History of England and France under the House of Lancaster: with an introductory view of the Early Reformation [By Lord Brougham.] New edition

Front matter

ENGLAND AND FRANCE UNDER THE HOUSE OF LAM4STER, IN COURSE OF PUBLICATION, LORD BROUGHAM'S CRITICAL, HISTORICAL, AND MISCELLANEOUS WORKS. Now first collected under the direct care and superintendence of his Lordship, in a Series of post 8vo. Volumes, 5s. each, cloth. Vol. 1. — Lives of Philosophers of the Time of George III. Vol. 2. — Lives of Men of Letters of the Time of George III. Vols. 3, 4, 5. — Sketches of Statesmen of the Reign of George III. 3 vols. Vol. 6.— Natural Theology. Vol. 1.— Rhetorical and Literary Dissertations and Addresses. Vol. 8.— Historical and Political Dissertations. Vols. 9, 10.— Speeches on SocrAL and Political Subjects. 2 vols. Vol. 11.— The British Constitution. shr^okrysn^t^i^^ -77 C--1 HISTORY or ENGLAND AND FRANCE UNDER THE HOUSE OF LANCASTER; WITH AN INTRODUCTORY VIEW OF THE EARLY REFORMATION.

BY HENRY, LORD BROUGHAM, D.CX. Ox., IX.D., F.E.S. MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FKANCE AND OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF NAPLES, CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH. Nrfo lEbt'tion. LONDON: GRIFFIN, BOHN, AND COMPANY, STATIONERS' HALL COURT. 1861. LONDON*. PliINTKI> BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STANFORD STKKKT-

Preface

. This work was undertaken with the design of ascer taining how far the feelings of national pride are beyond the reach of reason, and how far the habit of admiring only genius successful in war or in state intrigue is inveterate ; so that a plain exposition of facts shall not avail to make persons and events be judged by the rules of sound sense and virtuous principle. The period to which this work relates is one of great interest in the history both of England and of France. The events recorded, and the characters of those by whom they were brought about, deserve to be closely examined. Nor are the judgments which may be pronounced upon them confined in their bearing to those remote times; they are of more general application. A careful consideration of the events will teach us how a great country may be brought to the verge of ruin by the follies and the crimes of faction; a dispassionate contemplation of the characters may show how little genius crowned

PREFACE.

. VI with success is entitled to the admiration of reflecting minds when allied to cruelty and fraud. It has often times been laid to the charge of authors that they encourage, when they should restrain, the propensity of the multitude, dazzled by the glories of war, to pass over the guilt of conquerors, the enemies of the human race. A sounder view, however, is not to be inculcated by passing over the talents of those men, and only dwelling on their faults. The historian must above all things be calm and impartial. For bidden to extenuate crimes, he is alike forbidden to conceal merits, though never allowed to regard the one as a compensation for the other. His conclusions are neither to be attack nor defence, invective nor panegyric ; he is rather a judge than an advocate ; on no account must he be a partisan.

It is to be feared that facts being closely followed and opinions plainly expressed, this work can find little favour either with the French or English reader. Yet the time will come when those who have been most enamoured of warlike renown, shall regard unjust aggression as not more wicked than it is shameful ; when the most brilliant actions in a war waged only for plunder, shall be deemed the disgrace, not the glory of a people ; and when they to whose ambition the independence or the freedom of their country has been sacrificed, shall no longer, to the

PREFACE.

. VII lasting injury of mankind, be revered as its bene factors, but regarded only as criminals upon a large scale. To the praise of composition and its graces this work lays no claim at all. Every one must, by considerate critics, be judged by works done in his proper vocation ; and he whose life has been passed in the Senate and the Forum, is only an author by the accidents which have made it his duty to impress upon those beyond the reach of his voice, opinions which he conscientiously believed essential to the great cause of human improvement. But while meekly submissive to criticism of his narrative in respect of its style, he challenges the most unsparing scrutiny of its fidelity and its freedom from prejudice and partiality, whether towards nations or individuals, its strict conformity to trustworthy autho rities, its avoiding the fault chargeable even on the first of modern historians in all the graces of diction, though one of the least faithful, that of selecting passages, nay, maintaining opinions which lent them selves to his felicitous composition, or contributed to the entertainment of the vulgar crowd of readers.* * This work affords remarkable instances of Mr. Hume's carelessness and prejudices in the characters and histories of Cobham, Pedford, Card.

Beaufort, the Black Prince, as well as of Henry V. An eloquent and epigrammatic history may be considered the display of talents somewhat out of place, as may a judicial oration.

PREFACE.

. Nearly the whole of this work was written a con siderable time ago ; it is indeed above fifteen years since the first portion of it was printed. Published without any name, from the author's dislike of coming before the public when his duties did not require it, there appeared little likelihood of its obtaining a con siderable circulation. Nevertheless, the demand has been very much greater than could have been ex pected ; and this has encouraged the satisfactory belief that the number of those friendly to the views incul cated is greater than had been supposed. He there fore conceived it a due deference to them that his name should no longer be withheld. Chateau Eleanor- Louise, Feb. 1861. CONTENTS. PAGE