Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (2 of 6): England (09 of 12): Edward the First, Surnamed Longshanks, the Eldest Sonne of Henrie the ThirdHolinshed, Raphael
History
Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (2 of 6): England (09 of 12): Edward the First, Surnamed Longshanks, the Eldest Sonne of Henrie the Third
Holinshed, Raphael
Great Britain -- History -- Edward I, 1272-1307; Great Britain -- History -- To 1485; Great Britain -- History -- Tudors, 1485-1603
They fulfilling his desire, when he came in, and was brought afore the
captein sitting then at breakfast, he said vnto him: "Behold sir, here
ye may peruse the king of Englands secrets," and withall raught to
him a box, wherein the packet of the kings letters were inclosed, and
"appoint me (saith he) to some corner of the wall, and trie whether I
can handle a crossebow or not, to defend it against your aduersaries."
Héere when others would haue opened the box, and haue read the letters,
the capteine would in no wise consent thereto, but going into a turret,
called to the Englishmen béelow, and willed them to signifie to the
king, that one of his seruants being fled to him, sought to bewraie
his secrets, wherevnto he would by no means agrée, and therefore meant
to restore both the traitor and the letters. Herevpon, the lord Iohn
Spenser, comming to heare what the matter might meane, the capteine
caused Lewin to be let downe to him, togither with the letters safe,
and not touched by him at all.
[Sidenote: A Welshman hanged.]
When the king vnderstood this, he much commended the honest respect of
the capteine, and whereas he had caused engins to be raised to annoie
them within (as yée haue heard) he commanded the same to ceasse, and
withall, vpon their capteins suit, he granted them libertie to send
vnto their king Iohn Balioll, to giue him to vnderstand in what sort
they stood. As touching the Welshman, he was drawne and hanged on a
pair of high galowes, prepared for him of purpose, as he had well
deserued. A notable example of a traitorous villaine, so to offer the
secrets of his souereigne to be known to his enimies: and no lesse
excellent a president of an honest and faithfull harted foe, that
would not himselfe nor let anie other haue a sight of the contents
therein written; a rare point of good meaning and vpright dealing in a
souldier, and speciallie in an enimie; but
---- multo optimus ille
Militiæ cui postremum est primúmq; tueri
Inter bella fidem.
[Sidenote: Striueling castel left void.]
[Sidenote: Edenburgh castell deliuered to the king of England.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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