth no more discorde.

4130

¶This battayl was, of Christes incarnacion

Syxe hundreth yere and three, as sayth saynt Bede

And of his reygne, by Bedes computacion

The eleuenth yere it was then, as I rede

That twenty yere and .iiii. reygned there in-dede

4135

In all his tyme, to whom the Peightes obeyed

And Iryshe also, and no more hym disobeyed.

¶In that same yere, of Christes incarnacion

The Britons all, did sette theyr parliamente

At Cairlion, by good informacion

4140

Cairlegeocestre hight, as some men ment

That Westchester is become of entent

Where they did chose, Cadwan vnto there kyng

Theim to defende, fro theyr fooes warryng.

The .xc[iii].

xciii] xc 1543

Chapiter.

THis kyng Cadwan, at wynchester crownd

4145

Was made the kyng, of Britayne and Brytons

Agayn whom kyng Ethelfrede, that stound

Warred full sore, all the regions

Where Brytons were, so did he all religions

Who westchester sieged, with violence

4150

Wher Brochewall th'erle, made greate defence.

¶But there he slewe, Brochewall in batayll

And gatte the towne of westchester, in that tyde

Where .xii.C. monkes, without fayle

He slewe downe-right a lytle there-besyde downe-right] downe, right 1543A murder of Monkes.

4155

That came to praye for peace, without pride

Fro Banger there, in hole procession

That marters wer there, by his oppression.

¶Whom kyng Cadwan, with mighty hoste and stronge

Met in felde, full ready for to fight

4160

But both theyr frendes treated, so theim emong

That good accorde betwene them, was made righte

Duryng theyr lyues, well kepte as they hight

With all frendshippe, great loue and vnytee

That both theyr realmes, stoode in great dignitee

4165

¶But Ethelfrides wyfe, with chylde farre gone

Uiolently exiled and repudiate

And wedded another, full wrongfully anone

Wherfore she went, to recouer his estate

sig: [l5v]

To kyng Cadwan, full sycke and desolate

4170

Whom he receyued, with noble reuerence

And sory was, for her wofull offence.

¶But then his wife, as great was gone with childe

For whiche he kept hir in house to abyde

To tyme he might, hym haue reconsyled

4175

Her to receyue, and set the other on syde

But in the meane-tyme, they might no lenger abide

Both queenes delyuered, wer of sonnes two

That one Edwyn, that other hight Cadwallo.

¶The chylder two, together noryshed were

4180

In tendre age, to tyme that they were men

At whiche tyme, there rose full cruell warre

Betwene Redwald, kyng of Estangle then

And Ethelfride, that fought as folke did kenne

Wher Ethelfryde on Idell, was downe slayne

4185

And Redwald the feld, ther had with payn.

¶ Kyng Cadwan then, out of this worlde so died

The same yere, so dyd Austyne also

And Laurens made fully, and glorifyed

Archebyshop of Caunterbury tho

4190

And Ethelbert of Kent, to heauen dyd go

Thus chaunged they theyr habitacion

Some to payne, and some to saluacion.

¶ Cadwall then, the sonne of kyng Cadwan Cadwall lxi. yeres. reigned

After his father had reigned .xiii. yere

4195

Was crowned at Westchester as a man

Of Britons all, as clerely dyd appeare

The yere of Christ .vi.C. and .xvi. cleare

sig: [l6]

That reygned well, full syxtye yere and one

Aboue all kynges, as souerayne of echeone.

4200

¶But kyng Edwyn then, of Northumberlande

The sonne and heyre, vnto kyng Ethelfryde

Was crowned kyng at Yorke, I vnderstande

For whiche, the kyng Cadwall hym defyed

And made hym warre, with Britons fortifyed

4205

And sente hym worde, no crowne for to were

And elles he should vnder it, his hed of shere

Which Edwyn then accompted, at ryght nought

But kepte estate full royall, and condigne

With crowne of gold, at yorke ful freshly wrought

4210

Elfrydes sonnes, of his wronge wyfe vndigne

Goten and borne, he felly dyd repugne

Hym dyd exyle, in Scotlande dyd abyde

For his mother was exyled, by Ethelfryde.

¶And Ethelfryde hym gate, on his wrong wyfe

4215

And had exyled, his owne wyfe truely wed

Edwyns mother, as knowen was full ryfe

Full great with chylde, with hym, as Bede hath red

Then made he welles, in dyuerse countrees spred

By the hye-wayes, in cuppes of copper clene

4220

For trauelyng folke, faste chayned as it was sene

¶And euery daye, he rode withouten reste

With trompettes lowde, afore him where he rode

That euery wyght, myght suerly in hym truste

That he wolde then, of his ryghtwyshode

4225

Do euery man ryght, without more abode

All complayntes here, and as lawe wolde reforme

sig: [l6v]

So all his lyfe to rule, he did confirme.

¶He sente vnto Ethilbalde, kyng of kent

His syster for to haue, and wed her to wyfe

4230

Dame Ethelburge, that was full fayre and gent

But Ethelbalde, then sent hym worde by_lyfe

It was not good, but lykely to make stryfe

That a christen woman, to a Paynim shuld be wed

And elles he sayde, his message had be sped.

4235

¶ Edwyne then sent his message so agayne

He wolde well, she kepte her owne creaunce

And bade hym sende, with her a chapelayne

And clerkes wyse, without any varyaunce

To kepe her in her fayth, and in all suraunce

4240

And yf her fayth be better then is myne

When it is knowen, I wyll therto enclyne.

¶ Kyng Ethelbald, her sent with Paulyne

That sacred was byshop of Yorke that tyme

By Iusto archbyshop, that was full fyne

4245

Of Caunterbury to kepe her true Bapteme

And her beleue, that none her fethers lyme

With heresye, to foule his owne creaunce

Thus wedded he her, at Yorke in all suraunce.

¶The yere of our Lorde .vi. hundreth and .xx. tho

4250

And fyue therto, as Bede hath clerely writen

And in the yere .vi. hundreth and twenty so

And syxe therto, kyng Edwyn as is weten

To westsex went, where batayle sore was smyten

Betwene hym, and byshop Quychelyne

4255

King Kinigils sonne, of westsex then so fyne.

sig: [l7]

¶Where then he slewe, this manly Quichelyne

For cause he had, compassyd his death afore

By pryuey wyse, as he coulde ymagyne

He put the lande then vnder trybute sore

4260

And Kynygell, the kyng of westsex thore

Became his man, and helde of hym his lande

At his byddyng to ryde with hym, and stande.

The .xci[iii].

xciiii] xci 1543

Chapiter.

KYng Cadwallo then, of all Brytons

The yere of Chryste .vi.C. and eyghtene

4265

By wronge councell, on Edwyns regions

Great warres made, but Edwyn then full kene

Faught with hym there, full sore as it was sene

And to the flyght hym droue, out of the felde

All Britayne lande he conquered so, and helde

4270

¶ Cadwallo fled, vnto lytell_Britayne

And dwelled there, in heuynesse and in payne

By dyuers yeres, and durste not come agayne The subieccion of the Scottes.

For power none he myght, not yet obteyne

The Britaynes durste hym not obeyne

4275

For kyng Edwyn, had hole dominacyon

Of theim and Saxons, and of the Scottyshe nacion

¶And in the yere of Chryste .vi.C.xx. and .vi.

Edwyns doughter that named was E[n]fled

At Yorke was borne, to whome men dyd complex

4280

Maydens twelue, to take the chrystenhede

sig: [l7v]

That lordes doughters wer, of great worthihede

Whiche saynt Paulyn archbyshop dyd baptyse

In Yorke_mynster, in full holy wyse.

¶And in the yere of Chryste .vi.C.xx. and seuen

4285

The chrysten lawe, disputed amonge his lordes

Was founde beste, to wynne the blysse of heuen

Wherfore Edwyn, by good and hole concordes

Both of his comons, and also of his lordes

With all his realme, baptime toke as goddes men

4290

Of saint Paulin, that archbishop was then

¶In that same yere, byshoppe Honorius

To Paulyn sent, the palle of dignyte

The kyng Edwin, and this ylke Paulin[u]s Paulinus] Paulins 1543

Yorke_mynster made newe, of greate beaute

4295

And comons all, full well so baptized he

In Northumberlande, in Swale, Owse, and Trent

And other ryuers in countrees, where he went.

¶By thyrty dayes, and sixe labored he thus

And then he came, to Lyncolne with Edwyn

4300

Where he conuerted Blecca, as Bede sayth to vs

The Mayre, and all the commons by his doctryne

And Lyndsey hole, vnto the fayth deuyne

And made the mynstre of Lincolne, at his costage

Of kyng Edwyn, and also the colage.

4305

¶And in the yere .vi. hundreth and thyrty moo

Iusto dyed, to whome Honoure dyd succede

Of Caunterbury, archbishop made was tho

Whome saint Paulin, as wryten hath sent Bede

Dyd sacre then at Lyncolne, so in-dede

sig: [l8]

4310

In the mynster that he and Edwyn founde

The kynges colage, named that ylke stounde.

¶And in the yere .vi. hundreth thyrty and two

Kynge Edwyne, by holy doctryne,

Of saynt Felyx, an holye preste that was tho

4315

And preachyng of the holy archbyshop Paulyn

Of Chrystes worde, and verteous discyplyne

Conuerted E[orp]wolde, of Estangle the kyng Eorpwolde] Edyordwolde 1543

And all the realme, where Felyx was dwellyng

¶At Dommok then, was Felyx fyrste byshop

4320

Of Estangle, and taught the chrysten fayth

That is full hye, in heauen I hope

But then the kyng Edwyn, as Bede sayth

Had made the people stable in the chrysten [f]ayth fayth] layth 1543

To Yorke went home, with hym also Paulyn

4325

To rule the lande, after the lawe deuyne.

The .xc[v].

xcv] xcii 1543

Chapiter.

BUt in the yere .vi. hundreth thyrty and thre

Kyng Cadwall, of Britaine that had been

With king Penda, of Merces great countre

Assembled stronge, with hostes fell and kene

4330

And Northumberlande brent, as then was sene

And slewe both wyfe, and chylde olde and yinge

Prestes and clerkes, they spared there no-thyng.

The churches all, they brente and foule destroied

Whome Edwyn met, with power that he might

sig: [l8v]

4335

At Hatfelde towne, in herte full sore anoyed

All-redy so, in batayle for to fyght

Within yorkeshyre, where Edwin was slaine right

And all his realme, was wasted and subuerte

By kyng Penda, that a Paynym was peruerte.

4340

¶The same yere then, for cause of warre and stryfe

Saint Paulyn went to Kent there to dwell

With Ethelburge, that was kyng Edwyns wyfe

That welcome were, as Bede surely doth tell

At Rochester, as that tyme befell

4345

Saint Paulyn was, vnto the sea translate

And byshop therof, then denominate.

¶ Kyng Cadwall reygned full hole agayne

In Britayne lande, as prynce without pere

Aboue Englyshe, as lorde souerayne

4350

Ouer Saxons, Scottes, and peightes, clere Subieccion of Scottes

And Englyshe also, as clere did appere

And E[n]fryde then, and Osdryk paynimes fell

Northumberlande then helde, as Bede doth tell

¶Whome Cadwall and Penda, felly slewe

4355

From tyme they two, had reygned but a yere

Oswolde theyr cosyn, as knowen was full trewe

That in Scotlande noryshed was full clere

To Englande came, with mighty greate power

And gate his ryght, and all his herytage

4360

With helpe and socoure, of his Baronage

The .xc[vi].

xcvi] xciii 1543

Chapiter.

sig: m1

THis kyng Oswolde, in Englande gan succede Oswold.

The yere of Christ, vi.c. was then clere

Thirty and fiue, replete of all manhed

And afterwarde, full clerely did apere

4365

As to suche a prince, of nature should affere

That Yorke_minster, repaired then all newe

Of lyme and stone as Christen prince and trewe

¶Who for ayde then, into Scotlande sent

An holy monke he was and religious

4370

And bishop sacred, after Christes entent

In Christes doctrine, he was full laborous

Whome for teachyng and preachyng vertuous

He made hym bishop of all Northumberlande

Whose sea was chief then, at the holy_Isle_lande

4375

¶In that same yere, Oswold to Westsex rode

For Christ his loue, at prayer of sainct Biryne

Wher thei the kyng Kynygill, of paynymhode

Baptized, and made a Christen manne full fyne

And sette Westsex vnder tribute syne

4380

For to bee payed to hym and his heires

Perpetually by yere, at certeine feires

¶ Sainct Biryne bishop, thei made furth-right

Of all Westsex, at Dorchester was his sea

Frome Oxenforde, but litill waye to sight

4385

Kyng Oswold wedded Beblam his wife to bee

Kyng Kynygilles doughter, full faire to see

And on hir he gatte, a soonne hight Cidilwold

In Deyre reigned, vnder his father Oswold

¶And in the yere sixe hundrith thyrty and sixe

sig: [m1v]

4390

Kyng Penda sleugh Ordewold of Estanglande

In bataile strong, and mighty gan to vexe

That wastid sore about hym euery lande

As tyraunt fell, wher he the Christen fonde

He sleugh theim downe, and cruelly ouer_ran

4395

Sparyng nother wife, childe, ne manne

¶The kyng Oswold, so mighty was in-deede

That ouer Scottes, Peightes, and Brytaines

Irish, Westsex, and English I rede

And ouer Logres and all the Saxons

4400

None so mighty aboue all regions

As Flores and Bede hath wrytten thus

Whose wrytynges are full vertuous

¶As he at meate, did sitte vpon a daye

At Bamburgh, a palmer came to his gate

4405

Asked some good, for Christ his loue alwaye

To whome he sent his dishe of syluer plate

For cause he had not els for his astate

The poore manne to refresh and comforte

Sainct Bede of hym, thus clerely dooeth reporte

4410

¶An holy manne, within his hermitage

Desired sore in his meditacion

If any better, of any maner age

Wer in the lande of any nacion

To whome was said by reuelacion

4415

That kyng Oswold, more holy was of life

Notwithstandyng, he had weddid a wife

The .xc[vii].

xcvii] xciiii 1543

Chapiter.

WHerfore he came, vnto the kyng Oswold 'W' of 'WHerfore' is guide letter in space set for large capital

And prayed hym, he might knowe his life

And of his reuelacion then hym told

4420

Wherfore he toke to hym, his ryng by_life

and bade hym saye, the quene that was his wife

To dooe with hym, on nightes twoo or three

As she was wonte, as home to dooe with me

¶This token had he, he satte with hir at meate

4425

His meate and drynke, when he would haue the best

But water and brede, he might none other gette

And then at night, she leide hym for to rest

Right with hir-self, so well hir-self she trest

And when he was, ought sette to dooe amisse

4430

In water he was cast, his fleshe to keele and lisse

¶But when the daye came, he was full fain

And of the quene, full soone he toke his leue

Unto the kyng, he went anone again

And prayed hym fast, he might passe home at eue

4435

For of his life, he would no more preue

Whiche more holy, was one daye and night

Then all his life, he euer been might

¶But Cadwall the kyng of Brytons sent

The kyng Penda, to warre on kyng Oswold

4440

Whome Oswold mette, with greate assemblement

In battaile strong, at Heuenfeld as God would

Wher people fled, with people manyfold

To kyng Cadwall, who with Penda anone

Assembled an hoost, on Oswold for to gon

sig: [m2v]

4445

¶ Oswold thei mette, on Marfeld that tyde

Wher he was slain the yere of Christ was than

Sixe hundred whole, and fourty and twoo beside

His hedde and armes, as Bede the holy manne

In his chronicle hath write, who-so rede it can

4450

Upon a tre was hong many a daye

That rotted not, nor in this world neuer maye

¶ Oswy then in all Northumberlande Oswy kyng of Northumberlande

The croune had, and all the royalte

With Cadwallo he hight, allwaye to stande

4455

As souereigne lorde of Bryton, then was he

And ouer all other, had then the mageste

But this Oswy made Humwald for to kyll

The kyng Oswyn, that feloe was hym tyll

¶For cause he rose, on hym with multitude

4460

And nought for_thy, when thei together mette

All his people of full greate fortitude

He withdrewe then, and with Humwald sette

In pryue wise, without any lette

But false Humwald, priuely hym slewe

4465

On whome he trusted, and trowed had bee trewe

¶ Quene E[n]fled that was kyng Oswys wife

Kyng Edwyn his doughter full of goodnesse

For Oswyns soule, a minster in hir life

Made at Tynmouth, and for Oswy causeles

4470

That hym so bee slain, and killed helpeles

For she was kyn to Oswy and Oswyn

As Bede in chronicle dooeth determyn

¶This Oswyn nowe is canonized in shryne

sig: m3

Saynt Oswyn called, at Tynmouth gloriously

4475

But kyng Oswy, to Cadwall did enclyne

And Oswalde his hed, and arme had leue to burye

Whiche he betoke to quene Bebla in hye

Who closed theim in siluer, fayre and clene

And theim betooke, to saynt Aydan I wene.

4480

¶This kyng Cadwall, his feast at London made Kynge Cadwal

To hym all kynges, as souerayne lorde obeyed

Saue kyng Oswy, at home that tyme abade

For whiche he trowed, that he hym disobeyed

Wherfore he sent to Penda, and hym prayed

4485

To warre on Oswy, without delaye

And make hym, to his souerayne lorde obey.

¶In which meane-tyme, this Penda slewe Anne

Of Estangle, that long had ben kyng

A Christen prince, and a full manly manne

4490

And so came on kyng Oswy fast rydyng

Wher on the felde, they met sore fyghtynge

Whom Oswy slewe, and .xxx. dukes also

That with hym came, and .xxx.M. moo.

The .xcv[iii].

xcviii] xcv 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [m3v]

THose battayls two, after th'incarnacion

4495

Syxe hundreth yere, fyfty wer and also fyue

In the yere after, by computacion,

That kyng Oswy, made Penda kyng belyue

Of Marces_lande, and to conuerte his lyue

By teachyng of Dwyma, made byshop thare

4500

And all his lande, by vertue of his lare.

¶ Kyng Oswy made houses .xii. of religion

Sixe in Deyry, and sixe in Berun to bee

With his doughter Elflede for deuocion

Whom he auowed, in clene virginitee

4505

To sacre so, and lyue in chastitee

For his triumphe, and for his victorie

Of kyng Penda, and his panymerye.

¶The kyng Oswy, of Christes incarnacion

The yere .vi.C.lx. and also three

4510

Had all the clerkes, of his dominacion

With many other clerkes, of farre countree

For to dispute the Pasche, when it should bee

The whiche afore, was held diuersly

One vse at Yorke, another at Caunterbury

4515

¶But this seynt Oswy, then helde it at Whitby

Where then saynt Hilde, in all deuinitee

Was hole instructe, amonge all the clergie

Where Wilfride, with Egilbert and she

Concluded all the clerkes of the countree

4520

And fro thens-forth, thei helde it in certeyne

As Caunterbury vsed, and did obeyne

¶This kyng Oswyn, then died in the yere

sig: [m4]

Sixe hundreth hole, sixti and also ten

At Whytby then, wher Hild was abbas clere

4525

At Streyneshalgh, named was so then

Emonge the couente, of his holy woman

And in Hildes schole .vi. byshops wer enfourmed

In holy wryte, as she theim had confourmed.

¶These were the names of the byshoppes right

4530

Bosa, Oskford, Etla and also Tatfryde

John of Beuerley the fyfte, than then so hight

The sixte then, was the holy man Wilfryde

All in the lawe of Christ enfourmed that tyde

With this virgyne clene, of royall discent

4535

Of kyng Edwyn and Oswalde bloode full gent.

¶Whiche virgyne clene, died so in the yere

Of Christ .vi.C. and foure score also

About whiche tyme, saynt Awdry the virgyne clere

At Hely died, emonge hir floures tho

4540

Of holy virgyns, and wydowes also

Whiche she had gathered, and kept in cloyster clene

Whyle she there was th'abbasse, as was sene.

¶Who wyfe was twyse, in westsex first espoused

The secounde tyme, vnto the kyng Egfryde

4545

Of Northumberlande, her maydenhed euer housed

I dar well saye, it was neuer set asyde

There might no man, hir herte from Christe deuide

So hole it was sette vnto chastitee

Inuiolate she kepte her virginitee.

4550

¶For good ne gold nor any great rychesse

With her housebandes to been deuirginate

sig: [m4v]

Hetherto might neuer eschaunge her sekirnesse

So sad it was, it was neuer violate

But euer clene, as in her fyrst estate

4555

By her housbandes, for ought they could hir hight

But virgyne died, through grace of God almight

¶Thus Awdry then, from Egfride was deuorced

For cause, she would not lese hir maydenhede

To tyme hir soule, wer lowsed and vncursed

4560

In hely abode, where then she made in-dede

An house of Nunnes, as written hath saynt Bede

To serue the God, aboue celestiall

In prayers good, and matens nocturnall.

¶ Wylfride from Yorke, exiled and expelled

4565

The kyng of Sussex, and all his lande

Conuerte all hole, and mawmetrye downe felled

Wher, so three yere afore, I vnderstande

Suche vengeaunce reigned, in that kynges land

That ther grewe no grasse, nor no maner of corne

4570

The people died, for hunger all for_lorne.

¶And that same daye, when they were conuerte

The grasse and corne, that welked were afore

By three yere passed, waxed grene and gan reuert

Through prayer of Wylfryde, that prayed therfore

4575

For whiche the kyng, made hym bishoppe thore

That fyue yere hole, there so occupyed

The byshop[p]es cure, and Christes fayth edefied. byshoppes] byshopyes 1543

¶And in the yere .vi. hundreth .lxxx. and fyue

Kyng Egfride rode with hoste into Scotlande

4580

And warred on pightes and Scottes with mekel striue

sig: [m5]

Whom then they slewe, as Bede could vnderstande

With many worthy knightes, of Northumberland

At Nettansmore, in an hye mynstre buryed

A worthy place, in Scotlande edified.

4585

¶Eche kyng of seuen, on other warred sore

But kyng Cadwas, that then was souerayn lorde

Accorded theim, as myster was ay_where

By his good rule, he made euer good accorde

Wher any strife or warre was, and discorde

4590

And all the realmes, in Britayn hole baptized

And bishoppes in theim sette, and autorised.

¶ Kyng Ethelride of Mors, and quene Ostride

His wyfe, doughter of Oswy [at] Berdnaye at] 1543 omits

Buried Oswalde, with myracles glorified

4595

Where many yere, full styll there-after he laye

Unto the tyme the suster, as bookes saye

Of kyng Edward_th'elder, hym translate

To Gloucester abbey, to his estate.

¶ Cadwallo kyng of Britons, in the yere

4600

Of Christe goddes sonne .vi.C. sixty and sixtene

So died awaye, who reigned had full clere

Full sixty yere and one, as well was sene

That souerayne lorde, of all Britayn had been

After the decease, of the good kyng Edwyn

4605

And made all seuen kynges, to hym enclyne.

¶He made his ymage, of laton full clene

In whiche he put his body balsomate

Upon an horse of laton, fayre to sene

With a sweorde in hande, crowned like his estate

sig: [m5v]

4610

Full hye sette vp, to sight on Ludgate

His battayles all, and his greate victorie

Aboute hym wrought, was made for memorye

The .xc[ix].

xcix] xcvi 1543

Chapiter.

CAdwaladrus, after hym gan succede Cadwalader kyng.

Both young and fayre, in florishyng iuuent

4615

That Cadwalader was called as I rede

Who of Britayn, had all the souerayntee

Of Englyshe and Saxons, in eche countree

Of Pyghtes, Iryshe and Scottes [vnder his] regence vnder his] his vnder 1543Subieccion of the Scottes.

As souerayne lorde, and moste of excellence.

4620

¶ Kentwyne the kyng, of westsexe then died

The yere of Christ sixe hundreth .lxxx. and sixe

[Who] mekill warre, had made and fortifyed Who] The 1543

Upon Britons, and felly did hym wexe

So combrous he was and cruell gan to wexe

4625

Whose realme the kyng Cadwalader conquered

And Sussex also, and slewe the kynge with his swerde

¶In whiche yere then, Gatta byshop died

Whose sea was then, at Hexham vpon tyne

That byshop was, of Yorke notified

4630

For Wilfryde was, hold out with mekyll pyne

And exiled from his benefice that tyme

From Yorke that tyme, by the kynge Alfride

Of Northumberland, whose cure Gatta occupied

¶After whose decease then Iohn of Beuerlay

sig: [m6]

4635

Was made byshop of Yorke, and had the sea

Then the Cathedrall at Hexham so alwaye

For wylfryde was in Sussex farre countre

But then certayne Alfryde of cruelte

Commaunded Iohn, to vexe and noye wylfryde

4640

But tender loue, they helde on eyther syde

The .[C].

C] xcvii 1543

Chapiter.

THe kyng Cadwaladre beyng impotent

So euery daye, and helde no gouernaunce

Nether lawe ne peace within his regiment

Wherfore Britons, dred none ordynaunce

4645

But eche one toke on other great vengeaunce

Fro that time forth, eche countre on other warred

And euery cytee agaynste other marred.

¶Thus in defau[t]e of lawe and peace conserued defaute] defauee 1543

Common profyte, was wasted and deuoured

4650

Percyall profyte, was sped and obserued

And Uenus also, was commonly honoured

For lechery and aduoutry, was moste adoured

Amonge them was common, as the carte-waye

Ryot, robbery, oppressyon, nyght and daye

4655

Of which came then, manslaughter, and homicide

And cyuyle stryfe, with sore contencyons

Through Britons land, euery-where, on eche side

With batayles greate, and fell discencions

sig: [m6v]

As Bede wryteth amonge his mencyons

4660

They dred nother the kyng, ne god almyght

Wherfore he sent vengeaunce on them full ryght

That through the warre, that tylth was all destroied *A greate plage.

Churches all, and husbandrye vnoccupyed

That with hunger, the people were sore anoyed

4665

That people great, in stretes and feldes dyed

And muche folke, as Bede hath specifyed

The fayth of Chryste, for hunger then forsoke

And drowned them-selues, so sore the payne them toke.

¶Their catell dyed, for faute of fode eche daye

4670

Without meate, or any sustenaunce

In townes and feldes, and the common waye

Through which their enfecte, was with that chaunce

That multitude of folke, in greate substaunce

On hepys laye, full lyke vnto mountaynes

4675

That horryble was of sight, aboue the playns.

Unburyed hole, withoute Sacrament

By pestylence also, many one dyed

Some woode, some ra[m]age went ramage] raynage 1543

And some were in lytargie implyed

4680

An[d] other some, with batayle mortifyed And] An 1543

With murther also, amonge themselues dispent

Full many were, that none an-other lament.

Through which defautes, not amended nor correct

The bishoppes fled, the pre[e]stes and clerkes anoyed preestes] prestees 1543

4685

To Walys went, there to be protecte

In cauys hyd, accombred and accloyed

Full heuely deseased, and full greatly anoyed

sig: [m7]

With saynctes bones, and relyques many one

Morning full sore, and makyng there their mone

4690

¶Then fel a yere of pardone, and of grace

At Rome, where the kyng Cadwaladrus

All desolate, and sory for that case

In pylgrymage thyther, purposed thus

With herte deuoute, and wyll beneuelous

4695

With his Brytons together consociate

Of worthy bloude so borne and generate.

¶To haue pardone, and playne remissyon

Of theyr trespasse, synnes, and neglygence

That they put nought, reddour ne punissyon

4700

By lawe, payne, and discrete prouidence

On trespassours, that dyd violence

Through which their land, and they were so mischeued

That with law kept, might wel haue bene acheued

To Rome they came, of whom the bishop was glad

4705

Sergio that hyght, who them graunt remissyon

Of all their synnes, with herte and wyll glad

Saue onely then, of their omissyon

And neglygence, of hole punissyon

That they put nought vpon the trespassoures

4710

Of common people, that were destroyours

Whiche was not in his power to relese

Without amendes made, and restitucyon

To common-weale, and theyr due encrease

As they were hurte, in faute of due punissyon

4715

He charged them, for theyr playne remissyon

The commonte to supporte and amende

sig: [m7v]

Of as [--]te good, as they were so offende. space left blank in 1543

In the meane-whyle, whyls they at Rome so were

The Saxons hole, and Englyshe consociate

4720

Toke all theyr lande, liuelod, and other gere

To Saxon they sente ambassyate

To Angulo, to be assocyate

With many mo of theyr countree-men

For Britons all, at Rome were bidyng then

4725

¶And bad them come in haste, and tary nought

For theyr owne helpe, and for their waryson

The whiche they dyd, and hither fast they sought

The Brytons lande, they toke in possessyon

And kepte it forth, with many a garyson

4730

For Brytons came no more therto agayne

For king Cadwallader, then dyed at Rome certain

His Bryto[n]s also dyed homewarde by the waye

In dyuerse places, and some went to Britayne

Other some to Fraunce, there to abyde for aye

4735

And some also to Normandy, and to Spayne

That to theyr owne, they came no more agayne

But Saxons hole, and Englyshe it occupyed

Euer-more after, and strongly edifyed.

¶Some chroniclers saye, he had by visyon

4740

No more to come into Britayne_the_more

But to the bishop of Rome with great contricion

Confesse hym, and take his penaunce thore

And absolucyon for his synnes sore

And howe the bishop of Rome buryed him royally

4745

And on his tombe, set his Epitaphye

sig: [m8]

¶In laten letters, in marble-stone well graue

Declared hole his conuersacyon

Forsakyng all the worlde, heuen to haue

And howe the bishop of Rome, by his confyrmacion

4750

Called hym Peter, whome Bede by relacyon

Calleth a saynt in blysse, hole disposed

Fro whiche he may in no wyse be deposed.

¶This Cadwalader of Britons was the kyng

That reygned full, as souereygne lorde .xii. yere

4755

And in the yere .vi. hundreth and nynte beyng

And dyed so, as sayeth the chronyclere

That of westsex, then had be kyng two yere

Of whome walshemen holden opinyon

Of Englande yet to haue the reuercyon

4760

¶When that his bones be brought fro rome again

Amonge them all, haue suche a prophecye

And Englande then, efte synce called Britayne

Thus stande they yet, in suche fonde matesye

In truste of whiche vayne fantasye

4765

They haue full ofte, Englande sore anoyed

And yet they wyll proue, yf it maye be destroyed.

The [C.i].

C.i] xcviii 1543

Chapiter.

O Gracyous lorde, O very heyre in ryght

Of great_Britayne, enclosed with a sea

O very heyre of Logres, that now England hyght

4770

Of wales also, of scotland, which all thre

sig: [m8v]

Britayne so hyght, of olde antiquyte

O very heyre of Portyngale and Spayne

Whiche castell is, and Lyons soth to sayne.

¶O very heyre, of Fraunce and Normandye

4775

Of Guyan, Peytowe, Bayen, Man, and Angeoy

Membrys of Fraunce, of olde warre openly

O very heyre of Ierusalem, and Surry

All this meane, I by you that should enioye

Ye or your heyres, my lorde of Yorke certayne

4780

That wrongefully haue bene holde out to seyne

¶But O good lorde, take hede of this mischieue

Howe Cadwaladore, not kepyng lawe ne peace

Sufferyng debates, and common warrys acheue

And fully reygne, and put hym nought in preace

4785

By lawe nor myght, to make it for to cease

For whiche there fell so great diuisyon

That he was put vnto deheryteson.

¶Not he alone, but all his nacyon

Deuolued were, and from theyr ryght expelled

4790

Full fayne to flee, with greate lamentacyon

From greate_Britayne, in which they had excelled

In which their auncetour, afore long time had dwelled

And knew their foes mortal, shuld it occupy

For euermore without remedye.

4795

¶Which is the payne, most fell aboue all payne

A man to haue bene in hye felycite

And to fall downe, by infortune agayne

In myserye and fell aduersyte

Howe maye a man haue a thyng more contra[r]ye contrarye] contraye 1543 Mat. xii.

sig: n1

4800

Then to haue been well, and after woo-begone

Incomperable to it, bee paynes echone.

¶Wherfore good lord, the peace euermore mainteine

And ryottes all, chastyce by prouisyon

And lawe vpholde ryghtfully, and sustene

4805

And ouer all-thyng, se there bee no deuisyon

But reste and peace, without discencyon

For where a realme, or a cytee is deuyded

It maye not stand, as late was verified

¶In Fraunce as fell, full greate diuision

4810

Through whiche, the first Henry kyng of Englande

Ouer_rode their lande, by greate prouision

And conquered theim, thei might not hym withstande

All their citees, were yeld into his hande

For cause of their cruell descencion

4815

Emong theim sustened by contencion

¶ Roome, Carthage, and many other citees

And many realmes, as clerkes haue specified

Haue been subuert, and also many countrees

By diuision, emong theim fortified

4820

Wher vnite and loue, had been edified

Might theim haue saued in all prosperite

Frome all hurt, and all aduersite

¶Wherfore good lord, thynke on this lesson nowe

And teache it to my lorde of Marche your heire

4825

While he is young, it maye bee for his prowe

To thynke on it, when that the wether waxeth faire

And his people, vnto hym dooeth repaire

And litill hath, theim to releue and pease

sig: [n1v]

Then maye it hap, with it his people ease

4830

¶For what sauour a newe shell is taken with

When it is olde, it tasteth of the same

Or what kynd of ympe, in gardein or in frith

Ymped is in stocke, fro whence it came

It sauourith euer, and it nothyng to blame

4835

For of his rote, frome whiche he dooth out spryng

He must euer tast, and sauour in eatyng

¶While he is young, in wisedome hym endowe

Whiche is full hard to gette, without labour

Whiche labour maye not bee, with ease nowe

4840

For of labour came kyng and emperour

Let hym not bee idill, that shall bee your successor

For honour and ease, together maye not been

Wherfore writh nowe the wand, while it is grene

¶Endowe hym nowe, with noble sapience

4845

By whiche he maye the wolf, werre frome the gate

For wisedome is more worth in all defence

Then any gold, or riches congregate

For who wanteth witte, is alwaye desolate

Of all good rule and manly gouernaunce

4850

And euer enfect, by his contrariaunce

¶Endowe hym also in humilitee

And wrath deferre, by humble pacience

Through whiche he shall, increace in dignitee

And catch alway, full greate intelligence

4855

Of all good rule and noble regymence

And to conclude, wrath will euer sette a_side

All maner of thyng, whiche wisedome would prouide

¶Behold Bochas, what princes haue through pride

sig: n2

Be cast downe frome all their dignitee

4860

Wher sapience and meekenes had bee guyde

Full suerly might haue saued bee

And haue stand alwaye in might and greate suertee

If in their hartes, meekenes had bee ground

And wisedome also, thei had not be confound

¶Nowe foloweth of the Englyshe kynges and Saxones.

The .[C.ii].

C.ii] xcix 1543

Chapiter.

4865

THis Cadwalader, nowe laide in sepulture

That some-tyme was the kyng of great_Brytain

And of Westsex also therwith full sure

To whome succedid Iuore his soonne certain

Reignyng ouer Brytons that did remain

4870

In Wales then, without any socour

But onely he became their gouernour

¶With whome Iue, his cousin was at nede

That warred sore the Englishe and Saxonye

Many winters, and nought preuayled in-deede

4875

Sauyng thei reigned, vpon the Uasselry

That wer out_castes, of all Brytany

But Ingils and Iue his brother dere

In westsex reigned, which Conrede his sonnes were

¶Whom Englishe then, and all the Saxonye

4880

Theim chose and made, to bee their protectours

Again Iuor and his cousin Iuy

That were that tyme, the Brytons gouernours

To Wales fled, for helpe and greate socours

But Ingils and Iue of Englishe bloodde discent

4885

Then kept Englande, full well by one assent

sig: [n2v]

¶A yere all whole, and then this Ingils dyed

And Iue was kyng, of Westsex fully cround

That reigned then, full greately magnified

Eyght and thyrty wynter, full well and sounde

4890

With his brother, and what alloen that stounde

In whose tyme, Theodore then dyed

Of Cauntorbury archebishop signified

¶Which Ingile and Iue, did call this lande Englande

After Inglis, as thei had harde afore

4895

After Engest, it called was Engestes lande

By corrupt speach, Englande it hight therfore

And afterwarde, so that name it hath euer bore

As Gurmound also, afore it had so named

Whiche sith that tyme, hath been ful hougely famed

4900

¶ Kyng Iue and Ingils, in Westsex first began

The yere sixe hundred foure score, and therto nyne

So did Iuo and Iue in Wales then

Ouer the Walshe, that were of Brytons line

In much trouble and woo as fill that tyme

4905

Kyng Alfride in all Northumberlande

Wittred and Welbard, in Kent I vnderstande

¶In Englande yet, were kynges seuen

Under kyng Iue, that twenty battailes smote

Upon Iuor and Iue, accompted euen

4910

But in the yere, as Bede hath saied and wryte

That euery manne his debte, to kynd paye mote

Kyng Iue dyed at Roome, then was the yere

Seuen hundred and seuen and twenty clere

¶And at his death, he gaue to Roome eche yere

sig: n3

4915

The Roome-pence through Westsex all about Roome-pence,

Perpetually to bee well payed and clere

For vnto Roome he went without doubt

And with theim, lordes and gentils a greate route

In pilgrymage, for Eld and impotence

4920

When he might not the lande well defence

The .C[.iii].

C.iii] C 1543

Chapiter.

ETheldred in Westsex, to hym gan succede

And kyng was then, and held the royalte Etheldred.

Protector was of Englande their in-deede

And helde his tyme, euer furth the souerei[gn]tee souereigntee] souereingtee 1543

4925

In heritage and perpetualitee

That thyrten yere reigned in good astate

Whiche cherished peace, and chastised all debate

¶Wher any wrath was, growyng in his lande

Emong prelates or lordes temporall

4930

In citees or in cuntrees wher he fande

Accordid theim, in euery place ouer-all

And in his tyme the kynges in speciall

Under his rule and sure proteccion

He kept in peace, by lawfull direccion

4935

¶Who dyed so, of Christ his incarnacion

The yere sixe hundreth and fourty accompted tho

Entombed at Bathe, with sore lamentacion

Of all Englande, as well of frende as foo

Which Bathe citee, some-tyme was called soo

4940

Achamany, in Brytain language

By Achaman that had it in heritage

sig: [n3v]

¶In his tyme was Oswyk in Northumberland

And dyed then, to whome Colwolphe did succed

Edbert_pren in Kent I vnderstand

4945

And Ethelbald in Mers was then I rede

In Essex also, was then reignyng Selrede

And Ethelrede in Estangle that daye

All these wer kynges, and vnder hym alwaye

¶So fro that tyme furth, and fro the Scottish sea

4950

To Sulwath floud, and to the water of Tyne

The Peightes had and kept without lee

Wher kyng Edwin, their kyng was by right line

Rulyng that lande in peace and lawe full fine

That chaunged then mayden-castell name

4955

To Edenbrough a towne of greate fame

The .C.[iiii].

C.iiii] C.j 1543

Chapiter.

CUthred was kyng, crouned of al Westsex Kyng Cuthred.

And protectour of all Englande that daye

His kynges vnder hym, that then wer full sixe

Did hym homage anone withouten delaye

4960

Saue Ethelbald of Mers, that saied hym naye

For whiche he warred on hym then full sore

That bothe their landes, troubled were therfore

¶Full oft thei mette, and faught with great power

Some that one, some-tyme that other had

4965

Uictorie in felde, with strokes bought full dere

But when that kyng Ethelbald was moste glad

This kyng Cuthred, that was nothyng a_drad

At Berford with hym mette in strong battaill

sig: n4

And slewe hym then, as Bede maketh rehersall

4970

¶Which Ethelbald in Mers, one and fourtye yere

Had reigned hole, and diuerse abbeys founded

In Mers lande, at Crouland one full clere

Of Monkes blacke, within the fennes grounded

To whiche Turketyll his chaunceler founded

4975

Gaue sixe maniers, to theyr foundacion

And abbot there was made by installacion

¶This Battayl was, of Christes natiuitee

Seuen hundreth and fyue and fyftye yere

Wher Ethelbalde of Mers, the kyng did dye

4980

To whome Borrede, there was the kyng full clere

But this Cuthrede of Westsex layed on bere

Was in the yere of Christes birth to weten

Seuen hundreth hole, and syxe and fyfty written.

¶To whome Segbert, in all regalitee Segbert. kyng.

4985

His cousyn next of bloode by all recorde

Was kyng crowned, and had the dignitee

But full he was, of malice and discorde

That with his kynges, could no tyme wel accorde

Wherfore they would, no lenger of hym holde

4990

But droaue hym out, of all his lande full bolde

¶For lawe ne peace, he did not well conserue

But chaunged lawe, euer after his deuise

From good to euell, eche other to ouerterue

To spoyle and robbe, his commons to supprise

4995

Thus in the lande, he made full great partyes

Wherfore the kynges, and lordes did hym expell

That but one yere, he dyd in it excell.

sig: [n4v]

¶And afterwarde exiled, as he hym hyd

Within a wood, a swynherd made his ende

5000

Then with his staffe, he slewe hym so betyd

For all his hye estate, thus was he spend

A prouerbe is of olde, was wyse men kend

That wronge lawes, make euer shorte lordes

Whiche wyse men yet remembre, and recordes.

sig: [n4v]

The .C.[v].

C.v] C.ii 1543

Chapiter.

5005

KYnulphe succeded and had the gouernaunce Kynulph kyng.

Of Westsex then, with all to it appente

Protectour was by all th'ordinaunce

Of kynges all, and the lordes assent

As his elders afore had regimente

5010

The yere of Christ .vii. hundreth fyfty and seuen

As Bede hath written, and accompted full euen.

¶Of all the kynges, and lordes of Englande

He tooke feautee and royall hole homage

As souerayn lorde, honoured in all the lande

5015

And mightly mayntened his heritage

His kynges all, and all his baronage

The peace and lawe, he kepte by diligence

Was none that would displease his excellence.

¶He reigned hole, in all kyndes suffisaunce

5020

Sixe and twentye yere fully accoumpted

In greate honoure and myghty great puysaunce

Was none hym like, nor none hym surmounted

sig: [n5]

But death alone, to his corps amounted

Dryuyng his soule, out fro the worldly nest

5025

To heauens blisse, eternally there to rest.

¶At wynchester he was full fayre buryed

The yere .vii. hundreth foure score and also thre

Emong the people, highly magnifyed

As to suche a prince, longeth of royaltee

5030

Right well beloued, of his lordes and commontee

In whose tyme Offa of Mers kyng

Unto the B. of Roome, sent his letters prayeng.

¶To depriue Lambert of Cauntorbury

Of primacy, and also of the palle

5035

Whiche the byshop Adrian, anone hastely

Graunted hym then, by bulles written papall

Lambert depriuyng, of his sea primall

By whiche Aldulphe, byshop then of Lychfelde

Hye primate was, and th'estate there helde.

5040

¶The pall he had, and all the dignitee

Lambert depryued, without any delay

Of primacie, and of all souerayntee

Of all the churche of Englande hole that day

From Humber south, to Aldulphe did obeye

5045

And Lychfeld then for metropolitan sea

Was set aboue, and had the dignitee.

¶But Egfryde then, the sonne of Offa kyng

Of Mers, the pall and all the primacie

Did well restore, to Christes hye pleasyng

5050

To Award then byshop of Caunterburye

Wher it abode, euer after worthyly

sig: [n5v]

Unto this daye, with all the dignitee

As of olde right, it should haue souerayntee

¶This tyme Kynot, of Pyghtes was the kyng

5055

Fro forth to Carleile, and from the Scottishe sea

To Tyne that tyme his lordshyp was and dwellyng

The whiche he helde, by homage and feautee

Of the kyng then of Northumberlande in fee

And was his man also, in warre and peace

5060

As his elders had doen, without leace.

¶In whose dayes, th'archbyshop Egbert

Of Yorke, brother was as I can vnderstande

To the kyng of Northumberlande Edbert

The primacye and pall, brought to Yorkes lande

5065

By the B. of Rome graunted, without gaynstand

Whiche from the death, of the good kyng Edwyn

Had ceased long, from the tyme of saynt Paulyn

¶About this tyme, as well is expressed

Unguste the kyng of Pyghtes, rode in Englande

5070

On warre, wher then he was full sore distressed

By the manly kyng of Northumberlande

Where he auowed, yf he came to his lande auowed] auoiwed 1543

A chur[c]he to make of full great dignitee churche] churhe 1543

In worship of saynt Andrewe should it bee

5075

¶And at his home-commyng one Regalo

Fro Constantyne by reuelacion

Brought certayn bones of saynt Andrewe tho

To kyng Ungust, where by his relacion Ignoraunce in those dayes.

He founded then, a mynster of his fundacion

5080

Of saynt Andrewe, wher his bones shryned been

sig: [n6]

As there in-dede I was, and haue it seen.

The .C.[vi].

C.vi] C.iii 1543

Chapiter.

BRightrike cousyn, that was nexte of bloode

To kyng Kenulphe, by hole intelligence

Of Westsex, was kyng full wise and good

5085

And protectour of Englande in regence

Whiche gouerned right well, with great sapience

The yere of Christ .vii. hundreth .iiii. score and three

When that he tooke on hym the dignitee

¶He wedded Edburge kyng Offa his doughter fayre

5090

Of Mers, for loue and peace and good accorde

Betwene theyr landes, with all theyr hole repayre

The kyng Albert, also of good accorde

Only of purpose, to make concorde

Of Eastlande came, to Offa for peace

5095

Betwene theyr lande, the warres for to ceasse

¶And his doughter to wed, vnto his wyfe

For more suertee of loue, and good accorde

Whom quene Eburge, of Mers because of strife

Afore had be, betwene hym and hir lorde

5100

And for she would not vnto the mariage accorde

Made hym to bee slayn, in full priue wise

Within his bed, afore that he myght ryse.

¶For whiche Offa, greatly was agreued

sig: [n6v]

And buried hym, at Harforde his citee

5105

And Offa then and Humbert, as is breued

Bishop of Lychefelde, wher then was his see

Whiche kyng and byshop, with great royaltee

Translate that tyme, saynt Albone in shryne

Of siluer gylt, with stones fayre and fyne.

5110

¶Whiche Offa died, the yere of Christ full clere

Seuen hundreth .iiii. score and thereto seuentene

When he had reigned so, ix. and thyrty yere

At Offa aye buried, that tyme as well is sene

With all honoure, as to suche a kyng beseme

5115

To whom Egfride his sonne, then gan succede

And after hym, Kynuphe reigned in-dede.

¶Whiche Offa gaue through Mers, the Rome-peny

Unto the churche of Rome, full longe afore

Th'archebyshoprych from Cauntorburye

5120

Unto Lychefeld, translated for euermore

By his will, euer to abyde thore

So stode it then, for certeyn all his lyue

As Flores sayth, and doeth it so subscriue.

¶This Azdulphe, kyng of Northumberlande

5125

Slew Wade his duke, that again hym was rebel

Besyde Mulgreue, where-as men vnderstande

His graue is yet men saye, vpon the fell

For his falshed and treason, as bookes tell

Betwene Gysburgh and Whitby, sothe to saye

5130

Where for treason, he was layd in the hie-waye.

¶In his fourth yere, with duke Kylrike he fought

And droaue hym to his shippes then agayn

sig: [n7]

In Humbar, so that he had not to his fraught

But fewe persones, were lefte alyue vnslayne

5135

And in his yere eleuen, with mykell payne

With Danes he fought, againe yorkeshyre right

Where many thousandes he slewe, that were ful wight

¶And on a daye, as he from huntyng came

All hote chased, his men bottelles founde

5140

In his chaumber, in which was wyne of name

Menne called that tyme, Uernage of straunge land

Whiche wine was poysoned, as I vnderstande

Of whiche he dranke, and poysoned was anon

Unto the death, and might no ferther gone.

5145

¶He dyed the yere .vii.C.lxxx. and nyntene

At Tewkisbury, buryed in sepulture

Of whose death, Edburge that was quene

Was blamed then, for that mysauenture

For she dyd make that drynke, men sayde ful sure

5150

Certayne persones by venym to haue slayne

That loued her nought, and was her euer agayn

But what for feare, and what for speche she fled

With great rychesse, of passyng great measure

In Fraunce vnto the kyng, full fast she sped

5155

But of her rule, thence-forth I set no cure

It was so lewde to reporte in scrypture

I wyll not breake my brayne, it to reporte

For wemens wele, the which I wolde comforte

The .C.[vii].

C.vii] C.iiii 1543

Chapiter.

EGberte, cosyn to the sayde Segberte Kyng Egberte.

5160

Kyng of Westsex, was royally accepte

With all honour, that the lordes could aduert

And eche man glad, no creature excepte

So graciously fortune, then had hym kepte

That all people ioyed, his coronacyon

5165

For cause he was, of Britons generacyon.

¶For downe he was, from Asserake discent

Kyng Ebrank, sonne of consanguinytee

Syth Cadwalader dyed, and was dispent

Was none ryght heyre, of Brytons bloud but he

5170

As Chronycles tell, lyke as a man maye se

For systers sonne, he was to kyng Sygbert

Of Westsex hole, as Flores coulde aduerte.

¶Also men sayde, he came of Ingils bloude

And very heyre he was, to hym and Iue

5175

For whiche Englysh and Saxons, with him stode

And helde with hym, as for theyr bloude natyfe

Protectour was he made, there so belyue

Of all Englande and Wales, hole conquered

And Cornewayle a[l]so, as it is chronicled. also] asso 1543

5180

¶Then toke he, of all kynges leege homage

Excepte Bernulphe, that kyng of Mers was tho

Woulde do hym none then, for his herytage

Wherfore he brent his lande, and did him mikyl wo

And so they gathred great hoost, on both sides tho

5185

Where Bernulphe, then at Glenden hym met

In Mers lande, trowyng hym to ouerset.

sig: [n8]

¶But kyng Egberte had then the victory

And slewe Bernulphe, for all his boste and pryde

To Ludican, he gaue that lande in hye

5190

To holde of hym, as other dyd on euery syde

Through all Englande, that was both longe and wide

Then droue he kyng Balrede, out from all Kent

And all his realme destroyed sore and brent

¶But Ludican was false, by foule treason

5195

Whome kyng Egbert then slewe in batayle sore

For his falshode, and his rebellyon

And to Wylaffe, he gaue that lande ryght thore

Was Bernulphs sonne, to haue for euermore

To holde of hym, of ryght and herytage

5200

By seruyce dewe, of feaute and homage.

¶Then in his tyme, the Danes sore destroyed

The ysles of shepey, and Tenet also

And to the sea, they went agayne vnanoyed

And after sone, in Northumberlande tho

5205

They dyd aryue, and wrought full mekell woo

With whome Egbert, there faught with smal meny

That oute of the felde, they made hym to flye.

¶ Kyng Egbert drewe south, then into the lande

And helde the felde, to tyme his sonnes two

5210

Athylwolfe and Ethylbert, I vnderstande

With hoste full greate, came ridyng to hym tho

Where then he bare, the crosse of golde ay so

In his lefte hande, and in his ryght a swerd

With which he made, his fooes therwith al aferd

5215

¶For there he had the felde and victorye

sig: [n8v]

And slewe Dardan, a knyght full chyualrus

The kynges sonne, of Denmarke sekerly

And all his hoste, that was full malicyous

By vertue of the crosse, patyfe precyous patyfe: see MED, patife; cp. OED pattee

5220

For whiche alwaye after, in hys banner

Of azuer whole, the crosse of golde he bear

¶Whiche armes so full, after this daye

Kyng Kinigyll of Westsex, had them bore

Fro his bapteme, thenne afterwarde alwaye

5225

And all the kynges after, so dyd euermore

Of Westsex, so in mynde of Christes lore

His crosse, his death, and his holy passyon

Whiche Iewes him wrought, without compassion

When kyng Egbert had fyue and thyrty yere

5230

Reygned in lande, and felt full great syckenesse

Of whiche he dyed, of Chrystes birth full clere

The yere so then .viii.C. was expresse

Foure and thyrty, nother more ne lesse

At Wynchester, then royally buryed

5235

As Flores sayeth, and well hath notifyed.

The .C.v[iii].

C.viii] C.v 1543

Chapiter.

AThelwolfe was king crowned at his citee *Tythes firste graunted to the clergy in Englande.

Of Westchester, in all royall estate

To whome the kinges, and lordes made feaute

And homage leege as was preordynate

5240

That reygned after .xix. yere fortunate

And graunted the churche, tythes of corne and haye

sig: o1

Of bestiall also, through Westsex for aye

¶In the yere eyght hundred thirty and eyght

The Danes arriued with shippis fourscore and thre

5245

Wher Athelstane his sonne did with theim feight

And duke Wolfward, by greate fortunitee

Theim toke and sleugh with all felicitee

But Athelstane, in that battaile was slaine

Of his warres, that was the capitain

5250

¶And in the yere eyght hundred thirty and nyne

The kyng faught sore with Danes at Mersyngton

Wher erle Harbart was slain a prince full fyne

But Danes all were take and slain their a_doune

Without mercy, cracked vpon the croune

5255

The kyng came home, with honour and victorye

As Flores saieth, right in his memorye

¶And in the yere eyght hundred fourty and one

The Danes watched th'est-sea-cost throughout

With diuers hostes, for which the king made great mone

5260

All helples then, the Danes that were so stout

In many places, with many dyuerse rout

All harmles went, without hurt or pain

By dyuers tyme, that yere home again

¶In the yere eyght hundred foure and fourtye

5265

At Carham then, the kyng full sore did fight

With Danes fell, and had the victorye

And at Aluewik he faught, again furth-right Aluewik: Alnewik?

With Danes also, wher kyng Redwolf that hight

Of Northumberlande, and erle Alffride was slain

5270

And full greate parte, of their hoost certain

sig: [o1v]

¶ Kyng Athilwolf came to the South contree

Wher Danes then in battaile with hym faught

In Somersetshire, wher he made many dye

And gate the feld, and sleugh all that he caught

5275

Wher great people that daye the death hath raught

Th'archbishop with his full wise clergie

Bysyde Sandwiche, of Danes had victorye

¶And in the yere eyght hundred fifty and one

The Danishe hoost, in Thamis did arriue

5280

Kent, and Southray, Sussex, and Hamshire anone

Distroyed sore and throughe the South gan dryue

Wher muche folke thei sleugh, bothe manne and wife

Whiche host the kyng, with battaile slewe doune sore

That home again retourned thei no more

5285

¶And in the yere eyght hundred fifty and three

The kyng Edmond of Estangle began

To reigne after Albert of greate beautee

That holy was, as his legend tell can

But Athilwolf the kyng buryed then

5290

The kyng of Mers, that had his doughter wed

All Wales wan, theim thought thei had well sped

¶This Athilwolf to Roome toke his waye

In pilgremage with hym, his soonne Alurede

Cardinall was of Wynchester that daye

5295

Wher then he had, the bishoprike, in-deede

A perfecte clerke, he was as saieth sainct Bede

A philosophier wise, and well approued

And by the bishop of Rome, commendid well, and loued

¶And there thei were abydyng ful twoo yere

sig: o2

5300

And home thei came, vnto the kynge of Fraunce

And his doughter I[u]dith ther weddid clere

By assent of hym, and all his hole puysaunce

And so with worship, and noble gouernaunce

Fro thens he came, sone into England

5305

With hir and with his soonne as I vnderstand

¶And in the yere eyght hundred fifty and three

The death his soule, gan frome his body dryue

Unto the blisse eternall, there to bee

In heuen aboue, wher is euerlastyng life

5310

To Peter and Pole he graunted infenitife

The Roome-pence then of all Englande

As Flores saieth, as I can vnderstande

¶He was then buryed, at Winchester in royall wise

As to suche a prince, of reason should affere

5315

And with his wife, as did full well suffice

Foure soonnes he had, worthy without pere

Sir Athilwold, Ethelbert, Elfride the dere

And Alrude the youngest of echone

Afore theim all, one bast had Athelston

5320

¶ Athelbold was kyng after hym and heire

And protector, with all the prerogatif

His stepdame wed, menne saied it was not faire

The churche him gan punishe and chastiue chastiue=chastify

For cause he wed, hir so vnto his wife

5325

Again the lawe and christen conciense

Unaccordant, with his magnificence

¶That reigned whole, twoo yere and no more

In greate sikenes and pain inmoderate inmoderate] inmorderate 1543

sig: [o2v]

Greately vexed, and punisshed was right sore

5330

Menne saied it was, for sinne inordinate

With his stepdame, that was so consociate

But then he had, as God would repentaunce

For his trespas and misgouernaunce

¶Afore he dyed, he did full sore repent

5335

And for his synne, stode to correccion

Of holy churche, for his amendement

Submitted whole, without obieccion

And for to liue, in clene perfeccion

Departed were by lawe and deuorced

5340

Afore his soule was passed and vncorced

The .C.[ix].

C.ix] C.vi 1543

Chapiter.

SIr Ethelbert his brother gan succede Kyng Ethelbert.

In whose dayes, the Danes destroied sore

The east parties of England then in-deed

And home againe, they went harmeles therfore

5345

Destroyed the people, and the lande right sore

But sone ther-after, kyng Ethelbert them mette

And sleugh theim downe, in bataile sore and bet

¶An-other hoost, then newe spoyled all Kent

And by treaty, wyntred within the Isle

5350

Of Tenet, then by Kentishe-mennes assent

But at last, thei with a subtell wyle

Despoyled all Kent, and falsely did beguyle

And to their shipis went without delaye

Into Denmarke, with muche riche araye

sig: o3

5355

¶This Ethelbert reigned whole fiue yere

And dyed the yere of verey Christ his date

Eyght hundred whole and therto sixty clere

As Flores saieth, and hath it approbate

But with sykenesse he was so alterate

5360

He dyed then, and at Shirborne buryed

With greate worship and honour laudified

The .C.[x].

C.x] C.vii 1543

Chapiter.

ELfride was kyng, after his brother then Kyng Elfride.

That reigned so, with all the dignitee

In Westsex whole, and mightely began

5365

Protector was as was necessitee

For Danes then of greate iniquite

His lande foule brent, wasted and destroyed

That all Englande, was combred and anoyed

¶In the east cost of Englande specially

5370

In Estangle, wher Edmond then was kyng

The[i] did greate hurte full cruelly Thei] Ther 1543

In Northumberlande full felly warryng

The people destroiyng, and the lande brennyng

Wher Danes then, sleugh the kyng of that lande

5375

Byside Yorke, so as Flores dooeth vnderstande

¶Also thei sleugh, in Northfolke all about

The people doune, and in Suffolke also

The kyng Edmond thei sleugh without doubt

Of Estangland, with arowes sharpe tho

5380

Was shot to death, with muche other woo

sig: [o3v]

That is a sainct honored this daye in blisse

At Edmondes_bury canonyzed I_wisse

¶ Hungar and Ubba sleugh hy[m] full cruelly hym] hyw 1543

And brent abbeis throut all England that tyme throut=throughout

5385

By North and South, and prestes full cursedly

All holy folke fled out of that realme

Thei sleugh all people that had take bapteme

At Colyngham sainct Ebbe, that was abbesse

Their nonnes putte from theim in sore distresse

5390

¶For dred of the tyrauntes twoo, full cruell

And their people cursed and full of malice

That rauished nonnes, euer wher thei herd tell

In hir chaptre, ordeined again their enemies

Should not deffoule, their clene virginitees

5395

She cut hir nose of, and hir ouer-lippe

To make hir lothe that she might from hym slipe

¶And counseled all hir susters to dooe the same

To make their fooes to hoge so with the sight

And so thei did, afore th'enimies came

5400

Echon their nose and ouer-lipe full right

Cut of anone whiche was an hogly sight

For whiche tho fooes th'abbey and nonnes brent

For thei theim-self disfigured had shent

¶From Twede to Thamys, abbais then thei brent

5405

And churches hole and people sleugh right doune

Wiues maydens widdowes and nonnes shent

Through all the lande and the est region

People sleyng in euery borough and towne

The women euer thei diuiciate

sig: o4

5410

In euery place and fouly defflorate

¶And in the yere .viii. hundreth fyftie and sixe

He died so, and from this worlde expired

Whom all his tyme, the Danes full sore did vexe

Agayn hym euer, full sore they had conspired

5415

Theyr hertes in malice, alwaye sore affeerd

Sometyme the worse they had, sometyme the better

As Flores sayth, and written hath in letter

The .C.[xi].

C.xi] C.viii 1543

Chapiter.

ALurede, kyng was of this region Alurede kyng.

That brother was to this noble Elfryde

5420

A perfect clerke, proued in opynyon

As clerkes could discerne, and proued

In knighthode also approued and notified

So plenerly, that no man knewe his peer

So good a knight, he was and singuler.

5425

¶In battayles many, in his fathers dayes

And also in his brethren tyme all thre

He fought full ofte, and bare hym wel alwayes

That for his dedes and singularitee

He was commended amonge th'enemytee

5430

Within the lande and out, as well was knowe

His fame among the people hye was blowe.

¶Whyles he was kyng, he had aduersitee

With Danes oft, that on hym did ryue

Destroyed his lande, with great iniquitee

sig: [o4v]

5435

The whiche full oft, with might he did out driue

And slewe thousandes, that lost theyr lyue

Through the warres, begon of theyr outrage

That meruayll was to sene, of one lynage.

¶And in the yere .viii, hundreth sixty and eyght

5440

The Danes came to Yorke, and toke the towne

Hunger and Ubba, with many a wyle sleight

Wasted the lande about, both vp and downe

And so came forth to Mars, with hostes boune

And to Westsex, whom then the kyng Alurede

5445

Discomfited there, with the hoste that he did lede.

¶The Danyshe hoste, to Redyng came agayn

Another hoste at London, was with pride

Of Danes also, that wrought hym mekyll payne

But whyles these hoostes, were parted and deuide

5450

With his power, Alurede gan to ryde

And at Anglefeld he fought, in Barkeshyre right

Where victorie he had, maugre of theyr might

¶At Redyng in Barkeshire, then he mette

An hoste full greate, where he had then agayn

5455

The victorye, and his fooes downe bette

At Basyng also, he slewe theim downe certeyne

At Asshenden, he droue theim out all pleyne

And gotte the felde, with all the victories

As Flores sayeth right in his memories

5460

¶And in the yere .viii.C. sixty and fourtene

The Danishe hoste, rode Lyndsey and Mars countre

And home agayn, as then was well sene

In Northumberlande, with greate prosperitee

sig: [o5]

The Danes rode, doyng great aduersitee

5465

Where the bishoppe then of holye_Isselande

And all his monkes were, full fast fleand

¶With s. Cuthberts bones, bare about .vii. yere Supersticion.

Nowe here, nowe there, in dyuers places aboute

For dread of Danes, and enemyes that there were

5470

In Northumberlande dwellyng, that tyme ful stout

But then the kyng, the sea sayled throughout

And shyppes gatte, with much great ryches

For to defende his lande, fro greate distresse.

¶In Westsex then, with fooes agayn he met

5475

Wher they fro hym, to Exeter that night

Fled full faste, where Alurede theim ouer_sette

And slewe theim downe, in batayll and in fyght

And then in Mers, anone he fought forth-ryght

With Danes tho, and also with Norwayes

5480

That wasted had all Mers, in many wayes.

¶Then fought he also, at Chipnam in Wilshire

And Hunger and Ubba and duke Haldene

Tyrauntes cruell, hote as any fyre

The Christen folke did brenne, wast and slene

5485

With cruell tourmentes, did theim care and tene

Where Alurede had the victorie

And slewe that daye, all the Danysh[ry]e Danyshrye] Danyshyre 1543

The .C.[xii].

C.xii] C.ix 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [o5v]

GUtron the kinge of Denmarke that was tho

In Westsex werred ful sore, and brent the lond

5490

Wyth whych the kyng so marryd was with wo

He wyst not well whether to ryde or stond.

But to Ethelyngay anone he tooke on honde

To ryde, where then he hyd hym in a place

For drede of Danes, suche was hys hap and grace.

5495

¶In Denwolfes house, th'oxerd of the towne

So was he then, in poore and symple araye

Wher Denwolf, cladde hym in hys owne gowne

And tender was to hym there alwaye

But hys wyfe made hym to laboure aye

5500

Wyth bakynge and wyth bruynge wonder sore

In water-beryng, she made hym worke euer more

Where then hys lordes and knyghtes in good araye

Came to hym then, wyth hooste and greate powre

Where than the kynge vpon Gutron that daye

5505

In batayle stronge, wyth corage freshe and clere

Foughte sore, and tooke Gutron prysonere

And thyrtye dukes wyth hym in companye.

Unchrysten were, they all of panymrye

¶And had the felde wyth all the vyctorye.

5510

And of Danes manye thousande slewe

He baptyzed than as made is memorye

Thys kynge Gutron, that after was full trewe

And named was Athylstan all newe.

To whome the kynge, gaue than all Estenglande

5515

As Edmonde had, to holde of hym that lande.

¶And all hys dukes were also there baptyzed,

sig: [o6]

And chrysten menne, b[e]came for goddes loue became] bycame 1543

The yere of Chryste .viii.C. thenne compeysed

Seuente and .viii. as Flores doth approue

5520

The kyng was then, agayne at his aboue

Remembred hym of Denwolfe, that hym hyd

And sent for hym to Ethelingay, he dyd.

¶His wyfe was deed, and somwhat was he letred

At his desyre, the kyng set hym to lerne

5525

To tyme that he was wyse, and mekell betred

In holy wryt that he coulde well discerne

And then the kyng made hym byshop as yerne

Of Winchester, when Dunbert there so dyed

That byshop was afore hym sacrafyed.

5530

¶In the yere .viii.C. and foure score

The Danes in Thamis, and wintred at Foulham

The kyng came in somer after thore

And slewe them all, that they went neuer hame

The deed, the quycke, the maymed, and the lame

5535

All buryed wer, where the batayle was smyten

As Flores sayeth, and clerly hath it wryten.

¶At Rochester the Danes were efte on londe

With whom the kyng, there faught, and many slew

Many drowned, and lyeng on the sonde

5540

As they vnto theyr shyppes, agaynwarde flewe

He droue them there, vnto a warmly stowe

After theyr laboure, to haue recreacyon

Upon the sondes, to make theyr habitacyon.

The .C.x[iii].

C.xiii] C.x 1543

Chapiter.

ANd in the yere .viii.C.lxxx. and tweyne

5545

Marine bishop of Rome, graunted to king Alurede

To found and make a study then again

And an vniuersyte for clerkes in to rede

The whiche he made, at Oxenforde in-dede

To that entent, that clerkes by sapyence

5550

Agayne heretykes, should make resystence.

And chrysten fayth mayntayne, by theyr doctryne

The kyng also, to comforte and counsayle

By theyr teachyng, and wytty disciplyne

As Phylosophers of olde, dyd great auayle

5555

To kynges, prynces, and cytees, gouernayle

Gaue all theyr wyt, in studye and dilygence

Agayne mischeues, to fynde and make defence

¶And in the yere .viii.C.lxxx. and eyght

All his ryches, in fyue partes he ganne deuyde

5560

One parte to men-of-warre, to kepe his ryght

An-other parte, to lande-tyllers in that tyde

The husbandry to mayntayne and to guide

The thyrde parte, all churches wasted to restore

The .iiii. vnto the studye for theyr lore

5565

And to the Iudges, and men of lawe well lerned

The fyfte parte, full wysely he dispende

To holde the lawe in peace truly gouerned

Disposed thus, he was the realme t'amende

This was a kyng, full greatly to commende

sig: [o7]

5570

That thus could kepe his lande from all vexacion

And not to hurte, his commons by taxacyon.

¶For truste it well, as god is nowe in heuen

Who hurte the poore people, and the commontee

By taxes sore, and theyr goodes fro them reuen

5575

For any cause, but necessytee

The dysmes to paye, compell of royaltee dysmes='tithes'; se OED s.v. dime

Though they speake fast and mumble with the mouth

They pray full euyl with hert, both north and south

The yere of Chryste .viii.C.lxxx and thyrtene

5580

The duke Hastyne of Danes, euer vntrewe

Destroyed the lande, with hostes proude and kene

By Easte and Weste, that all the lande did rewe

Whome the kyng in batayle, felly slewe

After diuerse batayles, amonge them smyten

5585

In sondry places, there as it was well weten

¶In euery shyre, the kyng made capitaynes

To kepe the lande, with folke of theyr countree

And shippes many, and galaies longe with Chieftains

And Balyngers, with bargys in the sea

5590

With whiche he gate ryches, greate quantyte

And at a flud, was called Uthermare

He slewe an hoste of Danes, with batayle sare

The .C.xi[iii].

C.xiiii] C.xi 1543

Chapiter.

ANd in the yere .viii.C.lxxx. and se[u]entene

The duke Rollo, of Denmarke nacyon

5595

A Painim stout, with mighty hoste and kene

sig: [o7v]

In Englande brent without any delacyon

Whome Alurede by good supportacyon

Droue then agayne: vnto his nauy ryght

And of his men, a thousande he slewe in fyght

5600

¶Whiche Rollo then, landed in Normandye

Of whome all dukes, of that prouynce discent

And wan that lande, with swerde full manfully

And duke there was made, of hole entent

By processe after, and by the kynges assent

5605

Of Fraunce, whose doughter he wed vnto his wyfe

And christen man became so all his lyfe.

¶At charters fyrste, he seged so the towne

Where they within, our ladyes smocke then shewed Supersticyo[u]snesse with dampnable ydolatrye.

For theyr banner, and theyr saluacyon

5610

For feare of whiche, full sore in herte he rewed

All sodaynly, and vnto Roan remoued

Where then his wyfe, dame Gylle was dede and buried

Without chylde betwene them notifyed.

¶But then he wedded Pepam, the syster fayre

5615

Of duke Robert, of Normandye and Roone

On whome he gate William his sonne and heyre

That after hym was duke therof anone

When yeres many were passed and ouergone

But nowe at this to ceasse, I wyll enclyne

5620

Tyll afterwarde, I shall tell forth theyr lyne

¶ Kyng Alurede, the lawes of Troye and Brute

Lawes Moluntynes, and Marcians congregate

With Danyshe lawes, that were well constytute

And Grekyshe also, well made and approbate

sig: [o8]

5625

In englyshe tongue, he dyd then all translate

Whiche yet be called, the lawes of Alurede

At Westmynster, remembred it in-dede

¶And in the yere .viii.C.lxxx. and eyghtene

Then Alurede, this noble kyng so dyed

5630

When he had reygned xxix. yere clene

And with the Danes, in batayls multiplyed

He faught often, as Colman notifyed

In his chronycle, and in his cathologe

Entytled well, as in his dyaloge

5635

¶That fyftye batayls, and syx he smote

Somtyme the worse, and somtyme had the better

Somtyme the felde, he had at his note

Sometyme he fled awaye, as sayth the letter

Lyke as fortune, his cause lefte vnfeter

5640

But neuerthelesse, as ofte when so they came

He contred them, and kepte the lande fro shame.

The .C.x[v].

C.xv] C.xii 1543

Chapiter.

EDwarde his sonne, so crowned was anone

Of Westsex, then by all the parlyament

Protectour was made, againe the fone

5645

Whiche warred sore, in Englande by assent

The yere .viii.C.lxxx. and fyftene spent

Earle Athylwolde he exyled, into Fraunce

For he a nonne had rauyshed, to his vsaunce.

¶But after that, this same earle Athylwolde

sig: [o8v]

5650

With Danyshe hoste, Mers and Estanglande

Destroyed sore both, kyng Edwarde full bolde

Slewe Ethalwo[l]de, and his hoost I vnderstande Ethalwolde] Ethalwode 1543

Discomfet hole, and droue them out of lande

And made all kynges of Englande, his subiectes

5655

For so he thought, it was his very dettes

¶He sommoned then at London, his parliament

Where he deposed, the kynges euerychone

Of all Englande, and made them by assent

Dukes and earles, thence-forwarde so anon

5660

In euery kyngdome, then he ordayned one.

And in some thre, he made by ordynaunce

And all kyngdomes, fori[u]ged by gouernaunce

¶And he to be the kyng, of all englande

Proclaymed hole, to voyde all varyaunce

5665

Discorde and warre, that many yeres had stande

Whyles seuen kynges, had the gouernaunce

Ther might no lawe, ne peace haue perseueraunce

Wherfore he toke, of euery Duke homage

Of Earles also, and of the Baronage.

5670

¶ Scotland and Wales, he warred sore in-dede

Tyll they became his men, and made homage Homage of the Scottes

For souerayne Lorde of Britayne, as I rede

The kynges then dyd for theyr herytage

For all theyr men, and for their vasselage

5675

To ryde with hym, where that euer he gooe

In warre and peace, agayne frende and fooe.

Duke Ethelrede of Mers, and also his wyfe

Elfled that hyght Westchester, then repayred

sig: p1

That wasted was, by Danes warre and strife

5680

Whiche Roomaynes first builded, had and feired

In tyme when, thei to this lande repeired

Of Roomayne werke, whiles thei here occupied

That citee first, full freshly edified

¶Then faught the kyng, with Danes at Wodefeld sore

5685

In Mers and also at Herford with greate pain

Wher victorye he had, of theim euermore

Again he faught with Danes soth to sain

At Towcester, and laid theim on the plain

In Yorkeshire also, he slewe the Danes downe

5690

And voided theim all out of his region

The .C.x[vi].

C.xvi] C.xiii 1543

Chapiter.

THis noble kyng thus made an vnion

Of seuen realmes, that stode thre hundred yere

Sixe and thyrty also in greate deuision

And warres many, as Colman saieth full clere

5695

Fro Gurmond had driuen out Carreis here

Whiche was the yere fiue .C.iiii. score and thirtene

Unto the yere of Christ nine hundred and nientene

¶These erles all, and dukes then held the lawe

As shryues nowe in shires dooen and maintene shryue=sheriff

5700

That the commons ouerlaied, full sore with awe

And sore oppressed their states to sustene

Wherfore he voided theim out of office clene

And shryues made through all his region

Whiche haue not forgete extorcion

sig: [p1v]

5705

¶This noble kyng, Edward_th'elder hight

When he had reigned full twenty and foure yere

Buryed he was at Winchester full right

As in Flores, full clerely dooeth apere

Who in hys tyme surely had no peere

5710

Of wysedome nor manhode as was seen

The lawe and peace that could so well sustene

The .C.x[vii].

C.xvii] C.xiiij 1543

Chapiter.

SIr Athilstane his eldest soonne of age

In wisedome euer full sadly and well auised

At Kyngston was crouned and toke homage

5715

Of all the lordes right as he had deuised

Agaynste whome all Wales as thei suffised

Then he warred, but he made theim obeye

And made homage, his menne to bee for aye

¶In w[ho]se tyme so, the yere of Christ nine hundred whose] wohse 1543

5720

And thyrty more and fiue full accompted

Robert Rollo his soule and corps asondred

His corps to the earth, his soule amounted

Whiche in knighthod, his Danes surmounted

That reigned had then duke of Normandy

5725

By thirty yere accompted full clerly

¶To whom succedid his soonne Wyllyam_longspee

That after hym was duke of Normandy

sig: p2

But then the kyng of Scottes by cruelte Rebellyon of the Scottes.

Hight Constantyne, hym warred cruelly

5730

For whiche, kyng Athilstane mightily

Stroyed all Scotland till his people dyed

For cold and hunger dyed and mortified

¶But he was so comforted euen by miracle

That he faught a_none, with this kyng Constantyne

5735

And had the feld and his habitacle

Theim droue through all the land with muche payne

To tyme he was, full fain to enclyne

To Athilstane, for to make his homage Homage of the Scottes.

For all Scotland that was his heritage

5740

¶ A[u]laaf the kyng of Denmark, full of pride

Cousyn to kyng Constantyne of Scotland

With shippis many arriued on Humberside

At Burnesburgh and claymed of England

For to haue of the kyng as I vnderstand

5745

The truage, whiche his eldres had afore

And with hym brought Colbrond to fight therfore

¶And Athilstane at the daye assigned

Made hym redy the battaill to haue smitten

Again Colbrond, armed with hart benyngned

5750

But then sir Guy of Warwike as was weten Guy of Warwicke.

In palmer-wyse as Colman hath it wryten

The battaill toke on hym for Englandis right

With Colbrond in armes for to fight

¶Wher then he sleugh, this Danyshe champion

5755

By whiche battaill, the truage was relesed

By couenaunt made and composicion

sig: [p2v]

Betwene the kynges afore and warres cesed

Thus kyng Aulaaf, home to Denmarke presid

Without more warre or conturbacion

5760

And sir Guy went to his contemplacion

¶ Kyng Athelston then, fraunchesid Beuerley

In the worship of God and sainct Iohn

Wher in his life, is written for euer and aye

The miracle of his stroke so in the stone

5765

That neuer manne might dooe but Athilston

Through grace of God and his direccion

Through prayer of sainct Iohn and affeccion

¶This noble kyng was euer-more iust and trewe

To God his faith, and to churches deuocion

5770

To poore menne grace, on subiectes euer did rewe

To preestes and age reuerence in feld and towne

In dome sadnes, trouth and discrecion

And in the yere nene hundred thyrty and fiue

When he had reigned sixtene yere with life

5775

¶His brother Edmond for kyng then was crouned Kyng Edmond reigned vi. yere.

Of Englande whole by concent of all estate

To whome Dothowe kyng of Scotlande that stounde

And Howell of Walis the kyng then create

As was afore vsed and determinate

5780

Feaute to hym made and leege homage Homage of the scottes.

For Wales and Scotlande that was their heritage

¶He sette sainct Dunstan then at Glastenbury

Under th'abbot of monkes and religion

That abbot was with hym at Canturbury

5785

This kyng Edmond was slain by a felone

sig: p3

Whiche of malice, and his false treason

That forfet had, and dampned was to dye

For his forfet, and for his felonye.

¶At Cauntorbury, as the kyng hym saw on a daye

5790

For yre on hym, he ranne and sore hym wounde

For whiche he stroke, the kyng for aye

So they dyed both-two, ther in that stounde

Eche of theim, of his mortall wounde

Whiche to a prince, accorded in no wyse

5795

To put hym-selfe in drede, wher lawe may chastice

¶He reigned but .vi. yere then all-out

And died the yere .ix. hundreth fourtye and one

At Glastenbury buried without doute

For whome the people, made then ful great mone

5800

For lawe and peace, he kept to euerychone

And his commons, neuer his tyme supprissed

And oppressours of hym alwaye were chastised

¶His brother Edrede, after hym had the crowne Edrede kynge of Englande

At London then, and tooke royall feautee

5805

Of all estates, within his region

Excepte Scotlande, that through theyr vnlewtee Rebellion, of the Scottes.

Crowned Gilryke, a Dane of great beautee

Of royall bloodde borne and generate

And for theyr kyng, hym fully had create.

5810

¶ Kyng Edrede went to Scotlande with his power

And all the lande, wasted sore and brent

Wherfore the Scottes, by hole consent for feer

Put downe Gilryke, from all the regyment

And droaue hym to Denmarke or they stent

sig: [p3v]

5815

And to Edrede came all the Baronage

And to hym made feautee and homage Homage of the Scottes.

¶And in the yere .ix. hundreth fourty and nyne

He died, buried at Wynchester his cytee

When that he had, his soule made to enclyne

5820

Out of his corps, to passe awaye and flee

Where God of heauen, would that it should bee

But .viii. yere full, he reigned and no more

When death hym toke, with sikenes great and sore.

¶ Edwyn his brother, resceyued then the crowne Edwyn kynge.

5825

Folyshe and proude, and of his will maligne

And in his wytte, was full lytle reason

Whom his barons, for cause he was vndigne

Made hym his crowne, for to resigne

Deposed hym then, out fro his regiment

5830

At the parliament, by theyr commen assent.

¶Whom saynt Dunstane, for aduoutre blamed

But it amende, he would in no kyn wyse

Of whiche he was, full openly defamed

Through all the realme, he was the more vnwise

5835

For whiche the lordes, and commons all did ryse

And droaue hym out, awaye wher no man knewe

Thus synnes olde, make shames come full newe.

¶He reigned had, but .iiii. yere and no more

When he was depriued of his estate

5840

Without thanke of God or man therfore

And well worse, was of all men moste behate

Of his reygne hauyng no lenger date

Who dyed the yere .ix. hundreth fyfty and thre

sig: p4

Fori[u]ged hole from all his magestee

The .C.xv[iii].

C.xviii] C.xv 1543

Chapiter.

5845

HIs brother Edgare by a commen assente Edgare.

Was chosen kyng, as chronicles recorde

With diademe crowned, at his parliament

And homage toke royall of euery lorde

So mercyfull and full of misericorde

5850

Was he, that saynt Dunstan reconciled

Whome kyng Edwyn, wrongfully had exiled.

¶Whom archebyshop of Cauntorbury he made

With all estate and primates dignitee

Of Monkes and nonnes, mynsters fayre and glad

5855

Fourtye founded of religioustee

Within his realme, of his owne royaltee

Endewed theim all in lande and tenemente

Sufficiently with all establyshemente

¶He wedded Elf[l]ede the dukes doughter Ozmere Elflede] Elfbede 1543

5860

On whom he gate a sonne, both good and fayre

That after was saynt Edwarde the marter

Who was his eldest sonne and his heyre

A lykely prince towarde, both comly and fayre

Elflede died, he wedded Elfrith to wyfe

5865

That doughter was to duke Orgare be_life

¶On whom he gate Ethelbert so anone

The kynges of Wales, he had in subieccion

sig: [p4v]

The Scottes kynge Kynowth withouten moon

Made hym homage, without obieccion Homage of the Scottes.

5870

Thus all were vnder his proteccion

And rode with hym, alwaye in warre and peace

In all his tyme, withouten leas.

¶So trewe he was, and in his dome wyse

That for no mede, nor fauoure wold he false

5875

The trewe leuers, his lawe did not despyse

He socoured euer, and felons hanged hy the halse

Conspiratours, murtherers and traytours als

The common-weale, aboue all-thyng preferred

Which euery prince, shuld se wer wel obserued

5880

¶He taxed not his commons, ne supprysed

Ne holy churche, nor yet the clergie

But lyued on his owne, as it was assised

Upon his rentes, and landes morallye

His officers hym ruled, full notably

5885

In euery shire he went in priuetee

To spie and knowe, who hurtes the commontee.

¶He was a kyng, full worthy and condigne

That let not, for his ease nor his laboure

To searche and see defautes, that were maligne

5890

And theim correcte, he was a gouernoure Th'office of a king

God set neuer kyng, to be a ryotoure

To trippe on tapettes, and lyue in ydelnesse

But for to rule, with all kyndes of busynesse

¶He died the yere .ix. hundreth sixty and eleuen

5895

When he had reygned full eyghtene yere

Buried he was, at Glastenbury to neuen

sig: [p5]

His corps to the earth, his soule to heauen clere

When he had been dead, foure and twenty yere

Byshop Oswald, of that same diocise

5900

By counsell of th'abbot, that was wyse

¶ Abbot Edwarde of that place that hight

Who layde hym in a toumbe, made of newe

For it was shorte, he brake his legges wight

Of whiche the bloodde, as rede and freshe of hewe

5905

As euer it was sprent out, all hote and newe

Into his eyen, by whiche he lost his sight

Men sayd it was, for he had so hym dight

¶ Edwarde his sonne, that eldest was and heire Edwarde marter kynge of Englande.

Saynt Dunstan then, as made is mencion

5910

Th'archbyshop of Cauntorbury fayre

So crowned hym, kyng of this region

Whom dame Alfrith of false presumpcion

His stepmother, to crowne syr Ethelrede

At Cornisgate, so cut his throte in-dede

5915

¶As he with her did drynke, of good entent

And buryed was, at Warham then anone

But afterwarde the B. of Rome, to England sent

To take hym vp, and laye hym hye anone

In a toumbe made of siluer gold and stone

5920

As a marter, then hym canonized

At Shaftesbury, where he is autorized.

¶And dyed in the yere of Christ .ix. hundreth clere

Sixty also accoumpted and fyftene

That reigned had in Englande, but .iiii. yere

5925

His soule to blysse, went then as is well sene

sig: [p5v]

Where nowe he muste, euer dwell and been

In ioye eterne, emonge the sayntes of heauen

And there with Christ goddes sonne beleuen

The .C.x[ix].

C.xix] C.xvi 1543

Chapiter.

THen Ethilrede, withouten tariyng Ethilrede kyng.

5930

At Kyngstone tho, by all the baronage

Crowned was, fayre and royally as kyng

His brother was, and heyre of heritage

But saynt Dunstan then, by his trewe language

Prophecied and sayd, withouten leas

5935

In all his tyme, he should not reigne in peace.

¶For to this realme he sayd he had no right

But by murther and cruell homycede

Of your brother, that for you was dight

Whiche murther euer asketh vengaunce one euery syde

5940

Wherfore he said, serue God what-so betyde

And then it is the fayrest chastisement

To be put out, fro that same regyment.

¶ Saynt Dunstan died, and went to heauen

The kyng rode forth, to London his citee

5945

And as he rode, he sawe a cloude full euen

As rede as bloodde, as all the people did see A wonderfull token.

Whiche Englande hole ouerspred in quantitee

Fro whiche the bloodde, reyned vpon the ground

That men trouwed to haue ben peryshed that stound

sig: [p6]

5950

The next yere after, the Danes at Southhampton

Arryued, and brent the countre there-aboute

Also they spoyled, and sore brente the towne

And so they dyd all Cornewayle throughout

And Deuenshire also, and somerset no doubte

5955

with Dorsetshire, and Wylshyre, and Barkesh[yr]e brent Barkeshyre] Barkeshrye 1543

And to London came, or euer that they stent

The suburbes there, they spoyled sore and brent

Two dukes then, of Denmarke and Norwaye

Northfolke, Southfolke, Essex, or they stent

5960

Brent and spoyled, and so forth helde the waye

To London then, where theyr felowes laye

So assembled they, and passed into Kente

Where that countre, they spoyled sore and brent

¶The lande of kent to them graunted truage

5965

To lyue in peace, and home agayne they went

But in Northfolke an-other hoste their passage

Made then, and so to Lyncolne or they stent

All Lyncolneshyre throughout, then they brent

And Yorkeshyre also, and home they went againe

5970

With pylage great, of which they were full faine

¶The king might get, no helpe with them to fight

For which he treated, with king Aulaaf of Norway

And with king Swaan, of Denmarke for his right

That destroyed had the lande, in fell araye

5975

And truage hight, them furthwarde to paye

For they had no power, amongest them to prayse

And was full fayne, the warres for to cease

But yet kyng Swayne, wold nothing rest for this

sig: [p6v]

He came agayne, and crowned was for kyng

5980

Greate tallage, of all this lande a_mysse

He toke alwaye, and specyally all other thyng

Saynt Edmundes landes, he hurt by great tasking

And tallage, which of it that he raysed

Unegally, he pondred then and peysed.

5985

For whiche warrys, quene Emme to Normandy

To her brother, duke Rycharde_the_thyrde

With her sonnes, Alurede and Edwarde her by

And Edmunde_Ironesyde, then it so betyde

All these she toke, and in a shyppe she dyd

5990

And with kyng Ethelrede by the sea led pryuely

For helpe to haue gotte his lande there-by

¶In whiche tyme, whyls he in Normandye

Was soiournyng, kyng Swayn full lowde then cryed

And sayde vnto his men, and fast gan crye

5995

I am but deed, saint Edmunde hath me spyed

And with a speare, hath me here mortifyed

Wo worth the day, I noied S. Edmundes ground

For with his speare, my hert he hath sore wounde

¶He dyed ryght so, without confessyon

6000

And whyther he went, I ne wote ne whare

But well I wote, in good and true professyon

Saynt Edmonde king dyed, and made his fare

To blysse eterne, withoute any care

But then the Barons, and lordes of Englande

6005

Sent worde to Ethylrede, with hym for to stande

And wrote to him, how the kyng Swayn was deed

And bade hym come, to his lande agayne

sig: [p7]

And so he dyd, by councell and theyr rede

He exyled all the Danes, with greate disdayne

6010

And slewe them downe in batayle, with great payne

For whiche th'erle Edryk, sent to kyng Knowte

To Englande to come, with hoost great and stout

¶This ylke kyng knowte, the sonne was to kyng Swain

To England cam with host and great power

6015

Whome Ethylrede then met, and faught agayne

In batayle stronge, and droue him home full clere

With whome Edryk, then fled as dyd apere

Into Denmarke, as a false traytoure vntrewe

Purposyng so to come agayne all newe

6020

But kyng Ethelred in the meane-tyme, then dyed

The yere of Chryste, a thousande and thyrtene

And reygned had, as Colman notifyed

Thyrtie and eyght, in warre and in tene

Euer newe and newe vexed as was sene

6025

His owne lande fled, for drede of enmyte

Without socoure, fro it he was fayne to flee.

¶Thus was he chastysed, for his mothers gylt

Accordyng well, to holy trewe scrypture

For cause that she, his brother had slain and spylt

6030

And lyke the wordes of saynt Dunstane, full sure

That sayde it was, a punishyng full pure

Oute of the realme, to be dryuen and expelled

In whiche by syn, he had so hye excelled.

The .C.x[x].

C.xx] C.xvii 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [p7v]

EDmond_Ironeside goten and generate Edmonde_Ironesyde reigned king of England thre yere.

6035

Of his first wife, a dukes doughter of England

After Ethelrede his father was prorogate

Unto the crowne, of all this royall lande

Men called hym so, as I can vnderstande

Where-euer he rode, armed was he ay

6040

Oppressours all, to chastyce in his waye.

¶ Knowt of Denmarke, assayled ofte this lande

So in this tyme, that euer he armed went

To vse the feate of armes, I vnderstande

As to knyghthode, full well it dyd appent

6045

Thus Colman sayth, and Flores that he ment

But syxe batayles, agayne kyng Knowt he smote

With victorye, as Flores hath it note.

¶But then to voyde, the greate effusyon

Of chrysten bloude, they two together accorde

6050

To fyght them-selfe, for full conclusyon

Within an y[sl]e of Seuerne, by concorde ysle] yke 1543

Withouten warre, or any more discorde

And who-so then, myghte get the victorye

Reioyse the realme, and all the monarchye

6055

¶And at theyr daye, and place so assygned

They armed, met with strokes knygh[t]ly set knyghtly] knyghly 1543

With speare and swerd, eyther other so repugned

With axe and dagger, eyther on other bette

Eyther of them tryste, the ouerhande to gette

6060

But at laste kyng Knowt, to hym alayde

These wordes there, and thus to hym he sayde.

¶Wolde god Edmonde, thou were so couetouse

sig: [p8]

As I am nowe, and as myne herte now wolde

And in this case, as glad and desyrous

6065

We shulde not longe, this batayle thus holde

And to our men, great gladnesse manifolde

Yf thou the halfe, of Denmarke had with me

And I the halfe of Englande, had with the.

With whiche they both the wepons fro them caste

6070

And eyther other, in armes gan them embrace

That both theyr hostes, amarueled were ful faste

What it dyd meane to ceasse, in so lytell space

But when they knewe, betw[e]ne them the case betwene] betwne 1543

They kneled all, and Chryste they laudifyed

6075

With herte deuoute, that eche of them so victoryed.

¶Their realmes both, they parted then in two

By hole accorde, betwene them so concorded

And loued euer, as brethren after so

As chronycles, haue well hole recorded

6080

Fro that tyme forth, no more then they discorded

This ysle where they faught, hyght Clyues

Of common langage, as then it dyd them please

¶But Edryk of Lyncolne, euer vntrewe

Reconsyled home, by Edmonde was agayne

6085

By subtyll meane, this good king Edmond slewe

In pry[u]e wyse without wounde or mayne pryue] pryde 1543

But in what fourme, I can not wryte nor sayne

When he had reygned, that tyme fully .iii. yere

Buryed he was, but where no man durste spere

6090

¶But in the yere of Chryste, a thousande so

He dyed awaye accompte, and syxtene

sig: [p8v]

Unknowen to his people, and Lordes tho

For whom they made great dole, as then was seen

But neuerthelesse, it myght no better bene

6095

This false Edryk, so falsely it couered

That openly it was, not then discouered.

The .C.x[xi].

C.xxi] C.xviii 1543

Chapiter.

KYng Knowt, reigned in England then anon * Knowt kynge of Englande and of Denmarke.

And wedded had quene Eme of England

Ethelrede[s] wife, which gate him loue anon Ethelredes] Ethelrede 1543

6100

In Englande, of all the estates of the londe

Of commons also, that were both fre and bonde

On her he gate a sonne, that harde_Knowt hight

On his fyrste wyfe, had Swayne and Herold ryght

¶He send Edmonde and Edwarde, the sonnes two

6105

Of Edmond_Ironeside, to Swithen to king Knowt

To slee or lowse, to kepe in pouerte so

That they should neuer haue power in nor oute

To claime England, neyther with hoost ne route

Whome he sent forth, then into Hungry

6110

To the emperoure, with letters worthely

¶Besechyng hym, to noryshe them and saue

Declaryng hym, whose sonnes that they were

The whiche he dyd, full worthy and gaue

Unto Edmonde, his owne doughter dere

6115

Whiche Edmonde then dyed, and she in fere

Without chylde, wherfore Agas his coosyn

Doughter of Herry, he gaue to Edwarde fyne

¶Of whiche Edwarde, called Edwarde_th'exyle

Came Edgare, then called Edgar_Athelyng

sig: q1

6120

[-------------------]

[-------------------] two lines wanting in 1543

But Knowt it let, hym-self then crounyng

That to London to hold his Christmas

With his houshold, went then with greate solas

6125

¶Wher erle Edrik, to kyng Knowt hym confessed

That he had slain, kyng Edmond_Ironeside

His owne leege-lorde with cruell death impressed

To gette his loue, and with hym dwell and bide

For vnlikely it was to goo or ride

6130

Twoo kynges together in Englande

He saied was not accordyng in the land

¶The kyng his woordes well herd and conceiued

And howe he asked a reward for his mede

There made hym tell, howe he his lorde disceiued

6135

Afore the lordes, as he had dooen in-deed

The whiche boldely he did without dreed

Hauyng no shame, to aske a greate reward

For whiche the kyng and lordes gaue whole award

¶To hang hym on the toure duryng his liue

6140

To he were dedde, that all folke might hym se

And his treson there, openly to shriue

And after that, to hang there till he dye

For whom then was emong the commons truily

A greate biworde, as many one that wounde and ronne wounde] woundre 1543wounde='went', see OED wind, vb. 1

6145

As did on th'erle Edryke of Strettoun

¶The kyng went to Norway and it conquered

And droue the kyng Olaaf out of that land

And held it so by conquest of his swerd

Full worthily he gouerned euery land

6150

To peace and lawe, he kept theim as he faund

sig: [q1v]

And in his domes, was rightwyse and stable

And to the poore alway merciable

¶ Kyng Malcom of Scotland, then did homage

To hym and furth became, for euer his manne Homage of the Scottes,

6155

So did the kynges of Wales of hye parage

And all the North-West Occian

For their kyngdomes, and for their landes than

And in his tyme moste he was redoubted

Of all princes and in all londes loaued loaued=loved, 'praised', see OED, love vb.2

6160

¶To Roome he rode, in royall goodly wyse

And there was with the bishop greately commend

As Christen prince, by papall whole aduise

The cardynalles foure, whiche the bishop had send

At Malburgate, foure mile fro Roome extende

6165

With greate meyne hym mette, and greate honour

As if he had been of Roome th'emperour

¶At his commyng again into England

He gaue Norway vnto his soonne sir Swayne

And to Herold his soonne as I vnderstand

6170

England he gaue, of whiche he was full fain

And to Harknowt, Denmarke he gaue certain

And so dyed in Christen whole creaunce

At Shaftisbury buryed by his ordynaunce

¶The yere of Christ a thousand so was than

6175

And thirty foure also truly written

When he had reigned, fro the tyme that he began

Eightene yere whole, as well it was wrytten

With the darte of death, when that he was smitten

In whose dayes the land was in quiet

sig: q2

6180

Full of riches and of welfare whole replete

The .C.x[xii].

C.xxii] C.xviij 1543

Chapiter.

HErolde his soonne, was crouned then in-deede Herold,

By Loofrike the duke of Leiscestre

By Londoners, in Flores as I reede

By Danysh[ry] also, as saieth the letter Danyshry] Danyshyr 1543

6185

That strong werre then, and of power greater

Then other lordes of Englishe nacion

At London made was this coronacion

¶ Alurede the soonne, of kyng Ethelrede

With fifty sailes, landed at Southampton

6190

Wher kynge Herold with hoste hym met in-deede

Redy to fight with hym for the croune

But certain lordes of Englondes region

Betwene theim treated, that Alurede went again

To Normandy, to duke Robert full plain

6195

¶But afterward, as Alurede so rode

Fro his mother vnto the kyng Herold

The duke Goodwyn on Gyldismore hym bode

With people greate, of nombre manyfold

And slewe his menne downe there as he would

6200

And led hym furth to Ely and hym slewe

As traitour false, that euer had bee vntrewe

¶Some chronicle saieth, he putte out bothe his eyen

Fro whiche he dyed sone for pain and woo

Some other sayin, he slette his wombe full keen

sig: [q2v]

6205

The lengest gut to a stacke he nayled tho

Led hym about the stack ther with muche wo

Till all came out that was his wombe within

Thus sleugh thei hym, with sobteltie and gyn

¶His mother quene Eme, Edward then sent

6210

To Normandy to duke Wyllyam anone

That hir cousyn was, to kepe he were not shent

By kyng Herold, of his cruelty alone

Warnyng hym of the treason that Herold had dooen

For whiche cause Herold hir exild

6215

Out of England, and Edward also hir child

¶To Flaundres she fled, then full sore amoued

To erle Badwyn hir cousyn nie of bloodde

Declaryng to hym, howe Herold had distroyed

Hir soonne Alurede that heyre of England stood

6220

And exiled hir, without socour or good

And Edward also hir soonne, heire of England

His brother children also, awaye in vncouth land

¶Wherfore th'erle, to kyng Hardknowt then wrote

All hir compleynt and of his socour prayed

6225

And he should help, with all his might God wote

It were amendid of that she was affrayed

He came anone, in warre full well ar[a]yed arayed] aryed 1543

Into Flaundres, his mother for to please

Hir for to socour, and sette hir hert in ease

6230

¶In whiche meane-while, the kyng Herold dyed

At Westminster, and buried was full feire

After he had reigned, as it is notified

Fiue yere reigned without any heire

sig: q3

Of his body gotten, after hym to repeire

6235

England to gouerne, wherfore the lordes by assent

To kyng Hardknowte then into Flaundres sente

¶To bee their kyng, sith Herold was a_gone

To please hym with, and his mother to comfort

Who came to England furth_with anone

6240

And crouned was with all the whole disport

That lordes conde, as Flores dooeth report

Thus kyng Hardknowt was kyng of Englande than

Who worthily that tyme to reigne tho began

¶This kyng began his brothers death to venge Kyng Hardknowt.

6245

On erle Gowyn, that erle was then of Kent

That peased was, for he should not reuenge

With riche giftes, whiche that he on hym spent

With meekenesse lowe, and swore that he was sent

To dooe that thyng, on pein of high treson

6250

By kyng Herold, charged without reason

¶Through good and giftes, and mighty hie riches

And of his kyn, that meekely hym obeyed

And by acquaintaunce, that thei made then expresse

Upon the holy euangelis sworne vndelayed

6255

The kyng graunted hym his grace and was well payed

To make hym of his counsell, and of gouernaunce

Without more wrath or any discordaunce

¶He maried then his sister Gunylde to Henry

Th'emperour, that falsly was accused

6260

Of synne and cryme vsed in auoutry

With a young manne the whiche hir excused

After the lawe of the land that was there vsed

sig: [q3v]

By battaill of his hand that then their slewe

His accusour approuyng hym vntrewe

6265

¶For the whiche she would, no more come in his bed

But lyued sole euer after, so hir life

For good ne gold for aught that he hir beed

For loue ne threte, for betyng ne for strife

With hym dwellyng, forthwarde as his wife

6270

In all thynges els, euer at his gouernaunce

Bothe daye and night in womanly pleasaunce

¶ Kyng Hardknowt then, his doughter maryed

Unto a duke of the Danishrie

At Lambirgh dyed at his feast magnified

6275

Emong his lordes and all his prelacie

And putte hym whole in God his high mercye

And charged theim, his brother Edward to croune

To reioyse the land of Englandes region

¶This was the yere of Christ then inscriued

6280

A thousand whole fourty also and one

When that he had reigned, as was subscribed

The twoo yere whole, when he was thus-wyse gone

For whome was made that tyme full muche mone

At Wynchester, byside his father buryed

6285

With lordes all, thither full well accompaignied

The .C.x[xiii].

C.xxiii] C.xix 1543

Chapiter.

sig: q4

EDward his brother, sonne of king Ethelrede King Edwarde the confessou[r] the confessour] ther confessou 1543 the confessour] ther confessou 1543

Was crowned then, kyng of Englande

The yere of Christ, a M. then in-dede

Fourtye and one, as Flores could vnderstande

6290

To whom the kyng Swayn, of Denmarke lande

The tribute whiche he had, fully relesed

And warres all betwene theim ceassed.

¶To sende hym then, the hole Englyshe nauy

Agayn Magnus, that kynge was of Norwaye

6295

That helde it so, by wrong and tirannie

Whiche Edwarde sente anone in great araye

With lordes, knightes and squiers freshe and gaye

With archers many, by whiche he gate his lande

Of Norwaye hole, and seazed it in his hande.

6300

¶ Erle Eustace of Boleyn, that had wed

Edwardes suster, on his mother syde

To Edwarde came, at Douer sore bested

Where then his men, a burges slewe that tyde

Wherfore th'erle Goodwyn, set full of pryde The'erle Goodwyn.

6305

Asked the kyng, to haue delyueraunce

Of th'erls men, to byde his ordynaunce.

¶Notwithstandyng, the Burges slewe his knight

For that same cause, wherfore he it denyed

But made peace then, as he th'erle had hight

6310

Of Boleyne, so his brother-in-lawe alied

For whiche th'erle Goodwyn sore replied

And warred sore, vpon the kyng eche daye

With his sonnes fyue, in full great araye

¶Not consideryng, the kyng his doughter had wed

sig: [q4v]

6315

And his treason perdoned had and hyd

Of his brothers death, when that he murthered had

Whom then the kyng, Somond commaunde and bid

Upon his legeaunce, whatsoeuer betid

For to aunswer in his courte, and amende

6320

Defautes all, betwene theim might be kende.

¶At whose summons, he would not then apeare

But warred sore, both he and his sonnes fyue

For whiche the kyng, theim exiled out all clere

But after they landed and did aryue

6325

At Sandwiche, so the kyng theim met belyue

Where lordes then, theim treated and accorded

And afterwarde no more they discorded.

The .C.xx[iiii].

C.xxiiii] C.xx 1543

Chapiter.

DUke Siwarde then, was of Northumberland

In batayle slewe kyng Maclom so in-dede

6330

Of Scotlande then, that false was of his band

Whiche to the kyng he made, who taketh hede

Wherfore the kyng, in Marian as I reade

By his letters charged, duke Siward take on hand

To croune Malcolin that was of Comberland

6335

¶The whyche he dyd full myghtely anon

At Skone abbey, wher kynges were all crouned

Upon his hed he set the crowne anone

sig: [q5]

And toke homage of hym, vpon the grounde Homage of the Scottes.

In Edwardes name, as he of right was bounde

6340

For that ylke realme, and as his elders dyd

Suche fortune then, to Englande was betid.

¶The kyng Gryffyn of Wales, then was slayn

That Herford_shire spoyled had and brent

His hed set vp, at Gloucester full playne

6345

For his vntruthe, and falshed, that he ment

And sone therafter, his brothers hed was sent

Unto the kyng for his rebellion

So wer they both fori[u]ged for treason

¶And as kyng Edward, in his palayce of pride

6350

Duke Goodwyne, then sittyng at his table

Sawe the butler on his one fote slyde

And lyke to fall, that other fote full stable

As he was seruyng the kyng at his table

Then held hym vp, that he fell not to grounde

6355

Kyng Edward sayd, to Gudwyn in that stounde

¶As his one fote, ye se helpe that other

Full well and trewe, I fynde it dayly nowe

Had ye ne bene, thus had helpe me my brother

Th'erle then to the kyng on side gan bowe

6360

And sayd, if I wer cause, I praye God nowe

This breade passe not my throte, but dead I bee

And straungled here anone, that ye maye see.

¶At his prayer anone, with that he died

For with that breade, straungled was he that stound

6365

It might not passe his throte, as men espied

Wherfore the kyng then, bad drawe out the hounde

sig: [q5v]

Under the boorde, as he that false was founde

On whome God shewed an hasty iudgement

Approued well, by good experiment.

6370

¶Wher Herolde had, th'erle Algare exiled

Fro Leycestre, where erle he was so then

The kyng E[d]ward, agayn hym reconsiled Edward] Eward 1543

And perdoned hym, and toke hym for his man

Of Couentre, as Flores tell it can

6375

The lord he was, and there th'abbey founde

And buried there is, with his wyfe that stound

¶This Algare was, the sonne of erle Leofryke

Whiche Leofrike was, the duke Lofwynes sonne

That erles had been there, none afore theim like

6380

But duke Siwarde, as he did wonne

Syckenesse hym tooke, and sore vpon hym ronne

In whiche he dyd, hym arme in all degree

And had his axe in hand, full lyke to dye.

¶He sayd vnto the lordes, then hym about

6385

Thus semeth well, in armes a knight to dye

And not in bed to lye, loure and loute

Tyll death hym kyll, with paynes cruelly

As would God, here were my moste enemye

That I myght dye vpon hym, nowe in right

6390

In armes thus arayed like a knight.

¶With that he died, for paynes that he felt

Upon his fete standynge in that araye

And shoke his axe, while that his hert gan swelt

And to the ground he fell in that afraye

6395

Who buried was, at saynt_Marie abbeye

sig: [q6]

At Yorke citee, with worshyp and honoure

As likely was, for suche a gouernoure.

¶The kyng Edward, the duke of Northumberland

To Tosty gaue the sonne of duke Goodwyn

6400

Under the name of erle, as Flores doth vnderstand

After whiche tyme, all haue been erles syne

With landes and rentes, both fayre and fyne

Whiche estate suffice, for princes ben both-two

In euery lande accompted, where they go.

6405

¶He disherited erle Waldyue, his owne sonne

Who erle was then, create of Huntyngdon

Of Northampton also, as chronicles tell can

A worthy prince, of all this region

That rule a realme coulde, well then by reason

6410

Another prince, was Loafrike that daye

Erle of Leycestre and Couentry no naye

¶Which Loefrike had a wyfe, that Godiue hight

That naked, throughout all Couentree

The tolles sore, and seruage agayn right

6415

To redeme hole of her femynitee

She in her heare, hangyng beneth her knee

Upon a daye, rode so through all the towne

To bye it free, by her redempcion.

¶For otherwise, th'erle would not it free

6420

But yf that she, rode naked through all the towne

Upon the daye, that all men might her see

Trustyng she would not for no waryson

Haue doen it so, by suche redempcion

But thus by witte, she kept her-selfe vnshamed

sig: [q6v]

6425

And freed the towne, worthy was he blamed

¶ Kyng Edwarde sente then into Hungary

For his cousyn, the sonne of Emond_Ironesyde

Th'emperoure sent hym, Edwarde gladly

His brother sonne, and folke with hym to ryde

6430

His sonne Edwarde_Athelyng by his syde

Margarete and eke Christine his doughter dere

Whiche kyng Edward, receyued with good chere

¶He maried Margarete, mighty with great riches

To kyng Malcolyne, of Scotland was that daye

6435

That on her gatte, fiue sonnes of great noblinesse

Edwarde, Dunkan, Edgare, Alixander the gaye

And Dauid also that kynges were all no naye

Eche after other, of Scotlande throughout

Whose mother is now S. Margrete without doute

6440

¶At Dumfermlyn shryned and canonized

On whom Malcolyne a doughter gate also

Kyng Henryes wife, the first full wel auised

Quene Mawd that hight, that well loued Englande tho

These crosses fayre and roiall as menne goo

6445

Through all Englande, she made at hir expense

And dyuerse good orders throwe his prouidence

¶Another sustre, this same saint Margarete had

That Christine hight, kyng Edwarde then professed

In religion to lyue, she was full glad

6450

To holy lyfe, disposed and adressed

An holy woman of lyfe, and of god blessed

Who at hir death hir soule then vncouered

And to our lorde, full mekely so it offred.

sig: [q7]

¶In his forest, as he pursued a dere

6455

In Essex, a palmer with hym met

Askyng hym good, whome gladly he dyd here

He claue his ryng, and in_sonder it bette

The halfe of whiche, he gaue without lette

To the Palmer, that went awaye anone

6460

That other good to geue hym, there had he none

¶But after that, full longe and many a daye

Two pylgrames came, vnto that noble kynge

And sayde, saint Iohn th'appostell in pore araye

Us prayed, and bad straytly aboue all-thyng Ignoraunce and supersticyon.

6465

To you present, and take this halfe golde rynge

Whiche ye gaue hym of almesse and charyte

And bade vs say, that ryght sone ye should him se

¶Whiche ryng he set together there anone

And that ylke place he called, ay after hauerynge

6470

And that same place, where they it braste alone

He called ay after that tyme, Claueryng

In Essex be bothe fayre standynge

Where that he made two churches of saint Iohn

Th'euangelyst, and halowed were anon

6475

¶Sone after that, he dyed and went to blysse

But fyrste he made duke Herold protectoure

Of his cousyne, to gouerne and to wysse

Edgar_Athelyng, full yonge a gouernoure

Whome he ordeyned to be his successoure

6480

As very heyre to Edmonde_Ironesyde

But thus Herolde, then set all that asyde

When he had be kyng .xxiiii. yere

sig: [q7v]

He dyed the yere, a thousande syxtye and fyue * Herolde kynge of Englande duke Goodwins sonne.

At Westminster canonyzed is full clere

6485

All newe he made, the churche there in his lyue

All were he not ryght heyre, as men in stryue

A confessoure he is, full hye in heuen

With God to dwell, euermore and beleuen.

Herolde by strength, then crowned was for kynge

6490

Forsworne that was, vpon the euangelystes

For to crowne Edgar_Athelynge

And hym protecte, and defende in all wyse

Unto his age, that none the realme suppryse

This was his othe, of whiche he was forswore

6495

All yf he made Edgar an Earle therfore.

¶The earle Tosty, then of Northumberlande

That brother was, vnto the kyng Herolde

By kyng exyled, out of the lande

To Englande came, with kyng Herold full bold

6500

Of Norwaye then, in Chronycle as is tolde

But kyng Herolde of Englande, with them met

At Staumford_brydge, to death they both wer bet.

¶Besyde yorke, was this batayl ful sore smyten

Where kyng Herolde of Englande, had the felde

6505

And slewe Herolde_Harngrey, as was wryten

Kyng of Norwaye, and earle Tosty vnder shelde

That neuer after, myght armes welde

And thousandes fell, of Danes and Norwayes

He kylled there that daye, as Flores sayes.

6510

A yere he reygned, whom Willyam_Conquerour

That duke was then, of all fayre Normandye

sig: [q8]

Hym slewe in batayle, for his ymagyned erroure

Agayne hym, that he dyd so cruelly

And not wolde mende, ne yet satisfye

6515

The duke Willya[m], so the felde then conquered Willyam] Willyan 1543

With strokes sore, for whiche the lande was ferd

This kyng Herolde at Waltam, whiche he found

Of foure score chanons, full fayer was buryed

At the hye aulter, and as a kyng was crownde

6520

All yf he were intrusor notifyed

And in batayl slayne, and victoryed

Of gentylnesse, the Conquerour bad so

All yf he were afore his mortall fo

sig: [q8v]

¶ Willyam_Conquerour, kyng of Englande, and Duke of Normandye, beganne to reygne, the yere of Chryste, a thousande .lxvi. and reygned .xxiiii. yere, and dyed, the yere, a thousande .lxxxx. and the sayde Conqueroure founded the Abbaye of Batayle, for the soules of the people slaine there, the foure[t]ene

fouretene] fourenene 1543

daye of October, in the yere of Chryste a thousande, thre score and syxe.

THe .xiiii. daye of October accompted

6525

The duke Wyllyam that was of Normandye Duke Willyam of Normandye.

At London was crowned, and annoynted

In trone royall, to haue the Monarchye

By his conquest, and his victorye

Withoute tytle of ryght to hym discente

6530

But onely of his tryumphall entente

¶The yere of Chryste, was when Alurede hym crowned

Th'archbyshop of Yorke, and hye primate

A thousande hole .lxvi. well founde

Quene Mawde his wyfe, to hym assocyate

6535

He crowned also, that tyme in her estate

The abbay of batayle, that then he bounded

And for the soules there slayne, he founded.

¶He called it so then for a memorye

Of his batayle, by whiche Englande he gate

sig: r1

6540

In token of his myghty victorye

That Englande there he had, so well ouerset

To praye for the soules slayne, as was his det

Whiche abbaye is in Sussex, in that stede

Where the batayle was, and the people dede.

6545

¶The South part of England then he rode

And dalt it largely vnto his menne

The North again hym rebelled then abode

With help of Danes, in that countre were then

And Scottes also, that false wer, when and when

6550

But kyng Wyllyam, that worthy conquerour

Discomfite theim, with long and sore labour

¶To Normandy he went, then right anone

And with hym had Edgar called Athelyng

Edwyn and Morkar afore that were his fooen

6555

For cause they should not, then make more risyng

In his absence, while he were ther abidyng

But at his home-commyng with hym again

He brough[t] theim all, of whiche the folke were fain brought] brough 1543

¶ Gospatrik that then was erle of Cumberland

6560

That not again_stode king Malcolin in his werre

When he distroyed th'erldome and his land

But hym withdrewe out of waye full ferre

Wherfore the kyng, as saieth the chronicler

Hym disherited, and gaue to Rauf_Mesthyne

6565

His erldome, to whom menne did enclyne erldome, to] erldo,meto 1543

The .C.xx[vi].

C.xxvi] C.xxii 1543

Chapiter.

THen rode the kyng into Scotland anone

And brent the land vnto Abirnythy

Where kynge Malcolyne submitted hym with great mone

And homage leege hym did full humbly Homage of the Scottes.

6570

And amended there all his iniury

Then went he furth, to Duram wher he offred

And to the churche, he gaue great good vncoffred

¶He then his lawe and peace alwaye proclaymed

Officers made in euery shire about

6575

And so held on, to London vnreclaymed

Wher his iustice he sett the land throughout

The kyng of Fraunce, thus scorned hym out of doubt

That kyng Wyllyam in Gesine had lyen long gesine=period after childbirth

And tyme hym wer been kyrked, with good songe

6580

¶When he this hard, to Fraunce he went anone

There to bee kirked, he offrid his candill bright

A thousand townes he brent, as he did gone

At theim he prayed, the kyng of Fraunce to light

His candill then, if that he goodly might

6585

Whiche at his kirkehale and puryficacion

To Mars he thought, that tyme to make his oblacion

¶ Edwyn th'erle proclamed of Leicester

After decesse of Algary his father dere

And erle Morcare his brother that after

6590

Dyed bothe-twoo, Lucy their suster clere

Of Leicester then, and Lyncolne bothe in fere

To countesse was, whome kyng William maried

To Iue_Tailboys erle of Angeou magnified

sig: r2

¶To kyng Wylliam then came full glad again

6595

At Wynchester he held his parliament

Wher he then slewe, for wrath and greate disdain

The duke Waldiue, that no harme to hym ment

But onely for he counselled and consent

To erle Edgar, to gette his heritage

6600

Of England whole, and made to hym homage

¶Who duke was then of Northumberland

And erle create was, also of Huntyngton

By chronicles olde as menne can vnderstand

Entitled whole, as of all Northampton

6605

Beheded was at Wynchester towne

Whose hedde together, grewe to the necke again

Buried at Crowland, for sainct the soth to sain

¶The kyng then made, as I vnderstand

The bishop then, of Duresme that Walter hight

6610

Erle proclamed of Northumberland

Whom at Catteshede, the countre slewe doune-right

The kyng then made, a lord that Awbryke hight

Erle of that countre, that durst not Scottes withstande

Wherfore he gaue, Robert_Mowbray that lande

6615

¶And made hym erle of Northumberland

The kyng then sent vnto euery shire

Iustices to sitte, throughout all the land

Of all lordshipis, and knightes fees enquere

What temporales he had, to knowe he had desire

6620

And what perteined vnto his royall croune

And what the churche had of deuocion

¶Unto his soonne, eldest then generate

sig: [r2v]

All Normandy he gaue in heritage

And England whole, to Wyllyam nominate

6625

His second soonne gaue with all th'auauntage

And to Henry his third soonne young of age

Th'erldome gaue then of Gloucester sea

With the honour of slede, for euer in certente

¶He dyed the yere a thousand four score and ten

6630

And of his reigne twenty yere and four tho

At Cane buried, in th'abbey that hight then

Sainct_Stephens abbey, by Cane that standeth so

His doughter Ade, afore had maried tho

Unto th'erle Stephen of Bloyes, a prince of might

6635

Of warres wyse, and a full manly knight

The .C.xx[vii].

C.xxvii] C.xxiij 1543

Chapiter

HIs soonne Wylliam_Rufus as he deuised King William_Rufus

Was crouned then with great solempnitee

But after soone, duke Robert was auised

To clayme England by his priorite

6640

And Normandy also, as for his proprete

As he that was his eldest soone and heire

With hoste full greate, in England ga[n]e repeire gane] game 1543

¶And made greate warre vpon his brother so

Three yere all-out, betwene theim so continued

6645

Till at last thei bothe, betwene theim twoo

Did condiscende, as well to theim perteined

With whole herte and will, nothyng feined

sig: r3

The iudgement of kyng Philip of Fraunce

To vndergo and bide his ordinaunce

6650

¶In whiche meane-while, his brother erle Henry

The castels all belongyng to the croune

As high constable of England properly

Then seazed had in his possession

As his office by good dereccion

6655

Asked of right and of good consuetude

To kepe theim sure to the crounes excelsitude

¶The kyng Philip, by his auised parliament

Gaue iudgement, betwene the brethren twoo

As kyng Wyllyam their father full ment

6660

All Normandy, Robert should haue euer-moo

And Wyllyam England, and frendes should bee so

And liue in peace, without any clayme

And either other releace, and whole disclayme

¶Th'erle Henry of England then constable

6665

Deliuered all the castels and citees right

To kyng Wyllyam his brother enheritable

As he was bound, and fully so had hight

Duke Robert then, his brother a worthy knight

To England came, to sport hym with his brother

6670

At whiche tyme, either was glad of other

The .C.xx[viii].

C.xxviii] C.xxiiij 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [r3v]

THis Malcolin of Scotland greatly claimed 'T' of 'THis' is guide letter in space set for large capital

To haue England then by his wifes right

Margarete suster of Edgar, heire proclaimed

Of England whole, that expelled was by might

6675

Of kyng Wyllyam conquerour by vnright

So for his right, the Northland he destroyed

And home he went again, nothyng annoyed

¶But then the kyng and his brethren twoo

To Scotland rode and wasted sore the land

6680

Till Malcolyne came, and did his homage Homage of the Scottes.

By letter wrytten and sealed I vnderstand

Whiche Hardyng gaue, in-to kyng Henryes hand

Without reward or any recompence

Of mayne labour, his costagis and expence

6685

¶The duke Robert went home to Normandy

And kyng Malcolyne and his soonne, then Edward

Warred again Northumberland in hie

But erle Robert that kepyng had and ward

Of Northumberland, with hym then faught full hard

6690

Byside Aluwike at Malcolyne_well were slain

There Malcolyne and Edward his soonne certain

¶When quene Margret, so of the tidynges knewe

She eate neuer meate, for sorowe dyed anone

At Dunfermelyn, buryed as then was dewe

6695

But nowe she is there shryned in fleshe and bone

Workyng miracles, as sayeth many one

Entombed faire, and in the firetree translate

Of whiche abbey nowe is she aduocate

¶The Scottes then made, Dunwalde so their kyng

sig: r4

6700

Malcolynes brother, that to it had no right

But Dunkan , sonne of Malcolyne that knowyng

With helpe of kyng Wyllyam, and royall might

Of Scotlande, so droaue hym awaye to flight

And crouned was, as chronicles vnderstande

6705

And homage made to wyllyam for his lande Homage of the Scottes.

¶Sone after, kyng Dunkan of Scotland slayn

By treason was, and Dunwall restitute

Unto the croune of Scotlande then agayne

Whome Edgare then, by succoure and refute

6710

Of kyng Wyllyam droue out, all destitute

Of any helpe, and crouned was in Scotlande

To kyng Willyam did homage for his lande Homage of the Scottes.

¶Of whose homage, Iohn_Hardyng gaue the letter

Full clerely made, written well and sealed

6715

The whiche also, with other letters better

That by reason maye not be repeled

The whiche, yf he would haue enbeseled

The kyng Iames vnto his waryson

A M. marke, hym hight of his discrecion.

6720

¶And in his tyme, Roes that Richarde hight

The kyng of Wales, in battayl strong was slayn

Besyde the castell of Brekenham, then full right

Fro whiche tyme forthe, theyr kynges seazed full playn

And princes called they were, soth to sayn

6725

The kyng with hoste, on Robert_Mo[u]braye rode

Who with the kyng, faught of his traytourhode.

¶And discomfite, helde Bamburgh castell then

And the kyng enduryng, full .vii. yere

sig: [r4v]

Consentyng with the lordes, that so began

6730

For to depose the kyng, of his croune clere

And duke Robert his brother, with great power

To croune and make, the kyng of all Englande

With Normandy to ioyse, I vnderstande.

¶The kynge exiled Anselme of Cauntorbury

6735

Th'archebyshop, that withstode his wronges

Doen to the churche, and to the prelacie

To the commons also, that theim belonges

Seuentene tounes, with also many churches amonges

And abbeys foure, he wasted and confounde

6740

The newe forest in Hamshire for to founde

¶He buylded the Newcastell_vpon_Tyne

The Scottes to gaynstande, and to defende

And dwell therin, the people to enclyne

The towne to builde, and walle as did append

6745

He gaue theim ground, and gold ful great to spend

To buylde it well, and wall it all aboute

And fraunchised theim, to paye a free rent out

¶The rentes and frutes, to th'archbishop perteinyng

And to the byshoppes of Wynchester and Sarum

6750

And also .ix. abbeys lyuelod conteynyng

In his handes seazed, and held all and some

But for his workes and buyl[d]ynges held eche crome buyldynges] buylynges 1543

With whiche he made then, westmynster hall

And the castel, of Newecastell withall.

6755

¶That standeth on Tyne, therin to dwel in warre

Agayne the Scottes, the countree to defende

Whiche as men sayd, was to hym mekill deer

sig: [r5]

And more pleasyng, then otherwyse dispende

And muche people for it, did hym commende

6760

For cause he dyd the commen-wealthe sustene

Of marchers vnnumerable to mayntene.

The .C.xx[ix].

C.xxix] C.xx.v 1543

Chapiter.

GReat tallage of England, then was raysed

In so ferforth, that tilthe of land was leyd

Of which sued mischiefe, nothyng praysed

6765

For faute of food, morayn of bestiall frayed

And death of people, for hunger sore arayed

A kyng woteth not what harmeth housbandrye

Housbande to pill, and taxe outragiously.

¶To Godis dome, haue no consyderacion

6770

Howe that this kyng, on huntyng as he stoode

Under a tree, and as writynges maketh mencion

Walter_Tyrel at his game in that wood

Shotyng at a dere, of whiche he drewe no bloode

But stroke the kyng, vnto the dethes wounde

6775

That there anone he died, vpon the ground

¶At Wynchester then, buried anone

The date was then, of his reygne .xiii. yere

For whome the folke, no sorowe made nor moone

He hurte theim so, with taxe and tallage here

6780

Of Christ a thousande an .C. and three yere clere

Whose death the folke, in no wise did complayn

Were they all therof, bothe glad and fayn.

sig: [r5v]

The .C.xx[x].

C.xxx] C.xxvi 1543

Chapiter.

HEnry his brother, that first was of that name Kyng Henry_the_first

Was crouned then, with al the honour might be

6785

He reconsiled saynt Anselne that cam hame

Who crouned Maude his wyfe full fayre and free

That doughter was, full of benignitee

To kyng Malcolyne, and saint Margarete the quene

Of Scotlande, whiche afore that tyme had been.

6790

¶On whom he gate Willyam, Richard and Mold

Whose goodnesse, is yet spoken of full wide

If she were fayre, hir vertuous manyfolde vertuous=virtues

Exceaded farre and vices she set aside

Debates all, that engendred were of pride

6795

She staunched hole, with all beneuolence

And visited sycke and poore with diligence.

¶The presoners also and wemen eke with childe

And in gesene lyuyng ay-where aboute

Clothes and meate, and beddyng newe vnfiled

6800

Wyne also and ale, she gaue without doubte

Where she sawe nede, in countrees al throughout

These crosses all, that yet bee moste royall

In the hye-wayes, with gold she made theim all

¶ Kyng Edgare then, hir brother was of Scotland

6805

That to kynge Henry then made homage Homa[ge]Homage] Homaeg 1543 of the Scottes.Homage] Homaeg 1543

The byshop of Duresme, then toke on hande

sig: [r6]

The duke Robert, to gone in message

To make hym clayme Englande his herytage

The whiche he dyd, anon withoute delaye

6810

As they accorded vpon a certayne daye.

¶But Anselne, byshop of Caunturbury

And also quene Maude, then made them well accorde

The kyng to paye, thre .M. marke yerely

To duke Robert, withoute more discorde

6815

And counsayled then the kyng, as was recorde

To loue the lordes, that made the discencyon

Betwyxte his brother, and hym by conuencyon

¶The kyng Henry, warred Robert_Estenuyle

The eldest sonne of Roger_Mountgomery

6820

And his brother, that was so called that whyle

And create Earle of Shrewysbury

Who his castell of Arundell helde for_thy

And Shrewysbury also, and the cytee

With other mo castels, in his countre

6825

¶Whiche to the kyng, he yelde by conuencyon

He and his brother, to passe to Normandye

With all theyr men, without discencyon

To theyr father, Roger_Mountgomerye

That earle was there, of Bolesmo manly

6830

The kyng went then, to Ca[n]e and to Barhous

Helde them with force, and herte full couetous

Whiche towres Robert the duke of Normandy

Asked of hym, to haue delyueraunce

And his money, of thre thousand marke yerely

6835

Whiche he ought hym, by the hole concordaunce

sig: [r6v]

Whiche he agayne-sayde, and stode at variaunce

Wherfore they fell on warre, and toke the felde

With hostes greate, full sore faught vnder shelde

¶At Tenarthbray, that is in Normandye

6840

Where Nigell then, of Albany that hyght

Toke duke Robert, in batayll manfully

And brought him bound, vnto the kyng with might

For which the kyng anone there made him knight

And gaue hym landes, that were forfet afore

6845

By Robert_Stutuyle, in Englande for euermore

¶He gate also a castell, besyeged longe

Whiche he scalyd, with noble polycie

And to the kyng it gaue, though it were wronge

For whiche, the kyng gaue hym anon in hye

6850

The landes, all that forfet were only

By Robert_Mo[u]bray, earle of Northumberland

In his brothers tyme, as I vnderstande.

¶The same Nygell, that hyght Albanye

A sonne had then, whome the kyng Henry

6855

Roger_Mo[u]bray, dyd call euer after ay

Thus Albany was chaunged morally

Unto Mo[u]bray, for the lyuelod onely

Whiche Mo[u]bray had afore of herytage

These Mo[u]brayes nowe, rose fyrst of hye corage

6860

¶This kynge Henry then seazed Normandye

And made his sonne Willyam duke of that lande

And home came to Englande then in hye

And in the yere of Chryste, to vnderstande

A thousande hole, an .C. and ten on hande

sig: [r7]

6865

His doughter Maude, he maryed to Henry

That Emperour was then of Romanye.

He put his brother duke Robert in straite warde

And many other, that were of his cognisaunce

Where he released couenauntes and forwarde

6870

Afore wryten of his enherytaunce

That betwene them, myght make any dystaunce

And founde hym euer, in all royall estate

By good auyse, and councell ordynate

¶Whiche duke ordred was so, for he forsoke

6875

The realme, of al the lande of Ierusalem

When he was chose therto, and nought it toke

For couetyse, to haue this Englyshe realme

For he forsoke that fortune, as men dyd deme

Agayne goddes wyll, and his hye ordynaunce

6880

For chosen he was, by all chrysten creaunce.

¶For at wynnynge of Ierusalem

Where prynces many, kynges and dukes were

He was the worthyest of any realme

And bare hym beste, in knyghtly dede of warre

6885

At all assautes, moste knyghtly dyd hym beare

The honoure all, and fame he had euermore

And chosen was there, to be kynge therfore,

¶Men saide, that God gaue hym suche punyshment

His brother, to put hym in greate myserye

6890

Unto his death, agayne his owne entente

For he forsake Chrystes owne monarchye

In whiche he was borne, and for man lyste to dye

The chrysten fayth, to mayntayne and encrease

sig: [r7v]

For couetyse his brother, to discreace.

6895

¶The yere of Chryste, a thousande was ful clere

And an hundreth also, and therwithall eyghtene

When good quene Maude was deed, and laide on bere

At Westminster buryed, as well was sene

For heuynesse of whiche, the kyng I wene

6900

To Normandy, then went vnto his sonne

The duke William, and there with hym dyd wonne

¶The third yere after, to England came agayn

The duke his sonne, Willyam of Normandye

His brother Rycharde also, the sothe to sayne

6905

And earle Rycharde, of Chester in company

With many other lordes, in shyppes them bye

Upon the sea were dreynt in greate distresse

Of the whiche the kyng, had then great heuinesse

¶Which duke William had wed the doughter then

6910

Of Fowke_Tailboys, Earle of Angeou had bene

With whome a .C.lx. knyghtes with many men

And ladyes many, were drowned as was sene

And then the kyng wed Hadelyse the quene

The duke Godfrey daughter, that was of Loreyne

6915

Of his mournyng, to comforte him agayne.

¶And in the yere, a thousande fully accompte

And an .C. twenty, and also fyue

Th'emperour Henry, the death surmounte

And passed to God fro Maude that was his wife

6920

Who to her father, king Henry came belyfe

Abode with hym in Englande, then two yere

Maude Empryce, was called then full clere

sig: [r8]

¶And in the yere of Chrystes incarnacyon

A thousande was, an .C. twenty and seuen

6925

When kyng Henry, in greate prosperacyon

His doughter Maude, th'empryce to neuen

The earle Geffrey_Plantagenet euen

Earle of Angeou, the sone of Fowke_Tailboys

So maryed had of fame, that had the voyce.

6930

¶On whome he gate a sonne, that Henry hyght

By surname called Henry_fitz_Empryce

Then dyed his eme Alexaunder forth-ryghte

The kyng of Scottes, a prince of great enterpryce

That homage dyd for Scotlande, as suffyce *Homage of the Scottes.

6935

So dyed, then to whome Dauyd succede

His brother was, saint Margarete sonne in-dede.

¶That to kyng Henry, made his homage

And then to Maude, the foresayde Empryce *Homage of the Scottes

By hole assent, of all his Baronage

6940

By letter wryten and sealed, as maye suffyce

Which Iohn_Harding, in Scotland brought of price

With many mo, for foure .C. marke and fyftye

At bidding and commaundement of the king Henry the king] the with king 1543

¶ Cadwalan, prynce of Wales at Wadeyet

6945

In batayle faught, where kyng Henry him slewe

And greate people of Wales, that there forset

Were slayne that daye, to hym that were vntrewe

Of whiche batayl, Wales maye alway rewe

The yere a thousande, an .C. and thyrtye

6950

And there-tyll two, as made is memorye.

¶Then went the kyng to Normandye agayne

sig: [r8v]

And there abode, and kepte all Normandy

To tyme he dyed, of whome that lande was fayne

But Englande then of it, was full heuy

6955

When he had reygned so full worthy

He dyed in the syxe and thyrtye yere

At Boys_Leon, of his reygne then full clere.

¶Of Chrystes date, was then a thousande yere

An hundreth also, and .ix. and thyrtye moo

6960

Buryed at Redynge, as well it doth appere

In the abbaye, whiche there he founded so

Of monkes blake, where-euer they ryde or goo

That pray for hym, and for quene Maude his wyfe

Who eyther other loued withouten stryfe

The .C.xx[xi].

C.xxxi] C.xxvii 1543

Chapiter.

6965

STephan of Blois, his sister-sonne was cround Kyng Stephan.

A manly man, was then of great power

And king was made of England that stound

Withoute stryfe, or any maner warre

To Normandy he went, and seazed all there

6970

And gaue it to his sonne, syr Eustace

And made hym duke therof, with great solace

¶Thus Eustace, then duke of Normandy

To Parys went, to kyng lewys of Fraunce

His homage made for his lande so in hye

6975

And put oute then, with greate contraryaunce

The offycers, that dyd to Maude pleasaunce

sig: s1

And wed the suster of kyng Lewes to wife

For supowaill of it without strife supowaill=suppowell, 'support', assistance'

¶The kyng Stephan to England then home came

6980

And tidynges had, howe kyng Dauid had distroied

The North parties, and dooen full muche harme

Wherfore he brent Edenburgh then and noyed

And the countree aboute, he sore accloyed

For wiche Dauid his soonne to Henry then sent

6985

To bee his manne, thens-furth at his entent

¶To whome kyng Stephan th'erldom of Huntyngton

Then gaue, and erle therof hym so create

Who then for it, by verey due reason

His homage did as it was ordinate Homage of the Scottes.

6990

Whiche Henry dyed, and neuer had kynges estate

For whiche the Scottes, seyn thei owe no seruice

To Englishe kynges, but onely of this wise

¶ Kyng Stephan then bet the castell doune

In England, so that stode hym to defence

6995

His menne thei gaue to their enheritesoun

And all foon, for cause of their offence

He disherite with might violence

Diuers erles and lordes he disherite

And many other of his frendes enherite

7000

¶The yere of Christ a thousand was then gone

An hundred thirty and eight also

Kyng Stephan brake all his othes a_none

That he had made vnto the barons tho

For whiche thei rose full sore again hym so

7005

And warred hym felly on euery side

sig: [s1v]

And he on them also with mikyl pryde.

¶The yere a thousande, an .C. thyrty and nyne

Maude Empryce, in England claymed her right

With earle Robert, of Gloucestre her brother fine

7010

And earle Randolf of Chester, with all his might

Syr Bygot earle of Northfolke then hyght

Awbrey_Uer then earle of Oxenforde

And Willyam_Bawne, that then was earle of Herforde

¶ Willyam_Legroos, earle of Almarle tho

7015

Robert_Louell, and Willyam lorde Percy

Kyng Dauyd her eme, and many other mo

Of earls and barons, that were full hardy

The castell then [of] Lyncolne gate on hye of] 1543 omits

The cytee helde of Lyncolne with also

7020

With hoste full greate, lyggyng with them so

¶Where then the kyng, the castell seged longe

Tyll he it had, by treaty and conuencyon

And bode therin, with power greate and stronge

Tyll Maude and he, as made is mencyon

7025

With stronge batayles, and great discencyon

Besyde Lyncolne, where then she had the felde

And Stephan taken, and hurt sore through his sheld

To Brystowe then, earle Roberte_Clare hym led

And in the towre, there kepte in stronge pryson

7030

The Empryce Mawde, with power that she had

To Wynchester then, she rode segyng the towne

Where the quene Maude, as made is mencyon

Kyng Stephan his wyfe it rescowed with batayl sore

And toke the earle Clare his eme thore

sig: s2

The .C.xx[xii].

C.xxxii] C.xxviij 1543

Chapiter.

7035

FOr which cause then, to haue hir eme again

Th'emperesse and quene Maude accordid

To enterchaunge, the kyng so then full fain

For erle Robert without more, concordid

This enterchaunge, thus made and recordid

7040

The kyng hir sued vnto Oxenford

Fro whens she went, by night to Walyngford

¶Upon the frost, in the wynter season

In her smocke alone, with hir vncle dere

That none hir knewe, of theim without the towne

7045

So like hir smocke and the snowe was in feer

The kyng knewe not in what place that she wer

For Oxenford he gate, and Awbray slewe

Of Oxenford, that was an erle full trewe

¶The kyng Stephan, a castell then began

7050

At Wilton, where kyng Dauid with power

And erle Robert, of Glocester that was then

Hym droue awaye, out of that place full clere

And bet it downe, to the ground full nere

To Walyngford, the kyng with power went

7055

Th'emperesse to sech was his entent

¶Hir partie then, droue hym then awaye

With greate slaughter of menne and occision

And euery lorde on other, made greate affraye

And spoyled other through al this region

sig: [s2v]

7060

By greate impression and cruell sore raunson

The kyng treated with erle Randolf full trewe

But false then was his treaty, as menne knewe

¶For when he came vnto his presence

Anone he putte hym in sore prisone

7065

To tyme he had by his magnificence

The castell of Lyncolne vnto his croune

And putte hym then to fyne and greate raunsom

So variaunt he was alwaye of hight

Fro euen to morowe, that no man trust hym might

7070

The fiftene yere of the same kyng Stephen

Th'erle Geffrey of Angeou decessid

A noble prince as all menne did beleuen

Henry his soonne, of persone well encressed

Of childishe wit also full relesed

7075

And of age he was then fiftene yere

To Scotland came, kyng Dauid to require

¶Of his socour, and of his supportacion

England to gette, that was his heritage

Who made hym then, full greate consolacion

7080

And with hym came without fee or wage

With full assent of all his baronage

Under baners, kyng Dauid made hym knight

Upon the felde, again kyng Stephen to fight

¶But suche treaty was made and good accorde

7085

That kyng Stephen, to Henry shoulde retourne

As very heire, without more discorde

At his decesse, to Henry whole retourne

The croune of England, without more soiourne

sig: s3

Who died then, after in his .xix. yere

7090

At Feuersham buried, he was full clere.

¶Of Christes date, was then a thousande yere

And an hundreth fyftye and eyght also

His wyfe and he, there buried both in feer

The whiche he found, whyles he was lyuyng so

7095

And reigned here, in muche trouble and wo

And had this realme, without any ryght

For th'emprise Maude, that fayre lady bright

The .C.xx[xiii].

C.xxxiii] C.xxix 1543

Chapiter.

HEnry th'erle of Angeou was tho kyng Henrye_the_seconde.

In this meane-tyme, had ben in Normandy

7100

And set his rule therin, for frende or foo

And crouned was at London worthely

With all the lordes of his hye monarchie

And made hym then, theyr feautee and homage

The prince of Wales also for his heritage.

7105

¶He wedded then a lady, fayre and bright

Dame Alianor, the dukes doughter of Guyen

And heyre therof, and lady by all right

Possession had with all, the profytes then

And welbeloued was she with her men

7110

Deuorced fro the kyng Lewes of Fraunce.

sig: [s3v]

That hyr had wed to wyfe, of his puysaunce.

¶And on her gatte two doughters, fayre and gente

But for sibrede and consanguinitee

They were departed, by papall iudgement

7115

On whome kyng Henry, by Christes decree

Gatte sonnes foure, of great humanitee

Henry, Richarde, Geffrey, and Iohn also

Elianor and Ihone, his doughters two.

The .C.xxx[iiii].

C.xxxiiii] C.xxx 1543

Chapiter.

IN this meane-whyle, kyng Dauid then so dyed

7120

To whom Malcolyn, Henryes sonne was heire

Whiche Henry was erle notified

Of Huntyngdon, without any dispayre

Of that erldome, bothe good and fayre

And sonne was, to this noble kyng Dauy

7125

That wedded had, erle Waldens doughter onely.

¶To enioye th'erldome, by her enheritaunce

That gat on her, this Malcolyne that was kyng

Of Scotlande nowe, of mighty hye puysaunce

That homage made, for his enherityng Homage of the Scottes.

7130

Unto Henry, that then was of Englande kyng

For all Scotlande, and also for Huntyngdon

Whiche seruices both, were due vnto the croune.

The .C.xxx[v].

C.xxxv] C.xxxi 1543

Chapiter.

HE maried then, his sonne the young Henry

To the doughter of the kyng of Fraunce

7135

He exiled then, Thomas of Cauntorbury

Out of Englande, and many of his aliaunce

For cause of his rebellious gouernaunce

And as he came fro Rome, by Fraunce awaye

With language fel, he prayed the kyng that daye

7140

¶The poyntes to mende, and so to England went

For which the kyng, was with hym sore displeased

That then he sayd, had I had men that ment

Myne honeste, I were not thus diseased

With suche a clerke, thus greued and vneased

7145

Therfore three knightes, Raynold_le_Fitz_Ursy

Hughe_Moruyle hym slewe with Robert_Tracy. Raynold_fitz_Ursy Hughe_Maruile Robert_Tracy.

¶But kyng Malcolyne died, that was full true

Of his homage, at Westchester ensealed

To kyng Henry dooen, so as it was due

7150

For it should not be gaynsayd ne counselled Homage of the Scottes.

Nor afterwarde of Scottes be repeled

To whiche Malcolyne, Willyam his sonne and heyre

Was crouned kyng of Scotlande then full fayre.

The .C.xxx[vi].

C.xxxvi] C.xxxii 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [s4v]

THis kyng Wyllyam then rode with hoste full stronge Subieccion of the Scottes.

7155

The Northren land he brent and sore distroyed

By east and west, of both Merches of Englande

The lorde Uesty, with it was anoyed

The lorde Unfreuyle with syckenesse so accloyed

With power great at Aluwike with hym faught

7160

Wher he was taken, in batayll sore and caught

¶Whom to the kyng, to London then thei brought

Unto kyng Henry, with great honoure

Then had the kyng, tydynges he liked nought

His sonne Henry, by kyng Lewys socoure

7165

Besieged Roan, with hoste great and rygoure

For when the kyng, to Normandy then went

The kyng Wyllyam, with hym his labour spent.

¶And Dauid also, his brother with al his might

That erle was then, create of Huntyngdon,

7170

And Robert_ferers erle of Leycester so hight

And Roger_clare, with theim of great renoume

Of Gloucester, that erle was in possession

With other lordes, and the siege sone remeued

And his cytee of Roan, full well rescued.

7175

¶The siege and saute, perdoned and forgeuen

At the prayer of kyng Lewys of Fraunce

Within fewe yeres, in peace and rest to liuen

He crowned his sonne without distaunce

Kyng of Englande, and gaue hym gouernaunce

7180

And at the feast of his coronacion.

He sewed afore hym, for his consolacion,

The .C.xxx[vii].

C.xxxvii] C.xxxiii 1543

Chapiter.

ANd to him said, sonne thinke I do you honour

A kynge to serue you thus, nowe at youre meate

He aunswered hym full vnthankefully that houre

7185

And sayd, it was no reproue ne forfete

An erls sonne to serue the kynges sonne at meate

For whiche the father Henry, to Irelande went

Tyll young Henry the kyng was dead and spent

Then came Henry, and had the gouernement

7190

The father and kyng, was then admytte agayn

And reigned then, and had the reigment

And but .iiii. yere his sonne reygned soth to sayen

Wherfore he is among kynges certeyne

Not accoumpted, by no chronicler

7195

For his father was kynge afore and after clere.

The .C.xxx[viii].

C.xxxviii] C.xxxiiii 1543

Chapiter.

THe kyng Wyllyam, at his daye assigned

To Yorke came, to do there his homage Homage of the Scottes.

That made it then, and nothyng it repugned

But for his due dette, then for his heritage

7200

Of Scotlande whole, by veraye due knowlage

Of his barons, and by his euydence

Agayne it founde he then, no trewe defense.

¶The kynge Henry then, conquered all Irelande

sig: [s5v]

By papall dome, there of his royaltee

7205

The profytes and reuenues of the lande

The dominacion, and the souerayntee

For errour whiche agayn the spiritualtee

They helde full longe, and would not been correcte

Of heresyes, with which they were infecte.

7210

¶He founded then, the priory of Newstede

Within Shirwod, and Waltham founded newe

Afore were secular without hede

Whiche regular he made, in order due

And other two houses of order trewe

7215

He founded there, for his soule to praye

Where was holy seruyce kepte euery daye.

¶ Geffreye his sonne, the thyrde gotten and bore

That duke of Britayne was hole create

By his wyues right, to enioye for euermore

7220

Whiche was a prince, of royall great estate

At Parys dyed, that Arthure create

To sonne and heyre, and Isabell the fayre

His doughter was, without any dispayre

¶In the yere of Christ, a thousande clere

7225

An hundreth and sixty also and one

Baudewyn_the_thyrde, died taken priesoner

By the Sarysens, that were his mortall foone

Of his body, that yssue then had none

To whome his brother Almarike did succede

7230

To Ierusalem, and there was kyng in-dede

¶By treason of th'erle Triples then

The Christen hoste, that had foule betrayed

sig: [s6]

When Bawdewyn was so taken, through that false man

That great people of Christen had then reised

7235

And on the felde, nothyng to be praysed

To the Sarysyns went, with all his power

And discomfyt the chrysten hoost full clere.

The .C.xxx[ix].

C.xxxix] C.xxxv 1543

Chapiter.

BUt yf ryght, had lynally procede

Geffray_Plantagenet, Earle of Angeou

7240

The elder brother of Bawdwyn so in-dede

And of Almaryk, with mykell blysse and ioye

Whiche Geffray, so Earle of Angeou

Shulde haue be kyng afore of all that realme

Both of Surry, and also Ierusalem

7245

¶When duke Robert, Ierusalem forsoke

For couetyse to haue, and ioyse Englande

Godfray_Boleyne, the realme of Surry toke

And of Ierusalem eke, I vnderstande

And crowned was, to be kynge of that lande

7250

That duke had bene afore, of all Loueyne

A noble prynce, and a worthy Chyefteyne

¶A thousande was, an hundreth sixty and syxtene

Withoute yssue, of his body commynge

Dyed, to whome his brother as was sene

7255

Bawdwin succeded, and of that realme was king

sig: [s6v]

That ruled the lande, as was full well semyng

Full worthy accompted, amonge all estates

That chrysten fayth susteyned, without debates

To whom his sonne, king Bawdewin did succede

7260

The seconde was, that had so borne that name

A noble Prynce, of all marcyall dede

And in that lande, greate honoure had and fame

Whiche on his wyfe, gate without blame

A doughter then had vnto his heyre

7265

That lande to haue enheryte, and repayre.

Whom then earle Fowke of Angeou, wed to wife

And kyng was of that lande then by her ryght

On whome he gate thre sonnes in his lyfe

Worthy knyghtes, and men of greate myght

7270

The eldest Geffray_Plantagenet hyght

That gate this same Henry_fytz_Empryse

Kyng of Englande, of noble and hye enterpryse.

The .ii. sonne, of Fowke, was Bawdewin_the_thirde

Dyed prysoner, as it is expressed afore

7275

Without yssue of his body betyd

The third sonne then, of Fowke and laste was bore

Hyght Almaryk, whiche two were kynges thore

Where erle Geffrey their elder brother had ryght

That suffred them, to ioye that lande by myght

7280

¶Which Almaryk dyed kyng so of that realme

After whome then reygned, his sonne Bawdwyn

That fourth was of that name of Yerlam

That impotent was, without medecyn

To mayntayne warre, he myght no more enclyne

sig: [s7]

7285

Who called was Bawdewyn_Paraliticus

For with the palsye, stryken was he full hydeous

The .C.[xl].

C.xl] C.xxxvi 1543

Chapiter.

Wherfore he sent to kynge Henry his crowne

His banner also, of his armes full fayre

Of Ierusalem, that were of great renowne

7290

As to hym that was then the very heyre

Of earle Geffray eldest sonne full fayre

Was to kyng Fowke, and to his wyfe the quene

Doughter and heyre, to Baudewin_the_.ii. clene.

¶This fourth Bawdewyn called Paraliticus

7295

This message sent, the yere of Christe a thousand

An hundreth ful, foure score and thre, ryght thus

When Henry was requyred, to haue that lande

Whiche he proroged, and sent agayne his sounde

He shulde be there, yf that the kyng of Fraunce

7300

And he myght well accorde of gouernaunce

¶He went so forth anon to Normandye

With hoost full great, with kyng Philyp to treat

Of that voyage and warre, accorded on hye

But then the death, hym felly ganne rehete rehete] reherte 1543rehete='assail, attack': see OED, rehete, vb.2, 1

7305

Wherfore anon, he satte vp in his seate

And to his sonne Rycharde, greate somme he gaue

Thether to go, that holy lande to saue.

¶And then he dyed, at Pount_Euerard buryed

sig: [s7v]

The sorowe of herte, and great contricyon

7310

A prynce chrysten, fully notifyed

Withouten pere in all comparyson

Of worthy knyg[h]thode, and manly renowne knyghthode] knygthode 1543

A thousande yere, an .C,lxxx. and fourtene

And of his reygne, was syxe and thirty clene

The .C.x[li].

C.xli] C.xxxvii 1543

Chapiter.

7315

RYchard his sonne, to king then was crowned Kyng Rycharde_the_fyrst, called Cure_de_Lien.

By Bawdewyn archbyshop and primate

Of Cauntorbury, and of England that stound

That ruled the churche, then by lawe ordynate

His brother Geffray, of baste so procreate

7320

Archbyshop was of Yorke, then newe electe

The Northren churche, vnder him to be protecte.

¶The lorde Lucye, that Godfray_Lucye hight

Afore hym bare a royall pyllyon

And Iohn_Marshal, his spores of gold ful bright

7325

Willyam_Maundeuile, his mighty hye crowne

That earle was then of Almarle vp and downe

Of his wyues ryght, and willyam_Marshal bolde

Earle of Strigeyll, the scepter bare of golde.

¶ Willyam_Patryk, that was then Longspee

7330

That Earle was, then create of Salysbury

A staffe of golde, for constable then was he

Of Englande hole, to haue the regen[c]y regency] regeny 1543

By ryght of his offyce of constablery

sig: [s8]

For yf the lande were voyde, and none heire knowe

7335

To kepe the realme, by his offyce hym owe.

¶This ylke Willyam, was earle also create

Of Gloucestre, by whiche that offyce grewe

To hym of ryght, for he was generate

Of Roberte_Clare earle of Gloucestre trewe

7340

Foure Barons bare, by theyr seruyce full dewe

Aboue his hed, then in processyon

A cloth of golde, by good direccyon.

¶ Earle Dauyd then, that tyme of Huntyngdon

Brother, of the kyng Willyam of Scotlande

7345

And Iohn the earle of Morten of renowne

Kyng Rychardes brother, as I vnderston[d]e vnderstonde] vnderstone 1543

Ryght worthy lordes, that tyme of this lande

And Robert_Ferrers, earle of Leycester tho

Thre swordes bare, afore the kyng there so

7350

Syxe Earls then, and Barons of estate

A cheker bare, with Iueles full royall

And clothes ryche, that were well ordynate

For that ylke feste, and state imperyall

Fro South, vnto the Septentrionall

7355

Where then, none suche accompted of rychesse

As there were then, as wryten is expresse

The .C.[xlii].

C.xlii] C.xxxviii 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [s8v]

THe bishop of Duresme on his right hande

The bishop also of Bathe on his left syde

The king of Scottes Willyam for Scotland

7360

Made hym homage and feaute leege that tyde Homage of the Scottes

Kyng Rychard then, to Fraunce with muche pride

Anone so yode th'archebishop Bawdewyne

With hym then went, worthy clerkes and fyne

¶ Sir Rauf_Fulgence erle of Perche then also

7365

Robert_Ferrers erle of Lecester then

With erles fell and barons many moo

Of all this land, went many a worthy then

Of England and Scotland many a manne

Of Ireland Wales, Guyan and Normandy

7370

Then with hym went, in that voyage on hie

¶The kyng Philip, shippid his hoste at Iene

The kyng Rychard tooke the sea at Marsile

With all his hoste, without other meene

Within short tyme, arriued vp in Cisile

7375

Wher he full faire, receiued was that while

By kyng Tancred soonne of Wyllyam

Whiche Wyllyam wed his suster, Iohan by name

¶The kyng Rychard, twoo Isles ther conquered

Byside Cisile, to his suster theim gaue

7380

To hir lyuyng, and bade hir not bee fered

For he should se hir dower, she should haue

Longyng to the right that she should craue

And at Meschyne, kyng Rychard then did make

A Bastell strong, the Sarsyns for to wake

7385

¶And sailed furth, to Cipres then [b]y sea by] hy 1543

sig: t1

Wher his mother hym mete with dame Barnage

The kyng his doughter of Nauerne faire and free

Whom ther he wed, in lawfull mariage

At Lymosyn in his pilgremage

7390

A citee great full of all habundaunce

Whiche by assaute, he gate of his puysaunce

¶The kyng Rychard rode then to Nichosie

And gate the citee, with force and might

The citee also of Cheryn mightely

7395

Wher his doughter and heire, he toke full right

To Buffenet and Baffe that were full wight

To Dendamour and Candor his citees

He went anone with greate felicitees

¶He gate theim all, and all the realme throughout

7400

And toke the kyng Isaak and hym slewe

And wed his doughter, vnto the kyng full stout

Of Ierusalem, whose wife was dedde then newe

That Sibill hight, that doughter was menne knewe

Of Almarike, kyng of Ierusalem

7405

The brother of Geffrey, of Angeou hir eme

¶This kyng Rychard, the realme of Cipris wanne

To whome the lordes, echeone did their homage

And anone by sea, with many a manne

To Acres wher in that ilke voyage

7410

He toke a ship of high and greate auantage

Of ablementes for warre, and ordinaunce

The whiche he had, with hym in gouernaunce

¶But fiftene Sarsyns there he dreyncte

And twoo hundred he kept, that ship to g[u]ie

sig: [t1v]

7415

To Acres then, wher kyng Philip full feynt

Had sieged long without remedie

But kyng Rychard, of Acres toke in hie

The stronger syde, and gaue it greate affraies

Late and erly, bothe by nightes and dayes

7420

¶He gate it sone, with his greate ordinaunce

And on the walles his baners full hie he sette

The kynges armes, he sette vp also of Fraunce

And kyng Guyes armes of, Ierusalem well bette

The duke of Oistrich Lympold without lette

7425

Set vp his armes after aboue theim all

Whiche kyng Rychard, did cast doune ouer the wall

¶With wages greate, and riches manifold

He ryched his menne, and rode throughoute all Surry

The citees all and castelles that he would

7430

He gate with force, and came again in hie

To castell_Pilgrym, whiche kyng Philip pleinly

Beseged had full long, and went his waye

Whiche Rychard beseged in greate araye

¶To the whiche there was, no waye but one full straite

7435

On a cawsey with dikes depe and wyde

Strongly walled, with towres on to wayte

With many drawe-bridges, wher none might go ne ryde

Strongly cheined, with barris on eche side

Whiche castell then he gate in dayes ten

7440

With battaill sore, wher he sleugh many menne

¶The cheynes of yrone, he stroke vp with his axe

Bothe at Acres and at castell_Pilgrym

And brent theim all, as thei had been of waxe

sig: t2

Cheynes and barres, with muche might that tyme

7445

The Sarasyns also, he slewe with muche gryme

The kyng Philip fell sicke and home would gone

To Fraunce anone, and toke his menne echeone

¶Unto the duke of Burgoyn theim to lede

To bide for hym, vpon the warres there

7450

And home so went to Fraunce without drede

Wher then he made greate warre and muche dere

In Normandy and Guyan, fouly hym bere

Against his othe, and his greate assuraunce

At their passage, by couenaunt and concordaunce

The .C.[xliii].

C.xxxix] C.xliii 1543

Chapiter.

7455

HE sold Cipresse to kyng Statyn of might

An-other tyme to Guy_Lizenaunt full bold

For great riches, the resort again of right

And for greate sommes of innumerable of gold

His prisoners he raunsomed, sore and sold

7460

But with his hoste, full well he distribute

All that he gate, vnto their greate refute

¶ Ioppen he gate and it repaired newe

He and the duke of Burgoyn full sore sought

On the Soudan and felly did pursue Soudan=sultan

7465

To castel_Assure, fro whens he fled vnfought

But kyng Rychard, that of no perill rought

Was hurt right ther, with dartes venemous

sig: [t2v]

Fiue woundes sore, mortall and perelous

¶The[i] droue hym then, into Ierusalem Thei] The 1543

7470

And layed a sege, about the citee rounde

And kyng Rychard hard, howe fro Egipt realme

Came strong vitail, and ryches in that stounde

With full greate hoste, the Christen to confounde

By night he came, and there theim discomfete

7475

With worship greate, and farpassyng profite

¶ Gase he buylded full faire, and Ascaloyn

To the templers, to whome afore thei longid

He deliuered, and made hym redy boun

For to assayle the citee, and haue fongid

7480

With might of menne, and laddirs full well hongid

Engynes and gonnes, greate stones for to cast

Whiche to haue wonne, thei were full like at last

¶The Soudan out by night, then stale awaye

And Christen menne, the citee gate anone

7485

And kyng Rychard, with all the hoste his waye

Toke to the Flum of Cedar on his foon

He folowed fast, with hoste as he might goon

With the Soudan faught, and putte hym fro the feld

And mightely fro hym, he rest his sheeld

The .C.xl[iiii].

C.xliiii] C.xl 1543

Chapiter.

7490

THe Soudan toke a trewce with kyng Richard

For thre yere whole to bye all marchandise

And sell and passe saufly thitherward

To the sepulcre, in all maner wyse

With entercomen, as then it did suffice

7495

And home he went, for cause his brother Iohn

Then purposed had, for to bee crouned anon

¶He sent his mother, and wife to Cisile

And of Acres he made then capitain

The baron bold, sir Rychard_Umfreuile

7500

Ierusalem to Henry erle of Champein

With all Surry to haue and to demain

And made hym kyng therof without delay

For his susters soonne, he was without nay

¶For the marquis Wyllyam_Mountferrate

7505

That kyng therof was, by his wife enherite

Was slain in Tire, his citee by debate

All sodeinly for cause of greate dispite

Uetulo_de_Mount, his brothers death to quite

His bretherne twoo to Tire, with power hath sent

7510

That slewe hym there, by Uetulo his assent

¶Whose wife he gaue, to Henry his cousyn

For she was heire of Ierusalem

He made kepers, in euery place full fyne

And homeward came, then by the sea-stream

7515

Hoostyng by diuerse countres and realme

To Romany Tuskan and Lumberdy

In-to Oistrich, and there was take in hye

sig: [t3v]

¶Th'emperour led home, then to Menske he brought

In strong ward brought, to tyme that his finaunce

7520

Was fully payed, emong his commons and sought

Of holy churche, vnto ful greate greuaunce

The marchauntes also, then made great cheuisaunce

Of all the shryues, was take full greate riches

Through all England, to raunsom with, his highnes

7525

¶And home he came, and Iohn his brother chastised

And his fautours, emprisoned all full sore

To Normandy then went, and there supprised

The kyng Philip, and werred hym euer thore

That stroyed his land of Normandy afore

7530

Against his othe, and his hie assuraunce

Whilest he labored vpon the miscreaunce

¶He then appeled the kyng Philip to fight

Thei twoo alone, hand for hand in feld

That he was false of his promise and hight

7535

Whiche kyng Philip graunted, but not it held

But cowardly, with royall hoste hym beld

Upon hym came, all sodeinly to fight

Within three dayes then, for their brothers right

¶Beside Gysours thei faught with hostes sore

7540

Wher kyng Rychard had the victorie

Kyng Philip fled fro his baner thore

With muche shame, reproffe and vilanie

Kyng Rychard segid a castell then in hie

That Caluce hight, not ferre fro Lymosyne

7545

Wher hurt he was, full sore and dyed fyne

¶An arblaster with a quarell hym smot

sig: [t4]

As he about the castell went to spie

But then he made therto a saute full hote

On euery syde, about full cruelly

7550

And gatte the place so then full myghtely

And slewe theim all, without any grace

Agayn hym so that holden had, that strong place.

¶He shroue hym then, vnto abbots three

With great sobbyng, and hye contricion

7555

And wepyng teares, that pitee was to see

Mekely askyng penaunce and absolucion

That it might please God, at his peticion

To forgeue his offences tyll domysday

So afterwarde in blysse, he might been ay.

7560

¶He quethed his corps, then to bee buried

At Fount_Euerard, there at his fathers feete

To whom he graunted, and made it notifyed

Traytour he was, and false of his behete

His herte inuyncyble, to Roan he sent full mete

7565

For their greate truth and stedfast great constaunce

His bowelles lose to Poytou, for deceyuaunce

¶Whose soule, from the body dyd departe

And into heauen went, where is eternall ioye

Because from synne, he did conuerte

7570

Longyng for that blessed daye

To see Christ, that for his synne dyd paye

That crucyfied was vpon the roode

Redemyng his synne, by the shedyng of his blode.

¶And of his reigne, he died the .x. yere

7575

And in the yere of Christes incarnacion

sig: [t4v]

A thousande hole, two hundreth and .iiii. clere

As written is, by clere computacion

Who in his life had hole dominacion

In Normandy, Guyen, Cypers and Surry

7580

Whose honoure shone, aboue all other clerely

The .C.xl[v].

C.xlv] C.xli 1543

Chapiter.

HIs brother Iohn, was kyng then of Englande Ihon kyng of Englande.

And crouned was, at westminster ful faire

By all estates and lordes of his lande

And sone therafter deuorced, full vnfayre

7585

From his wife wedded, that there-afore was heyre

Unto th'erle of Gloucestre full wyse

That sonnes had, that tyme of great enterprise

¶For cause of whiche, and of consanguinitye

Deuorce was made, and toke another wyfe

7590

Dame Isabell, th'erles doughter fayre and free

Of Englande, and his heyre knowen ryfe

Whiche after made hym ful great warre and stryfe

For she was wyfe, of Hugh_Brune of Toreyn

The Uiscount then, toke fro hym a virgyne.

7595

¶Wherfore Hugh_Brune, no more of hym wolde hold

But warred hym, on euery side aboute

Tyll he hym toke, with other manyfolde

And slewe theim all, were thei neuer so stoute

In his first yere, a taxe he tooke full out

sig: [t5]

7600

Of eche plough-land thre shyllynges fully payed

For whiche the people bitterly for hym prayed

The .C.lx[v]i.

C.lxvi] C.lxii 1543

Chapiter.

IN his first yere, kyng Wylliam of Scotland

Made hys homage, in Lyncolne his citee

And Arthure duke of Britayne, I vnderstande

7605

Sone after, made hys homage and feautee

At London then, with great humilitee

The prince of Wales, there made his homage

For Wales then, that was his heritage.

¶The great a_Neele, and Makmurre also

7610

And al the lordes, and kynges of Irelande

Th'erles also of Ulster, did right so

Of Ormond and Desmond, for there lande

And all estates there, as I vnderstande

Wer sworne to hym, and to hym did homage

7615

For theyr lyuelodes, and theyr heritage

¶The kyng Philip confedered with Arthure

To rebell sore, agayne his eme kyng Iohn

And graunte hym men, and power stronge and sure

To gette Guyan Poytou and Angeou anon

7620

Wherfore kyng Iohn to Normandy gan gone

And there he tooke Arthure duke of Britayn

In castell_Mirable dyed, in mykell payne

¶ Dame Isabell the suster also of Arthure.

sig: [t5v]

In the castell of Bristowe, was then holde

7625

And died there in pryson, then full sure

As kyng Iohn hir vncle, so it wolde

A lady of greate beautee, she was hold

Beshet in pryson, in paynes strong

So endeth her life, for sorowe liued not long

7630

¶Thus slewe he both, A[r]thure and Isabell Arthure] Athure 1543

The chyldren of his brother, duke Geffrey

To ioye the croune of Englande, as men tell

Wherfore moste parte, of all his landes that daye

Beyonde the sea, forsoke hym then for ay

7635

Retournyng to the kyng of Fraunce in hye

To holde of hym and his perpetually

¶ Bishop Hubert of Cauntorbury tho died

Wherfore kyng Iohn, vnto the couent sente

To chose his clarke, whiche they refused and denied

7640

Wherfore the kyng, was wroth in his entente

For they disobeyed the lettre, whiche he sent

For they had chosen mayster Stephan_Langton

An worthy clarke, of all disposicion. The piteous and lamentable storye of king Ihon who by the Roomyshe byshop and his adherentes was most shamfully and vylanously abused, as by this hystory doeth appeare.

¶Whom kyng Iohn, then wold not admytte

7645

For Romayn bull, ne for the prelates prayer

But prisoned some, and some to death commytte

Some he exiled and theyr eyen clere

And all personnes and prelates in fere

He then put out and seazed theyr benefice

7650

Through all the lande, as his mortall enemyes

The Romyshe byshoppe curssed hym openly

And all the realme fully did enterdite

sig: [t6]

That sacramentes none, therin should occupie

And to the kyng of Fraunce, without respite

7655

He wrote his letters so full fayre endite

To take Englande hole in gouernaunce

For kyng Iohn his great misgouernaunce.

¶Many erles also, and many great barons

Unto the kyng of Fraunce, wrote openly

7660

To sende his sonne Lewes, the rebellions

To helpe, to whome they promysed sikerly

To croune hym kyng of England worthely

If that kyng Iohn, would not his trespasse amend

Unto the churche, in whiche he had offend.

7665

¶Wherfore the kyng of Fraunce, to England sente

His sonne Lewes, with hoste and power strong

With whom many lordes susteyned his entent

And other some, maynteyned kyng Iohn in wrong

Thus stode this lande, Englande and Wales longe

7670

Hole enterdite, from all holy sacramentes

That none was done, without priuelegementes

¶ Lewes the sonne, of kyng Philip of Fraunce

Had castelles, fees, and citees many one

At his good rule, and full wyse gouernaunce

7675

In Englande then, well mo, then had kyng Iohn

Tyll on a daye, to lordes he made his moone

By whose councel, vnto the Romishe bishop he wrote

His letters meke, as best he could theim note

¶Besekyng hym of mercy, and of grace

7680

Of forgeuenesse and absolucion

His defautes all to mend, and his trespasse

sig: [t6v]

And vndirguage all his punysion

For to release th'enterdiccion

For whiche the Romishe bishop as he the letters see

7685

Wepte sore, hauyng full greate pitee

¶Th'enterdiccion fully he releassed

And to the kyng of Fraunce, anone sent

To ceasse the warre, the peace to be encreassed

Betwene hym, and kyng Iohn bayssent

7690

To whiche he would, put so all his entent

To Lewes then, he sent the same message

And of Englande, to haue his hole costage

¶And for Lewes, with Lordes of Englande

Obeyde not the byshops commaundement

7695

He sent Gwalo his legate I vnderstande

To cursse Lewes, and all of his assent

Then died kyng Iohn, in Christen hole entent

At Croxton_abbey, and buried was full fayre

At Worcester, with lordes and great repayre

7700

¶Some bookes sayen, he poysoned was to dead

Of plummes so syttyng at his meate

In th'abbey of Cistews at Swynsheade

With whiche a monke, there hym did rehete

Wenyng of God greate thanke to gette

7705

At Newerke died, at Worcester sepultured

In chronicles, as is playnly scriptured.

¶He gate a sonne, that Henry of Wynchester hight

And other after, and Richarde was his name

That erle was of Cornwayle, of great might

7710

A Worthy knight, and of right noble fame

sig: [t7]

These sonnes on his wyfe, that noble dame

And gate Isabell, the wyfe of Frederyk

Emperoure of Rome, a lorde full poletyk.

¶In his tymes were these earles in Englande

7715

Geffry_Maundeuile, earle of Essex than

Syr Quincy, as I can vnderstande

Earle of Winchester, that was a manly man

And the earle of Cornewayle that was than

Roger of Clare, then earle of Gloucester

7720

That in Englande was, none his better.

¶ Roger_Bygot, earle of Northfolke then

That Marshall was, that tyme of Englande

Henry_Bowne, then earle of Herforde, as I can

Conceyue was then, Constable of the lande

7725

A ryght worthy knyght, of his hande

And Dauyd, then was of Huntyngdon

Willyam_Marshall, earle of Penbroke full boon

¶ Randolfe of Chester, the earle of good estate

Robert_Ueer of Oxenforde full wyse

7730

Willyam_Groos, of Almaryk generate

Willyam_Longspee, earle then, of great enterpryse

In actes marcyall, a man knyghtly and wyse

Of Salysbury, a mighty lorde that daye

Through all Englande, knowen of greate araye.

7735

¶ Willyam, the earle of Arundell that hyght

Awbeny by his surname, full well then knowe

At Wimondham, in Northfolke buryed ryght

Father was of Philyp, full yonge vnknowe

That full curteous was, both to hye and lowe

sig: [t7v]

7740

That after hym was earle of Arundell

As chronycles wryten, can clerely tell

¶This kyng Iohn dyed in hole creaunce

The yere of Chryste, a .M, was then knawe

Two hundreth .xxi. by remembraunce

7745

In chronycles, as I haue red and sawe

And full cumbreous, bothe to hye and lawe

At Worcester, buryed in good araye

As a prynce royall of reason, ought that daye.

The .C.xl[v]ii.

C.xlvii] C.xliii 1543

Chapiter.

HEnry his sonne, then was of .ix. yere age Kyng Henry_the_thirde

7750

At Gloucester, crowned with the dyademe

By the Legate Gwalo, and the Baronage

Stephan of Langton, helpyng as did well seme

Archbyshop then, as the byshop coulde deme

The same yere then, the kyng with Lewys faught

7755

Besyde Lincolne, where Lewys was nere caught

¶Foure .C. knyghtes, of Lewis there was slaine

Th'erle of Perche, was slayne on Lewis syde

And many fled, with Lewys soth agayne

Th'erle Randolf, of Chester knowen wyde

7760

The felde there gate, that daye with mikell pryde

sig: [t8]

And Lewys then, all his ryght relesed

And home he went, with mony well appesed.

¶In the seconde yere, he wedded Alyanor

Th'erls doughter of Prouynce, good and fayre

7765

Whose elder syster, kyng Lewys wed afore

This earle was then, famed amonge repayre

The noblest prynce, without any dispeyre

That tyme alyue, through all chrystente

Of all honoure, and greate nobilyte

7770

And Iohn, the sonne of Dauyd of Huntingdon

That of Huntyngdon, and Chester earle had bene

Without chylde dyed, his erldome to the crowne

Then sezed were, to tyme that it was sene

Howe his systers myght them departe betwene

7775

The parliament graunted, the wardes to the kyng

That helde of hym, by knyghtes seruyce doyng

¶To make statutes, at Oxenforde and ordynaunce

By whiche, there shulde none alyence enheryte

And put the kyng vnder the gouernaunce

7780

Of certayne lordes, wysest and moste parfyte

Whiche after made amonge them great dispyte

And batayles stronge, and greate contrariaunce

Through all the lande, by longe continuaunce

The .C.xl[v]iii.

C.xlviii] C.xliiii 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [t8v]

HIs eldest sonne, and heyre that Edward hyght

7785

At Westmynster, of Chrystes incarnacyon

The yere a thousand .CC.ix. and .xxx. ryght

Whome the legate Otho by informacyon

Baptyzed in funt, saynt Edmondes confirmacyon

To hym then made, as the churche deuysed

7790

In his baptime holy, then autoryzed.

¶ Symond the sonne, of earle Symond_Mountfort

Came oute of Fraunce, for ferdnesse of the quene

To kyng Henry, whome he gaue great comforte

He gaue hym then, his man for ay to bene

7795

Of Leycester, the earldome fayre and clene

With the Stewarde of Englande, in herytage

Whiche is an offyce, of greate priuelage.

¶And wed his doughter, dame Elyanore

To Willyam_Marshall, earle of Penbroke

7800

After whose deathe, she auowed chastyte for euermore

But he her maryed, and her betoke

For all her vowe, as sayeth the booke

To Earle Symond_Mountfort to be his wyfe

Notwithstandyng, that she vowed chastyte her lyfe.

7805

¶Tho dyed Lewelyn, the prynce of Wales then

Betwene his sonnes Gryffyth, and Dauid grewe

Greate discencyon and stryfe ay, when and when

And dame Beatryce, the kynges doughter trewe

To earle Symonde, of Britayne wedded newe

7810

The yere of Chryste, a thousand was accompted

Two hundreth moo, fourty and one amounted

The .C.xl[ix].

C.xlix] C.xlv 1543

Chapiter.

THe same yere then, Edmond his soonne was bore

At Lancastre the yere of Christ then writen

A thousand whole, twoo .C, and fourty mo

7815

And one therto, in Flores as is wryten

And in the yere next after then ouersetten

The kyng his doughter, Margaret then maryed

To Alexaunder kyng of Scotland notified

¶At Yorke citee, wher he then did homage Homage of the Scottes.

7820

For Scotland whole, and Isles apperteinyng

Then dyed th'emperour full sage

Wherfore the lordes of Almaignie variyng

Some chose Rychard kyng, Henryes brother beyng

And some the kyng of Castile would haue algate

7825

But erle Rychard of Menske had all the state

¶Then rose discorde, betwene the kyng Henry Battaile of Lewes

And certain lordes of mighty greate power

Symond_Mountfort, vpon hym toke boldly

To bee cheftein, to hold the feld full clere

7830

At Lewis faught, of christ then was the yere

A thousand twoo hundred and sixty accompted

And foure also, so muche more amounted

¶This erle Symond, had then the kyng Henry

And his brother, Rychard th'emperour

7835

In his kepyng and ward, wer hold strongly

But prince Edward, was sette in Herford toure

And erle Henry of Herford that was floure

sig: [v1v]

Th'emperours soonne, at Herford with hym laye

A myle about, disported theim euery daye

7840

¶Fro whens at last, with horse thei brake awaye The battaill of Euesh[am].Euesham] Eueshmm 1543 Euesham] Eueshmm 1543

And to Wigmour_castell thei came in hie

To sir Roger_Mortymer wher he laye

That theim receiued, then full gladly

And so thei assembled with greate hoste manfully

7845

And held the feld, the lordes fast to theim drewe

And at Euesham, thei stroke a battaill newe

¶In the yere of Christ, a thousand was tho

Twoo hundred mo, sixty also and fiue

When prince Edward faught with his foo

7850

Symond_Mountfort, and raught hym fro his liue

The feld discomfited, there anone as bliue

With help of erle Gilbert, then called Clare

And other lordes with hym that were thare

¶He slewe many, and some a_waye exiled

7855

And some he held in prisone and distres

He toke out then his father, as is compiled

His eme Rychard, holden in greate dures

And all his frendes, of his hie worthynes

He socoured euer, and with his gold supported

7860

And wher it want, with his woord theim conforted

The .C.[l].

C.l] C.xlvi 1543

Chapiter.

sig: v2

RObert_Ferrers, that erle was of Darby

Disherite then, for his insurreccion

With many other at Chesterfeld in hie

Faught with Edward, of their presumpcion

7865

And fled awaye, with greate confusion

Unto the Isle of Axholme, and fro thens

Unto Lyncolne, and spoyled the citezens

¶Fro thens to Ely thei went anone

Wher prince Edward, th'isle proudely assailed

7870

Thei fled fro it soone, to Yorkeshire gan gone

In freres clothis, that were full long-tailed

Robbyng their fooes, when thei of good failed

And other some to Kilyngworth then fled

To Henry_Hastynges, who then the castell had

7875

¶Wher then the kyng, great siege laied all about

But nought auailed, so strongly thei defende

And for ther was, in euery shire throughout

So greate robbery, and nothyng amende

The kyng was fain, for lordes then to send

7880

By whose aduise, he ordeined for that case

That all disherite and exiled, should haue grace

¶All disherite, should buye their landes again

To paye for theim gold, as thei might accorde

With the owners, so that no man should payen

7885

More then the land were worth, by greate recorde

In seuen yere whole, and if thei might concorde

For lesse money, so it exceade a yere

The value of the yerly rent full clere

¶ Robe[r]t_Ferrers erle of Derby then Robert] Robet 1543

sig: [v2v]

7890

The soonnes also, of erle Symond exclude

That perpetuall iudgement fully then

Neuer to redeme their landes, but been exclude

So that the owners, be not with theim delude

Unto a daye, that fifty thousand pound

7895

Be paide of nobles whole and round

¶ Edmond the soonne, of the same kyng Henry

Was wedded first vnto dame Auelyn

Erle Willyam his doughter, of Almarle womanly

None issue had, neither male ne feminine

7900

Then was he wed to Blaunche the quene full fyne

Of Nauerne, and so of Lancaster create

With Leicestre also th'erle denominate

The .C.[li].

C.li] C.xlvii 1543

Chapiter.

HIs brother Edward, and he associate 'H' of 'HIs' is guide letter in space set for large capital

To Ierusalem, their voiage then auowed

7905

Two semely princes, together adioynate

In all the world, was none theim like alowed

So large and faire thei were, eche manne he bowed

Edward aboue his menne, was largely seen

By his shulders more hie and made full clene

7910

¶ Edmond next hym, the comeliest prince aliue

Not croke-backed, ne in no wyse disfugured

As some menne wrote, the right lyne to depryue

sig: v3

Through great falsehed, made it to bee scriptured

For cause it should alwaye bee refigured

7915

And mencioned well, his yssue to preuaile

Unto the croune, by suche a gouernaile

¶But prince Edward and he held fourth their waye

To Ierusalem, so did th'emperour

Rychard his eme, and Henry his soonne ful gay

7920

To Cisile came by sea, through many a shoure

Edward with hym, then had his wife that houre

Elianour doughter of the kyng of Aragon

A princesse faire at his eleccion

¶The kyng Lewes also then thither went

7925

And in his waye dyed and expired

Sainct Lewes nowe is named by all assent

Of holy churche, as it is well enquired

Approued trewe as reason well required

But Edward prince, and Edmond abode two yere

7930

With werres greate, and mighty strong power

¶For nacions all, vnto prince Edward drewe

And to Edmond his brother, for their semelines

And greate manhode, whiche in theim that thei knewe

Sir Charles, the brother of king Lewes doubteles

7935

Kyng of Cisile of noble worthynes

By the Soudan was chasid without beld

Whome prince Edward socoured, and had the feld

¶And with the Soudan faught in bataill sore

Discomfit hym, and putte hym to the flight

7940

Wher Edward then was hurt and wounded thore

Of woundes fiue, that mortall werre to sight

sig: [v3v]

His brother Edmond also wounded in that fight

But as Edward in his bedde, sicke then laye

A Sarasyne came, to hym vpon a daye

7945

¶To leche his hurtes, with salues many one

But false he was, for with a knife full sore

He strake hym foule, as thei were then alone

But yet that prince, the knife fro hym gate thore

And slewe hym then, with it for euermore

7950

At Acres laye he then, with woundes fele

With medicyns, to lech and to hele

¶The lech so false, was by the Soudan sent

Hym to haue slain, in any maner wyse

For cause he had, discomfite hym and shent

7955

And when he was all whole, that he might ryse

Message he had, fro all the lordes wyse

Of England then, of his father dedde

That praied hym home to come, and been their hede

¶ Kyng Henry had then made, the minster faire

7960

Of Westminster, as it is nowe at this daye

The remnaunt he left vnto his heire

To edifie and make in like araye

Or els a some of money for to paye

The whiche he graunted to the edificacion

7965

At his death, then bequeth and assignacion

¶ Edward then, toke a trewce for tenne yere

With the Soudan, and to Cisile saylid

And landed at Rome, wher then he had good chere

Bothe of the bishop and cardinalles not failed

7970

That sore had mourned, and greately bewailed

sig: v4

That curssed sore, syr Guy_Mountforte eche daye

for the slaughter of Henry his cousyn gaye.

¶The sonne that was of Richarde th'emperoure

Erle of Cornwayle, whome at Ueterbe he slewe

7975

Right in the churche, for olde wrath and rancoure

In Englande dooen, his fathers death to renewe

At masse knelyng horrybly hym all to_hewe

Fro Acres as he came, as goddes knight

Without cause of reason or of right

7980

¶But prince Edward and Edmound his brother dere

To Sauoye cam, where iustes wer made and tournament

And ther desired thei, and their knightes in fere

With the duke of Sauoye, and his there presente

To iuste, and proue eche other in good entente

7985

Theyr knightes younge, to learne as dyd suffice

In marcyall fete, knighthode to exercyse

¶Wher he foriust, the duke full manly

His brother also, the dukes neuewe

And bare hym downe, both horse and man egerly

7990

And euery knight, with other euer iusted newe

Daye by daye, whyles echeone other knewe

By .xiiii. dayes enduryng and conteyned

With feast solempne, by the duke susteyned.

¶An hundreth ladyes, of worthy good estate

7995

Were set on hye, aboue within a tente

By the duke of Sauoye, well ordinate

To geue the gree, and thanke by iudgement

Whiche then awarde, playnely by hole assent

To prince Edwarde, and erle Edmound his brother

sig: [v4v]

8000

That had foriust the duke and many other.

¶The duke hym gaue, gyftes of great honoure

And to his brother, gyftes of hye pleasaunce

And to his knightes, giftes of great valoure

And conueyed hym, into the lande of Fraunce

8005

Where of the kyng with worthy gouernaunce

Receaued he was, as prince full excellente

And homage made to hym, in good entente.

¶For his landes, lyeng beyonde the sea

The whiche was true, as chronicles witnesse

8010

And home he came, with great felicitee

Of whose commyng, the people had great gladnesse

Hym to receaue, in all kynde of worthynesse

And of his brother Edmound also in feer

They were full glad, at all theyr hole power

8015

¶But kyng Henry was gone to God afore

The yere of Christ, a thousande hole accompted

Two hundreth hole, syxty and thirtene more

On saynt Edmondes daye, when he amounted

This worlde leuyng, full of trouble accompted

8020

Unto the blysse of heauen, for euer to reste

Emong good soules, where Christe so liked best.

The .C.[lii].

C.lii] C.xlviii 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [v5]

EDwarde his sonne and heire, first generate Kyng Edwarde the fyrst after the conquest.

With all honour by all the baronage

Crouned was, in all royall estate

8025

And of th'estates, receyued hole homage

Kyng Alexander for his heritage The homage of the kynge of Scotlande to kyng Edwarde.

Of Scotlande hole, and ysles apperteynyng

His homage did, right then vnto the kyng.

¶The duke also of Britayne made homage

8030

For Britayn hole, and there became his man

Whiche princes two, had wed in mariage

His susters two, Margarete and Beatrice then

Margarete to Scotland, and Beatrice to Britayne

Both-two maried, and wed in hye estate

8035

By their father full wysely ordinate

¶A marchaunt toke the wife of prince Lewlyn

Erle Symonds doughter, of Leycester that had ben

And to the kyng hir brought full femenyn

Wherfore the prince, by heste as then was seen

8040

To be his man, and homage did full clere

And led his wyfe to Wales in good entent

By the kynges grace, and by hole assent

¶The kyng then, did great right and iustice

Upon clippers and peirers of the coyne

8045

And newe money made, that then might suffice

Of syluer plate, made out of Boloyne

The grote, half-grote, all in newe coyne

He coyned fast, peny, halfpeny, and ferthyng

For porayll to bye with, theyr leuyng.

8050

¶That same tyme he made a newe statute

sig: [v5v]

That no man should graunt lande ne tenement A restraint of landes to be geuen to the clergye.

To the churche, ne geue nor constitute

No maner grounde, nor no maner rente

Without licence, of the lorde and his assent

8055

Of whome it is holden, aboue in chiefe

And els the church, this realme had put in mischiefe

¶The prince Lewlyn, and Dauid his brother and] and of 1543

Made warre vpon the kyng in greate araye

The Marche brent and many harmes other

8060

In Englande did, wherfore the kyng his waye

To Wales held, in all the haste he maye

The lorde Mortimer, toke then the prince Lewlyn

And to the kyng hym brought, for to enclyne

¶The kyng hym headed, and to the toure it sent

8065

The Walshemen made, Dauid his brother then

Prince of Wales, by theyr commen assent

Wherfore the kyng, to warre on theim began

And of the Walshemen, slewe full many a man

And had Dauid vnto his presence brought

8070

Hanged and drawen, as then he had it sought.

¶Then seazed he Wales, for euer into his hande

And ordeyned, that no prince therin should be

But he or els his heyre I vnderstande

And that no man, of Wales hole countre

8075

One night shulde lye, in castell nor cytee

But voyde out fro sunne to sunne, then euery night

Thus kept he Wales, his tyme by royall might.

The .C.[liii].

C.liii] C.xlix 1543

Chapiter.

GWenlyan, that doughter was of Lewlyne

Without chylde dyed, a vyrgyne aye

8080

In a nonnery, of the order of Gylbertyne

And Gladowys_Dewy, Dauyds doughter gaye

Yonge, freshe and lusty, as the rose in Maye

To Raufe was wed, that was lorde Mortymer

Of whome the earles of Marche, become full clere

8085

¶Then went the kyng, and quene to Gascoyne

And Gwyan, to set that lande in pees

And so forth then, he went to Aragon

To sporte them with theyr father there no less

To Gwyan then, agayne for his encrees

8090

He came anone, and set in peace that lande

And so came agayne to Englande.

The .C.l[iiii].

C.liiii] C.l 1543

Chapiter.

HIs Iustyces all, by lawe he dyd attaynt

For wrong domes, and false iudgement

For couetyse, that false were then and faynt

8095

To helpe the poore commons, to theyr entent

He set Iustyces in heyre by all assent

That called was, that tyme Troilebaston

For to enquere, of all extorcyon

sig: [v6v]

¶Of Ryouters, fyghters, and baratours

8100

Of market-beters, that raysed greate debates

Of peace-breakers, and all the susteynours

That were with theim of preuy assocyates

Of oppressours, of all the pore estates

And all that were then founde culpable

8105

Emprysoned were, or by theyr pursse excusable

¶Of Iewes within this lande, that was abidyng

Great plaintes were made, of Okoure and vsury

Howe they dyd waste, the folke by suche winning

And preuy bondes, made without measure

8110

In payne of double, or elles forfeture

The king them voided, for whiche the church a disme

Hym graunted, so dyd the commons a quindecyme.

¶ Rys_Ap_Madoke, a warre in Wales gan take

Agayne the kyng, that great warres had sustened

8115

And prynce hym called, of Wales without make

Who then at Yorke, by lawe full wel mainteyned

On galous hye, as to hym well apperteyned

Was drawen and hanged, his hed vpon the towre

Was set anon, as rebell and traytoure.

The .C.l[v].

C.lv] C.li 1543

Chapiter.

8120

KYng Edward sent, his brother then ful dere

To kepe Guyan , and with hym strong chiualry

Who gouerned there, that land without pere

sig: [v7]

To hye honoure, as made is memorye

In Fraunce sore dred, amonge the aduersarye

8125

And other landes, lyeng there all aboute

Aboue all men, he was there moste bedoute

For euer he put them, to the worse in felde

In armes ay, he had the victorye

And in Parys, at Iustes vnder shelde

8130

Far passyng was, and dyd ay notably

That for his manhode, and famous chyualrye

In so ferforth, that all landes hym commende

For his manhode, whiche so in hym they kende.

¶He wed dame Blaunche, of Nauerne that was quene

8135

King Philip sister, that was ful good and faire

Of whome he gate, Thomas of Lancaster I wene

And Henry his brother, that afterwarde was heire

And earles both, they were without dispayre

Of Lancaster, and also of Leycestre

8140

As Flores hath expressed well, by lettre.

¶For whiche weddyng, and noble alyance

He and his heyres, bare for a difference

Englande[s] armes, with labell hole of Fraunce Englandes] Englande 1543

By whiche all men, maye haue intellygence

8145

That Edmonde was yonger in existence

Then kyng Edward, though some say the contrary

And from the truth, yet haue they wyll to vary

The .C.l[v]i.

C.lvi] C.lii 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [v7v]

THe kyng of Fraunce, a nauy great then sent

Upon Englande, to warre in great aray

8150

Which the .v. portes toke on the sea and shent

And people greate, there slewe and dreynt that daye

Theyr shyppes all, by batayl and affraye

Were take, and brought then into Englande

With capitaynes many, and lordes of the lande

8155

¶ Kyng Philyp then, at Parys in parlyament

Somonde Edwarde, afore hym to appere

Surmittyng hym, of robbery felonoment

Upon his flete, so done by tymes sere

For faute of aunswere, foreiuged hym there

8160

Destroyed his land, in eche place where he might

But kyng Edwarde, then went to Fraunce ryght

¶And gate agayne, his landes euerychone

And sought ay-where, vpon the kyng of Fraunce

But he fled euer, and batayle wolde geue none

8165

Sone after, so Philyp by ordynaunce

A trewce toke, by good ordynaunce

For all his landes beyonde the sea

To set in peace, with all tranquilyte

The .C.l[v]ii.

C.lvii] C.liii 1543

Chapiter.

IN Wales, Morgan made war and great distaunce

8170

And Madoke also, his brother ful vntrew

For whiche the kyng, with all his ordenaunce

To Wales went, and faught with them all newe

sig: [v8]

At straytes great, whiche tho traytours knewe

Yet were they take, and put in sore pryson

8175

Within the towre, for theyr rebellyon.

¶The kyng Philyp had sent then golde to war

On England then, with sir Thomas_Turbiruile

Who was espyed, by sotell meanes afferre

And heded was anon, for all his guyle

8180

His wyt not holpe hym then, ne yet his wyle

He dyed with shame, repreef and vilany

Engendred all of mede and surquedrye.

The .C.l[v]iii.

C.lviii] C.liiii 1543

Chapiter.

SIr Edmond erle of Lancaster then ful trewe

Leuetenaunt then of Guian, all throughout

8185

On whom the king Philip, then rode al new

And brake the trewce, with hostes great and stout

Wherfore he went to hym without doubte

To se howe that, it myght be well defende

He bade hym thus, set to his knee and amende.

8190

¶Wherfore in ire, he gaue hym vp homage

The whiche he ought for his lande that he helde

And aunswered hym agayne, of great corage

From hens-forwarde, I shall you holde the felde

And at my power, eche daye vnder shelde

8195

Proue howe ye do vnto my lorde greate wronge

The whiche I shall amende, or it be longe.

sig: [v8v]

And so departed, withoute more langage

And into Guyan came, with all his myght

And to his brother wrote, and made hym knowlage

8200

And bade hym come with power for to fyght

With spere and bowe, for other writ of ryght

Maye not be got, within the courte of Fraunce

For to recouer, his hye enherytaunce.

¶Eche day thence-forth, with banners hole displeyed

8205

He helde the felde, and kyng Philyp warred

And leters sent hym defyals and vmbrayde

Of hys suraunce, and othe that he had erred

And castelles gate, full many and not differred

Kyng Edward sent, his brother then suppowaile

8210

The Frenche partye, to warre and assayle.

The .C.l[ix].

C.lix] C.lv 1543

Chapiter.

ANd in the yere a .M. was full then

Two hundreth also syxty and nyntene

When syr Roger_Mortymer so began

At Kelyngworth, the rounde table as was sene

8215

Of a thousande knyghtes, for disciplyne

Of yonge men after he coulde deuyse

Of turnementes, and iustes to exercyse.

¶A thousande ladyes, excellynge in beaute

He had there also, in tentes hye aboue

8220

The iustes, that they myght well and clerely se

Who iusted best, there for theyr lady-loue

sig: x1

For whose beautie, it should the knyghtes moue

In armes so echone other to reuie echone] etchone 1543

To geate a fame in playe of chiualrie

8225

¶This Mortimer, was then lord Mortimer

But in these iustes, he held great feastes eche daye

By fourty dayes conteined whole and clere

At whiche one part of ladyes faire and gaye

Gaue hym the price of fame, of all that playe

8230

Wherfore the kyng, to encrese his estate

Proclamed hym erle of Marche there create

The .C.l[x].

C.lx] C.lvj 1543

Chapiter.

BUt erle Edmond the kynges brother dere

With twenty and sixe baners, proud and stout

The fifth daye of Iune, was accompted clere

8235

Of Christ his date a thousand yere all-out

Four score and sixtene with-out doubt

At Bayon faught, with the Frenchemenne certain

Wher he in the feld that daye, like a knight was slaine

¶ Sir William_Ualence, erle of Pembroke was then

8240

Sir Iohn_Rychmond and many other baron

Sir Iohn_saynct_Iohn, right a full manly manne

Th'englishe hoste felly, ther was bore doune

By a busshement, laied by colucion

That brake on theim, sore fighting in the feld

8245

Out of a wode, in whiche that daye were beld

sig: [x1v]

The .C.l[xi].

C.lxi] C.lvii 1543

Chapiter.

WHen Iohn of Gaunt, the sone of king Edwarde Howe a chronicle was feygned to make Edmond the elder brother.

For cause his brother that duke was of Clarence

None yssue male had then, that menne of herd

But female by all intelligence

8250

When kyng Rychard in his greate excellence

None yssue had, he would haue been his heire

Apparaunt then, by act in perlyament feire

¶The whiche Thomas_Wodstok, duke of Gloucester

And all nobles of England ther present

8255

Proclaymed then, by wrytyng and by letter

Howe that th'erle of Marche, then in perlyament

Unto the kyng, was then heire-apparaunt

Wher duke Iohn in diuers places made

Feined chronicles, that shewed were full brade

8260

¶Howe this Edmond th'elder soonne of kyng Henry

Broke-backed and bowbacked bore

Was vnabled to haue the monarche

And Edward so the younger kyng therfore

Suche chronicles then, he feined full sore Suche] Shuche 1543

8265

And putte in place, of diuers religion

To make his soonne, right heire of this region

¶But when kyng Henry, this chronicle shewed

It was defect, and clerely sette at nought

And vnderfoote cast doune and eke stroyed

8270

The contrarie by chronicles truly wrought

Was proued trewe, and then his title he sought

By resignement and renunciacion

By depoisale and playne coronacion

¶It is not true, that croke-backed he hight

8275

For valyaunt he was, in all his doynges

sig: x2

And personable with-all, to euery mannes sight

Although false chronicles, haue other saiynges

Kyng Alexander of Scotland, then dyed

That wedded had, the kynges suster Margarete

8280

And Alexander his sonne, beyng in the same stede

Who with Marga[r]ete his wife, on the sea perished. Margarete] Margatete 1543

The .C.l[xii].

C.lxii] C.lviii 1543

Chapiter.

FLorence th'erle of Holand and his compeers

That claimed then, the croune of Scotland

After the death of Margaret as pursuers

8285

Came to kyng Edward, then of England

Requeryng hym in God his name all-weldand

As he that was, of Scotland souereigne lord

To trye the right, and sette theim in accorde

¶For whiche he sette, at Norham a parliament

8290

After Easter then next folowyng

In the kirke of Norham, to that entent

That all Scottes, and other that were pursuyng

Might ther appere, their titles claymyng

At whiche parliament, the pursuantes theim bond

8295

At his decree and iudgement to stond

¶By one letter, with all their seales ensealed

Whiche doublid was, thei gaue vnto the kyng

The other part, for it should not be repeled

Thei kept with theim-selfes, alwaye abydyng

8300

Which lettre, Iohn_Hardyng maker of this boke This was to Henry_the_fyfth.

To kyng Henry delyuered, that gaue hym in recompence

The manoure of Gedyngton , with all the appurtenence.

¶For whiche manoure, then the cardinall

sig: [x2v]

Of Wynchester vnto the quene disposid

8305

In hir dower and fro hym toke it all

When that the kyng, by death was deposid

Hym recompence, he promised and composid

But nought he had, but might that prince haue lyued

He durst full eiuill, his excellence haue greued

8310

¶An-other letter, duble in like wyse

The saied heires deliuered to the kyng

That other part as shuld of right suffice

Semblably with theim, was remainyng

By whiche thei bound, theim-self by their sealyng

8315

Hym to delyuer, the kyng his castels all

To kepe, to tyme his iudgement were byfall

¶Of whiche iudgement without possession

Of castell strong throughout ther all the lande

He might not well dooen execucion

8320

Wherfore the heires to hym, so their theim bound

Whiche letter also, Iohn_Hardyng toke on hand

And did deliuer, so then at Boys_Uincent

For the saied reward, together by one entent

The .C.l[xiii].

C.lxiii] C.lix 1543

Chapiter.

AND in the yere of Christ his incarnacion

8325

A thousand whole two hundred and four scoure

And therto three by verye computacion

At the feast of sainct Michael set afore

The kyng Edward to Scotland came therfore

Wher twenty then, chosen were of England

8330

And other twenty persones, also of Scotland

sig: x3

¶By whose aduyse, all other rightes exclude

The kyng iudged, to Iohn_Bailyol the croune

That was discent, as clearely was conclude

Of th'eldest doughter, of Dauid of Huntyngdon

8335

As chronicles make, therof good mencion

Margarete wedded to Aleyne of Galawaye

Whose doughter was kyng Iohns mother that day

¶That Dernegull hight, and was Iohn_Bailiols wyfe

Whose sonne and heire, kyng Iohn was then cround

8340

That Bailioll hight, that knowen was full ryfe

In the mynster of Skone, within Scotland ground

Syttyng vpon the regall stone full sound

As all the kynges, there vsed had afore

On saynt Andrewes daye, with all ioye therfore

8345

¶At Christmas nexte after, the same kyng Iohn

To Newcastell, to kyng Edwarde came

His homage made, and feautee leege anone Homage of the Scottes.

Of his free wyll, without any blame

And with greate ioye, agayn retourned hame

8350

But then the Scottes, chose theim .xii. lords by assent

To rule the kynge Iohn, by their entent.

The .C.lx[iiii].

C.lxiiii] C.lx 1543

Chapiter.

WHiche made him then, to make confederacy 'W' of 'WHiche' is guide letter in space set for large capital

With kyng Philip of Fraunce and aliaunce

Perpetually to be contributorie

sig: [x3v]

8355

Ether with other, by strong and great assuraunce

Englande to warre, with al theyr hole puyssaunce

The kyng Edwarde, seynge this hye falshede

To Barwike came, with hoste and great manhede

¶At the nonnes of Barwyke, then he laye

8360

And layde a siege, about on euery syde

At after Easter, but flemynges then that daye

The Leden-hall, there helde full strong that tyde

Which with wylde-fyre, was brent and might not byde

That same night, then syr Wylly[a]m_Duglas yald Wyllyam] Wyllym 1543

8365

Barwyke_castell, to kyng Edward and salde.

The .C.lx[v].

C.lxv] C.lxi 1543

Chapiter.

IN this same tyme .vii. erles of Scotlande

Sieged Carleile, and so to Hexham brent

And home again, harmeles out of England

They went anone, and none harmes hent

8370

Worse to haue dooen, was there entent

But then kyng Iohn, surrendred vp his homage

To kyng Edwarde, for hym and his linage

¶By letters whiche the kyng, Edward then sent

To abbeys great, in Englande of recorde

8375

To be remembred, of his false entente

Renouncyng kyng Edwarde, for his souerayn lord

The seuen erles, at Dunbarre by concorde

Then sieged it, fro whiche earle Patrike went

And graunted to holde of hym, at his entent.

sig: x4

The .C.lx[v]i.

C.lxvi] C.lxii 1543

Chapiter.

8380

WHiche castell so, then the kyng rescowed 'W' of 'WHiche' is guide letter in space set for large capital

And droaue th'erles, there out of the felde

And much people vnto the deth ther bowed

Without helpe, there slayne vnder shelde

To Roukesburgh, the kyng Edward so held

8385

That sone was yelde, to hym without stryfe

Their good saufe also, and theyr lyfe.

¶So he forth to Edenburgh went anone

That yelden was, on the same condicion

Then was Stryuelyn voyde and lefte alone

8390

Without defence, or any garyson

That Edwarde toke, in his possession

Whiche kyng Edwarde, toke into his power

And saued the people, both farre and nere.

¶Then came th'erle of Ulster with great power

8395

Of Iryshemen, and so to saynt_Iohns towne

The kyng then went, with host through Fyfe ful cher

And brent the shire, throughout both [vp] and downe vp] vpon 1543

When then kyng Iohn, by good direccion

To Edwarde sent, and prayed hym then of peace

8400

And to his grace, submytte hym or he would cease Submyssion of the Scottish kyng and al his lords vnto king Edward_the_first.

¶Then kyng Edwarde toke his submyssion

At Brighyn then, vpon the water of Taye

And gaue hym there, his realme without condicion

Of Scotlande so, to hym and his for ay

8405

The lordes all, made hym homage that daye

The .x. daye was of Iuly, and in the yere

sig: [x4v]

Of kyng Iohn then the .iiii. was cou[m]pted clere coumpted] counpted 1543

¶And therupon, he sent hym to the toure

Of London then, with certeyne rebelles moo

8410

Kyng Iohn he kept, in worshyp and honoure

Like his estate, where he would ride or goo

Ten myle about, for his disport there so

Then kyng Edwarde, on the mountaynes went

That monthes there bee called in theyr entent

8415

¶And as he came homewarde, by Skone awaye

The regall there, of Scotlande then he brought

And sent it forth, to Westmynster for ay

To be there in a cheire clenely wrought

For a masse-preaste to sytte in, when he ought

8420

Whiche there was standyng, besyde the shryne

In a cheire of olde tyme made full fyne

¶Then made the kyng, Iohn_Wareyn his regent

That erle was then, of Sussex and Surray

And treasorer he made, at his entent

8425

Hugh_Cressyngham, and Wyllyam_Ormesby

The chiefe iustice, through Scotlande generally

His chaunceler at Skone, and tresorer

Abydyng wer, to rule the land full clere.

¶Then went kyng Iohn, to Flaunders for socoure

8430

Of the dukes of Geldre and Brabant

And also of the noble Emperoure

That hym had hight, great helpe and socoure then

But none he had, and home agayn he want

For in the meane-tyme, whyle he in Flaunders abode

8435

Wyllyam_Ualoys, all Scotlande ouer_rode

sig: [x5]

¶He slewe the iudge, and the chaunceler

Th'officers also, and the chaumberleyn

The Capitaynes and the treasorer

And gatte the lande, fro Englyshmen agayn

8440

And slewe theim all, with cruell death and payn

Wherfore the kyng, vpon the Maudeleyn day

At Fowkirke fought, with Scottes in great aray

¶Where Scottes fled, and fourty .M. slayn

And into Fiffes he went, and brent it clene

8445

And Andrewstoune, he wasted then full playn

And Blakmanshire and Menteth as men mene

And on the ford of Trippour, with hoste I ween

To Bothbile, Glascowe, and to the towne of Are

And so to Lanarke, Lo[u]ghmaban and Anand thare

8450

¶Whiche all he had, euer wher he came

And then he wed kyng Philippes suster Margarete

A fayre lady, and full of noble fame

Hir sonne and heire, Edwarde_Carnauan hete

A mayden wed, kyng Philippes doughter swete

8455

Whom his father, then prince of Wales create

Duke of Cornewayle, and erle of Chester nominate

¶Then went the kyng to Scotlande agayn

And wan the lande, and had there all obeysaunce

Sauyng Wales, that would not hym obeyn

8460

But fled hym euer, for drede of mischaunce

He ordeyned then by statute ordinaunce

That none should bee, the prince of Wales more

Excepte of the kyng, his eldest sonne first bore

The .C.lx[v]ii.

C.lxvii] C.lxiii 1543

Chapiter.

ANd in the yere, a thousande .CCC. and one

8465

Bishop Boniface, at the Scottes suggestion

To kyng Edward, by lettre wrote anone

Chargyng hym, then vpon his beneson

For to delyuer the Scottes out of pryson

Whiche in Englande, he had holden with wrong

8470

And his officers, call home that there had be long.

¶Alledged all, howe Scotlande hole was holde

Of Peters churche of Rome, and nought of hym

But by great wrong, and oppression bolde

He theim ouerled, with warres sore and brym

8475

And theim compelled, in payn of lyfe and lymme

To become his men, and the realme of hym to holde

By homage leege, whether they wold or nolde

¶And bad hym also, afore hym then appere

At the courte of Rome, his right there for to shewe

8480

And yf it myght be knowe, his right were clere

Without delay, by iudgement iuste and trewe

He shulde it haue by execucion due

By sensours of theyr churche and hole sentence

For to obeye his hie magnificence.

The .C.lx[v]iii.

C.lxviii] C.lxiiii 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [x6]

8485

THen kyng Edward, wrote vnto hym agayn

An aunswere, by his letters meke and due

All his tytles and duties full playne

Nought in fourme, neuer in effecte to sue

Nor in his courte, no iudgement to pursue

8490

Remembryng well, his fatherhede

Howe Brutus had Albian, and dyd it possede

¶In Hely tyme, whiche to his sonnes he deuyde

Unto his sonne Locryne, fyrste propogate

He gaue Logres, that hath this tyde

8495

To Albanacte, the seconde procreate

He gaue Albanye, Scotlande nowe denomynate

And to Cambre, his yongest sonne he gaue

Cambre, that nowe is Wales, to ioye and haue

¶To kyng Locrine, of Logres and to his heires

8500

The soueraynte, and homage ay reserued

Of Albanacte and Cambre, and all theyrs

Perpetually Troyan lawe obserued

By which lawes, Bryton hath bene conserued

Sith hitherwarde, without interrupcyon

8505

Afore the tyme, that Rome had prescrypcion

¶Afore the tyme also, that Chryste was bore

By many yeres, the kynges of Logres had

Scotlande by eschete, for faute of heyres thore

And remeued kynges, that were there knowen bad

8510

And other kynges there made, with hertes glad

Whiche that land couth, there gouerne mikel better

And seruyce dyd to Logres, ofte by letter.

¶Also, the same Iohn_Baylioll I made

sig: [x6v]

Kyng of Scotlande as lawe and reason wolde

8515

Who made homage, to me with hert full glad

And afterwarde, was false manyfolde

He stroyed my lande, with hostes stoute and bolde

Wherfore I made hym warre, tyll he were fayne

To my presence to come, and hym obeyne

8520

¶Where then for trespasse, and rebellyon

He surrendred to me, and to my heyres

The realme of Scotlande, and also the crowne

The lordes of all Scotlande, for them and theyrs

Made me homage, for theyr proper landes

8525

By theyr letter wryten, and theyr bandes

¶Wherfore then, hauyng therof possessyon Howe the Scottyshe kynge and all the lordes of Scotland made homage vnto [k]yng kyng] dyng 1543 Edwarde.kyng] dyng 1543

The pryde of my subiectes, and insolence

Where I dyd fynde, theyr false rebellyon

As ryght and lawe, wolde be my regence

8530

I chastysed ay, at myne intellygence

Wherfore, please it to youre fatherhede

Myne aunciente rightes, to haue commend in-dede

The .C.lx[ix].

C.lxix] C.lxv 1543

Chapiter.

THe date was of this letter, a .M. yere

Thre hundreth also and one, the .viii daye of Maye

8535

And of his reygne .xxix. clere

With that the lordes in Englande were that daye

By theyr letter, and the byshop dyd praye

The kynges ryght, not to put in questyon

Of eldest tyme, longyng to his crowne.

sig: [x7]

8540

¶For in theyr letter, the bishop they did remember

They wolde not suffer his disherityson

His crowne so foule to hurte, and dismembre

His royalty to put in questyon

For desyre of his rebels false suggestyon

8545

The whiche ryghtes, for death or lyfe mayntaine

They wer so bound, they could none other meane

¶So seased the byshop, and the mater lette

And kyng Edwarde then, in-to Scotlande went

Through all Catnesse, destroyed it in greate hete

8550

The monthes hye, and oute-ysles strayte he shent

Tyll they obeyed all, hole his regiment

And wyntred then, at Dunfermlin_abbey

Where saint Margarete, is worsh[y]pped euer and ay worshypped] worshpped 1543

The .C.lx[x].

C.lxx] C.lxvi 1543

Chapiter.

ANd then th'erle of Angos Robert_Umfreuile

8555

That regent was, of Scotland constitute

Toke william_Wales, then at Argyle

His brother Iohn also without resute

With rebelles mo, that were all destytute

By batell sore, there smyten full cruelly

8560

Where Umfreuile then had the victorye

¶And to London them brought, to iudgement

Where they were drawen, and hanged on galowe-tre

And quartred then, their quarters home were sent

At certayne townes, hanged vp there to be

8565

Theyr traytourhede, and falshede for to se

sig: [x7v]

Theyr heddes also, full hye vpon the towre

At London_brydge, were set to great terroure

The .C.lx[x]i.

C.lxxi] C.lxvii 1543

Chapiter.

ANd in the yere a thousand .iii.C. and fyue

He exyled out Peyrs_Gauerston of Cornewayle

8570

That Earle was then, for treason knowen ryue

And in the yere after, without any fayle

Earle Robert_Bruis, of Carrike ganne assayle

Earle Iohn_Comen of Bongham, at Dunfryse

And slewe hym there, in feueryere when it did fryse

8575

¶Bycause he wolde not, to hym there assent

To be crowned then, kynge of Scotlande

And forthe he fled, to se who wolde consent

And many one drewe to hym in that lande

Became his men, and made syker bonde

8580

To whome Walter_Wareyne, the yonger sonne

Of th'erle of Surrey, that then dyd wonne

¶With the lorde Uesty, that had his syster wed

That fro her went, vnto this Robert_Bruys

Eyther of other were fayne, for they were fled

8585

Out of Englande, their liuyng had such Guris

For their ryotous lyuyng, and male auentures

Thus went they aboute, harkening euery-where

Who were foes, and who their frendes were.

¶All Scotland through, this Robert went about

8590

On fote to spye, who wolde with hym holde

And who wolde not, he warred them all-oute

sig: [x8]

And kylled them downe, in places manifolde

And muche harme dyd, in chronycle as is tolde

And with hym was, alwaye Walter_Wareyne

8595

That with hym went, through mountaynes woode and playne

¶On nightes they lay, in woodes and in mountaine

At morowe, on theyr foes came downe and kyll

On day they were thousandes, at euen but twayne

There knewe no moo at euen, where they drewe tyl

8600

So were they euer at nyght of lodgyng wyll

For drede of guyle and of greate traytourye

They lodged them on nyghtes full priuely

¶But on the feaste of the Annuncyacion

Of our lady, saynt Mary the virgyne

8605

Robert_Bruys, with greate supportacyon

Was crowned at Skone, as he coulde ymagyne

To whom great folke, with good-wyl did enclyne

Full glad of his welfare, and his coronacyon

With greate hoste came, to Perch with prosperacion

The .C.l.x[x]ii.

C.l.xxii] C.l.xviii 1543

Chapiter.

8610

ON the morowe, sir Robert erle Umfreuile

Of Angeous then, that regent was by north

The Scottes sea, and Aymer_Ualence that while

Erle of Pembroke, by south the water of Forth

Wardayne was, of Scotlande forsoth

8615

That daye faught, with kyng Robert_Bruis

sig: [x8v]

Beside Iohnstoune, where he fled without rescowes

¶Unto the Kentir, and many Scottes there slaine

Where then they toke, the wyfe of kyng Robert

And his brother Nygell, the sothe to sayne

8620

And the earle of Athels, myght not a_sterte

And sent them to the kyng, with full glad hert

Whome the kyng kepte, after theyr estate

At London, well together consocyate

¶ Henry_Percy, toke the brethren two

8625

Of kyng Robert_Alexaunder, and Thomas that hight

To the Iustes them sent, that hanged were tho

His other brother, at London hanged ryght

Kyng Roberte then, sieged the Percy full wyght

But Umfreuyle, hym anon rescowed

8630

And the syege, from hym anone remoued

¶ Kyng Robert-Bruys, faught with Aimer_Ualence

Earle of Penbroke, and put hym to the flyght

At Methfen so, and slewe with violence

All Englyshemen, in batell there downe-ryght

8635

Th'erle of Gloucester, Gylbert_Clare that hight

Thre dayes after, he syeged hym in Are

But kyng Edward th'erle, then rescowed thare

¶The king Edwarde with hoost hym sought full sore

But ay he fled, into woodes and strayte forest

8640

And slewe his men at straytes and daungers thore

And at marreys and mires was ay full prest

Englyshmen to kyll without any rest

In the mountaynes and cragges, he slewe ay-where

And in the nyght, his foes he frayde full sere

sig: y1

8645

The king Edward with hornes, and houndes him soght

With menne on fote, through marris mosse and myre

Through wodes also, and mountens wher thei fought

And euer the kyng Edward, hight men greate hyre

Hym for to take, and by might conquere

8650

But thei might hym not gette, by force ne by train

He satte by the fyre, when thei [were] in the rain were] 1543 omits

¶The kyng Edward for anger, fell in accesse

And homeward came, full sycke and sore annoyed

And bade his soonne, he should for no distresse

8655

No trewce take with Scottes, that sore hym noyed

But werre theim aye, to tyme thei were distroyed

For he saied thus, thou shalt neuer fynd theim trewe

But whiles thei bee, in thy subieccion dewe

¶At Burgh vpon the sande he died anone The deathe of Edward_the_first.

8660

And to London, caried then daye by daye

At Westminster buried, with muche mone

With quene Margarete, he had then soonnes tway

Thomas_Brotherton erle of Northfolke gay

And marshall of England, the other of Kent

8665

Edmond_Wodstok, was erle in all entent

¶This noble kyng died in Iuly the third daye

And toward heauen he then tooke his waye

The yere of Christ a thousand south to saie

Three hundred whole, and seuen by calculacion

8670

And of his reigne and coronacion

Fiue and thirty, not fully whole complete

When he so went, vnto the blisse so swete

The .C.lx[xiii].

C.lxxiii] C.lxix 1543

Chapiter.

EDward his soonne, prince of Wales and lord Kyng Edward_the_second

At Carnaruan, of his mother bore

8675

Was crouned king, by good and whole concord

Of all the lordes that were assembled thore

At Westminster, as was his father afore

And at the feast of th'assumpcion

Of our lady, he sent for Peers_Gauerston

8680

¶Whom then he made th'erle of Cornwaile

Again the will, of all the baronage

Whom his father exiled, for misgouernaile

The third yere after, for his misused outrage

The lordes rose, of ire and greate courage

8685

And heddid hym as for an hie traytour

That wasted had, and spent the kyng his tresour

¶And in the mean-while, kyng Robert_Bruys had get

All Scotland nere, wherfore the kyng Edward

To Scotland went, at Bannokesburne thei met The battaille of Bannokesburne.

8690

And faught full sore, till slain was the vaward

And discomfited was the midelward

And to the rereward kyng Edward hym drewe

For greate socour, wher he had battayl newe

¶Whiche kild was doune, sauf fewe that led the kyng

8695

To Dunbarre then fleand with hym away

Ther was th'erle of Gloucester slain fleyng

The lord Clifford, and all the lordes that daye

sig: y2

Th'erle of Herford to Bothuile fled his waye

Th'erle Edmond of Arundell, and erle of Ualence

8700

Th'erles of Warwike and Oxenford take at defence

¶This battaill was the yere of Christ smitten

A thousand whole three hundred and fiftene

On midsomer daye, and of his reigne then written

The seuenth yere, by chronicles as is seen

8705

Then was Umfrey erle of Herford frethed clene

And enterchaungid for kyng Robertes wife

That holden was in England then full ryfe.

The .C.lxx[iiii].

C.lxxiiii] C.lxx 1543

Chapiter.

PAtrike_Dunbarre erle of Marche that daye 'P' of 'PAtrike' is guide letter in space set for large capital

To kyng Edward was leege-man long afore

8710

To his father, and trewe had been alwaye

Sent kyng Edward to Barwik, but therfore

He toke of hym a relesse for euermore

Of his seruice, that due was to the croune

Anentes kyng Bruys to execute his treason

8715

¶Whiche relesse the maker of this booke

Iohn_Hardyng brought with other euidence

And to the kyng Henry_the_fifth it toke

With other mo, afore at Boys_Uincent

Perteignyng to England royall regiment

8720

And nought he hath vnto his sustenaunce

sig: [y2v]

As oft a_fore here, in his remembraunce

The .C.lxx[v].

C.lxxv] C.lxxi 1543

Chapiter:

KYng Robert_Bruys, toke Robert_Umfreuile

Erle of Angeos Henry then lord Percy

Th'erle of Marche and also the lord Neuile

8725

Acton and Scropen and also the lord Lucy

At Stryuelyn_bridge, fightyng mightely

In the vaward of the forsaid battaill

Taken prisoners, and raunsomed for auaill

¶Then kyng Robert, the Marchis whole distroied

8730

The castelles wanne and bet theim to the ground

And all Scotland afore that he had noyed

Obeyed to hym and were his lieges bounde

And maintened well, then-furth all Scotland ground

The bishoprike of Duresme all throughout

8735

Northumberland, he brent with hoste full stout

¶Two cardinales the B. of Rome to Scotland sent

To treate a trewce, a_twene the kynges twoo

And for to stall Lewes_Beamount present

Bishop of Duresme, that then was sacred so

8740

Whose brother was Henry, lord Beaumont tho

Licensed and graunted, by the kyng of Fraunce

To bee liege-menne, to Edwardes whole plesaunce

¶But sir Gilbert_Midelton theim mette

And sir Walter_Selby, misruled knightes

sig: y3

8745

A litell fro Duresme their waye forsett

And robbed theim openly, on the lightes Midelton robbed the cardinalles.

And to Midford_castell, led theim fourth-rightes

And held theim ther, in mighty and strong hold

To tyme thei had, their iwels and their gold

8750

¶Whiche knightes twoo, robbed the land about

That castell held, by force and rebellion

A quarter of a yere, with rebelles stout

But thei were take within that garison

And to the kyng sent, by that enchesone

8755

That hanged were, as traytours all should been

On galowes hie, that all might theim seen

¶Then after soone, sir Gosselyn_Deynuile

His brother Robert, with twoo hundred in habite

As thei were friers, went about in exile

8760

Robbyng the land, in full greate dispite

The bishopes places, of Duresme in circuite

Thei spoiled clene, leuyng nothyng in theim

But walles bare, whiche thei would not claime

The .C.lxx[v]i.

C.lxxvi] C.lxxi 1543

Chapiter.

TH'erle Edmond then of Arundell

8765

Wardein of the Marches, then constitute

Th'erle Robert of Angeos Umfreuile

Of his landes hauyng no refute

Th'erle Dauid of Athell destitute

Of his erldome, the lord Percy full hardy

8770

The lord Neuell, the lord Beaumont manly

sig: [y3v]

¶With all the power of the North contree

Distroyed then Scotland and brent

Upon the March vnto Lyntell_Lee

Whome sir Walter_Wareyn, by whole assent

8775

Of Iames_Douglas, pursued as thei went

With great power, alwaye at their side

That thei were fain, again to England ride

¶But sir Walter_Wareyn and Douglas

With their power, brent all Northumberland

8780

Tyndale became Scottes, and false then was

And rode with theim, and brent through all the land

To Alerton, and so rode home to Scotland

Through the West March, and brent it all through-out

And home thei went, without any doubt

8785

¶The castell then of Berwyke and the towne

Kyng Robert gatte, after strong and greate defence

By treaty with peace, Spaldyng and treason

The We[dn]esdaye before Easters reuerence Wednesdaye] Wendesdaye 1543

Wher that traitour, without long suspence

8790

Betrayed the towne, and into Scotland went

By Scottes slain, as to a traytour appent

The .C.lxx[v]ii.

C.lxxvii] C.lxxiii 1543

Chapiter.

THe kyng Edward began to siege Berwyk

And wonne it had, but false tales it let

And tidinges newe, that nought the kyng did like

sig: y4

8795

For Robert_Bruys, the kyng of Scotlande mette

With the bishop of Yorke, and hym ouersette

Wherfore he loste the siege, and went a_waye

But Bruys had stroyed England in fell araye

¶To Borough_brydge, by east and west he brent

8800

And home agayne, with many a prysoner

Without harme or lette of his entent

With mykell good, but in Myton medowe nere

To Swale water, laye then with great power

Walter_Wareyn among the hay-kockes bushed

8805

Upon the byshop sodenly with Scottes yssued

¶And .xv. hundreth Englyshe there he slewe

And home he went, with kyng Edward full glad

With prysoners many, mo then men knewe

The byshop fled fro the felde full woo-bestad

8810

With his clerkes, that then were full mad

For whiche th'erle Thomas, of Lancastre there

And kyng Edward, departed halfe in werre.

The .C.lxx[v]iii.

C.lxxviii] C.lxxiiii 1543

Chapiter.

AT the parliament then at westminster next hold

Erle Thomas, that then was called ful trewe

8815

Th'erle Umfrey of Herford, that was bold

Th'erle of Marche, full manly as men knewe

The Mo[u]brey also Percy and Clyfford drewe

sig: [y4v]

All armed came, and two Spencers exiled

Out fro Englande, neuer to be reconsyled.

8820

¶But sone, the Spencers came to the kyng again

Syr Hugh the lorde, and syr Hugh his sonne

And put th'erle of Marche, in great disdayn

Roger his sonne, that with hym did wonne

Appeched hym then of hye treason

8825

Agaynst the kyng, wherfore the kyng hym sent

Into the toure, t'abyde the parliament.

¶Then went the kyng, and Spencers both-two

With hostes full great, to Burton_vpon_Trent

Where the lordes laye, and spar[p]led theim then so sparpled] sparled 1543

8830

That north they went, then wayes by one assente

To rayse mo men, they trust in theyr entent

The Spencers two, fully for to destroye

Who all the realme, full cruelly did noye.

¶At Borinbrig, syr Andrewe_Hertlaw met

8835

With erle Umfrey of Herford, and hym slewe

And toke the erle Thomas, without let

And to the kyng, that then to Pountfret drewe

Where then were sette, vpon hym iudges newe

Th'erle Edmound of Arondell for iustice

8840

And syr Robert_Mapilthorpe, his enemyes.

¶There he was headed, anone vpon the hyll

And buryed was there in a chapell fayre,

Henry his brother, stode at the kynges wyll

Whom the kyng graunted to bee his heyre

8845

That wedded then Alyce, without despayre

The doughter and heyre, of th'erle Henry_Lacy

sig: [y5]

Of Lyncolne, so graunted by the kynges mercy.

¶ Wyllyam_fitz_Wareyn, and many another knight

In diuers shyres, some hanged and some head

8850

That hold with hym, or with his compeers right

Syr Bartholomewe_Badelismore, without rede

Drawen and hanged, and put to foul dead

Roger_Clyfford and Iohn_Mo[u]braye barons

Headed then were, for theyr rebellions.

8855

¶Th'erle of Marche, syr Roger_Mortymer

His sonne Roger, foriuged were for treason

And by the kyng, of death pardoned were

And put were then, in perpetuall pryson

Into the towre, for that same encheson

8860

Fro that tyme forth, the Spencers other excede

The quene was, but an hand-mayden in-dede

¶To tyme the kyng, to her brother hir sent

And also his sonne Edwarde to dooen homage

For Guyen, so to haue at his entente

8865

And for they dwelled, so long in that viage

The kyng theim had suspecte, of theyr message

By councell of the Spencers, theim exiled

As in chronicle pleynly is compiled.

¶The kyng then made, and playnly did create

8870

Andrewe_Hertlawe, erle then of Carlele

Whiche tyme, the kyng Robert full fortunate

Rode all the east Marche, full proudly and well

The byshopryke and Yorkeshire euery-dele

Andrewe_Hertlawe, erle of Carlele absent

8875

To Lancastre hym drewe in false entente.

sig: [y5v]

¶The kyng Robert, was passed home agayn

With prayes greate, and many prysoners

Fro Humber north, the people downe were slayn

Of whiche the kyng, and all his councelers

8880

Blamed th'erle Andrewe, and his compeers

For he had men enough, with hym arayed

The Scottes all, that might haue slayn and frayed.

¶He hight the kyng, haue brought to hym great powers

Into yorkshyre and held nothing his hight

8885

Therfore the kyng, by counsell of the Spencers

Gaue charge to take hym, either by daye or night

Or kyl hym downe, wher they mete with hym might

To all shryues, was sent this commaundement

Fro Trent northwarde by writtes and maundement.

The .C.lxx[ix].

C.lxxix] C.lxxv 1543

Chapiter.

8890

THen syr Roger, the yongest Mortimer

Made his kepers dronke, and went away

Out of the toure by night and other in feer

And into Fraunce, anone he toke his waye

Unto the quene Isabell, in poore araye

8895

And bode with her, at hyr gouernaunce

All-tyme that she was soiournyng in Fraunce

¶And then Antony_Lucye lorde of Cokirmouth

sig: [y6]

Syr Robert_Lowther, with other many in feere

At Carlele toune, as knowe was full couth

8900

Toke syr Andrewe_Hertlawe, with mekill steer

They put on hym, he toke royall power

In truce-takyng, with th'erle of Murrey

Withouten power, in trayterous araye.

¶In wrongyng of the kynges hye estate

8905

And of his right, full great derogacion

And howe he toke greate golde immoderate

Of kyng Edwarde, through cauelacion

To bryng hym power for his supportacion

Agayn the kyng Robert, that then destroyed

8910

His lande full foule, and had hym-self anoyed.

¶And howe he had the people hole withdrawe

With hym Westwarde, by false confederacie

Betwene hym and th'erle of Marrowe

Couened fully b[y] fore-cast traytorie by fore-cast] before cast 1543

8915

Wherfore they drewe hym first all openly

And hanged after, and to London sent

Unto the kynge his head, for great present.

The .C.lxx[x].

C.lxxx] C.lxxvi 1543

Chapiter.

THere by aduise, and good consyderacion

Of the kyng of Fraunce, her brother dere

8920

Quene Isabell accorded for supportacion

sig: [y6v]

Hir sonne should wed, one of the doughters clere

Of th'erle of Henauld, that fyue then were

Through whose succour, she and hir sonne Edward

Toke then the sea, to Englande_warde

8925

¶ Erle Edmond of Kent, then with her came

Kyng Edwardes brother, and syr Aymer_valence

Erle of Penbroke, whiche came with hir fro hame

And Mortymer the yonger, in hir presence

Henauldes and Frenche, with great sufficience

8930

Of people stronge, at Orwell with her lande

Where lordes many, her mette I vnderstande

¶To London then, she and hir sonne tho wrote

The councellours and traitours for to take

That ruled had, in mykell mysryote

8935

The kyng Edwarde, her lorde and also hir make

And in prieson, to kepe theim for hir sake

Wherfore they voyded, out of the citee then

The quenes enemyes, echone ay when and when.

¶The kyng then, fled into the west countree

8940

She and the prince, full sore hym then pursued

And at Bristowe, she headed, as men might see

Syr Hugh_Spenser the father that was renewed

And syr Hugh his sonne, that was transumed

In hye estate, and erle had be create

8945

Of Wynchester, wher he stode all mate.

¶ Syr Hugh_Spenser, his sonne at Herforde take

Was headed then, and vnto London sente

So was Edmond, there headed for hyr sake

That was erle of Arondel there present

sig: [y7]

8950

His hed smote of, for treason so was shent

Theyr hedes set vp, in dyuerse sere place

In recompence, of all theyr great trespasse

¶And at London, they heded the Chaunceler

With dyuers other, whiche they founde vntrewe

8955

So dyd they also, the kynges tresourer

And there set they a parlyament all newe

But fyrste they put the kyng, as all men knewe

In Killyngworth, there to be holde in warde

To tyme they se, howe lordes wolde awarde.

8960

¶At which parlyament, .iii. bishoppes and erles thre

Thre Barons also, and thre Banarettes electe

To Kyllyngworth, to ryde with the cominalte

All homage leege, by parliament hole directe

To surrender vp, without any reiecte

8965

The which they dyd, for his mysgouernaunce

With heuy chere and mournyng countenaunce

¶The kyng full sad, with wordes well auysed

Thanked them all, knowynge his hye trespasse

And that he was, of rule not well prouysed

8970

To the pleasure of God, whiles he had space

Ne common-wele to kepe in euery case

Ne to his wyfe, had bene a trewe husbande

But falsly had her exyled oute of lande

¶Mekely he prayed, the lordes at parlyament

8975

His sonne to admytte vnto the regyon

Syth he vnable was to the regyment

And foule had ruled, the lande withoute reason

He them besought, for gylte of his caryon

sig: [y7v]

His sonne were not refused, ne chastyzed

8980

But set in rule, by councell well aduyzed.

¶These lordes twelue,with heuy countenaunce

Reported vnto the quene, and lordes all

The sorowfull chere, and wordes with repentaunce

Of kyng Edwarde, as then it was befall

8985

His prayer meke, and his desyre fynall

Of whiche the lordes, in that same parlyament

Reioysed were, of his noble agrement

The .C.lxx[xi].

C.lxxxi] C.lxxvii 1543

Chapiter.

EDward his sonne, the prince of wales was than Edward_the_thyrde.

In tender age, that time of .xiii. yere

8990

Was crowned on saint Brice day and began

The yere of Christ was then accompted clere

A thousande hole, thre .C. and syxe and .xx. were

Whose father then had reygned .xix. yere oute

And in his twenty yere, withouten doute.

8995

¶From the third daye of Iuly by computacyon

Of the yere, vnto sayncte Brycez daye

So muche in his twenty, by relacyon

He reygned had, and then put downe for aye

From Kyllingworth, to the castell of Berkeley

9000

By nyght he was caryed, and translate

From wyfe and chylde, forsake and repudyate

sig: [y8]

Where he was slayne, with an hote brenning spyt

Through his towayle, vp to his herte within

In September, his bowelles brent for hete

9005

That deed he was, without noyse or dyn

On saynt Mathewes daye, so they dyd hym bren

The fyrste yere was it then accompted, and wonne

Of kyng Edward the third, that was his sonne

¶At Gloucester entombed fayre, and buryed

9010

Where some say, god shewed for him great grace

Sith that tyme, with miracles laudifyed

Ofte-tymes, in dyuerse many case

As is wryten there, in that same place

For whiche kyng Richard, called the seconde

9015

To translate hym was purposed hole and sounde

¶ Sir Iames_Douglas, in England with an hoste

Destroyed the lande, wherfore the kyng Edward

With Frenche henauldes, and Englysh for the moste

In myghty hoste and great then came northward

9020

The seconde yere of his reygne, to regarde

Whome in Stanhope_parke, he besieged then

That compted were of Scottes, ten .M. menne

¶By .xv. dayes, that syege there endured

He helde them in, they myght not passe oute

9025

But through a mosse, that all men trowed was sured

So depe of myre, and brode it was aboute

No siege was layde, for there they had no doute

By which the Scottes, cast them what-so betyde

To escape awaye, in the nyghtes tyde

9030

But Iames_Douglas, their flekes fell dyd make

sig: [y8v]

Whiche ouer the mosse, echeone at others ende

He layde anon, with fagottes fell ouer the lake

There gate awaye, and passage to pretende

On whiche by nyght, they led their horse vnkend

9035

And home they went, to Scotlande harmelesse

Wherof the kyng was heuy there doutlesse

¶When they were ouer the quaking mosse and mire

They drewe the flekes ay after as they went

That Englyshe should not them sue ne conquere

9040

This was a poynt of warre, full sapyent

But on our syde, there was by consequent

But lytell wytte, that lefte the myre vnwatched

And by good watch, the Scottes myght haue be cached

¶And in the yere, a thousande compted clere

9045

Quene Isabell, her doughter maryed

Dame Iane_of_the_towre, to Dauid_Bruis her pere

Kyng Robertes sonne, and heyre hole notifyed

At Berwyk towne, the seconde daye signifyed

Of Iuill, and of kyng Edwarde then was thre

9050

By cause of whiche, the kynge in pryuite.

The .C.lxx[x]ii.

C.lxxxii] C.lxxviii 1543

Chapiter.

BY councel of his mother, and the Mortymer

Relesed there the hole soueraynte

And seruyce dewe, that to the crowne then were

sig: z1

At Berwike then without autorite

9055

Or any parlyament in especialte

In tender age, and youthes intelligence

In his third yere, so of his hie regence

¶He sent furth then, to Henauld for a wife

A bishop and other lordes temporall

9060

Wher in chaumbre preuy and secretife

At discouert dische[u]ely also in all discouert] discouerit 1543

As semyng was to estate virginall

Emong theim-selfes, our lordes for hie prudence

Of the bishop asked counsaill and sentence

9065

¶Whiche doughter of fiue, should bee the quene

Who counsailled thus, with sad auisement

Wee will haue hir, with good hippis I mene

For she will bere good soonnes, at myne entent

To whiche thei all accorded by one assent

9070

And chase Philip, that was full feminine

As the bishop moost wise did determyne

¶But then emong theim-selfes, thei laugh fast ay

The lordes then saied, the bishop couth

Full mekill skyll, of a woman alwaye

9075

That so couth chese, a lady that was vncouth

And for the mery woordes, that came of his mouth

Thei trowed he had, right great experience

Of womanes rule, and hir conuenience

¶ Kyng Robert_Bruys, smitten in lepry dyed

9080

To whom his soonne Dauid, then did succede

And crouned was, for kyng and notified

His wife also, was crouned quene in-deede

sig: [z1v]

Kyng Edwardes suster, she was then as I rede

Sir Roger then that was lord Mortimer

9085

With Isabell the quene was holden dere

¶Through hardinesse of whiche he wasted clene

The kyng his tresour as was notified

For whiche Henry erle of Lancastre for tene

Rose with greate hoste, as then was fortified

9090

To haue withstand, and clerely haue replied

The wantonnes of Roger_Mortymer

That was that tyme the quenes playfeer

¶But treated he was, to sitte in rest and peace

Notwithstandyng, at the coronacion

9095

Of kyng Edward, chose he was without lees

His custode then for good informacion

Of the kyng his persone, and preseruacion

But quene Isabell, and the Mortimer

Would not suffre, ne while that so it were

9100

¶ Edmond_Wodstok, that then was erle of Kent

By kyng Edward, of Carnaruan create

Whose brother he was, by quene Isabelles entent

And Mortimer his mighty and greate estate

Arested was and stode repudiate

9105

At Winchester foriudged in parliament

And hedid there again the common assent

¶A brother he had, hight Thomas of Brotherton

Erle of Northfolk, and marshall of England

That of his death made none execucion

9110

For lordes all, the greatest of the land

Full sory were, but nought thei tooke on hand

sig: z2

Fro noone till euen without the castell gate

He stoode condempned as a repudiate

¶Whome then at euen, a boye of the marshalse

9115

Stroke of his hedde, for whome the lordes than

And commons all, displeased were inwardly

At Notyngham sone after thei began

Wher Mortimer, th'erle of Marche then

Arested were, and his soonne sir Roger

9120

And to the toure of London sent thei were

¶On sainct Andrewes daye thei wer drawe and hong

At London, so by dome of the parlyament

At Westminster holden by processe long

Sir Simond_Bedford, was of their assent

9125

Drawe and hanged, therfore thei went

And fro the quene his mother he resumed

His landes all, for she had so consumed

¶His treasour foule, and all his greate riches

He putte hir to hir dower, and no more

9130

To liue vpon, at the frere-minours doubtles

Wher she had not been brought before

And there she dyed, and buryed is therfore

At London nowe, full feire and reuerently

Wher she had dwelt long, full honourably

9135

¶ Edward_Baylioll, to claim Scotland then went

And with hym went, sir Gilbert_Umfreuile

Claimyng to bee erle, by his whole entent

Of Angeous then, as chroniclers compile

Sir Henry_Beaumont also went that while

9140

His heritage to gette and to conquere

sig: [z2v]

Th'erledome of Boughan, should bee his clere

¶ Henry_Percy, with Edward_Bailioll went

Galoway to claime, as for his heritage

By shippe thei went, all whole by one assent

9145

At Rauensporne and landed with greate corage

At Kincorne wel in Fyfe by all knowlage

Dauid_Strabolgy erle of Athellis by right

With theim then went, for his landes ther to fight

¶Thei were accompted twoo .M. fightyng-menne

9150

And fiue hundred byside the mariners

At their landyng, their shipis thei brent right then

And bored some, and sanke at good leysers

Thei thought theim-self, of good and strong powers

Thei toke none hede, of shippis home again

9155

But landeway ride, for all the Scottes dain

¶Thei toke none hede, nor yet consideracion

Of thousandes many, ne of greate multitude

As lordes dooe nowe of commons congregacion

But putte their cause to god his hie excelsitude

9160

And in their owne handes solicitude

At Kincorne, then faught with th'erle of Fyffe

Discomfit hym and fled awaye with life

¶His menne were slain, vpon the feld echeone

Then Robert_Bruys, the bastard soonne their Guyde

9165

The lord Seton, with power came anone

And newe bataill theim gaue, with mekell pryde

That noumbred were, ten thousand on their side

Whiche slain were all, for thei would take none

Saufe the chiefteynes, that fled awaye alone

sig: z3

9170

¶The kyng Edward_Baylioll with his power

To Dunfermelyne_abbey, then-furth so went

Wher in Glasmore, the Scottes then sembled were

Fourty thousand, full proud in their intent

And all were slain, without suppowelment

9175

Th'erle of Marre and th'erle of Murray

Th'erle of Carryk, and Menth dyed that daye

¶And after soone, at Deplyng_More mette

Sir Neel_Bruys, with ten thousand in feer

That slain were there, and to th'erth doune beet

9180

The Englishe had the feld that daye full clere

Their ordinaunce was, to take no prisoner

Wherfore thei slewe the Scottes without mercie

Lest newe bataill came on theim in hie

¶At these battailles, afore that been wrytten

9185

Sixty tho[usa]nd Scottes, slain and mortefied thousand] thosaund 1543

Were more with prees, as afterward was weten

Then with mannes hand, thei were so feel multiplied

Echeone on other, of pride so reuied

Without rule of marcill gouernaunce

9190

Thei smored were, by their contrariaunce

¶And but twoo knightes, and thirty and thre squiers

Whiche ther were dedde of the Englishe power

In foure battailles faught, with axe swerd and speris

At Diplyng_Moore, fro tyme the soonne rose clere

9195

To three after noon, as saieth the chronicler

Within seuen dayes thei smote these .iiii. battail[l]es battailles] battailies 1543

As chronicles make full clere rehersailes

¶Then went thei furth, vnto sainct_Iohns_towne

sig: [z3v]

That was replete, and full of all vitaile

9200

And kept the toune with manly direccion

Archebald_Douglas and erle Patrik no faile

Of Dunbarre then, the toune began t'assaile

With thirty thousand, but there thei were well bet

With cast of stones, and greate defence ouerset

9205

¶The citees then, and tounes to the sea-side

At their costage, to Scotland sent a flete

To helpe our lordes, and get theim good that tide

And with the shippis, of Scotland for to mete

And so thei did, and sore theim all to_bete

9210

And brought theim home, and some with wildfyre brent

In Taye water and some thei sanke and shent

¶Wherfore the Scottes, the siege then forsooke

Th'english lordes, at Skone the kyng did croune

Edward_Baliol the soonne was, who will looke

9215

To Iohn_Baliol kyng of that region

Whome then afore, Henry_Beaumount brought

Frome Baliol, wher he was lord in Fraunce

As his aunceters had been of remembraunce

¶This kyng Edward_Baliol his fooes sought

9220

And at Rokisburgh, faught with th'erle of Murrey

Discomfited theim, in battaill sore ther fought

And to Duresme sent hym fro thens awaye

Ther to bee kept in siker strong araye

Then sir Archbald_Douglas and erle Patrike

9225

Then of Dunbar, their kyng thought to bee swik[e] letter obscured in margin

¶Thei toke with hym a trewce to Candylmasse

From October, in trust of whiche he sent

sig: z4

Th'englishe lordes, to England home expresse

Trustyng he had been sure in his entente

9230

All was falshede, that the two erles ment

For they vphelde Dauid, in tendre age

Kyng Robartes sonne, to whom they did homage

¶ Syr Iames_Douglas and erle Patrike_Dunbare

With all theyr helpe, at the Candilmasse

9235

On Edwarde roase the Bailiol, or he were ware

And slewe all that they found doutlesse

That fayn he was, to Englande to flee helpelesse

At Marche after, he entred then Scotlande

With the same lordes, then of the north lande

9240

¶On both sydes they rode, and fast destroyed

And to Berwike Edwarde_Bailol came

And sieged it, and felly was annoyed

To whiche Edwarde of Englonde, with great fame

Came with his hoost, and laye there at the same

9245

The Douglas then, and Dunbare with power

Northumberlande all through brent full clere.

The .C.lxx[xiii].

C.lxxxiii] C.lxxix 1543

Chapiter.

TO Halydon_hill, they came with their prayes

Barwike_castell and towne so to rescue

Wher to oure hoste, ful oft they made frayes

9250

Both day and euen, and morowes or day dewe

But then the kyng of Englande to hym drewe

The kyng also of Scotland with his might

Full sore that daye in batayll did they fight.

sig: [z4v]

¶Where Edwardes two, had al the victorye

9255

The royaltes of all Scotlande, there wer slayn

Thyrty thousande, with theim liggand by

Of men-of-armes, and archers dead certayn

Then in the yere, next after soth to sayn

At newcastell, Edwarde kyng of Scotlande

9260

His homage did, to the kyng of Englande. Homage of the Scottes.

¶For whiche, the commons of Scotland on hym rose

And slewe his men, that he into Englande came

And gatte an hoste, and rode vpon his fooes

Through Anand, through Kylay and Conyngham,

9265

Carrike and Glascowe, slewe al that he found at hame

The kyng Edwarde of England with power

Through Lowthian, so did to Stryuelyn clere.

¶And both met there, with great gladnesse

And home they came, destroiyng all the waye

9270

Another yere in Iule, for to redresse

Scotlande agayn, with hostes they gan a_fraye

At saynt_Iohns_towne they met in great araye

And ther they made, th'erle of Athelis regent

Whome the commons felly slewe and shent.

9275

¶ Kyng Edwarde sent after in another yere

In Maye Henry_Lancastre, a noble knight

To Scotlande, with an hoste of good power

And afterwarde he came with mekill might

To saynt_Iohns_towne, and on the monthes right

9280

Through Murrey to Elgyne, Giluernes and Rosse

Throughout mounteynes woddes myre and mosse.

¶ Kyng Edwarde, then came home into Englande

sig: [z5]

And proclaymed his sonne, Edwarde nominate

The prince of Wales, thens-forth I vnderstande

9285

Henry_Lancastre, the younger he create

Erle of Derby, to beare the hole estate

Wyllyam_Mountague, erle of Salisbury

Of Northampton, Wyllyam_Bowne full manly.

¶Of Gloucester he made, Hugh of Awdely

9290

Of Suffolke then, he made Robert_Hufforth

Of Huntyngdon, Wyllyam_Clinton gay

Whiche erles, the kyng toke with hym forth

With many a worthy knyght, bothe of south and north

And with the quene, so vnto Andwarpe

9295

And there abode, by all the wynter sharpe.

¶With great people, and worthy chyualrye

Agayn the kyng of Fraunce, to clayme his right

And wrote his title, vnto the Romishe bishop on hie

The duke of Barre, and other lordes of might

9300

The quenes frendes, then socoure had hym hight

Where then the quene, of hyr sonne Lionell

Delyuered was, as chronicles do tell

¶He cherished then Flaundres, that they forsoke

Theyr naturall lorde, and swore feautee

9305

To hym and his, theyr power they betoke

To byde and dwell, vnder his souerayntee

Because they sawe in hym suche humanitee

He chaunged his armes, in banners and penons

And in his seale, quartred of both regions.

9310

¶And in the yere, then of his reygne thyrtene

His armes chaunged, and called kyng of Fraunce

sig: [z5v]

He rode in Fraunce on warre, as then was seen

A thousande tounes he brent, by his puysaunce

The kyng of Fraunce, without variaunce

9315

Sent hym worde, that he wold with hym fight

But at the poynt, he did not as he hight

¶For at that tyme, in_sonder they were a myle

He fled awaye, kyng Edward held the felde

Two dayes after he sued and Umfreuile

9320

Of hym had sight, and then he founde his sheld

By whiche he knewe, his couenaunt he not held

Wherfore the kyng, to Brabant went agayn

The dukes three of Barre Earle and Brabayn

¶The parliament then, at Westmynster was hold

9325

Wher they graunted hym, the .ix. lambe-flees and shaue shaue=sheaf

Of the commons, but the churche no more wold

Hym graunt, but one dysme of theim to haue

For which he graunted generall perdone and gaue

The .ix. lambe-flees and shaue, graunt was two yere

9330

To helpe the kyng, his right to conquere

The .C.lxxx[iiii].

C.lxxxiiii] C.lxxx 1543

Chapiter.

ANd in his yere next after, then fourtene

At Sluse the king faught, with the French nauy

Fro noone to eue and to the morowe, as was seen

Where all wer drouned and slayn myghtely

sig: [z6]

9335

And kyng Edward, to Fraunce went hastely

With hoste full greate, destroied the lande and brent

The cytee of Turnais, besieged and shente

¶Then wrote he to the kyng Philip of Fraunce

Not namyng hym kyng of that lande

9340

But to Philip of Ualoys, for greuaunce

Willyng alone, they two to take on hande

To fyght for the cause, and for to stande

Who hath the better, for euer to holde Fraunce

Withoute warre, or any more dystaunce

9345

¶Or elles, they two eyther with an .C. knyghtes

And yf these wayes, please hym not to excepte

Come with his hoste, and all his strongest wyghtes

To the cytee of Tournay, none excepte

At a certayne daye, iustly to be kepte

9350

And who the felde maye get, brooke well Fraunce

Withoute more stryfe, or any varyaunce

¶The kyng then wrote vnto kyng Edwarde agayne

That he wolde not for the letters fight

Whiche touche not kyng Philyp in certayne

9355

But Philyp_Ualoys, as sheweth well to syght

To whiche he wolde set, neyther daye ne highte

But when he thought it were for his honoure

He shulde hym chase awaye without socoure

¶Out of his land, which wrongfully he sheweth

9360

Agayne his fayth, feautye made and homage

To his auncesters by letter, as it sheweth

Under his seale, of hole and good knowlage

For Guyan, and his other herytage

sig: [z6v]

And fro Turnace into Brabane agayne

9365

The kyng Edwarde, in wynter dyd remayne

¶To byde the byshoppes rule and disposicyon

Of good accorde, for then two cardynalles

To take a trewce, by good prouisyon

Duryng two yere, betwene them generals

9370

And all theyr frendes, that were princypalles

Then came the kyng to Edwarde into Englande

His offycers newe-made, I vnderstande.

¶To the trewce then taken at Maltrete

The dukes two, of Burgoyne and Burbone

9375

In the kynges soule of Fraunce, swore and hete

Truly to kepe, for frendes or for foone

And duke Henry of Lancaster, sad as stone

Willyam_Bowne Earle of Northhampton

And Willyam_Mountague, full hye of renoune

9380

¶Earle of Salisbury, in kyng Edwardes soule there

In lyke maner, were sworne and biheste

The .xix. daye, then of Ianyuere

The yere of Christ, a .M. then was seste

Thre hundreth and two, and fourty at leest

9385

When these trues were taken so, and sealed

For afterwarde, they shulde not be repeled

The .C.lxxx[v].

C.lxxxv] C.lxxxi 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [z7]

ANd then Henry duke of Lancaster create

Went to Guyen, with many bolde baron

Where then he gate, the cytees of estate

9390

And castelles fele, and many a walled towne

And made the lande Englyshe, both vp and doune

And to the kyng Edwarde obeied, as they ought

And great worshyp and ryches there he caught

¶And in the yere a thousande and .CCC. gone

9395

Syxe and fourtye, kyng Edwarde at Cressy

Met with Philyp, of Ualoyes there anone

That kyng of Fraunce was by intrusery

At whiche batayle, Edwarde had the victorye

And with honoure and myght, there gate the felde

9400

And Philyp fled, and caste there doune his shelde

¶And his eldest sonne, with hym went awaye

With an hundreth banners, in h[is] company his] her 1543

The kynges of Beme, were slayne that daye

And of Maliogres, there full manfully

9405

The dukes of Alaunson, also theim by

And of Loreyn slayne were, in batayle

And earles fyue, without any fayle

¶Of Flaunders, Bloys Harcourt and Melayne

Of gentyls and other, without any Essayne

9410

And of Guntpre, were there in batayle slayne

Fyue score thousande, the twenty daye certayne

And syxe also of Auguste, accompted playne

The kyng Edwarde had all the victorye

The kyng Philyp, had all the vilanye.

9415

¶The king Dauid the[n], of Scotland with power

sig: [z7v]

To Duresme brent, where on saynt Lukes daye

The archbyshop, with his clergye clere

And syr Gylbert_Umfreuyle, in good araye

The Lorde Percy the Neuyle, then laye

9420

With all the north, a lytell frome Duresme

Wher then they faught, and on the king Dauid came

¶And take he was, the yere of Christe was then

A thousande, full thre hundreth fourty and syxe

Full sore wounded, full lyke he was a man

9425

And also of his lordes, mo then fyue or syxe

Brought to London priuely, through Essex

For lordes shulde not hym take with greate power

From Iohn of Coupland, that was his taker clere

¶And in the towre of London, then kept in warde

9430

To tyme the king were come home out of Fraunce

That then in Fraunce, mo castelles to regarde

And townes walled, goten by his hye puissaunce

Then had the kyng Philip in gouernaunce

And lyke was then, all Fraunce to haue conquerde

9435

With his alies, he made that lande afferde

The .C.lxxx[v]i.

C.lxxxvi] C.lxxxii 1543

Chapiter.

ANd in the yere of Christ clerly accompted

A thousande hole, thre .C. fourty and nyne

The pestilence was in England amounted

That kyng Edward newe warre ganne ymagine

sig: [z8]

9440

The nexte yere after, agayne Fraunce fyne

Thether he went, and prince Edward then went

With greate power to Guien, as Regent.

¶The kyng then put his sonnes yonge of age

In Fraunce then-forth, in mighty gouernaunce

9445

Syr Lyonell, Earle of Ulster in wage

Regent of Fraunce, hym made by ordynaunce

Syr Iohn of Gaunt, to haue hole attendaunce

Of all the hoste, as hye and greate constable

To whiche he was accompte, that tyme full able.

9450

¶ Sir Edmonde_Langeley, full of gentylnesse

Sir Thomas_Woodstok full of corage

To their banners, them put for worthynesse

To haue rule in that worthy viage

Whiche prynces fyue, approued in yonge age

9455

There was no king christen, had such sonnes fiue

Of lyklynesse, and persones that tyme on lyue

¶So hye and large, they were of all stature

The leste of them, was of persone able

To haue foughten with any creature

9460

Singler batayle in actes marcyable

The byshops wit, me-thinketh was commendable

So wel coulde chese the princesse that them bare

For by practyse he knewe it, or by lare

The .C.lxxx[v]ii.

C.lxxxvii] C.lxxxiii 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [z8v]

IN the yere of Christe, a .M. accompted right

9465

Thre hundreth and syxe, and fyfty mo

The prince Edward, at Poyters sore dyd fyght

The .xix. day of September, was tho

Where kyng Iohn of Fraunce, his sonne also

He toke and had the felde, with victorye

9470

His eld[e]st sonne then, fledde fro hym cowardly eldest] eldst 1543

¶The kyng Dauyd died, and lette his hostage

For his raunsome lygge ay forth in Englande

The yere, a thousande .CCC. by knowlage

Eyght and fyftye, as I can vnderstande

9475

And payde not yet, ne quyt not out his bonde

Ne his hostage, he wolde not so displease

To delyuer, ne putte theim fro their ease

¶The quene Isabell, and the quene of Scotlande

Her doughter was, and kyng Dauyds wyfe

9480

Sone after dyed, and buryed I vnderstande

At the graye-Freres, in lande knewen full ryfe

The whiche the quene Isabell founded in their lyfe

Full fayre entombed, and wrought full rychely

Where the two Quenes reste full honorably

The .C.lxxx[v]iii.

C.lxxxviii] C.lxxxiiii 1543

Chapiter.

9485

ANd in the yere of Christ, a .M. wryten

Thre hundreth also syxtye and one

The .ii. pestylence, reigned as was weten

Duke Henry dyed, for whome was mekyll mone

Dame Blaunche his doughter, full faire of fleshe and bone

sig: A1

9490

His heire was then, whom Iohn of Gaunt did wed

The duchy by hir had, men saied he had well sped

¶In that same yere was, on sainct Maurys day

The greate winde and earth-quake meruelous

That greately gan the people all affraye

9495

So dredfull was it then and perelous

Specially the wind was so boistous

The stone-walles, steples houses and trees

Were blow doune in diuerse ferre countrees

¶And in the yere a thousand thre hundred also

9500

Sixty and foure, kyng Iohn of Fraunce dyed Kyng Iohn of Fraunce

In London then, in Sauoy had been sicke

The dukes palice of Lancastre edified

Full royally as it is notified

His boweles buryed, at Poules with royaltee

9505

His corps in Fraunce, with all solempnitee

¶In that same yere, sir Iohn_Mountfort of newe

Duke of Brytain was by heritage

As heire male, his title was act trewe

At Orrers faught, again the Frenche linage

9510

Sir Charles_de_Bloys, that claimed by mariage

The duchy whole, of Brytain by the [r]ight right] might 1543

Of his wife, wher he was slain by might

¶ Duke Iohn of Gaunt, was at that battaile

Sir Edmond also of Langley his brother dere

9515

Sir Iohn_Chaundos treated without faill

All daye, and faught at eue through his aunswere

Whiche treaty is yet, oft remembred here

For Chaundos trewce, that treted all daye to night

sig: [A1v]

And made bothe parties at eue together fight

9520

¶At whiche battaill, duke Iohn of Gaunt in-dede

And his brother Edmond, then faught full sore

Were neuer twoo better knightes, then thei in-dede

That better faught vpon a feld afore

It was but grace, that thei escaped thore

9525

Thei putte theim-selfes so ferfurth ay in prees

That wounded wer thei bothe, full sore no lees

The .C.lxxx[ix].

C.lxxxix] C.lxxxv 1543

Chapiter.

THese brethren twoo with their Englishe power

Set Iohn_Mountfort in his whole ducherie

With great honour and manhode all in fere

9530

Erle Iohn of Kent dedde was afore sothely

Erle Edmondes soonne, to whome dame Iohan truly

His sister was heire, whome th'erle Mountague

Of Salisbury had wed of maiden newe

¶And hir forsoke, after repudiate

9535

Whom his styward sir Thomas_Holand wed

And gate on hir, Thomas erle of Kent late

and Iohn_Holand hir other soonne she hed

Thomas their father, dyed of sickenes bested

The prince hir vowid vnto a knight of his

9540

She saied she would none, but hym-self I_wis

¶For hir beaute, all-onely he hir tooke

And wed hir so, and to Guyan went

sig: A2

The yere was then a thousand who-so loke

Three hundred also, sixty and fiue extent

9545

Rychard his soonne, whiles he was there regent

In Burdaux borne was then with great gladnes

Supposyng then, of hym greate worthynes

¶The kyng Peter of Castell and Lyon A battaill in Spain

To Burdeaux came, and ther prince Edward beheld

9550

To gette again his worthy region

Fro whiche his brother bastard with full strong beeld

Had putte hym out, and thought it for to weeld

For whiche the prince with all his hole power

Rode into Spain to helpe hym to conquer

9555

Wher then he faught, against the bastard strong

The third daye of Aprill accompted then

In battaill sore ferfoughten ther full long

In whiche were slain full many a Spanish manne

The basterd fled, the prince the feld there wan

9560

And sette the kyng Peter in his region

In peace and rest without rebellion

The .C.[xc].

C.xc] C.lxxxvi 1543

Chapiter.

THe duke of Milayn that hight sir Bernabo

The lord Mantowe and the marques Ferrar

The lord of Mountpollestr[e]me then also Mountpollestreme] Mountpollestrme 1543

sig: [A2v]

9565

The lordes of Iene, of Pyse that then were

The lordes of Uenis, and Florence there

To kyng Edward, sent ambassiate

By commen assent, of papall senate

¶For Lionell his soonne, with theim to send

9570

The duke his doughter of Melayn, for to wed

Promisyng hym then, hym so to recommend

That of Itale the rule sholde all be led

By hym and his frendes, of Italye bred

And in short tyme, to ioye and bere the croune

9575

Of all Italye the royal region

¶His wife was dedde, and at Clare was buried

And none heire he had, but his doughter faire

Philp that hight, as chronicles specified

Whom quene Philip Christened for his heire

9580

Th'archbishop of Yorke, for his compeire

Hir godmother also, of Warwyk the countesse

A lady was of all greate worthynes

¶The kyng his soonne, sir Leonell create

Duke of Clarence, and to Melayn hym sent

9585

With chiualrie of fame, well ordinate

And squyers freshe, galaunt and sufficient

With officers and yomen, as appent

And with hym went, that greate ambassiate

At his costage, to Melayn consociate

The .C.[xci].

C.xci] C.lxxxvii 1543

Chapiter.

9590

THis duke royall, of Clarence excellent

At Melayne, wedded was then in royal wise

With that lady fayre and beneuolent

Full royally, as to suche a prince shuld suffice

And all the rule he had, by councell wyse

9595

Fro mount_Godard, vnto the citee of Florence

And well-beloued was, for his sapience.

¶In citees all, he helde well vnitees

Greate iustes ay, and ioyus tournementes

Of lordes and knightes, he made great assemblees

9600

Through all the lande, by his wyse regimentes

They purposed hole, by theyr commen assentes

To croune hym kyng, of all great Italie

Within halfe a yere, for his good gouernaly

¶In all the world, was then no prince hym like

9605

Of hie stature, and of all semelynesse

Aboue all men, within his hole kyngrike

By the shulders, he might be seen doutlesse

As a mayde in halle of gentilnesse

And in all other places, sonne to rethorike

9610

And in the felde, a Lyon marmorike

¶In whiche meane-tyme, his iustes and his excesse

His great riot, and wynes delicacie

His ghoste exiled, out of his corps doutlesse

sig: [A3v]

Afore the daye set of his regence

9615

For whom was made great mone, through Italie

Some sayen he is buried at Melayn

And other some saye, at Clare certayn.

¶But chyldren had he noone, but Philip heire

By Elizabeth his first wyfe, whiche the kyng

9620

Edwarde maryed, to Emond_Mortymer

Th'erle of Marche, that was his warde ful ying

Who gate on her, Roger their derelyng

And Elizabeth wed to Henry_Percy

Sonne and heyre, vnto th'erle Henry

9625

¶Of Northumberland, which two both father and sonne

Wer knightly men, in warres ay occupied

Beyonde the sea great worshyp had they wonne

In many a realme, full greatly magnified

For marcyall actes by theim multiplied

9630

The whiche were long here to reporte

For in theyr tyme, they were of noble porte.

¶But of the prince Edwarde, yet wold I saye

Howe he fro Spayne departe[d] then in-dede departed] departe 1543

The kyng Peter toke hym, his doughters tweyn

9635

Th'elder hight dame Constaunce as I rede

To duke Iohn wedded, his lyfe with her to lede

The yonger hight dame Isabell by name

The duke Edmond of Yorke wedded of great fame

¶And in the yere, a thousande fully written

9640

Thre hundreth eke sixty, and also fouretene

The prince Edwarde died, as well was weten

At Kenyngton, which was his palice clene

sig: A4

And buryed was, at Cauntorbury as I wene

Betooke hym hole to goddes disposicion

9645

After his mercy to suffre his punycion.

¶And in the yere of Christes incarnacion

A thousande hole, and three hundreth signified

The prince pereles, by all informacion

Sixty and seuentene clerely notified

9650

Great syckenesse, so had hym victoried

And droue hym out, from all his region

That neuer prince might have dooen by persecucion

¶In Iune the .xxii. daye expresse

Was, when he died, and from this world expired

9655

That was the floure of earthly worthynes

That to the height of knighthode had aspired

His owne hande pereles, as was enquired

At Westmynster buried in royall wyse

As to suche a prince, of reason ought suffice.

9660

¶Who was the first of Englyshe nacion

That euer had right, vnto the croune of Fraunce

By succession of bloode and generacion

Of his mother without variaunce

The whiche me-thynketh, should be of moste substaunce

9665

For Christ was kyng by his mother of Iudee

Whiche sykerer side is ay, as thynketh me.

¶And of his pedegre vnto the croune of Fraunce

With his bloode, wherof he is discent

Within this booke, without any varyaunce

9670

Mencion is made, only to this entente

That reders by all good auysemente

sig: [A4v]

The title of his right and heritage

May well conceyue, and haue therof knowlage.

The .C.[xcii].

C.xcii] C.lxxxviii 1543

Chapiter.

RIchard his heyre, the sonne of prince Edward Kyng Richard_the_seconde.

9675

Crowned was then, with all solempnitee

By all the lordes and barons hole award

Obeying hole vnto his maiestee

Who that tyme, was in tendre iuuen[t]ee iuuentee] iuuensee 1543

Of eleuen yere, fully accompted of age

9680

When he had so his croune and heritage.

¶And kyng was called, of Englande, and of Fraunce

In Iune the .xxii. daye full clene

Of Christes death, without variaunce

A thousande was, thre hundreth sixty to neuen

9685

And .xvii. yere therwith to beleuen

When the two realmes, fell to hym by discente

As nexte heyre, to kyng Edwarde th'exellent

¶And in the yere, a thousande thre hundreth mo

Sixty adioynt, and therwith-all nynetene

9690

The thyrde pestilence reigned in Englande so

So sore, that moste parte of the people clene

Dyed awaye, as through the realme was sene

And of his reignes of E[n]glande and of Fraunce Englande] Eglande 1543

The thyrde yere was, by very remembraunce.

sig: [A5]

9695

¶And of his reigne, in Iune then the .v. yere

And of our Lorde, a thousande then accompted

Thre hundreth, eke .iiii. score and one full clere

The commons rose, an hundreth thousand amounted Insurreccion

Of Kent and Essex, whiche that tyme surmounted

9700

The kynges power, and all the hie estates

For whiche the lordes fled then as exulates.

¶And lefte the kyng, alone then in the toure

With th'archbyshop of Cauntorbury there so

And the priour, to been his gouernoure

9705

Of Clerken_well, whiche the commons heded tho

And brought the kyng forth, with theim to go

They asked hym, all bondmen to bee free

And taxe none, euer after payed to bee.

¶They asked eke, Iake_Strawe, and Wat_Tiler

9710

To bee made dukes, of Essex and Kente

To rule the kyng thens-forth, in peace and warre

For they bee wyse, of royall regiment

Thus tolde they the kyng all theyr entent

The whiche he graunte, in all-thyng by and by

9715

For he durste no poynt, then theim denye.

¶Afore Iake_Strawe, the kyng then stode hodlesse

Of which Walworth, the Mayre of London trewe

Areasoned hym then, of his greate lewdenesse

With a dagger, in Smythfelde then hym slewe

9720

The citezens, with hym then strongly drewe

And slewe theim downe, and put theim to flight

And brought the kyng, into the citee right.

¶The commons brent the Sauoye, a place fayre

sig: [A5v]

For eiuill wyll they had vnto duke Iohn

9725

Wherfore he fled northwarde in great dispayre

Into Scotlande, for socoure had he none

In Englande then, to whom he durste make moone

And there abode, tyll commons all were ceased

In England hole, and all the lande well peased

9730

¶The .xx. daye of Maye nexte folowyng

And one therwith, as calculers it knowe

The date of Christ a thousande then beynge

Thre hundreth also foure score and two on rowe

Th'earth-quake was, whiche that tyme I sawe

9735

That castelles, walles, toures and steples fyll

Houses and trees and cragges fro the hyll

¶And in the yere afore, kyng Richarde wed

Quene Anne, vpon saynt Agnes day that floure

That doughter was, as I haue sene and red

9740

Unto the kyng of Beeme and Emperoure

And suster also, vnto his successoure

Th'emperour of Rome, that Segemond hight

Who to kyng Henry in Englande came full right.

The .C.[xciii].

C.xciii] C.lxxxix 1543

Chapiter.

ANd in the yere of Christ, a thousande so

9745

Thre hundreth also, foure score and .vi. ther-tyl

And of his reigne, the .x. yere and mo

The kyng Richard, with hoste went at his wyl

sig: [A6]

In-to Scotlande, his corage to fulfyll

To Edinburgh, and brent the lande also

9750

Without lettyng there of any foo

¶At London so then at his parlyament

He made th'erle of Cambrydge his vncle dere

The duke of Yorke, to be incontynent

And so he was proclaymed there full clere

9755

That Edmonde hyght, of Langley of good chere

Glad and mery, and of his owne ay lyued

Without wronge, as chronicles haue breued

When all the lordes, to councell and parlyament

Went, he wolde to hunte and also to hawekyng

9760

All gentyll disporte, as to a lorde appent

He vsed aye, and to the pore supportyng

Where-euer he was, in any place bidyng

Without suppryse, or any extorcyon

Of the porayle, or any oppressyon.

9765

¶He made also the earle of Bokyngham

Thomas_Wodstoke, that same daye and create

His other vncle duke of Gloucester by name

Proclaymed hole, and so denominate

With his brother to be consociate

9770

The foxe-tayle he bare ay on his spere

Where he so rode in peace, or elles in warre.

¶The kyng then made the duke of yorke by name

Maister of the mewhouse, and his haukes fayre

Of his venery, and mayster of his game

9775

In what countree he dyd repeyre

Which was to hym, without any dispeyre

Well more comforte and great gladnesse

sig: [A6v]

Then bene a lorde, of worldly greate rychesse

¶His vncle Thomas, the duke then of Gloucester

9780

And wed the doughter, then of th'erle of Herforth

By whiche he had, by writyng and by letter

The Constablery of Englande, then ay forth

Both by South, Est, West, and North

By herytage, of his wyues lande and ryght

9785

Of auncyent tyme, by kynges graunt and hyght

¶And in the yere of kyng Richarde elleuen *The batail of Rotcote_bridge

The duke Thomas that was of Gloucester

Henry the earle of Derby dyd beleuen

With hym by worde, and also by his letter

9790

The earle-Marshall did, so then for the better

Th'erle Beauchampe, of Warwyk by his name

Of Arundell the earle, dyd the same.

¶These lordes fyue together, boldely sworne

Agayne Robert_Ueer, then duke of Irelande

9795

The kinges pleasure, and one of age both like borne

Whom he loued moste, as they could vnderstand

With batayl stronge, at Rotcot_bryge toke on hand

To fyght with hym, where then he fled awaye

Ouer Thamis, without retourne for ay.

The .C.xc[iiii].

C.xciiii] C.xc 1543

Chapiter.

9800

AT Lenton nexte accompted in the yere

At London then, the king set his parliament

At westminster to hold it there moste clere

sig: [A7]

Where these fyue lordes came armed, by one assent

Appealed the duke of Irelande, of greate entent

9805

The archbyshop of Yorke, that hyght Neuyle

And Michell_poole, earle of Suffolke that whyle

¶ Sir Nichol_Brenbyr of London that was Mayre

Tresilyan also, and syr Symonde_Bourley

Whiche they exyled, and some they honge vnfeyre

9810

Some they heded that tyme, that was full gaye

Holt and Belknap, exyled were awaye

In-to Irelande, for hye contryued treasone

Agayne the kyng, and his royall crowne.

¶The earle Douglas, and the earle of March also *The batayl of Otturborne

9815

Northumberlande, by west the newe castell

Unto Morpath norwarde, dyd mikyll wo

At Otturborne, as chronycles dyd tell

Henry_Percy, with small hoste on hym fell

And slewe Douglas, and many put to the flyght

9820

And gate the felde vpon his enemyes ryght

¶He sent the lorde, syr Thomas_Umfreuyle

His brother Robert, and also sir Thomas_Grey

And sir Mawe_Redmayn, beyond the Scottes that whyle

To holde them in, that they fled not awaye

9825

Wherfore the Scottes releued agayne alway

Throu[g]h which, Henry was take there anone Through] Throuh 1543

To Dunbar led, for whom was made great mone

¶The felde was his, all yf that he were take

The Umfreuyle Grey, Ogle and Redmayne

9830

Helde the felde hole, that myght so for his sake

And knewe nothyng whetherwarde he was gayn

sig: [A7v]

The Earle of Marche, with preuy men alane

Full priuely to Dunbarre, with hym rode

And kepte hym there, for he was greatly ferde.

9835

¶The Douglas all that many were that daye

Laboured full sore, with wyles and great wyt

Hym to haue slayne, for euer and ay

For Douglas death, so sore they rewed it

This batail was on saynt Oswoldes daye commyt

9840

The .xii. yere of the kyng, and of Christes date

Thirtene .C. foure score, and eyght socyate

The .C.xc[v].

C.xcv] C.xci 1543

Chapiter.

ANd in the yere, a thousand .iii.C. and mo

Foure score and fourtene, quene Anne died

The .xviii. yere, was of the kyng then so

9845

And buryed was, as well is notifyed

Of all vertue, she was well laudefyed

To womanhede, that myght in ought appende

At Westminster, she is full well commende

¶At Michelmasse nexte after folowyng

9850

In that same yere, the kyng to Irelande went

With greate power, and hoste therin warrynge

Upon Makmur, with all his hole entente

And on the greate Aneell, by one ascent

Of his lordes, where Makmurre and greate Aneel

9855

To him obeyed, and made hym homage leel.

¶The earle of Marche, syr Roger_Mortymer

sig: [A8]

The kynge made then Leuetenaunt of Irelande

That yonge was then, and home he came that yere

And great ho[u]sholde helde, as I can vnderstand housholde] hoshoulde 1543

9860

Far passyng kynges, of any other lande

For whiche, the voyce on hym rose and name

Through christendom, he bare then-furth the fame

¶And in the yere a thousande, as was then

Thre hundreth eke foure score, and also syxtene

9865

Of his reygne, the .xviii. yere was then

At Alhalowmasse kyng Rychard as was sene

At Calys wed, dame Isabell the quene

King Charles doughter, that then was king of Fraunce

At Christmasse crowned by gouernaunce

9870

¶And in Smithfelde great, iustes and tornement

Of all realmes and dyuers nacyon

Of Englyshe, Iryshe and Walshe present

Of Scottes also, were at the coronacyon

And iusted there with greate commendacyon

9875

By .xiiii. dayes iusted who-so wolde

Henry_of_Derby , bare hym then full bolde

¶ Henry_Percy, and Raufe his brother gaye

Robert_Morley, and syr Iohn_Grene_Cornewell

Heer Nichol_Hauberke, and eke syr Mawburney

9880

Walter_Bytterley, syr Thomas_Blankeueile

Syr Hugh_Spencer, and Iamco_saunz_fayle

Heer Hans, heer Iohn, and the lorde fitz_Walter

Blaket_Dynmoke, and also the lorde Spencer.

¶ Umfreuyle, and his brother Roberte

9885

Umfrey_Stafforde, and syr Rychard_Arundell

sig: [A8v]

These .xx. helde the felde within full smert

Agayne all other, that wolde with Iustes mell

Of what nacyon he were, that man can tell

Of in any lande, the knyghtes iusted thare

9890

And squyers also without, that well them bare

The .C.xc[v]i.

C.xcvi] C.xcii 1543

Chapiter.

THe yere of Christe, a .M. was so then

Thre .C. eke foure score and also seuentene

At mydsomer, the kyng with many a man

At Plashe toke Thomas, of Wodstoke full kene

9895

Of Gloucester, the duke that was full clene

That smyten was, in fell and great syknesse

And in the towre hym put in great distresse

¶Whome sone he sente, to Calyce secretely

And murthered hym, in the prynces inne

9900

By hole aduice, of his councell priuely

And in eche shyre, of which he did greate synne

His confessyon of treason, more and mynne

Of .ix. poyntes fayned, he then proclaymed

To staunche the folke, that for hym cryed and claymed.

9905

¶He then arest Thomas, earle of Warwyke

And Earle Rycharde, of Arundell no lees

The lorde Cobham full trewe, and also manlyke

Foriuged them, by strength of men and prees

The earle of Warwyk, his name for to distresse

sig: B1

9910

Unto th'isle_of_Man in sore prison

Of Arundell th'erle hedded for treson

¶The lord Cobham in-to prisone perpetuall

In the towre to abide for euer-more

At Mighelmasse next so then did bifall

9915

The kyng then held his greate parlyament thore

At Westminster, wher the kyng mustred sore

At the Blakeheth, an hundred thousand menne

To make the commons, for to dred hym then

¶At whiche parlyament, he made th'erle of Derby

9920

Duke of Herford, th'erle of Rutland also

Of Almarle duke, th'erle of Kent duke of Surry

Th'erle of Huntyngton, duke of Excester tho

Th'erle-Marshall he made and no mo

Duke of Northfolke, thus were there dukes fiue

9925

Of newe create, and none was substantiue

¶He made th'erle of Somerset marques

Of Dorset then, sir Iohn_Beaufort that hight

Of poore liuelode that was that tyme doubtles

Foure erles next he made, in mantiles full right

9930

With swerdes girt, the lord Spencer on hight

That create was then erle of Gloucester

Thomas_Percy also erle of Worcester

¶The lord Neuell then erle of Westmerland

Wyllyam_Scrope erle of Wiltshire create

9935

That Chamberleyn was then, I vnderstand

And tresourer of England ordinate

These foure erles were thus consociate

Then all these dukes, and erles with many mo

sig: [B1v]

Of lordes young he had aye with hym

9940

¶Bishopes thirtyne, he held then furth eche daye

Barons many, and many a worthy knight

To greate nombre, and squiers freshe and gaye

And officers, well mo then nedid right

In eche office, by tenfold mo to sight

9945

Then were afore, for then he had eche daye

Twoo hundred menne, of Cheshire wher he laye

¶To watche hym aye, wher-so-euer he laye

He dred hym aye, so of insurreccion

Of the commons and of the people aye

9950

He trusted none of all his region

But Chesshire-menne for his proteccion

Wher-euer he rode, with arowes and bowes bent

Thei were with hym, aye redy at his entent

The .C.xc[v]ii.

C.xcvii] C.xciii 1543

Chapiter.

TRuly I herd Robert_Ireleffe saye

9955

Clerke of the grenecloth, that to the houshold

Came euery daye, for moost partie alwaye

Ten thousand folke, by his messis tould

That folowed the hous, aye as thei would

And in the kechin three hundred seruitours

9960

And in eche office many occupiours

¶And ladies faire with their gentilwomen

Chamberers also and lauenders

Three hundred of theim were occupied then

sig: B2

Ther was greate pride emong the officers

9965

And of all menne farpassyng their compeers

Of riche araye, and muche more costious

Then was before, or sith, and more precious

¶Yemenne and gromes, in cloth of silke arayed

Sattyn and damaske, in dublettes and gounes

9970

In cloth of grene, and scarlet for vnpayed

Cut-werke was greate, both in court and tounes

Bothe in mennes hoddis, and also in their gounes

Broudur and furres, and goldsmith-werke aye newe

In many a wise, eche daye thei did renewe

9975

¶In his chapell, were bishoppes then of Beame

Some of Ireland, and some also of Fraunce

Some of England, and clerkes of many a realme

That litill connyng had or conisaunce

In musike honorably, God his seruice to auaunce

9980

In the chapell, or in holy scripture

On mater of Goddis to refigure

¶Lewed menne, thei were in clerkes clothyng

Disguysed faire, in fourme of clerkes wise

Their peryshyns full litill enfourmyng

9985

In lawe deuine, or els in God his seruise

But right practyfe thei were in couetyse

Eche yere to make full greate colleccion

At home, in-stede of soules correccion

¶Greate lechery and fornicacion

9990

Was in that house, and also greate aduoutree

Of paramoures was greate consolacion

Of eche degre, well more of prelacie

sig: [B2v]

Then of the temporall, or of the chiualrie

Greate taxe ay the kyng tooke through all the land

9995

For whiche commons hym hated bothe free and bond

The .C.xc[v]iii.

C.xcviii] C.xciiii 1543

Chapiter.

ANd in the yere, .M. and thre hundred clere

Foure score and therwithall eightene

And of his reigne the twenty and twoo yere

The duke Henry_of_Herford as was seen

10000

At Couentree, in barres armed clene

Again the duke of Northfo[l]ke, for treson Northfolke] Northforke 1543

Whiche bothe, the kyng exiled fro his region

¶The duke Henry, exiled was for ten yere

The other was also for terme of life

10005

That died duke, at Uenys leide on bere

But duke Henry exiled was beliue

Like as the chronicle can openly discriue

For ten yere whole, for to abide in Fraunce

And to auoyde the realme without variaunce

10010

¶Upon the pain of decollacion

And hiyng sone before sainct Edwardes daye

In Octobre called the translacion

Upon whiche daye, he shipid fourth his waye

At Calice londed, and so rode on alwaye

10015

Unto Paris, wher he was faire recepte

With lordes many, and worshipfully was mette

¶In lenton next, duke Iohn his father dyed

sig: B3

Of Lancaster, of weakenes and of age

Entombed faire, at sainct_Poules buryed

10020

His heire in Fraunce should haue his heritage

In Maye then next, the kyng with baronage

To Ireland went, with hoste and greate power

The wild Irishe to wynne, and to conquere

¶For then Roger th'erle of Marche was slain

10025

With wild Irishe, in bushment for hym laye

His soonnes then, full young were bothe-twein

In ward were take, vnto the kyng that daye

And then the kyng made full fell araye

In euery shire, blanke charters to bee sealid Blancke chartres.

10030

For cause his actes should not bee repeiled

In the yere of Christ a .M. was then clere Kyng Richard his voiage in-to Ireland

Three .C. also foure score and eke ninetene

And of his reigne the twoo and twenty yere

Begynnyng at Midsomer, then as I meane

10035

Whiche afterward turned hym to mikell tene

He was then landed, in Ireland with his hoste

Of chiualrie and power with the moste

The .C.xc[ix].

C.xcix] C.xcv 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [B3v]

AT whiche tyme so the duke Henry toke land

At Reuensporn in Yorkeshire as was knowe

10040

Th'archbishop Thomas I vnderstand

Of Cauntorbury Arondell that was lowe

Bothe of ryches and gold as menne sawe

For the kyng had hym out of the land exiled

Fro Cauntorbury, neuer-more to bee reconsiled

10045

¶In Holdernesse, he landed with fourty menne

Wher the lordes of Lyncolneshire hym mette

Both Wyloughby Roos, and Darcy then

And Beaumount also, with Penouns proudly bette

By ordinaunce of Henry_Percy sette

10050

Erle of Northumberland, and sir Henry

His soonne, wardeyns of the Marche seuerally

To Dancaster he rode full manfully

Wher bothe the wardeyns of the Marche mette

Then with the duke, with hostes great and chiualry

10055

Th'erle also of Westmerland was sette

With his power, as then it was his debt

For he had wed the dukes suster dere

A full good lady without any were

¶Ther swore the duke vpon the sacrament

10060

To claime no more, but his mothers heritage

His fathers landes, and his wifes in good entent

And to laye downe, bothe taxe and tallage

Whiles he might liue, but of the baronage

And all th'estates somouned in parlyament

10065

Thought it nedefull and therto whole assent

¶He swore also, the kyng in gouernaunce

sig: B4

To be put by good and hole prouision

And Chesshyre-men, for theyr misgouernaunce

To voyde out of his house of eiuill condicion

10070

And officers of good disposicion

To rule his house, like his estate royall

Thus was his othe there made in speciall.

¶Then rode they forth to Bristowe, were then lay

Scrop and Busshe, and also syr Henry_Grene

10075

And headed theim, but Baget fled away

And then the kyng, at Flynt as was sene

Great monstres made, of people that was kene

Whiche toke his wage, and came to duke Henry

And rode ay forth, with hym full redely

10080

¶In this meane-whyle, th'erle of Northumberlande

Treated with the kyng, that tyme in Conwaye

To mete with duke Henry, then in Englande

And brought hym then, to hym in meke araye

With litell speche to Chester then the waye

10085

They rode anone and put hym there in warde

And so to London, from thens came southwarde.

The .C[C].

CC] C.xcvi 1543

Chapiter

ANd set hym in the toure, where he resigned

His right, his realme, and his royall croune

To duke Henry, which no man then repugned

10090

And there he made a playn renunciacion

sig: [B4v]

Of all his righte, for whiche by prouision

The parliament then, for his misgouernaunce

Deposed hym so then, by greate ordinaunce.

¶Then went they to a free election

10095

Seyng the youth then of the Mortimer

That erle of the Marche, by trewe direccion

Was then, and heire of England then moste nere

To kyng Richarde, as well then did appere

Consydred also the might of duke Henry

10100

They chose hym kyng, there durst none it deny.

¶Th'erle of Northumberlande, then had sent

His power home, by councell of duke Henry

So did his sonne Henry, that truly ment

Supposyng well the duke wolde not vary

10105

From his othe, ne in no wyse contrary

And he and his, kepte all theyr power

Tyll he was crouned kyng, as it did appere.

¶Th'erles two, then of Northumberlande

Of Worcester, and syr Henry_Percy

10110

And th'erle also of Westmerlande

Councelled hym then, fro his oth not to varye

And though at eue he did to theim applie

On the morowe, by a pryue counsayl

He would be crouned kyng without fayle.

The .C[C.i].

CC.i] C.xcvii 1543

Chapiter.

10115

THis duke Henry, by great loue of the land Kyng Henry_the_fourth

Of many lordes, and of the commontee

Th'archebyshop Arondell toke on hande

To croune hym then, in royall maiestee

On saynt Edwardes day, with great solempnitee

10120

But kyng he was the morowe after Mighelmesse

His reygne begynnyng that day without distresse

¶Th'erle of Warwike, and th'erle of Arondell

That exiled were, and the Lorde Cobham eke

With all theyr frendes, the kyng Richard did expell

10125

The dukes frendes of Gloucester, nought to seke

Whiche then began for to encrease and eke

Through all the realme, with kyng Henry to stand

To croune hym kyng, that tyme of all Englande.

¶An hundreth thousande cryed all at-ones

10130

At Westmynster, to croune hym for kyng

So hated they kyng Rychard, for the nones

For his mysrule, and wrong gouernyng

For taxes and for blanke charters sealyng

For murder of duke Thomas of Woodstoke

10135

That loued was well, more then all the floke

¶The great parliament, then he made rehersed

The dukes of Almarle, Excestre and Surry

He depryued and the iudgement reuersed

That then was made, and gaue full wylfully

10140

Agayne Woodstoke and Warwyke for enuie

Arondell and the lorde Cobham full trewe

sig: [B5v]

Whiche was reuersed and reuoked newe.

¶The duke of Almarle, was then erle Rutlande

The duke of Surry, erle of kent was agayn

10145

And eke the duke of Excester I vnderstande

Of Huntyngdon th'erle was to be fayn

The marques eke of Dorset was full bayn

Of Somerset erle agayn to bene

He chastised theim, no feller as was sene

10150

¶Th'erle of Gloucester, was lord Spencer

Then set agayn, to his first estate

The kyng then made his eldest sonne full clere

The prince of Wales, in parliament hole create

Duke of Cornewayle and erle denominate

10155

Of Chester also, that then was yong of age

But yet he was that tyme of hye courage

The .C[C.ii].

CC.ii] C.xcviii 1543

Chapiter.

AT this tyme the kyng graunted by parliament

The Constablery certayn of Englande

In heritage so at his coronoment

10160

To th'erle then of Northumberlande

Also of Man th'isle I vnderstande

To holde of hym and of his heyres alwaye

By seruyce royall, as wrytten was that daye

sig: [B6]

¶And to th'erle of Westmerlande also

10165

The Marshalsee of Englande then he gaue

All Richemond fee, that was in Englande tho

By patent also, for terme of life to haue

The lordes all he pleased, so God me saue

With office ay, or els with lande or rent

10170

With liberall herte, as to a prince appent.

¶And whyles that parliament so did endure

The Scottes rode by North, and sore had stroyed

In Cokedale then, where Umfreuyle had cure

That with theim faught, and had theim sore anoyed

10175

At Fulhaplowe, on fote he theim acloyed

For there he toke syr Richard_Rotherforde

His sonnes fyue, full fell of dede and worde.

¶ Syr Wyllyam_Stiwarde, also he toke

The lorde of Gordowne, he put to flight

10180

And Willibarde, the felde there then forsoke

And prisoners brought home, well mo at night

Then he had men with hym the felde to fight

For whiche the kyng, hym had ay after in cherte

Consyderyng well his knightly aperte.

The .C[C.iii].

CC.iii] C.xcix 1543

Chapiter.

10185

THe kyng then sent, Kyng Richard to Ledis

There to be kepte surely in preuitee

From thens after, to Pykeryng went he nedes

sig: [B6v]

And to Knauesburgh, after led was he

But to Pountfrete last, where he did die

10190

Bothe th'erles, of Kent and Salisbury

Th'erle of Huntyngdon, and Spencers sothelye.

¶And syr Raulfe_Lomley with mo in company

After Christmasse, thought to haue slayn the kyng

They were distur[b]ed, and fled awaye in hye disturbed] distured 1543

10195

But they were slayn at Circester fleyng

By the commons, with theim there fyghtyng

Th'erles of Kent and of Salysbury

And syr Raulfe_Lomley in theyr companye.

¶The lorde Spencer, take was vpon the sea

10200

At Bristowe was headed and decollate

Th'erle also of Huntyngdon did flee

And brought vnto the countesse of estate

Of Herforde then, who had hym forth algate

To Plasshe, where she made men hym hede

10205

Without counsayll of any lorde or rede.

¶ Syr Thomas_shelly, set full hye in pride

And Mawbleyn with Ferebye drawe and honge

Syr Barnard_Brockeys, was heded theim beside

The byshop also of Carleile theim among

10210

In Westmynster, his life there to prolonge

Perpetually by iudgement was commytte

Among his brethren in order for to sytte.

The .CC[.iiii].

CC.iiii] CC 1543

Chapiter.

IN march next after, king Rychard then was dede

Fro Poumfret brought with great solempnyte

10215

Men sayde forhungered he was and lapped in lede

At Poules his masse was done and diryge

In hers royall, semely to royalte

The kyng and lordes, clothes of golde there offerde

Some .viii. some .ix. vpon his hers were proferde.

10220

¶At Westminster then dyd they so the same

When truste he shuld there haue buryed bene

In that mynster lyke to a prynce of name

In his owne tombe, together with the quene

Anne, that afore his fyrste wyfe had bene

10225

But then the kyng, hym faste to Langley sent

There in the freres to be buryed secretement

¶On Michelmasse day, next after his coronacion

Sir Robert then my mayster Umfreuyle

At Redeswyres, withoute excusacyon

10230

With Richarde_Rotherforde fought that whyle

And toke the stewarde, as I can compyle

And Iames_Douglas, with the lorde Seton

And prisoners many, for to geue raunson

¶Two hundreth men, vpon the felde were slayne

10235

Thre hundreth fled, some hole, some maymed sore

That dyed at home, with sorowe and with payne

Some died homeward, that home they came no more

Where-so he fought vnto his men right thore

A mery worde he wolde saye or they met

sig: [B7v]

10240

To glad theyr hartes, enemyes to ouerset.

¶The .ii. yere of his reygne, then he went The kynges voiage into Scotlande.

In haruest-tyme, so into Scotlande

And Edenburgh, with the countre brente

In whiche tyme the Scottes brent our lande

10245

All Bamburgh_shyre in Northumberlande

For both wardeyns, with the kyng were gone

No wardeyne there, but husbandes by their owne

The .CC.[v].

CC.v] CC.i 1543

Chapiter.

THe king came home, and to London went

At Michelmasse, wher then he had message

10250

That Owen_Glendoure, then felly blent

In Englande sore, and did full great damage

For cause the lorde Graye helde his herytage

And to the kyng of it, full sore had playned

No remedye gate, so was he then demeaned

10255

¶The lorde Gray_Ruthin did hym great wrong

Destroyed his lande, and he did hym the same

So both Marches, destroyed were full longe

But Owen wanne him-selfe, eche day great name

Of vasselrie, of gentyls and of fame

10260

That he them did, for whiche to him they drewe

And became his men, and to him were full trewe

¶So on a daye, the lorde Graye, and he met

With great power vpon eyther syde

sig: [B8]

Where then they faught in batayle sore bet

10265

And toke hym then his prysoner that tyde

And there the felde, he had with mikyll pryde

Greate people toke and slewe, and home he went

The lorde Graye he raunsomed at his entent

¶ Syr Edmonde then Mortimer warred sore

10270

Upon Owen, and dyd hym mekyll tene

But at laste, Owen laye hym before

Where in batell they faught, as well was sene

Where Owen toke him prisoner, as then ful kene

With mekell folke, on eyther syde slayne

10275

And set Edmonde in prysone, and great payne

¶He wrote vnto the kyng, for great socoure

For he had made with Owen his fynaunce

To whom the kyng wolde graunt then no fauoure

Ne nought he wolde then make him cheuesaunce

10280

For to comforte his foes disobeysaunce

Wherfore he laye, in feters and sore prysone

For none payment of his greate raunsone

The .CC.[v]i.

CC.vi] CC.iii 1543

Chapiter.

IN the .iii. yere Th'erle of Fyffe and Murrey

Of Athell and Angos, and Douglas also

10285

And of Menteth, with barons fell that daye

The nomber was .xl. thousande and mo

Had brent the lande, by south Northward tho

To Homildon, where on holy-rode-daye

sig: [B8v]

The earle them met in good and stronge araye

10290

¶His sonne also, Henry_Percy was there

George of Dunbar, was in theyr company

And with the Scottes that daye fought full sere

Discomfyted them, and had the victorye

Six earles taken and .xl. thousande playnly

10295

Some fled, some died, some maimed there for euer

That to Scotlande, agayne came they neuer

¶The kyng Henry, thryce to wales went The kynges voyages into Wales.

In the haye-tyme, and haruest dyuers yere

In euery tyme were mystes and tempestes sent

10300

Of wethers foule, that he had neuer power

Glendour to noye, but euer his caryage clere

Owen had at certayne straites and passage

And to our hoste dyd full greate damage

¶The king had neuer, but tempest foule and raine

10305

As longe as he was ay in Wales grounde

Rockes and mystes, windes and stormes euer certaine

All men trowed, that witches it made that stounde

The commens all, then of all Englande grounde

Warred his gate, to Wales euery yere

10310

For haye and corne were loste both-two in fere

Whiche made greate derth, and of catell morayne

And euen ay in hylles and in mountaynes

Kepte him ful strong, the king ay wrought in vaine

The king might not, but euer-more held the pleines

10315

And waste his owne lordshippes, and his demaines

And full great parte Owen had and occupyed

By processe so in Wales, and victoryed

sig: C1

¶Th'erle Henry, then of Northumberland

Brought to the kyng, his owne prisoner

10320

Th'erle of Fyffe, was then I vnderstand

Heire vnto the duke of Albany clere

Regent that was of Scotland without pere

But sir Henry his soonne then would not bryng

His prisoners in no wise to the kyng

10325

¶But the kyng he prayed for Mortimer

That raunsomed might he been with his frendes so

He saied hym nay, for he was taken prisoner

By his consent and treson to his foo

Whom he would not comfort for to ouergoo

10330

The prince his landes, ne his owne to destroye

For ay he had greate trust, that he should hym noye

¶The kyng hym blamed, for he toke not Owen

When he came to hym on his assuraunce

And he aunswered then to the kyng again

10335

He might not so kepe his affiaunce

To shame hym-self with suche a variaunce

The kyng blamed hym for his prisoner

Th'erle Douglas, for cause he was not there

¶And saied he should hym fette, but he hym sende

10340

Sir Henry sawe no grace for Mortimer

His wifes brother, he went awaye vnkende

To Berwyk so, and after came no nere

Afore thei mette, at Shrowesbury in fere

Wher then thei faught, for cause of his entent

10345

He purposed had, Mortimer his coronoment

¶The lordes all of England had hym hight

sig: [C1v]

And Owayn also on seuerne hym to mete

Except th'erle of Stafford young to fight

By their letters, vnder their seales mete

10350

But in the poinct, thei brake all their behete

And he was slain, and all the cause conselid

Why he the feld tooke and the kyng appelid

The .CC.[v]ii.

CC.vii] CC.iii 1543

Chapiter.

On Madleyn euen was on the Saterdaye

After long trete, the prince began to fight

10355

The yere of Christ a thousand was no nay

Foure hundred also and three, therto full right

When the battaill was streken of mikell might

And of the kyng then was the fourth yere

Of his reigne, accompted well and clere

10360

¶His vncle dere, was with hym there dedde

His father came not out of Northumberland

But failed hym foule, without witte or rede

But to the kyng he came I vnderstand

Holy submittyng hym vnto his royall hand

sig: C2

10365

Whom then he putte to hold in sore prisone

With twoo menne of his owne in Bagyngton

¶His castelles, all his menne held then full strong

To tyme the kyng had, graunt hym plener grace

But the lordes, in counsaill the[m] emong them] then 1543

10370

Hight hym to help, the sixte yere at the Pasche

But none durst come that tyme, so fell the case

But bishop Scrop and th'erle-marshall

The lord Bardolfe, then of our lordes all

The .CC.[v]iii.

CC.viii] CC.iiii 1543

Chapiter.

IN lenton after he came home to his land

10375

By perliament, whole deliuered and acquit

And twoo yere after, in peace I vnderstand

With kyng Henry, full peasebly did sitte

Then in the yere as menne remembre it

Of his reigne the sixte, the bishop Scorp went

10380

Th'erle-marshall with hym of one entent

¶To Yorkes_More, and ther assembled power

Of their owne, and their frendes also

Of th'erles menne of Northumberland that were

To the nombre of twenty thousand tho

10385

Afore the daye, assigned that was so

By th'erle then of Northumberland

That there Cheften with theim should haue stand

sig: [C2v]

¶With other lordes that were to theim assent

But the bishop and th'erle-marshall

10390

[Wer] slain afore the daye of assignement Wer] Wher 1543

Betwene theim made afore in speciall

Hedded were then, nere Yorke as then did fall

Sir Iohn_Lamplewe and sir Wyllyam_Plomton

With the bishop were hedded there for treson

The .CC.[ix].

CC.ix] CC.v 1543

Chapiter.

10395

THe lord Hastynges at Duresme was then take

The lord Fauconbrige together in company

Sir Iohn_Coluile_of_the_Dale and his make

Sir Iohn_Ruthyn that knightes were full manly

To th'erle of Northumberland openly

10400

Were hedded there all foure vpon a daye

And to Werkworth remeuid in greate araye

¶Wher the castell with-in a weke was yolde

Unto the kyng, after assautes fell and sore

The casteleyns to passe free wher thei would

10405

With horse and harnes, without chalenge more

Then to Aluwike, the kyng remeued thore

Wher the capitains vnto the kyng then sent

Wyn Berwyke ones, he should haue his entent

¶So went he then to Berwyke without delaye

10410

With assaut and shotte, of gonnis strong that were

sig: C3

He had it then, and ther hedded on a daye

The barons sonne of Graistoke taken there

Sir Henry_Bowton and Blenkensop therfore

And Prendirgest ran on the sea also

10415

And Tuwile with other squiers twoo

¶To Aluwike then, the kyng laied siege again

Without assaute, by whole conuencion

Henry_Percy of Athel, with hert fain

And Wyllyam_Clifford, without discencion

10420

The castell yeld at the kynges entencion

With horse and harnes, without enpechement

Or forfeture or els impediment

¶ Prodhow Langley and also Cokirmouth

Aluham_Newsted, deliuered were anone

10425

Thei remoued then-furth in-to the south

Th'erle of Northumberland was then gone

Afore Northward, to Scotland with great mone

The lord Bardolf with hym thither went

And there abode, with their suppowelment

10430

¶The sommer next, by sea to Wales thei went

Unto Glendour, and after then to Brytain

And so by sea, to Flaunders or they stent

The other sommer, to Scotland came again

By th'est-sea, and ther thei did remain

10435

To the winter then, of snowe full depe

That thei were slain, for whom the folke sore wepe

¶The nynth yere was then of the kyng Henry

In Feueryer afore the fastyngange

Of Christ his date a thousand certainly

sig: [C3v]

10440

Foure hundred and eight, counted emong

At Bramham_more with speres sharp and long

In Yorkshire, so the Rokeby with theim mette

Shrief of the shire, with power that he gette

The .C.C.[x].

CC.x] CC.vi 1543

Chapiter

THe same yere also, the prince then of Scotland

10445

Upon the sea sailyng, then in-to Fraunce

Was taken and brought to the kyng of England

Eleuen yere old was he then, by remembraunce

Whom the kyng then putte in gouernaunce

For like a prince, as to a kyng appent

10450

In all honour as was conuenient

¶The tenth yere then of the kyng his date

The kyng of Scotland, and Owayn of Glendor

His soonne also, the world forsoke then algate

And dyed awaye, of theim then was no more

10455

The prince of Scotland then was kyng therfore

And Wales all became the kyng his menne

In rest and peace without rebellion then

¶In that same yere Gilbert_Umfreuile

Lord was then of Riddisdale in keyme

10460

That passid not seuentene yere that while

And ward was to the kyng that tyme

But seuentene yere of age was that tyme

At Arrays then faught full worthely

sig: [C4]

W[i]th George_Turnuile, in lyestes syngulerly With] Wth 1543

10465

¶With axe and sworde, and dagger vpon foote

Twenty strokes with euery wepen smyten

Undeparted without any mote

And on the morowe, there they syten

Twenty coursses, with speres togither hitten

10470

A quarter bare vnarmed and vnarayed

Saue there serkes slewe with speres vnasayed.

The .CC.[x]i.

CC.xi] CC.vii 1543

Chapiter.

THe yere eleuenth, of this same kyng Henry

Syr Robert_Umfreuile toke the see

With .x. sayles, to kepe it notably

10475

When trewce was taken in specialtee

Betwene Scotlande and vs in certentee

To the Scottishe sea, both by sea and lande

And to Moushole on our syde I vnderstande

¶In the Scottishe sea, with his shippes he laye

10480

Where .xiiii. shippes he toke with his manhede

And faught full sore, at full sea euery daye

Sometyme vpon the northside so in-dede

And some-tyme on the southsyde out of drede

With the duke of Albany and of Fyffe

10485

And his proude scottes, that faught then full ryffe.

sig: [C4v]

¶With th'erle of Douglas, and theim of Lothian

And brought his fiers, brennyng vpon the sea

In botes and cogges ordened by theim than

With other botes, with men_of_armes in propertee

10490

And archers good, well pauyshed in specialitee

That brent theyr shippes and theyr galiot

A shyppe of auantage was then God wote

¶When he had ben, there .xiiii. dayes to th'ende

With his prises, he came to Englande

10495

Full of cloth, wollen and lynnen, that land to amend

Pytche and tarre, both for fre and bonde

For to amende the shepes of our lande

Floure and mele of whete and rye he solde

The market he so amended manyfolde

10500

¶And wood he had, and other marchaundise

Woll and hide, and yron great quantitee

Woll-skynnes, cloth of golde and spyceries

Iewelles in chestes and stones of precioustee

And other marchauntes in specioustee

10505

And prisoners also, and mykell flaxe

Wynes swete, and mykell poleyn-waxe.

The .CC.[x]ii.

CC.xii] CC.viii 1543

Chapiter.

AT Pebles long, afore that tyme .iiii. yere

He brent the toune, vpon their market-daye

And met theyr cloth, with speres and bowes sere

sig: [C5]

10510

By his biddyng without any naye

Wherfore the Scottes from thence-forthward ay

Called hym, Robyn_mendmarket in certayn

For his measures were so large and playn. Robyn_mendmarket.

¶His neuewe Gilbert, and he the .xi. yere

10515

Of kyng Henry, vpon the water of Calme than

And also on Roule and Iedworth_forest clere

Forrayed full sore, with many a manly man

His banner first, there was displayed then

When he was clerely but .xiiii. yere no more

10520

When his vncle had battled hym so sore.

The .CC.[xiii].

CC.xiii] CC.ix 1543

Chapiter.

THe prince Henry, to duke Philip then sent

That of Burgoyn was so both syr and lorde

Syr Gilbert_Umfreuile, and his vncle verament

His cousyn also syr Ihon_Gray, as men recorde

10525

With many other worthy, with speare and sweorde

Willyam_Porter agayn the duke of Orleaunce

And his armynakes with men of great defence

¶At Seyncle then, again the duke of Orleaunce

And the duke of Burbon by all a_daye

10530

Th'englyshe faught with great sufficience

And wanne the brydge, with battayll bet awaye

Th'armynakes, with many sore affraye

sig: [C5v]

Where Umfreuile proclaymed was erle of Kyme

Cheiften was of all Englyshe that tyme.

10535

¶At Durdan also, and at Etham agayn

They faught all newe, where then they had the feld

And prisoners many they did opteyne

The which the duke of Burgoyn wold haue weld

Because to hym they were so vnbelde

10540

Theim to haue slayn he commaunded then, eche capitayn

His prisoners to kyll then in certeyn

¶To whiche Gilbert_Umfreuile erle of Kyme

Aunswered for all his felowes and there men

They shuld all die together at a tyme

10545

Or theyr prisoners, so shulde be slayn then

And with that toke the felde as folke did ken

With all theyr men, and all theyr prisoners

To die with theim, as worship it requyers

¶He said they wer not come thyther as bouchers

10550

To kyll the folke in market or in feire

Ne theim to sell, but as armes requiers

Theim to gouerne without any dispeyre

As prysoners owe home agayn repeire

For fyne paying, as lawe of armes wyll

10555

And not on stockes nor in market theim to sell

¶With whom syr Iohn_Graye, as his cousyn dere

And all Englyshe with many other of Fraunce

With their prysoners full familier

Batayled in felde, with full strong ordinaunce

10560

More like to fight, then to make obeysaunce

And helde th'erle of Kyme for theyr cheiftayn

sig: [C6]

To lyue and dye vnder his baner certayne

¶The duke Philyppe, full of sapyence

Sawe his manhode, and his knightly courage

10565

Lothe was to lese his noble aduenture

By treaty, and by other tender message

Of prisoners, graunt them to do auauntage

And hym withhelde with all his feloship

As Earle of Kyme, proclaymed of great worshyp.

10570

¶Then after sone, oure Englishemen anone

Came home agayne, with great and hye rewarde

Whome then the duke, by letter commende alone

In writyng specifyed, with herte inwarde

Unto the prynce, that sent them to hymwarde

10575

And thanked them greatly of his seruyce

In his warres shewed agayne his enemies

¶The king discharged the prince fro his counsayle

And set my lorde syr Thomas in his stede

Chief of counsayle, for the kynges more auayle

10580

For whiche the prynce of wrath and wilfull hede

Agayne hym made debate and frowardhede

With whom the kyng toke parte, and helde the felde

To tyme the prince, vnto the king him yelde

¶The king then made his sonne duke of Clarence

10585

My lorde Thomas, and sent hym into Fraunce

To helpe the duke Lewys of Orlyaunce

Agayne the duke of Burgoyne at instaunce

Of my lorde Thomas, againe the prince suraunce

Whiche was the cause also of theyr heuynesse

10590

So to refuse duke Philyppes loue causelles

sig: [C6v]

¶But then the duke of Clarence with power

Came to the duke Lowes of Orlyaunce

King Charles brother, who made hym noble chere

And hym receyued, with full hye reuerence

10595

They two warryed, with mighty suffycience

Upon the duke of Burgoyne, and hym outrayed

That he went into Burgoyne, all formayed

¶Then rode the duke of Clarence into Guien

Through Fraunce, with hoste then full royall

10600

And kepte that lande, with helpe of duke Lewis then

In whiche meane-while, kyng Henry gan fall

In great syknesse, that his strength did pall

With contryte herte, and humble yelden chere

He sayde, O lorde, thy mer[cy]letters illegible I requyre.

The .CC.x[iiii].

CC.xiiii] CC.x 1543

Chapiter.

10605

O Lorde he sayde, O God omnipotent

Nowe se I well, thy godhede loueth me

That suffred neuer my foes to haue theyr entent

Of myne persone in myne aduers[i]te aduersite] aduersrte 1543

Ne in myne sycknesse, ne in myne infyrmyte

10610

But ay haste kepte it fro theyr maleuolence

And chastysed me, by thy beneuolence

¶Lorde I thanke the, with all my herte

With all my soule, and my spirytes clere

This wormes mete, this caryon full vnquerte

sig: [C7]

10615

That some-tyme thought in worlde it had no pere

This face so foule, that leprous doth apere

That here-afore, I haue had suche a pryde

To purtraye ofte, in many place full wyde.

¶Of which ryght, nowe the porest of this lande

10620

Except only, of theyr benignyte

Wolde loth to looke vpon, I vnderstande

Of whiche good lorde, that thou so visyte me

A thousande tymes the lorde in trinyte

With all my herte, I thanke the and commende

10625

Into thyne handes, my soule withouten ende.

¶And dyed so in fayth, and hole creaunce

At Cauntorbury buryed, with greate reuerence

As a kyng shulde be, with all kynde of circumstaunce

According vnto his hye magnifycence

10630

Besyde the prynce Edward, with great expence

Of Christ was then, a .M. yere full oute

Four hundreth eke, and thirtene oute of doubte.

¶O very God, what torment had this kyng The conceyte of the maker.

To remember in bryef, and shorte entent

10635

Some in his sherte, put ofte-tyme venemyng

And some in meate and drinke great poysonment

Some in his hose, by great ymagenement

Some in bedstraw, yrons sharpe ground wel and whet

Enuenemed sore, to slee him, if he had on them set

10640

¶Some made for hym, diuers enchauntmentes

To waste hym oute, and vtterly destroye

And some gaue hym batayle, full felonoment

In felde within his realme, hym for to noye

sig: [C7v]

And on them-selfes, the hurte and all the anoye

10645

Ay fell at ende that honged were and heded

As traytours ought to bene in euery stede

¶This kyng dyed, of his reygne in the yere

Fourtene accompted, of Marche the .xix. daye

The sondaye was then by Kalendre

10650

Of whome the realme, great ioye at first had ay

But afterwarde they loued not his araye

At his begynnyng, full hye he was commende

With commons then, and also lytell at the ende.

The .CC.x[v].

CC.xv] CC.xi 1543

Chapiter.

HEnry his sonne, that prynce of wales was than

10655

On saynt Cuthbertes day in Marche folowynge

Kyng was so, as I remember canne

On passyon-sondaye, after was this kyng

Anoynted and crowned, without taryeng

The ninth daye, it was of Apryll so

10660

With stormes fell, and haylestones greate also

¶In his fyrste yere, the lorde Cobham heretike

sig: [C8]

Confedered with lollers insapient Lorde Cobham.

Agayne the churche arose, and was full lyke

It to haue destroyed by theyr entendment

10665

Had not the kyng then made suppowelment

And put hym fro the felde, by good direccyon

That sembled were, by greate insurreccyon.

¶Then fled the lorde Cobham herrorious

To Wales, so with lollers many one

10670

Musyng in his opinyon venemous

Howe that he myght destroye the churche anone

But God that syt in heuen aboue alone

Knowyng his herte, naked of all good entent

Let hym betake, to haue his iudgement

10675

¶And put he was to prisone in the towre

Of whiche he dyd escape awaye by nyght

And take was agayne within an houre

And after sone dampned, by lawe and ryght

For heresye, by the clergy in syght

10680

And brent he was to ashes deed and pale

Through cursed lyfe, thus came he in greate bale

¶The houre he was crowned and anoynt

He chaunged was, of all his olde condicyon

Full vertuous he was, fro poynt to poynt

10685

Grounded all newe, in good opinyon

For_passyngly without comparyson

Then set vpon all ryght and conscyence

A newe man made, by all good regimence

¶He gaue leue then of good deuocyon

10690

All men to offer to byshop Scrop expresse

sig: [C8v]

Without lettynge, or any questyon

He graunted also, of his hye worthynesse

To laye the kyng Rycharde, and Anne doutlesse

His wyfe that was, at Westmynster buryed

10695

As kyng Richard hym-selfe had sygnifyed

¶And fro the freres of Langley where he laye

He caryed hym to Westmynster anone

And buryed hym of royall greate araye

With the quene Anne, in tombe of marbel-stone

10700

Full royally arayed, as royals by them sone

And to Henry_Percy, he graunted his landes clere

That to the duke of Bedforde, then geuen were

¶My lorde of Clarence, fro Guyan home agayne

Came to the kyng, with ioye and greate pleasaunce

10705

The seconde yere, of whome the kyng was fayne

At Leycester then, as made is remembraunce

In his parlyament, without varyaunce

His brother Iohn, duke of Bedforde create

His brother vmfrey, duke of Gloucester of estate

10710

¶ Thomas_Beauford, that was earle of Dorcet

He made duke then, of Excester that whyle

He gaue in charge, that tyme withouten let

Unto syr Robert there Umfreuyle

By his wysdome, and manhode that whyle

10715

To treate with the Scottes, to get Henry_Percy

Layde in hostage, by his grauntsirez foly.

The .CC.x[v]i.

CC.xvi] CC.xii 1543

Chapiter.

THen was it warre betwene vs and Scotland

That sir Robert_Umfreuile might it spede

But at Geteryng with Scottes hand for hand

10720

He faught on fote, on Maudelyn daye in-deede

Wher eightene score Scottes were take I rede

Three score slain, a thousand putte to flight

With four .C. menne, discomfited theim fourth-right

¶Twelfe mile then, he made on theim great chase

10725

In-to their land, and home he came again

To his castell of Rokesburgh in that case

Whiche he had then in kepyng soth to sain

Of his greate labour, in harte beyng ful fain

With prisoners, many one hurte full sore

10730

Hym-self and his, that then had wounded thore

¶At Lammasse next, the kyng then as he laye

At Southampton, th'erle of Cambridge toke

The lord Scorp also, and eke sir Thomas_Graye

And hedded theim, the cause was who-so looke

10735

Emong theim-selfes, for thei this counsaill toke

And purposed th'erle of Marche to croune

Kyng of England, by their prouision

The .CC.x[v]ii.

CC.xvii] CC.xiii 1543

Chapiter.

THE kyng held furth by sea to Normandy

With all his hoste, at Kydcans landed then

10740

And laied a siege to Hareflete myghtely

On euery side, by land and water wanne

With bulwerkes stoute, and bastell he began

In whiche he putte th'erle of Huntyngton

Th'erle of Kent also of greate renoune

10745

¶Whiche erles twoo, with other to theim assigned

Cornwaile and Gray, Steward also and Porter

Full greate assautes, made eche daye and repugned

Whiles at last, thei bette the towne-toures their

And what the kyng, with fagottes that there were

10750

And his connyng werching vnder the wall

With his gunnes castyng, thei made the toure to fall

¶And their bulwerke brent with shot of wildfyre

At whiche place then, th'erles twoo vp_sette

Their baners bothe, without any hyre

10755

The kyng therwith, his gonnes the walles bette

The duke did so, of Clarence without lette

On the ferre side, wher-as he then laye

Th'erle Mountague, did well ther alwaye

¶The lord Gawcort that then was their capitain

10760

Of Hareflete tho with other of the toune

Offred then the toune to the kyng full fain

And he with other, to stand at the kynges direccion

Then made he there, his vncle of greate renoune

sig: D2

Capitain of it duke of Excester than

10765

And homeward went, through Fraunce like a man

The .CC.x[v]iii.

CC.xviii] CC.xiiii 1543

Chapiter.

AN hundred mile to Calais had he then

At Agyncourt, so homeward in his waye

The nobles there, of Fraunce afore him wen

Proudly battailled, with an hundred thousand in araie

10770

He sawe he must nedes with theim make afraye

He sette on theim, and with theim faught full sore

With nyne thousand, no more with hym thore

¶The feld he had, and held it all that night

But then came woorde, of hoste and enemies

10775

For whiche thei slewe all prisoners doune-right

Sauf dukes and erles, in fell and cruell wise

And then the prees of enimies did supprise

Their owne people, that mo were dede through pres

Then our menne might haue slain, that tyme no lese

10780

¶On our side, was the duke of Yorke ther slain

Th'erle also of Suffolke worshipfully

And knightes twoo, with other then soth to sain

And at the siege, th'erle of Suffolke sothely

The father dyed of the flixe contynually

10785

But mikell folke, at that siege yet dyed

Of frute and flixe, and colde were mortified

¶On the French partie, the dukes of Barre and Lorein

sig: [D2v]

And of Alaunson, in battaill ther were dedde

And take were of Christeans in certain

10790

The duke Lewes of Orliaunce their hedde

The duke of Burbone in that stede

Th'erle of Uendom and Arthure also of Brytain

And sir Bursigalde marshall of Fraunce certain

¶And th'erle of Ewe was taken ther also

10795

Fyue barons also that were at their baner

And fiftene hundred knightes and squyers mo

Were slain that daye in full knightely maner

With woundes, so as then did apere

As werres would vpon Chrispyn-daye

10800

And Chrispynian that sainctes in blisse been aye

The .CC.x[ix].

CC.xix] CC.xv 1543

Chapiter.

AND in the yere of Christ a thousand clere

Foure hundred also and therwithall fiftene

When this battaill was smiten as dooth apere

In the third yere of his reigne as was seen

10805

To Caleice so he came, and home bee_dene

With th'emperour of Roome sir Sigemond

Unto hym came then, in-to England ground

¶With a thousand menne that were full clene araied

sig: D3

The duke of Melayn, the counte-Palatyne

10810

The marques Ferrer, the lord Mantowe wel apayed

The counte Carmeler, the counte Palestryne

With many lordes of the water of the Ryne

And of the Garter was made the secondarye

And in it stalled, for he would not varye

10815

¶The duke of Holand, then by sea came

With .lx. shippes, in Thamis that did aryue

And to the kyng, he went vnto lambe

To Th'emperoure after he went belyue

As chronycles then did discryue

10820

Then was he made knight of the Garter

At his desyre, as sayth the chronicler.

The .CC.x[x].

CC.xx] CC.xvi 1543

Chapiter.

THe kyng sent then, the duke vnto the sea

Of Bedforde, that with four hundreth sayles

To vitayl Hareflete, with th'erle of Marche no lee

10825

Th'erle-Marshall, without any fayles

With th'erles armed in plate and mayles

Of Oxenforde, Warrewike and Huntyngdon

Of Salisbury, Deuonshire, and many a baron.

¶Of Arondell also, these erles all

10830

Were in that flote, vnto the noumbre of men

Twenty thousande Herouldes did theim call

On our Lady-daye th'assumpcion then

All these lordes with many worthy men

sig: [D3v]

The fyfth yere of the kynge was then expresse

10835

When there enemies theim met at Sayn doutelesse

¶They faught ful sore, afore the water of Sayn

With carrikes many, well stuffed and arayed

And many other shippes great of Hispayne

Barges Balyngers and galeys vnfrayed

10840

Whiche proudly came vpon our shippes vnprayed

And by th'euen there sayles aualed were set

Theyr enemyes slayn in battayll, and sore bet

¶And many dryent, were that daye in the sea

That as our flete rode there then alwaye

10845

Unto the feast, nexte of his natiuitee

The bodies flete amonge our shippes echedaye

Full piteous was, and to see theim ay

That thousandes were .xx. as they then tolde

That taken were, in that same batayll bolde.

10850

¶In which meane-while, whiles our ships there laye

It was so calme, without any wynde

We might not sayle, ne fro thens passe awaye

Wherfore theyr galeys, eche day there gan vs fynd

With ores many, about vs dyd they wynde

10855

With wildfyre oft assayled vs daye and night

To brenne our shippes in that they could or might

¶The flete came home, than at our Lady-day

From Sayn, whiche tyme the kyng then had conueied

Th'emperoure then to Caleys on his waye

10860

And home agayn was come right well apayed

Of the welfare of that worthy flete assayed

So well in armes, vnto his hie pleasaunce

sig: D4

Upon his foes, and kepte theim-selfe by gouernaunce.

The .CC.x[x]i.

CC.xxi] CC.xvii 1543

Chapiter.

THe king then in his .v. yere went into Fraunce

10865

And landed at Towke and gatte the castell than

And so came with all his ordinaunce

And layde his siege aboute, with many a man

Whiche by processe, at the last he wan

Whiche to Umfreuile, that then was erle of Kyme

10870

He gaue to kepe, for great manhode that tyme

¶ Bayons, Falace, Cees, and Argenton

Doumfront, Mortyne and Iuory also

Musterdeuilers, Euerons and Alaunson

Caldebeke and Depe, Arkes, Unycort tho

10875

With other townes and castels many mo

Gurnaye, Newcastell, Gysours, Estoutuile

Roan, Louers and also Umfreuile

¶ Pountlarge, Pountoyes and also Pount_Dorson ,

Maunte, Uire_Balom and also Aueraunce

10880

Castell_Galiard, with many other toune

Bolham in Perche, saynt_Ioilian in Maunce

Merteyn in Perche, Chirbroke and eke Constaunce

Uernell in Perche, Seintlowe and Alauayle

Uernon_on_Sayn , without any battayle

10885

¶All Normandy he gate, within two yere

And after then, he trauayled in Fraunce

sig: [D4v]

For mariage and conuencion clere

Betwene kyng Charles and hym at instaunce

Of duke Philip of Burgoyn, of aliaunce

10890

In whiche tyme, so they were by appoyntment

Accorded well, and clerely condiscent.

¶That then he wed, his doughter Katheryne

And proclaymed was, then of Fraunce regent

And heritour of Fraunce, by ryght lyne

10895

Of his owne right, fro kyng Edwardes discent

And Normandy and Guyan as appent

Remayn should to hym, and to his heyres

Kynges of Englande euermore, and to theyrs.

¶Then layde he siege to Melon anone-right

10900

Aboue Paris .xv. legges vpon Sayn

Whiche by processe and laboure of his might

And full sore siege, full long with passyng payne

He had at laste, of whiche he was full fayn

And toke it, to Umfreuile erle of Kyme

10905

To haue for euer, ay forwardes fro that tyme

¶ Sauncer in Burgoyn then gate he mightely

And Motreux also, where the duke was buried

Of Burgoyn then, whom he toke vp in hie

And at Dugyon, as it is notified

10910

Hym buried so, in Burgoyn vndenyed

With high honour and great solempnitee

As to suche a prince, of reason ought to bee

¶And Motreux toke he then to syr Iohn_Gray

That then was made erle of Tanoniruile

10915

A manly knight in armes proued aye

sig: [D5]

And lorde Powes was, by his wyfe that whyle

And emes sonne, vnto th'erle Umfreuile

Two better knightes I trowe, there were not than

Of theyr estate, sith tyme that they began.

10920

¶At siege of Meloyn, and of all other citees

After folowyng, the kyng of Scotland lay

The prince of Orenge withouten lees

The duke Embarre his sonne and heire alway

That suster-sonne then was, full freshe and gay

10925

To kyng Henry at Meloyn, full well arayed

The kyng of Fraunce, with banner hole displayed

¶The siege helde, fro Midsomer to Christmasse

When kyng Henry at his palayce royall

Of Turnels fayre, besyde the bastell pereles

10930

Of Saynt_Antonye helde his h[a]le imperiall hale] hole 1543

Where then he feasted, these kynges and princes all

Where then th'erles of Suffolke and of Kyme

With ten men helde the iustes by all that tyme

¶But whyles the kyng Henry was so in Fraunce

10935

The duke Robert, that was of Albany

Layd about Barwike of great puissaunce

Sixty thousande of Scottes cruelly

Assayled the towne eche daye by and by

The capitayn was syr Robert_Umfreuyle

10940

A knight of the garter, had ben long whyle.

The .CC.x[x]ii.

CC.xxii] CC.xviii 1543

Chapiter.

THey shot their gonnes, and with their ladders scaled

But nought auailed, thei were so wel of bet

When they our hoste sawe, anone they vnscaled

That stale awaye by night without let

10945

For feare our hoste, vpon theim shulde set

At Baremore then, with .vii. score thousande men

For which the Scottes, fled fro the duke home then

¶Upon the night, and let hym there alone

With his owne men and no mo of weike power

10950

Yet rode he to Norham nere theim anone

And brent the towne, our hoste and he then wer

But two myle of, and durst not come no nere

Wherfore he rode, home then into Scotlande

Our hoste more sone retourned to England

10955

¶Then syr Robert_Umfreuile, with the garyson

Of Barwike, with his countremen

Folowed after the Scottes, with his penoun

On the hynder ryders, and many of theim then

He toke homewarde, and slewe squyers ten

10960

Within Scotlande, besyde Cherneside towne

and to Berwike came with his garyson.

¶Th'erle Douglas, then hight syr Archebalde

Whiche his one eye had lost at Hamyldon

That semed hym well, ay after manyfolde

sig: [D6]

10965

At Shrowysbury, for his correccyon

He loste one of his stones, for his raunson

His syege then lefte at Rokesburgh where he laye

And with the duke of Albany rode awaye

¶The Earles two, of Douglas and Dunbarre

10970

For trewce sent, to Robert_Umfreuyle

Wardeine of the este marche, full wyse and warre

He wolde none take with them, then for no while

Syth they the trewce had broken, and did fyle

He shuld them holde the warre, to they were faine

10975

To seke peace then, at the kyng agayne.

¶The kyng was then, in Fraunce hole regent

And Parys had, and all the lande aboute

Troies in Champaine, and Mews in Bry had hent

With all citees, townes and castelles stoute

10980

In all that lande and countree there throughout

Of Mewis he made sir Iohn_Graye capitayne

That was lorde Powes, by his wyfe certayne

¶That tyme syr Raufe_Cromwel was gouernour

Of kyng Charles, and Isabell the quene

10985

By kyng Henry ordeyned theyr protectoure

Who kept them at Boys_vincent, as was sene

In royall wyse, as to them dyd parteigne

The kyng busy, that tyme in his conqueste

For to set rule in Fraunce, coulde haue no reste

10990

¶In this meane-whyle, sir Robert_Umfreuyle

Wardeine of the March, thought then full great shame

The king in Fraunce, doing so well that while

He made the warre on Scottes to haue a name

sig: [D6v]

Two yere complete he wrought them mekell shame

10995

Th'est Marche hole of Scotlande then he brent

And market-townes echeone, or that he stente

¶ Howyk Selkirke Iedworth, and all Dunbarre

Laudre also, with all Laudre_dale

The forestes also, fro Berwyk that were farre

11000

Of Eteryke Iedworth, and eke all Teuidale

And all the villages in them, both great and small

And none helpe had, but of his countre-men

Of the bishopryke, and of Northumberlande then

¶In this mean-time, the Scottes had great paine

11005

Wherfore th'erls of Douglas and Dunbarre

To London came, and toke a trewce full fayne

As Umfreuyle them hight afore the warre

That to the kyng they shulde it seke of farre

Of whiche he kept his hoste then full two yere

11010

For with his warre, he waste the marche full clere

The .CC.x[xiii].

CC.xxiii] CC.xix 1543

Chapiter.

THe .viii. yere of his reygne, at Candelmasse

The kinge came home, and brought with hym the quene

That he had wed at Troys, in Champein doutlesse

Afore the lordes of Fraunce, as then was wel sene

11015

The duke of Clarence, as men well it mene

He made regent of Fraunce in his absence

To occupye ryght, as his owne presence

¶The earle of Salisbury, the Mountague

sig: [D7]

He made gouernoure then of Normandye Normandye] Normandaye 1543

11020

Th'erle of Kyme, a knyght of his full trewe

Marshall of Fraunce, he made full openly

The lordes all, he ordeyned there to lye

Hym to comforte, and to bene attendaunt

To hym, in all that myght hym be pleasaunt

11025

¶This prynce of princes, in England then abode

To somer after, eche daye in busynesse

To ordeyne for his passage, and his rode

To Fraunce agayne, in which tyme then doutlesse

I sawe two knightes afore hym then expresse

11030

That none might them accorde, or treate to peace

Ne iustyce none, of fyghting might them cease

¶The lordes then greatly counsayled the kyng

To make them fynde suretye to kepe the peace

The kyng answered anon without tarying

11035

I shalbe youre borowe nowe or I cease

For of this thyng, I may not longe you prease

But what case fall that slaine is one of you

That other shall dye, to god I make a vowe

¶They heryng this, anon they were accorde

11040

By frendes that treated that time betwene them two

And after that, they were no more at discorde

This was a Iustice of peace, that coulde do so

His offyce kepte, without borowes moo

For when he dyed, Iustyce of peace bode none

11045

But baratours, theyr office kepte anone.

¶And at the Easter, then in his xv. yere

The duke of Clarence, th'enemies had espyed

sig: [D7v]

At Ba[u]gy then for whiche his menne in fere

He sembled, and thyther faste he hyed

11050

On Easter-euen, he wolde not bene replyed

With whome were then th'erle of Huntyngdon

And Somerset the earle, his wyues sonne

The .CC.xx[iiii].

CC.xxiiii] CC.xx 1543

Chapiter.

ANd nere at Bawge came Gylberte_Umfreuyle

Marshal of Fraunce, with .v. horse and no mo

11055

And of good wyt, counsayled hym that whyle

To kepe the churche and goddes seruyce tho

And after the feaste, to seke vpon his foo

And he aunswered hym, yf thou be aferd

Go home thy waye, and kepe the churche-yerde

11060

¶For thou haste bene with the kyng to longe

To make me lese my worshyp and my name

Thou haste ay gote the worshyp euer amonge

And I haue none, thus wolde thou lose my fame

With suche wordes chidyng he dyd hym blame

11065

To whome he sayde, yf that thou be afrayde

And kepe the churche, as thou me nowe hast saide

¶With that he saide, my lorde ye haue no menne

With the enemyes, thus hastely to fyght

Youre men wot not of this, ne howe ne whenne

sig: [D8]

11070

To semble to you of power, ne of myght

For trewly nowe my cousen Graye nowe right

And I haue here but ten men and no mo

But yet ye shall neuer saye we leaue you so

¶So rode they furth, ay chidyng by the waye

11075

Tyll they to Bawgy, ouer the bridge were gone

Where the enemyes were batayled in araye

Where then they light, and faught with them anon

The duke was slayne that day there with his foone

With hym were slayne, then th'erle Umfreuyle

11080

And syr Iohn_Graye the Earle of Tankeruyle

The lorde Roos, and syr Iohn_Lumley

With many other were with hym slayne that daye

Whose names I can not wryte nor saye

The Earles two, of Huntingdon no naye

11085

Of Somerset also, were taken there I saye

For prysoners, and put to greate raunson

And laye full longe in Fraunce then in pryson

¶Th'englishe power came, when all was done

And rescowed then, the deed men where they laye

11090

And brought the lordes home, fro thens then ful sone

That were there vpon the felde that daye

And buryed them in Englande, in good araye

Echeone in his owne abbaye or colage

Afore founded within his herytage

11095

¶At Cauntorbury, the duke was of Clarence

Besyde his father kynge Henry buryed

With suche honoure, costage and expence

As the duches his wyfe coulde haue signifyed

sig: [D8v]

Whiche neded not to bene modifyed

11100

She was so well, within her-selfe auysed

Of greate sadnesse, and womanhede preuised.

The .CC.xx[v].

CC.xxv] CC.xxi 1543

Chapiter.

THe kyng then let the quene in Englande byde

In somer then, the .ix yere of his date

And into Fraunce, agayne he went that tyde

11105

With heuy harte, to Parys went algate

The castell of Perfount, soone he gate

A royall place of all that men haue sene

The greate cytee of Compyne also I wene.

¶The cytees also of Cassons Bray and Crayle

11110

Of Owsare also, with many cytees moo

And to Parys agayne without fayle

In his castell of Lowre abidynge tho

Tidynges then came, to him full glad and mo

That of a prynce delyuered was the quene

11115

Of whiche all men reioysed as was sene

Saynt_Dionis then, and castell Boys_Uynccent

Corbell Pount_Melanke, and full great parte of Fraunce

Burgoyne Artoys, and Pycardy to hym sent

To bene his men, without contraryaunce

11120

And eche cytee, to hym sworne in substaunce

Walled townes and castelles euerychone

As hye regent of Fraunce by hym one

sig: E1

¶Then rode he furth to Bawgy and Orleaunce

Wynnyng the tounes, and citees in his waye

11125

And castelles all, that were of greate defence

Crepy, Lawnesse, and Milly with greate affraye

Nongent_le_Roy, he gatte with greate araye

Pount_Caranton, with many other obeyed

To his highnesse, and were his menne conueghed

11130

¶The duke of Brytain, then was his manne

For fee belaste, without rebellion

The counte sainct_Paule, his manne was then

The duke of Burgoyn, without suspicion

With many other, his menne without collucion

11135

Were sworne then whole, the countrees in the same wise

Castelles and tounes, eke as he couth deuise

¶In August so of his reigne the tenth yere

He toke sickenes, and laye at Boy_Uincent

In pain strong, as then it did appere

11140

Full like to passe, wherfore in his entent

The duke of Bedford, he made hie regent

Of Fraunce, and of his other landes all

Beyond the sea as chief in generall

¶And of his soonne Henry, he made custode

11145

Thomas_Beauford, his vncle dere and trewe

Duke of Excester, full of all worthyhode

To tyme his soonne, to perfecte age grewe

He to kepe hym, chaungyng for no newe

With helpe of his other eme, then full wise

11150

The bishop of Wynchester of good aduise

¶Th'erle then of Salisbury manly

sig: [E1v]

That Mountague then hight by surname

He sette to kepe, then all Normandie

Under the regent, as knight of full greate fame

11155

With other lordes, full sage and worthy of name

Th'erle of Oxenford, and of Suffolke also

Of his counsaill to been with many mo

The .CC.xx[v]i.

CC.xxvi] CC.xxii 1543

Chapiter.

THe last daye of August then full clere

Of Christ his date, a thousand signified

11160

Foure hundred and twoo and twenty yere

When that this prince of princes so dyed

At Boys_Uincent, with death then victoried

That neuer prince in earth might then haue dooen

But he alone that ruleth sonne and moonne

11165

¶With whose bones, the quene came to England

The kyng of Scottes Iames with hir also

The duke of Excester, as I can vnderstand

Th'erle of Marche, Edmond_Mortimer tho

Rychard_Beauchampe, then erle of Warwike so

11170

Humfrey then erle of Stafford, young of age

And erle Edmond, of Morten wise and sage

¶O good lord God, that art omnipotent

Why streched not thy power and thy might

sig: E2

To kepe this prince, that sette was and consent

11175

With th'emperour, to conuert Surrey right

And with Christen inhabite, it had hight

Why fauoured so thyne high omnipotence

Miscreaunce more, then his beneuolence

¶Aboue all-thyng, he keped the lawe and peace

11180

Through all England, that none insurreccion

Ne no riotes were then withouten lese

Nor neighbour werre, in faute of correccion

But peasebly vnder his proteccion

Compleyntes all, of wronges in generall

11185

Refourmed were, well vnder his yerd egall

The .CC.xx[v]ii.

CC.xxvii] CC.xxiii 1543

Chapiter.

WHen he in Fraunce, was dayly conuersaunt 'W' of 'WHen' is guide letter in space set for large capital

His shadowe so obumbred all England

That peace and lawe kept continuaunt

In his absence throughout all this land

11190

And els as I can seyne and vnderstand

His power had been lite, to conquere Fraunce

Nor other realmes, that well were lesse perchaunce

¶The peace at home, and lawe so well conserued

Were croppe and rote of all his hie conquest

11195

Through whiche the loue, of God he well deserued

And of his people, by North, South, Est and West

Who might haue slain that prince, or downe him kest

That stode so sure, in rightfull gouernaunce

For common-weale, to God his hie plesaunce

sig: [E2v]

The .CC.xx[v]iii.

CC.xxviii] CC.xxiiii 1543

C[h]apiter

Chapiter] Capiter 1543

11200

HEnry his soonne, then not .iii. quarters olde King Henry_the_sixte

That borne was at .s. Nicholas daie afore

At Windesore, so as the realme then would

Unto the croune, succede as he was bore

All England hole, by might of lordes thore

11205

The duke of Gloucester then disired

To haue the kepyng of the kyng enspired

¶The bishop of Wynchester it withstode

With all the lordes there, hole of his assent

Then would he haue been, as for the next of bloode

11210

Leuetenaunt then of England and regent

The bishop aye, withstode all his entent

That chaunceler was, by the fifth kyng Henry made

And so furth stode, and in th'office bade

¶For cause he was so noyous with to dele

11215

And office would he haue and gouernaunce

Wherfore thei made hym, for the common-wele

Protectour of the realme by ordinaunce The duke of Gloucester protectour of England.

To kepe the land, fro mischief and varyaunce

The kyng of Fraunce, for sorowe then dyed

11220

The quene his wife also, as was notified

The lord Cromwell, lost therof nothyng

For he had bothe theim in his gouernaunce

sig: E3

And home then came, when buryed was the kyng

Charles of Fraunce, with worthy ordenaunce

11225

Quene Isabell also with purueaunce

Accordaunt well to their royall estate

With costages greate, as was preordinate

¶The first daye of the moneth of Septembre

He gan to reigne, then was a thousand yere

11230

Foure hundred as I can remember

Twenty and twoo accompted then full clere

As I finde write in the chronicler

But not crouned for tendernes of age

Nor yet anoynte, for dred of youthes outrage

11235

¶The duke of Bedford, stode so furth ay regent The duke of Bedford regent of fraunce.

The duke of Gloucester, here was so protectour

The bishop of Wynchester by perlyament

Was chaunceller and hiest gouernour

Of the kyng his persone and his greate socour

11240

His godfather and his fatheres eme

And supportour was, moost of all this realme

¶The regent then, of Fraunce wed Anne his wife

The duke his suster of Burgoyn, good and faire

The duke of Brytain, hir suster knowen rife

11245

Had wed afore without any dispeire

Whiche was lady of greate repeire

Whiche dukes twoo were sworne and aliede

With the regent to stand strongly fortified

The .CC.xx[ix].

CC.xxix] CC.xxv 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [E3v]

¶Th'erle of Boughan and th'erle Douglas

11250

Th'erle of Wigton with power of Scotland

And lordes of Fraunce, to_gether assembled was

Wher the regent with lordes of England

At Uernoyle in Perche, as I can vnderstand

Faught with theim sore, and slewe the Scottes cruelly

11255

And bade theim thynke emong on Bawgy

¶The regent had the felde and victorie

With greate honour and laude full comfortable

Th'erles were ther, with hym of Salisbury

Of Suffolke also, that were full honorable

11260

The lord Wiloughby, full fortunable

The lord Scales of greate and hie corage

With many other of the baronage

¶Th'erle of Ewe, and his brother manly

Faught in that feld, and gate a worthy name

11265

And many mo, did tho full doughtely

I dare well saie, was none therfore to blame

All other also, whiche that were worthy of fame

I would haue wryten, if I had knowen their mede

But to heraldes, I will commit their deede

11270

¶Thei sleugh th'erles, of Boughan and Douglas

And of Wigton, of Scotland that wer there

The lord of Enermeth, of Scotland then was

With greate people, that dedde then there were

Our Englishmenne, full manly theim bere

11275

The regent was there, that daye a lion

And faught in armes, like any champion

The .CC.xx[x].

CC.xxx] CC.xxvi 1543

Chapiter.

TH'erle of Salisbury, then Mountague

With great power, layd siege to Orliaunce

Wher slayn he was, for whom men sore gan rewe

11280

So manly was his knightly diligence

He laboured euer in marciall excellence

Unto the tyme as would th'ende of fate

With a quarell was slayne infortunate

¶And buried was, in Englande that yere

11285

With greate worshippe and hie solempnitee

Richard_Neuell had wed, his doughter clere

And erle was made, that tyme by her in fee

The regent then, of great nobilitee

By counsell of the duke then of Burgoyn

11290

Kepte Fraunce full well, without any essoyn

¶Then died his wife, and wed then sone agayn

The counte seynt_Paules, sister of Fraunce counte] countee 1543

That leegeman was to kyng Henry certayne

To the regent sworne, as by full greate assuraunce

11295

With true seruice, and all trewe aliaunce

He kepte bothe Fraunce, and eke all Normandy

In peace and rest, full well and worthely

¶Th'erle Richarde of Warwike, kepte the kyng

By all this tyme, sith the duke was dead

11300

Of Excester, that first hym had in kepyng

Th'erle Richard, in mykell worthyhead

Enfourmed hym, but of his symplehead

He coulde litle, within his brest conceyue

The good from eiuill, he could vneth perceyue.

sig: [E4v]

The .CC.xx[x]i.

CC.xxxi] CC.xxvii 1543

Chapiter.

11305

THe kyng then in his .viii. yere in Englande

At Westmynster vpon saynt Leonardes daye

The sondaye then, as I can vnderstande

And of Christ was then, a thousande full I saye

Foure hundreth and .xx. and .ix. no naye

11310

He crouned was, with all solempnitee

By whole assent of lordes and commontee.

¶Then of his reigne, accompte the .x. yere

To Fraunce he went, wher then at saynt_Denys

His fathers eme, the cardinall full clere

11315

Hym crouned fayre, with bishoppes there full wise

The regent was there, with suche seruice

As was due of reason, and to hym appent

The duke of Burgoyne, also obedient.

¶The duke also, was there of Britayne

11320

The counte saynt_Paule, and the duke Embarre

Th'erle of Foys, with other lordes of Guyan

The prouoste of Parys, with other great repaire

Of lordes, knightes, and many ladyes fayre

The gouernours of all the great citees

11325

And prelates fele and Barons for there fees.

sig: [E5]

The .CC.xx[x]ii.

CC.xxxii] CC.xxviii 1543

Chapiter.

THe lorde Cromwel was his chamberlayn

Who was so wise, he was of great record

His homagers, as to hym did perteyne

In Fraunce that tyme, by good and trewe accorde

11330

For his fees, as they and he concorde

Of Christes date, was then a thousande yere

Foure hundreth also and one and thyrty clere,

¶The regent died, for whom was made great mone

Then bothe councels of Englande and of Fraunce

11335

Chose the duke of Burgoyn then anone

To regent of that lande, for great affiaunce

That kepte it well a yere in all assuraunce

But sone thereafter, with the dolphyn accorde

And was his man, as then was well recorde

11340

¶Th'erle Richard of Warwike then conceyued

Of the symplesse and great innocense

Of kyng Henry, as he it well perceyued

Desired to be discharged of his diligence

About the kyng, and by his sapience

11345

Was sent to Fraunce and so was regent

And kepte it well in all establishement.

¶Tyll that he dyed, out of this worlde awaye

sig: [E5v]

For whom great mone was made and lamentacion

For his wisedome, and for his manhode ay

11350

For his norture and communicacion

He stode in grace of hie commendacion

Emonge all folke vnto the daye he died

Regent of Fraunce, full greately laudified.

The .CC.xx[xiii].

CC.xxxiii] CC.xxix 1543

Chapiter.

THe duke of Burgoyn, then to Calis came

11355

And set a bastell then afore the toune

The which th'erle of Morteyn, by his name

Edmond_Beaufort, as made is mencion

With soudyours it gatte and bet it downe

The duke went home, and left the siege with shame

11360

When he our flete sawe, saylyng on the same

¶The protectour with his flete, at Calys then

Did lande, and rode into Flaunders a litle waye

And litle did, to counte a manly man

But that the siege, for hym then fled awaye

11365

The duke distracte, sore sycke was many a daye

For sorowe and shame, he helde hym out of sight

Many a yere, he went not out to fight.

The .CC.xxx[iiii].

CC.xxxiiii] CC.xxx 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [E6]

IN the same tyme also, of Scotland king Iames

To Renkesburgh cam, and layd his siege about

11370

Syr Raulfe_Graye, then kept it from all shames

Agayn his sautes, that then were full stoute

Th'erle then of Northumberlande throughout

Raysed vp the lande, and when he came it nere

The kyng trumped vp and went awaye full clere

11375

¶Who sawe euer afore, two hostes royall

So easely without stroke discomfite

Of diuers landes, and neither had a fall

And on no parte, smote no stroke perfite The conceit of the maker touchynge king Iames.

But for the shadowes, that were imperfite

11380

Of our hostes so fled and sawe nothynge

But vmbres two, of our hoste then commynge

¶But thus I deme, tho princes wer forswore

The kyng of Scottes, the duke of Burgoyn eke

That they not durst on no grounde abide therfore

11385

Their vntruthes, made there hertes feynt and seeke

Truste neuer their manhode after worth a leeke

That vncompelled forsworne or wilfully

Shall neuer after haue honour ne victorie

¶Take hede ye lordes, of these great princes two

11390

What came of theim, in shorte tyme after this

The kyng murthered, at home in Scotlande tho

The duke was wod, and frantike for his misse

Thus vengeaunce fell vpon theim bothe I_wysse

Alas a prince shulde haue suche cowardise

11395

To be vntrewe or false in any wise

¶Sith he nede nought, so strecheth ay his power

sig: [E6v]

To kepe his trouthe, and make his fo the same

To kepe to hym with strength of sworde full clere

Or els destroye his land, and all his fame

11400

And put hym so to foule and open shame

For periury occupied, and lawe vnpreserued

Caused many a man, for to bee ouerterued.

The .CC.xxx[v].

CC.xxxv] CC.xxxi 1543

Chapiter.

BUt after then th'erle of Stafforde went

With power strong, to kepe all Normandy

11405

Two yere with_holde, with all lordes assent

Whiche well he keped, and full honorably

With litle losse, of places fewe sodenly

By enemyes won, that might not longe ben holde

And home he came, when spended was his golde

11410

¶Then went th'erle thyther of Huntyngdon

That kept that la[n]d, with sad and trewe seruice land] lad 1543

With great power, truely vnto the croune

For all the foes, and eke the kynges enemyes

And fewe places loste, ne had no great supprise

11415

And home he came agayn, at two yeres ende

When his wages were gone and all hole spende

And after hym the duke of Yorke full ying

Thether was sent, with great power royall

sig: [E7]

And regent was, of all that longed to the kyng

11420

And kepte full well Normandye in especyall

But Fraunce was gone, afore in generall

And home he came, at seuen yere ende agayne

With mekell loue of the lande certayne

¶The duke of Yorke, sent was then to Irelande

11425

Leuetenaunt then he was there many a daye

And greate thanke there, and loue of all the land

He had amonge the Iryshe alwaye

And all the Iryshe, beganne him to obey

He ruled that lande full well and worthely

11430

As dyd afore, his noble auncetrye

The .CC.xxx[v]i.

CC.xxxvi] CC.xxxii 1543

Chapiter.

THe kyng then made the marquis of Dorset

Edmond_Beauford, at the cardinals request

Without delay, then duke of Somerset

And sent hym fourth anon withoute reste

11435

To Normandye, to kepe it for his beste

But in his tyme Fastolfe and Kyriell

Discomfyte were, in batayle sore and fell

¶Where .vii.M. Englyshe were ouerthrowe

Wherfore the Frenche, assembled newe eche daye

11440

And gate the lande ay, by and by on rowe

For whiche the duke wrote his letters ay

Unto the kyng and his councell alwaye

For more power, and elles he myght not byde

To kepe the lande, the French were of suche pryde

sig: [E7v]

11445

¶He coulde none get, this land was then so pylde

Through war of Fraunce, they wolde not him releue

So was the lande with Frenchmen wonne and welde

With siege eche daye, and sautes fell and breue

The Frenche nought reste that tyme a_daye to eue

11450

We loste more then, certayne within two yere

Then kyng Henry gate in seuen clere

¶Then was the kyng come vnto mannes age

Wherfore the lordes, wolde no protector

Wherfore the duke loste his great auauntage

11455

And was no more then-after defensour

But then he fell in a greate errour

Moued by his wyfe Elianor_Cobham

To truste her so, men thought he was to blame

¶He waxed then straunge, eche day vnto the kyng

11460

For cause she was foriudged for sossery

For enchaun[t]mentes, that she was in workyng enchauntmentes] enchaunmentees 1543

Agayne the churche, and the kyng cursedly

By helpe of one mayster Roger_Oonly

And into Wales he went of frowardnesse

11465

And to the kyng had greate heuynesse

¶Wherfore the lordes then of the kinges counsaile

Made the kyng to set his hye parlyament

At Burye then, whether he came without fayle

Where in parlesey he dyed incontynent

11470

For heuynesse, and losse of regyment

And ofte afore, he was in that sykenesse

In poynt of death, and stode in sore destresse

¶When of the kyng was .vii. and twenty yere

sig: [E8]

Then he so dyed in full and hole creaunce

11475

As a christen prince of royall bloude full clere

Contryte in herte with full greate repentaunce

With mouth confessed, to Goddes hye pleasaunce

Unto the earth, that is all fleshe his neste

His body went, his soule to heauens reste

11480

¶And of the kyng, the .xxix. yere

In Maye the duke of Suffolke toke the sea

On pilgramage to passe, as dyd apere

With Brigauntes then with compassed enmyte

Hym slewe and heded with full great cruelte

11485

Agayne assuraunce of the kynges proteccyon

That worthy were the death for insurreccyon

¶That same yere then at the hye parlyament

Was made a playne, and a hole resumpcyon

Of all the landes by sad and hole aduysement

11490

Whiche the kyng had geuen of his affeccyon

To any wyght by patent, or concessyon

Then taxe ceased, and dymes eke also

In all Englande then raysed were no mo.

The .CC.xxx[v]ii.

CC.xxxvii] CC.xxxiii 1543

Chapiter.

THe duke of Yorke then made was protectour

11495

And gouerned wel but .ii. yere not endured

Discharged he was, with passing great murmour

Of commons hole, amonge them then ensured

To helpe hym so, with power auentured

sig: [E8v]

For he was set, the comon-wele to auayle

11500

By his laboure, and his hole counsayle.

¶But ay the better, that he to God was set

The more were other, by worde and dede

The contrarye to laboure, and to let

His good purpose, to pursue and to spede

11505

So that he had no hap for to procede

For sotell menne hym let ay at the ende

The common-wele to mayntene and amende.

¶The Earle Richard also of Salisbury

So was disposed, in all thynges to the same

11510

Whiche was the cause of theyr death fynally

For whiche of ryght, ne muste folowe blame

Their lyues well kepte, had bene without shame

For tho princes two, died in their kynges right

For the publike wele, of eche Englishe wight

11515

¶The .xxx. yere this was then of the kyng

When they the kyng, then had in gouernaunce

And ruled hym well, in all maner thyng

And made good rule, and noble ordynaunce

Auoyding all misrule, and misusaunce

11520

For worshyp of the kyng, and of his realme

Without doubte, or any other probleme.

The .CC.xxx[v]iii.

CC.xxxviii] CC.xxxiiii 1543

Chapiter.

THei were put by from all their good entent

And straunge were hold, after many a daye

To the thirty yere and thre by hole consent

11525

At sainct_Albones, then vpon the thursdaye

Accompted then next afore Witsondaye

Thei slewe the duke Edmond, then of Somerset

For cause he had the realmes wele so lette

¶Th'erle then of Northumberland was there

11530

Of sodein chaunce, drawen furth with the kyng

And slain vnknowne, by any manne ther were

The lord Clifford ouer_busie in werkyng

At the barres theim mette sore fightyng

Was slain that daye vpon his owne assaut

11535

As eche manne saied, it was his owne defaute

¶Th'erle of Wiltshire with fiue hundred menne

Fled fro the kyng full fast that tyme a_waye

The duke of Buckyngham, was hurte there then

The kyng thei tooke, and saued in good araye

11540

To W[e]stminster with hym thei tooke the waye Westminster] Wistminster 1543

And ruled hym well, in all prerogatife

As kyng of right, without any strife

The .CC.xxx[ix].

CC.xxxix] CC.xxxv 1543

Chapiter.

sig: [F1v]

¶Yet were these lordes, voyde fro the kyng again

The duke of Yorke, and th'erle of Salisbury

11545

Th'erle also of Warwike, nought to layn

Without cause, I can not remembre why

But at Bloreheth, the lord Audely in hie

With th'erle of Salisbury faught full sore

Th'erle preuailed, and Audely slain was thore

11550

¶The thirty yere and eight of the kyng

And so he went to Ludlowe on his waye

The duke of Yorke, in Wales had shippyng

To Ireland then he went, full well awaye

Th'erles of March, and Salisbury that daye

11555

And of Warwike, as God it had purueighed

To Calais went, their waye no-thyng denied

The .CC.x[l].

CC.xl] CC.xxxvi 1543

Chapiter.

AT Couentree, the king in his parlyament

Proclaimed theim all thre for rebellours

But afterward, all three of one assent

11560

At Northampton came, as worthy warriours

In somer after, to been the kyng his socours

sig: F2

Wher then the duke of Buckyngham, theim met

With power greate, and trust haue theim ouerset

¶Th'erle of Shrewesbury was with hym thore

11565

The lord B[e]aumount, with hym was also Beaumount] Baumount 1543

The lord Egremount, full stout in feate of warre

Whiche foure were slain, with mikell people mo

Beside Northampton, on the Thursdaye tho

The third daye of the moneth of Iuly

11570

And in the reigne of the kyng, eight and thirty

¶Thei saued the kyng, and kept hym sauf and sound

With greate honour, th'erle of Marche Edward

Th'erle also of Warwike, in that stound

And with hym rode, so furth to London_ward

11575

Full worshipfully, thei kept hym thens-forward

In all state royall as did append

And as his menne vnto hym did attend

The .CC.[xli].

CC.xli] CC.xxxvii 1543

Chapiter.

THen in the winter, afore the Christemas

The duke of Yorke, th'erle of Salisbury

11580

Th'erle of Rutland, with theim I gesse

With power greate, for their aduersarie

To saue theim-selfes, as then was necessarie

At their owne weld at Yool, so then had been

The robberies there, to haue staunchid clene

11585

¶Wher then the lordes, of the North were assembled

sig: [F2v]

And faught with theim at Wakefeld then full sore

And slewe theim downe, whiles thei were dissembled

And gate the feld that daye vpon theim thore

And Southward came thei, then therfore

11590

To sainct_Albones vpon the fastyngange eue

Wher then thei slewe, the lorde Bonuile I leue

The .CC.[xlii].

CC.xlii] CC.xxxviii 1543

Chapiter,

AND sir Thomas_Kyriell also of Kent

With mekell folke, that pitee was to se

And spoyled fast, ay homeward as thei went

11595

Without rule, into their countree

Thei sette theim nought, on rule and equitee

Ne to kepe lawe nor peace, in no kynd wyse

Howe might thei dure long, in suche a guyse

¶But then the kyng, alone left on the feld

11600

Came to the quene, and went to Yorke his waye

With the North partie, that then so with hym held

The duke of Excester with hym went a_waye

The duke of Somerset, it is no naye

Th'erle also then of Deuenshire

11605

And sir Iames_Ormond erle of Wiltshire

¶The lord Moleyns, the lord Roos also

The chief Iudge, and sir Rychard_Tunstall

The lord Ryuers, the lord Scales his soonne also

sig: F3

The lord Welles, and Wiloughby with-all

11610

Sir Wyllyam_Tailboys, so did befall

And many other, went to the North partie

For to maintein then the sixte kyng Henry

The .CC.[xliii].

CC.xliii] CC.xxxix 1543

Chapiter.

THe duke Edward, of March then the .iiii. day

Of Yorke full young, th'erle of Marche was then,

11615

By counsaill of the lordes, by south menne saye

Bothe spirituall and temporall, as menne saie then

Upon hym toke, estate royall and began

To reigne as kyng, and with hym reised the land

With lordes fele, by south I vnderstand

11620

¶At Towton feld, he faught on Palme sondaye

Wher then th'erle Henry of Northumberland

The lord Neuell, the lord Clifford that daye

The lord Dacres were dedde I vnderstand

The kyng Henry, then out of the land

11625

To Berwike toune, that stounte in Scotland ground

With certain lordes, and with the quene that stound

sig: [F3v]

¶And gaue the toune and castell to the Scottes

By whole assent of his simple counsaill

Whiche might well bee accompted then for sottes

11630

As foules that were then, of no gouernaill

In-to Scotland, with foule misgouernaill

The quene Margarete, and the dukes both-twoo

Of Excester, and Somerset fled also

¶The lord Roos, and eke the lord Moleyns

11635

And the chief Iudge, that called was Forscue

And Tailboys also, with other eiuill capitains

That after shall, full sore repent and rewe

If thei also well as I, nowe Scotland knewe

Thei would not so, haue hasted thitherward

11640

From the presence and grace, of kyng Edward

¶ Kyng Edward thus had then the victorie

With his lordes and menne that were full trewe

That halpe hym so, and were contributorie

To wyn his right, whiche then the people knewe

11645

To Yorke he went, and found it not vntrewe

To Duresme also, and to the Newcastell

That to hym were, as trewe as any stele

¶At Yorke was hedded, that time and decollate

Th'erle that then was of Deuenshire

11650

And at the Newcastell, so destinate

Hedded then was th'erle of Wiltshire

The kyng then sette, the land at his desire

Saue castelles fewe, with force that then were hold

By North and West, with rebell manyfold

11655

¶And South he went, for his disporte and plaie

sig: F4

At Leycestre helde he then his great counsayl

In the moneth that then was called Maye

And ordeyned there for good gouernayl

Of al his realme, that enemies nought it assayle

11660

Then in wynter, Margarete that had bene quene

Fro Fraunce so came by shippe, as then was sene

¶Into Scotlande, with .iiii. thousande Frenchmen

Of soudyours, for whiche the kynge anone

With hoste royall, to Durisme came he then

11665

And sent th'erle of Warwike agayn his fooen

Th'erle of Kent also, with good menne many one

They layde a siege, to the castell of Bamburgh

And to the castell also of Dunstanburgh

¶ Syr Raulfe_Percy, and the duke of Somerset

11670

Delyuered theim to the kyng by poyntment

By whiche the kyng, without any let

Gaue the kepyng of theim incontynent

Unto syr Raulfe_Percy of good entent

And Aluewike castell was kepte many a daye

11675

To rescouse came, and fet theim thens a_waye

¶Whiche stode in stale, not ferre from the castell

But .viii. thousande, to whom the castelleyns

Came anone out, as men were there to tell

With horse and harnes, and home rode through the playnes

11680

Into Scotlande, as good and wise chieftayns

I can well thynke, it was a manly dede

To noye theyr foes, and helpe theimselfes at nede

¶My lorde Umfreuile, whom that I dyd serue

Sayd to me, it was the best thyng might befall

sig: [F4v]

11685

Any chiefteyne to greue his fo and ouerterue

And kepe hymselfe harmelesse therwithall

He that maye hurte his fo without fall

And passe away, to his socoure harmelesse

He is a foole to abyde any distresse.

11690

¶But when that they, wer gone so home agayn

And theyr frendes with theim, from thens awaye

Two hundreth men of commons, came full fayne

Out of Aluewike castell, in symple araye

Our men bet theim in agayn, there alwaye

11695

Tyll they were glad, to yelde theim and haue grace

The whiche they had, without longer space

The quenes power, that she so brought fro Fraunce

Was so litle, the wardeyns naught it dread

They hight the kyng, for all hir ordinaunce

11700

To kepe the lande, for any helpe she had

How may she ought of great power be sped

When Charles doughter of Fraunce void of dower

Despoyled was, of Fraunce fayled all power

¶ Quene Isabel that was kyng Rychardes wife Kyng Richardes wife sent home again into Fraunce

11705

Deposed was, by kyng Henry of Derby

Of her iwels, as it is knowen full ryfe

And home was sent, without remedye

What auayled hir kynne and progenye

Of nought els, but great vexacion

11710

That Frenchemen made to theyr owne dampnacion.

The .CC.xl[iiii].

CC.xliiii] CC.xl 1543

Chapiter.

O Gracious lord kyng Edward fourth accompte

Consydre howe kynge Henrye was admytte

Unto the croune of Englande, that did amounte

Not for desert, nor yet for any witte

11715

Or might of hym-selfe, in otherwyse yet

But onely for the castigacion

Of kyng Richardes wicked peruersacion

¶Of whiche the realme then yrked euerychone

And full glad were, of his deposicion

11720

And glad to croune kyng Henry so anone

With all theyr hertes, and whole affeccion

For hatred more of kyng Richardes defection

Then for the loue of kyng Henry that daye

So chaunged then the people on hym aye.

11725

¶Yet kept he aye th'erle of Marche full ying

In erles estate, as he that was his warde

And brought hym vp, in all maner thyng

As his estate asked and coulde awarde

And cheryshed hym, in norture to regarde

sig: [F5v]

11730

As his owne sonnes, duryng all his lyfe

To make hym loue hym, without any stryfe

¶Thus by wisedome his sonne Henry right so

Hym cherished by good and wise counsayl

Whiche he assigned vnto hym tho

11735

Of good rule, that would not let hym faile

For cause he should agayn hym not preuayle

And into Fraunce, in his hole estate

Had hym with his brother associate

¶All this he did, of full good policie

11740

To wynne his loue, and kept hym in direccion

From entisement of all eiuill and folie

To his pleasaunce, without all suspection

This was greate witte and circumspeccion

To rule hym thus, his heighnes to obaye

11745

Without stryfe, to sitte in peace his daye

¶O gracious lorde, nowe of your sapience

Consydre well this sixtye yere and three

Your kyn and ye by all intelligence

Haue been deuorced of all the royaltee

11750

To nowe that God of his specialitee

Hath graunted you grace, your rightes to recouer

And your enemyes all to rule at ouer.

¶Considre well the benigne innocence

Of kyng Henry that nowe is in Scotlande

11755

By Goddes dome of small intelligence

For your preuayle, as men can vnderstande

Gette hym nowe home, agayn into Englande

sig: [F6]

With all the meanes, ye maye of sapyence

His wyfe and sonne, with all your dilygence.

11760

¶For truste it well, yf they maye passe to Fraunce

Or power get to theim in any wyse

Eche yere they wyl you trouble, and do greuaunce

By Scottes assent, and theyr exercyse

To brag and boste, as they wolde on you ryse

11765

To make your people and commons for to yrke

Iackes and salades ay newe and newe to wirke

¶For truste it well, as God is nowe in heuen

The Scottes wyll ay do you the harme they may

And so they haue full ofte, with odde and euen

11770

Afore that Christe was borne so of a maye

As yet they do at theyr power euery daye

Wherfor good lord, bring home these persons thre

With all theyr men, and geue them grace all fre

¶And loue them better, for theyr great lewte

11775

That they forsoke theyr landes and herytage

And fled with hym, in aduersyte

To byde in payne sorowe and seruage

Good herte shulde rewe, well more theyr trewe corage

Then them that wold haue gone, and durste nought

11780

Consyder howe thei shewed, as they thought

¶Yf ye might get them all for any good

To be your men, and haue theyr herytage

And youre enemies, that agaynst you stode

Ye shulde make trewe men to your auauntage

11785

To passe with you, in warres and hostage

As trewe as they haue bene to kyng Henry

sig: [F6v]

And mekell trewce for your ryght auncetry

¶For yf ye myght theim get nowe euery_chone

Youre warres were done, then might you syt in rest

11790

Without trouble of any lande alone

For all youre lande throughout, then might ye trest

Yf it were hole that ye nede not mistryst

No prynce christen, myght do you any dere

But in his lande, ye myght make him were.

11795

¶Graunt Henry grace, with all his owne liuelode

The duchye hole of Lancaster, that is his ryght

Not as it is, but of worthyhede

Fyrste duke Henry, had the noble knight

At his laste daye, that was of mikyll might

11800

His wyfe and sonne, get home by ordynaunce

And geue them councell, for theyr gouernaunce

¶Suche as you truste, wyll rule them worthely

To youre plesaunce, in all tranquillyte

In peace and reste, with all good polyce

11805

For better were, to haue them in suretye

Than lette theim bene, with your aduersyte

With Scottes or French, that wold se your destresse

And helpe to it with all theyr busynesse

¶And yf ye maye by no meane nor treate

11810

Get them home, ordeine then faste youre flete

On the easte-sea, into Scotlande in hye

At Edenburgh, so maye it with you mete

With all vitayle and ordynaunce full mete

And set vpon the castell, they bene in

11815

Escape they maye not, but ye shall them wyn.

sig: [F7]

¶For I haue sene theyr castelles stronge echone

That strongest bene, and worste to get and wyn

Amonge them all, for certayne is there none

That may bene holde out longe, when ye begyn

11820

Saue Dunbretayne, the sea aboute doth ryn The castel of Dunbretayne.

Eche daye and nyght, twyce withouten doubte

Whiche may be wonne, by famyshyng aboute

¶With shippes by sea, and siege vpon the lande

Ye maye not fayle, to haue it at the laste

11825

All other wyll bene yelde into youre hande

So that ye haue by workemen well fore-caste

Youre ordynaunce and gonnes for to caste

With abylementes of warre, suche as ye nede

No castell elles maye withstande in-dede

11830

¶Therfore in what castell that they bene in The tyme to beginne warre in Scotlande

Go to the same withoute impedyment

Not in wynter, but in somer ye begyn

When Iuyll moneth, or Auguste is present

That forage may be got, as doth appent

11835

Of corne and grasse, for horses sustenaunce

And fayre wether to mennes hye pleasaunce.

¶O righteous prince, bring home the scatred men

To theyr pasture forsaken and forlore

For of your breste, shulde greate foyson ren

11840

To nedy men, of grace and helpe euermore

Consyder howe God hath you set therfore

And ouer the flocke, to seke the scatered shepe

And laye them in your folde surely to slepe

¶Consider nowe, most gracious soueraine lorde

sig: [F7v]

11845

Howe longe nowe that your noble auncetrye

In welth and helth, hath reigned of hye recorde

That kepte lawe and peace continually

And thynke they bene of all your monarchye

The fayrest floures and highest of enterpryce

11850

And sonest maye youre foreyne foes supprice

¶Consider also in this symple tretyse

Howe kynges kepte neyther lawe ne peace

Went sone awaye, in many dyuerse wyse

Without thanke of God at theyr decese

11855

And nought were dred within, ne without doutlesse

But in defaute of peace, and lawe conserued

Destroyed were, right as they had deserued.

¶Consyder also, moste erthly souerayne lorde

Of French nor Scottes ye get neuer to your pay

11860

Any treaty or trewce, or good concorde

But yf it be vnder your banner aye

Whiche maye neuer be, by reason any waye

But yf youre realme stande well in vnyte

Conserued well, in peace and equyte

11865

¶Your marchis kepte, and also your sea full clere

To Fraunce or Spaine, ye may ride for your right

To Portyngale and Scotlande with your banner

Whil[e]s your rerewarde in England standeth wyght Whiles] Whils 1543

Under your banner, your enemies w[i]ll you hight will] well 1543

11870

A better treaty, within a lytell date

Then in foure yere, to your ambassate

¶Remembred bene, vnto youre excellence

The tytles all, that longe to youre regiment

sig: [F8]

Of Scotlande hole, with all my dilygence

11875

That third parte, is of Britayne by extent

And owe to bene, at your commaundement

And membre of your royall monarchye

As Chroniclers haue made therof memorye

¶ Englande and Wales, as to their soueraygne

11880

To you obey, whiche shuld thinke shame of ryght

To se Scotlande thus proudly disobeyne

Agayne them two, that bene of greate myght

It is a shame to euery mannes syght

Sith Iohn_Baylioll, his ryght of it resygned

11885

To kyng Edward, why is it thus repugned

¶Within thre yere, theyr greate rebellyon

Ye myght represse, and vtterly restrayne

And kepe them euer in youre possessyon

For to obey youre might, make them full fayne

11890

As kyng Edward dyd with hunger and with payne

Them conquered hole, to his subieccyon

To byde euermore vnder his proteccyon

¶Wherfore good lorde, nowe girde you with your swerde

And set vpon the frowarde heretykes

11895

That erren fro the two partes of the herde

And strayen oute, as they were litargykes

Whiche haue forget their lorde as cro[m]atykes cromatykes] cronnatykes 1543'Cronnatyke' here is an error for 'cromatik', "one who preserves his 'color', one who is dyed-in-the-wool", s.v., MED. Not found in OED, s.v. 'chromatic" in this sense or at this early date.

Hauyng no shame of theyr peruersyte

Nor chaunge hewe for theyr falsyte.

11900

¶And truste it well, as God is nowe in heuen

Ye shall neuer fynde the Scottes vnto you trewe

Where they maye with youre enemies ay beleuen

sig: [F8v]

They wyll to you then, alwaye be vntrewe

Yet through your manhede, it maye them rewe

11905

For lenger then ye haue them in subieccyon

Truste neuer truth, in them ne perfeccyon

The .CC.xl[v].

CC.xlv] CC.xli 1543

Chapiter.

TO England haue ye right, as ye maye se

By Brutus chronycle Saxons and Normans

To Wales the same, and Scotland also perde

11910

Who that the gifte and right well vnderstandes

Of Iohn_Bayloll, howe he into the handes

Of kyng Edwarde, it gaue and resygned

Why shulde it nowe be voyde and rep[u]gned repugned] repygned 1543

¶To Fraunce youre title, is writen well and know

11915

F[ro] saynte Lowis, to you by hole discente Fro] For 1543

And Normandye all hole, bothe hye and lowe

Fro Willyam_Conqueroure, by hole entent

Guyen and Poytowe, with all to them appent

F[ro] Elianour the mother of kyng Iohn Fro] For 1543

11920

Doughter and heyre, to duke Willyam anon

¶To Angeou also, by Geffrey_Plantagenet

Father of Henry_le_fytz_Empryce

That of Angeou was Earle withouten let

And of Mayne also, a prynce of greate empryce

11925

To Irelande also, by kyng Henry_le_fytz

Of Maude, doughter of fyrste kyng Henry

That conquered it, for theyr greate heresye

sig: G1

¶To Casteil and to Lion also ye been

Th'enheritour also and verie heire

11930

By right of bloodde discended clere and clene

Of Portyngale, wher Lusshborne is full faire

Fro kyng Petro without any dispeir

For tho twoo, bee the verie regions

That named bee Castile and Legions

11935

¶ Your graunsirez mother duchesse Isabell

Full lady-like faire and femenine

To kyng Petro as I haue heard tell

Was verie heire of theim, by rightfull lyne

To whom ye been heire as menne determyne

11940

By small hackeneys, greate coursers men chastice

As Arthure did by Scottes, wanne all fraunchese

¶Though scripture saieth, of North all eiuill is shewed

Me-thynketh I can, auaunte it as properly

That thei bee as manly learned and lewed

11945

As any folke and as muche pain maye dry

Better menne of warre are not vnder the skye

And of lyuyng, Dauid saieth in his boke

Of Scotland well, who-so that will it loke

¶If Scotland were youres, to Wales and England

11950

Who hath power, to make you resistence

In any wise, in any vncouth land

Your rereward then scant in all sufficience

To kepe England surely in your absence

Make theim Albion, and passe furth wher ye list

11955

To other landes ye nede none other trist

The .CC.xl[v]i. [Chapiter.]

CC.xlvi] CC.xlii 1543; Chapiter.] 1543 omits

OF all maters I haue saied myne entent

So as I couth espie, and in all wise enquere

Whiche if it maye, your highnes well content

My hearte reioyseth, to comfort your desire

And of your grace, euermore I you require

For to consider, my losse and my mayme in fere

For Englandes right, as well as I couth spere

¶Besechyng ay vnto your royaltee

If ought bee saied in this simple treatise

Displeasyng to your hie nobilitee

For to resume it, in a better wise

Hauyng my witte excused, that neuer was wise

And thinke I would haue ment vnto your plesaunce

To whiche I lacke nothyng, but suffisaunce

¶Please it also vnto your royaltee

The quene maye haue a vereie intellecte

Of your eldres of greate antiquitee

And of England, of whiche she is electe

Soueraigne lady, full worthily protecte

Under your rule and noble gouernaunce

Whiche God ay kepe without variaunce

¶The whiche should please her good femenite

To reade vpon, for her comfort and disporte

To se and knowe, the greate nobilite

Of your eldres regalie and porte

Whiche maye her glad alwaye and recomforte

And if it maye please her souerei[gn]tie souereigntie] souereingtie 1543

sig: G2

Of my labour I would reioysed bee

¶For women haue femenine condicion

To know all thynges longyng to their housband

His high worship and his disposicion

His hertes counsaill also to vnderstonde

As at weddyng, to her he made his bounde

And moste of all his hertes priuetie

And th'estate of his good auncetrie

¶O souereigne lorde the quene hath all sufficience

As touchyng you, but of your auncetrie

In this treatise of all their excellence

The quene maie se the worthy regence

Of this your realme and noble monarchie

Whiche hath been kept in greate nobilitee

By your eldres of greate antiquitee

¶This booke I call after my name Hardyng

Sith God lent me that disposicion

To enforme hym that laboured the wrytyng

By plain language of small prouision

Through Godes grace and his supposicion

All destitute of language and science

And desolate of rethoryke eloquence

¶Moste cause was why I drew this ilke treatise

To make your father haue had perfecte knowlage

And you also of Scotlande in all wise

That percell was of your eldest heritage

And of all landes moste nere your auauntage

To haue it whole, no more to bee dismembred

Whiche might bee gote, as it is afore remembred

sig: [G2v]

¶I had it leuer then Fraunce and Normandy

And all your rightes that are beyonde the sea

For ye maye kepe it euermore full sikirly

Within your-self and drede none enmytee

And other landes, without gold, menne and fee

Ye maye not long reioyse, as hath been tolde

For lighter bee thei for to wynne, then holde lighter] lightter 1543

¶Your auncestres haue had beyonde the see

Diuers landes, and lost theim all again

Sore gotten sone lost, what auaileth suche roialte

But labour and cost, greate losse of menne and pain

For ay before, with treason or with train

And want of gold, was lost within a yere

That we had gote in tenne, as dooeth appere

¶how the maker of this booke reporteth the distaunce and miles of the tounes in Scotland and the waye how to conueigh an armie as well by lande as water into the chefest partes therof.

NOWE to expresse, vnto your noble grace

The verie waye, bothe by sea and land

With the distaunce of tounes, and euery myles space

Through the chefest parte of all Scotland

To conueigh an armie, that ye maye take in hand

Herafter shall folowe, in as good ordre as I maye

sig: G3

The true discripcion, and distaunce of the waye

¶From Berwike to Donbarre, twenty miles it is From Barwyke to Donbarre .xx. Haddingtoune xii. Edenburgh xii Lythko xii. Sterlyng .xii.

And twelfe miles forward vnto Haddyngtoune

And twelfe miles from thense to Edenburgh I_wisse

To Lithko twelfe, and so Northwest to Bowne

Twelfe miles it is, vnto Sterlyng toune

Be south Foorth, that ryuer principall

Of right faire waye, and plentifull at all.

¶Wher the your nauy at Leith may rest saufly From Edenburgh to Leith .i to Blaknesse .ix. to Sterling .xiiii

With all your vitayles, a mile from Edenburgh

And after at the blaknesse, whiles as ye ly

At Sterlyng toune, whiche is the kynges burgh

And wynne that shire, all whole out-through

So shall your nauy at your necessitee

Bee at your hand still, your army to supplie

¶From Sterlyng then ouer the riuer of Foorth From Sterlyng to the doune ofof] of of 1543 Monteth. iiii. of] of of 1543

Passe alongest the brydge to Camskinelle

And if it bee broken toward the North

Unto the foorde of Tirps vnder the fell

Then spede you Westward, thre miles as menne tell

Wher ye maye passe to the downe of Menteth

Whiche passeth from the Foorth thre miles vnneth

¶Then from the downe, a waie ye haue right faire From Sterlynge to Falkland. xxx.

Through-out Monteth, and eke Clakmannam_shire

And so through Fiffe, to Falke_land to repaire

Thirty long miles, without mosse or myre

For so it is compted, with horse and carte to hyre

From Sterlyng Eastward, and the highe oyghylles

Whiche some menne call montaignes, and some felles

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¶From falkland than to Disert towne, south-east

Twelfe myles it is, of fayre ready waye

And from Falkland to saynte_Andrewes, east

But other .xii. myles, wythouten anye [n]aye

Wher the byshoppes see is, and castell as thei say

And at Kyngorne, and Disert may ye meete

You for to vytayle, al youre Englysh fleete.

¶Than ride northwest, from s._Andrewes towne

Alongest the south syde, of the water of Taye

Up to the burgh of saynte_Ihons_towne

Right north from Fyfe, a countree freshe and gay

And from saynt_Androws .xxiiii. myles they say

A pleasant grounde and fruitfull countrey

Of corne and cattel, with prosperitie.

¶Which countrey of Fyfe along the scottish sea

And from saynt_Androws, to the oyghles they say

Is .xliiii. myles longe of good countrey

And somtyme in bredth .vi. myles of fayre way

But from Logh_leuen eastward, without [n]ay

Of ryght good way, briefly to conclude

Xii. myles conteyne it dothe in latitude.

At Ennerkethen and saynt_Margarete I hope

Your nauy maye receaue vytayle in that countre

A_longest the water of Foorth, as I can grope

Wyth hulke, and barge, of no smal quantite

You to supporte, in your necessytee

So that ye maye not, in those countryes fayle

To haue for your armye, redye vytayle.

¶Then to s._Ihons_towne, vpon the water of Tay

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Within Strathren, that standeth fayre and stronge

Dytched about, syxtene foote depe I saye

And .xx. foote on breadthe ouerwhart to fonge

Yt is northest .xx. myles full longe

And nere to Scone_abbay, within myles thre

Wher alwayes thei crowne their kinges maieste

Whyche water of Tay, is so nauygable

From the east-sea, to saynt_Ihons_toune

For all suche shippes, as bee able

Fortie tunne of wyne, to cary vp and doune

For vitallyng, and keping of the toune

Unto the whych, so floweth the water of Taye

That all the dytches it fylleth nighte and daye

At the whych toune, passe ouer the bry[dg]e ye shall brydge] brygde 1543

With al your armye, hostyng through that land

Wher in Angus, that countree pryncypall

The Ker[s]e of gowry doth lye I vnderstand Kerse] Kerfe 1543

A plentifull countree, I you warrande

Of corne and catell, and all commoditees

You to supporte, in your necessytees

Betwyxt the mounthes and the water of Tay

Whych some do cal mountaynes in our language

Passe eastwarde, with your army daye by daye

Frome place to place with small cariage

For your nauy shall you mete in that viage

At Portincragge, shorte waye from Dunde

With vitailes to refreshe your whole armye

Beside the stuffe and vitaile of that lande

Which ye shall fynde, in the countre as ye go

And market made alwayes to your hande

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Of all theyr vytayles, althoughe they bee your fo

Now from s._Ihons_towne, the soothe to say is so

Xviii. myles it is, to the towne of Dundye

The pryncypall bugh, by-northe the Scotyshe see

100

¶Than ryde northeast all alongest the see

Ryght from Dumber to Arbroith as I mene

Than to Monrosse, and to Baruye

And so through the Meernes to Cowy as I wene

Then .xii. myles of moore passe to Aberdyne

105

Betwyxt Dee and Donea goodly cytee

A marchaunt-towne and vniuersytee

¶Of the whych waye .xxx. myles there is

Of good corne-lande, and .xx. large exten[t]e extente] extenre 1543

Full of catell and other goodes I_wysse

110

As to Moore-lande, and heth dothe wele appente

From Brichan cytee to the orient

Where doothe stande vpon the see

A goodly porte and hauen for your nauye

¶Where that the same, may easely you mete

115

To vitayle your armye, whersoeuer ye go

Ouer all the mountaynes, drye mosses and wete

Wher the wild Scottes do dwel than passe vnto

That is in Mare and Garioth also

In Athill, Rosse, Sutherland and Chatnesse

120

Mureffe, Lenox, and out-ysles I gesse.

¶And when ye haue that lande hole conquered

Returne agayne vnto Striuelyne

And from thence to Glasco homewarde

Twenty and foure myles to s._Mongos shrine

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125

Wher with your offeryng ye shall from thence decline

And passe on forthwarde to Dumbertayne

A castell stronge and harde for to obteine

In whiche castell s. Patryke was borne

That afterwarde in Irelande dyd wynne

130

Aboute the whyche floweth euen and morne

The westerne seas without noyse or dynne

When forth of the same the streames dooe rynne

Twyse in .xxiiii. houres, without any fayle

That no man may that stronge castell assayle.

135

¶Upon a rocke so hye, the same dothe stande

That yf the walles were beaten to the roche

Yet were it full harde to clymbe with foot or hand

And so to wynne, yf any to them approche

So strong it is to get without reproche

140

That without honger, and cruell famyshemente

Yt cannot bee taken to my iudgemente

¶Than from Glasgo to the towne of Ayre

Are twentie myles and foure wele accompted

A good countree for your armye euery-where

145

And plenteous also, by many one recounted

For there I was, and at the same I mounted

Towarde La[n]arke towne .xxiiii. myles Lanarke] Lamarke 1543

Homeward trudging, for feare of Scottish giles

¶From the towne of Ayre in kyle, to Galloway

150

Through Carryct_passe vnto Nithysdayle

Where Dumfryse is a pretye towne alwaye

And plentifull also of all good vytayle

For all your army, wythout any fayle

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So that kepyng this iourney, by my instruccion

155

That realme ye shall bring in subieccion.

¶Then from Domfrise to Carlill, ye shall ride

xxiiii. miles of veray redy waye

So maye ye wynne the lande on euery syde

Within a yere, withouten more delaye

160

For castelles there is none, that withstande you may

Nor abide your seage, against your ordinaunce

So simple, and weake, is their purueiaunce.

¶And yf ye like good Lorde, at home to abide

With litell cost, your Wardens ye may sende

165

Charging theim all, with hostes for to ride

In proper persone, through wynter to th'ende

With morow-forraies, they may them sore offend

And burne Iedburgh, Hawike Melrose, and Lander

Codingh[a]m, Do[u]glasse, and the toune of Dombarre Codingham] Codinghmm 1543

170

¶Then send an hoste of footemen in

At Lammesse next, through all Lawderdayle

At Lammermore woddes, and mossis ouer_rynne

And eke therwith the Stowe_of_Weddale

Melrose lande, Etryke_forrest, and Tyuydale

175

Lyddisdale, Ewysdale, and the Ryngwodfelde

To the Creke_Crosse, that ryden is full selde

¶The wardens then of bothe the marches twoo

To bee their stayle, and eke their castelles strong

The[m] to reskewe from enemies wher-euer thei go Them] Then 1543

180

With fleyng stayles, to folowe theim ay emong

Les nor then foes theim suppresse and fong

And euery night to releue to the hoste

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And lodge together all vpon a coast

¶And also than at the next Myghelmesse

185

The west warden to Domfryse ryde he maye

Four and twentie myles from Carelyl as I gesse

And than passe forthwarde, through galowaye

To Carricke after, into good araye

And then from thence, to the towne of Ayre

190

In Kile that countree, plentifull, and fayre

¶Nexte than from Ayre, vnto Glasgew go

A goodly cytee and vniuersitee

Where plentifull is the countree also

Replenished well with all commoditee

195

There maye the warden of the east marche bee

And mete the other twayne as I wene

Within tenne dayes, or at the moost fyftene

¶The thyrde army from Barwyke passe it shall

Through Dumbarre, Edenburgh, and Lythko

200

And then to Sterlyng, with their power al

And nexte from that vnto Glasgo

Standyng vpon Clyde, and where also

Of corne and cattell is aboundaunce

Youre armye to vittayle at al suffysaunce

205

¶Thus these thre armies at Glasgew shal mete

Well arayed in theyr armour clene

Which homward from thence, thei shal returne complete

Four and twentie myles to La[n]arke so shene Lanarke] Lamarke 1543

To Pebles_on_Twede, is syxtene myles I wene

210

To Soltray as muche, than twentie miles with spede

From thence returne, they shal to Wark_on_twede

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Within a moneth, this lande maye bee destroyed

All a_south forth if wardens wyll assent

So that our enemies shal bee sore annoied

215

And wasted bee, and eke for euer shent

If Wardens thus woorke, after mine intent

They maye well quenche, the cruell enmitee

This daye by-south all the Scottishe see.

¶Now of this matter, I haue sayed mine intent

220

Like as I could espye and diligently inquire

Whiche if it maye your highnesse well content

It is the thing that I hartely desire

And of your grace no more I dooe require

But that your grace, will take in good parte

225

Not only my peines, but also my true harte.

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:LONDINI.: In officina Richardi_Graftoni.

1543.