(i) He had in his court 1000 perfons, in ordinary allowance of diet; 300 fervitors in his kitchen; above 300 ladies, chamberers, and launderers. His apparel was fumptuous; and fo was it generally in his time. He had one coat of gold and none, valued at 30,000 merks. One interview with the French king at Ardes, when his wife Ifabel was deliveral unto him, cott him 300,000 merks.

(4) Henry IV. revoketh all letters-patent of annuities, Granted by King Edward and King Richard, anno regni 6.

And yet, for all these wastes, these gifts and feafts,

He was not found a (1) bankrupt in his chests.

XC.

But they who took to Syndick in this fort The actions of a monarch, knew thote things Wherein the accounts were likely to tail short, Between the state of kingdoms and their kings; Which prefident, of peftilent import,

(Had not the heav'ns blefs'd thy endeavourings) Against thee, Henry, had been likewife brought, Th' example made of thy example wrought.

XCI.

For though this bounty, and this lib'ralness, A glorious virtue be; it better fits Great men than (m) kings. Who giving in excefs, Give not their own, but others benefits: Which calls up many's hopes, but pleasures lefs; Destroying far more love, than it begets. "For juftice is their virtue That alone "Makes them fit fure, and glorifies the throne.

() When he was firtt furprifed in Wales, the Duke of Lancaster had in Hoit Caftle 100,000 merks in coin, and 200,000 merks in jewels; and at his refignation in the tower, 300,0090 1. in coin, bel.des pate and jewels.

(m) A prince exceflive in gifts, makes his fubjects exceffive in luits.

dy The king labours to have Queen Isabel matched to his for Henry, Prince of Wales.

Queen fabel was married to Charles, fon to Louis Tuke of Orleans.

Thomas Piercy, Earl of Woreefter, was fent into Galcony, with 200 men at arms, and 400 archers, to affift Sir Robert Knowles, lieutenant there; where he pacified that country, being incenfed by the French to revolt, upon their difcontentment for the death of King Richard, whom they cfpecially loved for being born at Bourdeaux.

George Dunbar, Earl of March, flying out of ScotIt, was received and cherished m England, and warred

gatus country.

VOL. IV.

T' affume to them the glory of that war;
Where all things by their pow's were brought to
pafs.

They being fo mighty, and fo popular,
And their command fo fpacious as it was,
Might (in their state) forget, how all these things
That fubjects do effect, must be their kings.

XIX.

And fo fell after into difcontent,

For that the king requir'd to have as his, [meant
Thofe lords were taken prifoners; whom they
To hold still as their proper purchases:
Then, that he would not at their fuit confent
To work their coufin Mortimer's release
Out of the rebel Owen Glendour's hands,
Who held him prifoner in difgraceful bands.

xx.

But be what will the caufe, ftrong was their plot,

Their parties great, means good, the season fit;
Their practice clofe, their faith fufpected not;
Their ftates far off, and they of wary wit:
Who with large promifes fo woo the Scot
To aid their caufe, as he confents to it;
And glad was to disturb that furious stream
Of war on us, that else had swallowed them.

XXI.

Then join they with the Welch; who, now well train'd

In arms and action, daily grew more great;
Their leader by his wiles had much attain'd,
And done much mischief on the English State:
Befide his pris'ner Mortimer he gain'd,
From being a foe, to b' his confederate;
A man the king much fear'd—And well he (1)
might;
[right
Left he fhould look whether his Crown stood

XXII.

For Richard, (for the quiet of the state) Before he took thofe Irish wars in hand, About fucceffion doth deliberate; And finding how the certain right did stand, With full confent this man did ordinate The heir apparent to the Crown and land; Whofe competency was of tender touch: [much. Although his might was fmall, his right was

XXIII.

With these the Piercies them confederate,
And as three heads conjoin in one intent;
And inftituting a triumvirate,

Do part the land in triple government;
Dividing thus among themselves the state:

The Piercies fhould rule all the North from Trent;
And Glendour, Wales: The Earl of March fhould
be
L'gree.

Lord of the South, from Trent-And fo they

(4) In the 9th year of the reign of King Richard II. was by Parliament ordained Roger Earl of March, heir apparent to the Crown.

This Roger was the fon of Edmund Mortimer, who married Philippa, the only daughter of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third fon of K. Edward III. who by her had iffue this Roger, and Elizabeth. Roger had iffue four children; all which (fave only Anne) died without iffue. Anne was married to Richard Earl of Cambridge, fecond fon to Edmund Duke of York. This Richard (beheaded at Southampton) had iffue by Anne, Richard, (firnamed Plantagenet) after Duke of York.

The fwift (p) approach, and unexpected fpeed,
The king had made upon this new-rais'd force,
In th' unconfirmed troops much fear did breed,
Untimely hind'ring their intended course.
The joining with the Welch, they had decreed,
Was hereby dafh'd; which made their cause the
worse:

Northumberland, with forces from the North,
Expected to be there, was not set forth.

The king (haftened forward by George Dunbar) was nght of his enemies, lying in camp near to Shrewsbury, fooner than he was expected. For the Piercies fuppofed lie would have ttaid longer than he did at Burton upon Trent, f the coming of his council with other forces, which were there to meet him. Whereupon they left to affail the town of shrewsbury, and prepared to encounter the king's forces, anno regni 4.

Which feeing, the king with greater wrath incens'd,

Rage against fury doth with speed prepare:

(9) The abbot of Shrewsbuty, and one of the clerks of the Privy Seal, were fent from the king to the Piercies, to offer them pardon, if they would come to any reasonable agreement. Whereupon the Earl of Worcester coming to the king, received many kind proffers; and promiling to move his nephew therein, did at his return (as is faid; conceal them, and hattened to the battle; which was fought near Shrewbury, anno regni 4.