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exceeded; but as Stow makes mention of it in his Annals, his account of it is given as follows:

"In the month of April Lionell duke of Clarence, with a chosen company of English nobility, went towards Mellaine, there to marry Violenta, the daughter of Galeacius the second of that name, duke of Milan, at whose arrival such abundance of treasure was in a most bounteous manner spent in making most sumptuous feasts, setting forth stately sights, and honouring with rare gifts above two hundred Englishmen who accompanied his son-in-law, as it seemed to surpasse the greatnesse of most wealthie Princes; for in the banquet whereat Francis Petrarch was present amongst the chiefest guests, there were above thirtie courses of service at the table, and betwixt every course, as many presents of wondrous price intermixed, all which John Galeacius, chiefe of the chosen youth, bringing to the table, did offer unto Lionell. There were in one only course seventy goodly horses, adorned with silk and silver furniture and in the other silver vessels, falcons, hounds, armour for horses, costly coats of mayle, breastplates glutering of massie steel, helmets and corselets deched with costly crestes, apparell distinct with costly jewels, souldiers girdles; and lastly, certaine gemmes, by curious art set in gold, and of purple, and cloth of gold for men's apparel in great abundance. Such was the sumptuousnesse of this banquet that the meats or fragments which were brought

from the table would sufficiently have served ten thousand men. But not long after, Lionell, living with his new wife, whilst after the manner of his own country, as forgetting or not regarding his change of ayre, addicted himself overmuch to untimely banquetings. Spent and consumed with a lingering sicknesse, he died at Alba Pompeia, called also Languvill, in the marquisate of Mont-ferrat, in Piedmont, on the vigil of St. Luke the Evangelist, A. D. 1368, in the 42d year of his father's raigne. Cambden, in his Annals of Ireland, says, that Lionell was buried in the city of Papiy, hard by St. Augustine the Doctor. He also says that his bones were removed, being brought over to England and entered a second time at Clare, in the convent church of Augustine Friers."

The following lines by an unknown author likewise commemorate this wedding:

"The Kyng his sonne sir Leonell create
Duke of Clarence, and to Melayn him sent
With Chevalrie of Fame well ordinate,
And squyers, fresh, galaunt and sufficient
With Officers and Yomen as appent-
This Duke royall of Clarence excellent,
At Melayne wedded was then in royall wise
With that Lady fair and benevolent
Full royally, as to such a prince should suffice,
And all the rule he had by Councell wise

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From Mount Godard, unto the Citee of Florence
And well beloved was for his sapience-
In Citees all he held well unitees
Greate Justes ay and joyous tournements
Of Lords and Knights, he made great assemblees
Through all the lande, by his wise regimentes.
They purposed whole by their common assentes
To crown him Kyng of all great Italy,
Within half a yeare, for his good governaly-"

Note. Lionell had by his first wife one daughter, named Philip, of whom some account is given in the roll before-mentioned.

In the Chronicle of John Harding the following history is given:

"His wife was dedde and at Clare was buried,
And none heire he had, but his doughter faire,
Philip that hight, as Caronicles specified.
Whom Queene Philip christened for his heire:
The Arch-bishop of Yorke for his Compeire;
Hir Godmother also of Warwyk the Countesse
A Lady was of all greate worthynesse-
Chyldren he had noone, but Philip heire
By Elisabeth his first wyfe, which the kyng
Edward maryed to Edmond Mortymer

The Erle of Marche, that was his warde full yyng
Who gate on hir Roger their derelynge."

According to Milles's account, Philip the only daughter of Lionell Plantagenet, duke of Clarence, was married to Edmond Mortimer, earl of March, by whom he had a son, Roger. This Roger had a daughter, Anne, who, marrying Richard of Cambridge, transferred the right of the kingdom to the house of York.

In this Priory church the following persons were also buried.

Richard earl of Clare (who it is thought by some was the founder)-dame Alice Spencer-sir John Beauchamp, knt.-John Newborne, esq. who, with others, assisted in bringing over the body of Leonell duke of Clarence into England-John WiboroughWilliam Golderick-William Capel-and Eleanor his wife-lady Margaret Scroope-John Kempe, esq. Robert Butterwyke, esq.-Joan Cavendish, daughter of Clopton-dame Eleanor Wynkepery.

Note. Elizabeth de Burgh, daughter and heiress of William de Burgh, earl of Ulster, first wife of Leonell, and grand-daughter of Gilbert de Clare, inhabited the Castle of Clare, A. D. 1347.

Clare Priory, was a priory of friars of the order of St. Augustine, who dwelt there A D. 1248, but it was afterwards changed to a college of a dean and secular canons. It was granted to Richard Friend, 31 king Henry VIII. A portion of the buildings has been occupied as a dwelling from nearly that time. They have been recently repaired, but retain all the marks

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