Froissart Book 1: 1307-1340

1. First of all, to better enter into the subject and the above-mentioned history, it is true that, after the settling of the wars in Flanders — which had been so great and in which so many valiant men died at Courtrai and elsewhere — and after the noble King Philip had married his daughter to the King of England, Edward, this King of England was not nearly as wise or as full of prowess as the good King Edward his father had been, who had done so much against the Danes and the Scots, and had defeated them many times in battle, never once suffering a defeat against them. And when he passed away, his son from his first marriage — who was the father of the King Edward on whom this history is centered — did not resemble him in wisdom or prowess. For, quite soon after he was crowned, King Robert the Bruce of Scotland, who had often given the good King Edward much trouble, forcefully marched against him, and retook all of Scotland and the fine city of Berwick, and burned and laid waste to a great part of the Kingdom of England, advancing four or five days' journey into the country. He defeated that king and all the barons of England in a battle at a place in Scotland called Stirling, in a pitched and settled fight. The rout of that defeat lasted two full days and nights. The King of England fled with very few of his men all the way back to London. But since this is not part of our present matter, I will leave it there.

1. Premierement, pour mieus entrer en le matère et hystore dessus ditte, voirs est que, apriès l'apaisement des guerres de Flandres qui furent si grandes, et dont tant de vaillant homme furent mort à Courtrai et ailleurs, et que li biaus rois Phelippes eut mariet sa fille en Engleterre au roy Edouwart, li quelz rois d'Engleterre ne fu mies de si grant sens ne de si grant proèce plains comme avoit esté li bons rois Edouwars ses pères, qui tant eut à faire as Danois et as Escos et les desconfi par pluiseurs fois en bataille, et ne peurent onques avoir victore à lui; et quant il fu trespassés, ses filz de son premier mariage, qui fu pères au roy Edouwart sur qui ceste hystore est ordenée, pas ne le ressambla de sens ne de proèce. Car, assés tost apriès çou qu'il fu couronnés, li rois15 Robers de Brus, qui estoit rois d'Escoce, et qui par pluiseurs fois avoit moult donnet à faire au bon roy Edouwart, chevauça tantost efforciement sur lui et reconquist toute Escoce et la bonne cité de Bervich, et ardi et gasta grant partie dou royaume d'Engleterre bien quatre journées ou cinq par dedens le pays, et desconfi celi roy et tous les barons d'Engleterre en une place en Escoce que on dist Struvelin, par bataille rengie et arrestée. Et dura la cace de ceste desconfiture par deus jours et par deus nuis. Et s'en afui li rois englés à moult peu de ses gens jusques à Londres. Mès, pour ce que ce n'est mies de nostre5 matère, je m'en tairai à tant.

2. This English king, of whom I was just speaking, who suffered that great loss in Scotland, had two half-brothers. One was called the Earl Marshal and was of a wild and unruly nature; the other was named Sir Edmund and was Earl of Kent, a very worthy, gentle, and courteous man, much loved by good people. This king had, by his wife, daughter of the noble King Philip, two sons and two daughters. Of these sons, the elder was named Edward and became King of England by the agreement of all the barons during his father's lifetime, as you will hear later in this book. The second son was named John of Eltham and died young. The elder of the two daughters was named Isabella and was married to the young King David of Scotland, son of King Robert the Bruce. She was given to him in marriage while still very young, by agreement between the kingdoms of England and Scotland, as part of a peace treaty. The other daughter [Eleanor of Woodstock Plantagenet] was married to the Duke of Gelderland. These two (Edward and Isabella) had two sons and two daughters: Reynold and Edward; and the daughters, one became Countess of Blois through her husband Sir John of Blois, and the other became Duchess of Jülich.

2. Chilz rois englès, dont je parloie maintenant, qui reçut ce grant damage en Escoce, avoit deus frères de remariage. Si fu li uns nommés li contes Mareschaus et fu de diverse et de sauvage manière; li autres fu appellés messires Aymes et estoit contes de Kent, moult preudons, douls et debonnaires et moult amés des bonnes gens. Chils rois eut de madame sa femme, fille au biau roy Phelippe, deus filz et deus filles. Des quelz filz li ainsnés eut nom Edouwars, et fu rois d'Engleterre par l'acort de tous les barons très le vivant son père, si com vous orés avant en ce livre. Li secons des filz eut nom Jehans de Eltem et morut jones. Li ainsnée des deus filles eut nom Ysabel et fu mariée au jone roy David d'Escoce, filz au roi Robert de Brus. Et li fu donnée en mariage de jonèce par l'acord de[s] deus royaumes d'Engleterre et d'Escoce et par pais faisant. Li autre fille fu mariée au duch de Guerle. Chilz eurent deus filz et deus filles, Renault et Edowart; et les filles, li une fu contesse de Blois de par monsigneur Jehan de Blois son mari, et li aultre duçoise de Jullers.

The noble King Philip of France had three sons with the beautiful lady, my lady Isabella, who was Queen of England. These three sons were very handsome and great knights. The eldest was named Louis, and during the lifetime of his father the king, he was King of Navarre and was called King Louis the Stubborn. The second was named Philip the Fair, and the third Charles. All three became Kings of France after the death of their father King Philip, by rightful succession, one after the other, without having any male heirs born of their bodies in lawful marriage. So, after the death of the last of them, King Charles, the twelve peers and barons of France did not give the kingdom to his sister, who was Queen of England, because they wished to declare and maintain — and still wish to — that the kingdom of France is so noble that it must not pass to a woman, nor descend through a woman. For, as they claim and uphold, the son of a woman cannot have right or succession through his mother when his mother herself has no right. And so, for these reasons, the twelve peers and barons of France, by common agreement, gave the kingdom of France to Sir Philip of Valois, son of the late Charles, Count of Valois, who was the brother of the noble King Philip mentioned above, thereby excluding the Queen of England and her son, who was the male heir and nephew of King Charles, while King Philip (of Valois) was only a first cousin. This is the point from which the wars, plagues, and tribulations have since arisen and flared up, and the great misfortunes that have come from this claim and its rejection, as shall be recounted later on, when the time and place come for me to speak of it. But for now, I will fall silent on this matter and return to the proper subject of the English, as I began.

Li biaus rois Phelippes de France eut trois filz avoech ceste belle fille ma dame Ysabel qui fu royne d'Engleterre. Et furent cil troi fil moult bel et grantchevalier. Si eut à nom li ainnés Loeis, et fu au vivant dou roy son père rois de Navare, et l'appella on le roy Hustin. Li secons eut à nom Phelippes li Biaus, et li tiers Charles. Et furent tout troi roi de France apriès le mort dou roy Phelippe, leur père, par droite succession, li uns apriès l'autre, sans avoir hoir marles de leurs corps engendrés par voie de mariage: si ques, apriès la mort del daarrain roy Charle, li douze per et li baron de France ne donnèrent point le royaume à le sereur qui estoit royne d'Engleterre, par tant qu'il voloient dire et maintenir, encores voelent, que li royaumes de France est bien si nobles que il ne doit mies aler ne descendre à fumelle ne par consequense à fil de fumelle. Car, ensi comme il voelent dire et maintenir, li filz de fumelle ne poet avoir droit ne succession de par sa mère, venant là où sa mère n'a point de droit: si ques, par ces raisons, li douze per et li baron de France donnèrent, de commun acort [le royaume de France], à monsigneur Phelippe de Valois, fil jadis à monsigneur Charle le conte de Valois, frères à che biau roy Phelippe deseure dit, et en ostèrent le royne d'Engleterre et son fil qui estoit hoirs marles et neveus au roy Charlon, et li rois Phelippes n'estoit que cousins germains. C'est li poins par quoi les guerres, les pestilenses et les tribulations sont de puis incourutes et eslevées, et li grant meschief avenu par le cause dou calenge et de le deffense, si com il vous sera recordé chi apriès, quant tamps et lieus venront que j'en deverai parler. Mais je m'en tairai encores un petit et me retrairai à le droite matère des Englès, si com je l'ay commencie.

For, after the great defeat at Stirling, where King Robert the Bruce of Scotland had routed the King of England and all his forces, as has been said above, great hatred and widespread murmuring arose throughout the land of England among the noble barons and within the king's own council, especially against Sir Hugh Despenser. They accused him of being responsible for the defeat, saying that because he was favorable to the King of Scotland, he had so advised and held back the King of England in negligence that the Scots had been able to retake the fair city of Berwick, and burn through the country for four or five days on two separate occasions — and that the English had been defeated in battle, driven into rout, and suffered great harm. Over this, the barons of England met in several parliaments to consider and decide what might be done; among them, the Earl Thomas of Lancaster was the chief and most prominent. He was displeased with the ways the king had taken up, and spoke openly on two or three occasions against the said Despenser. Now, when Sir Hugh learned how people were murmuring against him and his affairs, he became very fearful that some harm might come to him — as indeed it eventually did, though not immediately. For he had already done many harmful things in the kingdom, as you shall hear later.

Car, apriès la grande desconfiture de Struvelin, là où li rois Robers de Brus, rois d'Escoce, avoit desconfi che roi d'Engleterre et toutes ses gens, si com ci dessus est dit, grant hayne et grant murmure monteplia ou pays d'Engleterre entre les nobles barons et le conseil le roy meismement encontre le dit monsigneur Huon le Despensier. Et li mettoient sus que par son conseil il avoient esté desconfi et que, par tant qu'il estoit favourables au roi d'Escoce, il avoit tant conseilliet et tenu le roi d'Engleterre en negligense que li Escot avoient reconquis le bonne cité de Bervich et ars quatre journées ou cinq par deus fois dedens leur pays, et yaus desconfis en bataille et mis en cace, et porté très grant damage. Et sus ce li dit baron d'Engleterre eurent pluiseurs fois parlement ensamble pour aviser et regarder qu'il en poroient faire; des quelz li contes Thumas de La[n]castre estoit chiés et souverains. Et li desplaisoit li usages que li rois avoit empris, et en parla par deus ou par trois fois assés ouvertement au dit Despensier. Or, se perchut li dis messires Hues comment on murmuroit sur lui et sus son afaire. Si, se doubta trop fort que maulz ne l'en venist, ensi qu'il fist; mès che ne fu mies si trestos. Ançois eut il fait moult de coses damagables ou pays, si com vous orés chi après.

6. When the Queen of England arrived at Boulogne with all her company, she gave thanks to Our Lord and went on foot to the Church of Our Lady in devotion, and there made her offering and her prayer before the image. The abbot and all the monks there received her gladly; she and her entire household were lodged there. They rested and refreshed themselves for five days. On the sixth day, they all mounted their horses and palfreys, which they had brought from England, and departed from Boulogne with all their belongings. The lady was escorted and accompanied by several knights from the surrounding region, who had come to see and honor her because she was the sister of their lord, the king. The lady traveled steadily, and in the course of her journey she came near to Amiens. The people of the city came out to meet her with great reverence. And everywhere she passed — in cities and good towns — she was received with celebration and honor, for King Charles had so ordered, having been informed of her coming.

6. Quant la royne d'Engleterre fu arrivée à Boulongne et toute se route, elle regratia Nostre Signeur et s'en vint tout à piet jusques à l'eglise Nostre Dame en devotion, et fist sen offrande et sen orison devant l'image. Li abbes de laiens et tout li monne le recuellièrent liement; et fu laiens herbergie et toute se mesnie; et s'i reposèrent et rafrescirent par cinq jours. Au sizime, il montèrent tout as chevaus et sus hagenées qu'il avoient amené d'Engleterre, et se partirent de Boulongne o tout leur arroi. Si fu la dame15 aconvoiie et acompagnie d'aucuns chevaliers de là environ, qui l'estoient venu veoir et festiier, pour la cause de ce que elle estoit soer au roy leur signeur. Tant esploita la dame par ses journées que elle approça Amiens. Chil de la cité vinrent contre lui moult20 reveramment. Et par tout où elle passoit, as cités et as bonnes villes, on li faisoit feste et honneur, car li rois Charles l'avoit ensi ordonné, qui estoit enfourmés de sa venue.

[6] When the King of France saw his sister, whom he had not seen for a long time, and she was about to enter the chamber, he came toward her and took her by the right hand and kissed her, saying: "Welcome, my dear sister and my fine nephew!" Then he held them both and led them forward. The lady, who felt little joy except that she found herself near her brother the king, had already tried to kneel two or three times, but the king would not allow it and kept hold of her right hand, gently asking about her condition and affairs. The lady answered him very wisely, and finally said: "My lord, things are going rather poorly for me and my son. For the King of England, my husband, has taken a great hatred toward me, and I do not know why, except through the urging of an English knight named Hugh Despenser. This knight has so completely drawn the king to his own will that whatever he wishes to say or do, it is done. Many high barons of England have already opposed his wickedness, for at the king's command he had them seized on one day and had twenty-two of them beheaded without law or cause, most especially the good Earl Thomas of Lancaster, which was a great loss, for he was a worthy and loyal man, full of good counsel. There is no one in England, no matter how noble or influential, who dares to anger him or speak against anything he wants. And he has stirred up so much trouble for me and my brother, the Earl of Kent, that, as was told to us in confidence by those who knew certain things of the said knight's counsel — we were in great danger of our lives. So we left in great fear and came here to see you, which I greatly desired." And the king said: "My dear sister, many thanks."

Quant li rois de France vei sa serour qu'i[l] en grant tamps n'avoit veu, et elle deut entrer en la cambre, il vint contre lui et le prist par le main droite et le baisa et dist: "A bien vigne ma belle suer et mes biaus niés!" Si les tint tous deus et les mena avant. La dame, qui pas n'avoit trop grant joie fors de ce que elle se trouvoit dalés le roy son frère, s'estoit jà volue agenoullier par deus ou par trois fois, mais li rois ne le laioit et le tenoit toutdis par le main droite, et li demandoit moult doucement de son estat et de son afaire. Et la dame l'en respondoit très sagement, et tant furent les parolles que elle dist: "Monsigneur, se nous va moy et mon fil assés petitement. Car li rois d'Engleterre, mes maris, m'a pris en trop grant hayne, et se ne scet pour quoi, fors par l'enhort d'un chevalier englès qui s'appelle Hues li Despensiers. Chilz chevaliers a telement atrait le roi à ses volentés que tout ce qu'il voet dire et faire il est. Et jà ont comparet pluiseur haut baron d'Engleterre sa mauvesté, car il en fist sus un jour prendre au commandement dou roy et en fist decoler jusques à vingt et deus sans loy et sans cause, et par especial le bon conte Thumas de Lancastre, dont ce fu trop grans damages, car il estoit preudons et loyaus et plains de bon conseil. Et n'est nulz en Engleterre, tant soit nobles ne de grant afaire, qui l'ose couroucier ne desdire de cose que il voelle faire. Et m'a telement tourblet devers le roy, et le conte de Kent men frère, que veci qu'il nous fu dit en grant amisté par chiaus qui savoient aucunes coses dou conseil ce dit chevalier, que nous estions en grant peril de nos vies. Si nous sommes parti en grant doubtance et venu par deça vous veoir, que je desiroie moult." Et li rois dist: "Ma belle suer, grant merchis."

For Sir Hugh Despenser continued to grow in power and favour with the king. He had so completely swayed and manipulated the said king that the entire kingdom was astonished; no one had any influence at court unless they were in agreement with him. He went on to commit many wrongs and acts of cruelty against various people in England, for which he was greatly hated. Yet no one dared to speak or act against him, for if he even suspected anyone—count or baron—he would, under the king's authority, have them seized and beheaded without any recourse. He was so feared, and so hated by many, that it was astonishing. Then some barons and wise men of the land saw that this could no longer be tolerated, and that his outrages and wickedness could not be endured any longer. So they secretly gathered in council and came to the decision and desire to recall their lady, the Queen of England, who had already remained in France for nearly three years, always residing in the city of Paris. They wrote to her and let her know that, if she could find a way or means to secure a company of armed men—around a thousand in full armor—and was willing to return with her son and her household to the kingdom of England, they would immediately rally to her and obey her and her son as their sovereigns. For they could no longer endure, nor would they endure, the disorder and deeds committed in the kingdom under the counsel of Sir Hugh and those who were in league with him.

Car, cilz messires Hues li Despensiers croissoit tous jours en poissance et en amour devers le roy. Et avoit telement attret et atournet le dit roy que tous li pays s'en esmervilloit; et n'avoit nulz que faire en le court dou roy, se il n'estoit de son acord. Si fist il de puis moult de diversetés et de cruaultés as pluiseurs en Engleterre, dont il estoit moult hays. Mais nulz ne li osoit dire ne moustrer, car se il se doubtast de qui que fust, conte ou baron, tantost il le fesist, sus l'ombre dou roy, prendre et decoler sans nule remède. Si estoit si doubtés, et des pluiseurs tant hays, que merveilles. Et regardèrent aucun baron et sage homme dou pays que ce ne faisoit mies à souffrir, et que ses outrages et mauvaistés il ne poroient plus porter. Si se traisent tout secretement ensamble à conseil, et eurent avis et volenté que il remanderoient leur dame la royne d'Engleterre, qui jà avoit demoret en France bien priès par l'espasse de trois ans, et tout dis dedens le cité de Paris. Se li escrisirent et segnefiièrent, se elle pooit trouver voie ou sens par quoi elle peuist avoir aucune compagnie de gens d'armes de mil armeures de fier ou là environ, et elle vosist ramener son fil et toute se compagnie ou royaume d'Engleterre, il trairoient tantost vers lui et obeiroient à lui et à son fil comme à leur signeur, car il ne pooient ne voloient plus porter les desrois ne les fais que li rois faisoit ou pays, par le conseil monsigneur Huon, et de chiaus qui de son accort estoient.

For Sir Hugh Despenser continued daily to grow in power and favour with the king. He had so thoroughly captivated and manipulated the king that the entire realm was astonished; and no one could accomplish anything at the king's court unless they were in his favor. From then on, he committed many excesses and acts of cruelty against various people in England, for which he was deeply hated. But no one dared to speak against him or even show it, for if he suspected anyone—be they earl or baron—he would, under the king's authority, have them seized and executed without any remedy. He was so feared, and by many so hated, that it was astonishing. Some barons and wise men of the land recognized that this was no longer tolerable, and that his outrages and wickedness could no longer be borne. So they secretly gathered in council and resolved and decided that they would recall their lady, the Queen of England, who had by then remained in France for nearly three years, always in the city of Paris. They wrote to her and signified that, if she could find a way or means to secure a company of men-at-arms — about a thousand in full armour or thereabouts — and if she were willing to return with her son and her household to the kingdom of England, they would immediately rally to her and obey her and her son as their sovereigns. For they could not and would not endure any longer the disorder and the deeds the king was committing in the realm, under the counsel of Sir Hugh and those in his circle.

Car, cilz messires Hues li Despensiers croissoit tous jours en poissance et en amour devers le roy. Et avoit telement attret et atournet le dit roy que tous li pays s'en esmervilloit; et n'avoit nulz que faire en le court dou roy, se il n'estoit de son acord. Si fist il de puis moult de diversetés et de cruaultés as pluiseurs en Engleterre, dont il estoit moult hays. Mais nulz ne li osoit dire ne moustrer, car se il se doubtast de qui que fust, conte ou baron, tantost il le fesist, sus l'ombre dou roy, prendre et decoler sans nule remède. Si estoit si doubtés, et des pluiseurs tant hays, que merveilles. Et regardèrent aucun baron et sage homme dou pays que ce ne faisoit mies à souffrir, et que ses outrages et mauvaistés il ne poroient plus porter. Si se traisent tout secretement ensamble à conseil, et eurent avis et volenté que il remanderoient leur dame la royne d'Engleterre, qui jà avoit demoret en France bien priès par l'espasse de trois ans, et tout dis dedens le cité de Paris. Se li escrisirent et segnefiièrent, se elle pooit trouver voie ou sens par quoi elle peuist avoir aucune compagnie de gens d'armes de mil armeures de fier ou là environ, et elle vosist ramener son fil et toute se compagnie ou royaume d'Engleterre, il trairoient tantost vers lui et obeiroient à lui et à son fil comme à leur signeur, car il ne pooient ne voloient plus porter les desrois ne les fais que li rois faisoit ou pays, par le conseil monsigneur Huon, et de chiaus qui de son accort estoient.

But it could not be kept so secret that the said Sir Hugh Despenser did not find out. So, losing no time, he acted — through messengers, gifts, and promises — in such a way that King Charles of France was persuaded by his council and sent for his sister, the said Queen Isabella, who was staying at her residence among her people. He advised and forbade her, as firmly and clearly as he could, to remain quiet and to abandon what she had undertaken. When the lady heard her brother the king, she was completely shocked and dumbfounded — and it was no wonder. She clearly perceived that her brother had been misinformed, for nothing she could say in opposition was of any help or use. So she departed from him, very sorrowful and distressed, and returned to her residence. But she did not, for all that, stop making her preparations. When the king her brother found out, he was angered that she intended to act against his orders. By the counsel he received, he issued a command — under penalty of body and goods — that no one in his kingdom should move or go with the said queen, his sister.

Mais on ne le peut si celer que li dis messires Hues li Despensiers ne le sceuist. Si fist puis tant, le terme perdant, par ses messages et par dons et prommesses, que li rois Charles de France fu si enhortés par son conseil que il manda sa sereur la ditte royne Ysabiel, qui se tenoit à son hostel entre ses gens, et li desconsilla et deffendi si haut et si acertes qu'il peut, que elle demorast quoie et se relaiast de ce que elle avoit empris. Et quant la dame entendi le roy son frère, elle fu toute esbahie et abaubie, ce ne fu point de merveilles. Si perchut bien que ses frères estoit mal infourmés, car riens que elle peuwist dire à l'encontre ne li pooit valoir ne aidier. Si se parti adonc de lui moult triste et esmarie, et revint arrière à son hostel, et ne se relaia point pour ce à appareillier. Li rois ses frères le sceut; s'en fu courouciés, quant sus sa deffense elle voloit ouvrer. Si fist, par le conseil qu'il eut, commander, sus corps et sus avoir, que nulz de son royaume ne se meuist, ne alast avoech la ditte royne, sa suer.

12. News spread throughout the country until it reached those by whose assurance and summons the said lady had returned. So they prepared themselves as quickly as they could to come to her and to her son, whom they wished to have as their lord. The first to come to meet her—and who gave the greatest encouragement to those who had come with her—was the Earl Henry of Lancaster at the Tower Hill, who was the brother of Earl Thomas of Lancaster who had been executed, as you have heard above, and who was the father of the Duke of Lancaster, that noble and renowned knight, as you will hear more about in this history before we come to the conclusion. This Earl Henry of Lancaster came with a great company of men-at-arms. After him, more and more came—earls, barons, knights, and squires, all with armed men—so that they soon felt themselves to be beyond all danger. And with each passing day, their forces grew as they advanced.

12. Nouvelles s'espandirent par le pays tant que elles parvinrent à ceulz par qui seureté et mandement la ditte dame estoit rapassée. Si se apparillièrent, dou plus tost qu'il peurent, de venir vers li et vers son fil qui il voloient avoir à signeur. Et li premiers qui vint encontre lui, et qui plus grant confort donna à chiaus qui estoient venu avoecques lui, che fu li contes Henris de Lancastre au Tors Col, qui fu frères au conte Thumas de Lancastre qui fu decolés, si com vous avés oy par dessus, et fu pères au duch de Lancastre qui fu si bons chevaliers et si recommendés, si com vous porés oïr en ceste hystore, ains que vous venés à le conclusion. Chilz contes Henris de Lancastre dessus dis vint à grant compagnie de gens d'armes. Apriès, tant d'uns et d'autres vinrent contes, barons, chevaliers et escuiers, à tout gens d'armes, qu'il leur sambla bien qu'il fuissent hors de tous perilz. Et tous les jours croissoient gens d'armes, ensi qu'il aloient avant.

Then Queen Isabella, along with the barons, knights, and squires who had come to meet her, held a council and decided that they would march directly to Bristol with all their power. For that was where the king was staying at the time, along with Despenser. Bristol was a strong, rich, and well-fortified city, situated on a good seaport. It also had a very strong castle located by the sea, such that the tide flowed all around it. There the king was staying, along with Sir Hugh Despenser the elder, who was nearly eighty years old; and Sir Hugh the younger, the king's chief advisor, who urged all the king's bad counsels and wicked deeds; the Earl of Arundel, who had married the daughter of Sir Hugh the elder; and many other knights and squires who remained around the king and the court, as people of rank often do around their lord. So the queen, along with all her company — Sir John of Hainault, the earls and barons of England and their retinues — set out on the road toward that place. And in every town they entered, they were received with celebration and honor. From all directions, people joined them — from the right and from the left, from all sides. And they advanced day by day until they reached the city of Bristol. There, they laid siege to it with a proper and formal siege.

Si eurent conseil entre yaus ma dame la royne, et li baron, chevalier et escuier, qui venu estoient encontre li, que il iroient droit à Bristo, à tout leur pooir, là où li rois se tenoit adonc et li Despensier, qui estoit bonne ville, grosse et rice et fortement fremée, seans sus un bon port de mer. Et si y a un chastiel trop durement fort, seant sus mer, si ques li mers flote tout au tour. Là endroit se tenoit li rois, messires Hues li Despensiers, li pères, qui estoit priès en l'eage de quatre vins et dis ans, messires Hues, li filz, li mestres consillières le roy, qui tous les mauvais consaulz et mauvais fais li enhortoit, li contes d'Arondiel, qui avoit à femme la fille monsigneur Huon le Jone, et ossi pluiseur chevalier et escuier, qui repairoient entours le roy et entours le court, ensi que gens d'estat repairent volentiers entours leurs signeurs. Si se misent ma dame la royne et toute sa compagnie, messires Jehans de Haynau, chil conte et chil baron d'Engleterre et leurs routes, au dit chemin, pour aler celle part. Et par toutes les villes là où il entroient, on leur faisoit feste et honneur. Et toutdis leur venoient gens, à destre et à senestre, de tous costés. Et tant fisent par leurs journées qu'il parvinrent devant le ville de Bristo. Si le assegièrent à droit siège fait.

When the people of the city of Bristol saw that there was no other way to make peace or save their possessions and lives, they reluctantly agreed and opened the gates. Thus Queen Isabella, Sir John of Hainault, and all the barons, knights, and squires entered and took up lodgings within the city of Bristol. Those who could not be housed inside found shelter outside. There, the said Sir Hugh the elder was captured, along with the Earl of Arundel, and they were brought before the queen so that she might do with them as she wished. Also brought to her were her other young child, John, and her two little daughters, who had been found under the care of Sir Hugh. The queen was overjoyed to see her children, whom she had not laid eyes on in a long time, and so too were all those who bore no love for the Despensers. And if there was great joy among them, then it is easy to imagine the grief of the king and Sir Hugh the younger, who were trapped in the strong castle and saw their ruin so clearly approaching. They saw the whole country turning to the queen and her eldest son, rising and moving against them. So, if they felt sorrow and fear, and had much to think on, it need not be said.

Quant li homme de le ville de Bristo veirent que autrement il ne pooient venir à pais ne sauver leurs biens ne leurs vies, au destroit il s'i acordèrent et ouvrirent les portes, si ques ma dame la royne, messires Jehans de Haynau et tout li baron, chevalier et escuier entrèrent ens, et prisent leurs hosteulz dedens la ville de Bristo. Et cil qui ne s'i peurent logier, se herbergièrent dehors. Là fu pris li dis messires Hues li pères, et li contes d'Arondiel, et amené par devant le royne, pour faire d'yaus se pure volenté. Et ossi li furent amené li sien aultre jone enfant, Jehans ses filz et ses deus fillètes, qui furent là trouvées en le garde monsigneur Huon. De quoi la dame eut grant joie, quant elle vei ses enfans que veus n'avoit de grant tamps, et ossi eurent tout cil qui point n'amoient les Despensiers. Et s'il avoient grant joie entre yaus, selonc ce pooient avoir grant duel li rois et messires li Despensiers li filz, qui estoient en ce fort chastiel enclos, et qui veoient leur meschief si grant, qui leur couroit seure si apparamment. Et veoient tout le pays tourner avoecques le royne et avoecques son ainnet fil, et dreciet et esmeut encontre yaus. Dont, se il eurent dolour et paour et assés à penser, ce ne fait point à demander.

17. As you have heard, this high and bold enterprise was accomplished; and my lady Queen Isabella regained her entire position, with the support and leadership of the noble knight Sir John of Hainault and his companions, and brought her enemies to ruin. And the king himself was captured through such misfortune and fate as you can well understand. Then the whole country, in general, rejoiced greatly, except for some who had been supporters of the said Sir Hugh Despenser. When the king and the said Sir Hugh Despenser were brought to Bristol by the aforementioned Sir Henry de Beaumont, the king was, by the counsel of all the barons and knights, sent to the strong castle of Berkeley, situated on the great River Severn, and entrusted to the lord of the said castle, that he should guard him well. And he said that he would do so; and it was ordered that he be served and guarded well and honorably, and that men of rank should remain with him, who knew well what should be done,¹ but under no condition were they to allow him to leave the castle grounds. This was strictly enjoined and commanded. As for the said Sir Hugh, he was at once handed over to Sir Thomas Wake, marshal of the army.

Ensi com vous avés oy, fu celle haute et hardie emprise achievée; et reconquist ma dame la royne Ysabiel tout son estat, par le confort et conduit del gentil chevalier monsigneur Jehan de Haynau et de ses compagnons, et mist à destruction ses ennemis. Et fu pris li rois meismes par tèle mescheance et fortune que vous poés entendre. Dont tous li pays communalment eut grant joie, hors mis aucuns qui estoient de le faveur le dit monsigneur Huon le Despensier. Quant li rois et li dis messires Hues li Despensiers furent amené à Bristo par le dessus dit monsigneur Henri de Byaumont, li rois fu envoiiés, par le conseil de tous les barons et les chevaliers, ens ou fort chastiel de Bercler, seant sus le grosse rivière de Saverne, et recommendés au signeur dou dit chastiel de Bercler que il en fesist bonne garde; et il dist que ossi feroit il; et fu ordonné à lui servir et garder bien et honnestement, et gens d'estat entours lui, qui bien savoient que on en devoit faire, mais point ne le devoient laissier partir dou pourpris. Ensi fu il enjoint et commandé. Et li dis messires20 Hues fu tantost livrés à monsigneur Thumas Wage, mareschal de l'host.

Note 1. Ms. of Amiens: “…until the common people of the land had considered how they would maintain themselves.” (Fo 5) Ms. of Rome: *“And then the lords assembled to decide what should be done. And first of all Sir John of Hainault was called. He was asked what counsel he would give concerning the king — whether death or imprisonment. He answered and said: ‘Since you put this question upon me, I will reply. The king has been king of England; and whatever faults he has committed, as is evident from his deeds, all was done through evil guidance and counsel. There is none — not I, nor any other — who ought to judge him to death. But choose a place and a castle and a knight, and entrust him there; and let him keep his rank and live reasonably for the rest of his days. Then still he may amend his conscience, which, before God, will be much for his good: this is the judgment that I give him.’ All the barons then present answered with one voice: ‘You have spoken well and loyally, and it shall be done so.’ Then the Lord of Berkeley was summoned, a great baron of England and of the march of Bristol, who had a fine, good, and strong castle standing on the river Severn. To him it was said and commanded, in the name of the queen and her son, that he should take the King of England into his keeping, with such men as he knew he could answer for when called upon, until further order was given concerning his state. The Lord of Berkeley, who was named Thomas, replied and said that he would acquit himself of the charge and do all that my lady the queen and her council had ordained. So at once, without delay, he departed from Bristol and led the king, well accompanied by men-at-arms and archers, and brought him to his own castle of Berkeley, and placed him there in safe keeping. He always acquitted himself so well that, had he been asked, he would have rendered him up; but the king was put aside and forgotten. Nor did the king live very long after he was brought to Berkeley. And how could he have lived, by the manner which I shall now tell you? For I, Jean Froissart, author of this history, was in the castle of Berkeley in the year of grace 1366, in the month of September, in the company of Sir Edward le Despenser, who was son of the son of that Sir Hugh le Despenser of whom I shall speak later; and we remained within the castle and in the entertainments thereabouts for three days. Then I inquired concerning that king, to verify my history, what had become of him. An aged squire told me that within the very year he had been brought there, he died, for his life was shortened. Thus ended that King of England; and we shall speak of him no more, but of the queen and her son.” (Fo 10)

Ms. d'Amiens: jusquez à tant que li communs pays aroient aviset comment on s'en maintenroit. Fo 5.—Ms. de Rome: Et se missent li signeur ensamble à savoir quel cose on en feroit. Et à ce consel fu tous premiers appelés messires Jehans de Hainnau. Et li fu demandé quel cose il consilloit à faire dou roi, fust de mort ou de prison. Il respondi et dist: «Puisque vous tournés ceste demande sur moi, je vous en responderai. Li rois a esté rois d'Engleterre; et quoi que il se soit mesfais, ensi comme il est apparans, par ses oeuvres, il a tout ce fait par mauvais enort et consel; il n'est nuls, ne moi, ne aultres, qui le doient jugier à mort. Mais avissés une place et un chastiel et un chevalier, et le recargiés à celi; et li faitez avoir son estat et vivre raisonnablement toute sa vie. Encores se pora il amender en consience, de qoi, tant c'à Dieu, il en vaudra grandement mieuls: c'est le jugement que je li ordonne.» Tout respondirent li baron, et de une sieute, qui là estoient: «Vous avés bien et loiaument parlé, et il sera fait ensi.» Adonc fu appellés li sires de Bercler, un grant baron en Engleterre, et de la marce de Bristo; et a un chastiel biel et bon et fort, seant sus la rivière de Saverne. Et li fu dit et commandé, de par la roine et son fil, que il presist en garde le roi d'Engleterre, et l'euist tel et sez gens que il en seuist à rendre compte, quant il en seroit demandés, et que de son estat on ordonneroit. Li sires de Bercler, qui s'appelloit Thomas, respondi et dist que il en feroit bien son acquit et tout che que madame la roine et ses consauls avoient ordonné. Si se departi tantos et sans delai de Bristo et en mena le roi, bien acompagniés de gens d'armes et d'archiers; et vint chiés soi ens ou chastiel de Bercler, et mist le roi en bonne garde. 247Et en fu tous jours si au desus que, se on li euist demandé, il l'euist rendu, mais on le mist en oubli. Et ne vesqui puis li rois, que il fu venus à Bercler, trop longement. Et comment euist il vesqu, par la manière que je vous dirai? car je Jehans Froissars, actères de ceste histore, fui ens ou chastiel de Bercler, l'an de grasce Nostre Signeur mille trois cens soixante six, ou mois de septembre, en la compagnie de messire Edouwart le Espensier, liquels fu fils dou fil de ce mesire Hue le Espensier, dont je parlerai assés tos; et fumes, dedens le chastiel que ens ès esbatemens là environ, trois jours. Si demandai de che roi, pour justifiier men histore, que il estoit devenus. Uns anciiens esquiers me dist que dedens le propre anée que il fu là amenés, il fu mors, car on li acourça sa vie. Ensi fina chils rois d'Engleterre, et ne parlerons plus de li, mais de la roine et son fil. Fo 10.

When they had thus been received and so greatly celebrated, as has been said, and had stayed there for about fifteen days, the companions who had come with Sir John of Hainault felt a strong desire to return, each to his own land. For they believed they had fulfilled their task well and gained great honor — as indeed they had. So they asked leave of my lady the queen and of the lords of the land. My lady the queen and the lords urged them to remain a little longer, to see what would be decided regarding the king, who was in prison, as you have heard. But they were so eager to return home that no request could change their minds. When the queen and her council saw this, they made a special request to Sir John of Hainault that he would be willing to stay at least until after Christmas, and that he retain with him whatever of his men he could persuade to remain. The noble knight did not wish to fail in his service, and courteously agreed to stay until the queen wished otherwise. He managed to keep with him a few of his companions, but not many, as the others refused to remain under any condition, which greatly displeased him. Nevertheless, when the queen and her council saw that these companions would not remain despite their pleas, they gave them all the honor and reverence they could. The queen gave them generous sums of money for their expenses and service, along with fine gifts — each according to his rank — so generously that all were very satisfied. In addition, she had the value of their horses, which they wished to leave behind, paid back to them at the price each man set, without dispute, without argument over too much or too little. All were paid in ready coin.

Quant il furent ensi receu et si grandement festiiet, si que dit est, et il eurent là sejourné environ quinze jours, li compagnon qui passet estoient avoech monsigneur Jehan de Haynau, eurent grant talent de retourner cescuns en se contrée, car il leur sambloit qu'il avoient bien fait le besongne et acquis grant honneur, si qu'il avoient. Si prisent congiet à ma dame la royne et as signeurs dou pays. Ma dame la royne et li signeur leur priièrent assés de demorer encores un petit de tamps, pour veoir que on vorroit faire dou roy, qui en prison estoit, ensi que oy avés; mais il avoient si grant desir de retourner cescuns en se maison que priière n'i valu riens. Quant la royne et ses consaulz veirent chou, il priièrent de coste à monsigneur Jehan de Haynau qu'il vosist encores demorer jusques apriès le Noel, et qu'il detenist de ses compagnons avoech lui ceulz qu'il en poroit detenir. Li gentils chevaliers ne volt mies laissier à parfaire sen service, et otria courtoisement le demorer jusques à le volenté de ma dame le royne. Si detint de ses compagnons ce qu'il en peut detenir; mais petit fu, car li aultre ne vorrent nullement demorer, dont il fu moult courouciés. Toutes fois, quant la royne et ses consaulz veirent que cil compagnon ne voloient demorer pour nulle priière, il leur fisent toute l'onneur et le reverense qu'il peurent. Et leur fist la royne donner grant argent pour leurs frès et pour leur service, et grans joiaus, et cescun selonch son estat, si grandement que tout s'en tinrent à bien content. Et avoech ce elle leur fist rendre l'estimation de leurs chevaus qu'il vorrent laissier, si haut que cescuns voloit estimer les siens, sans debat et sans dire ne trop ne peu. Et tout furent paiiet en deniers appareilliés.

20. After most of the Hainault companions had departed and the Lord of Beaumont had remained, the Queen of England gave leave to the people of her realm, allowing each to return to his home and affairs, except for some barons and knights whom she retained to advise her. She commanded that all should return to London at Christmas for a great court she planned to hold. All those who left agreed to this, and many others were summoned to the feast. When Christmas came, she held a great court, just as she had said. There came all the earls, barons, knights, the nobility of England, the prelates, and the councils of the good towns. At this feast and assembly, it was decided — because the country could not long remain without a lord — that all the deeds and actions done by the king who was now imprisoned should be written down, along with all his customs and misrule, and how he had governed the land. This would be read aloud in full assembly, before the entire realm, so that the wise men of the land could deliberate and agree upon how and by whom the country should be governed going forward. So it was done. And when all the acts and deeds which the king had committed or allowed, and all his habits and behavior, were read and well understood, the barons, knights, and all the counselors of the realm gathered in council. The greater and sounder part, especially the great barons and nobles along with the councils of the towns, agreed — based on what they had heard read, and what they already knew from truth and experience — that such a man was not worthy ever again to wear the crown or bear the name of king. They agreed instead that his eldest son, who was his rightful heir, should be crowned at once in his father's place, on the condition that he would take good and wise and trustworthy counsel around him, so that the realm and country might henceforth be better governed than it had been. And that the father should be well guarded and kept honorably for the rest of his life, according to his rank.

20. Apriès ce que li plus des compagnons de Haynau se furent parti et li sires de Byaumont demorés, la royne d'Engleterre donna congiet as gens de son pays, que çascuns s'en ralast à se maison et en ses besongnes, hors mis aucuns barons et chevaliers que elle detint pour lui consillier; et lor commanda que tout revenissent à Londres, au jour dou Noel, à une grant court que elle voloit tenir. Et tout cil qui se partirent li eurent en couvent, et encores pluiseur autre à qui la feste fu mandée. Quant ce vint au Noel, elle tint une grant court, ensi que elle l'avoit dit. Et y vinrent tout li conte, baron et chevalier et tout li noble d'Engleterre, et li prelat et li consaulz des bonnes villes. A ceste feste et à ceste assamblée fu ordonné, par tant que li pays ne pooit longement demorer sans signeur, que on metteroit en escript tous les fais et les oevres, que li rois qui en prison estoit avoit fait par mauvais conseil, et tous ses usages et ses mauvais maintiens, et comment il avoit gouvrenet son pays, par quoi on le peuist lire, en plain palais, par devant tout le pays, et que li sage dou pays peuissent sur ce prendre bon avis et acord comment et par cui li pays seroit gouvrenés de donc en avant. Ensi que ordonné fu, il fu fait. Et quant tout li cas et li fait, que li rois avoit fais et consentis à faire, et tout si maintien et si usage furent leu et bien entendu, li baron et li chevalier et tous li consaulz dou pays se trairent ensamble à conseil. Et se acordèrent li plus sainne partie, et meismement li grant baron et li noble avoech les consaulz des bonnes villes, selonch ce que il avoient là oy lire, et qu'il en savoient le plus grant partie de ces fais et de ces maintiens, de certain et par pure verité. Et dirent que telz hons n'estoit mies dignes de jamais porter couronne, ne d'avoir nom de roy. Mais il s'acordèrent à che que ses ainnés filz, qui estoit ses drois hoirs, fust couronnés et tantost ou lieu dou père, mais que il presist bon conseil et sage entours lui et feable, par quoi li royaumes et li pays fust, de donc en avant, mieus gouvrenés que esté n'avoit; et que li pères fust bien gardés et honnestement tenus, tant que vivre poroit, selonch son estat.

Then Sir John of Hainault no longer wished to remain, no matter how much he was entreated, for he greatly desired to attend the tournament and to see his noble brother, the Count of Hainault, and the other lords who were to be there — especially the most generous and noble king reigning at that time, the gracious King Charles of Bohemia. When the young King Edward, his mother Queen Isabella, and the assembled barons saw that he would not stay and that no request could persuade him, they granted him leave with much reluctance. The young king, on the advice of his mother, gave him a pension of four hundred marks sterling — one sterling being worth one penny — to be held heritably in fief from him and paid annually in the city of Bruges. He also gave Philip de Casteau, Sir John's chief squire and most trusted counselor, a pension of one hundred marks sterling, likewise to be paid yearly as stated. In addition, he had a large sum of sterling delivered to Sir John to cover his and his company's expenses for their return journey. He had him escorted by a great company of knights all the way to Dover and arranged for his passage to be fully prepared and provided. The noble ladies themselves — including the Countess of Garennes, sister of the Count of Bar, and other ladies — gave him many fine and rich gifts upon his departure. When Sir John of Hainault and his company reached Dover, they boarded ships at once, eager to arrive in time for the tournament at Condé-sur-l'Escaut. He took with him fifteen young and valiant English knights to attend the tournament with him and to introduce them to the lords and knights who would be there. He gave them all the honor and companionship he could, and they jousted twice that season at Condé after their arrival. Now I will remain silent about Sir John of Hainault until the proper moment, and return to the young King Edward of England.

Adonc ne volt messires Jehans de Haynau plus demorer, pour priière que on li peuist faire, pour le grant desir qu'il avoit de venir à ce tournoi, et de veir son gentil frère, le conte de Haynau, et les aultres signeurs qui là devoient estre, et especialment le plus noble et le plus gentil roy en larghèce qui regnast à ce temps, le gentil roy Charlon de Behagne. Quant li jones rois Edowars, ma dame la royne sa mère et li baron, qui là estoient, veirent que il ne voloit plus demorer, et que priière ne pooit valoir, il li donnèrent congiet moult à envis. Se li donna li jones rois, par le conseil de ma dame sa mère, quatre cens mars d'estrelins, un estrelin pour un denir, de rente, hyretablement, à tenir de lui en fief, et à paiier çascun an en le ville de Bruges. Et donna encores à Phelippe de Castiaus, son mestre escuier et son souverain consilleur, cent mars de rente à l'estrelin, et ensi à paiier d'an en an que dit est. Et li fist avoech ce delivrer grant somme d'estrelins, pour paiier les frès de lui et de toute se compagnie, pour revenir en leur pays. Et le fist conduire, à grant compagnie de chevaliers, jusques à Douvres; et li fist apparillier et delivrer tout son passage. Et les dames meismes, la contesse de Garanes, qui estoit suer au conte de Bar, et aucunes des aultres dames li donnèrent grant fuison de biaus jeuiaus et riches au departir. Quant li dis messires Jehans de Haynau et se compagnie furent venu à Douvres, il montèrent tantost en naves pour passer oultre, pour le desir qu'il avoient de venir à temps et à point à ce tournoy, qui devoit estre à Condet. Et en mena avoech lui quinze jones et preus chevaliers d'Engleterre, pour estre à ce tournoy avoech lui, et pour yaus acointier as signeurs et as compagnons qui là devoient estre. Si leur fist toute l'onneur et le compagnie qu'il peut, et tourniièrent deus fois celle saison à Condet, puis qu'il furent venu. Or, me voel taire de monsigneur Jehan de Haynau jusques à tant que poins sera, et revenrai au jone roy Edouwart d'Engleterre.

It happened that King Robert of Scotland, who had been very valiant and had endured much against the English — and who had often been driven out and defeated in the time of the good King Edward, grandfather of the young King Edward — had grown very old and ill with a serious illness, or so it was said. When he learned what had occurred in England — how the king had been captured and deposed from his crown, and how his counselors had been executed and destroyed, as you have heard — he decided that he would declare war on the young king. For he thought that, since Edward was still young and the barons of the realm were not yet fully united (as he believed), and since it was perhaps suggested to him by some of the enemies and relatives of the Despensers, he might be able to press his advantage and conquer part of England. As he thought, so he acted. Around Easter in the year 1327, he formally declared war on young King Edward and the whole kingdom, and sent word that he would invade the land, laying it waste and burning it just as he had done before — in the days of the defeat at the castle of Stirling (Stirling Castle), when the English had suffered such great losses.

Avint que li rois Robers d'Escoce, qui avoit esté moult preus, et qui moult avoit souffert contre les Englès, et moult de fois avoit esté decaciés et desconfis au tamps le bon roy Edowart, tayon à ce jone roy Edowart, estoit devenus moult vieux et malades de le grosse maladie, ce disoit on. Quant il sceut les avenues d'Engleterre, comment li rois avoit esté pris et desposés de se couronne, et ses consaulz justiciés et mis à destruction, si com vous avés oy, il se pourpensa qu'il deffieroit ce jone roi; car, par tant qu'il estoit jones et que li baron del royaume n'estoient mies bien d'acord, si com il cuidoit, et que on li avoit fait entendant par aventure de par aucuns des ennemis et dou linage les Despensiers, il poroit bien faire se besongne et conquerre partie d'Engleterre. Ensi qu'il le pensa, il le fist; et, environ Pasques, l'an mil trois cens vingt et sept, fist il deffiier le jone roy Edouwart et tout le pays, et leur manda qu'il enteroit ens ou pays et gasteroit et arderoit ossi avant qu'il avoit fait autre fois, dou tamps que li desconfiture fu au chastiel de Struvelin, où li Englès rechurent si grant damage.

23. When the young king learned that war had been declared against him, and his counselors knew it as well, they spread the word throughout the realm and issued a command that all, noble and common alike, should prepare themselves according to their station and come with all their strength on Ascension Day to York, a good city in the north. He also sent ahead a large force of men-at-arms to guard the borders near Scotland. Then he sent messengers to Sir John of Hainault, earnestly requesting that he come to aid him and keep him company in this time of need, and that he be at York on Ascension Day with whatever company of men-at-arms he could bring. When the Lord of Beaumont heard this summons, he sent letters and messengers throughout the regions where he thought he might gather good companions — in Flanders, Hainault, Brabant, and Hesbaye — and he urged them, as firmly as he could, that each should follow him, as well mounted and equipped as possible, to Wissant, in order to cross over to England. Each came gladly according to his means — those who were summoned, and many others who were not summoned at all — because each hoped to earn as much money as the others had brought back from their previous campaign in England. So, before the Lord of Beaumont had even arrived at Wissant, he had far more men than he expected. Nevertheless, he welcomed them all cheerfully and treated them with great kindness.

23. Quant li jones rois se senti deffiiés et ses consaulz ossi, il le fisent savoir par tout le royaume et commander que tout noble et non noble fuissent apparellié cescuns selonch son estat, et venist çascuns à tout son pooir au jour de l'Ascension apriès ensiewant à Evruich, une bonne cité qui siet ou north. Et envoia devant grant fuison de gens d'armes pour garder les frontières par devers Escoce. Et puis envoia grans messages par devers monsigneur Jehan de Haynau, en priant moult affectueusement qu'il le vosist venir secourir et tenir compagnie à ce besoing, et que il vosist estre dalés lui à Evruich, au jour de l'Ascension, à tout tel compagnie qu'il poroit avoir de gens d'armes. Quant li sires de Byaumont oy che mandement, il envoia ses lettres et ses messages par tout là où il cuidoit recouvrer de bons compagnons, en Flandres, en Haynau, en Braibant et en Hasbaing; et leur prioit, si acertes qu'il pooit, que cescuns le vosist siewir, au mieus montés et apparilliés qu'il poroit, devers Wissant, pour passer oultre en Engleterre. Cescuns le sievi volentiers selonc son pooir, chil qui furent mandet et moult d'aultre qui ne furent point mandet, pour tant que cescuns cuidoit raporter otant d'argent que li aultre avoient raportet, qui avoient estet en l'autre chevaucie en Engleterre avoech lui: si ques, avant que li sires de Byaumont venist à Wissant, il eut assés plus de gens qu'il ne cuidoit avoir, mais tous les rechut liement et leur fist grant chière.

[28] It is certain that when they wish to enter England, they are all on horseback — both knights and others — except for the rabble who follow on foot. That is to say, the knights and squires are well mounted on strong, heavy horses, and the common folk of the country all ride small nags. They do not bring wagons with them, due to the many mountains they must cross, especially through the land called Northumberland. Nor do they carry supplies of bread or wine, because their custom in war, and their sobriety, is such that they can go for a long time living only on half-cooked meat without bread, and drinking river water instead of wine. They have no need for pots or cauldrons either, for they cook their meat in the hides of the beasts they have just skinned. They know well that they will find livestock in abundance in whatever land they intend to enter. Therefore, they carry no other provisions than this: each man has, between his saddle and his saddlecloth, a large flat stone. He also carries behind him a bag full of flour. When he has eaten so much poorly cooked meat that his stomach feels weak or overfull, he throws the stone into the fire, mixes a bit of his flour with water, and when the stone is hot, he pours the paste onto it, making a small cake like a beguine's wafer, and eats it to settle his stomach. So it is no wonder they can make longer marches than other people, since they are all on horseback (except the rabble), and bring no wagons or other supplies beyond what you have just heard.

[28] Certain est, quant il voelent entrer en Engleterre, il sont tout à cheval uns et aultres, fors mis li ribaudaille qui les sièvent à piet. Assavoir, sont chevalier et escuier bien montés sour bons gros roncins, et les aultres communes gens del pays tout sour petites hagenées. Et si ne mainnent point de charoy, pour les diverses montagnes qu'il ont à passer, et parmi che pays dessus dit que on claimme Northombrelande. Et si ne mainnent nulles pourveances de pain ne de vin, car leurs usages est telz en guerres et leur sobrietés, qu'il se passent bien assés longement de char cuite à moitiet, sans pain, et de boire aigue de rivière, sans vin. Et si n'ont que faire de chaudières ne de chauderons, car il cuisent bien leurs chars ou cuir des bestes meismes, quant il les ont escorcies. Et si sèvent bien qu'il trouveront bestes à grant fuison ou pays là où il voellent aler. Par quoi il n'en portent aultre pourveance que cescuns emporte, entre le selle et le peniel, une grande plate pière. Et se tourse derrière lui unes besaces plainne de farine en celle entente que, quant il ont tant mangiet de char mal quitte que leur estomach leur samble estre wape et afoiblis, il jettent celle plate pière ou feu et destemprent un petit de leur farine d'yawe. Quant leur pière est cauffée, il jettent de ceste clère paste sus ceste chaude pière, et en font un petit tourtiel à manière de une oublie de beghine, et le menguent pour conforter l'estomach. Par ce n'est point de merveilles se ilz font plus grandes journées que aultres gens, quant tout sont à cheval hors mis le ribaudaille. Et si ne mainnent nul charoi ne aultres pourveances, fors ce que vous avés oy.

[28] At that time, they had entered the said land (England), and they were laying it waste and burning it. They found so much livestock that they did not know what to do with it all. There were some three thousand men in full armour, knights and squires, mounted on strong warhorses and good chargers, and twenty thousand armed men in their own fashion, bold and skilled, riding small nags that were neither shod nor groomed. When they dismounted, these ponies were immediately sent to graze in meadows, fallow fields, and heather. The Scots had two excellent captains, for King Robert of Scotland, who was very valiant, was by then quite old and afflicted by a grave illness. So he had entrusted command to two very noble and brave leaders in arms: namely, the Earl of Moray, who bore a silver shield with three red pillows (cushions), and Sir William Douglas, who was held to be the boldest and most daring man in both kingdoms. He bore a blue shield with a silver chief containing three red stars. These two lords were the highest-ranking barons and the most powerful in all the realm of Scotland, and the most renowned for their fine deeds of arms and great prowess. But now, I wish to return to our main subject.

[28] En tel point estoient il entré en celi pays dessus dit. Si le gastoient et ardoient, et trouvoient tant de bestes qu'il n'en savoient que faire. Et avoient bien trois mille armeures de fier, chevaliers et escuiers, montés sus bons roncins et bons coursiers, et vingt mille hommes armés à leurs guises, appers et hardis, montés sus ces petites hagenées qui ne sont ne loiies ne estrillies; ains les envoi-on tantost paistre c'on en est descendu, en prés, en fries et en bruières. Et si avoient deus très bons chapitaines, car li rois Robers d'Escoce, qui estoit moult preus, estoit adonc durement viex et chargiés de le grosse maladie. Si leur avoit donnet à chapitainnes un moult gentil prince et vaillant en armes, c'est assavoir le conte de Moret qui portoit un escut d'argent à trois orilliers de geules, et monsigneur Guillaume de Douglas, que on tenoit pour le plus hardi et le plus entreprendant de tout les deus pays, et portoit un escut d'asur à un chief d'argent et trois estoilles de geules dedens l'argent. Et estoient cil doi signeur li plus haut baron et li plus poissant de tout le royaume d'Escoce, et li plus renommé en biaus fais d'armes et en grans proèces. Or voel jou revenir à nostre matère.

38. Thus was that campaign undertaken by King Edward in the first year of his reign against the Scots, which was so great and so harsh, as you have heard. Not long afterward, the king, my lady his mother, the Earl of Kent, the Earl Henry of Lancaster, Sir Roger Mortimer, and the other barons of England who had remained as part of the king's council to aid and advise him in governing, came to an agreement and decided it was time to arrange his marriage. So they sent an embassy — a bishop, two knight-bannerets, and two worthy clerks — to Sir John of Hainault, to ask him to help and advise in arranging a marriage for the young king, their lord. They asked that he be the one to negotiate, so that his brother, the Count of Hainault and Holland, might be persuaded to send one of his daughters, for she would be more welcome than any other — for the love they bore to him. The Lord of Beaumont (Sir John of Hainault) received and honored these envoys and commissioners from the English king with all the hospitality he could offer, for he knew well how to do so. After feasting and welcoming them well, he brought them to Valenciennes, to his brother, who received them with great honor and hosted them so splendidly that it would be too long to recount all the details.

38. Ensi fu celle chevaucie departie, que li rois Edowars, le premier an de se creation, fist contre les Escos, li quèle fu si grande et si dure que vous avés oy. Ne demora mies gramment de temps apriès, que cilz rois, ma dame se mère, li contes de Kent, li contes Henris de Lancastre, messires Rogiers de Mortemer et li aultre baron d'Engleterre, qui estoient demoret dou conseil le roy, pour lui aidier à conseillier et gouvrener, eurent avis et conseil de lui marier. Si envoiièrent un evesque, deus chevaliers banerès et deus bons clers à monsigneur Jehan de Haynau, pour lui priier qu'il vosist aidier et mettre conseil à che que li jones rois, leurs sires, fust mariés, et qu'il vosist boins moiiens estre, par quoi messires, ses frères, li contes de Haynau et de Hollandes, li volsist envoiier une de ses filles, car il l'aroit plus chière que nulle aultre, pour l'amour de lui. Li sires de Byaumont festia et honnoura ces messagiers et commissaires de par le roy englès, quanques il pot, car bien le savoit faire. Quant bien festiiés les eut, il les amena à Valenchiènes par devers son frère, qui moult honnourablement les rechut ossi, et les festia si souverainnement bien que longe cose seroit à raconter.

41. When spring came and the fine season for traveling arrived — for those wishing to cross the sea — Sir William Douglas prepared himself as was fitting, according to what had been commanded to him. He embarked at the port of Moray in Scotland and sailed to Flanders, directly to the port of Sluys, to gather news and to see whether any people from across the sea were preparing to journey toward the Holy Land, so that he might join with better company. He remained at Sluys for the space of twelve days before departing, but he never once set foot on land during that entire time. Instead, he stayed always aboard his ship, maintaining his pavilion with full honors, accompanied by trumpets and nakers (kettledrums), as though he were the King of Scotland. In his company was a banneret knight and six other knights — some of the most valiant of his country — not to mention the rest of his household. He had with him all sorts of gold and silver vessels: pots, basins, bowls, cups, bottles, barrels, and other such items. He was served by twenty-six squires, all young and noble gentlemen from the best families of Scotland. And you should know that anyone of rank who came to see him was royally entertained, with two kinds of wine and two types of spiced delicacies — provided they were people of standing.

41. Quant li prin tamps vint et li bonne saisons pour mouvoir, qui voelt passer oultre mer, messires Guillaumes de Douglas se pourvei, ensi qu'à lui apertenoit, selonch che que commandé li estoit. Il monta sus mer au port de Morois, en Escoce, et s'en vint en Flandres droit à l'Escluse, pour oïr nouvelles, et pour savoir se nulz par de deça la mer s'apparilloit pour aler par devers le Sainte Terre de Jherusalem, afin qu'il peuist avoir milleur compagnie. Si sejourna bien à l'Escluse par l'espasse de douze jours, ançois qu'il s'en partesist; mès onques ne volt mettre piet à terre, tout le terme des douze jours. Ains demoroit toutdis sus se nave, et tenoit toutdis son tinel honnourablement, à trompes et à nakaires, comme se ce fust li rois d'Escoce. Et avoit en se compagnie un chevalier banereth, et sis aultres chevaliers des plus preus de son pays, sans l'autre mesnie. Et avoit tout vaisselement d'or et d'argent, pos, bachins, escuielles, hanaps, bouteilles, barilz et aultres si faites choses. Et avoit jusques à vingt et sis escuiers, jones et gentilz hommes des plus souffissans d'Escoce, dont il estoit servis. Et devés savoir que tout cil qui le voloient aler veoir, estoient très bien festiiet de deus manières de vins, et de deus manières d'espisses, mès que ce fuissent gens d'estat.

[53] In those great marshes and deep forests where the Scottish lords were now hiding, the valiant King Robert of Scotland had once taken refuge many times, when King Edward — the grandfather of the present King Edward we are speaking of — had defeated him and conquered all the kingdom of Scotland. Many times King Robert was so pursued and driven out that he could find no one who dared to give him shelter, or support him in castle or fortress, for fear of King Edward, who had so thoroughly conquered Scotland that there was no town, castle, or stronghold that did not obey him. And when that King Edward had returned to England, the valiant King Robert would gather men-at-arms wherever he could find them, and would reconquer all his castles, his fortresses, and his good towns as far as Berwick — some by force and battle, and others through fair speech and persuasion. And when King Edward learned of this, he was greatly angered and would immediately summon his armies, and would not rest until he had once more defeated King Robert and reconquered the kingdom of Scotland as before.

[53] En ces grans marès et en ces grans forès, là où cil signeur d'Escoce se tenoient, s'estoit jadis li preus rois Robers d'Escoce tenus par pluiseurs fois, quant li rois Edouwars, taions à celui dont nous parlons presentement, l'avoit desconfit, et conquis tout le royaume d'Escoche. Et pluiseurs fois fu il si menés et si decaciés qu'il ne trouvoit nullui qui l'osast herbegier, ne soustenir en chastiel ne en forterèce, pour le doubtance de ce roy Edouwart, qui avoit si nettement conquis toute Escoce qu'il n'i avoit ville, chastiel ne forterèce qui n'obeisist à lui. Et quant cilz rois Edouwars estoit arrière revenus en Engleterre, chilz preus rois Robers rassambloit gens d'armes, quèle part que il les pooit trouver, et reconqueroit tous ses chastiaus, ses forterèces et ses bonnes villes jusques à Bervich, les unes par force et par bataille, et les aultres par biaus parlers et par amours. Et quant li rois Edouwars le savoit, il en avoit grant despit, et faisoit tantost semonre ses os, et ne cessoit jusques à tant qu'il l'avoit de rechief desconfit, et reconquis le royaulme d'Escoce comme devant.

Then the winter passed; summer returned; the feast of Saint John the Baptist approached. The German lords began to prepare to carry out their campaign. The King of France also made preparations in response, for he knew part of their intent, although he had not yet been formally challenged. The King of England made all his arrangements in England, preparing his men-at-arms and having them cross the sea as soon as the feast of Saint John had passed. He himself went to stay at Vilvoorde and, as his men arrived and crossed over, he had them quartered in the town of Vilvoorde. And when the town was full, he had them lodge across the beautiful meadows along the river, in tents and pavilions. There they were quartered and remained from the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene until after Our Lady's Day in September, waiting week by week for the arrival of the other lords, especially the Duke of Brabant, upon whom all the others were depending. When the King of England saw that these lords were not arriving nor making preparations, he sent specific messengers to each one and summoned them, under their pledge, to come without delay, just as they had promised—or else to come on the day of Saint Giles to meet him in the town of Mechelen and tell him why they had delayed so long.

[72] Or passa cilz yviers; li estés revint; li feste Saint Jehan Baptiste approça. Chil signeur d'Alemagne se commencièrent à apparillier, pour achiever leur emprise. Li rois de France se pourvei à l'encontre, car il savoit partie de leur entente, comment qu'il n'en fust point encores deffiiés. Li rois englès fist toutes ses pourveances faire en Engleterre, et ses gens d'armes apparillier et apasser par deça le mer, si tost que li Saint Jehan fu passée. Et se ala tenir il meismes à Vilvort; et faisoit ses gens, ensi qu'il apassoient oultre et qu'il venoient, prendre hostelz en le ville de Vilvort. Et quant li ville fu plainne, il les fist logier contreval ces biaus prés, selonch le rivière, en tentes et en trés. Et là se logièrent il et demorèrent, de le Magdelainne jusques apriès le Nostre Dame en septembre, en attendant de sepmainne en sepmainne le venue des aultres signeurs, et par especial celle dou duch de Braibant, apriès qui tout li aultre s'attendoient. Quant li rois englès vei que cil signeur ne venoient point ne apparilliet estoient, il envoia certains messages viers çascun, et les fist semonre, sour leur creant, qu'il venissent sans nul delai, ensi que creanté avoient, ou il venissent au jour Saint Gille pour parler à lui en le ville de Malignes, et lui dire pour quoi il targoient tant.

[72] King Edward was staying at Vilvoorde to great expense, as anyone can understand, and he was losing time; it wearied him, and he could not remedy it. Every day he was sustaining, at his own cost, no fewer than sixteen hundred suits of armour, the flower of men-at-arms, all having come from across the sea, and well over ten thousand archers, not counting the other attendants required for such a host. That surely weighed heavily on him, along with the great treasure he had given to the lords who were now, it seemed to him, deceiving him with empty words. Added to that were the large fleets he had stationed at sea against the Genoese, Normans, Bretons, Picards, and Spaniards, whom King Philip (of France) had sent out and maintained on the sea at his expense to harass the English. Among their admirals and commanders were Sir Hugh Quieret, Sir Peter Bahucet, and Barbevaire, who guarded the straits and sea routes between England and France. These aforementioned sea-raiders awaited nothing more than news that the King of England, as was expected, had declared war on the King of France so that they could invade England wherever they pleased, for they had already decided when and how, with the intent to bring great harm to the country.

[72] Li rois Edouwars sejournoit à Vilvort à grant fret, ce puet çascuns savoir, et perdoit son temps; se li anoioit, et ne le pooit amender. Il soustenoit tous les jours sous ses frès bien seize cens armeures de fier, fleur de gens, tous venus de oultre le mer, et bien dix mille arciers, sans les aultres poursiewans à çou apertenans. Se li pooit bien ce peser, avoech le grant tresor qu'il avoit donnet à ces signeurs qui ensi le detrioient par parolles, ce li pooit bien sambler, et avoecques les grandes armées qu'il avoit establis sour mer contre Geneuois, Normans, Bretons, Pikars et Espagnolz, que li rois Phelippes faisoit gesir et nagier sour mer à ses gages, pour les Englès grever; dont messires Hues Kierés, messires Pières Bahucés et Barbevaires estoient amiraut et conduiseur, pour garder les destrois et les passages entre Engleterre et France. Et n'attendoient cil dessus dit escumeur de mer aultre cose que les nouvelles leur venissent que li rois englès, si com on supposoit, euist deffiiet le roy de France, qu'il enteroient en Engleterre, où que ce fust, il avoient jà aviset où et comment, pour porter au pays grant damage.

91. Now we shall tell you about King Philip of France, who had withdrawn toward Paris and had dismissed all his great armies. He greatly reinforced his large navy, which he maintained at sea, under the command of Sir Hugh Quieret, Bahucet, and Barbevaire. These three chief captains of the fleet commanded a large number of Genoese, Norman, Picard, and Breton mercenaries, and that winter they inflicted much damage on the English. They often came raiding as far as Dover, Sandwich, Winchelsea, Rye, and the surrounding English coast. The English responded with difficulty because these men were very strong at sea, with more than forty thousand mercenaries. No one could leave or depart from England without being seen and discovered, and then plundered and robbed, with everything thrown overboard. These sea mercenaries won a great amount of loot from the English for the King of France during that winter. In particular, they captured a fine and large ship called Christophe, fully loaded with goods and wool that the English were bringing to Flanders. That ship had cost the English king a great deal to have built. But his men lost it to these Normans, and they were all thrown overboard. The French afterward spoke much about this event and celebrated it, as those who were greatly rejoiced by the conquest.

91. Or vous conterons dou roy Phelippe de France, qui estoit retrais viers Paris, et avoit donnet congiet toutes ses grans hos, et fist durement renforcier se grosse navie qu'il tenoit sur mer, dont messires Hues Kierés, Bahucés et Barbevaire estoient chapitaines et souverain. Et tenoient cil troi mestre escumeur grant fuison de saudoiiers geneuois, normans, pikars et bretons, et fisent en cel hyvier pluiseurs damages as Englès. Et venoient souvent courir jusques à Douvres, et à Zandvic, à Wincesée, à Rie et là environ, sur les costes d'Engleterre. Et les ressongnoient durement li Englès, car cil estoient si fort sus mer que plus de quarante mille saudoiiers. Et ne pooit nuls issir ne partir d'Engleterre, qu'il ne fust veus et sceus, et puis pilliés et robés, et tout mettoient à bort. Si conquisent cil dit saudoiier marin au roi de France, en cel yvier, sus les Englès tamaint pillage. Et, par especial, il conquisent le belle grosse nave, qui s'appelloit Cristofle, toute cargie d'avoir et de lainnes que li Englès amenoient en Flandres, la quèle nave avoit cousté moult d'avoir au roy englès au faire faire. Mès ses gens le perdirent sus ces Normans, et furent tout mis à bort. Et en fisent depuis li François tamaint parlement, comme cil qui furent grandement resjoy de ce conquès.