Part 14

After this he turned against _Lewes_ King of _France_, and fought with him before the towne of _Nice_ in _Normandie_; which towne the _French_ had surprised and taken from the King of _England_. This battaile continued aboue the space of nine houres, with incredible obstinacie; the doubt of victory being no lesse great, then was the desire: and yet neither part so hastie to end, as not to stay for the best aduantage. The first battaile on both sides was hewen in pieces; valour of inestimable value was there cast away: much braue blood was lost; many men esteemed both for their place and worth, lay groaning and grinning vnder the heauy hand of death. The sad blowes, the grisle wounds, the grieuous deathes that were dealt that day, might well haue moued any man to haue said, That warre is nothing else but inhumane manhood.

The Kings courage, guided with his Fortune, and guarded both with his strength and his skill, was neuer idle, neuer but working memorable effects. In all places his directions were followed by his presence; being witnesse both of the diligence and valour of euery man, and not suffering any good aduantage or aduise for want of timely taking to be lost. He aduentured so farre in perfourming with his hand, that his armour in many places was battered to his body, and by reason of the sturdie strokes set vpon his helme, he cast blood out of his mouth. But this was so farre from dismaying his powers, that it did rather assemble and vnite them: so as aduancing his braue head, his furie did breath such vigour into his arme, that his sword made way through the thickest throngs of his enemies, and hee brake into them euen to the last ranckes. He was first seconded by the truely valiant; whose vndanted spirits did assure the best, and therewith contemne the very worst. Then came in they whom despaire, the last of resolutions had made valiant; who discerned no meanes of hope for life, but by bold aduenturing vpon death. Lastly he was followed by all; being enflamed by this example to a new life of resolution. Generally, the swords went so fast, that the _French_ vnable to endure that deadly storme, were vtterly disbanded and turned to flight. K. _Henry_ after a bloody chase, recouered _Nice_; and with great triumph returned to _Roan_. Afterwards he would often say, That in other battailes he fought for victory, but in this for his life: and that hee would but little ioy in many such victories.

Vpon this euent the King sent certaine forces into _France_, to harrase the countrey, and to strike a terrour into the enemie. The _French_ King, besides the abatement of his power by reason of his late ouerthrow, was then preparing in Armes against _Henry_ the Emperour, who intended to destroy _Rhemes_: partly drawen on by _Henry_ King of _England_, whose daughter he had taken to wife; but chiefly for that a Councell had bene there held against him by Pope _Calixtus_ a French man, wherein the Emperour was declared enemie to the Church, and degraded from his Imperiall dignitie. This brought the _English_ to a carelesse conceit, and to a loose and licentious demeanure in their action; a most assured token of some mischiefe at hand. And so, as they scattered and ranged after prey (as greedy men are seldome circumspect) they were suddenly set vpon by _Almaricke_ Earle of _Mountfort_, appointed by the _French_ K. to defend the Country, & with no small execution put to the chase. The more they resisted, the greater was their losse: The sooner they fled, the more assured was their escape. And for that they were dispersed into many small companies, they had the better opportunitie to saue themselues.

Many other like aduentures were enterprised betweene the two Kings and their adherents; some in _France_, and some in _Normandie_; with large losse on both sides. But especially the King of _France_ was most subiect to harme; for that his countrey was the more ample, open and rich. The King of _England_ held this aduantage, that no aduantage could be wonne against him: which in regard of the number, valour and greatnesse of his enemies, was a very honourable aduantage indeed.

At the last he made peace with the Earle of _Aniou_; taking the Earles daughter to be wife to his sonne _William_, whom he had declared for successour in his estate; to whom all the Nobilitie and Prelates were sworne; and who seemed to want nothing through all his fathers dominions, but onely the name and Title of King. This sinew being cut from the King of _France_, and also for that _Henry_ the Emperour made preparation of hostilitie against him, he fell likewise to agreement of peace. By the conditions whereof, _William_ sonne to the King of _England_ was inuested into the Duchie of _Normandie_, doing homage for the same to the K. of _France_. In this peace was comprised on the part of the _French_ K. _William_ son to _Robert Curtcuise_, who had bene declared Duke of _Normandie_. On the part of the king of _England_, the Earle of _Champeigne_ and certaine other Lords were comprised; who had either serued or aided him against the king of _France_. After this the warres betweene the Emperour and the _French_ king did forthwith dissolue.

King _Henry_ hauing happily finished these affaires, returned out of _Normandie_, and loosing from _Barbeflote_, vpon the 24. of Nouember towards euening, with a prosperous gale arriued in _England_; where great preparation was made to entertaine him with many well deuised honours. His sonne _William_ then duke of _Normandie_, and somewhat aboue 17. yeeres of age, tooke another ship; and in his company went _Mary_ his sister Countesse of _Perch_, _Richard_ his brother, begotten of a concubine as some affirme; and the Earle of _Chester_ with his wife _Lucie_, who was the Kings niece by his sister _Adela_. Also the yong Nobilitie and best knights flocked vnto him, some to discharge their dueties, others to testifie their loue and respect. Of such passengers the ship receiued to the number of 140. besides 50. sailers which belonged vnto her.

So they loosed from land somewhat after the King; and with a gentle winde from the Southwest, danced through the soft swelling floods. The sailers full of proud ioy, by reason of their honourable charge; and of little feare or forecast, both for that they had bene accustomed to dangers, and for that they were then well tippeled with wine; gaue forth in a brauery, that they would soone outstrip the vessell wherein the King sailed. In the middest of this drunken ioylitie the ship strake against a rocke, the head whereof was aboue water, not farre from the shoare. The passengers cried out, and the sailers laboured to winde or beare off the ship from the danger; but the labour was no lesse vaine then the cry: for she leaned so stiffely against the rocke, that the sterage brake, the sides cracked, and the Sea gushed in at many breaches.

Then was raised a lamentable cry within the ship; some yeelding to the tyrannie of despaire, betooke themselues (as in cases of extremitie weake courages are wont) to their deuotions; others emploied all industrie to saue their liues, and yet more in duetie to nature, then vpon hope to escape: all bewailed the vnfortunate darkenesse of that night, the last to the liues of so many persons both of honour and of worth. They had nothing to accompany them but their feares, nothing to helpe them but their wishes: the confused cries of them al, did much increase the particular astonishment of euery one. And assuredly no danger dismayeth like that vpon the seas; for that the place is vnnaturall to man. And further, the vnusuall obiects, the continuall motion, the desolation of all helpe or hope, will perplexe the minds euen of those who are best armed against discouragement.

At the last the boat was hoysed foorth, and the Kings sonne taken into it. They had cleered themselues from the danger of the ship, and might safely haue rowed to land. But the yong Prince hearing the shrill shrikes of his Sister _Mary_ Countesse of _Perch_, and of the Countesse of _Chester_ his cousin, crying after him, and crauing his help; he preferred pitie before safety, & commanded the boat to be rowed back to the ship for preseruation of their liues. But as they approached, the boate was suddenly so ouercharged with those, who (strugling to breake out of the armes of death) leaped at all aduentures into it, that it sunke vnder them: and so all the company perished by drowning. Onely one ordinary Sayler, who had been a butcher, by swimming all night vpon the mast escaped to land; reserued as it may seeme, to relate the manner of the misaduenture. This ship raised much matter of nouelty and discourse abroad; but neuer did ship bring such calamitie to the Realme: especially for that it was iudged, that the life of this Prince would haue preuented those intestine warres, which afterwards did fall, betweene King _Steuen_ and _Matild_ daughter to King _Henry_. The King was so ouercharged with this heauy accident; that his reason seemed to bee darkened, or rather drowned in sorrow. Hee caused the coasts a long time after to bee watched; but scarce any of the bodies were euer found. Afterwards he tooke to wife _Adalisia_ daughter to _Godfrey_ Duke of _Louaine_, of the house of _Lorraine_: She was crowned at _Westminster_ by _Roger_ B. of _Salisburie_, because _Radulph_ Archbishop of _Canterburie_, by reason of his palsey was vnable to performe that office. And yet because _Roger_ was not appointed by him, the doting old man fell into such a pelting chafe, that hee offered to strike the Kings Crowne from his head. And albeit this Lady was in the principall flower both of her beauty and yeeres, yet the King had no issue by her.

Now as after a storme a fewe gentle drops doe alwayes fall, before the weather turnes perfectly fayre, so after these great warres in _France_, certaine easie conflicts did ensue: neither dangerous nor almost troublesome to the King. For _Robert_ Earle of _Mellent_, who for a long time had continued both a sure friend, and most close and priuate in counsaile with the King, vpon some sudden either discontentment on his part, or dislike on the Kings, so estranged himselfe, as it was enterpreted to be a reuolt: being charged with intent, to aduance _William_, cousin to _William_, sonne to _Robert Curtcuise_, to the Duchie of _Normandie_. Wherefore the King besieged, and at last tooke his chiefe Castle called _Pont. Audomer_; and at the same time enuironed the towre of _Roan_ with a wall. He also repaired and fortified the Castles of _Caen_, _Arches_, _Gisore_, _Falace_, _Argentine_, _Donfronc_, _Oxine_, _Aubrois_, _Nanroye_, _Iuta_, and the Towne of _Vernone_ in such sort, as at that time, they were esteemed impregnable, and not to bee forced by any enemie; except God or gold.

In the meane time the Earle of _Mellent_, with _Hugh Geruase_ his sonne, and _Hugh de Mountfort_ his sisters sonne, calling such as either alliance or friendship did draw vnto them; besides those whom youthful either age or minds had filled with vnlimited desires; whom discontentment also or want did vainly feed with hungry hopes; entred into _Normandy_ in armes: being so transported with desire to hurt, and troubled with feare of receiuing hurt, that they had neuer free scope of iudgement, either to prepare or manage the meanes to hurt. They were no sooner entred the Confines of _Normandie_, but _William Tankeruill_ the kings Chamberlaine came against them, brauely appointed, and resolute to fight. The very view of an enemie turned their euill guided furie into a feare: and whatsoeuer they did (proceeding rather from violence of passion then ground of reason) made them stumble whilest they ran, and by their owne disorders hindered their owne desires. So with small difficultie they were surprised and taken, and brought to the King; who committed them to streit prison at _Roan_. An ordinary euent when rage runneth faster, then iudgement and power are able to hold pace.

About this time _Charles_ Earle of _Flanders_ as he was at his deuotions in the Church of S. _Donatus_ in _Bruxels_, was suddenly slaine by conspiracie of his owne people. And because hee left no issue in life, _Lewes_ King of _France_ inuested _William_ sonne to _Robert Curtcuis_ late Duke of _Normandie_, in the Earledome of _Flanders_; as descended from Earle _Baldwine_ sirnamed the Pious, whose daughter _Matilde_ was wife to King _William_ the first, and grandmother to this _William_. This he did, not so much in fauour to _William_, or in regard of his right, as to set vp an assured enemie against King _Henry_: an enemie not onely of singular expectation, but proofe: whose courage was apt to vndertake any danger; whether for glory, or for reuenge. And herein his proiect did nothing faile. For no sooner was the Earle aduanced to that estate, but he raised a great hostilitie against the King of _England_: as well to recouer the Duchie of _Normandie_, as either to relieue or to reuenge the hard captiuitie of his father.

In this warre the Earle did winne a great opinion, both for iudgement to discerne, and for valour to execute what hee did discerne: shewing himselfe in nothing inferiour to his vnckle the king, but onely in treasure and command of men. For this cause he craued supply of _Lewes_ king of _France_; who, as he was the first that blew the cole, so was he alwayes ready to put fuell to the flame. But the King of _England_ entered _France_ with a strong Armie, where his sword ranged and raged without resistance: and yet more in prosecution of prey, then in execution of blood. He lodged at _Hesperdune_ the space of 8. dayes; no lesse quietly, no lesse safely, then if he had bene in the principall Citie of his kingdome. By this meanes hee kept the _French_ King from sending succour to the Earle of _Flanders_. And in the meane season drew _Theodoricke_ Earle of _Holsteine_, nephew to _Robert_ who had bene Earle of _Flanders_, and _Arnoldus_ sisters sonne to Earle _Charles_, not long before slaine, to inuade Earle _William_: Both pretending title to his dignitie, both bringing seueral armies, consisting of men, tough in temper, and well exercised in affaires of the field.

_Theodorick_ vpon his first approch tooke _Bruges_, _Ipres_ and _Gandt_; either willingly yeelding, or with small resistance: and vpon the necke thereof _Arnoldus_ tooke the strong towne of S. _Omer_. Earle _William_ being thus set as it were betweene the beetle and the blocke, was nothing deiected, nothing dismayed, either in courage or in hope. And first he went against _Arnoldus_, with a small company, but with such a liuely countenance of a Souldier, that _Arnoldus_ fell to capitulation for his safe departure; and so returned home as if he had bene vanquished. Then the Earle made head against _Theodorick_, and gaue him battaile, albeit farre inferiour to him, both for number and furniture of his men. The fight betweene them was long, furious and doubtfull. The _Germans_ confident in their number, which made them trust the lesse to their valour: the _Flemings_ rather desperate then resolute, vpon importance of their danger. And indeed it often happeneth, that good successe at the first doeth occasion the ouerthrow of many great actions: by working in the one side a confidence in themselues, and contempt of their enemies; and by making the other more earnest and entire. So at the last the violent valour of the Earle, well followed with the braue and resolute rage of his Souldiers, did such effects, that the _Germans_ were shaken and disordered, many slaine in the field, and the residue chased out of _Flanders_.

The Earle hauing now no enemie in open field, layed siege to the castle of _Alhurst_, which was defended against him by the _English_. The assaults were so liuely enforced, and with such varietie of inuention and deuise; that a wide way was opened through all impediments, and the defendants were constrained by many necessities, to desire faire conditions of yeelding. This whilest the Earle delayed to grant, he receiued in a certaine light conflict a wound in his hand, whereof in a short time after he died: hauing first raised himselfe very high in opinion with all men, for his courage, industrie and skill in Armes. And thus Duke _Robert_ and his sonne _William_ were brought to their vnhappy ends; rather through the malice of their Fortune, then through any bad merit or insufficiencie in themselues: whereby the Duchie of _Normandie_, which had bene both the cause and the seate of very great warres, was then strongly setled in possession of King _Henry_.

Hee was neuer infested with domesticall warres; which in regard of those tumultuous times, is a manifest argument both of his iustice and prouidence; the one not giuing cause, the other no hope, for his subiects to rebel. The King of _Scots_ did homage vnto him; for what territories I doe not determine. _Morcard_ King of _Ireland_ and some of his successors were so appliable vnto him, that they seemed to depend vpon his command. The _Welsh_ who hated idlenesse and peace alike, did striue beyond their strength to pull their feete out of the mire of subiection; but in loose straggling companies, without either discipline or head. For this cause hee made diuers expeditions into _Wales_, where he had many bickerings, and put many chases vpon them: but found nothing worthy the name, either of enemie or of warre. Wherefore by maintaining garrisons, and light troups of Souldiers, he consumed the most obstinate, and reduced the rest to his allegeance: receiuing the sonnes of their Nobilitie for hostages.

At that time many Flemings inhabited in _England_; of whom some came ouer in the time of King _William_ the first, by occasion of his mariage with _Matild_ daughter to _Baldwine_ their Earle: but the greatest part came vnder the reigne of this King _Henrie_, by reason that _Flanders_ at that time by irruption of the sea, was in many places ouerflowen. The King was willing to entertaine them, because they brought with them both industrie and trades; because they made the Countrey both populous and rich. For in making a place populous, it is thereby also made rich: draw people to a place, and plentie will follow; driue away people, and it is vndone. They were first planted neere the riuer of _Tweede_; besides those who dispersed into diuers Townes. But at this time the King sent many of them into _Rose_ in _Pembrokeshire_, whose progeny did euer since maintaine themselues in good condition against the _Welsh_: being a people euen at this day distinguished from all other bordering vpon them, both in language, and in nature, and in fashion of life.

On a time as the king marched through _Powesland_ in _Southwales_, hee came to certaine streights, through which his maine army could not passe, by reason of their multitude and traine of cariage: wherefore hee sent the greatest part a further way about, and himselfe with a small company tooke the neerer way thorow those streights. When he was well entred, he was charged very sharpely, but rudely, and disordredly by the _Welsh_; who hauing the aduantage both in number and in place, did much annoy him from the higher ground; but durst not approach to close fight at hand. The King himselfe was smitten with an arrow full vpon the breast: whereat hee swore _By our Lords death_ (which was his vsuall oath) that it was no _Welsh_ arme which shot that arrow. Many of his men also were hurt, and the residue strangely disordred; the amazement being farre greater then the distresse. But the king with a firme countenance retired in time, the enemies not daring to pursue him any further, then they might be assured by aduantage of place. Then he sent peaceably vnto them, and after some ouertures, brought them to agree, that for a thousand head of cattell the passage should be left open vnto him.

In his politicke gouernment he so managed the State, that neither subiects wanted iustice, nor Prince obedience. He repaired many defects, hee reformed many abuses, which would in the meane time enfeeble, and at last oppresse the Common-wealth. Hee ordred his affaires with such moderation, that he was not onely well obeyed by his subiects, but highly honoured and respected by forreine Princes: wherby it appeared, that learning may be both a guard and guide to Princes, if it be not so immoderately affected, as to bereaue them, either of the minde, or time for action. He vsed much seueritie in punishing offenders; seueritie, the life of iustice; of iustice, the most assured preseruer of States: affording no more fauour for the most part, then dead mercilesse law did allot. Against theeues he prouided, that no money should saue them from hanging. He ordeined that counterfeitures of money should loose both their eyes, and be depriued of their priuie parts. He tooke away the deceit which had been occasioned by varietie of measures, and made a measure by the length of his owne arme: which hath been Commonly vsed euer since by the name of a yard.

And wheras there are two infallible signes of a diseased State; excesse in eating, and in attire; which could neuer be restrained by penalties or feare, but the more the people are therin forbidden, the more are they rauished into riot and vanitie: the King by two meanes cast a general restraint vpon them both: by example, and by reproofe: which by reason of the inclination of men to imitate and please their Prince, haue alwayes been of greater force then lawes, to reforme abuses in that kind. He much abhorred excesse in eating and drinking, and was so moderate in his owne diet, that he seemed to feede onely for necessitie of nature. Hee both vsed and commended ciuill modestie in apparell: especially he could not endure an absurd abuse of men in those times, in wearing long haire like vnto women. And when their owne haire failed, they set artificiall _Peruques_,[105] with long locks vpon their heads; whereas by censure of the Apostle, it is reprochfull for men to weare long haire. He discharged his Court of many loose lasciuious persons; affirming, that they were no good instruments of the kingdome; as being in peace chargeable, and vnprofitable for warre.

During his absence in _Normandie_, which was sometimes three or foure yeeres together, he committed the gouernement of his Realme to _Roger_ Bishop of _Salisburie_: A man harmelesse in life, in mind flourishing and fresh, in intention vpright: most wise in taking, and most faithfull and fortunate in giuing aduise. Hee had gouerned the Kings expenses of house when hee was but a Prince of priuate estate; whereby he gained that reputation for integritie and skill, which aduanced him to a higher trust. He was Doctor of the Canon and Ciuill lawes, as most of the Bishops at that time were, and did beare the title and name of _Iusticiarius totius Angliae_. Hee built the _Deuises_ in _Wiltshire_, the Castles of _Malmesburie_ and _Shireburne_. He repaired the Castle of _Salisburie_, and enuironed the same with a wall; hee built the stately Church at _Salisburie_, destined to a longer life then any of his other workes. And further, by reason of the Kings much abode in _Normandie_, the prouisions of his house were valued at certaine prices, and receiued in money, to the great contentment and ease of the people.