consort, Constance, eldest daughter and co-heiress of Pedro the Cruel. At the time his examination was taken he was on the point of departure for Spain, with the object of recovering that kingdom, accompanied by his wife and daughters, and a formidable army, composed of the flower of English chivalry-Plymouth being the port from whence the expedition sailed. Its ill success is known; a large proportion of the nobles, knights, and troops having been carried off by fevers in Spain, without any opportunity of distinguishing themselves in action-which the de facto King of Castile, Henry of Transtamara, a natural brother of Pedro the Cruel, carefully avoided,-that crafty prince ultimately compromised the quarrel by marrying his son, the Prince of Asturias, with the Duke of Lancaster's daughter, and settling the crown on their issue. We give the deposition of John of Gaunt entire, as a specimen of the usual course of examination :

'JOHN, by the grace of God, KING OF CASTILE AND Leon, Duke of LANCASTER, being prayed, and, according to the law of arms, required to testify the truth between Sir Richard de Scrope and Sir Robert Grosvenor, in a controversy between them concerning the arms "azure a bend or," do verily testify, that at the time when we were armed in battles and other " journeys in divers countries, we have seen and known that the said Sir Richard hath borne his arms 66 azure a bend or," and that many of his name and lineage have borne the same arms, with differences, as branches of the same name and arms, on banner, pennon, and coat-armour; and that we have heard from many noble and valiant men since deceased, that the said arms were of right the arms of his ancestors and himself at the time of the Conquest and since. And, moreover, we say and testify, that at the last expedition in France of our most dread lord and father, (on whom God have mercy,) a controversy arose concerning the said arms between Sir Richard le Scrope aforesaid, and one called Carminow of Cornwall, which Carminow challenged those arms of the said Sir Richard, the which dispute was referred to six knights, now, as I think, dead, who upon true evidence found the said Carminow to be descended of a lineage armed "azure a bend or" since the time of King Arthur; and they found that the said Sir Richard was descended of a right line of ancestry armed with the said arms, "azure a bend or," since the time of William the Conqueror; and so it was adjudged that both might bear the same arms entire. But we have not seen or heard that the said Sir Robert Grosvenor, or any of his name, bore the said arms before the last expedition in Scotland with our lord the king.' The next deponent was Henry Plantagenet, Gaunt's eldest son by Blanch of Lancaster, then Earl of Derby, afterwards

'Harry of Hereford, Lancaster, and Derby ;'

and, very shortly, by the dethronement of the wayward and unlucky Richard,

Richard, KING HENRY IV. OF ENGLAND. When called on for his testimony he was only twenty-one years of age, and alludes in his evidence to his youth,

Dressing himself in much humility.'

He was then at Plymouth with his father; and, according to Froissart, was 6 un beau chevalier.' He being prayed, &c.,

said,

66

We are young and have been only a short time armed, but we have, in our time, seen the said Sir Richard publicly armed in the arms azure a bend or," and also others of his name and lineage, with differences; and, with respect to Sir Robert Grosvenor, we have never seen or known him to bear the said arms until the last expedition in Scotland with our lord the king.'

We have next the depositions of Lord Poynings (mentioned by Froissart as having died of fever in Castile in the ensuing year) and Sir Thomas Percy, K.G., afterwards Earl of Worcester, who, with his brother, the first Earl of Northumberland, and his nephew, Harry Percy, (whose depositions were taken also on a later occasion,)—' my uncle, and my cousin, and myself,'-and Scrope, Archbishop of York, headed the confederacy in 1403 against Henry IV. Being defeated at that royal field of Shrewsbury, where Hotspur lost his life, ill-spirited Worcester' was attainted of high treason and beheaded.

These, with many other noble and knightly deponents who followed-Sir Walter Ursewyke, Sir John Hastings, Sir Ralph Ipre, Sir Richard Beverley, Sir John St. Clere, Sir John Deincourt, Sir William Vavasour, Sir William Mauleverer, Sir James Cotes, &c.-severally testified to having seen Sir Richard Scrope and other knights of the family of Scrope armed with azure a bend or' in divers battles and expeditions, as well in England as in Normandy, France, Scotland, and Spain, the said arms being displayed on coat-armour and on banners and pennons publicly borne, and always placed outside of their quarters, and in full view of every one; and likewise that they had often heard 'grauntz lords, and knights, and squires, say that the said arms appertained to the ancestry of Sir Richard from beyond the memory of man,' &c. The two next witnesses were Sir John Holland and Sir Thomas Morieux, whom the readers of Froissart will have no difficulty in recognizing as two of the most distinguished men of the age. Sir John Holland was son of Thomas Holland, Earl of Kent, by Joanne Plantagenet, the Fair Maid of Kent,' who, having in her widowhood captivated the heart of the Black Prince, became Princess of Wales and mother of Richard II. A remarkable passage in the life of Sir John Holland is related by Froissart. It happened the year before these depositions were

c 2

taken,

taken, when he was on the expedition into Scotland with the king. A dispute having arisen between a German knight and two of Holland's esquires, an archer of the retinue of Sir Richard Stafford, eldest son of Lord Stafford, interfered, and blamed the esquires for their rudeness to a foreigner. Violent words ensued, and his own life being in danger, the archer shot one of the esquires dead on the spot. As soon as Sir John Holland heard of the murder of his esquire, he swore that he would neither eat nor drink till he was revenged. Though it was then dark, he mounted his horse and proceeded in search of the German knight's lodgings. But meeting Sir Richard Stafford by accident on the road, he drew his sword and struck him so severe a blow that he instantly expired. This affair produced great excitement in the army, Stafford being much beloved. The old lord demanded justice from the king, who assured him that his own relationship to the criminal should not protect him from the laws. Holland took sanctuary at Beverley; and Walsingham states that the Princess of Wales having implored the king's pardon for her son without effect, she was so deeply affected at his probable fate that she died of grief five days after. Through the mediation of the Duke of Lancaster, whose daughter he had married, Sir John Holland was however pardoned and restored to favour; and when he made his deposition in the Scrope controversy he was Constable of the army with which the duke was about to sail for Spain. He was subsequently created Earl of Huntingdon and Duke of Exeter, and was appointed Admiral of the Fleet. After the accession of Henry IV. his fortune declined, and having joined in a conspiracy against the king he was taken prisoner and beheaded by the populace at Plessy, without the form of a trial, on the 22nd September, 1400.*

Sir

* Froissart gives an entertaining narrative of a tournament in Spain between Sir John Holland and one of the French knights who had volunteered to assist the King of Castile in repelling John of Gaunt's attack, from which we extract the following passage for the amusement of such of our readers as are not familiar with the courtly chronicler: During the stay of the Duke of Lancaster in Eutença, a herald arrived from Valladolid, who demanded where Sir John Holland was lodged. On being shown thither, he found Sir John within, and bending his knee, presented him a letter, saying " Sir, I am a herald-at-arms, whom Sir Reginald de Roye sends hither; he salutes you by me; and you will be pleased to read this letter." Sir John having opened it, read that Sir Reginald de Roye entreated him, for the love of his mistress, that he would deliver him of his vow, by tilting with him three courses with the lance, three attacks with the sword, three with the battle-axe, and three with the dagger; and that if he chose to come to Valladolid, he had provided him an escort of sixty spears; but if it were more agreeable to him to remain in Eutença, he desired he would obtain from the Duke of Lancaster a passport for himself and thirty companions. When Sir John Holland had perused the letter, he smiled, and looking at the herald, said, "Friend, thou art welcome, for thou hast brought me what pleases me much, and I accept the challenge." The herald remained in Sir John's lodgings,

where

Sir Thomas Morieux, the next deponent, was Marshal of John of Gaunt's army, and is frequently mentioned by Froissart as having eminently distinguished himself in Spain in that capacity. Morieux likewise was son-in-law to the duke, having married his natural daughter, probably the fruit of his connexion with Katherine Swainford, whom, after the death of the Duchess Constance of Castile, he married.

After some other witnesses of less note, appears one whom we may address in the words of Hotspur,

Welcome, Sir Walter Blunt!'

This warrior, immortalized by Shakspeare as warlike Blunt,' whose great deservings and good name' were the envy of all his contemporaries, stood high in the confidence both of John of Gaunt and his son Henry IV., and enjoyed the reputation which where he was made comfortable; and Sir John went to the Duke of Lancaster, whom he found in conversation with the Earl Marshal, and showed the letter the herald had brought. "Well," said the Duke," and have you accepted it ?" "Yes, by my faith, have I, and why not? I love nothing better than fighting, and the knight entreats me to indulge him: consider, therefore, where you would choose it should take place." The duke determined that the tournament should be performed in Eutença. The passport was fairly written and sealed for thirty knights and squires to come and return; and Sir John Holland, when he delivered it to the herald, presented him with a handsome mantle lined with minever, and twelve nobles. The herald took leave and returned to Valladolid, where he related what had passed. The king of Portugal, with his queen, the Duchess of Lancaster, her mother, and the ladies of the court, bearing of this intended tournament, came from Oporto to witness it. And three days after them arrived Sir Reginald de Roye, handsomely accompanied by knights and squires to the amount of six score horse. On the morrow, the two knights who were to perform this deed of arms, armed and equipped, entered the lists which had been prepared, in a well sanded close, surrounded by scaffolds for the ladies, the king, the duke, and the English barons who had come to witness the combat. The spears, battle-axes, and swords of the knights were brought them; and each being mounted on the best of horses, placed himself about a bow-shot distant from the other; but at times, they pranced about on their horses most gallantly, for they knew every eye to be upon them.

All being now ready, having braced their targets and examined each other through the visors of their helmets, they spurred on their horses, spear in hand. Though they allowed their horses to gallop as they pleased, they advanced on as straight a line as if it had been drawn with a cord, and hit each other on the visors with such force, that Sir Reginald's lance was shivered into four pieces which flew to a great height. Sir John Holland struck Sir Reginald likewise on the visor, but not with the same success, for the helmet being but slightly laced on, the thong gave way, and the helmet flew off, leaving the knight bare-headed. Each passed the other, and Sir John Holland bore his lance without halting. The spectators cried out that it was a handsome course. The knights returned to their station, and another course took place in which Sir John Holland again unhelmed his adversary. A third course ended in precisely the same manner, at which the English present were dissatisfied with Sir Reginald de Roye for not fastening on his helmet more firmly. After these courses with the lance, they fought three rounds with swords, battleaxes, and daggers, without either of them being wounded. The French carried off Sir Reginald to his lodgings, and the English did the same to Sir John Holland. The Duke of Lancaster entertained this day at dinner all the French knights and squires. The duchess was seated beside him, and Sir Reginald de Roye next her.' -Froissart, by Johnes, vol. viii. p. 201.

the

the great dramatic poet has ascribed to him. Blount was bannerbearer to Henry IV., and while executing the duties of his office, and wearing the royal coat-armour, fell at the battle of Shrewsbury. Shakspeare makes Hotspur say over his corpse on the battle-field,

'A gallant knight he was, his name was Blunt,

Semblably furnished like the king himself.'

The next deponent on the list is the renowned Sir Thomas Erpingham, who at the battle of Agincourt, at the age of sixty and upwards, commanded the invincible archers of England, and added to the fame acquired by a long life of distinguished military and civil services. He was devoted to the house of Lancaster, and was one of the commissioners appointed by parliament to receive King Richard II.'s resignation of the crown. Henry rewarded his services by ennobling and enriching him. It is remarkable, that on a subsequent occasion, in 1406, he was a deponent in a controversy similar to the present, in a court of chivalry, between Sir Edward Hastings and Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthyn for the arms of Hastings. He closed his distinguished career in 1428, at the age of seventy-five. The adventure of one of Sir Thomas Erpingham's two wives with an amorous friar, which forms the staple of one of the most amusing of Colman's 'Broad Grins,' is told by authors of an early date, and has probably some truth in it.

We pass over a host of noble and knightly deponents-Rempston, Leeds, Brewes, Marshall, De Windsor, Clinton, Lucy of Charlcote, Lord Scales, Courtney, Earl of Devon, and other eminent persons who formed part of John of Gaunt's brilliant array, and being examined on this occasion gave evidence nearly to the same effect as the preceding-to come to a witness whose age and long services render him an interesting specimen of the warriors of that day, namely, Sir John Sully, K.G. This venerable knight, at the time of his examination, was by his own account one hundred and five years of age, and had 'served' for eighty years. He was a distinguished soldier of the Cross, and states himself to have been at all the principal battles of the long reign of Edward III., down to the campaign of Aquitaine in 1370, at which time he must have been nearly ninety. He seems to have retired shortly after from public life to his estate at Iddesleigh in Devon, attended by his faithful esquire Richard Baker, who, having partaken for forty years of his master's toils and dangers, became the companion of the retirement of his latter years-the Uncle Toby and Corporal Trim of the age of chivalry! Sir John Sully was much esteemed by Edward III., and in 1361 obtained the following singular grant from that monarch: that he might once in every year

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