easie matter for him to surprize the Queen whom when he had in his hands he might then set the Queen of Scots at liberty and might easily obtain of Queen Elizabeth a toleration of Religion The former Reasons tooke somewhat with the Duke but this point of surprizing the Queen he abhorred as an impious fact and therefore rejected as pernitious and Dangerous In France a little before this was the mariage solemnized between Charles the ninth King of France and Elizabeth of Austria daughter to the Emperor Maximilian in gratulation whereof Queen Elizabeth sent into France Thomas Lord Buckhurst who with great magnificence was received and perhaps the more in regard of a motion now intended to be made for the Lord Buckhurst having in his retinue one Guydo Cavalcantius a noble man of Florence the Queen Mother of France as being a Florentine her self had often conference with him when she would many times say what a happines it would be to both the Kingdoms if a Match were made between the Queen of England and her sonne Henry Duke of Angiou and at last desired him to commend the motion to the Queen of England both from her and from her son the King of France as a thing they both exceedingly desired The Lord Buckhurst returned having for a present from the King of France a chayn weighing a thousand French crowns and Cavalcantius at his return made the motion to the Queen who seemed not unwilling to hearken to it for by this Match there should be added to the Kingdome of England the wealthy Dukedoms of Angiou Bourbon Auverne and in possibility the Kingdome of France it self Hereupon a Treaty was held in which the French propounded three Articles one concerning the Coronation of the Duke another concerning the Joynt Administration of the Kingdom a third concerning a Toleration of his Religion to which it was answered that the two first Articles might in some sort be composed but the third scarce possibly for though a contrary Religion might be tolerated between Subjects of the same Kingdome yet between a wife and her husband it seemed very Incongruous and inconvenient yet the matter at last came to this conclusion That if the Duke would afford his presence with the Queen at divine Service and not refuse to hear and learn the doctrine of the Church of England he should not be compelled to use the English Rites but at his pleasure use the Romane not being expresly against the word of God But upon these Punctiliâ—s they could not accord and so the Treaty after it had continued almost a yeer brake utterly off It was indeed generally thought that the Maâ—ch was never really intended of either side but that they both pretended it for onely their owne ends for the Earle of Leicester who knew more of the Queenes minde then any man wrote at this time to Sir Francis Walsingham the Queens Embassador in France That he found the Queens inclination so cold in the matter that though the Point of Religion were â—ully accorded yet she would finde one point or other to breake it off At this time the continuance of the Duke of Norfolkes affection towards the Queen of Scots came to be discovered by a packet of Letters sent by Ridolphus to the Bishop of Rosâ—e and by Bayliffs confession who brought the letters being set upon the Rack so as the Bishop of Rosse was confined to the Isle of Ely Thomas Stanlie Sir Thomas Gerard and Râ—lâ—ton were cast into the Tower and Hâ—nry Howard who had an aspiring minde to be Arch-bishop was committed to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury's keeping At the same time the Queen of Scots sent money to her confederates in Scotland which being by Higford delivered to one Browne to carry and told it was Silver when he found by the weight that it was Gold he began to suspect something and thereupon went and delivered both the money and Letters to the Lords of the Councell Upon this Higford being examined confessed the whole matter and withall gave notice of that Commentary also of the Queen of Scots which is mentioned before Two dayes after the Duke himself being examined and knowing nothing what his servauâ—s had confessed deâ—yed every particular and thereupon was brought again to the Tower by Ralph Sadler Thomas Smith Henry Nevill and Doctor Wilson And after him Bannester who was the Dukes Counsell at Law The Earls of Arunâ—el and Southampton the Lord Lumley the Lord Cobham Henry Percy Lowder Powell Goodyer and others are committed to prison who upon hope of pardon confessed all they knew concerning the matter When these things and especially the Commentary which the Duke thought had been burnt were shewed him he then cryed out I am betrayed by my own servants not having learned to be distrustfull which is the very sinew of Wisedom And then with all submission he besought the Lords to mediate for him to the Queen towards whom he protested he never had the least thought of doing any hurt And now seeing it appeared that the Bishop of Rosse had been the whole-contriver of the businesse it was deliberated what to do with him because he was an Ambassadour Hereupon divers Civilians are called as David Lewis Valentine Dale William Drury William Aubâ—y and Henry Iones of whom these questions were asked First Whether an Ambassadour who raiseth Rebellion against that Prince â—o whom he is an Ambassadour may enjoy the Priviledges of an Ambassadour and is not lyaâ—le to punâ—shment They answered That such an Ambassadour hath forfeited the Priviledges of an Ambassadour and is liable to punishment Secondly Whether the Minister or Procter of a Prince who is deposed by publike Authority and in whose room another is Inaâ—gurated may enjoy the Priviledges of an Ambassadour They answered That if such Prince be lawfully deposed his Proctâ—r cannot challenge the Priviledges of an Ambassadour forasmuch as none but absolute Princes and such as have-Right of Majesty can appoint Ambassadours Thirdly Whether a Prince who is come into another Princâ—s Countrey and held in Custody may have his Proctor and if he shall be held an Ambassadour They answered If such a Prince have not lost his Soveraignty he may have his Proctor but whether that Proctor shall be reputed as an Ambassadour or no this dependeth upon the Authority of his Delegation Fourthly Whether if a Prince give warning to such a Proctor and to hiâ—â— Prince who is under custody that this Proctor shall not from hencefâ—rth be accounted for an Ambassadour Whether that Proctor may by Law challenge the Priviledge of an Ambassadour They answered A Prince may forbid an Ambassadour to enter into hiâ— Kingdome and may command him to depart the Kingdome if he â—ontain nâ—t himself within his due limits yet in the mean while he is to enjoy the Priviledges of an Ambassadour Upon these Answers the Bishop of Rosse is warned by the Lords of the Councell that he shall no longer be esteemed an Ambassadour but be punished as
King Edward the first and by a false Nurse was changed in his Cradle and that the now King Edward was a Carters son and laid in his place but this wind was soone blowne over when at his death being drawne and hanged he confessed he had a Familiar Spirit in his house in the likenesse of a Cat that assured him he should be King of England and that he had served the said Spirit three yeares before to bring his purpose about But most of all it was such a wind blew when a Baron named William Brewis having wasted his estate offers to sell unto divers men a part of his inheritance called Powis Humphrey 〈◊〉 Earle of Hereford obtaines leave of the King to buy it bargains for it The two Roger Mâ—rtimers Unkle and Nephew great men likewise in those parts not understanding it seemes any thing of the former bargaine contract also for the same Land with the said Sir William Brewis Hugh Spenser the younger hearing of this sale and the land adjoyning to part of his obtaines a more speciall leave of the King being now his Chamberlaine and buyes it out of their hands The Earle of Herâ—ford complaines hereof to the Earle of Lancaster who thereupon at Sherbourne enters into a new confederation with divers Barons there assembled taking their Oaths intermutually to live and die together in maintaining the right of the kingdome and to procure the banishment of the two Spensâ—râ— father and sonne whom they now held to be the great seducers of the King and oppressours of the State disposing of all things in Court at their pleasure and suffering nothing to be obtained but by their meanes and under this pretence they take Armes and comming armed to Saint Albons they send to the King being then at London the Bishops of London Salisbury Hereford and Chichester who were there assembled to consulâ— for peace requiring him as he tendred the quâ—et of the Realme to rid his Court of those Traitours the Spensers condemned in many Articles of high treason by the communalty of thâ— Land and withall to grant his Letters Patents of pardon and indemnity both to them and all such as tooke part with them The King returnes answer that Hugh Spenser the father was now beyond the Seas imployed in his businesse and his sonne was guarding the Cinque-ports according to his office and that it was against Law of Custome they should be banished without being heard and withall swore he would never violate the Oath made at his Coronation by granting Letters of pardon to such notorious offenders who contemned his person disturbed the kingdome and violated the royall Majesty Which answer so exasperated the Lords that presently they approached to London and lodged in the Suburbs till they had leave of the King to enter into the City where they peremptorily urge their demands to which at length by mediation of the Queene and the chiefe Prelates the King is wrought to condescend â—nd by his Edict published in Westminster Hall by the Earle of Hereford the Spensers are banished the kingdome Hugh the father hearing it keepes beyond the Seas but the sonne secretly hides himselfe in England expecting the turne of a better season And indeed shortly after the Arch-bishop of Canterbury in a Councell holden at London pronounceth the banishment of the Spensers to have beene erronious and thereupon the Edict is revoked and the Spensers are called home and seâ— in as great authority as they were before But the Lords having thus obtained their desire with the Kings Letters of indemnity returne home but yet not with such security as to give over the provision for their owne defence Not long after there fell ouâ— an unexpected accident that suddenly wrought the Lords confusion The Queene making her progresse towards Canterbury intended to lodge in the Castle of Leedes belonging to the Lord Badlesmer who had beene long the Kings Steward but now tooke part with the Lords and sending her Marshall to make ready for her and her traine they who kept the Castle told him plainely that neither the Queene nor any else should enter there without Letters from their Lord. The Queene her selfe goes to the Castle and receives the like answer whereupon she is driven to take such lodging otherwhere as could be provided Of which indignity she complaines to the King who tooke it so to heart that presently with a power of armed men out of London he laies siege to the Castle takes it hangs the keeper Thomas Câ—â—epepper sends the wife and children of the Lord Badlesmer to the Tower and seiseth upon all his goods and treasure And having this power about him and warmed with successe and the instigation of the Queene suddenly directs his course to Chiâ—hester where he keepes his Christmas and there provides for an Army against the Barons whereof many seeing the Kings power encreasing lefâ— their Associats and yeeld themselves to his mercie amongst whom were the two Roger Morâ—iâ—â—rs men of great might and meanes the Lord Hugh Audely the Lord Mâ—â—rice Barkely and others who notwithstanding contrary to their expectation were sent to divers Prisons The Earles of Lancaster and Hereford seeing this sudden change withdrew themselves and their companies from about Glocester towards the North-parts whom the King followes with his Army wherin were the Earles of Athâ—ll Angus and at Burton upon Trent where they had made a head discomfited their forces and put them to flight In the meane time the Earle of Lancaster had sent into Lancashire a knight of his named Robert Holland one whom he had brought up of naught to raise more forces amongst his Tenants but he hearing of this flight of his Lords goes with his forces to take the Kings part which so dismaies the Earle that he beganne now to thinke of suing to the King for grace but being in the way at a Towne called Borough-bridge was there set upon by Sir Simon Warde Sheriffe of Yorke and Sir Andrew Harkeley Constable of Carlile who utterly defeat his forces In which fight was slaine the Earle of Hereford who fighting valiantly upon a Bridge was by a Varlet skulking under the Bridge thrust with a Speare into the fundament Sir Roger Benefield Sir William Sulland and others there was taken the Earle of Lancaster Sir Roger Clifford Sir Iohn Mâ—wbray Sir Roger Tuckets Sir William Fits-Williams with divers other and were led to Yorke This field was fought the fifteenth day of March in the yeare 1320. It was not long â—fter that Sir Hugh Daniell Sir Bartholomew de Baddelsmer were taken Three dayes after the Earle of Lancaster is brought to Pomfret where the King sitting himselfe in judgement with Edmund Earle of Kent his brother the Earle of Pemâ—â—â—ke the Earle Warren Hugh Spencer lately created Earle of Winchester and others sentence of death is given against him to be drawne hanged and beheaded as a Traitor The two first punishments are pardoned in regard he was of Royall bloud onely
the Duke of Glocester his brother the L. Hastings his Chamberâ—â—â—â—â— who having married the Earle of VVarwickâ— sister yet coâ—tinued ever true to 〈◊〉 Edward and the Lord Scales brother to the Queen he departed into Liâ—colâ—shire and câ—mming to Lyn he found there an English Ship and two Hulâ—s of Holland ready to make sayle whereupon he with the forenamed Lords and about seven or 〈◊〉 hundred persons entred the Ship having no provision with him but only the apparell they wore and so bare of money that he was faine to reward the Master of 〈◊〉 Ship with one of his Garments and thus making course towards the Duke of 〈◊〉 Country they were presently chased by eight great Ships of Easterlings opâ—n Enemies both to England and France which drove him before a Towne in the Country called Alquemare belonging to the Duke of Burgoigne where by châ—nce the Lord Grunture Governour of that Country at that time was who defended them from the Easterlings and brought them to the Hâ—ge in Holland where they had all things ministred to them by order from the Duke of Burgoigne At this time upon news of the Earle of VVarwickâ— approach Queen Elizâ—beth foâ—saketh the Tower and secretly taketh sanctuary at VVestminster where in great pâ—nury forsaken of all her friends she was brought a bed of a sonne called Edward who like a poore mans childe was Christened the Godfathers being the Abbot and Pâ—yâ—r of Westminster and the Lady Scroope Godmother And now the Earle of Warwicke entring the Tower removes king Heâ—ry out of his hold of durance wheâ—e he had been almost nine years into his own lodging where he was served according to his Estate which the Earâ—e did more congratulate then tâ—e king himselfe Upon this sixth day of October king Henry accompanied with â—he Archbishop of Yorke the Pryor of S. Iohns the Bishop of London the Duke of Clâ—rence the Earle of Warwicke and other Noblemen apparelled in a long gown of â—lew Velvet was conducted through London â—o the Bishops Palace where he rested â—ill the thirteenth of â—hat moneth on which day he went in solemne procesâ—â—â—â—â—bout Paulâ— Church wearing his Imperiall Crown the Earle of Warâ—ick bearing up his trayne and the Earle oâ— Oxford the sword before him The next day in all usuall places about London king Edward was Proclaimed an Usurper 〈◊〉 all his partakers Traytors to God and the king whereof Iohn Lord Tipâ—ofâ— Earle of Worcester as a partaker with king Edward was made the first example Thiâ— Lord had been Lievtenant for King Edâ—ard in Ireland where having done something 〈◊〉 which he fled he was afterward found on the top of a high Tree in the Forresâ— of VVâ—â—bridge in the County of 〈◊〉 â—nd being there taken was brought to Loâ—doâ— Attainâ—ed and 〈…〉 the Tower hill and afâ—er buried at the Blackfryâ—rs About this time happenâ—◠〈…〉 to be related Sir Williâ—â— Hâ—â—kesford knightâ— one of 〈…〉 Jusâ—iâ—â—s â—t the Lâ—wâ— who dwelt at Annoâ—y in Dâ—voâ—sâ—ire a man of grea◠〈◊〉 and â—â—ving no soâ—ne â—he Lord Fitzâ—aâ—reâ— Siâ— Ioâ—â— Sâ—â—â—â—eger and Sir Williâ—◠〈◊〉 mâ—rried his dâ—ughteâ—â— and were his heiresâ— This mâ—n grew into such â— degâ—â—â— of Melancholyâ— thâ—t one 〈◊〉 he called to him the Keeper of hiâ— Parâ— châ—â—ging him 〈◊〉 nâ—gligence in suffering his Deere to be stoln and thereupon commâ—nded him â—hat if he met any man in his circuit in the night-time that would not stand or 〈◊〉 he shoâ—ld not sparâ— to kill him whatsoever he wereâ— The knight having thâ—â— laâ—d hiâ— foundâ—tion and meaning to end his dolefull dayes in â— certaine darke night seâ—â—â—â—ly conveyd himselfe out of his house â—nd walked alone in his Pâ—râ— The Keeper in hiâ— night-walk â—eâ—ring one stirring and comming towaâ—ds him asked who was there but no answer being made he willed him to standâ— which when he would not doe the Keeper shot and kâ—lled him and comming to see who he was foâ—â—d him to be hiâ— Master On the twentieth dâ—y of 〈◊〉 a Pâ—rliâ—ment is held at VVestmiâ—ster wherein King Edward and all his pâ—rtakâ—â—â—â—re â—ttainâ—ed of high Treason and alâ— their Lands and Goods seized on to King 〈◊〉 use Geâ—â—ge Plâ—â—tâ—geneâ— Duke of Clarence is by authority of this Parliament adjudged heire to Richard Duke of Yorke his father and that Dutchy setled upon him and his heires notwithstanding the Primogeniture of Edward upon him also waâ— entailed the Crown of England in case heires males of the body of King Heâ—ry fâ—iled Iasper Earle of Pembrooke and Iohn Earle of Oxford are fully restored â—o their Lands â—nd Honourâ— and VVaâ—wick and Clâ—rence are made Governours of the King and kingdomeâ— To this Parliament came the Mâ—rquesse Montacute eâ—cusing himselfe that â—or â—eare of deaâ—h he had taken King Edwards part which excuse was accepted Queâ—n Margaret iâ— sent for into France but by reason of contrary windes was kept back all that Winter About this time Iasper Earle of Pembrooke going into VVales to view his lands in Pembrookeshire found there the Lord Henry borne of Margaret the onely daughter and heire of Iohâ— the first Duke of Somâ—rset not being then full ten years of age kept in manner like a captive but honourably brought up by the Lady Herbert him he brings with him to Loâ—doâ— and pâ—esents him to King Henry whom when the Kiâ—g had a good while beheld he said to the Lords about him Loe this is he to whom both we and our adversaries leaving the possession of all things shall hereafter give place Which if it be true It shews a very Propheticall Spirit to have been in King Henry that could so long beforeâ— foretell a thing so unlikely to happen for this was he that was afterward King Hâ—â—ry the Seventh before whom at that time there were many lives in being of boâ—h the housâ—â— of Yorke and Lâ—ncaster Shortly after this by the Duke of Burgoignes means King Edward is furnished with eighteen tall ships two thousand Dutchmen and fifty thousand florens of gold and thus furnished he took to Sea and landed at Ravenspurre in Yorkeshire where he found but cold entertainment neverthelesse he made a wary march to Yorke where likewise he found no great expression of welcome so as he was forced to change his pretence swearing deeply and receiving the Sacrament upon it that he came not to disturbe King Henry but only to recover his own inheritance and for the more shew thereof wearing an Estrichâ— feather Prince Edwards livery which â—roposition seemed so â—easonable that many who resisted him before were as ready to assist him now and if he be blamed for breaking his Oath it must be considered It was Regâ—i causa to recover his Kingdome which perhaps was the Inheritance he meant when he took his Oath that he intended nothing but to recover his Inheritance and so he brake not his Oath neither From Yorke he marched towards Wakefiâ—ld and Sendall leaving the Castle of Pomfret upon his left handâ— where the Marquesse Montacute with his Army
the tenth year of his Raigne Ioane Boughton widdow was burnt in Smithfield for holding certain opinions of Iohn VVickliffe In his seventh yeer king Henry finding great inconvenience by the priviledge of Sanctuaries wrote to Pope Alexander desiring him by his authority to adjudge all English men being fled to Sanctuary for the offence of Treason to be Enemies to the Christian Faith and to prohibite the priviledge of Sanctuary to all such as once had enjoyed it before which request the Pope granted to the great contentment of the king and quiet of the Realme In his sixteenth yeere being the yeer 1500. a Jubilee in Rome was celebrated whereof Alexander the then Pope by his messenger Gaspar Pons a Spanyard gave notice to the king offering withall that those who could not come to Rome should notwithstanding at a certaine price have Pardons and as full a benefit of the Jubilee as if they came and to the end the king should not hinder his purpose both offered part of his gaines to the king and also promised to bestow it upon a warre against the Turke by which course he gathered great summes for which he had other use than to spend it so idly In the two and twentieth yeer of this kingâ— Pope Alexander the sixth dyed of Poyson by this accident He went to supper in a Vineyard neer the Vatican where his sonne Valentionis meaning to poyson Adriaâ— Cardinall of Cornetta sent thither certaine flaggons of Wine infected with poyson and delivered them to a servant of his who knew nothing of the matter commanding him that none should touch them but by his appointment It happened the Pope comming in something before supper and being very dry through the immoderate heat of the season called for drinke his own provision being not yet come The servant that had the poysoned wine in keeping thinking it to be committed to him as a speciall wine brought of it to the Pope and while he was drinking his sonne Valentinois came in and dranke also of the same whereby they were both poysoned but the Pope onely overcome of the poyson died his sonne by the strength of youth bare it out though with long languishing Workes of Piety and other structures by himâ— and others THIS King magnificently enlarged Greenwich which Humfry Duke of Glocester had formerly builded calling it Placentia In his sixteenth yeer â—e new builded his Manour of Sheeâ— and named it Richmond He also new builded Baynards Castle in London In his two and twentieth yeer he finished the goodly Hospitall of the Savoy neere to Charing-crosse to which he gave lands for the relieving of two hundred poore people This was first called Savoy place built by Peter Earle of Savoy Father to Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury about the nine and twentieth yeer of Henry the third who made the said Peter Earle of Richmond The house belonged since to the Duke of Lâ—â—caster and at this time was converted to an Hospitall reteyning still the first name of the Savoy In this Kings time Iohn Morton being Bishop of Ely bestowed great cost upon his house at Hatfield in Hartfordshire now the house of the Right Honourable the Earle of Salisbury and at Wesbich Castle in Cambridgeshire a house belonging to that See all the Brick building was of his charge Being afterward Bishop of Canterbury he bestowed great sums in repairing and aâ—gmenting his houses at Mâ—idstone Alington-Parke Charing Ford Lâ—mbeth and specially at Knoll in Kent where he dyed King Henry also builded three houses of Franciscan Friers which are called observants one at Richmond â—n other at Greenwich a third at Newark and three other of Franciscan Friers which are called Conventuals one at Canterbury another at Newcastle and a third at Southâ—ampâ—on And drawing neer his end he did these workes of charity He granted a generall Pardon to all men for any offence commited against any of his Lawes Theeves and Murtherers only excepted He paid also all Fees of all Prisoners in all Goales in and about London abiding there for that cause only He paid also the Debts of all such persons as lay in the Counters or Lud-gate for forty shillings or under and some also for ten pounds In his eighteenth yeer the Chappell of our Lady aboâ—e the East-side of the high Altar at Westminster Church with a Tavern called the White-rose neer adjoyning was taken down in which place a most beautifull Chappell was then presently begun to be builded by King Henry the charges whereof amounted to the summe of fourteene thousand pounds as Stow witnesseth In his second yeer the great Conduite in Cheape-side at the charges of Thomas Ilâ—m Alderman of London was new made and the Crosse also in Cheape was new builded toward the charges whereof Thomas Fisher Mercer gave five hundred Markes In his seventh yeer the Conduite in Grace-street was begun to be builded by the Executors of Sir Thomas Hill Grocer late Major of London Also this yeer Hugh Clâ—pton Major of London builded the great bridge of Stratford upon Aâ—oâ— as likewise a faire Chappell toward the South end of that Town and neer unto the same a pretty house of Bâ—rick and Timber where he lay and ended his life Hee glazed also the 〈◊〉 of the Parish Church in that Town and made a Way of foure miles long 〈◊〉 miles from Alisbury towards London and one mile beyond Aliâ—bury In his â—â—nth yeer Iohn Tâ—le Major of London builded the Church of Saint Anthoâ—â—es with a Free-schoole and certain Almeshouses for poore men In his time his Mother the Lady Margaret Countesse of Richmond builded two Colledges in Cambridge one called Christs Colledge the other St. Iohns and endowed them with large possessiâ—ns for the maintenance of learning Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester founded Corpus Chirsti Colledge in Oxford and William Smith Bishop of Lincolne Brazen-nose Collâ—â—ge He also builded at Liechfield an Hospitall for a Master two Priests and ten poore men as likewise a Free-schoole with a Shoole-master and an Usher Anne Aâ—eling gave a hundred Marks towards the building of the Church in Cicester In his time also Iohn Alcock Bishop of Ely builded Iesus Colledge in Cambridge and in his two and twentieth year Thomas Knesworth Major of London builded the Conduite at Bishopsgate at his own charge and gave to the Fishmongers certaine Tenements for which they are bound to allow to foure Schollers two at Oxford and two at Cambridge to each of them foure pounds a yeer also to poore people and Prisoners in Ludgate something yeeâ—ly In his twentieth yeer Sir VVilliam Capell Major of London caused all Hounseditch to be paved over which till that time had 〈◊〉 very noyously to all travellers that way In his fourteenth yeer all the Gardens without Mooregate which had continued time out of minde were destroyed and of them was made a plaine field for Archers to shoot in In this Kings time also 〈◊〉 Savege Archbishop of Yorke repaired the Castle of Cawood and the Manour of
there to keep the City in Awe And now the Cardinall being weary of hearing so many Causes himselfe as were daily brought before him ordained by the Kings Commission aftet the patterne of Mases divers under Courts to hear coâ—mplaints of Suitours whereof one was kept in the Whitehall another before the Kings Almoner Doctor Stokesley a third in the Lord Treasurers lodging neere the Starre-chamber and the fourth at the Roles in the afternoone these Courts for a time were much frequneted but at last the people perceiving that much delay was used in them and that sentence given by them bound no man by Law they thereupon grew weary of them and resorted to the common Law By occasion of this Government of the Cardinall who under colour of Justice did what he pleased many great men withdrew themselves from the Court as first the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Winchester who went and lived in their Diocesses then the Duke of Norfolke and at length the Duke of Suffolke who being run deep into the Kings debt by reason of his many Imployments into France and his great House-keeping since his marriage with the Kings Sister hoped the King would have forgiven it and would no doubt have done it but that the Cardinall opposed it to the end the Duke should be the more at his command In October this yeer Matthew Bishop of Sion commonly called the Cardinall of the Swizzers came into England from the Emperour Maximilian by whose soliciting and Cardinall Woolseys perswasion the King lent the Emperor a great some of money for Woolsey being angry with the King of France for detaining the revenewes of his Bishoprick of Tourney perswaded King Henry that the best way to abate the French Kings power was to furnish the Emperour money the better to maintaine warre against him and what Woolsey said was in those dayes to King Henry an Oracle This yeer the King kept his Christmas at his manner of Greenwich where on Twelfth night according to his custome rare devices with great magnificence were presented after which time the King exercised himselfe much in Hawking which was like to have proved no good sport to him for one time following his Hawke and leaping over a Ditch with a Pole the Pole brake so that if one Edmund Mody a foot-man had not leapt into the water and lift up his head which was fast in the clay he had been drowned In this yeer also there happened in the City of London an Insurrection against strangers specially of Artificers complayning that strangers were permitted to resort hither with their Wares and to exercise Handy-crafts to the great hindrance and impoverishing the Kings own Subjects and not onely so but that they were borne out in many great Insolencies and wrongs they offered to the English as one time it happened a Carpenter in London called Williamson had bought two Pigeons in Cheap-side and was about to pay for them when a French-man tooke them out of his hand saying they were no meat for a Carpenter well said Williamson I have bought them and I will have them nay said the French-man I will have them for my Lord Embassadour hereupon they grew to words and complaint was made to the French Embassadour who so aggravated the matter to the Major that the Carpenter was sent to prison and when Sir Iohn Baker sued to the Embassadour for him he answered by the body of God the English knave was worthy to loose his life for denying any thing to a French-man and other answer he could have none Matry like and worse Insolencies were offered by changes which one Iohn Lincoln a Broker drew into a Bill and prevailed with Doctor Beale Preacher on Easter Tuesday at the spittle to reade it openly in the pulpit which so stirred up many that strangers could hardly passe the streets but were strucken and sometimes beaten downe At last one evening many Prentises and others assembling rifled some strangers houses and much mischief was like to be done but by the tare of the Maior and Aldermen and by the indâ—stry of Robert Brook Recorder and Sir Thomas Moore â—hat had bin under shriefe of London they were gotten to be quiet and many of the disturbers were sent to prison whereof Lincolne and twelve other were hanged foure hundred more in their shirts bound in ropes and halters about their neckes and thereupon called the black wagon were brought to Westminster where the King himselfe sate that day and when the Cardinall had charged them with the greatnesse of their offence they all cryed mercy mercy and then the King by the mouth of the Cardinall pardoned them all which clemency purchased the Kiâ—g no small love amongst the people In this ninth yeere in Iune King Henry had divers Embassadors at his Court for whose entertainment he prepared a costly Justs himselfe and twelve more against the Duke of Suffolke and other twelve The King had on his Head a Ladies sleeve full of Diamonds and perhaps something else of the Ladies in hes heart which made him performe his courses with the applause of all beholdeâ—s This yeere by reason of a sweating sicknesse Michaelmâ—s Tearme was adjourned and the yeere following Trinity Tearme was held one day at Oxford and then adjourned againe to Westminster About this time Cardinall Woolsey obtained of Pope Leo authority to dispence with all Offences against the spirituall Lawes by vertue whereof he set up a Court and called it The Court of the Legat in the which he proved Testaments and heard Causes to the great hindrance of all the Bishops of the Realme and to the debauching of Priests and Religious persons who relying upon his greatnesse tooke â—uch a liberty of licentiousnesse to themselves that none was more disorderly then those that were in orders and supposiiâ—g perhaps they might lawfully comit such sins themselves as they forgave to others And indede the Cardinalls carriage exceeded all boundes of moderation for when he said masse he made Dukes and Earles to serve him of wine with a say taken and to hold the bason at the Lauatory and when the Archbishop of Canterbury writing a letter to him subscribed your brother William of Canterbury he tooke it in great dudgion to be termed his brother It was now the tenth yeere of King Henries Reigne when the Kinâ— of France longing much to have Turney restored to him by great guifts and greater promisesâ— wonne â—he Cardinall Woolsey to move the King in it who upon his perswasions was contented to be treated withall about it to which the King of France sent the Lord Bonquet high Admirall of France and the Bishop of Paris who in there attendance having above fourescore Gentlemen and with their servants and all above twelve hundred arived in England and on Munday the seaven and twentieth of September were met at Black-heath by the Eaâ—le of Surrey high Admirall of England attended likewise with above five hundred Gentlemen and others who conducted them to
restrained from these Games fell some to drinking some to stealing of Conies and Deere aud such other misdemeanours also in this yeere was an inhauncing of Coyne for preventing the carrying it over to places where it went at higher rate so that the Angell which went before but for seven shillings should now goe for seven and six pence and every ounce of Gold should be five aâ—d forty shillings which was before but forty and other Coynes accordingly In his twentieth yeer Sir Iames Spencer being Major of London the watch used on Mid-somer night was laid downe In his three and thirtieth yeer in a Parliament then holden an Act was made that whosoevet should poyson any person should be boyled to death by which Statute one Richard Roose who had poysoned diverâ—e persons in the Bishop of Rochester place was boyled to death in Smithfield to the terrible example of all other In his two and twentieth yeer three Acts were made one foâ— probate of Testaments another for Mortuaries the third against plurality of benefices Non-Residence buying and taking of Farmes by spirituall persons In his thirtieth yeer it was ordained by Cromwel the Kings Vicar General that in al Churches a Register should be kept of every Weddng Christning and buriall within the same Parish for ever In his one and thirtieth yeer the King first instituted and appointed fifty Gentlemen called Pensioners to waight upon his person assighning to each of them fifty pounds a yeer for the maintainance of thâ—mselvs and two horses in his six and thirtieth yeer Proclamation was made for the inhancing of Gold to eight and fortâ— shillings and silver to foure shillings the ounce also he caused to be coyned base money mingling it with brasse which was since that time called downe the fifth yeere of Edward the sixth and called in the second yeer of Queen Elizibeth In his seven and thirtieth yeer the brothell houses called the Stewes on the Bank-side in Southwarke were pâ—t downe by the Kings Commandement and was done by proclamation and sound of Trumpet In his three and twentieth yeer it was enacted that Butchers should sell their meat by weight Beef for a half-peny the pound and Mutton for three farthings also at this time forraigne Butchers were permitted their flesh in Leadenhall-market which before was not allowed in his time also the Government of the President in the North was first instituted and the first President there was Tunstall Bishop of Durham Affaires of the Church in his time IN the yeer 1517. the eighth yeer of this Kings Reigne Martin Luther of VVittemberg in Germany a Frier of the Order of the Hermisses taking occasion from the abuseâ— of Indulgences began to Preach against the Authority of the Pope and to bring in a Reformation of Religion for repressing of whom the Counsaile of Trent was called by Pope Paul the third in the yeere 1542. which continued above forty yeers but was never received in the Kingdome of Franceâ— which Counsaile by decreeing many things to be poins of faith which were not so accounted before hath made no small distraction amongst Pâ—pists themselves against this Luther King Henry wrote a booke with great bitternesse and with as great bitternesse was answered at the same time with Luther there arose also in the same Country other Reformers of Religion as Zuingliuâ— Occloampadious Melancthon who differing from Luther in some few points made the difference which is at this day of Lutherans and Protestants so called at first Auspurg for making a protestation in defence of their Doctrine which soon after spread all Christendome over King Henry in the sixth and twentieth yeer of his Reigne had excluded the Popes Authority ouâ— of his Realme but thinking the worke not sufficiently done as long as Abbeys and Prioâ—ies kept their station which were as it were his Forteresses and Pillars there wâ—s not long after meâ—nes found to have them suppressed for aspersioâ—s being lâ—id upon them and perhaps no more then truth of Adulteries and Murtherâ— they by Act of Parliâ—ment in his eight and twentieth yeer at lest neere foure hundred of them suppressed and all their lands and goods conferred upon the King In his one and thiâ—tieth yeer all the rest and lastly in his five and thirtinth yeer all Colledgeâ— Chantries and Hospitals so as the hives being now all removed there have never since any Bees or Drones been seen in the Country in this Kings time the Citty of Rome was taken and sacked by the Imperiall Army forcing the Pope to fly to his Castle Saint Angelo and there kept a prisoner till he agreed to such conditions as his Adversaries propounded In the two and twentieth yeere of this Kings reigne a Proclamation was set forth that no person should purchase any thing from the Court of Rome and this was the first blow given to the Pope in England In his three and twentieth yeer the Clergy submitting themselves to the King for being found guilty of a Praemunire were the first that called him supream head of the Church In his foure and twentieth yeere a Parliament was holden wherein one Act was made that Bishops should pay no more Annats or money for their Buls to the Pope and another that no person should appeale for any cause out of this Realm to the Court of Rome but from the Commissary to the Bishop and from the Bishop to the Archbishop and from the Archbishop to the King and all causes of the King to be tried in the upper Hoâ—se of the Convocation In his six and twentieth yeer in Iuly Iohn Frith was burnt in Smithfield aâ—d with him at the same stake one Andrew Howet a Tailor both for denying the Reall presence in the Sacrament and in a Parliament holden tâ—is yeer an Act was made which Authorized the Kings Highnesse to be supreame head of the Church of England and the Authority of the Pope to be abolished and then also was given to the King the first fruits and tenths of all Spirituall livings and this yeer were many put to deaâ—h Papists for denying the Kings Supremecy Protestants for denying the Reall presence in the Sacrament and it is incredible what numbers for thesâ— two causes were put to death in the last ten yeers of this Kings Reign of whom if we should make perticular mention iâ— would reach a great way in the Book of Martyrs in his eight and twentieth yeer the Lord Cromwell was made Viâ—aâ— General under the King over the Spiritualty and sate divers times in the Convocation House amongst the Bishops as head over them and in September thiâ— yeere he set forth injunctions commandiâ—g all Parsons and Curates to â—each their Parishoners the Paâ—er Noster the Aâ—e and Creed with the ten Commandements and Articles of the Christian Fâ—ith in the English tongue Iâ— his one and thirtieth yeer was set forth by the Bishops the Book of the six Articles condemning all for Hereticks and to be burnt that should hold 1. That the body
mildnesse the neerenesse of the Husbands gave occasion to the Ladies often meeting where the Dutchesse would inwardly murmur why shee being the wife of the elder brother and the better man should give place to her who was the wife of the younger brother and the meaner man this envy of hers toward the Queen bred a malice in her towards the Admirall as thinking the mischiefe she did to the husband to be a part of revenge upon the wife and though the Queene shortly after died in Child-bed yet the mallice of the Dutchesse towards the Admirall lived still so hard a thing it is for malice once setled in a womans heart to be removed out of this malice she put divers surmises into her husband the Protectours head against his brother the Admirall as though he went about to procure his death to the end he might aspire to the place he held but certainly as misliking his government being a Protestant who was himselfe a Papist in this case causes of jealousie against the Admirall was obvious enough for it was knowne that in King Henries time he had aimed at the mariage of the Lady Elizabeth King Henries second daughter and now his wife the Queen Dowager being dead and not without suspition of poyson he fell upon that mariage a fresh which could not be thought to tend but to some very high aspiring end the Protectour a plain man and one that had not the cleerest insight into practises whether too importunately provoked by his wife or whither out of an honest mind not willing to patronize faults though in a brother gave way to accusatioâ—s brought against him so as in a Parliament then holden he was accused for attempting to get into his custody the person of the King and government of the Realm for endeavouring to marry the Lady Elizabeth the Kings sister for perswading the King in his tender yeers to take upon him the rule and ordering of himselfe upon which points though perhaps proved yet not sufficiently against him who was never called to his answere he was by Act of Parliament condemned and within few dayes after condemnation a warrant was sent under the hand of his brother the Protectour to cut off his head wherein as after it proved he did as much as if he had laid his own head downe upon the block for whilst these brothers lived and held together they were as a strong fortresse one to the other the Admirals courage supporting the Protectours authority and the Protectours authority maintaining the Admirals stoutnesse but the Admiral once gone the Protectours authority as wanting support began to totter and fell at last to utter ruine besides there was at this time amongst the Nobility a kind of faction Protestants who favoured the Protectour for his owne sake and other of Papall inclination who favoured him for his brothers sake but his brother being gone both sides forsooke him even his owne side as thinking they could expect little assistance from him who gave no more assistance to his own brotheâ— and perhaps more then all this the Earl of Warwick at this time was the most powerfull man both in Courage and Counsaile amongst all the Nobility and none so neere to match him as the Admirall while he lived but he being gone there was none left that either was able and durst or durst and was able to stand against him however it was not long after the Admirals death the Protectour was invaded with sundry accusations wherein â—hâ— Earl of Warwick made not alwaies the greatest show but yet had alwayes the greatest hand one thing the Protectour had done which though a private act yet gave a publick distaste To make him a Mansion house in the Strand the same which is now called Somerset-house he pulled downe a Church and two Bishops houses by the Strand Bridge in digging the foundation wherof the bones of many who had been there buried were cast out and carried into the fields and because the stones of those houses and the Church suffised not for his work the steeple aâ—d most part of the Church of Saint Iohns of Ierusalem neer Smithfield was mined and overthrowne with powder and the stones applied to this sparious building and more then this the Cloyster of Pauls on the North side of the Church in a place called Pardon Church-yard and the dance of Death very curiously wrought about the Cloyster a Chapel that stood in the midst of the Churchyard also the Charnal house that stood upon the South side of Pauls now a Carpenters yard with the Chappell timber and Monuments therin were beaten downe the bones of the dead caried into Finsbury-fields and the stones converted to this building This Act of the Protectours did something alienate the Peoples minds from him which the Earle of Warwick perceiving thought it now a fit time to be falling upon him and therupon drew eighteene of the Privy Counsaile to joyne with him who withdrawing themselves from the Court held secret consultations together and walked in the Citty with many Servants weaponed and in new Liveries whereof when the Lord Protectour heard he sent secretary Peter to them to know the causes of their Assembly requiring them to resort unto him peaceably that they might comune together as friends but in the meane time hee Armed five hundred men and removed the King by night from Hampton-court to Windsor on the other side the Lords at London having first taken possession of the Tower sent for the Majoâ— and Aldermen of the Citty to the Earle of Warwicks lodging at Ely-house in Holburn to whom the Lord Rich then Lord Chancelour made a long Oration wherin he shewed the ill government of the Lord Protector and the many mischifes that by it were come upon the Kingdome and therupâ—n requiring them to joyn with the Lords there assembled to remove him and presently that day a Proclamation was made in divers parts of the Citty to that purpose to which the Lords and Counsailors that subscribed their names were these the Lord Rich Chancelour the Lord Saint-Iohn Lord great Master the Marquesse of Northampton the Earle of Warwick Lord great Chamberlaine the Earle of Arundell Lord Chamberlaine the Earle of Shrewsbury the Earle of Southampton Sir Thomas Cheyney Treasurer of the Houshold Sir Iohn Gagâ— Constaple of the Tower Sir William Peter secretary Sir Edward North Knight Sir Edward Montague chiefe Justice of the Common-pleas Sir Iohn Baker Chancelour of the Exchequer Sir Ralph Sadler Sir Edward Wootton Sir Richard Southwell Knights and Doctor Wootton Deane of Canterbury In the afternoone of the same day the Lord Major assembled a Common Counsaile in the Guild-hall where two letters arrived almost in one instant from the King and the Lord Protectour for a thousand men to be Armed for defence of the Kings Person another from the Lords at London for two thousand men to aide them in defence of the Kings person also both pretending alike and therefore hard how to
the Bishops of Rosse and Glasco her Agents in France to have no further to do with the English Fugitives These things Qâ—een Elizabeth heard gladly and thereupon sent Beale to the Queen of Scots who joyntly with the Earl of Shrewsbery should signifie unto her That if she continued still in the same minde as she had delivered to Waad Sir Walter Mildmay should come out of hand â—o her and Treat concerning her liberty but withall she commanded Mildmay and Beale to dive into her as well as they could to know what practises the Duke of Guyse had on foot To that which she had spoken to sir William Waad the Queen of Scots made a wary answer but to that concerning the Duke of Guyse she plainly confesseth That being sickly heâ— selfe and weak of body she had committed her selfe and her Son to the Protection of the Duke of Guyse her dear Cosen of whose intendments she knoweth nothing nor if she did would she disclose them unlesse she might be sure of her own liberty Lastly she requesteth That being a free and an absolute Prince she may not be worse handled than Queen Elizabeth her selfe was when she was a subject and kept in prison by her Sister These things had a hearing but no feeling and the rather by a strange accident for Creighton a Scottish Jesuit sayling from the Lâ—w-Countries and taken by Dutch Pirats had certain papers which he tore and threâ— away which thrown over-boord and by the winde blown back into the ship miraculously as Creighton himselfe sayd they were brought to sir William Waad who patching them together with much labour and cunning discovered by them some new intendments of the Pope the King of Spainâ— and the Guyse about the Invading of England Whereupon and upoâ— divers other rumors the better to provide for the safety of the Queen a number of her Subjects the Earl of Leicester being the foremost men of all ranks and conditions bound themselves mutually to each other by their oaths and subscriptions to persecute all those to the very death that should attempt any thing against the Queen which league of theirs they called the Association The Queen of Scoâ—s who presently apprehended that this Association was entred into for her destruction maketh this proposition by Nave her Secretary to the Queen and the Councellâ— That if she might have her liberty granted and be assured of the Qâ—eenâ—â—ove she would enter a strict league and â—mity with her and passing by all matters of offence esteem and honor â—er above all the Princes of the Christian World yea and saving the ancient League betwixt Fraâ—ce and Scâ—â—laâ—d she would her selfe be comprehended in tâ—e Association and a League defensivâ— against all that should go about to injure the Queen Herewith Queen Eliâ—abeth was wonderfully pleased and at that time cerâ—â—â—nly had an inclination to grant her freedom Bâ—t see what malice can do for many in Englandâ— but specially the Scoâ—s of 〈◊〉 â—dverse party endeavoured by all means to hinder it exclaiming That 〈◊〉 Queen could be no longer in safety if the Queen of Scots were set at liberty That both Kingdoms were utterly undone if she were admitted into 〈◊〉 â—oynt Government of the Kingdom of Scotland and that the reformed â—â—â—â—gion lay a bleeding if Papists were admitted within the Court walls 〈◊〉 was this all but the Scottish Ministers in their Pulpits loaded the 〈◊〉 of Scots with all manner of contumelies slandred the King himselfe and 〈◊〉 Councell in most bitter manner and being cited to appear before him 〈◊〉 saying That the Pulpits were exempted from all Regall Authority and that Ecclesiasticall persons were not to be censured by the Prince but 〈◊〉 their own Consistory directly against the Laws made the year before in Paâ—liament whereby the Kings Authority over all persons whether Eccleâ—â—â—sâ—icall or Secular was confirmed and namely That the King and his Councell were Supream Judges in all Causes and that whosoever refused 〈◊〉 bâ— tryed by them should be holden guilty of High-treason all Presbyâ—â—â—â—â—s and Lay-conventicles forbidden Parity of the Clergy taken away 〈◊〉 the authority of Bishops restored whose Calling the Presbyteries had condemned as wicked and Antichristian And lastly all scurrilous Libels â—â—â—inst the King and his mother prohibited namely the Scottish History of George Buchanan and his Dialogue De Iure Regni apud Scotos At this time upon her adversaries suggestion the Queen of Scots is taken from the Earl of Shrewsbery and committed to the custody of sir Pawletâ—nd â—nd sir Drue Drury and that on set purpose as some were perswaded to drive her into abrupt and desperate attempts and indeed upon this she grew more importunate with the Pope and King of Spain to hasten their inâ—â—ndment whatsoever became of her as ill indeed was like to become of her if it be true as some sayd that Leicester sent out assasinats to make her â—way but that Drury detested the villany and would grant them no â—â—cesse And how to alienate Queen Elizabeth utterly from her it is suggested to 〈◊〉 That Allen for the Catholicks of the Clergy Inglefield for the Layity â—nd the Bishop of Râ—sse for the Queen of Scots with consent of the Pope and the King of Spain had joyntly combined to depose her and to bar the King of Scotland from his hereditary Right to the Crown of England and to marry the Queen of Scots to an English Noble-man of the Romish Religion and him the English Catholikes should chuse King of England and the Pope confirm the Election and all this upon the credit of Hart the Priest but who this English Noble-man should be that should marry the Queen of Scots could not be found though Walsingham were very busie to seacrh iâ— out the fame went upon Henry Howard the Duke of Norfolks brother â—ho was a single man a great Papist and of high estimation amongst the Catholikes This yeer died in Exile and misery Charles Nâ—vill who was in the Rebellion of the North the last Earl of Westmerland of this Family a House from whence descended many Noble Personages six Earls of Westmerland â—wo Earls of Saliâ—â—â—â—y and Warâ—iâ—k an Earl of Kent a Maâ—quesse Mountâ—cut◠〈◊〉 Duke of Bedford Baron Ferrers of 〈◊〉 the Lord Latymer the Lord of 〈◊〉 one Queen and five Dutchesses to let passe Counteâ—â—es and Baronneâ—ses an Arch-bishop of York and a numerous company of other Lords In Eâ—glâ—nd died none of â—eckoning this yeer but onely Plâ—â—den the famous Lawyer but in France â—he Duke of Angiâ—â— died of griefâ— aâ—d in Holland William Prince of Orange shot into the body with â—hree Bullets by one Bâ—lthâ—sâ—r Gerard a Burgundian It was now the yeer 1585 and the eight and twentieth of Queen Elizaâ—â—â—â—â— Raign when to tiâ— the French King more neerly to her whom the 〈◊〉 â—â—fore she had received into the number of the Knights of the â—arter she sent the Earl of Derby into France to invest him with the Robes and Ornaments according to
plainly by the Chancellour and Treasurer That if she refused to answer to such crimes as should be objected they would then proceed against her though she were absent Being brought at last with much ado to consent the Commissioners came together in the Presence Chamber a Chaire of Estate was set for the Queen of England in the upper end of the Chamber under a Canopy beneath over against it was placed a Chair for the Queen of Scots on both sides of the Cloth of Estate stools were set upon which on the one side sate the Lord Chancellor the Lord Treasurer the Earls of Oxford Kent Derby Worcester Rutland Cumberland Warwicke Pembrooke Lincolne and Viscount Mountacuteâ— On the other side sate the Lords Aburgavany Zouch Morley St. Iohn of Bletsho Compton and Cheyney Next to these sate the Knights that were Privie Councellors Sir Iames Crofts Sir Christopher Hatton Sir Francis Walsingham Sir Ralph Sadler Sir Walter Mildâ—â— and Sir Amis Pawlet Foreward before the Earls sate the two Chiefe Justices and the Lord chiefe Baron on the other side the two Barons and the other Justices Dale and Foord Doctors of the Civill Law at a Table in the midst Popham the Queens Atturney Generall Egerton her Solicitor â—â—â—die her Serjeant at Law the Clerk of the Crown and two Notaries When the Queen of Scots was come and had placed her selfe silence being made Bromely Lord Chancellor turning towards her sayd That the Queen had appointed these Commissioners to hear what she could Answer to crimes layd to her charge assuring her that nothing would be cause of more joy to the Queen then to hear that she had proved her selfe innocent Upon this she rising up sayd That although being an absolute Prince she could not be compelled to appear before the Deâ—egates yet to manifest her innocency she was now content to appear Then Gawdie opened every speciality of the Law lately made against which she had taken excception shewing By Babingtons confession by Letters passed between them by the confessions of Ballard and Savage by the confessions of her Secretaries Nave and Curle that she was privy to their Treasons and consented to the Invasion of England and destruction of the Queen To which she answered That Letters might be counterfeited her Secretaries might be corrupted and rest in hope of life might be drawn to confesse that which was not true In this she stood peremptorily That she never consented to any Attempt against the Queens Person though for her own delivery she confessed she did After many other charges by the Commissioners and replies by the Queen of Scots At last she requested that she might be heard in a full Parliament or before the Queen her selfe and her Councell But this request prevailed not for on the 25. day of October following at the Star-Chamber in Westminster the Commissioners met again and there pronounced sentence against her Ratifying by their Seals and subscriptions that after the 1. day of Iune in the seven and twentieth year of our Soveraign Lady Queen Elizabeth divers matters were compassed and imagined in this Kingdom by Anthony Babington and others with the privity of Mary Queen of Scots pretending Title to the Crown of England tending to the hurt death and destruction of the Royall Person of our sayd Soveraigne Lady the Queen After a few dayes a Parliament was holden at Westminster the which was begun by Authority from the Queen derived to the Archbishop of Canterbury the Lord Treasurer and the Earl of Derby and the same not without some Presidents At this Parliament the Proscriptions of the Lord Paget Charls Paget Francis Inglefield Francis Throgmorton Anthony Babington Thomas Salisbury Edward Iones Chydâ—ock Tichburne Charles Tilney and the other complices was confirmed and their goods and possessions adjudged confiscate Also the Peers of the Kingdom with an unanimous consent exhibit a Petition to the Queen by the Lord Chancellor that for the preservation of the true Religion and safety of the Queen of themselves and their Posterity the Sentence passed against Mary Queen of Scots might according to Law be presently Promulged They put the Queen in minde of the fearfull examples of Gods Judgements extant in Scripture upon King Saul for sparing of Agag and upon Ahab for not putting Benhadad to death But the Queen answereth them to this effect First acknowledging Gods miraculous preservation of her and then their constant affections towards her for whose sakes onely she desires to live Otherwise when she calls to minde things past beholds the present and expects what may happen in time to come that she accounts them most happy who go soonest hence That the Law lately made by which the Queen of Scots is condemned was not made as some maliciously have imagined to ensnare her but contâ—ariwise to forewarn and deterre her from attempting any thing against it which though it had not been made yet were there other ancient Laws enough to condemne her Nothing could have been more grievous to me than that a Prince and one so neer Allied unto me should deserve the Sentence pronounced against her and seeing the matter is of rare example and of a very weighty consequence I hope you will not expect that I should at this present determine any thing Yet that there may be no danger in delayâ— I will in due time signifie my minde unto you and in the meane time would have you to expect from me whatsoever good Subjects may looke for from a Gracious Prince Twelve dayes after having deeply weighed the matter in her minde she sent the Lord Chancellor to the Peers and Puckering to the Lower House entreating them to advise more diligently concerning so weighty a matter and to bethinke themselves of some wholesome remedy by which the life of the Queen of Scots might be spared and their security also provided for They when they had a long time in most serious manner deliberated hereof Return at last this Verdict That the Queenes life could not be in safety while the Queen of Scots lived unlesse she either repented and acknowledged her crimes or were kept in straight custody or bound by her oath and obligations or gave Hostages or lastly departed the Kingdome And seeing none of these were likely to be remedies It remained that only her death would be a remedy Repentance in her they could little hope for who would not so much as acknowledge her self faulty Close Imprisonment Obligations Oath and Hostages they accounted as nothing which all vanished if the Queens life were once taken away and if she departed the Kingdom they feared she would straightway go about to Invade it again These things the Lord Chancellor and Puckering the Speaker of the Lower-House declared to the Queen at large and urged her in their names to have the Sentence put in execution Hereupon the Queen after a short pawse spake at last to this effect I protest my chief desire hath been that for your security and my own safety some other
of the Queens Councell And this yeer were taken at Masse in their severall houses the Lord Morley's Lady and her children the Lady Guildford and the Lady Browne who being thereof indited and convicted suffered the penalty of the Law in that case provided Untill the twentieth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign the Papists in England were mercifully connived at while they solemnized their own Rites within their private houses though that also were against the Laws but when as that Thunder-bolt of excommunicating the Queen came abroad then was the Law enacted against those who brought into the Kindome any Agnâ—s Dei or hallowed Beads or reconciled any of the Queens subjects to the See of Rome yet for six whole yeers together after this Law was made it was not executed upon any Papist till Cuthbert Mayne a Priest and an obstinate maintainer of the Popes Authority against the Queen was executed at Launston in Cornwall and the Gentlemans goods that harboured him confiscate and himself adjudged to perpetuall Imprisonment In her three and twentieth yeer divers Priests and Jesuites came into England amongst whom Robert Pâ—â—sons and Edmund Campian English-men and Jesuites being now bound for England to promote the Catholike Cause at which time a Proclamation was set forth That whosoever had any children beyond the Sea should by a certain day call them home and that no person should receive or harbour any Seminary Priest or Jesuite At this time also there arose up in Holland a certain Sect naming themselves The Family of Lâ—ve who perswaded their followers That those only who were adopted into that Family were elected and no other could be saved but were all reprobates and damned and that it was lawfull for them to deny upon oath whatsoever they pleased before any Magistrate or whomsoever that were not of their Family Many of their books were printed under these titles The Gospel of the Kingdom The Lords Sentences The Prophesie of the spirit of love The publication of Peace upon earth by the Author H. N. but who this Author was they would by no means reveal at last he was found to be Henry Nicholls of Leyden who blasphemously preached That he was partaker of the Divinity of God and God of his humane Nature all which books were by Proclamation commanded to be burnt In a Parliament holden the eight and twentieth yeer of her Raign some out of a desire of a Reformation began to pick quarrells at the Clergy desiring to passe Laws for the restraint of Bishops in their granting of Faculties conferring of holy Orders Ecclesâ—asticall Censure and the Oath Ex officio They complayned likewise of the non-residency of Ministers and the like But the Queen who alwayes hated Innovation which for the most part changeth for the worse would give no ear unto them conceiving besides That these proceedings in Parâ—iament in Ecclesiasticall Affairs derogated from her Prerogative In her six and twentieth yeer the Queen gave a speciall charge to Whitgift Arch-bishop of Canterbury to settle an Uniformity in the Ecclesiasticall Discipline according to the Laws which through the connivence of Bishops and perversenesse of the Puritans lay now almost gasping Whâ—reupon he provided three Articles to which every Minister should subscribe The first That the Queen had Supreme Authority over all persons born within her Dominions of what condition soever they were and that no other Prince or Prelate or Potentate hath or ought to have any Iurisdiction Civill or Ecclesiasticall within her Realms and Dominions The second That the Book of Common-Prayer and of the Ordination of Bishops Priests and Deacons containeth nothing contrary to the Word of God but may lawfully be used and that they will use that and none other The third That the Articles agreed on in the Synod holden at London in the yeer 1562 and published by the Queens Authority they did allow of and believe them to be consonant to the Word of God It is incredible what reproaches the Arch-bishop incurred by setting forth these Articles both from factious Ministers and from some also of the Nobility yet by his patience and constancy he brought at last Peace to the Church making this his Motto Vincit qui patitur Neither did these at home onely disturb the Peace of the Church but others also from abroad as Robert Brown a young Student of Divinity in Cambridge from whom came the Sectaries called Brownists and Richard Harrison a petty School-Master These presuming to judge matters of Religion by their own private spirit by books set forth in Zealand and dispersed at this time over England condemned the Church of England for no Church and ensnared many in the nets of their new Schism Neither could they be restrayned though their books were prohibited by the Queens Authority and soundly confuted by sundry learned men and one or two of the Ring-leaders executed at S. Edmunds Berry In her one and thirtieth yeer these Puritans flames brake forth again Books are written by the names of Martin Mar-Prelate and A Demonstration of the Discipline by Penry aâ—d â—â—dall against the Government of Bishops and nothing would please them but the Discipline of Geneva Many Abettors they had Knightly and Wigstone Knights besides Cartwright the father of them Snape King Pradlow Payn and others who though called in question fined and imprisoned could never be reclaimed In her six and thirtieth yeer the Queen caused the severity of the Laws to be executed upon Henry Barrow and his Sectaries for disturbing the Church and the publike Peace by scattering of their monstrous Opinions condemning the Church of England as no Christian Church and derogating from thâ— Queens Authority in Causes Ecclesiasticall WORKS of Piety in her time THis Queen converted Westminster Abbey into a Collegiate Church and there ordained a Dean twelve Prebendaries a Master Usher and forty Schollars Vicars Singing-men and twelve Alms-men In her third yeer the Merchant-Taylors founded a notable Grammar-School in the Parish of S. Lawrence Pountney in London Also this yeer William Harper Maior of of London founded a Free-School in the Town of Bedford where he was born In her seventh yeer on the seventh of Iune Sir Thomas Gresham laid the first stone of the Royall Exchange in Cornhill which in November the yeer after at his own charges was finished being the yeer 1567. In her tenth yeer the Citizens of London builded a new Conduit at Walbrook corner neer to Dowgate the water whereof is conveyed out of the Thames Also this yeer Sir Thomas Roe Maior of London caused to be enclosed within a wall of Brick one Acre of ground neer unto Bâ—dlam without Bishops-Gatâ— to be a place of Buryall for the dead of such Parishes in London as lacked convenient ground within their Parishes He also builded a convenient room in Pauls Church-Yard on the South side of the Crosse to receive a certain number of Hearers at the Sermon time Sir William Peter having himself been born at Exceter in Devon-Shire he