his vnderhand workings they obiected also that hee had secretly practised to flie with the Duke of Ireland into France and to deliuer vp to the French Kings possession Callis such pieces as the Crowne of England held in those parts to proue which dishonourable act they as some write produced the French packets intercepted This wrung teares perhaps of disdaine from the King and hee yeelded to come to VVestminster vpon the next day there to heare and determine farther The King in signe of amitie stayed his Cosen the Earle of Derbie the same who afterward dethroned him to supper O where was the courage of a King The Lords in their owne quarrell could draw vp fortie thousand men but in the generall danger of the Realme when the Commons were vp and the French hung ouer their heads with no lesse hatred then preparations no such numbers appeared Was it fortheir honour or praise that their most rightful King should by their violence be driuen to consult vpon flight out of his proper Kingdome The Citie of London was also in no little perill at this present by their accesse which drawne by iust feare was contented to open the gates and harbour the Lords and their partakers These Lords who so often are called here the Lordâ—… are named in our Statute bookes to be but these fiue The Duke of Glocester the Earles of Derbie Arundel Warwicke and Marshal 76 The next day hee would haue deferred his repaire to Westminster This being signified to the Kings Lords for so they might bee called as being more Masters then the King they labour not by humble words and dutious reasons to perswade the vse or necessity of his presence in that place but contrarie to their allegiance and all good order send him word That if hee came not quickly according to appointment they would choose them another King who both would and should obey the counsell of the Peeres They had him indeed amongst them whom belike they euen then meant to haue surrogated that is to say the before said Earle of Derby heire to the D. of Lancaster The Lords certainely had so behaued themselues towards the King that they well saw they must bee masters of his person and power or themselues in the end perish 77 The King after a preposterous and inuerted manner attending his Subiects pleasures at Westminster heauily and vnwillingly is drawne to disclaime Alexander Neuil Archbishoppe of Yorke the Bishops of Duresme and Chichester the Lords Souch and Beaumount with sundry others Neither was the Male-sexe onely suspected to these curious pruners the Lady Poinings and other Ladies were also remoued and put vnder baile to answere such things as should bee obiected Sir Simon Burley Sir William Elinham Sir Iohn Beauchampe of Holt Sir Iohn Salisbury Sir Thomas Triuet Sir Iames Berneys Sir Nicholas Dagworth and Sir Nicholas Brambre knights with certaine Clerks were apprehended and kept in straite prison to answere such accusations what if meere calumniations as in the next Parliament at Westminster should be obiected 78 The Parliament began at Candlemas where the King was vnwillingly present The first day of the Session all the Iudges Fulthrop Belknap Care Hott Burgh and Lockton were arrested as they sate in Iudgement on the Bench and most of them sent to the Tower The cause alleadged was that hauing first ouerruled them with their counsels and directions which they assured them to bee according to law they afterward at Nottingham gaue contrarie iudgement to that which themselues had fore-declared Trysilian the chiefe Iustice preuented them by flight but being apprehended and brought to the Parliament in the forenoone had sentence to be drawne to Tyborne in the afternoone and there to haue his throat cut which was done accordingly Sir Nicholas Brambres turne was next This Brambre saith Walsingham was said to haue imagined to be made Duke of new Troy the old supposed name of London by murthering thousands of such Citizens whose names hee had billed for that purpose as were suspected of likelihood to resist him Then Sir Iohn Salisbury and Sir Iames Bernes two young Knights Sir Iohn Beauchamp of Holt Steward of the Household to the King and Iohn Blake Esquier were likewise sacrificed to reuenge Sir Simon Burley onely had the worshippe to haue but his head strucken off Loe the noble respect which the gentle Lords had to iustice and amendment This was no age wee see for a weake or slothfull Prince to sit in quiet for now the people and then the Peeres foile and trample the regall authority vnder foote the Duke of Ireland the Archbishoppe of Yorke the Earle of Suffolke and others had their estates confiscated to the kings vse by Act of Parliament as in the booke of Statutes may bee seene together with a great part of the whole proceedings 79 These troubles boiling and burning within in the Bowels of the State the Scots abroad had oportunity to inuade the North of England vnder the conduct of Sir William Dowglasse a noble young knight a parallel and riuall in the honour of Armes to Henry Hotspur Lord Percy whom Hotspur fighting hand to hand slew in battell but the Earle of Dunbar comming with an excessiue number of Scots tooke Hotspur and his brother prisoners killing many English not without such losse to themselues that they forthwith returned 80 But these vnneighbourly hostilities soone after found some surcease there being a meeting at Calis betweene the English and French about establishing a peace and albeit because the French would haue the Scot and Spaniard included therein the conclusion was deferred yet shortly after it was resolued vpon for three yeeres the Scots being comprehended therein 81 King Richard being now of age declares himselfe free to gouerne of himselfe without either controlement or help of any other then such as hee selected to that place and in token that he was at liberty he takes the Great Seale of England from Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Yorke Alexander Neuill being attainted and fled and departs out of the Councell Chamber After a while hee returnes and giues it backe to William Wickham the renowned Bishoppe of Winchester who was vnwilling to haue accepted the same Hee also puts out sundrie Officers substituting such others as best liked him From the Councell Table hee remoued his vncle Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester the Earle of Warwicke and others which as it might encouraged the Dukes enemies about the King to doe euill offices betweene them Yet the king did not presently credite what was whispered into his care concerning a purpose suggested to be in the Duke to raise forces againe but acquainting him withall was satisfied Neuerthelesse he would not suffer the Duke to pursue an orderly or any reuenge vpon the Authors whom indeed it had beene wisdome to haue punished in an exemplary manner 82 Michael de la Pole late Earle of Suffolke whom the popular Lords had made most
deposed King Henry and with speed to bee crowned himselfe at Alhallontide next yet finding such amasement and silence hee sends them his pedigree and his claime in writing that they might the better consider yeelding as it seemes to be ordered therein according to their generall agreement during the treaty whereof he would not visite King Henrie alleadging himselfe was peerelesse in England The maine points of his Title were as followeth King Edward the third had issue Edward Prince of VVales VVilliam of Hatfield Lionell Duke of Clarence Iohn of Gaunt D. of Lancaster Edmund D. of Yorke Thomas D. of Glocester and VVilliam of VVindsor Edward Prince of Wales dyed liuing his Father and left issue Richard the second King of England who died without Issue as did also William King Edwards second sonne 85 Lionel the third sonne had issue Philip his daughter and heire married to Edmund â—…ortimer Earle of March who had Issue Roger Earle of March who had Issue Edmund Earle of March Roger Anne and Eleanor which Edmund Roger and Eleanor died without Issue Anne the heire of that house marrieth Richard Earle of Cambridge the sonne of Edmund Duke of Yorke fifth sonne to King Edward the third which Earle of Cambridge had Richard commonly saith the Booke called Duke of Yorke 86 Iohn of Gaunt the fourth son and younger brother to Lionel had Issue Henry who immediately after King Richards resignation vnrighteously saith the Booke entred vpon the same for that Edmund Earle of March sonne of Roger Earle of March and of Philip daughter and heire of the before said Lionel Duke of Clarence elder brother to Iohn Duke of Lancaster was then aliue and that aswell the said Henry eldest son to Iohn Duke of Lancaster as his descendents haue hitherto holden the Crowne of England c. vniustly for that himselfe the said Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke was the lawfull heire being the sonne of Richard Plantagenet Earle of Cambridge and of Anne before said 87 This was the effect of the Duke of Yorks title which for the points of the Pedegree was very true though in barre thereof the friends of King Henry without denying any part of the premises being all of them more euident then that they could be honestly denied had not a little to say for him for they could among other things alleadge that Richard the second resigned vp his Crowne and Regality at large and that none else making claime but Henry Duke of Lancaster hee was thereunto by the consent of all the three Estates admitted that Richard Earle of Cambridge was for high Treason attainted and executed and his Issue made incapable of any inheritance that this Richard his sonne now challenging the Crowne of England being restored by the meere clemency and goodnesse of this King Henry the sixt had voluntarily acknowledged him for his lawfull Soueraigne and sworne the same and that the said Richard was finally for treason attainted and adiudged vninheritable they could hereunto haue added sundry Acts of Parliament made to establish the right of the Lancastrian line the succession of three Kings all Henries that is to say the fourth fifth and sixth the politicke addresses of the first of those Kings the noble victories of the second and the holy life of the third which three Kings liues contained of raigne about threescore yeeres in which number this was the nine and thirtiethof King Henry the sixth who was descended of the male line and the Duke of Yorke but of a female of which female line none had euer been in possession of the Crown Great and weighty points if any and the rather to bee considered for that King Henries person beeing in very truth Prisoner no act of his to establish Yorkes title could bind in law or conscience and the lesse for that hee had a wife and by her a sonne who was at liberty and ready with Armes to free his father or hazard to destroy the whole English name But they who on Yorks behalfe abstractiuelie disputed these highest questions knew a rule of law which saith Iura sanguinis nullo iure ciuili dirimi possunt ' and the Lancastrians were not without their speculatiue and remote considerations to countenance the particulars of their cause Thus we see that in Monarchies though the noblest forme of Regiment where lineall succession is the rule of inheritance there sometimes fall out as great and as indeterminable difficulties as where Election designeth the Successor whereof the French tragedies which our Nation made among them and now these in England are without all exception the most fearefull instances For France had heretofore her time of affliction but now O dearest England it was thine 88 While this weighty controuersie was debated a Crowne which hung for garnishment in the middle of the roofe where the Knights and Burgesses of the Parliament met to consult and the crown which for like cause stood vpon the highest Tower of Douer Castell fell sodainely down which were vulgarly construed to portend That the raigne of K. Henry was at an end and that the Crown should be transferred from one royall line to another But the Queene her sonne Prince Edward and her fast friends in the North the seate of their hopes being nothing discouraged at their late ill fortunes prepare all the forces they can to recouer K. Henrie and the Kingdome which thing whiles they are pursuing the conclusion of the Parliament concerning the crown was That Henry the sixth should raigne and bee King during his life the remainder to rest in Richard Duke of Yorke and the lawfull heires of his body in generall tayle King Henries heires to bee excluded The Duke in the meane time is proclaimed heire apparant and called Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall Earle of Chester and Protector of England The agreement was engrossed sealed and sworn vnto The Queene will haue nothing to doe in this bargaine being so dangerous and preiudicious to her selfe her husband and her sonne and therefore when the King at the Duke of Yorkes instigation sent for her to repaire vnto him shee relying vpon the Dukes of Sommerset and Excester and other the Kings friends vtterly refuseth Henry continueth king The Armes therefore which she taketh for his deliuerance haue the more iustice The Duke of Yorke missing the prey hee expected leaues the king with the Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of Warwicke at London himselfe with the Earles of Salisbury and Rutland and certaine forces setteth forward to Wakefield to pursue the Queene and her sonne sending direction to the Earle of March that hee should follow with all his power The Castell of Sandall standeth pleasantly vpon a small hill in view of the faire town of VVakefield there the Duke of Yorke comming thither vpon Christmas Eue reposeth himselfe and expecteth the encrease of his numbers The Queene aduertised thinkes it wisdome to fight before the Duke grow too strong and thereupon marcheth forward hauing
times for blowing away sixty of the Britaine Kings with one blast yet when he compareth the generations with the time is forced thus to write From Porrex to Mynogen are twenti one Kings in a lineall descent and but yeers ninety two now diuide 92. by 21. and you shall find that children beget children and these saith he by George Owen Harry in his book of pedegrees dedicated to his Maiesty appeareth to be in a lineall descent besides three or foure collaterals And yet goeth further Though the Scripture saith hee allege Iudah Hezron Salomon and Ezekiah to be but yoong when they begat their sonnes which as Rabbi Isack saith might be at thirteene yeeres of age And although Saint Augustine say that the strength of youth may beget children yoong and Hierome bringeth instance of a boy that at ten yeeres of age begot a childe yet this doth not helpe to excuse the mistaking of yeeres for the British Kings aboue mentioned Thus far Iohn Lewis and for the exceptions made against Brute wherin I haue altogether vsed the words of others and will now without offense I hope adde a supposall of mine owne seeing I am fallen into the computation of times which is the onely touch-stone to the truth of histories especially such as are limited by the bounds of the sacred Scriptures as this for Brutes entrance is And that the same cannot bee so ancient supposing it were neuer so certaine as the vulgar opinion hitherto hath held the circumstance of time to my seeming sufficiently doth prooue 20 For Brutes conquest and entrance are brought by his Authour to fall in the eighteenth yeere of Heli his Priesthood in the Land of Israel and so is fastned into a computation that cannot erre Now the eighteenth yeere of Helies gouernment by the holy Scriptures most sure account is set in the yeere of the worlds creation 2887. after the vniuersall flood 1231. and before the birth of our blessed Sauiour 1059. yeeres Brute then liuing in this foresaid time was foure descents from the conquered Troians as he of Monmouth hath laid downe which were Aeneas Ascanius Syluius and himselfe so that by these generations successiue in order the very yeere almost of Troys destruction may certainly be pointed out and knowen which in searching hath beene found so doubtful that by some it hath beene thought to be a meere fable Yet with more reuerence to antiquitie obserued let vs cast and compare the continuance of these foure generations vnto Brutes Conquest not shortning them with Baruch to be but ten yeeres to an age neither lengthning them with Iosephus who accounteth one hundred and seuenty yeeres for a generation but with more indifferencie let vs with Herodotus who wrote neerer these times allow thirty yeeres for a succession as hee accounteth in his second booke Now foure times thirty make one hundred and twenty the number of yeeres that these foure Princes successiuely did liue by which computation likewise measured by Scripture the ruination of Troy fell in the thirtie eighth yeere of Gideons gouernment in Israel and was the yeere after the worlds creation 2768. But the authoritie of Clemens Alexandrinus alleged out of Menander Pergamenus and Letus destroieth that time of Troies destruction and placeth it fully two hundred and thirtie yeeres after euen in the raigne of King Salomon for in his first booke Stromatâ—…n thus he writeth Menelaus from the ouer throw of Troy came into Phoenicia at that time when Hiram King of Tyrus gaue his daughter in mariage vnto Salomon King of Israel Where by him we see that Troies ruines and Salomons raigne fell both vpon one time And so Brute hath lost of his antiquity by this account 230. yeeres and entred not in Helies Priesthood but rather in the vsurpation of Iudahs Kingdome by Athalia and in the yeere of the world 3118. 21 To whom let vs ioine Iosephus an Authour of great credit and without suspicion in this case who in his Nations defense against Appion in both his bookes confidently affirmeth himselfe able to proue by the Phoenician Records of warrantable credit that the City Carthage was built by Dido sister to Pigmalion one hundred fiftie and fiue yeeres after the raigne of King Hiram which was Salomons friend and one hundred forty three yeeres and eight moneths after the building of his most beautifull Temple Now wee know by Virgil from whom all these glorious tales of Troy are told that Carthage was in building by the same Dido at such time as Aeneas came from Troies ouerthrow through the Seas of his manifold aduentures If this testimonie of Iosephus be true then fals Troies destruction about the twentieth yeere of Ioas raigne ouer Iudah which was the yeere of the worlds creation 3143. wherunto if we adde one hundred and twenty yeeres for the foure descents before specified then wil Brutes conquest of this Iland fall with the twelfth of Iothams raigne in the Kingdome of Iudah which meets with the yeere of the worlds continuance 3263. And so hath he againe lost of his antiquitie no lesse then 375. yeeres 22 And yet to make a deeper breach into Brutes storie and to set the time in a point so vncertaine as from which neither circle nor line can be trulie drawen Manethon the Historian Priest of Egypt in his second booke cited by Iosephus affirmeth that the Israelites departure from Egypt was almost a thousand yeeres before the warres of Troy If this be so as it seemeth Iosephus alloweth it so and one hundred and twenty yeeres more added for the foure descents aboue mentioned the number will fall about the yeere of the worlds creation 3630. long after the death of Alexander the Great and Greeke Monarch By which account the great supposed antiquity of Brute is now lessened by seuen hundred fiftie and two yeeres and the time so scantelized betwixt his and Cesars entrance that two hundred forty six yeeres onely remaine a time by much too short for seuenty two Princes which successiuely are said to raigne each after others and from Brute to Cesar recorded to haue swaied the regall Scepter of this Iland 23 But vnto these obiections I know the answer will be ready namely the diuersities of Scriptures account being so sundrie and different that the storie of Brute cannot thereby bee touched but still standeth firme vpon it selfe Indeed I must confesse that from the first Creation to the yeere of mans Redemption the learned Hebrewes Greekes and Latines differ much and that not only each from others but euen among themselues so farre that there can be no indifferent reconciliation made as by these seuerall computations may be seene as followeth Hebrewes Baal Seder-Holem 3518. Talmundistes 3784. New Rabbins 3760. Rabbi Nahsson 3740. Rabbi Leui 3786. Rabbi Moses Germidisi 4058. Iosephus 4192. Greekes Metheodorus 5000. Eusebius 5190. Theophilus Antioch 5476. Latines Saint Hierome 3941.
so great so blinde I might say a deuotion was in their hearts and so holy a reuerence held they of the place Vnto this King Ceolnulph the said Venerable Beda a Priest in the Monasterie of Peter and Paul at Werimouth neere vnto Durham a great Clerke and Writer of the English Historie dedicated the same his Worke which he continued till the yeere seuen hundred thirty one and from the first entrance of the Saxons containing 285. yeeres according to his owne account EGbert the sonne of Eata who was brother to King Kenred succeeded his vncle Ceolnulph in the Kingdome of Northumberland and ruled the same with the like peace and pietie the time of twenty yeeres and then following his example also forsooke the world and shore himselfe a Monke as diuers other Kings in those daies had done whereof Simon Dunelmensis writeth and noteth their number to bee eight as Inas King of the West-Saxons Ethelred and Kenred Kings of Mercia Sigebert King of the East-Angles Sebbi and Off a Kings of the East-Saxons and Ceolnulph and this Egbert Kings of the Northumbrians These forsaking the world as they tooke it left the Charge that God vpon them had imposed whose authoritie in earth they swaied and wherein they might much more haue aduanced Gods glory and Christs Gospel then for a more easie and priuate life not warranted by his word but rather disliked and perhaps foreshewed by those heauenly creatures the Sunne and Moone which in those daies were fearefully darkned and for a time seemed to haue lost their light for Anno 733. 18. Calend. Septemb. the Sunne suffred so great an Eclipse that the earth seemed to bee ouer-shadowed as with sack-cloth And Anno 756. 8. Calend. Decemb. the Moone being in her full appeared both darke and bloudy for a Starre though there be none lower then the Moone seemed to follow her and to depriue her of light but passing before her shee againe recouered her former brightnesse This King Egbert had a brother that bore the same name and was installed Arch-bishop of Yorke where he erected a beautifull Librarie a worke well befitting a Noble Prelate and plentifully stored it with an infinite number of learned bookes His sonne was Oswulph that succeeded in the Kingdome OSwulph when his father Egbert had put off the Robes of Maiestie and clad himselfe with a Monkes Cowle ascended the Throne of Northumberland and sa◅e therein only one yeere for before hee had made attempt of any memorable act he was traiterously murdered by his own seruants at Mikilwongton the ninth Kalends of August leauing the Crown vndisposed of vntill the Nones of the same moneth in the next yeere EDitwald or Mollo was then made King of Northumberland and with great valiancie defended his Subiects Some say that at the end of six yeeres hee resigned his gouernment yet others affirme his raign to be eleuen yeeres and lastly that hee was slaine by Alured his Successour ALured the murderer of his Lord and Master beganne his raigne ouer the kingdome of Northumberland the yeere of Christs Incarnation seuen hundred sixty fiue and continued the same with such dislikes that hee lastly was expelled out of the Prouince by his own subiects enforced to abandon the same He was the son of Ta◅win the son of Bie◅hom the son of Bofae the son of Ailrick the naturall son of Ida the first King of Bernicia And the sonnes of this Alured were Osred afterwards King of Northumberland and Alhnud slaine by the Danes and canonized a Saint EThelred the sonne of Mollo was aduanced to the Regiment of Northumberland and in the fifth yeere of his raigne was driuen out of the same by Edelbald and Herebert two Dukes that warred against him who hauing discomfited and slaine his Generall and souldiers in a fierce battel so weakened the hopes of King Ethelred that he fled his Country and left the Kingdome in a miserable estate through the dissensions of those ambitious Princes ALfwald the brother of the foresaid King Alered aspiring to the Soueraignty of the Northumbrians ruled the same in great Iustice to his worthy commendations notwithstanding the wickednes of his people was such that without all guilt he was traiterously murthered by the conspiracie of Siga 23. Sept. the yeere of Christs Incarnation seuen hundred eightie eight after he had raigned eleuen yeeres and his body buried at Hexhaem His sonnes were Alfus and Alfwin both slaine by King Ethelred OSred the sonne of King Alured tooke vpon him the Rule of Northumberland the yeere of grace seuen hundred eightie nine and the same yeere finished his gouernment thereof being expelled by his subiects and depriued of all kingly authority EThelred the sonne of Mollo reuoked from exile wherein he had liued the space of twelue yeeres was againe restored to the Crowne but he minding the iniuries that his Lords had formerly done him sought the reuenge by their deaths as also to establish his Throne the surer slew Alfus and Alfwin the sons of Alfwald as wee haue said the right heires to the Crowne and inticing Osred the former deposed King into his danger commanded him to be put to death at Cu◅burge the fourteenth of September and yeere of Christ seuen hundred ninety two And to strengthen himselfe the more against all his opposites the same yeere he married Lady Elfled the second Daughter to great Off a King of Mercia forsaking his former Wife without any iust cause giuen on her part These things sate so neere the hearts of his subiects that after seuen yeeres from his second establishment they rebelliously rose in Armes and at Cobre miserably slew him the eighteenth day of Aprill the yeere of Christ Iesus 794. AFter whose death the Northumbrians were sore molested with many intruders or rather Tyrants that banded for the soueraignty the space of thirty yeeres The first whereof was Oswald that held the title of King only twenty eight daies then was forced to saue his life by flight vnto the King of the Picts Next Ard◅lfe a Duke reuoked from exile then Alfwold E◅red Ethelred Readulph Osbert and Elle slaine by the Danes in Yorke at a place frō Elle his slaughter called to this day Elle-Crofte and the Kingdome yeelded to the protection of Egbert King of the West-Saxons who was now become Englands first absolute Monarch as holding all the rest of the Kings no longer for his Associates but his subiects in the yeere nine hundred twentie six after it had stood in forme of a Kingdome three hundred seuenty nine yeeres and was made a Prouince and ioined with the rest vnto the English Monarchie THE CIRCVIT AND SVCCESSORS OF THE MERCIAN KINGDOME VNTILL IT WAS SVBIECTED TO THE WEST-SAXONS CHAPTER X. THis Kingdome of Mercia contained more Counties and the skirts of that royall Tent were spread with a wider compasse then any
of Troy 13 That William of Malmesbury who wrote in the daies of King Henry the first was before him of Monmouth is most certaine yet doth he make mention of Arthur a Prince saith he deseruing rather to be aduanced by the truth of records then abused by false imputation of fables being the only prop and vpholder of his country And Beda his ancient also nameth Ambrosius Aurelianus to be King of the Britaines long before that Geffrey was borne So was Brennus mentioned by Liuy Bellinus if he be Belgius by Iustine Casibelan by Caesar Cunobilin by Suetonius Aruiragus by Martial Lucius by Eusebius Coel Constantius Carausius and others by Eutropius and Paulus Diaconus and Helena by Nicephorus Ambrose and Socrates These are the affirmatiues that giue countenance to the Archdeacon of Monmouths translation and credit to Brutes conquests and successours yea and Iohn Harding his Herauld in his home-spun poetry can easily emblaze his armes to be Gules charged with two lions rampant endorsed Ore and the same to be borne by the Kings of Troy And his banner displaied at his entrance is said to be Vert a Diana of gold fitchel crowned and inthronized the same that AEneas bare when he entred the land of the Latines But the censures of these relations I leaue to the best liking of iudicious Readers only wishing them to be vnlike the inhabitants vnder the rockes of the Cataracts of Nilus whereof Cicero and Ammianus make mention who were made deafe by the continuall noise of the fall of Nilus left by the sound and loud voices of these writers the exceptions of others can not be heard which from the fulnesse of their pennes I will likewise declare without offence I hope vnto any 14 First with a reuerend reseruation had to the sacred histories Varro the most learned Latine writer diuiding times motions into three seuerall parts that is from the creation to the flood which he termeth altogether vncertaine from the flood to the first Olympiad by Beroaldus computation set in the yeere of the world 3154. and thirty one of the raigne of Ioas king of Iudah seuen hundred seuenty and foure yeers before the birth of our Sauiour he calleth fabulous and the last age from the first Olympiad to himselfe he nameth historicall Now the story of Brute beginning two hundred sixty seuen yeeres before the first Olympiad falleth in the time wherein nothing els is related either of the Greeks or Latines the only learned writers but fables and tales as both himselfe and others haue told vs much more then among the barbarous vnlettred and vnciuill nations as all these parts of the world then were 15 Whereupon Gildas our ancientest home-borne writer cited and in whole sentences followed by venerable Beda who termeth him the Britaines historiographer in this of Brute is silent and in his lamentable passions neuer dreames of him but as one ouerwhelmed with griefe bewaileth the wickednesse of the time wherein he liued who was born as himselfe saith in the forty fourth yeere after the Saxons first entrance about the yeere of Christs incarnation 493. and died as Bale citeth out of Polydore the yeere of our redemption 580. Ninius also another ancient writer who liued aboue eight hundred yeeres since taking in hand the Chronicles of the Britaines complaineth that their great Masters and doctors could giue him no assistance being ignorant of skill and had left no memoriall of things passed nor committed their acts vnto writing whereby hee was inforced to gather what he had gotten from the annals and Chronicles of the holy fathers Beda likewise whose history ended in anno 733 beginneth no sooner then with Iulius Caesars entrance notwithstanding he had the assistance of the Abbat Albinus who was brought vp vnder Theodorus Archbishop of Canterbury and had begun the history of this land with most diligent search from the records of the kingdome of Kent and the prouinces adioining as also being further assisted by Daniel Bishop of the West-Saxons who sent him all the records that were to be found of the same Bishoprick South-Saxons and the I le of Wight The like helpes had he from Abbat Essius for the country of East-Angles from Cymbertus and the brethren of Laestinge for the prouince of Mercia and East-Saxons And from the brethren of Lindisfarnum for the country of Northumberland besides his owne paines in collections knowledge and experience all which he did disgest and historically compile and before the publication thereof sent it to king Ceolulphe at that time raigning in Northumberland to be approued or corrected by his most learned skill yet in none of these found he that history of Brute nor his successors which as some would haue it was then vnbegotten in the world 16 After him Elward as William of Malmsburie calleth him or rather as he writeth himselfe Patricius Consul fabius Questor Ethelwerdus a diligent searcher of antiquities a reuerend person and of the blood roiall wrote foure bookes briefly comprising the whole history of England from the beginning of the world vnto the time of king Edgar wherein he liued of Brute nor his Britaines speaketh a word but passeth with silence to the Romans and Saxons What need I to cite Ingulphus who died anno 1109. Florentius of Worcester that florished in the daies of King Henry the first or William of Malmsbury that wrote vnto the end of his raigne all of them writers before Geffrey of Monmouth but none of them mentioning this story of Brute This moued William of Newbourgh borne as himselfe saith in the beginning of King Stephens raign liuing at one and the same time with this Archdeacon of Monmouth too too bitterly to inueigh against him and his history euen so soone as the same came foorth as in the proeme of his booke is to be seen And that the words are his and not our own take them from him as they lie In these our daies saith he there is a certaine writer risen vp deuising fictions and tales of the Britaine 's out of the vaine humors of his owne braine extolling them far aboue the valorous Macedonians or worthy Romans his name is Geffrey and may well assume the sirname Arthur whose tales he hath taken out of the old fables of the Britaines and by his owne inuention augmented with many vntruths foiling them ouer with a new colour of the Latine tongue and hath inuested them into the body of an history Aduenturing further to diuulge vnder the name of autentick prophesies deceitfull coniectures and foredeemings of one Merline a Wizard whereunto also he addeth a great deale of his owne And againe In his booke which he hath intituled the Britaines History how shamelesly and with a bold countenance he doth lie there is no man that readeth therein can doubt vnlesse he hath no knowledge at all in ancient true histories for hauing
was made a Prouince by the valour and industry of Iulius Agricola the first Roman that found it an Iland and left it more ciuill and in subiection to the Roman Empire and by the way I will insert some of such ancient Coynes as among them were then vsed expressing their names and places of coynage THE KINGS AND GOVERNORS OF GREAT BRITAIN VVITH THE ANCIENT COINES VSED IN THEIR TIMES CHAPTER VI. THe first British Coyne as is supposed both by the fashion thereof being shield-like and Name thereupon inscribed REXCOM denoteth Comius if he be a Britaine King of the Atrebatij in this Iland whom some iudge to haue fled thence vnto Caesar as a traytor to his Natiue country and in Gallia vanquished those parts that lay coasted against the Whight wherein by Ptolemy the people called likewise the Atrebatij inhabited ouer whom he receiued the gouernment by the gift of Caesar and was by him imploied to worke the Britaines to his obedience And that he was King of the Atrebatij in Britaine may be strengthned by that which Caesar in his second book of Commentaries affirmeth where by his owne knowledge he saith that one Diuitiacus raigned ouer a great part of Gallia and some portion of Britaine also and so likewise this Comius is reported to be of great respect among our Britaines and able in that country to doe much Neither is it altogether vnlikely seeing the Britaine 's distasted his loyalty to Caesar and his Ambassage for their subiection with such dislikes that they laid violent hands only vpon him and cast him in prison vsing no such rigor against the rest of their owne Ambassadors Notwithstanding when successe altered they set him at liberty and made him their meanes to pacifie Caesar. Other Coynes I haue inserted to such British princes as by their inscriptions are known to be theirs And whereas some are not yet noted by that honor to the world I haue vnto such added only blankes if happily more be reueiled hereafter and the bowels of the earth deliuer to others her treasures hid as formerly and in these our searching daies she hath already done 2 Cassibelan as the most worthy among the Britains Kings to withstand the common danger now ready to light vpon them all by the inuasions and wars of the Romans was by a generall consent chosen their chieftaine though in times past he had molested his neighbouring prouinces to the inlargement of his owne Whose signiories as Caesar saith were seuered from the Cities towards the sea coast by the riuer Thames about fourescore miles from the same He had obtained the gouernment of the Trinobantes by the slaughter of Imanuence and the expulsion of Mandubrace his sonne And with great valour held opposit to the Romans vntill the reuolt of his chiefe Citie the Cenimagues Segontians Ancalits Bibroces Cassians and other states which drew backe and yeelded to the enemie his confederates the foure Kings of Kent ouerthrown his owne towne won and himselfe forced to yeeld vnto Caesar and the land to pay a tribute of 3000. pound yeerly to Rome A British Coyne of gold with the inscription CAS in scattered letters we haue inserted as also another wheron is instamped the word VER supposed to be his because it is thought to haue bin coined in antient Verolam the City of Cassibelan and that in his daies before the Romans won it 3 Cingetorix whom Caesar calleth Kings that raigned in Kent were instigated by Cassibelan suddainly to set vpon and to assault the Roman forces that lay incamped vpon the sea shore whilst he kept Caesar occupied further in the mayne which thing they attempted but failed of their hoped expectation their men being slaine three of them chased and Cingetorix the chiefest taken captiue This heauy newes and vnfortunate successe caused Cassibelan to sue vnto Caesar and by the meanes of Comius obtained his peace Caruill Taximagull Segonax 4 Mandubrace a prince of the Trinobantes but a traytor to his country whose father Imanuence being slaine by Cassibelan and his owne life likewise sought after and in danger fled vnto Caesar into Gallia and followed his fortunes in the wars wherein he was a great spurre vnto Caesars forwardnesse for Britain both to be reuenged vpon the murtherer of his father and to recouer the gouernment of the Trinobantes vsurped by Cassibelan preferring his owne ambitious desire and the reuenge of one mans death before the freedome of his natiue Country or the deaths of many his coūtrimen that daily stopped the Romans passage with streames of their blood He recouering his chiefest City with the protection of the Romans yeelded subiection forty hostages to Caesar whose example drew others to sell their owne liberty to buy many miseries at too deere a rate and with too late repentance him doth Beda call Androgorius 5 Cenimagues Inhabitants of Norfolk Suff. Cam. c. Segontians Hantshire Ancalits Hendly hund in Oxford Bibroces Bray hund in Barkshire Cassians Caishow hund in Hartf These people or states seeing the proceedings and happy successe of Caesar after the example of the Trinobantes whose chiefest Citie had yeelded him obedience and were thereby secured and protected from the harmes of his souldiers sent him likewise their submissions and were accepted into subiection so ready were they to saue their owne stakes that they left the whole to the hazard of losse which soone after followed as an ouerflowing flood wherein was lastly drenched the whole Ilands liberty 6 Cunobeline for so vpon his Coynes his name is instamped was the son of Theomantius and he the sonne of Lud as say our British historians by whom his name is corruptly written Kymbeline he liued at Rome and in great fauour with Augustus Caesar the Emperor by whom he was made Knight and by his meanes the peace of Britain was continued without the paiment of their Tribute as Fabian out of Guido de Columna hath gathered In the foureteenth yeere of his raigne the Day-star of Iacob appeared and the rod out of I shal did flourish from the wombe of a Virgin when the wonderfull Counsellor the mighty God and Prince of Peace the Emmanuel with vs was borne at Beth-lehem of his maiden-mother the blessed Virgin Mary and was made man like vnto vs in all things sinne only excepted These were the times that great Kings and Prophets desired to see but sà w them not when the Wolfe and the Lambe the Leopard and the Kid the Calfe and the Dyon fed together for war was not heard of then in the world but rather their swords were made into mattocks and their speares turned into sithes as the Prophets Sibyls and Poets from them haue affirmed In Rome the temple of Ianus was shut and in Britaine Cunobeline enioied peace with the rest of the world and his fame made more famous by the many Coynes instamped of him and whose face thereon among all the British Kings was first inscribed as
of the Empire wherein the rage of Satan so preuailed that seuenteene thousand men and women were crowned with martyrdome within the space of one moneth besides infinite numbers of such as were otherwise punished As in other Countries so heere in Britaine the Christians Churches were demolished their Bibles and other godly writings burned and themselues tormented with a more cruell and longer continuance then formerly had beene vsed for this endured the terme often whole yeeres together leauing no time of intermission nor place free from the staine of Martyrs Bloud And amongst others it made Britaine to be honored with the glory of many holy Martyrs which constantly stood and died in the Confession of the Faith whereof the first is reported to bee Albane of the City Verolanium who was beheaded at Holmehurst since called Derswold where now the Towne of S. Albans bearing his name is built and in whose honour Offa the great King of Mercia founded a most magnificent Monasterie Of this Alban the ancient Fortunatus Priscus in his booke of the Praise of Virginitie maketh mention thus Albanum egregium foecunda Britannia profert Britaine fertill of all good Washt with glorious Albans blood 12 His Instructor Amphibolus afterwards apprehended was brought to the same place and whipped about a stake whereat his intrailes were tied so winding his bowels out of his body was lastly stoned to death Sundry others also in other places laid downe their liues for their Professions sake as Iulius and Aaron at Leicester saith Beda or rather at Caer-leon in Monmouthshire as our Grand-Antiquarie iudgeth and in Leichfeild so many that the place became another Golgotha A Field of dead Corps For which cause the Citie doth beare an Escocheon or Field charged with many Martyrs for their Seale of Armes euen vnto this day 13 This last rage is by Orosius and Beda accounted the Tenth Persecution from Nero and by others the Tenth Horne of the Imperiall Beast who had receiued his Power from the Dragon the diuel and Forme from those foure Beasts deciphered by the Prophet Daniel whose mouth was as the Lyons mouth of Asshur his feete like the Beares feete of Persia his spots as the Leopards of Greece and these ten hornes taken from the Monster of the Grecians parted kingdome the Seleucies and the Ptolemies called in Ezekiel Gog and Magog and here alluded vnto by S. Iohn that thus made battel against the Saints But as those foure Beasts perished and were crushed by the fall of The stone cut without hands Emmanuel borne in our flesh so this Beast compounded of them Foure fell in the destructions of these most wicked Emperors whereof all almost died so vntimely and vnusuall deaths as the like is not read of elsewhere 14 For some slew themselues as Nero and Otho did some were smothered to death as was Tiberius some poisoned by their wiues as Claudius and Commodus some tugged and torne in pieces by their own Subiects and Souldiers as Vitellius Heliogabalus Pupienus and Balbinus some stabbed by them whom they most trusted as Caligula Domitian Didius Gallienus and many others some tumultuously murthered as Pertinax Seuerus Maximius Aemilius and Probus were some slaine in battell and defence of their titles as Macrinus and Gallus some hanged themselues as Gordianus and Maximianus did some drowned and swallowed vp as Decius and Maxentius were some slaine by a thunderbolt from heauen as Carus was some died in most miserable captiuitie as Valerianus did whose skinne was fleaed off he yet aliue some cut their owne veines and bled to death as Quintilius and Florianus did some dying mad as did this our Dioclesian some few and them somewhat fauoring Christians died in their beds a thing most strange to see in these times wherein the Wrath of God thus fought against them in his Iustice and the power of his Gospell preached by his Apostles and Disciples that as a Conqueror crowned and riding vpon a White horse bare a Bow in his hand and shot the sharpe Arrowes of death into the hearts of these the Kings enemies as in the opening of the First Seale is seene and in the Second is described and made manifest by a Red Horse prepared for Battell whose Rider bare a Bright sword and had commission To take peace from the earth which most effectually wee haue seene performed in most of these preceding Emperours And as Famine in great Warres is not greatly strange so Scarsitie exceeding Plentie was seene vnder the opening of the Third Seale whence a Blacke horse sent from God pased through the earth whose Rider bare a Ballance to weigh Corne as it were Spice for dearth and in the raigne of this last Tyrant Dioclesian they that had Eagles eies might see the threefold iudgements of God in the opening of the Fourth Seale when Sword Famine Death went all together as a pale-horse sent from the presence of the Lamb whose rider was Death and Hell following as his Page These were the times of calamities wheas the Soules of the righteous in the opening of the Fifth Seale cried for vengeance for the bloud of the Martyrs whom these ten hornes had gored to death and vnder the Sixth Seale both then and for euer the wicked are said to call for the Mountaines to fall vpon them and for the rockes to hide them from the presence of Him that sate vpon the Throne and from the wrath of the Lambe before whom none could stand But why doe I weake man thus open the Curtaines of Gods most sacred Tabernacle to behold the Mercy-seate of his diuine Mysteries in the accomplishments of these holy Oracles when as they who haue worne the Ephod and in whose hand Aarons Rod hath Budded with a religious reuerence haue feared to look into the same Therefore with the charge of Ioshua I will not approach neere the Arke and with Iobs hearers will Lay my hand on my mouth and returne to the prosecution of my purpose 15 It was the nineteenth yeere of his raigne in the month of March when this Tyrant sent forth his wicked Edicts through all his Empire That all churches should bee vtterly ouerthrowne that the Scriptures should be burnt that all Christians for honour should bee held infamous and all Christian seruants should bee vncapeable of freedome that all Pastors should be enforced to offer to Idols c. 16 The fountaine chiefe cause of these miseries lighting on the Church of Christ did arise from the Christians themselues as Eusebius in these words declareth After that our conuersation through too much libertie and licentiousnesse was degenerated and holy discipline corrupted whiles euery one of vs did enuie bite and backbite each other waging intestine warres within our selues and piercing one anothers hearts with the sharpe speares of opprobriouswords so that Bishops against Bishops and people against people were at bitter contention Lastly whiles
receiue some breath of hopes and to shew themselues out of their Caues This Ambrosius saith Beda was a gentle natured man which only of all the bloud of the Romans remained then aliue his parents being slaine which had borne the name of the King of the Countrey Hee with his brother Vter commonly called Pendragon returning out of Britain Armorica where they had remained from the Tyrannie of Vortigerne landed at Totnesse in the West of this Iland vnto whom resorted great Troopes of Britaines His first Expedition was against Vortigern the scourge of his Country and murderer of his King whose Castle straightwaies hee besieged and by the iust reuenging hand of God with wilde fire consumed wherin those adulterous and incestuous persons were burned to ashes 16 Next following the common Enemie hee gaue battle to the Saxons on the North of Humber at a place called Maesbell wherein Hengist was discomfited and in flight taken by Earle Edol of Glocester and beheaded at Conningsborrow saith he of Monmouth Howbeit Matthew of Westminster maketh him fight another battle vpon the Riuer Dun in Anno 489. wherein saith he Hengist was taken And Polydore saith that in the same battle Hengist at the first onset was slaine with many of his Germans the fame of whose victorie saith he is had in memorie with the Inhabitants of those parts euen vnto this day Yet Gildas Beda and Ethelward Writers of those ancient times and two of them Saxons mention not the death of Hengist neither this great victorie of the Britaines And Marianus the Scotish Monke seemeth to affirme the contrarie where he saith that Hengist raigned thirty foure yeeres in great glorie and died peaceably leauing his sonne Eske to succeed him in the Kingdome of Kent With whom also Florentius the Monke of Worcester agreeth Howsoeuer sure it is had not the diuine power of God otherwise determined the waning estate of Britaine doubtlesse had recouered her former strength both by the praiers of Bishop German the prowesse of this last spoken of Ambrosius the valorous attempts of Vter Pendragon and the worthy industries of the Christian King Arthur The famous resistances of this last mentioned Arthur the Monke of Monmouth with such fables hath augmented that his Acts and Trauels may bee compared to those of Hercules or with the Conquests of Caesar himselfe insomuch that he hath beene accounted and ranged in the Catalogue of the worlds nine Worthies And surely by the testimonie of Malmesbury hee was a Prince of great worth and did often aduenture with his small power to meet the Saxons in the face and in Field But the Britaines strength daily decreasing and new supplies of these Saxons daily arriuing brought the one in despaire to enioy their owne right and the other to triumph in their intrusions of wrongs For continually incroaching forward and inlarging their limits wheresoeuer they came droue the inhabitauts before them from their wonted possessions seated themselues in the southern and best part of the Land laying the stones as it were of those foundations whereupon in short time they raised their most glorious buildings 17 For euery seuerall Captaine or Commander accounting that part his owne wherein he first entred or made conquest of with full resolution determined to keepe what he had got and as an absolute King commanded his Prouince whereby the Land became burdened with seuen of them at the first as Hengist of Kent Ella of those parts now called Sussex and Surrey Cherdik of the West Erchenwin of the East Ida of the North Crida of the Middle-land Vffa the parts now Middlesex and Essex which Kingdomes thus begunne and erected stood not long vnshaken by ciuill dissensions among themselues each King enuying his equals greatnesse and seeking to inlarge his owne Dominions vpon the next In which combustions few or none of them came to the graue in due time but were either slaine in warres or treacherously murdered in peace or else inforced to sheare himselfe a Monke and resigne his Crowne to another To speake of all these together I hold would bring too great a confusion to our Historie and a needlesse surcharge to the Readers memorie To auoid which I will briefly set downe the Conquests Circuits Acts and Descents that in euery seuerall Kingdome happened while they stood in their Heptarchie before they were vnited to an absolute Monarchie and then according to my prefixed purpose continue the succession of GREAT BRITAINES Monarchs 18 For albeit the Land was diuided into 7. seuerall Kingdomes and each of them carrying a soueraigne command within his owne limits yet one of them euer seemed to be supreme of the rest and that Prince who had the greatest power or successe in his warres was euer accounted and called The King of the English-men as Venerable Beda in the fifth Chapter of his second Booke and Historie of England euer termeth them 19 Such therfore as held the rest vnder either by Armes or alliance in amitie or subiection swaied the whole Monarchy and were acknowledged as Supremes in power ouer the rest which succeeded not euer in the same Familie neither continued in one and the same Kingdome without reuersement but were carried vpon the Flouds and Ebbes of variable successe or as destinie pleased to alter the chance wherof each of them sauing the East-Saxons only did attaine to the height of that gouernment as to the hauen of their wished desires See therefore if you please a generall view of the whole and afterwards the seuerall Histories of euery Kingdome apart before wee enter into the Succession of the English-Saxons Monarchs Heptarchy Kingdomes Counties Kings Successions Kingdomes Continuance Kings first Christians The Saxons Heptarchy The Kingdome of Kent contained Counties Kent Kings raigning 1. Hengist 31. 2. Eske 24. 3. Octa 20. 4. Ymerick 29. 5. Ethelbert 56. 6. Eabald 24. 7. Ercombert 24. 8. Egbert 9. 9. Lother 11. 10. Edrik 6. 11. Withred 33. 12. Edbert 23. 13. Edelbert 11. 14. Alrik 34. 15. Ethilbert 3. 16. Cuthred 8. 17. Baldred 18. Beganne in An. 455. Continued yeers 372. Ended in Anno 827. Ethelbert The Kingdome of Souh-Saxons contained Counties Sussex Surrey Kings raigning 1. Ella 32. 2. Cissa 75. 3. Edilwach alias Ethelwolf 25. 4. Berthum 5. Authum Beganne in An. 488. Continued yeers 113. Ended in Anno 601. Ethelwolse The Kingdome of West-Saxons contained Counties Cornwall Deuon-shire Dorset-shire Somerset-sh Wilt-shire Hant-shire Bark-shire Kings raigning 1. Cherdik 33. 2. Kenrike 26. 3. Cheulin 33. 4. Ceaclik 5. 5. Chelwold 12. 6. Kingils 32. Quithelin 1. 7. Kenwald 30. 8. Eskwyn 2. 9. Kentwin 9. 10. Ceadwald 7. 11. Inas 37. 12. Ethellard 14. 13. Cuthred 16. 14. Sigebert 2. 15. Kenwolfe 29. 16. Brightrik 16. 17. Egbert 19. Beganne in An. 519. Continued yeers 561. Ended in An. 1066. Kingils The Kingdome of East-Saxons contained Counties Essex Middlesex Kings raigning 1. Erchenwin 34. 2. Sledda 10. 3. Sebert 21. 4. Sexred Seward
possessions and forcing them euen to the Sea-shoare being a people allotted vnto miserie and by these strangers pursued so vehemently that lastly they were driuen into the West-Angle of this Iland and their liues defended and maintained among those waste Mountaines and hard Rockes which therein were more propitious and gentle then the stonie hearts of their Oppressors CEadwalla a valiant young man and of the bloud-Royall of the Genisses saith Beda being banished from his Country through the enuie of others who maligned him only for his vertues and worthinesse succeeded Kenwin his kinsman in the kingdome of the West-Saxons and with greater glory raigned then any other in that Prouince before him had done He was the Sonne of Kenbert whose Father was Ched the second Sonne of Cuth and Cuth was the third Sonne of Kenrik who was the eldest Sonne of Cherdik that laid the first stone of this kingdomes foundation His first brunt of furie was against Edilwach King of the South-Saxons whom in field he slew and in another battell Berthun that had made himselfe King of that State The I le of Wight also he almost quite wasted and though he were vnbaptized yet did hee binde himselfe by vow to giue the fourth part of the spoile vnto Gods vse and performed it accordingly vnto Bishop Wilfrid who with Bernewine and Hildila conuerted the people from their Idolatrous superstition vnto the true seruice of Christ it beeing the last part of the Saxons possessions that was turned from their Pagan manners Of which his specious deuotion Malmesburie giueth this censure although wee praise his affestion saith hee yet allow wee not the example for it is written that who so offereth vnto God the goods of the poore dooth as it were sacrifice the sonne in the sight of the Father Kent also with greeuous warres hee twice afflicted and therein spilt so much Christian blood that nature her selfe was therein offended and hee at last as much lamented in repentance whereof after hee had raigned in great stoutnes the space of two yeeres in a zealous deuotion went to Rome where of Pope Sergius he was baptized vpon Easter Euen saith Beda the yeere of our Redemption 689. by the name of Peter and wearing as yet the white Robes of innocencie put as the rite then was vpon him at his lauer of Baptisme fell sicke and the twentieth day of April following died hauing had neither wife nor childe that we read of He was buried in Saint Peters Church in Rome vnder a faire Monument with this inscription thereon engrauen Heere Cedwall otherwise named Peter King of the West-Saxons is buried who died the twentieth of Aprill in the second Indiction and liued thirty yeeres or thereabouts when that noble and mighty Prince Iustinian was Emperour of Rome and had raigned foure yeeres in the Empire and Sergius a true paterne of the Apostles had sate two yeeres in Peters Seat What hath beene written of this Ceadwall King of the West-Saxons by Beda the Saxon and his followers hath beene attributed to Cadwalader King of the Britaines by Geffrey of Monmouth the Britaine Iohn Castor and More affirming him to be the same man and that vpon the admonition of an Angell hee went to Rome tooke penance of Pope Sergius there died in the twelfth Kalends of May and was there buried with the same Epitaph and after the same manner But the Writer of the Historie of Cambria of Cadwaladers going to Rome and the other appendances seemeth to be doubtfull and saith that it differed from the assertion of Bernardus Guidonius the neerenesse of the names being the very cause of the like relations and confidently affirmeth that it was Edwall the sonne of Cadwalader who in such deuotion went to Rome and there made such a religious end about the yeere of our Lord 720. INe whom Beda calles Hun others Ina the sonne of Kenred the sonne of Cuth the sonne of Cuthwin the sonne of Chelwin the third King of the West-Saxons the sonne of Kenrik the second and hee the sonne of Cherdik the first King in that Prouince after Ceadwals departure to Rome tooke vpon him the gouernment of that Kingdome which hee managed with continuall Victories the terme of thirty eight yeeres His first attempts were against the Kentish-Saxons in reuenge of his cosen Molloes death whose wrath Withred pacified by the paiment of thirty thousand Markes saith William of Malmesbury In the yeere of Grace seuen hundred and eight and twenty one of his owne raigne as Matthew of Westminster hath obserued he fought with the Britaine 's vnder their Captaine Gerent whom he victoriously subdued and in his twenty sixth yeere against Cheolred King of Mercia with doubtfull victorie at the place then called Wodenesbury and in his thirty sixth inuaded the South-Saxons with such successe that hee reduced the same Kingdome into a Prouince and annexed it in subiection to the West-Saxons and manifesting his good desires both to the administration of Iustice and the aduancement of Diuine Pietie he ordained many good Lawes for the amendment of manners in his people which are yet extant written in the Saxon Tongue and translated into Latine by the learned M. William Lambert He built at Wels a Colledge dedicated vnto God and bearing the name of S. Andrewes which afterwards Kenulph King of the West-Saxons made an Episcopall Sea The renowned Abbey of Glastenburie most statelie hee built to the honour of Christ Peter and Paul whereof Malmesburie maketh mention in his booke of Glastenburies Antiquities in a fennie place sequestred frō the road way where formerly had stood the old Cell of Ioseph of Aremathea and that being decaied Deuy Bishop of S. Dauids had thereon erected a new which time also hauing ruinated twelue men well affected in the North parts of Britaine had repaired but now by this Ina was quite pulled downe and after a most sumptuous manner new built the Chapell whereof hee garnished with gold and siluer and gaue rich ornaments thereto as Altar Chalice Censor Candlestickes Bason and holie water Bucket Images and Pale for the Altar of an incredible value for the gold thereupon bestowed amounted to three hundred thirtie three pound waight and the siluer to two-thousand eight hundred thirty fiue pound beside precious Gemmes embrouched in the Celebrating Vestures Hee instituted also a certaine yeerely paiment to the See of Rome enioining euery one of his subiects that possessed in his house of one kinde of goods to the value of twenty pence that he should pay a penny to the Pope yeerely vpon Lammas day which at first was contributed vnder the name of The Kings Almes but afterwards was called and challenged by the name of Peter-pence At length by the instigation and earnest perswasion of Ethelburga his Queene hee renounced the glittering glorie of his present and princely estate wherein hee had in great prosperitie
thongs out of other mens Leather his Conquests of thirty Kingdomes and killing of Denabus the huge Spanish Giant his combat with Frolo Gouernor of France and with Lucius Hiberus the Roman Legate whose slaine body hee sent to the Senate for the tribute of Britaine by them demanded seeing that others before mee farre more ripâ—… Historians haue made both doubts and obiections against them And therefore I conclude with this Arthur as Saint Augustine with the Athenians whose men saith he were euer greater in fame then in deeds And with Ninius will end with his saying Arthurus puâ—…a bat contra illos in diebus illis licet multi ipso noâ—…res essent ipse tamen duodecies Dux belli fuit Victorque bellorum Arthur made warre against them in those daies and though many were more noble then be yet was hee twelue times Generall in the Field and returned Conquerour But more constant is the memorie of his death and place of his buriall both which are reported vpon warrantable credit for Mordred the sonne of Lotho whereof wee haue spoken affecting the Crown vpon a pretence of right from King Vter and supposed bastardise of Arthur gaue many attempts through the aid of his Picts and assistance of the Saxons to dispossesse him of that wherein he was seated and lastly at Kamblan or Cambula in Cornwall saith Leland this British Hector encountring Mordred slew him out-right and receiued of him his owne deaths wound The witnesse of this Field as yet are those peeces of Armour horse-harnesse and other habiliments of Warre which are daily digged vp in tillage of the ground vnlesse those reliques of Battle be the seales of that fight which Marianus writeth to haue beene in this place betwixt the Britaines and Saxons in the yeere of our Lord eight hundred and twenty If then it bee true that Arthur heere died this place we may say seemeth to be consecrated vnto Mars for Tindagell Castle standing hard by first brought into the world this glorious Prince for one of her nine Worthies and Cambula againe receiued his last bloud But from this place he was carried vnto Glastenburie in Somerset-shire where he died the one and twentieth of May in the yeere of our Saluation fiue hundred forty and two after he had most victoriously raigned twenty six yeeres His body was there buried and six hundred yeeres after was taken vp and found vpon this occasion When Henry the second and first Plantagenet had swaied the English Scepter to the last of his raigne it chanced him at Pembrooke to heare sung to the Harpe certaine Ditties of the worthy exploits and acts of this Arthur by a Welsh Bard as they were termed whose custome was to record and sing at their Feasts the noble deeds of their Ancestours wherein mention was made of his death and place of buriall designing it to be in the Church-yard of Glastenburie and that betwixt two Pyramides therein standing whereupon King Henry caused the ground to be digged and at seuen foot depth was found a huge broad stone wherein a leadden Crosse was fastned and in that side that lay downeward in rude and barbarous letters as rudely set and contriued this inscription written vpon that side of the Lead that was towards the stone HIC IACET SEPVLTVS REX ARTVRIVS IN INSVLA AVALONIA Heere lieth King Arthur buried in the I le of Aualonia And digging nine foot deeper his body was found in the trunke of a Tree the bones of great bignesse and in his scull perceiued ten wounds the last very great and plainely seene His Queene Guineuer that had beene neere kinswoman to Cador Duke of Cornwall a Lady of passing beautie lay likewise by him whose tresses of haire finely platted and in colour like the gold seemed perfect and whole vntill it was touched but then bewraying what all beauties are shewed it selfe to be dust Giraldus Cambrensis a worthy Author and an eie-witnesse is the reporter of this finding of Arthurs bones and the Crosse of Lead with the Inscription as it was found and taken off the stone was kept in the Treasurie or Reuester of Glastenburie Church saith Stowe till the suppression thereof in the raigne of King Henry the eight whose forme and rude letters we haue here expressed to thy sight The bones of King Arthur and of Queene Guineuar his wife by the direction of Henry de Bloys Nephew to King Henry the second and Abbat of Glastenbury at that present were translated into the great new Church and there in a faire Tombe of Marble his body was laid and his Queenes at his feet which noble Monument among the fatall ouerthrowes of infinite more was altogether raced at the dispose of some then in Commission whose too forward zeale and ouer hastie actions in these behalfes hath left vnto vs a want of many truths and cause to wish that some of their imployments had bin better spent CONSTANTINE 6. Constantine the sonne of Cador Duke of Cornwall and cosen to King Arthur by his alliance in mariage at his death was appointed by him to succeed in his Dominions and most ioifully receiued of the Commons as the man in the opinion of this worthy elector and themselues accounted most fit to defend the Land from the many oppressions of the Saxons who now beganne to spreade the wing as farre as to Tyne in the North and to set downe the limits of their seuerall Kingdomes which notwithstanding these strangers daily enlarged vpon the home-bred Inhabitants the ciuill warres of the Britaine 's giuing way to the same and that not onely among themselues but by the Picts also in the behalfe of the two sonnes of Mordred that sought to dispossesse him of the Crown In which quarrel many battles were fought but with such successe to the attemptors that these two Competitors were forced for refuge into London and Winchester whither Constantine pursued them they taking Sanctuarie in the Churches and not farre from the Altars he slew them for which deede the Priest Gyldas that flourished in those daies in his inuectiue reprehensions thus writeth Britaine hath Kings saith hee but they are Tyrants Iudges it hath but they are wicked pilling and harming the innocent people reuenging and defending but whom Such as be guilty and robbers They haue many wiues yet breake they wedlocke many times swearing yet periure themselues vowing but for the most part with dissembling lies warring but stillmaintaining vniust and ciuill broiles abroad pursuing theeues and yet at home cherish them euen at their owne Tables and sometimes also reward them They giue large almes indeed yet heape they vp sinnes high as the Mountaine They sit in the Seat of sentence yet seldome seeke the rule of right iudgement despising the humble and innocent persons and extolling vp to Heauen proud and bloudie Murderers Theeues and Adulterers yea and if he would permit them the very enemies of God Many they keepe in prison
serued his brother Egfrid against Ethelred king of the Mercians to the great griefe of them both the yeere of Christs natiuity six hundred seuentie nine 12 Elfled the eldest daughter of king Oswy and queene Eanfled was borne in the month of September the yeere of grace six hundred fiftie foure being the twelfth of her fathers raigne and when she was a yeer old by him committed to the custodie bringing vp of the renowned Lady Hilda Abbesse of Streanshall wherein she liued vnder her a Nun and after her death did succeed her Abbesse of the place and in great holinesse and vertue spent therein her life vnto the day of her death which was the yeere of Christ Iesus seuen hundred fourteene and of her owne age sixtie being interred in S. Peters Church within the same Monasterie 13 Offrid the younger daughter of king Oswy and queene Eanfled was borne about the fifteenth yeere of her fathers raigne which was the yeere of our Lord six hundred sixtie seuen and when she was fully twenty was married vnto Ethelred king of Mercia the twelfth Monarch of the Englishmen in the third yeere of his raigne and of Christ six hundred seuenty seuen 14 Alkfrid the naturall sonne of king Oswy did first succeed his cosen Ethelwald sonne of king Oswald his Vncle in part of Northumberland and held the same by force against his Father which afterwards he peaceably inioyed both with him and his halfe brother King Egfrid whom lastly hee succeeded in the whole kingdome of Northumberland as more at large in the same story we haue declared 15 Alâ—…fled the naturall daughter of king Oswy borne before her father was king in the yeere of Christs incarnation six hundred fiftie three and the eleuenth of her fathers raigne was married to Peâ—…d the sonne of Penda that by his permission had gouerned some part of Mercia and by Oswy his gift with this Alfled all the South of that Prouince She was his wife three yeers and is of most writers taxed to be the actor of his death being wickedly murthered in the feast of Easter the yeere of grace six hundred fiftie sixe and the fourteenth of her Fathers raigne VVLFHERE THE SIXTH KING OF THE MERCIANS AND THE ELEVENTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS RAIGNE ACTS WIFE AND ISSVE CHAPTER XXIII VVulfhere after the murther of his brother Peada aduanced against Oswy by the Nobles of Mercia maintained his title and kingdome for twelue yeeres continuance in the life time of that Northumbrian Monarch and after his death translated the Monarchy from those Kings and Country vnto himself and his successors the Mercians who now wore the Imperiall Diademe without reuersement vntill such time as great Egbert set it vpon the West-Saxons head He was the second sonne of Penda King of Mercia and the sixth in succession of that kingdome beginning his raigne the yeere of Christ his Incarnation six hundred fiftie nine and twelue yeeres after Anno six hundred seuenty one entred his Monarchy ouer the Englishmen and was in number accounted the eleuenth Monarch of the Land 2 His entrance was with trouble against the Northumbrians for vnto Egfrid their King he had lost the possession of the Iland Linsey and was expelled the Country yet three yeeres after he fought against the West-Saxons with better successe whose Country with conquest he passed thorow and wan from Redwald their King the I le of Wight which Iland he gaue to Edilwach the South-Saxons King whom he receiued his God-sonne at the font-stone notwithstanding himselfe had lately been a prophane Idolater and most cruell Heathen as by the Liger booke of the Monastery of Peterborow appeareth whose story is this 3 King Vulfhere of Mercia remaining at his Castell in Vlferchester in Stafford-shire and vnderstanding that Vulfald and Rufin his two sonnes vnder pretence and colour of hunting vsually resorted to reuerend Chad to bee instructed in the fruitfull faith of Christ Iesus and had at his hands receiued the Sacrament of Baptisme at the perswasion of one Werebod suddenly followed and finding them in the Oratory of that holy man in deuout contemplations slew them there with his owne hands Whose martyred bodies Queene Ermenehild their mother caused to be buried in a Sepulchre of stone and thereupon a faire Church to be erected which by reason of the many stones thither brought for that foundation was euer after called Stones and now is a Market Towne in the same County But King Vulfhere repenting this his most vnhumane murther became himselfe a Christian and destroied all those Temples wherein his heathen Gods had been worshipped conuerting them all into Christian Churches and religious Monasteries and to redeeme so hainous an offence vnderwent the finishing of Medisâ—…am his brothers foundation enriching it largely with lands and possessions notwithstanding hee is taxed by William of Malmesbury with the foule sinne of Symony for selling vnto Wyna the Bishopricke of London 4 He raigned King ouer the Mercians the space of seuenteene yeeres and Monarch of the English fully foure leauing his life in the yeere of our Lord six hundred seuentie foure and his body to be buried in the Monastery of Peterborow which was of his brothers and his owne foundation His Wife 5 Ermenhild the Wife of King Vulfhere was the daughter of Ercombert the seuenth King of Kent and sister to Egbert and Lothair both Kings of that Countie Her mother was Sexburg daughter to Anna the seuenth King of the East-Angles whose sisters were many and most of them Saints She was married vnto him in the third yeere of his raigne and was his wife fourteene yeeres After his decease she went to her mother Queene Sexburg being then Abbesse of Ely where she continued all the rest of her life and therein deceased and was buried His Issue 6 Kenred the son of King Vulfhere and of Queen Ermenhild being the heire apparant of his fathers possessions was vnder age at his fathers decease and by reason of his minority was withheld from the gouernment which Ethelred his Vncle entred into without any contradiction of this Kenred who held himselfe contented to liue a priuate life notwithstanding Ethelred taking the habit of a Monke left the Crowne to him who was the right heire 7 Vulfald a young Gentleman conuerted to the Christian faith by Bishop Chad and martyred for profession of the same by King Vulfhere is reported by Water of Wittlesey a Monke of Peterborow in a Register which he wrote of that Monastery to bee the supposed son of King Vulfhere himselfe and to haue been slaine by him in his extreme fury before he was a Christian or could indure to heare of the Christian faith He was buried in Stone as we haue said where his father built a Colledge of Canons regular which was afterwards called S. Vulfaldes 8 Rufine the fellow martyr of Vulfald
was maried to Hugh surnamed the Great Earle of Paris Grand-master and Constable of France in the yeere of our Lord 926. being the third of her brother King Ethelstanes raigne This Hugh was the sonne of Robert brother to Endes King of France and father of King Hugh Capet progenitor of the Kings of France eueâ—… sithence vnto this day but shee died before him without any issue by him 22 Edgith the sixth daughter of King Edward and the fifth of Queene Elfleda was the first wife of Otho the first surnamed the Great Emperour of the West sonne to the Emperor Henry surnamed the Falconer By him she had issue Ludolfe Duke of Swabe William Arch-bishop of Mentz Ludgard married to Comâ—…d Duke of Lorrayn and Mechthild Abbesse of Quedlingburg in Saxonie in which Citie she deceased the seuen and twenty of August in the yeere of Christs Natiuity 947. the eleuenth of her husbands Empire and the first of her brother King Edreds raigne in England She was buried at the East end of the North side of a Chapell which her selfe had founded in the same Citie 23 Elgiua the seuenth daughter of King Edward and the sixth of Queene Elfleda his second Wife was by King Ethelstan her brother with her sister Egith sent to the Court of the Emperor Henry the first King of the Saxons in Germany who honourably entertained her brought her vp with his owne daughters and after he had maried her elder sister to his eldest sonne he placed her also in marriage with a Duke of Italy obout the Alpes who is not named of our Writers but may easily be coniectured by the honourable disposition of the maker of the match to haue been a Prince of note and account worthy of her estate and parentage 24 Edmund the fifth sonne of King Edward and the first of Queene Edgiua his third and last Wife was borne in the twentieth yeere of his fathers raigne being the yeere of the worlds saluation 921. and at his fathers death little more then three yeeres of age was notwithstanding by the carefull prouision of his mother brought vp with all princely education conuenient for his yeeres and estate insomuch as there was generally a great expectation amongst the people conceiued of him in the life of his brother King Ethelstan vnder whom he learned some experience of seruice in warre and after whom hee succeeded in the Kingdome of England 25 Edred the sixth sonne of King Edward and the second of Queene Edgiua his third Wife and the youngest sonne of them both was borne about the two and twentieth yeere of his fathers raigne and yeere of grace 923. which was not long before the death of his father who left him a little infant in the custody of his mother by whom hee was carefully brought vp and prooued a Prince of so great vertue and valour as after the death of King Edmund his brother in regard of the minority of his Nephews hee was with the generall consent and liking of the whole nation chosen to be his brothers successor in the kingdome and gouernment ouer them 26 Edburg the eight daughter of King Edward and the first of Queene Edgiua in her child-hood had her disposition tried and her course of life disposed by her Father in this manner he laid before her gorgeous apparrell and rich Iewels in one end of a chamber and the new Testament and Bookes of princely instruction in the other willing her to make her choise of which she liked best she presently tooke vp the bookes and he her in his armes and kissing her said Goe in Gods name whither God hath called thee and thereupon placed her in a Monastery at Winchester wherein shee did most vertuously spend 〈◊〉 whole life and in that Abbey was bariâ—…d 27 Edgiua the ninth daughter of King Edward and the second of his last Queene whose name thee bare is reported in the history of the Monastery of Hyde by Winchester and other Writers of our Country to haue beene married to Lewes Prince of Aquitane in France which not long before had beene a Kingdome of it selfe sometime allotted to the portion of Lewes the third sonne of the Emperour Charles the Great of which house it seemeth this Lewes was afterward it became a Dukedome and the possession of an other Family by whom it came to be the inheritance after the Conquest to the Kings of England which were descended of the house of Angeow ETHELSTAN THET VVENTIE FIFT KING OF THE VVEST SAXONS AND THE TWENTIE SIXT MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND SVPPOSED ISSVE CHAPTER XXXVIII EThelstan the eldest sonne of King Edward as hath beene said for the great hopes conceiued of him was crowned with a greater solemnity then any of his ancestors euer before him The place was Kingston vpon Thamesis in the County of Surrey the yeer of Christ Iesus 924. where in the midst of the town a high Scaffold was built and thereon the coronation performed to the open view of all by Athelmus Archbishop of Canterbury with shouts of ioy as that of Salomon 2 His beginnings were with troubles and that rather by reason of friends then force of foes for it is recorded that Elfred a nobleman either in fauour of King Edwards other sonnes holding Ethelstan a Bastard or else vpon an ambitious hope blinded of himselfe intended at Winchester to haue pluckt out the eyes of his Soueraine but his treason being knowne before the seed could shew blade he was apprehended sent to Rome to purge himselfe by oth where before the Altaâ—… of S. Peter and Pope Iohn the tenth he there abiured the act and thereupon fell sodainly down to the earth so that his seruants tooke and bare him into the English Schoole where within three dayes after he died the Pope denying him christian buriall vntill he knew King Ethelstans pleasure 3 These stormes ouerpast as great a cloud seemed to arise vnto Ethelstans sight whose eye of iealousie euer followed the ascent and his eare euer opened vnto the instillations of Parasites amongst whom his Cup-bearer was a chiefe who brought daily more and more suspition into the Kings head that lastly as wee haue shewed hee consented to young Edwins death though with too late a sorrow hee repented the same for besides his seauen yeares penance voluntarily vndergone to pacifie the ghost of his betraied brother hee built the two Monasteries of Midleton and Michelnesse as for the most part such seed-plots were euer sowne in the furrowes of bloud which hapned vpon this occasion It chanced his Cup-bearer in his seruice vpon a festiuall to stumble with the one foote and recouering himselfe with the other pleasantly to say you see how one brother helpeth another vpon which speech the King with griefe and touch of heart called to mind the death of his innocent brother and forthwith commanded execution to
aduenture himselfe among the Danish host as a base Minstrell and Contemptiblemakesport till hee had perfectly learned their secrets and after with his sword through the thickest of those Enemies made a way to his owne most glorious Monarchie 13 To speake nothing of the desolations left in euerie Prouince Towne and Place where they came laying all leauell with the ground as prints of their foote-steppes where they had troden Their cruell and mercilesse dealings towards holy and religious persons with the ruination of Churches and other places for Oratorie is most lamentable to bee rehearsed or remembred and among many others the faire beautifull Monasteries of Bradney Crowland Peterborow Ely and Coldingham were made subiect to their desolations In the last whereof Lady Ebbe with her chast Nunnes to auoid their sauage and filthie pollutions cutte off their owne noses and vpper-lippes least the baite of their beauties should prooue the bane of their honours honestie The most greeuous tribute and exactions laied vpon the poore Inhabitants in generall and great sums of money paied in such afflicted vnseasonable times imposed by the name of Dane-gilt did from ten thousand arise to forty thousand pounds yeerely gathered for them in England Their sturdy behauiour and Lord-like carriage against the English in all places where euer they soiourned was with such subiection of the poore Owners that they abused both wife daughter and maide and were of all called the Lord-Dane till lastly they were Lords indeede of the Land and swaied the Scepter at their owne pleasures which how it was attained vnto wee haue before declared and how it was worne and continued wee are now presently to speake CANVTVS THE FIRST DANISH KING RAIGNING INENGLAND AND THE THIRTIE FOVRTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH-MEN HIS ACTS RAIGNE WIVES AND ISSVE CHAPTER III. THe sailes of the Danes thus ouer-filled with the gales of their swelling fortunes and themselues arriued at the Port of their long sought soueraignety cast anker as it were at the hauen of their wished desire and prepared themselues to a setled rest for Canutus possest of halfe the Kingdome by composition with Edmund now after his death seazed vpon the whole and that all things as was pretended might proceed with iustice and concord he called a Counsell of the English Nobility at London wherein was propounded whether in the agreement betwixt Edmund and him any claime of title to the Crowne had beene reserued for King Edmunds brethren or sonnes The English that had paid a very deere rate for their ouerbold resistance before not daring now to buy with too late repentance the wrath of this Dane absolutely answered No and hauing learned to appease Princes with flattery offered their swords against any such claimes and tooke themselues the Oath of alleagiance vnto Canutus who beeing a very wise and politike Prince thought neuer the better of them for such their doings whose truths thus failing towards their naturall Princes could neuer hee well knew stand firme for him or his forreine posteritie 2 But being thus cleered of all other opposites hee prepared with great roialty for his Coronation which was performed at London by the hands of Lyuingus surnamed Elstane Archbishop of Canterburie in the yeere of Christ Iesus 1017. beeing the second King of Denmarks of that Name the first of England and the thirty fourth Monarch of this Land His first designes for the establishment of the Crowne to himselfe and Danish issue was a care to preuent others neere vnto the claime and therefore taking counsell with Edrike banished Edwin who for his melancholy and regardlesse deportment was commonly called the King of Charles son of King Ethelred and brother of Edmund notwithstanding hee was guilefully recalled and treacherously murthered by his owne men whose bodie they buried at Tauestocke in Deuon-shire 3 One cloud thus ouer-blowne two others appeared far more dangerous in Canutus sight namely Edward and Edmund the sonnes of the Iron-side whom albeit their yongue yeeres might haue freed from suspition of conspiracies and their gentle dispositions from enuying his glory yet the bright raies of a Diadem so dazeled his ielous eie that euer he saw to his owne seeming the reflection thereof shine from their faces but ashamed saith Higden to lay hand on them himselfe sent them to his halfe brother of Sweden to be made away as we haue said In the doubtfull times betweene Edmund and Canute when the scale of warre was held of either hands alike Queene Emma had sent Edward and Alfred her sonnes by King Ethelred vnto her brother Duke Richard of Normandy whereby wee see the Land was emptied of the English bloud Roiall and the Crowne left for the Dane without competition 4 Who now seeking to hold fast the Scepter thus grasped sought the alliance of the Norman Duke by the espousing of his sister faire Emma a suite sounding but harshely in the eares of the English yea and most of all vnto her selfe as deeming the linke of loue verie slender that might bee broken by the same hand which was the death of her Husband Notwithstanding after good deliberation knowing him childlesse of any lawfull successor vpon couenants agreed that the issue of her body by him should inherite the English Crowne the suit was granted hoping also if that failed betwixt them to establish her other sonnes by King Ethelred This prouident respect so pleased the subiects that it both drew the hearts of the English vnto Canutus and their loue vnto Emma in a surpassing measure as the booke penned to her praise and written in that age intituled Encomium Emmae sufficiently doth shew 5 Neither was her louing care limitted onlie to her sonnes but further extended towards the Common-wealth being much pestred then with his Danes that lay lazie and idle as drones in the hiue who at her instigations were sent into Denmarke lest they should through discontents make any stirres either here or there had a largesse to buy their contentment of fourescore and two thousand pounds 6 Canutus his next care for the maintenance of his owne safety and the continuance of his new got Empire was the establishment of good lawes which if duly executed are the very sinewes and strongest guards of all States to be administred and practised both on the English and Dane alike wherefore calling a Parliament of his Peeres vnto Oxford there established many wholsom Acts both for the Clergy and Laitie to obserue some of which were diuulged by the praise-worthy care of a studious Antiquarie and a few as touching Religion as a relish of the rest we thinke it not amisse to giue the Reader a tast of 7 And first for the celebration of Gods most diuine seruice it was ordained that all decent ceremonies tending to the encrease of reuerence and deuotion should be vsed as need required That vpon the Lords Sabbath publike Faires Markets Synods Conuenticles Huntings
Magnus hight great name note of great place But Magnus left an Agnus mild he prouâ—…de From world bereft an Anchorite belou'd 57 Wolfe the fourth sonne of King Harold seemeth to bee borne of Queene Algith his second wife for that hee was neuer mentioned among his other brethren and hauing better friends by his mothers side was left in England whereas they were forced thence neither is he spoken of during all the raign of the Conquerour and therefore at his entrance may probably be thought to haue beene but an Infant yet after his death he is named among his prisoners with Earle Morcar his vncle if Queen Algith were his mother and was by King William Rufus released and honoured by him with the Order of Knighthood 58 Gunhild a daughter of King Harold is mentioned by Iohn Capgraue the Writer of the English Saints in the life of Wolstan Bishop of Worcester reporting her to haue beene a Nunne in a Monastery of England who among the many miracles done by the said Wolstan which hee numbreth by tale according to the superstitious manner of the time wherein he liued declareth how he restored this Lady to her perfect eye-sight whereof by a dangerous infirmity she was almost wholly and in most mens opinions vncurably depriued 58 Another daughter of King Harold not named by any Story-writer of our own nation is mentioned by Saxo GraÌ„maticus in his Danish history to haue come into Denmarke with her two brethren to haue been very honorably intertained by King Swaine the yonger her kinsman and afterwards to haue been as honorably placed in marriage with Gereslef called in Latine Iarislaues and of the Danes Waldemar King of the Russians and by him to haue had a daughter that was the mother of Waldemar the first of that name King of Denmarke from whom all the Danish Kings for many ages after succeeded The end of the eighth Booke A CATALOGVE OF THE ENGLISH MONARCHES FROM WILLIAM THE CONQVEROVR VNTO KING IAMES NOVV SO LE MONARCH OF GREAT BRITAINE WHOSE ACTS ARE ENTREATED OF IN THIS ENSVING HISTORIE KINGS BEGINNINGS RAIGNE DEATH BVRIALL  Yeeres Months Daies yeers months daies Yeeres Months Daies  WILLIAM I. 1066. Oct. 14. Sat. 20 10 26 1087 Sept. 9 Thurs. Cane WILLIAM II. 1087. Sept. 9. Thurs. 12 10 22 1100 Aug. 1 Wedn. Winchester HENRY I. 1100. Aug. 1. Wedns 35 3 1 1135 Decem. 2 Mon. Reading STEPHEN 1135 Dec. 2 Monday 18 9 17 1154 Octob. 25 Mon. Feuersham HENRY II. 1154 Oct. 25. Mon. 34 8 12 1189 Iuly 6 Thur. Fonteuerard RICHARD I. 1189 Iuly 6 Thursd. 9 8 00 1199 Aprill 6 Tues Fonteuerard IOHN 1199 Apr. 6 Tuesd. 17 7 13 1216 Octob. 19 Wedn. Worcester HENRY III. 1216 Oct. 19. Wedn. 56 0 27 1272 Nou. 16 Wedn. Westminster EDWARD I. 1272 Nou. 16. Wedn. 34 7 21 1307 Iuly 7 Frida Westminster EDWARD II. 1307 Iuly 7 Friday 19 6 15 1326 depo Ian. 22. Sa. Glocester EDWARD III. 1326 Ian. 25 Satur. 50 4 27 1377 Inne 21 Sund. Westminster RICHARD II. 1377 Iune 21 Sunday 22 2 7 1399 dep Sep. 29. 〈◊〉 Westminster HENRY IIII. 1399 Sept. 29 Mond 13 5 21 1412 March 20 Sund. Feuershâ—…m HENRY V. 1412 Mar. 20 Sund. 9 4 11 1422 Aug. 31 Mun. Westminster HENRY VI. 1422 Aug. 31. Mon. 38 6 4 1460 deposed Mar. 4  Windsore EDWARD IIII. 1460 Mar. 4.  22 1 5 1483 Aprill 9  Windsore EDWARD V. 1483 April 9  00 1 12 1483 â—…thered  Tower of Lond. RICHARD III. 1483 Iune 22.  2 1 0 1485 slain Au. 29 Mo. Leicester HENRY VII 1485 Aug. 22 Mon. 23 7 0 1509 Aprill 22 Sund. Westminster HENRY VIII 1509. April 22 Sund. 37 9 5 1546 Ian. 28 Thur. Windsore EDWAD VI. 1546 Ian. 28. Thurs. 6 5 9 1553 Iuly 6 Thur. Westminster MARY 1553 Iuly 6 Thursd. 5 4 11 1558 Noue 17 Thur. Westminster ELIZABETH 1558 Nou. 17. Thur. 44 4 6 1602 March 24 Thur. Westminster IAMES 1602 Mar. 24. Thur. NOS Tâ—… FLORENTE BEATI     THE SVCCESSION OF ENGLANDS MONARCHES FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE NORMANS VNDER WILLIAM THE CONQVEROR VNTILL THE REGALL RIGHTS OF THE WHOLE ILAND WERE BY GODS PROVIDENCE VNITED VNDER ONE IMPERIALL DIADEME IN THE PERSON OF OVR PRESENT SOVERAIGNE KING IAMES SOLE MONARCH OF GREAT BRITAINE THEIR SEVERALL ACTS ISSVES RAIGNES ARMES SEALES AND COINES CHAPTER I. WHat hath beene spoken touching the Originals Lawes and Customes of the Saxons and Danes the ancient Conquerours and possessors of this our Iland may in like sort bee said of the Normans being abraÌ„ch from the same roote of whom wee are now to write sauing only that the name is not so ancient and therfore their Manners may bee thought more ciuill Through the misty-darke times of which Stories together with that of the Romans and of our Britaines wherein no brighter Sun did shine vnto vs by the assistance of the all-seeing power which bringeth light out of darknes I am lastly approched to these times of more light and vnto affaires of more certaine truth whose Current to my seeming is made now Nauigable by the many writers that haue emptied their full channels into this Sea wherein though in respect of my owne defects and that so many Master-Pilotes haue sailed before me it may seeme but presumption for me to direct another course with a purpose to better what they haue so well performed yet to make a complete History from the first to the last giue me leaue to continue as I haue begunne 2 These Normans then being anciently a mixt Nation with the warlike Norwegians Swedens Danes tooke their Name of that Northern Climate from whence they came first which was that Coast of â—…many anciently called Cimbrica Chersonesus 〈◊〉 Nor-way for that it tendeth in respect of situation 〈◊〉 farre Northward and from hence and the partâ—…jacent the Saxons Iutes Angles and lately â—…e Dâ—…s made their incursions into this Land 3 This Tract therfore as the wombe of coÌ„ception by the dispose of the Omnipotent after it had produced those Nations which formerly made CoÌ„quests of Britaâ—… now againe brought forth as it were her last-borne Beniamin who deuouring the pray in the morning hath diuided the spoile in the Euening and hitherto continued their glorious fame atchieued which I pray may extend to the last period of Times being For these Normans first by force got footing in France with the Dominion and Stile of a Duke and next the Diadem of this faire Empire the last and most famous Monarches of the same 4 These formerly practizing Piracies vpon the Coasts of Belgia Frizia England Ireland and France proceeded in their hardy courses euen to the Mediterranean Sea insomuch that Charles the Great seeing their roauing tall Ships and considering the bold attempts they vndertkooke with a deepe sigh and abundance of teares is reported to haue said Heauie am I at the very heart that in my owne life time these Pirates dare to
liued none But that be wist wat hii were wurth of all Engelond And wite all clene that wurth thereof ich vnderstand And let it write clene inou and that scrit dude iwis In the Tresorie at Westminster there it yut is So that vre Kings suth when hii ransome toke Yrede wat folc might yiue hii fond there in yor boke 43 This exaction was gathered with such extremity paid with such impouerishing of the English that they greeuously groned vnder their miserable estate whereby more hatred grew dailie to the King and his Normans whose loue againe to them-ward was so little that hee sought by ail means to bring the English name and Nation to ruine for it is noted by Castor and Rouse that no English man was permitted to beare any office of Credit or Countenance in this Conquerours daies and accounted it was a great shame to bee called an Englishman or to marry into their blood 44 These greeuances seeming vnsufferable the English incited Malcolme King of Scotland once more to enter King Williams confines wasting all before him vnto the Riuer Tyne against whom the Conquerour sent Robert his sonne surnamed Courtoise who marching with a mighty Army made shew of doing much more then he did this onely being memorable that neere to the mouth of Tyne he laid the foundation of a Castle whereof the towne of New-Castle did afterward take both her beginning and Name though long before that time there was a place called Monk-Chester because as it should seeme it had been either the habitation or possession of some Religious Order 45 Neither was Swaine King of Denmarke so quailed by his former expeditions but that he had a minde once more to graspe at the English Crowne preparing a mighty Armado that way as was constantly reported and beleeued King William therfore reteined a great power of French Souldiers with others which he had lately brought with him from Normandy to disburden himselfe of whose Charges he appointed them to bee maintained at the costs of the English both for their wages and other prouisions which was an other great burden vnto the English though it long lasted not for that the Danish King better aduising himselfe gaue ouer the enterprise and thereupon these Souldiers were discharged 46 Another griefe and offence he ministred against both God and man for the fruitfull Countrey lying South from Sarisbury vnto the Sea hee dispeopled pulling downe Townes and Villages with 36. Mother-churches from mans vse Gods diuine seruice for 30. miles laid open the country some say out of policie to haue safe ariuage from Normandy in time of need others say for beasts for his own game in hunting or to vse the words of Gualter Mapes who liued immediatly after to dedicate the same vnto wild Beasts and Dogs-game which place called anciently Ytene was euer since named the New Forrest imposing great penalties both pecuniary and corporall on all such as offended in hunting his Game in so much that he was then called the Father of wild Beasts more fauouring them then the People his Subiects But Gods iust iudgement not long after followed this so vnreasonable and cruel act for in this Forest Richard his second sonne being goared by a Deare others say blasted with a pestilent Ayre was vntimely slaine And Rufus his other sonne mistaken for a Deare was by chaunce shot thorow with an Arrow by Walter Tyrell Henry likewise his Grand-child by Robert Curtoise whilest he hotly pursued the chase was strucken by a bough into the lawes and as Ab solon left hanging vntill he died Thus no doubt God punished his sinnes euen on his children and childrens children who had both taken away the places and vse of his seruice and also disherited multitudes of Christian people to their extreme pouerty for his vnsaciat and superfluous pleasure so that as some then thought the Earth it selfe also seemed to cry Reuenge when as vpon the sixt of Aprill and fifteenth of King Williams Raigne a most fearefull Earthquake with a warring noise did shake the ground 47 Other great calamities are noted to haue hapned vpon his people as burning feuers strangely consuming the people Murrens deuouring infinit numbers of Cattle abundance of raine and concourse of water-flouds beyond credit whereby the hilles were so softned to the very foundations that some of them fell and ouerwhelmed the villages which were in their way most of the principall Cities of England much endamaged by fire and London especially where the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul as much as was combustible was consumed to ashes and if that may also be noted which caused not the least wonder tame and domesticke fowles as hennes geese peacockes and the like fled into the forrests and woods and became very wild in imitation of men degenerating then into sauages for in those times euen the Churchmen and therefore lesse maruaile of others became vnlike themselues Walter Bishop of Durham bought of King William the Earledome of Northumberland maintained murtherers and was murthered himselfe Odo another Bishop and Earle also to reuenge his death made Northumberland desolate beheading and dismembring the poorer sort and at great ransomes fining the rich and Pope Gregory for his part plaid Rex in this land sending hither his Buls with damning curses against the married Clergie commanding that none should heare their Masses which how it was disgested either by God or man let vs heare Paris an ancient Monke and therefore herein no partiall man speake his mind 48 Pope Gregory in a generall Synode excluded the married Priests from execution of their holie offices and forbad the Lay-men to heare their Masses a president new and proceeding as it seemed to many out of inconsiderate iudgement contrary to the sentence of the holy Fathers which haue written that the Sacraments of the church by the inuisible operation of the holy Ghost haue their due effect whether they are dispensed by men good or bad c. By which fact so grieuous a scandall is arisen that holy Church was neuer rent with a greater schisme in the time of any heresie whatsoeuer whiles some stand for the right and others striue against it Moreouer whereas few obserue this chastitie enioined for that though some for gaine or vaine-glory doe hypocritically pretend it yet many doe heape vp incontinency with periury and manifold adulteries by this occasion the Lay-men shake off all due respect to sacred orders and ecclesiasticall gouernement they prophane the holy mysteries they baptize Infants annointing them with the sordid humor of their ears in stead of holy oile they burn the tithes due to the Priests our Lords body consecrated by a married priest they tread vnder their feet and often doe wilfully cast forth the bloud of our Lord vpon the ground 49 This Gregory before called Hildebrand sate in Peters chaire with
the right side of King Edward the Confessor 61 Ad◅licia or Alice the second wife of King Henry was the daughter of Godfrey the first Duke of Louaine by the daughter of the Emperour Henrie the fourth and sister to Duke Godfrey and Iocelin of Louain Shee was married vnto him the nine and twentieth of Ianuary in the twentie one of his raigne and yeere of Christ 1121. and was crowned the morrow after being Sunday Shee was his wife fifteene yeeres but euer childlesse and suruiuing him was remarried to William Daubeny Earle of Arundel and was mother of Earle William the second Rayner Godfrey and Ioan married to Iohn Earle of Augi c. His Issue 62 William the sonne of King Henry and Queen Maud his first wife was born the secōd of his Fathers Raigne and of Christ 1102. When he came to age of foureteene yeeres the Nobility of England did him homage and sware their fealties vnto him at Shrewsburie The third yeere after hee married the daughter of Foulk Earle of Aniou and the same yeere hee was made Duke of Normandy doing his homage for the same to Lewes the Grosse King of France and receiued the homage and oathes of the Nobility of that Country but in his returne for England hee was vnfortunately drowned neere vnto Barbfleet vpon the twenty sixt of Nouember the yeere of Grace 1120. and eighteenth of his owne age without any issue to the great griefe of his Father 63 Maud the daughter of King Henry and of Queene Maud his first wife was borne the fourth yeere of her Fathers raigne She was the second wife of the Emperour Henrie the fourth espoused at sixe yeeres of age and at eleuen with great solemnity was married and crowned his Empresse at Mentz in Germany 6. Ianuary Anno 1114. the ninth of her husbands and foureteenth of her Fathers Raignes Shee was his wife twelue yeeres and suruiued him without any issue of him comming into England a widdowe she had fealty sworne vnto her by the Nobility and was remaried to Geffrey Plantaginet Earle of Aniou sonne of Foulke King of Ierusalem vpon the third of Aprill and yeere of Grace 1127. by whom shee had issue Henry the Second King of England Geffery Earle of Nantes in Britanie and William who was called Earle of Poyto she was his wife twenty three yeeres and suruiuing him also continued a widdowe the last seuenteene yeeres of her life which she ended in the City of Roan the tenth of September 1167. the foureteenth of the raigne of King Henry her sonne and was buried in the Abbey of Bee in Normandy 64 Richard a second sonne to King Henry and Queene Maud by the testimony of Geruasius the Monke of Canterbury who maketh Maud their eldest Child William the second and lastly Richard and then saith he she left bearing but Malmsbury saith she had but two Children one of each sexe 65 Eufem also another daughter and fourth Child by Hector Boetius the Scottish Historian is said to be borne vnto the Beauclearke by Queene Maud the credite of the two last I leaue to the reporters who onely thus name them without any further relation His Naturall Issue 66 Robert the naturall sonne of King Henry was Earle of Gloucester and married Ma◅l daughter and heire of Robert Fitzhamon Lord of Glamorgan by whom hee had issue William Earle of Gloucester Richard Bishop of Bayon Roger Bishop of Worcester and Maud the wife of Randolph Gernon the mother of Hugh Keueliot Earle of Chester and Richard his brother Earle William married Auis daughter of Robert Bossu Earle of Leicester and had issue three daughters and heires of that Earledome which by Au◅s the second of them in the end descended to Clare Earle of Hertford This Earle Robert died the last of October in the twelfth yeare of King Stephen and was buried at Bristow in the Church of S. Iames which hee had founded and his body laide in the midst of the Quire vnto him William Malmsbury dedicated his Booke called Historia Nouella 67 Richard another naturall sonne of King Henry was as it seemeth by an ancient Register of the Monastery at Abington borne in the raigne of King William Rufus of the widow of Anskill a Nobleman of the Country adioining to the said Monastery and it seemeth hee is that Richard that was drowned in the Norman Seas neere Barbfleet among the rest of King Henries children 68 Raynold the naturall sonne of King Henry was borne of a daughter vnto Sir Robert Corbet Lord of Alcester in Warwickeshire by the gift of the King in fauour of her who was after married to Henry Fitz-herbert his Chamberlaine This Raynold was created Earle of Cornwall and Baron of Castle comb with consent of King Stephen and had issue foure Daughters of whom haue sprung many faire branches 69 Robert another of that name was borne of Edith the sister of Iue sonne and daughter of Forne the sonne of Sigewolfe both of them great Barons in the North which Edith afterwards King Henry gaue in marriage to Robert D◅lie Baron of Hook-Norton in Oxfordshire and with her gaue him the Mannor of Eleydon in the County of Buckingham by whom he had issue Henry Doylie Baron of Hook-Norton who oftentimes mentioneth this Robert in his Charters euer calling him Robert his brother the Kings sonne 70 Gilbert another naturall sonne of King Henry is named in the additions to the story of William Gemeticensis the Norman Monke in the Chronicle of that country written by Iohn Taylor being a Translator of that worke out of Latine into French and lastly in the Treaties betwixt England and France written in the French tongue by Iohn Tillet Secretarie to their late King Henry the second and yet in them not any other mention is made but only of his name 71 William also a narurall sonne of Henry the King had giuen vnto him the Towne of Tracie in Normandy of which hee tooke his surname and was called William of Tracie But whether he were the Progenitot of the Tracies sometime Barons in Deuonshire or of them that now be of the same surname or whether Sir William Tracie one of the foure Knights that slew Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury were any of his posterity is not certainely reported nor any thing else of him more then that hee died a little after his Father which was in the yeere of Christ 1135. 72 Henry another naturall sonne of King Henry was borne of the Lady Nesta daughter of Rees ap Tewdor Prince of South-Wales who was the Wife of Sir Gerald Windsor and of Stephen Constables of the Castles of Pembrooke and Abertinie in Wales and Progenitors of the Families of the Fitz-geralds and the Fitz-Stephens in Ireland he was borne and breed and liued and married in Wales hauing issue two sonnes namely Meiler and Robert of which Meiler the elder married the daughter of Hugh Lacie Lord of Methe in Ireland
to doe and accordingly the Prelates themselues by ioint consent adiudged him of Periury and by the mouth of the Bishop of Chichester disclaimed thence forward all obedience vnto him as their Archbishop The next day whiles the Bishops and Peeres were consulting of some further course with him Becket not as yet daunted caused to be sung before him at the Altar The Princes sit and speake against me and the vngodly persecute me c. And forthwith taking his siluer Crosier in his owne hands a thing strange and vnheard of before enters armed therewith into the Kings presence though earnestly disswaded by all that wished him well wherewith the King enraged commanded his Peeres to sit in iudgement on him as on a Traitor and Periured person and accordingly they adiudged him to be apprehended and cast into prison The Earles of Cornewall and Leicester who sate as Iudges citing him forthwith to heare his sentence pronounced hee immediately appealed to the See of Rome as holding them no Iudges competent wherupon all reuiling him with the name of Traitor and the like he replying That were it not for his function he would enter the Duell or Combate with them in the field to acquit himselfe both of Treason and Periury sped from the Court and from thence without delay into Flaunders disguising himselfe vnder the name of Dereman 24 The King on the other side to leaue nothing vndone whereby to atchieue his desire forthwith dispatched away Gilbert Bishop of London William Earle of Arundel to the French King that hee would not harbour nor cherish one that was fled as a Traitor but preuailed not for hee vpon the contrary dealt with the Pope That as he loued the Roman Church and the aid of France so he would support the cause of Thomas against the King which whether hee did it out of Faction rather then Deuotion let others iudge for as wee may easily thinke that the French would gladly incommodate the king of England so this is not to bee denied that Lewis was often afterward a Mediatour for peace and vndoubtedly held the man himselfe in great estimation both aliue and dead 25 The Archbishoppe growing thus in fauour with the Pope King Henry sends an Ambassage vnto him of many great Personages as Roger Archbishop of Yorke the BB. of London Winchester Chichester Iohn of Oxenford William Earle of Arundell c. whose whole emploiment being prece vel pretio by requests and gratifications to procure disgrace vnto Becket their finall suit was That the Pope would send two Cardinals into England fully to end the matter but the Pope denied it as holding it derogatory to his owne absolutenes saying like Gods Vice-gerent at least That is my owne glorie which I will not giue to any other but when he is to bee iudged I will iudge him my selfe For he knew the King of England was mighty both in speech and meanes and that Legates might easily be corrupted as being men more thirsty after gold and siluer then after iustice and equity and the Pope and Cardinals wisely resolued saith the Monke of Canterbury that as if this Archbishop were now vpheld in his cause it would be a patterne for others in like case to resist Kings so if he should sinke no Bishoppes euer after would darc oppose themselues to their Soueraignes pleasure and so the State of the Catholike Church would be shaken and the Popes authority be crushed 26 The King hauing receiued this foile and impatient of repulse where his owne subiect was a party thought the indignity offered by the Pope vnsufferable and to let him vnderstand how hee tooke it directs his Writs vnto the Sheriffes in England commanding them to attach such as did appeale to the Roman Court the fathers mothers brothers sisters nephewes and neices of all such of the Clergy as were with the Archbishop and to put them vnder sureties as also to seise the reuenewes goods and chattels of the said Clergie-men Again by other his letters to Gilbert Bishop of London he sequestred the profits and liuings which within his Diocesse did belong to any of the Clergie who were fled to Thomas that without the Kings leaue they might haue no part thereof Lastly to his Iustices he signified that they should safe-keepe whosoeuer did bring any interdict into England till the Kings pleasure were further knowne hee also caused the Church of Canterbury and all the Archbishops goods to bee confiscated grounding himselfe as may probably bee supposed vpon the iudgement giuen against Becket at North-hampton notwithstanding that the saide sentence was expresly nullified by the Popes Bul and not onely by word of mouth as * Mathew Paris seemes to mistake it Neither was this all for hee banished out of the Realme all the kindred of the Archbishop man woman child and sucking babes and for bad that hee should be any longer publikely mentioned and praied for in the Church as Arch-bishop of Canterbury 27 The Archbishop on the contrary part the contention being now wither the power Ecclesiasticall or Secular should worke most did solemnly in France where he abode excommunicate all such as obeyed defended or had occasioned the saide lawes and Auitall Customes and some of the parties by name as Richard de Luci Richard of Poictou Iocelin de Bailull Alan de Neâ—…ile and other who presently appealed but the King hauing further notice that Becket after his publike sermon on a great Festiuall day had solemnly threatned the like thunderclap against his Roiall Person either to terrifie his aduersaries or to reuenge himselfe if any such sentence should bee against him gathered a mighty Army vnder pretence of subduing Wales where yet hee did little The meane while Iohn of Oxenford who not onely followed the Kings cause stoutly but also writ a learned Booke in iustifying of it against Becket preuailed so farre at Rome that two Legates à latere should bee sent into England to reconcile the King and Thomas but when they were gone the Pope hearing that they were resolued vtterly to confound the Arcâ—…shop sent letters after them to rebate their absolute power they being men saith Geruasius who too much thirsted after gold and glory 28 When these two Cardinals came to Thomas he refused to put his cause to them vnlesse there were first a plenary restitution made to him and his of all that had beene taken away but being then counselled by them to submit himselfe to the king his answere was he would sauing Gods honour and the Churches liberty sauing his own honour and his Churches possessions and sauing his owne and his friends right being further demanded whither to resettle peace in Gods Church which hee seemed onely to desire he would renounce his Bishop-ricke if the king would renounce his customes he answered The proportion was not alike for that with
they shew themselues to be fraile men but onely those things wherein without scruple we ought to imitate them and therefore they are wiselie and warilie to be praised that Gods prerogatiue may be reserued intire to himselfe 43 Some other learned men there were who liued neere to that time whose censure was farre sharper then that Monks Such were some of those Diuines of Paris mentioned by Caesarius the Monk who saith The Question was debated to fro amongst the Doctors in the vniuersitie of Paris whether Thomas were damned or saued amongst whom Rogerius the Norman auowed that hee deserued death and damnation for his contumacie against his King the Minister of God but Petrus Cantor alleadged that his Miracles were signes of his saluation c. An indeede if all bee true which one man hath written in fiue bookes containing his 270. Miracles wee cannot but acknowledge him both the greatest Saint and the meriest too that euer gotte into heauen so ridiculous are many things recorded of him As that of Ailwardus who for stealing of a great whetstone which the Author that writes it best deserued beeing depriued of his Eies and Virilities by sentence of Law vpon praier to S. Thomas he had all restored againe Yea euen a Bird hauing beene taught to speake flying out of her cage and ready to be seized on by a Spar-Hauke said onely S. Thomas helpe mee and her Enemie fell presently dead and shee escaped and belike reported it Of which great power in this Saint how canne wee doubt sith wee read that euen in his life time the * Virgin Marie her selfe was contented to bee his Semster and sowed his shirt with red silke Many of which kind of follies if that word be sharp enough might bee heere inserted were not our present argument more serious and these forgeries fit onely for Monks to endite children to read and fooles to beleeue 44 The report of the tragicall outrage on the Arch-bishop comming to the old King at Argenton in Normandy there was no kind of sorrow into which without respect to Maiestie or State hee fell not and not without cause as knowing how plentifull an Hydra of mischiefes vpon the opinion of his priuitie with the fact would rise if not preuented But the murtherers fearing least this their fact would displease the king in whose reuenge they did it fled into the North and abode one whole yeere in the kings Castle of Knaresborough in Yorkeshire perhaps by fauour of the yongue king none of them dying for the fact by way of iustice because the Clergie exeÌ„pting themselues from the bonds of ciuill Laws the punishment of a Priest-killer as by some it appeareth was not then the death of the Body by execution of capitall sentence but of Soule by Excommunication till about the twentie third yeer of this king it was at the instant suite of Richard Arch-bishop of Canterburie and of the Bishops of Winchester Elie and Norwich yeelded that such persons should also suffer losse of life 45 The king therefore vpon protestation to submit himself to the iudgement of such Cardinals Legats as the Pope should send to inquire of the fact kept his Realme from Interdiction though the king of France the Archbishop of Seâ—…s and Theobald Earle of Blois had outgone his Embassadors with their inflaming letters conteining the descripion of that Parricide 46 Henry therefore among so many perplexities rising out of the Archbishops murther saw no way so ready for the calming his owne perturbations or for the auerting mens thoughts from the consideration of that scandalous tragedie as to vndertake some great and noble enterprise which now offered it selfe very seasonably For Ireland a verie spatious and plentifull Iland and lying commodiously for the vses of the English burned in it self with ciuill diuisions kindled among the petty Kings and Princes thereof while Rotherick the Great called O Conor Dun Prince of Connaught abusing his power and the aduantage of the times to the oppression of his Neighbours sought to make himselfe the vniuersall King thereof hauing already inuaded the Title Stile of KING AND MONARCH OF IRELAND And this his purpose was much aduanced by the fatall and familiar errour of proceedings in like cases for the Irish Princes either through distrust or pride forbearing to vnite their forces against the common enemy while each prouides for one they are all as it were ouer-come 47 Moreouer Dermot Mac Murrgh in that time of the Irish Pentarchie or fiue-fold Kingdome hauing secretly stolne away the wife of Rotherick a light woman and consenting or plotting rather vrging the rape it selfe added to Rotherickes ambition a iust desire of reuenge for so notable impudent and publike iniurie so much the more odious in Dermots person for that hee was old neyther was this all for the causes of this change were higher 48 The onely disposer and translator of Kingdomes is God in Ireland to moue him to offence without which no Kingdom is transferred against the people thereof all such sinnes abounded as commonly forgoe the greatest changes for not onely the manners of the Nation were extremely corrupted but the Christian faith it selfe decaied barbarisme ouerrunning the one and more then superstitions the other But it may seeme by some Authors that King Henries particular inducements to that Action were both an ancient title vnto that Kingdome deriued from his ancestors the kings of England for many ages before him and many vnsufferable wrongs by their Piracies vnto the English Nation buying and selling their Captiues and vsing Turkish tyranny on their â—…dies which made the Irish Clergy themselues confesse that they had deserued no other then that their land should bee transferred to that Nation whom they had so cruelly handled Notwithstanding king Henry who knew how great and dangerous tumults the Popes had raised on small occasions thought his way would bee much easier if he went onward with the Popes good fauour which hee easily obtained so liberall is his holinesse of that which is none of his for à fee viz. a penny yeerely to bee paid to Saint Peter of euery house in Ireland Touching which point Rossus of Warwick no Protestant I assure you saith That Englands King is not bound to rely on the Popes graunt for Ireland nor yet to pay that taxe because hee had claime to that Kingdome by an hereditary right and that the Pope had no temporall interest therein as his fauorites pretend the often-mentioned Monke of Newborough can tell vs who saith that Nunquam externa subiacuit ditioni Ireland was neuer subiect to any forraine command 49 God Almighty therefore did now put it into the heart of Henry for the reforming of that kingdome to make a Conquest thereof hauing in his infinite wisedome before hand fitted all circumstances needfull to concurre for inducing so warie and frugal a Prince
besought him My Soueraigne Lord and King I haue beene nourished by you and made rich in worldly substance confound not your own Creature but at leastwise grant mee a time of deliberation that I may render a competent reason for such points as I am charged with Thou shalt said the King be carried to the Tower of London there to deliberate till I am satisfied He was so Stephen de Segraue the Lord Chiefe Iustice whom the King also called most wicked Traitour had time till Michaelmas to make his accounts at the Archbishops and other Bishops humble entreaty and for other matters he shifted them off from himselfe by laying the blame vpon such as were higher in place then hee into whose office of Chiefe Iustice Hugh de Pateshull is aduanced The like euasion Robert Paslew had by leauing the fault vpon Walter Bishoppe of Carleil who was aboue him in the Exchequer and thus were these ciuill enormities reformed not without reducing store of Coine to the King 50 As those continuall turmoiles and plagues of the Sword much afflicted the land so this was the third yeere wherein God inflicted also for sin the plague of famine whereby the poore did miserably perish there being no Samaritan to pay for their barbouring or to annoint their wounds with the oyle of consolation Our Authors to make manifest how odious the mercilesse heart is in the sight of God relate a storie of that time with protestation that they doe it left so memorable an example should be in time forgotten Certain poore while as yet the Corne was greene pluckt the eares in the common fields to sustaine their liues whereupon the Owners call on the Priest to curse all such as had so done but one in their company adiured the Priest in the name of God to exempt his corne from the sentence saying it pleased him well that the poore driuen with famine had taken his corne and so commended that which they had left to God The Priest compelled by importunity of the rest was entred into the sentence when by a terrible interrupting tempest of thunder lightning wind haile and raine all the corne-fieldes about were desolated as if they had beene troden downe with Horse and Cartes that no kind of beast or fowle would feed vpon the corne thus laid But as say our Authors out of the Scripture seeing they who are pitteous find mercy that honest and compassionate hearted man found all his corne and grounds though interlaced with theirs altogether vntoucht and vnharmd Wherupon say they it is more cleare then any light that as glory to God on high is sung of Angels so there is peace on Earth to men who are of goodwill This dearth was in France and Gascoigne aswell as in England A Iewish impiety may well be annexed to want of Christian Charity There were brought before the King at Westminster seuen Iewes who circumcised a Child and purposed in contempt of Christ and Christianity to haue crucified him in Easter at Norwich 51 These now calmer times were made more happy by the marriage of the Emperour Fredericke with the Lady Isabel the King of Englands sister a beauteous young Lady about twenty yeeres of age The messengers arriued in March with the Emperours letters closed vnder a Seale of gold and there were sent to conduct her ouer the Archbishoppe of Colein and the Duke of Louain The King brought her to Sandwich with about three thousand horse in his traine and being imperially furnished with all worldly abundance shee tooke shipping in May and in one dayes and one nights space arriued at Antwerpe a City of the Empire was euery where most magnificently entertained her sweet humility and excellent beauty drawing all to loue and honour her At the solemnitie of her marriage were present three Kings eleuen Dukes thirty Marquesses Earles besides the number of great Prelates On whether superstition or obseruation of the Emperour is noted at this marriage that he forbare the Empresses company till a certaine howre which his VVisards or Astrologers had assigned and in the morning hee caused her to bee carefully tended as a woman with child and sent word to his brother the King of England that hee should haue a sonne so skilfull or confident hee was and God did fauour his iudgement for it proued so This Imperiall affinity gaue a worthy Historian occasion here to display and emblazon the Maiesty and glory of the English Princes but amongst them all none were higher aduanced then the Children of King Iohn one of whose sons was now a King the other afterward chosen to be an Emperour and one of his daughters a Queen this other here mentioned an Empresse And here doth VVendouer end his history to whom we haue hitherto been beholding for his labours sorry wee can enioy his good company no longer 52 There were spread through England about this time certaine Romane Vsurers called Caurfini who had entangled the King himselfe most of the great men and all others as had to deale with the Court of Rome in their cunning snares Their first entrance into England was some few yeeres past when the Pope requiring the tenth of all moueable goods in England Ireland and Wales towards his wars against the Emperour Fredericke sent Stephen his Nunce hither to collect it who brought with him that race of deuouring-Monsters vnder humane shape called the Popes Marchants vnder colour of Richard late Earle Marshall to commit that assassinate vpon him This execrable wretch hauing beene a Courtier and one of the Kings Knights supposing to haue found the King in his owne retiring Bed had about midnight gotten in at the Chamber window but God in whose special protection the liues of Princes are disappointed him for the King was elsewhere in bed with his Queen Neuerthelesse he gaue not ouer but with naked knife in hand sought vp and downe in some other Chambers One of the Queenes gentlewomen sitting late and very deuoutly at her booke by candle-light at sight of the furious villaine with her shriking noise wakened the Kings seruants who starting out of their Bed laid hands vpon him afterward he was drawne in peeces with horses at Couentree And worthily for as a vulgar Chronicler hereupon saith truly in wounding and killing a Prince the Traitor is guilty of homicide of parricide of Christiâ—…ide nay of Deicide William de Marisco who was saide to bee the instigator of this Treason knowing his danger became a Pyrate fortified the Isle of Lundey in Seuern where hee did much mischiefe the situation of that little Iland being inexpugnable At length hee was surprised therein and sixteene of his Complices who all of them after conuiction were put to death at London William to the last gaspe denying his priuity to the former treasonous attempt of
chiefe seat to consult for remedies dismissed thence all the Students by reason of their multitude being aboue 15000 saith William Rishanger who then liued of those only whose names were entred into the Matriculation booke amongst whom being so many young Nobles the King doubted how they might bee affected to the Barons Whereupon many of them went to Northampton where then the Barons were strong and thither the King comming with his hoast and breaking in at the Towne-walles vpon Passion Sunday encountred his enemies amongst whom the Students of Oxford had a Banner by themselues aduanced right against the King and they did more annoy him in the fight then the rest of the Barons which the King who at length preuayled had vowed sharpely to reuenge but that his Councellors told him those Students were the sonnes and kindred of the Great-men of the Land whom if hee punished euen the Nobles who now stood for him would take Armes against him The King there tooke Simon Montfort the younger and foureteene other principall Barons and Knightes Banerets forty other Knights besides Esquiers c. Encouraged with this successe hee aduanceth the Standard royall toward Nottingham burning and wasting the Barons lands wheresoeuer hee came To diuert this tempest Simon Montfort hastneth to London and attemptes the taking of Rochester Castle which Iohn Earle of Warren defended for the King who comming to raise the siege takes Kingston Castle which belonged to the Earle of Gloucester then vnexpectedly falling vpon such as maintained the siege of Rochester while Simon was absent kils verie many and scatters the rest Then seiseth hee the Castle of Tunbridge and therein the Countesse of Gloucester whom notwithstanding he nobly set at large as professing not to warre against Ladies from thence the Cloud of power borne vpon the winges of indignation speedes to Winchelsea and receiues the Cinque-Portmen to grace setling at last in Lewis where himselfe rested in the Priorie and his sonne in the Castle whither the Barons sent letters to him protesting their loyall obseruance to his person but all hostisity to their enemies which were about him 100 But the King flaming with desire of reuenge sets slight by these vowed but fained fidelities and returnes a full defiance as to Traitors professing that hee takes the wrong of his friends as his owne and their enemies as his The King of Almaine Prince Edward with other of the Kings chiefe friends sent their like letters of defiance The Barons loath to let it come to the hazardous and vnkind triall of steele though they then encamped about sixe miles from Lewis not acquitting themselues in this repulse iterate their message with an offer to pay to the King thirty thousand pounds in satisfaction of such hurts as their people had done through the Realme so as the Statutes of Oxford might stand The king of Almaine whose honour they had toucht and spoild part of his inheritances hindred all harkening to any their offers 101 It came to a battel wherein Simon de Montford commands his traiterous Army to weare white Crosses on breast and backe to shew they fought for Iustice great was the effusion of bloud on both parts chieflie of the Scots vpon the Kings side of the Londoners vpon the Earles side whose Battalion lead by the Lord Segraue Prince Edward most furiously charged and had the execution of them for about foure miles which he pursued the more bloudily in reuenge of the extreame disgrace which they had offered vpon London Bridge to the Queene his Mother and after that the Garrison of Tunbridge followes and slew many at Croyden But while the Prince spent himself in that reuenge his Father who hauing his Horse slain vnder him had yeelded himself prisoner to Simon de Montfort his vncle the king of Romans and others great Peeres were taken and the whole hope of that day lost There fell in all on both sides about fiue thousand Prince Edward returning from the slaughter of the Londoners ed at Westminster on the Northside of the high Altar vnder a faire monument of stone with his Portraiture and the armes of him and others of his house and manie noble houses of that time 108 Richard the third sonne of King Henry and Queene Elenor bearing the name of his vncle Richard King of Romans Almaign deceased in his youth and lieth at Westminster enterred on the south-side of the Quire 109 Iohn the fourth sonne of King Henrie and Queene Fleanor bearing the name of King Iohn his grandfather deceased yong and at Westminster his bones lie enterred with his brother Richard 110 William the fift sonne of King Henry and Queene Eleanor is mentioned by Thomas Pickering a Priest of the monastery of Whitby in Yorkeshire who liued in the time of King Henrie the sixt and wrote a large Genealogie of the Kings of England and their issues ' and that he dying in his childhood was buried within the new Temple by Fleete-streete in London 111 Henry the sixt sonne of King Henry and Queene Eleanour is also reported by the same Pickering to haue died yong and to be buried at Westminster 112 Margaret the eldest daughter of King Henry and Queene Eleanor borne the twentie sixt yeere of her Fathers raigne 1241. was the first wife of Alexander the third King of Scotland married to him at Yorke An. 1251. by whome shee had issue Alexander and Dauid who died both before their Father without issue and Margaret Queene of Norway wife of King Erike and mother of Margaret the heire of Scotland and Norway that died vnmarried shee was Queene twenty two yeeres liued thirtie three deceased before her husband in the twenty third yeere of his Raigne the first of her brother Edwards in England and was buried at the Abbey of Dunferinling in Scotland 113 Beatrice the second daughter of King Henrie and Queene Eleanor was borne at Burdeaux in Gascoigne Iune 25. An. 1242. of her Fathers raigne 27. At the age of eighteene yeeres shee was married to Iohn the first Duke of Britaine sonne of Iohn the last Earle of the same and had issue by him Arthur Duke of Britanny Iohn Earle of Richmont Peter and Blanch married to Philip sonne of Robert Earle of Artoys Eleanour a Nunne at Amsbery and Marie married to Guy Earle of Saint Paul when shee had beene his wife twelue yeeres and liued thirty yeeres shee deceased in Britany in the first yeere of the Raigne of her brother King Edward and was buried at London in the Quire of the Grey Fryers within Newgate 114 Catherine the third daughter of King Henry and Queene Eleanor was borne at London An. 1253. of her fathers raigne 37. Nouemb. 25. being Saint Katherines day whose name was therefore giuen vnto her at the font by Boniface Arch-Bishop of Canterburie her mothers vncle who christened her and was her Godfather Shee died yong and at Westminster her bones lie enterred with her brother Richard and Iohn
blush and tremble as often as they shall dare to insinâ—…ate any thing against Gods wisdome in the Fabrick of the world as if the Craggy and desert places thereof had no vse in nature when omitting all other reasons of their being the conseruation of kingdomes and nations was thus by them effected We had an Herward in the Conquerours time as well as the Scots had a Walleys in this and we might perhaps at this houre haue beene without French mixtures if God had prouided our Country of such Wastes and deserts as either they or the Welshmen did enioy who for manie hundreths of yeeres after the ruine in Saint Peters Church at Westminster the twentieth day of Nouember in the first year of his Fathers raign Ann. Dom. 1272. in the same place and vnder the same Tombe where his brother Iohn lies with his picture also in the Arch aboue it 60 Alphons the third sonne of Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at the Towne of Maine in Gascoigne as his father and mother were in their returne towards England from Ierusalem Nouember 23. in the second yeare of his fathers raigne 1273. hee deceased at Windsor August 4. in the twelfth yeere of his age 1285. and was buried at Westminster in Saint Peters Church by Saint Bennets Chappell where his body lieth vnder the Tombe of his Brothers Iohn and Henry his Image also there portraied with theirs 61 Edward the fourth sonne of King Edward and Queene Elenor was borne April 25. in the thirteenth yeere of his fathers raigne 1284. at Caernaruan in Northwales and after the death of Lewelin ap Griffith in regard of the place of his Natiuity was by his fathers Creation with the consent of the Welsh made Prince of Wales the first of the sonnes and heires apparant of the Kings of England that bare that Title which afterward became ordinary to most of the rest hee was also Earle of Ponthieu and Chester and being made Knight by his father at London on Whitsunday in the thirty fourth yeere of his Raigne 1306. succeeded him the same yeer in the Kingdome of VVales 62 Elenor the eldest daughter of King Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at Windsor in the fiftieth yeare of King Henry her Grandfather shee was married with all Ceremonies of Proxie to a Deputy for Alphons King of Arragon sonne of King Peter who deceased A. Do. 1292. before the solemnization of marriage leauing his Kingdom to his brother Iames and his new wife to another husband who was married at Bristow in the two and twentieth yeere of her fathers raigne 1293. to Henry the 3. Earle of Barrie whose Earledome lay in the East-borders of Champaigne in France Shee had Issue by him Edward Earle of Barrie from whom descended the Earles and Dukes of that Country whose inheritance by Heires generall deuolued to the Kings of Arragon and from them again to the Dukes of Aniou that were Kings of Sicill Henrie another sonne of hers was Bishoppe of Troys in Champagny Helen her Daughter was marrird to Henry Earle of Bloys and Ioan to Iohn Warren Earle of Surrey she was his wife fiue yeeres and deceased 27. of her fathers raigne A. D. 1298. 63 Ioan the second daughter of King Edward and Queene Eleanor was borne in the first yeere of her fathers raigne 1272. at a City in the holy land sometime named Ptolomais commonly called Acon and Aker where her mother remained during the warres that her father had with the Saracens Shee was at eighteene yeeres of age married to Gilbert Clare called the Red Earle of Glocester and Hereford by whom shee had issue Earle Gilbert slaine in Scotland without issue Eleanor married first to Hugh Spencer in her right Earle of Glocester and after to William Zouch of Ricards castle Margaret first maried to Peter Gaueston Earle of Cornwal after to Hugh Audeley Earle also of Glocester and Elizabeth Lady of Clare married first to Iohn son and heire to Richard Burgh Earle of Vlster in Ireland mother of William Burgh Earle of Vlster and Grandmother of Elizabeth Dutchesse of Clarence secondly to Theobald Lord Verdon and lastly to Sir Roger Damary This Ioan suruiued her husband and was remarried to Sir Ralph Monthermere a Baron father to Margaret the mother of Thomas Mountacute Earle of Salisbury of whom the now Vicount Mountacute is descended shee liued thirty eight yeeres and deceased in the first yeere of her brother King Edwards raigne and is buried at the Fryer Austines in Clare 64 Margaret the third daughter of King Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at the Castle of Windsor in the third yeare of her fathers raigne and of our Lord 1275. When shee was fifteene yeeres of age shee was married at Westminster Iuly 9. in the eighteenth yeere of herfathers raign A D. 1290. to Iohn the second Duke of Brabant by whom shee had issue Duke Iohn the third father of Margaret wife of Lewis of Mechlin Earle of Flanders and mother of the Lady Margaret the heire of Brabant and Flanders who was married to Philip Duke of Burgundie 65 Berenger the fourth Daughter of King Edward Queen Elenor was born the 4. of her fathers raigne An. 1276. as Iohn Eueresden the Monke of S. Edmundsburie in Suffolke hath recorded in his booke of English Annales but other mention there is none but onely from him whereby it is likely that shee did not liue to be married but that shee died in her childhood 66 Alice the fifth Daughter of king Edward and Queene Elenor is by Thomas Pickering of the Monastery of Whitby who wrote the large Genealogie of the Kings of England and their issue reported to haue deceased without Issue 67 Marie the sixt daughter of king Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at Windsor April 22. in the eight yeare of her fathers raigne 1279. and at ten yeeres of age A. D. 1289. September 8. shee was made a Nunne in the Monastery of Ambresberie in Wiltshire at the instance of Queen Elenor her Grandmother who at that time liued there in the habite of the same profession although her Parents were hardly enduced to yeeld their consents to that course 68 Elizabeth the seuenth Daughter of king Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at the Castle of Ruthland in Flintshire in the thirteenth yeere of her fathers raigne An. 1284. When she was foureteen yeeres of age shee was married at London to Iohn the first of that name Earle of Holland Zeland and Lord of Freezeland who died within two yeeres after without Issue and shee was remarried to Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford and Essex Lord of Breknoke and high Constable of England by whom shee had Issue Iohn and Humfrey both Earles successiuely after their Father Edward that died in Scotland without issue and William who being created Earle of Northampton while his Brothers liued after their deceases was also Earle of Hereford and Essex Lord of Breknok and high Constable of England and father of Earle Humfrey the tenth of
the Order you shall finde intabled in our Mappe of Barkeshire 82 Our Edward hauing thus honoured S. Georges memory assigned to his Image mounted in Armour vpon Horsebacke a siluer Shield with a crosse Gules the deare remembrance of his dying Lord and appointed his Souldiers to weare white coats or Iackets with a red Crosse before and behind ouer their Armor that it was not onely a comely but a stately sight to behold the English battels like the rising Sunne to glitter farre off in that pure hew when the Souldies of other Nations in their baser weedes could not bee discerned The glory therefore of this Order seemed such to one no vnlearned Poet that in an Apostrophe to Windsor speaking of the Garter hee breakes forth into these scarse Hyberbolicall verses Cappadocis quanquam sis clara Georgicirc Militia c. Far spreads thy fame wherewith S. Georges knights Hath made thee glorious where rich-robed Peeres Whose manly legs the golden garter dights Combine that light which through all landes appeares That now Burgundians scorne their Fliece of Gold The French th' Escalopt Collar setwith grace Their Crossed weeds Rhodes Elba Alcala hold As worthlesse all macht with thy George are 〈◊〉 83 Let vs not dwell too long in the lesser things It was the moneth of Iulie and King Edward was now vpon the Sea with about a thousand Saile No man is said to know whether he bent his course so well he could trust himselfe and so wisely free his Councels from the possibility of discouerie He went not to warre by rote but by book Wisdome was Herbenger and marshall of his valour who shall say he knew not how to conquer It was not long but he came to anchor in the Hauen of Hogy Saint Vast in Constantine a great cape of land or penile in Normandy His land forces did muster twenty and fiue hundred horse and thirty thousand foote most of which were Archers The lights and glories of his Armie were the Prince of Wales then about sixteene yeers old who was then by his father knighted many braue Earles Lords Knights and expert Chiefs the English going cheerefullie as hauing gotten such a King as answered their warlike dispositions The Earle of Huntington had charge of his Nauy himselfe takes seuere reuenge for the blood of his friends vpon the Norman Townes and people protesting he sacrificed them to Clisson Baro Percie and the rest Their heads were set vpon the chiefe Gate of Carentine for which cause hee slew all that could be found therein and turning the whole town into Cinders gaue it to their funerall He tooke the populous and rich City of Caen with his dreadfull host burning and spoiling round about marched vp almost as farre as the very walles of Paris brauing King Philip so neere 74 Who had not slept all this while but was purueied of one of the fullest armies which euer were seene in France King Edwards people rich with spoile seemed not vnwilling to return They were now in the enemies Country between the two good riuers of Sein and Some for they had passed the Sein at Poissie whose Bridge as all other betweene Roan and Paris had beene broken downe by the French and now notwithstanding any opposition in a short space repaired It was thought fit to seeke passage out of these straights which could not be by Bridges for they were broken by the French This search for passage was by the enemy interpreted a kind of flight and Edward could not but be willing to nourish their temerity to draw them on securely to destruction by such a seeming feare 85 The riuer of Some betweene Albeuille and the Sea at a low water hath a passable and grauelile foord knowne by the name of Blanch Taque this was discouered to him by one Gobin a prisoner But the French King best acquainted in his owne Countrey to empeach this passage had before sent thether a Norman Baron of speciall note one Godmar du Foy and a 1000. thousand horse with at least 6000. foot but Edward whom as obstacles made impetuous so nothing could dismay enters himselfe into the Foord crying He that loues me let him follow me as one that resolued either to passe or die Who can tell the efficacy of such a Generals spirit but they who haue had the happinesse to follow vnder the conduct The passage wan and Du Foy defeated in a manner before he was almost fought with the incomparable courage of his enemies appalling him he brought to King Philip fewer by a paire of thousands then he carried forth besides terrour and an euill signe of that which followed The English who knew not what it meant to run away but were before resolued to liue die with such a Souereigne had reason now much more to resolue the same 86 King Edward was neere to Crescie in the County Ponthieu lying betweene the riuers of Some and Anthy which vnquestionably belonged vnto him in right of his mother there most vigilantly prouides he for his defence King Philip set on fire with this disaster precipitates to battell for accomplishment of Gods anger against France being the rather drawne by the vnruly vanity of his huge multitudes for by what other words doe * an hundred or six-score thousand men deserue to bee caled who neuer left ouer-taking one the other till the view of the English banners and battels put them to stand We professe that the nature of our vndertakings will not brooke descriptions at large you shall haue it as we may that is as remembring that innumerable great atcheiuements rest behind somewhat impatiently attending their relation 87 Therefore the holy name of God first ritely inuocated King Edward without shewing the least signe of perturbation but full of an Heroick assurednesse had ordered his people in three battels with their wings and succours The Vaward disposed into the forme of an Hearse where the Archers stood in front and the men of armes in the bottome was vnder the yong Lyon of Wales Prince Edward and with him many of the prime and sagest Captaines Beauchamp Earle of warwick Godfrey of Harecourt The Lords Stafford Laware Bourchier Clifford Cobham Holland c. In the second battell were The Earles of Northampton and Arundell the Lords Rosse Willoughby Basset Saint Albine Multon c. The third and last battell was commanded in cheife by King Edward himselfe with the residue of his Nobles and people In euery one of these battels beside the wings were a iust proportion of men at armes and Archers but nothing so thinne and few as some of our writers alledge who mention not aboue 9000. all together who were at least thrice as many in their whole numbers and not without need 88 King Edward closed his battels at their back as if he meant to barricado them from flying by felling and plashing of Trees placing his carriages
name call and write vs in French in this manner Nostre treschier filz Henry Roy d'Engleterre heretere de France and in Latine in this manner Praclarissimus filius noster Henrieus Rex Anglia Hares Francia 26. That we shall put no impositions or exactions to charge the Subiects of our said father without cause reasonable and necessary No otherwise then for common good of the Realme of France and according to the Lawes and Customes prouided for the same Realme 27. Also that we shall trauell to our power to effect that by the assent of the three states of the Realmes of England and France all manner of obstacles may be done away and this chiefly that it be ordeined and prouided that from the time that we or any of our heires come to the Crowne of France both the Crownes that is to say of France and England perpetually be together in one and in the same person that is to say from our fathers life to vs and from the terme of our life thence forward in the persons of our heires that shall be one after another and that both Realmes shall be gouerned from the time that we or our heires come to the same not seuerally vnder diuers Kings in one time but vnder the same person which for the time shall be King of both Realmes and our Soueraigne Lord as is aforesaid keeping neuerthelesse in all manner of things to either of the said Realmes their rights liberties customes vsages and lawes not making subiect in any manner of wise one of the same Realmes to the rights lawes or vsages of that other 28. That thenceforth perpetually shall be still rest and that in all manner of wise dissentions hates rancours enuies and warres betweene the same Realmes of France and England and the people of the same Realmes drawing to accord of the same peace may cease and be broken 29. That from henceforth for euermore peace and tranquility good accord and affection and stable friendship shall be betwixt the said Realmes and the Subiects of the same and shall keepe themselues with their Counsels helpes and common assistance against all men that enforce them to doe or to imagine wrongs harmes displeasures or greeuances to them or either of them and that they shall be conuersant in merchandizing freely and surely together paying the Customes due and accustomed and that all the confederates and allyes of our said father and the Realme of France as also our confederates of the Realme of England shall in eight months space from the time of this accord of peace as it is notified to them declare by their letters that they will draw to this accord and will be comprehended vnder the treaties and accord of this peace sauing neuerthelesse their obedience to either of the same Crownes and to all manner of actions rights and reuenues that belong to our said father and his Subiects and to vs and our Subiects against all manner of such Allies and Confederates 30. That our father neither our brother the Duke of Burgundy shall begin nor make with Charles calling himselfe the Daulphin of Viennes any treatie peace or accord but by Counsell and assent of each of vs three or of other the three estates of either the said Realmes aboue-named 31. Also that we with the assent of our brother of Burgundy and other of the Nobles of the Realme of France which ought thereunto to be called shall ordeine for the Gouernance of our said father surely louingly and honestly after the degree of his royall estate and dignity in such wise as shall be to the worship of God of our said father and of the Realm of France 32. Also that all manner of persons that shall be our father to doe him personall seruice not onlie in office but in all other attendances aswell the Nobles and Gentlemen as others shall be such as haue beene borne in the Realme of France or in places belonging to France good wise true and able to doe him seruice and our said father shall dwell in places vnder his obedience and no where else wherefore we charge and command our said liege subiects and other being vnder our obedience that they keepe and doe to be kept in all that belongeth to them this accord and peace after the forme and manner as it is accorded and that they attempt in no manner wise any thing that may be preiudiciall or contrary to the same accord and peace vpon paine of life and limme and all that they may forfeit vnto vs. 33. Also that we for the things aforesaid and euery one of them shall giue our assent by our letters Patents sealed with our seale vnto our said father without all approbation and confirmation of vs and all other of our blood roiall and of the Cities and Townes to vs obedient sealed with our great seale shall make or cause to be made letters approbatory and confirmed of the Peeres of his Realme and of the Lords Citizens Burgesses of the same vnder his obedience all which Articles we haue sworne to keepe vpon the holie Euangelists Yeuen at Troies the 30. of May Anno 1420. And the same were proclaimed in London the 20. of Iune following for the Copies of this treaty the French King sent to euery Town in France as King Henry did likewise into England there to be published by Proclamation These Articles were concluded betwixt the two Kings in the presence of Queene Isabell the Duke of Burgundy and the Kings Councell the Prince of Orange Seigneur Chastelleux Marshall of France with many others the prime Nobility both of England and France both the Kings with the Queene taking their solemne oath there vpon the holy Euangelists as did likewise the Duke of Burgundy and the rest Burgundy being the first man that laid his hand on the booke and sware homage to King Henry who thereupon was stiled and proclaimed Regent of France 53 In whose presence also vpon the third of Iune being the morrow after Trinity Sunday the marriage of King Henry and Lady Katherine with all pompous solemnity was celebrated in Saint Peters Church at Troyes the Bishop of that See doing the Ceremonies And after royall feasts and Princely entertainements before the dissolution of that roiall assembly King Henry inuiting the French King and others his great Peeres to a sumptuous banquet made a pithy and pleasing Oration vnto them thus testifying his Princely desire to aduance their weale and demerit their loue 54 As the chiefe marke whereunto my cares and endeuors haue hitherto leuelled hath beene to vnite and concorporate these two Kingdomes of France and England into one which now by Gods goodnes is most happily effected so is it still and euer shall be both my desire and care that vnto posterity we may leaue it setled in the same sort and free from all empeachments of factious discords that beingas it
once with infinite benefit to the Realme by the coniunction of those two bloods in one whose seuerall titles had long time disquieted the Land hee fled the Realme went to Rome neuer minding more to meddle with the world till the noble Prince King Henry the seuenth got him home againe made him Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of England whereunto the Pope ioined the honour of a Cardinall Thus liuing many dayes in as much honour as one man might well wish ended them so godly that his death with Gods mercy well changed his life 24 This man therefore as I was about to tell you by the long and often alternate proofe aswell of prosperitie as aduerse fortunes had gotten by great experience the very mother or mistresse of Wisedome a deepe insight in politicke worldly drifts Whereby perceiuing now this Duke glad to commune with him sed him with faire words and many pleasant praises And perceiuing by the processe of their communication the Dukes pride now and then balke out a litle bread of enuy towards the glory of the King and thereby feeling him easie to fall out if the matter were well handled hee craftily sought the wayes to pricke him forward taking alwayes the occasion of his comming and keeping himselfe so close within his bounds that hee rather seemed to follow then to leade him For when the Duke first began to praise boast of the King and shew how much profite the Realme should take by his raigne Morton answered thus Surely my Lord folly it were for me to lye for if I would sweare the contrary your Lordship would not ween I beseeue but that if the world would haue gone as I could haue wished King Henries son had had the Crowne and not King Edward But after that God had ordered him to lose it and King Edward to raigne I was neuer so mad that I would with a dead man striue against a quicke So was I to King Edward a faithfull Chapplaine and glad would haue beene that his child should haue succeeded him Howbeit if the secret iudgement of God haue otherwise prouided I purpose not to spurne against the pricke nor labor to set vp that God putteth downe And as for the late protector and now King and euen there he left saying that hee had already medled too much with the world and would from that day meddle with his Booke and his Beades and no further 25 Then longed the Duke sore to heare what he would haue said because he ended with the king and there so suddainly stopped and exhorted him so familiarly betweene them twaine to be bolde to say whatsoeuer he thought whereof he faithfully promised there should neuer come hurt and peraduenture more good then he would weene and that himselfe intended to vse his faithfull secret aduise and counsell which he said was the only cause for which he procured of the King to haue him in his custody where he might account himselfe at home and else had he beene put in the hands of them with whom he should not haue found the like fauour The Bishop right humbly thanked him and said In good faith my Lord I loue not to talke much of Princes as a thing not all out of perill though the word be without fault Forasmuch as it shall not be taken as the party meant it but as it pleaseth the Prince to construe it And euer I think on Aesops tale that when the Lyon had proclaimed vpon paine of death there should no horned beast abide in the wood one that had in his forehead a bunch of flesh fled away a great pace The foxe who saw him runne so fast asked him whether he made all that haste and he answered In faith I neither wot nor recke so I were once hence because of this Proclamation made against horned beasts What foole quoth the Foxe thou maist abide well enough the Lion meant not thee for it is no horne that is in thy head No mary quoth he that wot I wellynough but what if he call it a horne where am I then The Duke laughed merrily at the tale and said my Lord I warrant you neither the Lion nor the Boare shall picke any matter at any thing heere spoken for it shall neuer come to their eares In good faith Sir said the Bishop if it did the thing that I was about to say taken aswell as afore God I meant it could deserue but thankes and yet taken as I weene it would might happely turne me to litle good and you to lesse Then longed the Duke yet more to wit what it was whereupon the Bishop said in good faith my Lord as for the late Protector sith he is now King in possession I purpose not to dispute his title but for the weale of this Realme wherof his Grace hath now the gouernance and my selfe am a poore member I was about to wish that to those good abilities whereof hee hath already right many little needing my praise it might yet haue pleased God for the better store to haue giuen him some of such other excellent vertues meet for the rule of a Realme as our Lord hath planted in the person of your Grace and there left againe 26 The Duke somewhat mariailing at his suddaine pauses said My Lord I note your often breathings and suddaine stopping in your communication so that to my intelligence your wordes neither come to any direct or perfect sentence in conclusion whereby either I might haue knowledge what your intent is now towards the King or what affection you beare towards mee For the comparison of good qualities ascribed to vs both maketh mee not a little to muse thinking that you haue some other priuie imagination imprinted in your heart which you bee abashed to disclose and specially to me which on my honour doe assure you to be as secret in this case as the deafe and dumbe person to the singer or the Tree to the Hunter The Bishop being somewhat bolder considering the Dukes promise but most of all animated because hee knew the Duke desirous to be magnified and also he perceiued the inward hatred which hee bare towards King Richard hee opened his stomacke to the bottome and said My singular good Lord sith the time of my captiuitie which being in your graces custodie I may rather call it a libertie then a strait imprisonment in auoiding of idlenesse mother of all vices in reading bookes and ancient pamphlets I haue founde this sentence written that no man is borne fie and at libertie of himselfe onely for one part of dutie he oweth to his parents another part to his friends and kindred but the natiue Countrey in the which he first tasted this pleasant flattering world demandeth a debt not to be forgottē Which saying causeth mee to consider in what case the Realme my natiue Countrey now standeth and in what estate and assurance before this time it
imposterous wretch and withall a Priest neither vnlearned the sacred shadow of which name the rather countenanced his practises in hope to make himselfe the principall Bishop of England plotted the aduancement of Lambert Symnell being his pupill in the Vniuersitie of Oxford to the Crown of England instigated thereto by the diuell and suborned by such as fauoured the White-rose faction vpon this occasion There went a rumour that Edward Earle of Warwicke sonne and heire to George the late vnfortunate Duke of Clarence second brother of King Edward was either already murthered or should shortly be This Architect of guile Simon hauing this Symnel in tuition the * sonne of a Baker or Shoomaker but a wel-faced and Princely-shaped youth of no * very euill nature but as it was corrupted by his Tutor meanes out of this rumors aerie substance to produce an apparition and prodigie which in Title behauiour and artificiall answers infused by his Tutors practises should resemble one of King Edwards children Here we must confesse that our authors leade vs into a perplexitie Some * affirming that this counterfet was exhibited to the world vnder the name of Edward Earle of Warwick sonne of the Duke of Clarence by the most turbulent and fatall Earle of Warwicke slaine at Barnet-field But hereunto reason seemes repugnant For what ground of claime could that Gentleman haue not onely for that his Father was attainted but much more for that the Queene of England then in being was the indubitate eldest daughter and heire of King Edward the fourth and sister and next heire to Edward the fifth Neither wants there ancienter authority then any of the others affirming that this Idoll did vsurpe the name of one of King Edwards sonnes many arguments concurring to buttresse this affirmation For if at the same time as Polydor writeth it was bruted that the sonnes of King Edward the fourth had not been murthered vnder their vsurping Vncle Richard but were escaped and liued in obscurity beyond the Sea how can that be true which Stow and the rest who follow Polydore therein affirm that Lambert was crowned King of England at Dublin in Ireland as heire to George Duke of Clarence For with what iniurie to the roiall brethren fained to be aliue was that Verily there seemes no coherence in the circumstances nor apparence of truth in the substance And how much stronger to the purpose of the Conspirators was the fiction of an Edward the Kings sonne and himselfe once proclaimed King then of an Edward who was but an Earle and a Duke of Clarences heire But you will aske what was the poore Earles part in this tragedie what other then that by rumoring his murther they might bring the person of King Henry into common detestation for his crueltie for clearing whereof the King publikelie afterward shewed the Earle to the view of all And albeit the vulgar fame is that Lambert was called Edward yet one who then liued saith directly that this Cypher was dubbed mounted from his owne meane ranke to the title of a King vnder the name of the second brother who for certaine was called Richard but what Record there is to the contrary is to vs as yet vnknowne for our vulgar Bookes extant can hardly passe with a Iury of ordinary Criticks and Censors for vnchallengeable euidence 14 This aery Typhon which grasped at the embracement of the two Kingdomes of England and Ireland thus throughly schooled and instructed is secretly conueighed by his Sinonian Tutor to Dublin the chiefe City of the Irish where he was confident of partakers as amongst the hereditary Clients and adherents of the house of Yorke which affection was first breathed into them by the cunning popularities of the Lord Richard Duke of Yorke the first of that line who publikely claimed the English Crowne His hopes deceiued him not for the Lord Chancellor of Ireland Thomas Fitz-Gerald of the noble Familie of the Geraldiâ—…s presently professed himselfe for the plot and by his authority and perswasions drew the generality of the Irish after him into it Messengers are hereupon dispatched vpon all hands both into England to such as they had hope of and into low Germany to the Lady Margaret sister of King Edward the fourth Dutchesse Dowager of Burgundy a most mortall enemy of the Lancastrian family In both places the lighted matches of sedition found powdry spirits and wonderfull correspondence There is flocking from all parts to support the quarrell and the Irish to haue the glory of giuing England a King proclaim reuerence this painted puffe flying bubble with royall Style and honors 15 Henrie seeing the fire so strangely kindled round about the wals of his best hopes strengths fals seriously to counsell at the Monastery of Carthusian Monkes neere Richmond where after exact deliberation it was decreed 1. That general pardon to stay the minds of as many as it was possible should without any exception bee proclaimed to such as from thenceforth should continue dutifull Which was principally done to temper and assure some priuate persons as Sir Thomas Broughton and others whose forces willes and wealth were held most in suspition 2. That Elizabeth late wife to Edward the fourth and mother in law to Henry now King of England should forfeit all her lands and goods for that contrary to her faith giuen to them who were in the plot for bringing in King Henry she had yeelded vp her daughters to the hands of the Tyrant Richard 3. That Edward Earle of Warwicke then Prisoner in the Tower should bee openly shewed aline in London All which was accordingly executed but without any great fruit for still â—…he plot went on 16 The condemnation of Elizabeth Queene Dowager rather moued enuy towards Henry then relieued his cause for to many the iustice of that sentence was doubtful the circumstance of a mother in law inferred a breach of pietie and the iudgement it selfe did also want example The iustice was doubtfull both in regard of the cause and of the proceeding Of the cause for how could shee haue defended her daughters by the priuiledge of sanctuary from such a Wolfe and Tyger as would haue infringed it for her sons had they not been quietly deliuered to his bloudie hands The same Tyrant doth now demand her daughters as to honour not to slaughter but if it had beene to slaughter what helpe she terrified with the motion after much deliberation yeelds them to him when shee neither could nor durst detain them But you say she violated her faith and hazarded thereby the liues and hopes of all that were in the plot for her cause A great crime certainely But Richard was in title and power a King and hung ouer her head with ineuitable terrors when Henry of Richmund was but an Earle and he farre off and in banishment and without any apparence of preuailing and her selfe a friendlesse widdow The manner
bring thē to peace but that failing fell himselfe from the French imputing the fault vnto Frances for suborning the Scots against him and King Frances againe laid all the blame in the Cardinall accusing him of dissimulation abhorted practises and what not but wheresoeuer lay the defect the Duke of Albany was sent into Scotland the French followed a Spanish ship fraught with the goods of English-Merchants vnto Margate and tooke her euen in the Kings streams in both which King Frances excusing himselfe with ignorance alleaged no breach of truce broken by him 35 Then was it thought best by the Cardinals aduice to repay like with like and therefore counselled his King to reare Charles Duke of Burbon against France and to perswade him to inuade the very heart thereof incouraging him with sufficient pay and making him his Champion generall of the Field whilest the Emperor likewise held him play against Millan And to that end was sent in way of loane to the Emperour a great summe of money and forreine Princes sollicited to take armes against France for effecting which King Henry sent his Ambassadors to the States of Venice and Swissers with these instructions as followeth 36 That whereas in a treatie of peace it was concluded betwixt the Emperor King Henry and Frances the French King that if any Controuersies should arise betwixt any two the Prince not inuading should giue aide and assistance against the inuader but now the Emperour being inuaded by the French Kings Captaines in the Realme of Nauarre and in his owne Countrey by Robert de la March and others by his procurement and our king said they being often called vpon by the Emperor hath often entreated the French King to surcease but hath nothing obtained besides faire words and detraction of promises Complaining likewise that in the intercourse of these businesses the French King contrary to his Oath had sent the D◅ of Albany into Scotland in contempt of King Henry and to the great danger of the yong Kings death or deposition he being the next in blood to succeed and to the dishonour of the Queene mother had caused a separation betwixt her and her lawfull husband the Earle of Angus That the French King had deteined the payment compounded for the deliuery of Turnay and kept backe the dowry of his sister Queene Dowager of France that he had entertained the rebellious Subiects of King Henry and spoiled his Merchants both by Land and Sea Neither was vnremembred the danger that the Venetians stood in if the Realmes of Naples and Sicilie the Seigniories of Ieans and Millane were lost from the Empire These therefore seemed faire proiects vnto King Henry for him to warre against France and to that end a generall Muster by Commission was taken of all able men from sixteene yeers and vpward of euery Hamlet Village Burrough Citie Hundred and Shire throughout England which seemed to many another Domesday Booke and yet was there neither peace nor warre against France 37 In this great and hasty preparation Charles the Emperour as he passed toward Spaine landed at Douer where King Henrie mette him and in great estate brought him to London which was so prepared with Ornaments and Pageants as if it had been the Kings Coronation and in the Blacke-friers the Emperour was lodged in a most Princely Palace new built by the King then was he feasted at Winsor where he sate in his state in his Mantle and Garter and by receiuing the Sacrament these two Potent Monarches tooke their Corporal Oathes to obserue the Couenants concluded betwixt them whereof one was that the Emperour Charles agreed to stay for and take to wife the young Princesse Lady Marie King Henries then onely daughter and in such golden bands of loue Charles and Henrie seemed to be linked as in London this sentence was set vp in the Guild-hall ouer the doore of the Counsell Chamber where it still remaineth Carolus Henricus viuant defensor vterque Henricus fidei Carolus Ecclesiae ◅ 38 Why the Titles defender of Church and Faith were attributed vnto these two Princes is no maruell for Charles chosen Emperour was scarsly confirmed but to purchase the Popes fauor he directed forth a solemne Writ of Out-lawry against Martin Luther who then had giuen a great blow to the Papall Crowne And King Henry likewise was renowned in Rome for writing a booke against the said Luther vnderpropping the tottering or downe-cast countenance of the Popes pardons which Luther shrewdly had shaken the Pope therefore to shew himselfe a kind father vnto those his sonnes gaue them these Titles which in truth were none other then the same which they sware vnto when the Crownes of their Empires were first set vpon their heades But with what acceptance his Holinesse receiued King Henries booke his owne Oration solemnely made at the deliuery thereof vnto M. Iohn Clarke the presenter and Kings Ambassador in his Consistory and in presence of his Cardinals sufficiently doth shew the translation whereof we haue inserted as we finde it in the Originall it selfe Wee doe receiue this booke with all alacrity it is indeed such as there could not bee any thing sent vs and our venerable brethren more acceptable then it is For the King himselfe a most mighty most prudent and most truely Christian Prince wee know not whether wee may more prayse or admire being the first that by warre with happy successe hath subdued the enemies of the Church of Christ that seeke to rend Christs coat and at last ouercomming the enemies hath restored peace to the Church of God and to this holy See But now against so soule a Monster both to vnderstand to bee able and willing to write this book hee hath shewed himselfe no more admirable to the whole world for his elegant style then for his wit We humbly giue thanks to our Creator for giuing such a Prince to defend his Church and this holy See desiring the same God to grant to this his King a happy life and all his desires and after this life in his heauenly Kingdome to keepe for him an euerlasting Crowne And we so farre as wee are able to entreat of God will neuer bee wanting to the said most wise King in the faculties granted to vs of God 40 To manifest which his readinesse himselfe among his Cardinals decreed an augmentation vnto King Henries royall Stile to bee annexed vnto his others confirming the same by his Bull which that it perish not by the deuouring teeth of Time wee haue here published from the originall Parchment and leaden seale it selfe as followeth 41 Leo Episcopus seruus seruorū Dei c. Leo Bishop seruant of the seruants of God to our most dearely beloued Sonne in Christ Henry King of England defendor of the Faith health and Apostolicall Benediction Wee by diuine permission the chiefe ouerseer for the gouernment of the vniuersall
Lord Cr◅mwell the Lord Chanceler and Sir Ryc Rych Knight to haue condigne ponysment as subuerters of the gudlawes of the Rea◅me and onetemers of the stese sect of this false heretykes fyrst inuenter and brengers of them Also that the Landys in Westmorland Comberland Kendale Dentsyd Furnes and the Abbeis lands in Yorke Worsaidyshire Kerbyshire Neuerdale mayne bee Tennant Right and the lord to haue at euery change two yeeres rent in the name of a agarsumme and no more according to a grant now made by the Lords to the Commens vnder their Seales and this to be done by Act of Parlement Also the hand-gunnys and Crosse-boys with the penaltie of the same to be repelled onles hyt be in the Kings forrests and Parkes to kyllers of Deere Also that Doctor Lee and Doctor Leyton may haue condigne ponyshment for their extortions in time of visitation in brybes of some religyous houses x. l. xx l. and for other summes besyde horsys vowsens leases vnder couent seallys by them taken and other abominable Acts by them committed and done Also to see reformation for the election of Knightes of shire and the B◅rgys and for the vse among the Lords in the Perlament after the ancient custome Also the Statute for inclosyng Intackes to bee put in execution that all Intacks Inclosys syth Anno quarto Henrici ◅eptimi be pullyd downe exceding Forests and Parkys to be dystrud of their qūition and tax now granted by Parlament Also to haue the Parlyament in a conuenient place as Nottingham or Yorke and the same to bee so moued shortly Also that it may be enacted by authority of Parliament that all recognisans stat◅tys penaltyes newly forfeyted during the tyme of the Commission may bee pardoned discharged aswell against the King as stranger Also the Priuilege of the Ryght of the Church to be confirmed by Act of Parlament and Prysts not to suffer onles they be degraded a man to bee saued by his Booke Sanctuary to saue a man in all causes in extreme need and the Church to saue a man for forty dayes and further according to the ◅wes as they were vsed in the beginning of the Kyngys dayes Also the libertyes of the Church to haue their old Customes as the County Palatine of Durham Beuerley Reppon S. Peter of Yorke and such other by Act of Parliament Also to haue the Statute that no man shall declare his will on his land to be repelled Also the Statute of treason for W◅ys made sith Anno xxi of our Soueraigne that now is to bee in like wise repelled Also that the common Law may haue place aswell as was vsed in the beginning of your gracious raign and that all Iniunctions be cleerely denied and not granted vnlesse the matter be heard in the Cha◅cery and there determined Also that no man vpon sub poena or Priuy Seale from Trent Northward appeare but at Yo◅rke or by Atturney vnlesse it be directed vpon pene of allegyance or for like matter concerning the King Also a rem◅dy against Exchequer for f◅ing of false Offices and extortions in taking of Fees for that which is not held of the King and against the Pr◅ters thereof These were the Instructions giuen to their Co◅ssioners to be c◅ferred vpon all which as it should seeme were drawne into foure Articles or heads as by the mynute of the Kings answere thereunto doth appeare which Originall in many places with his owne hand is interlined with so wise and learned additions as doe confirme his Kingly care both for the Church and common weale the true copy whereof to his great f◅e is as followeth his corrections and additions is varied from the rest by a seuerall Character Petitions An Answere to the demaunds of the Rebels in Yorkeshire by the Kings Highnesse for the premisses or anie of them by his heires or by anie his Officiaries Ministers or Subiects by anie manner of meanes or in anie manner of wise Prouided alwaies that you and euerie of you in token of a perfect declaration and knowledge that ye doe hartilie lame◅nd be sorrie for your said offencies shall make your humbly submission vnto his Highnes in the presence of his right trustie and right intirely beloued Cosens and Concellairs the Duke of Norforlke and the Earle of Shrewsburie his Lieutenants Generall or any of them or to their Deputy or Deputies of them or any of them or such other person or persons as the Kings Highnes shall appoint for the same Furthermore the Kings most roiall Magesty streitely chargeth and commandeth that you and euery of you shall from henceforth like trew and faithfull Subiects vse your selues in Gods peace and his according to the dueties of alleagance and that you shall in no wise hereafter attempt to make or procure any such rebellion intent vnlawfull Assemblies Riots Rowts and Conspirations nor at the Commandement nor by the Authority of any person of what estate or degree or for what cause soeuer it be shall arise in any forcible manner and array vnles it be at the speciall commandement of the Kings Highnes or his Lieutenant sufficiently auctorised for the same In witnes whereof the Kings most royall Magesty hath caused this his Proclamation to be made Patent and sealed with his great sayle at Richemounte the IX day of December in the XXVIII yeere of his Reigne 1536. Pexsall Notwithstanding this Generall pardon and mercifull dealings of the King a new Insurrection was raised in the North wherin many of the former were now againe Actors as by name Robert Aske whom the King had not onely pardoned but also highly rewarded the Lord Dacres Sir Robert Constable Sir Francis ◅ygod Pulmer Percy Hamilt◅n Tempest and Lumley all of them put to death as they well deserued 99 In which Commotions those men whose profession was onely the Booke and their ◅eades mistaking Christs meaning who bad his Disciples to sell their coate and to buy a sword came armed among the Rebels into the Field and with them were taken as Traitours against the Crowne for which offence many of them suffered death namely Iohn Paslew Abbot of Whaley in Lincolneshire Iohn Castegate and William Haydocke Monks of the same house Robert Hobs Abbot of Woborne in Bedfordshire Adam Sudbury Abbot of Gernaux with Astbeed a Monke of that house the Abbot of Sawley in Lancashire and the Prior of the same place William Wold Prior of Birlington the Parson of Pudington fiue Priests of Lincolnshire and with them their chiefetaine Captaine Cobler and Iohn Allen Priest 100 These stirres thus quieted and the Statesmen at leasure to preuent the like a Commission came foorth to purge the Churches of Idols and to suppresse the Monasteries to the Kings vse granted vnto him by Parliament the one of them the onely working cause through the gaine that was got by ignorant deuotion and gadding on pilgrimage and the other the Nest and very receptacle of all traiterous attempters against the peace
setting him vp lest in acting his part vpon that infectiue stage hee put the land to as much trouble as the arreared Duke Richard of Yorke had done after hee was ordained heire apparant which Title produced the Tragedy of his raiser King Henry the sixt and now hauing him and his Abetters vpon the aduantage the better to secure his owne Estate hee caused the heades of this Lord Marquesse with the Lord Montacute and Sir Edward Neuill to bee cut off vpon Tower-hill 105 The King then a Widdower since the death of Queene Iane who departed this life two yeeres before meant to 〈◊〉 whâ—… hee had done maugre all 〈◊〉 better â—…o effect by the Counsell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sought and obtained the 〈◊〉 the Princes of 〈◊〉 and heard the motion for marriage with the Lady Anne sister to William Duke of 〈◊〉 whose other sister Fredericke Duke of 〈◊〉 had espoused a great fauourer of the Gospell and 〈◊〉 of Martin Luther the zealous Preacher 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereof But whether for the death of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or that hee would haue his wiues sister bestowed neerer at home which thing hee pretended a great hindâ—…er hee was of that match But the Lady sent into England and married vnto King 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nothing pleasing in his eye which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then Bishoppe of Winchester percâ—…ing thought it a fitte subiect for him to worke vpoâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lord Cromwell the maker of the mâ—…ch hee therefore instigated iealousies dayly into the Kings 〈◊〉 first exasperating the hatred of the Princes of 〈◊〉 ny to him-wards and especially of Duke Fredericke his compulsiue brother in Law the Emperor French Kings Scots and the Pope all seeking at once to raise their powers against England The ciuill tumults lately passed and new commotions greatly to be feared hee letted not to remember and all to nip the spring of the new spreading Gospell whereby this wise Politician in the end got six such Articles against it as the Consistory of Hell could deuise no worse Whose cruelties were such that not long after and in the dayes of this King some of those Acts were againe repealed and some of them qualified as too sharpe and searching into the bloud of the Kings best Subiects 106 The fruite of these bloud-thirsty instigators the Lord Cromwell and Lady Anne of Cleue soon tasted of he by imprisonment and death and she by disgrace and diuorce hauing been his wife from lanuary to Iune in all which time the King refrained the mutuall knowledge of her body for the dislike hee had of her person euen at the first sight as himselfe called to witnesse the Lord Cromwell then Prisoner in the Tower for whose report hee wrote a Letter with his owne hand and shee good Lady no other cause alleadged was diuorced by Parliament when also it was enacted that shee should no longer bee styled Queene The Lord Cromwell was charged by the Lord Rich and Sir George Throgmortâ—… with speaking of certaine generall words not excepting therein the Kinges person which neuertheresse were thought so sleight and insufficient to take away his life that his enemies feared to put it to the triall of his Peeres lest he should bee acquitted by them as the Lord Dacres of the North not many yeeres before had beene wherfore there was a Bill drawne to attaint him of hereâ—… and Treason in generall words rather then in particular proofes which when hee was dead passed in both houses of Parliament with the Kinges assent 107 Howbeit Sâ—…ders that seldome speakeâ—… well of the Gospels professors will haue him to die for the breach of a Law made by himselfe which was that one appeached of treason should not come in the Kings presence till he had tried himself not guilty but besides that wee find no such Act by him made his inditement doth not charge him with treason but with setting at liberty certain persons committed for misprision of treason and hereâ—… for fauouring and maintaining the transation of hereticall bookes into English for bearing out Barnes and other hereticall Preachers that himselfe was an heretike and had spoken words great wordâ—… for the vpholding of his said religion which were that the King should not change it if hee would for these things he was 〈◊〉 by Parliament of high Treason and that grounded either vpon a Stâ—…ute made in the fiâ—…e and twenty of Edward thâ—… third or else by the explanation of that Act which referreth the exposition of Treasons to the 〈◊〉 and so no way did 〈◊〉 deuise or make any law of treason which himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that partiall Romanist hath said 108 But most sure it is that the Kingâ—…â—…on altogether guided by the 〈◊〉 obiect 〈◊〉 â—…other point in the Compasse to fire his 〈◊〉 eye besides that onely which by his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 touched by the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and thâ—… 〈◊〉 to bee the Lady 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ward the brother of Thomas Dukâ—… of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whom Cromwell standing in the defence of 〈◊〉 Anne and vsing words of disâ—…ke 〈◊〉 the Lady 〈◊〉 distastfull vnto the King was thereupon apprehended his enemy so 〈◊〉 and vpon the twenty eight of Iuly suffered 〈◊〉 with the 〈◊〉 of the Axe vpon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beheaded the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 neither 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor 〈◊〉 quietly dying for his offence committed 〈◊〉 109 The sword thus vnsheathed vpon the necks of the Nobility strucke off the head of Margaret Countesse of Salisbury daughter and heâ—…re vnto George Duke of Clarence and mother vnto Reynold Poole Cardinall being neither arraigned nor tried but condemned by Parliament as Cromwell had bin And the Lord Leonard Gray in this present yeere lost his head for treason the twenty eight of Iune And the next day following Thomas Fines Lord Dacres of the South died at Tyborne for killing a priuate man in a fray Neither was it put vp vntill that the heades of Queen Katherine Howard and the Lady Iane Rochford were stricken off the one for Adultery the other for concealement as was alleadged the parties offending were Fraâ—…it Dereham and Thomas Culpepper Dereham before shee was Queene and Culpepper after who both were executed at Tiburne the tenth of December and the twelfth of February following Mistresse Katherine Howard for so in the Act of her Attainture 〈◊〉 is called who had beene stiled and receiued Queene for the space of sixe moneths and fouâ—… dayes with the Lady Iane then widow and late wife vnto 〈◊〉 Bullen Lord Rochford were both of them brought vnto a Scaffold raised vppon the hill within the Tower where they in lamentable passions suffered death 110 Howsoeuer those times afforded such Queenes to the Kings bed or himselfe vnfortunate in making his choise yet many of no meane iudgement haue rather accused King Henry for his changing and variable affections then thinke them guilty in the breach of Matrimony Of Anne wee haue seene what
hath beene said and of this Queene let vs heare what shee protested after her condemnation to 〈◊〉 White Bishoppe of 〈◊〉 her last Confessor and by him deliuered to a noble young Lord of her name and neere alliance Her words were these As to the Act my 〈◊〉 Lord for which I stand condemned God and his holy Angels I take to witnesse vpon my soules 〈◊〉 that I die 〈◊〉 neuer hauing so abused my Soueraignes 〈◊〉 what other sinnes and follies of youth I haue 〈◊〉 I will not excuse but 〈◊〉 assured that for these God hath brought this punishment vpon me and will 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them for which I pray you pray with me vnto his sonne and my Sâ—…iour Christ. 111 As these then in case of Treasons eyther acted or intended ended their liues so others in case of conscience though diuersly affected câ—…e to their deathes and that by foâ—…ce of the Statutes enacted vnder this King whereof one was the abolishing of the Pope and the oath of Supremacy the reâ—…sers of either made offenders in stare of high Treason and the other in 〈◊〉 of religion when 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Articlâ—… enacted by Parliament was made Heresie and death to such as held or taught the conâ—… which Arâ—…cles were thus concluded in both the houses of Parliament with consent of the King 1 That after the words of consecration spoken by the Priest the reall and naturall body and bloud of Christ as hee was conceiued and crucified was in the Sacrament and no other substance consisting in the forme of 〈◊〉 and wiâ—…e besides the substance of Christ God and man 2 That the communion in both kinde was not necessarie vnto 〈◊〉 the flesh onely in forme of bread sufficient for the Laity 3 That Prieâ—… 〈◊〉 they haue receiâ—…ed â—…ders might not marry by the law of God 4 That the vowes of chastity either in 〈◊〉 or woman ought by Godâ—… law to be 〈◊〉 and by which they are exempted from other 〈◊〉 of Christian people 5 That priuâ—… Masses was necessâ—…ry for the people and agreeable to the law of Goâ—… 6 That auricular confession was â—…pedient 〈◊〉 be reteined and continued 〈◊〉 the Church of God These Statutes I say aswell the one as the other brought many to their ends which otherwise were very good Subiects and worthy instruments in the common weale for offending in the first there died Bishoppe Pisher and Sir Thomas More besides many Abbots Priors and Friers and among them in Smithfield the Welsh rode set Frier Forrest on fire according to the prophecy very rife in their mouthes that this holy rode should set a whole forrest on fire For the other suffered in flames many godly Christians whereof Robert Barnes a reuerend Doctor and worthy minister of Christ the first reducer as M. Fox reporteth of the Vniuersity of Cambridge from rudenesse and barbarity vnto good literature and learning was with the first And Anne Askew a Gentlewoman of an incomparable dexterity one of the last who aboue the weakenesse of her sexe most valiantly stoode against the violence of the time 112 Her birth was worshipfull and education accordingly bestowed in marriage vnto Iohn Kyâ—…e a Gentleman in 〈◊〉 and commended by Bale for her rare wit and elegant beauty which her pars the pensill of N. D. with his vneuen hand euer ouerhard to shadow the truth hath slanderously blurred and measured those graces in her by his owne loose affections and those want on 〈◊〉 which in the height of sinne haue changed the naturall vse of women against nature This young heifer saith hee abiding no yoake a coy dame and of very euill fame left the company of Master Kyâ—…e to 〈◊〉 vp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Gospelling and Gâ—…ssipping where 〈◊〉 might and ought not but especially in London and 〈◊〉 the Court now shee being faire and but twenty 〈◊〉 yeers old at her death doth 〈◊〉 shew what may be suspected of her life and the mysticall speeches and demands of the Kings Coâ—…sell touching her departure from her 〈◊〉 were grounded vpon somewhat especially in that shee called her selfe 〈◊〉 Askew alias Kyâ—…e Thus 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 man hath accused this holy Anne by the outward appearance of her youth and beauty as holy Anne by Eli was accused of drunkennesse when her heart was most seruent in supplications to her God and his partiall peâ—… made the 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of her holy conuersation to finde out some chaffe whereof none is free nor is â—…ee to be condemned vpon the imagerie of his suspicious head who vndoubtedly would haue â—…old all if any thing could haue beene found whereas shee in the vigour of beauty and weakenesse of her Sexe 〈◊〉 the gaine-saiers of the truth with her dearest blood testifying from the Prisons her faith and constancy and from the Racke preached Christ whereon most vnhumanely and against kind shee was twice tormented and lastly sealed her 〈◊〉 in Smithfield through the 〈◊〉 of fire being borne to the place of her death in a Chaire her bones so 〈◊〉 by the Râ—…cke that shee could 〈◊〉 113 The 〈◊〉 N. D. whose affection to Chriâ—… Gospeâ—… 〈◊〉 to the English Crowne hath sufficiently 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make her no 〈◊〉 and that her 〈◊〉 did demerit the Racke saith that the King himselfe commanded that torture to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with her erroneous doctrine his Court his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 daughters and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the truth tels vs that the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to racke her the second 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 Lord Chancellor who did it himselfe to bee complained of to the King who immediately tooke Boate and told the whole Tragedy whereof King 〈◊〉 seemed to be sore offended for vsing a woman with such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had the Popes 〈◊〉 vnder the 〈◊〉 of the Church and wing of this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 not to follow the appeale of 〈◊〉 euen 〈◊〉 that slept in 〈◊〉 owne 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parre espoused vnto him 〈◊〉 three yeeres before and 〈◊〉 as this States intelligeÌ„cer doth confesse he meant to haue burned had he longer liued For the truth is saith hee that the Kings sickenesse and death shortly ensuing was the chiefe cause of her escape and the error of the Lord Chancellor Wriothesley who let fall out of his bosoâ—…e the Kings hand and commission for carrying her to the Tower gaue occasion the paper found and brought her to goe and humble her selfe to the King the principal occasion against her was Heretical Books found in her closet both brought sent her by Anne Askew wherof thewitnesses were the Lady Herbert Lady Iane Lady Tyawit and others Indeed it is true that by Gods prouidence such papers were let fal out of the Lord Chancellors bosome conteining certaine Articles against her with a warrant to commit her to the Tower whereunto the Kings hand was subscribed which being found was presently brought vnto the Queene whereof the
say to you from vs do there in our name Yeouen vnder our Signet at the Castle of Windsor the of in the fift yeare of our Raigne 1556. 81 The fruites of which Religion this godly King shewed by his workes of compassion towardes the poore that especially vpon the foundation of Christs Hospitall the late suppressed place of the Grey Friers in London and that vpon occasion as followeth It chanced the reuerend Bishop Doctor Ridley to preach before his Maiesty at Westminster wherin hee Christianlike exhorted the rich to be merciful vnto the poore and to that end amplified the words of the Text against the mercilesse rich and the negligence of such as were in great place The Sermon ended and the King set to dinner hee sent to the Bishop commanding him not to depart the Court before he knew his further pleasure and thereupon causing two Chaires to be set in the Gallery all others auoided hee compelled the Bishoppe to sit downe by his side and in no wise would admitte him to bee vncouered 82 Where entring conference he first gaue him heartie thankes for his Sermon repeating vnto him the chiefe points thereof and coming to his exhortation for the poore he then told him that he thought himselfe first touched in the speech for saide he my Lord you speake to them in authority whereof vâ—… God I am the chiefe and must first maâ—…e answere to him if I be negligent and therefore I thinke you principally meant me Gods commandement I know most expresly inioineth vs to haue compassion of â—…s poore members for whom we must make account and truly my Lord I am most willing to trauell that way not doubting but that your long approued learning and wisdome whose zeale is such as wisheth them helpe but that also you had conference with others what is best herein to be done which I am also desorous to know and therefore I pray say freely your mind 83 The mouer vnto these pious considerations little looking for such questions of the Prince sate a while silent ouerioyed at his words and lastly vnprepared of any present instructions told the King that the Citizens of London were best able to direct the plot whose great Charity and well ordered gouernement besides their dayly charges being ouer-burdened with poore had sufficient experience and if it would please his Maiestie to direct his letters vnto â—…em himselfe he would be very ready to further this godly resolution so far as his meanes might any wise extend whereupon the King presently commanded his letters to be writ and would not suffer the Bishoppe to depart before himselfe had thereto set his hand and signet desiring him to deliuer the same to the Lord Maior and with him to conferre about this businesse which hee wished might be accomplished with all expedition 84 The Bishoppe as ready as the King was desirous posted apace to the Lord Maior of London where deliuering the letter offered his assistance to forward the worke and they together with some Aldermen and twenty foure Commoners agreede vpon three degrees of the poore and them diuided againe into nine 85 The Booke thus drawne and presented to the King he thereupon desired to be accounted the chiefe Founder of their reliefe and forth with 〈◊〉 vnto the City S. Bartholmewes Hospitall by Smithfield and the Grey-Friers Church neere adioyning Heraclite Theophrastu 2. Sam. 19. 35. Socrates Deut. 6. 6. 7. Deut. 4. 32. Thales Cicero Simonides Cassidore Bale in Leylands New-yeeres gift Gen. 49. 29. Ierem. 37. 1. Matt. 13. 57. Ierem. 9. 1. Luke 19. 41. Matt. 15. 26. Habak 2. 9. Gene. 13. 10. Tho. Lanquet Ouid. Metam lib. 15. Histories vncertaine to the Flood and from the Flood to the first Olympias fabulous Plutarch Diodorus Siculus Lucretius Thucydides Tully Iosephus contra Appion lib. 1. M. Cato in a fragment of his Titus Liui. Fenestella Plutarch in the life of Romulus Thucydides lib. 2. cap. 7. Iosephus contra Appion li. 1. Hellanicus Acusilaus Diodorus Herodotus Ephorus Timaeus Philistus Callias Thucydides Suetonius in vita Caesar. Sect. 55. Tacitus F. Maximus Silenus Antigonus Hierome Dionysius Hai. Bodine Hierom in his Prolog in Iob. Iob. 8. 8. Titus Liui. lib. 8. BRITAINE Admirall of the Seas In Panegy Orat. to Constanâ—…s Aristides Tacit. in vit Agr. BRITAINE the greatest Iland knowen to the Romanes Dionysius Strabo Rutil Numat Fabius Rustic BRITAINE discouered to be an Iland 136. yeeres after Iulius Cesars entrance â—…to it Tacitus in vita Agric. BRITAINE thought one continent vvith FRANCE Seruius Honorat Clandian Vinianus Sicilie thought once one continent with Italie Dâ—… Niger Thought of some that all Ilands had their first separation from the Mayne by the rage of the generall Deluge Catullus Britaines length Britaines bredth BRITAINE in the 8. Climate for Latitude and for Longitude placed betweene the parallels fourteene and twenty six In the furthest North part of BRITAINE the nights so short as the space betwixt the daies going and comming can hardly be perceiued In vita Agricolae Caesar. Com. lib. 5. The cold in Britaine lessâ—… then in France Probus in Virgil. Georgic The Arabicke Geographie British Seas warme De natura Deorum Lib. 2. Minutius Foelix adioined to Arnobius as his eighth booke Britaines sea-windes in summer asswage the heat In vita Agricolae In vit Caesar. cap. 47. Britaine aboundeth with all sorts of Graine Caesar. Com. lib 5. Britaine called the â—…eat of Q. Ceres Romanes laded 800. vessels with corne in Britaine for their armies elsewhere Zosoâ—…us Panegyric to Constantius In Britaine neither excessiue cold of winter nor extreme heat of summer Britaine abounding with all plentie of foode for mans sustenance and delight Britaines nights neuer without some light Panegyr spoken to Constantine BRITAINE full of mines of metals Remaynes Isaciâ—… Tzetzes Robert of Auesburie Britaine taken for the fortunate Ilands Adâ—… 1246. Pope Innocent maketh suit to the King of England to see Britaine Ioseph bell Iudas lib. 7. cap. 13. BRITAINE sustained at once no lesse then 11. Kings commanding great powers D 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 the Great The I le of Maâ—… belonging to Britaine a kingdome within it selfe Cyprus and some prouinces subdued to Britaine A Colonell of Britaines in VIRGINEA Vitus Basingstocke The limits of the British Empire in times past from the Orcades vnto the Pyereâ—… Mountaines Isa. 54. Eight Nations conuerted to Christ by Englishmen The first Inhabiters of this Iland being meerely barbarous neuer troubled themselues to transmit their Originals to posteritie Caesar. Com. lib. 6. Druides the onely wise men among the first Inhabitants of this Iland If the first Inhabitants of this Iland had written any thing of their originall yet it must needs haue perished Gildas de excidiâ—… Britaâ—…iae No vnderstaÌ„ding of the first afâ—…aires of this Iland but from sorraine Writers Polybius Romane Writers the best directers for the antiquitie of Britaine The originall names of Countries and
Rob. Fabian An. D. 1036. Mat. Westminster Wil. Malms Peter de Iohan. Henry Hunt Floriacensis Encom Emma 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rand Higden 〈◊〉 Polychr 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cap. 21. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Henry Hunting Malmsb. Hen Hunting Stow. Monarch 36 Hardi-Canut An. D. 1040. Simon Dâ—…nel Mat. Westâ—… Iohn Stow. in his Suruey of London 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wil. 〈◊〉 dâ—… 〈◊〉 Aug. Râ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Polyer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wil. Malâ—…bury Goodwins diuelish policy Henry Hunt Wil. Malmsbury Mat. Westminster Simon Dun. Goodwins gifts Aimundus Bremensis M. S. cap. 108. Idem cap. 109. Idem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Siâ—… Dâ—… Matth. West Lambert 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bookâ—… 7. cap. 44. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An. D. 1042. Henry Hunting Polydor. Rand. Higden Legend Aur. in vit S. Edward Wil. Malmsbury Henry Hunt lib. 〈◊〉 Polycr li. 6. ca. 18. Philip 〈◊〉 Rand. Higden Marian. Scotus Alfred Beuerel Iohn Rouse Rand. Higden in Polychr lib. 6. cap. 24. Cambd. Britan. de Danis Albert. Crantius Aimundâ—… Bremensis Matth West King Edward de signeth the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Engâ—…sh-man An. D. 1053. Mat. Westminâ—…er Chron. of Wales Wil. Malmsbury Rand. Hig. Malmsb. Rand. Higden Matt. West Siâ—…on Dun. Booke 1. chap. 27. Henry Hunâ—… Simon Dunel Wil. Malmsbury Ran. Higden Mat. Westminster Simon Dun. Ran. Higden 1. Cor. 7. 5. Holinsh. Rand. Higden in Polycr lib. 6. ca. 2â—… Geruasius of Canturbury Wil. Malmâ—…b Polycr li. 〈◊〉 ca. â—…4 Scal. Chron. Wil. Malms Ordalium a triall of offenders by fire Rand. Higd. Wil. Malmsb. vita Edwardi Marian. Scot. 1. Cor. 7. 5. Egitha some call her Chrâ—… Wâ—…l Ingulphus in hist. Wâ—…l Melmâ—…b Ezek. 1â—… 4. Edwardi vitae Edwardi legend eiusdem vitâ—… M. S. Saint Peter himselfe came down from heauen to the first dedication of that place if the foresaid M. S. er not T. Cliffâ—…rd Simon Dâ—…n King Edward the founder of S. Mary Otery Colledge Sâ—…w 124. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. Wâ—…st Polydâ—…r Vit. S. Edward An. D. 1055 Matth. West Simon Dun. An. D. 1058 Simon Dun. An. D. 1063. Mat. West Chro. Wal. Wil. Malms Mat. Westminstâ—…r Matthew Paris in Will Hen. Hunting Rand. Higd. Gemeticensis Wil. Malmsbury Mat. Westminst Marian. Scotus Mat. Westminster M. Thomâ—… Milleâ—… in Harold Wil. Malmsb. Rand. Higden in Polychr lib. 6. cap. 25. Alur Riâ—…l Ran. Higden Polyer lib. 6. ca. 29 Matth. Wâ—…st Siâ—… Dâ—… Holâ—…sh Camb. Brit. Alfred Benerlâ—…y Specâ—… Histor. Rich. Câ—…st Florâ—… Histor. Edâ—… Mariaâ—… Polyer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ca. 2â—… Subiects loue the Soueraignes strength Rand. Higden in Polyc. lib. 6. cap. 29 Gemeticensiâ—… Bishop of 〈◊〉 Roger Hoâ—…d Siâ—… Moâ—…t of Durâ—…am â—…lter Coâ—… Mat. Westminster Ran. Higden Wil. Malmsb. Mat. Westm. Simon Dunel Wil. Malmsb. Henry Hunting Mat. Westminster Simon Dun. Mat. Westm. Cambd. Brit. Henry Hâ—… Fox Acts and Monumenta Rand. Higden Rand. Higden in Polycbr li. 6. c. 29. 〈◊〉 in vita Caesar. Wil. Malmsb. Mat. Westminst Rand. Higden Caesar in CoÌ„ment Tho. Niâ—…s Wil. Malmsb. Henry Hunting Chron. de 〈◊〉 Wil. Geâ—… Mat. Westminster Giral Cambr. Ioâ—…n le Taiâ—… in his history of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bremensis cap. 169. Mariaâ—… Iâ—… Rest. Math. Parâ—… Host. 14. 6. In the 〈◊〉 of the learned Knight Sir 〈◊〉 Sigebertus Wil. Gemitticen Gâ—…lt Couen 〈◊〉 Woodbridge Aimund Brem chap. 1â—…9 Allured Riâ—…lle 〈◊〉 M Ferres Caâ—…b in Sussex * Grâ—… * A 〈◊〉 Iohn Capgraue Saxo Gramâ—…aticus lib. 11. 2. Cor. 4. 6. Gen. 49. â—…7 Câ—…bd Brit. 〈◊〉 de Norâ—… 〈◊〉 Roâ—… Albert Krant Polyer lib. 6. 〈◊〉 1. Rollo his dream Alb. Crantius The dreame expounded by an English Christi an Captiue Rollo sendeth to sound King Alstan Rollo commeth to Alstans Court Will. Gemetic lib. 2. cap. 6. Alstans bounty to Rollo Alstane faith to his friend Rollo the first Duke of Normandy Angiers Records M. S. Rand. Higden lib. 6. cap. 1. William Longespee second Duke of Normandy Polycr Richard I. the third Duke of Normandy * Emma Walâ—…g Ypodig Neust. * Or 〈◊〉 Wals. ibi * Or 〈◊〉 ibi Richard 〈◊〉 the fourth Duke of Normandy Ran. Higden callth him Richard the third Richard 3. the fifth Duke of Normandy Robert 〈◊〉 the sixt Duke of Normandy Ran. Higden in Polycr lib. 6. c. 〈◊〉 Wil. 〈◊〉 of Roan Wil. Malmsb. li. 3. ca. 1. Rand. Higden 〈◊〉 Polyc. lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 〈◊〉 Wil. Malmsb. lib. 3. Monarch 39. William the Conquerour An. D. 1066 Simon Dâ—… Lib. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Pope powerfull to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wil. 〈◊〉 Trees cut downe to hinder William passage Iohn Stow. King Williams Coronation William fortifieth against inuasions Polydor. Math. Paris Iohn Stow. Archbishop Stigands perswasion of the Kentish Thom. Sprot The Kentish policie against King William Stigands Oration Wil. Thorne Simon Dun. Odo Bishop of Bayeux made Earle and gouernour of Kent Henry Hunt Polyâ—…r Ypodigma Neuâ—… Mariâ—…us The Welshmen tooke Armes against William Matth. West lib. 2. An. D. 1067 The lands of the English giuen to the Normans Warres euen in peace Mat. Paris The English became strangers Many Nobles flie out of England Mat. Paris Mat. Westm. King Malcolme 〈◊〉 Lady Margaret King William sendeth for Edgar out of Scotland An honourable saying The loue of alliance Fire and candle forbid at certain houres vnto the English Mâ—… Westminster Goowin and Edmund out of freland inuade England Caâ—…d Dâ—… Excester yeelded to King Wâ—…liam An. D. 1068 The Normans slaine in the north Polydor. An. D. 1069 Mâ—…b Paris Mat. Westm. lib. 2. The Danes with English fugitiues inuade England Lib. â—…bor M. 5. Yorke set on fire by her owne souldiers The Danes victors ouer the English Willims policy to weaken the English Wil. Malmsb. The North miserably wasted An. D. 1070 Polydor. The English hated and banished Math. Paris Roger Wind. Wil. Malmsb. Ex Archiâ—… Colleg. Vniuersit Oxen. Tun. Apol. l. 2. Wil. Thorne Marianus Gerua Doraber M. Mils in Will Conq. Mard lawes imposed vpon the English King William his Seale An. D. 1072 Wil. Malms The English rise against William 1. King 12. 6. King William sworn vnto King Edwards lawes Lib. S. Alban M. S. in vita Fretheric A good speech ill taken King Williams angry answere Lib. S. Alban Simon Dun. Math. Paris King William worketh vpon aduantage Ran. Higden Henry Hunt Math. Paris The I le of Ely fortified against William Ingulphus King William assaulteth the I le of Ely Roger Wind. The Scots inuade Cumberland The Abbot would hold his howsoeuer the rest fared Iohn Stow. A small peece of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made more 〈◊〉 paâ—… The English enter into â—…land 〈◊〉 with small successe Polydor. Matth. Parâ—… Henry Hunt Gemeticensis A stone Crossâ—… erected for a Meere marke to both the Kingdomes Hector Boetius * That is Kings Crosse. Cambden Brit. Hector â—…oet lib. 12. Cap. 10. An. D. 1074 Wil. Malms Math. Paris The bounty of King William towards Edgar Etheling Iâ—…n Stow. A conspiracy intended and reuealed Mat. Westm. Henry Hunt Simon Dâ—… Iohn Pike An. D. 1075 William returning vseth seuerity against the English Wil. Malmsb. Henry Hunt A kinde-hearted Wife An. D. 1076 Mat. Paris Matth.
West The Princes of Wales doe homage to William Math. Paris Henry Hunt Simon Dun. Will. Malmes Math. Paris Polydor. An D. 1077 Robert warreth for Normandy Will. Malmes Mat. Paris Simon Dun. King William wounded and vnhorsed He bandeth his sonne Will. Malmes An. D. 1708 The Tower of London built Iohn Stow. Regist Epist. Roâ—… Stephenide Will. Malmes Florentius Wigor England Suruaie and generall Iudgement Ingulfus Higden Stow calleth that booke Doâ—…us Dei. Ingulfus Geruasius Tilburiens Robert Glocestrens Englands exactions Iohn Castor Iohn Rowse Englishmens reproch Mat. Paris in Gâ—…d Conq. Simon Dunel Malcolme inuadeth England Cambden in Ottaâ—… Simon Dun. Danes prepare against William Mat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 â—…ance of in â—…ame 〈◊〉 King Williams depopulations Cambd in Hantshire Gualter Mâ—… King William the father or wild Beasts Iudgements of God â—…n King Williams 〈◊〉 in New Forest Cambden Matth. Paris Calamities falling on the Land All things degenerate Roger Wendouer Marianus Pope Gregories Buls against maried Priests Matth Paris in Gâ—… Conq. Inhibiting of married Priests a new deuice and inconsiderate Popish Continency hypocriticall Odo King williams brother affecteth the Papacy King william condemneth his brothers Ambitions His sacrileges His Oppressions His Trecheries His imprisonment His Auarice Wil. Malmsb. Matth. Paris Some write King William tooke Physicke to take downe his great fat belly Higden William Malmes King Williams Oath Stow saith two Anchorits King Williams last Will and Testament Ex Libro Cadomensis Monast. His last Speecâ—… on point of death Of his Sinnes Of his Norman troubles Of his Normans qualities Of his friends Kindreds vnkindnesse Of his English Conquest Outward triumphes leaue inward horrâ—…s His workes of deuotion His Counsell to his Children The dispose of his States Of Normandy Of England King Williams Legacie to his sonne Henry He writeth into England King Williams death With such doctrine was good deuotion abused contrary to the prescript of God Isai. Chap. 33. 16. Princes friends His Corps forsaken of all sorts The qualities of Court-Kites His Hearse also abandoned of al. His buriall place denied him Annoiance at his funerall Hence Stowe notes their report for fabulous who wrot that his Body was found vncorrupt 500. yeeres after his death His description for lineaments and qualities Will. Malmes Rand. Higden Polyc. lib. 7. cap. 4. Stow ex libro Richmond King Williams Charter to Hunter Lambert Peramb Ingulfus Hollins Lamb. Peramb Iohn Leland Wil. Malms Roane Bartel-Abbay so called of a battell there sought against Harold Will. Newbery Math. Paris in Will Conq. Charta de Bello Selby Abbay Exeter Priory Iohn Stow. Saint Stephens in Cane William Malmes King William regardfull of matrimonial agreement Robert A cruell reuenge of one brother on another Henry slaine let his GraÌ„drathers New-forest Richard Richard slaine 〈◊〉 his fathers New-Foâ—…est William Rufus or the 〈◊〉 Henry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Annales S. Augustus Cantâ—…ar M. S. Cecily She is vailed a Nunne Constanâ—… The Earldome of Richmond erected Alice Saint William Archbishop of Yorke Gundred Ela. Margaret William Rufus Monarch 40 An. D. 1087 William Rufus comes into England Ypodigma Neustria Simon Dunel The Peeres wish well to his Elder brother Mat. Paris Ypodigm Lanfranke and Wulstane sway the Peeres for Rufus William Gemit Matth. Paris His Coronation His disposition An. D. 1088 Rand. Higden in Polychr lib. 7. cap. 5 Robert possessed of Normandy His disposition Odoes emulation against Lanfrank Polyc. lib. 7. cap. 5. He conspireth against the King Inuireth Robert to try for the Crowne Duke Roberts hopes for England His wants His supply by morgage of his Land Odo the ringlealeader for Duke Robert Rob. Mowbray and other his associates Wil. Malms Simon Dun. Bristow fortified against King William Henry Hunt Duke Robert verie faire for the Kingdome Wil. Genetic King William promiseth to mollifie his Laws He waxeth strong Odo his great heart taken downe Simon Dun. An. D. 1089 * This Castle some lay was built by Odo but it appears to haue been built by William Conquerour domesday-Domesday-book Will. Gemet Niding a word of Reproch Camb. in Kent Matth. Paris Odo leaues England Rufus pretendeth submissiuenesse to his brother Polychr lib. 7. c. 3. Math. Paris William Rufus a cunning Time-seruer Faire words appease fooles and often deceiue the wise Lanfranke dieth King William an ill manager of Ecclesiasticall promotions Gâ—…rn Dor. Pope Vrbâ—… not at leasure then to remedy Church wrongs An. D. 1090 Ypodigma Neustria King William enters Normandy Peace made betwixt the King and Duke Will Gemet Matth. Paris Ypodig Neust. Math. Paris Both Brethren oppugne Henry the younger brother Willi. Gemet King William endangered in a Siege King William preferres him that ouerthrew him Williams Oath Edmerus saith his oath was By Gods face An. D. 1091 Ran. Higden in Polychr lib. 7. c. 5. A friendly Enemie An vn-brotherlie Brother Will. Gemet The three brethen reconciled Ypodigm Neustr. Chron. Wallia Warre bewixt Rise Prince of Southwales and 〈◊〉 Rob. Fiftz-hammon â—…ides 〈◊〉 Rob. Fitz. hammon and his followers possesions in Walles The Knighs who attended Fitz hammon An. D. 1092 Gemet Malcolme King of Scotland enters England with a power King William 〈◊〉 Malcolme meete enter League Ypodigm 〈◊〉 â—…stria Mat. Paris King William and Duke Robert at variance againâ—… Carleil reedified Peopled with a Southerne Colony Endowed with large Privilegio An. D. 109 King William falleth sicke and voweth 〈◊〉 Matth Paris Henry Hunt Polychron lib. 7. â—…p 6. Ger. Dorob Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops Hic humâ—…lis diues res mira potens pausâ—… vltor Compatiensâ—…â—…itis cum pateretur erat Ypodigâ—… Neustri King William regaineth his health and loseth his good purposes Goodwin in the life of Anselme Polychron lib. 7. cap. 7. Rand. Higd. King Malcolme commeth to Glocester Will. Gemet Departeth discontent William Malmes Polydor. Raiseth a power William Gemet Is slaine with his son the Prince Simon Dun. Earl Mowbraies greatnesse suspected by the King Math. Paris Is taken and imprisoned Ypodigm Neustr. Hector Bâ—…s lib. 12. cap. 12. Malcolme slaine vnder shew of submission The name of Percyes ancienter theÌ„ Perceing of Malcolmes eâ—…e Uide Cambd. in Northâ—…m Gemetâ—…icensis Saâ—…nt Margaret Edgar Ethelings Sister dieth for griefe of her husbands death few such Saint-like wiues Hector Boetius Math. Paris The English Monarchs of Wales An. D. 1094 Wil. Malmsb. Ran. Hagd Simon Dun. A breach againe betwixt the two Brethren but made vp for a time King William refuseth the censure of his Arbitrators Bothparts againe in Armes King William preuailes by money Math. Paris The French King leaues his friend for money The warres for the Holy Land Theod. Biblian Duke Robert going to Ierusalem morgageth his Dukedome Henry Hunt Will Thorne Paul Aemil. Will. Gemet King Williams extreame exactions Math. Paris Not sparing Churches and Monasteries Aedmerus An. D. 1095 His expedition for Wales The Welsh fly to their Mountains An. D. 1096 Anglesey inuaded Mat. Paris An. D. 1097 Cruelty
tumults King Stephen returnes into England Roger Houeden Math. Paris The King of Scots against King Stephen Ypodig Neustri â—…ed in Steph. Huntingdon lib. 8. The English Nobles against King Stephen Simon Dun. * Huntingdon 8. Malmes Nouel lâ—…b 2. pag. 105. Idem li. 1. pa. 102. Idem Earle Robert sends threats to King Stephen Idem Malmesb. Noâ—…el lib. 1. Geruas Dorob Wil. Malmâ—…b English Peeres fortific against the King Henry Hâ—…t lib. 8. Houeden * De Maltâ—…na King Stephens vsuall Oath Maâ—…es Nâ—…el lib. 1. Melmesb Nâ—…l libro secundâ—… Ger. Dor. An. D. 1139. The King of Scotland his attempts against Stephen Simon Dun. Houeden Wendouer Hen. Hunting This field was fought in August An. 1138. neere the mouth of Humber Mat. Paris The great valor of Prince Henry of Scotland Mah. Paris Houeden alij Polyd. Uirgil Rand. Higden Earle Robert leaues England A Peace betwixt the King of England and Scotland Math. Paris Henry Hunt Houeden Henry Hunt A. Do. 1140 King Stephen pluckes downe the Castles Malmes Nouel lib. 2. Henry Hun. Houeden A great Councel at Oxford Geruas Dorob Malmesb. loco citato The Kings vsage of his Prelats Idem * Iâ—…ford Paris Wendouer Paris Polychr lib. 7. cap. 18. Roger Houed The Empresse arriues in England Malmesb. Nouel lib. 2. Huntingdon Rog. de Wendouer * At Portsmouth saith Geruas Math Paris Earle Robert brings but 140. men to the winning of the Crowne of England * Malmesb. lib. 2. Stephen haâ—…es to the Empresse Her politike excuse Ger. Dor. Roger. Houed Henry Hunt The Empresses power increaseth Geruasius Flemings came to King Stephens aide King Stephen besieges Wallinford Castle Geru Dor. The Bishop of Winchester entraps the Nobles Math. Paris Simon Dâ—…n Roger Houed Malmsb. Nouel lib. 2. Niger Polydor. Nie. Triâ—… King Stephen and his aduersaries pitch their Battle Râ—…n Higden Ranulphs Oration before the Battle Roger Houeden Henrie Hunt Earle Roberts Oration before the Battle Roger Houeden Henry Hunt Polychron Alain Duke of Britane Robert Mellent Hugh Bi-god Earle Albemarle Earle Simon King Stephens addresse to the Battle Math. Paris Simon Dunel Henry Hunt Roger Houeden Earle Robert Earle Ranulph The Welsh The Battles ioinâ—… Henry Hunt Wil. Parâ—… Mat. Paris Polydor. Ger. Dor. Mat. Paris King Stephens great valour Huntingdon King Stephen taken prisoner Ypodig Neustr. Malmesb. Nouel lib. 2. * Alias de Kainâ—… Huntingdon An. Reg. 6. Math. Paris The Empresse absolute gouernour of the Kingdome Charta Matild Imperâ—…ricis Geruas Dorob Huntingd. l. 8. Geru Dor. The Clergie approoues the Empresses title Wil. Malms Malmesb. Nouel lib. 2. The Empresse receiued into London Normandy falleth from King Stephen Will. Paruus Ger. Dor. Stephen desires liberty and not the Crowne Ypodig Neustr. King Stephen would be a Monk or Pilgrim * Boâ—…gne and Mortaine The Empresse not facile to grant suites Her stifnesse incommodious * King Stephens wife The Nobles offended fall off from her Malmes Nouel lib. 2. The Londoners conspire against her Nic. Triuet Roger Houeden Ger. Dor. Malmesb. Nouel libro secundâ—… Henry of Winchester recalls his Excommunication * Idem loco citato The Empresse maintained at Milo his charges The Bishop of Winchester equiuocateth * Ego parabâ—… me Will Malmsb. Will. Malmes Geruas Dorob Hee fires Winchester * Alias The Couent at Hyde Malmesb. Ger. Dorob The Bishop of Winchester entrappeth the Empresse Malmsb. lib. 2. The Empresse carried as a dead Corse Wil. Walsingham Ypodigm Neustr. Malmes Ger. Dor. Earle Robert taken Malmes lib. 2. Will. Malmes Wil. Malmsb. An. D. 1142. The King and Earle Robert redeeme each other out of prison Roger Houeden * Malmesb. Math. Paris The warres renewed The Empresse besieged in Oxford Geruas Dorob Nic. Triuet Will. Neub Higden Walsingh Ypodig Ger. Dor. Math. Paris She escapes by a wile Wil. Malmsb. Simon Dun. Ypodig Neustr. Geru Dorob Prince Henrie arriueth Geruasius An. D. 1143. An. D. 1144 An. D. 1145. Math. Paris An. D. 1146. The Empresse and the Prince returne to Normandie An. D. 1147. Ger. Dorobor Kings durst not enter Lincolne before King Stephen Geruasius Earle Robert and Earle Milo die An. D. 1148. Prince Henry returneth into England An. D. 1149 Ger. Dor. Roger Houeden Ger. Dor. Prince Henry returneth into Normandy An. D. 1150 Math. Paris Henry Hunt Prince Henry marieth Eleanor diuorced by K. Iewes An. D. 1151 The Archbishop of Canterbury refuseth to consecrate Eustace King Ger. 〈◊〉 Dorob An. D. 1152. Henry Hunt Geruasius Idem K. Lewes casts the Popes Buls into fire * Fortè Newbery An. D. 1153. Henry Fitz-Empresse comes againe into England Ger. Dorob cap. 14 King Stephen and Fitz-Empresse ready to ioine battaile Henry Hunt Vnlucky presages to K. Stephen A Parley betwixt K. Stephen and Fitz-Empresse Gerâ—… Dorobor A truce concluded Math. Paris Eustace K. Stephens son likeâ—… not the truce Iohn Textor Polycbr Ger. Dorob Prince Eustace dieth Polydor. Math. Paris The King and Fitz-Empresse accorded Geruasâ—… An. D. 1154 Prince Henry in danger by treachery Prince Henry goeth into Normandy King Stephen dieth Paris Booke of S. Albanes Iohn Stow. Ger. Doâ—… * The first Canon Regular in England was of this place Ann. 〈◊〉 and the Prior thereof was Alderman of London Stowes Suruey Stowes Suruey p. 105. Monarch 43. Henry second Ad A. D. 1135. The great expectation of King Henrie Math. Paris Henry Hunt Henry Hunt His accesse and Coronation Ypodig Neustr. Mah. Paris His first actions Mat. Paras Lib. Monast. S. Albeni Polyd. Vir. lib. 13. Psâ—…do-Comites saith Mat. Paris Roger Houeden Roger. Houed Math. Paris ad A. D. 1155. Ger. Dorob Lib. Monast. S. Al. Math. Paris * Powel in hist. Camb. p. 222. mistakes a Bridge for a Castle In old Records indeede Bridge-North is called Bruge which caused that errour Powel writes that it was a Welsh man who shot the arrow at the King ibid. Roger Houed Annal. p. 2. Math. Paris ad an Dom. 1561. Polyd. Uirg in H. 2. Rog. Houed fol. 281 pag. 2. Annal. par 〈◊〉 Math. Paris Ypodig Neustri Hector Boetius lib. 13. C. 1. saith it was at London Hist. of Camb. Iohn Stow. Math. Paris * Roger Houeden Math. Paris Ypodigm Neustr. Rog. Houed Guliel Tyr. Houeden An. D. 1158. Mah. Paris ab A. D. 1158. vsque ad A. D. 1163. Rog Houed An. D. 1163. The great contention between the King and Becket Archbish. of Canterbury * Mat. Paris alis Leg end aur in vita Tho. * Polydor. l. 13. but M. Fox denies it * Gal. WigornieÌ„sis saith he was Doctor Oxoniensis Nubrigensis l 2. c. 16. vt conregnare videretur Geruasius ad An. 1154. Regis Rector quasi Magister * Fox in Acts. p 264. * Nubrig l 2. c. 16. Houcden Chron. de Passione mirac beati Th. MS. Fox p. 287. * Gal. Nubrig l. 2. c. 16. Math. Par â—…ad An. 1163. permissione Regia c. * Nubrig per operam manuÌ„que Regiam Geru Dorob The causes of the debate betwixt
face of profit and setled quiet 97 For the affaires of the realm thus strangely managed the King in person sailes ouer into France there to demand a peaceable restitution of such Signiories as Philip Lewis Father of this Lewis had iniuriously withdrawne from his father King Iohn The French replied that no restitution was due for many respects specially because the ancient grant made to Rollo the first Duke of Normandy was not voluntary but extorted by feare and force of Armes in the dayes of the weake state of France The King hauing no disposition to recouer his claimes by battell and destitute of money wherewith to wage an Armie but principally for that his owne Peeres and people stood on their guard against him did vnwillingly ratifie a conclusion the Articles whereof were that the King of France should quietly hold the Dukedom of Normandy and Earledome of Angiou Main also Tourain and Poictou for three hundreth thousand small pounds of Tourain and vpon promise to receiue other lands to the yeerely value of twenty thousand pounds Polydor saith that the reputed limits of the English Pale in France were from thenceforth the riuer of Charent in Xanctoing and the mountaines Pyrenaees and that hee should peaceably haue Angoumois Quercy and Limain being Countries marching vpon Gascoigne in lieu of the rest yet so as the King of England should hold them of the Crowne of France by homage and fealtie Vpon these Articles the king acquitted and for euer renounced all his challenge to Normandy the other lands and thenceforth abridged his Stile and changed his Seale vsing a Scepter in place of a Sword whereon these Monkish and mockish verses were written Est M. CCLIX vtinam concordia foelix Andegauis Picta-uis Neustria genterelictâ Anglorum dantur tibi France Sigilla nouantur Nomina tolluntur fugit Ensis Sceptra geruntur M CCLIX God grant firme peace thou fix Poictou Angiou Normans to France range yon New Seales are made old Styles forsaken Downe laid the Blade Scepters vp taken 98 The King at these vnworthy rates hauing secured himselfe from the French labours to vindicate the Regall power out of the vsurping Barons hands whose ouer-toppings at home had driuen him to those forraine indignities alleadging that the Oath which his sonne and hee had taken at Oxford was voide in regard it was compulsorie that the Barons also who pretended the profite of the Realme sought onely their owne honour and gain contrary to their decrees For his more security he takes the Tower of London preparing force by the helpe of his brother King of Romans There followed a grieuous perturbation of the Realm although at this time it brake not forth into the extremity Armes being laid downe for a little space Edward the Kings eldest sonne would not trauerse the oath he had made at Oxford but held with the Barons for the present The King the Queene and his selected friends still remaine vpon their guard in the Tower where hee in the yeere before had burst vp the locks of the ancient Depositum or dead stocke of the Crown to employ against the Barons Peace was notwithstanding brought about againe by the Queenes speciall diligence and Douer and Rochester Castles whither hee went in person are deliuered vnto him This makes him resolue to pursue the Barons the rather also for that the French King who much condemned the Barons vniust courses had promised his assistance Henry therefore thrusts out the Barons Chancellor Chiefe Iusticiar placing Walter Mertō Philip Basset men of much more loyall affections in their roomes The Barons hearing of this hasten in Armes to Winchester where the King was who hauing intelligence by his faithfull Clerk Sir Iohn Mansel got back into the Tower of London The King of France was made Vmpire in the quarrell The cause was heard at Amiens where hee gaue iudgement with the King of England against the Barons pronouncing all the Statutes and Acts made at Oxford to bee vtterly void prouided neuerthelesse that the Charter of Liberties which King Iohn had made to the English nation should in no sort bee thereby infringed This prouiso animated Simon Earle of Leicester and the Barons to maintaine all the Statutes of Oxford because they were pretendedly founded vpon that Charter notwithstanding that iust iudgement which King Lewis had giuen The secret confederacy with Lewelin Prince of Wales ministred to the Barons no little encouragement who about this time wasted the Dominions of Prince Edward in the Marches of Wales This iudgement of the French King did much disaduantage the Barons of whom diuers being drawne with perswasions gifts and promises reuolted from Simon Montfort There was now a taking of Townes and Prisoners on all hands Prince Edward who now was wholy for his Father in despite of the Barons takes the Castel of Bristol and fines the City at a thousand pounds Simon Montfort executeth his greatest reuenges vpon the Queenes friends which were Aliens not sparing the Kings Marching forward he recouers Gloster Castell enters Worcester and Bridgenorth lastly surpriseth the I le of Ely subduing that fastnesse or fenny strength to the Barons vse Sir Iohn Mansel the Kings Councellour fearing the euent of things flies secretly from the Tower where the King was Henry sonne to the King of Almain was after this taken by the Barons Meanewhile Prince Edward fortifies Windsor Castle with strangers Mutuall wearinesse at length begat a desire of peace and the King had yeelded that the Statutes of Oxford should stand but the Queene was vtterly against it not without cause for it did enfeeble the arbitration which the French King had made The Queenes opposition in this point was knowne to the Londoners which put the baser sort into so lewd a rage that shee being to shoot the Bridge from the Tower toward Windsor they with durt and stones and villanous words forced her to returne Prince Edward vnder the conduct of the Bishoppe of Worcester came from the Castle of Bristol by reason of quarrell betweene his men of warre and the Burgers and contrary to his promise entred into Windsor Castle but afterward going forth to meet Simon Montfort at Kingston vpon Thames with purpose to offer peace the said Simon got Windsor Castle would not permit him to depart At London yet in a Parliament matters were pieced againe and the Kings side grew stronger dayly 99 There were with him his brother King of Romans his sonne Edward William de Valence whom Prince Edward had brought out of France Iohn Comyn of Scotland with a multitude of valiant Scots whose King was Henries sonne in law Iohn de Baliol Lord of Gallway Robert de Brus c. with whom hee marcheth from London to Oxford where the Rendeuou of his friends and forces was appointed The King meaning to make that place where his chiefe blow was giuen him his
1346. * Grafton * Serres King Edwards Charity The French deuise to succour Calais The English victory at Potiers 19. Sep. 1356. * Serres Polyd. Vergâ—… saith his name was Innocentius * Serres The French king taken prisoner * Froissard * Serres * Fabian out of the French Chronicles * Ypod. Neust. * Serres The Prince doth things more commendable then his victory * Paul Aemyl * Poly. Verg lib. 19. * Holinsh. omnes * Bolyd Verg. lib. 19. * 5 Mâ—… A. D. 1357. Ypod. Neust. A Lord Maior feasted foure kings at once The two Prisoner kings lodged * Adam 〈◊〉 King Dauid set at liberty after 11 yeeres durance * Fourdon A. D. 1357. * 27. Nouemb. * Guil. Tilliâ—… * Serres Tillâ—… An. D. 1358 A. reg 32. * VVals in Edward 3. fol. 173. * Armacâ—… in Defensoriâ—… curatorâ—… Fox Martâ—…log in Edward 3. * 〈◊〉 iâ—… * Sabelli Ennead 9 l. 6. * Tho. Wals. in Edward 3. King Edward 2. gaine in France 24. October * Paul Aemil. * Serres * Paradiâ—… in les Annals de Burgo * Froissard Paulus Aemilius saith 100000. crownes * Iud. 19. 11. 25. and 26. * Tho. Wals. * Polyd. Verg. lib. 19. * Tho. VVals An. D. 1360. The English before Paris Foure hundred Knights made at one time * Polyd. Verg. * Serres and Polyd. Verg. * Paul Aemyl * Tho. VValsing * Serres Paul Aemyl * Tho. Wals. Ran. Cestr. * Fabian * Tiâ—… Articles of peace * Paul Aemyl 〈◊〉 Iohan. 〈◊〉 * Serres Fabian Holinsh. Paul Aemyl * Tho. Walsing * Paul Aemyl Polyd. Uerg. Froissard The huge ransome of Iohn King of France * Tho. VVals Fabian The City of Paris gaue toward this ransome one hundreth thousand roialâ—… Edw. Griâ—… his English Serres * 24. October 1360. * 〈◊〉 par 7. Caxton * Inuentorie of France in Charles the 5. Serrâ—… Paul Aemyl in Car. 5. * Serres rashly affirmes he did * Pol. Virg. in E. 3. The points charged vpon the English In Charles 5. Serres The dealings of the English defended against P. Aemilius An. D. 1369 Iohn Duke of Lancaster sent to inuade France * Polyd. Verg. in Edw. 3. Froissard * Ypod. Neust. * Polyd. Verg. l. 19 Holinsh. in Edw. 3. An. D. 1370 Sir Robert Knolles sent Generall into the parts about Britaine * Tho. Walsing in Edw. 3. * Paul Emyl in Car. 5. * Paul Emyl Iac. Meir Holinsh. * Tho. Walsing in fine Edw. 3. * Tho. Wals. in Edward 3. * Holinsh. * Serres * Holinshed * Serres an Author distrusted An. D. 1372 * Holinshed The Flemish Name distressed by the English * Ypod. Neust. Rochel besieged by the French The English Nauie distressed by the Castilian * Polyd. Verg. l. 19 King Edward at sea to relieue Rochel is blown backe * Tho. Walsin * Polyd. Verg. lib. 19. A. D. 1373 Rochel continueth English * Tho. VVals * Tho Wals. lib. 19. * 1. Tillius Chron. * Miller p. 992. * Idâ—… ib. * Lib. Eliens * Cambd. Erit in Essex * Milles. p. 381. Idem p. 428. * Milles. p. 441. * Idem p. 689. Monarch 50 Richard II. A. D. 1378. The Coronation of the King 〈◊〉 MS. apâ—…d Dâ—… Rob. Cotton Seruices by â—…a on of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coroâ—…ion found and â—…ed in that 〈◊〉 The Court of higâ—… Sâ—…wardship A. D. 1379. The Britons dislike of the French Gouernment matter of new troubles The commons spared in the subsidie * Siâ—…plex Capellaâ—… Walsing A mâ—…morable example of a noble young gentlemans faith keeping Aids sent into Britain drowned Other aids pierce into Britaine from 〈◊〉 by land An. D. 1380. * Io. Tilâ—… in Chron. French troubles profitable to the English The Earle of Northumberland countermanded from pursuit of the Scots The Parliament at Northampton A. D. 1381. The Earle of Cambridge sent with an Armie into Portugall * Râ—…der Santiâ—… part 〈◊〉 hist. Hisp. cap. 2â—… * Polyd. Vergil 〈◊〉 l. â—…0 The dangerous rebellionâ—… of Wat. Tyler Iacke Straâ—… others * L. S. Alban MS * Hist. Ang. l. 20. * Ioh. Stow. VVat. Tyler the Idol of the Clownes Iohn Cumber-towne once Lord Maior of London confined and confiscated * Thoâ—… VValsing Ypod. p. 539. Polyder Vergil not to be rashly beleeued Sir Iohn Aâ—…eys reputation redeemed from slander * Reâ—… hee is called Ypod. Neust. Aâ—… 13â—…0 * Henry Knightoâ—… Can. of Lâ—…c Aâ—… apud Holinsh. * Thâ—… UUals. in Richard 2. Hatred increaseth betweene the Duke and Count Northumberland Berwick recouered by the Earle A. D. 1385. The Souereignty of Flanders offeâ—…red to king Richard by the Flemmings * Iohn Tylliâ—… in Chron. * Paul Aemyl saith 40000. in in fight and in â—…ight and that in those whole ciuill warres there perished â—…00000 * In Rich. 2. ad A. D. 1386. The Duke of Lancaster stands vpon his keâ—…ping Thâ—… VValsing in Rich. 2. ad â—…unc ann The French prepare an inuasion against England * Ex Record apâ—…d Tiliuâ—… * Paul Aâ—…myl * Polyd. Uerg. lib. bist Angl. 20. Paul Aemyl Frâ—…issard Iâ—… Meir * Paul Emyl Three hundreth thousand English men in armes together * Seruientes ad arma * Paul Aemyl in Carol. 6. The Kings mother dyeth being denied a pardon for her sonne the Lord Iohn Holland * Ypod Neust. The Duke of Lancaster suspected for perswading the King to passe the Scottish Sea The vertue of priuatâ—… men in the publikâ—… cause * Iohn Tilliâ—… The Portugeseâ—…â—…d the English * Iâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…xal S. Crâ—… 14. Septemb. The bad euent of this French designe for an inuasion The attempt of the Laity to dispossesse the Clergie of their temporall estates * Tâ—…o VVals King Richard the Clergies friend The first Marquesse made that euer was in England * Ex libr. Monast. de Melsa ex Record apud Guil Cambd. in Torkesh A. D. 1386. A. reg 6. * Ypod. Neust. * â—…olinsh * Tho. VValâ—… p. 321. The noble army of thâ—… Duke of Lancaster for Spaine * Heur Knighton Oklands Ang. prael * Holinsh. ex Hen. Knigh. p. 449. * Uigil S. Lauren. The Lord Henry Percie by-named Hotspur sent to Calis * Magister Gunnarius A Parallelization of the English and French States in these times * Paul Aemyl * Ypod. Neust. The first seeds of the ciuil wars * Sam. Dan. in his ciuill warres * Remaines * Tho. Walsing in Rich. 2. * Ypod. Neust. * Marâ—…al The Lord Maior of London refuseth to be of conspiracy against the Duke of Gloster An. D. 1387. * Aprilis 24. * Ypod Neust A description of King Richards chiefe fauorites Tho. VValsin in Richard 2. ad A. D. 13â—…6 The malignant construction made of the Earle of Arâ—…dels seruice The Duke of Ireland puts away his wife the Kings cosen * Tho. Walsin in Rich. 2. * Sellarij Filia a Sadlers daughter some aay a Ioyners Walsing A new â—…tion of the King how to bring the popular Lords to a triall The
Lawyers sent for to make treasons * At Shrewsburie saith Hist. Lecestrens Hist. Lecestrens * Fulthorp vide Booke of Statut. A. 11. Rich. 2. cap. 4. * Those Articles are set downe in the Book of Statu A. 21. R. 〈◊〉 c. 12 * In MS. it iâ—… ratis for Cratâ—… in likelihood Hâ—…st 〈◊〉 The popular Lords bold answere to the king The kings reply The Lords â—…harge the king with sundry matters An. D. 1388. An. Reg. 11. * Stat. Aâ—… 11. 〈◊〉 1 The rough and harsh behauiour of the Lords Persons remoued from about the King Historia Lecestren The Duke of new Troy or London * An. 10. 11. Rich. 2. A. D. 1389. A. reg 12. The King declares himselfe to be of age and takes the gouernment vpon him * He was founder of the two famous Colledges in Oxford and Winchester * Roder. Santius Archiep. Toletan Hist. Hisp. part 4 cap. 22. * Polyd. Verg. l. 20 Hist. Ang. * Froissard * Tho. Wals. The Duke of Lancaster in his distresse calleth vpon God and is heard * Roder. San. qua supra Conditions of perpetuall amity betweene the K. of Spaine and the Duke of Lancaster * Tho. VValsin in Ric. 2. * Fabian Caxton * Holinsh. pag. 450. * Ypod. Neust. * Holinshed The Duke of Lancaster doth good offices The Duke of Yorkes carriage worthily praised A. D. 1390. An. reg 13. The Duke of Lancaster made Duke of Aquitaine Henry of Bullingbroke seekes aduentures into Germany * A. R. 13. vid. lib. Stat. * Ypod. Neust. 544. ibid. p. 545. * 〈◊〉 frigore turbatâ—… A. D. 1391. * Ypod. Neust. * Râ—…mipetis * Ioh. Stow. cals him Earle of Northumberland A. D. 1392. London in disgrace with the King * Tho. VVals * Fabian Caxton but. Stow mistikes their additions of other disorders * Ypod. Neust. A. D. 1393. A. D. 1394. * Ypod. Neust. The death of Queene Anne and many great Ladies The famous Sir Iohn Hawkwood dieth * Paul 〈◊〉 in â—…log 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Iulius Feroldus * Tho. Walsin Ypod. Neust. An. D. 1396. * Doct. Tayler ex Autographâ—… ipsius A. D. 15â—… An excellent note concerning the vanity of worldly ambition in Princes * Froissard The Duke of Lancaster marries the Lady Katherine Swinford * Stow Holinsh. erreth in saying but three A peace and marriage with France A. D. 1397. A. reg 20. * Hist. Ang. lib. 20. * Ypod. Neust. Grafton Chron. * Fabian Concor Hist. * A French pamphlet apud Ioh. Stowe in Hollinsh pag. 488. Lanquets Epitoâ—… * Hist. Angl. li. 20. * Tho. VValsin * Grafton Io. Stow. Annal. * Milles. p. 427. * Ypod Neust. A. reg 21. * Libr. Statut. An. 21. Rich. 2. cap. 2. * 〈◊〉 brâ—…ad An. 10. 〈◊〉 * Holinsh. The Earle of Arandel beheaded The Duke of Glocester murthered A. D. 1398. Libr. Statu An. 21. Rich. 2. cap. 12. * Tho. Walsin * Book of statutâ—… A. Ric. 2. 21. ca. 12. artic 6. * Tho. Walsing The King Prince of Chester creates Dukes and other States * Hist. Ang. lib. 20. * Ypod Neust. An. D. 1399. An. Reg. 22. * Ypod Neust. * Tho. Wals. in R. 2. * Annal. Hibern apud Cambd. * Annal. Hibern apud Cambd. * Tho. VVals * Ed. 2. §. 33. 34. King Richard resignes vpon Michaelmas day A. D. 1340. * Holinsh. pa. 504 * D. Hayward iâ—… Hen. 4. * Fabia Concord hist. saith thirty and eight * Tho. Wals. * Ypod. Neust. * Ypodigma Neust. Ypod. Neust. * Fab. 1. Concord Hist. Holinsh. ex Fab. A necessary protestation * Mornay Myst. iniquit p. 482. * into Bohemia opera Io. Huss To. 2. * Walfi p. 205. p. 208. * Ibid. p. 285. * p. 327. * p. 285. * Câ—…lmen Sapientia scientia p. 201. * p. 286. * p. 201. * Bulla Gregorij ib. * Vide op Ioh. Huss 10. 2. * Nimio fauâ—…re Pâ—…ocerum militum VValsin p. 351. p. 328. * Ypod. Neust. p 552. ibid. * Varia Wicliffi M. S. in biblioth Oxon. * Tho. VVals p. 285. * ib. pag. 283. * An. 1385. * Walsi p. 312. Ypod. Neust. p. 537. * Atri Ditis is in M. S not in the printed copies Monarch 51 Henry IIII. * Tho. VValsin * Ex Anonym apud Io. Stow. Annal. Holinsh p. 515. Polyd. Verg. lib. 21. * Hall Chron. * Shellie as others haue it * Fab Conc. Hist. * Harst cap. 119. * Hall Chron. Holinsh. p. 516. * Tho. Walsing The late King Richard starued to death * Ypod. Neust. * Annal. in H. 4. * Sir Iohn Fâ—…rtescue * Chron. c. 200. * In Yorkshire pag. 567. * Hist. Angl. 20. in â—…in Rich. 2. The fiction of Tantâ—…lus verified in King Richard * Lanquets Chron. in Hen. 4. * Fab. Conc. Chron. * Holinsh. p. 517. * Lib. 16. A counterfet King Richard buried in Scotland Tho. VVals in Hen. 4. ad An. D. 1044. Richards dead body shewed openly at London From thence is carried to Langley and afterward to Westminster * Thom. Walsing in Henr. 4. * Fab. Conc. Hist. * Annal. * Ypod. Neust. * Hist. 51. li. 16. by Belindens diuision cap. 13 Owen Glendowr drawes the VVelsh into rebellion * Hist. of Wales D. Powel p. 385. 386. 387. * Sir Edw. Cooke Epist. part 3. report King Henrie enters North-VVales with an Armie VVarre 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 Pâ—…e * * 〈◊〉 Sâ—… â—…4 an 2. c. â—…5 An. D. 1401. An. Reg. 2 * Polyd. Verg. Hist an 〈◊〉 21. * Tho. VVals * Holinsh. Chron. Frossard The forme of redeliuering Queen Iâ—…abel to the French The King in danger to be slaine or wounded An. 1402. * Fab. Chron. ad A. D. 1400. * In Hen. 4. * Polyd. Vergâ—… 21. * Holinsh. p. 520. The late king Richard though dead suffers not K. Henry to rest Tho. Wals. Ypod The Diuell appeares in Essex * Cambd in Northumb p. 675. * Pol. Verg. lib. 21. * Hect. Boet. l. 16. Henry Hotspurs fortunes against the Scots The incredible force of the olde English Archery The summe of the great victory at Halidown hil * Tho. Wals. Polyd. Verg. hath not a word in particular of this so great an action The Lord Mortimer dies a prisoner amongst the VVesh * Cambd. p. 675. in Northumberland A. D. 1403. * Ioh. Tilius Chr. * Ypod. Neust. in Histor. A strange presaging apparition of war * Heâ—… Boâ—… lib. 16. Causes of the Lord â—…rcies dangerous rebellion * Thom. Walsing * Cambd. in Northumberland The Kingdome of England to bee shared among the conspirators * Holinsh. p. 521. The late dead King Richard againe afflicteth Henry * Ypodig Neust. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 〈◊〉 Thomas Percie Earle of Worce ster cause of the battell at Shrewsbury The terrible battel at Shrewsbury * Thomas Walsing Hoâ—…spurre and Dowglas onely seeke to encounter the Kinges person * Tho. Walsing * â—…ibr 16. * Many thousands together â—…aith VValsingham The King vseth his victory