University of Virginia Library

Chronicle of the Family of Percy

Here beginneth the Prologue of this litle treaties followinge wch is ye discent of the Lord Percies made & compiled briefely by mee Wm Peeris Clerke & Priest. Secretary to the Right noble Earle Henry the Vth earle of Northumberland.

Afore the Conquest many yeares revolved
The yeares of our lord nine hundred thirtie & three
the fourth yeare of kinge Alured
of England obtaininge the monarchie
As in the second booke of William Malmesbury Cronicles is remembred
the progenitors of ye Percies of stocke ancient in the Countrey
Of Denmarke & Norway flowred in high felicity
& doubtles they were of great nobility
& wth famous Duke Rollo out of the said Countrey they came
when hee tooke his jorney to conquer Normandy wth many a noble man.
And William of Malmesbury in his said second booke beareth witnes
that the Cronicles of Normandy doth plainly expresse
The name of the Lord Percy wch was associate to the
forenamed Duke Rollo was called Jeffrey Percie
A right valiant knight gracious & fortunate
whose father named Mainefreed was fallen into fate.
The forenamed Duke Rollo gave after his victory
to the said Lord Geffray Percy
Great possessions in Normandy in the Countrey
of Artoys as the story sheweth more plainely
In the third booke of William of Malmesbury
soone after this Conquest done in Normandy
This noble & valiant Duke Rollo of holy Baptisme
received the necessary Sacrament
And was called Robert for hee desyred soe
& Lde Jeffrey Percy wth devout intent
To receive the same grace was glad & centent
& of ffrance Arch Bishop of Reine
They received Christendome & Baptizacion
as Henry of Huntington declareth is his third booke of latin translation.
The saide first Lde Geffray Percy was a right noble lord
specially accepted for his truth & steadfastnes
As the saide Chronicles of Normandy doe record
& after many yeares spent in this vale of wretchednes
Almighty god called him to his mercifull goodnes
In his Celestiall pallas rewarded to bee
whom succeeded his eldest sone & heire Ld. Wm. Percy.
The first Lord William Percie sone to the
first Lord Jeffray Percy borne in Normandy
And Regent of the same made and ordained by the
first Richard Duke of Normandy
Was Lde of Artoys a knight of noble fame
sone & heire to him had his Grandfathers name
ffor the second Jeffray Lord Percie hee was call'd,
as his Grandfather height
& to god & to his prince hee was a faithfull true knight.
The second Lord Geffray Percie goodly issue had
the second William Lord Pearcie borne in Normandy
Wch prospered after his father the Second Lord
Jeffray Pearcie & was substantiall and sad
And as the ffrench Chroniclers doth expresse
& notify, for his valiant acts & faithfulness.
Spetially hee was made Earle of Poitiers by noble duke Richard
wch his noble true knights wth nobles would reward.
The second Lord William Pearcie & second William in Normandy borne
had issue Lord Jeffray Pearcie the third wch was Primo genitus
In all vertues right excellent as his elders was beforne
and as the said Annuall bookes of Normandy shew unto us
He had issue the third William Pearcie a knight most famous
sone & heire to him & this third William
out of Normandy into England with the Conqueror came.
This said third Lord William Pearcy as the Chronicles doth tell
wt kinge William Conqueror was in favour specially,
Hee found none more stedfast amonge all his Councell
therefore hee promoted him in favour singularly
ffor his merits & his manhood hee loved him cordeally
& into the Boreall parts hee willed him to resort
a noble Lady caused him to marry named Em de Porte.
This Lord William Pearcie the third had his Nativity
in Normandy the first here of that name
In England after the Conquest as yee shall after see
wch to this day hath floured wthout reproach or shame
ffor ffaith & fastnes alway reputed in brute and fame
ffrom the Conquest downe lineally my matter shall proceede
& if it bee not elegant, yet a true history shall yow reade.
By the vertuous Lady Emme de Port his wife
goodly Jssue hee had wch right prudent were
Alane the ffirst, Jeffrey the ffourth in England after
the Conquest Richard the ffirst wch the daies of theire life
Spent wth greate honor & namely wth goodly feare
in theire due places I shall declare what they were
But first by order is my purpose & Intencion
Of the noble deedes of the first William Pearcie here in England to make mention.
At Whitby hee founded & caused to bee builde
a gracious Monastery of Monkes there to serve
In the Honor of god, St. Peter, & St. Hilde
yt god of his grace the better would him preserve
And the perdurable life alsoe yt hee might deserve
wch Abbey hee indewed as hee did other moe
wth large possessions as this booke will declare & showe.
The said Monastery first was built of St. Hilde,
Daughter to Kinge Edwyn, yt tyme a place
Of Nunnes of the wch place shee was the first Abbas
By inspiration devine but longe after it was
Made desolate & destroide by the Danes Cruelty
But the said ffirst Lord William Pearcie soone after ye Conquest
caused ye said house of Whitby to bee built againe as hee thought best.
Couzen to the first Lord William Percie Raynfrede a knight
Was first Prior of Whitby inspired by heavenly grace
Maintaineinge the foundacion & of his Uuckle the Right
Serlo Pearcy the first the second Prior succeeded in short space
Brother to ye first Lord William Pearcy & first foundr of ye place
soe not onely by martiall acts floured the Pearcie name
but alsoe ye bloud of them were fathers of Christs Church increasinge vertuous fame.
Notwthstandinge this first Serlo Pearcy the second Prior of Whitby
afterward was the first yt would have wronged his bloud
ffrom ye defendinge and foundership of the Abbeie
to his duty havinge noe regard
God pardon his soule for hee purposed a damnable thinge
& when this Serlo could not defeate his brother of his right by wronge surmisinge
By craft hee divised & by malice out found
to cause his house to pay to the Kinge ten pound
At euery vacation wch now is raised
to more large some & bringeth in
variance to the house & causeth it in greate damage to din.
Noe man may let a religious place
to give or lend what they list it affordeth but a small
But be it litle or much as shall require the case
the founders right title it queteth nothinge at all
ffor when the said Serlo Prior of Whitby had laid his traps all,
yet god in his power would not suffer it to lye
to defraude the right of the foundership fro his brother Lord William Pearcie.
In the Monastery of Whitby ould records bee
& antient monuments of true remembrance
That after the decease of Lord William Pearcy
a Controversy was & alsoe a variance
Betweene Serlo Pearcy wch was the second Prior of Whitby
& had the gouernance of the said Abbey
And the Lord Alane the first founder of the said Monastery his nephew
whereupon a wronge title the said Serlo forged out new.
To intitle the Kinge as ffounder was the said Priors intent
howbeit the Pearcies title is just, plaine, and evident
ffor his wrongefull deedes god gave him sore punishment
for at longe tyme ere hee departed greate pitty it was to see
Wth a contagious Canker rufully vexed was hee
after hee had greate repentance for in his conscience hee knew
that the Lord William Pearcy his brother was the founder rightfull & true
ffor by evidence & deedes under seale wch I have seene & looked upon
the just title of the foundation appeareth, objection may bee none
And alsoe scite of the place stands on the Pearcies ground
thereupon the said Lord William Pearcie his Abbey first did found.
The first William Pearcie in England was an active man of warre
& into the holy land hee went at the great voyage
wth Robert Duke of Normandy to the Conqueror
of the wch greate jorney & dangerous passage
In his ffourth booke William Moncke of Malmesbury right discreet and sage
maketh mention where hee treateth of the Noble Godfrey of Bulloigne
& of the said Duke Robert journeyinge into Jerusalem.
After many noble deedes done valiantly the said William Pearcie
before his returne died as William of Malmesbury in the 2 booke doth expresse
In fortifyinge of Christs faith and resistinge the Turks malice
& as may bee conjectured in the citty of Antioch in Heathenesse
where many noble men departed wth him to heavenly quietnes
after the Citty was gotten as the said William in ye said booke beares witnes.
The said Pearcies hart brought into England accordinge to his bequest
for in the Abbey of his ffoundacion at Whitby hee willed it to rest
This Lord William Pearcie had in Normandy faire patrimony possessions & large dominacions
The names Pearcie Surtum abraude & Ftoris wth liberties
many of the wch is faire evidence, & such probation
wch I have seene & read wth advised consideration
Whereby it appeareth & is right evident,
yt ye Pearcies ere they came in wth the Conqueror were noble & antient.
The first Alane Pearcie the first William Pearcies Eldest sone & Heire
a knight right valiant was, next after
The first William his father by lawfull succession
a lady married hee called Em de Gant
Hee confirmed his fathers grant of Whitby the foundation
the Monks of Whitby were faine to bee under his protection
Hee gave to them of reason what they would require
& they honoured him as founder wth harty desyre.
By Em de Gant gratious fruite hee had
William the second, Walter the first, Alane
The second wch proved wise and sadde
& Geffray the second wch was a right noble man
To the wch second Geffray David kinge of Scotland gave Hedon,
& Oxencambe wch bee in Scotland and afterwards hee
Gave them to his fathers foundacion of Whitby
as they have evidence to shewe in theire Monastery.
By the said Lady Em de Gant Hunmanby came fre
wth the members thereunto therefore of very right
True founders of Bridlington the Pearcies be
For Gilbert of Gant a full noble knight
Was father unto this Lady wch Em hight
Wch Em was married unto first Lord Alane
& mother shee was unto the second William.
This first Lord Alane to his foundacion of Whitby gave Stokeley
Newham, Hackies, Thorneley, & Brokysey
The port of the See, & Whitby strand
wth the fforrests, woods, & pastures, lyinge at hand
By Em de Port his mother in the chapter house lyeth hee
as true founder where there tombes you may see
And when the Monkes cometh to theire Chapter house of Whitby
they are bound to name as theire founder the saide Wm Pearcy
And to pray for him wth mind most devoutly,
whose hart there in the said Chapter house doth lye.
The second William eldest sone & heire to the first Lord Alane
succeeded & by Alis his wife daughter to ye Lde Rosse had issue
Alane the third, Robt ye ffirst, and the second Richard: to ye monks of Whitby
[hee gave in his life ... Leathum in a perpetuall memory
He was the second Lord Pcy yt confirmed the ffoundation]
wth goodly regard to himselfe & his heires reserved nothinge
But the ffoundershippe of the Abbey of Whitby & the defendinge
Eldest sone and heire to the second William
Alane the third height wch wthout issue departed
The second Richard therefore the second son to William
the second brother to the third Allane succeeded of right
This Richard the second left after him but small store
The third William his Eldest sone & heire I reade of noe more
wch god sent unto him by his wife Lady Jane
which was daughter to Sc William Bruse of noble fame.
These before rehearsed in the Chapter house of Whitby
doth ly monge theire ancestors in the said Monastery.
After Richards death immediatly the third William
succeeded accordinge to right
Eldest sone & heire to the second Richard & next him lineally
This William Pearcy this noble famous knight
was married to a Lady wch Mary hight.
To Sr Robert of Turke daughter was shee
a valiant man descended of noble antiquity
By Lady Mary his wife hee had goodly Issue
Walter the Second, Alane the fourth, Richard the third Wm ye iiijth Lord
ffoure yee may marke wthin theire youth were brought up wth manners & virtue
But they dyed all children except Wm ye fourth a who Clarcke
who was after Abbott of Whitby
reserved by god to some gracious worke
ffor it is not possible for man to compas in his mynd
why god taketh one sone, & leaveth here another longe behynd.
The yeare of our Lord A Thousand, a hundreth, thirty, & three
This third William founded an Abbey
Called Handall of holy women of Cysternensis order of Arundell
to serve god in theire verginity
Hee married Ellenor wch was daughter to the Earle
by whom hee had Issue Henery the ffifth
& the eight William as the Pedegree can tell.
The Baronage of Anwicke & the signorie
was first the Lord Vescy but this fourth Henery Pearcy
Of Anthony Becke Bishop of Durham of noble memory
did purchase it to him & to his heires lineally
In the xxth yeare of Kinge Edward the first, & of the same Bishop of Durham
the said kinge Edward did purchase his manor of Eltham
And suffered Alnewicke soe to bee.
in his graces recouery of Eltham
for the Percies more suretie.
And soe the Pearcies as appeareth Evidently
as true founders of Alnewicke Abbey
And of the ffrerys Carmelites called the ffryers whyte
as well in the South as in the North they bee Founders of right.
For at Hull Parke nere Anwyke is the heade place
first build for the love of Mary Virgin of all grace.
This ffourth Henery gave the Advocation
of the Church of Gargrave to Salley his Abbey
of white monckes fre
And hee confirmed the Charter of the ffoundation
of Whitby his Monastery & the liberty
By the said Elinor Henry the ffifth & William the Ninth issue had he
in ffountaynes church lyeth hee before the Sacrament
wch Abbey hee endued wth greate lands & rent.
As to say to the said ffountaynes Mallum Mallum moore both two
Linton & Lintondale thereby
Arnecliffe & Arnecliffe coate alsoe
& of Pearcie guift the Abbey hath besyde
Toplyffe, Reyngton, Difford, & Balderby
this hath the Abbey of Fountaines & more
Of the Pearcies guift to augment the Monkes foode
to pray for the Pearcies they are bound
& honour the noble bloud.
The said Elynor his wife daughter to the said Earle of Arundell
was a constant Lady honourable and wise
A faire tyme of life was graunte her in this world to dwell
at Semar, a new Chappell the said Lady did devise
And caused it to bee built in right costly wise
and the ffifth Henry Pearcie sone to the ffourth Henry next after succeedinge
founded two Chauntries for two Priests in the said Chappell to singe.
The Soueraigne noble Lady Elenor wife to the flourth Henry
Joineth wth Isabell wife to Lord John Vescy
founded the blacke ffreeres called the Prechors at Scarbrough in the
honor of god & St. Dominicke wth mynd most devoutly
As it is remembred & Registred evidently
in the house of the said ffreeres at Skarburgh towne
god grant them for theire reward a Celestiall crowne.
Sone & heire to the ffourth Henry the ffifth Henry was
wch at the battaile of Durham was Captayne principall
Many valiant acts hee did of greate noblenesse
the Castell of Alnewicke hee repaired & made more substantiall
This ffifth Henry a noble Lady married & of Ancient blood withall
Ydonye lord Clifford Daughter by whom had hee
foure sones & three Daughters as hereafter yee may see.
Henery the sixt, Roger the ffirst, Thomas ye ffirst, & the sixt Richard
of the yonger brethren I shall first expresse
Of Henery the Eldest sone & heire I shall speak afterward
Roger the ffirst the second sone Dalton Pearcie did possesse
Richard the sixth the third sone in his yonger age did decease
Thomas the first sone Bishop of Norwich a father of holinesse
wch builded the Castell of Wresill as Chronicles write
& gave it to his brothers sone wch Thomas height.
Of the said Henry three daughters the names I shall tell
Isabell, Margret, & Elynor to William of Atholl was married Isabell
And Margret despoused wth greate honour to Robert Humphrevill
sone & heire to the Earle of Anguish in a blessed hower
To the Lord ffitz water Elinor was wedde
many yeares together [a most ] gracious life they led.
This ffifth Henry at Alnewicke lyeth in the Monastery
god grant his sowle everlastinge glory
Lady Ydondye his wife wch was circumspect & wise
in Beverley minster is tombed in right costly wise.
And at the same minster shee founded a chauntry men may see
of the wch the Pearcies patrons perpetuall bee.
Henery the sixt Eldest sone & heire to this ffifth Henry
at Semar borne succeeded as was convenient
Mary daughter to th' Earle of Lancaster married hee
by this said Lady gracious issue god to him sent
Henry the Seventh, Thomas ye second, Raph the ffirst
& Isabell a daughter wch was right Prudent.
And Edward the third gave to him & to the heires perpetually
Warkworth, Corbridge, Newborne, & Rochebery.
Edward Bailiall kinge of Scots as in Pollicronycon I reade
to the said Sixt Henry for his great Prowes & valiant deede
Specially, faire lands & Lordships gave him beyond ye water of Tweede
As to say Lough-Mabans in Affdale, & the fforrest of Gedworth & Alardale
And many other Lordships beyond the English Pale
wthin the Realme of Scotland this ye may see
How the Pearcies were had in honor for theire fidelity.
To this Sixt Henery gave the third Edward
the Custody of the Castell of Berwicke at a Parliament
To him & his heires for evr afterwarde
soe the heires of the Pearcies by lineall descent
And of right title & Justice evident
Ought of the Castell Constables to bee
as theire Ancestors were of ould Antiquity.
Of this sixt Henry his younger sone the second Thomas
was Earle of Worcester a man of greate noblenesse
Made by Edward the Third many a noble act by ye
said second Thomas done was
in the service of the said Kinge Edward in his warres & righteous progresse
The Unckle of the said second Thomas Byshop of Norwich
by worthy purpose willed the said Thomas Pearcy,
The Castell of Wresill during his life duly,
& after him to the head heires of the Pearcies perpetually.
The said sixt Henry Lord Pearcy had the vijth Henery,
whom to Elizabeth Earle of Anguish daughter & heire hee did marry
And to the same Henery and Elizabeth
the said Earle of Anguish that noble Lord
Gave the Lordship of Prudhoo wth the appurtenances
as faire Evidences doe recorde
And to the foresaid Henery & his heires for evermore
whether hee had issue or none by the said Lady
Elizabeth his daughter but or these mariages were made completely
Elizabeth departed a Vergin to gods mercy.
Then afterwards Margret the Lord Nevills daughter his second wife married hee
by whom hee had issue three sones whose names bee
Henry the eight, Raph the second, & the third Thomas
Margret dyed & after her as fortuned the case
Hee married Maud Countesse of Anguesh his therd wife
which mother was to Elizabeth his first wife
And by the said Maud forthwithall
The Lord Lucy Lands by her guift came to him all.
Soe this noble man if yee wisely regard
had faire lands & possessions greate
ffirst by Elizabeth the Daughter, and by Maud her mother afterwarde
of the which noe lawe may his heires defeate.
Of this matter it needeth noe more to treate
the seventh Henry was the ffirst Earle & had his creation
of kinge Richard the second the day of his coronation.
This said Lady Maud Lucy as I understand
married herselfe conditionally to the foresaid
Seaventh Henry first Earle of Northumberland
as to say that the Lord Pearcy should beare continually
The blew Lion & the Lucies siluer in his armes quarterly
her name hee might not take, issue none had shee,
therefore shee Did bind him to beare her armes as in his armes yee may see.
The honour of Cockermouth came by her shee gaue it freely
to him & to his heires as by the Lawe shee might
Bearinge the foresaid armes of her in memory
wth the blew Lyon the Braband armes quarterly
The Seventh Henry had greate trouble in defendinge the right
of his soueraigne Lord Kinge Richard the second to whom hee was true knight
And in his quarrell at last one Bramham more for his truth slaine was hee
by the commandement of Henry the ffourth called Henry Darby.
The said Henry of Derby after hee was entred to this Land
at Doncaster in the white ffryers was sworne on the Sacrament
To the Seaventh Henry the first Earle of Northumberland
& to the Lord Pearcy his eldest sone beinge there present
With his Unckle the Earle of Worcester yt hee would bee content
his owne inheritance onely to claime
which was the Dukedom of Lancaster wch of right hee should obtaine,
& not to usurpe the Crowne upon his prince Kinge Richard
but soone after was periured & of his oath had noe regard.
For his wrongefull dealinge & perjury
as Polycronicon in his life doth plainly expresse
God punished him right sore & grievously
for after hee had taken upon him the Crowne wrongfully immediatly stricken hee was
with the contagious sicknesse of Lepre wch is a disease remediles
the body of the said Earle of Northumberland in Yorke minster doth lye
at the right hand of the high alter right Honourably.
The eight Henry, sone to the Seaventh Henry bounteous & good
his father yet livinge was a right valiant knight
And did many notable acts as became his noble bloud
for defence of his Princes Realme hee spared not to fight
ffor his sharpe quicknesse & speedinesse at neede
Henry Hottespur hee was called indeede.
This eight Henry the first Earles sone his father
yet livinge in his foresaid princes quarrelling
Richard the second was slaine at Shrewsburie whose intent was onely
His prince out of Pontfract from captivity deliver & bringe
of the said Henries innocent death was greate ruth & pitty
A more noble Captaine none might bee
at the battell of Hummeldon in the field plaine
Hee tooke Earle Douglesse of the Scotts chiefe Captaine
for honor of the Realme hee endured paines greate
amongst the most valiant Knights hee was worthy to obteyne a seate.
This honourable man & right noble Lord
was faithfull & stedfast therefore unto this day
Of his faith & Troth ould wryteings record
Crowne of all vertues is truth I dare say
Which in the noble Pearcies bloud has floured alway
In Yorke minster this most honourable knight
by the first Earle his father lyeth openly in sight.
By Elizabeth the Earle of Marches Daughter issue had hee
Henry the ninth his sone & a daughter as I reade
Which Daughter was named Elizabeth, two husbands had shee
first Thomas Lord Clifford & when hee was dead
To the second Earle of Westmerland shee was wed
for this Lady Elizabeth Pearcie as yee may see
had two honourable husbands of noble ancienty.
The ninth Henry Pearcy sone to the eight Henery
And second Earle of Northumberland
Flowred after his grandfather in Lordship & dignity
hee married the Eldest daughter of the Earle of Westmerland
Elinor named, at Berwicke wth greate solemnity
many yeares hee lived in reputacion & honorability
In his ould age at St. Albons intendinge his prince to save
Henery the sixt Alas hee was slaine & there lyeth in his grave.
The ninth Henry had much gracious Issue
By Elinor his lady whose names I shall expresse
First Henry the tenth his Eldest sone & heire of Noble vertue
Yonge brother hee had first Thomas
The fourth Lord Egrimond of greate bruite doubtlesse
then Willm the ninth, George the first, Raph the third, Richard the seaventh, of valiant prowesse.
Anne and Katherin Issue Generall
of whom by order I shall speake in spetiall.
Noble Thomas Lord Egrimond by the Seaventh Kinge Henery
Promoted, and under his protection
Rebels & Traytours hee was ay ready to confound
which against his soveraigne Lord made insurrection
To faith & fidelity hee had zeale & affection
at Northampton hee was slayne in his princes quarrell & vindication
of St Thomas day of Canterbury in the Translation.
William Pearcy the ninth a prelate and Bishop of Carliell
George Pearcy the first a Clarcke was learned & vertuous
To serve god hee was content, wth hartie mind & will
preistly behavinge himselfe of disposition gracious
Raph the third & Richard the Seaventh knights right Couragious
& in Beuerley minster the said George was Prebendary
& there hee is buried & dayly had in Memory.
Daughters to the second Earle Katherin and Anne
honourablie spoused as it was convenient
Anne to the Lord Hungerford of birth a Nobleman
Katherin to the Lord Gray of Ruthen after the Earle of Kent
of whom is commen right honourable descent
the second Earle to his blood greate honour intended
alas yt soe noble a man by death was prevented.
The said second Earle the ninth Henry of William of Aton
Cozen & heire to the Lord Vescy,
Purchased the foundation of Ferribie, & Watton,
& the patronage of Malton perpetually
To him & his heires for ever stedfastly,
The Lord Pearcie by descent alwaies to bee
True founder of Malton, Watton, & Ferriby
of the wch is faire evidence under seale to see.
After him the tenth Henry th' Earledome did obteine
which was the third Earle, a noble woman married hee
Elinor heire to the Lord Poynings, Fitz-Pane, & Bryan,
Kinge Henery the sixt in the said third Earle, & tenth Henry found greate fidelity
And for his sake the said Earle oftentymes stood in perplexity
as in conclusion the said Earle in his princes quarrell
at Towton was slaine on the Euill Palme Sunday. what should I more say
This tenth Henry had one sone issue male & noe more
the eleventh Henry of whom after I shall make declaration
And three daughters Margret, Elizabeth, & Elinor
Margret to Sr William Gascoigne of greate reputation
was married & Elizabeth had Copulation
wth Lord Scroope of Bolton, and Elinor then
wth the Lord de La Vare as her fortune ran.
The said eleventh Henry Pearcie after certaine yeares
after much trouble & adversity
Succeeded to the Earledome amonge the stately Peeres
a Lady hee married of Ancient & high degree
Daughter to th' Earle of Pembrooke, & Lord Herbert was hee
Mawd was the name of his vertuous Lady,
Wise, politique, prudent, & allwaies gratious
& to her true servants a Lady most Bounteous.
By Lady Mawd his wife faire issue hee had
First the twelfth Henry his eldest sone wch enioyeth his heritage
William the tenth the second sone a knight valiant & good
Alane the Seaventh the fourth sone a Prelat honourable & sage
Joceline the fourth & the fourth sone of the said Henry of vertuous corage
of whom I shall declare now in speciall
Elizabeth dyed a Vergin in her tender age.
Lady Elinor of soueraigne & vertuous courage
Despoused was right honorably to the duke of Buckingham of noble Linage
Anne the younger sister a right Prudent Lady
To William Lord Materuers & soe consequently
sone & heire to the Earle of Arundell of noble memory.
This noble Earle in King Henery the Seauenths tyme
by the Insurrection of the Commons at Thirske was slaine in ye cause of his Kinge
O horrible mischiefe, O most Cruell Cryme
in our dayes hath not beene seene soe detestable a thinge
Theire awne naturall Lords the Commons soe murtheringe
hee godly commandinge them in the Kings name
to doe but theire duties to theire Prince to keepe themselfe from blame.
Many Knights & gentlemen that day wth him hee led
to whom hee gave fees & was right speciall Lord
But in his greate neede all sodainely they fled
there was some priuie treason, the troth to record
Alas in theire conscience they have cause to remord
to forsake him whereby hee lost his life
at Beuerley Minster hee lyeth & alsoe Lady Mawd his wife.
In the wch Minister five Priests bee found
dayly to singe & Masses to say
For Lord Henry & Mawds soule as they bee bound
& for theire ancestors deceased devoutly to pray
At an Altar by his Tombe they singe euery day
& three Bead men hee founded there alsoe to continue & pray alway
which now the ffifth Earle & the Twelfth Henry doth maintaine & uphold
right devoutly for hee reputeth holy prayer more then treasure or gold.
The ffifth Earle eldest sone & heire
to the fourth Earle right gratious & good
Hath married a vertuous Lady Katherin Spencer
mirror of humility, descended of the Noble Somersets bloud
To Kinge Henery the Seauenth annexed by consanguinity
Here I would ad more as it becometh mee
Yet my pen should bee pure from all partiallity
but hee at whose commandement this simple worke I translate
loveth bettr short sentence then a matter to delate.
By Lady Katherin his wife god of his benignity
Hath sent him goodly fruite gratious & amiable
ffirst Henry his eldest sone & heire wch is the thirteenth Henry
indued wth vertues, Cuninge, & Manners laudable
Thomas Pearcy the ffifth his second sonne wise gentle & affable
Ingram Pearcy the second the third sone wch hath graces manifould
god grant them to bee his seruants good men & ould.