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HENRIE THE SECOND,

The Second Sonne of Geffrey Plantagenet.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 1.] Henrie the second of that name, a French man
borne, the second sonne of Geffrey Plantagenet earle of Aniou, begotten
of Maud the empresse, daughter to Henrie the first, [Sidenote: 1154.]
began his reigne ouer England the fiue and twentith of October, in the
yeare after the creation of the world 5121. and in the yeare after the
incarnation of our sauiour 1154. about the beginning of the third yeare
of the emperour Frederike the first, the second of pope Anastasius the
fourth, the seuenteenth yeare of Lewes the seuenth king of France, and
second of Malcolme then king of Scotland. Immediatlie after he was
aduertised of the death of king Stephan, he came ouer into England,
landing at Ostreham about the seuenth day of December. [Sidenote: _N.
Triuet._ _Matth. Paris._] After he had got his companies togither, which
by tempest were scattered in his passage, he came first to Winchester,
where he receiued homage and fealtie of the Nobles of the realme
resorting vnto him. This doone he set foorth towards London, where he
was crowned king by Theobald archbishop of Canturburie the twentith daie
of December.

[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ The archbishop of Rouen.] The archbishop of
Rouen, with thrée of his suffragans, the archbishop of Yorke, and manie
other bishops of England: Theodorus the earle of Flanders, with a great
number of other earles, lords and barons were present there at his
coronation. [Sidenote: _Polydor._] He was at that time about the age of
three and twentie yeares, and to win the peoples loue, he spake manie
comfortable words vnto them, to put them in hope (as the manner is) that
they should find him a louing prince. He vsed the lords also verie
courteouslie. [Sidenote: Councellers chosen.] And first of all, after
his attéining to the crowne, he chose to him councellers of the grauest
personages, and best learned in the lawes of the realme, with whose
prudent aduice he perused those lawes, and amended them where he thought
necessarie, commanding chieflie, [Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._] that the lawes
established by his grandfather Henrie the first should be obserued:
[Sidenote: Thom. Becket lord chancellor] and in manie things he relied
vpon the aduice of Theobald archbishop of Canturburie, at whose sute he
admitted Thomas Becket to be his chancellour, which Becket the said
archbishop had made archdeacon of Canturburie the yeare before.

Moreouer, by the sentence and doome of his councellers, to the intent
that peace and quiet order might take place, and be the better
mainteined, [Sidenote: An. Reg. 2. 1155] he commanded by waie of
publishing a proclamation, [Sidenote: _Nic. Triuet._ _Polydor._ _Wil.
Paruus._ Strangers appointed to depart the realme. Aliens auoid the
land.] that all strangers (which to get somwhat by the wars had flocked
into the realme, during the time of the ciuill discord betweene him and
king Stephan) shuld depart home without further delaie: wherefore he
appointed them a daie, before the which they should auoid vpon perill
that might insue. It was a worlds woonder to sée and marke how suddenlie
these aliens were quite vanished, as though they had béene phantasmes.
Their abiding here was nothing profitable to the subiects of the realme,
as they that were accustomed to attempt one shrewd turne vpon an others
necke, and thought it lawfull for them so to doo. Amongst them was a
great number of Flemings, whom the king hated more than the residue.

[Sidenote: William de Ypres.] By vertue also of this edict, William of
Ypres, whom king Stephan (as ye haue heard) had made earle of Kent, was
constreined with others to depart the realme, king Henrie seizing all
his possessions into his owne hands. [Sidenote: Castels ouerthrowne.
_Polydor._ _Matth. Paris._] Diuerse castels were throwne downe and made
plaine with the ground at the kings commandement, which priuate men by
king Stephans permission had builded, or else for that they stood not in
such places as was thought meet and expedient; [Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._
_Matth. Paris._] yet some he caused to be fortified: and furthermore,
tooke into his hands againe such lands and possessions as apperteined to
the crowne, and were alienated vnto any manner of person, of what degrée
so euer he was. This wounded the minds of many with an inward grudge, as
well enough perceiuing that the king would looke so néere to his owne
commoditie, that nothing should be left for them that might any way be
recouered and gotten to his vse.

In this yere queene Elianor being then in the citie of London, on the
last of Februarie was deliuered of hir second sonne named Henrie.
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ _Matth. Paris._ _Matth. West._ William Peuerell
disherited.] About the same time also, William Peuerell of Notingham a
noble man and of great possessions was disherited by the king for
sorcerie and witchcraft[1], which he had practised to kill Ranulfe earle
of Chester, as it was reuealed openlie, and brought to light. In
accomplishing of which hainous crime and detestable act, many others
were of counsell, and found giltie with him, which escaped not
vnpunished.

[Sidenote: _Nic. Treuet._] On the tenth of Aprill, king Henrie assembled
the péeres & great lords of his realme togither at Wallingford, and
caused them to sweare allegiance vnto his eldest sonne William:
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ _Nic. Treuet._ Hugh de Mortimer. The castell
of Cleberie.] prouiding, that if he chanced to die, then they should doo
the like vnto his brother Henrie. Also whereas Hugh de Mortimer had
fensed his castels against king Henrie, he besieged the same, and taking
the castell of Cleberie, he destroied it. Wherevpon, the foresaid Hugh
shortlie after was at peace with the king, and surrendred to him the two
castels of Wigmore and Bridgenorth, which hitherto he had holden.
[Sidenote: Roger Fitz Miles.] Moreouer, whereas there was variance
kindled betwixt the king, and Roger Fitz Miles of Glocester (who was
earle of Hereford) for the lands of Glocester, that variance was also
quenched: for after the same Roger was dead, his brother Walter
succeeding him in the earldome of Hereford, was constreined to depart
with the citie of Glocester, which the king held and reteined in his
owne hands.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 2.] In the second yeare of his reigne, [Sidenote:
The king goeth into the north.] king Henrie went to Yorke, and in that
countrie tooke into his hands diuers castels which had béene long in
possession of priuate men; [Sidenote: The castell of Scarborough.]
namelie, the castell of Scarborough, which William earle of Albemarle
held, and now was constreined to resign it vp, full sore against his
will. [Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._ _Nic. Treuet._ The death of the kings
son William.] This yeare William the kings eldest sonne departed this
life, and was buried at Reading. The realme of England was brought on
all sides into verie good quiet; [Sidenote: Geffrey the kings brother
rebelleth.] but yer long, word came to K. Henrie, that his brother
Geffrey had begun a rebellion on the other side of the sea. For their
father Geffrey (when he died) left thrée sonnes behind him, Henrie,
Geffrey, and William, ordeining by his testament, when Henrie should
haue gotten possession of England and Normandie, that then the countrie
of Aniou should remaine vnto Geffrey, and in the meane time, he to haue
these three townes, Chinon, Lodun, and Mirabell, to mainteine his
estate; and when the time came that the whole heritage should fall vnto
him, he might by possession of these three haue a readier meane to come
by all the rest. [Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._] Furthermore, fearing least
his eldest sonne Henrie (who as then was absent) would not consent to
the performance of this his will, he caused certeine bishops and other
of the Nobles to sweare, that they should not suffer his bodie to be
committed to buriall, till his sonnes had sworne to fulfill his last
will and testament in all other things, but especially in this behalfe,
wherin he iudged not amisse. For though Henrie was loth to take his oth,
yet bicause his fathers bodie should not remaine vnburied, he was
contented to sweare.

But after he had obteined the kingdome of England, his couetous desire,
increasing still with abundance alreadie obteined, [Sidenote: Pope
Adrian an Englishman borne. A dispensatiō for an oth. _Nic. Treuet._]
found meanes to procure of pope Adrian the fourth (who was an Englishman
borne) a dispensation for that oth: wherevpon (hauing got licence to
depart from the office both of right, law and equitie) neglecting his
fathers ordinance, he passed ouer into Normandie, and making war against
his brother the said Geffrey, easilie expelled him out of those places,
which were assigned him by bequest in his fathers testament, and so
tooke the earledome of Aniou into his owne possession. Howbeit, he gaue
vnto his said brother a pension of a thousand pounds English & two
thousand pounds of the monie of Aniou, with the towne of Lodun, and
certeine other lands to liue vpon; who neuerthelesse thinking himselfe
euill vsed at the kings hands, rebelled and died.

¶ Here we haue to note the lacke of conscience and religion, not onlie
in the pretended successor of Peter in giuing a dispensasion for an oth,
but also in his good ghostlie sonne, who was no lesse forward in
reuolting from his oth, than the other was willing to acquite him from
the force thereof. But if these men had beene profiting scholars in the
vniuersitie of the pagans, as they were arrand truants and ranke
dullards in the schoole of christians, they might haue learned by
profane examples, that as oths are not to be rashlie taken, so they are
not to be vnaduisedlie broken. Herevnto alludeth Aristotle in his
Metaphysikes, shewing the cause why poetrie hath feigned that the gods
in old time vsed to sweare by water, as Jupiter is reported to haue
doone in this manner;
[Sidenote: _Ouid. Met. lib. 1. fab. 6._]
                       ---- per flumina iuro
    Infera sub terra Stygio labentia luco.

To signifie vnto vs, that as water is a verie ancient and excellent
element, and so necessarie that without it the life of man cannot
consist; euen so we ought to estéeme of an oth, than the which we should
thinke nothing more religious, nothing more holie, nothing more
christian. [Sidenote: _Ouid. Met. lib. 3. fab. 8, 9, 10._] Herevnto also
tendeth the fable of the transmutation of mariners into Dolphins for
periurie: importing thus much for our instruction, that the breaking of
an oth, in a case that may preiudice, procureth greeuous punishments
from God against them that so lewdlie doo offend. But such is the
impudencie of the pope, that he will not grant dispensations onlie for
oths, but for incest, for treason, and for any other sinne: which he may
doo (as he boasteth) by vertue of his absolute and vniuersall
iurisdiction: as we haue latelie in most lamentable sort séene
exemplified. But to the course of our storie.

[Sidenote: 1156.] Shortlie after, when king Henrie had dispatched his
businesse in Normandie, and made an end of troubles there betwixt him
and his brother Geffrey, he returned into England, bicause he receiued
aduertisement, that Malcolme king of Scotland began to make war against
his subiects that bordered next vnto him, wherevpon he hasted
northwards: [Sidenote: King Henrie goeth against the Scots. He wan
Carleil and Newcastell and others.] and comming first into Cumberland,
he tooke the citie of Carleil, seizing all that countrie into his hands;
and going after into Northumberland, he wan the towne of Newcastell,
with the castell of Bamburg, and tooke into his possession all that
countrie which his mother the empresse had sometimes granted vnto king
Dauid, as before ye haue heard: howbeit, bicause he would not séeme to
offer too much wrong, and be esteemed vnmindfull of former benefites
receiued, [Sidenote: The earledome of Huntingtō.] he suffered king
Malcolme to enioy the earledome of Huntington, which king Stephan had
giuen vnto his father earle Henrie, sonne to king Dauid, as before is
partlie touched.

[Sidenote: William earle of Mortaigne _Matth. Paris._ _Nic. Treuet._]
William also the earle of Mortaigne, and Warren sonne of king Stephan,
were compelled to surrender to king Henrie, the castell of Pemsey, the
citie of Norwich, and other townes and castels which he held,
apperteining to the demeane of the crowne: to whom the king in
recompense restored those lands which his father king Stephan held in
the daies of king Henrie the first.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 3. 1157.] [Sidenote: Theodorike earle of Flanders.]
About this time Theodorike earle of Flanders (going with his wife vnto
Jerusalem) committed his sonne Philip with all his lands, to the
custodie of the king of England. Hugh Bigot also resigned his castels
into the kings hands.

But whilest king Henrie was about (as before ye haue heard) to recouer
and get backe the portions of his kingdome made away and dismembred by
his predecessors, he was informed that the Welshmen raised a rebellion
against him; [Sidenote: Rebellion of Welshmen. The king inuadeth them.]
to represse whose attempts, he hasted foorth with all diligence. Now at
his first approch to their countrie, his souldiers being set vpon in the
straits, were verie fiercelie put back by the enimies, in somuch that a
rumor ran how king Henrie was slaine, which puffed vp the Welshmen with
no small hope, and dawnted the Englishmen with great feare. In déed,
diuerse of the English nobilitie were slaine, [Sidenote: Eustace Fitz
John & Robert de Curey slaine.] and (amongst others) Eustace Fitz John,
and Robert de Curey, men of great honor and reputation.

Those which escaped in returning backe, not knowing that the king passed
through the straits without danger, declared to their fellowes that
followed and were approching to the said straits, that (so farre as they
knew) the king and all the residue were lost. [Sidenote: Henrie of
Essex.] These newes so discomforted the companies, that Henrie of Essex,
which bare the kings standard by right of inheritance, threw downe the
same, and fled: [Sidenote: _Matth. West._ _Wil. Paruus._ A combat
betwixt Henrie de Essex, and Robert de Mountfort. _Matth. West._] which
dishonorable déed was afterward laid to his charge by one Robert de
Mountfort, with whom (by order taken of the king) he fought a combat in
triall of the quarrell, and was ouercome: but yet the king qualifieng
the rigor of the iudgement by mercie pardoned his life, and appointed
him to be a shorne moonke, and put into the abbey of Reading, taking his
lands and possessions into his hands as forfeited: howbeit this combat
was not tried till about the 9. yeare of this kings reigne.

Now the king, hearing that his armie was discomfited, came to his men,
and shewing himselfe to them with open visage, greatlie reuiued the
whole multitude, and then procéeding against the enimies, his people
were afterwards more warie in looking to themselues, [Sidenote: The
Welshmen submit themselues.] insomuch that at length (when the K.
prepared to inuade the Welshmen both by water & land) they sought to him
for peace, and wholie submitted themselues vnto his grace and mercie.

[Sidenote: The castell of Rutland and Basingwerke built. _Matth.
Paris._] About the same time, king Henrie builded the castell of
Rutland, the castell of Basingwerke, and one house also of Templers. In
the moneth of September also this yeare, the kings third sonne was borne
at Oxenford, & named Richard. [Sidenote: Ann. Reg. 4.] [Sidenote: Thomas
Becket lord Chancelor.] [Sidenote: 1158.] This yeare was Thomas Becket
preferred to be the kings Chancellor. The king holding his Christmas at
Worcester in great royaltie, sat in the church at seruice, with his
crowne on his head, as the kings vsed in those daies to doo on solemne
feasts: but as soone as masse was ended, he tooke his crowne from his
head, [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ The king laieth his crown on the
altar.] and set it downe vpon the altar in signe of humblenes, so that
he neuer after passed for the wearing of a crowne. [Sidenote: Coine
altered.] The same yeare also the king altered his coine, abrogating
certeine peeces called basels.

In the moneth of August he went ouer into Normandie, and came to an
enteruiew with the French king neere to the riuer of Eata, [Sidenote:
Additions to John Pike.] where they intreated of a league, and of a
marriage, which was after agréed vpon, betwixt Henrie the sonne of king
Henrie; and the ladie Margaret, daughter to the French king: [Sidenote:
The lord chancellor Becket sent into France. _Matth. West._] at which
time Thomas Becket (then being the kings chancellor) was sent to Paris
in great araie to fetch hir: who among other furnitures had nine long
charrets (as Matthew Paris writeth.) Now when this ladie was deliuered
to Thomas Becket the lord chancellor, and brought from Paris, she was
appointed from thencefoorth to remaine in the house of Robert de
Newburge, a Noble man of great honor, vntill such time as the mariage
should be solemnized.

After the two kings were departed in sunder, K. Henrie prepared an armie
against Conan duke of Britaine, who had seized the citie of Naunts into
his hands, after the decease of Geffrey the kings brother, who was earle
of Naunts. At length, the same Conan perceiuing himselfe not able to
resist the king of England, vpon the daie of the feast of saint Michael
the archangell came to king Henrie, and surrendred the citie of Naunts
into his hands, with all the whole countrie therevnto belonging. Soone
after which resignation, [Sidenote: Geffrey the kings fourth son born.]
and vpon the 24. of August, Geffrey the kings fourth sonne was borne of
his wife queene Elianor.

In December following, Theobald earle of Blois was accorded with king
Henrie, to deliuer to him two of his castels. [Sidenote: Petroke earle
of Perch.] Likewise Petroke earle of Perch surrendred two castels vnto
king Henrie, which he had vsurped of the demeanes of Normandie in the
daies of king Stephan: one of which castels the king gaue him againe,
receiuing homage of him for the same.

[Sidenote: Raimond erle of Barzelone. Richard the kings sonne offered to
erle Raimonds daughter.] Moreouer king Henrie and Raimond earle of
Barzelone met togither at Blaime, where they concluded a league by way
of allegiance, so that Richard the sonne of king Henrie should take to
wife the daughter of the said Raimond in time conuenient; and that the
king of England should giue vnto the said Richard the duchie of
Aquitane, & the countie of Poictow. This earle Raimond had married the
daughter and heire of the king of Aragon.

In the meane time, a secret grudge that had long depended betwéene king
Henrie and king Lewes of France did still continue, and though there was
a friendship agreed betweene them (as ye haue heard) to haue
extinguished the same; [Sidenote: A fained friendship.] yet was it but a
fained friendship: for vpon euery new occasion they were readie to
breake againe, as it came to passe shortlie after.

[Sidenote: William duke of Aquitaine.] William duke of Aquitane,
grandfather to queene Elianor, married the daughter and heire of the
earle of Tholouze, and going vnto the warres of the holie land,
[Sidenote: Earle of saint Giles otherwise Tholouze.] he engaged that
earledome vnto Raimond the earle of saint Giles, and died before he
could returne. His sonne William, father to quéene Elianor, suffered his
earledome to remaine still vnredéemed, either for want of sufficiencie,
or through negligence and carelesnesse: so that the earle of saint Giles
kéeping possession thereof vnto his dieng daie, left it to his sonne
Raimond, who inioyed it likewise. Now when king Lewes (hauing married
the foresaid Elianor) demanded restitution as in the right of his wife,
earle Raimond flatlie at the first denied to restore it, but after
considering his lacke of power to resist the kings puissance, he plied
the K. with humble petitions, and so preuailed by faire words; that in
the end king Lewes granted him his sister Constance in marriage (which
Constance, as ye haue heard, was married before vnto Eustace the sonne
of king Stephan) & with hir granted him libertie to reteine the earldome
of Tholouze as it were by waie of endowment: whereto the other accorded.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 5. 1159.] [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris_ _Matt. Westm._]
Howbeit king Henrie hauing married the foresaid quéene Elianor, after
the diuorse had betwixt hir and king Lewes, made claime to the said
countie of Tholouze in the right of his wife. Herevpon earle Raimond,
trusting now to the aid of his brother in law king Lewes, denied to
restore it; so that king Henrie determined to recouer it by force, and
entring by and by into Gascoine with an armie, he drew towards the
countrie of Tholouze, & began to inuade the same with great force and
courage.

[Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._ William Trencheuille.] Diuerse great lords of
those parties ioyned with king Henrie in his war which he attempted
against the earle of saint Giles, as the earle of Barzelone, and the
lord William Thencheuile, a man of great power in those quarters, hauing
vnder his rule manie cities, castels and townes, notwithstanding that he
had of late lost many of them by violence of the foresaid earle of
Tholouze, but now by the aide of king Henrie he recouered them all.
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._] Malcolme also king of Scotland came vnto king
Henrie, whilest he was foorth in this iournie, to associate him in this
businesse.

The earle hearing of king Henries comming with an armie, was put in
great feare, and therevpon wrote letters to his brother in law king
Lewes, requiring him with all spéed possible to come vnto his aid. King
Lewes vpon receipt of the letters, & vnderstanding the present danger of
the earle, made such hast in continuing his iournie both daie and night,
that he came to Tholouze, before king Henrie could arriue there. Which
when king Henrie vnderstood, and perceiued how he was preuented, he
changed his purpose of besieging the citie, and fell to spoiling of the
countrie thereabouts: [Sidenote: The citie of Cahors. _N. Triuet._ The
lord chancellor Becket.] at which time he recouered certaine places
that latelie before had reuolted from his gouernment, & (amongst the
rest) the citie of Cahors, which he furnished with men, munition and
vittels, appointing his chancellor Thomas Becket to the custodie and
keeping thereof: he fortified other places also which he had gotten,
placing capteines and men of warre to looke vnto the defense of the
same. Whilest the king was thus abrode on his iournie in the parties of
Aquitaine, [Sidenote: _Rob. Houed._ William earle of Bullongne.] William
earle of Bullongne and Mortaine the sonne of king Stephan, and Haimon
earle of Glocester departed this life, which two earles went thither
with him.

Finallie, when he had set things at a staie in those parties, he
returned towards Normandie, and comming to the citie of Toures, he gaue
the order of knighthood vnto Malcolme king of Scotland, and so in the
moneth of October he came backe into Normandie, and there augmenting his
armie with new supplies, [Sidenote: The countie of Beauuoisin.] entred
into the countie of Beauuoisin, burned manie villages in the same, and
destroied the strong castell of Gerberie, except one turret, which his
souldiers could not take, by reason of the fire and smoke which staied
and kept them from it. Moreouer, Simon earle of Auranches deliuered vnto
king Henrie such fortresses as he held in France, as Rochfort, Montfort,
and such like, which was no small discommoditie and inconuenience to the
French king, bicause the garisons placed in those fortresses impeached
the passage betwixt Paris and Orleance. [Sidenote: A truce taken.] But
shortlie after, a truce was taken to last from the moneth of December,
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 6. 1160.] vnto the feast of the holie Trinitie in
the yeare next following.

[Sidenote: A peace concluded. A marriage concluded. _Matth. Paris._
Legats.] In the moneth of Maie also insuing, a peace was concluded vpon
the former articles and conditions: for further confirmation whereof,
the mariage was solemnized betwixt Henrie the kings sonne being seuen
yeares of age, and the ladie Margaret daughter to the French king, being
not past three yeares old: as writers doo report. The marriage was
celebrated at Newborough on the second daie of Nouember, by the
authoritie of two legats of the apostolike sée, Henrie bishop of Pisa,
and William bishop of Pauia, both preests and cardinals.

[Sidenote: _Wil. Paruus._ Certeine of the Ualdois came into England
being Dutchmē.] About the same time came certeine Dutchmen of the sort
called Ualdoies ouer into this realme, to the number of thirtie or more,
who held opinions in religion contrarie to the faith of the Romane
church, for (as one author affirmeth) they which first spred the
opinions which these men held, came from Gascoigne, and preuailed so
greatlie in setting foorth their doctrine, that they mightilie increased
through the large regions of Spaine, France, Italie, and Germanie:
simple men (God wote) they were for the most part, as is written of
them, and of no quicke capacitie. Howbeit, those which at this time came
ouer into England, were indifferentlie well learned, and their
principall or ringleader was named Gerard. [Sidenote: A councell at
Oxford.] Now also was a councell assembled at Oxford, whereat these
dogmatists were examined vpon certeine points of their profession.
[Sidenote: The professions of the Ualdoies.] The forsaid Gerard
vndertaking to answere for them all, protested that they were good
christians, and had the doctrine of the apostles in all reuerence.
Moreouer, being examined what they thought of the substance of the
godhead and the merits of Christ, they answered rightlie, and to the
point; [Sidenote: Their examination & protestation. The Ualdois
condemned.] but being further examined vpon other articles of the
religion then receiued, they swarued from the church, and namelie, in
the vse of the diuine sacraments, derogating such grace from the same,
as the church by hir authoritie had then ascribed thereto. To conclude,
they would renounce their opinions, in somuch that they were condemned,
burned in the forehead with an hot iron, and in the cold season of
winter stripped naked from the girdle steed vpward, and so whipped out
of the towne; [Sidenote: They are forbidden meat and drinke. They are
starued to death.] with proclamation made, that no man should be so
hardie as to receiue them into any house, relieue them with meat,
drinke, or any other kind of meanes: wherevpon it fell out in fine that
they were starued to death through cold and hunger: howbeit in this
their affliction they séemed to reioise, in that they suffered for Gods
cause, as they made account.

[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ The first falling out betwixt the K. & Thomas
Becket.] The same yeare, Matthew sonne to the earle of Flanders married
the ladie Marie the abbesse of Ramsie, daughter to king Stephan, and
with hir had the countie of Bullongne. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 7.]
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ _Matth. West._] [Sidenote: 1161.] About this
mariage grew the first falling out betwixt the king and his chancellor
Thomas Becket (as some haue written) but none more than the said
Matthew was offended with the said chancellor, bicause he was so sore
against the said contract.

King Henrie, shortlie after the marriage was consummate betwixt his
sonne & the French kings daughter, got into his hands the castell of
Gisors, with two other castels, situate vpon the riuer of Eata in the
confines of Normandie and France. For it was accorded betwixt the two
kings, that when the marriage should be finished, king Henrie should
haue those thrée castels, bicause they apperteined to Normandie;
[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._] in the meane time, the same castels were
deliuered into the hands of Robert de Poiron, Tostes de Saint Omer, and
Robert Hastings, thrée knights templers, who vpon the consummation of
the marriages before said, and according to the trust committed to them,
surrendred the possession of the said castels into the hands of king
Henrie.

But the French king was not a little mooued, for that king Henrie had
seized vpon them without his licence, in so much that he raised a power
of armed men, and sent them into Normandie, [Sidenote: _Gaguinus._ The
French & Normans fight.] where they had one cruell conflict aboue the
rest with the Normans, till the night parted them in sunder, by meane
whereof the Frenchmen withdrew to Chaumount, and the Normans to Gisors.
The next daie, as the Frenchmen came foorth againe, purposing to haue
won Gisors, they were beaten backe by the Normans, who issued out of the
towne to skirmish with them. Thus was the warre renewed betwixt these
two princes; [Sidenote: _Nic. Triuet._] and by setting on of Theobald
earle of Blois, the matter grew to that point, that the English and
French powers comming foorthwith into the field, and marching one
against an other, they approched so neere togither, that battell was
presentlie looked for, first in Ueulgessine, and after in the teritorie
of Dune; but yet in the end such order was taken betwixt them, that
their armies brake vp.

[Sidenote: Thrée knights templers. _Rog. Houed._] The three Templers
also ran in displeasure of the French king, for the deliuerie of the
castels before they knew his mind, so that he banished them the realme
of France for euermore: but king Henrie receiued them, and gaue them
honorable enterteinement. Some write that there were but two castels,
Gisors and Meall, which were thus put into their hands, [Sidenote:
_Matth. Paris._] and by them deliuered as before is mentioned.

[Sidenote: The death of Theobald archbishop of Canturburie.] About this
time Theobald archbishop of Canturburie departed this life, after he had
gouerned that sée the space of 22. yeares, who at his going to Rome, and
receipt of the pall of pope Innocent the second, was also created legat
of the see apostolike, which office he exercised so diligentlie, and so
much to the auaile of the church, [Sidenote: The power legantine anexed
to Cant. _Wil. Paru._] that the dignitie of legatship remained euer
after to the archbishop of Canturburie by a speciall decrée, so that
they were intituled Legati nati, that is to say Legats borne (as mine
author dooth report.) This Theobald greatlie fauoured Thomas Becket.

This Becket was borne in London, his father hight Gilbert, but his
mother was a Syrian borne, and by religion a Saracen: [Sidenote: The
authoritie of Becket.] howbeit (no regard had of his parents) he grew so
highlie in fauour with the king, and might doo so much in England,
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 6.] that he seemed to reigne as if he had beene
associat with him also in the kingdome, and being Lord chancellor, the
king sent him ouer into England (Richard Lucie being in his companie)
with sundrie letters in his fauour, thereby to procure his election to
that sée: which was brought to passe according to the kings desire at
Westminster. [Sidenote: He is consecrated archb. _Wil. Paru._] Afterward
he was ordeined at Canturburie on saturdaie in Witsunwéeke, by Henrie
bishop of Winchester (although there be that write how Walter bishop of
Rochester did consecrate him) which consecration was in the 44. yeare of
his age, [Sidenote: 1162.] and in the fift yere after his first
aduancement to the office of Lord chancellor, [Sidenote: Quadrilogium ex
vita eiusdem Thomæ.] so that he was the eight and thirtith archbishop
which gouerned in that see.

Toward the end of the same yeare, Henrie the kings sonne receiued homage
of the barons, first in Normandie, and after in England. [Sidenote: The
archbishop a better courtier than a preacher.] In the yeare ensuing, the
king his father committed him to archbishop Becket, that he might sée
him brought vp and trained in maners and courtlie behauiour, as
apperteined to his estate: wherevpon the archbishop in iest called him
his sonne.

[Sidenote: The quéene brought to bed of a daughter.] This yeare Quéene
Elianor was brought to bed at Rohan of a daughter named Elianor.

[Sidenote: An enteruiew.] [Sidenote: An. Reg. 9. 1163.] [Sidenote: _N.
Triuet._] In like maner the kings of England and France receiued pope
Alexander the third at Cocie vpon Loire with all honor and reuerence,
insomuch that they attended vpon his stirrup on foot like pages or
lackies, the one vpon his right side, and the other on his left.

¶ Note here the intollerable pride of this antichristian pope in
assuming, and the basemindednesse of these two kings in ascribing vnto
that man of sinne such dignitie as is vtterlie vnfit for his indignitie.
But what will this monster of men, this Stupor mundi, this Diaboli
primogenitus & hæres not arrogate for his owne aduancement; like yuie
climing aloft, & choking the trée by whose helpe it créepeth vp from the
root to the top. But the end of this seauen horned beast so extolling
and lifting it selfe vp to heauen, is
    ---- Erebo miserè claudetur in imo
    Atque illic miris cruciatibus afficietur.

[Sidenote: Homage of the K. of Scots.] In Januarie ensuing, the king
returned into England, and the same yeare the king of Scots did homage
vnto Henrie the yonger, and deliuered his yonger brother Dauid to the
king his father, with diuerse other the sonnes of his lords and barons
in pledge, for assurance of a perpetuall peace to be kept betweene them,
with some such castels as he required.

[Sidenote: A councell at Tours.] In the meane time archbishop Thomas
went to the councell holden by pope Alexander at Tours in the Octaues of
Pentecost, where he resigned his bishoprike into the popes hands (as the
fame went) being troubled in conscience for that he had receiued it by
the kings preferment. The pope allowing his purpose, committed the same
pastorlike dignitie to him againe by his ecclesiasticall power, whereby
the archbishop was eased verie well of his greefe, and shortlie after
his returne from his councell, seemed desirous to reduce & cause to be
restored such rights as he pretended to belong vnto the church of
Canturburie, whereby he ran into the displeasure of manie, and namelie
of the mightiest.

Moreouer he required of the king the kéeping of Rochester castell, & the
custodie of the tower of London. [Sidenote: The archbish. practiseth
treason secretlie. Homage for the castell of Tunbridge.] He alledged
also that Saltwood & Hith belonged peculiarlie to the seigniorie of his
see. He called Roger earle of Clare vnto Westminster, to doo his homage,
vnto him for the castell of Tunbridge: but the earle denied it through
the setting on of the king, alledging all the fee thereof to apperteine
rather to the king than to the archbishop. Thus was the archbishop
troubled, and he grew dailie more and more out of the kings fauour. For
yee must vnderstand, that this was not the first nor the second, but the
eight time that the king had shewed tokens of his displeasure against
him.

After this, vpon the first day of Julie, Rice prince of Southwales, with
diuerse other lords and nobles of Wales, [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._
_Matth. West._] did homage both to the king and to his sonne Henrie at
Woodstocke. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 10.] Hamline the kings bastard brother
married the countesse of Warren, the widow of William earle of Mortaigne
bastard sonne to king Stephan. [Sidenote: Homage of the Welshmen.]
[Sidenote: 1164.] [Sidenote: _N. Triuet._] This countesse was the sole
daughter and heire of William the third earle of Warren, which went with
Lewes king of France into the holie land, and there died. Soone after,
the Welshmen rebelling with their prince Rice and his vncle Owen, did
manie mischéefes on the marshes: and by the death of Walter Gifford
earle of Buckingham (who deceased this yeare without heire) that
earledome came to the kings hands.

On the 20. daie of September were three circles seene to compasse the
sun, and so continued the space of thrée houres togither: [Sidenote:
_Matth. Paris._] which when they vanished awaie, two sunnes appeared and
sprang foorth after a maruellous maner. Which strange sight the common
people imagined to be a signe or token of the controuersie then kindling
betwixt the king and the archbishop.

About this time the king called a parlement at Westminster, to treat of
matters concerning the commonwealth, [Sidenote: Discord still kindleth
betwixt the king and the archb.] wherein great discord arose betwixt the
king & archbishop Becket, about certeine points touching the liberties
of the church. For the king hauing an earnest zeale vnto iustice, and
commanding the iudges to punish offenders without respect, vnderstood by
their information, that manie things by them of the spiritualtie
(against whome their authoritie might not be extended) were committed
contrarie to common order: as theft, rapine, murther, and manslaughter;
in so much that in his presence it was made notorious, that sith the
beginning of his reigne, [Sidenote: Murthers committed by préests.]
aboue an hundred manslaughters had béene committed within his realme of
England by préests and men of religious orders. Herevpon being mooued in
mind, he set forth lawes against the spiritualtie, wherein he shewed his
zeale of iustice. For as the cause procéeded from the bishops of that
age, so did the fault also, sith contrarie to their owne canons they
permitted préests to liue ouer licentiouslie without due correction,
[Sidenote: _W. Paruus._] studieng onelie to mainteine the liberties and
immunities of the church, and not to reforme the irregularitie of the
regulars. [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._] Of this crew was one Philip de
Broc, a canon of Bedford, who being arreigned before the kings iusticer
for a murther, vttered disdainefull words against the same iusticer:
which when he could not denie before the archbishop, he was depriued of
his prebend, and banished the land for two yeares space.

These things troubled the king, who therefore hauing alreadie set downe
such orders as should bridle the spiritualtie from their wicked dooings,
thought that if he might get them confirmed in parlement by consent of
the bishops and clergie, then the same should take place and be receiued
for lawes. [Sidenote: The king meaneth to bridle the spiritualtie frō
presumptuous dealing. The prelats against the king. _Ger. Dor._]
Wherefore he earnestlie required at this parlement that it
might be enacted against all such of the spiritualtie, as should be
taken and conuicted for any henious offense, they should loose the
priuiledge of the church, and be deliuered vnto the ciuill magistrate,
who should sée them suffer execution for their offences, in like maner
as he might any of the kings subiects being laie men. For otherwise the
king alledged, that they would boldlie presume to doo much more
mischiefe, if after ecclesiasticall discipline, no secular correction
should follow. And likelie it was that they would passe but little for
their disgrading and losse of their order, who in contempt of their
calling would not absteine from committing most mischieuous
abhominations and hainous enormities.

Unto these reasons thus proponed by the king (to haue his purpose take
effect) the archbishop and his suffragans, with the rest of the bishops,
answered verie pithilie, labouring to proue that it was more against the
liberties of the church, than that they might with reason well allow.
Wherevpon the king being moued exceedinglie against them, demanded
whether they would obserue his roiall lawes and customes, which the
archbishops and bishops in the time of his grandfather did hold and
obeie or not? [Sidenote: Their order saued.] Wherevpon they made
answere, that they would obserue them, Saluo ordine suo, Their order in
all things saued. But the king being highlie offended with such
exceptions, vrged the matter so, that he would haue them to take their
oth absolutely, & without all exceptions, but they would none of that.
[Sidenote: The king offended with the bishops.] At length he departed
from London in verie great displeasure with the bishops, hauing first
taken from the archbishop Thomas all the offices and dignities which he
enioied since his first being created chancellor.

Howbeit, after this, manie of the bishops séeing wherevnto this broile
would grow, began to shrinke from the archbishop, and inclined to the
king. But the archbishop stood stiflie in his opinion, and would not
bend at all, till at length not onelie his suffragans the bishops,
[Sidenote: _R. Houed._] but also the bishop of Liseux (who came ouer to
doo some good in the matter) and the abbat of Elemosina (who was sent
from the pope) persuaded him to agree to the kings will, in so much that
being ouercome at last with the earnest suit of his freends, [Sidenote:
_R. Houed._] he came first to Woodstocke, and there promised the king to
obserue his lawes, Bona fide, Faithfullie, and without all collusion or
deceit.

[Sidenote: 1164.] [Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._ A councell at Clarendon.]
Shortlie after, in the feast of S. Hilarie, a councell was holden at
Clarendon, whereto the archbishop, and in manner all the lords
spirituall and temporall of the land made their repaire. Here the
archbishop would haue willinglie started from his promise, if first the
bishops, and after the earles of Leicester and Cornewall, [Sidenote:
_Ger. Dor._] Robert and Reignald (which Reignald was vncle to the king)
and lastlie two knights templers, had not mooued him to yéeld to the
kings will. But (amongst the rest) these two knights, namelie Richard de
Hastings, and Hosteus de Boloigne were verie earnest with him, & at
length preuailed, though not for conscience of dutie, wherewith he
should haue beene touched; yet with feare of danger, which (by refusing
to satisfie the kings will) he should haue brought not onelie vpon
himselfe, but also vpon the other bishops there present.

These knights séemed to lament his case, as if alreadie they had séene
naked swords shaken about his eares. And indeed, certeine of the kings
seruants that attended vpon his person after the manner of a gard, went
to and fro, rushing vp and downe the chambers, shaking their bright
battell axes readie appointed, and looking as if they would forthwith
run vpon the bishops. Wherevpon the archbishop being touched with
remorse, and séeming to striue against his determinat purpose, consented
to obey the kings pleasure, and so promised in the word of a préest,
[Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._ The archbishop Becket receiueth an oth.]
swering furthermore, that he would obserue the kings lawes and customes,
without expressing these words, Saluo ordine meo, Mine order saued,
which he had vsed before. The like oth did all the bishops take. But the
archbishop refused at that time to seale to the writing that conteined
the articles of the oth which he should haue obserued, requiring as it
were a time to consider of them, sith in so weightie a matter nothing
ought to be doone without good and deliberate aduice, wherefore he tooke
with him a copie thereof, and so did the archbishop of Yorke an other,
and the third remained with the king.

[Sidenote: He repenteth him in that he had receiued an oth. _Matth.
Paris._] Shortlie after, the archbishop considering further of this oth
which he had taken, repented himselfe greeuouslie therof, in so much
that he absteined from saieng of masse, till he had by confession and
fruits of penance (as saith Matth. Paris) obteined absolution of the
pope. For addressing and sending out messengers with all spéed vnto the
pope, with a certificat of the whole matter as it laie, he required to
be assoiled of the bond which he had vnaduisedlie entred into. This suit
was soone granted, in so much that the pope directed his especiall
letters vnto him, conteining the same absolution in verie ample and
large manner, as Matth. Paris dooth report. And thus began a new broile.

The archbishop in the meane time, perceiuing that the liberties of the
church were now not onelie embezelled, but in maner extinguished, and
being loth to make any further attempt against his former dealings,
would now (without the kings knowledge) haue departed the realme,
wherevpon comming to Romnie, he tooke shipping, [Sidenote: The
archbishop Becket would haue fled out of the realme.] to haue passed
ouer into France, and so to haue gone to the popes court. But by a
contrarie wind he was brought backe into England, and thereby fell
further into the kings displeasure than before, in so much that, whereas
an action was commensed against him of late for a manor, which the
archbishops of Canturburie had of long time held: now the matter was so
vsed that the archbishop lost the manor, and was moreouer condemned to
paie the arrerages, and thus his troubles increased euen through his
owne malapertnesse and brainesicknesse; whereas all these tumults might
haue béene composed and laid asléepe, if he had béene wise, peaceable,
patient, and obedient. For,
    [Sidenote: _M. Pal. in suo sag._]
    Vir bonus & sapiens quærit super omnia pacem,
    Vúltque minora pati, metuens grauiora, cauétque,
    Ne paruo ex igni scelerata incendia surgant.

[Sidenote: The archbishop to appeare at Northampton. _R. Houed._] In the
end, the archbishop was cited to appeere before the king at Northampton,
where the king vsed him somewhat roughlie, placing his horsses at his
Inne, and laid disobedience to his charge, for that he did not
personallie appeare at a certeine place before his highnesse, vpon
summons giuen vnto him[2] for the same purpose. Wherevnto though the
archbishop alledged that he had sent thither a sufficient deputie to
make answere for him; [Sidenote: Sentence giuen against the
archbishop.] yet could he not be so excused, but was found giltie, and
his goods confiscat to the kings pleasure.

Now when the archbishop heard that sentence was in suchwise pronounced
against him; "What maner of iudgement (saith he) is this? Though I hold
my peace, yet the age that shall hereafter follow, will not hide it in
silence; for sithens the world began, it hath not beene heard, that any
archbishop of Canturburie hath béene iudged in any of the king of
Englands courts for any maner of cause; partlie in regard of the
dignitie and authoritie of his office, and partlie bicause he is
spirituallie the father of the king and all his people. This is
therefore a new forme and order of iudgement, that the archbishop should
be iudged by his suffragans, or the father by his sons."

The next daie the king required of him the repaiment of fiue hundred
marks, which he had lent him when he was chancellor. [Sidenote: The
archbish. condemned in fiue hundred marks.] Now although he affirmed
that he receiued the same by waie of gift, and not by waie of lone; yet
bicause he confessed receit, he was condemned in that debt, forsomuch as
he could not prooue the title the gift.

[Sidenote: An assemblie of bishops.] On the morrow after, the archbishop
with his felow bishops being set in councell, by commandement of the
king (& the doores fast locked that they should not get out) this was
proponed against the archbishop, that whereas he held certeine bishops
sées as then vacant, with abbeies, and other reuenues of his souereigne
lord the king in his hands, and had made none account to him for the
same of long time; [Sidenote: The archbish. called to an account.] the
king required now to be answered at his hands, and that with all spéed,
for he would haue no delaie. The summe amounted to thirtie thousand
markes.

When the archbishop had heard the variable sentences of the bishops in
this case, he answered after this maner: "I would (said he) speake with
two earles which are about the king," and named them. Who being called,
and the doores set open, he said vnto them; "We haue not héere at this
present to shew whereby the thing may be more manifest: therefore we
aske respit for answer till to morrow." The councell therefore brake vp,
and the multitude of people, which came with the archbishop thither,
being afraid of the kings displeasure, fell from him. Wherefore he
caused his seruants to fetch a great number of poore and impotent people
to his lodging, saieng that by the seruice of such men of warre, a more
spéedie victorie in short space might be gotten, than by them which in
time of temptation shamefullie drew backe. Herevpon his house was filled
full, and the tables set with such as his seruants had brought in, out
of the lanes and streats abroad.

Upon the tuesdaie, the bishops all amazed and full of care, came vnto
him; [Sidenote: The bishops persuade the archbishop to submit himself to
the kings pleasure.] and bicause of the displeasure which the king had
conceiued against him, counselled him to submit himselfe to the kings
will, or else in fine, they told him plainelie, that he would be iudged
a periured person; bicause he had sworne vnto the king as to his
earthlie souereigne, touching all temporall honor in life, lim, and
member; and namelie to obserue all his roiall lawes and customes, which
of late he had established.

[Sidenote: The archbish. answer to his brethren.] Wherevnto he answered:
"My brethren, ye see how the world roreth against me, and the enimie
riseth vp, but I more lament that the sonnes of my mother fight against
me. If I should hold my peace, yet would the world come to declare how
ye leaue me alone in the battell, and haue iudged against me now these
two daies past, I being your father, though neuer so much a sinner. But
I command you by virtue of your obedience, and vpon perill of your
order, that you be not present in any place of iudgement, where my
person may fortune to be adiudged: [Sidenote: He appealeth to the church
of Rome.] in testimonie whereof I appeale to our mother the church of
Rome. Furthermore, if it chance that temporall men laie their hands vpon
me, I charge you likewise by vertue of your obedience, that ye exercise
the censures of the church in the behalfe of your father the archbishop
as it becommeth you. This one thing know ye well, that the world roreth,
the flesh trembleth and is weake, but I (by Gods grace) will not
shrinke, nor leaue the flocke committed vnto me."

After this he entred into the church, and celebrated the masse of saint
Stephan (otherwise than he was accustomed to doo) with his pall:
[Sidenote: He goeth to the court.] which being ended, he put on his
sacrificing vestures, with a cope vpon them all, and so went to the
court. Furthermore, bicause he was afraid, he receiued the sacrament
secretlie with him, and bearing the crosse in his right hand, and the
reine of his bridell in his left, he came in that order to the court,
where he alighted, and entred the place, still bearing the crosse
himselfe, till he came to the kings chamber doore, the other bishops
following him with great feare and trembling. Now being come thither,
the bishop of Hereford would gladlie haue taken the crosse, and haue
borne it before him, but he would not suffer him, saieng: "It is most
reason that I should beare it my selfe, vnder the defense whereof I may
remaine in safetie: and beholding this ensigne, I néed not doubt vnder
that prince I serue."

[Sidenote: He is reputed a traitour.] At length, when the king had
exhibited great complaints vnto them all generallie against him, they
cried that he was a traitor, sith he had receiued so manie benefits at
the kings hands, and now refused to doo him all earthlie honor as he had
sworne to doo. To be short, when the bishops came to sit vpon the matter
in councell, they appealed to the sée of Rome against the archbishop,
accusing him of periurie: and in the word of truth bound themselues by
promise, to doo what they might to depose him, if they king would pardon
them of that iudgement which now hanged ouer the archbishops head. Then
comming to the archbishop they said: "Thou wast sometime our archbishop,
and we were bound to obeie thée: but sith thou hast sworne fealtie to
the king, that is, life member, and earthlie honor, & to obserue his
lawes and customes, and now goest about to destroie the same, we say
that thou art guiltie of periurie, [Sidenote: The bishops disallow their
archbishop.] and we will not from hencefoorth obey a periured
archbishop. Therefore we cite thée by appelation to appeare before the
pope, there to answer thine accusors." Then they, appointed him a day,
in which they ment to prosecute their appeale. "I heare you well" (said
the archbishop).

The princes and péeres of the realme did also iudge him a periured
person and a traitour. Among whome (manie then being present) the earle
of Leicester accompanied with Reignald earle of Cornewall, came vnto him
and said; "The king commanded thée to come and render an accompt of that
which is obiected against thée, or else heare thy iudgement."
"Judgement?" said the archbishop, [and wherewith rising vp said,] "Naie
sonne earle, first heare thou: It is not vnknowne to thée how faithfull
I haue béene to the king, in consideration whereof he aduanced me to the
archbishops see against my will (as God can be my iudge:) for I knew
mine owne infirmitie, and I was contented to take it vpon me rather for
his pleasure, than for Gods cause, and therefore dooth God both withdraw
himselfe and the king from me. In the time of mine election he made me
frée, and discharged me of all courtlie bondage. Wherefore as touching
those things from which I am frée and deliuered, I am not bound to
answer, neither will I. So much as the soule is more worth than the
bodie, so much the more art thou bound to obeie God and me, rather than
any earthlie creature. Neither will law nor reason permit, that the
sonnes should iudge or condemne the father: and therefore I refuse to
stand to the iudgement either of the king, or of any other, and appeale
to the pope, by whome (vnder God) I ought to be iudged, referring all
that I haue vnto Gods protection and his, and vnder the defense of his
authoritie I depart out of this place." Hauing thus spoken, went
incontinent to take horsse.

Now as he passed on his waie, the kings seruants and others of the court
did cast out manie reprochfull words against him, calling him traitor
and false forsworne caitife. [Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._ The stout courage of
the archbishop.] At which words turning himselfe, and looking backe with
a sterne countenance he said; "That if it were not for his order of
priesthood, and that it were lawfull for him, he would surelie cléere
himselfe of periurie and treason, in defending and mainteining his cause
against them with weapon in hand."

When he was come to the vtter gate, he found the same fast locked,
whereat they began all to be amazed: but one of his seruants espieng
where a bunch of keies tied to a clubs and were hanging on a pin, he
tooke them down, & tried which was the right key, by proof whereof he
found it at the last, opened the gate, and let the archbishop out, the
porters standing still as men amazed, and speaking not one word against
it.

Now when he was got out, a great number of poore, weake and impotent
people met him, saieng: "Blessed be God, which hath deliuered his
seruant from the face of his enimie." Thus with a great rout or
companie, and with the clergie, he was honorablie conueied to the abbie
of S. Andrews: and looking behind and before him, as he passed
thitherward, he said vnto those that went with him; "How glorious a
procession dooth bring me from the face of the enimie? Suffer all the
poore people to come into the place, that we may make merie togither in
the Lord." Hauing thus spoken the people had entrance, so that all the
hall, parlours, and chambers being furnished with tables and stooles,
they were conuenientlie placed, and serued with vittels to the full.

[Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._ The archbishop Becket fled awaie in the night.]
The verie same night before the cockcrowing he issued foorth by a little
posterne gate, and taking with him onelie two moonks of the Cisteaux
order, the one named Robert Canne, and the other S. Cayman, with one of
his owne seruants called Roger de Broc, he fled awaie disguised in a
white vesture and a moonks coule, and changing his name, caused himselfe
to be called Dereman, & iourneied still all the night, and by daie laie
close in one fréends house or other; till at last he got to Sandwich,
and there taking ship, he sailed ouer into Flanders, and so went to
France, where at the citie of Sens he found pope Alexander, into whose
bosome he emptied whole cart lodes of complaints and greeuances.

[Sidenote: Gilbert Follioth bishop of London was sent to the French
king.] The king vpon knowledge that the archbishop was fled the realme,
sent Gilbert Follioth bishop of London, and William earle of Arundell in
spéedie ambassage to, the king of France, to signifie vnto him the whole
matter and circumstance of the falling out betwixt him and the
archbishop, requiring him not to receiue the archbishop into his realme,
but this request was little regarded of the French king, as appeared:
for the archbishops cause was fauoured of manie, and the blame imputed
to king Henrie, so that the archbishop found great grace with the French
king, and no small fauour at the hands of the pope.

Now when king Henrie heard that he was accused by the archbishop vnto
the pope, [Sidenote: Additions to _Iohn Pike._ _Matth. Paris._ _Ger.
Dor._] he appointed Roger archbishop of Yorke, the aforesaid Gilbert
bishop of London, Hilarius bishop of Chichester, Roger bishop of
Worcester, Bartholomew bishop of Excester, with diuerse bishops, deanes,
archdeacons, & other learned men of good accompt to the number of 15. to
passe in ambassage vnto the pope, that they might excuse his dooings,
and burden the archbishop with the note of rebellion, whereof he had
good proofe.

[Sidenote: Roger archbishop of Yorke with others are sent to the pope.]
Being admitted to declare their message in the consistorie before the
pope, they opened the whole circumstance of the matter, from the
beginning to the end, declaring that betwixt Thomas the archbishop of
Canturburie and the king there was a controuersie moued, and by both
their consents a daie appointed for the hearing and determining thereof,
as iustice should require. At the which daie (by the kings commandement)
all the chéefest lords of the realme both spirituall and temporall were
assembled, to the end that the more generall the méeting should be, the
more manifest might the discouerie of the fraud and malice of the
archbishop appéere.

"At the daie appointed (saie they) there came before the catholike
prince his presence, the Nobles of his realme: and amongst other, the
archbishop the disquieter both of the kingdome & church, who (as one not
well assured of the qualitie of his owne deseruings) blessed himselfe
with the signe of the crosse at his comming into the court, as though
he should haue come before some tyrant or schismaticall person.
Notwithstanding all which contemptuous and ambitious behauiour, the
kings maiestie was nothing offended, but committed the iudgement of his
cause to the faithfull order of the bishops, meaning so to deliuer
himselfe of all suspicion of wrong dealing. Then it rested in the
bishops hands to make an end of the controuersie, and to set a finall
vnion and agréement betwixt them. But the archbishop would none of that,
alleging how it should be a derogation to the sée apostolike and his
metropoliticall dignitie, to stand before the king in iudgement, or anie
other temporall magistrate. And albeit (saie they) some diminution or
eclipse might haue chanced to the dignitie of the church by that
iudgement, yet it had beene his part to haue dissembled the matter for
the time, to the end that peace might haue béene restored to the church.
He further obiected (ascribing to himselfe the name of father, which
seemed to sauour somewhat of arrogancie) that the children ought not to
come togither to iudge the fathers cause, but it had béene far more
necessarie that the humblenesse of the sons should mitigate the pride
and temper the ambition of the father."

To conclude the kings ambassadors made earnest suit, that two legats
might be sent from the pope, to haue the hearing & discussing of all the
matter betwixt the king and the archbishop without any other appealing.
[Sidenote: The kings tale could not be heard.] But the kings tale could
not be heard in that court, [Sidenote: The archbishop Becket.] the
archbishop hauing alreadie persuaded the pope to the contrarie. For
comming to the pope he vttered his complaint as followeth:

[Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._] "Most holie father, I doo here come for
succour to your audience, lamenting that the state of the church, and
the liberties thereof are brought to ruine by the couetous dealing of
kings and princes. Wherefore when I thought to resist the disease
approching, I was suddenlie called before the king, to render accompts
as a laie man about certeine wards, for whom (while I was the kings
chancellor) I had notwithstanding giuen accounts; and also, when I was
made bishop, and entred into the dignitie of ruling the archbishops sée,
I was released and discharged of all reckonings and bonds by the kings
eldest sonne, and by the cheefe iusticer of the realme: so that now,
where I looked to haue found aid, I was destitute thereof, to my great
hinderance and vexation. Consider furthermore (I praie you) how my lords
and brethren the bishops are readie at the pleasure of the Noble men of
the court to giue sentence against me, so that all men being about to
run vpon me, I was almost oppressed: and therfore am now come as it were
to take breath in the audience of your clemencie, which dooth not
forsake your children in their extreme necessitie, before whom I here
stand, readie to declare and testifie that I am not to be iudged there,
nor yet at all by them. For what other thing should that be, but to
plucke awaie the right of the church? What else then to submit
spirituall things to temporall? This example therefore once sproong vp,
might giue an occasion to manie enormities to follow. The bishops doo
say, 'Those things that are Cesars, ought to be restored to Cesar.' But
admit that in manie things the king is to be obeied, is he therefore to
be obeied in things wherein he is no king? For those belong not to
Cesar, but to a tyrant. Wherein if for my sake they would not, yet ought
the bishops for their owne sakes to haue resisted him. For what should
be the cause of such deadlie and vnnaturall hatred, that to destroie me,
they should destroie themselues? Therefore whilest for temporall things
they neglect spirituall, they faile in both. Weigh then most holie
father, my fleeing awaie, and my persecution, and how for your sake I
haue beene prouoked with iniuries, vse your rigour, constraine them to
amendement, through whose motion this hath chanced; let them not be
borne out by the king, who is rather the obstinate minister, than the
finder out of this practise."

The pope hauing heard his words, tooke deliberation in the matter, with
the aduice of his cardinals, [Sidenote: The popes answer to the
archbishop.] and therevpon answered the archbishop in effect as
followeth: "That the lower power may not iudge the higher, and chéefelie
him whome he is bound to obeie, all the lawes both of God and man doo
witnesse, and the ordinances of the ancient fathers doo manifestlie
declare: Herevpon we (to whome it apperteineth to reforme disorders) doo
clearelie reuerse and make void the iudgement pronounced against you by
the barons and bishops, whereby as well against the order of law, as
against the customes of the church, your goods were adiudged forfeit,
whereas the same goods were not yours, but the churches of Canturburie,
ouer which you haue the onelie cure and charge. But if those that haue
violentlie entred vpon the possessions and goods of your church, and
haue thereby wronged either you or yours, will not vpon admonition giuen
to them, make restitution with sufficient amends, then may you (if you
shall thinke conuenient) exercise ecclesiasticall iustice vpon them, and
we shall allow of that which you shall reasonablie doo in that behalfe.
Howbeit as touching the king himselfe we will not giue you any speciall
commandement, neither yet doo we take from you any right belonging to
your bishoprike office, which you receiued at your consecration. But the
king onelie we will spare, and exempt from your excommunications and
censures." [Sidenote: The archbish. resigneth his pall.] After these and
many by-matters were ouerpassed, the archbishop resigned his pall vnto
the pope, but the pope gaue it him againe, and appointed him to remaine
at Pountney an abbeie of moonks Cisteaux in the diocesse of Auxerre,
till the variance were brought to some good end betwixt the king and
him. This was doone in the yeare of our Lord 1164.

The king hauing knowledge by his ambassadors what answer the pope had
made, became gréeuouslie offended in his mind, and therevpon confiscated
all the goods that belonged to the archbishop and his complices, and
seized their reuenues into his hands, [Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._] appointing
one Randall de Broc to haue the custodie of all that belonged to the
see, which Broc was nothing fréendlie to the archbishop, being his
knowne enimie of old, but fauoured the moonkes, and would not suffer
that they should take wrong or displeasure at any hand.

[Sidenote: 1165.] [Sidenote: _Matth. West._ _Matt. Paris._] In the yeare
1165. queene Elianor was deliuered of a daughter which was named Joane.
Also on the 26. daie of Januarie, there chanced a maruellous earthquake
in Northfolke, in the Ile of Elie, and in Suffolke, so that men as they
stood on the ground were ouerthrowne therewith, and buildings so shaken,
that the belles in stéeples knolled: the like had also chanced in the
Aduent season then last before passed.

[Sidenote: The Welshmen make war on the English marshes. _Wil. Paruus._
_Polydor._ The king inuadeth Wales.] The Welshmen this yeare spoiled a
great part of those countries that bordered vpon them: wherewith the
king being sore mooued, leuied an armie with all spéed as well of
Englishmen as strangers, and (without regard of difficulties and
dangers) did go against the rebels, and finding them withdrawne into
their starting holes (I meane the woods and strait passages) he
compassed the same about in verie forceable maner. The Welshmen
perceiuing themselues now to be brought into such ieopardie, as that
they could not well deuise how to escape the same, consulted what was
best to be doone. After consultation, casting awaie their weapons, they
came foorth to the king, asking mercie; which somewhat hardlie they
obteined. Few of them were executed in comparison of the numbers that
offended: but yet the capteines and chéefe authors of this rebellion
were so punished, that it was thought they would neuer haue presumed so
rashlie to offend him in like sort againe. [Sidenote: _Rog. Houed._ The
seuere punishment vsed by king Henry against the Welshmen.] For (as some
writers affirme) he did iustice on the sonnes of Rice or Rees, & also on
the sonnes and daughters of other noble men that were his complices
verie rigorouslie: causing the eies of the yoong striplings to be pecked
out of their heads, and their noses to be cut off or slit: and the eares
of the yoong gentlewomen to be stuffed.

But yet I find in other authors, that in this iournie king Henrie did
not greatlie preuaile against his enimies, but rather lost manie of his
men of warre, both horssemen and footmen: for by his seuere proceeding
against them, he rather made them more eger to séeke reuenge, than
quieted them in any tumult. [Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._ _Ran. Cogge._
Cardigan castell woonne by the Welshmen.] They tooke the castell of
Cardigan, and in besieging of Briges, the king was in no small danger of
his life: for one of the enimies shooting directlie at him, [Sidenote:
Hubert de S. Clere conestable of Colchester.] had persed him through the
bodie if Hubert de Saint Clere conestable of Colchester, perceiuing the
arrow coming had not thrust himselfe betwixt the king and the same
arrow, and so preseruing his maister, receiued the stripe himselfe,
whereof he died presentlie after, beséeching the king to be good lord to
one onelie daughter which he had, [Sidenote: William de Langualée.]
whome the king bestowed in mariage vpon William de Langualée, togither
with hir fathers inheritance, which William begat of hir a sonne that
bare both his name and surname. ¶ A president of gratitude & thankfulnes
is here committed to memorie. And surelie the king could doo no lesse,
than some way requite the venturous courage and hartie zeale of the
gentleman, who with the losse of his owne life preserued the king, if
not from death, yet from some dangerous wound that might haue put him to
extreame anguish and paine. This may incite men to be mindfull of
benefits receiued, a virtue no lesse rare than the contrarie is common,
and as one saith,
                    ---- inueniuntur
    Quidam sed rari, acceptorum qui meritorum
    Assiduè memores, &c.

[Sidenote: _W. Paruus._] But to conclude with this iourneie which king
Henrie made at this time against the Welshmen, although by reason of the
cumbersome difficulties of the places, he could not enter within the
countrie so farre as he wished, yet he so impounded and constreined them
to kéepe within the woods and mountains, that they durst not come
abroad, insomuch that at the length they were glad to sue for peace.

[Sidenote: William king of Scots doth his homage to king Henrie.]
William king of Scots, successor of Malcolme (who departed this life in
the yeare last past) after he had receiued the crowne of Scotland, came
about this present time into England, and finding king Henrie at London,
did his homage to him as his predecessour Malcolme had doone before. He
made suit also to haue Northumberland restored vnto him, which the king
of Englands mother the empresse had in times past giuen vnto king Dauid.
But king Henrie gaue diuerse reasons to excuse himselfe whie he might
not deliuer that countrie to him at that present, namelie, without
consent of a parlement: wherevpon king William perceiuing how the matter
went, gaue ouer his suit for that present, meaning (when occasion
serued) to attempt the getting thereof by force, sith that by praier and
suit he sawe well inough he should not obteine it.

Moreouer, the Scotish king being required by king Henrie to go ouer with
him into Normandie, granted so to doo: insomuch that king Henrie, hauing
set all things in order within his realme of England, in the Lent
following passed ouer into Normandie. [Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ _Matth.
Paris._ _Ger. Dor._] But before he tooke his iourneie, he set foorth a
decree consisting of these points in effect as followeth.

     [Sidenote: An edict against the archbishop Becket.]
     1 That no man should bring any letters or commandement from pope
     Alexander, or Thomas archbishop of Canturburie into England,
     conteining an interdiction of the realme: vpon perill to be
     apprehended and punished as a traitour to the king, and an enimie
     to the realme.

     2 That no religious person or préest should be permitted to passe
     the seas, or to come into the relme of England, except he had
     letters of safe conduct from the iusticers for passage ouer, and
     of the king for his returne from thence.

     [Sidenote: Appeales forbidden.]
     3 That no man should appeale to the said pope or archbishop, nor
     by their appointment hold any plée: and if any person were found
     dooing the contrarie herevnto, he should be taken and committed
     to prison.

     4 That if any maner of person, either spirituall or temporall,
     were obedient to the sentence of the interdiction, the same
     person should be banished the realme without delaie, and all his
     linage with him, so as they should not conueie with them any of
     their goods, the which togither with their possessions should be
     seized into the kings hands.

     5 That all spirituall persons, which had any benefices within
     England, should haue warning giuen to returne into England within
     foure moneths after the same summons pronounced, and that if they
     failed hereof, then should the king seize vpon their goods and
     possessions.

     6 That the bishops of London and Norwich, should be (and by
     vertue hereof were) summoned to appeare before the kings
     iusticers, to make answer for that they had interdicted the lands
     of erle Hugh, and excommunicated him.

     7 That the Peter pence should be gathered and kept.

[Sidenote: The kings of England and France enteruiew. _Cro. Sigeb._
_Matth. Paris._] In the octaues of Easter king Henrie came to an
enterview with the French king at Gisors, where they had conference
togither of sundrie matters.

[Sidenote: King John borne.] This yeare the quéene was deliuered of a
sonne named John, who afterward was king of this realme.

[Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._ A contribution.] Moreouer, king Henrie calling a
councell of his bishops and barons in Normandie, caused and ordeined a
collection (by their aduise) to be made through all his countries and
dominions of two pence in the pound of euerie mans lands and goods,
iewels and apparell onelie excepted: to be paid this yeare 1166. and for
the space of foure yeares next ensuing, one penie of euerie pound to be
paid yearelie: and those that were not worth twentie shillings in goods
or lands (being housholders notwithstanding) or bare any office, should
paie a penie to this contribution, which was onelie granted for the
releefe of the christians in the east parts, and those that warred
against the miscreants there. The paiment thereof was appointed to be
made in the feast daie of saint Remigius, or within fiftéene daies
after. It was also ordeined, that all such as departed this life, within
the terme that this collection was in force (their debts being paid)
should giue the tenth part of the residue of all their goods vnto this
so necessarie a contribution.

King Henrie remaining now in Normandie, and vnderstanding that diuerse
lords and barons of Maine, and the marshes of Britaine, would not in his
absence shew themselues obedient vnto his wife quéene Elianor, but were
about to practise a rebellion, raised an armie, and went against them,
easilie subduing them whom he found obstinate: [Sidenote: The castell of
Foulgiers. _Matth. Paris._] and besieging the castell of Foulgiers,
tooke and vtterlie destroied it.

[Sidenote: Uizeley.] Soone after the archbishop of Canturburie came from
Pountney to Uizeley, and there (on Ascension daie) when the church was
most full of people, got him into the pulpit, [Sidenote: The archbishop
Becket accursed those in England that mainteined the customs of their
elders.] and with booke, bell, and candell solemnelie accurssed all the
obseruers, defenders, and mainteiners, with the promoters of such
customs, as within the realme of England they terme the custome of their
elders: amongst others that were accursed, was Richard de Lucie, Richard
the archdeacon of Poictiers, Jocelin de Bailleuille, Alane de Neuille,
and manie other. But they being absent, & neither called nor conuinced
(as they alleged notwithstanding they were thus excommunicated) sent
their messengers vnto the archbishop, and appealed from him, and so
feared not to enter into their churches.

[Sidenote: _R. Houe._] He had before this also written certeine letters
vnto his suffragans, denouncing some of these and other persons by
expresse name accursed, not onelie for mainteining the matter against
him, touching the ancient custome of the realme: but also for the
schisme raised in Almaine by Reignald archbishop of Colein, for the
which he accursed one John of Oxford. Moreouer, he accursed Ranulfe de
Broc, Hugh de S. Clere, & Thomas Fitz Bernard, for violentlie seizing
vpon and deteining the goods and possessions belonging to his
archbishoprike, without his consent or agréement therevnto.

The king on the other part banished out of England, and all parts of his
other dominions, all those persons that were knowen to be of kin vnto
the archbishop, both yoong and old: and furthermore sent aduertisement
to the abbat of Pountney and to his moonks, with whom the archbishop by
the popes appointment remained, that if they kept him stil in their
house, he would not faile to banish all the moonks of their order out of
England. Now the archbishop, after he had remained there scarse two
yeares, departed from thence of his owne accord, and came to the king of
France, who courteouslie receiued him, and sent him to the abbeie of
saint Columbes neere to the citie of Sens, where he remained a certeine
season, as shall be shewed hereafter.

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._] Shortlie after this, two legats named
William of Pauia, and John of Naples both cardinals, [Sidenote: Legats
from the pope.] came from the pope to Montmiriall, whom the archbishop
suspected rather to fauour the kings cause than his: yet he was
contented that they should haue the iudgment thereof committed vnto
them: so that first (according to the rules of the church) restitution
might be made both to him and his, of such goods as had beene taken from
them. For being spoiled, as he was, he would not stand to any iudgement,
nor could not be compelled thervnto by any reason (as he said.) Now when
the two legats saw that they could not bring any thing to passe, they
departed without any thing concluded.

[Sidenote: Comes Sagiensis. _N. Triuet._ Alerium.] About this time
William Taiuan earle of Sagium (by the consent of his sons and nephues)
deliuered into the hands of king Henrie the castels of Alerium, and Roch
Laberie, with all the appurtenances to the castels belonging.

[Sidenote: Conan duke of Britaine deceasseth. _Matt. Paris._] About this
season also Conan the duke of Britaine departed this life, leauing
behind him no issue, but one onelie daughter begot of his wife the
dutchesse Constance, the daughter of the king of Scotland, which
succéeded him in the estate. [Sidenote: A mariage concluded betwixt
Geffrey the kings son and the Duchesse of Britaine. _Wil. Paruus._]
Wherevpon king Henrie made earnest suit to procure a marriage betwixt
hir and his sonne Geffrey, which at length he brought to passe, to the
great comfort and contentation of his mind, in that his sonne had by
such good fortune atteined to the dukedome of Britaine.

At that season in Britaine were certeine Noble men of such strength and
power, that they disdained to acknowledge themselues subiect to any
superior, in somuch that through ambitious desire of rule and
preheminence, they warred continuallie one against an other, to the
great destruction and vtter vndooing of their miserable countrie, so
that the land sometime fruitfull by nature, was as it were a wildernes.
Wherevpon, those that were the weaker, perceiuing themselues too much
oppressed by the stronger, submitted themselues vnto king Henrie, and
required his aid and succour. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 13.] King Henrie
reioising to haue so good an occasion and opportunitie to reduce them to
reason, with all speed aided these supplicants and subdued the
resistants, notwithstanding their great puissance, & the strength of the
places which they kept.

[Sidenote: 1167.] In the meane while Henrie came ouer to his father, and
found him at Poictiers, from whence (shortlie after Easter) he remoued,
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ King Henrie inuadeth the erle of Aluergnes
lands.] and with an armie entred into the lands of the earle of
Aluergnes, which he wasted and spoiled, bicause the said earle had
renounced his allegiance to king Henrie, and made his resort to the
French king, séeking to sow discord betwixt the foresaid two kings:
which was kindled the more by a challenge pretended about the sending of
the monie ouer into the holie land, which was gathered within the
countie of Tours: for the French king claimed to send it, by reason that
the church there apperteined to his dominion: and the king of England
would haue sent it, bicause it was gathered within the countrie that
belonged to his gouernement.

[Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._ The earle of Bolongne prepareth 600. ships to
inuade England.] This yeare a great preparation of ships was made by the
earle of Bullongne, to haue inuaded England, but by the warlike
prouision of Richard Lucie, lord gouernour of the realme, the sea-coasts
were so prouided of sufficient defense, that the earles attempts came to
nothing. The cause why he made this brag, was for that the king withheld
from him certeine reuenues which he claimed to haue here in England, and
therefore he ment to recouer them by force. [Sidenote: The deceasse of
the empresse Maud. _Matth. West._] The empresse Maud mother to the king
of England (a woman in stoutnesse of stomach and warlike attempts more
famous than commonlie any of that sex) deceassed this yere the 10. of
Septem.

[Sidenote: The sée of Lincolne void 17. yeares.] Also Robert bishop of
Lincolne departed this life, after whose deceasse the sée of Lincolne
was vacant by the space of seuentéene yeares, the king in all that meane
time receiuing the profits. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 14.] [Sidenote: An
ambassage from the emperour.] The elect of Colein came ambassadour from
the emperour vnto the king of England, requiring to haue one of his
daughters giuen in marriage vnto the emperours sonne, and an other of
them vnto Henrie duke of Saxonie: which request the K. did willinglie
grant, and therevpon was the queene sent for to come ouer into
Normandie, and to bring hir sonne the lord Richard and hir daughter the
ladie Maud with hir: [Sidenote: 1168.] which ladie was married vnto the
duke of Saxonie, in the beginning of the yeare next insuing; [Sidenote:
_Matth. West._] and had issue by him three sons, Henrie, Otho, and
William, of which the middlemost came to be emperour.

The variance still depending betwixt the king and the archbishop of
Canturburie: [Sidenote: Debate betwixt the pope and the Emperour. K.
Henrie offereth to aid the emperour.] there was also about the same time
a great debate betwixt the emperour Frederike the first and pope
Alexander the third: whervpon king Henrie wrote to the emperor, and
signified vnto him, that he would aid him if néed should require against
the pope, who mainteined such a runnagate traitor as the archbishop
Becket was. Moreouer at the same time the king caused all his subiects
within the realme of England, from the child of twelue yeares old vnto
the aged person, to forsweare all obedience that might be pretended as
due to the same pope Alexander. The king for the space of two yeares
togither, remaining still in Normandie, and in other places beyond the
seas, subdued diuerse rebels, as the earle of Angoulesme, Aimerike de
Lucignie, and his sonnes Robert and Hugh.

[Sidenote: An enterview betwixt the king of England and king of France.]
Also he came to an enterview with the king of France betwixt Pacie and
Maunt, where they communed of such iniuries as were thought to be
attempted on either part. [Sidenote: The kings meet again to commen of
peace.] For the Poictouins had made their resort to the French king, and
were confederate with him against their supreme lord king Henrie, and
had deliuered pledges for assurance thereof, which pledges the French
king would not restore. [Sidenote: A truce.] But yet there was a truce
concluded betwixt them, to endure till the feast of S. John Baptist.

[Sidenote: Patrike earle of Salisburie slaine.] About the feast of
Easter Patrike the earle of Salisburie was slaine by treason of the
Poictouins, and was buried at Saint Hilaries: after whome his sonne
William succeeded in the earledome.

The Britons practised rebellions dailie: but king Henrie entring their
countrie, wan diuerse strong townes and castels, and brought them at
length vnder his subiection. Moreouer in this summer season the two
kings met againe at Fert Bernard to treat of peace, but they departed
without concluding any agréement at all. For there were manie of the
Poictouins and Britons, which tooke part with the king of France, and
hauing deliuered vnto him hostages, had a promise made them, that the
French king should not conclude an agréement with the king of England
without their consent. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 15. 1169.] Hervpon they made
warres either vpon other, till finallie (about the feast of the
Epiphanie) a peace was accorded betwixt them: [Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._ _N.
Triuet._] and then Henrie the king of Englands sonne made his homage
vnto the French king for the countie of Aniou: and the French king
granted him the office of the Seneschalcie of France, which ancientlie
belonged vnto the earles of Aniou. [Sidenote: Geffrey duke of Britaine.]
Also Geffrey duke of Britaine did homage to his elder brother the
aforesaid Henrie, by commandement of his father, for the duchie of
Britaine. And afterwards the same Geffrey went into Britaine, and at
Rheines receiued the homage and fealtie of the lords and barons of that
countrie.

King Henrie in the meane while subdued certeine rebels in Gascoine, and
returning into Normandie, built a goodlie towne and fortresse neere to
Haie de Malafrey, ycleped Beauver.

[Sidenote: Haruey de Yuon.] About the same time one Haruey de Yuon, who
had married the daughter of one William Goieth, (that died in his
iournie which he tooke into the holie land) deliuered certeine castels
into the hands of king Henrie, bicause he was in despaire to keepe them
against Theobald earle of Chartres, who through the French kings aid,
sought to dispossesse him of the same castels: wherevpon the war was
renewed betwixt the king of England and the said earle of Chartres.
Neuerthelesse king Henrie making no great accompt of those wars, went
into Britaine with his sonne Geffrey, where going about the countrie to
visit the cities and townes, he reformed many disorders, laieng as it
were a maner of a new foundation of things there, fortifieng the
castels, cities and townes, and communing in courteous manner with the
lords and péeres of the countrie, sought to win their good wils: and so
in such exercises he spent a great part of the time.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 16. 1170.] He kept his Christmasse at Nauntes,
whither all the great lords and barons of Britaine resorted to him. The
solemnitie of which feast being past, he entred into the lands of earle
Eudo, and wasted the same, till the said earle submitted himself. At
length, after the king had taken order for the good gouernement of
Normandie, and his other countries on that side the sea, he returned
into England in the first wéeke of March, but not without great danger,
by reason of a tempest that tooke him on the seas, beginning about
midnight, and not ceassing till 9. of the clocke in the morning, about
which houre he came on land at Portesmouth, not with many of his ships,
the rest being tossed and driuen to séeke succour in sundrie créeks and
hauens of the land, and one of them which was the cheefest and newest,
was lost in the middle of the flouds, together with 400. persons, men &
women: among whome was Henrie de Aguell with two of his sons, Gilbert
Sullemuy, and Rafe Beumont the kings physician & houshold seruant.

[Sidenote: _Polydor._ Dauid was made knight by K. Henrie as _Houedon_
hath.] After this the king held his Easter at Winsor, whither William
the Scotish king came with his brother Dauid, to welcome him home, and
to congratulat his happie successe in his businesse on the further side
the seas. They were honorablie enterteined, and at their departure
princelie rewarded. [Sidenote: A prudent consideration of the king.] The
king thus returned into England, punished the shiriffes of the land very
gréeuously for their extortion, briberie, and rapine. After this,
studieng how to assure the estate of the realme vnto his sons, vpon good
consideration remembring that no liuing creature was more subiect to the
vncerteintie of death than Adams heires, [Sidenote: Mans nature
ambitious.] and that there is ingraffed such a feruent desire in the
ambitious nature of man to gouerne, that so oft as they once come in
hope of a kingdome, they haue no regard either of right or wrong, God or
the diuell, till they be in possession of their desired prey: he thought
it not the worst point of wisedome to foresee that which might happen.
For if he should chance to depart this life, and leaue his sons yoong,
and not able to mainteine wars through lacke of knowledge, it might
fortune them through the ambition of some to be defrauded and
disappointed of their lawful inheritance. Therefore to preuent the
chances of fortune, he determined whilest he was aliue to crowne his
eldest sonne Henrie, being now of the age of 17. yeares, and so to
inuest him in the kingdome by his owne act in his life time: which deed
turned him to much trouble, as after shall appeare.

Being vpon this point resolued, he called togither a parlement of the
lords both spirituall and temporall at London, [Sidenote: _R. Houed._]
and there (on S. Bartholomews daie) proclaimed his said sonne Henrie
fellow with him in the kingdome, whom after this on the sundaie
following, [Sidenote: Henrie the son crowned the 18. of Julie saith
_Matth. Paris._] being the fouretéenth daie of June 1170. Roger
archbishop of Yorke did crowne according to the manner, being commanded
so to doo by the king. This office apperteined vnto the archbishop of
Canturburie, but bicause he was banished the realme, the king appointed
the archbishop of Yorke to doo it, [Sidenote: _W. Paruus._] which he
ought not to haue doone without licence of the archbishop of Canturburie
within the precinct of his prouince (as was alledged by archbishop
Becket) who complained thereof vnto pope Alexander, and so incensed the
pope, that he being highly moued by his letters, [Sidenote: The archb.
of Yorke is forbidden the vse of the sacraments.] forbad not onelie the
archbishop of Yorke, but also Gilbert bishop of London, and Jocelin
bishop of Salisburie (who were present at the coronation) the vse of the
sacraments, which made king Henrie far more displeased with the
archbishop Thomas than he was before.

[Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._ _Polydor._ The king became seruitor to his
sonne.] Upon the daie of coronation, king Henrie the father serued his
sonne at the table as sewer, bringing vp the bores head with trumpets
before it, according to the maner. Whervpon (according to the old adage,
    Immutant mores homines cùm dantur honores)
    [Sidenote: Honours change manners.]
the yoong man conceiuing a pride in his heart, beheld the standers-by
with a more statly countenance than he had béen woont. The archbishop of
Yorke, who sat by him, marking his behauior, turned vnto him, & said;
[Sidenote: Yong men set vp in dignitie easilie forget themselues.] "Be
glad my good sonne, there is not an other prince in the world that hath
such a sewer at his table." To this the new king answered, as it were
disdainefullie, thus: "Why doost thou maruell at that? My father in
doing it, thinketh it not more than becommeth him, he being borne of
princelie bloud onlie on the mothers side, serueth me that am a king
borne hauing both a king to my father, and a queene to my mother." Thus
the yoong man of an euill and peruerse nature, was puffed vp in pride by
his fathers vnseemelie dooings.

But the king his father hearing his talke, was verie sorrowfull in his
mind, and said to the archbishop softlie in his eare: "It repenteth me,
it repenteth me my lord, that I haue thus aduanced the boy." For he
gessed hereby what a one he would prooue afterward, that shewed himselfe
so disobedient and froward alreadie. But although he was displeased with
himselfe in that he had doone vndiscréetlie, yet now when that which was
doone could not be vndoone, he caused all the Nobles and lords of the
realme togither with the king of Scots and his brother Dauid, to doo
homage vnto his said sonne thus made fellow with him in the kingdome:
but he would not release them of their oth of allegiance, wherein they
stood bound to obeie him the father, so long as he liued.

¶ Howbeit some write that he renounced his estate, first before all the
lords of the land, and after caused his sonne to be crowned: but in such
vncerteine points set foorth by parciall writers, that is to be receiued
as a truth, which is confirmed by the order and sequele of things after
doone and put in practise. For true it is, that king Henrie the father
(so long as his sonne liued) did shew himselfe sometime as fellow with
his sonne in gouernement, and sometime as absolute king: and after his
sons decease, he continued in the entier gouernment, so long as he
liued. But to procéed.

The French king hearing that his sonne in law was thus crowned, and not
his daughter the wife of Henrie the sonne, [Sidenote: The French king
offended.] was highlie offended therewith, and threatned to make war
against king Henrie the father, except his daughter Margaret might
receiue the crowne also as quéene immediatlie.

The cause why she was not crowned, was by reason of hir yoong yeares,
and for that she had not as yet accompanied with hir husband. But K.
Henrie the father vnderstanding the French kings threats, sailed ouer
into Normandie, where whilest they prepared for war on both sides, by
the earnest diligence of Theobald earle of Blois, [Sidenote: An
enteruiew of the kings. _R. Houed._] both the kings came to an enteruiew
at Uendosme, where at length they were accorded, vpon promise made by
king Henrie, that he would cause his sonne to be crowned againe, and
with him his wife the said Margaret the French kings daughter as quéene.

The French king contented therewith, departed homewards, and king Henrie
returning came to Uernon, where he fell into so great a sicknesse, that
anon it was noised ouer all the countrie. [Sidenote: He made his
testament. _Rog. Houed._] Insomuch that he was in such despaire of life,
that he made his testament: wherein he assigned his sonne Richard the
dutchie of Aquitaine, and all those lands which came by quéene Elianor
the mother of the same Richard. And to his sonne Geffrey he bequeathed
Britaine (with the daughter of earle Conan) which he had purchased to
his vse of the French king. And to his sonne king Henrie he gaue the
dutchie of Normandie, and all those lands which came by his father
Geffrey earle of Aniou. And to his yoongest sonne John be bequeathed the
earledome of Mortaine. And finally appointed where he would haue his
bodie to be buried.

[Sidenote: _Polydor._ King Henrie the sonne his misorder.] In the meane
time Henrie the sonne remaining at home in England, fell from all good
order of measure kéeping, and gaue himselfe to all excessiue riot,
spending and wasting his reuenues inordinatelie. Of which behauiour his
father being aduertised, returned into England, where he taried not
long, but passed ouer againe into Normandie, hauing his said sonne in
his companie, [Sidenote: An. Reg. 16. 1170.] meaning thereby to remoue
him from the companie of those that were verie like to corrupt this
nature, and frame the same to all lewdnesse: for he knew that
              ---- commercia turpia sanctos
    Corrumpunt mores: multi hoc periere veneno,
    Labimur in vitium & facilè ad peiora mouemur.

In this meane while Thomas the archbishop of Canturburie remained in
exile almost six yeares, and could not be restored, till partlie by
swelling threats of the pope, and partlie at the earnest suit of Lewes
the French king, Theobald earle of Blois, and others king Henrie began
somewhat to shew himselfe conformable towards an agréement.

[Sidenote: _Ex Quadrilagio._ The king and the arch. Becket met togither
in the presence of the French king.] Wherevpon the two kings met diuerse
times, and the archbishop Thomas comming with the French king, at one
time humbled himselfe so to the king of England, that knéeling downe at
his féet, he said: "My souereigne liege lord, I commit the whole cause
of the controuersie betwixt your grace and me, vnto your maiesties
order, Gods honour onlie reserued."

The king offended with that ambiguous exception, said to the king of
France: "Whatsoeuer displeaseth this man, is taken (as he interpreteth
it) contrarie to Gods honour, and so by that shift will he chalenge to
himselfe all that belongeth vnto me. But bicause you shall not thinke
that I go about to resist Gods honour, or him, in any reasonable order,
looke what the greatest and most holie of all his ancestors haue doone
vnto the meanest of mine ancestours, let him doo the same vnto me, and I
am contented therewith."

All the companie present cried, "that the king humbled himselfe enough."
"My lord archbishop (said the French king) will you be greater than
saints, and better than saint Peter? Wherof stand you in doubt? Behold,
your peace is at hand." [Sidenote: The present state of the church in
Becket daies.] The archbishop made answer in commendation of the present
state of holie church, as thus: "My holie predecessours in their time,
although they cut not all things away that extolled it selfe against
God, yet did they cut off diuers: but if they had plucked vp all by the
hard roots, which might offend, who should now haue raised the fire of
temptation against vs? We are in much better case (thanks be to God) and
as we haue laboured in their lot and number, so are we partakers of
their labour and reward. What if any of them had béene defectiue or
excessiue in any point, are we bound to follow the example of their
defection or excesse? We blame Peter for his denieng of Christ, but we
praise him in reproouing of Neros violence with danger of his life. The
church hath risen and increased out of manie dangerous oppressions, our
fathers haue suffered manie things, bicause they would not forsake the
name of Christ; and ought I to suppresse his honour, to be reconciled
vnto any mans fauour? God forbid, God forbid."

[Sidenote: The archb. Becket blamed of arrogancie.] When the Noble men
present heard this answer of a subiect against his souereigne, they all
held against him, imputing the fault to the archbishops arrogancie, that
the peace was not made betweene the king and him, insomuch that there
was an erle which openlie said; "Sith he resisteth the will of both the
realmes, he is not worthie to be succoured by either of them from
henceforth: and therefore being cast out of England, let not France
receiue him."

The councell then being broken vp, the kings departed without bidding
the archbishop farewell, and such as were mediatours for peace, in
departing from this meeting, spake manie reprochfull words to him,
[Sidenote: Archb. Becket wilfull in his owne opinion.] alledging that he
had béene euer stout and wise in his owne conceit, and a folower of his
owne will and opinion: adding that it was a great hinderance to the
church, that he was ordeined archbishop, and that by him the church was
alreadie in part destroied, and would shortlie be altogither brought to
vtter ruine.

But the archbishop setting a watch before his mouth, kept silence (as
though he had not heard) and folowed the French king with his people.
Manie said by the waie as they iournied, "Behold the archbishop yonder,
which in talke the last night would not for the pleasure of the king
denie God, nor kéepe his honor in silence."

After this, when the archbishop was come to Sens, and aduised with
himselfe whether it should be best for him to go, at length he said,
"God is able in the last point of miserie and distresse, to helpe those
that be his." Herewith came a messenger from the French king to bring
him to the court, for the French king (as one that had béene better
instructed in the matter) repented himselfe that he had iudged euill of
his answers at the last meeting, and herevpon receiued him againe into
his fauour, and rested not to trauell so much in his cause, that at
length another méeting was assigned at a certeine place neere the
confines of Normandie, [Sidenote: The French K. receiueth the archbishop
Becket againe into fauour.] whither king Henrie came, and there found
Lewes, the archbishop of Rouen, and diuerse other bishops together, with
the foresaid archbishop, who after they had reasoned of the matter
throughlie as they saw cause, [Sidenote: The archb. is reconciled to the
king.] king Henrie receiued the archbishop into his fauour againe, and
promised to redresse all that had béene doone amisse, and pardon all
those that had followed him out of the realme. Wherevpon the king and
the archbishop being reconciled, the archbishop the same day came before
the king, and talked with him.

Now among other things he required of the K. that it might be lawfull
for him (without offending of his maiestie) to punish (according to the
censures of the church) the iniurie doone vnto him by the archbishop of
Yorke, and other bishops in the coronation of his sonne. The king
granted this, and shewed himselfe so courteous at that time, that (as it
is said) he held his stirrup whiles he mounted on horssebacke.

¶ Notwithstanding which obsequiousnes of the king, it is to be presumed
that all inward repining could not be so abolished, as that no fragments
remained: but that the archbishop for his part, for the maintenance of
his great title, & the K. for the supportation of his souereigntie, when
opportunitie serued, sought to get aduantage one of another, & acquit
their harts with a new reuenge of an old grudge: for
    [Sidenote: _Iuuen. sat._ 15.]
    Immortale odium & nunquam sanabile vulnus.

[Sidenote: The king would not kisse the pax with the archbishop.] But
whereas twise within a few daies after, the king and the said archbishop
met at masse, the king refused to kisse the pax with him. This was
marked as a signe of a fained reconciliation, though in déed he
afterwards interteined him verie courteouslie, and at his departure ouer
into England, tooke leaue of him in fréendlie manner, and directed
letters vnder his sele to his sonne the new king in forme as followeth.
[Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._]

     A letter of the king touching the pacification betweene him and
     Thomas Becket.

     Know ye that Thomas the archbishop of Canturburie hath made his
     peace with me at my will and pleasure; and therefore I command you,
     that both he and his may remaine in peace; and that he and al those
     which for his cause departed out of the realme, may haue all their
     goods restored, and in such quiet estate be now possessed of them
     as at any time within three moneths before their departure from
     thence. [Sidenote: The honor of Saltwood.] And further, cause to
     come before vs of the best and most ancient knights of the honor of
     Saltwood, that vpon their oths they may find what fee the
     archbishop ought to haue within that honor, and that which shall
     appeare to apperteine vnto him, as in fee, let him inioy the same.
     And thus farewell.

The archbishop (before he tooke his iournie into England) went to visit
the French king, and to giue him thanks for his great paines and trauell
susteined in his cause, [Sidenote: The French kings aduise to the
archbish. Becket.] who aduised him in no wise as yet to commit himselfe
to present danger amongst his new reconciled enimies, but rather to
staie till their malice were somewhat assuaged. For he perceiued by king
Henries words & countenance such a deepe rooted displeasure in his hart,
that he agréed to receiue him into fauour rather by compulsion and
against his will than otherwise.

But when the archbishop would needs depart & go ouer into England, the
French K. suffered him so to doo, dooing him all the honor he could at
his leaue taking. [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ The archbishop Becket
returneth into England.] Then the archbishop departing out of France,
came into England, and landed at Sandwich about the first of December,
in the seuenth yeare after his first departure out of the realme.
Shortlie after his arriuall, Roger the archbishop of Yorke, Gilbert
bishop of London, and Jocelin bishop of Salisburie, with diuerse other,
came vnto him as to the popes legat, and required that it might please
him to restore them to the ministration of their offices againe; whose
request be granted, but yet vpon condition, that they should vndertake
to stand to his iudgement and order in all things, which (by the
counsell of the archbishop of Yorke) they vtterlie refused.

¶ Here authors agrée not (as Polydor trulie saith) for some write that
archbishop Thomas (immediatlie vpon his returne into England) denounced
the archbishop of Yorke with the bishops of Salisburie and London
accurssed, whereas before they were depriued of the vse and
administration of the sacraments. Some others write, that now at his
comming ouer into England from his exile, he depriued them onlie of the
ministration of the sacraments, togither with the bishops of Excester,
Chester, Rochester, S. Asaph, & Landaff, which had personallie béene
present at the coronation of king Henrie the sonne, to the derogation of
the dignitie of their primat the archbishop of Canturburie (as before
you haue heard.) It shuld seeme yet by Ger. Dorober. that the archbishop
of Yorke, and the bishop of Durham were suspended, and the bishops of
London, Salisburie, and diuerse other excommunicated.

[Sidenote: The archbish. of Yorke and other go ouer to the king to
complaine of the archbishop Becket. _Ger. Dor._] But how soeuer he vsed
them, the archbishop of Yorke, the two bishops London and Salisburie,
being offended with his dooings, sailed ouer into Normandie, and there
complained to king Henrie of iniuries doone to them by archbishop
Thomas, gréeuouslie accusing him that he went about to take awaie their
libertie of priesthood, to destroie, corrupt, and finallie to abolish
both the lawes of God and man, togither with the ancient decrées and
statutes of their elders; in somuch that he tooke vpon him to exclude
bishops at his pleasure from the companie of christian men, and so being
excluded, to banish them for euer: to derogat things meerelie
preiudiciall to the kings roiall prerogatiue; and finallie to take awaie
from all men the equitie of laws and ciuill orders.

The king giuing eare to their complaint, was so displeased in his mind
against archbishop Thomas, that in open audience of his lords, knights,
and gentlemen, [Sidenote: The occasion of the kings words that cost
bish. Becket his life.] he said these or the like words: "In what
miserable state am I, that can not be in rest within mine owne realme,
by reason of one onelie préest? Neither is there any of my folkes that
will helpe to deliuer me out of such troubles."

There were some that stood about the king, which gessed by these words,
that his mind was to signifie how he would haue some man to dispatch the
archbishop out of the waie. The kings displeasure against the archbishop
was knowne well inough, which caused men to haue him in no reuerence at
all, so that (as it was said) it chanced on a time, that he came to
Strowd in Kent, where the inhabitants meaning to doo somewhat to his
infamie, being thus out of the kings fauour, and despised of the world,
cut off his horsses taile.

[Sidenote: The knights that slue the archbishop Becket.] There were some
also of the kings seruants, that thought after an other maner of sort to
reuenge the displeasure doone to the kings maiestie, as sir Hugh
Moreuille, sir William Tracie, sir Richard Britaine, and sir Reignold
Fitz Urse, knights, who taking aduice togither, and agréeing in one mind
and will, tooke shipping, & sailed ouer into England, landing at a place
called Dogs hauen, néere Douer.

Now the first night they lodged in the castell of Saltwood, which
Randulfe de Broc had in keeping. The next morning (being the 29. of
December, and fift daie of Christmasse, which as that yeare came about
fell vpon a tuesdaie) hauing gotten togither certeine souldiers in the
countrie thereabouts, came to Canturburie, and first entring into the
court of the abbeie of S. Augustine, they talked with Clarenbald the
elect abbat of that place: and after conference had with him, they
proceeded in their businesse as followeth.

[Sidenote: Reignold Fitz Urse. That is betwéene 4. and 5. in the
euening.] The first knight sir Reignold Fitz Urse came to him about the
eleuenth houre of the daie, as the archbishop sat in his chamber, and
sitting downe at his feet vpon the ground without any manner of greeting
or salutation, at length began with him thus: "Being sent of our
souereigne lord the king from beyond the seas, we doo here present vnto
you his Graces commandements, to wit, that you should go to his sonne
the king, to doo vnto him that which apperteineth vnto you to doo vnto
your souereigne lord, and to do your fealtie vnto him in taking an oth,
and further to amend that wherein you haue offended his maiestie."
Wherevnto the archbishop answered: "For what cause ought I to confirme
my fealtie vnto him by oth? or wherein am I giltie in offending the
kings Maiestie?" [Sidenote: An oth required of him for his baronie.] Sir
Reignold said: "For your baronie, fealtie is demanded of you with an
oth, and an other oth is required of those clerkes, which you haue
brought with you, if they meane to continue within the land." The
archbishop answered: "For my baronie I am readie to do to the king
whatsoeuer law or reason shall allow: but let him for certeine hold,
that he shall not get any oth either of me or of my clerks." "We knew
that (said the knight) that you would not doo any of these things which
we proponed vnto you. Moreouer the king commandeth you to absolue those
bishops that are excommunicated by you without his licence." Wherevnto
he said: "The bishops are excommunicated not by me, but by the pope, who
hath therto authoritie from the Lord. If in déed he hath reuenged the
inurie doone to my church, I confesse that I am not displeased
therwith." Then said the knight: "Sith that such things in despite of
the king doo please you, it is to be thought that you would take from
him his crowne, and be called and taken for king your selfe, but you
shall misse of your purpose surelie therein." The archbishop answered:
"I do not aspire to the name of a king, rather would I knit three
crownes vnto his crowne if it lay in my power."

[Sidenote: The knights command the moonks to sée the archbishop kept
safe.] At length after these and such words, the knights turning them to
the moonks, said: "In the behalfe of our souereigne lord the king, we
command you, that in any wise ye keepe this man safe, and present him to
the king when it shall please his grace to send for him." The archbishop
said: "Doo ye thinke that I will run away? I came not to run away, but
looke for the outrage and malice of wicked men." "Truelie (said they)
you shall not runne away," and herewith went out with noise and
threatnings. [Sidenote: John de Salisburie the archb. Beckets
chancellor.] Then maister John of Salisburie his chancellor said vnto
him: "My lord, this is a woonderfull matter that you will take no mans
counsell: had it not beene méet to haue giuen them a more méeke and
gentle answer?" [Sidenote: The archbishops resolution.] But the
archbishop said: "Surelie I haue alreadie taken all the counsell that I
will take, I know what I ought to doo." Then said Salisburie, "I pray
God it may be good." Now the knights departing out of the place,
[Sidenote: The knights put on their armor.] and going about to put on
their armour, certeine came to the archbishop, & said; "My lord, they
arme themselues." "What forceth it? said he, let them arme themselues."

Now when they were armed, and manie other about them, they entred into
the archbishops palace. Those that were about the archbishop cried vpon
him to flée; but he sat still and would not once remoue, till the moonks
brought him euen by force & against his will into the church. The
comming of the armed men being knowne; [Sidenote: The moonks with force
bring the archbishop into the church.] some of the moonks continued
singing of euensong, and some sought places where to hide themselues,
other came to the archbishop, who was loth to haue entred into the
church, and when he was within, he would not yet suffer them to make
fast the doores, so that there was a great stur among them, but cheeflie
when they perceiued that the armed men went about to séeke for the
archbishop, by meane whereof their euensong was left vnfinished.

At length the knights with their seruants hauing sought the palace,
[Sidenote: The knights enter the church.] came rushing into the church
by the cloister doore with their swords drawne, some of them asking for
the traitor, and some of them for the archbishop, who came and met them,
saieng; "Here am I, no traitor, but the archbishop." [Sidenote: As
though archbishops can be no traitors.] The formost of the knights said
vnto him: "Flee; thou art but dead," To whome the archbishop said, "I
will not flée." The knight stept to him taking him by the sléeue, and
with his sword cast his cap besides his head, and said, "Come hither,
for thou art a prisoner." "I will not (said the archbishop) doo with me
here what thou wilt:" and plucked his sleeue with a mightie strength out
of the knights hand. Wherewith the knight stepped backe two or thrée
paces. [Sidenote: The courage of the archb.] Then the archbishop turning
to one of the knights, said to him, "What meaneth this, Reignold? I
haue doone vnto thée manie great pleasures, and commest thou now vnto
me into the church armed?" Unto whome the knight presentlie answered and
said; "Thou shalt know anon what is ment, thou art but dead: it is not
possible for thee any longer to liue." Unto whom the archbishop
answered: "I am readie to die for my God, and for the defense of his
iustice and the libertie of the church; gladlie doo I imbrace death, so
that the church may purchase peace and libertie by the shedding of my
blood." And herewith taking on other of the knights by the habergeon, he
floong him from him with such violence, that he had almost throwne him
downe to the ground. This was sir Will. Tracie, as he after confessed.

Then the archbishop inclined his head after the maner of one that would
praie, pronouncing these his last words: "To God, to saint Marie, and to
the saints that are patrones of this church, and to saint Denise, I
commend my selfe and the churches cause." Therewith sir Reignold
FitzUrse striking a full blow at his head, [Sidenote: Edward of
Cambridge.] chanced to light vpon the arme of a clerke named Edward of
Cambridge, who cast vp his arme to saue the archbishop: but when he was
not able to beare the weight of the blow, he plucked his arme backe, and
so the stroke staied vpon the archbishops head, in such wise that the
bloud ran downe by his face. [Sidenote: The archbish. is slaine.] Then
they stroke at him one after an other, and though he fell to the ground
at the second blow, yet they left him not till they had cut and pashed
out his braines, and dashed them about vpon the church pauement. All
this being doone, they rifled his house, spoiled his goods, and tooke
them to their owne vses, supposing it lawfull for them being the kings
seruants so to doo.

But doubting how the matter would be taken, after they had wrought their
feat, they got them into the bishoprike of Duresme, there to remaine
till they might heare how the king would take this their vnlawfull
enterprise: though (as they alledged) they had lustilie defended his
cause, and reuenged his quarell as faithfull seruants ought to doo.
Howbeit, it chanced otherwise than they looked it should haue doone: for
king Henrie gaue them so litle thankes for their presumptuous act,
sounding to the euill example of other in breach of his lawes,
[Sidenote: The murtherers come to an euill end. _Matth. Paris._ _W.
Paruus._] that they despairing vtterlie of pardon, fled one into one
place, and another into another, so that within foure yeares they all
died an euill death (as it hath béene reported.) Some write, that they
went to Rome by the kings commandement, and there presented themselues
before the pope, to receiue such penance for their wicked act as he
should enioine them. Herevpon the pope appointed them to go vnto
Jerusalem, their to do their penance, where they remained certeine
yeares, applieng themselues verie diligentlie to performe the
satisfaction of their offense, according to the maner prescribed to them
by the pope, and so at length died.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 17. 1171.] This was the end of Thomas Becket
archbishop of Canturburie, which was after he had entred into that see
eight yeares and six moneths, [Sidenote: After their account that begin
the yere on Christmas day.] in the yeare after the birth of our Lord
1171. On Christmas day before his death, which fell that yeare on the
fridaie, he preached a sermon to the people, and when he had made an end
thereof, he accurssed Nigell de Sackeuille, the violent incumbent of the
church of Berges, [Sidenote: Robert de Broc.] and Robert de Broc, both
which had (vpon spite) curtailed the horsse of the said archbishop: and
as the same day whilest he was at the altar, according to his custome,
altogither in teares and lamentation; so at dinner he shewed himselfe
verie pleasant & merrie, insomuch that when those that were at the table
séemed somewhat doubtfull to eat of the flesh that was set before them,
bicause it was friday; "Why do ye abhorre (saith he) to eat flesh? This
day flesh hath a great priuilege, for this same day the word was made
flesh, and came into light, and appeared vnto vs." These his words
greatlie contented all the companie.

¶ Thus you haue heard the tragicall discourse of ambitious Becket, a man
of meane parentage, and yet through the princes fauour verie fortunate,
if he had not abused the beneuolence of so gratious a souereigne by his
insolencie and presumption. Wherein we haue to note, how vnseemelie a
thing it was for him, being called to so sacred a function, to lead so
secular and prophane a life, as if he had professed open hostilitie to
the vocation which he pretended to honour and reuerence. We are also
taught, that promotions atchiued by ambition are not permanent, and are
so farre from procuring fame and renowne to the obteiners, that they
turne them in the end to shame, infamie and reproch, after losse of life
and effusion of bloud. The issue of all which tragedie is to be imputed
to the prouidence and counsell of almightie God, as one writeth verie
agréablie to this purpose, saieng,
    [Sidenote: _Hesi. in lib. cui tit. op. & dies._]
    Nam facilè extollit facilè elatúmq; refrænat,
    Et clarum obscurans, obscuri nomen adauget.
    Erigit & miserum facilè extinguítque superbum
    Iuppiter altifremus, cui celsum regia cœlum.

[Sidenote: King Henrie sorie for the archb. Beckets death. _Polydor._]
But to let this matter passe. King Henrie doubtlesse was right pensiue
for his death, bicause he wist well inough that it would be iudged, that
he himselfe was priuie to the thing: and euen so it came to passe, for
immediatlie vpon notice giuen into France of the archbishops death, king
Lewes, and Theobald the earle of Blois, as they that loued him most
deerelie were most sorowfull for it, and iudging straightwaie that king
Henrie was the procurer, they wrote their letters vnto pope Alexander,
giuing him to vnderstand both of the slaughter, and how king Henrie had
caused it to be put in execution, requiring most instantlie, that such
an iniurie doone to the Christian religion, might spéedilie be punished.
The pope was much offended, and determined to haue the matter throughlie
considered and ordered, so as might stand with his dignitie, and
accordinglie as the hainous state of the case required. King Henrie
whilest these things were a dooing, lay certein daies at Argenton, so
much displeased in his mind, that he would suffer no man once to speake
to him about any maner of businesse.

[Sidenote: King Henrie sendeth ambassadours to the pope.] At length, he
sent his ambassadors to Rome, partlie to purge himselfe of the
archbishops death, partlie to excuse his fault, for that in his furie he
had vttered words against the archbishop, which had giuen occasion to
naughtie men to contriue his death, & partlie to require the pope to
send his legats into England, to make inquirie both for the death of the
archbishop, and also of the state of the clergie. The kings ambassadors
found the pope at Tiuoli, and there were heard to declare their message:
but little credit was giuen to their words, in so much that the pope
plainelie told them, that he vnderstood the matter to be much otherwise
than they had declared. Yet according to the kings request, he sent two
of his cardinals into England, which vpon due examination, might
vnderstand the truth of the matter thoroughlie as apperteined.

[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._] There be that write, that the king sent
ambassadours twice vnto the pope, for the first that went, could not
come to his presence, nor be suffered to declare their message: those
that were sent the second time, were receiued of some of the cardinals,
but yet onelie with words without anie other way of freendlie
interteinement. At length, when the feast of Easter drew néere, on the
which either absolution or excommunication was to be denounced against
euerie man, there were certeine of the cardinals which gaue intelligence
to the English ambassadours, that the pope by aduice of the colledge,
meant on the thursdaie before Easter daie to declare the sentence of
interdiction against the king of England, and against all his dominions,
and to confirme that which had beene alreadie pronounced against Richard
the archbishop of Yorke, and the other bishops his complices.

The ambassadours being brought to a streict issue herewith, by helpe of
some of the cardinals found meanes to haue it put into the popes head,
how the English ambassadours had commission to vndertake, that the king
of England should obeie in all things what order soeuer it pleased the
pope and his court to award him. Herevpon they tooke their oth, that it
should so be, and by that meanes they auoided the interdiction. The
messengers of the archbishop of Yorke & the other bishops vsed the like
shift, but yet the same daie the pope did excommunicate the knights that
had murthered the archbishop Thomas, and all those that had procured,
aided, succoured, or abetted them therein. [Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._ The
ambassadours were glad to vse a shift by briberie.] Some write, that
those ambassadours which the king sent to the court of Rome, could not
be suffered to come to the popes presence, till according to the
fashion, they had giuen 500. marks in reward, and so at length were
admitted to his presence.

Howsoeuer that matter passed, the king stood in great feare least his
land should be interdicted, in so much that he commanded the wardens of
the ports both on this side the sea and beyond, to take good héed, least
any cōming with letters of interdiction should passe into England;
but if any such came, that the bringer should be arrested and committed
to prison. Also he commanded, that no clearke were suffered to come ouer
into England, except he first tooke an oth that he came about no
businesse that might turne to the preiudice of the king or his realme.
This commandement he set forth, at what time he transported ouer into
England himselfe, where he landed this yeare at Portesmouth the third
daie of August. About which time it came into the kings mind, to make a
conquest of Ireland vpon this occasion.

[Sidenote: Sundrie rulers in Ireland.] It chanced, whereas diuerse
rulers or (as we may call them) petie kings reigned the same seson in
that Iland (which was diuided into seuerall estates or kingdomes) that
continuall strife and dissention remained amongst them, so that
oftentimes they made sore war after the manner of their countrie one
against an other, (for
    [Sidenote: _Luc. lib. 1._]
    Nulla fides regni socijs, omnisque potestas
    Impatiens consortis erit.)

Herevpon it fortuned, that one of those kings or rulers, about the 14.
yeare of this kings reigne, was sore afflicted and oppressed by his
neighbours, wherevpon taking aduice what he might best doo for remedie
in that case, [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ _W. Paruus._ Sée more hereof in
Ireland.] at length he sent his son into England to reteine souldiours
and men of warre, and to bring them ouer vnto his aid in hope of gaine,
& such commodities as he assured them of.

Now it came to passe, that by the assistance of such Englishmen as then
came ouer, the foresaid Irish king began to recouer his losses, and in
the end waxed so strong, that he subdued all his enimies. When he had
thus obteined the victorie, he did not onelie not send backe his aiders,
but so liberallie reteined them still with him, that they had no hast to
returne home, but setled themselues in that countrie, where they liued a
pleasant and verie licentious life. For this cause also the stoutest
lords and rulers of the Irish nation began sore to stomach the matter
against him that had thus brought the English nation into their
countrie, in so much that the Englishmen perceiuing their malice, and
therewithall hauing some feare of themselues, bicause of their small
number, they sent ouer into England for such as wanted liuing, and were
willing to seeke for it in other countries, of which sort, great numbers
went ouer thither within a short space, whereby the multitude of the
English greatlie increased: [Sidenote: Erle Strangbow. _N. Triuet._] but
for as much as they had no ruler to gouerne them, they procured Richard
Strangbow earle of Struguille, aliàs Chepstow in Wales to come ouer
thither, and to receiue the souereigne gouernement, with such honorable
prouision for maintenance of his estate, as should séeme requisit.

[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ _Wil. Paruus._] ¶ Some write, that this earle
Richard (being also earle Marshall of England) for a rebellion moued
against king Henrie, had before this time forfeited all his lands; but
others affirme that through riot and more sumptuous port than his
abilitie might beare, he had made awaie and consumed the most part of
his liuing, and was run so far in debt, that he knew not how to satisfie
his creditors, and therefore was he the readier to incline to their
request, which made labour vnto him to come ouer into Ireland to haue
the gouernance of such English people, as had alreadie planted
themselues there to inhabit & remaine. Herevpon he prepared a nauie, and
assembled togither a great number of such as lacked liuing, and shortlie
determined to passe ouer into Ireland. [Sidenote: Strangbow
countermanded.] But euen as he was readie to set forward, there came
vnto him messengers from king Henrie, commanding him to staie, and not
to take that iournie in hand. Howbeit the earle hauing nothing in
England whereof to make anie great accompt, notwithstanding the kings
commandement, tooke the sea, and passed ouer into that countrie, where
he greatlie delited such Englishmen as dailie had looked for his repaire
and comming thither.

Shortlie after, ioining those which he brought ouer with him, with the
other that were there before his comming, he thought to worke some feat,
whereby he might make his name famous, & cause the Irishmen to haue him
in feare. [Sidenote: Dublin won. Additions to _Iohn Pike._] Wherevpon he
first assailed the citie of Dublin, and by force wan it. He likewise wan