[1] [2] [3] ¶ In this 49 yeare of K. Edwards reigne, a great death chanced in this land, Thom. Wals. Fabian. and in diuerse other coun|tries, so that innumerable numbers of people died and perished of that contagious sickenesse. Amongst other the lord Edward Spenser died the same yeare,

The lord Spenser de|parteth this life.

Polydor. The earle of Penbroke deceasseth.

a man of great renowme and valiantnesse. Also the earle of Penbroke, hauing compounded for his ran|some, as he was vpon his returne from Spaine, comming homewards through France, he fell sicke, and being brought in an horsselitter to Arras, he di|ed there, on the 16 daie of Aprill, leauing a sonne be|hind him not past two yeares of age, begot of the countesse his wife called Anne, daughter vnto the lord Walter de Mannie. Polydor mistaking the matter, saith that Marie the countesse of Penbroke, who builded Penbroke hall in Cambridge, was wife to this Iohn Hastings earle of Penbroke, whereas in deed she was wife to his ancestor Aimer de Ualence earle of Penbroke (as Iohn Stow in his summarie hath trulie noted. Iohn Stow. ) She was daughter to Guy earle of saint Pole, a worthie ladie and a vertu|ous, tendering so much the wealthfull state of this land (a great part wherof consisteth in the good bring|ing vp of youth, and training them to the knowledge of learning) that for maintenance of students she be|gan the forsaid commendable foundation, about the yeare of Christ 1343, vpon a plot of ground that was hir owne, hauing purchased licence thereto of the king, to whom she was of kin.