seeing that both _Bochas_ and _Lidgate_ were deade, neyther were there any aliue that medled with like argument, to whome the vnfortunate might make theyr mone. To make therefore a state meete for the matter, they all agreede that I shoulde vsurpe _Bochas’_ rome, and the wretched princes complayne vnto mee: and tooke vpon themselues, euery man for his part to be sundry personages, and in theyr behalfes to bewaile vnto mee theyr greeuous chaunces, heauy destenies, and woefull misfortunes. This done, wee opened such bookes of chronicles as wee had there present, and Maister _Ferrers_ (after he had founde where _Bochas_ left, which was aboute the ende of king _Edwarde_ the thirde’s raigne) to begin the matter, sayde thus: “I maruaile what[49] _Bochas_ meaneth to forget among his miserable princes, such as were of our owne[50] nation, whose number is as great as theyr aduentures wonderfull: for to let passe all, both _Britaynes_, _Danes_, and _Saxons_, and to come to the last conqueste, what a sorte are they, and some euen in his owne time,[51] [or not much before?[52]] As for example [_William Rufus_ the second king of _England_ after the conquest, slayne in the newe forest (as hee was hunting there) by[53] _Walter Tirell_, with the shotte of an arrowe. _Robert_ duke of _Normandy_, eldest sonne to _William Conqueror_, depriued of his inheritance of _England_, by the sayde _William Rufus_ his second brother, and after by _Henry_[54] his yongest brother hauing both his eies put out, miserably[55] imprisoned in _Cardiff_ castle, whereas hee dyed. Likewise[56] the most lamentable case of _William_, _Richarde_, and _Mary_, children of the sayde _Henry_, drowned vpon the sea.[57] And[58]] king _Richarde_ the first slayne with a quarrell in his chiefe prosperity. Also king _Iohn_ his brother (as some say) poysoned.[59] Are not theyr historyes rufull, and of rare ensample? But as it shoulde appeare, _Bochas_ being an _Italian_, minded most the _Romayne_ and _Italike_ story, or els perhaps hee wanted the knowledge of ours.[60] It were therefore a goodly and notable[61] matter, to searche and discourse our whole story from the first beginning of the inhabiting of the isle. But seeing the printer’s mind is to haue vs followe[62] where _Lidgate_ left, wee will leaue that greate laboure to other that maye entende it, and (as one being bold first to breake the yse)[63] I will begin at the time[64] of _Richarde_ the second, a time as vnfortunate as the ruler therein.[65] And forasmuch (friend _Baldwine_) as it shalbe your charge to note and pen orderly the whole processe: I will so far as my memory and iudgement serueth, somewhat further you in the trueth of the story. And therefore omitting the ruffle made by _Iacke Strawe_ and his meiney,[66] with[67] the murder of many notable men which therby happened, (for _Iacke_ as yee knowe was but a poore prince) I will begin with a notable example, which within a while after ensued.