and Carlisle vast consumers especially Carlisle of what they got ibid. 6 Montgomery for a time a Favourite p. 56. Vpon whose wane after a contention between the English and Scots out of whether Nation the next Favourite should come Câ—r arose a Favourite p. 57 How tended and tendred by the King when in a Tilting with the Lord Dingwel he had broke his leg p. 58 Sir Tho. Overbury taken into great favor by Car. p. 59 Salisbury and Suffolk in favour of this new Favourite regardfull of his Creature Overbury are both used by him yet through his insolency both neglected p. 60 Northamptons plot upon Overbury for his scorn of him ib Overbury a tart reprover of Somerset concerning Suffolks daughter Essex's wife p. 62 He is therefore plotted against to be removed out of the way on an Embassy to France or upon refusal c. p. 64 Being committed to the Tower he was there pâ—ysoned See the foulenesse of that businesse p. 65. c. After that Somerset marrys the Lady in which mâ—tter was seen the high corruption of the then times p. 70 c In this Favourites time came over the Palsgrave and married the Kings daughter the La. Elizabeth p. 76 Shortly after Prince Henry dyed ib. His death foretold by Bruce banished therefore by Salisbury who died in May the Prince in November following p. 78 Ingram and Cranfield Projectors made use of in Court but like Projectors as they were kept under by Somerset which were more highly regarded by the after Favourite p. 80 81. which was 8 Favourite Mr. Mr. George Villers p. 82 Zouch Goring Finit and Millicent the Court fooles as well as Archee with whose jollity this Favourite was ushered in p. 84 85. Winwood brought in Secretary of State by Somerset and by him unworthily used ruined him by discovering the poysoning of Overbury p. 86 c. It being made publickly known unto the King See his seeming serious charge upon the Judges for their impartiall sifting out and punishing the Complotters thereof in p. 92 The Kings dissimulation to Somerset p. 95 Who by a device of Sir George Moores after Elways Lieutenant of the Tower was tamely led from the Tower to his Arraignment p. 108 c. Mrs Turner Weston Franklin and Sir Gervase Elwayes executed for that businesse p. 113 This Favourite displaceth the wel-deserving Admirall the E. of Nott. and gets that place to himself p. 114 The next great Office his power reacheth at to dispose is Egertons Lord Chancellorship to whom he sends Bacon for the Seal p. 115. To whom Buckingham the Favourite sends a message p. 116. Whereto see his Answer p. 117 Buckinghams course to raise and maintain his kindred p. 119 Bacons proud carriage so soon as made Lord Chancellor the King being soon after gone to Scotland p. 121 After him degraded for his bribery by a Parliament comes Williams Dean of Westminster Bishop of Lincolne p. 127 Who was in bribery inferior to none p. 130 The Lord Treasurer Suffolk being turned out one of the afore named Projectors Cranfield was brought in by Buckingham p. 131. His censure in the House of Peers p. 132 He and the Prince go into Spaine disguised and under the names of Jack and Tom Smith p. 133 Taking their way by France the Prince eyed there that Lady whom he after married ib. Through Buckinghams miscarriages in Spaine and his spleen against Bristoll the Match with Spain was dissolved 133 c. The King now hates Buckingham p. 139 Buckingham hates the King p. 144 Which proved the Kings suggested cause true p. 149 After which his darke dealing with the King See a passage from one of the Kings Servants to the Duke p. 161 162 In the Court of King Charles beginning p. 176. the observations are AS his Fathers reigne began with a great Plague His with a greater p. 176 He was not crowned with the wonted solemnity nor took he the usuall Oath p. 177 With him arose also his Fathers favourite ib. The first Parliament he called gave him two intire Subsidies c. p. 179 Buckingham being questioned about the former Kings death dissolved that Parliament ib. Which was ill relished by the people p. 180 Williams the Lord Keeper turned out of his place and Coventry put in p. 181 Buckingham sent into France for that Lady the King had seen there ib. Through his instigation the King prepares for a war against Spaine and France p. 182 Wimbletons unsuccesfull expedition in Spaine ib. Denbigh is sent to aide Rochel ib. Buckinghams losse of many brave Gentlemen in the Isle of Rees expedition p. 183. where comes in a large supplement which the former Edition of this Book had not For these unjust Quarrels management the King pawned his Plate to Amsterdam p. 184 Cottington sent to beg a peace with Spaine ib. Rochels reliefe not really performed ib. Buckinghams ambition after higher Titles and Offices p. 186. Weston after Cranfield made Lord Treasurer by Buckinghams procurement p. 188 Shifts to raise monies p. 191 Noy made the Kings Attorney p. 195 By whom many Projects were put in practise p. 196 Buckingham intending some great secret Designe abroad was slaine by Felton p. 199 Amongst whom the managing of Affaires then was p. 201 After his death no bettering in the State but worse p. 202 Weston if not ballanced by Laud had been worse in Tyrannizing then Buckingham p. 203 Councell Table c. scourges to the people ib. Coventry a very corrupt man whose time reached to this very Parliament yet not questioned for it p. 206 Finch made chiefe Judge of the Common Pleas ib. Fees in all Courts taken excessively p. 207 The Bishops and other Court Clergy preacht away the peoples liberties and proprieties ib. Their turne now to loose both p. 208 Strafford the ablest States-man since Salisburie p. 209 First brought in by Weston ib. He failed in his ignorance of the peoples temper and of the Kings disability and faithfulnesse in weighty matters and great Agents p. 211 212 He was the greatest Subject not being a Favourite that ever was ibid. Observations upon this K. from his childhood p. 215 Certain observations before Q Eliz. death p. 223 FINIS Q. E. death K. Iames proclaimed King Sir Roger Aston K. James his Barber After made gentleman of the Bed-chamber c Sir Georgâ— Hewme a kind of Favouritâ— Sir Robert Cicill a favourite Mr. Iames Hay a Favourite His rise His sumptuous feast His accomplishment A great Plague A narration of the Treason charged on Rawleigh Mr. Carre his rise Mr. Carre Knighted Northamptons plot upon him The plot against Overbury S. W. B. Pr. Henry and Salisbury's death Ingram and Cranfield Projectors Mr. George Villiers a Favourite K. James his parting with Somerset * S. H. M. Somersets Tryall Buckinghams Message to Bacon Bacons Answer Buckinghams course to raise his kindred He is scorned The Prince goes into Spaine Cranfield accused in parliament
honest Servants traduced to satisfie the humours of any I beseech you take my staffe for were my selfe and the Earl of Worcester here present put in the ballance against Sir Robert Mansell we should prove too light I am in a great Place and cannot say but by my selfe or servants I may faile yet not with our own wils therefore Sir if you wil suffer such inquisitions there will be no serving your Majesty in such places as I hold by your Majesties favour thus ended the Earle of Northamptons malice which only served to honour Sir Robert Mansell and make a scorne of himselfe and this only to make the venome of this Monster appear who did flatter the King and dissemble with God And now begin Embassadours to appeare from divers Princes the principall were Roney Duke of Sullice from the French King the Constable of Castile from the Spanish King the Count Arremberg from the Arch Duke the former came to congratulate only and desired the confirmation of the ancient amity betwixt the two Crownes the latter two about the establishing a firme peace betwixt these two Kingdomes that had lived in perpetuall Warre and hatred of each other by which it might appeare where the advantage of such a peace would fall by those that sought or rather bought it with an infinite masse of treasure prodigally cast about the English Court To bring these Embassadours over were appointed Sir Robert Mansell being Admirall of the narrow Seas and Sir Jerome Turner his Vice-Admirall the first commanded to attend at Graveling for the Spanish Embassadour the latter at Calis for the French but the French comming first and hearing the Vice-Admirall was to attend him the Admirall the other in a scorne put himselfe in a Passage-boat of Calis came forth with flagge in top instantly Sir Jerome Turner sent to know of the Admirall what he should doe Sir Robert Mansell sent him word to shoot and sinke him if he would not take in the flag this as it made the flag bee pulled in so a great complaint and 't was beleeved it would have undone Sir Robert Mansell the French Faction pressing it so home but he maintained the act and was the better beloved of his Master ever after to his dying day This makes it appeare how jealous old Commanders were of their owne honour and of their Masters and Kingdomes honours which since hath been so prodigally wasted as we are utterly bankerupt having spent our old Stock and have not bravery enough to erect a new The Constable of Castile so plyed his Masters businesse in which he spared for no cost that he procured a peace so advantageous for Spaine and so disadvantageous for England that it and all Christendome have since both seen and felt the lamentable effects thereof There was not one Courtier of note that tasted not of Spaines bounty either in Gold or Jewels and among them not any in so large a proportion as the Countesse of Suffolke who shared in her Lords interest being then a potent man and in that interest which she had in being Mistris to that little great Secretary little in body and stature but great in wit and policy the sole manager of State affaires so it may be said she was a double sharer and in truth Audley-end that famous and great structure had its foundation of Spanish Gold The King was a peaceable and merciful Prince yet God for some secret intent best known to himself laid the foundation of his reigne with the greatest mortality ever before heard of in this Kingdome by a fearefull Plague and some by that judged what his future reign would be yet their wisdomes failed for he was a King of mercy as well as peace never cruell yet surely it had some morall He was forced by that contagion to leave the Metropolis and goe into a by corner in Wiltshire Wilton the Earle of Pembrookes House in which time of his abode there a kinde of Treason brake forth but what it was as no man could then tell so it is left with so dark a Comment that posterity will never understand the Text or remember any such treason it is true some lost their lives yet the world was never satisfied of the justice and one of them and that the only marke of Tyranny upon this good Kings reigne executed many yeares after without all president and on my conscience without any just cause and even against that good Kings will who in many things was over-awed by his timorous disposition But the Spanish Faction and Spanish Gold betrayed his life as they had done the Kingdome before and I beleeve it was one of the greatest Master-peeces of that Embassadour to purchase Rawleighs head yet had not Bristol co-operated the King would never have consented and it may be he had his secret ends fearing his wisdome might once againe have raised him to have looked over Sherborne Castle once his owne and how unjustly taken from him God will one day judge I know not whether there be a curse on those that are owners of it as Fables report but I am confident there is a curse on Bristol for taking away his life I will not take upon me too farre to pry into Gods Arke yet what is like to befall him and hath already his Son as hopefull a Gentleman as any in the Kingdome may give some token of Gods anger against him and his family But because I will not leave you altogether blinde-folded I shall as neare as I can lead you to the discovery of this Treason which consisted of Protestants Puritans Papists and of an Atheist a strange medley you will say to meet in one and the same Treason and keepe counsell which surely they did because they knew not of any the Protestants were the Lord Cobham and George Brook his Brother the one very learned and wise the other a most silly Lord the Puritan the Lord Grey of VVilton a very hopefull Gentleman blasted in the very Bud the Papists VVatson and Clarke Priests and Parham a Gentleman the Atheist Sir Walter Rawleigh then generally so beleeved though after brought by affliction the best School-Mistris to be and so dyed a most religious Gentleman This Treason was compounded of strange ingredients and more strange then true it was very true most of these were discontented to see Salisbury their old friend so high to trample on them that before had been his chiefe supporters and being ever of his faction now neglected and contemned it was then beleeved an errand trick of State to over-throw some and disable others knowing their strong abilities might otherwise live to over-throw Salisbury for they were intimate in all his secret Councels for the ruine of Essex especially Rawleigh Grey and Cobham though the latter was a foole yet had been very usefull to them as the Toole in the hand of the Workman and to have singled out these without some Priests which were Traytors by the Law had smelt
Gentleman of the Bed-chamber Master of the Wardrobe and invested with such Honours and Offices as he was capable of and that inabled him to live in a noble way during his life and to leave his Daughters great Fortunes but had you seene how the Lords did vye courtesies to this poore Gentleman striving who should ingrosse that Commodity by the largest bounty you could not but have condemned them of much basenesse especially seeing when at this time Offices and great places of Honour will not be accepted from that Sonne that the very Barber of whose Father was so much courted but to speake a good word in their behalfes Surely the times are much altered And now all preparation was made to meet the King in York that he might in that Northerne Metropolis appear like a King of England and take that State on him there which was not known in Scotland There met him all the Lords of the Councell and there did they all make Court to the Scotch-men that were most in favour with the King and there did the Scotch Courtiers lay the first foundation of their English Fortunes the chiefe of them was Sir George Hewme a kinde of Favourite but not such as after appeared with young Faces and smooth Chins but one that for his wisdome and gravity had beene in some secret Councels with his Master which created that dearnesse between them and the chiefe of those secrets was that of Gowries Conspiracy though that Nation gave little credit to the Story but would speak both sleightly and despitefully of it and those of the wisest of that Nation yet there was a weekly commemoration by the Tuesday Sermon and an anniversary Feast as great as it was possible for the Kings preservation ever on the fifth of August upon which day as Sir John Ramsey after E. of Holdernesse for his good service in that preservation was the principall guest so did the King grant him any Boone he would aske that day but had such limitations set to his asking as made his suit as unprofitable unto him as that he asked it for was unserviceable to the King and indeed did make the English beleeve as little the truth of that story as the Scots themselves did and yet on my conscience the good Gentleman did in that as a Lyer often doth by telling a Lye often beleeveth it to be a very truth but the truth was although he was not a man capable of much himselfe yet had it been true there was too little done for him being not true too much for being an Earle he was in very little esteeme either with his Master or with the better sort of Courtiers And I pray God that the effects of those Sermons in the Fathers time for that service cause no ill effects or be not one cause of Gods anger towards us in the Sons reigne This Sir George Hewme being the only man that was the Guider of the King and his affaires all the wiser sort of English made their addresses unto him amongst those Sir Robert Cicill a very wise man but much hated in England by reason of the fresh bleeding of that universally beloved Earle of Essex and for that was clouded also in the Kings favour he came to Yorke but lay close unseen or scarce knowne to be in the City untill he knew what entertainment he should receive from the King for he was in his owne and all mens opinions so under the Hatches as not ever to appeare above board againe nor did any of the Countre-faction to Essex besides himselfe ever attaine to the Kings favour but those friends raised by his wit and purse did so co-operate of which Sir Roger Aston that plaine man was principall for which he lost not his labour that Sir George Hewme and Sir Robert Cicill had many secret meetings and did so comply that Sir Robert Cicill to the admiration of all did appeare and come out of his Chamber like a Giant to run his race for Honour and Fortune and who in such dearnesse and privacy with the King as Sir Robert Cicill as if he had been his faithfull Servant many yeares before yet did not either his Friends wit or wealth raise him so much as some beleeve as the ill offices done by him to this Nation in discovering the nature of the people and shewing the King the way how to enhance his Prerogative so above the Lawes that he might inslave the Nation which though it took well then yet it hath been of sad and dangerous consequence in after times For first He caused a whole Cart-load of Parliament Presidents that spake the Subjects Liberty to be burnt Next raising two hundred thousand pound for making two hundred Baronets telling the King he should finde his English Subjects like Asses on whom he might lay any burthen and should need neither Bit nor Bridle but their Asses eares And when the King said It would discontent the generality of the Gentry He replyed Tush Sir you want the money that will doe you good the Honour will doe them very little And by these courses he raised himselfe friends and family to Offices Honours and great Possessions Yet as a punishment he lived long enough to have lost all had not Death prevented him between the Bath and London For the Duke of Bullion being then here about the overture of that unfortunate Match betweene the Palsgrave and the Lady Elizabeth had so done his errand and discovered his juggling It is most certaine he had been stript of all at his returne which he well understanding from his Friends at Court did expedite his end but he dyed opportunely to save his honour and his estate for his posterity though to leave a marke of ignominy on himselfe by that Herodian disease and that for all his great Honours and Possessions and stately Houses he found no place but the top of a Mole-hill neare Marleborough to end his miserable life so that it may be said of him and truly he dyed of a most loathsome disease and remarkable without house without pitty without the favour of that Master that had raised him to so high an estate and yet must he have this right done him which is also a note of the misfortune of our times there hath not been any since his time that equalled him to fulfill the Proverbe Seldome comes a better he had great parts was very wise full of honour and bounty a great lover and rewarder of Virtue and able parts in others so they did not appeare too high in place or looke too narrowly into his actions The next that came on the publick Theatre in favour was Henry Howard a younger Son of the Duke of Norfolke and Lord Thomas Howard the one after Earle of Northampton the other Earle of Suffolk Lord Chamberlaine and after Lord Treasurer who by Salisburies greatnesse with that Family rather then by any merit or wisdome in themselves raised many great Families of his Children
hereafter you shall understand it was so and that the King durst not avow his own act brought him off from that Parliament but Buckingham hated the King ever afterwards The reason the King so hated Buckingham besides his being weary of him for his now stalenesse was his marriage after which the Kings edge was ever taken off from all Favourites as well as him yet this had so much the over awing power of him that hee durst not make shew to affect any other there was one Inniossa a Spanish Embassador extraordinary here beingan old Soldier and a gallant fellow who thought that Buckingham did not give that respect to him was due to his own person or to the person of so great a King whose person he represented Inniossa therefore did as much scorn and slight Buckingham the Prince whom he sound wholly governed by Buckingham for now Buckingham had found by many passages the Kings desire to be rid of him he made Court to the Prince and so wrought himself into his affection that Damon and Pythias were not more dear each to other which by no means could the old King away with nor in truth did any other like or approve of the Prince his poor spirit fearing it foretold his future inclination that could ever indure any familiarity with such an one as had put such foul scorns and affronts on him in his time of greatnes with the Father especially such as called to minde the bravery of his brother who hated the whole Family for their generall basenesse although none of them had ever offended him in particular as this man had done the Prince at two severall times once before an infinite concourse by bidding him in plaine termes kisse his Arse a second time offering to strike him saying in most undutiful terms By God it shall not bee so nor you shall not have it lifting up his hand over his head with a Ballon-Bracer that the Prince said What my Lord I thinke you intend to strike me The first of these audacious affronts was at Royston the second at Greenwich before about 400. people Neither of which were to bee indured by a private person but by a Prince from a private person surely it shewed a much lesse spirit then should have been inherent to a Prince and after this to bee so deare with him as to be governed by him all his life time more then his Father was in the prime of his affection I can give it no title meane enough it had been worthy the Noble minde of a Prince to have forgotten such injuries as never to have revenged them when he had been King but never to have suffered him to have come neare his Court to upbraid him with the sight of so much scorn and that publickly offered him before But at that time I well remember some Critticks in Court did not stick to read his future destiny This Inniossa being a brave daring Gentleman used some speeches in the derogation of the Prince and Buckingham as if they were dangerous to the old King nay Inniossa sent one Padro Macestria a Spanish Jesuite and a great States-man to King James to let him know that he under confession had found the King was by Buckingham or by his procurement to be killed but whether by poyson Pistoll Dagger c. that he could not tell The King after the hearing of this was extream melancholly and in that passion was found by Buckingham at his returne to him The King as soon as ever he espied him said Ah Stenny Stenny for so he ever called him in familiarity wilt thou kill me at which Buckingham started and said who Sir hath so abused you at which the King sat silent out went Buckingham sretting and fuming asked who had been with the King in his absence It was told him Padro Macestria then who brought him to the King it was replyed the Earl of Kelly then flew Buckingham on him to know how he durst bring any one in to the King in his absence or without his licence Kelly stood up close to him for you must know Kelly was the truest alarum to give warning of the downefall of a Favourite of any in the Court and knew his power could doe him no hurt with the King in present although it utterly cast him out of all favor from the King in future Then Buckingham questioned Padro Macestria but that quarrel was interposed and undertook by Inniossa who told him he would maintaine him a Traytor and that were his Masters person off him he was a Chivalier and better borne then himselfe and would make it good on him with his Sword Which high comparison though I beleeve true enough together with his generous Charge and Challenge Buckingham for that time swallowed and only thought of this shift to vindicate himselfe on Inniossa which was to cause the Prince to write a Letter of complaint to the King of Spaine for abusing him and Buckingham but the King of Spaine returned the Letter in a kind of scorne to Inniossa not as blaming him but rather commending him and Inniossa in scorne sent it to the Prince as if he should say there is your Letter to wipe which is all it is fit for Now have you heard what made the King hate Buckingham you shal also hear the reason of Buckinghams extreame hatred to the King which was beleived the cause of his so speedy death Yelverton a very faithful servant to the King and his Atturney General and no lesse affectionate to Somerset being formerly raised by him without any seeking of his or so much as within his thought insomuch as to expresse his love to Somerset he desired to lay downe that great place rather then aggravate as his place required against him This man as well out of his faithfulnesse to the King as affection to Somerset was made choyce of to worke the downefall of Buckingham in which he apparently shewed himselfe But Buckingham as I told you before out of the Kings feare that durst not maintaine his owne designe but left his Instruments to the mercy of Buckinghams tyranny being once gotten out of the toile like a chased Boare foamed and bit at all came neare him and amongst them first fastned on Yelverton put him out of his place and committed him close Prisoner to the Tower Yelverton having shewed himselfe so faithfull to his Master and he againe so unfaithfull to him to leave him to undergo the whole burden of Buckinghams fury did fly out in some passion before Sir Allen Appesly then Lieutenant of the Tower and Buckinghams great creature Appesly telling the Duke of some passages in his passion the Duke one night about 12. a clock came in a a disguise and with the Lieutenant only entred Yelvertons longing Yelverton at first sight started verily beleeving he came in that manner to murther him yet at last recollected himselfe and said My Lord have you the Kings Warrant for this the Duke said no
then said Yelverton how dare you enter a close prisoners lodging it is as much as your life is worth And assure your selfe Master Lieutenant the King shall know of this and you must answer it My Lord said I come to you as a friend though formerly I confesse upon just cause your mortall enemy only to aske you but two questions which if you will resolve me I vow to be a greater friend now then ever an enemy and can and will restore you foure-fold Yelverton told him if they were such as he might hee would The first he asked was What wrong he had ever done him that he so greedily thirsted after his blood Yelverton replyed never any but I was set on by a power that I could not withstand to doe what I did he asked him by whom by the King your Master said he who hates you more then any man living which you might well understand when in his Speech to the Parliament he said he would not spare any no not any that were dearest to him or lay in his bosome by which he pointed them to you Wel said Buckingham I see you have dealt like a Friend with me by many other concurrences as well as by this give me your hand henceforth you are my friend and I am yours and I will raise you highet then I have cast you downe which he had made good had Yelverton lived to have injoyed it for he was instantly released and the next preferment he gratified him with was a Judges place and he had been Lord Keeper had not death prevented it And if there were no other reason but his change from a mortall enemy to so firme a friend this were sufficient to confirme the truth of this story But the Authour had this from Yelvertons owne relation and cannot commend Yelverton because it is verily beleeved this hastened the Kings death Now have you heard the true causes of Buckinghams hatred to the King and the Kings to Buckingham the King having the more power to revenge had the lesse courage Buckingham lesse power but more courage sharpened with revenge And however the World did beleeve the Kings inclination was out of a religious ground that he might not revenge yet it was no other but a cowardly disposition that dust not adventure But although the King lost his opportunity on Buckingham yet the black plaister and powder did shew Buckingham lost not his on the King and that it was no fiction but a reallity that Padro Macestria had formerly told the King And now to returne from this digression which is not impertinent besides a great secret the Prince returnes from Spaine contrary to expectation in which the wisdome and gravity of the Spaniard failed him especially if they did beleeve Padro Macestria besides nature could not long support the old King and then the Spaniard might have made no little advantage by injoying such a pledge But they have confessed their errour yet doe palliate it with having the Prince his faith and his proxie left with Digby and got thence with the very same tricke Sir Francis Michell said he got out of the Inquisition at Rome Now is all the fault laid on Digbyes false play and unfaithfulnesse to his Master and combining with the Spaniard and by this peece of service expressing his hatred to the Spaniard for his owne ends the Subjects of England having ever naturally hated them Buckingham the most hated man then living from an accused man in the former Parliament came to be the very darling of this Parliament and a favourite to the whole Kingdome which after King James his death he as soone lost againe so inconstant are the multitude In the Banquetting-house before both Houses of Parliament is Buckingham to give an account of this voyage which he did at large and to every full point as a further attestation he saith how say you Sir to which the Prince answered I yea or yes and through all his discourse laboured to make Bristoll as hatefull to this Parliament as himselfe had been to the former which had these things delivered by him and attested by the Prince been truths he had justly deserved death the accusations were foule and little lesse then treason without any legislative power Digby had some friends who instantly sent this Declaration into Spaine Digby acquaints that King takes his leave of him for England that King sets his danger before him offers if he will stay with him seeing it is for his sake he is like to suffer he would make him much greater in Honour and fortune then his Master can doe Digby gives him thankes but sayes he served so just a Master that would not condemne him unheard and should he yet he had much rather suffer under innocency then lye under the imputation of a false accusation of a fugitive and Traytor for the highest preferment in the World Away therefore comes he puts himselfe into a desperate passage least the Parliament should have been dissolved before his comming and so no place or meanes left him for his defence but must lye under those false calumnies and was here as the Prince came into Spaine sooner then either looked for or welcome Into the Parliament comes he with his Hat full of papers where he puts himselfe upon this point that if there were one syllable true that Buckingham had delivered if this holding up a Paper in his hand be a true copy I will yeeld my selfe guilty of all treasons can be laid to my charge and said these papers pointing to his Hat shall make it manifest Besides some of them shall make Buckingham appeare a very monster in his lascivious carriages too too unchaste for the eares of this Honourable Assembly Bristoll was instantly committed close prisoner to the Tower for a contempt the next day hee was riding through Cheap-side in his Coach by which it appeares Buckinghams power was in the wane with his old Master his relation and accusation being scandalous and false nor ever durst hee bring Bristol to any further tryall Whether this wound was deeper given by Bristol to Buckingham or the Prince I will leave to the reader to judge and will not my selfe determine And how Bristol hath since stood in favour with the Prince since he was King may give a conjecture that he tooke it as a wound to himselfe I am sure it was an ill omen and hath since given him lesse credit with his Subjects And in this Parliament doth Buckingham by his under-hand Ministers and Agents accuse Cranfield the Lord Treasurer in which the Prince also shewes himselfe Cranfield was so hated a fellow for his insolency that a small accusation would serve the turne as this truly was had his care of expending the Kings Treasure been out of a true zeale for it should seeme that the Prince sending for monies Cranfield restrained his Expresse using some words that the journey it selfe was foolishly undertaken and now must be maintained by
good Lawes therefore it is but Gods justice to repay them with Talion Lawes to have their Priviledges broken seeing they first chalked out the way The King in requitall of this great love of theirs did instantly dissolve the Parliament which hath bred such ill blood in the veines of the Subjects to their Sovereign and in the Sovereign to the Subject that it is like to produce an epidemicall infection But the occasion taken to dissolve it was worst of all for Buckingham by his insolent behaviour had not onely lost that love his hatred to Spaine had procured him but was now growne into such an hatred that they fell on him for the death of his old Master which had been of a long time before but whispered but now the Examinations bred such confessions that it looked with an ugly deformed poysonous countenance and nothing but the dissolution of that Parliament could have saved his dissolution and that with a brand of shame and infamy as well as of ingratitude I remember I heard a noble Gentleman an old Parliament man of that Committee for Examinations say at first he derided the very thought of it but after the first dayes Examination it proved so foule as that he both hated and scorned the name and memory of Buckingham and though man would not punish it God would which proved an unhappy prediction This dissolving the Parliament was ill relished by the people and that which to them did seeme the cause worse and to make the case yet fouler and that it must needs be the evident cause Buckinghams Counsels were so stupid and himself so insolent that he did thinke it a glory to disgrace all those that followed that businesse in that Parliament or that seemed inquisitive thereafter and caused many old Servants of the Kings he formerly favoured very much to be banished from Court never to returne more nor did they ever as Clare Crofts Sir Fra. Stewart c. nay Dr. Cragg his Phisitian who from his very childhood had the generall repute of a very honest man for expressing himselfe like an honest man in the Kings presence was instantly dismissed never could recover his place or favour more Now also is Williams Lord Keeper turned out of his place and Coventry the Kings Atturney put in who had Buckingham lived had as soon followed in the same steps Then goes Buckingham into France on a stately Embassie for that Lady the King had seen and set an affection on in his passage to Spaine which was obtained with small intreaty Now doth Buckingham soare so high both in his Masters favours and in the pride of his own heart as he alters all great Officers makes war against Spaine and France the quarrel only his voiced to be on strange grounds the successe accordingly Navies Armies and nothing but war appeares as if we intended in shew to conquer all that opposed Lord Wimbleton the General from whom as little could be expected as he performed carrying a powerfull Army to Cales after an infinite expence and drinking much Spanish Wines and beating out the heads of what they could not drinke as if they intended to overthrow that yeares trade of Spanish Wine returned as like a valiant Commander as he ever was reputed whereas had he brought home those wasted Wines it may be they would have defrayed the charge of that expedition After the returne of that wise Pageantisme Denbigh is sent into France to aide Rochell who managed it better then his great Kinsman Buckingham who would afterwards needs goe to doe great exploits for he brought his ships and men safe againe the other left his men in powdering tubs as if he meant to have them kept sweet against his next comming thither In short this unhappy voyage lost all the honour our glorious ancestors had ever gotten over that Nation there being so many brave gentlemen wilfully lost as if that voyage had been on purpose plotted to disable our Nation by taking away so many gallant brave young spirits so many of our Colours lost as Trophies of their Victory and of our shame hung up in Nostredame Church that the brave Talbot and Salisbury with many other our valiant Ancestors will rise up in Judgement against him for that every way inglorious Act. Nay to how low an ebbe of honour was this our poore despicable Kingdome brought that even in Queene Elizabeths time the glory of the World a great Nobleman being taken prisoner was freely released with this farewell given with him that they desired but two English Mastieffes for his Ransome But the King by that unnecessary and dishonourable War was driven to that exigency for want of money that he was forced to pawn his rich Cupboard of Plate to Amsterdam and to send Cottington into Spain in a manner to beg a peace which having obtained it was thought so great a service of him that it raised him to all his Honor and Fortunes Yet all the while Rochell in sharpe distresse was left unrelieved although otherwise intended or but pretended rather For the Courting betwixt the Duke and the Governour of the Isle of Ree in sending complements and Presents to each other shewed rather an intimate dearnesse then any hostility to be meant between them And sure I am the successe made it apparent that their purpose was no better than to carry so many goodly Gentlemen to the Slaughter-house and Powdering-Tub as even now I instanced Yet was the King so content to be abused as publickly at his Dinner he delivered it for a miracle that having such ill successe there were so few men lost for that as many came home as went forth as appeared by the Chequer-Rol within five hundred At which a Gentleman whose faithfull Valour prompted him to speake a truth in season though theirs did not them to fight standing at the back of the Kings chair said yea Sir as you hear that hear very little of Truth But if you please to inquire of such as can and dare informe you truly you shall find many thousands fewer came home then went forth For which relation this honest Tell-troth was commanded presently from his Court-Attendance which doom he never could get reverst wherein you may behold the Power of Buckingham with the King whose Word stood for a Law Which Power of his grew now so exorbitant he aspires to get higher Titles both in Honour and Place as Prince of Tipperary a place so called in Ireland and Lord High Constable of England an Office aimed at by that Monster and Machivillian Leicester in Queen Elizabeths time but he therein was crossed and contradicted by the then Lord Chancellour Hatton now affected by Buckingham who herein wrote after Leicesters ambitious example but he crossed too by President with Coventry now Lord Keeper and no question but upon those just grounds his Predecessor did For you must understand this Office hath an Authority annexed unto it to call any Subject in question for his life by trying