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THE 


POLITICAL     SONGS 

OF    ENGLAND. 


THE 


POLITICAL    SONGS 


OF    ENGLAND, 


FROM  THE  REIGN  OF  JOHN  TO  THAT  OF  EDWARD  U. 


EDITED    AND    TRANSLATED 


BY  THOMAS  WRIGHT,  Esq.,  M.A,,  F.S.A.,  &c. 


OF     TRINITY     COLI.EGK,     CAMBRIDGE. 


LONDON: 
PRINTED  FOR  THE  CAMDEN  SOCIETY, 

RY   JOHN  BOWYER  NICHOLS  AND  SON,  PARLIAMENT  STREET. 


M.DCCC. XXXIX. 


PR 

1-203 
COUNCIL  W93K 

THE  CAMDEN  SOCIETY, 

ELECTED   MAY  2,    1839. 


President, 
THE  RIGHT  HON.  LORD  FRANCIS  EGERTON,  M.P. 

THOMAS  AMYOT,  ESQ.  F.R.S.  Treas.  S.A.  Director. 

THE  REV.  PHILIP  BLISS,  D.C.L.,  F.S.A.,  Registrar  of 
the  University  of  Oxford. 

JOHN  BRUCE,  ESQ.  F.S.A.  Treasurer. 

JOHN  PAYNE  COLLIER,  ESQ.  F.S.A. 

C.  PURTON  COOPER,  ESQ.  Q.C.,  D.C.L.,  F.R.S.,  F.S  A. 

RT.  HON.  THOMAS  PEREGRINE  COURTENAY. 

T.  CROFTON  CROKER,  ESQ.  F.S.A.,  M.R.I.A. 

THE  REV.  ALEXANDER  DYCE,  B.A. 

SIR  HENRY  ELLIS,  K.H.,  F.R.S.,  Sec.  S.A. 

THE  REV.  JOSEPH  HUNTER,  F.S.A. 

JOHN  HERMAN  MERIVALE,  ESQ.  F.S.A. 

JOHN  GAGE  ROKEWODE,  ESQ.  F.R.S.,  Director  S.A. 

THOMAS  STAPLETON,  ESQ.  F.S.A. 

WILLIAM  J.  THOMS,  ESQ.  F.S.A.  Secretary. 

THOMAS  WRIGHT,  ESQ.  M.A.,  F.S.A. 


PREFACE. 


Few  historical  documents  are  more  interesting  or 
important  than  the  contemporary  songs  in  which  the 
poKtical  partizan  satirised  his  opponents  and  stirred 
up  the  courage  of  his  friends,  or  in  which  the  people 
exulted  over  victories  gained  abroad  against  their 
enemies  or  at  home  against  their  oppressors,  or  la- 
mented over  evil  counsels  and  national  calamities. 
Yet,  though  a  few  specimens  have  been  published  from 
time  to  time  in  collections  of  miscellaneous  poetry, 
such  as  those  of  Percy  and  Ritson,  and  have  never 
failed  to  attract  attention,  no  book  specially  devoted 
to  ancient  Political  Songs  has  yet  appeared. 

The  quantity  of"  such  productions  has  generally 
varied  with  the  character  of  the  age.  They  were 
frequent  from  a  very  early  period  in  other  countries 
of  Europe,  as  well  as  England.  It  would  be  easy  to 
produce  proofs  that  in  our  island  they  were  very 
numerous  in  Saxon  times, — a  few  specimens,  indeed, 
have  escaped  that  destruction  which  visits  the  monu- 
ments of  popular  and  temporary  feeling  before  all 


Vlll  PREFACE. 

Others  ;  and  for  years  after  the  Norman  conquest 
the  oppressed  people  continued  to  sing  the  songs  of 
former  days  at  their  rustic  festivals  or  amid  their 
everyday  labours.  As  the  feelings  which  caused 
them  to  be  remembered  died  away  gradually  before 
the  weight  of  a  new  political  system,  a  new  class  of 
songs  also  arose.  From  the  Conquest  to  the  end  of 
the  twelfth  century,  the  political  songs  of  the  Anglo- 
Normans  were  in  a  great  measure  confined,  as  far  as 
we  can  judge  from  the  few  specimens  that  are  left, 
to  laudatory  poems  in  Latin,  or  to  funereal  elegies 
on  princes  and  great  people.  Yet  we  can  hardly 
doubt  that,  with  the  turbulent  barons  of  these 
troublous  times,  the  harp  of  the  minstrel  must  have 
resounded  frequently  to  subjects  of  greater  present 
excitement. 

With  the  beginning  of  the  thirteenth  century 
opened  a  new  scene  of  political  contention.  It  is 
amid  the  civil  commotions  of  the  reign  of  John,  that 
our  manuscripts  first  present  traces  of  the  songs  in 
which  popular  opinion  sought  and  found  a  vent,  at 
the  same  time  that  the  commons  of  England  began 
to  assume  a  more  active  part  on  the  stage  of  history. 
The  following  reign  was  a  period  of  constant  excite- 
ment. The  weak  government  of  Henry  the  Third 
permitted  every  party  to  give  free  utterance  to  their 


PREFACE.  IX 

opinions  and  intentions,  and  the  songs  of  this  period 
are  remarkably  bold  and  pointed.     These  effusions 
are  interesting  in  other  points  of  view  besides  their 
connexion  with  historical  events  ;  they  illustrate  in 
a  remarkable  manner  the  history  of  our  language ; 
they  show  us  how  Latin,  Anglo-Norman,  and  En- 
ghsh  were  successively  the  favourite  instruments  by 
which  the  thoughts  of  our  ancestors  w^re  expressed ; 
and   collaterally  they  show^  us   how  the    clerk    (or 
scholar)  with  his  Latin,  the  courtier  with  his  Anglo- 
Norman,  and  the  people  with  their  good  old  English, 
came  forward  in  turns  upon  the  scene.    In  our  Songs 
we  see  that,  during  the  earlier  part  of  the  reign  of 
the  third  Henry,  the  satirical  pieces  which  inveighed 
against  the  corruptions  of  the  state  and  demanded  so 
loudly  their  amendment,  are  all  in  Latin,  which  is  as 
much  as  to  say  that  they  came  from  the  scholastic  part 
of  the  people,  or  those  who  had  been  bred  in  the  uni- 
versities, then  no  small  or  unimportant  part  of  the 
community.     They  seem  to  have  led  the  way  as  bold 
reformers  ;  and  the  refectory  of  the  monastery  not 
less  than  the  baronial  hall  rang  frequently  with  the 
outbursts  of  popular  feeling.     The  remarkable  and 
highly  interesting  declaration  of  the  objects  and  sen- 
timents of  the  Barons,  which  was  pubHshed  after 
the   battle  of  Lewes,  is  written   in  Latin.      Amid 
CAMD.  soc.  6.  h 


X  PREFACE. 

the  Barons'  wars  was  composed  the  first  politi- 
cal song  in  English  that  has  yet  been  found.  It  is 
remarkable  that  all  the  songs  of  this  period  which 
we  knowj  whether  in  Latin,  Anglo-Norman,  or  En- 
glish, are  on  the  popular  side  of  the  dispute— all  with 
one  accord  agree  in  their  praise  and  support  of  the 
great  Simon  de  Montfort. 

The  circumstance  of  our  finding  no  songs  in  English 
of  an  earlier  date  does  not,  however,  prove  that  they 
did  not  exist.  On  the  contrary,  it  is  probable  that  they 
were  equally  abundant  with  the  others  ;  but  the  Latin 
songs  belonged  to  that  particular  party  who  were 
most  in  the  habit  of  committing  their  productions 
to  writing,  and  whose  manuscripts  also  were  longest 
preserved.  It  is  probable  that  a  very  small  portion  of 
the  earlier  English  popular  poetry  was  ever  entered 
in  books — it  was  preserved  in  people's  memory  until, 
gradually  forgotten,  it  ceased  entirely  to  exist  except 
in  a  few  instances,  where,  years  after  the  period  at 
which  it  was  first  composed,  it  was  committed  to 
writing  by  those  who  heard  it  recited.  The  English 
song  on  the  battle  of  Lewes  is  found  in  a  manuscript 
written  in  the  reign  of  Edward  II. ;  when,  perhaps, 
the  similar  character  of  the  time  led  people  to  give 
retrospective  looks  to  the  doings  of  Earl  Simon 
and  his  confederate  barons.  They  were  sometimes 
written  on  small  rolls  of  parchment,  for  the  conve- 


PREFACE.  XI 

nience  of  the  minstrel,  who  thus  carried  them  about 
with  him  from  house  to  house,  and  chanted  them 
at  the  will  of  his  entertainers.  From  these  rolls  and 
loose  scraps  they  were  occasionally  copied  into  books, 
long  after  they  had  ceased  to  possess  any  popular 
interest,  by  some  "  clerk"  who  loved  to  collect  anti- 
quities ;  for  in  those  days,  too,  there  were  antiqua- 
ries. One  of  the  Anglo-Norman  songs  printed  in 
this  collection  is  taken  from  the  original  roll ;  and 
the  Latin  songs  on  the  death  of  Peter  de  Gaveston 
were  found  in  a  manuscript  written  in  the  fifteenth 
century. 

The  constant  wars  of  the  reign  of  Edward  I. — the 
patriotic  hatred  of  Frenchman  and  Scot,  which  then 
ran  at  the  highest — furnished  the  groundwork  of 
many  a  national  song  during  the  latter  years  of  the 
thirteenth  century  and  the  first  years  of  the  four- 
teenth. The  English  song  becomes  at  this  period 
much  more  frequent,  though  many  were  still  written 
in  Latin.  Popular  discontent  continued  to  be  ex- 
pressed equally  in  Latin,  Anglo-Norman  (a  language 
the  influence  of  which  was  now  fast  declining),  and 
EngUsh.  In  the  "  Song  against  the  King's  Taxes," 
composed  towards  the  end  of  the  thirteenth  century, 
we  have  the  first  specimen  of  that  kind  of  song 
wherein  each  line  began  in  one  language  and  ended 
in  another ;  and  which,  generally  written  in  hexa- 


Xll  PREFACE. 

meters,  seems  to  have  been  extremely  popular  during 
the  two  centuries  following.  One  song,  in  the  reign 
of  Edward  II.  presents  in  alternate  succession  all 
the  three  languages  which  were  then  in  use.  The 
political  songs  during  this  last-mentioned  reign  are 
not  very  numerous,  but  they  are  by  no  means  devoid 
of  interest. 

It  was  the  Editor's  original  intention  to  continue 
the  series  of  songs  in  the  present  volume  to  the  de- 
position of  Richard  II.  But,  having  adopted  the 
suggestion  of  giving  a  translation,  with  the  hope  of 
making  them  more  popular,  and  finding  that  in  con- 
sequence the  volume  was  likely  to  extend  to  a  much 
greater  length  than  was  at  first  calculated  upon,  it 
has  been  thought  advisable  to  close  the  present  col- 
lection with  another  convenient  historical  period, 
the  deposition  of  his  grandfather  Edward  II. ;  and  it 
is  his  intention  at  some  future  period  to  form  a 
second  volume,  which  will  be  continued  to  the  fall 
of  the  house  of  York  in  the  person  of  the  crook- 
backed  Richard  III. 

The  wars  of  Edward  III.  produced  many  songs, 
both  in  Latin  and  in  English,  as  did  also  the  troubles 
which  disturbed  the  reign  of  his  successor.  With 
the  end  of  the  reign  of  Edward  II.  however,  we  begin 
to  lose  sight  of  the  Anglo-Norman  language,  which 
we  shall  not  again  meet  with  in  these  popular  effu- 


PREFACE.  Xlll 

sions.  During  the  fifteenth  century  pohtical  songs 
are  less  numerous  and  also  less  sph'ited.  With  it 
we  are  introduced  to  a  dark  period  of  literature  and 
science.  It  was  the  interval  between  the  breaking 
up  of  the  old  system,  and  the  formation  of  the  new 
one  which  was  to  be  built  upon  its  ruins.  When  we 
come  to  the  wars  of  the  Roses,  so  fatal  to  the  En- 
glish nobility  and  gentry,  the  page  even  of  history 
becomes  less  interesting,  because  it  is  less  intellec- 
tual : — the  great  mental  workings  which  had  influ- 
enced so  much  the  political  movements  of  the  thir- 
teenth and  fourteenth  centuries,  were  replaced  by 
the  reckless  and  short-sighted  bitterness  of  personal 
hatred,  and  the  demoralizing  agency  of  mere  animal 
force.  As  it  had  required  a  long  age  of  barbarism 
and  ignorance  to  sweep  away  even  the  latest  rem- 
nants of  ancient  pagan  splendour,  before  the  site  was 
fit  to  build  up  the  beautiful  edifice  of  Christian  civi- 
lization ;  so  it  seemed  as  though  another,  though  a 
shorter  and  comparatively  less  profound,  age  of  bar- 
barism was  required  to  turn  men's  minds  from  the 
defective  learning  of  the  schools,  and  the  imperfect 
literature  to  which  they  had  been  habituated,  and  to 
break  down  old  prejudices  and  privileges,  which  were 
but  impediments  in  the  way  of  the  new  system  that 
came  in  with  the  Reformation. 

The  nature  of  the  following  collection  of  Songs 


xiv  PREFACE. 

requires  little  explanation.  They  have  been  brought 
together  from  scattered  sources.  It  was  the  Editor's 
desire  to  make  it  as  complete  as  possible ;  but  fur- 
ther researches  will  probably  bring  to  light  other 
songs  of  no  less  interest,  and  these,  if  they  become 
sufficiently  numerous,  he  hopes  will  be  collected 
together  as  a  supplement  to  the  present  volume. 
He  has  also  omitted  a  few  Anglo-Irish  songs,  be- 
cause he  expects  they  will,  ere  long,  receive  more 
justice  than  he  is  capable  of  doing  them,  at  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Crofton  Croker.  It  is  hoped  that  the 
texts  will  be  found  as  correct  as  the  manuscripts 
would  allow.  The  translation  is  offered  with  diffi- 
dence, and  requires  many  excuses ;  the  variety  of 
languages  and  dialects  in  which  they  are  written, 
their  dissimilarity  in  style  of  composition,  the  cramped 
constructions  which  were  rendered  necessary  in  the 
Latin  Songs  to  allow  the  multiplicity  of  rhymes,  the 
allusions  which  cannot  now  be  easily  explained,  and 
above  all,  the  numerous  corruptions  which  have 
been  introduced  by  the  scribes  from  whose  hands 
the  different  manuscripts  came  (for  the  greater  part 
of  these  songs  have  been  printed  from  unique  copies), 
are  the  cause  of  so  many  difficulties,  that  in  some 
instances  little  more  has  been  done  than  to  guess  at 
the  writer's  meaning.  The  translation  is  in  general 
as  literal  as  possible — the  Anglo-Norman,  French, 


PREFACE.  .       XV 

and  English  Songs  are  rendered  line  for  line ;  but 
the  Editor  is  almost  inclined  to  regi'et  that  he  did  not 
give  a  freer  version. 

The  Appendix  consists  of  extracts  from  the  in- 
edited  metrical  chronicle  of  Peter  Langtoft,  which 
are  here  introduced,  because  they  contain  fragments 
in  what  was  then  termed  "  rj/me  coiv^e,'"  or  tailed 
rhyme,  which  are  apparently  taken  from  songs  of  the 
time.  The  text  is  printed  from  a  transcript  made 
by  the  Editor  several  years  ago  ;  and  it  contains 
many  lines  of  the  EngUsh  songs  which  are  not 
found  in  the  manuscripts  preserved  at  the  British 
Museum.  The  Editor  introduces  these  extracts  the 
more  willingly,  as  it  is  not  very  probable  that  the 
Chronicle  itself  will  be  published  at  present.  As  a 
monument  of  the  Anglo-Norman  language,  it  is  far 
inferior  to  many  others  that  remain  still  inedited ;  and, 
as  a  historical  document,  it  is  already  well  known 
through  the  English  version  of  Robert  de  Brunne, 
which  was  printed  by  Thomas  Hearne.  The  colla- 
tions have  been  made  chiefly  with  a  philological 
view ;  the  comparison  of  the  different  manuscripts 
shows  us  how  entirely  the  grammatical  forms  of 
the  Anglo-Norman  language  were  at  this  time 
neglected.  To  these  extracts,  the  Editor  has  been 
enabled  to  add  a  very  curious  English  poem  from  the 
Auchinleck  MS.  at  Edinburgh,  by  the  extreme  kind- 


Xvi  PREFACE. 

ness  of  David  Laing,  Esq.,  to  whom  the  Camden 
Society  owes  the  transcript  and  collation  of  the 
proofs  of  this  poem. 

It  only  remains  for  the  Editor  to  fulfil  the  agreeable 
task  of  expressing  his  gratitude  for  the  assistance 
which,  in  the  course  of  the  work,  he  has  derived  from 
the  kindness  of  his  friends :  to  Mons.  d'Avezac,  of  Paris, 
so  well  known  by  his  valuable  contributions  to  geogra- 
phical science,  to  whom  he  has  had  recourse  in  some  of 
the  greater  difficulties  in  the  French  and  Anglo-Nor- 
man songs,  and  who  collated  with  the  originals  those 
which  were  taken  fromforeign  manuscripts  before  they 
were  sent  to  press ;  to  Sir  Frederick  Madden,  from 
whom  he  has  derived  much  assistance  in  the  English 
songs,  and  whose  superior  knowledge  in  everything 
connected  with  early  literature  and  manuscripts  has 
been  of  the  greatest  use  to  him ;  to  James  Orchard 
Halliwell,  Esq.,  for  many  services,  and  for  collating 
with  the  originals  the  songs  taken  from  Cambridge 
Manuscripts ;  and  to  John  Gough  Nichols,  Esq., 
for  the  great  attention  which  he  has  paid  to  the 
proofs,  and  for  various  suggestions,  which  have  freed 
this  volume  from  very  many  errors  that  would  other- 
wise have  been  overlooked. 


Thomas  Wright. 


CONTENTS. 


REIGK    OF    KING    JOHN. 


Song  on  the  Siege  of  Thouars  (French) 
Sirvente  on  King  John  (Provencal) 
Song  on  the  Bishops  (Latin) 
Song  on  the  Times  (Latin) 


REIGN    OF    HENRY    III. 


The  Taking  of  Lincoln  (Latin) 

Song  on  the  Corruptions  of  the  Time  (Latin) 

Sirvente  against  King  Henry  ( Prnven^al )     . 

Another  Sirvente  (Provengal)    . 

The  Song  of  the  Church  (Anglo-Norman)    . 

Song  against  the  Bishops  (Latin) 

Song  on  the  Times  (Latin)  . 

Song  upon  'Jie  Tailors  (Latin  and  Anglo-Norman ) 

Song  of  the  Welsh  (Latin)  . 

Song  of  the  Barons  (Anglo-Norman ) 

Song  of  the  Peace  with  England  (French) 

Song  against  the  King  of  Almaigne  (English)     . 

The  Battle  of  Lewes  (Latin) 

Song  upon  the  Divisions  among  the  Barons  (Latin) 

Lament  of  Simon  de  Montfort  (Anglo-Norman) 


REIGN    OF    EDWARD    I. 


Praise  of  the  Young  Edward  (Latin) 

Song  on  the  Times  ( Latin,  tvitli  an  Anglo-Norman  version) 

The  Order  of  Fair-Ease  (Anglo-Norman) 

Song  of  the  Husbandman  (English)  . 

Against  the  Pride  of  the  Ladies  (English) 

CAMD.  SOC.  6.  C 


PAGE 
1 

3 

6 

14 


19 
27 
36 
39 
42 
44 
46 
51 
56 
59 
63 
69 
72 
121 
125 


128 
133 
137 
149 
153 


CONTENTS. 


Satire  on  the  Consistory  Courts  (English J     . 

Song  on  the  Scottish  Wars  (Latin) 

On  the  Deposition  of  Baliol  (Latin)  ■ 

Song  against  the  King's  Taxes  (Anglo-Norman  and  Latin) 

Song  on  the  Flemish  Insurrection  (English)  . 

Song  on  the  Times  (English)     .... 

Song  against  the  Scholastic  Studies  (Latin)  . 

Song  of  ^'l^ego"  (English)        .... 

Song  on  the  Execution  of  Sir  Simon  Fraser  (English) 

Song  on  the  Venality  of  the  Judges  (Latin) 

The  Outlaw's  Song  of  Trailebaston  (Anglo-Norman ) 

Song  against  the  Retinues  of  the  Great  People  (English)  . 


PAGE 

155 
160 
180 
182 
187 
195 
206 
210 
212 
224 
231 
237 


REIGN    OF    EDWARD    II. 

I^ament  on  the  Death  of  Edward  I.  (Anglo-Norman)  .  .241 

Elegy  on  the  Death  of  Edward  I.  (English)        .              .       .  246 

Song  on  the  Times  ( Anglo-Noi'man,  Latin,  and  English)    .  251 
On  the  King's  Breaking  his  Confirmation  of  Magna  Charta 

(Anglo-Norman  and  English)          .             .             .  253 
Two  Songs  on  the  Death  of  Peter  de  Gaveston  (Latin)  .   258,  259 

The  Battle  of  Bannockburn  (Latin)  ....  262 

Office  of  St.  Thomas  of  Lancaster  (Latin)           .             .       .  268 

APPENDIX. 

Extracts  from  Peter  Langtoft's  Chronicle  (Anglo-Norman  and 
English)  : — 

1.  Edward  I.'s  War  with  Scotland            .             .  273 

2.  The  Trailebastons,  and  Execution  of  Wallace    .  318 
Poem  on  the  Evil  Times  of  Edward  II.  (English)      .              .  323 

NOTES                  .               .               .  347 


THE 

POLITICAL    SONGS 

OF    ENGLAND, 

FROM  KING  JOHN   TO   KING   EDWARD  II. 


POLITICAL    SONGS 


KING  JOHN.  1J99— 1216. 

The  thirteenth  century  opens  amid  the  violence  of  party 
feelings,  and  the  few  political  songs  which  we  find  during  the 
reign  of  King  John  are  full  of  keenness.  Early  in  his  reign 
the  English  Monarch  suffered  himself  to  be  robbed  of  his  pos- 
sessions in  Normandy,  and  the  poetry  of  the  Troubadours  con- 
tains many  expressions  of  regret  at  their  sepai'ation  from 
England,  and  bitter  reflections  on  the  King's  cowardice  and 
weakness.  The  following  song  seems  to  have  been  written 
when  Thouars  was  in  danger,  during  Philippe  Auguste's  in- 
cursions into  Poitou,  in  1206.  Savary  of  Mauleon  is  famous  in 
contemporary  history,  and  was  himself  a  poet  of  no  small 
renown.     He  was  a  firm  adherent  to  the  English  party. 

SONG    ON    THE    SIEGE    OF    THOUARS. 

[Royal  Library  at  Paris,  MS.  du  fonds  de  St.  Germain,  No.  1989,  fol.  Ill,  v". 

ISth  cent.] 

Mors  est  li  siecles  briemant, 
Se  li  rois  Touwairs  sorraonte  ; 

De  ceu  li  vait  malement 
Ke  li  faillent  li  troi  conte. 

Translation. — The  world  will  shortly  come  to  nought, — if  the  king  over- 
come Thouars. — On   this  account  it  fares  iU   with  it, — that  the  three  earls 
CAMD.   SOC.   6.  K 


2  POLITICAL    SOXGS. 

Et  li  vieillairs  de  Boaaing 
I  averait  grant  honte, 
C'apres  la  mort  a  vifconte 

Morrait  a  si  maute. 

Savaris  de  Malieon, 
Boens  chiveliers  a  cintainne, 

Se  vos  fals  a  ces  besons. 
Perdue  avons  nostre  poinne ; 

Et  vos,  xanexals 
Asi  d'Anjow  et  dou  Mainne,    . 
Xanexal  ont  an  Torainne 

Atre  ke  vos  mist. 

Et  vos,  sire  xanexals, 
Vos  et  Dan  Jehan  dou  Mainne, 

Et  Ugues,  antre  vos  trois 
Mandeis  a  roi  d'Alemaigne, 

Ke  cist  rois  et  cil  Fransois 
C'ameir  ne  nos  d[a]ignent. 
Cant  por  .j.  mulet  d^Espaigne 

Laxait  Bordelois. 

desert  it, — and  the  old  man  of  Bouaing — wovdd  have  there  great  shame, — that 
after  the  death  of  the  viscount — he  should  die  in  such  evil  case. 

Savary  of  Mauleon, — a  good  knight  at  the  quintain, — if  you  fail  us  in  this 
need, — we  have  lost  our  labour; — and  you,  Seneschal, — both  of  Anjou  and  of 
Maine, — they  have  placed  a  seneschal  in  Touraine — other  than  you. 

And  you,  Sir  Seneschal, — you  and  Sir  John  of  Maine, — and  Hugh,  between 
you  three, — send  word  to  the  King  of  Almain, — that  this  king  and  him  of 
France, —  deign  not  to  love  us, — when  for  a  mule  of  Spain — he  left  the 
Bordelois. 


REIGX    OF    KING    JOHN.  O 

Et  vos,  signers  bacheleirs, 
Ki  ameis  lois  et  proeses^ 

Cant  vos  souliez  garreir 
Touwairs  iert  vos  forteresce. 

Ja  Deus  ne  vos  doust  porteir 
Ne  mainche  ne  treses, 
Se  Touwairt  au  teil  tristesce 

Laixiez  oblieir. 

And  you,  Sir  bachelors, — who  love  praise  and  prowess, — when  you  were  wont 
to  war — Thouars  was  your  fortress. — Now  God  hinder  yoa  from  bearing — 
sleeves  or  tresses, — if  Thouars  in  such  distress — you  allow  to  be  forgotten. 


John's  own  friends,  disgusted  with  his  weakness,  began  to 
desert  him  ;  and  the  following  bitter  song  was  addressed  by  the 
younger  Bertraud  de  Born,  to  Savary  de  Mauleon,  to  persuade 
him  to  follow  their  example. 

A     SIRVEXTE     ON     KING    JOHN. 

[Raynouard,  Choix,  torn.  iv.  p.  201.] 

Quant  vei  lo  temps  renovellar, 

E  pareis  la  fueill'  e  la  llors. 

Mi  dona  ardimen  amors 
E  cor  e  saber  de  chantar; 
E  doncSj  pois  res  no  m'  en  sofraing, 

Farai  un  Sirvent  escozen, 

Que  trametrai  lai  par  presen 
Al  rei  Joan  que  s  n'a  vergoing. 

Translation. — When  I  see  the  fair  weather  return, — and  leaf  and  flower 
appear, — love  gives  me  hardiesse — and  heart  and  skill  to  sing  ; — then,  since  I 
do  not  want  matter, — I  will  make  a  stinging  sirvente, — which  I  will  send 
yonder  for  a  presentj— to  King  John,  to  make  him  ashamed. 


4  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

E  deuria  s'  be'n  vergoignar, 

Si  1'  membres  de  sos  ancessors, 

Com  laissa  sai  Peitieus  e  Tors 
Al  rei  Felip  ses  demandar ; 
Per  que  tota  Guiana  plaing 

Lo  rei  Richard,  qu'  en  defFenden 

En  mes  mant  aur  e  mant  argen ; 
Mas  acest  no  m'  par  'n  aia  soing. 

Mais  ama  1'  bordir  e  1'  cassar, 

E  braes  e  lebriers  et  austors, 

E  sojorn  ;   per  que  il  faill  honors, 
E  s'  laissa  vius  deseretar  ; 
Mai  sembla  d'ardimen  Galvaing, 

Que  sai  lo  viram  plus  soven ; 

E  pois  autre  cosseil  non  pren, 
Lais  sa  terra  al  seignor  del  Groign. 

Miels  saup  Lozoics  desliurar 

Guillelme,  e  1'  fes  ric  secors 

Ad  Aurenga,  quan  I'Almassors 
A  Tibaut  I'ac  fait  asetjar  : 

And  well  he  ought  to  be  ashamed, — if  he  remember  his  ancestors, — how  he 
has  left  here  Poitou  and  Touraine — to  King  Philip,  without  asking  for  them. — 
Wherefore  all  Guienne  laments — King  Richard,  who  in  its  defence — would 
have  laid  out  much  gold  and  much  silver ; — but  this  man  does  not  appear  to 
me  to  care  much  for  it. 

He  loves  better  fishing  and  hunting, — pointers,  greyhounds,  and  hawks, — 
and  repose,  wherefore  he  loses  his  property, — and  his  fief  escapes  out  of  his 
hands  ; — Galvaing  seems  ill-furnished  with  courage, — so  that  we  beat  him  here 
most  frequently ; — and  since  he  takes  no  other  counsel, — let  him  leave  his  land 
to  the  lord  of  the  Groing. 

Louis  knew  better  how  to  deliver — William,  and  gives  him  rich  succour — at 
Orange,  when  the  Almassor — had  caused  Tiebald  to  besiege  him  ; — glory  and 


J 


REIGN    OF    KING    JOHN.  5 

Pretz  et  honor  'n  ac  ab  gazaing  ; 

Jeu  o  die  per  chastiamen 

Al  rei  Joan  que  pert  sa  gen, 
Que  non  lor  secor  pres  ni  loing. 

Baron,  sai  vir  mon  chastiar 

A  vos,  cui  blasme  las  follors 

Que  us  vei  far,  e  pren  m^en  dolors. 
Car  m'  aven  de  vos  a  parlar. 
Que  pretz  avetz  tombat  e'  F  faing, 

Et  avetz  apres  un  fol  sen. 

Que  non  doptas  chastiamen, 
Mas  qui  us  ditz  mal,  aquel  vos  oing. 

Domna,  cui  dezir  e  tenc  car 

E  dopt  e  blan  part  las  meillors, 

Tant  es  vera  vostra  lauzors 
Qu'ieu  non  la  sai  dir  ni  comtar; 
C^aissi  com  aurs  val  mais  d^estaing, 

Valetz  mais  part  las  meillors  cen, 

Et  ez  plus  leials  vas  joven 

Non  son  a  Dieu  cill  de  Cadoing. 

honour  he  had  with  profit ; — I  say  it  for  a  lesson — to  King  John  who  loses 
his  people, — because  he  succours  them  not  near  or  far  off. 

Barons,  on  this  side  my  lesson  of  correction  aims — at  you,  whose  delin- 
quencies it  blames — that  I  have  seen  you  do,  and  I  am  grieved  thereat, — for  it 
falls  to  me  to  speak  of  you, — who  have  let  your  credit  fall  into  the  mud, — and 
afterwards  have  a  foolish  sentiment, — that  you  do  not  fear  correction, — but  he 
who  told  you  ill,  it  is  he  who  disgraces  you. 

Lady,  whom  I  desire  and  hold  dear, — and  fear  and  flatter  above  the  best, — so 
true  is  your  praise, — that  I  know  not  how  to  say  it  or  to  relate  it ; — that,  as 
gold  is  more  worth  than  tin, — you  are  worth  more  than  the  best  hundred, — 
and  you  are  better  worth  to  a  young  man, — than  are  they  (the  monks)  of  Caen 
to  God. 


6  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Savarics,  reis  cui  cors  sofraing 

Greu  fara  bon  enA^asimen, 

E  pois  a  flac  cor  recrezen. 
Jamais  nuls  liom  en  el  non  poing. 

Savary,  a  king  without  a  heart, — will  hardly  make  a  successful  invasion, 
and  since  he  has  a  heart  soft  and  cowardly, — let  no  man  put  his  trust  in  him. 


The  dishonours  which  John  suffered  abroad,  were,  however, 
soon  forgotten  in  the  ti'oubles  which  broke  out  at  home.  The 
following  virulent  libel  on  the  three  bishops  of  Norwich,  Bath, 
and  Winchester,  who  adhered  to  the  King  in  his  quarrel  with 
the  Pope  about  the  presentation  to  the  see  of  Canterbury,  was 
no  doubt  the  work  of  one  of  his  ecclesiastical  opponents. 

SONG     ON    THE     BISHOPS. 

[Flacius  Illyricus,  p.  161.] 

Planctus  super  Episcopis. 

CoMPLANGE  tui,  Anglla, 

Melos  suspendens  organi; 
Et  maxime  tu,  Cantia, 

De  mora  tui  Stephani. 
Thomam  habes  sed  alterum. 
Secundum  habes  iterum 

Translation. — Complain,  O  England !  and  suspend  the  melody  of  thine 
organ,  and  more  especially  thou,  Kent,  for  the  delay  of  thy  Stej.hen.  But 
thou  hast  another  Thomas ;    thou  hast  again  a  second  Stephen,  who  putting 


REIGN    OF    KING    JOHN.  7 

Stephanum,  qui  trans  hominem 
Induens  fortitudinem 

Signa  facit  in  populo. 
Dolos  dolens  metropolis 

Quos  subdoli  partiiriimt, 
Orbata  tuis  incolis. 

Dolose  quos  ejiciunt, 
Largos  emittis  gemitus, 
Patre  privata  penitus. 
Sed  cum  habebis  Stephanum, 
Assumes  tibi  tympanum, 

Chelym  tangens  sub  modulo. 

Ubi  es,  queeso,  Moyses, 

Per  quem  cedat  confractio  ? 
Ubi  legem  zelans  Phinees, 

Per  quem  cesset  quassatio  ? 
Quis  natum  David  arguens  ? 
Quis  Thaii  signum  statuens 
In  limine  et  postibus, 
Ut  sic  confusis  hostibus 
Liberetur  Israel  ? 

on  a  fortitude  beyond  that  of  man,  performs  signs  among  the  people.  O  me- 
tropolis !  who  grievest  over  the  plots  which  the  cunning  people  bring  forth, 
bereaved  of  thine  inhabitants,  whom  they  treacherously  have  ejected,  thou 
givest  vent  to  heavy  groans,  being  utterly  deprived  of  thy  father.  But  when 
thou  shalt  have  Stephen,  thou  wilt  take  up  the  timbrel,  and  touch  the  harp  to 
measure. 

Where  art  thou,  I  ask,  O  Moses  !  through  whom  may  the  rupture  cease  ? 
Where  Phineas,  zealous  for  the  law,  through  whom  the  scourging  may  have  an 
end  ?  Who  is  there  to  accuse  the  son  of  David  ?  Who  is  there  that  may  set  the 
sign  of  Thau  on  the  threshold  and  the  door-posts,  that  thus,  her  enemies  being 
confused,  Israel  may  be  liberated  ?     Abraham,  father  of  many  people,    arise. 


8  POLITICAL,    SONGS. 

Abraham,  pater  gentium 

Multarum,  surge,  domine, 
Agar  expelle  filium, 

Saree  ancillae  dominse ; 
Nam  post  subducet  aliam. 
Jam  adversus  ecclesiam 
Praevalent  portse  Tartar! : 
Jam  ludo  ludunt  imparl 
Isaac  et  Ismael. 

Balthasar  bibit  iterum 

De  vasis  templi  Domini : 
Vasa  rapit  vas  scelerum 

Dei  dicata  nomini. 
Scribentem  cerno  digitum, 
Et  literis  implicitum 
Scriptis,  "  Mane,  Tecchel,  Phares  ;" 
Quid  sibi  velit  ea  res, 

Rei  probabit  exitus. 
Jam  patet  in  praetorio, 

Et  infimis  et  arduis. 
Quod  regni  jam  divisio 

Et  finis  est  in  januis. 

lord,  expel  the  son  of  Agar,  the  waiting-maid  of  her  mistress  Sarah  ;  for  after 
she  shall  deceive  the  other.  Now  the  gates  of  Tartarus  prevail  against  the 
Church :  now  Isaac  and  Ismael  play  at  an  unequal  game. 

Balthasar  drinks  again  out  of  the  vessels  of  the  Lord's  temple  :  the  vessel  of 
iniquities  carries  away  the  vessels  dedicated  to  God's  name.  I  perceive  the 
hand,  writing,  and  involved  in  the  written  letters,  "  Mane,  Techel,  Phares  ;" 
what  this  thing  may  mean,  the  event  of  the  thing  will  prove.  Now  it  appears 
in  the  court,  both  to  the  low  and  the  high,  that  at  present  the  division  and  end 


I 


RETGN    OF    KING    JOHN.  if 

Crescit  malorum  cumulus, 
Est  sacerdos  ut  populus, 
Currunt  ad  illicitum, 
Uterque  juxta  libitum 

Audax  et  imperterritus. 

Plebs  in  ^Egypti  cophino 

Servit,  et  sudat  anxia 
Sub  Pharaoiie  domino  : 

Edicta  currunt  varia : 
Exactor  opus  exigit, 
Israel  lutum  colligit. 
Non  est  qui  eum  eruat, 
Vel  Pharaonis  subruat 

Equos  cum  ascensoribus. 
Spargit  Assur  ac  dejicit 

Lapides  Sanctuarii. 
Quare  ?   quia  non  objicit 

Se  lapis  adjutorii. 
Imo  qui  se  objicere 
Deberent,  et  elFundere 
Sanguinem  pro  justitia, 
Tractant  de  avaritia, 

Quos  his  noto  apicibus. 

of  the  kingdom  is  at  the  gate.  The  mass  of  e\'ils  increases  ;  the  priest  is  as  the 
people  ;  they,  bold  and  fearless,  hasten  to  that  which  is  unlawful,  each  ac- 
cording to  his  will. 

The  people  serves  in  the  coffer  of  Egypt,  and  anxiously  sweats  under  the  rule 
of  Pharaoh :  various  edicts  fly  about :  the  collector  exacts  the  work,  Israel 
collects  clay.  There  is  no  one  who  may  rescue  him,  or  who  may  overwhelm 
the  horses  of  Pharaoh  with  their  riders.  Assur  scatters  and  overthrows  the 
stones  of  the  Sanctuary.  Why  ?  because  the  Stone  of  Help  does  not  oppose 
itself.  Nay,  they  who  ought  to  oppose,  and  to  shed  their  blood  for  justice's 
sake,  are  occupied  with  avarice,  whom  I  signalise  by  these  marks. 
CAMD.  SOC.  6.  C 


10  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Si  praesuli  Bathoniae 

Fiat  quandoque  qusestio, 
Quot  marcee  burste  regise 

Accedant  in  scaccario  : 
Respondet  voce  liljera, 
Mille,  centum,  et  csetera. 
Ad  bursam  regis  colligo, 
Doctus  in  hoc  decalogo, 

Csecus  in  forma  canonis. 
Tu,  Norwicensis  bestia, 

Audi  quid  dicat  Veritas  : 
Qui  non  intrat  per  ostia 

Fur  est.     An  de  hoc  dubitas  ? 
Heu  !  cecidisti  gravius 
Quam  Cato  quondam  tertius  : 
Cum  prsesumpta  electio 
Justo  ruat  judicio, 

Empta  per  dolum  Simonis. 

Wintoniensis  arraiger 

Preesidet  ad  Scaccarium, 
Ad  coinputandum  impiger, 

Piger  ad  Evangehum, 
Regis  revolvens  rotulum  ; 

If  the  question  were  percliaace  asked  of  the  bishop  of  Bath,  "  How  many 
marks  come  in  to  the  King's  purse  in  the  Exchequer?"  he  would  answer 
readily,  "  A  thousand,  a  hundred,  and  so  on,  I  collect  into  the  King's  purse," 
learned  as  he  is  in  this  decalogue,  blind  in  the  form  of  the  canon.  Thou,  beast 
of  Norwich  !  hear  what  the  Truth  saith  :  "  He  who  enters  not  by  the  door  is 
a  thief."  Dost  thou  doubt  of  this  ?  Alas  !  thou  hast  fallen  more  heavily  than 
once  the  third  Cato,  since  thy  presumed  election  falls  by  just  judgment,  having 
been  bought  by  the  craft  of  Simon. 

The  arm-bearer  of  Winchester  presides  at  the  Exchequer,  diligent  in  com- 
puting, sluggish  at  the  Gospel,  turning  over  tlic  King's  roll;  thus  lucre  over- 


REIGX    OF    KING    JOHN.  11 

Sic  lucrum  Lucam  superat, 
Marco  marcam  praeponderat, 

Et  librae  librum  subjicit. 
Hi  Belphegor  prsenunciant, 

Et  sedeni  Baal  subjiciunt ; 
Ut  melius  proficiant, 

Baal  sibi  preeficiunt, 
Complectuntur  pro  niveis 
Nigra,  stercus  pro  croceis. 
Hi  tres  insatiabiles, 
Sanguisugis  persimiles, 

"  Affer,"  dicunt,  "  non  sufficit." 

Tres  tribus  his  appositi 

Sunt,  sed  longe  dissimiles, 
Virtutum  flore  preediti, 

Morum  vigore  nobiles, 
Noe,  David,  et  Daniel, 
Quos  depingit  Ezechiel. 
Justitiam  hi  sitiunt, 
Ob  hsec  sese  objiciunt 

Murum  pro  domo  Domini. 

comes  Luke ;  he  makes  a  marc  weigh  heavier  than  Mark,  and  subjects  the 
bible  to  the  scales.  These  are  they  who  fore-show  Belphegor ;  they  subject  the 
seat  to  Baal ;  that  they  may  profit  better,  they  make  Baal  their  lord  ;  they 
embrace  black  for  white,  dung  instead  of  saffron.  These  three  are  insatiable — 
very  like  unto  leeches  ;  they  cry,   "  Give  !  there  is  not  enough  !" 

There  are  three  opposed  to  these,  but  very  unlike  them,  endowed  with  the 
flower  of  virtues,  noble  in  the  vigour  of  good-breeding — Noah,  David,  and 
Daniel,   whom  Ezechiel   paints.      These   thirst  after  justice ;    for   this   they 


1-  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Joannes  nostri  temporis 

Surgit  Decanus  Angliae, 
Canus  mente,  vi  roboris 

Stratam  vadit  justiciae, 
Canit  laudum  preeco  nia 
Qui  jure  de  Ecclesia 
Mariaj  nomen  accipit, 
Dum  conflictum  hunc  suscipit 
Sacree  devotus  Virgini. 

Heliensis  progreditur, 

HuYc  datur  discrimini^ 
Heli  ut  ensis  dicitur, 

Parcens  paucis,  vel  nemini. 
Helia,  ensem  exere, 
Et  impios  tres  contere, 
Ac  Babylonis  principem 
Hujus  doli  participem 

Ictu  prosterne  simplici. 
Tu,  Wolstani  subambule, 

Es  in  conflictu  tertius, 
Robustus  insta  sedule 

Triumphi  veri  conscius. 

oppose  themselves  as  a  wall  for  God's  house.  John  arises  the  dean  of  England 
of  our  time,  hoary  in  mind  :  with  the  might  of  oak,  he  proceeds  on  the  way  of 
justice  ;  he  sings  the  proclamations  of  praises,  who  rightly  takes  his  name  from 
the  church  of  Mary,  while  he  undertakes  this  conflict  in  devotion  to  the  Holy 
Virgin. 

He  of  Ely  advances ;  he  is  given  to  this  baLtle,  as  he  is  called  the  Sword  of 
Hely,  sparing  few  or  none.  Helias,  draw  forth  the  sword,  and  bruise  the  three 
impious  ones,  and  lay  prostrate  the  prince  of  Babylon,  the  participater  in  this 
plot,  with  a  single  blow.  Thou,  who  walkest  in  the  place  of  Wolstan,  art  the 
third  in  the  conflict :   robust  as  thou  art,  press  on  sedulously,  certain  of  a  true 


REIGN    OF    KING    JOHN.  13 

Hoeres  Wolstani  diceris. 
Si  vere  sit,  tu  videris  : 
Prius  resigna  baculuni, 
Et  ephod  et  annulum, 

Quam  Baal  velis  subjici. 

De  RofFensi  episcopo 

Nil  scio  mali  dicere. 
Mentior  et  rem  syncope  : 

Hie  est,  et  hie  a  latere 
Est  pauper  Sarisburiee, 
Qui  dormit  usque  hodie, 
Ignem  et  aquam  bajulat. 
Nee  causatur,  nee  ejulat 

Pro  desolata  "sdnea. 
I  Romam,  liber  parvule, 

Nee  remeare  differas, 
Saluta  quosque  sedule,. 

Et  Papse  salve  differas. 
Die  quid  de  tribus  sentiam. 
Ipse  promat  sententiam, 
Utrum  suo  judicio 
Sint  liberi  a  vitio  ; 

Et  michi  detur  venia. 

triumph.  Thou  art  called  the  heir  of  Wolstan  ;  if  thou  be  truly  so,  thou  art 
seen  :  sooner  resign  the  staff,  and  the  ephod,  and  the  ring,  than  be  willing  to 
bow  to  Baal. 

I  know  nothing  ill  to  say  of  the  bishop  of  Rochester.  I  lie,  and  cut  the 
matter  short ;  he  is  here,  and  here  by  his  side  the  poor  man  of  Salisbury  also, 
who  sleeps  till  to-day  ;  he  carries  about  fire  and  water,  nor  pleads  for,  nor 
bewails,  the  desolated  vineyard.  Go  to  Rome,  little  book,  nor  delay  thy 
return  ;  salute  them  all  diligently ;  and  carry  a  salutation  to  the  Pope  :  tell 
what  I  think  of  the  three  :  let  him  give  judgment,  whether  in  his  opinion  they 
be  free  from  vice  ;  and  let  pardon  be  granted  to  n.e. 


14  POLITICAL    SONGS. 


It  was  during  these  religious  dissensions  that  arose  up,  or  at 
least  became  strong,  that  powerful  spirit  of  opposition  to  the 
papal  tyranny,  which  produced  during  the  whole  of  this  century 
so  much  satirical  poetry  ;  much  of  it  attributed,  perhaps  with 
little  reason,  to  Walter  Mapes.  The  following  song  is  supposed 
to  have  been  written  during  the  interdict.  In  the  fourth  line 
the  lion  is  said  to  designate  King  John,  and  the  asses  the 
Bishops,  and  at  the  end  the  King  is  represented  by  Jupiter, 
whilst  the  Pope  receives  the  contemptuous  designation  of 
Pluto. 

SONG    ON    THE    TIMES. 

[MS.  Harl.  978,  fol.  108,  r".  Reign  of  Hen.  III.] 

Invectio  contra  avaritiam. 

Utab  contra  vitia  carmine  rebelli ; 
Mel  proponunt  alii,  fel  supponunt  melli, 
Pectus  subest  ferreum  deauratse  pelli, 
Et  leonis  spolium  induunt  aselli. 

Disputat  cum  animo  facies  rebellis, 
Mel  ab  ore  defluit,  mens  est  plena  fellis  j 
Non  est  totum  melleum  quod  est  in  star  mellis ; 
Facies  est  alia  pectoris  quam  pellis. 

Vitium  est  in  opere,  virtus  est  in  ore, 
Picem  tegunt  animi  niveo  colore  : 

Translation. — I  will  use  against  vices  rebelling  song ;  others  put  for- 
ward honey,  while  under  the  honey  they  lay  on  gall ;  the  iron  breast  is  con- 
cealed under  the  gilt  skin,  and  asses  put  on  the  lion's  spoil. — The  rebelling 
face  disputes  with  the  soul  within  ;  honey  flows  from  the  mouth,  the  mind  is 
full  of  gall ;  it  is  not  all  sweet  that  looks  like  honey  ;  the  breast  has  a  different 
countenance  from  the  skin.— While  vice  is  in  the  work,  virtue  is  in  the  face  ; 


REIGN    OF    KINO    JOHN.  15 

Membra  dolent  singula  capitis  dolore, 
Et  radici  consonat  pomum  in  sapore. 

Roma  mundi  caput  est,  sed  nil  capit  mundum  : 
Quod  pendet  a  capite  totum  est  inmundum ; 
Transit  enim  vitium  primum  in  secundum, 
Et  de  fundo  redolet  quod  est  juxta  fundum. 

Roma  capit  singulos  et  res  singulorum ; 
Romanorum  curia  non  est  nisi  forum. 
Ibi  sunt  venalia  jura  senatorum, 
Et  solvit  contraria  copia  nummorum. 

Hie  in  consistorio  si  quis  causam  regat 
Suam,  vel  alterius,  hoc  in  primis  legat, — 
Nisi  det  pecuniam  Roma  totum  negat, 
Qui  plus  dat  pecunige  melius  allegat. 

Romani  capitulum  habent  in  decretis, 
Ut  petentes  audiant  manibus  repletis  : 
Dabis,  aut  non  dabitur,  petunt  quia  petis ; 
Qua  mensura  seminas,  et  eadem  metis. 

they  cover  the  pitchy  blackness  of  the  mind  with  a  white  colour  ;  each  of  the 
members  suffers  by  the  pain  of  the  head,  and  the  flavour  of  the  apple  depends  upon 
the  root  from  whence  it  springs. — Rome  is  the  head  of  the  world  ;  but  it  receives 
nothing  clean  ;  all  that  depends  from  the  head  is  unclean  ;  for  the  first  vice 
passes  on  into  the  second,  and  that  which  is  near  the  bottom  smells  of  the 
bottom. — Rome  receives  all,  and  the  goods  of  all ;  the  court  of  the  Romans  is 
but  a  market.  There  are  offered  for  sale  the  rights  of  the  senators,  and  abun- 
dance of  money  dissolves  all  differences  of  opinion. — Here,  in  the  con- 
sistory, if  any  body  plead  a  cause,  be  it  his  own  or  another's,  let  him  first 
read  this, — ' '  Unless  he  give  money,  Rome  denies  every  thing ;  he  who  gives  most 
money  will  come  off  the  best." — The  Romans  have  a  chapter  in  the  decretals, 
that  they  should  listen  to  petitions  from  those  who  come  with  their  hands 
full ;  thou  shalt  give,  or  nothing  shall  be  granted  thee  ;  they  ask  because 
thou   askest ;    by  the  same    measure  as   you   sow,    you  shall  reap. — A  bribe 


]6  POLHICAL    SONGS. 

Munus  et  petitio  currunt  passu  pari, 
Opereris  munere  si  vis  operari : 
Tullium  lie  timeas  si  velit  causari, 
Nummus  eloquentia  gaudet  singulari. 

Nummis  in  hac  curia  non  est  qui  non  vacet ; 
Crux  placet,  rotunditas,  et  albedo  placet, 
Et  cum  totum  placeat,  et  Roraanis  placet, 
Ubi  nummus  loquitur,  et  lex  omnis  tacet. 

Si  quo  grandi  munere  bene  pascas  manum, 
Frustra  quis  objiciet  vel  Justinianum, 
Vel  sanctorum  canones,  quia  tanquam  vanum 
Transferunt  has  paleas,  et  inbursant  granum. 

Solam  avaritiam  Roma  novit  parca, 
Parcit  danti  munera,  parco  non  est  parca : 
Nummus  est  pro  numine,  et  pro  Marco  marca, 
Et  est  minus  Celebris  ara,  quam  sit  area. 

Cum  ad  papam  veneris,  habe  pro  constanti, 
Non  est  locus  pauperi,  soli  favet  danti ; 

and  a  petition  go  side  by  side,  and  it  is  with  a  bribe  that  you  must  work  if 
you  wish  to  succeed  :  then  you  need  have  no  fear,  even  of  Tally,  were  he 
pleading  against  you  ;  for  money  possesses  a  singular  eloquence. — There  is 
nobody  in  this  court  who  does  not  look  after  money :  the  cross  on  the  coin 
pleases  them  ;  the  roundness  of  it,  and  the  whiteness  thereof,  pleases  them  ; 
and  since  every  part  of  it  pleases,  and  it  is  the  Romans  whom  it  pleases,  where 
money  speaks,  there  all  law  is  silent. — If  you  only  feed  the  hand  well  with 
some  goodly  bribe,  it  will  be  in  vain  even  to  quote  Justinian  against  you,  or 
the  canons  of  the  saints,  because  they  would  throw  them  away  as  vanity  and 
chaff,  and  pocket  the  grain, — Penurious  Rome  claims  acquaintance  with 
nothing  but  avarice  ;  she  spares  to  him  who  brings  gifts,  but  she  spares  not  to 
him  who  is  penurious  :  money  stands  in  the  place  of  God,  and  a  marc  for 
Mark,  and  the  altar  is  less  attended  than  the  coffer. — When  you  come  to 
the  Pope,  take  it  as  a  rule,  that  there  is  no  place  for  the  poor,  he  favours  only 


REIGN    OF    KING    JOHN.  I7 

Vel  si  munus  praestitum  non  est  aliquanti, 
Respondet  hie  tibi  sic,  Non  est  michi  tanti. 

Papa,  si  rem  tangimus,  nomen  habet  a  re, 
Quicquid  habent  alii,  solus  vult  papare  ; 
Vel  si  verbum  Gallicum  vis  apocopare, — 
Paez,  Paez,  clit  li  mot,  si  vis  impetrare. 

Papa  quserit,  chartula  quserit,  bulla  quserit. 
Porta  quserit,  cardinalis  quferit,  cursor  quserit, 
Omnes  quserunt :  et  si  quod  des  uni  deerit, 
Totum  jus  falsum  est,  tota  causa  perit. 

Das  istis,  das  aliis,  addis  dona  datis, 
Et  cum  satis  dederis,  quserunt  ultra  satis. 
O  vos  bursse  turgidae,  Romam  veniatis  ; 
Romse'viget  physica  bursis  constipatis. 

Prsedantur  marsupium  singuli  paulatim  ; 
Magna,  major,  maxima,  prseda  fit  gradatim. 
Quid  irem  per  singula  ?  colligam  summatim, — 
Omnes  bursam  strangulant,  et  expirat  statim. 

the  giver  ;  or  if  there  is  not  a  bribe  of  some  value  or  another  forthcoming,  he 
answers  you,  "  I  am  not  able." — The  Pope,  if  we  come  to  the  truth  of  the 
matter,  has  his  name  from  the  fact,  that,  whatever  others  have,  he  alone  will 
suck  the  pap  ;  or  if  you  like  to  apocopate  a  French  word,  "  pay,  pay,"  saith 
the  word,  if  you  wish  to  obtain  anything. — The  Pope  begs,  the  brief  begs,  the 
bull  begs,  the  gate  begs,  the  cardinal  begs,  the  cursor  begs, — all  beg  1  and  if 
you  have  not  wherewith  to  bribe  them  all,  your  right  is  wrong,  and  the  whole 
cause  comes  to  nothing. — You  give  to  these,  you  give  to  the  others,  you  add 
gifts  to  those  already  given,  and  when  you  should  have  given  enough,  they 
seek  as  much  more.  O,  you  full  purses,  come  to  Rome  !  at  Rome  there  is 
choice  medicine  for  costive  pockets. — They  all  prey  upon  the  purse  by  little 
and  little  ;  great,  greater,  or  greatest,  gradually  becomes  a  prey  to  them. 
Why  should  I  go  through  all  the  particulars  ?  I  will  put  it  in  a  few  words ; 
they  all  choke  the  purse,  and  it  expires  immediately. — Yet  the  purse  imitates 
CAMD.  SOC.  6.  D 


18  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Bursa  tamen  Tityi  jecur  imitatur, 
Fugit  res,  ut  redeat,  perit,  ut  nascatur, 
Et  hoc  pacto  loculiim  Roma  deprcedatur, 
Ut  cum  totum  dederit,  totus  impleatur. 

Redeunt  a  curia  capite  cornuto  : 
I  ma  tenet  Jupiter,  caelum  tenet  Pluto, 
Et  accedit  dignitas  animali  bruto, 
Tanquam  gemma  stercori  et  pictura  luto. 

Divites  divitibus  dant,  ut  sumant  ibi, 
Et  occurruiit  munera  relative  sibi : 
Lex  est  ista  Celebris,  quam  fecerunt  scribi, 
Si  tu  michi  dederis,  ego  dabo  tibi.     Finit. 

the  liver  of  Tityus  ;  the  substance  flies  in  order  to  return  ;  dies  that  it  may  be 
born  :  and  on  this  condition  Rome  preys  upon  the  pocket,  that  when  it  has 
given  all,  it  may  all  be  filled  again. — They  return  from  the  court  with  mitred 
heads  ;  Jupiter  is  placed  in  the  Infernal  Regions,  Pluto  holds  Heaven,  and  dig- 
nity is  given  to  a  brute  animal,  as  a  jewel  to  the  dung  and  a  picture  to  the  mud. 
— The  rich  give  to  the  rich,  that  they  may  receive  again,  and  gifts  mutually 
meet  one  another :  that  law  is  most  in  use,  which  they  have  caused  to  be 
written,  "  If  you  give  to  me,  I  will  give  to  you." 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  19 


KING  HENRY  III.  1216-1272. 

The  death  of  King  John  offered  an  opportunity  of  putting  an 
end  to  the  distractions  that  had  become  so  universal  during  the 
latter  years  of  his  reign,  which  most  of  the  belligerents  were 
glad  to  embrace.  The  following  short,  but  highly  spirited 
poem,  was  probably  written  immediately  after  the  pacification 
which  followed  the  taking  of  Lincoln,  apparently  by  a  church- 
man, and  certainly  a  partizan  of  King  Henry.  Some  of  the 
expressions  in  it,  such  as  "  the  iron-girt  bees  of  war,"  and  the 
like,  remind  us  of  the  lofty  metaphors  of  Saxon  verse. 

THE    TAKING    OF    LINCOLN. 

[From  MS.  Cotton.  Vespas.  B.  xiii.  fol.  1.30.  v".  in  a  hand  of  the  beginning  of 
the  14th  Cent.] 

%  Incipiunt  vei'sus  de  Guerra  Regis  Johannis. 

Serpserat  Angligenam  rabies  quadrangula  gentem. 
In  proprium  jurata  jugum,  motuque  minaci 
Gens  sibi  degenerans,  ut  libera  serviat,  alta 
Corruat,  iiicolumis  eegrotet,  tuta  pavescat, 
Vendicat  antiquas  inimico  consule  leges ; 
Non  legis  libra,  non  juris  luce,  nee  igne 
Sacri  consilii,  sed  nee  lima  rationis, 
Fulgurat  in  vetitum  spreta  ratione  voluntas. 

Translation. — A  four-fold  rage  had  crept  upon  the  Euglisli  nation.  Con- 
spiring against  its  own  government,  and  threatening  rebellion,  the  degenerate 
nation, — that  it  may  change  freedom  for  slavery, — that  it  may  fall  from  its  high 
position,  from  health  to  sickness,  from  safety  to  danger, — lays  claim  to  ancient 
laws  under  a  hostile  governor  ;  not  governed  by  the  balance  of  the  law,  not  by  the 
light  of  justice,  nor  by  the  fire  of  holy  counsel,  nor  yet  by  the  file  of  reason,  the 


20  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

^1  Prima  fuit  rabies  proprio  concepta  tumore ; 
Altera  belligeras  Francorum  traxerat  alas ; 
Conduxit  nigras  Scottorum  tertia  turmas ; 
Flexit  quarta  leves  tenui  sub  veste  Galenses. 

^j  Foedera  rumpuntur  pacis,  tonitrusque  minaces  ; 
Serpsit  in  attonitas  corrupta  licentia  turres, 
In  qui])us  eegra  fides  latuit,  medicumque  salutis 
Expectata  diu,  tandem  de  munere  Christi 
Convaluit,  traxitque  suas  in  bella  cohortes. 

^  Heec  rabies  patiente  Deo  permissa  parumper 
Non  concessa  fuit,  ut  molles  fulmina  mentes 
Comburant,  nee  ut  ira  Dei  confundat  inermes. 
Sed  cordis  scrutator  oves  deserta  petentes 
Errantesque  diu  proprio  revocavit  amore, 
Vapulet  ut  meritas  medicate  verbere  culpas, 
Divinasque  minas  dementia  patris  amicans 
Ubere  materno  lenivit  verbera  patris. 

^  Anglorum  nutabat  honor,  regnique  venustas, 
Inclinata  caput  divini  judicis  iram 

will,  in  despite  of  reason,  darts  like  lightning  into  what  is  forbidden.  %  The  first 
rage  was  conceived  by  its  own  pride  ;  the  second  drew  hither  the  warlike  legions 
of  the  French  ;  the  third  conducted  the  black  troops  of  the  Scots ;  the  fourth 
bent  the  inconstant  Welsh  under  their  light  garment.  %  The  leagues  of  peace 
are  broken,  and  the  threatening  thunders  follow  ;  corrupt  licence  has  crept 
into  the  astonished  towers,  in  which  Faith  lay  hid  and  sick,  and  long  waiting 
a  physician  of  health,  at  length  by  the  generosity  of  Christ  she  recovered, 
and  drew  out  her  bands  to  the  wars.  ^  This  rage,  by  the  sufferance  of 
God,  was  permitted  for  a  while,  but  not  allowed  that  the  lightnings  should 
burn  the  effeminate  minds,  or  that  the  anger  of  God  should  confound  the  de- 
fenceless. But  the  Searcher  of  hearts  recalled  by  his  own  love  the  sheep  which 
sought  the  desert  and  were  long  wandering,  that  he  might  correct  the  deserving 
faults  with  a  healing  lash,  and  reconciling  his  divine  threats  with  paternal  mercy, 
softened  the  corrections  of  a  father  with  the  love  of  a  mother.  ^  The  honour 
of  the  English  bowed,  and  the  comeliness  of  the  Kingdom  ;  its  bending  head 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY   III.  21 

Senserat,  et  tumido  timirft  servire  tyranno. 
Pendula  palma,  diu  dubio  protracta  favore. 
Nunc  risit  Gallis^  nunc  risum  contulit  Anglis, 
Verius  applaudens  istis,  fallacius  illis. 

^  Non  tulit  ulterius  regem  regnare  furentem 
Vindicis  ira  Dei ;  cecidit  percussus  ab  illo 
Cujus  templa,  domos;,  combusserat  igne  minaci. 
A  face  fax  oritur  fati,  flammaeque  furorera 
Dum  furit  in  regem  febris  vindicta  fugavit. 
Summus  honos  mors  ilia  fuit,  culmenque  decoris 
Attulit,  in  nullo  quod  erat  superatus  ab  hoste, 
Et  tot  erant  hostes  ;  victus  victore  superno, 
Invictusque  suos  hostes  moriendo  momordit. 

%  Desinat  ira  tumens  ;  discat  servire  potestas 
Curvarique  Deo,  cui  subdens  colla  resurget ; 
In  surgendo  cadet :  brevis  est  humana  potestas, 
Et  brevibus  discat  finem  properare  diebus. 

%  Planxerat  extinctum  regio  viduata  Johannem, 
Degenerique  timens  sua  subdere  colla  marito 

had  felt  the  anger  of  the  divine  judge,  and  feared  to  serve  the  proud  tyrant. 
The  balanced  palm,  long  held  out  with  dubious  favour,  now  smiled  on  the 
French,  now  turned  its  smile  to  the  English,  applauding  with  more  truth  these 
latter,  more  deceitful  to  the  others.  \  The  anger  of  an  avenging  God  allowed 
no  longer  the  furious  king  to  reign  ;  he  fell,  struck  by  him  whose  temples  and 
houses  he  had  burnt  with  threatening  fire.  From  this  torch  arises  the  torch  of 
fate,  and  the  avenging  fever,  while  it  raged  against  the  king,  drove  away  the  rage 
of  the  flame.  That  death  was  the  highest  honour,  and  was  accompanied  with 
the  highest  glory,  that  he  was  in  nothing  overcome  by  the  enemy,  amidst  so 
many  enemies ;  vanquished  by  the  conqueror  who  is  above,  and  unconquered, 
he  bit  his  own  enemies  even  in  his  death.  ^  Let  proud  anger  cease  ;  let  power 
learn  to  serve  and  to  bow  to  God,  in  submitting  the  neck  to  whom  she  elevates 
herself;  in  rising  she  falls  :  short  is  the  power  of  man  ;  and  let  it  learn  that  the 
end  approaches  in  a  few  days.  %  The  widowed  state  had  mourned  the  death  of 
John,  and,  fearing  to  bow  the  neck  to  a  degenerate  husband,  the  tear  of  the 


22  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Invocat  Angligenas  Anglo>um  lacrima  vires ; 
Quo  gravior  dolor  est,  propior  mediciua  doloris. 

^  Fulserat  interea  miriimcE  scintillula  formee, 
Regia  progenies,  laceri  spes  unica  regni, 
Stella  quasi  succensa  Deo,  nubemque  paternam 
Exuit,  irradians  nova  lux,  stellasque  fugatas 
Fulmine  de  patrio  pueri  candela  voeavit. 

^  O  Pietas  preciosa  Dei !  qui  magna  magistrat, 
Fortia  confundit,  infirma  levat,  feritates 
Fulminat,  inflatos  frangit,  qui  virginis  alvo 
Parvulus  egressus,  parvum  suscepit  alendum, 
Ecclesiseque  dedit  gremio,  quem  matris  in  ulnas 
Blanda  parens  recipit,  nato  blandita  parentis 
Obsequio,  teneram  capiti  positura  coronam. 
Consilium  coeleste  fuit,  quod  consona  sacri 
Unio  consilii  regi  parere  puello 
Non  timuit,  timuitque  magis  servire  tyranno. 

^  Unio  sacra  novum  maturat  ad  ardua  regem  ; 
Utilitas,  pietasque,  fides,  concurrere  fatis 

English  calls  up  the  strength  of  England  ;  the  heavier  the  grief,  the  nearer  is 
its  cure.  ^  Meanwhile  had  shone  forth  the  minute  spark  of  most  small  beauty, 
the  royal  offspring,  sole  hope  of  the  torn  Kingdom,  a  star,  as  it  were,  lit  by 
God,  it  had  divested  itself  of  the  cloud  that  obscured  its  father,  shining  forth  a 
new  light,  and  the  candle  of  the  child  called  back  the  stars  which  had  been 
scared  by  the  father's  thunder,  ^j  O  precious  piety  of  God  !  who  masters 
things  that  are  great,  confounds  those  that  are  strong,  raises  such  as  are 
infirm,  strikes  ferocity  with  lightning,  breaks  the  haughty,  who  himself  having 
come  a  child  out  of  the  virgin's  womb,  thvis  took  a  child  to  noui'ish,  gave  it  to 
the  bosom  of  the  Church,  which  the  gentle  parent  receives  in  a  mother's  arms, 
rendered  gentle  by  the  obedience  now  newly  born,  and  about  to  place  on  its 
head  a  tender  crown.  It  was  heavenly  ordinance,  that  the  consonant  union  of 
holy  counsel  feared  not  to  obey  a  boy  king,  and  feared  more  to  serve  a  tyrant. 
1[  Sacred  union  matures  the  new  king  to  lofty  things  ;  utility,  and  piety,  and 
faith,  swear  together  to  concur  with  the  fates,  and   to    sign   them   all   with 


i 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  23 

Conjurant,  cunctos[que]  crucis  signare  sigillo; 
Constiterant  vexilla  crucis,  regemque  no  vellum 
Ambierant,  bajulosque  crucis  crux  alba  decorans 
Instabiles  statuit  fidei  fundamine  turnias. 

^  O  famosa  viri  legatio,  lima  beati 

Consilii,  sidus  recti,  speculum  rationis, 
Gala  dei  cultor,  curee  cristata  galero  ! 
Anglia  victrices  strinxit  divinitus  enses, 
In  commune  bonum  fundunt  castella  catervas 
Signiferas,  belloque  truces,  liostique  minaces. 

^  Tempus  erat  quo  terra  novo  pubescere  partu 
Coeperat,  et  teneras  in  crines  solverat  herbas, 
Vellera  pratorum  redolens  infantia  florum 
Pinxerat,  et,  renovas  crispans  coma  primula  silvas, 
Innumeras  avium  revocavit  ad  organa  linguas, 
Gallica  tum  rabies  aquilonis  adhseserat  Anglis, 
Conjurata  manus  medios  transire  per  Anglos, 
Londoniis  egressa  suis,  longasque  latebras 

the  seal  of  the  Cross  ;  they  had  raised  together  the  standard  of  the  Cross  and 
had  ranged  themselves  round  the  new  King,  and  the  white  cross  decorating 
the  bearers  of  the  Cross  fixed  the  unstable  troops  in  the  foundation  of  faith. 
^  O  famous  legation  of  a  man  !  file  of  blessed  council  !  star  of  right !  mirror 
of  reason  !  helmet  of  the  worship  of  God  !  crested  with  the  plume  of  care  ! 
England  hath  grasped  her  conquering  swords  by  impulse  of  God  ;  her  castles 
pour  forth  for  the  common  good  the  standard -bearing  troops,  fierce  in  war,  and 
threatening  the  enemy.  %  What  time  the  Earth  had  begun  to  bloom  with  new 
fruitfulness,  and  had  spread  out  her  fresh  grass  in  locks,  redolent  of  flowers 
had  painted  the  young  fleece  of  the  fields,  and,  whilst  the  new  verdure  curled 
the  renascent  woods,  recalled  innumerable  tongues  of  birds  to  the  song  ;  then 
the  Gallic  fury  had  resolved  to  join  the  English  of  the  north,  the  band  having 
conspired  to  pass  through  the  midst  of  the  English,  having  issued  from  their 
London,  the  army  of  Louis    deserted  the  long  shades,    and  the  proud  earls 


24  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Deseruit  Lodovica  cohors,  comitesque  superbos 
Concessa  pudet  ire  via,  Montique  Sorello 
Subsidium  ferale  ferunt,  nam  quo  magis  ilium 
Major  palma  colit,  graviorem  ferre  ruinam 
Prsecavet  ira  Dei ;  sed  cautior  inde  recessit 
Nobilitas  comitum,  fidei  flos,  regia  virtus, 
Cestrensis  clipeus,  donee  frendente  tumultu 
Transierat  rabies  notum  sviper  ardua  castrum, 
Trigintseque  latus,  longique  superbia  belli 
Fluxit  ad  obsessam  matronse  nobilis  arcem. 
^  Hue  ubi  fata  feras  fremitu  flexere  pbalangas, 

Fama  volat,  comitesque  vocat,  comitumque  sodales 
Cestrenses,  crescitque  seges  clipeata  virorum. 
Regia  signa  micant,  et  conjurata  sequuntur 
Agmina,  clara  fides  cum  denique  protrahit  ora, 
Candida  signa  crucis  juvenum  preestantia  pingunt 
Pectora,  consolidat  communis  corda  voluntas ; 
Vincendi  spes  una  fuit,  victoria  cunctas 
In  facies  preemissa  patet,  plausuque  secundo 

have  the  shame  of  going  the  way  that  is  open  to  them,  and  they  carry  fierce  aid 
to  Mountsorrel ;  for  as  a  greater  victory  attends  it,  so  has  the  anger  of  God 
ordained  that  it  should  not  undergo  a  greater  ruin.  But  with  more  caution 
retires  thence  the  nobility  of  earls,  the  flower  of  the  faith,  the  royal  strength,  the 
shield  of  Chester,  until  with  roaring  tumult  the  rage  of  the  others  had  passed  the 
famous  castle  on  the  heights  (Nottingham),  and  the  bank  of  Trent,  and  the  pride 
of  long  war  had  flown  to  the  besieged  citadel  of  the  noble  matron  (Lincoln). 
^  Hither  when  the  fates  have  turned  the  fierce  troops  with  a  murmuring  noise, 
Fame  flies,  and  calls  the  earls,  and  the  Cestrensian  companions  of  the  earls,  and 
the  shielded  harvest  of  men  increases.  The  royal  standards  glitter,  and  the  con- 
spiring bands  follow,  when  clear  faith  at  last  draws  out  their  faces,  the  bright  signs 
of  the  Cross  paint  the  excelling  breasts  of  the  youth,  a  common  vdll  strengthens 
their  hearts  ;  there  was  one  sole  hope  of  conquering  ;  victory  was  already 
stamped  on  all  their  faces  ;  and  with  a  shout,  ominous  of  good,  they  put  forth  their 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  25 

Permittunt  socias  in  consona  prselia  dextras. 

%  Instabat  sabbatum  quo  festa  peracta  superni 
Flaminis,  et  trinum  celebrat  deitatis  honorem 
Vespera  ;   sol  prima  lambebat  lampade  terras, 
Cum  tuba  terribili  dederat  prseludia  cantu  ; 
Bella  movent  ferrata  duces,  tot  signa  videres 
Nutantes  tremulo  galeas  superare  volatu, 
Tot  clipeos  vario  mutantes  signa  colore. 
Fulsit  in  armatas  Solaris  gratia  turmas, 
Febricitabat  iners,  validabant  corda  feroces. 
Venit  ut  attonitam  constantia  Martis  ad  urbem, 
Terribili  juvenes  muros  cinxere  corona^ 
Rimanturque  novos  aditus  ;  nee  protinus  urbem 
Invasere  duces ;  legatio  mittitur  intus 
Sacrilegos  revocare  viros  ad  foedera  pacis. 
Nee  placuit  pax  uUa  feris,  convitia  fundunt, 
Legatos  spernunt,  adduntque  minacia  verba. 

^f  Irrita  legati  postquam  mandata  reportant, 

associated  hands  to  the  accordant  battle.  ^  The  sabbath  was  at  hand  in  which 
the  festival  of  the  high  God  is  performed,  and  the  eve  celebrates  the  triune 
honour  of  the  deity  ;  the  sun  was  touching  the  earth  with  his  first  light,  when 
the  trumpet  with  its  terrible  song  had  given  the  flourish  ;  the  leaders  move  iron 
war ;  many  were  the  standards  you  might  see  with  tremulous  flight  above  the 
nodding  helms,  many  the  shields  changing  their  ensigns  with  various  colours. 
The  beauty  of  the  sun  shone  [upon  the  armed  troops  ;  the  coward  became 
feverish  ;  the  brave  strengthened  their  hearts.  When  the  constancy  of  war 
came  to  the  astonished  town,  the  youth  encircled  the  walls  with  a  fearful 
wreath,  and  seek  new  approaches ;  nor  do  the  leaders  immediately  attack  the 
city  ;  a  legation  is  sent  in  to  summon  the  sacrilegious  men  to  the  league  of 
peace.  Yet  no  peace  satisfied  these  fierce  men  ;  they  utter  insults,  despise  the 
messengers,  and  add  threatening  words.     %  When  the  messengers  bring  back 

CAMD.  SOC.  G.  E 


26  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Maffnanimos  monet  ire  duces ;  turn  bellicus  horror 
Infremuit,  tonuere  tubae,  mugitus  in  auras 
Horridus  insurgit,  et,  constrepitante  tumultu, 
Mirari  poterant  terrena  tonitrua  nubes. 
Transiliunt  fossas,  transcendunt  moenia,  portas 
Confringuntj  aditus  rampunt,  et  prselia  miscent. 
Et  gladiis  fecere  viam  ;  confusio  digna 
Sacrileges  sternit,  fundunt  examina  Christi 
Ferrigeras  Mavortis  apes,  stimulisque  timendis 
Hostiles  penetrant  tunicas,  squamosaque  ferri 
Texta  secant,  Saulosque  trahunt  ad  vincula  Pauli, 
Reddidit  et  lepores  conversio  sacra  leones. 
^  Hie  Moyses  in  Monte  stetit,  Josue  stationem 
Fixerat  hie  sohs,  magnum  premit  inde  GoUam 
Funda  lapisque  David  ;  vidit  venerabile  mirum 
Lincolniensis  honor,  vidit  maris  ira  trophseum 
Imperiale  Dei,  vidit  quadrangula  pestis 
In  se  victrici  vexilla  resurgere  palma. 
Vidit,  et  obstupuit,  sensitque  superbia  belH 


the  angry  message,  the  leaders  order  their  bold  followers  to  the  attack  ;  then 
the  horror  of  war  roared,  the  trumpets  thundered,  a  fearful  noise  rose  into  the 
air,  and  in  the  resounding  tumult  the  clouds  might  wonder  at  earthly  thunders. 
They  leap  over  the  fosses,  mount  over  the  walls,  break  the  gates,  force  the 
passages,  and  join  battle.  And  they  made  way  with  their  swords  ;  a  merited 
confusion  strikes  the  sacrilegious  men  ;  the  hives  of  Christ  send  forth  the  iron- 
girt  bees  of  war,  and  with  fearful  stings  they  penetrate  the  hostile  shirts,  and 
cut  the  scaly  textures  of  iron,  and  draw  Sauls  to  the  chains  of  Paul,  and  the 
holy  conversion  turned  hares  into  lions.  ^  Here  stood  Moses  in  the  Mount ; 
here  Josua  had  fixed  the  station  of  the  sun  ;  there  the  sling  and  stone  of  David 
overcome  the  great  Golias  ;  the  honour  of  Lincoln  sees  the  venerable  wonder  ; 
the  rage  of  the  sea  sees  the  imperial  trophy  of  God  ;  the  four -fold  plague  sees 
the   standards   rise  again  against  it  with   conquering  palm      It  saw,  and  was 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  2^ 

Pro  puero  piignare  Deum ;  nee  sponte  quie"\at, 
Sed  crepuit,  pacisque  pedes  in  colla  recepit. 
%  O  famosa  dies,  nostrum  veneranda  per  8evl^m  ! 
Bellica  qua  rabies  latuit,  qua  pacifer  ensis 
Pestiferas  domuit  partes,  qua  gratia  Christ! 
Dedecus  extersit  natum,  fideique  lavacro 
Proluit  inscriptum  versa  de  fronte  pudorem. 

Expliciunt  versus  de  Guerra  regis  Johannis. 

astonished  ;  and  the  pride  of  war  felt  that  God  fought  for  the  boy  ;  nor  was  it 
quiet  by  its  own  will,  but  it  burst,  and  received  the  feet  of  peace  on  its  neck. 
^  O  famous  day,  to  be  venerated  through  our  age !  in  which  the  rage  of 
war  hid  itself, — in  which  the  peace-bringing  sword  subdued  our  pestiferous 
divisions, — in  which  the  grace  of  Christ  washed  out  the  dishonour  that  had 
been  brought  forth,  and,  with  the  font  of  faith,  cleansed  from  the  averted  brow 
the  disgrace  which  had  been  inscribed  on  it. 


All  authorities  agree  in  describing  the  great  pride  and 
avarice  and  luxury  of  the  nobles  in  general,  but  particularly 
of  the  Romish  prelates,  at  the  beginning  of  the  thirteenth 
century.  The  following  song  is  a  fair  specimen  of  the  un- 
sparing satire  which  was  universally  directed  against  them  by 
tlieir  contemporaries. 

SONG    ON    THE    CORRUPTIONS    OF    THE    TIME. 
[MS.  Harl.  No.  978.  fol.  105,  v°.  reign  of  Hen.  III.] 

Contra  avaros. 
QuAM  sit  lata  scelerum  et  quam  longa  tela 
Sub  qua  latent  pectora  vitiis  anhela^ 

Translation.—  How  wide  and  how  long  is  the  web  of  crimes  with 
which   our   breasts,    choked    with    vices,    are    enveloped,    tell,    and    reveal, 


28  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Musa  vultu  lugubri  refer  et  revela. 

Si  curas  cor  spectantis  tetigisse  querela. 

Pensant  vota  miseree  gentis  et  prophanse 
Non  virtutis  pretium,  set  lini  vel  lanse  ; 
Vespere  quod  agitur  est  infectum  mane, 
O  curas  hominum,  o  quantum  est  [in]  rebus  inane ! 

Est  ad  jura  quilibet  oculus  obtusus ; 
Omnis  ad  injurias  animus  difFusus  ; 
Ad  fortunoe  prodeunt  aleas  et  usus 
Mille  hominum  spes  et  rerum  discolor  usus. 

Cum  Sabinse  conferant  saltum  meretrici, 
Pauperizent  Arabes  sub  toga  mendici, 
Suo  neget  Tydeus  fidem  Polynici, 
Spectatum  admissi,  risum  teneatis,  amici  ? 

Singulos  per  singula  si  nosse  labores, 
Qui  cultores  otii,  qui  doli  structores. 
Qui  ministri  Mammonae,  qui  Dei  spretores, 
^tatis  cujusque  notandi  sunt  mores. 

O  muse,  with  a  mournful  countenance,  if  you  care  to  touch  the  heart  of  the 
spectator  with  your  lament. — The  wretched  and  profane  people  seem  to  form 
their  wishes  in  consideration,  not  of  the  price  of  virtue,  but  of  flax  or  wool  : 
■what  is  done  in  the  evening  is  unwrought  in  the  morning.  O  cares  of  men  1 
O  how  much  emptiness  there  is  in  things  1 — Every  eye  is  blind  to  justice ; 
every  mind  is  large  to  injustice  ;  a  thousand  hopes  of  men  and  the  differing 
aspects  of  things  depend  on  the  dice  and  uses  of  fortune. — When  chaste  maidens 
join  in  dance  with  the  strumpet,  when  the  Arabs  play  the  pauper  under  the 
robe  of  a  beggar,  when  Tydeus  denies  his  faith  to  his  Polynices,  then,  if  you  are 
admitted  to  the  spectacle,  my  friends,  can  you  restrain  your  laughter? — If  you 
are  anxious  to  know  all  men  by  their  several  failings,  who  practise  sloth,  who 
are  the  plotters  of  treason,  who  the  servants  of  Mammon,  who  the  despisers  of 
God,  we  must  observe  the  manners  of  every  age  of  life. — The  boy,  as  he  learns 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  29 

Puer  pede  certior,  odit  fores,  foras 
Fugit,  minus  minimis  colit  res,  honoras, 
Et  iram  post  gaudia,  breves  rnmpens  moras, 
Colligit  et  ponit,  temere  mutatur  in  horas. 

A  custode  juvenis  evolat  et  seris, 
Gaudet  equis,  canibus,  aleis,  et  meris, 
Venator  libidinis,  auceps  mulieris, 
Utilium  tardus  provisor,  prodigus  seris. 

Vir  ut  preesit  civibus,  imperet  preetori, 
Ut  extendat  prsedia  fune  longiori, 
Et  impregnet  scrinia  censu  pleniori ; 
Quserit  opes  et  amicitias,  inservit  honori. 

Multa  circumveniunt  senem  casus  duri, 
Vel  quod  eget,  abstinens,  census  perituri, 
Vel  quod  tractat  gelide  res,  vit  prosint  furi, 
Dilator,  spe  longus,  iners,  avidusque  futuri. 

Sic  aetates  variat  temporum  respectus. 
Transit  eetas  tenera  cordis  in  afFectus, 
Vir  in  alta,  sed  ei  quem  torquet  senectus, 
Fervet  avaritia  miseraque  cupidine  pectus, 

the  use  of  feet,  hates  the  doors,  flies  abroad ;  he  respects  things  and  honours 
less  than  the  least ;  anger  and  joy  succeed  each  other  with  short  intervals,  for 
his  changes  are  sudden. — The  youth  flies  from  his  tutor  and  confinement ;  he 
delights  in  horses,  dogs,  dice,  and  wine,  a  hunter  of  his  pleasures,  whose  oc- 
cupation is  with  women,  a  slow  provider  of  useful  things,  prodigal  of  money. — 
When  arrived  at  manhood,  that  he  may  rule  the  citizens  and  dictate  to  the 
prsetor,  that  he  may  extend  his  possessions  with  a  longer  cable,  and  fill  his 
bags  with  greater  treasure,  he  seeks  riches  and  friendships,  and  is  a  slave  to 
honours. — Many  serious  troubles  surround  the  old  man,  either  that,  from 
stinginess,  he  spares  his  perishing  wealth,  or  that  he  handles  his  riches  with 
fear,  lest  they  should  fall  to  the  thief;  he  is  one  who  delays  long,  depending 
on  hope,  inactive,  and  greedy  of  the  future. — Thus  difference  of  time  causes 
variety  of  ages  ;  the  tender  age  is  occupied  on  the  affections  of  the  heart,  the 
man  on  lofty  things,  but  he  whom  old  age  bends,  his  breast  glows  with  avarice  and 


30  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Omnis  ad  hoc  hominum  animus  senescit, 
Qui  dum  quserit  extra  se  res,  quaerens  se  nescit, 
Non  rebus  crescentibus  ambitus  quiescit ; 
Crescit  amor  nummi  quantum  ipsa  pecunia  crescit. 

Sed  hoc  uno  veniam  vitium  meretur, 
Quod  cum  rerum  dominis  semper  dominetur  ; 
Tanto  mens  conspectius  qua?  nil  reveretur 
Crimen  habet,  quanto  qui  peccat  major  habetur. 

Roma,  turpitudinis  jacens  in  profundis, 
Virtutes  prseposterat  opibus  inmundis, 
Vacillantis  animi  fluctuans  sub  undis, 
Diruit,  sedificat,  mutat  quadrata  rotundis. 

Vultus  blandos  asperat,  quibus  nunc  arrisit ; 
Sinu  fovet  placido  quos  prius  ehsit ; 
Dum  monetam  recipit,  tractat,  et  revisit ; 
Quod  petiit,  spernit,  repetit  quod  nuper  omisit. 

Si  non  recte  percipit  quocumque  modo  rem, 
Et  quern  primo  didicit  non  obhta  morem, 

miserable  cupidity. — In  this  respect  tlie  whole  mind  of  men  grows  old,  which, 
while  it  seeks  things  external,  is  ignorant  of  itself  in  the  pursuit ;  ambition  is 
not  quieted  by  success  :  the  love  of  money  increases  as  fast  as  the  money  itself 
increases. — But  in  this  point  alone  may  vice  claim  some  credit,  that  it  is  always 
prevalent  among  the  great ;  yet  that  disposition  which  respects  no  control  is  the 
more  conspicuously  criminal,  in  proportion  as  the  sinner  occupies  a  higher  sta- 
tion.— Rome,  lying  in  the  depths  of  turpitude,  ranks  virtues  beneath  filthy  lucre  ; 
fluctuating  under  the  waves  of  a  vacillating  mind,  she  overthrows,  builds,  and 
changes  square  things  for  round. — She  despises  the  bland  countenances  at  which 
but  now  she  smiled  ;  she  cherishes  in  her  placid  breast  those  whom  before  she 
rolled  down  ;  while  she  receives  money,  she  treats  and  revises  :  what  she  sought 
she  despises,  and  seeks  again  what  lately  she  let  go. — If  she  does  not  perceive 
rightly  a  thing  in  any  manner  whatever,  and  has  not  forgotten  the  custom  which 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  31 

Morem  testae  redolet,  quae  diutiorem 

Quo  semel  est  inbuta  recens  servabit  odorem. 

Coram  cardinalibus,  coram  patriarcha. 
Libra  libros,  reos  res,  Marcum  vincit  marca, 
Tantumque  dat  gratise  lex  non  parco  parca, 
Quantum  quisque  sua  nummorum  servat  in  area. 

Si  stateram  judicum  quseris,  queeras  aere, 
Cum  ab  aere  pendeat  gratia  staterae ; 
Non  queeras  inducias,  sed  quod  quaerunt  quaere, 
Unde  habeas  quaerit  nemo,  sed  oportet  habere. 

Commissus  notario  munera  sufFunde  ; 
Statim  causae  subtrahet,  quando,  cur,  et  unde, 
Et  formae  subjiciet  canones  rotundae, 
Quern  res  plus  nimio  delectavere  secundae. 

Roma  cunctos  erudit  ut  ad  opus  transvolent. 
Plus  quam  Deo  Mammonae  cor  et  manus  inmolent. 
Sic  nimirum  palmites  mala  stirpe  redolent, 
Cui  caput  infirmum  cetera  membra  dolent. 

she  first  learnt,  she  smells  of  the  custom  of  the  cask,  which  will  keep  very 
long  the  odour  with  which  it  was  once  endued  while  fresh. — Before  the  car- 
dinals and  before  the  patriarcli,  a  pound  overcomes  the  Bible,  money  the  ac- 
cused, and  a  marc  Mark,  the  law  sparing  to  him  who  is  not  sparing,  gives  only 
as  much  grace  as  each  has  money  in  his  purse. — If  you  seek  the  balance  of 
the  judges,  you  should  seek  it  with  copper,  since  the  favour  of  the  balance 
hangs  from  copper  ;  you  should  not  ask  respite,  but  ask  what  they  ask  ; 
whence  you  obtain  it  nobody  will  inquire,  but  you  needs  must  have  it. — When 
you  are  turned  over  to  the  notary,  pour  out  your  bribes  ;  he  will  at  once  ex- 
tricate you  from  your  cause,  when,  why,  or  whence  it  may  arise,  and  will 
subject  the  canons  to  the  form  that  is  round  (i.  e.  the  coin),  whom  prosperity 
delights  not  a  little. — Rome  teaches  all  that  they  should  fly  over  to  expediency, 
that  they  should  oifer  heart  and  hand  to  Mammon  rather  than  to  God ;  thus  it 
happens  that  the  branches  smell  of  a  bad  root ;  where  the  head  is  infirm,  the  other 


32  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Calcant  archiprsesules  coUa  cleri  prona, 
Et  extorquent  lacrimas  ut  emungant  dona  ; 
Nee,  si  ferunt  miseri  pauca,  vel  non  bona, 
^quis  accipient  animis,  donantve  corona. 

Si  de  contumelia  cseperit  quis  conqueri, 
Statim  causaj  porrigunt  aurem,  manum  muneri ; 
Si  semel  acceperint  rem  pluralis  numeri, 
Cras  poterunt  fieri  turpia  sicut  heri. 

Diligit  episcopus  hilarem  datorem. 
Fas  et  nefas  ausus  post  muneris  odorem, 
Nescius  resumere,  post  lapsum  pudorem, 
Ejectum  semel  attrita  de  fronte  ruborem. 

Nee  archidiacono  minor  turpitude, 
Quem  semel  arripuit  serio  vel  ludo 
Tenet,  nee  misertus  est  inopi  vel  nudo; 
Non  missura  cutem  nisi  plena  cruoris  hirudo. 

Decanus  insidias  natus  ad  seternas, 
Ut  exploret  symbolum  et  res  subalternas, 

members  are  in  pain. — The  archbishops  tread  under  foot  the  necks  of  the 
clergy,  and  extort  tears  in  order  that  they  may  be  dried  by  gifts  ;  nor,  if  the 
poor  wretches  bring  few  or  not  good  ones,  do  they  take  them  in  good  part,  or 
acknowledge  them  with  favour. — If  any  one  begins  to  complain  of  an  injury, 
they  immediately  stretch  their  ear  to  the  cause,  their  hand  to  the  gift ;  if 
they  once  receive  a  thing  of  the  plural  number,  to-morrow  the  same  basenesses 
may  be  done  as  yesterday. — The  bishop  loves  a  cheerful  giver,  and  dares  either 
right  or  wrong  after  the  smell  of  a  bribe,  unable  to  resume,  after  he  has 
thrown  shame  aside,  the  blush  once  rejected  from  his  worn  brow. — Nor  is  there 
less  baseness  in  the  archdeacon  ;  whom  he  has  once  taken  up,  whether  in 
earnest  or  in  joke,  he  holds  ;  nor  has  be  mercy  for  the  needy  or  the  naked ; 
the  leech  which  will  not  let  go  the  skin  till  he  is  filled  with  blood. — The  dean, 
born  to  everlasting  wiles,  that  he  may  explore  the  creed  (symbolum)  and  the 
things  which   succeed,  changing  the  tune  of  his  tongue  and  yesterday's  gar- 


I 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  33' 

Mutans  linguae  modulum  et  vestes  hesternas, 
Migrat  in  obscuras  humili  sermone  tabernas. 

Presbiter  quee  mortui  quae  dant  vivi,  quaeque 
Refert  ad  focariam,  cui  dat  sua  seque ; 
Ille  sacri  nominis,  ille  mentis  cequee, 
Legem  qui  Domini  meditatur  nocte  dieque. 

Fulti  verbis  laici  cleri  delinquentis, 
Non  tam  verbis  inhiant  quam  famae  docentis  : 
Nee  sensus  sic  flectere  minis  aut  tormentis 
Humanos  edicta  valent,  quam  vita  regentis. 

Regna  movent  principes  statusque  lascivi, 
Ut  ducant  exercitus,  poenam  donativi 
Infligentes  rustico  miseroque  civi ; 
Quicquid  delirant  reges  plectuntur  Achivi. 

Qui  regni  vel  curiae  curis  accinguntur, 
Dum  arrident  detrahunt,  et  dum  blandiuntur 
Jacturam  vel  dedecus  semper  moliuntur ; 
Nulla  fides  pietasve  viris  qui  castra  sequuntur. 

Si  te  civis  percipit,  demoUit  ut  urat. 
Si  dena  contuleris  mutuum  futurat, 

ments,  migrates  with  humble  speech  to  the  obscure  taverns. — The  priest,  what- 
ever either  the  dead  or  the  living  give,  carries  all  to  his  fireside-woman,  to 
whom  he  gives  himself  and  what  he  has ;  he  of  the  holy  name  and  the  equal 
mind,  who  meditates  the  law  of  the  Lord  by  day  and  by  night. — The  laymen 
resting  on  the  words  of  the  clergy  who  depart  from  them,  pay  less  attention  to 
the  words  than  to  the  character  of  the  teacher  :  nor  can  laws  subdue  the  senses 
of  men  by  threats  and  torments,  so  much  as  the  example  of  the  ruler. — The 
luxurious  princes  stir  kingdoms  and  states,  that  they  may  lead  armies,  inflicting 
the  punishment  of  a  tax  on  the  rustic  and  the  miserable  citizen ;  for  when- 
ever the  kings  run  wild,  the  Greeks  pay  the  piper. — They  who  are  occupied 
with  the  cares  of  the  kingdom  or  of  the  court,  detract  while  they  smile,  and 
when  they  flatter  they  are  plotting  damage  or  disgrace  ;  there  is  neither  faith 
nor  honesty  in  those  who  follow  camps. — If  a  citizen  perceive  you,  he  caresses 
CAMD.  see.  6.  F 


34  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Te  de  tuo  submovet,  percipe,  dum  durat ; 
Pone  merum  et  talos  pereat,  qui  crastina  curat. 

Si  quis  ad  forensium  domos  devolutus 
Censum  palam  deferat,  et  minus  astutus. 
Nam  cum  Cubans  dormiet  fessus  et  imbutus, 
Vivitur   ex  rapto,  non  hospes  ab  hospite  tutus. 

Sic  raptus,  insidiee,  dolus,  et  simultas 
Reddunt  gentes  devias,  miseras,  et  stultas ; 
Sic  inescant  omnium  mentes  inconsultas 
Ambitus,  et  luxus,  et  opum  metuenda  facultas. 

Sed  quid  confert  miseris  luxus  aut  potestas 
Qui  spretis  virtutibus  colunt  res  funestas, 
Aurum,  gemmas,  purpuram,  et  opes  congestas  ? 
Cum  labor  in  dampno  est,  crescit  mortalis  egestas. 

Quid  ad  rem,  de  purpura,  gemmis,  auro,  rure  ? 
Assunt  cum  divitiis  odia,  jacturee, 
Placita,  jejunia,  metus,  et  de  jure 
Insompnes  longo  veniunt  ex  agmine  curae. 

Regnat  pauper  tutius  quam  rerum  collator, 
Qui,  dum  rapit  domini  gratiam  delator, 

that  he  may  burn  you  ;  if  you  lay  down  ten,  he  puts  the  payment  of  his  stake  to 
another  time  ;  he  cheats  you  out  of  your  own  ;  look  to  it,  while  it  lasts  ;  he  may 
perish  behind  the  wine  and  the  dice,  who  leaves  care  till  to-morrow. — If  any 
one  going  to  the  houses  of  the  lawyers,  carries  his  money  openly,  he  also  is  a 
simpleton  ;  for  when  he  sleeps  in  his  bed  weary  and  full,  people  live  by  rapine, 
the  guest  is  not  safe  from  his  host. — Thus  rapine,  snares,  treachery,  and  strife, 
lead  people  into  error,  misery,  and  folly ;  thus  ambition  and  luxury,  and  the 
revered  possession  of  riches,  allure  the  foolish  minds  of  all  men. — But  what 
availeth  luxury  and  power  to  those  miserable  people  who,  despising  virtues, 
esteem  only  things  that  produce  evil,  such  as  gold,  gems,  and  heaps  of  wealth  ? 
when  our  labour  is  expended  on  what  is  injurious  to  us,  the  misery  of  mortals 
is  on  the  increase. — What  avails  it  to  talk  of  purple,  gems,  gold,  land  ?  With 
riches  we  have  feuds,  losses,  pleas,  fastings,  fears,  and  justly  sleepless  cares 
come  in  a  long  train. — The  poor  man  reigns  more  safely  than  he  that  amasses 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  35 

Vel  onustum  spoliat  prudens  spoliator; 
Cantabit  vacuus  coram  latrone  viator. 

Saepe  \avunt  gratius  rebus  destituti, 
Sub  exili  tegete  lateris  aut  luti, 
Quam  in  regum  domibus  moUibus  induti ; 
Serviet  83ternum  qui  parvo  nesciet  uti. 

Sed  si  queeris  copiam  veree  facultatis, 
Rejice  superflua,  cole  quod  est  satis, 
Exue  divitias,  nudus  cede  fatis  ; 
Tolle  moram,  nocuit  semper  difFerre  paratis. 

Si  dum  iter  arripis  ad  utiKora, 
Spem  metus  dissuadeat,  vel  successus  mora, 
Animum  ne  revoces,  nee  reflectas  lora, 
Grata  superv^eniet  quae  non  sperabitur  bora. 

Thesaurizes  illud  quo  non  potes  abuti, 
Curam  gerens  inopis,  ceeci,  claudi,  muti ; 
Animee,  non  animo  servias  vel  cuti, 
Pauca  voluptati  debentur,  plura  saluti. 

Nemo  regis  solio  tutus,  vel  asylo, 
Cum  nee  lingua  nequeat  exprimi  vel  stilo 

wealth,  who,  while  the  informer  deprives  the  lord  of  his  favour,  or  the  lurking 
spoiler  spoils  him  who  is  laden,  he,  an  empty  traveller,  will  sing  before  the 
thief. — They  who  are  destitute  often  live  more  pleasantly  under  a  slight  hut  of 
brick  or  mud,  than  those  who  are  delicately  clothed  in  the  palaces  of  kings  ;  he 
will  be  ever  a  slave  who  knows  not  how  to  use  moderation. — But  if  you  seek 
abundance  of  true  property,  reject  superfluity,  seek  what  is  enough,  strip 
yourself  of  riches,  and  die  naked;  delay  not  this,  for  those  who  are  prepared 
are  ever  injured  by  delay. — If  while  you  are  on  your  road  to  what  is  more 
useful,  fear  dissuade  hope,  or  delay  endanger  success;  change  not  your  mind, 
nor  slacken  your  reins;  the  grateful  hour  will  arrive  when  least  expected. — 
Treasure  up  that  which  you  cannot  abuse,  having  a  care  of  the  needy,  the  blind, 
the  lame,  and  the  dumb  ;  serve  your  soul,  and  not  your  mind  or  your  skin  ;  you 
owe  little  to  pleasure,  but  more  to  your  salvation. — No  one  is  safe  on  a  king's 
throne,  or  in  a  sanctuary,  since  it  can  be  expressed  neither  by  tongue  nor  pen 


36  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Quam  sub  fate  pendulo  vicinoque  pile, 
Omina  sunt  hominum  tenui  peudentia  filo. 

Prospere  dum  navigas  a^quoris  extremum, 
Pensa  non  prcEsentia,  sed  futura  demunij 
Et  puppim  considerans,  non  proram  vel  remum, 
Omnem  crede  diem  tibi  diluxisse  supremum. 

by  how  slender  a  thread  the  destmies  of  men  hang  under  the  imminent  approach 
of  death. — While  you  navigate  prosperously  the  far  side  of  the  sea,  weigh  not 
the  present  but  the  future,  and  considering  the  poop  more  than  the  prow  or  the 
oar,  act  as  though  you  thought  every  day  your  last. 


The  foreign  policy  of  Henry  III.  was  even  less  manly 
than  that  of  his  father.  Among  the  many  songs  of  the  Nor- 
mans and  Poitevins,  reclaiming  the  assistance  of  their  ancient 
sovereign,  we  may  give  as  an  example  the  Sirvente  of  Bernard 
de  Rovenac,  addressed  to  Henry  and  his  contemporary  James  I. 
King  of  Aragon,  from  whom  Louis  IX.  had  taken  Languedoc 
to  give  it  as  a  portion  to  his  brother  Alphonsus.  There  is 
internal  evidence  that  it  was  written  about  1229,  the  year  in 
which  Henry  III,  made  his  ill-conducted  expedition  into 
Brittany. 

A    SIRVENTE    AGAINST    KING    HENRY. 

[Raynouard,  Choix,  torn.  iv.  p.  203.] 

J  A  no  vuelh  do  ni  esmenda 

Ni  grat  retener 

Dels  ricx  ab  lur  falz  saber, 
Qu'en  cor  ay  que  los  reprenda 

Translation. — I  wish  neither  for  the  gifts  and  favours — nor  to  obtain  the 
good- will — of  the  rich,  with  their  false  wisdom  ;— but  I  have  in  my  heart  the 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  3/ 

Dels  vils  fatz  raal  yssernitz  ; 

E  no  vuelh  sia  grazitz 
Mos  sirventes  entr'  els  flacx  nualhos, 
Paupres  de  cor  et  d'  aver  poderos. 

Rey  Engles  prec  que  entenda, 

Quar  fa  dechazar 

Son  pauc  pretz  per  trop  temer, 
Quar  no'l  play  qu'  els  sieus  defenda, 

Qu'ans  es  tan  flacx  e  marritz 

Que  par  sia  adurmitz, 
Qu'el  reys  frances  li  tolh  en  plas  perdos 
Tors  et  Angieus  e  Normans  e  Bretos. 

Rey  d'Arago,  ses  contenda, 

Deu  ben  nom  aver 

JacmCj  quar  trop  vol  jazer ; 
E  qui  que  sa  terra  s  prenda. 

El  es  tan  flacx  e  cliausitz 

Que  sol  res  no  y  contraditz ; 
E  car  ven  lay  als  Sarrazis  fellos 
L'anta  e'l  dan  que  pren  say  vas  Eymos. 

intention  to  reproach  them — with  their  vile  deeds  ill-conceived ; — and  I  don't 
wish  to  be  agreable — my  Sirventes  among  the  cowardly  idlers, — poor  in  heart 
and  heavy  in  riches. 

The  English  King,  I  pray  him  to  hear  it, — for  he  causes  to  fall — his  little 
glory  by  too  much  timidity, — for  it  does  not  please  him  to  defend  his  own  people, 
— and  thus  he  is  so  cowardly  and  so  vile, — that  he  seems  to  be  asleep, — while 
the  French  King  takes  from  him  with  impunity — Tours,  and  Anglers,  and  Nor- 
mans, and  Bretons. 

The  King  of  Aragon,  without  any  doubt, — ought  really  to  have  the  name — 
of  James  ;  for  he  is  too  willing  to  lie  down  ; — and  whoever  it  be  that  takes  his 
land, — he  is  so  cowardly  and  caitiff, — that  he  does  not  even  contradict  it ; — and 
he  revenges  on  that  side  against  the  felon  Saracens — —the  shame  and  damage 
which  he  receives  on  this  side  towards  Limoux. 


38  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Ja  tro  son  payre  car  venda 

No  pot  trop  valer, 

Ni  s  cug  qu'  ieu  li  diga  plazer, 
Tro  foe  n'abraz  e  n'essenda 

E  n'  sian  grans  colps  feritz ; 

Pueys  er  de  bon  pretz  complitz, 
S^al  rey  frances  merma  sos  tenezos, 
Quar  el  sieu  fieu  vol  heretar  n  Anfos. 

Corns  de  Toloza,  la  renda 

Que  soletz  tener 

De  Belcaire  us  deu  dolar, 
S'al  deman  faitz  lonj'  atenda 

Vos  e  ^1  reys  que  us  es  plevitz ; 

L^enprendemen  n'er  aunitz, 
S'ar  no  vezem  tendas  e  pabalhos, 
E  murs  fondre,  e  cazer  autas  tors. 

Ricx  homes,  mal  yssernitz, 

En  vey  horn  vostres  malz  ditz, 
E  laissera  us,  s'ie  us  vis  arditz  ni  pros, 
Mas  no  us  tem  tan  que  ja  m^en  lays  per  vos. 

Until  he  have  revenged  his  father, — he  cannot  have  much  esteem, — nor  let  him 
imagine  that  I  will  speak  to  please  him, — unless  he  ravage  and  put  in  flames, — 
and  unless  great  blows  be  struck. — For  there  will  have  been  accomplished  great 
honour, — if  he  narrows  the  domains  of  the  French  King, — for  Don  Alfonse 
desires  to  inherit  his  fief. 

Earl  of  Toulouse,  the  rent — which  you  used  to  hold — from  Beaucaire,  you 
ought  to  regret, — if  you  make  long  delay  to  demand  it, — you,  and  that  King, 
because  you  are  in  league  ; — that  undertaking  will  not  be  disgraced, — if  we  now 
see  tents  and  pavilions, — and  walls  fall  and  high  towers  break. 

Rich  men,  ill-advised, — one  sees  your  evil  sayings, — I  would  let  you  alone, 
if  I  saw  you  hardy  and  courageous, — but  I  do  not  fear  you  so  much  as  to  leave 
it  on  your  account. 


M 


REIGN    OP    KING    HENRY    III.  39 

The  following  Sirvente,  by  the  same  author,  is  also  directed 
against  Henry  and  James,  and  was  written  about  the  year  1250. 
It  repeats  the  same  articles  of  accusation,  and  its  object  was  to 
persuade  those  kings  to  invade  the  dominions  of  Louis,  while 
he  was  himself  absent  on  his  crusade. 

A    SIRVENTE    AGAINST    KING    HENRY. 
[Raynouard,  torn.  iv.  p.  205.] 

D'uN  sirventes  m'es  grans  volontatz  preza, 
Ricx  homes  flacx,  e  non  sai  que  us  disses, 

Quar  ja  lauzor  no  y  auria  ben  meza, 
Ni  us  aus  blasnaar,  e  val  pauc  sirventes 

Que  laza  quan  blasmar  deuria ; 

Pero  si  tot  vos  par  follia, 
A  me  platz  mais  que  us  blasme  dizen  ver. 
Que  si  menten  vos  dizia  plazer. 

Amdos  los  reys  an  una  cauz'  empressa, 
Selh  d'Arago  et  aisselh  dels  Engles, 

Que  no  sia  per  elhs  terra  defeza 
Ni  fasson  mal  ad  home  qu'el  lur  fes, 

E  fan  merces  e  cortezia, 

Translation. — I  am  seized  by  a  great  desire  of  writing  a  sirvente, — O  rich 
yet  cowardly  men  1  and  I  know  not  what  I  shall  say  to  you, — for  there  will  be 
little  room  for  praise  ; — nor  dare  I  blame  you,  and  a  sirvente  is  worth  little — 
which  praises  when  it  ought  to  blame  : — but  though  it  may  seem  all  folly  to 
you, — yet  it  pleases  me  more  to  blame  you  by  telling  the  truth, — than  if  I 
spoke  falsehood  to  please  you. 

Both  the  kings  have  resolved  on  one  thing, — he  of  Aragon  and  he  of  the 
English, — that  by  them  the  land  shall  not  be  defended,—  and  that  they  will  do 
ill  to  no  one  who  does  ill  to  them ; — they  are  merciful  and  courteous  ; — for  they 


40  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Quar  al  rey  que  conquer  Suria 
Laisson  en  patz  lur  fieus  del  tot  tener ; 
Nostre  Senher  lur  en  deu  grat  saber. 

Vergonha  m  pren,  quant  una  gens  conqueza 
Nos  ten  aissi  totz  vencutz  e  conques, 

E  degr'  esser  aitals  vergonha  prezza, 
Quom  a  me  pren,  al  rey  Aragones 

E  al  rey  que  pert  Normandia, 

Mas  prez  an  aital  companhia 
Que  ja  nulh  temps  no  fasson  lur  dever, 
Et  anc  non  vitz  autre  tan  ben  tener. 

E  pus  no  pren  en  la  leuda  torneza 
Qu'a  Monpeslier  li  tollon  siey  borzes, 

Ni  no  y  s  venja  de  I'anta  que  y  a  preza, 
Ja  no  ^Ih  sia  mais  retragz  Carcasses, 

Pos  als  sieus  eys  no  s  defendria, 

Assatz  fa  sol  qu'en  patz  estia ; 
Patz  non  a  ges  senlier  ab  gran  poder, 
Quan  sas  antas  torna  a  non  chaler. 

let  the  King  who  is  conquering  Syria — retain  their  fiefs  altogether  in  peace ; — 
our  Lord  ought  to  be  very  thankful  to  them  for  it. 

Shame  seizes  on  me,  when  a  vanquished  people — holds  us  thus  all  subdued 
and  conquered, — and  such  shame  ought  to  seize — the  King  of  Aragon,  as 
seizes  me, — and  the  King  who  loses  Normandy, — but  they  take  such  company — 
that  now  they  never  perform  their  duty, — and  I  never  saw  another  hold  so 
well. 

And  afterwards  he  does  not  receive  the  tax, — which  at  Montpellier  his 
burgesses  take  from  him, — neither  does  he  revenge  himself  of  the  disgrace  he 
received  there, — now  Carcasson  may  no  more  be  recovered  by  him  ; — for  he 
would  not  defend  his  own  eyes, — his  only  endeavour  is  that  he  may  be  in 
peace  ; — a  noble  lord  with  great  power  has  no  peace, — when  he  turns  his  ways 
to  nonchalance. 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  41 

Ges  trop  lauzar,  quan  valors  es  mal  meza, 
Non  apel  patz,  quar  mala  guerra  es ; 

Ni  ja  per  me  non  er  per  patz  enteza, 
Mielhs  deuria  aver  nom  gauch  de  pages, 

E  dels  ricx  que  perdon  tot  dia 

Pretz,  e  ja  fort  greu  no  lur  sia, 
Quar  pauc  perdon  e  pauc  lur  deu  doler, 
Quar  ges  de  pauc  non  pot  hom  trop  mover. 

Lo  reys  n  Anfos  a  laissat  cobezeza 
Als  autres  reys,  qu'a  sos  ops  non  vol  ges, 

Et  a  sa  part  elh  a  preza  largueza, 
Mal  a  partit  qui  reptar  Pen  volgues  j 

E  die  vos  que  m  par  vilania 

Qui  partis  e  qui  ^1  mielhs  s'  atria , 
Mas  ges  pertant  non  a  fag  non  dever, 
Quar  a  pres  so  qu'elhs  no  volon  aver^ 

Ricx  malastrucx,  s'ieu  vos  sabia 

Lauzor,  volontiers  la  us  diria ; 
Mas  no  us  pessetz  menten  mi  alezer, 
Que  vostre  grat  no  vuelh  ni  vostr'  aver. 

To  praise  people  too  much,  when  valour  is  ill  esteemed, — I  do  not  call  it 
peace,  for  it  is  bad  war ; — nor  shall  it  now  be  understood  by  me  for  peace, — it 
ought  rather  to  have  the  name  of  pages'  play, — and  of  the  rich  who  lose  every 
day — honour,  and  yet  it  grieves  them  not  much, — for  they  lose  little  and  need 
not  grieve  much, — for  we  cannot  be  moved  much  by  a  little  thing. 

The  king  Don  Alfonso  has  left  covetousness — to  the  other  kings,  because  he 
will  not  make  use  of  it, — and  he  has  taken  for  his  share  largess, — he  has 
an  ill  share  who  wishes  to  recover  this  from  him  ; — and  I  tell  you  that  it  appears 
to  me  villany, — when  one  shares  and  takes  the  best  to  himself  ;•  —yet  no  one 
has  done  otherwise  than  right, — when  he  has  taken  that  which  others  will  not 
have. 

Rich  men  ill-advised,  if  I  knew  any  thing  in  you — worthy  of  praise,  I  would 
willingly  teU  you  of  it ; — but  think  not  to  take  up  my  leisure, — for  I  desire 
neither  your  thanks  nor  your  goods, 

CAMD.  SOC.  G.  G 


42  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Henry's  embarrassments  at  home  were  now  becoming 
every  day  more  numerous  and  more  complicated.  Scarcely 
any  part  of  the  nation,  clergy,  barons,  or  people,  were  any 
longer  his  friends.  The  following  song  (made  in  1256)  was 
evidently  written  by  one  belonging  to  the  former  of  these  classes, 
indignant  at  the  taxes  which  the  King,  with  the  consent  of  the 
Pope,  had  levied  on  the  clergy,  in  the  vain  hope  of  placing  one 
of  his  sons  on  the  throne  of  Sicily,  and  afterwards  to  pay  the 
debt  which  he  had  contracted  towards  the  supreme  pontiflT. 
The  King  of  France,  quoted  as  an  example,  was  the  saintly 
Louis  IX. 

THE  SONG  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

[MS.  Cotton.  Jul.  D.  vii.  fol.  133,  v«.  of  13th  century.] 

Istud  canticum  factum fuit  anno  grati<B  mPccHvi^  supra 
desolatione  Ecclesice  Anglicans. 

Or  est  acumpli  a  men  aeient 

La  pleinte  Jeremie,  ke  oi  avez  suvent ; 

ke  dit  cument  set  sule 

cite  pleine  de  fule 
Plurant  amerement, 

ore  est  sanz  mariage 

e  mis  en  tallage, 
La  dame  de  la  gent. 

Cest  est  seint  eglise  trestut  apertement, 
Ke  est  ja  hunie  e  tut  mis  a  vent : 

Translation. — Now  is  accomplished  as  I  conceive — the  plaint  of  Jeremiah, 
which  you  have  often  heard, — who  tells  how  this  sole — city  full  of  people — 
bewailing  bitterly, — is  now  without  marriage — and  put  in  contribution, — the 
Lady  of  the  people. — That  is  holy  church  very  evidently, — who  is  now  dis- 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  43 

E  si  est  maumise,  nus  veum  cument. 

Ele  gent  e  plure, 

n^a  ad  nul  ke  sucure 
De  sun  marement. 

Ja  fu  cleregie 

franche  e  a  desus, 
Amee  e  cherie, 

nule  ren  pot  plus. 
Ore  est  enservie, 
E  trop  envilie, 

e  abatu  jus  ; 
Par  iceus  est  hunie, 
Dunt  dut  aver  aie ; 

jo  n'os  dire  plus. 

Li  rois  ne  Tapostoile  ne  pensent  altrement, 
Mes  coment  au  clers  tolent  lur  or  e  lur  argent. 

Co  est  tute  la  summe, 

ke  la  pape  de  Rume 
Al  rei  trop  consent, 

pur  aider  sa  curune 

la  dime  de  clers  li  dune, 
De  90  en  fet  sun  talent. 

graced  and  all  put  to  sale ; — and  truly  is  she  in  ill  case,  we  see  how. — She 
laments  and  weeps, — there  is  none  who  helps  her — out  of  her  desolation. 

Formerly  clergy  was — free  and  uppermost, — loved  and  cherished, — nothing 
could  be  more  so. — Now  it  is  enslaved, — and  too  much  debased, — and  trodden 
down. — By  those  is  it  disgraced, — from  whom  it  ought  to  have  help  ; — I  dare 
not  say  more. 

The  king  and  the  pope  think  of  nothing  else, — but  how  they  may  take  from 
the  clergy  their  gold  and  their  silver. — This  is  the  whole  affair, — that  the  pope 
of  Rome — yields  too  much  to  the  king, — to  help  his  crown, — the  tenth  of  the 
clergy's  goods  he  gives  him, — and  with  that  he  does  his  will. 


44  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Jo  ne  quid  pas  ke  li  rois  face  sagement, 
Ke  il  vit  de  roberie  ke  il  de  la  clergie  prent. 

Ja  ne  fra  bone  prise, 

pur  rober  seinte  eglise  ; 
II  la  say  verament. 

Ke  vot  aver  semblance, 

regarde  le  rois  de  France 
E  sun  achevement. 

I  do  not  think  that  the  King  acts  wisely, — that  he  lives  of  robbery  which  he 
commits  upon  the  clergy. — He  will  never  be  a  gainer, — by  robbing  holy 
church  ; — he  knows  it  truly, — He  who  seeks  an  example, — let  him  regard  the 
King  of  France — 'and  his  achievement. 


The  next  Song,  directed  against  the  avarice  of  the  Bishops, 
appears  to  be  of  about  the  same  date.  In  the  manuscript  it  is 
written,  like  the  foregoing,  as  prose. 

A    SONG    AGAINST    THE    BISHOPS. 

[From  the  same  folio  of  the  same  MS.] 

Licet  seger  cum  eegrotis, 

Et  ignotus  cum  ignotis, 

Fungar  tamen  vice  totis, 

Jus  usurpans  sacerdotis ; 

flete,  Syon  filiee, 

preesides  ecclesiee 

imitantur  hodie 

Christum  a  remotis. 

Translation, — Although  sick  with  those  who  are  sick,  and  unknown  with 
those  who  are  unknown,  yet  I  will  assume  all  characters  in  turn,  usurping  the 
right  of  the  priest :  weep,  ye  daughters  of  Sion,  the  bishops  of  the  church  at 
tlie  present  day  are  but  remote  imitators  of  Christ ! 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  45 

Jacet  ordo  clericalis 
In  respectu  laicalis, 
Sponsa  Christi  fit  venalis, 
Generosa  generalis ; 

veneunt  altaria, 

venit  eucharistia, 

cum  sit  nugatoria 
Gratia  venalis. 

Donum  Dei  non  donatur 
Nisi  gratis  conferatur ; 
Quod  qui  vendit  vel  mercatur^ 
Lepra  Syri  Anilneratur ; 

quern  sic  ambit  ambitus, 

ydolorum  servitus 

templo  sancti  spiritus 
Non  compaginatur. 

In  diebus  juventutis 
Timent  annos  senectutis, 
Ne  fortuna  destitutis 

The  clerical  order  is  debased  in  respect  of  the  laity  ;  the  spouse  of  Christ  is 
made  venal, — she  that  is  noble,  common  ;  the  altars  are  for  sale  ;  the  eucharist 
is  for  sale,  although  venal  grace  is  vain  and  frivolous. 

God's  gift  is  not  giveji  if  it  be  not  conferred  gratis ;  and  he  who  sells  and 
makes  merchandise  of  it,  is,  in  so  doing,  struck  with  the  leprosy  of  Syrus ;  the 
service  of  idols,  at  which  his  ambition  thus  aims,  may  not  be  engrafted  on  the 
temple  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

In  their  days  of  youth,  they  look  forwards  to  old  age  with  fear,  lest, 
deserted  by  fortune,  they  possess  no  longer  their  sleek  skin.     But  while  they 


46  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Desit  eis  splendor  cutis. 

Sed  dum  quserunt  medium, 

vertunt  in  contrarium, 

fallit  enim  vitium 
Specie  virtutis. 

Tu  qui  tenes  hunc  tenorem, 
Frustra  dicis  te  pastorem  ; 
Nee  te  regis  ut  rectorem, 
Rerum  mersus  in  ardorem  : 

Heec  est  alia 

sanguisugee  filia, 

quam  venalis  curia 
Duxit  in  uxor  em. 

seek  the  mean,  they  turn  into  the  contrary  extreme ;  for  vice  deceives  them 
in  the  guise  of  virtue. 

Thou  who  holdest  this  course,  vainly  thou  callest  thyself  a  pastor ;  neither 
doest  thou  govern  thyself  like  a  ruler,  immersed  in  the  heat  of  temporary  affairs  ; 
she  is  another — daughter  of  the  leech,  whom  the  venal  court  has  taken  to  wife. 


The  following  is  another  bitter  satire  on  the  vices  of  the 
great,  during  the  reign  of  Henry  III.  Who  were  the  four 
brothers  against  whom  the  song  is  more  particularly  directed, 
would  not  be  easily  ascertained  without  other  particulars  besides 
those  here  furnished. 

A    SONG    ON    THE    TIMES. 

[MS.  Harl.  No.  978.  fol.  123,  v".  of  the  13th  cent.] 

MuNDi  libet  vitia  cunctis  exarare  ; 
Nam  in  mundo  video  multos  nunc  errare. 

Translation. — Everybody  has  a  right  to  satirize  the  world's  vices  ;    for 
now  I  see  many  in  the  world  err,  despise  what  is  good,  love  what  is  bad,  and 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  47 

Spernere  quod  bonum  est,  quod  malum  est  amare, 
Et  ad  mala  ssepius  sponte  declinare. 

Mundus  quia  malus  est,  male  scit  nocere ; 
Mala  novit  facere,  nescit  poenitere  ; 
Caro  quicquid  appetit  pro  posse  vult  habere, 
Sed  quod  Deus  prsecipit  nequit  adimplere. 

Jam  nil  valet  aliquis  ni  sciat  litigare. 
Nisi  sciat  cautius  causis  cavillare. 
Nisi  sciat  simplices  dolis  impugnare, 
Nisi  sciat  plenius  nummos  adunare. 

Mundi  status  hodie  multum  variatur, 
Semper  in  deterius  misere  mutatur ; 
Nam  qui  parcit  nemini,  quique  plus  lucratur, 
Ille  plus  dilectus  est  et  plus  commendatur. 

Rex  et  regni  proceres  satis  sunt  amari ; 
Omnes  fere  divites  nimis  sunt  avari ; 
Pauper  pauca  possidens  debet  depilari, 
Et  ut  ditet  divitem  rebus  spoliari, 

Bona  per  superflua  dives  exceecatur ; 
Circa  temporalia  tota  mens  versatur  : 

most  frequently  turning  off  spontaneously  to  evil. — Because  the  world  is  de- 
praved, it  knows  how  to  do  injury ;  it  knows  how  to  act  ill,  but  not  how  to 
repent ;  the  flesh  will  do  all  it  can  to  possess  whatever  it  desires,  but  is  unable 
to  fulfill  God's  commandments. — Now  nobody  is  esteemed  unless  he  knows  how 
to  litigate  ;  unless  he  can  cavil  cunningly  in  law-suits  ;  unless  he  can  overreach 
the  simple ;  unless  he  know  how  to  amass  abundance  of  money. — The  state  of 
the  world  is  at  the  present  day  constantly  changing ;  it  is  always  becoming 
miserably  worse ;  for  he  who  spares  nobody,  and  who  is  bent  most  on  gain, 
is  most  beloved  and  most  commended. — The  King  and  his  nobles  are  suflSciently 
bitter ;  almost  all  the  rich  men  are  too  avaricious ;  the  poor  man,  who  pos- 
sesses little,  must  be  robbed  and  spoiled  of  his  property  to  enrich  the  wealthy. — 
The  rich  man  is  blinded  by  superfluous  wealth  ;  his  whole  mind  is  occupied 
with  temporal  matters  ;  and,  since  he  is  too  much  pleased  with  vanities,  he 


4S  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Et  in  vanis  quoniam  nimis  delectatur,  * 

Bona  differt  facere,  malum  non  vitatur. 

Ex  praslatis  plurimum  Deum  non  timentes 
Sunt  sub  boni  specie  mala  facientes, 
Hiique  plus  quam  laici  ssepe  sunt  nocentes, 
Bene  curant  corpora,  male  pascunt  mentes, 

Regnat  nunc  impietas,  pietas  fugatur, 
Nobilisque  largitas  procul  relegatur  : 
Stricta  nam  tenacitas  multos  comitatur, 
Et  in  multis  caritas  sic  refrigeratur. 

Fas  et  nefas  ambulant  pene  casu  pari, 
Vix  est  jam  quern  pudeat  nefas  operari ; 
Carus  hie  acceptus  est  qui  scit  adulari, 
Hicque  privilegio  gaudet  singulari. 

Quod  ad  lucrum  pertinet   nimis  afFectatur ; 
Lucra  quisquis  prospicit,  cautus  judicatur ; 
Res  qui  servat  strictius,  sapiens  vocatur ; 
Sua  qui  dat  largius,  stultus  reputatur. 

Dolus  avaritiae  comes  copulatur; 
Fidei  perfidia  jam  parificatur; 

puts  off  the  doing  of  good,  but  avoids  not  the  evil. — Of  the  prelates,  there  are 
very  many  who,  having  no  fear  of  God,  do  evil  under  the  mask  of  good,  and 
they  often  do  more  injury  than  the  laymen  ;  they  take  great  care  of  the  body,  but 
feed  ill  the  mind. — Now  impiety  reigns,  piety  is  driven  away,  and  noble  libe- 
rality is  sent  into  far  exile  ;  for  narrow  stinginess  is  the  companion  of  many, 
and  thus  in  many  charity  is  become  cold. — Right  and  wrong  march  nearly  on 
an  equal  footing  ;  there  is  now  scarcely  one  who  is  ashamed  of  doing  what  is 
unlawful;  the  man  is  held  dear  who  knows  how  to  flatter,  and  he  enjoys  a 
singular  privilege. — Lucre  is  a  thing  too  much  sought  after  ;  whoever  has  an  eye 
to  it,  is  considered  prudent ;  he  who  keeps  very  close  what  he  has,  is  called  a  wise 
man ;  he  who  gives  liberally,  is  set  down  for  a  fool. — Treachery  accompanies 
avarice  ;  perfidy  is  now  put  on  equality  with  honesty  ;  for  he  who  knows  how 


REIGX    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  49 

Nam  qui  scit  decipere,  prudens  preedicatur; 
Qui  plus  mali  perpetrat  plus  appretiatur. 

Quatuor  sunt  maxime  qui  sic  operantur, 
Et  cum  malefecerint  pejus  meditantur^ 
Quorum  infra  scelera  satis  declarantur, 
Et  eorum  nomina  sic  intitulantur. 

Hii  sunt  fratres  quatuor,  Robertus,  et  Ricardus, 
Gilebertus  postea,  vir  valde  Wandelardus, 
Quartus  inter  alios  frater  est  bastardus, 
Galfridus,  qui  piger  est,  et  ad  bona  tardus. 

Cuique  satis  propria  nomen  adaptatur. 
Per  quod  quae  proprietas  cuj  usque  sit  notatur; 
Nam  qui  recte  nominum  vim  interpretatur, 
Scire  potest  certius  quid  significatur. 

Competenter  per  Robert,  robbur  designatur  ; 
Et  per  Richard,  riche  hard  congrue  notatuj- ; 
Gilebert  non  sine  re  gilur  appellatur ; 
Gefrei,  si  rem  tangimus,  in  Jo  frai  commutatur. 

Per  istorum  nomina,  quae  sic  figurantur, 
Modus,  fraus,  et  opera  multorum  denotantur ; 

to  deceive,  is  proclaimed  a  prudent  man ;  and  he  who  does  most  ill  is  most 
prized. — There  are  four  persons  in  particular  who  work  thus  ;  who,  even  while 
doing  ill,  are  meditating  to  do  worse,  whose  crimes  are  sufficiently  declared 
below,  and  whose  names  are  as  follows  : — They  are  four  brothers,  Robert,  and 
Richard  ;  next  Gilbert,  a  true  Wandelard ;  the  fourth  is  a  bastard  brother, 
Geoffrey,  who  is  a  sluggard,  and  slow  to  do  anything  good. — Each  of  them  has 
a  very  appropriate  name,  by  which  his  own  character  is  described  ;  for  if  any 
one  interpret  rightly  the  names,  he  may  know  most  accurately  what  each 
signifies. — By  Robert,  is  very  sufficiently  indicated  a  robber;  and  by  Richard, 
wfth  much  fitness,  a  rich  hard  man  ;  Gilbert  is  not  without  reason  called  a  ff  idler  ,- 
and  Geoffrey  is,  if  we  come  to  the  point,  changed  into  jo  frai  (i.  e.  I  will  do  it). 
— By  these  people's  names,  which  are  thus  described,  are  denoted  the  habit,  and 
fraud,  and  works,  of  many  men  ;  and  in  order  that  these  may  be  made  more  mani- 
CAMD.  SOC.  6.  II 


50  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Et  ut  cunctis  clarius  heec  aperiantur, 
Melius  et  plenius  hie  notificantur, 

Robertus  excoriat,  extorquet,  et  minatur ; 
Et  Ricardus  retinet  totum  quod  lucratur ; 
Gilebertus  decipit,  et  inde  gloriatur ; 
Galfridus  se  procrastinate  et  nil  operatur. 

Veritatem  prosequar  ore   nunc  aperto  : 
Vir  quicunque  rabidus  consors  est  Roberto ; 
Vir  fallax  et  cupidus  par  fit  Gileberto  ; 
Vir  piger  et  tepidus  Galfridus  est  pro  certo. 

Tempus  piger  protrahit  omni  tardus  hora ; 
Operari  negligit  quae  sunt  meliora ; 
Bona  nimis  differens  ruit  in  pejora ; 
Et  ut  bene  faciat  semper  est  in  mora. 

Hie  promittit  quodlibet,  sed  nil  vult  implere ; 
Semper  dicit  "faciam/'  nunquam  facit  vere; 
Sed  cum  mors  est  proxima,  tunc  incipit  dolere ; 
Magnum  est  periculum  tam  sero  poenitere. 

Quisque  sibi  caveat  ne  decipiatur ; 
Poenitere  studeat  antequam  labatur ; 

fest  to  all,  they  are  here  published  better  and  more  fully  — Robert  fleeces,  extorts, 
and  threatens  ;  and  Richard  keeps  all  he  gains  ;  Gilbert  deceives,  and  after- 
wards boasts  of  it ;  Geoffrey  procrastinates,  and  does  nothing. — I  will  follow 
up  the  truth  now  in  full  cry :  every  ravenous  man  is  the  companion  of  Robert ; 
a  false  and  miserly  man  is  similar  to  Gilbert ;  a  slow  and  listless  man  is,  with- 
out doubt,  a  Geoffrey.—  The  latter  idly  protracts  the  time,  behindhand  at  what- 
ever hour  is  appointed,  he  neglects  to  do  what  is  good,  and  by  putting  off  the  good 
he  falls  into  that  which  is  evil,  and  he  is  always  backward  in  acting  well  : — 
he  promises  anything,  but  will  perform  nothing  ;  he  always  says,  "  I  will  do," 
but  never  does  ;  but  when  death  is  at  hand,  he  begins  to  lament :  there  is  great 
danger  in  repenting  so  late. — Let  every  one  take  care  that  he  is  not  himself 
deceived  ;  let  him  try  to  repent  before  his  end,  that  he  may  merit  well  while  he 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  51 

Dum  est  compos  corporis  bene  mereatur, 
Ne  dum  difFert  interim  forte  moriatur. 

Fons  et  auctor,  Dominus,  summse  pietatis 
Nobis  hie  sic  annuat  flere  pro  peccatis, 
Et  dum  sumus  validi  poenitere  gratis, 
Ut  possimus  alibi  gaudere  cum  beatis  !     Amen. 

is  in  health,  lest  by  putting  it  off,  he  chance  to  die  before  it  is  done. — The  Lord, 
who  is  the  fountain  and  author  of  the  highest  degree  of  piety,  give  us  here  the 
inclination  so  to  mourn  for  our  faults,  and  to  be  penitent  spontaneously  while 
we  are  in  health,  that  in  the  next  world  we  may  be  in  joy  with  the  saints  I 


A  perpetual  subject  of  popular  outcry  against  the  great,  during 
this  and  the  following  centuries,  was  afforded  by  the  foreign 
and  extravagant  fashions  in  dress,  which  were  prevalent.  A 
glance  at  the  illuminations  in  contemporary  manuscripts  will 
show  us  that  these  complaints  were  not  without  foundation.  We, 
even  at  the  present  day,  can  with  difficulty  conceive  the  im- 
mense sums  which  were  in  former  days  expended  on  the  toilet. 
This  profusion  was  frequently  and  severely  commented  upon  in 
the  prose  writings  of  the  clergy,  and  was  not  uncommonly  the 
subject  of  popular  satire.  The  following  song  upon  the  tailors 
is  very  playful. 

SONG    UPON    THE    TAILORS. 
[MS.  Harl.  978.  fol.  99.  v°.  reign  of  Hen.  III.] 

In  novafert  animus  rmitatas  dicere  formas 
Corpora,  Dii  ccbjjHs,  nam  vos  mutastis  et  illas, 
Aspirate  meis. 

Ego  dixi,  dii  estis ; 
Quee  dicenda  sunt  in  festis 
Quare  prsetermitterem  ? 

Traxslation. — I  have  said,  ye  are  gods ;  why  should  I  omit  the  service 


52  POLITICAL    SONGS 

Dii,  revera,  qui  potestis 
In  figuram  novce  vestis 
Transmutare  veterem. 

Pannus  recens  et  novellus 
Fit  vel  capa  vel  mantellus, 

Sed  secundum  tempera 
Priraum  capa^  post  pusillum 
Transmutatur  haec  in  ilium  ; 

Sic  mutatis  corpora. 

Antiquata  decollatur, 
Decollata  mantellatur, 

Sic  in  modum  Proteos 
Demutantur  vestimenta ; 
Nee  recenter  est  inventa 

Lex  metamorphoseos. 

Cum  figura  sexum  mutant ; 
Prius  ruptam  clam  reclutant 

Primates  ecclesiae ; 
Nee  donatur,  res  est  certa, 
Nisi  prius  sit  experta 

Fortunam  Tiresise. 

which  should  be  said  on  festival  days  ?  Gods  certainly  ye  are,  who  can  trans- 
form an  old  garment  into  the  shape  of  a  new  one. — The  cloth,  while  fresh  and 
new,  is  made  either  a  cape  or  mantle  ;  but,  in  order  of  time,  first  it  is  a  cape, 
after  a  little  space  this  is  transformed  into  the  other;  thus  ye  "change 
bodies." — When  it  becomes  old,  the  collar  is  cutoff;  when  deprived  of  the 
collar,  it  is  made  a  mantle  :  thus,  in  the  manner  of  Proteus,  are  garments 
changed  ;  nor  is  the  law  of  metamorphosis  a  new  discovery. — With  their  shape 
they  change  their  sex  ;  the  primates  of  the  church  privately  close  up  again  what 
was  before  torn ;    nor  is  it  given,  assuredly,    till  it  has  first  undergone   the 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY   III.  53 

Bruma  tandem  revertente^ 
Tost  imt  sur  la  chape  ente 

Plerique  capucium; 
Alioquin  dequadratur, 
De  quadrato  retundatur. 

Transit  in  almucium. 

Si  quid  restat  de  raorsellis 
Ceesi  panni  sive  pellis, 

Non  vacat  officio : 
Ex  hiis  fiunt  manuthecse, 
Manutheca  quidem  Graece 

Manuum  positio. 

Sic  ex  veste  vesteni  formant, 
Engleis,  Tyeis,  Franceis,  Normant, 

Omnes  generaliter ; 
Ut  vix  nullus  excludatur. 
Ita  capa  declinatur, 

Sed  mantellus  aliter. 

Adhuc  primo  recens  anno, 
Nova  pelle,  novo  panno, 
In  area  reconditur ; 

fortune  of  Tiresias. — When,  at  length,  winter  returns,  many  engraft  immediately 
upon  the  cape  a  capuce  ;  then  it  is  squared  ;  after  being  squared  it  is  rounded  ; 
and  so  it  becomes  an  aumuce. — If  there  remain  any  morsels  of  the  cloth  or 
skin  which  is  cut,  it  does  not  want  a  use  :  of  these  are  made  gloves  ;  a  glove  is 
called  in  Greek  "  the  placing  of  the  hands." — This  is  the  general  manner  they 
all  make  one  robe  out  of  another,  English,  Germans,  French,  and  Normans, 
with  scarcely  an  exception.  Thus  cape  is  declined ;  but  mantle  otherwise. — 
In  the  first  year,  while  it  is  still  fresh,  the  skin  and  the  cloth  being  both  new, 


54  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Recedente  tandem  pile, 
Juncturarum  rupto  filo, 
Pellis  circumciditur. 

Sic  mantellus  fit  apella ; 
Ci  git  li  drap,  e  la  pel  la. 

Post  primum  divortium ; 
A  priore  separata 
Cum  secundo  reparata 

Transit  in  consortium. 

Quod  delictum  dices  majus  ? 
I  stud  palam  est  contra  jus  : 

Nam  si  nupsit  alteri, 
Conjugium  est  violatum, 
Dum  fit  novo  copulatum 

Reclamante  veteri. 

N^est  de  conciUe,  ne  de  sene, 
Deus  dras  espuser  a  une  pene, 

E  si  nus  le  juggium ; 
Permittunt  hoc  decreta  ?  non  : 
Sed  reclamat  omnis  canon 

Non  esse  conjugium. 

it  is  laid  up  in  a  box  ;  when,  however,  the  fur  begins  to  be  worn  off,  and  the 
thread  of  the  seams  broken,  the  skin  is  circumcised. — Thus  the  mantle  is  made  a 
Jew  ;  here  lays  the  cloth,  there  the  skin,  after  the  first  divorce  :  being  separated 
from  its  former  husband,  after  separation  it  passes  in  reparation  to  marriage 
with  a  second  husband. — But  what  will  you  say  is  a  greater  crime  ?  this  is 
clearly  against  right ;  for  if  she  have  married  a  second,  the  marriage  is 
broken,  when  a  new  conjunction  is  made  in  spite  of  the  reclamations  of  the  old 
partner. — It  is  neither  canonic  nor  wise  to  marry  two  cloths  to  one  fur,  and 
so  we  judge  it.  Do  the  decretals  permit  this  ?  No :  on  the  contrary,  every 
canon  declares,  that  it  is  no  marriage. — The  cloth  having  been  first  circum- 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  55 

Pannus  primum  circumcisus, 
Viduatus  et  divisus 

A  sua  pellicula, 
Jam  expertus  Judaismum, 
Emundatur  per  baptismum 

A  quacumque  macula. 

Circumcisus  mundatusque, 
Est  adeptus  utriusque 

Legis  testimonium ; 
Quem  baptismus  emundavit, 
Cum  secunda  secuiidavit 

Pelle  matrimonium. 

Pilis  expers,  usu  fractus, 
Ex  Esaii  Jacob  factus. 

Quant  li  peil  en  est  chaii, 
Inversatur  vice  versa, 
Rursus  idem  ex  conversa 

Ex  Jacob  fit  Esaii. 

Pars  pilosa  foris  paret, 
Sed  introrsus  pi'.is  caret 
Vetustas  abscondita: 


cised,  then  widowed  and  separated  from  its  skin,  now  having  experienced 
Judaism,  is  cleansed  by  baptism,  from  every  stain  (i.e.  it  is  dyed).— Being 
circumcised  and  cleaned,  and  having  obtained  the  testimony  of  both  laws,  he 
whom  baptism  has  cleansed,  contracts  a  new  marriage  with  a  second  skin. — 
Being  devoid  of  hair,  and  worn  by  use,  from  Esau  having  become  Jacob,  when 
the  hair  is  fallen  from  it,  the  process  is  inverted,  and  again  conversely  from 
Jacob  it  becomes  Esau. — The  hairy  part  is  turned  out,  but  the  old  part,  con- 


56  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Datur  tanien,  k'il  n^i  eit  perte, 
Servienti,  pur  deserte, 
Mantellus  hypocrita. 

cealed  inwardly,  is  bare  of  hairs.     Now  the  hypocritical  mantle,  in  order  that 
there  may  be  nothing  lost,  is  given  to  the  servant  for  his  wages. 


We  are  now  approaching  the  eventful  period  of  the  Barons' 
wars.  The  turbulent  Welshmen  were  ever  ready  to  seize  an 
opportunity  of  invading  the  Marches  ;  and  the  following  song, 
whether  it  were  composed  by  one  of  them,  or  be  the  work 
of  one  of  the  English  who  took  the  opportunity  of  satirising 
them,  gives  us  a  fair  picture  of  the  spirit  in  which  they  inter- 
fered. 

THE    SONG    OF    THE    WELSH. 

[From  the  Public  Library  of  Leyden,  MS.  Vossius,  No.  104,  fol.  144,  r°. 
of  the  13th  cent.] 

Trucidare  Saxones  soliti  Cambrenses 
Ad  cognates  Britones  et  Cornubienses  ; 
Requirunt  ut  veniant  per  acutos  enses. 
Ad  debellandos  inimicos  Saxonienses. 

Venite  jam  strenue  loricis  armati ; 
Sunt  pars  magna  Saxonum  mutuo  necati, 
Erit  pars  residua  per  nos  trucidati : — 
Nunc  documenta  date  qua  sitis  origine  nati. 

Translation. — The  Cambrians,  who  are  used  to  slay  the  Saxons,  salute 
their  relations  the  Britons  and  Cornish-men :  they  require  them  to  come  with  their 
sharp  swords  to  conquer  their  Saxon  enemies. — Come  now,  vigorously,  armed 
with  coats  of  mail ;  a  great  part  of  the  Saxons  are  fallen  in  mutual  slaughter, 
the  remainder  shall  be  slain  by  us  :  now  is  the  time  for  you  to  show  of  what  blood 


REIGX    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  57 

Mellinus  veredicus  nunquam  dixit  vanum  ; 
Expellendum  populum  preedixit  vexanum. 
Et  vos  hoc  consilium  non  servatis  sanum  ; 
Cernite  fallaces  quorum  genus  omne  profanum. 

Preedecessor  validus  rex  noster  Arturus 
Si  vixisset  hodie,  fuissem  securus 
Nullus  ei  Saxonum  restitisset  murus  ; 
Esset  ei[s]  sicut  meruerunt  in  prece  durus. 

Procuret  omnipotens  sibi  successorem 
Saltern  sibi  similem,  noil  em  meliorem. 
Qui  toUat  Britonibus  antiquum  dolorem, 
Et  sibi  restituat  patriam  patriseque  decorem. 

Hoc  Arturi  patruus  velit  impetrare, 
Sanctus  [qui] dam  maximus,  Anglum  ultra  mare  ; 
Scimus  festum  Martis  kalendis  in  stare, — 
Ad  natale  solum  Britones  studeat  revocare. 

Virtuosos  filii  patres  imitantur ; 
Sic  Arturum  Britones  virtute  sequantur  : 
Quam  probo,  quam  strenuo  monstrant  procreantur ; 
Ut  fuit  Arturus  sic  victores  habeantur  ! 

you  are  sprung. — The  soothsayer  jMerlin  never  said  a  thing  that  was  vain  ;  he 
foretold  that  the  mad  people  should  be  expelled.  And  you  do  not  keep  this 
wise  counsel ;  observe  deceitful  people  of  whom  the  whole  race  is  accursed. — If 
our  valiant  predecessor,  King  Arthur,  had  been  now  alive,  I  am  sure  not  one 
of  the  Saxon  walls  would  have  resisted  him  ;  he  would  have  been  hard  to  them, 
spite  of  their  prayers,  as  they  have  deserved. — May  the  Omnipotent  procure 
him  a  successor  only  similar  to  him,  I  would  not  desire  a  better,  who  may 
deliver  the  Britons  from  their  old  grievance,  and  restore  to  them  their  country 
and  their  country's  glory. — May  it  please  the  uncle  of  Arthur  to  obtain  this  for 
us,  a  certain  very  great  saint,  [to  send]  the  Englishman  over  the  sea  ;  we  know 
that  his  festival  is  approaching  on  the  kalends  of  March  (St.  David's  day),  may 
he  make  it  his  study  to  recall  the  Britons  to  their  native  land. — Sons  imitate 
their  virtuous  fathers,  so  let  the  Britons  take  Arthur  for  their  example  in  valour  • 
CAMD.    SOC.    fj.  I 


58  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Regnabat  Parisius  potestas  Romana, 
Frollo  gygas  strenuus,  cujus  mens  ursana ; 
Hunc  Artliurus  perimit.  credit  fides  sana. 
Testis  tentorium  sit  et  insula  Parisiana. 

Insanit  qui  Britones  necat  generosos ; 
Videtur  quod  habeat  sic  eos  exosos, 
Namque  per  invidiam  clamat  odiosos 
Semper  et  assidue,  quos  audit  victoriosos. 

Ex  hac  gente  iiij"*"  sunt  imperatores, 
Arthurus,  Broinsius^  fortes  bellatores, 
Constantinus,  Brennius,  fere  fortiores. 
Hii  monarchiam  tenuerunt  ut  probiores. 

Solum  suum  Karolum  Francia  prsejectat ; 
Et  Ricardum  Anglia  probitate  jactat ; 
Paucitatem  numerus  major  labefactat, 
Virtutem  regis  quia  quadrupla  gloria  mactat. 

Istis  suis  finibus  contigit  regnare ; 
Illis  duces,  prsesides,  reges  triumphare, 
Quibus  nullo  merito  se  possint  eequare  ; 
Est  quam  regnare  longe  plus  induperare. 

they  show  from  what  a  good  and  brave  man  they  are  descended ;  as  Arthur 
was,  so  let  them  be,  conquerors! — The  Roman  power  reigned  at  Paris,  the 
bold  giant  Frollo,  with  the  bearish  mind  ;  him  Arthur  slew :  every  person  of 
good  faith  believes  it :  witness  the  tent  and  the  Parisian  island. — He  is  a  mad- 
man who  kills  the  noble  Britons  :  it  seems  that  he  holds  them  thus  hated  ;  for 
he  invidiously  proclaims  them  hateful  always  and  incessantly,  who  he  hears  are 
victorious. — Of  this  nation  there  have  been  four  great  commanders,  Arthur 
and  Broinsius,  powerful  warriors  ;  Constuntine  and  Brennius,  more  powerful, 
if  it  were  possible ;  these  held  the  monarchy  by  reason  of  their  being  the 
best. — France  can  only  boast  of  her  Charlemaine  ;  and  England  glories  in  the 
valour  of  King  Richard  ;  a  larger  number  overcomes  a  smaller,  because  a  four- 
fold glory  increases  the  valour  of  the  King. — To  these  latter  it  was  granted  to 
reign  within  their  own  bounds;  to  the  others,  to  triumph,  over  commanders, 
governors,  and  kings,  with  whom  they  can  in  no  respect  claim  equality :  it  is  a 
far  greater  thing  to  command,  than  to  reign. 


I 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  59 

The  following  fragment  of  what  appears  once  to  have  been 
a  long  ballad,  made  to  be  sung  in  the  halls  of  the  Barons,  seems 
to  have  been  written  soon  after  the  disturbances  in  London  in 
1263,  though  there  is  not  enough  preserved  to  enable  us  to 
determine  the  precise  occasion  on  which  it  was  composed. 
Several  nobles  are  here  joined  together,  who  afterwards  took 
different  sides. 

THE      SONG     OF     THE     BARONS. 
[A  roll  of  parchment,  of  the  13th  cent,  in  a  private  library.] 

Jji  ^  ^  'f* 

Mes  de  Warenne  ly  bon  quens. 
Que  tant  ad  richesses  et  biens. 

Si  ad  apris  de  guere, 
En  Norfolk  en  eel  pens  [is] 
Vint  conquerrant  ses  enemis, 

Mes  ore  ne  ad  que  fere. 

Sire  Jon  Giffard  deit  bien  nome, 
Que  n'out  gueres  un  pern  .  .  e 

En  cele  chivauchee ; 
E  si  fu  touz  jors  a  devant, 
Prus  e  sages  et  pernant, 

E  de  grant  renomee. 

Translation. — But  the  good  Earl  of  Warenne, — who  has  so  much  riches 
and  property, — and  has  skill  in  war, — in  Norfolk  in  this  thought — he  came 
conquering  his  enemies, — but  now  he  has  nothing  to  do. 

Sir  John  Gifford  ought  well  to  be  named, — who  had  scarcely  a  .  .  .  — in 
this  riding-bout; — and  he  was  always  forward, — valiant  and  wise,  and  active, — 
and  of  great  renown. 


fiO  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Et  Sire  Jon  D'Ayvile, 

Que  onques  ni  aima  treyson  ne  gile, 

Fu  en  lur  conpanie  ; 
Et  sire  Peres  de  Montfort, 
Si  tint  bien  a  lur  acord, 

Si  out  grant  seignurie. 

Et  de  Cliflfort  ly  bon  Roger 
Se  contint  cum  noble  ber, 

Si  fu  de  grant  justice ; 
Ne  suifri  pas  petit  ne  grant, 
Ne  arere  ne  par  devant, 

Fere  nul  mesprise. 

Et  Sire  Roger  de  Leyburne, 
Que  sa  et  la  sovent  se  tome, 

Mout  ala  conquerrant ; 
Assez  mist  paine  de  gainer. 
Pur  ses  pertes  restorer, 

Que  Sire  Edward  le  fist  avant. 

Mout  furent  bons  les  barons  ; 
Mes  touz  ne  sai  nomer  lur  nons, 
Tant  est  grant  la  some  : 

And  Sir  John  Dayville, — who  never  loved  treason  or  guile, — was  in  their 
company  ; — and  Sir  Peter  de  Montfort, — he  held  firm  to  their  agreement, — and 
had  great  seignory. 

And  the  good  Roger  de  Clifford — behaved  like  a  noble  baron, — and  exercised 
great  justice  ; — he  suffered  neither  little  nor  great, — neither  behind  or  before, — 
to  do  any  wrong. 

And  Sir  Roger  de  Leyburne, — who  often  turns  him  on  this  side  and  on  that, — 
made  great  progress  conquering  ; — he  laboured  much  to  gain, — to  restore  his 
losses, —  which  Sir  Edward  had  caused  him  before. 

Right  good  men  were  the  barons ; — but  I  cannot  tell  all  their  names, — the 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  61 

Pur  ce  revenk  al  quens  Simon, 
Pur  dire  interpretison, 

Coment  hom  le  nome. 

II  est  apele  de  Monfort, 
II  est  el  mond  et  si  est  fort, 

Si  ad  grant  chevalerie ; 
Ce  voir,  et  je  m'acort, 
II  eime  dreit,  et  het  le  tort. 

Si  avera  la  mestrie. 

El  mond  est  vereement ; 

La  ou  la  comun  a  ly  concent, 

De  la  terre  loee  ; 
C'est  ly  quens  de  Leycestre, 
Que  baut  et  joins  se  puet  estre 

De  cele  renomee. 

Ly  eveske  de  Herefort 

Sout  bien  que  ly  quens  fu  fort, 

Kant  il  prist  I'affere  : 
Devant  ce  esteit  mult  fer, 
Les  Engleis  quida  touz  manger, 

Mes  ore  ne  set  que  fere. 

number  is  so  great : — therefore  I  return  to  Earl  Simon, — to  give  the  interpre- 
tation,— what'is  his  name. 

He  is  called  de  Montfort ; — he  is  in  the  world  (monde),  and  he  is  strong 
(fort)  ; — and  he  has  great  chivalry : — this  is  true,  and  I  agree  to  it, — he  loves 
right  and  hates  wrong, — and  he  shall  have  the  mastery. 

He  is  truly  in  thejworld, — there  where  the  commons  are  in  accord  with  him — 
which  are  praised  of  the  land  ;  —it  is  the  Count  of  Leicester, — who  may  be  glad 
and  joyous — of  this  renown. 

The  Bishop  of  Hereford — knew  well  that  the  Earl  was  strong, — when  he 
took  the  matter  in  hand  ; — before  that  he  (the  bishop)  was  very  fierce ; — he 
thought  to  eat  up  all  the  English  ; — but  now  he  does  not  know  what  to  do. 


02  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Et  ly  pastors  de  Norwis, 
Qui  devoure  ses  berbis, 

Assez  sout  de  ce  conte; 
Mout  en  perdi  de  ses  biens, 
Mai  ert  que  ly  lessa  riens, 

Ke  trop  en  saveit  de  honte. 

Et  Sire  Jon  de  Langele, 
Soune  chose  fu  gaine, 

Deheiz  eit  que  I'en  pleine  ! 
Tot  le  soen  en  fist  porter 
De  ClifFort  mi  Sire  Roger, 

Ne  vout  que  rien  remeine, 

Ne  a  Sire  Mathi  de  Besile 
Ne  lesserent  une  bile, 

En  champ  u  en  vile. 
Tot  le  soen  fu  besile, 
E  cointement  fu  detrusse 

Par  un  treget  sanz  gile. 

Mes  mi  Sire  Jon  de  Gray 
Vint  a  Lundres,  si  ne  sai  quoi. 
Que  must  une  destance 

And  the  pastor  of  Norwich, — who  devours  his  own  sheep, — knows  enough 
of  this  story  ; — he  lost  much  of  his  goods  ; — it  is  pity  they  left  him  anything,— 
who  was  too  much  acquainted  with  shame. 

And  Sir  John  de  Langley, — his  property  was  gained, — cursed  be  he  who 
complains  of  it ; — all  he  had  my  lord  Roger  de  Clifford — caused  to  be 
carried  away  ; — he  would  let  nothing  remain. 

Neither  to  Sir  Matthew  de  Besile — did  they  leave  one  farthing, — in  country 
or  in  town. — All  his  property  was  ravaged, — and  neatly  was  he  stripped — by  a 
'  treget '  without  guile. 

But  Sir  John  de  Gray — came  to  London,  and  some  thing  or  other — made  a 


REIGX    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  63 

Par  entre  Lundres  et  ly. 
Que  tot  son  hernois  en  perdi, 
Ce  fu  sa  meschance. 

Et  Sire  Willem  le  Latimer 
Vint  a  Lundres  pur  juer, 

•7^  ^  JjC  JjC 

quarrel — between  London  and  him, — that  he  lost  all  his  harness  ; — that  was 
his  mischance. 

And  Sir  William  le  Latimer — came  to  London  to  play,     *     *     • 


The  following  satyrical  song  seems  to  have  been  written  on 
the  occasion  of  the  intermediation  of  Louis  IX.  of  France,  be- 
tween the  contending  parties  in  England,  in  the  beginning  of 
the  year  1264.  Much  of  its  point  consists  in  a  rather  gross 
play  upon  words  which  cannot  always  be  translated ;  it  is 
written  in  a  very  broad  dialect ;  and  the  numerous  instances 
of  bad  French,  which  are  observed  in  it,  were,  no  doubt,  com- 
mitted intentionally,  to  increase  the  hilarity  of  the  listeners,  at 
the  expense  of  the  English  and  their  King. 

SONG    OF    THE    PEACE    WITH    ENGLAND. 

[From  a  MS,  of  the  thirteenth  century,  in  the  Bibl.  du  Roi,  at  Paris,  No.  7218, 

fol.  220,  v°.] 

Or  vint  la  tens  de  May,  que  ce  ros  panirra, 
Que  ce  tens  serra  beles,  roxinol  chanterra, 
Ces  prez  il  serra  verdes,  ces  gardons  florrirra ; 
J'ai  trova  a  ma  cul  .j.  chos  que  je  dirra. 

Translation. — Now  comes  the  time  of  May,  when  the  rose  will  open, — 
when  the  seasons  will  be  fair,  and  the  nightingale  sing, — the  fields  will  be  green, 
and  the  gardens  will  bloom ; — I  have  found  behind  me  a  thing  which  I  will 
relate. 


64  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

De  ma  ray  d'lngleters  qui  fu  a  l)on  naviaus, 
Chivaler  vaelant,  hardouin,  et  leaus, 
Et  d'Adouart  sa  lilz  qui  fi  blent  sa  chaviaus, 
Mai  covint  que  je  faites  .j.  dit  troute  noviaus. 

Et  de  ce  rai  de  Frans,  cestui  longue  baron, 
Q,ui  tenez  Normandi  a  tort  par  mal  choison ; 
Lone  tens  fout-il  croupier  sor  Parris  son  maison, 
du'il  one  for  por  .i.  gaire  ne  chau9a  d'asperon. 

Sin  or,  tendez  a  mai ;  ne  devez  pas  rier : 
Ce  navel  que  je  port  doit  tout  le  mont  crier. 
L'autr'ier  je  fi  a  Londres  une  grosse  concier; 
La  ne  movra  baron  la  meilleur  ne  la  pier, 

Que  tout  ne  fout  venez  a  ce  grand  plaidement. 
La  arra  fet  tel  chos,  je  craie  vraiement, 
Qu  'i  farra  rois  Frangois  .i.  grant  poentement 
De  ce  terres  qu'il  tient  contre  le  Glaise  gent. 

Sinor,  lone  tens  fout-il  que  Mellins  profita 
Que  Philippes  de  Frans,  .i.  sinor  qui  fi  ja, 

Of  my  King  of  England,  who  is  in  a  good  ship, — a  valiant  knight,  hardy, 
and  loyal,— and  of  Edward  his  son,  who  hath  flaxen  hair, — it  pleases  me  to 
make  a  saying  wliich  is  quite  new. 

And  of  that  King  of  France,  that  long  baron, — who  held  Normandy  wrong- 
fully by  ill  event ; — long  time  did  he  settle  his  house  upon  Paris, — that  he  never 
but  for  a  war  alone  put  on  his  spur. 

Lords,  attend  to  me ;  you  must  not  laugh  : — all  the  world  ought  to  cry  this 

news  which  I  bring. — The  other  day  there  was  at  London  a  great  assembly ; 

there  no  baron,  from  the  best  to  the  worst,  would  move. 

But  they  would  all  come  to  this  great  debating. — There  would  have  been  done 
such  a  thing,  I  believe  truly, — that  it  would  have  caused  the  French  King  a 
great  fright — concerning  the  lands  which  he  holds  against  the  English  people. 

Lords,  it  is  a  long  time  since  Merlin  prophecied — that  Philip  of  France,  a 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  HI.  G5 

Conquerra  tout  ce  ters  quanqu'il  fout  par  de9a, 
Mes  toute  vols,  dit  je  1',  qu'encore  Glais  I'arra. 

Or  sont-il  vint  le  tans  que  Glais  voura  vaucliier; 
S^il  trovez  la  Francois  qui  la  voura  groncier, 
Qui  parra  si  froirrous  d'espe  ou  de  levrier, 
Qu'il  n'arra  talant  por  gondre  Glais  grondier. 

Le  bon  rai  d'Ingleter  se  traina  a  .i.  part, 

Li  et  Trichart  sa  frer  irrous  comme  lipart. 

II  suspire  de  cul,  si  se  claima  a  I'art, — 

"  Hui  Diex  !  com  puis-je  voir  de  Normandi  ma  part?" 

"  Ne  vous  maie  mi  /'  dit  la  conte  a  Clocestre, 
"  Vous  porra  bien  encors ;  tel  chos  poistron  bien  estre, 
Se  Diex  salva  ma  cul,  ma  pie,  et  ma  poing  destre, 
Tu  sarra  sus  Parris  encore  troute  mestre." 

La  cont  Vincestre  dit  au  buer  rai  d'lngletiere, 

"  Rai,  rai,  veus-tu  sivier  ?     Festes  mouvoir  ton  guere, 

Et  je  te  conduira  trestout  ton  gent  a  foire : 

Tu  porras  Normandi  a  ce  pointes  conquerre.' 

lord  who  was  formerly, — should  conquer  all  the  land,  such  as  it  is,  on  this  side  ; — 
but,  at  cdl  events,  I  say  it,  the  English  will  still  have  it. 

Now  is  conae  the  time  that  the  English  would  make  an  inroad, — if  he  should 
find  the  French  inclined  to  grumble, — who  would  appear  frightened  by  swords  and 
by  greyhounds  (?), — that  he  would  have  no  courage  to  grumble  against  the  English. 

The  good  King  of  England  drew  himself  on  one  side, — he  and  Richard  his 
brother,  as  angry  as  leopards. — He  sighs  from  behind,  and  so  cries  with 
alacrity, — "  O  God  !  how  may  I  have  my  part  of  Normandy  ?" 

"  Do  not  disturb  yourself  at  all,"  said  the  Earl  of  Gloucester, — "you  may 
still  do  it ;  such  things  may  still  easily  be, — if  God  preserve  my  backside,  n)y 
foot,  and  my  right  fist, — thou  shalt  still  be  entire  master  over  Paris." 

The  Earl  of  Winchester  said  to  the  noble  King  of  England, — "  King,  King, 
wilt  thou  follow  ?  Set  agoing  the  war, — and  I  will  conduct  thee  all  thy  people 
in  abundance  : — at  this  juncture  thou  wilt  be  able  to  conquer  Normandy. 

CAMD.  SOC.  6.  K 


66  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

"  Se  je  pois  rai  Franyois  a  bataille  contrier, 
Et  je  porrai  mon  lance  desus  son  cul  poier, 
Je  crai  que  je  ferra  si  dourreraent  chier 
Qu'il  se  brisa  son  test,  ou  ma  cul  fu  rompier. 

Je  prendrez  bien  droitur,  se  je  puis,  a  Diex  poise. 
Quant  j'arra  en  mon  main  Norman di  et  Pontoise  ; 
Je  ferra  soz  Parris  achier  mon  gent  Gloise, 
Puis  vondrai  prender  Frans,  maugre  conte  d'Angoise. 

Par  la  .v.  plais  a  Diex,  Fran9ois  maubali  sont ; 
Si  g'i  la  puis  grapier,  certes  il  chateront. 
Quant  Inglais  irront  la,  mult  bahot  i  serront ; 
Par  la  mort  Dieu !  je  crai  que  toutes  s'enfuiront.** 

Sir  Symon  a  Montfort  atendi  ce  navel, 
Doncques  sailli  a  piez  ;  il  ne  fout  mie  bel. 
A  dit  a  rai  Inglais,  "  Par  le  cors  saint  Anel ! 
Lessiez  or  cesti  chos  : — Fran9ois  n'est  mi  anel. 

Se  vous  aler  seur  leus,  il  se  voudra  dafandre  : 
Toute  ta  paveillons  metra  feu  a  la  cendre. 

"  If  I  can  constrain  the  King  of  France  to  a  battle, — and  I  can  strike  him 
with  my  lance  behind, — I  think  that  I  shall  make  him  fall  so  hard — that  he  will 
break  his  head,  or  niy  tail  will  be  broken. 

"  I  will  take  good  right,  if  I  can,  with  God's  will, — when  I  shall  have  in  my 
hand  Normandy  and  Poitou, — I  will  make  ray  English  people  approach  to 
Paris, — and  then  I  will  go  to  take  France  in  spite  of  the  Earl  of  Anjou. 

"  By  the  five  wounds  of  God  !  the  French  are  in  bad  case  ; — if  I  can  lay  hold 
upon  them,  truly  they  shall  be  punished. — When  the  English  go  there,  there 
will  be  a  great  disturbance  ; — God's  death  I   I  think  they  will  all  fly  away." 

Sir  Simon  de  Montfort  heard  this  speech, — then  he  leaped  on  his  feet ;  he 
did  not  look  very  handsome. — Says  he  to  the  English  King,  "  By  the  body  of 
the  holy  Lamb  ! — now  let  this  thing  alone  ;  the  Frenchman  is  not  a  lamb. 

"If  you  attack  them,  they  will  defend  themselves  : — he  will  burn  all  thy  tents 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY   III.  6/ 

II  n'a  si  vaelant  qui  I'ose  mi  atendre ; 

Mult  sarra  maubali  qui  le  Fran9ois  puet  prendre/' 

"Qoi  dites-vous,  Symon?'^  pona  Rogier  Bigot ; 
"  Bien  tenez-vous  la  rai  por  biiiart  et  por  sot  ? 
Fout  insi  hardouin  que  vous  sone  plus  mot, 
Ne  te  pot  besoner  por  vostre  mileur  cot !" 

"  Sir  Rogier/'  dit  la  rai,  "  por  Dieu,  ne  vous  chaele ! 
Ne  sai  mi  si  irrous  contre  ce  raerdaele. 
Je  ne  dout  mi  Fran9oys  tout  qui  sont  une  mele ; 
Je  farra  ma  talent  comment  la  chos  aele. 

Je  pandra  bien  Parris,  je  suis  toute  certaine ; 
Je  bouterra  le  fu  en  cele  eve  qui  [fu]  Saine ; 
La  moulins  arderra ;  ce  fi  chos  mult  gravaine 
Se  n'i  menja  de  pain  de  troute  la  semaine. 

[P]ar  la  .v.  plais  a  Diex,  Parris  fout  vil  mult  gram 

II  i  a  .i.  chapel  dont  je  fi  coetant ; 

Je  le  ferra  portier,  a  .i.  charrier  rollant, 

A  Saint  Amont  a  Londres  toute  droit  en  estant. 

to  ashes. — There  is  no  man  so  valiant  who  dare  wait  for  him  ; — they  will  be  in 
ill  case  whom  the  Frenchman  can  catch." 

"  What  is  that  you  say,  Simon  ?"  replied  Roger  Bigot ; — "  do  you  take  the 
King  for  a  simpleton  and  a  fool  ? — if  you  are  so  bold  as  to  say  another  word, — 
you  will  not  serve  yourself  with  your  best  coat." 

"  Sir  Roger,"  said  the  King,  "  for  God's  sake!  dont  be  in  a  heat ; — I  am 
not  so  angry  against  this  scamp. — I  dont  care  half  a  farthing  for  all  the  French 
that  are  ; — I  will  do  as  I  like,  let  the  matter  go  as  it  will. 

"  I  will  easily  take  Paris,  I  am  quite  certain  ; — I  will  set  fire  to  the  river 
which  is  called  Seine  ; — I  will  burn  the  mill ;  this  will  be  a  very  grievous 
thing, — if  they  eat  no  bread  all  the  week. 

"  By  the  five  wounds  of  God  !  Paris  is  a  very  great  city  1 — There  is  a  chapel, 
of  which  I  am  desirous  ; — I  will  cause  it  to  be  carried  in  a  rolling  cart,—  straight 
to  Saint  Amont  in  London,  just  as  it  stands. 


68  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

t 

Quant  j'arra  soz  Parris  mene  tout  me  naviaus, 
Je  ferra  le  moustier  Saint  Dinis  la  Chanciaus 
Corronier  d'Adouart  soz  sa  blonde  chaviaus. 
La  voudra  vous  toer  de  vaches  a  porciaus. 

Je  crai  que  vous  verra  la  endret  grosse  fest. 
Quant  d'Adouart  arra  corrone  France  test. 
II  I'a  bien  asservi,  ma  fil ;  il  n'est  pas  best ; 
II  fout  buen  chivaler^    hardouin,  et  honest." 

"  Sir  rai,"  ce  dit  Rogier,  "  por  Dieu  a  mai  entent ; 
Tu  m'as  perce  la  cul,  tel  la  pitie  m'a  prent. 
Or  doint  Godelamit,  par  son  culmandement, 
Que  tu  fais  cestui  chos  bien  gloriousement ! " 

Explicit  la  pais  aus  Englois. 

"  When  I  have  led  all  my  ships  to  Paris, — I  will  cause  the  Chancellor  in  the 
monastery  of  St.  Denis — to  crown  Edward  on  his  flaxen  hair. — There  I  will 
kill  for  you  cows  and  pigs. 

"  I  believe  that  you  will  see  there  a  great  feast, — when  France  shall  have 
crowned  Edward's  head.  He  has  well  deserved  it,  my  son  ;  he  is  no  fool ; — he 
is  a  good  knight,  brave,  and  courteous." 

"  Sir  King,"  said  Roger,  "  for  God's  sake,  listen  to  me  ; — thou  hast  pierced 
me  behind,  so  much  has  pity  overcome  me  ; — Now  may  God  Almighty  ordain 
by  his   commandment, — that  thou   perform   this   thing  very  gloriously!" 


The  decisive  battle  of  Lewes,  in  12G4,  was  the  subject  of  great 
exultation  amongst  the  adherents  of  Simon  de  Montfort.  The 
following  song,  in  English,  is  directed  against  the  king's  brother 
Richard  Earl  of  Cornwall,  who  had  become  very  unpopular  by 
his  foreign  schemes  of  ambition.  He  took  shelter  at  a  wind- 
mill, after  he  saw  the  king's  party  defeated. 


REIGN    OP    KING    HENRY  III.  60 

SONG   AGAINST    THE    KING    OF    ALMAIGNE. 

[MS.   Harl.  No.  2253,  fol.  58  V,   of  the  reign  of  Edw.   II.] 
Sitteth  alle  stille  ant  herkneth  to  me : 
The  Kyn  of  Alemaigne,  bi  mi  leaute, 
Thritti  thousent  pound  askede  he 
For  te  make  the  pees  in  the  countre, 
ant  so  he  dude  more. 
Richard,  thah  thou  be  ever  trichard, 
trichen  shalt  thou  never  more. 

Richard  of  Alemaigne,  whil  that  he  wes  kyng, 
He  spende  al  is  tresour  opon  swy\^'ng ; 
Haveth  he  nout  of  Wahngford  o  ferlyng : — 
Let  him  habbe,  ase  he  brew,  bale  to  dryng, 
maugre  Wyndesore. 
Richard,  thah  thou  be  ever,  etc. 

The  Kyng  of  Alemaigne  wende  do  ful  wel. 
He  saisede  the  mulne  for  a  castel. 
With  hare  sharpe  swerdes  he  grounde  the  stel. 
He  wende  that  the  sayles  were  mangonel 
to  helpe  Wyndesore. 
Richard,  etc. 

Translation. — Sit  all  still  and  listen  to  me  : — the  King  of  Almaigne,  by  my 
loyalty, — thirty  thousand  pound  he  asked — to  make  peace  in  the  country, — 
and  so  he  did  more. — Richard,  though  thou  art  ever  a  traitor, — thou  shalt 
never  more  deceive. 

Richard  of  Almaigne,  while  he  was  king, — he  spent  all  his  treasure  upon 
luxury  ; — have  he  not  of  Wallingford  one  furlong  : — let  him  have,  as  he  brews, 
evil  to  drink, — in  spite  of  Windsor. 

The  King  of  Almaigne  thought  to  do  full  well, — they  seized  the  mill  for  a 
castle  ; — with  their  sharp  swords  they  ground  the  steel, — they  thought  the  sails 
had  been  mangonels — to  help  W^indsor. 


70  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

The  Kyng  of  Alemaigne  gederede  ys  host, 
Makede  him  a  castel  of  a  muhie  post, 
Wende  with  is  prude  ant  is  muchele  host, 
Brohte  from  Alemayne  mony  sori  gost 
to  store  Wyndesore. 
Richard,  etc. 

By  God,  that  is  aboven  ous,  he  dude  muche  synne. 
That  lette  passen  over  see  the  Erl  of  Warynne : 
He  hath  robbed  Engelond,  the  mores,  ant  th  [e]  fenne. 
The  gold,  ant  the  selver,  ant  y-boren  henne, 
for  love  of  Wyndesore. 
Richard,  etc. 

Sire  Simond  de  Mountfort  hath  swore  bi  ys  chyn, 
Hevede  he  nou  here  the  Erl  of  Waryn, 
Shulde  he  never  more  come  to  is  yn, 
Ne  with  sheld,  ne  with  spere,  ne  with  other  gyn, 
to  help  of  Wyndesore. 
Richard,  etc. 

Sire  Simond  de  Montfort  hath  suore  bi  ys  cop, 
Hevede  he  nou  here  Sire  Hue  de  Bigot, 

The  King  of  Almaigne  gathered  his  host, — he  made  him  a  castle  of  a  mill- 
post, — he  went  with  his  pride  and  his  great  boast, — brought  from  Almaigne 
many  a  wretched  soul — to  garrison  Windsor. 

By  God,  that  is  above  us,  he  did  great  sin, — who  let  the  Earl  of  Warenne 
pass  over  sea  : — he  hath  robbed  England  both  the  moor  and  the  fen, —  of  the  gold 
and  the  silver,  and  carried  them  hence, — for  love  of  Windsor. 

Sir  Simon  de  Montfort  hath  sworn  by  his  chin, — had  he  now  here  the  Earl  of 
Warenne, — he  should  never  more  come  to  his  lodging, — neither  with  shield,  nor 
with  spear,  nor  with  other  contrivance, — to  help  Windsor. 

Sir  Simon  de  Montfort  hath  sworn  by  his  head, — had  he  now  here  Sir  Hugh 


REIGX    OF    KING    HENRY   III.  71 

Al  he  shulde  quite  here  twelfmoneth  scot, 
Shulde  he  never  more  with  his  fot  pot 
to  helpe  AYyndesore. 
Richard,  etc. 

Be  the  luef,  be  the  loht,  sire  Edward, 
Thou  shalt  ride  sporeles  o  thy  lyard 
Al  the  ryhte  way  to  Dovere  ward; 
Shalt  thou  never  more  breke  fore-ward, 
ant  that  reweth  sore  : 
Edward,  thou  dudest  ase  a  shreward, 

forsoke  thyn  ernes  lore. 
Richard,  etc. 

de  Bigot, — he  should  pay  here  a  twelvemonth's  scot, — he  shovdd  never  more 
tramp  on  his  feet, —  to  help  Windsor. 

Be  it  agreeable  to  thee,  or  disagreeable,  Sir  Edward, — thou  shalt  ride  spurless 
on  thy  hack — aU  the  straight  road  towards  Dover ;— thou  shalt  never  more 
break  covenant ; — and  that  sore  rueth  thee  ; — Edward,  thou  didst  like  a  shrew, — 
forsookest  thine  uncle's  teaching. 


The  following  long,  but  singularly  interesting,  poem  may  be 
considered  as  the  popular  declaration  of  the  pi-inciples  with 
which  the  barons  entered  into  the  war,  and  the  objects  which 
they  had  in  view.  It  bears  internal  proofs  of  having  been  written 
immediately  after  tbe  decisive  battle  of  Lewes  ;  and  the  mode- 
rate and  deeply  moral  and  religious  feeling  which  the  reforming 
party  here  shows,  even  in  the  moment  of  triumph,  is  extremely 
remarkable,  and  is  closely  connected  with  tbe  complaints  against 
the  licentiousness  of  the  other  party  in  the  satyrical  songs  which 
precede.  We  might  almost  suppose  ourselves  transported  to 
tbe  days  of  WickliflFe  or  Cromwell. 


72  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

THE    BATTLE    OF    LEWES. 
[MS.  Harl.  978.  fol.  128,  r».  of  the  middle  of  the  13th  cent.] 

Calamus  velociter  scribe  sic  scribentis, 
Lingua  laudabiliter  te  benedicentis, 
Dei  patris  dextera,  domine  virtutum. 
Qui  das  tuis  prospera  quando  vis  ad  nutum ; 
In  te  jam  confidere  discant  xmiversi, 
Quos  volebant  perdere  qui  nunc  sunt  dispersi. 
Quorum  caput  capitur,  membra  captivanturj 
Gens  elata  labitur,  fideles  Isetantur. 
Jam  respirat  Anglia,  sperans  libertatem  ; 
10  Cui  Dei  gratia  det  prosperitatem  ! 
Comparati  canibus  Angli  viluerunt, 
Sed  nunc  victis  hostibus  caput  extulerunt. 

Gratise  millesimo  ducentesimoque 
Anno  sexagesimo  quarto,  quarta  quoque 
Feria  Pancratii  post  sollempnitatem, 
Valde  gravis  prelii  tulit  tempestatem 
Anglorum  turbatio,  castroque  Lewensi ; 
Nam  furori  ratio,  vita  cessit  ensi. 

Translation. — Write  quickly,  O  pen  of  one  who,  writing  such  things  as 
follow,  blesses  and  praises  with  his  tongue,  thee,  O  right  hand  of  God  the 
Father,  Lord  of  virtues,  who  givest  prosperity  at  thy  nod  to  thine  own, 
whenever  it  is  thy  will ;  let  all  those  people  now  learn  to  put  their  trust  in  thee, 
whom  they,  who  are  now  scattered,  wished  to  destroy — they  of  whom  the  head 
is  now  taken,  and  the  members  are  in  captivity  ;  the  proud  people  is  fallen ; 
the  faithful  are  filled  with  joy.  Now  England  breathes  in  the  hope  of  liberty  ; 
[10]  to  which  (England)  may  the  grace  of  God  give  prosperity  I  The  English 
were  despised  like  dogs;  but  now  they  have  raised  their  head  over  their 
vanquished  enemies. 

In  the  year  of  grace  one  thousand  two  hundred  and  sixty-four,  and  on  the 
Wednesday  after  the  festival  of  St.  Pancras,  the  army  of  the  English  bore  the 
brunt  of  a  great  battle  at  the  castle  of  Lewes  :  for  reasoning  yielded  to  rage. 


REIGN    OF    KING    IIEXRY   HI.  7^ 

Pridie  qui  Mali  Idus  confluxerunt, 
20  Horrendi  discidii  bellum  commiserunt ; 

Quod  fuit  Susexiee  factum  comitatu, 

Fuit  et  Cicestriee  in  episcopatu. 

Gladius  invaluit,  multi  ceciderunt, 

Veritas  praevaluit,  falsique  fugerunt. 

Nam  perjuris  restitit  dominus  virtutum, 

Atque  puris  preestitit  veritatis  scutum. 

Hos  vastavit  gladius  foris,  intus  pavor  ; 

Confortavit  plenius  istos  coeli  favor. 

Victoris  soUempnia  sancteeque  coronje 
30  Reddunt  testimonia  super  hoc  agone ; 

Cum  dictos  ecclesia  sanctos  honoravit, 

Milites  victoria  veros  coronavit. 

Dei  sapientia,  regens  totum  mundum, 

Fecit  mirabilia  bellumque  jocundum ; 

Fortes  fecit  fugere,  virosque  A-irtutis 

In  claustro  se  claudere,  locis  quoque  tutis. 

Non  armis  sed  gratia  christianitatis, 

Id  est  in  ecclesia,  excommunicatis 

and  life  to  the  sword.  They  met  on  the  fourteenth  of  May,  [20]  and  began  the 
battle  of  this  terrible  strife  ;  which  was  fought  in  the  countj'  of  Sussex,  and  in 
the  bishopric  of  Chichester.  The  sword  was  powerful ;  many  fell ;  truth  pre- 
vailed ;  and  the  false  men  fled.  For  the  Lord  of  valour  resisted  the  perjured 
men,  and  defended  those  who  were  pure  with  the  shield  of  truth.  The  sword 
without,  and  fear  within,  routed  the  former;  the  favour  of  heaven  comforted 
very  fully  the  latter.  The  solemnities  of  the  victor,  and  the  sacred  crowns, 
[30]  give  testimony  on  this  contest ;  since  the  Church  honoured  the  said  persons 
as  saints,  and  victory  crowned  the  true  soldiers.  The  wisdom  of  God,  which 
rules  the  whole  world,  performed  miracles  and  made  a  jo}-ful  war  ;  caused  the 
strong  to  fly,  and  the  valorous  men  to  shut  themselves  up  in  a  cloister,  and  in 
places  of  safety.  Not  in  arms,  but  in  the  grace  of  Christianity,  that  is  in  the 
Church,  remained  the  only  refuge  for  those  who  were  excommunicated  ;  after 
CAMD.  SOC.  G.  L 


74  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Unicum  refugium  restabat,  relictis 
40  Equis,  hoc  consilium  occurrebat  victis. 
Et  quam  non  timuerant  prius  prophanare, 
Q,uam  more  debuerant  matris  honorare, 
Ad  ipsam  refugiunt,  licet  minus  digni, 
Amplexus  se  muniunt  salutaris  ligni. 
Quos  matrem  contempnere  prospera  fecerunt, 
Vulnera  cognoscere  matrem  compulerunt. 
Apud  Northamptoniam  dolo  prosperati, 
Spreverunt  ecclesiam  infideles  nati ; 
Sanctffi  matris  viscera  ferro  turbaverunt, 
50  Prosperis  non  prospera  bella  meruerunt. 
Mater  tunc  injuriam  tulit  patienter. 
Quasi  per  incuriam,  sed  nee  affluenter : 
Punit  banc  et  alias  quas  post  addiderunt, 
Nam  multas  ecclesias  insani  leeserunt ; 
Namque  monasterium,  quod  Bellum  vocatur, 
Turba  seevientium,  quse  nunc  conturbatur, 
Inmisericorditer  bonis  spoliavit, 
Atque  sibi  taliter  bellum  praeparavit. 

deserting  their  horses  [40]  this  counsel  alone  occurred  to  the  vanquished. 
And  her  whom  previously  they  had  not  hesitated  to  profane,  her  whom  they 
ought  to  have  honoured  in  the  place  of  a  mother — in  her  they  seek  refuge, 
though  little  worthy  of  it,  and  seek  their  defence  in  embracing  the  wood  of 
salvation.  Those  whom  prosperity  caused  to  despise  their  mother,  their 
wounds  compelled  to  know  their  mother.  When  at  Northampton  they  suc- 
ceeded by  treachery,  the  faithless  children  despised  the  church ;  with  the  sword 
they  disturbed  the  bowels  of  the  holy  mother,  and  in  their  prosperity  [50]  did 
not  merit  a  successful  war.  The  mother  then  bore  the  injury  patiently,  as 
though  heedless  of  it,  but  not  letting  it  pass  unmarked  :  she  punishes  this  and 
other  injuries  which  were  aftei-wards  added,  for  the  madmen  ravaged  many 
churches  ;  and  the  band  of  enraged  men,  which  has  now  been  thrown  into  con- 
fusion, mercilessly  spoiled  the  monastry  which  is  called  Battle,  of  its  goods,  and 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  75 

Monachi  Cystercii  de  Ponte-Roberti 
60  A  furore  gladii  non  fuissent  certi, 

Si  quingentas  principi  marcas  non  dedissent. 

Quas  Ed\yardus  accipi  jussit^  vel  perissent. 

Hiis  atque  similibus  factis  meruerunt 

Quod  cesserunt  hostibus  et  succubuerunt. 

Benedicat  dominus  .S.  de  Monte-Forti ! 

Suis  nichilominus  natis  et  cohort! ! 

Qui  se  magnanimiter  exponentes  morti, 

Pugnaverunt  fortiter,  condolentes  sorti 

Anglicorum  flebili,  qui  subpeditati 
70  Modo  vix  narrabili,  peneque  privati 

Cunctis  libertatibus,  immo  sua  ^^lta, 

Sub  duris  principibus  langiierunt  ita, 

Ut  Israelitica  plebs  sub  Pharaone, 

Gemens  sub  tyrannica  devastation  e. 

Sed  banc  videns  populi  Deus  agoniam, 

Dat  in  fine  seculi  no\'um  Mathathiam, 

Et  cum  suis  filiis  zelans  zelum  legis, 

Nee  cedit  injuriis  nee  furori  regis. 

thus  they  prepared  a  battle  for  themselves.  The  Cistercian  monks  of  Robertsbridge 
[60]  would  not  have  been  safe  from  the  fury  of  the  sword,  unless  they  had  given 
five  hundred  marks  to  the  prince,  which  Edward  ordered  to  be  received,  or  they 
had  perished.  By  these,  and  similar  deeds,  they  merited  to  give  way  and  succumb 
before  their  enemies.  May  the  Lord  bless  Simon  de  Montfort !  and  also  his 
sons  and  his  army  1  who,  exposing  themselves  magnanimously  to  death,  fought 
valiantly,  condoling  the  lamentable  lot  of  the  English  who,  trodden  under 
foot  in  a  manner  scarcely  to  be  described,  [70]  and  almost  deprived  of  all 
their  Uberties,  nay,  of  their  lives,  had  languished  under  hard  rulers,  like  the 
people  of  Israel  under  Pharaoh,  groaning  under  a  tyrannical  devastation.  But 
God,  seeing  this  suffering  of  the  people,  gives  at  last  a  new  Matathias,  and  he 
with  his  sons,  zealous  after  the  zeal  of  the  law,  yields  neither  to  the  insults  nor  to 
the  fury  of  the  king. 


'6  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Seductorem  nominant  .S.  atque  fallacem ; 

80  Facta  sed  examinant  probantque  veracem. 
Dolcsi  deficiunt  in  necessitate ; 
Qui  mortem  non  fugiunt,  sunt  in  veritate. 
Sed  nunc  dicit  eemulus,  et  insidiator, 
Cujus  nequam  oculus  pacis  perturbator  : 
"  Si  laudas  constantiam,  si  fidelitatem. 
Quae  mortis  instantiam  vel  poenalitatem 
Non  fugit,  sequaliter  dicentur  constantes 
Qui  concurrunt  pariter  invicem  pugnantes, 
Pariter  discrimini  semet  exponentes, 

90  Duroque  cognomini  se  subjicientes/' 
Sed  in  nostro  jjrelio  cm  nunc  instamus, 
Qualis  sit  discretio  rei  videamus. 

Comes  paucos  habuit  armorum  expertos 
Pars  regis  intumuit^  bellatores  certos 
Et  majores  Angliee  habens  congregates, 
Floremque  militicE  regni  nominates  ; 
Qui  Londoniensibus  armis  comparati, 
Essent  multis  milibus  trecenti  praelati ; 

They  call  Simon  a  seductor  and  a  traitor  ;  [80]  but  bis  deeds  lay  him  open 
and  prove  him  to  be  a  true  man.  Traitors  fall  off  in  time  of  need  ;  they  who  do 
not  fly  death,  are  those  who  stand  for  the  truth.  But  says  his  insidious  enemy 
now,  whose  evil  eye  is  the  disturber  of  peace,  "  If  you  praise  the  constancy 
and  the  fidelity,  which  does  not  fly  the  approach  of  death  or  punishment,  they  shall 
equally  be  called  constant  who,  in  the  same  manner,  go  to  the  combat  fighting  on 
the  opposite  side,  in  the  same  manner  exposing  themselves  to  the  chance 
of  war,  [90]  and  subjecting  themselves  to  a  hard  appellation."  But  in  our  war  in 
which  we  are  now  engaged,  let  us  see  what  is  the  state  of  the  case. 

The  earl  had  few  men  used  to  arms  ;  the  royal  party  was  numerous,  having 
assembled  the  disciplined  and  greatest  warriors  in  England,  such  as  were  called 
the  flower  of  the  army  of  the  kingdom  ;  those  who  were  prepared  with  arms  from 
among  the  Londoners,  were  three  hundred  set  before  several  thousands  ;  whence 


REIGX    OF    KIXG    HEXRY    III.  77 

Unde  conteraptibiles  illis  extiterunt, 
100  Et  abhominabiles  expertis  fuerunt. 

Comitis  militia  plurima  tenella ; 

In  armis  novitia^  parum  novit  bella. 

Nunc  accinctus  gladio  tener  adolescens 

Mane  stat  in  prelio  armis  assuescens ; 

Quid  mirum  si  timeat  tyro  tam  novellus, 

Et  si  lupum  caveat  impotens  agnellus  ? 

Sic  ergo  militia  sunt  inferiores 

Qui  pugnant  pro  Anglia,  sunt  et  pauciores 

Multo  viris  fortibus,  de  sua  virtute 
110  Satis  gloriantibus,  ut  putarent  tute, 

Et  sine  periculo,  velut  absorbere 

Quotquot  adminiculo  Comiti  fuere. 

Nam  et  qvios  adduxerat  Comes  ad  certamen, 

De  quibus  speraverat  non  parvum  juvamen, 

Plurimi  perterriti  mox  se  subtraxerunt, 

Et  velut  attoniti  fugee  se  dederunt ; 

Et  de  tribus  partibus  tertia  recessit. 

Comes  cum  iidelibus  paucis  nunquam  cessit. 

they  were  contemptibls  to  those,  [100]  and  were  detested  by  those  who 
were  experienced.  Much  of  the  earl's  army  was  raw  ;  fresh  in  arms,  they 
knew  little  of  war.  The  tender  youth,  only  now  girt  with  a  sword,  stands  in 
the  morning  in  battle  accustoming  himself  to  arms  ;  what  wonder  if  such  an 
unpractised  tyro  fear,  and  if  the  powerless  lamb  dread  the  wolf  ?  Thus  those  who 
fight  for  England  are  inferior  in  military  discipline,  and  they  are  much  fewer  than 
the  strong  men,  who  boasted  in  their  own  valour,  [110]  because  they  thought 
safely,  and  without  danger,  to  swallow  up,  as  it  were,  all  whom  the  earl  had  to 
help  him.  Moreover,  of  those  wliom  the  earl  had  brought  to  the  battle,  and 
from  whom  he  hoped  for  no  little  help,  many  soon  withdrew  from  fear,  and  took 
to  flight  £LS  though  they  were  amazed ;  and  of  three  parts,  one  deserted. 
The  earl  with  a  few  faithful  men  never  yielded.     We  may  compare  our  battle 


78  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Gedeonis  prelium  nostro  comparemus, 
120  In  quibus  fidelium  vincere  videmus 

Paucos  multos  numero  fidem  non  habentes. 

Similes  Lucifero  de  se  confidentes. 

"  Si  darem  victoriam/'  dicit  Deus,  "  multis, 

Stulti  miclii  gloriam  non  darent^  sed  stultis." 

Sic  si  Deus  fortibus  vincere  dedisset, 

Valgus  laudem  talibus  non  Deo  dedisset. 
Ex  hiis  potest  elici  quod  non  timueruiit 

Deum  viri  bellici,  unde  nil  fecerunt 

Quod  suam  constantiam  vel  fidelitatem 
130  Probet,  sed  superbiam  et  crudelitatem ; 

Volentes  confundere  partem  quam  spreveruiit, 

Exeuntes  temere  cito  corruerunt. 

Cordis  exaltatio  preeparat  ruinam, 

Et  humiliatio  meretur  divinam 

Dari  sibi  gratiam ;  nam  qui  non  confidit 

De  Deo,  superbiam  Deus  banc  elidit. 

Aman  introducimus  atque  Mardocheum  ; 

Hunc  superbum  legimus,  hunc  verum  Judseum  ; 

with  that  of  Gideon  ;  [120]  in  both  of  which  we  see  a  few  of  the  faithful  conquer 
a  great  number  who  have  no  faith,  and  who  trust  in  themselves  like  Lucifer  did. 
God  said,  "  If  I  should  give  the  victory  to  the  many,  the  fools  wiU  not  give  the 
glory  to  me,  but  to  fools."  So  if  God  had  made  the  strong  to  conquer,  the 
common  people  would  have  given  the  credit  of  it  to  the  men,  and  not  to  God. 

From  these  considerations  it  may  be  concluded  that  the  warlike  men  did  not 
fear  God,  wherefore  they  did  nothing  to  prove  their  constancy  or  fidelity, 
[1.30]  but  they  showed  on  the  contrary  their  pride  and  and  cruelty  ;  and  wishing 
to  confound  those  whom  they  despised,  issuing  forth  boldly,  they  perished 
quickly.  Exaltation  of  the  heart  brings  on  ruin,  and  humility  merits  to 
receive  the  divine  grace ;  for  he  who  does  not  trust  in  God,  God  overthrows  his 
pride.  We  may  bring  forward  as  examples  Aman  and  Mardocheus  ;  we  read 
that  the  former  was  arrogant,   the  latter  a  true  Israelite ;  the  gallows  which 


REIGX    OF    KING    IIEXRY    III.  79 

Lignum  quod  paraverat  Aman  Mardocheo, 

140  Mane  miser  tollerat  suspensus  in  eo. 
Reginee  convivium  Aman  excoecavit, 
Quod  ut  privilegium  magnum  reputavit ; 
Sed  spes  van  a  vertitur  in  confusionem, 
Cum  post  mensam  trahitur  ad  suspensionem. 
Sic  extrema  gaudii  luctus  occupavit, 
Cum  finem  convivii  morti  sociavit. 
Longe  dissimiliter  accidit  Judeeo, 
Honorat  sublimiter  quem  rex,  dante  Deo. 
Golias  prosternitur  projectu  lapilli ; 

150  Quem  Deus  persequitur,  nichil  prodest  illi. 
Ad  praedictas  varias  adde  rationes. 
Quod  tot  fornicarias  fsetidi  lenones 
Ad  se  convocaverantj  usque  septingentas, 
Quas  scire  debuerant  esse  fraudulentas, 
Sathanee  discipulas  ad  decipiendas 
Animas,  et  faculas  ad  has  incendendas, 
Dolosas  novaculas  ad  crines  Samsonis 
Radendos,  et  maculas  turpis  actio nis 

Aman  had  prepared  for  Mardocheus,  [140]  in  the  morning  the  wretch  bore  it 
himself  in  order  to  be  hanged  upon  it.  The  queen's  banquet  blinded  Aman, 
which  he  reputed  as  an  extraordinary  privilege  ;  but  his  vain  expectation  is  turned 
into  confusion,  when  after  the  feast  he  is  dragged  to  the  gallows.  Thus  sorrow 
followed  close  upon  joy,  when  it  coupled  death  with  the  end  of  the  feast.  Very 
differently,  it  happens,  to  the  Israelite,  whom,  by  God's  will,  the  king  honours. 
Golias  is  overthrown  by  the  stroke  of  a  little  stone  ;  [150]  nothing  profits  him 
whom  God  pursues.  Add  to  the  various  reasons  already  mentioned,  that  the 
stinking  bawds  collected  with  them  so  many  strumpets,  amounting  to  seven 
hundred,  which  they  ought  to  have  known  to  be  fraudulent  persons,  disciples  of 
Satan  to  deceive  men's  souls,  and  matches  to  set  them  on  fire,  treacherous 
scissars  to  cut  the  hairs  of  Samson,  inflicting  the  stains  of  base  action  on  the 


80  POLITICAL.    SONGS. 

Inferentes  miseris  qui  ncn  sunt  cordati, 
160  Nee  divini  muneris  gratia  firmati, 

Carnis  desideriis  animales  dati, 

Cujus  immunditiis,  brutis  comparati. 

Esse  ne  victoria  digni  debuerunt, 

Qui  carnis  luxuria  foeda  sorduerunt : 

Factis  lupanaribus  robur  minuerunt, 

Unde  militaribus  indigni  fuerunt. 

Accingitur  gladio  super  femur  miles, 

Absit  dissolutio,  absint  actus  viles ; 

Corpus  novi  militis  solet  balneari, 
1  70  Ut  a  factis  vetitis  discat  emundari. 

Qui  de  novo  duxerant  uxores  legales, 

Domini  non  fuerant  apti  bello  tales, 

Gedeonis  prelio  teste,  multo  minus 

Quos  luxus  incendio  Iseserat  caminus. 

Igitur  adulteros  cur  Deus  juvaret, 

Et  non  magis  pueros  mundos  roboraret  ? 

Mundentur  qui  cupiunt  vincere  pugnando  ; 

Qui  culpas  subjiciunt  sunt  in  triumphando ; 

wretches  who  are  not  strong  in  heart,  [160]  nor  made  firm  by  the  grace  of  the 
divine  gift,  but  animals  dedicated  to  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  by  the  uncleanness 
of  which,  reduced  to  the  level  of  brutes,  they  ought  not  to  be  worthy  of  victory, 
who  grovelled  in  the  foul  luxury  of  the  flesh  ;  they  diminish  their  strength  in 
the  stews  which  they  had  made,  therefore  they  were  unworthy  of  the  attributes 
of  knights.  A  knight  is  girt  on  the  thigh  with  a  sword,  that  it  may  not  be 
ungirt,  and  that  vile  deeds  should  be  eschewed ;  the  body  of  a  new  knight  is 
accustomed  to  be  bathed,  [170]  in  order  that  he  may  learn  to  be  clean  from  un- 
lawful deeds.  They  who  had  newly  married  lawful  wives,  were  not  fit  for  the 
Lord's  warfare,  as  the  battle  of  Gideon  witnesseth,  much  less  those  whom  the  fur- 
nace of  luxury  hath  injured  with  its  fire.  Why  then  should  God  help  adulterers, 
and  not  rather  strengthen  clean  children  ?  Let  them  be  clean  who  desire  to  conquer 
in  fighting ;  they  who  vanquish  their  faults  are  in  the  way  to  triumph ;  first  let  them 


^ 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  81 

Primo  vincant  vitia,  qui  volunt  victores 
180  Esse  cum  justitia  super  peccatores. 

Si  Justus  ab  impio  quandoque  videtur 

Victus,  e  contrario  victor  reputetur  ; 

Nam  nee  Justus  poterit  vinci,  nee  iniquus 

Vincere  dum  fuerit  juris  inimicus. 
JEquitatern  comitis  Symonis  audite  : 

Cum  pars  regis  capitis  ipsius  et  vitae 

Solam  poenam  qusereret,  nee  redemptionem 

Capitis  admitteret^  sed  abscisionem, 

Quo  confuse  plurinia  plebs  confuuderetur, 
190  Et  pars  regni  maxima  periclitaretur, 

Ruina  gravissima  statim  sequeretur  ; 

Q,u(E  mora  longissima  non  repareretur  ! 

.S.  divina  gratia  preesul  Cycestrensis, 

Alta  dans  suspiria  pro  malis  immensis 

Jam  tunc  imminentibus,  sine  fictione, 

Persiiasis  partibus  de  formatione 

Pacis,  hoc  a  Comite  responsum  audivit : 

"  Optimos  eligite,  quorum  fides  vivit, 

conquer  their  vices,  [180]  who  wish  with  justice  to  have  the  victory  over  sinners. 
If  the  just  man  seems  sometimes  to  be  vanquislied  by  the  impious  man,  on  the 
contrary  he  should  be  reputed  the  conqueror ;  for  neither  can  the  just  man  be 
vanquished,  nor  the  unjust  man  conquer  while  he  is  the  enemy  of  the  law. 

Listen  to  the  equity  of  Earl  Simon :  when  the  royal  party  would  be  satisfied 
only  with  his  head  and  his  life,  nor  would  allow  his  head  to  be  redeemed,  but  would 
have  it  cut  off,  by  whose  confusion  they  hoped  the  body  of  the  people  should  be 
confounded,  [190]  and  the  greatest  part  of  the  state  brought  into  danger,  so  that 
the  most  grievous  ruin  would  immediately  follow  ; — may  it  be  very  long  before 
this  happen  ! — Stephen,  by  divine  grace,  bishop  of  Chichester,  groaning  deeply 
for  the  immense  evils  which  were  then  impending,  (without  exaggeration,)  the 
two  parties  being  persuaded  to  treat  of  a  peace,  received  this  ansv.'er  from  the 

CAMD.  SOC.  6.  M 


82  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Glui  decreta  legerint,  vel  theologiam 
200  Dec  enter  docuerint  sacramque  sophiam, 
Et  qui  sciant  regere  fidem  Christianam ; 
Quicquidque  consulere  per  doctrinam  sanam 
Quicquidve  discernere  tales  non  timebunt. 
Quod  dicent,  suscipere  promptos  nos  habebunt ; 
Ita  quod  perjurii  notam  nesciamus, 
Sed  ut  Dei  filii  fidem  teneamus.'^ 
Hinc  possunt  perpendere  facile  jurantes, 
Et  quod  jurant  spernere  parum  dubitantes, 
Quamvis  jurent  licita,  cito  recedentes, 
210  Deoque  poUicita  sana  non  reddentes. 
Quanta  cura  debeant  suum  juramentum 
Servare^  cum  videant  virum  nee  tormentum 
Neque  mortem  fugere  propter  jusjurandum, 
Preestitum  non  temere,  sed  ad  reformandum 
Statum  qui  deciderat  Anglicanae  gentis, 
Quem  fraus  violaverat  hostis  invidentis. 
En  Symon  obediens  spernit  dampna  rerum, 
Poenis  se  subjiciens,  ne  dimittat  verum. 

Earl :  "  Choose  the  best  men,  who  have  a  lively  faith,  [200]  who  have  read  the 
decretals,  or  who  have  taught,  in  a  becoming  manner,  theology  and  sacred 
wisdom,  and  who  know  how  to  rule  the  Christian  faith,  whatever  they  may  resolve 
by  sound  doctrine,  or  whatever  they  may  have  the  courage  to  decree,  they 
shall  find  us  ready  to  agree  to  what  they  shall  dictate,  in  such  a  manner  as 
that  we  may  escape  the  stigma  of  perjury,  and  keep  the  league  as  children  of 
God."  Hence  it  may  easily  be  understood  by  those  who  swear,  and  show  little 
reluctance  to  despise  what  they  swear,  receding  quickly  from  it  although  they 
swear  to  what  is  right,  [210]  and  not  rendering  whole  what  they  have  promised 
to  God,  with  how  much  care  they  ought  to  keep  their  oath,  when  they  see  a  man 
neither  avoiding  torment  nor  death  on  account  of  his  oath,  which  was  made  not 
inconsiderately,  but  for  the  reformation  of  the  fallen  state  of  the  English  nation, 
which  the  fraud  of  an  inveterate  enemy  had  violated.     Behold  Simon,  obedient. 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  83 

Cunctis  palam  praedicans  factis  plus  quam  dictis, 
220  Quod  non  est  coramunicans  Veritas  cum  fictis. 
Vae  perjuris  miseris,  qui  non  timent  Deum  ! 
Spe  terreni  muneris  abnegantes  eum, 
Vel  timore  carceris,  sive  poenae  levis  ; 
Novus  dux  itineris  docet  ferre  qusevis 
Quse  mundus  intulerit  propter  veritatem, 
Quae  perfectam  poterit  dare  libertatem. 
Nam  Comes  praestiterat  prius  j  uramentum, 
Quod  quicquid  providerat  zelus  sapientum 
Ad  honoris  regii  reformationem, 
230  Et  erroris  devii  declinationem, 

Partibus  Oxoniae,  firmiter  servaret, 
Hujusque  sententiae  legem  non  mutaret ; 
Sciens  tam  canonicas  constitutiones 
Atque  tam  catholicas  ordinationes 
Ad  regni  pacificam  conservationem, 
Propter  quas  non  modicam  persecutionem 
Prius  sustinuerat,  non  esse  spernandas  ; 
Et  quia  juraverat  fortiter  tenendas, 

despises  the  loss  of  property,  submitting  himself  to  punishment,  rather  than 
desert  the  truth,  proclaiming  to  all  men  openly  by  his  deeds  more  than  by  his 
words,  [220]  that  truth  has  nothing  in  common  with  falsehood.  Woe  to  the 
perjured  wretches  who  fear  not  God  !  denying  him  for  the  prospect  of  an  earthly 
reward,  or  for  fear  of  imprisonment  or  light  punishment ;  the  new  leader  of  the 
journey  teaches  to  bear  all  that  the  world  may  inflict  on  account  of  truth,  for  it 
is  this  which  can  give  perfect  liberty.  For  the  Earl  had  first  pledged  his  oath 
that  whatever  the  zeal  of  the  wise  had  provided  for  the  reformation  of  the  King's 
honour,  [230]  and  for  the  repression  of  wandering  error,  at  Oxford,  he  would 
steadfastly  keep  it,  and  would  not  change  the  law  then  ordained,  knowing  that 
such  canonical  constitutions,  and  such  catholic  ordinances  for  the  pacific  con- 
servation of  the  kingdom,  on  account  of  which  he  had  before  sustained  no  slight 
persecution,  were  not  to  be  despised  ;  and  because  he  had  sworn  to  hold  them 


84  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Nisi  perfectissimi  fidei  doctores 
240  Dicerent,  quod  eximi  possent  juratores, 
Qui  tale  prsestiterant  prius  jusjurandum, 
Et  id  quod  juraverant  non  esse  curandum. 
Quod  cum  dictus  pontifex  regi  recitaret, 
Atque  fraudis  artifex  forsitan  astaret, 
Vox  in  altum  tollitur  turbee  tumidorum, 
"  En  jam  miles  subitur  dictis  clericorum  ! 
Viluit  militia  clericis  subjecta!" 
Sic  est  sapientia  Comitis  despecta ; 
Edwardusque  dicitur  ita  respond!  sse, 
250  "  Pax  illis  preecluditur,  nisi  laqueis  se 

Collis  omnes  alligent,  et  ad  suspendendum 
Semet  nobis  obligent,  vel  ad  detrahendum.'^ 
Quid  mirum  si  Comitis  cor  tunc  moveretur. 
Cum  non  nisi  stipitis  poena  pareretur  ? 
Optulit  quod  debuit^  sed  non  est  auditus  ; 
Rex  mensuram  respuit,  salutis  oblitus. 
Sed  ut  rei  docuit  crastinus  eventus, 
Modus  quem  tunc  noluit  post  non  est  inventus. 

firmly,  unless  the  most  perfect  doctors  of  the  faith  should  say,  [240]  that 
the  jurators  might  be  absolved,  who  had  before  taken  such  oath,  and  that 
no  further  account  was  to  be  made  of  what  they  had  sworn.  Which,  when 
the  said  bishop  recited  to  the  king,  and  perhaps  the  artificer  of  fraud  was 
standing  by,  the  voice  of  the  crowd  of  arrogant  courtiers  was  raised  high, 
"  See  now  the  soldier  is  to  give  way  to  the  sayings  of  clerks  I  The  military  order 
subjected  to  clerks  is  debased  !"  Thus  the  wisdom  of  the  Earl  was  despised  ; 
and  Edward  is  said  to  have  answered  thus  :  [250]  "  They  shall  have  no  peace 
unless  they  all  put  halters  about  their  necks,  and  deliver  themselves  up  to  us  to 
be  hanged,  or  to  be  drawn."  \^Tiat  wonder  if  the  Earl's  heart  was  then  moved, 
when  nothing  but  the  pain  of  the  stake  was  prepared  for  him  ?  He  offered  what  he 
ought  to  do,  but  he  was  not  listened  to  ;  the  king  rejected  measure,  forgetting 
what  was  good  for  him.     But,  as  the  event  of  the  matter  next  day  taught  him. 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  85 

Comitis  devotio  sero  deridetur, 
260  Cujus  eras  congressio  victrix  sentietur. 

Lapis  hie  ab  hostibus  diu  reprobatus. 

Post  est  parietibus  duobus  aptatus. 

Anglise  divisio  desolationis 

Fuit  in  eonfinio,  sed  divisionis 

AfFuit  prsesidio  lapis  angularis, 

Symonis  religio  sane  singularis. 

Fides  et  fidelitas  Symonis  solius 

Fit  pacis  integritas  Anglise  totius  ; 

Rebelles  hurailiat,  levat  desperatos, 
270  Regnum  reconsilians,  reprimens  elatos. 

Quos  quo  modo  reprimit  ?  certe  non  laudendo, 

Sed  rubrum  jus  exprimit  dure  confligendo  ; 

Ipsum  nam  confligere  Veritas  coegit, 

Vel  verum  deserere^,  sed  prudens  elegit 

Magis  dare  dexteram  suam  veritati, 

Viamque  per  asperam  junctam  probitati. 

Per  grave  compendium  tumidis  ingratum, 

Optinere  bravium  violentis  datum, 

the  measure  which  he  then  refused,  afterwards  was  not  to  be  had.  In  the 
evening  was  derided  the  Earl's  devotion,  [260]  the  shock  of  which,  next  day,  was 
found  to  be  victorious.  This  stone,  long  rejected  from  the  doorway,  was  after- 
wards fitted  to  the  two  walls.  The  division  of  England  was  on  the  verge  of 
desolation,  but  the  corner-stone  was  there  as  a  help  to  the  division,  the  truly 
singular  religion  of  Simon.  The  faith  and  fidelity  of  Simon  alone  becomes 
the  security  of  the  peace  of  all  England  ;  he  humbles  the  rebellious,  raises  those 
who  were  in  despair,  [270]  reconciling  the  kingdom,  repressing  the  proud. 
And  how  does  he  repress  them  ?  certainly  not  by  praising  them ;  but  he 
presses  out  the  red  juice  in  the  hard  conflict ;  for  truth  obliges  him  to  fight, 
or  to  desert  the  truth,  and  prudently  he  chooses  rather  to  devote  his  right  hand 
to  the  truth,  and  by  the  rough  way,  which  is  joined  to  probity,  by  the  harder  and 
shorter  way  which  is  unpleasant  to  the  proud,  to  obtain  the  reward  which  is  given 


8«  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Quam  per  subterfugium  Deo  displicere, 
280  Pravorumque  studium  fuga  promovere. 
Nam  quidam  studuerant  Anglorum  delere 
Nomen,  quos  jam  cseperant  exosos  habere, 
Contra  quos  opposuit  Deus  medicinam, 
Ipsorum  cum  noluit  subitam  ruinam. 

Hinc  alienigenas  discant  advocare 
Angli,  si  per  advenas  volunt  exulare. 
Nam  qui  suam  gloriam  volunt  ampliare, 
Suamque  memoriam  vellent  semper  stare, 
Suae  gentis  plurimos  sibi  sociari, 
290  Et  mox  inter  maximos  student  coUocare  ; 
Itaque  confusio  crescit  incolarum, 
Crescit  indignatio,  crescit  cor  amarum. 
Cum  se  premi  sentiunt  regni  principales 
Ab  hiis  qui  se  faciunt  sibi  coeequales, 
Quae  sua  debuerant  esse  subtrahentes, 
Quibus  consiieverant  crescere,  crescentes. 
Escliaetis  et  gardiis  suos  honorare 
Debet  rex,  qui  variis  modis  se  juvare 

to  those  who  use  force,  than  to  displease  God  by  shrinking,  [280]  and  to  promote 
the  designs  of  bad  men  by  flight.  For  some  men  had  studied  to  erase  the  name  of 
the  English,  whom  they  had  ah'eady  begun  to  regard  with  hatred,  against  whom 
God  opposed  a  medicine,  since  he  did  not  desire  their  sudden  ruin, 

Hence  let  the  English  learn  to  call  in  strangers,  if  they  wish  to  be  exiled  by 
strangers.  For  these  when  they  wish  to  enlarge  their  own  glory,  and  wish  their 
own  memory  to  stand  always,  study  to  associate  with  themselves  very  many  of 
their  own  nation,  [290]  and  by  degrees  to  make  them  the  principal  nobles  ; 
and  thus  grows  the  confusion  of  the  natives,  with  indignation  and  bitterness  of 
heart,  when  the  chief  men  of  the  kingdom  feel  themselves  to  be  beaten  down  by 
those  who  make  themselves  their  equals,  taking  from  them  the  things  which 
ought  to  appertain  to  them,  growing  by  the  things  by  which  they  used  to  grow. 
The  King  ought  to  honour  with  escheats  and  wards  his  own  people,  who  can 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  87 

Possunt,  qui  quo  viribus  sunt  valentiores, 

300  Eg  cunctis  casibus  sunt  securiores. 
Sed  qui  nil  attulerant,  si  suis  ditantur, 
Qui  nuUius  fuerant,  si  magnificantur, 
Crescere  cum  ceperint,  semper  scandunt  tales 
Donee  supplantaverint  viros  naturales ; 
Principis  avertere  cor  a  suis  student, 
Ut  quos  volunt  cadere  gloria  denudent. 
Et  quis  posset  talia  ferre  patienter  ? 
Ergo  discat  Anglia  cavere  prudenter, 
Ne  talis  perplexitas  amplius  contingat, 

310  Ne  talis  adversitas  Anglicos  inpingat. 
Hiiic  malo  studuit  comes  obviare, 
Quod  nimis  invaluit  quasi  magnum  mare, 
Quod  parvo  conamine  nequibat  siccari, 
Sed  magno  juvamine  Dei  transvadari. 
Veniant  extranei  cito  recessuri, 
Quasi  momentanei,  sed  non  permansuri. 
Una  juvat  aliam  manuum  duarum, 
Neutra  toUens  gratiam  verius  earum ; 

help  him  in  various  ways,  who,  by  as  much  as  they  are  more  powerful  by  their 
own  strength,  [300]  are  so  much  the  more  secure  in  all  cases.  But  those  who 
have  brought  nothing,  if  they  are  enriched  by  his  goods,  if  they  are  made  great 
who  were  of  no  account,  such  men,  when  they  begin  to  grow,  always  go  on  climb- 
ing till  they  have  supplanted  the  natives  ;  they  study  to  avert  the  prince's  heart 
from  his  own  people,  that  they  may  strip  of  glory  those  whose  ruin  they  are 
seeking.  And  who  could  bear  such  things  patiently  ?  Therefore  let  England 
learn  prudently  to  have  a  care,  lest  such  a  perplexity  should  happen  any  more, 
[310]  lest  such  an  adversity  should  fall  upon  the  English.  The  Earl  studied  to 
obviate  this,  because  it  had  gained  too  much  head,  like  a  great  sea,  that  could  not 
be  dried  by  a  small  effort,  but  must  be  forded  by  a  great  assistance  from  God. 
Let  strangers  come  to  return  quickly,  like  men  of  a  moment,  but  not  to  remain. 
One  of  the  two  hands  aids  the  other,  neither  of  them  bearing  more  really 
the  grace  which  belongs  to  both ;  let  it  help,  and  not  injure,  by  retaining  its 


88  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Juvet  et  non  noceat  locum  retinendo. 
320  Quceque  suum  valeat  ita  veniendo  ; 

Gallicus  ad  Anglicum  benefaciendo, 

Et  non  per  sophisticum  vultum  seducendo, 

Nee  alter  alterius  bona  subtrahendo ; 

Immo  suum  potius  onus  sustinendo. 

Comraodum  si  proprium  comitem  movisset. 

Nee  haberet  alium  zelum,  nee  qusesisset 

Toto  suo  studio  reformationi 

Regni^  sed  intentio  domination!, 

Solam  suam  queereret,  et  promotionem 
330  Suorum  proponerat,  ad  ditationem 

Filiorum  tenderet,  et  communitatis 

Salutem  negligeret,  ac  duplicitatis 

Palli  [o]  supponeret  virus  falsitatis  ; 

Sic  fidem  relinqueret  Christianitatis, 

Et  horrendee  subderet  se  poenalitatis 

Legi,  nee  effugeret  pondus  tempestatis. 

Et  quis  potest  credere  quod  se  morti  daret, 

Suos  vellet  perdere,  ut  sic  exaltaret  ? 

place.  [320]  Each  thing  would  avail  its  own  possessor  if  they  come  so  ;  the 
Frenchman  by  doing  good  to  the  Englishman,  and  not  seducing  by  a  flattering 
face,  nor  the  one  withdrawing  the  goods  of  the  other  ;  but  rather  by  sustaining 
his  own  portion  of  the  burden.  If  his  own  interest  had  moved  the  Earl,  he  would 
neither  have  had  any  other  zeal,  nor  would  he  have  sought  with  all  his  power 
for  the  reformation  of  the  kingdom,  but  he  would  have  aimed  at  power,  he 
would  have  sought  his  own  promotion  only,  and  made  his  first  object  the 
promotion  of  his  friends,  [330]  and  would  have  aimed  at  enriching  his  children, 
and  would  have  neglected  the  weal  of  the  community,  and  would  have  covered 
the  poison  of  falsehood  with  the  cloak  of  duplicity,  and  would  thus  have  deserted 
the  faith  of  Christianity,  and  would  have  subjected  himself  to  the  retribution  of 
fearful  punishment,  nor  would  he  have  escaped  the  weight  of  the  tempest. 
And  who  can  believe  that  he  would  give  himself  to  death,  that  he  would  sacri- 
fice his  friends,  in  order  that  he  might  thus  raise  himself  high?     If  those 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  89 

Callide  si  palliant  honorem  venantes  ; 
340  Et  quod  mortem  fugiant  semper  meditantes  ; 

Nulli  magis  diligunt  vitam  temporalem, 

NuUi  magis  eligunt  statum  non  mortalem. 

Honores  qui  sitiunt  simulate  tendunt, 

Caute  sibi  faciunt  nomen  quod  intendunt ; 

Non  sic  venerabilis  .S.  de  Monte-forti, 

Qui  se  Christo  similis  dat  pro  multis  morti ; 

Ysaac  non  moritur  cum  sit  promptus  mori ; 

Vervex  morti  traditur,  Ysaac  honori. 

Nee  fraus  nee  fallacia  Comitem  promovit, 
250  Sed  divina  gratia,  quae  quos  juvet  novit. 

Horam  si  vocaveris  locumque  conflictus, 

Invenire  poteris  quod  ut  esset  victus 

Potius  quam  vinceret  illi  conferebat ; 

Sed  ut  non  succumberet  Deus  providebat. 

Non  de  nocte  subito  surripit  latenter; 

Immo  die  redito  pugnat  evidenter. 

Sic  et  locus  hostibus  fuit  oportunus, 

Ut  hinc  constet  omnibus  esse  Dei  munus, 

who  hunt  after  honour  cover  their  object  cunningly  ;  [340]  always  meditating 
at  the  same  time  how  they  may  avoid  death  ;  none  love  more  the  present  life, 
none  choose  more  eagerly  a  position  devoid  of  danger.  They  who  thirst 
after  honours  dissimulate  their  aim,  they  make  themselves  cautiously  the  repu- 
tation which  they  seek.  Not  so  the  venerable  Simon  de  Montfort,  who,  like 
Christ,  offers  himself  a  sacrifice  for  many  ;  Isaac  does  not  die,  although  he  is 
ready  for  death ;  it  is  the  ram  which  is  given  to  death,  and  Isaac  receives  honour. 
Neither  fraud  nor  falsehood  promoted  the  Earl,  [350]  but  the  Divine  grace 
which  knew  those  whom  it  would  help.  If  you  consider  the  time  and  the 
place  of  the  conflict,  you  will  find  that  they  promised  him  a  defeat  rather  than 
victory ;  but  God  provided  that  he  should  not  succumb.  He  does  not  take  them 
on  a  sudden  by  creeping  stealthily  by  night ;  but  he  fights  openly  when  day 
is  come.  So  also  the  place  was  favourable  to  his  enemies,  that  thus  it  might 
CAMD.    SOC.    f>.  N 


90  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Quod  cessit  victoria  de  se  confidenti. 
360  Hinc  discat  militia,  qmc  torneamenti 

Laudat  exercitium,  ut  sic  expedita 

Reddatur  ad  prselium,  qualiter  contrita 

Fuit  hie  pars  fortium  exercitatorum, 

Armis  imbecillium  et  inexpertorum  : 

Ut  coufundet  fortia,  promovet  inlirmos, 

Confortat  debilia  Deus,  sternit  firmos. 

Sic  nemo  confidere  de  se  jam  preesumat ; 

Sed  in  Deum  ponere  spem  si  sciat,  sumat 

Arma  cum  constantia,  nichil  dubitando, 
3/0  Cum  sit  pro  justitia  Deus  adjuvando. 

Sicque  Deum  decuit  Comitem  juvare, 

Sine  quo  non  potuit  hostem  superare. 

Cujus  hostem  dixerim  ?  Comitis  solius  ? 

Vel  Anglorum  sciverim  regnique  totius  ? 

Forsan  et  ecclesioe,  igitur  et  Dei  ? 

Quod  si  sic,  quid  gratice  conveniret  ei  ? 

Gratiam  demeruit  in  se  confidendo, 

Nee  juvari  debuit  Deum  non  timendo. 

appear  plainly  to  all  to  be  the  gift  of  God,  that  victory  departed  from  him 
who  put  his  trust  in  himself.  [360]  Hence  let  the  military  order,  which  praises 
the  practice  of  the  tournament,  that  so  it  may  be  made  expert  at  fighting,  learn 
how  the  party  of  the  strong  and  skilful  was  here  bruised  by  the  arms  of  those 
who  were  feeble  and  unpractised :  that  he  may  confound  the  strong,  God  pro- 
motes the  weak,  comforts  the  feeble,  lays  prostrate  the  firm.  Thus  let  no  one 
now  presume  to  trust  in  himself ;  but  if  he  know  how  to  place  his  hope  in  God, 
he  may  take  up  arms  with  constancy,  nothing  doubting,  [370]  since  God  is  a 
help  for  those  who  are  on  the  side  of  justice.  Thus  it  was  right  that  God  should 
help  the  Earl,  for  without  God  he  could  not  overcome  the  enemy.  Of  whom 
should  I  call  him  the  enemy  ? — of  the  Earl  alone  ?  or  should  I  recognise  him  as 
the  enemy  of  the  English  and  of  the  whole  kingdom  ? — perhaps  also  of  the 
Church,  and  therefore  of  God  ?  And  if  so,  how  much  grace  ought  he  to  have  ? 
He  failed  to  deserve  grace  who  trusted  in  himself,  and  he  did  not  merit  to  be 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY   III.  91 

Cadit  ergo  gloria  propriac  virtutis  ; 
380  Et  sic  in  memoria,  qui  dat  destitutis 

Viribus  auxilium,  paiicis  contra  multos, 

Virtute  fidelium  conterendo  stultos, 

Benedictus  dominus  Deus  iiltionum  ! 

Qui  in  ccelis  eminus  sedet  super  thronum, 

Et  virtute  propria  colla  superborum 

Calcat,  subdens  grandia  pedibus  minorum. 

Duos  reges  subdidit  et  hceredes  regum, 

Quos  captivos  reddidit  transgressores  legum, 

Pompamque  militiae  cum  magna  sequela 
390  Dedit  ignominiae ;  nam  barones  tela 

Quae  zelo  justitiae  pro  regno  sumpserunt, 

Filiis  superbiee  communicaverunt, 

Usque  dum  victoria  de  coelo  dabatur, 

Cum  ingenti  gloria  quae  non  sperabatur, 

Arcus  namque  fortium  tunc  est  superatus, 

Coetus  inbecillium  robore  firraatus  ; 

Et  de  coelo  diximus,  ne  quis  glorietur  ; 

Sed  Christo  quem  credimus  omnis  honor  detur ! 


helped  who  did  not  fear  God.  Thus  falls  the  boast  of  personal  valour, 
[380]  and  so  for  evermore  praised  be  the  Lord  God  of  vengeance  !  who  gives 
aid  to  those  who  are  destitute  of  force,  to  a  few  against  many,  crushing  fools 
by  the  valour  of  the  faithful ;  who  sits  on  a  throne  in  heaven  above,  and 
by  his  own  strength  treads  upon  the  necks  of  the  proud,  bowing  the  great 
under  the  feet  of  the  less.  He  has  subdued  two  kings  and  the  heirs  of  kings, 
whom  he  has  made  captives,  because  they  were  transgressors  of  the  laws  ;  and 
he  has  turned  to  shame  the  pomp  of  knighthood  with  its  numerous  retinue ; 
[390]  for  the  barons  employed  on  the  sons  of  pride  the  arms,  which,  in 
their  zeal  for  justice,  they  had  taken  up  in  the  cause  of  the  kingdom,  until 
victory  was  given  them  from  heaven,  with  a  great  glory  that  was  not  ex, 
pected.  For  the  bow  of  the  strong  was  then  overcome,  and  the  troop  of  tlie  weak 
was  established  with  strength  ;  and  we  have  said  that  it  was  done  by  heaven  ^ 
lest  any  one  should  boast  of  it ;  let  all  the  honour,  on  the  contrary,  be  given  to 


92  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Christus  enim  imperat,  vincitj  regnat  idem  ; 

400  Christus  suos  liberat,  quibus  dedit  fideni. 
Ne  victorum  animus  manus  osculetur 
Suas,  Deum  petimus  quod  illis  prsestetur ; 
Et  quod  Paulus  suggerit  ab  ipsis  servetur, 
"  Qui  laetatus  fuerit,  in  Deo  laetetur.'^ 
Si  quis  nostrum  gaudeat  vane  gloriatus, 
Dominus  indulgeat,  et  non  sit  iratus  ! 
Et  cautos  efficiat  nostros  in  futurum ; 
Ne  factum  deficiat,  faciant  se  murum ! 
Quod  cajpit  perficiat  vis  omnipotentis, 

410  Regnumque  reficiat  Anglicanse  gentis  ! 
Ut  sit  sibi  gloria,  suis  pax  electis. 
Donee  sint  in  patria  se  duce  provectis. 
Haec  Angli  de  prselio  legite  Lewensi, 
Cujus  patrocinio  vivitis  defensi; 
Quia  si  victoria  jam  victis  cessisset, 
Anglorum  memoria  victa  viluisset. 


Christ,  in  whom  we  believe  !  For  Christ  at  once  commands,  conquers,  reigns  ! 
[400]  Christ  delivers  his  own,  to  whom  he  has  given  his  promise.  We 
pray  God  to  grant  that  the  minds  of  the  conquerors  may  not  attribute  their 
success  to  themselves,  and  let  what  Paul  says  be  observed  by  them,  "He 
who  would  be  joyful,  let  him  be  joyful  in  God."  If  any  one  of  us  indulge  in  vain 
glory,  may  God  be  indulgent  to  him,  and  not  angry  !  and  may  he  make  our  party 
cautious  in  future  ;  lest  deeds  be  wanting,  may  they  make  themselves  a  wall ! 
May  the  power  of  the  Almighty  perfect  what  it  has  begun,  [410]  and  restore 
to  its  vigour  the  kingdom  of  the  English  people  1  that  glory  may  be  to  himself, 
and  peace  to  his  elect,  until  they  be  in  the  country  where  he  shall  lead  them.  O 
Englishmen  1  read  this  concerning  the  battle  of  Lewes  !  by  the  influence  of 
which  you  are  saved  from  destruction  :  for  if  victory  had  gone  over  to  those 
who  are  now  vanquished,  the  memory  of  the  English  would  have  lain  in 
ilisgrace. 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY   III.  93 

Cui  comparabitur  nobilis  Edwardus  ? 

Forte  nominabitur  recte  leopardus. 

Si  nomen  dividimus,  leo  fit  et  pardus : 
420  Leo,  quia  vidimus  quod  non  fuit  tardus 

Aggredi  fortissima,  nuUius  occursum 

Timens,  audacissima  virtute  discursum 

Inter  castra  faciens,  et  velut  ad  votum 

Ubi  et  proficiens,  ac  si  mundum  totuni 

Alexandro  similis  cito  subjugaret 

Si  fortuuce  mobilis  rota  semper  staret ; 

In  qua  summus  protinus  sciat  se  casurum, 

Qui  regnat  ut  dominus  parum  regnaturuni. 

Quod  Edwardo  nobili  liquet  accidisse, 
430  Quern  gradu  non  stabili  constat  cecidisse. 

Leo  per  superbiam,  per  ferocitatem ; 

Est  per  inconstantiam  et  varietatem 

Pardus,  verbum  varians  et  promissionem. 

Per  placentem  pallians  se  locutionem. 

Cum  in  arcto  fuerit  quicquid  ^-is  promittit ; 

Sed  mox  ut  evaserit,  promissum  dimittit. 

To  whom  shall  the  noble  Edward  be  compared  ?  Perhaps  he  will  be  rightly 
called  a  leopard.  If  we  divide  the  name,  it  becomes  a  lion  and  a  pard : — 
[420]  a  lion,  for  we  have  seen  that  he  was  not  slow  to  meet  the  strongest ; 
fearing  the  attack  of  none  ;  making  a  charge  in  the  thick  of  the  battle  with  the 
most  unflinching  bravery,  and  as  though  at  his  will,  and  wherever  he  went,  as 
if,  like  Alexander,  he  would  soon  subdue  the  whole  world,  if  the  mutable 
wheel  of  Fortune  would  but  stand  still ;  in  which,  although  he  stand  at 
the  top,  let  him  know  that  his  fall  is  near  at  hand,  and  that  he  who  reigns  like 
a  lord  will  not  reign  long.  Which,  in  fact,  has  happened  to  the  noble  Edward, 
[430J  who  has  manifestly  fallen  from  his  unstable  position.  He  is  a  lion  by 
his  pride  and  by  his  ferocity  ;  by  his  inconstancy  and  changeableness  he  is  a 
pard,  not  holding  steadily  his  word  or  his  promise,  and  excusing  himself  with 
fair  words,     \\nien  he  is  in  a  difficulty,  he  promises  just  what  you  will ;  but  as 


94  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Testis  sit  Glovernia,  ubi  quod  juravit 

Liber  al)  angustia  statim  revocavit. 

Doluni  seu  fallaciam  quibus  expeditur 
440  Nominat  prudentiam  j  via  qua  venitur 

Quo  vult  quamvis  devia  recta  reputatur ; 

Nefas  det  placentia,  fasque  nominatur  ; 

Q,uicquid  libet  licitum  dicit,  et  a  lege 

Se  putat  explicitunij  quasi  major  rege. 

Nam  rex  omnis  regitur  legibus  quas  legit ; 

Rex  Saiil  repellitur,  quia  leges  f regit ; 

Et  punitus  legitur  David  mox  ut  egit 

Contra  legem ;  igitur  hinc  sciat  qui  legit. 

Quod  non  potest  regere  qui  non  servat  legem  ; 
450  Nee  hunc  debent  facere  ad  quos  spectat  regem. 

O  Edwarde  !  fieri  vis  rex,  sine  lege ; 

Vere  forent  miseri  recti  tali  rege  ! 

Nam  quid  lege  rectius  qua  cuncta  reguntur, 

Et  quid  jure  verius  quo  res  discernuntur  ? 

soon  as  he  has  escaped  the  danger,  he  forgets  his  promise.  Witness  Gloucester, 
where,  as  soon  as  he  was  out  of  the  difficulty,  he  revoked  immediately  what  he 
had  sworn.  The  treachery  or  falseness  by  which  he  gains  his  ends  [440]  he  calls 
prudence  ;  the  way  by  which  he  arrives  at  his  object,  be  it  ever  so  crooked,  is 
reputed  to  be  straight ;  when  wrong  serves  his  purpose,  it  is  called  right ;  he  calls 
lawful  whatever  he  wills,  and  thinks  himself  absolved  from  the  law,  as  though 
he  were  greater  than  a  king  :  for  every  king  is  ruled  by  the  laws  which  he  enacts. 
King  Saul  was  deposed,  because  he  brake  the  laws  ;  and  we  read  that  David 
was  punished,  as  soon  as  he  did  contrary  to  the  law ;  hence,  therefore,  let 
him  who  reads  know,  that  he  cannot  reign  who  does  not  keep  the  law ; 
[4.50]  nor  ought  they,  whose  province  it  is  to  do  so,  to  elect  such  a  man  for 
their  king.  O  Edward  !  thou  desirest  to  be  made  a  king  without  law ;  they 
would  be  truly  miserable  who  were  ruled  by  such  a  king  !  For  what  is  more 
just  than  law,  by  which  all  things  are  ruled  ?  and  what  more  true  than  justice, 
by  which  all  things  are  administered  ?     If  thou  wouldest  have   a  kingdom, 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  95 

Si  regnum  desideras,  leges  venerare ; 

Vias  dabit  asperas  leges  impugnare, 

Asperas  et  irivias  quae  te  non  perducent ; 

Leges  si  custodias  ut  lucerna  lucent. 

Ergo  dolum  caveas  et  abomineris  ; 
4fi0  Veritati  studeas,  falsum  detesteris. 

Quamvis  dolus  floreat,  fructus  nequit  ferre  ; 

Hoc  te  psalmus  doceat ;  ad  fideles  terrse 

Dicit  Deus,  "  Oculi  mei  sunt,  sedere 

Quos  in  fine  seculi  mecum  volo  vere." 

Dolus  Northamptoiiiee  vide  quid  nunc  valet ; 

Nee  fervor  fallaciee  velut  ignis  calet. 

Si  dolum  volueris  igni  comparare, 

Paleas  studueris  igni  tali  dare, 

Qua3  mox,  ut  exarserint,  desistunt  ardere, 
470  Et  cum  vix  inceperint  terminum  tenere. 

Ita  transit  vanitas  non  habens  radices ; 

Radicata  Veritas  non  mutat  per  vices. 

Ergo  tibi  libeat  id  solum  quod  licet, 

Et  non  tibi  placeat  quod  vir  duplex  dicet. 

reverence  the  laws  ;  they  are  but  rough  roads,  which  are  opposed  to  law,  rough 
and  crooked  roads  which  will  not  lead  thee  to  thy  journey's  end ;  but  if  thou 
keepest  the  laws,  they  shine  like  a  lamp.  Therefore  avoid  and  detest  treachery  ; 
[460]  labour  after  truth  and  hate  falsehood.  Although  treachery  may  flourish,  it 
cannot  bear  fruit ;  the  Psalm  may  teach  thee  this  ;  God  says  to  the  faithful  of  the 
earth,  "  They  are  my  eyes,  and  it  is  my  will  that  they  shall  sit  with  me  at  the  end 
of  time.''  Observe  how  little  thou  hast  gained  by  thy  treachery  at  Northampton  ; 
the  heat  of  deceit  does  not  warm  like  fire.  If  you  will  compare  treachery  to 
fire,  feed  studiously  such  fire  with  straw,  which  ceases  to  glow  as  soon  as  it  is 
burnt  up,  [470]  and  is  consumed  almost  as  soon  as  kindled.  So  passeth 
away  vanity  which  hath  no  roots  ;  rooted  truth  is  not  subject  to  vicissitudes : 
tlierefore  let  that  alone  be  permitted  thee  which  is  lawful,  and  let  not  what  the 
double  man  shall  say  please  thee.     A  prince  shall  project  things  which  are 


9G  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Princeps  quce  sunt  principe  digna  cogitabit : 
Ergo  legem  suscipe,  quae  te  dignum  dabit 
Multorum  regimine,  dignum  principatu, 
Multorum  juvamine,  multo  comitatu. 
Et  quare  non  diligis  quorum  rex  vis  esse  ? 

480  Prodesse  non  eligis,  sed  tantum  prfeesse. 
Qui  nuUius  gloriam  nisi  suam  qucerit. 
Ejus  per  superbiam  quicquid  regit,  perit. 
Ita  totura  periit  nuper  quod  regebas ; 
Gloria  prceteriit  quam  solam  quoerebas  ; 
En  radicem  tangimus  perturbationis 
Regni  de  quo  scribimus,  et  dissentionis 
Partiura  quae  preelium  dictum  commiserunt. 
Ad  diversa  studium  suum  eonverterunt. 
Rex  cum  suis  voluit  ita  liber  esse  ; 

490  Et  sic  esse  debuit,  fuitque  necesse 
Aut  esse  desineret  rex,  privatus  jure 
Regis,  nisi  faceret  quicquid  vellet;  curse 
Non  esse  magnatibus  regni,  quos  preeferret 
Suis  comitatibus,  vel  quibus  conferret 

worthy  of  a  prince :  therefore  take  the  law  under  thy  protection,  which  will 
make  thee  worthy  to  govern  many,  worthy  of  the  principality,  of  the  aid  of  many, 
and  of  a  numerous  retinue.  And  why  lovest  thou  not  those  of  whom  thou 
desirest  to  be  king?  [480]  Thou  choosest  not  to  profit  them,  but  only  to 
govern.  He  who  seeks  only  his  own  glory,  every  thing  that  he  governs  is  ruined 
by  his  pride.  Thus  recently  the  whole  which  thou  governest  has  been  ruined ; 
the  glory  which  alone  thou  soughtest  is  past. 

Lo !  we  are  touching  the  root  of  the  perturbation  of  the  kingdom  of  which 
we  are  speaking,  and  of  the  dissension  of  the  parties  who  fought  the  said  battle. 
The  objects  at  which  these  two  parties  aimed  were  different.  The  king,  with 
his,  wished  thus  to  be  free  :  [490]  and  so  [it  was  urged  on  his  side]  he  ought 
to  be  ;  and  he  must  cease  to  be  king,  deprived  of  the  rights  of  a  king,  unless  he 
could  do  whatever  he  pleased  ;  it  was  no  part  of  the  duty  of  the  magnates  of  the 


RKIG.V    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  9/ 

Castrorum  custodiam,  vel  quern  exhibere 

Populo  justitiam  vellet,  et  habere 

Regni  cancellarium  thesaurariuinque. 

Suum  ad  arbitriuni  voluit  quemcumque, 

Et  consiliarios  de  quacumque  gente, 
500  Et  ministros  varios  se  proecipiente, 

Non  intromittentibus  se  de  factis  regis 

Anglise  baronibus,  vim  habente  legis 

Principis  imperio,  et  quod  iraperaret 

Suomet  arbitrio  singulos  ligaret. 

Nam  et  comes  quilibet  sic  est  compos  sui, 

Dans  suorum  quidlibet  quantum  vult  et  cui 

Castra,  terras,  redditus,  cui'  vult  committit, 

Et  quamvis  sit  subditus,  rex  totum  permittit. 

Quod  si  bene  fecerit,  prodest  facienti ; 
510  Si  non,  ipse  viderit,  sibimet  nocenti 

Rex  non  adversabitur.     Cur  conditionis 

Pejoris  efficitur  princeps,  si  baronis, 

kingdom  to  determiae  whom  he  should  prefer  to  his  earldoms,  or  on  whom  he 
should  confer  the  custody  of  castles,  or  whom  he  would  have  to  administer  justice 
to  the  people,  and  to  be  chancellor  and  treasurer  of  the  kingdom.  He  would 
have  every  one  at  his  own  will,  and  counsellors  from  whatever  nation  he  chose, 
[500]  and  all  ministers  at  his  own  discretion  ;  while  the  barons  of  England  are 
not  to  interfere  with  the  king's  actions,  the  command  of  the  prince  having 
the  force  of  law,  and  what  he  may  dictate  binding  upon  every  body  at  his  plea- 
sure. For  every  earl  also  is  thus  his  own  master,  giving  to  every  one  of  his 
own  men  both  as  much  as  he  will,  and  to  whom  he  will ;  he  commits  castles, 
lands,  revenues,  to  whom  he  will ;  and  although  he  be  a  subject,  the  king 
permits  it  all.  Which,  if  he  do  well,  is  profitable  to  the  doer  ;  [olO]  if -not,  he 
must  himself  see  to  it ;  the  king  will  not  hinder  him  from  injuring  himself. 
Why  is  the  prince  worse  in  condition,  when  the  affairs  of  the  baron,  the  knight, 
CAMD.  SOC.  6.  O 


98 


POLITICAL    SONGS 


Militisj  et  liberi  res  ita  tractantur  ? 
Q,uare  regem  fieri  servum  macliinantur, 
Qui  suam  minuere  volunt  potestatem, 
Principis  adimere  suam  dignitatem, 
Volunt  in  custodiam  et  subjectionem 
Regiam  potentiam  per  seditionem 
Captivam  retrudere,  et  exhoeredare 

520  Regem,  ne  tam  ubere  valeat  regnare 

Sicut  reges  hactenus  qui  se  prsecesserunt, 
Qui  suis  nullatenus  subjecti  fuerunt, 
Sed  suas  ad  libitum  res  distribuerunt, 
Et  ad  suum  plaeitum  sua  contulerunt. 
Hsec  est  regis  ratio,  quae  vera  videtur, 
Et  hsec  allegatio  jus  regni  tuetur. 

Sed  nunc  ad  oppositum  calamus  vertatur 
Baronum  propositum  dictis  subjungatur ; 
Et  auditis  partibus  dicta  conferantur, 

530  Atque  certis  finibus  collata  claudantur, 
Ut  quae  pars  sit  verier  valeat  liquere. 
Veriori  pronior  populus  parere. 


and  the  freeman,  are  thus  managed?  Therefore  they  aim  at  making  the  king  a 
slave,  who  wish  to  diminish  his  power,  to  take  away  his  dignity  of  prince  ;  they 
wish  by  sedition  to  reduce  captive  into  guardianship  and  subjection  the  royal 
power,  and  to  disinherit  the  king,  [520]  that  he  shall  be  unable  to  reign  so 
fully  as  hitherto  have  done  the  kings  who  preceded  him,  who  were  in  no  respect 
subjected  to  their  people,  but  administered  their  own  affairs  at  their  will,  and 
conferred  what  they  had  to  confer  according  to  their  own  pleasure.  This  is  the 
King's  argument,  which  has  an  appearance  of  fairness,  and  this  is  alleged  in 
defence  of  the  right  of  the  kingdom. 

But  now  let  my  pen  turn  to  the  other  side  : — let  me  describe  the  object  at 
which  the  barons  aim  ;  and  when  both  sides  have  been  heard,  let  the  arguments  be 
compared,  [530]  and  then  let  us  come  to  a  final  judgment,  so  that  it  may  be 
clear  which  side  is  the  truest.     The  people  is  more  prone  to  obey  the  truer 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  99 

Baronum  pars  igitur  jam  pro  se  loquatur, 

Et  quo  zelo  ducitur  rite  prosequatur. 

Quae  pars  in  principio  palam  protestatur. 

Quod  honori  regio  nichil  machinatur  ; 

Vel  quserit  contrarium,  immo  reformare 

Studet  statum  regium  et  magnificare ; 

Sicut  si  ab  hostibus  regnum  vastaretur, 
540  Non  sine  baronibus  tunc  reformaretur, 

Quibus  hoc  competeret  atque  conveniret ; 

Et  qui  tunc  se  fingeret,  ipsum  lex  puniret 

Ut  reum  perjurii,  regis  proditorem, 

Qui  quicquid  auxilii  regis  ad  honorem 

Potest,  debet  domino  cum  periclitatur, 

Cum  velut  in  termino  regnum  deformatur. 
Regis  adversarii  sunt  hostes  bellantes, 

Et  consiliarii  regi  adulantes, 

Qui  verbis  fallacibus  principem  seducunt, 
550  Linguisque  duplicibus  in  errorem  ducunt : 

Hii  sunt  adversarii  perversis  pejores  ; 

Hii  se  bonos  faciunt  cum  sint  seductores, 

party.  Let  therefore  the  party  of  the  barons  speak  for  itself,  and  proclaim  in 
order  by  what  zeal  it  is  led.  Which  party  in  the  first  place  protests  openly,  that 
it  has  no  designs  against  the  kingly  honour  ;  nay,  it  seeks  the  contrary,  and 
studies  to  reform  and  magnify  the  kingly  condition  ;  just  as  if  the  kingdom  were 
ravaged  by  enemies,  [540]  then  it  would  not  be  reformed  without  the  barons, 
who  would  be  the  capable  and  proper  persons  for  this  purpose  ;  and  should  any 
one  then  hang  back,  the  law  would  punish  him  as  one  guilty  of  perjury,  a 
traitor  to  the  king,  who  owes  to  his  lord,  when  he  is  in  danger,  all  the  aid  he 
can  give  to  support  the  king's  honour,  when  the  kingdom  is  as  it  were  nigh 
its  end  by  devastation. 

The  adversaries  of  the  king  are  enemies  who  make  war  upon  him,  and 
counsellors  who  flatter  the  king,  who  seduce  their  prince  with  deceitful  words, 
[550]  and  who  lead  him  into  error  by  their  double  tongues  :  these  are  adversaries 
worse  than  those  who  are  perverse  ;  it  is  these  who  pretend  to  be  good  whilst  they 


100  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Et  honoris  proprii  sunt  procuratores  ; 
Incautos  decipiunt,  quos  securiores 
Reddunt  per  placentia,  iinde  non  caventiir, 
Sed  velut  utilia  dicentes  censentur. 
Hii  possunt  decipere  j^lusquam  manifesti, 
Qui  se  sciunt  fingere  velut  non  infesti. 
Quid  si  tales  miseri,  talesque  mendaces, 

560  Adhasrerent  lateri  principis,  capaces 
Totius  malitiee,  fraudis^  falsitatis, 
Stimidis  invidise  puncti^  pravitatis 
Facinus  exquirerent,  per  quod  regni  jura 
Ad  suas  inflecterent  pompas,  queeque  dura 
Argumenta  fingerent,  quae  communitatera 
Paulatim  confunderent,  universitatem 
Populi  contererent  et  depauperarent, 
Regnumque  subverterent  et  infatuarent, 
Quod  nullus  justitiam  posset  optinere, 

570  Nisi  qui  superbiam  talium  fovere 

Vellet,  per  pecuniam  largiter  collatam ; 
Quis  tantam  injuriam  sustineret  ratam  ? 

are  seducers,  and  procurers  of  their  own  advancement ;  they  deceive  the  incau- 
tious, whom  they  render  less  on  tlieir  guard  hy  means  of  things  that  please  them, 
whereby  they  are  not  provided  against,  but  are  considered  as  prudent  advisers. 
Such  men  can  deceive  more  than  those  who  act  openly,  as  they  are  able  to  make 
an  outward  appearance  of  being  not  hostile.  What  if  such  wretches,  and  such 
liars,  [ofjO]  should  haunt  the  prince,  capable  of  all  malice,  of  fraud,  of  falsehood, 
excited  by  the  spurs  of  envy,  should  seek  to  do  that  extreme  wickedness,  by 
which  they  should  sacrifice  the  privileges  of  the  kingdom  to  their  own  ostentation, 
that  they  should  contrive  all  kinds  of  hard  reasons,  which  by  degrees  should 
confound  the  commonalty,  should  bruise  and  impoverish  the  mass  of  the  people, 
and  should  subvert  and  infatuate  the  kingdom,  so  that  no  one  could  obtain 
justice,  [570]  except  he  who  would  encourage  the  pride  of  such  men  as  these 
by  large  supplies  of  money  ;  who  could  submit  to  the  establishment  of  such  an 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  10] 

Et  si  tales  studiis  suis  immixtarent 

Regnum,  ut  injuriis  jura  supplantarent ; 

Calcatis  indigenis  advenas  vocarent; 

Et  alienigenis  regnum  subjugarent : 

Magnates  et  nobiles  terree  non  curarent, 

Atque  contemptibiles  in  summo  locarent ; 

Et  magnos  dejicerent  et  humiliarent ; 
580  Ordinem  perverterent  et  preeposterarent ; 

Optima  relinquerent,  pessimis  instarent; 

Nonne  qui  sic  facerent  regnum  devastarent? 

Quamvis  armis  bellicis  foris  non  pugnarent, 

Tamen  diabolicis  armis  dimicarent, 

Et  regni  flebiliter  statum  violarent ; 

Quamvis  dissimiliter,  non  minus  dampnarent. 

Sive  rex  consentiens  per  seductionem, 

Talem  non  percipiens  circumventionem, 

Approbaret  talia  regni  destructiva  ; 
590  Seu  rex  ex  malitia  faceret  nociva, 

Proponendo  legibus  suam  potestatem, 

injury  ?  And  if  such,  by  their  conduct,  should  change  the  state  of  the  kingdom  ; 
if  they  should  banish  justice  to  put  injustice  in  its  place;  if  they  should  call  in 
strangers  and  trample  upon  the  natives ;  and  if  they  should  subdue  the  kingdom 
to  foreigners  ;  if  they  should  not  care  for  the  magnates  and  nobles  of  the  land, 
and  should  place  contemptible  persons  over  them  ;  and  if  they  should  over- 
throw and  humiliate  the  great ;  [580]  if  they  should  pervert  and  turn  upside-down 
the  order  of  things  ;  if  they  should  leave  the  measures  that  are  best,  to  advance 
those  which  are  worst  ;— do  not  those  who  act  thus  devastate  the  kingdom? 
although  they  do  not  make  war  upon  it  with  arms  from  abroad,  yet  they  fight 
with  diabolical  arms,  and  they  violate,  in  a  lamentable  manner,  the  constitution 
of  the  kingdom  ;  although  not  in  the  same  manner  [as  a  foreign  enemy] ,  yet 
they  do  no  less  damage.  "Whether  the  king,  seduced  to  give  his  consent,  not 
perceiving  the  design,  should  approve  measures  so  destructive  to  the  kingdom  ; 
[590]  or  whether  the  king  should  follow  such  an  injurious  course  with  an  ill 


102  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Abutendo  viribus  propter  facultatem  ; 
Sive  sic  vel  aliter  regnum  vastaretur, 
Aut  regnum  finaliter  destitueretur. 
Tunc  regni  magnatibus  cura  deberetur, 
Ut  cunctis  erroribus  terra  purgaretur. 
Quibus  si  purgatio  convenit  errorum, 
Convenit  provisio  gubernatrix  morura, 
Qualiter  prospicere  sibi  non  liceret, 

600  Ne  malum  contingere  posset  quod  noceret  ? 
Quod  postquam  contigerit  debent  amovere, 
Subitum  ne  faciat  incautos  dolere. 
Sic  quod  non  eveniat  quicquam  preedictorum. 
Quod  pacis  impediat  vel  bonorum  morum 
Formamj  sed  inveniat  zelus  peritorum 
Quod  magis  expediat  commodo  multorum  ; 
Cur  melioratio  non  admitteretur, 
Cui  vitiatio  nulla  commiscetur  ? 
Nam  regis  dementia  regis  et  majestas 

610  Approbare  studia  debet,  quee  molestas 

design  of  setting  his  own  power  above  the  laws,  abusing  his  strength  to  please 
his  own  will ;  if  thus  or  otherwise  the  kingdom  be  wasted,  or  the  kingdom  be 
finally  left  destitute,  then  the  magnates  of  the  kingdom  are  bound  to  look  to  it, 
that  the  land  be  purged  of  all  errors.  To  whom  if  such  a  purgation  of  errors  be- 
longs, if  such  a  provision  belongs  to  them  to  regulate  customs,  how  can  it  other- 
wise than  appertain  to  them  [600]  to  look  out  that  no  evil  may  happen  which 
would  be  injurious  ?  Which,  after  it  has  happened,  they  ought  to  remove,  lest 
by  a  sudden  occurrence  it  give  those  who  do  not  provide  against  it  cause  to 
grieve.  Thus,  in  order  that  no  one  of  the  aforesaid  things  may  happen,  which 
may  hinder  the  form  of  peace  and  good  customs,  but  that  the  zeal  of  the 
experienced  men  may  find  what  is  most  expedient  for  the  utility  of  the  many, 
why  is  a  reform  not  admitted,  with  which  no  corruption  shall  be  mixed  ? 
For  the  king's  clemency  and  the  king's  majesty  [610]  ought  to  approve  the 
endeavours,   which   so  amend  grievous  laws  that  they   be   milder,   and  that 


REIGN    OF    KING    HEXRY  III.  103 

Leges  ita  temperant  quod  sunt  mitiores, 

Et  dum  minus  onerant  Deo  gratiores. 

Non  enim  oppressio  plebis  Deo  placet, 

Immo  miseratio  qua  plebs  Deo  vacet. 

Phara  [o]  qui  populum  Dei  sic  afflixit, 

Quod  vix  ad  oraculum  Moysi  quod  dixit 

Poterant  attendere,  post  est  sic  punitus, 

Israel  dimittere  cogitur  invitus ; 

Et  qui  coraprehendere  credidit  dimissum, 
620  Mersus  est  dum  currere  putat  per  abyssum. 

Salomon  conterere  Israel  nolebat, 

Nee  uUum  de  genere  servire  cogebat ; 

Quia  Dei  populum  scivit  quem  regebat, 

Et  Dei  signaculura  leedere  timebat ; 

Et  plusquam  judicium  laudat  misereri, 

Et  plusquam  supplicium  pacem  patri[s]  veri. 
Cum  constat  baronibus  hsec  cuncta  licere, 

Restat  rationibus  regis  respondere. 

Amotis  custodibus  vult  rex  liber  esse, 
630  Subdique  minoribus  non  vult  sed  prseesse ; 

they  be,  while  less  onerous,  more  pleasing  to  God.  For  the  oppression  of  the 
commons  pleaseth  not  God,  but  rather  the  commiseration  whereby  the  commons 
may  have  time  to  think  upon  God.  Pharaoh,  who  so  afflicted  the  people  of 
God,  that  they  could  with  difficulty  repair  to  the  oracle  which  he  had  appointed 
to  Moses,  was  afterwards  so  punished,  that  he  was  obliged  to  dismiss  Israel  against 
his  will ;  and  when  he  thought  to  catch  them  after  they  were  dismissed,  [620] 
he  was  drowned  whilst  he  thought  to  run  through  the  deep.  Solomon  was  un- 
willing to  bruise  Israel,  nor  would  he  reduce  to  servitude  any  one  of  the  race  ; 
because  he  knew  that  it  was  God's  people  over  whom  he  reigned  ;  and  he  feared 
to  hurt  the  imprint  of  God  ;  and  he  praises  mercy  more  than  judgment,  and  the 
peace  of  a  true  father  more  than  execution. 

Since  it  is  clear  that  the  barons  have  a  right  of  doing  all  this,  it  remains  to 
answer  the  king's  arguments.  The  king  wishes  to  be  free  by  the  removal  of  his 
guardians,  [630]  and  he  will  not  be  subject  to  his  inferiors,  but  be  placed  over 


104  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Imperare  subditis  et  non  imperari ; 

Sibi  nee  praepositis  vult  humiliari. 

Non  enim  prcepositi  regi  prseponuntur  ; 

Immo  magis  incliti  qui  jus  supponuntur. 

Unius  rex  aliter  unicus  non  esset, 

Sed  regnarent  pariter  quibus  rex  subesset. 

Et  hoc  inconveniens  quod  tantum  videtur, 

Sit  Deus  subveniens,  facile  solvetur. 

Deum  namque  credimus  velle  veritatem, 
640  Per  quem  sic  dissolvimus  banc  dubietatem. 

Unus  solus  dicitur  et  est  rex  revera. 

Per  quem  mundus  regitur  majestate  mera ; 

Non  egens  auxilio  quo  possit  regnare, 

Sed  neque  consilio  qui  nequit  errare. 

Ergo  potens  omnia  sciensque  prrecedit 

Infinita  gloria  omnes  quibus  dedit 

Sub  se  suos  regere  quasique  regnare, 

Qui  jjossunt  deficere,  possunt  et  errare, 

Et  qui  suis  viribus  nequeunt  preestare, 
650  Suisque  virtutibus  hostes  expugnare, 

them  ;  he  will  command  his  subjects  and  not  be  commanded  ;  he  will  be 
humiliated  neither  to  himself  nor  to  those  who  are  his  officers.  For  the 
officers  are  not  set  over  the  king ;  but  on  the  contrary  they  are  rather  the 
noble  men  who  support  the  law.  Otherwise  there  would  not  be  one  king  of  one 
state,  (?)  but  they  would  reign  equally  to  whom  the  king  was  subject.  Yet  this 
inconvenience  also,  though  it  seem  so  great,  with  the  assistance  of  God,  is 
easily  solved  :  for  we  believe  that  God  wills  truth,  [640]  through  whom  we  dis- 
solve this  doubt  as  follows.  He  is  said  to  be,  and  is  in  truth,  one  king  alone,  by 
whom  the  universe  is  ruled  in  pure  majesty  ;  who  neither  wants  help  whereby 
he  may  reign,  nor  even  counsel,  in  as  much  as  he  cannot  err.  Therefore,  all- 
powerful  and  all-knowing,  he  excels  in  infinite  glory  all  those  to  whom  he  has 
given  to  rule  and,  as  it  were,  to  reign  under  him  over  his  people,  who  may  fail, 
and  who  may  err,  and  who  cannot  avail  by  their  own  independent  strength, 
[650]  and  vanquish  their  enemies  by  their  own  valour,  nor  govern  kingdoms  by 


REIGN    OF    KING    IIEXRY    III.  103 

Neque  sensu  proprio  regna  gubernare, 

Sed  erroris  invio  male  deviare. 

Indigent  auxilio  sibi  sufFragante, 

Necnon  et  consilio  se  rectificante. 

Dicit  rex :  "  Consentio  tute  rationi ; 

Sed  horum  electio  subsit  option! 

Meae ;  quos  voluero  michi  sociabo, 

Quorum  patrocinio  cuncta  gubernabo ; 

Et  si  mei  fuerint  insufficientes, 
660  Sensum  non  habuerint,  aut  non  sint  potentes, 

Aut  si  sint  malevoli,  et  non  sint  fideles, 

Sed  sint  forte  subdoli,  volo  quod  reveles 

Cur  ad  certas  debeam  personas  arctari, 

A  quibus  prsevaleam  melius  juvari  ?" 

Cujus  rei  ratio  cito  declaratur. 

Si  quae  sit  arctatio  regis  attendatur ; 

Non  omnis  arctatio  privat  libertatem, 

Nee  omnis  districtio  tollit  potestatem. 

Potestatem  liberam  volunt  principantes, 
670  Servitutem  miseram  nolunt  dominantes. 


their  own  wisdom,  but  in  an  evil  manner  wander  in  the  track  of  error.  They 
want  help  which  should  assist  them,  and  counsel  which  should  set  them  right. 
Says  the  king,  "  I  agree  to  thy  reasoning ;  but  the  choice  of  these  must  be  left 
to  my  option  ;  I  will  associate  with  myself  whom  I  will,  by  whose  support  I  will 
govern  all  things  ;  and  if  my  ministers  should  be  insufficient,  [660]  if  they  want 
sense  or  power,  or  if  they  harbour  evil  designs,  or  are  not  faithful,  but  are 
perhaps  traitors,  I  desire  that  you  will  explain,  why  I  ought  to  be  confined  to 
certain  persons,  when  I  might  succeed  in  obtaining  better  assistance?"  The 
reason  of  this  is  quickly  declared,  if  it  be  considered  what  the  constraint  of  the 
king  is  :  all  constraint  does  not  deprive  of  liberty,  nor  does  every  restriction 
take  away  power.  Princes  desire  free  power  ;  [670]  those  who  reign  decline 
CAMD.  SOC.  6.  P 


106  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Ad  quid  vult  libera  lex  reges  arctari  ? 

Ne  possint  adultera  lege  maculari. 

Et  lisec  coarctatio  iioii  est  servitutis, 

Sed  est  ampliatio  regiee  virtutis. 

Sic  servatur  parvulus  regis  ne  Isedatur ; 

Non  fit  tamen  servulus  quando  sic  arctatur, 

Sed  et  sic  angelici  spiritus  arctantur. 

Qui  quod  apostatici  non  sint  confirmantur. 

Nam  quod  Auctor  omnium  non  potest  errare, 
C80  Omnium  principium  non  potest  peccare, 

Non  est  inpotentia,  sed  summa  potestas, 

Magna  Dei  gloria  magnaque  majestas. 

Sic  qui  potest  cadere,  si  custodiatur 

Ne  cadat,  quod  libere  vivat,  adjuvatur 

A  tali  custodia,  nee  est  servitutis 

Talis  sustinentia,  sed  tutrix  virtutis. 

Ergo  regi  libeat  omne  quod  est  bonum, 

Sed  malum  non  audeat ;  hoc  est  Dei  donum. 

Qui  regem  custodiunt  ne  peccet  temptatus, 
690  Ipsi  regi  serviunt,  quibus  esse  gratus 

miserable  servitude.  To  what  will  a  free  law  bind  kings  ? — to  prevent  them 
from  being  stained  by  an  adulterated  law.  And  this  constraint  is  not  one  of 
slaveiy,  but  is  rather  an  enlarging  of  the  kingly  faculty.  Thus  the  king's  child 
is  kept  from  being  hurt;  yet  he  is  not  made  a  slave  when  he  is  thus  restricted. 
Nay,  the  very  angels  are  restricted  in  this  manner,  who  are  confirmed  from  be- 
coming apostates.  For,  that  the  Author  of  all  things  cannot  err,  [680]  that  He 
who  is  the  beginning  of  all  things  cannot  sin,  is  not  impotence,  but  it  is  the 
highest  degree  of  power,  the  great  glory  of  God  and  his  great  majesty.  Thus,  he 
who  may  fall,  if  he  be  kept  from  falling,  so  that  he  may  live  free  from  danger, 
he  reaps  advantage  from  such  keeping,  nor  is  such  a  support  slavery,  but  it  is 
the  safeguard  of  virtue.  Therefore  that  there  be  permitted  to  a  king  all  that 
is  good,  but  that  he  dare  not  do  evil, — this  is  God's  gift.  They  who  keep  the 
king  from  sinning  when  he  is  tempted,   [690]  they  serve  the  king,  to  whom  he 


REIGX    OF    KING    HENRY   III.  107 

Sit,  quod  ipsum  liberant  ne  sit  serv'us  factus, 
Quod  ipsum  non  superant  a  quibus  est  tractus. 
Sed  quis  vere  fuerit  rex,  est  liber  vere 
Si  se  recte  rexerit  regnumque ;  licere 
Sibi  sciat  omnia  quae  regno  regendo 
Sunt  convenientia,  sed  non  destruendo. 
Aliud  est  regere  quod  incumbit  regi ; 
Aliud  destruere  resistendo  legi. 
A  ligando  dicitur  lex,  quae  libertatis 
700  Tam  perfecte  legitur  qua  servitur  gratis. 

Omnis  rex  intelligat  quod  est  servus  Dei ; 
Illud  tantum  diligat  quod  est  placens  ei ; 
Et  illius  gloriam  qucerat  in  regendo, 
Non  suam  sui^erbiam  pares  contempnendo. 
Rex  qui  regnum  subditum  sibi  vult  parere, 
Reddat  Deo  debitum  alioquin  vere ; 
Sciat  quod  obsequium  sibi  non  debetur. 
Qui  negat  servitium  quo  Deo  tenetur. 
Rursum  sciat  populum  non  suum  sed  Dei, 

should  be  grateful,  that  they  deliver  him  from  being  made  a  slave ;  so  that 
those  by  whom  he  is  led  do  not  overcome  him.  But  he  who  should  be  in 
truth  a  king,  he  is  truly  free  if  he  rule  rightly  himself  and  the  kingdom ;  let 
him  know  that  all  things  are  permitted  him  which  are  in  ruling  convenient  to 
the  kingdom,  but  not  such  as  destroy  it.  It  is  one  thing  to  rule  according  to 
a  king's  duty,  and  another  to  destroy  by  resisting  the  law.  The  law  receives 
its  name  from  binding  (a  ligando),  [TOO]  which  is  so  perfectly  said  of  liberty, 
whereby  it  is  served  gratefully.  (?) 

Let  every  king  bear  in  mind  that  lie  is  a  servant  of  God  ;  let  him  love  that 
only  which  is  pleasing  to  Him  ;  and  let  him  seek  His  glory  in  reigning,  not  his 
own  pride  in  desjnsing  his  peers.  A  king  who  wishes  his  subject  kingdom 
to  3rield  obedience  to  him,  let  him  render  his  duty  to  God  in  other  things 
truly  ;  let  him  know  that  obedience  is  not  owing  to  him  who  denies  the  service 
in  which  he  is  bound  to  God.     Again,  let  him  know  that  the  people  is  not  his 


108  POLITICAL.    SONGS. 

710  Et  ut  adminiculum  suum  prosit  ei: 

Et  qui  jiarvo  tempore  populo  prtefertur, 

Cito  clausus  marmore  terree  subinfertur. 

In  illos  se  faciat  ut  unum  ex  illis  ; 

Saltantem  respiciat  David  cum  ancillis. 

Regi  David  similis  utinam  succedat, 

Vir  prudens  et  humilis  qui  suos  non  laedat ; 

Certe  qui  non  laederet  populum  subjectum, 

Sed  illis  impenderet  amoris  affectum, 

Et  ipsius  quaereret  salutis  profectum, 
720  Ipsum  non  permitteret  plebs  pati  defectum. 

Durum  est  diligere  se  non  diligentem  j 

Durum  non  despicere  se  despicientem ; 

Durum  non  resistere  se  destituenti; 

Convenit  applaudere  se  suscipienti. 

Principis  conterere  non  est,  sed  tueri ; 

Principis  obprimere  non  est,  sed  mereri 

Multis  beneficiis  suorum  favorera, 

Sicut  Christus  gratiis  omnium  amorem. 

but  God's  ;  [710]  and  that  it  is  profitable  to  him  as  his  help  :  and  that  he  who 
for  a  short  period  is  placed  over  the  people,  soon,  closed  in  marble,  will  be 
buried  in  the  earth.  Towards  them  let  him  make  himself  as  one  of  them  ; 
let  him  regard  David  joining  the  dance  of  the  maids.  I  wish  one  similar  to 
David  may  succeed  the  king — a  prudent  and  humble  man,  who  would  not  injure 
his  people  ;  in  truth,  who  would  not  hurt  the  people  which  is  subjected  to  him, 
but  would  exhibit  towards  them  a  loving  regard,  and  would  aim  at  their  pros- 
perity ;  [720]  the  commons  would  not  allow  him  to  suffer  wrong.  It  is  hard  to 
love  one  who  does  not  love  us ;  it  is  hard  not  to  despise  one  who  despises 
us ;  it  is  hard  not  to  resist  one  who  ruins  us  ;  we  naturally  applaud  him 
who  favours  us.  It  is  not  the  part  of  a  prince  to  bruise,  but  to  protect ; 
neither  is  it  the  part  of  a  prince  to  oppress,  but  rather  to  deserve  the  favour  of 
his  people  by  numerous  benefits  conferred  upon  them,  as  Christ  by  his  grace 
has  deserved  the  love  of  all.     If  a  prince  love  his  subjects,  he  will  necessarily 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY   III.  109 

Si  princeps  amaverit,  debet  reamari ; 
730  Si  recte  regnaverit,  debet  honorari; 

Si  princeps  erraverit,  debet  revocari 

Ab  hiis  quos  gravaverit  injuste  negari, 

Nisi  velit  corrigi ;  si  vult  emendari, 

Debet  ab  hiis  erigi  simul  et  juvari. 

Istam  princeps  teneat  regulam  regnandi, 

Ut  opus  non  habeat  non  suos  vocandi : 

Qui  confundunt  subditos  principes  ignari, 

Sentient  indomitos  sic  nolle  domari. 

Si  princeps  putaverit  universitate 
740  Quod  solus  habuerit  plus  de  veritate, 

Et  plus  de  scientia,  plus  cognitionis. 

Plus  abundet  gratia,  plusque  Dei  donis  : 

Si  non  sit  prsesumptio,  immo  sit  revera, 

Sua  tunc  instructio  suorum  sincera 

Subditorum  lumine  corda  perlustrabit ; 

Et  cum  moderamine  suos  informabit. 
Moysen  proponimus,  David,  Samuelenij 

Quorum  quemque  novimus  principem  fidelem  ; 

be  repaid  with  love  ;  [730]  if  he  reign  justly,  he  will  of  a  necessity  be  honoured  ; 
if  the  prince  err,  he  ought  to  be  recalled  by  those  whom  his  unjust  denial  may 
have  grieved,  unless  he  be  willing  to  be  corrected  ;  if  he  is  willing  to  make 
amends,  he  ought  to  be  both  raised  up  and  aided  by  these  same  persons.  Let  a 
prince  maintain  such  a  rule  of  reigning,  that  it  may  never  be  necessary  for  him  to 
avoid  depending  on  his  own  people.  The  ignorant  princes  who  confound  their 
subjects,  will  find  that  those  who  are  unconquered  will  not  thus  be  tamed.  If  a 
prince  should  think  [740]  that  he  alone  has  more  truth,  more  knowledge,  and 
more  intelligence  than  the  whole  people,  that  he  abounds  more  in  grace  and  the 
gifts  of  God,  if  it  be  not  presumption,  but  it  be  truly  so,  then  his  instruction  will 
visit  the  true  hearts  of  his  subjects  with  light,  and  will  instruct  his  people  with 
moderation. 

We   instance   Moses,    David,    Samuel — each    of  whom    we   know    to   have 


110  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Qui  a  suis  subditis  multa  pertulerunt, 
750  Nee  tamen  pro  mentis  illos  abjecerunt^, 

Nee  illis  extraneos  superposuerunt, 

Sed  rexerunt  per  eos  qui  sui  fuerunt. 

"Ego  te  pra3ficiam  populo  majori, 

Et  hunc  interfieiam  ;"  dieit  Deus. — "  Mori 

Malo,  quam  hie  pereat  populus/'  benignus 

Moyses  respondeat,  principatu  dignus. 

Sicque  princeps  sapiens  nunquam  reprobabit 

Suos,  sed  insipiens  regnum  conturbabit. 

Unde  si  rex  sapiat  minus  quam  deberet; 
760  Quid  regno  conveniat  regendo  ?  num  quseret 

Suo  sensu  proprio  qui  bus  fulciatur, 

Quibus  dirainutio  sua  suppleatur  ? 

Si  solus  elegerit,  facile  falletur, 

Utilis  qui  fuerit  a  quo  nescietur. 

Igitur  communitas  regni  consulatur  ; 

Et  quid  universitas  sentiat,  seiatur, 

Cui  leges  proprige  maxime  sunt  nota3. 

Nee  cuncti  provincice  sic  sunt  idiotse, 

been  a  faithful  prince  ;  who  suffered  many  things  from  their  subjects,  [750]  and 
yet  for  their  deserts  they  did  not  cast  them  off,  nor  set  strangers  over  them,  but 
governed  by  means  of  tliose  who  were  tlieir  own  people.  "  I  will  place  thee 
over  a  greater  people  ;  and  I  will  slay  this  people;"  saith  God.  "  I  had  rather 
die,  than  this  people  should  perish,"  answered  kind  Moses,  who  was  worthy  to 
govern.  And  thus  a  wise  prince  will  never  reject  his  people,  but  an  unwise  one 
will  disturb  the  kingdom.  Wherefore,  if  a  king  is  less  wise  than  he  ought  to  be, 
[7(J0]  what  advantage  will  the  kingdom  gain  by  his  reign  ?  Is  he  to  seek  by 
his  own  opinion  on  whom  he  should  depend  to  have  his  failing  supplied  ?  If  he 
alone  choose,  he  will  be  easily  deceived,  who  is  not  capable  of  knowing  who  will 
be  useful.  Therefore  let  the  community  of  the  kingdom  advise  ;  and  let  it  be 
known  what  the  generality  thinks,  to  whom  their  own  laws  are  best  known. 
Nor  are  all  those  of  the  country  so  uninstructed,  as  not  to  know  better  than 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  Ill 

Quin  sciant  plus  caiteris  regni  sui  mores, 
770  Quos  relinquunt  posteris  hii  qui  sunt  priores. 

Qui  reguntur  legibus  magis  ipsas  sciuiit ; 

Quorum  sunt  in  usibus  plus  periti  fiunt ; 

Et  quia  res  agitur  sua,  plus  curabunt, 

Et  quo  pax  aclquiritur  sibi  procurabunt. 

Pauca  scire  poterunt  qui  non  sunt  experti ; 

Parum  regno  proderunt,  nisi  qui  sunt  certi. 

Ex  hiis  potest  colligi  quod  communitatem 

Tangit  quales  eligi  ad  utilitatem 

Regni  recte  debeant ;  qui  velint  et  sciant 
780  Et  prodesse  valeant,  tales  regis  fiant 

Et  consiliarii  et  coadj  uteres  ; 

Quibus  noti  varii  patriaj  sunt  mores  ; 

Qui  se  lasdi  sentiunt,  si  regnum  leedatur ; 

Regnumque  custodiunt,  ne,  si  noceatur 

Toti,  partes  doleant  simul  patientes ; 

Gaudenti  congaudeant,  si  sint  diligentes. 

Nobile  juditium  regis  Salomonis 

strangers  the  customs  of  their  own  kingdom,  [770]  which  have  been  bequeathed 
from  father  to  son.  They  who  are  ruled  by  the  laws,  know  those  laws  best ; 
they  who  experience  them  are  best  acquainted  with  them  ;  and  since  it  is  their 
own  affairs  which  are  at  stake,  they  will  take  more  care,  and  will  act  with  an 
eye  to  their  own  peace.  They  who  want  experience  can  know  little  ;  they  will 
profit  little  the  kingdom  who  are  not  stedfast.  Hence  it  may  be  collected,  that 
it  concerns  the  community  to  see  what  sort  of  men  ought  justly  to  be  chosen 
for  the  utility  of  the  kingdom  ;  they  who  are  willing  and  know  how,  [780]  and 
are  able  to  profit  it,  such  should  be  made  the  councillors  and  coadjutors  of  the 
king ;  to  whom  are  known  the  various  customs  of  their  country  ;  who  feel  that 
they  suffer  themselves  when  the  kingdom  suffers  ;  and  who  guard  the  kingdom, 
lest,  if  hurt  be  done  to  the  whole,  the  parts  have  reason  to  grieve  while  they  suffer 
along  with  it ;  which  rejoice,  when  it  has  cause  to  rejoice,  if  they  love  it.  Let  us 
call  attention   to  the  noble  judgment  of  King  Solomon :  she  who  did  not  feel 


112  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Ponamus  in  medium  ;  quoe  divisionis 

Parvuli  non  horruit  inhumanitatem, 
790  Quia  non  condoluit  atque  pietatem 

Maternam  non  habuit,  quod  mater  non  erat 

Teste  rege  docuit ;  ergo  tales  qucErat 

Princeps,  qui  condoleant  universitati, 

Qui  materne  timeant  regnum  dura  pati. 

Sed  si  quem  non  moveat  ruina  multorum ; 

Si  solus  optineat  quae  vult  placitorum ; 

Multorum  regimini  non  est  coaptatus^ 

Suo  cum  sit  omnium  soli  totus  datus. 

Communis  conveniens  est  communitati; 
800  Sed  vir  incompatiens  cordis  indurati 

Non  curat  si  veniant  multis  casus  duri ; 

Casibus  non  obviant  tales  modo  muri. 

Igitur  eligere  si  rex  per  se  nescit 

Qui  sibi  consulere  sciant,  bine  patescit 
*  Quid  tunc  debet  fieri.     Nam  communitatis 

Est  ne  fiant  miseri  duces  dignitatis 

horror  at  the  cruelty  of  dividing  the  infant,  [790]  because  she  did  not  feel  for  it, 
and  wanted  maternal  love,  shewed,  as  the  king  testified,  that  she  was  not  its 
mother  :  therefore  let  a  prince  seek  such  [councillors]  as  may  condole  with  the 
community,  who  have  a  motherly  fear  lest  the  kingdom  should  undergo  any 
sufferings.  But  if  any  one  be  not  moved  by  the  ruin  of  the  many — if  he  alone 
obtain  what  pleas  he  will — he  is  not  fitted  to  rule  over  the  many,  since  he  is 
entirely  devoted  to  his  own  interest,  and  to  none  other.  A  man  who  feels 
for  others,  is  agreeable  to  the  community ;  [800]  but  a  man  who  does  not  feel 
for  others,  who  possesses  a  hard  heart,  cares  not  if  misfortunes  fall  upon  the 
many — such  walls  are  no  defence  against  misfortunes.  Therefore,  if  the  king 
has  not  wisdom  to  choose  by  himself  those  who  are  capable  of  advising  him,  it 
is  clear,  from  what  has  been  said,  what  ought  then  to  be  done.  For  it  is  a  thing 
which  concerns  the  community  to  see  that  miserable  wretches  be  not  made  the 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY   III.  113 

Regiae,  sed  optimi  et  electi  viri, 

Atque  probatissimi  qui  possint  inquiri. 

Nam  cum  gubernatio  regni  sit  cunctorutn 
810  Salus  vel  perditio,  multum  refert  quorum 
/         Sit  regni  custodia ;  sicut  est  in  navi ; 

Confunduntur  omnia  si  prsesint  ignavi ; 

Si  quis  transfretantium  positus  in  navi 

Ad  se  pertinentium  abutatur  clavi, 

Non  refert  si  prospere  navis  gubernetur. 

Sic  qui  regnum  regere  debent,  cura  detur 

Si  de  regno  quispiam  non  recte  se  regit ; 

Viam  vadit  inviam  quam  forsan  elegit. 

Optime  res  agitur  universitatis, 
820  Si  regnum  dirigitur  via  veritatis. 

Et  tamen  si  subditi  sua  dissipare 

Studeant,  preepositi  possunt  refrenarc 

Suorum  stultitiara  et  temeritatem, 

Ne  per  insolentiam  vel  fatuitatem 


leaders  of  the  royal  dignity,  but  the  best  and  chosen  men,  and  the  most  ap- 
proved that  can  be  found.  For  since  the  governance  of  the  kingdom  is  either 
the  safety  or  perdition  of  all,  [810]  it  is  of  great  consequence  who  they  are  that 
have  the  custody  of  the  kingdom  ;  just  as  it  is  in  a  ship  ;  all  things  are  thrown 
into  confusion  if  unskilful  people  guide  it ;  if  any  one  of  the  passengers  belong- 
ing to  it  who  is  placed  in  the  ship  abuse  the  rudder,  it  matters  not  whether  the 
ship  be  governed  prosperously  or  not.  So  those  who  ought  to  rule  the  king- 
dom, let  the  care  be  given  to  them,  if  any  one  of  the  kingdom  does  not 
govern  himself  rightly  ;  he  goes  on  a  wrong  path  which  perhaps  he  has  himself 
chosen.  The  affairs  of  the  generadity  are  best  managed  [820]  if  the  kingt'om  is  di- 
rected in  the  way  of  truth.  And,  moreover,  if  the  subjects  labour  to  dissipate  their 
property,  those  who  are  set  over  them  may  restrain  their  folly  and  temerity,  lest 
by  the  presumption  and  imbecility  of  fools,  the  power  of  the  kingdom  be  weakened, 

CAMD.  SOC.  6.  Q 


114  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Stultorum  potentia  regiii  subnervetur, 

Hostibus  audacia  contra  regnum  detur. 

Nam  quocumque  corporis  raembro  violato, 

Fit  minoris  roboris  corpus.     Ita  dato 

Quod  vel  viri  liceat  propriis  abuti, 
830  Quamvis  regno  noceat ;  plures  mox  secuti 

Et  libertatem  noxiam,  sic  multiplicabunt 

Erroris  insaniam,  quod  totum  dampnabunt. 

Nee  libertas  proprie  debet  noininari, 

Quae  permittit  inscie  stultos  dominari ; 

Sed  libertas  finibus  juris  limitetur, 

Spretisque  limitibus  error  reputetur. 

Alioquin  liberum  dices  furiosum, 

Quamvis  omne  prosperum  illi  sit  exosum. 

Ergo  regis  ratio  de  suis  subjectis, 
840  Suomet  arbitrio  quorum  volunt  vectis. 

Per  hoc  satis  solvitur,  satis  infirmatur ; 

Dum  quivis  qui  subditur  majore  domatur. 

Quia  nulli  hominum  dicemus  licere 

Quicquid  vult,  sed  dominum  quemlibet  habere 

and  courage  be  given  to  enemies  against  the  kingdom.  For  whatever  member  of 
the  body  be  destroyed,  the  strength  of  the  body  is  diminished  thereby.  So  if  it  be 
allowed  even  that  men  may  abuse  what  belongs  to  themselves,  [830]  when  it  be 
injurious  to  the  kingdom,  many  immediately  after  following  also  the  injurious 
liberty,  will  so  multiply  the  wildness  of  error,  that  they  will  ruin  the  whole.  Nor 
ought  it  properly  to  be  named  liberty,  which  permits  fools  to  govern  unwisely ; 
but  liberty  is  limited  by  the  bounds  of  the  law  ;  and  when  those  hounds  are  de- 
spised, it  should  be  reputed  as  error.  Otherwise  you  will  call  a  raving  madmanfree, 
although  he  be  at  enmity  with  everything  like  prosperity.  Therefore  the  king's 
argument  concerning  his  subjects,  [840]  who  are  ruled  at  their  own  choiceby  whom 
they  will,  is  by  this  sufficiently  answered  and  overthrown  ;  since  every  one  who  is 
subject,  is  ruled  by  one  who  is  greater.    Because  we  say  that  no  man  is  permitted 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY   111.  115 

Qui  errantem  corrigat,  benefacientem 

Adjuvat,  et  erigit  quandoque  cadentem. 

Prsemio  preeferimus  universitatem  ; 

Legem  quoque  dicimus  regis  dignitatem 

Regere  ;  nam  credimus  esse  legem  lucem, 
850  Sine  qua  concludimus  deviare  ducem. 

Lex  qua  mundus  regitur  atque  regna  mundi 

Ignea  describitur ;  quod  sensus  profundi 

Continet  mysterium,  lucet,  urit,  calet ; 

Lucens  vetat  devium,  contra  frigus  valet, 

Purgat  et  incinerat  qusedam,  dura  mollit, 

Et  quod  crudum  fuerat  ignis  coquit,  tollit 

Torporem,  et  alia  multa  facit  bona. 

Sancta  lex  similia  p'rat  (?)  regi  dona. 

Istam  sapientiam  Salomon  petivit ; 
860  Ejus  amicitiam  tota  vi  qusesivit. 

Si  rex  hac  caruerit  lege,  deviabit ; 

Si  hanc  non  tenuerit,  turpiter  errabit ; 

Istius  praesentia  recte  dat  regnare, 

all  that  he  wiU,  but  that  every  one  has  a  lord  who  may  correct  him  when  erring, 
and  aid  him  when  doing  well,  and  sometimes  raises  him  up  when  he  is  falling. 
We  give  the  first  place  to  the  community  :  we  say  also  that  the  law  rules  over  the 
king's  dignity  ;  for  we  believe  that  the  law  is  the  light,  [850]  without  which  we 
conclude  that  he  who  rules  will  wander  from  the  right  path.  The  law  whereby 
is  ruled  the  world  and  the  kingdoms  of  the  world,  is  described  as  being  of  fire ; 
■which  contains  a  mystery  of  deep  meaning  :  it  shines,  burns,  warms  ;  shining, 
it  hinders  the  wanderer  from  quitting  his  right  path  ;  it  avails  against  the  cold  ;  it 
purges  and  burns  to  cinders  some  things  ;  it  softens  what  is  hard,  and  what  had 
been  raw  the  fire  cooks ;  it  takes  away  numbness,  and  it  does  many  othei-  good 
things.  The  sacred  law  is  equally  serviceable  to  the  king.  Solomon  asked  for 
this  wisdom ;  [860]  its  friendship  he  sought  with  all  his  might.  If  the  king 
want  this  law,  he  will  wander  from  the  right  track  ;  if  he  does  not  hold  it,  he 
will  err  foully  ;  its  pi-esence  gives  the  power  of  reigning  rightly,  and  its  absence 


116  rOLITICAL    SONGS. 

Et  ejus  absentia  regnum  perturbare. 

Ista  lex  sic  loquitur,  "  per  me  regnant  reges ; 

Per  me  jus  ostenditur  hiis  qui  condunt  leges." 

Istam  legem  stabilem  nuUus  rex  mutabit ; 

Sed  se  variabilem  per  istam  firmabit. 

Si  conformis  fuerit  huic  legi,  stabit ; 
870  Et  si  disconvenerit  isti,  vacillabit. 

Dicitur  vulgariter,  '^ut  rex  vult,  lex  vadit :" 

Veritas  vult  aliter,  nam  lex  stat,  rex  cadit. 

Veritas  et  caritas  zelusque  salutis 

Legis  est  integritas,  regimen  virtutis ; 

Veritas,  lux,  caritas,  calor,  urit  zelus ; 

Hsec  legis  varietas  toUit  omne  scelus. 

Quicquid  rex  statuerit,  consonum  sit  istis  ; 

Nam  si  secus  fecerit,  plebs  reddetur  tristis ; 

Confundetur  populus,  si  vel  veritate 
880  Caret  regis  oculus,  sive  caritate 

Principis  cor  careat,  vel  severitate 

Zelum  non  adimpleat  semper  moderate. 


overturns  the  kingdom.  This  law  speaks  thus,  "  Kings  reign  through  me; 
through  me  justice  is  shown  to  those  who  make  laws."  No  king  shall  alter 
this  firm  law  ;  but  by  it  he  shall  make  himself  stable  when  he  is  variable.  If 
he  conform  to  this  law,  he  will  stand ;  [870]  and  if  he  disagree  with  it,  he  will 
waver.  It  is  said  commonly,  "  As  the  king  wills,  so  goes  the  law  :  "  but  the 
truth  is  otherwise,  for  the  law  stands,  but  the  king  faUs.  Truth  and  charity 
and  the  zeal  of  salvation,  this  is  the  integrity  of  the  law,  the  regimen  of  virtue  ; 
truth,  light,  charity,  warmth,  zeal  bums  ;  (?)  this  variety  of  the  law  takes 
away  all  crime.  Whatever  the  king  may  ordain,  let  it  be  consonant  to  these; 
for  if  it  be  otherwise,  the  commonalty  will  be  made  sorrowful ;  the  people  will 
be  confounded,  if  either  the  king's  eye  want  truth,  [880]  or  the  prince's  heart 
want  charity,  or  he  do  not  always  moderately  fulfil  his  zeal  with  severity. 


REIGX    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  117 

Hiis  tribus  suppositis,  quicquid  placet  regi 

Fiat ;  sed  oppositis^  rex  resistit  legi. 

Sed  recalcitratio  stimulo  non  nocet ; 

Pauli  sic  instructio  de  coelo  nos  docet. 

Sic  exhseredatio  nulla  fiet  regi, 

Si  fiat  provisio  concors  justaj  legi. 

Nam  dissimulatio  legem  non  mutabit, 
890  Cujus  firma  ratio  sine  fine  stabit. 

Unde  si  quid  utile  diu  est  dilatum, 

Irreprehensibile  sit  sero  perlatum. 

Et  rex  nihil  proprium  preeferat  communi ; 

Quia  salus  omnium  sibi  cessit  uni. 

Non  enim  prseponitur  sibimet  victurus  ; 

Sed  ut  hie  qui  subditur  populus  securus. 

Reges  esse  noveris  nomen  relativum  ; 

Nomen  quoque  sciveris  esse  protectivum  ; 

Unde  sibi  \'ivere  soli  non  licebat, 
900  Qui  multos  protegere  vivendo  delebat. 

Qui  vult  sibi  vivere,  non  debet  preeesse. 

These  three  things  being  supposed,  whatever  pleases  the  king  may  be  done  ; 
but  by  their  opposites  the  king  resists  the  law.  However,  kicking  against  it 
does  not  hurt  the  prick  ;  thus  the  instruction  which  was  sent  from  heaven  to  Paul 
teaches  us.  Thus  the  king  is  deprived  of  no  inherited  right,  if  there  be  made 
a  provision  in  concordance  with  just  law.  For  dissimulation  shall  not  change 
the  law,  [890]  whose  stable  reason  will  stand  without  end.  Wherefore  if 
anything  that  is  useful  has  been  long  put  off,  it  is  not  to  be  reprehended  when 
adopted  late.  And  let  the  king  never  set  his  private  interest  before  that  of 
the  community ;  as  if  the  salvation  of  all  yields  to  him  alone.  For  he  is 
not  set  over  them  in  order  to  live  for  himself ;  but  that  his  people  who  is  subject 
to  him  may  be  in  safety.  You  must  know  that  the  name  of  king  is  relative  ;  you 
should  know  also  that  the  name  is  protective ;  wherefore  he  cannot  live  for 
himself  alone  [900]  who  ought  by  his  life  to  protect  many.     He  who  will  live 


118  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Sed  seorsum  degere,  et  ut  solus  esse. 

Principis  est  gloria  plurimos  salvare  ; 

Cum  sua  molestia  multos  relevare. 

Non  alleget  igitur  suimet  profectura, 

Sed  in  quibus  creditur  subditis  prospectum. 

Si  regnum  salvaverit,  quod  est  regis  fecit ; 

Quicquid  secus  egerit  in  ipso  defecit. 

Vera  regis  ratio  ex  hiis  satis  patet ; 
910  Quod  vacantem  proprio  status  regis  latet. 

Namque  vera  caritas  est  proprietati 

Quasi  contrarietas,  et  communitati 

Foedus  insolubile,  conflans  velut  ignis 

Omne  quod  est  habile,  sicut  fit  in  lignis 

Quae  dant  igni  crescere  patiens  activo, 

Subtracta  decrescere  modo  recitivo. 

Ergo  si  fervuerit  princeps  caritate. 

Quantum cumque  poterit  de  communitate, 

Si  soUicitabitur  quod  recte  regatur, 
920  Et  nunquam  leetabitur  si  destituatur, 

for  himself,  ought  not  to  be  set  over  others,  but  to  live  separately  from  them 
that  he  may  be  alone.  It  is  the  glory  of  a  prince  to  save  very  many ;  to  in- 
convenience himself  in  order  to  raise  many  up.  Let  him  not  therefore  allege  his 
own  profit,  but  have  regard  to  his  subjects  in  whom  he  is  trusted.  (.'')  If  he  work 
the  salvation  of  the  kingdom,  he  acts  the  part  of  a  king  ;  whatever  he  does  con- 
trary to  this,  he  fails  in  that  point.  The  true  province  of  a  king  is  sufficiently 
clear  from  these  arguments  ;  [910]  that  he  is  ignorant  of  the  condition  of  a  king 
who  is  occupied  only  with  his  own  affairs.  For  true  charity  is  as  it  were  contrary 
to  self-interest,  and  an  indissoluble  league  to  the  community,  melting  like  fire 
everything  that  is  near,  as  is  done  with  wood  which  they  subject  to  the  active  fire 
to  increase  it,  and  then  in  return  it  is  taken  away  to  decrease  it.  Therefore 
if  the  prince  will  be  warm  with  charity  as  much  as  possible  towards  the 
community,    if    he    shall   be    solicitous    to    govern   it    well,    [920]    and    shall 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  119 

Unde  si  dilexerit  rex  regni  magnates, 
Quamvis  solus  sciverit,  quasi  magims  vates, 
Quicquid  opus  fuerit  ad  regnum  regendum, 
Quicquid  se  decuerit,  quicquid  faciendum, 
Quod  sane  decreverit  illis  non  celabit, 
Prseter  quos  non  poterit  id  quod  ordinabit 
Ad  effectum  ducere  ;  igitur  tractabit 
Cum  suis,  quae  facere  per  se  [non]  putabit. 
Cur  sua  consilia  non  communicabit, 
930  A  quibus  auxilia  supplex  postulabit  ? 
Quicquid  suos  allicit  ad  benignitatem, 
Et  amicos  efficit,  fovet  unitatem, 
Regiam  prudentiam  decet  indicare 
Hiis  qui  suam  gloriam  possunt  augmentare. 
Dominus  discipulis  cuncta  patefecit, 
Dividens  a  servulis  quos  amicos  fecit; 
Atque  quasi  nescius  a  suis  qusesivit 
Quid  sentirent  seepius,  quod  profecte  scivit. 
O  !  si  Dei  quaererent  principes  honorem, 

never  be  rejoiced  at  its  destruction  ;  wherefore  if  the  king  will  love  the 
magnates  of  the  kingdom,  although  he  should  know  alone,  like  a  great  prophet, 
whatever  is  needful  for  the  ruling  of  the  kingdom,  whatever  is  becoming  in 
him,  whatever  ought  to  be  done,  truly  he  will  not  conceal  what  he  will 
decree  from  those  without  whom  he  cannot  effect  that  which  he  will  or- 
dain. He  will  therefore  treat  with  his  people  about  bringing  into  effect 
the  things  which  he  will  not  think  of  doing  by  himself.  Why  will  he  not  com- 
municate his  councils  [930]  to  those  whose  aid  he  will  ask  supplicatiugly  ' 
Whatever  draws  his  people  to  benignity,  and  makes  friends  and  cherishes 
unity,  it  is  fit  the  royal  prudence  should  indicate  it  to  those  who  can  augment 
his  glory.  Our  Lord  laid  open  all  things  to  his  disciples,  dividing  from  the 
servants  those  whom  he  made  his  friends  ;  and  as  though  he  were  ignorant,  he 
often  inquired  of  his  people  what  was  their  opinion  on  matters  which  he  knew 


120  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

940  Regna  recte  regerent,  et  praeter  errorem. 

Si  Dei  notitiam  principes  haberent, 

Omnibus  justitiam  suam  exhiberent. 

Ignorantes  dominum,  velut  exceecati, 

Quaerunt  laudes  hominum,  vanis  delectati. 

Qui  se  nescit  regere,  multos  male  reget ; 

Si  quis  vult  inspicere  Psalmos,  idem  leget. 

Joseph  ut  se  debuit  principes  docere. 

Propter  quod  rex  voluit  ipsum  preeminere. 

Et  in  innocentia  cordis  sui  David, 
950  Et  intelligentia,  Israelem  pavit. 

Ex  preedictis  omnibus  poterit  liquere. 

Quod  regem  magnatibus  incumbit  videre 

Quae  regni  conveniant  gubernationi, 

Et  pacis  expediant  conservationi ; 

Et  quod  rex  indigenas  sibi  laterales 

Habeat,  non  advenas,  neque  speciales, 

Vel  consiliarios  vel  regni  majores, 

Qui  supplantant  alios  atque  bonos  mores. 

perfectly.  Oh  !  if  princes  sought  the  honour  of  God,  [940]  they  would  rule 
their  kingdoms  rightly,  and  without  error.  If  princes  had  the  knowledge  of 
God,  they  would  exhibit  their  justice  to  all.  Ignorant  of  the  Lord,  as  though 
they  were  blind,  they  seek  the  praises  of  men,  delighted  only  with  vanity.  He 
who  does  not  know  how  to  rule  himself,  will  be  a  bad  ruler  over  others  ;  if  any 
one  will  look  at  the  Psalms,  he  will  read  the  same.  Joseph  as  he  ought  to 
teach  princes,  (?)  on  which  account  the  king  willed  that  he  should  be  set  over 
others.  And  David  in  the  innocence  of  his  heart  [950]  and  by  his  intelligence 
fed  Israel.  From  all  that  has  been  said,  it  may  appear  evident,  that  it  becomes  a 
king  to  see  together  with  his  nobles  what  things  are  convenient  for  the  government 
of  the  kingdom,  and  what  are  expedient  for  the  preservation  of  peace  ;  and  that 
the  king  have  natives  for  his  companions,  not  foreigners,  nor  favourites,  for  his 
councillors  or  for  the  great  nobles  of  the  kingdom,  who  supplant  others  and 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY  III.  121 

Nam  talis  discordia  paci  novercatur, 
960  Et  inducit  preelia,  dolos  machinatur. 
Nam  sicut  invidia  diaboli  mortem 
Induxit,  sic  odia  separat  cohortem. 
Incolas  in  ordine  suo  rex  tenebit, 
Et  hoc  moderamine  regnando  gaudebit. 
Si  vero  studuerit  suos  degradare, 
Ordinem  perverterit,  frustra  quaeret  quare 
Sibi  non  obtemperant  ita  perturbati ; 
Immo  si  sic  facerent  essent  insensati. 

abolish  good  customs.  For  such  discord  is  a  step-mother  to  peace,  [960]  and 
produces  battles,  and  plots  treason.  For  as  the  envy  of  the  devil  introduced 
death,  so  hatred  separates  the  troop.  The  king  shall  hold  the  natives  in  their 
rank,  and  by  this  governance  he  will  have  joy  in  reigning.  But  if  he  study  to 
degrade  his  own  people,  if  he  pervert  their  rank,  it  is  in  vain  for  him  to  ask  why 
thus  deranged  they  do  not  obey  him ;  in  fact  they  would  be  fools  if  they  did. 


The  following  Song  was  written  when  jealousies  and  dissen- 
sions were  rife  among  the  barons,  and  some  of  them  began  to 
desert  the  popular  cause.  It  is  preserved  by  William  de 
Rishanger,  a  contemporary,  in  his  history  of  the  barons'  wars. 
The  defection  of  the  Earl  of  Gloucester  contributed  not  a  little 
to  the  disastrous  termination  of  the  career  of  Simon  de  Mont- 
fort  at  the  battle  of  Evesham. 

SONG    UPON    THE    DIVISIONS    AMONG    THE    BARONS. 

[MS.  Cotton.  Claudius  D.  vi.  fol.  101  v°,  latter  part  of  13th  cent.] 

Flange  plorans,  Anglia,  plena  jam  dolore ; 
Tristis  vides  tristia,  languens  cum  maerore  ; 

Translation. — Lament  with  weeping,  O  Epgland,  full  as  thou  now  art  with 
matter  of  grief,  in  sadness  thou  beholdest  sorrowful  things,  languishing  in  sor- 
CAMD.  SOC.  6".  R 


122  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Nisi  te  respiciat  Christus  suo  morCj, 
Eris  vile  canticum  hostium  in  ore. 

Pepigerunt  plurimi  salvam  te  salvare, 
Sed  jam  nimis  necgiigunt  pactum  procurare  : 
Nam  se  quidam  retrahunt,  qui  possunt  juvare  ; 
Quidam  subterfugium  quserunt  ultra  mare. 

Hinc  est  quod  incipiunt  ceeteri  certare^ 
Et  in  partes  varias  animos  mutare ; 
Dum  quae  sic  dissentiunt  nolunt  concordare, 
Sed  incepta  nequeunt  bene  terminare. 

Sic  respublica  perit,  terra  desolatur  ; 
Invalescit  extera  gens  et  sublimatur ; 
Vilescit  vir  incola  et  subpeditatur  : 
Sustinet  injurias,  non  est  qui  loquatur. 

Tarn  miles  quam  clericus  ambo  fiunt  mviti ; 
Facti  sunt  extranei  loquaces  astuti : 
Inter  centum  Anglicos  non  sunt  duo  tuti ; 
Planctum  et  obprobrium  jam  sunt  assecuti. 

O  Comes  Glovernias,  comple  quod  coepistij 
Nisi  claudas  congrue,  mviltos  decepisti. 

row  ;  unless  Christ  in  his  manner  have  regard  to  thee,  thou  wilt  be  but  a  vile 
song  in  the  mouth  of  thine  enemies. — Very  many  have  pledged  themselves  to 
preserve  thee  in  safety,  but  now  they  have  too  much  neglected  their  promise  : 
for  many  desert,  who  have  it  in  their  power  to  help  ;  and  some  slink  away  over 
the  sea. — Hence  the  rest  begin  to  quarrel,  and  to  go  over  to  different  sides ; 
while  things  which  disagree  in  this  manner  will  not  be  reconciled,  and  what  has 
been  begun  is  left  unfinished. — Thus  the  state  is  ruined,  and  the  land  is  laid 
waste  ;  the  stranger  is  strengthened  and  raised  up  ;  the  native  is  debased  and 
trodden  under  foot :  while  he  sustains  injuries,  there  is  no  one  who  will  speak- 
out. — The  knight  as  well  as  the  clergy  are  both  become  mute  ;  the  strangers  are 
become  talkative  and  cunning :  among  a  hundred  Englishmen  there  are  not 
two  who  are  safe  ;  the  lot  which  they  have  obtained  is  lamentation  and  disgrace, 
— O  Earl  of  Gloucester,  complete  what  thou  hast  commenced  ;  unless  thou  endest 


I 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY   III.  123 

Age  rmnc  viriliter  sicut  promisisti, 
Causam  fove  fortitur  cujus  fons  fuisti. 

Si,  quod  absit !  subtralias  manum  et  levamen, 
TerrsB  fraudem  faciens,  inferens  gravamen  : 
Maledictus  maneat  !  fiat !  fiat !  Amen. 

Comes  Simon  de  Muntford,  vir  potens  et  fortis, 
Pugna  nunc  pro  patria,  sisque  dux  cohortis  : 
Non  te  minae  terreant  neque  timor  mortis. 
Rem  defende  publicam  resque  tuee  sortis. 

O  tu,  Comes  le  Bygot,  pactum  serva  sanum : 
Cum  sis  miles  strenuus,  nunc  exerce  manum. 
Totam  turbat  modiea  terra  [m]  turba  canum  ; 
Exeat  aut  pereat  genus  tam  proplianum. 

O  vos  magni  proceres,  qui  vos  obligastis 
Observare  firmiter  illud  quod  jurastis  ; 
Terrse  si  sit  utile  quod  excogitastis, 
Juvet  illud  citius  id  quod  ordinastis. 

Si  velletis  prosequi  quod  jam  inchoastis, 
Consequi  poteritis  quod  desiderastis  ; 

as  thou  hast  begun,  thou  hast  deceived  many.  Act  now  courageously  as  thou 
hast  promised,  cherish  steadily  the  cause  of  which  thou  wast  the  fountain. — If, 
from  which  God  preserve  us  !  thou  withdrawest  thy  hand  and  support,  acting 
treacherously  towards  the  land,  and  inflicting  a  great  injury  upon  it.  .  .  INIay  he 
be  cursed  for  ever  !  be  it  so  !  be  it  so  !  amen. — Earl  Simon  de  Montfort,  a  strong 
man  and  a  bold,  fight  now  for  thy  country,  and  be  the  leader  of  the  band  ; 
neither  let  threats  scare  thee,  nor  the  fear  of  death  ;  defend  the  state  and  thy  own 
fortune. — O  thou.  Earl  Bigot,  keep  unbroken  thine  agreement :  as  thou  art  a 
brave  knight,  now  use  thy  hand  ;  a  small  troop  of  dogs  puts  in  commotion  the 
whole  land  :  may  such  a  cursed  race  depart  or  perish  ! — O  you,  great  nobles, 
who  bound  yourselves  to  observe  firmly  the  oath  which  you  took  ;  if  what  you 
imagined  be  profitable  to  the  land,  let  that  which  you  have  ordained  aid  it  im- 
mediately.— If  you  will  carry  to  an  end  that  which  you  have  begun,  you  may 
obtain  that  which  you  desired ;  unless  the  thing  which  you  have  long  had  in 


Y24  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Nisi  finem  capiat  quod  diu  tractastis, 
Vere  dici  poterit  vane  laborastis. 

Honor  nobis  maximus  erit  laus  et  digna, 
Si  respondet  Anglia  vestra  gerens  signa  ; 
Quam  ut  cito  liberet  a  peste  maligna, 
Adjuvet  nunc  Domini  pietas  benigna ! 

hand  be  perfected,  it  may  be  truly  said  that  you  have  laboured  in  vain. — It 
will  be  the  highest  honour  to  you  and  a  worthy  praise,  if  England  answer  by 
carrying  your  standards ;  which  that  he  may  soon  deUver  from  the  malignant 
plague,  may  the  benignant  piety  of  the  Lord  now  help  it ! 


The  triumpli  of  tlie  barons  did  not  last  long.  In  the  battle 
of  Evesham,  fought  on  the  fourth  of  August  in  the  year 
after  that  of  Lewes,  their  great  leader  fell,  with  the  best  of  his 
followers.  The  fate  of  Simon  de  Montfort  was  a  subject  of 
general  lamentation ;  and  long  afterwards  he  was  revered  as  a 
saint  and  martyr,  and  was  even  believed  to  work  miracles.  In 
MS.  Cotton.  Vespas.  A.  vi.  will  be  found  a  collection  of  these 
miracles,  and  a  form  of  prayers  to  be  said  in  his  honour,  among 
which  is  the  following  hymn  (fol.  189,  ro). 

Salve,  Symon  Montis-Fortis, 

Totius  flos  militiae, 
Duras  poenas  passus  mortis, 

Protector  gentis  Anglise. 
Sunt  de  Sanctis  inaudita, 
Cunctis  passis  in  hac  vita, 

Quemquam  passum  talia ; 
Manus,  pedes  amputari, 
Caput,  corpus  vulnerari, 

Abscidi  virilia. 
Sis  pro  nobis  intercessor 
Apud  Deum,  qui  defensor 

In  terris  extiteras. 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  125 

The  whole  was  preceded  by  a  life  of  Simon  de  Montfort,  occu- 
pying two  pages  of  the  manuscript,  but  which  some  hostile  hand 
has  carefully  erased.  The  following  song  was  evidently  written 
immediately  after  the  battle  of  Evesham. 

THE    LAMENT    OF    SIMON    DE    MONTFORT. 
[MS.  Harl.  2253,  fol.  59  r",  early  in  14th  cent.] 

Chaunter  m'estoit,  mon  cuer  le  voit,  en  un  dure  langage, 
Tut  en  ploraunt  fust  fet  le  chaunt  de  nostre  duz  baronage, 
Que  pur  la  pees,  si  loynz  apres  se  lesserent  detrere, 
Lur  cors  trencher,  e  demenbrer,  pur  salver  Engleterre. 
Ore  est  ocys  la  flur  de  pris,  qe  taunt  savoit  de  guere, 
Ly  quens  Montfort,  sa  dure  mort  molt  enplorra  la  terre. 

Si  com  je  qui,  par  un  mardi,  firent  la  bataile, 
Tot  a  cheval,  fust  le  mal,  sauntz  nulle  pedaile ; 
Tresmalement  y  ferirent  de  le  espie  forbie, 
Qe  la  part  sire  Edward  conquist  la  mestrie. 
Ore  est  ocis,  etc. 

Mes  par  sa  mort,  le  cuens  Mountfort  conquist  la  victoria. 
Come  ly  martyr  de  Caunterbyr,  finist  sa  vie  ; 

Translation". — I  am  driven  to  sing,  my  heart  wills  it,  in  sorrowful  language, 
— all  with  tears  was  made  the  song  concerning  our  gentle  barons,- — who  for  the 
peace  so  long  after  suffered  themselves  to  be  destroyed, — their  bodies  to  be  cut 
and  dismembered,  to  save  England. — Now  is  slain  the  precious  flower,  who  knew 
so  much  of  war,  the  Earl  Montfort,  his  hard  death  the  land  will  deeply  lament. 

As  I  believe,  it  was  on  a  Tuesday,  that  they  fought  the  battle, — all  on  horse, 
which  was  the  misfortune,  without  any  foot, — very  ill  they  there  struck  with 
the  burnished  sword, — that  the  party  of  Sir  Edward  gained  the  mastery.  Now 
is  slain,  etc. 

But  by  his  death  the  Earl  Montfort  gained  the  victory, — like  the  martyr  of 


126  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Ne  voleit  pas  li  bon  Thomas  qe  perist  seinte  Eglise, 
Ly  cuens  auxi  se  combati,  e  morust  sauntz  feyntise. 
Ore  est  ocys,  etc. 

Sire  Hue  le  fer^  ly  Despencer,  tresnoble  justice. 
Ore  est  a  tort  lyvre  a  mort,  a  trop  male  guise. 
Sire  Henri,  pur  veir  le  dy,  fitz  le  cuens  tie  Leyccstre, 
Autres  assez,  come  vus  orrez,  par  le  cuens  de  Gloucestre. 
Ore  est  ocis,  etc. 

Qe  voleint  moryr,  e  mentenir  la  pees  e  la  dreyture, 
Le  seint  martir  lur  fra  joyr  sa  conscience  pure, 
Qe  velt  moryr  e  sustenir  les  honmes  de  la  terre. 
Son  ben  desir  acomplir,  quar  bien  le  quidom  fere. 
Ore  est,  etc. 

Pres  de  son  cors,  le  bon  tresors,  une  heyre  troverent, 
Les  faus  ribaus,  tant  furent  maus,  e  ceux  qe  le  tuerent ; 
Molt  fust  pyr,  qe  demenbryr  firent  le  prodhonme, 
Qe  de  guerrer  e  fei  tener  si  bien  savoit  la  sonme. 
Ore  est,  etc. 

Canterbury  he  finished  his  life ; — the  good  Thomas  would  not  suffer  holy  Church 
to  perish, — the  Earl  fought  in  a  similar  cause,  and  died  without  flinching. — 
Now  is  slain,  &c. 

Sir  Hugh  the  bold,  the  Despencer,  a  very  noble  justice, — is  now  wrongfully 
delivered  to  death,  in  too  shameful  a  manner. — Sir  Henry,  in  truth  I  say  it, 
the  son  of  the  Earl  of  Leicester, — enough  of  others,  as  you  will  hear,  by  the 
Earl  of  Gloucester. — Now  is  slain,  etc. 

Because  they  were  willing  to  die,  and  to  maintain  peace  and  right, — the  holy 
martyr  will  cause  them  to  enjoy  his  pure  conscience, — who  is  willing  to  die  and 
to  sustain  the  men  of  the  land, — to  accomi^lish  his  good  desire,  for  we  think  he 
does  well. — Now  is,  etc. 

Near  his  body,  the  good  treasure,  an  heir  they  found, — the  false  ribalds, 
they  were  so  wicked,  and  those  who  slew  him  ; — what  was  much  worse,  they 
caused  the  worthy  man  to  be  dismembered, — who  knew  so  well  the  art  of  fight- 
ing and  of  holding  faith. — Now  is,  etc. 


REIGN    OF    KING    HENRY    III.  127 

Priez  touz,  mes  amis  douz,  le  fitz  Seinte  Marie 
Qe  I'enfant,  her  puissant,  meigne  en  bone  vie ; 
Ne  vueil  nomer  li  escoler,  ne  vueil  qe  I'em  die, 
Mes  pur  Pamour  le  salveour,  priez  pur  la  clergie. 
Ore  est  ocys  la  flur  de  pris,  qe  tant  savoit  de  guere, 
Ly  quens  Montfort,  sa  dure  mort  molt  enplurra  la  terre. 

Ne  say  trover  rien  qu'il  firent  bien,  ne  baroun  ne  counte, 
Les  chivalers  e  esquiers  touz  sunt  mys  a  hounte. 
Pur  lur  lealte  e  verite,  que  tut  est  anentie  ; 
Le  losenger  purra  reigner,  le  fol  pur  sa  folie. 
Ore  est  ocis,  etc. 

Sire  Simoun,  ly  prodliom,  e  sa  compagnie. 
En  joie  vont  en  ciel  amount,  en  pardurable  vie. 
Mes  Jhesu  Crist,  qe  en  croyz  se  mist,  Dieu  en  prenge  cure, 
Qe  sunt  remis,  e  detenuz  en  prisone  dure. 
Ore  est  ocys,  etc. 

Pray  all,  my  sweet  friends,  to  the  Son  of  St.  Mary, — that  he  lead  in  good  life 
the  infant,  the  powerful  heir  ; — I  will  not  name  the  scholar,  I  do  not  desire  any 
one  to  mention  him, — but  for  the  love  of  the  Saviour,  pray  for  the  clergy. — 
Now  is  slain,  etc. 

I  cannot  find  any  thing  that  they  did  well,  neither  baron  nor  earl, — the 
knights  and  the  esquires  are  all  disgraced, — on  account  of  their  loyalty  and 
truth,  which  is  entirely  annihilated  ; — the  deceitful  man  may  reign,  the  fool  for 
bis  folly. — Now  is  slain,  etc. 

Sir  Simon,  the  worthy  man,  and  his  company, — are  gone  in  joy  up  to 
heaven,  in  everlasting  life. — But  Jesus  Christ,  who  placed  himself  on  the  cross, 
and  God  have  care  of  those, — who  are  I'emitted,  and  detained  in  hard  prison. — 
Now  is  slain,  etc. 


12S  POLITICAL    SONGS. 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.   1272—1307. 

Henry  outlived  the  defeat  of  the  barons  but  a  very  few  years. 
He  died  on  the  sixteenth  of  November,  1272,  while  his  son 
Edward  was  occupied  in  warring  against  the  infidels  in  the  East. 
Edward  was  proclaimed  king,  while  absent.  A  new  monarch 
is  generally  welcomed  with  songs  of  praise  ;  and  the  following, 
evidently  the  work  of  a  zealous  opponent  of  the  popular  party, 
seems  to  have  been  written  before  his  arrival  in  England. 

THE    PRAISE    OP    THE    YOUNG    EDWARD. 

[MS.  Cotton.  Vespas.  B.  xiii.  fol.  130  v",  13th  cent.] 

Eaduuardi  regis  Anglorum  me  pepulere 
Florida  gesta  loqui,  pudor  est  famosa  tacere. 
Hie  tener  setate  dum  vixerat  in  juvenili, 
Conflictus  plures  superavit  corde  virili. 
Belliger  ut  pardus,  fragrans  dulcedine  nardus, 
Dum  viget  Eaduuardus^  rutilat  novus  ecce  Ricardus. 
Sic  gemino  flore  Britones  titulantur  honore, 
Bella  per  Eaduuardi  similis  et  probitate  Ricardi. 
Belligeri  juvenis  laudabat  Gallia  mores  ; 
Ampla  manus  dantis  meritos  congessit  honores. 

Translation. — The  flourishing  deeds  of  Edward  King  of  the  English  oblige 
me  to  talk,  for  it  is  shameful  to  let  pass  famous  actions  in  silence.  He,  while 
yet  in  his  tender  youth,  went  through  many  conflicts  with  a  manly  heart. 
Warlike  as  a  pard,  fragrant  with  sweetness  like  spikenard,  whilst  Edward  is 
in  his  vigour,  behold  he  shines  like  a  new  Richard.  Thus  the  Britons  have  a 
double  claim  to  honour,  by  the  wars  of  Edward  equally  and  by  the  valour  of 
Richard.  France  praised  the  manners  of  the  warlike  youth  ;  the  ample  hand 
of  the  giver  amassed  merited  honours.     The  envious  people  desiring  to  extin- 


REIGN    OF    EDWARD    I.  129 

Invida  gens  cupiens  meritas  extinguere  laudes, 
Excogitando  novas  coepit  contexere  fraudes  : 
Anglorum  proceres  legem  fingendo  novellam, 
Ubere  de  regno  terram  fecere  misellam. 
Rex  pater  et  patruus  cum  bina  prole  reguntur 
Per  sibi  subjectos,  ex  quo  mala  multa  sequuntur. 
Degener  Anglorum  gens,  quse  servire  solebat, 
Ordine  mutato  regem  cum  prole  regebat. 
Conjurat  populus  fruiturus  lege  novella ; 
Feedere  mox  rupto  consurgunt  horrida  bella. 
Dum  Leycestrensem  comitem  sibi  plebs  sociavit, 
Intestina  sibi  dispendia  concumulavit. 
In  regem  proprium  gens  irruit  impia,  natum 
Cum  patre  et  patruo  captivat,  mox  dominatum 
Consequitur,  gaudent  victores,  corda  tumescunt. 
EfFugit  Eaduardus,  statim  nova  prselia  crescunt. 
Convocat  auxilium,  solidantur  fsedera,  crevit 
Turma  ducis,  delusa  cohors  sua  crimina  flevit. 
Concurrunt  partes,  quatiuntur  tela,  vigore 

guish  his  merited  praise,  began  to  weave  new  plots  in  their  mind  :  the  English 
nobles,  by  inventing  a  new  law,  made  a  wretched  land  of  a  rich  kingdom.  The 
king  his  father,  and  his  uncle,  with  their  two  children,  are  governed  by  their 
subjects,  out  of  which  many  evils  follow.  The  degenerate  race  of  the  Eng- 
lish, which  used  to  serve,  inverting  the  order  of  things,  ruled  over  the 
king  and  his  children.  The  people  conspires,  in  order  to  enjoy  a  new  law  ; 
soon  after,  the  league  being  broken,  horrid  wars  arise.  While  the  populace 
associated  with  itself  the  Earl  of  Leicester,  it  accumulated  for  itself  internal 
exhaustion.  The  impious  people  attacks  its  own  king,  makes  captive  the  son 
with  his  father  and  uncle,  next  seizes  upon  the  government ;  the  victors  rejoice, 
their  hearts  swell.  Edward  escapes,  and  immediately  new  battles  follow.  He 
calls  together  assistance,  leagues  are  estabUshed,  the  army  of  the  leader  iiK-reased, 
the  deluded  troop  laments  its  crimes.     The  parties  meet ;  weapons  are  clashed  ; 

CAMD.  SOC.  a.  S 


130  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Militis  Eaduuardi  madidantur  rura  cruore. 
Occidit  ense  Comes,  proceres  mucrone  necantur ; 
Sic  vincunt  victi,  victores  exsuperantur. 
Regno  pene  suo  spoliatus  seditione, 
Victrices  turmas  miro  superavit  agone. 
Ad  regimen  regni  patrem  stirps  clara  revexit, 
Nequiter  ablatum  quod  longo  tempore  rexit. 
Plebs  devicta  fremit,  iterumque  potentibus  unit 
Turmas  belligeras,  dape,  telis,  oppida  munit. 
Insula  per  proceres  vastatur  mox  Eliensis. 
Urbs  regni  nostri  capitanea  Londoniensis 
Per  quosdam  capitur,  quatitur  certamine  diro  ; 
Sed  debellantur  heec  omnia  robore  miro. 
Pax  optata  redit,  conduntur  tela,  nitescunt 
Nubila  quae  fuerant,  Anglorum  gaudia  crescunt. 
Impiger  Eaduuardus  devitans  otia,  signum 
Mox  crucis  assumpsit,  cupiens  exsolvere  dignum 
Obsequium  Christo,  qui  se  liberavit  ab  isto 

the  fields  are  moistened  with  blood  by  the  vigour  of  the  soldier  Edward  The 
Earl  is  slain  by  the  sword ;  the  barons  are  put  to  death  with  the  weapon's 
point ;  thus  the  vanquished  conquer,  and  the  conquerors  are  overcome.  Al- 
though by  sedition  almost  robbed  of  his  own  kingdom,  he  overcame  the  con- 
quering legions  by  a  wonderful  effort.  The  noble  offspring  carried  back  his 
father  to  the  government  of  the  kingdom,  wickedly  wrested  from  him,  which 
he  had  long  ruled.  The  conquered  populace  roars,  and  again  joins  its  warlike 
squadrons  to  the  barons  ;  fortifies  towns  with  provisions  and  weapons.  Soon 
after  the  isle  of  Ely  is  ravaged  by  the  popular  leaders.  London,  the  capital 
city  of  our  kingdom,  is  occupied  by  some,  and  is  shaken  with  fearful  strife  ;  but 
all  these  difficulties  are  conquered  with  wonderful  strength.  Peace,  wished  for, 
returns  ;  the  arms  are  laid  by  ;  clouds  have  given  place  to  sunshine ;  the  joys  of 
the  English  increase.  The  active  Edward,  flying  from  idleness,  next  took  up  the 
sign  of  the  cross,  desirous  of  performing  a   worthy  service  to  Christ,  who  had 


REIGX    OF    EDWARD    I.  131 

Turbine  bellorum  ;  sequitur  pia.  turl)a  virorum. 
Francorum  regis  germanus  rex  Siculorura 
Innumeros  populos  ad  regnum  Tuniciorum 
Duxerat,  ut  vetitum  potuit  rehabere  tributum, 
Affininibus  cunctis  dicens  iter  hoc  fore  tutum 
In  terram  sanctam ;  cruce  plebs  signata  dolebat, 
Dum  sua  vota  male  jam  commutata  videbat. 
Eaduuardus  sequitur  credens  bellare  potenter 
Cum  Sarracenis  ;   gentilis  rex  sapienter 
Praelia  de^^tans,  solvit  quodcunque  petebat. 
Rex  Lodowicus  obit  cum  prima  prole,  dolebat 
Gallia,  rex  Karolus  remeat,  turmasque  reduxit, 
Anglos  cum  Siculis,  Britonum  plebs  anxia  luxit. 
Vota  crucis  Christi  Siculorum  rex  male  frangit, 
Et  sua  delusus  populus  discrimina  plangit. 
Applicat  in  portu  Trapennae,  mox  borialis 
Turbo  quatit  puppes,  populus  perit  innumeralis, 
Mergitur  ses  totum,  salvatur  et  Anglica  classis 
Munere  divino,  quod  non  periit  valor  assis. 

delivered  him  from  this  whirlwind  of  wars  ;  a  pious  troop  of  men  follows.  The 
King  of  Sicily,  brother  of  the  King  of  France,  had  conducted  a  vast  host  to  the 
kingdom  of  Tunis,  that  he  might  recover  the  tribute  which  had  been  refused, 
saying  that  this  would  be  a  safe  way  for  the  whole  army  to  the  Holy  Land ;  the 
people  which  was  signed  with  the  cross  lamented  to  see  its  object  thus  unpro- 
pitiously changed.  Edward  follows  in  the  belief  that  there  will  be  powerful  lighting 
with  the  Saracens  ;  but  the  Gentile  King  wisely  avoiding  battle,  paid  whatever 
he  asked.  King  Louis  dies  with  his  eldest  son ;  France  lamented ;  King 
Charles  returns,  and  brings  back  the  troops,  the  English  with  the  Sicilans ;  the 
anxious  Britons  wept.  The  King  of  Sicily  wickedly  broke  his  vow  of  cru- 
sading, and  the  people,  deceived,  lamented  his  changing.  He  arrives  at  the 
port  of  Trapeni  ;  soon  a  whirlwind  from  the  north  strikes  the  fleet ;  multitudes 
of  people  perish  ;  all  the  money  is  sunk  ;  but  the  English  fleet  is  providentially 


132  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Rex  prodire  negat,  renuens  sua  solvere  vota. 
Dux  pius  Anglorum  similis  et  sua  concio  tota 
Puppes  ascendit,  mare  transmeat,  ad  loca  tendit 
Gentibus  obsessa,  longaevo  turbine  pressa. 
Accon  respirat  de  tanto  milite  gaudens, 
Atque  sepulta  diu  psallit  nova  cantica  plaudens. 
Soldanus  fremuit,  procerem  cogitando  necare, 
Quern  per  carnificem  dirum  fecit  jugulare. 
Hie  assessinus  Veteris  de  Monte  ferebat 
Nuncia  conficta,  quae  falso  conficiebat ; 
Ingreditur  thalamos  preecludens  hostia,  cultro 
Vulnera  vulneribus  impressit  ;  strenuus  ultro 
Restitit  Eaduuardus,  tortorem  robore  stravit^ 
Quern  telo  proprio  condigna  morte  necavit. 
Et  quia  condignum  Christus  famulum  sibi  novit, 
lUius  plagas  sacro  medicamine  fovit. 

Expliciunt  versus  secundum  Thomam  de  Wyta  compositi  de 
domino  Eadwardo  AnglicB  rege  illustrissimo. 


saved,  without  losing  the  value  of  a  farthing.  The  king  refuses  to  proceed,  or 
to  perform  his  vow.  The  pious  leader  of  the  English  and  all  his  company 
alike  embark,  pass  the  sea,  and  make  for  the  places  which  were  besieged  by  the 
Gentiles,  pressed  under  a  long  lasting  storm.  Acre  takes  breath,  rejoicing  in 
such  a  soldier,  and  rises  as  it  were  from  the  grave  to  sing  new  songs  of  praise. 
The  Soldan  was  enraged,  and  thought  to  slay  the  noble  leader,  whom  he  caused 
to  be  stabbed  by  a  detestable  butcher.  This  assassin  brought  pretended  mes- 
sages from  the  Old  Man  of  the  Mountain,  which  were  but  false  pretences  ;  he 
enters  the  chamber  and  shuts  the  door ;  with  a  knife  he  adds  wound  upon 
wound  ;  but  Edward,  on  the  other  hand,  resisted  strenuously  ;  with  his  strength 
he  laid  prostrate  the  murderer,  whom  he  slew  with  a  merited  death  by  his  own 
weapon.  And  because  Christ  knew  that  his  servant  was  worthy,  he  healed  his 
wounds  with  a  sacred  medicine. 


REIGX  OF   EDWARD   I.  1.33 

Popular  dissatisfaction  may  be  traced  throughout  Edward's 
reign,  we  may  venture  to  say  from  the  day  in  which  he  mounted 
the  throne.  The  following  song  seems  to  have  been  popular 
soon  after  his  accession  ;  and  it  is  written  in  Latin  and  Anglo- 
Norman,  in  order  that  it  might  be  sung  more  generally.  In 
the  manuscript,  each  stanza  of  the  Latin  is  followed  by  the  cor- 
responding stanza  in  Anglo-Norman.  Between  the  Latin  lines 
of  the  first  stanza  is  left  space  apparently  for  music. 

A    SOXG    ox    THE    TIMES. 

[From  MS.  Harl.  746,  fol.  103  v",  of  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Edw.  I.] 

Vulneratur  karitas,  amor  eegrotatur  : 
Regnat  et  perfidia,  livor  generatur. 
Fraus  primatum  optinet,  pax  subpeditatur ; 
Fides  vincta  carcere  nimis  desolatur. 

In  preesenti  tempore  non  valet  scriptura  ; 
Sed  sopita  veluti  latent  legis  jura, 


Amur  gist  en  maladie,  charite  est  nafre  ; 
Ore  regne  tricherie,  hayne  est  engendre. 
Boidie  ad  seignurie,  pes  est  mise  suz  pe  ; 
Fei  n'ad  ki  lui  guie,  en  prisun  est  lie. 

Ne  lerray  ke  ne  vus  die,  ne  vaut  ore  escripture  ; 
Mes  cum  fust  endormie  e  tapist  dreiture. 


Translation. —  Charity   is   wounded,   love   is    sick;     perfidy    reigns,    and 

malice  is  engendered.     The  fraud  of  the  rulers  prevails,  peace  is  trodden  under 

foot;  faith  fettered  in  prison  is  very  desolate.— At  present,   a  writing  is  of  no 

but  right  and  law  lie  as  it  were  asleep,  and  the  care  of  the  wicked  race 


134  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Et  nephandi  generis  exccBcata  cura 
Nullo  sensu  prsevio  formidat  futura. 

Resistentes  subruunt  iniquitatis  nati ; 
Perit  pax  ecclesise,  regnant  et  elati. 
Hoc  silendo  sustinent  improbi  preelati, 
Mortem  pro  justitia  recusantes  pati. 

Strata  pace  penitus,  amor  refrigescit ; 
Tota  tellus  Anglise  mserore  madescit, 
Omnisque  dilectio  dulcis  evanescit : 
Cuncti  consolatium  quserunt  quo  quiescit. 


De  la  gent  haye  avugle  est  la  cure, 

Ke  el  ne  dute  mie  venjance  a  venir  dure. 

Les  contre-estanz  abatent  li  fiz  de  felonie  ; 
Lors  perit  seinte  eglise,  quant  orgoil  la  mestrie. 
Ceo  sustenent  li  prelaz  ki  s'i  ne  peinent  mie, 
Pur  dreiture  sustenir  nolent  perdre  vie. 

Pes  est  acravante  e  amur  refreidie  ; 

La  terre  est  desconfort^  e  de  plur  enmoistie, 

Amur  et  amiste  tut  est  anentie  : 

N'i  ad  nul  ki  ne  quert  confort  et  aye. 


is  blind,  it  has  not  sufficient  foresight  to  fear  the  future. — The  sons  of  iniquity 
crush  those  who  resist ;  the  peace  of  the  church  perishes,  and  the  proud 
reign.  The  wicked  prelates  support  this  state  of  things  by  their  supineness, 
for  they  refuse  to  suffer  death  for  justice. — Peace  being  altogether  overthrown, 
love  is  cooled  ;  all  the  land  of  England  is  moist  with  weeping,  and  all  friendship 
and    kindness    has  disappeared ;    all  seek   consolation    and   quiet. — The    little 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  135 

Patre  carent  parvuli  pupilli  plangentes, 
Atque  matre  orphan!  fame  jam  deflentes ; 
Qui  in  primis  penitus  fuerunt  potentes, 
Nunc  subcumbunt  gladio^  plorant  et  parentes. 

Ecce  pravi  pueri  pauperes  preedantur; 
Ecce  donis  divites  dolose  ditantur  ; 
Omnes  pane  proceres  mala  machinantur ; 
Insani  satellites  livore  leetantur. 

Ecce  viri  confluunt  undique  raptores  ; 
Ecce  pacis  pereunt  legisque  latores  ; 


Asez  i  ad  des  orphanins  grant  doel  demenanz, 

Ke  lur  parenz  sunt  mis  a  fins,  dunt  il  en  sunt  dolenz, 

Cil  ki  en  coraencent  furent  mult  pussanz. 

Sunt  suzrais  k  le  espeye,  e  plorent  11  parenz. 

Li  enfanz  felons  s'en  vunt  la  povere  gent  preer  ; 
Li  riches  a  tort  enrichiz  sunt  de  autri  aver ; 
A  peine  i  ad  haute  home  ki  cesse  mal  penser ; 
De  hayne  sunt  haitez  li  felons  esquier. 

De  tote  parz  venent  li  bers  ravisanz  ; 

Ore  perissent  de  pes  e  de  la  ley  li  sustenanz  ; 


orphans  lament  the  loss  of  their  father,  and,  deprived  of  their  mother,  they 
sorrow  in  the  midst  of  hunger  ;  they  who  at  first  were  very  powerful,  now  fall 
by  the  sword,  and  their  parents  weep. — Lo  !  wicked  children  rob  the  poor ; 
lo  !  the  wealth  of  the  rich  is  increased  by  exacting  gifts  ;  almost  all  the  nobles 
spend  their  time  in  contriving  evil ;  the  mad  esquires  delight  in  malice. — Lo  ! 
the  rapacious  men  appear  on  every  side ;    lo !   the  supporters  of  peace   and 


136  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Dogmata  despiciunt  truces  hii  tortores, 
Et  prodesse  nequeunt  sancti  confessores. 

Hii  converti  respuunt  virtute  sermonum, 
Neque  curam  capiunt  de  vita  vironum ; 
Omnes  simul  rapiunt,  ut  mos  est  preedonum. 
Hiis  vindictam  ingere,  Deus  ultionum  ! 


Enseignement  refusent  ces  cruels  tormentanz, 
Espleyt  ne  poent  fere  cil  ki  vunt  prechauz. 

Si  il  se  ne  volent  amender  pur  dit  ne  pur  fesance, 
Mes  pur  tuer  quant  ont  poer  ben  ont  la  voillance ; 
Trestuz  en  funt  ravine,  de  Deu  n'en  ont  dotance. 
Cels  metez  a  declin,  sire  Deu  de  venjance  ! 


justice  perish ;  these  cruel  butchers  despise  doctrine,  and  the  holy  preachers 
have  no  effect. — These  men  will  not  be  amended  by  the  force  of  sermons  ;  nor 
do  they  make  any  account  of  the  lives  of  men ;  they  all  plunder  together, 
like  robbers.     Take  vengeance  upon  them,  O  God  of  vengeance. 


One  of  the  legacies  which  St.  Louis  left  to  Christendom  was 
the  number  of  new  orders  of  monks  which  had  been  created 
during  his  reign  and  by  his  encouragement.  They  soon  spread 
from  France  into  England  ;  but  they  were  very  far  from  being 
popular  in  either  country,  and  were  the  constant  butt  of  the 
gibes  and  jokes  of  the  poets.  The  following  is  a  bitter  satire 
upon  the  different  orders  of  monks  in  England  in  the  reign  of 
Edward  I.  The  idea  of  caricaturing  them  by  feigning  one 
order  which  should  unite  the  different  characteristic  vices  of  all 
the  otiiers,  was  not  new. 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD   I.  1^7 

THE  ORDER  OF  FAIR-EASE. 

[MS.  Harl.  No.  2253,  fol.  121  r".  Reign  of  Ed.  II.] 

Qui  vodra  a  moi  entendre, 
Oyr  purra  e  aprendre 
L'estoyre  de  un  Ordre  novel, 
Qe  mout  est  delitous  e  bel : 
Je  le  vus  dirroi  come  Pay  apris 
Des  freres  de  mon  pays. 
L^Ordre  est  si  founde  a  droit, 
Qe  de  tous  ordres  un  point  estroit, 
N'i  ad  ordre  en  cest  mound 
10  Dont  si  n'i  ad  ascun  point. 

Le  noun  de  I'Ordre  vus  vueil  dyre, 
Qe  um  ne  me  pust  blamer  de  lire  ; 
Qy  oyr  velt  si  se  teyse, 
C^est  le  Ordre  de  Bel-Eyse. 
De  I'Ordre  vus  dirroi  la  sonme ; 
Quar  en  I'Ordre  est  meint  prodhonme, 
E  meinte  bele  e  bone  dame. 
En  eel  Ordre  sunt  sanz  blame 
Esquiers,  vadletz,  e  serjauntz  ; 

Translation. — He  who  will  listen  to  me,  may  hear  and  learn  the  history 
of  a  new  Order,  which  is  vsry  pleasant  and  beautiful :  I  will  tell  it  you  as  I 
have  learnt  it  from  the  brethren  of  my  country.  The  Order  is  so  cleverly 
founded,  that  it  takes  a  point  from  all  the  other  orders  ;  there  is  not  an  order 
in  this  world,  of  which  there  is  not  there  some  one  point.  The  name  of  the 
Order  I  will  tell  you,  that  I  may  not  be  blamed  for  what  I  read  ;  he  who  will  hear, 
let  him  be  silent,  it  is  the  Order  of  Fair-Ease.  Of  this  Order  I  will  tell  you 
the  sum  ;  for  in  the  order  is  many  a  worthy  fellow,  and  many  a  fair  and 
good  dame.     In  this  Order  there  are  without  blame,  esquires,  valets,  and  ser. 

CAMD.  SOC.  6.  T 


138  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

20  Mes  a  ribaldz  e  a  pesauntz 

Est  rOrdre  del  tot  defendu, 

Qe  ja  nul  ne  soit  rescu. 

Quar  il  frount  a  I'Ordre  hounte. 

Quant  rybaud  ou  vyleyn  mounte 

En  hautesse  ou  baylie, 

La  ou  il  puet  aver  mestrie, 

N'i  ad  plus  de  mesure  en  eux 

Qe  al  le  luop  qe  devoure  aigneux. 

De  cele  gent  lerroi  ataunt, 
30  E  de  le  Ordre  dirroi  avaunt. 

En  eel  Ordre  dount  je  vus  dy, 

Est  primes  issi  estably, 

Que  ceux  qe  a  FOrdre  serrount, 

De  Sympringham  averount 

Un  point,  qe  bien  pleysant  serra, 

Come  Pabbeie  de  Sympringham  a, 

Freres  e  sueres  ensemble  ; 

C^est  bon  Ordre,  come  me  semble. 

Mes  de  tant  art  changi^,  pur  veyr, 
40  Q'a  Sympringham  doit  aver 

jeants  ;  but  to  ribalds  and  to  peasants  the  Order  is  entirely  forbidden,  so  that  no 
one  may  be  received  into  it.  For  they  would  bring  disgrace  upon  the  Order. 
When  ribald  or  vilein  mounts  to  high  place  or  office,  there  where  he  can  have 
power,  there  is  no  more  moderation  in  them  than  in  the  wolf  which  devours 
lambs.  Of  such  people  I  will  say  no  more,  but  1  will  go  on  to  talk  about  the 
Order. 

In  this  Order  of  which  I  tell  you,  it  is  first  ordained  thus,  that  those  who 
shall  belong  to  the  Order,  shall  have  one  point  of  Sempringham,  which  will  be 
very  agreeable,  as  the  Abbey  of  Sempringham  has,  brothers  and  sisters  to- 
gether ;  it  is  a  good  Order,  as  it  seems  to  me.  But  so  far,  in  truth,  it  is  changed, 
that  at  Sempringham  there  must  be  between  the  brothers  and  the  sisters  (a 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  1.  l^J 

Entre  les  freres  e  les  sorours, 

Qe  desplest  a  plusours. 

Fosses  e  murs  de  haute  teyse ; 

Mes  en  cet  Ordre  de  Bel-Eyse 

Ne  doit  fosse  ne  mur  aver, 

Ne  nul  autre  destourber, 

Qe  les  freres  a  lur  pleysyr 

Ne  pussent  a  lor  sueres  venyr, 

E  qu'il  n'eit  point  de  chalaunge. 
50  Ja  n'i  avera  ne  lyn  ne  launge 

Entre  eux,  e  si  le  peil  y  a, 

Ja  pur  ce  ne  remeindra. 

De  yleoque  est  ensi  purveu, 

Qe  cil  q'a  I'Ordre  serrount  rendu, 

De  I'abbe  deyvent  bien  estre  : 

E  ce  comaund  nostre  mestre, 

Pur  bien  manger  e  a  talent 

Treis  foiz  le  jour,  e  plus  sovent, 

E  s'il  le  font  pur  compagnye, 
60  Le  Ordre  pur  ce  ne  remeindra  mie. 
De  Beverleye  ont  un  point  treit, 

thing  which  displeases  many,)  ditches  and  walls  of  high  measure  ;  but  in  this 
Order  of  Fair-Ease  there  must  be  neither  ditch  nor  wall,  nor  any  other  impe- 
diment, to  hinder  the  brethren  at  their  pleasure  from  visiting  the  sisters,  nor 
shall  there  be  any  watch-word.  Their  intimacy  shall  neither  be  separated  by 
linen  nor  wool,  or  even  by  their  very  skins.  From  thence  also  it  is  pro- 
vided, that  they  who  shall  enter  the  Order,  must  be  well  entertained  by  the 
abbot :  and  this  our  master  commands,  to  eat  well  and  plentifully  three  times  a 
day,  and  oftener.  And  if  they  do  it  for  company,  the  Order  on  that  account 
shall  not  be  the  worse. 

Of  Beverley  they  have  taken  a  point,  which  shall  be  kept  well  and  accu- 


140  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Qe  serra  tenu  bien  e  dreit. 
Pur  beyvre  bien  a  mangier, 
E  pus  apres  desqu'a  soper ; 
E  apres  al  collacioun, 
Deit  chescun  aver  un  copoun 
De  chandelle  long  desqu'al  coute, 
E  tant  come  remeindra  goute 
De  la  chandeille  a  arder 

70  Deivent  les  freres  a  beyvre  ser. 

Un  point  unt  tret  de  Hospitlers, 
Qe  sunt  mult  corteis  chevalers, 
E  ount  robes  bien  avenauntz, 
Longes  desqu'al  pie  traynantz, 
Soudlers  e  chauses  bien  seantz, 
E  gros  palefrois  bien  amblantz ; 
Si  deyvent  en  nostre  Ordre  aver 
Les  freres  e  sueres^  pur  veyr. 

De  Chanoynes  ont  un  point  pris, 

80  Qu'en  FOrdre  ert  bien  assis  ; 

Quar  chanoygnes  pur  grant  peyne 
Mangent  en  la  symeygne 


rately,  to  drink  well  at  their  meat,  and  then  afterwards  until  supper ;  and 
afterwards  at  the  collation,  each  must  have  a  piece  of  candle  as  long  as  the 
arm  below  the  elbow,  and  as  long  as  there  shall  remain  a  morsel  of  the  candle  to 
burn,  the  brethen  must  continue  their  drinking. 

A  point  they  have  taken  from  the  Hospitallers,  who  are  very  courteous 
knights,  and  have  very  becoming  robes,  so  long  that  they  drag  at  their  feet ; 
shoes  and  breeches  which  fit  elegantly,  and  great  palfreys  that  amble  well ;  so  in 
our  Order,  in  truth,  the  brethren  and  sisters  must  have  them. 

Of  the  Canons  they  have  taken  a  point,  which  will  agree  well  with  the  Order  ; 
for  the  canons,  for  great  pain,  eat  in  the  refectory  flesh  three  days   in  the 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  141 

Char  en  le  refreitour  treis  jours ; 
Auxi  deyvent  nos  sorours 
E  nos  freres  chescun  jour 
Char  mangier  en  refreitour_, 
Fors  le  vendredi  soulement, 
E  le  samadi  ensement. 
E  si  issint  avenist 
90  Q,'al  samadi  hoste  fust, 

E  I'em  ne  ust  plente  de  pesshon, 
L^estor  qe  fust  en  la  mesoun 
Purreint  il  par  congie  prendre, 
Ja  rOrdre  ne  serra  le  meindre. 

Un  point  ont  tret  de  Moyne  Neirs, 
Que  volenters  beyvent,  pur  veyrs, 
E  sount  cheschun  jour  yvre, 
Quar  ne  sevent  autre  vivre  ; 
Mes  il  le  fount  pur  compagnie, 
100  E  ne  mie  pur  glotonie. 
Auxi  est  il  purveu 
Que  chescun  frerc  soit  enbu, 
De  jour  en  jour  tot  ades 
Devant  manger  e  apres. 

week  ;  so  must  our  sisters  and  our  brethren  eat  flesh  in  the  refectory  every  day, 
except  only  Friday,  and  likewise  Saturday.  And  if  it  so  happen  that  there 
be  a  fast  on  the  Saturday,  and  they  have  not  plenty  of  fish,  they  may  have 
leave  to  take  what  provisions  are  in  the  house  ;  the  Order  will  be  none  the  worse 
for  it. 

A  point  they  have  taken  from  the  Black  Monks,  that  they  love  drinking, 
forsooth,  and  are  drunk  every  day,  for  they  do  not  know  any  other  way  of 
living.  But  they  do  it  for  the  sake  of  society,  and  not  at  all  out  of  gluttony. 
Also  it  is  provided,  that  each  brother  drink  before  dinner  and  after.     And  if  it 


142  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

E  si  il  avenist  ensi 

Qe  a  frere  venist  amy, 

Dount  se  deyvent  ensorter 

Pur  les  freres  solacer, 

Glui  savera  bien  juer  le  seyr ; 
110  Ce  vus  di-je  de  veir, 

Yl  dormira  grant  matinee, 

Desque  la  male  fumee 

Seit  de  la  teste  issue, 

Pur  grant  peril  de  la  vewe. 
Des  Chanoygnes  Seculers, 

Qe  dames  servent  volenters, 

Ont  nos  mestres  un  point  treit, 

E  vueillent  qe  eel  point  seit 

Bien  tenuz  e  bien  useez  ; 
1 20  duar  c'est  le  point,  bien  sachez. 

Que  pluz  ad  en  I'Ordre  mester, 

Pur  les  freres  solacer. 

Si  est,  sur  eschumygement, 

Comaunde  molt  estroitement. 

Que  chescun  frere  a  sa  sorour 

Deit  fere  le  giw  d'amour 

Devant  matines  adescement, 

so  happen  that  a  friend  visit  a  brother  (for  such  must  be  at  hand  to  solace  the 
brethren)  who  shall  know  how  to  play  in  the  evening ;  this  I  tell  you  for  certain, 
he  shall  sleep  late  in  the  morning,  until  the  evil  fumes  are  issued  from  his  head, 
for  great  danger  of  the  sight. 

Of  the  Secular  Canons,  who  willingly  serve  ladies,  our  masters  have  taken  a 
point,  and  will  that  this  point  be  well  observed  and  well  used ;  for  know  that 
this  point  is  more  needful  than  any  in  the  Order,  in  order  to  solace  the 
brethren.     And  so  it  is  coumiandcd  very  straightly,  on  pain  of  excommuoica- 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  143 

E  apres  matines  ensement ; 

E  s'il  le  fet  avaiit  son  departyr 
130  Troiz  foiz  a  soun  pleysyr, 

Ja  le  frere  blame  ne  avera, 

Ne  le  Ordre  enpeyre  serra. 
Gris  Moignes  sunt  dure  gent, 

E  de  lur  ordre  nequedent 

Vueillent  nos  mestres  pur  grever 

L'Ordre  un  des  lur  poyntz  aver ; 

E  si  n'est  geres  corteis, — 

Quar  a  matines  vont  sanz  breys. 

Auxi  deyvent  nos  freres  fere, 
140  Pur  estre  prest  a  lur  affere. 

E  quant  il  fount  nul  oreysoun, 

Si  deyvent  estre  a  genulloun, 

Pur  aver  greindre  devocioun 

A  fere  lur  executioun. 

E  ou  un  seyn  sonnent  santz  plus, 

C'est  lur  ordre  e  lur  us  : — 

Mes  nos  freres  pur  doubler, 

Ou  deus  seynz  deyvent  soner. 

De  taunt  est  nostre  Ordre  dyvers, 

tion,  that  the  brethren  be  constant  companions  of  the  sisters,  both  before 
matins  and  after,  so  that  the  brethren  be  not  blamed  for  neglecting  them,  nor 
the  Order  receive  discredit. 

The  Grey  Monks  are  a  hard  race  ;  yet,  nevertheless,  from  their  order  our 
masters  will  that  the  Order  have  one  of  their  points  for  mortification  ;  and  in  fact 
it  is  not  over  courteous, — for  they  go  to  matins  without  breeches.  So  ought  our 
brethren  to  do,  to  be  more  at  their  ease.  And  when  they  make  no  prayer,  they 
must  be  on  their  knees,  to  have  greater  and  more  effectual  devotion  :  and  they 
ring  with  one  bell,  and  no  more, — it  is  their  order  and  usage : — but  our 
brethren,   to   double  it,   must  sound  with  two  bells.      Our    Order  has  such 


144  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

150  Qe  no  sueres  deyvent  envers 

Gysyr  e  orer  countre-mount. 

Par  grant  devocioun  le  fount. 
Issi  pernent  en  pacience, 

C'est  point  de  I'Ordre  de  Cilence  ; 

Chaichons  est  bon  ordre,  sanz  faile, 

N'est  nul  des  autres  qe  taunt  vayle ; — 

Pur  ce  vueillent  ascun  point  trere 

De  eel  ordre  a  nostre  afFere. 

Chescun  est  en  sa  celle  enclos, 
1 60  Pur  estre  soul  en  repos  ; 

Auxi  deyvent  nos  freres  estre, 

Si  doit  chescun  a  sa  fenestre 

Del  herber  aver  pur  solas, 

E  sa  suere  entre  ces  bras, 

E  estre  enclos  privement, 

Pur  survenue  de  la  gent. 

Ne  devomz  pas  entreoublier, 

Si  nostre  ordre  deit  durer, 

Les  Frere  Menours  a  nul  suer, 
1 70  Qe  Dieu  servent  de  bon  cuer ; 

Si  devomz  ascun  point  aver 

difference,  that  our  sisters  must  lay  down  flat  and  pray  on  tlieir  backs,  they  do 
it  out  of  great  devotion. 

Also  they  take  in  patience,  it  is  a  point  from  the  Order  of  Silence  ;  each  is  a 
good  order,  without  doubt,  but  none  of  the  others  is  so  valuable  ; — therefore  they 
will  take  one  point  of  this  order  for  our  purpose.  Each  is  shut  up  in  his  cell, 
to  repose  himself  alone  ;  so  our  brothers  must  be,  and  each  at  his  window  must 
have  some  plants  to  comfort  him,  and  his  sister  in  his  arms,  and  he  must  be 
shut  up  privately,  that  nobody  may  disturb  them. 

We  must  not  forget,  if  our  Order  is  to  last,  the  Friars  Minors,  in  no  case ; 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  145 

De  lur  ordre,  pur  mieux  valer. 

Lur  ordre  est  fonde  en  poverte, 

Pur  quel  yl  vont  la  voie  apierte 

En  ciel  tot  plenerement ; 

Si  vus  dirroi  bien  coment 

Yl  querent  poverte  tot  dis ; 

Quaunt  il  vont  par  le  pays, 

Al  chief  baroun  ou  chivaler 
180  Se  lerrount  il  herberger, 

Ou  a  chief  persone  ou  prestre, 

La  ou  il  purrount  acese  estre  ; 

Mes  par  Seint  Piere  de  Ronme, 

Ne  se  herbigerount  ou  povre  honme, — 

Taunt  come  plus  riches  serrount, 

Ostiel  plustost  demanderount. 

Ne  ne  deyvent  nos  freres  fere 

Ostiel,  ne  autre  lyu  quere, 

Fors  la  ou  il  sevent  plente, 
190  E  la  deyvent  en  charite 

Char  mangier  e  ce  qu'il  ount, 

Auxi  come  les  Menours  fount. 

so  must  we  have  a  point  of  their  order,  to  be  of  more  account.  Their  order  is 
founded  in  poverty,  therefore  they  go  the  open  way  to  heaven  completely  ;  and  I 
will  tell  you  exactly  how  they  seek  poverty  always  ;  when  they  travel  through  the 
countiy,  they  take  up  their  lodgings  with  the  chief  baron  or  knight,  or  with  the 
chief  person  or  priest,  there  where  they  can  be  satiated  ;  but,  by  St.  Peter 
of  Rome  !  they  will  never  lodge  with  a  poor  man, — so  long  as  there  are  richer 
men  to  be  found,  they  prefer  asking  a  lodging  of  them.  In  the  same  manner 
our  brethren  must  not  take  up  their  lodging,  nor  seek  other  place,  than  where 
they  know  there  is  plenty,  and  there  they  ought  in  charity  to  eat  flesh  and 
whatever  they  find,  as  the  Friars  Minors  do. 

CAMD.    SOC.    6.  U 


116  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Pus  qe  avomz  des  menours, 
Auxi  averomz  des  Prechours ; 
Ne  vont  come  les  autres  nuyz  peez 
Eynz  vont  precher  tot  chauceez, 
E  s'il  avient  ascune  feez 
Qu'il  seient  malades  as  pies, 
Yl  purrount,  s'il  ount  talent, 
200  Chevalcher  tot  plenerement 
Tote  la  jornee  entiere. 
Mes  tot  en  autre  manere 
Deyvent  nos  freres  fere, 
Quant  il  prechent  par  la  terre  ; 
Car  il  deyvent  tot  ades 
Tot  dis  chevalcher  loinz  e  pres  : 
E  quant  il  fount  nul  sermoun. 
Si  deyvent  estre  dedenz  mesoun. 
E  tote  foiz  apres  manger 
210  Deyvent  il  de  dreit  precher  ; 

Quar  meint  honme  est  de  tiele  manere, 
Qu'il  ad  le  cuer  pluz  dur  qe  piere, 
Mes  quant  il  avera  ankes  bu 
Tost  avera  le  Ordre  entendu, 

As  we  owe  something  to  the  Minors,  we  will  borrow  also  of  the  Preachers  ; 
they  do  not  go  bare-foot  like  the  others,  but  they  go  preaching  with  shoes  on, 
and  if  it  happen  any  time  that  they  have  sore  feet,  they  may,  if  they  like,  ride 
on  horseback  at  their  ease  all  the  day  long.  But  quite  in  another  manner  ought 
our  brethren  to  do,  when  they  preach  through  the  land ;  for  they  must  ride 
thus  always  both  far  and  near  :  and  when  they  make  any  sermon,  they  must  be 
within  doors.  And  always  after  dinner  they  ought  rightly  to  preach  ;  for 
many  a  man  is  of  such  a  character,  that  his  heart  is  harder  than  stone ;  but 
when  he  shall  have  once  drunk,  then  as  soon  as  he  has  heard  the  Order,  and 


REIGX  OF  EDWARD  I.  14? 

E  les  cuers  serront  enmoistez, 

De  jolus  leger  serrount  oyez, 

Qe  a  I'Ordre  se  rendrount 

Quant  le  sermon  oy  averont. 
Ensi  est  nostre  ordre  founde, 
220  E  si  ount  nos  freres  en  joensee, 

Qe  chescun  counte  doit  aver 

Un  abbe,  qe  eit  poer 

A  receyvre  sueres  e  freres, 

E  fere  e  tenyr  ordres  pleneres, 

E  qe  les  pointz  seient  tenuz 

Qe  nos  mestres  ount  purveuz. 

Un  provyncial  en  la  terre 

Doit  aler  e  enquere, 

Pur  saver  qy  I'Ordre  tendra. 
230  E  cely  qe  le  enfreindra, 

Serra  privement  chastie, 

E  de  son  meffet  reprove. 

E  ceux  qe  serront  trovez 

Qe  I'Ordre  averount  bien  usez, 

Si  deyvent  pur  lur  humilite 

the  hearts  shall  be  moistened,  however  little  they  might  have  heard,  they  will 
listen  to  the  Order,  when  they  have  heard  the  sermon. 

Thus  is  our  Order  founded,  and  our  brothers  have  deemed  right,  that  each 
county  must  have  an  abbot,  who  has  power  to  receive  sisters  and  brothers,  and 
make  and  hold  full  orders,  and  that  the  points  shall  be  held  which  our  masters 
have  provided.  A  provincial  ought  to  go  and  inquire  in  the  land,  to  know  who 
wiU  hold  the  Order.  And  he  who  shall  break  it,  shall  be  chastised  in  private, 
and  reproved  for  his  trespass.  And  those  who  shall  be  found  to  have  made  good 
use  of  the  order,  must,  for  their  humility,  be  raised  to  dignity,  and  they  shall 


148  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Estre  mis  en  dignete^ 
E  serrount  abbes  ou  priours 
A  tenyr  FOrdre  en  honeurs. 
Issi  fount  les  Augustyns, 
240  Qe  tant  sevent  de  devyns ; 

Par  tot  enquergent  ple^mement 
Qy  tienent  I'Ordre  lealment, 
E  ceux  qe  I'Ordre  tendrount 
Par  tot  loe  serrount. 

Atant  fine  nostre  Ordre, 
Q'a  touz  bonz  ordres  se  acorde, 
E  c'est  rOrdre  de  Bel-Eyse, 
Qe  a  plusours  trobien  pleyse  ! 

be  abbots  or  priors  to  hold  the  order  in  honours.  Thus  do  the  Augustine 
Monks,  who  know  so  many  devices  ;  every  where  they  give  full  encouragement 
to  those  who  hold  the  Order  loyally,  and  those  who  will  hold  the  Order  shall 
be  praised  everywhere. 

Now  ends  our  Order,  which  agrees  with  all  good  orders,  and  it  is  the  Order 
of  Fair-Ease,  which  to  many  may  it  please  too  well ! 


Edward  endeavoured  to  call  off  the  vigour  of  his  subjects 
from  domestic  sedition  to  foreign  wars.  But  the  expenses  de- 
pendent upon  the  latter  only  added  to  the  many  burdens  under 
which  the  English  peasantry  laboured  ;  and  it  is  now  that  we 
begin  to  find  the  complaints  of  the  latter  vented  in  the  shape  of 
popular  songs. 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  149 

SONG    OF    THE    HUSBANDMAN. 

[MS.  Harl.  No.  2253,  fol.  64,  r"  ;   reign  of  Edw.  II.] 

Ich  herde  men  upo  mold  make  muche  mon, 

Hou  he  beth  i-tened  of  here  tilyynge, 
Gode  jeres  and  corn  bothe  beth  a-gon, 

Ne  kepeth  here  no  sawe  ne  no  song  syng. 
*'  Now  we  mote  worche,  nis  ther  non  other  won, 

Mai  ich  no  lengore  Ijxe  with  my  lesinge ; 
3et  ther  is  a  bitterore  bid  to  the  bon, 

For  ever  the  furthe  peni  mot  to  the  kynge. 

Thus  we  carpeth  for  the  kyng,  and  carieth  ful  cokle, 
And  weneth  for  te  kevere,  and  ever  buth  a-cast ; 

Whose  hath  eny  god,  hopeth  he  nout  to  holde, 
Bote  ever  the  levest  we  leoseth  a-last. 

Luther  is  to  leosen  ther  ase  lutel  ys. 

And  haveth  monie  hynen  that  hopieth  therto ; 

The  hayward  heteth  us  harm  to  habben  of  his  ; 
The  baihf  bockneth  us  bale  and  weneth  Avel  do ; 

The  wodeward  waiteth  us  wo  that  loketli  under  rys ; 
Ne  mai  us  ryse  no  rest  rycheis  ne  ro. 

Translation. — I  heard  men  on  the  earth  make  much  lamentation, — how 
they  are  injured  in  their  tillage, — good  years  and  corn  are  hoth  gone, — they 
keep  here  no  saying  and  sing  no  song. — Now  we  must  work,  there  is  no  other 
custom, — I  can  no  longer  live  with  my  gleaning; — yet  there  is  a  bitterer  asking 
for  the  boon, — for  ever  the  fovirth  penny  must  [go]  to  the  king. 

Thus  we  complain  for  the  king,  and  care  full  coldly, — and  think  to  recover,  and 
ever  are  cast; — he  who  hath  any  goods,  expects  not  to  keep  them, — but  ever 
the  dearest  we  lose  at  last. 

It  is  grievous  to  lose,  where  there  is  little, — and  we  have  many  fellows  who  ex- 
pect it ; — the  hayward  commandeth  us  harm  to  have  of  his  ; — the  bailiflf  causeth 
us  to  know  evil,  and  thinks  to  do  well ; — the  woodward  has  woe  in  keeping  for  us, 
who  looketh  under  branches  ; — there  may  not  arise  to  us  or  remain  with  us 


150  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Thus  me  pileth  the  pore  that  is  of  lute  pris  : 
Nede  in  swot  and  in  sAvynk  swynde  mot  swo  :" 

Nede  he  mot  swynde  thah  he  hade  swore, 
That  nath  nout  en  hod  his  hed  for  te  hude. 

Thus  wil  walketh  in  londe,  and  lawe  is  for-lore, 
And  al  is  piked  of  the  pore,  the  prikyares  prude. 

Thus  me  pileth  the  pore  and  pyketh  ful  clene. 

The  ryche  raymeth  withouten  eny  ryht ; 
Ar  londes  and  ar  leodes  liggeth  fol  lene, 

Thorh  b[i]ddyng  of  baylyfs  such  harm  hem  hath  hiht. 
Meni  of  religioun  me  halt  hem  ful  hene, 

Baroun  and  bonde,  the  clerc  and  the  knyht. 
Thus  wil  walketh  in  lond,  and  wondred  ys  wene, 

Falsshipe  fatteth  and  marreth  wyth  myht. 

Stont  fulle  ythe  stude,  and  halt  him  ful  sturne. 
That  maketh  beggares  go  with  bordon  and  bagges. 

Thus  we  beth  honted  from  hale  to  hurne ; 
That  er  werede  robes,  nou  wereth  ragges. 


riches  or  repose. — Thus  they  rob  the  poor  man,  who  is  of  little  value  : — he 
must  needs  in  sweat  and  in  labour  waste  away  so. 

He  must  needs  pine  away,  though  he  had  swore  (?), — that  hath  not  a  hood  to 
hide  his  head. — Thus  will  walketh  in  the  land,  and  law  is  destroyed, — and  all 
the  pride  of  the  rider  is  picked  from  the  poor. 

Thus  they  rob  the  poor  and  pick  him  full  clean, — the  rich  lord  it  without  any 
right ; — their  lands  and  their  people  lay  full  lean, — through  asking  of  baihfs  such 
harm  has  befallen  them. — Many  of  religion  hold  them  full  abject, — baron  and 
bond-man,  the  clerk  and  the  knight. — Thus  will  walks  in  the  land,  and  coneter- 
nation  is  frequent, — falsehood  fattens  and  marrs  with  might. 

He  stands  full  in  the  place,  and  holds  him  full  sternly, — that  makes  beggars 
go  with  bordon  and  bags. — Thus  we  are  hunted  from  hall  to  corner  ; — they  who 
once  wore  robes,  now  wear  rags. 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  151 

3et  coraeth  budeles,  with  ful  muche  host, — 

"  Greythe  me  selver  to  the  grene  wax  : 
Thou  art  writen  y  my  writ  that  thou  wel  wost." 

Mo  then  ten  sithen  told  y  my  tax. 
Thenne  mot  ych  habbe  hennen  a-rost, 

Feyr  on  fyhshe  day  launprey  ant  lax ; 
Forth  to  the  chepyn  geyneth  ne  chost, 

Thah  y  sulle  mi  bil  ant  my  borstax. 

Ich  mot  legge  my  wed  wel  5ef  y  wolle, 
Other  sulle  mi  corn  on  gras  that  is  grene. 

3et  I  shal  be  foul  cherl,  thah  he  han  the  fuUe, 
That  ich  alle  3er  spare  thenne  y  mot  spene. 

Nede  y  mot  spene  that  y  spared  3  ore, 

A3eyn  this  cachereles  cometh  thus  y  mot  care ; 

Cometh  the  maister  budel  brust  ase  a  bore^ 
Seith  he  wole  mi  bugging  bringe  ful  bare. 

Mede  y  mot  munten  a  mark  other  more, 
Thah  ich  at  the  set  dey  sulle  mi  mare. 


Still  there  come  beadles,  with  very  great  boast, — "  Prepare  me  silver  for  the 
green  wax  : — thou  art  entered  in  my  writing,  that  thou  knowest  well  of." — More 
than  ten  times  I  paid  my  tax. — Then  must  I  have  hens  roasted, — fair  on  the 
fish  day  lamprey  and  salmon ; — forth  to  the  market  gains  not  cost, — though  I 
sell  my  bill  and  my  borstax. 

I  must  lay  my  pledge  weU  if  I  will, — or  sell  my  corn  while  it  is  but  green 
grass. — Yet  I  shall  be  a  foul  churl,  though  they  have  the  whole, — what  I  have 
saved  all  the  year,  I  must  spend  then. 

I  must  needs  spend  what  I  saved  formerly, — I  must  thus  take  care  against  the 
time  these  catchpoles  come  ; — the  master  beadle  comes  as  roughly  as  a  boar, — he 
says  he  will  make  my  lodgings  full  bare  ; — I  must  give  him  for  meed  a  mark  or 


152  POLITICAL   SONGS. 

Ther  the  grene  wax  us  greveth  under  gore. 
That  me  us  honteth  ase  hound  doth  the  hare. 

He  us  honteth  ase  hound  hare  doh  on  hulle; 

Seththe  y  tek  to  the  lond  such  tene  me  wes  taht. 
Nabbeth  ner  budeles  boded  ar  sulle. 

For  he  may  scape  ant  we  aren  ever  caht. 

Thus  y  kippe  ant  cacche  cares  ful  colde, 

Seththe  y  counte  ant  cot  hade  to  kepe  ; 
To  seche  selver  to  the  kyng  y  mi  seed  solde, 

Forthi  mi  lond  leye  Uth  ant  leorneth  to  slepe. 
Seththe  he  mi  feire  feh  fatte  y  my  folde, 

When  y  thenk  o  mi  weole  wel  neh  y  wepe ; 
Thus  bredeth  monie  beggares  bolde. 

Ant  ure  ru3e  ys  roted  ant  ruls  er  we  repe. 

Ruls  ys  oure  ru3e  ant  roted  in  the  stre. 

For  wickede  wederes  by  brok  ant  by  brynke. 

Ther  wakeneth  in  the  world  wondred  ant  wee, 
Ase  god  is  swynden  anon  as  so  for  te  swynke. 

more, — though  I  sell  my  mare  at  the  day  fixed. — There  the  green  wax  grieveth 
us  under  garment, —  so  that  they  hunt  us  as  a  hound  doth  the  hare. 

They  hunt  us  as  a  hound  doth  a  hare  on  the  hill ; — since  I  took  to  the  land 
such  hurt  was  given  me : — the  beadles  have  never  asked  their  . . , — for  they 
may  scape,  and  we  are  always  caught. 

Thus  I  take  and  catch  cares  full  cold, — since  I  reckoning  and  cot  had  to 
keep  ; — to  seek  silver  for  the  king,  I  sold  my  seed, — wherefore  my  land  lies  fal- 
low and  learneth  to  sleep. — Since  they  fetched  my  fair  cattle  in  my  fold, — 
when  I  think  of  my  weal  I  very  nearly  weep  ; — thus  breed  many  bold  beggars, 
— and  our  rye  is  rotted  and before  we  reap. 

is  our  rye  and  rotted  in  the  straw, — on  account  of  the  bad  weather  by 

brook  and  by  brink. — Thei'e  wakes  in  the  world  consternation  and  woe, — as 
good  is  to  perish  at  once  as  so  to  labour. 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  153 

The  following  song  appears  to  be  directed  against  the  gay 
fashions  in  Ladies'  clothing  which  became  prevalent  about  this 
time,  and  seem  even  to  have  been  aped  by  the  middle  and  lower 
ranks. 

AGAINST    THE    PRIDE    OF    THE    LADIES. 
[MS.  Harl.  2253,  fol.  61,  v"  ;  reign  of  Edw.  II.] 

Lord  that  lenest  us  lyf,  ant  lokest  uch  an  lede, 
For  te  cocke  with  knyf  nast  thou  none  nede ; 
Bothe  wepmon  ant  wyf  sore  mowe  drede. 
Lest  thou  be  sturne  with  strif,  for  bone  that  thou  bede, 
in  wTinne 

That  monku  [n]  ne 

Shulde  shilde  hem  from  sunne. 

Nou  hath  prude  the  pris  in  everuche  plawe ; 
By  mony  wymmon  un-\vis  y  sugge  mi  sawe. 
For  3ef  a  ledy  lyne  is  leid  after  lawe, 
Uch  a  strumpet  that  ther  is  such  drahtes  wl  drawe ; 
in  prude 

Uch  a  screwe  wol  hire  shrude 

Thah  he  nabbe  nout  a  smoke  hire  foule  ers  to  hude. 

Translation. — Lord,  that  givest  us  life,  and  regardest  every  people, — to 

with  knife  thou  hast  no  need  ; — both  man  and  womsm  sorely  may 

dread, — lest  thou  be  stern  with  wrath,  for  the  boon  that  thou  askedst, — in  joy — 
that  mankind — should  shield  themselves  from  sin. 

Now  pride  hath  the  prize  in  every  play  ; — of  many  unwise  women  I  say  my 
saw, — for  if  a  lady's  linen  is  laid  after  law, — every  strumpet  that  there  is  such 
draughts  will  draw  ;—  in  pride — every  shrew  will  clothe  herself,  — though  she 
have  not  a  smock  to  hide  her  dirty  tail. 

CAMD.  SOC.  6.  X 


154  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Furmest  in  boure  were  boses  y-broht, 

Levedis  to  honoure  ichot  he  were  wroht ; 

Ucb  gigelot  wol  loure,  bote  he  hem  habbe  soht; 

Such  shrewe  fol  soure  ant  duere  hit  hath  a-boht ; 
in  helle 
With  develes  he  shule  duelle. 
For  the  clogges  that  cleveth  by  here  chelle. 

Nou  ne  lacketh  hem  no  lyn  boses  in  to  beren ; 
He  sitteth  ase  a  slat  swyn  that  hongeth  is  eren. 
Such  a  joustynde  gyn  uch  wrecche  wol  weren, 
Al  hit  Cometh  in  declyn  this  gigelotes  geren  ; 
upo  lofte 

The  devel  may  sitte  softe. 

Ant  h olden  his  haly motes  ofte. 

5ef  ther  lyth  a  loket  by  er  outlier  e3e, 
That  mot  with  worse  be  wet  for  lat  of  other  le3e  ; 
The  bout  and  the  barbet  wyth  frountel  shule  fe3e ; 
Habbe  he  a  fauce  filet,  he  halt  hire  hed  he3e, 


First  in  bower  were  bosses  brought, — to  honour  ladies  I  wot  they  were 
wrought ; — every  giglot  will  lour,  unless  she  have  them  sought ; — such  shrew 
full  sourly  and  dearly  hath  bought  it  ; — in  hell — with  devils  they  shdl  dwell, — 
on  account  of  the  clogs  which  hang  by  their  jowls. 

Now  they  want  no  linen  to  bear  bosses  in  ; — they  sit  like  a  slit  swine  which 
hangs  its  ears. — Such  a  justling  contrivance  every  wretch  will  wear, — that  these 
giglots'  gear  all  comes  to  nothing  ; — on  high — the  devil  may  sit  softly, — and 
hold  his  sabbaths  often. 

If  there  lies  a  locket  by  ear  or  eye, — that  may  with  worse  be  wet,  for  lack 
of  other  lye  ;  the  but  and  the  barbel  with  frontlet  shaU  quarrel ; — if  she  have 
a  false  fillet,  she  holds  her  head  high, — to  show — that  she  is  famous  and  well 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  155 

to  shewe 
That  heo  be  kud  ant  knewe 
For  strompet  in  rybaudes  rewe. 

known — for  a  strumpet  in  the  ribalds'  ranks. 


Another  song,  written  apparently  about  the  same  period,  is  a 
satire  upon  the  smaller  Ecclesiastical  Courts,  and  the  vexation 
which  they  caused  to  the  peasantry. 

A    SATYRE    ON    THE    CONSISTORY    COURTS. 
[MS.  Harl.  No.  2253,  fol.  70,  v"  ;  of  reigu  of  Edw.  II.] 

Ne  mai  no  lewed  lued  libben  in  londe, 
Be  he  never  in  hyrt  so  haver  of  honde, 

So  lerede  us  bi-ledes  ; 
3ef  ich  on  molde  mote  with  a  mai, 
Y  shal  falle  hem  byfore  ant  lumen  huere  lay, 

Ant  rewen  alle  huere  redes. 
Ah  bote  y  be  the  furme  day  on  folde  hem  by-fore, 
Ne  shal  y  nout  so  skere  scapen  of  huere  score  ; 

So  grimly  he  on  me  gredes. 
That  y  ne  mot  me  lede  ther  with  mi  lawe. 

Translation. — No  unlearned  (lay)  person  may  live  in  the  land,— be  he  in 

assembly  never  so of  hand, — the  learned  (the  clergy)  so  lead  us  about ; — 

if  I  chance  to  go  on  the  earth  with  a  maid, — I  shall  fall  before  them  and  learn 
their  lay, — and  rue  all  their  counsels. — But  unless  I  be  on  the  foremost  day  in 
the  land  before  them, — I  shall  not  escape  so  clear  of  their  score, — they  cry  on 
me  so  grimly, — that  I  may  not  lead  myself  there  with  my  law, — on  all  kinds  of 


156"  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

On  alle  maner  othes  that  heo  me  wulleth  awe, 

Heore  boc  ase  un-bredes. 

Heo  weiicleth  bokes  un-brad, 

Ant  maketh  men  a  moneth  a-mad ; 

Of  scathe  y  wol  me  skere, 

Ant  fleo  from  my  fere  ; 

Ne  rohte  he  whet  it  were, 
Boten  heo  hit  had. 

Furst  ther  sit  an  old  cherl  in  a  blake  hure, 
Of  all  that  ther  sitteth  semeth  best  syre. 

And  leyth  ys  leg  o  lonke. 
An  heme  in  an  herygoud  with  honginde  sleven, 
Ant  mo  then  fourti  him  by-fore  my  bales  to  breven. 

In  sunnes  sef  y  songe : 
Heo  pynkes  with  heore  penne  on  heore  parchemyn. 
Ant  sayen  y  am  breved  ant  y-broht  yn 

Of  al  my  weole  wlonke. 
Alle  heo  bueth  redy  myn  routhes  to  rede, 
Ther  y  mot  for  menske  munte  sum  mede. 

Ant  thonkfuUiche  hem  thonke. 

Shal  y  thonke  hem  ther  er  y  go  ? 

oaths  that  they  will  give  me, — their  books  as  •  •  •  •  — They  turn  over  books  that 

are  not  broad, — and  make  men  a  month  mad  ; — from  hurt  I  will  save  myself, 

and  fly  from  my  companion  ; — she  recked  not  what  it  were, — but  she  had  it. 

First,  there  sit  an  old  churl  in  a  black  gown, — of  all  who  sits  there  he 
seems  to  be  most  the  lord, — and  lays  his  leg  along. — A  hem  in  a  cloak  with 
hanging  sleeves,— and  more  than  forty  before  him  to  write  my  bales, — in  sins 
if  I  sung  : — they  pink  with  their  pens  on  their  parchment, -^and  say  I  am 
briefed  and  brought  in — of  all  my  fair  wealth. — They  are  all  ready  to  read  my 
sorrow — there  I  must  out  of  respect  give  some  bribe, — and  gratefully  thank 
them. — Shall  I  thank  them  there  before  I  go  ? — Yea,  the  master  and  his  men 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  157 

36,  the  maister  ant  ys  men  bo. 
3ef  y  am  wreint  in  heore  write, 
Thenne  am  y  bac-bite, 
For  moni  mon  heo  maketh  wyte 

Of  wymmene  wo. 

3et  ther  sitteth  somenours  syexe  other  sevene, 
Mys  motinde  men  alle  by  here  evene. 

Ant  recheth  forth  heore  rolle  ; 
Hyrd-men  hem  hatieth,  ant  uch  mones  hyne. 
For  everuch  a  parosshe  heo  polketh  in  pyne, 

Ant  clastreth  with  heore  colle. 
Nou  wol  uch  fol  clerc  that  is  fayly, 
Wende  to  the  bysshop  ant  bugge  bayly ; 

Nys  no  wyt  in  is  nolle. 
Come  to  countene  court  couren  in  a  cope. 
Ant  suggen  he  hath  privilegie  proud  of  the  pope. 

Swart  ant  al  to-swolle. 

Aren  heo  to-swolle  for  swore  ? 
3e,  the  hatred  of  helle  beo  heore  ! 

For  ther  heo  beodeth  a  boke, 

To  sugge  ase  y  folht  toke ; 


both. — If  I  am  accused  in  their  writing, — then  am  I  back-bitten, — for  many 
men  they  make  to  know — woe  from  women. 

Yet  there  sit  somnours  six  or  seven, — misjudging  men  all  alike, — and  reach 
forth  their  roll ; — herdsmen  hate  them,  and  each  man's  servant, — for  every 
parish  they  put  in  pain, — and  clatter  with  their  collar  {?). — Now  wiU  each  foolish 

clerk  that  is  . . , ,  go  to  the  bishop  and  buy  baUywick  ; — there  is  no 

sense  in  his  head. — He  comes  creeping  to  the  county  court  in  a  cope, — and 
saying  he  hath  proud  privilege  of  the  pope,' — black  and  all  swollen. — Are  they 
swollen  for  swearing  (.')  ? — yea,  the  hatred  of  hell  be  theirs  I — for  there  they 


158  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Heo  shulen  in  helle  on  an  hoke 
Honge  therefore. 

Ther  stont  up  a  3eolumon,  3e3ethwith  a  3ercle, 
Ant  hat  out  an  heh  that  al  the  hyrt  herde^ 

Ant  cleopeth  Magge  ant  Malle  ; 
Ant  heo  cometh  by-modered  ase  a  mor-hen, 
Ant  scrynketh  for  shome,  ant  shometh  for  men, 

Un-comely  under  calle. 
Heo  biginneth  to  shryke,  ant  scremeth  anon, 
Ant  saith,  "  by  my  gabbyng  ne  shal  hit  so  gon, 

Ant  that  beo  on  ou  alle ; 
That  thou  shalt  me  wedde  ant  welde  to  wyf." 
Ah  me  were  levere  with  lawe  leose  my  lyf. 

Then  so  to  fote  hem  falle. 

Shal  y  to  fote  falle  for  mi  fo  ? 
3e  monie  by-swyketh  heo  swo. 

Of  thralles  y  am  ther  thrat^ 

That  sitteth  swart  ant  for-swat, 

Ther  y  mot  hente  me  en  hat, 
Er  ich  hom  go. 

offer  a  book, — to  say  as  I  baptism  took  ; — tbey  shall  in  hell  on  a  hook — hang 
for  it. 

There  stands  up  a  yellow-man,  and  jogs  with  a  i"od, — and  shouts  out  aloud  that 
all  the  assembly  heard, — and  calls  Mag  and  Mai ; — and  she  comes  be-mothered 
as  a  moor-hen, — and  shrinks  for  shame,  and  is  ashamed  on  account  of  the  men, 
— un-comely  under  petticoat. — She  begins  to  screech,  and  screams  anon, — and 
says,  "  by  my  gabbing,  it  shall  not  go  so, — and  that  be  on  you  all ; — that  thou 
shalt  wed  me  and  have  me  to  wife." — But  I  would  rather  with  law  lose  my 
life, — then  so  fall  at  their  feet. — Shall  I  fall  at  the  feet  of  my  foes  ? — Yea, 
many  she  deceiveth  so. — I  am  there  threatened  by  thralls, — who  sit  black  and 
covered  with  sweat, — there  I  must  take  me  a  command, — before  I  go  home. 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  159 

Such  chafFare  y  chepe  at  the  chapitre, 

That  maketh  moni  thryve-mon  un-thenfol  to  be, 

With  thonkes  ful  thunne  : 
Ant  seththe  y  go  coure  at  constory, 
Ant  falle  to  fote  uch  a  fayly, 

Heore  is  this  worldes  wynne, 
Seththen  y  pleide  at  bisshopes  plee. 
Ah  !  me  were  levere  be  sonken  y  the  see, 

In  sor  withouten  synne. 
At  chirche  ant  thourh  chejiing  ase  dogge  y  am  drive, 
That  me  were  levere  of  lyve  then  so  for  te  ly  ve. 

To  care  of  al  my  kynne. 

Atte  constorie  heo  kenneth  us  care, 

Ant  whissheth  us  evele  ant  worse  to  fare ; 

A  pruest  proud  ase  a  po, 

Seththe  weddeth  us  bo, 

Wyde  heo  worcheth  us  wo. 
For  wymmene  ware. 

Such  merchandise  I  buy  at  the  chapter, — that  makes  many  thrifty  men  to  be 
unthankful, — with  very  thin  thanks  : — and  since  I  go  creeping  to  the  consistory, 

— and  fall  at  the  foot  of  each , — theirs   is  the  world's  joy, — since  I 

played  at  the  bishop's  pleading. — But  I  had  rather  be  drowned  in  the  sea, — 
in  sorrow  without  sin. — At  church  and  through  the  market  like  a  dog  I  am 
driven, — that  I  would  rather  be  dead  than  so  to  live, — to  have  care  for  all  my 
kindred. — At  the  consistory  they  teach  us  care, — and  wish  us  evil  and  worse  to 
fare  ; — a  priest  as  proud  as  a  peacock — afterwards  weds  us  both, — widely  they 
work  us  woe, — for  women's  ware. 


In  the  latter  years  of  the  thirteenth  century,  Edward  became 
involved  in  the  Scottish  wars  ;  and  the  enmity  of  tbe  two 
nations  was  manifested   in   multitudes  of  songs,  of  which  the 


160  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

greater  part  are  lost,  although  a  few  are  preserved,  and  a 
fragment  or  two  of  others  are  found  in  the  old  historians.  The 
following  song,  attributed  in  the  several  manuscripts  to  different 
writers,  was  (if  we  may  judge  by  the  number  of  copies  which 
remain,)  very  popular.  Difl'erent  persons  seem,  from  time  to 
time,  to  have  altered  it  and  added  to  it.  It  appears  to  have 
been  composed  in  1298,  soon  after  the  sanguinary  battle  of 
Falkirk  ;  but  the  latter  stanzas,  found  only  in  one  manuscript, 
have  apparenty  been  added  at  a  somewhat  later  period. 

SONG    ON    THE    SCOTTISH    WARS. 

[MS.  Cotton.  Claudius,  D.  vi.  fol.  182,  v° ;  of  the  beginning  of  the  fourteenth 
cent.  (C.  1.)— MS.  Cotton.  Titus,  A.  xx.  fol.  64,  v° ;  of  reign  of  Edw.  III. 
(C.2.)— MS.  of  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge,  of  fourteenth  cent.  (C7.)— MS.  Sloan. 
No.  4934,  fol.  103,  r"  ;  a  modern  copy  from  a  MS.  not  now  known.  (SI.) — 
MS.  Bodl.  Oxfd.  Rawl.  B.  214,  fol.  216,  r"  ;  of  the  fifteenth  cent.] 

Ludere  volentibus  ludens  pare  lyram ; 
De  muiidi  malitia  rem  demonstro  miram ; 
Nil  quod  nocet  referam,  rem  gestam  requiram ; 
Scribe  novam  satyram,  sed  sic  ne  seminet  iram. 

Ira  movet  militum  mentes  modernorum, 
Dum  inermes  detrahunt  factis  fortiorum  ; 


Various  Readings. — 2.  militia,  C.  2.  &  CI.  demonsirans,  C.  2. — 3.  per- 
quiram,  CI. — 7.  sed  vos  non  commoveant,  C.  1. 


Translation. —  I  playing  prepare  a  harp  for  those  who  desire  to  play  ;  I 
set  forth  a  wonderful  matter  concerning  the  malice  of  the  world  ;  I  will  tell 
nothing  that  is  noxious,  but  will  relate  a  historical  incident ;  I  write  a  new 
satire,  yet  let  it  not  on  that  account  sow  anger. — Anger  moves  the  minds  of 
the  soldiers  of  the  present  day,  since  the  weak  detract  from  the  praise  of  the 


I 


REIGN    OF    EDWARD    I.  \()l 

Te  taraen  non  terreant  dentes  detractorum  : 
Cum  recte  vivas,  ne  cures  verba  malorum. 

[Ira  si  duraverit,  transit  in  livorem  ; 
Livor  non  cohibitus  agitat  furorem ; 
Furor  dies  breviat,  ducens  in  anguorem  ; 
Ira  odium  generat,  concordia  nutrit  amoreni. 

Amor  orbis  obiit,  virus  est  in  villa ; 
tlO  Prodiit  ex  odio  pestis  non  pusilla; 
Lator  homicidii  levavit  vexilla  : 
Acrius  invidia  nichil  est,  nil  nequius  ilia. 

Invido  nil  nequius,  nullus  est  qui  nescit ; 
Nam  de  bono  proximi  dolor  ejus  crescit. 
Unde  Justus  proficit,  hinc  ipse  tabescit. 
Sincerum  nisi  vas,  quodcumque  infundis  acescit. 

Ut  acescant  igitur  mcntes  malignorum, 
Narrabo  quae  noveram  de  gestis  Anglorum. 


Various  Readings. — 8.  Instead  of  this  second  tetrastich,  the  Sloane  and 
Cambridge  MSS.  have  the  four  which  are  here  given  in  brackets. — [fT.  lan- 
guorem,  SI. — f 9.  aMit,  SI. — flS.  Nequius. . . .  nil  est,  nil  acrius,  SI. 


deeds  of  the  strong  ;  yet  let  not  teeth  of  the  detractors  scare  thee :  if  you 
live  well,  you  need  not  care  for  what  evil  men  say. —  [If  anger  last,  it  turns 
into  malice  ;  malice  if  not  restrained  drives  people  into  rage  ;  rage  shortens  our 
days,  by  bringing  us  into  anguish  ;  anger  breeds  hatred,  whilst  concord  nou- 
rishes love. — The  love  which  was  in  the  world  is  gone,  and  poison  has  taken  its 
place ;  out  of  hatred  has  sprung  no  small  plague  ;  the  homicide  has  raised  his 
standard  ;  nothing  is  sharper  than  envy,  and  nothing  more  wicked. — There  is 
nothing  more  wicked  than  an  envious  man,  as  every  one  knows ;  for  his  unhap- 
piness  increases  with  the  prosperity  of  his  neighbour  ;  he  pines  away  by  the 
vei7  cause  which  brings  profit  to  the  just  man.  Unless  the  vessel  be  clean, 
whatever  you  pour  in  becomes  soured. — In  order,  therefore,  that  the  minds  of 
the  wicked  may  be  soured,  I  will  relate  what  I  have  learnt  of  the  deeds  of  the 
CAMD.  SOC.  6.  Y 


162  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Non  verebor  a  modo  voces  invidorum. 
t20  Cum  recte  vivas,  ne  cures  verba  malorum.] 

Malis  inest  proprium  mala  semper  fari, 
10  Validis  detrahere,  viles  venerari. 
Ex  timore  talium  nolo  vos  turbari ; 
Laus  est  discretis  a  pravis  vituperari. 

Pravis  enim  displicet  vitee  rectitudo  : 
Lex  in  eis  Iseditur,  et  est  lis  pro  ludo. 
Ribaldorum  requies  est  inquietudo ; 
Dum  stultos  revoco,  quasi  frigida  ferra  recudo. 

Ferrum  cudit  frigidum  quisquis  obstinate 
Consulit  ut  redeat  de  suo  peccato; 
Dicit  enim  sapiens  sermone  sensato, 
20  Verba  serit  vento  qui  preedicat  infatuato. 

Prsedicantur  undique  fraudes  infidorum, 


Various  Readings. — tl9.  verebor  animo,  SI.  voces  malignorum,  CL] — 
9.  inest  spiritum,  C.  2.  proprie,  CI. — 10.  validos,  SI. — 11.  nubari,  SI. — 13. 
sanciifudo,  C.  1  and  2. — 15.  reprobormn,  C.  1. — 16.  stultum,  C.  2. — 18. 
suadet  ut,  C.  1.  prcecipit  tit,  SI.  utfugiat,  CI.  a  suo,  SI. — 19.  serato,  SI. — 21. 
malignorum,  CI. 


English.  Henceforward  I  will  not  fear  the  words  of  the  envious.  If  you  live 
well,  you  need  not  care  for  what  evil  men  say.]^ — It  is  the  property  of  wicked 
men  always  to  say  evil,  to  detract  from  the  able,  to  respect  the  vile.  I  am 
unwilling  that  you  should  be  disturbed  by  the  fear  of  such  men  ;  it  is  praise- 
worthy in  the  prudent  to  be  abused  by  the  wicked. — For  the  wicked  are  dis- 
pleased by  rectitude  of  life  :  the  law  is  injured  in  them,  and  they  esteem 
strife  as  a  joke.  The  repose  of  ribalds  is  inquietude  ;  to  attempt  to  convert 
fools  is,  as  it  were,  to  put  cold  iron  on  the  anvil. — Every  one  strikes  cold  iron, 
who  counsels  the  obstinate  man  to  desert  his  sins  ;  for  the  wise  man  says  very 
sensibly,  "  he  sows  words  in  the  wind  who  preaches  to  a  madman." — Every 
where  are  preached  the  fraudulent  actions  of  the  faithless  men,  who  molest 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  163 

Qui  molestant  Angliam  viribus  armorum ; 
Franci,  Scoti,  Wallici,  potestatem  quorum 
Comprimat  omnipotens  qui  continet  alta  polorum  ! 

Polorum  dispositor  quern  clamamus  Deum, 
Qui  per  multa  populum  protexit  Hebrceum, 
Anglicis  ex  hostibus  tribuat  tropheeum  ! 
Mille  viris  prasbere  potest  pincerna  Lyeeum. 

Ut  pincerna  pluribus  dat  per  velle  potum, 
30  Ita  suis  Dominus  vires  dat  ad  votum  ; 
Edwardus  rex  inclitus  istud  habet  notum  ; 
Christo  devotum  studeat  se  tradere  totum. 

Totus  Christo  traditur  rex  noster  Edwardus ; 
Velox  est  ad  veniam,  ad  vindictam  tardus  ; 
Fugat  adversarios  tanquani  leopardus  ; 
Fanaa  foetet  fatui,  Justus  redolet  quasi  nardus. 


Various  Readings. — '24.  Destruat  ipse  Deus  qui,  C.  1  and  3.  possidet,  C. 
2. — 25.  clamavimus,  SI. — 26.  cuncta,  CI.  produxit,  C.  2. — 29.  dare  potest  pot. 
CI.  paribus  dare  possit  p.  SI.  sicut  unus  pluribus  dat  pincerna  pot.  C.  1. — 31, 
illud  habet,  CI.  et  SI. — 34.  ad  is  omitted  in  C.  2  and  CI.  In  SI.  the  two  lines 
(34  and  35)  are  transposed. — 35.  Hostes  fugat  singulos  t.  C.  \.  fugat  hostes 
undique  t.  C.  2. 


England  by  force  of  arms  ;  the  French,  Scotch,  and  Welsh,  whose  power 
may  the  Omnipotent  who  holds  the  world  repress  ! — May  the  Governor  of  the 
universe  whom  we  address  as  God,  who  protected  the  Hebrew  people  through 
many  difficulties,  give  the  English  victory  over  their  enemies  !  The  butler  can 
furnish  liquor  to  a  thousand  men. — As  the  butler  at  will  gives  drink  to  many,  so 
the  Lord  gives  strength  at  his  will  to  those  whom  he  has  chosen  ;  Edward  the 
noble  King  knows  this  ;  and  he  labours  to  devote  himself  entirely  to  Christ. — 
Edward  our  King  is  entirely  devoted  to  Christ ;  he  is  quick  to  pardon,  and 
slow  to  vengeance  ;  he  puts  to  flight  his  adversaries  like  a  leopard ;  the  reputa- 


164  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Tanquam  nardus  rcdolet  laus  regis  Angloruni, 
Qui  conatus  reprimit  hostium  suorum ; 
Ipsum  omnes  timeant  hostes  Anglicorum  : 
40  Sffipe  molossus  overn  tollit  de  fauce  luporum. 

In  luporum  faucibus  Aiigli  sunt  liiis  annis; 
Nam,  devictis  omnibus  Wallite  tyrannis, 
Scoti  levant  lanceas  armati  sub  pannis  ; 
In  paucis  annis  oriuntur  mira  Joliannis. 

Johannes  jam  Scotise  clemens  rex  ct  castus, 
Uegni  tenens  regimen,  ut  rex  crat  pastus, 
Ilunc  tandem  deposuit  gentis  suee  fastus. 
I'jxulat  ejectus  de  sede  pia  protoplastus. 

Exulat  et  merito,  quia,  sicut  legi, 


Various  Readings. — 36.  C.  virtus  redolet,  C.  1.  secet,  by  an  error,  for 
fetet,  SI.  istius  i-edolet,  SI.  fama  replens  mundum  fragrat  velut  optima  n.  C.  2. 
— 37.  quasi  nardus,  CI.  and  SI. — 38,  39.  Qici  regit  rempuhlicam  more  linma- 
nornrn  \  Tnnocentcs  crripit  de  manv  pravorum,  C.  1.  Fama  cvjus  aitigitjines 
seculorum ;  \  Ipsum  trUnwt  Scotici  fares jumentorum,  C.  2.  Ihim  conctvs,  S{c. 
CI. — 41.  faucibus  hiis  consisiunt  annis,  SI. — 42.  devinctis,  SI. — 45.  J.  rex  Sc. 
quondam  cl.  cast.  CI.  quidem  Scotia,  SI. — 47.  disposuit,  C.  1  et  C.  2. — 48.  sede 
sua,  C.  I  and  SI. — 49.  Hie  dam  reait  Scotiani  prout  diidum  legi,  C.  1.  J/ic 
dum  sedem  tenuil  rcgnum  d,  I,  SI.  Hie  dum  regnum  tenuit  in  scriptis  jam  I,  Cl. 


tion  of  the  fool  stinks,  tlie  just  man  smells  sweet  as  spikenard. — Like  spike- 
nard smells  the  fame  of  the  King  of  the  English,  who  represses  tlie  attempts 
of  his  enemies  ;  him  k-t  all  the  enemies  of  tlic  English  fear  :  often  tlie  mastiff 
snatches  the  sheep  from  the  wolves'  jaws. — In  the  wolves'  jaws  the  English 
have  been  of  late  ;  for,  when  all  the  turbulent  chiefs  of  Wales  were  reduced,  the 
Scotch  raise  their  spears  armed  in  their  rags  :  a  few  years  exhibit  the  wonder- 
ful fortune  of  John. — John  being  now  King  of  Scotland,  clement  and  chaste, 
governing  the  kingdom  as  though  he  had  been  bred  a  king,  him  at  length  the  pride 
of  his  nation  deposed.  The  first-created  was  an  exile,  driven  from  his  jnous  seat. 
— lie,  however,  was  deservedly  exiled,  for.  as  I  have  read,  he  promised  homage 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD   I.  165 

50  Spopondit  homagium  Anglicano  regi ; 
Declinavit  postea  frango,  frangis,  fregi : 
Omnia  quoe  pepigi  prodendo  pacta  peregi. 

Pactum  prcetergressus  est  princeps  praenotatus, 
Quando  non  compescuit  pravorum  conatus  ; 
Vox  in  Rama  sonuit,  fletus  et  ploratus  ; 
Mitis  prajlatus  facit  ignavos  famulatus. 

Ab  ignavis  famvilis  rex  inhonoratur ; 
Sanctitas  subvertitur,  lex  evacuatur  ; 
Saepe  fit  seditio,  pax  periclitatur. 
60  Sit  maledicta  domus  ubi  quisque  cliens  domiimtur  ! 

Quando  cliens  imperat,  et  princeps  obedit. 
Tunc  ruit  respublica,  requies  recedit. 
O  quantos  impietas  inpunita  laadit ! 
Inpius  impunis  semper  se  vincere  credit. 

Credebant  duodecim  Scotioa  praelati 


Various  Readings. — oO.   Quod  fecit  horn.  CI.  and  SI. — 51.  sed  declinat, 
C  2. — 55.  resonat,  CI. — G1-G8,  are  omitted  in  CI. — G-i.  Inpius  imprimis,  SI. 


to  the  English  King ;  afterwards  he  declined  the  verb  frango  (I  break)  ;  by 
breaking  all  which  I  had  promised,  (said  he,)  I  performed  my  agreement. — The 
aforesaid  prince  broke  his  promise,  when  he  did  not  restrain  the  attempts  of  the 
wicked  ;  a  voice  was  heard  in  Rama,  weeping  and  lamentation  ;  a  remiss  master 
makes  lazy  servants. — By  slack  servants  the  King  is  dishonoured  ;  holiness  is 
overthrown,  the  law  is  made  of  no  avail;  there  is  frequent  sedition,  the  peace  is 
endangered.  Cursed  be  the  house,  where  every  dependent  is  master  ! — When 
the  dependant  commands,  and  the  prince  is  a  servant,  then  the  state  is  in  dan- 
ger, and  quietness  departs.  O  liow  many  people  impiety,  when  unpunished, 
injures !  The  impious  man  unpunished  always  thinks  tliat  he  conipicrs. — The 
twelve  rulers  of  Scotland  thought  that  they  could  resist  the  great  valour  of  the 


166  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Anglorum  resistere  magnee  probitati ; 

Ceciderunt  igitur  plures  vulnerati. 

Dixit  bufo  crati,  "  maledicti  tot  dominati !" 

Dominantes  plurimi  sub  duce  tantillo, 
70  Conspirant  in  Anglicos,  rege  tunc  tranquillo  : 
Tandem  simul  obviant  levato  vexillo. 
Flumina  magna  trahunt  ortum  de  fonte  pusillo. 

De  pusillis  fontibus  magni  surgunt  rivi ; 
Sic  de  gente  Scotise  conatus  lascivi. 
Plurimi  propterea  ducti  sunt  captivi : 
Quicquid  delirant  reges,  plectuntur  Achivi. 

Plebs  Achiva  periit  ad  Dunbar  in  belle, 
Ubi  Scoti  ceesi  sunt  Anglorum  flagello. 
Videres  cadavera,  velut  in  macello 
SO  Vilia  vendentis,  tunicato  stricta  popello. 

Tunicatus  populus  multus  et  immanis, 


Various   Readings. — 68.   hufo  cuncti,  SI. — 69.    sub  dido,   C.   1. — 70. 
Anglico,  CI. — 71.  obviat,  C.  1.  sibi  obviant,  SI.  stulti  levant  lanceas  armato  v. 

CI. — 74.  de  Scotis  miser  is,  C.  1.  de  plebe  Scotia,  SI. — 77.  ad  Berivik,  C.  2 

80.   Vilis,  C.  2.  strincta,  C.  2.  et  CI.  cincfa,  SI. — 81,  inanis,  C.  1.  vilis  et 
inanis,  SI. 


English;  therefore  many  of  them  fell  by  the  sword.  Said  the  toad  to  the  har- 
row, "  cursed  be  so  many  rulers  !" — Many  rulers  under  such  a  diminutive 
leader  conspire  against  the  English,  whilst  the  king  was  at  peace ;  at  length 
they  meet  with  standards  raised.  Great  rivers  take  their  rise  from  a  small 
fountain. — From  small  fountains  great  rivers  arise ;  so  it  is  with  the  wanton 
attempts  of  the  people  of  Scotland.  Many  thereupon  are  led  captives  :  when- 
ever the  kings  run  wild,  it  is  the  subjects  who  suffer. — The  subject  populace 
perished  in  battle  at  Dunbar,  where  the  Scotch  were  slain  by  the  flail  of  the 
English.  You  might  see  the  carcases,  as  in  the  shambles  of  a  seller  of  refuse 
meat,  cut  oiF  from  the  kilted  rabble. — The  kilted  people,  numerous  and  savage, 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  167 

Qui  solet  detrahere  viris  Anglicanis, 

Apud  Dunbarre  corruit,  jam  foetet  ut  canis  : 

Sic  faciunt  stulti,  qiios  gloria  vexat  inanis. 

Vana  fecit  gloria  populum  fallacem 
Diffiteri  dominum  Scotiae  veracem ; 
Facto  tamen  prselio  veniunt  ad  pacem. 
De  fatuo  quandoque  facit  fortuna  sagacem. 

Sagax  est  in  preelio  qui  majori  cedit ; 
90  Sed  gens  bruta  Scotiae  cito  fidem  Ifedit. 
Nemo  potest  tollere  quod  natura  dedit : 
Osse  radicatum  raro  de  came  recedit. 

Recessit  rex  inclitus,  parcens  plebi  tantoe ; 
Peragravit  Scotiam  turba  comitante. 
Angli  castra  muniunt,  rege  sic  mandante ; 
Nam  levius  leedit  quicquid  providimus  ante. 


Various  Readings. — 83.   cadebant  in  foveis,  C.  1.  cadebant  in  pralio, 

SI. — S5.  plebem  coninmacem,  C.  2,  facit prophetam  fal.  SI. — 86.  Ed- 

wardum  contempnere  dominum  v.  C.  2. — 88.  quemcu7ique  facit,  SI. — 90.  Sco- 
tica,  C.  2. — 92.  de  came  raro,  C.  1. — 93.  recedit,  SI.  rex  igitur,  C.  1. — 94. 
Scotiam  pertransiit,  C.  1. — 95.  rege  proairante,  C  1  and  SI. — 96.  prcevidi- 
mus,  C.  1. 


who  are  accustomed  to  detract  from  the  Englishmen,  fell  at  Dunbar,  and  now  stink 
like  a  dog  :  thus  do  fools,  who  are  tormented  by  vain  glory. — ^Vain  glory  made  the 
deceitful  people  deny  the  true  lord  of  Scotland  ;  but  after  the  battle  they  seek 
peace.  Sometimes  fortune  makes  a  wise  man  of  a  fool. — He  is  wise  in  battle 
who  3nelds  to  his  superior ;  but  the  wild  people  of  Scotland  soon  break  their 
faith.  No  one  can  take  away  what  nature  gave  :  the  disease  which  is  rooted  in 
the  bone,  can  seldom  be  expelled  from  the  flesh. — The  noble  king  departed, 
sparing  so  great  a  mass  of  populace  ;  he  traversed  Scotland  with  a  crowd  of  at- 
tendants. The  English  fortify  castles,  by  the  king's  command  ;  for  that  hurts  less 


168  POLITICAL    SONGS.. 

Regis  providentia  Ijella  gubernantur  ; 
Scoticani  proceres  Anglis  subjugantur  : 
Statuuntur  judices,  leges  renovantur  ; 
100  Ipsae  etenim  leges  cupiunt  ut  jure  regantur. 
Rex  ad  regni  regimen  dignum  deputavit, 
Johannem  Warenniae,  quern  Scepe  probavit. 
Hie  in  quantum  valuit  leges  observavit ; 
Elatos  perdens,  humiles  in  pace  locavit. 

Rex  in  pace  rediit  hiis  ita  patratis^ 
Comiti  de  Flandria  succursurus  gratis  ; 
Magnam  classem  prseparat  tempestive  satis  ; 
ToUe  moram,  semper  nocuit  differe  paratis. 
Nee  mora,  conveniunt  Scotici  versuti ; 
110  Tactis  Evangeliis  sacris  sunt  locuti. 


Various  Readings. — 97.  valla,  C.  1. — 98.  Scotiani,  C.  1. — 99.  revocaU' 
tur,  SI.  prtBHotantur,  C.  1. — 100.  ipse  rerum,  SI. — 102.  Johan  Warenne,  C.  1. 
— 103.  potuit  Scotos  registravit,  C.  1.  valuit  jura  conservavit,  SI. — 104.  pro- 
dens,  SI.  levavit,  C.  1. — 105.  in  pace  rex,  C.  I. — 107.  Morari  non  patitur, 
navibus  paratis,  C.  1.  Prceparat  navigia  tempestive  satis,  81. — 108.  deferre, 
C.  1. 


which  we  have  provided  against. — The  wars  are  governed  by  the  king's  provi- 
dence ;  the  Scottish  nobles  are  subdued  to  the  English  ;  judges  are  appointed, 
the  laws  are  revised;  for  the  laws  themselves  require  to  be  regulated 
aright. — The  king  appointed  a  worthy  man  to  the  government  of  the  kingdom, 
John  de  Warenne,  whom  he  had  often  proved.  He  to  the  utmost  of  his  power 
observed  tlie  laws  ;  destroying  the  proud,  he  placed  the  humble  in  peace. — The 
king,  after  these  things  had  been  performed,  returned  in  peace,  preparing  to  aid 
gratuitously  the  Count  of  Flanders  ;  he  prepares  a  great  fleet  as  quickly  as  he  can  ; 
banish  delay,  to  those  who  are  prepared  it  is  always  injurious  to  procrastinate. — 
Nor  was  there  any  delay,  for  the  cunning  Scots  meet  together  ;  with  their  hands 
on  the  gospels,  they  have  said  that  from  their  station  in  the  south  they  will  not 


I 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  I.  169 

Quod  Trentam  non  transient  austro  constituti : 
Pauca  voluptati  debentur,  plura  saluti. 

Scoticani  proceres  jurant  omnes  leete, 
Et  a  rege  singulis  limitantur  metse  : 
Vide  ne  perjuri  sint,  et  ruant  in  rete ; 
Nam  miranda  canunt,  sed  non  credenda,  poetse. 

Tunc  rex  mire  credulus  mare  transfreta\at, 
Et  Francos  in  Flandria  potens  expiignavit; 
Senectutis  inmemor  multos  non  expavit. 
120  Consilio  pollet,  cui  vim  natura  negavit. 

Non  negavit  Dominus  robur  et  vigorera 
Regi,  quern  constituit  fore  mundi  florem ; 
Cujus  acta  singulos  agunt  in  stuporem ; 
Quemvis  naraque  potest  animo  sufFerre  laborem. 

Labor  novus  oritur ;  Sathan  suscitatur ; 


Various  Readings. — 111.  Quod  trvgam  non,  C.  2. — 112.  P.  v.  plura 
dehent  sal.  SI. — 113.  Per  salutem  regiam  Scoti  jttrant  I.  C.  1  and  SI. — 114. 
singuli,  SI. — 115.  ac  ruant,  C.  1. — 119.  sententia:  immemor,  SI. — 120.  vis,  C. 
2. — 122.  Regent,  quern,  SI.— 123.  Ejus  Leila,  C.  1.  Actus  ejus,  SI, — 124.  nam- 
que  animo  poiuit,  SI, 


pass  the  Trent  :  little  is  owing  to  pleasure,  more  to  safety. — The  Scottish 
nobles  all  swear  with  alacrity,  and  their  boundaries  are  limited  to  each  by  the 
king  ;  see  that  they  be  not  perjured,  and  fall  into  the  net ;  for  the  poets  sing 
wonderful  things  that  are  not  to  be  believed. — Then  the  king,  wonderfully  cre- 
dulous in  them,  passed  the  sea,  and  powerfully  warred  against  the  French  in 
Flanders  ;  unmindful  of  old  age,  he  was  not  terrified  by  numbers.  He  flourishes 
by  counsel,  to  whom  nature  has  denied  strength. — The  Lord  has  not  denied 
strength  and  vigour  to  the  king,  whom  he  ordained  to  be  the  flower  of  the 
world  ;  whose  acts  excite  everybody's  wonder  ;  for  his  mind  is  capable  of  un- 
dergoing every  labour. — A  nev>-  labour  arises  ;  Satan  is  raise.l  up  ;  the  tidelity 

CAMD.  see.  6.  Z 


I'JO  POLITICAL    SOXGS. 

Scotorum  lidelitas  procul  effugatur ; 
Anglicorum  probitas  falso  depravatur. 
Arbitrii  nostri  non  est,  quod  quisque  loquatur. 

Loquuntur  ad  invicem  scurree  derelictae  ; 
130  "Ecce  dantur  Anglicis  triumphales  ^Htta3. 
O  !  Guyllam  de  Wallia,  nos  ad  ipsos  mitte  : 
Loricam  duram  possvint  penetrare  sagittcT. 

Omnes  sagittarios  nostros  convocemus  ; 
Ad  custodem  Scotite  simul  properemus. 
Nam  pro  nostra  patria  fas  est  ut  pugnemus : 
Victorem  a  victo  superari  ssepe  videmus/' 

Gustos  ergo  Scotite  coarctatur  nimis  ; 
Et  ad  Strivelyne  convenit  gens  corde  sublimis ; 
Fraus  occidit  Anglicos,  et  ruunt  in  imis  : 
140  Non  eodem  cursu  respondent  ultima  primis. 


Various  Readings.— 127.  Et  Angloriim,  C.  1  and  SI.  dampnattir,  SI. — 
129.  tnrl(e  de.  C.  2.  dmlietcc,  C.  1. — 1.31.  no)i  ad,  SI. — 133,  Vivos  sag.  C.  1 
and  SI.  omnes  con.  SI. — 134.  cito  prop.  C.  2.  This  line  and  the  following  are 
transposed  in  SI. — 135.  pat.  est  ut  propugnemus,  SI. — 138.  Strivelyn,  C.  1. 
Sirevelyn,  SI.  properat  gens,  C.  2  and  SI. — 139.  Defraxidantur  Anglici,  C.  2. 


of  the  Scots  disappears  entirely ;  the  valour  of  the  English  is  undeservedly  set  at 
nought.  What  everybody  says,  does  not  rest  upon  our  opinion. — The  aban- 
doned scoffers  hold  mutual  conversations  ;  "  Lo  !  triumphant  garlands  are  given 
to  the  English.  O  William  de  Wallace  !  send  us  to  them  :  arrows  can  pene- 
trate  the  hard  mail. — Let  us  call  together  all  our  archers  ;  let  us  hasten  toge- 
ther against  the  Guardian  of  Scotland.  For  it  is  right  that  we  should  fight  for  our 
country:  we  often  see  the  conqueror  overcome  by  the  vanquished." — Accord- 
ingly the  C4uardian  of  Scotland  is  very  hard  pressed  ;  and  the  people  assemble 
at  Stirling,  proud  in  spirit ;  treachery  destroys  the  English,  and  they  are  on 
the  brink  of  ruin  :  the  end  does  not  correspond  with  the  beginning. — The  Earl, 


REIGN  OF  EDWAUD  I.  1/1 

Primus  pontem  transiit  comes  clax  Aiiglorum, 
Penetrans  audaciter  cuneos  Scotorum ; 
Sed  seductus  rediit,  non  ob  vim  virorum : 
Fraus  est  materia  multormii  seepe  malorum. 

Fraus  effecit  Anglicos  rubore  perfundi, 
Dum  suorum  sanguinem  passim  vident  fundi. 
Reus  fraudis  Levenax  est  et  Ricardus  Lundi. 
Quam  brevis  est  risus,  quam  longaque  lacriraa  mundi ! 

O  mundi  pertidia  !  quis  te  non  miratur  ? 
150  Dolus  in  domesticis  latens  occultatur ; 
Versutus  paciiico  semper  adversatur : 
Pastor  oves  minat  Ijaculo,  lupus  ore  minatur. 

Quid  minatur  barbara  bruta  gens  et  stulta  ? 
Numquid  heec  pertidia  manebit  inulta  ? 


Various  Readings. —  14i.  audacter  cuneas,  SI. — 144.  mater  muliormni 
SI. — 145.  Fraus  confecif,  C.  1.  robore,  SI,  in  campo  confundi,  C.  2. — 146. 
bello  vident,  C.  1  and  SI. — 147.  le  faux  est  et  Ricardtcs  secundi,  C.  1.  Letenax 
et,  C.  2.  Reus  fraus  L.  SI. — 148.  usus  (pmm,  C.  1.  lonya  lac.  C.  2  and  SI. — 
149.  0  mundi  malitia,  SI. — 151.  admiratur,  C.  I  and  C.  2. — 152.  bac,  minat, 
SI. — 153.  miraris,  SI. — 154,  ti<:ec  injuria,  SI.  Jtac  is  omitted  in  C.  1. 


who  was  leader  of  the  English,  first  passed  the  bridge,  penetrating  boldly  into 
the  Scotish  columns ;  but  he  was  driven  back  by  treacheiy,  and  not  by  the 
force  of  arms  :  fraud  is  often  the  cause  of  many  evils. — Fraud  caused  the  Eng- 
lish to  blush,  -whilst  they  saw  on  all  sides  the  blood  of  their  own  people  flowing  ; 
Levenax  and  Richard  Lundi  are  convicted  of  fraud.  How  short  is  the  joy,  and 
how  lasting  the  sorrow,  of  the  world  ! — O  i)erfidiousness  of  the  world  !  who  is  not 
astonished  by  thee  ?  Treachery  lies  hid,  concealed  among  our  household  ;  the 
cunning  man  is  always  opposed  to  the  peaceful ;  the  shepherd  leads  his  sheep 
with  a  staff,  the  wolf  threatens  them  witii  liis  mouth. — What  does  the  bai'bar- 
ous  brutal  and  foolish  race  threaten  r     Will  tliis  perfidy  remain  unavenged  ? 


172  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Veniet  rex  Angliec  manu  non  occulta, 

Multa  super  Priarno  rogitans,  super  Hectore  multa. 

Multa  sibi  cumulat  mala  gens  superba, 
Anglicos  ad  prtelia  provocans  acerba ; 
Verbera  cum  venient,  tunc  cessabunt  verba : 
]  60  Cum  totum  fecisse  putas,  latet  anguis  in  herba. 

["  Non  latebit/'  inquiunt,  "  nobis  luce  Phoebus ; 
Per  nos  ruent  Anglici  simul  hiis  diebus, 
Nullus  pervilibus  percel  speciebus."  (?) 
Ludit  in  humanis  divina  potentia  rebus. 

O  Dei  potentia !  te  pro  tuis  peto ! 
Anfjlis  in  auxilium  veni  vultu  leeto  ! 
Eegis  causam  judicas,  gratiani  prfebeto  : 
Tu  sine  principio  non  vincere  falsa  jubeto,] 

Post  heec  dux  fallacice  suum  vocat  coetum, 


Various  Readings.~1o7.  tihi  cumulans,  SI.  ?nar/na  gens,  C.  2. — 158. 
Nam/orles,  SI. — 159.  Numquld  non  intellif/it  sapiends  verba,  C.  1.  Non  euim 
Intel,  sap.  v.  C.  2. — 160.  The  eiglit  lines  which  follow  (included  in  brackets) 
are  found  only  in  SI. — IGl.  Stathn  dux  fallacis,  C.  1.  Fulsus  d.  f.  convocavH 
c.  SI. 


The  King  of  England  will  come  with  open  force,  iiiquil'ing  much  about  Priam 
and  much  about  Hector. — The  proud  people  raise  a  heap  of  evils  for  themselves, 
provokiug  the  English  to  the  bitter  contest ;  words  will  cease,  when  the  blows 
come ;  though  you  think  you  have  finished  entirely,  there  is  a  snake  concealed 
in  the  grass — ["The  sun,"  they  say,  "  will  not  be  concealed  from  us  with  his 
light ;  the  time  is  come  when  the  English  will  all  fall  by  our  hands  ;  no  one, . . . 

"    The  Divine  jiower  plays  with  tlie  prospects  of  men. — O  power  of  God  ! 

I  petition  thee  in  favour  of  thy  people  I  come  with  a  propitious  countenance  to 
the  aid  of  tlie  English  ;  judge  the  king's  cause,  and  give  him  grace  :  thou  who 
art  without  beginaiiig,  do  not  lei  falseness  triumph.] — After  this  the  leader  of  the 


REIGX    OF    EDWARD  I.  l73 

Sciens  quod  abierit  rex  noster  trans  fretum ; 

Cremare  Northiimbriam  statuit  decretum  : 

"  Saepe  videmus^"  ait,  "  post  gaudia  rumpere  fletum.'* 

Lugeat  Northumbria  niniis  desolata  ! 
Facta  est  ut  vidua  filiis  orbata. 
Vescy,  Morley,  Somervile,  Bertram  sunt  in  fata  : 
O  quibus,  et  quantis,  et  qualibet  est  viduata ! 

In  hac,  cvim  sit  vidua,  cunei  Scotorum 
170  Redigunt  in  cineres  prsedia  multorum. 
"Willelmus  de  Wallia  dux  est  indoctorum  ; 
Gaudia  stultorum  cumulant  augmenta  dolorum. 

Ad  augmentum  sceleris  liactenus  patrati, 
Abiewyke  dant  ignibus  viri  scelerati ; 
Circumquaque  cursitant  velut  incensati. 
Electi  pauci  sunt,  multi  vero  vocati. 


Various  Readings. — 165.  Luge  nunc  N,,  SI.  NortJmmbricc,  C.  1. — 167. 
v.,  Bertram,  Sum.,  Merlaii,  C.  1.  Vessy-  •  •  •  Borthram,  C.  2. — 168.  in  quantis, 
C.  2.  es  viduata,  SI. — 169.  In  hauc,  C.  1.  hac,  ergo  vid.  C.  2.  In  te  cum  siif, 
SI. — 170.  in  cinerem,   SI.  Intrant  et  dant  ignibus  prcedia  proborum,  C.  1. — 

172.  cumulat malorum,  C.  1. — 17.'5.  augmenta,  SI. — 174.  Alneu-ik,  C.  1. 

Alnewyk,  SI. 


|)lot  calls  together  Lis  party,  knowing  that  our  king  would  be  gone  over  the  sea  ; 
he  made  an  order  to  ravage  Northumberland  :  "  we  oft  see,"  saj's  he,  "  weeping 
after  joy." — Northumberland,  much  desolated,  may  weep  !  She  is  made  as  a 
widow  robbed  of  her  children.  Vescy,  Morley,  Somerville,  Bertram  are  dead  : 
Alas  !  of  how  many,  and  how  great  men  in  every  part  is  she  widowed  ! — In  her, 
since  she  is  a  widow,  the  troops  of  the  Scots  reduce  the  estates  of  many  to 
cinders.  William  Wallace  is  the  leader  of  these  savages ;  the  rejoicings  of 
fools  breed  increase  of  griefs. — To  increase  the  wickedness  which  they  had 
hitherto  perpetrated,  these  wicked  men  deliver  Alnwick  to  the  flames  ;  they  run 
about  on  every  side  like  madmen.  Few  are  chosen,  but  many  are  called. — Many 


174  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Multi  quaerunt  mutuo  qualiter  sit  factum, 
Gluod  Newmonasterium  non  est  igae  tactum. 
Dona  spondent  monachij  sed  non  solvunt  pactum 
180  Sicut  opus  fueratj  sic  res  processit  in  actum. 

Hujus  rei  gratia  captivum  ducerunt 
Priorem  ccenobii,  quern  tunc  repererunt ; 
Captis  rebus  vacuas  domos  reliquerunt. 
Munifici  pauci,  multi  qui  munera  querunt. 

Jam  redit  in  Scotiam  populus  malignus ; 
Et  Willelmo  datum  est  militare  pignus ; 
De  preedone  fit  eques,  ut  de  corvo  cignus  j 
Accijiit  indignus  sedem,  cum  non  prope  dignus. 

Digno  tandem  principi  litera  preebetur, 
190  In  qua  rei  series  tota  continetur. 


Various  Readings. — 177.  sit  actum,  SI. — 178.  Nomonasterium  , , , .  sit, 
C.  2.  Novummonasterium,  SI. — 179.  non  tenent,  C.  2. — 180.  ad  actum,  C.  2. 
■ — 182.  invenerunt,  SI. — 183.  domus,  C.  2. — 184.  qui  pratnia,  C.  1  and  SI. — 
185.  suavi  petit  pafriain  pop.  C.  1.  suam  petunt  pat,  pop.  SI. — 186.  lEt  Wal- 
lensis  accipif  m.  p.  SI.  Et  Walleaseni  accipit,  C.  1. — 188.  rjuam  non,  C.  2.  Si 
non,  SI.— 189.  Digno  tanien,  C.  1. 


ask  each  other  how  it  happened,  that  the  Newmiuster  was  not  touched  by  the 
fire.  The  monies  promise  gifts,  but  they  do  not  fulfil  their  promise  :  as  there 
was  need,  so  was  the  thing  carried  into  effect. — On  this  account  they  led 
away  captive  the  prior  of  the  monastery,  whom  they  then  found  ;  having  carried 
away  the  goods,  they  left  the  houses  empty.  Few  are  munificent,  but  there  are 
many  who  seek  after  gifts. — Now  the  malignant  people  returns  to  Scotland  ; 
and  the  honour  of  knighthood  is  given  to  WiUiam  ;  from  a  robber  he  becomes 
a  knight,  just  as  a  swan  is  made  out  of  a  raven ;  an  unworthy  man  takes  the 
seat,  when  a  worthy  man  is  not  by. — At  length  a  letter  reaches  the  wor- 
thy prince,  in  which  the  whole  course  of  events  is  told.     Let  nobody  be  sur- 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  I.  175 

Si  commotus  fuerit,  nullus  admirefcur  : 
Tranquilliim  nequit  esse  fretiim,  dum  paste  movetur. 

Motus,  suos  milites  sic  coepit  afFari : 
"  Adhuc  vos  pro  patria  decet  praeliari. — 
Malo  semel  vincere,  quam  seepe  turbari  : 
Bella  valent  melius  quam  longa  lite  gravari." 

"  Ne  graveris/'  inquiunt,  "  si  Scotorum  fures 
Propriis  capitibus  acuant  secures ; 
Unus  Anglus  perimet  Scoticos  quam  plures. 
200  Non  est  plaustelo  barbati  jungere  mures." 

Vix  est  mure  melior  Walays^  aut  Gilmaurus, 
Ad  quorum  victoriam  nunquam  crescet  laurus ; 
Desunt  enim  roboraj  deestque  thesaurus  : 
Bella  raovet  citius  cui  desunt  cornua  taurus. 


Various  Readings. — 1.91.  Si  turhatus,  C.  1  and  SI. — 193.  Tunc  t-ex  suos, 
C.  1.  affare,  C.  2. — 194.  detur  praliari. — 195.  Malo  malos perdere,  quam  sic 
molest ari,  C.  2.  Malos  Scotos  perdere,  quam  sic  coniurlari,  SI. — 19G.  volunt 
melius,  C.  1. — 199.  perimet  totumsicut  plures,  C.  2.  Unus  7iam  Atiglicus  Scotos 
valet  pho-es,  SI. — 200.  surgere  mures,  C.  2.  mingere  m.  C.  1. — 201.  Vix  est 
murus  melior  mari  aitQ)  Gilm.  C.  1.  melior  Scotus  Guilm.  SI. — 202.  Ad  cujus 
vie,  crescit,  C.  1  and  SI.  cresset,  C.  2. 


prized  if  he  was  enraged  at  it :  the  sea  cannot  be  quiet  wlien  the  storm  rages. — 
In  his  anger  he  began  thus  to  address  his  knights  :  "  Again  you  must  prepare  to 
fight  for  your  country.  I  would  rather  conquer  once,  than  be  often  tormented  ; 
wars  are  better  tlian  being  troubled  with  lasting  strife." — "Do  not  be  trou- 
bled,"  said  they,  "if  the  Scottish  thieves  sharpen  axes  for  their  own  heads ; 
one  Englishman  will  shiy  very  many  Scots.  It  is  not  the  part  of  a  man  who 
has  a  beard  to  join  mice  to  a  little  cart." — Wallace,  or  Gilmaurus,  is  scarcely 
better  than  a  mouse,  to  wliose  victory  the  laurel  will  never  grow  ;  for  they  want 
strength  and  treasure  ;  a  bull  who  has  lost  his  horns  is  the  more  eager  for  the 


176  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Bello  cadunt  miseri  die  Magdalenee ; 
Fere  centum  millia  subdit  rex  areiitc; 
Csesorum  cadaverum  pascuse  sunt  plense. 
Oderunt  peccare  mali  formidine  poenee. 

Poenfe  metu  territus  terguni  dat  tyrannus, 
210  Cui  quondam  placuit  decurtatus  pannus  ; 
Fallax  die  preelii  fugit  ut  trutannus. 
Srepe  dat  una  dies  quod  totus  denegat  annus. 

Una  die  miseri  multi  perimuntur ; 
Et  Scotos  qui  fugerant  A.ngli  persequuntur ; 
Perforantur  lanceis^  vestesque  toUuntur. 
Alba  ligustra  cadunt,  vaccinia  nigra  leguntur. 

Cadit,  Waleys,  tua  laus,  ut  quid  arma  gerisj 
Ex  quo  gentem  gladio  tuam  non  tuerisj 


Various  Readings. — 207.  casis  cadaver  ihus,  £,.  Sand  SI. — 210.  cui  qui- 
dem,  SI. — 213,  Ilia  die  plurimi  Scott  per.  C.  1.  plurimi pravi  puniimtiir,  SI. — 
214.  Fu(/ie7ites  miseros  Anff.  per.  C.  1.  Ftiff.  mis.  Angl.  prosequuntur,  SI. — 
216.  vaticinia,  SI. — 218.  Ea;  quo  ttmm  jwpulum  tuens  non  lueris,  C.  I.  Ex  qua) 
tuos  gladio  tutor  non  t.  SI. 


war.— Oil  St.  Magdalen's  day  the  wretches  fall  in  battle;  the  king  subdues  in 
the  field  near  a  hundred  thousand  ;  the  meadows  are  covered  with  their  carcases. 
The  wicked  hate  sin  from  the  fear  of  punishment.  —  Scared  by  the  fear  of  pu- 
nishment the  tyrant  turns  his  back,  whom  the  short  jacket  once  p'eased  ;  faith- 
less in  the  day  of  battle  he  flies  like  a  truant.  One  day  often  gives  what  the  whole 
year  denies. — In  one  day  many  wretches  were  slain  ;  and  the  English  pursue  the 
Scots  who  had  fled  ;  they  are  transfixed  with  spears,  and  robbed  of  their  clothes. 
The  white  thorns  are  cut  down,  while  the  black  bilberries  are  gathered. — 
Wallace,  thy  reputation  as  a  soldier  is  lost  ;  since  thou  didst  not  defend  thy 
people  with  the  sword,  it  is  just  thou  shouldst  now  be  deprived  of  thy  dommion. 


{ 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  177 

Jas  est  lit  domiaio  tiio  jam  priveris. 
220  Ast  michi  qui  quondam  semper  asellus  eris. 

Eris  in  proverbium  quod  non  prceteribit ; 
Regnum  tuiim  scissum  est,  et  stare  nequibit ; 
Potum  quern  paraveras,  gens  tua  jam  bibit. 
Deridens  alios,  non  inderisus  abibit. 

O  res  apta  risui,  patens  hiis  diebus ! 
Fortuna  sub  variis  ludet  speciebus. 
Profugus  de  principe,  de  Juda  fit  Jebiis. 
Ludit  in  humanis  divina  potentia  rebus. 

Rebus  sic  ruentibus  rura  rex  rimatur, 
230  Et  fures  a  foveis  fugando  venatur ; 

Omnis  qui  repertus  est,  gladio  mactatur : 
Exigit  hoc  justum,  quod  culpam  poena  sequatur. 


Various  Readings. — 219.  Jam  tuo  dominiojus  est  nt  pri.  C.  1.  and  SI. — 
220.  ocellus,  C.  2.  In  the  SI.  MS.  the  song  ends  with  this  line.  In  C.  1,  it 
ends  with  1.  232,  the  last  twelve  lines,  however,  being  written  by  another  and 
rather  later  hand.  The  rest  is  found  only  in  C.  2. — 221.  scissum  quod  stare, 
C.  1. — 226.  ludis  speciebus,  C.  1. — 227.  Profugo  sub  p.  ••  ••  Gebus,  C.  1, — 
228.  divinis,  C.  1.— 230.  a  foveis  fugat  velven,  C,  2.  Et  suis,  C.  I. 


But,  in  my  view,  thou  wilt  always  be  the  ass  thou  wert  formerly. — Thou  wilt 
pass  into  a  lasting  proverb ;  thy  kingdom  is  divided,  and  cannot  stand  ;  thy 
people  now  drink  of  the  cup  which  thou  hast  prepared.  He  who  turns  others 
into  derision,  will  not  escape  being  derided. — O  laughable  thing,  that  has  been 
manifested  in  our  time  !  Fortune  will  play  in  various  ways.  The  prince  has  been 
turned  into  an  outcast,  Judahinto  Jebus.  The  Divine  power  plays  with  the  pro- 
spects of  men. — Things  being  brought  to  this  pass,  the  king  searches  the  coun- 
ti7,  and  hunts  the  thieves  out  of  their  hiding  places  ;  every  one  who  is  found  is 
put  to  the  sword :  justice  requires  this,  that  the  punishment  come  after  the 
CAMD.  SOC.  6.  2  A 


lyS  POLITICAL    SONGS, 

[Consequenter  redit  rex,  ut  Francorum  florem 
Margarctam  reginam  ducat  in  uxorem ; 
Per  hanc  regna  capiunt  pacem  pleniorem. 
Ira  Ccedem  generat,  concordia  nutrit  amorem. 

Amor  inter  principes  puUulans  preeclaros 
Exulat  a  subditis  gemitus  amaros ; 
Jamque  fit  per  nuncios  firma  pax  non  raros  ; 
240  Hiis  etenim  rebus  conjungit  gratia  caros. 

Justus  est  gratise  Scotis  j)ars  pusilla. 
Quia  non  est  impiis  pax  aut  mens  tranquilla. 
Comyn,  Karryk,  Umfraville  erigunt  vexilla : 
Acrius  invidia  nicliil  est^  nil  nequius  ilia. 

Nequam  sponte  natio  non  vult  obedire; 
Regem  cogit  inclitum  cum  suis  redire ; 
Jam  timent  qui  necligunt  ad  pacem  venire, 
Sub  gladio  dirce  mortis  languendo  perire. 

Deperirent  protinus  patres  et  hseredes  ; 
250  Nisi  darent  citius  ad  currendum  pedes, 
Fugientes  renuunt  villulas  et  cedes  : 
Idceos  lepores  puer  exagitat  Ganymedes. 

fault. —  [Next  the  king  returns,  that  he  may  marry  Queen  Margaret,  the  flower 
of  the  French  ;  through  her  the  kingdoms  receive  a  more  complete  peace.  Anger 
begets  slaughter,  concord  nourishes  love. — When  love  buds  between  great 
piinces,  it  drives  away  bitter  sobs  from  their  subjects ;  and  now  a  firm  peace  is 
negotiated  by  frequent  messengers  :  for  by  these  things  grace  makes  jieople 
friends. — It  is  just  that  the  Scots  should  have  a  small  portion  of  grace,  be- 
cause the  impious  people  have  neither  peace  nor  quiet  of  mind.  Comyn,  Carrick, 
Umfraville  raise  their  standards  :  there  is  nothing  more  shai-p  than  envy,  nor 
more  wicked. — The  nation,  voluntarily  wicked,  will  not  be  obedient ;  it  forces 
the  illustrious  king  with  his  army  to  return ;  now  they  fear  who  neglect  to  come 
to  peace,  lest  they  perish  languishingly  by  the  sword  of  dire  death. — Let  them 
perish  utterly  both  fathers  and  sons  ;  unless  they  quickly  give  their  feet  to  Might, 
flying  they  desert  their  towns  and  houses  :  the  child  Ganymedes  drives  about  the 


REI6N    OF    EDWARD    I.  l79 

Inter  hcec  rex  Franciae,  mittens  absque  mora, 
Regeni  rogat  Angliee  pro  treuga  decora. 
Annuit  rex  precibus,  mox  reflectens  lora  : 
Grata  superveniet  quee  non  sperabitur  liora 

Horam  Scotis  optimam  fore  quis  ignorat, 
In  qua  cessat  gladius  a  plebe  quae  plorat, 
Rexque  suos  proceres  unit  et  honorat. 
2G0  Dum  calor  est  et  pulcra  dies,  formica  laborat. 

Post  hos  et  hujusmodi  bellicos  labores, 
Angli  velut  angeli  semper  sunt  victores, 
Scoticis  et  "Wallicis  sunt  preestantiores ; 
Si  vitam  inspicias  hominum  sidereus  (?)  mores. 

Quasi  sus  insurgeret  leonis  virtuti, 
Sic  expugnant  Angliam  Scotici  polluti : 
Et  rex  illos  idcirco  subdet  servituti : 
Serviet  eeterno  qui  parvo  nesciet  uti.] 

hares  on  mount  Ida.— In  the  mulst  of  these  transactions  the  King  of  France, 
sending  without  delay,  asks  an  honourable  truce  of  the  King  of  England.  The 
king  accedes  to  his  request,  soon  afterwards  turning  his  reins  :  the  grateful  hour 
■will  arrive  when  it  is  least  expected. — Who  knows  not  that  that  would  be  the  best 
hour  for  the  Scots,  in  which  the  sword  ceases  from  the  weeping  commonalty,  and 
the  king  unites  and  honours  the  nobles.  While  it  is  warm  and  fair  weather,  the 
ant  labours. — After  aU  these  warUke  labours,  the  English  like  angels  are  always 
conquerors,  they  are  more  excellent  than  the  Scotch  and  Welsh  ;  you  will  learn 
people's  manners  by  contemplating  their  lives. — As  thoxigh  a  swine  should  resist 
the  valour  of  the  lion,  so  the  filthy  Scots  attack  England  ;  and  the  king  for  that 
reason  reduces  them  to  slavery :  he  will  ever  be  a  slave,  who  cannot  be  content 
with  the  little  which  Providence  has  given  him.] 


180  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

The  following  verses  seem  to  have  been  written  immediately 
after  John  Baliol  had  retired  to  Normandy,  in  1299.  In  the 
manuscript,  they  are  accompanied  by  a  picture  representing  a 
ship,  full  of  people,  passing  the  sea. 

ON    THE    DEPOSITION    OF    BALIOL. 

[From  MS.  Cotton.  Julius,  A.  v.  fol.  2,  i".  of  beginning  of  1 4th  cent.] 

Ecce  dies  veniunt  Scoti  sine  principe  fiunt ; 
Regnum  Balliolus  perdit,  transit  mare  solus. 
Defend!  bello  Scotus  mucrone  novello 
Sperans  Gallorum,  vires  expectat  eorum. 
De  gwerra  tuti  Gallorum  viribus  uti 
Congaudent  Scoti ;  currunt  ad  prselia  moti. 
Gallia  de  parvo  Scoto  profecit  in  arvo. 
Cur  in  conflictu  Scotus  ter  corruit  ictu  ? 
Conflictu  quarto  Scoti  ponuntur  in  arto : 

Quales  sunt  et  erunt,  carmina  plura  ferunt, 
Carmina  qui  didicit  Trojam  per  preelia  vicit, 

Ovidius  docuit  quee  sibi  causa  fuit. 
Percussis  bellis,  sterilis  fit  Troja  puellis  ; 
Finitis  motis,  sic  fiet  Scotia  Scotis, 

Translation. — Lo  !  the  time  is  come  when  the  Scots  are  without  a  prince  ; 
iJaliol  loses  the  kingdom,  and  passes  the  sea  alone.  The  Scot,  hoping  to  be 
defended  in  battle  by  the  new  spear  of  the  French,  is  waiting  for  their  power. 
The  Scots  rejoice  together  in  the  belief  that  they  will  have  the  better  in  the  war 
by  the  aid  of  the  French ;  they  i-ebel,  and  haste  to  fight.  France  will  profit 
,  little  the  Scot  in  the  field.  Why  has  the  Scot  been  beaten  in  three  battles  ?  By 
the  fourth  battle  the  Scots  are  reduced  to  extiemities  :  such  as  they  are  and 
will  ever  be,  very  many  songs  tell.  He  who  learnt  songs  conquered  Troy  in 
battle ;  Ovid  has  told  us  what  was  the  cause  of  it.  After  the  war,  Troy  was 
barren  of  maidens ;  Avhcn  the  rebellion  is  over,  so  will  Scotland  be  of  Scots. 


REIGN   OF   EDWARD  I.  181 

Vastantur  gwerra  Trojani,  cle  prope  terra 
Castrorum  plena,  cum  finibus  est  aliena. 
Urbibus  et  villis  proles  dominatur  Achillis ; 
Pyrrhus  vastat  eas,  Priamum  ploravit  -^Eneas. 
Merlinus  scribit  quod  turba  superba  peribit ; 
Latrans  exibit  canis,  et  bos  profugus  ibit. 
Tunc  nemus  Eutherium  pennata  fronde  carebit  j 
Et  genus  Albaneum  sua  regna  perire  videbit. 
Scote  miser,  plora,  tibi  flendi  jam  venit  liora ; 

Nam  regnum  patruum  desinet  esse  tuum. 
Principe  privaris,  campo  sic  subpeditaris, 

Quod  mentis  miseris  semper  asellus  eris. 
Vox  de  profundis  Cambini  te  vocat  undis, 
Torquendum  clade,  quam  non  novit  genus  Adee. 
Illuc  tende  vias^  et  deemonis  assecla  fias  ! 

Amplius  Andreas  ducere  nescit  eas. 

f  roy  is  ravaged  by  war,  the  land  near  about  being  full  of  camps,  it  is  with  its 
boundaries  become  the  property  of  another.  The  son  of  Acliilles  rules  over  the 
cities  and  towns  ;  Pyrrhus  lays  them  waste,  ^neas  has  wept  for  Priam.  Merlin 
writes  that  the  proud  crowd  shall  perish ;  the  barking  dog  shall  depart,  and 
the  ox  shall  go  into  exile.  Then  shall  the  Eutherian  grove  be  stripped  of  its 
feathered  branches;  and  the  Albanian  race  will  see  their  kingdom  perish. 
Wretched  Scot,  lament,  thy  hour  of  weeping  is  now  come  ;  for  the  king- 
dom of  thy  forefathers  ceases  to  be  thine.  Thou  art  deprived  of  a  prince,  and 
art  so  trodden  down  in  the  field,  that  by  thy  ill  merits  thou  wilt  always  be  an 
ass.  A  voice  from  the  bottom  of  the  Cambine  waters  calls  thee,  to  be  punished 
with  such  slaughter  as  the  race  of  Adam  has  not  yet  seen.  Hasten  thither, 
and  become  the  companion  of  the  devil!  Andrew  will  no  longer  be  their 
leader. 


182  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

The  general  hatred  to  the  Scots  did  not  hinder  the  people 
from  feeling  grieved  hy  the  heavy  taxes  which  were  raised  to 
support  the  war,  and  more  particularly  the  expeditions  into 
Flanders,  (whicli  latter  were  ill  managed,  and  produced  no 
results,)  or  from  showing  their  dissatisfaction.  The  King's 
measures  of  ambition  were  often  thwarted  by  the  stern  oppo- 
sition of  the  barons  and  the  commons.  The  following  song 
was  directed  more  particularly  against  the  unconstitutional 
seizure  of  wool,  and  generally  against  all  the  taxes  raised  for 
the  Flemish  war. 

SONG   AGAINST   THE    KIXG's    TAXES. 

[MS.  Harl.  No.  2253,  fol.  137,  v°,  written  in  reign  of  Edw.  II.] 

Dieu,  roy  de  mageste,  ob  person  as  trinas, 
Nostre  roy  e  sa  meyne  ne  perire  sinas  ; 
Grantz  mals  ly  fist  aver  gravesque  ruinas. 
Cell  qe  ly  fist  passer  partes  transmarinas. 
Rex  ut  salvetur^  falsis  maledictio  detur  ! 

Roy  ne  doit  a  feore  de  gere  extra  regniim  ire^ 
For  si  la  commune  de  sa  terre  veliiit  consentire  : 
Par  tresoun  voit  honme  sovent  quam  plures  perire ; 
A  quy  en  fier  seureraent  nemo  potest  scire. 
Non  eat  ex  regno  rex  sine  consilio. 

"Traxslation. —  O  God,  king  of  majesty,  for  the  sake  of  the  Trinity, — do  not 
permit  our  king  and  liis  lioiisehold  to  jjerish  ; — great  liurt  and  great  ruin  lie 
caused  him  to  have, — who  made  him  pass  over  the  sea. — In  order  that  the  king 
may  prosper,  may  his  false  advisers  be  accursed. 

A  king  ought  not  to  go  out  of  his  kingdom  to  make  war, — unless  the  com- 
mons of  his  land  wiU  consent : — by  treason  we  often  see  very  many  perish  ; — no 
one  can  tell  in  whom  to  trust  with  certainty, — Let  not  the  king  go  out  of  his 
kingdom  without  counsel. 


REIGX  OF  EDWARD  I.  183 

Ore  court  en  Engletere  de  anno  in  annum 
Le  quinzyme  dener,  pur  fere  sic  commune  dampnum, 
E  fet  avaler  que  soleyent  sedere  super  scamnum  ; 
E  vendre  fet  commune  gent  vaccas,  vas,  et  pannum. 
Non  placet  ad  summum  quindenum  sic  dare  nummum. 

Une  chose  est  countre  foy,  unde  gens  gravatur. 
Que  la  meyte  ne  vient  al  roy^  in  regno  quod  levatur, 
Pur  ce  qu^il  n'ad  tot  I'enter,  prout  sibi  datur, 
Le  pueple  doit  le  plus  doner,  et  sic  sincopatur. 
Nam  qu£e  taxantur,  regi  non  omnia  dantur. 

Unquore  plus  greve  a  simple  gent  collectio  lanarum. 
Que  vendre  fet  communement  divitias  earum. 
Ne  puet  estre  que  tiel  consail  constat  Deo  carum, 
Issi  destrure  le  poverail  pondus  per  amarum, 
Non  est  lex  sana,  quod  regi  sit  mea  lana. 

Uncore  est  plus  outre  peis,  ut  testantur  gentes, 
En  le  sac  deus  pers  ou  treis  per  vim  retinentes. 

Now  goes  in  England  from  year  to  year — the  lifteenth  penny,  to  do  thus  a  com- 
mon harm, — And  it  makes  them  go  down,  who  used  to  sit  upon  a  bench  ; — and 

it  obhges  the  common  people  to  sell  both  cows,  vessels,   and  clothes It  does 

not  please  thus  to  pay  the  fifteenth  to  the  last  penny. 

One  thing  is  against  faith,  whereby  the  people  is  aggrieved, — that  the  half  of 
what  is  raised  in  the  kingdom  does  not  come  to  the  king. — Since  he  has  not  the 
whole,  as  it  is  given  to  him, — the  people  is  obliged  to  give  the  more,  and  thus 
they  are  cut  short. — For  the  taxes  which  are  raised  are  not  all  given  to  the 
king. 

The  collecting  of  the  wool  grieves  the  common  people  still  more, — which 
drives  them  commonly  to  sell  their  property. — Such  counsel  cannot  be  accept- 
able to  God, — thus  to  destroy  the  poor  people  by  a  bitter  burthen. — It  is  not 
sound  law,  which  gives  my  wool  to  the  king. 

What  is  still  more  contrary  to  peace,  as  people  witness,— they  retain  two 


184  POLITICAL   SONGS. 

A  quy  remeindra  cele  leyne  ?  quidam  respondentes, 
Que  ja  n'avera  roy  ne  reygne,  sed  tantum  colligentes, 
Pondus  lanarum  tarn  falsum  constat  amarum. 

Depus  que  le  roy  vodera  tarn  multum  cepisse, 
Entre  les  riches  si  purra  satis  invenisse ; 
E  plus,  a  ce  que  m'est  avys,  et  melius  fecisse 
Des  grantz  partie  aver  pris,  et  parvis  pepercisse. 
Qui  capit  argentum  sine  causa  peccat  egentum. 

Honme  ne  doit  a  roy  retter  talem  pravitatem, 
Mes  al  maveis  consiler  per  ferocitatem. 
Le  roy  est  jeovene  bachiler,  nee  habet  setatem, 
Nule  malice  compasser,  sed  omnem  probitatem. 
Consilium  tale  dampnum  confert  generale. 

Rien  greve  les  grantz  graunter  regi  sic  tributum ; 
Les  simples  deyvent  tot  doner,  contra  Dei  nutum. 
Cest  consail  n'est  mye  l)ien,  sed  vitiis  poUutum ; 
Ceux  que  grauntent  ne  paient  ren,  est  male  constitutum. 
Nam  concedentes  nil  dant  regi,  sed  egentes. 

or  three  parts  in  the  sack. — To  whom  shall  remain  this  wool  ?  Some  answer, 
— that  neither  king  nor  queen  shall  have  it,  but  only  the  collectors—Such  a 
false  weight  of  wool  is  manifestly  a  bitter  thing. 

Since  the  king  is  determined  to  take  so  much, — he  may  find  enough  among 
the  rich  ; — and  he  would  get  more  and  do  better,  as  it  appears  to  me, — to  have 
taken  a  part  from  the  great,  and  to  have  spared  the  little, — He  sins  who  takes 
the  money  of  the  needy  without  cause. 

We  ought  not  to  lay  such  wickedness  to  the  charge  of  the  king, — but  to  the  bad 
counsellor,  by  his  rapacity.  The  king  is  a  young  bachelor,  and  is  not  of  an  age — 
to  compass  any  malice,  but  to  do  aU  probity.— Such  counsel  does  general  harm. 

It  is  no  trouble  to  the  great  thus  to  grant  to  the  king  a  tax  ;  the  simple  must 
pay  it  all,  which  is  contrary  to  God's  will. — This  counsel  is  not  at  all  good,  but 
polluted  with  vice  ; — it  is  ill  ordained,  that  those  who  grant  should  pay  nothing. — 
For  those  who  make  the  grant  give  nothing  to  the  king,  it  is  the  needy  only  who 
give. 


I 


REIGN    OF    EDWARD  I.  185 

Coment  fra  lionme  hon  esjoleit  ex  pauperum  sudore, 
Que  les  riches  esparnyer  doit,  dono  vel  favore  ? 
Des  grantz  um  le  dust  lever,  Dei  pro  timore  ; 
Le  pueple  plus  esparnyer,  qui  vivit  in  dolore. 
Qui  satis  es  dives,  non  sic  ex  paupere  vives. 

Je  voy  en  siecle  qu'ore  court  gentes  superbire, 
D'autre  biens  tenir  grant  court,  quod  cito  vult  transire. 
Quant  vendra  le  liaut  juggement,  magna  dies  irse, 
S'il  ne  facent  ameijdement,  tunc  debent  perire. 
Rex  dicit  reprobis,  "  ite  : " — "  venite,"  probis. 

Dieu,  que  fustes  coronee  cum  acuta  spina, 
De  vostre  pueple  eiez  pitee  gratia  divina  ! 
Que  le  siecle  soit  aleggee  de  tali  ruina  ! 
A  dire  grosse  veritee  est  quasi  rapina. 

Res  inopum  capta,  nisi  gratis,  est  quasi  rapta. 

Tel  tribut  a  nul  feor  diu  nequit  durare  ; 
Devoyde  qy  puet  doner,  vel  manibus  tractare  ? 


How  will  they  perform  good  deeds  out  of  the  sweat  of  the  poor, — whom  the 
rich  ought  to  spare,  by  gift  or  favour  ? — they  ought  to  tax  the  great,  for  the 
fear  of  God  ; — and  spare  more  the  people,  who  live  in  pain. — Thou  who  art 
rich  enough,  live  not  thus  upon  the  poor. 

I  see  at  the  present  day  how  people  are  proud, — with  other  people's  goods 
they  hold  great  court,  which  will  quickly  pass. — When  the  high  judgment  comes, 
the  great  day  of  wrath, — unless  they  make  atonement,  they  must  then  perish. — 
The  King  says  to  the  bad,  "  Go  :"  to  the  good,  "  Come." 

O  God,  who  wast  crowned  with  the  sharp  thorn, — have  pity  with  divine  grace 
upon  thy  people  ! — May  the  world  be  comforted  of  such  ruin  ! — To  tell  unvar- 
nished truth,  it  is  mere  robbery. — The  property  of  the  poor  taken  without  their 
will,  is  as  it  were  stolen. 

Such  tribute  can  in  no  manner  last  long  ; — out  of  emptiness  who  can  give, 

CAMD.  SOC.  6,  2  B 


186  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Gentz  sunt  a  tiel  meschief  quod  nequeunt  plus  dare  ; 
Je  me  doute,  s'ils  ussent  chief,  quod  vellent  levare. 
Ssepe  facit  stultas  gentes  vacuata  facultas. 

Yl  y  a  tant  escarcet^  monetae  inter  gentes, 
Qe  honme  puet  en  marche,  quam  parci  sunt  ementes. 
Tot  eyt  honme  drap  ou  blee,  porcos  vel  bidentes, 
Rien  lever  en  verite,  tam  multi  sunt  egentes. 
Gens  non  est  Iseta,  cum  sit  tam  parca  moneta. 

Si  le  roy  freyt  moun  consail,  tunc  vellem  laudare, 
D'argent  prendre  le  vessel,  monetamque  parare ; 
Mieu  valdreit  de  fust  ma[n]ger,  pro  victu  nummos  dare, 
Qe  d'argent  le  cors  servyr,  et  lignum  pacare. 
Est  vitii  signum  pro  victu  solvere  lignum. 

Lur  commissiouns  sunt  trochiers  qui  sunt  ultra  mare  ; 
Ore  lur  terres  n'ount  povers  eosdem  sustentare. 


or  touch  anything  with  his  hands. — People  are  reduced  to  such  ill  plight,  that 
they  can  give  no  more  ; — I  fear,  if  they  had  a  leader,  they  would  rise  in  rebel- 
lion.— Loss  of  property  often  makes  people  fools. 

There  is  so  much  scarcity  of  money  among  people, — that  people  can  in  the 
market,  there  are  so  few  buyers, — although  they  may  have  cloth  or  corn,  swine 
or  sheep, — make  nothing  of  them,  in  truth,  there  are  so  many  needy  people. — 
The  people  is  not  joyful,  when  money  is  so  scarce. 

If  the  king  would  take  my  advice,  I  would  praise  him  then, — to  take  the 
vessels  of  silver,  and  make  money  of  them  ; — it  would  be  better  to  eat  out  of 
wood,  and  to  give  money  for  victuals — than  to  serve  the  body  with  silver,  and 
pay  with  wood. — It  is  a  sign  of  vice,  to  pay  for  victuals  with  wood. 

The  commissions  of  those  who  are  employed  over  sea  are  too  dear  ; — now  the 
poor  have  not  their  lands  to  sustain  the  same. — 1  do  not  know  how  they  can  save 


I 


REIGN    OP  EDWARD  1.  187 

Je  ne  say  coment  purrount  animas  salvare. 
Que  d'autrui  vivre  voderount,  et  propria  servare. 
Non  dubitant  poenas  cupientes  res  alienas. 

Dieu  pur  soun  seintirae  noun,  confundat  errores, 
E  ceux  que  pensent  fere  tresoun,  et  pacis  turbatores  ! 
E  vengaunce  en  facez  ad  tales  vexatores  ! 
E  confermez  e  grantez  inter  reges  amores  ! 
Perdat  solamen  qui  pacem  destruit !  Amen. 

their  souls, — who  would  live  upon  other  people's  goods,  and  save  their  own. — 
They  cannot  doubt  but  they  will  be  punished,  who  covet  the  property  of  others. 
May  God,  for  the  sake  of  his  holy  name,  confound  errors, — and  those  who 
meditate  treason,  and  the  disturbers  of  the  peace  ! — and  take  vengeance  on  such 
tormentors ! — and  confirm  and  grant  love  between  the  kings  I — May  he  lose 
consolation  who  breaks  the  peace  !  Amen, 


Although  the  English  people  were  grieved  by  the  King's 
expensive  and  ill-conducted  foreign  wars,  yet  they  were  not 
wanting  in  commiseration  for  the  Flemish  burghers  in  their 
struggle  against  France.  The  song  which  follows  was  com- 
posed soon  after  the  battle  of  Courtrai,  in  which  the  Comte 
d'Artois  and  his  army  were  defeated  and  destroyed  by  the 
Flemings  in  1302. 

SONG    ON  THE    FLEMISH    INSURRECTION. 

[MS.  Harl.  No.  2253,  fol.  73,  v°.  of  reign  of  Edw.  II.] 

Lustneth,  lordinges,  bothe  3onge  ant  olde. 

Of  the  Freynsshe-men  that  were  so  proude  ant  bolde, 

Hou  the  Flemmysshe-men  bohten  hem  ant  solde 

TRANSLATION, — ListcD,  Lordings,  both  young  and  old, — of  the  Frenchmen 
that  were  so  proud  and  bold, — how  the  Flemmish  men  bought  and  sold  them — 


188  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

upon  a  Wednesday. 
Betere  hem  were  at  home  in  huere  londe, 
Then  for  te  seche  Flemmysshe  by  the  see  stronde, 
Wharethourh  moni  Frenshe  wyf  wryngeth  hire  honde, 

ant  singeth,  weylaway  ! 

The  Kyng  of  Fraunce  made  statuz  newe 

In  the  lond  of  Flaundres,  among  false  ant  trewe, 

That  the  commun  of  Bruges  ful  sore  con  a-rewe, 

ant  seiden  amonges  hem, 
"  Gedere  we  us  togedere  hardilyche  at  ene. 
Take  we  the  baihfs  by  tuenty  ant  by  tene, 
Clappe  we  of  the  hevedes  an  oven  o  the  grene, 

ant  caste  we  y  the  fen.^' 

The  webbes  ant  the  fuUaris  assembleden  hem  alle, 
Ant  makeden  huere  consail  in  huere  commune  halle  j 
Token  Peter  Conyng  huere  kyng  to  calle, 

ant  beo  huere  cheventeyn. 
Hue  nomen  huere  rouncyns  out  of  the  stalle, 


upon  a  Wednesday. — Better  it  had  been  for  them  at  home  in  their  country, — than 
to  seek  Flemings  by  the  sea-strand, — through  which  many  a  French  woman 
wrings  her  hands, — and  sings,  weladay  1 

The  King  of  France  made  new  statutes — in  the  land  of  Flanders,  among  false 
and  true, — that  the  commons  of  Bruges  full  sorely  began  to  rue, — and  said 
amongst  themselves, — "Let  us  assemble  together  boldly  in  the  evening, — let 
us  take  the  bailiifs  by  twenties  and  by  tens, — let  us  clap  off  then-  heads  above  on 
the  green, — and  let  us  cast  them  in  the  fen." 

The  weavers  and  the  fullers  assembled  them  all, — and  held  their  council  in 
their  common  hall, — they  took  Peter  Conyng  to  be  called  their  king, — and  to  be 
their  chieftain. — They  took  their  horses  out  of  the  stable, — and  closed  the 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  I.  189 

Ant  closeden  the  toun  withinne  the  walle ; 
Sixti  bayhes  ant  ten  hue  maden  a-doun  falle^ 
ant  moni  another  sweyn. 

Tho  wolde  the  baylies,  that  were  come  from  Fraunce, 

Dryve  the  Flemisshe  that  made  the  destaunce ; 

Hue  turnden  hem  a3eynes  with  suerd  ant  with  launce, 

stronge  men  ant  lyht. 
Y  telle  ou  for  sothe,  for  al  huere  bobaunce, 
Ne  for  the  avowerie  of  the  Kyng  of  Fraunce, 
Tuenti  score  ant  fyve  haden  ther  meschaunce 

by  day  ant  eke  by  nyht. 

Sire  Jakes  de  Seint  Poul  y-herde  hou  hit  was ; 
Sixtene  hundred  of  horsmen  asemblede  o  the  gras  ; 
He  wende  toward  Bruges  pas  pur  pas, 

with  s withe  gret  mounde. 
The  Flemmysshe  y-herden  telle  the  cas  ; 
A-gynneth  to  clynken  huere  basyns  of  bras, 
Ant  al  hem  to-dryven  ase  ston  doth  the  glas, 

ant  fellen  hem  to  grounde. 

town  within  the  wall; — seventy  bailiffs  they  made  downfall, — and  many  another 
man. 

Then  would  the  bailiffs  that  were  come  from  France — drive  out  the  Flemings 
who  made  the  disturbance  ; — but  they  turned  against  them  with  sword  and  with 
lance, — strong  men  and  nimble. — I  tell  you  for  truth,  in  spite  of  their  vaunting, 
— and  in  spite  of  the  patronage  of  the  King  of  France, — four  hundred  and  five 
had  there  mischance — by  day  and  also  by  night. 

Sir  Jacques  de  St.  Paul  heard  how  it  was  : — he  assembled  sixteen  hundred 
knights  on  the  grass  ; — they  went  towards  Bruges  step  by  step, — with  a  very 
great  body  of  people. — The  Flemings  heard  tell  of  the  case  ;  they  begin  to  clink 
their  basins  of  brass, — and  they  break  them  all  to  pieces  as  a  stone  does  glass, 
—and  fell  them  to  the  ground. 


190  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Sixtene  hundred  of  horsmen  hede  ther  here  fyn ; 
Hue  ley3en  y  the  stretes  y-styked  ase  swyn ; 
Ther  hue  loren  huere  stedes,  ant  mony  rouncyn, 

thourh  huere  oune  prude. 
Sire  Jakes  ascapede  by  a  coynte  gyn,  v 

Out  at  one  posterne  ther  me  solde  wyn, 
Out  of  the  fyhte  hom  to  ys  yn, 

in  wel  muchele  drede. 

Tho  the  Kyng  of  Fraunce  y-herde  this,  anon 
Assemblede  he  is  dousse  pers  everuchon, 
The  proude  Eorl  of  Artoys  ant  other  mony  on, 

to  come  to  Paris. 
The  barouns  of  Fraunce  thider  conne  gon. 
Into  the  paleis  that  paved  is  with  ston. 
To  jugge  the  Flemmisshe  to  bernen  ant  to  slon, 

thourh  the  flour-de-Us. 

Thenne  seide  the  Kyng  Phihp,  "  Lustneth  nou  to  me, 
Myn  eorles  ant  my  barouns  gentil  ant  fre, 
Goth,  faccheth  me  the  tray  tours  y-bounde  to  my  kne, 
hastifliche  ant  blyve." 

Sixteen  hundred  knights  had  there  their  end  ; — they  lay  in  the  streets  stuck 
like  swine  ; — there  they  lost  their  steeds,  and  many  a  horse, — through  their  own 
pride  ; — Sir  Jacques  escaped  by  a  cunning  contrivance, — out  at  a  postern  where 
they  sold  wine, — out  of  the  fight  home  to  his  lodging,—  in  very  great  fear. 

When  the  King  of  France  heard  this,  anon — he  assembled  his  dou2e  peers 
every  one, — the  proud  Comte  d'Artois  and  others  many  a  one, — to  come  to 
Paris. — The  barons  of  France  began  to  go  thither, — into  the  palace  that  is  paved 
with  stone, — to  judge  the  Flemings  to  be  burnt  and  slain, — through  the  fleur- 
de-lis. 

Then  said  King  Philip,  "  Listen  now  to  me, — my  earls  and  my  barons  gentle 
and  free, — go,  fetch  me  the  traitors  in  bonds  to  my  knees, — hastily  and  quickly." 


I 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  I.  191 

Tho  suor  the  Eorl  of  Seint  Poul^  "  Par  la  goule  Del 
We  shule  facche  the  ryhaus  wher  thi  wille  be, 
Ant  drawen  hem  [with]  wilde  hors  out  of  the  countre, 
by  thousendes  fyve/' 

"  Sire  Rauf  Devel,"  sayth  the  Eorl  of  Boloyne, 

"  Nus  ne  lerrum  en  vie  chanoun  ne  moyne, 

Wende  we  forth  anon  ritht  withoute  eny  assoygne, 

ne  no  lyves  man. 
We  shule  flo  the  Conyng,  ant  make  roste  is  loyne ; 
The  word  shal  springen  of  him  into  Coloyne, 
So  hit  shal  to  Acres  ant  into  Sesoyne, 

ant  maken  him  ful  wan." 

Sevene  eorles  ant  fourti  barouns  y-tolde, 

Fiftene  hundred  knyhtes  proude  ant  swythe  bolde, 

Sixti  thousent  swyers  amonge  3unge  ant  olde, 

Flemmisshe  to  take. 
The  Flemmisshe  hardeliche  hem  come  to-3eynes  ; 
This  proude  Freinsshe  eorles,  huere  knyhtes,  ant  huere 
sweynes 

— Then  swore  the  Comte  de  Saint  Paul,  "  By  the  throat  of  God  ! — we  shall 
fetch  the  ribalds  wherever  it  be  thy  will, — and  draw  them  with  wild  horses  out 
of  the  country — by  five-thousands." 

"  Sir  Ralf  Devel,"  says  the  Comte  de  Bologne, — "  we  will  not  leave  alive 
either  canon  or  monk, — let  us  go  forth  anon  right  without  any  excuse, — nor  no 
man  alive  (?). — We  shall  flay  the  Conyng  (rabbit),  and  cause  his  loins  to  be 
roasted  ; — the  fame  of  him  shall  spring  as  far  as  Cologne, — so  shall  it  to  Acre 
and  into  Saxony, — and  make  them  full  pale." 

Seven  counts  and  forty  barons  in  number, — fifteen  hundred  knights  proud 
and  very  bold, — sixty  thousand  squires  what  with  young  and  old, — to  take  the 
Flemings. — The  Flemings  boldly  came  against  them  ; — these  proud  French 
comtes,   their  knights,  and  their  men — they  killed  and  slew  over  the  hills  and 


192  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

A-quelleden  ant  slowen  by  hulles  ant  by  pleynes, 
al  for  huere  kynges  sake. 

This  Frenshe  come  to  Flaundres  so  liht  so  the  hare ; 
Er  hit  were  mydnyht  hit  fel  hem  to  care  ; 
Hue  were  laht  by  the  net  so  bryd  is  in  snare, 

with  rouncin  ant  with  stede. 
The  Flemmisshe  hem  dabbeth  o  the  het  bare ; 
Hue  nolden  take  for  huem  raunsoun  ne  ware ; 
Hue  doddeth  of  huere  hevedes,  fare  so  hit  fare, 

ant  thareto  haveth  hue  nede. 

Thenne  seith  the  Eorl  of  Artois,  "  Y  3elde  me  to  the, 
Peter  Conyng  by  thi  nome,  5ef  thou  art  hende  ant  free. 
That  y  ne  have  no  shame  ne  no  vylte, 

that  y  ne  be  noud  ded." 
Thenne  swor  a  bocher,  "  By  my  leaute  ! 
Shalt  thou  ner  more  the  Kyng  of  Fraunce  se, 
Ne  in  the  toun  of  Bruges  in  prisone  be, 

thou  woldest  spene  bred." 


the  plains, — all  for  their  King's  sake. 

These  French  came  to  Flanders  as  light  as  the  hare  ; — before  it  was  midnight 
there  fell  upon  them  care  ; — they  were  caught  in  the  net  as  a  bird  is  in  the  snare, 
— with  horse  and  with  steed. — The  Flemings  dab  them  on  the  bare  head  ; — they 
will  take  for  them  neither  ransom  nor  pay  ; — they  dod  off  their  heads,  happen 
what  may, — and  thereto  have  they  need. 

Then  saith  the  Comte  d' Artois,  "  I  yield  me  to  thee, — Peter  Conyng  byname, 
if  thou  art  gentle  and  free, — that  I  may  suffer  no  shame  nor  disgrace, — and  that 
I  may  not  be  slain." — Then  swore  a  butcher,  "  By  my  loyalty  ! — thou  shalt 
never  more  see  the  King  of  France, — nor  be  in  prison  in  the  town  of  Bruges, — 
thou  wouldest  consume  bread.'' 


REIGN    OF   EDWARD  I.  193 

Ther  hy  were  knulled  y  the  put-falle, 

This  eorles  ant  barouns  ant  huere  knyhtes  alle  ; 

Huere  ledies  huem  mowe  abide  in  boure  ant  in  halle 

wel  longe. 
For  hem  mot  huere  kyng  other  knyhtes  calle, 
Other  stedes  taken  out  of  huere  stalle  : 
Ther  hi  habbeth  dronke  bittrere  then  the  galle, 

upon  the  drue  londe. 

When  the  Kyng  of  Fraunce  y-herde  this  tydynge, 
He  smot  doun  is  heved^  is  honden  gon  he  wrynge. 
Thourhout  al  Fraunce  the  word  bygon  to  springe  ; 

wo  wes  huem  tho  ! 
Muche  wes  the  sorewe  ant  the  wepinge 
That  wes  in  al  Fraunce  among  olde  ant  3ynge : 
The  meste  part  of  the  lond  bygon  for  te  synge 

"alas  !  ant  weylawo  !  " 

Awey  thou  3unge  pope  !  whet  shal  the  to  rede  ? 
Thou  hast  lore  thin  cardinals  at  thi  meste  nede  ; 
Ne  keverest  thou  hem  nevere  for  nones  kunnes  mede, 


There  they  were  heaped  into  the  pit-full, — these  counts  and  barons  and  all 
their  knights  ; — their  ladies  may  wait  for  them  in  bower  and  in  hall — very  long. 
— In  their  place  must  their  king  call  other  knights, — and  take  other  steeds  out 
of  their  stables  : — there  they  have  drunk  bitterer  than  gall, — upon  the  dry  land. 

When  the  King  of  France  heard  these  tidings, — he  cast  down  his  head,  his 
hands  he  began  to  wring. — Throughout  all  France  the  news  began  to  spread  ; — 
woe  was  to  them  all ! — Much  was  the  sorrow  and  the  weeping — that  was  in  all 
France  among  old  and  young  ; — The  greatest  part  of  the  land  began  to  sing, — 
' '  Alas  !  and  welaway  ! ' ' 

Away,  thou  young  pope  !  what  will  be  thy  counsel  ? — Thou  hast  lost  thy  cardi- 
nals at  thy  greatest  need  ; — thou  wilt  never  recover  them  for  any  kind  of  reward, 

CAMD.  SOC.    6.  2  C 


194  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

for  sothe  y  the  telle. 
Do  the  forth  to  Rome  to  amende  thi  misdede ; 
Bide  gode  halewen  hue  lete  the  betere  spede : 
Bote  thou  worche  wysloker,  thou  losest  lont  ant  lede, 

the  coroune  wel  the  felle. 

Alas  !  thou  sell  Fraunce,  for  the  may  thunche  shome, 
That  ane  fewe  fullaris  maketh  ou  so  tome  ; 
Sixti  thousent  on  a  day  hue  maden  fot  lome, 

with  eorl  ant  knyht. 
Herof  habbeth  the  Flemysshe  suithe  god  game. 
Ant  suereth  bi  Seint  Omer  ant  eke  bi  Seint  Jame, 
3ef  hy  ther  more  cometh,  hit  falleth  huem  to  shame, 

with  huem  for  te  fyht. 

I  tell  ou  for  sothe,  the  bataille  thus  bigon 

Bituene  Fraunce  ant  Flaundres,  hou  hue  weren  fon ; 

Vor  Vrenshe  the  eorl  of  Flaundres  in  prison  heden  y-don, 

with  tresoun  untrewe. 
3e[f  ]  the  Prince  of  Walis  his  lyf  habbe  mote, 


. — for  truth  I  tell  thee. — Go  forth  to  Rome  to  atone  for  thy  misdeeds  ; — pray  to 
good  saints  that  they  let  thee  speed  better : — unless  thou  workest  more  wisely, 
thou  losest  land  and  people, — the  crown  fell  well  to  the.  (?) 

Alas  !  thou  simple  France,  it  may  appear  a  shame  for  thee, — that  a  few  fullers 
make  thee  so  tame  ; — sixty  thousand  in  a  day  they  made  trip  quickly,  (?) — ^with 
count  and  knight. — Thereof  have  the  Flemings  very  good  game, — and  swear 
by  St.  Omer  and  eke  by  St.  James, — if  they  come  there  any  more,  it  will  fall 
them  to  shame, — with  them  to  fight. 

I  tell  you  for  truth,  the  battle  thus  begun, — between  France  and  Flanders, 
how  they  were  foes  ; — for  the  French  had  put  the  Count  of  Flanders  in  prison, 
— with  treason  faithlessly. — If  the  Prince  of  Wales  his  life  might  have, — it  will 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  I.  195 

Hit  falleth  the  Kyng  of  Fraunce  bittrore  then  the  sote  ; 
Bote  he  the  rathere  therof  welle  do  bote, 

wel  sore  hit  shal  hym  rewe. 

happen  to  the  King  of  France  more  bitter  than  soot ; — unless  he  before-hand 
do  make  good  amends  for  it, — very  sorely  he  shall  rue  it. 


The  following  song  seems  to  have  been  popular  about  the  be- 
ginning of  the  fourteenth  century.  The  wolf  and  the  fox  pour- 
tray  exactly  the  characters  of  the  two  classes  of  people  who  then 
oppressed  and  plundered  the  middle  and  lower  classes. 

A    SONG    ON    THE    TIMES. 

[MS.  Harl.  No.  913,  fol.  44,  v<».  written  about  A.D.  1308.] 

Whose  thenchith  up  this  earful  lif, 

Ni3te  and  dai  that  we  beth  inne, 
So  moch  we  seeth  of  sorow  and  strif, 

And  lite  ther  is  of  worldis  winne. 
Hate  and  wreth  ther  is  wel  rive, 

And  trew  love  is  ful  thinne  : 
Men  that  beth  in  heiijist  live 

Mest  i-charged  beth  with  sinne. 

Fais  and  lither  is  this  lond, 
As  al  dai  we  mai  i-se : 

Translation. — Whoso  reflecteth  upon  this  life  which  is  full  of  care, — night 
and  day  that  we  are  in, — so  much  we  see  of  sorrow  and  strife, — and  little  there 
is  of  world's  joy. — Hate  and  wrath  there  is  very  rife, — and  true  love  is  very 
rare  : — men  who  are  in  the  highest  station  of  life, — are  most  laden  with  sin. 

False  and  wicked  is  this  land, — as  every  day  we  may  see  : — in  it  there  is  both 


196  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Therin  is  bothe  hate  and  onde, — 

Ic  wene  that  ever  so  wol  be. 
Coveitise  hath  the  law  an  honde, 

That  the  trewthe  he  ne  mai  i-se  : 
Nou  is  maister  pride  and  onde  ; — 

Alas  !  Loverde,  whi  suffrith  he  ? 

Wold  holi  cherch  pilt  is  mi3te, 

And  law  of  lond  pilt  him  to ; 
Than  scholde  coveitise  and  un-ri3te 

Ute  of  lond  ben  y-do. 
Holi  cherch  schold  hold  is  ri3t 

For  no  eie  no  for  no  love  ; 
That  hi  ne  schold  schow  har  mi3t 

For  lordingen  boste  that  beth  above. 

To  entredite  and  amonsi 

Al  thai,  whate  hi  evir  be. 
That  lafFul  men  doth  robbi, 

Whate  in  lond  what  in  see  ; 
And  thos  hoblurs,  namelich. 

That  husbond  benimeth  eri  of  grund  ; 

hate  and  contentioH, — I  think  it  will  always  be  so. — Covetousness  hath  the  law 

in  hand, — that  he  may  not  see  the  truth  : — Now  pride  is  master,  and  contention  ; 

— Alas  !  Lord  !  why  suffereth  he  ? 

If  holy  church  would  exert  its  might, — and  the  law  of  the  land  exert  it 

too ; — then  should  covetousness  and  injustice — out  of  the  land  be  driven. — 
Holy  church  should  withhold  its  right — for  no  fear  nor  for  no  love ; — that  they 
should  not  show  their  might — for  the  boast  of  lordings  that  are  above. 

To  interdict  and  admonish — all  those,  whatever  they  be, — who  lawful  mea 
do  rob, — whether  on  the  land  or  on  the  sea ; — and  those  hoblers  in  particular, 
— that  take  from  the  husbandman  the  tillage  of  the  ground ; — men  ought  not 


REIGN    OP   EDWARD  I.  197 

Men  ne  schold  ham  biri  in  non  chirch, 
Bot  cast  ham  ute  as  a  hund. 

Thos  kingis  ministris  beth  i-schend, 

To  Ti^t  and  law  that  ssold  tak  hede, 
And  al  the  lond  for  t'  amend. 

Of  thos  thevis  hi  taketh  mede. 
Be  the  lafFul  man  to  deth  i-bro3t, 

And  his  catel  awei  y-nom  ; 
Of  his  deth  ne  telhth  hi  nojt, 

Bot  of  har  prei  hi  hab  som. 

Hab  hi  the  silver,  and  the  mede, 

And  the  catel  under-fo. 
Of  feloni  hi  ne  taketh  hede, 

Al  thilk  trepas  is  a-go. 
Of  thos  a  vorbisen  ic  herd  telle  ; 

The  Lion  is  king  of  all  beeste. 
And — herknith  al  to  mi  spelle — 

In  his  lond  he  did  an  heste. 

The  Lyon  lete  cri,  as  hit  was  do. 
For  he  hird  lome  to  telle  ; 

to  buiy  them  in  any  church, — but  to  throw  them  out  like  a  dog. 

Those  king's  ministers  are  corrupted, — that  should  take  heed  to  right  and  law, 
— and  all  the  land  for  to  amend, — of  these  thieves  they  take  bribe. — If  the  man 
who  acts  lawfully  is  brought  to  death, — and  his  property  taken  away ; — of  his 
death  they  make  no  account, — but  of  their  prey  they  have  a  share. 

If  they  have  the  silver  and  the  bribe — and  the  property  received, — they  take 
no  heed  of  felony, — every  trespass  is  allowed  to  pass. — Of  these  a  parable  I 
heard  tell ; — the  Lion  is  king  of  all  beasts, — and  (hearken  all  to  my  tale^ — in 
his  land  he  made  a  command. 

The  Lion  caused  to  be  proclaimed,  as  it  was  done, — for  he  heard  frequently 


198  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

And  eke  him  was  i-told  also 

That  the  wolf  didde  no3te  welle. 
And  the  fox,  that  lither  grome. 

With  the  wolf,  i-wreiid  was  ; 
To-for  har  lord  hi  schold  come, 

To  amend  har  trepas. 

And  so  men  didde  that  seli  asse. 

That  trepasid  no3t,  no  did  no  gilte. 
With  ham  bothe  i-wreiid  was, 

And  in  the  ditement  was  i-pilt. 
The  voxe  hird  amang  al  menne, 

And  told  the  wolf  with  the  brode  crune ; 
That  on  him  send  gees  and  henne. 

That  other  geet  and  motune. 

The  seli  aasse  wend  was  saf. 

For  he  ne  eete  no3t  bote  grasse; 
None  3iftes  he  ne  3af, 

No  wend  that  no  harm  nasse. 
Tho  hi  to  har  lord  com  to  tune. 

He  told  to  ham  law  and  skille  ; 

tell ; — and  eke  it  was  told  him  also — that  the  wolf  did  not  well. — And  the  fox, 
that  wicked  fellow, — with  the  wolf  was  accused  ; — before  their  lord  they  must 
come, — to  make  amends  for  their  trespass. 

And  so  men  did  [accuse]  the  simple  ass, — that  trespassed  not,  nor  did  any 
crime, — with  them  both  he  was  accused, — and  in  the  indictment  was  put. — 
The  fox  heard  [talk  of  it]  among  all  men, — and  told  the  wolf  with  the  broad 
crown  ; — the  one  sent  to  him  [the  Lion]  geese  and  hens, — the  other  kids  and 
mutton. 

The  simple  ass  thought  he  was  safe, — for  he  eat  nothing  but  grass  ; — no  gifts  he 
gave, — nor  suspected  that  there  was  any  harm. — When  they  came  in  the  presence 
of  their  Lord, — he  counted  out  to  them  law  and  reason ; — these  wicked  beasts 


I 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  I.  199 

Thos  wikid  bestis  luid  a-dune, 

"  Lord/^  hi  seiid,  "  what  is  thi  wille  ?" 

Tho  spek  the  Lion  hem  to, 

To  the  fox  anone  his  wille, — 
*'  Tel  me,  boi,  what  hast  i-do  ? 

Men  beth  aboute  the  to  spille." 
Tho  spek  the  fox  first  anone, 

"  Lord  King,  nou  thi  wille ; 
Thos  men  me  wreiith  of  the  tune. 

And  wold  me  gladlich  for  to  spille. — 

Gees  no  hen  nad  ic  no3t. 

Sire,  for  soth  ic  the  sigge, 
Bot  as  ic  ham  dere  bo3t, 

And  here  ham  up  myn  owen  rigge." 
^'  Godis  grame  most  hi  have. 

That  in  the  curte  the  so  pilt ! 
Whan  hit  is  so,  ich  vouchsave, 

Ic  for3ive  the  this  gilte." 

The  fals  wolf  stode  behind  ; 
He  was  doggid  and  ek  feUe  : — 

laid  themselves  down  [prostrate], — "  Lord,"  said  they,  "  what  is  thy  will  ?" 
Then  spake  the  Lion  to  them, — to  the  fox  in  the  first  place  [he  declared] 

his  will, — "  Tell  me,  fellow,  what  hast  thou  done  ? — Men  are  about  thee  to 

ruin." — Then  spake  the  fox  first, — "  Lord  King,  now  thy  will ; — these  men 

accuse  me  of  the  town, — and  would  gladly  ruin  me. 

"  Gees  nor  hen  had  I  not, — Sire,  for  truth  I  tell  thee, — but  as  I  bought  them 

dearly, — and  bore  them  upon  my  own  back." — "  God's  anger  may  they  have, 

— that  in  the  court  so  placed  thee  ! — Since  it  is  so,  I  vouchsafe, — I  forgive 

thee  this  guilt." 

The  false  wolf  stood  behind  ; — he  was  dogged  and  eke  fell : — ' '  I  am  come  of 


200  POLITICAL    SONGS. 


"  Ic  am  i-com  of  grete  kind, 


Pes  thou  graunt  me,  that  mi3t  ful  welle." 
"  What  hast  i-do,  bel  amy. 

That  thou  me  so  oxist  pes?  " 
''  Sire/'  he  seid,  "  I  nel  no3t  lie, 

If  thou  me  woldist  hire  a  res. 

For  ic  huntid  up  the  doune. 

To  loke.  Sire,  mi  bi^ete  ; 
Ther  ic  slow  a  motune, 

36,  Sir,  and  fewe  gete. 
Ic  am  i-wreiid.  Sire,  to  the, 

For  that  ilk  gilt ; — 
Sire,  ichul  sker  me, 

I  ne  3ef  ham  dint  no  pilt." 

"  For  soth  I  sigge  the,  bel  ami. 

Hi  nadde  no  gode  munde. 
Thai  that  wreiid  the  to  mei. 

Thou  ne  diddist  no3t  bot  thi  kund. — 
Sei  thou  me,  asse,  wat  hast  i-do  ? 

Me  thenchith  thou  cannist  no  gode. 


a  great  race, — grant  thou  me  peace,  who  may  full  well." — "  What  hast  thou 
done,  fair  friend, — that  thou  so  askest  me  peace  ?" — "  Sire,"  he  said,  "  I  will 
not  lie, — if  thou  wouldst  hear  me  a  little  while. 

"  For  I  hunted  up  the  downs, — to  look,  Sire,  after  my  gain  ; — There  I  slew 
a  mutton, — yea.  Sire,  and  a  few  kids. — I  am  accused,  sire,  to  thee, — for  that 
same  crime  ; — Sire,  I  shall  clear  myself, — I  gave  them  neither  blow  nor  hurt." 

"  For  truth  I  tell  thee,  fair  friend, — they  had  no  good  mind, — they  who  ac- 
cused thee  to  me, — thou  didst  nothing  but  thy  nature. — Tell  thou  me,  ass,  what 
hast  thou  done  ? — Methinks  thou  art  capable  of  no  good. — Why  haddest  thou 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  I.  201 

Whi  nadistou,  as  other  mo  ? 
Thou  come  of  lither  stode. 

"  Sertis,  Sire^,  not  ic  no3t ; 

Ic  ete  sage  alnil  gras, — 
More  harm  ne  did  ic  no5t ; 

Therfor  i-\vreiid  ic  was." 
^'  Bel  ami,  that  was  mis-do, 

That  was  a3e  thi  kund. 
For  to  ete  such  gras  so  : — 

Hastilich  ^e  him  bind  ; 

Al  his  bonis  36  to-draw, 

Loke  that  36  no3t  lete  ; 
And  that  ic  3ive  al  for  lawe. 

That  his  fleis  be  al  i-frette/'— 
Also  hit  farith  nou  in  lond. 

Whose  wol  tak  therto  hede  : 
Of  thai  that  habbith  an  hond. 

Of  thevis  hi  takith  mede. 

The  laflFul  man  ssal  be  i-bund, 
And  i-do  in  Strang  pine. 


not  [done]  as  others  more  ? — thou  art  come  of  wicked  place." 

"  C'ertes,  Sire,  I  know  not ; — I  eat  sage  and  only  grass, — more  harm  did  I 
not; — therefore  was  I  accused." — "Fair  friend,  that  was  misdone, — that  was 
against  thy  nature, —  for  to  eat  such  grass  so  : — hastily  ye  him  bind  ; 

"  Draw  ye  all  his  bones  to  pieces, — look  that  ye  do  not  fail ; — and  that  I  give 

all  for  law, — that  his  flesh  be  all  torn  to  pieces." — Thus  it  fares  now  in  the  land, 

— whoever  will  take  heed  thereto  : — of  they  that  have  in  hand, — of  thieves  they 

take  gifts. 

The  man  who  acts  according  to  law  shall  be  bound, — and  condemned  to  strong 

CAMD.  SOC.  6.  2d 


202  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

And  i-hold  in  fast  prisund, 

Fort  that  he  mak  fine. 
And  the  thef  to  skap  so. 

That  doth  ever  a3e  the  ri3t. 
God  take  hede  therto. 

That  is  al  ful  of  mi3t ! 

Thus  farith  al  the  world  nuthe, 

As  we  mai  al  i-se, 
Both  est  and  west,  north  and  suthe ; 

God  us  help  and  the  Trinity  ! 
Trewth  is  i-faillid  with  fremid  and  sibbo. 

And  so  wide  as  al  this  lond 
Ne  mai  no  man  therin  libbe, 

What  thro3  coveitise  and  thro3  onde. 

Tho3  laiFul  man  wold  hold  is  lif 

In  love,  in  charite,  and  in  pes, 
Sone  me  ssul  compas  is  lif, 

And  that  in  a  litil  res. 
Prude  is  maister  and  coveitise. 

The  thrid  brother  men  clippith  ond  ; 

pain, — and  held  in  fast  prison, — until  he  pays  a  fine. — And  the  thief  to  escape 
so, — that  acts  ever  against  the  right ! — God  take  heed  thereto, — who  is  all  full 
of  might ! 

Thus  fares  all  the  world  now, — as  we  may  all  see, — both  east  and  west,  north 
and  south  ; — God  and  the  Trinity  help  us  ! — Truth  is  failed  with  stranger  and 
relation, — and  as  wide  as  all  this  land — no  man  can  live  therein, — what  through 
covetousness  and  through  contention. 

Though  the  man  who  acts  according  to  law  would  hold  his  life — in  love,  in 
charity,  and  in  peace, — soon  they  will  compass  his  life, — and  that  in  a  little  space 
of  time. — Pride  is  master  and  covetousness — the  third  brother  is  called  conten- 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  I.  203 

Ni3t  and  dai  he  fondith  i-wisse 
LafFul  men,  to  hab  liar  lond. 

Whan  erth  hath  erthe  i-gette 

And  of  erthe  so  hath  i-nouj, 
Whan  he  is  therin  i-stekke, 

Wo  is  him  that  was  in  W0U3  ! 
What  is  the  gode  that  man  ssal  hab, 

Ute  of  this  world  whan  he  ssal  go  ? 
A  sori  wed, — whi  ssal  ic  gab  ? — 

For  he  bro3t  him  no  mo. 

Ili3t  as  he  com,  he  ssal  wend, 

In  wo,  in  pine,  in  poverte  ; — 
Takith  gode  hede,  men,  to  3ure  end. 

For  as  I  sigge,  so  hit  wol  be. 
Y  not  wharof  beth  men  so  prute ; 

Of  erthe  and  axen,  felle  and  bone  ? 
Be  the  soule  enis  ute, 

A  vilir  caraing  nis  ther  non. 

The  caraing  is  so  lolich  to  see. 
That  under  erth  men  mot  it  hide ; 

tion  ; — night  and  day  they  labour  certainly — lawful  men,  to  have  their  land- 
When  earth  has  obtained  earth, — and  thus  of  earth  hast  enough, — when  he  is 

stuck  therein, — woe  to  him  that  was  in  wickedness  ! — What  is  the  good  that  man 

shall  have, — when  he  shall  go  out  of  this  world  ?— A  sorry  garment, — why  shall 

I  joke  ? — For  he  brought  him  no  more. 

Just  as  he  came,  he  shall  go, — in  woe,  in  pain,  in  poverty  ; — take  good  heed, 

men,  to  your  end, — for  as  I  say,  so  it  will  be. — I  know  not  of  what  men  are  so 

proud ; — of  earth,  and  ashes,  skin  and  bone  ? — when  the  soul  is  once  out, — there 

is  no  viler  carcase. 

The  carcase  is  so  loathsome  to  see. — that  under  earth  men  must  it  hide  ; — both 


204  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Bothe  wif  and  child  wol  fram  him  fle, 
Ther  nis  no  frend  that  wol  him  bide. 

What  wol  men  for  the  sowle  del  ? 
Come  no  mel,  wel  thou  wost ; 

Bot  wel  seld  at  the  mele 

A  row3  bare  trenchur,  other  a  crust. 

The  begger  that  the  crust  ssal  hab, 

Wel  hokerlich  he  lokith  theran : 
Soth  to  sigge,  and  no3t  to  gabbe, 

Ri3t  no3t  he  is  i-paiid  a  pan. 
Than  seiith  the  begger  in  is  mode, 

"  The  crust  is  bothe  hard  and  tougth. 
The  wTcche  was  hard  that  ow  the  gode. 

Hard  for  hard  is  gode  y-now3." 

Moch  misanter  that  for  him  bidde 

'  Pater  noster  other  crede ; 
Bot  let  him  hab  as  he  didde, 

For  of  the  3ift  nath  he  no  mede. 
Ic  red  up  no  man  thou  hab  triste. 

No  uppon  non  other  ; 

wife  and  child  will  from  him  fly, — there  is  no  friend  that  will  stay  with  him. — 
What  will  men  for  the  soul  give  ? — com  nor  meal,  well  thou  knowest ; — but 
very  seldom  at  their  meal, — a  rough  bare  trencher,  or  a  crust. 

The  beggar  that  the  crust  shall  have, — right  scornfully  he  looks  thereon  : — 
truth  to  say,  and  not  to  joke, — right  not  a  pan  he  is  paid. — Then  saith  the  beg- 
gar in  his  mood, — "  The  crust  is  both  hard  and  tough, — the  wretch  was  hard 
that  possessed  the  goods, — hard  for  hard  is  good  enough." 

May  he  have  much  misadventure  who  for  him  saith — Pater-noster  or  creed  ; 
— but  let  him  have  as  he  did, — for  of  the  gift  hath  he  no  reward. — I  counsel 
thee  have  trust  in  no  man, — nor  upon  no  other ; — but  share  it  with  your  own 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  1.  205 

Ok  del  hit  with  5ure  owen  fist, 
Trist  to  soster  no  brother. 

Anurith  God  and  hoh  chirch. 

And  3iveth  the  pouir  that  habbith  nede ; 
So  Godis  wille  36  ssul  wirche. 
And  joi  of  heven  hab  to  mede. 
To  whoch  joi  us  bring 
Jhesus  Crist  heven  khig  !    Amen. 

fist, — trust  neither  to  sister  nor  brother. 

Honour  God  and  holy  church, — and  give  to  the  poor  that  have  need  ; — Thus  ye 
shall  work  God's  will, — and  have  for  reward  the  joy  of  heaven. — To  which  joy 
us  bring — Jesus  Christ  heaven's  King.     Amen. 


The  scholastic  philosophy  flourished  through  the  thirteenth 
century,  the  age  of  Albertus  Magnus,  of  Grosteste,  and  of 
Roger  Bacon  ;  but,  towards  the  close  of  that  period,  the  impor- 
tance of  the  schools  and  universities  was  rapidly  declining. 
They  had  received  a  shock  from  the  triumph  of  the  monks  over 
the  scholars  during  the  reign  of  St.  Louis,  which  they  could 
never  recover.  Political  events,  and  the  great  change  which 
was  then  operating  in  the  whole  political — we  may  perhaps  say 
social — system,  hastened  their  fall.  The  nice  quibbles  of  the 
dialectitian,  although  they  still  had  their  weight  in  the  cloister, 
began  to  be  sneered  at  in  the  world  without.  The  following 
song,  which  perhaps  belongs  to  the  beginning  of  the  fourteenth 
century,  is  directed  against  the  artistce,  or  those  who  studied  the 
seven  arts,  the  scholastic  tritium  and  quadrivium. 


206  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

SONG    AGAINST    THE    SCHOLASTIC    STUDIES. 

[From  MS.  Cotton.  Titus  A.  xx.  fol.  66,  \°,  written  in  reign  of  Edw.  II. ; 
and  MS.  Bodl.  Oxford.  Rawl.  B.  214,  fol.  168,  V,  of  15th  cent.] 

Meum  est  propositum  gentis  imperitse 
Artes  frugi  reddere  melioris  vitse, 
Et  ad  artes  singulas  procedatis  rite  : 
Ad  mea  decepti  juvenes  documenta  venite. 

Adversatur  legibus  omne  genus  cleri, 
Cujvis  status  hodie  pejor  est  quam  heri ; 
Sua  sacra  presbiter  quisque  vult  tueri. 
Ingenium  magni  livor  detraxit  Homeri. 

Quando  contra  boream  nauta  pandit  velum, 
Et  asellus  vincere  cursu  vult  camelum, 
Non  formidat  ponere  manus  os  in  coelum : 
Vulneror  et  clausum  porto  sub  pectore  telum. 

Preeferri  bidentibus  capra  vult  hirsuta, 
Stulta  non  considerans  unde  sit  induta ; 
Illi  sequa  vellera  non  sunt  attributa  : 
Pennatis  avibus  quondam  testudo  locuta. 

Translation. — It  is  my  design  to  turn  the  arts  of  an  unskilful  race  to  the 
fruit  of  a  better  Ufe,  and  so  proceed  ye  to  each  of  the  arts  in  order  :  O  youth 
who  have  been  deceived,  come  to  my  lessons. — Every  class  of  the  clergy  is  op- 
posed to  the  laws,  of  whom  the  condition  to-day  is  worse  than  it  was  yesterday ; 
every  priest  will  hold  his  own  rites  :  envy  detracted  from  the  talents  of  great 
Homer. — When  the  sailor  spreads  his  sail  against  the  north  wind,  and  the  ass 
thinks  to  conquer  the  camel  in  the  race,  then  the  hand  fears  not  to  put  the 
face  towards  heaven ;  I  am  wounded  and  carry  the  weapon  shut  up  in  my 
breast. — The  shaggy  she-goat  wishes  to  be  preferred  to  the  sheep,  in  her  folly 
not  considering  with  what  she  is  clothed ;  so  fine  a  fleece  has  not  been  given  to 
her  :  as  the  tortoise  once  said  to  the  winged  birds. — Although  the  logicians  are 


REIGN    OF    EDWARD    I.  207 

Cum  sint  nuda  gloria  losjici  content!, 
Sub  egentis  propere  vivunt  indumeuti, 
Verumtamen  invident  opulentse  genti. 
Summa  petit  livor,  perflant  altissima  venti. 

Modus  est  invidiee  semper,  ut  ab  imis 
Sursum  tendant,  ultima  contradicunt  primis  : 
Invidere  negligit  infimo  sublimis. 
Invidus  alterius  rebus  macescit  opimis. 

Si  non  cupis  vivere  pauper  et  mendicus, 
Semper  in  laboribus  sicut  servus  Stichus, 
Igni  digna  subjici  sine  fructu  ficus, 
Dilige  sic  alios  ut  sis  tibi  carus  amicus. 

Expedit  pauperibus  abhserere  legi ; 
Insudare  nimium  artibus  elegi. 
Ignoro  propterea  unde  possum  regi, 
Carmina  qui  quondam  studio  florente  peregi. 

Nonne  circa  logicam  si  quis  laboral)it, 
Spinas  atque  tribulos  illi  germinabit  ? 
In  sudore  nimio  panem  manducabit; 
Vix  tamen  hoc  illi  garula  lingua  dabit. 

satisfied  with  naked  glory,  and  live  under  the  garb  of  the  needy,  nevertheless  they 
envy  the  rich.  Envy  seeks  the  summit,  the  wind  blows  vehemently  on  lofty 
places. — It  is  always  the  manner  of  envy,  that  they  aim  from  the  bottom  up- 
wards, the  last  speak  against  the  first  :  he  who  is  elevated  does  not  think  it 
worth  while  to  envy  him  who  is  most  low.  The  envious  man  becomes  lean  by 
regarding  the  fatness  of  another. — If  you  do  not  desire  to  live  poor  and  beg- 
garly, always  labouring  like  the  servant  Stichus,  a  fig-tree  without  fruit  worthy  to 
be  cast  in  the  fire  ;  love  others  so  that  thou  mayest  be  a  dear  friend  to  thyself. — 
It  is  good  for  poor  men  to  adhere  to  the  law  ;  I  have  chosen  to  labour  much  on 
the  arts.  I  am  ignorant  therefore  how  I  may  be  guided,  who  once  composed 
verses,  while  my  study  flourished. — If  any  one  will  expend  his  labour  upon 
logic,  will  it  not  produce  him  thorns  and  brambles  ?  in  too  much  sweat  he 
will  eat  his  bread  ;  and  even  that  his  talkative  tongue  will  hardly  give  him. — 


208  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

In  arenam  logicus  frustra  semen  serit, 
Nam  metendi  tempore  fructus  nullus  erit; 
Circa  ficum  sterilem  labor  omnis  perit. 
Arbor  qualis  erit,  talia  poma  gerit. 

Licet  sis  ad  apicem  artium  provectus, 
Fies  junioribus  in  brevi  despectus  ; 
Dicunt  de  te,  "  senio  desipit  afFectus." 
^mula  quid  cessas  finem  properare  senectus  ? 

Ver£e  pestilentise  cathedra  tu  sedes. 
Qui  Thebanas  lectitas  vel  Trojanas  csedes ; 
Affluunt  divitiis  legistarum  sedes, 
Et  modo  vadit  equis  qui  solet  ire  pedes. 

Propter  artes  vigilans  est  revera  stultus  ; 
Cur  circa  Georgicam  pateris  singultus  ? 
Ager  sic  per  steriles  jaceat  incultus, 
Telluris  si  forte  velis  cognoscere  cultus. 

Propter  leges  merito  labor  est  ferendus  ; 
Ager  reddens  centuplum  non  est  deferendus. 
Est  libellus  pauperum  pauperi  legendus  ; 
Hie  tibi  prsecipue  sit  pura  mente  colendus. 

The  logician  in  vain  sows  his  seed  in  the  sand,  for  in  harvest  time  there  will  be 
no  fruit ;  upon  a  barren  fig-tree  all  labour  is  lost.  Such  as  is  the  tree,  such 
will  be  the  fruit  it  bears. — Although  you  be  arrived  at  the  summit  of  the  arts, 
you  will  be  in  a  short  time  despised  by  the  younger  aspirants  ;  they  will  say  of 
thee,  "  he  doats,  affected  with  old  age."  Old  age,  why  do  you  emulous  cease  to 
hasten  the  end  ? — Thou  sittest  in  the  chair  of  a  true  pestilence,  who  readest  the 
tragedy  of  Thebes  or  of  Troy  ;  [whilst]  the  seats  of  the  legists  abound  in  riches, 
and  now  he  goes  on  horseback  who  used  to  go  on  foot. — He  who  sits  up  at  night 
to  study  the  arts  is  truly  a  fool ;  why  do  you  yawn  over  the  Georgic  ?  thus  the 
field  may  lie  neglected  and  barren,  while  by  chance  you  may  be  desirous  of  under- 
standing the  culture  of  the  earth. — It  is  right  that  we  should  labour  upon  the 
laws  ;  a  field  that  produces  a  hundred-fold  is  not  to  be  set  aside.  The  book  of 
the  poor  is  to  be  read  by  the  poor  man  ;  this  chiefly  is  the  book  to  be  devotedly 


REIGN  OP  EDWARD  I.  209 

Circa  dialecticam  tempus  cur  consumis, 
Tu  qui  nuUos  redditus  aliunde  sumis  ? 
Colat  qui  per  patriam  natus  est  e  summis, 
Dives  agro,  dives  positis  in  fsenore  nummis. 

Dives  in  fallaciis  discat  esse  fortis ; 
Discat  capram  facere  de  persona  sortis. 
Artes  nunquam  deserat  citra  tempus  mortis. 
Contentus  fama  lateat  Lucanus  in  hortis. 

Si  forte  deliquerit  artibus  imbutus. 
Ad  legistas  fugiet  si  vult  esse  tutus  : 
Quia  se  defendere  nescit  plus  quam  mutus, 
Graecorum  studia  nimium  diuque  sequutus. 

Atria  nobilium  video  patere  ; 
Cum  legista  venerit  dissolvuntur  cerse. 
Exclusus  ad  januam  poteris  sedere, 
Ipse  licet  venias  musis  comitatus,  Homere. 

Logicus  aranese  potest  comparari. 
Quae  subtiles  didicit  telas  operari, 
Quae  suis  visceribus  volunt  consummari ; 

cultivated  by  thee. — Why  do  you  consume  your  time  upon  dialectics,  thou  who 
receirest  no  income  from  other  sources  ?  Let  him  cultivate  it  who  is  born  of  high 
family  in  the  country,  rich  in  land  and  rich  in  money  laid  out  at  interest. — Let  the 
rich  man  learn  to  be  strong  in  fallacies  ;  let  him  learn  to  make  a  she-goat  of  the 
person  of  chance.  Let  him  never  desert  the  arts,  before  the  hour  of  his  death. 
Satisfied  with  fame,  let  Lucan  lie  hid  in  the  gardens. — If  imbued  in  the  arts  he 
should  chance  to  fail,  he  will  fly  to  the  legists  if  he  will  be  safe  :  because  he 
knows  no  more  how  to  defend  himself  than  one  who  is  dumb,  having  pursued  too 
much  and  too  often  the  study  of  the  Greeks. — I  see  the  halls  of  the  nobles 
open  ;  when  the  legist  comes,  the  bolts  are  undone  ;  thou,  shut  out,  mayest  sit 
at  the  door,  although  thou  thyself.  Homer,  shouldst  come  along  with  the 
muses. — Tlie  logician  may  be  compared  to  a  spider,  which  learns  to  spin 
subtle  webs,  that  are  made  out  of  its  own  bowels ;  the  reward  is  a  fly,  if  by 

CAMD.  SOC.  6.  2  E 


210  P0X.1TICAL    SONGS. 

Est  pretium  musca,  si  forte  queat  laqueari. 

Si  fortuna  logico  favet  in  privigno, 
Vultu  namque  logicum  respicit  benigno ; 
Si  sit  dives  logicus  hoc  sub  coeli  signo  ; 
Rara  avis  in  terra  nigroque  simillima  cigno. 

Naturae  cognoscere  si  velis  archana, 
Stude  circa  physicam  quae  dat  membra  sana  : 
Sat  quicquid  expostulat  egestas  humana. 
Sat  Galienus  opes  et  sanctio  Justiniana. 

chance  it  can  be  netted. — If  fortune  favour  a  logician  in  his  kindred,  for  she 
looks  upon  the  logician  with  a  benignant  countenance  ;  if  a  logician  be  rich  un- 
der this  sign  of  the  heavens  ;  he  is  a  rare  bird  upon  earth,  and  very  like  a  black 
swan. — If  you  wish  to  know  the  secrets  of  nature,  study  physic  which  gives 
health  to  the  limbs  ;  what  man's  need  requires  is  enough,  Galen  and  the  sanction 
of  Justinian  are  riches  enough. 


The  following  English  verses,  composed  at  the  same  period, 
seem  also  intended  as  a  satire  upon  the  studies  and  arguments 
of  the  dialectitians. 

THE    SONG    OF    "  NEGO." 

[From  MS.  Harl,  No.  913,  fol.  58,  v°.  written  m  1308.] 

Hit  nis  bot  trewth,  I  wend,  an  afte 
For  te  sette  nego  in  eni  crafte  ; 
Trewth  so  drawith  to  heven  blisse, 
Nego  doth  no3t  so  i-wisse. 

Translation. — It  is  contrary  to  truth,  I  believe,  and  . . .. — to  set  nego  in 
any  craft ; — truth  draweth  us  to  the  joy  of  heaven, — nego  does  not  so  certainly. 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  211 

For-sak  and  save  is  thef  in  lore, 

Nego  is  pouer  dark  in  store. 

Whan  menne  horlith  ham  here  and  there, 

Nego  savith  ham  fram  care. 

Awei  with  nego  ute  of  place  ! 

Whose  wol  have  Goddis  grace ; 

Whoso  wol  a3ens  the  devil  fi3te, 

Ther  mai  nego  sit  a-ri5te. 

Ak  loke  that  we  never  more 

Nego  sette  in  trew  lore. 

For  whoso  can  lite,  hath  sone  i-do, 

Anone  he  dra'v\dth  to  nego. 

Now  o  clerk  seiith  nego  ; 

And  that  other  dubito  ; 

Seiith  another  concedo ; 

And  another  obligo, 

Verum  falsum  sette  therto ; 

Than  is  al  the  lore  i-do. 

Thus  the  fals  clerkes  of  har  hevid, 

Makith  men  trewth  of  ham  be  revid. 

— Forsake  and  save  is  a  thief  in  doctrine, — nego  is  a  poor  clerk  in  store. — 

When  men  hurl  them  here  and  there, — nego  saves  them  from  care Away  with 

nego  out  of  the  place  ! — whoever  will  have  God's  grace  ; — he  who  will  against 
the  devil  fight, — there  may  nego  sit  rightly. — But  see  that  we  never  more — set 
nego  in  true  doctrine. — For  he  who  knows  little  has  soon  done, — anon  he  draws 
to  nego. — Now  one  clerk  says  nego  ; — and  the  other  dubito  ; — saith  another 
concedo ; — and  another  obligo, — with  verum  falsum  set  to  it; — then  is  all  their 
learning  done. — Thus  the  false  clerks  of  their  head, — make  men  of  truth  through 
them  be  bereaved. 


212  POLITICAL    SONGS, 

The  Scottish  wars  occupied  incessantly  the  remaining  years 
of  Edward's  reign.  The  following  song  was  composed  probably 
in  the  September  of  the  year  130G,  soon  after  the  battle  of 
Kirkencliff,  and  on  the  immediate  occasion  of  the  execution  of 
Sir  Simon  Fraser,  who  was  taken  prisoner  there. 

SONG    ON    THE    EXECUTION    OF    SIB    SIMON    FRASER. 

[MS.  Harl.  2253,  fol.  59,  v°.  of  reign  of  Edw.  II.] 

Lystnethj  lordynges,  a  newe  song  ichulle  bigynne,  ] 
Of  the  traytours  of  Scotlond  that  take  beth  wyth  gynne  ; 
Men  that  loveth  falsnesse  and  nule  never  blynne, 
Sore  may  him  drede  the  lyf  that  he  is  ynne, 

ich  understonde : 
Selde  wes  he  glad 
That  never  nes  a-sad 

of  nythe  ant  of  onde. 

That  y  sugge  by  this  Scottes  that  bueth  nou  to-drawe. 
The  hevedes  o  Londone  brugge  whose  con  y-knawe : 
He  wenden  han  buen  kynges,  ant  seiden  so  in  sawe ; 
Betere  hem  were  han  y-be  barouns  ant  libbe  in  Godes  lawe, 

Translation. — Listen,  lordings,  a  new  song  I  will  begin, —  of  the  traitors 
of  Scotland  who  are  taken  with  a  trap  ; — he  who  loves  falseness,  and  will  never 
leave  it, — sore  may  he  dread  the  life  that  he  is  in, — I  believe  : — seldom  was  he 
glad — that  never  was  sorrowful — for  his  wickedness  and  turbulence. 

I  say  that  of  these  Scots  who  are  now  drawn, — their  heads  on  London  bridge 
anybody  may  recognise  : — they  thought  to  have  been  kings,  and  said  so  in  their 
talk  ; — better  was  it  for  them  to  have  been  barons  and  live  in  God's  law, — with 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  213 

wyth  love. 
Whose  hateth  soth  ant  ryht, 
Lutel  he  douteth  Godes  myht, 

the  heye  kyng  above. 

To  warny  alle  the  gentilmen  that  bueth  in  Scotlonde, 
The  Waleis  wes  to-drawe,  seththe  he  was  an-honge, 
Al  quic  biheveded,  ys  bowels  y-brend. 
The  heved  to  Londone  brugge  wes  send 

to  abyde. 
After  Simond  Frysel, 
That  wes  traytour  ant  fykell, 
and  y-cud  ful  wyde. 

Sire  Edward  oure  kyng,  that  ful  ys  of  piete^ 
The  Waleis  quarters  sende  to  is  oune  contre, 
On  four  half  to  honge,  huere  myrour  to  be, 
Theropon  to  thenche,  that  monie  myhten  se 

ant  drede. 
Why  nolden  he  be  war 
Of  the  bataile  of  Donbar, 

hou  evele  hem  con  spede  ? 

love. — He  who  hateth  truth  and  right, — little  he  fears  God's  might, — the  high 
king  above. 

To  be  a  warning  to  all  the  gentlemen  who  are  in  Scotland, — the  Wallace  was 
drawn,  and  afterwards  was  hanged, — beheaded  all  alive,  his  bowels  burnt, — the 
head  to  London  Bridge  was  sent — to  remain  there. — Afterwards  Simon  Fraser, 
who  was  traitor  and  fickle, — and  known  full  wide. 

Sir  Edward  our  king,  who  is  full  of  piety, — sent  the  Wallace's  quarters  to  his 
own  country, — to  hang  in  four  parts  (of  the  country),  to  be  their  mirror, — there- 
upon to  think,  in  order  that  many  might  see — and  dread. — Why  would  they  not 
take  warning — of  the  battle  of  Dunbar, — how  ill  they  sped  ? 


214  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Bysshopes  and  barouns  come  to  the  kynges  pes, 
Ase  men  that  weren  fals,  fykelj  ant  les, 
Othes  hue  him  sworen  in  stude  ther  he  wes. 
To  buen  him  hold  ant  trewe  for  alles  cunnes  res, 

thrye. 
That  hue  ne  shulden  a3eyn  him  go. 
So  hue  were  temed  tho  j 
weht  halt  hit  to  lye  ? 

To  the  kyng  Edward  hii  fasten  huere  fay ; 
Fals  wes  here  foreward  so  forst  is  in  May, 
That  Sonne  from  the  southward  wypeth  away : 
Moni  proud  Scot  therof  mene  may 

to  3 ere. 
Nes  never  Scotlond 
With  dunt  of  monnes  hond 
allinge  a-boht  so  duere  ! 

The  Bisshop  of  Glascou  ychot  he  was  y-laht ; 
The  Bisshop  of  Seint  Andre  bothe  he  beth  y-caht ; 
The  Abbot  of  Scon  with  the  Kyng  nis  nout  saht ; 
Al  here  purpos  y-come  hit  ys  to  naht. 

Bishops  and  barons  came  to  the  king's  peace, — as  men  that  were  false,  fickle, 
and  lying, — oaths  they  swore  to  him  in  the  place  where  he  was, — to  be  firm  and 
true  to  him  in  all  kinds  of  moments,— thrice  (?), — that  they  should  not  against 
him  go, — so  were  they  tamed  then  ; — what  profits  it  to  lie  ? 

To  King  Edward  they  plight  their  faith  ; — false  was  their  covenant  as  frost  is 
in  May, — which  the  sun  from  the  southward  wipes  away  ; — many  a  proud  Scot 
thereof  may  lament — in  year. — Was  never  Scotland — by  dint  of  man's  hand — 
altogether  bought  so  dear. 

The  Bishop  of  Glasgow,  I  wot  he  was  taken  ; — the  Bishop  of  St.  Andrew,  too, 
he  is  caught ; — the  Abbot  of  Scone  with  the  King  is  not .... ; — all  their  purpose 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  I.  215 

thurh  ryhte. 
Hii  were  unwds 
When  hii  thohte  pris 

a3eyn  huere  kyng  to  fyhte. 

Thourh  consail  of  thes  bisshopes  y-nemned  byfore, 
Sire  Robert  the  Bruytz  furst  kyng  wes  y-core. 
He  mai  everuche  day  ys  fon  him  se  byfore  ; 
3ef  hee  mowen  him  hente,  ichot  he  bith  forlore, 

sauntz  fayle. 
Soht  for  te  sugge, 
Duere  he  shal  abugge 

that  he  bigon  batayle. 

Hii  that  him  crounede  proude  were  ant  bolde, 
Hii  maden  kyng  of  somere,  so  hii  ner  ne  sholde, 
Hii  setten  on  ys  heved  a  croune  of  rede  golde, 
Ant  token  him  a  kyne-3erde  so  me  kyng  sholde, 

to  deme. 
Tho  he  wes  set  in  see, 
Lutel  god  couthe  he 
kyne-riche  to  5eme. 

is  come  no  nothing, — by  right. — They  were  unwise — when  they  thought  it 
praiseworthy — against  their  king  to  fight. 

Through  counsel  of  these  bishops  named  before, — Sir  Robert  the  Bruce  first 
was  chosen  king, — he  may  every  day  his  foes  see  before  him ; — if  they  may 
catch  him,  I  wot  he  is  undone, — without  fail. — To  say  the  truth, — dearly  he 
shall  pay — for  having  begun  battle. 

They  that  crowned  him  were  proud  and  bold, — they  made  a  king  of  summer, 
as  they  never  should, — they  set  on  his  head  a  crown  of  red  gold, — and  gave  him 
a  sceptre  as  one  should  to  a  king, — to  judge. — When  he  was  set  on  a  tin-one, 
— little  good  knew  he — a  kingdom  to  rule. 


216  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Now  Kyng  Hobbe  in  the  mures  3ongeth, 
For  te  come  to  toune  nout  him  ne  longeth  ; 
The  barouns  of  Engelond^  myhte  hue  him  gripe, 
He  him  wolde  techen  on  Englysshe  to  pype, 

thourh  streynthe : 
Ne  be  he  ner  so  stout, 
3et  he  bith  y-soht  out 

o  brede  and  o  leynthe. 

Sire  Edward  of  Carnarvan,  Jhesu  him  save  ant  see  ! 
Sire  Emer  de  Valence,  gentil  knyht  ant  free, 
Habbeth  y-suore  huere  oht  that,  par  la  grace  Dee  ! 
Hee  woUith  ous  delyvren  of  that  false  contree, 

3ef  hii  conne. 
Much  hath  Scotlond  forlore. 
Whet  a-last,  whet  bifore, 
ant  lutel  pris  wonne. 

Nou  ichulle  fonge  ther  ich  er  let. 

Ant  tellen  ou  of  Frisel,  ase  ich  ou  byhet ; 

In  the  batayle  of  Kyrkenclyf,  Frysel  was  y-take  ; 

Ys  continaunce  abated  eny  host  to  make 

Now  King  Hobbe  gangeth  in  the  moors, — to  come  to  town  he  has  no  desire ; — 
the  barons  of  England  if  they  might  gripe  him, — they  would  teach  him  to  pipe 
in  English, — through  strength  : — be  he  never  so  stout, — yet  he  is  sought  out — 
wide  and  far. 

Sir  Edward  of  Caernarvon,  (Jesus  save  him  and  have  him  in  regard  !) — and 
Sir  Aymer  de  Valence,  a  gentle  knight  and  liberal, — they  have  sworn  their 
oath  that,  by  the  grace  of  God  I — they  will  deliver  us  from  that  false  country, — 
if  they  can. — Much  hath  Scotland  lost, — what  latterly  and  what  before, — and 
little  praise  won. 

Now  I  shall  take  up  where  I  left  off  before, — and  tell  you  of  Eraser,  as  I  pro- 
mised you  ; — in  the  battle  of  Kirkencliff  Eraser  was  taken  ; — his  countenance 


i 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  217 

biside  Strivelyn : 
Knyhtes  ant  sweynes, 
Fremen  ant  theynes, 

monye  with  hym. 

So  hii  weren  byset  on  everuche  halve, 
Somme  slaye  were,  ant  somme  dreynte  hem-selve ; 
Sire  Johan  of  Lyndeseye  nolde  nout  abyde. 
He  wod  into  the  water  his  feren  him  bysyde 

to  adrenche. 
Whi  nolden  hii  be  war  ? 
Ther  nis  non  a3eyn  stare  :— 

why  nolden  hy  hem  by-thenche  ? 

This  wes  byfore  Seint  Bartholomeus  masse, 
That  Frysel  wes  y-take,  w^ere  hit  more  other  lasse  : 
To  Sire  Thomas  of  Multone,  gen  til  baroun  ant  fre, 
Ant  to  Sire  Johan  Jose,  bytake  tho  wes  he 

to  honde : 
He  wes  y-fetered  weel 
Both  with  yrn  ant  wyth  steel, 
to  bringen  of  Scotlonde. 


ceased  from  making  any  boast — near  Stirling: — knights  and  swains, — freemen 
and  thanes, — many  with  him. 

They  were  so  beset  on  every  part, — some  were  slain  and  some  drowned  them- 
selves.—  Sir  John  de  Lyndsay  would  not  j-emain, — he  waded  into  the  water 
with  his  companions  beside  him — to  drown. — Why  would  not  they  beware  .' — 
There  is  none  looked  again  (?)  : — why  would  not  they  reflect  ? 

It  was  before  St.  Bartholemew's  mass, — that  Fraser  was  taken,  were  it  more 
or  less  : — To  Sir  Thomas  de  Multon,  a  gentle  knight  and  liberal, — and  to  Sir 
John  Jose,  he  was  delivered  then — in  hand  : — he  was  well  fettered — both  with 
iron  and  with  steel, — to  bring  out  of  Scotland. 

CAMD.  SOC.  6'.  2   F 


218  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Sone  therafter  the  tydynge  to  the  kyng  com ; 
He  him  sende  to  Londone  with  mony  armed  grom ; 
He  com  yn  at  Newegate,  y  telle  yt  ou  aplyht, 
A  gerland  of  leves  on  ys  hed  y-dyht 

of  grene ; 
For  he  shulde  ben  y-knowe 
Bothe  of  he3e  ant  of  lowe 
for  treytour,  y  wene. 

Y-fetered  were  ys  legges  under  his  horse  wombe ; 
Bothe  with  yrn  ant  with  stel  mankled  were  ys  honde ; 
A  gerland  of  peruenke  set  on  ys  heved ; 
Muche  wes  the  poer  that  him  wes  byreved 

in  londe  : 
So  God  me  amende ! 
Lutel  he  wende 

so  be  broht  in  honde. 

Sire  Herbert  of  Morham^  feyr  knyht  ant  bold. 

For  the  love  of  Frysel  ys  lyf  wes  y-sold  j 

A  wajour  he  made,  so  hit  wes  y-told, 

Ys  heved  of  to  smhyte  3ef  me  him  brohte  in  hold. 

Soon  afterwards  the  tidings  came  to  the  king  ; — they  sent  him  to  London 
with  many  an  armed  man  ; — he  came  in  at  Newgate,  I  tell  it  you  faithfully, — a 
garland  of  leaves  placed  on  his  head — of  green  ; — because  he  should  be  known 
— both  by  high  and  by  low — as  a  traitor,  I  ween. 

Fettered  were  his  legs  under  his  horse's  belly  ; — both  with  iron  and  with  steel 
manacled  were  his  hands  ; — a  garland  of  periwinkle  set  on  his  head ; — much 
was  the  power  that  was  taken  from  him — in  land  : — As  may  God  amend  me  ! — 
he  little  supposed — so  to  be  brought  in  hand. 

Sir  Herbert  of  Morham,  a  fair  knight  and  bold, — for  the  love  of  Fraser  his 
life  was  sold ; — a  wager  he  made,  so  it  was  said, — to  smite  off  his  head  if 


REIGN    OF    EDWARD   I.  219 

wat  SO  bytyde. 
Sory  wes  he  thenne, 
Tho  he  myhte  him  kenne 

thourh  the  toun  ryde. 

Thenne  seide  ys  scwj^er  a  word  anon  ryht, 
'^  Sire^  we  beth  dede,  ne  helpeth  hit  no  wyht," — 
(Tliomas  de  Boys  the  scwyer  wes  to  nome) — 
"Nou  ychot  oure  wajour  turneth  us  to  grome, 

so  y-bate." 
Y  do  ou  to  wyte, 
Here  heved  wes  of  smyte 
byfore  the  Tour  gate. 

This  wes  on  oure  Levedy  even,  for  sothe  ych  understonde, 
The  justices  seten  for  the  knyhtes  of  Scotlonde, 
Sire  Thomas  of  Multone,  an  hendy  knyht  ant  wy^s, 
Ant  Sire  Rauf  of  Sondwyche  that  muchel  is  told  in  pris, 

ant  Sire  Johan  Abel ; 
Mo  y  mihte  telle  by  tale, 
Bothe  of  grete  ant  of  smale, 
36  knowen  suythe  wel. 

they  took  Mm  in  hold, — whatever  betide. — Sorry  was  he  then, — when  he  might 
know  him — to  ride  through  the  town. 

Then  said  his  squire  a  word  anon  right, — "  Sir,  we  are  dead,  there  is  no  crea- 
ture to  help  us  ;" — (the  squire  was  named  Thomas  de  Bois) — "now  I  wot  our 
wager  turns  to  our  sorrow, — so  bet." — I  give  you  to  know, — their  heads  were 
smitten  oflf — before  the  gate  of  the  Tower. 

It  was  on  our  Lady's  eve,  for  truth  I  understand, — the  justices  sat  for  the 
knights  of  Scotland,— Sir  Thomas  de  Multon,  a  gentle  knight  and  wise, — and 
Sir  Ralph  de  Sandwich,  who  is  much  esteemed  in  worth, — and  Sir  John  Abel ; 
— more  I  might  tell  by  reckoning, — both  of  great  and  of  small, — ye  know  very 
well. 


220  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Thenne  saide  the  justice,  that  gentil  is  ant  fre, 
"  Sire  Simond  Frysel,  the  kynges  traytour  hast  thou  be, 
In  water  ant  in  londe,  that  monie  myhten  se : 
What  sayst  thou  thareto  ?  hou  wolt  thou  quite  the  ? 

do  say." 
So  foul  he  him  wiste, 
Nede  waron  truste 
for  to  segge,  nay. 

rher  he  wes  y-demed,  so  hit  wes  londes  lawe. 
For  that  he  Aves  lord-swyke,  furst  he  wes  to-drawe, 
Upon  a  retheres  hude  forth  he  wes  y-tuht : 
Sum  while  in  ys  time  he  wes  a  modi  knyht, 

in  huerte. 
Wickednesse  ant  sunne, 
Hit  is  lutel  wunne 

that  maketh  the  body  smerte. 

For  al  is  grete  poer,  5et  he  wes  y-laht ; 
Falsnesse  ant  swykedora,  al  hit  geth  to  naht ; 
Tho  he  wes  in  Scotlond,  lutel  wes  ys  thoht 
Of  the  harde  jugement  that  him  wes  bysoht 

Then  said  the  justice,  who  is  gentle  and  free, — "  Sir  Simon  Fraser,  the 
king's  traitor  hast  thou  been, — on  water  and  on  land,  as  many  may  see  : — 
what  sayest thou  thereto  ?  how  wilt  thou  clear  thyself? — do  say." — He  knew 
himself  to  be  so  foul, — he  had  not  whereon  to  trust — to  say,  nay. 

There  he  was  judged,  as  it  was  the  law  of  the  land, — because  he  was  traitor  to 
his  lord,  first  he  was  drawn, — upon  a  bullock's  hide  forth  he  was  led : — for 
once  in  his  life  he  was  a  moody  knight — in  heart. — Wickedness  and  sin, — it  is 
little  gain — that  makes  the  body  smart. 

For  all  his  great  power,  still  he  was  taken  ; — falseness  and  treachery  all  come 
to  nothing  ; — when  he  was  in  Scotland,  little  was  his  thought — of  the  hard 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  221 

in  stounde. 
He  wes  four-sithe  for-swore 
To  the  kyng  ther  bifore, 

ant  that  him  brohte  to  grounde. 

With  feteres  ant  with  gj'A'es  ichot  he  wes  to-drowe. 
From  the  Tour  of  Londone,  that  monie  myhte  knowe. 
In  a  curtel  of  burel  a  selkethe  wyse, 
Ant  a  gerland  on  ys  heved  of  the  newe  guyse, 

thurh  Cheepe ; 
Moni  mon  of  Engelond 
For  to  se  Symond 

thideward  con  lepe. 

Tho  he  com  to  gale  wes,  furst  he  wes  an-honge, 
Al  quic  by-heveded,  thah  him  thohte  longe, 
Seththe  he  wes  y-opened,  is  boweles  y-brend, 
The  heved  to  Londone-brugge  w'es  send 

to  shonde : 
So  ich  ever  mote  the  ! 
Sum  while  wende  he 
ther  lutel  to  stonde. 


judgment  which  was  prepared  for  him — in  a  short  time. — He  was  four  times 
perjured — to  the  king  there  before, — and  that  brought  him  to  the  ground. 

With  fetters  and  with  gyves  I  wot  he  was  drawn, — from  the  Tower  of  Lon- 
don, that  many  might  know, — in  a  kirtle  of  sack-cloth  in  strange  wise, — and  a 
garland  on  his  head  of  the  new  guise, — through  Cheap  ; — many  a  man  of  Eng- 
land— to  see  Simon — thither  began  to  leap. 

When  he  came  to  the  gallows,  first  he  was  hanged, — beheaded  all  alive, 
though  it  seemed  to  him  long, — afterwards  he  was  opened,  his  bowels  burnt, — 
the  head  to  London  Bridge  was  sent — for  disgrace  : — As  I  may  ever  thrive  !  — 
at  one  time  he  thought — little  there  to  stand. 


222  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

He  rideth  thourh  the  site,  as  y  telle  may, 
With  gomen  and  wyth  solas,  that  wes  here  play. 
To  London e-brugge  hee  nome  the  way, 
Moni  wes  the  wyves  chil  that  theron  laketh  a  day, 

ant  seide,  alas  ! 
That  he  wes  i-bore. 
Ant  so  villiche  for-lore, 

so  feir  mon  ase  he  was. 

Nou  stont  the  heved  above  the  tu-brugge, 
Faste  bi  Waleis,  soth  for  te  sugge  ; 
After  socour  of  Scotlond  longe  he  mowe  prye. 
Ant  after  help  of  Fraunce  wet  halt  hit  to  lye, 

ich  wene. 
Betere  him  were  in  Scotlond 
With  is  ax  in  ys  hond 

to  pleyen  o  the  grene. 

Ant  the  body  hongeth  at  the  galewes  faste. 
With  yrnene  claspes  longe  to  laste ; 
For  te  wyte  wel  the  body,  ant  Scottyshe  to  garste, 
Foure  ant  twenti  ther  beoth  to  sothe  ate  laste 


They  ride  through  the  city,  as  I  may  tell, — with  game  and  with  solace,  that 
was  their  play, — to  Loudon  Bridge  they  took  the  way, — many  was  the  woman's 
child  that  thereon  lacks-a-day, — and  said,  alas  ! — that  he  was  born, — and  so 
vilely  undone, — so  fair  a  man  as  he  was. 

Now  stands  the  head  above  the  twi-bridge, — fast  by  Wallace,  to  say  the  truth  ; 
— after  succour  from  Scotland  long  they  may  pray, — and  after  help  from  France 
what  profits  it  to  wait,  (?) — I  ween. — It  were  better  for  him  in  Scotland — with 
his  axe  in  his  hand — to  play  on  the  green. 

And  the  body  hangs  fast  on  the  gallows, — with  iron  clasps  long  to  last ; — to 
guard  well  the  body,  and  the  Scotch  to  drive  away  (?), — four-and-twenty  there  are 


REIGN    OF    EDWARD    I.  223 

by  nyhte. 
3ef  eny  were  so  hardi 
The  body  to  remuy 

al  so  to  dyhte. 

Were  Sire  Robert  the  Bruytz  y-come  to  this  londe, 
Ant  the  Erl  of  Asseles,  that  harde  is  an  honde, 
Alle  the  other  pouraille,  for  sothe  ich  understonde, 
Mihten  be  ful  blythe  ant  thonke  Godes  sonde, 

wyth  ryhte  : 
Thenne  myhte  uch  mon 
Bothe  riden  ant  gon 

in  pes  withoute  vyhte. 

The  traytours  of  Scotlond  token  hem  to  rede, 
The  barouns  of  Engelond  to  brynge  to  dede  ; 
Charles  of  Fraunce,  so  moni  mon  tolde. 
With  myht  ant  with  streynthe  hem  helpe  wolde, 

his  thonkes  ! 
Tprot,  Scot,  for  thi  strif  ! 
Hang  up  thyn  hachet  ant  thi  knyf, 
Whil  him  lasteth  the  lyf 

with  the  longe  shonkes. 

for  sootli  at  least — by  night. — If  any  one  were  so  hardy — the  body  to  remove — 
immediately  to  attack  them. 

If  Sir  Robert  the  Bruce  were  come  to  this  land, — and  the  Earl  of  Athol  that 
is  hard  in  hand, — all  the  rest  of  the  common  people,  for  truth  I  understand, — 
might  be  full  blith,  and  thank  God's  sending, — with  right : — then  might  each 
man — both  ride  and  go — in  peace,  without  fighting. 

The  traitors  of  Scotland  took  counsel  with  themselves, — to  bring  the  barons  of 
England  to  death  ; — Charles  of  France,  as  many  a  one  said, — with  might  and  with 
strength  would  help  them, — thanks  to  him  ! — Tprot,  Scot,  for  thy  strife  ! — hang 
up  thy  hatchet  and  thy  knife, — while  life  lasts  to  him — with  the  long  shanks. 


224  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

The  following  song,  remarkable  for  the  playfulness  of  its 
metres  and  rhymes,  gives  us  a  strong  picture  of  the  extortions 
committed  at  this  period  of  our  history  upon  the  weak  and 
defenceless,  by  the  magistrates  and  the  officers  connected  with 
tlie  courts  of  law. 

SONG    ON    THE   VENALITY    OF    THE    JUDGES. 

[From  MS.  Hail.  No.  913,  fol.  59,  r".  of  the  beginning  of  the  I4th  century. 
This  song  is  in  the  MS.  written  as  prose.] 

Beati  qui  esuriunt 
Et  sitiuntj  et  faciunt 

justitiam, 
Et  odiunt  et  fugiunt 

injurise  nequitiam ; 
Quos  nee  auri  copia 
Nee  divitum  encennia 

trahunt  a  rigore, 

nee  pauperum  clamore ; 
Quae  sunt  justa  judicant, 
Et  a  jure  non  claudicant 

divitum  favore. 

Sed  nunc  miro  more 
Multos  fallit  seculum, 
Et  trahit  in  periculum, 

mundi  ob  favorem, 

ut  lambeant  honorem. 

Translation. — Blessed  are  they  who  hunger  and  thirst,  and  do  justice,  and 
hate  and  avoid  the  wickedness  of  injustice  ;  whom  neither  abundance  of  gold 
nor  the  jewels  of  the  rich  draw  from  their  inflexibility,  or  from  the  cry  of  the 
poor ;  they  judge  what  is  just,  and  do  not  fall  off  from  the  right  for  the  sake  of 
the  rich.  But  now  the  age  deceives  many  in  a  wonderful  manner,  and  draws 
them   into   danger,   for  love  of  the  world,    that  they  may  lick  up  honours. 


REIGN    OF    EDWARD  I.  225 

Hoc  facit  pecunia, 
Quam  omnis  fere  curia 

jam  duxit  in  uxorem. 

Sunt  justitiarii, 
Quos  favor  et  denarii 

alliciunt  a  jure ; 
Hii  sunt  nam  bene  recolo. 
Quod  censum  dant  diabolo, 

et  serviunt  hii  pure. 

Nam  jubet  lex  naturae. 
Quod  judex  in  judicio 
Nee  prece  nee  pretio 

acceptor  sit  personae ; 

quid,  Jhesu  ergo  bone, 
Fiet  de  judicibus, 
Qui  prece  vel  muneribus 

cedunt  a  ratione  ? 

Revera  tales  judices 
Nuncios  multiplices 

habent ; — audi  quare. 

Si  terram  vis  rogare. 


The  cause  of  this  is  money,  to  which  almost  every  court  has  now  wedded  itself. 

There  are  judges,  whom  partiality  and  bribes  seduce  from  justice  ;  these  are 
they,  I  remember  well,  that  pay  toll  to  the  devil,  and  they  serve  him  alone.  For 
the  law  of  nature  commands,  that  a  judge  in  giving  judgment  should  not  be  an  ac- 
ceptor of  anybody  either  for  prayer  or  money ;  what  therefore,  O  good  Jesus, 
will  be  done  with  the  judges,  who  for  prayers  or  gifts  recede  from  what  is  just  ? 

la  fact  such  judges  have  numerous  messengers  ; — listen  for  what  purpose. 
Jf  you  wish  to  claim  land,  a  messenger  will  come  to  you,  and  speaks  in  confidence, 
CAMD.  see.  6.  2  G 


226  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Accedet  ad  te  nuncius, 
Et  loquitur  discretius, 

dicens,  *^  Amice  care, 

vis  tu  placitare  ? 
Sum  cum  justitiario 
Qui  te  modo  vario 

possum  adjuvare ; 

si  vis  impetrare 
Per  suum  subsidium. 
Da  michi  dimidium, 

et  te  volo  juvare." 

Ad  pedes  sedent  clerici, 
Qui  velut  famelici 

sunt,  donis  inhiantes ; 

et  pro  lege  dantes, 
Quod  hii  qui  nichil  dederint, 
Quamvis  cito  venerint, 

erunt  expectantes. 

Sed  si  queedam  nobilis, 
.  Pulcra  vel  amabilis, 

cum  capite  cornuto, 
auro  circumvoluto, 


saying,  "  Dear  friend,  do  you  wish  to  plead  ?  I  am  one  who  can  help  you  in 
various  ways  with  the  judge  ;  if  you  wish  to  obtain  anything  by  his  aid,  give 
me  half,  and  I  will  help  you." 

At  his  feet  sit  clerks,  who  are  like  people  half- famished,  gaping  for  gifts  ;  and 
proclaiming  it  as  law,  that  those  who  give  nothing,  although  they  come  early, 
will  have  to  wait. 

But  if  some  noble  lady,  fair  and  lovely,  with  horns  on  her  head,  and  that 


REIGN    OF   EDWARD  1.  22/ 

Accedat  ad  judicium, 
Hsec  expedit  negotium 
ore  suo  muto. 

Si  pauper  muliercula, 

Non  habens  munuscula, 

formam  neque  genus, 
quam  non  pungit  Venus, 

Infecto  negotio 

Suo  pergit  hospitio, 

dolendo  corde  tenus. 

Sunt  quidam  ad  hanc  curiam. 
Qui  exprimunt  juditiam ; 

dicuntur  relatores ; 

cseteris  pejores. 
Utraque  manu  capiunt, 
Et  sic  eos  decipiunt 

quorum  sunt  tutores. 

Et  quid  janitores  ? 
Qui  dicunt  pauperibus 
Curiam  sequentibus, 

encircled  with  gold,  come  for  judgment,  such  a  one  despatches  her  business 
without  having  to  say  a  word. 

If  the  woman  be  poor,  and  has  no  gifts,  neither  beauty  nor  rich  relationship, 
whom  Venus  does  not  stimulate,  she  goes  home  without  effecting  her  business, 
sorrowful  at  heart. 

There  are  some  at  this  court,  who  express  judgment ;  whom  they  call  relaters, 
worse  than  the  others.  They  take  with  both  hands,  and  so  deceive  those  whose 
defenders  they  are.  And  what  shall  we  say  to  the  ushers  ?  who  say  to  the 
poor  that  follow  the  court,  "Poor  man,  why  do  you  trouble  yourself?  why 


228  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

'^  Pauper,  cur  laboras  ? 

Cur  facis  hie  moras  ? 
Nisi  des  pecuniam 
Cuique  ad  hanc  curiam, 

in  vanum  laboras. 

Quid,  miser,  ergo  ploras  ? 
Si  nichil  attuleris, 

stabis  omnino  foras/' 

De  vicecomitibus, 

Quam  duri  sunt  pauperibus, 

quis  potest  enarrare  ? 

Qui  nichil  potest  dare, 
Hue  et  iUuc  trahitur, 
Et  in  assisis  ponitur, 

et  cogitur  jurare, 

non  ausus  murmurare. 
Quod  si  murrauraverit, 
Ni  statim  satisfecerit, 

est  totum  salsum  mare. 

Hoc  idem  habent  vitium, 
Cum  subeunt  hospitium 

do  you  wait  here  ?  unless  you  give  money  to  everybody  in  this  court,  you  labour 
in  vain.  Why  then,  wretch,  do  you  lament  ?  If  you  have  brought  nothing, 
yon  will  stand  altogether  out  of  doors." 

Concerning  the  sheriffs,  who  can  relate  with  sufficient  fulness  how  hard 
they  are  to  the  poor  ?  He  who  has  nothing  to  give  is  dragged  hither  and 
thither,  and  is  placed  in  the  assises,  and  is  obliged  to  take  his  oath,  without 
daring  to  murmur.  But  if  he  should  murmur,  uidess  he  immediately  make 
satisfaction,  it  is  all  salt  sea. 

The  same  people  have  this  vice,  when  they  enter  the  house  of  some  country- 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  I.  229 

cujusdam  patriotae, 

vel  abbathice  notae, 
Quo  potus  et  cibaria, 
Et  cuncta  necessaria, 

eis  dentur  devote. 
Nil  prosunt  sibi  talia. 
Nisi  raox  jocalia 

post  prandium  sequantur, 

et  cunctis  largiantur, 
Bedellis,  garcionibus, 
Et  qui  sunt  secum  omnibus. 

Nee  adhuc  pacantur, 

nisi  transmittantur 
Robce  suis  uxoribus 
Ex  variis  coloribus. 

Si  lion  clam  mittantur, 

Et  post  sic  operantur  ; 
Quotquot  habent  averia 
Ad  sua  maneria 

cum  impetu  fugantur, 

et  ipsi  imparcantur 
Quousque  satisfecerint, 
Ita  quod  duplum  dederint  : 

tunc  demum  liberantur. 

man,  or  of  a  famous  abbey,  where  drink  and  victuals,  and  all  things  necessciry, 
are  given  to  them  devoutly.  Such  things  are  of  no  avail,  unless  by  and  by  the 
jewels  follow  after  the  meal,  and  are  distributed  to  all,  bedels  and  gar9ons,  and 
all  who  are  with  them.  Nor  even  yet  are  they  paid,  unless  robes  of  various 
colours  are  transmitted  to  their  wives.  If  these  are  not  sent  privately,  then 
they  proceed  as  follows  ;  whatever  cattle  they  find,  are  driven  off  violently  to 
their  own  manors,  and  the  owners  themselves  ai'e  put  in  confinement  until  they 
make  satisfaction,  so  that  they  give  the  double  :  then  at  length  they  are  liberated. 


230  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Clericos  irrideo 

Sues,  quos  prius  video 

satis  indigentes, 

et  quasi  nil  habentes, 
Quando  ballivam  capiunt ; 
Qua  capta  mox  superbiunt, 

et  crescunt  sibi  dentes, 

collaque  erigentes, 
Incipiunt  perpropere 
Terras  et  demos  emere, 

et  redditus  placentes ; 

nummosque  colligentes, 
Pauperes  despiciunt, 
Et  novas  leges  faciunt, 

vicinos  opprimentes  ; 

fiuntque  sapientes. 
In  hoc  malum  faciunt, 
Et  patriam  decipiunt^ 

neraini  parcentes. 

I  laugh  at  their  clerks,  whom  I  see  at  first  indigent  enough,  and  possessing 
nest  to  nothing,  when  they  receive  a  bailiwick  ;  which  received  they  next  show 
themselves  proud,  and  their  teeth  grow,  and  holding  up  their  necks  they  begin 
very  hastily  to  buy  lands  and  houses,  and  agreeable  rents  ;  and  amassing  money 
themselves,  they  despise  the  poor,  and  make  new  laws,  oppressing  their  neigh- 
bours ;  and  they  become  wise  men.  In  this  they  do  wickedness,  and  deceive 
their  country,  sparing  no  one. 


REIGN    OF    EDWARD  I.  231 

The  next  song  was  doubtlessly  considered  as  very  libellous 
at  the  time  when  it  was  composed,  and  professes  to  have  been 
written  in  the  wild  wood ;  the  means  of  publication  being  to 
drop  it  on  the  high  road,  that  it  might  fall  into  the  hands 
of  passengers.  It  is  directed  against  one  of  the  king's  ordi- 
nances. 

THE    outlaw's    song    OF    TRAILLEBASTON. 

[MS.  Harl.  No.  2253,  fol.  113,  V.  of  the  reign  of  Edw.  II.] 

Talent  me  prent  de  rymer  e  de  geste  fere 
D'une  purveaunce  qe  purv-eu  est  en  la  terre ; 
Mieux  valsit  uncore  que  la  chose  fust  a  fere  : 
Si  Dieu  ne  prenge  garde,  je  quy  que  sourdra  guere. 

Ce  sunt  les  articles  de  Trayllebastoun  ; 
Salve  le  roi  meismes,  de  Dieu  eit  maleysoun 
Qe  a  de  primes  graunta  tiel  commissioun  ! 
Quar  en  ascuns  des  pointz  n'est  mie  resoun. 

Sire,  si  je  voderoi  mon  garsoun  chastier 

De  une  buffe  ou  de  deus,  pur  ly  amender, 

Sur  moi  betera  bille,  e  me  frad  atachier, 

E  avant  qe  isse  de  prisone  raunsoun  grant  doner. 

Translation. — I  am  seized  with  the  desire  to  rhyme  and  to  make  a  story, — 
of  a  purveyance  which  is  provided  in  the  land  ; — it  would  be  much  better  if  the 
thing  were  still  undone  : — if  God  does  not  avert  it,  I  think  that  there  will  arise 
war. 

It  is  the  articles  of  Traillebaston  ; — except  the  king  himself,  may  he  have 
God's  curse — whoever  first  granted  such  a  commission  ! — For  there  is  little  rea- 
son in  any  of  the  points  of  it. 

Sire,  if  I  wished  to  chastise  my  lad — with  a  slap  or  two,  to  amend  him, — he 
will  ask  a  bill  against  me,  and  will  cause  me  to  be  arrested, — aaU  to  give  a 
great  ransom  before  I  escape  from  prison. 


232  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Quaraunte  souz  pernent  pur  ma  raunsoun, 
E  le  viscounte  vint  a  son  guerdoun, 
Qu^il  ne  me  mette  en  parfounde  prisoun. 
Ore  agardez,  seigneurs,  est-ce  resoun  ? 

Pur  ce  me  tendroi  autre  bois  sur  le  jolyf  umbray ; 
La  n'y  a  faucete  ne  nulle  male  lay ; — 
En  le  bois  de  Belregard,  oii  vole  le  jay, 
E  chaunte  russinole  touz  jours  santz  delay. 

Mes  le  male  doseynes,  dount  Dieu  n'eit  ja  piete  ! 

Parmi  lur  fauce  bouches  me  ount  enditee 

De  male  robberies  e  autre  mavestee, 

Que  je  n'os  entre  mes  amis  estre  receptee. 

J'ai  servi  my  sire  le  roy  en  pees  e  en  guere. 
En  Flaundres,  Escoce,  en  Gascoyne  sa  terre ; 
Mes  ore  ne  me  sai-je  point  chevisaunce  fere ; — 
Tot  mon  temps  ay  mis  en  veyn  pur  tiel  honme  plere. 

Si  ces  maveis  jurours  ne  se  vueillent  amender, 
Que  je  pus  a  mon  pais  chevalcher  e  aler, 

Forty  shillings  they  take  for  my  ransom, — and  the  sheriff  comes  for  his  fee, — 
that  he  may  not  put  me  in  deep  prison. — Now  consider,  lords,  is  this  right  ? 

For  this  cause  I  will  keep  myself  among  the  woods,  in  the  beautiful  shade  ; 
— where  there  is  no  falseness  and  no  bad  law  ; — in  the  wood  of  Beauregard, 
where  the  jay  flies, — and  where  the  nightingale  sings  always  without  ceasing. 

But  the  bad  idlers,  on  whom  may  God  have  no  pity  I — with  their  false  mouths 
have  indited  me — of  ill  robberies  and  other  delinquency, — so  that  I  dare  not  be 
received  among  my  friends. 

I  have  served  my  lord  the  king  in  peace  and  in  war, — in  Flanders,  Scotland, 
and  his  land  of  Gascony  ; — but  now  I  do  not  know  how  to  make  any  expedient 
for  myself ;— all  my  time  I  have  spent  in  vain  to  please  such  a  man. 

If  these  wicked  jurors  will  not  amend, — that  I  may  be  able  to  ride  and  go  at 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD   I.  233 

Si  je  les  pus  ateindre  la  teste  lur  froi  voler, 
De  touz  lur  manaces  ne  dorroi  un  dener. 

Ly  Martyn  et  ly  Knoville  sunt  gent  de  piete, 
E  prient  pur  les  povres  qu'il  eyent  sauvete  ; 
Spigurnel  e  Belflour  sunt  gent  de  cruelte. 
Si  il  fuissent  en  ma  baylie  ne  serreynt  retornee. 

Je  lur  apre[n]droy  le  giw  de  Traylebastoun, 
E  lur  bruseroy  I'eschyne  e  le  cropoun, 
Les  bras  e  les  jaunbes,  ce  serreit  resoun, 
La  lange  lur  tondroy  e  la  bouche  ensoun. 

dy  cestes  clioses  primes  comenca, 

Ja  jour  de  sa  vie  amende  ne  serra  ; 

Je  Tus  di  pur  veyr^  trop  graunt  pecche  en  a, 

Quar  pur  doute  de  prisone  meint  laroun  serra. 

Ytel  devendra  leres  que  ne  fust  unque  mes, 
Que  pur  doute  de  prisone  ne  ose  venir  a  pes  ; 


my  peace, — if  I  can  reach  them  I  will  mate  their  heads  fly  off, — I  would  not  give 
a  penny  for  all  their  threats. 

The  Martin  and  the  Knoville  are  people  of  piety, — and  pray  for  the  poor 
that  they  may  have  safety  ; — Spigurnel  and  Belflour  are  people  of  cruelty, — 
if  they  were  in  my  keeping  they  should  not  be  returned. 

I  would  teach  them  the  game  of  Trailebaston, — and  would  break  their  back- 
bone and  their  crupper, — their  arms  and  their  legs,  it  would  be  but  right, — I 
would  cut  their  tongues  and  their  mouths  likewise. 

He  who  first  commenced  these  things, — never  in  his  life  will  he  be  amended  ; 
— I  tell  you  for  truth,  he  has  committed  therein  too  great  a  sin, — for  out  of  the 
fear  of  prison  there  will  be  many  a  robber  made. 

He  will  become  a  robber  who  was  never  so  before, — who  for  fear  of  prison 

CAMD.   SOC.  6.  2    II 


234  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Vivre  covient  avoir  chescum  jour  ades  ; 

Qy  ceste  chose  comenca^  yl  emprist  grant  fes. 

Bien  devoient  marchaunz  e  moygnes  doner  mali90un 
A  tous  iceux  que  ordinerent  le  Traillebastoun ; 
Ne  lur  vaudra  un  ayle  le  roial  proteccioun^ 
Que  il  ne  rendrount  les  deners  sauntz  regerdoun. 

Vus  qy  estes  endite,  je  lou,  venez  a  moy, 
Al  vert  bois  de  Belregard,  la  n^y  a  nul  ploy, 
Forque  beste  savage  e  jolyf  umbroy ; 
Car  trop  est  dotouse  la  commune  loy. 

Si  tu  sachez  de  lettrure,  e  estes  corouce, 
Devaunt  les  justices  serrez  appellee  ; 
Uncore  poez  estre  a  prisone  retornee, 
En  garde  de  le  evesque,  jesque  seiez  purgee, 
E  soifryr  messayse  e  trop  dure  penaunce, 
E  par  cas  n'averez  james  delyveraunce. 

Pur  ce  valt  plus  ou  moi  a  bois  demorer, 
Q'en  prisone  le  evesque  fyerge  gyser. 

dare  not  come  to  peace  ; — it  is  necessary  to  Lave  livelihood  every  day  as  it  comes  ; 
— he  who  commenced  this  thing,  undertook  a  great  task. 

Well  may  merchants  and  monks  bestow  a  curse — on  all  those  who  ordained 
the  Trailebaston  ; — the  royal  protection  will  not  be  worth  a  garlic  to  them, — if 
they  do  not  repay  the  pence  without  recompense. 

You  who  are  indited,  I  advise  you,  come  to  me, — to  the  green  wood  of 
Beauregard,  there  where  there  is  no  plea, — except  wild  beast  and  beautiful 
shade  ; — for  the  common  law  is  too  much  to  be  feared. 

If  thou  knowest  letters,  and  art  enraged, — thou  shalt  be  called  before  the 
justices  ; — again  you  may  be  returned  to  prison, — in  keeping  of  the  bishop, 
until  you  be  cleansed  ; — and  suffer  mis-ease  and  too  hard  penance, — and  per- 
chance you  will  never  have  deliverance. 

Therefore  it  is  better  to  dwell  with  me  in  the  wood, — than  to  lie  cast  in 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD   I.  235 

Trop  est  la  penaunce  e  dure  a  soflFrer ; 

Quy  le  mieux  puet  eslyre,  fol  est  qe  ne  velt  choyser. 

Avant  savoy  poy  de  bien^  ore  su-je  meins  sage ; 
Ce  me  fount  les  male  leis  par  mout  grant  outrage, 
Qe  n'os  a  la  pes  venyr  entre  mon  lignage ; 
Les  riches  sunt  a  raunsoun,  povres  a  escolage. 

Fort  serroit  engager  ce  qe  ne  puet  estre  aquytee, 

C'est  la  vie  de  honme  que  taunt  est  cher  amee. 

E  je  n'ay  mye  le  chatel  de  estre  rechatee  ; 

Mes  si  je  fusse  en  lur  baundoun  a  mort  serroi  lyveree ; 

Uncore  attendroy  grace  e  orroi  gent  parler, 
Tiels  me  dient  le  mal  que  me  ne  osent  aprochier. 
E  volenters  verroient  mon  corps  ledenger ; 
Mes  entre  myl  debles  Dieu  puet  un  honme  sauver. 

Cely  me  pust  salver  que  est  le  fitz  Marie ; 
Car  je  ne  su  coupable,  endite  su  par  envye ; 


the  bishop's  prison. — Too  much  is  the  penance,  and  hard  to  suffer; — he  who 
has  the  opportunity  to  select  what  is  better,  is  a  fool  if  he  does  not  make  the 
choice. 

Before  I  knew  little  what  was  good,  now  I  am  less  wise  ; — the  bad  laws  cause 
this  by  very  great  outrage, — so  that  I  dare  not  come  to  the  peace  among  my 
kindred  ; — the  rich  are  put  to  ransom,  the  poor  to  prison. 

It  would  be  penible  to  engage  what  cannot  be  acquitted ; — that  is  the  life  of 
man  which  is  so  dearly  loved  ; — and  I  have  not  at  all  the  goods  wherewith  to  be 
bought  off  ; — but  if  I  were  in  their  power  I  should  be  put  to  death. 

Yet  if  I  should  expect  grace  and  hear  people  talk, — those  would  say  evU  to 
me  who  dare  not  approach  me, — and  would  willingly  see  my  body  disgraced. — 
But  God  can  save  a  man  in  the  midst  of  a  thousand  devils. 

He  can  save  me,  who  is  the  son  of  Mary ; — for  I  am  not  culpable,  I  am  in- 


236"  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Qy  en  cesti  lu  me  mist,  Dieu  lur  maldie  ! 
Le  siecle  est  si  variant,  fous  est  qe  s^affye. 

Si  je  sei  compagnoim  e  saclie  de  archerye, 

Men  veisyn  irra  disaunt,  "  cesti  est  de  compagnie, 

De  aler  bercer  a  bois  e  fere  autre  folie  j" 

Que  ore  vueille  vivre  come  pork  merra  sa  vye. 

Si  je  saclie  plus  de  ley  qe  ne  sevent  eux, 

Yl  dirrount,  "  cesti  conspyratour  comence  de  estre  faus/' 

E  le  heyre  n'aprocheroy  de  x.  lywes  en  d'eus ; 

De  tous  veysinages  bony  seient  ceux. 

Je  pri  tote  bone  gent  qe  pur  moi  vueillent  prier, 
Qe  je  pus  a  mon  pais  aler  e  cbyvaucher ; 
Unqe  ne  fu  homicide,  certes  a  moun  voler, 
Ne  mal  robberes  pur  gent  damager. 

Cest  rym  fust  fet  al  bois  desouz  un  lorer. 
La  cliaunte  merle,  russinole,  e  eyre  I'esperver ; 
Escrit  estoit  en  parcbemyn  pur  mout  remenbrer, 
E  gitte  en  liaut  chemyn,  qe  um  le  dust  trover. 

(lited  out  of  malice  ; — God's  curse  be  on  those  who  drove  me  to  this  place  ! — 
The  world  is  so  variable,  that  he  is  a  fool  who  trusts  in  it. 

If  I  am  a  companion  and  know  archery, — my  neighbour  will  go  and  say,  "  This 
man  belongs  to  a  company, — to  go  hunt  in  the  wood  and  do  other  folly  ;" — so 
now  I  will  live  as  a  pig  will  lead  his  life. 

If  I  happen  to  know  more  law  than  they  know, — they  will  say  this  conspirator 
begins  to  be  treasonable, — and  I  will  not  approach  home  within  ten  leagues  of 
them  ; — of  all  neighbourhoods  cursed  be  those. 

I  pray  all  good  people  that  they  will  pray  for  me, — that  I  may  be  able  to  go 
and  ride  to  my  country  ; — I  was  never  a  homicide,  at  least  by  design, — nor  an 
ill  robber  to  do  people  damage. 

This  rhyme  was  made  in  the  wood  beneath  a  bay  tree, — there  sings  the  thrush, 
the  nightingale,  and  the  hawk  cries  (.') ;— it  was  written  on  parchment  to  be 
better  remembered, — and  cast  in  the  highway,  that  people  may  find  it. 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  I.  237 

The  following  song  is  a  satire  upon  the  numerous  retinues 
of  the  nobles  and  rich  people,  whose  idle  attendants  and  ser- 
vants preyed  upon  the  produce  of  the  industrious  peasantry. 
It  shows  us  how^  great  were  the  pride  and  ostentation  of  the 
courtiers  of  the  latter  years  of  Edward  the  First. 

A  SONG  AGAINST    THE    RETINUES    OF    THE    GREAT   PEOPLE. 
[MS.  Harl.  2253,  fol.  124,  \<> ;  of  reign  of  Edw.  II.] 

Of  ribaudz  y  ryme 

Ant  rede  o  mi  rolle^ 
Of  gedelynges,  gromes. 

Of  Colyn  ant  of  Colle, 
Harlotes,  hors-knaves, 

Bi  pate  ant  by  polle ; 
To  devel  ich  hem  to-lvyre 

Ant  take  to  tolle  ! 

The  gedelynges  were  gedered 

Of  gonnylde  gnoste ; 
Palefreiours  ant  pages. 

Ant  boyes  with  boste ; 
Alle  weren  y-haht 

Of  an  horse  thoste  : 
The  devel  huem  afretye, 

Rau  other  a-roste  ! 

Translation'. — Of  ribalds  I  rh3^e — and  read  in  my  roll, — of  gadlings, 
grooms, — of  Colin  and  of  Colle, — scoundrels,  horse-boys, — by  pate  and  by  poll ; 
— to  the  devil  I  them  deliver — and  give  for  toll. 

The  gadlings  were  gathered — of ; — palfrey-keepers  and  pages, — 

and  boys  with  boast ; — all  were  ......  — of  a  horse : — may  the  devil 

devour  them — raw  or  roasted  ! 


238  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

The  shuppare  that  huem  shupte, 

To  shome  he  huem  shadde. 
To  fles  ant  to  fleye, 

To  tyke  ant  to  tadde  ; 
So  seyth  Romaunz, 

Whose  ryht  radde, — 
Fleh  com  of  flore. 

Ant  lous  com  of  ladde. 

The  harlotes  bueth  horlynges, 

Ant  haunteth  the  plawe  : 
The  gedelynges  bueth  glotouns, 

Ant  drynketh  er  hit  da  we. 
Sathanas  huere  syre 

Seyde  on  is  sawe^ 
Gobelyn  made  is  gerner 

Of  gromene  maAve. 

The  knave  crommeth  is  crop, 

Er  the  cok  crawe  ; 
He  momeleth  ant  moccheth. 

Ant  marreth  is  mawe  ; 
When  he  is  al  for-laped, 

Ant  lad  over  lawe. 

The  maker  that  made  them, — he  shed  them  to  shame, — to  fleas  and  to  fly, — 
to  tyke  and  to  toad ; — so  saith  Romanz, — whoever  read  right, — fly  comes  of 
flower, — and  louse  comes  of  lad. 

The  rogues  are  horelings, — and  haunt  the  play  : — the  gadlings  are  gluttons, 
— and  drink  before  it  dawns. — Satan  their  sire — said  in  his  saying, — Goblin 
made  his  garner — of  the  grooms'  maw. 

The  knave  crams  his  crop — before  the  cock  crows  ; — be  mumbles  and  mocks, 
— and  marrs  his  maw  ; — when  he  is  all  weary  of  lapping  (.') , — and  laid  over 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  I.  239 

A  doseyn  of  doggen 
Ne  myhte  hyre  drawe. 

The  rybaudz  a-ryseth 

Er  the  day  rewe  ; 
He  shrapeth  on  is  shabbes. 

Ant  draweth  huem  to  dewe. 
Sene  is  on  is  browe 

Ant  on  is  e3e-brewe, 
That  he  louseth  a  losynger. 

And  shoyeth  a  shrewe. 

Nou  beth  capel-claweres 

With  shome  to-shrude  ; 
Hue  bosketh  huem  w-ith  botouns, 

Ase  hit  were  a  brude ; 
With  lowe  lacede  shon 

Of  an  hayfre  hude, 
Hue  pyketh  of  here  provendre 

Al  huere  prude. 

Whose  rykeneth  with  knaves 

Huere  coustage. 
The  luthernesse  of  the  ladde. 

The  prude  of  the  page, 

law, — a  dozen  of  dogs — could  not  draw  him. 

The  ribalds  arise — before  the  day  breaks  ; — they  scrape  on  their  scabs, — and 
draw  themselves  to  the  dew. — Seen  it  is  on  his  forehead — and  on  his  eye-brows, 
that  he  looseth  a  flatterer, — and  shoeth  a  shrew. 

Now  are  horse-clawers — shamefully  clothed  ; — they  busk  them  with  buttons 
— as  it  were  a  bride  : — with  low  laced  shoes — of  a  heifer's  hide, — they  pick  out 
of  their  provender — all  their  pride. 

Whoever  reckons  with  knaves — their  expense, — the  perverseness  of  the  lad, 


240  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Thah  he  3eve  hem  cattes-dryt 

To  huere  companage, 
3et  hym  shulde  a-rewen 

Of  the  arrerage. 

Whil  God  wes  on  erthe 

And  wondrede  wyde. 
Whet  wes  the  resoun 

Why  he  nolde  ryde  ? 
For  he  nolde  no  grom 

To  go  by  ys  syde, 
Ne  grucchyng  of  no  gedelyng 

To  chaule  ne  to  chyde. 

Spedeth  ou  to  spewen, 

Ase  me  doth  to  spelle  ; 
The  fend  ou  afretie 

With  fleis  ant  with  felle  ! 
Herkneth  hideward,  horsmen, 

A  tidyng  ich  ou  telle. 
That  3e  shulen  hongen, 

Ant  herbareAven  in  helle  ! 

— the  pride  of  the  page, — though  he  give  them  cats'  dirt — for  their  sustenance, 
— yet  he  shall  rue — of  the  arrears. 

While  God  was  on  earth — and  wandered  wide, — what  was  the  reason — why 
he  would  not  ride  ? — Because  he  would  not  have  a  groom — to  go  by  his  side, — 
nor  the  grudging  of  any  gadling — to  jaw  or  to  chide. 

Haste  you  to  spew, — as  men  do  to  spell  (talk)  ; — may  the  fiend  devour  you — 
with  flesh  and  with  skin  ! — Harken  this  way,  horsemen, — a  tiding  I  tell  you, — 
that  ye  shall  hang, — and  be  lodged  in  hell. 


REIGN    OF   EDWARD  II.  241 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  11.    1307—13-27. 

Edward  the  First  quitted  the  stage  at  a  period  when  wars 
from  without  and  internal  troubles  were  gathering  fast  over 
his  country.  His  son  and  successor,  a  weak  and  ill-advised 
prince,  was  little  calculated  to  repel  the  one  or  to  calm  the 
other ;  and  the  following  song  shows  us  that,  contrary  to  the 
general  rule  in  such  cases,  the  people  were  more  sorrowful 
for  their  loss  than  pleased  with  the  novelty  of  a  new  monarch. 

LAMENT    ON    THE    DEATH    OF    EDWARD    I. 
[MS.  Bibl.  Publ.  Cantab.  Gg.  I.  1,  fol.  489,  of  the  reign  of  Edw.  II.] 

Seigniurs,  oiez,  pur  Dieu  le  grant, 

Chan^onete  de  dure  pite, 
De  la  mort  un  rei  vaillaunt ; 

Homme  fu  de  grant  bounte, 

E  que  par  sa  leaute 
Mut  grant  encuntre  ad  sustenue  ; 

Ceste  chose  est  bien  prove  ; 
De  sa  terre  n'ad  rien  perdue. 

Priom  Dieu  en  devocioun 

Que  de  ses  pecchez  le  face  pardoun. 

Translation. — Lords,  listen,  for  the  sake  of  God  the  great, — a  little  song 
of  grievous  sorrow, — for  the  death  of  a  precious  king  ; — a  man  he  was  of  great 
goodness, — and  who  by  his  loyalty — has  sustained  many  a  great  encounter  ; — 
this  thing  is  proved  well ; — of  his  land  he  lost  none. — Let  us  pray  God  with 
devotion — that  he  pardon  him  his  sins. 

CAMD.  SOC.    6.  2  I 


242  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

De  Engletere  il  fu  sire, 

E  rey  qe  mut  savoit  de  guere  ; 
En  nule  livre  puet  home  lire 

De  rei  qe  mieuz  sustint  sa  tere. 

Toutes  les  choses  qu^il  vodreit  fere, 
Sagement  les  tinst  a  fine. 

Ore  si  gist  soun  cors  en  tere : 
Si  va  le  siecle  en  decline. 

Le  rei  de  Fraunce  grant  pecche  fist, 

Le  passage  a  desturber 
Qe  rei  Edward  pur  Dieu  emprist, 

Sur  Sarazins  I'ewe  passer. 

Sun  tresour  fust  outre  la  mere, 
E  ordine  sa  purveaunce 

Seint  eglise  pur  sustenire  : 
Ore  est  la  tere  en  desperaunce. 

Jerusalem,  tu  as  perdu 

La  flour  de  ta  chivalerie, 
Rey  Edward  le  viel  chanu, 

Qe  tant  ama  ta  seignurie. 

Of  England  he  was  lord, — and  a  king  who  knew  much  of  war  ; — in  no  book 
can  we  read — of  a  king  who  sustained  better  his  land. — All  the  things  which  he 
would  do, — wisely  he  brought  them  to  an  end. — Now  his  body  lies  in  the  earth  ; 
— and  the  world  is  going  to  ruin. 

The  King  of  France  did  great  sin, — to  hinder  the  voyage — which  King  Edward 
undertook  for  God's  sake, — to  pass  the  water  against  the  Saracens. — His  trea- 
sure was  beyond  the  sea, — and  he  ordains  his  purveyance — to  sustain  holy 
church  :  — now  is  the  land  in  despair. 

Jerusalem,  thou  hast  lost — the  flower  of  thy  chivalry, — King  Edward  the  old 
and  hoary, — who  loved  so  much  thy  lordship. — Now  he  is  dead  ;  I  know  not 


REIGX  OF   EDWARD  II.  243 

Ore  est-il  mort ;  jeo  ne  sai  mie 
Toun  baiier  qi  le  meintindra : 

Sun  duz  quor  par  grant  druerie 
Outre  la  mere  vous  mandera. 

Un  jour  avant  que  mort  li  prist, 

Od  son  barnage  voleit  parler  ; 
Les  chivalers  devant  li  vist, 

Durement  commenea  de  plurer. 

"  Jeo  murrai,"  dist,  "  par  estover, 
Jeo  vei  ma  mort  que  me  vent  quere  ; 

Fetes  mon  fiz  rey  corouner, 
Qe  Dampnt-Dieu  li  don  bien  fere  !" 

A  Peiters  a  I'apostoile 

Une  messager  la  mort  li  dist ; 
E  la  Pape  vesti  I'estole, 

A  dure  lermes  les  lettres  prist. 

"Alas  !^'  ceo  dist,  "  comment  ?  morist 
A  qi  Dieii  donna  tant  honur  ? 

A  I'alme  en  face  Dieu  mercist ! 
De  seint  eglise  il  fu  la  flour." 

at  all — who  will  maintain  thy  banner  : — his  gentle  heart  for  great  love — he  will 
send  you  over  the  sea. 

One  day  before  death  took  him, — he  would  talk  with  his  baronage  ; — he  saw 
the  knights  before  him, — grievously  he  began  to  weep. — "  I  shall  die,"  he  said, 
"  of  necessity, — I  see  my  death  which  comes  to  seek  me  ; — cause  my  son  to  be 
crowned  king, — may  the  Lord  God  give  him  grace  to  do  well !" 

At  Poitiers  to  the  pope — a  messenger  told  his  death  ; — and  the  pope  put  on 
the  stole, — with  bitter  tears  he  took  the  letters. — "  Alas  !"  he  said,  "  how  ?  is 
he  dead — to  whom  God  gave  so  much  honour.' — May  God  grant  mercy  to  his 
soul ! — he  was  the  flower  of  holy  church." 


244  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

L'apostoile  en  sa  chambre  entra, 

A  pein  le  poeit  sustenir  ; 
E  les  cardinals  trestuz  man  da, 

Durement  commenca  de  plurir. 

Les  cardinals  li  funt  teisir. 
En  hant  commencent  lur  servise  : 

Parmy  la  cit^  funt  sonir, 
Et  servir  Dieu  en  seint  eglise. 

L'apostoile  meimes  vint  a  la  raesse, 

Oue  mult  grant  soUempnite  ; 
L'alme  pur  soudre  sovent  se  dresse, 

E  dist  par  grant  humility : 

"  Place  a  Dieu  en  Trinite, 
Qe  vostre  fiz  en  pust  conquere 

Jerusalem  la  digne  cite, 
E  passer  en  la  seinte  tere  !" 

Le  jeofne  Edward  d'Engletere 

Rey  est  enoint  e  coroune  : 
Dieu  le  doint  teil  conseil  trere, 

Ki  le  pais  seit  gouverne ; 

The  pope  entered  in  his  chamber, — he  could  scarcely  support  it ; — and  he 
sent  for  all  the  cardinals, — grievously  he  began  to  weep. — The  cardinals  made 
him  desist, — aloud  they  begin  their  service  ;— they  cause  the  bells  to  be  rung 
through  the  city, — and  God's  service  to  be  performed  in  holy  church. 

The  pope  himself  came  to  the  mass, — with  very  great  solemnity  ; — he  often 
applies  himself  to  absolve  the  soul, — and  said  in  great  humility  : — "  May  it 
please  God  in  Trinity, — that  your  son  may  effect  the  conquest — of  Jerusalem 
the  noble  city, — and  pass  into  the  Holy  Land  !" 

The  young  Edward  of  England — is  anointed  and  crowned  king : — may  God 
grant  that  he  follow  such  counsel, — that  the  country  may  be  governed  ; — and 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  II.  245 

E  la  coroune  si  garder, 
Qe  la  tere  seit  entere, 

E  lui  crestre  en  bounte, 
Car  prodhome  i  fust  son  pere. 

Si  Aristotle  fuste  en  vie, 

E  Virgile  qe  savoit  I'art, 
Les  valurs  ne  dirr[ai]ent  mie 

Del  prodhome  la  disme  part. 

Ore  est  mort  le  rei  Edward, 
Pur  qui  raon  quor  est  en  trafoun  ; 

L'alme  Dieu  la  salve  garde, 
Pur  sa  seintime  passioun  !    A.mex. 

so  to  keep  the  crown, — that  the  land  may  be  entire, — and  himself  to  increase  in 
goodness, — for  his  father  was  a  worthy  man. 

If  Aristotle  were  alive, — and  Virgil  who  knew  skill, — they  would  not  say  the 
value — of  the  worthy  man  a  tenth  part. — Now  is  dead  King  Edward, — for 
whom  my  heart  is  in  desolation  ; — may  God  preserve  his  soul  in  safety, — for  the 
sake  of  his  holy  passion  !     Amen. 


The  followiug  song,  in  English,  on  the  same  event,  is  pre- 
served in  another  manuscript.  It  is  somewhat  singular  that 
one  of  these  songs  is  clearly  translated  from  the  other,  the 
variations  being  comparatively  small,  and  consisting  chiefly  in 
the  transposition  of  some  of  the  stanzas.  The  French  song  was 
probably  the  original. 


246  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

ELEGY    ON    THE    DEATH    OF    EDWARD    I. 

[MS.  Harl.  No.  2253,  fol.  73,  r°.  of  the  reign  of  Edw.  II.] 

Alle  that  beoth  of  huerte  trewe, 

A  stounde  herkneth  to  my  song, 
Of  duel  that  deth  hath  diht  us  newe. 

That  roaketh  me  syke  ant  sorewe  among; 

Of  a  knyht  that  wes  so  strong, 
Of  wham  God  hath  don  ys  Aville  : 

Me  thuncheth  that  deth  hath  don  us  wrong. 
That  he  so  sone  shal  hgge  stille. 

Al  Englond  ahte  for  te  knowe 

Of  wham  that  song  is  that  y  synge  ; — 
Of  Edward  kyng  that  lith  so  lowe, 

3ent  al  this  world  is  nome  con  springe. 

Trewest  mon  of  alle  thinge, 
Ant  in  werre  war  ant  wys. 

For  him  we  ahte  oure  honden  wrynge. 
Of  Christendome  he  ber  the  prys. 

Byfore  that  oure  kyng  wes  ded, 

He  speke  ase  mon  that  wes  in  care, — 

Translation. — All  that  are  true  of  heart, — a  while  hearken  to  my  song, — 
of  grief  that  death  hath  wrought  us  now, — which  makes  me  sigh  and  sorrow  in 
turns. — Of  a  knight  that  was  so  powerful, — on  whom  God  hath  done  his  will ; 
— methinks  that  death  has  done  us  wrong, — that  he  so  soon  shall  lie  still. 

All  England  ought  to  know — of  whom  the  song  is  that  I  sing ; — of  Edward 
the  king  that  lies  so  low, — through  all  this  world  his  name  sprang.—  Trewest 
man  of  all  things, — and  in  war  wary  and  wise, — for  him  we  ought  our  hands  to 
wring, — of  Christendom  he  bare  the  prize. 

Before  that  our  king  was  dead, — he  spoke  as  one  that  was  in  care, — "  Clergy, 


REIGN  OF   EDWARD  II.  247 

"  Clerkes,  knyhtes,  barouns,"  he  sayde, 

"  Y  charge  ou  by  oure  sware^ 

That  3e  to  Engelonde  be  trewe. 
Y  de3e^  y  ne  may  lyven  na  more ; 

Helpeth  mi  sone  ant  crouneth  him  newe, 
For  he  is  nest  to  buen  y-core. 

"  Ich  biquethe  myn  herte  aryht, 

That  hit  be  write  at  mi  devys. 
Over  the  see  that  hue  be  diht. 

With  fourscore  knyhtes  al  of  prys, 

In  werre  that  buen  war  ant  wys, 
A3eyn  the  hethene  for  te  fyhte. 

To  Wynne  the  croiz  that  lowe  lys; 
Myself  ycholde  3ef  that  y  myhte." 

Kyng  of  Fraunce,  thou  hevedest  sunne. 
That  thou  the  counsail  woldest  fonde. 

To  latte  the  wille  of  kyng  Edward 
To  wende  to  the  holy  londe  : 
That  oure  kyng  hede  take  on  honde 

Al  Engelond  to  5eme  ant  wysse, 

knights,  barons,"  he  said, — "  I  charge  you  by  your  oath, — that  ye  to  England 
be  true. — I  die,  I  may  not  live  any  more ; — help  my  son,  and  crown  him  now, 
— for  he  is  next  to  be  chosen. 

"  I  bequeath  my  heart  rightly, — that  it  be  written  at  my  devise, — over  the  sea 
that  it  be  sent, — with  fourscore  knights  all  of  repute, — in  war  that  are  wary  and 
wise, — against  the  heathen  for  to  fight, — to  win  the  cross  which  lies  low  ; — my- 
self I  would  [go]  if  I  could." 

King  of  France,  thou  hadst  sin, — that  thou  shouldest  seek  counsel,  — to  hin- 
der the  will  of  King  Edward— to  go  to  the  Holy  Land : — that  our  king  had 


248  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

To  wenden  into  the  Holy  Londe, 
To  wynnen  us  heve  [n]  riche  blisse. 

The  raessager  to  the  Pope  com. 

And  seyde  that  oure  kynge  wes  ded  : 

Ys  oune  bond  the  lettre  he  nora, 
Y-wis  his  herte  wes  ful  gret : 
The  Pope  himself  the  lettre  redde. 

Ant  spec  a  word  of  gret  honour, — 
"  Alas  ! "  he  seide,  "  is  Edward  ded  ? 

Of  Christendome  he  ber  the  flour  !  " 

The  Pope  to  is  chaumbre  wende, 
For  del  ne  mihte  he  speke  na  more ; 

Ant  after  cardinals  he  sende, 

That  muche  couthen  of  Cristes  lore, 
Bothe  the  lasse  ant  eke  the  more. 

Bed  hem  bothe  rede  ant  synge : 
Gret  deol  me  myhte  se  thore, 

Mony  mon  is  honde  wrynge. 


taken  in  hand — all  England  to  rule  and  teach, — to  go  into  the  Holy  Land, — to 
win  us  heaven's  bliss. 

The  messenger  to  the  pope  came, — and  said  that  our  king  was  dead : — to  his 
own  hand  the  lettrhe took, — truly  his  heart  was  very  full: — the  pope  himself 
the  letter  read, — and  spake  a  word  of  great  honour, — "Alas!"  he  said,  "is 
Edward  dead  ? — of  Christendom  he  bare  the  flower !" 

The  pope  to  his  chamber  went, — he  could  speak  no  more  for  grief ; — and 
after  the  cardinals  he  sent, — who  knew  much  of  Christ's  doctrine, — both  the 
less  and  also  the  greater, — bade  them  both  read  and  sing  ; — great  grief  might  be 
seen  there, — many  a  man  to  wring  his  hands. 


REIGX    OF   EDWARD  11.  249 

The  Pope  of  Peyters  stod  at  is  masse, 

With  ful  gret  solempnete, 
Ther  me  con  the  soule  blesse  : — 

^^  Kyng  Edward,  honoured  thou  be  ! 

God  lene  thi  sone  come  after  the 
Bringe  to  ende  that  thou  hast  bygonne  ; 

The  holy  crois  y-mad  of  tre, 
So  fain  thou  woldest  hit  han  y-wonne ! 

"  Jerusalem,  thou  hast  i-lore 

The  flour  of  al  chivalerie  ; 
Now  Kyng  Edward  liveth  na  more : — 

Alas  !  that  he  3et  shulde  deye  ! 

He  wolde  ha  rered  up  fol  hey5e 
Oure  baners,  that  bueth  broht  to  grounde ; 

Wei  longe  we  mowe  clepe  and  crie 
Er  we  a  such  kyng  han  y-founde  ! " 

Nou  is  Edward  of  Carnarvan 

King  of  Engelond  al  aplyht, 
God  lete  him  ner  be  worse  man 

Then  is  fader,  ne  lasse  of  myht 

The  pope  of  Poitiers  stood  at  his  mass, — with  very  great  solemnity, — there 
they  began  to  bless  the  soul : — "  King  Edward,  honoured  be  thou  ! — God  give 
thy  son,  who  comes  after  thee, — to  bring  to  end  what  thou  hast  begun; — the 
holy  cross  made  of  wood, — so  fain  thou  wouldst  it  have  won. 

"  Jerusalem,  thou  hast  lost — the  flower  of  all  chivalry  ; — now  King  Edward 
lives  no  more  : — Alas  !  that  he  yet  should  die  ! — He  would  have  reared  up  full 
high — our  banners,  that  are  brought  to  the  ground  ; — very  long  we  may  call 
and  cry — before  we  have  found  such  a  king '." 

Now  is  Edward  of  Caernarvon — entu-ely  King  of  England, — God  let  him 
never  be  worse  man — than  his  father,  nor  less  of  might — to  hold  his  commons 

CAMD.  SOC.  6.  2  K 


250  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

To  holden  is  pore-men  to  ryht. 
Ant  understonde  good  consail, 

Al  Engelond  for  te  wisse  ant  diht; 
Of  gode  knyhtes  darh  him  nout  fail. 

Thah  mi  tonge  were  mad  of  stel. 
Ant  min  herte  y-30te  of  bras. 

The  godnesse  myht  y  never  telle 

That  with  Kyng  Edward  was  : 

Kyng,  as  thou  art  cleped  conquerour. 
In  uch  bataille  thou  hadest  pris  ; 

God  bringe  thi  soule  to  the  honour 
That  ever  wes  ant  ever  ys. 

That  lesteth  ay  withouten  ende  ! 
Bidde  we  God  ant  oure  Ledy, 

To  thilke  blisse  Jesus  us  sende.  Amen. 

to  right, — and  to  understand  good  counsel, — all  England  to  direct  and  manage  ; 
— of  good  knights  there  need  not  fail  him. 

Though  my  tongue  were  made  of  steel, — and  my  heart  produced  out  of  brass, 
— I  could  never  tell  the  goodness — that  was  with  King  Edward  : — King,  as  thou 
art  called  conqueror, — in  each  battle  thou  haddest  prize ; — God  bring  thy  soul 
to  the  honour — which  ever  was  and  ever  is, — which  lasts  ever  without  end  ! — 
Pray  we  God  and  our  Lady, — to  that  bliss  Jesus  us  send !    Amen. 


The  old  cry  against  the  oppression  of  the  poor  and  honest 
by  the  rich,  and  the  general  corruption  of  the  age,  is  repeated 
in  the  following  piece.  It  probably  describes  the  state  of  feeling 
amongst  many  in  the  earlier  years  of  Edward's  reign. 


1 


REIGN    OF    EDWARD    II.  251 

SONG    ON    THE    TIMES. 

[MS.  Reg.  12,  C.  xn.  fol.  7,  r".  of  reign  of  Edw.  II.] 

Quant  honme  deit  parleir,  videat  quae  verba  loquatur ; 

Sen  covent  aver,  ne  stultior  inveniatur. 

Quando  quis  loquitur,  bote  resoun  reste  therynne, 

Derisum  patitur,  ant  lutel  so  shal  he  wynne. 

En  seynt  eglise  sunt  multi  ssepe  priores  ; 

Summe  beoth  wyse,  multi  sunt  inferiores. 

When  mon  may  mest  do,  tunc  velle  suum  manifestat, 

In  donis  also,  si  vult  tibi  prsemia  preestat. 

Ingrato  benefac,  post  heec  a  peyne  te  verra ; 

Pur  bon  vin  tibi  lac  non  dat,  nee  rem  tibi  rendra. 

Sensum  custodi,  quasi  mieu  valt  sen  qe  ta  mesoun  ; 

Thah  thou  be  mody,  robur  nichil  est  sine  resoun. 

Lex  lyth  doun  over  al,  fallax  fraus  fallit  ubique ; 

Ant  love  nys  bote  smal,  quia  gens  se  gestat  inique. 

Wo  Avalketh  wyde,  quoniam  movet  ira  potentes  : 

Ryht  con  nout  ryde,  quia  vadit  ad  insipientes. 

Dummodo  fraus  superest,  lex  nul  nout  lonen  y  londe  5 

Translation. — When  a  man  has  to  speak,  let  him  consider  what  words  he 
utters  ; — he  ought  to  pay  attention  to  them,  lest  he  appear  a  fool. — When  any 
one  speaks,  unless  reason  rest  therein, — he  is  laughed  at,  and  so  he  shall  gain 
little. — In  holy  church  there  are  often  many  who  hold  advanced  situations  ; — 
some  are  wise,  many  are  inferior. — When  a  man  may  do  most,  then  he  exhibits 
his  will, — in  gifts  also,  if  he  will  he  gives  thee  presents. — Do  a  kindness  to  an 
ungrateful  man,  and  afterwards  he  will  scarcely  look  at  you  ; — he  wUl  not 
even  give  you  milk  for  good  wine,  nor  will  he  make  you  any  return. — Take  care 
of  thy  intellect,  as  of  a  thing  which  is  worth  more  than  thy  house  ; — although 
thou  be  moody,  strength  is  nothing  without  reason. — Law  lies  down  over  all, 
false  fraud  deceives  everj-where  ; — and  there  is  but  little  love,  because  people 
conduct  themselves  wickedly. — Woe  walks  wide,  since  anger  moves  those  who 
are  powerful ; — right  cannot  ride,  because  it  goes  to  the  ignorant. — Now  that 
fraud  is  alive,  law  will  not  dwell  in  the  land  ; — and  since  the  matter  is  in  that 


252  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Et  quia  sic  res  est,  rytii  may  nout  radlyche  stonde. 

Fals  mon  freynt  covenaunt,  quaravis  tibi  dicat,  "  habebis." 

Vix  dabit  un  veu  gaunt,  lene  les  mon  postea  flebis. 

Myn  ant  thyn  duo  sunt,  qui  frangunt  plebis  amorem ; 

Ce  deus  pur  nus  sunt  facienda  ssepe  dolorem. 

Tresoun  dampnificat,  et  paucis  est  data  resoun  ; 

Resoun  certificat,  confundit  et  omnia  tresoun. 

Pees  may  nout  wel  be,  dum  stat  per  nomina  bina ; 

Lord  Crist,  that  thou  se,  per  te  sit  in  hiis  medicina ! 

Infirmus  moritur,  thah  leclicraft  ligge  bysyde  ; 

Vivus  decipitur,  nis  non  that  her  shal  abyde 

Tels  plusours  troverez,  qui  de  te  plurima  prendrount ; 

Au  dreyn  bien  verrez,  quod  nullara  rem  tibi  rendrount. 

Esto  pacificus,  so  myh  thou  welde  thy  wylle  j 

Also  veridicus,  ant  stond  pro  tempore  stille. 

Pees  seit  en  tere,  per  te,  Deus,  alma  potestas ! 

Defendez  guere,  ne  nos  invadat  egestas. 

God  Lord  Almyhty,  da  pacem,  Christe  benigne  ! 

Thou  const  al  dyhty,  fac  ne  pereamus  in  igne  ! 

position,  riglit  may  not  easily  stand. — The  false  man  breaks  his  promise,  al- 
though  he  say  to  thee,  "thou  shalt  have  it." — He  will  scarcely  give  an  old 
glove,  ....  thou  shalt  afterwards  weep. — Mine  and  thine  are  two,  which  break 
the  love  of  the  people  ;  — these  two  for  us  will  cause  frequent  grief. — Trea- 
son injures,  and  reason  is  given  to  few  ; — reason  makes  sure,  while  treason  con- 
founds all  things. — Peace  may  not  well  be,  while  it  stands  by  two  names  ; — 
Lord  Christ,  do  thou  look  to  it,  through  thee  may  there  be  a  medicine  for  these 
things  ! — The  sick  man  dies,  although  the  art  of  medicine  lie  by  his  side; — the 
living  man  is  deceived,  there  is  none  who  shall  abide  here. — You  will  find  many 
such  as  will  take  very  much  from  you  ; — in  the  end  you  will  see  well,  that  they 
will  return  you  nothing. — Be  pacific,  so  mayest  thou  possess  thy  will ; — also  a 
teller  of  truth,  and  stand  for  the  time  still. — May  there  be  peace  in  the  land, 
through  thee,  God,  kind  power  ! — forbid  war,  lest  want  invade  us. — Good  Lord 
Almighty,  give  peace,  O  benignant  Christ  ! — Thou  canst  do  all  things,  hinder 
us  from  perishing  in  the  fire. 


REIGN    OF   EDWARD  II.  253 

The  following  song  appears  to  have  been  made  in  the  latter 
end  of  the  year  1311,  on  the  occasion  of  the  King's  journey  to 
the  North,  where  he  was  joined  by  his  lately  banished  fa- 
vourite, Peter  de  Gaveston,  and  dii^regarded  the  charter  which 
he  had  confirmed  in  the  beginning  of  the  October  of  that 
year. 

ON    THE    king's    BREAKING    HIS    CONFIRMATION    OF 
MAGNA    CHARTA. 

[The  Auchinleck  MS.  in  the  Advocates'  Library,  at  Edinburgh,  art.  21, 
of  the  reign  of  Edw,  II.] 

L'en  puet  fere  et  defere, 

Ceo  fait-il  trop  sovent ; 
It  nis  nouther  wel  ne  faire  ; 

Therfore  Engeloiid  is  shent. 
Nostre  prince  de  Engletere, 

Par  le  con  sail  de  sa  gent. 
At  Westminster  after  the  feire 

Made  a  gret  parlement. 
La  chartre  fet  de  eyre, 

Jeo  Penteink  et  bien  le  crey, 
It  was  holde  to  neih  the  fire. 

And  is  molten  al  awey. 
Ore  ne  say  mes  que  dire, 

Tout  i  va  a  Tripolay, 

Translation. — A  person  may  make,  and  unmake, — it  is  what  he  too  often 
does  ; — it  is  neither  well  nor  fair  ; — on  account  of  it  England  is  ruined. — Our 
prince  of  England, — by  the  counsel  of  his  people, — at  Westminster  after  the 
fair — made  a  great  parliament. — The  charter  he  made  of  wax, — so  I  understand, 
and  I  readily  believe  it, — it  was  held  too  near  the  fire, — and  is  all  melted  away. 
— Now  I  know  not  what  more  to  say, — all  goes  to  Tripoly, — hundred,  chapter, 


254  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Hundred,  chapitle,  court,  and  shire, 

Al  hit  goth  a  devel  way. 
Des  plu  sages  de  la  tere 

Ore  escotez  un  sarmoun. 
Of  iiij.  wise-men  that  ther  were, 

Whi  Engelond  is  brouht  adoun. 

The  ferste  seide,  "I  understonde 
Ne  may  no  king  M'^el  ben  in  londe. 

Under  God  Almihte, 
But  he  cunne  himself  rede, 
II ou  he  shal  in  londe  lede 
Everi  man  wid  rihte. 

For  might  is  riht, 
Liht  is  night. 
And  fiht  is  fliht. 
For  miht  is  riht,  the  lond  is  laweles  ; 
For  niht  is  liht,  the  lond  is  loreles  ; 
For  fiht  is  fliht,  the  lond  is  nameles.'^ 

That  other  seide  a  Avord  ful  god, 
"  Whoso  roweth  a3ein  the  flod. 
Off  sorwe  he  shal  drinke  ; 

court,  and  sliire, — all  it  goes  the  devil's  way. —  Of  the  wisest  men  of  the  land — 
now  listen  to  a  discourse, — of  four  wise  men  that  there  -were, — why  England  is 
brought  down. 

The  first  said,  "  I  understand — no  king  may  be  prosperous  in  land — under  God 
Almighty, — unless  he  can  counsel  himself, — how  he  shall  in  land  lead — every 
man  with  right. — For  might  is  right, — light  is  darkness, — and  fight  is  flight. — 
Because  might  is  right,  the  land  is  lawless  ; — because  darkness  is  light,  the  land 
is  without  doctrine  ; — because  fight  is  flight,  the  land  is  without  reputation.'' 

The  second  said  a  very  good  word, — "  Whoever  rows  against  the  flood, — he 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD   II.  255 

Also  hit  fareth  bi  the  unsele, 
A  man  shal  have  htel  hele 
Ther  agein  to  swinke. 

Nu  on  is  two, 

Another  is  wo, 

And  frend  is  fo. 
For  on  is  two,  that  lond  is  streintheles  ; 
For  wel  is  wo,  the  lond  is  reutheles  ; 
For  frend  is  fo,  the  lond  is  loveles. 

That  thridde  seide,  "  It  is  no  wonder 
Off  thise  eyres  that  goth  under. 

Whan  theih  comen  to  londe 
Proude  and  stoute,  and  ginneth  3elpe, 
Ac  of  thing  that  sholde  helpe 
Have  theih  noht  on  honde. 

Nu  lust  haveth  leve, 

Thef  is  reve. 

And  pride  hath  sieve. 
For  lust  hath  leve,  the  lond  is  theweles ; 
For  thef  is  reve,  the  lond  is  penyles ; 
For  pride  hath  sieve,  the  lond  is  almusles. 

shall  drink  of  sorrow  ; — thus  it  fares  by  the  unfortunate,' — a  man  shall  have 
little  strength — to  labour  against  it. — Now  one  is  two, — another  is  woe, — and 
friend  is  foe. — Because  one  is  two,  the  land  is  without  strength  ; — because  weal 
is  woe,  the  land  is  without  ruth  ; — because  friend  is  foe,  the  land  is  without 
love." 

The  third  said,  "  It  is  no  wonder — of  these  heirs  that  go  under, — when  they 
come  to  land — proud  and  stout,  and  begin  to  yelp, — but  of  anything  that  might 
help — they  have  nought  in  hand. — Now  lust  hath  leave, — thief  is  magistrate, — 
and  pride  hath  sleeves. — Because  lust  hath  leave,  the  land  is  destitute  of  moral- 
ity ; — because  thief  is  magistrate,  the  land  is  pennyless  ; — because  pride  hath 
sleeves,  the  land  is  without  alms. 


256  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

The  fertile  seide,  that  he  is  wod 
That  dwelleth  to  niuchel  in  the  flod^ 

For  gold  or  for  auhte  ; 
For  gold  or  silver,  or  any  wele. 
Hunger  or  thurst,  hete  or  chele, 
Al  shal  gon  to  nohte. 

Nu  wille  is  red, 

Wit  is  qued. 

And  god  is  ded. 
For  wille  is  red,  the  lond  is  wrecful ; 
For  wit  is  qued,  the  lond  is  wrongful ; 
For  god  is  ded,  the  lond  is  sinful. 

Wid  wordes  as  we  han  pleid, 
Sum  wisdom  we  han  seid 

Off  olde  men  and  3unge  ; 
Off  many  a  thinge  that  is  in  londe. 
Whoso  coude  it  understonde, 

So  have  I  told  wid  tongue. 

Riche  and  pore,  bonde  and  fre. 
That  love  is  god,  36  mai  se  ; 

Love  clepeth  ech  man  brother  ; 

The  fourth  said,  "  That  he  is  mad — who  dwells  too  much  in  the  flood, — for 
gold  or  for  property  ; — for  gold  or  silver,  or  any  weal, — hunger  or  thirst,  heat  or 
cold, — all  shall  go  to  nothing. — Now  will  is  counsel, — wit  is  wicked, — and  good 
is  dead. — Because  will  is  counsel,  the  land  is  full  of  revenge  ; — because  wit  is 
wicked,  the  land  is  full  of  wrong  ; — because  good  is  dead,  the  land  is  full  of  sin." 

With  words  as  we  have  played, — some  wisdom  we  have  said — of  old  men  and 
young  ; — of  many  a  thing  that  is  in  land, — whoever  might  understand  it, — thus 
have  I  told  with  tongue. 

Rich  and  poor,  bond  and  free, — that  love  is  good,  ye  may  see  ; — love  calls 


1 
J 


REIGN    OF   EDWARD  11.  257 


For  it  that  he  to  blame  be, 
For3if  hit  him  par  charitk, 
Al  theih  he  do  other. 

Love  we  God^  and  he  us  alle. 
That  was  born  in  an  oxe  stalle. 

And  for  us  don  on  rode. 
His  swete  herte-blod  he  let 
For  us,  and  us  faire  het 

That  we  sholde  be  gode. 

Be  we  nu  gode  and  stedefast. 
So  that  we  muwen  at  the  last 

Haven  hevene  blisse. 
To  God  Almihti  I  preie 
Lat  us  never  in  sinne  deie, 

That  joye  for  to  misse. 

Ac  lene  us  alle  so  don  here, 
And  leve  in  love  and  god  manere. 

The  devel  for  to  shende  ; 
That  we  moten  alle  i-fere 


every  man  brother ; — for  that  for  which  he  may  be  to  blame, — forgive  it  him  in 
charity, — although  he  do  other. 

Love  we  God,  and  may  he  love  us  all, — who  was  born  in  an  oxe's  stable, — 
and  for  us  placed  on  the  cross. — His  sweet  heart's  blood  he  shed — for  us,  and 
bade  us  fairly — that  we  should  be  good. 

Be  we  now  good  and  steadfast, — so  that  we  may  at  last — have  the  bliss  of 
heaven. — To  God  Almighty  I  pray, — let  us  never  die  in  sin, — to  miss  that  joy. 

But  grant  us  all  so  to  do  here, — and  live  in  love  and  good  manner, — the  de\-il 

CAMD.  see.  6.  2  L 


•25J3  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Sen  him  that  us  bouhte  dere, 

In  joye  withoute  ende.     Amen. 

for  to  shame  ; — that  we  may  all  in  company — see  him  that  bought  us  dearly, - 
in  joy  everlasting.     Amen. 


Edward's  wretched  favourite,  Peter  de  Gaveston,  was  be- 
headed by  the  Barons  in  the  May  of  1312.  The  two  following 
songs  exhibit  the  general  feeling  of  exultation  which  attended 
this  execution.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  that  they  are 
parodies  on  two  hymns  in  the  old  church  service. 

SONGS    ON    THE    DEATH    OF    PETER    DE    GAVESTON. 

[MS.  Trin.  Coll.  Cambr.  O.  9.  38.     15th  cent,  on  paper.] 
I. 

De  Petro  de  Gaverstone. 

Vexilla  regni  prodeunt, 

fulget  cometa  comitum. 
Comes  dice  Lancastrise 

qui  domuit  indomitum ; 
Quo  vulneratus  pestifer 

mucronibus  Walensium, 
Truncatus  est  atrociter 

in  sexto  mense  mensium. 
Impleta  sunt  quae  censuit 

auctoritas  sublimium ; 

Translation. — I.  The  banners  of  the  kingdom  go  forth,  the  comet  of  Earls 
shines,  I  mean  the  Earl  of  Lancaster,  who  tamed  him  whom  nobody  else  could 
tame  ;  whereby  the  pestiferous  one  being  wounded  by  the  blades  of  the  Welsh, 
was  disgracefully  beheaded  in   the   sixth  month.      What  the   authority  of  the 


REIGN    OF  EDWARD  II.  259 

Mors  Petri  sero  patuit, — 

regnavit  diu  nimium. 
Arbor  mala  succiditur, 

dum  collo  Petrus  cseditur  : — 
Sit  benedicta  framea 

qu£e  Petrum  sic  aggreditur  ! 
Beata  manus  jugulans  ! 

beatus  jubens  jugulum  ! 
Beatum  ferrum  feriens 

quem  ferre  noUet  sseculum  ! 
O  crux,  quee  pati  pateris 

banc  miseram  miseriam, 
Tu  nobis  omnem  subtrahe 

miseries  materiam  ! 
Te,  summa  Deus  Trinitas, 

oramus  prece  sedula, 
Fautores  Petri  destruas 

et  conteras  per  seecula  !  Amen. 

powers  above  'willed  has  been  fulfilled ;  the  death  of  Peter  at  last  has  been 
effected, — he  reigned  much  too  long.  The  bad  tree  is  cut  down,  when  Peter  is 
struck  on  the  neck : — Blessed  be  the  weapon  which  thus  approached  Peter  I 
Blessed  be  the  hand  which  executed  him!  blessed  the  man  who  ordered  the 
execution  !  blessed  the  steel  which  struck  him  whom  the  world  would  not  bear 
any  longer  !  O  Cross,  which  allowed  to  be  suffered  this  wretched  misery,  do 
thou  take  from  us  all  the  material  of  misery.  Thee,  highest  God  in  Trinity, 
we  pray  earnestly,  destroy  and  crush  for  ever  the  maintainers  of  Peter.     Amen. 

II. 

Pange,  lingua,  necem  Petri  qui  turbavit  Angliara, 
Quem  rex  amans  super  omnem  prsetulit  Cornubiam  ; 

II.  Celebrate,  my  tongue,  the  death  of  Peter  who  disturbed  England,  whom 


260  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Vult  hinc  comes,  et  non  Petrus,  dici  per  superbiara. 

Gens  est  regni  de  thesauri  fraude  facta  condolens, 
Quando  Petrus  de  thesauro  prodige  fit  insolens, 
Quid  Ventura  sibi  dies  pariat  non  recolens. 

Hoc  opus  nostras  salutis,  quod  Petrus  interiit; 
Multiformis  proditoris  ars  tota  deperiit ; 
Ex  nunc  omen  cor  Isetetur,  quia  vse  preeteriit. 

Quando  venit  apta  rei  plenitudo  temporis, 
Est  prsecisum  caput  ei  de  junctura  corporis  ; 
Turbans  turbas  intra  regnum  nunc  turbatur  a  foris. 

Nulli  volens  comparari,  summo  fastu  prseditus, 
Se  nolente  subdit  coUura  passioni  deditus  ; 
De  condigna  morte  cujus  est  hie  hympnus  editus. 

Perdit  caput  qui  se  caput  paribus  prseposmt : 
Rite  corpus  perforatur  cujus  cor  sic  tumuit : 
Terra,  pontus,  astra,  mundus,  plaudant  quod  hie  corruit. 

Trux,  crudelis  inter  omnes^  nunc  a  pompis  abstinet; 
Jam  non  ultra  sicut  comes,  vel  ut  rex,  se  continet ; 

the  king  in  his  love  for  him  placed  over  all  Cornwall ;  hence  in  his  pride  he  will 
be  called  Earl,  and  not  Peter. — The  people  of  the  kingdom  was  made  sorrowful 
for  the  fraud  upon  the  treasure,  when  Peter  becomes  wastefully  insolent  with 
the  treasury,  not  bearing  in  mind  what  the  future  day  may  produce  for  him. — 
This  is  the  work  of  our  salvation,  that  Peter  is  dead  ;  all  the  artfulness  of  the  mul- 
tifarious traitor  has  perished  ;  henceforth  let  the  good  omen  rejoice  our  hearts,  for 
sorrow  is  past. — When  the  fulness  of  time  which  was  fit  for  the  thing  came,  his 
head  is  cut  off  from  the  juncture  of  the  body ;  he  who  raised  troubles  within 
the  kingdom  is  now  troubled  from  without. — He  who  was  unwilling  to  have  an 
equal,  clothed  in  the  extreme  of  pride,  against  his  will  bends  his  neck  to  the 
executioner  ;  of  whose  merited  death  this  hymn  is  set  forth. — He  who  placed 
himself  as  a  head  above  his  equals,  loses  his  own  head  ;  justly  his  body  is 
pierced,  whose  heart  was  so  puffed  up  ;  both  land,  sea,  stars,  and  world,  rejoice 
in  his  fall. — Ferocious  and  cruel  among  all  men,  he  ceases  now  from  his  pomp  ; 
now  he  no  longer  behaves  himself  like  an  earl,  or  a  king ;  the  unworthy  man, 


REIGN  OF  EDAVARD  II.  261 

Vir  indignus,  morte  dignus,  mortem  dignam  sustinet. 

Flexis  ramis  arbor  ilia  ruit  in  proverbia  ; 
Nam  rigor  lentescit  ille  quern  dedit  superbia ; 
Sic  debet  humiliari  qui  sapit  sublimia. 

^des  Petri  qua  tenetur  non  sit  fulta  robore  ; 
Sit  prophanus  alter  locus,  sit  et  in  dedecore, 
Quern  foedus  cruor  foedavit  fusus  Petri  corpore  ! 

Gloria  sit  creatori  1  gloria  comitibus 
Qui  fecerunt  Petrum  mori  cum  suis  carminibus ! 
A  modo  sit  pax  et  plausus  in  Anglorum  finibus  !  Amen. 

worthy  of  death,  undergoes  the  death  which  he  merits. — This  tree  with  its 
branches  bent  falls  into  a  proverb  ;  for  the  stiffness  which  pride  gave  is  softened  ; 
thus  ought  the  ambitious  and  aspiring  man  to  be  humbled. — May  the  house  of 
Peter,  in  which  he  is  held,  not  be  supported  in  strength  ;  may  the  other  place  be 
profane,  and  may  it  be  in  disgrace,  which  the  filthy  gore  spilled  from  Peter's 
body  has  defiled  ! — Glory  be  to  the  Creator  !  Glory  to  the  Earls  who  have 
made  Peter  die  with  his  charms  !  Henceforth  may  there  be  peace  and  rejoicing 
throughout  England '.     Amex. 


The  events  of  the  Scottish  war  during  the  reign  of  Edward 
II.  were  not  of  a  character  to  draw  forth  the  songs  of  triumph 
which  had  attended  the  campaigns  of  his  father.  The  loss  of 
his  father's  conquests,  and  the  reverses  of  his  own  arms,  while 
they  produced  universal  dejection,  only  tended  to  widen  the 
breach  which  his  own  folly  had  made  between  himself  and  his 
people.  The  following  song  was  made  in  1313,  immediately 
after  the  disastrous  battle  of  Bannockburn,  where  the  Earl  of 
Gloucester  was  slain.  The  writer,  while  he  laments  the  humi- 
liation to  which  his  country  had  been  reduced,  glances  from 
time  to  time  at  the  evil  counsels  which  had  led  to  it. 


262  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

THE    BATTLE    OF    BANNOCKBURN. 

[From  MS.  Cotton.  Titus,  A,  xx,  fol.  68  r".  written  in  the  reign  of  Ed.  III.] 

Quomodo  comes  Glovernics  fuerat  occisus  apud  Strivelyn, 
et  Anglici  victi. 

Me  cordis  augustia  cogit  mira  fari, 
Scotiee  quod  Aiiglia  ceepit  subjugari : 
Nova  jam  prodigia  dicitur  patrari, 
Quando  matri  filia  sumit  dominari. 

Regionum  Anglia  plurium  matrona. 
Cm  tributaria  jam  dabantur  dona^ 
Proth  dolor  !  nmic  cogitur  nimis  esse  prona 
Filise,  qua  Iseditur  materna  corona. 

Exiit  per  Angliam  edictum  vulgare, 
Admonendo  quempiam  arma  preeparare, 
Ut  adiret  Scotiam  phalanx  vendicare 
Jura,  vel  injuriam  posse  vindicare. 

Ad  quod  thema  debeam  nimis  protelare  : 
Rex  csepit  militiam  suam  adunare, 
Inconsultus  abiit  Scotos  debellare. 
Ira  sponte  rediit  nolens  plus  ohstare. 

Translation. — Perplexity  of  heart  compels  me  to  tell  wonderful  things, 
that  England  begins  to  be  subjected  to  Scotland :  it  is  said  that  new  prodigies 
are  now  performed,  when  the  daughter  takes  upon  her  to  lord  it  over  the 
mother. — England  the  matron  of  many  regions,  to  whom  tiibutary  gifts  were 
given,  is  now,  alas  !  constrained  too  much  to  be  prostrate  to  the  daughter,  by 
whom  the  maternal  crown  is  injured. — A  general  proclamation  went  through 
England,  admonishing  everybody  to  take  up  arms,  that  the  army  might  go  to 
Scotland  to  vindicate  our  rights,  or  to  be  able  to  avenge  our  injury. — To  which 
theme  I  ought  to  procrastinate  veiy  much  ;  the  king  began  to  assemble  his 
troops,  unadvisedly  he  went  to  make  war  on  the  Scots  :  his  anger  voluntarily 
subsided,  unwilling  longer  to  hold  out. — There  were  in  the  army  many  nobles, 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  II.  203 

Erant  in  excercitu  plures  generosi, 
Milites  in  exitu  nimis  et  pomposi ; 
Cum  ad  bellum  venerant  tot  impetuosi. 
Satis  promti  fuerant  hostes  animosi. 

Animosi  fuerant  et  hoc  apparebat ; 
Cum  partes  certaverant,  ilia  permanebat 
Stabilis,  sed  fugiit  quae  superbiebat. 
Inproba  succubuit,  astuta  vincebat. 

Inauditus  ingruit  inter  hos  conflictus ; 
Primitus  prosiliit  Acteus  in\'ictus, 
Comes  heu  !  Glovernioe  dans  funestos  ictus  ; 
Assistens  in  acie  qui  fit  derelictus. 

Hie  phalangas  hostium  disrupi  coegit, 
Et  virorum  fortium  corpora  subegit ; 
Sed  fautor  domesticus  sibi  quern  elegit. 
Hie  non  erat  putitus  quando  factum  fregit. 

Hie  est  proditorius  vir  Bartholomeus, 
In  cunctis  A^ictoriis  quem  confundat  Deus  ! 
*        Domino  quod  varius  fit  ut  Phariseeus. 
Hinc  Judge  vicarius  morte  fiet  reus. 

knights  who  were  too  showy  and  pompous ;  when  so  many  impetuous  men 
came  to  the  conflict,  the  courageous  enemies  were  ready  enough. — They  were 
courageous,  as  willappear ;  when  the  two  sides  engaged,  that  one  remained  firm, 
but  that  which  had  shown  so  much  pride  fled.  The  wicked  party  succumbed, 
the  cunning  one  conquered. — An  unheard-of  battle  thickened  between  them ; 
first  nished  forward  the  unconquered  Actseus,  the  Earl  of  Gloucester,  alas  !  giving 
fatal  blows  ;  who,  standing  in  the  thick  of  the  battle,  is  deserted. — He  compelled 
the  troops  of  the  enemy  to  bi"eak,  and  subdued  the  bodies  of  strong  men  ;  but 
one  of  his  own  chosen  retainers,  he  was  not  a  fool  when  he  ruined  the  affair. — 
This  is  the  traitorous  man,  Bartholomew,  whom  in  all  victories  may  God  con- 
found !  Because  he  has  been  to  his  master  as  changeable  as  a  Pharisee.  Hence  as 
the  representative  of  Judas  he  shall  be  condemned  to  death. — Seeing  the  enemy's 


264  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Videns  contra  dominum  hostes  dessevire, 
Fingit  se  sex  seminum  longius  abire ; 
Domino  quod  renuit  suo  subvenire, 
Proditor  hie  meruit  tormenta  obire. 

Plures  sunt  quem  perperam  comes  est  seductus, 
Ut  ovis  ad  victimam  et  ad  mortem  ductus. 
Qui  [sunt]  per  quos  oritur  tam  vulgaris  luctus, 
Hoc  satis  cognoscitur  per  eorum  fructus. 

Quorum  virus  Anglia  tota  toxicatur  ; 
Vulgaris  justitia  sic  et  enervatur ; 
Regale  judicium  per  hos  ofFuscatur ; 
Ex  hoc  in  exilium  fides  relegatur. 

Victa  jacet  caritas,  et  virtus  calcatur  ; 
Viret  ingratuitas,  et  fraus  dominatur ; 
Quicquid  in  hiis  finibus  mali  perpetratur, 
Dictis  proditoribus  totum  inputatur. 

Iste  deceptorius  vir  non  erat  solus, 
Per  quem  proditorius  jam  fiebat  dolus  ; 
Alter  sed  interfuit,  quem  non  celet  polus,  * 

Et  fiat  ut  meruit  infernalis  bolus. 


rage  against  his  master,  he  pretends  that  he  had  been  out  more  than  six  weeks  ; 
because  he  refused  to  come  to  his  master's  support,  this  traitor  has  deserved  to  be 
put  to  the  rack. — Many  are  they  whereby  the  Earl  was  seduced,  led  like  a  sheep 
to  the  sacrifice  and  to  death  ;  through  whom  such  common  lamentation  arises, 
is  sufficiently  known  by  their  fruits. — With  whose  venom  all  England  is  poisoned  ; 
and  thus  common  justice  is  weakened  ;  by  these  the  royal  judgment  is  darkened  ; 
in  consequence  of  this,  faith  is  driven  into  exile. — Charity  Ues  subdued,  and  virtue 
is  trodden  down  ;  ingratitude  flourishes,  and  fraud  rules  ;  whatever  of  evil  is  per- 
petrated in  this  country,  is  all  the  work  of  the  aforesaid  traitors. — This  deceitful 
man  was  not  the  only  one  by  whom  the  art  of  treason  was  now  exercised ;  but  there 
was  another  concerned  in  it,  whom  may  heaven  not  conceal,  and  may  he  become. 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  II.  265 

Hujusmodi  milites,  regno  pervicaces, 
Sathanee  satellites,  sunt  nimis  rapaces ; 
Regis  si  sint  judices  undique  veraces, 
Destruent  veneficos  sues  et  sequaces. 

Capitis  sententiam  pati  meruerunt. 
Cum  sponte  militiam  talem  prodiderunt ; 
Qui  fuerunt  rustici,  sicut  permanserunt, 
Comitis  domestici  fugam  elegerunt. 

Hii  fraude  multiplica  virum  prodiderunt, 
Inpia  gens  Scotica  quem  circumdederunt ; 
Ipsum  a  dextrario  suo  prostraverunt, 
Et  prostrati  vario  modo  ceciderunt 

Fideles  armigeri  qui  secum  fuerunt ; 
Milites  et  ceeteri  secum  corruerunt ; 
Cum  sui  succurrere  sibi  voluerunt, 
,     Hostibus  resistere  tot  non  valuerunt. 

Sic  comes  occubuit  pree  cunctis  insignis, 
Qui  sua  distribuit  preedia  malignis  ; 
Sibi  quisque  caveat  istis  intersignis, 
Jam  fidem  ne  prsebeat  talibus  indignis. 

as  he  deserves,  a  morsel  of  hell. — Knights  such  as  these,  obstinate  against  the 
kingdom,  retainers  of  Satan,  are  too  rapacious  ;  if  the  King's  judges  every  where 
are  true,  they  will  destroy  the  enchanters  and  their  followers. — They  deserved  to 
suffer  judgment  of  decapitation,  since  voluntarily  they  have  betrayed  such  a  sol- 
diery ;  the  Earl's  domestics,  who  were  clowns,  as  they  have  remained,  took  to 
flight. — These  by  a  multifarious  treason  betrayed  their  lord,  whom  the  impious 
people  of  Scotland  surrounded ;  they  struck  him  down  from  his  steed,  and  the 
faithful  esquires  who  were  with  him  fell  struck  down  iu  different  ways ;  the 
knights  and  others  fell  along  with  him  ;  when  his  friends  tried  to  succour  him, 
they  were  not  able  to  resist  so  many  enemies. — Thus  died  an  Earl  who  was 
distinguished  above  all  others,  who  had  given  his  property  to  wicked  men  ;  let 
every  one  have  a  care  to  himself,  after  these  examples,  that  he  give  not  hence- 
CAMD.  SOC.  6.  2  M 


266  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Ex  hoc  illi  comites  actibus  periti, 
Adhuc  qui  superstites  sunt,  fiant  muniti. 
Alias  in  prselio  cum  sistant  uniti, 
Ne  sic  proditorio  telo  sint  attriti. 

Cruciatur  Anglia  nimio  dolore. 
Tali  quod  versutia  privatur  honore, 
Muniatur  cautius  mentis  cum  labore. 
Error  ne  novissimus  pejor  sit  priore. 

Consulo  comitibus  adhuc  qui  sunt  vivi, 
Quod  sint  proditoribus  amodo  nocivi ; 
Sic  et  per  industriam  omnes  sint  captivi : 
Anglici  ad  Scotiam  fiant  progressivi. 

Credo  verum  dicere,  non  mentiri  conor ; 
Jam  ceepit  deficere  nostri  gentis  honor ; 
Comitem  cum  lividus  mortis  texit  color, 
Anglise  tunc  horridus  statim  crevit  dolor. 

Nostree  gentis  Angliee  quidam  sunt  captivi ; 
Currebant  ab  acie  quidam  semivivi ; 
Qui  fuerunt  divites  fiunt  redemptivi ; 

forth  trust  to  such  unworthy  people. — By  this  let  those  Earls  who  are  still  alive, 
learning  from  experience,  be  on  their  guard,  when  at  another  time  they  stand 
\mited  in  battle,  that  they  be  not  thus  bruised  by  the  weapon  of  treason. — Eng- 
land is  tormented  with  very  much  grief,  that  she  is  deprived  of  her  honour  by 
such  craftiness  ;  let  her  be  fortified  more  cautiously,  with  labour  of  mind,  that  the 
last  error  be  not  worse  than  the  former. — I  advise  the  Earls  who  are  still  alive, 
that  henceforward  they  destroy  traitors  ;  and  thus  by  their  industry  let  them  all 
be  made  prisoners  ;  let  the  English  thus  make  their  way  into  Scotland. — I  be- 
lieve that  I  tell  the  truth,  I  endeavour  not  to  say  what  is  false  ;  now  the  honour 
of  our  nation  begins  to  decline ;  when  the  livid  colour  of  death  spread  itself 
over  the  Earl,  then  immediately  grew  the  terrible  grief  of  England. — Of  our 
people  of  England  some  are  in  captivity ;  some  ran  away  from  the  battle  half 
dead ;  they  who  were  rich  are  made  ransom  ;  because  the  nobles  go  mad,  the 


REIGN    OF    EDWARD    II.  2G7 

Quod  delirant  nobiles  plectuntur  Achivi. 

Mentes  ducum  Angliee  sunt  studendo  fessse. 
Nam  foedus  justitiae  certo  caret  esse  ; 
Ergo  rex  potentiee  stirps  radice  Jessse, 
Fautores  perfidise  ducat  ad  non  esse ! 

Quando  ssevit  aquilum,  afFricus  quievit ; 
Et  australi  populo  dampnum  mortis  crevit. 
Anglia  victoria  frui  consuevit, 
Sed  prolis  perfidia  mater  inolevit. 

Si  scires^  Glovernia,  tua  fata,  fleres, 
Eo  quod  in  Scotia  tuus  ruit  haeres  ; 
Te  privigni  capient  quorum  probra  feres ; 
Ne  te  far  .  .  facient,  presens  regnum  teres. 

Facta  es  ut  domina  viro  viduata, 
Cujus  sunt  solamina  in  luctum  mutata  ; 
Tu  es  sola  ci vitas  capite  trancata  5 
Tuos  casus  Trinitas  faecundet  beata  ! 

common  people  are  the  sufferers. — The  minds  of  the  chieftains  of  England 
are  weary  with  studying,  for  the  league  of  justice  is  without  any  certain  exist- 
ence ;  may  therefore  the  King  of  power,  who  sprang  from  the  root  of  Jesse, 
destroy  utterly  the  maintainers  of  perfidy  ! — WTien  the  north-east  wind  rages,  the 
south-west  wind  dropped  ;  and  to  the  people  of  the  south  the  pain  of  death  in- 
creased. England  used  to  obtain  victory,  but  by  the  treachery  of  the  offspring 
the  mother  hath  lost  her  savour. — If  you  knew,  Gloucester,  your  fate,  you 
would  weep,  because  your  heir  perishes  in  Scotland ;  thy  sons-in-law  will  take 

thee,  from  whom  thou  wilt  suffer  disgrace  ;   lest  they  should  make  thee 

thou  will  bruise  the  present  government. — Thou  art  made  as  a  lady  widowed  of 
her  husband,  whose  comfort  is  changed  into  weeping  ;  thou  art  a  solitary  city 
deprived  of  thy  head  ;  may  the  blessed  Trinity  amend  thy  fortune  ! 


268  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

The  last  piece  in  our  collection  is  rather  different  in  character 
from  those  which  have  preceded  it.  One  of  the  most  unpo- 
pular acts  of  this  weak  reign  was  the  execution  of  the  Earl  of 
Lancaster  in  1322.  The  love  which  the  people  bore  towards 
him,  led  them  to  sanctify  his  memory.  A  martyr  in  what  was 
loudly  proclaimed  to  be  the  cause  of  God,  his  countrymen  be- 
lieved that  he  testified  his  unshaken  love  for  those  in  whose 
defence  he  had  fallen  by  mii'acles  performed  at  his  tomb,  and  a 
regular  form  of  service  was  composed  for  his  worship. 

THE    OFFICE    OF    ST.    THOMAS    OF    LANCASTER. 

[MS.  Reg.  12,  c.  XII.  fol.  1,  r^.  of  the  end  of  the  reign  of  Edward  II.,  or 
beginning  of  that  of  Edw.  III.,  written  all  as  prose.] 

Ant. —  Gaude  Thoma,  ducum  decus,  lucerna  Lancastriee, 
Qui  per  necem  imitaris  Thomam  Cantuarise  ; 
Cujus  caput  conculcatur  pacem  ob  ecclesise, 
Atque  tuum  detruncatur  causa  pacis  Anglice ; 
Esto  nobis  pius  tutor  in  omni  discrimine. 

Oratio. — Deus,  qui,  pro  pace  et  tranquillitate  regnicolarum 
Anglise,  beatum  Thomam  martjTem  tuum  atque  comitem 
gladio  persecutoris  occumbere  voluisti,  concede  propitius,  ut 
omnes  qui  ejus  memoriam  devote  venerantur  in  terris,  pree- 
mia  condigna  cum  ipso  consequi  mereantur  in  ccelis,  p.  dn.  n. 

Translation. — Anthem. — Rejoice,  Thomas,  the  glory  of  chieftains,  the  light 
of  Lancaster,  who  by  thy  death  imitatest  Thomas  of  Canterbury  ;  whose  head  was 
broken  on  account  of  the  peace  of  the  Church,  and  thine  is  cut  off  for  the  cause 
of  the  peace  of  England  ;  be  to  us  an  affectionate  guardian  in  every  difficulty. 

Prayer.  O  God,  who,  for  the  peace  and  tranquillity  of  the  inhabitants  of 
England,  willed  that  the  blessed  Thomas  thy  martyr  and  Earl  should  fall  by  the 
sword  of  the  persecutor,  grant  propitious,  that  all  who  devoutly  reverence  his 
memory  on  earth,  may  merit  to  obtain  worthy  reward  along  with  him  in  heaven, 
through  our  Lord. 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  II.  269 

Prosa. — Sospitati  dat  segrotos  precura  Thomse  fusio ; 

Comes  plus  mox  languentum  adest  in  preesidio ; 
Relevantur  ab  infirmis  infirmi  sufFragio. 
Sancti  Thomse  quod  monstratur  signorum  indicioj 
Vas  regale  trucidatiir  regni  pro  remedio. 
O  quam  probat  sanctum  ducem  morborum  curatio  ! 
Ergo  laudes  Thomee  sancto  canamus  cum  gaudio ; 
Nam  devote  poscens  ilium,  statim  proculdubio 

sospes  regreditur. 

Sequentia. — Summum  regem  honoremus, 

dulcis  pro  memoria 
Martyris,  quem  collaudemus 

summa  reverentia. 
Thomas  comes  appellatur, 

stemmate  egregio ; 
Sine  causa  condempnatur, 

natus  thoro  regio. 
Qui  cum  plebem  totam  cemit 

labi  sub  naufragio. 


Prosa.  The  pouring  out  of  prayers  to  Thomas  restores  the  sick  to  health  ; 
the  pious  Earl  comes  immediately  to  the  aid  of  those  who  are  feeble ;  they  are 
relieved  from  their  infirmities  by  the  suffrage  of  one  who  was  infirm.  So  that  it  is 
shown  by  the  evidence  of  the  miracles  of  St.  Thomas,  that  the  royal  vessel  is  be- 
headed for  the  cure  of  the  kingdom.  O  how  the  cure  of  diseases  declares  the 
sainted  leader  !  Therefore  with  rejoicing  let  us  sing  praises  to  St.  Thomas  ;  for 
he  who  asks  him  devoutly,  immediately  without  doubt  he  will  return  healed. 

Sequence.  Let  us  honour  the  highest  King,  for  the  memory  of  the  sweet 
martyr,  whom  we  join  in  praising  with  the  utmost  reverence.  He  is  called 
Earl  Thomas,  of  an  illustrious  race  ;  he  is  condemned  without  cause,  who 
was  born  of  a  royal  bed.  Who  when  he  perceived  that  the  whole  commons 
were  falling  into  wreck,   did  not  shrink  from   dying  for   the  right,   in  the 


270  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Non  pro  jure  mori  spemit, 

laetali  commercio. 
O  flos  militum  regalis, 

tuam  hanc  familiam 
Semper  conserves  a  malis, 

perducens  ad  gloriam  !  Amen. 

Pange,  lingua,  gloriosi  comitis  martyrium, 
Sanguinisque  prseciosi  Thomas  floris  militum, 
Germinisque  generosi  laudis,  lucis  comitum. 

De  parentis  utriusque  regali  prosapia 
Prodit  Thomas,  cujus  pater  proles  erat  regia, 
Matrem  atque  sublimavit  reginam  Navarria. 

Dux  fidelis  suum  gregem  dum  dispersum  conspicit, 
^mulumque  suum  regem  sibi  motum  meminit, 
Mox  carnalem  juxta  legem  in  mirum  contremuit. 

Benedicti  benedictus  capitur  vigilia, 
Agonista  fit  invictus  statim  die  tertia, 
Diree  neci  est  addictus,  ob  quod  luget  Anglia. 

Proht  dolor  !  acephalatur  plebis  pro  juvamine, 

fatal  commerce,     O  royal  flower  of  knights,  preserve  ever  from  evils  this  thy 
family,  bringing  them  to  glory  !     Amen. 

Declare,  my  tongue,  the  martyrdom  of  the  glorious  Earl,  and  of  the  precious 
blood  of  Thomas  the  flower  of  knights,  and  of  the  praise  of  the  noble  sprout, 
the  light  of  Earls.— Thomas  sprang  from  a  royal  race  by  both  his  parents, 
whose  father  was  the  son  of  a  king,  and  whose  mother  Navarre  raised  to  be  a 
queen. — The  faithful  leader  when  he  saw  that  his  flock  was  dispersed, and  he  called 
to  mind  that  his  king  was  moved  with  jealousy  towards  him,  soon  according  to  the 
law  of  the  flesh  he  trembled  wonderfully. — The  blessed  man  is  taken  on  the  vigil 
of  St.  Benet,  on  the  third  day  he  is  suddenly  made  an  unconquered  champion, 
he  is  delivered  to  dire  death,  on  account  of  which  England  mourns. — Alas  !  he 
is  beheaded  for  the  aid  of  the  commons,  he  is  deserted  by  the  company  of  his 


REIGN  OF  EDWARD  II.  271 

Suorumque  desolatur  militum  stipamine, 
Dum  dolose  desiandatur  per  sudam  Hoylandiae. 

Ad  sepulcrum  cujus  fiunt  frequenter  miracula, 
Ceeci,  claudi,  surdi,  muti^  membra  paralytica, 
Prece  sua  consequuntur  optata  preesidia. 

Trinitati  laus  et  honor,  virtus  et  potentia 
Patri,  proli,  flaminique  sacro  sit  per  seecula, 
Quae  nos  salvat  a  peccatis  Thomse  per  suffragia !  Amen. 

O  jam  Christi  pietas, 
Atque  Thomse  caritas 

palam  elucescit ! 
Heu !  nunc  languet  sequitas, 
Viget  et  impietas, 

Veritas  vilescit ! 
Nempe  Thomas  bonitas, 
Ejus  atque  sanctitas, 

indies  acrescit ; 
Ad  cujus  tumbam  sospitas 
iEgris  datur,  ut  Veritas 

cunctis  nunc  clarescit. 


knights,  whilst  he  is  treacherously  deserted  by  Robert  de  Hoyland. — At  whose 
tomb  are  frequently  performed  miracles ;  the  blind,  the  lame,  the  deaf,  the  dumb, 
and  paralytics,  by  his  prayer  obtain  the  help  they  desire. — Praise  and  honour, 
virtue  and  power  be  to  the  Trinity,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  for  ever, 
which  preserve  us  from  sin  through  the  intercession  of  Thomas  !     Amen. 

O  now  the  piety  of  Christ,  and  the  charity  of  Thomas,  shine  openly  !  Alas  I 
equity  now  pines  away,  and  impiety  flourishes,  truth  is  made  vile  !  Yet  the 
goodness  of  Thomas,  and  his  sanctity,  daily  increase  ;  at  whose  tomb  health  is 
given  to  the  sick,  that  the  truth  may  now  be  clear  to  all. 


£^2  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Copiosse  caritatis 

Thoma  pugil  strenue. 
Qui  pro  lege  libertatis 

decertasti  Angliee, 
Interpella  pro  peccatis 

nostris  patrem  glorise, 
Ut  ascribat  cum  beatis 

iios  coelestis  curia?.  Amen. 

O  Thomas,  strenuous  champion  of  plentiful  charity,  who  didst  combat  for  the 
law  of  England's  liberty,  intercede  for  our  sins  with  the  Father  of  Glory,  that 
he  may  give  us  a  place  with  the  blessed  in  the  heavenly  court.     Amen. 


273 


APPENDIX. 


EXTRACTS    FROM    PETER    LANGTOFT'S 
CHRONICLE. 

EDWARD    THE    FIRSt's  WAR  WITH    SCOTLAND  IN   1294. 

[From  a  MS.  in  the  Public  Library  of  the  University  of  Cambridge,  Gg.  I. 
1,  fol.  337,  written  early  in  the  reign  of  Edw.  II. — The  Collations  are  from 
MS.  Cotton.  Julius,  A.  v.  fol.  137,  v°.  (C),  of  about  the  same  age;  and 
MSS.  Reg.  20,  A.  II.  fol.  123,  r".  (R.  1),  and  20,  A.  XI.  fol.  105,  r°. 
(R.  2),  both  of  the  fourteenth  century.] 

*|*  tj^  ^  ^  3jC 

Gales  soit  maldit  de  Deus  e  de  Saint  Symoun ! 
Car  tuz  jours  ad  este  pleins  de  tresoun. 

■pSCOCE  soit  maldit  de  la  Mere  De  ! 
E  parfount  a  diable  Gales  enfoundre  ! 

Various  Readings. — The  two  first  lines  are  wanting  in  C. — 1,  Dien,  B.. 
1  and  2. — 2.  plein,  R.  1  and  2. — 3.  maudite,  C. 


Translation. — May  Wales  be  accursed  of  God  and  of  St.  Simon  ! — for  it 
has  always  been  full  of  treason. 

May  Scotland  be  accursed  of  the  mother  of  God  ! — and  may  Wales  be  sunk 
CAMD.   SOC.  6.  2    N 


274  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

En  Pun  ne  en  li  autre  fust  unkes  verite. 
Car  si  toust  en  Gales  guere  est  comence, 
Et  de  Aquitaine  le  covenaunt  taille 
Fu  par  le  rai  de  Fraunce  rumpu  e  refuse, 
E  Edward  e  Pliilippe  comencent  medle, 

10  Li  fol  rai  de  Escoce,  Jon  Baliol  nome, 
Qe  par  le  ray  Edward  al  regne  est  aproche. 
Par  Tenticement  de  sun  faus  barn^, 
Encuntre  sun  homage  e  encuntre  sa  fealte, 
Ad  la  court  de  Rome  ad  messagers  maunde, 
A  Celestine  la  pape,  ke  al  houre  tint  le  se, 
Par  suggestioun  ad  fausement  demustre 
Qe  le  regne  d'Escoce  ouf  la  dignite 
Dait  de  li  tenir  par  antiquite, 
Et  li  rais  Edward  par  poer  e  poste 

20  Li  fist  fere  homasre  encuntre  volonte  ; 


Various  Readings. — 5.  ne  V autre  fu,  C. — 9.  Et  Sir  Eduuard,  C.  co- 
menscait,  R.  1. — 10.  Bayllolf,  C.  Baylliolf,  R.  1.  Johan  Baillol,  R.  2. — 12. 
Par  le  consail ....  /ol  b.,  C. — 15.  que  eel  h.,  R.  2. — 16.  ount  ....  moustri, 
C.  ad  ..  ..  moustre,  R.  1  and  2. — 19.  le  rei,  R.  2. 


down  deep  to  the  devil ! — In  neither  of  them  was  there  ever  truth. — For  as  soon 
as  war  was  commenced  in  Wales, — and  the  covenant  which  had  been  cut  out  in 
Aquitaine — was  broken  and  refused  by  the  King  of  France, — and  Edward  and 
Philip  began  hostilities, — the  foolish  King  of  Scotland,  named  John  Baliol,  — 
who  was  brought  to  the  kingdom  by  King  Edward, — by  the  seductions  of  his 
false  baronage, — against  his  homage  and  against  his  fealty, — sent  messengers  to 
the  court  of  Rome — to  pope  Celestin,  who  at  the  time  held  the  see, — by  a 
trick  falsely  showed — that  the  kingdom  of  Scotland  with  the  dignity — ought 
to  hold  of  him  by  testimony  of  ancient  times, — and  that  King  Edward  by  force 
and  might — made  him  do  homage  against  his  will ; — and  prays  that  he  may  be 


LANGTOFT  S    CHRONICLE.  275 

E  prie  q'il  seit  assolz  e  devolupe 
De  la  fay  le  ray,  a  ki  il  fu  jore. 
La  pape  Celestine,  trop  desayvise, 
Assolt  le  rai  d'Escoce  par  lettre  enbulle. 
Si  toust  cum  en  Escoce  [la]  chose  est  nuncie, 
Les  barnez  unt  fest  ad  lour  hountete 
Duze  peres  d'Escoce^  et  sunt  counsaille 
Desheriter  Edward  de  la  souverainte. 
Pour  le  graunt  honur  ke  Edward  le  sene 
30  Fist  a  Johan  Bailloil,  tele  est  la  bounte 

Dunt  le  rays  Edward 

Du  ray  Johan  musard 

est  regwerdone. 

De  Escoce  sait  cum  pot, 

Parfornir  nus  estoet 

la  geste  a  vaunt  parle. 

/^UANT  Morgan  est  renduz,  e  Madok  est  pris, 
«^   Le  ray  revient  aLoundres,  par  cunsail  des  amys. 

Various  Readings. — 22.  la  fay  ly  roys,  R.  1. — 22.  fu  trop,  R.  2. — 25. 
la  chose,  C,  R.  1.— 27.  en  Escoce,  C— 28.  -Sire  Edward  a  la  s.,  R.  1.— 30. 
Bayllof,  C,  R.  1.— 32.  mosard,  R.  1.— 37.  Moryar,  R.  2, 


absolved  and  delivered — from  his  faith  to  the  king,  to  whom  he  was  sworn. — 
Pope  Celestin,  too  unadvised, — absolves  the  King  of  Scotland  by  his  bull. — As 
soon  as  the  thing  is  announced  in  Scotland, — the  barons  have  made  to  their 
disgrace — twelve  peers  of  Scotland,  and  have  taken  counsel — to  disinherit  Ed- 
ward of  the  sovereignty. — For  the  great  honour  which  Edward  the  prudent — 
did  to  John  Baliol,  such  is  the  goodness — with  which  King  Edward — by  King 
John  the  sleeveless — is  rewarded. — With  Scotland  let  it  be  as  it  may, — it  is  need- 
ful for  us  to  complete — the  history  before  mentioned. 

When  Morgan  has  submitted,   and  Madoc  is  taken, — the  king  returns  to 


276  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Deus  chardinals  de  Rome  la  pape  i  ad  transmys, 
40  Ke  ouf  le  ray  de  Fraunce  parleint  a  Parys ; 
Del  amur  entre  eus  la  pape  est  entremys. 
Les  chardinals  al  rai  cunt  dist  lur  avis  ; 
Edward  e  Philippe  ount  durement  requis 
Reposer  une  pesce  chascoun  en  son  pais, 
Issint  qe  bone  gent  de  poer  e  de  pris, 
Qe  ad  nule  parte  se  facent  enemys  ; 
Ou  la  pape  meissme  sait  par  la  justis, 
Ad  parfere  I'acorde  de  quant  qe  sait  mespris. 

nPAUNT  cum  les  cardinales  de  la  pes  parlaint, 
^^  Les  gens  de  Normendie  suz  Dover  arivaint, 

En  la  compaignie  les  Kauleys  estaint. 
En  la  vile  de  Dover  sodainement  entraint, 
E  parti  du  burge  arder  comensaynt; 


Various  Readings. — 40.  plaint,  R.  1. — 41.  ad  entremys,  R.  I.  n'esi  en- 
tremis,  R.  2. — 42.  al  rays,  C.  le  reis,  R.  1. — 43.  Sir  Eduuard,  C.  E  Edward, 
R.  2.-45.  Issi  Jce,  C,  R.  1.  This  line  is  omitted  in  R.  2. — 47,  48.  soit,  R.  2. 
— 50.  suth  Dover,  C, — 51.  les  Kalays,  C.  Calays,  R.  1  and  2. 


London  by  the  advice  of  his  friends. — Two  cardinals  of  Rome  the  pope  has  sent 
there, — who  had  talked  with  the  King  of  France  at  Paris ; — the  pope  has  inter- 
fered to  establish  love  between  them. — The  cardinals  have  stated  their  object 
to  the  king; — pressingly  they  have  requested  Edward  and  Philip — to  remain  in 
peace  each  in  his  country, — like  good  people  of  power  and  value, — who  on  no 
side  make  themselves  enemies  ; — or  that  the  pope  himself  should  be  their  judge, 
— to  effect  the  reconciliation  wherever  might  be  the  trespass. 

Whilst  the  cardinals  were  talking  of  the  peace, — the  people  of  Normandy 
came  to  Dover, — along  with  them  were  those  of  Calais. — They  entered  sud- 
denly into  the  town  of  Dover, — and  began  to  burn  a  part  of  the  town ; — of  young 


I 


laxgtoft's  chronicle.  277 

Des  joevenes  e  des  vels  .xiii.  homes  tuaynt. 
Quant  ^andrent  a  la  cunte  .x.  pur  un  lessaint. 
Li  gardain  du  chastel  e  eels  qe  manaynt, 
En  meismes  de  la  celle,  ke  bien  se  gwiaint, 
Se  pristrent  a  defense,  e  les  escriaint ; 
Normaunz  e  Picards,  ke  forfet  avaint, 
6"0  Furent  degages ;  les  chapels  demorraint 
Ouf  le  chef  des  uns,  le[s]  autres  s'en  alaint. 
Un  moygne  i  fu  pur  veir,  a  ki  .xx.  enclinaint, 
E  si  les  assolt,  mot  plus  ne  savaint. 
Les  cardinals  apres  ad  Paris  repeiraint; 
Ne  sai  leqel  respouns  du  ray  enportaint. 
Noun  pur  ceo  plusurs  entre  els  disaint, 
Qe  toutes  les  parlaunces  a  drein  descendaint, 
Ke  Edward  e  Philippe  lur  gent  sustrarraint, 


Various  Readings. — 54.  i  tuaynt,  C. — 55.  .jtj^.  pur  un,  R.  1. — 56.  del 
chastel  et  eel  ke  la  m.,  C. — 57.  ^t  moynes  de  la  c,  C.  E  moignes,  R.  1  and  2. 
—59.  Pikard,  C.  forfez,  R.  1.— 61.  Of  les  chefs,  C,  R.  1  and  2.-62.  Un 
moyne  de  la  celle  a  ky,  C. — 63.  Et  cyl  les  ....  sonaynt,  C,  R.  1  and  2. — 65. 
Ne  sai  quels  respouns,  C,  R.  2.  Ne  say  quel  respons,  R.  1.  reporiaient,  R.  2. 
67.  Qe  totes  ....  descendraint,  R.  1. — 68.  lur  genz  suthrayeraynt,  C,  R.  2. 
gentz,  R.  1. 


and  old  they  killed  thirteen  men. — When  they  came  to  the  reckoning,  they  left 
ten  for  one. — The  keeper  of  the  castle  and  those  who  remained, — and  the  monks  of 
the  cell,  who  bare  themselves  well, — took  to  theirdefence  and  cried  out  upon  them ; 
— Normans  and  Picards  who  had  put  themselves  in  debt, — were  let  out  of  pledge  ; 
the  hats  remained — with  the  heads  of  some,  the  others  went  away. — There  was 
a  monk  in  truth,  to  whom  twenty  bowed  down, — and  he  absolved  them  all, 
they  knew  not  a  word  more. —  The  cardinals  afterwards  repaired  to  Paris  ; — I 
do  not  know  what  answer  they  carried  from  the  king. — Nevertheless  divers 
among  them  said, — that  all  the  conversations  would  come  to  this  at  last, — that 
Edward  and  Philip  should  withdraw  their  people, — so  that  people  should  go  by  sea 


278  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Issi  qe  genz  par  mer  et  par  tere  irraint 

70  En  sofFraunce  de  pesse,  ke  amys  purraint ; 

Parfournir  Tacorde  les  Englais  volaint, 

Et  les  Alemaunz  ad  sei  se  assentiraint. 


T 


^AUNT  cum  les  cardinals  se  sunt  entremis 
De  reformer  la  pes,  e  fere  les  rays  amis, 
Thomas  de  Turbevile,  ke  ad  Rouns  fu  pris, 
Taunt  ad  parle  al  provost  de  Parys, 
Ke  fet  I'ad  soun  homage,  et  hostages  rays 
Ses  deuz  fiz  en  garde,  e  seurement  promis 
Aler  en  Engletere  espier  le  pais, 
80  E  dire  al  ray  Edward  k'il  vent  futifs, 
Escbape  de  prisoun  par  mi  ses  amys. 
Le  provost  I'ad  graunte,  e  fet  en  ses  escris 
Cent  hevre  de  tere  par  autel  devis ; 


Various  Readings. — 69.  ou  par  tere,  R.  1.  Issint  que  gent,  R.  2. — 71. 
le  volaynt,  C.  la  vola'mt,  R.  1. — 72.  a  fo  se  as.,  C.  Si  les  A.  ..  .a  ceo,  R.  1. 
— 74.  De ]}erfornir,Ti.  1. — 75.  Tourbevyle- . .  aRyouns,CaRiouns,  R.  1  and 
2. — 76.  en  taunt  ..  of  le  p.  C.  En  taunt,  R.  1. — 77.  hostage,  C,  R.  2.— 80. 
al  rays  ....  ke  il  vynt,  C. — 81.  Eschapa  de  p.  par  my  ses  enemys,  C.  enemys, 
R.  1  and  2. — 83.  liverez,  C.  liveres,  R.  2. 


and  by  land, — in  sufferance  of  peace,  as  friends  could ; — the  English  would  per- 
form the  agreement, — if  the  Germans  would  agree  with  them. 

Whilst  the  cardinals  are  interfering — to  re-establish  the  peace,  and  to  make 
the  kings  friends,  —  Thomas  de  Turbevile,  who  was  taken  at  Rion, — has 
talked  so  much  to  the  Provost  of  Paris, — that  he  has  done  his  homage  to  him, 
and  given  as  hostages — his  two  sons  in  keeping,  and  solemnly  promised — to  go 
to  England  to  spy  the  country, — and  to  say  to  King  Edward  that  he  came  a 
fugitive— escaped  from  prison  among  his  enemies. — The  Provost  agreed  to  it, 
and  put  in  his  writing — a  hundred  pounds  of  land  ou  such  a  devise ; — and 


langtoft's  chronicle.  279 

Et  Thomas  I'affiaunce  sur  les  evangelis, 
Ke  tut  Engletere  e  Walays  e  Marchis, 
E  du  regne  cl'Escoce  quanke  sunt  de  pris, 
Serrunt  enclinaunz  a  Philippe  fiz  Lowis. 

tj^SCOTEZ  ore  coment  la  grace  Jhesu  Crist 
Li  gentil  rays  Edward  de  la  traisoun  garnist. 
90  Thomas  en  Engletere  vint  ad  rais  e  dist, 
Ke  hors  de  la  prisoun  nutauntre  issist^ 
E  pur  amur  Sire  Edward  a  tel  peril  se  prist. 
Curtaise  assez  li  ray  li  countrefist ; 
Et  Turbevile  apres  de  jour  en  jour  enquist 
L'estate  de  la  tere,  et  sun  aler  purvist 
De  leu  en  leu  enqueir  de  graunt  e  de  petist, 
Coment  as  Englais  peut  fere  tel  despit, 
Ke  li  rais  Edward  sa  tere  perdisist. 


Various  Readings. — 86.  Itant  ke,  C. — 87.  enclynaunt,  C,  R.  1  and  2. — 
8S.  Ly  gentiz  ray  Ed.,  C.  rei,  R.  2. — 90.  al  ray,  C.  au  rei,  R.  2. — 91.  nuyt 
auntre  issist,  C.  nutaunte,  R.  2. — 92.  This  line  is  omitted  in  C.  Vamur  Ed- 
ward a  tielle  sep.,  R.  1  and  2. — 93.  Curtaisye  ..  li  rays,  C,  R.  1.  Curtaisie, 
R.  2. 


Thomas  pledges  on  the  Gospels, — that  all  England,  and  Wales  and  the  Marches, 
— and  all  who  are  of  value  in  the  kingdom  of  Scotland, — shall  bow  to  Philip 
the  son  of  Louis. 

Hear  now  how  the  grace  of  Jesus  Christ — warned  the  gentle  King  Edward  of 
the  treason. — Thomas  came  to  England  and  said  to  the  king, — that  he  had  es- 
caped out  of  prison  by  night, — and  that  he  had  run  so  great  a  risk  out  of  love 
to  Sir  Edward. — The  king  showed  him  in  return  courtesy  enough  ; — and  after- 
wards Turbeville  inquired  day  by  day — the  state  of  the  land,  and  provided  for 
his  going — from  place  to  place  to  seek  of  great  and  of  little, — how  he  could  do 
such  injury  to   the   English, — that   King   Edward  should   lose  his  land. — The 


280  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

L^estate  de  tote  part,  tel  cum  entendist, 
100  Of  les  cardinals  par  un  de  sons  tramist 
Al  provost  de  Paris,  ke  joie  assez  en  fist. 
Li  cleirs  ke  la  lettre  ad  Turbevile  escrit, 
Ad  plus  prive  le  rais  I'entente  descoverist. 
Li  lers  Faparcust,  ad  fust  tost  se  mist, 
Un  serjaunt  as  armes,  ke  plus  pres  suist, 
Le  tierz  jour  apres  le  Turbevile  surprist. 

1   E  traitour  est  pris,  e  a  Lundres  remene, 

Ouf  mult  grant  fausine  ke  sur  lui  fust  trove. 
Chose [s]  que  sunt  dites,  quels  il  ad  graunte, 
1 1 0  Par  volunte  le  rai  sunt  mis  desuz  pie, 
Jeskes  seo  secle  seit  autrement  turne. 
Turbeville  en  curt  cum  traitur  est  juge  ; 
Par  my  la  vile  de  Lundres  primes  fu  traine. 


Various  Readings. — 99.  Les  estat  de  tote parz,  C.  Vestat  de  totes partz, 
R.  2.— 102.  Li  clerk,  C — 103.  le  rei,  R.  2.— 104.  Ly  leers  tost  Vap.,  R.  1.— 
106.  Le  tierce  jour  apres  le  traytour  soupryst,  C. — 109.  Chases,  C,  R.  1  and 

2. — 110.  le  rays,  C,  R.  1.  mis  suth pi,  R.  2. — 111.  Jekes  h  fo chaunyi, 

C,  R.  1.  chaung6,  R.  2.— 113.  This  line  is  omitted  in  C. 


condition  of  every  part,  as  he  understood  it, — he  sent  over  with  the  cardinals 
by  one  of  his  own  servants — to  the  Provost  of  Paris,  who  made  joy  enough 
about  it. — The  clerk  who  wrote  the  letter  for  Turbeville, — made  known  its  con- 
tents to  the  king's  most  secret  counsellor The  thief  got  to  know  this,  and 

immediately  took  to  flight ; — a  serjeant  at  arms,  who  followed  him  very  closely, 
— surprised  Turbeville  the  third  day  after. 

The  traitor  is  taken,  and  brought  to  London, — with  very  great  wickedness  which 
was  found  upon  him. — The  things  which  are  aforesaid,  which  he  had  agreed  to  do, 
— by  the  king's  will  are  put  under  foot, — until  the  world  is  otherwise  turned. — 
Turbeville  is  judged  in  the  court  as  a  traitor  ; — he  was  first  drawn  through  the 


LANGTOFT  S    CHRONICLE.  281 

E  puis  pendu  cum  lers,  pur  sa  malfete. 
Pur  nostre  rais  Edward  mult  ad  Deus  overd 
Ore  et  autre  fiez  ad  sa  sauvete. 


Q' 


jUANT  de  Turbeville  fet  est  la  vengaunce, 
Les  cardinales  de  Rome  repeirez  en  Fraunce 
Ont  ouf  le  rei  Phelippe  sovent  eu  parlaunce, 
120  Et  sovent  requis  li  rais  des  Alemaunce, 
E  par  clers  e  leys  ount  fet  demoustraunce 
Ad  gentil  rais  Edward,  ke  dure  est  les  destaunce 
Dunt  li  e  Philippe  sunt  en  descordaunce  ; 
Par  ount  il  unt  fet  une  tele  ordinaunce, 
Ke  li  e  les  deus  rais  enverrount  sanz  tarjaunce 
A  Kaumbre  clers  e  lays  de  grant  conyssaunce, 
Ad  trere  de  la  pees,  e  juger  la  grevance, 


Various  Readings. — 114.  E  pendu  ..  malveti,  R.  \.maveiste,'R..2. — 115. 
rei,  R.  2. — 118.  repairent,  C. — 120.  /y  ray,  C.  del  Almaunz,  R.  1.  le  rei,  R. 
2.— 122.  rey,  R.  1  and  2.— 125.  Ke  ly  e  ly  altre  eav.,  R.  1  and  2.— 126.  a 
Kaumhray,  C.  Kambrai,  R.  1.  Kaunbrai,  R.  2. — 127-  d  treter,  C,  R.  1 
and  2. 


town  of  London, — and  then  hanged  like  a  thief,  for  his  malpractices. — For  our 
King  Edward  God  has  interfered  much — now  and  at  other  times  for  his  safety. 
When  vengeance  is  done  upon  Turbeville, — the  cardinals  of  Rome,  who 
had  repaired  to  France — have  had  frequent  conversation  with  King  Philip, — 
and  have  often  besought  the  King  of  Germany, — and  have  demonstrated  by 
clerks  and  laymen— to  the  gentle  King  Edward,  that  the  variance  is  hard — 
about  which  he  and  King  Philip  are  at  discord ; — whereby  they  have  so  or- 
dained the  matter, — that  he  and  the  two  kmgs  shall  send  without  delay— to 
Cambrai  clerks  and  laymen  of  great  knowledge, — to  treat  of  the  peace,  and  to 
CAMD.  SOC.  G.  2  O 


282  POLITICAL  SONGS. 

E  fere  les  amendes  de  la  contrariaunce. 
Ly  rays  Edward  s'assent  en  bone  affiaunce  ; 
130  A  Kaumbray  ad  maunde  saunz  nule  delaiaunce 
Eveskes  e  Ijarouns  de  graunt  apparaunce  : 
Les  garde  de  tresoun  Dieu  par  sa  puissaunce  ! 

T"^AUNT  cum  eels  seignurs  sunt  alez  eel  message, 

Sire  Edmund  frere  le  rai  de  gentil  corage, 
Le  counte  de  Nincole  ouf  toute  sun  menage, 
Sir  Willeam  de  Vescy,  chivaler  prus  e  sage, 
Barouns  e  vavasours  de  gentil  linnage, 
Chivalers  e  serjaunce  ouf  lur  cosynage, 
Genz  a  pie  saunz  noumbre  de  more  e  de  boscage, 
140  E  Galais  qe  sevent  combatir  par  usage. 
Sunt  alez  en  Gascoyn,  e  entres  en  passage, 
Ouf  .XXX.  et  .vi.  baners  de  meillur  escuage 
Ke  feust  en  Engletere,  salve  le  vacellage 


Various  Readings. — 134.  le  rays,  C.  ly  roys,  R.  1. — 135.  Nicole  of  tote 
ses  menayas,  C. — 139.  gent,  R.  2. — 142.  Of  .xxvj.  baneresce  del  m.,  C.  Ouf 
.AX.  el  .vj.,  R.  1.  od  vint  e  sis,  R.  2. — 143.  vassellage,  R,  1  and  2. 


judge  the  grievances, — and  to  make  the  amends  for  the  war. — King  Edward 
agrees  to  it  with  good  faith  ; — to  Cambrai  he  has  sent  without  any  delay — 
bishops  anJ  barons  of  great  accovmt. — May  God  by  his  power  guard  them  from 
treason ! 

While  these  lords  are  gone  upon  this  message, —  Sir  Edward  the  brother  of  the 
King  of  gentle  spirit, — the  Earl  of  Lincoln  with  all  his  retainers, — Sir  William  de 
Yescy,  a  good  and  prudent  knight, — barons  and  vavasors  of  gentle  lineage, — 
knights  and  sergeants  with  their  cousinage, — footmen  without  number  from  moor 
and  wood, — and  Welshmen  who  know  how  to  fight  from  frequent  practice, — are 
gone  into  Gascony,  and  entered  on  the  passage, — with  thirty  -six  banners  of  the 
best  escuage — that  was  in  England,  except  the  vassalage — of  those  who  now 


langtoft's  chronicle.  283 

De  eels  qe  ore  ne  faillent  ad  lour  seignurage. 
Car  eels  qe  sunt  remis  garder  lur  heritage. 
Ad  le  rei  requis  e  pris  en  sun  veiage 
Sur  le  ray  d'Escoee  e  sur  sun  fals  barnage, 
Ke  ad  ray  Edward  dedient  lur  homage. 
Le  primer  jour  de  Marce,  en  tot  le  graunt  orage, 
150  Vint  le  ray  Edward  a  trop  grant  costage 

A  Novechastel-sur-Tyne,  pur  le  graunt  utrage 
Ke  les  fels  mastins  ount  brace  par  folage. 
NostVe  rays  Edward  ait  la  male  rage ! 
Et  ne  les  prenge  e  tienge  si  estrait  en  kage, 
Ke  rien  lour  demourge  apres  sun  taliage, 
Fors  soul  les  rivelins  et  la  nue  nage. 

TJ  OBERT  de  Ros  de  Werke  des  Englais  s'en  fuist, 

E  ouf  les  genz  d'Escoee  a  la  gwere  se  mist. 
Li  rais  Sire  Edward  sun  chastel  seisist. 


Various  Readings. — 146.  en  son  menage,  R.  1. — 147.  et  sun  fol  barnage, 
C. — 148.  heal  rays,  C. — 150.  ly  rots,  R.  1. — 151.  Newechaustel,  R.  1. — 152. 
ke  lesfols,  C.  bracez,  R.  1. — 153.  rays  Sir  Eduuard,  C. — 154.  Si  il  ne  les,  R. 
1.  S'ilneles,  R.  2. — 156.  rivelinges,  C.  it  la  nue  n.,  R.  1. — 158.  od  le  rei  se 
mist,  R.  2.— 159.  lerei,  R.  2. 


perform  their  seignorage. — For  those  who  are  left  to  guard  their  inheritance, — the 
king  has  required  and  taken  into  his  expedition — against  the  King  of  Scotland 
and  his  false  baronage, — who  have  withdrawn  their  homage  from  King  Edward. — 
The  first  day  of  March,  in  aU.  the  great  storm, — comes  King  Edward  with  very- 
great  purveyance, — to  Newcastle-upon-Tyne,  for  the  great  outrage — which  the 
wicked  dogs  have  effected  in  their  folly. — May  our  King  Edward  suffer  the  "  male 
rage," — if  he  does  not  take  them  and  hold  them  so  fast  in  cage, — that  nothing  shall 
remain  after  his  taillage, — except  only  their  rivelings  and  their  bare  backsides. 

Robert  de  Ros  of  Wark  fled  from  the  English, —  and  entered  into  the  war 
with  the  people  of  Scotland. — The  Kmg   Sir  Edward  seized  his  castle, — held 


284  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

ICO  La  feste  de  pasche  y  tint,  apres  s'en  partist 
Devers  Berwike-sur-Twede,  e  la  vile  assist. 
Le  people  malure  al  primour  surprist 
Deus  navez  des  Englais,  e  tuer  le  fist. 
Li  rays  Edward  I'oit  dire,  les  portes  assailist ; 
Les  fosses  passait  li  Englais  sanz  respit. 
Le  vendredi  de  pasche  ad  truele  conquist 
La  vile  de  Berwike  ;  li  Englais  lo  occist 
Quatre  mile  de  Escoce,  e  autres  plus  perdist. 
Chivaler  un  saunz  plus  Sire  Edward  i  perdist, 

1 70  Richard  de  Cornewalle,  un  Fleming  li  ferist 

Hors  de  [la]  sale  rouge  d'u[n]  quarel  qu'il  tendist. 

Tost  fu  la  sale  pris,  le  fu  en  fist  tut  quist. 

Li  gardein  du  chasteil  quant  la  force  vist, 

Le  chastel  saunz  assalt  al  rais  Edward  rendist. 


Various  Readings. — 160.  de  la  paske,  C.  departist,  R.  1. — 161.  Vers  B., 
R.  1. — 163  les  fist,  C. — 165.  les  Englais,  C. — 166.  al  releve  conquyst,  C.  al 
revele,  R.  1.  au  relevee,  R.  2. — 167.  i  oocyst,  C.  Les  Englais  oc,  R.  2. — 168. 
e  ankes  plus,  C,  R.  1  and  2. — 171.  du  sale,  C.  de  la  sale,  R.  1  and  2.  d^un, 
R.  2. 


the  festival  of  Easter  there,  and  afterwards  went — towards  Berwick-on-Tweed, 
and  besieged  the  town. — The  ill-fated  people  at  first  surprised — two  ships  of 
English,  and  put  them  to  death. — King  Edward  heard  of  it,  and  attacked  the 
gates  ; — the  English  passed  the  ditches  without  respite. — On  Easter  Friday  in 
the  afternoon  he  conquered — the  town  of  Berwick ;  the  English  slew  there — 
four  thousand  Scotchmen,  and  many  others  perished. — Sir  Edward  lost  there 
one  knight  and  no  more, — Richard  de  Cornwall  [was  he] ,  a  Fleming  struck 
him — with  an  arrow  which  he  shot  out  of  the  red  hall. — Soon  was  the  hall 
taken,  the  fire  cleared  the  way, — The  keeper  of  the  castle  when  he  saw  the 
necessity, — delivered  the  castle  to  King  Edward  before  it  was  assaulted. — Wil- 


LANGTOFT  8    CHRONICLE.  285 

Willeam  de  Douglasse  dedens  esteit  elist, 
E  Ricard  Fresel,  pur  fere  al  ray  despit ; 
Le  ray  les  ad  prisoune,  merci  Jhesu  Crist ! 

T  I  quens  de  la  Merche,  Patrik  li  renome, 
Ad  la  pes  le  rays  se  rendist  de  gre ; 

180  Gilbert  de  Umfravile  avaunt  fust  demore 
Ouf  le  rais  Edward,  a  ki  il  fu  jore  ; 
Sire  Robert  de  Brus  of  toute  sa  mesne 
Vers  le  rais  Edward  tint  tuz  jours  sa  fealte, 
Encuntre  les  Escotes  amurs  li  ad  mustre. 
Quant  Berwike  fu  pris,  [de]  denz  estait  trove 
Or  e  argent  saunz  noumbre,  des  altres  metals  plente, 
E  toute  la  nobley  ke  apendait  a  cite. 
Ly  Bailloill  ad  perdu  li  issu  e  Pentre 
De  la  plus  noble  vile  qe  fust  en  sa  poestd. 

190  Le  rais  Edward  la  tent  conquis  par  I'espe, 


Various  Readings. — 176.  Richard  Fres',C.  Simoun  Fresel,  R.  I.  Simoti 
Fresele,  R.  2. — 177.  prisouns,  C,  R.  1  and  2.  merciez,  R.  2. — 179.  le  rei. — 
181.  al  rays,  C.  od  le  rei,  R.  2. — 183.  vers  le  roy,  R.  1  and  2. — 185.  dedenz 
estayt,  C,  R.  1  and  2. — 186.  or,  argent  assez,  des,  C. — 187.  la  noblye,  C. — 
188.  Balliolf,  C. 


liam  Douglas  was  chosen  in  it, — and  Richard  Fraser,  to  do  injury  to  the  king  ; 
— the  king  has  them  prisoners.     Jesus  Christ  be  thanked  ! 

The  Earl  of  the  March,  the  famous  Patrick, — of  his  own  free  will  came  in  to 
the  king's  peace  ; — Gilbert  de  Umfraville  before  remained — with  King  Edward, 
to  whom  he  was  sworn  ; — Sir  Robert  de  Bruce  with  aU  his  household — holds 
always  his  fealty  to  King  Edward, — and  has  shown  him  love  in  his  wars  against 
the  Scots. — ^\^len  Berwick  was  taken,  there  was  found  within  it — gold  and 
silver  without  measure,  and  plenty  of  the  other  metals, — and  all  the  nobility 
which  belonged  to  a  city. — The  Baliol  has  lost  the  issue  and  entry — of  the 
noblest  town  that  was  in  his  power. — King  Edward  holds  it  conquered  by  the 


286  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

La  fet  environner  de  fosse  large  e  le. 
En  restrovant  I'Escote  k'ad  de  li  chauiite, 
E  par  mokerie  en  Englais  rymaie. 
Piket  hym  and  diket  him. 
On  scorne  saiden  he, 

hu  best  hit  mai  be. 
He  pikes  and  he  dikes. 
On  lengthe  alle  him  Ukes, 

als  hy  mowe  best  y-se. 
200  Scatered  heir  the  Scotes, 

Hodred  in  the  hottes, 

never  thai  ne  the  : 
Ritht  if  y  rede, 
Thay  toumble  in  Twede 

that  woned  bi  the  se. 


Various  Readings. — 191.  This  line  is  omitted  in  C. — 192.  reprovant,  C, 
R.  1  and  2.— 193.  ry'meyt,  C,  R.  1  and  2.— 194.  Pykit,  C.  Pikit  •  •  dikit,  R. 
2. — 195.  scoren  sayd,  C.  in  scoren,  R.  1.  in  scorn,  R.  2. — 196.  best  may,  C. 
Where  this  line  is  given  in  place  of  line  1 99,  which  is  omitted.  It  is  the  same 
in  R.  1  and  2. — 197.  He  dikes,  he  pikes,  C,  R.  1  and  2. — 198.  On  lenche  ah 
hym,  C.  On  leyhe  als  hym,  R.  1.  als,  R.  2. — 200.  Skaterd  he  the,  C.  Scatird 
e?;  R.  1.  are  (he  Scottis,  R.  2. — 201.  Hoderd  in  thar,  C.  Hodird  in  thaire,  R. 
1.  Hoderedin  their,  R.  2.— 202.  nevere,  R.  2.— 203.  31/,  R.  2.— 204.  tumbed, 
C,  R.  2.  toumbe,  R.  1.— 205.  be,  R.  2. 


sword, — causes  it  to  be  sui-rounded  with  a  ditch  large  and  broad,— in  reproof 
of  the  Scot  who  had  sung  of  him, — and  made  rhymes  in  English  for  mockery. — 
Let  him  pike  and  let  him  dike, — they  said  in  scorn, — how  it  may  best  be. — He 
pikes  and  he  dikes, — in  length  as  he  likes, — as  they  may  best  see. — Scattered  are 
the  Scots, — huddled  in  their  huts, — they  never  thrive  : — Right  if  I  read, — they 
tumble  in  Tweed — who  dwelt  by  the  sea. 


T 


laxgtoft's  chronicle.  287 

WUNT  cum  Sire  Edward  ouf  cuntes  e  barouns 
Fist  Berwiclie  enclore  de  fossez  en^Hrrouns, 
Issuz  sunt  d'Escoce  trais  countes,  par  nouns 
De  Mar,  de  Ros,  de  MontescC;,  [of]  .xL  mile  felouns  ; 
210  Estaint  en  la  rute  alaunt  en  tapisouns^ 

Tyndale  unt  destruite  en  cendres  e  carbouns, 

La  vile  de  Corbridge  e  deuz  religiouns 

De   Exillesham   e    Lanercost  en  unt    destruite    par 

arcouns, 
Du  people  du  pais  ount  fet  occisiouns, 
Enporte  les  biens,  en  chace  les  chanouns. 
Apres  la  ravine  cum  foles  e  bricouns 
Sunt  alez  de  Dunbar  a  lur  confusiouns. 
Le  chastel  unt  pris,  estendent  pa\"illouns, 
Ad  Counte  de  la  Marche  esteint  les  mesouns. 


Various  Readings. — 209.  De  Mare,  de  Rosse,  de  Menethet,  of  .xl.,  C. 
De  Ros,  Assetle,  de  Menetz,  R.  1.  De  Ros,  Ascetel,  de  Menetest,  R.  2. — 210. 
alaunz,  C. — 211.  En  passan  unt  d.,  R.  1.  Enpassaunt,  R.  2. — 213.  De  Hex- 
hilesham  et  Lanercost  ennentiz  par  arsouns,  C.  De  Exilshame  Lanertoft  enenty, 
R.  1.  De  Exilham  ....  anenti,  R,  2. — 215.  Emportez,  R.  1.  emportez  . . . . 
enchacez,  R.  2. — 216.  ravye  cum  fols,  C. — 217.  a  Dunbar,  C,  R.  1  and  2. — 
218.  estendi,  R.  1.— 219.  al  counte,  C. 


Whilst  Sir  Edward  with  earls  and  barons — caused  Berwick  to  be  surrounded 
with  ditches, — there  are  issued  from  Scotland  three  earls,  by  name — IVIar,  Ross, 
and  Menleith,  with  forty  thousand  rascals  ; — they  were  going  in  the  route  in 
parties, — they  reduced  Tindale  to  ashes  and  cinders, — the  town  of  Corbridge 
and  the  two  monasteries — of  Hexham  and  Lanercost  they  have  destroyed  by 
fire, — they  have  made  slaughter  of  the  people  of  the  country, — carried  off  their 
goods,  driven  away  the  canons. — After  the  ravage  like  fools  and  miserable  wretches 
— they  are  gone  to  Dunbar  to  their  confusion. — They  have  taken  the  castle,  and 
erect  their  tents, — the  houses  belonged  to  the  Earl  of  the  March. — King  Edward 


288  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

220  Le  rais  Edward  Toit  dire,  fet  fere  les  somouns 
Dunbar  pur  recovre,  e  prendre  les  larouns, 
Ke  de  seint  eglise  unt  fet  destrucciouns. 
Poy  avaunt  eel  houre  parmis  les  regiouns 
Revint  le  cardinal  de  Kaumbrai  ouf  respouns, 
E  du  ray  de  Fraunce,  cum  apres  orrums ; 
Sire  Amy  de  Sauvaye,  quens  de  graunt  renouns, 
Vint  en  la  compagnie,  e  Otes  de  Graunt-souns. 
Cil  vint  hors  de  Cypre  e  ses  compaignouns, 
Ke  quant  Acres  fu  pris,  la  mer  as  [ajvirrouns 

230  En  passaunt  eschapaint,  sanz  autres  acheisouns. 
Avaunt  vus  ai  cunte  quels  mals  e  quels  tresouns 
Sunt  fet  a  seinte  eglise  a  tort  e  saunz  reisouns  ; 
E  oy  avez  sovent  en  les  sainz  sermouns 
Ke  Deus  est  dreitureles  en  tuz  sels  werdouns  : 


Various  Readings. — !220.  This  line  is  omitted  in  C.  Le  rei,  R.  2. — 225. 
en  orroums,  R.  2. — 226.  Sir  Emery  de  Sauvay,  C. — 227.  Othes,  R.  1.  Sire 
Otes,  R.  2.-228.  de  ses,  R.  1  and  2.-229.  avyrouns,  C,  R.  1  and  2.-232. 
Sontfeez,  R.  1.  fez,  R.  2.-234.  This  line  is  omitted  in  R.  2. 


heard  tell  of  it,  and  issued  summonses — to  recover  Dunbar,  and  take  the  thieves 
— who  had  made  destruction  of  holy  church. — A  little  before  this  time,  through 
the  regions, — the  cardinal  returned  from  Cambrai  with  an  answer — of  the  King 
of  France,  as  we  shall  hear  afterwards  ; — Sire  Amy  de  Savoy,  a  count  of  great 
renown, — came  in  his  company,  and  Otho  de  Grauntsoun. — The  latter  came 
with  his  companions  from  Cyprus, — who,  when  Acres  was  taken,  escaped — by 
passing  the  neighbouring  sea,  without  other  accidents. — I  have  told  you  before 
what  evil  and  what  destruction — were  done  to  holy  church  wrongfully  and  with- 
out reason ; — and  you  have  often  heard  in  the  holy  sermons — that  God  is  just  in 


LANGTOFT*S    CHRONICLE.  289 

Ore  oiez  de  Dunbar  ou  saunz  evasaiouns 

Les  enemys  Deus  sunt  pris  en  faude  cum  motouns. 

A  N  le  meis  de  May,  le  mardi  primer, 

Ad  Berwike-sur-Twede  ouf  le  ray  parler, 
Coment  les  foles  felouns,  ke  feseint  arder 
240  Exillisham  e  Lanercost,  n'esparnaynt  muster, 
Pris  avaint  Dunbar,  chastel  sur  la  mer, 
Ouf  li  quens  Patrik  tint  sa  mulier. 
Li  rais  Sire  Edward  par  taunt  i  fist  maunder 
Le  counte  de  Garenne  ouf  tute  sun  poer, 
Le  counte  de  Wanvik  e  Huge  le  [De] spencer, 
Barouns  e  vavasours,  chivaler,  esquier ; 
Sorrais  e  Norrais  i  alaint  de  bon  quer; 
Assez  de  gent  a  pie  i  menent  al  mester, 
E  venent  a  Dunbar  li  chastel  asseffer. 


Various  Readings. — 236.  Deu,  C,  R.  1  and  2. — 237.  En  le  mays  de 
May,  C,  R.  1  and  2.-238,  oyst  le  ray,  C.  oil,  R.  2.— 240.  Hexlesham,  C. 
Ejcihham  e  Lanertoft,  R.  1.  Exilham,  R.  2. — 245.  le  Despenser,  C.  W.  Sire 
Hughe  le  Despenser,  R.  1.  e  \s  also  omitted  in  R.  2. — 247.  Surays  et  Norays, 
C.  Sorais  e  Norais  il  a.,  R.  1.  Surrais,  R.  2. — 24S.  de  genz  ..  et  menent,  C, 
gentz  . .  il  m.,  R.  1. 


all  his  dealings  : — Now  hear  of  Dunbar,  where  without  evasions — the  enemies 
of  God  are  caught  in  a  fold  like  sheep. 

On  the  first  Monday  in  the  month  of  May, — at  Berwick-upon-Tweed  the  king 
heard  say, — how  the  foolish  rascals,  who  had  burnt — Hexham  and  Lanercost,  nor 
spared  the  monasteries, — had  taken  Dunbar,  the  castle  by  the  sea, — where  the 
Earl  Patrick  kept  his  wife. — The  King  Sir  Edward  forthwith  caused  to  be  sent 
there — the  Earl  of  Warenne  with  all  his  power, — the  Earl  of  Warwick  and 
Hugh  le  Despenser, — barons  and  vavasours,  knights,  squires  ; — Southerns  and 
Northerns  went  there  right  courageously  ; — they  take  there  footmen  enough  for 
their  need, — and  come  to  Dunbar  to  besiege  the  castle. — They  prepared  for  the 

CAMD.  see.    6.  2  P 


290  POLTTICAI.    SONGS. 

250  Se  atirent  al  saiit,  ne  volent  deraorer. 

Les  foles  felouns  dedenz  espairent  ayde  aver ; 
Se  sotillent  coment  les  Englais  enginner. 
Sire  Richard  Syward,  ke  solait  demorer 
Ouf  nostre  rays  Edward  ad  robe  e  a  dener, 
Maundent  par  descayt  ouf  nos  Englais  treiter  ; 
Si  les  vent,  e  dist,  ke  mult  tres  volenter 
Les  fra  le  chastel  rendre,  si  il  volent  graunter 
Treis  jours  de  respit,  ke  il  puissent  consailler 
Li  ray  de  Ballioll,  e  lur  estate  maunder. 

260  E  si  il  eel  houre  ne  venge  le  sege  remover, 
Le  chastel  renderunt  sanz  plus  par  la  targer. 
Hostage  par  taunt  i  mette,  e  fet  nuncier 
Al  hoste  de  Escoce  en  meisme  la  maner. 
Cum  vus  orrez  apres,  le  fet  recorder. 


Various  Readings. — 250.  al  assaut  ..  esparnyer,  C. — 254.  rei,  R.  2 — 
255.  a  nos,  C. — 25G.  Cyl  les  vynt,  C. — 259.  Le  rays  de  Bayllof  et  lur  maun- 
der, C— 260.  E  si  eel  h.,  R.  1  and  2. 


attack,  and  would  not  delay. — The  foolish  felons  within  hoped  to  have  aid  ; — they 
plotted  together  how  to  trick  the  English. — Sir  Richard  Syward,  who  used  to 
dwell — with  our  King  Edward,  at  robe  and  pay, — they  send  deceitfully  to  treat 
with  our  English  ; — so  he  comes  to  them,  and  says,  that  very  willingly — he  will 
cause  the  castle  to  be  delivered  to  them,  if  they  will  grant — three  days'  respite, 
that  they  may  consult — the  King  Baliol,  and  tell  him  their  condition. — And  if 
he  at  that  time  do  not  come  to  raise  the  siege, — they  will  deliver  the  castle 
without  further  delay. — Forthwith  he  gives  hostages,  and  causes  to  be  an- 
nounced— to  the  host  of  Scotland  in  the  same  manner, — as  you  will  hear  after, 
he  caused  it  to  be  recorded. 


langtoft's  chronicle.  25H 

T  I  messager  s'en  va,  e  tost  aprochait 

Al  ray  Johau  e  al  hoste  ke  ouf  li  estait, 
Lur  dist  cum  li  Siward  enfourmez  I'avait. 
"  Sire  rais,  vos  barouns  demourent  en  dure  plait 
En  la  chastel  de  Dunbar,  en  chaunce  les  chascait ; 
270  Car  quant  li  rais  Edward  lur  estre  la  saveit, 
Parti  de  sun  hoste  illeukes  maunder  fesait. 
Li  Englais  quant  la  vint  le  chastel  assegait. 
Sire  Richard  Siward,  ke  tuz  les  conussait, 
Issist  du  chastel  e  taunt  bien  parlait^ 
Qe  treve  pur  treis  jours  li  Englais  li  otrait. 
Pour  quai  la  compaignie,  ke  illoek  par  vus  alait. 
Ad  vus  cum  a  seignur  aler  me  commandait, 
E  dire  veraiment  ke  home  ne  set  ne  vait 
Dunt  vus  les  porrez  vendre,  si  non  par  descait, 


Various  Readings. — 266.  Al  ray  Jon  Bayllof  !a  ou  il  estayt,  C. — 267. 
enfourmt,  R.  1. — 268.  dur  esplayt,  C,  R.  1.  sire  ret,  R.  2. — 269.  ew  chauns, 
C. — 272.  quant  vynt,  C. — 274.  taunt  cum  il  jtorrait,  C.  taunt  beel  parlait,  R. 
1. — 275.  Pur  trewe  de  Aij .  . .  grauniait,C. — 276.  par  quai,  C — 279.  Omitted 
in  R.  2. 


The  messenger  goes,  and  soon  came  to — King  Jolin  and  to  the  host  which 
was  with  him, — he  said  to  them  as  Siward  had  instructed  him  : — "  Sir  King, 
your  harons  remain  in  hard  strait — in  the  castle  of  Dunbar,  in  danger  of  being 
driven  out. — For  when  King  Edward  knew  of  their  being  there, — he  caused  part 
of  his  host  to  be  sent  thither. — The  Englishman,  when  he  came  there,  besieged 
the  castle. — Sir  Richard  Siward,  who  knew  them  all, — issued  from  the  castle, 
and  talked  them  over  so  well, — that  the  English  gave  him  a  truce  for  three  days. 
— Wherefore  the  company,  who  were  there  on  your  part, — commanded  me  to 
go  to  you  as  to  their  lord,— and  to  say  truly,  that  the  man  neither  sits  nor  goes, 
— who  can  hinder  your  coming,   unless  by  some  deceit, — within   the   term   of 


292  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

280  Dedenz  le  terme  de  treve  ke  I'Eiiglais  nus  grauntait. 
A  demayn  cele  hour  k'em  manghehust  e  bait, 
Alez  de  ceste  part  hastivement  I'andrait ; 
Les  nos  du  chastel  vous  verrunt  par  agait ; 
Istrunt  sur  li  Englais  ke  lour  venir  ne  creit ; 
Happes-les  entre  vous,  si  tenes-les  si  estreit, 
Ke  mes  en  champ  ne  venent  fere  a  les  voz  surfait. 
Vous  ne  avez  autre  vaie  qe  valer  vous  dait. 
Ore  armez-vous,  si  aloums,  nul  alme  ne  se  trait 
Qe  nos  enemis  quant  serrunt  pris  merci  nul  en  ayt. 
290  Ferrez  du  braund  ; 

Northvimberlaund 

le  vostre  ert  de  drait ; 
Tote  Engletere 
Par  ceste  guere 

volez  qe  perdu  salt : 
Unkes  Albanie 
Par  coujD  d'espeie 


Various  Readings. — 280.  All  which  follows,  to  line  354,  is  omitted  in  R. 
1. — 281.  Vem  mangeust,  C. — 284.  sur  les,  C. — 286.  pur  fere  les  voz,  C. — 
288.  ne  se  retrayt,   C. — 289.  qe  serrunt....  n'eit  R.  2. — 295.  voyliez,  C. 


truce  which  the  English  has  granted  us. — To-morrow  at  the  hour  when  people 
eat  and  drink, — go  hence  hastily  straight  there  ; — ours  in  the  castle  will  watch 
for  you ; — they  will  issue  upon  the  English  who  do  not  expect  their  coming, — 
entrap  them  between  you  and  hold  them  so  tight, — that  they  shall  no  more 
come  in  the  field  to  do  annoyance  to  yours. — You  have  no  other  way  that  wiU 
avail  you. — Now  arm,  and  let  us  go,  and  may  no  soul  survive — who  shall  have 
any  mercy  on  our  enemies  when  they  are  taken  ! — Strike  with  the  sword — Nor- 
thumberland— will  be  yours  by  right; — All  England — by  this  war — you  will 
that  it  be  lost : — Never  did  Albania — by  stroke  of  the  sword — do  so  great  an 


langtoft's  chronicle.  293 

fist  si  bon  esplait/' 
On  grene, 
300  That  kindrede  kene 

gaderid  als  gait ; 
Y  wene 
On  sum  it  is  sene, 

ware  the  bit  bait. 

A  L  dit  le  messager  la  route  de  rascaylle 
Arenger  se  comence  al  foer  de  bataille. 
Sir  Richard  Siward,  qe  dona  ceste  counsaille, 
Vent  a  nos  Englais,  dis[t],  "  Si  Dieu  me  vaille  ! 
Jeo  voy  gent  venir  de  mult  grant  apparaille, 
310  Cum  batailler  vousissent,  saunz  numbre  de  pittaille. 
Je  vois,  si  vous  [loez],  feir  .i.  desturbaille, 
Ke  plus  [pres]  ne  venent."     Les  nos  dient,  "  nun 

kaille," 
E  pernent  li  Siward,  ke  plus  avaunt  n'i  aille  j 


Various  Readings. — 299.  on  the  y.,  R.  2. — 300.  kynered,  C.  kinred, 
R.  2. — 301.  als  the  gait,  R.  2.-303.  summe  it  es,  C.  summe  is  it,  R.  2. — 
304.  whar,  C.  whare,  R.  2. — 305.  al  route,  C. — 308.  et  dist  si,  C. — 309. 
genz,  C. — 311.  vus  loez  fere  A.  d.,  C. — 312.  plus  pres,  R.  2.  noun  kaylle, 
C,  R.  2. 


exploit." — On  the  green — that  keen  generation — gathered  like  goats  ; — I  reckon 
— on  some  it  is  seen, — where  the  bit  bit. 

At  the  saying  of  the  messenger  the  rout  of  vagabonds — begin  to  arrange  them- 
selves in  order  of  battle. — Sir  Richard  Siward,  who  gave  this  counsel, — comes 
to  the  English,  and  says,  "  God  help  me  ! — I  see  people  coming  in  very  great 
apparel, — as  though  they  would  give  battle,  without  number  of  footmen. — I  go, 
if  you  think  well,  to  hinder  them, — that  they  may  not  come  nearer." — Our  people 
say,  "  Do  not  trouble  yourself!" — And  they  take  Siward,  that  he  may  proceed 


294  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Establient  gardayns  al  porte  e  al  muraille  ; 
Umfray  de  Boune  le  jovene  tent  le  garde  en  bailie, 
Ke  aide  du  chastel  lur  rergarde  ne  assaille ; 
E  mountent  les  destrers,  les  brouchent  al  mountaille, 
Ke  plus  tost  peust  coure  avaunt  li  altre  saille. 
L'Escote  les  vait  venir,  la  cowe  les  turne  cum  quaille, 
320  En  enfuaunt  se  vole  al  vent  cum  fet  la  paille. 
Les  Englais  apres  les  chacent  cum  owaille. 
Cum  feust  quant  veit  le  lowe  venir  de  boscaille. 
Li  surquider  Escote  quide  ke  countrevaille 
Le  duk  sire  Corynee,  qe  conquist  Cornwaille. 
De  taunt  des  genz  as  armes  mult  ai  grant  mervaille 
Ke  nes  un  de  tuz  al  fet  vaut  un  maille, 
Fors  Patrick  de  Graham,  ke  demourt  e  daille 
Del  espe  furbie,  mes  tuez  est  saunz  faille. 
Dis  mil  ,1.  et  .iiij.  sunt  tuez  al  travaille  ; 


Various  Readings. — 316.  lur'  ne  regard  ne,  C.  rereward,  R.  2. — 320. 
S'en  vole,  C. — 322.  Kefuist,  C. — 323.  surquiders,  C. — 325.  De  taunz  de  gens 
armez,  C,  R.  2. 


no  further  ; — they  place  guards  at  the  gate  and  at  the  wall ; — Humphrey  de 
Bohun  the  younger  is  keeper  of  the  guard, — to  hinder  aid  from  the  castle  from 
attacking  their  rear  ; — and  they  mount  theii-  steeds,  and  spur  to  the  hiU  ; — he 
who  can  run  fastest  springs  before  the  others. — The  Scot  sees  them  come,  and 
turns  his  tail  like  a  quail, — he  flies  away  as  straw  does  before  the  wind. — The 
English  pursue  them  like  a  sheep — when  it  flies  at  the  sight  of  the  wolf  issuing 
from  the  wood. — The  proud  Scot  imagines  that  he  is  as  good  as — the  Duke 
Sir  Corineus,  who  conquered  Cornwall. — Of  so  many  men  at  arms  I  marvel  very 
much — that  there  is  not  one  of  them  aU  worth  a  farthing  in  action, — except 
Patrick  de  Graham,  who  remains  and  strikes — with  the  burnished  sword,  but 
he  is  slain  without  fail. — Ten  thousand  and  fifty-four  are  slain  in  the  engage- 


langtoft's  chronicle.  295 

330  Trestuz  sunt  d'Escoce,  le  noumbre  ai  par  taille. 
Cels  furent  les  cheitifs  [qe]  demaglaynt  le  aumaille 
Par  iniNorthumberlaundjaschiens  lessaint  le[n]traille; 
Escomegez  estaint  al  livre  e  kaundaille. 
Pur  ceo  ke  saint  eglise,  ne  prestre,  ne  clerjaille, 
Nent  plus  esparnent  ke  four  ou  toraille. 
Pecche  les  ad  chace  a  tele  arivaille, 
Ke  perduz  unt  al  champ  le  chief  oufveke  I'oraille. 

The  fote  folke 

Puth  the  Scotes  in  the  polke, 
340  and  nakned  their  nages  : 

By  waie 

Herd  i  never  saie 

of  prestre  pages. 

To  pike 

The  robes  of  the  riche 


Various  Readings. — 331.  les  cheftayns  ke  demaglerent  C.  qe  de.,  R.  2. — 
332.  Ventraylle,  C,  R.  2.-337.  les  chefs  of  le  oraylle,  C.—338.  foffolk,  R. 
2. — 339.  That  the,  R.  2. — 340.  nackened  thair  nages,  C.  nakid  their  nages,  R. 
2. — 341.  By  wai  \  her  I  nevere  sai  \  of  prestere  p.,  R.  2. — 343.  prester,  C. — 
345.  rike,  C,  R.  2. 


ment ; — they  are  all  Scots,  I  have  the  number  by  reckoning. — These  were  the 
caitiffs -who  butchered  the  cattle — in  Northumberland,  and  left  the  entrails  to  the 
dogs. — They  were  excommunicated  by  book  and  candle, — because  neither  holy 
church  nor  priest  or  clergy — they  spared  no  more  than  bake-house  or  bam. — Sin 
has  driven  them  to  such  a  hap — that  they  have  lost  in  the  field  the  head  with  the 
ears. — The  foot-people — put  the  Scots  in  the  poke, — and  made  bare  their  back- 
sides : — By  way — heard  I  never  tell — of  readier  pages, — to  pick — the  robes  off 


29G  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

that  in  the  felde  felle. 
Thai  token  ath  tulke  ; 
The  roglre  raggi  sculke 

rug  ham  in  helle  ! 

350  T^E  bataille  ne  puingce  feust  unkes  recordez, 
Ke  taunt  de  genz  si  tost  estaient  outraiez, 
N'ensint  saunz  defence  lez  renes  rethornez. 
Corfs  ayent  les  cors,  les  almes  les  malfez 
De  trestuz  k^esint  gweres  ount  gwiez  ! 
Car  de  cele  part  fut  unkes  une  fez, 
Deinz  vile  ne  dehors,  un  bon  fet  esprovez, 
Mes  for  gopiller  e  robber  les  vilez, 
Arder  seint  eglise,  tuer  les  ordinez, 
Cil  Dieu  sait  loe  k'ad  Dunbar  I'ad  vengez  ! 

360  Les  countes  qe  avaint  fet  les  malvestez, 
Si  toust  cum  savoint  e  furent  avisez 


Various  Readings. — 346.   For  this  line  and  the  three  following,  R.  2  has 
— And  in  the  diksouue  \  Thou  wiffin  \  Scot  of  Abrenityn,  \  cloutid  isthi  houue. 

— 348.  roghe  rag gy  sculke,  C. — 351.  Ke  taunz,  C. — 352.  Ne  issynt,  C 353. 

seient  sauvez,  R.  2. — 354.  ke  issint,  C. 


the  men, — ^who  in  the  field  fell. — They  took  of  each  man  ; — the  rough  ragged 
devil — tear  them  in  hell ! 

In  battle  or  encounter  it  was  never  recorded — that  so  many  people  were  de- 
stroyed so  soon, — or  thus  turned  their  backs  without  making  any  defence. — May 
the  crows  have  the  bodies,  and  the  devils  the  souls — of  all  that  thus  have  conducted 
the  wars ! — For  of  this  part  there  was  never  once, — within  town  or  without,  a  good 
action  proved, — but  only  prowling  and  robbing  the  towns, — burning  holy  church, 
killing  the  clergy, — may  God  be  praised  who  has  revenged  it  at  Dunbar  I — The  earls 
who  had  done  the  wicked  deeds, — as  soon  as  they  knew  and  were  aware— of  the 


langtoft's  chronicle.  297 

De  la  desconfiture  sur  lur  parentez. 
As  Englais  quant  repairent  le  chastel  ount  liverez, 
E  saunz  condiciouns  els  memes  obligez 
Al  ray  Sire  Edward,  dunt  fere  ses  voluntez. 
Li  rais  lendemayn  i  vint  a  ses  barnez, 
Le[sJ  prisouns  ke  sunt  pris  li  unt  presentez, 
Treis  countes,  treis  barouns,  treis  baneres  nomez, 
E  saunz  eus  .xxviij.  chivalers  adubbez, 
370  Ouf  .V.  vinz  gentilles  homes  ke  illeukes  sunt  trovez ; 
Deus  clers  e  deus  Pikards  par  entre  sunt  numbrez. 
A  la  Tour  de  Loundres  les  countes  sunt  maundez. 
Les  uns  de[s]  baro[uns]  les  sunt  associez  ; 
A  diverse  chasteles  les  autres  ad  envoiez. 
Par  deus  e  deus  ensemble  une  hakenai  muntez, 
Les  uns  en  charrettes  enfirgez  les  peez ; 
En  tel  pleit  de  carole  lour  jue  est  terminez  ! 
Par  my  Engletere  en  toutes  les  countrez, 


Various  Readings. — 362.  de  lur,  R.  1. — 365.  Al  reis,  R.  1. — 366.  e  ses 
b.,  R.  1. — 367.  les  prisouns  ....  li  stmt  p.,  C,  R.  1  and  2. — 373.  Les  uns  des 
barons,  R.  1  and  2. — 375.  sur  hakenays,  R.  1. — 378.  This  line  is  omitted  in  C. 


defeat  of  their  kindred, — have  delivered  the  castle  to  the  English  on  their  re- 
turn,— and  without  conditions  obliged  themselves — to  the  King  Sir  Edward,  to 
do  his  will. — The  king  next  day  came  there  to  his  baronage, — the  prisoners  who 
are  taken  they  have  presented  to  him, — three  earls,  three  barons,  three  bannerets, 
— and  besides  them  twenty-eight  dubbed  knights, — with  five  score  gentlemen 
who  were  found  there  ; — two  clerks  and  two  Picards  are  counted  among  them. — 
The  Earls  are  sent  to  the  Tower  of  London. — Some  of  the  barons  are  asso- 
ciated with  them ; — the  others  are  sent  to  different  castles, — two  by  two 
mounted  together  on  a  hackney  ; — some  with  their  feet  fettered  in  carts  ; — in  such 
kind  of  dance  their  game  ended  ! — Throughout   England  in  every  country — 

CAMD.  SOC.  Cu  2   Q 


298  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

De  lur  surquideri  ert  tuz  jours  paries 
380  Taunt  cum  le  siecle  dure,  lour  fet  les  ad  mokes. 
For  S[c]ottes 
Telle  I  for  sottes, 

and  wirches  unwarre ; 
Unsele 
Dintes  to  dele 

thaim  drohg  to  Dunbarre. 

"TVES  ore  est  tens  a  dire  du  compassement 

Les  .xii.  peres  d'Eseoce,  qe  quidaint  seurement 
Engletere  destrure,  bien  vous  dirrai  coment. 
390  Quant  le  ray  de  Fraunce,  apres  le  dayllement 
De  cele  mariage  dunt  fu  parle  sovent, 
Volait  tenir  Gascoyn  par  abatement ; 
E  le  rays  Edward  illok  maunda  sa  gent, 
E  partie  par  gwere  de  su  Frauncays  reprent ; 
Li  rai  Johan  d'Escoce,  par  I'enticement 


Various  Readings. — 380.  fet  admokez,  R.  2. — 381.  For  Scottes,  C,  R. 
1.  For  the  Scottis,  R.  2. — 383.  And  wrecches  unwar,  C.  wreches,  R.  1. 
wecchis  unwar,  R.  2. — 386.  tham  drohu  to  Dunbar,  C.  droght,  R.  1.  drouh 

to  Dunbar,  R.  2 390.  le  dallyement,  C.  daliement,  R.  1. — 394.  guere  sur 

Fr.,  C.  sur  Francais,  R.  1  and  2. 


people  will  always  talk  of  their  pride — as  long  as  the  world  lasts,  people  have 
scoffed  at  their  action. — For  the  Scots — I  reckon  for  sots, — and  wretches  un- 
wary ; — ill  luck — to  give  blows — drew  them  to  Dunbar. 

Now  it  is  time  to  tell  the  plot — of  the  twelve  peers  of  Scotland,  who  thought 
surely — to  destroy  England,  I  will  just  tell  you  how. — When  the  King  of  France, 
after  the  breaking  off — of  that  marriage  which  was  often  talked  of, — would 
retain  Gascony  by  abatement, — and  King  Edward  sent  thither  his  people, — and 
re-took  a  part  by  war  from  the  French  ; — King  John  of  Scotland,  by  the  entice- 


LANGTOFT  S    CHRONICLE.  2299 

De  countes  e  baroims,  de  clers  ensement, 
Ad  maundez  en  Fraunce  par  commiyie  assent 
L'eveske  de  Seint  Andreu,  par  ki  procurement 
Frere  le  rai  de  Fraunce,  Charles  nomement, 

400  Pur  fiz  le  ray  d'Escoce  ad  fet  aliement, 
Dount  marier  sa  fille,  e  apres  par  serment 
Fraunsays  e  les  Escoce  irraint  uniement 
En  Engletere  destrure  de  Twede  jekes  en  Kent ; 
E  ke  le  rai  de  Fraunce  prendrait  arivement 
Qe  I'houre  q'il  vousist,  en  Twede  prestement, 
Parunt  Northumberlaund  prendrait  sodainement, 
E  peus  la  tere  toute  sanz  desturbement ; 
Ne  larrait  home  en  vie,  ne  pere  ne  parent. 
La  faus  purparlauns  saunz  espleit  attent ; 

410  Le  seneschall  d'Escoce  est  venu  bonement 
Al  rays  sire  Edward,  auf  quanke  a  li  apent. 


Various  Readings. — 397.  maunde,  R.  1.— 400.  Pur  Ufiz,  C. — 402.  les 
Escoz,  R.  1, — 403.  En,  at  the  beginning  of  this  line,  is  omitted  in  C,  and  R.  I 
and  2. — 406.  prendraynt,  C. — 408,  ne  frere,  R.  2. — 410,  venu  fayntement ,  C. 
venuz  J.,  R.  1. 


ment — of  earls  and  barons,  and  of  clerks  also, — sent  to  France  by  common 
agreement — the  bishop  of  St.  Andrew's,  by  whose  procurement — the  brother  of 
the  King  of  France,  namely,  Charles, — made  an  alliance  for  the  son  of  the  King 
of  Scotland, — who  was  to  marry  his  daughter,  and  afterwards  by  oath — the 
French  and  Scots  should  go  conjointly — into  England  to  destroy  from  the  Tweed 
to  Kent ; — and  that  the  King  of  France  should  land, — when  he  would,  suddenly 
in  the  Tweed, — forthwith  he  should  suddenly  take  all  Northumberland, — and 
then  all  the  land  without  hindrance  ; — that  he  should  not  leave  a  man  alive, 
neither  father  nor  kindred. — The  traitorous  negotiation  being  entered  upon  with- 
out completion, — the  seneschal  of  Scotland  is  come  in  without  more  ado — to  the 
King  Sir  Edward,  with  all  that  belongs  to  him, — earls  and  barons  and  bishops 


300  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Countes  e  barouns  e  esveskes  pleinement. 
Sunt  venuz  a  sa  pes  tut  a  sun  talent. 
Le  ray  Johan  e  sun  fiz,  saunz  tere  e  tenement. 
Sunt  menez  a  Lundres  a  tenir  jugement. 
Ore  ad  li  rays  Edward  Escoce  enterement, 
Cum  Albanak  I'avait  al  comencement. 
Galaysj  Yrays, 
Ad  nos  Englais 
420  aident  diirement. 

Dunt  les  Escoz 
Ount  par  les  noz 

emprisounement ; 
Et  cele  tere 
Par  ceste  gwere 

est  perdu  finablement. 
Les  Galais  sunt  repaires, 
E  les  Irrays  retournez 

al  sigle  e  al  vent. 


Various  Readings. — 413.  encountre  liir  talent,  C. — 415.  attender  juge- 
ment, C. — 416.  le  rei,  R.  2. — 417.  Omitted  in  R.  2. — 425.  par  eel  gwere,  R. 
1. — 426.  finablement,  C  finalment,  R.  1  and  2. — 427.  Les  Walays,  C.  qe 
sont,  R.  1. 


fully, — are  come  to  his  peace  all  at  his  desire. — King  John  and  his  son,  without 
land  or  tenement, — are  led  to  London  to  support  judgment. — Now  King  Edward 
possesses  Scotland  entirely, — like  Albanac  had  it  at  the  beginning. — The  Welsh 

and  Irish — to  our  English — aid  doughtily Whereby  the  Scots — have  through 

ours — imprisonment ; — and  that  land — by  this  war — is  lost  for  ever. — The 
Welsh  are  gone  home, — and  the  Irish  returned — with  sail  and  with  wind. — "You 


langtoft's  chronicle.  301 

430  Vous  Englais  i  demorrez  ; 

Devoutement  prier  devez 

ke  Dampne-Deu  defent, 
Aman  recosilier, 
E  Mardocheum  exiler 

en  regal  parlement. 
Edward,  par  my  tuz  vos  reisuns, 
Volez  penser  des  arsouns 

du  temple  Deu  omnipotent. 
Ad  Exlysham,  ou  eel  hoste 
440  De  la  croiz  fesait  roste, 

figure  de  humaine  salvement. 
Herodes  i  fert,  Femphle  mourt. 
En  ceste  anguisse  Rachel  plourt ; 

Edward,  or  fa  le  vengement. 
Tu  averas  juge,  jugez  a  dreit ; 
Soffrez  qu'il  pent  ke  pendre  deit. 


Various  Readings. — 431.  Doucement,  C— 432.  Dampne  Deu  omnipotent, 
C. — 434.  E  Marche,  R.  2.-436.  vos  respons,  R.  2.-437.  Voilliez,  C. — 438. 
En  temple,  R.  1. — 439.  Hexelesham,  C.  Exilsham,  R.  ].— 440.  de  la  croice 
fesaintyC.  croice  fesaunt ,  R.  1.— 442.  emphele,  R.  1.  Herodes  fert,  V enfant 
murt,  R.  2. — 445.  avera,  R.  1. — 146,  suffrez  pendre,  R.  2. 


English  remain  there  ; — you  ought  to  pray  devoutly — that  the  Lord  God  forbid, 
— to  take  Aman  into  favour  again, — and  exile  Mardocheus, — in  royal  parlia- 
ment.— Edward,  amid  all  your  accusations, — please  to  remember  the  burnings, — 
of  the  temple  of  God  Almighty, — at  Hexham,  where  that  host — of  the  cross  made 
roast, — the  figure  of  human  salvation. — Herod  strikes  there,  the  child  dies, — 
in  this  anguish  Rachael  weeps  ; — Edward,  wreak  vengeance  for  it. — Thou  wilt 
be  judge,  judge  according  to  right ; — let  him  hang  who  ought  to  hang, — the  law 


302  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

la  ley  le  vol[t]  certeinement. 
La  peine  est  dure  e  cruele. 
Car  ele  est  perpetuele, 
450  a  tuz  qe  jugent  autreraent. 

Vos  enemys  ore  chastiez, 
K^il  ne  se  movent  altre  fez, 

en  un  novele  torment. 
Home  dait  mercy  aver ; 
Mes  a  traitour  ne  dait  valer, 

ilokes  la  ley  la  suspent. 
Pur  amy  ne  pur  dener 
Ray  ne  dait  esparnier, 

k'il  ne  juge  owelement. 
460  Si  li  ray  volt  Dieu  servir. 

La  lei  le  convient  maintenir ; 

si  noun,  il  pecche  e  mult  mesprent. 
Pur  veir  quant  Johan  Balliolle 
Leissa  sun  livre  e  Fescole, 


Various  Readings. — 448.  molt  crude,  C. — 453.  turnayment,  R.  1.  un 
novel  turnement,  R.  2. — 456,  la  lei  les^  R.  2. — 460.  Si  li  rays,  C. — 463.  /.  de 
Bailliole,  R.  1. — 464.  sun  liver  a  I'escol,  C. 


wills  it  certainly. — The  punishment  is  hard  and  cruel, — for  it  is  everlasting, — 
for  all  who  give  judgment  otherwise. — Now  chastise  your  enemies, — that  they 
may  not  stir  again — in  a  new  mischief. — We  ought  to  have  mercy  ; — but  that 
ought  not  to  avail  a  traitor, — there  the  law  suspends  it. — For  love  nor  for 
pence, — a  king  ought  not  to  spare, — so  as  not  to  judge  equally. —  If  the  king 
will  serve  God, — it  is  right  he  should  maintain  the  law  ; — if  he  does  not,  he 
sins  and  errs  very  much. — In  truth  when  John  Baliol — left  his  book  at  school, 


1 


langtoft's  chronicle.  SOS 

desceu  fut  trop  malement. 
%  For  boule  bred  in  his  boke, 
Whenne  he  tint  that  he  toke 

with  the  kinge-dome ; 
For  he  haves  ovirhipped, 
470  Hise  typeth  is  typped, 

hise  tabard  es  tome. 
He  loghe  wil  him  Hked, 
His  paclir  es  thurck  piked, 

he  wende  e  were  liale ; 
Begkot  an  bride. 
Rede  him  at  ride 

in  the  dismale. 


O' 


jRGOYL  en  pays  est  urtille  en  herber, 
Ke  surcrest  la  rose  e  la  boute  arer ; 
480  Einsint  est  du  Baliol,  ke  par  li  [li]  .xii.  per 
Sunt  chay  aval  pur  lur  vil  mister. 


Various  Readings. — 466.  bredde,  R.  1.  his  book,  R.  2. — 467.  Wen,  R, 
1.  Whan  ..  .  took,  R.  2.-468.  kyngdome,  R.  1.  kingdom,  R.  2. — 469.  over- 
hijipede,  R.  1.  has,  R.  2. — 470.  tipet,  C,  R.  1  and  2.  typpcde,  R.  1. — 
472 — 477.  These  six  lines  are  omitted  in  C,  and  R.  1  and  2. — 478.  urtiz, 
R.  2.-479.  suztret,  C.  reboute,  R,  2.-480.  This  line  is  omitted  in  R.  1  and  2. 
— 481.  This  line  is  omitted  in  C. 


—he  was  too  ill  deceived. — ^  For  bale  bred  in  his  book, — when  he  lost  what  he 
took — with  the  kingdom  ; — for  he  has  over-hopped, — his  tippet  is  tipped, — his 
tabard  is  empty. —  He  laughed  while  it  pleased  him, — his  pack  (?)   is  pierced 

through, — he  thought  he  was  loyal ; — 

Pride  in  a  country,  is  like  a  nettle  in  the  garden, — which  overgrows  the 
rose  and  pushes  it  back  ; — so  it  is  with  Baliol,  that,  by  him  the  twelve  peers — are 
fallen  down  for  their  wicked  proceeding, — he  has  lost  his  realm,  and  is  gone  to 


304  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Perduz  ait  realme,  e  va  sojorner 
A  la  Tour  de  Loundres  sur  autri  dener. 
Li  reis  Sire  Edward  eces  fet  garder ; 
Li  quens  Jon  de  Gwarenne  est  chief  justicer, 
E  Henri  de  Perci  aid  Galwei  a  gwier  j 
A  Berwick-sur-Twede  a  la  cheker, 
Et  Huge  de  Cressingham  illokes  est  tresorer ; 
Et  li  Amundisham  Walter  est  chanceler. 
490  Li  reis  puis  pes  norir  baunc  i  fet  crier, 
Et  justis  .V.  le  rei  a  guverner. 
Viscuntes  e  baillifs  sunt  mis  al  mester 
Des  Engleis  qe  sevent  e  voleint  dreit  juger. 
La  garde  est  establi  si  bon  e  si  enter, 
Ne  Flemyng  ne  Fraunceis  de  quer  avera  poer 
Entrer  en  Escoce,  si  non  pur  marchaunder. 
De  tuz  les  mels  vanez  ke  deivent  demorer 


Various  Readings. — 484.  Escoce  fet  g.,  C,  R.  1.  Le  rei  .,  .  Escoce,  R. 
2. — 485.  quens  de  G,  i  est,  C.  q.  Johan  de  G.  i  est  j.,  R.  1. — 487.  Twede  assise 
est  le  escheker,  C.  assise  ad  I'esc,  R.  1  and  2. — 489.  Hamundesham,  C.  Ay- 
mundesham,  R.  2. — 490.  pur  pes  .. ,  baunk,  C,  R.  1  and  2. — 491.  la  lay  a  g., 
C,  R.  1  and  2. — 495.  des  ore  n'avera,  C.  des  or  av.,  R.  1. 


lodge — in  the  Tower  of  London,  at  another's  expense. — The  King  Sir  Edward 
makes  guard  enough  ; — the  Earl  John  de  Warenne  is  chief  justice, — and  Henry 
de  Percy  has  Galway  to  rule  ; — at  Berwick-upon-Tweed  is  established  the  exche- 
quer,— and  Hugh  de  Cressingham  is  treasurer  there  ; — and  Walter  de  Amun- 
disham is  chancellor. — The  King  to  nourish  the  peace  causes  his  bench  to  be 
proclaimed  there, — and  five  judges  to  govern  the  law. — Sheriffs  and  bailiflfs 
are  established  for  the  need — of  the  English  who  could  and  would  judge  accord- 
ing to  right. — The  guard  is  established  so  good  and  so  perfect, — neither  Fleming 
nor  Frenchman  henceforth  shall  have  the  power, — to  enter  into  Scotland, 
unless  it  be  for  commerce. — Of  all  those  of  most  account  who  were  to  remain — 


langtoft's  chronicle.  305 

Pris  sunt  les  homages,  li  reis  ]e[s]  fist  jurer, 
Ke  leals  li  seront  par  tere  e  par  mer. 
500  Ki  comensaint  la  gwere  e  li  consailler 

Sunt  maundes  dela  la  Trent  en  sew  a  repoter. 
Taunt  cum  en  Gascoyne  la  gwer  deit  durer. 
Issint  deit  li  sires  ses  homes  chacer. 
Le  eveske  de  Duram,  ke  mout  fet  a  loer, 
En  conquerant  la  tere  fu  tuz  jours  li  primer  ; 
Ne  fussent  ses  enprises  e  hardiment  de  quouer, 
Choses  or  chyviaus  serraint  a  comencer. 

Les  duze  peres 

S'en  vount  as  freres 
510  els  confesser; 

Le  jugement 

Ke  les  attent 

purrount  doter. 

Kambynoy 

Se  tent  tut  coy. 


Various  Readings.— 498.  les  fist,  C,  R.  \.  pris  unt,  R.  2.— 501.  re- 
poser,  C,  R.  1.  dela  TV.  en  southe  reposer,  R.  2.— 503.  li  sire,  ...  chastier,  R. 
2.— 506.  quer,  R.  1.— 507.  ore  chevyes,  C,  R.  1  and  2.— 510.  pur  els,  C, 
R.  2.— 513.  il  doter,  C. 


the  homages  are  taken,  the  King  makes  them  swear — that  they  will  be  loyal  by 
land  and  by  sea. — They  who  began  the  war  and  the  advisers  of  it — are  sent  be- 
yond the  Trent  to  repose  in  the  south, — so  long  as  the  war  lasts  in  Gascony. — 
Thus  ought  the  lord  to  chastise  his  men. — The  bishop  of  Durham,  who  did  much 
worthy  of  praise, — in  conquering  the  land  was  always  the  first, — were  it  not  for 
his  activity  and  boldness  of  heart, — things  now  finished  would  be  to  begin. 
— The  twelve  peers — go  away  to  the  friars — to  confess  them, — the  judgment 
— which   awaits   them — they   may  fear. — Kambynoy— holds   himself  all  coy, 

CAMD,  SOC.  6.  2  R 


306  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

ne  volt  aider. 
La  sorcerye 
De  Albanye 

ne  pout  valer. 
520  Andreu  se  dort, 

Ou  il  est  niort 

al  mouster. 
L'Escos  ke  fra, 
Quant  il  orra 

le  rei  parler, 
A  seint  Edmon, 
Et  de  tresoun 

apeler 
Count  e  baroun, 
530  Ke  par  arsoun 

destruit  Pa[u]ter  ? 
Plus  loins  ne  pout, 
Illokes  I'estoet 

ester  cum  ler ; 
E  par  agard 
Li  rais  Edward 

determiner. 


Various  Readings. — 520,  521.  Andreu  est  mart,  ou  il  se  dort,  C. — 528. 
le  appeller,  R.  2, — 531.  destrut  Vautr^er,  R.  1.  Pouter,  R.  2. — 536.  le  rey, 
R.  1  and  2. 


— he  will  not  help. — The  sorcery — of  Albania — cannot  avail. — Andrew  sleeps, 
— or  he  is  dead — at  the  monastery. — What  will  the  Scot  do, — when  he  wiU  hear 
— the  King  talk, — at  St.  Edmund's, — and  of  treason — accuse — earl  and  baron,  '1| 
— who  by  burning — destroys  the  altar  ? — He  can  go  no  further, — there  he  fj 
must — stand  like   a  thief; — and  by  judgment — King  Edward  —  determine. — 


langtoft's  chronicle.  307- 

And  swa  mai  man  kenne 
The  Scottes  to  renne, 
540  and  wer  biginne. 

Sum  es  left  na  thing 
Boute  his  rivyn  riveling, 

to  hippe  thar-hinne. 
Thair  kinges  scet  of  Scone 
Es  driven  ovir  doune, 

to  Londen  i-led. 
In  toun  herd  I  telle. 
The  baghel  and  the  belle 

ben  filched  and  fled. 

550  "p|EUS  !  cum  Merlins  dist  sovent  veritez 
En  ses  propheciez  !  si  cum  vous  lisez, 
Ore  sunt  le  deus  ewes  en  un  arivez, 
Ke  par  graunt  mountaignes  ount  este  severez ; 


Various  Readings. — 538.  men,  R.  2. — 540.  iverre,  C.  were,  R.  1  and  2. 
— 541.  somme,  C.  is  lest,  R.  2. — 542.  bot  his  rough,  C.  lot  his  riven,  R.  1. 
but  the  riven  r.,  R.  2. — 543.  thar  ynne,  C.  inne,  R.  1  and  2. — 544.  sette,  C. 
thar  king  set  ous  Sc,  R.  1.  The  kinges  set e,  R.  2. — 545.  over  done,  C,  R.  1 
and  2.-546.  i-ledde,  C,  R.  1.— 547.  In  toune,  C,  R.  2.-548.  Thair  b.  and 
thair,  C. — 549.  fledde,  C.  flicked  and  fledde,  R.  1.  Men,  R.  2. — 550.  Ha 
Deus  ke  Merlyn,  C.  E .'  Deus  com  Mcrlyn,  R.  1.  A  .'  Dieu  cum  Merlin,  R.  2. 
—552.  les  .ij.,  C,  R.  1. 


And  so  may  man  teach — the  Scots  to  run, — and  begin  war. — To  some  is  left 
nothing— but  his  torn  riveling — to  hop  therein. — Their  King's  seat  of  Scone — 
is  driven  over  down, — and  led  to  London. — In  town  I  heard  tell, — the  .... 
and  the  bell — are  stolen  and  fled. 

O  God  !  how  often  Merlin  said  truth — in  his  prophecies  !     As  you  read, — 
now  are  the  two  waters  come  into  one, — which  have  been  separated  by  great 


308  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Et  un  realme  est  fet  [de]  deus  diverse  regnez, 
Ke  solaint  par  deus  rays  estre  governez. 
Ore  sunt  les  insulanes  trestuz  assemblez, 
Et  Albany e  rejoynte  a  les  regaltez, 
Des  quels  li  rais  Edward  est  seignur  clamez  ; 
Cornewale  e  Galez  sunt  en  ses  poestez, 
560  E  Irlaunde  la  graunte  a  sez  voluntez. 
Reis  n'i  ad  nent  plus  de  tut  les  cuntrez 
Fors  li  rais  Edward  k'ensi  les  ad  visitez. 
Arthur  n'i  avait  unkes  si  plainement  les  fez. 
Des  ore  n'ait  ke  fere  for  porver  ses  alez^ 
Sur  le  ray  de  Fraunce  conquer  sez  heritez, 
E  puis  porter  la  eroiz  ou  Jhesu  Crist  fu  nez. 

Ses  enemys, 

Deu  mercis ! 

sunt  chatiez ; 


Various  Readings. — 554.  Et  une  r.  fet  de  diverse  regnez,  C.  E  un  r., 
de  d.,  R.  1  and  2.— 561.  ad  ne  prince  de  tuz  les,  C.  a.  n.  p.  de  totes,  R.  1. 
Rei  n'i  ad  ne  p.,  R.  2. — 562.  fors  le  ray  ..  .  joustez,  C.  li  ad  justicez,  R.  1 
and  2. — 568.  Deus  mercys,  C. 


mountains  ;  and  one  realm  is  made  out  of  two  different  kingdoms, — which 
used  to  be  governed  by  two  kings. — Now  are  the  islanders  all  brought  together, 
— and  Albania  is  rejoined  to  its  regalities, — of  which  King  Edward  is  pro- 
claimed lord  ; — Cornwall  and  Wales  are  in  his  power, — and  Ireland  the  great 
is  at  his  will. — There  is  no  longer  any  king  of  all  the  countries — except  King 
Edward  who  has  thus  visited  them. — Arthur  had  never  so  fully  the  feudalities. — 
Henceforth  he  has  nothing  to  do  but  to  look  after  his  goings, — to  conquer  his 
inheritance  from  the  King  of  France, — and  then  to  carry  the  cross  where  Jesus 
Christ  was  born. — His  enemies, — thank  God  ! — are  chastised  ; — they  are  all 


LANGTOFT^S    CHRONICLE,  309 


570  Trestuz  sunt  maz, 

Et  pris  cum  raz^ 

enlaches. 
II  ad  corouns 
E  combatons 

bien  assez, 
Od  deuz  rays 
Ad  un  fays, 

et  utraes  ; 
Cell  de  sa 
580  Ore  aille  de  la, 

od  ses  barnes. 
Jon  e  Thomas 
Li  lerount  pas 

desaydes ; 
Cuthbert  li  vent, 
Ke  od  li  tent 

en  les  medlez. 
En  Deu  vous  die. 
Merlin  de  li 
590  ad  prophetez ; 


Various  Readings — 572.  enlacez,  C,  R.  1  and  2. — 573,  574.  coruz  \  Et 
combatuz,  C,  R.  1.  coru  \  e  cumbatu,  R.  2. — 582.  Johan  e  Thomas,  R.  1  and 
2.-587.  ses  medlez,  C. 


vanquished, — and  taken  like  rats, — and  bound. — He  has  run  about — and  fought 
— quite  enough, — with  two  kings — at  one  time, — and  overthrown  them  ; — the 
one  on  this  side — now  goes  to  that  side — with  his  baronage. — John  and  Tho- 
mas— will  not  leave  him — unassisted ; — Cuthbert  comes  to  him, — who  holds 
with  him — in  the  combats. — In  God,  I  tell  you, — Merlin  of  him — prophesied ; 


310  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Trais  regiouns 
En  ses  baundouns 

Serrount  waynez ; 
Ne  salt  blemy 
La  prophecie 

par  pecchez ; 
Sire  Deus  omnipotent 
Ad  seint  Edmound  al  parlement 

li  consaille^ 
600  E  sur  li  faus  Phelippe  de  Fraunce, 

Par  ta  vertu  aver  vengeaunce, 
K'il  James  ne  seit  avaunce 

pur  sa  pure  fausete. 

A  L  burk  de  Seint  Edmond  le  jour  est  establie, 

Sunt  venuz  les  eveskes,  ouf  la  compaignie 
De  lais  e  clers,  ad  quels  li  ray  prie 
Des  biens  de  seint  eglise  ayde  e  curtaysie, 
Einsint  cum  els  pramistrent  auntane  en  I'abie 


Various  Readings. — 597.  Sire  Deu,  R.  1  and  2. — 599.  consaillez,  R.  1 
and  2. — 602.  This  line  is  omitted  in  C,  and  R.  1  and  2. — 603.  Ly  grantez,  R. 
1  and  2. — 604.  jour  establye,  C,  R.  1  and  2. — 606.  Des  ercedenes  et  clers  .  .. 
li  rays,  C,  R.  1.   Des  ercediakenes,  R.  2. 


• — three  regions — in  his  possession — shall  be  gained. — Let  not  be  blamed — 
the  prophecy — sinfully  ; — Lord  God  Almighty, — at  St.  Edmund's  at  the  par- 
liament— give  him  counsel. — And  on  false  Philip  of  France — by  thy  virtue  to 
have  vengeance, — that  he  may  never  be  advanced — for  his  mere  falseness. 

To  the  borough  of  St.  Edmund,  on  the  day  w^hich  was  fixed, — are  come  the 
bishops,  with  the  company — of  laymen  and  clerks,  of  whom  the  king  prays — 
aid  and  courtesy  of  the  goods  of  holy  church, — as  they  had  promised  before  in 


LANGTOFT  S    CHRONICLE.  311 

De  Westmoster,  par  quai  li  rais  de  ceo  s'affye 
610  En  socour  de  sa  guere,  ke  n'est  pas  finie. 
Countes  e  barouns  a  la  chivalerie 
Pur  eus  e  pur  le  people  grauntent  en  aie 
[Le  disime  dener,  et  pur  la  raarchaundye] 
Le  setim  par  my  aide  sa  tresorie. 
E  li  erceveske,  ke  tent  la  priraacie 
Deu  se  de  Canturbirs,  sur  respouns  estudie, 
E  par  deus  eveskes  al  ray  signefie 
L'estat  de  seint  eglise,  ke  mult  est  empoverie. 
Le  erceveske  apres  al  rais  va  e  die, 
620  "  Sire,  pur  Deu  !  la  sus  ne  te  greves  mie. 
Pur  tut  seint  eglise  [je  te  certefye, 
Desuz  Deus  en  terre  est  nul  alme  en  vye 
Ke  ad  sur  saint  eglise]  por  ne  mestrie, 
For  la  pape  de  Rome,  qe  tent  la  vicarie 


Various  Readings. — 610.  This  line  is  omitted  in  R.  1  and  2. — 611.  e  la 
chiv.,  C,  R.  2.  ly  grant  en  aye,  R.  1. — 612.  The  following  line  is  not  found  in 
the  Cambridge  MS. — 613.  parmye  a  sa  tresorye,   C,  R.  1  and  2. — 616.  sur 

respouns  estodye,  C,  R,  1  and  2. — 617.  al  reis,  R.  1 619.  al  ray,  C. — 620. 

eglise  je  te  certefye,  C. — 622.   Qe  south  Dieu,  R.  2. — G^'i.  poeste  et  mestrye,  C. 


the  abhey — of  Westminster,  whereby  the  king  trusts  to  it — for  the  help  of 
his  war  which  is  not  finished. — Earls  and  barons,  with  the  knights, — for  them- 
selves and  for  the  people  grant  in  aid — the  tenth  penny,  and  for  the  mer- 
chants— the  seventh  part  for  the  aid  of  his  treasury. — And  the  archbishop,  who 
holds  the  primacy — of  the  see  of  Canterbury,  studies  for  an  answer, — and  ex- 
plains to  the  king  by  two  bishops — the  condition  of  holy  church,  which  is  much 
impoverished. — The  bishop  afterwards  goes  to  the  king  and  says, — "  Sire,  for 
God's  sake,  do  not  grieve  yourself  at  all  about  that, — for  all  holy  church,  I 
certify  thee, — under  God  there  is  no  soul  alive  in  the  world — who  has  over 
holy  church  power  or  mastery, — except  the  pope  of  Rome,  who  holds  the  vicary 


312  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Qe  seint  Pere  li  apostoille  avoit  en  baillie. 
La  pape  est  nostre  chef,  il  nous  garde  e  guye, 
E  estatute  ad  fet  qe  durement  nous  lie, 
Sur  privaciune  de  rent  e  de  prelacie, 
Ke  disme,  ne  .v.time,  ne  nioite,  ne  partie 
630  A  tei  ne  a  nul  autre  nul  de  nous  otrie 
Saunz  sun  maundement  en  avowerie, 
Sur  le  sollempnement  escomege  e  maldie 
Trestuz  le  fiz  de  mere  qe  par  seignurie 
Aserveint  seint  eglise,  ke  Deus  aide  en  fraunchie." 
"  Sire  cler,"  dit  li  rais,  "  tu  as  parle  folie  ; 
Promis  est  dette  due,  si  fay  ne  seit  oublie  ; 
Mes  ke  joe  te  wais  de  boule  saysie 
Einsint  tuz  li  autre,  par  le  fiz  Marie  ! 
Ne  puriez  de  ceste  ayde  estre  desublie." 


Various  Readings. — 627.  Estatute  ad,  C. — 629.  vintime,  C,  R.  1  and2. 
—630.  a  ly  altre,  C,  R.  1.— 632.  Sur  co,  C,  R.  1.— 633.  lesfiz,  C,  R.  1.— 
634.  Deus  ad/.,  C.  ad  en/.,  R.  1  and  2.-635.  Sire  clers,  R.  1  and  2.— 
636.  promesse,  R.  1  and  2. — 637.  jeo  te  vaise  de  la  bulle  s.,  R.  1.  jeo  vet  de  la 
bulle  s.,  R.  2. — 638.  Ansint  tuz  les  altres,  C. — 639.  ne  purrai,  R.  2. 


— which  St.  Peter  the  apostle  had  in  keeping. — The  pope  is  our  head,  he  keeps 
and  rules  us, — and  he  has  made  a  statute  which  binds  us  closely, — on  privation 
of  rent  and  of  prelacy, — that  neither  tenth,  nor  twentieth,  nor  half,  nor  part — 
none  of  us  give  to  thee  or  to  any  other, — without  his  commandment  and  allow- 
ance,— upon  it  he  solemnly  excommunicates  and  curses — every  son  of  a  mother 
that  by  lordship — injures  holy  church,  which  may  God  help  in  its  freedom  ! " 
— "  Sir  clerk,"  said  the  King,  "  thou  hast  talked  folly  ; — promise  is  debt  due,  if 
faith  be  not  forgotten  ; — but  if  I  saw  thee  here  in  possession  of  the  bull — as  well 
avS  all  the  others,  by  the  son  of  Mary  ! — you  should  not  be  relieved  of  this  aid." 


langtoft's  chronicle.  313 

640  "  C  IRE/'  dit  le  erceveske,  "  mout  trevolunter 
Ad  tei  cum  al  seignur  volums  tuz  aider 
Par  geonge  de  la  pape,  si  tu  le  volez  maunder 
Par  un  de  tes  clers  ouf  nostre  messager, 
Ke  toun  estate  e  nostve  li  purroit  cunter ; 
E  sur  ceo  qe  la  pape  nous  fra  remaunder, 
Volum  solum  nos  aises  curtaisement  ayder/' 
''  Sire  clers/'  redit  li  rais,  "  jeo  n'ai  pas  mester 
De  ceo  qe  tu  me  dais  la  pape  consaillerj 
Mes  si  tu  vols  re  spit  en  ceo  kas  aver, 

650  Fa  quant  tu  vodras  tes  clers  assembler, 

Enparles  du  promesse,  e  tretez  ent  du  quer ; 

Apres  la  Seint  Hillari  venez  a  Westmouster, 

E  fras  la  respouns  sanz  plus  a  parler." 

"  Sire/'  dist  le  erceveske,  "  pur  Deu  e  Seint  Richer  ! 

Volez  si  e  la  tes  gens  comander, 


Various  Readings. — 642.  conr/e,  C,  R.  1. — 644.  porroiint  moustrer,  C, 
R.  1  and  2. — 645.  Et  soulom  po  ke,  C. — 646.  Voloums  souloum,  C.  Volums  mis 
de  nostre  aider  e  prester,  R.  1  and  2. — 651.  Perfournir  la  pr.  ..  enparler,  C. 
— 653.  fetez,  . . .  enparler,  R.  1  and  2. — 655.  Voylliez,  C. 


"  Sire,"  said  the  Archbishop,  "  very  willingly — thee  as  our  lord  we  will  all 
aid — with  the  leave  of  the  pope,  if  thou  wilt  send  to  him — by  one  of  thy  clerks 
with  our  messenger, — who  could  relate  to  him  thy  condition  and  ours  ; — and 
according  to  the  message  which  the  pope  shall  send  us  back, — we  will  as  far  as 
our  abilities  go  courteously  aid  thee." — "  Sir  clerk,"  says  the  King  again,  "  I 
have  no  need — for  thee  to  advise  me  to  consult  the  pope ; — but  if  thou  wilt 
have  respite  in  this  case, — cause  thy  clerks  to  assemole  when  thou  wilt, — talk 
to  them  of  the  promise,  and  treat  heartily  of  it ; — after  St.  Hilary's  day  come 
to  Westminster, — and  make  the  answer  without  more  talk!" — "Sire,"  said 
the  Archbishop,  "  for  the  sake  of  God  and  St.  Richard  ! — please  to  command 
CAMD.  SOC,  G.  2  S 


314  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Ke  sunt  tes  ministres  ad  .xii.  clener, 
Ke  nous  ne  nos  tenaunz  facent  molester, 
Ne  nos  temperaltez  ouf  les  lays  taxer/^ 
"  Sire/^  respount  li  rays,  "  ceo  n'estut  doter  ; 

660  Car  ben  ne  mal  ne  frunt  ad  nule  de  ton  poer. 
Noun  pur  ceo,  bel  sire,  jeo  prie  e  requer. 
Par  my  ta  deocise  comandez  prier 
Pur  moy  e  pur  le  [s]  menz,  e  Deu  mercier, 
Ke  largement  pur  nous  fet  ad  cea  en  arer." 
Le  erceveske  otrie,  e  fet  sun  dever. 
Poi  avaunt  eel  houre  revint  le  tresorer 
Water  de  Langetoune,  ke  fu  passe  la  mer 
Ouf  le  cardinale  de  la  pes  treter. 
Respouns  qu'els  i  port  ne  pot  nule  home  saver, 

670  Fors  eels  du  consaiUe  qe  ne  I'osent  reveler. 
Messagers  apres  vindrent  nuncier 
Al  rays  Sire  Edward  forme  de  amourer 


Various  Readings. — 657.  ne  facent,  C. — 659.  fo  dist  le  rais,  C. — 661. 
K  rays  li  prie,  C. — 663.  les  mens,  R.  2. — 664.  /"et  sla,  C.  fet  ad  pa,  R.  1.  fet 
de  scea,  R.  2. — 665.  Vottrye,  efel,  R.  1  and  2. — 668.  les  chardinals,  C. 


here  and  there  thy  people, — who  are  thy  agents  for  the  twelfth  penny, — that 
they  cause  to  be  molested  neither  us  nor  our  tenants, — nor  tax  our  tempo- 
ralities along  with  the  layman." — "  Sir,"  answers  the  King,  "  you  need  not 
fear  it, — for  they  shall  do  neither  well  nor  ill  to  none  of  thy  power Neverthe- 
less, fair  Sir,  I  pray  and  require, — that  throughout  thy  diocese  thou  com- 
mandest  to  pray — for  me  and  mine,  and  to  thank  God, — who  has  done  largely 
for  us  in  our  recent  affairs." — The  Archbishop  grants  it,  and  does  his  duty. — 
A  little  before  this  time  returned  the  treasurer — Walter  de  Langton,  who  had 
passed  the  sea — with  the  cardinal,  to  treat  of  the  peace. — The  answer  which 
they  bring  no  man  can  know, — except  those  of  the  council  who  dare  not 
reveal  it. — Messengers  afterwards  came  to  announce — to  the  King  Sir  Edward  a 


LANGTOFT  S    CHRONICLE.  315 

Contek  de  Gascoyne,  e  fet  acorder 

Li  ouf  le  Rey  Phellipp  sanz  plus  guerrer, 

Si  cum  les  cardinals  ount  fet  ordiner. 

Li  Rays  Edward  par  taunt  ad  fet  retorner 

Water  de  Langetoun,  e  Hugue  le  Despenser, 

E  Jon  de  Beruik,  clerk  avertik  ber. 

Counduire  les  face  Dieus,  e  bien  remener  ! 

680  T  ES  barouns  d'Escoce  a  eel  parlement 

Ne  fu  resoun  rendu,  ne  done  jugement, 
Ly  rais  est  si  corteis,  de  si  pitouse  talent, 
E  de  si  graunt  merci,  jeo  crei  certeinement 
Ke  sa  misericorde  serra  sauvement 
A  eels  ke  ount  la  mort  deservi  plainement, 
E  des  fez  attainz  felonousement. 
La  grant  pite  du  quer  q'il  ad  eu  sovent 
Des  felons  de  Gales,  en  parlent  tote  gent, 


VARiors  Readings. — 672.  de  amourer,  C.  de  amurer,  R.  1.  au  rei  .  ,. 
de  amourer,  R.  2. — 673.  du  contek  du  ..  .  fere,  C,  R.  1.  du  c.  ..  fere,  R.  2. 
— 674.  gtierrayer,  C,  R.  1.  guerreier,  R.  2. — 678.  anerty,  C.  Johan  de  Ber- 
wike  ..  .  avertiz,  R.  1.  Johan  ...  clerk  e  averti,  R.  2. — 680.  Des  larouns,  C. 
— 681.  renduz,  C. — 686.  defez,  C. 


form  of  arranging — the  strife  of  Gascony,  and  to  cause  him  to  agree — with  King 
Philip,  without  further  war,— as  the  cardinals  had  caused  it  to  be  ordained. —  King 
Edward  forthwith  sent  back — Walter  de  Langton  and  Hugh  le  Despenser, — and 
John  de  Berwick,  a  clerk  and  a  valiant  knight. — jNIay  God  conduct  them  there, 
and  bring  them  well  back  again  ! 

Of  the  barons  of  Scotland,  at  this  parliament — reason  was  not  rendered,  nor 
judgment  given. — The  Xing  is  so  courteous,  so  fuU  of  pity, — and  of  so  great 
mercy,  I  believe  certainly — that  his  mercy  will  be  the  saving — of  those  who 
have  fully  deserved  death, — by  their  deeds  attainted  of  felony. — The  great  pity 
of  heart  which  be  has  often  had — upon  the  felons  of  Wales,  every  body  talks  of 


316 


POLITICAL    SONGS. 


Quan  [t]  plus  ad  eu  affer  pur  son  avancement, 
C90  Meuz  li  ount  la  gwere,  e  fet  desturhement, 
Dunt  ses  alez  aillours  laisser  li  covient. 

A  PRES  le  Seint  Hillori,  quant  le  rays  quidait 

Parlement  a  Loundres,  cum  ordinez  aveit, 
Noveles  li  vindrent  par  cil  ke  les  estayt 
Venuz  de  Kaumbray,  e  li  nunciait 
Ke  la  parlance  de  pez  se  fist  pur  nul  esjilait. 
Par  quey  le  rais  Edward  demourt  e  se  purvait 
Par  mer  e  par  tere  ke  trahi  ne  sait ; 
En  Westmouster  de  ses  gens  equait 
700  Treter  de  sour  quel  ayde  la  clergie  li  frait. 
Ly  Sire  de  Canturbir  sur  ceo  se  tint  etraliit, 
Pur  luy  e  sa  paroche  a  Seint  Thomas  vouait 
Ke  nul  de  sa  eglise  taille  plus  ne  serrait, 


Varioi's  Readings. — 691.  ses  alers,  R.l. — 693.  tenir  a  L.,  C — 694.  lors 
estait,  C,  R.  1  and  2. — 697.  le  rei,  R.  2. — 698.  Par  tere  et  par  mer,  C.  mer 
nepar  t.,  R.  2.-699.  eii  vait,  C,  R.  1  and  2.  EciW.,R.  1.— 700.  Treter  sur 
quele  aide,  C,  R.  1. — 702.  et  pur  sap.,  C. 


it ; — when  he  was  most  occupied  for  his  advancement, — they  made  war  upon 
him,  and  cause  a  diversion, — whereby  he  was  obliged  to  leave  his  goings  else- 
where. 

After  the  day  of  St.  Hilary,  when  the  King  thought  (to  hold) — parliament 
at  London,  as  he  had  ordained, — news  came  to  him  by  him  who  was  then 
— come  from  Cambrai,  and  announced  to  him — that  the  talk  of  peace  was  made 
with  no  intention  of  coming  to  an  end. — Wherefore  King  Edward  remained 
and  prepared^ — by  sea  and  by  land  that  he  might  not  be  betrayed  ; — at  West- 
minster he  collected  his  people  — to  treat  about  what  aid  the  clergy  should  give 
him. — The  Lord  of  Canterbury  held  himself  very  rigid  on  this  matter, — he 
vowed  to  St.  Thomas  for  him  and  his  parish, — that  no  one  of  his  church  should 


langtoft's  chronicle.  317 

Ne  mis  en  serv^age  taunt  cum  il  viverait, 
Saunz  maundement  la  pape,  ke  governer  le  deit. 
Li  sire  de  Nichole  ataunt  se  [a]  cordait ; 
Oliver  li  eveske,  ke  flecher  ne  solait. 
Li  rais  vers  la  clergie  par  taunt  se  corucait, 
E  hors  de  sa  pese  juguer  la  comaundait. 
710  Mes  meintenaunt  apres  cele  fet  repellait. 
Co  feceint  les  eveskes  ki  volunte  chascait 
Aider  a  lur  seignur  dunt  recoverir  soun  drait, 
A  seinte  eglise  defendre  de  hounte  e  de  fourfait. 
L'elyt  de  Everwyke,  ke  pes  desirrait, 
Dit  ke  volunters  pur  quanke  li  tuchait, 
Dount  saint  eglise  defendre  le  quint  dener  mettrait. 
Des  Escoz  chaitifs  nule  alme  i  parlait : 
Demorez  sunt  suz  garde  en  autel  plait^ 
Cum  avaunt  estaient,  Dunbar  les  achascait. 


Various  Readings. — 705.  les  dait,  C,  R,  1. — 713.  Et  saint e,  C,  R.  1. 
surfait,  R.  1. — 718.  sunt  uncore  suz  g.  en  a.  esplait,  C.  sont  en  garde  mult  a 
lour  deshait,  R.  1.  tut  a  lour  desheit,  R.  2. — 719.  This  line  ends  in  C,  and  R. 
1  and  2,  with  the  words  escotez  ke  fo  dayt,  and  the  English  lines  following 
are  omitted. 


be  any  more  taxed, — nor  placed  in  servage  as  long  as  he  lived, — without  com- 
mand of  the  pope,  who  ought  to  govern  them, — The  Lord  of  Lincoln  agreed  to 
this, — Bishop  Oliver,  who  was  not  used  to  bend. — The  King  was  so  enraged 
against  the  clergy, — that  he  commanded  them  to  be  judged  out  of  his  peace. — 
But  now  afterwards  he  repealed  that  decree. — This  did  those  bishops  who 
willingly  consented — to  aid  their  lord  whereby  to  recover  his  right, — to  defend 
holy  church  from  shame  and  loss. — The  elect  of  York,  who  desired  peace, — 
said  that  willingly  as  far  as  concerned  him — he  would  give  the  fifth  penny 
wherewith  to  defend  holy  church. — Not  a  soul  spoke  there  of  the  caitiff  Scots  : — 
they  remained  in  keeping  in  the  same  care, — as  they  were  before,  Dunbar  caused 


318  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

720  For  thar  wer  thai  bal  brend. 

He  kauged  ham  thidre  kend, 

aut  dreved  to  dote. 
For  Scottes  at  Dunbar 
Haved  at  thayre  gau  char 

schame  of  thar  note. 
Wer  never  dogges  there 
Hurled  out  of  herre 

fro  coylthe  ne  cotte. 

them  vexation. — For  there  were  they  burnt  ....  — he  ....  them  thither, — and 
drove  to  dote. — For  Scots  at  Dunbar — had  at  their ....  — shame  of  their  note. 
— Never  were  dogs  there — hurled  out  of 


THE    TRAILEBASTONS,    AND    EXECUTION    OF    WALLACE. 

[From  MS.  Cotton.  Julius  A.  v.  fol.  1G2,  v".  collated  with  MS.  Reg.  20,  A.  11. 
fol.  144,  r».  (R.  I.)  ;  and  with  MS.  Reg.  20,  A.  xi.  fol.  125,  r°.  (R.  2.)] 


T^N  Septembre  apres  Estrivelyn  est  rendu; 

Ly  reys  Sire  Edwarde  ses  travayls  ad  sentu. 
Vers  Brustewik  sur  Humbre  son  chemyn  ad  tenu. 


Various  Readings. — 2.  au  rei,  R.  2. — 3.  est  meUf  R.  1.  en  son  ch.  est 
men,  R,  2. 


Translation. — In  September  after  Stirling  was  delivered; — the  King  Sir 
Edward  was  fatigued  with  liis  labours, — he  held  his  way  towards  Burstwick  on 


laxgtoft's  chronicle.  319 

Sugiour  une  pece  i  prist  pur  sa  salu. 
Sire  Jon  de  Warenne,  count  been  conu, 
Mortz  fu  lors  et  prest  a  mette  en  sarcu. 
Ly  reys,  ke  Deu  garde  !  en  alaunt  vers  le  su. 
Par  my  Lendesey  enquist  de  lu  en  lu. 
Taunt  com  en  Escoz  en  sa  guere  fu, 
10  Ky  out  sa  pees  enfra^mt,  ki  out  sa  pees  tenu  ; 
Pur  taunt  com  il  volait,  remede  fu  purveu 
Sur  cil  ke  fust  ataynt  de  sa  pees  rumpu. 

"DESPOUNS  ount  fet  au  reys  gentz  de  been 

voyllance, 
Coment  parmy  la  tere  fet  est  grant  grevaunce 
Par  comune  contekours,  ke  sunt  par  fiaunce 
Obligez  ensemble  a  une  pur\aaunce ; 
Traylbastouns  sunt  nomez  de  eel  retenaunce, 
En  fajTes  et  marchez  se  proferent  fere  covenaunce, 


Various  Readings. — 5.  JoJian  .. .  counte,  R.  1  and  2.-6,  mort,  R.  2. — 
7.  le  rei,  le  sieu,  R.  2. — 8.  Lyndesey,  R.  1. — 10.  qi  Vount  tenu,  R.  2. — 11. 
volait,  R.  1.  cum  avolait,  R.  2. — 13.  au  rei,  R.   2. — 15.  comuns,  R.  2. 


Humber, — he  remained  there  a  while  for  his  health. — Sir  John  de  Warenne, 
an  Earl  well  known, — was  then  dead  and  ready  to  be  put  in  his  coffin. — The 
King,  whom  God  keep  !  in  going  towards  his  own, — through  Lindsey  inquired 
from  place  to  place, — whilst  he  had  been  in  Scotland  in  his  war, — who  had 
broken  his  peace,  and  who  had  held  it ; — straight  at  his  will,  remedy  was  pro- 
vided— for  him  who  was  attainted  of  having  broken  his  peace. 

People  of  good  will  have  made  answer  to  the  King, — how  a  great  grievance 
is  made  in  the  land — by  common  squabblers,  who  are  by  oath — obliged  together 
to  a  purveyance  ; — this  company  are  called  Trailebastons, — they  offer  to  make 


320  rOLITICAL    SONGS. 

Pur  treys  souz  ou  .iiii.,  ou  pur  la  valiaunce, 
20  Batre  un  prodomme  ke  unk  fist  nosaunce 
A  cors  Cristiene,  par  null  temoygnaunce. 
Si  homme  countredye  a  nul  de  Taliaunce, 
Ou  marchaund  de  ses  merz  li  vee  fere  creaunce, 
En  sa  mesoun  demene,  sauntz  altre  daliaunce, 
Batuz  serrait  been,  ou  pur  I'acordaunce 
Dora  de  ses  deners  et  prendre  aquitaunce. 
Si  en  la  riot  ne  seit  fet  desturbaunce, 
Une  commune  guere  se  levera  par  chaunce. 
Entendu  ad  ly  reys  la  plaint  et  la  parlaunce, 
30  Escutez  ore  coment  purveu  est  la  vengaunce, 

T3ARMY  Engletere  gentz  de  graunz  resouns 

Assignez  sunt  justizes  sur  les  traylbastouns ; 
Les  uns  par  enquest  sunt  jugez  a  prisouns ; 


Various  Readings. — 19.  voillaunce,  R.  1. — 20.  nefist,  R.  2. — 23.  vee  de 
er.,R.  2. — 26.  prendra,R.  2. — 31.  grant  resons,  R.  1.  gent  de  grant,  R.  2. 


conventions  at  fairs  and  markets, — for  three  or  four  shillings,  or  merely  to  show 
their  courage, — to  beat  a  good  man,  who  never  did  hurt — to  any  Christian  body, 
by  the  testimony  of  no  one. — If  a  man  contradict  any  one  of  the  alliance, — or  a 
merchant  will  not  trust  them  for  his  merchandise,— taken  in  his  own  house,  with- 
out other  interference, — he  shall  be  well  beaten,  or  by  agreement — he  shall  give 
of  his  money  and  take  acquittance. — If  there  were  no  hindrance  made  to  their 
riot, — a  war  among  the  commons  would  by  chance  arise. — The  King  has  heard 
the  complaint  and  the  talk, — now  hear  how  the  punishment  is  provided. 

Throughout  England  men  of  great  account — are  assigned  as  judges  on  the 
Trailebastons  ; — some  by  inquest  are  judged  to  prisons  ; — others  to  go  to  the 


LANGTOFT  S  CHRONICLE.  321 

Li  altre  alez  a  fourclies  a  pendre  envirouns  ; 
Plusours  sunt  privez  de  [lour]  possessiouns; 
jKe  meyns  mesfesaynt  sunt  passez  par  raunsouns. 
Si  chastiment  ne  fust  de  ribaldes  et  bricouns, 
Ose  ne  serrait  homme  vivre  en  mesouns. 
O  !  cum  Deus  est  bons  de  drayturels  guerdouns, 
40  Ke  taunt  sovent  nous  ad  venge  de  felouns  ! 
Novel  avoms  oy  entre  compaygnouns 
De  William  le  Walays,  mestre  de  larouns  ; 
Sire  Jon  de  Meneteft  li  suist  a  talouns, 
Enpres  de  sa  puteyne  li  prist  en  tapisouns  ; 
A  Loundres  le  menait  en  ferges  et  laceouns, 
Ou  jugez  esteit  sur  eels  condiciouns  ; 
En  primer  a  fourclies  fust  trayne  pur  tresouns, 
Pendu  pur  roberyes  et  pur  occisiouns. 


Various  Readings.— 34.  altres,  R.  I  and  2. — 36.  passe,  R.  2. — 39.  est 
draiturels  e  de  hone,  R.  1. — 4C.  venges,  R.  2. — 41.  A'ovels,  R.  1. — 42.  des 
larouns,  R.  1. — 43.  Johan  de  Menetest,  R.  1.  Mentest,  R.  2. — 44.  Sempris  de 
sa,  R.  2. 


gallows,  to  hang  there  about ; — many  are  deprived  of  their  possessions  ;  — those 
■who  had  done  least  ill  are  obliged  to  pay  fines.  If  there  was  not  chastisement 
of  ribalds  and  rascals, — people  would  not  dare  to  live  in  their  houses. — O  !  how 
God  is  good  in  his  just  dealings, — who  has  so  often  revenged  us  of  felons  ! — 
We  have  heard  news  among  companions — of  William  Wallace,  the  master  of 
the  thieves  ; — Sir  John  de  Menteith  followed  him  close  at  liis  heels, — and  took 
him  in  bed  beside  his  strumpet ; — he  brought  him  to  London  in  fetters  and 
bonds, — where  he  was  judged  on  the  following  conditions  : — first  to  be  drawn 
to  the  gallows  for  his  treasons, — to  be  hung  for  robbery  and  for  slaughter, — 

CAMD.   SOC.  6.  2    T 


322  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Et  pur  ceo  k^il  avait  ennenty  par  arsouns. 
50  Viles  et  eglises  et  religioiins, 

Avalez  est  de  fourches,  et  overt  les  ventrouns, 
Le  quoer  et  la  bowel  brullez  en  carbouns, 
Et  cope  la  teste  par  tels  mesprisiouns, 
Pur  ceo  ke  il  avait  par  ces  havyllouns 
Maintenuz  la  guere,  done  protecciouns, 
Seysye  seygnurye  en  ses  subjecciouns 
De  altri  realme  par  ses  entrusiouns. 
Cope  li  fust  le  cors  en  quatre  porciouns, 
Chescun  pende  par  say  en  memor  de  ses  nouns, 
60  En  lu  de  sa  banere  eels  sunt  ces  gunfanouns. 

Pur  finir  sa  geste, 

A.  Loundres  est  sa  teste, 

du  cors  est  fet  partye 

En  .iiii.  bones  viles, 

Dount  honurer  les  ylles 


Various  Readings. — 55.  meintenu,R.  2. — 56.  en  sa,  R.  1. 


and  because  he  had  destroyed  by  burning — towns  and  churches  and  monas- 
teries,— he  is  taken  down  from  the  gallows,  and  his  belly  opened, — the  heart 
and  bowels  burnt  to  ashes, — and  his  head  cut  off  for  such  faults, — because  he 

had  by  these , — maintained  war,  given  protections, — seized  lordship  into 

his  subjection — of  the  realm  of  another  by  his  intrusions. — His  body  was  cut 
into  four  parts, — each  hung  by  itself  in  memory  of  his  name, — instead  of  his 
banner  these  are  his  standards. — To  finish  his  history, — at  London  is  his  head, 
— his  body  is  divided — in  four  good  towns, — whereby  to  honour  the  isles — that 


70 


POEM    ON    TIMES    OF    EDWARD    II. 

ke  sunt  en  Albany e. 
And  tus  may  you  here, 
A  ladde  to  lere 

to  bigken  in  pais. 
It  falles  in  his  eghe, 
That  hackes  ovre  heghe, 

wit  at  Walays. 


323 


Various  Readings. — P7.  thus,  R.  1  and  2.  mat  men,  R.  2. — 68.  te  lere, 
R.  2.-69.  Mggen,  R.  1.  biggin,  R.  2.—70.fallis...  i^e,  R.  2.— 71.  hagges, 
R.  1.  hakkis  . .  .  Me,  R.  2.-72.  with  that  Waleis,  R.  2. 


are  in  Albania. — And  thus  may  you  hear, — a  lad  to  learn — to  build  in  peace. 
It  falls  in  his  eye, — who  hacks  too  high, — with  the  Wallace. 


POEM    ON    THE    EVIL    TIMES    OF    EDWARD    II. 

[From  the  Auchiuleck  MS.  fol.  328,  r°.  written  in  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Edw. 
III.  in  the  Advocates  Library,  at  Edinburgh.] 

The  Simonie. 

T^HII  werre  and  wrake  in  londe  and  manslauht  is  i-come, 

Whii  hungger  and  derthe  on  eorthe  the  pore  hath  undernome^ 
Whii  bestes  ben  thus  storve,  whii  corn  hath  ben  so  dere^ 


Glossary. — 1.  tverre  and  torake,  war  and  mischief. — 2.  undemome,  undertaken, 
seized  upon. — 3.  starve,  starved,  perished. 


324  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

36  that  wolen  abide,  listneth  and  3e  rauwen  here 

the  skile. 
I  nelle  hjcn  for  no  man,  herkne  who  so  wile. 

God  greteth  wel  the  clergie,  and  seith  theih  don  amis, 

And  doth  hem  to  understonde  that  htel  treuthe  ther  is ; 

For  at  the  court  of  Rome,  ther  treuthe  sholde  biginne, 

Him  is  forboden  the  paleis,  dar  he  noht  com  therinne  10 

for  doutc  ; 
And  thouh  the  jiope  clepe  him  in,  3it  shal  he  stonde  theroute. 

AUe  the  popes  clerkes  ban  taken  hem  to  red. 
If  treuthe  come  amonges  hem,  that  he  shal  be  ded. 
There  dar  he  noht  shewen  him  for  doute  to  be  slain. 
Among  none  of  the  cardinaus  dar  he  noht  be  sein, 

for  feerd. 
If  Symonie  may  mete  wid  him  he  wole  shaken  his  herd. 

Voiz  of  clerk  is  sielde  i-herd  at  the  court  of  Rome  ; 

Ne  were  he  nevere  swich  a  clerk,  silverles  if  he  come,  20 

Thouh  he  were  the  wiseste  that  evere  was  i-born. 

But  if  he  swete  ar  he  go,  al  his  weye  is  lorn 

i-souht. 
Or  he  shal  singe  si  dedero,  or  al  geineth  him  noht. 

For  if  there  be  in  countre  an  horeling,  a  shrewe, 
Lat  him  come  to  the  court  hise  nedes  for  to  shewe, 

Glossary, — 4.  irolen,  will  (pi.)-  wuu'en,  may. — 5.  skile,  cause,  reason. — 6.  nelle 
li^en,  will  not  lie. — 7.  theih,  they. — 10.  paleis,  palace. — 11.  doute,  fear. — 12.  clepe, 
call. — 13.  han,  have  (pi.)-  >'^<^)  counsel. — 19.  voiz,  voice,  sielde  i-herd,  seldom  heard. 
— 20.  swich,  such. — 22.  ar,  before. 


POEM    OX    TIMES    OF    EDWARD    II.  325 

And  bringe  vnd  him  silver  and  non  other  wed, 

Be  he  nevere  so  muchel  a  wrecche,  hise  nedes  sholen  be  spede 

ful  stille, 
For  Coveytise  and  Symonie  han  the  world  to  M'ille.  30 

A  ND  erchebishop  and  bishop,  that  ouhte  for  to  enquere 

Off  alle  men  of  holi  churche  of  what  lif  theih  were, 
Summe  beth  foles  hemself,  and  leden  a  sory  lif, 
Therfore  doren  hii  noht  speke  for  rising  of  strif 

thurw  clerkes. 
And  that  everich  biwreied  other  of  here  wrecchede  werkes . 

But  certes  holi  churche  is  muchel  i-brouht  ther  doune, 

Siththen  Seint  Thomas  was  slain  and  smiten  of  his  croune. 

He  was  a  piler  ariht  to  holden  up  holi  churche, 

Thise  othere  ben  to  slouwe,  and  feinteliche  kunnen  worche,        40 

i-wis ; 
Therfore  in  holi  churche  hit  fareth  the  more  amis. 

But  everi  man  may  wel  i-wite,  who  so  take  3emej 

That  no  man  may  wel  serve  tweie  lordes  to  queme. 

Summe  beth  in  ofice  wad  the  king,  and  gaderen  tresor  to  hepe^ 

And  the  fraunchise  of  holi  churche  hii  laten  ligge  slepe 

ful  stille; 
Al  to  manye  ther  beth  swiche,  if  hit  were  Godes  wille. 

Glossart. — 27.  u-ed,  pledge. — 28.  muchel  a  wrecche,  great  a  wretch,  sholen  be, 

shall  be. — 29.  sfille,  quietly. — 34.  doren  hii,  dare  they. — 35.    thurtc,  through. 36. 

everich,  every  one.  biwreied,  accused. — 38.    Siththen,  since. — 39.  piler,  pillar. 10. 

slouwe,  slothful,  kunnen,  know  how. — 11.  i-wis,  truely,  in  truth. —  43.  i-wite,  know. 
^eme,  care  {take  ^eme,  pay  attention). — 44.  queme,  pleasure. — Jo.  gaderen,  gather,  to 
hepe,  in  a  heap. 


32C  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

A  ND  thise  ersedeknes  that  ben  set  to  visite  holi  churche, 

Everich  fondeth  liu  he  may  shrewedelichest  worche ;  50 

He  wole  take  mede  of  that  on  and  that  other. 
And  late  the  parsoun  have  a  wyf,  and  the  prest  another, 

at  wille ; 
Coveytise  shal  stoppen  here  mouth,  and  maken  hem  al  stille. 

For  sone  so  a  parsoun  is  ded  and  in  eorthe  i-don, 
Thanne  shal  the  patroun  have  3iftes  anon ; 
The  clerkes  of  the  cuntre  wolen  him  faste  wowe, 
And  senden  him  faire  3iftes  and  presentes  i-nowe, 

and  the  bishop ; 
And  there  shal  Symonye  ben  taken  bi  the  cop.  60 

Coveytise  upon  his  hors  he  wole  be  sone  there, 

And  bringe  the  bishop  silver,  and  rounen  in  his  ere. 

That  alle  the  pore  that  ther  comen,  on  ydel  sholen  theih  worche. 

For  he  that  allermost  may  5ive,  he  shal  have  the  churche; 

i-wds, 
Everich  man  nu  bi  daAve  may  sen  that  thus  hit  is. 

And  whan  this  newe  parsoun  is  institut  in  his  churche. 
He  bithenketh  him  hu  he  may  shrewedelichest  worche  ; 
Ne  shal  the  corn  in  his  berne  ben  eten  wid  no  rauis. 


Glossary.  —  49,  ersedeknes,  archdeacons. — 50.  fondeth,  seeketh,  endeavours. 
shrewedelichest  u-orche,  work  most  cursedly. — 51.  mede,  bribe. — 52.  late,  let. — 54. 
stojipen,  stop. — 55.  sone  so,  as  soon  as. — 57.  wowe,  woo,  court. — 58.  i-nowe,  enough. 
— 60.  cop,  head. — 62,  rounen,  whisper,  ere,  ear. — 63.  on  ydel,  fruitlessly,  to  no  avail, 
— 64.  allermost,  most  of  all. — i^G.  nu  bi  dawe,  now-a-days, — 68,  hu,  how. — 69.  muis, 
mouse. 


POEM    ON    TIMES    OF    EDWARD    II.  327 

But  hit  shal  ben  i-spended  in  a  shrewede  huis  ;  70 

if  he  may, 
Al  shal  ben  i-beten  out  or  Cristemesse-day. 

And  whan  he  hath  i-gadered  markes  and  poundes, 
He  priketh  out  of  toune  wid  haukes  and  Avid  houndes 
Into  a  straunge  contre,  and  halt  a  wenche  in  cracche ; 
And  wel  is  hire  that  first  may  su^ich  a  parsoun  kacche 

in  londe. 
And  thus  theih  serven  the  chapele,  and  laten  the  churche  stonde. 

He  taketh  al  that  he  may,  and  maketh  the  churche  pore. 

And  leveth  thare  behinde  a  theef  and  an  hore,  80 

A  serjaunt  and  a  deie  that  leden  a  sory  Uf ; 

Al  so  faire  hii  gon  to  bedde  as  housebonde  and  wif ; 

wid  sorwe 
Shal  there  no  pore  lif  fare  the  bet  nouther  on  even  ne  on  morwe. 

And  whan  he  hath  the  silver  of  wolle  and  of  lomb, 
He  put  in  his  pautener  an  honne  and  a  konib, 
A  myrour  and  a  koeverchef  to  binde  wid  his  crok, 
And  rat  on  the  rouwe  bible  and  on  other  bok 

no  mo ; 
But  unthank  have  the  bishop  that  lat  hit  so  go.  90 

For  thouh  the  bishop  hit  wite,  that  hit  bename  kouth. 
He  may  wid  a  htel  silver  stoppen  his  mouth ; 

Glossary. — 70.  huis,  house. — 74.  priketh,  rideth. — 75.  cracche,  properly  a  manger, 
perhaps  here,  a  cradle. — 76.  wel  is  hire,  it  is  well  for  her. — 81.  deie,  diiirymaid. — 85. 

lomb,  lamb.— 86.  pautener honne,  ....  — 87.  koeverchef,  kerchief,  crok,  crook. 

— 88.  rat,  reads,   routve,   rough. — 89.  mo,  more. — 91.  bename  kouth,  could  take  in 
hand.  (?) 


328  POLTTICAL    SONGS. 

He  medethwid  the  clerkes,  and  halt  forth  the  wenche. 
And  lat  the  parish  for-worthe  ;  the  devel  him  adrenche 

for  his  werk  ! 
And  sory  may  his  fader  ben,  that  evere  made  him  clerk. 

And  if  the  parsoun  have  a  prest  of  a  clene  lyf, 

That  be  a  god  consailler  to  maiden  and  to  wif, 

Shal  comen  a  daffe  and  putte  him  out  for  a  litel  lasse. 

That  can  noht  a  ferthing  worth  of  god,  unnethe  singe  a  masse    100 

but  ille. 
And  thus  shal  al  the  parish  for  lac  of  lore  spille. 

For  riht  me  thinketh  hit  fareth  bi  a  prest  that  is  lewed. 
As  bi  a  jay  in  a  kage,  that  himself  hath  bishrewed ; 
God  Engelish  he  speketh,  ac  he  wot  nevere  what ; 
No  more  wot  a  lewed  prest  in  boke  what  he  rat 

bi  day. 
Thanne  is  a  lewed  prest  no  betir  than  a  jay. 

But  everi  man  may  wel  i-wite,  bi  the  swete  rode  ! 

Ther  beth  so  manye  prestes,  hii  ne  muwe  noht  alle  be  gode.     110 

And  natheles  thise  gode  men  fallen  oft  in  fame. 

For  thise  wantoune  prestes  that  pleien  here  nice  game, 

bi  nihte, 
Hii  gon  wid  swerd  and  bokeler  as  men  that  wolde  fihte. 


Glossary. — 93.  medeth,  takes  bribe. — 94.  for-worthe,  go  to  nought,  adrenche, 
drown. — 96.  ben,  be. — 97.  iJvest,  priest. — 99.  daffe,  fool,  lasse,  less. — 100.  unnethe, 
hardly. — 102.  for  lac  of  lore  spille,  be  ruined  for  want  of  teaching. — 104.  bishrewed, 
cursed. — 105.  wot,  knows. — 106.  rat,  reads. — 109.  rode,  cross,  rood. — 110.  muwe, 
may. 


I 


POEM    ON    THE    TIMES    OF    EDWARD    II.  329 

Summe  bereth  croune  of  acolite  for  the  crumponde  crok, 
And  ben  ashamed  of  the  merke  the  bishop  hem  bitok  ; 
At  even  he  set  upon  a  koife,  and  kembeth  the  croket, 
Adihteth  him  a  gay  wenche  of  the  newe  jet, 

sanz  doute ; 
And  there  hii  clateren  cumpelin  whan  the  candel  is  oute.  120 

A  ND  thise  abbotes  and  priours  don  a3eiii  here  rihtes  ; 

Hii  riden  wid  hauk  and  hound,  and  contrefeten  knihtes. 
Hii  sholde  leve  swich  pride,  and  ben  rehgious ; 
And  nu  is  pride  maister  in  everich  ordred  hous ; 

i-wis, 
Religioun  is  evele  i-holde  and  fareth  the  more  [amis.] 

For  if  there  come  to  an  abey  to  pore  men  or  thre, 

And  aske  of  hem  helpe  par  seinte  charite, 

Unnethe  wole  any  don  his  ernde  other  3ong  or  old, 

But  late  him  coure  ther  al  day  in  hunger  and  in  cold,  130 

and  sterve. 
Loke  what  love  ther  is  to  God,  wliom  theih  seien  that  hii  serve  ! 

But  there  come  another  and  bringe  a  litel  lettre, 
In  a  box  upon  his  hepe,  he  shal  spede  the  betre ; 
And  if  he  be  wid  eny  man  that  may  don  the  abot  harm. 
He  shal  be  lad  into  the  halle,  and  ben  i-mad  full  warm 

aboute  the  mawe. 
And  Godes  man  stant  ther  oute ;  sory  is  that  lawe. 

Glossary.— 115.  crumponde  crok,  crumpled  crook  (?).— 116.  bitok,  gave,  delivered 
to. — 117.  kembeth,  combs. — croket,  curl  or  lock  of  hair.— 118.  Adihteth  him,  fits  him- 
self with.— 121.  don  a^ein,  do  against.— 126.  evele  i-holde,  evil  held,  in  ill  repute.— 
127.  to,  two.— 129.  ernde,  errand,  ^onff,  young.— 130.  coure,  cower.— 134.  hepe, 
pack  (?). 

CAMD.  see.  6.  2  U 


330  POLITICAL    SOXGS. 

Thus  is  God  nu  served  thurwout  religioun  ; 

There  is  he  al  to  sielde  i-sein  in  eny  devocioun  ;  140 

His  meyne  is  unwelcome,  comen  hii  erUche  or  late  ; 

The  porter  hath  comaundement  to  holde  hem  widoute  the  gate, 

in  the  fen. 
Hu  mihte  theih  loven  that  loverd,  that  serven  thus  his  men  ? 

This  is  the  penaunce  that  monekes  don  for  ure  lordes  love  : 
Hii  weren  sockes  in  here  shon,  and  felted  botes  above ; 
He  hath  forsake  for  Godes  love  botbe  hunger  and  cold ; 
But  if  he  have  hod  and  cappe  fured,  he  nis  noht  i-told 

in  covent; 
Ac  certes  wlaunknesse  of  wele  hem  hath  al  ablent.  150 

Religioun  was  first  founded  duresce  for  to  drie; 
And  nu  is  the  moste  del  i-went  to  eise  and  glotonie. 
Where  shal  men  nu  finde  fattere  or  raddere  of  leres  ? 
Or  betre  farende  folk  than  monekes,  chanons,  and  freres  ? 

In  uch  toun 
I  wot  non  eysiere  lyf  than  is  religioun. 

Religioun  wot  red  I  uch  day  what  he  shal  don  ? 
He  ne  carez  noht  to  muche  for  his  mete  at  non ; 
For  hous-hire  ne  for  clothes  he  ne  carez  noht ; 

Glossary. — 140.  to  sielde  i-sein,  too  seldom  seen. — 141.  meyne  (maisne,  Fr.), 
household,  people,  erliche,  early. — 145.  ure,  our. — 146.  Hii  weren,  they  wear,  shon, 
shoes.  Jo^es,  boots. — 148.  Butif,wdlQs,s.  hod,  hooA.  fured,  iurrtA.  he  nis  noht  i-told, 
he  is  not  reckoned,  or  esteemed. — 150.  ivlaunknesse,  pride,  wele,  weal,  ablent,  blinded. — 
151.  duresce,  hardness,  drie,  bear,  suffer. — 152.  nu,  now.  moste  del,  greatest  part. — 
153.  raddere  of  leres,  redder  of  complexion. — 155.  uch,  each. — 156.  wot,  know. 
eysiere,  more  easy. 


POEM    ON    THE    TIMES    OF    EDWARD    II.  331 

But  whan  he  cometh  to  the  mete,  lie  maketh  his  raawe  touht  160 

off  the  beste ; 
And  anon  therafter  he  fondeth  to  kacche  reste. 

A  ND  3it  ther  is  another  ordre,  Menour  and  Jacobin, 
And  freres  of  the  Carme,  and  of  Seint  Austin, 
That  wolde  preche  more  for  a  busshel  of  whete, 
Than  for  to  bringe  a  soule  from  helle  out  of  the  hete 

to  rest. 
And  thus  is  coveytise  loverd  bothe  est  and  west. 

If  a  pore  man  come  to  a  frere  for  to  aske  shrifte, 

And  ther  come  a  ricchere  and  bringe  him  a  3ifte ;  1/0 

He  shal  into  the  freitur  and  ben  i-mad  ful  glad ; 

And  that  other  stant  theroute,  as  a  man  that  were  mad 

in  sorwe; 
3it  shal  his  ernde  ben  undon  til  that  other  morwe. 

And  if  there  be  a  riche  man  that  evel  hath  undernome, 
Thanne  wolen  thise  freres  al  day  thider  come  ; 
And  if  hit  be  a  pore  lyf  in  poverte  and  in  care, 
Sorwe  on  that  o  frere  that  kepeth  come  thare 

ful  loth ; 
Alle  wite  36,  gode  men,  hu  the  garaen  goth.  180 

And  if  the  riche  man  deie  that  was  of  eny  mihte, 
Thanne  wolen  the  freres  for  the  cors  fihte. 

Glossary. —  160.  touht,  full. —  162.  fondeth  to  A-acc/<e,  seeketh  to  take. — 163. 
^if^  yet. — 168.  loverd,  lord. — 169.  shrifte,  confession. — 170.  ^ifte,  gift.— 171.  freitur, 
refectory,  i-mad,  made. — 172.  stant,  stands. — 173.  sorwe,  sorrow. — 174.  ernde,  er- 
rand, morwe,  morrow. — 175.  undername,  undertaken.— 178.  o,  one.  that  kepeth, 
that  cares.— 180.  7cite  %e,  know  ye.  gamen,  game. 


332  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Hit  nis  noht  al  for  the  calf  that  kow  louweth, 

Ac  hit  is  for  the  grene  gras  that  in  the  raedewe  grouweth 

so  god. 
AUe  wite  36  what  I  mene,  that  kunnen  eny  god. 

For  als  ich  evere  brouke  min  hod  under  min  hat^ 

The  frere  wole  to  the  direge,  if  the  cors  is  fat ; 

Ac  bi  the  feith  I  owe  to  God,  if  the  cors  is  lene, 

He  wole  wagge  aboute  the  cloistre  and  kepen  hise  fet  clene       190 

in  house. 
Hu  mihte  theih  faire  forsake  that  hii  ne  ben  coveytouse  ? 

A  ND  officials  and  denes  that  chapitles  sholden  holde, 

Theih  sholde  chastise  the  folk,  and  theih  maken  hem  bolde. 
Mak  a  present  to  the  den  ther  thu  thenkest  to  dwelle, 
And  have  leve  longe  i-nouh  to  serve  the  fend  of  helle 

to  queme ; 
For  have  he  silver,  of  sinne  taketh  he  nevere  3eme. 

If  a  man  have  a  wif,  and  he  ne  love  hire  noht, 
Bringe  hire  to  the  constorie  ther  treuthe  sholde  be  souht,         200 
And  bringge  tweye  false  wid  him  and  him  self  the  thridde. 
And  he  shal  ben  to-parted  so  faire  as  he  wole  bidde 

from  his  wif ; 
He  shal  ben  holpen  wel  i-nouh  to  lede  a  shrewede  lyf. 

Glossary. — 183.  Hit  nis,  it  is  not.  louweth,  lows. — 184,  Ac,  but. — 186.  kunnen, 
know. — 187.  als,  as.  brouke,  use,  hold. — 192.  theih,  they. — 193.  chapitles,  chapters. 
— 195.  ther,  where. — 196.  i-nouh,  enough,  fend,  fiend. — 197.  queme,  pleasure. — 198. 
3e>«e,  care. — 200.  constorie^  consistory,  souht,  sought. — 202.  to-parted,  separated. 
bidde,  ask. 


POEM    ON    THE    TIMES    OF    EDWARD    II.  333 

And  whan  he  is  thus  i-deled  from  his  rihte  spouse, 

He  taketh  his  neiheboures  wif  and  bringeth  hire  to  his  house  ; 

And  whiles  he  hath  eny  silver  the  clerkes  to  sende, 

He  may  holde  hire  at  his  wille  to  his  lives  ende 

wid  unskile ; 
And  but  that  be  wel  i-loked,  curs  in  here  bile.  210 

A  ND  3it  ther  is  another  craft  that  toucheth  the  clergie. 
That  ben  thise  false  fisiciens  that  helpen  men  to  die  ; 
He  wole  wagge  his  urine  in  a  vessel  of  glaz, 
And  swereth  that  he  is  sekere  than  evere  3 it  he  was, 

and  sein, 
"  Dame,  for  faute  of  helpe,  thin  housebonde  is  neih  slain." 

Thus  he  wole  afraien  al  that  ther  is  inne. 

And  make  many  a  lesing  silver  for  to  winne. 

Ac  afterward  he  fondeth  to  comforte  the  wif, 

And  seith,  "  Dame,  for  of  thin  I  wole  holde  his  lyf,"  220 

a[n]d  li5e; 
Thouh  he  wite  no  more  than  a  gos  wheither  he  wole  live  or  die. 

Anon  he  wole  biginne  to  blere  the  wives  ei3e ; 

He  wole  aske  half  a  pound  to  bien  spicerie  ; 

The  .viij.  shillinges  sholen  up  to  the  win  and  the  ale ; 

And  bringe  rotes  and  rindes  bret  ful  a  male 

oif  noht ; 
Hit  shal  be  dere  on  a  lek,  whan  hit  is  al  i-wrouht. 

Glossary. — 205.  i-deled,  Tparted. — 20.9.  ivid  miskile,  with  wrong. — 210.  Aere,  their. 
— 215.  sein,  say. — 2\S.  lesinff,  ialsehood. — 219.  he  fondeth,  he  tries. — 221.  /ije,  lie. 
— 222.  gfos,  goose. — 223.  eije,  eyes. — 224.  bieti,  buy. — 226.  bret  ful,  broad  full,  filled 
up.  male,  chest,  pannier. — 228.  on  a  lek,  for  a  leek.  (?) 


334  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

He  wole  preisen  hit  i-nohv/,  and  sweren,  as  he  were  wod, 

For  the  king  of  the  lond  the  drink  is  riche  and  god ;  230 

And  3eve  the  gode  man  drinke  a  god  quantite. 

And  make  him  worsse  than  he  was ;  evele  mote  he  the  ! 

that  clerk, 
That  so  geteth  the  silver,  and  can  noht  don  his  werk. 

He  doth  the  wif  sethe  a  chapoun  and  piece  beof, 
Ne  tit  the  gode  man  noht  therof,  be  him  nevere  so  leof ; 
The  best  he  piketh  up  himself,  and  maketh  his  mawe  touht ; 
And  3eveth  the  gode  man  soupe,  the  lene  broth  that  nis  noht 

for  seke ; 
That  so  serveth  eny  man,  Godes  curs  in  his  cheke !  240 

A  ND  thilke  that  han  al  the  wele  in  freth  and  in  feld, 
Bothen  eorl  and  baroun  and  kniht  of  o  sheld, 
Alle  theih  beth  i-sworne  hoh  churche  holde  to  rihte ; 
Therfore  was  the  ordre  mad  for  holi  churche  to  fihte, 

sanz  faille ; 
And  nu  ben  theih  the  ferste  that  hit  sholen  assaille. 

Hii  brewen  strut  and  stuntise  there  as  sholde  be  pes ; 
Hii  sholde  gon  to  the  Holi  Lond  and  maken  there  her  res, 
And  fihte  there  for  the  croiz,  and  shewe  the  ordre  of  knihte. 
And  awreke  Jhesu  Crist  wid  launce  and  speir  to  fihte  250 

and  sheld; 
And  nu  ben  theih  liouns  in  halle,  and  hares  in  the  feld. 

Glossary. — 229.  wod,  mad. — 231.  ^eve,  if. — 232.  evele  mote  he  the.'  ill  may  he 
thrive  ! — 234.  don,  do. — 235.  doth,  causeth.  sethe,  to  boU. — 236.  tit,  touches,  leof, 
dear  (i.  e.  have  he  ever  so  much  desire). — 238.  nis  noht,  is  nothing. — 2A\.  freth, 
wood. — 247.  strut  and  stuntise,  strife  and  debate? — 248.  her  res,  their  assault,  onset. 
— 249.  croiz,  cross.— 250.  awreke,  revenge. 


I 


POEM    ON    THE    TIMES    OF    EDWARD    II.  335 

Knihtes  sliolde  weren  weden  in  here  manere, 
After  that  the  ordre  asketh  also  wel  as  a  frere  ; 
Nu  ben  theih  so  degysed  and  diverseliche  i-diht, 
Unnethe  may  men  knowe  a  gleman  from  a  kniht, 

wel  neih ; 
So  is  mieknesse  driven  adoun,  and  pride  is  risen  on  heih. 

Thus  is  the  ordre  of  kniht  turned  up-so-doun, 

Also  wel  can  a  kniht  chide  as  any  skolde  of  a  toun.  260 

Hii  sholde  ben  also  hende  as  any  levedi  in  londe. 

And  for  to  speke  alle  vilanie  nel  nu  no  kniht  wonde 

for  shame  ; 
And  thus  knihtshipe  [is]  acloied  and  waxen  al  fot  lame. 

Knihtshipe  is  acloied  and  deolfulliche  i-diht; 
Kunne  a  boy  nu  breke  a  spere,  he  shal  be  mad  a  kniht. 
And  thus  ben  knihtes  gadered  of  unkinde  blod. 
And  envenimeth  that  ordre  that  shold  be  so  god 

and  hende ; 
Ac  o  shrewe  in  a  court  many  man  may  shende.  270 

A  ND  nu  nis  no  squier  of  pris  in  this  middel  erd. 

But  if  that  he  here  a  babel  and  a  long  herd. 
And  swere  Godes  soule,  and  vuwe  to  God  and  bote ; 
But  sholde  he  for  everi  fals  uth  lese  kirtel  or  kote. 

Glossary. — 253.  weden,  garments. — 255.  degysed,  arrayed,  i-diht,  arranged, 
clothed. — 256.  unnethe,  scarcely. — 258.  tnicknesse,  meekness. — 261.  hende,  gentle. 
levedi,  lady. — 262.  nel,  will  not.  tvonde,  stay. — 264.  acloied,  debased,  /ot  lame,  lame 
of  foot. — 265.  deolfulliche  i-diht,  lamentably  arrayed. — 270.  o,  one.  shende,  ruin. — 
271.  middel  erd,  world,  middle  earth. —  272.  here,  carry,  habel,  fool's  bauble  (?).— 
273.  vtiwe,  vow.  ?iote,  promise. — 274.  nth,  oath. 


,336  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

I  leve. 
He  sholde  stonde  stare  naked  twye  o  day  or  eve. 

Godes  soule  is  al  day  sworn,  the  knif  stant  a-strout. 

And  thouh  the  botes  be  torn,  3 it  wole  he  maken  hit  stout; 

The  hod  hangeth  on  his  brest,  as  he  wolde  spewe  therinne, 

Ac  shorthche  al  his  contrefaiture  is  colour  of  sinne,  280 

and  host. 
To  wraththe  God  and  paien  the  fend  hit  serveth  allermost. 

A  newe  taille  of  squierie  is  nu  in  everi  toun ; 
The  raye  is  turned  overthuert  that  sholde  stonde  adoun ; 
Hii  ben  degised  as  turmentours  that  comen  from  clerkes  plei ; 
Hii  ben  i-laft  wid  pride,  and  cast  nurture  awey 

in  diche; 
Gentille  men  that  sholde  ben,  ne  beth  hii  none  i-Hche. 

A  ND  justises,  shirreves,  meires,  baillifs,  if  I  shal  rede  aricht, 

Hii  kunnen  of  the  faire  day  make  the  derke  niht ;  290 

Hii  gon  out  of  the  heie  wey,  ne  leven  hii  for  no  sklaundre. 
And  maken  the  mot-halle  at  hom  in  here  chaumbre, 

wid  wouh ; 
For  be  the  bond  i-whited,  it  shal  go  god  i-nouh. 

If  the  king  in  his  werre  sent  after  mihti  men. 
To  helpe  him  in  his  nede,  of  sum  toun  .ix.  or  .x.. 

Glossary. — 275.  /  leve,  I  believe. — 276.  twye,  twice. — 277.  a-strout,  sticking 
out  (?). — 282.  allermost,  most  of  all. — 283.  ne%ve  taille,  new  cut. — 284.  raye,  cloth, 
garment,  overthuert,  crosswise. — 286.  hen  i-laft  wid,  have  separated  from,  or  have 
sent  away. — 289.  shirreves,  sheriffs. — 290.  kunnen,  know  how,  they  can. — 392.  niot- 
hall,  hall  of  meeting,  the  justice-hall. — 293.  wouh,  wrong 294.  i-whited,  whitened. 


POEM    ON    THE    TIMES    OF    EDWARD    II.  33/ 

The  stifFeste  stiolen  bileve  at  hom  for  .x.  shillinges  or  .xii.. 
And  sende  forth  a  wrecche  that  may  noht  helpe  himselve 

at  nede. 
Thus  is  the  king  decey^^ed.  and  pore  men  shent  for  mede.         300 

And  if  the  king  in  his  lond  maketh  a  taxacioun, 
And  everi  man  is  i-set  to  a  certein  raunczoun, 
Hit  shal  be  so  for-pinched,  to-toilled,  and  to-twiht. 
That  halvendel  shal  gon  in  the  fendes  fliht 

off  helle  ; 
Ther  beth  so  manye  parteners  may  no  tunge  telle. 

A  man  of  .xl.  poundes-worth  god  is  leid  to  .xii.  pans  rounde  ; 
And  also  much  paieth  another  that  poverte  hath  brouht  to  grounde. 
And  hath  an  hep  of  girles  sittende  aboute  the  flet. 
Godes  curs  moten  hii  have  !  but  that  be  wel  set  3 1 0 

and  sworn. 
That  the  pore  is  thus  i-piled,  and  the  riche  forborn. 

Ac  if  the  king  hit  wiste,  I  trowe  he  wolde  be  wroth, 
Hou  the  pore  beth  i-piled,  and  hu  the  silver  goth ; 
Hit  is  so  deskatered  bothe  hider  and  thidere, 
That  halvendel  shal  ben  stole  ar  hit  come  togidere, 

and  acounted  ; 
An  if  a  pore  man  speke  a  word,  he  shal  be  foule  afrounted. 

Glossary. — 297.  bileve,  remain. — .300.  shetit,  ruined,  mede,  reward,  bribery. — 
.303.  for-pinched,  pinched  to  pieces,  to-toilled,  laboured  away,  to  twiht,  twitted  away. 
— 304.  halvendel,  one  half. — 307.  god,  goods.  7;a«s,  pence. — 309.  flet,  floor.— 312. 
i-piled,  robbed. — 315.  deskatered,  scattered  about. — 318.  afrounted,  diccosttd.  (French, 
affronter). 

CAMD.    SOC.    (J.  2    X 


338  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

Ac  were  the  king  wel  avised,  and  wolde  worclie  bi  skile, 
Litel  nede  sholde  he  have  swiche  pore  to  pile ;  320 

Thurfte  him  noht  seke  tresor  so  fer,  he  mihte  finde  ner, 
At  justices,  at  shirreves,  cheiturs,  and  chaunceler, 

and  at  les ; 
Swiche  mihte  finde  him  i-nouh,  and  late  pore  men  have  pes. 

For  who  so  is  in  swich  ofice,  come  he  nevere  so  pore. 
He  fareth  in  a  while  as  thouh  he  hadde  silver  ore ; 
Theih  bien  londes  and  ledes,  ne  may  hem  non  astonde. 
What  sholde  pore  men  [ben]  i-piled,  when  swiche  men  beth  in 

so  fele  ?  [londe 

Theih  pleien  wid  the  kinges  silver,  and  breden  wod  for  wele.     330 

Ac  shrew  edeliche  for  sothe  hii  don  the  kinges  heste  ; 
Whan  everi  man  hath  his  part,  the  king  hath  the  Teste. 
Everi  man  is  aboute  to  fiUe  his  owen  purs ; 
And  the  king  hath  the  leste  part,  and  he  hath  al  the  curs, 

wid  wronge. 
God  sende  treuthe  into  this  lond,  for  tricherie  dureth  to  longe. 

A  ND  baillifs  and  bedeles  under  the  shirreve, 

Everich  fondeth  hu  he  may  pore  men  most  greve. 
The  pore  men  beth  over  al  somouned  on  assise ; 
And  the  riche  sholen  sitte  at  horn,  and  ther  wole  silver  rise      340 

to  shon. 
Godes  curs  moten  hii  have,  but  that  be  wel  don  ! 

Glossary.  —  319.  skile,  reason,  right. — 3?0.  swiche,  such. — 321.  thurfte  him, 
need  he.  r^er,  near. — 322.  cheifzirs,  escht&iors. — 324. /)es,  peace. — 327-  bien,h\xj.  ledes, 
possessions,  astonde,  withstand. — 329.  fele,  many. — 330.  ivod,  wood. — 331.  Aes^e,  com- 
mand.— 332.  lesle,  least. — 33^.  fondeth,  tries,  endeavours. — 341.  shon,  to  be  shewn, 
to  be  seen. 342.  moten,  may. 


POEM    ON    THE    TIMES    OF    EDWARD    II.  339 

And  countours  in  benche  that  stondeth  at  the  barre, 

Theih  wolen  bigile  the  in  thin  hond.  but  if  thu  be  the  warre. 

He  wole  take  .xL  pans  for  to  do  doun  his  hod. 

And  speke  for  the  a  word  or  to,  and  don  the  htel  god, 

I  trouwe. 
And  have  he  turned  the  bak,  he  makketh  the  a  mouwe. 

Attourneis  in  cuntre  theih  geten  silver  for  noht ; 

Theih  maken  men  biginne  that  they  nevere  hadden  thouht;     350 

And  whan  theih  comen  to  the  ring,  hoppe  if  hii  kunne. 

Al  that  theih  muwen  so  gete,  al  thinketh  hem  i-wonne 

wid  skile. 
Ne  triste  no  man  to  hem,  so  false  theih  beth  in  the  bile. 

A  ND  sum  time  were  chapmen  that  treweliche  bouhten  and  solde ; 

And  nu  is  thilke  assise  broke,  and  nas  noht  3  ore  holde. 
ChafFare  was  woned  to  be  meintened  wid  treuthe. 
And  nu  is  al  turned  to  treccherie,  and  that  is  muchel  reuthe 

to  wite. 
That  alle  manere  godnesse  is  thus  adoun  i-smite,  360 

Unnethe  is  nu  eny  man  that  can  eny  craft, 

That  he  nis  a  party  los  in  the  haft ; 

For  falsnesse  is  so  fer  forth  over  al  the  londe  i-sprunge, 

Glossary. — 345.  pans,  pence. — 348.  mouwe,  mow,  contemptuous  gesture. — 352. 
muwen,  may.  i-wonne,  won. — 353.  skile,  reason.  354.  triste,  trust,  betfi,  are. — 355. 
chapmen,  merchants,  ireiceliche,  truly. — 356.  nas  noht  ■i,ore  holde,  has  not  been  held 
along  time. — 357.  C-^a/are,  traffic. — 358.  muchel  reuthe,  great  pity.— 361.  can,  knows. 
— 362.  party  los  in  the  haft, 


340  POLil'J'lCAL    SONGS. 

That  wel  neih  nis  no  treuthe  in  bond,  ne  in  tunge, 

ne  in  herte ; 
And  tharfore  nis  no  wonder  thouh  al  the  world  it  smerte. 

Ther  was  a  gamen  in  Engelond  that  durede  3er  and  other ; 
Erliche  upon  the  Monenday  uch  man  bishrewed  other ; 
So  longe  lastede  that  gamen  among  lered  and  lewed,  369 

That  nolde  theih  nevere  stinten,  or  al  the  world  were  bishrewed, 

i-wis  ; 
And  therfore  al  that  helpe  sholde,  faretb  the  more  amis. 

So  that  for  that  shrewedom  that  regneth  in  the  lond, 
I  drede  me  that  God  us  hath  for-laft  out  of  his  bond, 
Thurw  wederes  that  he  bath  i-sent  cold  and  unkinde; 
And  3it  ne  baveth  no  man  of  him  the  more  minde 

ariht ; 
Unnethe  is  any  man  aferd  of  Godes  mucbele  mibt. 

God  hath  ben  wroth  wid  the  world,  and  that  is  wel  i-sene ; 
For  al  that  whilom  was  murthe,  is  turned  to  treie  and  tene.      380 
He  sente  us  plente  i-noub,  suffre  whiles  we  wolde, 
Off  alle  manere  sustenaunce  grouwende  upon  molde 

so  tbicke  ; 
And  evere  a3eines  bis  godnesse  we  weren  i-liche  wicke. 

Glossary. — 367.  gamen,  game,  jer  and  other,  a  year  and  an  other,  i.  e.  two 
years. — 369.  lered  and  lewed,  learned  and  unlearned,  clergy  and  laity. — 370.  nolde 
theih,  they  would  not.  stinten,  desist,  or,  before,  bishrewed,  accursed. — 373.  shreive- 
dom,  cursedness. — 374.  for-laft,  dismissed. — 375.  Thurw,  through,  tvederes,  wea- 
thers.— 31^0.  treie  and  tene,  vexation  and  sorrow. — 38,2.  grouwende,  growing,  molde, 
earth. — 384.  i-liche  wicke,  equally  wicked. 


POEM    ON    THE    TIMES    OF    EDWARD    II.  341 

Men  sholde  noht  sumtime  finde  a  boy  for  to  bere  a  lettre. 
That  wolde  eten  eny  mete^  but  it  were  the  betre. 
For  beof  ne  for  bakoun,  ne  for  swich  stor  of  house, 
Unnethe  wolde  eny  don  a  char,  so  were  theih  daungerouse 

for  wlaunke  ; 
And  siththen  bicom  ful  reulich,  that  thanne  weren  so  ranke.     390 

For  tho  God  seih  that  the  world  was  so  over  gart, 
He  sente  a  derthe  on  eorthe,  and  made  hit  ful  smart. 
A  busshel  of  whete  was  at  foure  shillinges  or  more. 
And  so  men  mihte  han  i-had  a  quarter  noht  3  ore 

i-gon ; 
So  can  God  make  wane,  ther  rathere  was  won. 

And  thanne  gan  bleiken  here  ble,  that  arst  lowen  so  loude. 

And  to  waxen  al  hand-tame  that  rathere  weren  so  proude. 

A  mannes  herte  mihte  blede  for  to  here  the  crie 

Off  pore  men  that  gradden,  "  Alias  !  for  hungger  I  die  400 

up  rihte  !" 
This  auhte  make  men  aferd  of  Godes  muchele  miht. 

And  after  that  ilke  wante  com  eft  wele  i-nouh. 
And  plente  of  alle  gode  grouwende  on  uch  a  bouh. 
Tho  god  3er  was  a3ein  i-come,  and  god  chep  of  corn, 
Tlio  were  we  also  muchele  shrewes  as  we  were  beforn. 


Glossary. — 388.  don  a  char,  do  a  tui-a,  or  task. — 389.  wlaunke,  pride. — 390. 
siththen,  since,  reulich,  pitiful. — 391.  tho,  when,  over  gart,  over  proud. — 394-95. 
noht  ^ore  i-gon,  not  long  ago. — 397.  gan  bleiken  here  ble,  their  complexion  turned 
pale,  arst  lowen,  formerly  laughed.— 398.  rathere,  earlier,  before. — 400.  gradden, 
said  lamentingly. — 403.  eft,  again. — 405-6.   Tho  ..  .  tho,  when  ..  .  then. 


342  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

or  more ; 
Also  swithe  we  for3eten  his  wreche  and  his  lore. 

Tho  com  ther  another  sorwe  that  spradde  over  al  the  lond ; 

A  thusent  winter  ther  bifore  com  nevere  non  so  strong.  410 

To  binde  alle  the  mene  men  in  mourning  and  in  care, 

The  orf  deiede  al  bidene,  and  maden  the  lond  al  bare, 

so  faste. 
Com  nevere  wrecche  into  Engelond  that  made  men  more  agaste. 

And  tho  that  qualm  was  astin[t]  of  beste  that  bar  horn, 
Tho  sente  God  on  eorthe  another  derthe  of  corn, 
That  spradde  over  al  Engelond  bothe  north  and  south. 
And  made  sell  pore  men  afingred  in  here  mouth 

ful  sore ; 
And  3it  unnethe  any  man  dredeth  God  the  more.  420 

And  wid  that  laste  derthe  com  ther  another  shame. 
That  ouhte  be  god  skile  maken  us  alle  tame. 
The  fend  kidde  his  maistri,  and  arerede  a  strif. 
That  everi  lording  was  bisi  to  sauve  his  owen  lyf, 

and  his  god. 
God  do  bote  theron,  for  his  blessede  blod  ! 

Gret  nede  hit  were  to  bidde  that  the  pes  were  brouht. 
For  the  lordinges  of  the  lond,  that  swich  wo  han  i-wrouht, 

Glossary. — 408.  wreche,  punishment,  lore,  teaching. — 409.  sorwe,  sorrow.— 
412.  orf  deiede  al  bidene,  cattle  died  all  forthwith. — 414.  wrecche,  punishment. — 
415.  qualm,  mortality,  as^iw^,  stopped, — 418.  sell,  simple.  q^M^rretZ,  hungry. — 422.  god 
skile,  good  reason. — 423.  fend,  fiend,  devil,  kidde,  showed,  arerede,  raised. — 424. 
bisi,  busy. — 426.  do  bote,  make  a  remedy. — 427.  bidde,  pray. 


POEM    ON    THE    TIMES    OF    EDWARD    II.  343 

That  nolde  spare  for  kin  that  o  kosin  that  other ; 

So  the  fend  hem  prokede  uch  man  to  mourdren  other  430 

wid  wille, 
That  al  Engelond  i-wis  was  in  point  to  spille. 

Pride  prikede  hem  so  faste,  that  nolde  theih  nevere  have  pes 
At  theih  hadden  in  this  lond  maked  swich  a  res. 
That  the  beste  blod  of  the  lond  shamliche  was  brouht  to  grounde. 
If  hit  betre  mihte  a  ben,  alias  !  the  harde  stounde 

bitid. 
That  of  so  gentille  blod  i-born  swich  wreche  Avas  i-kid. 

Alias  !  that  evere  sholde  hit  bifalle  that  in  so  litel  a  throwe, 
Swiche  men  sholde  swich  deth  thole,  and  ben  i-leid  so  lowe.     440 
Off  eorles  ant  of  barouns  baldest  hii  were ; 
And  nu  hit  is  of  hem  bicome  riht  as  theih  nevere  ne  were 

i-born. 
God  loke  to  the  soules,  that  hii  ne  be  noht  lorn  ! 

Ac  whiles  thise  grete  lordinges  thus  han  i-hurled  to  hepe, 

Thise  prelatz  of  holi  churche  to  longe  theih  han  i-slepe ; 

Al  to  late  theih  wakeden,  and  that  was  muchel  reuthe ; 

Theih  weren  ablent  wid  coveytise,  and  mihte  noht  se  the  treuthe 

for  mist.  449 

Theih  dradden  more  here  lond  to  lese,  than  love  of  Jhesu  Crist. 


Glossary. — 430.  prokede,  urged. — 432.  spille,  to  be  ruined,  spoilt. — 434.  Ar,  be- 
fore, sivich  a  res,  such  a  rage. — 438.  wreche,  destruction,  i-kid,  shown. — 440.  thole, 
undergo,  bear,  i-leid,  laid. — 444.  lorn,  lost. — 445.  i-hurled  to  hepe,  thrown  on  a 
heap. — 448.  ablent,  blinded. — 450.  dradden,  dreaded,  lese,  lose. 


344  POLITICAL    SONGS. 

For  hadde  the  clergie  harde  holden  to-gidere, 
And  noht  flecched  aboute  nother  hider  ne  thidere, 
But  loked  where  the  treuthe  was,  and  there  have  bileved, 
Thanne  were  the  barnage  hoi,  that  nu  is  al  to-dreved 

so  Avide ; 
Ac  certes  Engelond  is  shent  thurw  falsnesse  and  thurw  pride. 

Pride  hath  in  his  paunter  kauht  the  heie  and  the  lowe, 

So  that  unnethe  can  eny  man  God  Almihti  knowe. 

Pride  priketh  aboute,  wid  nithe  and  wid  onde ; 

Pes  and  love  and  charite  hien  hem  out  of  londe  460 

so  faste, 
That  God  wole  for-don  the  world  we  muwe  be  sore  agaste. 

Alle  wite  we  wel  it  is  oure  gilt,  the  wo  that  we  beth  inne ; 

But  no  man  knoweth  that  hit  is  for  his  owen  sinne. 

Uch  man  put  on  other  the  wreche  of  the  wouh  ; 

But  wolde  uch  man  ranczake  himself,  thanne  were  al  wel  i-nouh 

i-wrouht. 
But  nu  can  uch  man  demen  other,  and  himselve  nouht. 

And  thise  assisours,  that  comen  to  shire  and  to  hundred, 
Damneth  men  for  silver,  and  that  nis  no  wonder.  470 

For  whan  the  riche  justise  wol  do  wrong  for  mede, 
Thanne  thinketh  hem  theih  muwen  the  bet,  for  theih  han  more 
nede 

Glossary. — 451.  to-gidere,  together. — A52.  flecched,  wavered. — 453.  bileved,  re- 
mained.— 454.  barnage,  baronage,  hoi,  whole,  entire,  to-dreved,  separated,  driven  to 
pieces. — 456.  shent,  ruined,  thurw,  through. — 457.  paunter,  pantry,  heie,  high. — 
459.  priJceth,  rideth.  nithe,  strife,  onde,  envy. — 460.  hien,  hie,  haste. — 462.  for-don, 
destroy,  muwe,  may.  agaste,  afraid. — 463.  wite,  know,  ivo,  woe. — 465.  Uch,  each. 
jcrecAe,  blame.  wot<^,  wrong.— 868.  rfewew,  judge. — 471.  mede,  bribe.— 472.  Je/,  better. 


POEM    ON    THE    REIGN    OF    EDWARD    II.  345 

to  winne. 
Ac  so  is  al  this  world  ablent,  that  no  man  douteth  sinne. 

But  bi  seint  Jame  of  Gahce,  that  many  man  hath  souht ! 

The  pilory  and  the  cucking-stol  beth  i-mad  for  noht, 

***** 

Glossary. — 474.  douteth,  fearetb. 


CAMD.  SOC.  6.  2   Y 


NOTES. 


Page  1,  line  10,  Savary  of  Mauleon. — For  an  interesting  article  on  this  Baron 
and  his  poems,  see  the  eighteenth  volume  of  the  Histoire  Litteraire  de  France, 
pp.  671 — 682.  His  name  is  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the  English  rolls  and 
charters  of  the  reigns  of  John  and  Henry  III. 

/.   20,  laxait  Bordelois. — Alphonso  VIII.  King  of  Castille,   married 

Alianor,  daughter  of  Henry  II.  of  England,  and  in  her  right  he  claimed  Gas- 
cony,  in  opposition  to  King  John,  and  invaded  it.  In  1206,  he  laid  siege  to 
Bourdeaux.  See  Dom.  Bouquet,  Collect,  des  Historiens  de  France,  tom.  xviii. 
p.  245. 

P.  3,  I.  2,  lots  is  the  Latin  laudes. 

/.    19,  par  presen. — It   has   been   suggested   that   this  may  mean  as 

though  he  were  present ;  but  I  think  the  translation  adopted  is  preferable. 

P.  4,  /.  6,  Lo  rei  Richard. — Richard  I.  was  in  Aquitaine  when  he  received  the 
wound  which  caused  his  death. 

I.  17,  Lozoics  ....  Guillelme  ....  ad  Aurenga. — The  allusion,  I  sup- 
pose, is  to  the  inedited  romance  of  Guillaume  d' Orange. 

P.  5,  /.  20,  Cadoing. — Perhaps  CWo/wwm,  or  Caen,  as  here  translated.  But 
there  was  also  a  place  called  Cadoing  near  Perigueux,  which  had  a  celebrated 
abbey. 

It  may  be  observed,  as  a  peculiar  characteristic  of  the  Proven9cd  songs  of 
this  class,  that  the  poet  generally  introduces  an  address  to  a  lady,  although  she 
has  nothing  to  do  with  the  subject. 

P.  6,  I.  11.  Song  on  the  Bishops. — Since  this  part  of  the  volume  was 
printed,  I  have  found  among  the  manuscripts  of  the  British  Museum  (IMS.  Reg. 
7  F,  V,  fol.  1,  r",  written  in  a  contemporary  hand)  a  copy  of  this  song,  con- 
taining important  variations,  which  would  have  enabled  me  to  give  the  text 


348  NOTES. 

more  correctly.     In   this   manuscript   the  lines   are  arranged  thus  in  each 
stanza : — 

Complange  tuum,  Anglia,  melos  suspendens  organi ; 
Et  maxime  tu,  Cantia,  de  mora  tui  Stephani. 
Thomam  habes  sed  alteram,  secundum  babes  iterum 
Stephanum,  qui  trans  hominem  induens  fortitudinem  signa  facit  in  populo. 
Dolos  doles  metropolis  quos  subdoli  parturiunt, 
Orbata  tuis  incolis,  dolose  quos  ejiciunt, 
Largos  emittis  gemitus,  patre  privata  penitus. 

Sed  cum  habebis  Stephanum,  assumes  tibi  tympanum,  chelym  tangens 
sub  modulo. 

The  following  are  the  various  readings  offered  by  this  MS. — P.  6,  I.  I,  tuum. 
— P.  7,  I.  4,  doles. — 15,  vel  legem. — 17,  quis  Nathari  David. — 19,  vel postibus ; 
— 21,  jam  liberetur. — P.  8,  /.  2,  exurge. — i,ancilla. — 5,  jam  superductis  aliam. 
— 7,  PortcB  prevalent  inferi,  with  Tartari  written  over  the  last  word. — 8,  nam 
ludo. — 16,  Scripfis  omitted. — 19,  Patet  interpretatio  |  et  arduis  et  infimis,  \ 
Nam  regni,  &c. — P.  9,  /.  2,  et  sacerdos,  with  et  erased  and  nam  written  over  it. 
— 3,  concurrit  ad. — 7,  sudet. — 12,  eos. — 15,  et  deicit. — 20,  debent  et  suum 
f under e.— 22,  jactant.—P.  10,  I.  8,  in  hac. — 11,  clamet. — I6,dum. — \1 ,  perit. 
— 20,  sedet  ad. — 22,  Euvangelium. — 23,  after  this  line  should  come  the  fol- 
lowing, Ad  nummos  vertit  oculmn P.  11,  I.  1,   lucro  lucam. — 2,  Marcum 

marca. — 3,  librum  libra. — 8,  Amplectuntur, — 13,  sunt  appositi  \  Sed  longe. — 
20,  ob  hoc. — P.  12,  I.  1,  In  canes  nostri. — 10,  Eliensis. — 11,  datus. — 12,  Eli 

et  ensis \A,  Elios. — 16,  Et  Babilonis.— 19,   Wlstani. — P.  13,  /.  1,  Wlstani. 

— 4,  Effot,  mitram,  et  anulum. — 8,  et  is  omitted. — 9,  Hinc  est,  et  hinc  a  latere 
I  Et  pauper. — 13,  non  causatur. — 14,  des.  Cantia. 

/.  16,  tui  Stephani. — Stephen  Langton,  whom  the  Pope  had  appointed 

to  the  archbishopric  of  Canterbury,  in  opposition  to  the  election  of  the  monks 
and  the  King.     He  was  archbishop  from  1207  to  1229. 

P.  7,  /.  17,  natum  should  be  Nathan  ;  see  the  above  various  readings  for  this 
as  well  as  for  some  other  necessary  corrections,  which  would  have  rendered  the 
translation  less  difficult. 

P.  8,  I.  3,  Agar  ..  filium. — The  marginal  note  in  Flacius  says,  Joannem 
Graye  Episcopum  Nordovicensem  intelligit.  It  is  not  said  whether  these  side- 
notes  are  given  from  the  MS.  which  Flacius  used,  or  are  of  his  own  makings 


NOTES.  349 

p.  1,1.  14. — The  same  side-notes  tell  us  the  scribeniem  digiium  means  the 
Pope — Papam  intelligit. 

P.  9,  I.  12,  Non  est  qui.— The  allusion,  according  to  the  side -note,  is  to 
Pandulph  the  legate.     This  explanation  is,  however,  rather  doubtful. 

P.  10,  /.  1,  prcEsuli  Bathonice. — Joceline  de  Welles,  Bishop  of  Bath  and 
Wells  from  1205  to  1242.  He  fled  out  of  England  with  the  Bishops  of  London, 
Ely,  and  Worcester,  who  had  published  the  interdict. 

/.  10,  Norwicensis  bestia. — John  Graye,  Bishop  of  Norwich,  who  was 

designed  by  the  King  to  the  see  of  Canterbury.  The  three  Bishops  who  took 
pairt  with  the  King,  whom  Matthew  Paris  calls  "  tres  episcopi  curiales,"  were 
those  of  Norwich,  Winchester,  and  Durham. 

15,   Cato  quondam  tertius. — I  do  not  quite  understand  the  allusion.     It 

occurs  again  at  the  end  of  the  Apocali/psis  Golim — 

De  cselo  cecidi  ut  Cato  tertius. 
Nee  summi  venio  secreti  nuncius, 
Sed  mens  michi  quod  inscripsit  socius, 
Hoc  vobis  dicere  possum  fidelius. 

/.  19,  Wintoniensis  armiger. — Peter  de  Rupibus,  Bishop  of  Winchester, 

from  1204  to  1238.  He  was  a  native  of  Poitiers  in  France,  and  had  been  a  knight 
before  his  consecration.  He,  with  the  Bishops  of  Durham  and  Norwich,  sup- 
ported the  party  of  the  King  against  the  Pope.  In  1214  he  was  made  chief- 
justice  of  England,  and  he  was  protector  of  the  realm  dui-ing  the  minority  of 
Henry  III.     See  Godwin,  de  Prcesulibus. 

P.  11,  /.  1,  lucro  Lucam  ....  Marco  marcam  ....  libice  lilnim. — These 
puns  are  frequently  repeated  in  the  satirical  poetry  of  the  thirteenth  century. 
They  wUl  be  found  further  on  in  the  present  volume,  pp.  16  and  31,  as  well  as 
in  some  of  the  poems  of  Walter  Mapes.  Giraldus  Cambrensis  uses  a  similar 
pun  in  relating  his  journey  to  Rome,  where  he  says  he  differed  in  one  particu- 
lar from  others  who  went  there,  for  he  offered  libros,  non  libras.  Libra  in  the 
song  should  probably  be  translated  a  pound,  as  at  p.  31,  not  the  scales. 

P.  12,  /.  1,  Joannes  ....  decanus. — For  Joannes,  the  King's  MS.  has  canes, 
which  is  perhaps  right,  as  canus  and  canit  in  the  following  line  seem  to  be  con- 
tinued puns  upon  the  word. 


350  NOTES. 

p.  12,  /.  10,  Heliensis. — Eustace,  Bishop  of  Ely,  from  1197  to  1214,  As  has 
been  observed,  he  was  one  of  the  three  who  published  the  pope's  interdict. 

I.  19,    Wolstani  subambule. — Maugerius,   Bishop  of  Worcester,   from 

1200  to  1212.  He  was  also  one  of  those  who  published  the  interdict,  and  hav- 
ing like  the  others  fled  to  the  Continent,  he  died  in  exile  at  Pontiniac,  in  1212. 
It  is  hardly  necessary  to  observe  that  St.  Wolstan  had  held  the  see  of  Worcester 
in  the  eleventh  century. 

P.  13,  /.  6,  De  Roffensi  episcopo. — Gilbert  de  GlanviRe,  Bishop  of  Rochester, 
from  1185  to  1214.  Between  him  and  his  monks  there  was  perpetual  conten- 
tion, and  he  diminished  much  the  goods  of  his  church.     See  Godwin. 

I.  10,  pauper  Sarisburitp. — Robert,  Bishop  of  Salisbury,  who  seems  to 

have  lived  in  obscurity.  Godwin  says  he  could  find  no  other  information  re- 
lating to  him,  except  the  date  of  his  being  bishop. 

I.  15,  I Romam. — Flacius  Illyricus  gives  here  the  following  side-note — 

"  Golias  ad  librum,  vel  Gualterus  Mapes." 

P.  14,  /.  6 — 10. — This  information  is  conveyed  in  two  side-notes  in  Flacius 
Illyricus,  who  has  printed  this  Song  imperfectly  ;  but  whether  these  notes  were 
composed  by  the  editor,  or  found  in  the  manuscript,  we  are  not  told.  There  are 
no  circumstances  in  the  Song  itself  which  would  lead  us  to  fix  it  to  this  date 
rather  than  to  any  other  in  the  first  half  of  the  thirteenth  century.  The  two 
notes  are  at  the  beginning, — "  Leo,  Joannes  Rex  ;  aselli,  episcopi  sunt ;" — and 
at  the  end,  "  Jupiter  Rex  Joannes  est :  Pluto,  Romanus  pontifex."  On  refer- 
ence, however,  to  Bale,  I  find  that  he  speaks  of  Mapes  as  calling  King  John 
sometimes  a  lion  and  sometimes  Jupiter,  and  as  designating  the  Pope  by  the 
name  of  Pluto,  and  the  bishops  as  asses,  which  seems  to  prove  that  he  had  read 
these  side-notes,  perhaps  in  the  manuscript  from  which  Flacius's  transcript  was 
made.  It  is  not  indeed  improbable  that  the  latter  obtained  it  from  Bale  himself, 
who  was  perhaps  the  author  of  the  side-notes. 

I.  II,  Song  on  the  Times. — Flacius  has  printed  this  Song  in  his  Varia 

Doctorum,  etc.  Poemata,  p.  406,  with  the  omission  of  the  three  first  stanzas,  which 
he  had  previously  given  as  a  separate  song  at  p.  159-  The  text  now  printed  is  made 
up  from  a  comparison  of  the  manuscript  with  the  printed  text.  The  variations  are 
as  follows  : — L.  1,  utor,  Flacius. — 3,  deaurati  belli,  Fl. — 9,  Fades  in  opere, 
MS. — 10,  Tegunt partem  an.,  Fl. — P.   15,  I.  2,   congruit  ramum  in,   FI. — 3, 


INOTES.  351 

caput  niundi,  Fl. — 5.  Trahif  enim  ....  et  sec,  Fl. — 7,  singula,  Fl. — 9,  Romce 
sunt  v.,  Fl. — 11,  In  hoc  cons.,  Fl. — 17,  pp.tunt  quando  petis,  Fl. — 18,  seminas, 
eadem  tu  metis,  Fl. — P.  16,  /.  4,  Munus  al,  pallet  sing.,    Fl. — 6,  rot.  placet, 

totum  pi. — 7,  Et  c.  ita  pi Romanis,   Fl. — 10,  objiciat,  Fl. — 12,  tran- 

»eunt,  ut  bursa  det  g.,  Fl. — 13,  Romam  avaritice  vitet  manus  p.,  Fl. — 16,  .4^ 
est,  MS. — P.  17,  I.  1,  non  sit,  Fl. — 2,  Respondet,  hcsc  tybia  non  est  michi 
tanti,  MS. — 4,  pappare,  Fl. — 5,  nonien  GalUcum,  Fl. — 6,  Pates,  paies,  dist  le 
mot,  Fl. — 7-10,  These  four  lines  are  not  found  in  the  MS. — 11,  Da  istis,  da 
aliis,  addas,  Fl. — P.  IS,  I.  1,  Burse,  Fl. — 4,  Ut  cum  fiat  vacuus,  magis  imp., 
Fl.  — 6,  hahet  PL,  Fl. — In  Fl.  the  two  last  tetrastichs  are  transposed. 

P.  16,  I.  6,  crux  placet. — The  face  of  the  coin  was  marked  with  a  cross. 

P.  20,  I.  1 ,  prima  rabies. — The  insurrection  of  the  Barons. 

I,  2,  altera  belligeras  Francorum. — The  expedition  of  Prince  Louis  to 

help  the  Barons,  who  were  hard  pressed  by  John's  foreign  auxiliaries. 

I.  3,   Scottorum  tertia. — I.  4,  Flexit  quarta  Galenses. — Both  the  Scots 

and  Welsh  joined  actively  in  the  war,  or  rather  took  that  occasion  of  invading 
the  kingdom. 

/.  6,  turres. — The  MS.  has  turmas  in  the  text,  and  "  vel  turres  "  in  the 

margin. 

P.  22,  I.  13. — The  writer  e\'idently  intended  a  pun,  or  rather  a  double  mean- 
ing, in  the  yrord  parentis  at  the  end  of  the  line. 

P.  23,  I.  5,  viri,  i.  e.  Gualo  the  legate.  The  poem  was  evidently  written  by  a 
strong  partizan  of  the  Pope. 

I.  10,  truces. — The  MS.  has  traces. 

I.  15,  &c. — Louis  and  his  party  were  at  London,  which  they  quitted  in 

the  November  after  King  John's  death,  in  order  to  march  towards  the  North. 
On  the  6th  December  they  took  Hertford  Castle,  and  that  of  Berkhampstead 
on  the  20th,  and  proceeded  to  St.  Alban's.  A  truce  was  then  agreed  to,  which 
continued  till  after  Easter. 

P.  24,  I.  2,  Montique  Sorello. — When  hostilities  recommenced,  the  Barons 
of  the  king's  party  laid  siege  to  Mount  Sorrel,  in  Lincolnshire,  but  were 
obliged  to  retreat  by  the  approach  of  a  part  of  the  army  of  Louis  under  the 
command  of  the  Comte  de  Perche. 

;.  7 ,  Cestrensis clipeus  i—RsLnnlphdeBlundeyilie,  Earl  of  Chester,  one  of 


352  NOTES. 

the  most  powerful  Barons  on  the  king's  party,  who  now  commanded  the  army 
which  had  besieged  Mount  Sorrel,  and  which  soon  afterwards  defeated  the  Comte 
de  Perche  at  Lincoln. 

P.  24,  II.  8,  9,  10,  in  the  margin,  opposite  these  three  lines  respectively,  the 
original  scribe  has  written,  "  S.  Notingham.  Trente.  Nicole."  The  nobilis 
matrona  was  Nichola,  widow  of  Gerard  de  Camville,  who  defended  Lincoln 
Castle  against  the  French. 

I.  11. — It  may  be  well  to  point  out  the  remarkable  alliteration  in  this 

line  and  the  following. 

I.  14,  signa. — The  MS.  has  singna,  a  form  not  uncommon  in  such 

words. 

/.  15,  ora. — The  MS.  has  hora. 

P.  25,  /.  2,  S'afiSa^Mm.— Saturday,  May  20,  1217.  The  next  day  was  Trinity 
Sunday. 

P.  28,  /.  11,  Sabinm. — Sabina  was  a  very  common  term  for  a  modest  woman 
in  low  Latin,  just  as  Thais  was  for  a  strumpet.  See  on  the  latter  word  a  note 
in  the  Early  Mysteries  and  other  Latin  Poems,  p.  131. 

/.  12,  Arabes. — Arabia,  the  land  of  gems  and  spices,  was  believed  to 

contain  inexhaustible  stores  of  riches. 

P.  33,  /.  4,  Refert  ad  focariam. — Focaria  was  the  name  given  to  the  wives 
or  concubines  of  the  priests  and  clergy,  who  had  been  recently  proscribed.  It 
occurs  again  in  the  Apocalypsis  Goliis — 

Seductam  nuncii  fraude  prseambuli, 
C&^it  focariam,  ut  per  cubiculi 
Fortunam  habeat  fortunam  loculi, 
Et  per  vehiculum  omen  vehiculi. 

I  have  rendered  the  word,  according  to  its  derivation,  by  fire-side  woman,  for 
it  is  explained  in  an  old  gloss  as  meretrix  foco  assidens.  See  Ducange  in  v. 
FuUer  (Church  Hist.  p.  27,  folio  edit.)  makes  very  needless  difficulties  on  the 
meaning  of  this  word,  apparently  for  the  sake  of  introducing  some  equally  need- 
less jokes.  The  following  article  in  the  decreta  of  Pope  Alexander,  printed  in 
the  History  of  Henry  of  Huntingdon  (Scriptores  post  Bedam,  fol.  1601), 
p.  589,  which  one  would  think  must  have  passed  under  his  eyes,  left  little  room 
for  doubt ;— 


NOTES.  353 

"  Ne  clerici  in  sacris  ordinUms  constUuti  focarias  habeant. 
"  Clerici  ia  sanris  ordiaibus  constituti,  qui  mulierculas  iu  domibus  suis  sub 
incontineutise  nota  tenuerint,  aut  abjiciant  eas  et  contineater  vivanl,  aut  bene- 
ficio  et  officio  fiant  ecclesiastico  alieni." 

In  the  statutes  of  Stephen,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,   MS.  Cotton.  Julius 
D.  II.  fol.  167,  r°,  we  find  also  a  chapter — 

"  De  focariis  amovendis . 
"  Sacerdotibus  vero  prsecipue  et  spiritualiter  in  virtute  Spiritus  Sancti  et  sub 
periculo  beneficii  districte  prgecipimus  quod  continenter  vivant  et  honeste, 
concubinas  suas  a  domibus  suis  procul  expellant,  et  nullam  faniiliaritatem  cum 
eis  de  caetero  habeant,  nee  in  propriis  domibus  nee  in  alienis,  nisi  volunt  simul 
beneficiis  et  officiis  conrra  hoc  agendo  privai-i,"  etc. 
And  again,  just  after,  we  have  the  following  title  : — 

"  De  pana  et  satisfactione  focariarura. 
"  Concubinse   sacerdotum  frequenter  moneantur  ab  archidiaconis,  et  prse- 
cipue a  sacerdotibus  in  quorum  parochia  morantur,   vel  ut   contrahant,  vel  ut 
claustrum  ingrediantur,  vel  sicut  publice  peccaverunt  publicam  agant  pcene- 
tentiam." 

The  word  focaria  is  often  used  by  Giraldus  Cambrensis.  Speaking  of  a 
priest  on  the  Borders  of  Wales,  he  says,  "  More  sacerdotum  parochialium 
Angliae  fere  cunctorum  damnabili  quidem  et  detestabili,  publicam  secum  habe- 
bat  comitem  Lndividuam  et  in  foco  focariam  et  iu  cubiculo  concubinam." 
(^'barton,  Anglia  Sacr.  vol.  ii.  p.  525.)  From  this  passage  it  is  clear  that  the 
name  focaria  was  given  to  them  because  they  lived  publicly  with  the  priests 
in  their  houses,  and  shared  their  fire-sides ;  and  from  some  other  circumstances 
mentioned  in  Giraldus,  it  appears  that  they  were  in  reality  married  to  the  priests, 
though  the  stricter  party  considered  the  marriage  to  be  uncanonical. 
P.  36,  I.  2,  Omina. — ^The  MS.  has  Homina. 

Bernard  de  Rovenac. — For  all  that  is  known  of  this  poet,  see  the 

Histoire  Liiteraire  de  France,  torn,  xviii.  p.  667. 

P.  48,  II.  7—10,  Regnat  nunc  impietas,  &c.     These  four  lines  resemble  very 
closely  the  first  four  lines  of  another  song,  in  ilS.  Sloane,  No.  1580,  fol.  160, 
?«,  which  will  be  printed  among  the  Poems  of  Walter  Mapes — 
CAMD.  SOC.  6.  2  Z 


354  NOTES. 

CaptiTata  largitas  longe  relegatur, 
Exulansque  probitas  misere  fagatur, 
Dum  virtuti  Veritas  prave  novercatur, 
Inperat  cupiditas  atque  principatur. 

P.  49,  /.  8,  Wandelardus. — Perhaps  a  Vandal. 

II.  15 — 18.     With  the  little  information  given  in  the  song,  it  is  difficult 

to  ascertain  who  were  the  four  brothers  the  writer  intended  to  satirise.  This 
punning  way  of  deriving  and  explaining  proper  names  was  by  no  means  uncom- 
mon during  the  middle  ages.  In  a  splendid  Bible  in  three  volumes  folio,  written 
in  England  early  in  the  twelfth  century,  and  now  preserved  in  the  Library  of 
St.  Genevieve  at  Paris,  the  scribe  gives  the  following  very  curious  account  of 
his  family.  Its  being  previously  inedited  will  be  a  sufficient  excuse  for  inserting 
it  here. 

"  Hanc  Bibliothecam  scripsit  Mainerus  scriptor  Cantuariensis.  Sed  ne  ab 
ignorantibus  parentelam  suam  putaretur  no  thus,  sive  spurius,  placuit  ei  nomen 
proprium  suum  et  nomen  propinquorum  parentum  suorum  scribere  et  ethimo- 
logizare.  Ipse  itaque  scriptor  inter  suos  recto  nomine  Mainerus  nominabatur, 
quod  nomen  ei  desienter  datum  est ;  Mainerus  enim  interpretatus  est,  imitata 
in  sua  manu  gnatus,  quia  peritus  fuit  et  gnarus  in  arte  scribendi.  Pater 
ejus  Wimundus  nominabatur,  quod  nomen  interpretatum  Latine  sonat  hodie 
mundus ;  poterat  enim  de  eo  dici  cotidie  quod  muudus  esset,  quod  mundus  in 
mundo  munde  vixit,  ad  Creatorem  suum  sine  immunditia  migravit.  Nomen 
matris  suae  dicebatur  Anglice  Livena,  quod  Latine  sonat  Itetitia;  fuit  enim 
mulier  hylaris,  facie  decora,  moribus  omata  et  pudica,  et  semper  in  largiendo 
bona  sua  pro  Dei  amore  datrix  hilaris  ;  sana  et  iacolumis  per  .Ixxx.  annos  et 
plus  feliciter  vixit.  Avus  suus  nominabatur  Ulgerus,  i.  ulnas  gerens  ;  fuit 
enim  vir  magnus  et  fortis,  qui  magnas  habebat  ulnas.  Nomen  avise  suae 
dicebatur  Anglice  Elvera,  quod  interpretatur  Dei  vidua,  quae  et  in  bona 
viduitate  diu  vixit.  Quatuor  habuit  fratres  et  vmam  sororem,  quorum  primus 
vocabatur  Radulphus,  i.  ratus  et  adustus,  i.  firmus  in  adolescentia  ;  fortis  enim 
valde  juvenis  fuit.  Secundus  dicebatur  Robertus,  quia  a  re  nomen  habuit, 
spoliator  enim  diu  fuit  et  prsedo.  Tertius  nuncupabatur  Giroldus,  girovagus 
enim  fuit  omnibus  diebus  vitse  suae.  Quartus  nominabatur  Johannes,  quod 
nomen    interpretatum    sonat    Dei   gratia;    et   iste    gratiam  Dei    gratia    Dei 


NOTES.  355 

adeptus  est ;  fuit  enim  juvenis  setate,  senex  moribus,  virgo  castitate,  vita 
beatus.  Soror  ipsius  dicebatur  Dionisia,  id  est  Deo  nitens  ;  nitebatur  enim 
semper  bonis  operibus  ad  Deum  venire.  Animse  omnium  istorum  et  anima  om- 
nium fidelium  defunctorum  per  misericordiam  Dei  requiescant  in  pace  !    Amen !  " 

P.  51.  Song  upon  the  Tailors. — It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  that  the 
three  lines  which  form  the  theme  of  this  song,  are  the  commencement  of  Ovid's 
Metamorphoses.     Llewellin,  Prince  of  Wales,  invaded  the  Marches  in  1263. 

P.  53,  /.  3,  capucium. — The  name  capuce  was  given  sometimes  to  a  separate 
piece  of  apparel  with  which  the  head  was  covered,  and  at  others  to  the  upper 
part  of  the  tunic  of  the  monks  which  covered  the  head.  In  the  present  in- 
stance it  must  be  taken  in  the  former  sense.  A  full  account  of  the  different 
senses  of  the  word  will  be  found  in  Ducange. 

/.  6,  almucium. — The  aumuce  was  a  separate  article  of  clothing  which 

covered  both  head  and  shoulders.  One  of  the  articles  of  the  canons  for  the 
behaviour  of  the  monks,  given  by  Pope  Clement  V.,  was,  "  ut  almutiis  de  panno 
nigro,  vel  peUibus,  caputiorum  loco,  uterentur." 

/.  14,  Tyeis. — The  French  and  Anglo-Norman  form  of  the  Latin  Teuto- 

nicus.     It  is  the  origin  of  the  name  of  several  old  English  families. 

P.  57,  /.  4,  Cernite. — The  MS.  has  sccrnite. 

P.  58,  /.  2,  Frollo. — This  personage  is  a  famous  character  in  the  fabulous  his- 
tory of  Arthur,  and  is  there  said  to  have  been  King  of  Paris  under  the  Romans. 
When  hard  pressed  by  Arthur,  who  had  conquered  "all  France  and  all 
Germany,"  he  took  refuge  in  Paris,  and  was  besieged  there.  The  people  in 
the  city  beginning  to  feel  the  effects  of  famine,  persuaded  FroUo  to  engage 
Arthur  in  single  combat.  The  battle  was  said  to  have  taken  place  in  the 
"  isle  "  (insula  Parisiensis),  the  part  of  the  French  capital  included  between  the 
two  branches  of  the  Seine,  in  which,  at  the  present  day,  stand  N6tre-Dame  and 
the  Palais  de  Justice,  with  its  beautiful  Sainte-Chapelle.  The  story  of  Arthur 
and  Frollo  is  told  at  length  in  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth. 

II.  10,  \\,  Arthurus. — King  Arthur,  the  hero  of  so  many  romances. 

Broinsius.  (?)  Constantinus. — Constantine  the  Great,  whose  mother  Helena  was 
said  to  have  been  a  British  lady.  Brennius  :  the  conqueror  of  Rome,  who,  ac- 
cording to  the  British  history,  was  a  Briton. 


356  NOTES. 

p.  5^,  II.  13,  14,  Karolum — Charlemagne;  Ricardum — Richard  Coeur-de- 
Lion :  both  of  whom  were  the  heroes  of  romances  and  popular  songs.  The 
same  two  heroes  of  French  and  English  fable  are  mentioned  in  a  curious 
passage  of  the  Polychronica  of  Ralph  Higden  :  "  Quemadmodum  Graeci  suum 
Alexandrum,  Romani  suum  Octavium,  Angli  suum  Ricardum,  Franci  suum 
Karolum,  sic  Britones  suum  Arthurum  prseconiantur."  P.  225,  in  Gale's  Scrip- 
tores. 

P.  59.  The  Song  of  the  Barons. — The  transcript  of  this  curious  frag- 
ment was  communicated  to  me  by  Sir  Frederick  Madden.  The  original  is  writ- 
ten in  a  contemporary  hand  on  a  roll  twenty-two  inches  long,  by  three  broad, 
and  was  evidently  intended  to  be  carried  about  by  the  minstrel  who  was  to  sing 
it.  On  the  reverse  had  been  written  a  curious  interlocutory  poem  in  English 
of  a  later  period,  entitled,  "  Interludium  de  Clerico  et  Puella."  It  was,  in 
1838,  in  the  possession  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Richard  Yerburgh,  Vicar  of  Sleaford, 
in  Lincolnshire. 

Such  rolls  appear  to  have  been  in  common  use.  A  very  curious  vellum  roll 
of  the  fifteenth  century,  containing  chiefly  religious  songs  with  the  music,  and, 
among  the  rest,  a  copy  of  the  well-known  song  on  the  battle  of  Agincourt 
printed  by  Percy,  has  been  recently  deposited  in  the  Library  of  Trinity  College, 
Cambridge.  I  am  informed  that  another,  of  the  thirteenth  century,  has  been 
lately  found  among  the  archives  of  Sir  John  Hanmer,  Bart.,  containing  an 
Anglo-Norman  romance  previously  unknown,  on  the  adventures  of  Melors, 
son  of  Melians  of  Cornwall.  Among  the  Sloane  MSS.  in  the  British  Museum 
(No.  809),  is  an  early  copy  of  the  curious  poem  of  Walter  de  Biblesworth, 
designed  for  the  instruction  of  children  in  the  French  language,  written  in  a 
similar  manner  on  a  roll  of  parchment,  evidently  for  the  purpose  of  being  more 
easily  used  in  a  school. 

I.  \,  de  Warenne  ly  hon  quens  ..  en  Norfolk. — John,  Earl  of  Warenne, 

a  staunch  supporter  of  the  royal  party,  in  whose  cause  we  shall  soon  afterwards 
find  him  fighting  at  Lewes. 

/.  7,  Sh-e  Jon  Giffard. — Sir  John  Giffard,  of  Brimsfield,  in  Gloucester- 
shire, a  firm  adherent  of  the  Bai-ons.  When  Sir  Roger  de  CUff"ord  delivered 
Gloucester  to  Prince  Edward,   Gifiard   fortified  his   castle  of  Brimsfield,  and 


NOTES.  357 

greatly  annoyed  the  royalist  garrison  of  the  former  place.  For  an  accouat  of 
his  exploits  at  this  time,  see  Robert  of  Gloucester's  Chronicle,  pp.  5.38,  539. 
He  was  on  the  Barons'  party  at  the  battle  of  Lewes,  and  was  taken  prisoner 
there ;  but  afterwards,  when  Simon  de  jNIoncfort  was  in  the  height  of  his 
power,  Giffard  deserted  him.     See  Robert  of  Gloucester,  p.  550. 

P.  60,  /.  1,  Sire  Jon  Dayvile. — Sir  John  Dayrile,  or  D'Ayvile  (Robert  of 
Gloucester  calls  him  in  one  place  De  Eivile)  does  not  appear  very  prominent 
in  these  troubles  till  after  the  death  of  Simon  de  Montfort  at  Evesham.  He 
then  headed  those  of  the  Barons  who  established  themselves  at  Chesterford  in 
the  Peak,  and  afterwards  was  the  chief  of  those  who  held  the  Isle  of  Ely  against 
the  King.  Knighton  calls  him  "  homo  caUidus  et  bellator  fortis."  See  Knighton 
(in  Twysden),  col.  2454  ;  Chron.  Thoma;  Wikes  (Gale),  pp.  81,  82  ;  Robert  of 
Gloucester,  p.  564. 

l.~i,  De  Cliffort  ly  Ion  Roger. — Roger  de  Clifford  first  took  part  with 

the  Barons,  but  early  in  the  war  deserted  them,  and  delivered  Gloucester  castle, 
which  he  held  for  them,  to  Prince  Edward.  He  was  with  the  King  at  North- 
ampton. 

I.  13,  Sire  Roger  de  Leyhurne  .. .  ses pertes  que  Sire  Edicard  le  fist. — 

Sir  Roger  de  Leyburn  was  at  first  a  partizan  of  the  Barons,  and  had  been  taken 
prisoner  at  Rochester  Castle,  and  committed  to  the  custody  of  John  Mareschall. 
It  was  on  this  occasion,  probably,  that  he  was  visited  with  the  penalties  alluded 
to  in  the  song.  He  was  afterwards  seduced  by  the  royal  party,  and  made 
Warden  of  the  Cinque  Ports.  He  was  with  the  King  at  the  taking  of  North- 
ampton, at  the  defence  of  Rochester,  where  he  was  wounded,  and  at  Lewes. 

P.  61,  I.  16,  Ly  eveske  de  Herefort — Peter  de  Egueblanche,  Bishop  of  Here- 
ford, a  staunch  adherent  to  the  King,  and,  by  his  oppressions,  exceedingly 
obnoxious  to  the  Commons.  In  1263,  the  Barons  seized  and  imprisoned  him, 
and  confiscated  his  treasures.     He  was  a  native  of  Savoy. 

P.  62,  I.  I,  ly  jjastors  de  Norivis. — Simon  de  Wanton,  Bishop  of  Norwich, 
from  1257  to  1265,  chaplain  to  King  Henry  III.,  and  one  of  his  justices. 

I.  7,  Sire  Jon  de  Langele. — According  to  the  Annales  de  Dunstaple,  the 

estates  of  G.  de  Langley  were  plundered  soon  after  the  arrest  of  the  Bishop  of 
Hereford  : — "  idem  facieutes  de  maneriis  G.  de  Langele  et  ejus  bonis."  Vol.  i. 
p.  354.     Perhaps  this  was  the  same  person. 


358  NOTES. 

p.  62,  I.  13,  Sire  Mathi  de  Besile. — We  should  perhaps  read  Machi;  Robert 
of  Gloucester  and  Stow  call  him  Macy.  He  was  a  French  knight,  who  had 
been  made  Sheriff  of  Gloucester,  after  the  King  had  sworn  to  the  articles  of 
Oxford.  The  Barons  ejected  him,  and  put  another  sheriff  in  his  place ;  Sir 
Macy  came  with  a  body  of  armed  men  and  the  authority  of  the  King,  reinstated 
himself  by  force,  and  drove  away  his  rival.  Sir  Roger  de  Clifford  and  Sir  John 
Giffard  came  against  him,  besieged  and  took  Gloucester  Castle,  and  imprisoned 
him  along  with  the  "  Freinss  bissop  "  of  Hereford,  whom  they  seized  immediately 
afterwards.     Robert  of  Gloucester  mentions  the  confiscation  of  his  property : — 

"  And  Sir  Jon  Giffard  nom  to  him  is  quic  ei3te  echon. 
And  al  that  he  fond  of  is,  and  nameliche  at  Sserton." 

The  song  here  printed  was  evidently  written  just  after  this  event,  and  previous 
to  the  subsequent  desertion  of  Clifford  and  others  mentioned  in  it. 

I,  18,  treget. — It  has   been  suggested  that  this  word  represents  the 

Latin  treugellum,  a  little  truce. 

/.  19,  mi  Sire  Jon  de  Gray. — John  de  Gray  held  on  the  King's  party, 

and  was  rewarded  for  his  loyalty  by  the  grant  of  various  high  oflSces.  The  cir- 
cumstance alluded  to  in  the  song  is  thus  told  in  the  Annales  de  Dunstaple  (Ed. 
Hearne,  vol.  i.  p.  357)  ;  it  occurred  in  the  disturbances  in  London  in  1263. — 
"  Quo  perpetrato  facinore,  cives  Londoniarum  contra  ipsum  et  alios  de  consilio 
regis  in  civitate  commorantes,  insurrexerunt ;  in  tantum  quod  hospitium  Johannis 
de  Grey  extra  Ludgate  invaserunt,  et  equos  ejus  triginta  duo  et  alia  qusecunque 
ibidem  inventa  abduxerunt :  ipso  Johanne  cum  difficultate  maxima  ultra  alveum 
de  Flete  fugam  arripiente.  Idem  fecerunt  de  domibus  et  bonis  Simonis  Passe- 
lewe." 

I.  21,  que  must,  quod  movit. 

P.  63,  /.  4,  Sire  Willem  le  Latimer. — Sir  William  le  Latimer  was  a  firm 
adherent  of  the  King,  and  held  at  different  times  several  offices  of  trust.  He 
suffered  considerable  losses  in  the  Barons'  wars.  He  afterwards  appears  to 
have  accompanied  Prince  Edward  to  the  Holy  Land,  and  was  at  the  siege  of 
Carlaverock  in  1300.  He  died  in  1305,  at  a  very  advanced  age.  Knighton 
calls  him  miles  strenuissimus. 

P.  63.  Song  of  the  Peace  with  England. — It  has  been  suggested  to 
me  that  the  word  cul  in  this  song  is  only  a  form  of  col  (collum) ;  and  I  am  told 


NOTES.  359 

that  among  the  titles  of  some  fables  in  the  same  manuscript  there  is  one  of  the 
stork  "au  long  cul."  In  this  song,  however,  I  am  inclined  to  think  such  an 
interpretation  not  admissible.  It  is  a  rude  burlesque  not  only  upon  the 
event  to  which  it  relates,  but  upon  the  English  in  general,  and  contains 
much  coarse  humour  such  as  is  not  uncommonly  used  at  the  present  day. 
The  grammatical  construction  is,  evidently  by  design,  a  complete  confusion  of 
tenses,  numbers,  and  genders.  It  appears  to  me  that  not  a  little  of  the  effect 
it  was  intended  to  produce,  depended  upon  the  coarse  play  upon  words  involved 
in  the  use  of  the  expression  above  mentioned.  When  the  reciter  introduced  King 
Henry  to  his  auditors,  and  they  expected  he  was  going  to  sigh  from  his  heart, 
instead  of  completing  the  sentence  il  suspire  de  coeur  (p.  65),  i.  e,  ille  suspirat 
de  corde,  he  introduces  another  word  beginning  with  the  same  letter,  and  says 
il  suspire  de  cul  (iUe  suspirsit  de  culo).  That  Trichart  in  the  preceding  line 
was  intended  for  a  pun  upon  Richard,  we  may  conjecture  from  the  rhymes  in 
the  English  song  on  the  same  person's  name,  p.  69.  Again,  at  p.  GQ,  it  would 
naturally  be  expected  that  he  would  place  his  lance  against  his  enemj^'s  cceur ;  the 
blow  was  to  be  so  strong,  that  if  his  opponent  did  not  give  way,  he  would  himself 
suffer  in  that  part  which  was  in  communication  with  the  saddle,  and  where,  of 
course,  the  resistance  was  concentrated.  These  jokes  must  have  been  extremely 
diverting  to  the  class  of  people  for  whom  this  song  was  designed. 

The  Song  of  the  Peace  with  England  had  been  previously  printed  by  Mons. 
Achille  Jubinal,  well  known  for  his  numerous  publications  of  early  French  lite- 
rature, in  a  very  curious  volume  entitled  "  Jongleurs  et  Trouv^res,"  8vo.  Paris, 
1835.  M.  Jubinal  also  gave  a  translation  into  modern  French  of  this  song,  as 
well  as  of  the  piece  I  am  now  going  to  mention,  in  the  "  Journal  de  I'lnstitut  His- 
torique,"  Jan.  1835,  which  has  been  reproduced  in  the  Histoire  de  Saint  Louis, 
by  the  Marquis  de  Villeneuve- Trans,  8vo.  Paris,  1839,  vol.  iii.  p.  614.  In  the 
manuscript  from  which  this  song  is  printed,  it  is  accompanied  by  a  piece  in 
prose  on  the  same  event,  and  of  a  similar  character,  entitled  Le  Chartre  de  la 
Pais  aus  Anglois,  which  I  venture  to  reprint  here  from  M.  Jubinal's  book,  £is 
the  latter  is  now  out  of  print,  and  very  scarce.  It  will  be  observed  that  the 
same  style  of  gross  joking  which  is  found  in  the  song,  runs  through  the  charter ; 
a  double  meaning  was  evidently  intended,  for  example,  in  the  words  qu'il  fufet 


360  NOTES. 

.?■.  gros  pes  entre,  etc.,  which  might  be  taken  as  signifying,  in  this  broken 
French,  either  grossa  pax,  or  grossus  peditus. 

La  Chartre  de  la  Pais  aus  Anglois. 

"  Ce  sache  sil  qui  sont  et  qui  ne  sont  mi,  et  qui  ne  doivent  mi  estre,  qu'il  fu 
fet  .i.  gros  pes  entre  ce  rai  Hari  d'Ingleter,  et  ce  riche  homme  Loys  k  Parris, 
sarra  forretier  de  ce  grant  forrest  h  Normandi.  Et  quant  ce  rai  Hari  d'Ingleter 
voudra  vauchier  par  son  terre,  ce  riche  homme  Loys  a  Parris  voudra  donier  a 
ce  rai  Hari  meismes  .ii.  poronssores  h.  mester  soz  son  houses,  por  ester  plus 
minet ;  et  quant  ce  rai  Hari  voudra  aler  de  mort  k  vie,  cestui  riche  homme  Loys 
k  Parris,  devra  donier  a  d'Adouart  sa  fils  cesti  chos  meism,  souzvise  quitement, 
francement  di-je,  c'avant  c'arier.  C'est  donques  a  saver  .i.  poronssores  quant 
il  voudra  vauchier  par  son  terre  a  meter  soz  son  houses,  por  ester  plus  minet 
aussinc  comme  k  sa  piere.  Et  por  ce  que  je  v6ele  que  ce  chos  fout  fiens  en 
estable,  je  v6ele  pendez  ma  saiele  k  ce  cul  par  derrier,  avoecques  la  saiele  k  mi 
barons  d'Ingleter.  L'an  de  I'incarnacion  nostres  sinors  Jesoucriet  mimes  qui 
souffri  mort  k  la  crucefimie  por  nous,  m.  cc.  Ix.  i.  ij.  et  iij.,  a  ce  jodi  assolier, 
derri&re  ce  vendredi,  k  orre  que  Marri  Masalaine  chata  ce  honissement  a  honis- 
sier  les  .v.  plais  Jesoucriet  nostre  sinors  mimes,  qui  souffra  mort  a,  la  croucefin 
por  nous,  et  Marri  Mauvaise-alaine  portez  ce  honnissement  a  la  Saint  Sii- 
poucre ;  et  Marri  Mauvaise-alaine  v6ez  I'angiel,  et  I'angiel  pona :  "  Marri  1 
Marri!  quel  quier^  vous  quel?"  Et  Marri  pona:  "  Je  queres  Jhesum  qui 
fout  k  la  crucefimie."  Et  I'angel  pona  k  Marri:  "Marri!  Marri!  al^ici, 
aleici :  il  ne  fout  pas  9!,  il  fout  al^  cestui  matin  k  Galerrie." 

P.  64,  I.  6,  choison  ;  from  choir  (cadere). 

P.  65,  I.  6,  gondre  Glais  grondier,  contra  Anglos  grunnire. 

I.  9,  «  Part. — Perhaps  it  should  be  alart,  and  is  derived  from  the  Latin 

alacriter. 

I.  11,  la  conte  a  Clocestre. — Gilbert  de  Clare,  who  succeeded  his  father 

in  the  Earldoms  of  Hereford  and  Gloucester  in  1262,  and  was  a  zealous  partizan 
of  the  Barons,  until  he  deserted  Simon  de  Montfort  before  the  battle  of  Evesham. 

I.  15,  la  cont  Vincestre. — Roger  de  Quincy,  Earl  of  Winchester.     Why 

his  name  is  introduced  so  prominently,  does  not  seem  clear.     He  died  in  the 
year  following  (1264),  and  the  title  became  extinct. 

P.  67,  /.  3,  Rogier  Bigot  .—Roger  Bigod,  Earl  of  Norfolk. 


NOTES.  361 

P.  67,  I,  18,  Saint  Amont,  means,  probably,  St.  Edmund. 

P.  69.  Song  against  the  King  of  Almaigne. — This  song  was  first 
printed  in  Percy's  Reliques  of  Ancient  English  Poetry. 

/.  2,  Kpi  of  Alemaigne. — It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  this  was 

Richard  Earl  of  Cornwall,  the  King's  brother. 

I.  3,  Thritti  thousent pound. — The  Barons  had  offered  him  this  sum,  if 

he  would  by  his  intermediation  persuade  the  King  to  agree  to  a  peace  with  them, 
and  at  the  same  time  accept  the  terms  they  demanded. 

I.  10,  Walingford.—T^^Q  honour  of  Wallingford  had  been  conferred  on 

Richard  in  1243. 

I.  12. — ^Windsor  was  the  stronghold  of  the  royal  party,  and  had  been 

garrisoned  by  foreigners. 

I.  15,  mulne. — "  After  the  battle  was  lost,  Richard,  King  of  the  Romans, 

took  refuge  in  a  windmill,  which  he  barricadoed,  and  maintained  for  some  time 
against  the  Barons,  but  in  the  evening  was  obliged  to  surrender.  See  a  very 
full  account  of  this  in  the  Chronicle  of  Mailros."     Percy. 

P.  70,  I.  8. — The  Earl  of  Warenne  escaped  from  the  battle,  and  fled  into 
France. 

I.   20,   Sire  Hue  de  Bigot. — Hugh  Bigod   escaped  with  the  Earl  of 

Warenne  to  Pevensey,  and  from  thence  to  France.  He  was  cousin  to  the  Hugh 
Bigod  who  took  part  with  the  Barons,  and  was  slain  at  Lewes. 

P.  71,  I.  6,  lyard. — This  word  (in  low  Latin  liardus)  means,  properly,  a 
dapple-grey  horse  ;  but  it  is  often  used,  like  several  other  similar  words,  as  a 
common  name  for  a  horse  in  general.  I  have  interpreted  it  as  meaning  a 
hack  ;  but  probably  the  passage  implies  a  sneer  at  Edward,  who  had  been  more 
than  once  with  his  army  to  Dover,  in  the  hope  of  taking  the  castle  from  the 
Barons,  and  the  word  may  mean  simply  his  horse. 

P.  72,  I.  13. — The  battle  of  Lewes  was  fought  on  Thursday,  (?)  May  14, 
1264. 

P.  73,  I.  36,  in  claustro. — A  great  part  of  those  of  the  King's  party  who 
quitted  the  field,  took  shelter  in  the  abbey  of  Lewes,  where  they  were  besieged 
by  the  Barons. 

P.  74,  I.  47,  apud  Nortkamptoniam. — Northampton  had  been  taken  by  the 
King  on  the  third  of  April  preceding. 

CAMD.  SOC,  6.  3  A 


362  NOTES. 

p.  74,  I.  55,  monasterium,  quod  helium  vacatur, — I  have  not  found  any 
notice  elsewhere  of  the  contributions  forced  from  the  abbies  of  Battle  and 
Robertsbridge. 

P.  75,  LI,  monachi  Cystercii  de  Ponte-Ttoberti. — There  was  an  abbey  of 
Cistertian  monks  at  Robertsbridge,  in  Sussex. 

II.  73 — 77. — With  these  lines  may  be  compared  a  passage  in  Knighton's 

Chronicle  (ap.  Twysden),  col.  2445  : — "  Et  sicut  Simon  Machabeeus  surrexit 
pro  fratre  suo  Juda,  ut  pro  populo  Dei  et  lege  paterna  certaret  ad  mortem ; 
sic  et  Simon  de  Monteforti  pro  Anglia  erexit  se,  ut  pro  legibus  et  libertatibus 
ejus  usque  ad  mortis  perniciem  dimicaret." 

P.  76,  I.  94,  intumuit. — In  the  MS.  the  scribe  has  written  intimuit  in  the 
margin,  either  as  a  various  reading,  or  as  an  improvement  of  his  own. 

P.  78, 1.  128,  bellici.—The  MS.  has  vellici. 

P.  79,  /.  145,  gaudii. — The  MS.  has  gladii  in  the  text,  with  gaudii  written 
in  the  margin. 

P.  81,  I.  193,  S.  divina  gratia  prasul  Cycestrensis.  —  Stephen  de  Berk- 
stead,  Bishop  of  Chichester.  He  was  excommunicated  for  his  staunch  adhe- 
rence to  the  party  of  Simon  de  Montfort. 

P.  88,  /.  335,  movisset. — The  MS.  has  novisset. 

/.  330,  /or  proponerat,  read  proponeret. 

P.  89,  I.  252,  invenire. — The  MS.  has  iiiveniere. 

P.  94,  I.  437,  Testis  sit  Glovernia. — Alluding  to  the  delivery  of  Gloucester  to 
Prince  Edward,  and  his  treatment  of  the  town. 

P.  102,  /.  609,  regis  et. — The  MS.  has  regisset. 

P.  104,  /.  635,  Unius  rex,  etc. — This  line  appears  to  be  very  corrupt,  as  are 
one  or  two  others  in  the  poem. 

P.  114,  I.  833,  Nee  libertas  proprie  debet  nominari,  |  qua  permittit  inscie 
stultos  dominari.  —  The  reader  wUl  hardly  fail  to  call  to  mind  the  similar 
sentiment  expressed  in  the  line  of  Milton — 

"  Licence  they  mean,  when  they  cry  liberty." 

P.  115,  I.  SoS,p'rat. — The  MS.  has  prat,  the  meaning  of  which  is  by  no 
means  clear. 

P.  116,  /.  875,  Veritas,  lux,  caritas,  calor,  urit  zelus. — Perhaps  the  commas 


NOTES. 


.3«3 


should  be  omitted  after  Veritas  and  caritas,  and  the  whole  be  translated,  "  Truth 
is  hght,  charity  is  warmth,  zeal  burns." 

P.  117,  Regis  esse  noveris  nomen  relatlvum. — It  would  be  by  no  means  unin- 
teresting to  collect  the  expressions  of  the  popular  doctrine  concerning  the 
kingly  character  held  by  our  forefathers  at  different  periods.  Perhaps  it  may 
not  be  considered  altogether  foreign  to  the  subject  to  point  out  here  a  few  of 
them. 

I.— In  a  MS.  of  the  tenth  century  (MS.  Cotton.  Nero,  A.  i.,  fol.  71,  r°.)  we 
have,  among  some  other  things  of  a  similar  kind,  the  following  sketch  of  the 
opinion  of  the  Anglo-Saxons  on  this  subject,  said  to  be  from  the  pen  of 
Alfric  : — 


Cristenum  cyninge  ge-byre^  on 
cristenre  J?eode,  J^set  he  syeal  swahit 
riht  is  folces  frofer,  ~]  rihtwis  hyrde 
ofer  cristene  heorde,  "]  hym  ge-by- 
re'S  Jjset  he  eallum  msegene  cristendom 
raere,  ")  Godes  cyrcan  seghwar  georne 
fyr'Srie  t  fri^rie,  "]  eal  cristen  folc 
sibbie  "]  sehte  mid  rihtre  lage,  swa  he 
geomost  maege,  T  l^urh  aelc  Mng  riht- 
wisnesse  lulie,  for  Gode  T  for  wo- 
rolde.  For  ]>am  }>urh  J>set  he  sceal 
sylf  fyrmest  ge-J^eon,  ~i  his  I'eodscype 
eac  swa,  J^e  he  riht  lufige,  for  Gode 
■]  for  worolde.  i  him  ge-byreS  J>set  he 
geornlice  fylste  J'am  J^e  riht  willan,  t 
a  hetelicest  yre  Jjam  \>e  Jryres  wyllan. 


He  sceal  man  daede  men  Jjreagean 
J>earle,  mid  woroldlicre  steore ;  i  he 
sceal  ryperas  i  reaferas ']  worold-stru- 
deras    hatian   i    hynan ;     T    eallum 


It  behoves  a  Christian  King  in  a 
Christian  people,  that  he  be  all  as  it 
is  right  the  people's  protector,  and  a 
just  shepherd  over  the  Christian  flock, 
and  it  behoves  him  that  he  with  all 
his  might  raise  Christendom,  and 
advance  and  protect  God's  church 
everywhere  diligently,  and  pacify  and 
reconcile  with  just  law  all  Christian 
people,  as  he  most  earnestly  may,  and 
love  justice  in  every  thing,  before  God 
and  before  the  world.  Because  by  that 
he  shall  profit  himself  in  the  first  place, 
and  also  his  people,  whom  let  him 
love  rightly,  before  God  and  before  the 
world.  And  it  behoveth  him  that  he 
diligently  help  those  who  wish  for 
justice,  and  ever  most  hatefully  per- 
secute those  who  wish  for  wrong. 
He  shall  punish  men  severely  for  evil 
deeds,  with  secular  punishment ;  and 
he  shall  hate  and  put  down  thieves 
and    robbers   and  oppressors   of   the 


364 


NOTES. 


Godes  feondum  stymlice  wKstandan  ; 
T  seg'Ser  he  sceal  beon  mid  rihte  ge 
milde  ge  re'Se,  milde  )>am  godum,  ~} 
styrne  J>am  yfelum.  Dset  bK  cyninges 
riht,  T  cynelic  ge-wuna,  i  J'set  sceal 
on  ))eode  swy^ost  ge-fremiau.  La  ! 
Jjurh  hwset  sceal  Godes  heowum  t 
Godes  I'earfum  fri^  t  fultum  cuman, 
butan  J'urh  Crist  i  J^urh  cristenne 
cyning  ?  Durh  cyninges  wisdom  folc 
wyrU  ge-sselig,  ge-sundful,  i  sigefaest, 
T  >y  sceal  wis  cyning  Cristendom  T 
cynedom  miclian  T  msersian,  "]  ^  he 
sceal  hseJ>endom  hindrian  "]  hyrwan. 


He  sceeil  boc-larum  hlystan  swyt>e 
georne,  t  Godes  beboda  geornlice 
healdan,  -}  ge-lome  wiS  witan  wis- 
dom smeagan,  gyf  be  gode  wile 
rihtlice  hyran.  ~s  gif  hwa  to  J^am 
street  sy  abwar  on  J^eode,  ^set  riht  nelle 
healdan  swa  swa  he  scolde,  ac  Godes 
lage  wyrde,  o'S^e  folc  lage  myrre, 
}>onne  cyj^e  hit  man  ham  cynge,  gif 
man  >set  nyde  scyle,  -j  he  >onne  sona 
rsede  ymbe  ha  bote  ■)  ge-wylde  bine 
georne,  to  ham  he  his  hearf  sy  huru 
mihances,  gif  he  elles  ne  msege.  T 
do  swa  him  hearf  is,  clsensige  his 
heode,  for  Gode  "]  for  worolde,  gif 
he  Godes  miltse  ge-eamian  wylle. 


world ;  and  sternly  resist  all  God's 
enemies  ;  and  he  shall  be  with  justice 
both  mild  and  severe,  mild  to  the  good 
and  stern  to  the  bad.  This  is  the 
king's  right,  and  the  manner  of  a 
king,  and  this  shall  be  most  efficient 
in  the  people.  Lo  !  through  what 
shall  peace  and  help  come  to  God's 
servants  and  to  God's  poor,  except 
through  Christ  and  through  a  Chris- 
tian king  ?  Through  the  king's  wisdom 
the  people  shall  be  happy,  prosperous, 
and  victorious,  and  on  that  account 
shall  a  wise  king  enlarge  and  increase 
Christianity  and  royalty,  and  ever  he 
shall  hinder  and  persecute  heathen- 
dom. He  shall  listen  very  diligently 
to  scholars,  and  diligently  hold  God's 
commandments,  and  frequently  search 
wisdom  from  his  witans,  if  he  will 
rightly  hear  what  is  good.  And  if  any 
one  openly  be  any  where  in  the 
people,  that  will  not  hold  justice  as  he 
should,  but  infringes  God's  law,  or 
obstructs  the  law  of  the  people,  then 
let  people  declare  it  to  the  king,  if  they 
would  extinguish  that  violence,  and 
there  let  them  soon  take  counsel  for  the 
amends,  and  subdue  him  diligently, 
until  that  he  be  reduced  at  last  by  force, 
if  he  may  not  otherwise.  And  let  him 
do  as  it  is  needful  for  him,  purify  his 
people,  before  God  and  before  the 
world,  if  he  will  earn  God's  mercy. 


NOTES. 


365 


And  again,  a  little  further  on  (fol.  72, 
^Ic  riht  cynestol  stent  on  j^rim 
stapelum,  j'c  fullice  ariht  staent.  An 
is  Orafores,  -j  o'Ser  is  Laboratores, 
~\  J>ridde  is  Bellatores.  Oratores  syn- 
don  gebedmen,  he  Gode  scylan  heo- 
■wian,  "J  dseges  ~i  nihtes  for  ealne 
heodscype  Hngigan  georne.  Labo- 
ratores syndon  vreorc-men,  ]>e  tilian 
scylan  ^ses  )>e  eal  t)eodscype  big  sceal 
libban.  Bellatores  syndon  wig-men, 
\>e  card  scylon  werian,  wiglice  mid 
waepnum.  On  )>yssum  Jrim  stapelum 
sceal  selc  cynestol  standan  mid  rihte 
on  Cristenre  J^eode.  "]  awacie  heora 
senig,  sona  se  stol  scylf  S  ;  t  ful  berste 
heora  senig,  Jjonne  hryst  se  stol  ny- 
Jjer,  T  J>8et  wyr'S  )?8ere  j^eode  eal  to  un- 
Jjearfe. 

Ac  sta^elige  man  ■]  strangige  and 
trymme  by  georne,  mid  wislicre 
Godes  lage  t  mid  rihtlicre  wo- 
rold  lage,  }?8et  wyr^  Jjam  'Seodscype  to 
langsuman  rsede.  -]  so'S  is  Jjaet  ic  secge, 
awacie  se  Cristendom,  sona  scylfS 
se  cynedom  ;  T  araere  man  un-laga 
ahwar  on  lande  o'SSon  unsida  lufige 
ahwar  to  swyj^e,  haet  cym^  hsere  J>eode 
eal  to  un-l>earfe.  Ac  do  man  swa  hit 
bearf  is,  alecge  man  un-riht,  T  rsere  up 

Godes  riht,  J>8et   mseg  to   J>earfe  for 

Gode  T  for  worolde.    Amen, 


r°,)— 

Every  just  throne  stands  on  three 
props,     that    stands    perfectly    right. 
One  is  Oratores,  and  the  other  is  La- 
boratores, and  the  third  is  Bellatores. 
The  Oratores  are  the  men  of  prayer, 
who  shall  serve  God,  and  by  day  and 
night  intercede  for  the  whole  nation. 
The  Laboratores  are  the  workmen,  who 
shall  labour  in  order  that  all  the  nation 
shall  live  thereby.     The  Bellatores  are 
the   men  of  war   {i.  e.   knights),  who 
shall    defend   the  land,   valiantly  with 
weapons.     On  these  three  props  shall 
every  throne  stand  with  justice  among 
Christian  people.     And  if  any  of  them 
become   weakened,    soon    the    throne 
wavers  ;    and  if  any  one  of  them  fail 
entirely,  then  the  throne  falls  down, 
and  that  will  be  the  entire  ruin  of  the 
people.     But  let   man    establish   and 
strengthen    and    confirm    them    dili- 
gently, with  the  wise  law  of  God  and 
just  law  of  the  world,  that  will  be  to 
the  nation  for  a  lasting  counsel.     And 
it  is  true  what  I  say,  if  Christendom  be 
weakened,  soon  royalty  wavers  ;  and  if 
people  raise  lawlessness  everywhere  in 
the  land,  or  love  everywhere  wickedness 
too  much,  that  brings  the  people  en- 
tirely to  ruin.  But  let  people  do  as  it  is 

needful,  let  people  put  down  injustice, 
and  raise  up  God's  justice,  that  may 
bring  it  to  prosperity  before  God  and 

before  the  world.     Amen. 


366 


NOTES. 


II.  In  the  curious  poem  of  the  proverbs  of  Alfred,  composed  perhaps  in  the 
twelfth  century,  and  which  is  here  quoted  from  a  MS.  of  the  earlier  part  of  the 
thirteenth  century  ( MS.  Trin.  Coll.  Cambridge,  B.  14,  39)  is  the  following 
account  of  the  duties  of  King  and  People. 


^  >us  quad  Alfred, 
Englene  frovere : 
May  no  riche  king 
ben  onder  Crist  selves, 
bote  ]>i(  he  be  booc-lerid, 
■J  he  writes  wel  kenne, 
-j  bote  he  cunne  letteris, 
lokin  himselven 
wu  he  sule  his  lond 
laweliche  holden. 

^  }>us  quad  Helfred  : 
J>e  herl  T  ]pe  beveling 
]}0  ben  under  \>e  King, 
)?e  lond  to  leden 
mid  lauelich  i-dedin, 
boj'e  J>e  clerc  t  )?e  cnit 
demen  evenliche  rict. 
For  after  hat  mon  souit, 
als  inpich  sal  he  mouin, 
■J  everiches  monnes  dom 
to  his  oge  dure  cherried. 

^  Jjus  quad  Alfred : 
Jje  cnith  biovit 
kerliche  to  cnouen 
for  to  weriin  J>e  lond 
of  here  -)  of  here-gong, 
J>at  J^e  riche  habbe  gryt, 
■]  ]pe  cherril  be  in  frit, 


Thus  saith  Alfred, 
the  protector  of  the  English  : 
There  may  no  just  king 
be  under  Christ  himself, 
unless  he  be  book-learned, 
and  he  know  well  writings, 
and  unless  he  know  letters, 
to  look  himself 
how  he  shall  his  land 
hold  with  good  laws. 

Thus  saith  Alfred : 

The  Earl  and  the  Atheling 

they  are  under  the  King, 

the  land  to  lead 

by  example  of  lawful  deeds, 

both  the  clerk  and  the  knight 

to  judge  impartially  right. 

For  according  as  a  man  sows, 

so  shall  he  mow, 

and  every  man's  judgment 

falls  at  his  own  door. 

Thus  saith  Alfred  : 

It  behoves  the  knight 

carefully  to  know 

how  to  defend  the  land 

from  army  and  from  invasion, 

that  the  rich  may  have  peace, 

and  the  churl  be  in  tranquillity, 


NOTES. 


S67 


his  sedis  to  souin, 
his  medis  to  mo  wen, 
his  plouis  to  drivin, 
to  ure  aire  bi-lif. 
Ks  is  t>e  cnichs  lage, 
loke  l^at  hit  wel  fare. 


his  seeds  to  sow, 

his  meadows  to  mow, 

to  drive  his  ploughs, 

for  the  sustenance  of  us  all. 

This  is  the  knights'  law, 

see  that  it  goes  well. 


III.  In  the  middle  of  the  thirteenth  century,  at  the  period  of  the  Barons' 
wars,  we  have  the  passage  to  which  this  forms  a  note. 

lY.  In  the  reign  of  Edward  III.  the  writer  of  Piers  Ploughman  gives  us  the 
following  description  of  the  relative  duties  of  the  different  orders  of  society. 


Thanne  kam  ther  a  kyng, 

knyjthod  hym  ladde, 

mijt  of  the  communes 

made  hym  to  regne. 

And  thanne  cam  kynde  wit, 

and  clerkes  he  made, 

for  to  counseillen  the  kyng, 

and  the  commune  save. 

The  kyng  and  kny3thod, 

and  clergie  bothe, 

casten  that  the  commune 

sholde  hemself  fynde. 

The  commune  contreved 

of  kynde  wit  craftes, 

and  for  profit  of  al  the  peple 

plowmen  ordeyned, 

to  tilie  and  to  travaille, 

as  trewe  lif  asketh. 

The  kyng  and  the  commune, 

and  kynde  wit  the  thridde, 

shopen  lawe  and  leaut^, 

ech  man  to  knowe  his  owene. 


Then  came  there  a  king, 

knighthood  led  him, 

the  power  of  the  commons 

made  him  to  reign. 

And  then  came  natural  sense, 

and  he  made  clerks, 

in  order  to  counsel  the  king, 

and  to  be  a  safeguard  to  the  com- 

The  king  and  knighthood,     [mons, 

and  clergy  along  with  them, 

determined  that  the  commons 

should  find  themselves. 

The  commons  contrived 

arts  by  means  of  natural  sense, 

and  for  the  profit  of  the  people 

ordained  ploughmen, 

to  till  and  to  labour, 

as  true  life  requires. 

The  king  and  the  commons, 

and  natural  sense  the  third, 

created  law  and  loyalty, 

each  man  to  know  his  own. 


V.  We  may  compare  aU  these  with  the  Alliterative  Poem  on  the  Deposition 


368  NOTES. 

of  Richard  the  Second,  p.  23,  to  which,  as  it  is  one  of  the  Publications  of  the 
Camden  Society,  I  need  do  no  more  than  refer. 

P.  120,  I.  947. — This  line  cannot  be  construed  as  it  stands,  and  is  evidently 
corrupt. 

P.  121.  William  de  Rishanger  was  a  monk  of  St.  Alban's,  and  is  said  to  have 
been  the  King's  historiographer  (historiographus  regius)  after  Matthew  Paris's 
death.  He  died  in  1312.  He  tells  us  that  this  song  was  written  before,  and  not 
after,  the  battle  of  Lewes  ;  and  that  it  was  the  defection  of  some  of  the  Barons 
mentioned  in  the  song  at  p.  59,  which  gave  rise  to  it.  It  is,  therefore,  probably 
placed  wrongly  after  the  battle  of  Lewes. 

P.  122,  /.  19,  0  Comes  Glovernim. — This  was  Gilbert  de  Clare,  who  was  ex- 
tremely active  in  the  cause  of  the  Barons,  and  distinguished  himself  at  the  battle 
of  Lewes. 

P.  123,  I.  3. — The  second  line  of  this  tetrastich  seems  to  be  lost. 

/.  10,  Comes  le  Bygot. — This  was  Roger  Bigod,  Earl  of  Norfolk,  whom 

the  Barons  made  Governor  of  Orford  in  Suffolk,  after  the  battle  of  Lewes. 

P.  124,  /.  3,  nobis. — A  mere  error  of  the  press  for  vobis. 

P.  125.  The  Lament  of  Simon  de  Montfort. — This  song  was  printed 
privately,  with  some  other  Anglo-Norman  poems  from  the  same  MS.,  by  Sir 
Francis  Palgrave,  in  1818,  in  a  collection  which  is  now  extremely  rare.  It 
was  also  inserted  in  the  second  edition  of  Ritson's  Ancient  Songs  (1829),  where 
it  is  accompanied  with  a  translation  in  English  verse  by  George  Ellis. 

/.  8,  Tot  a  cheval. — The  Barons  were  surprised  at  Evesham  before  they 

were  joined  by  their  foot  soldiers,  and  when  therefore  they  were  unprepared  for 
this  decisive  conflict. 

P.  126,  /.  4,  Sire  Hue  le  fer,  ly  Despencer,  tresnoUe  justice. — Hugh  De- 
spencer,  appointed  justiciary  of  England  by  the  Barons.     He  fell  at  Evesham. 

I.  6,  Sire  Henri  ....  fitz  le  cuens  de  Leycestre. — The  eldest  son  of 

Simon  de  Montfort ;  he  fell  in  the  battle. 

/.  7,  par  le  cuens  de  Gloucestre. — After  the  battle  of  Lewes,  the  Earl  of 

Gloucester,  becoming  jealous  of  Simon  de  Montfort's  popularity,  deserted  to 
the  King,  and  fought  against  his  former  associates  at  Evesham. 

I.  14,  une  hey  re. — I  suppose  this  refers  to  Guy  de  Montfort,  Simon's 


I 


NOTES.  36"9 

second  son,  who  was  taken  prisoner  at  Evesham,  but  afterwards  escaped  and 
fled  to  the  Continent. 

P.  126,  /,  15,  les  faus  ribaus. — As  this  word,  ribaldus,  ribaus,  ribaud,  occurs 
frequently  in  our  Songs,  both  in  Latin,  Anglo-Norman,  and  English,  it  may  be 
worth  while  to  say  something  about  it. 

It  is  one  of  those  curious  words  of  which  the  origin  and  primary  signifi- 
cation are  veiy  doubtful.  It  was  certainly  applied  to  a  particular  class  of  people, 
and  a  class  which  seems  to  have  been  dependant  on  the  household  of  the 
great.  Giraldus  Cambrensis,  when  telling  his  various  troubles  and  persecu- 
tions ("Wliarton,  Anglia  Sacra,  vol.  iii.  p.  575),  speaks  thus  of  the  witnesses 
brought  against  him  by  his  enemies  : — "  Archidiaconus  (i.  e.  Giraldus  himself) 
autem  statim,  productis  testibus  illis  coram  auditoribus  ad  jurandum,  jiroposuit 
in  singulorum  personas  se  dicturum  ;  in  canonicos  Menevenses  tanquam  per- 
juros  et  excommunicatos,  in  monachos  tanquam  trutannos  et  domonim  suaruni 
desertores,  in  ribaldos  tanquam  vilissimos  et,  sicut  cseteri  cuncti,  mercede 
conductos."  And  again,  on  the  next  page,  "  Et  testium  multitudinem  de  gar- 
cionibus  et  ribaldis  partis  adversse,  qui  omnes  jurare  parati  fuerant  et  testi- 

ficare trutannus  ille  vilissimus  id  totum  faciebat ;  qui  et  ribaldos  suos 

cunctos  ad  hoc   probandum  simul  cum  ijjso  mittebat Videns   igitur 

archidiaconus  ribaldos   illos  ad   nutum  dominorum   suorum  quidlibet    probare 

paratos Sciens   itaque    si  probatio  ribaldica  procederet ribaldica 

multitudo,  etc."  They  seem  to  have  been  the  lowest  class  of  retainers,  perhaps 
men  without  any  certain  appointment,  who  had  no  other  mode  of  living  than 
following  the  courts  of  the  Barons,  and  who  were  employed  on  all  kinds  of 
disgraceful  and  wicked  actions.  One  authority  quoted  by  Ducange  couples 
"  parasitos  atque  ribaldos."  A  story  quoted  from  a  MS.  at  Berne,  by  Sinner 
(Catalogus,  torn.  i.  p.  272),  shows  us  that  a  goliard  belonged  to  the  class  of 
ribalds  :  now  a  goliard  seems  to  have  been  only  another  name  for  a  jongleur 
(joculator),  or  one  who  attended  the  tables  of  the  rich  to  amuse  the  guests  by 
jokes,  buffoonery,  and  mountebank  tricks.  An  ecclesiastical  statute  quoted  in 
Ducange  (v.  Goliardus)  says,  "item  prsecipimus  quod  clerici  non  sint  jocu- 
lator es,  goliardi,  sen  biifones ;"  and  another  commands,  "  quod  clerici  r?6aW», 
maxime  vero  qui  dicuntur  de  familia  golim,  per  episcopos  ....  tondere  prse- 
nipiantur."  Matthew  Paris,  sub  an.  1229,  says,  "  quidam  famuli,  velmancipia, 
CAMD.   SOC.  6.  .3    B 


370  NOTES. 

vel  illi  quos  solemus  goliardenses  appellare,  versus  ridicules  componebant." 
In  this  last  passage  we  find  them  classed  with  the  famuli,  or  household  re- 
tainers. This  class  appears,  at  least  in  France,  to  have  enjoyed  certain  popvdar 
rights  or  privileges.  In  a  very  curious  charter  of  the  year  1380,  printed  in 
Ducange,  we  find  one  Antony  de  Sagiac  "  se  gerens  pro  rihaldo,  et  se  dicens 
de  ordine  seu  de  statu  goliardorum,  seu  buffonum,"  claiming  a  fine  of  five 
pence  upon  incontinent  women,  and  accused  of  trying  to  extract  money  from 
a  woman,  whom  he  accused  wrongfully,   on   this  account,    "  de   talique  et  alio 

vili  questu,  quern  sub  umbra  ribaldice,  goliurdicE,  seu  huffonia  ejusmodi 

vivebat."  In  the  household  of  the  King  of  France  there  was  a  rex  rihaldorum, 
whose  office  was  to  judge  disputes,  &c.  which  might  occur  among  the  retainers 
of  his  class,  and  who  had  also  a  jurisdiction  over  the  public  stews.  As  the 
lives  of  this  class  of  men  were  set  at  a  small  value  by  their  masters,  they  were 
commonly  exposed  to  the  first  brunt  of  battle  in  the  wars,  and  the  name  is 
sometimes  given  to  the  body  which  is  now  called  the  forlorn  hope  in  the 
attack  of  a  town.  The  ribaldi  who  accompanied  the  army  were  also  employed 
in  plundering  and  destroying  the  counti-y.  As  they  were  people  of  vile  life 
and  condition,  the  term  ribald  came  gradually  into  use  as  a  common  appella- 
tion for  a  low  and  infamous  person,  and  was  used,  as  in  the  present  instance, 
as  an  epithet  of  contempt  and  degradation. 

P.  I'ZS,  I.  \,pepulere. — The  MS.  haiS pepnlare. 

P.  130,  I.  8,  Plebs  devicia /remit.— AUnding  to  the  rising  at  Chesterfield, 
the  occupation  of  the  Isles  of  Axholme  and  Ely,  and  other  insurrections. 

^.11,  Urbs  Londoniensis. — The  Earl  of  Gloucester,  dissatisfied  with  the 

King's  proceedings  after  the  battle  of  Evesham,  had  taken  up  arms  and  esta- 
blished himself  at  London,  the  citizens  of  which  joined  his  party  readily,  as 
they  were  themselves  enraged  against  the  King  for  having  deprived  them  of  their 
charter. 

P.  131,  I.  2,  Francorvm  regis  germamis  rex  Siculorum. — Prince  Edward 
left  England  in  July,  1270,  to  join  the  King  of  France,  Saint  Louis,  in  his 
expedition  to  the  Holy  Land.  Louis  was  persuaded  by  his  brother,  Charles, 
then  King  of  Sicily,  to  turn  aside,  in  order  to  make  war  on  the  Bey  of  Tunis, 
from  whom  he  claimed  a  tribute.  Louis  died  at  Carthage  of  a  disease  pro- 
duced by  the  climate  ;  and  when  Prince  Edward  and  his  English  army  arrived, 


NOTES.  371 

they  found  their  ally  dead,  and  the  King  of  Sicily,  who  had  made  advantageous 
terms  with  the  Bey,  ready  to  return  home.  Charles,  who  hastened  to  take 
possession  of  the  throne  of  France,  refused  to  proceed  in  the  crusade,  and  Ed- 
ward, who  was  obliged  to  go  edone,  went  over  10  Sicily,  and  wintered  at  Tra- 
peni.  Here,  on  the  night  of  December  23,  the  day  after  their  arrival,  occurred 
the  terrible  storm  alluded  to  in  the  Poem.  Early  in  the  spring,  Edward,  with  his 
small  army,  proceeded  on  their  voyage,  and  landed  at  Acre. 

P.  132,  /.  5,  Accon  respirat. — Acre  was  besieged  by  Bondocar,  Sultan  of 
Babylon,  who  was  preparing  to  take  the  place  by  assault,  at  the  moment  when 
Edward  arrived  to  raise  the  siege. 

I.  9,  Assessinus  Veteris  de  Monte. — On  the  Old  Man  of  the  Mountain, 

and  the  Assassins,  or  Assessins,  much  information  will  be  found  in  a  popular 
form,  in  the  Marquis  of  ViUeneuve-Traus,  Histoire  de  St.  Louis. 

/.  ]  6'. — This  seems  to  be  a  new  testimony  against  the  truth  of  the  story 

which  makes  Edward's  Queen  suck  the  poison  from  his  wound.  A  song  made 
on  the  occasion  would  hardly  have  failed  to  mention  such  a  circumstance,  if  it 
had  been  known. 

I.  17,  Thomam  de  Wyta. — This  writer's  name  is  not  found  in  Tanner. 

P.  135,  /.  13,  comencent. — Probably  an  error  of  the  scribe  for  comencement. 

P.  136,  /.  4,  vironum. — The  MS.  has  virronum.  Viro  i.  given  by  Ducange 
as  synonymous  with  haro,  and  is  supposed  to  be  derived  from  vir. 

P.  137,  II.  15,  16,  sonme  ..  prodhonme. — In  old  manuscripts  it  is  quite  im- 
possible to  say  whether  the  scribe  meant  n  or  u,  unless  we  know  otherwise 
which  it  ought  to  be,  and  the  n  in  words  of  the  form  of  those  just  quoted  may 
perhaps  be  intended  for  u.  But  I  am  rather  inclined  to  think  such  was  not  the 
case. 

P.  138,  I.  34,  Symprinyham. — The  order  of  Sempringham,  commonly  called 
Gilbertine  canons,  was  founded  by  Sir  Gilbert  de  Sempringham,  in  the  first 
half  of  the  twelfth  century.  One  of  its  pecuUarities  was  the  establishment  of 
monks  and  nuns  in  the  same  house,  though  their  different  habitations  were  care- 
fully separated,  and  all  intercourse  between  them  strictly  forbidden. 

Nigellus  Wireker  speaks  of  this  as  a  newly  established  order,  and  satirizes 
the  near  collocation  of  nuns  and  monks  in  a  spirit  similar  to  that  of  our  song  : — 


372  NOTES. 

Canonici  missas  tautum,  reliquumque  sorores 

Explent ;  officii  debita  jura  sui. 
Corpora,  non  voces,  murus  disjungit,  in  unura 

Psallant  directe  psalmitis  absque  metro. 

And  again,  in  describing  his  own  order,  he  says,  archly, — 

Quid  de  Semplingama  ?  quantum  ?  vel  qualia  sumam  ? 

Nescio,  nam  nova  res  me  dubitare  facit. 
Hoc  tamen  ad  prsesens  nulla  ratione  remittam, 

Namque  necem  nimis  fratribus  esse  reor ; 
Quod  nunquam  nisi  clam,  nullaque  sciente  sororum. 

Cum  quocunque  suo  fratre  manere  licet. 

P.  139,  I.  61,  De  Beverleye. — The  monks  of  Beverley  were  Franciscans. 

P.  140,  ^.71,  De  Hospitlers. — The  order  of  Knights  Hospitalers,  founded 
during  the  first  crusades,  was  introduced  into  England  about  the  year  1100. 
They  were  laymen,  and,  from  an  humble  beginning,  they  became  exceedingly 
rich  and  proud.  In  the  Patent  Rolls  (45  Edw.  III.)  we  find  that  the  King 
"  constituit  Ricardum  de  Everton  visitatorem  Hospitalis  S.  Joannis  Jerusalem 
in  Anglia  ad  reprimendam  religiosorum  insolentiam,  et  ad  obsei-vandam  religio- 
sorum  honestatem."     See  Ellis's  Dugdale,  vol.  vi.  p.  786. 

I.  79,  De  Chanoynes. — The  regular  canons  were  a  less  strict  order  than 

the  other  monks  in  general,  and  followed  the  rule  of  St.  Augustine.  One  of 
the  rules  of  their  order  was  expressed  simply  thus — "  Carnem  vestram  domate 
jejuniis  et  abstinentia  escse  quantum  valetudo  permittit."  They  appear  to  have 
been  particularly  enjoined  frequent  abstinence  from  flesh.  However,  at  the 
time  when  this  song  was  written,  they  seem  not  to  have  observed  their  rule  in 
this  respect  very  strictly.  Rutebeuf  says  of  them  (Jubinal's  Rutebeuf,  vol.  i. 
p.  239)  — 

En  I'ordre  des  canoines  qu'on  dist  Saint-Augustin, 
lis  vivent  a  plente,  sans  noise  et  sans  hustin. 
Je  lo  que  leur  sovi^gne  au  soir  et  au  matin 
Que  la  chars  bien  nourie  porte  a  I'ame  venin. 

P.  141,  I.  95,  de  Moyne  Neirs. — The  Black  Monks  were  the  Benedictines. 
P.  142,  /.  115,  Des  Chanoygnes  Seculers. — The  luxury  of  the  secular  canons 
is  often  alluded  to  by  the  early  satirists.     NigeUus  Wireker  says  of  them — 


NOTES.  373 

lllud  prsecipue  tameu  instituere,  tenendum 

Omnibus  in  tota  posteritate  sua, 
Lex  vetus  ut  suasit,  ne  quilibet  absque  sua  sit, 

Et  quod  quisque  suas  possit  habere  duas. 
Hi  sunt  qui  mundum  cum  flore  cadente  tenentes, 

Ne  sic  marcescat,  ssepe  rigare  student. 
Hi  sunt  qui  faciunt  quidquid  petulantia  carnis 

Imperat,  ut  vitiis  sit  via  prona  suis. 

Rutebeuf  (ed.  Jubinal,  vol.  i.  p.  239)  says  that  there  were  many  of  them — 


qui  ont  grant  signorie, 

Qui  poi  font  por  amis  et  £isses  por  amie. 

P.  143,  /.  133,  Gris  Moignes. — Perhaps  the  Cistercians.  In  a  poem  on  the 
Grey  Monks,  De  Grisis  Monachis  (MS.  Cotton.  Yespas.  A.  xix.  fol.  56,  r"), 
which  will  be  found  among  the  works  of  Walter  Mapes,  they  are  ridiculed  for 
the  same  arrangement  of  clothing, — 

Carent  femoralibus  partes  turpiores, 
Veneris  ut  usibus  sint  paratiores, 
Castitatis  legibus  absolutiores  ; 
In  cunctis  hominibus  nulli  sunt  pejores. 

The  AIM  Monachi  are  similarly  satirized  by  Nigellus  Wireker  for  going  without 
breeches.     The  Friars  de  Sacco  wore  no  breeches  under  their  robes. 

P.  144,  /.  154,  VOrdre  de  Cilence. — Perhaps  the  Carthusian  monks,  a  branch 
of  the  Benedictines,  whose  order,  which  was  peculiarly  strict,  was  introduced 
into  England  by  Henry  II.  They  were  enjoined  to  live  in  separate  cells,  and 
to  keep  very  strict  silence,  and  have  little  communication  with  each  other. 

/.  169,  Les  Frere  Menoum. — The  Friars  Minors  were  better  known  as 

Franciscans,  and  in  France  as  the  Cordeliers.  Their  order  enjoined,  above  all 
things,  poverty  and  humility.  They  were  not  to  ride  when  travelling,  unless 
some  manifest  necessity  or  infirmity  obliged  them.     See  Dugdale,  vi.  1505. 

P.  145,  /.  188. — The  MS.  has  en  autre,  which  seems  to  be  a  mere  error  for 
ne  autre. 

P.  146,  /.  194,  des  Prechours. — The  preaching  friars  were  the  Dominicans, 
called,  in  France,  Jacobins,  This  order  was  introduced  into  England  in  1'.'21. 
Rutebeuf  says  that  instead  of  adhering  to  their  primitive  humility  and  poverty, 


374  NOTES. 

the  Jacobins  became  the  richest  and  most  overbearing  of  all  the  orders.  Jubinal, 
vol.  i.  pp.  152,  175—179. 

P.  148,  I.  240,  devyns  seems  to  be  a  mere  variation  of  devys,  thus  spelt  in 
order  to  accommodate  the  rhyme. 

P.  149.  Song  of  the  Husbandman. — This  Song  is  in  many  parts  ex- 
tremely difficult  to  translate,  from  the  numerous  words  in  it  which  do  not  occur 
elsewhere,  as  well  as  from  the  abruptness  of  the  phraseology.  The  same  may 
be  said  of  one  or  two  other  songs  printed  from  the  same  manuscript. 

P.  154,  I.  14,  halymotes. — This  word  means  literally  holy  meetings.  It  is 
translated  sabbath,  in  the  supposition  that  there  is  some  allusion  to  the  popular 
notion  of  the  festive  meetings  of  the  devils  and  the  witches. 

P.  160.  Song  on  the  Scottish  Wars. — The  copy  of  this  Song  pre- 
served among  the  manuscripts  of  Clare  Hall  was  first  pointed  out  by  Mr.  Hunter, 
in  the  Appendix  to  the  last  Report  of  the  Record  Commission.  I  have  obtained 
a  copy  of  part  of  it  by  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Halliwell,  who  was  unable  from 
different  circumstances  to  continue  his  transcript  beyond  the  72nd  line.  The 
Oxford  MS.  I  only  know  through  Mr.  Halliwell's  description  of  it :  to  judge 
by  the  articles  contained  in  this  MS.,  I  should  be  inclined  to  think  tliey  were 
mostly  copied  from  the  Cottonian  MS.  Titus  A.  xx.  In  the  Cottonian  MS., 
Claudius  D.  vi.  this  poem  bears  the  title  "  Commendatio  Gentis  Anglorum  et 
processus  guerrse  inter  Anglos  et  Scotos."  In  the  Clare  Hall  MS.  the  Song  is 
attributed  to  the  "  Prior  de  Blithe."  The  Prior  of  Blythe,  in  Nottingham- 
shire, at  this  time,  was  William  Burdon.  See  Ellis's  Dugdale,  iv.  621.  The 
MS.  in  the  Sloane  Library  seems  to  be  a  transcript  from  a  monastic  register, 
perhaps  of  Alnwick,  in  Northumberland,  for  the  reference  in  the  margin  is, 
"  Regist.  Prem.  fol.  59,  a."  It  is  there  attributed  to  the  Prior  of  Alnwick. 
Tlie  origmal  title  seems  to  have  been  "  Rithmus  bonus  de  bello  Scotiae  ad 
Dunbarre ;"  which  the  transcriber  had  first  copied,  and  then,  after  erasing 
it,  substituted  the  following,  "  Prioris  Alnwicensis  de  Bello  Scotico  apud 
Dunljarr,  tempore  regis  Edwardi  I.,  dictamen  sive  rithmus  Latinus ;  quo  de 
Willielmo  Wallace,  Scotico  illo  Robin  Whood,  plura,  sed  invidiose,  canit." 
Ritson,  in  his  preface  to  Robin  Hood,  was  misled  by  this  latter  title,  and  cites 
it  as  a  proof  that  this  hero  was  popular  in  the  thirteenth  century.     In  MS. 


I 


NOTES.  375 

Cotton.  Titus  A.  xx.  a  hand  of  the  sLxteenth  century  ascribes  this  poem  to 
Robert  Baston. 

It  will  already  have  been  observed  by  the  reader,  that,  in  verse  of  this  kind, 
the  fourth  line  of  each  tetrastich  is  an  hexameter  (sometimes  a  pentameter), 
taken  from  some  poet  then  popular,  and  often  from  a  classic  writer.  In  the 
MS.  from  which  the  Sloane  transcript  was  made,  the  authorities  for  the  hexa- 
meters, in  the  present  Song,  were  indicated  in  the  margin.  They  are  as 
follows:—/^.  4,  Morus.—S,  Cato.—fS,  Ca(o.—i]2,  Poetria.—f\6,  Oracius. 
— 12,  Cato. — 16,  Doctrinale. — 20,  Doctrinale. — 24,  De  propria. — 28,  Doctri- 
nale. — 32,    Cariul. — 36,    Urbanus. — 40,   Doctrinale. — 44,   Moms. — 48,  7'^eo- 

dorus. — 52,  De  propria. — 56,    Vulgat. — 60,  Fic — 64,  Vulgat. — 68, 

Buliardus. — 72,    Oracius. — 76,   Oracius. — 80,  Oracius. — 84,    Cato. — 88,    Ovi- 

dius 92,  Doctrinale.— dG,   Cato. — 100,    Cato. — 104,   Ovidius.—\0%,   Cato. — 

112,  Ca^o.— 116,  Cato.  (?)— 120,  Ca^o.— 124,  Ca/o.— 128,  C«^o.— 132,  Doctri- 
na/e.— 136,  Cato.—\AO,  Cato.—\A4,  Poeta.—\A%,  Poeta.—l52,  Orasius.— 
156,  Virgilius. — 160,  Statins. — tl64,  Oratius. — tl68,  Teodorus.~\QA,  Ome- 
rus. — 168,  Ovid.  Omer. — 172,  Cartul. — 176,  Veritas  evangelica. — 180,  De 
propria.  — 184,  Ovidiiis. — 188,  Vulgat. — 192,  Doctrinale. — 196,  Vulgat. — 200, 
Doctrinale.— ^QA,  Idem, — 208,  Oracius.— 212,  De  Vulg.—2\6,  Doctrinale. — 
220,  Amianus. 

In  the  above  list  of  names,  Poetria  refers  to  the  celebrated  work  of  Gal- 
fridus  de  Vinesauf.  Pacta  seems  to  be  a  mere  error  of  the  scribe  for  Poetria. 
Doctrinale  is  here  only  another  name  for  the  Paralolce  of  Alanus  de  Insuhs. 
Cato  refers  to  the  well-known  Disticha.  De  propria  means  that  the  verse  is 
of  the  author's  own  making. 

P.  164,  I.  44,  Joannis,  John  Baliol.—  In  the  Cottonian  MS.  Claudius  D.  vi. 
the  following  lines  are  here  inserted,  which  evidently  do  not  belong  to  the 
poem : 

"  Exprohratio  Scotorum. 
Caude  causantur,  regnarunt,  apocapantur  ; 
Privantur  caude,  fas  fandi,  Scotia,  plaude. 

Responsio  Anglorum. 
Scotia  scotabit  strebse,  Scotus  vix  latitabit ; 
Anglia,  jam  pange,  fas  fandi,  Scotia,  plange." 


376  NOTES. 

P.  168,  /.  102,  Johannem  Warennice. — This  was  the  same  John  de  Warenne, 
Earl  of  Surrey,  who,  staunch  to  the  party  of  Henry  III.,  had  escaped  from  the 
battle  of  Lewes.  He  commanded  the  English  army  at  the  battle  of  Dunbar, 
was  afterwards  made  Governor  or  Guardian  of  Scotland,  and  was  again  at  the 
head  of  the  English  forces  when  they  were  defeated  at  Stirling. 

P.  169,  Quod  Trentam  non  transient. — The  King  had  carried  with  him  to 
London  the  Scottish  knights  whom  he  most  suspected,  and,  before  he  went  to 
Flanders,  he  exacted  from  them  solemn  oaths  that  during  his  absence  they 
would  not  repass  the  Trent  without  his  permission. 

P.  170,  /.  138,  ad  Strivelyne. — The  battle  of  Stirling  was  fought  on  Thursday 
the  11th  of  September,  1297. 

P.  171, 1.  141,  comes  dux  Angloriim. — The  Earl  of  Surrey  (Warenne). 

/.  147 ,  Levenax  et  Ricardus  Lundi. — For  an  account  of  this  reverse, 

and  the  part  which  the  Earl  of  Levenax  (Lennox)  and  Richard  Lundi  acted, 
see  Knighton,  in  Twisden,  coll.  2516,  et  seq. 

P.  172,  I.  163. — This  line  is  evidently  corrupt ;  but,  as  it  is  only  found  in  one 
MS.,  I  have  no  means  of  correcting  it. 

P.  173,  /.  163,  Cremare  Northumbriam. — The  invasion  of  Northumberland 
and  the  burning  of  Hexham  and  Corbridge  are  told  by  Matthew  of  Westminster, 
p.  427.  See  also  Peter  Langtoft,  in  the  present  volume,  p.  287  ;  and  Knighton, 
coll.  2520,  et  seq.     None  of  them  mention  the  damages  done  at  Alnwick. 

/,  167,  Vesey,  Morley,  Somervile,  Bertram. — The  poet  seems  to  refer 

to  members  of  those  families  who  had  distinguished  themselves  in  opposing  the 
inroads  of  the  Scots  at  different  periods,  but  who  were  dead  at  the  time  of  this 
invasion. 

I.  186,  Wiilelmo  datum  est  militare  pignus. — On  his  return  from  the 

expedition  into  England,  Wallace  was  solemnly  installed  Guardian  of  Scotland. 

P.  176,  I.  20?,,  die  Magdalence.— The  battle  of  Falkirk,  so  fatal  to  the  Scots, 
was  fought  on  St.  Mary  Magdalen's  day,  the  22nd  of  July,  1298. 

/.  211,  trutannus. — This  word  is  the  origin  of  the  modern  word  truant. 

Its  primary  meaning  has  not  been  accurately  ascertained,  but  it  seems  to  have 
been  most  generally  used  for  a  person  who  wandered  about,  and  gained  his 
living  by  false  pretences,  or  passed  himself  under  a  different  character  to  that 
which  really  belonged  to  him.     It  is  applied  sometimes  to  abbots  or  priors  who 


NOTES.  377 

lived  abroad  and  neglected  their  monasteries,  or  to  monks  who  had  quitted 
their  houses,  as  in  the  passage  of  Giraldus,  quoted  at  p.  369. 

P.  178,  I.  234,  Maryaretam  reginam. — Edward  married,  in  second  nuptials, 
Margaret,  sister  of  the  King  of  France. 

I-  243,  Comyn,  Karryk,  UrnfraviUc — Three  of  the   most  active  leaders 

of  the  Scots  in  their  opposition  to  Edward.  The  Earl  of  Karrik  was  Robert 
Bruce.  Gilbert  de  Umfraville,  Earl  of  Angus,  had  been  one  of  Edward's 
Commissioners  for  manning  and  fortifying  the  castles  in  Scotland. 

P.  183,  I.  11,  collectio  lanarum.— The  oppressive  duty  upon  wool,  which 
was  the  staple  of  English  commerce  at  that  period,  was  severely  felt  and  com- 
plained of.  In  1296,  the  King  seized  all  the  wool  in  the  merchants'  ware- 
houses, and  sold  it  for  his  own  profit,  paying  for  it,  as  usual,  with  tallies,  and 
promises  to  repay  them  to  the  full.  "  Ministri  regis  omnes  saccos  lanse,  qui- 
narium  numerum  excedentes,  datis  talliis,  acceperunt  ad  opus  regis,  et  ab  uno- 
quoque  sacco,  numerum  quinarium  non  excedente,  ab  ipsis  eorum  dominis, 
nomine  malce  totcB,  xl.  solidos  extorserunt."     Hemiogford,  p.  110. 

P.  186,  /.  11,  de  fust  manger  (de  fusto  manducare). — In  low  Latin,  fustum 
was  a  generic  name  for  everything  made  of  wood.  It  need  hardly  be  said  that 
it  means  here  the  plates  and  other  utensils  of  the  table,  which  among  the  lower 
classes  were  generally  of  this  material.  It  would  be  more  reasonable,  says  the 
writer  of  the  song,  if  the  court  would  eat  out  of  wooden  vessels,  and  pay  for 
their  provisions  with  silver,  than  to  live  sumptuously  with  plate,  and  only  pay 
their  victuals  with  wooden  tallies. 

/.  13,  Est  vita  signum  pro  victu  solvere  lignum. — The  King's  pur- 
veyors were  a  great  grievance  to  the  peasantry.  In  the  curious  poem  of  "  King 
Edward  and  the  Shepherd  "  (printed  by  Hartshorne  from  a  MS.  in  the  Univer- 
sity Library,  Cambridge),  the  latter  personage  is  made  to  say  : — 

"In  Wynsour  was  I  borne  ; 
Hit  is  a  myle  but  here  beforne, 

The  town  then  maist  thou  see. 
I  am  so  pyled  with  the  Kyng, 
That  I  most  fle  fro  my  wonyng. 

And  therefore  woo  is  me. 
I  hade  catell,  now  have  I  non  ; 
Thay  take  my  bestis,  and  don  thaim  slon. 
And  payen  but  a  stick  of  ire." 
CAMD.  SOC.  (').  -^   C 


378  NOTES. 

And  when  the  King,  in  disguise,  promises  to  obtain  redress,  the  Shepherd  pro- 
ceeds— 

"  Sir,"  he  seid,  "  be  seynt  Edmonde, 
Ther  is  owand  .iiii.  pounde 
And  odd  twa  schillyng. 
A  stikke  I  have  to  my  witnesse, 
Off  hasill  I  mene  that  hit  is, 
I  ne  have  non  other  thyng. 

Thei  do  but  gode,  the  kynges  men, 
Tliei  ar  worse  then  sicli  ten 

That  bene  with  hym  no  dell. 
Thei  goo  aboute  be  .viij.  or  nyne. 
And  done  the  husbondes  mycuU  pyne, 

That  carfuU  is  their  mele. 
Thei  take  geese,  capons,  and  henne, 
And  alle  that  ever  thei  may  with  renne, 

And  reves  us  our  catell. 
Sum  of  them  was  bonde  sore. 
And  afturwarde  honget  therfore. 

For  soth  as  I  you  say. 
jet  ar  ther  of  them  nyne  moo  ; 
For  at  my  hows  thei  were  also, 

Certis,  jisturday. 
Thei  toke  my  hennes  and  my  geese. 
And  my  schepe  with  all  the  fleese. 

And  ladde  them  forth  away. 
Be  my  dojtur  thei  lay  al  nyjt. 
To  come  agayne  thei  have  me  hyjt ; 

Of  helpe  I  wolde  yow  pray. 
With  me  thei  lefte  alle  their  thyng, 
That  I  am  sicur  of  theire  comyng. 

And  that  me  rewes  sore. 
I  have  fayre  chamburs  thre  ; 
But  non  of  them  may  be  with  me 

While  that  thei  be  thore. 
Into  my  cart-hows  thei  me  dryfe  ; 
Out  at  the  dur  thei  put  my  wyfe. 

For  she  is  olde  gray-hare." 

P.  187.     Song  on  the  Flemish  Insurrection. — This  Song  was  printed 
by  Ritiion,  in  his  Ancient  Songs. 


NOTES.  379 

P.  188,  /.  16,  Peter  Conyng .—fettr  Coning  (in  English,  Peter  King,)  was 
a  weaver  of  Bruges.  A  brief  account  of  this  insurrection  is  given  in  Matthew 
of  Westminster,  p.  444.  See,  for  a  more  complete  narrative,  Michelet's  Histoire 
de  France,  vol.  iii.  p.  76. 

P.  189,  /.  8,  avowerie.— This  is  the  low  Latin  advocaria.  See  Ducange, 
in  voce. 

/.  11,  ;^0M.— The  MS.  has  hout. 

P.  189,  /.  17,  to  clynken  Imere  basyns  of  bras. — This  circumstance  occurred 
on  the  21st  March,  1302,  at  the  beginning  of  the  insurrection.  In  the  towns 
of  Flanders,  as  in  the  boroughs  in  England,  the  people  were  called  up  in  an 
insurrection  by  the  soimd  of  the  church  bell.  There  was  a  famous  distich  on  the 
bell  of  Roland,  at  Bruges — 

Roelandt,  Roelandt,  als  ick  kleppe  dan  ist  brandt, 
Als  ick  luye,  dan  ist  storm  in  Vlaeuderlandt. 

On  the  present  occasion,  the  people  dared  not  go  to  their  bell,  on  account  of 
their  French  governors,  so  they  beat  their  brass  basins  : — cumque  ad  campanam 
civitatis  non  auderent  accedere,  pelves  suas  pulsantes  ....  omnem  multitudinem 
concitarent.     Meyer,  Annal.  in  a.  1301,  p.  90. 

P.  191,  I.  9,   Conyng. — This  word,  in  English,  meant  a  rabbit,   and  is  here 
made  the  subject  of  a  pun.     In  Flemish,  it  signified  king. 

P.  193,  II.  17,  18,  Awey  thou  ^unge  pope .'  ....  Thou  hast  lore  thin  car- 
dinuls. — P.  194,  /.  2,  Do  the  forth  to  Rome. — An  allusion  to  the  dissensions 
between  the  Pope  and  the  family  of  the  Colonnas. — "  Illis  etiam  diebus,  domi- 
nus  papa,  fidei  et  orationum  quae  erant  beati  Petri  oblitus,  assumens  quae  non 
erant  ejus,  tarn  aurum  videlicet  a  viduis  et  orphanis  quam  argentum,  non  viduis 
et  orphanis,  sed  militibus  bellicosis  illud  erogare  curavit,  contra  schema  quo- 
rundam  cardinalium,  eos  denique  degradando,  et  contra  regem  Siciliae  guerram 
movendo.  Sed  dicti  regis  exercitus  de  galeatis  turmis  domini  papse  multa 
millia  viriliter  necaverunt."  Matthew  of  Westminster,  p.  432.  This  was 
the  famous  Pope  Boniface  VIII.,  who  suffered  so  much  from  the  persecutions 
of  the  King  of  France. 

I.  7,  fot  tome,  probably  means /oo^-/a?we,  lame  of  foot.    It  occurs  again 

in  p.  335  of  the  present  volume. 


380  NOTES. 

p.  195.  A  Song  on  the  Times. — The  MS.  from  which  this  song  is  taken, 
MS.  Harl.  No.  913,  was  written  in  Ireland,  about  the  year  1308,  by  an  English 
inonk.  For  a  detailed  description  of  it,  see  Mr.  Crofton  Croker's  Popular  Songs 
of  Ireland. 

P.  196,  I.  19,  htblurs. — The  name  hoblurs  (hobellarii)  was  given  properly  to 
a  kind  of  light-armed  soldiers. 

P.  198,  /.  14,  geet. — This  word  should  probably  be  translated  goats,  rather 
than  kids. 

P.  199,  I.  7,  anone. — In  the  MS.  this  word  is  explained  by  the  original  scribe 
iu  the  margin  as  "at  one  time.'' 

P.  206.  Song  against  the  Scholastic  Studies. — In  the  Cottonian 
MS.  from  which  this  song  is  taken,  a  hand  of  the  16th  century  has  written  in 
the  margin  that  it  was  the  work  of  Robert  Baston. 

The  Oxford  MS.  was  pointed  out  to  me  by  Mr.  Halliwell,  but  I  have  not  been 
able  to  obtain  a  collation. 

P.  207,  I.  2,  proijere. — The  MS.  has  ppe,  the  meaning  of  which  is  not 
clear. 

/.  10,  Sicut  servus  Stichus. — This  name  was  given  to  a  servant  in  the 

Roman  comic  writers.     It  is  introduced  here  for  the  sake  of  rhyme. 

P.  208,  I.  2,  nullus.—ihe  MS.  has  unus. 

/.  10,   Thebanas  ....    vel  Trojanas  ccBdes. — Referring  to  the  Thebaid 

of  Statins,  and  the  poem  De  bello  Trojano  of  Joseph  of  Exeter,  both  of  them 
at  that  period  popular  reading  books. 

I.  16,  Telluris.—The  MS.  has  Celurns. 

P.  £09,  /.  4,  agro  ....  positis. — The  MS.  has  ager  Andpositus. 

P.  212.  Song  on  the  Execution  of  Sir  Simon  Eraser. — This  song 
was  printed  by  Ritson,  in  his  Ancient  Songs. 

P.  213,  I.  6,  The  Waleis. — Wallace  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  second  battle 
of  Dunbar,  in  1305,  and  was  executed  at  London  on  the  Eve  of  St.  Bartho- 
lomew, (Aug.  24)  130G.  The  places  to  which  his  quarters  were  sent  were 
Newcastle,  Berwick,  Perth,  and  Aberdeen. 

I.   10,   S'lmond  Frysel. — This  was  the  original  form  of  the  name  of 

Eraser,  and  is  the  way  in  which  it  is  spelt  in  all  the  English  documents. 

P.  215,  /.  14,  kgng  of  somere. — Matthew  of  Westminster  gives  a  popular 


NOTESc  381 

story,  that  Bruce's  queen  had  told  him  in  derision,  he  was  but  a  summer  king, 
and  that  his  kingdom  would  scarcely  last  in  the  winter.    See  Holinshed,  p.  31-4. 

P.  215,  /.  9,  Sire  Edward  of  Carnarvan. — The  Prince  of  Wcdes. 

P.  216,  /.  10,  Sir  Emer  de  Valence. — Aylmer  de  Valence,  second  Earl  of 
Pembroke,  a  Baron  who  was  frequently  occupied  in  the  Scottish  wars,  and 
who  was  appointed  by  Edward  to  be  one  of  the  guardians  of  his  son,  Edward  II. 

/.  19,  the  hatayle  of  Kyrkenclyff. — Fought,  according  to  Holinshed,  on 

the  nest  Sunday  after  Midsummer  day,  1306. 

/.  lo.  Sire  Thomas  of  Multone. — Thomas  de  Multon,  of  Egremond,  in 

Cumberland.     He  was  active  in  the  Scottish  wars  of  this  reign. 

P.  218,  I.  IT,  Sire  Herbert  of  Morham. — Apparently  a  mere  error  of  the 
scribe  for  Norham.     jNIatthew  of  Westminster  relates  the  same  anecdote. 

P.  219, 1.  13,  oure  Levedy  even. — The  seventh  of  September,  1306. 

I.  16,  Sire  Raiifof  Sondwyche. — Ralph  de  Sandwich  was  constable  of 

the  Tower  of  London  (constabularius  turris  London). 

P.  221,  I.  7,  a  curtel  of  hurel. — Burellus,  in  low  Latin,  bureau  or  burel  in 
old  French,  was  a  kind  of  coarse  and  common  cloth. 

P.  222,  /.  9,  tv.-brugge. — Perhaps  this  word  means  a  drawbridge.  It  occurs 
again  in  Robert  of  Gloucester,  p.  543  : — 

"  And  the  castel  brugge  out  of  the  med  he  bamde  fram  then  ende 
To  the  tu-brugge  along,  vor  me  ne  ssolde  out  wende." 

Which  means  probably  that  he  burnt  all  that  part  of  the  bridge  on  the  meadow 
side  up  to  the  place  where  its  communication  with  the  rest  was  cut  off  by  the 
raising  of  the  drawbridge. 

P.  223,  I.  6,  Erl  of  Asseles.— John  de  Strathbogie,  Eari  of  Athol.  He  also 
was  captured  and  executed. 

/.  18,   Tprot,  Scot,  for  thi  strif! — The  word  tprot  appears  to  be  a 

mere  exclamation  of  contempt.  In  a  poem  on  "  The  Propertees  of  the  Shyres 
of  Engelond,"  printed  by  Hearne  in  the  Introduction  to  the  fifth  volume  of 
Leland's  Itinerary,  we  find  it  used,  as  here,  against  the  Scots : — 

"  Northumbrelond  hasty  and  hoot ; 
Westmerlond /jur«^  5'co//e."' 

It  will  be  found  similarly  used  in  a  passage  quoted  in  a  note  further  on  (p.  391). 


382  NOTES. 

In  Sir  Thomas  de  la  More's  Chronicle,  it  is  applied  to  King  Edward  II. :  — 
"  Tprut !  Sire  King  !"  It  seems  to  be  taken  from  the  French  :  in  Jean  Bodel's 
Jeu  de  S.  Nicolas  (Theatre  Fran9ais  au  Moyen-Age,  edited  by  MM.  Mon- 
merqu6  and  Michel)  it  is  put  in  the  mouths  of  the  common  gamblers  in  a 
public-house : — 

"  Tproupt  !  tproupt  '  bevons  hardiement ; 
Ne  faisons  si  le  coc  emplat." — (p.  183.) 

And  again,  immediately  after  (p.  184)  : — 

"  Tproupt  !  tproupt !  oil  que  soit  pass6,  Diex  !" 

P.  223,  ^.21,  with  the  longe  shonkes. — King  Edward,  still  known  popularly 
as  Edward  Long-shanks. 

P.  224.  Song  on  the  Venality  of  the  Judges. — After  this  song  was 
printed,  I  found  another  copy  of  it  in  MS.  Reg.  12,  c.  xii.  fol.  1,  v".  of  reign 
of  Edw.  II.,  written  likewise  as  prose,  which  presents  the  following  variations  : 
— P.  224,  II.  1,2,  esuriunt  \  Et  faciunt  justitiam  \  et  od. — 7 ,  exhennia. — 9,  this 
line  is  omitted,  and  the  following  begins  Sed  quce, — 11,  et  aure  non. — 13,  Sed 
modo  miro  more. — 15,  adperic. — 17,  ambiant. — P.  225,  I.  1,  hmc. — 7,  nam  is 
omitted. — 8,  Quisensum. — 9,eipure. — 14,  Quid  ergo  Jhesu  hone. — P.  226, 1.  1, 
accedit. — 2,  secretins. — 7,  potest. — II.  12-18  are  placed  after  /.  10  in  the  next 
page. — \A,dona. — 15,  et  hoc  pro  I. — 17,  quamvis  prius. — 19,  Si  qucedam  pulcra 
nobilis  \  decora  vet  am. — P.  227,  l-  2,  hoc. — 12,  ut  exprimant. — 13,  vocantur. — 
\A,  priores. — 18,  Sed  quid. — P.  228,  /.  1,  quid  labor  as. — 2,  quidfacis. — ii,ibis 
Omere,foras. — 9,  De  vinctibus. — 11,  enumerare. — 19,  Est  salsum  totum.  This 
MS.  ends  with  this  verse. 

I.  7,  encennia. — This  word  answers  as  nearly  as  may  be  to  the  modern 

Tivord  jeivels.  The  other  MS.,  of  which  the  variations  are  given  above,  reads 
exennia,  i.  e.  treasures. 

P.  225,  I.  17,  cedunt. — In  the  MS.  the  scribe  has  written  over  this  word 
*'  i.  re,"  that  is,  "  i.  e.  recedunt." 

P.  226,  I.  21,  cum  capite  cormtto. — The  head  dress  of  the  ladies  of  rank  and 
fashion  at  this  period  was  arranged  in  the  form  of  two  horns. 

P.  22" ,  /.  13,  relatores,  "  qui  querelam  ad  judices  referunt."     Ducange. 

P.  229,  /.  13,  transmittantur. — The  MS.  has  transmutantur. 


NOTES.  383 

p.  229,  /.  18,  averia.—T\\e  term  averium  is  commonly  used  to  signify  all 
kinds  of  moveable  property ;  but  more  particularly  to  signify  cattle  and  horses. 

P.  230,  /.  1,  clericos. — The  scribe  has  written  above  this  word,  in  the  MS. 
"  i.  pauperes." 

P.  231.  The  Outlaw's  Song  of  Trailebaston. — This  song  also  was 
printed  by  Sir  Francis  Palgrave  in  the  collection  mentioned  in  a  former  note. 
The  notion  that  the  judges  were  called  Trailebastons  on  account  of  the  hastiness 
of  their  proceedings,  is  quite  incorrect.  The  term  was  applied  not  to  the 
judges,  but  to  the  persons  judged,  who  received  this  name  because  they  carried 
with  them  long  staffs.  An  account  of  the  origin  of  the  Trailebastons  will  be 
found  in  the  extract  of  Peter  Langtoft,  at  p.  318  of  the  present  volume.  The 
proceedings  against  them  led  to  many  abuses,  and  were  often  made  the  means 
of  gratifying  personal  revenge.  The  statute  against  the  Trailebastons  was  con- 
tinued in  force  through  the  reigns  of  Edward  II.  and  Edward  III. 

P.  232,  I,  1,  souz. — In  old  French  and  Anglo-Norman,  the  word  sous  was 
not  used  in  its  present  sense,  but  represented  the  Latin  solidos. 

I.  7,  le  bois  de  Belregard. — Perhaps  a  fictitious  name,  invented  by  the 

poet. 

P.  233,  /.  3,  ly  Martyn ly  Knoville. — /.  5,  Spigurnel  ....  Belflour. — 

By  the  following  commission,  given  in  Rymer,  we  find  that  these  Barons  were 
the  commissioners  appointed  to  judge  the  Treiilebastons  in  the  western  counties 
of  England.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  Belflour  in  the  song  is  meant  for 
the  name  which  in  the  commission  is  Bellafagus.  This  document  is  curious, 
both  for  the  light  it  throws  on  the  subject,  and  for  the  circumstance  that  it 
fixes  the  period  at  which  the  song  was  written  ;  it  bears  date  at  Westminster, 
April  6,  1305. 

"  De  transgressionibus  nominatis  Trailbaston  audiendis  et  terminandis  per 
totum  regnum. — Rex  delectis  et  fidelibus  suis,  Wilielmo  Martyn,  Henrico  Spi- 
gurnell,  Wilielmo  de  Knovill,  Rogero  de  Bellafago,  et  Thomse  de  la  Hyde, 
salutem. — Quia  quamplures  malefactores,  et  pacis  nostrae  perturbatores,  homi- 
cidia,  deprsedationes,  incendia,  et  alia  dampna  quamplurima  nocte  dieque  per- 
petrantes,  vagantur  et  discurrunt  in  boscis,  in  parcis,  et  aliis  locis  diversis,  tarn 
infra  libertates  quam  extra,  in  comitatibus  Cornubise,  Devonise,  Sumersetise, 
Dorsetise,  Herefordise,  Wygornise,  Salopiae,   StafTordise,  Wiltes',  et  Suthamp- 


384  NOTES. 

tonise,  et  ibidem  receptantur,  in  maximum  periculum  tam  hominum  per  partes 
illas  transeuntium,  quam  ibidem  morantium,  et  nostri  contemptum,  ac  pacis 
nostrse  Isesionem  maiiifestam,  ut  accepimus  :  Per  quorum  incursus  poterunt 
pejora  prioribus  de  facili  evenire,  nisi  remedium  super  hoc  citius  apponatur  : 
Nos,  eorum  malitise  in  hac  parte  obviare,  et  hujusmodi  dampnis  et  periculis 
prsecavere  volentes,  assignavimus  vos  justiciaries  nostros  :  Ad  inquirendum,  per 
sacramentum  tam  militum  quam  aliorum  proborum  et  legalium  hominum  de 
comitatibus  prsedictis,  tam  infra  libertates  quam  extra,  per  quos  rei  Veritas 
melius  sciri  poterit,  qui  sunt  illi  malefactores,  et  eorum  scienter  receptatores, 
et  eis  consentientes,  vim  et  auxilium  praebentes,  seu  dictas  transgressiones  fieri 
procurantes  et  prsecipientes  :  Et  etiam  ad  inquirendum  de  illis,  qui  pro  muneribus 
suis  pactum  fecerunt  et  faciunt  cum  malefactoribus,  et  pacis  nostrse  perturbatori- 
bus,  et  eos  conduxerunt  et  conducunt  ad  verberandum,  vulnerandum,  male  tractan- 
tandum  et  interficiendum  plures  de  regno  nostro,  in  feriis,  mercatis,  et  aliis  locis, 
in  dictis  comitatibus,  pro  inimicitia,  invidia,  malitia,  et  etiam  pro  eo  quod  in  as- 
sisis,  juratis,  recognitionibus,  et  inquisitionibus  factis  de  feloniis,  positi  fuerunt, 
et  veritatem  dixerunt :  unde  per  conductionem  hujusmodi  malefactorum,  juratores 
assisarum,  juratorum  recognitionum,  et  inquisitionum  illarum,  prse  timore  dicto- 
rum  malefactorum  et  horum  minarum,  saepius  veritatem  dicere  seu  dictos  male- 
factores indictare  minime  aussi  fuerunt,  et  sunt :  Et  etiam  ad  inquirendum  de  illis 
qui  hujusmodi  munera  dederunt  et  dant :  et  quantum  et  quibus  :  et  qui  hujusmodi 
munera  receperunt  et  recipiunt :  et  a  quibus,  et  qualiter,  et  quo  modo  :  et  qui 
hujusmodi  malefactores  in  sua  malitia  fovent,  nutriunt,  et  manutenent  in  comi- 
tatibus prsedictis :  Et  etiam  de  illis,  qui,  ratione  potestatis  et  dominii  sui,  ali- 
quos  in  eorum  protectionem  et  advocationem  pro  suo  dando  susceperunt,  et 
adhuc  suscipiunt :  Et  de  illis  qui  pecuniam  ab  aliquo,  per  graves  minas  ei  factas, 
malitiose  extorserunt :  Et  ad  felonias  et  transgressiones  illas  audiendas  et  ter- 
minandas  secundum  legem  et  consuetudinem  regni  nostri,  et  juxta  formam  ordi- 
nationis  per  nos  et  consilium  nostrum  super  hoc  factse,  et  vobis  in  parliamento 
Dostro  liberatse  :  Et  etiam  ad  omnes  felonias  et  transgressiones,  de  quibus  in- 
quisitiones  coram  dilectis  et  fidelibus  nostris,  Henrico  de  Cobeham,  Thoma 
Paynel,  Hugone  de  Sancto  Philiberto,  et  Johanne  Randolf,  in  prsedictis  comi- 
tatibus WUtes '  et  Suthamtonise  factse  sunt,  et  per  vos,  si  necesse  fuerit, 
faciendse,  audiendas  et  terminandas  in  forma  praedicta  :"  etc. 


NOTES.  385 

p.  235, 1. 6,  escolaye,  answers  probably  to  a  low  Latin  word  excollectionem. 

P.  237.  A  Song  against  the  Retinues  of  the  Great  People. — Half 
of  this  song  is  written  in  the  original  in  short  lines,  and  the  other  half  in  long 
lines,  to  suit  the  convenience  of  the  MS.  It  contains  numerous  popular  words 
eind  phrases,  the  meaning  of  which  it  is  now  very  difficult  to  ascertain. 

P.  242,  I.  9,  Le  rei  de  Fraunce. — Edward  seems  to  have  long  cherished  the 
design  of  embarking  in  a  new  crusade,  which  had  been  strongly  advocated  by 
the  Pope,  but  he  had  been  hindered  by  his  continued  wars  and  embarrassments, 
which  the  writer  of  the  song  attributes  to  the  intrigues  of  the  King  of  France. 

P.  243,  I.  13,  A  Peiters  a  I'Ajjostoile. — Pope  Clement  the  Fifth,  who  was 
constantly  in  hostilities  with  his  Italian  subjects,  and  little  more  than  a  depend- 
ent on  France,  resided  a  great  part  of  his  pontificate  at  Poitiers. 

P.  245,  II.  5,  6,  Si  Aristotle  . .  .  e  Virgile. — Aristotle  and  Virgil  were  names 
in  great  repute  in  the  popular  literature  of  the  middle  ages,  and  were  the  sub- 
ject of  much  legend  and  romance. 

P.  246.  Elegy  on  the  Death  of  Edward  I. — This  song  had  been  already 
printed  in  Percy's  Reliques  of  Ancient  English  Poetry. 

P.  253.  On  the  King's  Breaking  his  Confirmation  of  Magna 
Charta. — This  curious  poem  is  reprinted  from  an  interesting  little  volume  of 
early  poetry,  edited  and  printed  privately  by  David  Laing,  Esq.  and  W.  B.  D. 
D.  TurnbuU,  Esq.  under  the  title  of  "  Owain  Miles,  and  other  Inedited  Frag- 
ments of  Ancient  English  Poetry."  8vo.     Edinburgh,  1837. 

I.  7,  thefeire. — Probably  the  fair  of  St.  Bartholomew. 

P.  254,  I.  5,  Of  .iiij.  tvise-meti. — This  was  a  very  popvdar  story,  and  found 
its  way  into  the  celebrated  Gesta  Romanorum.  It  also  occurs  frequently  in  a 
separate  and  different  form  in  manuscripts  of  the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth  cen- 
turies. The  sentences  of  the  wise  men  were  popular  sayings  independent  of  the 
tale,  and  are  sometimes  found  separately.  They  varied  at  different  periods, 
both  as  they  are  found  separately,  and  as  they  are  given  in  the  different  recen- 
sions of  the  story.  It  would  be  a  curious  and  interesting  work  to  collect  to- 
gether such  popular  political  proverbs  in  chronological  order.  I  have  met  with 
this  story  in  a  MS,  in  the  British  Museum  contemporary  with  the  present  song, 
in  which,  if  I  remember  right,  both  the  sayings  and  the  explanations  of  them 
are  given  in  full  both  in  English  and  Latin,  but  I  have  unfortunately  mislaid 
CAMD.  SOC.  6.  3d 


386  NOTES. 

my  reference  to  it.  The  following  is  taken  from  MS.  Reg.  .5  A.  vi.  fol  83  r°, 
of  the  end  of  the  14th  or  beginning  of  the  loth  cent.  A  more  modern  copy,  with 
rather  larger  commentary,  will  be  found  in  MS.  Harl.  No.  206,  fol.  38,  v°. 

"  Legitur  quendam  Regem  quondam  fuisse  qui  habuit  4°"^  Philosophos  in 
regno  suo.  In  quo  regno  multse  plagse,  multa  infortunia,  et  multi  defectus 
fiebant  in  populis.  Rex  autem  videns  se  ipsum  nullo  peccato  mortali  vulne- 
ratum,  mirabatur  valde,  et  diligenter  inquirebat  a  praedictis  4°^  Philosophis  qua 
de  causa  hsec  infortunia  magis  agebantur  in  populis  in  tempore  suo  quam  in 
tempore  prsedecessorum  suorum. 

"  Primus  Philosophus  dixit,  Mi^t  is  ri^t ;  Unde  illud  Ysaise,  69,  Conversum 
est  retrorsum  judicium,  et  justitia  longe  stetit ;  corruit  in  platea  Veritas,  et 
sequitas  non  potuit  ingredi.  IJ^t  is  ni/^t ;  unde  Ewang.,  Vse  homini  illi  per 
quem  scandalum  venit !  Per  eum  scandalum  venit  qui  alios  malo  exemplo  cor- 
rumpit.  Dominus  in  Levetico  dixit :  Time,  inquit,  Dominum  Deum  tuum,  ut 
vivere  possit  frater  tuus  apud  te  ;  hoc  est,  ut  sic  vivas  quod  frater  tuus  per  tuum 
exemplum  vitam  possit  habere  non  mortem.  Fi^tisjli^t;  unde  Augustinus : 
Bene  agere  et  illicita  non  prohibere  consensus  erroris  est.  Gregorius  :  Facientis 
proculdubio  culpam  habet  qui  quod  potest  corrigere  negligit  emendare. 

"  Secundus  Philosophus  dixit.  One  is  too,-  unde  Ewang.  :  Omne  regnum  in 
se  divisum  desolabitur.  Ambrosius  :  Sicut  sine  via  nuUus  pervenit  quo  tendit, 
sic  sine  caritate,  quse  dicta  est  via,  non  ambulare  possunt  homines,  sed  errare. 
Frend  isfoo  ;  hoc  potest  intelligi  quando  homines  et  prsecipue  potentes  veram 
pacem  vel  justitiam  aut  Dei  ecclesiam  strangulant,  quibus  principaliter  propter 
Deum  militare  deberent.  Weele  is  woo  ;  Gregorius  :  Qui  bona  mundi  diligit, 
velit  nolit  timori  et  dolori  bene  succumbit.  Seneca  :  Avarus  nisi  dum  moritur 
nichil  bene  facit. 

"  Tertius  Philosophus  dixit,  Lust  has  leve  ;  unde  Paulus  :  Si  secundum  car- 
nem  vixeritis,  moriemini.  Jeronimus  :  Qui  post  carnem  ambulant,  in  ventrem 
et  libidinem  proni,  quasi  irrationalia  jumenta  reputantur.  Thef  is  refe ;  unde 
Jeremias  :  Vae  qui  sedificant  domum  suam  non  in  justitia  !  Robertus  Lincolni- 
ensis :  Vse  illis  qui  dicunt,  faciamus  mala,  ut  veniant  bona,  quorum  damnatio 
justaest!  Pride  has  slef;  unde  in  Ps.  :  Irritaverunt  eum  in  adinventionibus 
suis,  et  multiplicata  est  in  eis  ruina.  David  autem  dixit :  Non  habitabit  in 
medio  domus  mese  qui  facit  superbiam. 


NOTES.  SbJ 

"  Quartus  Philosophus  dixit,  WiUe  is  red;  unde  per  Psalmistam  dicitur : 
Noluit  intelligere  ut  bene  aget.  Prover.  12  :  Via  stulti  recta  in  oculis  ejus  ;  qui 
autem  sapiens  est  audit  consilium.  Wytte  is  qued ;  unde  P.  :  Erit  enim  tem- 
pus  cum  sanam  doctrinam  nou  sustinebunt.  Augus. :  Juventuti  malorum  bo- 
minum  venenum  est  quidquid  virtus  prsecipit,  esca  vero  quidquid  diabolus  sug- 
gerit.  Good  is  ded ;  unde  in  psalmo  :  Uuiversa  vanitas  omnis  homo  vivens,  i. 
vivens  secundum  bominem,  non  secundum  Deum.  Augus. :  Sicut  mors  corpo- 
ralis  separat  animum  a  corpore,  ita  peccatum  mortale  animam  a  vera  vita,  qu?e 
est  Deus." 

In  the  following,  which  is  taken  from  the  common  printed  Gesta  Romanorum, 
cap.  144,  the  English  is  translated. 

"  Ferturde  quodam  Rege  cujus  regnum  in  tarn  subitam  devenit  mutationem, 
quod  bonum  in  malum,  verum  in  falsum,  forte  in  debile,  justum  in  injustum  est 
mutatum.  Quam  mutationem  Rex  admirans,  a  quattuor  Philosophis  sapientis- 
simis  causam  hujus  qusesivit ;  qui,  inquam,  Philosophi  post  sanam  deliberationem 
ad  quattuor  portas  civitates  pergentes  quilibet  eorum  tres  causas  ibi  scripsit. 
Primus  scripsit,  Potentia  est  justitia,  ideo  terra  sine  lege  ;  dies  est  nox,  ideo 
terra  sine  via ;  fuga  est  in  pugna,  ideo  regnum  sine  honore.  Secundus  scripsit, 
Unum  est  duo,  ideo  regnum  sine  veritate  ;  amicus  est  inimicus,  ideo  regnum 
sine  fidelitate  ;  malum  est  bonum,  ideo  terra  sine  pietate.  Tertius  scripsit. 
Ratio  habet  licentiam,  ideo  regnum  sine  nomine ;  fur  est  prsepositus,  ideo 
regnum  sine  pecunia  ;  corabola  vult  esse  aquila,  ideo  nulla  discretio  in  patria. 
Quartus  scripsit,  Voluntas  est  consiliarius,  ideo  terra  male  disponitur  ;  denarius 
dat  sententiam,  ideo  terra  male  regitur ;  Deus  est  mortuus,  ideo  totum  regnum 
peccatoribus  est  repletum." 

In  the  moralisation,  these  sentences  are  applied  to  the  time  in  which  it  was 
written.  In  the  English  Gesta  Romanorum  (edited  by  Sir  Frederick  Madden 
for  the  Roxburghe  Club  in  1838,  and  which  it  is  to  be  regretted  is  not  published 
in  a  popular  form),  p.  397,  we  have  the  following  version  of  the  story. 

"This  is  redde  in  the  Cronycles  of  Rome,  that  in  the  tyme  of  Antynyane 
the  Emperour,  in  the  citie  of  Rome  befiUe  a  grete  pestilence  of  men  and  bastes, 
and  grete  hungre  in  alle  the  empire.  The  comons  risene  agayne  her  lordes, 
and  agayne  her  Emperour.  The  Emperour  desirede  to  wete  the  cause  of  the 
tribulacions  and  diseases,  and  disposede  hym  for  to  putte  a  remedie  agayne  the 


388 


NOTES. 


foresaide  disease.  He  callede  to  hym  iiij.  wise  Philisophers,  for  to  shew  hym 
the  cause  of  the  grete  vengeaunce ;  of  the  whiche  Philisophers  the  first  saide 
thus,  '  Gifte  is  domesman,  and  Gile  is  chapman  ;  the  grete  holde  no  lawe,  and 
servauntes  have  none  awe.'  The  seconde  saide,  '  Witte  is  turnede  to  trechery, 
and  love  into  lechery ;  the  holy  day  into  glotonye,  and  gentrie  into  vilanie.' 
The  thirde  saide,  '  Wise  men  are  but  scomede,  and  wedowes  be  sore  yernede  ; 
grete  men  are  but  glosede,  and  smale  men  borne  downe  and  myslovede.'  The 
fourthe  saide,  '  Lordes  wexen  blynde,  and  kynnesmen  ben  unkynde  ;  dethe  out 
of  mynde,  and  trewthe  may  no  man  fynde." 

The  sentences  in  this  last  version  are  also  found  frequently  in  MSS.  in  a  sepa- 
rate form.  An  imperfect  copy  of  them  will  be  found  in  the  Reliquia  Antiquce, 
(Pickering,  1839,)  p.  58.  I  have  met  recently  with  a  much  more  complete 
copy,  agreeing  closely  with  the  sentences  in  the  above  tale  from  the  English 
Gesta,  but  I  have  also  unfortunately  lost  the  reference  to  it,  and  cannot  recall 
it  to  mind  at  the  present  moment.  In  MS.  Cotton.  Vespas.  E.  xii.  fol.  100, 
r°.,  of  the  end  of  the  fourteenth  century,  is  given  another  Latin  version  of  this 
story,  where  the  scene  is  laid  at  Carthage,  the  King  is  Hannibal,  and  instead 
of  the  four  wise  men  we  have  Virgil,  and  the  sayings  are  again  different  from 
the  others.  This  version  is  important  both  for  the  history  of  the  story,  and  for 
its  connexion  with  the  fable  of  the  legendary  Virgilius. 

P.  256,  I.  9,  god  is  ded. — It  will  have  been  observed  in  the  foregoing  note 
tliat  one  of  the  versions  of  the  story  interprets  god  by  Deus ; — God  is  dead, — 
which  is  most  probably  right,  and  the  former  editors  have  very  properly  given 
the  word  with  a  capital. 

P.  258.  Songs  on  the  Death  of  Peter  de  Gaveston. — Both  these 
songs  are  parodies  upon  hymns  in  the  Romish  ritual. 

P.  260,  I.  1,  Vult  hie  comes,  et  non  Petrus,  did. — The  favourite  was,  in- 
deed, extremely  angry  because  people  persisted  in  calling  him  Peter,  and 
obtained  a  Royal  decree  that  no  one  should  be  permitted  to  call  him  otherwise 
than  Earl  of  Cornwall  in  future. 

P.  262.  The  Battle  of  Bannockburn. — The  text  of  this  poem  is  ex- 
tremely corrupt.  It  appears,  from  Mr.  Halliwell's  description  of  the  MS.,  that 
there  is  another  copy  of  it  at  Oxford,  MS.  Rawl.  B.  214.  This  poem  is  attri- 
buted to  Robert  Baston,  a  carmelite,  who,  according  to  a  popular  story,   was 


NOTES.  389 

present  at  the  battle,  and  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Scots.  We  are  told  that 
he  was  liberated  on  condition  of  composing  a  poem  to  celebrate  the  valour  of 
the  Scots  :  the  song  here  printed  is  of  quite  a  different  character. 

P.  262,  I.  6,  dabantur. — Debantur  in  the  MS. 

I.  \0,  jtrcrparare. — The   MS.    has  portare,   with   "  p'p'are  "    written 

above. 

P.  263,  I.  9,  conflictus. — The  MS,  had  consuUus,  which  is  changed  into  con- 
flictus. 

/.  10,  Comes  lieu  !  Glovernice. — Gilbert  de  Clare,   son  of  that  Earl  of 

Gloucester  who  was  so  active  in  the  Barons'  wars  of  the  reign  of  Henry  III. 
On  his  death,  at  Bannockburn,  the  title  became  extinct. 

I.  17,  prodiloriuft  vir  Barfholomeus. — Perhaps  Bartholomew  de  Badles- 

mere,  who  was  Steward  of  the  King's  household,  and  attended  the  King  in 
these  wars. 

P.  264,  I.  2,  sex  setninum. — This  word  evidently  represents  the  French 
semaines. 

P.  265,  I.  2,  7iimis. — The  MS.  has  nims. 

I.  4,  veneficos. — The  MS.  has  venifices. 

I.  9,  multiplica. — In  middle-age  Latin,  the  form  mulfipliciis  is  frequently 

used  for  multiplex. 

I.  14,  corruerunt. — The  scribe  has  written  sub  over  the  first  syllable 

of  this  word  in  the  MS.,  as  though  he  would  correct  it  to  subruerunt. 

P.  266,  I.  16,  horridics. — The  MS.  hasoridus,  and  just  afterwards  it  seems  to 
have  quievit  for  crevit. 

P.  267,  I.  4,  stirps  radice. — The  MS.  has  radix,  with  ortus  written  over  it ; 
from  which  it  may  be  conjectured  that  the  original  from  which  the  scribe  copied 
had  the  reading  which  1  have  given,  and  that  the  word  ortus  was  written  over 
it,  or  in  the  margin,  to  supply  the  construction — stirps  ortus  radice  Jessce. 

/.  12,  far. .  . .  —The  MS.  has/ar^. 

P.  268.  The  Office  of  St.  Thomas  of  Lancaster. — Popular  heroes 
and  patriots  were  frequently  canonised  by  the  people  after  their  death.  Such 
was  the  case  with  Simon  de  Montfort.  See  p.  124  of  the  present  volume.  A 
very  curious  story  of  this  kind  will  be  found  in  William  of  Newbury,  1.  5,  cc. 
20,  21.  I'he  King,  in  the  present  instance,  was  obliged  to  issue  a  proclamation 
forbidding  the  worship  of  Earl  Thomas  of  Lancaster. 


390  NOTES. 

p.  268,  /.  2,  Thomam  Cantuarice. — All  the  popular  heroes  were  compared  to 
St.  Thomas  of  Canterbury.  We  have  seen  the  comparison  used  in  the  case  of 
Simon  de  Montfort,  see  p.  125  of  the  present  volume. 

P.  270,  All,  pater  proles  erat  regia. — Thomas  Plantagenet,  Earl  of  Lan- 
caster, was  son  of  Edmund,  younger  brother  of  Edward  I. 

I.  12,  matrem  ..  ..  reginam  Navarria. — Blanche,  daughter  of  Robert, 

Earl  of  Artois,  and  widow  of  Henry,  King  of  Navarre,  who  was  espoused  in 
second  marriage  to  Edmund  Plantagenet. 

/.  16,  Benedicti  capitur  vigilia  ...,,/.  17,  die  tertia. — After  the  battle 

of  Boroughbridge  (March  15,  1322),  the  Earl  of  Lancaster  took  refuge  in  a 
chapel,  where  he  was  taken  on  the  20th,  brought  to  Pontefract  on  the  21st,  tried 
on  the  22nd,  and  beheaded  the  same  day.  The  20th  of  March  was  the  eve  of 
St.  Benet. 

P.  271,  I.  2,  HoylandicB. — Robert  de  Hoyland  (the  father  of  Thomas  de 
Holand,  Earl  of  Kent,  the  first  husband  of  Joan,  Princess  of  Wales,)  had  been 
sent  to  collect  forces  in  Lancashire,  to  assist  the  Earl  of  Lancaster,  but  when 
he  had  gotten  them  together,  he  deserted  the  Earl,  and  went  over  with  them 
to  the  King's  party. 

sudam  appears  to  be  an  error  for  some  other  word. 

P.  273.  Peter  Langtoft's  Chronicle. — The  Cambridge  "MS.  contains 
only  the  history  of  Edward  I.,  which  is  given  as  a  complete  work,  with  the 
title,  "  IqI  commence  le  Brut  coment  li  bon  rei  Edward  gaigna  Escotz  e  Galis." 
The  Fairfax  MS.  seems  also  to  have  given  the  same  portion  of  Langtoft's  Chro- 
nicle. Since  my  text  was  printed,  Sir  Frederick  Madden  has  kindly  given  me 
his  transcripts  of  the  English  fragments  as  they  stand  in  the  Fairfax  MS.  No. 
24,  in  the  Bodleian  Library,  at  Oxford,  and  in  the  Arundel  MS.  No.  14,  in 
the  College  of  Arms.  The  numerous  variations  in  these  lines,  and  the 
frequent  recurrence  of  lines  in  one  MS.  which  are  omitted  in  another,  seem 
clearly  to  prove  they  were  fragments  of  popular  songs  interwoven  into  the 
Chronicle  by  its  writer.  I  ought  to  say  that,  at  the  time  the  extracts  in  the 
present  volume  were  printed  off,  it  was  not  in  my  power  to  have  the  sheets 
collated  with  tke  original.  It  may  also  be  observed,  that  it  has  not  been 
thought  proper  to  correct  the  te.xt  by  the  various  readings,  but  the  translation 
is  frequently  made  from  the  latter,  when  the  text  is  evidently  wrong. 


NOTES.  391 

P.  274,  /.  15,  Celestine  la  pape. — Pope  Celestin  the  Fifth,  who  was  elected  in 
July,  1294,  and  abdicated  in  the  December  following. 

P.  275,  I.  50,  suz  Dover. — An  account  of  this  attack  upon  Dover  will  be 
found  in  Matthew  of  Westminster,  p.  424,  and  in  Knighton,  col.  2502. 

P.  278,  /.  75,  Thomas  de  Turbevile. — See,  on  this  affair,  Matthew  of  West- 
minster, p.  425,  Knighton,  col.  2502,  Hemingford,  p.  58. 

/.  83,  Cent  lievre  de  tere. — Robert  de  Brunne's  version  has  a  hundred 

pounds  of  land,  i.  e.  lands  of  that  yearly  value. 

P.  280,  /.  106,  Le  tierz  jour Robert  de  Brimne  says — 

Opon  the  thrid  day,  at  a  toun  hamelet, 
Thomas  was  his  pray,  as  he  to  mete  was  set. 

/.  112,  cum  traitur  est  juge. — Robert  of  Brunne  has  given  more  details 

of  Turbeville's  trial  than  are  found  in  the  original. 

P.  282,  /.  135,  Le  counte  de  Nincole. — Henry  de  Lacy,  Earl  of  Lincoln  and 
Salisbury. 

/.  136,  Sir  Willeam  de  Vescy. — William  de  Vescy,  Lord  of  Alnwick, 

and  governor  of  Scarborough  Castle. 

/.   153,   la   male  rage. — "Male  rage:    Faim  extraordinaire,  enragee  ; 

mala  rabies.^^     Roquefort. 

I.  156,  rivelins. — Apparently  a  kind  of  rough  boots  worn  by  the  Scots, 

so  called  perhaps  on  account  of  their  ragged  and  torn  appearance. 

la  nue  nage. — Nage  is  the  Latin  nates.     The  Fairfax  and  Arundel 

MS.  have  here  a  line  or  two  of  the  French  which  is  not  found  in  the  other 
copies,  with  the  following  fragments  of  English — 

(F.)  Tprut !  Skot  riveling. 
In  unseli  timing 

crope  thu  out  of  cage. 

{A.)  Tprut !  Scot  riveling, 
With  mikel  mistiming 
crop  thu  ut  of  kage. 

I.  157,  Robert  de  Ros  de  Werke. — Robert  de  Ros  was  an  English  Bai-on, 

but,  falling  in  love  with  a  Scottish  lady,  he  deserted  to  the  Scots,  for  which  his 
possessions  were  confiscated.     See  Hemingford,  p.  85. 


392  NOTES. 

p.  284,  /.  168,  quatre  mile. — The  English  version  makes  it  forty  thousand — 

In  the  non  tyme  felle  this  cas,  that  slayn  was  ilk  a  man. 
That  were  in  Berwik,  fourti  thousand  and  mo. 

/.  170,  Richard  de  Corneivalle. — Holinshed,  p.  298,  says  Sir   Richard 

Cornwall  was  brother  to  the  Earl  of  Cornwall.     See  also  Hemingford,  p.  91. 

/.  171,   la  sale  rouge. — The  Red  Hall  was  the  factory  of  the  Flemish 

merchants,  who  carried  on  an  extensive  trade  with  Berwick. 

P.  285,  /.  175,  Willeam  de  Douglasse. — William  Douglas  was  captain  of  the 
garrison  of  Berwick.     See  Hemingford,  ib. 

I.  176,  Ricard  Fresel. — The  English  has  Symoun  Freselle. 

I.  178,  li  quens  de  la  Merche,  Patrik. — Patrick,  Earl  of  Dunbar  and 

March,  served  in  the  English  army ;  but  his  Countess,  who  was  left  in  the 
castle  of  Dunbar,  and  who  hated  the  English,  delivered  the  castle  to  the  Scots. 

I.  180,  Gilbert  de  Umfravile. — Gilbert  de  Umfraville,  Earl  of  Angus, 

was  one  of  the  Scottish  Barons  who  remained  faithful  to  the  English. 

P.  286,  I.  194,  Piket  him,  e^c— The  Fairfax  MS.  has  only  four  lines  of  this 
song  : — 

Piket  him  and  diket  him, 

in  skorn  seiden  he  ; 
Nu  piketh  he  it  and  diketh  it, 
his  owen  for  to  be. 

In  the  Arundel  MS.  it  stands  thus  : — 

Pikit  him  and  dikit  him, 

in  hoker  seiden  he  ; 
Nu  pikes  he  it  and  dikes  it, 

his  owen  for  to  be. 
Skiterende  Scottes 
Hodere  in  their  hottes, 

nevere  thei  ne  the  ; 
Rigth  if  I  rede, 
Thei  tumbled  in  Twede, 

that  woned  bi  the  se. 

Robert  of  Brunne  gives  the  fragment  as  follows,  with  six  additional  lines  : — 

Now  dos  Edward  dike  Berwik  brode  and  long, 

Als  they  bad  him  pike,  and  scorned  him  in  ther  song. 


NOTKS.  393 

Pikit  him  and  dikit  him 

oa  scorne  said  he, 
He  pikes  and  dikes 
in  length  as  him  likes 

how  best  it  may  be. 
And  thou  has  for  thi  pikyng 
Mykille  ille  likyng, 

the  sothe  is  to  se. 
Without  any  lesyng 
Alle  is  thi  hething 

fallen  opon  the, 
For  scatred  er  thi  Scottis, 
And  hodred  in  ther  hottes, 

never  thei  ne  the. 
Right  als  I  rede, 
Thei  tombled  in  Tuede, 

that  woned  bi  the  se. 

P.  288,  /.  227,  Otes  de  Graunt-souns. — Otho  had  been  sent  into  the  East  to 
the  aid  of  the  Christians  by  Edward  I.,  who  intended  to  follow  him  in  person. 
An  account  of  the  loss  of  Acre,  and  the  escape  of  the  Christians  to  Cyprus,  will 
be  found  in  Hemingford,  pp.  21 — 28. 

P.  289,  I.  245,  le  counte  de  Warwik  e  Huge  le  Despencer. — Guy  de  Beau- 
champ,  Earl  of  Warwick,  and  Hugh  Despencer,  who  was  afterwards  so  famous 
as  the  favourite  of  Edward  II. 

P.  293,  /.  299,  On  grene,  Oj-c — In  Robert  of  Brunne,  these  lines  stand 
thus : — 

Ther  on  that  grene. 
That  kynrede  kene 

gadred  als  the  gayte. 
Right  als  I  wene, 
On  som  was  it  sene 

ther  the  bit  bayte. 

P.  294,  /.  324,  sire  Corynee. — The  fabulous  hero  who  was  said  to  have 
killed  the  giant  Gogmagog. 

P.  295,  I.  338,  The  fote  folke,  etc. — Robert  of  Brunne  gives  these  lines  as 
CAMD.  SOC.  6.  3    E 


394  NOTES. 

follows,  with  an  introduction  of  his  own,  in  which  he  says  distinctly  that  they 
were  rhymes  which  the  English  made  on  the  Scots  : — 

^  The  Scottis  had  no  grace, 
To  spede  in  ther  space, 

for  to  mend  ther  misse, 
Thei  filed  ther  face, 
That  died  in  that  place  ; 

the  IngUs  rymed  this. 
Oure  fote  folk 
Put  tham  in  the  polk, 

and  nakned  ther  nages, 
Bi  no  way 
Herd  I  never  say 

of  prester  pages. 
Purses  to  pike, 
Robis  to  rike, 

and  in  dike  tham  schonne, 
Thou  wifBn 
Scotte  of  Abrethin, 

kotte  is  thi  honne. 

In  the  Fairfax  MS.  they  stand  thus  : — 

Wei  worthe  swich  a  fot  folk, 
That  drof  the  Skottes  in  the  polk, 

and  paiede  hem  here  wages. 
Bi  wode  ne  bi  weye, 
Ne  herd  I  nevere  seien 

of  prestere  pages, 
To  pullen  and  to  piken 
The  robes  of  the  rike 

that  in  the  feld  fellen. 
Fi  !  Skot,  hu  spedde  ye  thenne  ? 
The  devel  I  you  bikenne, 

that  ragged  rit  in  belle  I 

The  Arundel  MS.  gives  them  thus  : — 

Wei  worth  swich  a  fote  folk, 
That  put  the  Scottes  in  the  polk, 

and  paied  tham  their  wages. 


NOTES.  395 

Bi  wode  ne  bi  weie, 
Herd  I  nevere  seie 

of  prestere  pages, 
To  puUe  and  to  pike 
The  robes  of  the  rike 

that  in  the  feld  felle. 
Hou  ferd  the  wreches  thenne  ? 
The  devel  I  them  bikenne 

that  ragged  sit  in  helle. 

In  my  transcript  of  the  Cambridge  MS.  I  had  written  wages  in  the  third 
line,  but,  thinking  it  might  be  an  error  of  my  own,  I  ventured  to  change  it  to 
nages,  in  conformity  with  the  readings  of  the  other  MSS.  I  have  no  doubt 
that  nages,  the  French  nages  (see  before,  p.  283,  1. 156,  and  the  note),  the  Latin 
nates,  is  the  right  word.  The  other  reading  of  the  line  was  perhaps  substituted 
by  some  one  who  did  not  understand  the  word. 

P.  298,  /.  380,  For  Scottes,  etc. — Robert  of  Brunne  agrees  with  the  present 
text,  in  this  song.     In  the  Fairfax  and  Arundel  MSS.  it  stands  thus  : — 

(F.)  For  skiterande  Skottes 
Tell  I  for  sottes, 

of  wrenches  unwarre. 
Hem  to  wrothere  hele 
Dintes  to  dele 

driven  to  Dunbarre. 
{A.)  Skiterende  Scottes 
I  telle  for  sottes, 

and  wreches  unwar. 
Mikel  unsele 
Dintes  to  dele 

them  drof  to  Dunbar. 

P.  300,  /.  417,  Albanak,  the  son  of  Brute,  who  was  said  to  have  first  peopled 
Scotland,  and  given  it  the  name  of  Albania. 

P.  303,  I.  466,  For  Louie,  etc. — Robert  of  Brunne,  like  the  Museum  MSS., 
gives  only  the  first  six  lines  of  this  fi-agment. 

I.  471,  hise  tabard  es  tome. —  Toom  tabard  (empty  tabard)  was  a  nick- 
name given  by  the  Scots  to  their  King,  John  Baliol,  on  account  of  his  little 
wit.  In  like  manner,  we  still  vulgarly  call  people  who  possess  very  little  sense, 
emjjtg  bottles. 


396'  NOTES. 

p.  304,  I.  484,  eces ;  another  form  of  assez. 

/.  486,  Henri  de  Perci   aid    Galwei. — Henry   de    Percy,    nephew  of 

Warenne,  was  made  keeper  of  the  county  of  Galloway  and  the  sheriffdom  of  Ayr. 

P.  305,  I,  504,  le  eveske  de  Duram. — The  famous  Anthony  Beck,  Bishop  of 
Durham,  who,  at  the  head  of  his  knights,  attended  Edward  in  all  his  invasions 
of  Scotland,  and  commanded  one  division  of  the  army  at  the  battle  of  Falkirk. 

I.    514,    Kambynoy. — Robert   of    Brunne   translates   this    passage    as 

follows : — 

Cambinhoy 
Beres  him  coy, 

that  fendes  whelp, 
Ther  with  craft 
He  has  tham  raft, 

it  may  not  help. 
The  TruUe  the 
Drenge  on  se, 

thei  lenge  the  fendes  tueye, 
The  hold  tham  fer. 
And  dar  no  ner 

than  Orkeneye. 
Andrew  is  wroth. 
The  wax  him  loth, 

for  ther  pride. 
He  is  tham  fro. 
Now  salle  thei  go, 

schame  to  betide. 
Thou  scabbed  Scotte, 
Thi  neck,  thi  hotte, 

the  develle  it  breke. 
It  salle  be  hard 
To  here  Edward 

ageyn  the  speke. 
He  salle  the  ken 
Our  lond  to  bren, 

and  werre  begymie 
Thou  getes  no  thing, 
Bot  thi  livelyng 

to  hang  therinne, 


NOTES.  397 

The  sete  of  the  Scoue 
Is  driven  over  done, 

to  London  led  ; 
I  hard  wele  telle, 
That  bagelle  and  belle 

be  filchid  and  fled. 

P.  306,  I.  521,  Ou  il  est  mort  \  al  mouster. — The  Monastery  of  Hexham, 
which  the  Scots  had  burnt,  was  dedicated  to  their  patron  Saint,  St.  Andrew. 
Hemingford  remarks,  in  a  similar  manner,  the  impiety  of  the  Scots  in  burning 
the  church  of  their  patron.  This  writer,  in  many  parts  of  his  Chronicle,  seems 
to  paraphrase  and  enlarge  upon  the  narrative  of  Peter  Langtoft. 

P.  307,  I.  550,  Deus .'  cum  Merlins. — The  Cambridge  MS.  has  Teus,  with 
a  great  T.,  by  an  error  of  the  illuminator.  Robert  of  Brunne,  in  translating 
this  part  of  the  Chronicle,  quotes  the  original  author,  Peter  Langtoft,  as  his 
authority : — 

Nou  tels  Pers,  on  his  maners,  a  grete  selcouth. 

He  takis  witnes,  that  it  soth  es,  of  Merlyn  mouth,  etc. 

The  MS.  from  which  Hearne  printed  contained  a  marginal  note,  "  De 
unione  Scotise  et  Anglise  secundum  dicta  Petri  et  Bridlingtone,"  meaning  that 
Bridlington  had  something  similar  in  his  prophecies.  Hearne,  not  aware  that 
it  is  Peter  Langtoft  to  whom  the  writer  refers,  alters  it  to  Petri  de  Bridlington  ; 
although,  if  he  had  referred  to  Bale,  he  would  have  found  that  Bridlington's 
name  was  John,  and  not  Peter. 

i  P.  309,  I.  582,  Jon  e  Thomas  . . .  Cuthbert. — John  of  Beverley,  Thomas  of 
Canterbury,  and  Cuthbert  of  Durham.  These  three  saints  are  elsewhere  spoken 
of  in  Peter  Langtoft  as  Edward's  especial  patrons  and  aiders. 

P.  310,  I.  607,  Des  Mens  de  seint  eylise. — See,  on  this  transaction,  Matthew 
of  Westminster,  p.  428,  and  Hemingford,  p.  107. 

P.  311.  I  suspect  that  the  lines  here  inclosed  in  brackets,  as  not  found  in 
the  Cambridge  MS.,  were  missed  by  myself  in  transcribing. 

I.  613,  disime  dener. — Robert  of  Brunne  says  the  twelfth  penny. 

P.  315,  I.  6S3,jeo  cm.— The  manner  in  which  the  writer  here  speaks,  as 
well  as  other  expressions  in  the  course  of  the  poem,  seem  to  show  that  he 
wrote  down  the  events  as  they  happened. 


398  NOTES. 

p.  316,  I.  701,  le  Sire  de  Canturbir. — Robert  Winchelsey,  Archbishop  of 

Canterbury,  from  1294  to  1313. 

P.  317,  I-  709,  Li  sire  de  Nichole Oliver  Sutton,  Bishop  of  Lincobi,  who 

died  in  the  November  of  1299. 

/.  714,  Velyt  de  Everwyke. — Henry  de  Newark,  who  succeeded  to  the 

Archbishopric  in  1297,  and  died  in  1299. 

P.  318,  I.  720.     Tliese  English  verses  are  only  found  in  the  Cambridge  MS. 

P.  320,  I.  19,  Pur  treys  souz,  i^'c. — Robert  of  Brunne  translates  this — 
Thei  profere  a  man  to  bete,  for  tuo  schilynges  or  thre, 
With  piked  staves  grete  beten  salle  he  be. 

We  learn  from  this  writer  that  it  was  the  King  who  gave  them  the  name  of 
Trailebastons. 

P.  321,  /.  43,  Sire  Jon  de  Meneteft. — He  is  said  to  have  been  incited  by  his 
personal  hatred  of  Wallace  to  seek  out  and  deliver  the  Scottish  Chieftain  to  his 
enemies.     Robert  de  Bi'unne  adds  something  to  his  original  in  this  place : — 

Sir  Jon  of  Menetest  sewed  William  so  nehi, 

He  tok  him  whan  he  wend  lest,  on  nyght  his  leman  bi. 

That  was  thorght  treson  of  Jak  Schort  his  man. 

He  was  the  encheson  that  Sir  Jon  so  him  nam. 

Jak  brother  had  he  slayn,  the  Waleis  that  is  said, 

The  more  Jak  was  fayn  to  do  William  that  braid. 

Selcouthly  he  endis  the  man  that  is  fals. 

If  he  trest  on  his  frendes,  thei  begile  him  als 

Begiled  is  WiUiam,  taken  is  and  bondon. 

To  Inglond  with  him  thei  cam,  and  led  him  unto  London. 

We  may  take  this  occasion  of  pointing  out  the  impropriety  of  quoting  Robert 
de  Brumie  as  Peter  Langtoft.  Mr.  Tytler  quotes  this  story  of  Jack  Short  upon 
Langtoft's  authority,  which  involves  two  serious  errors,  first,  making  Langtoft 
say  what  he  did  not  say,  and,  secondly,  giving  the  story  on  better  authority  than 
that  on  which  it  really  rests,  for,  in  this  respect,  Robert  de  Brunne  is  certainly 
inferior  to  Langtoft. 

P.  323,  /.  67,  And  tiis,  etc. — Robert  of  Brunne  has  six  lines  of  this  fragment 
more  than  in  the  French  MSS. 

It  is  not  to  drede, 
Traytour  salle  spede, 


NOTES.  399 

als  he  is  worth! , 
His  lif  salle  he  tyne, 
And  die  thorgh  pyne, 

withouten  merci. 
Thus  may  men  here, 
A  ladde  for  to  lere 

to  biggen  in  pays . 
It  fallis  in  his  ije, 
That  hewes  over  hie, 

with  the  Walays. 

P.  326,  I.  GG,  nu. — In  the  MS.  it  is  written  n"u.  Perhaps  tlie  o  was  added 
by  somebody  who  thought  the  orthography  should  be  nou. 

P.  327,  I.  78,  serven  the  chapele. — This  last  word,  which  answers  to  ca2)ella 
in  the  similar  passage  in  the  Song  at  the  end  of  these  notes  (p.  401,  1.  21), 
means  here,  perhaps,  a  wardrobe. 

P.  329,  I.  126,  amis.-  This  word  is  added  in  the  MS.  by  a  later  hand  than 
that  which  wrote  the  other  part. 

P.  336,  I.  285,  turmentours  that  comen  from  clerkes  plei. — Men  who  have 
performed  the  part  of  devils,  or  tormentors,  in  the  miracle  plays,  which  were 
performed  by  the  clerks. 

P.  338,  I.  330,  Theih  pleien  tvid  the  kinges  silver,  and  breden  wod  for  wele. 
— They  use  the  king's  silver  for  their  own  pleasures,  and  produce  wood,  or 
tallies,  instead  of  contributing  to  the  prosperity  of  the  people. 

P.  341,  /.  392,  a  derthe.—l.  403,  eft  wele  i-nouh.—P.  342,  I.  409,  another 
sorwe. — I.  416,  another  derthe  of  com. — Our  poem  was  probably  composed  in 
1321.  During  the  preceding  years,  the  kingdom  had  been  visited  repeatedly 
by  dearth  and  famine.  Holinshed  remarks  in  1316,  a  great  dearth  and  famine, 
insomuch  that  a  quarter  of  wheat  sold  for  forty  shillings,  and  at  the  same  time 
a  murrain  among  the  cattle;  in  1317,  a  **  pitiful  famine"  with  a  *'  sore  mor- 
talitie  of  people  ;"  the  year  1318  seems  to  have  been  free  from  these  visitations, 
and  may  have  been  that  in  which,  according  to  the  poem,  there  was  "  eft  wele 
i-nouh ;"  in  1319,  again,  a  great  murrain  of  cattle;  and  in  the  latter  end  of 
the  following  year  and  in  1321 ,  broke  out  the  "  great  variaunce  betwixt  the  lords 
and  the  Spensers,"  which  was  the  cause  of  so  much  bloodshed,  and  which 
seems  to  be  the  "  strif"  (/.  423)  under  which  the  poet  represents  the  people  as 
then  labouring. 


400  NOTES. 

P.  342,  /.  418,  afingred. — For  other  instances  of  the  use  of  this  form,  see  a 
note  on  "  The  Tale  of  the  Basyn  and  the  Frere  and  the  Boy."  (Pickering,  1836.) 

P.  344,  I.  457,  paunter. — The  true  meaning  of  this  word  seems  to  be  a  trap, 
or  snare.  An  English  prose  treatise  of  counsel  for  hermits,  probably  by  Ham- 
pole  (MS.  Trin.  Coll.  Cant.  B.  15,  17,  of  the  reign  of  Edward  III.),  speaking 
of  the  snares  laid  by  the  devil  to  deceive  people,  observes,  "  T\i\s  panter  leyeth 
owre  enemy  to  taken  us  with,  whan  we  bigynne  to  haten  wikkednesse,  and  turne 
us  to  goodnesse." 

P.  345. — This  poem  is  defective  at  the  end,  by  the  loss  of  the  remainder  of 
the  MS,,  which  is  imperfect.  The  following  curious  Song,  which  was  given 
me  by  Mr.  HaUiwell,  bears  a  remarkable  resemblance  in  some  parts  to  the 
English  poem  of  the  Auchinleck  MS.  It  is  taken  from  a  MS.  in  the  Uni- 
versity Library,  Cambridge,  Ee.  vi.  29,  of  the  beginning  of  the  fifteenth 
century,  though  most,  if  not  all,  the  articles  it  contains  are  compositions  of  a 
much  earlier  date. 

Ecce  dolet  Anglia  luctibus  imbuta ! 
Gens  tremit  tristitia,  sordibus  poUuta ; 
Necat  pestilentia  viros  atque  bruta. 
Cur  ?  quia  flagitia  regnant  resoluta. 

Heu  !  jam  totus  vertitur  mundus  in  malignum. 
Inter  gentes  quseritur  ubi  cor  benignum. 
Christus  non  recolitur,  mortuus  per  lignum  ; 
Ergo  plebs  perimitur  in  vindictse  signum. 

Pax  et  patientia  penitus  orbantur  ; 
Amor  et  justitia  domi  non  morantur ; 
Errores  et  vitia  gentes  amplexantur  ; 
Patrum  per  malitia  parvuli  necantur. 

Pastorum  pigritia  greges  disperguntur  ; 
Insontes  astutia  mercantum  falluntur  ; 
Fraus  et  avaritia  sorores  junguntur  ; 
Divitum  nequitia  pauperes  plectuntur. 

Simonia  colitur,  Simon  Magus  vivit ;  ^ 

.^quitas  opprimitur,  Veritas  abivit ; 
Christi  grex  dispergitur,  lupus  insanivit ; 
Pestisque  diffunditur,  agnos  deglutivit. 

Favor  non  scientia  permovet  rectores  ; 
Intrudit  potentia  servos  ob  labores, 
Et  regum  dementia  quosdam  per  favores  ; 
^s  et  amicitia  juvant  pervisores. 


NOTES.  401 

Fortes  Christi  milites  modo  recesserunt ; 
Sathanse  satellites  templum  subverterunt ; 
Laceras  et  debiles  oves  prodiderunt ; 
Cuculi  degeneres  nisis  successerunt. 

Patres  quondam  nobiles  pesces  fugarunt, 
Et  in  fide  stabiles  languidos  sanarunt ; 
Vita  venerabiles  signis  coruscarunt ; 
Actus  per  laudabiles  Christo  militarunt. 

Tales  erunt  vestibus  aspens  vestiti ; 
Ut  moderni  mollibus  raro  sunt  potiti. 
Hii  prseclaris  moribus  erant  insigniti ; 
Juvenes  a  sordibus  sacris  eruditi. 

Heu !  nunc  mercenarii,  nee  veri  pastores, 
Rectores,  vicarii,  mutaverunt  mores  ; 
Ambitu  denarii  subeunt  labores  ; 
Tales  operarii  merentur  moerores  : 
Isti  pro  ciliciis  utuntur  pellura ; 
Farciunt  deliciis  ventres  tota  cura  ; 
Dant  post[ea]  spurcitiis  se  sine  mensura; 
SufFulti  divitiis  vivunt  contra  jura. 

Dum  capella  tegitur  nobili  vestura, 
Sponsa  Christi  rapitur  nudata  tectura  ; 
Vinea  destruitur  porcorum  ursura, 
Et  vitis  evellitur,  carens  jam  cultura. 

Sacerdotes  Domini  sunt  incontinentes  ; 
Actus  suo  nomini  non  sunt  respondentes  ; 
Sacra  dantes  liomini  forent  et  doceotes  ; 
Sui  mores  ordini  non  sunt  congruentes. 

Ista  super  sethera  sanguine  scribantur, 
Ut  patenti  littera  sseculis  legantur  ; 
Ignibus  cum  Vetera  peccata  purgantur, 
Sua  ferant  onera  jam  qui  dominantur. 

En  !  amor  et  caritas  regnis  refrigescunt ; 
Liver  et  severitas  gentibus  ardescunt ; 
Cleri  plebis  Veritas  et  fides  tepescunt ; 
Hinc  regni  nobilitas  et  fama  quiescunt. 
Feminse  fragilitas  omni  caret  laude  ; 
Mercantum  subtilitas  versatur  in  fraude  ; 
Et  fratrum  dolositas  jungit  caput  caudse. 
Homo,  si  jam  Veritas  te  gubernat,  gaude  ! 
Explicit. 

CAMD.  SOC.  6.  3   F 


402  NOTES. 


p.  14.  Song  on  the  Times. — Giraldus  Cambrensis  has  inserted  a  copy  of 
this  Song  in  the  Speculum  Ecclesise,  MS.  Cotton.  Tiberius,  B.  xiii.  fol.  126, 
v",  and  attributes  it  to  the  famous  Golias,  which  is  commonly  supposed  to  be 
only  a  fictitious  name  for  Walter  Mapes.  This  takes  away  all  doubt  as  to  its 
age,  and  the  explanations  given  by  Flacius  Illyricus  may  be  right.  There  is 
another  copy  in  a  Cottonian  MS.  of  the  thirteenth  century,  Vespas.  A.  xix. 
fol.  59,  r°,  where  it  is  entitled  De  veneranda  jusiitia  Romance  curia.  In  Gi- 
raldiis,  the  song  commences  with  the  13th  line,  Roma  mundi  caput  est,  &c. 
In  the  other  Cotton.  MS.  it  begins  as  in  our  text.  The  variations  afforded  by 
these  two  MSS.  are  as  follow  -.—P.  14,  /.  1,  Romana  reb.,  C. — 6,  profluit,  C. 
— 9,  the  first  est  is  omitted  in  C. — 10,  Tegunt  picem,  C. — P.  15,  /.  12,  ramus 
in  sap.,  C. — 15,  trahit  enim,  G.  and  C. — 17,  res  et  sing.,  C. — 21,  In  hoc  con- 
sistorio,  G.  and  C. — 27,  petunt  quando  petis,  G.  and  C. — 28,  eadem  et  metis, 
C. — P.  16.  The  first  16  lines  in  this  page  are  omitted  in  Giraldus. — I.  5,  num' 
mus,  C. — 6,  rot.  placet,  totumpl.,  C. —  7,  ita pi.  ..  Romanos,  C. — 10,  obiceret, 
C. — 11,  Et  sane,  C. — 12,  transeunt,  C. — \i,venit parca,  C. — \b,  promunere, 
C. — P.  17,  I.  1,  et  .,  sit,  G.  and  C.  animanti,  C. — 2,  Respondet  hac  tibia,  G. 
and  C. — 6,  li  mort,  C. — 7,  G.  and  C.  have  Porta  at  the  begiiming  of  this  line, 
and  Papa  in  the  next.  G.  omits  the  words  chartula  qucerit :  it  ought  to  be 
observed  that  in  this  MS.  the  song  is  written  as  prose,  so  that  such  omissions 
are  easily  explained. — 8,  G.  and  C.  omit  the  words  cursor  quant. — 9,  omnis 
gucerit,  G.  si  des  si  quid  uni,  G.  and  C. — 10,  Totum  mare  salsum  est,  tola,  G. 
and  C.  except  that  the  former  has  salseum  for  salsum  est :  see  another  example 
of  this  expression  in  the  present  volume,  p.  228,  1.  19, — 11,  Des  ..  des  .. 
addas,  G. — I.  12,  the  extract  in  Giraldus  ends  here. — P.  18,  /,  4,  totum  impl., 
C. — 6,  habet  Pluto,  C. — 9,  dant  divitibus,  C. 

P.  44,  I.  3  of  Song  against  the  Bishops,  read  fungar  vice  cotis,  "  I  will  per- 
form the  part  of  a  whetstone." 

p.  282,  /.  5  of  translation, /or  Edward,  read  Edmund. 


INDEX. 


Abel,  Sir  John,  219. 

Acre,  132,288,  371,  393. 

qfingred,  400. 

Albanac,  300,  395. 

Alfred's  Proverbs,  extract  from,  36G. 

Almaigne,  Richard,    King  of,  69,  281, 

361, 
almueium,  355. 
Alnwick,  173,  376. 
Alphonso,  brother  to   Louis   IX.,  36, 

38. 
Alphonso  VIII.,  367. 
Amundisham,  Walter,  304. 
Angiers,  37. 
Angus :  see  Umfraville. 
d'Anjou,  Comte,  Q6. 
Ai-abia,  28,  352. 
Aristotle,  245,  385. 
Arthur,  King,  58,  355. 
Artois,  Comte,  190. 
Athol,  Earl  of,  223,  381. 
averia,  383. 
avotverie,  378. 

Badlesmere,  Bartholomew  de,  263,  389. 
Bailiflfs,  conduct  of,  t.  Edward  I.,  230. 
Baliol :  see  John. 


Bannockburn,  Song  on  the  battle  of, 
261. 

Barons,  objects  of  the  confederate,  t. 
Hen.  III.,  98. 

Bartholomeus,  263. 

Baston,  Robert,  373,  380,  388. 

Battle  abbey,  74,  362. 

Beaucaire,  38. 

Beck,  Anthony,  bishop  of  Durham,  305, 
396. 

Belflour,  233,  383. 

BeUofago,  Roger  de,  383. 

Belregard,  wood  of,  232,  234,  383. 

Berkstead,  Simon,  Bishop  of  Chiches- 
ter, 81,  362. 

Bertram,  173. 

Berwick- on-Tweed,  284,  285,  287,  289, 
304. 

Berwick,  John,  315. 

Besile,  Sir  Matthew  or  Macy  de,  62, 358. 

Beverley  Abbey,  139,  372. 

Bigot,  Sir  Hugh,  70,  361. 

Bigot,  Roger,  67,  360. 

Bishops  of  Norwich,  Bath,  and  Win- 
chester, Song  on  the,  6.     Notes,  347. 

Bishops,  Song  against,  t.  Hen.  III.  44. 

Black  Monks,  order  of,  141,  372. 


404 


INDEX. 


Bohun,  Humphrey,  the  younger,  294. 

Bois,  Thomas  de,  219. 

Born,  Bertrand  de,  3. 

Boulogne,  Comte  of,  191. 

Boniface  VIII.  Pope,  193,  379. 

Bouaing,  2, 

Brennius,  58,  355. 

Broinsius,  58. 

Bruce,  Sir  Robert,  (King  of  Scotland,) 

215,  223,  285.     Called  the  "  summer 

King,"  380. 
Bruges,  188,  379. 

Burdon,  William,  Prior  of  Blythe,  374. 
burel,  381. 

Burstwick  on  Humber,  318. 
Bury  St.  Edmund's,  Parliament  at,  310. 

Cadoing,  5,  347. 
Caen,  5,  347. 
Cambini  undse,  181. 
Cambinoy,  305,  396. 
Cambrai,  282,  288,  318. 
Camville,  Nichola,  352. 
Canons,  order  of,  140,  372. 

secular,  142,  372. 

capucium,  355. 

Carcasson,  40. 

Carthusian  monks,  373. 

Carrick,  Earl  of,  178,  377. 

Cato  tertius,  10,  349. 

Celestine,  Pope,  274,  390. 

chapele,  399. 

Charlemagne,  58,  355. 

Cliarles  of  France,  223  :  see  Sicily. 

Charter  of  the  Peace  with  England,  360. 

Chester,  Ranulph  Earl  of,  24,  351. 

Chesterfield,  370. 


Cistercians,  373. 

Clement  V.  Pope,  243,  385. 

CUfFord,  Roger,  60,  357. 

Comyn,  178,  377. 

Consistory  Courts,  Song  on  the,  t.  Edw. 

I.,  155. 
Constantine,  58,  355. 
Conyng,  Peter,  188,  191,  379. 
Corbridge,  287,  376. 
Corineus,  292,  393. 
CornwaU,  Sir  Richard,  284,  392. 
Courtrai,  battle  of,  187. 
Cressingham,  Hugh,  304. 
Cyprus,  288. 

David,  Saint,  57. 

Dayvile,  Sir  John,  60,  357. 

Despencer,  Hughle,  126,  269,  315,  368, 

393. 
Devel,  Sir  Ralph,  191. 
Douglas,  William,  285,  392. 
Dover,  71,  276,  391. 
Dunbar,  battle  of,  166,  213,  374. 
Dunbar,  287,  288,  289  :  see  March. 
Durham,  Bishop  of,  305,  396. 

Earls,  rights  of,  97. 

Edward,   Prince,   (Edward  I.)   60,  64, 

68,  93,  125,  370. 
Edward  I.,    Latin  poem  in  praise  of, 

128.     Songs  of  his   reign,   128-240. 

Laments  on  his  death,  241,  246.    His 

name  of  "  Longshanks,"  382. 
Edward,  Prince  of  Wales,  (Edward  II.) 

194,  216. 
Edward  II.,  Songs  of  his  reign,  241-272, 

323-345. 


INDEX. 


405 


Egueblanche,  Peter  de,  Bi^iliop  of  Here- 
ford, 61,  357. 
Ely,  isle  of,  130,  370. 
encenma,  382. 

Eustace,  Bishop  of  Ely,  12,  350. 
Eutherium  nemus,  181. 
Evesham,  battle  of,  125,  368. 

Falkirk,  battle  of,  176,  376. 

Famines  in  the  reign  of  Edw.  II.  338, 
399. 

Flanders,  Count  of,  168. 

Flemish  insurrection  in  1302,  Song  on, 
187.     Notes,  378. 

focaria,  33,  352. 

Fraser,  Richard,  285,  392. 

Fraser,  Sir  Simon,  Song  on  his  execu- 
tion, 212.     Notes,  380. 

Friars  Minors,  Order  of,  144,  373. 

Frollo,  58.     Account  of  him,  355. 

ftistum,  377. 

Galloway,  304. 

Galvaing,  4. 

Gaveston,    Peter,    253.     Songs   on   his 

death,  258.  Notes,  388. 
Gifford,  Sir  John,  59,  356. 
Glanville,  Gilbert,  Bishop  of  Rochester, 

13,  350. 
Glasgow,  Bishop  of,  214. 
Gloucester,  94,  362. 
Gloucester,  Earl  of,  65,   122,  126,  263, 

267,  360,  368,  370,  .389. 
goliard,  meaning  of,  369. 
GoUas,  349,  352,  402. 
Graham,  Sir  Patrick,  294. 
Graadison,  Sir  Otho,  288,  393. 


Gray,  Sir  John,  62,  358. 

Gray,  John,  Bishop  of  NoiTvich,   348, 

349. 
Grey  Monks,  order  of,  143,  373. 
Groing,  4. 
Guienne,  4. 

halymofe,  374. 

Hemingford,  the  chronicler,  paraphrases 

Peter  Langtoft,  397. 
Henry  III.  Songs  of  his  reign,  19-127. 
Hexham,  287,  289,  301,  376,  397. 
hoblurs,  380. 
Hospitallers,  140,  370. 
Hoyland,  Robert  de,  271,  390. 
Husbandman,  Song  of  the,  t.  Edward 

I.,  149.     Notes,  374. 

James  I.,  King  of  Aragon,  36,  37,  39, 

41. 
Joceline,  Bishop   of    Bath   and  Wells, 

10,  349. 
John,  King,    Songs  of  his  reign,    1-18. 

Styled  Jupiter,  350. 
John  Baliol,    King   of  Scotland,    164, 

274,  275,  285,  290,  298,  302.   Verses 

on  his  deposition,   180.     Nicknamed 

Toom  tabard,  395. 
Jose,  Sir  John,  217. 
Judges,    Song   on   the   venality   of,    t. 

Edward  I.,  224.     Notes,  382. 

Kambynoy,  305,  396. 

Kingly  character,  popular  doctrine  of, 

363. 
KirkenclifF,  battle  of,  212,  216,  381. 
Knoville,  William,  233,  283. 


40G 


INDEX. 


his 


Ladies,  Song  on  the,  t.  Edw.  I.,  153. 
Lancaster,  Thomas  Earl  of,    office  of, 

268,  389,  390. 
Lancaster,  Edmond  Earl  of,  282. 
Lanercost,  287,  289. 
Langley,  Sir  John,  62,  357. 
Langtoft,     Peter,     extracts    from 

Chronicle,  273.  Notes,  390,  &c. 
Langton,  Archbishop,  6,  348. 
Langton,  Walter  de,  314. 
Latimer,  Sir  William,  63,  358. 
Leicester,  Simon  Earl  of,  see  Montfort. 
Lewes,  battle  of,  68,  361.  Latin  poem 
on,  72. 

Leyburne,  Sir  Roger,  60,  62,  357. 

Levenax  (Lennox),  Earl  of,  171,  376. 

Limoux,  37. 

Lincoln,  24,  352. 

Lincoln,  Henry  Earl  of,  282,  391. 

Lindsey,  319. 

London,  23,  130,  276,  280,  300,  307, 
320,  322,  370. 

Saint  Amont  at,  67,  361. 

bridge,  212,  213,  221,  222. 

Cheap,  221. 

Newgate,  218. 

the  Tower,  219,  221,  297,  304. 

Louis  the  Dauphin,  4,  23,  351. 

Louis  IX.  36,  42,  63,  64. 

Lundi,  Richard,  171,  376. 

lyard,  361. 

Lyndsay,  Sir  John,  217. 

Maine,  Sir  John  of,  2. 
Mainerus,  the  scribe  of  Canterbury,  his 
account  of  himself  and  his  family,  354. 
inale  rai/e,  391. 


Mapes,  Walter,  14,  349,  350,  373,  402. 

Mar,  Earl  of,  287. 

March,  Patrick  Earl  of,  285,  287,  289, 

392. 
Margaret,  Queen,  178,  377. 
Martin,  Sir  William,  233,  383. 
Mauger  Bishop  of  Worcester,  12,  350. 
Mauleon,  Savary  de,  1,  2,  3,  347. 
Melors,  romance  of,  356. 
Menteith,  Earl  of,  387. 
Menteith,  Sir  John,  321,  398. 
Merlin,  57,  64,  307,  309. 
Montfort,  Guy,  126,  368. 
Montfort,  Sir  Henry,  126,  368. 
Montfort,  Sir  Hugh,  70. 
Montfort,  Sir  Peter,  60. 

Montfort,    Simon,  61,  66,  70,75—91, 
123.     The  Lament  of,  125,  362,  368. 

Montpellier,  40. 

Mountain,  Old  Man  of  the,  132,  371. 

Mountsorrell,  24,  351. 

Morham,  see  Norham. 

Morley,  173. 

Multon,  Sir  Thomas,  217,  381. 

nages,  391,  395. 

Nego,  the  Song  of,  t.  Edward  1.,  210. 

Newark,    Henry,    Archbishop    elect   of 

York,  317,  398. 
Newcastle-on-Tyne,  283. 
Newminster,  174. 
Norfolk,  59. 

Norfolk,  Roger  Bigod,  Earl  of,  123, 364. 
Norham,  Sir  Hubert,  218,  381. 
Northampton,  74,  361. 
Northumberland,  173,  292. 
Nottingham,  24,  352. 


INDEX. 


407 


d'Orange,  Gmllaume,  347. 

Order  of  Fair-Ease,  Song  of  the,  137. 

Notes,  371. 
Ovid,  180, 
Oxford,  83. 

Paris,  67,  276,  277,  280. 

Parliament  at  St.  Edmund's  Bury,  310. 

2}aunfer,  400. 

Percy,  Henry,  304. 

Philippe- Auguste,  King,  4. 

Philip,  King,  190,  193,  274,  281,  310, 

315. 
Poitiers,  243,  384, 
Poitou,  4. 

Political  Proverbs,  385—388. 
Preachers,  Order  of,  146,  373. 

Red  Hall,  at  Berwick,  284,  392. 

Retinues,  Song  on  great,  t.  Edward  I., 
237  :  Notes,  385. 

ribald,  meaning  of,  369, 

Richard  I.,  King,  4,  58,  128,  347,  355, 

Rion,  278, 

Rishanger,  William,  121,  363. 

rivelins,  391, 

Robert,  Richard,  Gilbert,  and  Geffrey, 
four  brothers,  49, 

Robert,  Bishop  of  Salisbury,  13,  350. 

Robertsbridge,  75,  362. 

Rolls,  containing  songs  and  poems,  356. 

Rome,  15—18,  324  ;  pope  of,  43,  311. 

Ros,  Robert  de,  283,  391. 

Ross,  Earl  of,  287. 

de  Rovenac,  Bertrand,  36. 

de  Rupibus,  Peter,  Bishop  of  Winches- 
ter, 10,  349. 


SaMna,  28,  352. 

St.  Andrew's,  Bishop  of,  214,  299. 

St.  Denis,  68. 

de  St.  Paul,  Sir  Jacques,  189. 

St.  Thomas  of  Canterbury,  125,  268, 
390. 

Sandwich,  Sir  Ralph,  219,  381. 

Savoy,  Sir  Amy  de,  288. 

Scholastic  studies.  Song  against,  t.  Ed- 
ward I.,  206  :  Notes,  380. 

Scone,  abbot  of,  214  :  royal  seat  of, 
307. 

Scottish  wars.  Song  on,  t.  Edward  I., 
160  :  Notes,  374. 

Sempringham  abbey,  138,  371. 

Sheriffs,  conduct  of,  t.  Edward  I.,  228. 

Short,  Jack,  398. 

Sicily,  Charles  King  of,  131,  370. 

Silence,  the  Order  of,  144,  373. 

Simony,  Song  on,  t.  Edward  II„  323. 

Somervile,  173, 

Somnours,  157. 

Spigurnel,  Henry,  233,  383. 

StirUng,  217,262,  318,  376. 

Surrey,  Earl  of:  see  Warenne. 

Sutton,  Oliver,  Bishop  of  Lincoln,  317, 
398. 

Syria,  40. 

Syward,  Sir  Richard,  290,  291,  293. 

Tailors,  Song  on  the,  t.  Hen,  III,,  51. 
Tallies  of  the  King's  purveyors,   184, 

377,  399, 
Thenars,  1, 
Tiebald,  4, 
Tindale,  287. 
Touraine,  4, 


408 


INDEX. 


Toulouse,  Comte  de,  38. 

Tours,  37. 

tprot  Scot,  223,  381. 

TraiUebaston,  Song  of,   t.    Edward  I., 

231  :  Notes,  283  :  Langtoft's  account 

of,  319,  398. 
Trent,  the  river,  169,  376. 
Troy,  180. 

trutannus,  whence  truant,  376. 
tu-brigge,  381. 
Tunis,  131,  370. 

Turbevile,  Thomas,  278—281,  391. 
turmentours ,  in  the  miracle  plays,  399. 
Tyeis,  meaning  of  the  word,  355. 

Umfraville,  Gilbert,  178,  285,377,  392. 

de  Valence,  Sir  Aymer,  216,  387. 
Vescy,  Sir  William  de,  173,  282,  391. 
Virgil,  and  legends  of  him,   245,  385, 
388. 


viro,  its  meaning,  371- 

Wallace,  WiUiam,  170,    173,   174,  376, 

Execution  of,  213,  222,  321,  380,  398. 
Wallingford,  honour  of,  69,  361. 
Wanton,  Simon  de.  Bishop  of  Norwich, 

62,  357. 
Warenne,  John   Earl  of,  59,   70,   168, 

289,  304,  319,  356,  361,  376. 
Warwick,  Earl  of,  289,  393. 
Welsh,  Song  of  the,  t.   Hen.  III.,  54. 

Their  turbulence,  273. 
Westminster,  253.     Abbey,  311. 
WTiite  Monks,  373. 

Winchelsea,  Archbishop,  311,  316,398. 
Winchester,  Earl  of,  65,  360. 
Windsor,  69,  361. 

Wise-men,  legend  of  the  Four,  385-388. 
Wool,  custom  on,  377. 
Wyta,  Thomas  de,  132,  371. 


THE    END. 


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