Late Medieval Books, Froissart Book 10: 1380-1382

10.214. On Monday, the first day of the week, early in the morning before the Feast of Corpus Christi, in the year 1381, these people set out and left their homes to come toward London and to speak with the king, and to declare themselves fully free, for they wanted there to be no serfs in England. They came to Saint Thomas of Canterbury, where were John Ball (who thought to find the archbishop of that place — but he was in London with the king), Walter Tyler, and Jack Straw. When they entered Canterbury, everyone welcomed them, for the whole town supported their cause. There they held council and assembly together, deciding that they would go to London to meet the king; and they sent some of their people and companions across the Thames into Essex, Sussex, the county of Stafford, and Bedford to speak to the people, urging all to come from the other side to London. In this way, they would surround the city. Their intention was that, on the Feast of Corpus Christi or the day after, they would all gather together.

10.214. Le lundi, le premier jour de la sepmainne, à bonne estrine, devant le jour dou Sacrement, en l'an mille trois cens quatre vins et un, se departirent ces gens et issirent hors de leurs lieux pour venir vers Londres et pour parler au roi et pour estre tout franc, car il voloient que il n'i eust nul serf en Engletière. Et s'en vinrent à Saint Thomas de Cantorbie, et là estoient Jehans Balle, qui quidoit trouver l'arcevesque dou dit leu (mais il estoit à Londres avoecques le roi), Wautre Tieullier et Jaques Strau. Quant il entrèrent en Cantorbie, toutes gens leur firent feste, car toute li ville estoit de leur sexte, et là eurent conseil et parlement ensamble que il venroient à Londres deviers le roi; et envoièrent de leurs gens et de leurs compaignons oultre le Tamisse en Exsexs, en Sousexsexs, en la conté de Stafort et de Betefort parler au peuple, que tout venissent de l'autre costé à Londres: si encloroient Londres. Enssi ne leur poroit li rois escaper, et estoit leur intention que, le jour dou Sacrement ou l'endemain, il se trouveroient tout ensamble.

[220] Thus the crowd dispersed and returned into London, and the king ordered more than thirty clerks that Friday to write official letters, which they sealed and distributed to the people. Those who received the letters then departed and returned to their own regions. But the greater danger remained behind: Walter Tyler, Jack Straw, and John Ball, who, although the crowd had been calmed, said that they would not depart so easily. They had, with their agreement, more than thirty thousand people. They stayed in London and did not press too much to obtain letters or seals from the king, but focused all their efforts on stirring up such disorder in the city that the wealthy and the nobles would be killed, and their houses burned and pillaged. The people of London were well aware of this danger. Therefore, they stayed inside their homes, quietly prepared with their servants and friends, each according to his means. When the crowds had quieted on that Friday and had returned into London, and were receiving sealed letters from all sides, departing as soon as they had them and heading back to their towns, King Richard went to the Wardrobe Tower in the Royal Wardrobe, where it was said the princess his mother had retreated in fear. He comforted her, as he knew well how to do, and stayed with her all that night.

[220] Enssi se departi chils peuples et rentra en Londres, et li rois ordonna plus de trente clers che venredi, qui escripsoient lettres à pooir et seeloient et delivroient à ces gens. Et puis se departoient cil qui ces lettres avoient, et s'en ralloient en leurs nations, mais li grans venins demoroit derière, Wautre Tieullier, Jaque Strau et Jehan Balle, et disoient, quoique cils peuples fust apaissiés, que il ne se partiroient pas enssi; et en avoient de leur acort plus de trente mille. Si demorèrent en Londres et ne pressoient point trop fort à avoir lettres ne seaulx dou roi, mais metoient toute leur entente à bouter tel tourble en le ville que li riche homme et li signeur fuissent mort et leurs maisons fustées et pillies. Et bien s'en doubtoient li Londriien: pour ce se tenoient il pourveu dedens leurs hostels tout quoiement de leurs varlès et de leurs amis, cascuns selonc sa poissance. Quant cils peuples fu ce venredi apaissiés et retrais en Londres, et que on leur delivroit lettres seellées à tous lés, et que il se departoient sitretos que il les avoient et en ralloient vers leurs villes, li rois Richars s'en vint en le Riolle en la Garde Robe la Roïne, dist on, où la princesse sa mère estoit retraite toute effraée. Si le reconforta, enssi que bien le seut faire, et demora avoecques li toute celle nuit.

[222] While these events were unfolding, a cry and great alarm spread through London, saying: "The King is being killed! The Mayor is being killed!" Because of this panic, all the loyal and good people on the King's side rushed out of their homes, armed and ready, and made their way toward Smithfield and the surrounding fields, where the King had gone. Before long, they numbered around 7,000 to 8,000 men, all armed. Among the first to arrive were Sir Robert Knolles and Sir Perducas de Labreth, both well accompanied by good men. Also came nine of the sheriffs of London, with more than a hundred men-at-arms, and a powerful citizen of the city—a royal draper named Nicholas Brambre, who brought a large group of good men with him. And as they arrived, they lined up on foot in battle formation alongside the King. On the other side were the rebellious peasants, also drawn up in ranks, appearing ready for battle—and they still held the King's own banners among them. At that moment, the King knighted three men: The Mayor of London, Sir John Walworth; Sir John Standwich; And Sir Nicholas Brambre. Then the nobles who were present conferred among themselves and said: "What shall we do? We see our enemies there, and they would gladly kill us if they thought they had the upper hand." Sir Robert Knolles strongly advised that they should attack and kill them all. But the King refused completely, saying he did not want that to happen: "Instead," said the King, "I want someone to go and demand my banners. Then we shall see, by how they respond, what their intentions are. But whether peaceably or otherwise, I intend to have my banners back." "That is well said," replied the Earl of Salisbury. So the three newly made knights were sent to the rebels. As they approached, they made signs to show that they meant no harm, but had come to negotiate. When they were close enough to speak and be heard, they said: "Listen: the King commands you to return his banners, and we hope he will show you mercy." Immediately, the banners were returned and brought back to the King. Then, by royal command, a proclamation was made that anyone who had received letters from the King (charters of freedom or privilege) should now bring them back. Some, but not all, returned them. The King had them collected and torn up in their presence.

[222] Entrues que ces coses se demenoient enssi, couroit une voix et uns effrois parmi Londres en dissant enssi: "On tue le roi! on tue le maire!" pour lequel effroi toutes manières de bonnes gens de la partie du roi sallirent hors de leurs hostels, armés et pourveux, et se traïssent tout devers Semitefille et sus les camps là où li rois estoit trais, et furent tantos environ set mille ou uit mille hommes, tous armés. Là vinrent tout des premerains messires Robers Canolles et messires Perducas de Labreth bien acompaigniés de bonnes gens, et noef des eschevins de Londres ossi, à plus de cent hommes d'armes, et uns poissans homs de la ville, qui estoit des draps dou roi, que on appelloit Nicolas Brambre, et cils amena une grant route de bonnes gens; et, enssi comme il venoient, il se rengeoient et se metoient tout à piet et en bataille dallés le roi. D'autre part, estoient ces mescans gens tous rengiés, et monstroient que il se voloient combatre, et avoient les banières dou roi avoec euls. Là fist li rois trois chevaliers; l'un fu le maieur de Londres, messire Jehan Walourde, l'autre fu messire Jehan Standuich, et le tierch fu messire Nicolles Brambre. Adont parlementèrent ensamble li signeur qui là estoient, et dissoient: "Que ferons nous? Nous veons nos ennemis qui nous euissent volentiers ochis, se il veïssent que il en eussent le milleur." Messires Robers Canolles consilloit tout oultre que on les alast combatre et tous ochire, mais li rois ne s'i asentoit nullement, et dissoit que il ne voloit pas que on fesist enssi: "Mais voel, dist li rois, que on voist requerre mes banières, et nous verons, en demandant nos banières, comment il se maintenront. Toutesfois, ou bellement ou autrement, je les voel ravoir."—"C'est bon," dist li contes de Sasleberi. Adont furent envoiiet cil troi nouvel chevalier devers eux. Chil chevalier, en venant, leur fissent signe que il ne traïssissent point, car il venoient là pour traitier. Quant il furent venu si priès que pour parler et estre oï, il dissent: "Escoutés. Li rois vous mande que vous li renvoiiés ses banières, et nous esperons que il ara merchi de vous." Tantos ces banières furent baillies et rapportées au roi. Encore leur fu là commandé de par le roi et sus le teste que, qui avoit lettre dou roi empetrée, il le remesist avant. Li aucun, et ne mies tout, les aportèrent. Li rois les faissoit prendre et deschirer en leur presence.

[222] You should know, and may understand, that as soon as the King's banners were returned, these wicked people held no order at all. Most of them threw down their bows, broke ranks, and dispersed, retreating into London. Sir Robert Knolles was extremely angry that they weren't pursued and all killed on the spot, but the King would not allow it, saying he would take proper vengeance later—as, indeed, he did. Thus, these foolish people scattered, some here, some there, and the King and the lords, with their companies, returned in orderly fashion into London with great joy. The King's first destination was to go to his lady mother, the Princess, who had taken shelter in a house in the Wardrobe (a royal residence in the Vintry district). She had remained there for two days and nights, deeply distressed—and with good reason. When she saw her son the King, she was filled with joy and exclaimed: "Ah, dear son! How much pain and anguish I have had in my heart for you today!" The King replied: "Indeed, my lady, I know it well. But now be joyful and give thanks to God, for today I have recovered my inheritance and the kingdom of England, which I had lost." That day the King remained with his mother, and the lords each peacefully returned to their own lodgings. Then a proclamation and royal order was issued throughout the streets: All persons who were not of the city of London, or who had not lived there for a full year, must leave. And if any were found within the city by Sunday at sunrise, they would be treated as traitors to the King and lose their heads. This proclamation was made and heard—and no one dared disobey it. That very Saturday, all such people fled immediately, returning in disarray to their homes.

[222] Vous devés et poés savoir que, sitos que les banières dou roi furent rapportées, ces mescheans gens ne tinrent nul arroi, mais jettèrent la grignour partie de leurs ars jus, et se demuchièrent et se retraïssent en Londres. Trop estoit messires Robers Canolles courouchiés de che que on ne les couroit sus et que on ne ochioit tout; mais li rois ne le voloit point consentir et dissoit que il en prenderoit bien venganche, enssi qu'il fist depuis. Enssi se departirent et demuchièrent ces folles gens, li uns chà et li autre là, et li rois et li signeur et leurs routes rentrèrent ordonnéement en Londres à grant joie. Et le premier cemin que li rois fist, il vint devers sa dame de mère, la princesse, qui estoit en un hosteil en la Riolle, que on dist la Garde Robe, et là s'estoit tenue deus jours et deus nuis moult esbahie, il i avoit bien raison. Quant elle veï le roi son fil, si fu toute resjoïe: "Ha! biaux fils, com jou ai hui eu en coer grant paine et grant angousse pour vous!" Dont respondi li rois, et dist: "Certes, ma dame, je le sai bien. Or vous resjoïssiés, car il est heure, et loés Dieu, car je ai hui recouvré mon hiretage et le roiaulme d'Engletière que je avoie perdu." Enssi se tint li rois ce jour dallés sa mère, et li signeur en allèrent cascuns paisiulement en leurs hostelx. Là fu fais uns cris et uns bans de par le roi de rue en rue, et tantos que toutes manières de gens qui n'estoient de la nation de Londres ou qui n'i avoient demoret un an entier, partesissent, et, se il i estoient sceu ne trouvé le diemence à soleil levant, il estoient tenu comme traïteur envers le roi, et perderoient les testes. Che ban fait et oï, nuls ne l'ossa enfraindre, et se departirent incontinent che samedi toutes gens et s'en rallèrent tout desbareté en leurs lieux.

223. Now let us speak of the Duke of Lancaster, who was on the Scottish marches during the days when the uprisings and popular rebellions took place in England. At that time, he was engaged in negotiations with the Scots, particularly the Earl of Douglas and the Scottish barons. The Scots were fully informed of the situation in England, as was the Duke himself. But he made no outward sign of it to the Scots; rather, he conducted himself in the negotiations as firmly and confidently as if all of England were at peace. Eventually, after many discussions back and forth, a truce was agreed to last for three years between the Scots and the English—between the kingdoms of both sides. When the truce was concluded, the lords met in person, with great ceremony and honor. There, the Earl of Douglas said to the Duke of Lancaster: "Sire, we are well aware of the rebellion and uprising of the common people in England, and the danger that such an incident presents—or may yet present—to the realm of England. We hold you to be very valiant and wise, and we greatly respect how steadfastly and openly you have conducted yourself in these negotiations. You have shown no sign of weakness or fear. Therefore, we say to you, and offer you this: if you should need support from 500 or 600 lances on our side, you will find them fully ready and at your service." "By my faith," replied the Duke, "noble lords, many thanks. I do not decline your offer—but I do believe that my lord, the King, has such good counsel that matters will turn out well. Still, I would like to have from you a secure safe-conduct for myself and my men, to return and stay in your lands, if I am forced to do so, until things are settled." The Earl of Douglas and the Earl of Moray, who had authority on behalf of the King of Scots, readily agreed. Then they took their leave and parted. The Scots returned to Edinburgh, while the Duke and his men headed back toward Berwick. The Duke intended to enter Berwick, where he had left his supplies and provisions on his way north. But when he arrived, the captain of the city, Sir Matthew Redman, refused him entry. He shut the gates in the Duke's face and said: "It is forbidden to me by order of the Earl of Northumberland, who for now has oversight and authority over the whole march, frontier, and lands of Northumberland." When the Duke heard these words, they caused him great displeasure and offense. He replied: "What is this, Matthew Redman? Has another been made sovereign in Northumberland instead of me, since I passed through here and left my supplies with you? What is the meaning of this new order?" Sir Matthew Redman answered: "By my faith, my lord, yes—and by the King's command. And what I do, I do reluctantly, but I must obey. I ask you, for God's sake, to excuse me, for I have been ordered and commanded, on my honor and on my life, not to let you or your men enter."

223. Or vous parlerons dou duch de Lancastre, qui estoit sus les marches d'Escoce en ces jours que ces avenues avinrent et chils revelemens de peuple en Engletière, et traitoit as Escos, au conte de Douglas et as barons d'Escoce. Bien savoient li Escot tout le convenant d'Engletière, et ossi faissoit li dus, mais nul samblant n'en faissoit as Escos, anchois se tenoit ossi fors en ses traitiés, que dont que Engletière fust toute en bonne pais. Tant fu parlementé et alé de l'un à l'autre que unes trieuwes furent prisses à durer trois ans entre les Escos et les Englès et les roiaulmes de l'un et de l'autre. Quant ces trieuwes furent acordées, li signeur vinrent devant l'un l'autre, en iaulx honnourant, et là dist li contes de Douglas au duc de Lanclastre: "Sire, nous savons bien le rebellion et le revelement dou menu peuple d'Engletière et le peril où li roiaulmes d'Engletière par telle incidense est et puet venir: si vous tenons à moult vaillant et à très sage, quant si francement en vos traitiés vous vous estes toudis tenus, car nul samblant n'en avés fait ne monstré. Si vous dissons et offrons que, se il vous besongne confort de cinc cens ou de sis cens lances de nostre costé, vous les trouverés toutes prestes en vostre service."—"Par ma foi, respondi li dus, biau signeur, grant mercis. Je n'i renonche pas, mais je ne quide point que mon signeur n'ait si boin conseil que les coses venront à bien, et toutesfois je voel de vous avoir un seur sauf conduit de moi et des miens pour moi retourner et tenir en vostre païs, se il me besongne, tant que les coses soient apaissies." Li contes de Douglas et li contes de Mouret, qui avoient là la poissance dou roi, li acordèrent legièrement. Adont prissent il congiet et se departirent li un de l'autre; li Escot s'en rallèrent à Haindebourc, et li dus et li sien retournèrent vers Beruich, et quidoit li dus tout proprement rentrer en la citté de Beruich, car au passer il avoit là laiiet ses pourveances; mais li cappitains de le citté, qui s'appelloit messire Mahieux Rademan, li devea et li cloï la porte audevant de li et de ses gens, et li dist que il li estoit deffendu dou conte de Northombrelande, regart et souverain pour le tamps de toute la marce, le frontière et les païs de Northombrelant. Quant li dus entendi ces parolles, si li vinrent moult à contraire et à desplaissance. Si respondi: "Comment, Mahieu Rademan, i a en Northombrelant autre souverain de moi mis et establi, depuis que je passai et que je vous laiiai mes pourveances? Dont vient ceste nouvelleté?"—"Par ma foi, respondi li chevaliers, monsigneur, oïl et de par le roi, et che que je vous en fach, je le fach envis, mais faire le me convient. Si vous prie, pour Dieu, que vous me tenés pour excusé, car il m'est enjoint et commandé, sus men honneur et sus ma vie, que point n'i entrés ne li vostre."

[223] You should know that the Duke of Lancaster was greatly astonished and angered by such words—not so much against the knight himself, but against those from whom the orders had come. After all, he had labored on behalf of England's affairs, and now he was being suspected and mistrusted to the point of being shut out and turned away from the first English city near Scotland. He imagined that a great accusation or slander was being made against him. Yet he did not fully reveal his heart or his true thoughts, and he did not press the knight further, for he clearly saw that the man was acting only under strict orders, and that without such a command, the knight would never have dared to say or do what he did. So the Duke gave up that line of questioning and turned to another, asking: "Sir Matthew, have you any news from England?" The knight replied: "My lord, I know no more than this: that the country is deeply disturbed, and our lord the King has written to the barons and knights of this land, ordering them to be ready to come to him when summoned. And he has written with strict commands to the wardens and castellans of the cities, towns, and castles of Northumberland, telling them not to allow anyone to enter their holdings and to be most vigilant in keeping safe what they are entrusted with. But as for the common people rebelling near London, I know of no definite news that I can report with certainty—except that the officers from the bishopric of Lincoln, and from the counties of Cambridge, Stafford, Bedford, and the diocese of Norwich, have written to say that the lower classes under their authority are in great unrest, and wish for things to go badly and for disorder to spread in England." The Duke then asked: "And from our own lands—from Derby and Lincolnshire—has there been any rebellion?" The knight answered: "My lord, I've heard nothing of them having crossed the Witham or reaching Lincoln or Saint John of Beverley." At that, the Duke reflected silently, then took his leave of the knight and turned back toward Roxburgh, where he was warmly welcomed by the castellan, whom he himself had appointed on his previous journey through there.

[223] Vous devés savoir que li dus de Lanclastre fu moult esmervilliés et courouchiés de tels paroles, et non pas sus le chevalier singullèrement, mais sus ceulx dont li ordenance venoit, quant il avoit traveliet pour les besongnes d'Engletière, et on le soupechonnoit tel que on li clooit et veoit la première ville d'Engletière au lés devers Escoche, et imaginoit que on li faisoit grant blasme, et ne descouvri mies là tout son corage ne ce que il penssoit, et ne pressa plus avant le chevalier, car bien veoit que il n'avoit nulle cause dou faire, et que li chevaliers, sans trop destroit commandement, ne se fust jamais avanchiés de dire et faire ce que il disoit et faissoit. Si issi de che pourpos et prist un aultre, et li demanda: "Messire Mahieu, des nouvelles d'Engletière savés vous nulles?"—"Monsigneur, respondi li chevaliers, je ne sai autres fors telles que li païs est trop fort esmeuz, et a li rois nos sires escript as barons et as chevaliers de ce païs que il soient tout prest de venir vers li, quant il les mandera, et as gardiiens et castelains des cittés, villes et castiaulx de Northombrelande mandé destroitement et sus la teste, que il ne laissent nullui entrer en leurs lieux et soient bien seur de ce qu'il ont en garde. Mais dou menu peuple qui se revelle devers Londres, je ne sai nulle certaine nouvelle que je peuisse recorder pour verité fors tant que li officiier de là jus, de l'evesqué de Lincolle et de la conté de Cambruge, de Stafort, de Beteforde et de l'evesquiet de Norduich m'ont escript que les menues gens desoulx eulx sont en grant desir que les cosses voissent mal et que il i ait tourble en Engletière."—"Et de nostre païs, dist li dus de Lanclastre, de Derbi et de Lincestre i a nulle rebellion?"—"Monsigneur, respondi li chevaliers, je n'ai point oï dire que il aient passé Line, Lincole ne Saint Jehan de Bruvelé." Adont s'apenssa li dus, et prist congiet au chevalier, et tourna le chemin de Rosebourc, et là fu il requelliés dou castelain, car il meïsmes au passer l'i avoit mis et establi.

224. Now the Duke of Lancaster took counsel and advice—because he did not know clearly, nor could he know for certain, how matters stood or would turn out in England, or who there loved or hated him—that he would make his position known to the barons of Scotland and request that they come to escort him with a number of men-at-arms, under the safe-conduct they had granted him earlier. As soon as he had settled on this plan, he sent a message to the Earl of Douglas, who was then staying at Dalkeith. When the Earl received the Duke's letter, he was overjoyed and warmly welcomed the messenger. He immediately informed the Earl of Moray and his brother, the Earl of March, and sent word to them that, within three days and without delay, they and their men—mounted and ready—should come to Moor Lane. As soon as these lords were informed, they called together their men and their closest allies and came to Moor Lane, where they found the Earl of Douglas. Then they rode out together, numbering about 500 lances (i.e., knights and men-at-arms), and came to the Abbey of Melrose, about nine small leagues from Roxburgh, and there they sent word to the Duke of Lancaster announcing their arrival. The Duke and his men quickly made ready, mounted up, and departed from Roxburgh, and along the way, they encountered the Scottish barons. They met with great ceremony and joy, then rode together, talking and conversing as they went, until they reached Edinburgh, where the King of Scots customarily resides—for it has a fine and strong castle, a large town, and a good harbor. But at that time, the King was not there—he was in the Scottish Highlands, where he was hiding. So, in order to honor the Duke of Lancaster, the Earl of Douglas and the Scottish barons gave the castle of Edinburgh over to the Duke, for which he was very grateful. The Duke stayed there for some time, until more news came from England—but that did not happen immediately. And whether that news was true or not, that remains to be seen.

224. Or eut li dus de Lancastre conseil et avis, pour ce que il ne savoit ne savoir justement ne pooit comment les coses se portoient en Engletière ne porteroient encores ne de qui il i estoit amés ne haïs, que il signifieroit son estat as barons d'Escoce et leur prieroit que il le venissent querre à une quantité de gens d'armes sus le sauf conduit que il li avoient bailliet. Tantos che conseil et avis eu, il envoia devers le conte de Douglas, qui se tenoit à Dalquest. Quant li contes veï les lettres dou duc, si en eut grant joie et conjoï grandement le message, et segnefia en l'eure cel afaire au conte de Mouret et au conte de le Mare, son frère, et leur manda que tantost et sans delai, sus trois jours, eux et leurs gens, montés et aprestés, fussent venu à le Morlane. Sitretos que cil signeur en furent segnefiet, il mandèrent leurs gens et leurs amis les plus prochains, et s'en vinrent à la Morlane, et là trouvèrent le conte de Douglas. Si chevauchièrent tout ensamble, et estoient bien cinc cens lances, et vinrent en l'abaïe de Mauros, à noef petites lieues de Rosebourc, et segnefiièrent leur venue au duc de Lanclastre. Li dus tantos lui et ses gens furent apparilliet; si montèrent et se partirent de Rosebourc, et encontrèrent sur leur chemin les barons d'Escoche. Si s'entrecontrèrent et fissent grant chière, et puis chevauchièrent ensamble tout en parlant et en devissant, et exploitèrent tant que il vinrent en Haindebourc, où li rois d'Escoce par usage se tient le plus, car il i a biau castel et bon, et grosse ville et biau havene. Mais, pour ches jours li rois n'i estoit point, anchois se tenoit en la Sauvage Escoche, et là cachoit. Si fu dou conte de Douglas et des barons d'Escoce, pour plus honnourer le duc de Lanclastre, li castiaulx de Haindebourc delivrés au duc, dont il leur sceut grant gret; et là se tint li dus un tempore, tant que autres nouvelles lui vinrent d'Engletière, mais che ne fu mies sitretos, et que che soit voirs.

[224] Now look at wicked people, how hateful and deceitful they are, proudly speaking outrageously and without cause. For a time, both men and women spread rumors throughout England, during the days of the rebellions, that the Duke of Lancaster was a traitor to the king, his lord, and that he had allied himself with the Scots. But the complete opposite was soon known to be true. Still, these wicked people, seeking only to further disturb the realm and stir up the people, had spread and sown these words — which they later confessed at their death, when they were executed: Listier, Tiler, Straw, Baker, and John Ball. These five were the leaders and supreme captains throughout all England, and they had divided and allotted among themselves the rule of the five parts of England, claiming each would be master and governor of his own region. They had a particular and deep hatred for the Duke of Lancaster, which they made plain, for as soon as they entered London, they went and burned his house — the beautiful Savoy Palace — until not a beam or timber remained unburnt. And alongside this devastation, they spread and had others spread false words throughout England that he was on the side of the King of Scotland. Because of that, in some places in England, people even turned his coat of arms upside down, as though he were a traitor. But later this was dearly paid for, and those who had done it were beheaded.

[224] Or regardés des malles gens, comment haïneus et losengier s'avancent de parler outrageusement et sans cause. Vois et fame coururent un tamps en Engletière, ens es jours de ces rebellions, que li dus de Lanclastre estoit traïtres envers le roi, son signeur, et que il s'estoit tournés escos. Et il fu tantos sceu tous li contraires, mais ces maleoites gens, pour mieux tourbler le roiaulme et esmouvoir le peuple, avoient mis avant et semet ces paroles, et che congnurent à le mort, quant il furent executé de mort, Listier, Tieullier, Strau, Baquier et Jehan Balle. Chil cinc par tout Engletière estoient li meneur et li souverain cappitainne, et avoient ordonné et tailliet entre eux que ens es cinc parties d'Engletière il seroient maistre et gouvreneur, et par especial il avoient en trop grant haïne le duc de Lanclastre, et bien li monstrèrent, car, sitretos de commenchement que il furent entré en Londres, il li alèrent ardoir sa maison, le bel hostel de Savoie, que onques n'i demora esciel ne mairien, que tout ne fust ars, et encores avoec tout che meschief avoient il semet et fait semer par leur malvaisté parolles aval Engletière que il estoit de la partie dou roi d'Escoce: dont on li tourna en aucuns lieux en Engletière ses armes au desous, comme il fust traïtres; et depuis fu si chièrement comparet que chil qui che fissent en orent les tiestes trenchies.

248. When the Count of Savoy arrived at the tent of the Duke of Anjou, the master enchanter had already left. Then the duke reminded him of the words of the master and what he had offered him. The Count of Savoy thought for a moment and then said: ‘Send him to me at my lodging, and I will examine him. This is the same master enchanter by whom the Queen of Naples and Sir Host of Breswick, her husband, were once taken in the Castle of the Egg, for he made the sea rise so high that it seemed it would overflow the castle; those inside the castle were so terrified they thought they would surely drown. One must not place too much trust in such people. Look at the nature of the rogues in this country: just to please you and gain your favor, he is willing to betray those to whom he once delivered the Queen of Naples and her husband to Charles of La Paix.' Then the Duke of Anjou said: ‘I will send him to you.' Then the lords came in and, amid other discussions, the duke and the Count of Savoy consulted for a time about their affairs, and afterward the count returned to his lodging.

248. Quant li contes de Savoie fu venus en la tente dou duc d'Ango, li maistres encantères estoit partis. Adont li recorda li dus la parolle dou maistre et quel cose il li offroit. Li contes de Savoie penssa un petit, et puis dist: Envoiés le moi en mon logis, et je le examinerai; c'est li maistres encantères par lequel la roïne de Napples et messires Ostes de Bresuich, ses maris, furent jadis pris ens ou castiel de l'Uef, car il fist la mer si haute que il sambloit que elle montast desus le castiel: s'en furent si eshidé cil qui ou castel estoient, que il leur sambloit que il deuissent estre tout noiiet. On ne doit point avoir fiance trop grande en tels gens. Or regardés de la nature des malandrins de ce païs: pour seullement complaire à vous et avoir vostre bienfait, il voelt trahir ceulx à qui il livra une fois la roïne de Napples et son mari à Charle de la Pais. Dist li dus d'Ango apriès: Je le vous envoierai. Adont entrèrent li signeur entre autres parolles, et consillièrent un tamps de leurs besongnes li dus et li contes de Savoie, et puis retourna li contes à son logeïs.