battell saying They were but clouds and would soone passe away yet so watched him that what with light skirmishes and what with skarcity of victuals his forces were so diminished that of thirty thousand which went out of Callice there scarce retunred six thousand home which made King Edward say of this King Charles that he did him more mischiefe sitting still then his Predecessours had done with all their stirring And now by this time all Poictou is lost and all Aquitaine also but onely Burdeaux and Bayon when the Arch-bishop of Roan and others are sent from Pope Gregory the eleventh to mediate a Peace betweene the two Kings but each of them standing upon high termes of conditions nothing could be effected but Truce upon Truce for two or three yeares together In which time Edward Prince of Wales died and with him we may say the Fortune of England being a Prince so full of vertues that he left no place for any vice and if he had lived in the Heroicke times might well have beene numbâ—ed amongst the nine Worthies His body was buried at Canterbury where his Monument standeth King Edward in his seven and fortieth yeare calleth a Parliament at Wâ—stminster which lasted but eight dayes and to which were Summoned by Writ of Clergy men onely foure Bishops and five Abbots Of King Edwards Acts after the death of the Prince IN the time of the Princes sicknesse King Edwâ—rd cals a Parliament at Westminster in which when demands were made for supply of the King demands were presently made for redresse of grievances for the subjects It was required that the Duke of Lancaster the Lord Latymer then Lord Chamberlaine Dame Alice Pierce the Kings Concubine and one Sir Richard Sturry might be removed from Court And this was so vehemently urged by their Speaker Sir Peter la Moore that the King rather then not to be supplied gave way unto it and thereupon all these persons are presently put from Court but the Prince soone after dying they are all recalled to Court againe and restored to their former places About this time exâ—mplary justice was done upon Sir Iohn Minsterworth knight who was drawne hanged and quartered at Tiburne for Treason by him committed in defrauding Souldiers of their wages Thiâ— was now the fâ—ftieth yeare of King Edwâ—â—ds Raigne and he for another Iubilee graâ—â—s another generall pardon to his subjectsâ— onely William Wicâ—ham Bishop of Winchester is excepted being lately by procurement of the Duke of Lancaster fallen into the Kings displeasureâ— and forbiddâ—â— to come to the Parliament This Parliament was called the good Parliamentâ—â—â—ough it wrought ill effects for Sir Peter de la Mare at the suite of Alice Pierce is committed to perpetuall imprisonment at Notâ—ingham though within two years after by importunate suite of friends he regained his liberty This Alice Pierce presuming upon the Kings favour grew so insolent that she entermedled with Courts of Justice and other Offices where â—he herselfe would fit to countenance her Causes And now the Duke of Lancastâ—â— is come to have the Regencie and to manage all the affaires of the kingdome but King Edward to prevent the mischiefes when by disordering the succession might grow in the kingdome providently settled the same in Parliament upon Richard of Burdeaux â—reating him first Earle of Chester and Cornwall and then Prince of Wales and caused all the Lords of the Realme to talâ—e an Oath to accept him for their King as his lawfull Heire when himselfe should be dead In this meane time a Treaty was had about a marriage betweene this Prince Richard and Mâ—ry a daughter of Charles King of France and an offer was made to King Edward to leave him foureteene hundred Townes and three thousand fortresses in Aqâ—itaine upon condition he would render Callice and all that he held in Picardy but before any thing could be concluded King Edward died Of his Taxations IN the eighth yeare of his Raigne in a Parliament holden at London there was granted him a fifteenth of the Temporalty a twentieth of the Cities and Boroughs and a tenth of the Clergy In his tenth yeare in a Parliament at Northampton is granted a tenth penny of Cities and Boroughs a fifteenth of others and a tenth of the Clergy Also all such treasure as was committed to Churches through England for the Holy Warre is taken out for the Kings use towards his warres with France The next yeare after all the goods of three orders of Monks Lomâ—ards Cluniakes and Cistercians are likewise seised into the Kings hands and the like Subsidy as before granted at Nottingham In his twelfth yeare and as some write in absence of the King in a Parliament at Northampton is granted by the Laity one halfe of their Wooll but of the Clergy the whole The next yeare after a fifteenth was likewise paid in Wooll by the Commonalty In his foureteenth yeare in a Parliament at London is granted him for Customâ— of every sacke of Wooll forty shillings for every three hundred Wooll Fells forty shilâ— for every Last of Leather forty shillings and of other Merchandises according to the rate the same to endure from that Easter to the Whitsontide twelve moneth after Besides there was granted of Citizens and Burgesses a ninth part of goods of forraine Merchants and others a fifteenth of Husbandmen the ninth Sheafe the ninth Fleece the ninth Lamb for two years also another tenth of the Clergy and for his present supply he had Loanes of divers persons and the City of London lent twâ—nty thousand Markes For the grant of which mighty Subsidy the King besides his Pardon to divers kinds of offendours remits all Amerciaments for transgressions in his Forests Reliefs and Scurage to the first time of his going into Flanders besides all aides for the marriage of his sonnes and daughters during his Raigne pardoning and remitting all ancient debts and â—rrâ—rages both of his Fermors and others till the tenth yeare of his Raigne and likewise confirmes the great Charter of Magna Chartae In his eighteenth yeare in a Parliament at London a tenth was granted by the Clergy and a fifteenth by the Laityâ— Besides a Commission is sent into every Shire to inquire of mens abilities and all of five pounds to tenne of Lay Fee were appointed to finde an Archer on horsebacke of twenty five a Demilaunce and so ratably above There had formerly been made a certaine coyne of Gold called the Floren of base alloy for the Kings benefit towards his warres in France but this was now called inâ— and Nobles of finer metall coyned to the great contentment of the people In his nine and twentieth yeare he hath by Parliament granted unto him fifty shillings upon every sack of Wooll for six years next ensuing by which Imposition it was thought the King might dispend a thousâ—â—d Markes Sterling a day the vent of Wooll was so great in that time But that which exceeded all his Taxations was the Ransome he had in
he resolved to set his whole state at stake and either to redeeme his disgrace or to forfeit his life So returning into Normandy he useth all his force in raising of Forces but King Henry suspecting his intentions and not using to give Insurrections time to ripen came upon him so suddenly with a mighty Army that he drew him to a battell before he was halfe ready to fight Yet desire of revenge so animated the Duke and the Duke his Souldiers that never battell was more fiercely fought and the Normans seemed at first to have the better till King Henry shewing himselfe in the Army put such courage into his Souldiers that they quickly made good the advantage they had in number and King Henry obtained a compleate victory both in slaughter of men of whom there werâ— slaine above ten thousand and in taking of prisoners to the number of foure hundred amongst whom besides divers other Great ones as the Earle of Mortaigne William Crispine and William Ferreis was Duke Robert himselfe whom the King having first taken order for all things in his new State of Normandy brought over with him into England and committed him to the Castle of Cardyffe in Wales where he remained a prisoner till he dyed used for a time with reasonable liberty for Recreation till attempting to make an escâ—pe it was thought fit to put out his eyes which though it encreased his misery yet it shortned not his life for he lived many yeares after in all from the time of his first imprisonment sixe and twenty And thus this great Duke who in his birth was the joy of Nature in his life was the scorne of Fortune and it is not unworthy the observing that the English wonne Normandy the very same day forty yeare the Normans had wonne England Such Revolutions of fortune there are in kingdomes and so unstable is the state of all worldly Greatnesse And now is King Henry as great as ever his Father was and as Greatnesse draws envy as much envyed as ever his Father was and as Envy makes Enemies as much opposed as ever his Father was for now Fulke Earle of Angioâ— and Baldwyne Earle of Flanders upon small occasions and Lewis the grosse King of France upon none but such as envy suggested seeking to place William Sonne to Duke Robert in his Right to Normandy assaulted the Kings Dominions perhaps to try whether Greatnesse had not made him unwieldy but King Henry to shew that Greatnesse had made him more Active went over into Normandy with a mighty Army and at Nice encountred the French King where a bloody Battell was fought with exceeding valour on both sides but at last King Henry repelled the French King and recovered Nice and after many other conflicts betweene them with variety of Fortune at lâ—st the King made peace with the Earle of Angiou confirmed by a marriage of the Earles Daughter with his Sonne Williamâ— and upon this also the two Kings grow to a peace in which William Son to King Henry being about seventeene yeares of age was invested into the Dutchy of Normandy doing homage for the same to the King of France From whence it was afterward a Custome that the King of Englands eldest Sonne as long as Normandy remained in their hands was made alwayes Duke of Normandy After this Charles Earle of Flanders being slaine at Bruxels by a conspiracy of his owne people and leaving no issue behind hâ—m Lewis King of France invested William Sonne to Dâ—ke Robert in the Earledome of Flanders as descended from Eaâ—le Baldwyn whose Daughter Maude was wife to King William the first and Grandmother to this William so as William now having gotten this steppe of advancâ—ment seekes to goe on and to recover Normandy and was thereof by assistâ—â—ce of the King of France in a faire possibility when in a certaine light conâ—lâ—ct receiving a wound in his hand the thread of his faire possibility was upon a suddaine cut off and of that light wound he shortly after dyed King Henry now in perfect peace abroad was not without some little disquietings at home and marching thorow Powis-land in South Wales to represse some Insurrections of the Welsh he came to certaine Straights where his maine Army could not passe in which place the King was smitten with an Arrow full upon the breast whereat he swore by our Lords death his usuall Oath that it was no Welsh arme had shot that Arrow yet in this distâ—esse for a thousand head of Cattell he had the passage left open and came safely off And these were his troubles of Armes both at home and abroad during all his Raigne His Taxations and wayes for raising of money TOwards the marriage of his Daughter Maude with the Emperour he obtained at his first Parliament at Salisbury three shillings upon every Hide of Land throughout the kingdome which was afterward drawne to a custome to receive ayde from the Subjects whensoever the King gave his eldest Daughter in marriage Besides this he had no more in all his Raigne but onely one supply for his Warres in France but he kept Bishoprickes and Abbeyes voyd in his hands and that of Canterbury five yeares together By an Act of Parliament or rather by a Synod of Bishops holden at London he was authorised to punish marriage and incontinency of Priests which the Bishops afterwards repented for he suffered Priests to have Wives for Fines or rather tooke Fines of them whether they had wives or no bâ—cause they might have them if they would Punishments which before his time were mutilation of Member he made Pecuniary And the Provisions of his house which were used to be paid in kind were in his time rated at certaine prizes and received in money By this Chapter and the next before it appeares there were in this Kings dayes but few troubles at home nor but few Taxations whereoâ— the one may be thought to be cause of the other the first perhaps of the second but certainely the second of the first Lawes first instituted in his tâ—me HE first instituted the forme of the High Court of Parliament for before his time onely certaine of the Nobility and Prelates of the Realme were called to consultation about the most important affaires of State but he caused the Commons also to be assembled by Knights and Burgesses of their owne appointment and made the Court to consist of three parts the Nobility the Clergy and the Common people representing the whole body of the Realme and appointed them to sit in severall Chambers the King the Bishops and Lords of the Realme in one Chamber and the Commons in another to conferre together by themâ—elves Other Orders of that Court he Ordained as they are in use at this day The first Councell of this sort was held at Salisbury on the 19. day of Aprill in the 16. yeare of his Raigne He forbad the wearing of long haire which at that time was frequent after the manner of the
it is that after this Agreement betweene King Stephen and Duke Henry they continued in mutuall love and concord as long after as they lived But what became of Maude the Empresse at this time For that she was alive and lived many yeares after this agreement betweene King Stephen and her Sonne Henry all Writers agree and to say that she consented to the Agreement without any provision made for her selfe is to make her too much a Woman a very weake vessell and to say there might be provision made though it be not Recorded is to make all Writers defective in a great excesse And besides being so stirring a woman as she was that upon a suddaine she should be so quiet as not to deserve to have one word spoken of her in all the long time she lived after being no lesse then twelve or thirteene yeares is as strange as the rest And if she placed her contentment so wholly in her Sonne that in regard of him she regarded not her selfe at all It deserves at least the Encomium of such a motherly love as is very unusuall and not alwayes safe Whatsoever it was I must be faine to leave it as a Gordian knot which no Writer helpes me to unty Of his Taxations and wayes for raising of money OF Taxations in his time there is no mention made for Taxations indeed are properly drawne from a body of State when it is entire where the State all this Kings time was altogether in Fractions But what he wanted in Taxations he supplyed with Confiscations which by reason of the many revoltings of men of all sorts could not chuse but fill his Coffers every Rebellion being in nature of a Purchase to him for whatsoever became of the Persons their Lands and Goods were sure to be his And if it happened at any time that Confiscations came in but slowly he had then devises to hasten their pace for upon light suggestions not so much oftentimes as just suspitions he would call men into question and seise upon their good as in the case particularly of Ralph Bishop of Salisbury and it may not be unpleasing to heare from what beginning this Bishop grew to such a height of greatnesse which was thus In the time of King William Rufus he was a poore Priest serving a Cure in a village neare to Caâ—n in Normandy when the Kings younger Brother Henry chanced to passe that way and to make some stay in the said Village who being desirous to heare a Masse this Roger being Curate was the man to say it which he dispatched with such celerity that the Souldiers who commonly love not long Masses commended him for it telling their Lord that there could not a fitter Priest be found for men of warre then he Whereupon Henry appointed him to follow him and when he came to be King preferred him to many great places and at last to be Chancellour of England and Bishop of Salisbury You have heard his rising now heare his fall When King Stephen came to the Crowne he held this man in as great account as his Predecessour King Henry had done and perhaps in greater For being a great begger of Suites the King would say of him If this man will never give over asking neither shall I ever give over giving Yet this great Prelate fell first through Pride into Envy and then through Envy into Ruine For King Stephen having given liberty to build Castles this man did so fâ—rre exceed all others in magnificence for he builded the Castles of Salisbury the Vyes Sherburne Mamesbury and Newarke to which there were no Structures comparable in the kingdome that the Lords out of envy put it into the Kings head that these Castles of his were built thus magnificently for entertainment of Maâ—de the Empresse which so possessed the King or he would be thought to be so possessed that taking this for a just cause he seised them all into his hands and forty thousand Markes besides which he had in money and not coâ—tented with this he tooke the like course also with Alexander Bishop of Lincolne onely because he was his Nephew and of his neare kindred Another way he had for gaining of money For in the first yeare of his Raigne having given liberty to hunt in his Forests be afterward at Oxford caused many to be impleaded for using that liberty a tricke which perhaps he learned from hunting First to give men leave to doe a thing and then to Fine them for having done it But this is the priviledge of Princes that their leave must be interpreted by him that gives it and not by him that takes it Lawes and Ordinances in his time HE gave licence to the City of Norwich to have Coroners and Bayliffes before which time they had onely a Sergeant for the King to keepe Courts and after this in the 37. yeare of King Henry the third they had license to inclose the Towne with Ditches Affaires of the Church in his time VPon the Kings seising into his hands the Bishop of Salisburies Castles and Goods complaint was made and a Synod called by the Bishop of Winchester the Popes Legate to right the Bishop where the King was cited to appeare who sending to know the cause Answer was made that it was to answer for his imprisoning of Bishops and depriving them of their Goods which being a Christian King he ought not to doe The King replies by his Lawyer Alveric de Ver that he had not arrested the Bishop of Salisbury as a Bishop but as his Servant that was to make him accompt of his imployment To this the Bishop answereth that he was never Servant or Accomptant to the King and many Allegations and Probations were urged to and fro but in conclusion the Synod brake up and nothing was done The Bishops durst not Excommunicate the King without the Popes privity so in the end they fell from Authority to Submission and in the Kings Chamber fell downe at his Feet beseeching him he would pity the Church and not suffer dissention to be betweene the Kingdome and the Priest-hood And this was no small magnanimity in the King that he was able to pull downe the high stomachs of the Prelates in that time In the eighth yeare of his Raigne a Synod was held in London by Henry Bishop of Winchester where it was decreed that whosoever should lay violent hands upon any Clergy man should not be absolved but by the Pope himselfe and from this time forward Clergy men were exempt from the secular power In the tenth yeare of his Raigne by the soliciting of Saint Bernard many tooke upon them the Crosse for a supply to the Holy Land amongst whom some English Lords also Workes of piety done by him or by others in his time HE Founded the Abbeys of Cogshall in Essex of Furneys in Lancashire of Hurguilers and Feversham in Kent at Heigham in Kent a House of blacke Nunnes also an house for Nunnes at Carew His Queene
of Aâ—mesbury in Wiltshire at the instance of Queene Eleanor her Grandmother who lived there Elizabeth their seventh daughter was first married to Iohn Earle of Holland Zeland and Lord of Freezeland he dying within two yeares she was afterward married to Humphrey Bohun Earle of Hereford and Essex Lord of Breknok and High Constable of England by whom she had issue sonnes and daughters Beatrice and Blanch their eighth and ninth daughters died young and unmarried King Edwards second Wife was Margaret eldest daughter of Philip King of France called the Hardy and sister to Philip called the Faire at eighteene yeares old she was married to King Edward being above threescore yet at the unequall yeares she had issue by him two sonnes and a daughter their eldest sonne was borne at a little Village in Yorkshire called Brotherton and was thereof called Thomas of Brotherton he was created Earle of Norfolke and Earle Marshall of England after Roger Bigod who died without issue Their second sonne Edmund was borne at Woodstocke in Oxfordshire and of the place was so called he was created Earle of Kent and married Margaret daughter of Iohn and sister of sole Heire of Thomas Lord Wakes of Lydell in the County of Northampton by whom he had issue two sonnes and one daughter his sonnes Edmund and Iohn died without issue his daughter Ioane for her beauty called the Faire maid of Kent was married first to William Montacute Earle of Salisbury and from him divorced was re-married to Sir Thomas Holland in her Right Earle of Kent and by her Father of Thomas and Iohn Holland Duke of Surrey and Earle of Huntington and lastly she was the Wife of Edward of Woodstocke the blacke Prince of Wales and by him Mother of King Richard the second This Earle Edmund was beheaded at Winchester in the fourth yeare of King Edward his Nephew Eleanor the daughter of King Edward by his second Wife Margaret died in her childhood Of his personage and conditions HE was tall of stature higher then ordinary men by head and shoulders and thereof called Longshanke of a swarthy complection strong of body but leane of a comely favour his eyes in his anger sparkling like fire the haire of his head black and curled Concerning his conditions as he was in warre peacefull so in Peace he was warlike delighting specially in that kinde of hunting which is to kill Stagges or other wilde beasts with Speares In continencie of life he was equall to his Father in acts of valour farre beyond him He had in him the two wisdomes not often found in any single both together seldome or never An ability of judgement in himselfe and a readinesse to heare the judgement of others He seemed to be a great observer of opportunity a great point of wisdome in any in Princes greatest and that he could beare an injury long without seeking to revenge it as appeared by his carriage towards the Earle Roger Bigod whom when he saw his time he called to account for an affront he had offered him diâ—ers yeares before He was not easily provoked into passion but once in passion not easily appeased as was seene by his dealing with the Scots towards whom he shewed at first patience and at last severity If he be censured for his many Taxations he may be justified by his well bestowing them for never Prince laid out his money to more honour of himselfe or good of his kingdome His greatest unfortunatenesse was in his greatest blessing for of foure sonnes which he had by his Wife Queen Eleanor three of them died in his owne life time who were worthy to have out-lived him and the fourth out-lived him who was worthy never to have beene borne Of his death and buriall IN his last expedition into Scotland being at Carlile he fell sicke and lying in his death-bed he sent for his sonne Edward to whom besides many admonitions to Piety he commanded three things specially that he should carry his bones about with him through Scotland till he had subdued it that he should send his heart into the Holy Land with sevenscore knights to that warre and the two and thirty thousand pounds he had provided for that purpose and that he should never recall Gaveston from banishment and soon after of a dysentery or Bloudy-Flix he died at Borough upon the Sands the seventh of Iuly in the yeare 1307. when he had Raigned foure and thirty yeares and seven moneths lived threescore and eight yeares Being dead his Corps was brought to Waltham Abbey and there kept the space of sixteene weekes and after on Simon and Iudes day buried at Westminster Men of Note in his time OF Martiall men there were many these specially Iohn Earle of Warren who opposed the Kings Inquisition by Quo Warranto and Roger Bigod who gave the King an affront to his face Of learned men also many specially these Iohn Breton bishop of Hereford who compiled a book of the Lawes of England called lâ— Breton Thomas Spot a Chronographer Iohn Eversden a writer of Annals and of this Kings Raigne Gregory Cairugent a Monke of Glocester and a writer also of Annals Iohn Peckham a Franciscan Frier made Arch-bishop of Canterbury who writ many excellent workes Iohn Read an Historiographer Thomas Bungey a Frier Minor an excellent Mathematician Roger Bacon a Franciscan Frier an excellent Philosopher and Mathematician Robert Kilwarby Arch-bishop of Canterbury and after made a Cardinall also Ralph Baldock Bishop of London who writ a Chronicle of England in the Latine tongue but above them all though of another Countrey Thomas Aquinas borne of a Noble Family whose workes are too famous to be spoken of who going to the Councell holden at Lyons by Pope Gregory the tenth died by the way THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE SECOND Of his Acts before and at his Coronation EDward of Carnarvan eldest Sonne of King Edward the first succeeded him in the kingdome and never did Prince come to a Crowne with more applause of Nobility and People and there was good cause for it For he had beene trained up in all good courses for Piety and Learning he had seene the Government of his Father from whose Example he could not but have learned many good Lessons he had been initiated in the wayes of State having beene left Governour of the Realme and presiding in Parliament in his Fathers absence and he was now three and twenty yeares old a fit age for bearing the weight of a Scepter and yet for all these advantages there wanted not feares of him in the mindes of many who could not but remember what prankes he had played not long before how he had broken the Bishop of Chesters Parke and in most disorderly manner had killed his Deere for which both himselfe had beene committed to Prison and his Friend Pierce Gaveston banished the Realme and if he did such things being but Prince what might not be feared of him comming to be King For seldome doth
Neth in 〈◊〉 kept himselfe close In the meane time the Queene was come to Oxford where Adâ—m Bishop of Hereford Preaching tooke for his Text Caput meum dolâ—â— and thereupon inferred that the kingdome being now deadly sicke of its head it was fit to remove that head and put a sounder in the place At this time also thâ— Lâ—â—dâ—ners to shew their love to the Queene seised upon Walter Stapletâ—n the good Bishop of Exceter and Lord Treasurer of England left Governoâ—r theâ—â— by the King and with great despight beheaded him as also divers others onely because they favoured the King In the meane time the Queene went from Oxford to Glocester and from thence to Bristow where Hugh Spâ—ncer the Father was a man of fouâ—escore and ten yeares old who is there taken and without examination or Judgement in most cruell manner Executed having his heart pulled out of his body being yet alive and his body left hanging upon the Gallowes After this the Queene stayed at Hâ—reford the space of a monethâ— and then dividing her Army she sends one part of it under the Conduct of Henry Earle of Lancaster and Ryce a Powell a Clerke â—o find out the King and this Ryce being a Welshâ—an and knowing thâ— Country well brought the Earle to the Monastery of Nâ—thâ— where the King was whom they there take together with Spenser the Sonne Roberâ— Baldâ—cke and Simon of Reading The King is by the Bishop of Hereford committed to the custody of the Earle of Leycester where all that Winter he was used no worse then was fit for a captive King But Edmund Earle of Arundell Iohn Daniel and Thâ—mâ—â— Micheldens at the instance of Mortimer are all three beheaded Presently after is Hugh Spenser the younger who was now Earle of Glocester drawne hanged and quarâ—eâ—ed his head sent up to be set upon London Bridge and his foure quarters bestowed in severall Cities The like is done with Simon of Reading but Robert Baldocke is committed to New-Gate against whom when no just cause of death could be found there was used so much cruelty in his imprisonment that he shortly after dyed Presently after Christmas a Parliament is called wherein it is agreed to depose the King and set up his Sonne which he hearing refused it unlesse his Father would freely resigne whereupon are appointed three Bishops two Earles two Abbots foure Barons and of every City a Burgesse to goe to the King in custody then at Kenelworth The Bishops were Iohn of Sâ—ratford Bishop of Winchester Adam Torleton Bishop of Hereford and Henry Bishop of Lincolne But the Bishops of Winchester and Lincolne getting to the King before the rest came perswade the King to resigne his Crowne to his eldest Sonne craâ—tily promising him he should have as good maintenance afterward as ever he had when he was King And contrarily threatning him that if he did it not the people would exclude both him and his Sonne too and mâ—ke a King of another Race By these promises and threatnings the meeke King is drawne to yeeld to the Bishops moâ—â—on but when afterward the Bishop of Hereford and the other Commissioners came and were sate in a place appointed to take his Resignation the King comming forth amongst them in mourning Robes upon a sudden fell downe in a swoundâ— in whom the Earle of Leycester and the Bishop of Winchester had much adoâ— to recover life but then the Bishop of Hereford rising up delivered the cause of their comming as the other Bishops before had done To which â—he King answered that as he much grieved his People should be so hardned against him as utterly to reject him so it was some comfort unto him that they would yet receive his Son to be their Soveraigne After this Thomas Blunt knight Steward of the Kings house brake the Staffe of his Office and William Trâ—ssell Speaker of the Parliâ—ment in name of the whole kingdome pronounced a Forme of Renouncing all Allegeance to Edward of Carnarvan Here Caxton writes that from the time of this Kings Deposing which was in December to the time of his Sonnes Crowning which was not till Candlemas following all Pleas of the Kings Bench were stayed and all Prisoners arrested by Sheriffes commanded to be set at liberty which seemes to have little probability seeing his Sonne Edward presently upon his Deposing was received for King But howsoever so great a Dowre was then assigned to Queene Isabel that scarce a third part of the Revenues of the Crowne is leâ—t for the new King and his Wife And to the late King is allowed a hundred Markes â— moneth for his maintenance with which he lived with his Cousin the Earle of Leycester in good plenty and contentment for a time onely this grieved hâ—m most of all he said that the Queene his Wife would never be gotten to come to see him For he swore most devoutly that from the time he first saw her face he could never like of any other Woman By which it may appeare that neither Gaveston noâ— the Spensers had so debauched him as to make him false to his bed or to be disloyall to his Queene But the Queene being hardned against him and conceiving he had too great Liberty under the Earle of Leycester by advise of her pestilent Counsellour Adam Torleton Bishop of Hereford appoints Thomas Goâ—rney and Ioâ—â— Matrevers knights to take him from the Earle into their owne Custody and to carry him whither they thought good who thereupon take him from Kenelwâ—rth and carry him first to Corfe Castle and from thence to Bristow where they shut him in the Castle till upon knowledge of a Plot laid to get him out and send him beyond Sea they tooke him in the night and carryed him to Bâ—rkeley Castle where by the way they abused him most inhumanely as Sir Thomas de la More a knight of Glocestershire in his Life relateth For to the end he should not be knowne they shaved his Head and Beard and that in most beastly manner for they took him from his Horse and set him upon a Hillocke and then taking puddle water out of a Ditch thereby they went to wash him his Barber telling him that cold water must serve for this time whereat the miserable King looking sternely upon him said That whether they would or no he would have warme water to wash him and therewithall to make good his word he presently shed forth a showre of teares Never was King turned ouâ— of a kingdome in such a manner Many kingdomes have beene lost by the chance of Warre but this kingdome was lost before any Dice were cast no blow strucke no Battell fought done forcibly and yet without force violently and yet with consent both parties agreed yet neither pleased for the King was not pleased to leave his kingdome and the Queene was not pleased to leave him his life it was not safe to leave him a part by which he might afterward recover the whole and therefore this
Coventry where he Indicted two thousand persons The King and the Queene came to Groby and thither came by his Commandement the Justices of the Reâ—â—me Robert Belknap Lord Chiefe Justice of the Common Pleas Iohn Holt Râ—ger Fulthorpe and William Borough knights to whom it was propounded to anâ—wer to these Questions following First Whether the New Statute and Commission made in the last Parliament were against the kings Prerogative or no To which they all answered It was Secondly How they ought to be punished that procured the said Statute and Commission to be made They answered with one assent that they deserved death except the king would pardon them Thirdly How they ought to be punished who moved the King to consent to the making of the said Statute and Commission They answered They ought to lose their lives unlesse the King would pardon them Fourthly How they ought to be punished that comâ—elled the king to the making of that Statute They answered They ought to suffer as Traitours Fiftly Whether the king might cause the Parliament to proceed upon Articles by him limited before they proceeded to any other They answered That in this the king â—hould over-rule and if any presumed to doe contrary he was to be punished as a Traitour Sixthly Whether the king might not at his pleasure disâ—olve the Parliament and command the Lords and Commons to depart They all answered He might Seventhly Whether the Lords and Commons might without the kings will impeach Officers and Justices upon their offences in Parliament or no It was answered They might not and he that attempted contrary was to suffer as a Traitour Eightly How he is to be punished who moved in the Parliament that the Statute wherein Edward the Second was indicted in Parliament might be sent for by iâ—spection of which Statute that present Statute was deâ—ised It was answered That as well he that moved it as he that brought the 〈◊〉 into the House were to be punished as Traitours Ninthly Whether the Judgement given in Parliament against Michael de la Poâ—le were erronious and revocable They answered It was erronious and revocableâ— and that if the Judgement were now to be given the Justices would not give the same In witnesse of the Premises the Justices aforesaid to these Presents have set their Seales in the presence of Alexander Archbishop of Yorke Robâ—â—t Arcbishop of Dublin Iohn Bishop of Durham Thomas Bishop of Chester Iohn Bishop of â—â—ngâ—r Robert Duke of Ireland Michael Earle of Suffolk Iohn Ripon Clerk and Iohn Blake At this time the Londoners incurred much obloquie For having before beene pardoned by the king of some crimeâ—â—aid to their charge they were now ready to comply with the king in his desires and thereupon being impannelled they indicted some Lords of many crimes informed against them But not onely the Justices aforesaid but all other Justices and Sheriffes of the Realme were called at this time to Nottingham the chiefe cause was to understand what power of men they could assure the king of to serve him against the Lords and further that where he meanâ— shortly to call a Parliament they should so use the matter that no knight or Burgesse should be chosen but such as the King and his Councell should name To which the Sheriffes made answer that it lay not in their power to assemble any forces against the Lords who were so well beloved And as for choosing knights and Burgesses the Commons would undoubtedly look to enjoy their antient liberties and could not be hinâ—ered But yet the king and the Duke of Ireland sent into all parts of the Realme to raise men in this quarrell against the Lords Whereof the Duke of Glocester being advertised he came secretly to Conference with the Earles of Arundell Warwick and Darby who upon consultation determined to talke with the king with their Forces about them and the king on the other part tooke advice how he might apprehend them apart and thereupon sent the Earle of Northumberland and others to the Castle of Rygate to take the Earle of Arundell who lay there at that time but howsoever it fortuned they faâ—â—ed of their purpose After this he sent others to apprehend him but he being warned by a messenger from the Duke of Glocester conveyed himselfe away by night and by morning was come to Haringey-Parke where he found the Duke of Glocester and the Earle of Warwick with a great power of men about them The king hearing of this Assembly at Hariâ—gey-Parke called his Councell to heare their opinions what was fit to be done Some were of opinion that the king should assemble his friends and joyning them with the Londoners give them battell the chiefest of this minde was the Archbishop of York Others thought best the king should seeke to appease the Lords with faire promises till a fitter opportunity to suppresse them But the king not yet resolved what course to take caused onely order to be taken that no Citizen of Londâ—n should sell to the Duke of Glocester the Earle of Arundell or to any other of the Lords any armour or furniture of warre under a great paine But for all this the Lords proceeded in their course and sent the Arcbishop of Canterbury the Lord Iohn Lovell the Lord Cobham and the Lord Iohn Devereux requiring to have delivered to them such as were about the king that were Traitours and Seducers both of him and the Realme and further to declare that their Assembling was for the honour and wealth both of him and the kingdome The Duke of Ireland the Earle of Suffolk and two or three other about the king perâ—wadâ—d him to offer Callâ—â— to the king of France to have his assistance against the Lords Withall the king seat to the Major of London requiring to know how many able men the City could make To which the Major answered that he thought it could make Fifty thousand men at an houres warning Well then said the king goe and prove what will be done But when the Major went about it he was answered They would never fight against the kings friends and defenders of the Realme At the same time the Earle of Northumberland said to the king Sir there is no doubt but these Lords have alwaies been and still are your true and faithfull subjects though now distemper'd by certaine persons about you that seeke to oppresse them therefore my advice is that you send to them to come before your presence in some publick place and I verily believe they will shew such reasons of their doings that you will hold them excused The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellour and other of the Bishops there present approved all of the Earles advice whereupon the king sent the Archbâ—shop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely to the Lords requiring them to come to him to Westminster on Sunday then next following which upon oath given by the Archbishop and the Chancellour that no fraud nor
told the King Their brother perhaps might let fall some unadvised words but they knew his heart to be true and faithfull Yet doubting how far the King might presse upon them to answer for their brothers faithfulnes they retired from Court which gave the Dâ—kes enemies time to incense the King farther against him It happened that the Duke of Glocester had with him one day at his house the Abbot of S. Albans that was his Godfather and the Prior of Westminster and after dinner falling in talke with them amongst other communications the Duke required the Prior to tell truth whether he had any Vision the night before To which the Prior was loath at first to make a direct Answer but at last being earnestly requested as well by the Abbot as the Duke he confessed that he had a Vision indeed which was that the Realme of England should be destroyed through the Misgovernance of K. Richard By the Virgin Mary said the Abbot I had the very same Vision Whereupon the Duke presently disclosed to them all the secrets of his minde and by their devices contrived an assembly of divers great Lords of the Realme to meet at Arundell-Castle that day Fortnightâ— at which time he appointed to be there himselfe with the Earles of Dâ—rby Arundell Marshâ—ll and Wâ—rwick also the Archbishop of Canterbury the Abbot of S. Albans the Prior of Westminster with divers others And accordingly all these met at Arundell Castle at the day appointed where receiving first the Sacrament by the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury to be assistant each to other in all such matters as they should determine They resolved to seize upon K. Richard and upon the Dukes of Lancaster and York and commit them to Prison and all the other Lords of the Kings Councell they determined should be drawne and hanged But the Earle Marshall that was Deputy of Calliâ— and had maried the Earle of Arundels daughter discovered all their Counsell to the King who thereupon by a plot devised by his Councell tooke his brother the Earle of Huntington with him and rising from supper rode that night to the Duke of Glocesters house at Plashey in Essex When the King came thither the Duke was a-bed but informed of it cast his cloake about his shoulders and came down bidding the Kings Grace with all reverence welcome The King courteously requested him to goe and make him ready for that he must needs ride with him a little way to conferre of some busines The Duke presently made him ready and came downe and as soone as the King and his Company was gone a little way from the house and the Duke with him the Earle Marshall arrested the Duke as he had been appointed to doe by the King who immediately was sent to Callis where after some time he was dispatched of his life either strangled or else smothered with pillowes as some write At the very same time was the Earle of Arundell apprehended by the Earles of Rutland and Kent the Earle of Warwick also when the King had invited him to dinner and shewed him very good countenance was taken and arrested in the place As likewise at the same time were apprehended and committed to the Tower the Lord Iohn Cobham and Sir Iohn Châ—yny Shortly after the King procured them to be indicted at Nottingham suborning such as should appeale them in Parliament namely Edward Earle of Rutland Thomâ—â— Mowbray Earle Marshall Thomâ—s Holland Earle of Kent Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington Thomas Beaufort Earle of Somerset Iohn Montacute Earle of Salisbury Thomas L. Spenser and the Lord William Scroope L. Chamberlaine and in the meane time the King sent for a Power of Cheshiâ—â— men to keep Watch and Ward about his person On the 17. of September a Parliament began at Westminster wherein the King complained as well of many things done by the Lords in his Minority as also of the hard dealing which they had used towards the Queen who was three houres at one time on her knees before the Earle of Arundell for one of her Esquires named Iohn Calverley who neverthelesse had his head smitten from his shoulders and all the answer she could get was this Madame pray for your selfe and your Husband and let this suit alone Those that set forth the Kings grievances in this Parliament were Iohn Bushie William Bagot and Thomas Greene. The cause of aâ—sembling the Parliament was shewed that the King had called it for reformation of divers transgressions against the Peace of his Land by the Duke of Glocester the Earles of Arundell Warwick and others Then Sir Iohn Bushie Speaker of the Parliament made request on behalfe of the Commonalty that they might be punished according to their deservings and specially the Archbishop of Canterburyâ— who then â—ate next the king whom he accused of high Treason When the Archbishop began to answer Sir Iohn Bushie besought the king that he might not be admitted to answer lest by his great wit and cunning he might lead men away to believe him And here Sir Iohn Bushie in all his talke did not attribute to the king Titles of honour due and â—ccustomed but such as were fitter for the Majestie of God then for any Earthly Prince And when the Archbishop was constrained to keepe silence Sir Iohn Bushie proceeded requiring on the behalfe of the Commons that the Charters of Pardon granted to the Duke of Glocester and the Earles of Arundell and Warwick should be revoked The king for his part protested that they were drawne from him by compulsion and therefore besought them to deliver their opinions what they thought thereof whereupon the Bishops first gave their sentence that the said Pardons were revocable and might be called in but pretending a scrupulosity as if they might not with safe consciences be present where Judgement of Blood should passe they appointed a Lay-man to be their Prolocutor for that turne The Temporall Lords likewise gave their sentence that the Pardons were revocable onely the Judges and Lawyers were not of this opinion But howsoever the Archbishop of Câ—nterbury is hereupon condemned to perpetuall Exile and appointed to avoyd the Realme within sixe weekes Also the Earle of Arundell is by the Duke of Laâ—caster who sate that day as High Steward condemned of Treason and on the Tower-hill beheaded There went to see the execution divers Lords amongst whom was the Earle of Nottingham that had maried his daughter and the Earle of Kent that was his daughters sonne to whom at the place of his execution he said Truly it would have beseemed you rather to bee absent then here at this businesse but the time will come ere long that as many shall marvell at your misfortune as they doe now at mine After his death a Fame went that his head was grown to his body againe whereupon the tenth day after his buriall his body by the kings appointment was taken up and then found to be a Fable After this the Lord Thomas
to follow with her second Son and five Dâ—ughters takes Sanctuary at Westminster and the young king hearing of these things with tears and sighes expressed his griefe but the Dukes making Protestation of their fidelity and care of his safety seemed onely to mervaile why he should be melancholy At this time a messenger came from the Lord Chamberlaine to the Archbishop of Yorke Lord Chancellour of England to signifie to him that there was no feare of any thing for that he assured him all should be well Well quoth the Archbishop be it as well as it will I assure him It will never be so well as we have seen it And thereupon presently after the messengers departure he calleth up his servants being then in the night and taking the great Seale with him came before day to the Queen whom he found sitting alone aloe on the Rushes all desolate and dismaied whom he comforted the best he could aâ—â—uring her that if they Crowned any king but her Sonne whom they had with them he would presently after Crown his brother whom she had with her and therewithall delivering to her the great Seale departed but soon after bethinking himselfe better he thought he had done too rashly to deliver the great Seale to the Queen and therefore sent for it againe and had it delivered him yet shortly after reproved for delivering it by the Counsell Table he had it taken from him which was then delivered to Doctor Russell Bishop of Lincolne the most learned man of that time And now thâ— Duke of Glocester so respectively carries himselfe towards the King with so much shew of care and faithfulnes that by a generall consent of the Counsell he is appointed and established Protectour of the king and kingdome and by this means he hath the king in his custody It remains now how to get his brother the Duke of Yorke for without having both he were as good as to his purpose have neither and to effect this he makes the Effect to become a Cause for where by his undue dealingâ— he had made the king Melancholy he now makes that Melancholy a cause to require his brothers company to make him merry and therefore wishes some course may be taken either by perswasion or otherwise to procure the Queen to send the Duke of Yorke to keep his brother the king company Here the Archbishop of Yorke the Lord Cardinall the man thought most fit to be sent in this imployment riseth up and faith He would doe his best endeavour to perswade her but if he could not he then thought it was not to be attempted against her will for that it would turn to the high displeasure of God if the priviledge of that holy place should now be broken which had so many yeers inviolably been kept which 〈◊〉 Kings and Popes so good had granted so many had confirmed and which holy ground was more then five hundred yeers agoe by Saint Peter in his own person acâ—ompaniâ—d with great numbers of Angels by night so specially hallowed and dedicated to God and for proof whereof there is yet in the Abby Saint Peters Cope 〈◊〉 shew that from that time hitherward there never was so undevoâ—â— a King that durst violate the sacred place nor so holy a Bishop that durst presume to Consecrate it â— and therefore saith he God forbid that any man for any earthly thing should enterprise to breake the immunity and liberty of that sacred Sanctuary and I trust wâ—â—h Gods grace we shall not need it at least my endeavours shall not be wanting if the Mothâ—rs dread and womanish feare be not the let Womanish feare nay womanish frowardnes quoth the Duke of Buckingham for I dare take it upon my Soule she well knoweth there is no need of any feare either for her sonne or for herselfeâ— and prosecuting his discourse declareth at large that as there was no just 〈◊〉 for the Queen to keep her Sonne so there was great cause for them to require him and that for breach of Sanctuary in this case there could be none for that he had often heard of Sanctuary men but never heard of Sanctuary children And to this purpose having spoken much It was all assented to by the Lords that were present and with this Instruction is the Archbishop upon whom the Queen specially relyed sent unto her who after humble salutations acquaints her with his message earneâ—â—ly perswading her not to oppose the Lord Protectours request and giving her many reasons first that she ought not and then that she could not keep him in Sanctuary she answered all his reasons though with great mildenesse yet with great earnestnes so as the Archbishop finding little hope to prevaile with her by perswasion turns the tenour of his speech another way telling her plainly that if she did not consent to send her Sonne he doubted some sharper course would speedâ—ly be taken This warning sank so deep into the Queens minde that after a little pausing taking her Sonne by the hand she said My Lord Archbishop here he is for my own part I will never deliver him but if you will needs have him Take him and at your hands I will require him and therewith weeping bitterly Deer childe saith she let me kisse thee before we part God knows whether ever we shall meet againe and so the childe weeping as fast as she went along with the Archbishop to the Star-chamber where the Lord Protectour and other Lords had staid all the while looking for his comming back and as soone as he was entred the roome the Protectour spying the childe riseth up and embraceth him saying Deere Nephew Now welcome with all my heart next to my Soveraigne Lord your brother nothing gives me so much contentment as your Presence and we may believe him he spake as he thought for now he had the prey which he so much desired A few dayes after pretending to have them lodged in a place of more security untill the distempers of the Commonwealth might better be quieted he caused them in great pompe and state to be conveyed through London to the Tower there at pleasure to remaine till the time of Coronation whereof there was great shew of preparation made But now the great work is to be done the Princes are to be made away and how to have it done Hoc opus hic labor est there must be potent Instruments and none so potent as the Duke of Buckingham and he by a match to be concluded betwixt their children and an equall partition of the Treasure of the Realme betwixt them two not onely is drawne to condiscend but is most forward to contrive and plot stratagems to effect it The first rub in the way was the Lord Hastings who being sound so firm to his old Masters King Edwards sons that nothing could remove him it was fit to remove him out of the way which was done in this manner All the Lords of the Privy Councell in the Protectors
Lord Berners Lieutenant of the Towne On Munday he tooke ship at Callice and landed at Dover where the Cardinall with three hundred Lords Knights and Gentlemen received him and in great State brought him to the Castle where he was lodged On Wednesday being Ascention Even the King came to Dover and there with great joy and gladnesse the Emperour and he met On Friday in the afternoone they departed from Dover and came that night to Canterbury and from thence next day to Greenwich where the Queene received her Nephew with all the joy that might be Here to honour the Emperours presence Royall Justs and Turneys were appointed where the King the Earle of Dâ—vonshire and ten Aydes kept the place against the Duke of Suffolke the Marquesse Dorset and other ten Aydes on their part On Friday the sixth of Iune the Emperour and the King with all their companies went to London where the City received them with Pageants and other as rare deviceâ— as at a Coronation and the Emperour was lodged at the Blackfâ—yers and all his Lords in the new Palaces of Bridewell On VVhitsunday the King and the Emperour rode to the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul where the Cardinall sung Mâ—sse and had his Traverse and his Cupboord Before Masse two Barons gave him water and after the Gospel two Earles and at the last Lavatory two Dukes which pride the Spaniards much disdained After many Feastings in other places at last they rode to VVindsor where they stayed a whole weeke and there on Corpus Chrisâ—i day the Emperour wore his Mantle of the Garteâ— and sate in his owne Stall On the same day both the Princes received the Sacrament and took their oathes to observe the League concluded betweene them On the morrow after they came to Winchester before whose comming thither there was come to Hampton the Earle of Surrey Admirall of England with all the Kings Navy and with him the Lord Fitz-Water the Barron Curson Sir Nicholas Carew Sir Richard Winkâ—â—eld Sir Richard Ierningâ—am Francis Brian Sir William Barentine Sir Adrian Foskew Sir Edward Donne Sir Edward Chamberlaine Sir Richard Cornwall Sir Antony Poynes Sir Henry Shirborn and the Viceadmirall Sir William Fitz-Williams Sir Edmund Bray Sir Giles Capell Sir William Pirton Iohn Cornwallis Sir Iohn Walloppe Sir Edward Ichingham Sir VVilliam Sidney Anthony Browme Giles Husâ—ey Thomas Moore Iohn Rusâ—el Edward Bray Henry Owen George Cobham Thomas Oldâ—all Thomas Lovell Robert Ichingham Anthony Knevet Sir Iohn Tremaile Sir VVilliam Skevington Master of the Ordinance and Iohn Fabian Serjant at Armes by whom chiefly a dissâ—gne was moved though now noised onely that it was but to scowre the seas for the safe conducting of the Emperour For the Earle of Surrey having wafted the Emperour over to the coâ—st of Biskay upon his returne made to the coast of Brittaine and there landing seven thousand of his men marched to the Towne of Morleys and by assault took it having â—onne this Towne the Eâ—rle called to him certaine Gentlemen and made them Knights as Sir Francis Brian Sir Anthony Browne Sir Richard Cornwall Sir Thomas Moore Sir Giles Husâ—ey Sir Iohn Russell Sir Iohn Rainsford Sir George Cobham Siâ— Iohn Cornwallis Sir Edward Ridgley and some others and after the Earle had lien a while on the Coast of Brittaine he was commanded home by the Kings letters who thereupon brought back his whole fleet to a place caâ—led the Cow under the Isle of Wight and then went on land leaving diverse of of his ships under the Governaâ—ce of the Vice-admirall Sir William Fitz-VVilliams In this meane time diverse exploits were atchieved between them of the Garrison in the marches of Callice and the French men of Bulloigne where the French commonly had the worst but being of no great moment may well be passed over without relating Likewise at the same time the Lord Rosse and the Lord Dacres of the North appointed to keepe the Borders against Scotland burnt the Towne of Kelsie and fourescore Vilages and overthrew eighteene Towers of stone withall their Bulwarkes King Henry intending now to goe seriously on with his warres in France levied an Army which under the conduct of the Earle of Surrey he sent over to Câ—llice whither the Earle being come he divided his Army into three battailes the first was led by Sir Robert Ratcliffe Lord Fitz-water the middle-ward by himselfe and his brother the Lord Edmund Howard the reare-ward by Sir VVilliam Sands and Sir Richard VVinkfield both of them Knights of the Gaâ—ter and Sir Edward Guildford was Captaine of the horsemen In this order the Earle entred the French ground the second of September and took his Journey â—owards Hedring By the way there came to him a great Power of â—â—rgognias sent by the Lady Margaret according to the Articles of the League All the Townes Villages and Castles in the Countrey through which they passed they burnt and sacked as the Towne and Castle of Selloys the Towne of Brunâ—rigge Senekerke Botington and Manstier with divers others On the sixteenth of September they came before the Castle of Heding and laid siege unto it but the Castle being wel fortified the Earle having not battering Ordnance which by reason of the foule weather he could not bring with him after eleven dayes he raised his siege and passing from thence to Dorlens burnt the Towne and raced the Castle as also the Towne of Dortyer and then the yeer being farre spent came back to Callicâ— the sixteenth of October At this time the Duke of Albany being established Governour of Scotland raised an Army of fourscore thousand men with which he approached the bâ—â—ders but made no Invasion as thinking perhaps that the onely report of his great Army would fright the English but yet this stayed not the Lord Marquesse Dorset Warden of the east and middle Marches to enter into Tividale and so forward ten miles into Gallaway burning all townes and Villages on every side as he passed All that night he tarried within the Scottish ground and the next day being good-Friday withdrew back into England with a head of four thousand cattell having burned Grimseley Mowhowse Donford Myles Ackforth Crowling and many other Townes and Villages In King Henries fourteenth yeer on the fifteenth of Aprill began a Parliament which was holden at the Blackfryers whither the King came and there sate downe in his Royall Seate at his feet on the right side sate the Cardinall of Yorke and the Archbishop of Canterbury and at the Raile behinde stood Doctor Tunstall Bishop of London who making an Oration told there the causes of calling this Parliament which were as he said for remedying of mischiefs by the common Law as Recoveries Forraigne Vouchers and corrupt Triallsâ— and for making new Lawes for the good of the Common-wealth whereof notwithstanding no one word was spoken all the time of the Parliament nor any other thing done but a Subsedie granted but howsoever being commanded to chuse their Speaker they
Secretary Iohn Cheeke one of his Schoolmasters Henry Dudley and Henry Nevill were made Knights and that which perhaps it had bin happy if it had never bin Sir Robert Dudley one of the Duke of Northumberlands sons the same who was afterward the great Earle of Leicester was sworne one of the six orninary Gentlemen of the Kings Chamber for after his comming into a place so neere about him the King enjoyed his health but a while The aspiring thoughts of the Duke of Northumberland were now growne up to be put in execution He was advanced in title of honour equall with the highest in authority and power above the highest he had placed his politicke Sonne neere about the Kings person the next thing was to remove the Duke of Somerset out of the way and for this also he had prepared instruments Sir Thomas Palmer Crane Hamond Cecill and others who brought severall accusations against the Duke some trenching upon the King and Kingdome but one specially against the Duke of Northumberlands person whose practises when the Duke of Somerset found and had cause to feare he went one day Armed into the Duke of Northumberlands Chamber with a purpose to kill him but finding him in his bed and being received with much kinde complement by him his heart relenâ—ed and thereupon came away without any thing done at his comming out one of his company asked him if he had done the deed who answered No then said he you are your selfe undone and indeed it so fell out for when all other Accusations were refelled this onely stucke by him and could not be denyed and so on the first of December he was arraigned at Westminster where the Lord William Paâ—let Marquesse of Winchester and Lord Treasurour sat as high Steward of England and with him Peeres to the number of seven and twenty the Dukes of Suffolke and Northumberland the Marquesse of Northampton the Earles of Derby Bedford Huntington Rutland Bathe Sussex Worcester Pembrooke and Hertâ—ord the Barons Aburgaveuy Audeley Wharton Evers Laâ—ymer Borough Zouth Stafford Wentworth Darcye Sturton Windsor Cromwell Cobham and Bray The Lords being set the Inditâ—ments were read in number five containing a charge for raising men in the North parts of the Realme and at his house for assembling men to kill the Duke of Northumberland for resisting his Attacâ—ment for raising London for assaulting the Lords and devising their deaths To all which he pleaded Not guilty and made a satisfactory Answer to every point though the Kings learned Councell pâ—essed them hard against him This done the Lords went together where exception was taken by some â—s a thing unfit that the Duke of Northumberland the Marquesse of Northampton and the Earle of Pembrooke should be of the Jurie seeing the prisoner was chiefely charged with practises against them But to this the Lawyers made answâ—r that a Peere of the Realm might not be challenged so after much variation of opinions the prisoner was acquiâ—t of Treasor but by most voyees found guilty of Felony and that by a Statute lately by his owne pâ—ocuremeâ—t made That if any should attempt to kill a Privie Councellour although the Fact were not done yet it should be Felonie and be punished with death But upon his being acquit of Treason tâ—e Axe of the Tower was presently laid downe which mâ—de people conceive he had beene acquitted of all who thereupon for joy gave so great a shout that it was heard as farre as Charing-Crosse but the Duke was little the better for being acquitted of Treason seeing he was found guilty of Felonie and had Judgement to dye It is thought by some he might have saved his life if he had demanded his Clergie but it is rather thought that in that Statute Clergie wâ—s denied Two moneths after his condemnation much against the Kings will Hee was brought to the Tower-Hill to execution wherâ— bâ—ing â—scended the Scaffold hee entred into a Speech wherein though he justified himselfe for any matter tending to the hurt of the King or Kingdome yet he confessed he was justly by the Law brought to thâ—â— dâ—â—â—h and thanked God that had given him so large a time of repentance speâ—ially that he had opened his eyes to see cleerely the light of the Gospell and going on in his Speech a sudden noyse arose of some crying away â—way which made some thinke a Pardon had beene come but was indeede the voyce of some that had beene warned to be at the Execution and were come somewhat late but the tumult being appeased the Duke went on with his Speech and at last commending his soule to God with a counâ—enance not shewing a signe of feare or perturbation onely his cheekes a little redder then they use â—o be he peaceably laid downe his head upon the blocke and in a moment with one stroke of the Axe had it strucken off The death of this Duke made the Duke of Northumberland more odious to the people then he was before and there were some that dipped Hâ—ndkerchiffes in his blood and kept them to upbraide the Duke of Northumberland withall when he came himselfe afterward to the like end After execution of the Duke Sir Ralph Vane and Sir Miles Partridge were hanged at the Tower-hill Sir Michael Stanhope and Sir Thomas Arundell were there beheaded After the Dukes condemnation it was thought fit to have something done for averting the Kings minde from taking thought and to that end one George Ferrers a Gentleman of Lincolnes-Inne was appointed in the Christmas-time to be Lord of Misrule who so carried himselfe that he gave great delight to many and some to the King but not in proportion to his heavinesse About this time was a call of seven Serjeants at Law who kept their Feast at Grayes-Inne of whom Master Robert Brooke Recorder of London was the first and the next Master Dyer who was chosen Speaker the next Parliâ—ment About this time also the Lord Paget was committed to the Tower â—or what cause is not certaine and being a Knight of the Order his Garder was taken from him by Garter king at Armes upon this pretence that he was said to be no Gentleman either by Father or Mother and the Garter was then bestowed on the Earle of Warwicke the Duke of Norâ—humâ—erlands eldest Sonne and the Lord Rich Lord Chancellour was put off from his Place and the Seal then delivered to Doctor Thomas Goodricke Bishop of Elye About this time also three great Ships were set forth at the Kings charge for discovery of a passage to the East Indies by the North Seas the chiefe Pilot and directour in this Voyage was one Sebastian Gabato an Englishman borne at Bristow but the son of a Genoway these Ships at the last arrived in the Countrey of Muscovia but not without losse of their Captain Sir Hugh Willoughby who being tossed and driven by tempest was afterward found in his Ship frozen to death and all his people At this time alâ—o the Duke of Suffolks three
the Commissioners made unto her certain Propositions of Agreement First That the Treaty of Edinborough should be confirmed then That she should renounce her Right and Title to England during Queen Elizabeths life or any children of her body lawfully begotten then That she should send her sonne for a Hostage into England with other six Hostages such as the Queen should nominate then That the Castles of Humes and Fast-castle should be held by the English for three yeers with some other To which Propositions the Queen of Scots for the present gave a provident answer but referred the fuller Answer to the Biship of Rosse her Ambassadour in ENGLAND and some other Delegates who afterwards allowing some of the Propositions and not allowing others the Treaty came to nothing but the matter rested in the state it was before Aâ— this time Philip King of Spain had contracted Marriage with Anne of Austria Daughter to the Emperour Maximilian his own Neece by his Sister who was now setting Sayl from Zealand towards Spain when Queen Elizabeth to testifie her love and respect to the House of Austria sent Sir Charls Howard with the Navy Royall to conduct her thorow the Briâ—ish Sea And now was the twelfth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign finished which certain Wizards had made Papists believe should be her last but contrary as if it were but her first a new Custome began of celebrating the seventeenth day of November the Anniversary day of her Raign with ringing of Bells Tiltings and Bon-fires which Custome as it now began so it was never given over as long as she lived and is not yet forborn so long after her death At this time in Ireland Connagher ô Brien Earl of Towmond noâ— brooking the severe Government of Edward Fitton President of Connaght entred into Consultation with some few to raise a new Rebellion which being at the point ready to break forth was strangely discovered for the day before they meant to â—ake up Arms Fitton knowing not at all of the matter sent â—hâ— Earl word in friendly manner That the next day he and a few friends with him would be his Guests The Earl convinced by his own conscience imagined that his Intendments were revealed that Fitton would come as an enemy rather then a Guest Out of which feareâ— he presently set Sayle into FRANCE where repenting himselfe seriously of his fault he confessed the whole businesse to Norris the Queenes Embassadour in France and by his intercession was afterward pardoned and restored In Ianuary the thirteenth yeer of her Raigne Queen Elizabeth in royall pompe entring the City of London went to see the Burse which Sir Thomas Gresham had lately built for the use of the Marchants and with sound of trumpets and the voice of a Herald solemnly named it the Royall Exchange A few dayes after for his many great services she made Sir William Cecill Baron Burgley There were now about the Scottish affaires in the name of the King of of Scots the Earle Morton Peruare Abbot of Dumformelin and Iames Mac-Gray whom when Queen Elizabeth required to shew more clearely for what causes they had deposed the Queen they exhibited a long and tedious Commentary wherein with a certain insolent liberty they endeavoured to prove by the ancient Right of the Kingdom of Scotland that the people of Scotland were above the King and urged Calvins Authority also That Popular Magistrates are constituted for the moderation of the Licentiousnes of Princes and that it is lawfull for them both to imprison Kings and upon just causes to depose them This writing the Queen could not reade without indignation but to the Delegates she gave this Answer She saw no just cause yet why they should handle the Queen in such manner and therefore willed them to think upon some course out of hand how to allay the dissentions in Scotland Hereupon in Sir Nich. Bacons house Keeper of the Great Seal a Proposition was made to the Bishop of Rosse the Bishop of Galloway and Baron Levingston delegates for the Queen of Scots that for the security of the Kingdom and the Qu. of England it were requisite that before the Queen of Scots should be let at libertie The Duke of Castle-Herald the Earle of Huntley and Argyle the Lord Humes Heris and another of the Barons should be delivered for Hostages and the castle of Dumbriton and Hâ—â—eâ— yeelded up into the hands of the English for three yeers But they made Answer that to yeeld up great personages and such fortifications as were demanded were nothing else but to leave the miserable Queen utterly destitute of faithfull friends and naked of all places fit for guard and defence yet they offered to give two Earls and two Barons for Hostages till two yeers were expired which not being accepted they straightway gathered and spoke it openly That now they plainly perceived the English meant to keepe the Queen of Scots perpetually prisoner and likewise to break off the Treaâ—y seeing they rigorously demanded such securitie as Scotland was not able to make good And now Queen Elizabeth seeing that nothing could be done for her owne the King and Queen of Scots safety unlesse Both Factions in Scotland consented she held it fit that the Lords of Scotland should themselves appoint some chosen persons to compound the matter While matters in England proceeded in this sort the Queenes partie in Scotland was hardly used Frythâ— the strongest castle in Scotland was taken and I. Hamilton Archbishop of Saint Andrewes the Duke of Castle-Heralds brother as an accessary to the murder of Dâ—â—lye was hanged without being arraigned according to Law In England the Queen of Scots had all her servants taken from her except Tenne only and a Priest to say masse with which indignities the Queen of Scots provoked causeth a large Commentary of her Counsels with certain love-letters to the Duke of Norfolk to be carried to the Pope and the King of Spain by Ridolphuâ— which being brought first to the Duke Higford one that waited on the Duke in his bed chamber had copyed out but being commanded to burne them he hid them under a Matt in the Duke Bed-chamber and that it should seeme purposely Ridolphus to daw on the Duke to be Head of the discontented Partie in England aggravated to him the wrongs he had sufferedâ— how against all law he had been kept a long time in prison and now to his great disgrace was not Summoned to the Parliament he exhibited to him a Catalogue of such of the Nobilitie who had vowed to Assist him he shewed how the Pope so the Catholick Religion might be promoted would himself undergo all the charge of the Warre and had already layd down an hundred thousand Crownes whereof himself had distributed twelve thousand amongst the English that were fled he promised that the King of Spain would send four thousand horse and six thousand foot to his Assistance to these reasons the Bishop of Rosse added That it was an
made the whole Country of the Welsh well pleased and sound forth his praises His Pious Acts were that he built and prepared seven and forty Monasteries and meant to have made them up fifty but was prevented by death But now his mixture of Vice marred all especially being a Vice opposite to all those Vertues which was Lasciviousnesse For first he deflowred a sacred Nunne called Wolfchild on whom yet he begot a Saint the chast Edyth After her another Virgin called Ethelflede for her excellent beauty surnamed the White on whom he begot his eldest Sonne Edward for which Fact he did seven yeares penance enjoyned him by the Arch-bishop Dunstan After this he chanced to heare of a Virgin Daughter to a Westerne Duke exceedingly praysed for her beauty and comming to Andover commanded her to his Bed But the Mother tender of her Daughters honour brought in the darke her mayd to him who in the morning making hast to rise and the King not suffering her to depart she told him what great worke she had to doe and how she should incurre her Ladies displeasure if it were not done by which words the King perceiving the deceit turned it to a jest but so well liked her company that he kept himselfe true to her ever after till he marryed But now his marriage it selfe happened by a greater vice then any of these For hearing of the admirable beauty of Elâ—rida the onely daughter of Ordganus Duke of Devonshire Founder of Tavestocke Abbey in that Country he sent his great Favorite Earle Ethelwold who could well judge of beauty to try the truth thereof with Commission that if he found her such as Fame reported he should seise her for him and he would make her his Queene The young Earle upon sight of the lady was so surprized with her love that he began to wooe her for himselfe and got her Fathers good will so as the King would give his consent Hereupon the Earle posted to the King relating to him that the Mayd was faire indeed but nothing answerable to the Fame that went of her yet desired the King that he might marry her as being her Fathers heire thereby to raise his Fortunes The King consented and the marriage was solemnized Soone after the fame of her beauty began to spread more then before so as the King much doubting that he had beene abused meant to try the truth himselfe and thereupon taking occasion of hunting in the Dukes Parke came to his house whose comming Ethelwold suspecting acquainted his wife with the wrong he had done both her and the King and therefore to prevent the Kings displeasure intreated her by all the perswasions he could use to cloathe her selfe in such attire as might be least fit to set her forth but she considering that now was the time to make the most of her beauty and longing to be a Queene would not be accessary to her owne wrong but decked her selfe in her richest Ornaments which so improved her beauty that the King at her first sight was strucke with admiration and meant to be revenged of his persidious Favourite yet dissembling his passion till he could take him at advantage he then with a Javelin ran him through and having thereby made the faire Elfrid a Widow tooke her to be his Wife This King founded the Monastery of Ramsey in Hamshire Raigned sixteene yeares Lived seven and thirty and with great Funâ—rall pompe was buryed in the Abbey of Glastenbury He had children by his first wife Ethelfleda one sonne named Edward and by his second wife Elfrid two sons one named Edmund who dyed young the other Ethelred He had also one naturall Daughter named Edgyth by a Lady named Wolfchild the daughter of Wolholme the sonne of Birding the sonne of Nesting which two latter beare in their names the memory of their Fortunes the last of them being found in an Eagles nest by King Alfred as he was a hunting This Edgyth built the Monastery and Church of Saint Dennis at Wilton and was there buryed After the death of King Edgar succeeded his sonne Edward but not without some opposition for Queene Elfrid combined with divers of the Lords to make her Sonne Ethelred King saying that Prince Edward was illegitimate on the other side the Arch-bishop Dunstan and the Monkes stood for Edward abetting his Title as being lawfully borne but while the Counsell was assembled to argue their Rights the Arch-bishop came in with his Banner and Crosse and not staying for debating De Iure De Facto presented Prince Edward for their lawfull King and the Assembly consisting most of Clergy men drew the approbation of the rest and thereupon Prince Edward was admitted being but twelve yeares of age and was Crowned King at Kingstone upon Thames by Arch-bishop Dunstan in the yeare 975. In the beginning of his Raigne it fell into debate whether marryed Priests were to be allowed to live in Monasteries upon the revenues of the Church The Mercian Duke Alferus favouring the cause of the marryed Priests destroyed the Monasteries in his Province cast out the Monkes and restored againe the ancient revenues to the Priests and their wives On the other side Edelwyn Duke of the East Angles and Brithnoth Earle of Essex who stood for the Monkes cast marryed Priests out of their Provinces The matter being debated in a Councell at Westminster the Monkes cause was like to have the foyle till it was referred to the Rood placed on the Refectory wall where the Counsell sate For to this gréat Oracle Saint Dunstan desired them devoutly to pray and to give diligent eare for an Answer when suddenly a voyce was heard to say God forbid it should be so God forbid it should be so This was thought authority sufficient to suppresse the Priests till they perswading the people that this was but a cunning practise of the Monkes in placing behind the wall a man of their owne who through a Trunke uttered these words in the mouth of the Rood whereupon another Assembly was appointed at Cleve in Wiltshire whither repaired the Prelates with most of all the Lords and Gentlemen of the Kingdome The Synod being set and the matter at the heighth of discussing it happened that the Joysts of the roome where the Synod was held suddenly brake and the floore with all the people thereon fell downe whereof many were hurt and some slaine Onely the Arch-bishop Dunstan then President and mouth for the Monkes remained unhurt which whether it were done by practise or were miraculous it served the Monkes turne for justifying their cause and marryed Priests were thereupon discarded It were infinite and indeed ridiculous to speake of all the Miracles reported to be done by this Saint Dunstan which may be fit for a Legend but not for a Chronicle But now a most lamentable dysaster comes to be remembred For King Edward hunting one time in the Island of Purbacke not farre from Corfe Castle where his mother in Law Queene Elfrid with
his brother Prince Ethelred were then residing he out of his love to both would needs himselfe alone goe visit them where the cruell woman out of ambition to bring her owne Sonne to the Crowne caused one to runne him into the backe with a knife as he was drinking a cup of Wine on horse backe at his departing who feeling himselfe hurt set spurres to his horse thinking thereby to get to his company but the wound being mortall and he fainting thorow losse of much blood fell from his Horse but one foote being intangled in the stirrup he was thereby rufully dragged up and downe through Woods and Lands And lastly left dead at Corfes gate for which untimely death he was ever after called by â—he name of Edward the Martyr He Raigned onely three yeares and â—ix moneths and was Buryed first at Winchester without all Funerall pompe but after three yeares by Duke Alferus removed and with great solemnity interred in the Minster of Shaftsbury Queene Elfrid to expiate this her bloody fact built the two Monasteries of Almesbery and Worwell in the Counties of Wilâ—shire and Southampton in which latter with great repentance she lived till her death After the death of Edward the Martyr dying at the age of sixteene yeares his halfe brother Ethelred at the age of twelve yeares in the yeare 979. was Crowned King at Kingston upon Thames by Dunstan Arch-bishop of Canterbury though much against his will which King by reason of his backwardnesse in Action was commonly called the Unready Before whose time for two and twenty yeares pastâ— the Danes had lived as quiet Inmates with the English but whether weary of so long doing nothing or finding now opportunity of doing something in the second yeare of this King they begin to stirre and inviting from home more forces who in seven Ships arrived upon the Coast of Kent they spoyled all the Country specially the Isle of Thanet and continued this course of forraging the Kingdome sometimes in one part and sometimes in another for eleven yeares together till at last in the yeare 991. the King by advice of his Lords of whom Siricius the now Arch-bishop of Canterbury was chiefe was contented to pay them ten thousand pounds upon condition they should quietly depart the Realme This served the turne for the present but was so farre from satisfying them that it did but give them the greater appetite for the yeare following they came againe and that with a greater Fleet then before against whom the King prepared a competent Navy and committed it to Elfricke Earle of Mercia but he proving treacherous as indeed all other for the most part did whom the King imployed against the Danes as with whom they were allyanced in blood the Danâ—s so prevailedâ— that for the next Composition they had sixteene thousand pounds given them and a yeare after twenty thousand and so every yeare more and more till it came at last to forty thousand by which meanes the Land was emptyed of all Coyne and the English were brought so low that they were faine to Till and Eare the Ground whilest the Danes sate idle and ate the fruite of their labours abusing the Wives and Daughters of their Hosts where they lay and yet iâ— every place for every feare were called Lord-Danes which afterward became a word of derision when one would signifie a lazy Lubber In this distressed state the King at last bethought himselfe of a course He sent forth a secret Commission into every City within his Dominions that at an appointed time they should massacre all the Danes that were amongst them The day was the thirteenth of November being the Festivall of Saint Bricius in the yeare 1002. His command was accordingly performed and with such rigour that in Oxford the Danes for refuge tooke into the Church of Saint Frideswyde as into a Sanctuary when the English neither regarding Place nor Person set the Church on site wherein many of the Danes were burnt and the Library thereof utterly defaced And who would not now thinke but that England by this Fact had cleane shaken off the Danish yoke for ever yet it proved cleane otherwise For the newes of this massacre adding a new edge of revenge to the old edge of ambition made the Danes sharper set against the English then ever they had beene before so as the yeare following their King Sweyne with a mighty Navy entred the Country razed and levelled with the ground the City of Exceter all along from the East Gate to the West against whom the King levyed an Army and made Generall over it the Earle Edricke his great Favourite whom he had created Duke of Mercia and given him his Daughter Edgyth in marriage yet all this great favour could not keepe him from being treacherous for being sent Embassadour to the Danes to mediate for Peace he revealed to them the weaknesse of the Land and treacherously disswaded them from consenting to any Truce Upon this King Ethelred gave order that every three hundred and ten Hydes of Land should build a Ship and every eight Hydes finde a compleat Armour furnished yet all this great preparation came to nothing but onely to make a shew After this the King seeing no end of their invasions nor promise kept upon any composition for three Danish Princes with a great Fleet were now newly arrived He intended to adventure once for all and to commit his cause to God by the fortune of a Battaile To which end he secretly gathered a mightily Power and comming unlooked for when the Enemy was unprepared he had certainely given an end to the Quarrell if the wicked Edricke had not disswaded him from fighting and put him into a causelesse feare by forged tales After this the Danes forraged many Countryes burnt Oxford Theâ—ford and Cambridge and lastly entred Wiltshire which was the seventh shire in number they had laid waste like a Wildernesse The yeare after they make a new Expedition and besiege Canterbury which by treason of a Church-man they wonne tooke Alphegus the Arch-bishop and flew nine hundred Monkes and men of Religion besides many Citizens without all mercy for they Tythed the people slaying all by nines and reserving onely the tenth to live so that of all the Monkes in the Towne there were but foure saved and of the Lay people foure thousand eight hundred by which account Master Lambert collecteth that there dyed in this Massacre three and forty thousand and two hundred persons The Arch-bishop Alphegus for that he refused to charge his Tenants with three thousand pounds to pay for his ransome they most cruelly stoned to death at Greenâ—wich Turkillus the leader of these murtherers tooke into his possession all Norfolke and Suffolke over whom he tyrannized in most savage manner the rest compounding with the English for eight thousand pounds quietly for a while sojourned among them The yeare following came King Sweyne againe and with a great Navy arrived in the mouth of Humber and
Monasteries and all the gold and silver of either Chalices or Shrines he tooke to his owne use Likewise he Sessed all Bishops and Abbots what number of souldiers they should finde to serve him in his warres also the strangers which he maintained in Pay he dipsersed into Religious houses and some also among the Nobility to bee maintained at their charge Many other taxations he made but last of all in the eighteenth yeare of his Raigne by the advise of Roger Earle of Hertford he caused the whole Realme to be described in a Censuall Roll whereof hee tooke a President from King Alfred so as there was not one Hyde of Land but both the yearely rent and the owner thereof was therein set downe How many Ploughlands what Pastures Fennes or Marishes what Woods Farmes and Tenements were in every Shire and what every one was worth Also how many Villaines every man had what Beasts what Cattell what Fâ—es what other goods what rent or commodity his Possessions did yeeld This booke was called the Roll of Winton because it was kept in the City of Winchester By the English it was called Doomesday booke either by reason of the generality thereof or else corruptly instead of Domuâ— Dei booke for that it was laid in the Church of Winchester in a place called Domuâ— Dei. According to this Roll taxations were imposed sometimes two shillings and at this time six shillings upon every Hyde of Land a Hyde containing as some account it twenty Acres buâ— as Master Lambert proveth a hundred Acres In all those Lands which he gave to any man hee reserved Dominion in chiefe to himselfe as also a yearely rent and likewise a Fine whensoever the Tenant did alien or dye These were bound to him by Oath of Fealty and Homage and if any died his heire being within age the King received the profits of his Lands and had the custody and disposing of the heires body untill his age of one and twenty yeares To be short his greedinesse of money was so great that he spared not his owne brother Odo but found accusations against himâ— to the end he might seise upon his Treasure which was infinite great and which he had gathered in hope to buy the Papacy Onely one kinde of profit he forbare to meddle with that is Vacancies of Abbeys and Bishopricks which he alwayes reserved for the Successours but then he tooke another course of farre greater profit for he compelled all men to make new Fines at his pleasure for confirmation of any Grant or Priviledges formerly granted by any Prince of the Realme by which devise he got into his possession the greatest part of all the riches of the Land as well of the Clergie as of the Laity And one particular may not be omitted that is reported of him which was this The Monkes of Ely to purchase their peace agreed to give him seven hundred Markes when comming to pay it there wanted a Groat in the weight for in those dayes greater summes were not payd by tale but by weight which the King understanding denied them all composition for Peace untill with much suite he was intreated to accept of a thousand Markes more Of his Lawes and Ordinances and Courts of Iustice erected by him ALthough at his Coronation he had taken an Oath to observe the Lawes of King Edward then in use yet afterwards perhaps counting his Coronation Oath but a matter of course he abrogated many and in their stead brought in the Lawes of Normandie commanding them to be written in French and also that all Causes should be Pleaded and all matters of Forme dispatched in French upon a pretense to dignifie the French tongue but with a purpose to intrappe men through ignorance of the language as indeed it did or perhaps to make the Normans language predominant in the Kingdome as he had made their persons which yet hee was so farre from effecting that there is not so much as any footsteps remaining of the Norman language in the English tongue Formes of Judgement and trials by Fire and Water called Ordeal formerly used were in short time after the Conquest disused and in the end utterly abrogated by the Pope as derived from Paganisme That of Combat continued longer but of no ordinary use and all actions both criminall and reall began now to be wholly adjudged by the Verdict of twelve men according to the custome of Normandie where the like Forme is used and called by the name of Enquest with the same cautions for the Jurours as it is here continued to this day though by the Lawes of Ethelred it appeares that the triall by twelve men was in use long before his time And where before the Bishop and the Alderman were the absolute Judges to determine all businesse in every Shire and the Bishop in many Cases shared in the benefit of the Mulcts with the King now hee confined the Clergie within the Privince of their owne Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction to deale onely in businesse concerning rule of soules according to the Canons and Lawes Episcopall And where the Causes of the Kingdome were before determined in every Shire and by a Law of King Edward all matters in question were upon speciall penalty decided in their Gemote or Conventicle held monethly in every Hundred Now he ordained that foure times in the yeare for certaine daies the same businesses should be determined in such place as he would appoint where he constituted Judges to attend for that purpose Also he Decreed there should be Sheriffes in every Shire and Justices of Peace for punishment of Malefactors Finally he ordained his Councell of State his Chancery his Exchequer Scaccarium corruptly called so of the word Statarium or rather of the Boord or Table where the Officers sate also his Courts of Justice which alwayes removed with his Court These places he furnished with Officers and assigned foure Termes in the yeare for determining controversies among the people The place of these Courts was Westminster where King William Rufus afterward built a stately Palace Now for his provisionary Revenues the Kings Tenants who held Lands of the Crowne payd him no money at all but onely Corne and other victuals and a just note of the quality and quantity of every mans ratement was taken through out all the Shires of the Kingdome and levyed ever certaine for maintenance of the Kings house Onely the Kentish men procured the continuance of their ancient Lawes by a trick for King William riding towards Dover at Swâ—nscombe two miles from Gravesend the Kentish men met him but in the forme of a moving wood by reason of the great boughes they had cut and carried in their hands and compassing the King about they onely made suite for the continuanâ— of their Lawes which the King without any great scruple granted and glad he was so ridde of them A strange conceite in the Kentish men to hazard themselves more for the preserving a simple Custome then for
the Second called Rufus second Son to William the Conquerour appointed Successor by his Fathers Will was upon the fifth of October in the yeare 1087. by Lanfranke Archbishop of Canterbury Crowned at Westminster King of England Wherein his Father seemes to have followed the Example of Iacob who gave to his younger sonne Ioseph the Land which he had taken with his Sword and his Bow for with his sword and his Bow had King William gotten the Land of England and therefore might justly bestow it on which of his Sonnes he pleased And besides there was cause enough why he should shew this Sonne of his some extraordinary favour seeing in the Rebellion of his brother Robert yet he stood firmely for his Father and in his quarrell incurred no small hazard of his life as wherein he received divers wounds and perhaps also his Father thought the rough disposition of this sonne fitter to bridle the insurrections of the English then the softly disposition of his sonne Robert But though he have thus quietly gotten the Crowne he must not looke to hold it so and indeed at his very beginning is assaulted with two troubles in one for both his Brother Robert prepares to recover it from him and the Lords of the Kingdome combine with Robert to assist him in it The first mover of this trouble was Odo Bishop of Bayeux his Unckle who finding himselfe not to beare the sway he expected and specially for an old grudge he bore to Lanfranke Arch-bishop of Canterbury as by whose means in the former Kings time he had bin imprisoned the Arch-bishop telling him that though he might not imprison a Bishop yet he might imprison an Earle of Kent as this Odo was made not long before he drawes many other Bishops and Temporall Lords to joyne with himâ— in behalfe of Duke Robert against the King but though the storme were violent for a while yet it soon passed over that indeed of his Lords with more difficulty but that of his brother Robert with more cost For it was at last agreed that Rufus should pay him three thousand markes a yeare during his life and leave him the Kingdome after his owne decease But there was difficulty in repressing his Rebell Lords by reason of their spreading themselves abroad in many quarters For Odo fortifyed himselfe in Kent Roger Montgomery Earle of Shrewsbury in Norfolke Suffolke and Cambridgeshire Hugh de Grandmenill in Leycestershire and Northamptonshire Robert Mowbray Earle of Northumberland possest himselfe of Bristow William Bishop of Durham of the North parts of the Realme and divers other of the Clergy and Nobility fortify themselves in Herefordshire Shropshire Worcestershire and all the Countries adjoyning to Wales thinking by this meanes to distract the King that he should not know where to beginne nor whither to turne him But this course as it made it hard to represse them suddenly so it made it easie to represse them at leisure for being thus divided they were but as single stickes that are easily broken where if they had united themselves as into a Faggot they might have made a strength of farre greater resistance But the King having Lanfranke Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Woolstan Bishop of Worcester firme of his side partly by their Authority and love amongst the people but chiefely by his owne promises to restore their ancient Lawes and to allow them liberty of hunting in his Forests he so firmely wonne the hearts of all unto him that some of the Rebell Lords he reconciled with faire words as Robert Montgomery a principall sinew of the Faction some againe he mastered by strong hand and Odo the chiefe Engineere of all the worke he besieged in the Castle of Rochester tooke him Prisoner and forced him to abjure the Realme And thus this great Rebellion was suppressed In which it is observable that though so many hot bloods were up yet there was but little blood spilt A happy rebellion for the English for the Rebell Lords and Bishops being all Normans the King had none to trust to but the English whom for their faithfulnesse to him in this service he ever after respected more then he had done befoâ—e After this storme was over in the South there ariseth another in the North For now Malcolme King of Scots thinking it a fit time to doe some feates when King William was troubled at home invades Northumberland and having burnt and spoyled the Country returnes home laden with booties Which King William hearing he takes his brother Robert along with him and with a mighty Army enters Scotland brings Malcolme to acknowledge his ancient homage and upon Faith given returnes to London After this Duke Robert finding his brother King William not to keep his promise in paying his Pension complaines to the King of France and with his ayde assaults and takes some Townes which he before had delivered in pawne for money to his brother King William who hearing of it hastens into Normandy with an Army and by the mediation of money takes off the King of France and makes his brother being left destitute of assistance to aske him pardon a wise and mercifull course in King William for to buy his peace with the King of France did cost him but money where to have purchased it by Warre must besides money have cost the lives of many After this Malcolme King of Scots came in kindnesse to visit King William at Glocester but the King not vouchsafing so much as to see him put him into so great an indignation that returning home he makes ready an Army invades Northumberland making great spoyle and getting great spoyles but by Robert Mowbray the Kings Lieutenant there was taken in ambush and together with his eldest sonne Edward defeated and slaine This King Malcolme was a most valiant Prince as may appeare by an Act of his of an extraordinary straine for hearing of a conspiracy plotted to murther him whereof one was Authour whose name is not recorded he dissembled the knowing it till being abroad one day a hunting he tooke the fellow apart from the company and being alone said unto him Here now is a fit time and place to doe that manfully which you have intended to doe treacherously draw your weapon and if you kill me none being present you can incurre no danger with which speech of the King the fellow was so daunted that presently he fell downe at his feet confessed his fault humbly asked forgivenesse and being granted him was ever after serviceable and faithfull to him The death of King Malcolme and his Sonne was so grievous and so grievously taken of Margaret his Queene the sister of Edgar Atheling that she made it her Prayer and had it granted not to over-live them and so within three dayes after dyed a woman as full of vertues all her life as at this time of sorrowes whom yet I should not breake order to mention but for one pious Act of hers in causing a most barbarous custome of Scotland to
King claimed the Investiture of Bishops to be his right and forbad Appeales and Intercourse to Rome for no Appeales had ever beene used till Anselme in this Kings Reigne appealed to the Pope upon whose complaint the Pope was about to Excommunicate the King but having a little before Excommunicated the Emperour Henry the fourth the first Christian Prince with Soveraigne authorâ—ty that was ever Excommunicate by any Pope he forbore at that time to doe it lest by making Excommunication common he should make it be slighted At this time great contention arose betweene the King and the Arch-Bishop Anselme and Ansâ—lme not yeelding to the King in any point prejudiciall to the Popes authority nor the King yeelding to Anselme in any point prejudiciall to his owne Prerogative which were points indeed Incompatible the contention continued long and hot and the hotter because there were at that time two Popes on foote at once one elected by the Conclave called Urbanus the second another set up by the Emperour called Clement the third for Anselme held with Urban the King with Clement and thus not agreeing in a third it was impossible they should agree between themselves and this contention though palliated with pretentions somtimes of one side sometimes of another yet brake out againe and was renewed both in this Kings time and in the times of many Kings after Anselme often threathing his going to Rome the King told him plainely he would not thrust him out of the Realme but if he would goe without his leave he would then keepe him out during his pleasure and besides he should carry nothing out of the Realme wiâ—h him yet Anselme ventured it and the King performed it for William Warlewast was sent to rifle him in his passage at Sea of all he had neither was he suffered to returne as long as the King lived during all which time the King tooke the profits of his Archbishoprick to his owne use It may not be amisse to shew a passage here concerning the first cause of contention betweene the King and Anselme which some say was this The King required a thousand Markes of him for having preferred him to that See which Anselme refused to give as judging it no lesse Simony to give after the preferment then before but yet afterward offering five hundred pounds the King refused to accept it as being worth he said five times as much whereupon Anselme told him Your Grace may have me and all that is mine to serve your turne in a friendly manner but in the way of servitude and bondage you shall never have me nor mine Which words so angred the King that they could never after be reconciled In this Kings Reigne Pope Urbane exhorted all Christian Princes to joyne together for recovery of Ierusalem and the Holy Land and by the solliciting of Peter an Hermite there assembled for that enterprise under the conduct of Godefry of Bulloigne to the number of three hundred thousand men amongst whom was Robert Duke of Normandy who so valiantly carried himselfe in the action that after Ierusalem was won the Kingdome of it as some write was offered to him but he looking more after the Kingdome of England and therefore refusing it It is observed he never prospered all his life after In this Kings Reigne although he had no command in Ireland yet their Bishop of Dublin was sent over to Anselme Arch-bishop of Canterbury to be Consecrated by him and the Citizens of Waterford also desiring to have a Bishop procured Murcherdach King of Ireland to write to Anselme to give his consent Also in this Kings dayes the Pope forbad the marriage of Priests Workes of piety of this King or by other in his time THis King gave to the Monkes of Southwarke the Church of Saint Saviour of Beâ—mondsey and Bermondsey it selfe he also Founded at Yorke the Hospitall of Saint Leonards He gave the Church of Saint Peter in the City of Bathe to be a Bishops See Hugh Earle of Chester in this Kings dayes builded the Abbey of Chester Oswald Bishop of Salisbury Founded the Cathedrall Church of Salisbury Remigius Bishop of Dorchester to the end his Bishoprick might be removed to Lincolne beganne to build the Cathedrall Church of Lincolne and Lanfrank Arch-Bishop of Canterbury builded two Hospitals without the City the one of Saint Iohn the other at Harbaldowne repaired Christs Church and caused five and twenty Manors to be restored to that See which had unjustly beene withholden He repaired also the Abbey of Saint Albans and the Church of Rochester where for foure secular Priests he placed to the number of fifty Monkes In the sixth yeare of this Kings Reigne William Warren the first Earle of Surrey and Gundred his wife Founded the Abbey of Lewis in Sussex and Warren Earle of Shrewsbury built two Abbeys one in the Suburbs of Shrewsbury the other at Wenlock In his twelfth yeare Robert Losaunge Bishop of Thetford removed his See from Thetford to Norwich and founded there a faire Monastery His buildings and Structures THis King enlarged the Tower of London and compassed it with new wals he also built the great Hall at Westminster being 270. foote in length and 74. in breadth but thinking it too little he intended to have built another Hall which should have stretched from the Thames to the Kings streete He repaired the City and Castle of Carlile which had beene wasted by the Danes two hundred yeares before and because it had but few Inhabitants he brought a Colony thither out of the Southerne parts He finished New-Castle upon Tyne and many other Castles he erected or repaired upon the borders of Scotland many also upon the frontires and within the very breast of Wales Casualties happening in his Reigne IN the fourth yeare of his Reigne on Saint Lukes day above six hundred houses in London were throwne downe with tempest and the roofe of Saint Mary Bow Church in Cheape was so raised that in the fall six of the beames being 27. foote long were driven so deepe into the ground the streets being not then paved with stone that not above foure foote remained in sight and yet stood in such ranke and order as the workmen had placed them upon the Church Also in this Kings Reigne all the Lands in Kent sometimes belonging to Earle Godwin were by breaking in of the Sea covered with Sands and are called Godwins Sands to this day In his eleventh yeare at a Towne called Finchamstead in the County of Barkshire a Well cast out bloud as before it had done water and after by the space of fifteene dayes great flames of fire were seene in sundry places and at sundry times Of his Personage and Condition HE was but meane of stature thick and square bodied his belly swelling somewhat round his face was red his haiâ—e deepe yellow whereof he was called Rufus his forehead foure square like a window his eyes spotted and not one like another his speech unpleasant and not easily
of Anjoâ— brought upon him a distemper which encreased by eating against his Physitiâ—ns advise of a Lâ—mprey a meate alwayes plâ—â—sâ—ng 〈◊〉 himâ— but never agreeing with him cast him into a â—â—aver which in few â—ayeâ— put a pâ—â—iâ—d to his life So cerâ—aine it is that one intemperate action is enoâ—â—h to overthrow the temperance of a whole life as of this King Henry it is saidâ— thâ—â— he seldome did eaâ— but when he was hungry never did drink but when he was â—thirstâ— yet this but onâ—e yeelding to his sensuall appetite made hâ—m forfeâ—â— all benefit of his former abstinence though some write he tooâ—â— his dâ—â—th by the fâ—ll off his hâ—rsâ— He died upon the first of Dâ—â—ember at night in â—he yeâ—re 1135. when he had Raigned five and thirty yeares lived threescore and seven His bowels braines and eyes were buâ—ied at Roan in Noâ—mandy where he died the rest of â—iâ— body was stuffed with Salt wrapped in Oxe hides and brought over inâ—â— England and with honoâ—rable Exequies buried in the Monastery of â—eâ—dingâ— which himselfe had Founded His Physitiâ—n that â—ooke out his braines with the intolerable stinch shortly after died In this King Henry ended the line of the Nâ—rmans as touching the Heiâ—es Males and then câ—me in the Freâ—ch by the title of Heires generall Men of nâ—te in his time MEn of learning in his time were manyâ— first Stephen Harding a Benedictine Monke who was Founder of the Cistercian Ordeâ—â— Then Anselme Arch-bishop of Câ—â—terbury who beâ—ides his activenesse in matters of State writ many great and learned bookes Then Waltâ—r Câ—lâ—â—â— Arch-deacon of Oxford who delivered a History written in the British tongue from Brute to Cadwallader to Geoffry of Monâ—â—â—â—â—h to translatâ— and added forty yeares of his owne â—ime Also 〈◊〉 a Monâ— of Wâ—â—câ—ster who writ Dâ— rebâ—s Gestis Anglorum Also Eâ—dmâ—râ—s a Mâ—â—k of Câ—â—terbury who â—â—sides othâ—r wâ—â—ks writ the History of his owne tâ—me under the two Williâ—â—s and Hâ—â—â—y the first THE RAIGNE OF KING STEPHEN AFter the decease of King Henry presently steps upon the Stage of Royalty Stephen Earle of Boleyne Sonne to Stephen Earle of â—loys by Adela Daughter of King William the Conqâ—â—â—our and though there were two other before him Maâ—de the Empresse and Theobald his elder Brother She in a substantiall right He in a colourable yet taking advantage of being Priâ—â—â— Occâ—pans the first Invader as being quickly here after King Henries death where the other stayed lingring about other Affâ—ires he solicits all the Orders oâ— the Realme Bishops and Lords and People to receive him for their Soverâ—ine wherein besides his owne large promises what great matters he would do for them all he had the assistance also of Henry his Brother Bishop of Winchestâ—râ—nd â—nd the Popes Legate and of Roger Bishop of Salisbury his great friend 〈◊〉 the most powerfull men at that time in the State who partly by force of Reasons but more indeed by force then Reasons procure the State to accept him for their King and so upon Saint Stephâ—ns day in Anno 1135. he was Crowned at Westminster in presence of but three Bishops few of the Nobility and not one Abbot by William Arch-bishop of Canterbury with great solemnity That which put â— scruple in mens minds and made them averse at first from consenting to Stepheâ— was the Oath they had taken to receive King Henries Daughâ—â—r Maude to be their Qâ—een after his decease but the weight of this scruple was something abated when it was urged that no Precedent could be shewed that ever the Crowne had beene set upon a Womans head And Roger Bishop of Salisbury brought another Reason because they had taken that Oath but upon condition that the King shoulâ— not marry heâ— out of the Realme without their consents and the King having brokâ—n the condition was just cause to nullifie their Obligation to which was added thâ—â— the Oath having beene exacted by Authority which is a â—ind of forcing it might have the Plea of Per minâ—s and therefore void And yet more then all these Hâ—gh Bigâ—t sometime Stewâ—â—d to King Henry immediately after his decease came oveâ— into England and tooke a voluntary Oath before divers Lords of the Land that he was present a little before King Henries death when he adopted and chose his Nephew Stephen to be his Successour because his Daughter Mâ—â—dâ— had grâ—evously at that timâ— displeased him But howsoever their breach of Oath was thus palliaâ—ed it is certaine that many of them as well Bishops as other Lords came afterward to an evill end at least â—o many calamities before their end VVhat course he tooke to establish himselfe in the Kingdome IT is a true saying 〈◊〉 rebâ—s optiâ—â— servatâ—â— Imperium quibuâ— pâ—â—atur and this was Stephens course he got the kingdome by Proâ—ises and he establisht it by Performances he pleased the People with easing them of Taxes and Impositions He pleased the Clergy with forbearing to keepe Bishoprickes and Abbeyes Vacant and with exempting them from the Authority of the Temporall Magistrate He pleased the Nobility with allowing them to build Castleâ— upon their owne Lands He pleased the Genâ—â—y with giving them liberty to hunt the Kings Deere in their owne Woods and besides with advancing many of them in Honours and for his Brother Theobald who being the elder was before him in pretence to the Crowne he pleased him with a grant to pay him two thousand Markes a yeare and then to strengthen himselfe abroad no lesse then at home he marryed his Son Eâ—stace to Constance a Daughter of Lewis King of France which alliance alone might be thought a sufficient security against all Opposition And yet one thing more which establisht him more then these at least these the more for this that he had seiseâ— upon King â—enries treâ—sure which amounted to a hundred thousand pound besideâ— Plate and â—ewels of inestimable value which he speâ—t no◠〈◊〉 vaine riot but imployed to his best advantage both in procuring of Friends and in levying of Souldiers out of Britany and Flanders Of his Troubles in his Raigne THere may wel be made a Chapter of the troubles of his Raign seeing his whole Raign was in a manner but one continued trouble at leaâ—t no longer intermissioÌ„ then as to give him breath against new encounters til at last when he grew towards his lâ—st he rather left to be in trouble then was at quiet being forced to make his adversary his Heâ—re and to leave his Crown to him that had sought his life For he was no sooner set in his Chaire of State but he was presently disquieted and made to rise by the provocation of David King of Scots who solicited by some Lords of England but chiefly by Maâ—de the Empresse whose Right he had sworne to defend with a mighty Army entred Nâ—rthumberland tooke Carlile and Newcastle and was proceeding further till King Stephen with a greater Army comming against him yet rather bought his
Geoffrey and William and dying he left his Dukedome of Anjou to his eldest son Henry but to hold no longer then till he should come to be King of England and then to deliver it up to his second sonne Geoffrey and he made his Lords to sweare not to suffer his body to be buried untill his sonne Henry had taken his Oath to doe it which Oath Henry afterward in reverence to his Fathers body did take but as he tooke it unwillingly so he willingly brake it and sent presently to Adrian the then Pope for a Dispensation of his Oath which granted he enters Anjou with an Army and takes from his brother Geoffrey being little able to make resistance not onely the Dukedome of Anjou but some other Cities also which his Father had absolutely given him for his maintenance yet out of brotherly kindnesse was content to allow him a Pension of a thousand pounds a yeare which brotherly kindnesse was so unkindly taken by his brother Geoffrey that it brake his heart and within a short time after died And thus these troubles begun by Henry himselfe were soone ended but now a trouble is comming on begun by Lewis King of France and this is like to stick longer by him For King Lewis not having yet digested King Henries marriage with his divorced wife Eleanor seekes all opportunities to expresse his spleene by doing him displeasure and a fit opportunity was now offered for there fell out a difference betweene Raymond Earle of Saint Giles and Henry King of England about the Earledome of Tholouse which Raymond possest and Henry claimed in this difference King Lewis takes part with Raymond as pretending it to be the juster side Hereupon are great forces provided on both sides and it was like to have come to a dangerous battell but that by mediation of friends a Peace was made and to make the Peace the firmer a marriage was concluded betweene Henry King Henries eldest sonne scarce yet seven yeares of age and Margaret daughter of King Lewis not past three who was delivered to King Henry to bring up till fit yeares for consummation This was then thought a strong linke to hold them in friendship but it proved afterward a cause to make the greater breach and indeed when a sonne is once matched into a Family the Father must never looke from thence afterward to have a good wish seeing the daughter thus matched can have no advancement but by the advancement of her husband and he none at least none so wâ—ll as by the ruine of his Father yet this brake not out till some yeares after It was now about the eighteenth yeere of King Henries Raigne and his sonne Henry growne to be seventeene yeares of ageâ— when it came into the Kings minde to have his sonne Henry crowned King and Raigne with himselfe in his owne time partly out of indulgence to his sonne but chiefely as having found by his owne experience that Oaths for succession are commonly eluded but Oaths for present Allegeance as being Verba de Praesenti can have no evasion and pleasing himselfe with this conceit he acquaints his Lords with his purpose and causeth his sonne Henry to be crowned King by the hands of Roger Arch-bishop of Yorke and all the Lords to sweare Allegeance to him at the Feast of which solemnity King Henry to honour his sonne would needs carry up the first dish to his Table whereupon the Arch-bishop Roger standing by and saying merrily to the new King What an honour is this to you to have such a waiter at your Table Why saith he what great matter is it for him that was but the sonne of a Duke to doe service to me that am the sonne of a King and Queene Which the old King hearing beganne to repent him now it was too late of that he had done For indeed the honour which by Gods commandement children are to doe to their Parents is by such making them their equals in a manner abolished at least it gives them stomachs to take more upon them then is fit But King Henry passed it over and meant to set the best side outward And now King Lewis tooke displeasure that his daughter was not crowned as well as her husband and therefore to satisfie him in that point King Henry sendeth his sonne Henry and his wife Margaret into Englandâ— and causeth them both to be crowned by Walter Arch-bishop of Roan and shortly after the young King Henry and his wife goe backe to King Lewis her Father and by him with great joy and variety of sports were entertained In the time of their being there King Lewis partly out of his old spleene to King Henry and partly to make his sonne in law more absolure fals oftentimes into conference with him and finding his hot spirit to be fit tinder for such fire tels him it was a shame he should suffer himselfe to be made a stale have the title of a King and not the authority and that as long as he stood in such termes that which seemed an honour was indeed a disgrace With which words of King Lewis the young King Henry was set afloate and from that time forward stucke not openly to oppose his Father whereof his Father having intelligence sent messengers to King Lewis desiring him from the King their Master to be a meanes to bring his sonne to more moderation But King Lewis hearing the Embassadours name their Master King with an angry countenance said unto them What mean you by this to call him King who hath passed his Kingdome over to his son and with this answer sent them away To this evill another worse was added that Queene Eleanor his wife enraged with jealousie of her husbands Concubines both incenseth her sonne Henry and perswadeth also two other of her sonnes Richard and Geoffrey to joyne against their Father telling them it would be better for them that their brother should prevaile who could not chuse but allow them better maintenance then their Father did With these perswasions they passe over into Normandy and joyne with their brother Henry who emboldned by their assistance growes now more insolent then he was before that when messengers were sent to him from his Father requiring him to lay downe his Armes and to come lovingly to him he proudly made answer that his Father must not looke he would lay downe his Armes unlesse himselfe first would lay downe his authority and resigne the Kingdome And now Lewis King of France calling together the great Lords of his Kingdome and with them William King of Scots Hugh Earle of Chester Roger Mowbray Hugh Pigot and other of his sonnes party they all take their Oaths to assist the young King Henry with all their power and thereupon all in one day the French invade Normandy Aquitaine and Britaine the King of Scots Northumberland and King Lewis the City of Vernoill which he brought to that distresse that it was agreed by the Inhabitants if it were
into England of purpose to visite the Shrine of Saint Thomas where having paid his Vowes he makes Oblations with many rich Presents The like many Princes since that time have done and many Miracles are reported to have beene done at his Tombe which yet may be unbeleeved without unbeliefe and with Faith enough Another difference in this Kings dayes was betweene the two Arch-bishops of England about the jurisdiction of Canterbury over Yorke which being referred to the Pope he gave judgement on Canterburies side Also in this Kings dayes there was a Schisme in the Church of Rome two Popes up at once of whom Alexander the third was one which Schisme continued the space of almost twenty yeares Also in this Kings dayes one Nicholas Breakespeare borne at Saint Albans or as others write at Langley in Hartfordshire being a bondman of that Abbey and therefore not allowed to be a Monke there went beyond Sea where he so profited in Learning that the Pope made him first Bishop of Alba and afterward Cardinall and sent Legate to the Norwayes where he reduced that nation from Paganisme to Christianity and returning backe to Rome was chosen Pope by the Name of Adrian the fourth and dyed being choaked with a Fly in his drinke In his dayes also Heraclius Patriarch of Hierusalem came to King Henry desiring ayde for the Holy Land but not so much of money as of men and not so much of men neither as of a good Generall as himselfe was to whom King Henry answered that though he were willing to undertake it yet his unquiet State at home would not suffer him with which answer the Patriarch moved said Thinke not Great King that Pretences will excuse you before God but take this from me that as you forsake Gods cause now so he hereafter will forsake you in your greatest need But saith the King if I should be absent out of my kingdome my own Sonnes would be ready to rise up against me in my absence to which the Patriarch replyed No marvaile for from the Devill they came and to the Devill they shallâ— and so departed Also in this Kings dayes there came into England thirty Germans Men and Women calling themselves Publicans who denyed Matrimony and the Sacraments of Baptisme and of the Lords Supper with other Articles who being obstinate and not to be reclaimed the King commanded they should be marked with a hot iron in the forehead and be whipped which punishment they tooke patiently their Captaine called Gerard going before them singing Blessed are ye when men hate you After they were whipped they were thrust out of doores in the Winter where they dyed with cold and hunger no man daâ—ing to relieve them This King after his conquest of Ireland imposed the tribute of Peter pence upon that kingdome namely that every house in Ireland should yearely pay a penny to Saint Peter Workes of piety done by him or by others in his time THis King Founded the Church of Bristow which King Henry the eighth afterward erected into a Cathedrall He also Founded the Priories of Dâ—ver of Stoneley and of Basinwerke and the Castle of Rudlan and beganne the Stone Bridge over the Thames at London He caused also the Castle of Warwicke to be builded Maude the Empresse his Mother Founded the Abbey of Bordesly In his time also Hugh Mortimer Founded Wigmore Abbey Richard Lucye the Kings Chiefe Justice laid the Foundation of the Coventuall Church in the honour of Saint Thomas in a place which is called Westwood otherwise Lesâ—es in the Territory of Rochester in the new Parish of Southfleete He also builded the Castle of Anger in Essex Robert Harding a Burgesse of Bristow to whom King Henry gave the Barony of Barkeley builded the Monastery of Saint Augustines in Bristow In the tenth yeare of his Raigne London Bridge was new made of Timber by Peter of Cole-church a Priest Robert de Boscue Earle of Leycester Founded the monastery of Gerendon of Monkes and of Leycester called Saint Mary de Prate of Chanons Regular and his Wife Amicia Daughter of Ralph Montford Founded Eaton of Nunnes In the two and twentyeth yeare of his Raigne after the Foundation of Saint Mary Overeyes Church in Southwarke the Stone bridge over the Thames at London beganne to be Founded towards which a Cardinall and the Arch-bishop of Canterbury gave a thousand Markes Aldred Bishop of Worcester Founded a Monastery at Glocester of Benedictine Monkes Casualties that happened in his time IN the Eleventh yeare of this Kings Raigne on the six and twentyeth day of Ianuary was so great an Earth-quake in Ely Norfolke and Suffolke that it overthrew them that stood upon their feet and made the Bells to ring in the Steeples In the seventeenth yeare of his Raigne there was seene at Saint Osythes in Essex a Dragon of marveilous bignesse which by moving burned houses and the whole City of Canterbury was the same yeare almost burnt In the eighteenth yeare of his Raigne the Church of Norwich with the houses thereto belonging was burnt and the Monkes dispersed At Andover a Priest praying before the Altar was slaine with Thunder Likewise one Clerke and his Brother was burnt to death with Lightning In the three and twentyeth yeare a showre of Blood Rained in the Isle of Wight two houres together In the foure and twentyeth yeare the City of Yorke was burnt and on Christmas day in the Territory of Derlington in the Bishopricke of Durham the Earth lifted up it selfe in the manner of an high Tower and so remained unmoveable from morning till evening and then fell with so horrible a noyse that it frighted the Inhabitants thereabouts and the earth swallowing it up made there a deepe pit which is seene at this day for a Testimony whereof Leyland saith he saw the Pits there commonly called Hell-kettles Also in the same yeare on the tenth day of Aprill the Church of Saint Andrewes in Rochester was consumed with fire In the eight and twentyeth yeare of his Raigne Barnewell with the Priory neare unto Cambridge was burnt In the thirtyeth yeare the Abbey of Glastenbury was burnt with the Church of Saint Iulian. In the yeare 1180. a great Earthquake threw downe many buildings amongst which the Cathedrall Church of Lincolne was rent in peeces the five and twentieth of Aprill And on the twentieth of October the Cathedrall Church of Chichester and all the whole City was burnt This yeare also neare unto Orford in Suffolke certaine Fishers tooke in their Nets a Fish having the shape of a Man in all points which Fish was kept by Bartholomew de Glanvile in the Castle of Orford sixe moneths and more he spake not a word all manner of meates he did gladly eate but most greedily raw Fish when he had pressed out the juyce oftentimes he was brought to Church but never shewed any signe of adoration at length being not well looked to he stole to the Sea and never was seene after In the yeare 1188. on
the twentieth of September the Towne of Beverley with the Church of Saint Iohn there was burnt And in this Kings time the bones of King Arthur and his Wife Guynevour were found in the Vale of Avalon under an hollow Oake fifteene foote under ground the haire of the said Guynevour being then whole and of fresh colour but as soone as it was touched it fell to powder as Fabian relateth Of his Wife and Children HE married Eleanor Daughter and heire of William Duke of Guien late Wife of Lewis the seventh King of France but then divorced but for what cause divorced is diversly related some say King Lewis carryed her with him into the Holy Land where she carryed her selfe not very holily but led a licentious life and which is the worst kind of licentiousnesse in carnall familiarity with a Turke which King Lewis though knowing yet dissembled till comming home he then waived that cause as which he could not bring without disgrace to himselfe and made use of their nearenesse in blood as being Cousins in the fourth degree which was allowed by the Pope as a cause sufficient to divorce them though he had at that time two Daughters by her Being thus divorced Duke Henry marries her with whom it was never knowne but she led a modest and sober life a sufficient proofe that the former Report was but a slander By this Queene Eleanor he had five Sonnes William Henry Richard Geoffry and Iohn and three Daughters Maude marryed to Henry Duke of Saxony Eleanor marryed to Alphonso the Eighth of that name King of Castile and Iane or Ioane marryed to William King of Sicilie Of his Sonnes William dyed young Henry borne the second yeare of his Raigne was Crowned King with his Father in the eighteenth yeare and dyed the nine and twentyeth yeare and was buryed at Roan marryed to Margaret Daughter of Lewis King of France but left no issue Richard borne at Oxford in the fourth yeare of his Fathers Raigne and succeeded him in the kingdome Geoffrey borne the fifth yeare of his Fathers Raigne marryed Constance Daughter and Heire of Conan Earle of Little Britaine in the foureteenth yeare and in the two and thirtieth yeare dyed leaving by his Wife Constance two Daughters and a Posthumus Sonne named Arthur Iohn his youngest called Iohn without Land because he had no Land assigned him in his Fathers time borne the twelfth yeare of his Fathers Raigne and succeeded his Brother Richard in the kingdome And this may be reckoned a peculiar honour to this King that of his five Sonnes three of them lived to be Kings and of his three Daughters two of them to be Queenes Concubines he had many but two more famous then the rest and one of these two more famous then the other and this was Rosamond Daughter of Walter Lord Clifford whom he kept at Woodstocke in lodgings so cunningly contrived that no stranger could find the way in yet Queene Eleanor did being guided by a thread so much is the eye of jealousie quicker in finding out then the eye of care is in hiding What the Queen did to Rosamond when she came in to her is uncertaine but this is certaine that Rosamond lived but a short time after and lyes buryed at the Nunnery of Godstâ—w neare to Oxford By this Rosamond King Henry had two Sonnes William called Long-Sword who was Earle of Salisbury in right of his Wife Ela Daughter and Heire of William Earle of that Country and had by her much issue whose posterity continued a long time And a second Sonne named Geoffrey who was first Bishop of Lincolne and afterward Arch-bishop of Yorke and after five yeares banishment in his Brother King Iohns time dyed in the yeare 1213. The other famous Concubine of this King Henry was the Wife of Ralph Blewet a knight by whom he had a Sonne named Morgan who was Provost of Beverley and being to be elected Bishop of Durham went to Rome for a dispensation because being a Bastard he was else uncapable But the Pope refuâ—ing to grant it unlesse he would passe as the Sonne of Blewet he absolutely answered he would for no cause in the world deny his Father and chose rather to lose the Dignity of the Place then of his Blood as being the Sonne though but the base Sonne of a King Of his personage and conditions HE was somewhat red of face and broad breasted short of body and therewithall fat which made him use much Exercise and little Meate He was commonly called Henry Shortmantell because he was the first that brought the use of short Cloakes out of Anjou into England Concerning endowments of mind he was of a Spirit in the highest degree Generous which made him often say that all the World sufficed not to a Couragious heart He had the Reputation of a wise Prince all the Christian World over which made him often say that all the World sufficed not to a Couragious heart He had the Reputation of a wise Prince all the Christian World over which made Alphonsus King of Castile and Garsyas King of Navarre referre a difference that was betweene them to his Arbitrament who so judiciousâ—y determined the Cause that he gave contentment to both Parties a harder matter then to cut Cloath even by a thread His Custome was to be alwayes in Action for which cause if he had no Reall Warres he would have Faigned and would transport Forces either into Normandy or Britaine and goe with them himselfe whereby he was alwayes prepared of an Army and made it a Schooling to his Souldiers and to himselfe an Exercise To his Children he was both indulgent and hard for out of indulgence he caused his Son Henry to be Crowned King in his owne time and out of hardnesse he caused his younger Sonnes to Rebell against him He was rather Superstitious then not Religious which he shewed more by his carriage toward Becket being dead then while he lived His Incontinency was not so much that he used other Women besides his Wife but that he used the affianced Wife of his owne Son And it was commonly thought he had a meaning to be divorced from his Wife Queene Eleanor and to take the said Adela to be his Wife Yet generally to speake of him he was an excellent Prince and if in some particulars he were defective it must be considered he was a Man Of his death and buriall HE was not well at ease before but when the King of France sent him a List of those that had conspired against him and that he found the first man in the Lyst to be his Son Iohn he then fell suddenly into a fit of Fainting which so encreased upon him that within foure dayes after he ended his life So strong a Corrosive is Griefe of mind when it meetes with a Body weakned before with sicknesse He dyed in Normandy in the yeare 1189. when he had lived threescore and one yeares Raigned neare five and thirty and was buryed
Office should pay him againe So Earle Richard having given infinitely to compasse this Advancement looked to helpe himselfe againe by the Place and this and the desire he had to revenge himselfe upon those thaâ— had opposed his Electionâ— made him take such violent courses that he came soone to be dispossessed forsaken and forced to returne into England a poorer King then he went out an Earle Acts done in the câ—ntention betweene the King and his Barons NOw King Henry very proud to have his younger sonne a King as well as his brother cals a Parliament wherein he brings forth his sonne Edmund clad in Sicilian habit and â—els the Parliâ—ment that for advancing this sonne of his to the kingdome of Sicilie he had bound himselfe under covenant of losing his kingdome in the summe of an hundred and forty thousand Markes and hoped they would not thinke much to aide him with money for so great an advancement but the Parliament stood firme to their usuall condition of Margna Charta so as that might be confirmed they were content to give two and fifty thousand Marks but this gave the King no satisfaction The yeare after another Parliament is holden at London wherein upon the Kings pressing them againe for meanes to pay his debts to the Pope the Lords tell him plainely they will not yeeld to give him any thing for any such purpose and give their reasons and withall repeate their owne grievances his breach of promise the insolencie of his brothers and specially William de Valence who had given the lie to the Earle of Leycester and no right done him in it and many such things which the King hearing and not able to deny humbles himselfe and tels them how he had often by ill counsell beene seduced but promiseth by his Oath which he tooke on the Tombe of Saint Edward to reforme all those errours But the Lords not well knowing how to deale in this businesse as being divided betweene a desire to satisfie the King and a desire to be satisfied themselves and knowing withall the variablenesse of the Kings nature they get the Parliament to be adjourned to Saint Barnabies day and then to assemble at Oxford In which meane time the Earles Glocester Leycester Hereford the Earle Marshall Bigod Spenser and other great men confederate and provide by Armes to effect their desire and here is the foundation laid of those bloudy wars that ensued betweene King Henry and his Barons And now the King being put to his shifts for money gets the Abbot of Westminster to put his Seale and that of his Covent to a Deed Obligatory as a surety for two hundred Markes making account that by his example others would be drawne to doe the like but his trusty servant Simon Passeleve being imployed to other Monasteries and telling them amongst other reasons to perswade them that the King was Lord of all they had they onely answered they acknowledged indeed the King to be Lord of all they had but yet so as to defend not to destroy the same and this was all he could get of them The Prince also in no lesse want then his Father is driven to morgage his Towne of Stamford Brahan and many other things to William de Valence a Poictouin wherby appeared the disorder of the time when the Prince was in want and strangers had such plenty And now is the Parliament assembled at Oxford whither the Lords come attended with large traines and here they beginne with the expostulation of the former Liberties requiring that the Chiefe Justiciar the Chancellour and Treasurer may be ordained by publike choyce and that the twenty foure Conservaâ—ours of the kingdome may be confirmed twelve by the election of the Lords and twelve by the King with whatsoever else made for their imagined security The King seeing their strength and in what manner they required these things sweares solemnly againe to the confirmation of them and causeth the Prince to take the same Oath But the Lords left not here the Kings brethren the Poictouins and other strangers must presently be removed and this also though with some little opposition was at last concluded and thereupon the Kings brethren and their followers are despoyled of all their fortunes and â—xiled by proscription under the Kings owne hand directed to the Earles of Hereford and Surrey But now sicknesse and mortality happening to many great ones it is imputed to poysons supposed to have beene prepared by those strangers proscribed the Earle of Glocester in a sicknesse suddenly lost his haire his teeth his nailes and his brother hardly escaped death which made many to suspect their nearest servants and their Cookes Walter Scoynie the Earle Steward is strictly examined committed to prison and afterward without confession is upon presumptions onely executed at Winchester Elias a converted Iew is said to have confessed that in his house the poyson was confected but it was when he was a Iew and not a Christian. Every man that had received any wrong by those strangers now put up their complaints and are heard Guydo de â—â—chfort a Poictouin to whom the King had given the Castle of Rochester is banished and all his goods confiscate William Bussey Steward to William de Valence is committed to the Tower of London and most reproachfully used Richard Gray whom the Lords had made Captaine of Dover Castle is set to intercept whatsoever the Poictouins convaied that way out of England and much treasure of theirs and of the elect of Winchester is by him taken besides great summes committed to the new Temple are found out and seised for the King And now the new Chiefe Justiciar Hugh Bigod brother to the Earle Marshall chosen this last Parliament by publike voyce procures that foure knights in every Shire should inquire of the oppressions of the poore done by great men and certifie the same that redresse might be made Also order was taken against corrupting of justice when yet notwithstanding this pretended care of the publike it is noted by the Writers and Records of that time how the Lords were themselves but as â—otidem tyranni enforcing the services of the Kings tenants that dwelt neare them But to make their cause the more popular it was rumored that the King stood upon it that his necessity must be supplied out of the estates of his people whether they would or no which the King hearing sends forth Proclamation declaring how certaine malitious persons had falsely and seditiously reported that he meant unlawfully to charge his subjects and subvert the Lawes and Liberties of the kingdome and by these false suggestions averted the hearts of his people from him and therefore desires them not to give credit to such perâ—urbers for that he was ready to defend all Rights and Customes due unto them and that they might rest of this secured he caused his Letters to be made Patents But now Montford Glocester and Spenser inforce the King to call a Parliament at London where
made benefit of the vacancie of Bishopricks and Abbeys so did King Henry K. Iohn took great Fines of many for crimes not proved but onely supposed so did King Henry King Iohn made benefit of a new Seale so did King Henry King Iohn extorted great summes from the Iewes so did King Henry And one way more he had to get money which perhaps his Father had not and that was by begging as he told the Abbot of Borough It was more Almes to give money to him then to the Begger that went from doore to doore Indeed Taxations in this Kings Raigne may be reckoned amongst his Annuall Revenues for scarce any yeare passed without a Parliament and seldome any Parliament without a Taxe or if any sometimes without it was then cause of the greater Taxation some other way as when he tooke of the Londoners for having aided the Barons twenty thousand Markes Of his Lawes and Ordinances IN this Kings Raigne were ratified and confirmed the two great Charters of Magna Charâ—a and Charta de Foresta also in his time were enacted the Statutes called of Merton of Oxford and of Marleborough Also stealing of cattell which before was but Pecuniary he made capitall and the first that suffered for the same was one of Dunstable who having stollen twelve Oxen from the Inhabitants of Colne and being pursued to Redburne was by a Bailiffe of Saint Albons according to the Kings Proclamation condemned and beheaded And it may seeme strange that in these times so much bloud should be shed in the field and none upon the scaffold for till the twenty sixth yeare of this King that one William Marisc the sonne of Geoffrey Marisc a Noble man of Ireland being condemned for Piracie and Treason was hanged beheaded and quartered there is no example of that kinde of punishment to be found in our Histories Particularly in this Kings Raigne was made that Statute by which the Ward and marriage of the heires of Barons within age is given to the King Also in this Kings Raigne the Pleas of the Crowne were pleaded in the Tower of London All Weares in the Thames are in this Kings time ordained to be pluck'd up and destroyed Also the Citizens of London are allowed by Charter to passe Toll-free through all England and to have free Warren about London also to have and use a common Seale Also it was ordained that no Sheriffe of London should continue in his office longer then one yeare which they did before for many In the five and twentieth yeare of this King were Aldermen first chosen within the City of London which then had the rule of the City and of the Wards of the same and were then yearely changed as now the Sheriffes are It was in this Kings time allowed to the City of London to present their Major to the Barons of the Exchequer to be sworne which before was to be presented to the King wheresoever he were In his time the clause Noâ— obstante brought in first by the Pope was taken up by the King in his grants and writings Also in this Kings time William Bishop of Salisbury first caused that custome to be received for a Law whereby the Tenants of every Lordship are bound to owe their suite to the Lords Court of whom they hold their Tenements Affaires of the Church in his time AFfaires of the Church for matter of Doctrine were never more quiet then in this Kings Raigne for now all Heresies accounted of the time especially the Albigenses were in a manner suppressed by the Armes of the King of France not without the Vote of the King of England who forbore to make warre upon him in tendernesse to this service but for matter of manners they were never more turbulent for now Abbeys were fleeced Sanctuaries violated Clergy-men outraged Bishops themselves not spared and all for greedinesse of money or for revenge Ottobone the Popes Legat here in England lying at the Abbey of Oseney there happened a difference betweene his servants and the Schollers of Oxford in which contention a brother of his was slaine and theâ— Legat himselfe faine to fly into the Steeple for safegard of his life whereupon afterward being gotten from thence by the Kings safe conduct he thundred out curses against the Schollers and interdicted the University so as the Colledges grew desolate and the Students were dispersed abroad into other places for the space of halfe a yeare till the Monkes of Oseney and the Regent Masters of Oxford were faine to goe bare-foote and bare-head through London as farre as Durham house where the Legat lay and there upon their humble submission and great mens intercession they were absolved and the University restored to its former estate But of this Ottobone it may not be impertinent to relate a little further that going afterward out of England he came by degrees after the death of Innocent the fifth to be Pope of Rome himselfe by the name of Adrian the fifth and died within fifty dayes after his election Amongst affaires of the Church may be reckoned the Ulcers of any member of the Church such a one as in this Kings time brake out most loathsome for one procuring five wounds to be made in his body in resemblance to the five wounds in Christs body tooke upon him to be Christ and had gotten a Woman that tooke upon her to be the Virgin Mary who continuing obstinate in their madnesse were adjudged to be immured and shut up betweene two wals to the end no doubt the contagion of their filthinesse should spread no further In this Kings time a little novelty was first brought in by Pope Innocent the fourth who ordained that Cardinals should weare red Hats something perhaps for mystery and something for distictnion Workes of piety done by him or by others in his time THis King caused a chest of Gold to be made for laying up the Reliques of King Edward the Confessour in the Church of Westminster Hee builded a Church for converted Iewes in London also an Hospitall at Oxford for passengers and diseased persons also the new Coventuall Church and the Chappell of our Lady at Westminster whereof hee laid himselfe the first stone also the houâ—e of Black-Friers in Canterbury In his time Ela Countesse of Salisbury founded the Abbey of Lacok in Wiltshire Richard Earle of Cornwall founded Hayles a Monastery of Cistersian Monkes neare to Winchcombe in Glocestershire Reginold de Moun Earle of Somerset and Lord of Dunster founded the Abbey of Newham in Devonshire Ranulph the third Earle of Chester and Lord of little Britaine builded the Castles of Chartley Bestone and the Abbey of Dela Cresse Sir Iohn Mansell the Kings Chaplaine founded a house of Regular Chanons neare to Rumney in Kent William de Albineto Earle of Arundell founded the Priory of Wimondham William Brunc a Citizen of London and Rosia his wife founded the Hospitall of our Lady without Bishopsgate in London And Isabel Countesse of Arundell founded the
sway this businesse by his presence takes a journey Northward where being come as farre as Lincolnshire he lost his beloved wife Queene Eleanor and thereupon going backe to see her Funerall performed at Westminster that done he returnes presently to his Scottish businesse And now sixe yeares were passed since the death of King Alexander and yet nothing concluded in this controversie whereupon King Edward deals privately with Bruce who had the weaker Title but the more friends and promiseth him if he would sweare fealty and homage to the Crowne of England he would Invest him in that of Scotland But Bruce answers he was not so dâ—sirous to rule as thereby to infringe the liberties of his Countrey Whereupon with the like offer he sets upon Baylioll who having better right but lesse love of the people and more greedy of a kingdome then honour accepts the condition and thereupon is Crowned King at Scone hath fealty done him by all the chiefe Nobility except Bruce comes to New-Castle upon Tyne where King Edward then lay and there with many of his Nobles sweares fealty and doth homage to him as his Soveraigne Lord. Which act done to secure him overthrew him for being little beloved before hereby he became lesse such as stood for Bruce and others of the Nobility tender of the preservation of their Countries liberty took stomach against him and not onely for this but shortly after for his injustice in the case of the Earle of Fife one of the sixe Governours in the time on the Interregnum who had beene slaine by the Family of Alberneth the brother of which Earle prosecuting Law before King Baylioll in his high Court of Parliament and having no right done him King Baylioll giving judgement of the side of the Alberneths he appeales to the Court of the King of England whereupon King Baylioll is summoned appeares sits with King Edward in his Parliament till his cause was to be heard and then is cited by an Officer to arise and to stand in the place appointed for pleading then he craves to answer by a Procuratour but is denied and thereupon descends to the ordinary place and defends his cause himselfe which indignity as he tooke it so incenseth him that he returnes home with a breastfull charged with indignation meditates revenge renues the ancient league with France confirmes it with marriage of his sonne Edward to a daughter of Charles brother to King Philip glad in regard of late offences taken against the King of England to embrace the same which done Baylioll defies King Edward renounceth his Allegeance as unlawfully done being not in his power without consent of the State to doe any such Act. Hereupon brake out that mortall dissension betweene the two Nations which consumed more Christian bloud and continued longer then ever quarrell we reade of did between any two people in the world For he that beganne it could not end it but it lasted almost three hundred yeares and was never throughly abolished till the late blessed union wrought by him in whom Wisdome and Vertue Right and Power concurred all to make it firme And now the fatall Chaire in which the Kings of Scotland used to be Inaugurated seemes to recover its secret operation according to antient Prophesie that whither soever that Chaire should be removed the kingdome should be removed with it and this Chaire King Edward caused to be brought out of Scotland to Westminster and to be placed there amongst the Monuments where it still continues But now King Baylioll being summoned to appeare at New-Castle and refusing to come King Edward enters Scotland with an Army consisting of foure thousand horse and thirty thousand foot besides five hundred horse and one thousand foote of the Bishop of Durham Berwicke is first wonne with the slaughter of fifteene thousand Scots our Writers say more and after that the Castles of Dunbarre Roxborough Edinbough Sterliâ—g and Saint Iohns Towne and now King Balioll sues for Peace submits himselfe takes againe his Oath of Fealty to King Edward as his Soveraigne Lord which done a Parliament for Scotland is held at Berwicke where the Nobility likewise did Homage to him confirming the same by their Charter under their hands and seales onely William Dowglasse refuseth content rather to endure the misery of a Prison then yeeld to the subjection of the King of England But King Baylioll notwithstanding his submission is sent prisoner into England after his foure yeares Raigne in Scotland and King Edward returnes home leaving Iohn Warren Earle of Sussex and Surrey Warden of all Scotland Hugh Cressingham Treasurer and Ormesloy Chiefe Justice with Commission to take in his name the Homages and Fealties of all such as held Lands of that Crowne But this continued not long for King Edward being absent in France the Scots fell upon the Officers he had left slew Sir Hugh Cressingham with sixe thousand English recovered many Castles and regained the towne of Berwick and all by the animation and conduct of one William Walleys a poore private Gentleman though Nobly descended who seeing his Countrey without a Head and thereby without a Heart all the great men either in captivity or subjectionâ— assembles certaine of as poore and desperate estate as himselfe and leads them to attempt upon whatsoever advantages they could finde to annoy the English and having therein good successe it so encreased both his courage and company that he afterward came to be the generall Guardian of the whole kingdome and was in possibility to have absolutely redeemed his Countrey from the subjection of the English if the speedy comming of King Edward had not prevented him For now King Edward to bring his worke neare together removes his Exchequer and Courts of Justice to Yorke where they continued above sixe yeares and thither he cals a Parliament requiring all his subjects that held of him by knights service to be ready at Roxborough by a peremptory day where there assemble three thousand men at Armes on barded horses and foure thousand other armed men on horse without bards with an Army of foote answerable consisting most of Welsh and Irish besides five hundred men at Armes out of Gascoyne and with this power he makes his second expedition into Scotland the Earles of Hereford and Norfolke with the Earle of Lincolne led his Vauntgard at the famous battell of Fonkirke where the shouts of the Scots were so great that King Edwards horse frighted withall cast him off and brake two of his ribs which notwithstanding he gets up againe goes on and gets the victory wherein are reported to be slaine two hundred knights and forty thousand foot of the Scots but William Walleys with some few escaped to make more work And here againe that kingdome might seeme as if quite overthrowne Most of the estates of the Earles and Barons of Scotland with their titles that had stood out were bestowed on the English and a Parliament is called at Saint Andrewes where all the great
advancement in honour alter men to the better to the worse often and commonly then when it is joyned with an Authority that sets them above controlement Neither yet was their feare more out of what they had seene then out of what they saw for where he should have endevoured to accomplish the charge his Father had given him in his death-bed he seemed to intend nothing lesse nothing more then wholly to breake it for he presently called home Pierce Gaveston from banishment and the two and thirty thousand pounds which his Father had specially appointed for the Holy Warre either all or the most of it he beâ—towed upon Gaveston and for carrying his Fathers bones with him about Scotland it had beene well if he had suffered them quietly to be laid at rest in England for after the Corps had beene kept above ground sixteene weekes in the Abbey of Waltham and that the Bishop of Chester Walter Langton the then Lord Treasurer and Executor of his Fathers Will was busie in preparing for his Funerals he sent the Constable of the Tower to arrest him and imprison him at Wallingford seising upon all his Goods and giving them to Gaveston and all for old grudges And that which seemed a high straine of incongruity before he had seene performed his Fathers Funerals which was not till the 27. of October following he entred into Treatie of his owne Nuptials forgoing over to Boleigne on the two and twentieth of Ianuary he marryed Isabell the Daughter of Philip the Faire King of France which Marriage was honoured with the presence of foure Kings the King of France himselfe the King of Navâ—rre his Sonne the King of the Romans and the King of Sicilie and three Queenes besides the Bride Mary Queene of France Margaret the Dowager Queene of England and the Queene of Navarre and yet did Gavestâ—n exceed them all in bravery This was observed by the Lords of England and thereupon when his Queene and he came afterward to be Crowned they went unto him signifying what a hainous transgression of his Fathers will it was to call home Gâ—veston and seeing the charge was no lesse given to them then to him if he did not performe it they would and therefore unlesse he would remove Gaveston from the Court and kingdome they would hinder his Coronation from proceeding which strooke such a dampe to Prince Edwards spirits to thinke what a disgrace it would be to him if so many of his great Friends being present Charles of Valois the King of Frances Brother the Dukes of Britaine and Brabant the Count of Luxenburg who was afterward Emperor the Duke of Savoy the two Dutchesses of Brabant Artois with many other Princes and great Ladies if now his Coronation should be called in question that he solemnly swore he would do what they desired in the next Parliament so they would be quiet now and thereupon on the 24. day of February in the yeare 1307. his Queene and he were both Crowned at Westminster by the hands of Henry Bishop of Winchester by Commission from Robert Arch-bishop of Canterbury being then in Exile and out of the kingdome At which solemnity there was so great a presse of People that Sir Iohn Blackwell knight was crowded to death And now in the very Act of his Coronation there was given another provocation to the Lords against Gaveston for the King had appointed him to carry the Crowne of Saint Edward before him the greatest honour could be done to a Subject which added to the other honours the King had done him for he had made him Earle of Cornewall Lord of Man and Lord Chamberlaine so incensed the Lords that they entred into consultation how to suppresse this violence of the Kings affection which shortly after they put in execution Portion in money King Edward had none with his Wife but the King of France gave him the Dutchy of Guyenne which he had seised upon before as confiscate to him and thereupon King Edward did him Homage for that Dutchy and for the County of Ponthieu Of his difference with his Lords about Gaveston VVE shall have here no Quinquennium Neronis no such five yeares as Nero afforded in the beginning of his Raigne but this King at his first entrance will shew what he is and what he will continue to be as long as he lives for though he tooke some great and grave men to be of his Councell yet as appeared afterward he did it rather to the end they should be pliant to him then that he had any meaning to apply himselfe to them For let them say what they would Gaveston must be the Oracle all the Kings actions were but Gavestons impressions And now Gaveston presently after the Coronation to let the world be a witnesse of his worthinesse and that the King had not bestowed his Favours upon him without cause caused to be published a Turneament at Wallingford whither came all the great Lords of the kingdome as Thomas Earle of Lancaster Humfrey Earle of Hereford Aymer Earle of Pembroke and Iohn Earle of Warren with many others all Valiant men at Armes yet none had the honour of the day like to Gaveston And thus farre he did well if he could have stayed here if having gotten true glory he had not falne into vaine-glory For the Lords envyed him not so much for his advancement in Honours as they hated him for his insolency in Manners for in a scornefull pride he would be casting scoffes upon them all calling Thomas Earle of Lancaster the Stage Player the Earle of Lincolne Burstenbelly â—imer de Valence Earle of Pembroke Ioseph the Iew and Guy Earle of Warwicke the blacke Dogge of Arderne which scoffes together with his other insolencies drew such a party upon him that in the next Parliament the whole assembly obtaines of the King to draw Articles of their grievances of which the chiefe were that the great Charter of Magna Charta should be observedâ— that all strangers should be banished the Court and kingdome that the businesse of the State should be treated of by the Counsell of the Clergy and the Nobles and that the King should not begin any warre nor goe out of the kingdome without consent of Parliament Which Articles though seeming harsh to the King yet for avoyding of further inconvenience he yeelds unto them and specially to the baniâ—hment of his Minion Gaveston as hoping that would excuse him for all the rest and Robert of Winchelsey Arch-bishop of Canterbury lately called home from Exile pronounceth Excommunication against all such as should oppose the Articles Hereupon Gaveston is sent away into Ireland where he lived awhile not as a banisht man but as Lieutenant rather of the Country and indeed not unworthily for in the time of his being there he is said to have made a Journey into the Mountaines of Dublin and to have broken and subdued the Rebels there built New Castle in the Kerns Country repaired the Castle of Kevyn and
passed up to Munster and Thoumond performing every where much service with great valour and worthinesse that if he had stayed there but a while longer he might perhaps by his desorts in Ireland have redeemed his defects in England but the King impatient of his absence and asking advice what meanes might be used to recall him It was told him that if he could but match him with the Earle of Glocesters sister a man of such greatnesse and so greatly beloved of the people for his sake certainely no man would grudge at his comming home Hereupon the King sends for Gaveston and makes up the match betweene them and marryed they were at Barkamstead but this did no good For Gaveston still working upon the King in such manner that he scarce left him meanes to sustaine himselfe and as little to maintaine the Queene nothing being done but as Gaveston would have it put the Lords into a new discontentment who thereupon went againe to the King and told him plainly that unlesse he would put Gaveston out of the Court and kingdome they would rise up in Armes against him as a perjured King This put the King into a great strait Loath he was to leave Gaveston and fearefull he was to provoke the Lords in the end his feare prevailing over his love he was content he should be Banished and in such sort Banished that if ever he returned or were found in the kingdome he should be held and proceeded against as an Enemy of the State So once againe is Gaveston sent packing out of the kingdome and goes into France but found no safe Harbouring there For the King of France hearing of it gave strait charge if he were found in his Dominions to apprehend him Then he passeth into Flanders but is there no saâ—er then in France After waving about and finding no place to rest in safety he returnes secretly into England relying upon the Kings Love and the Duke of Glocesters Favour The King receives him as an Angell sent from Heaven and to be out of the Lords Eye goes a Journey to Yorke taking Gaveston along with him and there thinkes to be in quiet but the Lords hearing of it follow him thither chusing for their Generall Thomas Earle of Lancaster a man possest of five Earledomes Lancaster Leycester Ferrers Lincolne and Salisbury besides the Liberty of Pickering and the Honour of Cokermore and other Lands in Wales and there was not a man of the whole Nobility that was not of the Party but onely Gilbert Earle of Glocester the Kings Sisters Sonne These Lords sent to the King either to deliver Gaveston into their hands or at least to send him peremptorily out of the kingdome But the King led by ill Counsell and little regarding the Lords Message takes Gaveston with him to New-Castle upon Tine thence to Tynmouth where the Queene then lay who though great with Childe and entreating the King with teares to stay with her yet such was his desire to see Gaveston put into some place of security that hearing of the Lords approaching he tooke a Ship and passed with Gaveston to Scarborough and leaving him there in a strong Castle not easie to be wonne he went himselfe into Warwickshire perhaps that the Lords might see he had not Gaveston with him But the Lords hearing where Gaveston was assaulted the Castle with such violence that Gaveston seeing no meanes to escape was content to render himselfe requesting onely that he might but once be allowed to see the Kings face and the King hearing he was taken desired as much to which the Earle of Pembroke consented and taking Gaveston into his custody promised upon Forteiture of all he had to have him forth-comming but desiring to be with his Wife that night who lay not farre off at Dedington hâ— delivers him to his Servants to carry to Wallingford From whom as they passed by Warwicke the Earle of that place hearing of it tooke him forcibly from his keepers and brought him to his owne Castle Where after long deliberation whether it were wisedome to suffer Gaveston to speake with the King or no It was at last concluded to take ofâ— his head which at a place thereby called Blacklow was presently put in execution His Corps was carryed to Oxford and kept there two yeares till the King caused it to be brought to Longley and there builded a Monastery of purpose where his Soule should be prayed for This Gaveston was the Sonne of a Gentleman of France who had done good service for King Edward the first in France and for his sake this Sonne of his was taken and brought up with the Prince a man of excellent parts of body and of no lesse Endowments of minde Valiant and Witty to which if we might adde Vertuous he had beene compleate Though the Lords whether they had heard so or whether they said it to weane the King from him told the King that his Father was a Traitor to the King of France and for the same was executed and that his Mother was burnt for a Witch and that this Gaveston was banished out of France for consenting to his Mothers Witch-craft and that he had now bewitched the King himselfe But why should the Lords be so violent against Gaveston might not the King place his Affection where he pleased Might he not make his owne choyce of what companion he liked No doubt he might and fit he should but yet in this case the Lords had great cause to doe as they did both in regard of the King of themselves and of the Common-wealth It is true if the Valour of Gaveston could as well have made the King Valiant as his riot made him riotous there might some good have come of their extraordinary conjunction but seeing Vertues are but personall Vices onely are communicative it now made the King not onely more Vicious then otherwise he would have beene but Vicious where otherwise he would not have beene and therefore great cause in regard of the King to remove Gaveston from his company and no lesse in regard of the Lords themselves For Gavestons advancing was their debasing his greatnesse with the King made them but Cyphers but in regard of the Common-wealth most cause of all For while the King was altogether ruled by Gaveston and Gaveston himselfe was altogether irregular the Common-wealth could have but little hope of Justice but was sure to suffer as long as Gaveston was suffered And this may be sufficient to justifie the Lords that it be not interpreted to be Rebellion which was indeed but Providence Of his Troubles with Scotland ANd now we have seene two of the charges of his Fathers Will broken by the King and punished in him the two and thirty thousand pounds appointed for the Holy Warre bestowed upon Gaveston and the King for it punished himselfe with want Gaveston called home from banishment and the King for it punished with the losse of his Subjects love It remaines to see how
beheaded he was the same day without the Towne of Pomfret before his owne Castle To speake of the Miracles said to be done by him after his death might be fit for a Legend but not for a Chronicle and therefore I omit them By the like judgement were condemned the Lord Cliffordâ— the Lord Warren Lisle the Lord William Tuchet Thomas Maudit Henry Bradburne Williâ—m Fits-Williams William Lord Cheyney Thomas Lord Mâ—wbray Ioceline Lord Danill all which were executed at Yorke Shortly after the Lord Henry Teyes is taken drawne hanged and quarterâ—d at London the Lord Aldenham at Windsor the Lords Baddlesmere and Ashburton at Canterbury at Cardiffe in Wales Sir William Flemming at Bristow Siâ— Henry Womington and Sir Henry Montford Bannerets at Glocester the Lord Cliffordâ— and Sir William Elminbridge principall men in principall places to spread the more â—eâ—rour over the kingdome all their estates and inheritances are confiscated and â—â—ny new men advanced by the same And this is the first bloud of Nobility that ever was shed in this manner in England since William the Conquerour But not long after the King in a calmer humour beganne to have a sense oâ— the Earle of Lancasters execution which he discovered upon this occasion some â—bouâ— him making earnest suite for a Pardon to one of the Earles followers and preâ—â—â—ng the King hard to it he fell into a great pâ—ssion exclâ—iming â—gâ—inst them as unjusâ— and wicked Counsellours who would urge him to save the life of a notorious Vâ—â—let and would not speake one word for his neare kinsman the Earle of Lancasteâ— who said he had he lived might have beene useâ—ull to me and the whole kingdome but this fellow the longer he lives the more mischiefe he will doe and therefore by the soule of God he should die the death he had deserved Sir Andrew Harkeley who was the man that tooke the Earle of Lancaster prisoner being advanced for his service to the Earledome of Carlile enjoyed his honour but a while for the next yeare after either thrust out into discontent by the Spensers envying his high preferment or combining with the Scots upon hope of a great match as he was accused he is degraded of all his honours drawne hanged and quartered at Londâ—n for Treason But now the King of France summons King Edward to come and doe his homage for Gascoyne and he not comming all his Territories in France are adjudged to be forfeited and many places of importance are seiâ—ed on by the French Hereupon a Parliament is called and it is by common consent of all agreed that the King should not goe in person himselfe in regard of the distraction of the times but should send some speciall man to excuse his appearance whereupon Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings brother is sent but to little effect Then it is thought fit the Queene should goe and indeed the Queene went but what was the cause of her going there is amongst Writers great variance some say she was sent by the King to accommodate this businesse which she negotiated so well as that all quarrels were ended upon condition the King should give to his sonne Edward the Dutchie of Aquitaine with the Earledome of Ponthieu and send him over to doe his homage for them which after many consultationsâ— the King is wrought to yeeld unto and the Prince is sent with the Bishop of Exeter and others to the Court of France accordingly but others sayâ— she went out of discontent to complaine to her brother the King of France for wrongs offered her by the Spensers who had so alienated the Kings minde from her that he would scarce come where she was nor allow her fit maintenance for her calling But whatsoever was the cause of her goingâ— there appeared no cause of her staying but that she had gotten into her company Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmâ—re a gallant young Gentlemanâ— whom she specially favoured lately escaped out of the Tower of London by giving his keepers as was said a sleeping drinke And withall the Bishop of Exeter perceiving some plots to be in hand and their close consultations made without him withdrawes himselfe secretly and discovers to the King what he observed in their courses Whereupon the King sends presently for the Quâ— and Prince and solicits the King of France to hasten their return which when he saw was neglected and delaied he caused them openly to be proclaimed enemies to the kingdome banished them and all their adherents out of the Land and withall causeth all the Ports to be strongly kept and sends three Admirals to attend in severall Coasts to hinder their landing It was not without suspition that as the King for love of the Spensers had his minde alienated from loving the Queen so the Queen for love of Mâ—rtimer had her minde alienated from loving the King and therefore having him with her câ—red not how long she staied However it was when the Queene heard of the Kings Proclamation she knew there was no returning for her into England without some good assistance whereupon soliciting her brother the King of France he aided her with men and money say some but others that he refusing to aide her as being wrought under hand by the Spensers against her she left the French Court and went into Heynault to the Earle of that Countrey who upon a contract betweene her sonne Prince Edward and Philippa the Earles daughterâ—â—ided her with a competent Army under the conduct of his brotheâ— Iohn and with them and her beloved Mortimer she tooke shipping and landed at Orwell a Port neare unto Harwich in Suffolke where presently came to her the Earle Marshall Henry Earle of Leycester and Henry Earle of Lancaster with the wry neck called Tâ—rtcâ—ll with many other Lords and Bishops The King at this time being at London and hearing of the Queenes landing with such forces and chiefely how all the Realme ranne flocking to her was â—uddenly strucken into a great amazement and though he had his great Counsellours the Spensers about him yet now he found what little good thâ—ir counsel could do him and indeed in this case what should he or what could he do To stay in London was apparent danger for he plainely saw the Londâ—ners to be more inclining to take the Queenes part then his and to goe from London to any other place was as unsafe all places being possest eitheâ— with certaine Enemies or uncertaine Friendsâ— at last the Isle of Lundy is thought of a place plentifull of provisionâ— abounding with Conies Fish and Fowle and the Island of hard accesse as having but one place in it where it could be entred and that so narrow that a few might easily keepe out many upon this place he resolvesâ— and taking with him the Earle of Glocester the Spensers and Robert â—aldâ—cke with some feâ— others he â—akes shipping but by contrary windes is driven backe and raine through Tempests to land in Wales and there in the Abbey of
himselfeâ— and first marching through 〈◊〉 where he takes in many Townes he plants his siâ—ge afterward before 〈◊〉 but having spent there sixe or seven weekes without effecting any thing he â—asseth thence and takes in the Cities of Sens Nevers the Dutchy of Bâ—rgoyne redeemes it self from spoil with paying two hundred thousand Floâ—ens of gold then he marcheth up to â—aris and plants his Camp within two small Leagues of the Towâ—â— where â—e honoured 400. Esquires and Gentlemen with the Order of knighthood but when Sir Walter de Manny had made a Bravado before the Gates of the City and the King saw that the Daulphin would by no provocations be drawne out to battell he raiseth his siege and returnes into Briâ—aine to refresh his Army from thence he marcheth towards Charâ—res with a purpose to besiege that City and though great offers were made him by the French and Commissioners from the Pope solicited him with all earnestnesse to accept them yet neither they nor the Duke of Lancasters perswasions could prevaile with him till a terrible â—torme of haile with thunder and lightning fell upon his Army which so terrified him being a warning as it were from Heauen that he presently vowed to make Peace with the French King upon any reasonable conditions as shortly after he did at a Treaty of Britigny neare to Chartres upon these Articles that the Fiefs of Thouars and Belleville the Dutchy of Guyenne comprising Gascoyne Poictou Sanâ—ogne Limoâ—sin Perigort Quercie Rhodes Angoulesme and Rochell together with the Counties of Guysnes and Callice and some other places with the Homages of the Lords within those Territories should be to the King of England who besides was to have three Millions of crownes of goldâ— whereof sixe hundred thousand in hand foure hundred thousand the yeaâ—e following and the rest in two yeares after and for this the King of England and his sonne the Prince of Wales for them and their successours for ever should renounce all their right pretended to the Câ—owne of France the Dutchy of Normandy the Countries of Touraine Anjou Mayne the Homage and Soveraignty of Britaine and the Earledome of Flanders and within three weekes King Iohn to be rendred at Callice at the charge of the King of England except the expenses of his house For assurance of which accord should be given into his hand five and twenty of the greatest Dukes and Lords of France for Hostages The Scots not to be aided by the French King nor the Flemmings by the English This accord and finall Peace signed by both Kings was ratified by their two eldest sonnes Edward and Charles and sworne unto by the Nobility of both kingdomes The Hostages are delivered to King Edward who brought them into England and thereupon King Iohn is honourably conducted to Callice after he had remained prisoner in England neare about five yeares but being come to Callice he was detained there above three moneths till the money which he was to pay in hand could be provided and for providing the rest he was put to hard shifts being faine to give the Iewes leave to dwell in France for twenty yeares paying twelve Florins a man at the entry and sixe every yeare after At this time the Prince by dispensation marries the Countesse of Kent daughter to Edmund brother to Edward the second and his Father investing him with the Dutchy of Aquitaine he was now Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitaine Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester and Kent and not long after with the Princesse his wife he passeth over into France and keepes his Court at Burdeaux This was now the yeare 1362. and the fiftieth yeare of King Edwards age wherein for a Iubilee he shewes himselfe extraordinarily gracious to his peoplâ— freely pardoning many offences relesing prisoners revoking exiles with many other expressions of his love and bounty The yeare following was famous for three Kings comming into England Iohn King of France Peter King of Cyprus and Dâ—vid King of Scots The King of Cyprus came to solicite King Edward to joyne with other Princes in the Holy Warre but receives onely royall entertainment and excuses The King of Scots came for businesse and visitation but why the King of France came is not so certaine whether it were about taking order for his Hostages or to satisfie King Edward for breach of some Articles or else for love to the Countesse of Salisbury or perhaps out of a desire to let England see his Majesty being at liberty which had beene darkened before by the cloud of captivity but whatsoever the cause of his comming was the cause of his staying at least of longer staying then he meant was a mortall sicknesse whereof having lien all the Winter at the Savoy in March or Aprill following he died and his body convaied over into France was buried at Saint Donis with his Ancestours The Prince of Wales was now growne famous all the Christian world over and the man to whom all wronged Princes seemed to appeale and to flie for succour for which end there came at this time to his Court Iames King of Majorque and happened to come at a time when the Princesse lay in and thereupon he and Richard King of Navarre were taken to be Godfathers to his sonne Richard For the like assistance also there came at the same time to him Peter King of Castile driven out of his kingdome by the French in favour to Peter King of Aragon and Prince Edward partly out of charity to succour a distressed Prince and partly out of policy to keepe his Souldiers in exercise undertakes the enterprise and was so prosperous in it that with one battell having but thirty thousand against a hundred thousand hee put King Peter in possession of his kingdome though he was ill rewarded for his labour for the ungratefull King would not so much as pay his Souldiers An unfortunate journey for the Prince for though he came back with victory yet he brought backe with him such an indisposition of body that he was never throughly well after not perhaps by poyson nor given him by his brother the Duke of Lancaster though both were suspected but there were causes of distempering him enough besides the Countrey the season the action it selfe and it may be more marvelled that his Souldiers came home so well then that he came so ill but howsoever being now returned there was presently to his indisposition of body added discontentment of minde for not having meanes to pay his Souldiers which forced him to winke at that which he could not chuse but see and seeing grieve at how they preyed upon the Countrey and thereupon how the Countrey murmured against him and now to stop this murmuring his Chancellour the Bishop of Rhodes devised a new Imposition of leavying a Frank for every Chimney and this to continue for five yeares to pay the Princes debts but this Imposition made the murmuring the more for though some part of his Dominions
his foure and thirtieth yeare of the King of France three millions of crownes of Gold In his twelveth yeare he had taken from the Priors Aliens their houses lands and tenements for the maintenance of his French warres which he kept twenty yeares in his 〈◊〉 and then restored them againe In his six and thirtieth year was greater twenty sixe shillings eight pence for transportation of every sacke of Wooll for three yeareâ— In the five and fortieth yeare of his Raigne in a Parliament at Westminster the â—lergy granted him fifty thousand pounds to be paid the same yeare and the Laiâ—y as much which was levâ—ed by setting a certaine rate of five pounds fifteene shillings upon every Parish which were found in the 37â— Shires to be eight thousand and sixe hundred and so came in the whole to fifty thousand one hundred eighty one pounds and eight pence but the 181. li. was abated to the Shires of Suffolkâ— and Devonshire in regard of their poverty In his eight and fortieth yeare in a Parliament is granted him a tenth of the Clergy a fifteenth of the Laity In his fiftiâ—h year a Subsidy of a new nature was demanded by the young Prince Richard whom being buâ— eleven years of age the Duke of Lancaster had brought into the Parliament of purpose to make the demand to have two tenths to be paid in one yeare or twelve pence in the pound of all Merchandises sold for one yeare and one pound of silver for every knights Fee and of every Fire-house one penny but instead of this Subsidy after much altercation there was granted another of as new a nature as this that every person man and woman within the kingdome above the age of foureteene yeares should pay foure pence those who lived of Almes onely excepted the Clergy to pay twelve pence of every Parson Beneficed and of all other religious persons foure pence a mighty aide and such as was never granted to any King of England before Of his Lawes and Ordinances HE instituted the Order of the Garter upon what cause is not certaine the common opinion is that a Garter of his owne queene or as some say of the Lady Ioane Countesse of Salisbury slipping off in a Dance King Edward stooped and tooke it up whereat some of his Lords that were present smiling as at an amorous action he seriously said it should not be long ere Soveraigne honour should be done to that Garter whereupon he afterward added the French Morto Honi soit qui maly pense therein checking his Lords sinister suspition Some conjecture that he instituted the Order of the Garter for that in a battell wherein he was victorious he had given the word Garter for the word or signe and some againe are of opinion that the institution of this Order is more ancient and begunne by King Richard the first but that this King Edward adorned it and brought it into splendour The number of the knights of this Order is twenty sixe whereof the King himselfe is alwayes one and president and their Feast yearely celebrated at Windsor on Saint Georges day the Tutelar Saint of that Order The lawes of the Order are many whereof there is a booke of purpose In the five and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne he was earnestly Petitioned by a Parliament then holen that the great Charter of Liberties and the Charter of Forests might be duly observed and that the great Officers of the kingdome should as in former times be elected by Parliament to which Petition though the King at first stood stiffe upon his owne Election and Prerogative yet at last in regard to have his present turne served as himselfe after confessed he yeelded that such Officers should receive an Oath in Parliament to doe justice to all men in their Offices and thereupon a Statute was made and confirmed with the Kings Seale both for that and many other Grants of his to his Subjectsâ— which notwithstanding were for the most part shortly after revoked This King also causeth all Pleas 〈◊〉 were before in Frenâ—h to be made in English that the Subject might understand the course of the Law Also in his time an Act was passed for Purveyours that nothing should be taken up but for ready money upon strict punishment In the next Parliâ—ment holden the seven and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne certaine Sâ—mpâ—uary Lawes were ordained both for apparell and diet appointing every degree of men the stuffe and habits they should weare prohibiting the weaâ—ing of gold and silver silkes and rich furres to all buâ— eminent persons The labâ—â—rer and husbandman 〈◊〉 â—ppointed but one 〈◊〉 dayâ— and what meates he should 〈◊〉 Also in his time at the instance of the Loâ—â—onersâ— an Act was made that no common Whore should weaâ—e any Hood except striped with divers colours nor Furres but Garments reversed the wrong side outward This King also was the first that created Dukesâ— of whom Henry of Bâ—llingbrâ—oke 〈◊〉 of Lancaster created Duke of Lancaster in the seven and twentieth yeare of his Raigneâ— was the first But afterward he erected Cornwall also into a Dutchy and conferred it upon the Prince after which time the Kings eldest sonne used alwayes to be Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester This King altered monies and abated them in weight yet made them to passe according to the former value Before his time there were no other peeces but Nobles and halfe Nobles with the small peeces of Silver called Sterlings but â—â—w Groats of foure pence and halfe Groats of two pence equivalent to the Sterling money are coyned which inhaunsed the prises of things that rise or fâ—ll according to the plenty or scarcity of coyne which made Servants and Labourers to râ—ise their wages accordingly Whereupon a Statute was made in the Parliament now held at Westminster to reduce the same to the former rate Also an Act was made in this Kings time that all Weares Mils and other stoppages of Rivers hindering the passage of Boats Lighters and other Vessels should be removed which though it were most commodious to the kingdome yet it tooke little effect by reason of bribing and corrupting Lords and great men who regarded more their owne private then the publike benefit In a Parliament holden the tenth yeare of his Raigne it was enacted that no Wooll growing within the Realme should be transported but that it should be made in Cloath in Peter-pence are forbidden by the King to be paid any more to Rome The câ—stome of washing poore mens feete on Maundy-Thursday thought to have beene first brought in by this King Affaires of the Church in his time KING Edward upon some displeasure had imprisoned divers Clergy men whereupon Iohn Stratford Arch-bishop of Canterbury writes him a Letter charging him with violation of the Rights of the Church and with the breach of Magna Charta and after much good counsell given him threatens that if he amend not these disorders he must and
Anne married first to Edmund Earle of Stafford by whom she had Humphrey Duke of Buckingham secondly to William Bourchier Earle of Ewe by whom she had Henry Earle of Essex and Ioane married to Gylbert Lord Talbot and hâ—d issue by him a daughter who died young Of King Edwards daughters the eldest named Isabell was married at Windsor to Ingelram of Guysnes Lord of Coâ—cy Earle of Soysons and after Arch-duke of Austria created also by King Edward Earle of Bedford by whom she was mother of two daughters Mary married to Henry Duke of Barre and Philip married to Robert de Vere Earle of Oxford Duke of Ireland and Marquesse of Dublyn This Robert in the height of his fortunes forsooke his Lady Philip and married one Lancerona a Joyners daâ—ghter as was said which came with King Richard the seconds wife ouâ— of Bohemia and being for abusing the Kings eare driven out of the Land by the Lords he died at London in extreame poverty in the yeare 1392. Isabell his wives mother was buried in the Church of Friers Minorites neare Aldgate in London King Edwards second daughter Ioane was married by Proxie to Alphonsus King of Castile and Leonâ— but passing into Spaine died by the way and King Alphonsus met her instead of consummating his Espousall to solemnise her Funerall His third daughter Blanch died young His fourth named Mary was married to Iohn Montford Duke of Britaine His youngest named Margaret borne in Callice was the first wife of Iohn de Hastings Earle of Pembroke but died without issue Of his Personage and Conditions HE was of stature indifferent tall of sparkling eyes of a comely and manly countenance in his later time something bald and concerning his conditions no man was more gentle where there was submission where opposition no man more sterne He was a Prince no lesse of his passions then of his people for he was never so loving as to be fond nor ever so angry as to be inexorable but this must be understood of the time while he was a man for in his old age when he came to be a childe againe he was Prince of neither He was no lesse fortunate then valiant and his fortunatenes was the greater by a kind of Antiperistatis as comming betweene two unfortunate Princes Successour to one and Predecessour to another He was of so warlike a disposition that his very sports were warlike for no delights were so frequent with him as Justs and Tournaments To shew his devotion one example may be sufficient for when neither Cardinals nor Counsellours could move him to make peace with France a tempest from Heaven did it to which may be added that he never wanne great battell of which he wanne many but he presently gave the glory of it to God by publike Thanksgiving He out-lived the best wife and the best sonne that ever King had and to say the truth he out-lived the best of himselfe for his later years were not answerable to his former Of his Death and Buriall KING Edward besides his being old and worne with the labours of warre had other causes that hastened his end his griefe for the losse of so worthy a sonne dead but tenne moneths before his griefe for the losse of all benefit of his conquests in France of all which he had little now left but onely Callice and oppressed thus in body and minde he was drawing his last breath when his Concubine Alice Pierce packing away what she could catch even to the Rings of his fingers left him and by her example other of his attendants seaâ—sing on what they could come by shift away and all his Counsellours and others forsooke him when he most needed them leaving his Chamber quite empty which a poore Priest in the house seeing he approaches to the Kings Bed-side and finding him yet breathing cals upon him to remember his Saviour and to aske mercie for his offences which none about him before would doe but now moved by the voyce of this Priest he shewes all signes of contrition and at his last breath expresses the name of Jesus Thus died this victorious King at his Manor at Sheene now Richmond the one and twentieth day of Iune in the yeare 1377. in the sixty fourth yeare of his age having Raigned fifty yeares foure moneths and odde dayes His body was conveyed from Sheene by his foure sonnes and other Lords and solemnly interred within Westminster Church where he hath his Monument and whereit is said the sword he used in battell is yet to be seene being eight pound in weight and seven foote in length Of Men of Note in his time MArtiall men were never more plentifull then in this Kings Raigne whetâ—â—r it were that the Starres have an influence to produce such men at one time more then another or whether it were that Regis ad exemplâ—â— the Kings example made his subjects like himselfe or lastly that his continuall exercise of Armes put them as it were into a mould of fortitude The first of this kinde is worthily Edward the Blacke Prince and so worthily the first that Longe erit â— primo quisque secundus erit Next him is Henry Earle of Lancaster the Princes right hand in all his great atâ—â—â—evements then William the valiant Earle of Salisbury then Iohn Eure Ancestor to 〈◊〉 Lord Eures that now liveth then follow the Lord Iohn Chandos Sir Iames Audeâ—â— Sir Walter de Manny Sir Robert Knolls then Sir Iohn Hawkewood born in Essex who â—â—ough not much honoured at home having been a Taylour yet in forrain parts and â—â—ecially in Italy so famous that his Statue was erected in publike for a Monument 〈◊〉 testifie his valour to posterity And here must not be forgotten Venileâ—night â—night a Norfolke man who when the Scots and English were ready to give battell â— certaine stout Champion of great stature commonly called Tournboll comming 〈◊〉 of the Scots Army and challenging any English man to meete him in a single combate this Robert Venile accepteth the challenge and marching towards the Champion and meeting by the way a certaine blacke Mastiffe Dogge which waiâ—ed on the Champion he suddenly with his sword cut him off at the loynes and afterwards did more to the Champion himselfe cutting his head from off his shoulders And as there was this great plenty of Martiall men so there was no lesse plenty of learned men Iohn Baconthorpe borne in Norfolke a Carmelite Frier who wrote divers excellent Treatises in Divinity Nicholas Trivet born also in Norfolk a black Frier who wrote two Histories and a book of Annals Richard Stradley born in the Marches of Wales a Monk and a Divine who wrote divers excellent Treatises of the Scriptures William Herbert a Welshman and a Frier Minor who wrote many good Treatises in Divinity Tho. Walleis a Dominican Frier and a writer of many excellent books Iohn Eversden a Monk of Bury in Suffolk an Historiographer Walter Burley a Doctor of Divinity brought up in Martin Colledge in
another It was thought fit to commit it to many and thereupon Iohn Duke of Lancaster Edmâ—â—d Earle of Cambridge the Kings Unkles with some other Lords and Bishops were joyned in Commission to manage the State and Guishard de Angoulesme appointed to be his Schoole-master And now the Kings Minority made forreigne Princes conceive that this would be a time of advantage for any that had quarrell to England which the French and Scots tooke presently hold of For the French came now and burnt the Town of Rye and soone after entring the Isle of Wight burnt divers Townes there and though they were repelled from the Castle by the valiant Sir Hugh Tyrrell Captaine thereof yet they constrained the men of the Isle to give them a thousand Markes to spare the residue of their houses and goods and departing thence they set on land where they saw advantage burning sundry Towns neere to the shoare as Portsmouth Dertmoâ—th and Plimmouth and then sayling towards Dover they burnt Hastings assaulted Winchelsey but being valiantly defended by the Abbot of Battell were forced to retire After this they landed not far from the Abby of Lewis at a place called Rottington where the Prior of Lewis with Sir Thomas Cheyny and Sir Iohn Fâ—llesly encountring them were overthrowne and taken Prisoners And no lesse then the French were the Scots also now busie for comming one morning by stealth they wonne the Castle of Barwick but shortly after upon knowledge thereof had they were driven out againe by the Earles of Northumberland and Nottingham and all the Scotâ— they found in it except Alexander Ramsey their Captaine put to the sword About Michaelmas a Parliament was held at Westminster wherein Alice Piercâ— the late Kings Concubine was banished the Realms and all her goods confiscate and two Tenths of the Clergie and two Fifteenths of the Temporalty were granted but so as that two Citizens of London William Walworth and Iohn Philpot should receive and keepe it to see it bestowed for defence of the Realme In this time Sir Hugh Calverley Deputy of Callis burnt six and twenty French ships in the Haven of Bulloigne and at the same time a great Navy is set out under the guiding of the Earle of Buckiâ—gham the Duke of Britaine the Lord Lâ—timer Sir Robert Knolls and others with a purpose to intercept the Spanish Fleet but through Tempest were twice driven back when in the mean time one Mercer a Scottish Pyrate came to Scâ—rborough tooke there divers ships and committed many outrages and no order being taken to repell him a Citizen of Lâ—â—doâ— nâ—med Iohn Philpot at his own charges set forth a Fleet and in his own person encountring them tooke the said Mercer and all his ships and returning home in stead of being rewarded for his service he was called in question for presuming to raise a Navy without advice of the Kings Councell but he gave â—uch reasons for that he had done that not onely he came off then wiâ—h credit but lives in reputation for it to this day Indeed Reasons of State though they may secretly be censured yet they must not openly be controlled for this were to bring Authority into contempt and in stead of Errors to bring in Confusion but yet when wrongs be offered that are publick every particular person seemes to have an interest in taking revenge and though it may be no manners not to stay the States leisure yet it can be no offence to doe their worke for them Many actions passed at this time with the French and Scots some prosperous and some adverse The Scots burne Roxborough this was adverse but the Earle of Northumberland entring Scotland with ten thousand men spoyleth the Lands of the Earle of March the chief Incendiary this was prosperous but when the Northern men would needs make a Road into Scotland and were encountred by the Scots and put to flight this was adverse Anon after Midsomer the Duke of Lancaster with the Earles of Buckingham Warwick Stafford and others of the Nobility with a strong Power toâ—ke the Sea and landing in Britaine besieged the Towne of Sâ— Malo but finding strong opposition is forced to raise his Siege and returne home this was adverse And now againe the Scots by night entred secretly into the Castle of Berwick and slew Sir Robert Baynton that was Constable there this also was adverse But when the Earle of Northumberland being advertised therâ—of came with a Power assauâ—ted the Castle and after two dayeâ— defence recovered it againe this was prosperous William Montacute Eâ—rle of Salisbury the Kings Lieutenant in Callis forrageth the Country round about and furnisheth Callis with Booties of French cattell Sir Hugh Calverley and Sir Thomas Percy made Admirallsâ— put to Seaâ— and take divers ships laden with merchandise and one shâ—p of warre Sir Iohn Hâ—â—leston Captaine of Chierbourg in France issuing forth assaults a Fortresse of the French which was the storehouse of their Provision and with much valour takes it these were prosperous But when Sir Iohn Clerke lying in Gaâ—rison in a Castle in Britaine where laâ— many Engâ—â—sh ships in the Haven â—ad â—heâ—e ships let upon by the French where though he shewed incredible valoâ—r in the action yet the ships were taken and himselfe slaine this was adverse Also in the third yeere of this Kings Reigne Sir Iohn Arundell Sir Hugh Calverley Sir Thomas Percie Sir William Elmham Sir Thomas Banister and many other Knights went to Sea with a purpose to passe over into Britaine but were so beaten back wâ—th Tempest that divers of their ships were â—ast away and Sir Iohn Arundell Sir Thomas Banister Sir Nicolas Trumpingâ—on Sir Thomas Dale and above a thousand others were all drowned onely Sir Thomas Percie Sir Hugh Calverley Sir William Elmham and certaine others escaped It may not be imperâ—inent to note here the sumptuousnesse of those times for this Sir Iohn Arundell was then said in his Furniture to have two and fifty new sutes of apparell of cloath of Gold and Tissue all lost at Sea This yeere also there being found inconvenience in having many Governors of the King and Kingdome it was by Parliament decreed Thâ—t the Lord Thomas Beauchampe Earle of Warwickâ— should himself alone hold the place of Protector About this time Sir Iohn Annesley Knight accused Thomas Katrington Esquire for betraying the Fortresse of St. Saviour to the French which Katrington denyingâ— at the suit of Annesly a solemne combat is permitted to be between them at which combat the King and all the great Lords were present the Esquire Katrington was a man of a mighty statuâ—e the Knight Annesley a little manâ— yet through the justnesse of his cause after a long fight the Knight prevailed and Katrington the day after the combat dyed In the beginning of the fourth yeere of this King Thomas of Woodstock Earle of Buckingham the Kings Unkle with divers Earles and Lords and an Army of seven or eight thousand was sent into France
evill practice should be used against them they were content to doe But when the Lords were ready to come at the day appointed they heard of an Ambush laid to intrap them at the Mewes and thereupon stayed so as they came not at the time appointed Whereupon the king asking why they came not according to their promise It was answered because hee kept not his promise there being an Ambush of a Thousand armed men laid to surpâ—ize them at the Mewes The king hearing this was astonied and swore he knew of no such thing and commanded presently the place should be searched but it was true an ambush was laid but not at the Mewes but in a place aâ—out Westminster where Sir Thomas Tryvet and Sir Nicholas Brember had assembled them This one action might have made the king sensible of his favorites abusing his authority but that where affection makes the construction all things are taken in a good sense or was it perhaps they had a VVarrant dormant to prosecute the kings ends without the kings knowledge Yet the Lords after this receiving a safe conduct from the king came to Westminster of whose comming when the king heard hee apparelled himselfe in his royall-Robes and with his Scepter in his hand came into the great Hall before whom the Lords upon their knees presented themselves the king bidding them welcome and taking each of them by the hand Then the lord Chancellor making a speech wherein he blamed them for raysing of Armes and requiring to know the cause they answered They had done it for the good of the King and kingdome and to take away the Traâ—tors about the King Upon this the king himself spake asking him whether they thought to compel him by strong hand have not I saith he sufficieÌ„t men to beat you down truly in this behalf I make no more account of you then of the basest skullion in my kytchin yet after these great words he lift up the Duke of Glocester who all this while was kneeling and commanded the rest also to rise and then led them courteously to his chamber where they sate and dranke together And finally it was concluded they should all meete againe as well these Lords as those they accused at the next Parliament which the king promised to call speedily and each party to receive there according to Justice and in the meane time all parties to be in the kings protection But when the Favorite Lords heard this they told the king plainly they neither durst nor would put themselves to the hazard of such a meeting and therfore the Duke of Ireland and the rest of that faction left the Court to bee out of the way But the king not enduring their absâ—nce appâ—lâ—ted Thomas Mollineux Constable of â—he castle of Chester to rayse an Army and to safe-conduct the duke of Ireland to him But â—â—ey being come as far as Radcoat-bridge were encounâ—red by the Earle of Darby and the Duke of Ireland not dâ—ring to joyne battell with him fled and being to passe a River cast away his gantlets and sword to bee the more nimble and giving his horse the spur leapt into the river and so escaped that when these things were afterwards found it was verily thought hee had been drowned till news came he was got into Holland where being no very welcome guest hee went from thence into the Bishoprick of Vtricht and after two or three yeeres scambling about in manner of a fugitive at Lovaine in Brabant he ended his life A man of many good parts and worthy enough of his Princes favor if with that favor he had not grown proud and in that pride injurious and insulting over others no lesse deserving then himselfe Hee was valiant enough against any man but the Earle of Dâ—rby and of him indeede both the Genius of the Duke of Ireland and of King Richard himselfe seemed to stand in feare for neither of them durst meet him in the field though encouraged to it by those about them About this time the Duke of Suffolke doubting some plots laid to surprize him fled over to Câ—llis in disguise shaving his beard and counterfeiting himselfe a Poulterer to sell certain foule which hee had gotten but being come to Callis was by the Lord William Beauchampe Deputy of the Town sent back into England whom the King notwithstanding permited to goe at large to make it be thought hee was more afraid then hurt more suspicious then he needed By this time the Lords hâ—d gotten matter enough against the King at least to justifie their Armes and thereupon with an Army of forty thousand men they came to London where after some debate they were received and then the Duke of Gloucester the Earles of Darby and Nottingham went to the King in the Tower to whom after humble salutations they shewed the Letter which he had written to the Duke of Ireland to levy an Army for their destruction likewise the Letters which the French King had written to him conteining a safe conduct for him to come into France there to doe Acts to his own dishonor and the kingdoms This done upon the Kings promise that he would come the next day to Westminster to treate further of these matters the Lords departed only the Earles of Nottingham and Darby at the Kings instance stayed all night but before the King went to bed his minde was cleane altered for keeping his promise to meete the Lords the next day at Westminster which the Lords understanding they sent peremptorily to him that if he came not according to his promise they would choose another king that should hearken to the faithfull Counsell of his Lords This touched the king so to the quick that the next morning he went and met the Lords who there declared to him how much it concerned the good of the kingdome that those Traitours so often spoken of should be removed from the Court To which the king though much against his will yet at last condiscended And thereupon presently Alexander Nevil Archbishop of York and Thomas Rushoke Bishop of Chichester and Confessour to the king were expelled the Court who not willing to come to after-reckonings fled no man knew whither They expelled also Iohn Fourdham Bishop of Durham Lord Treasurer the Lord Zouch of Haringworth the Lord Burvell the Lord Beaumont Albery de Veere Baldwin de Bereford Richard Adderbury Iohn Worth Thomas Clifford and Iohn Lovel knights but constreined to put in Sureties to appeare at the next Parliament Also certaine Ladies were expelled the Court as the Lady Poynings the Lady Mouling and others bound to appeare at the next Parliament There were also arrested and committed to severall Prisons Sir Symon Burley William Elmham Iohn Beauchamp Steward of the kings house Sir Iohn Salisbery Sir Thomas Trivet Sir Iames Berneys Sir Nicolas Dagworth and Sir Nicolas Brember knights Also Richard Clifford Iohn Lincolne Richard Mitford the kings Chaplains Nicolas Sclake Deane of the kings Chappell and Iohn
Beauchamp Earle of Warwick was brought forth and charged with the like Treasons but by the intercession of the Duke of Lancaster and other Lords after confession of his fault was only confin'd into the Isle of Man Likewise the lord Cobhaâ— and Sir Iohn Cheyny were onely banished or as Fabian saith condemned to perpetuall Prison The Parliament after this was held at Shewsbery where for the love the king bore to the Gentlemen and Commons of the Shiâ—e of Chester he caused it to be Ordained that from thenceforth it should be called and known by the name of the Principality of Chester and herewith intitled himselfe Prince of Châ—ster At this Parliament also called the Great Parliament He created five Dukes and â— Dutchesse one Marquesse and foure Earles The Earle of Darby was created Duke of Hereford the Earle of Nottingham Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Râ—tlandâ— Dâ—ke of Aâ—bemarle the Earle of Kent Duke of Surrey the Earle of 〈◊〉 Duke of Exceter and the Lady Margaret Marshall Countesse of Norfolke was created Dutchesse of Norfolke The Earle of Somerset was created Marquesse Dorseâ— the Lord Spenser was made Earle of Glocester the Lord Nevill Earle of Westâ—erlâ—â—d the Lord Scrâ—â—pe Earle of Wiltshire and the Lord Thomas Percy L. Steward of the kingâ— house was made Earle of Worcester and for the better maintenance of their esâ—â—teâ— he divided amongst them a great part of those lands that belonged to the Duke of Glocester the Earles of Aruâ—dell and Warwick Also in this Parliament the Judges gave their opinions That when Articles are propounded by the king to be handled in Parliament if other Articles be handled before those be first determined that it is Treason in them that doe it And in this Parliament the king brought it so â—bout that he obtained the whole power of the Parliament to be conferred upon cerâ—taine persons namely Iohn Duke of Lancaster Edmund Duke of Yorke Edmâ—â—â— Duke of Aâ—merle Thomas Duke of Surrey Iohn Duke of Exceter Iohn Marqueâ—â—e Dorset Roger Earle of March Iohn Earle of Salisbury and divers others or to any seven or eight of them and these by virtue of this Grant proceeded to conclude upon many things which concerned generally the knowledge of the whole Parliament to the great prejudice of the State and a dangerous example in time to come A Generall Pardon was also granted for all offences to all the Kings subjects but only to Fifty whose names he would not expresse but reserved them to his own knowledge that when any of the Nobility offended him he might at his pleasure name him to be one of the number excepted and so keepe them still within his danger And for the more strengthening the Acts of this Parliament the King purchased the Popes Buls containing grievous censures and curses to them that should break them And now the heads of the opposite Faction having lost their heads and all things as well setled as could be desired the King was secure as thinking himselfe safe and he had indeed been safe if Time and Fortune were not Actours in Revenge as well as men or rather if a superiour Power did not interpose whose wayes are as secret as himselfe is invisible It now fell out though Wâ—iters differ what it was fell out for some write that Thomâ—s Mowbray accused the Duke of Hereford others that Henry Duke of Herefoâ—d accused Thomas Mowbrâ—y Duke of Norfolke for speaking words sounding highly to the Kings dishonour to which the Duke of Norfolk being called to answer charged the Duke of Hereford before the King that he lyed falsly Whereupon a Combat was agreed upon between them The King labored to make them friends but not prevailing he gave way to proceed in Combat and the place to be at Coventry where at the day and houre appointed the Duke of Hereford mounted on a white Couâ—seâ— bâ—rded with green â—nd blew Velvet imbroidered sumptuously with Swans and Antelops of Goldsmiths worke approached the Lists Of whom the Marshall being the Duke of Surry demanding who he was he answered I am Henry of Lâ—â—caster Duke of Hereford that am come hither to doe my endeavour against Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke as a Traitour untrue to God the King his Realme and me Then incontinently he swore upon the holy Evangelists that his quarrell was true and just and thereupon required to enter the Lists where in â— Chaire of green Velvet he sate downe and reposed himselfe Then came the Duke of Nâ—rfâ—lke his horse barded with Crimson velvet imbroidered richly with Lyons of Silver and Mulbery trees and when he had taken his oath before the Constable the Duke of Aâ—merle that his quarrell was just he entred the Lists and sate him down in his Chaire of Crimson velvet curtained about with white and red Damask Then the Marshall viewed their speares to see that they were of equall lengâ—h and then the Heralds proclaimed on the Kings behalfe they should mount on horsebâ—ck and addresse themselves to the Combat But when they were set forward and had their Speares in their Rests the King cast down his Warder and the Heralds cryed Stay Stay Then the king caused their Speares to be â—aken from them and deliberated with his Councell what was â—it to be done in so weighty a cause After two long houres it was at last concluded that Henry Duke of Hereford should within fifâ—â—en dayes depart out of the Realme and not returne before ten yeeres were expired upon paine of death And that Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke should likewise avoyd the Realme and never to returne into England upon the like paine It is observable that this Censure was passed against the Duke of Norfolke the very same day Twelve-moneth in which he had taken order to put the Duke of Glocester to death at Calliâ— whereof he was then Governour When these Judgements were once read the king called before him both the Dukes and made them sweare that the one should never come in place where the other was After this the Duke of Nâ—rfâ—olke went into Almâ—iâ—â— and from thence to Venice where after some time he dyed with sorrow The Duke of Hereford at the taking his leave of the king had foure yeeres of his Banishment released â—nd then went to Callis and from thence to â—aris where of the French king he was so kindly received that by his favour he had obtained in mariage the onely daughter of the Duke of Berry Unkle to the French king if King Richard by messengers had not hindered him It was a Custome in those dayes to punish the delinquencies of Great men by banishment out of the Realme a Custome not more grievous to the Subject then dangerous to the Prince for by this course they had meanes to worke so closely in their mines of Revenge that the Fabrick of a Kingdome was in danger to be blown up before their working could be perceived An example whereof was never more plainly seen then at this time in
came to him from thence he went to Ludlow and the next day to Shrewsbery and thither came to him Sir Leighâ—nd â—nd Sir Iohn Leigh and many other being sent from Chester to offer their service thither also came to him the Lord Scales and the Lord â—ardolphe forth of Ireland From Shrewsbery he went to Chester and from thence sent for his sonne and heire and likewise for the Duke of Glocesters sonne and heire whom K. Richard had left in custody in Ireland with all speed to come into England but the Duke of Glocesters son through misfortune perished at Sea or as some write dyed of the plague the sorrow whereof caused shortly after his mothers death After this the Duke sent the Earle of Northumberland to the king who upon safe-conduct comming to him declared that if it might please his Grace to undertake that there should be a Parliament assembled in which Justice might be had and herewith pardon the Duke of Lancaster of all things wherein he had offended the Duke would be ready to come to him on his knees and as an humble subject obey him in all dutifull services Yet upon this conference with the Earle some say the king required onely that himselfe and eight more whom he would name might have honorable allowance with the assurance of a private quiet life and that then he would resigne his Crown and that upon the Earles Oath that this should be performed the king agreed to goâ— with the Earle to meet the Duke but after foure miles riding coâ—ming to the place where they had laid an Ambush the King was enclosed and constrained to goe with â—he Earle to Rutland where they dined and from thence to Flint to bed The 〈◊〉 had very few of his friends about him but onely the Earle of Salisbury the â—ishop of Carlile the Lord Scroope Sir Nicolas Ferehye and Iames D'Arthois a Gasâ—â—â—gne who still wore a white Heart the Cognisance of his Master K. Richard and neither for Promises nor Threats would be drawne to leave it off The King being in the Castle of Flint and Duke Henry with his Army approaching neere the Towne the Archbishop of Canterbury with the Duke of Aumerle aâ—d the Earle of Worcester went before to the King whom the King spying from the walls where he stood went downe to meet and finding they did their due reverence to him on their knees he tooke them up and taking the Archbishop aside nâ—ked with him a good while and as it was reported the Archbishop willed him to be of good comfort for he should be assured not to have any hurt as touching his person After this the Duke of Lancaster came to the Castle himselfe all-armed and being within the first gate he there stayed till the King accompanied with the Bishâ—p of Carlile and Earle of Salisbury and Sir Stephen Scroope who bore the sword before him came forth and sate down in a place prepared for him As soone as theâ— Duke saw him he came towards him bowing his knee and comming forward did so the second time and the third till the king tooke him by the hand and lift him up saying Deere Cousin you are welcome The Duke humbly thanking him sâ—â—dâ— My Soveraigne Lord and king the cause of my comming at this present is your Honour saved to have restitution of my Person my Lands and Heritage Whereto the king answered Deere Cousin I am ready to accomplish your will so that you may enjoy all that is yours without exception After this comming forth of the Castle the king called for wine and after they had drunke they mouâ—â—ed on horse-back and rode to Chester the next day to Nantwych then to Newcâ—stle from thence to Stafford and then to Lichfield and there rested Sunday after that they rode forward and lodged first at Coventry then at Dayntree then at Nâ—râ—hâ—mpton next day at Dunstable then at S. Albans and so came to London In all which journy they suffered not the king to change his apparell but made him riâ—e still in one suit of raiment and that but a simple one though he in his time was â—xâ—â—eding sumptuous in apparell having one Coate which was valued at Thirty Thousand markes And in this â—ort he was brought the next way to Westminster and from thence the next day had to the Tower and committed to safe Custodie After this a Parliament was called by the Duke of Lancaster but in the name of â— Richard in which many heinous points of Misgovernment were laid to his charge and were ingrossed up in three and thirty Articles the chiefe whereof were these That he had wastefully spent the Treasure of the Realme That without Law or Iustice he had caused the Duke of Glocester and the Earle of Arundell to be put to death That he had borrowed great summes of money and given his Letters Patents to repay thesame and yet not one Penny ever paid That he had said The Laws of the Realme were in his head and in his breast by reason of which fantasticall opinion he destroyed Noble-men and impoverished the Commons That he changed Knights and Burgesses of the Parliament at his pleasure That most tyrannously he said that the lives and goods of all his subiects were in his hands and at his disposition That whereas divers Lords were by the Court of Parliament appointed to treat of matters concerning the state of the Kingdome they being busied about the same Commission â—e wâ—â—t about to appeach them of high Treason That by force and threats he enforced the Iudges of the Realme at Shrewsbery to condiscend to his way for the destruction of divers of the Lords That he caused his fathers own brother the Duke of Glocester without Law to be attached and sent to Callis and there without reason secretly murthered That notwithstanding the Earle of Arundell at his Arraignment pleaded his Charter of Pardon yet he could not be heard but was shamefully and suddenly put to death That he â—ssemblâ—d certaine Laâ—cashire and Câ—â—shire men to mâ—ke warre upon his Lordâ— and suffered them to rob and spoyle without prohibition That though he had made Proclamation that the Lords were not attached for any criâ—â— of Treason yet afteâ—ward in the Parliament he laid Treason to their charge That notwitâ—standing his Pardon granted to thâ—m he enforced divers of the Lords partakâ—rs to be againe intolerably Fined to their utter undoing That without the â—ssent of the Peeres he caried the Iewels and Plate of this Kingdomâ— into Ireland Upon these and some other Articles he was by Parliament adjudged to be deposed from all Kingly Honour and Princely Government And thereupon the King being advised by his owne servants rather voluntarily to resigne the Crowne then by compulsion to be forced to it on the Monday before the nine and â—â—entieth day of September in the yeere 1399. he made a solâ—mne Resignation befâ—re diverâ— Lords and others sent to him for that purpose and an Insâ—â—umeâ—t of hiâ— Râ—signation
and therâ—fore were to stand upon their Guard and provide the best they could for their safety To which purpose the first thing they did was to apparell Magdalen in Princely robes a man as like to king Richard in countenance and pesonage as one man lightly can be to another and to give forth that he was king Richard escaped out of Prison thereby to countenance their proceedings The next thing was to dispatch meâ—sengerâ— to the king of France and require his assistance This done they set forward in Battell-array towards Windsor against king Henry but finding him gone to London before they came they then deliberate what course to take Some advised to set K. Richard at liberty before their counterfeit Richard should be discovered Others â—hought best to follow the king to London and set upon him unprovided and befoâ—e he had gâ—thered Forces In this division of Advises when they could not doe both they did neither but as men amazed maâ—ched on though they knew not well whâ—ther till they came to Colbrooke by which time the king had gathered an Army of twenty thousand and was marching towards them but they not thinking so well of their câ—â—se that they durst put it to the tryall of a battell or perhaps staying for ayde out of France withdrew themselves back to Sunnings neere to Reading where the young Queen layâ— to whom their comming gave some flashes of comfort but quenched before they were throughly kindled and from thence they march to Cicester where the Duke of Surry and the Earle of Salisburyâ—oâ—ke â—oâ—ke up their lodging in one Inne the Duke of Exceter and the Earle of Glocester in anothâ—â— And now a strange Accident beyond the reach of all consultation gave a period to their Designe for who would thinke that a private company durst oppose those Lords having their Army so neere them yet the Bailiffe of the Towne upon intelligence no doubt that these Lords were up in Armeâ— against the King taking with him a company of Townsmen in the night assaulted the Inne where the Duke of Surry and the Earle of Salisâ—ury lay who thus assaulted made shift to defend themselveâ— till three a clock in the afternoone but then being in danger to be taken a Priest one of their company set divers houses in the Towne on fiâ—e thinking thereby to divert the Assailants from prosecuting the Lords to save their houses but this inflamed them the more and so hotly they pursued their asâ—ault that they wounded the Duke and the Earle to death who dying that night their heads were stricken off and sent up to London With them also were taken Sir Bennet Shelley Sir Barnard Brocas Sir Thomas Blunt and eight and twenty other Lords Knights and Gentlemen who were sent to Oxford where the King then lay and there were put to execution The Duke of Exceter in the other Inne hearing of this assault fled out of the backside towards the Campe intending to bring the whole Army to the rescueâ— but the souldiers having heard a clamour and seeing fire in the Towne supposing the King had been come with all his Forces out of a sodaine feare dispersed them selves and fled which the Duke seeing he also with Sir Iohn Shelley fled into Essex where wandring and lurking in secret places he was at last apprehended as he sate at supper in a friends house and led to Plashey and there shortly after beheaded the place where by his counsell and countenance the Duke of Glocester formerly had been apprehended that we may observe how the Divine Providence in revenging of injuries takes notice and makes use of the very circumstance of place where the injuries are â—one The Earle of Glocester fled towards Wales but was taken and beheaded at Bristow Magdalen the counterfeit king Richard was apprehended and brought to the Tower and afterward hanged and quartered with Mr. Fereby another of king Richards Chaplaines Divers other Lords and Knights and Gentlemen and a great number of meane persons were in other places put to death that so much Noble blood at one time and for one cause hath scarce been heard or read of The Abbot of Westminster in whose house the Plot was contrived hearing of these misfortunes as he was going between the Monastery and his Mansion fell suddenly into a Palsie and shortly after without speech ended his life About this time also a strange peece of Treason is reported to have been practised against the kings life that there was found in his bed-cloaths an Iron with three sharpe pikes standing upright that when the king should have layd him downe he might have thrust himselfe upon them But seeing there is no farther mention of inquiring after it it seemes to have been but an idle rumour not worth beleeving But now that the hot English blood was well allayed the Welch blood springs up as hot For now Owen Glendour an Esquire of Wales brought up at the Innes of Court in London partly out of a desire to revenge a wrong done him as he conceived in a suit for lands in controversie between the Lord Grey of Ruthin and him but chiefly out of an humour of aspiring endeavored to draw the Welchmen to a generall defection telling them That the English being at variance amongst themselves now was the time to shake off their yoake and to resume their owne antient Lawes and Customes To whose perswasions the Welchmen hearkening made him their king and Captaine and he having gotten a competent Army sets first upon his old Adversâ—ry â—eyâ—old Lord Grey of Ruthin and takes him Prisoner yet with promiâ—e of Releasement if he would marry his daughteâ— which offer though the Lord Grey at first not onely refused but scorned yet out of necessity at last he was contented to accept when notwithstanding his deceitfull father in Law trifled out the time of his enlargement till he dyed But the Welchmen growing confident upon this successe breake into the borders of Herefordshire making spoyle and prey of the Country as freely as if they had leave to doe it for indeed none opposed them but onely the Lord Edâ—â—nd Mortimer who had formerly withdrawne himselfe to his Castle at Wigmore anâ— he having assembled the Forces of the Country and joyning bâ—ttell with them was taken Prisoner and then fettered and cast into a deepe and vile Dungeon It was thought if Glendour had as well known how to use his victory as to get it he might at this time have put the English yoak into a great hazâ—rd to be shaken off but he having killed a thousand of the English thought he had done for that time and so giving over the pursuit retired The inhumanity of the Welsh women was here memorable who fell upon the dead carkasses of the English first stripping them and then cutting off their privie parts and noses whereof the oâ—e they thrust into their mouthes the other they pressed between their buttockâ— Many noble men specially his kinsmen the Percies sollicited King Henry
among them In this meane time king Henry not acquainted with this Conspiracy caused a Proclamation to bee made intimating that the Earle of March had voluntarily caused himself to bee taken prisoner to the end the Rebels having him in their custody might pretend some colour for their Conspiracy and therefore hee had small reason to take care for his deliverance Hereupon the Percies assisted with a company of Scots and drawing to their party the Earle of Stafford and Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke and many other purposed to joyne with the Captain of the Welch but first they framed certaine Articles against the king and sent them to him in writing That hee had falsified his Oath given at his landing swearing that he came but only to recover his Inheritance and would not meddle with the King or with the Crowne That most trayterously hee had taken Armes against his Soveraigne Lord Imprisoned him and then most barbarouusly caused him to be murthered That ever since the death of king â—ichard he had unjustly kept the Crown from his kinsman Edmund Mâ—rtimer Earl of March to whom of right it belonged That upon no occasion hee had imposed divers Taxes upon the people That by his Letters hee procured Burgesses and Knights of the Parliament to bee chosen for which causes and many other they defyed him and vowed his destruction and the restoring of the Earle of March to his right King Henry could not but know that all these Articles against him were true yet seeing the knowing it hindred him not from seeking to get the Crowne when hee had it not it could lesse hinder him from seeking to keep it now that he had it and if he were able being a private man to get it from a King he was likely to bee more able being now a king to keepe it from privatâ— men and as for any objections that Conscience could make he had enough to answere them all For if his Title were good against king Richard by his Resignation it was as good against Mortimer by his swearing Allegiance and upon these grounds with a minde as confident as if all cyrcumstances were of his side he raysed an Army and marched towards the Lords taking care they might by no meanes joyne with the Welch and about Shrewsbury on Saturday S. Mary Magdalens Eve hee encountred them in which fight though the Scots and Henry Hotspur shewed much valour yet the victory rested on the kings side Hotspur himselfe was slayne the Earle of Worcester was taken prisoner together with Sir Richard Vernon Sir Theobald Trussel the Baron of Kinderton and the rest fled On the kings part besides the Earle of Stafford who had that morning revolted from the Conspirators were slaine Sir Hugh Sherley Sir Cliftonâ— Sir Iohn Cockayn Sir Nicholas Gausell Sir Walter Blunt Sir Iohn Calverley Sir Iohn Massie of Puddingtrâ— Sir Hugh Mortimer and Sir Robert Gausell all which had beene but that morning dubbed knights with Sir Thomas Wendsley who died afterwards of his wounds of common Souldiers about sixteene hundred but of the Conspirators above six thousand whereof 36 the king slew with his own hand but was once unhorsed by Dowglasse who in his presence slew Sir Walter Blunt with divers others that day in all things attired like to the king for which exployt Dowglasse being after by the fall of his horse taken prisoner was by the kings command carefully attended and without Ransom set at liberty In this batttell the young Prince Henry though wounded in the face with an Arrow yet was not wounded in his courage but continued fighting still After this victory the king caused publique thanks to bee given to God and then caused the Earle of Worcester to bee beheaded and many others of that Rebellion to bee drawne hanged and quartered and their heads placed on London Bridge And then the king sent his sonne Henry Prince of Wales with his whole Army into that Country but before his comming Owen Glendour was abandoned by all his Company and lurking in the woods was there famished many of his associats were taken and put to death Whilest the Prince was in Wales Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland of his own accord came and submitted himselfe to the king protesting his innocency aâ— not being once acquainted with any intent of Treason and Rebellion whose excuse the king received for the present with gentle language the rather for that hee had the possession of Barwick Castle and other places of strength in his power but yet he wiped not off the score of his misdemeanors out of his minde And now with the fourth yeere of his Reigne ended all the great Troubles of this k. Henry the fourth those that follow are but such accidents as are frequent in all times both abroad and at home The Britans under the leading of the Lord of Castiles spoyled the Towne of Plimouth In revenge whereof the Western-men under the command of William Wilford set forth â— Fleete which arriving in Britaine tooke forty ships laden with Oyle and Wines and burnt forty more Againe the French landed a thousand men in the Wightâ— where they got together a great booty of Cattell but the Islanders comming upon them tooke away their booty and made many of them leave their Carkases for a booty to the â—sland Yet the French would not leave so but a while after as having gotten new spirits they cast Anchor before the Isle of Wight and require no lesse then to have the Island into their possession but a resolute answere of the Islanders frighted them away and made them glad they were gone Soone after this the Duke of Orleance brother to the French king in a vaunting stile sent a challenge to king Henry to meete him in the field each of them to have a hundred in his Company to which the king answered That for his own valour it had sufficiently been tryed and for this challenge of the Dukes neither the Person nor the Cause were worthy of his undertaking Upon this refusall of the kings divers taunts and jeeres were bandied beâ—weene them till at last the Duke in great passion falls upon Vergie a Towne in Guyen but after three moneths assaulting it being valiantly defended by Sir Robert Anâ—field and three hundred Englishmen he was glad to give over with losse and returne into France Presently upon this the Admirall of Britaine accompanied with the Lord du Castile and thirty saile of ships attempted to land at Dertmouth in Devonshire but were repelled and the Lord du Castile and two of his brothers and foure hundred of his men were slaine besides two hundred taken Prisoners of whom the Lord Baquevile Marshall of Britaine was one After this five hundred men of armes five hundred Crosse-bowes and a thousand Flemmings under the conduct of the Earle of S. Paul laid siege to the Castle of Marâ—k three leagues frâ—m Câ—llice but first by Sir Philip Hall Captaine of Callice and after by Sir Richard Aston
Lieutenant of the English pale they were forced to retire and flye The Earle of S. Paul escaped to S. Omers but left many of his men of quality behind him and more taken Prisoners After this Thomas Duke of Clarence the Kings second sonne and the Earle of Kent with competent Forces entred the Haven of Sluce where they burnt foure ships riding at anchour and then returned to the reliefe of Callis besieged at that time by the French and in the way tooke three Carricks of Gâ—noua richly laden and brought them into the Chamber of Rye And these were the troubles of this King abroad But now at home the Reliques of the former Northerne Rebellion began to revive for now Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke Thomas Mowbray Earle Marshall the Lords Hastings Fawconbridge and Bardolfe with divers others conspired at a time appointed to meet upon Yorkswould-Downes and there to bid defiance to king Henry Articles of Grievances were framed and set up in all publick places which drew multitudes to be partakers of the enterprize But now Ralph Nevill Earle of Westmeâ—land with the Lord Iohn the Kings third sonne the Lords Henry Fitz-Hughes Ralph Evers and Robert Vmphrevile make head against them and comming into a Plaine in the Forrests of Galltree they sate down right against the Archbishop and his Forces which were twenty thousand and Westmerland perceiving the Enemies forces to be farre more than theirs he used this policie he sent to the Archbishop demanding the reason why he would raise Forces against the king who answering that his Armes were not against the king but for his owne defence whom the king upon the instigation of Sycophants had threatned withall he sent him a scrowle of their grievances which Westmerland read and seemed to approve and thereupon desired a conference with him The Archbishop more credulous then wise perswaded the Earle Marshall to goe with him to the place appointed to conferre the Articles are read and allowed of and thereupon Westmerland seeming to commiserate the souldiersâ— having beene in armour all day and weary wished the Archbishop to acquaint his Party as he would his with this their mutuall agreement and so shaking hands in most Courtly friendship dranke unto him whereupon the souldiers were willed to disband and repaire home which they had no sooner done but a Troâ—p of horse which in a colourable manner had made a shew to depart wheeled about and afterwards returned and being come in â—ight the Earle of Westmerland arrested both the Arcbishop and the Earle Marshall and brought them both Prisoners to the king at Poâ—fret who passing from thence to York the Prisoners likewise were carried thither and the next day both of them beheaded At Durham the Lords Hastings and Fâ—wconbridge with two knights were executed Northumberland with the Lord Bardolfe fled first to Barwick and after into Scotland where they were entertained by David Lord Flemming whereupon the king gave summons to the Castle of Barwick which at first they refused to obey but upon the planting and discharging of a Piece they presently yeelded without composition and here William Greystock Henry Baynton and Iohn Blinkâ—nsop knights and five other were presently put to execution and many others committed to severall Prisons About this time Iames sonne and heire of Robert king of Scotland a childe of nine yeares old attended by the Earle of Orkney as he was sailing into France was taken by certaine Mariners of Norfolk who brought him to the King at Windsor the 30. of March 1408. and the King sent them to the Tower of London Northumberland and Bardolfe after they had been in Wales France and Flanders to raise a Power against King Henry returned back into Scotland and after a yeere with a great Power of Scots entred England and came into Yorkshire making great spoyle and waste as they passed but Sir Thomas Rokesby Sheriffe of Yorke levying the forces of the County upon Bramham-moore gave them battell in which Northumberland was slaine Bardolfe taken but wounded to death and the rest put to flight About this time also Sir Robert Vmphrevile Vice-admirall of England with ten men of warre entred Scotland burnt their Gallyâ—t and many other ships over against Lieth and brought away with him fourteen tall ships laden with corne and other staple commodities which at his returne he sent into the Markets round about and thereby brought down the prizes of all things and purchased to himselfe the name of Mend-market The Prince had been a Student In Queenes Colledge in Oxford under the tuition of his Unkle Henry Beaufort Chancellor of that University afterwards Bishop of Lincolâ—e and Winchester and lastly made a Cardinall by the title of Eusebius From Oxford the Prince was called to Court and the Lord Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester was made his Governour but comming afterward to be at his owne disposing whether being by nature valorous and not yet well stayed by time and experience oâ— whether incited by ill companions and emboldened by the opinion of his owne greatnesse he ranne into many courses so unworthy of a Prince that it was much doubted what he would prove when he came to be Prince Once it is said he lay in wait for the Receivers of his fathers Rents and in the person of a Thiefe set upon them and robbed them Another time when one of his companions was arraigned for felony before the Lord Chiefe Justice he went to the Kings Bench barre and offered to take the Prisoner away by force but being withstood by the Lord Chiefe Justice he stepped to him and struck him over the face whereat the Judge nothing abashed rose up and told him that he did not this affront to him but to the King his father in whose place he sate and therefore to make him know his fault he commanded him to be committed to the Fleete You would have wondred to see how calme the Prince was in his own cause who in the cause of his companion had been so violent for he quietly obeyed the Judges sentence and suffered himselfe to be led to Prison This passage was not a little pleasing to the King to thinke that he had a Judge of such courage and a Sonne of such submission but yet for these and such other pranks he removed him from being President of the Councell and placed in it his third sonne Iohn This made the Prince so sensible of his fathers displeasure that he thought it necessary to seek by al means to recover his â—ood opinion which he endeavored to doe by a way as strange as that by which he lost it for attiring himselfe in a garment of blew Sattin wrought all with Eylet-holes of black silke at every hole the needle hanging by which it was sowed and about his arme a thing in fashion of a hounds collar studded with SS of gold he came to the Court at Westminster to whom the King though not well in health caused himselfe in
Humiers Roy Câ—wnâ— â—â—â—court Noâ—ll Bonciqualt to the number in all of fifteen hundred On the English part were slaine Edward Duke of York and the Earle of Suffolk and not full six hundred in all but saith Câ—xtâ—n not above six and twenty in all and Pauluâ— Aemilius saith besides the two Lords onely two Knights and but ten private souldiers in all a Miracle rather then a Victory But not onely K. Henry was the death of the French Lords before-named in the field with his sword but of another great Prince at home with his Victory for Lewis the Dolphin eldest sonne of Châ—rles the sixth king of France presently upon it without any other cause apparent fell sick and dyed Yet king Heâ—ry to make his enemies the better contented with their overthrow and to take away the envy of his Victory at his returne into England with his Prisoners which was on the sixt of November following he presently gave straight order that no Ballad or Song should be made or sung more then of Thanksgiving to God for his happy Victory and safe Returne but without words of either disgracing the Freâ—ch or extolling the English At his entrance into London the City presented him with a thousand pounds and two Basons of Gold worth five hundred pounds more The bodies of the Duke of Yorke and the Earle of Suffolke were brought into England and the Dukes buried at Fodringhey in Northamptonshire the Earles at New-Elmâ— in Oxfordshire About this time the Emperour Sigismond Cosin-german to king Henry having been first in France came accompanid with the Archbishop of Rhemes Ambassador from the French king into England for whom there were thirty great ships sent from the King to waft him over but approaching to land at Dover the Duke of Glocester with a company of Gentlemen having their swords drawn sâ—ept up to the knees in water saying to him That if he came as the Kings friend he should be welcome but if as claiming any jurisdiction they would resist him whereupon the Emperour renounceth all Imperiall Authority and is thereupon admitted to land and received with as much honour as could be done him and afterward together with Albert Dâ—ke of Holland who was lately likewise arrived at Winchester is elected Companion of the Order of the Garter and saâ—e in their Cells at the solemnity of the Feast A principall cause of the Emperors comming was to mediate a Peace between England and France wherein he had brought king Henry to a good degree of inclination till newes came of the besieging of Harflew by the French and of the Earle of Armiâ—iacks setting upon the Duke of Exceter being Governour there and then he presently grew so averse from Peace that he would hearken no more to any Treaty of it Not that he misliked they should treat of Peace with their swords in their hands as all wise men would doe but that to treat of Peace and in the time of the Treaty to doâ— acts of Hostility was an affront to all honesty and not to be tolerated with any patience And now the Earle of Arminiack having set downe before the Towne the Vice-Admirall of France brought up the whole Navy of the French with intent whilst the Earle should assaile it by land to have entred the Towne by the waters side but of this purpose the valour and diligence of the Duke of Exceâ—er prevented them Aâ—â—oone as king Henry had intelligence hereof he would presently have gone himself but being disswaded by the Emperor he sent his brother the Duke of Bedford with the Earles of March Oxford Huntington Warwick Arundell Salisbury Deâ—â—â—shire and divers others with two hundred Saile to the rescue of Harflew who upon the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady came to the mouth of the River Seyne whereupon Norboâ— the French Admirall set forward and got the mouth of the Haven and here began a Fight which was resolutely maintained on both sides untill the English having sunke five hundred Vessels one and other of the French and taken three great Carricks of Genoua wonne the harbour and at last though with some opposition made by their Gallies relieved Harâ—lew and made the Earle of Arminiack glad to raise his Siege Upon the news hereof the Emperor desisted from mediating any further for Peace with France and entring into a League defensive and offensive with king Henry wherein onely the Pope was excepted on the 19 of October he departed towards Germany whom king Henry accompanied to Callis whither the Duke of Burgundy came to confirme the League concluded on before by the Earle of Warwick and him concerning Flanders and Arthois only In the meane time the French had hyred divers Carracks and other great ships of the Genoâ—aes and Italians which joyning with the french-fleete lay at the mouth of the River of Seyne under the command of Iaques Bastard of Bourbon to hinder all succors from comming to Harâ—lew but Iohn Earle of Huntington sonne to the Duke of Exeter beheaded at Cicester being sent to sâ—oure the coasts encountred with him and after a long fight tooke him Prisoner and three of his great Carricks with all the money for the halfe yeers pay of the fleete and sinking three other of his Carricks and dispersing the rest cleered the mouth of the River and then returned to the king at Southampton And now upon the twenty third of July in the â—ourth yeere of his Reigne the king himselfe with the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester the Earles of Huntington Warwick Devoâ—shire Salisbury Suffolke and Somerset the Lords Rosse Willoughby Fits-hugh Clynton Scroope Matrevers Bourchâ—er Ferrers of Groby Ferrers of Chartley Faâ—hope Grey of Codnor Sir Gilbert Vmphrevile Sir Gylbert Talbot and an Army consisting of twenty five thousand five hundred twenty eight fighting men besides a thousand Artificers and Pyoners tooke shipping at Portsmouth and upon the first of August landed in Normandy neere to the Castle of Tonque which hee presently besieged and upon the ninth of August had it yeelded to him at which time the Earle of Salisbury tooke the Castle of Albervilliers which the king gave him to him and his heires being the first land given by the king in France At the winning of Tonque the king made eight and twenty Knights and from thence marched with his Army to Caen where to prevent the Citizens from sallying out he cast up a Mount and then making many assaults but finding them to doe little good he caused his Pyoners to undermine the walls which being done upon the fourth of September he offered the Besieged their lives if they would submit which they refusing he thereupon made a shew of a generall assault whilst many of his men entred the City under the foundation of whom the Duke of Clarence with his Company was the first and they comming upon the backs of those that defended the walls easily overcame them and then the whole Army entred without resistance The next day the King caused
he had private conference with three other that came with him to whom at their departure he gave these instructions in writing You shall charge all Lombards and Merchant-strangers Genona's Venetians Florentines and others this day to draw themselves together and to ordaine for us the Captain twelve Harnesse compleat of the best fashion foure and twenty Brigandiâ—es twelve Battell-axes twelve Glaves sixe horses with saddle and bridle compleatly furnished and a thousand maâ—ks in ready money and if they shall faile herein we shall strike off the heads of as many as we can get But they failed not but sent him what he had demanded who thereupon the next morning being the third of Iuly returnes to London and presently sends to the Lord Scales to bring his Prisoner the Lord Say to the Guildhall whither he had called the Lord Major with his brethren before whom he caused the Lord Say to be arraigned who craving to be tryed by his Peeres was forthwith taken from his keeper caried to the Standard in Cheap and there had his head chopt off which being pitched upon a Pike was borne before him to Mile-end whither he went to have conference with the Rebels of Essex and by the way meeting with Sir Iames Cromer High-sheriffe of Kent who had lately maried the Lord Sayes daughter he caused his head also to be strucken off and caried likewise before him in deâ—ision The next morning he came againe to London where after publick execution done upon some of his fellowes and particularly upon a petty Capâ—aine of his named Paris that had done things contrary to his Proclamation upon a displeasure taken against Alderman Malpas he sent and seized upon all his wares and goods and fined Alderman Horne in five hundred marks whereupon the Citizens finding him to grow every day more insolent than other they send to the Lord Scales for assistance who sendeth Matthew Gough an old souldier to them with some forces and furnitures out of the Tower who presently make a stand at the Bridge where Cade notwithstanding forceth his passage and then began to set fire on houses where many aged and impotent people miserably perished Captaine Bough Alderman Sutton and Robert Hayson valiantly fighting were slaine yet upon a fresh supply the Londoners recovered the bridge againe and drove the Rebels beyond the Stoope in South-warke at which time both sides being weary agreed of a Truce till the next day After the Retreat Cade finding he had lost many of his best men was driven for supply to set at liberty all the Prisoners in Southwarke aswell Felons as Debtors when now his company entring into consideration of their danger and of the desperate services their Captaine had brought them to began to discover by their countenances their willingnesse to leave this course whereof the Archbishop of Canterbury having notice he with the Bishop of Winchester came from the Tower by water to Southwarke and there shewed the Kings Generall-Pardon under the Great Seal of England which was so welcome to the Rebells that without taking leave of their Captaine they withdrew themselves that night to their severall habitations Iack Cade with some few followers bent his journey to Quinborough Castle where being denyed entrance he disguised himselfe and privily fled but upon Proclamation with promise of a thousand markes to any that should bring him dead or alive he was afterward by one Alexander Eden Gentleman attached and making resistance in a Garden at Hothfield in Sussex was there slaine his body was brought to London beheaded and quartered his head set upon London bridge his quarters dispersed in divers places in Kent Upon the news whereof the King sends Commissioners into Kent to enquire of the abettours of this Rebellion whither he followeth himselfe in person and though five hundred were found guilty yet eight onely were executed Though London were the chiefe stage of this Rebelion yet other Countries were not free especially Wilâ—shire for the Rebels there upon the nine and twentieth day of June drew William Askot Bishop of Salisbury from the High Altar where he was saying Masse in Edington Church to the top of the hill and there in his Priestly roabes most inhumanely murthered him This Insurrection was not unknown to the King of France who taking advantage thereof seizeth upon all places which the English had in France leaving them nothing but only Callice and the Castles of Hames and Guisnes and this was the issue of the Duke of Somersets Regency in France whereupon comming into England at a Pâ—â—liament holden at Westminster the sixth of November in the nine and twentieth yeer of the Kings râ—igne he was put under Arrest upon notice whereof the Commons of London despoiled his house at Blackfriers and ceased not till Proclamation was made to inhibite them for disobeying whereof there was one man beheaded at the Standard in Cheape At this time the Duke of Yorke under pretence of comming to the Parliament comes out of Ireland and at London had private conference with Iohn Duke of Norfolk Richard Earle of Salisbury the Earle of Devonshire and other his assured friends where it was resolved to keep the chiefe purpose the claime to the Crown secret and onely to make shew that his endeavours were but to remove ill Counsellours from the King of whom they instanced in the Duke of Somerset as chiefe and hereof the Duke sent divers letters to the King complaining of the wrongs the Duke of Somerset had done him but withall making Protestation of his own loyalty To which the King maketh answer that he would take his complaints into consideration but somewhat blames him for the death of the Bishop of Chester by his means suspected to be slaughtered and for dangerous speeches uttered by his servants tending to Rebellion concluding that notwithstanding any thing said or done to the contrary he took and esteemed him a faithfull subject and a loving kinsman But the Duke of York not herewith satisfied departeth into Wales and there leviâ—â—h men making his colour for the good of the Common wealth and the reremoving of bad Counsellours The King advertised hereof presently raiseth an Army and with the Duke of Somerset now enlarged marcheth towards Wales while the Duke of Yorke having notice which way the King came by another way marcheth toward London but being told the Londoners would not admit him entrance he passed the river Thames at Knightbridge marched into Kent and encamped at Burnt-heath The King in his pursuite came to Blacke-heathe and there pitched his Tents from whence he sent the Bishops of Winchester and Ely the Lord Rivers and Richard Andrews Keeper of the Privy Seale to know the cause of this commotion and to make offer of reconcilement if the Dukes Demands were not unreasonable The Duke made Answer that nothing was intended against the Kings person his Crown or Dignity All that was sought was to remove ill Counsellours from about the King but especially Edmund Duke of Somerset
approaching neer the Queâ—ns Aâ—my he was certified by his scâ—uts that the Enemie farre exceeded his power both in number and in all warlike preparation he not having in his Army above five thousand men and thereupon the Earle of Salisbury advised him to retyâ—e and to attend the comming of the Earle of March who was gone into Wales to raise the March men but the pride of his former victory made him deale to all Counsell of declining the battell and so hastened on by his destiny from Sâ—ndâ—ll Castle he marched on to Wakefield greene where the Lord Clifford on the one side and the Earle of Wiltshire on the other were placed in ambuscado The Duke of Yorke supposing that the Duke of Somerset who led the battell had no more forces then what were with him undauntedly marcheth towards him but being entred within their danger the ambushes on both sides brake out upon him and slew him with three thousand of his men the rest fled the Earle of Salisbury is taken prisoner and harmlesse Rutland not above twelve yeers old who came thither but to see fashions is made a sacrifice for his Fathers transgression who kneeling upon his knees with tears begging life is unmercifully stabbed to the heart by the Lord Clifford in part of revenge as he swore of his Fathers death and the Queen most unwomanly in cold blood caused the Earle of Salisbury and as many as were taken prisoners to be beheaded at Pâ—mfret Castle and to have their heads placed on poles about the walls of Yorke Thus dyed Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke who had taken to wife Cicely daughter of Ralph Nevyll the first Earle of Westmerland by whom he had issue eight sonnes and foure daughters his eldest sonne Henry dyed young his second son Edward was afterward king of England his third Edmund Earle of Rutland was slaine with his fatherâ— Iohn Thomas and William died young his seventh sonne George was after Duke of Clarence his youngest sonne Richard sirnamed Crouchbâ—ck wâ—s after king of England Anne his eldest daughter was married to Henry Holland Duke of Exeter his second daughter Elizabeth was married to Iohn de la Pâ—ole Earle of Suffolk his third Margaret to Charles Duke of Burgoigne his fourth Vrsula dyed young This Duke being dead had his head crowned with a paper Crown together with many circumstances of disgracing him but this act of spight was fully afterwards recompensed upon their heads that did it The Earle of March hearing of his fathers death laboured now so much the more earnestly in that he laboured for himselfe and parting from Shrewsbury whose Inhabitants were most firme unto him he increased his army to the number of three and twenty thousand and presently took the field and having advertisment that Iasper Earle of Pembrooke with the Earle of Ormond and Wiltshire followed after him with a great power of Welsh and Irish he suddenly marcheth back againe and in a plaine neer Mortimers Crosse on Candlemas day in the morning gave them battell wherewith the slaughter of three thousand and eight hundred he put the Earles to flight Owen Tewther who had married Queen Catherine Mother to king Henry the sixth and divers Welsh Gentlemen were taken and at Hereford beheaded Before the battell it is said the Sunne appeared to the Earle of March like three sunnes and suddenly it joyned all together in one for which cause some imagine that he gave the sunne in its full brightnes for his badge or Cognisance The Queen in the mean time encouraged by the death of the Duke of Yorke with a power of Northern men marcheth towards London but when her souldiers were once South of Trent as if that river were the utmost limit of their good behaviour they fell to forrage the Country in most babarous manner Approaching S. Albans they were advertised that the Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of Warwick were ready to give them battell whereupon the Queens Vaward hasteth to passe through St. Albâ—â—s but being not suffered to passe they encountred with their Enemies in the field called Barnard heath who perceiving the maine battaile to stand still and not to move which was done by the treachery of Lovelace who with the kentish men had the leading of it they soone made the Southerne men to turne their backs and fâ—y upon whose flight the rest in doubt of each others well meaning shifted away and the Lords about the King perceiving the danger withdrew themselves Only the Lord Bâ—nvile comâ—ing in a complementall manner to the King and saying it grieved him to leave his Majesty but that necessity for safeguard of his life enforced itâ— was importuned and Sir Thoâ—as Kyriell a knight of Kent likewise by the king to stay he passing his Royall word that their stay should bee no danger to them upon which promise they stayed but to their cost for the Queen hearing that the Commoâ—s had beheaded Baron Thoâ—pe at High-gate â—he in revenge thereof caused both their heads to be stricken off at S. Albâ—â—s so as there were slaughtered at this battaile the full number of three and twenty hundred but no man of name but onely Sir Iohn Grey who the same day was made knight with twelve other at the village of Colney And now the King was advised to send one Thomâ—s Hoe thaâ— had been a Barrister to the Victors to tell them that he would gladly come to them if with conveyance it might be done whereupon the Earle of Northumberland appointed divers Lords to attend him to the L. Clâ—ffords Tent where the Queen and the young Prince met to their great joy but it was now observed as it were in the destiny of King Heâ—ry that although he were a most Piousman yet no enterprise of warre did ever prosper where he was present that we may know the prosperity of the world to be no inseparable companion to men of Piety At the Queens request the king honored with knighthood thirty gentlemen who the day before had fought against the part where he was the Prince likewise was by him dubbed knight and then they went to the Abby where they were received with Anthems and withall an humble petition to be protected from the outrage of the loose souldiersâ— which was promised and Proclamation made to that purpose but to small purpose for the Northern men said It was their bargaine to have all the spoyle in every place after they had passed Trent and so they robbed and spoiled whatsoever they could come at The Londâ—ners hearing of this disorder were resolved seeing there was no more assurance in the Kings promise to keep the Northern men out of their gates insomuch that when they were sent to to send over to the Campe certaine Cart-loads of Lenton provision which the Major accordingly provided the Commons rose about Cripplegate and by strong hand kept the Carts from going out of the City Hereupon the Major sends the Recorder to the Kings Counsellâ— and withall intreats
be had between king Edward and the Lady Bonâ— daughter to Lewis Duke of Savoy and Sister to the Lady Carlote then Queen of Fraâ—ce a Lady no lesse for beauty and virtuous qualities then for Nobility of blood worthy to be a Queen The Proposition is in Fraâ—ce readily embraced and willingly assented unto on all parts But in the mean time king Edward being hunting in Witchwood Forrest besides Stonystratford he chanced to come to the Manour of Grafton where the Dutchesse of Bedford then lay and where her daughter by Sir Richard Woodvile the Lady Elizabeth Grâ—y widdow of Sir Iohn Grâ—y of Grâ—vy slaine at the last battell of St. Albans became a suitour to him for some lands which her â—usband had given her in Joynture with whose beauty and grâ—cefull behaviour king Edward was so taken that hee presently became a Suitor to her and when he could not obtaine his suit by termes of wanton love he was forced to sâ—eke it by terms of Marriage And here we may well thinke there was no small câ—flâ—ct in King Edwards minde between the two great commanders Love and Honor which of them should bee most potent Honor put him in minde that it was against his Law to take to wife a meaner person than himselfe but Love would take no notice of any difference of degrees but tooke it for his Prerogative to make all persons equall Honour peâ—swaded him that it stood him much upon to make good the Ambassage in which he had sent the Earle of Warwicke to a great Prince but Love perswadâ—d him that it stood him more upon to make good the Ambassage sent to himself from a greater Prince In conclusion it appeared to be true which one observes Improbe â—mor quid non mortalia pectora cogis what is it that love will not make a man to do Whether it be that love brings upon the minde a forgetfulnesse of all circumstances but such as tend to its own satisfaction or whether it be that love is amongst passions as oyle amongst liquors which will alwayes be supreme and at the top Honour may be honoured but love will be obeyed And therefore king Edward though he knew no Superior upon Earth yet he obeys the summons of Love and upon the first day of May marries the sayd Lady Gray at Grafton the first of our kings since the Conquest that married his Subject At which marriage none was present but the Dutchesse of Bedford the Priest two Gentlewoman a yong man to helpe the Priest at Masse the yeare after with great solemnity she was Crowned Queen at Westminster It is not unworthy the relating the Speech which king Edward had with his Mother who sought to crosse this maâ—ch Where you say saith he that she is a widdow and hath already children by Gods blessed Lady I am a Batchelour and have some too and so each of us hath a proofe that nether of us is like to be barren And as for your objection of Bigamy for his mother had charged him with being contracted to the Lady Elizabeth Lucie Let the Bishop saith he lay it to my charge when I come to take Orders for I understand it is forbidden a Priest but I never wist it was forbidden a Prince Upon this marriage the Queens Father was created Earle Rivers and made High-Constable of England her brother the Lord Anthony was married to the sole Heire of the Lord Scales and by her had that Barony her Son sir Thomas Gray was created Marquesse Dorset and married Cicelie heire to the Lord Bonvile It may be thought a hâ—ppy fortune for this Lady to be thus marched but let all things be considered and the miseries accruing to her by it will be found equivalent if not over-weighing all the benefits For first by this match she drew upon her selfe the envy of many and was cause that her Husband fled the Realm and her selfe in his absence glad to take Sanctuary and in that place to be delivered of a Prince in a most unprincely mâ—nner After which surviving her husband she lived to see her two Sonnes most cruelly murthered and for a conclusion of all she lived to see her selfe confined to the Monastery of Berdmondsey in Southwarke and all her goods confiscate by her own Son in Law And nâ—w the Earle of Warwicke at his return found that knot tyed in England which he had laboured to tye in France His Ambassage frustrated the Lady Bona deluded the king of France abused and himselfe made a stale and the disgracefull instrument of all this which although he resented in a high degree yet he had not been a Courtier so long but in that time he had sufficiently learned the Art of dissembling he passed it over lightly for the present but yet carried it in his minde till a fit opportunity and thereupon procures leave to retire himselfe to his Castle of Warwicke King Edward in the meane time having just cause to suspect hee had made the French his enemies seeks to make other Princes his friends He enters into a League with Iohn king of Aragon to whom he sent for a Present a score of Cotsall Ews and â—ive Rams a small Present in shew but great in the event for it proved of more benefit to Spain and of more detriment to England than could at first sight have been imagined And to secure himselfe at home he tooke truce with the king of Scots for fifteen years And where he had married before his two Sisters Anne the eldest to Henry Holland Earle of Exeter and Elizabeth to Iohn de la Poole Duke of Suffolke he now matched Margaret his third Sister to Charles Duke of Burgoigne which proved a greater assistance to him than that which he had lost in France By this time the Earle of Warwickes spleen began so to swell within him that hee could no longer containe it and having with much adoe drawne to his party his two brothers the Archbishop of Yorke and the Marquesse Montacute he seekâ— also to draw in the kings two brothers the Duke of Clarence and the Duke of Glocester but he found Glocester so reserved that he durst not close with him the Duke of Clarence he found more open and to him he addresseth himselfe complaining of the disgrace he had sustained by the king in his employment into France and other wrongs to whom the Duke presently made answer in as great complaint of his brothers unkindnesse to himself saying he had married his Wives brother Anthony to the heire of the Lord Scales and her Son Thomas to the heire of the Lord Boâ—vile but could finde no match of preferment for him being his own brother And upon this agreement in complaints they agree to joyne against king Edward and to make the knot the firmer the Duke of Clarence takes to wife Isabel the Earle oâ— Warwicks Daughter and with her hath assured unto him halfe of the Lands the Eâ—â—l held in right of his Wife the Lady Anne
lay but did not offer to stop him From Wakefield he came to Doâ—caster and from thence to Nottingham where there came to him Sir William Parre and Sir Iames Harrington with six hundred men also Sir Thomas Burgh and Thomas Montgomery with their aydes who caused him to make Proclamation in his own name affirming â—hey would serve no man but a King From Nottingham he came to Leicester where three thousand able men and well armed came unto him From Leicester he came before the wals of Coventry into which City the Earle of Warwick had withdrawn himselfe keeping himselfe close therein with his people being about six or seven thousand men three dayes together king Edward provoked him to come forth to battell but he stayed for more forces and would not doe it whereupon King Edward marched forward to Warwicke eight miles from Coventry thinking thither at least he should have drawne the Earle of VVarwicke but neither would that doe it Indeed the Earle looked for the comming of the Duke of Clarence with twelve thousand men to joyn with him but that expectation proved vaine for the Duke was now fully reconciled to his Brother King Edward and brought all his forces to joyn with him onely he sought to make amity between King Edward and the Earle but though King Edward offered generall Pardon and other faire conditions yet none would please the Earle without restoring of King Henry But now to repaire the defection of the Duke of Clarence there came to the Earle of VVarwick at Coventry the Earle of Oxford the Duke of Exceter and the Marquesse Montacute by whose comming that side was not a little strengthened yet all this ayde would not make the Earle of VVarwick to come to battell whereupon King Edward marched forward towards London Both sides seek to make London their friend the Earle of VVarwicke sends to his brother the Archbishop of York to labour in it who thereupon caused king Henry to mount on hâ—â—seback and to ride from Paâ—ls through Cheape down Walbrooke supposing that this shewing of the king would have allured the Citizens to assist him but this device prevailed little brought not in above seven or eight thousand men a small proportion to withstand king Edward and when the Archbishop of York saw this backwardnes in the Citizens or rather indeed an inclination to king Edward he secretly sent to him to receive him into grace which upon Promise to continue faithfull hereafter he obtained The eleventh of April in the year 1471 and the eleventh of his Reigne king Edward made his entry into the City of London ryding first to Pauls Church and from thence to the Bishops Palace where the Archbishop of York presented himselfe unto him and having king Henry by the hand delivered him to king Edwâ—rd six moneths after his readeption of the Crown and then king Edward being seized of his person went from Pauls to Westminster and there gave God most hearty thanks for his safe return The reasons alleadged hereby Philip Comines for the Citizens receiving of king Edward seeme scarce worthy of so good an Authour one cause saith he was because king Edward being extreamly indebted in the City if they had not received him they should have lost their debt another because he had won the love of many Citizens wives who importuned their husbands to receive him The Earle of Warwicke having intelligence that king Edward was received into Loâ—don and king Henry delivered into his hands marched out and encamped at St. Albanâ— and after some refreshing of his Army removed towards Barnet and in a large plaine there called Glâ—dmore heath pitched his Campe which king Edward hearing on Easter Eve the thirteenth of April he marched forth and came that evening to Barnet where he would not suffer a man of his Army to stay in the town but commanded them all to the field and lodged with his Army more neer to the Enemy then he was aware by reason of a Myst raised some say by one Bungey a Conjurer which made it so darke that it could not be well observed where they were encamped In taking his ground he caused his people to keep as much â—iâ—ence as was possible thereby to keep the enemy from knowing of their approachâ— Great Artillery they had on both parts but the Earle more then the King and therefore in the night time they shot from his Campe almost continually but did little hurt because they still overshot them as lying neerer then was conceived On Easter-day â—arly in the Morning both Armies are ordered for battaile The Earle of Warwick appointed the Command of the Right wing which consisted of Horse to his brother the Marquesse Montacute and the Earle of Oxford The Left wing consisting likewise of horse was led by himselfe and the Duke of Exceter and the main Battell consisting of Bills and Bows was conducted by the Duke of Somerset On the kings part the Vaward was commanded by the Duke of Glocester the battell in which was king Henry was led by king Edward himself and the Lord Hâ—stings brought on the Reere After exhortations for encouragement of their Sâ—uldiers the fight began which with great valour was maintained by the space of six hourâ—s without any apparent disadvantage on either side onely the Earles Vaward by the valiancy of the Earle of Oxford seemed somewhat to over-match the kings which made sâ—me flying towards London to carry news that the Earle of Warwick had wonne the field and he had perhaps done so indeed but for a strange misfortune which happened to the Earle of Oxford and his men for they having a Starre with streams on their liveries as king Edwards men had the Sunne the Earle of Warwicks men by reason of the Myst not well discerning the badges so like shot at â—he Earle of Oxfords men that were on their part whereupon the Earle of Oxford cryed Treason and fled with eight hundred men At length after great slaughter made on both sideâ— king Edward having the greater number of men as some write though other say the contrary caused a new power of fresh men which he had kept of purposâ— to come on which the Earle of Warwick observing being a man of an invincible courage nothing dismaied rushed into the midst of his enemies where he adventured so â—arre that amongst the preasse he was stricken down and slaine Though some write that the Earle seeing the desperate estate of his Army leapt on a horse to fly and comming to a Wood where was no passage one of king Edwards men came to him killed him and spoyled him to the naked skin The Marquesse Montacute thinking to succour his brother lost likewise his life and left the Victory to king Edward On both sidâ—s were slaine as Hall saith ten thousand at the least Fabian saith but fifteen huâ—dred but then he means onely of the kings side Upon the kings part were slaine the Lord Cromwell the Lord Say the Lord Montjoyes Sonne
from Dover to the end he might not seem to surprize him he sent an Herauld named Garter a Norman by birth with a letter of Defiance to the French king so well written saith Coâ—â—â—â—s that he thought it not of any English mans enditing as though Englishmen could not endite aswell as the French Requiring him to yeeld unto him the Crown of Fâ—â—â—ce his unquestionable Inheritance which if he should dare to deny â—e 〈◊〉 then endeavor to recover it by the Sword This letter the French king read thereupon withdrawing himselfe caused the Herauld to be brought to his presenceâ— to whom in private he gave this answer That the Duke of Burgoigne and the Earle of Saint Paul the Constable by whose instigation he knew the king of Eâ—gland was drawn to this Designe would but delude him for that they were Dissemblerâ—â—nd Impostors and therfore said It would conduce more to the honor of the king of 〈◊〉 to continue in League with him though an old Adversary then to hazard thâ— fortune of the warres upon the promised assistance of new-come Decâ—iversâ—â—nd so commend me saith he to the king thy Master and say what I have told â—heâ— and then with an honourable reward of three hundred Crowns dismist him The Herauld promised to doe all that in him lay and beyond his Commission shewâ—d the French king wayes by working upon the Lords Howard and Stanley by which he might enter into a Treaty for Peace which he doubted not would sort to a good Conclusion The French king glad to heâ—r it gave the Herauld besides the other reward â— piece of Crimson Velvet of thirty yards long and withall sent to king Eâ—ward the goodliest Horse he had in his Stable as also an Aâ—â—e a Wolph and a wildâ—â—ore beaâ—ts at that time rare in England and then the Herauld returning to Callice delivered to king Edward the French kings â—nswer And now to make good the French kings aâ—â—egation to the Herauld the Duke oâ— Burgoigne who had promised in the word of a Prince to bring to Callice by this time two thousand Launces and foure thousand Seradiots or â—ight hoâ—se failed to come whereupon the Lord Scales is by king Eâ—ward sent to the Dâ—ke to put him in minde of his promise and to haâ—ten his comming with his promised forces But the journey was to little purpose onely it occasioned the Duke with a small â—roop of horse to come to â—he king formally to excuse himselfe for having been so backward but the cause he said was for that having been imbroiled in the siege of Nâ—z he could not depart thence without infinite disgrace if neither composition nor submission were enforced which now notwithstâ—ndingâ— because he would not too much trespasse upon his patâ—ence he was enforced to doe by the obâ—tâ—nacy of the besieged but promised to supply all defects both with his presence and power and that speedily The Constable likewise by his letter perswades the king of England to proceede in the action and not to doubt both from the Duke and himself to be sufficiently every way accommodated King Edward thus encouraged passeth on but in his way found no performance of promises either on the Dukes or Constables part for the Duke did not accommodate the souldiers at their comming to Peroâ—â—â— with victuals or lodging in such manner as was requisite and expected and the Constable in stead of surrendring up Sain◠〈◊〉 according to agreement made a saâ—ly out upon such as were sent from the king of Eâ—glaâ—d to take possession and plaid upon them with his great Ordinance whereupon k. Edâ—ard began to suspect the truth of the French k. description of the Dukes and Constables conditions and from thence forward stood upon his own guard and gave no further credit to their Protestation which the Duke of Burgoigâ—e resenting pretended occasions for the hasting forward his forcesâ— promising speedy return together with them taketh his leave and departeth which did not a little increaâ—e the kings suspition The French king having intelligence of the Duke of Burgoignes departure forecasting the danger if they should unite their forces resolved with himselfe to 〈◊〉 what might be done to mediate a Peace in the Dukes absence and yet so to 〈◊〉 that if it took not effect he might disclaime the knowledge of the overture whereupon he privately dispatcheth a messenger in â—hew an Herauld but was indeedâ— fellow of no oâ—â—ice or estimation and not known to any of the Kings household but to Villiers the Master of the Horse who only was acquainted with the plot and party This counterfeit Pursuivant at Armâ— with a coate made of a Trumpets Banneâ—towle addressed himselfe to the king of Eâ—glaâ—d and upon admission to his pesence insinuates the French Kings desire which was to have Commissioners on both parts assigned to conferre of the means to reconcile the differences between the two Kings or at least to conclude a cessation from arms foâ— some time And so well this Messenger delivered his errand that it was credited and the kings request grantâ—d and thereupon letters of safe conduct are sent of both sides for such Commissioners as to this purpose should meet at Aâ—yeâ—s For king Edward came the Lord Hoâ—â—â—d Sir Aâ—thoâ—y Seâ—tleger and Doctor Morâ—on after made Lord Chancelour of Eâ—glaâ—d For king Lewis came the Admirall of France the Lord Saint Piers and Hebergâ—â—shop â—â—shop of Eâ—reux After long Conference Articles of Peace were concluded on â—o this effect That the French king should pay presently to the king of Eâ—glaâ—d threescore and fifteen thousand Crowns and from thence forth annually fifty thousâ—nd Crowns during the life of king Edward That within one yeare the French king should send for the Lady 〈◊〉 the king of Englands daughter and joyn her in marriage to the Dolphin That the Lord Howâ—rd and Sir Iohn Cheyney Master of the Horse should remaine in hostage there till the English army had quitted France and â— generall peace for nine yeerâ— wherein the Dukes of Burgoigne and Brittâ—â—â—e are â—â—cluded if they will accept thereof This Conclusion was the more easily compassed by the king of France his following the Herauldâ— Counsell foâ— he distributed sixteen thousand Crowns amongst king Edwards Counsellours and Favorites two thousand Crowns to the Lord Hastings the kings Chamberlaine and to the Lord 〈◊〉 Sir Iohn Cheynâ—y Sir Anthony Sentleger and Moâ—â—gomery the residue besides great store of Plate and Jewels distributed amongst inferiour Officers of the Court The Duke of Glocester onely opposed this accord as not suiting with his designe Neverthelesse it proceeded and notâ—ce thereof is presently sent to the Duke of 〈◊〉 who thereupon onely with fifteen horse comes posting to the English Campe whom king Edward perswades to enter into the peace according to the reservation but he in a great chafe reproacheth king Edward for entring into it himselfe saying that his predecessours had by many brave exploits gotten fame and repâ—tation upon the French and now
of himselfe oftentimes of others He had made the White Rose to flourish as long as Henry the Fourth made the Red if he had not made it change colour with too much blood He had been fortunate in his children if he had not been unfortunate in a brother but he was well enough served that would thinke a Wolfe could ever be a good Shepheard He had an excellent art in improving his favours for he could doe as much with a small courtesie as other men with a great benefit And that which was more he could make advantage of disadvantages for he got the love of the Londoners by owing them money and the good will of the Citizens by lying with their wives Of his Death and Buriall WHether it began from his minde being extreamely troubled with the injurious dealing of â—he King of France or from his body by intemperance of dyet to which he was much given he fell into a sicknesse some say a Catarche some a Feaver but into a sicknesse whereof he dyed In the time of which sicknesse at the very point of his death Sir Thomas Moore makes him to make a speech to his Lords which I might thinke to be the speech of a sick man if it were not so sound and of a weake man if it were not so long but it seemes Sir Thomas Moore delivers rather what was fit for him to say than what he sayd the Contents being onely to exhort his Lords whom he knew to be at variance to be in love and concord amongst themselves for that the welfare of his children whom he must now leave to their care could not otherwise be preserved but by their agreement And having spoken to this purpose as much as his weaknes would suffer him he found himselfe sleepy and turning on one side he fell into his long sleep the ninth of April in the yeere 1483. when he had lived one and forty yeeres Reigned two and twenty and one moâ—eth and was buried at Windsor in the new Chappell whose foundation himselfe had laid Of men of Note in his time MEN of valour in his time were many but himselfe the chiefest the rest may be observed in reading his story For men of letters we may have leave at this time to speake of some strangers having been men of extraordinary fame as IohaÌ„nes de Monte Regiâ— Purbachiuâ— and Blâ—â—chinuâ— all great Astronomers Ludovicus Pontanus Paulus Castrensis and Aâ—thonius Rossellanus all great Lawyers Servisanus Savaâ—arola and Barzizius all great Phisitians Bessarion and Cusanus both great Cardinalls Argyrâ—pole Philelphus Datus Leonardus Aretinus and Poggius all great men in humane litâ—rature And of our own Countrimen Iohn Harding an Eâ—quire borne in the North parts who wrote a Chronicle in English verse and among oâ—her speciall points therein touched hath gathered all the Submissions and Homages made by the Scottish kings even from the dayes of King Athelstan whereby it may evideâ—â—â—y appeare how the Scottish kingdome even in manner from the first Establishâ—ng thereof here in Britaine hath been appertaining unto the kings of England and holden of them as their chiefe and superiour Lords Iulian Bemes a Gentlewoman of excellent gifts who wrote certaine Treatises of Hawking and Hunting also a book of the Lâ—wes of Armes and knowledge pertaining to Heraâ—lds Iohn Forâ—â—scue a Judge and Chancellour of England who wrote divers Treatises concerning the Law and Politick Government Rochus a Charterhouse-Monk born in London who wrote divers Epigrams Walter Hâ—nt a Carmelite Fryer who for his excellent learning was sent from the whole body of the Realme to the Generall Counsell hâ—ldâ—â— firâ—â— at Ferrâ—ra and after at Florence by Pope Eâ—genius the fourth where â—e amâ—ngsâ— others disâ—uted with the Greekes iâ— defence of the Order and Ceremoâ—â—es oâ— the Latine Church William Caxton who wrote a Chronicle called Fructuâ— Temporum and an Appendix unto Trevisa besides divers other bookes and translations Iohn Milverton a Carmelitâ— Frier of Bristow and provinciall of his Order who because he defended such of his Order as preached against endowments of the Church with Temporall possessions was committed to prison in the Castle of Saint Angelâ— in Rome where he continued three yeers David Morgan a Welshman who wrote of the Antiquities of Wales and a description of the Country Iohn Tiptoft a nobleman born who wrote divers Treatises but lost of his head in the yeer 1471. Robert Huggon born in Norfolk who wrote certaine vaine Prophesies Thomas Nortoâ— born in Bristow an Alchymistâ— Scogaâ—â— a learned Gentleman and a Student for a time in Oxford who for his plesant wit and merry conceits was called to Court But most worthy of all to be remembred Thomas Littleton a reverend Judge of the Common Pleâ—s who brought a great part of the Law into a Method whicâ— lay before confusedly dispersed and his book called Littletons Tenures THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FIFTH KING Edward the Fourth being dead his eldest Sonne Edwâ—â—â— scarce yet eleven yeeâ—â— old succeeded in the kingdome but not in the Crown for he was Proclaimed king but never Crowned and indeed it may not so properly be called the Reigne of Eâ—â—â—â—dâ—he â—he fifth as the Tyranny of Richard the Third for from the time of king Edwardâ— death though not in Name yet in effectâ— he not onely ruled as king but raged as a Tyrant Prince Edwaâ—â— when his Father dyed was at Ludlow in Wales where he had lived some time before the better by his presence to keep the Welsh in awe He had about him of his Mothers kindred many but Sir Anthony Woodvile the Earle Rivers his Uncle was appointed his chiefe Counsellour and directour The Duke of Glocester was at this time in the North but had word presently sent him from the Lord Hastings Lord Chamberlaine of his brother king Edwards death who acquainted him withall that by his Will he had committed the young king his Queen and other children to his care and government and thereupon putting him in minde 〈◊〉 necessary it was for him speedâ—ly to repâ—irâ— to London But the Duke of Gloceâ—â—er needed no spurre to set him forward who was already in a full cariere for he had long before projected in his minde how he might come to attaine the Crown and now hee thought the way was made him For as it is said the very night in which king Edward dyed one Misselbrooke long ere morning came in great haste to the house of one Potter dwelling in Red-crosse-streete without Cripplegate where he shewed unto Potter that king Edward was departed to whom Potter answered By my troth man then will my Master the Duke of Glocester be king what cause he had so to thinke is hard to say but surely it is not likely he spake it of nought And now the young king was comming up to London with a strong guard partly to make a first expression of his greatnesse and partly to oppose any disorders that might be offered But the Duke
neere in blood than different in conditions of equall 〈…〉 of personage both but not of equall goodnesse of minde Sir Thomas 〈◊〉 of in honest and sober disposition but Sir Iames of a turbulent spirit and one 〈…〉 after preferment would not stick to make a fortune out of any villany 〈◊〉 told of this man as he was sitting at the close-stoole he presently roâ—e and 〈◊〉 to him where being met the maâ—ch is soon made up between them for he 〈◊〉 Sir Iames more ready to undertake the work than he was himselfe to set him 〈◊〉 it It onely remained to procure him free passage to the place where the 〈◊〉 was to be done for King Richard had formerly sent a trusty Privado of his 〈◊〉 Iohn Greene to Sir Robert Brackenbury then Lieutenant of the Tower think 〈…〉 having been raised by him would not have refused to doe the deed himselfe but when he heard how averse he was from it Good Lord saith he whom 〈◊〉 man trust Once he saw plainly that whilst he was Lieutenant there was 〈…〉 to effect it To remove therefore this Rub he sends his Letters Manâ—â—â—â— to Brâ—ckenbury to deliver presently the keyes of the Tower to Sir Iames 〈◊〉 who being now Lieutenant for the time and having the two innocent 〈◊〉 under his custodie gets two other as very villaines as himselfe the one 〈…〉 the other Iames Dighton his horse-keeper a bigge sturdy knave and 〈…〉 makes his under-agents who comming into the childrens chamber in the 〈◊〉 for they were suffered to have none about them but one Black Will or 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—ghter a bloody rascall they suddenly lapped them up in their cloaths 〈…〉 down by force the featherbed and pillowes hard unto their mouths so 〈…〉 that their breath failing they gave up their innocent soule to God 〈◊〉 when the murâ—herers perceived first by their strugling with the paines of 〈◊〉 and then by their long lying still to be throughly dead they laid their bodies out upon the bed and then fetched Sir Iames to see them who presently caused their bodies to be buried under the staires under a heap of stones from whence they were afterward removed to a place of Christian buriall by a Priest of Sir Robert 〈◊〉 who dying within a few dayes after and none knowing the place but 〈◊〉 was cause that it hath not been known to this day and gave occasion afterwardâ—â— the Imposture of Perkin Warbeck in King Henry the Seventh's Raign Some 〈◊〉 that king Richard caused their bodies to be taken up and closed them in lead and then to be put in a Cossin full of holes hooked at the ends with Iron and so 〈…〉 a place called the Black Deepes at the Thames mouth to be sure they should 〈◊〉 rise up not be seen againe And now see the Divine revenge upon the actors 〈…〉 â—â—cerable murther Miles Forrest at St. Martins le Grand peece-meale rotâ—â—â— away Dighton lived at Callice a long time after but detested of all men dyed 〈◊〉 misery Sir Iames Tyrrell was beheaded afterward on the Tower-hill for 〈◊〉 and king Richard himselfe after this abhominable fact done never had 〈◊〉 minde troubled with fearfull dreames and would sometimes in the night 〈◊〉 of his bed and run about the Chamber in great fright as if all the Furies of 〈◊〉 were hanging about him that it was verefied in him â—ltrix Tisiphone vocat 〈◊〉 seva sororum Conâ—â—deracies in evill are seldome long-lived and commonly end in a reciprocall 〈◊〉 and so was it now with king Richard and the Duke of Buckingham They had confederated together to the destruction of many and now their confederacy dissolves in both their ruines but what the cause was of their dissolving is not so certaine whether it were that the Duke thought not himselfe so well rewarded as his great services had deserved or whether it were that King Richard thought not himselfe absolute King as long as the Duke by whose means he came to be King was in such a height of greatnesse or whether it were as was rather thought that the Duke being a man ambitious and of an aspiring spirit though he had himselfe been the means to bring King Richard to the Crown yet when the Crown was put upon his head so envied at it that he turned his head another way â—s not enduring the sight and for the same caâ—se was willing not to have been present at the Coronation pretending sicknes in excuse of his absence but that King Richard sent him a sharpe Message requiring him to come or he would fetch him whereupon the Duke went but with so ill a minde that he bore it in minde ever after Whatsoever it was certaine it is that presently after the Coronation there grew great jealousies between them and the Duke retired himselfe to his Castle at Brecknock where he had the Bishop of Ely in custody And here we may observe the unsearchable depth of the divine Providence the bottome whereof the soundest judgement of Man can never sound as working effects by contrary causes for where King Richard had committed the Bishop to the Duke as to one that would have a most watchfull eye over him This which the King did for the Bishops greater punishment proved a means afterward of the Bishops greater advancement and a means at the present of King Richards ruine For the Duke being retyred home and having his head so full of thoughts that of necessity it required â—ent for his own recreation would sometimes fall in talke with the Bishop with whose discourse as he was a man of great wit and solid judgement the Duke was so taken thaâ— he grew to delight in nothing more then to be conferring with him One time it happened that the Duke had opened his minde something freely to him and the Bishop following him in his own way and cunningly working upon that humour of the Duke which he found most working in the Duke which he conceived to grow out of envy to king Richard he said to this purpose My Lord you know I followed first the part of king Henry the sixth and if I could have had my wish his Sonne should have had the Crown and not king Edward But after that God had ordained king Edward to Reigne I was never so mad that I would with a dead man strive against the quick And so was I to king Edward also a faithfull Chaplaine and glad would have been that his childe had succeeded him How be it if the sâ—cret Judgement of God have otherwise provided I purpose not to labour to set up that which God pulleth down And as for the Lord Protectour and now Kingâ— and even there he left saying he had already meddled too much with the world and would from that day meddle with his Books and his Beads and no further Then longed the Duke exceedingly to heare what he would have said because he ended with the king and there suddenly stopped and thereupon intreated him to be bold to say
whatsoever he thought whereof he faithfully promised there should never come hurt and peradventure more good then he would thinke and withall that himselfe intended to use his secret Counsell which he said was the only cause for the which he had procured of the king to have him in his custody The Bishop humbly thanked him and said In good faith my Lord I love not to talke much of Princes as a thing not all out of perill though the word be without fault for so much as it shall not be taken as the party meant it but as it pleaseth the Prince to construe it And ever I thinke on Aesops Tale that when the Lyon had proclaimed on paine of death that no horned beast should abide in a certaine Wood one that had in his forehead a bunch of flesh fled away a geart pace the Fox that saw him run so fast asked him whither he made all that haste who answered in faith I neither wot nor reck so I were once hence because of the Proclaimation made of horned beasts why foole quoth the Fox thou mayest abide well enough the Lyon meant it not by thee for it is no horn that is in thy head No mary quoth he that wote I well enough but what if he call it a horne where am I then The Duke laughed at the Tale and said My Lord I warrant you neither the Lyon not the Bore shall picke any matter at any thing here spoken for it shall never come neere their eare Then said the Bishop In good faith Sir if it did the thing I was about to say taken as well as a fore God I meant it could deserve but thank and yet taken as I ween it would might happen to turne me to little good and you to lesâ—e Then longed the Duke much more to heare what it was whereupon the Bishop said My Lord as for the late Protectour sith he is now king in Possession I purpose not to dispute his title but for the weale of the Realme I could wish he had in him those excellent virtues which God hath planted in the person of your Grace and there left again The Duke somewhat marvelling at his sudden pause said My L. I cannot but note your sudden stopping in your speech so as your words come not to any direct sentence whereby I may have knowledge eithâ—r what your inward intent is now toward the king or what your affection is toward me I therefore intreate you to use no more such obscurity but plainly to disclose your minde unto me who upon mine honor will be as secret in the case as the deafe and dumb person is to the singer or the Tree to the Hunter The Bp. then upon confidence of the D. promise saidâ— my Lord I plainly perceive the kingdome being in the case as it is under such a King as now we have must needs decay and be brought to confusion but one hope I have that when I consider and daily behold your noble Personage your Justice your ardent love towards your Country and in like manner the great love of your Country towards you I must needs thinke this Realme fortunate that hath such a Prince in store meet and apt to be a Governour in whose person consisteth the very undoubted Image of true honour And then taxing the present king with many cruelties and oppressions he concluded saying And now my Lord if either you love God your Linage or your native Country you must your self take upon you the Crown and Imperiall Diadem of this Realme but if your selfe will refuse to take it upon you I then adjure you by the faith you owe to God and by the love you beare to your native Country to devise some way how the Realme may by your Princely policy be reduced to some convenient Regiment under some good governour by you to be appointed And if you could devise to set up againe the Linage of Lancâ—ster or advance the eldest daughter of King Edward to some puissant Prince not onely the new Crowned king should little enjoy the glory of his dignity but all Civill Warre should cease and Peace and Profit should againe flourish When the Bishop had ended his saying the Duke sighed and spake not of a good while which sore abashed the Bishop and made him change colour which the Duke perceiving he said Be not afrayd my Lord all promises shall be kept so for that time they parted The next day the Duke sent for the Bishop and having rehearsed unto him the Communication had between them the day before he went on and said My Lord of Ely since I perceive your true heart and sincere affection toward me I will now discover unto you all that hath passed my own imaginations After I had found the dissimulation and falsenesse of king Richard and specially after I was informed of the murther of the two young Princes to which God be my Judge I never condiscended I so much abhorred the sight and much more the company of him that I could no longer abide in his Court but feigning a cause to depart I tooke my leave of him he thinking nothing lesse then that I was displeased and so returned to Brecknok to you but in that returning whether it were by inspiration or elsâ— through some melancholike disposition I had divers imaginations how to deprive this unnaturall and bloody Butcher of his Royall seat and dignity Firstâ— I fantasied that if I list to take upon me the Crown Now was the time when this Tyrant was abhorred and detested of all men and knowing not of any that could pretend Title before me In this imagination I rested two dayes at Tewkesbury in my journey from thence I mused and thought that it was not best nor convenient to take upon me as a Conquerour for then I was sure that all men and specially the Nobility would oppose me but at last there sprung up a branch in my head which I surely thought would have brought forth faire flowers but they turned indeed to dry weeds For I suddenly remembred that the Lord Edmund Duke of Somerset my Grandfather was with king Henry the â—ixth in two or three degrees of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancâ—ster so that I thought certainely my Mother being eldest Daughter to Duke Edmund that I was next heire to king Hâ—nry the sixth of the House of Lancâ—ster This Title pleased well such as I made of my Counsell and much more it elevaâ—ed my ambitious intent but while I was in a maze whether I were best suddenly to set this title open amongsâ— the Common people or else keep it secret a while see what chanâ—ed As I â—ode between Worcester and Bridgenorth I met with the Lady Margaret Countesse of Richmond now wife to the Lord Stanley who is the daughter and sole heire to Iohn Duke of Somersâ—t my Grandfathers elder brother which was as cleane out of my minde as if I had never seen her so that she and her
if she yeelded to his request he would undoubâ—eâ—ly performe his promise seeing it was as easie for him to keep it as to breake it But now king Richards purpose being to marry one of his brother king Edwards daughters there was one impediment which directly hindred it that he had a wife living and how to be rid of her that he might not bring new aspersions upon hiâ—selfe he could not well tell yet this he resolved that be rid of her he would by some way or other but before he would use extremity he would first try milder wayes and first he absteyned both from her bed and company and complained to divers of her barrennesse which comming to her â—are he hoped might cause her â—o dye with griefe And when this device failed he then caused a rumour to be sâ—â—â—â—d among the people that she was suddenly dead hoping the very conceite thereof would kill her when this device also failed for the Queen hearing of it and mistrustring the worst with a most sorrowfull countenance came unto him demanding what she had done that he should judge her worthy to dye who answered with faire words bidding her be of good cheere for to his knowledge she should have no other cause he then made sure worke for within few dayes after whether by poyson or by what other â—eans it is not certainly known she departed this life and with all solemnity not without some formall tears of king Richard was interred in St. Peters Church at Westminster King Richard now by his wives death having made himself way to marry another 〈◊〉 all the alluring means he can devise to win the love of the Lady Elizabeth his 〈◊〉 but meaning at last to purchase his desire by Rape if he could not otherwiseâ— and had perhaps done it but that the storms threatned from beyond the seas growing every day more strong then other forced him to prorouge the execution of his desires and look to the prevention of his present danger The Lord Stanley is commanded presently to levy forces for the kingsayde as he will justifie his integrity to him but yet is not permitted to goe down into the Country untill he had left George Lord Strange his eldest Son as a Pledge of his Loyalty behinde him And now king Richard being informed though the information was craftily suborned by his Enemies that the Earle of Richmond was out of hope of any great assistance from France dischargeth the ships which he had appointed to guard the seas â—â—d likewise all the souldiers onely order is given for diligent watching of the Beacons At this time one Morgaâ— Kidwelly a Student at the Innes of Court with great haâ—â—d of his life passed over to the Earle Informing him that King Richard by all means laboured to match himself with the Lady Elizabeth which so wrought with the Earle that he saw there was no lingring and the more being by him further informed that Ricâ— ap Thomas and Iohn Savage two powerfull men in their Counâ—râ—es were ready with great forces to assist him Whereupon not having above two thousand Mercenaries and but indifferent shipping to convay him over about the middle of August he put to sea and by the advice of the said Kidwelly steered his course for Wales and on the seventeeâ—â—â— day after his departure from Harflew arrived at Milford Haven and there landing his forâ—es without trouble or impeachment from thence mâ—â—â—hed peacably 〈◊〉 Hereford where by the Inhabitants he was joyfully received Here he receiveth news by Captaine Arnold Butler that the Earle of Pembrooke with all hiâ— retiâ—â—â— was upon the way to joyne with him also thither came to him Râ—chard Griffith and Iohn Morgan with a band of brave Welsh men and the same day Sir Giâ—berâ— Tâ—lboâ— with all the Earle of Shewsburyâ—s Tenants being about two thousand well appointed men came unto him with these he marched towards Shrewsbury at which time word is brought him that Sir Robert Herbert and Rice ap Thomas were ready with a great power to stoppe his passage which somewhat troubled him that his friends so suddenly should revolt but it was but a trick of Râ—ce ap Thoâ—â—â— to make his bargaine the surer for soon after Rice ap Thomas meets him and offers him his service so as the Earle will pledge his faith to performe his promise formerly made which was that having once obtained the Crown he would make Rice sole Governour of Wales which was now assented to and afterward performedâ— At this time the Lord Stâ—â—ley with five thousand men had taken up his lodging at the Town of Leicester but hearing of the Earles march that way he leâ—t Leicester and went to Addeâ—tâ—â— not daring to shew himselfe openly for the Earle for feare the King should put his Sonne the Lord Strange to death whom he had left an Hostage with him All this time King Richard lay at Nottigham and was as it were fatally taken with a spirit of security hearing that the Earle had but small assistance either from France or in England and therefore slighting him as little able to doe any great matter but when he heard that part of his own forces was revolted to him then he began to looke about him and sends present direction to the Duke of Norfolke the Earles of Northumberland and Surry with Sir Thomas Brackenbury Lievetenant of the Tower with all speed to bring their forces to him at Lutterworth from whence upon their arrivall hearing that the Earle was encamped at Lichfield he marcheth thitherward At which time Sir Walter Hungerford and some others withdrew themselves from King Richards part and Sir Iohn Savage Sir Bryan Staâ—ford and Sir Simon Digby with their severall Forces joyned with the Earle King Richard tooke the advantage of a large Plaine neere Bosworth adjoyning to a Hill called Anne Beame where he encamped And observing by his Adversaries manner of approach that they meant to give him battell He the next morning put his Forces in order The Vauntguard was led by the Duke of Norfolk which consisted of one thousand two hundred Bow-men flanked with two hundred Cuyrassiers under the conduct of the Earle of Surrey The Battaile King Richard led himselfe which consisted of a thousand Bill-men empaled with two thousand Pikes The Reereward was led by Sir Thomas Brackeâ—bury consisting of two thousand mingled weapons with two wings of Horsemen containing fifteen hundred all of them cast into square maniples expecting the Lord Staâ—ley's comming with two thousand most of them Horsemen But the Lord Stanley caried himselfe so warily that he might neither give cause of suspition to the King nor yet cause of disadvanâ—tage to the Earle that when early in the morning the Earle sent unto him desiring his preseâ—t repaire he answered that he must looke for no ayde from him till the Battailes should be joyned and therefore advised him with all possible speed to give the Onset This Answer somewhat staggered the Earle because his number did
ever questioned it and it is fixt upon a Tree planted so happily by the waters side and hath at this day so many flourishing branches that there is good hope it will continue as long as the world continues And now whether King Henry doubted any suddaine attempt upon his person or whether he did it to follow the example of France in the very beginning of his reigne he ordained a band of tall personable men to be attending upon him which was called the Kings guard which no King before and all Kings since have alwaies used But though he provided a guard for defence of his own body yet for the bodâ—â—â— of his people he could provide none for at this time a sicknesse of the sympâ—â—â—e called the sweating sicknesse seized so violently upon them that within a â—â—ort time many thousands perished particularly in London two Majors successiveâ—y and six Aldermen within eight dayes dyed and for this sicknesse no Physick affâ—â—ded any cure till at last this remedy was found if a man were taken with the sweat in the day time that then he should presently lye downe in his cloathes and so lye still the whole foure and twenty houres if he were taken in the night then â—e should not rise out of his bed for the space of foure and twenty houres not provoking sweat nor yet eating or drinking at all at least but very moderately In 〈◊〉 sicknes there was one good circumstance that though it were violent yet it lasted not long for beginning about the one and twentieth of September it cleered â—p before the end of October following And now all things being set in good order in the South parts there ariseth a little sâ—oâ—me in the North but was soon dispersed For King Henry making a journey inâ—o the North parts to shew himselfe there where he had not yet been and where 〈◊〉 respect to King Richard might have left some opposites at his comming to Liâ—colne was certified that the Lord Lovell and Humfry Stafford were gone out of Sâ—nctuary in Colchester but whither no man knew The King therefore not much regarding it went forward to York and being come thither it was then plainly told him that the Lord Lovell with a strong power was at hand and would presently invade the City This made the King in a great streight for neither had he any Army râ—â—dy noâ— if he had men had he any weapons or Munition â—or them Yet in this streight he commanded the Duke of Bedford with three thousand men to â—et out agâ—â—nst him but so ill armed that their armours for the most part were but of tanned lâ—â—ther who being come neere the Campe of the Rebels caused Proclamation to be made that whosoever would submit themselves as loyall Subjects should have their Pardons and be received into grace which Proclamation so prevailed that iâ— made the Lord Lovell secretly in the night to flye away and then the Army left without a head submitted themselves to the Kings mercy The Lord Lovell fled into Lancashire and there for a time lurked with Sir Thomas Broughton a man powerfull in those parts Humfry Stafford took Sanctuary in a village called Culnhâ—m two miles from Abington but the Sanctuary being judged by the Justices of the Kings Bench to be no lawfull defence for Traytors he was taken from thence by force and convayed to the Tower afterward to Tyburne and there hanged His brother Thomas was pardoâ—ed because it was thought he was drawn in by his brother Humfry In this yeere Iohn Persivall the Major of London's Carver waiting at his Table was chosen one of the Sheriffs of London only by Sir Iohn Collet's then Major drinking to him in a cup of Wine as the custome is to drinke to him whom he liâ—t to name Sheriffe and forthwith the said Persivall sate downe at the Majors Table â—nd covered his head and was afterward Major himselfe At this time a mean instrument attemped a great worke by which we may see how farre imagination may out-goe reason One Richard Symond a Priest a man of base birth though some learning had a scholler of baser birth the Sonne of a Shoemaker some say a Baker named Lambert Symnell but of a pregnant wit and comely personage Him he gives out to be Edward Earle of Warwicke lately as was sayd escaped out of prison Both of them being of like yeers and stature with this Scholler of his he sailes into Ireland and so sets forth the matter that not only the Lord Thomas Fitz-Gerard Earle of Kildare and Deputy of Ireland but many other of the Nobilty gave credit to his words and as those that affected the house of Yorke were ready to take his part and even already saluted the young Symnell King Withall they sent into Flanders to the Lady Margaret sister to the late King Edward and widdow of â—harles Duke of Burgoigne requiring ayde and assistance from her This Lady being of the house of Yorke bore an inward grudge agâ—inst King Henry being of the house of Lancaster and â—herefore though she well understood it was but a coloured matter yet was willing to take advantage of it and thereupon promised her assistance King Henry being advertised of these things advised with his Counsell by whom it was agreed that two things presently should be doâ—e First to grant â— Pardon to any that would submit themselves for any offence whatsoever though it were for High Treason the next that the Earle of Warwicke should be openly shewed abroad in the City and other publike places whereby the report spread abroad of his being in Irelâ—nd might appeare plainly to be false Withall the Queen Elizabeth widdow of King Edward the fourth and Mother to the present Queen was adjudged to forfeit all her Lands and Possessions and to live confined in the Abbey of Bermondsey in Southwarke where in greaâ— pensivenes within a few yeers she died But for what cause this severity was used against this Queen is not altogether certaine To say as was commonly said that it was for rendring her selfe and her daughters into the hands of king Richâ—rd were manifest injustice to punish her for doing a thing out of feare which else she should have been compelled to doe by force and to say as some also have said that it was for giving aide underhand to Perkiâ— were a manifest unlikelihood thaâ— she should aide a Counterfeit against her own Sonne in Law we must therefore content our selves with knowing the bare colourable pretext and leave the true reason as a secret of State But this shewing abroad of the true Earle of Warwicke though it satisfied some yet not all for some gave out that it was but a trick of the King and not the true Warwicke At least the Earle of Lincolne sonne to Iohn de lâ— Poole Duke of Suffolke and Elizabeth sister to king Edward the fourth would not omit to take the advantage though he knew that Symnell was but a Counterfeit And thereupon assoone
Hell so that Callice were in the possâ—ssion of the French brake up his siege and returned to Helding with as much shame as the English to Callice with honour A little before this tâ—me Francis Duke of Britaine dying left onely one daughter the Lady Anne affianced to Maximilian King of the Romans and in so solemne a manner that she taking upon her to be the Bride and being laid in her bed was contented to permit Maximilians Deputy in presence of many Noble witnesses as well men as women to put his legge stript naked to the knee between the spousall sheets accounting that Ceremony to amount to a Consummation The King of France likewise had been contracted to the Lady Margaret daughter to the foresaid Maximilian and had received her to that end Yet all this notwithstanding out of a violent desire to joyne the Dutchy of Britaine to the Crowne of Frâ—â—ce he disanulled and made void both the Contracts But to the end he might doe it without opposition of the King of England he sent Ambassadors the Lord Francis of Lâ—â—zemburg Charles Marignane and Robert Gaguine to King Henry partly to conclude a Peace but chiefly to procure king Heâ—ries good will to make voyd the foresaid contracts to which though king Henry was not willing to give consent yet he consented willingly to have a Treaty for Peace and to that end sent over Thoâ—as Earle of Ormond and Thomas Goldenston Prior of Christs Church in Canterbury to the French King about it But during this Treaty and before conditions of Peace could be agreed on the French King had gotten into his possâ—ssion the Lady Anne of Britaine and solemnly maried her Which under-hand dealing so incensed King Henry that he presently called his High Court of Parliament and there declared the just cause he had of War with France desiring their Benevolence towards the charge thereof which was as readily granted as desired and great summes of money were soon collected In the yeere 1491 being the sixth yeere of the Kings Reigne on the sixth of April the Nobility of the Realme assembled in the Cathedrall Church of St. Paul in London where also was the Major and Aldermen and principall Citizens in their liveries to whom D. Morton Lord Chancellour made an Oration declaring from his owne letters that the King of Spaine had wonne the great and rich City and Country of Granado from the Moores which had been in their possession above seven hundred yeeres and having in places of their superstition built Churches to the honour of Christ was thereupon intituled the Catholick King For joy whereof Te Deâ—m was sung with great solemnity In the moneth of May was holden a solemne Justing at the kings Palace of Sheeâ—e now called Richmond which continued the space of a moneth sometimes within the Palace and sometimes without upon the green before the gate in which Justs Sir Iames Parker running against a Gentleman named Hugh Vaughan by reason of a faulty Helmet was strucken into the mouth at the first course so that his tongue was borne to the hinder part of his head in such sort that he dyed presently upon the place And now Maximilian having received back his daughter from the king of France was so displeased that he presently sent an Ambassadour one Iames Contibald to king Henry requiring him to take his part in a warre against the French king towards which he promised to provide ten thousand men with pay for two years king Henry consented to it and having pâ—ovided himselfe of a puissant Army on the sixth day of October sayled to Callice but sending his Almoner Christopher â—rswiâ—ke and Sir Iohn Resley to Maximilian requiring his promised forces they found him altogether unprovided of either men or money which brought king Henry into a great streight what he should doe To proceede in the warre with his own forces alone would be â—ull of hazard To return home without doing any thing would bring an imputation upon him amongst his Subjects as though he had used the pretence of war but as a trick to get money at last he resolved to doe something and thereupon went and besieged Boloigne having in his Army of chiefe Lords Iasper Duke of Bedford his Lieutenant Generall Thomas Marquesse Dorset the Earles of Arundell Oxford Suffolke Shrewsbury Darby Keâ—t Devonshire and Ormond sundry Barons as Dâ—wbeney Aburgayny De la Ware Zouch Hastings Cobham and others During his siege of Boloigne in which there were but few slaine and no man of note but Sir Iohn Savage who riding to take view at what place the town might best be assaulted was set upon by certaine French men and by them slaine King Henry was secretly dealt with by the Lord Cordes Governour of Heynault on the king of France's behalf to accept of certaine conditions of Peace Who thereupon sent Richard Fox Bishop of Exceter and Giles Lord Dawbeney to conclude them which amongst other Articles were That king Henry without quitting his claime to France should for a Peace to continue during the two kings lives receive in present of Charles king of France for his charges in that warre seven hundred forty and five thousand Dockets which in English money amounts to one hundred eighty six thousand two hundred and fifty pounds and five and twenty thousand crowns yeerly towards the expenses he had been at before in aiding the Britaines which by the English called Tribute was duly paid during all the Kings Reigne and also to king Henry his Sonne afterward longer then it could continue upon any computation of charges There were also assigned by the French king unto all king Henries principall Counsellours great pensions besides rich gifts for the present Which whether the king did permit to save his own purse from Rewards or to communicate the envy of a businesse that was displeasing to his people was diversly interpreted for certainly the King had no great fancy to own this Peace and therefore a little before it was concluded he had underhand procured some of his best Captaines and Men of Warre to advise him to a Peace under their hands in an earnest manner in the nature of a Supplication that he might have it shew for justifying himselfe and to give some allay to the discontentments of many who had sold and engaged their Estates upon the hopes of the warre After the Peace thus concluded he went to Callice where he stayed some time and the seventeenth of December following came to Westminster where he kept his Christmasse Soon after his return he elected into the order of the Garter Alphoâ—sus Duke of Calabriâ— Sonne and Heire to Ferdinand King of Naples to whom Christopher Vrswicke the kings Almoner was sent to Naples to carry it which as soon as Alphonsus had received he apparelled himselfe presently in the Habit before a great assembly indeed to shew what favour he was in with the king of England There had been disturbance in the Realme before by a Counterfeit Sonne
his being saluted King And could it enter into his breast to put him to death that had saved his life and done him so many great services besides But it may be said It was not the Earle of Richmond that did it but the King of England for certainly in many cases a King is not at liberty to shew mercy so much as a private man may Though there be that affirme the cause of his death was not words onely but reall acts as giving ayde to Perkin under-hand by money And yet it seemes there was some conflict in the minde of King Henry what he should doe in this case for he stayed six weekes after his Accusation before before he brought him to his Arraignment How-ever it was the Summer following the King went in Progresse to Latham to the Earle of Darby who had maâ—ied his mother and was brother to Sir William Stanley perhaps to congratulate his own safety perhaps to condole with him his brothers death but certainly to keepe the Earle from conceiving any sinister opinion of him For to thinke that Sir William's suing to be Earle of Chester an Honour appointed to the kings sonne or his great wealth for he left in his Castle at Holt in ready money forty thousand markes besideâ— Plate and Jewells were causes that procured or set forward his death are considerations very unworthy of so just a Prince against a Servant of so great deserving But in this meane while Perkin having gotten a Power of idle loose fellows took to Sea intending to lâ—nd in Kent where though he were repelled yet some of his Souldiers would needs venture to goe on Land of whom a hundred and sixty persons were taken Prisoners whereof five were Captaines Mortford Corbet Whitebolt Quâ—â—tyn and Gemyne These hundred and sixty persons were brought to London rayled in ropes like horses drawing in a Cart who upon their Araignement confessing their offence were executed some at London and some in Towns adjoyning to the sea-coast Perkin finding no entertainment in Kent sayled into Ireland and having stayed there a while and finding them also being a naked people to bee no competent assistants for him from thence he sayled into Scotland where he so moved the King of Scots with his fayre words and colourable pretexts made no doubt before by the Dutcesse of Burgoigne that hee received him in great state and caused him to bee called the Duke of Yorke and to perswade the World that hee thought him so indeede hee gave to him in marriage the Lady Katherine Gourdon daâ—ghter to Alexander Earle Huntley his own neer kinswoman and soone after in Perkins quarrell entred with a puissant Army into England making Proclamation that whosoever would come in and ayde the true Duke of Yorke should bee spared but none comming in he then used all kinde of cruelty and the whole County of Northuâ—berland was in a manner wasted whereat Perkin at his returne expressed much griefe saying It grieved him to the heart to see such havock made of his people To whom the King answered Alas Alas you take care for them who for any thing that appeares are none of yours for not one of the Countrey came in to his succour King Henry incensed with this bold attempt of the king of Scots called his High Court of Parliament acquainting them with the necessity hee had of a present warre to revenge this indignity offered him by the Scots and thereupon requiring their ayde by money had a subsidie of sixscore thousand pounds readily granted him and then in all haste a puissant Army is provided and under the conduct of the Lord Dawbeney sent into Scotland but before hee arrived there hee was suddenly called back by reason of a commotion begun at Cornwall for payment of the Subsidie lately granted which though it were not great yet they grudged to pay it The Ring-leaders of this commotion were Thomas Flammock a gentleman leâ—â—ned in the Lawes and Michael Ioseph a Smith who laying the blame of this exaction upon Iohn Morton Archbishop of Canterbury and Sir Reynold Bray as being chiefe of the Kings Councell exhorted the people to take armes and having aâ—sembled an Army they went to Taunton where they slew the Provost Peryâ— one of the Commissioners for the Subsidie and from thence came to Wells intending to goe to London where the King then lay who having revoked the Lord Dawbeney appointed Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey after the death of the Lord Dinham made Lord Treasurer of England to have an eye to the Scots and if they made invasion to resist them In the meane time Iames Twychet Lord Audley confederated himselfe with the Rebells of Cornwall and tooke upon him to bee their Leader who from Wâ—lls went to Salisbury and from thence to Winchester and so to Kent hoping there â—o have had great ayde but found none for the Earle of Kent the Lord of Aburgâ—â—â— Iohn Brook Lord Cobham Sir Edmond Poynings Syr Richard Guildford Sir Thâ—â—as Bourchier Iohn Peachy and William Scott were ready in Armes to resist them whereupon the Rebels brought their Army to Black-heath foure miles distant from Lâ—ndâ—n and there in a plaine on the top of a hill encamped themselves whereof when the King had knowledge hee presently sent Iohn Earle of Oxford Henry Bouâ—â—â—ier Earle of Essex Edmond de la Poole Earle of Suffolke Sir Riceap Thomas and Sir Hâ—â—fry Stanley to inviron the hill on all sides that so all hope of flight might hee takâ—n from them and then set forward himselfe and encamped in St. Georgeâ— fields where for encouragement he made divers Bannarets The next day he sent the Lord Dawbeney to set upon the Rebels early in the morning who first got the bridge at Debâ—ford Strand though strongly defended by the Rebels Archers whose arrowes were â—eported to bee a full cloath-yard in length but notwithstanding the Lord 〈◊〉 comming in with his Company and the Earles assayling them on every side they were soone overcome In which conflict were slaine of the Rebels above 〈◊〉 thousand taken prisoners a very great number many of whom the King pâ—â—doned but of the chiefe Authors none for the Lord Audley was drawne from Newgate to Tower-hill in a coate of his owne Armes paynted upon paper reversed and all torne and there on the foure and twentieth day of Iune was beheaded Thomas Flammock and Michael Ioseph were hanged drawn quartered and their heads and quarters pitched upon stakes set up in London and other places Of the Kings Army were slaine not above three hundred It is memorâ—ble with what comfort Ioseph the black-smith cheered up himselfe at his going to execution saying that yet he hoped by this that his name and memory should be everlasting so deere even to vulgar spirits is perpetuety of Name though joyned with infamy what is it then to Noble spirits when it is joyned with Glory In the meane time the king of Scots taking advantage of these troubles in England invaded the
Deane of Paulsâ— to be Commissioners for maâ—ing enquiry of the Offenders 〈◊〉 for assessing their Fines which they did with great severity to some with great mildnesse to others to all with equity 〈◊〉 was now the fourteenth yeer of the kings Reigne when one Sebastian â—â—bato â— Geâ—â—â—a's Sonne born â—t Bâ—iston perswaded the king to man and victuaâ—â— a ship at Bristow â—o search for 〈◊〉 stand which he said he knew to be replenished with rich Commodities who setting forth with three other small shâ—ps of London merchants returned home two yeerâ— after when he had made a large discovery westward and would have gone to 〈◊〉 if the Mariners had not forced him to return a likewise siâ— years before one Christopâ—er Columbus a Spanyard made the first discovery of America Perkin being in the Tower and carefully guarded yet found me â—s to escape and fled to the Priory of Sheen neer Richmond where discovering himselfe to the Pryor of that Monastery he begged of him for Gods sake to get the kings Pardon foâ— his life which the Prior effected but then was Perkin brought to the Court at Westminster and was one day set fettered in a paire of Stocks before Westminster-hall and there stood a whole day the next day he was set upon a like Scaffold in Cheape-side and there standing the whole day also hethen read openly his confession wrâ—tten with his own hand wherein he declared his Parentage and the place of his Birth and all the passages of his Life and by what means he was drawn to make this attempt After this he was committed againe to the Tower and care taken he should be better looked to than he was before But all the care notwithstanding once againe Perkin attempted to escape and drawing into a Confederacy with him the young Earle of Warwicke by faire words and large promises so corrupted his keepers Straâ—gwish Blâ—wet Astwood and long Roger servants to Sir Iohn Digbie Lieutenant of the Tower that they intended to have slaine their Master and set Perkiâ— and the Earle of Warwicke at liberty But this practice was soone discovered â—o that Perkiâ— and Iohn a Water sometime Major of Corke in Ireland one of Perkiâ—s chiefe founders were on the sixteenth day of November arraigned at Westminster and condemned and both of them on the two and twentieth day were drawn to Tyburne and there hanged where Perkiâ— tooke it upon his death that the Confession he had formerly made was true soon after also Blewet and Astwood two of the Lieutenants men were in the same place executed On the one and twentieth day of the same month Edward Plantagemet Earle of Warwicke was arraigned at Westminster before the Earle of Oxford then High Steward of England not for consenting to breake Prison but for conspiring with Perkin to raise Sedition and destroy the king and upon his Confession had Judgement and on the eight and twentieth day of the same month in the yeer 1499. was brought to the Scaffold on the Tower-hill and there beheaded This Earle of Warwick was the eldest Sonne of the Duke of Clarence and was the last Heire male of the name of Plantagenet and had been kept in the Tower from his very Inâ—ancy out of all company of Men and fight of Beasts so as he scarcely knew a Hen from a Goose nor one beast from another and therefore could never know how to practice his escape of himselfe but by Perkiâ—s subtlety for which cause the king favoured him so farre that he was not buried in the Tower but at Bissam by his Ancestours And thus ended the designes of Perkiâ— Warbeck which had troubled both the Kingdome and the King the space of seven or eight yeers a great part of the Kings Raigne But in the time of Perkiâ—s being in the Tower another like practice was set on foot for an Augustiâ—e Frier called Patrick in the County of Suffolk having a Scholler named Ralph Wilford a Cordwayners Sonne he caused him to take upon him to be the Earle of Warwicke lately by great chance gotten out of the Tower and they going together into 〈◊〉 when the Frier perceived some light credit to be given to him he then stuck not to declare it openly in the Pulpit desiring all men to assist him But this practice was soone discovered and both the Mr. and the Scholler were apprehended attainted the Scholler Wilford was hanged on Shrovetuesdâ—y at S. Thomas Waterings and the Frier was condemned to perpetuall Prison for at that time so much reverence was attributed to holy Orders that a Priest though â—e had commited Treason against the king yet had hâ—s life spared And this practâ—â—e was some cause to exasperate the king against the Earle of Warwicke who though innocent in himselfe yet was nocent in pretenders and besides king Ferdinand of Spaiâ—e with whom at this time there was a Treaty for marriage of his Daughter to Prince Arthur had written to the king in plaine terms that he saw no assurance of his Sonnes succession as long aâ— the Earle of Warwicke lived and thus all things unfortunately concurred to bring this innocent Prince to his end In the fifteenth yeer of his Reigne partly to avoide the danger of the Plague then raigning in England but chiefely to conferre with the Duke of Burgoigne about many important businesses the King and Queen sayled over to Callice where at an enterview between him and the Duke at Saint Peters Church without Callice the Duke offered to hold the kings sturrup at his alighting which the king by no meanes would permit but descending from horse-back they embraced wiâ—h great affection â—nd after Communication had between them the King and Queen in the end oâ— Iuâ—â— returned into England In his seventeenth yeer â—wo great Marriages were solemnized the Lady 〈◊〉 of Spaine was sent by her Father king Ferdiâ—aâ—d with a puissant Army of Sâ—â—ps into Eâ—gland where she arrived at Plimouth the second day of October and on the fourteenth of November afterâ— was espoâ—sed openly to Prince Arâ—hur both beâ—ng clad in white He of the age of â—â—fteen yeers shee of eighteen at night they were laid together in one Bed where they lay as Man and Wife all that night when â—oâ—ning appeared the Prince as his servants about him reported called for drinke which before time he had not used to doe whereof one of his Chambâ—rlaines â—sking 〈◊〉 the causeâ— he answered merrily saying I have been this night in the middest oâ— Spaâ—â—â— which is a hot Country and â—hat makeâ— me so dry though some write thaâ—â— grave Matron was laid in bed between them to hinder actuall Consummationâ—â— Tâ—e Ladies portion was two hundred thousand Duckets her joynture the 〈◊〉 part of the Principality of Wales Cornwall and Châ—ster At this Marriage was grâ—â—â— solemnity and Royall Justings during which time there came into London 〈◊〉 Earle a Bishop and divers other noble personages sent from the king of Scots 〈…〉 conclusion of a Mariage before treated of
London where they were lodged at Marchantailors Hall The last of September the Embassadours went to the King at Greenwich where after long communication an Agreement was at last concluded under pretence of a marriage to be had betweene the Dolphin of France and the Lady Mary Daughter to the King of England that in name of her marriage money Tourney should be deliveted to the French King he paying to the King of England for the Castle he had made in that Citty six hundred Thousand Câ—ownes in twelve yeeres by fiftie Thousand Crownes yeerly and if the marriage should chance not to take effect then that Tourney should be againe restored to the King of England for performance of which article Hrstages shotld be delivered namely Monsiâ—ur de Memorancye Monsieur de Monpesac Monsieur de Moy and Monsieur Morett and moreover the French King should pay to the Cardinall of England a thousand markes yeerly in recompence of his Revenewes received before of his Bishoprick of Tourney All things thus concluded the Cardinall made to the Embassadours a solemne Banquet and after presented them with a stately Mummery The eighth of October the King feasted them at Greenwich and at night presented a stately Maske of Knights and Ladies with reare devises and great magnificence The next day Sir Thomas Exmew Major of London feasted them at Goldsmiths-Hall and then delivering their foure Hostages they tooke their leave At whose departure the King gave to the Admirall of France a Garnish of guilt vessell a paire of covered Basons gilt twelve great guilt Bowles fower paire of great guilt Pots a standing Cup of Gold garnished with great Pearles and to some other he gave Plate to some other cheins of Gold to some rich Apparell to the great comendation of his liberality Shortly after their departure the Earle of Worcester Lord Chamberlaine the Bishop of Ely the Lord of Saint Iohns Sir Nicholas Vaux Sir Iohn Pechy and Sir Thomas Bullen as Embassadours from the King of England accompanied with Knights Gentlemen and others to the number of above foure hundred passed over to Callice and from thence went to Paris where after Royall Entertainment by the King with diâ—erse Maskes and stately shewes they tooke their leaves and rode to Tourney to see the Citty delivered to the French men on the eighth of February to the great griefe of the English Garrison After the English Embassadours were returned King Henry to cheere up the foure French Hostages left heere for performance of covenants on the seaventh of May presented a solemne and stately Maske wherein himselfe the Duke of Suffolke and the French Queene were Actors and on the eight of March following was a solemne Just holden and with great magnificence performed In the eleventh yeere of King Henries Raigne died the Emperour Maximilian for whom the King caused a solemne obsequie to be kept in Paules Church After whose death the French King and the King of Spain endeavoured by sundry plots each of them to get the Empire but in conclusion Charles King of Castile afterwards called Charles the fifth was elected Emperour for joy whereof a solemne Masse was sung at Pauls the seaventh of Iuly at which were present the Cardinall Campeius the Cardinall of Yorke the Duke of Buckingham Norfolke and Suffolk with the Embassadours of Spaine France Venice and Scotland and this yeere the King kept Saint Georges feast at Winsor with great solemnity At this time diverse young Gentlemen that had been in France after the manner of that Country carried themselves so familiarly with the King that the Lords of his counsell thought it a disparagement to him and thereupon with his leave first obtained they banished them the Court and in their places brought in more staied aud graver men namely Sir Richard Winkefield Sir Richard Ierningham Sir Richard Weston and Sir VVilliam Kingston In the summer of this yeere the Queene lying at her Mannor of Havering in Essex desired the King to bring thither the foure Hostages of France to whom shee made a Royall Banpuet and in September following the King lying at his Mannor of Newhall in Essex otherwise called Beaulieu where he had newly built a stately Mansion invited the Queen and the French Hostages thither where after a sumptuous Banquet he presented them with an extraordinary Mask for the Maskers were the Duke of Suffolk the Earl of Essex the Marquesse Dorset the Lord Aburgaveny Sir Richard VVinkfield Sir Richard VVeston and Sir VVilliam Kingston the youngest of whom was fifty yeeres old at least that the Ladies might see what force they had to make age young againe At this time the French King was very desirous to see the King of England with whom he had entred into such a league of alliance and to that end made meanes to the Cardinall that there might be an Enterview betweene them at some convenient place to which the Cardinall noâ— so much to satisfie the French King as to shew his owne greatnesse in France eâ—sily condiscended and thereupon perswaded King Henry how necessary it was that such an Enterview should be and then were sent unto Guysnes under the rule of Sir Edward Belknap three thousand artificers who builded on the plaine before the Castle of Guysnes a most stately Pallace of timber curiously Garnished without and within whither both the Kings in Iune next following agreed â—o come and to answere all commers at the Tilt Tournies and Barriers whereof proclamation was made in the Court of England by Orleance King of Armes of France and in the Court of France by Clarentius King of Armes of England whilst these things were preparing on Candlemas Even as the King and Queene were come from Even-song at their Mannour of Greenwich suddainly there blew a Trumpet and then entred into the Queenes Chamber foure Gentlemen who brought with them a waggon in which sate a Lady richly apparelled which Lady acquainted the King that the foure Gentlemen there present were come for the love of their Ladies to answer all commers at the Tilts on a day by the King to be appointed which day was thereupon appointed on Shrovetuesday next â—nsuing where they all behaved themselves with great valour to the great delight of the King and Queene By this time King Henry was ready for his journey into France and so removing from his Mannour of Greenwich on Friday the five and twentieth of May he with his Queene arived at Canterbury where he ment to keepe his Whitsontide At which time the Emperour Charles returning ouâ— of Spaine arrived on the coast of Kent where by the vice Admirall of England Sir William Fitz-Williams he was conducted to land and there met aud received by the Lord Cardinall in great state After which the King himselfe rode to Dover to welcome him and on Whitsunday earely in the morning conducted him to Canterbury where they spent all the Whitsontide in great joy and solace The chiefe cause that moved the Emperour at this time
Sir Edward Baynton and others The last of October the Duke of Albonye sent two or three thousand men over the water to besâ—edge the Castle of VVarke who by battery of their Ordnance won the ouâ—ermost Ward called the Barnekins and continuing their battery won the second Ward but then Sir William Lisle that was Captaine of the Castle issuing forth with those few he had left drove the Frâ—nch-mâ—n from the place and slew of them to the number of three hundred a memorable service and for which the Earle of Surrey afterwards gave him great thankes The Earle would gladly have followed his enemies inâ—o their owne Borders but that his Commission was onely to defend England and not to invade Scotland Shortly after the Queeâ—e of Scots Mother to the King sent to her Brother the King of England for an abstinence from Warre till a further communication might be had which being graâ—â—ed the English Army brake up and the Earle of Surrey returned to the Court. And now for a while we must be coâ—â—ent to heare of petâ—y Occurrances because greater did not happen which if it make us like the Story the worse it may make us like the times the better seeing they are ever the best times that afford lest matter to be talked of but this time will lasâ— but a while for shortly we shall come to hear Occurrances that have been matter of talk to this day whereof the like have never scarce been seen and will hardly be beleeved when they are heard a Marriage dissolved after twenty yeeres coâ—summation houses built in Piety under pretence of Piety demolished a King made a captiveâ— a Pope held a prisonerâ— Queenes taken out of love put to death out of loathing and the Church it selfe so shaken that it hath stood in distraction ever since At this time the Emperouâ— Charles sent to the King of England two Mâ—ses trapped in crimson Velvet richly embridered also eleven goodly Jeâ—its trapped with russeâ— Velvet richly wrought foure Speares and two Javelins of strange timber and worke richly garnished and five brace of Greyhoâ—ndâ— To the Queene he sent two Mules richly trapped and high Chaiâ—es after the Spanish fashion which Presents were thankfully received both of the King and Queene At this time in the moneth of October the Cardinall sent out Commissions that every man being worth forty pounds should pay the whole Subsedie before granted out of hand which he called an Anticipation which fine new word he thought would make them pay their money the more willingly but they loved their money better then any words he could devise In this yeere the King sent the Lord Morley Sir VVilliam Hussey knight and Doctor Lee his Almoner to Fâ—rdinand Archduke of Austria with the Order of the Garter which he received in the towne of Norimberg to his great contentment In this yeere through Bookes of Prognosticatâ—ons foreshewing much hurt to come by waters and â—â—oods many persons withdrew themselves to high grounds for feare of drowning specially one Bolton Prior of Sainâ— Bartholâ—mewes in Smithfield builded him an House upon Harrow on the Hill and thither wenâ— and made provision for two moneths These great waters should have fallen in February but no such thiâ—â— happeniâ—g the Astronomers excused themselves by saying that in the computaâ—ion they had miscounted in their number an hundred yeeres In this meane time many enterpriâ—es were attempted betweene the Englishmen of Callice and Guyâ—â—es and the Frenchmen of Bulloigne and the Froâ—â—tiers of Picardâ—â— and still Sir VVilliam Fitz Williams Captaine of Guysnes Sir Robert Iâ—rningham Captaine of Newnham Bridge Sir Iohn Walloppe and Sir Iohn Gage were the men that did the French most hurt This yeere the first of September was Docter Thomas Hannibell Master of the Rolles receaved into London by Earles Bishops and diverse Lords and Gentlemen as Embassadours from Pope Clement who brought with him a Rose of gold for a present to the Kingâ— on the day of the Nativity of our Ladâ— after a solemne Masse sung by the Cardinall of Yorke the said present was delivered to the King which was a Tree forged of fine Gold and with branches leaves and flowers resembling Roses About the beginning of Winter the adventâ—rers called Krâ—ekers being not above two hundred and of them five and twenty horsmen made an attempt to fetch some booty from a Village not farre from Mattrell wherof the Earle of Dâ—mmartine having notice he set upon them with a far greater number and slew most of them and this was the end of the Kreekers as brave men as ever served any Prince In December this yeere there came to London diverse Embassadours out of Scotland about a peace to be hadâ— and a mariage to be concluded between the King of Scots and the Lady Mary daughter to the King of England At this time the Lord Leonard Gray and the Lord Iohn Grâ—y brothers to the Lord Marquesse Dorset Sir George Cobham sonne to the Lord Cobham VVilliaâ— Carye Sir Iohn Dudley Thomas VVyat Francis Poynts Francis Sidâ—â—y Sir Anthony Browne Sir Edward Seymor Oliver Manners Percivall Hart Sebastiâ—â— Nudigatâ— and Thomas Calen Esquires of the Kings Household made a challenge of Arms against the Feast of Christmas which was proclaimed by Windsor the Herauld and performed at the time appointed very Nobly at Tilts Tâ—rneys Barriars and the assault of a Castle erected for that purpose iâ— the Tilt-yard at Greenwich where the King held his Christmas that yeer with great State and magnificence About this time Iohn Iokyn Steward of the Household to the French Kings Motheâ— came into England and was received in secret manâ—er into the House of one Doctor Larke a Prebrendary of Saint Stephens who oftentimes talked with the Cardinall about a Peace to be concluded between the two Kings of â—ngland and France of whose often meetings Monsieur de Brate the Emperours Embassadour grew very jealous The four and twentieth of Ianuary Monsieâ—r Brynion President of Roan came to London as Embassadour from the French King and was lodged with the said Iohn Iokyn which small things should not be related but that they were preparatives to great matters afterward On Sunday the fifth of March were received into London Monsieur de Beuer Loâ—d of Campher Admirall of Flanders Monsieur Iohn de la Coose President of 〈◊〉 Master Iohn de la Gache as Embassadours from the Lady Margaret in the name of the Emperour who required three things First they demanded the Lady Mary the Kings only daughter to be presently delivered and she to be nâ—â—ed Empresse and as Governesse take possession of all the Low-Countryes Secondly that all such summes of money as the King should give with her in maâ—riage should be paid incontinently Thirdly that the King of England should passe the sea in person and make Warre in France the next Summer The â—â—rst two demands were not agreed too for certaine causes and as to the third the King said he would take time
to advize On Thursday the ninth of March a Gentleman came in Post from the Lady Margaret with Letters signifying that whereas the King of France had long lyen at the siege of Pavia he had now been forced to raise his siege and was himselfe taken prisoner by thâ— Imperialestsâ— for joy whereof Bonfires and great Triumph was made in 〈◊〉 and on the twentieth of March being Sunday the King himselfe came to Pauls and there heard a solemne Masse But for all this shew of joy it was thought if the King of France had not now been taken prisoner that the King of England would have joyned in amity with him as being angry with the Fleâ—â—â—gs for Inhauâ—â—ing his Coyne in Flanders which caused much money to be conâ—ayed out of England thither The King of France being taken prisoner was after some time convayed into Spaine and at last brought to Madrill where he â—ell so sicke that the Physitians had little hope of his life unlesse the Emperour would be pleased speedily to visit him upon whose visitation he recovered his health though not presently his strength In which time many propositions were made for his delivery but the Emperour would accept of â—one without restitution of the Dutchy of Burgoigne At last the French King weary of imprisonment and longing for liberty was content to agree to any conditionsâ— the chiefe whereof were that the French King by a certaine day should be set at liberty and within six weeks after should resigne to the Emperour the Dutchy of Burgoigne with all Members pertayning to it and at the â—ame â—â—stant should put into the Emperours hands the Dolphyn of France â—nd with him either the Duke of Orleance his second sonne or else twelve priâ—cipall Lords of France whom the Emperour should name and that there should be between them a League and perpetâ—all coâ—federation foâ— defence of their estates Of whose attonement when King Henry heard as before he had expressed gladnesse that he was taken prisoner so now he sent Sir Thomas Cheiney to him to expresse his joy for being set at liberty so suddaine is the enterchange of love and hate amongst great Princes The French King being thus delivered the Emperour married the Lady Isabel Daughter to Emanuel King of Portingal and â—ad with her in Dower eleven hundred thousand Duckeâ—sâ— though three yeers before being at Windsor he had covenanted to take to wife the Lady Mary King Henries Daughter At this time Cardinall Woolsey obtained licence of the King to erect a Colledge at Oxford and another at Ipswich and towards the charge of them got leave also to suppresse certaine small Monasteries to the number of forty and after got a confirmation of the Pope that he might imploy the Goods and Lands belonging to those Houses to the maintenance of those two Colledges a perniâ—ious president and that which made the King a way afterward to make a generall suppression of all religioâ—s Houses though indeed there be great difference between converting of Monestaries into Colledges and utter subverting them In March King Henry sent Cuthert Tunstall Bishop of London and Sir Richard Winkfield Chancelour of the Duâ—chy of Lancâ—ster into Spaine to conferre with the Emperour about matters of great importance and particularly about Warre to be made in France and yet were these two Princes at this time in League but he that shall observe the carriage of these three Princes towards one another and how convertible their Leagues were into Warre and their Warre into Peace shall finde it a strange Riddle of Ragion di statâ— and their Leagues to have been but meere complements where the skale was turned with the least graine of a circumstance and though they were bound by Oath yet that Oath made the Leagues but little the firmer seeing the League might be broken and yet the Oath kept for while one gave the occasion and the other took it though they were both accessaries yet neither was principall and where there is not a principall the Oath remains inviolate And upon those Hinges did the friend-ship of these Princes turne as at this time the Emperour though not long before he had parted with the King of England in the greatest kindnesse that could be yet gave not the English Embassadours so kinde entertainment now as he had formerly done but for what cause was not apparent unlesse upon some sinister report made to him by Monsieur de Prate who having been his Ligier with the King of England was without taking leave of the King departed and come to the Emperour before the English Embassadours came But howsoever King Henry being determined to make Warre in France himselfe in person his Councell fell into consideration how the charge of the Warre should be maintained which care the Cardinall takes upon him and thereupon appoints Commissioners in all Shiers to sit and draw the people to pay the sixth part of every mans substance in plate or money but the people opposed it alleadging that it was against the Law of the Realme for any man to be charged with such payments unlesse by Parliament and as the Cardinall continued to presse it so the people continued to denye it and when some for denying it were committed to prison the Commons in many Countryes made great assemblies for their defence the report whereof at last came to the King who thereupon came to VVestminster and protested openly that it was done without his knowledge and that it was never his meaning to ask any thing of his Subjects but according to Law and therefore desired to know by whose Authority it was done Here the Cardinall excused himselfe and said that it was the opinion of all the Judges and of all his Councell thaâ— he might Lawfully demand any summe so it were done by Commission and thereupon it was done But the King liked not to take advantage of a distinction to draw money from his Subjects and thereupon gave warning for doing any such thing hereafter and signified so much by his Letters into all the Shiers of England giving also a generall pardon to all that had offered to rise upon it which though he did of his owne free grace yet the Cardinall to win a good opinion in the Commons gave out that it was by his meanes the King granted the pardon King Henries seventeenth yeer was honoured with the advancing of many in honour for on the eighteenth of Iune at his Pallace of Bridewell the Kings sonne which he had by Elizibeth Blunt daughter to Sir Iohn Blunt Knight called Henry Fitz-Roy was created first Earl of Nottingham and after on the same day Duke of Richmond and Somerset Henry Courtney Earle of Devonshire was created Marquis of Excetur the Lord Brandon sonne to the Duke of Suffolke and the French Queene a child of two yeers old was created Earle of Lincolne Sir Thomas Manners Lord Rosse was created Earle of Rutland Sir Henry Clifford was created Earle of Cunberland Sir Robert Ratcliffe
Lord Fitz-Water was created Viscount Fitz-VVater and Sir Thomas Bullen Treasurer of the Kings Houshold was created Viscount Rochâ—ord At this time the French Kings mother as then Regent of France procured by her Embassadours at first a Truce and afterward a peace with England which was proclaimed in London the eighth of September By the covenants of which peace the King of England should receive at certaine dayes twenty hundred thousand Crowns which in sterling money amounted to the summe of foure hundred thousand pound whereof fifty thousand was to be paid in hand Sir VVilliam Fitz-Williams and Doctor Talour was sent to the Lady Regent to take her corporall oath and likewise King Henry the foure and twentieth of Aprill at Greenwich in presence of the Embassadours of France Rome and Venice tooke his corporall oath to observe the peace betweene him and his loving brother the French King during his life and one yeer after In this winter was great mortality in London so as the Terme was adjourned and the King kept his Christmas at Eltham with a small number and was therfore called the still Christmas At which time the Cardinall comming to the Court took order for altering the state of the Kings House many officers and other servants were discharged and put to their pensions in which number were foure score and foure Yeomen of the Guard who before having had twelve pence the day with check were now allowed but six pence the day without check and commanded to goe into their Countries On Shrovetuesday this yeere a solemne Justs was held at Greenwich the King and eleven other on the one part the Marques of Excetur and eleven other of the other part In his nineteenth yeer King Henry kept a solemne Christmas at Greenwich with Revels Maskes disguisings and Banquets and the thirtieth of December and third of Ianuary were solemne â—usts holden when at night the King and fifteen other with him came to Bridewel and there putting on masking apparel took his Barge and rowed to the Cardinalls place where were at supper many Lords and Ladyes who daâ—ced with the maskers and after the dancing was made a great Banquet This Christmas was a play at Grayes-Inne made by one Master Roe a Sergiant at Law the effect whereof was that Lord Gouvernance was ruled by dissipation and negligence by whose evill order Lady Publick-Weale was put from governance This the Cardinall took to be meant by him and therupon seâ—t the said Master Roe to the Fleet though the Play were made long before the Cardinall had any authority by which we may see how inseperable a companion suspition is to a guilty conscience The fourteenth of Ianuary came to the Court Don Hugo de Mendoza a Grande of Spaine as Embassadours from the Emperour to the King with a large commission to make King Henry Judge how just the conditions were which the Emperour required of the King of France and about this negotiation â—arried two yeers in England so desirous the Emperour was to continue good correspondence with the King of England On Shrovetuesday the King and the Maquesse of Excester with others in most sumptuous attire came to the Tilt and ran so many courses till two hundred fourescore and six Speares were broken and then disarming themselves went into the Queenes Chamber where a sumptuous Banquet was provided But this Banquet was one of the last of the Queenes preparing for hitherto there had been no exception taken to the lawfulnesse of her marriage but now came over Embassadours from the King of France requiring to have the Kings Daughter the Lady Mary to be given in marriage to the Duke of Orleance second Sonne to their Master the French King wherein they that were the suitors for it were the hinderers of it for amongst them was the President of Paris who made a doubt whither the marriage betweene King Henry and the Lady Katherin of Spaine having been his Borthers wife were lawfull or no But howsoever the French Embassadours at Greenwich on Sunday the fifth of May in the name of their Master the French King took their Oâ—thes to observe the League concluded betweene them during their lives And shortly after were sent Sir Thomas Bullen Viscount Rochford and Sir Anthony Browne Knight as Embassadours to the King of France to take his Oath in person for performance of the League But enough of small Occurrances and indeed there will be Occurrances now more worthy to be related but more lamentable to be heard for now the Duke of Bourbon Generall of the Emperours Army in Italie was slaine by a shot from the Walls of Rome as he was passing by upon whose death the Army entred and sacked the City made the Pope flye to the Castle of Saint Angâ—lo and there cooped him up abused the Cardinals and put them to grievous ransomes spared neither Sacred places nor Religious persons but commitâ—ed all manner of barbarous and inhumaine cruelty These insolencies of the Emperours Army committed against the Pope â—ogether with the hard conditions the Emperour had imposed upon the King of France for setting him at liberty and the Emperours breach of promise in not marrying the Lady Mary King Henries Daughter were the apparent causes of King Henries breaking League with the Emperour Charles but a more enforcing though concealed cause perhaps was the growing greatnesse of the Emperour by his acquests in Italie and other places enough to breed a jealousie in all neighbouring Princes and indeed King Henry had some cause to thinke the Emperours spirits were grown higher with his Victories seeing where before he was wont alwayes to write letters to King Henry with his own hand and subscribe them your son and faithfull friend now after his Victories in Italie he caused his Secretaries to write them subscribing only Charles And yet a more pressing cause though not avowed might be the Cardinalls spleene against the Emperour for denying him the Bishopricke of Toledo in Spaine But which soever of these was the predominant cause all of them together made a cause sufficient for King Heâ—ry to fall off from amity with the Emperour and his falling off from the Empeâ—our cause sufficient â—o fall in with the King of France and thereupon the two Kings send their severall Heraulds to the Emperour King Henry Clarentiuâ— the French King his Herauld Guyen to expostulate their grievances with the Emperour and he refusing to returne a satisfactory answer to defiâ— him as their enemy The Emperour heard the Heraulds with great temper and answered Clarentius very mildely that he knew his Masters grievance was grounded upon misinformation wherein he would shortly rectifie him by his Letters as desiring nothing more then to continue his friend but â—uyen hee answered rougly bidding him tell his Master that he had broken his faith in not performing the Covenants agreed upon for his liberty and with these answers dismissed them only Guyen not thinking it fit to deliver his answer being in such termes by
into the Court which her Gentleman-usher Master Griffith hearing told her Madam you are called wel said she it makes no matter I will not tarry go your way and thus she departed and never after would appear in any Court but appealed from the Cardinals to the Pope himselfe The Queen being gone the King said I confesse she hath bin to me the most dutifull and loving wife that ever Prince had and if it were â—ot for this scruple of my conscience I would not leave her for any woman living and having now referred the judgement of the cause to these Commissioners I should be most glad they could finde the marriage between us to be in such sort lawfull that with obedience to the Law of God we might continue together for I take God to witnesse there is nothing I more desire This said the King rose and the Court was adjourned to another day for notwithstanding the Queens Appeal from which she would by no meanes be drawn the Cardinals continued their Session weekly heard all of both sides the Point that was chiefly stood on was whether Prince Arthur had ever had carnall knowledg of her or no the Kings Councell alleadged he had and proved it first by Prince Arthurs speech the nexâ— morning after his mariage that â—e had bin that night in the midst of Spain and then by the words of the last Dispensation Vel forsan Cognitam the Queens Advocates alleadged the contrary appealing to the Kings owne conscience whom the Queene charged that he knew her to be a Virgin when he married her though to say the truth iâ— were strange Prince Arthur and she having lyen five moneth together and hee no lesse then almost sixteene yeeres old But whilest Arguments were thus urged on both sides and no certainty could appeare the King sent the two Cardinals to the Queene lying then in Bridewell to perswade her she should submit her selfe to the Kings pleasure and not stand so peremptorily to her Appeale The Cardinals coming to her found her at work amongst her Maids with a skaine of white thred about her necke who having heard their message answered That in all other things she would willingly submit her selfe to the Kings will but in this which concerned her honesty and the legitimatenesse of her children she durst not but would relye upon the wisdom and pietie of both their Fathers who she knew would never have assented to the marriage if there had bin the least scruple of unlawfulnesse in it and otheâ— answer she would not give Upon their returne to the King when he perceived she could not be removed from her opinion he commanded the Court to goe on so that at last it came to judgement which every man expected should be the next day At which day the King came thither but in so secret manner that he might heare and not be seene where the Kings Councell at the Barre calling for Judgement Cardinall Campeius as being chiefe Commissioner stood up and said I finde the case very doubtfull and the party Defendant standing to her Appeale I will therefore give no Judgement till I have conferred with the Pope and therefore I adjourâ—e the Court for this time according to the order of the Court of Rome which heares no Causes judicially from the last of Iuly till the fourth of October at which protraction of time King Henry was not a little angry and the Duke of Suffolk being present in a great rage said it was never merry in England since we had Cardinals amongst us Soon after this the Cardinall tooke his leave of the King and returned to Rome he was indeed commanded so to doe by the Pope who would else most willingly have gratified King Henâ—y that had bestowed upon him the Bishoprick of Salisbury Whilst these things were in acting Cardinall Woolsey had an inkling of the Kings affection to Anne Bullen daughter of the Viscount Rochford and that the Divorce once passed he ment to marry her which Match because for many reasons he misliked one perhaps because she was a Lutheran he sent privily to the Pope that by no means he should give sentence for the Divorce till he had framed the Kings minde another way for his desire was that the King should marry the Dutchesse of Alanson the French Kings sister This packing of Woolsey was not so closely carried but that it soone came to the Kings knowledge and the King finding him a rubbe in his way whom he expected to have expedited his proceeding began to thinke it necessary to remove him and to take him off from that greatnesse which had made him so presuming and indeed he made short worke with him for soone after he sent the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke to him for the Seale which yet he would not deliver to them till they brought him a Warrant under the Kings owne hand When the Seale was brought to the King he delivered it to Sir Thomas Moore Speaker then of the Parliament the first Lay-man that bore that Office in any memory and in his roome was chosen Speaker Thomas Audley Attourney of the Dutchie Woolsey now removed from his Chauncellourship was in the Parliament then holden charged with points of treason but that charge was so cleerely taken off by his servant Thomas Cromwell who was then of the House that the Cardinall was acquitted to the great commendation of Cromwell both for abilities in himselfe and faithfulnesse to his Master After this the King being informed that all those things which the Cardinall had done by his power Legantine were within the case of Praemenire he caused his Attourney Christopher Hales to sue out a Praemunire against him and thereupon the two Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke were sent unto him to let him know the Kings pleasure was he should goe to Asher a House neere to Hampton-Court belonging to his Bishopricke of Winchester and there to reside whereupon the Cardinall having first delivered up all his Moveables to the Kings use the greatest store and richest that was ever knowne of any Subject went presently to Putney by water and from thence rode to Asher where he and his Family continued three or â—oure weekes without either Bed Sheetes Table-loathes or Dishes to eat their meat in or money wherewith to buy any but what he was forced to borrow of the Bishop of Carlile After this his matter for the Praemunire being called upon in the Kings Bench his two Atturnies confessed the Action and thereupon had Judgement to forfeit all his Lands and Goods and to be out of the Kings protection but the King of his clemency sent him a sufficient Protection and left him the Bishopricks of Yorke and Winchester with Plate and stuffe convenient for his dignity His Bishopricke of Duresme was given to Doctor Tunstall Bishop of London his Abbey of Saint Albans to the Prior of Norwich and the Bishopricke of London to Doctor Stokestey Embassadour then beyond the Seas In this meane while
matter of making void the marriage between them was hotly pursued by the King yet abstaining onely from her bed he conversed with her still and they kept Court together in as loving manner as they had done before And now King Henry understanding that the Pope and the Emperour was to meet at Bologna he sent Embassadours thither the Earle of Wiltshire Doctor Stokesley Elect of London and Doctor Lee to declare both to the Pope and to the Emperour the opinions of divers learned men in the matter of his Marriage who all agreed that it was against the Law of God and thereupon requiring the Pope to doe him Justice and shewing to the Emperour that the King moved this matter for discharge of his Conscience onely and to no other end To which the Pope answered that when he came to Rome he would heare the matter disputed and doe the King right The Emperour answered that he would in no case be against the Law of God and if this marriage were Judged such by the Court of Rome he would rest contented with these Answers the Embassadours returned It was now the two and twentieth yeere of King Henries reigne when the Emperour gave to the Master of Saint Iohns of Hierusalem the Island of Maltas in supplying of the Island of Rodes which the Turke sometime before had won from that Order In this yeere the New Testament having beene Translated into English by Tindall Ioy and others was forbidden to be read and many for reading it were sharply punished by command of the Bishops and Sir Thomas Moore then Lord Chancellour but none was more violent in the matter then the Bishop of London who caused all the Bookes to be brought into Pauls Church-yard and there burned King Henry having heard by good information that when Campeius was sent Legat into England he had brought with him a Bull of Diâ—orce but was afterward upon change of the Popes mind commanded to burne it saw plainly by this that the Pope had no meaning of proceeding really in the matter but to keepe it a foot for his owne ends neither to displease the Empour by granting it nor King Henry by not granting it but promising expedition to keepe him in expectance yet using delayes to keepe him in dependance and therefore resolved now to take such a course that he should not need to care whether the Pope granted it or no and thereupon caused a Proclamation to be published that no person of what estate or condition soever should Purchase or attempt to purchase from the Court of Rome any thing prejudiciall to the Jurisdiction or Prerogative of this his Realme upon paine of imprisonment and other punishments at his Graces pleasure and shortly after an Act was made that Bishops should pay no more Annats or money for Buls to the Pope for as much as it was proved there had been paid for Bulls of Bishops since the fourth yeere of King Henry the seventh an hundred and threescore thousand pounds besides what had been paid for Pardons and other dispensations Another Act was then also made that no person should appeale for any cause out of this Realme to the Court of Rome but from the Commissary to the Bishop and from the Bishop to the Archbishop and from the Archbishop to the King and all Causes of the King to be tried in the upper House of the Convocation At this time the Cardinall lying still at Asher and his Adversaries doubting lâ—ast lying so neare the King he might one time or other get accesse to the Kings presence and come againe into favour they using meanes to have him sent further off and thereupon the King appointed him to goe to his Diocesse of Yorke and not to come Southward without speciall licence whereupon in Lent he made great preparation for his journey and having in his train to the number of an hundred and threescore persons by easie journeyes came to Peterborrow and there kept his Easter the weeke after he went to Stamford then to Newark and so to Southwell where he continued most part of all that summer and then rode to Seroby where he staid till Michaelmas and then came to Cawood Castle within seaven miles of Yorke where he kept a plentifull house for al commers and repaired the Castle being greatly in decay having above three hundred Artificers in daily wages At last he determined to be installed at Yorke the next Munday after Alhallan-day against which time great preparation was made and the Cardinall sent to the King to lend him the Miter and Pall which he used to wear at any great solemnity At which pâ—esumption the King marvailed not a little saying to those that were about him what a thing is this that pride should thus reigne in a man that is quite under foot but before the day of Instalment came he was arrested in this manner Sir Walter Walsh one of the Kings Privy-chamber was sent downe to the Earlâ— of Northumberland with whom he was joyned in Commission to arrest the Cardinall whereupon they goe together to Cawood where the Cardinall lay and being entred into the house it was told the Cardinall that the Earle of Northumberland was come and in the Hall then quoth the Cardinall I am sorry wee have dined for I doubt our Officers are not provided of any good cheere With that he went and brought the Earle up welcomming him in a complementall manner as if he had come but onely to visit him but being come into the Chamber the Earle with a soft voyce laying his hand upon the Cardinals arme said My Lord I arrest you of high treason the Cardinall somewhat astonied asked to see his Commission which the Earle denying to shew then saith the Cardinall I will not obey your arrest at that instant Master Walsh came in and kneeled downe to the Cardinall who asked him if he were joyned in Commission with the Earle who answered he wasâ— well then said the Cardinall I trow you are one of the Kings Privie Chamber your name is Walsh I am content to yeeld to you but not to my Lord of Northumberland unlesse I see his Commission the meanest of the Kings Privie-chamber is sufficient to arrest the greatest Peere of the Realme by the Kings commandement without any Commission Then the Earle took the Cardinals keyes from him and put him in custody of his Gentlemen some few dayes after he was conveyed from Cawood to Pomfret and after to Sheffield Parke where he had kinde entertainment and staid with the Earle of Shrewsbury and his Lady eighteene dayes till at last sitting one day at dinner his colour was observed to change and being asked how he did not well saith he I have something suddenly at my stomacke as cold as a whetstone which I know is winde I desire to have something from the Apothecary to breake winde which was brought and the Earle seeing the say taken he tooke it and thereupon broke winde indeed but whether it were he
her and then desiring him further to have some consideration of her Servants On the eighth of Ianuary at Kimbolton she departed this life and was buried at Peterborough A woman of so vertuous a life and of so great obsequiousnesse to her husband that from her onely merit is grown a reputation to all Spanish wives Also the nine and twentieth of Ianuary this yeere Queene Anne was delivered of a childe before her time which was borne dead And now King Henry began to fall into thoâ—e great disorders which have been the blemish of his life and have made him be blotted out of the Catalogue of our best Princes for first in October this yeer he sent Dâ—ctor Lee and others to â—isit the Abbeys Priories and Nunneries in England who set at liberty all those Religious persons that would forsake their habit and all that were under thâ— age of foure and twenty yeers and in December following a survay was taken of all Chantries and the names of such as had the guift of them After which in a Parliament holden the fourth of February an Act was made which gave to the King all Religious houses with all their lands and goods that were of the value of three hundred marks a yeere and under the â—â—mber of which Houses was three hundred seventy and six the value of their lands yeerly above two and thirty thousand pounds their movable goods one hundred thousand the Religious persons put out of the same houses above ten thoâ—sand This yeere William Tindall was burnt at a Town in Flanders betweene Brussels and Mechlyn called Villefort for translating into English the New Testament and divers parts of the old who having beene long imprisoned was upon the Lord Cromwels writing for his Deliverance in all haste brought to the fire and burnt It was now the eight and twentieth yeere of King Henries Reigne when on Munday there were solemne Justs holden at Geeenwich from whence the King suddainely departed and came to Westminster whose suddaine departure stroke great amazement into many but to the Queene especially and not without cause for the next day the Lord Rochford her brother and Henry Norris were brought to the Tower of London prisoners whither also the same day at five a clock in the afternoone was brought Queene Anne her selfe by Sir Thomas Audeley Lord Chancelour the Duke of Norfolke Thomas Cromwell Secretary and Sir William Kingston Leivtenant of the Tower who at the Tower-gate fell on her knees before the said Lords beseeching God to help her as she was innocent of that whereof she was accused on the â—ifteenth of May she was arraigned in the Tower before the Duke of Norfolke sitting as high Steward of England When her Inditement was read she made unto it so wise and discreet answers that shee seemed fully to cleere her selfe of all matters laid to her charge but being tried by her Peeres whereof the Duke of Suffolke was chiefe she was by them found guilty and had Judgment pronounced by the Duke of Norâ—olke immeadiatly the Lord Rochford her brother was likewise arraigned and condemned who on the seaventeenth of May together with Henry Norris Marke Smeton VVilliam Briorton and Francis VVeston all of the Kings Privy-chamber about marters touching the Queen were beheâ—deâ— on the Tower-hill Queen Anne her selfe on the nineteenth of May on a Scaâ—fold upon the Green within the Tower was beheaded with the sword of Callice by the hangman of that Towne her body with the head was buried in the Quire of the chappell there This Queen Anne was the daughter of Thomas Bullen Earle of VViltshire and of Lady Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Norâ—olke the Earles Father was the sonne of Sir VVilliam Bullen whose wife was Margaret the second daughter and Coheire of Thomas Butler Ealre of Ormond and the said Sir VVilliam was the sonne of Sir Godfrey Bullen Lord Major of London who lieth buried in Saint Leonards Church in the Iewry whose wife was Anne eldest daughter coheire to Thomas Lord Hoo and Hastings and his discent was out of the house of the Bullens in the County of Norfolke thus much for her Parentage for her Religion she was an â—arnest Professor and one of the first Countenancers of the Gospell in Almes-deeds so liberall that in nine moneths space It it is said she distributed amongst the poore to the value of fifteene thousand pounds now for the crimes for which she died Adultery and Incest proofes of her guiltinesse there are none recorded of her Innocency many first her owne clearing of all objections at the time of her arraignment then Cromwels writing to the King after full examination of the matter that many things have been objected but none confessed onely some circumstances had been acknowledged by Marke Smeton and what was Marke Smeton but a meane fellow one that upon promise of life would say any thing and having said somthing which they took hold of was soone after executed least he should retract it lastly they that were accused with her they all denied it to the death even Henry Norris whom the King specially favoured and promised him pardon if he would but confesse it It was a poore proofe of Incest with her brother that comming one morning into her chamber before she was up he leaned down upon her bed to say somthing in her eare yet this was taken hold of for a proof and it need be no marvaile if we consider the many aduersaries she had as being a Protestant and perhaps in that respect the King himselfe not greatly her friend for though he had excluded the Pope yet he continued a Papist stil and then who knowes not that nature is not more able of an Acorn to make an oake then authority is able of the least surmise to make a certainty But howsoever it was that her death was contrived certain it is that it cast upon King Henry a dishonourable Imputation in so much that where the Protestant Princes of Germany had resolved to choose him for head of their League after they heard of this Queens death in such a manner they utterly refused him as unworthy of the honour and it is memorable what conceit Queene Anne her selfe had of her death for at the time when shee was led to be beheaded in the Towerâ— shee called one of the Kings Privy-chamber to her and said unto him commend me to the King and tell him he is constant in his course of advancing me for from a private Gentlewoman he made me a Marquesse from a Marquesse a Queen and now that he had left no higher degree of worldly honour for me he hath made me a Martyr Immediatly after her death in the weeke before Whiâ—â—onâ—ide the King maried Iane Seymour daughter to Sir Iohn Seymour who at Whitsontide was openly shewed as Queene and on the Tuesday in the Whitson-weeke her brother Sir Edmund Seymour was created Viscount Beauchamp and Sir Walter Hangerford was made Lord Hangerford The
eight of Iune the Parliament began during the which the Lord Thomas Howard without the Kings assent had affianced the Lady Margaret Douglas daughter to the Queen of Scots and Niece to the King for which he was attainted of treason and an Act was made for like offenders hereafter and so he died in the Tower and shee long time remained there a prisoner yet afterward was set at liberty and maried Mathew Earle of Lenox who by him had Henry Father of Iames the first King of Great Brittaine In the time of this Parliament the Bishops and all the Clergy had a solemne Convocation at Pauls Church in London where after much disputation and debating of matters they published a book of Religion intituled Articles devised by the Kings Highnesse in which booke are specially mentioned but three Sacraments namely Baptisme Eucharist and Pennance also certaine Injunctions were set forth whereby many of the old Holi-dayes were abrogated specially those that fell in Harvest time The two and twentieth of Iuly Henry Duke of Richmond and Somerset base sonne of King Henry by Elizibeth Blunt died at Saint Iames and was buried at Thetsâ—one in Norfolke The nine and twentieth of Iune the King held a great Justs and Triumph at VVestminster but a disastrous Sea-fight on the water where one Gates a Gentlâ—man was drowned in his harnesse and by the breaking of a Gunne two Mariners were sore mained in Iuly following Thomas Cromwell Secretary to the King and Master of the Rolles was made Lord Keeper of the Privy-seale and the ninteenth of Iuly the Lord Fitz-Warren was created Earl of Bath and the day after the said Cromwell was made Lord Cromwell and on the eighteenth of Iuly Vicâ—r Generall under the King over the Spiritualty who sate diverse times in the Convocation House amongst the Bishops as head over them and now was the state of Religion in England come to a strange passe because alwayes in passing and had no consistance for at first the authority of the Pope was excluded in some cases onely a while alter in all but yet his Doctrine was wholly retained Afterward his Doctrine came to be Impugned but in some few points onely a while after in many more that the fable of Proteuâ— might no longer be a fable when the Religion in England might be his true Morralâ— and indeed it could be no otherwise the distance between the two Religious being not possible to be passed Per saltum but must be done by degrees which degrees may be observed in the progresse of the story for where at first it was permitted onely to read the Bible in English now it came to be permitted to pray in English for now in September the Lord Cromwell set forth Injunctions to have the Lords prayer the Ave the Creed the ten Commandements and all Articles of the Christian-faith translated into English and to be taught by all Parsons and Curates to their Parishoners which Innovation so stirred up the people that in Lincolâ—shire they assembled to the number of twenty thousand against whom the King himselfe went in person who winâ—â—ng by perswasions their chief leaders brought the rest upon pardon to submit themselves but when he had himselfe done the work of mercy he afterward sent the Duke of Suffolke with Sir Francis Brian and Sir Iohn Russell to doe the worke of Justice who caused Nicholas Melton and a Monke naming himselfe Captaine Cobler and thirteen others Ringleaders of the sedition to be apprehended and most of them to be executed But this Commotion was scarce appeased when presently there rose another in the North-parts where forty thousand were assembled giving themselves out for an holy Pilgrimage where on one side of their Ensignes they had Christ hanging on the crosse on the other side the Cuppe and Bread of the Sacrament as taking Armes onely for maintenance of the Faith of Christ and deliverance of the holy Church now oppressed but these were opposed by George Earle of Shrewsbury who having raised an Army without Commission though to resist the Rebels yet began to be much troubled whither in so doing he had not committed Treason and was never quiet till he had seâ—t to the King for pardon and commission to proceed at which time a rumour being raised amongst his souldiers that the Earle so well liked the Rebels cause that what shew soever he made yet when it should come to the triall he would not stick to joyne with them and take their parts to remove which Opinion out of their mindâ— he caused all his souldiers to come before him and made his Chaplaine give him an oath by which he swore in their hearing to be true to the Crowne and never to be assisting to any Rebels to his aide were sent the Duke of Norfolke with the Marquis of Exceturâ— the Earles of Huntington and Rutland who with a mighty Army approachiâ—g the Rebels beyond Doncaster in the way towards York attempted first to have pacified them without blood-shed but when no perswasions would serve it was resolved of both sides to come to a battell but see here the great goodnesse of God for the night before the day appointed for battel it happened that a litle Brook called Dun running betweene the two Armies upon a small raine grew to such a height that it was not passable by either foot or horse so as the Armies having time to consider and considering perhaps this miracle as sent of God they came to agreement and upon pardon disbanded and returned to their houses but in the mean time they had besieged the Castle of Scarborough where the resolute carriage of Sir Ralph Evens is memorable who held the Castle by onely his owne servants and Tennants and that when for twenty dayes together he had no other sustenance but bread and water but all Comotions were not yet appeased for at this very time there was another great Army assembled out of Cumberland Westmerland and the North-parts of Lancashire marching South-wards but by the diligence of the Earl of Darby to whom also the Earle of Sussex was sent they were suppressed and their chief Leaderâ— as the Abboâ—s of Wally Sauly and others apprehended and hanged but neither is there yet an end of comotions for now in February Nicholas Musgrave Thomas Tilâ—y with oâ—hers to the number of twelve thousand began a Rebellion and be sieged Carlile but by the power of the City were first beaten back and then were encountred by the Duke of Norfolke who caused seventy foure of them by Martiall-law â—o be hanged on the walls of Carlile but neither was there yet an end of Comotions for now in Setrington Pickering Lâ—igh and Scarborough began a new Rebellion by procurement of Francis Bigot who had râ—ised a great power and meant to have taken Hull but by the industry of Sir Ralph Ellarker and the Major of the Towne threescore aâ— the Rebels were taken and hanged and the rest put to flight and glad to be quiet
for the suppressing of so many Monasteries the King instituted certaine new Bishoprickes as at VVestminster Oxford Peterborough Bristow Chester and Gloster and assigned certaine Canons and Prebends to each of them The third of November Henry Courtney Marquesse of Exceter and Earle of Devonshire Henry Poole Lord Montacute Sir Nicholas Carew of Bedington Knight of the Garter and Master of the Kings Horse and Sir Edward Nevill brother to the Lord of Aburgeiney were sent to the Tower being accused by Sir Geoffry Poole the Lord Montacutes brother of high treason theâ— were indiâ—ed for devising to promote and advance one Reinold Poole to the Crowne and put downe King Henry This Poole was a neere kinsman of the Kings being the sonne of the Lady Margaret Countesse of Salisbury daughter and heire to George Duke of Clarence he had been brought up by the King in learning and made Deane of Excetur but being sent after to learne experience by travaile he grew so great a friend of the Popes that he became an enemy to King Henry and for his enmity to the King was by Pope Iulius the third made Cardinall for this mans cause the Lords aforesaid being condemned were all executed the Lord Marquis the Lord Montacute and Sir Edward Neâ—ill beheaded on the Tower-hill the ninth of Ianuary Sir Nicholas Carew the third of March two Priests condemned with them were hanged at Tyburn Sir Ieoffry Poole though condemned also yet had his pardon About thiâ— time one Nicholson alias Lambert being accused for denying the Reall presence in the Sacrament appealed to the King and the King was coâ—tent to heare him whereupon a Thronâ— was set up in the Hall of the Kings Pallace at Westminster for the King to siâ— and when tâ—e Bishops had urged their arguments and could not prevaile then the King tooke him in hand hoping perhaps to have the honour of conâ—erting an Hereticke when the Bishops could not doe it and withall promised him pardon if he would recant but all would not doe Nicholsoâ— remained obstinâ—te the King mist his honor the delinquent mist his pardon and shortly after was drawne to Smithfield and there burnt About this time King Henry being informed that the Pope by instigation of Cardinall Poole had earnestly moved divers great Princes to invade England He as a provident Prince endeaâ—oured aâ—â—arnâ—stly to provide â—or defence aâ—d to that end rode himselfe to the Sâ—a-coast◠〈◊〉 them fortifiâ—â— and in needfull places Bulwarkes to be erected Hee câ—used hiâ— Naâ—â—eâ—â— be rigged and to be in readinesse at any short warning he câ—â—sed Musters â—â— be raken in all sheeâ—es and lists of all able men in eâ—ery Countâ— in Lâ—â—â—don specially where Sir William Forman the â—hen Mâ—jor â—â—â—â—ified the number of fifteene thousand not that they were 〈…〉 but that so many were ready prepared and these on the eight of May the King himselfe saw Mustered in Iames Parke where the Citizeâ—s â—â—â—ove in such sort to exceed each other in bravary of armes and forwardnesse of service aâ— if the City had bin a Campe and they not men of the gownâ— but all profest Souldiers which they performed to their great cost but greater comendâ—â—ion It was now the one and thirtieth yeere of King Henriâ—s reigne and the nine and fortieth of his age when having continued a widdower two yeere he began to thinke of marrying againe and bee needed not be a suiâ—our for a wife for he was sued unto take one The Emperour sollicited him to marry the Dutchesse of Milan but to marry her he must first obtaine a Licence from the Pope and King Henry was resolved rather to have no wife then to have any more to doe with the Pope Then the Duke of Cleve made suit unto him to marry the Lady Anne hiâ— Sister and hee was a Protestant Prince and so though differing in points of Doctrine yet in the maine Point of excluding â—he Pope both of one minâ—e Many about the King were forward for thiâ— Maâ—ch but the Lord Croâ—well specially and indeed it concerned him more then any other that the King should take a Protestant wife seeing 〈◊〉 actions hâ—d beene such as none but â— Protestant Queene would ever like and if the Queene should not like them the King though done by his leave would â—ot like them long Hereupon such meanes was used that Embâ—ssaâ—ours came from the Duke of Cleve to conclude the March and theâ— the elevâ—nth of December the Lady her selfe in grâ—at state was brought first to Callice and then over to Dover and being come to Rochester the King secretly came to see her afterward she was conducted to London meâ— by the way in severall places by all the great Lords and Ladies of the Kingdome The third of Ianuary she was received into London by Sir William Hollice then Lord Major with Orationâ— Pageants anâ— all complements of Staâ—e the greatest that ever had beene seene On Twelfth day the Marriage was â—olemnized the Archbishop of Canterbury did the office the Earle of Oversteine a German Lord gaâ—e her In Aprill following the Lord Cromwell as though he had won the Kings heart for ever by making this march was made Earle of Essex for in March before Henry Rourchieâ— Earle of Essexâ— and the ancientest Earle of England had broken his necke by seeking to breake a yong Horse leaving onely one Daughter and the dying without issue the Earldome came to the Family of Devereux which yet enjoyed not the honour till afterward in Queene Elizabeths time and then made but not restored The ninth of March the King created Sir William Paulet Treasurour of his House Lord Saint Iohn Sir Iohn Russell Controlour Lord Russell and shortly after Sir William Par was created Lord Par. The eight and twentieth of April began a Parliament at Westminster in the which Margaret Countesse of Salisbury Gertrude wife to the Marquesse of Exceter Reynold Poole Cardinall broâ—her to the Lord Montacute Sir Adrian Foskew Thomas Dingley Knight of Saint Iohns and divers others were attainâ—ed of high treason of whom Foskew and Dingley the tenth of Iuly were beheaded the Countesse of Salisbury two yeeres after and in this Parliament the Act of the six Articles was established and Sir Nicholas Hare was restored to his place of Speaker in the Parliament It was now five moneths after the Kings marriage with the Lady Anne of Cleve and though the King at the first sight of the Lady did not like her person yet whether as respecting the honour of Ladies he would not disgrace her at the first meeting or whether he ment to try how time might worke him to a better liking or indeed that he would not give distaste to the German Princes at that time for sole ends he had a working he dissembled the matter and all things went on in a shew of contentment on all hands But for all these shewes the crafty Bishop of London Stephen Gardiner finding how the world went with the Kings affection towards his
Queene and for her sake with Cromwell to neither of whom he was greatly affected not to the Queene as misliking her religion not to Cromwell as envying his greatnesse he so wrought upon the Kings inclination what by suggesting and what by aggravating that the Lord Cromwell the ninth of Iuly sitting in the Councell Chamber was suddenly apprehended and committed to the Tower and the ninteenth of the same moneth was attainted by Parliament and never came to his Answer by a Law which as some reported he himselfe had caused to be made and the eight and twentieth of Iuly was beheaded on the Tower-hill for crimes as appeares in Record of Heresie and Treason This Lord Cromwell was borne at Pâ—tney a Village in Surrey neere the Thames side sonne to a Smith after whose decease his Mother was married to a Sheereman for the pregnancy of his wit he was first entertained by Cardinall Woolsey and by him imployed in many great affaires the Cardinall falling the King tooke him into his service and finding his great abilities first advanced him for his worth and then for his pleasure overthrew him But the greatest part of Stephen Gardiners practice had beene done before for at Midsomer before the King caused the Queene to remove to Richmond as for her health and pleasure and and in the time of her absence on the sixt of Iuly sent certaine Lords to the Lower House of Parliament who there declared certaine causes for which the Kings marriage with the Lady Anne of Cleve was not to be counted lawfull and so carried the matter that the Convocation cleerly determined the King might marry any other and so might she Being thus Divorced it was further Enacted she should no more be called Queene but the Lady Anne of Cleve The fault for which this Divorce was decreed is not expresly deliveredâ— some say a precontract of the said Lady with a Lord of Germany was pretended but it seems to have bin for some womanish defect in her body as she spared not to aâ—firme that she had never bin carnally known by the King in al the time of their lying together and as it is said when her Ladies one time said unto her that they looked now every day to hear of her great belly she should answer they might look long enough unlesse saying how dost thou sweerest God morrow sweet-heart and sucâ— like words could make a great belly for said she more then this there never passed between the King and me How ever it was she willingly submitted to the Decree whether out of fear or perhaps as little liking the King as the King did her and afterward led a private life here in England wel respected of the King and dying sixteen yeers after in the fourth yeer of Queeâ— Mary was buried at Westminster About this time Leonard Gray Deputy of Ireland was on the Tower-hill beheaded for suffering his Nephew Gerald Fitz-Garret to escape who had been declared an enemy to the state and then also was Thomas Fines Lord Dacres a young mâ—n of foure and twenty yeers of age hanged at Tyburne â—or kiling a meane peson upon a suddaine affray also the fourth of Aâ—gust Thomas Epson a Monke of Westminster for denying to take his oath to be true to the King had his Monks garment plucked from his back the last Monke that was seen in such habit in England till Queen Maryes dayes The sixt of Iuly in the two and thirtieth yeere of his Reigne King Henry had been divorcâ—d from the Lady Anne of Cleve and now the eighth of August following the Lady Katherine Howard Niece to the Duke of Norfolke and daughter to the Lord Edward Howard was shewed openly as Queene at Hampton-Court On the tenth of Iune the yeere following Sir Edmund Knevet of Norfolke Knight was arraigned before thâ— Officers of the Green-cloath for striking one Master Cleere of Norfolke within the Tennis-court of the Kings Houseâ— being found guilty he had judgment to loose his Right hand and to forfeite all his lands and goods whereupon there was called to do execution first the Serjeant Surgion with his Instruments pertaining to his office then the Serjeant of the Wood-yard with a mallet and a block to lay the hand upon then the Kings Master-cooke with the knife â—o cut off the hand then the Serjeant of the larder to set the knife right on the joynt then the Serjeant Farrier with searingâ—irons to seare the veines then the Serjeant of the â—oultry with a Cock which cock should have his head smitten off upon the same block and with the same knife then the Yeoman of the Chandry with seare-cloaths then the Yeoman of the Scullery with a pan of fire to heare the irons a chafer of water to coole the ends of the irons and two formes for all Officers to set their stuffe on then the Serjeant of the Cellar with wine Ale and Beere then the Serjeant of the Ewry with Bason Ewre and towels all things being thus prepared Sir William Pickering Knight Marshall was commanded to bring in his prisoner Sir Edmund Knevet to whom the chiefe Justice declared his offence which the said Knevet confessed and humbly submitted himselfe to the Kings mercy onely he desired that the King vvould spare his Right hand and take his left because said he if my right hand be spared I may live to doe the King good service of vvhose submission and reason of his suite vvhen the King vvas informed he granted him to loose neither of his hands and pardoned him also of his lands and goods The summer of his three and thirtieth yeerâ— King Henry with his Queene Katherine made a progresse into the North-parts and retâ—rning at Alhallantide to Hampton-court he was there informed of the Queens dessolute life first before her mariage with one Francis Deerham a Gentleman of Nâ—rfolke whom imployed afterward in Ireland she had lately againe at Pomfret received into her service and now since her mariage with one Thomas Colepepper of the Kings Privy-chamber whereupon the thirteenth of November Sir Thomas VVriothsley Knight secretary to the King was sent to the Queen at Hampton-Court to charge heâ— with these crimes and discharging her houshold to cause her to be convayed to Sion there to remaine till the Kings pleasure should be further knowne the deliâ—quents being examined Deerham confessed that before the Kingâ— mariage with the Lady Katherine there had been a pre-contract between himselfe and her but when he once understood of the Kings liking towards her he then waved and consealed it for her preforment so the first of December theâ— Gentlemen being arraigned at the Guild-hall they confessed the Indictment aâ—â— had Judgment to die as in cases of treason the tenth of December they weâ—e drawne from the Tower to Tyburne where Colepepper was beheaded and Deerham was hanged and dismembred Colepeppers body was buried in Sepulchers Church in London but both their heads were set on London-bridge the two and twentieth of December
came to Guisnes for the King of England the Earl of Hertford the Bishop of Winchester Sir Iohn Dudley Viscount Lisle Baron of Mawpas and high Admirall of England Sir William Paget the Kings Secretary Doctor Nicholas Wootton Dean of Canterbury For the French King there came to Ard Claude Danebolt Admirall of France the Bishop of Eureux Monsieur Reymond chiefe President of Roan and the Secretary Bouchetell Diverse times they met betwixt Ard and Guisnes and after long debating of matters and diverse breakings offâ— at length the seventh of Iune a Peace was concluded and proclaimed in the City of London on Whitsunday the thirteenth of Iune by sound of trumpet and the same day in like manner at Paris and Roan the chiefe Article of which Peace was this that the French King paying to the King of England eight hundred thousand Crownes within the terme of eight yeeres should have Bulloigne againe restored to him which in the mean time should remain in possession of the King of England as a pledge for assurance of the said money and now for a full establishment of this Peace the Viscount Lisle Lord Admirall with the Bishop of Duresme and divers other Lords were sent into France to take oath of the French King and of the Dolphin as likewise at the same time divers Lords came from the French King to take oath of King Henry who by the way were met by the yong Prince and many Lords and conducted to the King at Hampton-Court In his seven and thirtieth yeere the three and twentieth of November a Parliament began at VVestminsâ—er wherein was granted to the King a Subsidie both of Spiritualty and Temporalty and all Colledges Chanteries and Hospitalls were given to him to dispose of the foure and twentieth of December the Parliament was prorogued on which day the King comming to the Parliament House the Speaker made to him an Oration which the Lord Chancelour was used to answere but at this time the King would answer himselfe the effect whereof was that where Master Speaker had commended him for many excellent qualities that were in him he thanked him for it not that he had them but for putting him in mind how necessary it was he should have them then he thanked the whole House for their Subsidie and for giving him the Colleges and Chanteries which hee promised to see bestowed to the glory of God and good of the Realme lastly he ackowledged their love to himselfe but found fault with want of love to one another for what love where there is not concord and what concord when one calleth another Heretick and Anabaptist and he againe calleth him Papist and Hipocrite and this not onely amongst those of the Temporalty but even the Clergy men themselves preach one against another inveigh one against another without Charity or Discretion some be so stiffe in their old mumpsimus and others so curious in their new sumpsimus that few or none Preacheth truly and sincerely the word of God now therfore let this be amended feare and serve God be in Charity amongst your selves to the which I as your supream Head and Soveraigne Lord exhort and require you and this said the Acts were openly read to some he gave his Royall assent and to diverse assented not Whilst oath for the peace was thus taken by both Kings Bulloigne remaining still in King Henries possession Monsieur de Chatillon Captain of Mont-pleasier began to make a new Bastillion at the very mouth of the Haven of Bulloigne naming it Chatillous Garden hereof the Lord Gray of VVilton as then Deputy of Bulloigne advertised the King by Sir Thomas Palmour requiring to know his pleasure whither he should race it as a thing very incommodious to the Town or let it stand the King asked advice of his Counsail who all agreed that the conditions of the peace ought in no wise to be infringed and therefore to let the Bastillian stand whereupon the King caused his Secretary the Lord Paget to write a letter to the Lord Gray to that purpose but then called Sir Thomas Palmour secretly to him bidding him tell the Lord Gray that whatsoever he had written in his letter yet with all speed possible he should race the fortification to the ground Sir Thomas Palmour replying that a message by word of mouth being contrary to his leter would never be beleeved wel said the King do you tell him as I bid you and leave the doing it to his choice upon the comming back of Sir Thomas Palmour the Lord Gray called a counsaile shewing them thâ— Kingâ— letter and withall Sir Thomas Palmours message and then asked their Advise what in this case he should doe who all agreed without any question that the letter was to be followed and not the message to which the Lord Gray himselfe said nothing but caused the message to be wtitten verbatim from Sir Thomas Palmours mouth and those of the Counsaile to set their hands to it this done the night following he issued forth with a company of Armed men and Pioners aud overthrew the fortification to the ground aâ—d then sent Sir Thomas Palmour with letters to the King who as soon as he saw him asked aloud what will he doe it or no Sir Thomas Palmour delivering his letter said your Majesty shall know by these but then the King halfe angry nay tell me saith he wil he doe it or no being then told it was done and the fortification clean raced he turned to his Lords and said what say you my Lords to this Chatillous Garden is raced to the â—loore whereto one presently answered that he that had done it was worthy to loose his head to which the King streightlâ— replyed that he would rather lose a dozen such heads as his was that so Jâ—dged then one such servants as had done it and therewith commanded the Lord Grays pardon should presently be drawn the which he sent vvith letters of great thanks and promise of reward the cause why the King took this course was this lest if he written the racing of the Fortification in his letter it might have come tâ— the French-mens knowledge before it could have been done and so have been prevented and by this may be taken a scantling of King Henries great Capacitie It is now the eight and thirtieth yeere of his reigne when about Michaelmas Thomas Duke of Norfolke and Henry Earle of Surrey his Sonne and heire upon certaine surmises of treason were committed to the Tower of London and the thirteenth of Ianuary the King then lying at the point of death the said Earle was arraigned in the Guild-hall before the Lord Major the Lord Chauncellour and other Lords there in Commission the speciall matter wherewith he was charged was the bearing of certaine Armes that were said to belong to the King and to the Prince though the Earle justified the bearing of them as belonging to divers of his Ancestours affirming withall that he had the opinion
restrained from these Games fell some to drinking some to stealing of Conies and Deere aud such other misdemeanours also in this yeere was an inhauncing of Coyne for preventing the carrying it over to places where it went at higher rate so that the Angell which went before but for seven shillings should now goe for seven and six pence and every ounce of Gold should be five aâ—d forty shillings which was before but forty and other Coynes accordingly In his twentieth yeer Sir Iames Spencer being Major of London the watch used on Mid-somer night was laid downe In his three and thirtieth yeer in a Parliament then holden an Act was made that whosoevet should poyson any person should be boyled to death by which Statute one Richard Roose who had poysoned diverâ—e persons in the Bishop of Rochester place was boyled to death in Smithfield to the terrible example of all other In his two and twentieth yeer three Acts were made one foâ— probate of Testaments another for Mortuaries the third against plurality of benefices Non-Residence buying and taking of Farmes by spirituall persons In his thirtieth yeer it was ordained by Cromwel the Kings Vicar General that in al Churches a Register should be kept of every Weddng Christning and buriall within the same Parish for ever In his one and thirtieth yeer the King first instituted and appointed fifty Gentlemen called Pensioners to waight upon his person assighning to each of them fifty pounds a yeer for the maintainance of thâ—mselvs and two horses in his six and thirtieth yeer Proclamation was made for the inhancing of Gold to eight and fortâ— shillings and silver to foure shillings the ounce also he caused to be coyned base money mingling it with brasse which was since that time called downe the fifth yeere of Edward the sixth and called in the second yeer of Queen Elizibeth In his seven and thirtieth yeer the brothell houses called the Stewes on the Bank-side in Southwarke were pâ—t downe by the Kings Commandement and was done by proclamation and sound of Trumpet In his three and twentieth yeer it was enacted that Butchers should sell their meat by weight Beef for a half-peny the pound and Mutton for three farthings also at this time forraigne Butchers were permitted their flesh in Leadenhall-market which before was not allowed in his time also the Government of the President in the North was first instituted and the first President there was Tunstall Bishop of Durham Affaires of the Church in his time IN the yeer 1517. the eighth yeer of this Kings Reigne Martin Luther of VVittemberg in Germany a Frier of the Order of the Hermisses taking occasion from the abuseâ— of Indulgences began to Preach against the Authority of the Pope and to bring in a Reformation of Religion for repressing of whom the Counsaile of Trent was called by Pope Paul the third in the yeere 1542. which continued above forty yeers but was never received in the Kingdome of Franceâ— which Counsaile by decreeing many things to be poins of faith which were not so accounted before hath made no small distraction amongst Pâ—pists themselves against this Luther King Henry wrote a booke with great bitternesse and with as great bitternesse was answered at the same time with Luther there arose also in the same Country other Reformers of Religion as Zuingliuâ— Occloampadious Melancthon who differing from Luther in some few points made the difference which is at this day of Lutherans and Protestants so called at first Auspurg for making a protestation in defence of their Doctrine which soon after spread all Christendome over King Henry in the sixth and twentieth yeer of his Reigne had excluded the Popes Authority ouâ— of his Realme but thinking the worke not sufficiently done as long as Abbeys and Prioâ—ies kept their station which were as it were his Forteresses and Pillars there wâ—s not long after meâ—nes found to have them suppressed for aspersioâ—s being lâ—id upon them and perhaps no more then truth of Adulteries and Murtherâ— they by Act of Parliâ—ment in his eight and twentieth yeer at lest neere foure hundred of them suppressed and all their lands and goods conferred upon the King In his one and thiâ—tieth yeer all the rest and lastly in his five and thirtinth yeer all Colledgeâ— Chantries and Hospitals so as the hives being now all removed there have never since any Bees or Drones been seen in the Country in this Kings time the Citty of Rome was taken and sacked by the Imperiall Army forcing the Pope to fly to his Castle Saint Angelo and there kept a prisoner till he agreed to such conditions as his Adversaries propounded In the two and twentieth yeere of this Kings reigne a Proclamation was set forth that no person should purchase any thing from the Court of Rome and this was the first blow given to the Pope in England In his three and twentieth yeer the Clergy submitting themselves to the King for being found guilty of a Praemunire were the first that called him supream head of the Church In his foure and twentieth yeere a Parliament was holden wherein one Act was made that Bishops should pay no more Annats or money for their Buls to the Pope and another that no person should appeale for any cause out of this Realm to the Court of Rome but from the Commissary to the Bishop and from the Bishop to the Archbishop and from the Archbishop to the King and all causes of the King to be tried in the upper Hoâ—se of the Convocation In his six and twentieth yeer in Iuly Iohn Frith was burnt in Smithfield aâ—d with him at the same stake one Andrew Howet a Tailor both for denying the Reall presence in the Sacrament and in a Parliament holden tâ—is yeer an Act was made which Authorized the Kings Highnesse to be supreame head of the Church of England and the Authority of the Pope to be abolished and then also was given to the King the first fruits and tenths of all Spirituall livings and this yeer were many put to deaâ—h Papists for denying the Kings Supremecy Protestants for denying the Reall presence in the Sacrament and it is incredible what numbers for thesâ— two causes were put to death in the last ten yeers of this Kings Reign of whom if we should make perticular mention iâ— would reach a great way in the Book of Martyrs in his eight and twentieth yeer the Lord Cromwell was made Viâ—aâ— General under the King over the Spiritualty and sate divers times in the Convocation House amongst the Bishops as head over them and in September thiâ— yeere he set forth injunctions commandiâ—g all Parsons and Curates to â—each their Parishoners the Paâ—er Noster the Aâ—e and Creed with the ten Commandements and Articles of the Christian Fâ—ith in the English tongue Iâ— his one and thirtieth yeer was set forth by the Bishops the Book of the six Articles condemning all for Hereticks and to be burnt that should hold 1. That the body
of them backed with a thousand men at Armes yet the Scots resolutely maintained the fight three houres and more but in the end overlaid with number they were put to flight and chased almost to the edge of their Camp In this fight the chiefest force of the Scottish Hors-men was defeated the Lord Hume by a fall from his Horse lost his life his sonne and Heire with two Priests and six Gentlemen were taken prisoners and about fifteene hundred slaine the next day the Protectour and the Earle of Warwick rode towards the place where the Scottish Army lay to view the manner of their incamping As they returned an Herauld and a Trumpeter from the Scots overtook them who having obtained Audience the Trumpeter said that the Lord Huntley his Master to spare effusion of Christian blood would fight upon the whole quarel either with twenty against twenty or with ten against ten or else try it between the Lord Generall and himselfe the Protectour answered that for number of Combatants it was not in his power to conclude any bargaine and as for himselfe that being in publick charge it was not fit he should hazard himselfe against a man of private Conditions which otherwise he would most willingly accept here the Earle of Warwick intreated the Lord Generall that he might accept the Challenge and Trumpeter saith he bring me word that thy Master will performe the Combat with me and thou shalt have an hundred Crownes for thy paines nay rather saith the Lord Generall bring me word that thy Master will abide and give us battaile and thou shalt have a thousand Crownes for thy paines and thereupon when no other agreement could be made a generall battaile was resolved on in the Army of the Scots were five or six and thirty thousand men in the Avant-guard commanded by the Earle of Angus about fifteen thousand in the Battaile over whom was the Lord Governour about teâ— thousand and in the Arreare as many led by the valiant Gourdon Earle of Hackbuttersâ—hey â—hey had none nor men at Armes bur about two thousand Hors-men Prickers as they terme them the rest were all on foote we'â—l furnished with Jack and Scull pikes daggers Bucklers made of boord aâ—d slicing swords broad and thin every man had a long Kirchiffe folded twicâ— or thrice about his neck and many of them had cheines of Lattin drawne thâ—ee or foure times along their hoses and doublet-sleeves they had also to affright the enemies Horses great â—attles covered with parchment or paper and small stones within put upon staves three ells long And now both Armies joyned in battaile where a long fight and much variety of fortune on both sides at length the victory fell to the English in this fight divers of the Nobility of Scotland were slain of the inferior sort about ten or as some say foâ—rteen thousand of the English were slain onely one and fifty Horse-men aâ—d on footmen but many hurt the Lord Gray was dangerously thrust with a pike in the mouth which struck two inches into his neck the Scottish prisoners accounted by the Marshals booke were about fifteene hundred the chiefe whereof were the Earle of Huntley the Lords Yester Hobley and Hamilton the Master of Sanâ—-Poole and the Lord of Wimmes the Earle of Huntley being asked whilst he was a prisoner how he stood affected to the marriage made this answer that he liked the mariage wel enough but he liked not this kinde of woing This victory of Muskelborough against the Scots was on the tenth of December the very same day on which thirty yeers before a victory had bin had against them at Flodden field so as it seems this day was fatall to the Scots and confirms the opinion of Astologers that there are dayes to some men fortunate unfortunate to others if they could be known This victory strook such a terror into many of the Scots that the Earl Bothwel and divers chiefe Gentlemen of Tividale and Meers submitted themselves to the King of England and were received by the Prorectour into his protection after this the English army took many towns and Castles and then for want of Provision returned into England having not stayed above five and twenty dayes in Scotland and not lost above threescore men But notwithstanding this great overthrow at Muskelborough the Governour of Scotland would not yet be quiet but assembling the people made unto them a long Oration exhorting them to defend the liberty of their Countrie and not to be daunted with any event of warre In this mean time many distractions and troubles hapned in England partly in matters of Religion and partly about Inclosures â—nd first for inclosures the Lord Protector caused Proclamation to be set forth commanding they who had Inclosed any Lands accustomed to lye open should upon a certain pain before a day assigned lay them open again and then in matter of Religion certain Injunctions were set forth for removing of Images out of Churches and divers Preachers were sent with Instructions to disswade the people from praying to Saints or for the dead from use of Beads Ashes Processions from Masses Durges praying in any unknown tongue and for defect of Preachers Homilies were appointed publickly to be red in Churches many for offering to maintaine these Ceremonies were either punished or forced to recant Edmund Bonner Bishop of London was committed to the Fleet for refusing to receive these Injuctions Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester was likewise committed first to the Fleet and after to the Tower for that he had preached It were well these changes in Religion should be stayed untill the King were of yeers to govern by himselfe for the like causes Tunstall Bishop of Durham Heath Bishop of Rochester and Day Bishop of Chichester were in like manner committed to prison and all of them dispossessed of their Bishopricks and that which was worse the Bishopricks themselves were dispossessed of their Revenues in such sort that a very smal paâ—t remained to the Bishops that came after And now a Parliament was held in the first yeer of the King and by Prorogation in the second wherein divers Chantries Colledges free Chappels Fraternities and Guildes with all their Lands and goods were given to the King which being sold at a low rate enriched many and ennobled some and thereby made them firme in maintaining the change also it was then ordered that no man should speak against receiving the Eucharist in both kindes and that Bishops should be placed by Collation of the King under his Letters Patents without any election preceding or confirmation insuing and that all Processes Ecclesiasticall should be made in the Kings name as in Writs at the Common-Law and that al Persons exercising Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction should have the Kings Armes in the Seales of their Office and further the Statute of the six Articles and other Statutes concerning punishment of Lollards were repealed and the Kings Supremacy over the Church of England was confirmed
and the Cardinall on their right hand all the Lords Knights and Burgesses being present the Bishop of VVinchester Lord Chancellour made a short speech unto them signifying the presence of the Lord Cardinall and that he was sent from the Pope as his Legate a Latere to doe a worke tending to the glory of God and the benefit of them all which saith he you may better heare from his own mouth Then the Cardinall rose up and made a long solemne Oration wherin he first thanked them for his restoring by which he was enabled to be a member of their society then exhorting them to returne into the bosome of the Church for which end he was come not to condemne but to reconcile not to compell but to call and require and for their first worke of reconcilement requiring them to repeale and abrogate all such Lawes as had formerly beene made in derogation of the Catholicke Religion After which Speech the Parliament going together drew up a Supplication which within two dayes after they presented to â—he King and Queene wherein they shewed themselves to be very penitent for their former errours and humbly desired their Majesties to intercede for them to the Lord Cardinall and the See Apostolicke that they might be Pardoned of all they had done amisse and be received into the bosome of the Church being themselves most ready to abrogate all Lawes prejudiciall to the See of Rome This Supplication being delivered to the Cardinall he then gave them Absolution in these words Wee by the Apostolicke authority given unto us by the most Holy Lord Pope Iulius the third Christs Vicegerent on Earth doe Absolve and deliver you and every of you with the whole Realme and Dominions thereof from all Heresie and Schisme and from all Judgements Censures and Paines for that cause incurred and also Wee doe restore you againe to the unity of our Mother the holy Church The report hereof comming to Rome was cause that a solemne Procession was made for joy of the conversion of England to the Church of Rome And now the Queene had a great desire to have King Phillip crowned but to this the Parliament would by no meanes assent In October this second yeere of her reigne a rumour was spread of the Queenes being with childe and so forward that she was quicke and thereupon were Lettes sent from the Lords of the Councell to Bonner Bishop of London that Prayers of Thanksgiving should be made in all Churches and the Parliament it selfe was so credulous of it that they entred into consideration of the education of the childe and made an Act desiring the King our of 〈◊〉 confidence they had in him that if the Queene should faile he would be pleased â—o take upon him the Rule and Government of the childe but after â—ll this in Iune following it came to be knowne that it was but a Tympany â—r at lest the Queene so miscarried that there came no childe nor the Queene likely ever after to have any But howsoever in hope of the joy that was expected in Ianuâ—ry of this yeere divers of the Councell as the Lord Chancellour the Bishop of Elye the Lord Treasurour the Earle of Shrewsbâ—ry the Controlour of the Queens house Secretary Bourne and Sir Richard Soâ—thwell Master of the Ordinance were sent to the Tower to discharge and set at liberty a great part of the Prisoners in the Tower as â—amely the late Duke of Northumberlands sonnes Ambrose Robert and Henry also Sir Andrew Dudley Sir Iames Croâ—ts Sir Nicholas Throgmorton Sir Iohn Rogers Sir Nicholas Arnold Sir George Harper Sir Edward Warner Sir William Sentlow Sir Gowen Carow William Gybbs Esquire Cutbert Vaughan and some others About this time one William Fetherstone a Millers sonne of the age of eighteene yeeres named and bruted himselfe to be King Edward the sixth for which being apprehended and examined he answered as one lunaticke and thereupon was whipped at a Carts â—ayle and banished into the North but the yeere after spreading abroad againe that King Edward was alive and that he had talked with him he was arraigned and condemned of treason and at Tyburn hanged and quartered In the moneth of March the Queene was taken with a fit of Devotion and thereupon called unto her foure of her Privie Councell namely William Marquesse of Winchester Lord Treasurour Sir Robert Rochester Comptrolour Sir William Peter Secretary and Sir Francis Englefield Master of the Wards and signified unto them that it went against her conscience to hold the Lands and Possessions as well of Monasteries aud Abbeys as of other Churches and therefore did freely relinquish them and leave them to be disposed as the Pope and the Lord Cardinall should thinke fit and thereupon charged them to acquaint the Cardinall with this her purpose Aâ—d shortly after in performance hereof Iohn Fecknam late Deane of Pauls was made Abbot of Westminster and had possession delivered him and with him fourteen Monkes received the Habit at the same time and on the twentieth of November Sir Thomas was instituted Lord of Saint Iohns of Hierusalem and was put in possession of the Lands belonging unto it And when it was told herâ— that this would be a great diminution of the Revenues of her Crowne she answered she more valued the salvation of her soule then a thousand Crownes a most religious speech and enough if there were but this to shew her to be a most pious Prince The fourth of September this yeer King Phillip waited on with the Earle of Arundell Lord Steward the Earle of Pembrooke the Earle of Huntington and others went over to Callice and from thence to Brussels in Brabant to visit the Emperour his Father who deliveâ—ing him possession of the Low Countries in March following he returned into England but then on the sixth of Iuly following by reason of wars with France he passed again over to Callicâ— and so into Flanders from whence he returned not till eighteene moneths after which made great muttering amongst the common people as though hee tooke any little occasion to be absent for the little love hee bore to the Queene In the third yeere of the Queene dyed Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester at his house in Southwarke of whose death it is memorable that the same day in which Bishop Ridley and Master Latimer suffered at Oxford he would not goe to dinner till foure a clocke in the aâ—ternoone thoâ—gh the old Duke of Norâ—olke was come to dine with him the reason was because he would first heare of their being burnt and as soon as word of that was brought him he presently said Now let us goe to Dinner where sitting downe and eating merrily upon a sudden he fell into such extremity that he was faine to be taken from the Table and carried to his bed where he continued fifteen dayes without voyding any thing either by urine or otherwise which caused his tsongu to swell in his mouth and so dyed after whose death
spare her Father the Duke of Suffolkes life till his second offence gave her just provocation The goodnesse of her nature might be seene in the badnesse of her fortune who tooke nothing so much to heart as unkindnesse of friends the revolt of Callice and the absence of King Phillip being the two chiefe causes that brought her to her end Of her Death and Buriall THE conceit of her being with childe had kept Physitians to looke into the state of her body so as her distemper at first neglected brought her by degrees into a Dropsie to which was added a burning Feavour brought upon her by a double griefe one for the long absence of King Phillip who had now beene away a yeer and a halfe the other and perhaps the greater for the losse of Callice as she forbore not to say to some about her that if they looked into her Heart being dead they should finde Callice there She began to fall sicke in September and dyed at her Mannour of Saint Iames the seventeenth of Novembâ—r in the â—eer 1558. when she had reigned five yeers four moneths and eleven dayes Lived three and forty yeers Her Body was interred in a Chappell in the Minster of Saint Peters Church at Westminster without any Monument or other Remembrance Men of note in her time OF Men of Valour in her time there were many as may be seen in the Story of her Reâ—gne but to name some for example there was William Herbert Earle of Pembrooke the chiefe assistant of King Phillip in the winning of Saint Quintins there was William Lord Gray of VVilton Captain of Guysnes who though he yeelded the Town yet more out of tendernesse to his Souldiers then out of feare of his Enemies which he would never else have yeelded up and to speake of one of a meaner ranke there was Sir Anthony Ager who in defence of the Town of Callice lost his life but not till he made the Enemie turne their backes and flye Oâ— learned men also there were many as Iohn Rogers borne in Lancashire who Translated the Bible into English with Notes Richard Moryson Knight borne in Oxfordshire who wrote divers Treatises Robert Record a Doctor of Physicke who wrote a Booke of Arithmaticke Câ—â—bert Tunstall of a worshipfull Family in Lancashire though base borne whoâ—e Ancestours came into England with the Conquerour as his Barbour and â—herefore hath three Combs his Armes Bishop first of London and after of Dâ—â—ham who wrote divers learned Workes Richard Sampson Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield who wrote certaine Treaâ—â—ses Lucâ—s Shepheaâ—d borne aâ— Colechester in Essex an English Poet Iane Dudley daughter â—o Henry Gray Duke of Suffolke wrote divers excellent Treatises VVilliam Thomas a VVâ—lshman who wâ—ote the History of Italie and other things Iames Brookes and Iohn Standish both of them writers in defence of the Popes Doctrine VVilliam Peryn a black Fryer who wrote in defence of the Masse and also divers Sermons Henry Lord Stafford sonne to Edward Duke of Buckingham who amongst other things which he wrote Translated a Booke out of Latine into English intituled Differentiaâ— which Booke as some thinke was first compiled by Edward Foxe Bishop of Hereford Iohn Hopkins who translated divers of Davids Psalmes into English Meeter which are to be found amongst those appointed to be sung in the Church THE RAIGNE OF Queen Elizabeth QUeen Mary dying on Thursday the seventeenth of November in the Yeer 1558 her sister the Lady Elizabeth of the age of five and twenty yeers the onely surviving childe of King Henry the eighth by undoubted Right succeeded Her in the Crown which happened in a time of Parliament Nicholas Heath Arch-bishop of York and Lord Chancellor sent to the Knights and Burgesses in the Lower House to repair immediately to the Lords of the Upper House to whom he signified That Queen Mary was that morning dead and therefore required their Assents to joyn with the Lords in proclayming Queen Elizabeth which accordingly was done by the sound of Trumpet first at Westminster and after in the City of London The Queen was then at Haâ—fieldâ— from whence on Wednesday the three and twentieth of November she removed to the Lord North's house in the Charter-house where she stayed till Monday the eight and twentieth of November and then rode in her Chariot thorow London to the Tower where she continued till the fifth of December and then removed by water to Somerset-House in the Strand from whence she went to her Pallace at Westminster and from thence on the twelfth of Ianuary to the Tower and on the fourteenth of Ianuary to Westminster to her Coronationâ— where it is incredible what Pageants and Shews were made in the City as she passed On Sunday the five and twentieth of Ianuary she was Crowned in the Abbey Church at Westminster by Doctor Oglethorp Bishop of Carlile with all Solemnities and Ceremonies in such case accustomed At this time to honour her Coronation she conferred more Honour then in all her life after William Parre degraded by Queen Mary she made Marquesse of Northampton Edward Seymor whose father had been Attaynted she made Earl of Hertford Thomas Howard second son to Thomas Duke of Norfolk she made Viscount Bindon Sir Henry Carie her Cousin German she made Baron of Hunsdon and Sir Oliver St. Iohn she made Baron of Bletsho And now the Queen though she were her self very wise yet would not trust and it was a great point of wisedome that she would not trust to her own wisedome and therefore she chose Counsellors to assist her In which number she took Nicholas Heath Arch-bishop of York William Pawlet Marquesse of Winchester L. High Treasurer Henry Fitz Alan Earl of Arundell Francis Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Edward Stanley Earl of Derby Wil. Herbert E. of Pembroke Edw. L. Clinton L. Admirall and William L. Howard of Effingham Sir Thomas Cheyney Sir William Peter Sir Richard Sackvyle and Nicholas Wootton Dean of Canterbury all which had been Counsellors to Queen Mary and were of her Religion But then to make a counter-poyse of Counsellors of her own Religion she joyned with them William Parre Marquesse of Northampton Francis Russell Earl of Bedford Sir Thomas Parry Sir Edward Rogers Sir Ambrose Cave Sir Francis Knolles and Sir William Cecill late Secretary to King Edw. the sixth and a little after Sir Nicholas Bacon whom she made Keeper of the Great Seal And having thus provided for her State at home she seeks correspondence with Princes abroad To the Emperour Ferdinand she sent in Embassage Sir Tho. Chaloner to the King of Spain in the Low-Countreyes the Lord Cobham to the Princes of Germany Sir Henry Killigrew Sir Aemygill Wâ—ad to the Duke of Holst and another Ambassadour to the King of Denmark There were also Ambassadours sent to the Pope to the State of Venice and to the French King with whom at this time there was a Treaty of Peace holden at Cambray between the Kingdoms of France England and
be with childe by Edward Seymoure Earl of Hertford who being at that time in France was presently sent for and being examined before the Archbishp of Canterbury and affirming they were lawfully married but not being able within a limited time to produce witnesses of their marriage they were both committed to the Tower where she was brought to Bed and after by the Connivence or Corruption of their Keepers being suffered sometimes to come together Shee was with childe by him again which made the Queen more angry then before so as Sir Edward Warner Lieutenent of the Tower was put out of his place and the Earle was fined in the star-chamber five thousand pounds and kept in prison nine yeers after Though in pleading of his Case One Iohn Hâ—les argued They were lawfull man and wife by virtue of their owne bare Consent without any Ecclesicsticall Ceremonie The Lady a few yeers after falling through grief into a mortall Sicknesse humbly desired the Queens Pardon for having married without her knowledge and commending her children to her clemency dyed in the Tower At this time the King being under Age dissentions amongst the Peeres grew hot in Erance of which there were two Factions Both pretending the cause of Religion of the One the Duke Guise a Paipst was Head of the other the Prince of Conde a Protestant but while Delirant Reges Plectunter Achiui while these Princes are at variance the people suffer for it and chiefly as being under the weaker protection the Protestant Party where upon Queene Elizabeth having well learned the Lesson Tum tua res agitur partis cum proximus ardetâ— and fearing least the flaim of their dissention might kindle a fire within her owne Kingdome sent over Sir Henry Sidney Lord Presiden of Wales into France to endeavour by all possible means their reconcilement which when hee could not effect and perhaps it was never meant he should effect it but onely to see what invitations would be made to the Queen for her assistance she thereupon at the moan of the afflicted Protestants sent over an Army of six thousand Souldiers under the Conduct of the Earl of Warwick in assistance of the Prince of Conde and other Protestant Lords who delivered to him the Town of Newhaven to hold in the King of France his name untill such time as Calice were restored But the Prince of Conde marching to joyn with the English Forces was by the Duke of Guise interrupted and taken prisonerâ— which had been a great disappointment to the English but that the Duke of Colin joyned with him besieged Caen in Normandy and took it togeâ—her with Bayeux Faleise and Saint Lo. The French Hostages that were pledges for the payment of five hundred thousand Cowns if Calice were not restored were remaining still in England who perceiving there was like to be War with France prepared secretly to get away but being ready to take Shipping were discovered and brought back again In the mean while the Prince of Conde drawn on with a hope to marry the Queen of Scots and to have the chief Government in France during the Kings Minority concluded a Peace with the King and with the Guises so as now all French as well Protestants as Papists required to have Newhaven delivered up But the Earl of Warwick perceiving the â—icklenesse of the French Protestants First to make suâ—e to draw him into France and now upon so slight occasion to require him to be gone he shutteth all â—rench both Protestants and Papists oâ—t of the Town and layes hold of their Ships the French on the other side make ready to set upon the Town saying They fought not now for Religion but for their Countrey wherefore it was meet that both Protestants and Papists should joyn their Forces seeing they had already concluded a Peace betwixt themselves And hereupon the Duke of Memorancy sent a Trumpetter to the Earl of Warwick commanding him yeeld the Town who making answer by Sir Hugh Pawlet That he would never yeeld it without the Queens leave he thereupon besieged the Town and with great violence of Battery sought to get it by force Which Queen Elizabeth hearing she sent a Commission to the Earl of Warwick to yeeld it up if upon honourable Conditions which soon after was accordingly done after the English had held it eleven months and then the Earl without any dishonour for yeelding up a Town which the Pestilence made him no lesse unwilling then unable to hold he returned into England but that which was more dolefull then the losse of Newhaven he brought the Pestilence with him into England The recovery of this Town not onely made the French to triumph but hereupon the Chancellor of France pronounced openly That by this Warre the English had lost all their Right to Calice and were not to require it any more seeing it was one of the Conditions That neither of the Nations should make Warre upon the other which was the Point stood upon by the King of France and his mother when Queen Elizabeth sent Sir Thomas Smith to demand Calice to be restored At this time there were such crosse designes amongst the Princes of Christendome that a very good Polititian could hardly understand their Ayms The Duke of Guise being slain in the Civill Warre the Queen of Scots Dowry was not paid her in France and the Scots were put off from being the Kings Guard This exceedingly displeased the Queen of Scots but then to please her againâ— and for fear lest hereupon she should apply her self to the friendship of the English her Unkle the Cardinall of Lorrain solicites her afresh to marry Charls Duke of Austria offering her for her Dowry the County of Tyroll The Queen of Scots to make use of her Unkles fear and perhaps to bring Queen Elizabeth into an opinion of depending upon her acquaints her with this motion and therein requires her advice Queen Elizabeth not willing she should marry with any forraign Prince perswades her to take a husband out of England and particularly commended to her the Lord Robert Dudley whose wife a little before had with a fall broke her neck promising withall that if she would marry him she should then by Authority of Parliament be declared her successour in case she dyed without issue But when her Unkles and the Queen-Mother were informed of this motion they so much disdained the Marriage with Dudley that so she would refuse that Match and perseverein the friendship of the French they offered to pay her the Dowry money that was behinde and to restore the Scots to all their former liberties in France And as for the King of Spain he had indeed a Ligier Embassadour here in England but rather by way of complement and to watch advantages then for any sincere love which he began now to withdraw from the English as suspecting them to intend a Trade to the West Indies And now the French Protestants may see what they brought upon
Sâ—aâ—ue Hereupon Stubâ—â—s and Page were brought to the Scaffâ—ld made of purpose in the Market place at Westminster and their right hands with a Butchers knife and a malleâ— cut off by the wrest the Printer was pâ—â—donedâ— At that time Stubbs when his right hand was cut off uncovered his head with the left and cried out God save the Queen to the great amazement of all the beholders At this time the Queene upon importunate suite of her Counsell gave way â—hat Edmund Campian Ralph Sherwin and Alexaâ—der Bryant Priests should be called to the â—arre who being accused by vertue of a Law made in the five and twentieth yeare of King Edward the Third to have plotted the ruine of the Queene and Kingdome to be adhering to the Pope the Queens enemy and coming into England to raise Forces against the State were then condemned of High-treason and accordingly executed Campian after he was convicted being demanded First whether Queen Elizabeth wâ—re a lawfull Queen would make no answer afterward Whether he â—ould stand for the Queen or for the Pope if he should send an Army against the Queen he plainly professed That he would be of the Popes side â—nd witnessed so much under his hand After this some other Papists upon the like occasion were also put to death which the Queen rather necessaâ—ily than willingly assented to as being unwilling to force the conscience of any These and the like exorbitancies of Papists were cause that new â—â—d strict Laws were enacted against them the Parliament following which began the next Ianuary The French Duke after three moneths abode in England took his journey in February into the Low-Countries whom the Queen her self brought on his way as far as Canterburyâ— and then commanded the Earl of Leicester the Lord Charles Howard Hunsdon Willoughby Windsor Sheffield Sir Philip Sidney Sir Francis Russell Sir George Bourchier and some other prime knights to accompany him to Antwerpe where he is made Duke of Brabant Limbâ—â—rg and Lorraine for the Dutch had long before removed the King of Spains Government and quitted the people from their oath of Allegiance that it might be in their power to choose any other Prince Heâ—e the Duke of Anjou gave free leave to exercise the Roman Religion to as many as would swear Fealty to him and abjure the King of Spains authority but â—fter all having spent a great masse of money with which he was supplied from England and observiâ—g that only vain and empty titles were conferred upon him while the States held all the Dominion in their own hands he rashly enterprized an assault upon Antwerpe and some other Towns and shortly departed without any great matter performed At this time Queen Elizabeth as well to get her some friends as she had procured her selfe many enemies received into the Order of tâ—e Garter Fredericke the Second King of Denmarke to whom she employed Sir Peregrine Bertye whom she had lately made Lord Willoughby of Eresby to Invest him But now to prevent the Duke of Guyses designe in Scotland which was to make use of the Duke of Lenox favour with the King to withdraw his affection from the English William Reuthen whom the King had lately made Earle of Gowry endeavoured with others by all means to remove Lenox and the Earl of Arran from the King and so while Lenox was gone from Ferth where the King at that time was to Edinburgh and Arran was also absent on a journey The Earls Gowry Marre Lindsey and other taking the opportunity invited the King to the Castle of Reuthen and there detained him not permitting him to walk abroad All his trusty servants they removed from about him Arran they cast in prison enforced the King to call home the Earl of Angus and to send away Lenox into France who being a man of a soft and gentle disposition for the Kings safety readily consented and not content with all this they compelled the King by his Letters to Queen Elizabeth to approve and allow of this his thraldome The Queen of Scots in the mean while bewailing her own hard fortune and the distresse of the King her Son layeth open the same in a large letter written to the Queen in French With which letter Queen Elizabeth being somewhat affected sent unto her Robert Beale Clerk of the Councell to expostulate with her concerning the querulous writing and joyntly with the Earle of Shrewsbury to treat of the setting her at liberty And indeed serious consultation was held at the Councell Table about it and the most were of opinionâ— that upon certain conditions she should have her liberty but the Scottish of the English faction opposing it nothing was effected Soone after this the King sent Colonell William Steward and Iohn Colvill to Queen Elizâ—beth profering all manner of respect and observance and requesting her advice for quieting the tumults in Scotland and also for his contracting of marriage At which time news was broughâ— that the Duke of Lâ—nox was dead in France who departing this life â—t Paris even at the very point of death as oftentimes before made open profession of the Proâ—â—stant Religion thereby confuting those who had maliciously traduced him for a Papist After whose death when the surprizers of the King were lift up in their own conceits as thinking they had him safe enough He on a sudden though scarce eighteen yeers of age with some few others conveyed himselfe to the Castle of St. Andrews to whom the Nobility presently repaired bringing Armed Bands with them as fearing some danger might befall him Afterwards in fair words he advised some of his surprizers to go from the Court for avoyding of tumults and promised them pardon if they woâ—ld crave it But Gowry only asked pardon and submitted himselfe using this distinction That he had not offended in matter buâ— in forme onely and then the King sent for the Earle of Arran to the Court and respected him as his intimate friend imploying him to compose the differenâ—es amongst the Nobility and to purge the kingdome and his own Court from civill dissensions Whiles he is sedulous in these cares comes Sir Francis Walsingham from Queen Elizabeth to advise him not to be led away by evill Councellours to the destruction of both kingdoms He findeth the King accompanied with the flowr of the nobility and beholdeth another maner of Majesty than he looked for in Scotland Plaâ—ing Audience given him he put the King in minde of what the Queen out of Isocrates in private Letters had formerly admonished him That a Prince must be such a lover of Truth that more credit may be given to his bare word than to anothers oath and in many words advised him to beware now in his youth of evill Councellours and alwayes to be like himselfe The King answered That he was an absolute Prince and would not that others should appoint him Councellors whom he liked not but that he had long since devoted the first-fruits of his amitie
the Bishops of Rosse and Glasco her Agents in France to have no further to do with the English Fugitives These things Qâ—een Elizabeth heard gladly and thereupon sent Beale to the Queen of Scots who joyntly with the Earl of Shrewsbery should signifie unto her That if she continued still in the same minde as she had delivered to Waad Sir Walter Mildmay should come out of hand â—o her and Treat concerning her liberty but withall she commanded Mildmay and Beale to dive into her as well as they could to know what practises the Duke of Guyse had on foot To that which she had spoken to sir William Waad the Queen of Scots made a wary answer but to that concerning the Duke of Guyse she plainly confesseth That being sickly heâ— selfe and weak of body she had committed her selfe and her Son to the Protection of the Duke of Guyse her dear Cosen of whose intendments she knoweth nothing nor if she did would she disclose them unlesse she might be sure of her own liberty Lastly she requesteth That being a free and an absolute Prince she may not be worse handled than Queen Elizabeth her selfe was when she was a subject and kept in prison by her Sister These things had a hearing but no feeling and the rather by a strange accident for Creighton a Scottish Jesuit sayling from the Lâ—w-Countries and taken by Dutch Pirats had certain papers which he tore and threâ— away which thrown over-boord and by the winde blown back into the ship miraculously as Creighton himselfe sayd they were brought to sir William Waad who patching them together with much labour and cunning discovered by them some new intendments of the Pope the King of Spainâ— and the Guyse about the Invading of England Whereupon and upoâ— divers other rumors the better to provide for the safety of the Queen a number of her Subjects the Earl of Leicester being the foremost men of all ranks and conditions bound themselves mutually to each other by their oaths and subscriptions to persecute all those to the very death that should attempt any thing against the Queen which league of theirs they called the Association The Queen of Scoâ—s who presently apprehended that this Association was entred into for her destruction maketh this proposition by Nave her Secretary to the Queen and the Councellâ— That if she might have her liberty granted and be assured of the Qâ—eenâ—â—ove she would enter a strict league and â—mity with her and passing by all matters of offence esteem and honor â—er above all the Princes of the Christian World yea and saving the ancient League betwixt Fraâ—ce and Scâ—â—laâ—d she would her selfe be comprehended in tâ—e Association and a League defensivâ— against all that should go about to injure the Queen Herewith Queen Eliâ—abeth was wonderfully pleased and at that time cerâ—â—â—nly had an inclination to grant her freedom Bâ—t see what malice can do for many in Englandâ— but specially the Scoâ—s of 〈◊〉 â—dverse party endeavoured by all means to hinder it exclaiming That 〈◊〉 Queen could be no longer in safety if the Queen of Scots were set at liberty That both Kingdoms were utterly undone if she were admitted into 〈◊〉 â—oynt Government of the Kingdom of Scotland and that the reformed â—â—â—â—gion lay a bleeding if Papists were admitted within the Court walls 〈◊〉 was this all but the Scottish Ministers in their Pulpits loaded the 〈◊〉 of Scots with all manner of contumelies slandred the King himselfe and 〈◊〉 Councell in most bitter manner and being cited to appear before him 〈◊〉 saying That the Pulpits were exempted from all Regall Authority and that Ecclesiasticall persons were not to be censured by the Prince but 〈◊〉 their own Consistory directly against the Laws made the year before in Paâ—liament whereby the Kings Authority over all persons whether Eccleâ—â—â—sâ—icall or Secular was confirmed and namely That the King and his Councell were Supream Judges in all Causes and that whosoever refused 〈◊〉 bâ— tryed by them should be holden guilty of High-treason all Presbyâ—â—â—â—â—s and Lay-conventicles forbidden Parity of the Clergy taken away 〈◊〉 the authority of Bishops restored whose Calling the Presbyteries had condemned as wicked and Antichristian And lastly all scurrilous Libels â—â—â—inst the King and his mother prohibited namely the Scottish History of George Buchanan and his Dialogue De Iure Regni apud Scotos At this time upon her adversaries suggestion the Queen of Scots is taken from the Earl of Shrewsbery and committed to the custody of sir Pawletâ—nd â—nd sir Drue Drury and that on set purpose as some were perswaded to drive her into abrupt and desperate attempts and indeed upon this she grew more importunate with the Pope and King of Spain to hasten their inâ—â—ndment whatsoever became of her as ill indeed was like to become of her if it be true as some sayd that Leicester sent out assasinats to make her â—way but that Drury detested the villany and would grant them no â—â—cesse And how to alienate Queen Elizabeth utterly from her it is suggested to 〈◊〉 That Allen for the Catholicks of the Clergy Inglefield for the Layity â—nd the Bishop of Râ—sse for the Queen of Scots with consent of the Pope and the King of Spain had joyntly combined to depose her and to bar the King of Scotland from his hereditary Right to the Crown of England and to marry the Queen of Scots to an English Noble-man of the Romish Religion and him the English Catholikes should chuse King of England and the Pope confirm the Election and all this upon the credit of Hart the Priest but who this English Noble-man should be that should marry the Queen of Scots could not be found though Walsingham were very busie to seacrh iâ— out the fame went upon Henry Howard the Duke of Norfolks brother â—ho was a single man a great Papist and of high estimation amongst the Catholikes This yeer died in Exile and misery Charles Nâ—vill who was in the Rebellion of the North the last Earl of Westmerland of this Family a House from whence descended many Noble Personages six Earls of Westmerland â—wo Earls of Saliâ—â—â—â—y and Warâ—iâ—k an Earl of Kent a Maâ—quesse Mountâ—cut◠〈◊〉 Duke of Bedford Baron Ferrers of 〈◊〉 the Lord Latymer the Lord of 〈◊〉 one Queen and five Dutchesses to let passe Counteâ—â—es and Baronneâ—ses an Arch-bishop of York and a numerous company of other Lords In Eâ—glâ—nd died none of â—eckoning this yeer but onely Plâ—â—den the famous Lawyer but in France â—he Duke of Angiâ—â— died of griefâ— aâ—d in Holland William Prince of Orange shot into the body with â—hree Bullets by one Bâ—lthâ—sâ—r Gerard a Burgundian It was now the yeer 1585 and the eight and twentieth of Queen Elizaâ—â—â—â—â— Raign when to tiâ— the French King more neerly to her whom the 〈◊〉 â—â—fore she had received into the number of the Knights of the â—arter she sent the Earl of Derby into France to invest him with the Robes and Ornaments according to
the Queen for succour to whom upon certain conditions she granted an Army of four thousand men and some great Ordnance with which Sir Iohn Norris was sent into France whom yet the French King imployed not as was agreed to the great displeasure of the Queen But as for the Prince of Parma's coming into France hee was prevented by death when hee had governed the Netherlands under the Spaniard fourteen yeers a Prince of many excellent parts and whom Queen Elisabeth never mentioned but with honour And now Queen Elizabeth considering that the King of Spaines chiefe strength was in his Gold of America sends forth Sir Walter Ralegh with a Fleet of fifteene Ships to meete with the Spanish Fleet who passing by a Promontory of Spain received certain intelligence that the Spaâ—ish Fleet was not to come forth that yeare Whereupon dividing his Navy into two parts whereof the one he committed to Sir Iohn Burâ—â—â—ghs the other to Sir Martin Forbysher he waited other opportunities when soon after a mighty Caraque came in view called The Mother of God which from the Beake to the Sterne was a hundred threescore and five foot long built with seven Decks and carrying six hundred men besides rich Merchandize This great Vessell they took and in it to the â—â—lue of a hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling over and above what the Commanders and Sea-men pilfered This yeare the Queene going in Progresse passed through Oxford where she was entertained by the Schollers with Orations Stage-Plâ—yes and Disputations and by the Lord Buckhurst Chancellor of the University with a sumptuous Feast At her departure She made a Latine Oration wherein she vowed a vow and gave them counsell Her vow was That as she desired nothing so much as the prosperity and flourishing estate of her Kingdome so she as much wished to see the Universities and Schools of learning to flourish likewise Her Counsell was That they would serve God above all not following the curiosity of some wits but the Lawes of God and the Kingdome That they would not prevent the Lawes but follow them nor dispute whether better Lawes might be made but observe those which were already Enacted This year dyed Anthony Browne Viscount Montacute whom Queene Mary honored with this Title because his Grandmother was Daughter and one of the Heirs of Iohn Nevill Marquesse Montacute who though he were a great Roman Catholike yet the Queen finding him faithfull alwayes loved him and in his sicknesse went to visit him There dyed at this time also Henry Lord Scroope of Bolton Knight of the Garter and long time Governour of the Westerne Border toward Scotland At this time Henry Barrow and his Sectaries condemning the Church of England to be no Christian Church and derogating from the Queens Authority in matters Ecclesiasticall he the sayd Barrow as Ring-leader of the rest was put to death in terror to all such disturbers of the peace of the Church About this time by reason of the Queens correspondence with the Turk to the end her Subjects might have free Trading in his Territories It was maliciously given out by some that she had excited the Turke to a War against the Christians which caused the Queen to write to the Emperour shewing him the falsenesse of this report wherein she gave him full saâ—â—sfaction And now a constant report came into England That the King of France had already embraced or was ready to embrace the Romish Religion which so much troubled the Queene that she presently sent Thomas Wilkes into France with reasons if it were not too late to divert him from it But before Wilkes came the King indeed had openly professed the Romish Religion at the Church of Saint Denis in Paris of which his Conversion he declared the causes to Wilkes at large shewing the necessity of it unlesse he would suffer himselfe to be utterly thrust out of the Kingdome And the French AMBASSADOR signifying as much to the Queene in great perplexity She writ to him to this effect Alas what grief what anxiety of minde hath befallen me since I heard this news was it possible that worldly respects should make you lay aside Gods feare â—â—uld you thinke That He who had hitherto upheld and kept you would now at the last leave you It is a dangerous thing to doe evill that gâ—od may come thereof But I hope your minde may alter In the meane while I will pray for you and beg of God That the hands of Esau may not hinder the blessing of Jacob. To this the KING Answered That though he had done this in his owne Person out of necessity yet He would never be wanting to those of the Reformed Religion but would take them into his speciall care and Protection And now was Richard Hasket condemned and executed for Treasoâ— being sent from the English Fugitives beyond Sea to perswade Ferdinand Earle of Derby Sonne to Henry newly deceased to assume the Title of the Kingdome by right of Descent from Mary Daughter to Henry the Seventh and threatning him that unlesse he undertooke this enterprize and withall concealed him the Abettor he should shortly dye in most wretched manner But the Earle fearing a trap was layd for him revealed the matter yet the fellows threating proved not altogether vaine for the Earle within foure Moneths dyed a most horrible death This yeare Death had his tribute payd him from the Nobility for there dyed Henry Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex and three renowned Barons Arthur Grey of Wilton Henry Lord Cromwell and Henry Lord Wentworth besides Sir Christopher Carlile whose Warlike Prowesse at Sea and land deserves to be remembred In IRELAND at this time divers great men in Connaght Rebelled and Tuâ—logh Leynigh being dead Tir-Oen assumed to himselfe the title of O-Neale which in IRELAND is more esteemed than to be called EMPEROVR But upon a sudden dissembling his disconteâ—t hee submitted himselfe to the DEPVTY and promised all obedience Iâ— was now the yeare 1594 and the seven and thirtieth of Queen ELIZABETHâ— Raigne when the good correspondence betweene the King of Scots and Queen ELIZABETH gave the Papists small hope that ever he would prove an Instrument to restore the Catholike Religion Whereupon they began to bethinke themselves of some English Papist that might succeed the Queene but finding none of their owne Sect a fit person they fixed their thoughts upon the Earl of Essex who alwayes seemed a very moderate man and him they devised to have some right to the Crowne by Descent from Thomas of Woodstocke King EDVVARD the Thirds Sonne But the English Fugitives were for the Infanta of Spaine and desiring to set the King of Scots and the Earle of Essex at ods they set forth a Book which they Dedicated to Essex under the name of Doleman but was written indeed by Parsons Dolemans bitter Adversary Cardinall Allen and Francis Englefield The scope of which Booke was to exclude from Succession all persons whatsoever and how near soever Allied
Spain Sir Walter Rawleigh Captain of the Guard having defloured a Mayd of Honor whom afterward he married had lost the Queens favour and was held in Prison for certain moneths but afterward being set at liberty though banished the Court He undertook a Voyage to Guyana setting sayl from Plimmouth in February he arrived at Trinidada where he took St. Iosephs Town but found not a jot of money there From hence with Boats and a hundred souldiers he entred the vast River Orenoque ranging up in Guyana four hundred myles but getting little but his labour for his travell In like manner Amyas Preston and Sommers Pillaged sundry Towns of the King of Spains in the Western parts and three ships of the Earl of Cumberland set upon a huge Caraque which by casualty was fired when they were in fight and these were the enterprises of private persons but the Queen being informed that great store of wealth for the King of Spains use was conveyed to Port Rico in St. Iohns Island sent thither Hawkins Drâ—kâ— and Baskervile with land Forces furnishing them with six ships out of her own Navy and twenty other men of War They set sayl from Plimmoâ—th the last of August and seven and twenty dayes after came upon the Coast of the great Canarie which being strongly Fortified they forbore to assault A moneth after they came to the Isle of St. Dominicke where five Spanish ships being sent forth to watch the English lighted upon one of the small English ships which was strayed from the Company and â—â—â—ting the Master and Marriners upon the Rack understood by them That the English Navy was bent to Port Rico whereupon they make all possible speed to give notice thereof that being fore-warned they might accordingly be armed And thereupon as soon as the English had cast Anchors 〈◊〉 the Road at Port Rico the Spaniards thundered against them from the shore siâ— Nicholas Clifford and Brute Browne were wounded as they sate at â—upper and two dayes after died Hawkins also and Drake partly of disâ—â—se and partly of grief for their ill successe died soon after At the end of eight months the Fleet came home having done the enemy little hurt fired onely some few Towns and ships but received infinite damage themsâ—lves lost two such Sea-men as the Kingdom I may say all Europe had â—ot their like left For the Spaniards having of late yeers received great â—â—rms by the French and English had now provided for themselves with Fortifications which were not easie to be won At this time the Queen made known to the States in the Low-Countries the great charges she had been at in relieving them ten yeers together for which she requiteth some considerable recompence The States again alleadge the great charges they were at in Eighty Eight in repelling the Spaniards in her cause yet not to fall out about the matter they were content to allow some reasonable retribution but yet for the present nothing was concluded Likewise at this time the Hanse Towns in Germany make complaint to the Emperour and the Princes of the Empire That the Immunities from customes antiently granted them by the Kings of England began to be Antiquated and that a Monopoly of English Merchants was set up in Germany to which the Queen by Sir Christopher Perkins first shewing the cause of the first Grant and then the Reason of Queen Maries prohibiting it afterward makes them so satisfactory an answer that those very Hanse-Towns which complained brought into England at this time such store of Corne that it prevented a mutiny which thorough dearth of Corn was like to have hapned in London This yeer was famous for the death of many great Personages Philip Earl of Arundel condemned in the yeer 1589. The Queen had all this while spared but now death would spare him no longer having since that time been wholly given to contemplation and macerated himself in a strict course of Religion leaving one onely son Thomas by his wife Anne Dacres of Gillisâ—and He had two brothers Thomas Lord Howard whom Queen Elizabeth made Baron of Walden and King Iames afterward Earl of Suffolk and William Lord Howard of the North who yet liveth and one sister the Lady Margaret marryed to Robert Sackvile afterward Earl of Dâ—rset and father of Edward Earl of Dorset now living a Lady so milde so vertuous and so devout in her Religion that if her brother macerated himself being in prison she certainly did no lesse being at liberty whom I the rather mention because I had the happinesse to know her living and the unhappinesse to be a Mourner at her Funerall There died this yeer also William Lord Vaulx a zealous Papist and Sir Thomas Hineage Vice-Chamberlain and Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster whose onely daughter marryed to Sir Moyle Finch of Kent was no small advancer of that House There died also William Whitaker Master of S. Iohns Colledge in Cambridge and Divinity Professor As likewise Sir Roger Williams and Sir Thomas Morgan so as this yeer was honoured with the deaths of two great Lords one exquisite Courtier one great Schollar and two famous Souldiers In Ireland at this time Russell the Deputy doubting a storm of War from Tir-Oen sent into England requiring to have some experienced souldier sent to him with Forces who though he desired Baskervyle to be the man yet Sir Iohn Norris was sent with thirteen hundred old souldiers besides a further supply whom Tir-Oen hearing to be coming set presently upon the Fort of Blackwater and in the absence of Edward Cornwall the Governour took it But now being doubtfull of his case in a subdolous manner as he was a double dealing man he both offereth his help to the Earl of Kildare against the Deputies servants and at the same time maketh promise to the Earl of Ormond and Sir Henry Wallope of loyalty and obedience but notwithstanding he was forthwith proclaimed Traytor under the name of Hâ—gh O Neal bastard son to Con O Neal. There was at this time with the Rebells in Ulster a thousand Horse and 6280 Foot and in Connaght two thousand three hundred all at Tir Oens command and the Forces of the English under Norris not much fewer with whom the Deputy himself joyned and marched together to Armagh which so terrified the Rebels that Tir Oen forsaking the Fort of Blackwater began to hide himself Whereupon the Deputy returned leaving Norris to follow the War with the Title of Generall of the Army But this satisfied not Norris and therefore out of emulation betwixt himself the Deputy he performed nothing worth the speaking of and seemed to favour Tir Oen as much as the Deputy hated him insomuch as he had private conference with him a thing not lawfull with proclaymed Traytors and upon his submission and Hostages given a Truce was granted both to him and Odonell till the first of Ianâ—ary When the Truce was expired Tir Oen exhibited certain Petitions protesting if they
indeed fit to give a vent to the passage of Honour which during Queene Elizabeths Raigne had been so stopped that scarce any County of England had Knights enow in it to make a Iury. Before we goe further it will not be amisse to shew what great men attended King Iames out of Scotland as namely the Duke of Lenox the Earle of Marre the Lord Hame and many other great Lords and many other whom he afterward made great Lords as bring in his speciall favour first Sir George Hame made afterward Earle of Dunbarre then Sir Thomas Erskin made Earle of Kelly then Sir Iohn Ramsey made Earle of Holdernesse which two last had the fortune to come first in to his rescue against the Gowries then Sir Iames Hay made afterward Earle of Carlile and then Sir Richard Preston made Earle of Kildare in Ireland but whose great fortune by marrying the Heire of that Earledome was afteward the occasion of his great misfortune for comming out of Ireland he was unfortunately cast away and drowned But though King Iames was now safely come himselfe to London yet he accounted himselfe but halfe come untill his Queene and children were come to him and therefore there are now appointed to goe to conduct them of Lords and Earle of Sâ—ssex the Earle of Lincolne the Lord Compton the Lord Norris and Sir George Carow Knight Lord President of Munster of Ladies the Countesse of Worcester the Countesse of Kildare the Lady Anne Herberts daughter to Henry Earle of Pembrooke the Lords Scroopes Lady the Lady Rich wife to the Lord Rich and the Lady Walsingham one of the late Queenes bedchamber But although these only were appointed to goe yet many other Lords and great Ladies went of themselves to attend her Majesty as the Countesse of Bedford the Lady Hastings the Lady Cecill the Lady Hatton the Lady Harington and divers other and with this Princely attendance the Queene with two of her children namely Prince Henry of the age of nine yeares and the Lady Elizabeth on the eleventh of Iune came to Yorke where resting themselves some few dayes on the seven and twentieth of Iune they came to Easton in Northamptonshire a house of Sir George Fermors where the King met them at dinner and afterward they rode together to a house of Sir Iohn Fortescue and so to London The Kings younger sonne Charles Duke of Albany came not at this time as being not three yeeres old and therefore not thought able to endure such a journey but the yeare following falling sick of a feavor Doctor Atkins one of the Kings Physitions was sent to conduct him who in six weekes cured him of his feavour and the first weeke of October brought him safe to Windsor where the King then lay for which service he was so well rewarded that together with the gaynâ—s of his usuall practiceâ— hee grew to a greater wealth then was usuall for Physitions King Iames had distributed the meaner Order of Knighthoâ—d very plentifully now he thinks fit to raise his distributions to a higher degree and therupon on the twentieth of May he made Sir Robert Cecil Baron of Esindon Sir Robert Sidney Baron of Penshurst Sir William Knowles Baron of Greyes and Sir Edward Wooten Baron of Morley and not long after hee made the Lord Henry Howard Earle of North-Hampton and Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst he made Earle of Dorset The King had by this time found the love and affection of his own people but the affection of neighbouring Princes towards him stood yet in suspence when now to take away that doubt came first in the beginning of Iune an Embassador from the Palsgrave of Rhyne presently after another from the States of Holland and Zeland another from the Arch-Duke of Austria another from the King of Spaine from the Seignory of Venice another another from the Duke of Florence and lastly on the eight of Iune Monâ—ieur de Rhosny from the King of France all congratulating his happy comming to the Crowne of England for entertainment of which Embassadors and all other that should come after the King had erected an Office by the name of Master of the Ceremonies allowing him two hundred pounds a yeer Fee and the first that had the place was Sir Lewis Lewkenor a Gentleman who besides other good parts was very skilfull in the neighbouring languages Vpon the seventeenth of May this yeere were made fourteene Serjeants at Law whereof eleven had received Writs the last yeare of Queene Elizabeth namely Thomas Coventry Robert Haughton Lawrence Tanfield Iohn Crooke Thomas Foster Edward Philips Thomas Harris Iames Altham Henry Hubbard Augustine Nicholls and Robert Perker to whom the King added three new Iohn Sherley George Snygge and Richard Hutton who all kept their Feast together in the Middle Temple Hall One would thinke that by this time all Offences against Queene Elizabeth had been forgotten but King Iames more tender of wrongs done to her than to himselfe would not suffer Valentine Thomas so to escape who after he had lyen many yeeres prisoner in the Tower was on the fourth of â—une arraigned at the Kings Bench-Barre and for conspiracy against the late Queene and some of her Counsell was on the seventh of Iune after six a clock at night drawne to Sâ—â— Thomas Waterings and there hanged and quartered About this time the Honourable Charles Lord Montjâ—y returned out of Ireland bringing alone with him Hugh O Neale Earle of Teroen at whose comming to the King the Lord Montjoy was sworne of the Kings Privie Counsell and the Earle of Teroen who had beene the cause of so much English bloud shed was yet pardoned and Proclamation made that by all men he should be used with respect and honour All this while the King had moved within his own Spheare and had done nothing out of the Realme his first Imployment abroad was now in Iune to his brother the King of Denmark to whom he sent in Embassage the Earle of Rutland upon two occasions the one to be Godfather to his sonne who was named Christianus the other to present him with the Order of the Garâ—er upon the like imployment soone after he sent the Lord Spenâ—er to Frederick Duke of Wirtenberg which Lords saw the said Princes Invested with the Garter and after honourable entertainment returned home It was now a time that every man might sit under his Vine and enjoy the happinesse of a peaceable Government when suddenly like a storme in a faire Somers day brake forth a Treason of a strange Composition for where in all TreasoÌ„s commonly they are all of some one Faction in this there were people of all sorts Priests and Laymen Papists and Protestants Noblement Knights and Genâ—lement that one would think it should be a well mannaged Treason and yet was the shallowest that was ever set on foot so shallow that it could scarce be observed either what the Authors of it ayled or what it was they would hâ—ve done Indeed the great
Wright Francis Tresham Guido Fawkes and at last Sir Edward Digby all earnest Papists and all bound by Oath and by receiving the Sacrament to be secret For effecting of this plot they hired a house close adjoyning to the Upper house of Parliament where they were to dig thorow a Wall for the fit placing of their Powder About Candlemasse they had wrought the Wall halfe thorow when suddainly they heard a noyse in the next room which made them feare they had beene discovered but sending Guy Fawkes who went now under the name of Iohn Iohnson as Master Percies man to see what the matter was he brought word that it was a Cellar where Sea-Coles had beene layd and were now a selling and the roome offered to bee let for a yearely rent This roome therefore as most fit for their purpose being right under the Parliament House Master Percie presently went and hired laying into it twenty barrells of powder which they covered with Billets and Faggots for being discovered Thus the first part of the plot was put in a good readinesse It now remained to consider what was to be done when the blow should be given for though the King and Prince might be slain yet the Duke of York and the Lady Elizabeth should still be safe and so they should bee no nearer their end than now they were This work therefore for surprizing the D. of Yorke Percie undertook and for surprizing the Lady Elizabeth they agreed upon a match of huâ—ting neare to Dunchurch under colour whereof they would draw company together and surprize her at the Lord Haringtons house in Warwick-shire where she then lay and then proclaime her Queen and so be sure to have all things done as they would themselves Thus farre their bloudy plot went fairely on and had perhaps gone on so still if they had continued onely bloudy but now a tendernesse of heart tooke some of them lest their friends should perish together with the rest and this tendernesse overthrowes them for to prevent such promiscuous slaughter a Letter was framed and sent to the Lord Mounteagle sonne and heire to the Lord Morley brought him by one of his Foot-men which hee received from an unknowne man in the street The Letter was this My Lord out of the Love I beare to some of your friends I have a care of your preservation therefore I would wish you as you tender your life to forbeare your attendance at this Parliament for God and man have concurred to punish the wickednesse of this time And thinke not slightly of this Advertisement for though there bee no appeâ—râ—ce of any stirre yet I say they shall receive a terrible blow this Parliament and yet shall not see who hurts them This Councell is not to be contemned because it may doe you good and can doe you no harme for the danger is past as soone as you have burnt this Letter and I hope you will make good use of it My Lord having read the Letter though much perplexed yet went presently to the Court at White-hallâ— the King being then a hunting at Royston aâ—d delivered it to the Earle of Salisâ—â—â—ie principall Secretary of State and the Earle having read it acquainted first the Lord Chamberlaine with it and then the Lord Admirall the Earle of Wâ—rcester and Northampton who as soon â—s the King was returned from Huntingâ— acquainted him with it the Earle of 〈◊〉 telling hiâ— thâ—â— he thought it must be written either by a foole or by a mad 〈◊〉 because of those words for the dâ—â—ger is past as soone as you â—ave 〈◊〉 thiâ— Letter â—or iâ— the daâ—gâ—r-wâ—re so soâ—ne past what needed 〈◊〉 warniâ—gâ— But th◠〈◊〉 considering it more deeply apprehended presently some violent 〈◊〉 and thâ—t it must be some suddaine danger 〈◊〉 blowing up with powder and thereupon commanded than diligent search 〈◊〉 be made in the Parliament house and all other roomes and lodgings 〈◊〉 adjoyningâ— which search was made by the Lord Chamberlaine accomâ—â—nyâ—â— with the Lord Mountâ—â—gle who entring the Cellar under the upper 〈◊〉 â— found there great store of Faggots and Billets which was answered to 〈…〉 Mr. Pâ—rcie's owne provision but then it being considered why such stoâ—e 〈◊〉 be laid in for Mr. Percie who used to make but little stay in Towneâ— and â—hereuâ—on more diligent search being made there was found under the Billets one of the Barrells of powder and after that all the rest being six and thirty â—ogâ—ther with other instruments fit for their purpose and then spying the 〈◊〉 Fâ—wkes to stand suspitiously they apprehended him and found in his pocket a peece of Touch-wood a Tynder boxe to light the Touch-wood and a Watch which Mr. Percie had bought the day before to trie the short and long burning of the Touch-wood which he had prepared to give fire to the traine of powder The plot being thus discovered yet the most of the confederates met at Dunchurch as they had agreed where they divulged many detestable untruths against the King and State signifying withall that they were there met for advancement of the Catholike cause hoping thereby to have drawne many to joyne with them in their Rebellion but this availed them noâ—â—ing for first Sir Richard Verney high Sheriffe of Warwick-shire chased them from thence and then Sir Richard Welsh Sheriff of Worcestershire knowing them to be entred into Master Littleton's house at Walbach beset them round where Cateâ—â—iâ— and Percie issuing forth were both slaine with one shot of a Musquet and after them both the Wrights Iohn and Christopher were likewise slaine outright Thomas Winter was taken alive all which time Francis Tresham remained still about the Court offering his service for their suppression but being suspected was examined and sent to the Tower where he confest all and within a few dayes after dyed of the Stranguâ—ie On the seven and twentieth of Ianuarie following a Commission was directed to divers Lords and Iudges of both Benches for tryall of the rest of the Confederates namely of Thomas Winter Guydo Fawkes Robert Keyes Thomas Bates Robert Wintâ—r late of Hoodington in Warwick-shire Esquire Iohn Graunt late of Yorthbrook in the Countie of Warwick Esquire Ambrose Rookwood late of Staningfield in Suffolk Esquire Sir Edward Digby late of Gotthurst in Buckingham-shire Knight who were all condemned and had judgement to dye and on the thursday following Sir Edward Digbie Robert Winter Graunt and Bates were accordingly drawn hanged and quartered at the west end of Pauls Church in London and on the friday the other foure namely Thomas Winter Keyes Rookwood and Fawks were executed in the Parliament yard at Westminster Of all whom none was so much lamented as Sir Edward Digbie and indeed worthily for he was a goodly personage and of excellent parts and had it seemes beene cunningly drawne in and bound to secresie by Oath when he little thought of any such treason The seventh of November the Earle Northumberland upon suspition of being acquainted with
King according to an ancient custome had ayde of His Subjects thorough England for making his eldest sonne Prince Henry Knight which yet was Levied with great moderation and the Prince to shew himselfe worthy of it performed His first Feates of Armes at Barriers with wonderfull skill and courage being not yet full sixteene yeares of Age. It was now the eight yeere of King Iames His Reigne being the yeare 1610 when Prince Henry being come to the age of seventeen yeares It was thought fit He should be Initiated into Royalty and thereupon the thirtieth of May this yeare He was Created Prince of Wales in most solemne manner which was this Garter King at Armes bore the Letters Patents the Earle of Sussex the Robes of Purple Velvet the Earle of Huntington the Traine the Earle of Cumberland the Sword the Earle of Rutland the Ring the Earle of Darby the Rod the Earle of Shrewsbury the Cape and Coronet the Earle of Nottingham and North-Hampton supported the Prince being in His Surcoate only and bare-headed and in this manner being conducted to the King attended on by the Knights of the Bathe five and twenty in number all great men and great mens sons The Earle of Salisbury principall Secretary read the Letters Pattents the Prince kneeling all the while before the King and at the words accustomed the King put on him the Robe the Sword the Cape and the Coronet the Rod and the Ring and then kissed him on the cheeke and so the solemnity ended After this it was thought fit he should keep his Court by himselfe and thereupon Sir Thomas Chaloner a learned Gentleman who had before been his Governour was now made his Lord Chamberlaine Sir Edw. Philips his Chancellor and all other officers assigned him belonging to a Princes Court wherein he shewed himselfe so early ripe for Majesty that he seemed to be a King while he was yet but Prince And all mens eyes began to fix upon him King Iames had long since shut up the Gates of Ianus and was in Peace with all Princes abroad his only care now was how to keep Peace at home and to this end the three first dayes of Iune in his own person he heard the differences between the Ecclesiasticall and the Temporall Iudges argued touching Protections out of the Kingsâ—Bench and Common-Pleas to this end the eight ninth tenth of Iune he heard the manifold complaints of the abuses of the Victualers other Officers of his Navy Royall to this end the 4 of Iune 1610 he once again by Proclamation commanded all Roman Priests Seminaries and Iesuits as being the chiefe Incendiaries of troubles to depart this Kingdome by the 5 of Iuly next and not to returne upon pain of severity of the Law also all Recusants to returne home to their Dwellings and â—ot to ramaine in London â—oâ— to come within ten miles of the Court without speciall Licence aâ—â—â—r which Proclamation the Oâ—th of Allegeance was presently ministred to all sorts of people and their names certified to the Lords of the Counsell that refâ—â—ed to take it and this Hee the rather did out of consideration of the bloudy fact committed lately by one Revillâ—ck upon the person of the renowned K. of France Henry the fourth whereas Queen Elizabeth in her 43 years had granted her Letters Pattents to continue for 15 years to the East India Merchants now upon their humble petition the King was pleased to enlarge their Pateâ—â—s giving them a charter to continue for ever enabling them thereby to be a body Corporate and Politick which so encouraged the Merchants that they built a ship of twelve hundred â—un the greatest that was ever made in this Kingdome by Merchants which the King and Prince honored with going to Deptford to see it and then named it The Trades encrease and at this time gave to Sir Thomas Smith Governour of that Company a faire chaine of Gold with a Iewell wherein was his Picture But this great Ship having been in the Read Sea and returning to Banthem was there lost and most of her men cast away But then the King himselfe builded the goodliest Ship of War that was ever built in England being of the burthen of 1400 tun and carrying threescore and foure pieces of great Ordnance which he gave to his son Prince Henry who named it after his own dignity The Prince And now whereas a Parliament had been holden this year and was Prorogued to a certain day the King perhaps not finding it to comply with his designes or for some other cause known to himself on the last day of December under the grâ—â—t Sâ—ale of England dissolved it Before this time one Sir Robert Câ—rre a Gentleman of Scotland or of the bordâ—â—â— being a hunting with the King chanced with a fall off his horse to breake his leg upon which mischance he was forced for some days to keep his bed in which time the King was sometimes pleased to come and visit him and then it was first perceived that the King had begun to cast an eye of favour upon him and indeed â—roâ— that time forward as he was a very fine Gentleman and very wise many great favours were heaped upon him So as on Easter Munday in the yeare 1611 he was Created Viscount Rochester On the two and twentieth of Aprill 1612 was swoâ—ne a privy Counsellor On the fourth of November 1613 was Created Earle of Soâ—erset and the tenth of Iuly following made Lord Chamberlaine Bâ—â— this Sun-shine of Fortune lasted not long yet not by any inconstancy in the King but by the Earles own undeserving which thus fell out The Right Honourable Robert Earle of Essex had before this time married the beautifull Lady Francis Howard daughter of Thomas Earle of Suffolk who upon caâ—ses â—udicially heard were afterward Divorced and left free to marry any other Afteâ— which Divoâ—ce this great favorite the Earle of Somerset takes her for wife thâ— King gâ—acing their marriage with all demonstrations of love and favour and the Lords gracing it with a stately Masque that night and a few dayes after the Bride and Bridegroom accompanied with most of the Nobility of the Kingdome were â—easted at Merchant Taylors Hall by the Lord Major and Aldermen But see how soon this faire weâ—â—her was overcast For it hapned that one Sir Thâ—mas â—â—erbâ—ry a very ingenious Gentleman and the Earles speciall fâ—â—â—â—d who had written a witty Treâ—tise of a Wife and it seemes not thinking thâ— Lady in all points answerable to his description had been an earnest disswaâ—â—â— of the Mâ—â—â—â— and to â—â—rengthen his diâ—â—wasion layd perhaps some unjust 〈◊〉 upâ—â— the Ladyes 〈◊〉 which so incensed them both against him that 〈…〉 could not give them satiâ—â—â—ction than to take away his life So 〈…〉 saying Improbe 〈…〉 r quid non mortalia pectora cogis 〈◊〉 this they finde pretences to have the said Sir Thomas committed to the â—â—wer and there by their Instruments effect their revenge some
when the Illustrious Prince Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhyne with whom a Treaty of marriage had been before with the Lady Elizabeth on the sixteenth of October arrived at Gravesend to whom the Duke of Lenox and diverse other Lords were sent by the King who conducted him to White-Hall and from thence into the great Bâ—â—quetting-House where the King the Queene Prince Henry and the Lady Elizabeth entertained him in all kind manner and after by Barge conducted him to Essex House appointed for his lodging It was many yeâ—res since any Kings Daughter had beene marryed in England which now happening and to so Illustrious a Prince was just cause of Triumph and rejoyceingâ— but see the misery of Humane Affaires joy can no sooner be setting forth but sorrow will be sure to follow her at the heeles as now indeed it happened for on the nine and twentieth of October the Prince Palatine with all the great Lords of the Kingdome in most joviall manner dining at Guild-Hall Prince Hâ—â—â—â— who waâ— also invited and expected could not come being newly fallen exceâ—ding sick of a popular malignant feavour which raigned that yeare in most parts of this Land whereof on the sixth of November between seven â—nd eight a Clock at night at his Court of St. Iames he dyed But hee being infinitly beloved of the people and one that had given great hope of proâ—ing an Heroick Prince It caused suspition in many mens heads that his death was not without violence offered to Nature some said by bunches of Grapes given him to eate some by gloves of a poysoned perfume given him â—or a present but these were but idle rumours and conceits It seemes the Divine Providence had ordained it should be said of him Hanc tantum terris â—â—â—endent Fata nec ultraâ— esse sineâ—t whose death would have given a great blow to the happinesse of this Kingdome if there had not beene another Prince left of a milder spirit perhaâ—s but so accomplished with all excellent endowments that there could be no great want of Prince Henrie as long as there was left Prince Charles The Corps of Prince Henrie who dyed at the age of eighteene yeares eight moneths and seventeene dayes was drawne in a Chariot to the Abbey Church at Westminâ—ter and there interred in the Chappell Royallâ— on the seventh of December following This Accident something appealed the generall joy but yet triumphs went on Vpon Saint Thomas day the Palsgrave and Grave Maurice were Elected Knight of the Garter and the seven and twentieth of December the Palsgrave was betroathed to the Lady Elizabeth On Sunday the seventh of Februarie the Palsgrave in person was enstalled Knight of the Garter at Windâ—or and at the same time was Grave Maurice enstalled by his Deputy Count Lodâ—wick of Nassaw On the fourteenth of Februarie being Shrove-Sunday and Saint Valentines day this happy marriage of the Palsgrave with the Lady Elizabeth was solemnized in the Chappell at White-hall The Bride was led to Church by two Batchellors her brother Prince Charles and the Earle of Northampton Lord Privie Seale she was attired all in white having a rich Crowne of Gold upon her head her haire hanging downe at length curiously beâ—eâ— with Pearles and precious stones her Train supported by twelve yong Ladies in white Garments The King gave her in marriage the Arch-Bishop of Canterburie married them the Bishop of Bath and Wells preached the Bridall Sermon which ended the Bride was led home by two married men the Duke of Lenox and the Earle of Nâ—ttingham Lord Admirall This marriage was solemnized the first night with a stately Masque of Lords and Ladies the second night with a magnificent Masque of the Gentlemen of the middle Temple and Lincolnes Inne The third night with a sumptuous Masque of the Gentlemen of the Inner Temple and Graees Inne provided indeed then but was not performed till the satturday night following by reason the concourse of people was so great it would have hindred the Show After this the Lord Major and Aldermen gave the Bride a Chain of Orientall Pearle valued at two thousand pounds and now when all things had beene done for honouring their marriage which either love and observance could device or Art and Magnificence could performe On the tenth of April the Bride-groome with his Bride tooke leave of the King and Queene at Rochester who had by Barge conducted them thither and there taking Ship On the nine and twentieth of April they arrived at Flâ—shing from whence the Duke of Lenox the Earle of Arundell the Viscount Lisle and the Lord Harington waited upon them to their chiefe City of Heydelburgh in all places as they passed being received with all State and magnificence but then on the foureteenth of Iune the English Lords returning home the Lord Harington dyed by the way at Wormes whose Corps was brought over and buâ—ied in England And here it will not be amisse to shew of what extent and largenesse the Palsgrave's Countrie isâ— because of the iniquity of some that seeke to disgrace it It is in length about two hundred English miles taking the lower and upper Countrie In the lower hee hath six and twenty walled Townes besides an infinite number of faire Villages and two and twenty houses of residence In the uper not so many walled Townes and houses but those that are generally fairer than in the lower especially Amberg and New-market But it is now time to looke home in the yeare 1609. the King having care for the quietnesse of Ireland had granted to the City of London the present possession and Plantation in the Province of Ulster whereupon afterward in the yeare 1612. they sent thither about three hundred persons of all sorts of handy-crafts men chiefely to inhabite the two Cities of London-Derrie and Coleraigne where they ordained Alderman Cockaine for their first Governour And for the advancing of this or the like Plantation in Ireland King Iames about this time began a new Order of Knights which are called Baroneâ—s because they take place next to Barons younger sonnesâ— and hee appoynted certaine Lawes to make them capable that should be admitted First that they should maintaine the number of thirty foot souldiers in Ireland for three yeares after the rate of eight pence a day and to pay the wages of one whole yeare upon the passing of their Patent Then that they should bee Gentlemen of Bloud of three Descents and lastly should have land of Inheritance in possession or immediate Reversion to the value of a thousand pounds per annum And to keep the Order from swarming he stinted it within the number of onely 200. and as the issue should faile the Order to cease But he that will look how wel the end of the Institution and the Laws of it have bin observed shall perhaps find it to be here as it was in the Order of St. Michael in France into which at firstâ— there were none admitted but Princes and Emminent
man to be King of Bohemia and accordingly was elected by the States of that Kingdome but he was no sooner invested in the Crowne but the Emperour with great Forces assaulted him in Prague and not only drove him with his wife and children from thence but tooke from him also his owne Patrimony the Palatinate so as though now a King he was fayne to flye to the States of the Low Countries for a place of residence King Iames though he had never given his consent to the Palsegraâ—es taking upon him that Kingdome as foreseeing in his great judgement what the event will bee yet in this distresse he could noâ— forbeare to take care of his daughter and thereupon sent Sir Richard Wesâ—on the same that was after Lord Treasurer in Embassage to the Emperour to sollicite the restoring of the Palatinate to the Palsegrave but he returning without successe the King had then conference with Count Gundâ—mar the King of Spaines Ligier in England what course might bee taken to procure the restoring it who made him answere there could be no better course than to make a marriage betweene his sonne the Prince of Wales and the Infant of Spaine which he said would easily be effected if the Prince might have leave to make a Iourny into Spaine King Iames though he considered the inveterate grudges betweene Spaine and England and as dangerous it might beâ— to put the heire of the Kingdom into the Spaniards hands yet grounding himself upon the saying Fide lem si putaveris facies and drawne on by the insinuating speeches of Count Gundomar not perhaps without some Indinction in the Marquis of Buckingham was contented at last the Prince should goe And so Prince Charles sending his ships about and taking along with him only the Marquis of Buckingham who in the time of his being in Spaine was created Duke of Buckingham Endymion Porter and Mr. Francis Cottington two that were well acquainted with the Language and affaires of Spaine he tooke his Iourney by the way of France went to Paris and secretly in disguise to the Court there where he had the sight of that Lady that might well have stayed him from going further but yet on he went In the meane time Gundomar a cunning man and one that besides his Masters had ends of his owne and could play his Game no lesse for his owne profit than his Masters Honour as he had perswaded the King of the facility of the Match with Spayne so he perswaded a certainty of it especially amongst Catholick Ladies by which meanes he brought no small store of Grists to his owne Mill receiving from one Lady three hundred pounds to bee made Groome of the Stoole when the Spanish Princesse should come of another a good round summe to be made Mother of the Maydes and of diverse other the like for other places But the Prince being arrived in Spayne was received indeed with all the demonstrations of love and kindnesse that could be devised so as the charge of his entertainment was said to stand the King of Spayne in nine and forty thousand Duckats but yet his acquaintance with the Lady was much restrained for in all the time of his staying in Spayne which was no lesse than eight moneths being from February to October he saw her but very seldome and that at good distances never spake with her but twice and that before company besides that his speeches were limited how much and what he should say farre from any meanes of tying the knot betweene them which was pretended what the cause should bee was much in obscurity some thought that a difference betweene the Duke of Buckingham and the Count Olivares the King of Spayne's great Favorite was a great hinderance of the proceeding but other and more likely that the Spanyard indeed never really intended the Match at all but had drawne the Prince into Spayne for other Ends but what those ends were was no lesse uncertaine one thought it was done to hold the Prince in a treaty of marriage with a Daughter of Spayne till the Daughters of France should bee bestowed thereby to keepe him from that allyance but others and more likely that the King of Spayne entertayned this Treaty with the King of great Brittayne meaning to spinne it out till he had compassed some designes in the Low-Countries and the Palatinate at least to make King Iames most vigilant for those paâ—ts But when much time had beene spent in protracting upon pretence of difficultities in obtaining the Popes dispensation King Iames partly wearied with delay but chiefely angred with delusion sent to the Prince with all speed to returne into England which the Prince presently signified to the King of Spaine and had his leave to depart but upon promise to continue the treaty of the marriage still Though it was said the Prince was gone but a few dayes on his journey when a Post was sent to have stayed him if he had been overtaken But whether it was so or no it was Gods providence that he came safely to his ships and in them safely into England arriving at Portsmouth where he was beheld of the people with no lesse gladnesse than the Sunne after a long Eclipse and now his safe returning did both justifie King Iames his judgement in suffering him to goe and the King of Spaines justice in suffering him to come back and was cause that the people began to have a better opinion of the Spanish faith than they had before But now it presently brake out that this match with Spaine could never take effect for King Iames having received Declarations of the Articles touching the marriage found many very strict and large for exercise of the Catholike Religion but none at all for restitution of the Palatinate which made him so much discontented that he presently brake off all treaty of the marriage and signified as much not onely to the King of Spaine but to divers other Princes of Christendome Vpon which breach two great Points were presently had in consultation One for preparing forces for recovering the Palatinate by way of Armes which could not be done by a way of friendship and for this purpose a Councell of warre was called and a proposition resolved on both of men and money for undertaking the enterprise as also a great contribution by way of benevolence was collected towards which the compiler of this worke gave himselfe fifty pounds as many other farre greater summes though the collection went not thorow the whole Landâ— by reason there was hope given of a peaceable reconcilement so as many that were not over-hasty in their payments escaped without contributing at all The other point was for providing a fit wife for the Prince in some other place It was said the States of Holland offered a very great portion in marriage to the Prince if hee would match with some Lady of that Countrie but matches are made in heaven and there was a young Lady of France
against Duells and single Combâ—ts and a strict Law was made in Parliament against stabbing with a dagger oâ— knife making it to be wilfull Murther Affayres of the Church in his time THe King as a Religious Prince desiring nothing so much as to settle Peace in the Church and hearing of some dissensions of his Divines in points of Religion in the very first yeare of his Raigne appointed a Conference to bee holden before himselfe at Hampâ—on Court to which were called diverse Bishops Deanes and Doctors of one side and of the other foure eminent Divines namely Doctor Reynolds Doctor Sparkes Mr. Knewstabbs and Mr. Chadderton who all meeting before the King the 14 day of Ianuary the King first signified the cause of his calling them together and then told them he was there ready to heare what they could object or say against the present Government of the Church whereupon Doctor Reynolds being their Foreman reduâ—ed all matters disliked or questioned to these foure Heads 1. First that the doctrine of the Church might be preserved in purity accoâ—ding to Gods Word 2. That good Pastours might be planâ—ed in all Churchâ—s to preach the same 3. That the Church Government might be sincerely administred according to the Word of God 4. That the Book of Common Prayer might be fitted to more encreaâ—e of Piety Out of these Heads he drew and moved divers points One that Confirmation might not be by Bishops only but that every Pastour in his Parish might Confirme but this was thought to trench too much upon the Iurisdiction of Biâ—hopâ— and to be a step to bring in a Presbiterian government which the King much misliked and the Bishop of Winchester challenged Dr. Reynolds with aâ—â— his learning to shew where ever he had read that Confirmation was at aâ—â— used in antient times by any other than by Bishops Another motion of Docâ—oâ— Reynolds was That there might be a new Translation of the Bible becaâ—se the present from sevenscore to two hundred so he increased their Pensions from two shillings a day for three moneths in the summer to seven groats a day for six moneths in the summer Then where at his comming he found but only foure Iudges in the Courts of Law at Westminster hee added a fifth with the like allowance as the former had besides many other Pensions of like nature But the works of Piety done by others in his time were very many whereof we may justly set in the first place the repairing of Pauls Church begun in his time though not finished till many yeares after a worke of as great cost and labour as the first founding it towards the furtherance whereof though many well devoted persons contributed liberally yet none was more industrious than the learned Doctor Laud first Bishop of London and after Arch-bishop of Canterburie who also was a bountifull Benefactor to the Colledge of Saint Iohns in Oxford where he had his Education Next to him his Predecessor next before him the worthy George Abbot Arch-Bishop of Canterburie founded a faire Almes-house at Croydon in Surrie as likewise Robert the second Earle of Dorset founded another in Sussex to the maintenance whereof hee gave Lands to the value of three hundred pounds a yeare But of all the Almes-houses that were ever founded in Christendome there is none I thinke can parallell that of Thomas Sutton Esquire This man borne at Snayth in Lincoln-shire having alwayes lived a Batchelour and by sundrie imployments and parcimony being growne to great wealth bought of the right Honourable Thomas Earle of Suffolk his Mansion house called the Charter-house neare to Smithfield in London and out of a pious mind converted it into an Almes-house by the name of Suttons Hospitall endousing the same with above three thousand pounds of yearely rent wherein are maintained fourescore poore men with convenient lodging dyet and allowance of money for apparell also forty poore children with the like provision and a Grammer Schoole with a Master and Vsher to teach them overall whom hee ordained a learned man to bee Master of the houshold and to be chosen by the Governours whom he appoynted for the present by the Authority of the Kings Letters Patents to be George Arch-Bishop of Canterburie Thomas Lord Elsmore Lord Chancellour Robert Earle of Salisburie Lord Treasurer Iohn Bishop of London Laâ—ncelâ—t Bishop of Ely Sir Edward Cook chiefe Iustice of the Common Plâ—as Sir Thomas Foster a Iudge of the Common Pleas Sir Henrie Hubbard the Kings Atturney generall Doctor Overall Deane of Pauls Doctor Mountaine Deane of Wâ—stminster Henrie Thursby Esquire Master of the Chancerie Richard Sutton Esquire Auditor of the Imprests Ieffâ—rie Nightingall Esquire Iohn Low Gentleman Thomas Browne Gentleman and Master of the Houshold for the time being to bee alwayes one and as any of these sixâ—eene Governours should dye the Survivers to make present addition of others Next to this was a faire Colledge in Oxford founded by Nicholas Wil be Esquire and called after his name About this time also Edward Allin of Dulwich in Surrie founded a faire Hospitall at Dulwich for six poore men and six poor women and for twelve poore children from the age of foure or six yeares to be there maintained and taught till the age of foureteen or sixteen and to have a Schoolemaster with dyet and a convenient stipend This man may be an example who having gotten his wealth by Stage-playing converted it to this pious useâ— not without a kind of repuâ—ation to the Society of Players In this Kings time also William Cambden King at Armes founded an Historie Professor in Oxford to which hee gave the Mannor of Bexley in Kent which some yeares expired will be worth foure hundred pounds a yeare In his tenth yeare Sir Baptist Hicks one of the Iustices of Peace in Middlesex who was after made Viscount Câ—â—bden built a faire Sessions house of Brick and Stone in St. Iohns street which by the Iustices was called after his name Hicks Hall a great convenience for the Iustices who sate before in a common Inne called the Castle Hee also founded a faire Hospitall of Free stone at Cambden in Gloucester-shire for six men and six wowomen allowing each of them a yearely Gowne and two shillings six pence a week with two roomes and a garden In this Kings time George Patyn Citizen and Grocer of London gave to good uses three thousand an six hundred pounds whereof twelve hundred pounds to the two Vniversities nine hundred pounds for an Almes-house and a certaine summe of money to buy two Bells and make a Chime in Bow-Church Also Thomas Teasdale of Glympton in the Countie of Oxford Gentleman gave five thousand pounds to purchase lands for perpetuall maintenance of seven fellowes and Six Scholars to be placed in Baylyoll Colledge in Oxford and to be chosen thither from time to time out of the Free-Schoole of Abbington in Berk-shire to which Schoole he also gave lands for maintenance of an Vsher. In this
expresse his Character in a word which worthily might be matter for many volumes He was to his wife a most loyall husband to his children a most loving father to his servants a most bountifull Master to his Subjects a most just prince to all Princes neare him a most peaceable neighbour that more justly it may be said of him than of whom it was said Quaete tam laeta telerunt saecula a Prince afâ—eâ— Plato's owne heart for his learning and which is infinitly more worth after Gods owne heart for his Religiousnesse and Piety Oâ— his Death and buriall OF his death there were many scandalous rumours spread and some were so impudentâ— as to write that he was poysoned as the Duke of Richmond and the Marquis Hambleton had been before but King Iames being dead and his body opened there was found no signe at all of poyson his inward parts being all sound but that his Spleen was a little faulty which might bee cause enough to cast him into an Ague The Ordinary high way especially in old bodies to a naturall death Of this ague after a months anguishing notwithstanding all the remedies that could be applyed he departed this life aâ— Thâ—â—balds on the 27 of March in the yeare 1625 in the 59 yeare of his ageâ— when he had Raigned two and twenty years compleat His body for the greater Staâ—e was convayed by Torche light from Theobalds to Denmark house who having tested from the 23 of Aprill to the 7 of May it was carryed to Westminster and there interred in the Chappell Royall with great solemnity but with greater lamentation there being scarce any of the infinite multitude that was present of whom it might not be said Multa gemens largoque humectat flumine Vultum Of Men of note in his time MIlitary Men of Note in a time of Peace as the whole Raigne of King Iames was we have no reason to expect yet if we look amongst the Voluntaries that went to the Schoole of War in the Low-Countryes we shall find a payre of brothers that may stand in comparison with the greatest Souldiers in the most Martiall times S. Francis Vere who as another Hanniball who with his own eye could see more in the Martiall Discipline than common men can do with two and Sir Horatio Vere who as another Philopaemen contained in a very little body a very great both skill and courage But for Men of Note in Learning as being in the time of a most learned Prince there was never greater store of whom these for example In curiousnesse of Preaching there was Doctor Andrewes Bishop of Winchester who hath left to posterity a Century of such golden Sermons that shews he as well deserved the name of Chrysostome as he that had it In multiplicity of Reading there was Doctor Reynolds of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford who seemed as it were a living Library and one would have thaught his Memory to be a perfect Index of all the Books had ever beene written In knowledge of Law there was Sir Edward Cook Chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench who hath written such excellent Commentaries of the Law that he seemes as another Bartholus or Baldus amongst us In Elegancy of writing there was Sir Francis Bacon Viscount Saint Albans who besides his profounder Books of Novum Organum hath written the Reigne of K. Henry the 7 in so sweet a style that like Manna it pleaseth the tast of all palats In the skil of Antiquities there was William Camden King at Armes who hath set forth the Description of Brittaine and the life of Q. Eliz. in so lively colours that he seems to have brought Brittaine out of darknesse into light and to keep Q. Eliz. alive after her death And to speake it in a word the Trojan Horse was not fuller of Heroick Grecians than K. Iames His Raigne was full of men excellent in all kinds of Learning And here I desire the Reader leave to remember two of my own old acquaintance the one was Mr. Iohn Dunne who leaving Oxford lived at the Iâ—nâ—â— of Court not dissolute but very neat a great visiter of Ladies a great frequenâ—er of Playes a great writer of conceited Verses untill such time as King Iames taking notice of the pregnancy of his Wit was a meanes that he betooke him to the study of Divinityâ— and thereupon proceeding Doctour was made Deane of Paules and became so rare a Preacher that he was not only commended but even admired by all that heard him The other was Sir Woottonâ— mine old acquaintance also as having been fellow pupils and chamber fellows in Oxford divers yeares together This Gentlemen was imployed by K. Iames in Embassage â—o Venice and indeed the Kingdom afforded not a fitter man for maâ—ching the Capriciousnes of the Italian Wâ—â—s a man of so able dexterity with his Pen that he hath done himself much wrongâ— and the Kingdom more in leaving no more of his Writings behind him Of the English Plantation in the Indies that wâ—re iâ— King IAMES his time ANâ— now we are come to a time wherein we may very neare say as much of King Iames as was said of Agustus Caesar Super Garamantus Indos profert Imperium In this better that where Augustus did it by the violent way of Armes King Iames did it by the civill way of Plantations for in his dayes began the great plantation of the English in the Indies and must be acknowledged the proper effect of his peaceable Government The first Plantation of the English in the Indies was that which is now called Virginia in memorie of the Virgin Queen Elizabeth but called before Wingandacoa It was first discovered by Sir Walter Rawlegh in the yeare 1584 to whom the first Letters Patents were granted for making a Plantation there but yet no Colony was sent thither till the yeare 1606. It is a Countrie in America between the degrees of 34 and 45 of the North Latitude but that part of it which is planted by the English is under the Degrees of 37 38 and 39. It is no Island as many have imagined but a part of the Continent adjoyning to Florida The first and chiefe Towne made here by the English is called Iames Towne in honour of the Kings most Eexcellent Majesty It is a Countrie abounding with all sorts of Fish and Fowle so fruitfull that it yeelds thirtie and sometimes fortie Bushells of Corne upon an Acre and that which to us is more strange hath three harvests in a yeare the Corne being sowed ripe and reaped in little more than two moneths Manyâ— Plantations had beene attempted here before but came to nothing the first to any purpose was in the yeare 1607. under the conduct of Captaine Gosnoll Iohn Smith and Mr. Edw. Maria Winkfield who carried a Colonie thither of a hundred persons but of these many dying of sicknesse or slaine by the Savages a new supply came in the yeare 1608. of a hundred and twenty
persons under the Conduct of Captaine Nelsâ—n After which was sent another supply of threescore and ten persons and in the yeare 1609. a third supply came of five hundred persons under a Patent granted to Sir Thomas West Lord de la Ware but conducted thither by Sir Thomas Gates Gates Sir George Sommers and others In the yeare 1611. was a fourth supply of three hundred men under the conduct of Sir Thomas Gates In the yeare 2612. two other supplies were sent of forty men in each and now was the Lotterie spoken of before granted by the King for further supplies of this Plantation After this Master Samuel Argall being appoynted Governour in in the yeare 16â—8 the Lord De la Ware came thither with a supply of two hundred people but in his stay there dyed After this in the yeare 1620. were sent thither eleven Ships with twelve hundred and sixteene persons and now they founded themselves into Corporations In the yeare 1621. Sir Francis Wiat was sent thither Governour with thirteene hundred men women and children and now they founded Schooles and Courts of Iustice and the Plantation was extended a hundred and forty miles up on the River of both sides But now when the English were secure and thought of nothing but peace the Savages came suddenly upon them and slew them three hundrâ—d and seven and forty men women and children For râ—pairing of which losse the City of London sent presently over a supply of a hundred men This massacre happened by reason they had built their Plantations remote from one another in above thirty severall places which made them now upon consultation to reduce them all to five or six places whereby they may better assist each other since which time they have alwayes lived in good security And thuâ— much for Virginia Next was the Plantation of the Island called Barmudas so called of a Spanish ship called Bermudas which was there cast away carrying Hogs to the West Indies that swam a shoare and there increased The first Englishman that entred this Isle was one Henry May in the yeare 1591 but in the yeare 1610 Sir George Sâ—mers was sent thither who dying there in memory of his Name the Isles have ever since been called Somers Isles In the yeare 1612. One Mr. Moore landed there with 60 persons and then builded the chiefe Town there called S. Georges together with 8 to 9 Forts The same yeare a supply of 30 more persons was sent thither and the yeare after 60 more under one Mr. Bartlet with a shew to survey the land but with a purpose indeed to get from thence a great lump of Amber-greece and no lesse than 80 poâ—â—d weight that had been found taken up in the Island some yeares before and was there still reteined A while after this came a Ship called the Blessing with a hundred passengers and two dayes after came the Star with a 180 more and within 14 dayes after that again came thither the Margaret and two Frigates with 130 passengers So as now they began to divide the Counâ—â—y into Tribes and the Tribes into shares In the yeare 1616 Captain Daâ—â—el Tuckard was sent from Virginia to be Governour there and now it began indeed to be a Plantation for now they began to build them houses and now was sent from thence into England a Ship fraighted with 30000 weight of Tobacco valued there but at 2 s. 6 d. the pound though sold here oftentimes for Vâ—rinos at great rates In the yeare 1619â— Captain Nathaniel Butler was sent Governour with new supplies in whose time they build them a Church held Assizes for Criminall Causes twice a yeare and began to have Parliaments as in England and now in the Ship called the Magazin came diverse Gentlemen of good fashion with their wives and families so as now their number was no fewer then fifteen hundred people Dispersed twenty miles in length In the yeare 1622 came Governouâ— M. Iohn Bernard bringing with him a supply of a 140 persons but he and his wife dying presently upon their comming M. Iohn Harrison in the yeare 1623 was chosen Governour These Isles of Bermudas are in 32 degrees of Northern latitude So as they are distant from Virginia at least 500 leagues and from Egland above three thousand three hundred This Country is of a most healthfull Ayre abounding with all sorts of Fowles Birds and Fish and where great pieces of Amber-grâ—ce are oftentimes found which is valued there at no lesse than three pounds an ounce And thus much concerning the state of Bermudas till the yeare 1624. Next comes the Plantation of New England concerning which we must first know that King Iames in the yeare 1606 granted two Letters Patents for Plantations in Virginia one to the City of London another to the City of Bristow Exceter and Plimmouth with power to plant Colonies any where between the Degrees of 38 and 44 provided there should be at least a 100 miles distance between the two Colonies So as the first Colony was from the City of London and is that which is called Virginia The Second Colony was from Bristow and the other Towns and is that which is now called New England and is scituate between the Degrees of 41 and 45 the very meane betwixt the North Pole and the Line And now to speak a little of the Country there are on the Sea Coast 25 excellent good Harbours in some whereof there is Anchorage for 500 sayle of Ships of any burthen The Earth as fruitful and the Ayre as healthfull as any part of the World abounding with all sorts of Grain Fowles and Fish Many of such kinds as aâ—e to us unknown yet excellent meat Many Voyages had been made for the perfect discovery of the Countrey Many Attempts for setling a Plantation there Many Miscariages and Disasters in making the attempts but all at last came to this that in the yeare 1624 which is the limit of ouâ— Narration there was a Plantation setled though but a small one but a few yeares after by the sending forth of new supplyes encreased to so many thousands that if God continue to prosper it as he hath begun the New England in a few ages may prove as populous as the Old and the King of England likely to have as many and greater Crowns in the Indies than he had in His Realmes of Great Brittaine and Ireland But seeing of these and all other English Plantations in the Indies whereof there are many large discourses written by divers Authors It should be more than supperfluous to speake more of them in this place It is sufficient to have shewed that King Iames had the honour to have them setled in His time and under the Influence of His peaceable Government Of the Earles and Barons made by King JAMES IN former Kings Raignes the making of Earles and Barons was but rare and therefore they are fitly set down at the severall times of their making but in King
a Chaire to be brought into his Privy Chamber where in presence of but three of foure of his Privy Councell he demanded of the Prince the cause of his unwonted habit and comming who answered That being not onely his subject but his sonne and a sonne so tenderly alwayes regarded by him he were worthy of a thousand deaths if he should intend or but imagine the least offence to his sacred Majestie and therefore had fitted himselfe to be made a sacrifice and therewithall reached his dagger holding it by the point to his father For said he I desire not to live longer than I may be thought to be what I am and shall ever be Your faithfull and obedient Vassall With this or the like Answer the King was so moved that he fell upon his sonnes neck and with many teares imbracing him confessed that his ears had been too open to receive reports against him and promising faithfully that from thenceforth no reports should cause any disaffection towards himâ— The king about this time made his Son Iohn Duke of Bedford and his Son Humpheâ— Duke of Glocester he made also sir Thomas Beauford Earle of Dorset and the Earle of Arundel he created Duke of Yorke The rest of king Henries dayes from this time forward being scarce a year was free from all trouble both abroad and at home unlesse perhaps he might be troubled in minde for having shed so much English and Noblebloud for expiation whereof or else to the end he might joyne Valour and Devotion in one action together which hitherto he but used singly he tooke upon him the Crusado and at a Councell in White-Friars order was taken and great preparation was made for his journey to Ierusalem But it was otherwise Decreed in Heaven and yet not so otherwise but that he ended his life in Ierusalem as shall be shewed hereafter Of his Taxations IN the very begining of his Reigne it might passe instead of a Taxation that he found in king Richards Coffers in money and jewells to the value of seven hundred thousand pounds In his fourth yeare an extraordinary Subsidie was granted him Twenty shillings of every knights Fee and of every one that had twenty shillings a yeare in land twelve pence and upward according to that rate and of every one that had twenty pounds in goods twelve pence and upward according to that rate but with this caution and protestation that it should not hereafter be drawn for a President and that no Record thereof should be made In his sixth yeare the Clergie granted to the king a Tenth In his seventh yeare the Clergie granted a Tenth and a halfe and the Commons two Fifteens In a Parliament holden the ninth yeare of his Reigne the king moved to have allowed him in every yeare wherein there was no Parliament keptâ— a Tenth of the Clergy and a Fifteenth of the Layity to which demands the Bishops assented but the Commons would not In his seventh yeare a Parliament began which lasted almost a whole yeare in which a Subsidie was at last granted so sharpe that even Priests and Friers who lived of Alms were forced every one to pay a noble Of Lawes and Ordinances made in his time IN this kings dayes burning and execution by fire for controversies in Religion was first put in practise Also in the first yeare of his Reigne an Act was made that no person of what degree soever should after that day alleadge for his excuse any constraint or coaâ—cting of his Princeâ— for doing of any unlawfull act and that such excuse after that day should stand him in no stead Also an Act was made that no Lord nor other might give any Liveries to any but their houshold and meniall servants In his twelveth yeare the king caused a new coyne of Nobles to be made which was of lesse value than the old Noble by foure pence Also that all Rypiers and other Fishers from any of the Sea-coasts should sell their fish in Cornhill and Cheapside themselves and not to Fishmongers that would buy it to sell againe Also this king instituted the Dutchie Court which he did in honor of the House of Lancaster to the end the Lands belonging to that Dutchie might in all following times be distinguisht and known from the Lands of the Crown In his sixt year the king called a Parliament at Coventry and sent Processe to the Sheriffes that they should chuse no knights nor Burgesses that had any knowledge in the Lawes of the Realm by reason whereof it was called the Lay-mens Parliament In his seventh yeare the Major of London for preservation of fish obtained that all Weres which stood between London and seven miles beyond Kingstone as also such as stood betweene London and Gravesend should be pulled up and taken away Affaires of the Church in his time BY reason of discord between Iohn of Gaunt and Wickham Bishop of Winchester the Bishop either in durance could not or in feare durst not come to the Parliament House at a time when the King required a supply of money but the Clergie unanimously affirming that without their brother the Bishop of Winchesters presence they neither can nor will consult of any thingâ— he is presently sent for and by the King secured After this the King called a Parliament at Coventry and sent Processe to the Sheriffs that they should chuse no knights or Burgesses that were Lawyers and was therefore called the Laymens Parliament And shortly after another Parliament was called and named the unlearned Parliament either for the unlearnednesse of the persons or for their malice to learned men In which the Commons presented a Petition to the King and the upper House desiring that the king might have the Temporall Possessions of the Bishops and Clergie the value whereof they pretended wou'd be sufficient maintenance for a hundred and fifty Earls one thousand five hundred knights six thousand two hundred Esquires and a hundred Hospitals for maymed Souldiers They craved likewise that Clerks convict should not be delivered to the Bishops prison and that the Statute made in the second yeare of the king against Lollards might be Repealed But the king denied their Petition and in Person commanded them from thenceforth not to presume to trouble their brains about any such businesse for he was resolved to leave the Church in as good state as he found it In the twelveth yeare of his Reigne certain learned men in Oxford and other places in their Sermons maintained the opinions of Wickliffe but the Bishops and Doctors of the University inhibited and condemned them In his time was a great Schisme in the Church by reason of two Anti-Popes but afterwards in an assembly of Cardinalls and Bishops a third man was elected named Alexander the fifth who had been trained up at Oxford Works of Piety in his time KING Henry Fownded a Colledge at Battlefield in Shropshire where he overcame the Lord Henry Percy In his third yeare the Conduit upon Cornhill