A Chronicle Of London From 1089 To 1483

A Chronicle of London,

LONDON: PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, PATERNOSTER-ROW; AND HENRY BUTTERWORTH, No. 7, FLEET STREET. M.DCCC.XXVII. [ONLY TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY COPIES PRINTED.] RICHARD TAYLOR, PRINTER, SHOE-LANE. ALERE FLAMMAM....

32 minute read

Read Chapter

NOMI’A MAIOR’ ET VIC’ TEMP’E R’ EDWARDI iiijti.

REX EDWARDUS QUARTUS. [1461-1465.] In this yere the kyng Edward the iiij th was crowned at Westm’, on Sonday the xxviij day of Juyn. In this yere therle of Oxonford, and the lord Awbrey his sone, with other knyghts, were bihedid upon a new scaffold on the Tour hille. This yere quene Margret toke the castell of Bamburgh. In this yere was the sergeaunts fest, and the maire of London shuld have dyned there; and bicause the chief place was not kepte for him while the kyng was not there nor of his bl

4 minute read

Read Chapter

Note A. (erroneously printed Note D.) page 9.

This event is stated to have occurred in the third year of Henry III....

8 minute read

Read Chapter

Note B. page 16.

A o . xxx. Hen. III.—“This yere was seint Edmond of Pountney translated, et ven’ sanguis depositus fuit in hospic’ s’c’i Thome apud conductu’ usq’ ad festu’ s’c’i Edwardi, quo die d’n’s rex cu’ honorabili p’cessione ven’al’ apud Westm’ deposuit.”...

13 minute read

Read Chapter

Note C. page 16.

A o . xxxj. Hen. III.—“In this yere there was an erthquake thurghout England.”...

6 minute read

Read Chapter

Note D. page 23.

To the account given in the text is added “and London lost theire fraunchise.”...

6 minute read

Read Chapter

Note E. page 28.

“And there were forjuged, drawen and hanged, iij Englisshe christen men, and ij c iiij xx and xiij Englisshe Jues.”...

8 minute read

Read Chapter

Note F. page 37.

“Also the same yere the kyng had his counseile there with erlis, barons, and other of his counseile; and the kyng toke of the lay people” &amp;c....

9 minute read

Read Chapter

Note K. page 50.

In the Cottonian MS. is the following copy of the letter from queen Isabel and prince Edward: “Isabel, by the grace of God quene of England, ladie of Ireland and countes of Pountif, and we Edward, the eldist son of the kyng of England, duke of Guyen, erle of Chestre, of Pontif and of Mounstroille, to alle the comonialte of London senden gretyng. Forasmoch as we have bifore this tyme sent to you by oure lettres how we ben comen into this lande with good arreie and in good manere, for the honor an

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Note L. page 54.

“In this yere Edward Bailolle, the son of John Bailolle sometyme kyng of Scotland, came into England chalengyng his right heritage, that is to sey, the kingdome of Scotland; with whome many grete lordes of England went into Scotland, and at Domfrevelyn arrividden, where fast by an abbeie ij m l of Englisshemen discomfited xij m l of Scottes.” &amp;c....

19 minute read

Read Chapter

Note M. page 58.

In the copy in the Cottonian MS. this event is said to have occurred in the fifteenth year of Edw. III.—“Also this same yere, that is to seye the xv yere of his reigne of England, was the first yere of his reigne of France, and he came fro Tourney.”...

16 minute read

Read Chapter

Note N. page 64.

“This yere [A o . xxxiiij. Edw. III.] the blode all fresshe flowid out of the tombe of Thomas sometyme erle of Lancastre. Also this yere the kyng chose his sepulture at Westmynstre. Also this yere, the yere of oure lord m l iij c lx, the xiiij day of Aprile and the morn after day, the kyng Edward with his hoste lay about Paris,” &amp;c. as is related in the text to have occurred in the thirty-fifth year of Edward III., though the king’s expedition to Calais against the regent of France is st

32 minute read

Read Chapter

Note M. page 67.

The sheriff called in the text Adam Wymondham, stands as Adam Wymbyngham in the Cottonian MS.; and though the death of dame Blaunch duchess of Lancaster is there mentioned, no notice occurs of the pestilence....

11 minute read

Read Chapter

Note N. page 70.

The following is the account of the events in this year [A o . xlix. Edw. III.], in the copy in the Cottonian MS.—“In this yere, at the towne of Brugges in Flaundres, was tretid upon diverse articles hangynge atwixt the pope and kyng Edward. Also the same tyme at Brugges was tretid for a peas bitwixt the ij realmes Fraunce and England. Also this yere deide William Witlesey archebisshop of Caunterburye, and the monkes chose the cardinall of England; and the kyng was wroth therwith, and wolde not

30 minute read

Read Chapter

Note O. page 71.

The only event noticed in the copy in the Cottonian MS. in the 51st Edw. III. is the death of Edward prince of Wales, and his burial at Canterbury....

10 minute read

Read Chapter

Note P. page 71.

It is singular that in both MSS. the events mentioned in the text, as well as the death of Edward the Third, are said to have occurred in the fifty-second year of that monarch’s reign, for he died in the fifty-first year, namely on the 21st of June 1377. The commencement of his reign is always calculated from the 25th of January 1327, when his father resigned the crown....

22 minute read

Read Chapter

Note Q. page 77.

A o . ix. Richard II.—The copy in the Cottonian MS. only states under this year, that “This yere, the yere of oure lord m l iij c and iiij xx and vj, kyng Richard went into Scotland with a roial power.”...

14 minute read

Read Chapter

Note R. page 79.

A o . xiv. Richard II.—No other circumstance is mentioned under this year in the Cottonian MS., than the following, “In this yere was the good man at the litle Condit mordred.”...

11 minute read

Read Chapter

Note S. page 80.

The occurrences mentioned in the text as having taken place in the 15th of Richard II. are in the Cottonian MS. assigned to the following year; but no notice is taken under either year of “the pley of S t . Katerine.”...

13 minute read

Read Chapter

Note T. page 80.

King Richard’s expedition into Ireland in the 18th year of his reign, is not noticed in the copy in the Cottonian MS....

8 minute read

Read Chapter

Note U. page 81.

The Cottonian MS. adds, that the earl of Arundel was beheaded at Tower hill, “in the same place where S r . Symon of Burelle was bihedid. And the duke of Gloucestre the kyngs uncle was foule murdred at Caleis, in the Princes inne, with ij towailis made snarewise, and put about his necke. And therle of Warwik and lord Cobham were dampned to perpetuall prison;” which is stated in the text to have occurred in the 21st of Ric. II. “And the parliament was enjourned to Shrowesbury, unto the xv day of

31 minute read

Read Chapter

Note X. page 83.

Instead of the words “and of Braybroke &amp;c.” the following occur in the copy in the Cottonian MS. “and of the bisshop of London, Braybroke, putten a supplicacion to the kyng, the tenor wherof foloweth in this fourme; “To our full excellent right doutful sovereigne and ful graciouse lord the kyng. “Ful mekely bisechen your humble lieges spirituell and temperell, tharchbisshop of Caunterburye, the bisshop of London, the maire, shireves, and aldermen, and alle other spirituell and temperell

3 minute read

Read Chapter

Note Y. page 83.

“And than after the presentacion of the seid supplicacion, there were made many blank chartres; and alle the men of every crafte of the cite as wele allowes and servaunts as the maisters, were charged to come to the Yeldhalle, to set there sealis to the seid blank chartres.” But the disturbance “by Chestreschire men in Fryday strete,” mentioned in the text, is not noticed....

20 minute read

Read Chapter

Note Z. page 91.

“And also Sir John Cornewaile, Sir Richard of Arundell, the son of Sir John Cheyne and other Frensshemen.”...

7 minute read

Read Chapter

Note AA. page 92.

“And holde the righte wey of Holy Chirche, and hym shulde want no goode. Also Courtney, that tyme chaunceller of Oxonford, prichid and enfourmed hym the feith of Holy Chirche, and the prior of seynt Barthemew” &amp;c....

12 minute read

Read Chapter

Note BB. page 94.

The copy in the Cottonian MS. adds, “And about the fest of seint Laurence the duke of Clarence seilid into Fraunce, to help the duke of Orliaunce,” but it takes no notice of the arrival of the prince and his attendants in London, or of the departure of the duke of Clarence, the duke of York, &amp;c. to Southampton....

18 minute read

Read Chapter

Note CC. page 96.

The mayor and sheriffs mentioned in the text and in the copy in the Cottonian MS., as having served those offices in the 14th Hen. IV., are in the latter also assigned to the 1st Hen. V.; whilst the mayor and sheriffs stated in the text to have served in the 1st Hen. V., are in the latter attributed to the 2nd year of that monarch’s reign. But there is manifestly much confusion respecting the year of the king’s reign in which the events occurred, in the copy from which the text has been taken, a

31 minute read

Read Chapter

Note DD. page 96.

The copy in the Cottonian MS. adds, “And were put in his owne sepulture that he made himself, with quene Anne his wiffe.” This is the only circumstance mentioned under the 1st Hen. V. in that MS.: and under the 2nd Hen. V., the transactions concerning Sir John Oldcastle &amp;c., which in the text are stated to have occurred in the preceding year, are related....

20 minute read

Read Chapter

Note EE. page 99.

In the Cottonian MS. under the third year of Hen. V., and when the mayor and sheriffs mentioned in the text as serving in the 2nd Hen. V. are stated to have held those offices, the king’s expedition is properly noticed. This error cannot be explained in any other manner than by attributing it to the transcriber; for it is notorious that Henry quitted England, besieged and captured Harfleur, and fought the battle of Agincourt, in the third year of his reign. The account of that expedition is so d

5 minute read

Read Chapter

Note FF. page 103.

The arrival of the emperor is differently noticed in the copy in the Cottonian MS. “This yere [A o . iv. Hen. V.] the vij day of Maij came themperour of Almayne, Segismundus, to London; and the fest of seint George was deferrid til his comyng, and than solempnely holden at Wyndisore: and at the procession the kyng went on the upper side of themperour, and so alle the masse tyme stode in the higher place, and at mete he sate on the right side of themperour; and the duke of Bedford, and the chaunc

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Note GG. page 106.

“with all the lordships longyng thereto. And than the duke of Clarence with other lordes rode furth to Cane: and upon our Lady even the Assumpcion, he mustred hym bifore the towne of Cane; and the Tuesday next after our Lady day, that was the xxvij day of August, the kyng with all his host came to Cane, and ther leide his sege, and contynued til our Ladies even the Nativite, upon which even by strong assaute the towne was wonne. And than the kyng leide strong sege to the castel, which was yolden

44 minute read

Read Chapter

Note HH. page 106.

“upon the moru after the fest of seint Lucie the virgyn and martir, the yere of our lord m l iiij c xvij. Also the same yere, about Alhalowen tide, the kyng leide a sege to Falowes, and contynued it to the xx day of Decembre: and than thei of the towne desired to trete with the kyng. And the kyng committid the trete unto Thomas erle of Salisbury, to Herry lord Fitz Hugh, to S r . John Cornewaille, and S r . William Harington knight, as commissioners for his partie: and as for the partie of the t

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Note II. page 107.

A o . vij. Hen. V.—“Also the kyng contynued his sege from seint Edwardes day unto the xiij day of Janeuary, at which day thei of the cite desired to trete: and the kyng comytted with hym for to trete, therles of Warwik and Salisburie, the lord Fitz Hugh, Sir Water Hungerford, Gilbert Humfrevile, John de Vasques de Almada, and Robesard, knyghts: and for the parte of Rone these followyng.” [Then follows a copy of the agreement in six folio pages.] “And the forseid cite was yolden to oure sovereign

32 minute read

Read Chapter

Note KK. page 108.

A o . viij. Hen. V.—“And the xx day of Maij the yere of oure lord m l cccc xx ti the kyng come to Troys in Champayne, where he was worthely receyved of al the lordes spiritual and temperal that were with the kyng of Fraunce. And upon the morue the kyng and quene of Fraunce, and dame Katerine his sustre, the duke of Burgoyne metten togiders in seint Petres chirche of Troys, in the body of the same chirch; and after went thei up to the high auter, and there tharticles of the peas redde, and the ot

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Note LL. page 108.

A o . viij. Hen. V.—“And whanne the solempnite was done in the chirch, she was brought ful worthely into the greet halle. Of the sittyng of the astates at the coronacion of Quene Kateryne hereafter foloweth: that is to say; First Quene Kateryne sate in hire astate. The archebisshop of Caunterbury. The bisshop of Wynchestre. Thei saten upon the right side of the Quene, and served next the Quene, and covered at every course. The kyng of Scotland sate in his astate upon the lefte side of the Quene,

4 minute read

Read Chapter

Note MM. page 110.

A o . ix. Hen. V.—“Also in the moneth of Maii, the quene at Hampton toke hir viage into Fraunce the yere of our lord m l iiij c and xxij, and of the kyng the x th yere, the cite of Mewes in Bry’, which long tyme had ben bisegid, was yolden in maner as folowith after.” [Then follows the treaty, which extends to nearly seven pages.]...

22 minute read

Read Chapter

Note NN. page 111.

A o . i. Hen. VI.—“Also there was graunted to the kyng V nobles of every sakke of wolle to custume duryng iij yere.” “And the forseid first day of March was the trete of the delyveraunce of Pount Melank, which was taken and long holden by the partie called Armynakkes, and delivered in maner as after folowith.” [A copy of the treaty then occurs, consisting of eight pages.] “Also this same yere Newegat was bigonne to make newe by thexecutors of Richard Whityngton. Also the same yere in somer tide

45 minute read

Read Chapter

Note OO. page 112.

A o . ii. Hen. VI.—“And upon the Wednesday with a glad chere sate in his modres lappe in the chare, and rode thurgh the cite to Westm’ the xvij day of Novembre, the yere of our lord m l cccc xxiij, and there was brought into the parliament; where the Speker of the parliament, in the name and for al the comons of England, spake to the kyngs persone these wordes after folowyng.” The speech assigned to the Speaker is then given; after which it is stated that on “The xxvj day of Novembre the kyng wi

1 minute read

Read Chapter

Note PP. page 113.

“Also this yere after Eastre the king helde his parliament at Westm’, which bigan the laste day of Aprile; and the kyng come to London the xxvij day of Aprile, which was Saturday, with his moder in his chare from Wyndisore unto Seint Paulis; and at the west dore he was taken out of his chare by his uncle the duke of Gloucestre, and by his bele uncle the duke of Excestre: and he went upon his fete fro the west dore to the steires, and so up into the quere; and than he was borne up and offred: and

58 minute read

Read Chapter

Note QQ. page 114.

“defense of the cite. And anon after the bisshop of Wynchestre sent a lettre over the see into France unto the duke of Bedford, the tenor wherof after foloweth: ‘To the most high and myghty prynce and my right noble lord the regent of Fraunce and duke of Bedford. ‘Right high and myghty prynce and my right noble and after oon, levist lord, I recommand me unto you with al myn hert and affinite: and as ye desire the welfare of the kyng our sovereign lord and of his realmes of England and Fraunce, a

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Note RR. page 116.

A o . vj. Hen. VI.—“This yere the kyng held his parliament at Westminster, and was ajourned til after Cristmas: and in this parliament the kyng helde his see diverse daies.” Then follows an account of the grants made to the king, and of other proceedings therein. “Also this yere the erle of Salisbury sailid over the see with a feire compeigny; and the Carde come to London upon seint Gilis day: and the maire of London, and aldermen, with the craftes, roden ayenst him, and receyved him worthely. A

35 minute read

Read Chapter

Note SS. page 116.

The death of the earl of Salisbury is, as has just been noticed, stated in the Cottonian MS. to have taken place in the preceding year. “This yere [A o . vij. Hen. VI.] about Midsommer, the Cardenal seilid over the see with a feire compeigny wagid for to have, and werred upon the Lollards in Prage: but a litel before the departyng of the Cardenal out of England, therle of Suffolk, the lord Talbot, the lord Scalis, and many other lordes, knyghts, and squyers, were taken and slayne at the sege of

29 minute read

Read Chapter

Notes TT and UU. page 118.

“This was the first Cours at his coronacion; that is to say, first Furmentie, with venyson. Viande Roial planted with losenges of golde. Bore-hedes in castells of earmed with golde. [134] Beef. Moton. Signet. Capon stued. Heron. Grete Pike. A redd Lech with lions corvyn theryn of white. Custarde Roial with a leparde of golde sittyng theryn. Fritour like a sonne with a flour de lice therynne. A Sotelte, Seint Edward and seint Lowes armed in cote armours bryngyng yn bitwene them the kyng in his co

6 minute read

Read Chapter

Note XX. page 119.

A o . xj. Hen VI.—The only event noticed under this year in the Cottonian MS. is “that the meyre, aldermen, and shireves in scarlet, with comoens of London in grene, rodde to the Blak heth to receyve my lord of Bedford.”...

13 minute read

Read Chapter

Note YY. page 120.

A o . xij. Hen. VI.—No other circumstance is mentioned in the Cottonian MS. than that “this yere was a Text writer brent at the Tour hille for heresie.”...

10 minute read

Read Chapter

Note ZZ. page 120.

A o . xiij. Hen. VI.—“In this yere was a grete frost that enduryd from seint Katerines day unto seint Valentynes day after, wherfore the vyntage myght not come to London but by carte over Shoters hille frome Gravesende, Northflete, Greneheth, and other places both on Kent side and Essex.”...

16 minute read

Read Chapter

Note AAA. page 121.

A o . xv. Hen. VI.—“This yere was another grete frost enduryng xj weks. Also this yere was openly knowen that the duke of Burgoyne was falsely forsworne to the crowne of England; for he laied sege to Caleis, and did make a strong bastelle; to the which bastel Englisshemen made strong assaute ij tymes, and the iij d tyme thei gate it, and token certeyn persons, and slough alle the remenaunt, and brent the bastelle; and than my lordes the dukes of Gloucestre, and of Northfolke, therle of Huntyngdo

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Note BBB. page 123.

A o . xv. Hen. VI.—“In this yere the toure at the gate on London brigge, and ij arches with alle the housyng therupon fil downe into Thamyse, which no man cowde let to grete hurt. And this yere died quene Kateryne at Bermonsey, and was buried at Westminster in seint Marie chapel withynne thabbeie. And in this yere the kyng of Scotts was slayne in Scotland, of a knyght of the same land callid Sir Robert Grame.”...

24 minute read

Read Chapter

Note CCC. page 123.

A o . xvij. Hen. VI.—“In this yere the duke of Orliaunce went over the see to Caleis with certein lordes of this land, and so was delyvered by composicion made. And in this yere therle of Huntyngdon was sent into Gascoyne and Guyen. And wheat was at xvj d a busshell alle that yere: and yet there was moch wheat brought out of Pruyte. And that yere was ordeyned that strumpettes shuld were rede hoddes and white roddes in there handes.”...

25 minute read

Read Chapter

Note DDD. page 125.

A o . xviij. Hen. VI.—“In this yere was ordeyned by parliament that al strangers shuld goo to oost. And this yere ij men were hangid in Thamys, at the last hille beyond seint Katerynes; for thei had robbid and murdred vitailers in the water. And in this yere Sir Richard Wiche sometyme vicarie of Depford, and another secular man were dampned for heretiks, and brent at Tour hille, in a mornyng at vij of the belle.” [ The following article is prefixed to the copy of the preceding Chronicle, in the

29 minute read

Read Chapter

COPIA TABULE PENDENTIS AD COLUMPNAM IUXTA TUMULUM DUCIS LANCASTR’ IN ECCLESIA SANCTI PAULI LONDON’.

Ecclesia sancti Pauli London’ continet infra limites suos tres acras terre et dimidiam. unam rodam et dimidiam et sex virgas constratas. Longitudo eiusdem ecclesie continet dclxxxx pedes. Latitudo eiusdem ecclesie continet cxxx pedes. Altitudo occidentalis testudinis continet ab ara cij pedes. Altitudo testudinis nove fabrice continet ab ara lxxxviij pedes. Cumulus ecclesie continet in Altitudine cl pedes cum cruce. Altitudo fabrice lapidie campanilis eiusdem ecclesie continet a plana terra cclx

4 minute read

Read Chapter

COPIA MAGNE TABULE IBIDEM PENDENTIS PER DICTAM TUMBAM DICTI ROGERI NUPER EPISCOPI LONDON’.

In principio creavit Deus celum et terram et omnia que in eis sunt. Sexto autem die a creacione mundi factus fuit prothoplasmus Adam. 1. Prima etas mundi ab Adam usque ad Noe secundum Ebreos continet Mille sexcentos quinquaginta sex annos. secundum Septuaginta interpretes duo Milia ducentos xl ta iiij or annos. Secundum vero Jeronimum non plene duo Milia. Secundum Metodum duo Milia. cuius diuersitatis causa est quia isti non computant secundum morem sacre scripture minucias temporum vel annorum

8 minute read

Read Chapter

A COPY OF THE TABLET HANGING AT THE COLUMN NEAR THE TOMB OF THE DUKE OF LANCASTER, IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT PAUL’S, LONDON.

The church of St. Paul, London, contains within its limits three acres of land and a half; one rood and a half, and six perches covered. The length of the same church contains dclxxxx feet. The breadth of the same church contains cxxx feet. The height of the western dome contains from the altar cij feet. The height of the dome of the new building contains from the altar lxxxviij feet. The whole pile of the church contains in height cl. feet with the cross. The height of the stone fabric of the b

5 minute read

Read Chapter

A COPY OF THE GREAT TABLET HANGING IN THE SAME PLACE, BY THE SAID TOMB OF THE SAID ROGER LATELY BISHOP OF LONDON.

In the beginning God created the heaven and earth and all things which are in them. But on the sixth day from the creation of the world, was made the first-formed Adam. 1. The first age of the world, from Adam to Noeh according to the Hebrews, contains a thousand, six hundred and fifty six years; according to the Seventy Interpreters, two thousand two hundred xliiij years. But according to Jerome not completely two thousand; according to Metodus two thousand. The cause of which diversity is, tha

13 minute read

Read Chapter

HIC INCIPIT QUIDA’ RISMUS F’TUS DE P’DIC’ONE VASCON’ ET DE RIUSD’ CONQUESTU P’ R’ E’ FILIU’ REG’ H’.

poem P. 37 . Anno 24 Edward I, 1296. “Also in this yere S r . Thomas Turbevyle for treson was drawen and hanged.” Of the conduct which caused Sir Thomas Turbeville’s execution, the following fragment of a curious contemporary poem in the Cottonian MS. Caligula A. xviij, presents perhaps the most accurate information which is extant. It immediately precedes, and is written in the same hand as, the only contemporary copy of the Roll of Carlaverock which is known to exist, and hence it is highly pr

13 minute read

Read Chapter

L’RA D’NI EDWARDI PRINCIPIS GALL’ MAIOR ALDR’S ET COM’ITATI CIVITATIS LONDON’ DIRECTA DE NOV’ BAT’I IUXta POYTERS.

Tresch’e et tres bien ameez endroit des novelles es p’ties ou nous sumes voillitz savoir qe puis l’eure qe nous certifiasmes a n’re tresredoute S r et piere le Roi qe no’ estoions en p’pos de chivaucher env’s les enemis es p’ties de Fraunce no’ p’smes n’re chemyn p’ le pais de Peregort et de Lymosyn et tout droit v’s Burges en Were ou no’ entendismes davoir troues le fitz le Roi le counte de Peytiers et la sov’aigne cause de n’re aler v’s celles p’ties estoit qe nous entendismes davoir eu novele

14 minute read

Read Chapter

COPIA PROCLAMATIONIS R. RICARDI IIdi SUPER INSURRECTIONE JACK STRAW ET WAT TYLER.

[ Cottonian MS. Caligula D. III. super Membr. f. 100.] Ricardus dei gr’a Rex Angl’ et Franc’ et Dominus Hib’n’ dil’cis et fidelib’ suis Thome Comiti Warr’ Joh’i Buttourt Joh’i de Bermyngeham Henr’ de Arden’ Will’o de Clynton Militib’ Rob’to Burgilon’ et Joh’i Catesby: sal’t’m Satis vob’ et aliis ligeis n’r’is credimus esse cognitum qualit’ q a mplures malef’c’ores iam nouit’ cont a pacem n’ra’ in diu’sis Com’ regni n’ri Angl’ in maximam turbaco’em fideliu’ ligeor’ n’ror’ in diu’sis congregac’o’i

26 minute read

Read Chapter

“THE COMYNGE OF THE KYNG OUT OF FRAUNCE TO LONDON.” BY JOHN LYDGATE “THE MONK OF BURY.”

[ Harleian MS. 565, and Cottonian MS. Julius B. II.] Toward the ende of wyndy Februarie, Whanne Phebus was in the fysshe roune, [146] Out of the signe which callyd is Aquarie, Newe kalendas were entred and begonne, Of Marches comyng, and the mery sonne, Upon a Thorsday shed [147] hys bemys bright Upon London, to make them glad and light. The stormy reynes [148] of alle there hevynesse, Were passyd away, and alle there [149] grevaunce, For the sixte Henry, rote of there gladnesse, Ther hertys joy

23 minute read

Read Chapter

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM JOHN BOKKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF: DATED ON THE WEDNESDAY AFTER MID LENT SUNDAY, i.e. 15 MARCH, 1457.

[ Paston Letters , vol. i. p. 154.] “Lyke it your maistership to wyte, that as for tidings, the Counsell is, the fornone, at the blake Frires, for the ease of resortyng of the Lordes that ar withinne the toun; and at afternon at the white Frirers in Fletstrete, for the Lordis with owte the town; and all things shall come to a good conclusion with God is grace; for the Kyng shall come hidre this weke, and the Quene also, as some men sayn, and my Lord Buk and Stafford with hire, and muche puple. M

45 minute read

Read Chapter

UPON THE RECONCILIATION OF THE LORDS OF THE YORKIST FACTION WITH THE KYNG AND HIS ADHERENTS.

[ Cottonian MS. Nero A. vi .] Whan Charyte ys chosen with stats to stonde, Stedfast and styll, with oute distaunce, Then wreth may be exilid out of thys londe, And God oure gide to have governaunce; Wysdom and welthe with all plesaunce, May ryghtfulle reigne, and prosperite, For love hath underleyde wrethfull vengeaunce; Reioyse Enlond the lords acordid bee. Reioyse, and thonke God, and sorw no more, For now shal encrese thi consolacone; Oure enemes quake for drede ful sore, That pees ys made th

2 minute read

Read Chapter

IBID.

[ From the Cottonian MS. Vespasianus B. xvi .] Whan Charite is chosen with states to stonde, Stedfas and stille without distaunce, Than wrathe may be exiled out of this londe, And God oure gide to have the governaunce. Wisdom and wellthe with alle plesaunce, May rightful regne and prosperite, For love hath underlaide wrathful veniaunce; Reioise Anglond oure lordes acorded to be. Reiose and thanke God, for evermore; For now shal encrese thi consolacion, Oure enemyes quaken and dreden fulsore, Tha

8 minute read

Read Chapter

LONDON LICPENYE.

[ From the Copy in the Autograph of John Stow, in the Harleian MS. 542, f. 102.] In London ther I was lent, I saw myselfe where trouthe shuld be ateynte; Fast to Westminstar ward I went, To a man of lawe to make my complaynt; I sayd for Maris love, that holy seynt, Have pity on the powre that would procede; I would gyve sylvar, but my purs is faynt, For lacke of money I may not spede. As I thrast thrughe out the thronge, Among them all my hode was gonn; Netheles I let not longe, To Kyngs benche

5 minute read

Read Chapter

LONDON LYCKPENY.

[ Harleian MSS. 367, f. 126, 127.] To London once, my stepps I bent, Where trouth in no wyse should be faynt: To Westmynster ward I forthwith went, To a man of law to make complaynt. I sayd, for Mary’s love that holy saynt, Pity the poore that would proceede; But for lack of mony I cold not spede. And as I thrust the prese amonge, By froward chaunce my hood was gone; Yet for all that I stayd not longe, Tyll at the kynge bench I was come. Before the judge I kneled anon, And prayd hym for Gods sak

4 minute read

Read Chapter

UPON THE EMPTINESS OF HIS PURSE:

[ Harleian MSS. 2255, f. 45 b .] Riht myhty prynce, and it be your wille, Condescende leiser for to take, To seen the content of this litil bille, Which whan I wrot, myn hand I felte quake; Tokne of mornyng weryd clothys blake, Cause my purs was falle in gret rerage; Lynyng outward, his guttys wer out shake, Oonly for lak of plate, and of coignage. I souhte leechys for a restoratiff, In whom I fond no consolacione; Appotecaryes for a confortatiff; Dragge nor dya was noon in Bury tone, Botme of h

2 minute read

Read Chapter

ON FORKED HEAD DRESSES:

[ Harleian MSS. 2255, f. 6.] Off God and kynde procedith al bewte: Crafft may shewe a foreyn apparence, But nature ay must have the sovereynte: Thyng countirfet hath noon existence, Twen gold and gossomer is gret difference; Trewe metal requerith noon allay, Unto purpoos by cleer experyence; Bewte wyl shewe, thouh hornes wer away. Riche attires of gold, and perre, Charbonclis, rubies of moost excellence, Shewe in dirknesse, liht wher so they be, By ther natural hevenly influence. Doubletys of gl

2 minute read

Read Chapter

ON FRAUDULENT MILLERS AND BAKERS.

[ Harleian MSS. 2255.] Put out his hed lyst nat for to dare, But lyk a man upon that tour to abyde, For cast of eggys wil not conys spare, Tyl he be quaylled body, bak, and syde; His heed endooryd, and of verray pryde, Put out his armys, shewith abrood his face, The fenestrallys be made for hym so wyde, Cleymyth to been a capteyn of that place. The bastyle longith of verray dewe ryght, To fals bakerys it is trewe herytage; Severelle to them, this knoweth every wight, Be kynde assyngned for ther

1 minute read

Read Chapter