Gregory's Chronicle: 1435-1450

The Historical Collections of a Citizen of London in the Fifteenth Century. Originally published by Camden Society, London, 1876.

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'Gregory's Chronicle: 1435-1450', in The Historical Collections of a Citizen of London in the Fifteenth Century, (London, 1876) pp. 177-196. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/camden-record-soc/vol17/pp177-196 [accessed 19 March 2024]

1435 – 1450

Ande the x daye of Marche the Lorde Talbot wente in too Fraunce whythe a goodely meyne. Ande that yere at the Counselle of Basyle deyde the Byschoppe of Rochester. (fn. 1) And that same yere was slayne the Erle of Arundelle in France.

Robert Otley, Mayre of London Thomas Barnewelle A° xiij°.
Symon Eyre

Ande that yere was the Counselle of Aras of alle Crystyn nacyons for to trete of pes by twyne thes ij realmys, Ingelonde and Fraunce, there beynge iij cardynallys; the Cardynalle of Wynchester for the realme of Ingelonde, and hys name was Syr Harry Bewforde, the Kyng of Ingelonde ys onkylle; the Cardynalle of Syn Crosse, and the Cardynalle of Ciprys. And there was the Duke of Burgayne and many moo othyr lordys of that party. Ande of Ingelonde the Erle of Huntyngdone, whythe many othyr spyrytualle and temporalle of oure partye. But was not to noo profyte, for the Fraynysche parte was not alle trewe in hyr comyng.

Ande that same yere, the xiiij day of Septembyr, deyde the Duke of Bedforde, Regaunte of alle Fraunce, in the castelle of Rone, bytwyne ij and iij in the mornynge; and hys body ys buryde in Nostre Dame Chyrche of Roone. And of hys soule ande alle Crystyn soulys God have marcy, Amen.

Ande that same yere there was a grete wyntyr and a colde froste, that duryd fro Syn Kateryns day to Synt Valentynys day next sewynge, soo that noo schippe myght passe; wherefore the vyntage come by londe ynne cartys unto London fro the Downys, thoroughe Kent and ovyr Scheters Hylle, for men provesyde be-fore [t]at the vyntage of Gascon and Gyan shulde come ovyr Scheters Hylle, and men made but a mocke ther of.

And that yere the kyng hylde a Parlyment at Westemyster, that duryd fro Mychellemasse unto the Feste of Crystysmas next folowynge.

Harry Frowyke, Mayre of London Thomas Catworthe A° xiiij°.
Robert Clopton

Ande that same yere, aboute Crystysmas, the Fraynysche parte gate a yenne Arflewe (fn. 2) and many moo othyr townys. And that same yere the Fraynysche party in the monythe of Aprylle wanne a-gayne Parys. And that same yere the Mayre of London sende, by the goode a-vyse and consent of craftys, sent sowdyers to Calys, for hyt was sayde that the Duke of Burgone lay sege unto Calis. And soo he dyd sone aftyr, as ye shalle hyre here after. And at the Parlyment be-fore hyt was ordaynyde that the Duke of Yorke shulde in to Fraunce with certayne lordys with hym in stede of the Regaunt. And whythe hym went the Erle of Salysbury. Ande the Erle of Mortayne wente to Calys sone aftyr Estyr. And the xiiij day aftyr he made a roode in to Flaunders, and he slowe and toke xv. c. of Flemmyngys, and many bestys; the nombyr ys more thenne I canne certaynely reherse. And a-non aftyr the Duke of Burgone layde hys sege unto Calys whythe a stronge ordynaunce and a myghty, with xl Mlmen and moo. And they made grete bulworkys, and grete bastylys, and stronge fortyfycacyon. And on Mary Magdelene ys day the kyng hylde hys counselle at Cauntyrbury, whythe a grete party of hys lordys.

Ande xij day of Juylle the Erle of Mortayne, the Lorde Camyse, whythe othyr moo knyghtes and squyers went owte whythe a goodely mayny unto the Bastyle, and wanne hyt manfully, and sette hyt a fyre; and in that same Bastyle was v. c. men of armys, of the whyche v. c. schapyd not a way the nombyr of xij men, as letters made mencyon that were sente into Ingelonde. Ande a-non the Duke of Burgone with alle hys oste fledde cowardely; and he lefte the moste parte of hys stoffe and ordynance be hynde, for he hadde haste in hys fleynge; for there were lefte many grete gonnys, and many of othyr ordynaunce, whythe moche vytayle of flesche, flowre, wyne, bere, and a grete nomber of barellys whythe botyr, &c.

Ande the xxvj day of Juylle the Duke of Glouceter whythe alle the substaunce of the lordys of Ingelonde schyppyde at Sondewyche with xl. Ml. men of alle the contreys of Ingelonde, for every towne, cytte, or borowe fonde certayne men whythe dyvers lyvereys of the bagys of the towne, and soo dyd abbeys and pryorys in the same wyse of alle Ingelonde. And the same day they londyd at Calys, and there they hylde hyr consaile the Fryday, Satyrday, and Sonday. And on the Monday he toke hys jornaye in-to Flaunders warde; ande he rode thoroughe Pycardye and dyd moche harme yn the contre of Flaunders, for he brent Poperyng and Belle, ij goode townys, and many moo othyr vylagys in Flaunders and in Pycardye; and soo he come home a-yenne to Calys whythe owte any lettynge of any person, thonkyd be God.

Ande that same yere the Erle of Northehomerlonde made a viage in-to Scotlonde, and there he made a nobylle jornay.

John Mychell, Mayre of London Thomas Morestede A° xv°.
Wylliam Gregory

Ande that same yere Quene Kateryn dyde at Bredmonsey the iij day of Janyver. And that same yere on of the gatys of Londyn Bryge and one of the g[r]ettyste arche of the same bryge, fylle a downe in to Temys wondyrfully; thonkyd be God, noo man, woman, nor chylde i-hurte nor perchyde. And that yere the kynge ordaynyde the Parlyment to be holde at Caumbryge, but aftyr warde by goode counselle hyt was tornyde and holde att Westemyster; the whyche Parlyment be ganne the xxj day of Janyver. And to that Parlyment come the Byschoppe of Tyrwynne ande the counselle of the Erle of Armanacke.

Ande the ix day of Feverer Quene Kateryn aforesayde was broughte to Powlys yn London, and there sche hadde a solempne deryge ande a masse on the morne. And thenne she was hadde unto Westemyster. And the iij day aftyr she was worthely enteryde and buryde in Oure Lady chapylle at Westemyster in the Abby; of whos soule God have mercy.

Ande the same yere the Kynge of Schottys was trayturly slayne in hys owne londe, of a false squyr and the squyer ys sone, of the same londe, that was namyd Robert Grame. The whyche squyer and hys sone were take anon aftyr, and there they were playnely put to dethe, as welle worthy was, to be traye any kynge or prynce.

And the same yere dyde Quene Jane (fn. 3) at Averyng at the Bowre, in Esex, in the monythe of Juylle, and she ys buryde at Cauntyrbury whythe hyr hosbonde, Kynge Harry the iiijthe. Ande the same yere the kyng put downe the Mayre of Norwyche, and certayne aldyrmen were devydyd unto othyr certayne placys, sum to Lynne and sum to Cauntyrbury. And John Wellys, Aldyrman of London, was made Wardon of Northewyche.

Ande the same yere the Erle of Warwyke went into Fraunce the xxix day of Auguste; he schippyd at Portysmouthe, and the Duke of Yorke come home into Ingelonde owte of Fraunce.

Wylliam Estefylde, Mayre of London Wylliam Chapman A° xvj°.
Wylliam Halys

Ande that same yere deyde the Emperowre of Rome, (fn. 4) and hys termentte was solempnly holde at Syn Poulys at the cytte of London the iij day of May, there beynge the kynge and hys lordys. And the same yere on Estyr day there was on John Gardyner take at Synt Mary at the Axe in London, for he was an herytyke; for whenne shulde have benne houselyd he wypyd hys mouthe whithe a foule clothe and layde the oste there yn; and so he was takyn by the person of the chyrche, and the xiiij day of May he was i-brent in Smethefylde.

Ande the same yere the Erle of Mortayne was made Erle of Dorsette, and he was sentte unto Anjoye and Mayne.

And the same yere there was a grete conselle at Calys, there beynge in oure party the Cardynalle Arche-byschoppe of Yorke and many moo spirytualle and temporalle lordys. And on that othyr party the Duchyes of Burgone and many moo lordys, bothe spyrytualle and temporalle.

Ande the same yere the iiij day of June certayne men of Kentte were a-reste at Maydestone for rysynge, and v. of hem were drawe, hanggyde, and quarteryde, and be-heddyde, and hyr heddys were sette on Londyn Brygge; and sum of hyr heddys at Cauntyrbury and in othyr certayne townys in Kente a boutc in the schyre, for to cause men to be ware. And that yere was grete dyrthe of corne, for a buschclle of whete was worthe ij s vj d. And that yere was grete pestylaunce, and namely in the northe contraye. And the same yere deyde the Countasse of Stafforde, and the Clerke of the Rollys, Mayster Jon Franke; and he was holde one of the rycchyste men that deyde many dayes be-fore

Stevyn Browne, Mayre of London Hewe Duke A° xvij°.
Nychol Yoo

Ande the same yere duryde the dyrthe of corne and of alle maner of grayne thoroughe Ingelonde. And the laste day of Aprylle deyde the Erle of Warwyke at Roone. Ande the same yere the Cardynalle Archebyschoppe of Yorke, (fn. 5) the Byschoppe of Northewyche, (fn. 6) the Byschoppe of Syn Davys (fn. 7) and many othyr docters, and the Duke of Northefolke, the Erle of Stafford, the Lorde Bowcer, and the Lorde Hungerforde, with a grete mayny, wente unto Calys; and they hadde the Duke of Orlyaunce with hem for to trete of pes by twyne Ingelonde and Fraunce. And there mette with hem the grete lordys of Fraunce, that ys to wyte, of spyrytualle and temporalle, the Archebyschoppe of Raynys, (fn. 8) whythe many moo othyr byschoppys, the Erle of Wendon, (fn. 9) the Bastarde of Orlyaunce, and many othyr lordys of Fraunce; and thedyr come the Byschoppe of Spayne and of Colayne, and many moo othyr dyvers contreys that com fro the Counselle of Basylle.

Ande the same yere in the same tretys the Fraynsche party wanne Mewys in Bry ayenne, in the whyche was Captayne Syr Wylliam Chambyrlayne. And the same yere the Erle of Huntyngdone wente unto Gyenne whythe a grete navy. And the same yere went Syr [Richard] (fn. 10) Woodevyle in to Normandy and Syr Wylliam Peytowe, and many moo othyr, whythe a fayre mayne. And that same yere, a-pon Wytsondaye, the kyng made knyghtys at Kenyngton, that ys to wete, the sone and hayre of the Lorde of Huntyngdon, and the sone ande the ayre of the Erle of Aroundelle, Lewys John, and Wylliam Estefylde, marchaunt of London. And the mayre ordaynyd that yere that comyn wemmen shulde were raye hoodys, and bawdys to the pelory. And thys was cryde the v day of Auguste the same yere, and so hyt was done at dyvers tymys. And the same yere, att the generalle counseylle, the Emperoure of Costantyne the Nobylle (fn. 11) and hys sone, whythe alle the clergy of Gryke, obeyd hym unto the Chyrche of Rome of certayne artyculys of the faythe; and they hylde more thanne v. c. yere, and alle the realme of Ermonye (fn. 12) that haddyn ben owte ix. c. yere, fro the beleve not on the Hooly Goste, nor on the sacrament, nor noo Pyrgatorye, nor noo suffragys of Hooly Chyrche, as prayers and almysdedys. And there were of Rome viij cardynallys and moo thanne v. c. myters, whythe owte docters. And thus was proclaymyd at Powlys Crosse the xxviij day of August above sayde, etc.

Robert Large, Mayre of London Robert Marchalle A° xviij°.
Phylyppe Malpas

Ande that yere was the Parlyment concludyd, and ordaynyd that Lumbardys sholde goo to hoste. And that same yere alyens were putte to hyr fynaunce to pay a certayne a yere to the kynge. Also in the same yere there were ij traytours hangyde on a payre of galowys that were made in Temys for the same purposse, be syde Syn Kateryns.

And that same yere there was a preste i-callyd Syr Rycharde Wyche and hys servand brent atte the Tourehylle, for the whyche there was moche trobil a-monge the pepylle, in soo moche that alle the wardys in London were assygnyd to wake there day and nyght that the pepylle myght nought have hyr ylle purpose as at that tyme.

John Patesle, Mayre of London John Sutton Anno xix°.
Wylliam Wetynhale

Ande in that same yere the Duke of Orlyaunce made hys othe at Westemyster and there uppon ressayvyde the blessyd sacrament on Cryspyn and Cryspynyan ys day. And the Fryday aftyr Allehalowyn day he went towarde Fraunce, and whythe hym he hadde Syr John Corneuale, knyght, and many othyr knyghtys and squyers. Ande that same yere werre the barrys in Smethefylde newe made, for Syr Rycharde Woodevyle, knyght, was chalengyd of a knyght of Spayne for to donne certayne poyntys of armys in the felde.

Ande the xvj day of May the Duke of Yorke, the Erle of Oxynforde, the Erle of Ewe, the Erle of Ormounde, and Syr Richard Woodevyle, whythe many othyr knyghtys and squyers, toke the way towarde Fraunce, and they schippyd at Portysmouthe.

And the same yere the Crosse in Chepe was take a downe and a newe sette uppe there [t]at the olde Crosse stode. And in the same yere there were take certayne traytourys, the whyche purposyd to slee oure lege lorde the kyng by crafte of egremauncey, (fn. 13) and there instrumentys were opynly shewyde to alle men at the Crosse in Powlys chyrche yerde a-pon a schaffolde i-made there-for. Att the whyche tyme was present one of the same traytours, whiche was callyd Roger Bulbroke, a clerke of Oxforde, and for that same tresoun my Lady of Glouceter toke sayntwerye at Westemyster; and the xj day of Auguste thenne next folowynge she toke [t]e way to the castelle of Lesnes. And on Syn Symon and Jude ys eve was the wycche be syde Westemyster brent in Smethefylde, and on the day of Symon and Jude the person of Syn Stevynnys in Walbroke, whyche that was one of the same fore sayde traytours, deyde in the Toure for sorowe.

Robert Clopton, Mayre of London Wylliam Combys A° xx°.
Rycharde Ryche

Ande in that same yere the Lady of Glouceter for the same treson she was juggyde by the spyrytualle lawe to iij sondyr or dyvers placys, that ys to wete, on Mondaye, the xiij daye of Novembyr, to Powlys; and on the Wanysday i-sygnyd unto Crychyrche; and on the Fryday nexte folowyng to Synt Mychellys in Cornehylle. And on the Satyrday next folowyng was Roger Bulbroke hanggyde. and drawe, and quarteryde at Tyburne.

Ande the xxx day of Janyver was certayne poyntys of armys done in Smethefylde by twyne a knyght of Catelan and a Engelysche squyer, i-callyde Syr John Ascheley; of the whiche tyme the sone of the sayde knyght, in presens of alle the pepylle there, was made knyght opynly by the kyngys owne hondys. And the sayde John Ayschelay also was made knyght att the same tyme.

Ande the xxv day of May my Lorde Talbot toke hys way towarde the see, for to passe yn to Fraunce whythe hys retenowe. Ande in that same yere deyde John Wellys, the nobylle Aldyrman, and sum tyme Mayre of London.

John Hatherley, Mayre of London Thomas Bemound A° xxj°.
Rycharde Nordon

Ande in that same yere there was a pynner hyngge hym sylfe on a Palme Sondaye. And he was alle nakyd save hys breche; and then he was caryd in a carte owte of the cytte.

And that same yere was a woman of Westemyster brentt at Tourehylle for kyllynge of hyr hosbond.

Ande that same yere there was founde in a walle in the Gylhalle a certayne sum of mony, and alle in pense, and every peny weyde j d. ob., and sum a goode dele more, and sum more; and hyt was of many dyvers cunys, for sum were made yn London and sum in Cheschyre, and sum in Lancaster, and in many othyr dyvers placys of the londe, but alle was the kyngys owne kune.

And on the same yere, the viij day of Septembyr, there was done a grete vyage yn Fraunce by the Duke of Somesette and his retynowe; and at the same viage were slayne and takyn to the nombyr of iij. Ml. vij. c., whereof were ix lordys and a squyer, whyche that was a grete captayne.

Thomas Catworthe, Mayre of London John Norman A° xxij°.
Nicho' Wyfolde

Ande in that yere were streppettys (fn. 14) i-dreve a-boute the Cytte of London whythe raye hodys. And in that same yere one on the pelerry, the whyche wrought by a wycckyd spyryte, the whyche was callyd Oberycom, and the maner of hys proces and werkyng was wretyn and hanggyd a bowte hys necke whenne he was in the pellery.

Harry Frowyke, Mayre of London Sthevyn Foster A° xxiij°.
Hewe Wyche

Ande that same yere the Duke of Sowthefolke and othyr whythe many worthy knyghtys and squyers wentte ovyr the see to fette home the quene.

Ande the same yere was Syn Poulys stypylle fyryd a-pon Candylmas evyn whythe the lyghtenynge. And that same yere, the x day of October, was ordaynyd by the archebyschoppys and bysschoppys, and there uppon proclaymyd oppynly ynne chyrchys, that the day of Synt Edward shulde be kepte hooly day fro that day forthewarde. (fn. 15) And yn the same yere a schippe y-namyde Grace de Dyeu, whyche was chargyd of goode of Sprusse, sche was loste a lytylle whythe yn Temys. And yn the same yere come dyvers enbassytourys of lordys of Fraunce for to trete of the pes. And that same yere was the Erle of Warwyke made Duke of Warwyke. And a pon the fyrste day of Aprylle Quene Margarete londyd at Portysmowthe, and a-pon the x day of the same monythe sche was weddyd at a lytylle velage in Hampschyre i-namyd— (fn. 16) And a gayne hyr comynge to London were ordaynyde many notabylle devysys in the cytte, as at the brygge of London, and in othyr dyvers placys, at Ledynne halle, and in Cornehylle, and in iiij placys yn Chepe, that ys to say, at the Grete Condyte, and at the Standarde, and at the Crosse, and atte the Lytylle Condyte. And uppon Thorsday, the xxvj day of May, the kyng made xlvj Knyghtys of the Bathe yn the Towre of London. And uppon the morowe, that was the Fryday, lordys of the realme, whythe nobylle and grete and costelowe araye, the Mayre of London and the aldyrmen in scharlet, whythe alle the craftys of London in blewe, wythe dyvers dyvysyngys, every crafte to be knowe from othyr, rydyng agayne Quene Margarete and brought hyr unto the Toure of London, the quene havynge whythe hyr xvij charys with ladys. And a-pon the morowe, the Satyrday, she was brought thoroughe London syttyng in a lytter by twyne ij goode and nobylle stedys i-trappyd with whyte satton, and sche was conveyyde unto Westemyster. And apon the morowe the Sonday was the coronacyon, and ij dayes aftyr there was grette revylle of justys of pes in the sayntewery at Westemyster, &c.

Ande in the monythe of Juylle next folowynge there come owte of Fraunce a grette enbasset of lordys to trete by-twyne ij realmys of Ingelonde and of Fraunce and for dyvers contreys to hem, &c.

Symon Ayre, Mayre of London John Derby A° xxiiij°.
Geffrey Fyldyng

Ande in that same yere was a Parlyment holdyn at Westemyster, and same yere there was on Wylliam Nete, yeman of the Quenys charyetes, drawyn and hanggyd in Horse Downe for sleyng of a damselle callyd Johne Gooche.

Ande that same yere there was a pechyng i-made uppon the Erle of Ormounde (fn. 17) by the pryour of Kylmayn (fn. 18) for certayne poyntys of treson, the whyche was takyn in to the kyngys grace, where uppon hyt lykyd oure soverayne lorde to graunte a generalle pardon unto the sayde Erle. But nevyrtheles the sayde pryour appayryde in Smethefylde the iiij day of the monythe of October, as hyt was apoyntyde, fulle clenly harnyssyd, redy whythe alle hys fetys and whythe alle hys wepyns, kepynge the fylde tylle hyghe none.

And that same yere the Prevy Sealle (fn. 19) comynge fro enbassetry owte of Fraunce was gretely comberyd with fortune of the see, in soo moche that many of hys men were drownyde. And in that same yere was a nothyre chalenge i-made in Smethefylde by on Arblastre and a-nothyr man of London, but hyt was putte of by trete, and the same Arblastre ranne yn to the contente.

Ande that same yere my Lorde of Glouceter wente yn-to a place i-callyd the Vyse. And that same yere was a gernarde be-gon for pore pepylle of the contraye that myght nought utter hyr graynys; and hyt was made by the coste and goodys of Symon Eyre, Mayre of London.

John Olney, Mayre of London Robert Horne Anno xxv°.
Geffray Bolayne

Ande in that same yere there was an armyrer and hys owne man fought whythe yn the lystys in Smethefylde the laste day of Januer, ande there the mayster was slayne and dyspoylyde owte of hys harnys, and lay stylle in the fylde alle that day and that nyght next folowynge. And thenne afty[r]ward, by the kyngys commaundement, he was d[r]awyn, hanggyde, and be-heddyde, and hys hedde sette on London Brygge, and the body hynggyng a-bove erthe be-syde the towre.

Ande that same yere was a Parlyment be-gon at Byry; and that same yere there was grete wache at Syn Donstonys in the Este, by the sofferens of oure sufferayne lorde the kyng, in every warde of London alle the xvj dayes in Crystysmasse by the commaundement of the kynge. Ande at Schroffe tyde nexte aftyr there was ordaynyd a Parlyment at Synt Edmondys Bury; ande att the comyng of the goode Duke Umfray, sum tyme Duke of Glouceter, uppon the Satyrday anon as he was a lyght of hys hors he was a-restyde of dyvers lordys for treson by commaundement of the kyng, and men sayde at that tyme. And uppon the Thursseday next folowynge he dyssesyd ande passyde owte of thys wrecchyde and false trobely worlde. And he ys buryde at Syn Albonys.

Ande uppon Ester nexte folowynge, Harry Byschoppe of Wynchester and Cardynalle, and lythe enteryde at Wynchester. And a-non aftyr the dethe of the Duke of Glouceter there were a reste many of the sayde dukys (fn. 20) to the nombyr of xxxviij squyers, be-syde alle othyr servantys that nevyr ymagenyd no falsenys of the (fn. 21) that they were put a-pon of. And on Fryday the xiiij day of Juylle nexte folowynge by jugement at Westemyster, there by fore v personys were dampnyd to be drawe, hanggyd, and hyr bowellys i-brente by fore hem, and thenne hyr heddys to ben smetyn of, ande thenne to be quarteryde, and every parte to be sende unto dyvers placys by assygnement of the jugys. Whyche personys were thes: Arteys the bastarde of the sayde Duke of Glouceter, Syr Rogger Chambyrlayne knyght, Mylton squyer, Thomas Harberde squyer, Nedam yeman, whyche were the sayde xiiij day of Juylle i-drawe fro Syn Gorgys thoroughe owte Sowthewerke and on Londyn Brygge, ande so forthe thorowe the cytte of London to the Tyborne, and there alle they were hanggyde, and the ropys smetyn a-sondyr, they beynge alle lyvynge, and thenne, ar any more of any markys of excecusyon were done, the Duke of Sowthefolke brought them alle yn generalle pardon and grace from our lorde and soverayne Kynge Harry the vjte.

Also that same yere dyssesyde the Duke of Exceter, and he was enteryd at Syn Kateryns.

Stephyn Browne, Mayre of London John Cauntelowe A° xxvij°. (fn. 22)
Wylliam Marowe,

Ande that same yere the Duke of Yorke, Rycharde Plantagenet, was exsylyde in to Irlonde for hys rebellyon, as thoo a boute the kynge informyde hym, fully ande falsely as hyt was (fn. 23) aftyr warde i-knowe.

And that same yere was a tretys of trewys takyn whythe the Schottys by Mayster Adam Molaynys for iiij yere, that tyme he beyng enbasytor in to Schotlonde, and aftyr that Prevy Seale, ande thenne i-made Byschoppe of Chychester, and with ynne shorte tyme aftyr put to dethe.

Thomas Chalton, Mayre of London Thomas Canyngys A° xxviij°.
John Hewlyn

Ande that same yere was the moste pa[r]te of Normandy y-loste, and a Parlymentte was at Westemyster. In the mene whyle was the [city] (fn. 24) of Roon, Mustarde Vylers, and Herflete i-loste by fore Crystysmasse, and thenne the Parlyment was prolongyd tylle aftyr Syn Hyllary ys day. Ande at that tyme beyng many sowdyers at Portysmowthe, the whyche haddyn take the kyngys wagys for to pass ovyr the see. And anon aftyr Crystysmasse was sende unto the see syde the Prevye Sealle, whyche was callyd Mayster Adam Molaynys, to have take the monster at the see syde, he beynge that tyme Byschoppe of Chychester. Ande for hys covetysse, as hyt was reportyde, schippemen put hym to dethe, and sum mys-a-wysyd men of the sowdyers holpyn welle there-to. And thys was done at Portysmouthe.

Ande aftyr Synt Hyllary ys day the Parlyment was remevyd unto Laycetter; ande yn the mene tyme was Caneyoldyn, ande alle the remenaunt of Normandy, savyng Chyrborowe. And the Duke of Sowthefolke was a-pechyde at that Parlyment, he beynge at London, of verry graunte treson, and of many poyntys; among alle othyr, for that he schulde have solde Normandy, and also for the dethe of that nobylle prynce the Duke of Glouceter, and for many othyr poyntys of treson, for the whyche he was exylyd owte of Ingelonde for certayne yerys. Ande at hys passynge ovyr the see warde he was mette with by-twyne Dovyr and Calys by dyvers schyppys, of the whyche was here Admyralle Nycholas of the Towre; and yn that shyppe soo beyng in the see they smote of hys hedde of the fore sayde Duke of Sowthefolke, and they caste bothe body and hys hedde in to the see. And aftyr that hyt was takyn uppe and brought unto the towne of Dovyr, and aftyr from thens brought unto Wynkylfylde in Sowthefolke, and there hyt ys i-buryde; whos name was Syr Wylliam Pole.

Ande aftyr that the comyns of Kent a rosse with certayne othyr schyrys, and they chesse hem a captayne, the whyche captayne compellyd alle the gentellys to a-rysse whythe hem. Ande at the ende of the Parlyment they come whythe a grete myght and a stronge oste unto the Blacke hethe, be syde Grene wyche, the nomber of xlvj Ml; and there they made a fylde, dykyd and stakyde welle a-bowt, as hyt ben in the londe of warre, save only they kepte ordyr among them, for als goode was Jacke Robyn as John at the Noke, for alle were as hyghe as pygysfete, unto the tyme that they shulde comyn and speke with suche statys and massyngerys as were sende unto hem; thenne they put alle hyr pouer unto the man that namyd hym captayne of alle hyr oste. And there they a-bode certayne days too the comyng of the kynge fro the Parlymentte at Leyceter. Ande thenne the kyng send unto the captayne dyvers lordys bothe spyrytualle and temporalle, to wytte and to have knowleche of that grette assembelynge and gaderyng of that grete a[n]d mysavysyd. feleschyppe. The captayne of hem sendyng worde agayne unto the kynge, that hyt was for the wele of hym oure soverayne lorde, and of alle the realme, and for to dystrye the traytours beyng a-boute hym, whythe othyr dyvers poyntys that they wolde see that hyt were in schorte tyme a-mendyde. Uppon whyche answere that the kyng, (fn. 25) thedyr sent by hys lordys, dyd make a crye in the kyngys name of Engelonde that alle the kyngys lege men of Engelonde shulde a-voyde the fylde. And a-pon the nyght aftyr they were alle voydyd and a-goo.

The morne aftyr, the kynge rode armyd at alle pecys from Syn John ys be-syde Clerkyn welle thoroughe London; and whythe hym the moste party of temporalle lordys of thys londe of Engelond in there a beste raye. Aftyr that they were every lorde whythe hys retenowe, to the nombyr of x Mlpersonys, redy as they alle shulde have gon to batayle in to any londe of Crystyn-dome, whythe bendys a-bove hyr harnys that every lorde schulde be knowe from othyr. And yn the fowarde, as they wolde have folowyde the captayne, was slayn Syr Umfray Stafforde and Wylliam Stafford, squyer, one the mannylste man of alle thys realme of Engelonde, whythe many moo othyr of mene personys at Sevenocke, in Kentt, in hyr oute ragyng fro hyr oste of our soverayne lordys the kyng, Harry the vjte. And the kyng loggyd that nyght at Grenewyche, and sone aftyr every lorde whythe hys retynewe rood home in to hyr contraye.

Ande aftyr that, uppon the fyrste day of Juylle, the same captayne come agayne, as the Kenttysche men sayde, but hyt was a-nothyr that namyd hymselfe the captayne, and he come to the Blacke Hethe. And uppon the morowe he come whythe a grette hoste yn to Sowtheworke, and at the Whythe Herte he toke his loggynge. And a-pon the morowe, that was the Fryday, a gayn evyn, they smote a sondyr the ropys of the draught brygge and faught sore a manly, and many a man was mortheryde and kylde in that conflycte, I wot not what [to] (fn. 26) name hyt for the multytude of ryffe raffe. And thenne they enteryde in to the cytte of London as men that hadde ben halfe be-syde hyr wytte; and in that furynys they wente, as they sayde, for the comyn wele of the realme of Ingelonde, evyn strayght unto a marchaunte ys place i-namyd Phylyppe Malpas of London. Yf hyt were trewe as they surmysyd aftyr ther doyng, I remytte me to ynke and pauper—Deus scit et ego non. But welle I wote that every ylle begynnynge moste comynly hathe an ylle endyng, and every goode begynnyng hathe the wery goode endyng. Proverbium:—Felix principium finem facit esse beatum. And that Phylyppe Malpas was aldyrman, and they spoylyd hym ande bare a-way moche goode of hys, and in specyalle moche mony, bothe of sylvyr and golde, the valowe of a notabylle som, and in specyalle of marchaundys, as of tynne, woode, madyr, and alym, whythe grette quantyte of wollyn clothe and many ryche jewellys, whythe othyr notabylle stuffe of fedyr beddys, beddyng, napery, and many a ryche clothe of arys, to the valewe of a notabylle sum—nescio, set Deus omnia scit.

Ande in the evenynge they went whythe hyr sympylle captayne to hys loggynge; botte a certayne of hys sympylle and rude mayny a-bode there alle the nyght, weny[n]ge to them that they hadde wytte and wysdome for to have gydyde or put in gydyng alle Ingelonde, alsosone at they hadde gote the cytte of London by a mysse happe of cuttynge of ij sory cordys that nowe be alteryde, and made ij stronge schynys of yryn unto the draught brygge of London. But they hadde othyr men with hem, as welle of London as of there owne party. And by hem of on parte and of that othyr parte they lefte noo thyng unsoffethe, (fn. 27) and they serchyd alle that nyght.

Ande in the morne he come yn a-gayne, that sory and sympylle and rebellyus captayne whythe hys mayny; that was Satyrday, and hyt was also a Synt Martyn ys day, (fn. 28) the dedycacyon of Synt Martynys in the Vyntry, the iiij day of Juylle. And thenne dyvers questys were i-sompnyd at the Gylhalle; and ther Robert Horne beynge alderman was a-restyde and brought in to Newegate. And that same day Wylliam Crowemere, squyer, and Scheryffe of Kentt, was be-heddyde in the fylde whythe owte Algate at [t]e mylys ende be-syde Clopton ys Place. And a nothyr man that was namyde John Bayle was be-heddyd at the Whytte Chapylle. And the same day aftyr-non was be-heddyd in Cheppe a-fore the Standard, Syr Jamys Fynes, beyng that tyme the Lorde Saye and Grette Treserer of Ingelonde, the whyche was brought oute of the Toure of London unto the Gylde Halle, and there of dyvers tresons he was exampnyd, of whyche he knowlachyd of the dethe of that notabylle and famos prynce the Duke of Glouceter. And thenne they brought hym unto the Standard in Cheppe, and there he ressayvyd hys jewys and hys dethe. And so forthe alle the iij heddys that day smetyn of were sette uppon the Brygge of London, and the ij othyr heddys takyn downe that stode a-pon the London Brygge by-fore. And at the comyng of the camptayne yn to Sowtheworke, he lete smyte of the hedde of a strong theff that was namyd Haywardyn. And uppon the morowe the Sonday at hyghe mas tyme a lette to be heddyd a man of Hampton, a squyer, the whyche was namyd Thomas Mayne. And that same evyn Londyn dyd a rysse and cam owte uppon hem at x [of] (fn. 29) the belle, beyng that tyme hyr captaynys the goode olde lorde Schalys and Mathewe Goughe. Ande from that tyme unto the morowe viij of belle they were ever fyghtynge uppon London Brygge, ande many a man was slayne and caste in Temys, harnys, body, and alle; and monge the presse was slayne Mathewe Goughe and John Sutton aldyrman. And the same nyght, a-non aftyr mydnyght, the Captayne of Kentte dyde fyre the draught brygge of London; and be-fore that tyme he breke bothe Kyngys Bynche ande the Marchelsy, and lete owte alle the presoners that were yn (fn. 30) them. And uppon the morowe by tymys came my lorde the Cardynalle of Yorke, (fn. 31) and my Lorde of Cauntyrbury, (fn. 32) and the Byschoppe of Wynchester, (fn. 33) and they tretyde by twyne the Lorde Schalys and that captayne, that the sore conflycte and skarmasche was sessyde, ande gaffe the captayne and hys mayne a generalle chartoure for hym and for alle hys company in hys name, callyng hym selfe John Mortymere, and thoroughe that mene they were i-voydyde the moste partye. And the vj day aftyr that, the Satyr-daye at evyn, the iij heddys were takyn downe of London Brygge, that ys to say, the Lorde Say ys hedde, Crowmers, and the Bayleyes, and the othyr ij heddys sette uppe a-yenne that stode a-pon London Brygge be-fore, and the body whythe hedde were i-burydde at the Gray Fryers at London. And uppon the xij day of Juylle, the yere a-fore sayde, the sayde camptayne was cryde and proclaymyd traytoure, by the name of John Cade, in dyvers placys of London, and also in Sowtheworke, whythe many moo, that what man myght or wolde bryng the sayde John Cade to the kyng, qwyke or dede, shulde have of the kynge a thousande marke. Also who som evyr myght brynge or wolde brynge any of hys chyffe counsellourys, or of afynyte, that kepte any state or rewle or governansse undyr the sayd fals captayne John Cade, he schulde have to hys rewarde of the kynge v. C. marke. And that day was that fals traytoure the Captayne of Kentte i-take and slayne in the Welde in the countre of Sowsex, and uppon the morowe he was brought in a carre alle nakyd, and at the Herte in Sowetheworke there the carre was made stonde stylle, the wyffe of the howse myght se hym yf hyt were the same man or no that was namyd the Captayne of Kente, for he was loggyd whythe yn hyr howse in hys pevys tyme of hys mys rewylle and rysynge. And thenne he was hadde in to the Kyngys Bynche, and there he lay from Monday at evyn unto the Thursseday nexte folowynge at evyn; and whythe yn the Kynges Benche the sayde captayne was be-heddyde and quarteryde; and the same day i-d[r]awe a-pon a hyrdylle in pecys whythe the hedde by-twyne hys breste from the Kyngys Benche thoroughe owte Sowthewerke, and thenne ovyr Londyn Brygge, and thenne thoroughe London unto Newegate, and thenne hys hedde was takyn and sette uppon London Brygge.

And the same yere was the Byschoppe of Sawlysbury slayne at Edyngton, a myle owte of the towne, a-pon a hyghe hylle; hyt was the xiiij day of June, and alle hys goode mevabylle was departyde to every man dwellynge there that any of hys lyflode laye; for bothe oxsyn, sheppe, hors, swyne, carte, plowe, corne, hay, tymbyr, strawe, harnys in castellys of hys, clothynge for hys owne body, bokys, chalys, and alle that longyd to any manyr of hys, and the very ledde that coveryd the howsys and wodys wer fylde downe in sum placys, but not in every place, but in som, as at Shyrbone in Dorsette schyre. And the men that toke a-pon hem alle thys mys rewle, whenne they undyrstode that hyt was wronge that they hadde done bothe to hym, and in specyalle unto the kynge, they a-non wente thoroughe owte alle the towne of Shyrborne an toke to every man, woman, and chylde that was above xij yere age and iij chore, everyche of hem hadde vjd; and they madde them to swere to be trewe ande holde to gedyr, by cause yf the kynge wolde have take any execucyon a-pon hyt he moste have take hyt a-pone alle the hoole schyre and contrays there that hys lyflode was. And for cause here of the kynge gaffe a generalle pardon to alle maner men.

Ande that same yere was slayne Tresham, the man of lawe, that was Speker of the Parlymentt, and hys sone was soore woundyde in Northehampton schyre. And by the kynge and hys counselle a Parlyment was ordaynyde to be-gyn on Syn Leonarde ys day nexte folowynge. In the mene tyme many strange and woundyrfulle bylle were sete in dyvers placys, sum at the kyngys owne chambyr doore at Westemyster, in hys palysse, and sum at the halle dore at Westemyster, ande sum at Poulys chyrche dore, and in many othyr dyvers placys of London.

Ande in the ende of the sayde same yere Rycharde, the Duke of Yorke, come to the sayde Parlymentt, for the sayde Duke was before banyschyd for certayne yerys, whythe a notabylle felyschippe of fensabylle men, and the Duke of Northefolke whythe a grete multytude of defensabylle men. And every lorde whythe hyr retynowe welle harnysyd and welle be-sene; and every lorde hadde hys bagge a-pon hys harnys, and hyr mayny also, that they myght ben knowe by hyr baggys and levereys.

Nycholas Wyfolde, Mayre of London Wylliam Deere A° xxix°.
John Myddelton

Ande that same yere, the ij day of Decembyr, the Duke of Somersett was a-tachyde in the Fryer Prechourys at London. And that day he was robbyde of alle hys goodys, and hys jewyllys were takyn and borne a-way by lordys mayny. Ande in the morowe they dyspoylyd the placys and longgynges of many dyvers lordys, and they bare away alle the goodys that were with ynne hem, that ys to say, Syr Thomas Stodenham, (fn. 34) thenne beynge wardroper, Syr Thomas Hoo the Lorde Hastynge, sum tyme the Chambyrlayne of Normandy.

And the same day was a man of the forsayde feleschyppe, the whyche was at the spoylynge and robbynge of the Fryer Prechourys, be-heddyde at the Standarde in Cheppe, for to ben an exampylle unto alle othyr; but hyt was nevyr the bettyr, for hyt causyd moche the more herte brennyng a gayne the duke and the lordys by-fore sayde, &c.

And that same day, the aftyr non, the Duke of Yorke roode thoroughe London. And he made to be cryde in dyvers placys that what (fn. 35) maner a man that robbyd or ryfylde any persone schulde have as hastely jewys as the sayde man hadde. And uppon Thursday nexte folowynge the kynge come fro Westemyster, ryddyng thoroughe London; and whythe the Duke of Yorke, and the moste dele in substans of alle the lordys in thys londe, with hyr retenowys of fensabylle men; whyche was a gay and a gloryus syght if hit hadde ben in Fraunce, but not in Ingelonde, for hyt boldyd sum mennys hertys that hyt causyd aftyr many mannys dethe. Wher was or ys the defaute I wotte not, &c.

Footnotes

  • 1. John Langdon.
  • 2. Harfleur.
  • 3. Joan of Navarre, widow of King Henry IV.
  • 4. Sigismuud.
  • 5. John Kemp, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury.
  • 6. Thomas Brown.
  • 7. Thomas Rodeburn.
  • 8. Rheims.
  • 9. Vendôme.
  • 10. Omitted in MS.
  • 11. Constantinople. John Palæologus, Emperor.
  • 12. Armenia.
  • 13. Necromancy.
  • 14. Strumpets.
  • 15. Probably the Translation of St. Edward the King and Confessor, which was on the 13th October.
  • 16. Here a blank was left for the name, but has been improperly filled up by the rubricator inserting a mark indicative of a new paragraph.
  • 17. James Butler, fourth Earl.
  • 18. Thomas Fitzgerald, grandson of Thomas Earl of Kildare, was at this time Prior of the Knights of St. John at Kilmainham in Ireland.
  • 19. Adam de Moleyns, Bishop of Chichester.
  • 20. The word "servants" appears to be omitted.
  • 21. of the, i. e. of that.
  • 22. The 26th year is omitted.
  • 23. wasrepeated in MS.
  • 24. Omitted in MS.
  • 25. So in MS.
  • 26. Omitted in MS.
  • 27. Unsought?
  • 28. The Translation of St. Martin of Tours.
  • 29. Omitted in MS.
  • 30. yn. ym, MS.
  • 31. John Kemp, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury.
  • 32. John Stafford.
  • 33. William Waynflete.
  • 34. Todenham.
  • 35. what repeated in MS.