Old Hampshire Mapped
Cox's Hampshire
Transcription (16)Southampton
Edward III
fire
French
fortifications
town wall
castle
Richard II
Henry V
God's House
In the Reign of King Edward III. when that Prince and Philip of Valois contended for the Kingdom of France, it was burnt quite down by the French; but of the Ashes thereof presently sprung up a more conveniently situated Town, which remains still, and is washed by the two forementioned Rivers, fortified with double Ditches and strong Walls with Battlements and Watch Towers, People flocking to it upon the Account of Trade and Navigation; which to encourage and maintain, King Richard II. built a strong Castle of square Stone upon an high raised Mount, that it might be a Defence for the Harbour.
When King Henry V. made his first Expedition into France, he mustered his Army in this Town, and here discovered the detestable Conspiracy of Richard, Earl of Cambridge, Grandfather of King Edward IV. who, with the Lord Scroop and Sir Thomas Grey, had agreed to destroy him, and ruin his intended Enterprize; but being discovered, they were immediately condemned and beheaded and buried in the Chapel of God's House at Southampton; and then the King went his intended Voyage against the French King, who 'tis said, had sent those three Noblemen a Million of Gold to perform that fact.
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