But to let this passe: king Henrie purposing to saile ouer into Britaine and inuade France, came to Portsmouth about Michaelmasse, with such an armie assembled out of England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, as the like for number of people had not béene knowne to haue passed ouer with any of his ancesters: howbeit when he should come to the verie point of imbarking his people, with vittels, armor, and other prouision, there were not ships sufficient to passe ouer the one halfe of the armie: wherefore when the king saw this default, he was sore offended, but chéefelie with Hubert the earle of Kent, lord chéefe iustice, insomuch that he openlie called him old traitor, and laid to his charge how he had thus vsed the matter of purpose, onelie to pleasure the quéene of France, of whome (as he said) he had receiued fiue thousand marks to hinder his procéedings. In this heat if the earle of Chester and other had not béene at hand, he had suerlie slaine the chéefe iustice euen there with his drawne sword, who was glad to auoid his presence, till his angrie mood was somwhat ouerpassed.
Henrie earle of Britaine.
The kings iournie deferred.
An. Reg. 14. 1230.
Matth. Paris.
The king of Scots kept Christmasse with the king of England at Yorke.
In the meane time there arriued Henrie earle of Britaine on the ninth of October, which should haue conducted the king in his countrie. But sith winter was come vpon them, he aduised him to stay till the next spring, and so he did. Then euerie man was licensed to depart home, and the earle of Kent reconciled againe into fauour. The erle of Britaine in like maner did homage to the king for Britaine, and the king restored him to all his rights in England, and further giuing him fiue thousand marks to defend his countrie against the enimies, sent him home againe in most courteous and louing maner. In this yeare of our Lord 1230 king Henrie held his Christmasse at Yorke, togither with the king of Scots, whome he had desired to come thither at that time, that they might make merrie: and so for the space of thrée daies togither, there was great banketting and sport betwéene them. On the fourth day they tooke leaue either of other, the king of Scots with rich gifts returning towards his countrie, and the king of England towards London.
Matth. Paris.
A strange tempest at London. Sée Iohn Stow. pag. 261. of his large collectiō printed 1580.
Matth. Paris.