use of to Nebucadnezzar that endeavoured to destroy Daniel by his prerogative as he was to be thrown into the Lions Den making this application that if they would not allow him councel to consult with to make a Plea for his life it was a vain thing for him to spend any more words Judge Keble the afterwards President of the High Court of Justice replyed Mr. Lilburne this language is but the sparks of that venemous heat that is within you and they may burst out to prove you guilty before us and in our presence if so be that you are charged with without any other proof or proceedings for you may do it I tell you that you may do it where you stand therefore take heed what you say Mr. Lilburne replyed Sir I have cast up my account and I know what it can cost me he blest God he had learnt to dye having alwayes carryed his life in his hand for about twelve years together Judge Keble replyed he should not now lay it down if he did not destroy or cast away the Common-wealth but if he went about to destroy the Common-wealth the Common-wealth would destroy him Master Lilburne replyed he desired nothing but councel and to produce his witnesses Mr. Prideaux the Atturney General answered that if Master Lilburne had these concernments granted to him it would be a president for all future times by means of which there would be no ends of Tryals in criminal cases and that it was a wonderful strange thing to him that when the prisoner had pleaded the usual way that they did not immediately proceed to Tryal He did desire that Master Lilburne might be dealt with all legal just and fair preceedings of the Court he did desire accordingly the proceedings of the Common-wealth be so too that Master Lilburne may be without delay according to the Law proceeded against for his notorious Treasons Judge Keble immediately said well Mr. Lilburne the Court is very tender not to take up any of your time you have heard what was declared to you there that Master Atturney hath made Process against you returnable to morrow at seven of the Clock and therefore to spend more time would be your loss and dammage the Sheriffs of London are to take care to return the Jury to morrow morning and therefore the Court doth adjourn till seven of the Clock to morrow in the morning in the mean time they commit the prisoner at the Bar to the Lieutenant of the Tower again a prisoner Judge Keble said that he had more favour then any prisoner in England ever had for by the Laws of England in matters of Treason whereof Master Lilburne is indicted he ought to have been Tryed presently and immediately and because all the world shall know with what candor and justice the Court doth proceed against him we deferred time till to morrow morning which is the Courts extraordinary favour and the doors are wide open that all the world may know it Mr. Lilburne said Sir I can shew you a hundred presidents to the contrary to disprove what you say Judge Keble bids adjourn the Court Mr. Lilburne humbly thanked the Judges for their extraordinary favour and so the Curtains were drawn for that day the Court having adjourned till the next morning the Prisoner was remanded to the Tower The 26. of October the Friday following he was brought to the Bar with his Brother Collonel Robert Lilburne his Sollicitour Master Sprat and some other of his friends being hardly admitted Judge Keble saying your Brother shall not stand by you there I will onely have one hold your Papers and Books and the rest not to trouble you therefore let them come out of the Court. Master Lilburne pleaded for his Councell instancing Major Rolfes Tryal at Oxford about his intent to poison the King where he had Councell allowed him to which Judge Keble subtlely answered Mr. Lilburne when you come to Tryal you shall see there will be no need of Councel the Court will be instead of Councel to you nay the Court if they see matter of Law for Councel though you do not ask it they will give it you and therefore set your heart at rest for if there be any thing Rational in Law that we can spy out as well as your Councel wee 'l help you in it Master Lilburne answered Sweet Sir I pray but one word more if you deny me what the Law affords me and that which hath been granted to the Law by Cavalier Judges yea and by your fellow Judges who are now in power at this day the Lord deliver me from standing in need of you to be my Councellours Sayes Keble we are upon our lives as well as you Master Liburne replied No by your Favor not in so eminent a manner Judge Keble replied we are upon our lives and our souls to all eternity Master Lilburne desired to be heard one word Judge Keble said he would hear no more Upon which Master Prideaux desired the Court would proceed and not prolong time being he had pleaded not guilty and had confessed someting Lilburne replied No sir you do me wrong and abuse me I never confessed any thing neither did I plead not guilty he said his Plea was conditional grounded on their promises not to take any advantages of his ignorance in their Formalities Judge Keble exasperated at his obstinacy cried out Go on be silent Master Lilburn desired that at least they would let him hear the grand Jury speak for he understood from some of themselves that they never found him guilty but do conceive themselves wronged by some words yesterday that passed from some of the Judges he desired to hear them speak Judge Keble desired him to be rational a word he often used and that he would be silent and hear the Court he told him he could lose no more time to hear him he bid the Crier call the Jury the Crier called and Master Lilburne earnestly prest to be heard but could not Master Lilburne desired to see their faces Judge Keble warned Master Sprat Johns Sollicitour not to talk to the Prisoner he said he might stand and hold the Books but he should not come near the Prisoner to talk to him as he had done the day before Master Lilburne said that the Law allowed a stander by to speak in the Prisoners behalf at the Bar much more to whisper to him but more especially if he were his Sollicitour The Crier called the names Miles Petty William Wormwell John Sherman Thomas Dainty Ralph Ely Edward Keiser Edward Perkins Ralph Packman Francis Woodall William Commins Henry Hauson Roger Jenkenson Joshua Hammond Richard Allen Richard Nevil John Main Henry Jooley Arthur Due Roger Sears John Mayo Henry Jooley Arthur Due Roger Sears The Cryer said you good men of the City appear Stephen Jues John Sherman Ralph Ely Roger Jenkenson Roger Sears John Mayo Nicholas Murren The Clerk of Court sayes to the Jury here is your
Edward notwithstanding continues his Siege to the relief whereof King Philip sends all the Forces he could make But by the mediation of the Lady Jane of Valois who was Sister to King Philip and Mother of King Edwards Wife a truce was concluded from Michaelmas till Midsummer and both their Armies again dissolved Edward hereupon puts out of pay his forreign aids and returning into England had notice that the Scots besieged the Castle of Striveling for relief whereof he makes all the haste he can but being disappointed of his provision that was to come by Sea he makes a Truce with the Scots for four moneths and returns home during this truce the Scots send to King David who upon their message leaves France and returns into Scotland and as soon as the truce was ended with a strong Army enters Northumberland besiegeth New Castle upon Tyne but is valiantly resisted by John Nevile the Governour who took the Earl of Murray prisoner and slew divers of his men from thence he passeth into the Bishoprick of Durham where he useth all kinde of cruelty killing men women and children burning and destroying Houses and Churches untill he came to the Castle of Salisbury but hearing of King Edwards approach who certified of these things made all the haste he could he returns homewards King Edward pursues for three dayes together at length a truce was concluded for two years and William Earl of Salisbury prisoner with the King of France was set at liberty in exchange for the Earl of Murray Whilst Edward was thus busied about the Scots a new difference arose in France John Earl of Monfort claims the Dutchy of Brittain and in pursuance of his title is taken prisoner by the French King his Wife solicites King Edward for succour who sends her aid under the conduct of Robert of Arthois and not long after follows himself Philip sends aid to Monforts Competitor and both Armies encamp near to the City of Vannes where was like to have been a cruel Battel had not Pope Clement the sixth interposed two Cardinals from him conclude a peace Vannes is delivered up to the French King and the Earl of Montfort is set at liberty The murmuring Drum now silenced and stern Mars for a while confined to prison least rusty idleness should entomb their worth and want of exercise make them forget their Arms King Edward erects a round Table at Windsor in imitation of the Renowned Arthur and to invite great men from forreign parts rich Salaries are the reward of high designs King Philip fearing this association would be to him of ill consequence writes after Edwards coppy and erects a round Table in his own Countrey to allure the men of War of Germany and Italy and so to keep them from coming into England King Edward thus prevented in his design by the French King institutes the most honourable order of the Garter the Original case whereof is dubious some conjecture that it arose for that in a Battel wherein he was victorious he gave the word Garter for the word or sign Cambden saith King Edward the Third founded this order to adorn Martial vertue with honours rewards and splendour The Original Book of the Institution deduces the invention from King Richard the First and that King Edward adorned it and brought it into splendour but the common received opinion is that a Garter of his own Queen or as some say of Joan Countess of Salisbury slipping off in a Dance King Edward stooped and took it up where at some of the Nobles that were present smiling as an amorous action he seriously said It should not be long ere Sovereign Honour were done to that Garter whereupon he afterwards added the French Motto Honi soit qui maly pense therein checking his Lords sinister suspicion Nor need we with Polydor Virgil trouble our selves to make an Apology for the courseness of this Original since according to the Poet They swell with love that are with valour fill'd And Venus Doves may in a Head-piece build The number of Knights in this order is six and twenty whereof the King is alwayes president so much accounted of in other Countries that there have been nigh twenty and six forreign Emperours and Kings of the same the glory whereof by a learned Poet is celebrated for to be such That now Burgundians scorn their fleece of Gold The French the Escalopt Collar set with grace Their Crossed weeds Rhodes Elba Alcala hold As worthless all matcht with thy George are base King Edward whose Eye was fixt upon France as the mark of his Conquest having notice that King Philip had put many of his friends to death in Normandy namely Clisson and Bacon Knights of the best note glad that the truce was broken on King Philips part prepares again for the invasion of France and taking along with him the young Prince of Wales with an Army of 2500. Horse and 30000. Foot arives in Normandy where he took and and sackd many Towns of Importance Clissons hands being nailed on the Gates of Carenton he turns it into Cinders making a Funeral-pile thereof for his slain friend He takes also the populous and rich City of Caen marching with his Army to the very Walls of Paris Philip awakened with Edwards Victories raises one of the greatest Armies that ever were seen in France Edward laden with spoil is not unwilling to retire which Philip interpreteth a kinde of flight the River of Some he passeth with much danger and defeats Gundentor du Foy who was placed there to hinder his passage King Philip set on fire with his disaster resolveth to give King Edward Battel who was incamped nigh to a Vilage called Crescy his Army consisting of 30000. he divided into three Battalions the first whereof was led by Edward the Black Prince of Wales having in his company Beuchamp Earl of Warwick Godfrey of Harecourt the Lords Stafford Laware Bourchier Clifford Cobham Holland c. together with the number of 800. men at Arms 2000. Archers and 1000. Welch In the second Battel were the Earls of Northampton and Arundel the Lords Ross Willoughby Basset Saint Albane Malton c. with 800. men at Arms and 1200. Archers The third and last Battel was commanded by the King himself having in it 700. men at Arms and 3000. Archers The French Army was far greater consisting of sixscore thousand men having in it the two Kings of Bohemia and Majorica and of Princes Dukes Earls Barrons and Gentlemen bearing Arms about 3000. The vantguard was led by the King of Bohemia and the Earl of Allanson The main Battel King Philip commanded himself and the Earl of Savoy the Reer But since in this Battel the Prince of Wales was the chief General I shall refer the further prosecution thereof to the description of his following life and proceed in our History of King Edward who after the good success of this Battel marched directly to Calice resolving not to stir untill he
having ascended their full height began to decline for notwithstanding he sent over great forces under the Duke of Lancaster and Earl of Hereford no great matter thereof ensued And now each day brings news of some Towns revolt or Commanders death the Earl of Warwick receives his death by a pestilential Dart Sir John Chandoys an expert Commander is unfortunately slain Sir William Molineux who had long served in the Wars of France deceaseth in England the Earl of Pembroke is taken prisoner by the Spaniards and the Noble Prince Edward dieth at Canterbury with whom saith Walshingham died all the hopes of the English during whose life they feared no invasion of the enemy abroad nor any division at home for he assailed no nation which he overcome not he besieged no City which he took not whose death lay so heavy on his heart that King Edward himself lived not long after A King saith Speed whose name among the surviving splendors of his actions is justly transmitted with honour to all posterity He died at his Mannor of Sheene near Richmond the 21. of July 1377. having lived 65. years and reigned 56. years 4. moneths and odde dayes his body was solemnly interred at Westminster Church where he hath his monument with this Epitaph engraven thereon made by Geffery Chaucer the Poet. Hic decus Anglorum flos regum praeteritorum Forma futurorum Rex clemens pax populorum Tertius Edwardus regni complens Jubilaeum Invictus Pardus pollens bellis Machabaeum Here Englands Grace the flower of Princes past Pattern of future Edward the third is plac't Milde Monarch Subjects peace Wars Machabee Victorious Pard his reign a Jubilee In the eleventh year of this Kings reign my Author writes was so great plenty that a quarter of Wheat was sold at London for two shillings a fat Ox for a noble a fat sheep for six pence and six Pigeons for a penny a fat Goose for two pence and a Pigg for a penny and other things after that the same cheap rate The Life of EDWARD the Black Prince IT may seem superfluous having writ the Reign of the Father in whose time he died to publish the life of this Prince but as an eminent Author writes as heroick persons purchase their own honours so they ought to inherit their own praises to wear their own laurels This may apologize for my enterprize more especially as I have endeavoured to avoid whatsoever hath been already written and to set down onely his more particular Transactions Edward the Black Prince so named of this dreaded acts and not from his complexion was the eldest son of King Edward the Third a Prince of an undaunted spirit so full of vertues that he left no room for any nnworthy vice who had he lived in the heroick times might well have been numbred amongst the nine Worthies At 15. years of age his father takes him over with him into France to initiate him as it were in the School of War as one of our modern Poets hath it In this fair heaven of magnanimity The Prince the star of honour decks the fly Fixt here so soon by 's Fathers band who meant He there should fall or gild that firmament I will for the more brevity treat onely of three special passages in this Princes life his Battel at Crescy his Victory at Poityers and his restoring Don Pedro to his Crown of Castile in the Battel at Crescy the French exceeded the English nigh four for one and by reason of their numbers being confident of Victory would needs hasten the Fates to their own destruciton and enforcd the English to make their passage through as they then determined the red Sea of their own blood nor could the terrible peals of Thunder from heaven nor shoals of Ravens and ravenous birds which came flying over their Hoast foreshewing the harvest of carcasses at hand hinder their proceedings but as if ascertained of victory they did erect their banner called Oliflame as a signe of taking none to mercy no more then fire is extinguisht by Oyl against which the English advance their Banner of the red Dragon to signifie no mercy to them that would shew none Both Armies divided into three Battalions the sign of Battel being given by King Philip the horrour of War began to show its self the grass was soon changed from green to red and their glistering faucheons to a purple colour Drums and Trumpets sounded the knells of death horrour and destruction appeared every where Amongst other Nations that assisted the French in this sad War were twelve thousand Genowayes being all of them Gross-bow men these were to open a way for the French horse with their shot but at the very instant fell such a showr of rain which for the present wet the Archers strings and made them less serviceable The French King hereupon commanded Count Alanson who commanded the Van to beat them from the point and to charge the English this was no sooner commanded then performed and the poor Genowayes trodden down by the horse who now turn their fury against the French seeking to destroy whom they came to help The English enemies unto either having reinforced their Archery liberally bestow their arrows amongst them endeavouring the destruction of them both who ever saw a Matachin dance imitate fighting might here see a fight imitate the Matachin dance The French way thus paved with Genoan bodies half out of breath with headlong haste never stay till they came up to the English Battel with whom encounters the noble Prince of Wales who commanded the English Voward that day the fight grew fierce and cruel each side striving to exceed the other in valour Who had seen the Prince of Wales at that present would have believed Pythagoras doctrine of Transmigration that the soul of great Hector had been infused into him what Poets have feigned of ancient Heroes fell short of the truth of what he performed that day The King of Bohemia whom age might have taught to have expected death in his Chamber and not to have sought him in the Fields of Mars seals his love to the French side with his dearest blood his troop of faithful followers with their slaughtered bodies covering him even in death whose plume of Ostrige feathers won then by valiant Edward hath every since been the Cognisance of the Princes of Wales Another trophey of the English Chevalry was the King of Majorca who in aid of the French was there likewise slain as a renowned Poet in his description of that victory One King 's too much but there two Kings must dye Leave two uncrown'd to Crown one victory It was now high time for King Philip to bring up the main Battel whose numbers threatned the destruction of the English this onset threatning so much danger King Edward is sent for to come up with his power to aid the Prince whose answer was Let them send no more to me for any adventure that may befall whilest my
not to take him off which those that contrived it were certain could not but take as they knew that he was of so tender a conscience as that they could not fail of their project he was cited to appear at Lambeth before the Bishop of Canterbury the Lord Chancellour and Secretary Cromwell to take the oath of Supremacy and Succession which he refusing he was committed to the custody of the Abbot of Westminster for four dayes and afterwards by the importunity of Queen Anne to the Tower Whereat his landing Mr. Lieutenant was ready to receive him the Porter of the Tower demanded of him his upper Garment Mr. Porter said he here it is and took off his Cap and gave it him saying I am sorry it is no better for thee no Sir said the Porter I must have your Gown which he gave him This his pleasantness certainly argued a confidence he had in the justness of his cause After many endeavours during his abode in the Tower to get his consent to the taking of the Oath all which proving fruitless after a years imprisonment he was called to his arraignment at the Kings Bench Bar where his Indictment being read he pleaded not guilty and to the admiration of the hearers so quitted himself that he put the Bench to a stand untill at the last one Mr. Rich the Kings Solliciter deposited against him that he should say The Parliament could make the King no more Supreme Head of Church then they could make a Law that God should not be God To which Sir Thomas answered If I were a man my Lords that did not regard an oath I need not at this time in this place as it is well known to you all stand as an accused person And if this oath Mr. Rich which you have taken be true then I pray that I may never see God in the Face which I would not say were it otherwise to gain the whole world Yet notwithstanding his oath and the exceptions he took against the witness the Lord Chancellour proceeded to sentence That he should be brought back to the Tower of London by the help of William Bringston Sheriff and from thence drawn on a Hurdle through the City of London to Tyburne there to be hanged till he be half dead after that cut down yet alive his Privy Parts cut off his Belly ripped his Bowels burnt and his four quarters set up over four Gates of the City and his head upon London Bridge This Sentence was by the Kings pardon changed afterwards into onely beheading because he had borne the highest Office in the Kingdom Of which mercy of the Kings word being brought to Sir Thomas he answered merrily God forbid the King should use any more such mercies to any of my posterity or friends During the time he remained in the Tower after Sentence passed on him one of the Court came to visit him whose whole discourse was nothing else but urging Sir Thomas to change his minde who at last being wearied with his importunity answered him That he had changed it Whreupon presently he went and told the King and being by him commanded to know wherein his minde was changed Sir Thomas rebuked him for his inconsiderate rashness that he should tell the King those words that he spoke in jeast onely to be rid of his impertinency meaning a while after this merry expression came from him that whereas he intended to be shaved for which he was said so much to resembled Erasmus that he might appear to the people as before he now resolved that his beard should undergo the same tribulation he did which made the Courtier blank and the King very angry The day appointed for his execution being come about nine of the Clock he was brought out of the Tower ascending the Scaffold it seemed so weak that it was ready to fall whereupon he said merrily to the Lieutenant I pray you Mr. Lieutenant see me safe up and for my coming down let me shift for my self Then desired he all the people to pray for him and to bear witness with him that he should then suffer death in and for the Faith of the Holy Catholique Church a faithfull servant both of God and the King Which done he kneeled down and after his prayers ended he turned to the Executioner and with a chearful countenance said Pluck up thy spirits man and be not afraid to do thine Office my neck is very short take heed therefore thou strike not awry for saving thine honesty then laying his head upon the Block he bad the Executioner stay untill he had removed aside his Beard saying That that had never committed any Treason So with much chearfulness he received the Fatall blow of the Ax which at once severed his head from his body This jeast at his death the Catholiques so much distasted that at so serious a time he should be so airy and light that he had almost been scratched out of their Canonization for a Saint He was executed the sixth day of July following the decollation of Bishop Fisher who was for the same Cause beheaded on Tower-Hill The Life of this Bishop is extant incomparable well done by Doctor Bailie Thus died Sir Thomas Moor a man admirable in all kinde of learning Latine Greek Prophane Divine his Vtopia is admired over the world his Richard the Third till of late years of so much credit with Historians that they have placed it in their Works without the alteration of a word He was of such excellency of Wit and Wisdom that he was able to make his fortune good in what place soever he lived who wanted no skill either for the mannaging of private or publick businesses being experienced both in Countrey and City Affairs in giving solid and sound counsel in doubtful cases none more prudent to tell the truth without fear none more free as from all flatteries he was open and pleasant full of grace in delivering his judgement And to conclude one whose integrity made him a miracle of nature whist he was living and whose Books have made him an everlasting Monument now he is dead He was behead in the year 1535. his Monument is in Chelsey Church where it is reported Bishop Fisher lies buried with him in the same Grave that as they suffered for one Opinion it was thought fit they should not be parted Epitaphium Thomae Mori quod paulo post abdicatum munus Cancellarii ipse sibi composuit Sepulchro suo affixit Thomas Morus Vrbe Londinensi familia non celebri sed honesta natus in literis utcunque versatus quum ut causas aliquot juvenis egisset in foro in urbe suo pro Shyrevo jus dixisset ab invictissimo Rege Henrico Octavo cui uni regum omnium gloria prius inaudita contigit fidei defensor qualem gladio se calamo verè praestitit merito vocaretur aà scitus in aulam est delectusque in concilium creatus eques
England and landed at Plimouth November 3. 1580. The next year he feasted the Queen in his ship at Dartford who knighted him for his service his Arms were given him The World in a Ship Which ship by the Queens command was drawn on shore near Dartford for a Monumant to all posterity Concerning this his famous Voyage a Poet then living directed to him this Epigram Drake pererrati novit quem terimus orbis Quemque semel mundi vidit uterque polus Si taceant homines facient te sydera notum Sol nescit comitis non memor esse sui Drake whom th' encompass'd earth so fully knew And whom at once both Poles of Heaven did view Should men forget thee Sol could not forbear To Chronicle his fellow-traveller Anno 1585. he again set sail from Plimouth with two and twenty ships and pinnesses and two thousand three hundred souldiers and sailers and passing by the Isles of Bayon and the Canaries arrived at St. Jago the chief City of Cuba in America which they took and burned after they sailed to St. Domingo in Hispaniola which they spoiled and ransackt from thence to Carthagena which they also surprized and took in it besides inestimable sums of money 240. Peeces of Ordnance And returning homewards razed and burnt the Fort and City of Saint Augustine in Terra Florida arriving safe at Plimouth the 27. of July 1586. In this Voyage some Writers not taking notice of Sir Walter Raleigh will needs have Tobacco first brought over into England which though saith one in some respect being moderately taken may be Physicall yet besides the consumption of the purse imparing of our inward parts the immoderate vain and phantastical abuse of the hellish Weed corrupteth the natural sweetness of the breath stupifieth the brain and indeed is so prejudicial to the generall esteem of our Countreymen that as one saith of them Anglorum corpora qui huic plantae tontopere indulgent in Barbarorum naturam degenerasse videntur The two chief vertues ascribed to it are that it is good against Lues Venerea that loathsome disease the Pox and that it voideth Rheum For the first like enough it is that similes habent labra lactueas so unclean a disease may be fitted with so unwholesome a medicine For the second good quality attributed unto it I think it rather to consist in opinion then truth the Rheum which it voideth being onely that which it engendreth But Tobacco it self is by few taken now as medicinal it is grown a good-fellow and fallen from a Physician to a Complement For as one of our Modern Poets hath it He 's no good-fellow that 's without the Pox Burnt Pipes Tobacco and his Tinder Box. A folly which certainly had never spread so far if here had been the same means of prevention used with us as was in Turky by Morat Bassa who commanded a pipe to be thrust through the nose of a Turk which was found taking Tobacco and so in derision to be led about Constantinople Take his farewel to it who once much doted on this Heathenish Weed Farewell thou Indian smoak Barbarian vapour An enemy to life foe to waste paper Thou doest diseases in the body breed And like a Vulter on the purse dost feed Changing sweet breaths into a stinking loathing And with three pipes turns two pence into nothing Grim Pluto first invented it I think To poyson all the world with hellish stink Base heathenish weed how common is it grown That but a few years past was scarcely known When for to see one take it was a riddle As strange as a Baboon to tune a fiddle Were it confin'd onely to Gentlemen 'T were some repute to take Tobacco then But Bedlams Tinkers Coblers Water-bearers Your common drunkards and most horrid swearers If mans flesh be like hogs as it is said Then sure by smoaking thus its Bacon made Farewel foul smoak good for such things as these ' Gainst lice sore heads scabs mange or French disease But to leave this unworthy subject and to return to our History in Anno 1588. when all England stood in fear of a Spanish invasion though it proved but a Morris Dance upon our Waves he was made Vice-Admiral of the English Navy where what he performed towards the waining of that half Moon the Chronicles report to his eternal honour his very name being so terrible to the Spaniards that Don Pedro de Valdes Vasques de Silva Alonzo de Sayas and other Noblemen hearing it was the fiery Drake that had them in chase yielded themselves and came aboard his ship protesting they were resolved to dye in defence had they not fallen under his power whose valour and felicity was so great that Mars and Neptune seemed to wait on his Attempts Afterwards in the year 1589. Don Antonio pretending a right to the Crown of Portugal sued to Queen Elizabeth for succour against the King of Spain who detained it from him she in pursuance of his Title sent him aid under the command of those renowned Generalls Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Norris who with eleven thousand Souldiers and tweney five hundred Marriners set fail from Plimouth and arrived at the Groyne a Haven in Galacia took the lower Town by assault and in it great store of ordinance victualls cables ropes and other furniture for shipping From thence sailing towards Portugal in their passage they met with Robert Earl of Essex who without the Queens leave had put forth to Sea accompanied with his Brother Walter Devereux Sir Philip Butler Sir Roger Williams Sir Edward Wingfield and others After two dayes they arrived at Penycha a Town in Portingal which they took leaving the Castle to Don Antonio Here left they their sick and wounded with seven Companies of Foot for their guard The main Army under the command of Sir John Norris marched to Lisbon whom Drake promised to follow with the Fleet but by reason of the Flats which he must pass and the Castle of Saint Julian fortified with fifty peeces of great Ordinance his purpose was disappointed yet surprised he the Town of Cascais to which place not long after came the whole Army being nessitated for want of victualls and no aid coming in as was expected Whereupon having taking threescore Hulks laden with Corn and pillaged many Towns and Villages they returned back again into England This journey producing not that wished effect which was desired another more likely was thought upon Queen Elizabeth well knowing that the Spaniards chiefest strength consisted in the Treasure which he yearly received out of the West Indies furnished Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins with ships and souldiers to bring this golden Harvest into the English Barn These on the last of August set sail from Plimouth and seven and twenty dayes after came upon the Coast of the great Canarie in assaulting of which they wasted much time to the great grief of Sir John Hawkins who would have presently sailed to America and
and Sir Christopher Blunt diswaded him yet within a moneth over he went and came with speed to the Court at None-such where falling upon his knees before the Queen after a little talk she bid him retire to his Chamber and soon after committed him to custody in the Lord Privy Seals house where having remained the space of six moneths he began to repent him of his former courses and shewed so great patience and so much submission that the Queen gave him leave to return to his own House again Neverthelesse the popular voice the croud of common people so extolled his innocency that she could not for the removal of suspicion of Injustice free her self and her Councellours but was forced to bring him to a trial which accordingly she did in the house of the Lord Privy Seal The chief Articles objected against him were That contrary to his Commission he had made the Earl of South-hampton General of the Horse had drawn his Forces into Munster neglecting the Arch Rebel Tir Oen entertained a parly with him against the Dignity of the Queens Majesty and the person of a Vice-Roy which he represented and that the Parley was suspicious in regard it was private The Earl remembring the words of Solomon Proverbs 16.14 The wrath of a Prince is as messengers of death but a wise man will pacifie it fell down upon his knees at the end of the board professing he would not contest with the Queen nor excuse the faults of his yong years either in whole or in part protesting that he alwayes meant well howsoever it fell out otherwise and that now he would bid his rash enterprizes adieu with many other words to the like purpose which made the Assembly there present to weep For indeed he was a man dearly beloved both of the Queen Peers and People nor do we read of any English Subject whose fall was more lamented then his At length this sentence was pronounced against him That he should be deposed from the office of a Privy Councellour suspended from the functions of Earl Marshall and Master of the Ordnance and be imprisoned during the Queens pleasure And indeed her pleasure was he should not endure Imprisonment long for upon his shew of humiliation and mortification she removed Berkley his Keeper and gave him leave to go at large onely admonishing him to make his own discretion his Keeper and not to come at the Court or in her presence Now the Earl thinking all danger was past and that a serene sky would succeed this storm in a presumptuous confidence of the Queens wonted favour he became an earnest suiter to her for the Farm of sweet Wines she to try the truth of his temper made him this answer That she must first know what it was worth and not give away things hand over head His high spirit not brooking a deniall falls into discontented expressions which came to the Queens ear That it was now plain the Queen intended to make him as poor as Job that he should live of the basket and gather crums under the table that the Queen was now old and decreped and withered as well in minde as in body And now again he runneth upon desperate counsels for the removeal of his Adversaries from the Court The Earl of Southampton is sent for out of the Low-Countreys his doors set open for all Commers decayed Souldiers and discontented persons admitted by Merrick his Steward to his own table Citizens flock thither each day in great numbers and all signs popularity appeared The chief of his Councel were the Earl of Southampton Sir Charles Danvers Sir Ferdinando Gorge Captain of the Garrison of Plimouth Sir Christopher Blunt his two servants Merrick and Cuffe with some others These meeting in consultation at Drury House resolve the Queens Palace shall be seized upon and his Adversaries secured who were nominated to be Raleigh Cobham Carew Cecill And the Admiral But before they could effect their designs the Queen by severall circumstances having suspicion of their actions sent Secretary Herbert to call him before the Councel the Earl doubting the matter excuseth himself that he was not very well But this slight excuse encreasing the suspicion four of the Lords were by the Queen sent unto him namely the Lord Keeper the Earl of Worcester Sir William Knolles and the Lord Chief Justice of England these comming to Essex House found there a confused number of people and the Earls of Essex Rutland and Southampton in the middest of them after some little talk the four Lords were secured Essex with a Troop of two hundred men at his heels making haste into City being falsely informed that the Citizens would take his part The Earl of Bedford the Lord Cromwell and other Lords meeting him by the way joyn themselves Essex crying out as he went For the Queen for the Queen they lay wait for my life Whilest thus he seeketh in vain for help of the Citizens certain of the Nobility entred the City with a Herald declaring him and all his adherents Traytours this so abated the edge of their courages that some of his followers began to shift for themselves amongst which was Sir Ferdinando Gorge who the better to obtain the Queens mercy freeth the four Lords that were kept prisoners in Essex House going along with them to the Court by water The Earl himself thinking to return was opposed by men in Arms at the West end of Pauls where after a short bickering he retired to Queen-hive and went to Essex-House by water By and by the Admiral besiegeth the House commanding them to yield which at first they refuse but afterwards finding their cause to be desperate they fall upon their knees and deliver up their weapons to the Admiral The chief of them as Essex Southampton Rutland Sands Cromwell Mounteagle Danvers and Bromley were committed to the Tower the rest were put in common Prisons The Earl being thus immured sent this Letter to Sir Thomas Egerton Lord Chancellour The Copy hereof the better to express the temper of his spirit I have word for word inserted The Earl of Essex Letter to the Sir Thomas Egerton Lord Chancellour My very good Lord though there is not a man this day living that I should sooner make judge of any question that might concern me then your self yet you must give me leave to tell you that in some cases I must appeal from all earthly Judges and if in any then surely in this when the highest Judge on earth hath interposed upon me the heaviest punishment without tryal or hearing since then I must either answer your Lordships arguments or else forsake mine own just defence I will force mine aking head to do me service for an hour I must first deny my discontentment which was forced to be an humerous discontent and so that it was unseasonable or is so long continuing your Lordship should rather condole with me then expostulate natural seasons are expected here below but violent
whom he was very intimate walking with him in his Summer-Parlour thought to please him with a motion of putting out a summe of his money to interest on good security Master Sutton shewing a dislike told him that he had other purposes and for the lawfulness of Usury he was not so fully convinced of it but that he did believe that the most confident Usurer that ever lived would give the best bag he had on his death-bed to be cleared of that case of conscience He being asked by his friend what he would then do with his money he answered that he was onely as treasurer and disposer for poor and wanting persons which words of his agreed with his mind as the end of his Life declared For as he determined with himself so he afterwards built an Hospital having first got a Grant from K. James confirmed by Act of Parliament To this purpose having bargained with Tho. Earl of Suffolk for a House then called the Seat of the Carthusians now the Charter-House which was much out of repair this with many thousands of pounds he bought of the Earl though some asperse him and report that he got it into his hands first by fraud the Deeds being intrusted to him that he kept them by which subtilty he had the advantage to make his own market I cannot believe this but if it were true he had great need if it could stand him in any stead to fly to that Scripture which the Romanists make so much use of Charity covers a maltitude of sins But to passe by this diversion this House questionlesse he bought lawfully of the Earl which he turned into an Hospital When he was very old and considering how soon his crazinesse and weaknesse might set a period to his life and not knowing what injuries the present or future Ages might act against his Charity he took such care to confirm his will by the Royal power and the Laws of the Land that except it hath been abused by the corruption of some particular covetous persons it hath not been otherwise violated The particulars of his Testament are too large to be inserted here I refer the Reader to the printed Copy I shall onely out of it instance a few particulars He bestowed upon his Kindred Friends and Servants vaste summes of money besides six thousand pounds a year to the Hospital For the performance whereof he chose honest wise and experienced Executours His Will being thus perfected he fell deadly sick at his House at Hackney near London in the year of our Lord 1611. he died Not long after his death the House began to be turned into an Hospital though after his decease this good work with several quirks and pretences of Law was oposed as to the very foundation of it the Kings ears being abused At last such was the faithful zeal of those that were intrusted God assisting them in so honourable actions that the Institution came to perfection by a quiet possession to the use appointed with a Library as a gift worthy of such an Hospital In this House fourscore old men are maintained which should be decayed Gentlemen and Souldiers according to the Doners intent who are to have an allowance both for their bodies and souls There is also a School for thirty children of poor parents though I am credibly informed rich persons of late years that make the greatest friends soonest get their children in an abuse of the Will of the deceased and a crying oppression of the poor These Children have their constant diet and clothing There are several other stipends for the Governour Overseers Physicians nad Chyrurgeons of the Hospital together with an annual allowance and an ample stipend assigned to a learned Minister who in the Chappel on the Lords Day is to preach to the Hospitallers with prayers twice every day in the week An honourable gift to the end of the world bestowed on the distressed members of our Saviours body Master Sutton was first buried in Christs-Church in London but afterwards removed and interred in the Chappel of his Hospital the Charter-House where a costly Monument was erected for him by his Executours The Papists that glory so much of their good works cannot shew a nobler foundation for a particular person of his quality To conclude though our actions of Charity are never so great foolishly thought by them meritorious yet if not the effects of a true saving faith they are lost and a man may for all his Charity go to the Devil And though the Catholiques would plead from the form of the last judgement Matthew 25. that God accepts men to Life for their deeds of Charity feeding clothing relieving c. yet the Scripture fully testifies that God neither accepts these nor our selves for them no further then they are the effects of a true faith our persons being first justified by faith in Christ then God will crown our works This according to the holy Writ we acknowledge that Charity for the perpetuity of it excells all other Graces when we have possession of those pleasures that we believed and hoped what longer use is there of faith and hope but our Love shall not end with our lives we shall everlastingly love our Maker Saviour Sanctifier Angels and Saints where no discontent shall breed any jar in our Halelujahs To conclude as the use of Mr. Suttons Love and Charity was a comfort and delight to him on earth what can we think it will be to him in heaven The Life of the most Noble Sir FRANCIS BACON Viscount of Saint ALBANES AFter I had bestowed much pains and strictly enquired the transactions of the life of this incomparable Knight having finisht it with all the ingenuity care and impartiality of a studious minde I at last had the happiness to meet with it in Latine exactly and admirably done by Doctour Raleigh his Chaplain who as he discharged his faithful trust in publishing of some of his Works I thought my self obliged to do him the right of the alone setting forth of his Life more especially as no person better knew him then this Reverend Doctour I have onely translated what he did word for word neither adding nor detracting Sir Francis Bacon the Honour of his age and Countrey the credit and ornament of Learning was born at York-House in the Strand a noted Street adjoyning to the City of London on the 22. day of January in the year of mans salvation MDLX His Father was that famous Councellour to Queen Elizabeth and while he liv'd one of the chief Props and Pillars of her Kingdom Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight Keeper of the great Seal of England a Heroe of approved wisdom judgement moderation and integrity His Mother was Anne a Daughter of Sir Edward Cook who had the education of Edward the Sixth King of England a Lady both of singular Piety and Vertue and eminently learned having no mean skill especially considering her Sex in the Greek and Latine Tongues sprung from such
eminency of it but as many passages in it from his own lips give further illustrations of his Life The first Tryal of Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburne was at the Guild Hall in London the 24. of October 1649. being Wednesday The Commissioners Names of the extraordinary Commission of Oyer and Terminer for the Tryal of Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburn were these Thomas Andrews Lord Mayor Richard Keble Lord Commissioner Philip Jermyn Judge of the upper Bench Thomas Gates Baron John Pulestone Justice of the Common Pleas. Francis Thorp Barron and Member Robert Nicolas Member Richard Aske Justices of the Upper Bench. Peter Warburton Justice of the Common Pleas. Alexander Rigby Baron but absent Sir Thomas Fowler Sir Henry Holcroft Sir William Row Sir Richard Saltonstall Sir Richard Sprignall Sir John Woolistone Sir William Roberts John Green John Clarke John Parker Serjeants at Law William Steel Recorder John Fowke Thomas Foote John Kendrick Thomas Cullum Simon Edmonds Samuel Avery John Dethick Robert Tichburn John Hayes Aldermen Henry Proby Common Sergeant Thomas Brigandine Nathaniel Snape Edward Rich Owen Roe Tobias Lisle Austin Wingfield Richard Downton Daniel Taylor William Wibend Silvanus Taylor The Court was called O yes made All persons that were adjourned to the Court required to make their appearance The Lieutenant of the Tower of London Collonel Francis West was called to bring forth his Prisoner according to the precept Whereupon Collonel West Lieutenant of the Tower brought up the Prisoner out of the Irish Chamber where he had been some time before the sitting of the Court and was guarded by the said Lieutenant and a special Guard of Souldiers besides And being brought to the Bar the Sheriffs of London were directed to take the Prisoner into their custody Silence commanded the Crier said John Lilburne hold up thy hand Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne directed himself to Master Keble one of the Keepers of the great Seal as the President of the Court and said to this purpose Sir will it please you to hear me and if so by your favour thus All the priviledge for my part that I shall crave this day at your hands is no more but that which is properly and singly the Liberty of every Free-born English-man viz. the benefit of the Laws and Liberties thereof which by my Birth-right and Inheritance is due unto me the which I have fought for as well as others have done with a single and upright heart and if I cannot have and enjoy this I shall leave this Testimony behinde me that I died for the Laws and Liberties of this Nation and upon this score I stand and if I perish I perish And if the Fact that I have done cannot be justified by the Law of England let me perish I mention none of this for the gaining of mercy or by way of merit no I scorn it for mercy I crave from none but from the hands of my God alone with whom I hope and am assured one day to rest whom I have set before my eyes and so walked as believing I am alwayes in his presence in whose power my confidence is fixed whom I take and own to be my stay my staff my strength and support and in whom I rest as the life of my life and whom I hope to meet with joy when this fading and uncertain life shall have an end to live with him in glory and blessedness for evermore And because I would not willingly trouble you with many words to cause you to spend your time impertinently therefore Sir in reference to the Court I shall crave but so much liberty from you as was given to Paul when he pleaded for his life before the Heathen Roman Judges which was free liberty of speech to speak for himself the which I now humbly crave as my right not onely by the Law of God and Man but also by the law and light of Nature And I shall do it with that respect reason and judgement that doth become a man that knows what it is to plead for his life I hope Gode hath given me ability to be master of my own passion and endowed me with that reason that will dictate unto me what is for my own good and benefit I have several times been arraigned for my life already I was once arraigned before the House of Peers for sticking close to the Liberties and Priviledges of this Nation and those that stood for them being one of those two or three me that first drew their swords in Westminster Hall against Collonel Lunsford and some scores of his associates At that time it was supposed they intended to cut the throats of the chiefest men then sitting in the House of Commons I say for this and other things of the like nature I was arraigned by the Kings special Command and Order the first of May 1641. I mention it to this end that when I came before the House of Peers where was about three or fourscore Lords then sitting at the beginning of the parliament who then were supposed the most arbitrary of any power in England yet I had from them free liberty of speech to speak for my life at their Bar without check or controll in the best manner that all those abilities God had given me would enable me and when I was at Oxford I was again arraigned as a Traytor before the Lord Chief Justice Heath for levying War at the Command of the then Parliament against the person of the King and when I came before him in the Guild Hall of Oxford he told me there being present with him as his fellow Judge Master Gardiner sometimes Recorder of the City of London now Sir Thomas Gardiner and others that sate by a special Commission of Oyer and Terminer from the King the which Commission I did not so well then understand as I hope I do now And my Lord Chief Justice Heath stood up and in the face of all the Court and in the face of all the Countrey present there told me Captain Lilburne you are brought here before us for High Treason for leavying War in Oxfordshire against your Sovereign Lord and King and though you be now in a Garrison and were taken in Arms in open hostility against the King yea Sir and I must now tell you in such hostility that we were but about seven hundred men at Brandford that withstood the Kings whole Army in the field about five hours together and fought it out to the very swords point and to the butt end of the Musket and thereby hindered the King from his then possessing the Parliaments Train of Artillery and by consequence the City of London in which very act I was taken a Prisoner without Articles or Capitulation and was by the King and his Party then lookt upon as one of the activest men against them in the whole company yet said Judge Heath we will not take advantage of that to try you by the rules of Arbitrary Marshal Law or any other
name of God Almighty promise and swear that to the uttermost of my power I will uphold and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Christian Religion in the purity thereof as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to the uttermost of my power and understanding and encourage the Profession and Professours of the same and that to the utmost of my power I will endeavour as Chief Magistrate of these three Nations the maintenance and preservation of the Peace and Safety and just Rights and Priviledges of the People thereof and shall in all things according to our best knowledge and power govern the people of these three Nations according to Law These Ceremonies being performed a Herald of Arms by sound of Trumpet proclaimed him Lord Protectour of England Scotland Ireland and the Dominions thereto belonging hereupon the Trumpets sounded again and the people after the usual manner gave several acclamations with loud shouts crying God save the Lord Protectour His Higness had scarce accepted of these Honours but as if the ill affected would not let him breath yet another Plot is discovered Collonel Edward Sexby is said to have conspired against the Lord Protector for which he was committed to the Tower where having continued about half a year he died But to reflect a little back Mazarine that great Minister of State on which hinge all the grand Affairs of France turn perfects a Peace with England the Protector having no regard to those advantages that Spain might render him as to Commerce the places of Hostage which she proffered to put into his hands as Gravelin Dunkirk and others he was swayed with other Interest which he best understood himself to prefer an Alliance and League with France before all those advantages except his civillity induce't him which seldom had such power over him to look more lovingly upon France as the weakest at that time being abandoned by some of her Allies as quite disordered by an Intestine War in her own Bowels her Navigation totally ruined as the Pirates of Dunkirk had blockt up all her Sea Ports whereas the English scowred those Seas chast away the Pyrates and reduced the Mounsieur and Diego by their successes to their so likely advantageous peace Indeed as one writes it was a high generosity since the English caused the French to lose Graveling and Dunkirk to help France again to take those places In the mean space was not here rare bandying of Interests France having thus perfected a Peace with England they joyntly resolve to unite against the Spaniard hereupon Sir John Reynolds with six thousand Foot was sent into Picardy to joyn with the French Cavalry which compleated as gallant an Army as had been seen in France for many years together These joyntly besiege and take Mardike a strong Fort of the Spaniards in Flanders whereof Major General Morgan took possession for the English as the earnest of further Conquests which the Spaniards attempting for to regain were twice repulsed with very great loss But the joy of these Successes was mitigated by the death of Admiral Blake who as he got his Honour by the Sea died on it and that within sight of Plimouth He was a man who had deserved of his Countrey and might justly be stiled the Neptune thereof His Body was brought with a Naval pomp by water from Greenwich to Westminster being a suitable Ceremony to his employment and was there buried in Henry the Sevenths Chappel Upon whom an Ingenuous person bestowed this Epitaph Here lies a man made Spain and Holland shake Made France to tremble and the Turks to quake Thus he tame'd men but if a Lady stood In 's sight it rais'd a Palsie in his bloud Cupids Antagonist who in his life Had Fortune as familiar as a VVife A stiff hard Iron Souldier for he It seems had more of Mars then Mercury At Sea he thundered calm'd each raging wave And now he 's dead sent thundring to his Grave Soon after was St. Venant taken by the English the Lord Henry Cromwel made Deputy of Ireland Sir John Reynolds Collonel VVhite and some other Officers drowned upon Goodwin Sands as they were coming out of Flanders into England One writes that the subtilty of discovering of Plots though but in the Embrio or before they are hatcht in the time of peace is the most succinct way of letting of blood March 24. the last day of the year accounted for 1657. a great Conspiracy was again discovered in London several Regiments ' as was said being enrolled who on the first day of May in the night time should have set fire on several parts of the City and whilest the confusion and horrour thereof had seized all men they should have made a general masacre of all who opposed them Hereupon several persons were apprehended as Doctor Hewet Sir Henry Slingsby Collonel Asbton c. and a High Court of Justice erected for the tryal of them and first they began with Sir Henry Slingsby the Articles charged against them will in part discover themselves in their several speeches made just before their deaths In short they were both condemned Dr. Hewet professing himself to be ignorant of such Law though amongst the most learned Divines few of them were more knowing in the Gospel being taken in three defaults upon formalities of the Court was proceeded against as mute June 8. 1658. was the day appointed for their beheading Sir Henry Slingsby first mounting the stage spake in effect as followeth That he stood condemned by the Court of Justice as contriving and endeavouring to withdraw divers Officers of the Garrison of Kingston upon Hull from their duty and perswading them to a surrendring and yielding up of that Garrison and one that held correspondence with some beyond sea to that end That it was true he had conference upon that account with the Officers of that Garrison and that he gave Major Waterhouse a Commission signed Charles R. But that it was but an old one that had lain by him though he thought fit to make use of it to the Major Many passages he said there were which he would not insist on that some friends of his had made application to his Highness for the saving his of life but it seems it was thought fit not to be granted and therefore he submitted and was ready to dye c. Having uttered these and the like words he took off a Ring from his Bandstrings wherein instead of a Seal engraven was the Picture of the late King exactly done and giving it to a Gentleman that stood by him he said Pray give this to Harry Then he addrest himself to prayer wherein he continued some time taking leave of his friends he submitted his neck to the Block and had his head severed from his body at one blow by the Executioner This at one blow by the Executioner the Reader may observe hath been very often repeated in this Volume His Tragick Scene being