The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 08: Asia, Part IHakluyt, Richard
History
The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 08: Asia, Part I
Hakluyt, Richard
Discoveries in geography -- English; Voyages and travels
The fift time when this messenger came, and was of the princes seruants
searched according to the maner and custome what weapon and armour he had
about him, as also his purse, that not so much as a knife could be seene
about him, he was had vp into the princes chamber, and after his reuerence
done, he pulled out certaine letters, which he deliuered the prince from
his lord, as he had done others before. This was about eight dayes after
Whitsuntide, vpon a Tuesday, somewhat before night, at which time the
prince was layed vpon his bed bare headed, in his ierkin for the great heat
and intemperature of the weather.
When the prince had read the letters, it appeared by them, that vpon the
Saturday next following, his lord would be there ready to accomplish all
that he had written and promised. The report of these newes by the prince
to the standers by, liked them well, who drew somewhat backe to consult
thereof amongst themselues. [Sidenote: Prince Edward traiterously wounded.]
In the meane time, the messenger kneeling, and making his obeisance to the
prince (questioning further with him) put his hand to his belt, as though
he would haue pulled out some secret letters, and suddenly he pulled out an
enuenomed knife, thinking to haue stroken the prince in the belly therewith
as he lay: but the prince lifting vp his hand to defend the blow, was
striken a great wound into the arme, and being about to fetch another
stroke at him, the prince againe with his foot tooke him such a blow, that
he feld him to the ground: with that the prince gate him by the hand, and
with such violence wrasted the knife from him, that he hurt himselfe
therewith on the forehead, and immediately thrust the same into belly of
the messenger and striker, and slew him.
The princes seruants being in the next chamber not farre off, hearing the
busling, came with great haste running in, and finding the messenger lying
dead in the floore, one of them tooke vp a stoole, and beat out his brains:
whereat the prince was wroth for that he stroke a dead man, and one that
was killed before.
But the rumour of this accident, as it was strange, so it went soone
thorowout all the Court, and from thence among the common people, for which
they were very heauy, and greatly discouraged. To him came also the
Captaine of the Temple, and brought him a costly and precious drinke
against poison, least the venime of the knife should penetrate the liuely
blood, and in blaming wise sayd vnto him: did I not tell your Grace before
of the deceit and subtilty of this people? Notwithstanding, said he, let
your Grace take a good heart, you shall not die of this wound, my life for
yours. But straight way the Surgions and Physicians were sent for, and the
prince was dressed, and within few dayes after, the wound began to
putrifie, and the flesh to looke dead and blacke: wherupon they that were
about the prince began to mutter among themselues, and were very sad and
heauy.
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