all the chambers which opened towards the seaffold were taken vp Here the Duke first aduowed to the people that his intentions had beene not only harmelesse in regard of particuler persons but driuing to the common benefit both of the King and of the Realme Then he exhorted them vnto obedience assuring them that no persons could iustly auouch their faith to God who were not faithfull to their King But herewith behold certaine persons of a hamlet neere who had beene warned by the Lieuetenant of the tower to attend that morning about seauen of the clocke coming after their hower through the posterne and percesuing the prisoner to be mounted vpon the seaffold began to runne and to call to their fellowes to come away The sodaine of their coming the hast that they made the weapons they carried but especially the word come away being often doubled moued many of the neerest to surmise that a power was come to receiue the Duke whereupon many cried with a high voice Away Away the cry of those and the coming on of the other cast amazement vpon the rest so much the more terrible because no man knew what he feared or wherefore euery man conceiuing that which his astonished fancie did cast in his minde some imagined that it thundred others that it was an earthquake others that the powder in the armorie had taken fire others that troopes of horsemen approached In which medly of conceits they bare downe one another and iostled many into the tower ditch and long it was before the vaine tumult could be appeased No sooner was the people setled in quiet and the Duke beginning to finish his speech but vpon another idle apprehension they fell to be no lesse riotous in ioy then they had beene in feare For S r Anthony Browne coming on horsebacke vpon the spurre gaue occasion whereby many entertained hope that he brought a pardon whereupon a great shout was raised A pardon A pardon God saue the King But the Duke expressed great constancy at both these times often desiring the people to remaine quiet that he might quietly end his life For said he I haue often looked death in the face vpon great aduentures in the field he is now no stranger to me and among all the vaine mockeries of this world I repent me of nothing more then in esteeming life more deare then I should I haue endured the hate of great persons so much the more dangerous because vniust I haue incurred displeasure from inferiors not alwaies for any great faults of mine owne albeit I was neuer free but for giuing way to the faults of others and now being constantly resolued I neither feare to dy nor desire to liue and hauing mastered all griefe in my selfe I desire no man to sorrow for me so hauing testified his faith to God and his faithfulnesse to the King he yeelded his body into the executioners hand who with one stroake of the axe cut off all his confused cogitations and cares the more pitied by the people for the knowne hate of Northumberland against him Assuredly he was a man harmelesse and faithfull and one who neuer hatched any hopes preiudiciall to the King but alwaies intended his safety and honour but hard it is for greatnesse to stand when it is not sustained by the proper strength The people whose property it is by excessiue fauour to bring great men to miserie and then to be excessiue in pitty departed away grieued and afraid and yet feared to seeme to be afraid and for this cause chiefly did neuer beare good minde to Northumberland afterwards although in shew they dissemble the contrary for nothing is more easie then to discerne when people obserue great men from the heart or when they doe it for fashion or for feare and as it often happeneth that men oppressed worke reuenge after their deaths So the remembrance of Somerset much moued the people to fall from Northumberland in his greatest attempt and to leaue him to his fatall fall whereat they openly reioyced and presented to him handkerchiefes dipped in the blood of Somerset for whom they thought he deserued rather late then vndeserued punishment So certaine it is that the debts both of cruelty and mercy goe neuer vnpaied I omit the meane scourges of conscience For assuredly a body cannot be so torne with stripes as a minde is with remembrance of wicked actions but of him more hereafter shall be said and how his greatnesse turned to be fortunes scorne But outwardly and for the present he gained a great hand ouer the nobility who soone obseruing that he was able to endanger the estate of the greatest that the more respect they did beare to him the more safely they liued the more easily aduanced to honour they all contended to creepe into his humor to watch his wordes his gestures his lookes to doe that as of themselues which they conceiued he had a desire they should doe But the King albeit at the first he gaue no token of any ill tempered passion as taking it not agreeable to maiesty openly to declare himselfe and albeit the Lordes did much helpe to dispell any dampie thoughts which the remembrance of his vnkle might raise by applying him with great variety of exercises and disportes yet vpon speech of him afterwards he would often sigh and let fall teares sometimes he was of opinion that he had done nothing that deserued death or if he had that it was very small and proceeded rather from his wife then from himselfe And where thâ—…n said he was the good nature of a nephew where was the clemency of a Prince Ah how vnfortunate haue I beene to those of my blood My mother I slew at my very birth and since haue made away two of her brothers and happily to make away for the purposes of others against my selfe Was it euer knowen before that a Kinges vnkle a Lord Protector one whose fortunes had much aduanced the honour of the realme did loose his head for felony for a felony neither cleere in law and in fact weakly proued A lasse how falsely haue I beene abused How weakly caried How little was I master ouer my owne iudgement That both his death and the enuy thereof must be charged vpon mee Not long after the death of Somerset because it was not thought fit that such a person should be executed alone who could hardly be thought to offend alone S r Ralph Uane and S r Miles Partridge were hanged on tower hill S r Michaell Stanhope and S â— Thomas Arundell were there also beheaded All these tooke it vpon their last charge that they neuer offended against the King nor against any of his counsaile God knowes whether obstinatly secret or whether innocent and in the opinion of all men Somerset was much cleered by the death of those who were executed to make him appeare faulty S r Ralph Uane was charged with conspiring with Somerset but his bold answeres termed rude and
Somerset for hereafter he must be no otherwise called was committed into their power and committed to custody in Beâ—…uchampe tower within the castle The next day he was brought to London as if he had bin a captaine caried in triumph He rode through Holborne betweene the Earles of Southhampton and of Huntington and was followed with Lords and Gentlemen to the number of 300 mounted on horsebacke At Holborne bridge certaine Aldermen attended on horsebacke and the cittisâ—…ns housholders stood with halberds on all sides of the streets through which he passed At Sopherlane he was receiued by the Maior Shâ—…riffes Recorder and diuers Knights of especiall note who with a great traine of officers and attendants bearing halbeards carryed him forthwith to the Tower all this was to beare in shew both that the Duke was a dangerous man and that the common both aide and applause concurred in his restraint Forthwith the King was brought to Hampton courte where all things being borne as done well because nothing was ill taken seauen of the Lords of the counsaile and 4 Knights were appointed by turnes to attend the Kings person The Lords were the Marquis of Northhampton the Earles of Warwicke and Arundell the Lordes Russell S t Iohn and Wentworth the knights were these S r Andrew Dudley S r Edward Rogers S r Thomas Darcy and S r Thomas Worth As for affaires of state the gouernment of them was referred to the whole body of the counsaile Soone after the King rode to his house in Southwarke then called Suffolke place there dined all-After dinner he rode in great estate through the citty to Westminster as if the people should be giuen to vnderstand that nothing was dâ—…minished either from the safety or glory of the King by imprisonment of the Duke And now when the Duke had breathed a small time in the tower certaine Lords of the counsaile were sent vnto him who after a shorte preface in such termes as hate and dissimulation could temper together remembring how great the amity had beene betweene them and of what continuance Then acknowledging what offices seruices he had done for the commonwealth yet enterlacing some errors defects wherewith they seemed to reproach him Lastly they presented him certaine articles as from the residue of the priuy counsaile desiring his present answere whether hee would acknowledge them to be true or else stand vpon his iustification The articles obiected against him were these 1 That he tooke vpon him the office of Protector vpon expresse condition that he should doe nothing in the Kings affaires but by assent of the late Kings executors or the greatest part of them 2 That contrary to this condition he did hinder iustice subuert Lawes of his owne Authority aswell by letters as by other commande 3 That he caused diuers persons arrested and imprisoned for treason murther manslaughter and felloâ—…y to be discharged against the lawes and statutes of the realme 4 That he appointed Lâ—…euetenants for Armies and other officers for the weighty affaires of the king vnder his own writing and seale 5 That he communed with Embassadors of other realmes alone of the weighty matters of the realme 6 That he would taunt and reproue diuers of the kings most honourable counsailors for declaring their aduice in the Kings weighty affaires against his opinion sometimes telling them that they were not worthy to sit in counsaile and sometimes that he needed not to open weighty matters to them and that if they were not agreeable to his opinion he would discharge them 7 That against law he held a court of request in his house and did enforce diuers to answere there for their freeholde goods and did determine of the same 8 That being no officer without the aduice of the counsaile or most part of them he did dispose offices of the Kings guift for money grant leases and wards and presentations of Benefices pertaining to the King gaue Bishoprickes and made sales of the Kings lands 9 That he commanded Alchimie and multiplication to be practised thereby to abase the Kings coine 10 That diuers times he openly said that the nobility and gentry were the only cause of dearth Whereupon the people rose to reforme matters of themselues 11 That against the minde of the whole counsaile he caused proclamation to be made concerning enclosures wherevpon the people made diuers insurrections and destroied many of the Kings subiects 12 That he sent forth a commission with Articles annexed concerning enclosures commons highwaâ—…es cottages and such like matters giuing the commishioners authority to heare 〈◊〉 determine those causes whereby the lawes and statutes of the realme were subuerted and much rebellion raised 13 That he suffered rebells to assemble and lie armed in campe against the nobility and gentry of the realme without speedie repressing of them 14 That he did comfort and encourage diuers rebells by giuing them money and by promising them fees rewards and seruices 15 That he caused a proclamation to be made against law and in fauour of the rebells that none of them should be vexed or sued by any for their offences in their rebellion 16 That in time of rebellion he said that he liked well the actions of the rebells and that the auarice of gentlemen gaue occasion for the people to rise and that it was better for them to dye then to porish for want 17 That he said the Lords of the Parliament were loath to reforme enclosures and other things therefore the people had a good cause to reforme them themselues 18 That after declaration of the defaults of Bouline and the pieces there by such as did surview them he would neuer amend the same 19 That he would not suffer the Kings pieces of Newhauen and Blacknesse to be furnished with men and prouision albeit he was 〈◊〉 of the defaults and aduised thereto by the Kings 〈◊〉 whereby the French King was emboldned to attempt vpon them 20 That he would neither giue authority nor suffer noble men and gentlemen to suppresse rebells in time conuenient but wrote to them to speake the rebells â—…aire and vse them gently 21 That vpon the fifth of October the present vâ—…ere 〈◊〉 Hampton courte for defence of his owne priuate causes hee procured seditious bills to be written in counterfeit hands and secretly to be dispersed into diuerse parts of the realme beginning thus Good people intending thereby to raise the Kings subiects to rebellion and open warre 22 That the Kings priuy counsaile did consult at London to come to him and moue him to reforme his gouernment but he hearing of their assembly declared by his letters in diuers places that they were high traitors to the King 23 That he declared vntruly aswell to the King as to other yong Lords attending his person that the Lords at London intended to destroy the King desired the King neuer to forget but to reuenge it and required the yong Lords to put the King in remembrance thereof
effusion of Christian blood and for that the English had not done any vnmanlike outrage or spoile he was content they might returne and should haue his safe conduct for their peaceable passage Then the Trumpeter that the Lord Huntly his master sent message by him that aswell for breefe expedition as to spare expence of christian blood he would fight vpon the whole quarrell either with 20 against 20 or with 10 against 10 or more particularly by single combate betweene the Lord Generall and himselfe which in regard the Scots had advantage both for number and freshnesse of men in regard also that for supply both for provision and succors they were at home he esteemed an honourable and charitable offer To the Herald the Lord Generall answered that as his comming was not with purpose or desire to endammage their Realme as he was there he would neither intreat nor accept of him leaue to depart but would measure his marches in advancing or retiring as his owne iudgment guided by advice of his counsaile should deeme expedient To the Trumpeter he returned answere that the L. Huntley his master was a young gentleman full of free courage but more desirous of glory then iudicious as it seemed how to win it That for number of Combatants it was not in his power to conclude a bargaine but was to employ all the forces put vnder his charge to the best advantage that he could that in case this were a particular quarrell betweene the Governour and him he would not refuse a particular combat but being a difference betweene the 2 kingdomes it was neither fit nor in his power either to vndertake the adventure vpon his owne fortune or bearing a publike charge to hazard himselfe against a man of private condition Then the Earle of Warwicke said I marvaile Trumpeter that thy master would make his challenge so fond as he might well knowe it could not be accepted For tell mee Trumpeter can he thinke it fit that he to whose charge is committed the command of all this Army abroad and at home the Kings person and protection of all his Realmes should vndertake a combate with a particular man But he might haue found others his equals amongst vs by whom he might haue beene assured that he should be answered And therewith turning his speech to the L. Generall vnder your Graces favour I accept the challenge And bring me word Trumpeter that thy master will performe with mee as thou hast said and thou shalt haue 100 crownes for thy travaile Nay answered the L. Generall you haue a great charge in the Army which vpon a private mans challenge you must not abandon But Herault tell the L. Governor and the L. Huntley That we haue entred your country with a sober company for so the Scots terme a thing that is meane your army is both great and fresh but let them appeare vpon indifferent ground and assuredly they shall haue fighting enough And bring me word Herault that they will so doe and I will reward thee with 1000 crownes This Earle of Huntley was a man young bold adventerous of very good resolution and skill in Armes But this challenge was so farre beyond the point both of discretion and honor that the English that knew his noble spirit did beleeue that his name was therein abused which hee manifested to be true by disavowing it openly afterwards For it is not fit that a man should abandon his publike charge to vndertake both the office and danger of a private Souldier And therefore the like challenge of Tullus was refused by the commander of the Albanes For that the contention was not betweene their persons but between the Citties of Alba and Rome So Sertorius was refused by Metellus Antonius by Augustus and Iohn Emperor of Constantinople by a king of Scythia So Antonius Caracalla by reason of his often challenges was esteemed not to be so valiant as vaine And herevpon the histories of our times forbeare not to blame Charles the fift Emperour Henry the eight king of England and Francis the first king of France for that they often adventured rather as Souldiers then as Commanders But doubtlesse the L. Governour made a most honourable offer and the rather for that it was conceiued by the English that he held himselfe no lesse assured of victory then he was of his owne resolution to fight whereto it seemed that he wanted not good reason cheifly vpon confidence of his owne forces and partly vpon expectation of 12 Gallies and 50 ships well appointed out of France to assayle the English at their backs All the chiefe Captaines yeelded to the same advice of giving battaile as out of their owne iudgements because they saw it agreeable to that which the L Governour had determined To these the residue attributed so much that albeit diverse were of a different opinion yet they chose rather to condemne their owne vnderstanding then to question theirs During this enterparlance the Scots discharged 4 great shots against the English campe without harme as it happened but not without breach of the Laws of the field whereby not only publike messengers are priviledged to passe without either danger or scorne but vntill they haue discharged their message all hostility should surcease Howsoeuer this happened the Generall of the English army vnwilling to bee behind in any equall or honourable offer sent letters to the L. Governour of Scotland Wherein he desired him and theresidue of the Scottish nobility to consider That both armies consisted of Christians to whom nothing should be more deere then peace nothing more detestable then effusion of humane blood That the cause of this warre did not proceed from ambition avarice or hate but from desire of perpetuall peace betweene their people and nations which could no way so firmely be knit as by knitting their Princes together in marriage That many other respects set aside their King for his birth his yeares his royall estate his princely personage education and qualities was such a marriage for their Queene that a more convenient could not be found that in case all the Nobility of Scotland were not of one minde The English would bee content that their Queene should bee brought vp amongst them vntill she should be of age to make her owne choice Provided that in the meane time she should not bee transported to any forraigne country or any agreement made for any other marriage That vpon this condition there should be an abstinence of hostility for all that time and they would in quiet manner withdraw their army and repaire all dammages which indifferent Commissioners should adiudge No answere was hereto returned but rumors ran freshly among the Scottish souldiers that the intention of the English was to take away their Queene by force and vnder pretence of marriage to reduce the kingdome vnder their dominion and verily it may seeme almost incredible that all these faire ouertures made by men well esteemed for honest dealing
and intentions of the Scots wholly vpon them The Lord Wharton and the Earle of Leuenoxe entred Scotland on the west marches with 5000 men and hauing marched two miles they wonne the church of Anan a strong place and alwaies much annoying the English there they tooke 62 prisoners fired most part of the spoyle and ouerthrew the fort with powder passing 16 miles further they tooke the castle of Milke which they fortified strongly and planted a garrison therein and after much spoile and wast of the country returned safely into England These successes did strike such a terror into many of the Scots that the Earle Bothwell and diuerse cheife gentlemen of 〈◊〉 and Meers supposing to finde more easy conditions by yeelding then by striuing submitted themselues to the King of England and were receiued by the Lord Generall into protection But it is most cerraine that the English made not their best improuements of these fortunate euents and that especially by two miserable errors â—…unctation in prosecuting and haste in departure But doubtlesse the vnion of these two realmes was a worke most proper to Gods omnipotent arme which afterwards effected the same as by milder meanes so in a more durable manner then they could haue bin vnited by Armes This high appointment of God we must reuerence and admire but not omit to obserue the errors committed First therefore after the retreit the English lodged the same night in the place where the battaile had bin fought Where and in the villages not farre distant they soiourned fiue daies without doing any thing in the meane time the English searched the riuers and hauens whether the Scottish ships were retyred in such sort as they left few ships of war vnspoiled or vntaken the army also gathered the spoile of the field whereof 30000 iacks and swords 30 peices of great artillery were shipped for England The English hauing thus long breathed and thereby giuen breathing to their enimies fired Lieth tooke S t Colmes Broughticragge Rockesborough Humes castle Aymouth Fial castle Dunglasse Kilnecombe and diuers other small pieces whereof parte they ruined parte they enlarged and fortified and furnished them with able souldiers accustomed with often and prosperous successe Herewith as if they had beene weary of their faire fortunes they suddainly brake off the enterprise and returned another way into England hauing staid not aboue 25 daies in Scotland and lost vnder 60 men The pretence of their departure was worse then the departure it selfe namely for that the yeare and their prouisions were far spent and the country afforded little forrage Assuredly as nature taketh least care for those things which she formeth in hast so violent and storm-like fortunes how terrible so euer are seldome durable Now the Lord Gouernor of Scotland being of great courage and sober iudgement as a man might well read in his face as he had amply performed his duty both before the battaile and in the field so especially after the fight he declared himselfe to be of a stout and vnbroken spirir For first he assembled the dispersed forces of the Scottish army albeit not in sufficient manner to giue a fresh battaile by reason that much of their armor was lost yet able to keepe the English from ranging at largâ—… Then hee presented the English with diuers offers of â—…reaty touching matters in difference vntill the country was dischargâ—…d of them lastâ—…y knowing right well that counsels are commonly censured by euents and that in matters of armes albeit the praise of prosperous successe is shared amongst many yet the blame of misadventures is charged vpon one And fearing hereby mutinies amongst his owne people and contempt of others hauing first assured the young Queene in place of good defence he assembled the Scottis nobility and vsed words to this effect I assure my selfe that many of you my Lords and more of the vulger are much displeased with me for that I haue advised this warre whereof so sad euents haue followed for this cause I haue assembled you together to reduce you to a better opinion or to blame you deepely either if you remaine offended or if you cast downe your courage throw feare the betrayer of all succors which reason can afforde for tell me if you are discontented with me for aduising this warre doe you not condemne your selues for following the aduice It is certaine that at the first you were all of my opinion and that I did nothing without your approuement If now vpon one misadventure you change your iudgements and charge the fault only vpon me you doe me wrong and discouer your owne weaknesse in being vnable to endure those things which you knew were casuall and which you were resolued to endure But I make no doubt but the same reasons which induced you to entertaine this warre will induce you also to prosecute the same howsoeuer sodaine and vnexpected euents dismay your iudgments for the present Touching my selfe I was alwaies of opinion and shall never change that it is better the kingdome should be in good estate with particular losse to many of the people then that all the people should be well and the state of the kingdome altogether lost or dishonourably impaired euen as it is better that a ship should be preserued with some discommodity to the sailers then that the sailers being in health the ship should perish or as it is lesse dangerous when diuerse parts of a tower are decaied and the foundation firme then when the foundation is ruinous albeit the parts remaine entire For the common estate is but weakned by calamities of particular persons but the ruine of the state inâ—…olueth all in a generall destruction And therefore they are to be blamed alike both who moue and who decline warre vpon particular respects the comeither honour or necessity must bee the true measure of both But the cause of this warre is no other then that wee will not incontinently submit our selues to doe what our neighbours require That is because at the first word wee are not forward to thrust our necks vnder the girdles of our enimies yea our old enimies yea our only enimies of any accompt for many years who in their gluttenous hope haue devoured our kingdome who by the bloody execution of their late victories haue shewen what curtesie wee may expect at their hands In doeing whereof wee shall abandon our ancient and approved friends who as they neuer failed vs in our extremities so are they now prepared with large aides to relieue vs who will not feare or pause at the least before he leap vpon this sodaine changeâ—… who will forsake long tryed friends to rely vpon those who alwaies haue beene ready by Armes to infest vs. Not at all times vpon desire either of revenge or spoile but to bring vs vnder their ambitious dominion which of vs had not rather dye this day then see our enimies in our strongest castles and yoakes of garrisons cast vpon our necks Who
it could not be done by his ordinary power without a parliament yet he would so farre extend his authority roiall and absolute as to giue charge to his commissioners to trauaile with all persons within their counties to reduce lands to their former rents where at they were farmed 40 yeares before and that rents should be paid at Michelmas then next ensuing according to that rate that such as would not presently yeeld to his commissioners for that redresse should at the parliament which he would forthwith summon be overruled Concerning their complaint for price of wolles hee would forthwith giue order that his commissioners should cause clothiers take wolles paying only two partes of the price wherat they were commonly sold the yeare next before and for the other third part the owner and the buyer should stand to such order as the parliament should appoint At which time also he would giue order that landed men to a certaine proportion should be neither clothiers nor farmers and farther that one man should not vse divers occupations nor haue plurality of benefices nor of farmes generally that he would thē giue order for all the residue of their requests in such sort as they should haue good cause not only to remaine quiet but to pray for him and to adventure their liues in his service This parliament he promised should beginne in the beginning of October then next ensuing against which time they should appoint 4 or 6 of their countey to present bills of their desires and in the meane season apply themselues to their harvest and other peaceable businesse at home and not to driue him to necessity whereof he would be sorry by sharper meanes to maintaine both his owne dignity and the common quiet These letters carrying the Kings name in the front and the protectors with the kings signature at the foote were sent by a heralde to Monsholde a place guarded with great but confused and disordered strength of the seditious herewith also the King sent his generall pardon in case they would quietly desist and dissolue But the seditious were so farre from accepting these of any other offers of accord that herevpon they discharged the first shot against the citty and because their Artillery being planted on a hill could little or nothing endammage the walls they remoued their batterie to a lower ground but because their citty was weake and the cittizens but weakely disposed against them with no danger and little travaile they made themselues masters thereof Here they imprisoned the Maior and many other of the chiefe cittizens and ordered all things at their pleasure but maintained the chiefe seat at Mansholde where it was before The Maior of Norwitch and some other gentlemen of credite they constrained to be present at all their counsells with intention to countenance their actions with some authority but in no sort to be guided by them All this time the Kings forces advanced but slowly being imploied in appeasing the like disorders more neere the heart of the kingdome So that it is most certaine that had these seditious beene so mischievously bent as in number they were great they might haue proued more dangerous then they were but they aimed not at ambitious ends their rude earthly spirits were neuer seasoned with any manly adventurous thought and therefore they were content with a licentious idle life wherein they might fill their bellies by spoile rather then by labour to this side their companies ranged in all parts thereabouts and tooke away for their vse much houshold-stuffe and goods but especially they brought to their stations many droues of cattle for besides deere out of parkes besides beeues besides fowles of all kinds within a few daies were brought out of the country 2000 muttons such numbers of sheepe were daily brought in that a fat weather was sold for 4 d. This was interpreted for a present plentie but it made such scarcitie afterwards as could not in many yeares be repaired S r Edmond Kneuet Knight with such company as he could assemble charged vpon one of their watches by night but he was so farre inferior vnto them that it was esteemed a great fortune that he departed from them with his life But soone after the Lord William Parre Marquis of Northampton was sent against them with 1500 horsemen and a small band of Italians vnder a Captaine named Malatesta he was accompanied with the Lord sheffield the L. Wentworth with divers knights and gentlemen of principall estimation when he approached within a mile of the citty the magistrates and chiefe cittizens vpon summons resorted to his standard yeelded vnto him the citty sword and professed their owne loialty and excused others of inferior force who neither by ignorance fauoured the seditious or through feare durst not declare against them with these the Lord Marquis entred the citty at Saint Stephens gate the citty sword being borne before him and therewith caused the chiefe cittizens to assemble in the market place both to giue aduice and to take direction how the citty might best be defended In the meane time the strangers who came with him whether by appointment or by adventure issued forth of the citty to view both the numbers and orders of the seditious They againe first put forth their Archers then their horsemen lastly a company ran furiously forth without either direction of others or iudgement in themselues intending to haue enclosed the Italians but here might haue beene a great difference betweene men practised to fight and men accustomed only to spoile For the Italians in so well advised order receiued the seditious coming rashly vpon them without either feare or skill that divers of the tumultuous numbers were slaine at the last the Italians perceiuing themselues almost invironed cast themselues into a ring and retired backe into the citty But they left one gentleman of their company behinde who being overthrowne from his horse fell into the hands of the seditious who like sauages spoiled him of his armour and of his apparell and hanged him ouer the walls of Mount Surrey This caused the seditious to remaine the first part of the night within their station which by reason of the nastines of the beastly multitude might more fitly be termed a kennell then a campe Within the citty diligent watch was kept which was often visited and relieued The souldiers remained in their armor all night and kept so great a fire in the market place that all parts of the citty were lighted therewith The seditious about midnight began to shoote off their great artillerie very liuely and thicke hereupon the Lord Marquis directed part of his forces to rampart the gates and ruinous places of the walls which the seditious espying with a hideous roaring and rage they powred themselues vpon the citty some endeavoured to fire the gates some to mount ouer the walls and some to passe the riuer the fight continued three houres and it is almost incredible with what rude
people might haue destroied the Nobility and gentry who are the defence and safety of the people and so at pleasure haue reduced all vnder his tyrannous subiection Which how insupportable it would haue beene may well be coniectured by his actions already past what pride and insolency of his men made vp of naught What instruments had he in euery shire to worke his purposes to spread his rumors to harken and to carry tales And those what flatterers What lyers How greedily gaping for other mens liuings How vigilant to grope mens thoughts and to picke out somewhat whereof they might complaine and such vile vermine how deere were they to him and namely Iohn Bonham his one hand in Wiltshire Sir Gyles Partridge his other hand in Glocestershire his customer in Wells Piers country his minister in Deuonshire besides many his bad conditioned minions in courte what monsters were they How esteemed they his fauour aboue all mortall respects And further to accomplish his ambitious ends he devised to make the French king his friend by bewraying vnto him the Kings fortresses beyond the seas which the late noble K. Henry with great charge courage and glory had brought vnder his power which practise was so caryed that no man but such as discerned nothing but did perceiue it And that aswell by his often private conference with the French Embassadors and their secretaries as by failing to furnish those pieces with necessarie supplies as also by the speeches which himselfe and his servants cast abroad that Bulloine and the fortresses about it were an vnprofitable burthen to the realme But for the charge no man will conceiue that he wanted money to keepe them who vndertooke so great a charge as the conquest of Scotland and wasted euery day a 100â—… vpon his phantasticall building Besides it hath beene often heard from his owne communication how he intended to procure a resignation of the rights of the Kings Maiesties sisters and others who are entitled to the possession of the Crowne and to haue entailed the same vpon his owne issue which when he had effected and hauing the Kings person in his power the chaine of soueraignty could not long haue tied him short he might haue atchieued all his ambitious intentions at will Wherefore surely he hath thus put on the person not only of a robber and of a murtherer but of a traitor to the state since we haue euidently discouered both his lofty and bloody minde It behoueth you to ioyne in aide with the Lords of his Maiesties privy counsaile as in extinguishing a raging fire as in repelling a cruell enimie for assuredly wee must either weakly yeelde to his rule and commande or else the ambitious author must be taken away In the afternoone of the same day the Lord Maior assembled a common counsaile in Guildhall where two letters arriued almost in one instant one from the King and the Lord Protector for 1000 men to be armed for defence of the Kings person another from the Lords at London for 2000 men to aide them in defence of the Kings person both parties pretending alike but both intending nothing lesse The Recorder whose voice accordeth commonly with the Lord Chancellor did so well set forth the complaints of the Lords against the Protector that many were inclinable to fauour their side But one named George Stadlowe somewhat better aduised stept vp and spake vnto them as followeth This businesse right Honorable Lord Maior the residue of this court as it is a very high passage of state so it is worthy of serious consideration that vpon sodeine aduice nothing be done or determined them least happely by being serviceable to the designes of other men whose purposes we know not we cast our selues into the throat of danger which hitherto wee doe not see two things I much feare in case wee afford present aide to the Lords either of which should cast vpon vs a bridle rather for stopping a while then for stepping or stirring too soone or too fast at their incitement One is the certaine dangers of the citty the other the vncertaine aduenture of all the realme First then if wee adioine to the Lords whether they prevaile or not wee engulph our selues into assured danger an example whereof I finde in Fabian whose report I entreat you all to obserue In the time of King Henry the third the Lords in a good cause for maintenance of divers beneficiall lawes desired aide of the citty ogainst the King Ayde was granted and the quarrell brought to the arbitrement of the sword In this battaile the King and his son â—…e were taken prisoners vpon their enlargement free pardon was granted not only to the Lords but the cittizens of London which was afterwards confirmed both by oath and by act of Parliament But what followed Was the displeasure forgotten Noe verily nor euer forgotten during that Kings life for afterwards the liberties of the Citty were taken away strangers were appointed governors and the cittizens perpetually vexed both in their persons and in their estates So heauy and durable is the wrath of Kings That Solomon saith The indignation of the King is death For it is naturall for princes to vphold their soveraignty and to holde it in highest esteeme in no case to endure their supreame authority to be forceably either oppressed or dispressed by their subiects Insomuch as they mortally hate such subiects as haue once attempted either to ouerrule them by power or to cast any terror vpon them And howsoeuer they may be either constrained or content to beare saile for a time yet are they so sure paymasters in the end that few haue held out their liues I will not say prosperously but safely who haue offered enforcements against their King Now touching my seare for the commonwealth I much suspect these considerations I alwaies expect from them some lurking mischiefe which the more cunningly it be kept in the more dangerously it will breake forth For albeit there be many hands in this action yet one is the head who doubtlesse hath skille to play his owne game and albeit the pretences giuen forth are alwaies faire and for the publique good yet are the secret intentions commonly ambitions only aime at priuate ends yea many times the end is worse then the first intent Because when a subiect hath obtained the hand against his prince I will not say he will be loath but doubtlesse it is not safe for him to giue ouer his advantage wherefore I am of opinion that for the present if wee will not be so vneurteous as to delay and suspend our giuing aide to the Lords for a time Vpon this aduice the courte resolued to arme 100 horsemen and 400 foote for defence of the Citty To the King they returned answere that they would be ready vpon any necessity to apply all their forces either for his defence or for his honour But they intreated him to bee pleased to heare such complaints as were
obiected against the Lord Protector before he assembled forces in the field which in those tempestuous times as it could not be done without great danger so without great cause it should not To the Lords they answered that they were ready to ioyne with them in any dutifull petition to the King but to ioyne with them in armes they could not vpon the sodaine resolue The next day the Lordes at London dispatched a letter to the Lords at Windesore wherein they charged the protector with many disorders both in his priuate actions and in his manner of gouernment requiring that hee would disperse the sorces which he had raised and withdraw himselfe from the King and be content to be ordered by iustice and reason That this done they would gladly commune with the rest of the counsaile for the surety of the Kings person and for ordering of his estate otherwise they would make no other accompt of them then they might trust to finde cause and would assuredly charge them according to their demerits The King all this time was so farre from gouerning his Lords that he was scarce at his owne liberty and considering that the late rebellions had but newly weared themselues into quiet and fearing new rages among the vnstabie people daily threatned and vpon such occasion not vnlike to take slame conceiuing also that the confederacy trenched no deeper or that the only remedy was to seeme so to conceiue dissolued his companies except only his guarde but charged them vpon warning to be ready so it is most certaine that the troublesome times were a great aduantage to the Lords Had the people beene well setled in subiection or the Protector a man of spirit or witt they hâ—…d beene in danger to haue beene vndone but the protector instead of vsing his authority sent secretary Peter who vnder pretence of gravity couered much vntrustinesse of heart to the Lords at London with some secret instructions sent especially to perswade them that for a publique benefit all either priuate guardes or vnkindnesses might be laid aside But neither did hee returne to Windesore neither was any answere returned from the Lordes After this he wrote two letters one in his owne name to the Earle of Warwicke the other in the name of the Lords at Windesore to the Lords at London in both which he so weakly complained expostulated intreated yeelded vnder their hande as it was sufficient to haue breathed courage into any enimy once declared against him And indeed herevpon the Lords forthwith published a proclamation vnder the hands of 17 persons either for nobility or authority of office well regarded werein the causes of such calamities and losses as had lately before happened not only by inward diuisions which had cost the liues of many thousands of the Kings subiects and threatned more but also by the losse of diuers pieces beyond the seas which had beene wonn by great adventure of the late Kings person and consumption of his treasure they perceiued that the only roote from whence those mischiefes sâ—…rung was the evill gouernment of the Lord Protâ—…ctor whose pride couetousnes and ambition couered only his priuate ends and therefore he was deepely busied in his spatious and specious buildings in the hottest times of warre against France and Scotland whilest the poore souldiers and seruitors of the King were vnpaide and laboured to make himselfe strong in all countries whilest within the realme lawes iustice and good order preuerted prouisions for the forts beyond the seas neglected and the Kings subiects by most dangerous diuisions by his means either raised or occasioned much disquiet That hereupon the Lords of the counsaile for preuenting aswell present dangers to the Kings person as the vtter subuersion of the state of the realme concluded to haue talked to him quietly without disturbance to the King or to the people for reducing him to liue within reasonable limits and for putting order for safety of the kings person and preseruation of the commonwealth of the realme and so to haue passed ouer his most vnnaturall and traitâ—…rous deseruings without further extremities But he knowing that he was vnable to answere for any part of his demeanour began forthwith to spread false rumors that certaine Lords had conspired against the Kings person vnder pretence whereof hee leuied forces in a disordered vproare albeit the treason rested in him and some other his complices wherefore seeing he troubled the whole realme for accomplishing his traiterous ends and vsed the King in his tender age for an instrument against himselfe causing him to put his hand to many of his owne deuises and to speake things tending to the destruction of himselfe they desired and in the Kings name charged all subiects not to obey any precepts licenses or proclamations whereunto the Protectors hand should be set albeit he should abuse the Kings hand and seale vnto them but to quit themselues vpon such proclamation as should proceede from the body of the counsaile protesting therewith their faithfull hearts to the King and their loialty towards the people Instantly after the publishing of this proclamation the Lords directed their letters to Windesore ond addressed to the King another to the Protector the third to the houshold which was openly read The letter to the Protector was guilded ouer with many smooth words intimating faire promises and full of hope but the other two did fully and fowly set forth his obstinacie his auarice his ambition his rash engagements into warres in the Kings vnsetled both age and estate his negligences his deceits and all other insufficiences mentioned before Herewith S r Robert Wingfield captaine of the guarde was sent from the Lords to Windesore who so well persuaded the King both of the loyall affection of the Lordes towards him and of their moderate desires against the protector who then was in presence that partly thereby but chiefly in regard of the turbulent times the Protector was remoued from the Kings person a guard set vpon him vntill the next day when the Lords at London were appointed to be there So the next day diuers of the counsell rode from London to Windsore but the Earle of Warwick rode not with them for he was a perfect Master of his craft he had well learned to put others before him in dangerous actions and in matters of mischiefe to be seene to doe least when in very deed all moued from him He had well learned of the ape to take nuts out of the fire with the pawe of the cat These Lords comming before the King did againe runne ouer their complaints against the Protector and also vnder colour of loue and duty aduiseth the King to beware of such as were both powerfull ambitious mischieuous and rich Affirming that it would be better surety vnto him if this great authority should be committed to many who cannot so readily knit in will or in action as when the whole mannage resideth in one In the end the Duke of
on foote 4000 l accounting the gulden at 3 s 4 d but accounting it more as without a higher valuation little seruice happily some mischiefe might be expected the monethly pay to strangers amounted higher Hereby a great error was discouered in that the strangers for defence of Boulaine were of greater strength then were the English Now the English commissioners hauing first procured some releife both for victualls pay prepared a tent without the towne for meeting with the French But they erected a house on the further side of the water within their owne territory in a manner halfe way betweene their forte and the towne The English perswaded the French to surcease their building pretending but for their fantasies it was not necessarie because neither their treaty was like to continue long neither was it by solemne meeting that the businesse in hand must be effected But in truth they feared least if peace should not follow the French might in short time either with filling or massing the house or else by fortifying make such a piece as might annoy the hauen or the towne Notwithstanding the French not only proceeded but refused any other place of enteruiew At their first meeting much time was spent in ceremony of salutation Then the commissions were read then M r de Mortier in a sharpe speech declared that the French King their M t had vpon iust grounds entred the warre for recouery of his right and defence of his allies yet was he well minded for an honourable peace so as the things for which the warre began might be brought to some reasonable appointment and hearing of the like disposition of the King of England he had sent them to treat of those affaires nothing doubting but that the English would accord to the restitution of Bouline and other pieces of their late conquest which so long as they should keepe so long they may be assured the warre would continue He further added that Bouline was but a bare ruinous Towne without territory or any other commodity to ballance the charge of defending it against the power of France Lastly he said there should want no good will in them to bring matters to good appointment hopeing to finde the like affection in the English After that the English commissioners had conferred a while the Lord Paget answered that the causes of the warre both with them and their Allies whom he tooke to be the Scots being iust and honourable The towne of Bouline other pieces subdued aswell by their late great master against them as by the K. their then M r against their Allies were acquired by iust title of victory and therefore in keeping of them no iniury was offered either to the French King or to the Scots But the further declaration hee left off vntill their next meeting because both the time was spent and the tide summoned them to departe Touching the good inclination of the King their M r hee had declared it well by sending them thither in whom they should finâ—…e such good conformity that if good successe ensued not the fault should be which they expected not in the French Nothing else was done sauing a surcease of hostility concluded for 15 daies which was proclaimed in both the frontires At the next meeting the Lord Paget spent much speech in setting forth the King of Englands title to Bulloine and to his debts and pension from the French king with all arrerages together with the iustice of his warre against the Scots The French were as earnest in maintaining the contrary wanting no words whatsoeuer their reasons were For betweene great Princes the greatest strength carrieth the greatest reason At the last M r de Mortier roundly said that to cut off all contentions of words he would propose two means for peace All that for old matters of pensions debts and arrerages the English should make white books and neuer mention them more but for Bulloine to set the higher value or else said he let old quarrells remaine so as your right may be reserued to clime and ours to defende And let vs speake frankly of some recompence for Boulloine As for the Scottish Queene For this had beene also mentioned before our King is resolued to keepe her for his sonne and therefore we desire you to speake thereof no more but of what other points you please so as we may draw shortly to an end The Lord Paget answered for the other commissioners that they had greatest reason to desire a speedy end but the matters whereupon they stood were of greater importance then to be determined vpon the sodaine For said he you may make doubts as you please But if the debt to our King be not iust being confessed iudged sworne and by many treaties confirmed wee know not what may be deemed iust neither is it a summe to be slenderly regarded being 2000000 crownes cleere debt besides 12000 crowns resting in dispute The iustice of the warres against Scotland he maintained aswell in regarde of breach of treatise with themselues as for that contrarie to their comprehension in the last treaty of France they had inuaded England in these entercourses the whole afternoone being spent it was agreed that both parties should advise vpon such matters as had beene propounded vntill the next meeting But the French either hauing or supposing that they had aduantage ouer the English partly by reason of their firme intelligence in the English court and partly because they found the English commissioners much yeelding to their desires as first in cumming into France then to Bouline lastly to a house of their owne erecting began to be stiffe and almost intractable sharpely pressing both for speedie resolution and short times for meetings But Guidolti continually trauailed to draw both parties to conformity the French being willing to be entreated by their friend to their most dissembled desires Guidolty in steed of the Queene of Scots propounded that the French kings daughter should bee ioyned in marriage to the King of England affirming that if it were a drie peace it would hardly be durable but hereto the English gaue no inclinable care Then he deliuered 17 reasons in writing for which he said it was necessarie for the English to conclude a peace The English demanded how many reasons he had for the French he answered that he had also his reasons for them which he intended likewise to deliuer in writing At the next meeting the French shewed themselues as before peremptory and precise standing stifly vpon their owne ouertures which they had they said no commission to exceede and therefore they refused to treat either of the pension or debt demanded by the English and declared themselues rather desirous then willing to breake off the treaty The English answered that before their comming Guidolti had declared from the French King that so as Bulloine might be rendred all that was owing from him to the King of England should be paid which Guidolti
the woll fleete they aduised the King to send an Embassador legier for the Emperor as well to satisfie him for other matters by him required as to winne time thereby both to prepare a mart in England and to withdraw their goods out of Flanders So M r Wotton was dispatched with particuler instructions to desire the Emperor to be lesse violent in his requests And to aduertise him that the Lady Mary as she was his cozen so was she the Kings sister and which is more his subiect that seeing the K. was a soueraigne Prince without dependancy vpon any but God it was not reason that the Emperor should entermeddle either with ordering his subiects or with directing the affaires of his realme Thus much hee offered that what fauour the Kings subiects had in the Emperors dominions for their religion the same should the Emperors subiects receiue in England The Emperor pereeiuing that his threats were little regarded regarded little to threaten any more About the time that the Lady Mary should haue beene transported vnto Antwerp a rebellion was attempted in Essex where she then lay For furtherance whereof speeches were cast forth that strangers were arriued in England either to rule or to spoile the naturall inhabitants vpon this surmise many appointed to assemble at Chelinsforde and from thence to make pillage as their wants or wanton appetites should leade but the Principall being put to death and the residue pardoned all remained quiet Many Londoners also hunting after riot and ease contriued to tumult vpon May day pretending grieuances and fears from strangers but because where many are of counsaile counsell is hardly kept the enterprise was discouered and defeated before it was ripe herewith Lyon Gorran Ireland persons of meane condition but desperate and discontent endeauoured to raise a rebellion in Kent They often met and had conferences both priuate and long They seemed highly busied in minde and their heads trauailing with troubled thoughts which they often dissembled with impertinent speeches this was first discouered by one of their seruants doubtfull whether before knowing the mischiefe and vntill then secret or ignorant before and then first apprehending suspitions So they were apprehended and after conuiction the danger determined by their deaths Herewith rumors were raised of great discord and practises among the nobility for this cause the Lords assembled at London and feasted diuers daies together giuing order to apprehend the reporters of these surmises albeit happely not altogether vntrue For this cause gentlemen were newly commanded to remaine in the countrey to gouerne the people easy to be dealt with whilest they stand in feare The King being thus vncertaine of the faith both of his subiects and of his confederats intended by aliance to strengthen himselfe To this purpose one Bortwicke was sent to the King of Denmarke with priuate instructions to treat of a marriage betweene the Lady Elizabeth the Kings sister and the King of Denmarks eldest sonne But this Lady albeit she was furnished with many excellent endowments both of nature and education yet could shee neuer be induced to entertaine Marriage with any After this the Lord Marquis of Northampton was directed with a solemne embassage to the French King aswell to present him with the order of the garter as to treat with him of other secret affaires with him were ioyned in commission the Bishop of Elie S r Phillip Hobbie S t William Pickering S r Iohn Mason knights and M r Smith secretary of state The Earles of Worcester Rutland and Ormond were appointed to accompany them and likewise the Lordes Lisle Fitswater Bray Abergauennie and Yuers with other knights and gentlemen of note to the number of 26 and for auoiding immoderate and burthensome traine order was giuen that euery Earle should haue foure attendants euery Lord three euery Knight and Gentleman two The commissioners were not limitted to any number They arriued at Nants and were there receiued by Mounsier Chastilion and by him conducted to Chasteau Bryan where the French King then lodged they were twice banquetted by the way and the neerer they approached to the castle the more encreased the resort of the French nobility to doe them honour being come to the court they were forthwith brought to the King abiding then in his bedchamber Here the Marquis presented vnto him the order of the garter wherewith he was presently inuested and thereupon gaue for the garter a chaine worth 200 l and his gowne addressed with aglets esteemed worth 25 l. Then the Bishop of Ely in a short speech declared how desirous the King of England was not only to continue but to encrease amity with the French King That to this purpose he had sent the order of the garter to be both a testimony and tye of loue betweene them to which purpose chiefly those societies of honour were first deuised He further declared that they had commission to make ouerture of some other matters which was like to make the concord betweene the Kinges their realmes not only more durable but in all expectation perpetuall desiring the King to appoint some persons enabled with authority to treat with them To this speech the Cardinall of Lorraine answered that the French King was ready to apprehend and embrace all offers tending to encrease of amity and the rather for that long hostility had made their new friendship both more weake in it selfe more obnoxious to ielosies distrusts and therefore he promised on the Kings behalfe that commissioners should be appointed to treat with them about any matters which they had in charge praying to God that it might be a means not only to assure but to enlarge their late setled loue so a commission went forth to the Cardinall of Lorraine and Chastilion the Constable the Duke of Guise and certaine others at the first the English demanded that the young Queene of Scots might be sent into England for perfection of marriage betweene K. Edward and her but hereto the French answered that they had taken too much aduenture and spent too many liues vpon any conditions to let her goe and that conclusion had beene made long before for her marriage with the Dolphine of France Then the English proposed a marriage between their King and the Lady Elizabeth the French Kings eldest daughter to which the French did cheerefully encline So after agreement that neither partie should be bound either in conscience or in honour vntill the Ladie should accomplish 12 yeares of age they fell to treat of the portion which should be giuen with her in marriage The English first demanded 150000 crownes and offered that her dowrie should be so great as K. Henry the 8 th had giuen with any of his wiues The offer of dower was not disliked but for the portion some of the French wondred others smiled that so great a summe should be demanded The English descended to 1400000 crownes after by degrees fell so low as 800000 but the French
forth two proclamations not long before published in France and very aduantageable for the English for the which he had a letter of thankes to the King his master Lastly which was indited the maine of his message and whereto all other were but insinuations he desired that certaine Frenchmen taken vpon the coâ—…st of England might be released Hereto he receiued answere that they were Pirats and that some of them should by iustice be punished and some might happily by 〈◊〉 be spared so with this dispatch he returned for France But before it was conceiuâ—…d he could be fully at home he came againe to the English court and there declared to the King how the King his master would deliuer 4 shipps against which iudgment had beene giuen And that hâ—…e would appoint men of good sort and sufficiency to heare the English Merchants at Paris and that he would alter his ordinances for marine affaires of which emendations he then sent a copy to the King The King appointed his Secretaries to consider therof And after some passages of time Uillandry had his answere That the King intended not by receiuing fower ships freely to preiudice his right in the rest That the appointing of an inferior counsell to heare Merchants at Paris after former tedious suits in a higher court he thought would be but dilâ—…tory and so to little purpose because the inferior counsell would neuer vndoe that albeit good cause should appeare which had bin iudged by a higher counsell That the new ordinances he liked no better then he did the olde and therfore desired no other then the customes which oflate times had beene vsed in France and then continued in force betweene England and the low countries Lastly he desired no more words but deeds And now were letters returned from M r Pickering out of France wherby he aduertised the King how Stukely neuer discouered any of those speeches to him which since he had charged vpon the French King And further that he neuer was either in credite or conuersant with the French King or with the Constable nor euer resorted vnto them except once when he was interpreter betweene the Constable certaine English pioners wherfore as it was very like so did he verily belieue that as the French King was alwaies close reserued amongst his best knowne friends so would he not be open and vncircumspect to impart a matter of such import to a meere stranger and in a most vnseasonable time Hereupon Stukely was examined againe and then sir ding it dangerous alike to confesse a truth or stand to a ly he became more vnconstant and variable then he was before wherfore he was committed to the Tower and notice was giuen to the French Kings Embassador of all those proceedings to the intent that he might acquaint his master with them Letters were also sent to the Kings Embassador in Frace directing him to aduertise the French King of all these matters and that for two speciall ends One to manifest the Kings considence in his amity with France the other to bring the French King into suspition against all English fugitiues who resorted daily to his court And so because no better person was the author incredible fables were not belieued But herevpon some began to discourse that the accusations against the Duke of Somerset were no lesse improbable and vpon the credict of no better persons and therefore might happily be no lesse vntrue But the difference is great betweene both the persons and the facts of a soueraigne Prince and of a subiect And now when the French K. vnderstood aswell the imputation which Stukely had raised as his imprisonment First he deepely protested his innocence in his particular and his generall sincere meaning for preseruing amity with England Then he much blamed Stukelies villany and nolesse thanked the King aswell for that he had not afforded a credulous care to such mischeiuous devises wherein the tender touch of his estate might happily haue excused his error as for his Princely manner in acquainting him therwith On the other side whâ—…n M r Morrison the Kings Embassador with the Emperor had opened the mattâ—…rs giuen him in charge touching a league against the Turke and against his confederats The Emperor much thanked the King for his gentle offer and promised to procure the Regent to send ouer some persons of credâ—…te to understand the Kings further meaning Soone after M r Thomas Grosham câ—…me from Antwerp into England and declared to the counsell how Mounsier Loâ—…gie the Emperors Treasurer in Flanders was sent to him from the Regent with a packet of letters which the Burgundians had intercepted in Bullonois sent as it was said from the Dowager of Scotland wherein she set forth how she had imprisoned George Paris an Irishman because she vnderstood that vpon grant of his pardon he had a meaning to come into England and how she had sent Oconners sonne into Ireland to giue encouragement to the Irish Lords Also he shewed instructions giuen about 4 years before vpon the fall of the Admirall of France to a gentleman then coming from England that if any were in England of the Admiralls faction he should doe his best to excite a trouble The deputy of Ireland was at that time ready to transport into England But vpon this aduertisement S r Henry Knowles was sent in post to stay him there yet with caution that he should pretend to stay vpon his owne occasions and therevpon deferred his departure from weeke to weeke least the true reason should be discerned Letters of thankes were also sent to the Regent for this gentle ouerture And the messenger was directed to vse pleasing words in the deliuery of the letter and to wish a further amity betweene the two states And further to acquaint her with the French Kings practise in waging 5000 Scottish footmen and 500 horsemen how he tooke vp 100000 l by exchange at Lubecke whereby the coniecture was evident that he had some meaning against the Emperor in the spring then next following Doubtlesse the aduertisement of neighbour Princes are alwaies much to be regarded for that they receiue intelligence from bâ—…tter Authors surer grounds then persons of inferior note and sort About this time one of the Earle of Tyrones men was committed to the tower for making an vntrue complaint against the deputy and counsell of Ireland And for bruting abroad how the Duke of Northumberland and the Earle of Pembrooke were fallen into quarrell and one of them against the other in the field In Aprill in the 6 th yeare of the raigne of the King he fell sicke of the Measles wherof in short time he well recouered afterwards he sickned of the small poxe which breaking kindly from him was thought would proue a means to clense his body from such vnhealthfull humors as commonly occasion long sicknesse or death And herof he also so perfectly recouered that in the soâ—…mer next following he rode his progresse
with greater magnificence then euer before For whether it were to maintaine his maiesty or to manifest the feare which had beene formerly impressed he caried with him a band of 320 men which made vp his whole traine aboue the number of 4000 horse But because this multitude was burthensome to the Country through which he passed which did afford little meadow or pasture because also it seemed to bewray distrust as if the King should thinke that he rather marched among dangerous rebells then tooke his pleasure among faithfull and quiet disposed subiects about the middest of his progresse the greatest part was discharged For furnishing the charge of this progresse 500 pound weight of gold was coined with 1500 pounds sterling Soone after the King did complaine of a continuall infirmity of body yet rather as an indisposition in health then any set sicknesse And about that time certaine prodigies were seene either as messengers or signes of some imminent and eminent euiâ—…l At Middleton eleuen miles from Oxford a woman brought forth a female child which had two bodies from the nauill vpward so vnited at the nauill as when they were laid in length the one stretched directly opposite to the other from the nauill downward it was but one it liued weakly 18 daies and then both bodies died together Vpon birth of such monsters the Grecians and after them the Romans did vse diuerse sorts of expiations and to goe about their principall citties with many solemne ceremonies and sacrafices supposing hereby that wrath from heauen was menaced against them At Quinborough three great Dolphins were taken and a few daies following at Blackwall sixe which were brought to London the least in bignesse exceeding any horse After this three great fishes were taken at Grauesend called Whirlepooles and drawen vpon the Kings bridge at Westminster These accidents the more rarely they happen the more ominous are they commonly esteemed either because they are so indeed or because they are neuer obserued but when sad euents doe ensue In Ianuary about the beginning of the 7 th yeare of the Kings raigne his sicknesse did more apparantly shew it selfe especially by the symptome of a tough strong streining cough All the medicines and diet which could be prescribed together with the helpes both of his yong age and of the rising time of the yeare were so farre either from curing or abating his griefe that it daily encreased by dangerous degrees it was not only a violence of the cough thad did insect him but therewith a weaknesse and faintnes of spirit which shewed plainly that his vitall parts were most strongly and strangely assaulted and the talke hereof among the people was so much the more because through an opinion obscurely raised but running as most absurd that his sicknesse grew by a slow working poison Vpon this cause it happened that a Parliament beginning vpon the first day of March was vpon the last of the same moneth dâ—…ssolued And now the danger of the Kings sicknesse was much laâ—…ented not only by his owne people but by strangers abroad because his curtesy and wisdome had begot to him such loue that he was no lesse honoured by those who heard of him then of those who conversed with him For he was famous in all places by reason of his foresight and iudgment in affaires and did so well temper the greatnes of his estate both with modestie and with grauitie that he auoided enuie by the one and contempt by the other Some compared him with the greatest persons that had beene both for warre and peace because in the like pitch of yeares none of them attained to the like perfections Haply hee did not appeare in souldiery so great but that was because he was not so rash being also drawne backe from his pursuâ—…es abroad by domesticall disorders and diuisions both amongst the people and Nobilitie of his Realme by reason whereof he scarce seemed well seâ—…led in his Chaire of Estate and yet his fortunes were alwayes Victorious It hapned during his sicknesse that Doctor Ridley Bishop of London preached before him and in his Sermon much commended workes of charitie which as they were a dutie for all men to performe so most especially for men in mâ—…st especiall dignitie and place as well in regard of their large abiâ—…ities as for that they were much obliged to giue examples of goodnesse to others the same day after dinner the King sent for him priuatly into the Gallery at White-Hall caused him to sit in a chaire by him would not permit him to remaine vncouered and then after courteous thankes he reported all the principall points of his Sermon and further added I tooke my selfe to be especially touched by your speech as well in regard of the abilities which God hath giuen me as in regard of the example which from mee hee will require for as in the Kingdome I am next vnder God so must I most neerely approach to him in goodnesse and in mercie for as our miseries stand most in need from him so are we the greatest debtors debtors to all that are miserable and shall be the greatest accomptants of our dispensation therein And therefore my Lord as you haue giuen me I thanke you this generall exhortation so direct me I intreat you by what particular actions I may this way best discharge my dutie The Bishop partly astonished and partly ouerioyed with these speeches was strucke into a sad silence for a time at last â—…eares and words breaking forth together he declared to the King so as he little expected such a question so was he not furnished with a present answer for this matter had a great mixture of a ciuill gouernment wherein he concelued that the Citizens of London had best experience as ouerburthened with multitudes of poore not only of their owne but from all parts of the Realme besides and therefore as they best know both the qualitie of such people and the inconueniences which they occasion so could they best aduise what remedies were fittest wherefore if the King were pleased to afford his Letters to that effect he would confer with them and in very short time returne with answer The King forth with caused his Letters to be written and would not suffer the Bishop to depart vntill hee had firmed them with his hand and Signet and enioyned the Bishop to be the messenger imposing great charge for expedition The Bishop hasted with his Letters to the Lord Maior who presently assembled certaine Aldermen and foure and twentiâ—… Commissioners by whose aduice the poore were cast into three companies and â—…orts some were poore by impotenciâ—… of nature as young fatheâ—…lesse children old decrepit persons Ideots Criples and such like others arâ—… poore by facultie as wounded souldiers diseased and sicke persons and the like the third sort arâ—… the poorâ—… by 〈◊〉 or vnthriâ—…itinesse as riotiâ—…us spenders vagabonds 〈◊〉 lewâ—… strumpeâ—…s and their companions that the first of these were to be educated