Henry the Fifth for suppression of the Scriptures in English should be all repealed and Images all thrown out of the Churches throughout the Realm and the Church Service to be read in English and the Sacrament exhibited in both kinds and the other old Ceremonies were abolished and all those that made opposition were either imprisoned or deprived of their places Hereupon Tumults arose in Devonshire and Cornwal doing much harm especially to the City of Exceter which City for its Loyalty had the Mannour of Exilond not after bestowed upon it by the King and Pardon was granted to the Rebells yet notwithstanding they persisted in their Rebellion and 4 times being fought by the Lord Russel and each time worsted yet they still made head again till at length their Ring-Leaders were taken and Executed At this time also the Mayor of Bodmyn was Hanged and a Millers Man who took upon him his Master's name and cause when seeing himself likely to suffer for it thencryedout That he was but the Miller's Man well said Sir Anthony Kingston Thou canst never do thy Master better Service than to hang for him No sooner were these Troubles quelled but one Robert Ket moved about 20000 Commons in Norfolk to a Rebellion taking the City of Norwich in which place the Lord Dudly shortly after caused 60 of them to be executed and afterwards overthrew their Army and took Ket their Leader who was hanged up in Chains upon the Top of the Castle of Norwich and 9 of his Companions hanged in the Oak of Reformation a Tree in which Ket used to sit as Judge to determine of their intended Reformation and Proceedings the great occasion of these Commotions in several Counties in England was against Inclosures and taking up of wast Grounds which was then coming into Fashion for they disparked a great many Parks and other inclosed Grounds whereupon several of them were slain in the Quarrel the Plebeans also at Seymer near Scarborough in York-shire rose also under the Conduct one William Ombler a Yeoman there Thomas Dale a Parish Clerk and one Stephenson the Post but the King sending down his Pardon the Commons left their Leader to be led to York where they were Executed But now began greater Sorrows for the King 's two Uncles the Lord Protector and Lord Admiral falling at Variance about their Wives who should take place it proved unlucky to them both for the Lord Admiral was afterwards attainted of some Treasonable Articles as was supposed by his Brother the Protector 's procurement and was beheaded at Tower-hill and not many years after the Protector himself being fallen into dislike among the Lords at the same place received the same Doom and during these unhappy proceedings the English were quite driven out of Scotland and the French had sought to recover Bulloin but they were so bravely withstood by vallor of one Carter an English Soldier that 15 Waggons went loaded away with their slain and they afterwards attempting the Islands of Gernsie and Jersie they were there also forced to desist with the loss of a thousand men And now the King's Death began to approach he having taken the Death of the Protector his Uncle to Heart and before he died he ordained the Lady Jane Daughter to Henry Duke of Suffolk lately married to Guilford Lord Dudly to succeed him in the Kingdom Notwithstanding the Statute made for the Succession of his Fathers Children Anno 1552 about 7 miles from Oxford at a Town called Middleton a Woman brought forth a Child which had two perfect Bodies from the Navel upwards which were so conjoined together at the Navel that when they were laid out at length one Head and Body was East and the other West and the Leggs of both the Bodies were joined together in the midst they were Female Children and lived 18 days This Edward the Sixth was King of England France and Ireland he was the only Son of King Henry the Eight by Jane his Queen Daughter to John Seimer Knight He began his Reign on Thursday the 28 day of January Anno 1546 he reigned 6 years 5 months and 8 days and was the 41 sole Monarch of England He died of a Consumption of the Lungs on Thursday the 6 day of July Anno 1553 being in the 7 year of his Reign and about the 16 of his Age his Body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XXXI Of Queen Mary AFter the Death of King Edward the Lords of the Council caused Lady Jane Guilford to be Proclaimed Queen Lady Mary hearing of these proceedings writ to the Lords to acquaint them with her Title to the Crown but they regarded it not alledging the divorce of her Mother hereupon she betook her self to Fremingham Castle to which place the Suffolk men repaired and promised their Aid Provided she would not alter the Religion Established in her Brother's days to which Request she willingly condescended but afterwards upon their Petition to her after she had got the power in her own hands for performance of her Promise she dismissed them with rough Answers And now several men of Account repaired to her and Proclaimed her Queen at Norwich the Lords at London having notice hereof sent the Earl of Northumberland with an Army against her but Queen Maries Forces still encreasing she was Proclaimed Queen in Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire Northampton-shire and the Lords now began to grow fearful procured Dr. Ridly Bishop of London to maintain Lady Jane's cause in his Sermon at Paul's Cross but this working no effect they forthwith Proclaimed Queen Mary and so the poor distressed Earl of Northumberland being forsaken by his Soldiers for want of an Harrold at Cambridge proclaimed Queen Mary himself but notwithstanding shortly after lost his head although he had renounced his Religion in hope of Pardon with him suffered Sir John Gates and Sir Thomas Palmer and not long after them the Lord Guilford and Lady Jane his Wife a Princess for her Wisdom and Learning worthy of Immortal Fame It is reported that Morgan who gave Sentence of Death upon her fell afterwards into Madness always crying out Take away the Lady JANE from him Now the Queen released the Duke of Suffolk from his Imprisonment but he afterwards seeking to withstand the Queen's Marriage was betrayed by one Vnderwood his Servant and himself with his Brother Thomas Lord Gray were Beheaded and several worthy Bishops as Cranmer Ridly Story Coverdale Hooper c. and all married Priests were displaced and Romanists such as Bonner Gardiner Day Wesie Heath c. were put in their places Sir Thomas Wyat now with a great Power in Kent sought to withstand the Queen's Marriage and to have placed better Councellors about her and thinking to have enter'd over at London-Bridg was there stopt so spoiling Gardiner's the Bishopof Winchester's House he returned and got over the River of Thames at Kingston and intended to have entered the City of London at Ludgate but being there withstood upon his return at Temple-Bar
dispairing of his purpose he yielded himself Prisoner and was shortly after beheaded and 50 Persons more of his Complices were hanged in London and 23 in Kent and the Lord Courtny and Lady Elizabeth afterwards our Queen were clapt up in the Tower upon suspition of favouring Sir Thomas Wyat's proceedings and this Innocent Lady without respect to her Person being extream Sick at her Mannor of Asbridge was nevertheless brought away Prisoner to London and was so straitly kept in the Tower that a little Boy about 4 years of Age who was wont every day to carry her some Flowers and prattle and talk to her Command was given to his Father that the Boy should go no more and the next day the Child going and the Door being shut he peeped in at a hole Crying unto her Mistress I can bring you no more Flowers now From hence this pious Princess was removed to Woodstock where one day sitting sollitary at her Prison window she espied a Maid singing merrily over her milking Pale whose condition she esteemed to be better than hers A little before Arrival of King Philip two Suns were seen at one time and a Rainbow reversed the Bow turning downwards before the Marriage certain Honourable Conditions were propounded to King Philip and agreed to by him And now the Protestants began to be hated Mr. Bourn a godly Minister having a Dagger thrown at him as he was Preaching at Paul's Cross and Bishop Bonner caused all Scriptures painted on the Church-walls to be blotted out and Cardinal Pool coming into England Images Holy Water Pax Censures Oyl and Cream were brought into the Church again And about this time fell such abundance of Rain that for the space of six days men might row with Boats in Saint George's Feilds and the Water was half a yard deep in Westminster-hall Now the Queens cruel Bishops with her consent partly through their perswasions consumed in the Flames during her Reign for the Profession of their Faith 5 Bishops 21 Divines 18 Gentlemen 84 Artificers 100 Husband-men Servants and Labourers 26 Wives 20 Widdows 9 Virgins 2 Boys and 2 Infants in all 287 besides 16 other Persons that perished in Prison and 7 scourged and several Condemned which were released upon the happy entrance of Queen Elizabeth Many also in these perilous times fled amongst whom the Dutchess of Suffolk and her Husband Mr. Berty were two who suffered both Hunger and Cold and were often in Danger of their Lives till at length they got into Poland where they were Honourably treated till Queen Mary's Death And now nothing being Talked of but the Queens being with Child Prayers were made for her safe Deliverance Midwives Rockers and Cradles and all things else prepared but when it come to the point indeed it proved nothing but a Tympany and King Philip seeing himself so frustrated of his Expectation took Shipping for Spain and stayed at that time 19 months from the Queen in whose absence her Exchequer was intended to have been Robbed but some of the Plotters Vdal Throgmorton Peacham Daniel and Stanton were taken and suffered Death and others fled and the same year that Coaches were first used in England viz. Anno 1555 began the hot burning Feavers whereof died many old Persons so that in London died 7 Aldermen in less than 10 months time about 2 years after this Thomas Stafford Son to the Lord Stafford rose in Rebellion but was taken and beheaded And now the King being instigated by his Queen prepared an Army against France and several Nobles went thither where their greatest exploit was the winning of St. Quintins which was repayed by the French winning Callis from the English after it had been in their Possession about 211 years This loss so grieved the Queen that shortly after she died of a Burning Feaver telling her Physitians That they would find Callis written in her Heart if they dissected her Body after her Death That year Queen Mary died the Quartaine Agues continned very sharp so that many old Folk died especially Parsons and Priests so that a great number of Churches were unfurnished and a little before the Queen's Death dyed two of her Physitians besides many Bishops and Noble men And in July the same year a Tempest of Thunder as it went through two Towns near Nottingham beat down the Churches and all the Houses in the Towns the Bells were thrown out of the Steeples and some of the Webs of Lead thrown 400 Foot into the Feild and wreathen up together like a glove Trees were plucked up by the roots and cast 12 score foot off and a Child was taken out of a man's hand and carried an 100 foot and then let fall and died five or six men were killed and Hail-stones fell 15 Inches about This Mary was Queen of England France and Ireland She was the eldest Daughter of King Henry the Eight by Catherine his first Queen Daughter to Ferdinando the VI King of Spain and Widdow Dowager to Prince Arthur King Henry's Elder Brother She began her Reign on Thursday the sixth day of July Anno 1553 and reigned five years four months and 11 days and was the 42 sole Monarch of England She died of a Burning Feaver on Thursday the 17 day of November Anno 1558 being in the Sixth year of her Reign and 40 of her Age Her Body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XXXII Of Queen Elizabeth THis Queen was Crowned at Westminster by Owen Ogilthorp Bishop of Carlile Pool Arch-Bishop of Canterbury dying the same day that Queen Mary dyed At her Entrance the Title of Supremacy was again restored by Parliament and all Queen Maries Statutes in favour of Rome repealed and she being desired by Parliament to marry said That she intended a Virgins Life which accordingly she performed for being Courted by Maximilian the Emperour Ericus Son to the King of Sweden and by the Arch Duke of Austria and Duke of Anjou she denied them all and now Divine Service being celebrated in English and Images thrown out of the Churches again The Scots also began to seek Reformation too whereupon there arose great Tumults among them and the King of France sending the Romanists Aid there the Reformers were forced to crave help from Queen Elizabeth which she sent them under the Command of the Lord Grey and the Queen Mother Regent of Scotland dying the French thereupon concluded Peace for Scotland and left it The year 1561 In June a Terrible Tempest of Thunder and Lightning happenned about London which set Paul's Steeple on fire and burnt it down to the Roof of the Church consuming all the Bells Lead c. And in March the year after a Mare brought forth a Fole with one Body and two Heads and a long tail growing out between them a Sow also Farrowed a Pig with four legs like to the arms of a Child with Hands and Fingers and in April after another Sow Farrowed a Pig with two Bodies eight Feet and but one Head and many
with Britain and began his reign Anno Domini 218 and reigned about one year and two Months XXIV Heliogabilus This Emperour began his Reign Anno Domini 219 and reigned about four years he had no Wars with Britain but he was a great Whoremaster and incestuoussy lay with his own Mother XXV Alexander Severus he tollerated the Christians to live peaceably had no War with Britain he was slain by the Almain Souldiers having his eyes put out after he had Regned about thirteen years and six Months and seven days XXVI Maximinus This Emperour's Reign began Anno Domini 237. and continued three years he had no Wars with Britain The sixth Persecution of the Church of Chirst began in his time XXVII Julius Verus Maximus This Emperour was slain at the same time his Father was slain he was a beautiful person and his Company much desired by the Ladies whose suits he easily condescended to he had peace with the Britains XXVIII Gordianus This Emperour's Reign was short not exceeding forty days as some Authors affirm No War with Britain in his time XXIX Claudius Puppienus and Celius Balbinus These Emperours Reigned about a year They began their Reign Anno Domini 239. And had no Wars with Britain XXX Antonius Gordianus He had Peace with Britain he began his Reign Anno Domini 240 and reigned four years XXXI Julius Philippus In his time there was no War with Britain he reigned five years and begun his Reign Anno Domini 245 he was a Christian and the first Emperour that received Baptism as some Authors do affirm in his time the famous Cyprian flourished XXXII Decius The seventh Persecution of the Church began in this Emperour's time he began his Reign Anno Domini 250 and reigned about two years he had no war with Britain XXXIII Trebonianus and Volusianus These Emperours had Peace with Britain They begun their Reigns Anno Domini 252 and reigned two years XXXIV Aemelianus This Emperour Reigned but about three months he began his Reign Anno Domini 254. he had no War with Britain XXXV Valerianus His Reign was but short lasting about a year yet much Christian blood spilt in that time for now begun the ninth Persecution of the Church under him Lawrence and Cyprian suffered Martyrdom but Britain had Peace with him XXXVI Galienus This Emperour Reigned fifteen years he began his Reign Anno Domini 254. and had no War with Britain XXXVII Flavius Claudius he began his Reign Anno Domini 269. and reigned two years he had peace with Britain and was a great Hater of the Christians but had not time to put in Execution his intended Torments against them XXXVIII Quintilius This Emperour shortly after he had taken the Government upon him opened his own Veins and so died he had no War with Britain he began his Reign Anno Domini two hundred seventy one XXXIX Aurelianus he began his Reign Anno Domini 271. and reigned five years he had no War with Britain but was a great Persecutor of the Christians XL. Tacitus He had no War with Britain Reigning about six Months only he began his Reign Anno Domini two hundred seventy and six XLI Florianus He began his Reign Anno Domini 278 and Reigned about three months he had Peace with Britain XLII Probus He was a lover of the Christians and had no War with Britain his Reign began Anno Domini 278. and he reigned about five years XLIII Marcus Aurelius Carus The Britains in his time fell afresh into Rebellion after they had been quiet above 80 years and Carancius being sent Deputy he fell also in Rebellion with them but after the Emperour's Death Carancius was slain by Alectus the succeeding Deputy This Emperour began his Reign Anno Domini 282 and Reigned something more than a year XLIV Dioclesian This Emperour sent Alectus to quiet the Britains who then Rebelled under Carancius and pursuing the Rebels with a continued hatred he himself was at length slain in London by Asclepiodotus Duke of Cornwal and many thousand Romans with him and among the rest one Gallus who was Alectus's Companion was slain in London at a certain Brook which was afterwards called by his Name Gallbrook or Walbrook but at long-run Asclepiodotus himself was slain by Coilus Duke of Colchester This Emperour Dioclesian was a great Persecutor of the Christians he began his Reign Anno Domini 284. and reigned about three years and Maximinianus who was co-emperour with him about 4 years XLV Constantius Clorus This Emperour coming into Britain to subdue the Calledonians and Picts under the command of Coilus who had made himself King at his coming found Coilus dead he married his fair Daughter the Princess Helena and begot on her Constantine the Great This Emperour was a favorer of the Christians though his Predecessor Dioclesian had much oppressed them for in his time was Albine the Protomartyr of England beheaded at Holmehurst now St. Albans and Aaron and Julius suffered at Leicester and about a thousand Christians suffered at Litchfield This Constantius began his Reign Anno Domini 291 and reigned about thirteen years he died at York XLVI Constantius Galerius Maximianus Severus Maxentius Licinius and Martinianus for the space of eight years the Empire was Ruled by these Men sometimes one sometimes another and sometimes all of them ruling till at length they were all vanquished by Constantine the great in these Emperours times were very cruel Torments put in practise against the Christians Maxentius used to join the living bodies of the Christians with other dead Carcases and being chained Mouth to Mouth he caused them to be tumbled up and down Some think this was the reason why St. Paul used that expression in his Epistle to the Romans 7. 24. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death In these Emperors times were some petty Wars with Britain These Emperours began their Rule Anno Domini three hundred and four and Reigned about eight years XLVII Constantinus Magnus This Emperour was a Britain by Nation his Father was Constantius Florus and his Mother Hellena the Daughter of Coilus he did associate with him in the Empire his Sons Crispus Constantinus Constantius and Constance each of them ruling in some part of the Empire The Government continued under these Emperours from the year 312 to the year 350. Some petty Wars they had with Britain some Authors affirm that this Constantine the Great beginning to persecute the Christians he was smitten with a Leprosie that the Physitians left him as incurable and being asleep one Night he saw a Vision telling him that if he desired to recover his health he should recall from Exile Silvester the Bishop and all the Clergy which things he performed and being Converted and Baptized he was immediately cured and increasing in Devotion he built many Churches and among the rest that of St. Peters in Rome himself digging the Foundation and carrying away twelve Baskets full of Earth in
great number of Houses at Winchelsey The King wanting more Money called a Parliament to supply him but was denied whereupon he sold his Jewels Plate and other precious Stuff shortning the allowance also of his House and inviting himself sometimes to one Nobleman's Table and sometimes to another And Alexander King of Scotland coming to York there Married Margaret the Kings Daughter to whose Marriage-Feast the Arch-Bishop of York gave 600 fat Oxen which were all spent at the first Service Not long after this Prince Edward the Kings eldest Son went into Spain and married the Kings Sister whereupon the Spanish King quitted all his claim to Gascoign to King Henry who gave his Son Edward upon his Marriage Gascoin Wales Bristow Stanford and Grantham the year after the Prince with his Wife and Royal Retinue landed at Dover And now also Edmund the King's Son was honoured by the Pope with the empty Title of King of Sicily Anno 1225 Seabald Arch Bishop of York was prosecuted by the Pope for Preaching and writing against his Holiness's Pride And this year 142 Jews were brought to Westminster who were accused and 18 of them hanged for Crucifying a Child at Lincoln and the rest kept Prisoners And now the King again perceiving his Coffers to be empty caused sharp Orders to be made against Sheriffs for the passing their Accompts in the Exchequer And about this time came the Germain Ambassadors with an Embassy to Richard Earl of Cornwall the King's Brother wherein they declared That their Masters the Princes Electors of the Roman Empire had made choice of him for King which he after much Consultation accepted on And now the Barrons fall into Rebellion again and a Parliament being called at Oxford thither they repaired and behaved themselves very Insolently towards their Sovereign hereupon the King sailed into France and there compounded with the French King that he should hold the Dukedom of Normandy and Earldom of Anjou Mayne Touraign and Poictue for 300000 pounds of Touraigne and on promise to receive other Lands of the value of 20000 l. per annum Anno 43 of the King a Jew at Teukesbury fell into a Privy upon Saturday and refused to be helped out because it was their Sabboth whereupon the Earl of Gloucester kept him in all Sunday too and on Monday he was dead About this time Dr. Strenham wrote that Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures were only necessary to Salvation Now the King of France being Umpire between Henry and his Barrons he gave Judgment for the King and the Barrons denying to stand to his Sentence the King gave them Battel near Nottingham where they received a great Overthrow and Simon Mountforth Son to the Earl of Leicester the chief Rebell and many other Barrons Knights and Esquires were taken After this Overthrow the Barrons sent Letters twice to the King desiring to be reconciled but could not be heard which provoked them to fight the King's Army again at which time the Fortune of the day fell to the Barrons for they took the King and his Brother Richard King of the Romans and some other great Peers and the next day their two eldest Sons yielded themselves Prisoners And now Earl Mountforth Joyful of the Victory proceeded to the Imprisonment of the King of the Romans his Son and the Prince in Dover but this budding happiness of the Earl's was quickly cropped for the Earl of Gloucester and he differing about parting of the Prey the Earl of Gloucester thereupon opposed the current of Leicester's Fortune with whom joined the Prince escaped out of Prison and several other Nobles and at Everssham in Worcestershire they overthrew Leicesters Army and he being there slain had his Head cut off and sent to Worcester and his Hands and Feet were chopt off and all those on his party disinherited and London is threatned to be burnt by the King for taking the Barrons part Shortly after this John de Warren Earl of Surrey killed Allan de Zouch in Westminster-Hall upon some distaste taken Anno 1264 there were 700 Jews slain in London because one of them would have forced a Christian Man to have paied more than two pence for the Usury of 20 shillings the week and the year 1269 the Thames was so hard frozen that Men and Cattel passed over from Lambeth to Westminster upon the Ice About this time it was that Prince Edward took his Voyage for the Holy-War and Roger-Bacon a famous Divine of Oxford was Imprisoned by the Pope for Preaching against the Absurdities in the Church of Rome Anno 1271 the Steeple of Bow-Church in Cheap-side fell down and flew many People Men and Women and the year after was a great Riot in Norwich through which the Monastery of the Trinity was burned whereupon the King rode down thither and after enquiry made of the chief Actors caused 50 of them to be Hanged Drawn and Quartered and their Quarters to be burnt And now the King perceiving his Death to approach swore the Earl of Gloucester to keep the Realm for Prince Edward his Son This Henry III. was King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Guyain and Aquitain He was eldest Son to King John by Isabel his Queen Daughter and Heir of Aimery Earl of Angolisme his Reign began on wednesday the 19 of Octob. Anno 1216 and he reigned 56 years and 28 days and was the 28 sole Monarch of England he died at the Abby of St. Edmunds in Suffolk on Wednesday the 16 day of November Anno 1272 being in the 57 year of his Reign and 65 of his Age his body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XVIII Of King Edward the First commonly called Long-Shanks KING Edward was gone for the Holy-Land when the Crown fell to him Elianor his Queen being with him who at Acon in their Voyage was delivered of a Daughter and at that place her Husband was Wounded by a Trayterous Villain in three places of his Arm with a Poysoned knife all which Wounds after the Chyrurgions were wearied the Queen cured by licking out the Venom with her Tongue yet she thereby receiving no prejudice The news of his Father's Death coming to his Ear he forthwith returned and after his Arrival himself and Queen were Crowned by Robert Kilwarby Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and after this the King called a Parliament at Westminster which as some affirm were the first Statutes there made and Luellin Prince of Wales refusing to come to the Parliament King Edward thereupon went into Wales and built the Castle of Flint and Luellin made his Submission and gave the King 50000 pounds for Agreement and 10000 marks per Annum for the Island of Man But afterwards he had several Bickerings with the Welsh but at length reduced them to perfect Subjection and beheaded Luellin their Prince and his Brother David and set up their Heads upon the Tower at London He appointed Sheriffs for Wales and established the English Lawes amongst them Anno 1274 was the Second Council of
greedily devoured them half alive by reason of this Famine the Mortality was so great amongst the People that the quick could hardly bury the dead And not long after a great Murrain of kine happened so that the Dogs and Ravens eating thereof were Poysoned and did swell to Death so that no man durst eat any Beef And the next year after this the King calling a Council at Clarendon the Lords refused to appear but they were made Friends again by the Mediation of certain Cardinalls and now the Scots not satisfied with the Honour of their last Victory their King saled into Ireland and there caused himself to be Crowned King but the English there under the Conduct of the Arh-Bishop of Armagh and the Lord Binningham encountr'd the new King who there lost his new Honour with his life to boot and not long after a Truce for two years was concluded between England and Scotland About this time Hugh Spencer upon the Commendation of the Lords was made Lord-Chamberlain and his Father Earl of Winchester and now Dr. Barrenthorp of Oxford taught against the Pope and inveighed against the Deceits and impostures of Anti-Christ after a while the two new Lords Spencers Father and Son grew so insolent that they far exceeded Gaveston alienating the Hearts of the Barrons from the King which caused them to take up Arms against him but not long after the Earl of Lancaster and other 90 Nobles at Borrowbrigs were taken Prisoners and at Pontefract the Earl of Lancaster was Beheaded and other five Barrons hanged and the next day at York the Lords Clifford Mowbray and Deywill were hanged in iron Chains and now the King went against Scotland with an Army but was forced there to escape by night leaving his Treasure and rich Furniture for Pillage and the young Lord Mortimer escaping out of the Tower fled into France and not long after the Queen again sent her complaint to her Father of her ill usage There being now some Troubles in Gascoin the King not going himself sent his Queen into France to Negotiate his Affairs who drew all to agreement upon Condition that her Husband should give Prince Edward his and her Son the Dutchy of Aquitain and Earldom of Pontine for which places the young Prince did Homage to his Uncle the King of France after this the King sending for his Son and Queen home and they refusing to come they were thereupon proclaimed Enemies to the Crown the Queen hereupon without consent either of King or Peers Married the Prince to Philippa the Earl of Hanalt's Daughter and being now fitted for her purpose she raised an Army in Henalt and Germany consisting of 2700 Soldiers and many Forein and English Nobles and sailing for England landed at Orwel in Suffolk the King having notice hereof fled into the West to raise Forces promising a thousand pounds to those who would bring him Lord Mortimers head but the Queen not sleeping in her design pursued her Husband from place to place and at length she got Hugh Spencer the Father whom she caused to be cut-up alive and quartered and the King lying now hid in the Abby of Neath in Wales was there surprized by his Cosen the Earl of Lancaster and Imprisoned in the Castle of Kenelworth young Lord Spencer and the Lords Baldock and Reading being also taken at that time and carried to Hereford where Spencer was hanged 50 foot high and then beheaded and quartered and the Queen gave the bringer of his head to her 1000 pound And now a Parliament being called several Peers to wit 3 Bishops three Earls 2 Barrons 2 Abbots and 2 Justices were sent in the name of the Parliament to the King at Kenelworth to Command his resignation of the Crown to his Son Prince Edward at which message the King fell into a swown amongst the Peers at Kenelworth and afterwards coming to himself seeing no other way resign'd his Diadem Whereupon Sir William Trussel one of the messengers in the name of the whole Realm renounced Homage to the King in these words I William Trussel in the name of all men of the Land of England and of all the Parliament Procurator do Ressign to Thee Edward the Homage that was made to Thee sometimes and from this time forward now following I defie Thee and deprive Thee of all Royal Power and I shall never be tendant to Thee as for King after this time Not long after this the King was taken from Kenelworth and delivered by Indenture to the custody of Thomas Gourny and Sir John Mattravers who shortly after Murthered him by thrusting an hot spit up his Fundament into his Bowels at Barclay Castle for which fact they were forced to fly the Country This Edward the Second was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain c. He was the 4 Son of Edward the I. by Ellianor his Queen Sister to Alfonsus King of Castile His Reign began on Friday the seventh of July Anno Domini 1307 he reigned 19 years 6 Moneths and 18 days and was the 30 sole Monarch of England he was murthered as is before declared Anno 1327 being the 20 year of his Reign and 41 of his Age his body was buried at Gloucester CHAP. XX. Of King Edward the Third commonly called Edward of Windsor ABout the beginning of this King's Reign one Nycholas Lyrian a Divine of Oxford wrote a Book de Visione Dei against the Pope now by Advice of the Lord Mortimer the King acquitted the Scots of all his claim and Superiority to their Kingdom and shortly after this the King of France died without Issue and King Edward laid claim to the Crown and now the Queen-Mother being reported to be with Child by the Lord Mortimer who was too familiar with her he was thereupon taken at Nottingham and sent Prisoner to London where he was hanged at Tyburn remaining on the Gallows the space of two days for an Ignomenious Spectacle and presently after the King abridged his Mother of her too large Dowry bringing her to one thousand pounds per Annum Anno 1339. a Sudden Inundation of Water at New-castle upon Tine did bear down part of the Town-Wall where 120 Men and Women were drowned And the year after near Chippingnorton in Oxford-shire was found a Serpent having two Heads and two Faces like Women one Face attired after the New Fashion of Women's Attire and the other Face like the old Attire and Wings like a Batt And Fiends and Devils and strange Apparitions were seen by Men and spake unto them as they travelled About this time Dr. Ockham of Oxford wrote against the Popes John and Clement affirming them to have no Power over Civil Magistrates And now the King assisted Baliol against David Bruse King of Scotland who was forced to fly into France and Baliol procured the Crown and was made King and did Homage to King Edward as his Father had done to King Edward the First The King went four times into
Earl of Chester and Prince of Wales and caused the Nobles to swear him Fealty about this time the famous Dr. John Wickliff of Oxford maintained sundry learned points against the Church of Rome This Edward the Third was King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain c. he was eldest Son of King Edward the second by Isabel his Queen Daughter to Philip the Fair King of France he began his Reign on Saturday the 25 day of January Anno 1329 and reigned 50 years 4 months and 26 days and was the 31 sole Monarch of England He died on Sunday the 21 day of June Anno 1377 being the 51 year of his Reign and about the 65 of his Age his Body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XXI Of King Richard the Second commonly called Richard of Bourdeaux IN the beginning of this King's Reign the French invaded England and burnt the Town of Rye the Scots the Town of Rocksbrough And after this the French took the Isle of Wight and forced the Inhabitants to pay them a hundred marks not long after they burnt the Town of Hastings All these Advantages being taken by reason of the King 's tender years upon the Occasion of these daily Rapines one Sir John Philpot of London seeing the remissness of the Lords at his own proper costs and charges manned out a Fleet to scour the Seas which Fleet shortly after took 15 Rich Spanish Ships which well recompenced Sir John for his charges About this time Barwick was surprized by the Scots who killed Sir Robert Boynton the Governour and about nine days after it was regained by the Earl of Northumberland the Scots being all put to the Sword And now a Parliament being called at London for Manning of those Services a Subsidy was granted to the King by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal the Commons at that time being exempted from it Shortly after this Sir John Arundel and several other valiant Knights and Esquires being sent to the Duke of Britain for his aid against the French were all drowned But the King sending more Forces after these as the Duke of Lancaster Buckingham Warwick and Stafford with others of the cheif of the Nobility they landed safely at Callis and went through France to Britain spoiling Countries burning Towns and killing People the French not daring to oppose them About this time Vtred Bolton John Ashwerby Walter Brute John Ashton and Peter Pateshall were persecuted some by perpetual Imprisonment and some by Banishment for Preaching and maintaining Dr. Wickliffs Doctrine After this the King calling another Parliament at Northampton they granted him Poll-money of Twelve pence per head of every one above such an Age. The next year after this the Commons of Kent Essex Surry Suffolk Norfolk and Cambridge rebelled and under the Conduct of Wat Tyler and Jack Straw marched suriously to London burning the Priory of St. John's without East Smithfield and turning also the Savoy and the Bishop of Canterbury's House in Lambeth into Ashes Beheading Simon Tybald the Archbishop Sir John Hales Lord Prior with others And now they sent a malicious arrogant Petition to the King whose Tenor the King durst not deny his Person being then in manifest Danger of them But Wat Tyler cavelled at the conditions of Peace Suggesting strange Hopes of high matters to himself hereupon he was desired to ride to the King which accordingly he did and there behaved himself so insolently that he offered to kill Sir John Newton one of the King 's Attendants for the omission of some Punctilio of respect to him But the insolent Traytor for this affront received his Death's Wound from the hand of Sir William Walworth Lord Mayor of London And the Lord Mayor presently raising a thousand Citizens surprised the headless Monster and caused them to beg their Lives of the King John Lister the Dyar who headed the Rabble in Suffolk was also taken by Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich and there was executed of this rebellious Rabble in London and elsewhere about 1500. Now these Plebean Furies being over the King took to Wife Anne Daughter to the Emperour Charles the IV and shortly after John Duke of Lancaster was accused of Treason touching the King's Person but the Accusers Reward was Death which he hoped and intended for the Duke's Lot After this the Duke sailing into France concluded a Truce for about two years space and then a Parliament being called at London the Laity sought to depose the Clergy of their Estates but the King answered their Request in these words I will saith he maintain the English Church in the quality of the same Estate or better than I found it when I came to the Crown At this Parliament was Robert de Vere Earl of Oxford Created the first Marquess of Dublin This year also the Duke of Lancaster set Sail for Spain to regain the Kingdom of Castile to which by Right of his Wife he laid claim to Within a while after several Lords rebeled against the King and were all pardon'd before they came to their Tryals yet notwithstanding the King's Clemency they still kept together and raising great Forces they did not stick to charge the King with several misdemeanours and now the Duke of Lancaster returning for England again Peace was concluded between him and Spain and the King thereof gave him 200000 Nobles towards the defraying of this charges he had been at at whose return the King made him Duke of Aquitain After this the King desiring of the Londoners the Loan of a thousand pounds it was denied him whereupon he seized on their Liberties and dissolved their proper Magistracy turning out their Mayor John Hind and John Shadworth and Henry Wanner their Sheriffs and appointed Sir Edward Dallingredge Warden of the City And about two years after the King having a desire to go for Ireland had a Subsidy granted him four years Truce being then concluded with France but after this he with the Company of the Duke of Lancaster and Earl of Gloucester sailed into France where he espous'd the Lady Isabel Daughter to Charles King of France this Journey besides Losses at Sea cost him 4000 marks At his return from France certain Peers revolted from him making Forces removing such Officers from the King as they thought fit whereupon the Earl of Arundel one of the Rebells had his Head lopt off and the Earl of Gloucester was smothered with Pillows and Feather Beds at Callis and shortly afterwards the King made himself Earl of Chester and created several Dukes and Earls at that time And not long after this the River between Swelston and Harleswood near Bedford stood still and divided it self so that the Bottom remained dry about three miles space And now the King extorting Money and taking up Carriages and other Necessaries intending for Ireland to suppress the Rebells there who had slain Lord Mortimer Lord Lieutenant there And the Duke of Lancaster dying about this time the King seized his
Leicester and from thence to Coventry where Warwick lay but durst not Fight him and so to Warwick whither the Duke of Clarence being come he and Edward became Friends and they marching to London where the Geates were set open every one crying King Edward Here Henry was again taken and sent Prisoner to the Tower the Earl of Warwick perceiving how things went found it was no time to be idle and therefore resolved to win or loose all by Battel and so marched towards London as far as Barnet King Edward pitching his Tents at Gladmore near Barnet to oppose him having at this time King Henry with him on Easter day they joyned Battel and Fortune sided with King Edward the Earl of Warwick and Lord Montacute his Brother were slayn and three Lords on King Edward's side and in all on both sides about 10000 besides several Nobles as the Duke of Somerset the Earls of Oxford and Exceter c. fled and took Sanctuary and afterwards proved Broachers of new Plots And now King Edward rid Triumphantly to London having King Henry still with him and about this very time landed Queen Margaret Henry's Wife and her Son Edward in England but hearing of the loss at Barnet field they took Asylum at the Abby of Ceerne to which place the Lords that fled from Barnet repaired who comforted the Queens heart with future hopes here forces repairing to them they flye from place to place and at length fought King Edward at Teuxsbury where three or four of the Chief of them as the Earl of Devonshire and Somersets Brother were slain and 3000 men besides and Prince Edward heir to Henry was taken and several Lords taking Sanctuary at Tewxsbury were nevertheless haled thence and beheaded and it is reported Prince Edward was basely murthered by the Duke of Gloucester and some of King Edwards Servants for speaking somewhat to boldly in the Kings Presence After this Queen Margaret was taken from Sanctuary and carryed Prisoner to Worcester and shortly after from thence to London after this the Lord Fawconberge Son to the Earl of Kent raised a confused Army of 17000 men for the Aide of King Henry but he was quickly curbed and fled to Sea And shortly after King Henry was stabbed to the heart by Crookt-back Richard Duke of Gloucester who as is shewed before was a main Instrument in Prince Edward's Murther it is recorded of King Henry that he had an honest mind a comely personage and was more like a Saint than a King now Queen Margaret being ransomed by her Father went beyond Seas to him and there languished away her dayes And after this all Henrys Friends being either banished or put to Death Edward was then at quiet and calling a Parliament all King Henry's Laws were Abrogated And about this time the Duke of Burgandy sent to desire King Edward's Assistance against King Lewis of France so the King went in Person with as great an Army as ever went out of England but he did Burgundy little good for he concluded a Peace with France on condition that Lewes should pay King Edward 70000 Ducats for his Charges and 50000 to be paid him yearly and that the Dauphin should marry Elizabeth his eldest Daughter and so returned for England About this time one John Huss suffered the flames on Tower hill for the profession of a good Faith and now all things being setled King Edward followed his pleasure and being on his Progress in Warwickshire he chanced to hunt in the Park of one Thomas Burdet Esq and killing store of Deer among the rest a white Buck was killed which Mr. Burdet hearing of he wished the horns in his belly that Councelled the King to kill him for which words he was beheaded at Tiburn And in those catching times a Jest of a Mercer in Cheapside telling his Son if he would ply his Book he should be Heir to the Crown meaning his own house that had that sign cost him his Life After this the Duke of Clarence being falsely Attainted and Condemned by Parliament he was shortly after drowned in a Butt of Malmsy in the Tower And James King of Scots about this time sent into England to dare King Edward to Fight who sent an Army under the Command of his Brother the Duke of Gloucester whereupon the Scots fainted and concluded Peace upon certain conditions and yielded up Barwick into the hands of the English out of whose possession it had been about 21 yeares After this the French breaking the Articles of Peace by the Dauphin's Marriage to Lady Margaret of Austrich Grand Child to the Emperour Frederick the King hereupon intended War against them but was prevented by Death Of those four Concubines King Edward delighted in Jane Shoare was not the least beloved by him This Edward the Fourth was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was Son to Richard Plantaginet Duke of York by his Wife Daughter to Richard Nevil Earl of Salisbury He began his Reign on Monday the fourth day of March Anno 1460. and Reigned 22 years 1 Moneth and 5 dayes and was the 36 Sole Monarch of England He dyed of a Surfeit at Westminster on Friday the 9 day of April Anno 1483 being the 40. year of his Age and 23 of his Reign His body buried at Winsor in the new Chappel whose was foundation himself laid CHAP. XXVI Of King Edward the Fifth THis King was never Crowned for at the very first his Uncle the Duke of Glocester began to think of deposing him drawing to his side the Duke of Buckingham and Lord Hastings they resolve forthwith to remove all the Queen's Friends from the King and to compass their Design they perswade the Queen that her son the King might come to London to his Coronation accompanied only with some few of his friends which she little suspecting what they aimed at easily condiscended unto and now they proceed to the taking of their Prey imprisoning the Lord Rivers the Queens Brother at Northampton they then hasted after the King to Story-Stratford whither he was gone on his way for London and here they made bold in the King's presence to arrest the Lord Richard Woodvile Sir Richard Grey and Sir Thomas Wagham and carried the King and all his company back to Northampton there displacing such of his Servants as they thought fit and putting others whom they pleased in their places Having thus far proceeded in their Design the perfidious Duke of Gloucester took upon himself the Order and Governance of the young King and sent Lord Richard Woodvile and the other two Knights to Pontefract Castle in York-shire where in Conclusion they were beheaded The Queen having notice of these proceedings betook her self with her Children to Sanctuary in Westminster where shortly after the Arch-Bishop of York then Lord Chancelour delivered her the Great Seal but afterwards considering of the Danger he might incur hereby sent for it again And now the Dukes of Gloucester and Buckingham coming to
hear the King's Cause pleaded which accordingly was done and when Sentence of Divorcement should have been according to the King's expectation pronounced Campius then caused Proclamation to be made and adjourned the Court and referred the Sentence to the Pope The King highly displeased hereat sent Dr. Cranmer and some others to the Pope to dispute the unlawfulness of the Marriage who gave Cornelius Agrippa the grand Rabbi in those days such Satisfaction in this point so that none of the Pope's Disputants durst encounter the Doctor about it whereupon a Parliament being called by the King all persons were forbidden to appeal or make payment to Rome and further the King's Marriage with the Lady Catherine of Spain by the said Parliament was Dissolved Upon these proceedings in England the Pope caused his Curse to be set up at Dunkirk in Flanders against the King and pronounced the Marriage Lawful but the King regarded it not for hereby the Pope lost his Supremancy in England and Bishop Fisher and Sir Thomas Moore their Heads for standing for it And now the King married the Lady Ann Bullin Daughter to Viscount Rochford which Lady was accounted a Lutheran and Cardinal Wolsey for his dislike of this Marriage and Adjourning of the Court as is before shewed fell into the Kings Displeasure and several Articles being exhibited against him in Parliament as that he used to write in his Letters I and my King and had caused the Cardinals Cap to be stamped on the Kings Coyn and several other grand Offences hereupon he lost all his Dignities and his House and Furniture were seized and the Earl of Northumberland was sent to bring him up to answer his Charge who took him at Cawood Castle about seven miles from York and as he was on his Journy to London at Leicester Abby he ended his dayes by taking an over much quantity of an Italian Confection for breaking Wind from his Stomach as Report went He is said to have suppressed 40 Monasterys for the raising his two Colledges in Oxford and Ipswich and to have laid by 12 Barrels full of Gold and Silver to serve the Pope in his Wars About this time Elizabeth Barton called the holy Maid of Kent was reported by those who feared the Downfall of Babel to have Revelations from Heaven among which one was That if the King proceeded in his Second Marriage he should not Reign a Moneth to an end but the Mouth of this Oracle was quickly stopt for herself with seven of her Disciples were all execued at Tyburn for Treason And now the Pope seeing his Revenue here in England likely to go to wrack began to write and stir up James the Fifth King of Scots against King Henry his Uncle promising the Crown of England to those that could win it About this time Queen Ann was deliver'd of the Princess Elizabeth afterwards Queen of England and the next year after of a Dead Child and not long after she was sent to the Tower and falsely accused of Adultery and Incest for which she with her Brother the Lord Rochford and Norris Weston and Brierton gentlemen of the Privy Chamber together with one Marks all lost their Heads and the next day after Queen Ann's Death the King married the Lady Jane Seymer And now began the Lord Cromwells rising who by birth was a Black Smyth's Son and had been Cardinal Wolsey's Soliciter he was first made Master of the King's Jewel-house Baron of Oakham in Rutlandshire then Knight of the Garter after that Earl of Essex and then Lord high Chamberlain and lastly the King's Vicar general he was the Sole cause of the demolishing of Monasteryes and the pulling down of Images Idols and Shrines in the Churches of England but this Pillar of the Church was undermined by Stephen Gardener that Murtherer of Protestants in Queen Mary's dayes and so by his means being brought into Dislike with the King at length he was beheaded Now several Commotions arose in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire occasioned by the demolishing of Abbys the Commons being incited thereto by the Monks who had lost their Roast-meat and took ill with Courser Fair but after several propositions made by the Commons to the King and Answers thereunto having Pardon granted they threw down their Arms but several of the Monks rising again with several persons of Quality as the Lord Darcy Lord Hussye Sir Robert Constable Sir Thomas Percy Sir Francis Biggot Sir Stephen Hambleton Sir John Bulmer the Abbot of Fountains Abbot of Gervaulx Abbot of Rivax and Prior of Burlington were afterwards taken and suffered Death and now the King having been two years a Widower since the death of Queen Jane who dyed in Child-Bed of Edward the Sixt afterwards King he was married to the Lady Ann of Cleve but about half a year after through Gardiner's false Suguestions was by Parliament divorsed from her and not long after he Married Catherine Howard Daughter to Edward Brother to Thomas Duke of Norfolk but about 6 Moneths after her Marriage she was condemned of Adultery and lost her Head at Tower Hill and with her the Lady Jane Rochford and several others that year as Margaret the Countess of Salisbury Lord Grey Lord Dacres Francis Dereham and Thomas Culpeper and now the King married the Lady Katherin Parr Wife to the Lord Lattimer And about this time it was enacted by Parliament to be high Treason either to deny the Oath of the King's Supremacy or to acknowledg the Pope and though by this the Discipline of the Church was altered yet little of Doctrine was changed for it was made heresie and death to deny any of the Six Articles following as 1. That after the speaking of the words of Consecration by the Priest the Real and Natural Body and Blood of Christ as he was Conceived and Crucified was in the Sacrament and no other substance 2. That the Communion in both kinds is not necessary to Salvation 3. That Priests may not marry 4. That Vows of Chastity ought to be observed by the Laws of God 5. That private Masses ought to be continued and 6. That Auricular Confession is necessary and expedient to be retained in the Church of God Upon the denial of these six Articles several People suffered the Flames Anno 1541. The King took upon him the Title of King of Ireland and the same year sent an Army against the Scots under the Command of the Duke of Norfolk who when he came to Fight the Scots they willingly lost the day and suffered themselves to be taken Prisoners out of disdain to their Leader Oliver St. Clere for grief whereof their King James the fifth dyed there was at this time 21 men of Account taken Prisoners and committed to the Tower of London but shortly after these Prisoners were released again and a Peace for 10 years concluded upon the promise of a Marriage with the Lady Mary King James his only Child and Prince Edward Henry's Son and Heir afterwards King by the name
Whiteguift Arch Bishop of Canterbury at which time all people of the City of London were forbidden to repaire thither by reason of the then raging Plague among them there dying that year in London and the out-Libertys 30578 persons of the same disease he continued Religion as it was begun in Queen Elizabeth's days and caused the Bible to be truly Translated according to the Original at his Entrance to the Kingdom Plots were contrived for the destroying of his person and his Eldest Son Prince Henry to change Religion to raise Tumults and let in Strangers but they were happily discovered and some of the Ring-leaders apprehended and put to death some adjudged to perpetual Imprisonment and some pardoned An. 1603. one John Lepton of Repwick Esquire in the County of York undertook to Ride 5 several times betwixt London and York in six days to be taken in one week between Monday morning and Saturday night and began his Journy Monday Morning the 20 of May and finished his Journy on Friday after to the great Admiration of all men Two years after to wit Anno 1605. one William Calverly of Calverly in the County of York Esquire murthered two of his own Children at home at his own house then Stabbed his Wife into the Body with full Intent to have killed her and then went out with Intention to have killed his Child at nurse but was prevented he was Pressed to death at York for this murther because he stood Mute and would not plead And now although the King had made Peace with the Popes Champion the King of Spain yet his Holiness Sons thought to have brought the Ruine of the King and all the Kingdom to Light Anno 1605. by a treacherous Plot of blowing up the King and whole Nobility Root and Branch at one Blow when they were Assembled in Parliament to which end they had laid in several Barrels of Gunpowder Barrs of Iron Faggots and and other things for doing Execution under the Parliament house but this Hellish Design was hapily discovered by a Letter sent to the Lord Mounteagle son to the Lord Morley by some of the Conspirators wherein they wished him to stay his Appearance from the House the first day of the sitting this Letter being Communicated and shewn to several of the Nobility they could not sathom the depth of the dark meaning thereof but at length being shewn to the King he presently conjectured that the Plot was to blow up the House with Gunpowder and so narrow Search being made it was happyly found out and the Conspirators discovered who were some of them shot to death to wit Percy and Catesby for disdaining to be taken others of them were slain by Gunpowder which they had drying by the Fire and Sir Everard Digby the two Wrights John and Christopher Fawkes Graunt Winter Boits and Keyes were Hanged Drawn and Quartered for being chief Actors in this Plot. After this storm was over the Faces of more troubles appeared through the Insurrections of Fines and Rainolds in Northamptonshire and Warwick-shire but this flame quickly vanished into Smoak About this time the Lady Elizabeth the King's Daughter was married to Frederick Count Elector Palatine The Joyes of their Nuptial were shortly after overshadowed with clouds of sorrow which ensued upon the death of Prince Henry which happned Anno 1611 his death was supposed to be something untimely but his Docters gave Satisfaction herein that it was by Course of Nature and not by Poyson as was suspected And now Charles the King 's Second Son afterwards King succeeded his Brother in the Principallity of Wales about this time Sir Walter Rawleigh was released intending to visit the new found World and many Gentlemen took their fortunes with him but unhappily in his Voyage burning St. Thomes it shortly after cost him his Life for Intelligence being given to Condibert then Embassador in England he never left pressing the King for Reparation hereupon Sir Walter as soon as he came to Plymouth was apprehended by Sir Lewis Stuckly and was brought tryed and condemned in the Kings Bench and the next Morning after his Tryal was Beheaded And about this time the King being very Sick he happily Recovered again but his Loving and vertuous Queen Ann dyed Anno 1618. After this the King made a Motion of Marriage for his Son Charles Prince of Wales with the King of Spains Daughter thinking thereby to gain opportunity of helping his Son in Law who having been lately chosen by some of the German Princes King of Bohemia was afterwards upon some distast driven out of Bohemia by the Emperor and afterwards out of all Germany and remained at this time in Holland being a Refuge for all distressed people To effect this marriage the Prince with the Duke of Buckingham went for Spain where seeing the Marriage with himself and the Lady Maria the Infanta of Spain procrastinated and delaid left the Court and Returned for England Anno 1623. The Plantations in the Indies were settled in this Kings time he was a very learned King as appears by his Works now in print he was an honest Father to his Childern worthy of his wife and good to his subjects and a great desirer of Peace whose Motto was Beati Pacifici and as he desired Peace so he dyed in Peace This James was King of England Scotland France and Ireland he was Son to Henry Stuart Lord Darly who was Grand Child to Lady Margaret eldest Daughter to King Henry the VII of England by her Second Husband and his Mother was Mary Queen of Scotland who was Grand Child also to Lady Margaret by her first Husband James the fourth King of Scotland so that the said Lady Margaret was great Grand-mother to King James both by Father and Mothers side He began his Reign on Wednesday the 24 day of March Anno 1602. Reigned 22 years and 3 days and was the 44 Sole Monarch of England He dyed of the Spleen on Saturday the 27 day of March Anno 1625 being in the 23 year of his Reign and nine and fiftieth year of his Age his Body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XXXIV Of King Charles the first SHortly after his Coronation at Westminster he proceeded to a Marriage with Henrietta Maria Daughter to Charles the Fourth King of France whom he had formerly seen in his journy through that Country into Spain his first Complement to her when he went to meet her at Dover was That he desired to be no longer Master of himself then he was Servant to her and indeed this Love he continued to the last hour of his Life for on the day before his unfortunate end he desired his Daughter the Lady Elizabeth to assure her Mother if ever She see her again That his Thoughts had never Strayed from her and that his Affections should be the same to the Last After the King's Marriage was over his dislike against the Spaniards at his Departure from that Court was still fresh in his memory
some small time to little purpose they resigned up their Power again into his hand from whom they received it And now about the 16 of December Anno 1653. Oliver Cromwel was sworn Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland c. and so the Government was now again in a single Person against which they had all sworn and in April after the Protector concluded a Peace with the Dutch whose Aid and Assistance the King had strongly sollicited against him The King seeing this he sought a Reconciliation between France and Spain hoping thereby to further his own Interest he left France and departed for Germany accompanied with his Cosin Prince Rupert taking his first Residence at the Spaw whither his Royal Sister the Princess of Orange came to visit him now during these passages Oliver Protector had discovered a Plot in England against his Authority and some of the Plotters were taken and two of them viz. Collonel Gerrard and Mr. Vowel suffered Death Indeed the Protector had a cunning way in discovering of Plots for he had his Inveaglers in several parts of England who feigned themselves great Favourers of the King's Cause prickt Gentlemen on into Conspiracies against the Protector and when they were come to any head and that the chief were inrolled and sworn and the day appointed for putting their Intentions in Execution then forthwith were they discovered to the Usurper and so their Estates became Preys to his Coffers and their Persons to his Mercy which was but small their heads being usually their ransoms to this man of Might upon which account several worthy Gentlemen lost their Lives for no man could say his Life was his own if once Oliver did but frown upon him for his Will was his Law and this his Rule Sic volo sic jubeo stat pro Ratione voluntas This is my Will and this I do Command What man is he that dare the same withstand Great indeed was the Awe the People stood in during his Usurped Authority for he carried MAGNA CHARTA in his Sword-Hilt and the Peoples Liberty in his well tempered Blade and now they began to stir in Scotland again and the Earl of Glencarn Menro and Middleton having gotten some Forces together intended again to have prosecuted the King's Cause but they were routed by General Monk and Collonel Morgan During these Stirs his Majesty in the Company of his Royal Sister had left the Spaw and taken his Journy to Collen where he and his Sister were Royally entertained and shortly after they were Invited by the Duke of Newburgh to his Pallace at Dunsel Dorf where they were Nobly Feasted and here the King and his Sister parted she returning for Holland and his Majesty to Collen During these passages the Protector discovered another plot which should have been a general Rising all over England whereupon several were taken and executed and abundance transported beyond Seas and sold for Slaves And now the King with his Brother the Duke of Gloucester and his Royal Sister the Princess of Orange with several other Lords and Ladys took their Progress to see the Fair at Franckford and at Conningstein near Franckford Christina Queen of Sweeden and the King gave one the other a Visit and his Majesty having made his Abode at Franckford during so long time as he thought good he then returned again for Câ—llen from whence he was shortly after invited into the Low Countrys by Don John de Austria Governor thereof whither his Brother the Duke of York came to him Cromwell now according to conditions sent over 6000 foot Soldiers to aid the French King in his Wars against Flanders and the English were to have Dunkirk in consideration therof which afterwards was delivered to them after some difficulty passed But during these Stirs beyond Seas Oliver by an Assembly whereof Sir Thomas Witherington was Speaker was invested with Purple Robes and installed in Westminster Hall after which he Established a Pageant house of Lords most of them of his own Creation such as John Lord Hewson and the like and not long after this he discovered another Plot and Sir Henry Slingby Dr. Hewit Mr. Aston Mr. Stacy and Mr. Betly suffered death the two first beheaded and the other three hanged drawn and quartered for being in the said Plot as Oliver pretended Now great was the Pomp and State this Protector of England assumed to himself and as great the state of his Son Henry whom he had made Lord Deputy of Ireland he had also appointed Commissioners in most Eminent places in England for Approbation of Ministers and given them power to eject Ignorant Scandalous and Insufficient Ministers and Schoolmasters under which notion of Ignorance many worthy Divines were thrown out of their livings when the Truth was Loyalty on their sides and Covetousness on the Adverse side was the principal cause of their Ejectment Hugh Peters the Minister was in great favour with the Protector and served him in place of his Jester among those Parliaments that were called by this Protector one of them consisting most of Mechanicks Enacted that no persons should be Married but by the Justices of Peace and first to be asked in the Church or else proclaimed in the Market And now the Usurped Power and Authority of Oliver drawing to a Period his Glass being run at length this Conquerour of Three Kingdoms on the Third day of September Anno 1658. was forced to yield himself Prisoner to death who following his own example admitted neither of bail nor ransom but made him pay his last breath to his Will and so in a great Wind he was hurried away into another World After his death he was laid in State at Somerset house in the Strand till the 23 of November after and then his Funeral was celebrated at a vaster Charge then hath formerly been used for the best Kings in the best of times he was Inhumed in the Abby at Westminster but his Resurrection followednot longafter for he with Bradshaw who condemn'd King Charles the First were both of them digged out of their Graves and hanged in Chains at Tiburn that year the King was restored to his Kingdomes Anno 1660. Oliver being now gone Richard his eldest Son succeed him whose head being thought to light and his shoulders to weak for the Supportation of so weighty a Government he was quickly thrust out again from his Protectorship and now Fletwood and Lambert the chief Instruments in outing of Richard with the rest of the Army called the old Parliament turned out by Oliver to their Places again who willingly assumed them whilest these proceedings were in hand the Gentlemen in Lancashire and Cheshire about harvest time 1659 rose under the Conduct of Sir George Booth in defence of their Priviledges and cause of the King but Lambert being sent against them by the Parliament he routed them and Sir George Booth was shortly after taken and sent Prisoner to the Tower and Lambert was gratified by the Parliament