The Lives of the III Normans, Kings of England Part 6

The same yeere a strange and great earthquake happened throughout all the Realme; after which ensued a great scarcitie of fruit, and a late haruest of corne, so as much graine was not fully ripe at the end of Nouember.

In the fourth yere of the reigne of this King, a strong stroke of lightning made a hole in the Abbey steeple at _Winchels...o...b.._, neere to the top; rent one of the beames of the Church, brake one of the legges of the Crucifixe, cast downe the head thereof, together with the Image of the Virgine _Marie_ that was placed by it: Herewith a thicke smoke darkened the Church, and breathed foorth a marueilous stincke, which annoyed the Church a long time after. In the same yeere a mightie winde from the Southwest did prostrate 606. houses in _London_: And breaking into the Church of S. _Mary Bow_ in Cheape, slew two men with some part of the ruines which it made, raised the roofe of the Church, and carried many of the beames on such a height, that in the fall six of them, being 27. or 28. foot in length, were driuen so deepe into the ground (the streets not then paued with stone) that not aboue 4. foote remained in sight: and so they stood, in such order and rancke as the workemen had placed them vpon the Church. The parts vnder the earth were neuer raised, but so much was cut away as did appeare aboue the ground; because it was an impediment for pa.s.sage. The Tower of _London_ at the same time was also broken, and much other harme done.

The next yeere _Osmund_ Bishop of _Salisbury_ finished the Cathedrall Church of old _Salisburie_; and the fifth day after the Consecration, the steeple thereof was fired with lightning.

The yeere following much raine fell, and so great frosts ensued, that riuers were pa.s.sable with loaden carts.

The yeere next ensuing was exceeding remarkeable both for the number and fas.h.i.+on of gliding Starres, which seemed to dash together in maner of a conflict.

About this time Pope _Vrbane_ a.s.sembled a Councell at _Cleremont_ in _Auergne_, wherein hee exhorted Christian Princes to ioyne in action for recouery of _Palestine_, commonly called _The Holy Land_, out of the seruile possession of the _Saracenes_. This motion was first set on foote, and afterwards pursued by _Peter_ the Heremite of _Amiens_; which falling in an age both actiue and Religious, was so generally embraced, as it drew 300000. men to a.s.semble together from diuers Countreys; and that with such sober and harmlesse behauiour, that they seemed rather Pilgrimes then Souldiers. Among others, _Robert_ Duke of _Normandie_ addressed himselfe to this Voyage; and to furnish his expenses therein, he layed his Duchie of _Normandie_ to gage to his brother of _England_ for 6666. li. or as other Authors report, for 13600. pounds of Siluer.

This money was taken vp part by imposition, and part by loane, of the most wealthy inhabitants within the Realme: But especially the charge was layd vpon religious persons, for that it was to furnish a religious warre. When many Bishops and Abbots complained, that they were not able to satisfie such summes of money as the King demanded of them, vnles they should sel the Chalices & siluer vessels which pertained to their Churches. Nay answered the King, you may better make meanes with the siluer and gold which vainely you haue wrapped about dead mens bones; meaning thereby their rich Relickes and Shrines.

The yeare following a blasing starre appeared, for the s.p.a.ce of fifteene dayes together; the greatest bush whereof pointed towards the East, and the lesser towards the West. Gliding starres were often seene, which seemed to dart one against another. The people began (as to mindes fearefull all fancies seeme both weightie and true) to make hard constructions of these vnusuall sights; supposing that the heauens did threaten them, not accustomed to shew it selfe so disposed, but towards some variation.

In the 13. yeere of his reigne, the Sea surmounted his vsuall bounds, in diuers parts of _England_ and _Scotland_: whereby not only fields, but many villages, castles, and townes were ouerflowen, and some ouerturned, and some ouerwhelmed with sand; much people, and almost innumerable cattel was destroyed. At the same time certaine lands in _Kent_, which did once belong to _G.o.dwine_ Earle of _Kent_, were ouerflowed and couered with sand, which to this day do beare the name of _G.o.dwins_ sands. Thunders were more frequent & terrible then had been vsuall; through violence whereof diuers persons were slaine. Many feareful formes and apparitions are reported to haue bin seene; whether errours, or inuentions, or truethes, I will not aduow. The heauens often seemed to flame with fire. At _Finchamsted_[75] in _Barkes.h.i.+re_ neere vnto _Abington_, a spring cast vp a liquor for the s.p.a.ce of fifteene dayes, in substance and colour like vnto blood; which did taint and infect the next water brooke whereinto it did runne. The King was often terrified in his sleepe with vncouth, ougly, vnquiet dreames: and many fearefull visions of others were oftentimes reported vnto him. At the same time hee held in his handes three Bishop.r.i.c.kes, _Canterburie_, _Winchester_, and _Salisburie_; and twelue Abbeys.

The same yeere vpon the second of August, a little before the falling of the Sunne, as the King was hunting within the newe forrest, at a place called _Choringham_ (where since a Chappell hath beene erected) hee strooke a Deere lightly with an arrow. The Deere ranne away, and the King stayed his horse to looke after it; holding his hand ouer his eyes, because the beames of the Sunne (which then drew somewhat lowe) much dazeled his sight. Herewith another Deere crossed the way; whereat a certaine Knight, named Sir _Walter Tirrell_, aimed with an arrow: and loosing his bowe, either too carelessly at the Deere, or too steadily at the King, strooke him therewith full vpon the brest. The King hauing so receiued the wound, gaue foorth a heauie groane, and presently fell downe dead; neither by speach nor motion expressing any token of life.

Onely so much of the arrowe as was without his bodie was found broken; whether with his hand, or by his fall, it is not certainely knowen. The men that were neere vnto him (especially Sir _Walter Tirrell_) galloped away; some for astonishment, others for feare. But a fewe collecting themselues returned againe, and layd his bodie vpon a Colliers Cart, which by aduenture pa.s.sed that way; wherin it was drawen by one leane euill-fauoured, base beast, to the Citie of _Winchester_; bleeding abundantly all the way, by reason of the rude iogging of the Carte. The day following hee was buried, without any funerall pompe, with no more then ordinarie solemnities, in the Cathedrall Church or Monasterie of Saint _Swithen_; vnder a plaine flat marble stone, before the Lectorne in the Quire. But afterwards his bones were translated, and layd by King _Canutus_ bones.

Most writers doe interprete this extraordinarie accident to bee a iudgement of G.o.d, for the extraordinarie loose behauiour of the King, But it may rather seeme a iudgement of G.o.d, that King _William_ the first, who threw downe Churches, and dispeopled Villages and Townes; who banished both the seruice of G.o.d, and societie of men, to make a vaste habitation for sauage beasts, had two sonnes slaine vpon that place. It may also seeme a iudgement of G.o.d, that King _William_ the second, who so greatly fauoured beastes of game, that he ordeined the same penaltie for killing of a deere, as for killing of a man; should as a beast, and for a beast, and among beasts be slaine. And thus G.o.d doth often punish vs by our greatest pleasures; if they be either vnlawfull, or immoderately affected; whereby good things become vnlawfull.

Hee died in the princ.i.p.all strength, both of his age, and of his distastfull actions; wherein hee had bene much carried by the hoate humour of his courage and youth; his iudgement not then raised to that stayednesse and strength,[76] whereto yeeres and experience in short time would haue brought it. Hee reigned in great varietie of opinion with his Subiects (some applauding his vertues, others aggrauating his vices) twelue yeeres, eleuen moneths wanting eight dayes: and was at his death fourtie and three yeeres old. At this time he presumed most highly, and promised greatest matters to himselfe, hee proiected also many difficult aduentures, if his life had continued the naturall course; wherein his hopes were nothing inferiour to his desires.

Hee gaue to the Monckes of _Charitie_ in _Southwarke_ his Mannour of _Bermondsey_, and built for them the great new Church of Saint _Sauiour_. Also of an old Monasterie in the Citie of _Yorke_, he founded an Hospitall for the sustentation of poore persons and dedicated it to S. _Peter_. This Hospitall was afterward augmented by King _Stephen_, and by him dedicated to S. _Leonard_.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

KING HENRY

THE FIRST,

_Sirnamed_

BEAVCLERKE.

Robert Duke of _Normandie_, the eldest brother to King _William_ the second, was in _Palestina_ when King _William_ was slaine; being one of the princ.i.p.al leaders in that Heroical warre, which diuers Christian Princes of _Europe_ set vp, to recouer _Hierusalem_ out of the power and possession of the _Saracens_. In this expedition hee purchased so honourable reputation, for skill, industrie, and valour of hand, that when the Christian forces had surprised _Hierusalem_, and diuers other Cities in those quarters, the kingdome thereof was offered vnto him.

But the Duke, whether he coniectured the difficulties of that warre, for that the enemie was both at hand, and vnder one command, but the Armie of the Christians was to be supplied from farre, and also consisted of many Confederats; In which case albeit sometimes men performe well at the first, yet in short time inconueniences encreasing, they alwayes either dissipate and dissolue, or else fall into confusion.

Or whether he heard of the death of his brother, to whose Kingdome he pretended right; as well by prerogatiue of blood, as by expresse couenant betweene them confirmed by oath; refused the offer, which was the last period of all his honour, and in short time after tooke his iourney from _Palestine_ towards _France_.

But _Henry_ the Kings yonger brother, apprehending the opportunitie of the Dukes absence, did foorthwith seaze vpon the treasure of the King, and thereby also vpon his State, and so was crowned at _Westminster_ vpon the second day of August, in the yeere 1100. by _Maurice_ Bishop of _London_; because _Anselme_ Archb. of _Canterburie_ was then in exile.

This enterprise was much aduanced by the authoritie and industrie of _Henry Newborow_ Earle of _Warwicke_, who appeased all opposition that was made against it. The people also, albeit they had bene managed so tame, as easily to yeeld their backe to the first sitter; yet to _Henry_ they expressed a p.r.o.ne inclination, for that hee was borne in _England_, at a place called _Selby_ in _Lincolnes.h.i.+re_, since his father was crowned King: whereas Duke _Robert_ his brother was borne before his father attained the kingdome.

This serued Prince _Henry_ not onely to knit vnto him the affections of the people, but also to forme a t.i.tle to the Crowne. For it hath bin a question often debated, both by Arguments and by Armes, and by both trials diuersly decided; when a king hath two sonnes, one borne before he was King, and the other after, whether of them hath right to succeed?

_Herodotus_ writeth, That when _Darius_[77] the sonne of _Hysdaspis_ King of _Persia_ made preparation for warre against the _Graecians_ and _Egyptians_, he first went about to settle his succession: because by the Lawes of _Persia_, the King might not enter into enterprise of Armes, before he had declared his successour. Now _Darius_ had three children before he was King, by his first wife the daughter of _Gobris_.

After he was King he had other foure, by _Atossa_ the daughter of _Cyrus_. _Artabazanes_, or (as other terme him) _Arthemenes_ was eldest of the first sort; _Xerxes_ of the second. _Artabazanes_ alleaged that he was the eldest of all the Kings sonnes, and that it was a custome among all nations, That in princ.i.p.alities the eldest should succeed.

_Xerxes_ alleaged, that he was begotten of _Atossa_ the daughter of _Cyrus_, by whose valour the _Persians_ had obteined their Empire.

Before _Darius_ had giuen sentence, _Demaratus_ the sonne of _Aristo_, cast out of his kingdome of _Sparta_ and then liuing an exile in _Persia_, came vnto _Xerxes_, and aduised him further to alleage, that he was the eldest sonne of _Darius_ after hee was King; And that it was the custome of _Sparta_, that if a man had a sonne in priuate state, and afterwards another when he was King, this last sonne should succeed in his kingdome. Vpon this ground _Artabazanes_ was reiected, and _Darius_ gaue iudgement for _Xerxes_. This history is likewise reported by _Iustine_,[78] and touched also by _Plutarch_: although they disagree in names, and some other points of circ.u.mstance.

So when _Herode_ King of _Iudea_ appointed _Antipater_ his eldest sonne, but borne to him in priuate state, to succeed in his Royaltie, and excluded _Alexander_ and _Aristobulus_ his yonger sonnes, whom he had begot of _Mariamne_, after he had obteined his kingdome; _Iosephus_[79] plainly reprehendeth the fact, and condemneth the iudgement of _Herode_ for partiall and vniust. So _Lewes_ borne after his father was Duke of _Milane_,[80] was preferred in succession before his brother _Galeace_, who was borne before. And so when _Otho_ the first was elected Emperour, his yonger brother _Henry_ pretended against him; for that _Otho_[81] was borne before their father was Emperour, and _Henry_ after. In which quarrell _Henry_ was aided by _Euerharde_ Earle Palatine, and _Giselbert_ Duke of _Lorreine_, with diuers other Princes of _Almaine_: But when the cause came to be canuased by the sword, the victorie adiudged the Empire to _Otho_.

Furthermore, this right of t.i.tle seemeth to be confirmed by many grounds of the Imperial Law. As[82] that sonnes borne after their father is aduanced to a dignitie, doe hold certaine priuiledges, which sonnes formerly borne doe not enioy. That[83] those children which are borne after a person is freed from any infamous or seruile condition, doe partic.i.p.ate onely of that libertie, and not they who were borne before.

That if a man taketh a wife in the Prouince wherein he holdeth office, the marriage is good, if after the time his Office shall expire, they continue in the same consent[84]: but so that the children borne before, shall not be thereby helde for legitimate. That[85] those children which are borne after their father is honoured with the t.i.tle of _Clarissimus_, do enioy the rights due vnto that degree of dignitie, and not they who were borne before. That as a sonne borne after the father hath lost his kingdome, is not esteemed for the sonne of a King[86]: so neither hee that is borne before the father be a King[87].

And although these and diuers like pa.s.sages of Law commonly alleadged, doe seeme little or nothing pertinent to this purpose; for that they concern not any vniuersall right of inheritance, which is due vnto children after the death of their parents; but certaine particular priuiledges and rights attributed vnto them whilest their parents were in life, which for the most part are arbitrarie and mutable, as depending vpon the pleasure of the Prince: Yet many Interpreters of both Lawes haue bene drawen by these reasons to subscribe their iudgements for this kind of t.i.tle: and namely _Pet. Cynus_, _Baldus_, _Albericus_[88], _Iac. Rebuffus_, _& Luc. Penna_[89]. Also _Panormitane_[90], _Collect._[91], _Dynus_[92], _Franc. Cremen._[93], _Marti. Laud._[94], _Card. Alexander_[95], _Phil. Decius_[96], _Alceat_[97], _Bon. Curti._[98]. And lastly, _Anton. Corsetta_[99], deliuereth it for a common receiued and followed opinion. Which must be vnderstood with this distinction, if the kingdome be either newly erected, or else newly acquired by Conquest, Election, or any such t.i.tle, other then by hereditarie succession according to proximitie in blood. For if the kingdome bee once seded in a certaine course of succession, because the dignitie is inherent in the blood of that stocke; because it is not taken from the father but from the ancestors; because it is not taken onely from the ancestors, but from the fundamentall law of the State; the eldest sonne shall indistinctly succeede, although hee were borne before his father was King[100]. And therefore after the kingdome of _Persia_ had been caried by succession in some descents, when _Darius_ the King had foure sonnes, _Artaxerxes_ the eldest, _Cyrus_ the next, and two others; _Parysates_ the wife of _Darius_ hauing a desire that _Cyrus_ should succeede in the kingdome, alleaged in his behalfe the same reason wherewith _Xerxes_ had preuailed before: to wit, that shee had brought foorth _Artaxerxes_ to _Darius_, when hee was in priuate state; but _Cyrus_ was borne to him when he was a King. Yet _Plutarch_[101] affirmeth, that the reason which she vsed was nothing probable, and that _Artaxerxes_ the eldest sonne was appointed to be King. And so _Blondus_[102] and _Ritius_ doe report, that _Bela_ the King of _Hungarie_ being dead, _Geysa_ succeeded, although borne vnto him before he was a King.

Others inferiour in number, but not in weight of Iudgement do affirme, that whether a Kingdome be setled in succession, or whether by any other t.i.tle newly attained, the right to succeed by all true grounds of law pertaineth to the eldest sonne; albeit borne before his fathers aduancement to the kingdome, in case there be no expresse law of the state to the contrary. The princ.i.p.all reason is, because this is the nature of all successions by way of inheritance: For, if a father purchaseth lands, leases, cattell, or other goods, the inheritance shall bee transmitted to his eldest sonne, although borne before the purchase.

Likewise if a father be aduanced to any t.i.tle of honour, as Duke, Earle, Marquesse, &c. it was neuer, I will not say denied, but once doubted, but that the eldest sonne should succeede in the same, albeit he was borne before the aduancement. And therefore seeing this is the generall rule of all other inheritable successions, and there is no reason of singularitie in a kingdome; it followeth, that in like case the succession of a kingdome should also descend to the eldest sonne, although borne before the kingdome were atchieued.

Againe, the sonne who was borne before his father was a King, had once a right to succeede in the kingdome; for if another sonne had not afterwards beene borne, without all question hee should haue succeeded.

But a right which a man by his owne person hath acquired; albeit in some cases it may be diminished, yet can it not bee altogether extinguished by any externall or casuall euent, which hath no dependencie vpon himselfe. And so the right which the eldest sonne hath to his fathers inheritance, may bee diminished by the birth of other children, in regard of those goods which are to bee distributed in parts among them; but it cannot possibly be extinguished. Neither can it bee diminished in those things which are not of nature to bee either valued or diuided (of which sort a Kingdome is the chiefe) but doe pa.s.se entirely vnto one.

For the right of blood which onely is regarded in lawfull successions, is acquired and held from the natiuitie of the childe, and doth not begin at the fathers death; at which time the inheritance doth fall.

Lastly, if it be true in sonnes, that he shal succeede in a kingdome who is first borne, after the father is exalted to bee a King; then is it true also in other remote degrees of consanguinitie. And hereby it should often happen, that when a King dieth without issue of his body, they who are not onely inferiour in age, but more remote in degree, should exclude both the elder and the neerer in blood; because perhaps borne after the kingdome was attained: which is against all lawes of lawfull succession.

Howsoeuer the right standeth, _Henry_ the yonger brother to King _William Rufus_, vpon aduantage of the absence of Duke _Robert_ his eldest brother, formed this t.i.tle to the Crowne of _England_. In which pretence he was strongly supported, first by a generall inclination of the common people, for that he had both his birth and education within the Realme, and they were well perswaded of his good nature and disposition. Secondly, by the fauour and trauaile of many of the n.o.bilitie, especially of _Henry Neuborow_ Earle of _Warwicke_. Thirdly, (for that the sailes of popular fauours are filled most violently with reports) by his giuing forth, that his brother _Robert_ intended neuer to returne; for that he was elected King of _Hierusalem_, and of all those large Countreys in _Asia_, which the Christians had lately wrung out of the _Saracens_ hands. Lastly, by vsing celeritie the very life of actions; for he was Crowned at _Westminster_ (as it hath bene said) vpon the fifth day of August, in the yeere 1100. which was the third day after his brothers death.

In person he was both stately and strong; tall, broad brested, his limmes fairely fourmed, well knit, and fully furnished with flesh. He was exceeding both comely and manly in countenance, his face wel fas.h.i.+oned, his colour cleere, his eyes liuely and faire, his eye-browes large and thicke, his haire blacke and somewhat thinne towards his forehead. He was of an excellent wit, free from ostentation; his thoughts high, yet honourable and iust: in speach ready and eloquent, much graced with sweetnesse of voyce. In priuate he was affable, open, wittily pleasant, and very full of merrie simplicitie: in publicke he looked with a graue Maiestie, as finding in himselfe cause to be honoured. He was brought vp in the studie of Liberall Arts at _Cambridge_, where he attained that measure of knowledge, which was sufficient both for ornament and vse; but ranne not into intemperate excesse, either for ostentation, or for a cloake to vnprofitable expense of time. By his example the yong n.o.bilitie of the Realme began to affect a praise for learning: Insomuch as, at a certaine enteruiew betweene the King and Pope _Innocent_ the 2. the sonnes of _Robert_ Earle of _Mellent_, maintained open disputations against diuers Cardinals and Chapleines of the Pope.

He was an exact esteemer of himselfe, not so much for his strength as for his weakenesses: lesse inclined to confidence then to distrust; and yet in weighty affaires resolute and firme; neuer dismaied, and alwayes fortunate; his spirits being of force to oppose against any sort of difficulties or doubts. Extremities made him the more a.s.sured; and like a well knit Arch, hee then lay most strong when hee sustained the greatest weight. Hee was no more disposed to valour, then well setled in vertue and goodnes; which made his valour of more precious valuation. He had good command ouer his pa.s.sions; and thereby attained both peace within himselfe, and victory ouer others. In giuing hee was moderate, but bountifull in recompence; his countenance enlarging the worth of his gift. Hee was p.r.o.ne to relieue, euen where there was least likelihood of requitall. He hated flatterie, the poysoned sugar, the counterfeit ciuilitie and loue, the most base brokery of wordes: yet was no musicke so pleasing vnto him as well deserued thankes. He was vigilant and industrious in his affaires; knowing right well that honour not onely hath a paineful and dangerous birth, but must in like manner be nourished and fed.

He was somewhat immoderate and excessiue, as well in aduancing those he fauoured, as in beating downe and disabling his enemies. The sword was alwayes the last of his trials; so as he neuer either sought or apprehended occasions of warre, where with honour he could reteine peace. But if it were iniuriously vrged, he wanted neither wisedome, nor diligence, nor magnanimous heart to encounter the danger; to beare it ouer with courage and successe. He was frugall of the blood and slaughter of his Souldiers; neuer aduenturing both his honour & their liues to the hazard of the sword, without either necessitie or aduantage. He oftentimes preuailed against his enemies more by policie then by power; and for victories thus attained, he attributed to himselfe the greatest glory. For wisedome is most proper to man, but force is common and most eminent in beasts; by wisedome the honour was entire to himselfe, by force it was partic.i.p.ated to inferiour Commanders, to euery priuate ordinarie Souldier: the effects of force, are heauie, hideous, and sometimes inhumane; but the same wrought to euent by wisedome, is, as lesse odious, so more a.s.sured and firme.

After that he was mounted into the seate of Maiestie, hee neglected no meanes to settle himselfe most surely therin, against the returne of his brother _Robert_. To this end he contracted both amitie and alliance with _Edgar_ King of _Scots_, by taking his sister _Matild_ to wife: by which meanes he not onely remoued his hostilitie, but stood a.s.sured of his a.s.sistance, in case his occasions should so require. Shee was daughter to _Malcolme_ King of _Scots_, by _Margaret_ his wife; who was sister to _Edgar_ surnamed _Adeling_, and daughter to _Edward_, sonne to _Edmund Ironside_, the most valiant Saxon King, the scourge and terrour of the _Danes_. So as after the death of _Adeling_ who left no issue, this _Matild_ was next by discent from the Saxon Kings to the inheritance of the Crowne of _England_: and by her entermariage with King _Henry_, the two families of _Normans_ and _Saxons_ were vnited together both in blood and t.i.tle to the Crowne. This more then any other respect made the whole nation of the _English_ not onely firme to King _Henrie_, against his brother, but loyall and peaceable during all his reigne: for that they saw the blood of their _Saxon_ Kings restored again to the possession of the Crowne.

Shee was a Lady vertuous, religious, beautifull and wise: farre from the ordinary either vices or weakenesses incident to her s.e.xe. She had been brought vp among the Nunnes of _Winchester_, and _Rumsey_, whether professed or onely veiled our writers doe diuersly report; but most affirme that shee was professed. Yet for the common good, for the publique peace and tranquilitie of the State, shee abandoned her deuoted life, and was ioyned to King _Henrie_ in mariage, by consent of _Anselme_, without any dispensation from _Rome_. Of this _Matild_ the King begate _William_ a sonne, who perished by s.h.i.+pwracke; and _Matild_ a daughter, first married to _Henry_ the fifth Emperour, by whom she had no issue; afterward to _Geoffrey Plantagenet_ Earle of _Aniou_, by whom shee brought foorth a sonne named _Henrie_, in whom the blood of the Saxon Kings was aduanced againe to the gouernment of this Realme.

Now to purchase the fauour of the Clergie, he called _Anselme_ out of exile, and restored him both to the dignitie and reuenues of the Sea of _Canterbury_. Other Bishop.r.i.c.kes and Abbeys which King _William_ kept voide at the time of his death, hee furnished with men of best sufficiencie and reputation. Hee committed _Radulph_ Bishop of _Durham_ to prison, who had been both authour and agent to King _William_ in most of his distastfull actions against the Clergie. This _Radulph_ was a man of smooth vse of speach, wittie onely in deuising, or speaking, or doing euill: but to honestie and vertue his heart was a lumpe of lead. Enuious aboue all measure; nothing was so grieuous to his eyes as the prosperitie, nothing so harsh to his eares as the commendations of others. His tongue alwayes slauish to the Princes desires; not regarding how truely or faithfully, but how pleasingly he did aduise. Thus as a princ.i.p.all infamie of that age, hee liued without loue, and died without pitie; sauing of those who thought it pitie that he liued so long.

Further, to make the Clergie the more a.s.sured, the King renounced the right which his Ancesters vsed in giuing Inuest.i.tures; and acknowledged the same to appertaine to the Pope. This hee yeelded at his first entrance, partly not knowing of what importance it was, and partly being in necessitie to promise any thing. But afterwards he resumed that right againe; albeit in a Councell not long before held at _Rome_, the contrary had bene decreed. For hee inuested _William Gifford_ into the Bishop.r.i.c.ke of _Winchester_, and all the possessions belonging to the same. He gaue the Archbishop.r.i.c.ke of _Canterburie_ to _Radulph_ Bishop of _London_, and inuested him therein by a Ring and a staffe: he inuested also two of his Chapleins at _Westminster_; _Roger_ his Chanceller in the Bishop.r.i.c.ke of _Salisburie_, and _Roger_ his Larderer in the Bishop.r.i.c.ke of _Hereford_. Further he a.s.sumed the custome of his father and brother, in taking the reuenues of Bishop.r.i.c.ks whilest they remained void: and for that cause did many times keepe them a longer season vacant in his hands, then many of the Clergie could with patience endure.

But especially the Clergie did fauour him much, by reason of his liberall leaue either to erect, or to enlarge, or else to enrich Religious buildings. For to these workes the King was so ready to giue, not onely way, but encouragement and helpe, that in no Princes time they did more within this Realme either flourish or increase. And namely the house of S. _Iohn_ of _Hierusalem_ was then founded neere _Smithfield_ in London, with the house of Nunnes by _Clerken-well_. Then were also founded the Church of _Theukesburie_, with all Offices thereto belonging: the Priorie and Hospitall of S. _Bartholomewes_ in _Smithfield_, the Church of S. _Giles_ without _Creeplegate_; the Colledge of Seculare Canons in the castle of _Leicester_; the Abbey without the Northgate of the same towne called S. _Mary de prato_. Also the Monasterie of S. _Iohn_ of _Lanthonie_ by _Glocester_; the Church of _Dunmow_ in _Ess.e.x_; the Monasterie of S. _Iohn_ at _Colchester_, which was the first house of _Augustine_ Chanons in _England_: the Church of S. _Mary Oueries_ furnished with Chanons in _Southwarke_; the Priory of the holy Trinity now called _Christs Church_ within _Algate_; and the Hospitall of S. _Giles_ in the field: The Priorie of _Kenelworth_; The Abbey of _Kenshame_; The Monasterie of _Plimpton_ in _Deuons.h.i.+re_; with the Cathedrall Church of _Exceter_; the Priorie of _Merton_; the Colledge of _Warwicke_; the Hospitall of _Kepar_; the Priorie of _Osney_ neere _Oxeford_; the Hospital of S. _Crosse_ neere _Winchester_; the Priorie of _Norton_ in _Ches.h.i.+re_, with diuers others. The King also founded and erected the Priorie of _Dunstable_, the Abbey of _Circester_, the Abbey of _Reading_, the Abbey of _s.h.i.+rebourne_. Hee also changed the Abbey of _Eley_ into a Bishops Sea; he erected a Bishop.r.i.c.ke at _Caerlile_, placed Chanons there, and endowed it with many honours. These and many other Religious buildings either done, or helped forward, or permitted and allowed by the King, much encreased the affection of the Clergie towards him.

Now to draw the loue of the common people, he composed himselfe to a sober ciuilitie; easie for accesse, faire in speach, in countenance and behauiour kind: his Maiestie so tempered with mildnesse and courtesie, that his Subiects did more see the fruits, then feele the weight of his high estate. These were things of great moment with the vulgar sort; who loue more where they are louingly intreated, then where they are benefited, or happely preserued. He eased them of many publicke grieuances. Hee restored them to the vse of fire and candle after eight of the clocke at night, which his father had most straitly forbidden.

Punishments of losse of member vsed before, he made pecuniarie. Hee moderated the Law of his brother, which inflicted death for killing any of the Kings Deere; and ordeined, that if any man killed a Deere in his owne wood, the wood should be forfeited to the King. He permitted to make enclosures for Parkes; which taking beginning in his time, did rise to that excessiue encrease, that in a few succeeding ages more Parkes were in _England_, then in all _Europe_ beside. He promised that the Lawes of K. _Edward_ should againe be restored; but to put off the present performance, he gaue forth, that first they should be reuiewed and corrected, and made appliable to the present time. And albeit in trueth they were neuer either reuiewed or corrected, yet the onely hope thereof did worke in the people a fauourable inclination to his part.

Whilest the King did thus Immure himselfe in the state of _England_, as well by ordering his affaires, as by winning the hearts of the people vnto him, Duke _Robert_ was returning from _Palestine_, by easie and pleasurable iourneys; vsing neither the celeritie nor forecast which the necessitie of his occasions did require. Hee visited many Princes by the way, and consumed much time in entertainments and other complements of Court. Hee tooke to wife as he came _Sibell_ the daughter of _Roger_ Duke of _Apulia_ and Earle of _Cicill_, who was a _Norman_: and the great portion of money which he receiued for her dower, he loosely lauished foorth amongst his followers; of whom he receiued nothing againe, but thankes when he (scattered rather then) gaue, and pitie when he wanted.

At the last he arriued in _Normandie_, and foorthwith was sollicited out of _England_ by letters from many, who either vpon conscience or discontentment fauoured his t.i.tle; and especially from _Radulph_ Bishop of _Durham_, who had lately escaped out of prison, a man odious ynough to vndoe a good cause; that he would omit no time, that hee would let fall no diligence, to embarke himselfe in the enterprise for _England_: that he had many friends there, both powerfull and sure, who would partake with him in his dangers, although not in the honour atchieued by his dangers: that therewith the peoples fauour towards the King did begin to ebbe, and that it was good taking the first of the tide.

Hereupon he shuffled vp an Armie in haste; neither for number, nor furniture, nor choise of men answerable to the enterprise in hand. Then he crossed the Seas, landed at _Portesmouth_, and marched a small way into the Countrey; vainely expecting the concourse and ayd which had bene a.s.sured him out of _England_. But King _Henry_ had made so good vse both of his warning and time to prouide against this tempest, that hee did at once both cut from the Duke all meanes of ayd, and was ready to encounter him in braue appointment. Hereupon many who were vnable by Armes to relieue the Duke, by aduise did to him the best offices they could. For they laboured both the King and him to a reconcilement; The King with respect of his new vnsettled estate, the Duke with respect of his weakenesses and wants; both with regard of naturall duetie and loue, knit betweene them by band of blood. So after some trauaile and debatement, a peace was concluded vpon these Conditions.