Polydore Vergil. After 31 Aug 1422. 1. Although English affairs seemed weaker because of Henry’s death, the nobles decided that the war was nevertheless to be prosecuted, and every useful thing to be done at home and abroad. As soon as possible Duke Humphrey of Gloucester (age 31) returned to England, and in parliament assembled reported what his brother King Henry (deceased) had enjoined on his deathbed, and in what condition their French affairs now stood. And it was voted that, in accordance with Henry’s mandate, the government should be entrusted to Gloucester (age 31). He undertook this duty, and, so as to have no cause someday to regret his deeds or counsels, mindful of others and forgetful of himself, began to handle himself, and provide, decide, and prepare all things pertaining to the dignity and public commodity of the realm. His first concern was that his nephew Henry would be educated in good morals, and he entrusted him to his mother Catharine (age 20), whom he had a little earlier escorted to England and embraced with all dutifulness. Domestic affairs thus established, he then began with equal diligence to prepare all things needful for use in war. And so, promptly conducting a levy of soldiers he adjudged to be suitable for fighting in England or France, he ordered them to be ready for all things, and gave them officers and captains knowledgeable in martial discipline, so they would be prepared when the situation required. After this, in accordance with a decree of parliament, he gathered a sum of money necessary for paying military expenses, so that nothing would impede the war.

Chronicle of Gregory 1433. 1432. Ande that same yere, a-non aftyr Ester, was the conselle of Ingelonde holdyn at Calys by the counselle of Ingelonde, for there was the [his brother] Duke of Bedeforde (age 42), Regaunte of Fraunce, and the Duke of Glouceter (age 41), with many moo lordys of the Counselle; and there were cartayne personys done unto dethe, that ys to wete, iij sowdyers were banyschyde the towne of Caleys.

Chronicle of Gregory 1436. 22 Jul 1436. Ande the xxvj day of Juylle the Duke of Glouceter (age 45) whythe alle the substaunce of the lordys of Ingelonde schyppyde at Sondewyche [Map] with xl. M [40000] men of alle the contreys of Ingelonde, for every towne, cytte, or borowe fonde certayne men whythe dyvers lyvereys of the bagys of the towne, and soo dyd abbeys and pryorys in the same wyse of alle Ingelonde. And the same day they londyd at Calys, and there they hylde hyr consaile the Fryday, Satyrday, and Sonday. And on the Monday he toke hys jornaye in-to Flaunders warde; ande he rode throughe Pycardye and dyd moche harme yn the contre of Flaunders, for he brent Poperyng and Belle, ij [2] goode townys, and many moo othyr vylagys in Flaunders and in Pycardye; and soo he come home a-yenne to Calys whythe owte any lettynge of any person, thonkyd be God.

Chronicle of Gregory 1446. 1446. Ande that same yere my Lorde of Glouceter (age 55) wente yn-to a place i-callyd the Vyse.

Calendars. 07 May 1461. Middleham Castle [Map]. Grant for life to the king's kinsman Richard (age 32), Earl of Warwick, of the office of constable of the king's castle of Dover, and al rents and services called 'castelwarde', and herbage and advowsons pertaining to the same, and the wardenship of the Cinque Ports and all forfeitures, 'shares', wreck of sea and other profits; and also 300l yearly for the sustenances of himself and priests, servants, watchmen, and other officers there, in the same manner as Humphey, late Duke of Gloucester, viz 146l frin the wards pertaining to the castle and 154l from the fee farm of the town of Southampton. By other latters patent.

Chronicle of Gregory 1403-1419. Ande thenne the Kyng of Inglonde lette parte his oste to prynces thens on dyversse wayes; that ys to saye, on party toke my lorde the [his brother] Duke of Clarens whythe many fulle worthy lordys whythe hym, and he gate many townys and castellys and stronge abbeys. And the Duke of Glouceter toke a nothyr partye of the oste, and whythe hym the Erle of Marche, the Lorde Graye, the Lorde Clyfforde, Syr Watyr Hongerford, stywarde of the kyngys howse, whythe many othyr knyghtys and squyers; and he gate, or he layde sege to Chyrborowe, xxiiij townys and castellys. And sone aftyr Ester he layde sege to the towne of Chyrborowe, and contynowyde unto Mychelmasse, and thenne the towne and the castelle was yolde unto hym. Ande the iij party of the oste the kynge delyveryde unto the Erle of Warwyke and othyr lordys whythe hym. And they gate many stronge townys and castellys and abbeys.

Duke of Gloucester made guardian of the realm. Dominus Humfridus, Dux Gloverniæ, frater Regis minimus, factus est Custos regni Angliæ, loco fratris suis [his brother] Domini Johannis, Ducis Bedfordiæ; qui vocatus a Rege, navigavit in Neustriam cum valida bellatorum ¹[manu,] postquam gloriose regimen regni tenuerat per duos annos.

Note 1. Omitted in orig.; supplied from the printed texts.

Lord Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, younger brother of the King, became Keeper of the Kingdom, in place of his brother John, Duke of Bedford, to speak for the King, who sailed to Normandy [Map] with an army, after which he governed the country for two years.