the Title of Baron to Henry Lord Herbert PEMBROKE-SHIRE is bounded by Carnarthen on the East and Cardigan shire on the North-East On all sides else it is surrounded by the Sea In length 26. in breadth 20. and in circumference 93 Miles It was antiently Peopled by the Dimetree as well as Cardigan and Carmarthen-shires part of this County was after inhabited by the Flemmings sent thither by King Henry I. who lost their Country by the breaking in of the Sea whereby a great part of Flanders was drowned and whose Posterity continue there to this day and speak so good English that their Division is called Little England beyond Wales The Commodities of this shire are Corn Cattel Sea-fish and Fowl and in the days of Giraldus Cambrensis they had Wines for sale the Havens being so commodious for Traffick particularly Tenby and Milford the last of which is so large a Port that sixteen Creeks five Bays and thirteen Roads distinguisht by particular names are all contained within it Pembroke is the Shire Town which appears more antient than it is it was formerly Walled and had three Gates with a large Castle and a Causey leading over to the decayed Priory of Monton The Town consists principally of one long street on a long narrow Point of a Rock and hath within the Walls thereof two Churches St. David's is a Barren old City having neither Trees to defend it nor is it pleasant with Fields or Meadows but lyes exposed to Winds and Storms It is now the seat of a Bishop but was once an Archbishoprick in the British Church At the first planting of the Gospel in the reign of King Lucius there were three Archbishops Seats appointed London York and Caerleon The last in the Reign of Arthur King of the Britains was translated from thence to St David's as being farther off from the Saxon's fury Twenty seven of them retained the Title of Archbishops the last whereof was Samson who removed the Archi-episcopal Dignity to Dâ—le in Bretaign a Province in France Yet his Suceessors though they lost the name retained the power of the Archbishop the Welsh Bishops being consecrated by him till the Reign of King Henry I. when Bernard the 47th Bishop of this See was forced to submit himself to the Church of Canterbury The Cathedral here hath been often ruined by the Danes Norwegians and other Pirates as standing near the Sea in an extream Corner of this County that which we now see was built by Bishop Peter and by him dedicated to St. David In the middle of whose Quire Edmund Earl of Richmond Father to King Henry VII lies buried whose Monument secured the Church from being defaced in the Reign of King Henry VIII The roof of this Church is higher than any in England Calphurnius a British Priest who Married Concha Sister to St Martin and had St. Patrick the Apostle of Ireland to their Son was born at St. David's Likewise Justinian a Noble Britain with his own Inheritance built a Monastery in the Island of of Ramsey in this County where many Monks dwelt happily under his Jurisdiction until three of them Murdered him out of envy and emulation for his Plous Life His Body was brought to 〈◊〉 or St. David's and there interred and his Tomb afterward much famed for many supposed Miracles Giraldus Cambrensis whose Sirname was Barry some write Fitz Girald the Welsh Historian was born at Tenby in this County being Son to William Barry an Englishman by his Wife Angareth daughter of Nesta Daughter of Rhese or Rice Prince of South-Wales He was Nephew to David the second Bishop of St David's by whom he was made Arch-Deacon of Brecknock He was wont to complain That the English did not love him because his Mother was a Welshwoman and the Welsh hated him because his Father was an Englishman Though by his excellent Writings he deserved of England well of Wales better and of Ireland best of all making an exact description of all three and acting in the last as Secrety to King John with great industry and expence Having Travelled to Jerusalem he writ a Book of the Wonders of the Holy Land He had no great success at Court and therefore attained to no considerable Dignity till at length he was offered a very mean Bishoprick in Ireland and his highest Preferment was to this of St. David's of which he gives the true reason That he was looked upon with a Jealous Eye because being a Welshman by the Mother the furer side he was thought to have a natural antipathy against the English since it was believed no good Subject could come out of Walee Being now Bishop of St. David's he went to Rome and there was very importunate for an exemption of that Diocess from the Authority of Canterbury whereby he highly offended Hubert the Archbishop thereof Whereupon being rather overborn with bribes than overcome in his Cause he returned without effecting it and dying was buried in his own Cathedral about 1215. When King Henry II. was at St. David's in this County and from thence in a clear day discovered the Coast of Ireland in an huffing bravado he said I with my Ships am able to make a Bridge thither if it be no farther Which Speach of his being related to Murchard King of Lemster in Ireland he asked whether he did not say He would do it with the help of God and being told no he chearfully answered Then I fear him the less since he trusted more to himself than to the help of God The same King Henry coming back from Ireland arrived at St. David's where being told that there is an old Prophecy of Merlin's That the Conqueror of Ireland returning that way should dye upon a stone called Lechlaver near the Church-yard He thereupon before a multitude of People passed over it unhurt and reproving the Welshmen said Now who will hereafter credit that Lyar Merlin The County of Pembroke hath been fortified with sixteen Castles besides two Block-houses or Forts Commanding the Mouth of Milford Haven and hath five Market Towns is divided into seven Hundreds wherein are forty five Parish 〈◊〉 It gives the Title of Earl to Thomas Lord Herbert who is also Earl of Montgomery RADNOR-SHIRE hath Monmouth on the North Hereford and Shropshire on the East Brecknock on the South and Cardiganshire on the West In length twenty four in breadth twenty two and in circuit ninety miles The Air is sharp and cold as generally it is through all Wales whereby the Snow lies long unmelted under those vast Mountains Hills and Rocks that overshadow the Valleys yet the East and South parts are somewhat fruitful indifferently stored with Woods and watered with Rivers and Mears The riches of the North and West consist chiefly in the Cattel which they produce The antient Inhabitants were the Silures who by their own courage and the assistance of their inaccessible Mountains preserved their freedom very long against all the attempts of the Romans These Rocks
his men and made good the Bridge till a Soldier in a Boat rowing under the Bridge thrust his Spear through a crevice and so slew this valiant Champion After which the King fell upon the Danes and got an intire Victory over them killing King Harfager and Tosto his own Brother Olave the Son of Harfager and Paul Earl of Orkney were taken Prisoners with abundance more who begging their Lives the King ordered 20 of their 300 Ships to carry them to Denmark with the sad news of the loss of their King and his whole Army No sooner was this Storm over but a worse began for Duke William having prepared a great Army and Navy resolved for England having the free consent of his Nobility for his Voyage many of them assisting him therein But first he sent to Pope Alexander to confirm his Title to the Crown who did it readily and withal sent him a Consecrated banner an Agnus Dei and a Hair of St. Peter with a curse to all opposers to carry in the Ship wherein he himself failed Being thorowly furnished he and his Men embarqued at St. Vallery where they staid a long time for a Wind at length setting Sail Sep. 28. 1066. he arrived with his Fleet at Pevensey in Sussex where as soon as he landed it hapned one of his Feet stuck so fast in the Sand that he fell to the ground whereupon one of his Attendants catching him by the Arm and helping him up said Stand up my Lord and be of good Courage for now you have taken fast footing in England and observing that he had taken up Sand and Earth in his Hand he added You have now taken Livery and Seisin of the Country it being the custom that when Possession is taken of Land a piece of Earth is given to the Possessor A Wizard or Necromancer had told Duke William That he should safely arrive in England with his whole Army without any hindrance from Harold which after it came to pass King William sent for this Conjurer to confer further with him but it was told him That he was drowned in that Ship which alone of the whole Navy miscarried whereupon the Conqueror said He would never put confidence in that Science which was of more benefit to the Ignorant than the Skilful therein for it seems he could foresee my good fortune but not his own misfortune After his Landing the Duke set all his Ships a fire to assure his men that they must either conquer or die He then marched towards Hastings declaring the cause of his coming to be to inherit the Kingdom which was given him by King Edward and strictly charging his Soldiers not to wrong any of the People in the least since they were so soon to become his Natural Subjects He then sent Messengers to Harold either to deliver him up the Country and be subject to him or to fight it out in the sight of both Armies in single combat or lastly to stand to the Pope's Determination But he returned answer That unless he did suddenly depart he would give him cause to repent this his rash Invasion and that the next day it should he tryed by more Swords than One. Accordingly Harold marcheth couragiously against Duke Widiam who put himself into a posture to receive him It happned that the Morning before the Battel William's Armourer by mistake put on his Back-piece before and his Breast-plate behind which being observed by some of his Attendants was judged an ill Omen and therefore they advised him not to fight that day To whom the Duke replied I value not such Fooleries but if I have any skill in Soothsaying as in truth I have none I am of the opinion if doth foretel that I shall change my Condition and of a D. shall this day become a K. The Armies being Marshalled Harold placing the Kentish-men with their heavy Axes or Halberts in the Van the Battel began both Parties fighting bravely one for the Liberty of their Country and the other for a Kingdom The Normans perceiving they could not break the united strength of the English pretended to fly which the English believing pursued them in disorder whereupon the Normans taking the advantage rallied and charging them furiously in that disjoynted Posture made a very great slaughter among the English and among the rest King Harold his Brother and most of the English Nobility fell that day and of the Common Souldiers Sixty seven thousand nine hundred seventy four Others report an hundred thousand were slain Duke William had three Horses killed under him yet received not the least wound his Loss being only as is said Six thousand Men. Thus died King Harold after only nine Months Reign and was buried at Waltham Abby in Essex And it is very remarkable That whereas Harold with his Father Godwin had cruelly murdered Alfred the true Heir to the Crown and his Normans he was now by a Norman Wounded in the left Eye with an Arrow whereof he immediately died This great Battel was fought at Hastings in Sussex on Saturday October 14. 1066. The English after this vast loss had designed to make Edgar Atheling King but it was prevented by their private Animosities And thus ended the Saxon Monarchy in England which from Hengist in 475 to this Year had continued save only some short interruptions by the Danes Five hundred ninety one years During these stupendious Revolutions in the State and Government of England we do not read of much action between the Welsh and the Saxons Danes and Normans It is recorded they had still a Succession of Kings and Princes and among them Leoline ap Sytsill who lived about the year 900 in the Reign of Edward Sirnamed the Elder a Valiant Saxon King and yet free from Pride or Ambition saith the Historian as appears by the intercourse betwixt him and this Leoline who after several Skirmishes thought fit to Treat of Peace The King lay at a place called Austeline and the Prince at Bethesly not far distant Leoline thought it below him to cross the Severn to wait upon Edward whereupon the King went into a Boat to come over to him Leoline observing it and surprized at this great condiscention upon the King's approach to the opposite shoar threw off this rich Robe he had on prepared on purpose for that Royal Assembly and entred the Water Breast high where imbracing the Boat he submissively said Most Prudent and Worthy King your Humility hath overcome my Insolence and your Wisdom hath Triumphed over my Folly Come tread upon my Neck which I have foolishly lifted up against you and enter into my Country this Day with all freedom since your generosity hath made it all your own Having said this he took the King upon his Shoulders and carrying him ashoar caused him to sit down upon his Royal Robe and so putting his hands jointly into his acknowledged Homage and Allegiance to him Ethelstane his Successor had Wars with the Welsh whose Princes and
Rulers he brought to be his Tributaries who at Hereford entred into Covenants to pay him yearly twenty pound weight in Gold three hundred weight of Silver and two thousand five hundred Head of Cattel with a certain number of Hawks and Hounds Toward the payment of which by the Statutes of Howel Dha the King of Aberfraw was charged at sixty six pounds the Prince of Dynever and the Prince of Powys the like Sums This Ethelstane confined the Britains who hitherto had enjoyed the City of Exeter with the same right as the Saxons into the furthest Promontory of Cornwall enlarging his Dominions beyond any Saxon King before him In the time of King Edward the Confessor 1053 the Irish with 36 Ships entred the River Severne and with the assistance of Griffith King or Prince of North-Wales burnt and destroyed all they met with Against whom Alfred Bishop of Worcester marching with considerable force was defeated many of his Souldiers being slain and the rest put to flight which much elevated the Welsh so that Rice the Brother of Griffith made many Incursions into the English Territories and carried away great Booties till at length he was routed and slain at Bulenden and his Head presented to King Edward at Glocester Two years after the King having banished Algar the Son of Leofrike Earl of Chester without cause he with the assistance of the Welsh and Irish under Grissith who had Married his Daughter much indamaged the English defeating Rodulf Earl of Hereford with the slaughter of five hundred men defacing that City and burning the Minster with many other mischiefs Against whom Harold Son to Earl Godwin afterward King and slain by William the Conqueror was sent who prosecuted the War with much courage and conduct pursuing his flying Enemies and passing through North-Wales Incamped upon Snowdon Hills but the Earl and Griffith not daring to come to an Engagement fled from thence to South-Wales and again took possession of Hereford of which Harold having notice marched thither with all diligence and soon recovering the City fortified it with a deep Trench and an high Rampire and for preventing of Bloodshed and ingratitude to Algar who had freely resigned his Earldom to Harold upon his return from Exile a peace was concluded and at Harold's request King Edward pardoned both him and Griffith But Algar raising fresh disturbances and again assisted by his old friend Griffith recovered his Earldom of Chester by Arms at which the King was highly offended especially with Griffith who was always ready to appear against him and Harold was a second time made General and with a great Army entred North-Wales without sight of an Enemy whereupon he burnt down the stately Palace of Prince Griffith and so returned to the King But the Welsh were not long quiet and Griffith inflamed with revenge with the greatest strength he could raise made Inroads into ihe English Borders Upon which Harold is sent a third time against them who burst into Wales with such mighty Forces that Prince Griffith doubting the Success withdrew secretly from his Camp leaving his Souldiers to fight for themselves if they pleased who finding their Prince had deserted them the whole Army yielded themselves to Harold's mercy and having seized upon Gaiffith they cut off his Head and sent it to Harold giving him Hostages for their future obedience and for payment of the ancient Tribute which for some time had been denied After which King Edward kept a severe Eye over the Welsh making a Law that if any of that Nation should pass armed over Offa's Ditch his Right Hand should be cut off In the Reign of William the Conqueror Roger Earl of Hereford raising a Rebellion against him in that Country was assisted by the Welsh but it being soon supprest and the Earl taken and banisht into Normandy the King used great severity against the Welsh putting out the Eyes of some Hanging others upon Gibbets and they that escaped best were forever banisht their Country and afterwards entring Wales with a great Army he obliged the Princes thereof who were unable to resist to do him Homage at St. Davids and taking Hostages for their peaceable demeanour he returned as a Victorious Conqueror In 1095. William Rufus finding the Welsh often attempting mischief against the English resolved to make a full Conquest of them and redoubling his usual Forces drew into the Marshes of Wales and their Incamped calling a Council of War to consult how to prosecute his design against them who finding their own weakness to oppose they according to their usual manner secured themselves in their Woods and Mountains and other inaccessible places Upon which the King sent Hugh Montgomery Earl of Shrewsbury and Hugh Lupus Earl of Chester into the Isle of Anglesey who there executed great cruelty on the People cutting off the Hands Noses and Arms of the Resisters sparing neither Age Sex nor place Sacred or Prophane from Destruction At which very time Mâ—gous King of Norway landed there in hope to Conquer the Island whom the English Earls opposed with all their might armed at all points yet Montgomery through the sight of his Beaver was shot with an Arrow into the right Eye whereof he died In 1107. those Flemings which his Brother Rufus had setled in Cumberland whose Lands the Seas had overwhelmed some years before were by King Henry I. removed into Ross in Wales both to free the Inland Country from such a burden and to keep the Welsh in obedience which project answered his expectation For saith Giraldus they were a Colony of stout men enured to the Wars and likewise Clothiers and Husbandmen as time and place required and most loyally devoted to the Crown of England whereby they kept the Country in subjection for some time Yet 1114. Griffith ap Conan Prince of North-Wales and Owen ap Cadogan Prince of South-Wales made Inroads upon the Lands of Gilbert Strangbow Hugh Earl of Chester and other English Gentlemen and so incensed the King by these Outrages that in a rage he vowed he would not leave one alive in North or South Wales and going thither in Person divided his Army into three parts to catch if possible these nimble Combatants who at his approach were got again to their old Recesses however with much difficulty he pursued and kill'd many of them in their Hills and Woods and the rest yielded to King Henry who returned home with much satisfaction In 1121. King Henry was again disquieted by the Welsh under Meredith ap Beldin Prince of Powis-Land and the three Sons of Cadogan who broke into the Marshes of Cheshire and burnt two Castles against whom the King marched with strong Forces sending the main of his Army and Carriages the Common Road but himself with a select company took a nearer way through the Streights and Mountains which the Welshmen having notice of they laid an Ambush who couragiously set upon them and rained down Showers of Arrows on them from the higher grounds
whereby many of the English were slain and one Arrow aimed at the King shot him on the Breast but by his Armour was hindred from doing farther mischief whereat he was little concerned only swore By our Lord's Death his usual Oath that he was sure that Arrow was shot by own of his Followers and not by a Welshman At length finding he should gain little and might lose much of the honour he had gained in this barren Country he concluded a Peace with the Welsh Princes giving them a thousand head of Cattel and so returned to London In 1138. Owen and Cadwallader the Sons of Griffith ap Conan Prince of Wales made an Irruption into the Pale and did much damage carrying away much spoil of Goods Horses Arms and other Habiliments of War which King Stephen was not able to revenge being sufficiently incumbered in defending his Crown which Maud the Empress upon pretence of a better Title endeavoured to deprive him of under the Conduct of her Brother in Law Robert Earl of Glocester King Stephen Besieged Ramilph Earl of Chester and Earl Robert in Lincoln who issued out of the City resolving to give the King Battel being assisted with a great number of Welsh as well as Englishmen Before the fight the Earl of Chester animated his Souldiers by telling them That he gave them unfeigned thanks for hazarding their lives in so just a cause against a faithless King and that he himself would lead them amidst the strongest Troups of the Enemy and seemed already in his own thoughts to be breaking through them and trampling on the necks of their Chief Captains yea piercing with his Sword the very Heart of King Stephen himself not doubting but they would follow their Leader and by his example quickly put their persidious adversaries to flight On the other side Baldwin King Stephen's General told his men That the Justice of their Cause obliged them to defend their valiant King to whom they had sworn Allegiance and whose Presence Courage and Conduct ought more to encourage them than thousands of men What is Robert the Bastard their General says he but a boasting Coward who can speak big but perform little hath a Lion's Voice but the Heart of an Hare and what is Chester's Earl but an hair-brain'd audacious man without Judgment or Courage and what are the Welshmen which he has with him are they not fitter for our contempt than fear who being naked unarmed and without any military Discipline run headlong like wild Beasts upon the Javelins and Spears of the Hunter and the rest are only straglers and runagates who will never endure the force of your puissant Arms. After this a bloody Battel was fought but at length King Stephen's Horse giving way and the Foot being thereby exposed they allfled together leaving the King almost alone in the Field A strange sight it was saith the Historian to see King Stephen left almost alone and yet none durst approach him who grinding his Teeth and foaming like a furious wild Boar with his Battel Ax drove whole Troops before him cutting down great numbers of them to the eternal Renown of his Courage so that if but an hundred like himself had stood by him a whole Army had not been able to surprize his Person yet he still defended himself till first his Battle-ax and then his Sword flew in peices by his irresistible blows so that being left Weaponless he was struck down with a great Stone and taken Prisoner Yet he afterward regained his Liberty and his Crown and Died a King after having Reigned near 19 years In 1170. The Welsh surprized the Town of Cardigan under Rice ap Griffith Prince of South-Wales and took therein the Governour Robert Fitz Stephens a valiant Norman who could not procure his Liberty upon any other terms than by forever renouncing all Right and Title to his Estate and Possessions in the Principality of Wales which hard condition he was obliged to accept and joining with Dermot one of the five Kings of Ireland who at that time came over to crave aid from King Henry II. was instrumental in conquering that Kingdom and annexing it to the Crown of England In 1199. King Richard I. resolving to make a Voyage for the recovery of the Holy Land or Jerusalem he resolved to leave all quiet at home and Rice ap Griffith Prince of South-Wales being then in amity came as far as Oxford to wait upon him but because the King who was there went not out of the City in Person to meet him as his Father Henry had done though Earl John the King's Brother had conducted him from the Marshes with all the marks of honour and esteem this haughty Welsh Prince took it in such great scorn and indignation that he presently returned back into his Countrey without once seeing or saluting King Richard who by this disrespect lost Rice's love and favour As upon the like omission and superorlousness the stately Monk Austin formerly lost the affections of the Monks of Bangor Rice's own Countrymen in another part of Wales In 1211. Leolin ap Jorwith Prince of Wales though he had a while before made his submission to King John plundred several English Towns in the Marshes which caused the King to raise a great Army to reduce him to obedience whereupon Leoline ordered all his People to convey their Cattel and Goods of Value to the almost inaccessible places upon Snowdon Hills however the English pursued them with so much speed vigor and revenge for their continual losses that their Prince and Chief Lords were compelled to accept of what terms the King would allow them whereby they were obliged both by Oath Homage and Hostages and likewise by granting all their Lands to the King to be held of him forever to buy their peace and save themselves from being utterly extirpated out of their Country In 1230. King Henry III. having given the Castle of Montgomery to his great Favorite Aubert de Burgh the English Garrison issued out with intent to root up all the Trees near a Wood about five Mile long where Travellers used to â—erobbed and murdered which the Welsh would by no means permit falling upon the Souldiers and driving them into the Castle Upon which the King Marches thither and not only suppresseth these Mutineers but sets the whole Forrest in a Flame From hence he pierceth farther into Wales and burns a place called Cridia and then begins to raise a new Fort for bridling the Natives which whilst he was doing David Prince of Wales marched toward him with his Forces being encouraged by many great men in King Henry's Army who were confederates with him and a great Battel was fought where many were slain on both sides and afterward by the treachery of these English Barons Provisions grew so very scare that the King was compelled to yield to a dishonourable Peace namely To raze to the ground the new Fort now almost finisht That William Bruce a valiant Commander
to him and struck him over the Face Whereat the Judge not at all disturbed rose up and told him That the affront he had offered was not done to him but to the King his Father whom he did there represent And therefore I charge you saith he to desist from proceeding any further in your Lawless designs and I commit you to the King's Bench there to remain during your Father's pleasure for the abuse you have committed and the ill example you have given to those that may hereafter be your own Subjects It was wonderful to see how calm the Prince was in his own cause who had been so violent in that of his Companion for laying aside his Dagger which he had in his hand and with which the People feared he would have killed the Judg he quietly submitted to his Order and went to the King's Bench. At which his Attendants being in a great fury ran instantly with mighty complaints to the King giving him an account of the whole matter King Henry appeared at first a little surprized but recollecting himself he seemed ravished with joy and holding up his hands to Heaven cry'd out O merciful God how much am I bound to thy Infinite goodness that thou hast given me a Judge who is of such Courage as not to be afraid to administer Justice and a Son of such humility that he will submit thereunto However for these and some other Pranks he removed him from being President of the Council and put his younger Brother Lord John in his place This made the Prince so sensible of his Father's anger which some of his Enemies endeavoured to heighten that he thought it necessary to use all means to recover his good opinion which he endeavoured to do by a way as strange as that by which he lost it Of which I shall give an account in the words of the Larl of Ormond who was an Eye and Ear witness of the same During the sickness of the King faith he some ill disposed people endeavoured to raise dissention between him and his Son reproaching the Prince both with the Frolicks of his Youth and for the great concourse of People that continually attended his Court far exceeding those of his Father whereby they insinuated that he designed to usurp the Crown during his Life which raised much jealousie in the King's Mind and greatly alienated his affections from him The Prince had notice thereof by some of his Friends in Court Whereupon he attired himself in a Garment of blew Sattin wrought all with Oylet holes of black Silk at every hole a Needle hanging by which it was sowed and about his Arm he wore a Hound's Collar studded with S S. of Gold Thus strangely apparrell'd with a large Retinue of Young Noblemen he came to his Father at Westminster and his Attendants staying in the Hall by his Order to prevent suspicion he himself with the King's Officers went to wait upon his Father Being admitted into the Presence after due obeysance the Prince desired that he might have Audience of his Majesty in the Privy Chamber Upon which the King caused himself to be carried thither in a Chair where in the Presence of only three or four of his Privy-Council he demanded of the Prince the Cause of his unwonted Habit and Coming The Prince kneeling replied Most honoured Lord and Father I am come to throw my self at your Majestie 's Feet as your most Loyal Subject and Obedient Son to whom nothing is more afflicting than that your Majesty should entertain the least jealousie of my designing any thing against your Royal Dignity or to imagine me so horridly undutiful and ingrateful to a Father who hath always shewed such tender love and affection to me as your Highness hath always done so that I should deserve a thousand deaths if I durst imagine the least harm or damage against your Sacred Person And if it be my bounden duty to hazard my life in your defence against any even the greatest Traytor whatsoever then much more ought I to Sacrifice my self to free your Grace from the fear of any peril or danger from me and upon that account I have this day by confessing my Sins and receiving the Sacrament prepared my self for another World Therefore most Honoured Father I beseech you for God's sake to put an end to my life now lying at your Feet with this Dagger delivering his Dagger to the K. for I had rather be out of the World than continue a day longer in it to give any disturbance to your mind And dear Father in the doing hereof I freely forgive you as I shall do the same before God at the Day of Judgment The King was so moved at these words thaâ— throwing the Dagger away he fell upon his Neck and imbracing him said My dear and truly be loved Son I must confess I had entertained some suspicions but I now find they were altogether causless on your part and since I am now sensible of your fidelity and obedience I do assure you upon my honour I will never hereafter harbour any ill opinion of you whatsoever may be suggested against you And hereupon he was fully restored to the King 's former Grace and Favour The King's weakness of Body increasing daily he oft-times took occasion to give some useful instructions to his Son for the future Governing of his Kingdom to this effect Dear Son I am much concerned for fear that after my decease some difference may arise betwixt you and your Brother Thomas Duke of Clarence whereby great mischiefs may happen to the Kingdom you being both of great Spirits and he of an Usurping Temper which I am sure you will never endure And as often as I think of it I heartily repent me that ever I charged my self with the troubles of a Crown The Prince replied Gracious Soveraign and Father I pray God continue long your Life and Reign to Govern us both but if it please the Almighty that I shall succeed you in the Kingdom I shall honour and love my Brethren above all others so long as they be true and faithful to me their Soveraign Lord. But if any of them shall conspire or rebel against me I do assure you I shall as soon execute justice on them as upon the meanest and most inconsiderable Person in the Nation The King was extreamly pleased with this answer and then proceeded My well beloved Son Thou hast much eased my troubled Mind and I charge thee to do as thou hast said To administer Justice impartially but to be always ready and speedy in relieving the Oppressed And let not Flatterers whose hands are full of Bribes withdraw thy Mind therefrom Delay not to do Justice to day if thou be able lest God should execute Justice upon thee and deprive thee of thine authority Remember that the happiness of thy Soul thy Body and thy Kingdom depends thereupon Yet in some Cases let Justice be tempered with Mercy lest thou be accounted