severe Laws and abolishes hard Customes He grants the Nobility free leave to hunt and to enclose Parks for Deer and free Warrens for their Conyes and such like Game and as Traytors to his vertues state and Kingly government he banished from his Court all Flatterers and all nicenesse in behaviour Luxuriousness and gorgeousness in apparel and superfluity in dyet He ordained punishments by death for such as rob by the high way and with wonderfull travel and industry he reformed the monstrous pride avarice and secure sloth and negligence of the Clergy He recalled from banishment Anselm the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury giving him full power to assemble Synods and Convocations at his pleasure for the rectifying of such things that were amisse in the Church He piously and freely bestowed on godly sober grave Divines all such livings and Ecclesiasticall promotions as his Brother unjustly detained by the lewd advice of Reynulph Bishop of Durham whom he sent prisoner to the Tower of London from whence not long after the said wicked Bishop escaped and fled into Normandy to Duke Robert whom he eagerly perswaded to claim his Crown with his Sword who thereupon levies a great Army which he intended with all expedition to transport into this Realme but as King Henry by his former clemencies had rooted himself in the peoples love so to assure himself the better of the Scots he takes Maud the Sister of King Edgar to be his Wife who was daughter to Malcom by his Wife Margaret who was Sister to Edgar Adeling who dyed without issue and Daughter to King Edward the Son of Edmund Ironside the victorious and valiant King of the Saxons Robert was now arrived in England with a puissant Army and the day for Battel appointed and the Heraulds were sent up and down but at last as a thick lowring cloud is somtimes dispersed by a fair shining Sun so by the discreet mediation of worthy friends there was a friendly peace concluded between the two brothers on the same terms agreed on in King Rufus days whereupon the Norman Lords were much discontented and returned home with the Duke This danger dispelled Beliamy Earl of Shrewsbury with the Earl of Mortain and Cornwall rebell but are soon subdued But now Henry who was hitherto on the defensive part takes up Armes of his own accord against his Brother whether out of some distast for some scoffe his Brother gave him or which is more like stirred up with ambition and avarice to inlarge his Dominions and joyning with the Norman male-contented Nobles with little adoe chased the forsaken Duke from place to place and won from him the Cities of Roan Cane Valoyes indeed all Normandy presently in great honour and triumph he returns for England Robert having thus made tryall of his brothers severity he resolvs now to make tryall of his lenity whereupon he follows after his Brother into England and very submissively deprecates his error and begs his pardon But Henry either offended with the now fresh injury of his brother Or affecting the Dukedome of Normandy departs unkindly from the perplexed and distressed Duke his Brother Coily refusing to accept of his submission which in all humility by him was prosfered But Robert being impatient of that scorn his distress had begot him returns in all speed into Normandy and once more levies an Army resolving rather to dye manfully fighting in the Field then to follow the funeralls of his own Honour but his brother was prevalent and prevents him with a greater force suppressing the mischief in the Birth but not without bloud bringing his Brother Captive into England where for that he at Natures enticement practised his escape at his brothers Commandement both his eyes were pluckt out after which he lived as a miserable and wretched Captive the space of more then twenty years at length he dyed and was buryed at Gloucester This success made Henry magnificent but envied whence arose a foraigne War which by power and pollicy he quieted granting to William the Dukedome of Normandy upon condition of Homage But Charls Earl of Flanders being wickedly slain at Brussels leaving no other Heir William the Son of Robert who was the next right Heir to it for that he was of the Bloud of Maud Daughter to Baldwin and Wife to William the Conquerour was elevated to this Dignity who growing insolent with this prosperity endeavours to recover Normandy his Patrimony by his Grandfather which he brought to passe with no great difficulty by the assistance of the French King but receiving a slight wound in his hand and suffering it to rankle he lost his life and his Patrimony Next the Welch Rebell but the end of that War was a prey of Oxen and Sheep taken by Henry He seldome taxed the Land or never but once for a portion for his Daughter Maud. He was the first that called a Parliament In the Year 1020 William his Son with his Wife the Duke of Anjou's Daughter his Sister Maud the Lady Lucy a Neece of the Kings the Earl of Chester with divers ' other Noblemen and Ladies and others to the number 160 crossing the Seas from France to England were all most miserably drowned not any one saved but a poor Butcher who like Iob's servant was spared to bring the sad News the King having no children left but his Daughter Maud the Empress who after the Emperors death marryed Ieffery Plantaginet With these and other griefs the King languished at last eating Lampreys he surfeited and dyed and was buryed in Reading Abby after he had reigned 35 years In this King ended all the issues Male of the Conquerour and the Crowne of this Realme devolved on his generall Heirs HENRY the first surnamed Beau-clark King of England and Duke of Normandie He raigned 35 yeares and 4 monthes died the 2 of December 1185. at the age of 67 yeares and lieth buried at Reading 1135. R E. sculpsit Robert's abroad still roving for renowne And now a second time forfeits his Crowne Which Henry his Brother means to weare At the old rate three thousand Marks a year Whose Eyes he now puts out incontinent Lest he should see his bargain and repent He that allows his Brother none now dyes Surfeiting of a Fish abounds with Eyes Crowns no Relation know they oft have stood Close cemented to Caesar's Head with bloud Thus to the Crown the third Descent does fail The Conquerour and all his Issue Male. STEPHEN King of England MOnday December the 26 1135. being St. Stephen's Day Stephen Earl of Mortaign and Bulloyne Son of Stephen Earl of Bloys and Champaine and of Adela Daughter to William the Conquerour notwithstanding all his Vowes and publick Protestations to Henry the First to further the Right and Succession of Maud the Empress being his Daughter and of her Children yet when the King was dead he finding that the Nobility though sworn as deep and solemnly as himself was applyed themselves totally to his devotion he presently shook
since Instead of aiming at anothers Crown As did his Father tamely yeelds his own Has Mars begot Clineas then O strange Sure all the world is moulded up of Change And to the Waves we may compare them well One threatens Heaven another sinks to Hell Such is the State of sublunary things Nothing is fixt no not the Throne of Kings Peace out of doubt would be perpetuall But that our sins our sins for battels call HENRY the Fourth King of England THe Crowne of England Richard the deposed King dying without issue did rightfully descend upon Edmund Mortimer Earl of March the Son and Heir of Edmund Mortimer by Philip his Wife who was the Daughter and Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third Son of Edward the Third Yet his Cousin Henry Bullingbrook Duke of Hartford and Son and Heir of Iohn of Gaunt younger brother unto the said Lionel was elected and crowned King forthwith he created his Eldest Son Henry Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester and summoned his high Court of Parliament in which an order was taken for the safe keeping and honourable attendance and maintaining of Richard the late King but his deposing imprisonment and all former proceedings against him were in the same assembly publickly condemned and reproved by Iohn Bishop of Carlile as hatefull unto God traiterous towards the King and infamous among good men for he averred boldly that if he were not a good King yet more wrong was done to him then ordinarily is done to theeves and murtherers because they are not as he was condemned before they had made their answer to the Crime objected before Judges who were indifferent and pronounced their Judgment upon good proof But so soon as he had ended his speech he was attached by the Earl Marshall and committed to strait prisonment in the Abbey of St. Albans and then among many other things in the same Parliament done the Crown of England was entailed to King Henry and his Heirs for ever No sooner was this Parliament ended but a conspiracy of some of the greatest Lords that outwardly made much shew of joy for the high dignity and advancement of King Henry The Confederates were the Kings Cousin Edward Plantaginet Duke of Aumarle and Heir apparent to Edmund of Langley Duke of York Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey and Iohn Holland his Brother Duke of Exeter both which were halfe Brothers to King Richard Iohn Montague Earl of Salisbury Hugh Spencer Earl of Glocester Sr Thomas Blunt and one Magdalen who was somtime a Chamber-waiter to the deposed King and who both in Stature and in Countenance and Behaviour was not much unlike him The Plot was to take away the Kings Life at solemne jests held at Oxford whither the King was invited and promised there to be present because he supposed that triumph was appointed only for his honour and delight The Treachery was cunningly contrived by the Conspirators who by Indentures under their hands and seals bound themselves each unto other both for secrecy and for the resolute effecting and performing thereof to their utmost power all which they solemnly confirmed by their Oaths The Conspirators all mâ—t at the time and place appointed but the Duke of Aumarle who being at dinner his Father perceiving a Lay-bill hang out of his Bosome took hold of it and drew the whole writing out which being he takes Horse and hasts to the King but the Duke his Son bâ—ing bâ—avely mounted and perceiving his imminent danger posts after and geâ—ting to the King fiâ—st confessed the conspiracy and obtains his pardon The King being thus certified of the Treason turns his journey to the Tower of London where he prepares for his defence He levies a strong power and marcheth against the Traitors But when the Conspirators understood that all the Plot was revealed they attired the said Magdalen in Royall Robâ—s and caused him to affirm himself King Richard and with him and all their Troops which were very warlike and strong they resolve to oppose themselves to the King in the open field But the King speedily marching towards them with 20000 men at the noise of whose approach the Companies under command of the Conspirators cowardly forsook them and left them a prey to the King who took and executed them in severall places some few escaped but over-oppressed with fear and sorrow soon after died The French King his Father in Law resolves to redeem him from imprisonment but ascertained of his death desists Yet for all this King Henry still distrusting the weaknesse of his usurped Title and endeavouring to support it with a more firm foundation entreats Charls the French King to give in marriage his Daughter Isabel somtime King Richards Wife unto his eldest Son Henry Prince of Wales But her Father observing that marriages betwixt Eâ—gland and France were seldome fortunate denied the Kings request whereupon she was honourably sent back into France The Welch and Scots rebell and are overthrown by the Piercies who take many Noble Prisoners which the King demands and is denied In the 3. year of his Reigne the King demands the Scotch Prisoners of the Piercyes but is denied whereupon unkindnesse arose and they extended to joyne with Glendor They get the Earl of Stafford the Arch-Bishop of York a great company of Scots English to joyne with Owen Glendor but before they proceed to Battel they publish an accusation against the King consisting of severall Articles 1. That he usurpt the Crown and murdered the King 2. He unjustly detained the Crown from Edm Mortimer 3. That without any need he oppressed the people with grievous Taxes 4. No justice was to be expected from him who contrary to his coronation oath had in sundry Shires forestalled Elections and procured Burgeships and bestowed them on his own creatures Lastly that he would not release his Cousin Mortimer from Prison For which Treasons they defied him as a Traytor The King with a strong Army fights the Conspirators near Shrewsbury where the King wins the day and the Prince marching against Glendor is forsaken by his Welch and dies of famine in the woods where he hid himself The Duke of Burgoyne attempts to regain Callicâ— in vain Presently another conspiracy is plotted detected and the Traytors executed Lastly the Earl of Northumberland and Lord Bardolph rebelled and are taken and beheaded Thus was King Henry's Reign a majesticall misery and a soveraignty of sorrow so having reigned 13. years and 6. months wanting 5 dayes he died and was royally buried at Canterbury The right noble Prince Henry the 4th King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland c. Who died at tâ—e age of 46 yeares in Anno 1413. after he had raigned 13 yeares 6 moneths and 4 dayes and lieth buried at Canterbury Was 't not enough thy Cousin's Crown to take And it a prey to thy ambition make But that his Bloud his Royall Bloud must be A Sacrifice too to thy jealousie
Throne will o're his Nephews neck Although his own in the attempt he break What follow'd this Vsurper at the Helme A three years Curse on him and his whole Realme At last base fears impossibles foresees And to the Pope bends his unprincely knees In Swinstead Abbey death did him besiege In Sacramentall Masse Wassall my Liege Who pities him a safe estate that scorns And wounds his Temples with a Crowne of Thorns HENRY the Third King of England AFter the Death of King Iohn Henry his eldest Son about the age of nine years was Crowned King but not without some controversie of the Nobles some of the Nobility falling off to him who a little before had made a defection and swore to King Lewis Yet Lewis with an Army of twenty thousand men won many Towns till at last he came to the Castle at Lincolne which a certaine Noblewoman did bravely defend and caused him to stop and an Army of the English coming on in the mean time he was repulsed and conquered many of the English Nobility being taken that stood with him besides the Count of Perch that stood with him till the last preferring an honourable Death before a dishonourable Life Yet he did not despair but sent for more Forces out of France which were all almost destroyed in a Fight at Sea By these misfortunes he was forced to take Conditions of a hundred and five thousand Franks in respect of the charge he had been at he renouncing all right to the Kingdome of England And promising faithfully to prevaile with his father to restore all the Provinces in France belonging to the English The King restored to the rebellious Nobility all the Lands belonging to them And Lewis at Dover set Saile for France having warred unhappily in anothers Land Then a Parliament was summoned and Magna Charta ratified also the Court of Wards was revived and a Tax granted the King to Levy an Army under the Conduct of his Brother Richard for the recovery of his Rights in France The Parliament being ended the said Tax with great celerity is collected without any the lest grutch or contradiction so that the Kings Coffers were replenished with Gold and Silver and all requisites were carefully provided and a gallant Army of couragious men of War were assembled and safely transported With which Richard the Kings Brother did almost wonders subduing where he found resistance and seizing upon Lordships Forts Towns Castles and other defenced places quietly and without blowes no Head being made against him so that within few Months such was his valour and good Fortune he recovered both those Provinces wholly for the King and returned with much honour into England But the Kings absence from those Places gave opportunity to the French King to infest them which he unfriendly laid hold on and suddenly led a new Army into Poicters and easily made himself Lord thereof From thence marcht to Perigott and Alverne and other places in Guyan where he did the like But King Henry sent thither an other Army under the Conduct of his Brother Richard Earl of Cornwall with which he encountered the French and fought many sharp Battels in which for the most part his Fortune continued prosperous and all things seemed to promise him the recovering of whatever in his absence had been lost But in the height of all these broyles a friendly peace was concluded betwixt the two Kings and Richard returned safe into England This Richard Earl of Cornwall the Kings Brother at the suit of the Princes of Germany is elected King of the Romans but not long after being charged with insolence and oppression he was put out of the Office and returns to England a poor King that went out a rich Earle And now began those mischievous broyls and turmoyls in this Realm which until the Kings death daily vexed him more and more and the whole Kingdome also for the King lending too ready and pleasing an ear to lewd and evill Officers about him whom above all Officers he loved and favoured and by whose Counsell and advice both himself and his whole Kingdom was ruled and directed made little account of his best Subjects Love And took from them in divers things such Liberties as by the Lawes and Ordinances of this Kingdome they justly claimed and ought to have enjoyed He also pinched his people with many unnecessary and grievous Taxes which by those lewd and bold Officers were levied with much rigour and sharpness to their great distast The King also took to Wife Eleoner Daughter of Raymond Earle of Province whereby there grew no profit to his affairs but rather suffered great detriment by reason of her thread-bare and beggarly Family and her poor kindred flocking from all Parts as Crowes to the Prey which nevertheless were highly entertained by the King and enâ—icâ—t with money and placed in Offices of greatest honour and profit and the English â—hrust ouâ— aâ— which â—he Nobles stormed and the people every where much murmured But whilâ—â— the King goes about to overthrow his Subjects Rights which they labour to preserve all the Nobiliâ—y being offended at the promotion of strangers they enter into a Conspiracy The King calls a Paâ—liament The Nobility refuse to be present unless he would command the Bishop of Winchester Peter de Rupâ—bus and all his Gang to forsake the Court threatening withall that unless satisfaction were made to them they would depose the King and drive away all strangers his adherents and choose another King In fine both Sides King and Barons fall to Armes and with various success fight severall fierce and cruell Battels at length at the battel near Lewis after the fall of twenty thousand men The two Kings and the Prince with many Knights and Gentlemen of great account were all taken prisoners by the Barons Then a peace is concluded between them a Parliament being called the King confirmed the Government of the twelve Peers which by Hand and Seal he had assigned them in a former Parliament at Oxford called the Mad Parliament and Prince Edward who was Hostage for his Father is set at liberty But the Prince not enduring to see his Father thus a titular King raiseth a fresh Army and about Evesham near Worcester fights the Barons whom by reason of a mortall jarre between Leicester and Gloucester their two Generalls he overthrows Then the Kings call another Parliament and repeals and nulls all former Decrees touching the Authority of the twelve Peers and thus the King got again the staffe into his own hand by the vertue and valour of his princely son The King much incensed with the Londoners for taking part with the Barons could hardly be disswaded from burning the City but at last the Prince made their peace and after thâ—t marches with an Army to the Holy Land where the King dyes having reigned fifty six years HENRY the III. King of England Duke of Aquitane Earle of Poic tiers and Anjou Lord of Ireland He died at
the age of 65 yeares after he had raigned 56 yeares and lieth intombed at Westminster 1272. The groaning Kingdome being rid of John Has found his very Image in his Son King Henry the Third nine years of Age Enters a troubled and a doubtfull Stage The Realme he found Rebecca like become With divers Nations strugling in her Womb All which he clear'd at last with promise fair With Oaths Vowes which prov'd nothing but Aiâ— He pill'd his subjects so that at his need Give him they nothing would nor could indeed He marries then with a mean Family And spoyles his Realme to lard their Poverty EDVVARD the First King of England WHen King Henry died Edward his son and heir was in Palestine very intent about the holy war where he underwent a grievous danger having received 3 desperate wounds from his adversary with a poysoned weapon But he was cured by the wonderfull Piety of his Wife who with her mouth in time sucked out the venome from his wounds In his way being made more certain of his fathers death he made great journeyes and travelled in all hast into England where with the generall applause both of his Nobles and Common-people he was crowned King when he was of the age of 35 years At the beginning of his Reigne he used the Nobility well but to abate the insolence of the Clergy he commanded their wealth to be brought into his Exchequer and he afflicted them otherwise and so drew upon himself their envy The Welch rise against him but he luckily intercepts Monfort's daughter espoused to Lluellen their Prince upon surrender of whom that storm blew over and obedience was promised by the Welch to King Edward But within few years three or four at most Lluellen puts an end to his Oath and obedience for his wife Eleoner being dead he breaks forth into new Rebellions also David forgetting the great love of King Edward to him falls off to his brother and so with joynt forces they enter England and does some mischief to Edward both of them wonderfully inflamed by a false prophesie of Merlin whereby the Crowne of Brutus was promised to Lluellen but the battle being set Lluellen was killed by a private Soldier and his Head brought to King Edward his Brother David also was taken and had his Head struck off and with his Brothers it was set upon the Tower of London where it remained a long time after but his four Quarters were sent to four Principall Cities in England to be set up for a terrour to all Traitors hereafter so Edward revenged the Rebellion of the Welch and the death of Alphonsus his first Borne who was slain in the same battle In the eighteenth year of King Edward's Reigne Alexander the King of Scots not having any Issue of his body fell with his horse and unfortunately brake his neck He had three sisters the eldest of which was married to Iohn Balioll Lord of Galloway the second to Robert le Bruse Lord of Valley-Andrew and the third was married into England to Iohn Hastings Lord of Abergavenny amongst these three each of them backed with his best friends sharp bickerings and civill wars arose to the destruction of many worthy persons on all sides Whilst the matter thus was handled King Edward promises the Kingdome of Scotland to Bruse for ever so he would do him homage for it but Bruse refuseth it preferring his Countries Liberty before his own honour Yet Balioll yields to those conditions and so got the Kingdome of Scotland but the ill will of all his Country-men Envy against him increased for refusing Justice upon the death of the Earl of Fife who was slaine for Baylioll exempted Albermeâ—h from punishment that slew him whereupon Baylioll cited before Edward's Tribunall is forced to plead his cause he was angry at this disgrace and denies Homage to Edward and proclaims warre making a Covenant with the French King Hence arose the cause of a most bloudy warre between the two Nations which lasted for three hundred years only some feigned cessations passed between No lesse than four times did this victorious King Edward subdue the false and fraudulent Scots compelling them with extraordinary tokens of subjection and humility to submit themselves to his mercy In the mean time a new warre breaks forth between King Edward and the French King Philip the fair by a controversie between the subjects of either King for Kings that envy one another easily break forth into open Hatred but Edward had other grudges against the French for conniving at the death of his Cousen Henry the Emperors Son Edward therefore when a day was appointed him hath a stipendary to plead his cause before King Philip he refused to appeare whereupon a great Army being raised Philip enters upon the Territories of King Edward in France by force of Armes the King of England by the assistance of neighbour Princes the Earl of Flanders the Duke of Brabant with Adolphus of Nassaw the Roman Emperour presently marches against the King of France but finding the French divided in two parts and defrauded with the Emperours delayes when he had held his winters quarters at Gaunt not without the murmuring of the Citizens and great want of his souldiers At the beginning of the spring truce being made with the French for three years the King tooke Margaret the Dukes sister to wife for Eleoner died in the former Expedition against the Scots And the daughter of Philip being betrothed to King Edwards sonne he retreated for England About the same time Doctor Langton then Bishop of Chester complained grievously to the King upon Edward the young Prince who by the lewd advice of Pierce Gaveston his loose and gracelesse Companion brake forcibly into his Park and made havock of his Game for which the Prince was committed to Prison and Gaveston banished for ever Lastly making an incursion into Scotland he is taken with a Disentery and dies of it and lies buried at Westminster He was very tall of Countenance somwhat sorrowfull of Chastitie like his Father but in fortitude farre before him Religious he was and wise The noble and Victorious Prince EDWARD the first surnamed Long-shanks King of England Duke of Aquitaine Earle of Poictices and Anjou Lo of Ireland c He Conquered Scotland and brought from thence the Marble Chaire He subdued and overcame llewelyn Prince of Wales and made his sonne Edward Prince Hereof he died at the age of 68 yeares 1307. after he had raigned 34 yeares 8 monthes buried at Westminster King Edward Saraceus Head Sholder sunders Where Christ wrought miracles this Prince did wonders His wife with such so pious love abounds She sucks the venome from his poysoned wounds 'T were Treason to their merits to conceal So great a Valour and so sweet a zeal The haughty Welch he soon did over-run And left them Vassalls to his Princely Son And by his sword so weighed down Fortunes scales That Englands heir succeeds stil Prince of
Henry look back and in his Tragick Scene There thou shalt see what all thy troubles mean Nor did it though thou thoughtst it faster stood Cemented to thy Temples with his Bloud You that your Lives your Souls what dearest is Venture for Thrones do but consider this Princes descend unto the shades beneath And pyle their Crowns up at the Gates of Death HENRY the Fifth King of England THe King was inaugurated with wonderfull applause and desire of the Lords and Commons and he not willing to disappoint his subjects of the hope they conceived of him gave them a signe of his excellent Government sending from him those Ministers of lascivious youth his former associates And not willing his valiant heart should give place to sloath claims his right in France First he sent Heraulds and demanded his Kingdome from King Charls promising to marry the Lady Katherine his Daughter and threatened also that if he denied he would take his patrimony by force Charâ— laughed at his Embassadors whereby he so enraged King Henry that he musters a mighâ—y Army with about 120. Ships he sailed into France First he takes Harefleet and after many skirmiges with the French fought that memorable battel at Agencourt to the eternall honour of the English which done he and all his Army on their knees gave praise to God for their glorious Victory About this time Sigismund the Emperor came into England to Treat of Peace between the French and English nor was Henry slow in the business but when the French besieged Harefleet he was so angry that he sent the Duke of Bedford to raise the siedge with the Earl of Marsh Oxford and others and 200 ships and fought a bloudy fight in the Haven of Harefleet with Burbon the French Admirall where the English wan the day sinking 500 of the French ships and so relieved the Town But the Emperour perceiving the perfidiousnesse of the French made a firm League with the English against all opposers and so returned back into Germany The French in the mean time hired great ships of Genoa and again besiedging the Haven of Harefleet endeavoured to hinder all provision from coming to the Town but the Earl of Huntington suddenly vanquished them He took the Duke of Burbone a bastard and so returned Conquerour for England Then the King with his Nobility sailed into Normandy and took the Fort Tueha whilst the Earl of Salisbury wan Abervile which place the King freely gave to him and his Heirs Afterwards he wan Caen and for their obstinacy punished some of the principall with death and gave the plunder of the City to his Souldiers Then he sent the Duke of Clarence to beleager the Town of Bayon which he quickly wan thence he removed to Corfen and in three dayes became Master thereof then he subdued Argentaniam after that Aleucon Falesia and returned victor to Caen. In the mean while the Earl of Warwick conquered the Castle of Dumfrise and Clarentius mastered Curton and many other Towns Then the King layes siege to Roan and forced the Citizens to submit which Town being the Chief was an example for the rest to follow so that shortly he wan all Normandy lost by the carelessnesse of his Predecessors The Duke of Burgundy perceiving all things to succeed to K. Henery's mind procured a meeting between him and the Queen of France for King Charls her husband doted yet there was nothing done The Queen brought with her her most beautifull daughter Katharine purposely to ensnare the Kings mind with her allurements nor was it in vaine for the King no sooner saw her but he was wonderfully taken with her elegant beauty and when they departed doing nothing the King charged the Duke of Burgundy to do his best to satisfie his desires for unlesse all he demanded together with the Lady Kathariâ—e were granted him he would by force take from the Duke his Dukedome and from the King his Kingdome The French were so frighted with these threats that they fell to a new Parlie but now the Dolphin caused the Duke of Burgundy to be basely slain presently after though he begged his life on his knees and so the slaughter of the Duke of Orleance committed before by Burgundy was expiated Nor is peace yet concluded till the French were constrained by another losse to seek it seriously A meeting is appointed at Trecas and there was Katharine betrothed to Henry and the right of succession confirmed to him aâ—ter the decease of Charls whereupon all the Nobillity of France swear to be loyall to him and so the salique Law is broken The Dolphin also is cited to appear before the Marble Table in Paris and not coming is banisht Henry also caused money to be coyned with the Arms of France and England which he called the Soveraigne Then leaving the Duke of Clarence Governour of France and Normandy he returned for England with his Queen whom in February following he crowned at Westminstor with great solemnity and much honour But the Duke of Clarence making an Expedition against Anjou and taking great spoils as he came back laden with prey was betrayed by one Andrew Forgusa a treacherous Lombard and although he fought valiantly yet was he slaine by the Duke of Alenson with the chief Nobillity and 2000 English men the Earl of Somerset Suffolk and other Lords are taken Prisoners The King to revenge his brothers death lands in France with a mighty Army and freed Chartres from a siedge of the Dolphin whom he pursues from place to place but cannot overtake him though he take all Towns in his way So that in a short time he joyned all the Island of France to the rest In the mean time the Queen is delivered of a Son at Windsor named Henry of whose birth the King said to the Lord Fitz Hugh his Chamberlain I Henry born at Monmouth shall remaine but a short time and gain much but Henry born at Windsor shall Reign long and lose all About this time the Dolphin besiedges those of Narbon Henry goes to their relief but in his overmuch hast takes a feavor of which he dies having dispatched the Duke of Bedford who not only frees Narbon but drives the Dolphin into Aquitane who in mockery was called King of Aquitane While he lay sick he made his Brother the Duke of Bedford Regent of Normandy and France and his Brother the Duke of Gloucester he made Governour of England He died at 36 years old reigned 9 years 5 months and 24 dayes HENRY the v. began his reigne the 20 of March and was crowned at Westminster the 9 of Aprill following 1413. He reigned gloriously 9 yeres 5 monthes he died in the Castle of Boys Vincent by Paris the 1. of September 1422. and lieth intombed in the Abbey of St Peters at Westminster being of the age of 36 yeares when he departed this world R. E. sculp His Royall head no sooner Henry Crowns But his debaucht associates he disowns He showes them now
her lodging in the Crowne Curs'd be the luckless minute that did bring A Minious subject to be Englands King EDVVARD the Third King of England EDward the Third being fifteen years of Age was crowned by Reynold Arch-Bishop of Canterbury his deposed father being yet alive In his younger years he was chiefly directed by the advice and counsell of the Queen and his Unkle Edmund of Woodstock Earl of Kent and of Sr Roger Mortimer who to interesse himself more especially in the Queens favour traiterously conspired and procured that murther of the last King in that horrid and butcherly manner before spoken of in the 2. year of this Kings Reigne The Court in those dayes was seldome or never without a Viper for as Gaveston was the fore-runner of the Spencers in ambition lasciviousnesse pride rapine and confusion so the Spencers were the ushers of the Mortimers in intollerable aspiring avarice and destruction the ill laid foundations of all whose greatness was attended by certain and sudden ruine There fell out a war with the Scots in which Edward got the better then a Parliament is called in which the two Spencers and Stapleton Bishop of â—xeter are attainted of high Treason Then the King by the directions of his Mother and Sr Roger Mortimer concluded a dishonourable peace with the Scots and released to them their homage fealty and services to him due for that Kingdom and delivered up to them the grand Chaâ—tar or Instrument called Ragman which under the Hands and Seals of their late King and of the Nobillity of Scotland testified their tenure and subjection to the Kings of this Realme and then he married his Sister Iane unto David the Son and Heir apparent to Robert le Bruce the Usurping Scotish King and created Sr Roger Mortimer Earl of March whereat his Nobles were exceedingly discontented and such was the new Earls mallice and hatred unto the Kings Unkle the Earl of Kent and so powerfull was he with the King by reason of his too much familiarity with his mother Queen Isabell that he never desisted from his wicked and ungodly plottings till he had bereaved him of his head But God permitted not this wretched man to persist long in these mischievous courses for within few months after he was accused by the State for horrid and hainous crimes for which his wicked Treasons and horrible transgressions he was condemned to die in the same manner which he had devised for Sr Hugh Spencer the younger and Queen Isabell being most honourably attended on was sequestred into a strong Castle where she lived more than 30 years after and then died After this the French King requires homage for the Dutchy of Guian which Edward offers by proxy but not otherwise The French cite him again to a personal appearance Edward unwilling to controvert with him sends it him under the great Seal whereat his Nobles are much offended telling him that the Crown of France in right of his Mother belonged to him and that therefore he might justly refuse to doe him any homage at all and deny all fealty whatever Then Edward enters Scotland and crowns Baylioll King thereof But now instead of doiâ—g homage King Edward claims the Crown of France in right of inheritance from his mother Isabell and in spite of their Salique Law entitles himself King of France and quarters the Armes of France with the Armes of England And levying much money and all necessary Provision with a strong Army he fails into France winning many Cities Forts and Castles so that the English Army becomes rich with spoiles The French King solemnly swears pâ—otests that King Edward should not return home without a battle between them But Edward marches on still winning Gizours Vernon St. Germans in lay Mountrell St. Cloud Rely aâ—d the whole country about Roan point de L'arch Naples Nâ—wlench Robboiâ— Fountain Poiâ— and Vimewer at last King Philip of France having certain intelligence that King Edward with his Army was within two Leagues of Paris left the City telling the Parisians that King Edâ—ard dared not to look them in the face but they believed him not but were grievously aâ—raid but he turned off to find out the French Army still Provinces in his way for I have nâ—t room to particularize Now to the English glory the never to be forgotten Bâ—ttâ—ll of Cressâ— where the French with all the Flower and prowesse of their Realme with Swords whet with malice with numbers six to one met the English weakened with a differing Clime their bodies tired with tedious marches wounded with Assaults their swords broken or blunted with continual skirmiges now is the time to try the difference between French and English mettal The French begin the battell with a Forlorn of 15000 Genoways an Army bigger then the English but they have their Errant quickly and returned with such terrour that in their flying they routed and confounded their own main battle yet the French emboldened with multitudes continued the Charge with number upon number but their disorder and confusion was such they came but up as so many sacrifices to the hungry swords of the King and his renowned Son the black but the brave Prince at last the French flie amaine and are so eagerly pursued by the English that their souls are too nimble for their bodies the greatest part lying breathlesse on the ground and in the chase the two Marshalls of England encountered with a multitude of Bevoys Reigner Roan and Anbevile and slew 7000 of them and the next day slew and put to flight a strong Army under the command of the grand Prior of France who not knowing the battel were coming to aid their King that run away the day before leaving behind him slain in the field 11 of his Princes 80 Barons 1200 Knights and more than 30000 common Souldiers the French King himself hardly escaping death by speedy flight Then marched the King and Prince to Callice besieges and takes it notwithstanding the French King endeavoured with 200000 men to raise the siege and could not but went away as he came At the battel of Poictiers the Prince did overthrow the French took their King and infinite Nobles Lords Knights and brought them prisoners into England so that this King had two Kings at one time prisoners in England He reigned 50 years The true pourtraicture of EDWARD III. borne at Windsore of the age of 15 yeres was crowned at Westminster the 2 of Februarie 1326. he tooke the tittle of King of France as dew vnto him both by Ciuill Lawe and order of succession being the Nephew and next heir male of K Charles IIII. his mothers brother in regard wherof he quartred the armes of France with Englands He raigned 50. yeres 5. mo He died at the manor of Shene in Surrey Ano. 1377. buried in Westminster R.E. Sculâ— Edward the Third did at the Throne arrive Whilst his deposed Father was alive But till hit Father willingly resign'd it Though Queen
the 31 of August 1422. and crowned King of England at Westminster the 6. of Nouember 1429. and of Fraunce the 7 of December 1432. he reigned 38 yeres 6 monthes he died by violence May 21. aged 52. AnoÌ„ 1471. first buried at Chertsey Abbey thence remoued to Windsore wher he was solemhley interd R E. 〈◊〉 Mars begets Clineas Henry a Son That has lost more then all his Father won For he lost Normandy and France put to 't England and Ireland and his Life to boot Twice crown'd and twice depos'd at last he took Deaths fatall Errand from Yorks desperate Duke He was a Prince do Rebels what ye will Like Archimedes drawing Figures still Who not unlike some Gamesters I have seen Winning and losing still the same has been He was not Politick in the Worlds controle But he is wise enough that saves his Soul EDVVARD the Fourth King of England EDward Duke of York having overthrown the King and Queen and having overthrown and executed many of his greatest enemies at Towton field returned triumphantly to the City of London and was proclaimed King of this Realme the 4 of March 1461. and was crowned the 19. day of Iune then next following In the beginning of his Reigne he removed from all Offices all such as oppressed the people and to strengthen his part with powerfull and faithfull friends he creates his two brothers George Duke of Clarence and Richard Duke of Gloucester and Sr. Iohn Nevell brother to the Earl of Warwick he created Lord Montacute and Henry Bourchier who had married the Lady Elizabeth Aunt unto the King and was brother unto Thomas Bourchier Arch-bishop of Canterbury was created Earl of Essex and William Lord Fawcâ—nbridge was made Earl of Kent The Duke of Sommerset and Sr. Ralph Percy with divers others the Kings professed enemies finding no further hope for the house of Lancaster came voluntarily in and submitted to the King and were received to pardon and favour but hearing that the Queen by the assistance of the Scots had raised an Army they slank away and revolted to her and afterwards taken at the battel of Exham were executed The Lord Montacute to whose valour the fortune of that day was ascribed is created Marquess Montacute to whom and others Edward gave great gifts After this Henry is taken in a disguise and sent to the Tower Then Warwick is sent to the Duke of Savoy and prevails for a Match between Edward and Bona the Dukes daughter but Edward in the mean time marries Elizabeth the widow of Sr. Iohn Grey at which Warwick vexed calls to his part his two Brothers and Clarence the Kings Brother and the King at Banbury The King notwithstanding these evill tidings marched confidently against Warwick and his northern Rebels but to prevent mischief many of the Nobillity endeavoured to conclude a peace so that Letters and Heraulds of Armes passed from one Army to the other for both were glad of peace by means of this Parlee King Edward became more carelesse of himself then was fitting whereof when the Earl of Warwick was informed he with some other well appointed rushed into the Kings Army slew his watches and surprised the King in his bed and secretly sent him to Midleham Castle in York-shire there to be safely kept by the Arch-bishop of York his brother who either repenting him of what he had done against the King or being won by large promises of great favour and good rewards suffered him with his Guarders to hunt and hawk by means whereof he made his escape and got to London where between the King and the Rebels another Parlee was had in Westminster Hall in which nothing was done but objections of good deserts and unthankfull requitals were proudly and insultingly urged by the Earl of Warwick in conclusion they departed each from other in great fury the King went to Canterbury and the confederated Lords to Lincolne Armies are raised on both sides they fight and the King wins the field The Lords Clarence and Warwick fly to the King of France who honourably entertains them and aids them with all necessaries for the levying of another Army with which they fight and drive King Edward out of the Kingdome who by the help of the Duke of Burgoyne returns with a small Army into the City of York where he is received upon solemn Oath that he claimed nothing but the Dukedome of York and that he would work no Treason against King Henry now again re-established in his Throne but he presently forfeits his faith and raising another great Army beats Warwick recovers the Crown and re-imprisons King Henry who soon after was murdered by the bloody hands of Richard Duke of Gloucester The King having through much trouble obtained peace betakes himself to dalliance with Iane Shore in the mean while his brother Duke of Clarence is drowned in a Butt of Malmsey The Scots threaten Warre and Richard Duke of Gloucester is sent against them a Peace was procured and King Edward dyed having reigned two and twenty years and is buried at Windsor He was doubtlesse a brave Prince however the clearest day is not without some clouds his perjury at York when he swore to the Citizens he would claim nothing but that Dukedome which was his right by inheritance and that he would in no sort interrupt King Henry's peace all which he falsified which afterward his innocent Sonnes sadly suffered for His lustfull Embraces with Shores wife got him the envy of his owne who was a chast and vertuous Lady in whom he got a good Wife though many enemies and though unfortunate in her Sons yet in her Daughter is composed all the fewd of York and Lancaster The right noble Prince EDWARD the 4th King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland He raigned 22. yeares and 5 weekes Died at the age of 52 yeares buried at Windsor 1483. R. Elstracke sculpsit Now sixty years out York obtains the Crowne And Lancaster with all his friends puts down Betwixt which Houses while the difference stood Fell more then fourscore of the Noble Bloud For which but think how many thousands bled And you will Iudge the Roses both were Red. Warwick advances Edward to the Crown And in distast againe he pulls him down But Edward to the Duke of Burgoine flyes And with his aid and his own perjuries Reerowns himself for Kingdomes men will dare A thousand Oaths and count them solemne Aire EDVVARD the Fifth King of England EDward the Fourth being dead his Eldest Son Edward succeeded him but he in his Reign was under Governors Anthony Lord Rivers Thomas Wagham Chamberlain and Richard Grey Knights who being sent for by the Queens Letters came in hast to London with the Prince Then also Richard Duke of Gloucester being at York and hearing of the Kings Death came to London with a small Army and being mindfull to usurp the Kingdome he overtook the young King Edward on his way to London and takes him into his own charge
sending his Tutors Rivers Wagham and Grey to Pomfret Castle to be kept safe all whom by the Practise of the Lord Hastings he soon after caused to be put to death which thing known at London the Queen who well knew the perverse mind of Richard with her other son Richard and her daughters took Sanctuary at Westminster to secure themselves from Richards violence Richard in the mean time came to London with Edward and went to the Bishop of London's house to reside but he not content with Edwards being in his power that he might the more safely look to his businesse endeavors to get the other brother out of Sanctuary from his mother the Queen under a colour of comforting the Kings sorrowfull mind and drawing the Lords to his opinion he sent thither amongst others Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who with fair speeches mingled with threats brings the poor innocent Child from his Mothers arms When the Arch-bishop had delivered the child into the Protectors hands who with many other Lords attended the Queens answer in the Star-Chamber he before the whole Assembly took him in his Armes hugged him and kissed him again and again protesting upon his soul that no worldly thing his Majesty only excepted was so dear unto him as that young child when as indeed he meant nothing more than the destruction of them both and having brought him to the King who was infinitely joyed with his Company he within few dayes after conveyed them with princely Pomp and Attendance through the City of London to the Tower under the Pretence of an especiall care and Providence that they should there remain in safety untill the troubles of the Common-wealth were appeased and quieted whereas in truth nothing was out of order but himself and his confederacy When he had thus cooped up the King and his brother he draws Buckingham to his Treason but Hastings could not be won therefore he pretended he sought to take away his life with which he charged him to which after a long silence the Lord Hastings as most familiar with him made answer They that so trangress the Law deserve what punishment the Law can inflict upon them and all the Lords ascented thereunto Then quoth the Protector That Sorceress meaning the Queen and that Strumpet Shores wife have conspired together to take away my life by witchcraft and that you may be right well assured it is true Behold I pray you and see how their villany hath allready seized on my body for by it my left arm is already wasted and consumed and therewithall he struck up his sleeve and shew them his arme naked this did he impudently dare to do albeit all there present were well assured it was never otherwise from his mothers womb Moreover no man was so simple to beleeve that if the Queen had intended such a mischief she would have consorted with Shores wife above all other women she having been her husbands Concubine besides this they all knew that the Queen was religious temperate mild charitable and vertuous and not given to revenge The Lord Hastings who after King Edwards death conversed with Shores Wife using her as his concubine and but the same morning left her in his own bed being desirous if he could to appease the Protectors rage to her and in some sort being willing to excuse her replied thus My Lord If the Queen and she have so done and therewithall the Protectors rage waxing intemperate interrupted him thus Thou Traytor quoth he tellest thou me of Iff's and And 's I tell thee they have done it and as he spake those words he clapt his hand rudely upon the Table at the noise whereof the whole chamber was suddenly filled with armed men and one of them struck down the Lord Stanly with a Holbert and the Protector himself did arrest the Lord Hastings and charg'd him of high Treason in generall tearms and forthwith without any proceeding or judgment caused him to be carried out into the Green and his head upon a Logg to be chopped off and it is noted that this execution was done on him the same day and in the same Lawlesse manner that he had commanded to be done to Rivers Grey and Wagham Thus when this impious Protector had murdered those Lords that stood in his way he caused Doctor Shaw a man more learned than vertuous publickly in a Sermon at Pauls Crosse to blaze on his honourable birth and Parentage his valour his vertues and to inveigh against the deceased King for his lasciviousnesse with Shores wife to bastardize all his Children as born in adultery for that King Edward as he affirmed was solemnly contracted unto the Lady Elizabeth Lucie whom he got with child He also accused the Protectors own mother but Shaw was afterward so ashamed of his flattery that for very shame and grief he died soon after Then he sets Buckingham to deal with the City who with many Citizens come to Baynards Castle where the Protector was and chose him for their King desiring him to take the burden upon him which he oft-times refused but was perswaded at last to take it The picture of Edward the 5. who at the age of 13 yeares was deposed and cruelly murdered by the procurement of Richard Duke of Gloucester his vnnaturall vnkle when he had raigned 2. moneths and 11. dayes and obscurely buried in the Tower 1183. Edward the Fifth at thirteen years of Age Is sacrific'd unto his Vncles rage Whose thirst for honour not be withstood Could soarce be slak'd in a whole sea of bloud Poor pritty blossom how thy Fate I pitty Thus to be murther'd in thy Royall City That in the Tower thy soul should be sent hence That ought have been a Tower of thy defence How many mourning dayes did the Queen keep When eyes ne're saw thee could not choose but weep Sure this doth not with heavens direction sute To fell the Tree before we see the fruit RICHARD the Third King of England RIchard having gotten the Ensigns of the Kingdome forthwith Crowns himself and his Wife Anne but still fearing the Londoners he caused Iames Tyrrel to stifle the young King and his Brother which he did and obscurely buried them in the Tower The Childrens death was divulged Richard not being againâ—t it and it was wonderfull how great amazement seized on the minds of all men every one lamented the unhappinesse of the Children with much pity and now they began to say what hopes have we of him that spared not his own near kinsmen but shed their innocent bloud To say nothing of the Mother and her Daughters certainly the immortal God who will not suffer great sins to goe unpunished revenged on the innocent children the perjury of their father committed at York and the Death of the Duke of Clarence whom he wickedly suffered to be murdered But Buckingham Richards former friend now detesting his wickednesse conspires with the Bishop of Ely how to restore Henry Earl of Richmond to
whom of right the Crown belonged as he was descended of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster with these joyned the Duke of Britain with whom Henry then resided Richard in the mean time who had notice of the consultations of Buckingham sent for him again and again to come to him but when he flatly refuses to come to him they fall to their Arms on both sides The Duke presently mustering some Welch Forces came to Gloucester to meet Richard that had a mightier Army with him but the Soldiers he had procured voluntarily rather then for pay all forsook him before he came in sight of the enemy and having none left with him but his Lacky who was forced to flie to shift for himself he went to his servant Humfrey Banisters house who unmindfull of all former favours delivered him afterward to Richard who cut off his head and all the Conspirators presently ran One one way Another another way some to places of refuge and some into Britanny to the Earl Richard in the mean time heard that the Duke did not only not hurt the Earl but had resolved to assist him wherefore he provides a great Fleet to intercept the Earles Landing here Henry in the mean time with forty Ships and five thousand Britains Sails for England but a Tempest arose and scattered his Ships and he almost quit of all his Forces was driven on Cornwall where coming ashore and seeing a great Army he was forced to retire to his Ships and being very pensive when he heard of Buckinghams death void of all Counsell he return'd again to Britanny in France but by the coming of the Nobillity he took heart once more and promised before the Altar to marry Elizabeth King Edwards Daughter if the businesse succeeded according to his mind and so a fresh Oath of fidelity was taken by them all In the mean time Richard did fiercely rage against all such as followed the Earl wheresoever he could lay hold on them Thomas Earl of Dorset who fled to him he banished both by Sea and Land also he made a Covenant with the Scotch King giving his Sister Anne in marriage to his Son Richard layes new Traps for Henry by corrupting the Dukes Treasures with money but he escapes them the matter being detected by Bishop Morton When the fraud was made known to the Duke he was so enraged against the Treasurer that he caused him for that other wicked deeds to be hanged But Richard to hinder Henry's Marriage with Elizabeth partly by flattery partly by fear and partly by promises he prevailed so farre with the Queen that she should entrust her daughters with him and should write her Letters to her son the Marquess of Dorset that was near the Earl that without delay he should return home and leave the society of the Earl Henry that all things were now pacified and their family in favour with the King Richard all this while having gotten the Queens Daughters that he might totally destroy the design of Marriage with Henry resolved himself to marry her his own Brothers Daughter his own Wife being yet alive whom to that end he privately packed away by poyson In the mean while he tryes all wayes he can to make Elizabeth affect him he was also resolved to joyne violence to his prayers if he could not otherwise obâ—aine her but he was so much urged with care and forraigne fear that he had no time for Courtship In the inâ—erim Stanley had a Command to Muster an Army but he must not goe forth before he had given to Henry his Son the Lord Strange for a pledge of his fidelity A fame was also spread abroad on purpose that Henry had implored help of the French in vain and that there was no fear of his coming which made Richard deal somwhat carelesly and unwarily discharging the Navy he had to Scour the English Coasts Henry was advertised how things stood and arrived in England with but two thousanâ— Soldiers in pay presently Rice Thomas and Iohn Savage two of the most Potent men iâ— Wales having collected some forces came to joyne with Henry Pembrook with some other did the like Stanley though he wished well yet for his sons sake delayed his intention tilâ— fit opportunity presented it self Richard all this time was wonderfull sluggish but when he heard how his subjects revolted to Henry he raised what men he could scrape up and went against him he Pitched his Tent in Bosworth field and both sides make ready at last they fall on but Stanley who came late and brought fresh forces joyned with Henry whereby he was not a little animated The King himself after wonderfull tokens of his valour is slain hand to hand by the Earl to whom by Gods blessing that day and Crown fell Richards body all naked and miery is found among the dead and trussed up like a Calf behind a Pursevant is buried at Leicester with as much honour as his Nephews in the Tower under the Stairs The portraict of RICHARD the 3. King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland He was slaine at Bosworth feild the 22th of August 1486. and homelye bured at the Graye friers Church in Leicester when he had vsurped 2 yeares 2 monthes and one day Monster of men Thou son of Belial Shall not thy Nephews bloud for vengeance call Shall it think'st thou with them in silence dye No â—hough their mouths be stopt their blood shal cry For which when God shall inquisition make Rocks cannot hide thee nor the Stigean Lake Thou that didst publish all the World before Thy Brother Bastard and thy Mother Whore Thy barbarous hand did take away the Life Of two great Kings and thine own dearest Wife Two Princes thou and many Peers didst murther Had Hel broke loose it could have gone scarce further HENRY the Seventh King of England HENRY both by right and true valour came to the Kingdome and was crowned at Westminster Anno 1486. the day before the Calends of November Then caling a Parliament he is discharged of the Treason that Richard laid to him and he gave honors and rewards to some that were grieved Then according to his Oath and Promise he married the fair and vertuous Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Edward the Fourth thereby joyning in one the two great Families of Lancaster and York betwixt whom for principallity and the Crown infinite contentions and mortall wars had formerly consumed and destroyed many thousands of noble brave and valiant men Now that the State of the Kingdome might be confirmed in its happinesse by the safety of the Kings person and by other requisites King Henry taking example by the Kings of France selected a certain number of warlike men in all places to attend him whom he tearmed the Yeomen of his Crown He elected the most Noble Grave and wise men of this Kingdome to be of his privy Counsell by whose sage directions and advice the Government of this Kingdome was settled in peace
a League concluded between England and Scotland and upon the discharge of some Scotch Lords Prisoners in the Tower of London a marriage was promised between Edward and the young Heir of Scotland which afterward was falsified and she married to the French King whereupon the Duke of Somerseâ— with a well provided Army enters Scotland and fought the Scots at Musselburgh and slew of them mâ—re than 14000 amongst whom besides the Lord Lohemore and the Lord Fleming fell almoâ—t all the young Nobillity of Scotland There were taken in fight Earl Huntley Chancellour of Scotland The Lords Hester Hobbey and Hamilton and 1500 more of good account possessing themselves of many strong Forts and Castles with abundant spoile and then betaking themselves homewards they not a little recreated the minds of the dejected Scots by their departure While these things thus fell out in Scotland there happened great alteration in the Ecclesiasticall State at home divers of the Kings Tutors being earnestly bent to a Reformation of Religion and especially the Lord Protector himself and it was therefore Resolved by the Kings Tutors and Counsell that whatsoever King Henry had enacted for the abrogating of the Popes authority should stand in full force and authority whereby the English Church became purged of Popery And what is very memorable the same day that Images and Superstition were thrown out of the Church news was brought of the great victory atchieved upon the Scots at Musselburgh The Popishly affected Stephen Gardiner and bloudy Bonner are committed to the Tower About this time fell out an unlucky difference betwixt the Protector and his Brother which proved the ruine of them both for they both lost their heads This Year Bishop Ridley preached before the King and in his Sermon took occasion to discourse of the necessity of Alms-deeds which the King earnestly attending and laying to heart sent for the Bishop after Sermon and entered into private communication with him causing him to set down in a chair and whether he would or not to put on his hat about relief The King to shew his wonderfull charity appointed severall Hospitalls to which he gave Lands to the value of 600 pounds per annum which had belonged to the Savoy and 4000 Marks a year in mony beside About the beginning of the next year the King fell into lingring sicknesse then into a Hectick Feaver whereof together with a consumption of the Lungs he died at length not without suspicion of poyson And now Northumberland began to devise how he might gain the Crown of England to his posterity he therefore imparts the businesse to the Duke of Suffolk requesting his eldest Daughter Iane to be given in marriage to his son Gilford Dudley then he takes upon him to perswade the King not only to disinherit his two sisters but also by Will to constitute his Cousin the Lady Iane Queen after him which accordingly the good King yeilded preferring the true worship of God before all naturall respects A few dayes before things were thus ordered King Edward not yet 16. years of age sent forth his blessed soul at Greenwich to wit the sixt day of Iuly when he had held the Kingdome under Governours six years five months and nineteen dayes shewing forth even in that tender age blossoms of vertue together with singular piety towards God constancy of mind love of right and an incredible study of Learning Not above three hours before he expired thinking no body had been by he uttered this Prayer Lord God deliver me out of this miserable and wreâ—ched life take me among thy chosen howbeit not my will but thy will be done Lord I commit my spirit to thee O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee yet for thy Chosens sake if it be thy will send me life and health that I may truly serve thee O my Lord blesse thy people and save thine inheritance O Lord God save thy chosen people of England O my Lord God defend this Realme from Papistry and maintain thy true Religion that I and my people may praise thy holy Name Soon after he cried out I faint I faint Lord have mercy upon me and take my spirit and so yielded up the Ghost The high and Mighty Monarch Edward the VI. by the grace of GOD King of Great Brittaine France and Ireland Defendor of the Earth etc To thee Great King it was a gain to dye Whose death was crown'd with immortality Nor does he erre whoever takes thee for Edward the Saint the Second Confessor Thou that in pious Paths so Even hast trod Art Enoch like translated by thy God Who as thy death does evidently show Lov'd thee too well to leave thee long below Whos 's every act the Vniverse convinces And is a pattern to succeeding Princes When thou of Popery didst the Temple purge Thy Scepter turn'd into thy Saviours scourge MARY Queene of England MARY so soon as she heard of her Brothers death posted to Framingham Castle in Suffolk to whom resorted divers Lords who had formerly compacted to preserve the Romish Religion Then she sent to the Senate of London that they should proclaim her Queen but the Lords in the name of all the people made answer That by the Testament of King Edward Iane was to succeed and they asserted that Maryes mother was divorced whereupon they fly to Arms. The Earl of Northumberland with a small Army marches against Mary but as he proceeds but slowly Maryes Forces increase mightily also Edward Hastings who was set with six Ships to prevent Maryes escape into France revolted to her by which losse the Lords and Londoners were not a little dismayed and grew at odds one with the other and the Londoners proclaimed Mary Queen and Northumberland when he was certain of his friends falling from him that he might not run the hazard alone calls a Counsell at Cambridge and himself for want of an Herauld proclaims Mary Queen of England c. casting his Cap up in token of joy But that did not at all help his Cause for the Earl of Arundell who a little before did not decline to venture his life for Iane now coming to Cambridge in Maryes name takes the Duke and Casts him into Prison he in vain intreating for his life Iane at the Command of the Duke of Suffolk her father when the Case was thus altered layes down the Ensigns of the Kingdome with much more cheerfullnesse then ever she took them up The Queen coming to London met her Sister Elizabeth with 1000 Horse and Thomas of Norfolk Edward Contener Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Somersets Wife which she received into Grace giving them her hand to kisse Then entering upon the Church affairs she abollished those Bishops and Ceremonies that Edward had confirmed setting up others in their roome the people not a little offended at it and then she punished severely all those that were enemies to the Church of Rome In the interim
one hundred and thirty tall ships of Warre in which were nineteen thousand two hundred and ninety souldiers eight thousand three and fifty Marriners two thousand and eighty Gally-slaves two thousand six hundred and thirty great Ordnance and the 19. of Iuly 1588. they came in sight of England and were in hopes to devour it But by the valour of the English and the Dutch the Fleet was partly worsted partly hindered but especially by a Tempest that rose against it the Spaniard was disappointed of his hopes They often after fought by Sea in Portugall and the West-Indies doing and receiving much harm This great Tempest being blown over the Queen causeth a day of Thanksgiving to be proclaimed and rid Triumphantly to London Notwithstanding all this she had many troubles but strangled all in the birth and England was made the Receptacle of persecuted and afflicted men both from France and Holland by reason of the Wars there In the mean while Sir Francis Drake was sent into the West-Indies and the Earl of Essex to the Coasts of Spaine when after many Victories atchieved by each the Spaniards by the mediation of the French seek peace but the Dutch hinder it In the year 1598. Philip King of Spain died in the seventieth year of his age He aimed at great matters but was unfortunate in most of them whereupon it came to passe that the three Keyes of the Spanish Empire which his Father so called and willed him to keep diligently to wit Gulet in Africa Flushing in Holland and Cades in Spain were neglected The first taken in by the Turks the second by the Confederates of the United Provinces the third much impaired in its strength and impoverished by the English which his father foreseeing in his Life time admonished to make peace with the English and Dutch Anno 1599. died that Reverend and famous Divine Mr. Richard Hooker a man moderate temperate meek and vertuous even to the best imitation and left behind him a living monument of his reall worth his Book entituled Ecclesiastical Pollicy Then peace was confirmed between the Spaniard and the French but the English and the Dutch refused to be comprehended in it because they held it disadvantageous to their buâ—iness but making a Covenant with joynt Forces they invade Spain The Spaniard stirs up the Earl of Tyrone who made a great Rebellion in Ireland Essex was sent thither to subdue the Rebells and to make them conformable but he scurvily neglected an opportunity of conquering the enemy and beyond his commission treats with the Rebells concerning peace He was therefore called home and commanded to answer for his fault by his submission he found the Queens savour afterward prompted on either by shame or his ambition to the Kingdome he raised an Army and entered London and he purposed to have forced the Queen His Forces ran away from him and he was taken prisoner accused of high Treason and lost his head for it Charls Blunt was sent in his Place who in divers fights wonderfully subdued the enemy though the Spaniard had sent many supplies to relieve them in a set battel he overthrew Tyrone and the Auxiliary Spaniards and then made conditions driving them out of Ireland Tyrone afterwards when he had tried all wayes submitted and humbly entreated the Queens pardon In the mean time Richard Levison and William Monson with eight great Ships and some small ones went and wasted the Spanish Coasts and meeting the Spanish Fleet coming from America with abundance of wealth set upon them but was too weak being disappointed After that he master'd a great rich Ship riding at Anchor in Portugall and burning some lesser Ships returned with her to England At that time the Jesuits and Seminaries were banished At last the Queen died Anno 1602 having reigned 44. years 4. months was buried at Westminst ELISABET D. G. ANG FRAN. ET HIB REGINA FIDEI CHRISTIANAE PROPVGNA TRIX ACERRIMA Thus dy'd Elizabeth Did I say she dy'd Away my babling Muso away ye ly'd She is alive and ever so shall be Could England dote and lose all memory The Neatherlands yea France Spain would give All satisfaction that she still does live And shall untill unknown diseases vex The Vniverse into an Apoplex Of whom this Nation may with comfort say An Evening red foretold a morning gray Thus from the Briny Ocean of our tears The joyfull Venus of our Peace appears JAMES King of Great Britain France Ireland THE losse that England sustained by the death oâ— Queen Elizabeth was abundantly recompenced by her most worthy Successor King â—ames in the happy union of the two warlike Kingdomes England and Scotland He was inferiour to heâ— neither for Religion nor any thing else and by new rejoycings he extinguished that grief the Subjects had conceived for the losse of so dear a Mother to her Countrey He was a King the more happy because he obtained a Kingdom by lawfull succession that was no wayes embroyled with wars and tumults but setled in exceeding great peace But as the calmest weather is not secure from clouds so the affairs of Brittany though in a coâ—dition most peaceable were endangered by the malice and conspiracy of some male-contents â—he Ring-leaders were Henry Cobham and George his Brother Thomas Grey of Wilt-shire Walter Raleigh and others their purpose was to kill the King but newly Crowned to change Religion to raise Tumults to let in Forreigners a terrible design but this flame vanished into smoak the principall being either executed or condemned to perpetual imprisonment or had their parâ—ons granted to them but least peace should be disturbed by new wars he made peace with the King of Spain who was a sworn enemy to England it was solemnly confirmed by both In Northampton and Warwickshire new tumults arose first by Fines then by Iohn Reignold that led them but this faction was soon allayed and the Authors thereof severely punished In the mean time Frederick Count Elector Palatine came to London to marry Elizabeth King Iames his Daughter the marriage was solemnized with wonderfull pomp but all these joyes were overshadowed with Clouds of sorrow for on the sixt day of November 1612. Prince Henry departed this life various reports were spread abroad by the Vulgar as if indirect means had been used but his Physitians gave it under their hands that he dyed of a violent malignant Feaver Charls the Kings second Son succeeds him in the Principallity of Wales About this time that learned gallant and noble spirit Sir Walter Raleigh after 14 years imprisonment made addresses to the King to give him leave to visit the New found World in America to which he gave him liberty and a Commission under the great Seal to set forth Ships and Men for that service his reputation and merit caused many Gentlemen of Quality to adventure their persons and estates on the design many considerable adventures were performed though with great difficulty but especially that of