Text this colour is a link for Members only. Support us by becoming a Member for only £3 a month by joining our 'Buy Me A Coffee page'; Membership gives you access to all content and removes ads.
Text this colour links to Pages. Text this colour links to Family Trees. Place the mouse over images to see a larger image. Click on paintings to see the painter's Biography Page. Mouse over links for a preview. Move the mouse off the painting or link to close the popup.
1350-1359 Battles of Winchelsea and Poitiers is in 14th Century Events.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke [-1360]. In this year,1 on the feast day of Saint George [23rd April 1350], the king held a great banquet at Windsor Castle [Map], where he established a chantry of twelve priests, and founded a hospital, in which impoverished knights, whose means were insufficient, could, in the service of the Lord, receive suitable support from the perpetual alms of the founders of that college. Besides the king, other nobles contributed to the foundation of this hospital, namely: the king's eldest son, the Earl of Northampton (age 40), the Earl of Warwick (age 37), the Earl of Suffolk (age 51), the Earl of Salisbury (age 21), and other barons. Also included were simple knights, such as: Roger de Mortimer (age 21), now Earl of March, Lord Walter de Mauny (age 40), Lord William FitzWarin (age 34), John de Lisle (age 14), John de Mohun (age 30), John de Beauchamp (age 31), Walter de Pavely (age 31), Thomas Wale (age 47) and Hugh de Wrottesley (age 16). Men whose proven virtue ranked them among the wealthiest earls. Together with the king, all these men were clothed in robes of powdered russet, with garters of Indian colour, also wearing garters on their right legs, and mantles of blue, adorned with the shield of Saint George. In such attire, bareheaded, they devoutly attended a solemn Mass, sung by the bishops of Canterbury, Winchester, and Exeter. They then sat together at a common table, in honour of the holy martyr, to whom they dedicated this noble brotherhood, calling their company "The Knights of Saint George of the Garter."
Isto anno, in die sancti Georgii, rex celebravit grande convivium apud Wyndesore in castro, ubi instituit cantariam xij. sacerdotum, et fundavit zenodochium, in quo milites depauperati, quibus sua non sufficerent, possent in Domini servitute de perpetuis elemosinis fundatorum illius collegii sustentacionem competentem habere. Preter regem fuerunt alii compromittentes in fundacionem istius zenodochii, scilicet regis primogenitus, comes Norhamptonie, comes Warewici, comes Suthfolchie, comes Salisbiriensis, et alii barones; simplices quoque milites, scilicet Rogerus de Mortuo mari, nunc comes Marchie, dominus Walterus de Magne, dominus Willelmus filius Garini, Iohannes de Insula, Iohannes de Mohun, Iohannes de Bealchampe, Walterus de Pavely, Thomas Wale, et Hughe de Wrotesley, quos probitas experta ditissimis comitibus associavit. Una cum rege fuerunt omnes isti vestiti togis de russeto pulverizato cum garteriis Indie coloris, habentes eciam tales garterias in tibiis dextris, et mantella de blueto cum scutulis armorum sancti Georgii. Tali apparatu nudi capita audierunt devote missam celebrem per antistites Cantuariensem, Wintoniensem, et Exoniensem decantatam, et conformiter sederunt in mensa communi ob honourem sancti martiris, cui tam nobilem fraternitatem specialiter intitularunt, appellantes istorum comitivam sancti Georgii de la gartiere.
Note 1. Stow Annales 390: "This yeere, on Saint Georges day [23rd April 1350], the king held a great and solemne feast at his castle of Windsor, where he had augmented the chappel which Henry the first and other his progenitors, kings of England, had before erected, of eight chanons. He added to those eight chanons a deane and fifteene chanons more, and 24 poore and impotent knights, with other ministers and servants, as appeareth in his charter dated the two and twentieth of his reigne. Besides the king, there were other also that were contributors to the foundation of this colledge, as followeth: i. The sovereigne king Edward the third, 2. Edward, his eldest sonne, prince of Wales, 3. Henry, duke of Lancaster, 4. the earle of Warwicke, 5. Captaine de Bouch (age 19), 6. Ralph, earle of Stafford (age 48), 7. William Montacute, earle of Salisburie, 8. Roger, lorde Mortimer, earle of March, 9. sir John de Lisle (age 31), 10. sir .
It will be seen that Stow here alters the names to tally with the list of the original knights or First Founders of the order of the Garter. Baker seems to be anticipating. William Bohun, 1st earl of Northampton, and Robert Ufford, 1st earl of Suffolk, and sir William Fitz-Warine became knights of the order at an early date; but Roger Mortimer, here styled 'now Earl of March,' did not have that title before 1352, and sir Walter Manny did not receive the garter till the end of 1359.
The date of the foundation of the order of the Garter has never been exactly determined. Froissart 203.
The Brute chronicle (Egerton MS. 650) has this description, although under a wrong year: "And in the XIX yere of his regne, anone aftre, in Jannuere, before Lenten, the same kyng Edward lete make fulle noble iustice and grete festes in the place of hys byrth, at Wyndsore, that ther were never none suche seyne before that tyme, ne I trowe sythene. At whech iustice, festis and ryalte weryn II kinges, II quenys, and the prince of Wales and the duke of Cornewale, ten erles, nine countesse, many barons, knyghttes, and worthy burgesse, the whech myght not lyghtly be nombrede; and also of dyverse londes as byyonde the see were many strangers. And at that tyme, whene the iustes had done, the kyng Edward made a grete souper, in the wheche he begone fyrst hys round table, and ordayned stedfastly the day of the forsayd table to be holde ther at Wyndessore in the Whytesonwyke evermore yerely."
Relying on the date given in the statutes of the order and on this passage in Baker, writers on the subject have adopted 1349 or 1350 as the year of foundation. But an entry in the household-book of the Black Prince affords a reason for dating the event a year earlier, payment having been made on the 18th November 1348, for twenty-four garters which were given by the prince "militibus de societate garterias" i.e. "garters [were given] to the knights of the society"; Beltz, Memorials of the Order of the Garter, pp. XXXII, 385. Proof however is not conclusive, as the ministers' accounts in the household-book were rendered between 1352 and 1365, and there is therefore room for error; moreover, the garters in question may have been prepared in anticipation. The date of 1349, which is given in the preamble to the earliest copies of the statutes, although it is true that those copies are not contemporary, is not to be lightly set aside. It is, indeed, most probable that the order was never solemnly instituted at an early period, but that it was gradually taking shape during the years following the foundation of the Round Table. Edward's patent, bearing date of 22nd August 1348, whereby he instituted a chapel at Windsor, with a fraternity of eight secular canons and a warden, fifteen other canons, and four-and-twenty poor knights, appears to be the first formal document which can be quoted as a foundation-deed of the order. After this there is no direct reference to it until 1350, when robes were issued for the King against the coming Feast of St. George, together with a Garter containing the King's motto, "Hony soyt qui mal y pense!" Nicolas, History of Orders of Knighthood, 1.24.
Annales of England by John Stow. This yeere, on Saint Georges day [23rd April 1350], the king held a great and solemne feast at his castle of Windsor, where he had augmented the chappel which Henry the first and other his progenitors, kings of England, had before erected, of eight chanons. He added to those eight chanons a deane and fifteene chanons more, and 24 poore and impotent knights, with other ministers and servants, as appeareth in his charter dated the two and twentieth of his reigne. Besides the king, there were other also that were contributors to the foundation of this colledge, as followeth: i. The sovereigne king Edward the third, 2. Edward, his eldest sonne, prince of Wales, 3. Henry, duke of Lancaster, 4. the earle of Warwicke (age 37), 5. Captaine de Bouch (age 19), 6. Ralph, earle of Stafford (age 48), 7. William Montacute (age 21), earle of Salisburie, 8. Roger, lorde Mortimer (age 21), earle of March, 9. sir John de Lisle (age 31), 10. sir Bartholomew Burwash (age 22), 11. sir John Beauchampe (age 34), 12. sir John Mahune (age 30), 13. sir Hugh Courtney, 14. sir Thomas Holland (age 36), 15. sir John Grey (age 49), 16. sir Richard Fitz Simon, 17. sir Miles Stapleton (age 30), 18. sir Thomas Walle (age 47), 19. sir Hugh Wrothesley (age 16), 20. sir Nele Loring (age 30), 21. sir John Chandos (age 30), 22. sir James de Audley (age 32), 23. sir Othes Holland (age 34), 24. sir Henry Eme, 25. sir Sechet Dabridgecourt (age 20), 26. sir Wiliam Panell (age 31). All these, together with the king, were clothed in gownes of russet, poudered with garters blew, wearing the like garters also on their right legges, and mantels of blew with scutcheons of S. George. In this sort of apparell they, being bare-headed, heard masse, which was celebrated by Simon Islip, archbishop of Canterbury, and the bishops of Winchester and Excester, and afterwards they went to the feast, setting themselves orderly at the table, for the honor of the feast, which they named to be of S. George the martyr and the choosing of the knights of the Garter.
On 29th August 1350 the English fleet defeated a Castilian fleet at Winchelsea [Map] during the Battle of Winchelsea. Around twenty Castilian ships were captured; several were sunk. For the English King Edward III of England (age 37) and his son Edward "Black Prince" (age 20), James Audley (age 32), Henry Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Masham (age 37), Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 40) and John Sully (age 67) fought.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke [-1360]. In the following summer,1 after a dispute arose between the sailors of England and Spain, the Spaniards blockaded the English Channel with forty-four large warships,2 and captured, plundered, and sank ten English ships that had been sailing from Aquitaine to England. Having thus taken vengeance for injuries suffered, they put in at the port of Sluys in Flanders. When this was reported, the king3 assembled his fleet, gathering fifty ships and pinnaces, and prepared to intercept the returning Spaniards. With him he had the Prince of Wales, the Earls of Lancaster, Northampton, Warwick, Salisbury, Arundel, Huntingdon, and Gloucester, as well as other barons and knights, with their personal retinues and archers. Finally, on the Feast of the Beheading of Saint John [29th August 1350], around the hour of vespers [evening], the fleets collided. The large Spanish ships,4 like floating castles, towered over our galleys and vessels.
In estate sequenti, orta dissencione inter nautas Anglie et Ispanie, Ispani obsederunt mare Britannicum cum XLlIIIJ magnis navibus bellicosis, qui decem naves Anglicas versus Angliam ab Aquitannia velificantes captas atque spoliatas submerserunt, et, taliter iniuria passa vindicata, in portum de Sclusa Flandrie applicuerunt. Hiis auditis, rex, suo navigio coadunato in quinquaginta navibus et spinaciis, Ispanis reversuris obviare disponebat, secum habens principem Wallie, comites Lancastrie, Norhamptonie, Warewici, Sarisburie, Arundellie, Huntindonie, Gloucestrie, et alios barones atque milites, cum eorum precise l secretis commensalibus et sagittariis. Denique in festo Decollations sancti lohannis, circa d horam vesperarum, classes colliserunt; ubi magne buscee Ispanienses, quasi castra casellis, ita nostris liburnis et navibus supereminebant.
Note 1. Stow Annales 391.
The battle of 'Les Espagnols sur Mer' was fought off Winchelsea on Sunday, the 29th August 1350. The Spanish admiral was Carlos de la Cerda. Froissart's picturesque narrative of the action is the principal source of information. In Baker's account we have valuable details regarding the number and losses of the Spanish fleet and the prominent part taken in the struggle by the English archers.
Note 2. Baker is here very exact in his numbers, and may no doubt be followed. Froissart 324.
Note 3. Edward first issued orders for the gathering of ships at Sandwich on the 23rd July. See Nicolas, A History of the Royal Navy, II 103. Baker is wrong in including the earl of Gloucester among those present. The title had become extinct with the death of Hugh de Audeley in 1347.
Note 4. The 'buscee' was a large vessel, comPARAtively short, but broad in the beam and deep in the hold. Froissart 325.
Chronicle of Henry Knighton. At that same time, the Spaniards returned from Spain with a strong fleet and robust men, bringing with them countless treasures and vast quantities of merchandise, and they rested at Sluis in Flanders. They plundered at sea whatever they could, killed many Englishmen, and committed numerous atrocities. During their arrival at Sluys, they encountered an English fleet sailing toward Gascony in search of wine. They seized their goods and killed many Englishmen, especially off the coast of Brittany, causing great losses. Therefore, King Edward sent word to Flanders that the Spaniards should be removed from their lands at his request. And immediately King Edward gathered his forces. For, since the Spaniards had inflicted so many wrongs upon the English; burning English ports, plundering, and killing, King Edward went to meet them at sea, and attacked them fiercely. The Spaniards nobly and bravely defended themselves for a long time, but at last they were overcome, and many were drowned. And the king seized their goods, by the grace of God, and brought them back to England, specifically, on the Sunday just before the Feast of the Assumption [29th August 1350].
Eodem tempore Hispaniei redierunt de Estlandia cum forti classe et gente robusta, habentes gazas innumeras et mercimonia infinita, et quieverunt apud le Sclusse! in Flandria. Et prædati sunt in mari quecunque potuerunt, et multos Anglos occiderunt et multa mala fecerunt, et in eorum adventu apud le Sclusse obviaverunt Anglicanæ classi tendenti versus Vasconiam pro vino quærendo, bona eorum rapuerunt et occiderunt de Anglis ad magnam summam, sub maritima Britanniæ. Unde rex Edwardus misit in Flandriam ut eos amoverent a finibus suis ad instantiam suam, et statim rex Edwardus congregavit populum suum [et] pro eo quod Hispanici tanta mala intulerant Anglicis incendendo portus Angliee, depresdando et occidendo, rex Edwardus dedit eis obviam in mari et eis acriter insultum fecit, et ipsi se nobiliter et fortiter defenderunt longo tempore, et tandem subacti sunt et multi submersi, et tulit rex bona eorum per dei gratiam, et adduxit secum in Angliam, scilicet Dominica proxima ante festum Assumptionis.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
Chronicle of Robert de Avesbury. [29th August 1350] On the Feast of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, in the year of our Lord 1350, in the 24th year of his reign over England and the 11th year of his claimed reign over France, the said Lord King of England, reflecting in his heart how, around the previous [1st November 1349], the Spaniards, arriving by sea, had attacked the port of Gironde, on the maritime approach toward Bordeaux, and had seized many English ships loaded with wine for transport to England, killing all the Englishmen found aboard— he resolved to punish and terrify them with a similar fate, that they might not dare to commit such crimes again. Having assembled a sufficient fleet at Sandwich, and taken with him many nobles, as well as men-at-arms and archers of the realm, he engaged in a naval battle near Winchelsea with the Spaniards, who were sailing from Flanders in many armed warships, fully manned and stocked with weapons and defensive gear, sailing homeward, and preparing to plunder and burn along the English coast. The king engaged them in battle, and, although the Spaniards fought valiantly, he defeated them. There were very many Spaniards aboard 24 large ships, and none of them was willing to surrender. So they were put to death by sword and arrow, and the said 24 ships were captured, together with much merchandise, especially various cloths purchased in Flanders. However, some Spanish ships that had kept farther from the battle, holding both their goods and distance, escaped, as no one pursued them.
In festo vero Decollationis sancti Johannis baptistæ, anno Domini millesimo CCCmoLmo, dictus dominus rex Anglorum, anno regni sui Angliæ XXIIIL, regni vero Franciæ XJmo, in corde suo revolvens quod, circiter festum Omnium Sanctorum proximo tunc præteritum, Ispanici, navigio venientes, in portu de Gerounde, tendente de mari versus Burdeaux, plures naves Anglorum ibidem cum vino in Angliam transvehendo onustas, peremptis omnibus Anglicis in eisdem navibus inventis, ceperunt, cogitansque eosdem pœna consimili castigare et terrere ne ad talia facinora extenderent amplius manus suas, in sufficienti navigio, apud Sandwich? congregato, assumptis secum multis nobilibus aliisque hominibus armorum et sagittariis regni Angliæ, in mari juxta Winchelse cum Hispannicis, de partibus Flandriæ, cum multis navibus bellicosis hominibus armatis, cum telis et armis aliis defensivis munitis fortiter et onustis, versus partes proprias navigantibus, et ad faciendas deprædationes et incendia per litora maris Angliæ se disponentibus, bellum navale commisit, ipsosque strenue se habentes devicit. Multis admodum Hispannicis in XXIIIJ magnis navibus exsistentibus, nullo ipsorum volente se reddere, gladiis et sagittis volantibus vita privatis, dictæ xxiiijor naves, cum multis mercimoniis prsecipue diversis pannis emptis in Flandria, in eisdem inventis, capte sunt; quidam tamen, cum suis mercimoniis in navibus aliis repositis a prœlio longius se tenentes, ipsos nullis insequentibus, evaserunt.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
In 1351 the Statute of Labourers was a futher attempt by Parliament to constrain worker's wages following the 1348 Black Death Plague Outbreak. In practice, the Statute was poorly enforced and caused considerable resentment, ultimately being one of the causes of the Peasant's Revolt.
In 1351 the Treason Act defined Treason for the first time: High Treason and Petty Treason, and the associated penalties. Hanging, drawing an quartering for men, burning for women.
In 1351 the Statute of Provisors attempted to constrain the appointment of benefices to aliens ie non-English who are not subject to English Laws.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough, a canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: "In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
In 1351 Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 41) was created 1st Duke Lancaster by King Edward III of England (age 38). Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster (age 31) by marriage Duchess Lancaster.
Lionel of Antwerp 1st Duke of Clarence (age 12) was created 1st Earl of Ulster.
John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 10) was created 1st Earl Richmond.
Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 49) was created 1st Earl Stafford.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke [-1360]. In the year of Christ 1351, and the 25th year of the king's reign, after the octave of the Purification of the Glorious Virgin [2nd February 1351], at the parliament held in London at Westminster, Lord Henry (age 41), son of Henry, Earl of Lancaster, himself Earl of Lincoln, Leicester, Derby, Grismond, and Ferrers, was made Duke of Lancaster, receiving liberties and privileges from the royal bounty such as no other earl had ever held. Also Lord Lionel of Antwerp (age 12), the king's son, was made Earl of Ulster in Ireland, Lord John of Gaunt (age 10), his brother, was made Earl of Richmond and Lord Ralph of Stafford (age 49), formerly a baron, was created Earl of the same name.
Anno Christi MCCCLJ et regis XXV post octabas Purificacionis Virginis gloriose, in parliamento Londoniis apud Westmonasterium celebrato, dominus Henricus filius Henrici comitis Lancastrie, ipse comes Lincolnie, Leicestrie, Derbie et Grossimontis atque de Ferrariis, factus est dux Lancastrie, datis sibi libertatibus atque privilegiis munificencia regali qualia nullus comitum habebat. Item, dominus Leunecius de Andewerpe, regis filius, fit comes de Holvestria in Hybernia, et dominus Tohannes de Gandavo, germanus eius, fit comes Richemundie, et dominus Radulfus de Staffordia, pridem baro, comes eiusdem tituli creabatur.
Chronicle of Henry Knighton. [2nd February 1351] In the year of grace 1350, it was a Jubilee Year in Rome, and it began on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Glorious Virgin Mary (March 25). Henry, the noble Earl of Lancaster, was made Duke of Lancaster. He was the first Duke of Lancaster, and before him, no one is known to have held the ducal title in England except in Cornwall. John of Gaunt, son of King Edward, was made Earl of Richmond. Lord Ralph, Baron of Stafford, was made Earl of Stafford. Lord Robert de Ufford was made Earl of Suffolk. And a fifteenth was granted to the king in Parliament. In the same year, John of Valois, son of the King of France, was crowned as King of France.
On 26th March 1351 the Combat of the Thirty was an arranged joust, or melee, between selected combatants from both sides of the conflict, fought at at Guillac, a site midway between the Breton castles of Josselin and Ploërmel among 30 champions, knights, and squires on each side.
Robert Knollys (age 26) took part.
Hugh Calverley (age 27) fought, was captured and ransomed.
The date of the battle sometimes given as the 27th of March 1351. De la Borderie, History of Brittany, vol. III, p. 514, note 4: Up to now, all historians who have written about the Battle of the Thirty have dated it to March 27, 1351. That is also the date inscribed on the commemorative pyramid at Mi-Voie. However, this date is one day Officer According to a contemporary poem, the battle was fought on a Saturday, the eve of Laetare Sunday (Jerusalem), that is, the fourth Sunday of Lent. In 1351, Easter fell on April 17, so Laetare Sunday was March 27. Therefore, the eve of that Sunday—the day of the Battle of the Thirty—was not March 27, but March 26. See the title and conclusion of the poem, ed. Crapelet, pp. 13 and 35, and stanza 34, Crapelet p. 30.
Chronicle of Jean le Bel Chapter 86. How thirty Frenchmen fought against thirty Englishmen and Germans under certain agreed conditions in Brittany, and how the English and Germans1 were defeated.
Comment XXX Françoys se combatirent contre XXX que Angloys que Alamans par certaines convenances en Bretaigne, et furent vaincus les Angloys et Alamans.
Note 1. See Froissart, ed. Luce, vol. IV, p. 110, § 335, to p. 115, § 338. In the final paragraph, Froissart speaks of two knights who had taken part in the Combat of the Thirty. Variants, pp. 338 to 341.
Cf. Froissart, éd. Luce, t. IV, p. 110, § 335, à p. 115, § 338. Dans le dernier alinéa, Froissart parle de deux chevaliers qui avaient été au combat des Trente. Variantes, p. 338 à 341.
Bentleys Miscellany Volume 45. The Combat of the Thirty from an old breton lay of the Fourteenth Century by William Harrison Ainsworth.
Chronicle of Robert de Avesbury. ... and on the 8th of April, 1351, the Gascons and French encountered each other near Saintes and engaged in a fierce battle. In the end, many French were killed, some turned in flight, and more than 300 French knights and noble men-at-arms were captured there. However, the siege continued, until the besieged, lacking supplies, surrendered under honorable terms. And thus, the town of Saint-Jean-d'Angély was restored to the former control of the King of France.
... et VIIJ die Aprilis, anno Domini millesimo CCCLI, dicti Vasconici et Francigeni, juxta Seyntes, ad invicem obviam sibi dantes, fortiter preeliarunt, et finaliter, multis Francigenis interfectis ac quibusdam eorum in fugam conversis, plus quam CCC milites et nobiles homines armorum Francigenorum capti fuerunt ibidem; obsidione tamen durante, quousque obsessi, deficientibus sibi victualibus, se bonis conditionibus reddiderunt. Et sic dicta villa Sancti Johannis in potestatem pristinam regis Franciæ est redacta.
On 12th February 1352 Charles "Bad" II King Navarre (age 19) and Joan Valois Queen Consort Navarre (age 8) were married at Chateau du Vivie, Coutevroult. She by marriage Queen Consort Navarre. She the daughter of King John "The Good" II of France (age 32) and Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France. He the son of Philip "Noble" III King Navarre and Joan Capet II Queen Navarre. They were second cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke [-1360]. In this year, on the eve of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God1 [14th August 1352], Walter de Bentley, captain, Robert Knolles, and other loyal supporters of the king, encountered the enemy with great valour in the marches of Brittany. In the fierce and prolonged battle, the following were killed: the chief Marshal of France (age 26), the lords of Quintin, Courtenoc (Curtunoke), Richemonte, Montauban, Lagenel, Launay, Montboucher, Villechastel, La Marche, and other knights, numbering 140, along with some 500 squires, whose coats of arms and armour were taken as spoils. The number of common soldiers slain was not counted. Among the captured were: Lord de Brusebeke, the son of Marshal Bertram, Tristram de Maleis, Lord de Maletret, the Viscount of Comminges, Geoffrey de Goanes, William de la Val, Charles d'Archeville, John de Bause, and other knights and squires numbering more than 130. This French army, under the command of the aforementioned marshal, had been intentionally positioned behind the slope of a hill, a location from which there was no escape, so that desperation might fuel their bravery, as often happens with courageous men. There were also present many from the company of the Knights of the Star,2 who had sworn in their order never to turn their backs on the English. Of them, 45 were among the dead and captured. Few escaped unwounded from that engagement. In it, the English captain Walter de Bentley, though horribly wounded, ordered thirty archers to be executed, these had, in the height of battle, fled in terror from the overwhelming number of French and turned their backs.
Isto anno, in vigilia Assumpcionis Virginis, matris Dei, Walterus de Benteleye, capitaneus, Robertus Knollis et alii regis fideles in marchia Britannie hostibus egregie obviarunt, ubi in certamine diu periculoso fuerant occisi marescallus Francie principalis, item domini de Quintin, de Curtunoke, de Richemont, de Mountalban, de Lagenel, de Launey, de Mountboche, de Vilechastel, de la Marche, et alii milites numero centum quadraginta, atque domicelli ad summam quingentorum, quorum toge armature fuerunt reportate, numero popularium non taxato. Ibidem capti fuerunt dominus de Brusebeke, filius marescalli Bertram, item Tristram de Maleis, item dominus de Maletret item vicecomes de Comayn, item Galfridus de Goanes, Willelmus de la Val, Carolus Darchefil, Iohannes de Bause et alii milites cum domicellis amplius quam centum et triginta. Iste Francorum exercitus sub ducatu predicti marescalli ex proposito ductoris fuerat a tergo declivo cuiusdam montis vallatus, quod non poterat fugam inire, ut ex fuge desperacione cresceret eiis audacia pugnandi, sicud solet animosis. Fuerunt eciam ibidem plures de comitiva militum Stelle, qui in sua professione coniurarunt se nunquam Anglico terga territa versuros, de quibus fuerunt inter captos et occisos numerati quadraginta quinque. Ab illo discrimine pauci non wlnerati evaserunt, in quo ipsorum capitaneus prefatus Walterus horribiliter wineratus iussit triginta sagittarios decapitari, qui in maximo belli fervore teriti a Gallicorum immensitate fugam inierunt.
Note 1. The information in the first part of this paragraph is obtained from sir Walter Bentley's letter to the chancellor, the bishop of Worcester, describing the action, which was fought near Mauron on the 14th August 1352. The letter is given in Avesbury 416 below. The names of the killed and prisoners, which are so disguised in the text, are: Gui de Nesle, sire d'Offemont, marshal of France; the sire de Quintin; Jean, sire de Tinteniac; the sires de Rochemont, de Montauban, and de Raguenel; Guillaume de Lannoy; Aufray de Montbouchier; Guillaume de Vielcastel; and Guillaume de la Marche, killed: and the sire de Briquebecq, son of Robert Bertrand, baron de Briquebecq, marshal; Tristan de Maignelais; the sire de Malestroit; the vicomte de Coalmen; Geoffroi de Coeyghem; Gui(?) de Laval; Charles d'Argeville; and Jean de la Muce, prisoners. The particulars of bringing the French to bay and punishing the runaway archers are not given elsewhere.
Note 2. The Order of the Knights of the Star was founded on the 16th November 1351; Jean Le Bel 2.17.
Chronicle of Robert de Avesbury. [14th August 1352] Reverend Father in God, please you to know that, since my coming into Brittany, tho people that were appointed unto me and I, before that we entered into any stronghold, have ridden abroad on this side and have so much accomplished, praised be God therefor, that the town and castle of Ploérmel and of Fougéres have been right well comforted and victualled, and there hath been taken by assault a stronghold which had been made by the enemy before Fougéres. And, this done, my comrades and I rode through the land against the enemy, until the marshal of France, with all his power of France, Normandy, Anjou, Maine, Poitou, Touraine, Saintogne, and Brittany, with a mighty great number of men of arms and of other folk without number, came against us, near to a town called Mauron, between Rennes and Ploérmel, upon the open fields, without woods, ditches, or other defences; and there we fought with them. And it was on the eve of the Assumption of our Lady, between the hour of vespers and sunset; and, by the grace of God and the righteous cause which He upholdeth, the enemy were sore discomfited and with scarcely loss of men on our side, praised be God therefor. And there were slain there the seneschal of Anjou, the seneschal of Benavent, the viscount of Rohan, my lord John Frère, the lord of Quintin, the lord of Tinténiac, the lord of Rochemont, the lord of Montauban, my lord Reginald of Montauban, my lord Robert Raguenel, my lord William of Launay, my lord Aufray of Montbouchier, my lord William of Vielcastel, my lord William of La Marche, and other knights slain to the number of seven score, with squires which amount unto five hundred dead upon the field, all bearing coat armour, and common folk without number. And there were taken there the lord of Briquebecq, son of the marshal Bertrand, my lord Tristram of Maignelais, the lord of Malestroit, the viscount of Coótmen, my lord Geoffrey of Coeyghem, my lord John of Laval, the lord Incher, my lord Charles of Argeville, my lord John of La Muce, and many other knighte and squires, up to eight score, of whom, as well slain as taken, are full five and forty knights of rank.
Reverent piere en Dieu, vous please savoir qe, puis mon ariver en Bretaigne, lez gentz qe maveient este ordeignez et moy, avaunt entrer en nul forteresse, avons chivachez par decea et avons taunt esploites, loiez ent soit Dieu, qe la ville et le chastiel de Ploermelle et de Founger ount este mult bien oonfortez et vitaillez, et pris par assaut une bastille qavoit este fait par les enemys devaunt Fouger. Et, ceo fait, mes compaignouns et moy chevachons sur le pais sur enemys et taunt ge le marschal du Fraunce, od tut son poar du Fraunce, de Normandie, de Angou, de Maine, de Peyto, de Toraigne, de Xantoigne, et de Bretaigne, ou mult graunt nombre des gentz darmes et dautres gentz sauntz nombre vindrent a lencountre de nous, pres dun ville appelle Maurone, entre Rennes et Ploermelle, sur les plaines champs, saung boys, saunz fossez, od aultre forteresce; et illesqes nous combatoms ovesqe eaux. Et fust la veille de lassumpcion de nostre Dame, entre heure de vespre et solail recussant; et, par la grace de Dieu et le bon droit qe le maintent, fasrent lez enemys pleinement descomfits et saunz perdre gaires dez gentz de nostre couste, loiez ent soit Dien. Et illesqes fasrent mortz le seneschal Dangou, le seneschal de Bennofyn, le viscounte de Roane, mounsire Johan Frere, le sire de Quyntine, le sire de Tynteneake, le sire de Rogemond, le siro de Montauban, le mounsire Renaud de Moncauban, mounsire Robert Raguenel, monsire William de Lamay, mounsire Aufray de Montboucher, mounsire Guilham de Vielchastel, mounsire Guilliam de la Marche, et autres chivalers mortz jesqes a VIJxx", ou les esquiers qamountent jusqes a D. mortz sur les champs, totes cotes a armer, et de comune people saunz nombre. Et y fusrent pris le sire de Byquebeke, filtz a marschal Bertram, monsire Tristram de Maleloyse, le sire de Malestret, le viscounte de Coyman, mounsire Geaffray de Coayms, mounsire Johan do la Vaale, le sire Incher, mounsire Charles Dargeville, mounsire Johan de la Muce, et plusors aultres chivalers et esquiers, jusqes a VIIJxx, dez queux qe mortz qe pris sount bien jusqes a XLV chivalers de estaille.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
On 14th August 1352 Guy II de Clermont-Nesle (age 26) was killed at the Battle of Mauron.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough, a canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: "In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
In 1353 the Statute of Praemunire attempted to constrain the power of Rome over the sovereignty of England.
On 10th February 1355, St Scholatica's Day, the St Scholastica Day Riots began at Oxford, Oxfordshire [Map]. What started as a disagreement between students and the landlord over the quality of the wine at the Swindlestock Tavern Carfax Oxford, Oxfordshire grew into a three day riot in which around thirty townspeople and sixty students were killed.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke [-1360]. When they had returned to Calais, the king learned that the Scots had secretly entered England and had taken the town of Berwick,1 while Baron Greystoke, who had not been summoned to war alongside the king, had nonetheless been charged with the defence of the town which had now been captured. Because of this, the king hurried to Scotland, laid siege to Berwick, and within fifteen days the town was surrendered to him, with life and liberty granted to those found inside. He then marched through Scotland as far as the Scottish Sea [the Firth of Forth], but supplies ran short. The Scots, anticipating the king's approach, had moved all provisions to islands, strongholds, and even across the sea of Scotland and since even the ships of Newcastle had failed to properly provision the army,2 the king gave permission for all to return to England. The rear guard of the army,3 including Robert Herle, Aymer de St. Edmund, Robert de Hildesley, and others, followed behind at a distance of twelve miles. That night, the Scots attacked them suddenly, while they were sleeping, suspecting nothing, and gave a loud war cry as they struck. After a long resistance, Robert de Hildesley and John Brancestre, both knights, were captured, while Robert Herle and Aymer de St. Edmund barely escaped. These knights, seeing the superior strength of the Scots, had advised the lords and barons with them to withdraw and leave them behind, saying that it was wiser that lesser knights should be captured rather than noble barons, and that the loss of a few men was more tolerable than that of the entire group.
Et, Calesiam reversi, audivit rex quod Scoti furtim intrarunt et ceperunt villam Berewici, barone de Greistoke non invitato cum rege militante, cui tamen committebatur cura ville iam capte. Unde rex ad Scociam properavit, Berewicum obsessit, et infra quindenam villam sibi redditam recepit, datis vita et libertate inventis in illa. Deinde Scociam usque ad mare Scoticum peragravit, et quia victualia exercitui defuerunt, pro eo quod Scoti ante suspectum regis adventum omnia ad insulas et fortalicia et trans mare Scocie deportarunt, set neque naves Novi castri exercitum victualiarunt tamen ad hoc ordinate, cum rege licenciante omnes in Angliam repatriarunt, sequentibus in fine exercitus ad XIJ miliaria Roberto Herle, Almerico de Sancto Edmundo, Roberto de Hildesleye et aliis. Quibus Scoti de nocte inventis dormientibus, nihil adversum suspicantibus, cum exclamacione insultum dederunt. Ibi post longam resistenciam Robertus de Hildesleye et Iohannes Brancestre, milites, fuerunt capti, Roberto Herle et Almerico vix evasioni se committentibus. Consuluerunt enim predicti milites, visa Scotorum prevalencia, quod sui domini barones, ipsos suos se eximerent; et hoc fecerunt, estimantes comsulte tollerabiliorem pauperum militum quam baronum et paucorum quam omnium capcionem.
Note 1. The town of Berwick was taken by surprise on the 6th November 1355, but the castle held out. Edward returned to England in the latter part of November. He marched north towards the end of the year, was at Durham on the 23rd December, when he issued a proclamation to raise forces to meet him at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and arrived at the latter place early in the new year (Rymer's Fœdera 3.314, 315). He appeared before Berwick on the 13th January 1356, and re-occupied it on the 24th. Three days later he advanced into Scotland. See Avesbury:
Note 2. The victualling ships were wrecked or scattered by storms. Avesbury 455.
Note 3. Froissart 355, describes this skirmish as an attack made by Douglas on the English when marching through a mountain pass: "That very day, the weather was foul, cold, and rainy, and so harsh for riding, with wind and freezing conditions, that none could imagine worse. The English, who were riding in separate groups, had no idea that the Scots were so close, hidden in ambush. The Scots let the first, the second, and the third group pass, and then hurled themselves upon the fourth, crying out: “Douglas! Douglas!” For they were certainly convinced that the King of England was in that group, because their spies had told them that he rode in the fourth battle. But the night before, the English, through cunning, had reorganized their order, and had divided themselves into seven groups, in order to pass more easily through the narrow passes, which in that land are called the passes of Tweedon. And from these mountains is born the River Tweed, which in ancient times served to divide Scotland and England. The river winds through many places, passing through both Scotland and England, and at its end, beneath Berwick, it flows into the sea, and there it is very large.
Baker's plausible excuse for the runaways can hardly be taken seriously. Sir Robert Herle held many manors and lands in Northumberland. Of his companions here mentioned, sir Almaric de St. Amand was justiciary of Ireland in 1357-1359, was summoned to parliament in 1371, and died in 1381; sir Robert de Hildesley was probably of a Gloucestershire family, one of his name being the royal escheator in that county in 1350; and sir John Brancestre may be identified with John de Branketre, who was afterwards treasurer of York.
Chronicle of Robert de Avesbury. The capture of Berwick by the Scots.
While the events previously described were taking place across the sea, on the 6th day of November [1355], the Scots, in great strength, came secretly to the town of Berwick. At dawn on that day, they stealthily entered the town, taking advantage of the fact that the guards had not been alerted. They killed two or three Englishmen who attempted to resist them, and then took possession of the entire town and all the goods found within it, except for those few who fled to the castle, which they managed to hold and defend.
Captio de Berewyke per Scotos.
Dum prædicta fiebant in partibus transmarinis, VJto, die mensis Novembris, Scoti, in magna potentia apud villam de Berwyke clandestine venientes, in aurora dicte diei dictam villam furtive, non præmunitis custodibus ipsius ville, clanculo sunt ingressi, et, interfectis duobus vel tribus Anglicis nitentibus sibi resistere, totam villam et omnia bona in eadem inventa ceperunt, exceptis quibusdam fugientibus ad castrum, qui illud tenuerunt.
Chronicle of Robert de Avesbury. [25th December 1355] On the feast of Saint Andrew [30th November 1355], after the Parliament had concluded, the noble lord king began his journey toward Scotland and held the feast of Christmas at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In the meantime, he caused a great army to be assembled, in preparation for a campaign toward the town of Berwick, which had been captured by the Scots.
In festo vero sancti Andreæ, parliamento completo, dominus nobilis rex iter suum arripuit versus Scociam, et tenuit festum Natalis Domini apud Novum Castrum super Tynam, et interim magnum fecit exercitum congregari ad proficiscendum ad vilam de Berwyk, captam per Scotos.
Chronicle of Robert de Avesbury. How the King of England recaptured the town of Berwick, taken by the Scots.
On the thirteenth day of the month of January, in the aforesaid year of Our Lord, the noble King of England arrived at the castle of Berwick, which was held by the English and commanded by Sir Walter de Manny, knight and captain of the garrison. Before the king's arrival, Sir Walter had employed more than 120 men from the Forest of Dean and other parts of England to dig a subterranean tunnel, through which the English might enter the town. At dawn, the king ordered that an assault be made upon the Scots in the town from all sides, by sailors from the sea and by others from the land. The Scots, realizing what was about to happen, were struck with fear. Then, some of their leading men cried out to Sir Walter de Manny, who was at that moment walking along the castle walls, preparing with others to launch the attack. They humbly begged him, requesting that he lead them back into the castle, so that they might have a personal audience with the king. With the king's permission, the Scots were brought before him, where they threw themselves to the ground, confessed that the capture of Berwick had been foolishly undertaken, and, seeking grace and mercy, humbly pleaded that his majesty would be pleased to receive them back into his favor. They then immediately surrendered the town, handing over the keys. The king, in his customary gracious manner, allowed all the Scots to depart freely, and thus he recovered the town quickly and easily, without bloodshed, and brought it once more under his rule.
Qualiter rex Angliæ recuperavit villam de Berwyk captam a Scotis.
Tertio decimo die mensis Januarii, anno prædicto Domini, nobilis rex Angliæ ad castrum de Berewyk, per Anglicos, domino Waltero de Manny milite ipsorum capitaneo, custoditum, pervenit. Ante cujus adventum dictus dominus Walterus habuerat ibidem plusquam CXX homines de foresta de Dene et aliis partibus Angliæ fodientes viam subterraneam, per quam Anglici possent introire in dictam villam. Mane autem facto, dominus rex præcepit quod ad castrum a nautis per mare ab aliisque per terram Scotis in villa undique daretur insultus. Scoti vero, hoc perpendentes, timuerunt, et statim quidam de majoribus ex eisdem clamaverunt ad dictum dominum Walterum de Manny, tunc vagantem super muros castri et parantem se cum alis ad dandum ipsis Scotis insultum, et rogarunt humiliter supplieando quod sibi placeret ipsos in castrum retroducere coram rege, ut possent habere personale colloquium cum eodem. Postea dicti Scoti, de permissione domini regis, ad ipsius præsentiam introducti, se ad terram prosternentes, recognoverunt caprtionem dictæ ville de Berewyk fatue fuisse factam, gratiamque et misericordiam petentes, humiliter supplicarunt quod suæ excellentiæ dignaretur ipsos ad gratiam suam recipere, et dictam villam et claves ipsius sibi liberando protinus reddiderunt. Tunc idem dominus rex, more solito gratiosus, omnes Scotos libere abire permisit, et villam eandem sic cito et leviter sine sanguinis effusione recuperavit, suo imperio subjugatam.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
On 20th January 1356 King Edward I of Scotland (age 73) surrendered his claim to the Scottish throne to King Edward III of England (age 43) in the presence of William Latimer 4th Baron Latimer of Corby (age 25) in exchange for an English pension.
On 19th September 1356 the army of Edward "Black Prince" (age 26) defeated the French and Scottish army led by King John "The Good" II of France (age 37) at the Battle of Poitiers
King John "The Good" II of France was captured by three captains including Ivon aka John Fane.
The the English army included: Bernard Brocas (age 26), Thomas Felton (age 26), James Audley (age 38), Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 43), Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh (age 28), Reginald Cobham 1st Baron Cobham (age 61), Edward Despencer 1st Baron Despencer, Baron Burghesh (age 21), Ralph Ferrers (age 27), William Scrope (age 31), William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 28), Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh (age 37), Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 58), William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 18), John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford (age 44), John Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby (age 33), Thomas Arderne (age 19), Enion Sais Brecon, John Chandos (age 36), Richard Pembridge (age 36), Jean Grailly (age 25), Robert de Fouleshurst (age 26) and John Sully (age 73)
John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 31) probably fought having received letters of protection to travel overseas.
Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon (age 53) protected the baggage train.
The French and Scottish army included: King John "The Good" II of France, Philip "Bold" Valois II Duke Burgundy (age 14), Jean Bourbon I Count La Marche (age 12), Archibald "Grim" Douglas 3rd Earl Douglas (age 26), John "Sans Terre" Artois 1st Count of Eu (age 35); all captured.
Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon and William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas (age 33) fought.
Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon (age 45) was killed. His son Louis (age 19) succeeded II Duke Bourbon.
Gauthier VI Comte de Brienne (age 54) was killed.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke [-1360]. [19th September 1356] Saying these things, he looked and saw that there was nearby, off to the side, a certain hill, encircled on the outside with hedges and ditches, but within divided up: for on one side it was pasture, thick with thickets there; on another side it was planted with vines; and on the rest it was sown with crops. On the ridge of the arable side, he perceived a camp of the French positioned. Between our forces and the hill lay a wide and deep valley along with a marsh, irrigated by a certain stream. At a rather narrow ford, the prince's troop, together with the wagons, crossed the stream and, after passing through the valley and over the hedges and ditches, occupied the hill. There, among the thickets, they were easily hidden by the natural defences of the location, standing above the enemy with the advantage of higher ground. The field in which our first and second lines were stationed was separated from the plain occupied by the French army by a long hedge with a ditch beneath it. One end of this hedge sloped down into the aforementioned marsh. The slope descending toward the marsh was held by the Earl of Warwick, commander and leader of the first line. In the upper part of the hedge, well removed from the slope, there was a certain wide gap or opening created by cart-drivers in autumn. At a distance of a stone's throw from that opening stood our third unit, commanded by the Earl of Salisbury. The enemy, seeing the prince's standard recently in plain view but beginning to move slowly and become hidden from their eyes by the hill's obstruction, believed that the prince was retreating. Douglas the Scot and the Marshal of Clermont1 protested that it was not so. Nevertheless, deceived by their own assumption, the Marshal pursued what he believed was the prince's flight, and with him came Douglas, desiring to earn the shining name of new knighthood. Clermont advanced as well, determined to redeem his sullied reputation for loyalty. These men had been assigned to the enemy's first line. As was customary, they were preceded by combatants intending to engage in mock combat. These were met by knights of our own, specifically appointed for jousting, who confronted them from beneath the slope where our first line had been stationed.
Talia dicens, prospexit quod erat e vicino lateraliter mons quidam sepibus et fossis ad extra redimitus, ad intra vero distinctus, quippe ex una parte pascuus et ibi dumis condensus, ex alia vero vineis consitus, et ex reliqua sacionalis; in cuius iugo sacionali coortem Francorum perpendit residere. Inter nostros et montem erant ampla profundaque vallis et mariscus, torrente quodam irriguus. Ad satis angustum vadum principis turma cum cariagiis torrentem preterivit, egressaque vallem trans sepes et fossas ocupavit collem, ubi inter virgulta faciliter occultabatur loci municione, hostibus altior incumbens. Campus, in quo residebant nostre prima secundaque custodia, distinguebatur a planicie quam ocupavit exercitus Francus sepe longa subterfossata, cuius alterum extremum declinavit in mariscum prefatum, Declivum marisco incumbentem tenuit comes Warewycensis, dux et moderator agminis primi. In superiori parte sepis, a declivo bene remota, fuit temesis quedam patula vel hyatus, quem bigarii fecerunt in autumpno, a quo remota iactu lapidis stetit nostra tercia turma, cui comes Saresburiensis presidebat. Hostes, videntes principis vexillum nuper manifestum set incipiens successive dimoveri obiectuque montis illorum oculis occultari, estimarunt principis fugam, reclamantibus Dowglas Scoto et marescallo de Claromonte non ita fore; set opinione sua deceptus marescallus Dawdenam, ut insequeretur principis fugam putativam, et cum illo Dowglas, ut promereretur nove milicie fulgidum nomen, set Claromontanus, ut expurgaret blasfematam fidelitatem, veementer progrediuntur; illis enim erat prima custodia deputata. Istos precesserunt, ut moris est, astiludiaturi, quibus de prima custodia nostra, sub declivo cui residerant, obviaverunt equites nostri ad hastiludia specialiter ordinati.
Note 1. Jean de Clermont, seigneur de Chantilly; marshal in 1352; lieutenant of Poitou in 1354; killed in this battle. Arnoul d'Audrehem, who became marshal in 1351, was one of the defenders of Calais in 1346-7; lieutenant of Picardy in 1355; taken prisoner in this battle, when he undertook not to fight against the English until ransomed; but was made prisoner again at Najara, and was in danger of being executed, but was acquitted by a jury of knights; died in 1370.
Chronicle of Henry Knighton. 19th September 1356. And they divided themselves into three battalions. The Earl of Warwick commanded the first battalion, and on the side of the French, the two Marshals of France commanded the first battalion. The second battalion was commanded by Lord Dauphin of Vienne, with his brother the Duke of Orléans, and it was the strongest. In the third battalion was the King of France, with 2,000 of the most select armed men in all France. Lord Geoffrey de Charny bore the red banner, which was the sign of death. The King of France issued an order that no Englishman was to be spared, except for the Prince himself. The Cardinals, before the battle, climbed up a certain hill nearby to watch the outcome of the battle. Now the first French battalion engaged with the Earl of Warwick, but was quickly subdued by the English archers. Marshal Clermont was killed, along with many others, as will be mentioned below. The Earl of Warwick pursued the fleeing enemies, killing some and capturing others. Meanwhile, the second French battalion arrived and joined battle with the Prince of Wales, fighting very fiercely through a hedge. The English became very weary due to the intensity of the combat, and their weapons were badly damaged. The fighting was so strong and hard that the archers, having run out of arrows, picked up stones, and with swords and lances, and whatever they could grab, they fought on. They defended themselves with clever and courageous hearts, and it is astonishing to tell. But finally, as God willed, the French took to flight. And while the English stood tired, catching their breath and hoping they had won victory over all their enemies, King John of France suddenly arrived with a huge force, leading a battalion against the Prince, who at that moment had only a few men with him, as the others were chasing the fleeing enemies. As the French began to engage the Prince's line, the Earl of Warwick returned from the pursuit with his full force, and attacked the flank of the French king's army, and fought bravely. And thus, by the grace of God and not by human strength, the victory was granted to the Prince, and he emerged victorious from the battle, capturing the King of France and his younger son Philip, the Count of Poitiers, and many other nobles.
Et diviserunt se in tres acies. Comes de Warwych habuit primam aciem et ex parte Francorum duo marescalli Franciæ habuerunt primam aciem. Secundam aciem dominus Dolfynus de Vienna cum fratre suo duce de Orlyons cum majori fortitudine. In tertia acie erat rex Francie cum IJ mille de electioribus armatis totius Franciæ. Dominus Galfridus Charneys bajulavit vexillum rubium quod erat mortis signiferum. Rex Franciæ edidit præceptum ne quis Anglicus vitæ reservaretur solo principe excepto. Cardinales ante prælium ascenderunt in quendam montem prope ut viderent eventum belli. Jam prima acies Franciæ congreditur cum comite Warwych, sed cito per sagittarios subpeditati sunt. Et Marescallus Clermont occisus est et multi alii ut infra dicetur Comes de Warwych insequebatur fugientes et quosdam occidit et quosdam cepit prisonarios. Medio tempore venit secunda acies Francorum et miscuerunt cum principe Walliæ, et pugnaverunt nimis! acriter infra unam sepem, et Anglici devenerunt multum lassi præ gravedine certaminis, et arma eorum nimis laceratn. Et tam fortis et dura extitit pugna quod sagittarii pra defectu sagittarum sustulerunt lapides, et cum gladiis et lanceis, et quicquid possent arripere pugnaverunt, et sic se corde sagaci mirabile dictu defenderunt; sed tandem sicut deus voluit Franci fugam arripuerunt, et dum Anglici starent lassi se refocillantes et sperantes victoriam reportasse de suis inimicis omnibus, supervenit Johannes rex Franciæ cum ingenti fortitudine aciem dirigens versus principem qui paucos ea hora secum habebat, quia laborabant super inimicos fugientes. Dum igitur ccepissent Franci aciem miscere supervenit comes de Warewych rediens de fugatione inimicorum cum integro exercitu suo, et opposuit se a latere exercitus regis Francim et strenue pugnaverunt, et sic per gratiam dei et non humana virtute victoria. cessit principi et prælii reportavit principatum, et rex captus est et filius ejus Philippus, junior, comes de Peyters et magnates plurimi.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
Bourgeois de Valciennes. In the year of grace 1356, on the 19th day of September, King John of France went with a full 50,000 men towards Poitiers to fight the Prince of Wales, son of King Edward of England, who was in those parts with a full 7,000 men. And there took place a very bloody, very fierce, and most marvelous and perilous battle. In it, the King of France and his company were defeated. The said King of France was captured, along with his son Philip, Lord Jacques of Bourbon, the Count of Eu, the Count of Joinville and of Vaudémont, the Count of Joigny, the Count of Mont-Ventadour and of Montpensier, the Count of Longueville, the Count of Brose, the Count of Dammartin, the Count of Étampes, the chamberlain Count of Tancarville, and so many other knights and barons that the English were completely overwhelmed and troubled just to guard and keep them as prisoners. There were well 1,200 men-at-arms killed, both lords and knights and others. And there were as many as 800 captured, all of great renown.
En I'an de grâce mil IIIc et LVI, le XIXe jour de septembre, s'en alla le roy Jehan de France a tout bien L mil hommes vers Poitiers pour combatre le prince de Galles, fils du roy Edouart d'Engleterre, lequel prince estoit en ces marches-là tout bien VII mil hommes, et yllec eult très-crueuse, très-fière et très-mervilleuse et périlleuse bataille. Et y fut desconfit le roy de France et sa compaignie. Et y fut prins le dit roy de France, et avoec luy Philippe, son fils, monseigneur Jaques de Bourbon, le conte d'Eu, le conte de Jenville et do Waudymont, le conte de Jony, le conte de Mont-Ventadour et de Montpensier, le conte de Longueville, le conte de Brose, le conte de Dammartin, le conte d'Estampes, le conte cambrelens de Tancarville et tant daultres chevaliers et barcnnie que les Englecgs estoient tous ensonyés et empeschiés de les garder et tenir prisonniers. Et y eult bien ochis le nombre de XIIc hommes d'armes, que seigneurs et chevaliers, que aultres. Et s'y en y eult de prins bien le nombre de VIIIe, tous de renommée.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
Froissart Book 5: 1356-1360. [19th September 1356] 388. You have above in this history heard much about the Battle of Crécy, and how fortune was most wondrously strange for the French. Likewise, at the Battle of Poitiers, it was very different and most cruel for them, and in some ways similar to that of Crécy; for at Poitiers, the French were seven men-at-arms to every one of the enemy. Now consider whether that was not a great misfortune for them, that they could not win the field against their enemies, despite their numbers. But to tell the truth, the Battle of Poitiers was much better fought than that of Crécy. The French had all kinds of men-at-arms, and more time and opportunity to observe and consider their enemies than they had at Crécy. For the Battle of Crécy began very late in the evening, without order or proper arrangement, whereas Poitiers began in the morning, at the hour of prime (around 6 a.m.), and under much better conditions, if only the French had taken advantage of it.
388. Vous avés ci dessus en ceste hystore bien oy parler de le bataille de Creci, et comment fortune fu moult mervilleuse pour les François: ossi à le bataille de Poitiers, elle fu moult diverse et très felenesse pour yaus, et auques parelle à ceste de Creci; car li François estoient bien gens d’armes sept contre un. Or regardés se ce ne fu mies grant infortuneté pour yaus, quant il ne peurent obtenir le place contre leurs ennemis. Mais au voir dire, la bataille de Poitiers fu trop mieulz combatue que ceste de Creci, et eurent toutes manières de gens d’armes, mieulz loisir de aviser et considerer leurs ennemis, que il n’euissent à Creci; car la ditte bataille de Creci commença au vespre tout tart, sans arroi et sans ordenance, et ceste de Poitiers matin, à heure 5de prime, et assés par bon couvenant, se eur y euist eu pour les François. Et y avinrent trop plus de biaus fais d’armes sans comparison que il ne fesissent à Creci, comment que tant de grans chiés de pays n’i furent mies mort, que il furent à Creci.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
On 15th December 1357 Gerard Lisle 1st Baron Lisle (age 53) was created 1st Baron Lisle of Kingston Lisle in Oxfordshire.
On 21st April 1358 Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 63) attended the St Georges Day Celebrations (1358) wearing a dress made of silk, silver, 300 rubies, 1800 pearls and a circlet of gold.
On 22nd August 1358 Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 63) died at Hertford Castle [Map]; see Archaeologia Vol. 35 XXXIII. She was buried in Christ Church, Greyfriars [Map].
The funeral was performed by Archbishop Simon Islip. She was buried in the mantle she had worn at her wedding and at her request, Edward's heart, placed into a casket thirty years before, was interred with her.
Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 21st [Aug 1358] the Countess of Warren (age 62) arrived at the Castle [Map], and remained during the following day, to attend at the death-bed of Queen Isabella (age 63), who expired on the 22nd of August. Sir John de Wynewyk also supped at the castle on the day of the Queen's death.
Respecting Isabella's death, she is stated by chroniclers to have sunk, in the course of a single day, under the effect of a too powerful medicine, administered at her own desire. From several entries however in this account, it would appear that she had been in a state requiring medical treatment for some time previous to her decease.
As early as the 15th of February a payment had been made to a messenger going on three several occasions to London, for divers medicines for the Queen, and for the hire of a horse for Master Lawrence, the physician; and again for another journey by night to London. On the same day a second payment was made to the same messenger for two other journeys by night to London, and two to St. Alban's, to procure medicines for the Queen. On the 1st of August a payment was made to Nicholas Thomasyn apothecary, of London, for divers spices and ointment supplied for the Queen's use. On the 12th of August messengers were paid for several night journeys to London for medicines. On the 20th of August, two days only before the Queen's death, payment was made to a messenger who had been sent to London to fetch Master Simon de Bredon "ad videndum statum Reginæ1." Increased alarm for the Queen's health is now visible, for by a payment made on the 24th of August, two days after her death, it appears that a messenger had been sent to Canterbury "cum maxima festinatione2" with letters of the Queen, to bring Master Lawrence, the physician, to see the Queen's state. And another entry occurs of a payment made on the 12th of September to Master Lawrence, of forty shillings, for attendance on the Queen and the Queen of Scotland, at Hertford, for an entire month. Finally an allowance is made to the accountant, on the 6th of December, in terms which, as they are somewhat obscure, I prefer to quote in the original words, "Magistro Johanni Gateneys, de dono, in precio xv. florenorum de xl. denariis, sibi liberatorum in vita Reginæ, ad decoquend' cum medicinis pro corpore Reginæ3, l. s."
It is evident that the body of the Queen remained in the chapel of the Castle until the 23rd of November, as a payment is made to fourteen poor persons for watching the Queen's corpse there, day and night, from Saturday the 25th of August to that date, each of them receiving two pence daily, besides his food. The body was probably removed from Hertford Castle on the 24th of November, as we find, by the continuation of the Account of the expenses of the household, that on the 22nd and 23rd the Bishop of Lincoln, the Abbot of Waltham (? ), the Prior of Coventry, and "plures extranei4" were there for the performance of a solemn mass in the chapel; and the daily expenditure on those days, and on the 24th, rises from the average of six pounds to fifteen and twenty-five pounds. Moreover, from the 25th to the 28th of November the household is in London, after which it returns again to Hertford. The statement, therefore, of chroniclers that the Queen's funeral took place on the 27th is confirmed. She was interred in the choir of the church of the Grey Friars [Map], within Newgate, now Christ Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury officiating, and the King (age 45) himself being present at the ceremony. Just twenty-eight years before, on nearly the same day, the body of her paramour Mortimer was consigned to its grave in the same building
Note 1. "to see the state of the Queen".
Note 2. "with the greatest haste".
Note 3. "to see the state of the Queen's Master John Gateneys, of the gift, at the price of xv. 40 florins denarii, which had been delivered to him during the Queen's lifetime, to be decoctioned together with the medicines for the Queen's body".
Note 4. "many strangers".
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
In May 1359 King Edward III of England (age 46) and his son Edward "Black Prince" (age 28) took part in a tournament in London. For the amusement of the citizens both Edwards and their friends dressed as the mayor and aldermen of London. The tournament possibly in celebration of the two Royal marriages of his children John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 19) and Margaret Plantagenet Countess of Pembroke (age 12) on 19th May 1359.
On 19th May 1359, or thereabouts, a double-royal wedding celebration took place at Reading Abbey, Berkshire [Map] whereby two children of King Edward III of England (age 46) were married:
John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 19) and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 17) were married. She by marriage Countess Richmond. She the daughter of Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 49) and Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster (age 39). He the son of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England (age 44). They were half second cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
John Hastings 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 11) and Margaret Plantagenet Countess of Pembroke (age 12) were married. At the time John Hastings 2nd Earl Pembroke was a ward of King Edward III of England who would enjoy the benefit of the substantial revenue of the Earldom of Pembroke until John came of age nine years later in 1368. She died two or so years later probably of plague. She the daughter of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England. He the son of Laurence Hastings 1st Earl Pembroke and Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke (age 42). They were half fourth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King John of England.
After 10th July 1359 William Greystoke 2nd Baron Greystoke (deceased) was buried at St Andrew's Church, Greystoke [Map] during the Funeral of William Greystoke conducted by Bishop Gilbert Welton and attended by Roger Clifford 5th Baron Clifford (age 26), Henry Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Masham (age 46) and Thomas Musgrave 1st Baron Musgrave (age 57).
In September 1359, a case of Marriage of Two Sets of Siblings, siblings from the de Bohun family, children of William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 49), his only children, and the Fitzalan family, children of , were married:
Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 4th or 11th Earl of Arundel (age 13) and Elizabeth Bohun Countess Arundel and Surrey (age 9) were married. She the daughter of William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton and Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton. He the son of Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey (age 53) and Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey (age 40). They were third cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
Humphrey Bohun 7th Earl Hereford 6th Earl Essex 2nd Earl of Northampton (age 18) and Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton (age 12) were married. She the daughter of Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey and Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey. He the son of William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton and Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton. They were third cousins. He a great grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.