persons who have sought his assistance, invariably experienced. To J. T. Smith, Esq. of the British Museum the author has also the gratifying duty of expressing her obligations.

Though conscious that there are many imperfections in her work, for which some apology might be deemed necessary, it would perhaps be impertinent to detain the reader with explanations and excuses; but it seems to be a duty which the author owes to herself, to point out an oversight which occurs in stating that Eleanor Cobham Duchess of Gloucester bore the name, instead of the title, of one of our earliest and most illustrious martyrs; an error which did not strike her until the work had passed through the press and had become irremediable. For the typographical mistakes she claims the usual indul

gence.

ERRATA TO VOL. I.

The Reader is requested to correct the following typographical errors:

Page 129, 11th line, for " war target
"read war targets
242, 24th line, for "satarizes " read satirizes
265, 15th line, omit "that" before he
318, 2d line, supply his before "dissolution "
322, 9th line, for "politically" read politicly
327, 21st line, supply a before "father"
336, 14th line, for "vain a " read a vain

371, 14th line, for "danger" read dangers.

CONTENTS

OF

VOLUME THE FIRST.

CHAPTER I.

State of Society-Origin of the House of Lancaster-Gifts of Henry III.

to Edmond Crouchback-Thomas Earl of Lancaster-his Rebellion

and Death-Henry Earl of Lancaster-Henry Grismond Duke of

Lancaster his eminent Services-John of Ghent-Campaign in

Spain-Second Marriage of the Duke of Lancaster with a Princess of

Castile-Contention between the Black Prince and John of Ghent-

Haughty Disposition and despotic Manner of John of Ghent-Dis-

pute between Wickliffe and the Prelacy-Riot of the Citizens—

Jealousy of John of Ghent-Apprehensions of the Princess Joan-

Last Illness of Edward III.-Proceedings of the Council-State of

the Kingdom-Enmity to John of Ghent-John of Ghent's Speech

in Parliament-Violation of Sanctuary-Expedition to Bretagne-

Incursion of the Scots-Absence of the King's Uncles-Insurrection

of the Commons-Outrages of the Insurgents-Death of Wat Tyler

-Return of the Duke of Lancaster-Dispute between John of Ghent

and the Earl of Northumberland-Marriage of Richard

CHAPTER II.

............

Truce with France and Scotland-Infractions of the latter The Duke

of Lancaster's Expedition-Accusations of a Carmelite Friar-Out-

rage committed by Sir John Holand-Violent Conduct of the Earl

of Buckingham-Character of the King-Employment of John of

b

Page

1

Ghent in France-New Attempts of his Enemies-Interference of

the Princess Joan-Sir John Holand received into Favour-War with

Scotland-Sir John Holand's second Outrage-Anxious Entreaties

of the Princess Joan-her Death-Opposition to the Duke of Lan-

caster-The King's Unpopularity-Exaltation of the Nobles-Envy

of the Favourites-The Duke of Lancaster's Designs upon Castille-

Confederacy of the Nobles-Charge against the Chancellor-Inti-

midation of the King-Naval Exploits-Richard's Progresses-

Consultation with the Judges--The King's Hopes-their Defeat-

Proceedings of the Confederates-Appeals of Treason-Flight of

Richard's Friends-The Duke of Gloucester's ambitious Designs-

Advance of the Duke of Ireland-The Defeat at Radcot Bridge-

Vindictive Proceedings of the Council-Charge against the Favour-

ites-their Execution-Gloucester's Administration-Dismissal of

the Council

.......................

Page

30

CHAPTER III.

Campaign of John of Ghent-Marriages of the Princesses-Richard's

Administration-Bolingbroke's Policy-Favour enjoyed by John of

Ghent-Disputes in the Council Chamber-The Earl of Derby's

Expedition-Gloucester's inordinate Avarice-Death of the Queen—

Richard's Departure for Ireland-Death of one of the Favourites-

Suggestions respecting the King's second Marriage-Alliance with

France Character of the Duke of York-Third Marriage of John

of Ghent-Gloucester's Discontent-Reports relative to the Duke

of Gloucester-Competition between him and Bolingbroke-Con-

duct of John of Ghent towards his Brother-Arrest of the Earl of

Arundel and of Gloucester-Appeals of Treason-Arundel's Answer

-His Execution-Warwick's Pusillanimity-Gloucester's Death and

Attainder-Petition of the Commons-Banishment of the Primate.. 53

CHAPTER IV.

Elevation of the Nobles-Insecurity of the Appellants-Conversation

between Norfolk and Bolingbroke-Richard's Inquiries-Mowbray's

Surrender-his Denial of Hereford's Accusation-A Duel appointed

-the Combatants appear in Arms-Richard's Interposition-he pro-

nounces Sentence-General Discontent-Submission of the Duke of

Lancaster-Conclusions drawn from his passive Conduct-Advice

to his Son-Bolingbroke's Interview with the King-their mutual

Deceit-Bolingbroke's Departure-Anxiety to ally himself with the

Duke of Berri-Salisbury's Embassy-Richard's Unpopularity-his

Despotism-Death of John of Ghent-Seizure of Bolingbroke's In-

heritance-The King's Expedition to Ireland-Bolingbroke's Cor-

respondence-he lands in England-his Oath-Charges against

Richard-Disaffection of the Army-Flight of Richard's Forces-

Bolingbroke enters London-Defection of the Regent--Illegal Exe-

cutions The King's Delay-Albemarle's Treachery

CHAPTER V.

Dispersion of Salisbury's Army-Richard's Return-his Abandonment

-Flight to Conway-Albemarle's Defection-Richard's Disappoint-

ment-Message to Bolingbroke-its Reception-Surrey's Imprison-

ment-Exeter's Detention-his Letter-Richard's Wanderings-

Northumberland's Mission-Revival of the King's Hopes-Seizure of

two Castles-Northumberland's Proposals-their Acceptance-The

Bishop of Carlisle's Distrust-Northumberland's Oath-his De-

parture-Capture of Richard-his Rage and Lamentation-his

Despair-Conduct of Henry of Lancaster-Richard marches in the

Train of the Conqueror-is committed to the Tower-Bolingbroke

claims the Crown-Richard's Abdication-Superior Title of the

Earl of March-Lancaster's Pretensions-his Speech-Richard is

deposed-Lancaster's Election--Submission of the Friends of the

Earl of March-Ceremonials at Henry's Coronation-Disputes of

the Nobles-The Titles bestowed by Richard are annulled-Impri-

sonment of the Mortimers-Henry of Monmouth created Prince of

Wales-Richard's Friends conspire against Henry-Treachery of

Rutland-Defeat of the Insurgents-Execution of Kent and Salis-

bury-Murders at Bristol-Fall of Huntingdon-Pardon of two

Ecclesiastics-Richard's Death-Suppositions concerning it-Re-

ports of Richard's Escape

CHAPTER VI.

Splendour of Richard's Court-Progress of Luxury, Love of Dress-

Curious Habiliment of John of Ghent-Distinguishing Marks of

Nobility at Henry IV.'s Coronation-Stow's Philippic on piked

Shoes-Knighton's Description of Female Attire-Costly Furniture-

Profuse Style of the Lady de Courcy-The Duke of Lancaster's Plate

-emblazoned Coat and Coverlet-The Reign of Chivalry-Magni-

ficent Tournament-Curious Ceremonial-Foreign Knights attracted

to the Tilt-The Procession-Jousts and Banquets-Arrival of Count

d'Ostrevant-Award of the Prizes-Continuation of the Tilting-

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71

87