the whole Land And now was great expectation for the landing of Queene Margaret and her Sonne Prince Edward and great provision made through all the coast to oppose King Edwards landing who in a Parliament then called was proclaimed usurper of the Crowne and the Duke of Glocester his younger Brother Traytor and both of them attainted by the said Parliament then the Earle of Warwicke rid to Dover to have received Queene Margaret but was disappointed for the wind was to her so contrary that shee lay at the Sea side tarrying for a convenient passage from November till Aprill so that he was forced to returne without effecting his purpose In the beginning of which moneth Aprill King Edward landed in the North with a small number of Flemmings and others all which could scarse mâ—ke up a thousand and sped him towards Yorke making his Proclamations in the name of King Henry and protested to the people as he went that hee came for no other intent but to claime his antient inheritance the Dukedome of Yorke notwithstanding which the City denyde him admittance till he tooke an oath which having done they opened their gates unto him when after he had refreshed his Souldiers he held his way on towards London and having passed either favor of faire words the Lord Marquesse Montacut who lay with an Army in the way to interdict his journey seeing that his strength was greatly increased and that the people dayly flockt unto him hee then made proclamations in his owne name as King of England and held on his way to London where he was releeved and the same day hee rode to Saint Pauls Church and offred at the Altar which done hee went to the Bishops pallace where hee found King Henry allmost alone for all the Lords and others to save their owne lives had utterly forsaken him Then King Edward lodged himselfe where King Henry lay and committed him to strict keeping and rested himselfe till Easter Eve who hearing of his brothers comming and the other Lords with him with a strong host unto Saint Albones hee sped him thither and lay that night at Barnet whether the Duke of Clarence contrary to his oath made to the French King came with all the strength he had and reconciled himselfe to his Brother at which the Lords were much daunted yet by the comfort and incouragement of the Earle of Oxford they marched on to Barnet the foresaid Earle leading the van and there they strongly embattelled themselves Vpon the morrow being the foureteenth of Aprill and Easterday very earely in the morning the two hosts defied each other upon the one party were two Kings Edward and Henry who brought him with him to the battle Clarence and Glossester the Lord Barnes c. And upon the other was the Duke of Exeter the two Earles of Warwicke and Oxford the Marquesse Mountacute with many other men of note and name In which fight the Earle of Oxford quit himselfe so manfully that he quite routed that part of the field which hee set upon insomuch that newes was carryed to London King Edward had lost the day and if his Souldiers had kept their rankes and not falne to rifling most likely it had beene so But after long and cruell fight King Edward got the victory having slaine of his enemies the Marquesse Mountacute the Earle of Warwicke his brother with many others on the Kings party the Lord Barnes and upon both parties to the number of fifteene hundred and upwards the same after noone came King Edward to London and made his offring at Saint Pauls and after rode to Westminster and there lodged and King Henry was againe committed to the Tower where he remained till his death And now great preparation was made against the landing of Queene Margaret and her sonne who all this while had beene nere to the Sea side expecting a winde which after blew for her most infortunately yet was shee safely landed with an Army of French men and others and entered so farre within the Realme till shee came to a place called Teuxbury where the King met with her and after some resistance distressed and chased her whole company in which conflict many were slaine and their bodyes found dead in the place and shee her selfe with her sonne Edward both taken Prisoners and brought to the King whom shee fronted with a bold and an undaunted countenance and forgetting what shee was then a prisoner boldly spake to him as what shee had beene a commanding Princesse which the King not having the patience to indure commanded her from his presence The Prince also the true heire to his Mothers magnanimous spirit being not onely reprooved but somewhat villified by the King whose blood was not yet cooled since the late battle replyed unto him in a language best suiting his birth and the Sonne of such a Mother at which King Edward being highly mooved and beyond all patience incensed having then his Gantlet on for he had not yet put of his armour strucke him upon the face which blow was no sooner given but he was instantly dragged from the Kings presence and by the Duke of Glocester as same reports most tyrannously murthered and this hapned upon the fourth day of May. When the Queene heard of the death of her Sonne and the manner thereof the more to aggravate it great no question was her griefe but much greater and altogether inexpressible her rage and fury not having power to revenge her selfe upon her enemies this more tormenting her then the durance of the King her husband her owne captivity or the losse of her kingdome yet outwardly shee is said to have borne all these disasters with an incomparable magnanimity who was first conveighed to London and from thence with small attendance and lesse estate sent over into her owne Country and upon Assention Eve next ensuing the body of Henry the sixth late King was brought unreverently from the Tower through the high streetes of the City to Saint Pauls and there left for that night and the next morrow with bills and glaves as he was the day before brought from the Tower thither conveighed to Chertsey and without any sollemnity at all there interred of the manner of whose death there be divers reports but the common fame went that he was stab'd to death with a dagger by the bloody hand of Richard Duke of Glocester QVEENE ELIZABETH THis Virgin Soveraigne of our Maiden Isle On whom blind Fortune did both frowne and smile Great Honour and great Horrour did indure Not safe being Subject not being Queene secure Examine both It is not easily guest In which of them she did demeane her best And of those double Fates t is hard to know In which she did most dangers undergoe Had I more heads then Spanish Gerion he Who to one body had no lesse them three More hands then great Briareus to be wondred
with a mantle Who hoping that the worst was now past and his life in no further danger called unto her and sayd Give mee I pray thee a little water for my travaile hath made me very thirsty who fetched presently a bottle of milke and gave him to drinke with which having sufficiently refreshed himselfe he layd him downe againe and she againe covered him and as shee was departing from him hee called once more unto her saying stand I pray thee in the doore of the Tent and if any shall come and inquire of thee and say is any man here thou shalt answer him and say nay which having spoken being weary and over tyred in his flight he fell suddenly into a deepe and dead sleepe for so indeede it proved for he never awakned after Which she perceiving and being in heart an Israelite howsoever for necessities sake they with their whole Tribe complide with the Gentiles shee would not let slip so good an advantage but unwilling to let one of Gods enemies escape out of her hands like a bold virago shee tooke a nayle of the Tent in her hand and in the other an hammer and comming softly towards him she strooke the nayle into his temples and fastned it into the ground peircing his skull unto the braine with which wound he instantly expired Now Barak after the great hoast was defeated having intelligence which way Sisera was fled Iael came out to meete him and bespake him thus Come in with mee and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest who entring with her into the Tent she discovered unto him the body of Sisera which lay groveling on the earth dead and the nayle still sticking in his temples which object put him in mind of the words of Deborah when he denied to go into the field without her company that the honour of great Siseras death should be taken from him and bee conferd upon a woman which accordingly happened For Deborah in her song of thanksgiving after that great and miraculous victory over Sisera and his hoast giveth unto her this extraordinary character Iael the wife of Heber the Kenite shall be blessed above other women blessed shall she bee above women dwelling in Tents He asked water and shee gave him milke shee brought him butter in a Lordly dish shee put her hand to the nayle and her right hand to the workemans hammer with the hammer smote she Sisera shee smote off his head after shee had wounded and peirced his temples hee bowed him downe at her feete hee fell downe and lay still at her feet hee bowed him downe and fell and when hee had suncke downe hee lay there dead By which so often iteration of the same words she strived both to magnifie her act and eternize her memory Neither did this great honour done unto Iael any way take off or derogate from the merit and magnanimity of Deborah that any man need question which of them did better deserve the name of a Worthy The precedence and priority undoubtedly belonging to her who was a Prophetesse a Iudgesse and a mother in Israel the other onely a secondary minister and agent to have the will of the Almighty executed Deborah in person out-braving danger and standing the brunt of the battell against many thousands living Armed and awake and Iael onely taking the advantage of one single man flying trembling with feare and after to kill him sleeping I conclude of her with her owne words in her holy song after so glorious a conquest So let all thine enemies perish O Lord but they that love him shall be as the Sunne when he riseth in his might After which great discomfiture the Land had rest forty yeares IVDETH THe great Assyrian King puft up with pride Because no Prince was able to abide His potency in battle having subdu'd By his scarce to be numbred multitude All bordring Kingdomes at his mighty cost An hundred twenty dayes feasted his Host Then his chiefe Captaine Olophernes sent With a most puissant army with intent To sweepe all flesh from earth who had denayd To send him in his last great battle ayde He seekes to invade Iudea 'mongst the rest When of all other Cities most distrest Bethalmi was where Iudeth made abod Who in their great'st dispaire cald upon God And more their nations honour to advance Did undertake their free deliverance And when the spirits of the souldiers faild Put on a masculine spirit and prevaild Match me this woman amongst men who dar'd Against an Host invincible prepar'd For her whole nations ruine to invade That potent army singly with her maid And in her bold adventure so well sped To cut off and bring thence the Generals head OF IVDETH A SECOND WORTHY WOMAN AMONGST THE IEWES KING Nabuchodonosor and King Arphaxad were Contemporaries two mighty potent Princes the one raigned in Ninevey the great City over the Assyrians the other in Echbatane over the Medes A place as well strongly munified as most gloriously beautified It happened that King Nabuchodonosor purposed to make warre against King Arphaxad in the great Champian Countrey in the Coasts of Ragan and to that purpose hee assembled all those that dwelt in the Mountaines and by Euphrates Tigris and Hidaspes the Countries of Arioche the Elimeans the streames of Chelod with many other Nations and Languages He sent also into Persia and to all that dwelt in the West to Cilicia Damascus Libanus Antilibanus and all those that dwelt by the Sea coast and to all the people that are in Carmel in Galahaad in hither Galilee and the great field of Esdrelam and to all in Samaria and the Cities thereof and beyond Iordan unto Ierusalem c. But all the Inhabitans of these Countries despised the commandements of the King of the Assyrians neither would they come with him unto the battle but sent away his Embassadours sleightly and with dishonour therefore he was greatly incensed against all these Nations and swore by his Throne and Kingdome he would be avenged upon them and destroy all their inhabitants with the edge of the sword In which interim he marched in battle aray against the King of the Medes in the seventeenth yeare of his raigne and prevailed against him For he overthrew all the power of King Arphaxad his Infantry Horsemen and Chariots he woone all his Cities and entring Echbatâ—ne tooke the Towers defaced the streetes ruined the walls and turned the beauty thereof into shame Hee also surprised the King in the mountaines of Ragan and caused him to be thrust through with darts after which great victory he returned unto his owne City Ninivey Both he and all his Princes and Souldiers which were a great multitude where he passed the time in pleasure and jollity and banqueted his Hoast an hundred and twenty dayes During which triumphall feasting he communicated with those Princes and Nobles which were of his intimate counsell to destroy all flesh from the
and say In their blind errour they were much misled Or had they either Quintus Curtius read Or Iustine both Historians they 'd confesse Their Learning to be small their Iudgement lesse But leaving them now thus much understand Concerning this Virago now in hand This Amazon though many were of name May 'bove the rest a just Precedence claime The first brave Championesse observed in field Arm'd with a Polleax and a Mooved shield And shall a lasting memory injoy For ayding Priam in the warres of Troy OF PENTHISILAEA THE SECOND FAMOVS CHAMPIONESSE AMONGST THE HEATHEN ALL these Heroyicke Ladies are generally called Viragoes which is derived of Masculine Spirits and to attempt those brave and Martial Enterprises which belong to the honour of men in which number this Penthisilaea hath prime place amongst the ancient remembrancers we read of many warlike Women of the like condition and quality of some few of them I will give a particular denomination Camilla Queene of the Volscians gave manifest signes of her future eminence in armes even from her Infancy not being effeminately educated with carefull and indulgent Nurses but brought up in the Woods and Forrests and fed with the milke of wilde beasts for so she was disposed of by her Father Metabus who growing to maturity cast aside the action of those common exercises whose practise belong to women as the Needle the Web and the like but cloathing her selfe in the skinnes of savage beasts she followed Hunting and the Chase using the Iavelin the Bow and Quiver and to outstrip the Hart in running and in the warres betwixt Turnus and Aeneus she sided with the Rutilians against the Trojans of whom Virgil giveth a notable Character Hilerna also the Daughter of Ianus her Father being dead raigned by the River Tiber taking upon her the sole soveraignety which before her time belonged to the men onely Semiramis ambitious of soveraignety demanded the guidance of the Scepter for five dayes onely in which interim she commanded the King her Husband to be first imprisoned and after slaine then taking the whole Principallity upon her she raigned over the Assyrians who at least royally repaired if nor really built the Walls about Babilon Zenobia Queene of the Palmireans after the death of her Husband Odenatus tooke upon her the Soveraignty of all Syria neither feared she to take up armes against the Emperour Aurelianus of whom being vanquisht and led in triumph after his victorious chariot it being objected unto him as a dishonour that he being so potent an Emperour would triumph over a woman made answer that it was no shame for him being over such a woman who was inspired with a more then masculine spirit and Hipsicratea the wife of Methridates in all the dangers of warre never left the side of her Husband but cut her haire short lest it might be any impediment to the sitting close of her Helmet Tomyris Queene of the Scithians opposed in battle great Cyrus the most puissant King of the Persians and in revenge of her siers death rifled his Tents spoyled his Campe and slew him and after cutting off his head caused it to be cast into a great vessell brimmed with blood saying after humane blood thou ever thirsted in thy life and now drinke thy fill thereof in death and Teuca the wife of Argon Queene of the Illyrians in person in sundry battles opposed the Romans and became victresse overthem Maria Puteolana who had that namē conferd upon her from Puteolis a City of Campania the place of her discent flourisht in the time of the famous Italian Poet Francis Petrarch by whom shee is thus deciphered she was patient in all labour and travaile sparing of dyet and abstinent from Wine Never applying her selfe to any of those chares belonging to Women but was wholly exercised in the practise of armes delighting in the Bow the Dart the Helmet and shee was so vigilant that she would watch some nights together with out sleepe and that little rest which shee tooke was not upon a bed but the bare earth her head instead of a pillow being laide upon her Target and though she was alwayes conversant amongst Souldiers and armed men for which some might have laid upon her the aspertion of impudence and incontinence yet she studyed nothing more then Virginall Chastity in which she continued even to death and was worthily ranked in the life of the Heroicke Ladies Let these suffice for the present and being to discourse of an Amazonian Championesse it shall not be altogether impertinent to the Story now in hand if I speake something of their Originall The Scythians a warlike nation having spent many yeares in opposing Xexores King of Egypt and after staying long in the subduing of Asia their wives sent unto them that if they made not speedy hast home they would provide themselves of issue from their neighbour Nations in processe of time two Princely youths of the Scythians Plinos and Scolopytus by a decree of the Optimates being exilde their Country tooke with them along a great number of young men to seeke a new fortune planting a new Colony upon the Borders of Capadocia neere to the River Thermodoon and having subdued the Temiscerians occupyed their grounds these having long tyrannized over the bordering Nations were at the last insidiated by the enemy and treacherously slaine which their Wives at home hearing tooke Armes to defend their owne territories which was not without good and great successe and finding the sweetenesse of liberty and soveraignty added they refused to take Husbands either of friends or enemies accounting Matrimony no better then a miserable servitude Notwithstanding they not onely without the ayde of men maintained their owne but trencht upon others holding the masculine sex in meere contempt and because they would beare a like fortune and that no one should be held more happy than the other they slew all those Husbands which yet remained amongst them and now after many conflicts having setled peace lest their posterity shold fal they desired congres with their neighbours all the male children borne unto them they strangled but the female they preserved and brought them up in the practise of Armes searing of their right paps least otherwise it might be an impediment unto them in the use of the Bow or the Speare of which they had the denomination of Amazones or Vnimammae Of these were two Queenes Marthesia and Lampedo who the more to increase their Dignity and Authority proclamed themselves to be the Daughters of Mars and having subdued a great part of Europe invaded Asia also erecting diverse famous Cities as Ephesus and others and having sent part of their Army with great preyes and booties into their Country the rest who stayed to mainetaine the Empire of Asia under the Command of Marthesia were with her selfe by the Barbarians miserably slaine In her place succeeded Orythia
her Counsell whom shee best trusted and because her very pallace grew distastefull unto her without the consociety of her dead Lord shee utterly abandoned it nay her very Country growing as irke some to her as her pallace after she had given order for the erecting of her Husbands monument shee purposed for a time to forsake it and seeke out for some forraigne adventures It happened at that time Xerxes the great Persian Monarch ambitiously ayming to reduce all Greece under his Scepter and subjection having gathered an innumerable host by Land and a seeming invincible Navy by Sea shee adhering unto his party rigged and manned three ships of her owne of which she her selfe was Archithalassa or Armirall her people that tooke part with her in that adventure were Carians or Halicarnassians Coeans of the Isle Coos Nysimiaus and Calydinians and being thus plenally accomodated she put her selfe under the patronage of the Persian Emperour It would aske too long a circumstance to discourse of the whole navall conflict I will onely deliver unto you so much as concerneth the person of Artimesis who so valiantly did beare her selfe in that blooddy fight that her ships knowne by their flagges and streamers were eminent above all others of the Persians both for defence and offence for her small squadron more dangered the Greekish Navy then ten times their number notwithstanding which her brave opposition the Persians were vanquisht and the Greekes though against infinite odds the glorious victors in which Marine honour the Eginita had the first place and the Athenians the second and of the Commanders Policrates of Egineta and of the Athenians Eumena Anagyrasius and Aminius Palenaus who above all others most hotly pursued Artimesia in her flight but when hee had found that she was too swift of saile for him he sent other light vessels after proclaiming ten thousand Drachnes to him that could take her alive as holding it an indignity that a woman should give such an affront to their A thenian Navy notwithstanding al she with some few others escaped and safely arrived at Phalerum On the contrary part Herodatus in his Vrunia thus reports of her that Xerxes himselfe beholding how bravely above all in his fleet shee in her ship behaved her selfe even at that time when his Navy was almost quite defeated one who knew the vessell by the colours answered it was Queene Artimesia he fetching a deepe sigh uttered these words Viri quidem extiterant mibi femina femina autem viri i. All my men this day have proved themselves women and the women onely shewed themselves to be men And so much concerning Artimesia who as in her life time she was gloriously famous so after death even to all perpetuity shall survive famously glorious c. OF THE THREE WORTHIE WOMEN AMONG THE CHRISTIANS Whose Names are Elpheda Queene Margaret Queene Elizabeth ELPHEDA HEr royall birth my Muse dares not to smoother A great Kings Daughter a great King her Brother Who though she never to that height arriv'd To be stil'd Queene yet was she Prince-like wiv'd Her Husband Duke of Mercia which we Number amongst the Brittish Sceptarche By which a Kingdomes name it after gaind When as at once seven Kings in Brittaine raignd Which bred this war like Lady nâ—re the place Whence brave Bunduca doth derive her race I should but Antedate her life to tell How and in what this Lady did excell Not possible it is that one small page Should comprehend the wonder of her age And therefore further to expresse her glory I must referre the Reader to her story For that as of the rest is still the chiefe Of my intent yet thus of her in briefe Brittish Elpheda of the Saxon race To none of all the former neede give place Who for her Masculine Spirit much honour gaines In many battles fought against the Danes And might with any of her Sex compare As being Religious Valiant Wise and Faire THE FIRST OF THE THREE WOMEN WORTHIES AMONGST THE CHRISTIANS CALLED ELPHEDA AMongst so many reckoned up for their Valour and Vertue It shall not be amisse to present the Reader with a commemoration of some who have beene the occasion of much combustion and trouble Helena was the cause of the Trojan warres and Pelops succeeding in the Kingdome of Phrigia brought an army against King Oenimaus because hee denyed unto him his daughter Hippodamia of whom he was greatly inamored the Poet Arcbillus an Iambicke Writer writ so bitterly against Lycambes because he refused to give him his Daughter in marriage that upon the reading of them he presently hanged himselfe and Pericles at the instigation of his concubine Aspatia made warre upon the Sabines and subdued them to the Milesians we read also of Teuca Queene of the Illirians who because Titus Cornucanus then Ambassadour from the Romans delivered unto her a bold and peremptory message commanded him to be slaine in her presence against the Law of Armes which was the ground of much blood-shed and slaughter Menelaus being dead Megapenthus and Nicastratus the sonnes of Orestes pursued Helena cause of the tenne yeares warre betwixt the Trojans and Greekes into the Island of Rhodes In hope to shelter her selfe under the patronage of Triptolemus of whom Polizo his wife growing jealous shee caused her to be strangled for so writes Voletaranus Lavinia the daughter of King Latinus and Amata the Queene were the sole occasion of so many bloody conflicts betwixt the Trojans and the Rutilians and lastly of the death of Turnus slaine by Aeneas Dejaneira was the motive to the duell betwixt Hercules and Achelous and of the conflict with Nessus the Centaur and after of his owne death by sending him the shirt which was poysoned Evander Nephew to Pallas King of the Arcadians at the instigation of his Mother Nicostrate slew his owne Father and Ptelerus King of the Thebans by the treason of his owne daughter Polidices was betraid into the hands of Creon and slaine Lucretia being violated by Sextus Tarquinius after long warre was the cause that the Romans regained their liberty and Virginia the daughter of Virginius that the governement of the Triumviri was utterly abrogated Hippolitus being falsly accused by his step-mother Phedra for unlawfully attempting to corrupt her chastity flying his Fathers fury was hurld from his Chariot and being bruised with the fall perished Martia the strumpet of Antonius Commodus the Emperour betraide him into the hands of a Groome on whom she doted by whom he was trecherously slaine Alexander the great at the instigation of Thais the prostitute caused the great City Persepolis to be burned be with his owne hands giving the first fire and then his Concubines after Octavia the sister of Augustus Caesar being repudiated by M. Anrony was the occasion of a civill warre and Antiochus warring against the Romans by his effemiary and dotage
but like a Mandrakes Apple faire in shew and poyson in taste it is the seale of Grace the staffe of Devotion the glory of life the comfort in death which when it is joyned with Humility and Charity they may be called the three vertues of the soule I come now to the thirteenth of this King Edwards raigne and the first or second at the most of her Widdow-hood at which time a great Navy of Danes which in the time of King Alured were beaten from the coast and forced to flye into France now returned and sayled about the West Country and landing in diverse places tooke sundry preies at their best advantage and then retyred themselves into their shippes againe and amongst other of their direptions they spoyled a towne called Irchinfield from which place they tooke a Bishop and carryed him aboord their ships whom they soone after ransomed for forty pounds sterling but as soone as the King and his Noble Sister had intelligens of these out-rages he assembled his Forces and they sped them West-ward by Land and sent out a Navy by Sea of which the Danes hearing they cowardly quit the Land and fled into Ireland And therefore to prevent the like inconveniences to which the Realme in those dayes was much subject the King by the advise of his fellow Championesse built a Castle at the mouth of the River Avon and another at Buckingham and a third neare unto it and after returned into Northamptonshire and gave battle to the Danes who had there planted themselves under a great Duke cald Turbetillus whom they utterly defeated and had of them an honourable victory It is further Recorded of this Martiall Virago that she without the ayde of her Brother gathered her Knights together and where the Welsh-men made invation into the Land about Brecknocke shee valiantly opposed them in all violent Hostility and amongst other prisoners and preyes surprised the Queene of their Country who came in person to the field and thinking to aspire unto her fame came farre short of her Forture The yeare following which was the foureteenth of the Kings raigne hee caused to be erected or at the least reedified the Townes of Torsetor and Wigmore Vtterly demolishing a strong and famous Castle which the Danes for their security and defence had built at Temesford The same yeare also this Noble Lady won the Towne of Derby from the power of the Danes in which assault they put her to that hard adventure that foure Knights which were called the guardians of her Corps were slaine close by her yet shee notwithstanding by her great valour escaped and after so many perils hazards battles and conflicts in all which both for magnanimity and action shee out did the most and equalled the best death which durst not looke upon her in her Armour as being frighted at the terrour of her angry countenance stole upon her unawares when her plumed helmet victorious sword and impenetrable Curace was laid by arrested her by the hand of his minister sickenesse and then taking the advantage of her infirmity and weakenesse strucke her dead about the Summer Solstice which is the middle of Iune Who was much lamented by the King and the Commons and her body with great solemnity interred in the Monastery of Saint Peters which the Duke her Lord and shee had before erected in Glocester which was after in the troublesome combustions of the Danes quite raced and demolished but in the processe of time againe reedified by Aldredus Bishop both of Yorke and Worcester who was loath that the memory of so magnanimous a Lady should be drowned in Lethe and not her monument remaine to all posterity This excellent Lady being dead her young daughter Elswina was possessed of all her seigniory for a season having a like principality with her mother who preceaded her and was stiled Princesse of Mercia or middle England but the King her Vnckle taking the affaire into his more mature consideration by the advice of his Nobles thought it to be too great a burden for her to support especially her indisposition comming so farre short of the wisedome and valour of her Mother and therefore discharged and dispossessed her thereof annexing it to the Crowne and making it a prime limbe of the body of his Kingdome which though it was done with some contention and difficulty yet the King prevailed in his purpose allotting unto her the Townes of Notingham Tom-woorth and Derby expecting shee would have defended them in as brave and warlike a manner as her Mother before her had done but finding the contrary he tooke them also from her and reduced them into his owne subjection Henry Arch-bishop of Huntington an Histriographer and Poet such as those times afforded wrote much of the Chronicles of England and composed many Elegies and Ditties of this noble Lady Elpheda of which these ensuing are a part Caesars triumphs were not so much to praise As was of Elpheda that shields so oft did raise Against her enemies this noble vanqueresse Virago whose vertues can I not expresse These amongst others are remembred by Fabiam one of our English Chronologers whom in this briefe tractate for the contractednesse used in his Annals I have strived to imitate King Edward in the death of his Royall sister Elpheda having lost his chiefe supportresse yet notwithstanding builded a new Towne directly over against old Nothingham and made a faire Bridge to make a passage betwixt them of whom Marianus the Scot William of Malmsbury and Henry of Huntington further report that he subdued the two Kings of Scotland and Wales who about the twentieth yeare of his raigne elected and acknowledged him for their Lord and Patron Hee also in the North part of Mercia by the River Merce built a City or Towne called Thylwall and after repaired the City of Mouchester which had beene much defaced by the Danes after which and many other his structures and noble atchievements which would appeare too tedious here to relate He finally expired having raigned in great honour and trouble at Tarringdon in the twenty fourth yeare of his raigne and from thence his body was conveighed to Winchester and interred in the Monastery of Saint Swithine leaving behinde him divers Sonners of which Ethelstane was the eldest and succeeded in the Throne Imperiall who began his raigne over the greatest part of England in the yeare of grace nine hundred and twenty five and in the third yeare of Rodolphus King of France this Ethelstane much beautified the tombe of his Aunt Elpheda and is said to be the first annointed King of this Land c. QVEENE MARGARET QVeene Margarets Father as all pens agree King of Ierusalem and Sicilee Had neither Crowne nor Country th' Annals say And what 's command where none are to obey Yet those meere timpanous Titles Suffolke drew Twixt her and the sixt Henry to pursue A speedy match mauger the prae-contract Tweene
Whose active skill at once could moove an hundred In every one a pen As many eyes As Iuno's Argus waking to devise Of her perfections onely Head Hands Sight In striving but to patterne her aright All though in their full vigour I should sinde Strucke on the suddaine Stupid Dull and Blinde Chaste Virgin Royall Queene belov'd and fear'd Much on the Earth admir'd to Heaven indeer'd Single and singular without another A Nurse to Belgia and to France a Mother Potent by Land sole Soveraigne of the Maine Antagonist to Rome the scourge of Spaine THE LAST OF THE THREE WOMEN WORTHIES AMONGST THE CHRISTIANS CALLED ELIZABETH QVEEN OF ENGLAND FRANCE AND IRELAND c. AS the most famous Painter of his Time Apelles to frame the picture of one Venus had aâ— once exposed to his view an hundred of the most choyce and exquisite Virgins of Greece to take from one the smoothest brow from a second the most sparkling eye a third the Rosiest colloured cheeke a fourth the best Corrall like lippe a fifth the sweetest dimpled chinne a sixth the daintiest swelling brest a seventh the whitest hand from another the most delicate foote and so of the rest and all to make the exact portrature of that Emergent goddesse so in the accurate expression of this rare Heroicke Elizabeth should I peruse all the ancient and Authenticke Histories and out of them select the lives of the most vertuous Ladyes for their rare and admirable indowments commended to posterity and perpetuity taking and extrâ—cting from them severally those sundry gifts and graces by which they were remarkeably eminent above others whether Piety or Virginâ—ll purity Beauty and bounty Majesty and magnanimity Language and learning polliticke Governement or practise of goodnesse pitty of forraâ—gne distressed nations or indulgence over her owne Natives c. Nay what praecelling vertue soever was commendable in any one particular or all in generall may without flattery be justly conferred on her Shee was the Daughter of King Henry the eighth of that name and of his second wife the Lady Anne Bullaine first created Marchionesse of Pembrooke and then espoused to the King the five and twentyeth day of Ianuary 1533. and upon Whitsunday next following at Westminster crowned Queene the seventh of September after shee was delivered of a faire Daughter to the great and unspeakeable joy both of the Prince and people shee was Christened the third day next ensuing being Wednesday in the Fryers Church in Greenewich in a Font of silver The old Dutchesse of Northfolke held the Babe Her Godfather was Thomas Cranmer Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Metropolitane of all England her Godmothers the Dutchesse of Northfolke and the Marquionesse of Dorset both Widdowes Not long after the birth of this young Princesse a generall oath of Allegiance past through the Kingdome to support and maintaine the successive heires descending from the bodies of the King and Queene Anne lawfully begotten in the possession of the Crowne and Scepter and all Imperiall honours to them belonging by which Katherine of Spaine his former wife and the Princesse Mary their daughter were disabled to lay any claime at all to the Royall dignity and for this cause were the two young Ladies brought up a part which might be a reason also why there was such distance in their dispositions I have further read of this young Lady Elizabeth that there were pregnant hopes of her even in her Mothers conception Mercury being the starre which was at that season most predominant whose influence is sharpenesse of wit and ingenuity Iupiter at her birth being in conjunction with Venus and Soi with a favourable Aspect shining on either a doubtlesse presage that the Infant borne under that Constellation should bee faire and fortunate powerfull in warre yet a Patronesse of peace excellent in Learning exquisite in language in life honoured in death lamented who in her tender Infancy was said almost as soone to speake as to goe and that her words had sence as soone as sound and not being full foure yeares of age used every morning when shee opened her eyes to aske for her booke before shee called for bread and at all other times of the day was observed to bee more ready to pray then to prattle Queene Annes life being taken away by a violent death the morrow after the King was marryed to his third wife the Lady Iane Seymer daughter to Sir Iohn Seymer who on the twelfth day of October In the yeare of grace 1537. was at Hampton Court delivered of a Sonne whose Mother dyed the second day after much lamented and pittyed and the young Prince called Edward was the eighteenth of the same moneth created Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Chester the Father being so joyfull of his Sonne that hee cast a neglectfull eye on his two former daughters Mary and Elizabeth but the later of the two was in the first grace for when Mary was separated from comming neere the Court Elizabeth was admitted to keepe the young Prince company and from his Tutors received all such necessary documents that by her childish dictating unto him he might be the more capable to understand them and such was their proxinity in blood that it begot in them a mutuall and alternate affection insomuch that he no sooner knew her but he beganne to acknowledge her neither was their love the lesse comming from one loynes then had they issued from one and the same wombe being equally fortunate and unfortunate as having one Royall Father but either of them to be deprived of a mother and in that too having a kinde of mutuall correspondence that though her Mother suffered by the sword and his dyed in Child bed yet both indured violent and inforced deaths To cut off circumstance in the yeare one thousand five hundred forty sixe and of his raigne the thirty eighth King Henry the eighth expired the 28. of December and was the sixteenth day of February next following with great solemnity buryed at Windsor And upon the one and thirtyeth day of Ianuary was Prince Edward proclaimed King over all his Fathers Dominions and Realmes by the stile of Edward the sixth of that name and on the nineteenth of February he rode with his Vnckle Sir Edward Seymor Duke of Summerset and Lord Protector through the City of London And the day following was annoynted and Crowned King at Westminster by Thomas Craâ—mer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Metropolitane of all England who that day administred the holy Sacraments c. The King was no sooner Crowned but the Lady Elizabeth gave way to the present state neither continued they in that frequent familiarity as before for whereas in former time she loved him as a Brother her discretion now taught her to honour him as her King for though hee was a Prince of great meekenesse and modesty for that Royall Majesty which makes the difference betwixt the
Sonne and the Father distinguisheth betwixt the Sister and the Brother for they which had lived in great familiarity now meete not but at distance which proceeded not from his will but the Majesty of state the death of the Father which raised him to the Crowne Remooved her from the Court into the Country in which retirement being nobly attended by divers voluntary Ladies and Gentlewomen as also her owne traine and houshold servants shee led there though a more solitary yet a more safe and contented life and being there setled shee received to adde unto her revenue many private gifts with often visits sent from the King who was very indulgent over her honour and health Scarse was shee full foureteene yeares of age when her second Vnckle Seymor Brother to the Lord Protector and Lord High Admirall of England brought her a Princely suiter richly habited aud nobly attended who after much importunity both by himselfe and friends finding himselfe by her modest repulses and cold answers crost in his purpose setled in his minde though not satisfied in her denyall retyred himselfe into his Country The first unwelcome motion of marriage was a cause why she studyed a more retyred life as being seldome seene abroad and if at any time the King her Brother had sent to injoy her company at Court shee made there no longer stay then to know his Highnesse pleasure and make tender of her duty and service and that done with all convenient speede tooke her journey backe into the Country where shee spent the entire season of her Brothers raigne who the sixth day of Iuly in the sixteenth yeare of hiâ— age and the seventh of his Princely governement departed the world at Greenewich The two Vnckles of the King the onely Supporters on which the safety of his Minority leaned being cut off by violent deaths It was a generall feare through out the Kingdome that the Nephew should not survive long after them which accordingly happened for the two great Dukes of Northumberland and Suffolke being in the prime and sole authority concluded a match betwixt the Lord Guildford Dudley Sonne to Northumberland and the Lady Gray Daughter to Suffolke thinking thereby to disable both the Sisters Mary and Elizabeth from any claime to the Crowne and therefore the fourth day after the Kings death the Lady Iane was proclaimed Queene The Lady Mary being then at Framingham was much perplexed with that newes especially when shee heard it was done by the consent of the whole Nobiliâ—y to whom the Suffolke men assembled themselves offring her their volentary assistance to attaine unto her lawfull inheritance which bruited at Wort The Duke of Northumberland having a large and strong Commission granted him from the body of the whole Counsell raised an Army to suppresse both her and her Assassinates which was no sooner advanced but the Lords repenting of so great an injury done to the late Kings Sister â—ent a Countermaund after him and when he thought himselfe in his greatest security the nobility forsaking him and the Commons abandoniâ—g him being at Cambridge saving his sonnes and some few servants he was left alone where he proclaimed the Lady Mary Queene in the open Market place Notwithstanding he was arrested in Kings Colledge of high Treason and from thence was brought up to the Tower where upon the Hill at the common Execution place he lost his head the twelfth of August next ensuing the like fate happened to the Duke of Suffolke not many weekes after as also to the sweete young couple the Lord Guilford Dudly and the Lady Iane Grey of whose much lamented deathes I cannot now insist The Lady Mary was proclaimed by the Suffolkemen Queene at Framingham the twentyeth of Iuly and the third of August next went by water to take possession of the Tower her sister the Lady Elizabeth whom shee had before sent for out of the Country accompanying her in the Barge from the Tower shee rode through London towards the Pallace at Westminster The Lady Elizabeth to whom all this time shee showed a pleasant and gracious countenance rid in a Chariot next after her drawne by six white Horses trapt in cloath of Silver the Open Chariot being covered over with the same in which sate onely to accompany her the Lady Anne of Cleave The first day of October Mary was crowned Queene at Westminster by Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester the Lady Elizabeth being most Princesse-like attended and present at her sisters Coronation I come now to her troubles and notwithstanding her many and miraculous dangers and deliverances being an absolute Princesse yet greater were the difficulties shee past being a Prisoner then those the which the Pope menac'st her with his Bulls abroad now the Popes agents seeke to supplant her with their power at home and then her adversaries were Alians now her opposites are natives Then forraigne Kings sought to invade her now a moderne Queene laboureth to intrap her they strangers she a sister She lived then at freedome and without their jurisdiction shee lives now a captive subject to an incensed sisters indignation she was then attended by her Nobilitie and grave Counsellours she hath now none to converse with her but Keepers and Jaylours she in her soveraigntie never stirred abroad without a strong guard of tall Yeomen and Gentlemen Pentioners shee now is kept within close prisoner waited on onely by rude and unmannerly white and blacke coate Souldiers But having before published a tractate of this excellent Lady intituled from her cradle to her Crowne I will now onely give you a briefe nomination of these passages most pertinent to this project now in hand referring the Reader for his better satisfaction to the discourse before remembred Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and other Romists offended with her Religion laboured not onely to supplant her from the Queenes love but if possible to deprive her of her life possessing the Queene that shee was consenting unto Sir Thomas Wyats insurrection therefore a strict Commission was sent downe to Ashridge where she then sojourned and lay extreamly sicke where the Lords the Commissioners besieged the house with Souldiers entred her Bed-chamber without leave And notwithstanding two learned Doctors affirmed she could not bee removed without danger of life the next morning hoysted her into an Horslitter towards London Being arived at Court for foureteene dayes confin'd to her chamber no acquaintance to confer with her no friend to comfort her whereafter she was strictly examined and sharpely reprooved and notwithstanding nothing could be proved against her commanded to the Tower by water and at such a time when in shooting the Bridge the Barge grated against the Arches being in great danger of splitting her landing at the Traytors staires her churlish entertainment her keeping close prisoner her Family dissolved her servants discharged her frights by day her terrours by
avaritious wretch whose motto was Quid labitis undertaking was like a perfidious Traytour soone after drawne hangd and quarterd Let me not here forget the Campe at Tilbery in which her Majestie was in person and that if the Spaniard had prevailed by Sea to have given him battaile by land appearing in the head of her Troopes and incouraging her Souldiers habited like an Amazonian Queene Buskind and plumed having a golden Truncheon Gantlet and Gorget Armes sufficient to expresse her high and magnanimous spirit who when she understood the proud enemie was utterly defeated and that her English soyle was too hot for any invaders to tread upon she dissolved her Campe. And to shew how much she vilefied their former undertakings and how little she feared what they might attempt thence after the very next yeare following shee sent an Army into Portugall invading the invaders and braving her much daunted enemy even in his owne dominions I conclude all her miraculous preservations with that of Edward Squire one belonging to the Queenes stable who being in Spaine received from one Walpoole a Iesuite a strong and mortiferous confection in a bladder to poyson the Pummell of her Saddle who after his returne wayting his opportunitie and by reason of his place and former acquaintance not being suspected when her Majestie was to take horse he came openly with a smiling countenance in the presence of many and having prickt the bladder wearing a thicke can'd glove clapt his hand upon the Pummell of the Saddle and with a chearefull voyce sayd God save the Queene wherein it pleased God as mine author saith to take his word not his meaning for by Gods great providence neither in mounting nor alighting nor all the way she rode shee once touched the Pummell For which attempt he by his voluntary confession was convicted and condemned Thus have I described unto you a Vestall for virginitie a Mirrour of Majestie no lesse celebrated for religious pietie then regall dignitie with no afflictions afrighted no disasters daunted to her friends a mother her foes a terrour maliciously pursued miraculously preserved of women the wonder of Princesse the Paravant Elizabeth FINIS A briefe Index or Table of the Contents in the Premises In the life of DEBORAH WHat this Deborah was Page 5. The Etimoligy of her name p. 6 Her Character ibid. In what estate Israel stood in her time ibid. Ioshuahs victories with the manner of his death ib. Israels Idolatry p. 7 Gods great mercy towards them ib. The Iudges ib. Israels Tryall ib. Baalaim and Asheroth p. 8 Of Cushan Kishataim King of Aram. ib. Othnill the sonne of Kenâ—z ib. Eglon King of Moab ib. Ehud the sonne of Gera who slew Eglon ib. Shamgar the sonne of Anath ib. The Israelites ingratitude towards God p. 9 The tiranny of Iabin King of Canaan ib. Deborah a Iudgesse in Israel p. 10 The place where she dwelt ib. Her speech to Barack the sonne of Abinoham ib. Baracks timerousnesse p. 11. Deborah's magnanimitie ib. The muster of the two Tribes of Nepthali and Zebulon ibid. Of Heber the Kenite p. 12 His temporisings betwixt the Israelites and the Cananites ib. The dangerous effects of warre p. 13 The office of a Generall ib. The fruits of tyranny p. 14 The nature of Ambition ib. Of Sysera and his preparation for warre p. 15 Mount Tabor ib. The River Kishon ib. Deborah incourageth Baruck before the battaile ib. The effects of feare p. 16 Syseras Army roâ—ted ib. He flying comes to the Tent of Jael the wife of Hebar ib. Her entertainment of Sysera p. 17 His feare being in her tent ib. Jâ—el killeth Sisera p. 19 Debora and Jael compared for their masculine vertue ib. IVDETH OF the two Kings Nabuchodonozer and Arphaxad p. 22 The two great Cities of Ninivie and Echbatane ib. The nomination of sundry Rivers p. 23 Nabuchodonozers commandment despised ib. King Arphaxad discomfited and slaine ib. Nebuchodonozer after his victory feasteth his boast an hundred and twentie dayes p. 24 Holophernes his chiefe Captaine and his Army ib. The magnificent provision of his boast ib. His tyranny p. 25 Nabuchodonozer proclaymed a God ib. The preparations of Israel against Holophernes ib. Joachim the high Priest ib. The Israelites prayer and repentance p. 26. Achior Captaine of the Amorites ib. His speech to Holophernes p. 27 The blasphemy of Holophernes ib. Achior brought into Bethulia p. 28 Ozias Chabris and Charmis Governors of Bethulia ib. Achior comforted and feasted by the Elders ib. The great distresse of Bethulia p. 29 Judeth the widdow of Manaffes ib. Her zeale and abstinence p. 30 She reproacheth the Elders of Bethulia ib. The reply of Ozias to Judeth p. 31 She changeth her garments of widdow-hood ib. Her wonderfull beautie p. 32 Her mayde ib. Judeth brought before Holophernes p. 33 Her speech to him ib. The answer of Holophernes p. 35 She is brought into his Tent. ib. The feast of Holophernes to his servants p. 36 Bagoas the Evenuch ib. Holophernes infidiateth her chastitie ib. She eateth and drinketh in his presence p. 37 Holophernes overcome with wine ib. Holophernes slaine by Judeth p. 38 Judeth with her maid come backe to Bethulia ib. Her counsell to the Governours p. 39 Achiors extasie at the sight of the head of Holophernes ib. Holophernes found without an head p. 40 The Assirians disheartned ib. Their buast utterly discomfited p. 41 The High Priests and the Eldersblesse Judeth ib. Their honour done to her for their miraculous 〈◊〉 p. 42 Judeths thanksgiving and offering ib. Her age and death p. 43 ESTHER WHat Ahashueras was p. 46 His great feast to his Princes p. 47. His feast to the people ib. Queene Vasthis feast 48. Her contempt of the Kings command ib. Memucans censure of Vasthi ib. A decree against the Queene 49 Who Mordecai was 50 Who Esther or Hadasha was ib. Esther received into the Kings Pallace ib. Esther crowned Queene 51 Treason against the King discovered by Mordecai ib. The exaltation of Haman Mordecai bendeth not the knee to Haman ib. Hamans purpose utterly to supplant the Jewes 52 The decree sealed for the destruction of the Jewes 53 Mordecai's sorrow for his people ib. Queene Esther comforteth her Vnckle Mordecai 54 Queene Esthers fast 55 Queene Esther appeares before the King and finds favour ib. The King and Haman invited to her banquet 56 Hamans hate to Mordecai ib. His pride and confidence ib. Haman maketh a Gibbet fiftie foote high to hang Mordecai 57 Gods providence to preserve his people ib. Pride catchâ— in her owne net 58 Haman is force to honour Mordecai ib. What envie is 59 The King and Haman at Esthers banquet 60 Esthers request to the King ib. Hamans pride turned into base feare 61 Haman hanged on the gallowes prepared for Mordecai ib. Esthers petition for the Jewes 62 The decree against the Jewes broken ib. Libertie granted to the Jewes 63 Mordecai's royall apparell ib. The Jewes revenge
upon their enemy 64 Hamans ten sons hang'd 65 A memoriall for the Jewes great deliverance ib. Mordecai the second man in the kingdome ib. BONDVCA HEr severall appellations 70 Prasutagus her husband maketh Caesar Co-keyre with his Queene and daughters 71 The unjust proceedings of the Romans ib. Their barbarous lust and crueltie 72 Bunduca's person and condition ib. Reasons Inducing the Brittaines so rebell against the Romans 73 Swetonius Paulinus the Roman Generall ib. Bunduca's first insurrection 74 Her royall Army ib. Her habit in Battaile ib. The place where shee encampt 75 Her oration to her Souldiers ib. Her devision of the Romans 76 The goddesse Andate or victory 77 The providence of Paulinus Swetonius ib. The strength of the Romans in Brittaine 78 The estate of the Citie Comelodunum at that time 79 The estate of the Roman Colonies 80 The Citie demolished 81 Bunduca intercepteth the Roman expidition ib. She prosecuteth her victory ib. The demeaner of the Roman Generall 82 Virulam sackt and spoiled ib. The cruell behaviour of the inraged Brittains 83 The courage of the Roman Generall 84 The number of the Bunduca's Army ib. The place where she incamped 85 The time of the years ib. The martialling of the Roman Army 86 The proportion of a Legion ib. Bunduca in the Battaile 87 The order of her Battaile ib. She incourageth her Souldiers 88 The onset on both sides ib. A description of the Battaile 89 Valour on both sides ib. The Romans Victors 90 The Brittaines Army routed ib. The numbers slane on both sides 91 Of Bunduca after the battaile ib. Her death and place of buriall ib. Divers opinions concerning her place of enterrement ib. PENTHISILAEA OF Viragoes or women of masculine Spirit 96 Of Camilla Helerna Semiramis Zenobia 97 Hypsecratea Tomyris Teuca Maria Puteolana 98 Of the Amazons in generall 99 Their originall 100 Whence they derived their names 101 Marthesia Lampedo Orreta Antiope ib. Menelippe Penthifilaea 102 Securigera Vexillifera Peltifera 103 Penthisilaea's beauty ib. The death of Penthisilaea 104 Monithaea or Thalestris in the time of Alexander 105 The end of the Amazonean race ib. The manners of the Scithians 106 The custome of the Sarromates 107 Their Kings at their death 109 ARTIMESIA HEroicke women in all ages 112 Renowned women 113 The seaven wonders of the world and first of the Aegiptian Pyramids 114 Of King Cleopas and RhodopeÌ„ the second wonder 115 The third and fourth wonder 116 A fift wonder 117 The sixt wonder 118 The beautiful Pallace of Cyrus ib. A strange controversie betwixt the two Citties of Athens and Elis. ib. Phidias 118 The pleading of the Athenians 120 The stout answer of the Aelians 122 The seaventh wonder erected by Queene Artimesia ib. The gravers of King Mausolus Tombe 123 Rare builders and Architectors ib. Mausolea 124 The magnanimity of Queene Artimeâ—ia 125 Her brave demeanour in that great navall fight betwixt the Persians and the Grecians Xerxes his character of Queene Artimesia 126 ELPHLEDA OF comâ—ustions and 〈◊〉 women 132 Helena Hyppodamia Aspaâ—ia Poliâ—o Lavinia 133 Dejareira Nicostrate Polidices Lucretia ibid. Virginea Phaedra Martia Thais 134 A Catalogue of excellent and eminent women ib. Dominica Iuguldis 135 Glotildis Placida Pompâ—ia Paulinâ— Helena Monicha 136 Etheldredus raised the first Schoole in Oxford 137 King Alureds issue ib. A remarkable accident 138 The Danes defeated by stratagem 139 King Edwards numerous issue 140 Whence Spinsters came ib. The first proofe of Elphledas valour 141 Her monomachy and brave victory 142 Her valour and pietie 143 Her Acts buildings and repayring of decayed Cities ib. Her rare chastitie and of her daughter Elswina 144 Of chastitie and beautie 145 Further of her valour the Danes outrages and the death of Turbitillus 146 An emulation betwixt two women with a strange deliverance 147 Elphleda's death and further of her daughter 148 Her Epitaph 149 Her brother King Edwards victories and of King Ethelstane 150 Queene MARGARET A Preparation for her mariage 154 Her bringing over into England with her marriage to King Edward the sixt 155 She assumeth regall prerogative 156 The death of Humphrey Duke of Gloster with his Character 157 A Parliament at Lecester the death of the Marquesse of Suffolke 158 Blew-beard Iack Cade the birth of Prince Edward 159 The Queene the raiser of all combustions ib. The proceedings of the Duke of Yorke a peace betwixt the King and the Duke The Duke of Yorke sent to the Tower 160 Sommerset made Captaine of Callis new combustion by the Queenes partie 161 The battaile at Saint Albans the King prisoner the Duke of Yorke Protector and discharged of his Protectorship 162 Procession to Pauls and of Andrew Trollop 163 Iohn Dinham surpriseth the Kings Navy and Simon Mountford beheaded by the Yorkists 165 The bettaile at Northampton the King taken and Yorke lodged in the Kings Pallace 166 Yorke claimes the Crowne his pride the decree of the Parliament 167 The battaile of Wakefield the Duke of Yoâ—ke slaine 168 Another battaile at Saint Albans Prince Edward made King the Earle of Marsh raiseth new Forces 169 Edward Earle of Marsh made King the bloody battaile at Sherborne 170 Henry with his Queene flye into Scotland 171 Edward crowned Queene Margarets Army her distresse by Sea 172 Exam-field Henry tooke prisoner King Edward marrieth the Lady Grey 173 The Lady Bona the Duke of Clarens and Earle of Warwicke proclaimed Rebells 174 Henry Proclaymed King againe and Edward flyes the Land 175 Edward Lands in England possesseth Yorke King Henry surprized by Edward 176 The battaile at Barnet 177 Queene Margaret Lands in England the battaile at Teuxbury 178 Queene Margarets magnanimitie Prince Edward murdered by the Duke of Gloster 179 Queene Margaret sent into her countrey King Henries death and buriall 180 Queene ELIZABETH A Character of Queene Elizabeth 184 Her descent 185 Her birth baptisme Queene Katherine the mother and Mary her daughter disabled of all regall clayme 186 The Lady Elizabeths constellation infancie childhood 187 Prince Edward created Prince of Wales ibid. The great love betwixt Edward and Elizabeth brother and sister 188 The death of King Henry the eighth ibid. Prince Edward proclaymed King his Coronation 189 The Lady Elizabeths first suiters her modesty 190 The death of King Edward the sixt the Lady Jane proclaimed Queene 191 The Duke of Northumberland sent against the Lady Mary ib. Northumberland beheaded the deaths of the Duke of Suffolke the Lady Jane and Guilford Dudley 192 Mary proclaymed Queene ib. Her Coronation the Lady Elizabeths troubles 193 The Bishop of Winchester pursueth her life her committing to the Tower 194 Her cruell usage and patience King Philip favoureth her 195 An imposterous birth ib. King Phillip discovereth the plot his departure out of the Land 196 Observations concerning Q. Maries raigne Callis lost ib The death of Queene Mary the Lady Elizabeth proclaymed Queene 197 Her Coronation and how the state stood in the beginning of her raigne 198 King Phillip would marry Queene
Clesiphon A fifth wonder Chares Lyndius The sixth wonder Aelians The Pallace of Cyrus Memnon A remarkeable controversie A law among the Grecians Phidias A cruell and an injust sentence The plea of the Athenians The answer of â—he Elians The seventh wonder Scopas Briay Tymothius Leocares Rare buildings and Architectors A glorious tombe built by Simon the High Priest Mausolea The magnanimity of Queene Artimesia Xerxes Her demeanor in the Navall fight The Greekes prime Commanders Xerxes his character of Queene Artimesia Of turbulent and combustious women Helena Hippodamie Aspatia Teuca Polizo Lavinia Dejaneira Nicostrate Polidices Lucretia Virginia Phedra Martia Thais A briefe catalogue of eminent and excellent women Dominica Iuguldis Clotildis Placida Pompeia Paulina Helena Monica Elpheda The first Schoole in Oxford Mercia Ethelâ—ida King Alareds issue A remarkeable accident The Danes defeated by stratagem The day well divided Elpheda too as Virago King Edwards Royall and numerous issue Spinster from whence it came A Nunne ravisht The first profe of Elphedaes valour Her monomachy A brave victory Her valour and piety The death of Etheldredus Elphedaes Acts Buildings c. and reparations of decayed Cities Her rare Chastity Elswinâ— Chastity Beauty Further of Elphedaes valour The outrages of the Danes Turbetillus defeated An Emlation betwixt two women A strange deliverance Elphedaes death Elphedaes Daughter Her Epitaph King Edward subdued the two Kings of Scotland and Wales King Ethelstane Preparation for a marriage The Lady Margaret brought over into England The marriage of the King to the Lady Margaret An unprofitable match The Queene assumes regall prerogative Humphrey Duke of Glocester the Kings Vnckle His death A true character of Duke Humphrey A Parliament at Lecester The death of the Marquesse of Suffolke Blew-beard Iacke Cade The birth of Prince Edward The Queene the instigator of all combustions The proceeding of the Duke of Yorke A Peace mediated betwixt the King and the Duke The Duke of Yorke sent to the Tower The Earle of March soone to the Duke of Yorke Summerset created Captaine of Caâ—is A new combustion Lords of the Queenes party The battle at Saint Alâ—ones The Kings prison The Duke of Yorke Protector Yorke discharged of his Protectorship Procession to Pauls Andrew Trollope Yorkes flight and his Army dissolved The Dutchesse of Yorke prisoner and Ludlow spoyled The Yorkists proclaimed Traitors Iohn Dinham surprised the Kings Navy Simon Mountford beheaded by the Yorkists The Yorkâ—sts land in England The battle at Northampton The Kings host discomfitted The King taken Yorke lodgeth in the Kings Pallace Yorke layeth claime to the Crowne The Queenes magnanimity Yorks pride The decree of the Parliament The battle of Wakefield The Duke of Yorke slaine Another battle at Saint Albons Prince Edward made Knight Edward Earle of March raiseth new forces Henry thought worthy to be deposed Edward Earle of March made King The bloody battle at Towton or Shirborne Henry with his Queene flye into Scotland Henry in all his actions most infortunate The Coronation of King Edward the fourth of that name Queene Margarets Army Margaret distressed by Sea Exham field Henry tooke Prisoner King Edward marryeth Elizabeth Gray The Lady Bova The Duke of Clarens and Earle of Warwicke proclamed Rebels Henry againe proclaimed King King Edward flyes the land Henry received as King Strange alteration in the state Glocester who was after Richard the third Edward landeth in England He maketh his Proclamations in the name of King Henry Edward possesseth Yorke Henry surprised by Edward The Earle of Oxford leadeth the Van. The Battle at Barnet Lords slaine in the battle Queene Margaret landeth in England The battle at Teuxbury Margaret with the Prince her son taken Her magnanimity Prince Edward murthered by the Duke of Glocester Queene Margaret sent into her owne Country The death of Henry His buriall A Character of Queene Elizabeth Her descent Her birth Her Baptisme An oath of Allegiance taken Katherine the mother and Mary the daughter disabled of allâ— regall claime Vnder what Constellation she was borne Her Infancy Her Childhood Queene Anne dead Prince Edward borne Created Prince of Wales An alternate affâ—ction betweene the Prince and his sister Elizabeth The death of King Henry the eighth Prince Edward proclâ—imed King His Coronation Her retirement into the Country Her first suiter His name is conceald Her Virgin modesty The death of King Edward the sixth The Lady Iane Gray proclaimed Queene The Duke of Northumberland sent against the Lady Mary Northumberland beheaded The deaths of Suffolke the Lady Ianâ— and Guâ—lford Dudley Mary proclamed Queene Her Coronation The troubles of the Lady Elizabeth Her danger greater in her solitude then in her soveraigntie The reasons Winchester infidiateth her life Doctor Guin and Doctor Wendiffe Her committing to the Tower Her hard usage Her infinite dangers Her great patience King Phillip favoureth the Lady Elizabeth An imposterous birth King Phillip discovereth the plot Triumphs for the supposed heyre King Phillips departure out of the Land His returne Observations concerning Queene Maries raigne Callis lost The death of Queene Mary Lady Elizabeth proclaymed Her Coronation How the state stood in the beginning of her raigne King Phillip a suiter to marry Queene Elizabeth Great prepaâ—ation of the French to invade England A weake ground to support so great a title Sebastian Marteguinus two forward Spaine France and Scotland combine against Queene Elizabeth Her debilities Her prudent preparations Arthur Poole incouraged by the Guisians c. New invasions tâ—eatned The Bull of Pope Pius Quintus A rebellion in the North. Duke D'Alva Man purposeth God disposeth Dakers revolt from the Queene Bakers Forces routed by the Lord Hunsden Commotions in Ireland Spanish Plots Eighty eight Domestick conspiracies Discovered Prevented Don Iohn of Austria aymes at the Crowne of England and Scotland One brother crosseth the other England aymed at by all The death of Don Iohn Captaine Thomas Stukeley Brave boasts Tempting titles Stukeley slaine in the great battaile of Alcazer Nicolas Saunders a pestilent Traytor Sam. Iosephus The unpittied death of the rebells Divers other conspirators Bernardinus Mendoza base proceeding Cardinall Alan and others Doctor Parry The foureteene traytors Queene Elizabeths confidence in the Almightie A rare spirit in a Princesse The death of the foureteen Traytors The French Embassador The Spanish Armado The Navie stiled invincible defeated Doctor Lopes his treason His death Her Majesties deportment in the Campe at Tilbury The next yeare she assaulted Lysbone The treason of Edward Squire A miraculous preservation A Character of Queene Elizabeth