imprecations for their reliefe and assistance wherein they put some confidence was meerly betrayed by him insomuch that when the Rochel Agents found themselves abused through their whole yeares attendance they left this bitter jeere upon him that now they could rightly call England the Land of Promise He seldome loved any but to serve his turne and would himselfe serve a turne to doe any mischiefe as was to be seene by his saying Amen to every full point of Buckinghams Accusation in the face of the Parliament against Bristol for his miscarriage in Spaine when it appeared by Bristols defence in Publick before the face of that same Parliament that there was not scarce one syllable had any truth in it who also freely put himself upon the Test that if there were any truth in that combined Accusation against him he would yeeld himselfe guilty of it all He was of a very poore spirit which may be conceived amongst other things by his making Buckingham his Privado after he came to the Crown otherwise would he never have forgotten those unsufferable insolencies offered him being Prince what they were you have already heard His Predecessor Henry the fifth and so his brother Henry would have instructed him otherwise for although its true noble mindes should forget injuries so as not to revenge them yet so as not to countenance the doers of them especially to take them into so much nearnesse and dearnesse as he did him after those two proud affronts which argued in him as I said before a poore and ignoble spirit He had all his Kingdomes left in peace and tranquility by his Father which he soone after made a shift to distemper by a foolish Warre upon France and Spaine and by a more foolish conduct of either ignorant unexperienced or cowardly Commanders And in truth if you will give credit to Vox populi the Booke so called written by one Scot they were suitable to the grounds of such Quarrels being no fairer than the satisfying the beastly appetite of his Favourite who must be reveng'd forsooth upon those States In which I admire Gods Justice that he who unjustly made War upon unwarrantable grounds should have Warre thus brought home unto him so that now God hath given him the same measure he hath met to others even full pressed down and running over I wish I may have a time to give him a fairer Character when he is dead then are my observations in his life but I may rather wish then hope in that course he yet continues Certaine observations before Queene Elizabeths death I Cannot but admire Gods Providence in bringing Peace when nothing was thought of but War and now bringing a cruell Warre when nothing could be expected but peace Peace with all forraigne Estates peace at Home Not long before the death of Queene Elizabeth all the discourse was in a secret whispering on whom the Succession would fall some said the Lady Arabella some the King of Scotland and reason given pro and con on both sides they who were for her saying the Lady Arabella was a Native and a Maid and that this Kingdome never flourished more then under a Maidens Reigne Others for the Scot said that the King of Scots was more neare to the Crowne by descent farther off say others as being a Stranger and that Nation ever in Hostility against us Nor did the King himselfe beleeve he should have come in with a sheathed Sword which appeared by that Letter he produced of the Earle of Northumberlands that if he made any doubt hereof he would bring him forty thousand Catholicks should conduct him into England But the Queene dyed the King comes in peaceably even to the admiration of all Forraigne Princes and to the gnashing of their teeth but the reason was they had lived in obedience under a just Sovereigne who was wont ever to say when any great man had opprest a poore Gentleman that Petitioned her for redresse against such oppression when all the great Lords and Officers would hold together to support the Suppressor and trample upon the oppressed My Lords quoth she content you I am Queene of the Valleys as well as of the Hills and I must not suffer the Hills to ore-top nor yet to over-shade the Valleys A worthy saying which if it had been imitated by her Successors these our miseries had never happened but I say and this is it I now drive at her Justice made her Subjects to beleeve there could be no injustice in Monarchy and that was it did facilitate the Kings peaceable entrance In that tranquility did the Kingdome continue all his dayes and about fifteen yeares of his Sons Reign when behold there was nothing but jollity in the Court as if saying to themselves Who dares molest us the King having now a plentifull Issue for let me tell you the Kings Issue made Him and his Courtiers the more to trample on the country Gentry But behold when nothing but peace peace sudden destruction came on them and us unawares and God sends such a War as no man could dreame of Now the corollary of all is this the high injustice of Church and State was the cause of this Warre And O may not the continuing of that in any other Government prove the continuance of this war there being a farre greater appearance of the continuance thereof then ever there was of the beginning But Gods will be done The Contents QVeene Elizabeth died at Richmond house on March 24 1602. page 1 2â— The first that carryed newes thereof into Scotland was Sir Rob. Carew who was afterward made Governor of the Kings then second Son Charles Duke of York p. 2 3â— The first man imployed from Scotland to the English Nobility for preparations of the Kings comming into England was Sir Roger Aston p. 4â— He was afterwards made from the Kings Barbar 〈◊〉 gentleman of his Bed-Chamber p. 6â— The Kings Favourites 1 Sir George Hewme a kind of Favourite for having been of some secret councels with the King whilsâ— in Scotland the cheife of which was that of Gourieâ— Conspiracy p. 7 8â— 2 Sir Robert Cicill a Favourite p. 9â— His il offices he did this Nation p. 1â— His Herodian disease and end p. 1â— 3 4. Hen Howard Tho. Howard Favorites p. 1â— The principall managers of the State affaires in Englanâ— then were Salisbury Suffolke c. p. 1â— 5 Mr. James Hay an high Favourite c. See his riâ— c. p. 17 18 1â— Passages concerning Sir Walter Rawleigh p. 27 â— A notable discovery made by Sir Rob. Mansel of a Spaniards stealing plate which cleared the false imputation laid by them on the English p. 40. c. The King easily perswaâ—ed to retire himselfe by those Managers of the State of which Salisbury was the cheif p. 46 47 48 Secretary Lake p. 49 c. Salisbury Suffolk Northampton great getters more then the whole bunch of the Scots Dunbar excepted p. 54 Kelly Annandale
Northampton though a great Clerke yet not a wise man but the grossest Flatterer of the World and as Salisbury by his Wit so this by his Flattery raised himselfe yet one great motive to the raising all of that Name of Howards was the Duke of Norfolke suffering for the Queene of Scots the Kings Mother yet did Suffolke so farre get the start of Northampton that Northampton never after loved him but from the teeth outwards only had so much discretion as not to fall to actuall enmity to the over-throw of both and the weakning that faction Suffolk also using him with all submissive respect not for any love but hope of gaining his great estate and sharing it amongst his Children but Northamptons distaste was such by his losse of the Treasurers place which he had with such assurance promised to himselfe in his thoughts that except what he gave to Master Henry Howard the rest he gave to the Earl of Arundell who by his observance but more especially by giving Northampton all his Estate if he never returned from travell had wrought himselfe so far into his affections that he doted on him And now the principall managers of the English affaires were Salisbury Suffolke Northampton Buckhurst Egerton Lord Keeper Worcester and the Old Admirall For the Scots Sir George Hewme now Earle of Dunbar Secretary Elfeston after Earle of Balmerino and as wise a man as was in England or Scotland the Lord of Kinlosse a very honest but weak man You are now to observe that Salisbury had shaken off all that were great with him and of his Faction in Queene Elizabeths dayes as Sir Walter Rawleigh Sir George Carew the Lord Grey the Lord Cobham the three first very able men as the world had the last but one degree from a foole yet served their turnes better then a wiser man by his greatnesse with the Queen for they would put him on any thing and make him tell any Lye with as great confidence as a truth Three of these were utterly ruined as you shall heare in the following Discourse the fourth being a very wise man contented himselfe with a meane place that was worthy of a much greater and although very active formerly called to minde this saying Foelix quem faciunt c. and medled with no State businesse his wisdome fore-telling his Fate if he had done otherwise for he did see one better head-peece then his owne sit tottering at that time and fell off afterwards which made him think it was good sleeping in a whole skin The King no sooner came to London but notice was taken of a rising Favourite the first Meteor of that nature appearing in our climate as the King cast his eye upon him for affection so did all the Courtiers to adore him his name was Mr. James Hay a Gentleman that lived long in France and some say of the Scottish Guard to that King this Gentleman comming over to meet the King and share with him in his new Conquest according to the Scots phrase it should seeme had some former acquaintance with the then Leiger Embassadour in Scotland for the French King who comming with his Majesty into England presented this Gentleman as a well accomplished Gentleman to the King in such an high commendation as engendered a liking that produced a favourite in thankfull acknowledgement whereof he did him many faire offices for the present and comming afterwards an extraordinary Embassadour to our King made him the most sumptuous Feast at Essex house that ever was seene before never equalled since in which was such plenty and Fish of that immensity brought out of Muscovia that Dishes were made to containe them no Dishes in all England before could neare hold them and after that a costly Voydee and after that a Maske of choyse Noble-men and Gentlemen and after that a most costly and magnificent Banquet the King Lords and all the prime Gentlemen then about London being invited thither Truly he was a most compleat and well accomplished Gentleman modest and Court-like and of so faire a demeanour as made him be generally beloved and for his wisdome I shall give you but one character for all Hee was ever great with all the Favourites of his time and although the King did often change yet he was semper idem with the King and Favourites and got by both for although Favourites had that exorbitant power over the King to make him grace and disgrace whom they pleased yet he was out of their power and the only exception to that generall rule and for his gettings it was more then almost all the Favourites of his time which appeared in those vast expences of all sorts and had not the bounty of his minde exceeded his gettings he might have left the greatest estate that ever our age or climate had heard of he was indeed made for a Courtier who wholly studied his Master and understood him better then any other He was imployed in very many of the most weighty Affaires and sent with the most stately Embassies of our times which he performed with that wisdome and magnificence that he seemed an honour to his King and Country For his carriage in State-affaires he was termed by some Princes the Kings Juggler He married the Daughter and Heire of the Lord Denny after the Earl of Northumberlands daughter and was hated of none that ever I heard of but the Earle of Northampton who had no patience to see him being himselfe of so venemous and cankred a disposition that indeed he hated all men of noble parts nor loved any but Flatterers like himselfe yet it was a great question whether he hated the Earl of Carlisle or Sir Robert Mansell most by whom he hath been heard to say Body of God I will be content to be damned perpetually in Hell to be revenged of that proud Welshman and did so hate him that he kept an Inquisition on him seven yeares to prove that he had cousened the King of fourteen thousand pounds which at the seven yeares end at an hearing before the King the Lords the Queen and all the Ladies being present with all the gallantry of the Court ended in one paire of silke Stockins given by one for a New-yeares Gift to Master Wels Sir Robert Mansells Servant at which the King stood up and sware very deeply Doe you beleeve I will take a paire of silke Stockins for my fourteen thousand pounds give me that give me that is this all the fruit of seven yeares Commission at which words Sir Robert Mansell kneeled downe and said I will now Sir take all the faults they can charge my servant with upon my selfe at which the King was very angry that so noble a Gentleman who had so wel acquitted himselfe and Honour should intrust it in the keeping of a Servant at the end of all the Earle of Salisbury kneeled down and said Sir if you will suffer malice so farre to prevaile as to have your
very nothing but never wrote he any thing to accuse Rawleigh by which you may see the basenesse of these Lords the credulity of the King and the ruine of Sir Walter Rawleigh I appeale now to the judgement of all the world whether these six Lords were not the immediate Murtherers of Sir Walter Rawleigh and no question shall be called to a sad account for it And thus have you a true relation of the Treason and Traytors with all the windings and turnings in it and all passages appertaining to it and by it you may see the slavery these great men were inslaved in by Salisbury that none durst testifie such a truth as the not testifying lost their most precious Soules And now doth the King returne to Windsor where there was only an apparition of Southamptons being a Favourite to his Majesty by that privacy and dearnesse was presented to the Court-view but Salisbury liking not that any of Essex his faction should come into play made that apparition appeare as it were in transitu and so vanished by putting some jealousies into the Kings head who was so farre from jealousie that he did not much desire to be in his Queenes company yet love and regality must admit of no partnership Then was there in requitall of the Spanish Embassadours two stately Embassies addressed the one to Spaine the other to the Arch Duke to have that peace they so dearly purchased confirmed and sworne to by ours as formerly by them the old Lord Admirall was sent to Spaine the Earle of Hartford for Bruxels that the Duke of Leonox might have the better opportunity The Spaniard was astonied at the bravenesse of our Embassie and the handsome Gentlemen in both which few Embassies ever equalled this for you must understand the Iesuites reported our Nation to be ugly and like Devils as a punishment sent to our Nation for casting off the Popes supremacy and they pictured Sir Francis Drake generally halfe a Man halfe a Dragon When they beheld them after the shape of Angels they could not well tell whether to trust their own eyes or their Confessors reports yet they then appeared to them as to all the world monstrous Lyers The Embassadour had his reception with as much state as his entertainment with bounty the King defraying all charges and they were detained at their Landing longer then ordinary to have provisions prepared in their passage to Madrid with all the bounty was possible to make the whole Country appeare a Land of Canaan which was in truth but a Wildernesse In their abode there although they gave them Roast-meat yet they beat them with the spits by reporting that the English did steale all the Plate when in truth it was themselves who thought to make Hay while the Sunne shined not thinking ever more to come to such a Feast to fill their purses as wel as their bellyes for food and coyne are equally alike scarce with that Nation this report passed for currant to the infinite dishonour of our Nation there being at that time the prime gallantry of our Nation Sir Robert Mansell who was a man borne to vindicate the Honour of his Nation as of his owne being Vice-Admirall and a man on whom the old Admirall wholly relyed having dispatched the Ships to be gone the next morning came in very late to Supper Sir Richard Levison sitting at the upper end of the Table amongst the Grandees the Admirall himselfe not supping that night being upon the dispatch of Letters the Table upon Sir Robert Mansells entrance offered to rise to give him place But he sat down instantly at the lower end and would not let any man stirre and falling to his meat did espy a Spaniard as the Dishes emptied ever putting some in his bosome some in his breeches that they both strutted Sir Robert Mansell sent a Message to the upper end of the table to Sir Richard Levison to be delivered in his eare that whatsoever he saw him doe he should desire the Gentlemen and Grandees to sit quiet for there should be no cause of any disquiet on the sudden Sir Robert Mansell steps up takes this Spaniard in his armes at which the table began to rise Sir Richard Levison quiets them brings him up to the end amongst the Grandees then pulls out the Plate from his bosome breeches and every part about him which did so amaze the Spaniard and vindicate that aspersion cast on our Nation that never after was there any such syllable heard but all honour done to the Nation and all thanks to him in particular From thence next day they went for Madrid where all the royall entertainment Spain could yeeld was given them and at the end of the Grand entertainment and Revells which held most part of the night as they were all returning to their Lodgings the street being made light by white Wax lights and the very night forced into a day by shining light as they were passing in the street a Spaniard catcheth off Sir Robert Mansells Hat with a very rich jewell in it and away he flyes Sir Robert not being of a spirit to have any thing violently taken from him nor of such a Court-like complement to part with a jewell of that price to one no better acquainted with him hurls open the Boote followes after the fellow and some three Gentlemen did follow him to secure him houseth the Fellow in the house of an Allagozy which is a great Officer or Judge in Spaine this Officer wondering at the manner of their comming the one without his hat and sword in his hand the other with all their swords Demands the cause They tell him He saith surely none can think his house a sanctuary who is to punish such offenders But Sir Robert Mansell would not be so put off with his Spanish gravity but enters the House leaving two at the Gate to see that none should come out whiles he searched A long while they could finde nothing and the Allagozy urging this as an affront at last looking downe into a Wel of a smal depth he saw the fellow stand up to the neck in Water Sir Robert Mansell seized on his Hat and Jewell leaving the fellow to the Allagozy but he had much rather have fingered the Jewell and in his gravity told Sir Robert Mansell hee could not have it without forme of Law which Sir Robert dispensed with carrying away his Hat and Jewell and never heard further of the businesse now the truth was this fellow knew his Burrough well enough as well as some Theeves of our Nation after they have done a Robbery would put themselves into a Prison of their acquaintance assuring themselves none would search there or rather as our Recorders of London whose cheif revenue for themselves and servants is from Theeves Whores and Bawds therefore this story cannot seeme strange in England The other Embassadour sent to the Arch Duke was the old Earle of Hertford who was conveyed over in one of the
Kings Ships by Sir William Munson in whose passage a Dutch Man of Warre comming by that ship would not vaile as the manner was acknowledging by that our Soveraignty over the Sea Sir William Munson gave him a shot to instruct him in manners but instead of learning he taught him by returning another he acknowledged no such Soveraignty this was the very first indignity and affront ever offered to the Royall Ships of England which since have beene most frequent Sir William Monson desired my Lord of Hertford to goe into the Hold and hee would instruct him by stripes that refused to be taught by faire meanes but the Earl charged him on his Allegiance first to land him on whom he was appointed to attend so to his great regret he was forced to endure that indignity for which I have often heard him wish he had been hanged rather then live that unfortunate Commander of a Kings Ship to be Chronicled for the first that ever endured that affront although it was not in his power to have helped it yet by his favour it appeared but a copy of his countenance for it had been but hazarding hanging to have disobeyed my Lords Commandement and it had been infinite odds he had not beene hanged having to friend him the House of Suffolke nor would hee have been so sensible of it had he not been of the Spanish Faction and that a Dutch ship Now did those great Mannagers of the State of which Salisbury was chief after they had packed the Cards begin to deale the government of the Kingdome amongst themselves and perswaded the King to leave the State affaires to them and to betake himselfe to some Country recreations which they found him addicted unto for the City and businesse did not agree with him to that end purchased built and repaired at New-Market and Royston and this pleased the Kings humour well rather that he might enjoy his Favourite with more privacy then that he loved the sports then must Theobolds be in his owne possession as not fit for a King to be beholding to a Subject for an House of daily use but because the King had so much want of monies to expresse his love and bounty to his Native Nation Salisbury would exchange and take Land for his House and Parke in which exchange he made such an advantage that he sold his House for fifty yeares purchase and that so cunningly as hardly to be discerned but by a curious sight for he fleeted off the Creame of the Kings Mannours in many Counties not any two lying in any one County and made choyce of the most in the remotest Counties onely built his nest at Hatfield within the County where his Father had built his yet kept he still the house of Theobolds for he and his posterity were to be perpetuall Keepers of that House and many Parkes adjacent by this he not onely shewed his wisdome for his owne benefit but to the world what the Kings naturall disposition was to bee easily abused and would take counterfeit Coyn for currant payment And to fit the Kings humour and dissolve him in that delight he was most addicted to as well as to serve Salisburies owne ends and satisfie his revenge upon some neighbour Gentlemen that formerly would not sell him some convenient parcels of Land neighbouring on Theobalds he puts the King on enlarging the Parke walling and storing it with red Deere and I dare affirme with that worke the King was so well pleased and did more glory in then his Predecessors did in the conquest of France and as it was most true so an ill Omen that the King loved Beasts better then Men and took more delight in them and was more tender over the life of a Stag then of a Man yet this was the weaknesse of his judgement and poorenesse of his Spirit rather then any innate cruelty for he was not naturally cruel over lives though in displacing Officers which naturally he did beleeve was as glorious as to over-throw and conquer Kings But yet for all their setting their Cards and playing their Games to their owne advantages of getting much for themselves and friends there was one Knave in the Packe would crosse their designs and Trump in their way if he might not share with them in their winning that was one Lake a Clerke of the Signet after Secretary and after that turned out in disgrace and in truth was onely wise in the worlds opinion could swim being held up by the chin but at his fall all his weaknesses were discovered and that the world had been deceived in him I will instance in one particular amongst many that shall give you full assurance being in disgrace he gave two thousand pounds but to kisse the Kings hand beleeving that after that he might have accesse as formerly after he had paid his money he was never suffered to see the King more only jeered at by all the Court for his folly and went sneaking up and downe contemned of all men This Lake was a fellow of meane birth and meaner breeding being an under Servant to make Fires in Secretary Walsinghams chamber and there got some experience which afterwards in the Kings time made him appeare an able man which in the Queenes time when there was none in Court but men of eminencies made him an inconsiderable Fellow He had linked himselfe in with the Scotish Nation progging for Suits and helping them to fill their Purses as they did beleeve there was not so able a man in the Kingdome for in truth ever since Queene Elizabeths death the raysing money hath been the only way to raise men as being held the essentiall property of a wise man to know how to bring in money per fas aut nefas and amongst all the Scots he wholly applyed himselfe to those of the Bed-chamber and of nearest accesse to his Majesty For his good service of abusing his Country and Country-men he was made Clerke of the Signet to waite on the King in his Hunting journies and in these journies got all the Bils signed even for the greatest Lords all Packets being addressed to him so that even Salisbury and Northampton and the greatest Lords made Court to him by this meanes did he raise himselfe from a meane to a great fortune but so over-awed by his VVife that if hee did not what she commanded she would beate him and in truth his Wife was afterwards his over-throw besides he would tell Tales and let the King know the passages of Court and great men as who was Salisburies Mistris and governed all who governed Northampton and discovered their Bawdery which did infinitely please the Kings humour and in truth had so much craft as he served his turne upon all but was ingrossed by none but by the Bed-chamber who stuck so close to him that they could not yet remove him And now doe the English Faction seeing they could not sever the Scots from him endeavour to raise a mutiny