Henry of Monmouth, Volume 1
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J. Endell Tyler >> Henry of Monmouth, Volume 1
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The original spelling has been retained.
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[Illustration: Henri of Monmouth]
HENRY OF MONMOUTH:
OR,
MEMOIRS
OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF
HENRY THE FIFTH,
AS
PRINCE OF WALES AND KING OF ENGLAND.
BY J. ENDELL TYLER, B.D.
RECTOR OF ST. GILES IN THE FIELDS.
"Go, call up Cheshire and Lancashire,
And Derby hills, that are so free;
But neither married man, nor widow's son;
No widow's curse shall go with me."
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
LONDON:
RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET,
Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty.
1838.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY SAMUEL BENTLEY,
Dorset Street, Fleet Street.
TO HER MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY THE QUEEN. (p. iii)
MADAM,
The gracious intimation of your Royal pleasure that these Memoirs of
your renowned Predecessor should be dedicated to your Majesty, while
it increases my solicitude, suggests at the same time new and cheering
anticipations. I cannot but hope that, appearing in the world under
the auspices of your great name, the religious and moral purposes
which this work is designed to serve will be more widely and
effectually realised.
* * * * *
Under a lively sense of the literary defects which render these
volumes unworthy of so august a patronage, to one point I may revert
with feelings of satisfaction and encouragement. I have gone only (p. iv)
where Truth seemed to lead me on the way: and this, in your Majesty's
judgment, I am assured will compensate for many imperfections.
* * * * *
That your Majesty may ever abundantly enjoy the riches of HIS favour
who is the Spirit of Truth, and having long worn your diadem here in
honour and peace, in the midst of an affectionate and happy people,
may resign it in exchange for an eternal crown in heaven, is the
prayer of one who rejoices in the privilege of numbering himself,
Madam,
Among your Majesty's
Most faithful and devoted
Subjects and servants.
J. ENDELL TYLER.
24, Bedford Square,
May 24, 1838.
PREFACE. (p. v)
Memoirs such as these of Henry of Monmouth might doubtless be made
more attractive and entertaining were their Author to supply the
deficiencies of authentic records by the inventions of his fancy, and
adorn the result of careful inquiry into matters of fact by the
descriptive imagery and colourings of fiction. To a writer, also, who
could at once handle the pen of the biographer and of the poet, few
names would offer a more ample field for the excursive range of
historical romance than the life of Henry of Monmouth. From the day of
his first compulsory visit to Ireland, abounding as that time does
with deeply interesting incidents, to his last hour in the now-ruined
castle of Vincennes;--or rather, from his mother's espousals to the
interment of his earthly remains within the sacred precincts of
Westminster, every period teems with animating suggestions. So far,
however, from possessing such adventitious recommendations, the point
on which (rather perhaps than any other) an apology might be expected
for this work, is, that it has freely tested by the standard of (p. vi)
truth those delineations of Henry's character which have contributed
to immortalize our great historical dramatist. The Author, indeed, is
willing to confess that he would gladly have withdrawn from the task
of assaying the substantial accuracy and soundness of Shakspeare's
historical and biographical views, could he have done so safely and
without a compromise of principle. He would have avoided such an
inquiry, not only in deference to the acknowledged rule which does not
suffer a poet to be fettered by the rigid shackles of unbending facts;
but from a disinclination also to interfere, even in appearance, with
the full and free enjoyment of those exquisite scenes of humour, wit,
and nature, in which Henry is the hero, and his "riotous, reckless
companions" are subordinate in dramatical excellence only to himself.
The Author may also not unwillingly grant, that (with the majority of
those who give a tone to the "form and pressure" of the age)
Shakspeare has done more to invest the character of Henry with a
never-dying interest beyond the lot of ordinary monarchs, than the
bare records of historical verity could ever have effected. Still he
feels that he had no alternative. He must either have ascertained the
historical worth of those scenic representations, or have suffered to
remain in their full force the deep and prevalent impressions, as to
Henry's principles and conduct, which owe, if not their origin, yet,
at least, much of their universality and vividness, to Shakspeare. (p. vii)
The poet is dear, and our early associations are dear; and pleasures
often tasted without satiety are dear: but to every rightly balanced
mind Truth will be dearer than all.
* * * * *
It must nevertheless be here intimated, that these volumes are neither
exclusively, nor yet especially, designed for the antiquarian student.
The Author has indeed sought for genuine information at every
fountain-head accessible to him; but he has prepared the result of his
researches for the use (he would trust, for the improvement as well as
the gratification,) of the general reader. And whilst he has not
consciously omitted any essential reference, he has guarded against
interrupting the course of his narrative by an unnecessary accumulation
of authorities. He is, however, compelled to confess that he rises
from this very limited sphere of inquiry under an impression, which
grew stronger and deeper as his work advanced, that, before a history
of our country can be produced worthy of a place among the records of
mankind, the still hidden treasures of the metropolis and of our
universities, together with the stores which are known to exist in
foreign libraries, must be studied with far more of devoted care and
zealous perseverance than have hitherto been bestowed upon them. That
the honest and able student, however unwearied in zeal and industry,
may be supplied with the indispensable means of verifying what (p. viii)
tradition has delivered down, enucleating difficulties, rectifying
mistakes, reconciling apparent inconsistencies, clearing up doubts,
and removing that mass of confusion and error under which the truth
often now lies buried,--our national history must be made a subject of
national interest. It is a maxim of our law, and the constant practice
of our courts of justice, never to admit evidence unless it be the
best which under the circumstances can be obtained. Were this principle
of jurisprudence recognised and adopted in historical criticism, the
student would carefully ascend to the first witnesses of every period,
on whom modern writers (however eloquent or sagacious) must depend for
their information. How lamentably devoid of authority and credit is
the work of the most popular and celebrated of our modern English
historians in consequence of his unhappy neglect of this fundamental
principle, will be made palpably evident by the instances which could
not be left unnoticed even within the narrow range of these Memoirs.
And the Author is generally persuaded that, without a far more
comprehensive and intimate acquaintance with original documents than
our writers have possessed, or apparently have thought it their duty
to cultivate, error will continue to be propagated as heretofore; and
our annals will abound with surmises and misrepresentations, instead
of being the guardian depositories of historical verity. Only by the
acknowledgment and application of the principle here advocated will (p. ix)
England be supplied with those monuments of our race, those
"POSSESSIONS FOR EVER," as the Prince of Historians[1] once named
them, which may instruct the world in the philosophy of moral cause
and effect, exhibit honestly and clearly the natural workings of the
human heart, and diffuse through the mass of our fellow-creatures a
practical assurance that piety, justice, and charity form the only
sure groundwork of a people's glory and happiness; while religious and
moral depravity in a nation, no less than in an individual, leads,
(tardily it may be and remotely, but by ultimate and inevitable
consequence,) to failure and degradation.
[Footnote 1: Thucydides.]
In those portions of his work which have a more immediate bearing upon
religious principles and conduct, the Author has not adopted the most
exciting mode of discussing the various subjects which have naturally
fallen under his review. Party spirit, though it seldom fails to
engender a more absorbing interest for the time, and often clothes a
subject with an importance not its own, will find in these pages no
response to its sentiments, under whatever character it may give
utterance to them. In these departments of his inquiry, to himself far
the most interesting, (and many such there are, especially in the
second volume,) the Author trusts that he has been guided by the
Apostolical maxim of "SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE." He has not
willingly advanced a single sentiment which should unnecessarily (p. x)
cause pain to any individual or to any class of men; he has not been
tempted by morbid delicacy or fear to suppress or disguise his view of
the very TRUTH.
The reader will readily perceive that, with reference to the foreign
and domestic policy of our country,--the advances of civilization,--the
manners of private life, as well in the higher as in the more
humble grades of society,--the state of literature,--the progress of
the English constitution,--the condition and discipline of the army,
which Henry greatly improved,--and the rise and progress of the royal
navy, of which he was virtually the founder, many topics are either
purposely avoided, or only incidentally and cursorily noticed. To one
point especially (a subject in itself most animating and uplifting,
and intimately interwoven with the period embraced by these Memoirs,)
he would have rejoiced to devote a far greater portion of his book,
had it been compatible with the immediate design of his
undertaking;--THE PROMISE AND THE DAWN OF THE REFORMATION.
* * * * *
However the value of his labours may be ultimately appreciated, the
Author confidently trusts that their publication can do no disservice
to the cause of truth, of sound morality, and of pure religion. He
would hope, indeed, that in one point at least the power of an (p. xi)
example of pernicious tendency might be weakened by the issue of his
investigation. If the results of these inquiries be acquiesced in as
sound and just, no young man can be encouraged by Henry's example (as
it is feared many, especially in the higher classes, have been
encouraged,) in early habits of moral delinquency, with the intention
of extricating himself in time from the dominion of his passions, and
of becoming, like Henry, in after-life a pattern of religion and
virtue, "the mirror of every grace and excellence." The divine, the
moralist, and the historian know that authenticated instances of such
sudden moral revolutions in character are very rare,--exceptions to
the general rule; and among those exceptions we cannot be justified in
numbering Henry of Monmouth.
He was bold and merciful and kind, but he was no libertine, in his
youth; he was brave and generous and just, but he was no persecutor,
in his manhood. On the throne he upheld the royal authority with
mingled energy and mildness, and he approved himself to his subjects
as a wise and beneficent King; in his private individual capacity he
was a bountiful and considerate, though strict and firm master, a warm
and sincere friend, a faithful and loving husband. He passed through
life under the habitual sense of an overruling Providence; and, in his
premature death, he left us the example of a Christian's patient and
pious resignation to the Divine Will. As long as he lived, he was (p. xii)
an object of the most ardent and enthusiastic admiration, confidence,
and love; and, whilst the English monarchy shall remain among the
unforgotten things on earth, his memory will be honoured, and his name
will be enrolled among the NOBLE and the GOOD.
TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS, (p. xiii)
IN THEIR CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.
[*] Those years, months, or days, respectively, to which an
asterisk is attached, are not considered to have been so fully
ascertained as the other dates.
1340* Feb.* John of Gaunt born.
1340} Earl of Northumberland, Hotspur's father, born,
1341} before Nov. 19, 1341.
1359 May 19, John of Gaunt married to Blanche.
1358} Owyn Glyndowr born, before Sept. 3, 1359.
1359}
1366 April 6, Henry Bolinbroke born.
1365} May 20,* Henry Percy (Hotspur) born before 30th Oct. 1366.
1366}
1367 Jan. Richard II. born at Bourdeaux.
1369* Blanche, wife of John of Gaunt died.
1371* John of Gaunt married Constance.
1376 June 8, Edward the Black Prince died.
1377 June 21, King Edward III. died.
1378 Nov. Hotspur first bore arms at Berwick.
1381 Bolinbroke nearly slain by the rioters.
1382 Richard II. married to Queen Anne.
1384 Dec. 31, Wickliffe's death.
1386* Bolinbroke married Mary Bohun.
1387 John of Gaunt went to Spain.
1387* Aug. 9,* HENRY born at MONMOUTH.
1388 Hotspur taken prisoner by the Scots.
1388 Thomas Duke of Clarence born.
1389 Nov. 9, Isabel, Richard II.'s wife, born.
1389* Nov.* John of Gaunt returned from Spain. (p. xiv)
1389* John Duke of Bedford born.
1390* Humfrey Duke of Gloucester born.
1390} Bolinbroke visited Barbary.
1391}
1392} Bolinbroke visited Prussia and the Holy Sepulchre.
1393}
1394* Mary, HENRY's mother, died.
1394* Constance, John of Gaunt's wife, died.
1394 June 7, Anne, Richard II.'s Queen, died.
1396 John of Gaunt recalled from Acquitaine by Richard II.
1396 John of Gaunt married Katharine Swynford.
1397 Arundel, Archbishop of Canterbury, banished.
1397 Sept. 29, Bolinbroke created Duke of Hereford.
1397* John Oldcastle, Lord Cobham, banished.
1397 Nov. 4, Richard II. married to Isabel.
1398* Henry of Monmouth resided in Oxford.
1398 July 14, Henry Beaufort consecrated Bishop of Lincoln.
1398 Sept. 16, Bolinbroke and Norfolk at Coventry.
1398 Bolinbroke banished.
1399 Feb. 3, John of Gaunt died.
1399 May 29, Richard II. sailed for Ireland.
1399 June 23, HENRY of Monmouth knighted.
1399 June 28, News of Bolinbroke's designs reached London.
1399 July 4, Bolinbroke landed at Ravenspur.
1399 August, HENRY shut up in Trym Castle.
1399 August, Richard landed at Milford.
1399 Aug. 14, Richard fell into Bolinbroke's hands.
1399 August, Bolinbroke sent to Ireland for HENRY.
1399 August, Death of the young Duke of Gloucester.
1399 Sept. 1, Bolinbroke brought Richard captive to London.
1399 Oct. 1, Richard's resignation of the crown read in Parliament.
1399 Oct. 13, Bolinbroke crowned as Henry IV. (p. xv)
1399 Oct. 15, HENRY created PRINCE of Wales.
1400 Jan. 4, Conspiracy against the King at Windsor.
1400* Feb. 14,* Richard II. died at Pontefract.
1400* Oct. 25,* Chaucer died.
1400 June Henry IV. proceeded to Scotland.
1400 June 23, Lord Grey of Ruthyn's letter to HENRY.
1400 Sept. 19, First proclamation against the Welsh.
1400 Owyn Glyndowr in open rebellion.
1401 HENRY in Wales, before April 10.
1401 April 10, Hotspur's first Letter.
1401* Sept. 13,* KATHARINE, HENRY's Queen, born.
1401* Nov. 11,* Restoration of Isabel.
1402 April 3, Henry IV. espoused to Joan of Navarre.
1402 June 12,* Edmund Mortimer taken prisoner.
1432 Sept. 14, Battle of Homildon.
1402* Nov. 30,* Edmund Mortimer married to a daughter of Owyn Glyndowr.
1403 March 7, HENRY appointed Lieutenant of Wales.
1403* May 30, HENRY's Letter to the Council.
1403 July 21, Battle of Shrewsbury.
1404 May 10, Glyndowr dated "the fourth year of our Principality."
1404 June 10, Welsh with Frenchmen overran Archenfield.
1404 June 25, HENRY's letter to his father.
1404 Oct. 6, Parliament at Coventry.
1405 Feb. 20, Sons of the Earl of March stolen from Windsor.
1405 March 1, Crown settled on HENRY and his brothers.
1405 March 11, Battle of Grosmont.
1405 May, Revolt of the Earl of Northumberland and Bardolf.
1405 June 8, Scrope, Archbishop of York, beheaded.
1406 June 7, Testimony of the Commons to HENRY's excellences.
1406* June 29,* Isabel married to Angouleme.
1407* Nov. 1,* HENRY went to Scotland.
1408 Feb. 28,* Earl of Northumberland, Hotspur's father, fell (p. xvi)
in battle.
1408 July 8, HENRY in London, as President of the Council.
1409 Feb. 1, HENRY, Guardian of the Earl of March.
1409 Feb. 28, HENRY, Warden of Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover.
1409* Sept. 13,* Death of Isabel, Richard II.'s widow.
1410 March 5, Warrant for the burning of Badby.
1410 March 18, HENRY, Captain of Calais.
1410 June 16, HENRY sate as President of the Council.
1410 June 18, Dē. dē.
1410 June 19, Dē. dē.
1410 June 23, Affray in Eastcheap, by the Lords Thomas and John,
his brothers.
1410 July 22, HENRY, as President.
1410 July 29, Dē.
1410 July 30, Dē.
1411 March 19, HENRY with his father at Lambeth.
1411 August,* Duke of Burgundy obtained succour.
1411 Nov. 3, Parliament opened.
1411 Nov. 10, Battle of St. Cloud.
1412 May 18, Treaty with the Duke of Orleans.
1412* June 30,* HENRY came to London attended by "Lords and Gentils."
1412 July 9, The Lord Thomas created Duke of Clarence.
1412* Sept. 23,* He came again with "a huge people."
1413 Feb. 3, Parliament opened.
1413 March 20, Henry IV. died.
1413 April 9, HENRY V. CROWNED.
1413 May 15, Parliament at Westminster.
1413 June 26, Convocation of the Clergy.
1413 Lord Cobham cited.
1413 Lord Cobham escaped from the Tower.
1414 Jan. 10, Affair of St. Giles' Field.
1414 April 20, Parliament at Leicester.
1414 HENRY founded Sion and Shene.
1414 Council of Constance.
1415 May 4, The Council of Constance condemned Wickliffe's (p. xvii)
memory, and commanded the exhumation of his bones.
1415 July 6, John Huss condemned.
1415 July 20, Conspiracy at Southampton.
1415 Aug. 11, HENRY sailed for Normandy.
1415 Sept. 15, Death of Bishop of Norwich in the camp.
1415 Sept. 22, Surrender of Harfleur.
1415 Clayton and Gurmyn burnt for heresy.
1415 Oct. 25, Battle of AGINCOURT.
1415 Nov. 16, HENRY returned to England.
1415 Nov. 22, Thanksgiving in London.
1416 April 29, Emperor Sigismund visited England.
1416 May 30, Jerome of Prague burnt.
1416 Aug. 15, League signed by HENRY and Sigismund.
1417 July 23, HENRY's second expedition.
1417 Sept. 4, Surrender of Caen.
1417 Dec. Execution of Lord Cobham.
1418 July 1, Rouen besieged.
1419 Jan. 19, Rouen taken.
1419 May 30, HENRY and KATHARINE first met.
1419* July 7, HENRY's letter concerning Oriel College.
1420 May 30, HENRY and Katharine married.
1420 July, Katharine lodged in the camp before Melun.
1420 HENRY and Katharine, with the King and Queen of
France, entered Paris.
1421 Jan 31, HENRY and Katharine arrived in England.
1421 Feb 23, Katharine crowned in Westminster.
1421 March 23, They passed their Easter at Leicester.
{Between}
1421 {March &} They travelled through the greater part of England.
{May, }
1421 March 23, Death of the Duke of Clarence.
1421 May 26, Taylor condemned to imprisonment for heresy.
1421 June 1, HENRY left London on his third expedition.
1421 June 10, HENRY landed at Calais. (p. xviii)
1421 Oct. 6, Siege of Meaux began, and lasted till the April
following.
1421 Dec. 6, HENRY's son born at Windsor.
1422 May 21, Katharine landed at Harfleur.
1422 HENRY met her at the Bois de Vincennes.
1422 They entered Paris together.
1422 Aug. HENRY left Katharine at Senlis.
1422 Aug. 31, DEATH of HENRY.
1423 March 1, William Taylor burnt for heresy.
CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. (p. xix)
CHAPTER I.
1387-1398.
Henry of Monmouth's Parents. -- Time and place of his Birth. -- John
of Gaunt and Blanche of Lancaster. -- Henry Bolinbroke. -- Monmouth
Castle. -- Henry's infancy and childhood. -- His education. --
Residence in Oxford. -- Bolinbroke's Banishment. Page 1
CHAPTER II.
1398-1399.
Henry taken into the care of Richard. -- Death of John of Gaunt. --
Henry knighted by Richard in Ireland. -- His person and manners. --
News of Bolinbroke's landing and hostile measures reaches Ireland. --
Indecision and delay of Richard. -- He shuts up Henry and the young
Duke of Gloucester in Trym Castle. -- Reflections on the fate of these
two Cousins -- of Bolinbroke -- of Richard -- and of the widowed
Duchess of Gloucester. Page 32
CHAPTER III. (p. xx)
1398-1399.
Proceedings of Bolinbroke from his Interview with Archbishop Arundel,
in Paris, to his making King Richard his prisoner. -- Conduct of
Richard from the news of Bolinbroke's landing. -- Treachery of
Northumberland. -- Richard taken by Bolinbroke to London. Page 52
CHAPTER IV.
1399-1400.
Richard resigns the Crown. -- Bolinbroke elected King. -- Henry of
Monmouth created Prince of Wales. -- Plot to murder the King. -- Death
of Richard. -- Friendship between him and Henry. -- Proposals for a
Marriage between Henry and Isabel, Richard's Widow. -- Henry applies
for an Establishment. -- Hostile movement of the Scots. -- Tradition,
that young Henry marched against them, doubted. Page 68
CHAPTER V.
1400-1401.
The Welsh Rebellion. -- Owyn Glyndowr. -- His former Life. -- Dispute
with Lord Grey of Ruthyn. -- That Lord's Letter to Prince Henry. --
Hotspur. -- His Testimony to Henry's presence in Wales, -- to his
Mercy and his Prowess. -- Henry's Despatch to the Privy Council. Page 88
CHAPTER VI. (p. xxi)
1403.
Glyndowr joined by Welsh Students of Oxford. -- Takes Lord Grey
prisoner. -- Hotspur's further Despatches. -- He quits Wales. --
Reflections on the eventful Life and premature Death of Isabel,
Richard's Widow. -- Glyndowr disposed to come to terms. -- The King's
Expeditions towards Wales abortive. -- Marriage proposed between Henry
and Katharine of Norway. -- The King marries Joan of Navarre. Page 108
CHAPTER VII.
1402-1403.
Glyndowr's vigorous Measures. -- Slaughter of Herefordshire Men. --
Mortimer taken prisoner. -- He joins Glyndowr. -- Henry implores
Succours, -- Pawns his Plate to support his Men. -- The King's
Testimony to his Son's conduct. -- The King, at Burton-on-Trent, hears
of the Rebellion of the Percies. Page 129
CHAPTER VIII.
1403.
The Rebellion of the Percies, -- Its Origin. -- Letters of Hotspur and
the Earl of Northumberland. -- Tripartite Indenture between the
Percies, Owyn, and Mortimer. -- Doubts as to its Authenticity. --
Hotspur hastens from the North. -- The King's decisive conduct. -- He
forms a junction with the Prince. -- "Sorry Battle of Shrewsbury." --
Great Inaccuracy of David Hume. -- Hardyng's Duplicity. -- Manifesto
of the Percies probably a Forgery. -- Glyndowr's Absence from the
Battle involves neither Breach of Faith nor Neglect of Duty. --
Circumstances preceding the Battle. -- Of the Battle itself. -- Its
immediate consequences. Page 141
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