awaye Ah ê™ the quene hath he so tendre a zele to hym that he feareth nothyng but least he should escape hym Thynketh he that I would sende hym hence whiche is neyther in the plight to sende oute and in what place coulde I recone hym sure if he bee not sure in sanctuarye whereof was there neuer tyraunte yet so deuelyshe that durste attempte to breake the priuiledge and I truste God is nowe as stronge to wythstande his aduersaries as euer he was But my soonne can deserue no sanctuarye you saye and therfore he cannot haue it forsothe the lorde protectoure hath sente a goodly glose by the whiche that place that may defend a these may not saue an innocent but he is in no ieopardye nor hath no nede thereof I woulde God he had not Troweth the protectoure I praye God he maye proue a protectour rather then a destroyer whereunto his peynted processe draweth Is it not honourable that the duke byde here it were confortable to theim bothe that he were with his brother because the kyng lacketh a playe feloe yea bee you sure I praye God sende hym better playefelowes then hym that maketh so hyghe a matter vpon suche a tryfleynge pretexte as though there coulde none bee founde to playe with the kynge but yf his brother whiche hathe no lu 〈…〉 to playe for syckenesse muste come oute of Sanctuarye oute of his sauegarde to playe with hym as though that prynces so young as they beâ— coulde not playe without their peres or chyldreÌ„ coulde not playe without theyr kynred with whome for the more parte they agree muche woorsse then with straungiers But the chyld you saye cannot require the priuiledge who tolde the protectoure so Aske hym and you shall here hym aske it and so shall he if ye wyll Howebeit this is a straunge matter suppose he coulde not aske it and thynke he woulde not aske it and ymagene he woulde aske to go oute yf I saye he shall not Note if I aske the priuiledge but for my selfe I saye that he that agaynst my wyll taketh out hym breaketh Sanctuarye Serueth thys lyberty for my personne onlye or for my goodes too you maye not frome hence take my horsse frome me yf I stale hym not nor owe you nothynge then foloweth it that you maye not take my chylde from me he is also my ward for as farre as my learned councell sheweth me he hath nothyng by dyssente holden by knyghtes seruage but by socage then the lawe maketh me his garden then maye no manne lawfully I suppose take my warde frome me oute of thys place wythoute the breche of Sanctuarye and yf my pryuyledge coulde not serue hym nor he aske it for hym selfe yet sythe the lawe commytteth to me the custodye of hym I maye requyre it for hym excepte the lawe geue the infaunte a garden onelye for hys gooddes dyschargynge hym of the cure and sauekepynge of his bodye for whiche onely bothe goodes and landes serue Wherfore here entende I to kepe hym sithe mannes lawe serueth the garden to kepe the infaunte and the lawe of nature wylleth the mother to kepe that chyld and Goddes lawe priuiledgeth the Sanctuarye and the Sanctuarye pryuyledgeth my soonne sythe I feare to putte hym to the protectoures handes that hathe his brother already whiche is yf bothe fayled inheritoure to the croune as heyre male as he sayth The cause of my feare no man hath to dooe to examen and yet feare I no further then the law feareth whiche as learned menne tell me forbyddeth euery manne the custody of theim by whose death he maye enheryte lesse lande then a kyngdome I can saye no more but whosoeuer he bee that breaketh this holy sanctuary I praye God sende hym shortelye nede of Sanctuary when he maye not come to it for I woulde not that my mortall enemie should be taken out of Sanctuary The Cardynal perceaued that the quene euer that lenger the farther of and also that she beganne to kyndle and chafe and spake sore bytynge woordes agaynst the protectoure and suche as he neyther beleued also was lothe to here he sayd to her for a finall conclusion that he would no more dispute the matter and if she were contente to delyuer the duke to hym and to the other lordes there present he durste laye his owne bodye and soule bothe in pledge not onlye for his suretie but also for hys estate and surely he knewe nor suspected no cause but he might so dooe but he knewe not all And further he saide if she would geue hym a resolute aunswere to the contrarye he would therewith departe incontinent and shifte who so woulde wyth this busynesse afterwarde for he neuer entended further to moue her in the matter in the whiche he thought that he and all other also saue her selfe lacked eyther wytte or truthe Wytte if they were so dull if they nothyng coulde perceaue what the protectoure entended and yf they should procure her soonne to bee delyuered into his handes in whome they shoulde perceaue towardes the chyld any euell wyll entended then she myghte thynke all the councell bothe euel aduysed and of lytle fydelyte to theyr prince The quene with these wordes stoode in a great studye and forasmuche as she sawe the lord Cardynall more redyer to departe then the remanauÌ„t and the protectoure hym selfe redye at hande so that she verelye thought that she coulde not kepe hym there but he shoulde bee incontynente taken thence and to conueye hym elles where neyther had she tyme to serue her nor place determyned nor personnes appoynted to conueygh hym and so all thyng was vnreadye when this message came so sodenly on her nothyng lesse lookyng for then to haue hym out of sanctuarye whiche she knewe nowe menne to bee set in all places about that he coulde not bee conueyghed oute vntaken and partely as she thought it myghte fortune her feare to bee false so well she wist it was ether nede lesse or botelesse Wherfore yf she should nedes go from hym she demed best to deliuer hym specially of that Cardinalles faith she nothing doubted nor of some other lordes whome she sawe there which as she feared least they might be deceaued so well was she assured that they woulde not bee corrupted then thoughte she that it woulde make theim the more warely to looke to hym and the more circum spectly to see his surety yf she with her owne handes betooke hym theim by truste and at the laste she tooke the young duke by the hande and saied vnto the Lordes my Lorde ê™ she and all my lordes nether am I so vnwise to mistruste youre wittes nor so suspicyous to mistruste your truthes of which thing I purpose to make such a proofe that yf either of bothe lacked in you might turne both me to greate sorowe the realme to muche harme and you to greate reproche For lo here is ê™ she this gentilman whome I doubte not but I could kepe salfe if I would whatsoeuer
vniuersall hurt of his realme by his eiuill compaignie and synister procuryng and vngracious exsample aswell in many other thynges as in vycious lyuyng and inordynate abusyon of his bodye bothe with many other and in especiall with Shores wife whiche was one of his secrete counsaill of this heynous treason with whom he laye nyghtlye and namely the nyght passed next before his deathe so that it was the lesse maruell yf vngracyous lyuyng brought hym to an vnhappie ende whiche he was nowe putte to by the commaundement of the kyng his highnes and of his honourable and faithfull coūsaill bothe for his demerytes beyng so openly taken in his false contriued treason and also least the delaiyng of his execucion myght haue encoraged other myscheuous persones parteners of his conspiracye to gather and assemble theim selues together in makyng so greate commocyon for his delyucraunce whose hope nowe beeyng by hys well deserued deathe pollytickelye repressed all the realme shall by Goddes grace reste in good quyet and peace Nowe was this proclamacion made within twoo houres after he was behedded and it was so curyously endited and so fayre wrytten in parchement in a fayre sette hande and therwith of it selfe so long aprocesse that euery chylde myght perceaue that it was prepared and studyed before and as some menne thought by Catesby for all the tyme betwene hys deathe and the proclamacyon proclaymynge could skante haue suffysed vnto the bare wrytynge alone albeit that it had been in paper and scrybeled foorthe in haste at aduenture So that vpon the proclaymynge therof one that was schoolemaster at Paules standyng by and comparyng the shortenesse of the tyme wyth the lengthe of the matter sayed to theim that stoode aboute hym here is gaye goodlye cast fowle caste awaye for hast And amarchaunte that stoode by hym sayed that it was wrytten by inspyracyon and prophesye Nowe then by and by as yt were for anger and not for coueteous the protectoure sent sir Thomas Hawarde to the hous of Shores wyfe for her husbande dwelt not wyth her whyche spoyled her of all that euer she had aboue the valure of twoo or thre thousande markes and sente her bodye to pryson And the protectoure had laide to her for the maner sake that she entended to witche hym and that she was a coūsaill with the lord Hastynges to destroye hym In conclucion whē no coloure could fasten vpō these matters the he leyed heinously to her charge that thyng that she coulde not denye for all the worlde knewe that it was true and that not wythstandyng euery manne laughed to here it then so sodeynly so highly taken that she was noughte of her body And for this cause as a Godly continent prince clene and faultlesse of hym selfe sent oute of heauen into this vicious worlde for the amendement of mennes maners he caused the byshop of London to put her to open penaunce goynge before a crosse on sondaye at procession with a taper in her hande In the which she went in coūtenaūce and pace so womanly and albeit she was out of al her araye sauyng her kyrtell onelye yet wente she so fayre and louely and namelye when the wondryng of the people cast a comelye rud in her chekes of the whiche she before had moste mysse that her greate shame wanne her muche prayse amongest theim that were more amorous of her bodye then curyous of her soule many good folke that hated her lyuyng and wer glad to see synne corrected yet petied they more her penaūce then reioysed it whē they consydred that the protectour dyd it more of a corrupt mynde then any verteous affeccion This woman was borne in London well frended honestly brought vp and verye well maryed sauyng somwhat to sone her husband an honest a young citezen godlye of good substaunce but forasmuche as they were coupled or she were well rype she not very feruētly loued for whō she neuer longed whiche was the thyng by chaunce that that more easely made her to encline to that kynges appetite when he requyred her Howbeit the respect of his royaltee that hope of gaye apparel ease pleasure and other wantonne wealthe was hable soone to perce a softe tender harte but when the kyng had abused her anone her husbande being an honest manne and one that coulde his good not presuming to touche a kynges concubyne lefte her vp to hym all together When the kyng dyed that lorde Hastynges tooke her which in the kynges dayes albeit that he was sore enamoured with her yet he forbare either for a pryncelye reuerence or for a certen frendely faythfulnesse Propre she was fayre nothing in her bodye that you coulde haue chaunged but if you would haue wished her somwhat hygher This saye they that knewe her in her youthe some saied and iudged that she had bene well fauoured and some iudged the contrarye whose iudgement semeth lyke as menne gesse the bewtye of one longe before departed by a scalpe taken oute of a chanell house this iudgemente was in the tyme of kyng Henry the eyghte in the xviii yere of whose reygne she dyed when she had nothing but a reueled skynne and bone Her beautye pleased not menne so muche as her pleasaunt behaueoure for she had a propre wytte and could bothe reade and wryte mery in compaignye redy and quicke of aunswer nether mute nor full of bable sometime taunting withoute displeasure but not without disporte Kyng Edward woulde saye that he had thre concubines which in diuerse properties diuerslye excelled one the meriest that other the wiliest the third the holyest harlot in y◠realme as one whom no man could get oute of y◠churche to any place lightlye but yf it were to his bed the other two were somwhat greater personages thē mastres Shore neuerthelesse of their humilyte were content to bee namelesse and to forbeare the praise of these properties But the meryest was Shores wyfe in whome the kyng therfore tooke greate pleasure for many he had but her he loued whose fauoure to saye the truthe for it were synne to lye on the deuel she neuer abused to any mannes hurte but to many mennes comforte releefe For where the kyng tooke displeasure she would mitigate apeace his mynde where menne were oute of fauoure she woulde bring theim into his grace for many that had highly offended she opteygned pardone and of greate forfeatures she gat remissyon and finally in many weightye sutes she stoode many mēne in greate steade either for none or for very small rewardes those rather gaye then ryche either for that she was contente with the dede well done or for that she delyghted to be sued vnto and to shewe what she was hable to doo with the kyng or for that that wanton wemenne and welthye bee not alwayes couetous I doubte not but some manne wyll thynke this womanne to bee to slyghte to bee writen of amonge graue weightie matters whiche they shall specially thynke that happely sawe
into the chaumbre and sodenly lapped theim vp emongest the clothes so bewrapped theim and entangled theim kepyng downe by force the fetherbed and pyllowes heard vnto their mouthes that within awhile thei smored and styfled theim and their brethes faylyng thei gaue vp to God their innocent soules into the ioyes of heauen leauyng to the tourmētoures their bodyes dedde in the bed whiche after the wretches perceaued first by that strugglyng with the panges of dea the after long liyng still to be throughly dedde thei laied the bodyes out vpon the bed and fetched Iames Tirrell to se theim whiche when he sawe theim perfightly ded he caused the murtherers to burie theim at the stayre foote metely depe in the grounde vnder a greate heape of stones Thē rode Iames Tirrell in great hast to kyng Rychard and shewed hym all the maner of the murther who gaue hym greate thankes and as mēne saye there made hym knight but he alowed not their buriall in so vyle a corner saiyng that he would haue theim buryed in a better place because thei were a kynges soonnes Lo the honourable courage of a kyng for he would recompence a detestable murther with a solempne obsequy Wherupō a preest of sir Robert Brakenburyes tooke theim vp and buried theim in suche a place secretly as by the occasion of his death whiche was verie shortlye after whiche onely knewe it the very truthe could neuer yet bee very well perfighly knowen For some saie that kyng Rychard caused that preest to take theim vp close theim in lead put theim in a coffine full of holes hoked at the endes with .ii. hokes of yron so to caste them into a place called the Blacke depes at the thamis mouth so that thei shuld neuer rise vp nor bee seen again This was the very truth vnknowē by reason that the said preste dyed so shortly disclosed it neuer to any persone the would vtter it And for a truthe when sir Iames Tirrell was in the towre for treason committed to kyng Hēry the seuenth bothe he and Dighton were examined together of this poynte bothe thei confessed the murther to bee dooen in thesame maner as you haue hearde whether the bodies were remoued thei bothe affirmed thei neuer knewe And thus as I haue learned of theim that muche knewe and litle cause had to lye wer these .ii. noble princes these innocēt tēdre childrē borne of the moste royall blood brought vp ī great welth likely lōge to liue to reigne rule in that realme by treyterous tirāny taken depriued of their estate shortly shut vp in prison priuely slain murderd by the cruell ambicion of their vnnaturall vncle dispiteous tourmētours whiche thynges on euery part well pōdered God gaue this worlde neuer a more notable exsample either ī what vnsurety stādeth this worldes weale or what mischief worketh the proud entreprise of an high hearte or finally what wretched ende ensueth suche dispiteous crueltie For first to begynne with the ministres Miles Forest at s Martines le graūd by peace meale miserablye rotted awaye Ihon Dightō liued at Caleys long after no lesse disdeined hated then poynted at there dyed in great misery But sir Iames Tirrell was behedded at the towre hill for treason And kyng Richard hymself was slain in the feelde hacked and hewed of his enemies handes haried on a horsbacke naked beyng ded his heare in dispite torne tugged like a curre dogge And the mischeif that he toke with in lesse then thre yeres of the mischief that he did in thre monethes be not comperable yet all the meane tyme spēt in much trouble pein outward much feare dread anguish with in For I haue heard by credible persons of suche as were secret with his chaūberers that after this abhominable dede dooē he neuer was quiet in his minde he neuer thought hymself sure where he wēt abrode his bodie preuely feinted his eyen wherled about his hand euer on his dagger his countenaunce maner like alwayes to stryke again he toke eiuill rest on nightes laye long wakyng musyng forweried with care watche rather slōbred thē slept troubled with fearfull dreames sodeinly some tyme stert vp leapt out of his bed and looked aboute the chambres so was his restlesse hearte contynually tossed and tou 〈…〉 bled with the tedious inpression stormy remēbraūce of his abhomynable murther and exreable tirannie And shortely after he was vnquieted by a conspiracie or rather a confederacie betwene the duke of Buckynghm̄ many other gentlemen against hym as ye shall here the next yere But the occasiō why the duke and the kyng fell oute is of dyuerse folke dyuerse wyse pretended This duke as you haue hearde before assone as the duke of Gloucester after the death of kyng Edward was come to Yorke there had solempne funerall seruice dooen for kyng Edward sent to hym a secrete seruaunt of his called Persall with suche messages as you haue hearde before And after the duke of Buckyngham came with thre hundred horsse to Northampton and still continued with hym as partener and chief organe of all his deuices till after his coronacion thei departed to all semyng verye frendes at Gloucestre From whence assone as the duke came home he so highly turned from hym and so highly conspired against hym that a māne would meruell wherof the chaūge grewe in so shorte space Some saie this occasyon was that a litle before that coronacion the duke required the kyng emōgest other thrnges to bee restored to the Erle of Herffordes lāoes And forasmuche as the title whiche he claymed by inherytaunce was somewhat interlaced with the title of Lancaster whiche house made a title to the croune and enioyed thesame three dyscentes as all menne knewe till the house of Yorke depryued the third kyng whiche was Henry the sixte Kyng Rychard somewhat mistrusted conceaued suche an indignacion that he reiected the dukes request with many spitefull and minotary woordes whiche so wounded the dukes hearte with hatred and mistrust that he could neuer after endure to looke ryght on kyng Rychard but euer feared his owne lyfe so farrefoorth that when the protectoure should ryde to his coronacion feigned hymselfe sycke because he would dooe hym no honoure And the other takyng it in euell parte sente hym woorde to ryse and ryde or he would make hym to be caryed Wherupō gorgeously apparelled and sumpteously trapped with burnyng carte naues of golde embrodered he roade before the kyng through London with an euell wyll and woorsse heart And that notwithstandyng he roase the daye of the coronacion from the feaste feignyng hym selfe sycke whiche kyng Richarde sayde was dooē in hate and spight of hym And therfore men sayd that eche of theim euer after lyued cōtynually in suche hatred and dystrust of other that the duke looked verelye to haue bene murthered at Gloucestre frō whiche he in fayre maner departed but surely suche
wrought so laboured to haue peace whiche gotten he went backe to the castell of Barwike that sir Thomas Stanley had wonne a lytell before And the duke of Albany the authoure of this warre for that he had but lytle thankes of England for his so dooing fled into Fraunce there was kylled running at the tylte in Parys After this businesse Edward assembled his counsell together willed theim to prepare batayle againste the Frenche kyng for that he had neyther payde nor woulde paye his raunsome nor yet geue his soonne in mariage to his doughter as he promised to the setting forth of the which batayl certaine mony was exacted of the prestes religiouse men to be payde At the which time the kyng was sodēly sickened shortly after died at Westminster the .ix. day of April then being .l. yeres of age reigning xxiii after the date of oure Lorde a. M .iiii. C .lxxx. and thre whose corps was after conueyghed and had with great pompe and solempnitee to Winde sore and there buried in saint George his chapell Whiche kyng had by his wyfe the quene ten children of theim lefte aliue behinde hym Edward prince of Wales and Richard duke of yorke and one bastarde called Arthure and fyue doughters Elisabeth Cicilie Anne Catherine and Brigyde whiche after were maryed all sauyng that ladye Brigide was a nonne This Edward was a goodly man of personage of stature hyghe of countenaunce and beautee comely of sight quicke brode brested and well sette in euery other parte conformable to his bodye of a pregnant wytte stomake stoute haulte courage of perfect memori of such thinges as he conceaued in his braine diligent in his affaires weighti busines in auentures bold and hardy againe his aduersaries fearce terryble to his frendes liberal bounteous hauing in all his warres most prosperous lucky successe escheuing all pleasure sensualitee to the which he was by nature most proue vnto for the which cause and for the lowlines and humanite that is in hym in gendred by nature most plētifully he bare him self honestly amōg his priuate persons otherwise thē the degre or dignite of his maieste required wherfore the fame ranne that he was poysened A lytell before his death it was saied that he gaue hym selfe to auarice whiche before as you see vsed greate liberalytee Yet the realme whiche thorowe ciuile sedicyon was greatly impoueryshed he made ryche and plenteouse at his death daye Also he gaue spiritual promocions to the moste excellent and famous clerkes and made theim of his councell other of the laye sorte whome he loued he did not enriche with possessions but with monye and other lyke goodes the whiche many prynces hauyng no respecte of the honoure dooe not alwayes obserue By the whiche suche giftes rewardes he had so farre wonne the hartes of the people that after his deathe many menne dyd lamente the losse of his grace ¶ Edward the fyfth WHEN ALMIGHTIE GOD had called to his mercye the noble prince kyng Edwarde the fourth of that name Edward his eldest sonne prynce of Wales began his reygne the .ix. daye of Aprill in that yere of oure Lorde a. M CCCC .lxxxiij. and in the .xxij. yere of Lewes the .xi. then Frenche kyng Whiche younge prince reigned a smal space and lytle season ouer this realme other in pleasure or libertee for his vncle Richard duke of Gloceter within .iij. monethes depriued hym not only of his croune and regalytie but also vnnaturally bereft hym his naturall life and for the declaracion by what craftie engine he first attempted his vngracious purpose by what false colourable vntrue allegaciōs he set forth openly his pretensed enterprise fynally by what shamefull cruell and detestable acte he perfourmed the same Ye muste fyrst consyder of whom he and his brother descended there natures condicions inclynacions and thē you shall easely perceaue that there could not be a more crueller tyraunt appoynted to acheue a more abomynable enterpryse There father was Richard Plantagenet duke of Yorke whiche began not by warre but by lawe to chalenge the croune of Englande puttyng his clayme in the parliamēt holden that .xxx. yere of kyng Henry the .vi. where ether for right or for fauoure his cause was so set forthe and auaunced that the bloodde of the sayd kyng Henry although he had a goodly sonne was clerely abiected and that croune of the realme by autorytee of parliamente entayled to the duke of Yorke and his heyres after the discease of the sayd kyng Henrye the .vi. But the duke not entendyng so long to tary but myndyng vnder the preterte of discencion growen and arysen within the realme and of couenauntes made in the parliament not kepte but broken to preuēte the tyme and to take vpon hym the gouernaunce in kyng Henryes life was by to muche hardynes slayne at the battayle of Wakefylde leuynge behynde hym three sonnes Edwarde George Richard Al these three as they wer greate estates of byrth so were they greate and statelye of stomake gredy of autoritee and impaciēt parteners of rule and autoritee This Edward reuēged his fathers death and deposed kyng Henry the .vi. and atteyned the croune and sceptre of this realme George duke of Clarence was a goodlye and well feautured prince in all thynges fortunate yf ether his owne ambiciō had not set him against his brother or thenuie of his enemies had not set his brother agaynst hym for were it by the quene or the nobles of her bloode which highly maligned the kynges kynred as women cōmenlye not of malyce but of nature hate suche as theyr husbandes loue or wer it aproude appetite of the duke hym selfe entendyng to bee kyng at the leaste wise heynous treason was layde to his charge and finally were he in faute or were he fautelesse attaynted was he by parliament and iudged to deathe and thereupon hastely drouned in a butte of malmesey within the towre of Londō Whose death kyng Edward although he commaunded it when he wyste it was done pyteouslye he bewayled and sorowfullye he repented it Richard duke of Gloucestre the .iij. sonne of whiche I muste mooste entreate was in witte and courage eguall with the other but in beautee and lyniamentes of nature farre vnderneth both for he was lytle of stature euill feautered of lymmes croke backed the lift shulder much higher then the right harde fauoured of vysage suche as in estates is called a warlike vysage and amonge commen persons a crabbed face He was malycious wrothfull and enuyous and as it is reported his mother the duches had much a dooe in her trauayle that she could not be delyuered of hym vncutte and that he came into the worlde the fete forwarde as men be borne outwarde and as the fame ranne not vntothed whether that men of hatred reported aboue the truthe or that nature chaunged his course in his begynnyng which in his life many thynges vnnaturally cōmytted
of you beyng of my blod that other of my alies eche of you with other either of kynred or affinite whiche is that very spirituall affinitie kynred in christ as all ê‘takers of that sacamentes of christes churche The weight of whiche coÌ„sanguynite if we did beare as would to god we did then should we more be moued to spirituall charite then to fleshly coÌ„sanguinyte Our lord forbid that you loue that woorse together for yâ— self same cause that you ought to loue yâ— better yet that ofteÌ„ happeneth for no wher fynd we so dedly as emoÌ„gest theim whiche by nature lawe moost ought to agre together Suche a serpent is ambicioÌ„ desire of vanyne glory souere ingtie whiche emoÌ„gest estates when he is once entered he crepith foorth so ferre till with deuision varyaunce he turneth all to mischief First longyng to bee next to that best afterward egall with the beest at the last chief aboue that beest Of whiche immoderate appetite of woorship the debate discencion that grewe there by what losse what sorowe what trouble hath win these fewe yeres growen with in this realme I praye God as well to forget as we well remeÌ„bre whiche thyng if I could aswell haue forsene as I haue with my more pane theÌ„ pleasure proued by god des blessed lady that was his commoÌ„ othe I would neuer haue wonne the curtesyes of mennes knees with the losse of so many heddes But sith thynges passed can not be called agayn muche more ought we to bee ware by what occasion we haue taken so great hurte before that we eftsones fall not into that occasion again Nowe bee these greues passed and all is quiet thanked bee God likely well to prosper in welthfull peace vnder your cousins my children if God send theim life and you loue and coÌ„cord Of whiche .ii. thynges that lesse losse wer thei by whoÌ„ all though God did his pleasure yet should this realme alwayes fynd kynges ê‘adueÌ„tur as good kynges as thei But if you emoÌ„gest your selfes in a childes reigne fall at debate many a good manne shall innocently perishe happely he you also or it is long fynd peace quiet again wherfore in these last woordes that euer I looke to speake to you I exhort and require you all for the loue that you haue borne to me and for that loue that I haue borne to you for the loue that our lord bereth to vs all FroÌ„ this tyme forward all greues forgotteÌ„ eche of you loue other which I verely trust you wyll yf you any thyng regarde God or your kynges affinitee or kynred this realme your owne couÌ„tre or your owne suretie wealthe And there with al the kyng for fayntnes no longer endurynge to syt vp layde hym downe on his right side his face toward theim And ther was none presente that could forbeare wepyng but that lordes coÌ„fortynge hym with as good woordes as thei could answeryng for that tyme as they thought should stande with his pleasure And there in his presence as by theyr wordes appeared eche forgaue other and ioyned theyr haÌ„des together when as it after appeared by theyr dedes there hartes were farre asoÌ„der And so with in a fewe dayes thys noble prynce dysceased at Westmynster the .ix. daye of Apryll in the yere of our Lorde a. M CCCC .lxxxiii. after that he had reygned .xxii. yeres one moneth and .viii. dayes was with great funeral pompe conueyed to Wyndsore leuyng behynd hym .ii. soonnes Edwarde the prynce of whom this story entreateth a chylde of xiii yeres of age Richarde duke of Yorke .ii. yeres yonger then the prince and fiue doughters Elizabeth which by goddes grace was maryed to kyng Henry the .vii. and mother to kyng HeÌ„ry the eyght Cycile not so fortunate as fayre fyrst wedded to the vycouÌ„t Welles after to one Kyne and lyued not in great wealth Brydget professed her selfe a close nonne of Syon Anne was maryed to lorde Thomas Hauwarde after erle of Surrey and duke of Norffolke Katheryne that yoÌ„gest doughter was maryed to lorde WillyaÌ„ Courtney sonne to that earle of DeuoÌ„shire which loÌ„gtyme tossed in other fortune somtyme in welth after in aduersitee tyl that benignitee of her nephewe kyng HeÌ„rye the .viii. brought heâ— into a sure estate accordyng to her degre ê“geny This kyng Edward was suche a prince of gouernaunce and behaueour in the tyme of peace for in tyme of warre eche must be others enemye that ther was neuer any kyng in this realme in attaynyng the croune by warre and battayle so hartely beloued with the more substaunce of his people nor he hym selfe so specially fauoured in any parte of his life as at that tyme of his death whiche fauoure and affeccion yet after his death by the crueltie myschiefe trouble of the tempesteous world that folowed highlye towardes hym more encreased At suche time as he died the displeasure of those that bare hym grudge for kyng Henry that .vi. sake whoÌ„ he deposed was wel assuaged in effect quenched within that space of .xxii. yeres which is a great part of a mans life and some wer reconsiled growen into his fauour of yâ— which he was neuer strauÌ„ge when it was with true harte demaunded He was goodly of personage princely to beholde of hert couragious politike in councell and in aduersitee nothyng abashed in prosperitee rather ioyful then proude in peace iuste mercyfull in warre sharpe and fearce in the felde bold and hardie yet neuer thelesse no farther then reason and policie woulde aduenture whose warres whosoeuer circumspectly 〈◊〉 aduisedly considereth he shal no lesse coÌ„mend his wisdome policie where he auoyded theim then his manhode where he vanquished theim He was of visage full faced louelie of bodie mightie stronge cleane made with ouer lyberall and waÌ„toÌ„ dyet he waxed somewhat corpuleÌ„t bourly but neuerthelesse not vncomely He was of youth greatly geuen to fleshely wantoÌ„nes from that which health of bodie in great prosperitee fortune with out an especiall grace hardlye refrayneth Thys faulte litle greued his people for neyther coulde any one mannes pleasure stretche or extende to the displeasure of veraye many nor a multitude bee greued by a priuate mannes fantesie or volupteousnesse wheÌ„ it was doeÌ„ wtout violeÌ„ce And in his latter dayes he left al wild daliauÌ„ce fel to grauitee so that he brought his realme into a wealthie ê“sperous estate al feare of outwarde enemies were clerely extinguished no warre was in hande nor none toward but suche as no maÌ„ looked for The people wer toward their prince not in a coÌ„strayned feare but in a true louyng and wylfull obedience emongest theimselfe and the commons wer in good peace The lordes whome he knewe at variaunce he in his death bed as he thought he brought to good concord loue and amytee And a lytle before his death he left gatheryng of mony of his subiectes
first hearyng of this the kyng was but litle moued but after that he was certified by the letters of his frendes that it was true he was in greate feare for that he had neyther an armye prepared nor harnyes for theim but because the mattier required haste least that by long taryeng his aduersaries power might bee encreased and multiplyed he commaunded the Duke of Bedforde to mete theim with three thousande meÌ„ne whiche were harnysed but barely for theyr breste plates were for the moste parte lether And he hym selfe in that meane tyme would gather vp an hoste where he might in euery place The duke hauyng his meÌ„ nigh to the teÌ„tes of his enemyes coÌ„sulted with certain of his coÌ„paignie by what waye he mighte traine theim to peace withoute bloodde shedyng After the whiche deliberation aduisement had it was decreed that certaine shoulde proclaime openly that all thei should haue their pardonne that woulde leaue battaile The whiche proclamation auayled muche for the Lorde Louell eyther for some feare or mystrust that he had in his people or feryng hym selfe of his owne behalfe fledde pryuely in a night from his compaignie to Lankeshire ther remained a space with syr Thomas Broghton knight And when hys army had knowledge therof thei also submittyng theim selfes all to the Duke asked pardonne for their heinous offence The Lorde Stafforde also hearyng this was in a great agony and for feare dyd take sanctuarye at Colname .ii. miles from Abindon But because that sanetuary was not a defence for traytours he was taken from that place and behedded and his brother was ê‘doned because he was thought not to haue done it of his owne will but thorowe the counsaill and perswasion of his brother After this businesse was asswaged and Yorke shyre set in peace and quietnes the Kyng went to London and shortelye after that to Wynchester where the Quene his wyfe was deliuered of a Prynce called Arthure and from Wynchester he retourned agayne to London Sone after it chaunsed that one syr Richard Symond preest borne by nature to be a traytour and sedicious personne and yet well learned had a chyld called Lambert Symenel to bee hys scholar by whome he inuented this crafte and disceat that he woulde make the chyld kyng of England and hym selfe archebyshoppe or some hygh potestate in the realme for he knewe verely that many menne supposed kyng Edwardes chyldren to bee fled into some straunge place and that Edwarde the Erle of Warwyke sonne to the Duke of Clarence ether was or should bee put to death shortly And to the ende he myght the better bryng hys purpose about he taught the chyld bothe learnyng good maners and also to order hym selfe as one linially descendyng from a hygh progenie Sone after the rumoure was that the younge Earle of Warwyke was dead in prysonne And when the preest heard of this he intendyng therby to bring his matters aboute chaunged the chyldes name and called hym Edwarde after the younge Earle of Warwyke the whiche were boothe of one age and then sayled into Irelande there opening his mynde to certain of the nobilitee whome he knew to beare but lytle fauoure to Kyng Henry where he was promysed ayde of the Lorde Gerardine chauncellour of all that countree and all that he coulde dooe Whyche Lorde fyrst callyng all hys frendes and louers together desyred their helpe in restoryng the yong Earle to his herytage And dyd sende certain into Englande to desire theym that were kynge Rychardes frendes to continue in their loue and faythfulnes towardes hym and helpe hys nephiewes chylde to his ryghte And that hys power myghte bee the stronger to ouercome hys enemyes he desyred Lady Margarete syster to kynge Edwarde and wyfe to the Duke of Burgondy to further hys purpose with her helpe whyche lady beyng then in Flaunders promised him by the messaungers that she would not onely maintaine his entente with large mony and substaunce but with all the laboure and peynes that she myght occasion other to be of the same conspiracie When kynge Henrye was certified of thys he was sore greued that by the meanes of suche a myscreaunte personne so great sedicion should bee neuerthelesse the kynge consideringe that it shoulde bee to the destruccion of manye menne yf that he shoulde fyghte with his enemies in open feelde called hys counsayle together at the Charter house besyde Rychemounde and there consulted to pacifie thys matter wythoute anye more dysturbaunce Where fyrste it was decreed that all thei shoulde bee pardoned for their offences and treasons latelye commytted whiche hath frome that tyme borne theim selfes vpryght towardes their kinge leaste that syr Thomas Broghton whyche kepte the Lord Louell from the king a great tyme wyth other despeyring of theyr pardon shoulde haue made some sodaine insurrection agaynst hym Further more that men shoulde not thyncke but that the Duke of Clarence was in Englande it was appoynted that he shoulde showe hym selfe abrode wherby the opynion that he was in Ireland myghte bee frustrate and accompted as a lye Also it was further determyned that the Ladye Elysabeth wyfe to kyng Edward the .iiii. shoulde lose al her landes because she had submitted her selfe and her doughters wholye to the handes of kynge Rychard contrary to the promyse made to the Lordes and nobles whyche at her desyre lefte al that they had in Englande and fledde to kynge Henrye in Brytayne and there dyd sweare hym to marye her eldeste daughter as she wylled theim to dooe But her purpose did not frame as God would Thys quene buylded a Collage in Cambrydge and gaue landes to the maynteyning of the same whiche at thys houre is called the quenes Collage When thys order and determynacion of the kynge was ended he wente to London and the nexte Sondaye folowynge he caused the young Earle to bee broughte out of the Tower through the streetes to Poules And there to shewe hym selfe to euerye bodye and taske with the chiefe and noble menne that were thoughte to haue conspyred agaynste kynge Henrye for thys cause that they myghte perceaue the Iryshe menne to moue battayle vnaduysedly and cause stryfe vppon no iuste occasion howebeit all thys nothyng auayled for the Earle of Lyncolne the Duke of Suffolkes soonne and nephewe to kynge Edwarde coulde not suffer kynge Henrye thus to reygne but as a traytoure sayled into FlauÌ„ders to the Ladye Margarete takynge wyth hym Syr Thomas Broghton with certayne other Where also the Lorde Louell landed twoo or three dayes before And there they beynge all together determyned that the Earle of Lyncolne and the Lorde Louell shoulde goo to Irelande and there attend vpon the counterfeyte Earle and brynge hym to Englande with all the power they myghte agaynste kynge Henrye So that yf their dooynges had good successe that then the foresayde Lambarte misnamed the Earle shoulde by the consente of the counsayle be deposed and the true Earle to bee delyuered oute of pryson and enherite his right and iuste