The Holinshed Project

Holinshed Project Home

The Texts
1587

Previous | Next

And whereas the other councellors would diuerse times persuade the king to haue sometime recourse into the councell chamber, there to heare what was doone; the almoner would persuade him to the con|trarie, which delited him much: and thus the almo|ner ruled all them that were before him, such did his policie and wit bring to passe. Who was now in high fauor but master almoner? And who ruled all vnder the king, but master almoner? Thus he perseuered in fauor, vntill at last in came presents, gifts, and re|wards so plentifullie, that he lacked nothing that might either please his fantasie, or inrich his coffers.

And thus proceeding in fortunes blisfulnesse, it chanced the warres betwéene the realmes of Eng|land and France to be open, insomuch as the king was fullie persuaded in his most roiall person to inuade his forren enimies with a puissant armie; wherefore it was necessarie that this roiall enter|prise should be speedilie prouided and furnished, in e|uerie degree of things apt & conuenient for the same, for the expedition wherof the king thought no mans wit so méet for policie and painefull trauell,The cardinall taketh vpon him the ma|naging of all the kings af|faires. as was his almoner, to whome therefore he committed his whole trust therein, and he tooke vpon him the whole charge of all the businesse, and brought all things to good passe in a decent order, as all maner of vittels, prouisions, and other necessaries conuenient for so noble a voiage and armie.

All things being by him perfected, the king ad|uanced to his roiall enterprise, passed the seas, and marched forward in good order of battell, vntill he came to the strong towne of Terwine, to the which he laid his siege, and assailed it verie stronglie conti|nuallie with such vehement assaults,Sée before pag 821, 822. that within short space it was yéelded vnto his maiestie, vnto the which place the emperor Maximilian repaired vnto the king with a great armie like a mightie prince, ta|king of the king his graces wages: which is a rare thing, and but seldome seene, an emperor to fight vnder a kings banner.

Previous | Next