Loveday

Chronicle of St Albans by Abbot John Whethamstede [-1465]. 25th March 1458. And with these words, he withdrew to his castle at Berkhamsted [Map]; and there he remained until the time of reconciliation. Having indeed agreed upon a certain arrangement, through long and laborious solicitude, with the said parties, promising to abide by the approval, decree, and judgment of the King, King himself appeared immediately. After a few inquiries from them about abiding by his judgment, he rendered his judgment in these words.—

"Henry, by the grace of God, King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, to all to whom these present letters shall come, greeting. Since He Himself, who ordains and arranges all things according to His own pleasure, through whom kings reign, by the influential and abundant grace bestowed upon us from our natural progeny, has given us to rule over our subjects, we understand the burden and responsibility attached to the said grace, compelling us to endeavor not only for the external defence, but also for the sound direction and governance of our kingdoms and lands. And we consider in our wisdom, given to us by God, that in perfect unity, harmony, and true love among our subjects, lie the prosperity and well-being of any land; and in resentment, disputes, and discord among them, lies the subversion and ruin of the same, causing any kingdom so divided to be desolate. We also consider the noble fruits of unity, love, peace, and tranquility, which every prince is obliged to promote, favor, and establish among his subjects; and that without unity, love, and peace, the Author of salvation cannot be duly honored. For these reasons, and to avoid such inconveniences that may arise from variations and discord, arisen within our kingdom, especially among the lords of our blood and others of the same, to fortify us against our enemies, who maliciously seek to subdue us to their tyranny and devour our lands and subjects:—We, mindful of our said responsibility, and to please our Savior, who abides in unity, love, and peace, have maturely understood, pondered, and considered such variations, controversies, and differences, which existed at a certain time between our faithful and beloved kinsman, Richard, Duke of York, our faithful and beloved kinsmen, Richard, Earl of Warwick, and Richard, Earl of Salisbury, and others, sons of the said Earl of Salisbury, on one side; and our faithful and beloved kinsmen, Eleanor, Duchess of Somerset, Henry, Duke of Somerset, her son, and others, her children, our faithful and beloved kinsmen, Eleanor, Countess of Northumberland, Henry, Earl of Northumberland, her son, and others, her children, and our faithful and beloved, John, Lord Clifford, and his brothers and sisters, on the other side; principally caused by certain prevention and insultation before this time at the town of St. Albans; in which husbands of the said Duchesses and Countesses, and fathers of the said Duke of Somerset, Earl of Northumberland, and Lord Clifford, were slain."

Et hiis dictis, recessit usque ad castrum suum de Berkhamstede; ibique permansit usque ad tempora concordationis. Concordatis utique sub certa appunctuatione, per longam laboriosamque sollicitudinem, partibus dictis, promittentibusque se stare laudo, decreto, et arbitrio, Domini Regis, affuit protinus Dominus Rex, et, post pauca ab ipsis interrogatoria de stando suo arbitrio, tulit arbitrium suum, in hiis verbis.—

"Henricus, Dei gratia, Rex Angliæ et Franciæ, et Dominus Hiberniæ, omnibus ad quos præsentes litteræ nostræ pervenerint, salutem. Ex quo Ipse, qui omnia ad suam complacentiam ordinat et disponit, per quem reges regnant, ex influenti et abundanti gratia sua, nobis, ex naturali nostra progenie, dederit nos regnare super subditos nostros, intelligimus onus et curam annexa dictæ gratiæ, quæ compellunt nos intendere ad tranquillitatem et conservationem regnorum et terrarum nostrorum, non tantum in defensione exterius, sed ad providendum pro sanis directione et regimine eorundem interius. Et consideramus in sapientia nostra, nobis per Deum data, quod in unitate perfecta, concordia, et vera dilectione inter subditos, requiescunt prosperitas et bona valentia cujuslibet terræ; et in rancore, debatis, ac discordia inter ipsos, manent subversio et ruina ejusdem, causatque quodlibet regnum sic divisum esse desolatum. Consideramus etiam nobiles fructus unitatis, amoris, requiei, et pacis, quas quilibet princeps tenetur procurare, favorare, et stabilire inter subditos; et quod sine unitate, dilectione, et pace, Auctor salutis non potest debite venerari. Propter quas considerationes, et ad evitandum talia inconvenientia, quæ insequi possunt ex varietatibus et discordiis, exortis infra istud nostrum regnum, in speciali inter dominos de sanguine nostro et alios de eodem, ad fortificandum nos contra inimicos nostros, qui malitiose solicitant se ad subdendum tyranniæ suæ, et ad devorandum nostros terras et subditos:—Nos, accordantes dictæ curæ nostræ, et ad complacendum Salvatori nostro, qui manet in unitate, dilectione, et pace, mature intelleximus, ponderavimus, et consideravimus, hujusmodi varietates, controversias, et differentias, quæ fuerunt certo tempore inter confidelem et prædilectum consanguineum nostrum, Ricardum, Ducem Eboraci, nostros confideles et prædilectos consanguineos, Ricardum, Comitem Warwyci, et Ricardum, Comitem Sarum, et alios, ejusdem Comitis Sarum natos, ex una parte: ac nostros confideles et prædilectos consanguineos, Alianoram, Ducissam Somercetriæ, Henricum, Ducem Somercetriæ, filium suum, el alios natos suos, nostros confideles et prædilectos consanguineos, Alianoram, Comitissam Northumbriæ, Henricum, Comitem Northumbriæ, filium suum, et alios natos suos, et nostros confideles et prædilectos, Johannem, Dominum de Clifforde, et fratres et sorores suos, ex alia parte; causatas principaliter per certas obviationem et insultationem ante hæc tempora apud villam de Sancto Albano; in quibus mariti dictarum Ducissæ et Comitissæ, et patres dictorum [Ducis] Somercetriæ, Comitis Northumbriæ, et Domini de Clifforde, interfecti fuerunt.

Chronicle of Gregory [1400-1467]. 25th March 1458. Ande this same year at Covyntre there was made a pesse [Note. peace] by-twyne the Duke of Somersett Harry (age 22), and the Earl of Saulysbury (age 58), and the Erle of Warwycke (age 29), for the dethe of his fadyr Duke of Somersette, that the Duke of Yorke (age 46) put to dethe at Synt Albonys. And this tretys was made at Covyntre, in the holy tyme of Lentyn, by the mene of Kyng Harry the VI. And alle that holy tyme of Lentyn there might noo mane man that shulde preche by-fore the King, but that he shulde shewe his sarmon in wrytyng, were he docter or other, in so moche the lordys woldys A B C wolde assygne what he schulde say, as for any thynge that longyd unto the common wele, and yf he passyd her commaundement he schulde lese his costys, and goo as he come, withowte mete and drynge. But a becheler of holy devynyte come to that cytte, and whenn he come to preche byfore the kyng, as Maystyr Wylliam Saye, Dene of Poulys and Dene of the kyngys chapylle, hadde desyryd and asygnyd, A B C axyd his name, and his name was Mayster Wylliam Ive, at that tyme beyng at Wynchester in Wycham is college. And A B C said that they moste nedys se his sarmon and his purposse, that he was a vysyd to say by-fore the King the Sonday nexte comynge. And he full goodly toke them his papyr; and they seyng and redynge his papyr, commaundyd to leve out and put a way many troughtys. But that same Mayster Wylliam Ive said but lytylle, but whenn he come to pulpyt he sparyd not to sayd the troughthe, and reportyd by-fore the kyng that A B C made the sarmonys that were said fore, and not thoo that prechyd, and that causyd that þe men that prechyd hadde but sympylle sarmons, for her purposse was alle turnyde upsodowne 3 and that they hadde made love days as Judas made whythe a cosse^b with Cryste for they cyste ovyr the mane. The grete rewarde that he hadde for his labyr was the rydyng of viij xx myle yn and out for his travayle, and alle his frendys full sory for hym. But qui veritatem dicit caput fractum habebit, &c. And that same year alle thes lordys departyd from the Parlyment, but they come nevyr alle togedyr after that tyme to noo Parlyment nor conselle, but yf it were in fylde with spere and schylde.

Note b. kiss.

A Chronicle of London. 25th March 1458. P. 139. A° 36 Hen. VI. In this yere "was a grete watch in London, and al the gates kepte every nyght, and ij aldermen watchyng: and withynne a while after the kyng and lordes were accorded, and went a procession in Paulis."

The temporary reconciliation between the adherents of the King and of the Duke of York, so briefly alluded to in the text, and which is best illustrated by the following extract from a contemporary letter, served, like every other event of his times, for the exercise of Lydgate's pen; but his description of it in the following ballad is infinitely more valuable from its historical accuracy, than its poetical merit. Of this article there are two copies extant; one in the Cottonian MS. Nero A. vi. and the other in the Cottonian MS. Vespasianus B. xvi.: the latter copy has been printed, though very erroneously, and with the orthography modernized, by Mr. Sharon Turner; but the former has not been before noticed. As they differ in some places from each other, and are very short, it has been thought advisable that both transcripts should be inserted.

Extract of a Letter from John Bokking to Sir John Fastolf: Dated on the Wednesday after Mid Lent Sunday, i.e. 15 March, 1457.

Paston Letters, vol. i. p. 154.

"Lyke it your maistership to wyte, that as for tidings, the Counsell is, the fornone, at the blake Frires, for the ease of resortyng of the Lordes that ar withinne the toun; and at afternon at the white Frirers in Fletstrete, for the Lordis with owte the town; and all things shall come to a good conclusion with God is grace; for the Kyng shall come hidre this weke, and the Quene also, as some men sayn, and my Lord Buk and Stafford with hire, and muche puple. My Lord of Caunterbury takith grete peyne up on hym daily, and will write unto yow the certeynte of suche tidings as falle; and shuld have doon or this tyme, saf for that he wolde knowe an ende of the mattre."

A Chronicle of London. 25th March 1458. Upon the Reconciliation of the Lords of the Yorkist Faction with the Kyng and his Adherents.

[Cottonian MS. Nero A. vi.]

Whan Charyte ys chosen with stats to stonde,

Stedfast and styll, with oute distaunce,

Then wreih may be exllid out of thys londe,

And God oure gide to have governaunce;

Wysdom and welthe with all plesaunce,

May ryghtfulle reigne, and prosperite,

For love hath underleyde wrethfull vengeaunce;

Reioyse Enlond the lords acordid bee.

Reioyse, and thonke God, and sorw no more,

For now shal encrese thi consolacone;

Oure enemes quake for drede ful sore,

That pees ys made that was divisione,

Whiche ys to them grete confusione,

And to us joy and felicite;

God hold them longe in every seasone,

That Englond may reioyce, the concord and unite.

Now ys sorw with shame fled yn to Fraunce,

As a felon that hath forsworne thys lond;

Love hath put owte malicius governaunce,

In every place both fee and bonde;

In Yorke, in Somersett, as y undyrstonde,

In Warwikke also ys love and charite,

In Salisbury eke, and yn Northumberlond,

That every man may reioyce the concord and unite.

Egremond, and ClyfTord, and other forseyd,

Ben sett yn the same opynyone;

In every quartre love is thus leide,

Grace and wisdome hath the dominacione;

Awoke welth, and welk in thys regione,

Rewnde abowte in towne and cite,

And thonke them that brought it to thys conclusion;

Reioyse Englond the concord and unite.

At Poules in London, with grete renowne,

On oure Lady day the pes was wrought;

The kyng, the quene, with lords many one,

To worshyppe that virgine as they oght,

Went a prosession, and sparyd right noght,

In sight of alle the comonialte,

In tokyn that love was in hert and thoght;

Reioice Englond the concord and unite.

There was by twene them lovely countenaunce,

Whyche was grete yoy to alle that there were,

That long tyme hadd ben in variaunce,

As frynds for ever they went yn fere,

They went togedre, and made good chere;

O Fraunce and Bretayne, repent shall ye,

For the bergeyne shalle ye bye fulle dere;

Reioice Englond the concord and unite.

Our sovereyn lord the kyng, God kepe alway,

The quene and the bisshope of Canterbury,

And other that have labored to thys love day,

God preserve them we pray hertly;

And Londone for they fulle diligently,

Kept the pees in trobull and in adversite;

To brynge yn rest they labored ful treuly;

Reioice Englond the peas and unite.

Off thre things, y preys thys worshypfull Citee:

The ferst, of trewe feythe that they owe to the kyng;

The secounde, of love of eache comonialte;

The thyrde, of good rule evermore kepyng;

The whyche God mayntene ever long durynge,

And save the Maire and all the hole Citee,

And that ys amys brynge to amendyng,

That Englond may reioice the pees and unite.

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. 25th March 1458. At which solempne feast, the Kyng in habite royal, and his dyademe on his hedde, kept his estate in procession, before whom, went hand in hand, the duke ol Somerset, the erle of Salisbury, the duke of Excester, and y^e erle of Warwyke, and so on of the one faccion, and another of the other sect, and behynd the kyng the duke of Yorke ledde the Quene with great familiaritie to all mens sightes: but wo worth dissimulacion, and false flatteryng contenaunce: fye on doble entendement, and cloked adulacion, whiche hath bene the common seruituers in all palacies, both Imperiall and Regal, and by their only pestiferous venime, and secrete malyce, hath ben the destruccion of many a noble man, and the confusion of a great number of trew meanyng and faithfull persons. But the Wiseman, which saieth: wo be thou that hast a doble hart, meant, that dissimulacid once espied, should be the arrow wherwith the dissembler should be wounded. As by this cloked pageant, and dissimuling procession, hereafter shall playnly be declared. For their bodies were ioyned by hand in hand, whose hartes were farre a sonder: their mouthes louingly smiled, whose corages were inflamed with malice: their toungues spake lyke suger, and their thoughtes were all inuenemed: but all these dissimulinge persons, tasted the vessel of woo, as the Wyseman sayde: and few or none of this company were vnblotted, or vndestroied by this dolorous drink of dissimulacion. But this cancard worme, and pestiferous coccatrice, not onely at thys tyme reigned in Englande, bat also dyd muche harine in the courte of Fraunce: for Jhon duke of Alanson, which before had bene prisoner, & wel enterteyned in the realme of England, and after Capitayn Generall of the warres in Fraunce agaynst the Englishmen, highly favoured, and of great estimacion in the Frenche kynges house, was by suche as he most trusted & vsed most familiaritie withal, & whom he had greatly promoted, and highly exalted, accused of highe treason, as enemye to his kyng, and traytor to his countrey, alledgyng that he longe before y^t tyme had conspired with the Englishmen, to cause them once agayn to recover the duchye of Normandy: wherupd by the order of the law, he there suffered death very unjustly, as divers aucthors affirme, whereof one sayeth: that kynges sekyng treason, shall fynde lande, and the denyal of a princes desyre, was the inuented destruccion of the innocent Naboth. Well let vs now leve the cloked collusion, that remayned in Fraunce, & returne to the open dissimulacion, which now appeared in England.