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All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
On 11th September 1297 the combined forces of Andrew Moray and William Wallace defeated the forces of John Warenne 6th Earl of Surrey (age 66) near Stirling Bridge. After around half the English had crossed the narrow bridge the Scots attacked subjecting the English to a significant defeat.
Lanercost Chronicle. 11th September 1297. When this had been done and the greater part of the army had been dismissed, the Steward brought them to the bridge of Stirling, where on the other side of the water the army of Scotland was posted. They [the Scots] allowed as many of the English to cross the bridge as they could hope to overcome, and then, having blocked the bridge1, they slaughtered all who had crossed over, among whom perished the Treasurer of England, Hugh de Cressingham, of whose skin William Wallace caused a broad strip to be taken from the head to the heel, to make therewith a baldrick for his sword1. The Earl of Warenne escaped with difficulty and with a small following, so hotly did the enemy pursue them. After this the Scots entered Berwick and put to death the few English that they found therein; for the town was then without walls, and might be taken as easily by English or Scots coming in force. The castle of the town, however, was not surrendered on this occasion.
Note 1. Ponte obturato i.e. with the bridge blocked.
Note 2. Other writers say the skin was cut up into horse-girths.
Scalacronica. 11th September 1297. And the following winter, the said William Wallace burnt all Northumberland. The Earl of Warenne (age 66), who was Keeper of Scotland for the King of England, being in the south1, turned towards Scotland; where at the bridge of Stirling he was defeated by William Wallace, who, being at hand in order of battle2, allowed so many of the English as he pleased to cross over the said bridge, and, at the right moment3, attacked them, caused the bridge to be broken, where many of the English perished, with Hugh de Cressingham, the King's Treasurer; and it was said that the Scots caused him to be flayed, and in token of hatred made girths of his skin. The Earl of Warenne took flight to Berwick. William Wallace, to whom the Scots adhered, immediately after this discomfiture, followed4 the said Earl of Warenne in great force, and skirting Berwick, arrived on Hutton Moor in order of battle; but perceiving the English arrayed to oppose him, he came no nearer to Berwick, but retired and bivouacked in Duns Park5.
Note 1. Warenne, or Surrey, which was his principal title, had been recalled on 18th August for service with King Edward on the Continent, and Sir Brian Fitz Alan was appointed Keeper of Scotland in his place. But Sir Brian having raised a difficulty about his salary (£1128 8s.), the Prince of Wales wrote on 7th Sept., 1298, requiring Surrey to remain at his post. (See Stevenson's Documents illustrative of the History of Scotland, ii. 230.)
Note 2. En batailA soun point. i.e., in force or in order of battle; used in both senses.
Note 3. A soun point. i.e.
Note 4. Suyst, misprinted fuyst in Maitland Club Ed.
Note 5. Not Duns Park on Whitadder, but in a place which then bore that name a little to the north of Berwick.
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John of Fordun's Chronicle. 11th September 1297. 99. Battle of Stirling Bridge
In the year 1297, the fame of William Wallace was spread all abroad, and, at length, reached the ears of the king of England; for the loss brought upon his people was crying out. As the king, however, was intent upon many troublesome matters elsewhere, he sent his treasurer, named Hugh of Clissingham, with a large force to repress this William's boldness, and to bring the kingdom of Scotland under his sway. When, therefore, he heard of this man's arrival, the aforesaid William, then busy besieging the English who were in Dundee Castle, straightway intrusted the care and charge of the siege of the castle to the burgesses of that town, on pain of loss of life and limb, and, with his army, marched on, with all haste, towards Strivelyn (Stirling), to meet this Hugh. A battle was then fought, on the 11th of September, near Strivelyn (Stirling), at the bridge over the Forth. Hugh of Clissingham was killed, and all his army put to flight: some of them were slain with the sword, others taken, others drowned in the waters. But, through God, they were all overcome; and the aforesaid William gained a happy victory, with no little praise. Of the nobles, on his side, the noble Andrew of Moray alone, the father of Andrew, fell wounded.
On 22nd July 1298 King Edward I of England (age 59) defeated the Scottish army led by William Wallace during the 22nd July 1298 Battle of Falkirk at Falkirk [Map] using archers to firstly attack the Scottish shiltrons with the heavy cavalry with infantry completing the defeat.
John de Graham (age 31) and John Stewart of Bonkyll (age 52) were killed.
The English were described in the Falkirk Roll that lists 111 men with their armorials including:
Guy Beauchamp 10th Earl Warwick (age 26).
Walter Beauchamp (age 55).
Roger Bigod 5th Earl Norfolk (age 53).
Humphrey Bohun 3rd Earl Hereford 2nd Earl Essex (age 49).
Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford (age 24).
Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 37).
William Ferrers 1st Baron Ferrers of Groby (age 26).
Thomas Berkeley 6th and 1st Baron Berkeley (age 52).
Maurice Berkeley 7th and 2nd Baron Berkeley (age 27).
Henry Grey 1st Baron Grey of Codnor (age 43).
Reginald Grey 1st Baron Grey of Wilton (age 58).
John Grey 2nd Baron Grey of Wilton (age 30).
John Mohun 1st Baron Dunster (age 29).
Simon Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 48).
Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 11).
William Ros 1st Baron Ros Helmsley (age 43).
John Segrave 2nd Baron Segrave (age 42).
Nicholas Segrave (age 42).
Robert de Vere 6th Earl of Oxford (age 41).
Alan Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Ashby (age 30).
Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln (age 20).
Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster (age 17).
John Warenne 6th Earl of Surrey (age 67).
Henry Percy 9th and 1st Baron Percy (age 25).
Hugh Courtenay 1st or 9th Earl Devon (age 21).
Richard Fitzalan 1st or 8th Earl of Arundel (age 31).
Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan (age 19).
John Capet II Duke Brittany (age 59).
Philip Darcy (age 40).
Robert Fitzroger.
Robert Fitzwalter 1st Baron Fitzwalter (age 51), or possiby a Roger Fitzwalter?.
Aymer de Valence 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 23).
John Wake 1st Baron Wake of Liddell (age 30), and.
Henry Lacy 4th Earl Lincoln, Earl Salisbury (age 47).
William Scrope (age 53) was knighted.
John Moels 1st Baron Moels (age 29) fought.
John Lovell 1st Baron Lovel (age 44) fought.
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Around 20th February 1304 a chevauchée of English knights including Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford (age 29), William Latimer 2nd Baron Latimer of Corby (age 28), John Mohun 1st Baron Dunster (age 35), John Segrave 2nd Baron Segrave (age 48) and the future King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland (age 29) attempted, unsuccessfully, to capture Simon Fraser and William Wallace at Happrew, Peebles.
John of Fordun's Chronicle. 111. Stirling Castle [Map] besieged by the King of England
Just after Easter, in the year 1304, that same king besieged Strivelyn [Map] Castle for three months without a break. For this siege, he commanded all the lead of the refectory of Saint Andrews [Map] to be pulled down, and had it taken away for the use of his engines. At last, the aforesaid castle was surrendered [20th July 1304] and delivered unto him on certain conditions, drawn up in writing, and sealed with his seal. But when he had got the castle, the king (age 64) belied his troth, and broke through the conditions: for William Oliphant, the warden thereof, he threw bound into prison in London, and kept him a long time in thrall. The same year, when both great and small in the kingdom of Scotland (except William Wallace alone) had made their submission unto him; when the surrendered castles and fortified towns, which had formerly been broken down and knocked to pieces, had been all rebuilt, and he had appointed wardens of his own therein; and after all and sundry of Scottish birth had tendered him homage, the king, with the Prince of Wales (age 19), and his whole army, returned to England. He left, however, the chief warden as his lieutenant, to amend and control the lawlessness of all the rest, both Scots and English. He did not show his face in Scotland after this.
In 1305 John Menteith (age 30) captured William Wallace.
On 5th August 1305 William Wallace was handed over to the English forces by John Menteith (age 30) at Robroyston, Glasgow.
On 23rd August 1305 William Wallace was hanged, drawn and quartered at the Elms in Smithfield [Map]. His head being displayed on London Bridge [Map].
On 8th April 1956 a plaque was unveiled on the wall of St Bartholomew's Hospital near to the site of his execution the text of which reads ...
To the immortal memory of Sir William Wallace Scottish patriot born at Elderslie Renfrewshire circa 1270 A.D. Who from the year 1296 fought dauntlessly in defence of his country's liberty and independence in the face of fearful odds and great hardship being eventually betrayed and captured brought to London and put to death near this spot on the 23rd August 1305.
His example heroism and devotion inspired those who came after him to win victory from defeat and his memory remains for all time a source of pride, honour and inspiration to his Countrymen.
"Dico tibi verum libertas optima rerum nunquam servili sub nexu vivito fili"
Translation: I tell you the truth, son, freedom is the best condition, never live like a slave
"Bas Agus Buaidh" aka Death and Victory, a traditional Scottish battle cry.
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The Ancient Kalendars and Inventories Volume 1. After 5th August 1305. In the hanaper, among the rods, at such a sign.
Certain letters from Philip, King of France, John, King of Scotland, and Haakon, King of Norway, granting safe-conduct to William Wallace in their respective kingdoms, for travel to and from. Also included were some letters of ordinance and confederation made for the said William by certain magnates of Scotland. These letters were found with William Wallace when he was captured, and they were brought to the King (of England) at Kingston [by Sir John de Segrave].
In hanapio de virgis ad tale signu.
46. Quedam lre Phi Regis Franc, Johis Reg Scoc t Haqini Reg Norwag de conductu p eosdem Reges Willo le Waleys concesso in regnis eodem Regū eundo t redeundo cu quibʒd lřis de ordinacoibʒ t confederacoibʒ p quosdam Magnates Scoc psato Willo sce que lre invente suunt cu eodm Willo qando capt fuit t Dno R apud Kyngeston apportate [p Dnm J. de Segave.]
Documents Illustrative of the Life of William Wallace Chapter 20. Memoranda respecting measures on the apprehension of Sir William Wallace.1
After 5th August 1305.
1. The Bishop of Chester, of Worcester... the Bishop of St... the Bishop of Worcester... the Earl of... Sir Adam Gurdon.
2. The letter to Sir Miles de Stapelton, William of [Berwick?], Renaud, etc., that they remit the sums.
3. Item: the letter from Mary, daughter of B[ernard or someone else—uncertain].
4. To remember the 40 marks that ought to be given to a valet who spied on William Wallace.
5. Item: the 60 marks that ought to be given to others, and the King wills that these 60, which were from the taking of the said William, be divided among them.
6. Concerning the letter: that is to say, the one by J. de Meneteth.
7. Concerning the appointment of those who will be in the Scottish business, etc.
8. Item: concerning the credit/validation of the letters, etc.
9. Item: concerning the writings from Scotland, etc., and the memoranda.
1. L Euesq de Cestř de Wyrecestř .... l Euesq de Seint .... l Euesq de Wyrecestr .... le Conte de .... Mons Ad Gurdon.
2. La lre a Mofs Mil de Stapelton Will de .... rgh .... Renaud &c. t q il remandet les somes.
3. It de la lre Marie fil B.
4. Fait a remembrer des XL mars q deyvent estre dones a un Vallet q espia Will le Waleys.
5. It de les LX mars q deyvent estre donez as autres , t le Roi voet q ces .... LX .... qui feurent a la pise du dit Willa p ptir entre eus
6. D la tre. cest assav c li p J. de Meneteth .
7. D smet de ceaux q sront au fail d Escoce &c.
8. It de la creance des lres &c.
9. It des escritz d Escoce &c . t des rembances.
Note 1. On a small pannel, written in a very loose manner. The first paragraph is written transversely, the others horizontally. The document appears to be a series of memoranda of business to be brought before the notice of the Parliament or Privy Council . It is here printed from the work last quoted, p. 295.
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John of Fordun's Chronicle. 116. Death of William Wallace
In the year 1305, William Wallace was craftily and treacherously taken by John of Menteith (age 30), who handed him over to the king of England (age 66); and he was, in London, torn limb from limb, and, as a reproach to the Scots, his limbs were hung on towers in sundry places throughout England and Scotland.
Documents Illustrative of the Life of William Wallace Chapter 28. 23rd August 1305. It is adjudged that the aforesaid William [William Wallace], for the manifest sedition which he committed against his lord the king by feloniously plotting to kill him, by carrying the banner against his liege lord in mortal battle, and by attempting the annulment and overthrow of his crown and royal dignity, shall be drawn from the palace at Westminster to the Tower of London, and from the Tower to Aldgate, and thus through the middle of the city to Smithfield (Elmes), and for the robberies, murders, and felonies which he committed in the kingdom of England and the land of Scotland, he shall be hanged there, and afterwards cut down. And because he was outlawed, and was never restored to the king's peace, he shall be beheaded and decapitated. And afterwards, for the immense vileness he committed against God and Holy Church by burning churches, vessels, and reliquaries in which the body of Christ and the bodies and relics of the saints were placed, his heart, liver, lungs, and all his internal organs, from which such perverse thoughts proceeded, shall be cast into the fire and burned. And also, because he committed the aforesaid sedition, depredations, arsons, murders, and felonies not only against his lord the king but against all the people of England and Scotland, the body of the said William shall be cut and divided into four quarters, and his head thus severed shall be set upon London Bridge in view of those passing by both by land and by water, and one quarter shall be hung on the gibbet at Newcastle upon Tyne, another quarter at Berwick, a third quarter at Stirling, and the fourth quarter at St. John's Town (Perth), as a warning and punishment to all who pass by and see them, etc.
Consideratum est quod prædictus Willelmus pro manifesta seditione quam ipsi domino regi secerat felonice machinando, in mortem ejus perpetrando, annulationem et enervationem coronæ et regiæ dignitatis suæ vexillum contra dominum suum ligium in bello mortali deferendo, detrahatur a palatio Westmonasterii ussque Turrim London, et a Turri usque Allegate, et sic per medium civitatis usque Elmes, et pro roberiis et homicidiis et feloniis, quas in regno Angliæ et terra Scotia fecit, ibidem sufsendatur et poftea devaletur. Et quia utlagatus fuit, nec postea ad pacem domini regis restitutus, decolletur et decapitetur. Et postea pro immensa vilitate, quam Deo et sacrosanctæ ecclesiæ fecit comburendo ecclesias, vasa et feretra, in quibus corpus Christi et corpora sanctorum et reliquiæ eorundem collocabantur, cor, epar, et pulmo et omnia interiora ipsius Willelmi, a quibus tam perversæ cogitationes processerunt, in ignem mittantur et comburentur. Et etiam, quia non solum ipsi domino regi, sed toti plebi Angliæ et Scotiæ, prædicta seditionem, deprædationes, incendia, et homicidia et felonias fecerat, corpus illius Willelmi in quatuor quarteria scindatur et dividatur, et caput sic abscissum assedatur super pontem London, in conspectu tam per terram quam per aquam transeuntium, et unum quarterium suspendatur in gibetto apud Novum Castrum super Tynam, aliud quarterium apud Berewyk, tertium quarterium apud Stryvelyn, et quartum quarterium apud Villam Sancti Johannis, in metum et castigationem omnium prætereuntium et ea conspicientium, & c.
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Documents Illustrative of the Life of William Wallace Chapter 28. 23rd August 1305. Pleas at Westminster before John de Segrave, Peter Maluree, Ralph de Sandwich, John de Bacwelle, and John le Blound, Mayor of the King's city of London, on Monday, on the eve of Saint Bartholomew, in the 33rd year of the reign of King Edward, son of Henry.
William Wallace, a Scot by birth and origin, captured for sedition, murders, plunderings, arsons, and various other felonies, came forth, and it was recited by the justices how, after the said lord king had conquered the land of Scotland from John Balliol, prelates, earls, barons, and other enemies of his land by the forfeiture of John, and had subdued all Scots to his dominion and royal power as their king, and had publicly received the homages and fealties of the prelates, earls, barons, and many others, and had caused his peace to be proclaimed throughout the land of Scotland, and had appointed and established custodians of that land in his place, sheriffs, provosts, bailiffs, and other officials to maintain his peace and to administer justice to all according to the laws and customs of that land, the aforesaid William Wallace, unmindful of his loyalty and allegiance, rose up in all the felony and premeditated sedition he could muster against the said lord king, gathering to himself and conspiring with a vast number of felons, and feloniously attacked and assaulted the custodians and officials of the said king, and feloniously, and against the peace of the said lord king, assaulted, wounded, and killed William de Heselrig, sheriff of Lanark, who was holding the king's pleas in full county court, and afterward, in contempt of the said king, had the sheriff thus killed dismembered. And from that time onward, gathering to himself all the armed multitudes he could, and adhering to his felony, he invaded towns, cities, and castles of that land, issued his own writs throughout all Scotland as if they were the writs of a sovereign of that land, and held and convened his own parliaments and assemblies, having deposed all the custodians and officials of the said lord king in the land of Scotland through himself. Not content with such wickedness and sedition, he advised all the prelates, earls, and barons of his land who adhered to his party to submit to the fealty and dominion of the King of France and to seek aid for the destruction of the kingdom of England.
Placita apud Westmonasterium coram Johanne de Segrave, P. Maluree, R. de Sandwyco, Johanne de Bacwelle et J. le Blound Majore civitatis regis London, die lunæ in vigilia Sancti Bartholomæi, anno regni regis Edwardi, filii Henrici, xxxiij.
Willelmus Waleis Scotus et de Scotia ortus, captus pro seditione, micidiis, deprædacionibus, incendiis, et aliis diversis feloniis, venit, et recitato per eosdem justiciarios qualiter, postquam prædictus dominus rex terram Scotia super Johannem Baillol, prælatos, comites, barones et alios ejusdem terræ inimicos suos, per forissacturam ipsius Johannis, hostiliter conquisivisset, et conquæstu illius omnes Scotos dominio et regiæ potestati suæ, ut eorum regi, submisisset et subjugasset, homagia et fidelitates prælatorum, comitum, baronum, et aliorum plurimorum publice recepisset, pacemque suam per totam terram Scotia proclamari secisset, Custodes terræ illius, locum suum tenentes, vicecomites, præpositos, ballivos et alios ministros suos ad pacem suam manutenendam et justitiam quibuscunque secundum leges et consuetudines terræ illius faciendam, ordinassset et statuisset, prædictus Willelmum le Waleys, fidelitatis et ligancia fuæ immemor, omnia quæv poterat felonia ac seditione præcogitata in ipsum dominum regem, adunato fibi et confœderato immenso numero felonum, surrexit, et custodes et ministros ipsius regis felonice invafit et impugnavit, et Willelmum de Hesebreggw, vicecomitem de Lanarke, qui placita ipsius regis in plenox comitatu [ ], felonice et contra pacem ipsius domini regis insultavit, vulneravit et interfecit, et postea, in contemptum ipsius regis, ipsum vicecomitem sic interfectum, frustratim dimicavit. Et ex sunc omni qua poterat multitudine armatorum sibi et feloniæ suæ adhærentium adunata, villas, civitates, et castra terræ illius invasit, et brevia sua per totam Scotiam, tanquam brevia superioris illius terræ, emanare fecit et demandavit, parliamenta et congregationes suas, omnibus custodibus et ministris prædicti domini regis de terra Scotia per ipsum Willelmum dejectis, tenuit et assedit; nec tanta nequitia et seditione volens contineri, consuluit omnibus prælatis, comitibus et baronibus terræ suæ parti suæ adhærentibus, quod fidelitati et dominio regis Franciæ se subjugarent, et ad destructionem regni Angliæ in auxilium insisterent.
Note v. Omni qua (?)
Note w. Such is the reading of the MS., but there is reason for believing that it is an error for " Heselregg. " See, however, the extract from Fordun.
Note x. The MS. reads "plano."
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All About History Books
The Deeds of King Henry V, or in Latin Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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John of Fordun's Chronicle. 110. The Estates of Scotland make their submission to the King of England
The same year, after the whole Estates of Scotland had made their submission to the king of England, John Comyn, then guardian, and all the magnates but William Wallace, little by little, one after another, made their submission unto him; and all their castles and towns - except Strivelyn Castle [Map], and the warden thereof - were surrendered unto him. That year, the king kept Lent at Saint Andrews [Map], where he called together all the great men of the kingdom, and held his parliament; and he made such decrees as he would, according to the state of the country - which, as he thought, had been gotten and won for him and his successors for ever - as well as about the dwellers therein.