July 1470 Angers Agreement

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. When Quene Margarete, whiche sojorned with Duke Reyner her father, called kyng of Sicile, &c. Harde tell that the erle of Warwicke and the Duke of Clarence, had abandoned Englande, and wer come to the Frenche Courte: hopyng of newe comfort, with all diligence came to Amboyse, with her onely son Prince Edward. And with her came Jasper erle of Penbroke, and Ihon erle of Oxenford, whiche after diverse long imprisonrnentes lately escaped, fled out of Englande into Eraunce and came by fortune to this assemble. After that thei had long commoned, and debated diverse matters, concernyng their suretie and wealthe, they determined by meane of the Frenche kyng, to conclude a league and a treatie betwene [July 1470 Angers Agreement, 22nd July 1470] them: And first to begin with all, for the more sure foundacion of the newe amitie, Edward Prince of Wales, wedded Anne second daughter to therle of Warwicke, which Lady came with her mother into Fraunce. This mariage semed very straunge to wise men, consideryng that the erle of Warwicke, had first disherited the father, and then to cause his sonne, to mary with one of his daughters, whose suster the duke of Clarence before had maried, whiche was euer extreme enemie to the house of Lancaster: wherevpon they divined that the mariage of the Prince, should euer be a blot in the dukes iye, or the mariage of the Duke, a mole in the iye of the Prince, eche of them lokying to be exalted, when therle on hym smiled: and eche of them again thinkyng to be over throwen when the erle of hym lowred. After his mariage the duke and therles toke a solempne othe, that they should neuer leaue the warre, untill suche tyme as kyng Henry the sixt, or the prince his sonne, were restored to the full possession and Diademe of the Realme: and that the Quene and the Prince, should depute and appoynt the Duke and the erle, to begovernors and conservators, of the publique wealthe, till suche tyme as the Prince wer come to mannes estate, and of liabilities meete and conveuient, to take vpon hym so high a charge, and so greate a burden. There were many other condicions concluded, which bothe reason, & the weightines of so great a busines, required to he setforward.

While these Lordes wer thus in the Frenche Courte, there landed at Caleis a damosell, belongyng to the Duches of Clarence (as she saied) whiche made Monsirede Vawclere beleve, that she was sent from kyng Edwarde to the erle of Warwicke, with a plain ouerture and declaracion of peace. Ot the which tidynges, Vawclere was very glad for the erles sake, whom he thought (by this peace) to bee restored to all his old possessions, romes and digities. But he was sore by this damosel deceived for her message (as it after proved) was the beginning of the erles confusion. For she perswaded the Duke of Clarence, that it was neither naturall, nor honorable to hym, either to condiscende or take parte, against the house of Yorke (of whiche he was lineally disccnded) and to set up again the house of Lancastre, whiche lignage of the house of Yorke, was not only by the whole Parliament of the realme, declared to be the very and indubitate heires of the Kyngdome: but also kyng Henry the sixte and his bloud affirmed thesame, and therupon made a composicion, whiche of record appereth. Farthermore she declared, that the mariage with therles daughter with Prince Edward, was for none other cause but to make the Prince kyng, and clerely to extinguishe all the house of Yorke, of whom the duke hymself was one, and next heire to the croune, alter his eldest brother and his children. These reasons, and the mariage of the Prince to the Erles daughter, so sancke in the Dukes stomacke, that he promised at his returne, not to be so an extreme enemie to his brother, as he was taken for, whiche promise afterwarde he did not forget. With this answere the damosell departed into Englande, therle of Warwicke therof beyng clerely ignoraunt.

When the league was concluded (as you before have harde) the Frenche kyng lent them shippes, money, and men, and that thei mighte the surer saile into Englande, he appoynted the Bastard of Burgoyn, Admirall of Fraunce with a greate navie, to defende theim against the armie of the Duke of Burgoyne, whiche was stronger then bothe the Frenche kynges navie, or the Englishe flete. Kyng Reyner also did help his daughter, to his smal power, with menne, and muoicions of warre. When this, armie (whiche was not small) was conscribed and come together to Harflete, at the mouthe of the riuer of Seyne, expectyng wind and wether. The Erie of Warwicke received letters out of Englande, that men so muche daily and hourely, desired and wished so sore his arrival and returne, that almoste all men were in harnesse, lokyng for his landyng: wherefore he was required to make hast, yea, hast more then hast, although he brought no succor with hym. For he was farther assured, that assone as he had once taken lande, there should mete hym many thousandes (as after it proved in deede) to do hym what service or pleasure, thei could or might: all this was the offer of the comon people. Beside this diverse noble men wrote, to helpe hym with me, harnesse, money, and all thynges necessary for the warre: beside their awne persones, whom thei promised to aduenture in his querell. When therle had received these letters, he not a litle regardyng suche an offer, and so many greate benefites to hym, even at hande apparauntly proffered, fully determined with the duke, and the erles of Oxenford and Penbroke (because Quene Margaret and her sonne, were not fully yet furnished for suche a jorney) to go before with part of the navie, and part of tharmie, and to attempt the firste brunte of fortune and chaunce, whiche if it well succeded, then should Quene Margarete and her soonne, with the residue of the navie and people followe into Englande. The erle of Warwick thinking this weighty matter, not worthy to be lingered, but to be accelerate with al diligence possible, takyng his leve of the Freche kyng Lewes, gevyng him no small thanks, bothe on the behalfe of kyng Henry, and also for his awne parte, and so beyng dismissed; came where his navie laie at Anker, commaundyng his men to go on ship bord, myndyng to take his course toward Englande.

Chronicle of Jean de Waurin [1400-1474]. Chapter 6.13. How the Earl of Warwick and the Duke of Clarence went to meet King Louis of France, and the alliances they made together.

We have mentioned above how the Earl of Warwick and the Duke of Clarence, with their ships, were repelled by the Burgundians. Therefore, the said earl, seeing that he was not strong enough to return to England without further power, left his ship at the port of Harfleur. He then went, along with his son-in-law Clarence, to meet the King of France, where they were warmly welcomed. There they found Queen Margaret, wife of King Henry of England, and her son Edward, who was called the Prince of Wales. Together, they made several agreements [July 1470 Angers Agreement, 22nd July 1470] and alliances to the detriment of whoever they pleased, especially King Edward of England and his cousin, the Duke of Burgundy. This was because King Louis of France negotiated the marriage of his cousin Edward, the Prince of Wales, son of King Henry, who was a prisoner, and Queen Margaret, his wife. They were cousins of King Louis, namely King Henry, the son of Lady Catherine of France¹⁵⁹, the aunt of King Louis, and Queen Margaret, the daughter of King René of Sicily, who was the uncle on his mother's side to King Louis, as Queen Marie, the mother of King Louis, was the sister of King René, Duke of Anjou.

The marriage of the said Edward was arranged with the daughter of the Earl of Warwick , on the condition that Warwick would restore King Henry, his father, to the crown and royal dignity of England. During the negotiation of this treaty, several promises and significant agreements were made, as detailed in the letter drafted for this purpose, the contents of which are as follows:

Chapter 6.13. Comment le comte de Warewic et le duc de Clarence allerent devers le roy Loys de France, et des alyances quilz firent ensamble.

Nous avons dit cydessus comment le comte de Warewic et le duc de Clarence atout leurs navires furent rebouttez des Bourguignons, pourquoy ycellui comte, voiant quil nestoit pas fort assez a soy retourner en Angleterre sans autre puissance, il delaissa son navire au port de Harfleu, si se tyra, avec luy son gendre de Clarence, devers le roy de France, duquel ilz furent grandement conjouis et bienviengnies; sy trouverent illec la royne Marguerite, femme du roy Henry dAngleterre, et son filz Edouard, quon appeloit prince de Galles, et la firent ensamble plusieurs convenances et alyances au prejudice de qui que bon leur sambla, en especial du roy Edouard dAngleterre et de son serouge le duc de Bourguoigne, car le roy de France traicta lors le mariage de son cousin Edouard Prince de Galles, filz du roy Henry, prisonnier, et de celle royne Marguerite sa femme, qui estoient germains dudit roy Loys, cest a scavoir ledit roy Henry filz de dame Katherine de France belle-ante dudit roy Loys, et ladite dame Marguerite fille du roy Regnier de Sezille oncle de par lu mere audit roy de France, car la royne Marie, mere du roy Loys, estoit seur audit roy Regnier duc dAnjou.We have mentioned above how the Earl of Warwick and the Duke of Clarence, with their ships, were repelled by the Burgundians. Therefore, the said earl, seeing that he was not strong enough to return to England without further power, left his ship at the port of Harfleur. He then went, along with his son-in-law Clarence, to meet the King of France, where they were warmly welcomed. There they found Queen Margaret, wife of King Henry of England, and her son Edward, who was called the Prince of Wales. Together, they made several agreements and alliances to the detriment of whoever they pleased, especially King Edward of England and his cousin, the Duke of Burgundy.

Lequel mariage dudit Edouard fut fait a la fille du comte de Warewic moiennant et par condition que Warewic restitueroit le roy Henry son pere en la couronne et dignite royalle dAngleterre. Ouquel traitie faisant furent acordees plusieurs promesses et grosses convenances declarees a plain en la lettre sur ce faite dont la teneur sensieult.

Note 159. Catherine of Valois, Queen Consort England, 1401-1437, wife of King Henry V, mother of King Henry VI, and after his death, wife of Owain Tudor who were parents of Edmund Tudor, father of King Henry VIII, and Jasper Tudor.

Note 160. Anne Neville, 1456-1485. Younger daughter of Warwick the Kingmaker. Future wife of King Richard III.

Warkworth's Chronicle. 22nd July 1470. And whenne the seide Duke of Clarence and the Earl of Warwick (age 41) were in Fraunce, there apperede a blasynge sterre in the weste, and the flame therof lyke a spere hede, the whiche dyverse of the Kynges house sawe it, whereof they were fulle sore adrede. And thanne in Fraunce whenne the seide lordes where, they toke there counselle qwhat was beste for to do; and they coude fynde no remedy but to sende to Quene Margaret, and to make a maryage betwex Prynce Edwarde (age 16), Kynge Herry sonne, and an other of the seid Earl of Warwikys doughters [Anne Neville (age 14)], whiche was concluded, and in Fraunce worschippfully wedded. And there it was apoyntede and acordede that Kynge Herry schuld rejoyse the kyngdome¹ of England ageyne, and regne as welle as he dyd before, and after hym hys Prynce Edward and his heyres of his body lawfully begotyne; and if it appenede that he disceysed witheoute heyres of his body lawfully gotene, thenne schulde the kyngdome of England, with the lordschyppes of Irlonde, remane unto George, the Duke of Clarence, and his heyre[s] for evere more. Also it was apoyncted and agreede that Herry Duke of Excetre (age 40), Edmunde Duke of Somersett, brother to Herry that was slayne at Hexham felde, the Earl of Devynschire called Courtnay, and alle othere knyghtes, squires, and alle other that were putt oute and atayntede for Kynges Herry quarrelle, schulde come into England ageyne, and every man to rejoyse his owne lyflode and inhabytauntes³; whiche alle this poyntment aforeseide were wrytene, indentyde, and sealede, bytwixe the seide Quene Margaret, the Prynce hire sonne, in that one party, and the Duke of Clarence, and the Earl of Warwik, one that othere party. And moreovere, to make it sure, they were sworne, and made grete othys eche to othere, wiche was done be alle Kynge of Fraunce counselle.

Note 1. Kynge Henry schuld rejoyse the kyngdome. "On halmesse evyn, abowt thre after noyne, comyn into the Comowne Howus, the Lordys spiritual and temporal, excepte the Kyng, the Duk of York, and hys sonys; And the Chawnceler reherset the debate had bytwyn owre soveren Lord the Kyng and the Duk of York upon the tytelys of Inglond, Fraunce, and the Lordschep of Erlond, wyche mater was debat, arguet, and disputet by the seyd lordes spiritual and temporal byfore owre soveren Lord and the Duk of York longe and diverse tymys. And at the last, by gret avyce and deliberacion, and by the assent of owre soveryn Lord and the Duk of York, and alle the lordes spiritual and temporal ther assemelyd by vertu of thys present parlement, assentyt, agreyt, and acordyt, that owre sovereyne Lord the Kyng schal pessabylly and quyetly rejoys and possesse the crowne of Inglond and of Fraunce and the Lordchip of Irlond, with al hys preemynences, prerogatyves, and liberteys duryng hys lyf. And that after hys desese the coroun, etc. schal remayne to Rychard Duk of York, as rythe inheryt to hym, and to hys issue, prayng and desyring ther the comownes of Inglond, be vertu of thys present parlement assemylet, to comyne the seyd mater, and to gyff therto her assent. The wyche comyns, after the mater debatet, comynt, grawntyt, and assentyt to the forseyd premisses. And ferthermore was granted and assentyt, that the seyd Duk of York, the Erl of March, and of Rutlond, schul be sworne that they schuld not compas ne conspyrene the kynges deth ne hys hurt duryng hys lyf. Ferthermore the forseyd Duk schulde be had, take, and reportyt as eyr apparent prince and ryth inheryter to the crowne aboveseyd. Ferthermore for to be had and take tresoun to ymagyne or compas the deth or the hurt of the seyd Duk, wythe othyr prerogatyves as long to the prince and eyr parawnt. And fferthermore the seyd Duk and hys sonys schul have of the Kyng yerly x.M¹. marces, that is to sey, to hemself v. M¹., to the Erl of Marche iij M¹., the Erl of Rutlond ijM¹. marces. And alle these mateyrs agreyd, assentyt, and inactyt by the auctorite of thys present parlement. And ferthermore, the statutes mad in the tyme of Kyng Herry the fowrth, wherby the croune was curtaylet to hys issu male, utterly anullyd and evertyth, wyth alle other statutes and grantys mad by the seyd Kynges days, Kyng Herry the V. and Kyng Herry the vj^te, in the infforsyng of the tytel of Kyng Herry the fourth in general." — Rot. Harl. C. 7, Membr. 4, dorso.

The following document, from Chart. Antiq. Cotton. XVII. 11, is exceeding curious, and I take the opportunity of inserting it here.

"Jhesus. Maria. Johannes.

.... the most nobylle and Crysten prynce, oure most dradde soverayne Lorde Kynge Hary the syxte, verrey true undoutyde Kynge of England and of Fraunce, nowe beynge in the hondys of hys rebellys and gret en[e]my, Edwarde, late the Erl of Marche, usurpur, oppressour, and distroyer of oure seyde Soverayn Lorde, and of the nobylle blode of the reme of England, and of the trewe commenes of the same, by hys myschevus and inordinate newe founden lawes and ordenaunces inconveniant, to the uttyrmoste destruccion of the goode commenes of the seyde reme of England; yf yt so schulde contenne ffor the reformacion wherof, in especialle for the comenwelle of alle the seyde reme, the ryзt hyghe and myзty Prynce George Duke [of] Clarens, Jasper Erl of Penbroke, Richarde Erl of Warewyke, and Johnne Erl of Oxenforde, as verrey and trewe feyзtfulle cosyns, subgettes, and liege men to oure seyde soveraine Lorde Kynge Harry the syxt, by sufficiante autorite commysyd unto theme in thys behalfe, be the hole voyse and assent of the moste nobylle pryncesse Margaret, Quene of England, and the Ryzt Hyze and my3ty Prynce Edwarde, atte thys tyme beyng Quene,² into thys reme to putte theme in ther moste uttermoste devers to dylyver oure seyd Sopheraine Lord oute of hys grete captivite, and daungere of hys enmyes, unto hys liberte, and by the grace of Gode to rest hym in his rialle estate, and crowne of thys hys seyd reme of Englond, and reforme..... and amende alle the grete myschevus oppressions, and alle odyr inordinate abusions, nowe raynynge in the seyde reme, to the perpetualle pese, prosperyte, to the comene welfare of thys reme. Also ytt ys fully concludyd and grauntyde that alle mail men within the reme of England, of whatt estat, degre, condicion that they be of, be fully pardonede of alle maner tresoun or trespace imagenyd or done, in eny maner of wyse contrary to ther legeyns, agayne oure soveraine Lorde the Kynge, the Quene, and my Lorde the prynce, before the day of comynge and entre of the sayde Duke and Earls in thys sayde reme; so that they putte them in ther uttermost dever, and att thys tyme drawe them to the compeny of the seyde Duke and Earls, to helpe and to fortefy theme in ther purpose and jorney; excepte suche persons as be capitalle enmyes to oure seyde soferaine Lorde, withowte punyschement of the whyche god pece and prosperite of thys reme cannatte be had; and excepte alle suche as atte thys tyme make any rescistens ageyns the seyde Duke and Erlys, or eny of theme, or of ther compeny. Also the sayde Duke and Erlys, in the name and behalfe of oure seyde soferaine Lorde Kynge Harry the syxt, chargyne and commawndyne that alle maner of men, that be betwen xvj. yeres and lxti., incontinently and immediatly aftyr thys proclamacion made, be redy, in ther best aray defensabell, to attende and awayte upponne the sayde Duke and Erlys, to aschyst theme in ther jorney, to the entente afore rehercyd, upponne payne of dethe and forfiture of alle that they [may forfeyte], withinne the reme of Englond; excepte suche persons as be visette with syknesse, or with suche noune poure that they may not go."

Note 2. This sentence is transposed in the document.

Note 3. So in MS. for inheritances.