Compare 1577 edition: 1 In the meane while,The French king counsel|leth K. Iohn to vsurpe a|gainst his brother. the French king being aduer|tised that king Richard was deteined as prisoner, reioised not a little thereat, and with all speed by se|cret messages did send for his brother earle Iohn, who was readie to come at his call. And being come, he exhorted him not to suffer so conuenient an occa|sion to passe, but to take the gouernement of the realme of England now into his hands, promising him all such aid as he could of him reasonablie re|quire: with other like talke still tending to the pro|uocation of the earle to forsake his allegiance vnto his brother. And to say the truth, earle Iohn was easi|lie persuaded so to doo, and therefore vpon his imme|diat returne into England, assembled an armie, and with the same (and such strangers as he brought with him) began to prooue maisteries, first winning the castels of Windsore, Wallingford, Notingham, and diuerse other, and fortifieng the same to his owne vse and defense.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 The barons of the land, iudging such vnlawfull doings not to be anie longer suffered, first besieged the castell of Windsore, and after preparing to leuie a greater force, did put them within in such feare, that they yéelded vp the same, séeking to escape by EEBO page image 138 flight, some into one place, and some into an other, the which yet being apprehended were put to worthie ex|ecution. Ger. Dor. But this was not doone without continu|ance of time, & without great trouble & charges to the realme: for whereas there was a practise betwixt the French king and earle Iohn, that a great power of strangers, & namelie Flemings should haue come into the realme (for whose transporting a great num|ber of ships were brought togither at Witsand) yet the high prouidence and goodnesse of God disappoin|ted their purpose. For their messengers being taken which were sent hither into England, the treason was reuealed, and by the queene mothers appoint|ment (who cheefelie then ruled the land) a great com|panie of knights, men of armes, and commons of the countrie, watched the sea coasts ouer against Flanders, to keepe the enimies from landing. They began thus to watch in the passion wéeke, and so continued till a certeine time after Easter. Howbeit earle Iohn came secréetlie ouer, in hope to haue not onelie the assistance of the Welshmen and of manie other his freends in England, but also of the Scots, howbeit, the king of Scots would not meddle. He therefore with such Welshmen and other as he had brought ouer, and such Englishmen as he could get to take his part, began such attempts (as before ye haue heard) to the disquieting of the whole realme, and great displeasure of the king.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Moreouer, beside that power of the barons which laid siege to Windsor castell, there were Noble men also in other parts of the realme that were readie to resist him.

The archbi|shop of Yorke. Hugh Bar|dolfe.

William de Stuteuille.