K
ingWilliamthe Victor when hee drew towards the end of his dayes, commended the Kingdome ofEnglandto his second sonneWilliam: with many blessings, with many admonitions, with many prayers for the prosperous successe of his succession. And because the presence of the next successour is of greatest moment to establish affaires, the King a little before his passage to death, dispatched him intoEngland, with letters vnder his owne Seale toLanfranckthen Archbishop ofCanterbury: a man highly esteemed in forraine Countreys, but with the Cleargie and vulgare people of the Realme, his authoritie was absolute. In these letters the King expressed great affection and care towards his sonneWilliam; commending him with many kind words, for his sufficiencies, for diuers vertues; especially for that hee did alwayes stand firmely by him, alwayes declare himselfe both a faithfull Subiect and dutifull sonne. It was also coniectured by some, that the King was guided in this choise, no lesse by his iudgement, then by his affection: for that he esteemed the fierce disposition of his sonneWilliammore fit to gouerne a people not well setled in subiection, then the flexible and milde nature of his eldest sonneRobert. SoWilliamtaking his last leaue of his father, who was then taking his last leaue of this world, iourneyed towardsEngland; and in short time arriued at the port calledWhitesand, where he receiued the first report of his fathers death. Hereupon with all speed hee posted toLanfranck, deliuered his fathers letters, and foorthwith was declared King, vpon the 9. day of September, in the yere 1087. and vpon the first of October next ensuing was by the sameLanfranck, with al ceremonies and solemnities perteining to that action, crowned atWestminster.
Robert, either by negligence and want of foresight, or by the perpetuall malice of his destinie, or happily not without his fathers contriuance, was absent inGermanie, whilest his yonger brotherWilliamdid thus possesse himselfe, both of the Kingdome of his father, and of his treasure. Otherwise he wanted neither pretence, nor purpose, nor fauour of friends to haue empeached his brothers proceedings. For it was then doubted by many, and since hath bene by many debated; whether in any case, vpon any cause or consideration whatsoeuer, a King hath power to disinherite his eldest sonne, and to appoint another to succeed in his estate.
That a King may aduance any of his sonnes to bee his successour, without respect of prioritie in birth, there seemeth to want neither warrant of example, nor weight of authoritie.Dauid[29]a man greatly prooued and approoued by God, did preferreSolomon[30]to succeede him, before his eldest sonneAdonia. And in like sortRehoboamthe sonne ofSolomon, appointed the yongest of all his sonnes to succeed him in the Kingdome.[31]So some Lawyers affirme, That a King may determine in his life,which of his sonnes shall reigne after him.
But this must be vnderstood, either when a State is newly raised to the title of a kingdome, or else when by Conquest, Vsurpation, or some other meanes of change, the gouernment thereof is newly transferred from one stemme to another: For then because there is no certaine Law or Custome of succession in force, the right seemeth to depend vpon the disposition of the Prince. And yet euen in this case, the eldest or neerest cannot be excluded without iust cause. For so whenIacob[32]depriued his eldest sonneReubenof his priuiledge of birth, he expressed the cause, For that he had defiled his fathers bed; which fact of hisHieromeapplieth to the case in question. So whenPtolemie[33]the first King ofEgyptcommended the State to his yongest sonne, he yeelded a reason for that which he did. SoHenriethe fourth Emperour, crownedHenriehis yonger sonne King, reiectingConradehis eldest sonne, for that hee had borne armes against him, and ioyned in league with his open enemies.
But when by expresse Lawe or long grounded Custome the Succession of a State is established to the eldest sonne, the best approouedinterpreters of the Canon and Ciuill law doe conclude,[34]that the father hath no power to inuert or peruert that course of order. For parents may debarre their children of that which proceedeth from themselues, of that which dependeth vpon their appointment; but of that which is due by nature,[35]by the immutable law of the State, the parents can haue no power to dispose. When by a fundamentall Lawe or Custome of State, Succession is annexed to the dignity of a Crowne, according to prioritie in birth, it followeth, that so soone as the first borne commeth into light, the right of succession is fixed in him;[36]not in hope onely, but also in habite; whereof neither the father nor any other can dispossesse him.
And therefore whenPrusias[37]intended to depriue his eldest sonneNicomedesof his prerogatiue of birth, and to preferre his yonger sonnes, which he had by another wife, in succession before him, he could not assure it by any meanes, but by determining the death ofNicomedes; whichNicomedesto preuent, dispoiled his father both of kingdom and of life.Ptolemiethe first King ofEgypt[38]of that name, who after the death ofAlexanderthe great possessed himselfe ofEgypt, & part ofArabia, and ofAffrick, left his kingdom to the yōgest of his sons: but afterward whenPtolemie, surnamedPhiscon,[39]vpon the importunity of his wifeCleopatra, attempted the like, the kingdome being then setled in succession, the people opposed, & reuersed his order after his death. SoPepine[40]after hee had made seisure of the kingdome ofFrance, & ordered all things which he thought necessary for the suerty therof, disposed the succession therein by his Testament; leauing the Realme ofNoionto his sonneCharles, and toCarlomanhis other sonne the Realme ofSoissons. The like was done by some other of the first Kings of his race. But since that time the custome hath been strongly stablished, that the kingdome passeth entirely to the eldest sonne, and possessions are assigned to the rest vnder the name ofAppanage. And therefore theFrench[41]writers affirme, that the eldest sonne ofFrancecannot be depriued of succession, vpon any cause of ingratitude against his parents; and that if the King should institute his eldest sonne,[42]yet cannot hee take the kingdome by force of his fathers guift, but onely by the immutable law of the Realme. Yea,Girardwriteth ofCharlesthe simple, that hee was King ofFrance[43]before hee was borne. And in this regard theGlossographer[44]vpon the Decrees noteth, that the sonne of a King may bee called King during the life of his father, as wanting nothing but administration. And the same also dothSeruiusnote out ofVirgil, where hee saith ofAscanius:regémq; requirunt, his fatherAeneasbeing then aliue.
Now then, for that the right of Succession to the Crowne ofEnglandwas not at that time so surely setled as it hath been since; but had waued in long vncertainetie: First, in theHeptarchieof theSaxonsandEnglish, afterward betweene theEnglishand theDanes, and was then newly possessed by theNormane, and that chiefly by the sword: For that alsoRobertthe Kings eldest sonne gaue iust cause of offence, by bearing armes against his father; it may seeme that the King might lawfully direct the succession to his second sonne. And yet, because asHerodotus[45]saith,It is a generall custome amongst all men, that the first in birth is next in succession; because asBaldus[46]affirmeth,Semper fuit, & semper erit, &c. Alwayes it hath been, and alwayes it shall bee, that the first borne succeedethin a kingdome; because as S.Hierome[47]writeth,A kingdome is due vnto the first borne; and as S.Chrysostome[48]saith,The first borne is to bee esteemed more honourable then the rest; whereupon diuers Lawyers obserue, that the wordSenior[49]is often times taken for a Lord. Lastly, because this precedencie both in honour, and in right seemeth to be the Law of all nations, deriued from the Law of Nature, and expresly either instituted or approoued by the voice of God: First, where he said toCain[50]of his yonger brotherAbel;His desires shall be subiect to thee, and thou shalt haue dominion ouer him: Secondly,[51]where he forbiddeth the father to disinherite the first sonne of his double portion, because by right of birth it is due vnto him: Lastly, where hee maketh choice of the first borne to be sanctified and consecrated to himselfe;[52]it hath almost neuer happened that this order hath been broken, that the neerest haue bene excluded from Succession in State, but it hath been followed with tragicall euents.
Yea, albeit the eldest sonne be vnfit to beare rule, albeit hee be vnable to gouerne either others or himselfe; as if hee be in a high degree furious, or foolish, or otherwise defectiue in body or in minde, (vnlesse he degenerate from humane condition) yet can he not therefore be excluded from succession:[53]because it is due vnto him, not in respect of abilitie, but by reason of his prioritie of birth. As for the kingdom, it shall better be preserued by the gouernment of a Protector (as in diuers like causes it is both vsual and fit) then by receiuing another Prince:[54]as well for other respects, as for that by cutting off continuance in the Royall descent, by interrupting the setled order of gouernment, by making a breach in so high a point of State, opportunitie is opened both for domesticall disturbances, and for inuasions from abroad: whereupon greater inconueniences do vsually ensue, then did euer fall by insufficiencie of a Prince. For if these pretenses may be allowed for good, what aspiring Subiect, what encroaching enemy, finding themselues furnished with meanes, will not be ready to rise into ambitious hopes?Gabrielthe yonger brother of the house ofSaluse, kept his eldest brother in prison, vsurped his estate, giuing foorth to the people that he was mad. And seldome hath any vsurpation happened, but vpon pretence of insufficiencie in gouernment. Assuredly, if these principallpoints of Principalitie be not punctually obserued, the ioynts of a State are loosened, the foundation is shaken, the gates are opened for all disorders, to rise vp, to rush in, to prosper, to preuaile.
HereuponMedon[55]the eldest sonne ofCodrus, albeit he was lame and otherwise defectiue, was by sentence of the Oracle ofApollopreferred to succeed his father in the kingdome ofAthens, beforeNeleushis yonger brother. So whenAlexandrides[56]King ofSpartaleft two sonnes,Cleomenesthe eldest, distracted in wits, andDoricusthe yongest, both able and enclined to all actions of honour; theSpartansacknowledgedCleomenesfor their King.Agisilausthe famous King ofSpartawas also lame, asPlutarch[57]andProb. Æmiliusdo report;Orosiussaith, that theSpartansdid rather choose to haue their King halt, then their Kingdome. And therefore whenLisander[58]moued them to decree, that the worthiest and not alwayes the next in blood of the line ofHerculesshould reigne, he found no man to second his aduise.Aristobulus[59]andHircanusafter a long and cruel contention for the Kingdome ofIewrie, committed their controuersie to the arbitrement ofPompey:Hircanusalledged, that hee was the eldest brother;Aristobulusobiected, thatHircanuswas insufficient to gouerne: butPompeygaue iudgement forHircanus. The like iudgement didAnnibal[60]giue for the kingdome of that Countrey which is now calledSauoy; restoringBrancus[61]to his State, from which he had bene expelled by his yonger brother. And althoughPhirrus[62]did appoint that sonne to succeed, whose sword had the best edge; yet was the eldest acknowledged, who bare the least reputation for valour.
Ladislaus[63]King ofHungarieleft by his brotherGeysatwo Nephewes;Colomannusthe eldest, who was lame, bunch-backed, crab-faced, blunt-sighted, bleare-eyed, a dwarfe, a stammerer, and (which is more) a Priest; andAlmusthe yongest, a man of comely presence, and furnished with many princely vertues: In regard of these natural prerogatiuesLadislausappointedAlmusto succeed; but in regard of the prerogatiue in blood, theHungariansreceiuedColomānusfor their King.Barbatius[64]writeth, thatGaleaceDuke ofMilanedid oft times expresse his griefe, for that he could not preferre in successiōPhilip Mariahis yongest sonne, beforeIohnhiseldest; for that he seemed the most sufficient to vndertake the manage of the State.Girard[65]affirmeth that it hath bene the custome of theFrench, to honour their Kings whatsoeuer they are; whether wise or foolish, valiant or weake; esteeming the name of King to be sacred by whomsoeuer it be borne. And therefore they obeyed not onlyCharlesthe simple, butCharlesthe sixt also; who reigned many yeres in plaine distraction of his mind. It was an ancient custome inScotland, that the most sufficient of the blood ofFergusus[66]was receiued for King; but such warres, murthers, and other mischiefes did thereupon ensue, that a law was made vnderKenetthe third, and afterwards confirmed byMillcolumbus, that the nighest in blood should alwayes succeede. And accordingly the Scots refused not for their KingIohnthe eldest sonne ofRobertthe second, albeit he was borne out of marriage, and did halt, and was both in wit and in courage dull.
For what if he who is debarred for disabilitie shall afterward haue a sonne free from all defects?[67]It is without question that the right of the Kingdome should deuolue vnto him: for that the calamitie of parents doethnot preiudice their children, especially in their naturall rights, which they may claime from the person of former ancestors. But what if another be in possession of the Kingdome?[68]will he readily giue place to this right? will he readily abandon that honour, for which men will not spare, to climbe ouer all difficulties, to vndergoe all dangers; to put their goods, their liues, their soules in aduenture? If a man be once mounted into the chaire of Maiestie, it standeth not, I will not say with his dignitie, but with his safetie, to betake himselfe to a priuate State; as well for the eternall iealousie wherein he shall be held, as for the enuie which shall be borne against him vpon many of his actions: So as what some few would not doe for ambition, the same they must doe to preserue themselues. Hereupon it will follow, that the possession of the Kingdome being in one, and the right in another; disunions, factions, warres may easily ensue.
It is inconuenient (I grant) to be vnder a King who is defectiue in body or in mind; but it is a greater inconuenience, by disturbing a setled forme of gouernment, to open an entrance for all disorders; wherein ambition andinsolencie (two riotous humours) may range at large. For as euill is generally of that nature, that it cannot stand, but by supportance of another euill; and so multiplieth in it selfe, vntill it doth ruine with the proper weight: so mindes hauing once exceeded the strict bounds of obedience, cease not to strengthen one bouldnesse by another, vntil they haue inuolued the whole State in confusion.
Bvt now to returne to the person and gouernment of this KingWilliam. He was a man of meane stature, thicke and square bodied, his belly swelling somewhat round; his face was red, his haire deepely yealow, by reason whereof he was calledRufus; his forehead foure square like a window, his eyes spotted and not one like the other; his speech vnpleasant and not easily vttered, especially when he was mooued with anger. He was of great abilitie in body, as well for naturall strength, as for hardinesse to endure all ordinary extremities both of trauaile and of want. In Armes he was both expert and aduenturous; full of inward brauerie and fiercenesse; neuer dismayed, alwayes forward, and for the most part fortunate; incounsaile sudden, in performance a man; not doubting to vndertake any thing which inuincible valour durst promise to atchieue. Hee had bene bred with the sword; alwayes in action, alwayes on the fauourable hand of Fortune: so as, albeit he was but yong, yet was he in experience well grounded; for inuention subtill, in counsaile quicke, in execution resolute; wise to foresee a danger, and expedite to auoid it. In a word, the generall reputation of his valour and celeritie, made him esteemed one of the best Chiefetaines in his time.
His behauiour was variable and inconstant; earnest in euery present passion, and for the most part accompanying the disposition of his mind, with outward demonstrations. Of nature he was rough, haughtie, obstinate, inuincible, which was much enlarged both by his soueraigntie and youth: so singular in his owne conceit, that he did interprete it to his dishonour, that the world should deeme, that he did not gouerne by his owne iudgement. In publicke he composed his countenance to a stately terrour; his face sowerly swelling, his eyes truculent, his voyce violent and fierce, scarce thinking himselfe Maiesticall in theglasse of his vnderstanding, but when he flashed feare from his presence. And yet in priuate he was so affable and pleasant, that he approched neere the degree of leuitie: much giuen to scoffing, and passing ouer many of his euill actions with a ieast. In all the other carriages of his life, he maintained no stable and constant course; but declared himselfe for euery present, as well in vertue as in vice, strong, violent, extreeme.
In the beginning of his reigne he was esteemed a most accomplished Prince; and seemed not so much of power to bridle himselfe from vice, as naturally disposed to abhorre it. Afterwards, either with variation of times, or yeelding to the pleasures which prosperity vseth to ingender euen in moderate minds, or perhaps his nature beginning to disclose that which hee had cunningly concealed before, corruptions crept vp, and he waued vncertainely betweene vertue and vice. Lastly, being imboldned by euill teachers, and by continuance both of prosperitie and rule, he is said to haue made his height a priuiledge of loosenesse, and to haue abandoned himselfe to all licentious demeanour; wherein he seemed little to regard God, and nothing man.
Assuredly, there is no greater enemie to great men, then too great prosperitie in their affaires; which taketh from them all iudgement and rule of themselues; which maketh them ful of libertie, and bould to doe euill. And yet I cannot conceiue that this King was so bould, so carelesse, so shamelesse in vices, as many writers doe report. It is certaine that hee doubted of some points of Religion, at that time without any great contradiction professed; and namely, of praying to Saints, worshipping of Reliques, & such like. It is certain also, that out of policie in State, he endeuoured to abate the tumorous greatnes of the Clergie at that time; as well in riches, as in authority and power with the people: and that he attributed not so much to the Sea ofRome, as diuers Kings before him had done. Insomuch as he restrained his subiects from going toRome, and withheld the annuall paiment ofPeterpence, and was oftentimes heard to giue foorth, thatthey follow not the trace ofS. Peter, they greedily gape after gifts and rewards, they retein not his power, whose pietie they do not imitate. These were causes sufficient for the writers of his time (who were for the most part Clergie-men) to enlarge his vices beyond the trueth, to surmise many vices vntruely, to wrest his true vertues to be vices.
And this I doe the rather coniecture, for that I doe not find his particular actions of like nature, with the generall imputation which is cast vpon him; for that also I finde the chiefe of these generall imputations to bee these:[69]That he was grieuous to the Church, of no deuotion to God, preferring respect of temporall state before the rules of the Gospel. Verely, it is hard to doe that which will beare a cleere beauty in the eyes of all men; and if our actions haue not the fauour of time, and the opinion of those men who doe estimate and report them, they are much dimmed with disgrace.[70]Out of all doubt he was a magnanimous Prince, mercifull and liberall, and in martiall affaires most expert, diligent and prosperous; wise to contriue his best aduantage, and most couragious to atchieue it. But two things chiefly obscured his glory; one, the incomparable greatnesse of his father, to whom he did immediatly succeede; the other was the prowesse of those men, against whom he did contend in armes; especially ofMalcolmeKing ofScots, and ofRobertDuke ofNormandie. To these I mayadde, that hee died in the principall strength and flourish of his age, before his iudgement had full command ouer his courage.
Many doe attribute his excellent beginnings toLanfranckArchb. ofCanterburie: who during the time of his life, partly by authoritie, and partly by aduise, supported the vnstable yeeres and disposition of the King: which after the death ofLanfranckreturned by degrees to their proper sway. But I do rather attribute many of his first vertues to the troubles which happened in the very entrance of his reigne; which partly by employment, and partly by feare, held his inclination in some restraint. ForOdoBishop ofBaionand Earle ofKent, the Kings vncle by the mothers side, had drawen the greatest part of all the Prelates and Nobilitie that wereNormans, into a dangerous confederacie against the King; to deiect him from his State, and to aduanceRoberthis elder brother for their King.
The secret cause of this conspiracie was partly vpon a generall discontentment, at the great, though worthy estimation and authoritie (a most capitall offence in the eye of enuie) ofLanfrankArchbishop ofCanterburie; by meanswhereof many of the conspirators liued in farre meaner reputation, then their ambitious minds could easily breake: but chiefly it was vpon a more particular grudge, whichOdodid beare against the sameLanfranck; because by his perswasion,Odohad been committed to prison by KingWilliamthe elder. For when the King complained toLanfranckof the intolerable both auarice and ambition of his brotherOdo, the Archbishop gaue aduise, that hee should bee restrained of his libertie. And when the King doubted, how he being a Bishop, might be committed to prison, without impeaching the priuiledges of the Church; indeede answeredLanfranck, you may not imprison the Bishop ofBaion, but you may doe what you please with the Earle ofKent.
The publike and open pretenses were these.RobertDuke ofNormandiehad the prerogatiue of birth; which being a benefit proceeding from nature, could not bee reuersed by his fathers acte. He had also wonne a most honorable reputation for his militarie vertues; and had by many trauels of warre wasted the wilde follies of youth. Hee was no lesse famous for courtesie and liberalitie, two most amiable ornaments of honour; being so desirous that no man should depart discontented from him, that he would oftentimes promise more then hee was able to performe, and yet performe more then his estate could expediently afford. As for K.William, besides that he was the yonger brother, his nature was held to be doubtfull and suspect, and the iudgement of most men enclined to the worst. And what are we then aduantaged, (said they) by the death of his father? if whom he hath fleeced, this shall flay; if this shall execute those whom he hath fettered and surely bound; If after his seuerities that are past, wee shall be freshly charged with those rigours, which tyrants in the height and pride of their Fortune are wont to vse? And as stronger combinations are alwayes made betweene men drawne together by one common feare, then betweene those that are ioyned by hope or desire; so vpon these iealousies and feares, accompanied also with vehement desires, the Confederats supposed that they had knit a most assured league.
Now it happened that at the time of the death ofWilliamthe elder,Roberthis eldest sonne was absent inAlmaine; and at onceheard both of the death of his father, and that his brotherWilliamwas acknowledged to be King. Hereupon in great hast, but greater heat both of anger and ambition, he returned intoNormandie: and there whilest he was breathing foorth his discontentment and desire of reuenge, he receiued a message from the Confederats inEngland; that with all speed hee should come ouer vnto them, to accomplish the enterprise, to furnish their forces with a head: that they had no want of able bodies; they wanted no meanes to maintaine them together; they wanted onely his person both to countenance and conduct them. The Duke thought it no wisdome, to aduenture himselfe altogether; vpon the fauour and faith of discontented persons: and he had bene so loosely liberall before, that he was vnprouided of money, to appoint himselfe with any competent forces of his owne. Hereupon he pawned a part ofNormandieto his brotherHenry, for waging Souldiers: many also flocked voluntarily vnto him; vpon inducement, that hee who of his owne nature was most liberall & full of humanitie, would not faile both of pay and reward, vnlesse by reason of disabilitie & want.
In the meane time the Confederats resolued to breake forth in Armes, in diuers parts of the Realme at once; vpon conceit, that if the King should endeuour to represse them in one place, they might more easily preuaile in the other. And so accordinglyOdofortified and spoiled inKent;GeoffreyBishop ofExceter, with his nephewRobert MowbrayEarle ofNorthumberland, atBristow;Roger MontgomerieinNorthfolke,SuffolkeandCambridgeshire;Hugh de Grandemenill, inLeicestershireandNorthamptonshire;WilliamBishop ofDurhame, in the North parts of the Realme; diuers others of the Clergie and Nobilitie inHerefordshire,Shropshire,Worcestershire, and all the Countreys adioyning toWales. And as in time of pestilence all diseases turne to the plague; so in this generall tumult, all discontentments sorted to Rebellion. Many who were oppressed with violence or with feare; many who were kept lower either by want or disgrace then they had set their mounting minds, adioyned daily to the side, and encreased both the number and the hope. And thus was all the Realme in a ruinous rage against K.William, who wanted neither courage to beare, nor wisdome to decline it.
And first hee endeuoured by all meanes to make theEnglishassured vnto him. And albeit few of them were at that time in any great place, either of credite or of charge, but were all wounded by his fathers wrongs; yet for that they were the greatest part, he made the greatest reckoning of them. For this cause hee released manyEnglishLords who had bene committed to custodie by his father. He composed himselfe to courtesie and affabilitie towards the people, and distributed much treasure among them. But especially hee wanne their inclination by promises of great assurance, to restore vnto them their ancient lawes, to ease them of tributes and taxations, and to permit them free libertie of hunting: which being their principall pleasure and exercise before, was either taken away, or much restrained from them by KingWilliamthe elder. Herewith he applied himselfe to appease the mutinous minds of his Nobilitie, to seuer the Confederats, to breake the faction; to diuide it first, and thereby to defeat it.
To this purpose he dealt withRoger Montgomerie, who next vntoOdowas a principall both countenance and strength to the reuolt;he dealt also with diuers others, inferiour vnto him in authority and degree; that he could not coniecture for what cause they were so violent against him: did they want money? His fathers treasure was at their deuotion: desired they encrease of possessions? they should not be otherwise bounded then by their owne desires: that hee would willingly also giue ouer his estate, in case it should be iudged expedient by themselues, whom his father had put in trust to support him: that they should doe wel to foresee, whether by ouerthrowing his fathers iudgement in appointing the kingdome vnto him, they should not doe that which might be preiudiciall to themselues; for the same man who had appointed him to bee King, had also conferred vnto them those honours and possessions which they held. Thus sometimes dealing priuately with particulars, and sometimes with many together, and eftsoones filling them with promises and hopes, and that with such new vehemencie of words as they beleeued could not proceede from dissembled intents; he so preuailed in the end, that hereby, and by example of some inducing the rest,Roger Montgomerieand diuers others were reconciled to the King; in whom was thought to rest no smal matter to hold vp the reputation of the enterprise.
And further, hee prepared a nauie to guard the seas, and to impeach the passage of his brother intoEngland. Hee prepared great forces also by meanes of the treasure which his father had left, and disposed them in places conuenient, either to preuent or to represse these scattered tumults. But the successe of his affaires was by no meanes so much aduanced, as byLanfranckArchbishop ofCanterbury, and byWoolstaneBishop ofWorcester: the authority of which two men, the one for his learning, wisedome, and mild moderation, the other for his simple sanctitie and integritie of life, was greatly regarded by all sorts of people. By encouragement ofWoolstanenot onely the citie ofWorcesterwas maintained in firme condition for the King, but his enemies receiued there a famous foyle; the greatest part being slaine, and the residue dispersed. This was the first sad blow which the confederates tooke; afterward they declined mainely, and the King as mainly did increase.
The King in person led his chiefe forces intoKent, againstOdohis vncle, the principall firebrand of all this flame. Hee tooke there the castle ofTunbridgeand ofPemsey, whichOdohad fortified; and lastly hee besiegedOdohimselfe in the castle ofRochester, and with much trauell tooke him prisoner, and compelled him to abiure the Realme. Vpon these euents, the Bishop ofDurham, aduising onely with feare and despaire, fled out of the Realme; but after three yeeres he was againe restored to the dignitie of his Sea. The residue did submit themselues to the Kings discretion; and were by him receiued, all to pardon, some to gracious and deare account. For in offences of so high nature, pardon neuer sufficeth to assure offenders, vnlesse by further benefits their loyaltie bee bound.
RobertDuke ofNormandywas busied all this time, in making preparation for his iourney intoEngland: but his delayes much abated the affections of those who fauoured either his person or cause. At the length, hauing made vp a competent power, he committed to sea; where, his infelicities concurring with his negligence, diuers of his ships which he had sent somewhat before him, to assure the confederatsof his approach, were set vpon and surprised by the nauie of KingWilliam. After this hee arriued inEngland, sent vnto many of his secret friends, and made his comming knowen vnto all: but no man resorted to him, he receiued no aduertisement from any man; but plainely found, that by the fortunate celeritie of KingWilliam, the heart of the conspiracie in all places was broken. So the Duke returned intoNormandie, hauing then good leisure, to looke into the errour of his leisurely proceedings.
When the King had in this sort either wisely reconciled, or valiantly repressed his domesticall enemies; because an vnperfect victory is alwayes the seede of a new warre, he followed his brother with a mighty armie, and remoued the seate of the warre intoNormandie. For he coniectured (as in trueth it fell out) that the Duke his brother vpon his returne, would presently disperse his companies, for want of money; and for the same cause would not easily be able to draw them together againe. So his valour and his power being much aduantaged by his sudden comming, ioyned to the want of foresight and preparation in the Duke;he tooke in short time the Castles ofWalerickandAubemarle, with the whole Countrey ofEu; the Abbacie ofMount S Michael,Fescampe,Chereburge, and diuers other places; which he furnished with men of Armes, and Souldiers of assured trust.
The Duke feeling his owne weakenesse, dealt withPhilipKing ofFrance, and by liberall promises so preuailed with him, that he descended intoNormandiewith a faire Armie, and bent his siege against one of those pieces which K.Williamhad taken. But he found it so knottie a piece of worke, that in short time wearied with hardnesse and hazards of the field, he fell to a capitulation with KingWilliam, and so departed out ofNormandie; receiuing a certaine summe of money in regard of his charges, and conceiuing that he had won honour ynough, in that no honour had bene won against him.
The money that was payd to the King ofFrance, was raised inEnglandby this deuise. KingWilliamcommanded that 20. Thousand men should be mustered inEngland, and transported intoNormandie, to furnish his warres against theFrench. When they were conducted neere toHastings, and almost ready to beembarked, it was signified to them from the King; that aswell for their particular safeties, as not to disfurnish the Realme of strength, whosoeuer would pay 10. shillings towards the waging of Souldiers inNormandie, he might be excused to stay at home. Among 20. Thousand scarce any was found, who was not ioyfull to embrace the condition; who was not ready to redeeme his aduenture with so small a summe: which being gathered together, was both a surer and easier meanes to finish the warres, then if the King had still struggeled by force of Armes. For when theFrenchKing had abandoned the partie, DukeRobert, being prepared neither with money, nor constancie of mind to continue the warre, enclined to peace; which at the last, by diligence of friends, was concluded betweene the two brothers, vpon these conditions.
That the Duke should yeeld to the King the Countie ofEu, the Abbey ofFescampe, the Abbey ofS. Michaels mount,Chereburge, and all other Castles and fortifications which the King had taken.That the King should subdue to the vse of the Duke, all other Castles and houldes, whichhad reuolted from him inNormandie.That the King should giue to the Duke certaine dignities and possessions inEngland.That the King should restore all those to their dignities and lands inEngland, who had taken part with the Duke against him.That if either of them should die without issue male, the suruiuour should succeed in his estate.
That the Duke should yeeld to the King the Countie ofEu, the Abbey ofFescampe, the Abbey ofS. Michaels mount,Chereburge, and all other Castles and fortifications which the King had taken.
That the King should subdue to the vse of the Duke, all other Castles and houldes, whichhad reuolted from him inNormandie.
That the King should giue to the Duke certaine dignities and possessions inEngland.
That the King should restore all those to their dignities and lands inEngland, who had taken part with the Duke against him.
That if either of them should die without issue male, the suruiuour should succeed in his estate.
These Articles were confirmed by twelue Barons on the Kings part, and as many on the part of the Duke; so long obserued, as either of them wanted either power or pretence to disanull them.
This peace being made, the Duke vsed the aide of KingWilliam, to recouer the fort ofMount S. Michael, which their brotherHenriedid forceably hold, for the money which hee had lent to the Duke ofNormandie. Fourtie dayes they layed siege to this castle; hauing no hope to carrie it, but by the last necessity, which is hunger. Within the compasse of this time, as the King straggled alone vpon the shoare, certaine horsemen salied foorth and charged vpon him; of whom three strooke him together so violently with their lances, as because he could not be driuen out of his saddle, togetherwith his saddle he was cast vpon the ground, and his horse slaine vpon the place, for which he had payed the same day 15. markes. Extremitie of danger (as it often happeneth) tooke from the King all feare of danger: wherefore taking vp his saddle with both his hands, he did therewith defend himselfe for a time. But because to stand vpon defence onely is alwayes vnsure, he drew his sword, and would not depart one foot from his saddle; but making shew of braue ioy, that he had nothing to trust vnto but his owne valour, he defended both his saddle and himselfe, till rescue came. Afterward when some of his Souldiers in blaming maner expostulated with him, wherefore he was so obstinate to saue his saddle: his answere was, that a King should loose nothing which he can possibly saue:It would haue angred mee, (said he)at the very heart, that the knaues should haue bragged, that they had wonne the saddle from mee. And this was one of his perpetuall felicities, to escape easily out of desperate dangers.
In the endHenrygrew to extreeme want of water, and other prouisions: by which meanes he was ready to fall into the hands of those,who desired to auoyd necessitie to hurt him. And first he sent to the Duke his brother, to request some libertie to take in fresh water. The Duke sent to him a tunne of wine, and granted a surcease of hostilitie for one day, to furnish him with water. At this the King seemed discontented, as being a meanes to prolong the warre. But the Duke told him, that it had bene hard to deny a brother a little water for his necessitie. Herewith likewise the King relenting, they sent for their brotherHenry; and wisdome preuailing more then iniuries or hate, they fell to an agreement, That vpon a day appointed,Henryshould receiue his money atRoan; and that in the meane time, hee should hold the countrey ofConstantinein morgage. The King enterteined with pay many of his brotherHenriessouldiers; especially he receiued those who ouerthrew him, to a very neere degree of fauour. And thus all parties ordered their ambition with great modestie; the custome of former warres running in a course of more humanitie, then since they haue done.
The King was the more desirous to perfect these agreements of Peace, for thatMalcolmeKing ofScots(as Princes often times make vseof the contentions of their neighbours) tooke occasion vpon these confusions, to enterprise vpō the parts ofEnglandwhich confined vpon him. So as he inuadedNorthumberland, made great spoile, tooke much prey, caried away many prisoners; whose calamitie was the more miserable, for that they were to endure seruitude in a hard Countrey. For this cause the King with his accustomed celeritie returned intoEngland, accompanied with the Duke ofNormandiehis brother; and led a mighty armie against theScotsby land, and sent also a nauie to infest them by sea. But by a sudden and stiffe storme, by a hideous confusion of all ill disposed weather, his ships were cruelly crushed; and hauing long wrought against the violence and rage of the tempest, were in the end dispersed, and diuers of them cast away. Many of his souldiers also perished, partly by penurie and want, and partly by the euill qualitied ayre.
Notwithstanding theScots, knowing the King ofEnglandto bee an enemie mighty and resolute, began to wauer in their assurance; framing fearefull opinions, of the number, valour and experience of his armie. Hereuponsome ouertures of peace were made; theScotsexpecting that the King, by reason of his late losses, would be the more moderate in his demands. But hee then shewed himselfe most resolute and firme; following his naturall custome, not to yeelde to any difficulty. KingMalcolmeconiecturing that such confidence could not be without good cause, consented at the last to these conditions.
That KingMalcolmeshould make a certaine satisfaction for the spoyles which hee had done inEngland.That KingWilliamshould restore to him certaine lands inEngland.That K.Malcolmeshould doe homage to KingWilliam.
That KingMalcolmeshould make a certaine satisfaction for the spoyles which hee had done inEngland.
That KingWilliamshould restore to him certaine lands inEngland.
That K.Malcolmeshould doe homage to KingWilliam.
Now the day was come whereinHenriewas appointed to receiue his money atRoan, from the Duke ofNormandie. But as affaires of Princes haue great variations, so they are not alwayes constant in their Counsels. And so the Duke, caried by his occasions, and ready to lay downe his faith and word more to the traine of times, then to the preseruation of his honour; instead of paying the money, committed his brotherHenryto prison: fromwhence he could not be released, vntill hee renounced the Countie ofConstantine, and bound himselfe by oath neuer to claime any thing inNormandie.
Henriecomplained hereof toPhilipKing ofFrance; who gaue him a faire enterteinement in his Court, but was content rather to feede then finish the contention: either expecting thereby some opportunitie to himselfe, or els the opinion of his owne greatnesse not suffring him to feare, that others might grow to haue fortune against him.Henryhad not long remained in the Court ofFrance, but aNormaneKnight namedHachardeconueyed him disguised intoNormandie; where the Castle ofDamfronçwas deliuered vnto him; and in short time after hee gate all the Countrey ofPassays, and a good part ofConstantine; either without resistance, or without difficultie and perill.
Hereupon the Duke leuied his forces, and earnestly assayed to recouerDamfronç: but then hee found that his brotherHenriewas secretly, yet surely vnderset by the king ofEngland. Hereupon, incensed with the furie of an iniuried minde, hee exclaimed against his brother ofEngland, and almost proclaimed him a violator of his league. On the other side, the King ofEnglandiustified his action, for that hee was both a meanes and a partie to the agreement: and therefore stood bound in honour, not onely to vrge, but to enforce performance. So the flame brake foorth more furious then it was before, and ouer went KingWilliamwith an able armie; where hee found the Duke also in good condition of strength commanding the field. And albeit in so neere approach of two mighty enemies, equall both in ambition and power, it is hard to conteine men of seruice; yet was nothing executed betweene them, but certaine light skirmishes, and surprizements of some places of defence. In the end, the King hearing of new troubles inEngland, and the Duke finding himselfe vnable either to preuaile with few souldiers, or to maintaine many, and both distrusting to put a speedie end to the warre; they were easily drawne to capitulations of peace. And thus ended the contention betweene these brethren; who vntill this time had continued like the waues of the Sea, alwayes in motion, and one beating against the other.
Besides these businesses which befell the King, against his Nobilitie, against the Duke ofNormandiehis brother, and against the King and nation of theScots; theWelshmenalso (who alwayes struggled for libertie and reuenge) perceiuing that the King was often absent, and much entangled with hostile affaires; enforced the fauour of that aduantage, to free themselues from subiection of theEnglish, and happily to enlarge or enrich themselues vpon them. So hauing both desire and opportunitie, they wanted not meanes to assemble in armes, to expell theEnglishthat were amongst them, and to cast downe the Castles erected in their Countrey, as the principall yoakes of their subiection. Afterwards, rising in boldnesse with successe, they made diuers incursions vpon the bordering parts ofEngland; spoiled the Citie ofGlocester, and exercised all those outrages, which vnciuill people, incensed both with want and with hate doe not vsually omit. But being a company neither in discipline nor pay, raw and vnarmed, they proceeded more like to robbers then to Souldiers; hauing no intention to vanquish, but to spoile.
Hereupon the King twice in person inuadedWales, but with small shew of successe for the present. For theWelsh-enemies scattered the warre, by diuiding themselues into small companies, and retiring into the mountaines and woods, and other places of naturall defence. Here they trauailed the King with a fugitiue fight; flying when they were pursued, and houering vpon him when they were giuen ouer: cutting off many stragling souldiers, and taking some carriages, which in those rough places could not easily either be passed, or defended. And so by shifting alwayes into places of aduantage, they sought at one time, both to auoyd fighting, and to hinder the King from doing any thing of importance. At the last, the King hauing made sufficient proofe how vaine it is, to follow a light footed enemie with a heauie Armie, pestered with traine of carriage, in places where the seruice of horsemen is almost vnprofitable; he gaue ouer the pursuit, and retired intoEngland. But first he repaired those Castles which theWelshhad destroyed, and built new Castles also vpon the frontiers and within the bosome ofWales; which he furnished with so sure garrisons, as might suffice with fauour of opportunitie, either to weary or consume the enemies.
And indeed theWelshbeing by this meanes, alwayes exercised, and dayly wasted; declined in short time, no lesse to cowardise then to wearinesse and wants; so asHughEarle ofChester, &HughEarle ofShrewesbury, dispossessed them of the Isle ofAnglesey, which they had surprised not long before. TheWelshthat were there taken, were very hardly, or rather vnmercifully and cruelly entreated; Some had their eyes pulled out, some their hands cut off, some their armes, some their noses, some their genitalles. An aged Priest namedKenredus, who had bene a chiefe directer of the common affaires, was drawne out of a Church whereinto he had fled, had one of his eyes pulled out, and his tongue torne from his throat. I make no doubt but these seuerities were vsed against them, vpon some sauage outrages which they had done; wherein the lesse compassion was borne to their calamities, for the cowardise which they shewed in their owne defence.
Shortly after,MagnusKing ofNorwaythe sonne ofOlaus, the sonne ofHarold Harfager, hauing brought the Isles ofOrkeneyvnder his dominion, subdued also from theWelshthe IsleofMan; and enterprised vpon the Isle ofAngleseyagainst theEnglish. But at his landing he was encountred by the Earle ofShrewsburyand the Earle ofChester; in which fight theNorwegianswere vanquished and repelled, but the Earle ofShrewsburywith too braue boldnesse lost his life: leauing his honourable both actions and end as an excellent ornament to his posteritie. Afterwards the Earle ofChesterled an armie intoWales; and found the people so consumed by theEnglishgarisons, that he easily reduced many to professe obedience to the Crowne ofEngland; and disabled others, hauing no leaders of experience and valour, for shewing their faces as enemies in the field.
Also vpon some variances which did rise betweeneIustinus, sonne toGurguntus, Earle ofGlamorganeandMorganock; andRhesussonne toTheodorePrince of Southwales:Iustinus, not of power to maintaine either his right or his will, sentÆneas, sonne toGenidorus, sometimes Lord ofDemetia, to craue aide inEngland. This he obtained, not onely readily, but in greater measure then the seruice did require.Robert Fitzhamondwas generall Commander of theEnglisharmie; who encountredRhesusat a place calledBlackhill; and in that fightRhesuswas slaine: after whose death the name of King ceased inWales. ThenIustinusfailing, and happily not able to performe such conditions as in necessitie hee had assured,Fitzhamondturned his forces against him; chased theWelshout of the champaine Countrey, and diuided the same among his principall Gentlemen. These erected Castles, in places conuenient for their mutuall ayde; and so well defended themselues, that they left the Countrey to their posterity. Thus was the Lordship ofGlamorganeandMorganock, which conteineth 27. miles in length, & 22. in bredth, subdued to theEnglish; giuing example how dangerous it is for any people, to call in a greater force of strangers to their ayde, then being victorious, they may easily be able to limit and restraine. This being a Lordship marcher, hath enioyed royall liberties, since the time wherein it was first subdued. It hath acknowledged seruice and obedience onely to the Crowne. It hath had the triall of all actions, as well reall as personall, and also held Pleas of the Crowne; with authority to pardon all offences, Treason onely excepted.
Whilest the King was entertained with these chases, rather then warres inWales, hee lay atGloucestermany times; as not esteeming that his presence should alwayes be necessary, and yet not farre off if occasion should require. To this placeMalcolmeKing ofScotscame vnto him, vpon an honourable visitation. But the King hauing conceiued some displeasure against him, refused to admit him to his presence. Hereupon KingMalcolme, full of fury and disdaine, returned intoScotland, assembled an armie, enuadedNorthumberland, harrased and spoyled a great part thereof; hauing done the like foure times before. Such is the heate of hate in mindes that are mighty; who seldome hold it any breach of Iustice, to bee reuenged of him who offereth dishonor. When he was come neere toAlnewicke, and his souldiers were much pestered with prey, (a notable impediment both for readinesse and resolution to fight) hee was set vpon both suddenly and sharply byRobert MowbrayEarle ofNorthumberland; his troupes hewen in pieces, himselfe together with his eldest sonneEdwardslaine. The third day ensuing,Margaretwife to KingMalcolme, and sister toEdgar Adeling, not ableto beare so sad and heauie a blow of fortune, ended also her life. Shee was famous for pietie and for modestie, two excellent endowments of that Sexe. By her perswasionMalcolmemade a law, that whereas by a former law made by KingEugenius, the Lord enioyed the first night with any new married woman within his dominion; the husband might redeeme that abuse by paiment of halfe a mark of siluer.
KingMalcolmebeing slaine,Dunwaldhis brother vsurped the kingdome; but after a few dayes he was dispossessed thereof byDuncane, bastard son to K.Malcolme. In this actionDuncanewas chiefly supported by the King ofEngland; with whom he had remained in hostage, and to whom hee had made his submission by oath. And because theScotsdid either see or suspect that hee bare a fauourable affection to theEnglish, they would not receiue him for their King, but vnder promise that hee should not entertaine anyEnglishorNormane, either in place of seruice, or as a follower at large. The yeere next followingDuncanewas slaine, andDunwaldwas againe possessed of the kingdom. Hereupon KingWilliamsentClito Edgarwith an armie intoScotland; by whose meanesDunwaldwas dispoiled againe of his Kingdome, andEdgarsonne to KingMalcolmeaduanced to his fathers estate.
These were the principall aduentures by Armes which concernedEngland, during the reigne of K.Williamthe second: wherein he so behaued himselfe, that he did worthily winne an opinion to be one, who both knew and durst. In all actions hee esteemed himselfe greatly dishonoured, if hee were not both in Armes with the first, and with the forwardest in fight; doing double seruice, as well by example, as by direction: In which heate of valour, the fauour of his Fortune excused many of his attempts from the blame of rashnesse. He was oftentimes most constant, or rather obstinate in pursuing those purposes, which with small deliberation he vndertooke.
At a certaine time when he was in hunting within the new Forrest, he receiued aduertisement, thatManswas surprised byHelie, Countde la Flesch, who pretended title thereto in right of his wife: that he was aided in this enterprise byFouques d'Angiers, an ancient enemie to the Dukes ofNormandie: and that the castle which held good for the King, must also be rendered,if in very short time it were not relieued. Vpon these newes, as if he had bene in the heat of a chase, he presently turned his horse; and his passion not staying to consult with reason, in great haste roade towards the Sea. And when he was aduised by some to stay a time, and take with him such forces as the importance of the seruice did require; with a heart resolute and violent voice he answered,That they who loued him, would not faile to follow; and that if no man else would stirre, he alone would relieue Mans.
When he came toDortmouth, he commanded ships to be brought for his passage. The winds were then both contrary and stiffe, and the Sea swelled exceeding bigge; for which cause the Shipmasters perswaded him to await a more fauourable season, and not to cast himselfe vpon the miserable mercie of that storme. Notwithstanding the King, whose feare was alwayes least when dangers were greatest, mounted vpon Shipboard, and commanded them to put to Sea; affirming, That it was no Prince-like mind to breake a iourney for foulenesse of weather; and that he neuer heard of any King that had bene drowned. And so for that the chiefe point of rescue rested in expedition, heepresently committed to Sea; taking few with him, and leauing order that others should follow. After hee had long wrastled with the winds and waues, he arriued inFrance, where running on in the humour of his courage and forwardnesse, he acquitted himselfe with greater honour then at any time before. So effectuall is celeritie for the benefit of a seruice, that oftentimes it more auaileth, then either multitude or courage of Souldiers.
In this expedition,Heliethe principall commander against him was taken. And when he was brought to the Kings presence, the King said pleasantly vnto him:Ah master! in faith I haue you now; and I hope I shal be able to keepe you in quiet. Then he:It is true indeed, the successe of my attempts haue not bene answerable to the resolution of my minde; by meere aduenture now you haue me: but if I were at libertie againe, I doe better know what I had to doe, and would not so easily be held in quiet. The King with a braue scorne replied:I see thou art but a foolish knaue; vnable to vse, either thy libertie or thy restreint aright. But goe thy wayes, make good thy confidence: I set thee free and at libertie againe; vse thy aduantage, and doe thy worst.Heliedaunted morewith this high courage, then before he had bin with the victory of the King, submitted himselfe, and made his peace vnder such conditions as it pleased the King to lay vpon him. Certainely this magnanimous example hath seldome bin equalled, neuer excelled by those, who are admired for the principall worthies of the world.
He little fauoured flatterers; the flies which blow corruption vpon sweetest vertues; the myrie dogs of the Court, who defile Princes with fawning on them; who commonly are fatted with bread which is made with the teares of miserable people. He was most firme and assured in his word: and to those who did otherwise aduise him, he would say; ThatGod did stand obliged by his word.[71]
He is commended for his manly mercie; in releasing prisoners, and in pardoning offences of highest qualitie: which to a people that then liued vnder a Law, both rigorous, and almost arbitrarie, and (as well for the noueltie as for the vncertaintie thereof) in a manner vnknowne, was a most high valued vertue. He not onely pardoned many great offenders, but partly by gifts, and partly by aduancements heknit them most assuredly vnto him. And therefore although in the beginning of his reigne, most of the Nobilitie, and many Gentlemen of best quality and rancke endeuoured to displace him, and to set vpRoberthis elder brother for their King; yet doeth it not appeare, either that any seueritie was executed vpon them, or that afterward they were dangerous vnto him. Notwithstanding in some actions he was noted of crueltie, or at the least of sharpnesse and seuerity in iustice. For albeit hee promised to theEnglish, whilest his first feares and iealousies continued, that they should enioy free libertie of hunting; yet did hee afterwards so seuerely restraine it, that the penalty for killing a Deere was death.
Robert MowbrayEarle ofNorthumberland, after he had defeated theScotsand slaineMalcolmetheir King, not finding himselfe either honoured or respected according to his seruice; first refrained, and afterwards refused to come vnto the Court. Hereupon the King, ouerruled indifferently with suspition and hate, (two violent passions in minds placed in authoritie) sent his brotherHenrywith an armie against him; who spoyled the Countrey, tooke the Earle,and committed him to prison. Then was hee charged with diuers crimes, which were sufficient (although but surmised) to vndoe an Innocent. Many examinations were also made, but for appearance onely and terrour, not to any bottome or depth. The especiall matter obiected against him was, for contriuing to despoyle the King both of life and state, and to set vpStephen Albamerlehis Aunts sonne for King. And thus it often happeneth, that great deserts are occasions to men of their destruction; either because Princes generally loue not those to whom they are exceedingly beholding, or else for that thereby men doe grow proud, insolent, disdainefull, bould, immoderate both in expectation and demand, discontented, impatient if they be not satisfied, and apt to breake forth into dangerous attempts.
Of those who any wayes declared themselues in his fauour or defence; some were despoiled of their goods, some were banished the Realme; others were punished with losse of their eyes, or of their eares, or of some other part of their bodie.William d'Owewas accused in a Councell holden atSalisbury, to bee a complice of this Treason. And albeit he challenged his accuser to the combate, yet his eyes were pulled out, and his stones cut off by commandement of the King. And yet some authours affirme, that he was ouercome in combate before. For the same cause the King commandedWilliam Aluerieto be hanged; a man of goodly personage and modest behauiour; the Kings sewer, his Aunts sonne, and his godfather. Before his execution hee desired to be whipped through manie Churches inLondon: he distributed his garments to the poore, and bloodied the street as he went, with often kneeling vpon the stones. At the time of his death he tooke it vpon the charge of his soule, that he was cleere of the offence for which he suffered. And so committing his innocencie to God, and to the world his complaints, he submitted himselfe to the Executioners hands: leauing an opinion in some, a suspition in many, that others also died without desert. For the king gaue an easie eare to any man, that would appeach others for his aduantage: whereby it sometimes happened, that offenders were acquited by accusing innocents.
He was liberall aboue measure; either in regard of his owne abilities, or of the worthinesseof the receiuers. Especially hee was bountifull (if that terme may be applyed to immoderate lauishing)[72]to men of warre: for which cause many resorted to him from farre Countries for entertainement. To winne and retaine the fauour of these, hee much impouerished his peaceable people. From many he tooke without iustice, to giue to others without desert: esteeming it no vnequall dealing, that the money of the one, should bee aduentured and expended with the blood of the other.
He much exceeded in sumptuousnes of diet and of apparell, wherewith great men vse to dazel the eyes of the people: both which waies he esteemed the goodnesse of things, by their price. It is reported, that when his Chamberlaine vpon a certaine morning brought him a new paire of hose, the King demaunded what they cost; and the Chamberlaine answered, three shillings. Hereat the King grew impatient, and said:What? heauie beast! doest thou take these to be conuenient hose for a King? Away begger, and bring me other of a better price. Then the Chamberlaine departed and brought a farre worse paire of hose (for a better could not at that time bee found) and told the kingthat they cost a marke. The king not onely allowed them for fine enough, but commended them also as exceeding fit. Assuredly this immoderate excesse of a King is now farre exceeded by many base shifting vnthrifts.
In building his expences were very great. He repaired the Citie and Castle ofCaerlile, which had been wasted by theDanes200. yeres before. Hee finished New castle vponTine. Many other Castles he erected or repaired vpon the frontiers ofScotland; many also vpon the frontiers and within the very brest ofWales. Hee much enlarged the Towre ofLondon, and enuironed it with a new wall. Hee also built the great Hall atWestminster, which is 270. foote in length, and 74. foote in breadth. And when many did admire the vast largenes thereof, he would say vnto them, that it was but a bed chamber, but a closet, in comparison of that which he intended to build. And accordingly he layd the foundation of another Hall, which stretched from the RiuerThamesto the Kings high street: the further erection wherof, with diuers other heroicall enterprises, ceased together with his life.
Thus partly by reason of his infinite plotsand inuentions, and partly by his disorders and vnbrideled liberalities, he alwayes liued at great charges and expences; which whilest the large treasure lasted which his father left him, were borne without grieuance to the subiects: But when that was once drained, he was reduced to seeke money by extraordinary meanes. So, many hard taxes were laid vpon the people, partly for supplie to his owne necessities, and partly to imitate the policie of his father; that the people being busied how to liue, should reteine small either leisure or meanes to contriue innouations. For this cause he was supposed, vpon purpose to haue enterprised many actions of charge; that thereby he might haue colour to impose, both imployments and taxations vpon the people.
And because the riches of the clergie at that time were not onely an eye-sore vnto many, but esteemed also by some, to bee very farre aboue due proportion; Hee often fleeced them of great summes of money. For which cause it is euident, that the writers of that age (who were for the most part Clergie men) did both generally enueigh against him, and much depraue his particular actions. He withheld hisannuall paiment to the Sea ofRome, vpon occasion of a Schisme betweeneVrbaneatRome, andClementatRauenna. He claimed the inuestiture of Prelates to be his right: Hee forbade Appeales and entercourse toRome: For which and other like causes he had a very great contention with the Clergie of his Realme, especially withAnselmeArchbishop ofCanterbury.