The Lives of the III Normans, Kings of England Part 3

He gaue many testimonies of a Religious minde. For he did often frequent Diuine seruice in the Church, he gaue much Almes, hee held the Clergie in great estimation, and highly honoured the Prelats of the Church. He sent many costly ornaments, many rich presents of gold and siluer to the Church of _Rome_; his _Peter_ paiments went more readily, more largely then euer before. To diuers Churches in _France_ after his victorie he sent Crosses of gold, vessels of gold, rich Palles, or other ornaments of great beautie and price. He bare such reuerence to _Lanfranck_ Archbishop of _Canterburie_, that he seemed to stand at his directions.

At the request of _Wolstane_ Bishop of _Worcester_, he gaue ouer a great aduantage that he made by sale of prisoners taken in _Ireland_. He respected _Aldred_ Archbishop of _Yorke_, by whom he had bene crowned King of _England_, as his father. At a time vpon the repulse of a certaine suit, the Archbishop brake forth into discontentment, expostulated sharpely against the King, and in a humorous heat offered to depart. But the King staied him, fell downe at his feet, desired pardon, and promised satisfaction in the best maner that he could. The n.o.bilitie that were present, put the Archbishop in minde that he should cause the King to arise. Nay (answered the Archb.) let him alone; Let him still abide at S. _Peters_ feet. So with much adoe he was appeased, and entreated to accept his suite. And so the name of Saint _Peter_, and of the Church hath been often vsed as a mantle, to couer the pride, pa.s.sions and pleasures of disordered men.

He founded and enlarged many houses of Religion: Hee furnished Ecclesiasticall dignities, with men of more sufficiencie and worth then had been vsuall in former times. And because within his owne Dominions studies did not flourish and thriue, by reason of the turbulent times, by reason of the often inuasions of barbarous people, whose knowledge lay chiefly in their fists; hee drew out of _Italy_ and other places many famous men, both for learning and integritie of life, to wit, _Lanfranke_, _Anselm_, _Durand_, _Traherne_ and others. These he honoured, these hee aduanced, to these hee expressed great testimonies both of fauour and regard.

And yet he preferred _Odo_ his brother by the mothers side to the Bishop.r.i.c.ke of _Baion_, and afterwards created him Earle of _Kent_: A man proud, vaine, mutinous, ambitious; outragious in oppression, cruelty and l.u.s.t; a prophaner of Religion, a manifest contemner of all vertue.

The King being called by occasions into _Normandie_, committed vnto him the gouernment of the Realme: In which place of credite and command he furnished himselfe so fully with treasure, that hee aspired to the Papacie of _Rome_: vpon a prediction then cast abroad, (which commonly deceiue those that trust vnto them) that the successour of _Hildebrand_ was named _Odo_. So filled with proud hopes, hee purchased a palace and friends at _Rome_; hee prepared for his iourney, and drew many gentlemen to be of his traine. But the King returning suddenly out of _Normandie_, met with him in the _Isle of Wight_, as he was ready to take the Seas.

There hee was arrested, and afterwards charged with infinite oppressions; also for seducing the Kings subiects to forsake the Realme; and lastly, for sacrilegious spoyling of many Churches. Hereupon his treasure was seized, and he was committed to prison; not as Bishop of _Baion_, but as Earle of _Kent_, and as an accomptant to the King. And so he remained about foure yeeres, euen vntill the death of the King.

His seruants, some in falshood, and some for feare, discouered such hidden heapes of his gold, as did exceede all expectation: yea, many bagges of grinded gold were drawen out of riuers, wherein the Bishop had caused them for a time to be buried. After this hee was called the Kings spunge: as being preferred by him to that place of charge, wherein he might in long time sucke that from others, which should at once be pressed from himselfe. By this meanes the King had the benefit of his oppression without the blame; and the people (being no deepe searchers into secrets of State) were so well pleased with the present punishment, as they were thereby, although not satisfied, yet well quieted for all their wrongs.

Towards the end of his reigne he appointed his two sonnes, _Robert_ and _Henry_, with ioynt authoritie, gouernours of _Normandie_; the one to suppresse either the insolencie, or leuitie of the other. These went together to visit the _French_ King, lying at _Conflance_: where entertaining the time with varietie of disports, _Henry_ played with _Louis_ then _Daulphine_ of _France_ at Chesse, and did win of him very much. Here at _Louis_ beganne to growe warme in words, and was therein little respected by _Henry_. The great impatiencie of the one, and the small forbearance of the other, did strike in the end such a heate betweene them, that _Louis_ threw the Chesse-men at _Henries_ face, and called him the sonne of a b.a.s.t.a.r.d. _Henrie_ againe stroke _Louis_ with the Chesse-boord, drew blood with the blowe, and had presently slaine him vpon the place, had hee not been stayed by his brother _Robert_.

Hereupon they presently went to horse, and their spurres claimed so good haste, as they recouered _Pontoise_, albeit they were sharpely pursued by the _French_.

It had been much for the _French_ King to haue remained quiet, albeit no prouocations had happened, in regard of his pretence to many pieces which King _William_ did possesse in _France_. But vpon this occasion he presently inuaded _Normandie_, tooke the Citie of _Vernon_, and drew _Robert_, King _Williams_ eldest sonne, to combine with him against his owne father. On the other side King _William_, who neuer lost anything by loosing of time, with incredible celeritie pa.s.sed into _France_; inuaded the _French_ Kings dominions, wasted and tooke many princ.i.p.all places of _Zantoigne_ and _Poictou_, returned to _Roan_, and there reconciled his sonne _Robert_ vnto him. The _French_ King summoned him to doe his homage for the kingdome of _England_. For the Duchie of _Normandie_ he offered him homage, but the kingdome of _England_ (he said) he held of no man, but onely of G.o.d, and by his sword. Hereupon the _French_ King came strongly vpon him; but finding him both ready and resolute to answere in the field: finding also that his hazard was greater then his hope; that his losse by ouerthrow would farre surmount his aduantage by victory; after a few light encounters he retired: preferring the care to preserue himselfe, before the desire to harme others.

King _William_ being then both corpulent and in yeeres, was distempered in body by meanes of those trauailes, and so retired to _Roan_; where hee remained not perfectly in health. The _French_ King hearing of his sickenesse, pleasantly said, that hee lay in child-bed of his great belly. This would haue been taken in mirth, if some other had spoken it; but comming from an enemie, it was taken in scorne. And as great personages are most sencible of reproach, and the least touch of honour maketh a wide and incurable wound; so King _William_ was so nettled with this ieast, that hee swore _By G.o.ds resurrection and his brightnesse_, (for this was the vsuall forme of his oath) that so soone as hee should be churched of that child, he would offer a thousand lights in _France_.

So presently after his recouery hee entred _France_ in armes, tooke the Citie of _Meux_, set many Townes and Villages and corne fields on fire; the people abandoning all places where he came, and giuing foorth, that it was better the nests should be destroyed, then that the birds should be taken in them. At the last he came before _Paris_, where _Philip_ King of _France_ did then abide: to whom he sent word, that he had recouered to be on foote, and was walking about, and would be glad likewise to find him abroad. This enterprise was acted in the moneth of August, wherein the King was so violent and sharpe, that by reason both of his trauaile, and of the vnseasonable heate, he fell into a relapse of his sicknesse. And to accomplish his mishap, in leaping on horse-backe ouer a ditch, his fat belly did beare so hard vpon the pommell of his saddle, that hee tooke a rupture in his inner parts. And so ouercharged with sickenesse, and paine, and disquietnesse of minde, hee returned to _Roan_; where his sickenesse increased by such dangerous degrees, that in short time it led him to the period of his dayes.

During the time of his sickenesse hee was much molested in conscience,[28] for the blood which hee had spilt, and for the seueritie which he had vsed against the _English_: holding himselfe for that cause more guilty before G.o.d, then glorious among men. Hee spent many good speeches in reconciling himselfe to G.o.d and the world, & in exhorting others to vertue and Religion. He gaue great summes of money to the Clergie of _Meux_, and of some other places in _France_, to repaire the Churches which a little before he had defaced. To some Monasteries he gaue tenne markes of gold, and to others sixe. To euery Parish Church hee gaue fiue s.h.i.+llings, and to euery Borough Towne a hundred pounds for reliefe of the poore. Hee gaue his Crowne, with all the ornaments therto belonging, to the Church of Saint _Stephen_ in _Caen_, which hee had founded: for redeeming whereof, King _Henry_ the first did afterwards giue to the same Church the Mannour of _Brideton_ in _Dorcets.h.i.+re_. Hee reteined perfect memorie and speach so long as he reteined any breath. Hee ended his life vpon the ninth day of September: full both of honour and of age, when hee had reigned twenty yeeres, eight moneths and sixteene dayes; in the threescore and fourth yeere of his age.

So soone as he was dead, the chiefe men that were about him went to horse, and departed forthwith to their owne dwellings: to prouide for the safety of themselues, and of their families and estates. For all men were possessed with a marueilous feare, that some dangerous aduentures would ensue. The seruants and inferiour Officers also fled away; and to double the basenesse of their disposition, tooke with them whatsoeuer was portable about the king; his Armour, plate, apparell, household-stuffe, all things were held as lawfull bootie. Thus the dead body was not onely abandoned, but left almost naked vpon the ground: where it remained from prime vntil three of the clocke, neither guarded nor regarded by any man. In the meane time the Religious persons went in procession to the Church of S. _Geruase_, & there commended his soule to G.o.d. Then _William_ Archb. of _Roan_ commaunded, that his body should be caried to _Caen_, to be there buried in the Church of S. _Stephen_. But hee was so forsaken of all his followers, that there was not any found who would vndertake either the care or the charge. At the last _Herlwine_ a countrey Knight, vpon his owne cost, caused the body to be embalmed and adorned for funerall pompe: then conueyed it by coach to the mouth of the Riuer _Some_; and so partly by land, and partly by sea brought it to _Caen_.

Here the Abbot with the Couent of Monks came foorth with all accustomed ceremonies, to meet the corps: to whom the whole mult.i.tude of the Clergie and Lay-people did adioyne. But when they were in the middest of their sad solemnities, a fire brake out of a certaine house, and suddenly embraced a great part of the towne. Hereupon the Kings body was once againe abandoned; all the people running from it in a headlong haste; some to saue their goods, others to represse the rage of the flame, others (as the latest nouelty) to stand and looke on. In the end a few Moncks returned, and accompanied the Hea.r.s.e to the Abbey Church.

Afterward all the Bishops and Abbots of _Normandy_ a.s.sembled to solemnize the funerall. And when the diuine Office was ended, and the coffin of stone set into the earth, in the presbytorie, betweene the Quire and the Altar (but the body remained vpon the Herse) _Guislebert_ bishop of _Eureux_ made a long Sermon; wherein hee bestowed much breath in extolling the honourable actions of the King. In the end he concluded; That forsomuch as it was impossible for a man to liue, much lesse to gouerne, without offence; First, by reason of the mult.i.tude of a Princes affaires; Secondly, for that he must commit the managing of many things to the conscience and courtesie of others; Lastly, for that personall grieuances are many times beneficiall to the maine body of State; in which case, particular either losses or harmes, are more then manifoldly recompenced by the preseruation or quiet of the whole: If therefore any that were present did suppose they had receiued iniurie from the King, he desired that they would in charitie forgiue him.

When the Bishop had finished his speach, one _Anselme Fitz-Arthur_ stood vp amongst the mult.i.tude, and with a high voice said; _This ground whereupon wee stand, was sometimes the floore of my fathers house; which that man of whom you haue spoken, when he was Duke of Normandie, tooke violently from my father, and afterward founded thereon this Religious building. This iniustice hee did not by ignorance or ouersight; not vpon any necessitie of State; but to content his owne couetous desire. Now therefore I doe challenge this ground as my right; and doe here charge you, as you will answere it before the fearefull face of Almightie G.o.d, that the body of the spoiler be not couered with the earth of mine inheritance._

When the Bishops and n.o.ble men that were present heard this, and vnderstood by the testimony of many that it was true, they agreed to giue him three pounds presently for the ground that was broken for the place of burial; and for the residue which he claimed, they vndertooke he should be fully satisfied. This promise was performed in short time after, by _Henrie_ the Kings sonne, who onely was present at the Funerall; at whose appointment _Fitz-Arthur_ receiued for the price of the same ground one hundred pounds.

Now when the body was to be put into the earth, the sepulchre of stone which stood within the graue, was hewen somewhat too strait for his fat belly; whereupon they were constrained to presse it downe with much strength. By this violence, whether his bowels burst, or whether some excrements were forced out at their natural pa.s.sage, such an intolerable stinck proceeded from him, as neither the perfumes that smoaked in great abundance, nor any other meanes were able to qualifie. Wherefore the Priests hasted to finish their office, and the people departed in a sad silence; discoursing diuersly afterward of all these extraordinarie accidents.

A man would thinke that a sepulchre thus hardly attained, should not easily againe bee lost. But it happened otherwise to this vnquiet King; not destined to rest, either in his life or after his death. For in the yeere 1562. when _Chastilion_ tooke the Citie of _Caen_, with those broken troupes that escaped at the battaile of _Dreux_; certaine sauage Souldiers of diuers nations, led by foure dissolute Captaines, beate downe the Monument which King _William_ his sonne had built ouer him, and both curiously and richly adorned with gold & costly stones. Then they opened his Tombe, & not finding the treasure which they expected, they threw forth his bones with very great derision & despight. Many _English_ souldiers were then in the Towne, who were very curious to gather his bones; whereof some were afterwards brought into _England_.

Hereby the report is conuinced for vaine, that his body was found vncorrupt, more then foure hundred yeeres after it was buried. Hereby also it is found to be false, that his body was eight foote in length.

For neither were his bones proportionable to that stature, (as it is testified by those who saw them) and it is otherwise reported of him by som who liued in his time; namely, that he was of a good stature, yet not exceeding the ordinary proportion of men.

And this was the last end of all his fortunes, of all that was mortall in him besides his fame: whose life is too much extolled by the _Normans_, and no lesse extenuated by the _English_. Verely, he was a very great Prince: full of hope to vndertake great enterprises, full of courage to atchieue them: in most of his actions commendable, and excusable in all. And this was not the least piece of his Honour, that the Kings of _England_ which succeeded, did accompt their order onely from him: not in regard of his victorie in _England_, but generally in respect of his vertue and valour.

For his entrance was not by way of conquest but with pretence of t.i.tle to the Crowne: wherein he had both allowance and aide from diuers Christian Princes in Europe. He had also his partie within the Realme, by whose meanes he preuailed against the opposite faction, (as _Caesar_ did against _Pompey_) and not against the entire strength of the State.

Againe, hee did not settle himselfe in the chaire of Soueraignetie, as one that had reduced all things to the proud power and pleasure of a Conquerour, but as an vniuersall successor of former Kings, in all the rights and priuiledges which they did enioy. Hee was receiued for King by generall consent; He was crowned with all Ceremonies and Solemnities then in vse; Hee tooke an oath in the presence of the Clergie, the n.o.bilitie, and of much people, for defence of the Church, for moderate and carefull gouernement, and for vpright administration of iustice.

Lastly, during the whole course of his gouernement, the kingdome receiued no vniuersall change, no losse or diminution of honour. For, neither were the olde inhabitants expelled, as were the _Britaines_; neither was the kingdome either subiected or annexed to a greater: but rather it receiued encrease of honour, in that a lesse State was adioyned vnto it. The change of customes was not violent and at once, but by degrees, and with the silent approbation of the _English_; who haue alwaies been inclinable to accommodate themselues to the fas.h.i.+ons of _France_. The grieuances and oppressions were particular, and with some appearance either of iustice, or of necessitie for the common quiet; such as are not vnusuall in any gouernement moderately seuere. So the change was chiefly in the stemme and familie of the King: which whether it be wrought by one of the same nation (as it was in _France_ by _Pepine_ and _Capett_) or by a stranger, (as in the same Countrey by _Henry_ 5. and _Henry_ 6. Kings of _England_) it bringeth no disparagement in honour; it worketh no essentiall change. The State still remained the same, the solid bodie of the State remained still _English_: the comming in of many _Normans_, was but as Riuers falling into the Ocean; which change not the Ocean, but are confounded with the waters thereof.

This King had by his wife _Matild_, daughter to _Baldwine_ Earle of _Flanders_, foure sonnes; _Robert_, _Richard_, _William_ and _Henrie_: Hee had also fiue daughters; _Cicely_, _Constance_, _Adela_, _Margaret_ and _Elianor_.

_Robert_ his eldest sonne surnamed _Courtcuise_, by reason of the shortnesse of his thighs, succeeded him in the duchie of _Normandie_. He was a man of exceeding honourable courage and spirit, for which cause he was so esteemed by the Christian Princes in the great warre against the _Saracens_, that when they had subdued the Citie and territorie of _Hierusalem_, they offered the kingdome thereof first vnto him. Yet afterwards, either by the malice of his Fortune, or for that he was both suddaine and obstinate in his owne aduise (two great impediments that valour cannot thriue) he receiued many foiles of his enemies, which shall be declared in their proper place. Before the King made his descent into _England_, hee gaue the duchie of _Normandie_ vnto him: but whether he did this onely to testifie his confidence, or whether afterwards his purpose changed, being often demanded to performe this gift, he would neither deny nor accomplish his word, but enterposed many excuses and delayes; affirming that he was not so surely setled in _England_, but the duchie of _Normandie_ was necessary vnto him, both for supply for his seruices (which he found like _Hydraes_ heads to multiply by cutting off) and also for an a.s.sured place for retreit, in case hee should be ouercharged with extremities. Hereupon _Robert_ vnable to linger and pine in hopes, declared openly against him in armes. _Philip_ King of _France_ was ready to put fuell to the flame; who as he neuer fauoured in his owne iudgement the prosperous encreases of the King of _England_, so then he was vigilant to embrace all occasions, either to abate or limit the same. And thus _Robert_ both encouraged and enabled by the King of _France_, inuaded _Normandie_, and permitted his souldiers licentiously to wast; to satisfie those by spoile, which by pay he was not able to maintaine. At the last he encountred the King his father in a sharpe conflict, before the castle of _Gerberie_, wherein the King was vnhorsed and wounded in the arme; his second sonne _William_ was also hurt, and many of his souldiers slaine. And albeit _Robert_ so soone as he knew his father by his voyce, allighted forthwith, mounted him vpon his owne horse, and withdrew him out of the medley; yet did he cast vpon his sonne a cruell curse, which lay so heauie vpon him, that he neuer prospered afterward in any thing which hee vndertooke. And although after this he was reconciled to his father, and imployed by him in seruices of credit and weight, yet did the King often bewray of him an vnquiet conceit, often did he ominate euill vnto him: yea, a little before his death he openly gaue forth, _That it was a miserable Countrey which should be subiect to his dominion, for that he was a proud and foolish knaue, and to be long scourged by cruell Fortune_.

_Richard_ had erected the good expectation of many, as well by his comely countenance and behauiour, as by his liuely and generous spirit.

But he died yong by misaduenture, as he was hunting within the New-forrest, before he had made experiment of his worth. Some affirme that he was goared to death by the Deere of that Forrest, for whose walke his father had dispeopled that large compa.s.se of ground: others report, that as he rode in chase, hee was hanged vpon the bough of a tree by the chaps: others more probably doe write, that he perished by a fal from his horse. He was buried at _Winchester_ with this inscription: _Hic iacet Richardus filius Wilielmi senioris Berniae Dux_.

_William_ did succeed next to his father in the Kingdome of _England_.

To _Henry_, the King gaue at the time of his death fiue thousand pounds out of his treasure; but gaue him neither dignitie nor lands: foretelling, that hee should enioy the honour of both his brothers in time, and farre excel them both in dominion and power. Whether this was deuised vpon euent; or whether some doe prophesie at their death; or whether it was coniecturally spoken; or whether to giue contentment for the present; it fell out afterward to be true. For hee succeeded _William_ in the Kingdome of _England_, and wrested _Normandie_ out of the possession of _Robert_. Of these two I shall write more fully hereafter.

His daughter _Cicelie_ was Abbesse of _Caen_ in _Normandie_. _Constance_ was married to _Allen Fergant_ Earle of _Britaine_. _Adela_ was wife to _Stephen_ Earle of _Blois_, to whom she bare _Stephen_, who after the death of _Henry_ was King of _England_. _Margaret_ was promised in marriage to _Harold_; she died before hee attained the Kingdome, for which cause he held himselfe discharged of that oath which he had made to the Duke her father. _Elianor_ was betroathed to _Alphonso_ King of _Gallicia_; but she desired much to die a Virgine: for this she daily prayed, and this in the end she did obtaine. After her death her knees appeared brawnie and hard, with much kneeling at her deuotions.

a.s.suredly it will be hard to find in any one Familie, both greater Valour in sonnes, and more Vertue in daughters.

In the beginning of this Kings reigne, either no great accidents did fall, or else they were obscured with the greatnesse of the change: none are reported by the writers of that time.

In the fourth yeere of his reigne, _Lanfranke_ Abbot of _Caen_ in _Normandie_, but borne in _Pauie_, a Citie of _Lumbardie_, was made Archbishop of _Canterbury_: And _Thomas_ a _Norman_, and _Chanon_ of _Bayon_ was placed in the Sea of _Yorke_. Between these two a controuersie did arise at the time of their consecration, for prioritie in place: but this contention was quieted by the King, and _Thomas_ for the time subscribed obedience to the Archb. of _Canterbury_. After this they went to _Rome_ for their Palles, where the question for Primacie was againe renued, or as some affirme, first moued before Pope _Alexander_. The Pope vsed them both with honorable respect, and especially _Lanfrank_, to whom he gaue two Palles, one of honour, and the other of loue: but their controuersie he referred to be determined in _England_.

About two yeeres after it was brought before the King and the Clergie at _Windsore_. The Archbishop of _Yorke_ alleadged, that when the _Britaines_ receiued the Christian faith, in the time of _Lucius_ their King _Eleutherius_ then Bishop of _Rome_, sent _f.a.ga.n.u.s_ and _Damia.n.u.s_ vnto them, who ordeined 28. Bishops, and two Archbishops within the Realme, one of _London_, and the other of _Yorke_. Vnder these the Church of _Britaine_ was gouerned almost three hundred yeeres, vntill they were subdued by the _Saxons_. The _Saxons_ remained Infidels vntill _Gregorie_ Bishop of _Rome_ sent _Augustine_ vnto them. By his preaching _Ethelbert_ King of _Kent_ was first conuerted to the Christian faith: By reason whereof _Augustine_ was made Archbishop of _Douer_, by appointment of Pope _Gregorie_; who sent vnto him certaine Palles with his letter from _Rome_. By this letter it is euident, that _Gregorie_ intended to reduce the Church of the _Saxons_ to the same order wherein it was among the _Britaines_; namely, to be vnder twelue Bishops and two Archbishops; one of _London_ and the other of _Yorke_. Indeede he gaue to _Augustine_ during his life, authority and iurisdiction ouer all Bishops and Priests in _England_: but after his decease he ioyneth these two Metropolitanes in equall degree, to const.i.tute Bishops, to ouersee the Church, to consult and dispose of such things as appertaine to the gouernement thereof, as in former times among the _Britaines_. Betweene these he put no distinction in honour, but only as they were in prioritie of time: and as he appointeth _London_ to be consecrated by no Bishop, but of his own Synod, so he expresseth, that the Bishop of _Yorke_ should not bee subiect to the Bishop of _London_. And albeit _Augustine_ for the reason before mentioned, translated the Sea from _London_ to _Douer_, yet if _Gregorie_ had intended to giue the same authoritie to the successours of _Augustine_ which hee gaue vnto him, he would haue expressed it in his Epistle: but in that he maketh no mention of his successours, he concludeth, or rather excludeth them by his silence.

The Archbishop of _Canterbury_ alleaged, that from the time of _Augustine_, vntill the time of _Bede_, (which was about 140. yeeres) the Bishops of _Canterburie_ (which in ancient time (said he) was called _Douer_) had the Primacie ouer the whole land of _Britaine_, and _Ireland_; that they did call the Bishops of _Yorke_ to their Councels, which diuers times they kept within the Prouince of _Yorke_; that some Bishops of _Yorke_ they did const.i.tute, some excommunicate, and some remoue. He alleaged also diuers priuiledges granted by Princes for the Primacie of that Sea; diuers graunted from the Apostolike Sea to confirme this dignitie in the successours of _Augustine_: that it is reason to receiue directions of well liuing, from whence we first receiued directions of right beleeuing; & therfore as the Bishop of _Canterbury_ was subiect to the Bishop of _Rome_, because hee had his faith from thence; for the very same cause the Bishop of _Yorke_ should be in subiection to the Bishop of _Canterbury_: that like as the Lord said that to all the Bishops of _Rome_, which hee said to S. Peter; so that which _Gregorie_ said to _Augustine_, hee said likewise to all his successours. And whereas much is spoken of the Bishop of _London_, what is that to the Archbishop of _Canterbury_? For, neither is it certaine that _Augustine_ was euer resident at _London_, neither that _Gregorie_ appointed him so to be.

In the end it was decreed, That _Yorke_ for that time should be subiect to _Canterburie_; that wheresoeuer within _England_ the Archbishop of _Canterburie_ should hold his Councell, the Archbishop of _Yorke_ should come vnto it, with the Bishops of his Prouince, and be obedient to his decrees: that when the Archbishop of _Canterburie_ should decease, the Archbishop of _Yorke_ should goe to _Canterburie_, to consecrate him that should succeed: that if the Archbishop of _Yorke_ should decease, his successour should goe to _Canterbury_, or to such place as the Archbishop of _Canterburie_ should appoint, there to receiue his Consecration, making first his oath of Canonicall obedience. And thus was the contention for this first time taken vp; but in succeeding times it was often renued, and much busied the Clergie of the Realme.

In the ninth yeere of the reigne of King _William_ a Councell was holden at _London_, where another matter of like qualitie and nature was decreed: namely, that Bishops should translate their Sees from villages to Cities; whereupon in short time after, Bishops Sees were remoued, from _Selese_ to _Chichester_, from _Cornewall_ to _Exeter_, from _Wells_ to _Bath_, from _s.h.i.+rbourne_ to _Salisburie_, from _Dorcester_ to _Lincolne_, from _Lichfield_ to _Chester_, and from thence againe to _Couentree_. And albeit the Archbishop of _Yorke_ did oppose against the erecting of a Cathedrall Church in _Lincolne_, because he challenged that Citie to be of his Prouince; yet _Remigius_ Bishop of _Dorchester_, being strong both in resolution and in friends, did prosecute his purpose to effect. Not long before the Bishop.r.i.c.ke of _Lindafferne_ otherwise called _Holy land_, vpon the riuer _Tweed_, had bene translated to _Durhame_.

In the tenth yeere of his reigne the cold of Winter was exceeding memorable, both for sharpenesse and for continuance: For the earth remained hard frozen from the beginning of Nouember, vntill the middest of April then ensuing.

In the 15. yere a great earthquake happened in the month of April; strange for the strong trembling of the earth, but more strange for the dolefull and hideous roaring which it yeelded foorth.

In the 20. yeere there fell such abundance of raine, that the Riuers did greatly ouerflow in all parts of the Realme. The springs also rising plentifully in diuers hils, so softned and decaied the foundations of them, that they fell downe, whereby some villages were ouerthrowne. By this distemperature of weather much cattel perished, much corne vpon the ground was either destroyed, or greatly empaired. Herehence ensued, first a famine, and afterwards a miserable mortalitie of men.

And that all the Elements might seeme to haue conspired the calamity of the Realme, the same yeere most of the princ.i.p.all Cities in _England_ were lamentably deformed with fire. At _London_ a fire began at the entry of the West gate, which apprehending certaine shops and Ware-houses, wherein was Merchandise apt to burne, it was at once begun and suddenly at the highest. Then being caried with a strong wind; and the Citie apt to maintaine the flame, as well by reason of the crooked and narrow streets, as for that the buildings at that time had open and wide windowes, and were couered with base matter fit to take fire, the mischiefe spread more swiftly then the remedies could follow. So it raged vntill it came to the East gate, prostrated houses and Churches all the way, being the most grieuous that euer as yet hath happened to that Citie. The Church of S. _Paul_ was at that time fired; Whereupon _Maurice_ then Bishop of _London_, began the foundation of the new Church of S. _Paul_. A worke so admirable, that many did iudge, it would neuer haue bene finished; yet all might easily esteeme thereby his magnanimitie, his high erected hopes, his generous loue and honour to Religion. The King gaue towards the building of the East end of this Church, the choise stones of his Castle at the West end of the Citie, vpon the bancke of the Riuer Thames; which Castle at the same time was also fired: in place whereof _Edward Killwarby_ Archbishop of _Canterburie_ did afterwards found a Monasterie of blacke Friers. The King also gaue the Castle of _Storford_, and all the lands which thereto belonged, to the same _Maurice_, and to his successours in that See. And doubtlesse nothing more then either parcimonious or prophane expending the Treasures of the Church, hath since those times much dried vp those fountaines which first did fill them.

After the death of _Maurice_, _Richard_ his next Successour, as well in vertue as in dignitie, bestowed all the Rents rising out of this Bishop.r.i.c.ke, to aduance the building of this Church; maintaining himselfe by his Patrimonie and friendes: and yet all which hee could doe, made no great shewe: so that the finis.h.i.+ng of this worke was left to many other succeeding Bishops. Hee purchased the ground about the Church whereupon many buildings did stand, and inclosed the same with a strong wall of stone for a place of buriall. It seemeth that this wall was afterwards either battered and torne in some ciuill warres, or else by negligence suffered to decay: for that a graunt was made by King _Edward_ the second, that the Church-yard of Saint _Pauls_ should bee enclosed with a wall, because of the robberies and murthers that were there committed. Many parts of this wall remaine at this time, on both sides of the Church, but couered for the most part with dwelling houses.

The same yeere in Whitsun-weeke, the King honoured his sonne _Henrie_ with the order of Knighthood. What Ceremonies the King then vsed it is not certainly knowen: but before his time the custome among the _Saxons_ was thus. First, hee who should receiue the order of Knighthood, confessed himselfe in the euening to a Priest. Then hee continued all that night in the Church, watching and applying himselfe to his priuate deuotions. The next morning he heard Ma.s.se, and offered his sword vpon the Altar. After the Gospel was read, the sword was hallowed, and with a benediction put about his necke. Lastly, he communicated the mysteries of the blessed body of Christ, and from that time remained a lawfull Souldier or Knight. This custome of Consecrating Knights the _Normans_ did not onely abrogate, but abhorre; not for any euill that was therein, but because it was not altogether their owne.

This yeere in a Prouince of _Wales_ called _Rosse_, the Sepulchre of _Wawyn_, otherwise called _Gawen_, was found vpon the Sea sh.o.r.e. Hee was sisters sonne to _Arthur_ the great King of the _Britaines_; a man famous in our _Britaine_ Histories, both for ciuill courtesie, and for courage in the field. I cannot but esteeme the report for fabulous, that his bodie was fourteene foote in length. I doe rather coniecture that one credulous writer did take that for the length of his body, which happily might bee the length of his tombe.

It is constantly affirmed that the ground whereon the _English_ and the _Normans_ did combate, doth shew after euery raine manifest markes of blood vpon the gra.s.se: which if it was not a proprietie of the soyle before, it is hard now to a.s.signe, either from what naturall cause it doth proceede, or what it should supernaturally portend.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

K. WILLIAM

THE SECOND,

sirnamed RVFVS.