The History of England during the Middle Ages, comprising the reigns from William the Conqueror to the accession of Henry the Eighth, and also, the history of the literature, poetry, religion and language of England during that period. ... Second edition

Preface

. In presenting to the Public the fruits of a favorite study, I cannot oifer as the apology for any defects of the present Avork, the haste Avith which it has been written. It is the gradual result of the application of the leisure hours of several years to a subject that has interested me from my youth : and I know too Avell the intellectual improvements and general talents of that British Public, whose early history and progress I have endeavored to elucidate, not to be sensible, that to obtain its approbation in the nineteenth century, no common labor, no supine attention, will suffice. But the attainments of every individual, whatever may be his wishes, are circumscribed within bounds which, though others may easily overpass, he will never be able to exceed. That an Author should perform the task he undertakes to the full extent of his abilities, the Public has a right to exact.

Less exertion that this would be a negligence bordering on disrespect. More, is impossible. In the discharge of this duty, I am not conscious that I have failed. I have not intentionally omitted any care or assiduity to make the present History as correct and satisfactory as my means of information or personal diligence, could supply : and I hope that on this ground I have some claim to expect that those readers, whose criticisms may be awakened by its imper- A

PREFACE.

. IV sections, will recollect Avhat has been performed, as well as what may be found deficient. The present Work has arisen from a perception, that there were many important documents of the middle ages, which former writers had not consulted ; and many facts essential to a complete knowledge of our history, which lay untouched and unappropri ated. I have endeavored to make these a part of our national history. It was also believed that, standing on the 'vantage ground of the nineteenth century, some vieAvs might be taken of the great stream of time Avhich has preceded, in parts more compre hensive, in parts more picturesque ; and, on the wdiole, more just and faithful, than had hitherto been sketched. Such extensive scenes of action, and such stupendous revolutions, are every day passing before us, that it seems to have become necessary to drop much of the detail in Avhich former historians have properly indulged, in order to bring events together more in their connected masses ; and to exhibit them in those great operations and results which have most influenced the succeeding periods.

On this plan, and Avith these objects, the following Work has been composed. And though I may have failed in properly executing my OAvn project, yet I will hope to have offered some facts and considera tions to the notice of the general reader, which it may be neither unprofitable, nor wholly unenter taining to peruse. I have very rarely exercised the invidious office of pointing out the occasional errors of my predecessors. No Avriter on a large subject, and using unconnected and multifarious materials, can hope to escape them.

PREFACE.

. V I have endeavored to be accurate in my OAvn Work ; and have thought that I should save time and temper, both to the Public and to myself, by leaving it to those Avho like minute researches, to make the com parison for themselves, whenever a difference of vicav or a discordant circumstance may arrest their at tention. But I have been anxious to perform one essential duty with scrupulous care — the personal examination of the authorities used, and a faithful citation of the passages consulted. I have inspected the original documents and authors which are quoted, with scarce a single exception ; and have referred to them precisely. This has never been omitted, Avhere ever it Avas attainable — and with due allowance for occasional deceptions of sight, in taking doAvn a page or in transcribing it, or in the casual errors of the press, I trust the quotations will be found generally correct.

It has been a considerable gratification to observe, that the history of England from the Norman Con quest, is the history of continued national progression. It is probable that the English history is not singular in this respect ; but that every country, if studied with this object in view, Avill be found to ha\Te exhibited a progress, not indeed Avholly commensurate with that of England, but proportional to its OAvn situation and resources. In every country, whether ancient or modern, whose annals I have examined, I ha\--e found such indications of gradual advancement, that it has become the tendency of my mind to be lieve, that if the history of the human species were sufficiently contemplated by the moral philosopher, Avith due regard to the principles and necessities of our nature, it would be found to exhibit from its earliest period a course of continuous improvement. But A VI

PREFACE.

. hoAvever this may be, as to mankind in general, there can be no question, that the British population has been, from the landing of William the Conqueror, in a state of progressive amelioration. This ascertainable fact affords the most cheering prospects of our future character and destinies. That progression Avhich has been effected when obstacles innumerable existed to retard it, cannot but be more brilliantly operative noAV, when its attainment has put in action more numerous causes and more active instruments for the extending and accelerating its advancement. OF THE FIRST, OR QUARTO, EDITION. The Readers of the former Volumes of this History, may reasonably expect some reason or apology for the long delay of the Continuation, Avhich is now submitted to their perusal. To begin a Work of this sort, and to leave it imperfect, has an appearance of caprice and injustice ; Avhich, if it had been voluntary, would have been censurable.

This imputation the Author is anxious to avert. He feels that, when he invited the attention of the Public to a new History of England, he contracted an implied obligation to complete his undertaking to the best of his ability, AA'ithout any protracted intermission. The pleasure he experienced in its composition, Avould have been an additional incitement to realize both his own wishes and the expectations of his readers ; but the course of life is as little under our command in its individual, as in its political direction. A debilitating illness succeeded the publication of the former volumes ; at times so severe, that not only Avriting, but even reading was often impossible. Enough strength only remained to fulfil other duties of a more imperious nature ; and tho a strict and per- A severing self-management has restored a considerable degree of exertion and comfort, during the first part of the day; yet the evenings, so valuable and so interesting to the student who has the usual occupations of life to pursue, are still the periods of so much weakness and indisposition, that the Author's only security for a night of repose and a day of effi ciency, is an abstinence from all that can enliven or excite, as evening advances.

The most retired quiet, and the most forbearing suspension of every exertion at that time, have become indispensable to keep life from relapsing into a state of suffering, which Avould make it both undesirable and useless. Under these circumstances all that could be done, was to use the occurring intervals of leisure and ease, to inspect such original documents, and new authorities, as could be found ; examine the more known ones ; arrange their scattered information ; compare their various claims to attention ; and compose from all, such a narrative of the most important and in teresting facts as could be presented to an intelligent reader of the present day, as not unworthy of his consideration and belief. But it is obAious, that these intervals were to be waited for ; that they would arrive with great intermissions ; and that un usual lapse of time must ensue before the Author could accomplish his Avishes.

By gradual perseverance, trespassing inevitably, tho unwillingly, on the indulgence of his friends, the task advanced ; and this last summer has enabled the Author to complete, by this volume, Avhat he con siders to be the second series of the English History. The first was given in the Avork on the Anglo-Saxons, OF THE FIRST EDITION. IX Avhich brought doAvn our national story to the Nor man Conquest. The second portion, Avhich comprises the History of England during the Middle Ages, commences at the accession of William the Con queror, and terminates with the death of Henry VII. Here the middle ages of Europe naturally close with the conclusion of the fifteenth century. A new world, quite unlike the former, then arose, from Avhich all our modern history has floAved, and with which it is, and will long be, inseparably connected.

In England, this begins with the reign of Henry VIII., during whose life all the great innovations, states, interests and establishments became prominent, which have so marked and elevated all the succeeding periods. Hence the present Work may be, not unfitly, termed, The History of England during the middle ages. Describing our public transactions, the personal por traits of our kings, and the main features and changes of our national character and costume ; they are meant to exhibit a period of society, and a course of events, unlike either Grecian, Roman, or Asiatic story ; yet not less peculiar, original, striking, and important. As the History of the Anglo-Saxons formed a distinct subject of itself, ending the first series of our annals at the Norman conquest, so these volumes exhibit another completed division of our national fortunes, during the middle ages, by detailing the second series of our national historio graphy.

The tAvo Works narrate the history of our never retrograding Country, from the earliest times down to the year 1509 ; and so long a period of re search, will, perhaps, be accepted by the indulgent Public, as a sufficient performance of an undertaking too sanguinely entered upon by the Author, Avhen, in the flush and sunny hopes of youth, he presumed to X think of Avriting the History of England, even to his own times. It would be easy, like Smollet, to do so, if only the common authorities were to be consulted ; and the reader had to be told, in new words, nothing but Avhat he was familiar with before. But for any one to dig beloAV the ordinary surface of events, and give more just and original views of the conduct and fortunes of our continually improving and picturesque ancestors, from unexamined sources, a time, an at tention, a strength, and a degree of labor are required, Avhich make it almost, if not quite, impossible for one individual to give to the Public a complete history of England on this plan.

That the present Author, iioav in his fifty-fifth year, Avith a broken constitution, Avill be able to make any advances into the third and last series of it, must as yet be an uncertainty. His desire may be undiminished, but the performance depends so entirely on agencies beyond his OAvn control, that he can but look at the task like a Avistful mariner on a distant land, which however inviting to his eye, many circumstances may make inaccessible to his personal approach. Throughout the present Work, it has been an in variable principle, to compose it, as far as could be done, not only from original, but also from contem porary authorities ; and Avith few exceptions, this has been effected. Some care has been also used to convey to the reader, either in the text or in the notes, the ideas and feelings of the times, on the events that are mentioned ; and to narrate them, as often as it could be done, with circumstances that display the manners of the different periods. 'This Avas thought preferable to increasing the bulk of the work, by adding separate chapters on such subjects.

OF THE FIRST EDITION. XI Much of our laAvs and constitution has been, in the same manner, inter .voven with the Avork. In studying the history of The Maid of Orleans, the former materials of it were found to be neither sufficiently authentic nor explanatory. It was de sirable to inspect her OAvn account of herself at her different examinations, and the depositions of the nu merous Avitnesses Avho were interrogated concerning her ; both of Avhich sources of curious information had not been consulted by any preceding historian. M. Le Brun de Charmettes, in his recent Avork on her, in four volumes octavo, has printed all her ansAvers ; and has collected the substance of the evi dence given upon every part of her life. And this has enabled me to fulfil my OAvn wishes, of describing one of the most remarkable phenomena that has ever emerged in any nation, to accomplish a great political revolution.

The important effect of the state of our church establishment, on the civil wars, between the houses of York and Lancaster, has not been hitherto ade quately observed. Much assistance on this interest ing subject has been derived from some neat MS. extracts in the British Museum, of our Bale, which he made from contemporary authorities, that have disappeared from our curiosity. The transcripts also in the same valuable library, made from similar do cuments, by our worthy John Stow, Avhich he has not used in his OAvn chronicle, probably from their having come to his knowlege after its publication, have furnished much new and interesting matter to the present volume. Such light has been derived from these and other sources of original information, that it is hoped, the reign of Henry VI. will no longer be deemed a confused mass of unconnected events, as it has been hitherto described, and indeed too much appeared to be ; but that it Avill be found to be an intelligible and interesting series of im portant incidents and characters, which in their causes, as well as in their results, will deserve the contemplation, and apply to some of the circumstances of the present age.

In the reigns of Edward V. and Richard III. it has been endeavored to reduce the obloquy under which the latter has labored, to its just proportion ; and to distinguish how much of his exaggerated crimes is fairly imputable to himself, and hoAV much to his age and party. On this branch of his subject, the Author has been greatly indebted to the curious volume in the Harleian collection, which is reputed to have belonged to the celebrated Burleigh ; but whose last possessor Avas the historian John Strype. It is a copious register and collection of the grants and public documents, signed by Richard III. Some are copied at full length, but of the largest part only the substance is given. It seems to be the same MS. Avhich is a few times quoted in the annotations in the first volume of bishop Kennett's collection of English historians, under the name of King Richard's Diary, and signed J. S., probably John Strype.

Its documents throAV new light on many parts of Richard's reign and conduct ; and have enabled the Author to draAv this singular man, more in his real shape and features, than has yet been done. From all these authentic sources, it Avas unavoid able that many nevv facts and correcter vieAvs of old OF THE FIRST EDITION. XIII ones, should be derived on the most important part of the reigns handled in the present volume : but no space has been occupied, in pointing out the mistakes of preceding historians. This would have SAvelled the bulk of the Avork, and could only be an unpleasing, as Avell as an invidious, and an ungenerous employ ment. A remark of Aristotle, applies strongly to the last Avriters on every subject, especially on history and science. He says, in his Metaphysics, '* If Ti motheus had not lived, we should not have possessed much SAveet music.

But if Phrynes, his master, had not also existed, we should never have had Timo theus." Every later historian, whatever may be his own merits or researches, must be greatly indebted to the labors of his predecessors. They had the wild or desert country first to clear and plant ; and if some sweeter flowers, richer fruits, or more abundant harvests, have been since obtained or in troduced ; these would never have appeared if the former cultivators had not preceded. Each antece dent author has added some truth, removed some mistake, and opened some new views ; and the present Avriter acknowleges, Avith gratitude, that if those, whom he has succeeded, had not published their elaborate or intelligent works, his History would not, and most probably could not have been com posed. He follows in their train; not, he hopes, without bringing some offerings of his own ; but de sirous never to be deemed insensible to their merits, or detracting from their praise. Epsom, March 22. 1823. THE FIRST VOLUME.

Book I. Chap

I. The Progress of Europe to its State at the Period of the Norman Conquest. 500—1000. A.D. Page General View - - - - 2 400 — r500. Barbaric movements - - 4 500 — 600. Lombards occupy Italy - - 5 700 — 800. Christianity in Europe endangered by Mohamedanism - - - - Q And by the Pagan states - - - 7 Europe saved by the Franks - - - ib. Who expel the Mohamedans - - 8 subdue the Pagan Saxons - .9 and repress the Avari, &c. - - 10 Charlemagne's political arrangements - - 12 800. He revives the Empire of the West - - 13 832—911. Irruptions of the Northmen - - - 14 888. Independence of Germany and Italy - - 15 900 — 955. Hungarians devastate Europe - - 16 955. Finally repressed by Otho the Great - - 19 Decline of the French power - - - Page A.D. so 987. Elevation of Hugh Capet - Native sovereigns in Italy - ' Idolatry of Europe - - Benefits of its overthrow CHAP. II.

Review of the Political State of Europe at the Time of the Northern Conquest. 1000—1100. State of Norway - - - - - 27 Denmark . - - - Sweden - * - ■ - 29 The Slavi - - - - " - 31 Pagan republic of Jomsberg - - - 33 State of Russia - - - - . - 34 Courland ----- .38 Prussia - - - — - ub. Poland - - - - - 39 Bohemia - - - - - ib. Moravia - - - - - ib. Hungary - - - - - 40 Austria - - - - - 41 Bavaria - - - - - 42 Holland, &c. - - - - 43 Germany - - - - - 44 France - - - - - 46 Italy 49 Normans in Naples - - - - 50 The Pope ------ ib. State of Spain - - - - - ib. Portugal - - - - - 53 CHAP. III. Origin of the Normans ; their Acquisition of Normandy ; Progress of their Civilization ; their National Character ; State of England at the Time of their Invasion. 896. Rollo leaves Norway - - - 55 attacks France - - - ■/ A"D" Page 912.

Rollo obtains Normandy 7 - - - 58 Northman character - - . - 59 State of Normandy - - . - 6 1 Rollo imitates Harald Harfagre - - - 62 His wise measures - - - . - 63 His successors - - - - . 64 Norman improvements - - - - 65 State of the Anglo-Saxons - - - - 66 Effects of the Norman conquest - - 67 CHAR IV. THE REUGN OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. 1066—1087. 1066. Motives of his invasion - - - - 69 Norman knights introduce the lance and tilting - 70 He claims by legal right - - - - 72 His caution after the battle - - - 73 Dissensions of the English - - 74 His advance to London - - - - 76 His negotiations - - - - -77 His coronation, and alarm - - 80 His liberalities - - - - - 82 His wise policy - - - - - ib. 1067. Returns to Normandy - - - - 84 Discontent of the English - - - - 85 Their conspiracies - - - - 86 1068.

Their rebellion - - - - -88 Danish fleet sails to assist it - - - 91 arrives at the Humber - 92 William's activity and revenge - - 93 He desolates Northumbria - - - 94 His winter march - - - - 95 1070. New clergy introduced - - - 96 He attacks Edwin and Morcar - - 97 Exploits of Hereward - - 99 His celebrity - - - - - 102 William's kindness to Edgar - - - 103 1072. He invades Scotland - - - - ib. Depression of the English - - - - 104 1073. Conspiracy of Norman barons - - - 105 Waltheof's punishment - - - 106 VOL. I. a XA'IU A D. PaSe Robert's rebellion - - - - - 107 1085. Danes menace another invasion - "* 1087. William burns Mante - - - - 113 His dying state - - - - - 115 interrupted burial - - - - 117 person and character - - - - 118 conduct to the pope - 120 feudal donations - - - - 122 He encourages the building of castles - - 123 His laws to diminish slavery - - - 124 Benefits of the Norman conquest - - - 126 The curfew ... - - 128 Domesday book - - - - - ib.

CHAP. V. The Reign of William II. surnamed Rufus, or the Red King. 1087—1100. 1087. His coronation - 130 Otho's machination - - - - ib. Robert's character - 131 1089. He invades England - 132 His ill-government in Normandy - - - 133 His peace with William - - - - 134 William's character - - - - ib. Changes on Lanfranc's death - - - 138 His difference with Anselm - - - 140 Incidents of his reign - 145 His temper - 14g extravagance - - - 147 defects - - . . - 149 1100. death - - - . - 151 Doubts as to its author - - - - 153 CHAP. VI. The Reign of Henry I. surnamed Beauclerc. 1100—1135. 1100. Henry's coronation - l55 literary education ... j -g marriage - - . _ - A. D. Page Henry invaded by Robert - - - 158 attacks the system of rapine - - 159 invited to Normandy ... 162 1106. his warfare with Robert - - - ib.

Incident of the Siege of Bayeux - - - 163 Henry imprisons him - - - - 164 tries to take his son ... 166 tranquillizes Normandy - - - ib. visited by Louis - - - 167 His danger and disquiet - - - - 168 Turbulence of the barons - - - - 169 1118. Chi valric battle with the French - - - ib. Pope visits him - - - - - 171 1 120. Catastrophe of his son - - - - ib. 1121. His second marriage ... - 174 Matilda appointed his successor - - - 175 1135. His death - - - - - ib. character - - - - - 176 CHAP. VII. The Reign of Stephen. 1135—1154. 1135. Clergy procure his coronation - - - 181 His popularity - - - - - 182 Rebellion against him - - - - 183 His difficulties - - - - - 186 1139. Matilda lands in England - - - - 187 1141. Stephen taken prisoner - - - - ib. Matilda crowned - - - - - 189 Matilda compelled to fly - - - - 190 Earl of Gloucester taken - - - - ib.

Henry, son of Matilda, invades - - - 191 Effects of Stephen's reign - - - - 192 a XX CHAP. VIII. The Reign of Henry II. to the Fall of Becket. 1154—1170. A. d. Paee 1 145. Extent of Henry's dominions - 194 His love of literature - - - - 196 Troubadours praise his queen - - - 197 His peculiar temper """,'" Troubadours satirize him - 200 Thomas a Becket made Chancellor - - 201 His administration - - - - 202 splendid mode of living ... 204 journey to Paris ... - 206 Henry's transactions with France - - - 208 and Spain ... 209 wars in Wales - - - - ib. 1161. Becket named Archbishop of Canterbury - - 211 His total change of manners - - - 214 He begins to differ with the King - - - 216 Henry resolves to subject the clergy to his criminal tribunals - - - - -218 Struggle between the king and Becket - - 220 Becket tries to escape - - 225 impeached - - - - ib. his danger - - - ■ - 227 his escape .... 230 his conduct abroad - - - 231 reconciled to the King ... 236 1170. returns to England - - - 239 his hostile intentions - - - ib. his new excommunications - - 241 i murdered ----- 242 CHAP. IX.

The History of Henry II. from the Fall of Becket to his oimt Death. 1170—1189. Henry acquires Ireland - 248 Ireland known to the Greeks - . - ib. Its historical fables a.d _ Page Its connexions with Spain - 250 language and letters - - - - ib. ancient state - 252 petty kingdoms ----- 253 their perpetual warfare - - ib. St. Patrick - 254 Its state in the twelfth century - - - 255 Natives of Connaught at that time - - - 256 The Eoldra, an ancient Irish historical poem - 257 The Ballad Chronicle of Gildas Modred - - 259 Invasion of Ireland from England - - - 262 Success of the adventurers - - - - 263 1172. It submits to Henry - 266 Character of Henry's sons - ' - - - 267 They attack him ----- 268 1183. Death of his eldest son - - - - ib. Henry undertakes a crusade - - - 269 1187. Saladin takes Jerusalem - 270 1189.

Henry's death - - - - - ib. His character by Geraldus ... 272 CHAP. X. Review of the Origin and History of the Crusades, to the End of the Reign of Henry II. 1060—1189. Military spirit of Mohamedanism - 273 Its internal dissensions ... - 274 Rise of the Turks in Siberia ... 276 Their kingdom in Persia and India - - 277 1060. They adopt Islamism - - - - ib. 1063. Alp Arslan succeeds - - - - ib. 1072—1082. Malek Shah, his son ... 278 Turkish holy war against the Christians - - 279 1084. Soliman's conquests from them - - - ib. Danger of Christianity ... - 280 Averted by the crusades ... - 282 Causes and motives of the crusades - - 284 Preceded by a spirit of pilgrimage - - 285 Sufferings of the pilgrims - - - - 288 Peter the Hermit visits Jerusalem - - - ib. He persuades Europe to attack the Turks - - 290 a AD Fage 1096.

March of the first body - A° Peter leads the second - - \" The third expedition . - - The fourth— a rabble - - " " The great chieftains march under Godfrey - - 298 Conduct of the Greek Emperor - - " 3°^ Bohemund, Tancred and others, arrive - - 302 1097. Attack on Nice - - - " " They march forward - " _ Great battle with the Turks at Doryldun - - ib. 1098. Antioch taken 3 June _■-.--- 306 Another battle ----- 307 1099. Jerusalem invested 7 June - - - 308 taken 15 July - - - - 309 Godfrey made king - - - ib. 1146. Crusades of Conrad III. and Louis VII. - - 311 1145—1173. Noureddin king of Aleppo - - - 313 Rise of Saladin - - - - - ib. Noureddin's virtues - - - - 3 1 5 1187. Saladin retakes Jerusalem - - - ib. Alarm of Europe ----- 317 1829. Present decline of the Turkish power - - 319 CHAP. XI.

TJie Reign of Richard Coeur de Lion, or Richard I. 1189—1199. His character - - - - - 321 1189. His first measures ----- 323 Massacre of the Jews at his coronation - - 324 And afterwards in the country - 325 His preparations for the crusade - 326 He proceeds to Sicily - 327 His fleet assist the Portuguese ... 328 He enters Messina - - - - ib. differs with Philip - - - - 331 His actions in Cyprus .... 332 Crusade of Frederic Barbarossa - 333 Character of Saladin - 335 His hatred of Christianity - 336 cruelty - - - . . - 337 He assists the garrison of Acre - - - ib. THE FIEST VOLUME. XX1U A. D. Page Richard approaches the city ... 338 His entrance into the port ... 339 He joins the besiegers - 340 1190. Acre taken - - - - - 341 King of France leaves Palestine - - - ib. Richard marches to Ascalon ... 342 His plan of march ----- 343 Great battle near Jaffa ... - 344 Richard's further exploits - - - - 346 He stops his march to Jerusalem - - - 347 Assassination of Conrad, Marquis of Tyre - - 348 Account of the Assassins in Asia - - - ib.