But whilest king Henrie was about (as before ye haue heard) to recouer
and get backe the portions of his kingdome made away and dismembred by
his predecessors, he was informed that the Welshmen raised a rebellion
against him; [Sidenote: Rebellion of Welshmen. The king inuadeth them.]
to represse whose attempts, he hasted foorth with all diligence. Now at
his first approch to their countrie, his souldiers being set vpon in the
straits, were verie fiercelie put back by the enimies, in somuch that a
rumor ran how king Henrie was slaine, which puffed vp the Welshmen with
no small hope, and dawnted the Englishmen with great feare. In déed,
diuerse of the English nobilitie were slaine, [Sidenote: Eustace Fitz
John & Robert de Curey slaine.] and (amongst others) Eustace Fitz John,
and Robert de Curey, men of great honor and reputation.

Those which escaped in returning backe, not knowing that the king passed
through the straits without danger, declared to their fellowes that
followed and were approching to the said straits, that (so farre as they
knew) the king and all the residue were lost. [Sidenote: Henrie of
Essex.] These newes so discomforted the companies, that Henrie of Essex,
which bare the kings standard by right of inheritance, threw downe the
same, and fled: [Sidenote: _Matth. West._ _Wil. Paruus._ A combat
betwixt Henrie de Essex, and Robert de Mountfort. _Matth. West._] which
dishonorable déed was afterward laid to his charge by one Robert de
Mountfort, with whom (by order taken of the king) he fought a combat in
triall of the quarrell, and was ouercome: but yet the king qualifieng
the rigor of the iudgement by mercie pardoned his life, and appointed
him to be a shorne moonke, and put into the abbey of Reading, taking his
lands and possessions into his hands as forfeited: howbeit this combat
was not tried till about the 9. yeare of this kings reigne.

Now the king, hearing that his armie was discomfited, came to his men,