course is that of pious King Henry the Sixth CHAP. IV. The Barbarous Murther of Henry the Sixth King of England France and Lord of Ireland the three and fiftieth Monarch of England with the particular Marks of Gods vengeance upon the shedders of Innocent Royal Blood together with the Policies and Contrivances that were used to bring about the Barbarous Regicide HEnry the Sixth was Son to Henry the Fifth and Grand-child to Henry the Fourth his Mother was Katharine Daughter to King Charles the Sixth of France upon him the Crown devolved in his Infancy his Father dying when he was about Seven Months old and he Crowned at Eight yet his Warlike Father having time in his sickness made his last Will and Testament constituting his Brother the Duke of Glocester Protector of England during his Sons Minority and his other Brother the Earl of Bedford Regent and to the Duke of Exceter committed he the care of young Henry though to be nurtured and brought up by the Queen Matters being thus settled the King dies of a burning Feaver at Bois D' Vincenois in France and for a time all things were calm especially in England though they continued not long so for although no diligence was wanting in the Dukes Regents yet the Kings Minority gave way to many Exorbitancies as well amongst the Vulgar as the Nobility and France desirous of gaining her former liberty continually struggled with the Conquerour the active Dauphin still assailing the strengths of the English as he found advantage offer so that many places were lost by being taken or by revolt yet the couragious Duke of Bedford the Kings Uncle having received a supply of fresh forces out of England recovered many of them but he in the heat of those troubles dying at Roan the English but weakly maintained their footing in France and within a while after the Faction amongst the Nobles increasing the Duke of Glocester Protector of England and the Kings other Uncle through the procurement of Queen Margaret Wife to King Henry was Arrested in Parliament by John Lord Beaumont High Constable of England and committed to the custody of the Dukes of Buckingham Somerset and others when within a while after he was found dead as they pretended of an Apoplexy though those who enquired more diligently into the matter found by apparent Symptoms that he was made away yet the death of so great a Prince was hushed though it proved fatal to the King and Kingdom For in the death of these two Brothers the two strongest twisted Cords in the Cable of Government were snapped in sunder whereupon it proved too weak to Anchor the Ship riding in so fierce a torrent for now the ambitious Duke of York Cousin to the King having made strong his Faction began to shew himself openly laying claim to the Crown whilst the King was yet alive drawing to his part a number of the discontented Nobility who envied the Duke of Somerset a man true and just to his Country and one whom the King highly favoured but that not being like to bring his designs to perfection taking example by King Henry the Fourth he resolves to make himself popular and within a while so dealt by his Agents with the Mobile that they rose in many Counties in great numbers threatning like a Deluge all before them with ruin and desolation and from the Counties adjacent under the Leading of Jack Cade that audacious Rebel they Mustered about London and Quartered in the Suburbs ruining and plundering many stately Houses nor did Churches scape their Sacrilegious hands The chief of these Rebels were drawn out of Kent and their Petition or rather Peremptory demand after they had made incredible spoil was 1. That Richard Duke of York then in Ireland as likewise several others of his Faction whom they named should be called home and be admitted chief Councillours and have power to manage the principal Affairs of the Kingdom 2. That the Duke of Glocester was falsly Proclaimed a Traitour and therefore they demanded that the Authors might be punished By this we may see who incouraged them to those unnatural Insurrections they had likewise a third Article but it only contained scandalous reflections on the Duke of Suffolk but these Traiterous demands being denied and their Articles rejected they raged worse than before Whereupon Sir Humfry Stafford drawing together such forces as he could get Incountered them at Seven-Oaks whither they were retired but was unfortunately slain and his party routed by Cade the principal Rebel who disarmed him and put on his Armour which ill became such a Villain After this they again advanced towards London and some of the factious Citizens though contrary to the Will of the Magistrates favoring them they enter the City and make great spoil on the Houses of such as they imagined to favour the Duke of Suffolk or indeed the King which caused the Lord Mayor to Assemble the Loyal Citizens and consult what was best to be done who agreed that when Cade was withdrawn as soon after happened they should shut the Gates against him and defend the City for the King which they effected and kept him out though not without the effusion of Blood on either side but he being put to the foil his Companions grew faint hearted so that upon the coming forth of the Kings Proclamation to assure them of pardon upon condition they would deposite their Arms they deserted him and then a thousand Marks being offered to any that could take Cade dead or alive he within a short time was killed at Hothfield by one Alexander Eden a Kentish Gentleman and his Head being brought up to London was set upon London Bridge as likewise twenty six more of his Accomplices who had been excluded the Charter of pardon being taken received the reward of their Treason The news of these intestine tumults flying into Ireland and coming to the Dukes Ear who meant nothing less than the deposing of innocent Henry lest his Faction should be weakned by his absence he posts over leaving the Affairs of the Kingdom with which he had been intrusted in a tottering condition and upon his arrival without the Kings leave or liking committed Prisoners to the Castle of Ludlow John Sutton Lord Dudly Reynold Abbot of St. Peters at Glastenbury all of them the Kings friends and afterwards having resolved upon deposing the King he takes up Arms under pretence of removing evil Councillors from about the Kings person almost the original pretence of every Rebellion though the undertakers aim at nothing less then the King himself and the chief person he objects against the only man that kept him from his wicked purposes was Edmund Duke of Somerset and many grievous Accusations the better to colour the business are made against him but the chief insisted on was the loss of Normandy during his Regency though it evidently appeared that the Duke of York himself by fomenting a division amongst the great ones had given the French
Kings Servants that they set upon the Duke in the Castle of Chartres and forcing their Entrance killed him and his Brother the Cardinal which was no doubt a signal Judgment for the many Thousand Innocents that by his advice were Massacred Upon this the Leaguers prevailed with Pope Sixtus the fifth willing enough of himself to excommunicate the King and every where excite his Ruffians to Assassinate him promising for their encouragement great Rewards on Earth and greater in Heaven but the King was still Invironed with such Trusty Friends that the Popes Hellish design was for a while Frustrated though no way that carryed the Face of a Probabillity was lest unattempted The Leaguers growing still more Furious having made the Duke of Mayne the Duke of Guise and others their head therefore to nip them in the bud the two Kings advanced with their Armys and sate down before the great City of Paris the chief Seat of the Leaguers and made Sundry Assaults in order to win it but did not so soon prevail but that one of the Popes Hellish Instruments prevailed against the Kings Life the manner thus One James Clement a Jacob in Monk having been tampered withall and moulded in private to Enterprize so great a wickedness he in the Assembly of his Convent declares his Resolution to kill the King for which resolution he is carressed called Saviour of his Country applauded and promised Mountains in this World if he overlived the Act and if he miscarry to be assured of Saintship to pass immediately to Heaven without calling at Purgatory to have shrines and Altars erected in memorial of the as they wickedly and falsly termed it Pious Religious and Holy undertaking which so Transported the Novice that he thought himself already capering above the Clouds and thought every moment a day till he had put his wicked design in practice wherefore either to make him the more venterous or that themselves did think it more expedient they carryed him to the High-Altar prayed over him O wickedness beyond Degree that God would Strengthen his Arm to give a sure Blow and thereupon delivered him a Dagger wrapped up in the Relict of a Saint as they called it and the better to compleat the Impostor added to all their wickedness by dipping the point of it in consecrated Wine of the Sacrament and then dismissed him with what they called Blessings but indeed such monstrous Impiety that to the everlasting Infamy of the Romish-church let it stand Recorded This deceived wretch full Fraught as he imagined with Honour in this World and happiness in the other Arrives at the Kings Camp at St. Clou and pretended an Embassy from the Leaguers to the King which he was charged to deliver to no Person but himself and so by Feigned pretences had admittance when putting his hand into his Sleeve as though he would draw out a Letter with the before mentioned Dagger smote him in the Belly the King wrested the Dagger from him wounded him on the Head which Strugling made such a noise that the Guards coming hastily in and seeing the King wounded stayed not to Inquire into the manner but with their Swords cut the miserable wretch to pieces and sent him by that means to his propper place from whence not all the Papal Authority nor Masses of a Thousand years can deliver him The next Morning the King Died of his Wounds leaving the King of Navarr his Kingdom and Army who succeeded him by the name of Henry the fourth and soon after avenged the Death of his Predecessor by Beseiging Paris the chief residence of the Leaguers who greatly rejoyced for the Death of the King reduced it to such extremity by Famine no filthy thing was left uneaten and yet 6 or 7000 Dyed with Hunger and Pestilence The Pope hearing of the Kings Death much Applauded the Murtherer caused his Statute to be set up and gave him a red Letter in the Callender saying he was worthy of praise for he Stabbed not the Picture of a King but the King of France in the mid'st of his Army and the best word he could afford the King was a Favourer of Hereticks and an unfortunate Prince but his joy lasted not long for he soon after Died miserably and thus much for the fall of this great King CHAP. VII The Relation of the Murther of King Henry the Fourth of France commonly called Henry the Great by Francis Ravillack what Prodigies Fore-run it and the Vniversallity of the Conspiracy with Gods vengeance on the Barbarous Actors and Contrivers c. HEnry the IV. Son to Anthony of Burbâ—on by his Wife the only Daughter and Heir of Henry D' Albert King of Navarr after his Grandfather Father and Mothers Decease Injoyed that Kingdom and as you have heard being next Prince of the blood he was rightful King of France after the Decease of Henry the III. and carryed on the War against the Leaguers till he had obtained the absolute Soveraignty joyning both Kingdoms Many were the Plots layed against his Life as that Massacre in Paris whither he resorted to Solemnize his Marriage with Margaret Sister to King Charles the IX where amongst other Slaughters of his dearest Friends it was debated whither he and the Young Prince of Conde should be Murthered and carryed on the contrary only by the perswasions of one Duke yet the next Morning they were brought forth into an outward Court where whole Piles of Dead lay and put to their choice by the King either to chuse Death or the Mass they being both Protestants of which at that time they thought it convenient to chuse the latter but soon found means to escape and Renounce those Errors another attempt was made against his Life after the reduction of Paris at Melun by one Peter Barrier a Souldier who was hired to have Stabbed him at the advantage of his passing a Corner but being detected had his hand first burnt holding the Knife with which the Execution was intended in it the mean while and afterwards had his Flesh pulled off with hot Pincers A third open attempt was by one John Castle a Merchants Son in Paris and a pupill of the Jesuits own bringing up and past doubt Instructing he not being above 18 years of Age thrust himself into the Kings presence and being about to strike him into the Belly was prevented by the Kings Stooping to return a Salute to one of his Nobles yet it struck him through the Lip and struck one of his Teeth out whereupon the party was apprehended and confessed the Fact glorying in what he had done and maintained he ought to do it and that he should offer up a Sacrifice acceptable to God by taking out of the World a Prince Relapsed and Excommunicated not did he seem much to Regard his Torments when his Hand was Burnt his Flesh plucked off with hot pincers and lastly as he justly deserved had his Limbs torn off with Wild Horses which making it plainly appear that his
hereafter be related Long time had this treacherous Duke sought opportunity to bring the good King to destruction but success so waited on his Arms that for a long time no advantage could be proposed for had he done it whilst the Danes were weak his hopes had been frustrated Yet growing impatient of delay he resolved to make some attempt to bring about his wicked purpose And therefore a fierce Battel being begun between the English and Danes at Sherostan in Worcester-shire which continued bloody and doubtful for two days but in end the Danes beginning to shrink Edrick presently cut off the Head of one of his own Soldiers named Osmearus like the King in Hair shape of his Beard and Countenance held it upon his bloody Sword still gasping and cried to the English Host fly wretches fly get you away for your King is slain behold his Head therefore seek now to save your own Lives The fight so daunted the courage of the English who entirely loved their King that the Battel began to swerve and wanted but little of plain flight which had certainly been had not King Edmund understood the cause and instantly from a high place shewed himself to his Soldiers with many words of incouragement stayed them in their Ranks and by entering amongst the rest of the Squadrons given them new vigour so that plainly perceiving the treachery they bent their Bows against the Traitour and had dispatched him had he not sunk into the Rear Yet they turned their fury upon the Danes and made great slaughter even till the Field was coloured with Blood continuing the Fight till Night parted them At what time the treacherous Duke came to the Kings Tent and after much seeming submission excused his Treason by alleadging he was mistaken in the Countenance of the Man and thirsting to save English Blood advised them to shift for themselves As for the former part of the excuse 't is not doubted but he spoke true for that day the King was disguised in the Battel and this wretch who sought his destruction might in the hurry take Osmearus for him and for that cause slew him But such was the goodness of the King that his dissimulation gained belief and he was again received into favour though contrary to the mind of the Kings Council who would have had him banished and well had it been for King Edmund had their advice been taken for a treacherous friend is more dangerous than an open Enemy This stratagem failing the Danes raised their Camp in the dead of Night and Marched with all speed towards London which City continued Loyal to King Edmund during his Life The King the next Morning having notice of the Danes departure followed with all his Host to prevent the spoil and by his swift Marches so terrified the Danes that they altered the purpose they had to besiege the City and the King entered it in Triumph And two days after having refreshed his Army resolved to follow his advantage and thereupon Marching to Branford where the Danes were Encamped he gave them a great overthrow which Edrick perceiving and fearing the Danes would be forced to leave the Land he advised King Edmund to make a truce with them using so many Arguments that he prevailed with the King even when he had them all at his Mercy and therefore leaving London he retired into the West The Danes no sooner perceived themselves free from danger but they fell to plundering and burning as fearfully as ever which caused the King again to advance and entering Kent with his Army near unto Oateford he gave them Battel which continued doubtful and bloody for the space of four hours When the Danes Vauntgard giving back their Horse upon the Right advanced yet fell soon into disorder and retiring amongst the Foot put them to the rout so that they were slain on all hands leaving above four thousand dead on the place when of the English there died not above six hundred and here had not the Traitour Edrick stopped the English in pursuit of their Enemy by laying before them the danger of an Ambush the Danes had never more been able to have made Head But by this means they had leisure to pass into Essex and send for recruits from beyond the Seas and then began to tyrannize as much as ever which caused King Edmund to enter Essex with his Army flushed with many Victories and at Ashdon three Miles from Saffron-Walden gave them Battel which was fiercely maintained on either side for many hours till in the end the Danes began to recoil which Edrick perceiving drew off his Party and fell to the Enemy by which means they became Victorious So that there died of the English Nobility Dukes Alfred Godwin Athelword Athelwin and Earl Urchin together with Cadnoth Bishop of London and Woolsey Abbot of Ramsey with many other of the Clergy that were come thither to pray for the success of the Army against the Pagan Danes the remembrance of which overthrow is retained unto this day King Edmund thus betrayed was forced to retire from the Field on foot and with the remainder of his Army marched to Glocester whereupon London submitted to the Conquerors as likewise did all the places of strength adjacent Yet such was the love of the English to their King that they from all parts resorted to him and earnest to regain the late dishonour though at the utmost hazard soon recruited his Army and came on to meet the Danes who swell'd with success were advancing Northward and at Dearburs near unto the River Severn met where both Armies were set in Battel Array when just as the bloody blast was about to be sounded A Captain stepped between the Hosts and desired to be heard which being granted he thus began Many Battles said he have been fought and many streams of Blood already shed for the Sovereignty of this Land between these two valiant Nations and the courage of the Generals Captains and Soldiers sufficiently tried wherein Fortune her self seemeth to have been Conquered for if at any time a Battel was won it was not long kept neither the Conquered so weakned but that he retained both Courage and power to turn the Scale What is the mark then you aim at Is it honour and fame Titles indeed that attend on War but seldom long enjoyed or rarely fall to the lot of the common Soldiers at the price of whose Blood they are for the most part purchased Let him therefore that would wear the Crown hazard himself to avoid the slaughter of many men and by single Combate try who is most worthy to Command and who to Obey or divide betwixt them the Kingdom which is large enough to maintain two having heretofore maintained seven Reigning Kings This Proposal was imbraced by King Edmund as the best expedient to put an end to a hazardous and doubtful War as likewise by Canute King of the Danes who by mutual consent went into an Island called Alney
standing in the Severn adjoyning unto the City of Glocester where both being strong of body they fought like Lions one to secure his Kingdom the other to gain it But in the end the Dane being wounded he intreated a parly which Edmund granted and then with a loud voice thus proceeded What necessity should thus move us most Heroick King that for the obtaining of a Title we should thus indanger our Lives Is it not better to lay malice aside and condescend to an amicable agreement Let us now therefore become sworn friends and divide the Kingdom between us and in such a League of friendship that each may use the others part as his own so shall this Land be peaceably Governed and we mutually assist each others necessity This Speech ended both the Kings cast down their Swords and imbraced each other upon which great shouts arose in either Army who before stood doubtful of the success and this accord being ratified the Kingdom was divided by Lot and that part bordering on the Coast of France fell to King Edmund who howsoever enjoyed it not long for in this Treaty the offence of Duke Edrick was included and upon his submission he taken into favour by the good King and so continued as it were glutted with the favour and princely bounty of two Kings till at last resolving to perfect his many Treasons begun he watched his opportunity as King Edmund was alone in the Draught-house evacuating and having placed himself beneath with a sharp Spear he run it up into the Kings Belly that he there died then coming up he traiterously and inhumanely cut off his Head and escaping with it undiscovered to Canute the Danish King and presenting it to him with these fawning Salutations All Hail thou now sole Monarch of England for here behold the Head of thy Co-partner which for thy sake I have adventured to cut off Canute though ambitious enough of the Soveraignty yet of Princely disposition abashed and sore grieved at so unworthy and disloyal an attempt replied with an Oath that in reward of that Service the bringers Head should be advanced above all the Peers of his Kingdom which high honour whilst the traiterous wretch greedily expected and indeed for a time found some favour his Head by the Kings command was smitten off and fixed upon a Pole on the highest Gate of the City of London as he most justly deserved His Wife and Children were banished and great was the rejoycing throughout England at the Death of this prodigious Regicide and betrayer of his Country King Edmunds Body was buried at Glasten-bury near to his Father King Edgar he was of person tall for Courage hardy strong of Limbs and well could indure the inconveniencies of War for which some think he had his additional name of Ironside with him at that time fell the Glory of the English he leaving but one Son viz. Edward who was Sir-named the Out-law by reason all the Reign of Canute he lived in Hungary and there Married the Queens Sister not returning into England till the Reign of his Uncle King Edward the Confessor Thus fell this good King and thus Heavens vengeance overtook the Traitour whose miserable end in some sort made an atonement for the innocent Blood shed by wicked hands as likewise for the Death of Sigefreth and Morcar King Edmunds Queens former Husband and Brother who were murthered at Oxford by the contrivance of Edrick CHAP. II. The Historical relation of the deposing and barbarous Murther of Edward the Second commonly called Edward of Carnarvan King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine and the Forty eighth Monarch of England with the manner of Gods vengeance upon those that were guilty of shedding his Blood EDward the Second of that Name since the Conquest was Son to Edward the First the terror of Syria and dread of Scotland and his Wife Queen Elenor Born on the 25 of April 1284. at Carnarvan in North-Wales and after the Death of Lewellin ap Griffith in regard of the place of his Nativity he was with the general consent of the Welch created Prince of Wales which Title has ever since devolved upon the Heir apparent to the Crown of England This Edward being the first who had that Dignity conferred on him and his Father dying he was Crowned with great applause in the 23. Year of his Age Then having setled the Affairs of Scotland he passed over to Bulloin and there in great state was Married to Isabel Daughter to Philip the fair King of France and returned with his Bride not passing twelve years of Age in great Triumph when as taking into his Favour one Pierre Gaviston whom his Father had banished but himself intirely loved many of the Nobility were displeased though the King made no great account of such their displeasure This Gaviston was a stranger by Birth Born in Gascoigne but a Gentleman in all respects being in his younger years brought up with the King during his being Prince of Wales and now made Earl of Cornwel yet so prevailed the Enviers of his rise that they procured a Decree for his perpetual Banishment out of England But the Kings love still following him he was made Governour of Ireland and within a while revoaked and in his return met by the King at Flint-Castle in North-Wales and there had bestowed on him to Wife Joan of Acres Countess of Glocester the Kings Sisters Daughter Yet so far prevailed the discontented Lords that a third time they procured his banishment but beyond the Seas his life being often put in hazard by the procurement of his Enemies as some suppose by the Kings secret sending for he returned within six Months to the great trouble of the Queen and her party who by this time began to disaffect her Husband and joyn with the Lords against Gaviston Whereupon first seeming to Petition for a redress of grievances they after took up Arms of which the Earls Lancaster Warwick and Hereford were chief and within a while the Earl of Warwick at a place called Blacklow afterwards Gavenshead having surprized Gavinston cut off his Head to the high displeasure of the King who at that time was not capable of hindering it yet excessive was the grief and displeasure he conceived so that the Lords thought it not safe to lay down their Arms till they had reconciled themselves to the King which was done by the mediation of Gilbert Earl of Glocester and several Prelates who travel'd therein Yet not so firm but the King continued a secret displeasure against the chief Actors but his melancholy was diverted by the Queens being delivered of her first Son at Windsor who succeeded him by the name of Edward the third as shall hereafter be related The Scots upon notice of this Intestine broil grew haughty and under the Command of Robert their King not only put many affronts upon the English who so long before had Lorded it over that Nation but made several
foreign Army Yet the Queen and her Confederates put to Sea her whole Power not exceeding 3000 of all Nations and two days before St. Michaels day landed at Orwel in Suffolk the force being commanded by the Lord John Brother to the Earl of Hanault The news of their arrival coming to the Kings Ear he seemed like one amazed and at first would not credit the report but upon his being further certified he sent to the Citizens of London for Aid who answered that they would honour with all submission the King Queen and Prince but resolved to shut their Gates against strangers and to withstand them to their power this answer bearing no favourable Construction to the King he committed the charge of the Tower and in it his other Son commonly called John of Eltham in the Custody of Sir John D' Weston and retired with his favorites the Spencers Baldock and others into the West to gather forces against the Queen and her Accomplices having first Proclaimed them Traitours and offered the reward of 1000 pounds to any that could take the young Lord Mortimer dead or alive And by this his unadvised abandoning his chief strengths he gave the Queens party opportunity to strengthen themselves several Lords and others daily coming to their assistance and the better to terrify the Kings partakers and to colour the Treason it was rumour'd that the French King had sent with his Sister so many Dukes Earls and Lords that England would not suffice to feed them and that the Pope had sent to Excommunicate all the Kings partakers for which purpose two Cardinals had been sent over and credibly reported to have been seen in the Queens Camp though all was but fictitious and further to ingratiate with the People she caused it to be Proclaimed that her coming was only to remove evil Councillors from the King the same pretences that were used by our late forty one Parliament though Roger Lord Mortimer was the man that chiefly Councilled all the mischief then were the Kings favorites branded with the names of Traitors and Enemies to the Nation and 1000 pounds bid to any that could bring the younger Spencers Head And thereupon the Londoners rise in a tumultuous manner and commit many outrages cutting off the Bishop of Exceters Head as likewise the Head of John Le Marchel whom the King had appointed to Govern the City They likewise broke open the Prisons and set all Prisoners at liberty got into their possession the Tower and taking thence the Lord John of Eltham proclaimed him Custos or chief Governour of the City and the Queen likewise to strengthen her Faction caused most of the Prisons in England to be set open and repealed such as had been banished so that thereby her power greatly increasing She or rather the Lord Mortimer followed the King who destitute of friends still fled before his pursuers who besieged Bristol and therein took the Elder Spencer whom without any form of Trial they cut up alive having first exposed him to the fury of the People upon notice of which the King entered on Ship-board and intended to fly for Ireland but upon further consideration came ashore in Wales and there for the love the Welshmen bore him was concealed for many days in the Abby of Neath but the Queen and her Accomplices coming to Hereford after Prince Edward was Proclaimed High Keeper of England Henry Earl of Lancaster Brother to the late Earl of Lancaster Sir William Delazouch and others who had Lands in those parts where the King absconded were sent in quest of him with sums of Money to facilitate the discovery who in the end surprised him together with the young Lord Spencer Robert Baldock Lord Chancellor and Simon de Reading whom without any respect to the Person of the King they conveyed to Monmouth and from thence was the King carried to Kenelworth Castle and there committed to the keeping of the Earl of Leicester but the rest to Hereford where without any form of Trial was put to death the Lord Spencer being hanged on a Gallows fifty foot high and Robert Baldock committed to the keeping of the Bishop of Hereford who sent him up to London and exposed him to the fury of the Rabble who though a Bishop was used by them in such a barbarous manner only for being true to his Soveraign that within a short time after he died the Earl of Arundel and two other Gentlemen of note were put to death to pleasure Mortimer and now the mournful King divested of all his friends being at Kenelworth there repaired to him the Bishops of Winchester Hereford and Lincoln two Earls two Abbots four Barons and three Knights from every County with two of the Judges as from the Parliament which the Queen had called at London to perswade him to a Resignation of his Crown to his Son Edward and so many devices they had heaped together that in the end having first given private notice to the King of their approach and the cause they came to Kenelworth and presented themselves before the King who clad in black sutable to his mournful condition came out of an inward Chamber when in the head of the company set in order according to their qualities the Earl of Leicester and Bishop of Hereford began to declare the Message with which they were charged by the Body of the Kingdom as they termed the then sitting Parliament alledging that the Common-wealth of England was weary of his Government and conceived such irreconcileable dislike of his management of Kingly affairs that they would by no means permit him longer to Reign over them but were contented that his Eldest Son Prince Edward should succeed him in his Throne if he would make a voluntary Resignation if not they would proceed to Elect another not of his Blood c. The sound of this mournful Message struck so to the Kings Heart that e're any could prevent it he fell to the ground and lay stretched in a swoon a considerable time e're life could be perceived or he recovered to his Senses But in the end recovering he with many heavy Sighs bewailed his Infortunate condition and began to parly with his Vassals but found them inflexible persisting in threatning sort to tell him that unless he would freely resign his Diadem to his Son and disclaim all Right-to the Crown they would return his Answer and that immediately thereupon the Parliament would proceed to the Election of another not of his Race These Menaces made the distressed King who now was fallen low in the Opinion of his Subjects through the false insinuation of the factious Lords to consent to their hard proposals confessing that for his many sins God had permitted these Calamities to fall upon him but seeing they had not rejected his Race he was content to submit Whereupon they proceeded to the new invented and never before practised Ceremony of dekinging their Sovereign which in this manner was performed by Sir William
the day and his own Life upon notice of which overthrow the Duke and Earl betook themselves again to Calais of which place the latter was Captain but were denied entrance by Vawclere his Lieutenant and thereupon went to the French Court where they were kindly received and within a while returning into England gathered so huge an Army that Edward was forced to fly the Land and his Queen to take Sanctuary whereupon King Henry was again restored to his Regal Dignity and Edward with all his adherents Proclaimed Traitors and in Parliament disinabled from Inheriting the Crown and it again Intailed on King Henry upon which Heart-breaking news Edward procures forces from the Duke of Burgundia who had Married his Sister and under pretence of Friendship enters England pretending to no more than his Dutchy of York framing Letters for his safe conduct under the Seal of the Earl of Northumberland but he no sooner entered but surprized that City whereupon Warwick and Clarence prepare to drive him thence but the latter was so wrought with under hand that he revolted to Edward and endeavored to perswade Warwick to do the like who generously answered to the Messenger go tell your Duke that I had rather be an Earl and always like my self than a false and perjured Duke and that e're my Oath shall be falsified as his apparently is I will lay down my Life at my Enemies Foot which I doubt not but shall be bought very dear and thereupon Marched towards London when at St. Albans he considered what was best to be done and finding that the Sword must decide it he advanced and at Barnet both Armies approached each other where in the spacious Field the Battle joyn'd on Easter day with such fury that the like had not been known and continued doubtful for a long time when as the day being overcast with mist hindering the Soldiers sight Warwicks Battalian took the Stars Imbroidered upon the Earl of Oxford's Mens Coats for his Son Edwards Body whereupon they let fly upon their friends which mistake caused the Earl to leave the fight his Men crying Treason Treason we are all betrayed which Warwick perceiving charged with fury upon the Enemy but entering too far was beaten down and slain though not without performing wonders sutable to his great Soul who had been Englands Make-King for many years before with him perished his Brother the Marquess of Montacute and a great number of smaller note as likewise the loss of the Battle on the side of the Lancastrians Son after this overthrow Queen Margaret and Prince Edward arrive at Weymouth and understanding the loss of the Battle of Barnet Field she went to Ceerue Abby whither the Lancastrian Nobility that escaped the slaughter came to her and with comfortable words put her in hopes of better success and immediately raised such forces as they could and joyned them to those they Queen had brought over from France but loth she was that the Prince her Son should hazard himself in the Battle and urged sundry persons but was over perswaded by the Lords whose preparations alarumed Edward so that gathering an Army he advanced towards them resolving to hinder the increase of the Queens power having first committed King Henry and the Archbishop of York to the Tower and at Teuxbury both Armies met where after a hot Encounter by the Treachery of the Lord Wenlock the Battle went with Edward which Treachery was rewarded with death the Duke of Somerset the Queens General beating his Brains out with his Battle-Ax In this Battle of the Lancastrian Nobility were slain John Lord Summert John Coventry Earl of Devonshire the Lord Wenlock in manner aforesaid several Knights and three thousand common Soldiers and on the other side not fewer Upon this defeat Proclamation was made for the Apprehending Prince Edward who was soon taken by that unworthy Knight Sir Robert Crofts and delivered to his most Capital Enemy the Duke of Somerset and others of Quality having taken Sanctuary were haled thence and beheaded Prince Edward not passing fourteen years of Age being brought before Edward had assumed the Soveraignty he beheld him with a stern Countenance and demanded how he durst with Banners displayed enter his Realm to which the young Prince with an undaunted Courage replied to recover my Fathers Kingdoms and most Rightful Inheritance possessed by his Father and Grandfather and immediately from him descending to me how darest thou then that art but his Subject take up Arms against thy King This Brave and Generous Answer so touched King Edward to the quick that he unmanly with his Gauntlet smote him on the Mouth when at the same instant the more villanous Duke of Glocester afterwards Usurper of the Crown by the name of Richard the Third together with his wicked Accomplices stabbed the Prince to death in Edwards presence Monsters unworthy of the name of Men but Heavens vengeance for this and other black crimes overtook the Actors The Prince after his being murthered was Buried in the Grey-Fryars at Tewksbury without any Ceremony and now Queen Margaret having taken Sanctuary was discovered and brought Prisoner to the Tower where she continued till her Father with a great Ransome to raise which he was forced to sell most of his Signeouries to the French King he redeemed her and now King Henry being Prisoner likewise and the Thorne that made Edwards Crown sit uneasie he resolves to be rid of him and therefore sent his Brother that Crook-backed Monster in the shape of a Man to dispatch him who pretending to discourse about his releasment stabbed the pious King to the Heart and eased him of this troublesome Life though perpetual horrour haunted the Actor of this black deed to his Grave After this cruel murther committed on the pious King his Body was for many days exposed to the view of the People ever bleeding afresh which raised at once pitty and detestation in the Spectators and then carried by Water to Chersie in Surry And thus fell this good King though not unrevenged for he lived to see the miserable ends of all such as had first broached the mutual War against him viz. Richard Duke of York the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick and afterward God was not slow to revenge his Royal Blood for within a while the Duke of Clarence King Edwards Brother was attainted of Treason and privately put to death in the Tower as some say drowned in a Butt of Malmsey King Edward himself continually infested with troubles through his unquiet Reign and People every where suffering through storms pestilence and Losses by Sea and Land after his Decease his two Sons murthered by their unnatural Uncle the Duke of Glocester and that Monster himself after a short Usurpation slain in Bosworth Field as in the sequel shall more at large be shown and thus I shall end with the death of this pious though unfortunate King who left no Issue his only Son being murthered as is before recited CHAP. V.
then he called to Dr. Juxon for his Night-Cap which he having put on said to the Doctor I have a Gracious God and a Good cause on my Side to which the Doctor answered There is but one Stage more this Stage is Turbulent and Troublesome it is a short one but you may consider it will soon carry you a very great way it will carry you from Earth to Heaven and there you will find a great deal of Cordial Joy and Comfort To which his Majesty replied I go from a Corruptible to an Incorruptible Crown where no disturbance can be no disturbance in the World when as the Doctor again answered You are to Exâ—hange a Temporary for an Eternal Crown a good Exchange After this they asked if his Hair was well then he taking off his Cloak and George gave to the Doctor saying Remember which as many suppose was to give his George to the Prince then he put off his Doublet and bid the Executioner set the Block and bid him when he stretched out his Hands shewing him the manner to strike After that having said several Prayers and bidding the Executioner who was disguised with a Vizard-masque stay for the signe he meekly layed down his head and after a short space giving the Sign O horror and Eternal Infamy to his Murtherers had it struck off at one blow which bloody as it was was taken up and shewed to the People who in Groans and tears expressed their unfeigned Sorrow The Tragedy Finished his Body and Head were put into a Coffin covered with mourning Velvet and carryed to his House at St. James's where it was Embalmed and layed in a Leaden Coffin to be seen of such as resorted thither and after a Fortnights exposing delivered to four of his Servants who in a Hearse conveyed it to VVindsor themselves in mourning accompanying the Corps and placed it in the Danes-Hall all hung with mourning and Lights stuck round whither resorted the Duke of Lenox the Marquess of Hartford the Earl of Lindsey and the Marquess of Dorchester to pay their last Duty to their Royal-Master having received orders of Parliament for his Interment but were denyed by Whitchcot to Bury him in St. Georges Chappel by the form of the Common-Prayer-Book of the Church of England though they pleaded the consent of the Parliament thereto he alledging that the Parliament would not permit the use of what they had so solemnly abolished and so destroy their own Acts the Lords reply'd that there was a difference between destroying their own Act and dispencing with it and that no power so binds its own hands as to disable it self in some cases but the rigid Fanatick would not hearken to their reasons so that they were obliged to seek a place and at last found King Henry the Eight his Vault where t is conjectured his Body and that of his Wife the Lady Jane Seymore lies in Leaden Coffins there being Room for one more they Interred the King and upon his Coffin fixed in large Characters King Charles 1648 bedewing the Earth with Tears and Sighs but especially the Bishop for that he was not permitted to do his last Duty to his Royal Master Thus by Murthering hands fell this blessed Martyr but Heavens Vengeance was not slow in making it manifest how Sacred Kings lives ought to be held First it is observed that the first raisers of the Rebellion most of them died miserable some by Grievous Diseases some Beheaded and Hanged by their own Rebel Party and others lived miserably in Exile Oliver that Monster during his greatness was nightly terrified with dreadful Visions and in the day time continually in fear of his Life seldom Lying twice in a Room and ever haunted with an Evil Conscience till he was cut off in the Strength of his days and Transported to his proper place in a Whirl-wind and after his Majesties Restauration had his odious Corps together with Bradshaws and his Son Iretons taken out of their Graves and Hanged upon Tyburn their Heads set up at Westminster-Hall Pride Ewer Lord Gray of Grooby Danvers Malleverer Bourcher Purefoy Blackstone Constable Dean killed by a Shot Allen Peham Moor Allured Edwards Norton Venn Andrews Stapeley Horton Fry Hammond Pennington and Meyen all of them the Kings Judges Dyed miserably before his present Majesties Restauration Olivers Daughter Dyed Madd his Son Richard tumbled down as soon as set up and beset with Bayliffs for Debt these of the Kings Judges were condemned and Executed as Traytors since his Majestys Restauration viz. Harrison Carew Cook Peters Scot Clement Sâ—roop Jones Hacker Axtel Okey Corbet and Berkstead being Excluded the Act of Indemnity these following of the Kings Judges were Sentenced to Death as Traytors and kept in Prison to be Executed at the pleasure of the King viz. Wallen Heningham Martin Row Garland Smith Tichburn Fleetwood James Temple Peter Temple Waite Lilburn Millington Potter and Downs most of which since Dyed miserably in Prison those that Fled and came to miserable ends for the most part in Exile were these Wagan Lisle Say VValton VVhaly Ludlow Linsey Hewson Goffe Holland Challenor Cawlice Love Dixwell Braughton and Danby the following were such as upon humble submission and Recantation found mercy and only Fined Hutchison Lassels both Fined but VVilliam Lord Munson James Challenor Sir Henry Mildmay Robert VVallop Sir James Harrington and John Philips were deprived of their Estates and Sentenced to be drawn on Sledges to Tyburn with Ropes about their Necks like Traytors and then returned to the Tower where they were to continue Prisoners during their Natural Lives And thus Heavens Vengeance overtook the Regicides and brought those monsters to their deserved Punnishents who durst stretch out their Bloody and Trayterous hands to the sheding Innocent Blood of the Lords Anointed and that such or worse may be the Portion of all that shall hereafter dare to imagine the like is the hearty wish of the Authour FINIS Books sold by Daniel Brown at the Black Swan and Bible without Temple-Bar and Thomas Benskin in St. Brides Church-Yard A Prospect of Government in Europe and Civil Policy shewing the Antiquity Power Decay of Parliaments with other Historical and Political Observations relating thereunto By T. 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Trussel one of the Judges who found out a Law Quirk to colour the detestable Treason as followeth I William Trussel In the name of all Men of the Land of England and of all the Parliament Procurator resign to thee Edward the Homage that was made to thee some time and from this time forward I defie thee and deprive thee of all Royal Dignity and I shall never be Tendant to thee as for King hereafter This Ceremony or rather compact of Treason being utter'd Sir Thomas Blunt Steward of the Houshold broke his Staff and Proclaimed the Kings Houshold discharged from any further Service and then leaving the King divested of Regal Authority and under strong confinement they posted to London to tell the news which was joyfully received especially by Roger Lord Mortimer of Wigmore though the Queen the better to colour the Treason seemed much disturbed at the relation of the Kings deposing Now the next business was to set the Crown upon young Edwards Head whom by reason of his Minority they thought to Rule as themselves thought fit who notwithstanding his being but fifteen years of Age utterly refused to admit of the Ceremony till he was assured it was with his Fathers free consent But at last submitting to the perswasions of the Queen and Mortimer he was Crowned and Proclamation put out in his name to satisfie the minds of people touching the free Concession of his Father Things being at this pass the Queen began to think of securing her self a Dowry which she did so large that it amounted to two parts of the Revenues of the Crown which she delivered to the disposal of Mortimer at whose command she solely was even as Fame reported both at Bed and Board but their security being interrupted by the pitty many seemed to have for the miseries of the Deposed King they well knowing if he were again restored to his Dignity it would prove their confusion therefore laying aside all remorse they entered into a conspiracy to make sure of him for ever by Murther Whereupon removing him from Kenelworth and out of the Custody of the Earl of Lancaster who they thought too much favored him he was delivered into the Custody of Sir Thomas De Gournay and Sir John Mattravers two bloody Sycophants who conveyed him to Corfe Castle from thence to Bristol and then to Berkly Castle where after many barbarous and vile usages they Murthered him the manner according to Holinshead thus The Kings Death being resolved on Mortimer procured Adam De Forleton to write this doubtful but most wicked Sophism and to be Sealed with the Queens Seal Edvardum occidere nolite timere Bonum est To shed King Edward's Blood Refuse to fear I count it good Where the Comma being put after Nolite bids them not to make him away but placed after Timere expresly commands it in performing which execrable Villany these Monsters were not slow and the better to colour the Regicide lest any outward appearance of violence should be observed they by force bind the good King and O barbarous inhumanity putting a Horn into his Fundament to keep the outward part from seering they thrust a hot Iron through it and therewith twisted his Bowels to pieces not once only but often repeated the cruel torture the which how painful may be guessed by the pittiful out-cries the King made whilst they were putting him to death which cries were heard by many but none durst venture to relieve him After this foul and barbarous Murther committed it was blazed abroad that he died of grief and thereupon they publickly exposed his Body to the Prelates and others for several days but in a short time the Murther which is seldom hid came to light and the Actors known though the Queen and Mortimer deeply dissembled the matter and to outward appearance seemed greatly afflicted Upon the discovery Gorney and Mattravers fled the former of which was taken at Massels in France where he produced the Queen and Mortimers Seals for what he had done whereupon secret Orders were sent for Beheading him on Ship-board in his way for England lest had he come to a Trial he should have made a full discovery of the chief Conspirator as for the latter he wandered about miserably in forreign Countries and at last died miserably in Italy being eat up with Ulcers And Gods vengeance found out these Monsters of men nor was it slow in punishing most deservedly Roger Lord Mortimer the chief Contriver of the wicked Parricide who having attained to the height of his ambition for he together with the Queen being at his Castle of Nottingham one Evening upon a bruite that his Mother was with Child by Mortimer the King with a well affected Company having entered a Vault that went into the Castle passed on till he came into the Chamber where the Queen was in Bed and Mortimer undressing himself to go to her and so secure they were that they had left open the Chamber door whereupon the King caused him to be seized which was not so easily done but two or three were killed in the attempt for Mortimer had at that time a Retinue of fourscore Knights and Gentlemen attending him but in spite of resistance he was carried off And within a while after condemned in Parliament for being accessary to the Murther of the late King betraying the Nation and wasting the Coin as also for committing adultery with the Queen Whereupon he was soon after drawn to Tiburn then called the Elms and there hanged where by the commandment of the King he continued hanging for two days being pittied of none nor did he fall alone for with him were Executed Sir Simon De Bedford and John Deverel Esq both concerned in King Edwards Murther and thus Heavens vengeance aim'd sure and overwhelmed in the height of their pride and security these Monsters of men that durst by cruel tortures shed the Blood of their Anointed Soveraign CHAP. III. The Birth remarkable passages deposing and murthering of Richard the Second King of England France and Lord of Ireland the fiftieth Monarch of England with the manner of the Conspiracies against and Vengeance that overtook many of the Regicides RIchard the Second was Son to the black Prince and Grandson to King Edward the Third being Crowned in the Eleventh year of his Age at the first entry upon his Kingdom all things promised him a peaceable and prosperous Reign but it continued not long so for by reason of the ill conduct of affairs in his Minority John Duke of Lancaster ruling all who was in hatred with the Commons great numbers of the Rabble rose in many Counties under the Conduct of their factious Leaders upon pretence of Redressing grievances the common Cloak of Rebellion the principal Commanders being Wat Tyler and Jack Straw two Mechanicks who committed many outrages as burning plundering and murthering in most places where they came and were so far sided with by the City of London that they entered it
without opposition and took the Tower wherein the King was and were designed to murther him had not providence prevented it by his condescending to what they demanded though never so unreasonable and granting a pardon to all for what offences soever had been committed upon which a great part acknowledged the Kings Concessions satisfactory and so returned home yet their grand Captains keep their Armies on foot and still drew up unreasonable Petitions such as they knew the King could not with honour grant and hereupon they took a pretence of doing more mischief intending to have divided the Kingdom amongst Mechanicks every County to have had a King of the Commons as they termed it But e're they could bring their rebellious purpose to perfection it it was prevented for Sir William Walworth then Lord Mayor of London being with the King at a Treaty with Wat Tyler and hearing the Traitor speak irreverently of his Soveraign and offering to murther one of the Kings Knights for not shewing him such respect as he required he with his drawn Sword Arrested him as a Traitor in West-Smithfield and he refusing to yield some Lords coming in he was killed and had his head cut off and carried on a Spear out of the mouth of which he had before impiously protested that all the Laws of England should proceed At the fall of their grand Captain the Rebels were much grieved and being near twenty thousand strong resolved upon revenge but the young King spurring forward told them that he was and would be their Captain and that whatsoever they desired if it were lawful they should have which appeased and caused many of them to throw down their Arms and in the mean space the Lord Mayor having raised 1000 Citizens and brought them to confront the Rebels under his own Conduct that of Sir Robert Knowles and others whereupon the Rebels totally submitted to the King upon promise of pardon Whereupon the King sent to all his loving Subjects throughout England who were able to provide Horse and Arms to attend him on Black-Heath where they were mustered to the number of 40000 all on Horseback and well appointed and now the Rebels in Kent Essex and other Counties beginning again to raise tumults were dispersed by force and many of the principal Incendiaries put to death so that the Nation was reduced to its former obedience and quiet so that the King began to think of Marriage which Anno 1382. In the Month of January he effected with the Lady Anne Daughter to the Emperour Charles the Fourth and Sister to Winceslaus King of Bohemia and she Crown'd by William Courtney Son to the Earl of Devonshire and Bishop of Canterbury Upon which through the Negotiation of the Duke of Lancaster a Truce was concluded between the French and English from Christmas till Midsummer and the said Duke upon his return dispatched with an Army to revenge the injuries the Scots had put upon the English during the intestine broils but returned without effecting any thing memorable and upon his return he was accused by a Carmelite Friar and by Birth an Irish-man to have conspired the Kings Death to the truth of which the Friar Swore upon the Sacrament but the Dukes Interest in the King and his Council so overpowered the testimony of the Friar that it was not believed but on the contrary the Evidencer delivered over to the Lord John Holland who caused him cruelly to be put to death without Trial or Form of Law and afterwards dragged through the streets when at the same time the Lord Thomas of Woodstock afterwards made Duke of Glocester rushed into the presence Chamber swearing that he would kill any man alive the King not excepted that durst lay Treason to his Brothers charge which rash words were afterwards excused upon pretence of his Zeal to his Brothers honour though at the same time his duty to his Soveraign ought to have overballanced the other but the Duke of Lancaster's credit growing great with the Court Lords the King was forced to oblige him not knowing how to help it and therefore seeing him grow obstinate he the rather wished to be rid of him which he thought he could no better do than by furnishing him a Navy and an Army to Invade Castile which Kingdom he claimed in the Right of his Wife Constance Daughter to the late King where arriving he obtained several places of strength worsting the Spaniards every where When in the mean while the French under their young King resolving to revenge old injuries prepared an Army of 100000. Men to Invade England supposing it weakned by the remoteness of the Duke of Lancaster's Army but such was Gods providence that although they were imbarqued and several times attempted to put to Sea yet were they still driven back and detained by contrary winds even at such a time when the discontents amongst the Nobility made way for their Conquest for the King supposing himself rid at least for a time of his Uncle the turbulent Duke of Lancaster found his second Uncle Thomas Duke of Glocester no less troublesome who with the Lords of his Faction continually opposed the Kings proceedings even to the weakning the Kingdom denying in Parliament to grant him either Men or Money even when the French Army was daily expected to Land upon pretence that he had undeservedly created Michael Delâ— Pole Lord Chancellour Duke of Suffolk and Robert D' Vere Duke of Dublin in Ireland not being willing any should be advanced but of his own Faction which caused a Poet both learnedly and fellingly to Sing or rather Weep his Countries misery in the doleful strains I Sing the Civil Wars tumultuous Broils And Bloody Factions of a mighty Land Whose People haughty proud with foreign spoils Upon themselves now turn their Conquering Hand Whilst Kin their Kin Brother his Brother foils Like Ensigns all against like Ensigns band Bows against Bows a Crown against a Crown Whilst all pretending Right all Right threw down The Nation which had been formerly troubled with the Insurrection of the Plebeans was again troubled by the Faction of the Peers who stuck not to demand the removal and banishment of all such as were near and dear unto the King under pretence of evil Councillours When indeed their distast for the most part was founded upon private Animosities which when they perceived they could not effect by fair means they retired into the several Counties where their Lands were and where they were most popular and there raised such forces as they could get which in a short time in conjunction made an Army of Forty thousand men though in time of eminent danger they pretended no Forces considerable could be levyed With these forces they march towards London with an intent to force the King to accord to what they should propose although at that time Dela Pole the Duke of Ireland and Archbishop of York the Persons against whom they chiefly objected were banished the Kings presence The