Primate of England so that he and his Successors became subordinate to the Archiepiscopal See of Canterbury Philip King of France taking advantage of the Kings Absence from Normandy encouraged Robert to make himself Absolute Duke assisting him with Men and Money whereupon the King was again constrained to pass the Seas with a puissant Army being over-eager in laying waste the Country and harassing himself in War being over-heated he fell Sick and hearing that the French King should say in a Scoffing manner He lay a long time in Child-Bed he Replied in a rage That at his Vprising or Churching he would Light so many Candles in France as should Inflame the whole Country And indeed he made his words good for upon his recovery inraged that his Enemies had in his Sickness taken the advantage to waste his Territories he spoiled all the West parts of France Firing the City of Nantz Meux and a great number of Towns and Villages Inriching with part of the Spoil the Church of St. Stephen's in Normandy which was of his own Founding moreover bequeathing in his last Will his Crown and Regal Ornaments to it appointing his Body when he Dyed to be Buryed therein And for the Service done in this War he requited many of his Commanders who had signalized their Vallour with possessions in England to hold them of the Crown one of which Grants for the Antiquity and plain manner of Conveyance exempted from the tediousness now in use I think not amiss to recite viz. I William give to thee Norman Hunter here Who art to me both Leef and Dear The Hop and the Hoptown And all the Bounds up and down Vnder the Earth to Hell and even Above the Earth to Heaven From me and mine To thee and thine As good and faire As ever they were To Witness that this is Sooth I bite the White Wax with my Tooth Before Jug Maud and Margery And my Young Son Henry For a Bow and a broad Arrow When I come to Hunt upon Yarrow In the last Year of this Kings Reign there was found in the Province called Rose in Wales a Sepulcher of 14 Foot Long in which was Buried with much Treasure as the Custom of the Times then were Gawen one of King Arthurs Knights of his Round Table and Bones therein of an exceeding bigness And now as all Kings must come at last to the Grave the Life of this Restless Conquerer grew to a Period for going over to Quiet new Troubles in Normandy he had scarcely Accomplished it before he fell Sick of a Malignant Feaver at Caen in Normandy and after some Languishings Dyed and being a corpulent Man his Belly in a little time Burst and the Stench being great none but a few poor Monks would come near him nor was this all one Ascalinus Fitz Arthur a Norman Gentleman denyed him Burial in St. Stephen's Church saying He had Founded it on his Inheritance violently taken away that it stood upon the Floor of his Fathers House and the Body of no Despoiler should be covered in his Earth however Henry his Fourth Son giving a Hundred Pound Weight in Silver as a recompence he was there Interred but with little or no Ceremony so that he who in his Life time made Nations Tremble being Dead was little or nothing regarded This William the First was Son to Robert the Sixth Duke of Normandy begotten as is said on a Beautiful Damsel named Arlet the Daughter of a Tanner in Honour of whom a Town is called by her Name He began his Reign over England Anno Dom. 1066 on Saturday the Fourteenth of October and Reigned Twenty Years Ten Months and Twenty Six Days being the 21 Sole Monarch of England Remarks on Lincolnshire c. LIncolnshire by reason of its Fens and other Advantagious Pastures produces great numbers of small and large Cattle a good sprinkling of Corn abundance of Fish and Wild-Fowl much Wooll and Leather It is commodiously on the East Bounded with the German Ocean and part of Norfolk so that by reason of its Havens it has a great Trade and very much helped on the North by being Bounded with the River Humber and part of Yorkshire on the West with Yorkshire Notinghamshire and Leicestershire on the South with Northamptonshire and Cambridgshire It is divided into 30 Hundreds containing one City a Bishops See 630 Parishes 33 Market Towns and 9 Rivers It sends Members to Parliament 12 viz. Boston 2 Grantham 2 Grimesby 2 Lincoln City 2 Stamford 2 and 2 Knights of the Shire Lincoln was Antiently held to be one of the finest Cities of England being of great Antiquity and made by King Edward the Third the chief Mart for Lead Wooll and Leather here was also a great Battel Fought between Randolph Earl of Chester Robert Earl of Gloucester and King Stephen the latter being Overthrown and taken Prisoner It was Besieged by King Henry the Third and taken from the Barrons Wainfleet was the Birth Place of William Sirnamed thence Wainfleet who Flourished in the Reign of Henry the Sixth being Bishop of Winchester He Founded here a Free-School and Magdalen Colledge in Oxford LINCOLNE SHIRE In the Fens are found the Ategen or Godwitt also a foolish Bird called a Dottrell which Cambden says being Hunted thrusts its Head into a Bush and then thinks all is secure tho' the whole Body is seen and so in Moulting time he is easily taken The Reign of WILLIAM the Second Sirnamed Rufus WHen William the First Dyed his Eldest Son Robert was in Germany Negotiating his Fathers Affairs to draw in those Princes to assist him in making a Vigorous War on the French who were now become somewhat Formidable to their Neighbours so that by the favour of his Absence the Conquerers Last Will the furtherance of Lanfrank and Wolstane two Learned Prelates who had great Influence over the Commons and divers of the Nobles William Sirnamed Rufus from the Redness of his Hair or Face was after many hot debates among the Nobles Crowned King at Westminster by Lanfrank Arch Bishop of Canterbury on Sunday the 26th of September Anno Dom. 1087. This William was Younger Brother to Robert but being of a milder Temper and better affected to the English by reason he had in a manner been bred up amongst them and approved by them Robert found himself greatly Agreived that he had been put beside his Right in England tho' the Dutchy of Normandy was left entirely to him but the Title of Duke not agreeing with his great Spirit when he perceived he might have been a King had not loss of opportunity barr'd it he resolved nevertheless to tempt Fortune in a tryal for the regaining what was overslipt whereupon he raised a gallant Army composed of his own Subjects and Strangers Landing them in England with little or no Resistance not doing any damage to the English but being Encamped Commissioners were sent by King William to treat with him about an Accommodation for the preventing the effusion of
most of his Army whereupon Wales entirely submitted to the English Obedience These Troubles were scarce over when another Storm threatned from Normandy The Duke spurred on by Philip of France who promised to Aid him a second time prepared for England but the King having an Army on foot concluded it better to seat the War in another Country than in his own and therefore to prevent the Dukes making his Voyage Sailed to Normandy whose surprising Landing brought great fear on the Country however the King finding himself able with the Army he had to do no great matters and being destitute of Money to raise Forces Abroad bethought him of a Stratagem to do it viz. He sent to England many chief Officers to Levy such for the Wars as were of Ability and having Listed Citizens of London and others to the number of 30000 when they came to the Sea Shoar and most of them shewed an unwillingness to Embark as looking back to their Wives and Children from which many of them had been forced upon a pretended pressing urgency it was Proclaimed That such as would lay down Ten Shillings should be Discharged from the Service which most of them did with great Alacrity so that very few of them went With this Money King William underhand bought off Philip the French King from the Duke of Normandy's Interest which he perceiving agreed with his Brother by Ratifying again the former Conditions and the Christian Armies being on foot in most parts of Europe to rescue the Christians in the Holy Land from the Tyrany of the Turks and Sarazens Duke Robert to raise Forces and accompany them Pawned his Dutchey of Normandy to King William for 10000 Pounds and there did many Valiant Exploits insomuch that at the taking of Jerusalem he was first proffered to be made King of it and all the Country lying about it larger than what either David or Solomon possessed but he refused it in hopes of the Kingdom of England after his Brothers Death tho' he was disappointed of it and Dyed a deplorable Death which some have accounted as a Judgment for his having refused the profered Scepter of Jerusalem However on his refusal the Princes chose Godfry of Bulloin Earl of Flanders with which Choice he Joyfully complied but would not be Crowned as he said with a Crown of Gold where our Blessed Saviour for the Sins of Man and to procure his Redemption had some time worn a Crown of Thorns But nearer to My Purpose The King was no sooner returned out of Normandy but News was brought him the Welsh were again in Rebellion whereupon he Marched to Subdue them but returned without effecting it by reason of the violent Torrents occasioned by the Rain and their keeping among the Rocks and Fastnesses till his Army was tired out with Famine and other inconveniencies yet soon after they grew Quiet of themselves But scarce had he time to take breath ere a Rebellion broke out in the North whither he hasted with his Army gave the Rebells a great Overthrow and takeing some of the Ringleaders caused them to be put to Death but extended his Pardon to the common sort and Mowbray who encouraged them was committed to Windsor Castle where he continued a long while Prisoner And the Welsh growing again troublesom by wasting the English Borders and carrying away great spoils the King sent the Earls of Shrewsbury and Chester against them with a strong Power where after some Search and as secret Marchings as they could they found them making Merry in the Isle of Anglesey with the Plunder they had got from the English and falling upon them when they expected nothing less their Feasting was turned into Mourning for the greater part of them was Slain and those that were taken Prisoners mostly lost Feet Hands or Eyes or were put to worse Torments as a Terror to the rest that they should keep Quiet within their appointed limits The King thinking all would now be Quiet resolved to take his Ease and then forgeting how the English had faithfully stood by him and assisted him in his most dangerous undertakings he cast many of them out of Favour Office and Trust laying grievous Taxes on the Commonalty Selling for ready Money the best Promotions in Ecclesiastical and Civil Affairs Prohibiting Anselm Arch Bishop of Canterbury to Assemble any Convocations or Synods for the well ordering the Clergy or for the Correcting such as did Offend without his Leave or License by which means he secretly filled his Coffers with Treasure and tho' the Good Arch Bishop laid before him the ill consequences and dangers of such Proceedings and not being minded he resolved to go for Rome and lay before Pope Vrban the Third the danger the Church was in by Misgovernment and to perswade him to Intercede with the King not to intermedle with Church-Affaires but leave them to his Clergy The King hearing of his Intention sent to command him not to go but the Old Man and his Retinue were before on their Journey however the King sent after him and Pillaged him near Dover of all his Wealth in hopes that would stay him but it did not For he went to Rome and made such Complaints that the Pope in a chafe would have Excomunicated the King But his Clergy Advised him that having already Excomunicated the Emperour Henry the Fourth The first Christian Prince that ever was under Excomunication therefore it would be convenient to see the Issue of that Sentence ere he proceeded any further For says a blunt Abbot your Holiness must have a care how you heat any more Irons before you see how those you have Heated already will be Quenched least they prove too Hot for your handling However many Letters and Verbal Messages were sent to the King Admonishing him not to meddle any more with the Investing of Bishops by giving them the Cross Ring and Pastoral Staff nor Prohibit the Assembling of the Convocations or Synods touching the Affairs of the Church nor the Execution of any Canons tho' they were by Regal Authority Confirmed To this the King Answered That he would still do as he Pleased and not lose so fair a Flower belonging to his Crown And being Reproved in the absence of Anselm by Ralph Bishop of Chichester he cast him into disgrace and Suspended many Churches in his Diocess causing the Revenues to be brought into his Exchequer so that the Clergy finding no Redress greatly Murmured but in vain till his humour was over and then he not only received the Bishop into his extraordinary Grace and Favour but Granted many Honourable Priviledges to his See yet he stood not long on these terms ere the Kings humour changing again he Banished him By these ways the King had Amassed great Sums part of which he laid out in Building viz. He made outward Walls and Bullwarks about the Tower of London on this side the Ditch which Ruined by Time and other Accidents are now Demolished tho' some of the
the Sword valiantly fighting in the Field than again to be guilty of such Meanness The King who was not unacquainted with his humour rightly guessed at what was intended and therefore followed him with an Army and much Treasure and after many Battels overpowering his small number he was taken brought Prisoner to England and closely confined when endeavouring to make his Escape the King to whome in William Rufus his Reign he had done many good offices ungratfully caused his Eyes to be put out with Burning Glasses yet in this Captivity he lived about the space of 20 Years and then as is said the King sending him a Suit of his Old Cloaths he took the Indignity so impatiently that resolving to live no longer in that Misery and Disgrace some Historians have it that he voluntarily Starved himself others that he Beat out his Braines against the Stones of the Prison-Wall however certain it is that in his confinement Dyed the Valliant well Accomplished and much Lamented Robert Eighth Duke of Normandy a Prince in whom all Heroick Virtues shined The King seeming now to be rid of all his Fears began to consider the Clergy by his concessions were grown exceeding Rich and Ingrossed many Temporalities so that resolving to come in with them for a share of what they had Accumulated by his Bounty he laid Taxes on some and reassumed his power of Creating Bishops which so highly disgusted Arch Bishop Anselm That he not only bitterly inveighed against his Proceedings contrary to his former Promises but absolutely refused to Consecrate such Bishops as the King Appointed However to curry favour with the King Gerald Arch Bishop of York performed that Ceremony and Anselm soon after being Banished fled to Rome and made grievous complaints to Pope Paschal the Second of the wrongs as he pretended that had been done him and upon the Popes Intercession about two Years after he had License to return and at a Synod of the Clergy holden in London by the Popes Authority it was Enacted That from thence forth no Temporal Person should give Investiture to any Bishop by the Cross and Ring yet three Years after Arch Bishop Anselm Dying The Temporalities of the See of Canterbury were Seized into the Kings hands who converted them to his use for the space of five Years the See being so long kept vacant he aledging to the Bishops that sued to him to Nominate an Arch Bishop That he only kept it for a worthy Person that might justly deserve it Anno Dom. 1108 The King erected the Bishoprick of Ely appointing the Diocess to extend through the County of Cambridge and Isle of Ely and Endowed it with some of his own Lands in those parts by which means he made fair weather with the Pope because by this addition he had strengthened his Interest the more in England and the Clergy seemed satisfied in part for their Damages sustained But now a Storm threatned in Normandy for the King having gotten quiet Possession after his Brothers Death Lewis Le Gross King of France fearing a further Incroachment on his Territories if the King of England wanting Interuption had liberty to grow Powerful he procured Foulk Earl of Anjou on a weak pretence to seiz on the Country of Mayne and then animated Baldwin Earl of Flanders to Proclaim War for the King of England's with-houlding a Yearly Pension of 300 Marks which the Conquerer had settled on Baldwin fifth Earl of Flanders and had been pay'd by William Rufus to his Son and Nephew because the Earl had assisted the Conquerer with considerable Forces upon his Invading Elngand All these made strong preparations to Invade Normandy But the News soon roused the King from his Bed of Ease and filled him with Princely Resolutions whereupon he passed the Seas with an Army of Nobles Gentry and common Souldiers when losing no time he set upon the Earl of Anjou and his Associates giving him an entire Overthrow so that he was enforced to save himself by shameful Flight leaving the Prime Nobility and Gentry of his Army dead on the Plaines or Prisoners of War with 4000 of lesser note And near unto the Town of Nice which was Surprized and holden by the King of France he Encountered the other Confederates so that a very cruel Fight beginning between them it continued Nine Hours and was on both sides fought with such Eagerness and Heroick Resolution that tho' the King won the Victory and kept the Field whilst his Parties sent after them had a long chace of the flying Enemy he truly confessed He Fought not then for Victory but for his Life Not long after these Victories Overtures of Peace were made and the King fearing some practices against him in England might raise a Rebellion if he should be long entangled in War Abroad he thâ— more readily harkened to them and a Peace was concluded upon a Marriage between William the Kings Eldest Son and the Daughter of the Duke of Anjou but in their return for England staying somewhat behind the King and to make Merry and take leave of their Friends in their Riotous Treatments the Marriners got such plenty of Wine that being for the most part made Drunk coming with full Sail in hopes to overtake the King they run upon the Shallows where the Ship beating along by the violence of the Wind and Waves Foundered yet the Prince with his fair Bride and many others got into the Long-Boat and put off but Mary Countess of Perch his Sister crying from the Sinking Deck pitiously to him To take her in and not let her Perish in the Waters he Rowed back again thinking to do it but then many Lives being at the point to be lost and in that great Extremity â—very one valuing his own Life equal with his Princes neither Words nor Swords could keep so many from leaping in as sunk the Boat so that they together with Richard the Kings Younger Son Lucia his Neice and her Husband the Earle of Chester were swallowed up by the merciless Waves only three or four Sailors escaping on Planks to Shoar as sad Relators of the Tragical News which filled the Court with Mourning and the whole Nation with an Universal heaviness However the King bore it with Prudence and much Princely Fortitude knowing his Grief could not Retrieve his great loss nor had he any long time after his Landing to weigh the mishap ere Wars loud Alarms summoned him to the Field for in his absence the Welsh impatient of the English Yoak had strengthened themselves in Confedracy with some Irish Adventurers and now broke into open Rebellion not as formerly abiding in the Mountains and Fastnesses but relying on a foolish Prophecy That in that Year they should recover their Antient Territories and have a King of their Nation Reign over the whole Island they boldly advanced and unadvisedly gave him Battel in the Plains where they were Overthrown and most of them Slain or taken Prisoners the King inciting the Sword
Eglesine Abbot of St Austines had as secretly as they could made them Weapons and lay in Ambush for him which he no sooner entered but every one cut down a Bough to shelter him from present discovery burst out of the Woods on either side the straight he was passing and surrounded his small Train but whilst the King was in suspence what this unusual thing might signifie they all at once threw down their Boughs and stood ready prepared with their Bows Arrows and such other Weapons as they had for the Encounter whereupon the Arch Bishop advancing towards the Conquerer said Behold most noble King the Commons of Kent Assembled to demand a Confirmation of their Antient Rights Laws and Liberties the which if you will Grant them they are willing to Submit and become your Obedient Subjects otherwise in defence of them they are resolved to venture their dearest Blood and presently to give you Battel This unexpected Adventure startled the King that notwithstanding his great Courage a surprising fear seemed visible in his Countenance so that pausing a while he thought it more prudent to yield to Necessity than hazard after so much expence of Blood and Treasure his Life and Kingdom on an uncertain Chance and Nicety Whereupon he signed their demands presented in Writing and gave them a Solemn Promise to Confirm it to them in a Legal manner whereupon they threw down their Arms and Shouted for Joy so that from his Reign to this day that County Enjoys the Priviledges they held in Edward the Confessors time exempted from other Counties as also those in preceding Reigns After this perceiving the Spirits of the English were not so easily brought under as he supposed and hearing that Swain King of Denmark was preparing for an Invasion at the Instigation of Goodwin and Edmund two of King Harrolds Sons he began to relax in his severity and to make fair with the City of London Granted them this short Charter viz. I William King Greet William Bishop and Godfrey Porters and all the Burgesses within London French and English and I Grant you that I Will that you Maintain and Enjoy all your Laws as you did in the days of King Edward meaning the Confessor and I will that each Child be his Fathers Heir and further I will that no Man Wrong you and so God keep you However the Danes Landed a strong Army in the North where they were Joyned by many English in hopes thereby to regain their Liberties but the King hasting thither drove them to their Ships with great slaughter and to revenge him on those that had joyned with them he wasted the Country from York to Durham so that for Nine Years the Ground lay waste which occasioning a Famine numbers of People Dyed After this he Summoned a Convocation of the Clergy charging them with many faults and failures in their Functions and Duty towards him for which he Deposed and Deprived divers Learned and Godly Men of their Dignities Living and Substance The two former he bestowed on such as bid most for them and the latter he kept to Maintain his Wars in Normandy where Troubles were arisen in his Absence the French labouring to recover it as part of their Antient Territories But scarce had he Expelled them ere hasty News recalled him viz. The Earls Edwin and Morcar had set up Edgar Etheling and raised great Forces which were so Formidable to the Conquerer by reason the English were generally enclined to favour the Young Prince than he found himself constrained to end the Difference by fair means and to make the common sort more ready to embrace it he Swore to keep Inviolable the Antient Laws of the Land particularly those of Edward the Confessor but not long after he took from the Abby of St. Albans all the Lands between Barnet and London-Stone And to Strengthen himself he made a League with Malcolm King of Scots who had often publickly or underhand made Incursions or raised Commotions in the Northern parts of the Kingdom And the Bounds of the Country were ascertained by rearing a Stone Cross called by the Scots Stain Moor in Westmorland but by the English Roy Cross or Kings Cross and soon after the King Sailed again for Normandy and quelled the Rebellious Normans that were joyned with the French against him and so returned with Victory but his Treasure being Exhausted he to recruit it Sold to Walcher Bishop of Durham the Earldom of Northumberland but he Enjoyed it not long for Oppressing the People to raise the Money he had disbursed they rose in a Tumultuous manner and slew him Anno 1075 and the ensuing Year a Frost continued without Intermission from the 12th of November to the 15th of April so that the Wild Fowl were most destroyed and many Cattle perished for want of Food A Blazing Star soon after appeared whereupon great contentions ensued in Normandy for Robert the Kings Son having Ingratiated himself into the Favour of the People raised great Forces and in a set Battel Wounded his Father in the Arm threw him from his Horse and took it as his Prize gaining an intire Victory in which many of the English Nobles lost their Lives Whereupon the King finding his Army much weakened was constrained to return for England and finding the City of London did not much favour him after this Defeat to lay a curb and awe on them he rebuilt the Tower of London drawing a Ditch about it to the largness as it continues to this day it being before but of inconsiderable Strength viz. Anno Dom. 1078 and so a Peace in a short time being concluded between him and his Son Robert the latter being allowed the nominal Title of Duke of Normandy and entirely to possess it as a Soveraign Prince after his Fathers Death he came into England and was made General against the Scots who breaking the League wasted the Northern Countries as far as the place then called Moonkchester to whom he gave an entire Defeat and in memory of the Victory erected a strong Castle of Stone Naming it New-Castle from which the Town so called on Tine took its Name Not long after this such mighty Rains happened and continued for so long a time that divers Hills were so softened into a Quagmire that they sunk down and overthrew many Cots and some Villages making as it were a Level St. Paul's Church was likewise set on Fire in June following supposed to be done by Lightning and a great part of it consumed but soon Rebuilded by the Liberal Contributions of the Clergy and Laity He held a Synod in London where some Bishopricks were Translated from one place to another as Selwy to Chichester Credington to Exeter Shirbourn to Salisbury Dorchester unto Lincoln and there being a Contention between the two Arch Bishops of Canterbury and York for Primacy he undertook to determine the difference appointing Lanfrank Arch Bishop of Canterbury Primate of all England and Thomas Arch Bishop of York only
Fortune However the Lord Grey Deputy of Ireland lost his Head for winking as it was alledged against him at the Irish entering within the English Pale and not timely Repelling them Sir Edmund Knevet of Norfolk having been Arraigned before the Green Cloth for Striking one Mr. Clear of Norfolk within the Tennis Court of the King's House and being found Guilty he had Judgment to lose his Right Hand and to forfeit all his Lands and Goods and all things being prepared for the Execution of this Sentence and Sir Edmund brought in the Chief Justice declared his Offence which he Confessed and humbly submitted himself to the King's Mercy only he desired the King would spare his Right Hand and take his Left For said he if my Right Hand be spared I may Live to do the King good Services Of which Submission and Saying when the King was informed he ordered he should lose neither of his Hands and Pardoned him also as to his Lands and Goods The Scots had lain still a long while but now began under James the Fifth their Young King to make great Disturbances but after some Bickerings and much Spoil in either Country they were Overthrown and the Earls of Cassels and Glencarn the Lords Maxwell Fleming Sommervel Oliphant Gray and Car were made Prisoners and many Slain The News of this Overthrow so perplexed King James That falling into a deep Grief and Melancholly he Dyed a week after leaving only a Daughter to Succeed him who was then but newly Born and Christened Mary Upon notice of whose Birth when he lay Sick he burst out in this Prophetical Saying It came with a Lass meaning the Crown and it will go with a Lass Soon after the King of Scots Death the Lords that were Prisoners in England to curry favour for their Liberty proposed a Match between Prince Edward Henry's Son and their Young Queen which was kindly accepted The Match being proposed to the Parliament of Scotland they seemed highly to approve it ratifying a Writing under the Hands and Seals of the Nobility as also with their Oaths yet the French Faction so prevailed that it came to nothing But King Henry enraged to be thus abused sent a powerful Army into Scotland which spoiled the Country taking several Towns and great Plunder nor was the King flow to pass over to France where laying Siege to Bullen he had it yielded to him and having Fortified it returned into England to raise Money for a Supply of the War which tho' the Emperour without his consent had made a Peace with France he resolved vigorously to prosecute and because Richard Read an Alderman refused Sir Thomas Wryothsltey the Chancellor the Supply he demanded of him he was compelled in Person to Serve the King in his Wars against the Scots by whom he was taken Prisoner and paid a large Ransom And soon after the French were worsted by Sea and Land and the Scots Routed who Invaded England and followed into their Country Whereupon Peace ensued between England and France Soon after the King cavelling with the Duke of Norfolk and his Son the Earl of Surry for bearing in their Escutchion certain Arms appropriated to the King and Prince only tho' they had been born by his Ancestors time out of mind unquestioned being Indicted for High Treason they were both Condemned The Son was Beheaded and the Father escaped by the King's Death which soon ensued viz. on Tuesday the 28th of January Anno Dom. 1546 in the 56th Year of his Age when he had Reigned 37 Years 9 Months and 6 Days He was Buryed with much pomp and Funeral solemnity in the Chappel at Windsor In this King's time happened a great Famin viz. 1527 upon the falling of a violent Raine November December and January and from the 12th of April every day till the 3d of June Anno 1545 William Foxley Potmaker to the Mint Slept in the Tower of London not being by any meanâ— to be Waked 14 Days and 15 Nights and when he waked it seemed to him but as one Night The Number of Religious Houses Suppressed were Monasteries 313 Priories 290 Friaries 122 Nunneries 142 Colledges 152 Hospitals 129 and their Inhabitants turned out to wander in the Fields after long Ease and Luxury Remarks on Yorkshire in its three Ridings THis is the largest Shire in England and not inferiour to some of the biggest Provinces in France It is divided into three Parts or Ridings viz. The North East and West Ridings It produces store of Horses large Cattle Sheep and in many places very good Corn and Pastures great quantities of Woollen Cloth and very Subtil People It is Bounded with the Bishoprick of Duâ—ham the German Ocian Lincolnshire Derbyshire Lancashire and Westmoreland It contains 26 Hundreds 563 Parishes 57 Marker Towns 36 Rivers of which the Humber is the chief 1 City which is an Archiepiscopal See viz. York 14 Castles 62 Bridges 4 Chases â— Forrests and 72 Parks It sends Members to Parliament 30 viz. Alborough 2 Beverly 2 Borrough-Bridge 2 Hildon 2 Hull 2 Knarseborough 2 Malton 2 North-Alerton 2 Pomfret 2 Richmond 2 Rippon 2 Scarborough 2 Thrisk 2 York City 2 and 2 Knights of the Shire YORK SHIRE By I Seller This Shire affoards store of Iron Pit-Coal and Sea-Coal at Whitby are Stones of a Serpentine figure near Burrough Bridge are 4 Piramidal Stones supposed some Roman Monument on Rosemary Topping are Stones found like Sea Wincles and Cockles at Giglesworth are 3 Springs one of which constantly Ebbs and Flows four times an Hour in the North are Ting-tong Wells said to be three Miles in the Earth and near Knarsborough the Well Dripa whose Water distills from a Rock that hangs over it The Castles of note are those of Sheffield Coningsborough Tickil Sandal Harwood Knasborough Cawood Scarborough Kilton Skelton c. On Wakefield Bridge stands a Chappel Founded by Edward the Fourth in memory of the Battel fought there near Flamborough-Head are Waters called Vipsies which flow out of the Springs every other Year and fall violently into the Sea The Seats of the Nobility are Sheffeild-Mannor belonging to the Duke of Norfolk Bishops-Hill and Hemsey Castle to the late Duke of Buckingham Slingsby Castle to the Honourable Family of New-castle Snap to the Earl of Exceter Markin-field to the Earl of Bridgwater Mulgrave Castle to the Earl of Mulgrave Shipton Castle to the Earl of Thanet Nawort Castle to the Earl of Carlisle Wharlton Castle and Javoux Abby to the Earl of Ailesbury Lounsborough Bolton and Braden Tower to the Earl of Burlington Hall and Wimbledon to the Duke of Leeds Thorn-Hill to the Earl of Macclesfield Hackforth Anderly Le Miers to the Earl of Holderness Newborough Abby Coxwold Hall Oulston Hall Aldwark and Murton to the Lord Faulconberg Wressel Castle to the Duke of Richmond Easby Hall to the Lord Eure Baron of Witton Wheldrake to the Lord Howard of Escrick Holm in Spadingmore and Dalton to the Lord Lexinton Wilton Castle to the
was allarmed with the News of the great Preparations making by the Dutch both by Sea and Land Upon which account the King sends to his Envoy at the Hague to put in a Memorial to the States General to know the Reason The French King also who was concern'd at it orders his Ambassador there to deliver in a Memorial upon that occasion wherein he tells the States There are such Bonds of Friendship and Alliance between his Master and the King of Great Brittain as will oblige him the French King not only to assist the King of Great Brittain but to look on the first Act of Hostility committed against him the King of Great Brittain to be a Manifest Rupture of the Peace and a Breach with his Crown This left no longer any doubt in the mind of the Prince of Orange and the States General of the private League between England and France Which was a sufficient Ground for the Prince of Orange to rescue these Kingdoms to which in Right of his Princess he was the next Heir from Popery and Arbitrary Power For he saw plainly that the Supposititions Prince was Introduc'd to wrong him and his Princess of their Right to the Succession and to subject these Kingdoms to Popery and Slavery and by consequence all Europe besides The Dutch took no notice of the French King 's Memorial but gave King James's Envoy this Answer that they had Arm'd in Imitation of his Britanick Majesty and the other Princes and that they had thereby given no just occasion of Offence in Arming when all other Princes where in motion and that they were long since convinced of the Alliance that the King his Master had treated with France and what had been mention'd to them by Monsier de Count d' Avaux in his Memorial After this Answer King James expected no good from the Dutch and lookt upon them as if they had already declar'd War against him And now the Eyes of all England were turned to Holland and expected Deliverance from thence without which they saw themselves Ruined nor did his Royal Highness the Prince of Orange deceive them but Landed with an Army of about 14000 Men at Torbay near Exeter on the Fifth day of November 1688. A day deservedly Famous in England for two eminent Deliverances from Popery Soon after his Landing he went to Exceter where he was received by the People with Shouts and Acclamations of Joy as their Deliverer as indeed he was After some little stay there he came forwards towards the South but King James to oppose him sent down his Army to Salisbury whither he also went himself but part of the Army going over to the Prince the King was so Staâ—tled at it that he thought not himself there out of Danger and so return'd to London again and as the Prince came forward he was in all places look'd upon as a Blessing sent from Heaven to rescue 'em from Popery and Slavery In the mean time King James to prevent if it were possible the impending and growing danger Restores all the Fellows of Magdalen Colledge and puts out his Proclamation for vacating all New Charters and restoring of old ones and Particularly the Charter of London was carried in great Pomp to Guild-Hall by Jefferies and given the Citizens again But for all these good things there was no body now thank'd him as being the Effects of his Fear and not of his good will The Prince's coming nearer and nearer to London the Nobility and Gentry at every Place Flocking to him and Congratulating him King James first sends away his Queen and pretended Prince to France and in a little time after withdraws himself from White-Hall and goes to Feversham where attempting to go a-board he was seiezed and rifled by the Country People and after his being known he came back to London again and was well receiv'd but the Prince being then at Windsor and designing the next Day for London King James by a Message was desir'd to with-draw himself to Ham near Kingston to avoid those Inconveniences that might Ensue But the King rather chose to go to Rochester having the Princes Guards with him to secure him from the Insults of the People there he staid two or three Days and then Privately Embark'd himself for France where he soon after ariv'd King James being thus gone away upon the Prince's coming to London he was desir'd by the Nobility and Gentry to take the Government upon him thereby to suppress the Disorders of the common People which was then very Great but by the Prince's Order soon brought to be quiet The Mass-Houses were every vvhere pull'd down and the Priests and Jesuits with the whole Popish Crew put to the Scamper Jefferies being dropt by his Master was shifting for himself but taken by the Mobb in a Seaman's Habit was carried before the Lord-Mayor and from thence sent to the Tower attended by strong Guards to keep him from being torn in Pieces by the incensed Mobb who follow'd him with Threats Curses and Execrations where sometime after he drank himself to Death and so sav'd the Hang-man a Labour The Prince of Orange having the Government put into his Hands Summons such Gentlemen as were Members of King Charles's last three Parliaments to meet at Westminster to consult what was fit to be done for the Nation which they accordingly did and desir'd the Prince that Writs might be issued out for the calling a Convention of the Estates in the Nature of a Parliament to meet in January following Which being done the Convention met at the time appointed and entering into several Debates about the present States of Affairs they came to this Result That King James by privately withdrawing himself out of his Kingdoms had Abdicated the Throne whereby it was become Vacant And so ended the Four Years Reign of King James the Second An Account of what Remarkably Occur'd since the Reign of King WILLIAM the III. and Queen MARY the II. to the Year 1606. KING James as has been mentioned having Left the Land and that in Parliament being taking for an Abdication and the Throne declared Vacant William and Mary Prince and Princess of Orange were Proclaimed King and Queen of England France and Ireland c. before White-Hall and in the City of London with the Joy of the whole Nation on the 13th of Feb. 1688 and with Convenient speed they were Proclaimed with the like satisfaction in all the Principal Places of their Dominions and the King returned the Parliament a Gracious answer to their Declaration expressing himself highly satisfied with what they had done promising to the utmost his Care and Protection for the Preservation of the Established Religion Laws and Liberties and that he should always be ready to Concur with them in any thing that should be for the Good of the Kingdom and to do all that in him lay to advance the Glory and Welfare of it and thereupon he proceeded to quiet disorders in all
County and produces store of large Cattle much Corn plenty of Fowl Fruits Fish wholsom Pastures c. It is Bounded by Darbyshire Notinghamshire Lincolnshire Rutlandshire Northamptonshire and Warwickshire It is divided into 6 Hundreds containing 192 Parishes 11 Market Towns and one noted River It sends Members to Parliament 4 viz. Leicester 2 and 2 Knights of the Shire Leicester is pleasantly seated on the River Stower and well compacted being the County Town and a place of considerable Trade it is of great Antiquity as held to have been Builded by King Leir a famous British King for which cause it was antiently called Leir-Cester Lutterworth gave Birth to the famous John Wickliff who was Parson of it and the first English Reformer or Detector of the Errors in the Church of Rome frequently Writing and Disputing against them in the Reign of Edward the Third for which many snares were laid to take his Life by the Romish Clergy but he escaped them and Dyed a natural Death leaving the Candle of Truth Lighted by which John Huss Jerome of Prague Luther and others took their prospect of a happy Reformation that soon after ensued Bosworth is Memorable for the Battel fought near it on Redmore August 22 Anno Dom 1485 wherein Richard the Third was slain by the forces of Henry Earl of Richmond and his Crown found in a Hawthorn Bush which was placed on the Earles Head and he Proclaimed King which put an End to the fatal Feuds between the Houses of York and Lancaster In the West of this County once stood Clycester a famous City in the time of the Romans called by them Bennone though now nothing but a few Ruins of it remain The other Towns of note are Mountsorell Loughborough Waltham on the Woald Ashby-de-la-Zouch Bildsdon Lutterworth Harborough c. At Cole-Overton in the Hundred of West Goscot and other parts of this County great store of Pitcole is digg'd of a Bitumencus Nature very hard and fast about Luterworth are Allomey Veins and Welâ—s whose Waters strained through them are Medicinal and Petrefying so that it is said they turn Straw and Sticks into Stone by reason of their Exceeding Coldness near Belvoir-Castle on a R ck are found Snake Stones Cockle Stones and Star Stones The Seats of the Nobility are Pleasantly Situate viz Garerton one of the seats belonging to the Late Duke of Albemarle Burbage to the Earl of Kent Belvoir-Castle partly in Lincolnshire to the Earle of Rutland Ashby-de-in-Zouch Donington-Park to the Earl of Huntington Broadgate and Grooby to the Earl of Stamford Stanton-Bruâ—nell to the Earle of Cardigan Ashby-Folville to the Lord Carrington Besides these there are iâ— great many fine Houses of the Gentry standing sightly to the Fields and Roads some Parks and store of Ganie at all proper Seasons CHAP. XI An Account of the Norman Original How they came to be called Normans With a Description of the Dutchey of Normandy c. BEfore I enter upon the particulars of the Reign of William the First stiled the Conquerer I shall take the Method observed upon other Turns and Changes of Government viz. To give some Account of these New Invaders who at last laid claim to England by Conquest These Normans so called from the Northern Climes which first produced them were composed of Norwegians Swedes and Danes who finding their Country too straight for them betook them to the Seas to seek their Fortunes and practiced Piracies upon the Coasts of Belgia Frizia and England on the latter of which they Landed under the Leading of Rollo their Duke and became very troublesom to the English Saxons between whom there was great Wars Till at last Rollo Dreaming He sat on the highest Hill in France and a pleasant Spring Issued out of a Rock on which he laid his Head running down in many Streams to which flocked a number of Birds with Red Brests to Drink the Water and then flew to fragrant Groves where they Sung so Melodiously that he was Ravished with their Notes and beneath this Hill he fancied there lay so pleasant a Country that the like he had never beheld in his Life When Waking much pleased with his Dream he sent for a Monk of Crowland accounted a great Diviner telling him his Dream and demanding the Interpretation of it who willing for his Countrys sake to be rid of such troublesom Guests told him at an adventure as is supposed That the Fates had Decreed him to settle his Dominions in one of the most pleasant Countries of France Which he gave creadit to and perceiving England much wasted and impoverished by a tedious War and a Famine that then raged having exacted some Aides and Supplies of Money he Transported his Forces over the Narrow Sea and Warred five Years with such Fury on the French that fearing to lose all Charles their King Sirnamed the Simple gave him his Daughter Gilla in Marriage and as her Dowry the Peaceable Possession of what they had already gained by the Sword which being modeled into a Dutchy they called Normandy which Name through all the changes of that Kingdom it bears to this day This Rollo was great Grandfather to Richard the Fifth Duke of Normandy Elder Brother to Robert Father to William the Conquerer As for a Brief Description of the Dukedom of Normandy once a Patrimonial Inheritance of the Kings of England and to which they now have a Right It is Bounded on the East with the Isles of France at the River Epta which passes by the City of Gisors on the West with Britany the Antient Armorica and a Collony of the Britains from which it is separated by the River Crenon Northward by the Sea on the South with the Country of Mayne and is divided by the River Seine Abundantly Rich in Merchandize through the commodiousness of its Havens and Rivers The People are the most Subtil Apt and Ingenious of all the French Provinces yet Affable Curteous and greatly enclined to Learning Their Manufacture consisting most in Wooll and Linnen Cloth the Country producing no Vines capable of making good Wine unless about Caen a very pleasant City The chief City is Roan very famous for many Sieges as in the Series of History will appear having an Arch Bishop whose Jurisdiction extendeth to the River Oyse and a Parliament till of late that the French King has assumed such a Despotick Power and much lessened its Authority was usually held here for the consulting the good of the Province The other Cities of note are Auranche Argences Alancon Falaise Fecham Newhaven or Haver-de-Grace St. Valery Sileaux Constance Manta St. Michale and divers Walled Towns to the number of Eighty So that when the French by reason of our Civil Dissentions wrested it from us they plucked one of the fairest Jewells out of the English Diadem which in time we may yet hope to regain especially under the Auspicious Reign of WILLIAM the Third our present Heroick and Victorious King The Reign of WILLIAM the First
common Soldiers yet with an undaunted Courage he Marched on and coming within sight of the Enemy Marshalled his small Army resolving to abide the Battel viz. He divided it into three Battels all which he Impaled in the Rear with Carriages and gave the conduct of the First to Prince Edward his Son who was by reason of his Young Years assisted by the Earls of Warwick and Crawford the Lords Harcourt Stafford Manney De La Warr Chandois Clifford and Bourchier â—ving 800 Men at Arms 2000 Archers and 1000 â—hers The Second Battel was Commanded by the â—rls of Northampton and Arundel accompanied with â—vers Nobles and Gentlemen consisting of 800 Men 〈◊〉 Arms and 1200 Archers The Third and main â—ttel the King Commanded and having Prayed for â—â—ccess and Refreshed themselves they prepared for â—e Fight but that day the French declined the Battel â—t the next it was begun on their side by 15000 Geâ—is with Crosbows Shooting Bearded Arrows but â—ey Charging on the Princes Battel were soon overâ—rn by the English Archers and in their Retreat put â—e French Kings Battel into disorder whereupon â—any of them were Slain by their Friends and then â—e French main Battel Charged on the Prince and put â—im so hard to it that he was obliged to send to the King to succour him who asked the Messenger Whether he was Alive or not And being Answered He â—as he said Report to him from me That he must expect no Aid for this shall be the day wherein he shall win his Spurs â—r lose his Life whereupon the English as Men in dispair Fought so desperately that they put the French Army in all parts to the Rout the Kings Battel standing entire and not Engaging slaying more than 30000 of them and the next day they Overthrew another Army that not knowing of the Defeat was coming to the Camp under the Leading of the Arch Bishop of Roan and Grand Prior of France and among the Slain were 11 Princes 80 Barons 1200 Knights and many of Note made Prisoners The Plunder of the Field the King bestowed upon his Nobles Gentry and common Soldiers which greatly Inriched them carrying the Slain of Note to Mountrell and there Honourably Interred them After this great Victory with inconsiderable Loss to the English the King laid Siege to Callis and the French King tho' he made some shews with a great Army to Relieve it defending the Passes stopt their retiring the Besieged were Summoned and threatned if they Surrendered not immediately to expect no Mercy they Capitulated but their Terms offered was not accepted they obstinately resisted so long that being brought to extremity the King would not accept of their Submission then tendered unless six of their chief Inhabitants would present themselves before him in their Shirts with Halters about their Necks and deliver up the Keys which was done when forthwith he commanded them to be Hanged but at the entreaty of the Queen and Nobles they were spared Whilst this Siege lasted David King of Scots with an Army of 50000 Men entered England and did great mischief but the Queen being then at home gave him Battel with an Army of 12000 and gave the Scots a fatal Overthrow King David was there taken Prisoner by one John Copeland who refused to deliver him to the Queen as claiming him his Prisoner by the Right of War till going over to the King he desired him to do it and for his good Service settled on him 500 l. per Annum in Lancashire and made him a Squire of his Body whereupon King David was committed Prisoner to the Tower of London The King having appointed Sr. Andrew D' Pavie a Lombard Governour of Callis and turned out the French Inhabitants returned to England but upon private notice the Governour for a great Sum designed to betray it to the Lord Cherney Captain of Arrays he went over and was received in the dusk of the Evening he prevented it by surprising that Lord and his Soldiers when they had partly entered and the rest waited for admittance Yet in this Fight the King Encountering hand to hand with Eustace of Ribomount was by him twice stooped on his Knees but scorning to yield he advanced with such fury and redoubled strength that he beat him down and took him Prisoner but having experienced him to be a Valiant Knight he soon released him without Ransom About this time King Philip Dyed and John his Son was Crowned and the Calicians took the strong Castle of Guyens and the King upon the obstinacy of the Flemings in refusing to Aid him removed the Marts to Callis settling there the Woollen Manufacture so that by the Priviledges and Imunities granted to Artificers happy was he that in a few Years could obtain the Kings leave to go over Soon after Prince Edward Sirnamed for his valourous deeds the Black Prince Landed an Army in Gascoine soon subduing the greater part of that Province which made the French King hasten thither with a very numerous Army and tho' he was six to one against the Prince the Battel was Fought near Poictiers where the English Archers put the French Horse into such confusion at the first onset that they fell into Rout and disordered all the Squadrons that were to support them however the Battel where the French King fought valiantly stood manfully to it a considerable time but such was the prevailing valour of the English That King John and Philip his Younger Son were taken Prisoners many Thousands Slain and the rest put to Flight The Fight being over Prince Edward treated his Royal Prisoners with all Gentleness and Humility cheering up their drooping Spirits attending at the Kings Table Lodged him in his own Bed and provided for him Honourable Attendance insomuch that he confessed He rather fancied himself at his own Court than a Prisoner by having met with so Courteous an Enemy From hence he was conducted to Burdeaux and so into England where he was Entertained with the like civilities and respect by the King and Queen and besides these and what Nobles were Slain there were taken 17 Earls 51 Barons and a great Number of Knights and Gentlemen the English Soldiers throughout the Army that had fewest being possessed of two Prisoners and moreover the rich Spoiles of exceeding value were divided amongst them and a Truce was concluded for two Years In the mean while the King of Scots who had been Ten Years a Prisoner was Released at the Ransom of 100000 l. to be Paid in Five Years and upon taking his Oath not to bear Arms against England nor be Aiding to any other in doing it and further he acknowledged Homage and Fealty for his Kingdom of Scotland to King Edward And proposing to the French King his Ransom with Articles to be signed on his Enlargement he sent them to Charles his Eldest Son who was Regent in his absence and to the Nobility of France who utterly disliking the Conditions prepared to Invade King Edwards Terretories to
compel him to more easie Terms but not to be behind hand with them he passed to Callis with an Army taking the Black Prince along with him and so wasted the Countries with Fire and Sword taking many strong Towns and Castles that they became humble Suitors to him for a Peace and submitted to his Terms so that after a short Treaty Articles were Agreed on viz. That the French King for his Ransom should Pay King Edward 500000l and not Aid any King of Scots in any War or Rebellion against England and That King Edward should not take part with the Flemings against France That the Kings of England should be ever quit of their Homage for Territories holden in France and That in Consideration these were performed King Edward in the behalf of himself and Successors Kings of England should renounce and leave the Name and Title to the Kingdom of France and so Hostages being delivered the French King after he had remained more than Four Years a Prisoner was set at Liberty and soon after he came with the Kings of Cyprus and Scots to visit King Edward and pay his respects for the Royal Treatment he had during his Imprisonment but falling Sick at the Savoy he Dyed and his Body was conveyed to St. Dennis in France And now Fortune seemed to turn against King Edward that had hitherto ever been Favourable to him for Peter the King of Castile being driven out of his Kingdom by Henry his Bastard Brother came to the Prince of Wales who then lived at Burdeaux with his Family Imploring his Assistance to Restore him which he did Overthrowing a Spanish and French Army that had joyned the Revolted Castilians with great Slaughter yet he was no sooner retired ere King Peter was again driven out and being taken in his Flight was by the Usurper put to Death but leaving two Daughters the Eldest Married John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and the Younger Thomas of Woodstock King Edwards Sons who laid Claim to the Kingdom of Castile in their Right yet an unlucky Accident crossed all for the Black Prince to Pay his Souldiers Leavying a Tax on the English Subjects beyond the Seas they not only refused to pay it but looking on it to be an Innovation and Oppression they perswaded Charles the new French King to break the League his Father had made and generally Revolting delivered up most of the Cities Towns and Castles into his hands and he growing Proud of his Success sent a huge Navy into the Narrow Seas which was defeated and beaten home by the English and hereupon the King sent the Duke of Lancaster with an Army to Callais from whence he Marched to joyn the Prince at Burdeaux beating the French Kings Army by the way and forced his Passage and soon after another Army was sent to St. Omers under the Leading of Sr. Robert Knowls which took the strong Towns of Vanes and Ruily but there grow-a difference between him and the Lord Fitz-Walter The French King took the advantage of it and fell on the English Army near Paris slaying 1000 and putting the rest to flight and immediatly sent an Army into Cuyan where the Prince being weakly assisted most of the Towns were Lost To Remedy this evil the King called a Parliament wherein the Temporality granted him a large Subsidy but the Clergy complaining of Poverty gave him only fair words and promises of future Aid which made him in his Anger turn them out of all Offices and Places of Trust in Temporal matters And the English Navy going to Relieve Rochel under the Conduct of the Earl of Pembrook was worsted by Henry the Usurping King of Castile who kept the Narrow Seas for the French King the Earl was Taken and divers others whereupon Rochel and many strong Towns Yielded This made John Duke of Britanie fear the French Greatness and offer King Edward his Assistance so that another Army was sent under the Leading of the Duke of Lancaster which greatly Endamaged the French but coming to Burdeaux he found the Prince his Brother exceeding Sick who resigning the Government of King Edwards Territories to his Conduct came for England and tho' Treaties were set on foot by the Mediation of Pope Gregory the Eleventh yet such were the insolent demands of the French that they came to nothing Whereupon the King called a Parliament who refused to Grant him any Aid unless the Lord Latimer and other evil Counsellors were Removed which being done they Liberally supplied his wants But the Black Prince Dying the 8th of June Anno 1376 in the 40th Year of his Age and Buried at Canterbury the King in his Old Age being over perswaded Restored those Officers that had been turned out to the high discontent of his People and having Created Richard Son to the Black Prince Prince of Wales Earl of Chester and Duke of Cornwal and committed the Regency of the Kingdom in his Minority to the Duke of Lancaster He Dyed on the 12th of June Anno 1377 in the 51st Year of his Reign and about the 65th of his Age and lies Buried at Westminster being the One and Thirtieth Sole Monarch of England In this Kings Reign John Wicklif the First English Reformer of Popish Errors and Superstitions Preached openly and soon after Nicholas Lyryan and Doctor Ockham so that People began to Search the Scriptures and protest against the Abominations of Rome Anno 1339 an Inundation of Water broke down part of the Wall of Newcastle and Drowned 120 People a Serpent at Chiping-Norton in Oxfordshire was found with two Heads and Faces like a Woman the one dressed in the New Attire and the other in the Old by a resemblance of Scales and Pleats having Wings like a Batt and Fiends and Devils and strange Apparitions were seen by Men and spake to them as they Travelled in solitary places and such a Plague happened that 50000 Persons Dyed in London Anno 1366 Peter Pence was ordered no more to be paid to the See of Rome and Dr. Orum Preaching before Pope Vrban at Rome condemned the Papacy and writ an Epistle from Lucifer to the Clergy thanking them for sending so many Souls to Hell c. Remarks on Staffordshire c. STaffordshire is commodiously Situate pleasantly accomodated with Meadows Enclosures Hills Valleys Woods and Champian Grounds abounds in Cattle Corn Butter Cheese Wooll and some Minerals It is incompassed with Cheshire Derbyshire Leicestershire Warwickshire and Shropshire It contains 5 Hundreds and in these are 1 City 130 Parishes 12 Market Towns 5 Castles 13 Rivers 19 Bridges 1 Chase 1 Forrest and 38 Parks It sends Members to Parliamenn 10 viz. Litchfield City 2 Newcastle Underline 2 Stafford 2 Tamworth 2 and 2 Knights of the Shire Stafford the County Town Antiently Bitheny from Berteline a Holy Hermit It was Founded by King Edward the Elder and made a Corporation by King John Tamworth is Memorable for the Mercian Kings keeping their Courts there Litchfield is an Episcopal See
killing the Watch. And now the noble Earl of Warwick Dying the Duke of York a second time was made Regent of France yet the French by Encroachments and Revolts of many Towns encouraged when their Courage failed by one Joan of Arc a Martial Maid who pretended she was sent by Heaven to assist her Bleeding Country and indeed Leading the French Troops she did many brave Exploits till taken by the English after she had received many Wounds they tryed her and burnt her for a Witch tho' great Ransoms were offered for her by the French and this they the rather did not only for that she beat them off from the Siege of Orleance and worsted them in many Skirmishes but because the French conceived a superstitious confidence that whilst she Lived their Proceedings would be successful and prosperous Yet both Potentates in the End on the French recovering Ponthois growing weary of so tedious a War that had wasted their People and Treasure a Conference was appointed at Callice and here they often consulted about Peace but in conlusion adjourned the Negotiation because King Henry's Demands were looked on as unreasonable in Three Points viz. 1. In regard of the great Ransom demanded for the Duke of Orleance 2. For that the peaceable and quiet possession of the Dutchies of Aquitaine and Normandy were required without any Homage or Soveraignty acknowledged to the Crown of France 3. For that the surrendering and yielding up into King Henry's hands all such Cities Towns Forts and Territories in France as the English had at any time enjoyed within the space of thirty Years past was required However tho' the Parley was dissolved yet the Duke of Orleance being brought to Calice tho' King Henry the Fifth on his Death-Bed had commanded he should not be Ransomed he was Ransomed by the Duke of Burgundy and Honourably convey'd to the French Court And now to make way for Calamities at Home as well as Misfortunes Abroad a Quarrel arose between the Cardinal of Winchester and Duke of Gloucester for the Duke being Protector of the Realm making Complaints against the Cardinals Acting many things contrary to the Interest of the King and Kingdome without any Warant or making the King Acquainted with it The Cardinal in Revenge procured the Dutchess of Gloucester to be accused of Sorcery and Witchcraft holding correspondence with Witches to take away the King's Life and tho' most believed there was nothing at all in it yet the Cardinal being backed by the Clergy procured her upon groundless suggestions to do publick Penance twice in the City of London and to be doomed to perpetual Imprisonment and the better to colour the matter some who were pretended to be her Associates suffered the Flames After the refusal of some other Matches as the Earl of Arminack's Daughter c. King Henry by the means and procurement of the Earl of Suffolk Bribed by the French King Married the Lady Margaret whom he received by Suffolk his Ambassador at the Hands of the French King and Reyner her Father Duke of Anjou Titular King of Sicily Naples and Jerusalem tho' with her he had little or no Dowry which made the Match be much disliked by the Nobles and Commons Yet for this Service the Earl was created Duke of Suffolk and stood high in the Queen's favour and they soon found means to dismiss the good Duke of Gloucester from his Protectorship after he had a long time faithfully Served the King and Kingdom And soon after the deposed Protector by the contrivance of his Grand Enemies was Accused in a Parliament assembled by the Queen in the King's Name at Bury of High Treason and committed to the Tower where the next day he was found dead in his Bed to the great Grief of almost all the Kingdom as being a Pious Valliant and Virtuous Prince it was generally concluded he was Smothered for no Wound was found about him But God was not slow in requiring his Blood at the hands of those that were undoubtedly the contrivers of his fall for upon the removal of this great and beloved Statesman Richard Duke of York found an open way to thrust in and set up his pretensions of Title to the Crown making himself strong in Friends and Treasure the better to carry on his designs So that being now Intent on his own Advancement he grew carless of his Command which turned greatly to the advantage of the French for the Truce no sooner expired but they came strongly prepared into the Field and making three Armies took in divers little Towns and this success emboldened them that holding secret correspondence with the Inhabitants of Roan in Normandy they drew an Army before that City whereupon the Citizens compelled the Earls of Sommerset and Shrewsbury to Surrender the place having leave to depart to Caen with all their Goods Soon after Hareflew and divers other places were lost A Rebellion about this time breaking out in Ireland the Duke of Sommerset was made Regent or Lieutenant in Normandy and the Duke of York sent over to quell the Irish Rebells which he easily effected But this dividing weakening the English Strength the Kings Army in Normandy was Overthrown and Caen Lost and soon after all Normandy and now Divisions happened at Home for the Duke of Suffolk the Queens Favourite being Envied by the People they were Instigated by the Duke of York and his Faction to make many grievous Complaints against him upon the miscarriages in Government whereupon he was to please them colourably committed to the Tower yet had his Liberty at will which so Incensed them that making a Fellow their Captain nicknamed Blewbeard they fell into Rebellion but were soon Quelled and some of their Ringleaders Executed the rest were Pardoned Hereupon the King and Queen thinking to reconcile all Differences a Parliament was called but contrary to their expectation the Commons craved Justice on the Duke of Suffolk and upon his Associates viz. James Fines Lord Say and Treasurer of England John Bishop of Salisbury and some others whereupon he was Banished for Five Years but as he Sailed for France being way laid he was taken by an English Man of War brought to Dover and had his Head Choped off on the side of the Ship 's Boat supposed to be done by the Duke of York's contrivance yet he was not Lamented by any but the King and Queen because it was verily supposed he had a hand in the Duke of Glocester's death And now the Duke of York though in Ireland did by his Agents here stir up a Rebellion among the Plebeans whose Ringleader was Jack Cade who falsly Named himself John Mortimer right Heir to the Crown but the King's Forces dispersed them many being Slain and Cade being Proscribed and a Thousand Marks set on his Head it was soon after brought to the King The Duke of York being defeated in this by the Advice of his Friends returned out of Ireland without the King's leave and consulting with
Richard Symond a Priest set up a Pupil of his whom he had cunningly Instructed to claim the Crown by the Name of Edward Plantagenet Eldest Son to the Duke of Clarence tho' it afterward appeared his true Name was Lambert Symnel His Age agreed with that of the Prince he represented who was then a Prisoner and in likness he resembled him and his carriage was extreamly Genteil and Taking so that many flocked to him who were desirous of change as well of the Nobles and Gentry as Commons but not finding here a sufficient Strength he failed to Ireland where Sir Thomas Garendine the Lord Chancelor espoused his Quarrel and drew many to take part with him and to him the Dutchess Dowager a mortal Enemy to King Henry sent supplies of Money Men and Arms and by her Encouragement many English espoused his Interest so that he became very Formidable This constrained King Henry to bring the true Edward out of the Tower and carry him through the Streets of London to satisfy the People of the Imposture where the Nobility were required to be present and to confer with him But this did little for the others Army encreasing The King raised Forces to repel him and a Battel was joyned near Stoke in Lincolnshire which was maintained with great resolution but the Irish who compossed the greater part of Symnel's Army being destitute of Warlike Weapons tho' they fought valiantly were routed whereupon the rest gave way And in this Battel the Earl of Lincoln the Lord Lovel Sir Thomas Garendine Marian Swart and Sir Thomas Browghton were Slain Symnell was taken Prisoner and after a publick Confession who he was made Scullion in the Kings Kitchen and after that his Faulconer Peace now being settled the Queen was Crowned and Thomas Bourcher Arch-Bishop of Canterbury being dead Bishop Morton was preferred to that Archiepiscopal See and made Lord Chancelor of England soon after which preferment he was dignified with the Hat and Habit of a Cardinal by Pope Alexander the Sixth Whilst these things Passed a Quarrel arose between Charles the French King and Francis Duke of Britany whereupon the latter too weak to oppose his powerful Enemy required Aid of King Henry but he having in his necessities been befriended by them both rather laboured to make an Accomodation yet underhand the King winking at it many English went over to the Duke's Assistance but were mostly slain in a fatal Overthrow the French gave near the City of Nantz with their chief Leader the Lord Woodvile This made King Henry openly assist the Duke with Men and Money to furnish which he raised by Parliament a Tax of the Tenth Penny on all Moveable Goods which caused a Rebellion in the North where the Earl of Northumberland enforcing the Kings Orders for the strict Levying it was Murthered by the Rout but Thomas Earl of Surry going against them with an Army they dispersed and fled yet several of the Ringleaders were taken and Executed in sundry places During the War in Britany That Duke dyed and the Estates Marrying his Daughter and Heiress to the French King tho' she had before been contracted to Maximillian the Emperour a Peace ensued and the Lady Margaret Daughter to the Emperour whom the French King had taken as his Wife was returned with disgrace which occasioned a War between them and Henry being on both sides solicited for Aid he for many waighty Reasons adhered to the Emperour and Transported an Army under the Command of his Unkle Jasper Duke of Bedford and John Earl of Oxford but the Emperour not being forward in his promised Preparation the King passed into France and laid Siege to Bullen which made the French King for fear of Britany of which by his Marriage he was become Soveraign Prince sue for Peace which was concluded between him and King Henry during their Lives The French King for defraying his Charges paying 186200 l. and a Yearly Pension of 25000 Crowns which was Paid during King Henry's Life whereupon he returned with his Army Not long after this the Dutchess Dowager of Burgundy set up another Imposture who though his true Name was Perkin Warbeck was to pass for Richard Plantagenet the second Son of Edward the Fourth and the better to further her design she used such Policy in England that she gained many of the best Rank who were well affected to the House of York to favour him King Henry however to Countermine her Stratagem bent to work him Mischief secretly caused divers of his Friends seemingly to fly to this nâ—â— pretended Duke and offer him their Service their Estates the mean while the better to colour the matter being seized in England And by this means he gained private Intelligence of all the Proceedings and an Account of the Names of such as being in England held correspondency with him which brought many into Trouble and some to Execution And finding the Emperour disgusted at the Peace he had made with France secretly encouraged this design he removed the English Mart from the Low Countries to Callice which proved greatly prejudicial to the Flemings especially upon a Prohibition of Flemish Wares being brought into England which made the Emperour publish the like Prohibition to hinder the Importation of English Goods in any part of his Territories which causing a decay of Trade incited the meaner sort of Handicrafts in London to commit divers Outrages on the Persons and Goods of the Flemings that Inhabited among them but about 80 of the Ringleaders being Taken were Imprisoned till by the Kings Pardon they were Released and the Flemings Banished Sir Robert Clifton whom the King by Promises and Gifts had won to his Favour about this time came over and the better to Apprehend such as he should Accuse without Blows he appointed to meet him in the Tower where among his Great Courtiers he singled out Stanley who had been Instrumental in setting the Crown on the Kings Head and was now his Lord Chamberlain who was nevertheless committed to Prison and the main Evidence on his Tryal being That he had said That if he was sure this Perkin was the True Duke of York he would not draw his Sword against him he was thereupon Sentenced and all his great Services could not attone to save his Life for he was very soon after Beheaded Yet with this the Storm blew not over for the Native Irish declaring for Perkin tho' the King sent an Army thither under Sir Edward Poinings yet he could do little good there they being too nimble for him in their Woods Bogs and Mountains and not being assisted by the Nobles and Gentry as he expected the fault was charged by him on the Earl of Killdare whom he brought over Prisoner but that Lord so well acquitted himself that he was soon set at Liberty and sent back again with Honour and Rewards and Perkin putting to Sea Landed in Kent but he was beaten off and a great many of his Men slain and such as were
Provision but so outragious was the sea that no Ships could put out so that the Lord Wentworth Governour of the Town found himself constrained to surrender it on Articles when it had been held by the English 211 Years for the Taking of which such joy was made in France as if England was falln into their hands After that they Invaided Flanders pillaging the Country but were Fought with and Overthrown and soon after a great Fleet being set-forth the English Landed near Brest in Britany and Sacked Conquet a considerable Port-Town in that Tract which they afterwards Burnt When the French to strengthen their Interest Married Mary the Young Queen of Scots to Francis the then Dauphin she having been in King Edward the Sixth's Reign conveyed into France to that end But whilst Queen Mary was making great preparation she fell Sick some say of Melancholly for the Absence of King Philip who now seemed little to regard her but herself affirmed when that was alledged to her in her Sickness It was not his Vnkindness troubled her but if she Dyed they might open her and find the loss of Callis written upon her Heart and of that Sickness she Dyed on the 17th of November Anno 1558 when she had Reigned 5 Years 4 Months and 11 Days and in the 40th Year of her Age and was Interred among her Royal Ancestors in Westminster In this Queens Reign a Tempest happened accompanied with prodigious Thunder and Lightening and in Notinghamshire it threw down many Churches and Houses tore up huge Trees threw the Bells out of Steeples and took off Sheets of Lead writhed them together like a Glove and threw them 400 Foot from their place A Child was taken by the force of the Tempest out of a Mans Arms a great height and Dyed by the fall Five or Six People were Kill'd and many Cattle by Hail-Stones Fifteen Inches in Circumference A great Mortality happened at the time of the Queens Death which fell mostly on the Clergy and of that burning Feaver 13 Bishops dyed besides a great Number of Priests and others also Cardinal Poole A Brief Chronology of Martyrs and famous Men and Women that have Suffered the Flames and other Tortures and Persecutions under Popery in England before and since the happy Reformation With the Exhortations and Dying Words of the most Eminent of them ACcording to my Promise tho' this History by reason of many things occuring swells to more Sheets than my intended Brevery designed it I shall in this place set down together a Summary Account of the Persons who have Suffered in England for the sake of a good Conscience and could think it no where more fitly to be placed than after a Reign wherein the Blood of those of the Reformed Church was shed like Water yet Dyed with such Constancy as amazed and startled their cruel Persecutors I have already spoke somthing of our English Martyrs after the Kings Reigns wherein they were Persecuted but for Brevity having omitted many I now come to place them closer together that a better view may be taken and the Method by its plainness more easily understood Know then That when the Purity of the Primitive Churches was Clouded and almost Obscured by the Romish Traditions Errors and Superstitions to make Godliness in the Litteral worldly sense a Gain by leading People into Ignorance and blind Devotion in keeping the Word of God from their Knowledge and in its stead imposing the Doctrine of Men not agreeable with it God in his great Mercy was pleased to raise up such Instruments as laboured to rekindle that Light wicked and designing Rome had near extinguished who for the sake of Gods Holy Truth exposed themselves to the fury of the Adversary and as in other Nations there were many so in England faithful Witnesses were not wanting very early to lay down their Lives I shall not look back so far as the Persecutions under the Heathen Roman Emperours Saxons and Danes for tho' they were very grievous yet more Cruel ensued under the Tyranny of that which calles it self Christian Rome or the Roman Catholick Church For after John Wickliff William Wickham Bishop of Winchester and many other Learned Men had Lighted the Candle as I may term it and opened the Eyes of many in this and the Neighboring Nations to discern Truth from Falshood and of this we have just cause to Glory since the Reformation in all Churches was grounded on it True Religion soon raised her Head and tho' Cruel Adversaries made her Proselites few for a time their Constancy and Zeal was very great In the Year 1380 Vter Bolton and John Asherly were severly Persecuted and soon after Walter Bruce John Ashton John Patescul and divers more some of which are mentioned in the History but as yet it began not to grow up to Flames but by degrees it did for William Swinderly was Burnt in Smithfield also William Thorp and divers others Stigmatized Banished Whipped and Starved in Goals the Popes in whose time they Lived Inciting and Encouraging their Clergy here to pursue them with all Violence and utmost Rigor So that in the Year 1417 the Lord Cobham was Burnt Hanging on a Gallows in St Gilse's Fields and soon after William White John Purrey and Richard White confessing their Faith and Dying with Courage and Christian bravery for the sake of a good Conscience and Peter Clark being forced to fly for maintaining Wickliff's Doctrine from Scripture and Fathers was taken beyond the Seas and put to Death by exquisit Torments viz. His Tongue cut out then Hanged by the Heels and a slow Fire made under him till he Dyed Roger Overly for speaking against the Mass and other Superstitions and offering to prove them not consonant to the Word of God was Executed And to put a Scandal on the Professors of the Truth they Nick-Named them Lollards and their common Prison was called the Lollards Tower But Persecution rather encreased than diminished their Number as appears by the largness of their Assemblies some to Teach and others to Hear For one of these Meetings being surprised in St. Gilses Fields Anno 1415 by Armed Force and wrongfully charged as a Riotous or Tumultuous Meeting tending to Insurrection and Rebellion it was by Popish Judges construed a Treasonable Act and hereupon Roger Acton John Beverly John Brown and about 36 more were Drawn Hanged and Quartered in the Place where they met and John Claydon and Benidict Vlman Burned and about 100 others Languished in Prison till most of them Dyed In Henry the Sixth's time William Taylor for embracing the Doctrine Wickliff had Taught was Burnt in Smithfield Henry Web and Henry Florence Scourged unmercifully and 120 Imprisoned and Tortured divers ways and some suffered the Flames among whom William White and Richard Hovelden were Burnt Soon after this Thomas Baly and Richard Wiche both Ministers were burnt one in Smithfield and the other on Tower-Hill In Edward the Fourth's Reign John Huss or Goose was burnt