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LONDON: T. FISHER UNWIN. 1902.

BY THE SAME .iUTHOR.
TAIiES TOLD IN THE ZOO. By
F. Carruthers Gould and his son, F. H.
Carruthers Gould. Fully Illustrated by
" F. C. G." Crown 4to, 6s.
NE'HT FAIRY TALES from Bren-
tano. Told in English by Kate Freili-
GRATH Kroeker, and Pictured by F.
Carruthers Goui.d. Fcap. 410, 3s. 6d.

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Fifth Impression

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2)e&icateb

LADY DOROTHY NEVILL.

INTRODUCTION

T HA VE endeavoured in this little book to chronicle
the political history of the last sixteen years in the
spirit and language of Sir John Froissart, as if the
events recorded had happened in the fourteenth instead
of in the nineteenth and twentieth centtiries. For this
purpose f have used as my models both Johnes s and
Bernerss translations fro77i the original text. In the
latter respect I am greatly indebted to Mr. Henry
Newbolt for his "Froissart in Britain." So strangely
does history often repeat itself that I have been able
here and there to transcribe passages of Lord Bernerss
ti^anslation almost verbatim into 7ny text. That in
such cases I have not used quotation ?narks I may be
allowed to excuse myself on the plea of a literary
license which adds, perhaps artfully, to artistic effect.
I have also inditlged in some license with regard to
V

Introduction
one or two facts of history. It is true that Mr.
Chamberlain did 7iot keep vigil in the chapel of
Hatfield ; that Lord Rosebery did not ride to West
minster on Ladas after Mr. Gladstone s resignation of
the Premiership ; and that the Liberal leaders did not
actually go to sea in a ship. But these are versions
of facts such as Froissart might have conceived had he
himself collected the gossip on which to found the
chronicles of modern events. With regard to these
pictorial distortions, to use the words of Lord Berners,
" I remit the correction thereof to them that disci^eetly
find any reasonable default." F. CARRUTHERS GOULD.

VI

CONTENTS

PACK
Prologue ....... i
Here speaketh the author of such matters as are to be
made mention of in this book . . . . i
CHAP.
I. The Question of the Governance of Ireland . 3
Of the discontent of Ireland and how an Irish chieftain
would not wear English breeches . . .3
Of English political parties and how Sir Gladstone
le Grand sought to appease Ireland . . .6
Of the arms borne by my lord of Salisbury atid Sir
Gladstone le Grand . . . .10
How Sir Joseph de Birmingham renounced his former
heresies and did penance therefor . . .11

II. Sir Stuart de Parnell and the Battle of Home
Rule . . . . . . -17
How Sir Gladstone le Grand failed in his enterprise
to the discomfiture of the Buffs, and of what befell
Sir Stuart de Parnell . . . . .17
How Sir Gladstone le Grand would not be discouraged
and of the harp that he caused to be made . 23
vii

Contents
CHAP. PAGE
Of the Battle of Ninety-two, called also the Battle of
Home Rule, how Sir Gladstone le Grand behaved with
great valiantness therein, and how the lords of the Blues
would not yield . . . . . 25
ni. The Governance of the Buffs . . . .28
How Sir James de Hereford was encountered and over
thrown by Sir Henry de Fowler, and how Sir Joseph
de Birmingham could not be found . . .28
How Sir Gladstone le Grand being old and weary with
drew himself from the leadership of the Buffs, how the
Ea9-1 of Durdans and Sir Harcourt de Malwood hasted
to Westminster, and how the Earl of Durdans by reason
of the swiftness of his horse won the race and became the
leader . . . . . . .30
How Sir Harcourt de Malwood laid heavy burdens on
the nobility a?td gentry and took tribute of their estates . 35
Of the ambition of the Buffs to do many things at once,
hoiv they luere surprised by the Blues, and how Sir
Cawmell de Bannerman ivas sore hurt . . .38
IV. The B.\ttle of Ninety-Five ... 42
Of the events that followed the wounding of Sir Cawmell
de Bannerman, how Sir Joseph de Birmi)igham promised
pensions to th^ common people, and of the great forces that
the Blues gathered together against the Buffs . .42
Of the Battle of Ninety-Five, how the Buffs were dis
comfited, and how many gallant Knights ivere unseated in
the fight . ..... 48

V. The Governance of the Blues
How Sir Joseph de Birmingham favoured his brethren
to the displacing of divers of the Blues, and the discontent
thereat .......

51

51

Contents
CHAP. PACK
Hoiv the Blues, having the governance in their hands, did
good service to their friends, more particularly the
Nobility and Ge/!/r\' . . . . -53
How certain Adventurers in Africa made an excursion
in a neighbouring country, hoiv they were in great peril
of being destroyed, and of the great troubles that ensued to
the State . . . . . -55
VI. The Evil Fortune of the Buffs . . -63
How the Buffs, being at sea, were much perplexed by
cross-acrrents, hoiv the Earl of Durdans left the ship,
a?id hoiv Sir Harcourt de Malwood took command
thereof . . . . . . -63
How Sir Gladstone le Grand would have led a crusade
against the Saracens who liad cruelly ill-treated the
Ar7nenians . . . . . .66
VII. The Affairs of South Africa and other Matters 68
How Sir Cecil de Kimberley came to England and
conversed with Sir Joseph de Birmingham; of the
Enquiry caused to be made into matters pertaining to
Africa, of the music played thereat ; how Sir Cecil
de Kimberley encoitntered the Committee and sat thereon ;
of the results that did not follow, and of the things that
were not found ... .68
How Sir Walter de Long would have muzzles put on all
dogs in Engla?id and of the disfavour he gained thereby 7 7
VIII. The Death of Sir Gladstone le Grand and the
Further Ill-fortunes of the Buffs . . 80
How Sir Gladstone le Grand passed out of this mortal
life and of the mourning thereat ... 80

Contents
CH.4P. PAGE
Of the further ill-fortunes of the Buffs, and how Sir
Harcourt de Malwood and Sir John de Moifaix departed
from the ship . . . . . .81
IX. The Affairs of the Church . . . -85
Of the affairs of the Church, and hoiv the Bishops had
great trouble with certain of the clergy . . -85
X. The War in South Africa . . . .89
How Sir Joseph de Birmingham sought to make Oom
Paul say suzerain, and to obtain certain concessions from
him, a?id of the War that ensued thereon . . 89
The Transvaalers and Free Staters invade English
territories i?i Africa and besiege certain towns ; how the
English could not for a time prevail against them, and
t/ie reason thereof . . . . -93
The lord de Bobs and his army arrive in Africa atid
defeat the Dutch, the siege of tlie three towfis is raised, to
the great Joy of the English, and the events that ensued . 98
XI. The Battle of Nineteen Hundred and the Death
of the Queen . . . . . .100
How the Blues with great subtlety surprised the Buffs
and worsted them, and how the war that was ended yet
continued . . . . . .100
How Queen Victoria of England passed out of this mortal
life to the great sorrow of her people . . .104
XII. The Earl of Durdans .... 105
How the Earl of Durdans left his furrow and rode to
Chesterfield to speak to ihe people . . .105
X

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

FRONTISPIECE AND TITLE. ....
IRISH FOOT SOLDIER ...
o'BRIEN REFUSETH TO WEAR ENGLISH BREECHES
SIR JOSEPH DE BIRMINGHAM AND OTHERS REJECT THE COUNSEL
OF SIR GLADSTONE LE GRAND
THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY ....
THE VIGIL AND RENUNCIATION OF SIR JOSEPH DE BIRMINGHAM
SIR STUART DE PARNELL .....
IRISHMEN ROWING .....
IRISH SCRIBE ......
IRISHMEN FIGHTING ....
SIR GLADSTONE LE GRAND AND THE CHIEF COMMONERS OF
THE BUFFS ON AN EXPEDITION
ATTACKING THE LORDS .....
SIR HENRY DE FOWLER AND SIR JAMES DE HEREFORD .
SIR GLADSTONE LE GRAND ....
THE EARL OF DURDANS RIDETH TO WESTMINSTER
PROTESTERS ......
SIR HARCOURT DE MALWOOD AT THE TREASURY
SIR HENRY ASQUITH .....
WELSH SOLDIERS ...... xi

3 5
9
13ISi8 19
2022 24272931 333436 39
40

List of Illustrations

SIR JOSEPH DE CHAMBERLAIN PROMISETH OLD-AGE PENSIONS TO
THE PEOPLE . ...
SIR HARCOURT DE MALWOOD IS SORELY WOUNDED
SIR JOHN DE MORLAIX IS GRIEVOUSLY HURT
SIR JOSEPH DE BIRMINGHAM AND HIS BRETHREN
SIR CECIL DE KIMBERLEY AND HIS APPLE CART.
LORD CHIEF JUSTICE RUSSELL
SIR RICHARD DE WEBSTER
THE CHIEFS OF THE BUFFS AT SEA
PLOUGHING .....
SIR JOSEPH DE BIRMINGHAM AND SIR CECIL DE KIMBERLEY
CONVERSE ......
MEN OF LAW RAISING POINTS ....
SIR CECIL DE KIMBERLEY PREACHETH TO THE COMMITTEE
A MINSTREL ......
SIR WALTER DE LONG SETTETH HIMSELF TO MUZZLE DOGS
SIR GLADSTONE LE GRAND
SIR HARCOURT DE MALWOOD AND SIR JOHN DE MORLAIX WRITE
LETTERS ......
SIR HARCOURT DE MALWOOD AND SIR JOHN DE MORLAIX
DEPART FROM THE SHIP
A CANTERBURY PILGRIM ....
CLERGYMAN DEFYING BISHOPS
OOM PAUL REFUSETH THE LION .
SIR JOSEPH DE BIRMINGHAM WRITETH TO OOM PAUL
ST. BOBS AND THE TORTOISE
MAFFICKERS (NINETEENTH CENTURy)
LORD DE KITCHENER GOES A-HUNTING .
THE EARL OF DURDANS ON A PILGRIMAGE
SIR HARCOURT DE MALWOOD AND SIR JOHN DE MORLAIX
HUNTING .......

434849 52 59
6061646S 69 73
75 7678
8082 84 86 87
9192 9798
103
106 107

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
PROLOGUE
Here speaketh the autlior of such matters as are to be made mention
of in this book.
THAT the truth of history may be apparent, and
that the events, enterprises, commotions, and
deeds of arms which have happened or been per
formed in England of late years may be held in
perpetual remembrance, I, Sir John Froissart, sit
down to relate the things which have been told to
me at various times by those having full knowledge
thereof For whereas many personages have written
of these matters without knowing anything of them,
or being able to assign the proper reasons for them,
I, having perceived the right foundation of the affairs,
shall neither add to nor omit the truth ; neither shall
I forget, corrupt, nor abridge my history, but the
rather will enlarge it so that all who are inspired

Prologue
with sense and sound understanding may derive
pleasure and instruction from my work, and that I
may fall into their good graces.
The true reason of my undertaking this book
was for my amusement, to which I have ever been
inclined, and for which I have frequented the company
of divers noblemen and privy councillors, as well in
England as in Scotland and Ireland. And perhaps
as this book is neither so exactly nor so well written
as such events as I shall record require I pray to
be excused if I have done injustice to any of the
noble lords, privy councillors, and gentlemen of
Parliament mentioned therein.

CHAPTER I

Of the discontent of Ireland and how an Irish chieftain would not
wear English breeches.
THE better to understand the eventful commotions
and the fierce disputes of parties in England, I
will now proceed to relate how
the matter of the governing of
Ireland brought about great
troubles and difficulties. You
must know that the Irish had
not been contented with the
English rule within the memory
¦of man, complaining that the
English lords treated them as
if they were slaves, and scorned
to understand their manners
and customs. They also said
that they were cruelly oppressed
by the lords of the land, whose
fathers had stolen the land from their fathers, and
3

IRISH FOOT SOLDIER.
(Irish Records)

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
who exacted tribute from them by torturing them on
the rack and tearing their clothes in pieces, which
they call rack-renting.
To tell you the truth, Ireland is the most difficult
to overcome of all the countries that England has
made war upon. Moreover, the Irish are a right
hardy race, bold in defiance, of great subtlety, and
of various tempers, and being as quick of wit as
the English are slow, they have ever been covetise
of ruling themselves in their own way. This the
English would not have, and there were fierce
conflicts between the English lords and the Irish
chiefs and people. The English made laws which
the Irish would not suffer, and when they rebelled
they were cast into prison. But so far from these
disorders being appeased by imprisoning the chiefs it
only made them the more perverse and rebellious.
Another grievance that these people had much at
heart was that the English oppressors would have
the chiefs whom they had in captivity to wear
breeches after the custom of the English. And it
fell that when one of the most potent of the chiefs
in Ireland, a certain William O'Brien, had been
taken and cast into a dungeon in the Castle of
Killanmaimem the English governor commanded that
4

O ERIEN REFUSETH TO WEAR ENGLISH BREECHES.
(Irish Records.)

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
a pair of breeches should be made for him to wear,
and strove by force to compel him to wear them.
But O'Brien resisted stoudy, saying, " By Gorra, but
I will not have English habits thrust upon me."
This proceeding gave sore displeasure to the Irish,
and they were mightily angered thereat.
Of English political parties and how Sir Gladstone le Grand sought
to appease Ireland.
Now you must know that in England men are
divided into two parties, which I will call the Buffs
and the Blues, for such are the colours of the banners
and other emblems displayed when they fight one
with the other. Whatsoever the Buffs do when they
are in power the Blues deem to be mischievous and
dangerous to the public welfare and the honour and
good name of the country. And in like manner the
Buffs look upon the doings of the Blues. Now the
leader of the Blues was a great nobleman, my lord
of Salisbury, and the chief of the Buffs was Sir
Gladstone le Grand, who had great power and
influence over the common people, swaying them
whithersoever he willed by the persuasiveness of his
speech. Ye have heard before of the discontent of Ireland
6

The Governance of Ireland
and the troubles that arose therefrom, and I will now
shew how Sir Gladstone le Grand, being weary of
the perpetual war between the English and the Irish,
bethought him of a way to end it and to bring
about peace and comfort, and this way was to give
to the Irish the liberty to govern themselves as they
would, for he said to himself, " This thing cannot
long endure in this estate, but at last the realm of
England shall perceive the matter and repent it."
You must know that in the year of our Lord a
thousand eight hundred fourscore and five there had
been a great battle between the Buffs and the Blues,
in the which the Buffs prevailed, albeit they had
much ado to overcome their enemies. Indeed it has
been reported to me that they would have been hard
pressed to hold their ground, seeing that many of
the burgesses and commons of the cities and towns
of England joined themselves to the nobility, clergy,
and gentry of the Blues, had not the villeins and
mean people come out from the shires, bailiwicks, and
villages and fallen upon the Blues with pitchforks
and flails and reaping hooks.
In the early months of the next year following,
therefore. Sir Gladstone le Grand, deeming himself
to be well established in puissance, assembled the
7

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
chief men of the Buffs and spake thus to them :
" Let us bind our Irish brethren to us by a union
of hearts and let us loose the fetters of steel, for
true it is that love and good humour will prevail
with them more than coercion, for force is no
remedy." He told them also how the Irish had in former
times loved and feared Saint Edward, King of
England, lord of Ireland and of Aquitaine, more than
any other King of England before or since, and how
when King Richard the Second sent an expedition
to Ireland, he, having this in his mind, laid aside
the leopards and flowers de luce, and bore the arms
of Saint Edward emblazoned on all the banners ;
these were a cross patence or. on a field gules, with
four doves argent on the shield or banner, as you
please. This was very pleasing to the Irish, and
inclined them more to submission than even a great
armament. After Sir Gladstone le Grand had spoken
thus to the Buffs, they pondered for a while and
then for the most part they answered, " Let it be
so, for we perceive the wisdom of this counsel ; let
us give to the Irish the home rule that they desire
to have." But there were many who said, " Nay, but we

^

SIR JOSEPH DE BIRMINGHAM AND OTHERS REJECT THE COUNSEL OF
SIR GLADSTONE LE GRAND.

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
will not agree, and if ye give to the Irish that for
which they are covetise then are ye traitors and
separatists, and we will go out from amongst you,
for ye are not true Buffs if ye do this evil thing."
Of those who spake in this wise the Lord de
Hartington, afterwards the Duke de Hartington, Sir
James de Hereford, afterwards the Lord James de
Hereford, Sir Joseph de Birmingham, and Sir Court
ney de Chelsea were the chief, and of the events that
followed and the ill-fortunes that befell the Buffs I
will speak hereafter.
Of the arms bo?-ne by my lord of Salisbury and Sir Gladstone le
Grand.
That all may recognise the truth of my history I
will now shew what were the arms borne by the
leaders of the Blues and the Buffs.
My lord of Salisbury bore for arms, quarterly ;
first and fourth barry of ten argent and azure, over
all six escutcheons, three, two, and one, sable, each
charged with a lion rampant of the first, a crescent
for difference, Cecil : second and third argent, on a
pale sable, a conger's head erased and erect, or.
charged with an ermyne spot, Gascoyne.
And Sir Gladstone le Grand bore for arms, argent,
lO

The Governance of Ireland
a savage's head affront^e distilling drops of blood,
about the temples a wreath of holly vert within an
orle fleury gules, all within eight martlets .sable.
How Sir Joseph de Birmingham renounced his former heresies and
did penance therefor.
I have already set out the names of some of those
who would not listen to the counsel of Sir Gladstone
le Grand as to the governing of Ireland. Let us now
speak more particularly of one. Sir Joseph de Bir
mingham, not because of his exalted rank, for indeed
he was but a commoner, but because he exceeded all
others in forwardness, which the people of England
call pushfulness, and was the fiercest in withstanding
his former leader. Moreover he had great subtlety of
tono-ue. Now of all those who had been reckoned
of the party of the Buffs Sir Joseph de Birmingham
was the one who had been the most hated of my
lord of Salisbury and the Blues, for he was wont to
go amongst the common people and stir them up to
discontent against the nobility, clergy, and gentry.
He was accustomed to assemble great crowds in
the cities, towns, and bailiwicks of the Midlands, to
whom he would say :
" My good friends, things cannot go on well in
II

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
England, nor ever will until the lords shall be no
more masters than ourselves. For they are made ot
the same flesh and blood as we ourselves. Are we
not all descended from the same parents, Adam and
Eve ? Why should they make us labour and work,
for them to spend ? They are clothed in velvets and
rich stuffs, ornamented with ermine ; they have hand
some seats and manors, when we must brave the
world and rain In our labours In the fields ; but it Is
from our labour they have wherewith to support their
pomp, for they toil not neither do they spin. Let us
put them down from their high places and hold them
to ransom." In this wise he spoke to the people, telling them
they should no longer allow the lords to interfere with
the making of their laws. For this reason, therefore,
my lord of Salisbury and other noble lords, and the
clergy and gentry sought to put down Sir Joseph de
Birmingham, and to prevent the mischief he wrought
amongst the common people.
" Who Is this pestilent fellow that he should
annoy us and inflame the rabble against us ? " quoth
my lord of Salisbury.
When Sir Joseph de Birmingham heard of what
my lord of Salisbury had said, he was enraged, saying,
12

S^RO ^€liJ setio

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY.
(From a Stained-glass Window.]
13

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
" By my faith but I am minded to march with
my men of Birmingham to London to beard this
arrogant nobleman and to teach him to curb his
discourteous tongue."
When this was related to my lord of Salisbury
he replied, " I would to God he might come, for then would
this Jack Cade perchance get him home again to
Birmingham with a broken pate."
Thus there was lltde love between my lord of
Salisbury and Sir Joseph de Birmingham. There were
even some amongst the Buffs who said that Sir
Joseph was too prone to dangerous doctrines, but of
these he made mock, saying he would do as he willed,
and he abused them, likening one to Rip Van Winkle
and another to a skeleton at a feast.
To Sir Gladstone le Grand, however, he professed
great loyalty declaring that he looked up to him as to
a great mountain.
But when it fell about that Sir Gladstone le
Grand resolved to give home rule to the Irish, and
Sir Joseph de Birmingham had withdrawn himself
from the Buffs, my lord of Salisbury and the others
of the nobility, clergy, and gentry of the Blues forgot
their former hatred and received him with marvellous
pleasure and great love. 14

THE VIGIL AND RENUNCIATION OF SIR JOSEPH DE BIRMINGHAM.

15

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
I will now relate that which has not herebefore
been recorded, namely, the manner in which after a
time Sir Joseph de Birmingham purged himself of
his former pestilent heresies, and did penance therefor.
According to the secret history that has been
revealed to me by one well acquainted with the
matters of which he discoursed. Sir Joseph de Bir
mingham went privily to Hatfield, where abode my
lord of Salisbury, and prepared himself to be
received into the right noble company of the Blues
by' watching for a night, clad only In his smock, and
with a taper in his hand, in the Chapel of Hatfield,
and there he kept vigil.
My lord of Salisbury would have had him doff
even his smock, but he refused, saying that it behoved
him for decency to keep his last garment which was
but a thin partition.
And the next morning after his vigil the noble
lords assembled and clothed him with beautiful raiment
of many colours, and a blue velvet robe, saying to him,
" You are now one of us."
And Sir Joseph de Birmingham was mightily
pleased when he sat down with the nobility, clergy,
and gentry. " Of a truth," quoth he, " I am now one
of the Gentlemen of England." i6

CHAPTER II
Hoiv Sir Gladstone le Grand failed in his enterprise to the dis
comfiture of the Buffs, and of what befell Sir Stuart de Parnell.
YE may well know that it was in the year of our
Lord a thousand eight hundred fourscore and
six that Sir Gladstone le Grand set himself to give
home rule to Ireland, and right valiantly he fought
to that end, but it fortuned that the Blues with the
aid of those who had gone over/to them from the
other side set upon the Buffs and overthrew them, so
that Sir Gladstone le Grand was driven to retreat,
and the Government fell into the hands of my lord of
Salisbury and the Blues.
When that the Blues had thus conquered their
enemies they sent an expedition into Ireland, under
the command of Sir Arthur de Balfour, nephew of my
lord of Salisbury, with the intent to subdue the
people and to compel them to be contented with
English rule. But although he took with him a
great armament and many battering-rams the Irish
17 c

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
diligently resisted, and it was
JHH| during this season that the
.^^iSR- English did many things that
were sore displeasant to the
Irish, more particularly the
piteous business of the chief
O'Brien's breeches, which I
have already related to you.
Now the chief leader of the
Irish was a certain Sir Stuart
de Parnell, who, although he
was descended from an English
family, had an estate In Ireland
and espoused the Irish cause.
Ye may well have it in remem
brance that the Irish love
fighting, and if there be no
common enemy they take great
delight in making war between
themselves, and one of their
customs is to break each other's
skulls with axes or great sticks.
But Sir Stuart de Parnell had
great power over them, and
they forgot their quarrels for a

SIR STUART DE PARNELL.
(From a Memorial Brass.)

Sir Stuart de Parnell
time whenever they marched under his banner against
the English. He bore for arms on a shield gules,
two chevronels, in chief three escallops argent, but for
his banner he displayed a harp of gold on a green
ground.

IRISHMEN ROWING.
(Irish Records.)
Many of the English held him In great hatred,
and sought to put him under, and one Sir John
Thunderer thought to have done so, for there came
to him a certain base scribe who said that he had
letters written by Sir Stuart de Parnell, proving that
19

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
he had been privy to murders and other crimes. So
Sir John Thunderer bought these letters in faith that
Sir Stuart de Parnell had in truth written them and

IRISH SCRIBE.
(Irish Records^

caused the matter thereof to be published throughout
the length and breadth of the land. This gave great
pleasure to the Blues, and they wagged their heads
and said, " This is an end of Sir Stuart de Parnell
20

Sir Stuart de Parnell
and his Irish fellows. Where is now your home
rule ? " But Sir Stuart de Parnell answered right
scornfully that the letters were not by his hand
So great was the commotion that Sir Stuart de
Parnell and others of the Irish chiefs were brought
to trial before three judges of England. But when
the base fellow who had sold to Sir John Thunderer
the letters of which I have told you came before the
judges to give his testimony. Sir Charles de Russell,
a valiant knight who counselled Sir Stuart de Parnell
in this matter with great wisdom, questioned him so
shrewdly and so fiercely that the fellow was affrighted
and, falling on his knees, made confession that he
had written the letters with his own hand counter- .
felting the writing of Sir Stuart de Parnell. And
when he had made his confession he went away
privily and put an end to himself
The Blues were much cast down at this, and for
a time Sir Stuart de Parnell had great honour, but
by ill-fortune it chanced that he fell one day from a
rope ladder and was grievously hurt. This caused
great commotion amongst the Irish, who had thought
to have won speedily the home rule of which they
were covetise, but when they found that Sir Stuart
de Parnell was no longer able to lead them they quar-
21

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
relied between themselves with marvellous bitterness.
And even when Sir Stuart de Parnell died the feud

IRISHMEN FIGHTING.
(Irish Records.)
was not healed, but the rather increased, the chiefs
on either side breaking each other's skulls whensoever
they encountered.

22

The Battle of Home Rule
How Sir Gladstone le Grand would not be discouraged and of the
harp that he caused to be made.
Now it might well be imagined that Sir Gladstone
le Grand would be sore discouraged and cast down
by the ill-fortune of Sir Stuart de Parnell and the
great discords of the Irish, but to yield was con-
trarlous to his mind, and he continued diligently to
affirm that the Irish should have their own governance.
And to the end that he might win the people to his
banner he clothed himself in a cloak of green poplin
embroidered with golden shamrocks, and he caused
to be made a counterpart of the Irish harp that was
wont to hang In the Hall of Tara, and of the collar
of gold that Malachi, who was much renowned in the
ancient history of Ireland, had won from the proud
invader. And when he weened that the hour had come
he assembled the Buffs, and falling fiercely upon the
Blues he overthrew them and won back from my
lord of Salisbury the governance which he had lost
six years before.
And because this battle was fought in the year a
thousand eight hundred four score and twelve, it is
called in England the Battle of Ninety-two.
23

SIR GLADSTONE LE GRAND AND THE CHIEF COMMONERS OF THE BUFFS.
(JVeslmins/er Records.)

The Battle of Home Rule
Of the Battle of Ninety-two, called also the Battle of Home Rule,
how Sir Gladstone le Grand behaved with great valiantness
therein, and how the lords of the Blues would not yield.
In this battle knights and squires were of good
courage on both parties to fight valiantly and showed
great hardiness and fought merrily with great desire
of honour, but in the end the Buffs, who were aided
by the Irish, recoiled back their enemies and drove
them from the governance. But the victory was not
so great as the Buffs had hoped for, and when Sir
Gladstone le Grand thought to press forward with his
banner of home rule, he was still stoutly encountered
and withstood. Being of great heart and high of
enterprise, he took his axe in both his hands and
entered so Into the press, that he made himself in
such wise, that none durst approach him, and none
was so well armed that he feared him not for the
great strokes that he gave. And many were the
heads that he cut off at one blow.
Thus he went ever forward like a hardy Hector,
willing alone to conquer the field and to discomfit his
enemies, and of all the battles and encounterings that
have been made mention of herebefore in all history,
great or small, this was the sorest and best foughten
and withal the most fiercely. 25

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
But though the Blues were borne backwards they
would in no wise yield, for behind them was a great
and strong castle wherein the lords of the Blues had
assembled, and this castle is placed with such mar
vellous cunning that the enemies of those who hold
it can in no manner pass It by, but must assail and
take it or retreat by the same way they came.
And so it fortuned that when Sir Gladstone le
Grand and the Buffs came before the castle of the
lords and called on them to yield, the lords of the
Blues made mock of them. The Buffs displayed the
banner of home rule before the walls and sent forward
a herald to ask the lords, "Are ye content to let us
pass that we may pursue the advantage that we have
won in battle ? "
Upon this the lords of the Blues gathered together
on the wall and shouted with one voice, " We be all
non-contents." And so the castle walls being too high to climb
and too stout for a breach to be made therein, Sir
Gladstone le Grand and the Buffs withdrew them
selves aback by the way they had come saying that
they would bide their time when they could with
greater ease destroy the castle.

26

ATTACKING THE LORDS.
( Westminster Records.)

CHAPTER III
How Sir James de Hereford was eticountered and overthrown by Sir
Henry de Fowler, and how Sir Joseph de Birmingham could not
be found.
NOW after this battle was finished, though true
it is that the Buffs could not prevail against
the castle of the lords which stood in the way they
had been minded to go, yet they still kept the
governance of the country, but only with great watch
fulness and diligence. For the Blues ceased not to
make excursions against them, and every day there
was cried alarum. In these skirmishings Sir Joseph
de Birmingham was ever foremost, showing great skill
at arms and valiantness except on a certain occasion
of which I will tell you. Sir James de Hereford, with
some men-at-arms from Lancashire, made a sudden
and fierce attack upon the Buffs, but Sir Henry de
Fowler set his lance In rest and galloped forward
single-handed to meet Sir James, whose visor he
28

The Governance of the Buffs
struck so shrewd and stout a blow that Sir James de
Hereford was thrown down and grievously stunned.
When the men of Lancashire saw this and that
they had encountered so doughty a knight as Sir

SIR HENRY DE FOWLER CASTETH TO THE GROUND AT HIS SPERE POYNT
BEHYNDE THE HORSE TAILE THE KNIGHT CALLED SIR JAMES DE
HEREFORD. (Cotton MSS.)

Henry de Fowler they turned aback and fled with
marvellous haste. Now I must tell you that when
Sir James de Hereford had gone forward to fall upon
the Buffs he trusted that Sir Joseph de Birmingham
29

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
would aid him in the enterprise, but when he looked
to him for help after he was overthrown he found
himself alone, for Sir Joseph de Birmingham, when
he saw that Sir Henry de Fowler bore so true a
lance, went away privily from the field of battle and
hid himself so that he could not be found, and to this
day no man knoweth whither he withdrew himself
How Sir Gladstone le Grand being old and weary withdrew himself
from the leadership of the Buffs, how the Earl of Durdans and
Sir Harcourt de Malwood hasted to Westminster, and how the
Earl of Durdans by reason of the swiftness of his horse won the
race and became the leader.
During this mean season, in truth it was in the
year of our Lord a thousand eight hundred four score
and fourteen, it fell about, and ill was it for the
fortunes of the Buffs as I shall shew you hereafter,
that Sir Gladstone le Grand, being weary with weight
of years and stress of fighting, withdrew himself from
the leadership of his party and went to his castle in
Flintshire, saying that he would fight no more, but
was minded to rest for the time that was yet left to
him of life.
When this was made known it caused great sorrow
amonof the Buffs, for Sir Gladstone le Grand was a
valiant knight and noble, and had always done his
30

(¦inoputypi ssvj3-p9uwfg o tuo^j-)
•ONvao ai aNoxsavio his

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
devoir, and they cast about to see who there might
be worthily to succeed him.
Now there were two of the chief men of the
Buffs either of whom might well be considered. The
one was the Earl of Durdans, and the other was Sir
Harcourt de Malwood. When it was told them that
the Buffs were looking for a leader they mounted their
horses quickly to ride to London with speed, but my
lord of Durdans had in his stables a horse of marvel
lous swiftness, and Ladas, for such was its name,
bore him to Westminster so fleetly that he arrived
there while Sir Harcourt de Malwood was yet on his
way. So the nobles and the chief commoners of the
Buffs took the Earl of Durdans for their leader and
swore fealty to him. Albeit some there were who
murmured saying, " We will not have a lord to rule
over us." And of these the principal was one Henry
of Northampton who loved mischief greatly, and had
no regard for the nobility, clergy, and gentry. Others
there were who said it was not seemly that the swift
ness of a horse should In any wise count in so
important a matter, and being godly men who
favoured not racing or other worldly sports, they
joined themselves to those who loved not lords and
32

oa:

o

^

cXHWC

I

33

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
they went out together and dwelt apart in a cave
which they called the Cave of Adullam.
The Earl of Durdans took little heed of this dis-

PROTESTERS.
(From the Rosebery Romaunt.)
content, but after a while, so it has been shewn to
me, certain chiefs of the Buffs set themselves to with
stand him in counsel. The Irish, moreover, were
34

The Governance of the Buffs
contrarious to him because he had said that they
ought not to have home rule granted to them until
the greater part of England willed it. What came
of this discontent I will relate hereafter.
Now I must tell you of the arms which the Earl
of Durdans bore. These were ; quarterly : first and
fourth vert, three primroses within a double tressure
flory counterflory or ; second and third argent, a lion
rampant, double queued sable.
How Sir Harcourt de Malwood laid heavy burdens on the nobility
and gentry and took tribute of their estates.
I will now relate how Sir Harcourt de Malwood
made enemies of many who had great riches and
lands.. For ye must know that it was Sir Harcourt
who had charge of the Treasury, and his duty it was
to devise how to maintain the revenue and to pay
for the cost of the State. In truth this was a hard
task, for every year there was more money wanted,
and those who were taxed thought themselves hardly
used. So when Sir Harcourt de Malwood had pon
dered for a while, he resolved that the nobility and
gentry and those who had great riches, either In
money, treasures, or lands should bear a greater
burden. But when he showed that this was his
3.5

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
intent, incontinent there was great outcry and mur
muring amongst those who would suffer, for Sir
Harcourt's purpose was to make a law to the end

SIR HARCOURT DE MALWOOD RECEIVETH DEATH
TRIBUTES INTO THE TREASURY.

that every man who should succeed to any property
should forfeit a certain portion thereof to the State
as tribute or death duty. 36

The Governance of the Buffs
Sir Harcourt de Malwood, however, took no heed
of the murmuring, being resolved to haVe his way in
this thing, for he said, " Those that be rich can afford
to pay tribute on that of which they have more than
they need better than the poor who have less than
they want for comfort and well being." To this the
nobility, gentry, and the rich folk answered, " Nay,
but we be in truth poorer than those that have little
goods, for the greater our possessions the more
splendidly have we to maintain our state, so that we
be but splendid paupers and should not be made to
pay this tribute. And .if this evil thing be done then
shall we be forced to close our castles and our manors
and our parks and our pleasaunces, so that those who
possess not these things will no longer be able to
enjoy beholding or walking therein. Moreover if we
be compelled to pay this tax we cannot keep so great
an array of horses and retainers, and so there will be
many lacking employment. This will be very oppres
sive to the poor." But Sir Harcourt de Malwood
would in no wise quit, his purpose and in the end
this law, of which I have told you, was made.

37

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
Of tJie ambition of the Biffs to do many things at once, how they
were surprised by the Blues, and how Sir Cawmell de Banner-
man was sore hurt.
In the next year, being the year of our Lord a
thousand eight hundred and ninety-five, and the Buffs
being still in power and having the governance, they
were minded to do many things that they considered
would be for the advantage of the people. They set
themselves to fight against the Licensed Victuallers
who had great power in England, and Sir Harcourt
de Malwood himself undertook to lead them, for,
quoth he, "It will never be well with England until
these men are made subject to sober citizens who
shall be able to determine by voting whether these
Licensed Victuallers shall set themselves up in their
taverns in their midst." This made the Licensed
Victuallers very wrath, and my lord of Salisbury
comforted them, saying that they should not be robbed
by these pestilent Buffs, and that a free people had
a right to free indulgence.
Now at the same time that Sir Harcourt de
Malwood was thus occupied in his adventure against
the Licensed Victuallers, there was another expedi
tion, at the head of which was Sir Henry Asqulth,
who had the grace to be reputed sage and valiant
38

SIR HENRY ASQUITH.
(Welsh Records.)

39

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
in arms. The purpose of this expedition was to rid
Wales of certain prelates, against whom a great
number of Welshmen murmured, saying that it was
against their will that bishops and priests should be
set in authority over them, seeing that they belonged
to an alien Church.

WELSH SOLDIERS.

And besides these expeditions there were divers
other enterprises which the Buffs adventured during
the same season. This brought much trouble and no
little contention amongst the Buffs, for those who
were against the Licensed Victuallers insisted that
40

The Governance of the Buffs
their business should be the first considered, and
those who were minded to drive the bishops and
priests out of Wales likewise insisted that their dis
comfort should first be remedied.
But the Buffs could in no wise achieve and end
all these various matters at one time, and had,
whether they would or no, to set one enterprise before
or after another, and so their power was sorely
weakened and diminished.
Now the Blues were right well aware of this, and
being vigilant, it fortuned one day that they fell
suddenly upon the Buffs when many of these were
away and they had not sufficient arms, and threw
them into disorder and sorely wounded Sir Cawmell
de Bannerman, a Scottish knight who stood high in
counsel and the next to Sir Harcourt de Malwood
amongst the Buffs.

41

CHAPTER IV
Of the events that followed the wounding oj Sir Cawmell de Banner-
man, how Sir Joseph de Birmingham promised pensions to the
common people, and of the great forces that the Blues gathered
together against the Buffs.
NOW when the Blues perceived that the Buffs
were disordered by the overthrow of Sir
Cawmell de Bannerman, as I have herebefore related,
they made merry with great rejoicing and triumph
and with trumpets and clarions. But the Buffs were
in like measure cast down, for they perceived that
they could no longer hold the governance, seeing
that there were some, even of their own people, who
were not minded to be at the commandment of their
leaders. It has ever been thus with the Buffs that
divers amongst them will withdraw themselves when
soever matters go not as they wish, saying, " Let us
rid ourselves of the old gang who rule over us. We
will no longer fight for them, for things would be as
well In the state if the Blues were in their places."
42

J^
CJ

SIR JOSEPH DE BIRMINGHAM PROMISETH OLD-AGE PENSIONS TO THE PEOPLE.

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
So the leaders of the Buffs took counsel together
as to what they should do, and resolved that they
would yield up the governance to my lord of Salis
bury and the Blues, and that at a time to be
appointed both parties should marshal all their forces
in the country on one side and the other and put
the matter to the test of battle. Now these events
happened in the month of June, in the year of our
Lord a thousand eight hundred and ninety-five, and
it was made known by proclamation that in the
following month the Blues, who were now in power,
would give battle to the Buffs to prove their right
to hold the places they had seized upon. In this
meantime the chief commoners of both sides and
their leaders, who were not lords, went into the
country to gather together their forces, doing what
they could to persuade men to join their banners.
Amongst those who thus spoke to the people was
Sir Joseph de Birmingham, who was fighting for
the Blues as fiercely as in former times he fought
for the Buffs. He spoke cunningly, saying, "It will
be well for you if you join yourselves to the Blues,
for I have in my mind a plan whereby no man shall
lack when he is old and no longer able to work, for
there shall be given to him an old-age pension so
44

The Battle of Ninety-Five
that he may end his days in comfort and pleasure.
And if it is your will that this should be as I have
said, then must ye aid the Blues in the coming
battle." In this manner Sir Joseph de Birmingham
gained many promises.
There were others, also, of, the chiefs of the Blues
who made promises of these pensions, for they saw
that of a surety this would serve them well. And
Sir Arthur de Balfour, who was the nephew of my
lord of Salisbury, and the chief of the commoners of
the Blues, and who bore for arms a shield argent, on
a chevron sable between three mullets of the second,
an otters head erased of the first, all within a bordure
of the second, displayed on his banner for motto
"Social Programme."
The clergy, as was their custom, arrayed themselves
under the banners of the Blues, for they held it to
be a right ordinate and pious thing so to do. More
over they had in remembrance how Sir Henry
Asquith had led an expedition of the Buffs into
Wales to drive out the prelates and destroy the
Church in that country.
To them were joined the great company of
Licensed Victuallers and those who traded in strong
liquors, not, as I must tell you, because they loved
45

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
the Church or were minded to be pious, but rather
for the reason that both they and the Church enjoyed
ancient privileges which they would neither of them
have to be disturbed by the pestilent and meddlesome
Buffs. And so in the same measure as the clergy hated
Sir Henry Asquith, those who traded in drink hated
Sir Harcourt de Malwood because he had withstood
them. And there were others, also, who were sore
vexed against Sir Harcourt de Malwood. These
were the nobility, gentry, the rich men, and the
puissant merchants of the cities and towns, for Sir
Harcourt had, as I have already told you, laid heavy
burdens on their estates. So they armed themselves
and their retainers and set themselves in array on
the side of the Blues.
Thus it came about that to those who preached
soberness and godly living were added others who
profited by things not pertaining thereto. And like
wise to those who murmured because they were
taxed were joined others who were covetise of
receiving pensions from the taxes which Sir Joseph
de Birmingham had promised them.
In this manner the Blues gathered together a
46

The Battle of Ninety-Five
marvellous great array of knights and squires and
men-at-arms, but the Buffs, though they put on a
bold front were much discomforted, for they per
ceived that things went not well for them and they
had little hope to prevail in the battle against the
numbers that were being set in order over against
them. Natheless they were resolved to stand their
ground and to do their devoir with honour and
courage whatever fortune might fall to them.
Now you must know that in Britain it is not the
custom that lords should take any part in these
great battles between the Buffs and the Blues, for
they are lords of Parliament by reason of their birth,
and not by the will of the people. Therefore neither
the Earl of Durdans nor my lord of Salisbury went
into the field, but they sent messages to encourage
each his own followers. And Sir Gladstone le Grand
also, although he could not put on armour, by
reason of his age, sent a message from his castle in
Flintshire to the Buffs, saying to them that it
behoved them to uphold the rights of the Commons
against the dominance of the Lords and to give to
Ireland that which she demanded.

47

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
Of the battle of Ninety-Five, how the Buffs were discomfited, and
how many gallant Knights were unseated in the fight.
It was in the month of July in the year a

SIR HARCOURT DE MALWOOD, BEING SORELY WOUNDED, BETAKETH
HIMSELF INTO WALES.

thousand eight hundred and ninety-five that the great
battle came to an issue. Scarcely can I for sorrow,
having some love for the cause of the Buffs, per-
48

The Battle of Ninety-. Five
petuate their woeful defeat ; but as I have promised
at the commencement of this history to set down
nothing but what was stricdy true, I must detail the
unfortunate consequences of this battle. That it was

SIR JOHN DE MORLAIX, BEING GRIEVOUSLY HURT IN BATTLE, IS CON
VEYED INTO SCOTLAND, WHERE HE RECOVERETH FROM HIS WOUNDS.
fiercely foughten on both sides you may be well
assured, but fortune ill-favoured the Buffs, for in the
very first onset their leader. Sir Harcourt de Mal
wood, was unseated and grievously hurt. It would
have gone hard with him, indeed he might have
49 E

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
been lost altogether, had not his friends conveyed
him away swiftly into Monmouthshire, where he was
carefully tended and recovered of his wounds.
And many other gallant knights and squires of
the Buffs were overthrown that day. Amongst them
was Sir John de Morlaix, who was so fiercely beset
by Newcastrlan Blues that he was thrown down in
the press and barely escaped with his life to Mont
rose in Scotland, where he found refuge and comfort.
And others who were sore handled and overthrown
in the battle were Sir Arnold de Morlaix, and Sir
Shaw Le Fevre and divers other knights and
squires, of whom a certain Beau Bespencer was
greatly lamented, for he was much beliked.
Whereto should I write long process of this great
battle ? The Blues were more in number than the
Buffs and recoiled them back to their utter discom
fiture, and when they saw that the Buffs were over
thrown beyond recoverance or remedy they were
greatly rejoiced, and the nobility, clergy, gentry and
publicans made merry together, believing that they
had made an end of their enemies.

SO

CHAPTER V
How Sir Joseph de Birmingham favoured his brethren to the dis
placing of divers of the Blues, and the discontent thereat.
YOU may well understand that my lord of Salis
bury, being the leader of the Blues and a
noble of great puissance, could not be blamed for
showing- natural affection towards those of his own
blood and kinship, and when, therefore, he put his
two nephews Arthur and Gerald de Balfour, and his
son-in-law the Earl of Selborne, into places of power,
the Blues accorded thereto with but little murmuring.
But when it was seen that Sir Joseph de Birming
ham was minded to do likewise, albeit he was not a
lord, there was great discontent. For Sir Joseph
insisted to my lord of Salisbury that honourable
offices should be found for his son Austin de
Chamberlain, and for his faithful henchmen Powell
de Williams, a merchant of Birmingham, and Jesse
de Collings, who was In some repute, because he had
51

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
once said that It would not be well with the State
until every man had three acres and a cow thereon.
It has been related to me that my lord of Salisbury
would not at first agree to these demands, saying
that there were no places' which could be given to
them, to which Sir Joseph de Birmingham answered

SIR JOSEPH DE BIRMINGHAM DEM.iNDETH PLACES FOR HIS SON
AND OTHERS.
" Then must some of the gendemen go outside to
make room." The conclusion of the matter was that
Sir Joseph de Birmingham had his way to the great
offence of many of the Blues, who murmured that
those who had always been of their party should be
thrust aside for the profit of those who had for the
52

The Governance of the Blues
greater part of their lives been Buffs. For Sir
Joseph de Birmingham's son Austin, and Powell
de Williams and Jesse de Collings had come over
to the party of the Blues when Sir Gladstone le
Grand raised the banner of Home Rule.
How the Blues, having the governance in their hands, did good service
to their friends more particularly the Nobility and Gentry.
I have told you how that some of the Blues were
not pleased because Sir Joseph de Birmingham had
caused places to be found for his friends, indeed
there were certain of them that were sore vexed for
they had held high offices before and might well
have expected to be again preferred. But you may
well consider that this must often be so, for there
are always more men who think themselves worthy
to be chosen for honourable offices than there are
offices to be filled, and thus of necessity there must
be some whom fortune favours not. But for the
most part the Blues were well contented and the
Nobility, Clergy, Gentry, and Publicans had much
ease in their minds seeing that Sir Harcourt de
Malwood and Sir Henry Asquith and others of the
Buffs could no longer do them damage. Moreover
they looked to be rewarded for the aid they had
S3

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
given the Blues in the batde which destroyed the
Buffs. The nobility, gentry, and those who had great
possessions of land, looked to be relieved of the
burdens of taxes that Sir Harcourt de Malwood had
laid upon them, but Sir Michael Le Noir, who was
now chief of the Treasury, set so great store on these
taxes that he would not remit them seeing that the
costs and charges of the governance of the realm
grew larger by leaps and bounds in each year. But
my lord of Salisbury, and the other ministers, being
resolved that something should be done to comfort
and aid these unhappy people, caused a law to be
made whereby a moiety of the taxes on agricultural
land is given back to those who pay them. This,
they said, would be of great service to the tenants
who labour the lands and to their villeins. Of this
the Buffs made mock, saying " Nay ! but the lords
of the land will get the remission for themselves, and
there will be little that will go into the pockets of the
tenants or their villeins."
This law of which I have told you was made in
the year of our Lord a thousand eight hundred four
score and sixteen, and it remaineth until this day.
All these things were told me by one who had full
knowledge thereof to the intent that I might have
54

The Governance of the Blues
them In perpetual memory and should set them down
when I had leisure thereto.
I also demanded of him what arms Sir Michael
Le Noir bare, he answered me and said, " Sir, he
beareth in his arms, quarterly : first and fourth, vaire,
argent and gules, a canton azure charged with a pale
gules ; second and third, gules, a fesse wavy between
three fleurs-de-lys or, a crescent for difference. And
he beareth for motto, ' Tout en bon heure.' " I
demanded of him what was the translation in the
English language to which he replied, " All In good
time. "But," said he, "his good time is yet to come."
How certain Adventurers in Africa made an excursion in a neigh
bouring country, how they were in great peril of being destroyed,
and of the great troubles that ensued to the State.
The better to enter into the matter of divers evils
that have lately fallen on the realm of Britain, I will
' now relate what has been shewed to me of the origin
of these things.
Now there was in Africa a certain Free Company
that possessed great territories, which fell to the
adventurers in the manner common in these things,
that is, first by treaties and thereafter by conquest.
55

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
The adventurers who joined themselves together in
this Free Company, of which I have spoken, thought
to have found gold of which they were covetise, and
at their head was a certain Sir Cecil de Kimberley,
a man of marvellous vigour and forwardness and who
had great riches in precious stones, and was a
puissant knight and a Privy Councillor. The name
of this territory is Charter Land, and it lies on the
borders of two other countries where there dwelt
tribes of Dutchmen, to the northward the Trans
vaalers, and to the southward the Free Staters, as
they were called.
They be hard people and rude ; they set nothing
by jollity or fresh apparel, nor by gold and precious
stones, for they till the soil and herd cattle, and have
great skill in taking wild beasts, and there was little
love between them and the adventurers of the Free
Company of Charter Land.
For it chanced by evil fortune that in the country
of the Transvaalers there were gold mines of exceeding
richness, and when adventurers went over into the
land to dig, they were, so they conceived, cruelly set
upon and oppressed. They said that as they were
dwelling in the land of the Transvaalers and paid
their taxes duly, they should be enrolled as burghers,
56

The Upsetting of the Apple-Cart
and have a share in the making of the laws and the
choosing of the rulers.
Now the chief of the Transvaalers was a certain
Oom Paul, an aged man but of great obstinacy, and
he set his face against the adventurers, saying :
" These be but birds of passage who desire to gain
the gold that is under the land, not that they may
live and spend it here, but that they may take it
away with them into their own country. And if we
give them a share in the making of the laws and the
governance, then will they use it for our undoing."
Out of this, as , I shall shew you hereafter, arose
sore troubles.
I have told you that the ruler of Charter Land
was Sir Cecil de Kimberley. He had under him a
certain Leander Jimson, a chirurgeon, who had been
foremost amongst the adventurers in gaining the'
land, and who, having more daring than discretion,
and no more knowledge of war than of wisdom, set
himself violently to remedy the matters of which the
adventurers in the Transvaal made complaint.
This Leander Jimson, and others having no more
wit than himself, privily collected some armed bands
in Charter Land, and on the last day but one of the
month of December, in the year of our Lord a thousand
57

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
eight hundred and ninety-five, suddenly they made an
excursion into the country of the Transvaalers to the
end that they might overthrow Oom Paul.
But the Transvaalers, though they be rude people,
when they know that any man maketh war against
them and is entered into their countries, then they
draw together to the straits and passages and defend
them, and when they see their time, they will soon
take their advantage on their enemies. In this wise
the raiders who were led by Leander Jimson were
encountered and incontinently overthrown, some being
slain or wounded, and the rest were made prisoners,
much to their shame and discomfort.
Sir Cecil de Kimberley had great marvel of these
news, when it was told to him, for it touched him
closely ; but he dissembled the matter for that time
and said how all that noise was wrong, for it was
nothing of his business ; but for truth he said that
his squire, Leander Jimson, had made this excursion
for none other end than to upset an apple cart.
I relate this as it was told to me, being desirous
to chronicle in my history the true foundation of the
cause, and to that intent I will not forget, minlsh, or
abridge the matters that have been shewed me, and if
any fault be in what I have here set down, I trust
58

The Upsetting of the Apple-Cart
it will not be imputed to me for malice, but rather
that I have not righdy comprehended the things that
have been related to me. Indeed it would be marvel
if I made no error seeing that there was much con
fusion in the divers reports, so that I cannot of a
surety tell what is false and what is true.

SIR CECIL DE KIMBERLEY SEETH HIS APPLE-CART UPSET AND
IS MUCH PERTURBED THEREAT.
(South African Records.)
Now when Sir Joseph de Birmingham, who had
to do with the governance of Charter Land and
Africa, was informed of this rash excursion, it made
him sore to muse and he was much cast down and
disturbed in his mind, for he clearly perceived that
great trouble would ensue therefrom. So he sent
messengers to Oom Paul saying that those who had
59

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
done this evil thing had no warrant to break the
peace and to enter by force of arms into his country,
and that he trusted that his good lady was recovered
of her sickness.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE RUSSELL CHARGING A JURY.
(Law Court Records^
It had been well Imagined that Oom Paul would
have put to death the prisoners that he had taken,
but he was well advised not to do so, and in the end
he yielded them up to the intent that they should be
60

The Upsetting of the Apple-Cart
conveyed back to England and put on their trial for
their offence. But others of the more wealthy of the
adventurers he cast into prison for ransom, and when

A MAN OF LAW, SIR RICHARD DE WEBSTER.
(Law Court Records^
they had paid this he banished them from the
country. Of the adventurers who had been brought back,
6\

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
their leader Leander Jimson and some other of his
officers were taken before the Judges and put into
prison for a time, but there were many who said that
the punishment was marvellous little for the evil
that had been wrought.

62

CHAPTER VI
How the Buffs, being at sea, were much perplexed by cross-airrents,
how the Earl of Durdans left the ship, and how Sir Harcourt
de Malwood took command thereof.
NOW let us return to speak of the fortunes of the
Buffs and what befell them during this season.
You must know that there being no comfort for them
on land since they were overthrown in the battle of
Ninety-five, they put to sea in a ship thinking to have
voyaged for a time until they could recover strength,
and perad venture they might find some promise of
again prevailing over 'the Blues. But ill were they
fortuned, for the chief men were contrarious to each
other, one desiring that the ship should be steered on
this course and another on that. In this wise they
drifted into great peril of shipwreck, being caught in
cross-currents and violently tossed about hither and
thither, until at last the Earl of Durdans, being weary
and sore vexed, and the ship chancing one day in the
month of October in the same year of our Lord a
63

THE CHIEFS OF THE BUFFS, BEING AT SEA, ARE SORELY EUFFETED
ABOUT BY CROSS CURRENTS.

64

The Evil Fortune of the Buffs
thousand eight hundred and ninety-six to drift near
the land, incontinent he did leap over the side and
waded to the shore, saying that he would find
greater comfort in ploughing the land than the sea.

PLOUGHING.
(From the Rosbery Romaunt.)
When the others found that he had gone. Sir
Harcourt de Malwood took the helm and thought to
have carried the ship on a more prosperous course.
Whether he did so or not I will relate here
after.

65

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
How Sir Gladstone le Grand would have led a crusade against the
Saracens who had cruelly ill-treated the Armenians.
During this same season the Saracens had greatly
angered all the Christian nations by the evil things
they did amongst the Armenians. They cruelly
oppressed them and when they rebelled the Sultan
sent bands of rascals against them with fire and
sword, giving them license to torture and to put to
death without mercy, men, women, and children,
monks, priests, and patriarchs, so that In many parts
of the land there abode alive no manner of person,
house, nor church, but it was destroyed : the which
was great pity so to destroy Christian blood, and the
Churches of God, wherein God was honoured and
served. Now Sir Gladstone le Grand had no love for the
Sultan, whom those who espoused the cause of the
Armenians called Abdul the Damned, and though
he was now old and past bearing arms, he would
have put on his harness once more and carried the
banner of the Cross against the Crescent.
But my lord of Salisbury and the Blues set them
selves against this commotion, saying that it was no
more their business than of any other Christian
66

The Concert of the Powers
power to make war against the Sultan, and that all
these Christian powers must be together In concert.
This in truth was excellent counsel, but the Sultan
took but little heed of this music, for he was subtle
and knew right well that those who were minded to
play to him yet could not agree in the matter of the
tune.

67

CHAPTER VII
How Sir Cecil de Kimberley came to England and conversed with Sir
Joseph de Birmingham ; of the Enquiry caused to be made into
matters pertaining to Africa, of the music played thereat ; how
Sir Cecil de Kimberley encountered the Committee and sat thereon ;
of the results that did not follow, and of the things that were
not found.
YOU have before heard how a certain squire in
the train of Sir Cecil de Kimberley, one
Leander Jimson, had, with some of the Free Com
pany of Charter Land, made an excursion into the
territories of Oom Paul, and how in the end the
apple-cart of Sir Cecil de Kimberley had been over
turned to the undoing of Jimson and those who were
with him.
You must know, as indeed I have already related,
how this matter caused much commotion, seeing
that some of those who joined in this enterprise were
servants of the Queen of England, and had no
warrant to make war. Now, during the season when
68

The Affairs of South Africa
Jimson and Sir John de Willoughby, and the others
of the Free Company who had been taken prisoners
by Oom Paul, were being conveyed to England, Sir
Cecil de Kimberley himself had taken ship and hastened

SIR JOSEPH DE BIRMINGHAM AND SIR CECIL DE KIMBERLEY CONVERSE.

to London that he might have speech with Sir Joseph
de Birmingham concerning the business.
1 cannot relate to you exactly in this chronicle in
what manner Sir Joseph de Birmingham and Sir
Cecil de Kimberley conversed, for they met privily,
69

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
and I can only speak as rumour runneth. But it has
been told me that at the first Sir Joseph studied to
receive Sir Cecil haughtily, believing that he had
come to make excusatlons.
"Sir," quoth he, "it right greatly displeaseth me
that the Free Company of Charter Land hath disturbed
this realm by adventure which overrunneth the letters
patent given and accorded to them. Moreover, there
be great murmurings on this matter amongst the
people, who say that I should have known of things
pertaining to my office in the State. You are a
Privy Counsellor, and it was not seemly that you
should have put your apple-cart in the hands of
these mischievous adventurers."
To this Sir Cecil de Kimberley answered :
" Sir, of a truth it behoveth you not to be so
reproachful, for It is your apple-cart as well as mine
that hath been put in peril, and we be both in the
same plight, seeing that neither you nor I had fore
knowledge of the enterprise. Let us the rather have
pity for each for we be both in the same boat."
Then these two looked one at the other and
sorely mused, for neither knew how much the other
did not know.
This is as may be, for I cannot of a surety vouch
70

The Affairs of South Africa
for the truth of everything that has been shewed me;
therefore I will leave speaking thereof But it is
well known that when they had made an end of
speaking. Sir Cecil de Kimberley departed hastily
and sailed back to Africa, saying he would return
and face whatsoever music there might fortune to be
played. This was in the month of February, In the year
of our Lord a thousand eight hundred and ninety-six.
Let us now come to the events that happened in
the following year, in which was celebrated the
Diamond Jubilee of the Great and Gracious Sovereign
Lady Queen Victoria. I will not here speak of the
many very noble and magnificent feasts and pro
cessions for the rejoicing of the people and the
honour and glory of the Queen inasmuch as I am
minded only to chronicle such matters as relate to
the political history of the realm.
I will now proceed, therefore, to tell you of the
inquiry that was caused to be made in England into
the events in Africa with which I have made you
acquainted. To the end that these might be searched out,
fifteen knights and esquires were chosen by Parlia
ment and charged to make diligent inquest. Amongst
71

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
these were Sir Jackson de Leeds, Sir Joseph de
Birmingham, Sir Harcourt de Malwood, Sir Cawmell
de Bannerman, Sir Michael le Noir, Sir Richard de
Webster, Henry de Labouchere, and others, all
Members of Parliament and of divers tempers and
inclinations. When these had assembled in a Council
chamber at Westminster on the day appointed, they
agreed together that Sir Cecil de Kimberley should
be summoned to appear before them, so that they
might enquire of him concerning the causes of the
disorders in Africa. Incontinent Sir Cecil presented
himself, for with that intent he had come again to
England. He had with him many friends of great
distinction and much wealth ; there were present also
divers men of law who were minded to raise various
points whensoever the committee would give ear to
them, which indeed was but seldom.
It might well have been that Sir Cecil de Kim
berley would have been discomfited when Sir Harcourt
de Malwood and others questioned him closely as to
the apple-cart which he had entrusted to Leander
Jimson, but in truth he was no whit abashed and
demeaned himself as if he had done no wrong.
He was at no pains to deny that he was privy to
the raid into the territories of Oom Paul, but excused
72

The Affairs of South Africa
himself by saying that the adventure was wrong only
that it failed of success, and that kings and princes
at various times had engaged in like enterprises.

MEN OF LAW RAISING POINTS.
(South Africa Committee Records.)
Of a surety it would have been idle for Sir Cecil
to deny foreknowledge of the business, for it fortuned
that Oom Paul had found certain letters that had
73

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
fallen out of the apple-cart which shewed the whole
matter clearly. These letters had for secresy been
written in cypher, but the translation thereof had,
with marvellous wisdom, been also conveyed in the
cart. Sir Cecil de Kimberley, therefore, made no secret
of his connivance, seeing that it had been clearly
shewed, and he related how a certain golden city
in the Transvaal, in which were many distressful
girls, was in great peril from the Hollanders, and
that it was for this reason and also to relieve those
who sought for gold in the land of Oom Paul from
the heavy burdens laid upon them, that the Free
Company of Charter Land had crossed the border,
albeit his squire Leander Jimson had been over
previous in his venture.
In this wise Sir Cecil de Kimberley spoke to the
noble knights and esquires in the Council chamber at
Westminster, and in truth he overbore them so that
it was a wonder to all beholders, for it seemed as if
it were Sir Cecil who was making enquiry upon the
Committee rather than that he himself was being
judged. It irks me to tell of all the doings of the Com
mittee and of those of whom they made enquiries.
74

SIR CECIL DE KIMBERLEY PREACHETH TO THE ENQUIRERS.
(South Africa Committee Records?)

hidden. Those

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
I will content myself with saying that the noble
knights and esquires shewed such marvellous respect
for confidences that they recoiled back whensoever
they came near to finding out anything that was
things that were obvious they
examined closely, but by great
subtlety they avoided that which
was obscure. Thus they saved
themselves from doing injustice to
or compromising any man. I must
tell you that there were some of
the Committee who would have
had it otherwise, more particularly
Henry de Labouchere, who was
minded to discover many secret
things. But the music which he
played for Sir Cecil de Kimber
ley to face was sore displeasant to
Sir Joseph de Birmingham, and
Sir Michael le Noir, and Sir Richard de Webster,
and some others, so that he could not win to have his
way. So Sir Cecil de Kimberley returned to Africa
not one penny the worse for all that he had done. Sir
Joseph de Birmingham declaring in Parliament that there
had been nothing dishonourable proved against him.
76

A MINSTREL.
South Africa
(Committee Records^

Sir Walter de Long and the Dogs
But many murmured, saying that evil would follow.
And so it fell about as I shall relate hereafter.
How Sir Walter de Long would have muzzles put on all dogs in
England and of the disfavour he gained thereby.
That I should turn aside to speak of matters con
cerning dogs in the midst of the great and high
affairs of the realm is not to be set down for trifling,
for you must know that in England men and women
of all degrees take much account of these animals
and have great consideration of them. Indeed it is
a common saying amongst them, " Love me, love my
dog." Now there is a certain grievous sickness to which
dogs are prone ; this is called water-madness, for it
is the manner of the disease that they cannot drink,
and they run violently to and fro and will bite what
ever standeth in the way or cannot avoid them. And
whatsoever person or animal they chance to bite,
these, in their turn, are afflicted with the madness
and convey it to others.
To the end that this might be remedied. Sir
Walter de Long, whose business it was to have
charge over all the cattle and pigs and other beasts
in the kingdom, made a law that in certain cities
77

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
and towns and shires there should be no dogs
allowed abroad that had not muzzles upon their
mouths. Furthermore, he decreed that those who
disobeyed this law either by malice or mischance
should be punished by fines.
This sorely vexed all those who possessed dogs,
and they leagued themselves together saying that

SIR WALTER DE LONG SETTETH HIMSELF TO MUZZLE DOGS.

the law was an evil one, and that Sir Walter de
Long should be put down.
" Of a truth," they said, " if such things be done,
there will soon be no liberty left in the land, for this
fellow will set himself next to put muzzles on us.
Let him keep to his cows and pigs and leave our
dogs and us in peace." 78

Sir Walter de Long and the Dogs
Thus these people make great commotion, for it
is a marvel how the English, for all that they are
so indifferent to great matters which concern the
realm, do make much ado about small things of no
great importance.

79

CHAPTER VIII
How Sir Gladstone le Grand passed out of this mortal life and of
the mourning thereat.

ON the nineteenth day of May in the year of our
Lord a thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight
there passed out of the world the flower of chivalry.
Sir Gladstone le Grand. A right noble knight was
he, and of great valiantness, and never did there
exist among the English one more courteous, nor
fuller of every virtue and good quality than him.
When the Buffs heard of this event they were
sorely grieved, for he was much loved by them, and
indeed many also of the Blues said it was a great
pity, howbeit he had withstood them so stoudy in
the past. 80

The Death of Sir Gladstone le Grand
Thus were all Englishmen losers by his death,
but the Buffs the most, for by his valour and pru
dence he had won many battles for them. And in
a ten days after, on the Saturday, the twenty-ninth
day of May, his body, that with great processions,
weepings, and lamentations, had been brought to
Westminster, was buried there in the Abbey.
Of the further ill fortunes of the Buffs, and how Sir Harcourt de
Malwood and Sir John de Morlaix departed from the ship.
I will now speak of the fortunes of the Buffs,
and shew how evil continued to befall them. I have
already related to you how the Earl of Durdans
would no longer endure the buffeting of the ship, in
which the leaders of the Buffs were at sea, in the
cross-currents, and how he returned to the land.
When the Earl departed Sir Harcourt de Mal
wood, as you know, took the command and thought
to steer the ship ifi greater comfort and to have
more joy and pleasure, seeing that he and the Earl
had not been over well disposed to each other, and
there had been disputations between them.
But after a season troubles arose again, and Sir
Harcourt de Malwood was sore vexed and discom
forted. Sir John de Morlaix, also, was sick with the
8i G

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
tossing to and fro, and though they had at various
times been contrarious one to another, he had great
pity for Sir Harcourt and Sir Harcourt for him.
What counsel they had together, or how they

SIR HARCOURT DE MALWOOD AND SIR JOHN DE MORLAIX
WRITE TO EACH OTHER OF CROSS CURRENTS.

came to their resolve, I know not, but on a certain
night in the last month of the year in which Sir
Gladstone le Grand departed this life. Sir Harcourt
de Malwood and Sir John de Morlaix withdrew

82

Further 111 Fortunes of the Buffs
themselves privily from the others and wrote letters
to each other.
I will not pretend to relate all that they set down
in these letters, but only the purport of them that
has been shewed to me.
Right Well-beloved and Trusty Sir John de Morlaix.
It hath been revealed to me that there be some among the Buffs
who are minded to dispute my leadership and the conduct of the ship.
This does not vex nor disquiet me, seeing that I desire to hold no
place the duties whereof it hath been rendered impossible for me to
fulfil. It is no light thing to command such a ship, with distracted
sections within and cross-currents ivithout.
Therefore am I resolved to suffer no more of this discomfort. A
release from vain and onerous obligations will come to me as a
welcome relief. Harcourt de Malwood.
Right Well-beloved and Trusted Sir Harcourt de Malwood.
It doth not surprise me that you are weary of the ship, indeed
it hath been a marvel to me that you have stayed so long and
patiently in such discomfort and distraction. Great as is your
wisdom and skill you cannot, of a surety, perform miracles or
achieve impossibilities. John de Morlaix.
These two letters, when they had written them, Sir
Harcourt de Malwood and Sir John de Morlaix left
behind where they might be found in the morning,
and departed in the night from the ship In a small
boat, and so went on shore. Now when on the next
morning discovery was made of these letters and of
83

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
the matter set out therein, and it was showed to the
others of the Buffs that Sir Harcourt de Malwood
and Sir John de Morlaix were by no means on the
ship but had departed, there was great commotion,
and it was resolved that Sir Cawmell de Bannerman,
a gentle and courteous knight, should be chosen to

sir harcourt de malwood and sir JOHN de morlaix depart
from the ship.
command the ship, and to lead the Buffs whensoever
they might reach the land again.
The Blues, when they heard of these events,
rejoiced at the misfortunes of the Buffs, howbeit
they made counterfeit of great sorrow, saying, " It is
not well for us that there should be none left to
fight against us and to exercise us in arms."
84

CHAPTER IX
OJ the affairs of t/ie Church, and how the Bishops had great trouble
with certain of the clergy.
I HAVE herebefore been silent on the affairs of the
Church, but I must now speak of them that you
may well know the foundation of causes that have made
great discord between parties and brought sore travail
on many persons of great and singular piety.
Peradventure it may seem a marvellous and strange
thing that anger, hatred, malice, and all uncharltable-
ness should In any wise enter into matters of religion,
but it hath ever been so, and I trow will be to the
end of the world. For of a surety it is truth that
there is nothing that stirreth up men to more fierce
passion than that they should worship God in different
fashions. I must tell you that there were some who con
tended that the services and ceremonies of the Church
of England should be in all ways like to those of
85

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
former times, and that without such vestments as albs,

a canterbury pilgrim.
(Church Records^
dalmatics, chasubles, and copes, the clergy were not
86

The Affairs of the Church
righdy attired. Furthermore they said that candles
should be lighted on the altar, and incense burned,
to accord with ancient ritual.
But there were others who protested vehemently
that all these things were superstitious, and contrarious
to the ordinances set out and provided for the
governance of public worship.
These disputations were the
cause of great trouble to the
Archbishops and Bishops, who
were sore perplexed what they
should do to bring the matter
to a conclusion that should
not give offence to one or
other of the parties.
You must know that these
prelates, howbeit they are re
puted of great puissance In the '
Church, and dwell in palaces,
have but small power to make the clergy obey them.
For there be some of the clergy who are minded only
to obey those injunctions that they themselves think
to be rightly ordained. And even the Archbishop of
Canterbury, a valiant man and wise, and of great
sternness when he pleases, could not altogether prevail
87

CLERGYM.^N DEFYING BISHOPS.
(Church Records^

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
in his counsel to the clergy when they might lawfully
use candles and incense.
This was a business that many laymen, as well as
the clergy, took great concern in, particularly Sir
Harcourt de Malwood, who would have had an end
made of all the ritualism In the Church, and my Lord
of Halifax who would have it maintained.
Those who favoured these things said that Parlia
ment had no concern with the governance of the
Church, but only the Archbishops and Bishops thereof
This they held stoutly, howbeit these prelates sat in
Parliament by very reason of their offices in the
Church, and furthermore those who spoke thus paid
no heed to the Bishops unless these' agreed with their
own judgments. I set down these things as they have
been shewed to me, and as I have been informed
the clergy in England continue to do as they please.

CHAPTER X
How Sir Joseph de Birmingham sought to make Oom Paul say
suzerain, and to obtain certain concessions from him, and of the
war that ensued thereon.
IT often happens that events turn out different
from that which has been foretold, and I will
now proceed to shew you how this was the case with
England. When the Blues drove out the Buffs from the
governance of the realm In the year a thousand eight
hundred and ninety-five, they had great joy of that
victory, and one of them, a certain very superior
person, Sir George de Curzon, who was afterwards
made a lord, boasted that this event had already
wrought a great change in various parts of the world ;
for whereas when the Buffs had the ruling of England
there were constant commotions that kept the realm In
great discomfort and peril, now that the Blues had the
power incontinent these disquietudes had ended, for
it was irresistibly shewed to the world how puissant
and strong was the country under the new governance.
89

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
But that this was not so you may well believe,
seeing that from the time they came into office there
had never ceased to be troubles abroad, now with one
country and anon with another.
So far from peace prevailing there were wars both
in Africa and in Asia. Furthermore there were
threatenings of war with America and likewise with
France, and these were avoided by good fortune
rather than by skill. There might also well have been
conflict with Russia if my lord of Salisbury had not
with great haste withdrawn an English ship out of a
certain port in China that Russia claimed as her own.
But the most perilous business was the matter of
South Africa, and of this I will now proceed to tell
you briefly.
Many complaints had been made to Sir Joseph de
Birmingham of the burdens and oppressions suffered
by those who sought gold in the territories of Oom
Paul, and to become burghers therein, and Sir Joseph
set himself pushfully to remedy these grievances, but
with no avail, for Oom Paul had little love for Sir
Joseph, having great suspicion of him, and being
weary of the word suzerain which Sir Joseph had for
a long time endeavoured to make him say.
Then Sir Joseph de Birmingham sent a trusty
90

The War in South Africa
messenger. Sir Alfred de M liner, to Africa, to strive
with Oom Paul. But Sir Alfred de Milner could In
no wise persuade him to give way and to yield all
that was demanded of him.
Now it chanced during this season that by ill

OOM PAUL REFUSETH THE LION.
(South African Records.)
fortune Sir Cecil de Kimberley bethought himself
that he would send a lion to Oom Paul for a gift.
But Oom Paul was sore vexed at this, seeing that
the lion is the emblem of England, and he refused it
straightway with anger, and sent it away, saying
that he already had too many lions to trouble him.
91

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
This made matters none the better, and when Sir
Joseph de Birmingham knew that he could do no
more, preparations were begun In England to increase
the army in Africa. This, it was believed by my

SIR JOSEPH DE BIRMINGHAM WRITETH A DISPATCH
TO OOM PAUL.
lord of Salisbury and the other ministers, would
quickly bring Oom Paul to submission, but to their
great marvel Oom Paul sent messengers demanding
that the English should withdraw themselves back
from the borders of his country, and if this were not
done by a certain day then would there be war.
92

The War in South Africa
This the English, as you may well know, would
not consent to do, and so on the eleventh day of the
month of October in the year of our Lord a thousand
eight hundred and ninty-nlne began the great war
of South Africa between the English on the one
hand and the Transvaalers and Free Staters, who
had joined themselves together, on the other.
Tlie Transvaalers and Free Staters invade English territories in Africa
and besiege certain towns ; how the English could not for a time
prevail against them, and tlie reason thei-eof.
Whether or not Sir Joseph de Birmingham
thought that Oom Paul would at the last yield to his
demands I cannot tell, but of a truth the English
were ill prepared for the war that they had risked.
They had but a small army in Africa, and what other
forces were needed had to cross the sea many
thousand miles.
The Dutch, being aware of this, sent expeditions
into English territories, and laid siege to three towns
in different parts of the country, Ladysmith, Kim
berley, and Mafeking. They were greatly covetise
of taking Kimberley above all, for the reason that
Sir Cecil de Kimberley was therein, and Oom Paul
had no love for him for he had often withstood him
93

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
in his plans, and furthermore Oom Paul could not
forgive him for the matter of the lion that Sir Cecil
had sent him.
These three towns were fiercely besieged and the
English within had lltde hope for a long time of any
assistance or succour. And even when some more
of the English had arrived in Africa, and their
commander, Sir Bon Vieux Buller endeavoured to
raise the siege of Ladysmith, they encountered so
stout a resistance from the Dutch that they were
recoiled back and suffered grievous losses both of men
and munitions of war.
And in like manner Lord Paul de Methuen with
his army was so fiercely opposed by one Cronje and
his burghers at the Modder River, that he could not
for all the valour of the English cross the river to
help the garrison in Kimberley, and he lost many
men in the fighting.
This was a sore surprise to my lord of Salisbury,
Sir Joseph de Birmingham, and the other ministers
in England, for they had hoped to have made a
speedy end of the business.
But I must tell you that there were many things
that they ought to have had foreknowledge of, but
of which they were marvellously Ignorant.
94

The War in South Africa
For they knew not that the Transvaalers and the
Free Staters had been secretly preparing great
armaments and had had conveyed to them from
Europe stores of every kind necessary to equip thern
for war. These had been carried into the territories
of Oom Paul hidden in wooden boxes that counter
feited to contain things pertaining to peace and not
to war, and ¦\ivhen my lord of Salisbury was blamed
in England that he had not known of this, he
excused himself by saying that he could not see
through wooden planks. Thus the Dutch were
so equipped that it was a great wonder to the
English. To the intent that you may the better understand
how the Transvaalers and Free Staters, who indeed
for the most were but peasants, were able to with
stand the English, I will now relate what manner of
men they are and their methods of making war.
Of a truth they are wonderfully like to the Scots
who were encountered by King Edward the Third of
England when he made his first war upon King
Robert Bruce of Scotland.
The Dutch men are right hardy and sore travail
ing in harness and in wars, for being a-horseback,
within a day and a night they will drive their whole
95

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
host many leagues, so that it Is impossible for their
enemies to discover where they are. They are
well horsed on little hackneys, and they carry with
them few carts or chariots for the diversities of the
mountains they must pass through.
They take with them little purveyance of food, for
their usage and soberness in time of war is great.
They neither care for pots nor pans nor musical
instruments ; wherefore it is no great marvel though
they make greater journeys than the English.
Now when it was shewed to those in England,
who had the ordering of the business of this war,
that the Dutch men had horses, and furthermore that
they likewise had weapons, they were greatly
astonished, for they had not looked for this. Indeed,
they knew so little that the Transvaalers and Free
Staters rode on horses that when certain of the
Colonies of England made offer to send men-at-arms
to Africa, they sent a message saying that men on
foot were preferred rather than horsemen. But when
it was seen that it was not so easy a business to
prevail against the Dutch as they had thought, my
lord of Salisbury and the ministers caused a great
force to be assembled and put in ships to sail to
Africa. And they also sent to command all the
96

The War in South Africa
forces in the field the lord de Bobs who was of
great valiantness and wisdom and had gained great
repute in many wars.

ST. BOBS AND THE TORTOISE.
97

H

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
The lord de Bobs and his army arrive in Africa and defeat the
Dutch, ihe siege of tlu three towns is raised, to the great joy
of the English, and the events that ensued.
Things went better with the English when the
lord de Bobs and his army arrived in Africa, and
within a short time he had defeated Cronje and taken

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him and all his force prisoners and thereby he raised
the siege of Kimberley. Furthermore Sir Bon Vieux
Buller was able at last to succour the garrison of
Ladysmith, which had been bravely held by Sir
George le Blanc ; Mafeking also, which with great
valiantness had been defended by Sir Baden de
Powell, was relieved and the Dutch driven away.
98
The War in South Africa
These things were very pleasing to the English at
home, and they had great joy and tickled each other's
noses with peacock feathers in the streets of London,
for though the English bear themselves with patience
and soberness in misfortune, they have less dignity
when they give themselves to rejoicing.
After the siege of these three towns had been raised,
the lord de Bobs marched his army and took possession
of the chief cities and towns both of the Transvaal and
the Free State, and Oom Paul fled from Africa and
betook himself to Holland, where he was made right
welcome, for England was in much disfavour in
Europe by reason of this war. These successes were
glad tidings of comfort to my lord of Salisbury and
the ministers, for they had been greatly blamed when
the war went not well, people saying that they were
but feeble folk for all their appearance of strength,
and that they had shewed no skill or foresight in the
conduct of the affairs of the realm.
It was in the month of June in the year of our
Lord a thousand and nine hundred that the English
seized Pretoria, which was the principal city in the
Transvaal, and this had been thought to end the war.
But in this matter the English were deceived, as you
shall hereafter know. 99

CHAPTER XI
How the Blues with great subtlety surprised the Buffs and worsted
them, and how the war that was ended yet continued.
YOU must know that in England it is a fixed
ordinance that tio party shall hold the govern
ance for more than seven years without the country
shall have the right to say whether or not they desire
a change. Now the Blues under my lord of
Salisbury, though their time of office was not yet
expired, bethought them that it would be greatly to
their advantage if they waited no longer after the
better fortune of war that the lord de Bobs had
achieved in Africa, but challenged the Buffs that each
party should appeal to the country as soon as it
might conveniently be ordered.
So they went about among the people saying that
now the war was happily brought to a conclusion it
would be well and fitting that they should continue
to govern the realm. 100

The Battle of Nineteen Hundred
Sir Joseph de Birmingham, who had great
wisdom in these matters, sent a message throughout
the land saying that all those who should support the
Buffs would thereby be aiding the Dutch against
whom the English had fought.
This was very subtle, for the intent was to
persuade the people that if the war was of a surety
ended, then the Blues deserved great honour of the
country ; but if the war was not ended then it would
be an encouragement to the enemy to help the Buffs.
• This matter was fixed to be decided in the first
part of the month of October in the same year
nineteen hundred, and the Buffs, howbeit they were
still in sore plight, drew themselves up for the battle
as valiantly as might be, but without much hope.
For they could not altogether agree among them
selves as to the business of the war : some held that
it was a just war, but that the Blues had ill-con
ducted it and could never bring it to an end ; others
said that the war was unjust and ought never to
have been undertaken.
Howbeit the Buffs did their devoir as well as
they could, and though they were again overcome,
yet the Blues did not prevail against them so much
as they had hoped, for there were many in the
lOI

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
country who were sore discontented with the grievous
losses and the great cost of the war.
But though the Blues were thus confirmed in the
governance yet the war was shewed to be in no wise
ended, as indeed it might well have been if Ministers
had taken as great trouble to strengthen and rein
force the Army in Africa as they did to discomfit
the Buffs at home.
The Dutch men would not yield, even after their
cities had been taken from them, and Oom Paul had
fled, but continued to annoy the English whenever
they could by sudden excursions. For it is the
custom of the Dutch in Africa that they will not
draw up in set order of battle in the open field and
wait for their enemies, but they rush suddenly upon
them and afterwards they scatter themselves among
the mountains so that the English cannot overtake
them. There was skirmishing every day and many were
killed, and prisoners taken on both sides.
Gallant deeds were done both by the English and
the Dutch, and most of the English had to lay in
their harness, ever ready apparelled to fight, for they
wist not when the Dutch might fall upon them.
Lord de Kitchener, who was set to command the
I02

The War that was Continued
English host when the lord de Bobs returned to
England, had great difficulties to encounter, for the
Dutch, though they had but small forces were
marvellously swift to avoid the English who would
have caught them.
And when he would have come to terms with

LORD DE KITCHENER GOES A HUNTING.
(South African Records.)
the enemy and made peace he was overruled, as I
have been informed, by Sir Joseph de Birmingham
and the Lord de Milner.
Thus the war that was ended yet continued in
Africa, and for all that I know to the contrary it will
still be so when you read the Chronicles that I have
here set down. 103

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
How Queen Victoria of England passed out of this mortal life to the
great sorrow of lier people.
In the mean season there fell on England a
heavy case and a common ; howbeit it was piteous
for her children and all her realm, for the good
Queen of England, that had reigned so long, so
many good deeds had done In her time, and so many
in trouble had succoured and comforted, and so
largely departed of her goods to her people, and
naturally loved them always, she fell sick in her
castle of Osborne ; the which sickness continued on
her so long that there was no remedy but death.
Thus the good Queen Victoria of England died
on Tuesday morning, the twenty-second day of
January, in the year of our Lord a thousand nine
hundred and one.
And anon a two days after, her eldest son, the
Prince of Wales, was proclaimed throughout the
realm by heralds as King Edward the Seventh.

104

CHAPTER XII
How the Earl of Durdans left his furrow and rode to Chesterfield
to speak to the people.
I HAVE already told you how the Earl of
Durdans, when he departed from the ship in
which the leaders of the Buffs were sailing in great
discomfort, said that he would rather plough the land
than the sea. And when he came to the shore he
set himself to work in a lonely furrow, and would for
a long time by no means come out from it.
But in the month of December, in the year of
our Lord a thousand nine hundred and one, seeing
that there was great discontent in the land by reason
of the feebleness of my lord of Salisbury and those
who had the governance of the realm, and that they
could not make war successfully and would not make
peace, and were putting heavy burdens on the people,
he climbed up out of his furrow, which was now
very deep, and mounting on his horse he rode to
105

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
Chesterfield to speak to the people of what should
be done. This made a great commotion, and for the most
there was great joy to see him again and to listen to
his counsel.

THE EARL OF DURDANS ON A PILGRIMAGE
TO CHESTERFIELD.
He spoke to the multitude that had assembled at
Chesterfield for two hours, saying that things were
not well in the realm, and would not be so long as
the present governance continued. 1 06

o

SIR HARCOURT DE MALWOOD AND SIR JOHN DE MORLAIX GO A-HUNTING.

Froissart's Modern Chronicles
Furthermore, he said that his sei-vices were at the
disposal of his country if such was the desire.
There were many of the Buffs who hoped that
the journey which the Earl of Durdans made to
Chesterfield, and the words he had spoken, would
heal the discords in their party.
But there were some others who were sore dis
pleased because the Earl desired that their slates
should be cleaned.
Amongst these were Sir Harcourt de Malwood
and Sir John de Morlaix. They went away to the
New Forest and passed the Christmastide a-hunting
together. What further fortunes befell the Buffs will be
shewed hereafter.

END OF THE CHRONICLES.

UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED, PRINTERS, WOKINK AND LONDON.

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