[Sidenote: _Th. Walsing._] [Sidenote: _Croxden._] [Sidenote: 1337.] [Sidenote: The king studieth to gather monie to mainteine his warres.] [Sidenote: Great cheapnesse of wars and scarsitie of monie.] The quéene was deliuered of hir second sonne at Hatfield, who was therfore named William of Hatfield, who liued but a short time, departing this world when he was but yoong. The king being returned home out of Scotland, sought by all waies possible how to recouer monie, both to supplie his charges for the Scotish wars, and also to furnish the other wars which he meant to take in hand against the French king: he got so much into his hands (as it is reported by writers) that it was verie scant and hard to come by throughout the whole realme: by reason of which scarsitie and want of monie, or vpon some other necessarie cause, vittels, and other chaffer and merchandize were excéeding cheape: for at London a quarter of wheat was sold for two shillings, a fat oxe for six shillings eight pence, a fat shéepe for six pence or eight pence, halfe a doozen of pigeons for one penie, a fat goose for two pence, a pig for one penie, and so all other vittels after the like rate. [Sidenote: 1338.] [Sidenote: An. Reg. 11.] [Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._] [Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._] [Sidenote: _Polydor._] [Sidenote: _Fabian._] This yeare was the warre proclaimed betwixt England and France, chéefelie by the procurement of the lord Robert Dartois, a Frenchman, as then banished out of France, vpon occasion of a claime by him made vnto the earledome of Artois. This lord Robert after he was banished France, fled ouer vnto king Edward, who gladlie receiued him and made him earle of Richmond. ¶ All the goods of the Italians were by the kings commandement this yeare confiscate to his vse, and so likewise were the goods of the moonks of the Cluniake and Cisterceaux orders. ¶ This yeare also a comet or blasing starre appeared, with long and terrible streames passing from it. In the eleauenth yeare of his reigne, the king held a parlement at Westminster, about the time of Lent, during the which, of the earledome of Cornewall he made a duchie, and gaue it vnto his eldest sonne Edward, that was then earle of Chester, whom also (as some write) he created at the same time prince of Wales. [Sidenote: Creations of noble men.] [Sidenote: Additions to _Hen. Marle._] [Sidenote: _Croxden._] [Sidenote: An act of arraie, against sumptuous apparell.]