vertuous and womanly mother but also compassed all the meanes and waies that hee could invent how to stuprate carnally know neece his under the pretence of a cloaked matrimony which Lady I have sworne and promised to take and make my wife as you all know and beleeve If this cause bee not just and this quarrell godly let God the giver of victory judge and determine We have thankes be given to Christ escaped the secret treasons in Britaine and avoyded the subtile snares of our fraudulent enemies there passed the troublous seas in good and quiet safegard and without resistance have penetrate the ample region and large countrey of Wales and are now come to the place which wee so much desired for long wee have sought the furious Bore and now we have found him Wherfore let us not feare to enter into the toyle where wee may surely slay him for God knoweth that wee have lived in the vales of miserie tossing our shippes in dangerous stormes let us not now dread to set up our sailes in faire weather having with us both him and good fortune If wee had come to conquer Wales and had achieved it our prayse had beene great and our gaine more but if wee winne this battell the whole Realme of England with the Lords and Rulers of the same shall be ours the profit shall be ours and the honour shall be ours Therefore labour for your gaine and sweat for your right while wee were in Britaine wee had small livings and little plenty of wealth or welfare now is the time come to get abundance of riches and copie of profit which is the reward of your service and merit of your paine And this remember with your selves that before us be our Enemies and on either side of us bee such as I neither surely trust nor greatly beleeve backeward wee cannot fly So that here wee stand like sheepe in a fold circumsepted and compassed betweene our enemies our doubtfull friends Therefore let all feare be set aside and like sworne brethren let us joyne in one for this day shall bee the end of our travell and the gaine of our labour either by honorable death or famous victory And as I trust the battelâ— shall not be so sower as the profit shall bee sweet Remember that victory is not gotten with multitude of men but with the courage of hearts and valliantnesse of mindes The smaller that our number is the more glorie is to us if wee vanquish if we be overcome yet no laud is to bee attributed to the victors considering that tenne men fought against one and if we die so glorious a death in so good a quarrell neither fretting time nor cancaring oblivion shall bee able to obfuscate or race out of the booke of fame either our names or our godly attempt And this one thing I assure you that in so just and good a cause and so notable a quarrell you shall find mee this day rather a dead carion upon the coole ground then a free prisoner on a carpit in a Ladies chamber Let us therefore fight like invincible gyants and set on our enemies like untimerous Tigers and banish all feare like ramping lyons And advance forward true men against traytors pittifull persons against murtherers true inheritours against usurpers the scourges of God against tyrants display my banner with a good courage march forth like strong robustious champions and begin the battell like hardy conquerors the battell is at hand and the victorie approacheth and if we shamefully recoile or cowardly fly wee and all our sequell be destroyed and dishonored for ever This is the day of gaine and this is the time of losse get this day victorie and bee conquerors and leese this daies battell and bee villaines and therefore in the name of God let every man couragiously advance forth with his standard These chearefull words hee set forth with such gesture of body smiling countenance as though already hee had vanquished his enemies and gotten the spoyle Hee had scantly finished his saying but the one armie espied the other Lord how hastily the souldiers buckled their helmes how quickly the archers bent their bowes and frushed their feathers how readily the billmen shooke their billes and prooved their staves ready to approach and joyn when the terrible trumpet shall sound the bloody blast to victorie or death Betweene both armies there was a great marsh which the Earle of Richmond left on his right hand for this intent that it should be on that side a defence for his part and in so doing he had the sunne at his backe and in the faces of his enemies When King Richard saw the Earles company was passed the marsh hee commanded with all hast to set upon them then the Tâ—umpeters blew and souldiers shouted and the Kings archers couragiously let fly their arrowes the Earles bowmen stood not still but paide them home againe The terrible shot once past the armies joyned and came to hand strokes where neither sword nor bill was spared at which encounter the Lord Stanley joyned with the Earle The Earle of Oxford in the meane season fearing lest while his company was fighting they should bee compassed and circumvented with the multitude of his enemies gave commandement in every ranke that no man should be so hardy as to goe above tenne foot from the standard which commandement once knowne they knit themselves together and ceased a little from fighting the adversaries suddenly abashed at the matter mistrusting some fraud or deceit beganne also to pause and left striking and not against the will of many which had rather have had the King destroyed then saved and therefore they fought very faintly or stood sâ—ill The Earle of Oxford bringing all his band together on the one part set on his enemies afresh againe the adversaries perceiving that placed their men slender and thinne before and thicke and broade behind beginning againe hardily the battell While the two forwards thus mortally fought each intending to vanquish and convince the other King Richard was admonished by his explorators and espialles that the Earle of Richmond accompanied small with a number of men of armes was not far off and as he approched marched towards him he perfectly knew his personage by certaine demonstrations and tokens which hee had learned and knowne of others And being inflamed with ire and vexed with outragious malice he put his spurres to his horse and rode out of the side of the range of his Battaile leaving the avantguards fighting and like a hungry Lion ran with Speare and rest toward him The Earle of Richmond perceived well the King furiously came toward him and because the whole hope of his wealth and purpose was to bee determined by Battaile hee gladly proffered to encounter with him body to body and man to man King Richard set on so sharply at the first brunt that he overthrew the Earles Standard and slew Sir William Brandon his Standard Bearer
which was Father to Sir Charles Brandon by King Henry the 8. created Duke of Suffolke and matched hand to hand with Sir Iohn Cheiny a man of great force and strength which would have resisted him and the said Iohn was by him manfully overthrowne and so he making open passage by dent of sword as hee went forward the Earle of Richmond withstood his violence and kept him at the swords point without advantage longer then his companions either thought or judged which being almost in despaire of Victory were suddenly recomforted by Sir William Stanley which came to succour them with three thousand tall men at which very instant King Richards men were driven back and fled and hee himselfe manfully fighting in the middle of his enemies was slaine brought to his death as hee worthily had deserved In the mean season the Earle of Oxford with the aide of the Lord Stanley after no long fight discomâ—ted the forward of King Richard whereof a great number were slaine in the flight but the greatest number which compelled by feare of the King and not of their meer valiant motion came to the field gave never a stroke and having no harme nor damage safely departed which came not thither in hope to see the King prosper and prevaile but to hear that he should be shamefully confounded and brought to ruine In this Battaile dyed few above the number of a thousand persons And of the Nobilitie were slaine Iohn Duke of Norfolke which was warned by divers to refraine the Field insomuch that the night before hee should set forward toward the King one wrote on his Gate Iack of Norfolke be not too bold For Dickon thy Master is bought and sold. Yet all this notwithstanding hee regarding more his oath his honour and promise made to King Richard like a Gentleman and a faithfull subject to his Prince absented not himselfe from his Master but as hee faithfully lived under him so hee manfully dyed with him to his great fame and laud. Theâ—e were slaine beside him Walter Lord Ferrers of Chartley Sir Richard Radâ—liffe and Robert Brakenâ—uâ—y Lieutenant of the Tower and not many Gentlemen more Sir William Catesbey learned in the Lawes of the Realme and one of the chiefe Counsellors to the late King with divers others were two dayes after beheaded at Leicester Amongst them that ranne away were Sir Francis Vicount Lovell and Humfrey Stafford and Thomas Stafford his Brother which took Sanctuary at Saint Iohns at Gloucester Of Captives and prisoners there was a great number for after the death of King Richard was knowne and published every man in manner vnarming himselfe and casting away his abiliment of warre meekly submitted themselves to the obeisance and rule of the Earle of Richmond of the which the more part had gladly so done in the beginning if they might have conveniently escaped from King Richards espyals which having as cleare eyes as Linx and as open eares as Midas ranged and searched in every quarter Amongst these was Henry the fourth Earle of Northumberland which whether it was by the commandement of King Richard putting diffidence in him or he did it for the love and favour that hee bare unto the Earle stood still with a great companie and intermitted not in the battell which was incontinently received into favour and made of the councell But Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey which submitted himselfe there was not taken to grace because his Father was chiefe Counceller and hee ly familiar with with King Richard but committed to the Tower of London where hee long remained and in conclusion delivered and for his truth and fidelitie after promoted to high honours and dignities On the Earle of Richmonds part were slaine scarce one hundred persons amongst whom the principall was sir William Brandon his standard bearer This battell was fought at at Bosworth in Leicestershire the two and twentieth day of August in the yeare one thousand foure hundred eighty sixe the whole conflict endured litle above two houres King Richard as the fame went might have escaped and gotten safegard by flying For when they which were next about his person saw and perceived at the first joyning of the battell the souldiers faintly and nothing couragiously to set on their enemies and not onely that but also that some with drew themselves privily out of the prease and departed They beganne to suspect fraud and smell treason and not only exhorted but determinately advised him to save himselfe by flight and when the losse of the battell was eminent and apparent they brought to him a swift and a light horse to convey him away He which was not ignorant of the grudge and ill will that the common people bare towards him casting away all hope of fortunate successe and happie chance to come answered as men say hee would make an end of all battailes or else there finish his life Such a great audacitie and such a stout stomacke raigned in his body for surely he knew that to be the day in the which it should bee decided and determined whether hee should peaceably obtaine and enjoy his kingdome during his life or else utterly forgoe and bee deprived of the same with which too much hardinesse hee being overcome hastily closed his helmet and entered fiercely into the hard battell to the intent to obtaine that day a quiet raigne or else to finish there his unquiet life and unfortunate governance And so this miser at the same very point had like chance and fortune as happeneth to such which in place of right justice and honesty following their sensuall appetite love use and imbrace mischiefe tyranny and unthriftinesse Surely these be examples of more vehemency then mans tongue can expresse to feare and astunne such evill persons as will not live one houre vacant from doing and exercising crueltie mischiefe or outragious living When the Earle had thus obtained victorie and slaine his mortall enemie hee kneeled downe and rendered to almighty God his harty thankes with devout and godly orisons beseeching his goodnesse to send him grace to advance and defend the catholike faith and to maintaine justice and concord amongst his subjects and people by God now to his governance committed and assigned which prayer finished he replenished with incomparable gladnesse ascended up to the top of a little mountaine where he not onely praysed anâ—â—â—â—ded his valiant souldiers but also gave unto them his harty thankes with promise of condigne recompence for their fidelitie and valiant facts willing and commanding all the hurt and wounded persons to bee cured and the dead carcases to bee delivered to the Sepulture Then the people rejoyced and clapped hands crying up to heaven King Henry King Henry When the Lord Stanley saw the good will and gratuity of the people hee tooke the Crowne of King Richard which was found amongst the spoyle in the field and set it on the Earles head as though hee had beene elected King by the voice of the people as in
had beene a sleepe that day And after a little talking with them he said to the Bishop of Ely my Lord you have very good strawberies in your garden at Holbourne I require you let us have a messe of them Gladly my Lord quoth he I would I had some better thing as ready at your pleasure as that and with that in all hast he sent his servant for a dish of Strawberies The Protectour set the Lords fast on communing and thereupon prayed them to spare him a little and so he departed and came againe betweene ten and eleven of the clocke into the chamber all changed with a sowre angry countenance knitting the browes frowning and fretting gnawing of his lips and so set him downe in his place All the Lords were dismayed and sore marvelled at this manner and suddaine change what hee should ayle When he had sitten a while thus hee began What were they worthy to have that compasse and imagine the destruction of mee being so neare of blood to the King and Protector of this his Royall Realme At which question all the Lords sate sore astonied musing much by whom the question should bee meant of which every man knew himself cleere Then the Lord Hastings who for the familiarity that was betweene them thought he might be boldest with him answered and said that they were worthâ—e to be punished as haynous traytors whatsoever they were and all the other affirmed the same that is quoth he yonder Sorceresse my brothers wife others with her meaning the Queene at these words many of the Lords were sore abashed which favored her but the Lord Hastings was better content in his minde that it was moved by her then by any other that hee loved better albeit his heart grudged that hee was not afore made of the counsell of this matter as well as hee was of the taking of her kindred and of their putting to death which were by his assent before devised to be beheaded at Pomfrete this self same day in the which he was not aware that it was by others devised that he himselfe should the same day be beheaded at London then said the Protectour See in what wise that Sorceresse and others of her councell as Shores wife with her affinitie have by their sorcery and witchcraft thus wasted my body and therewith plucked up his doublet sleeve to his elbow on his left arme where hee shewed a werish withered arme and small as it was never other And therefor every mans minde misgave them well perceiving that this matter was but a quarrell for they knew that the Queene was both too wise to goe about any such folly also if she would yet she would not make Shores wife of her counsell whom of al women she most hated as that concubine whom the King her husband most loved Also there was no man there but knew that his arme was ever such since the day of his birth Neverthelesse the Lord Hastings which from the death of King Edward kept Shores wife on whom he somwhat doted in the Kings life saving it is said that he forbare her for reverence towards his King or else of a certaine kind of fidelity towards his friend Yet now his heart somewhat grudged to have her whom hee loved so highly accused and as he knew well untruly therefore he answered and said certainely my Lord if they have so done they bee worthy of haynous punishment What quoth the Protectour thou servest mee I thinke with if and with and I tell thee they have done it and that I will make it good on thy body traytor And therewith as in a great anger he strooke his fist on the boord a great rappe at which token given one cryed treason without the chamber and therwith a doore clapped and men in armes came rushing in as many as the chamber could hold And anone the Protector said to the Lord Hastings I arest thee Traytour what me my Lord quoth he yes thou Traytour quoth the Protector And one let fly at the Lord Stanley who shrunke at the stroke and fell under the Table or else his head had been cleft to the teeth for as suddenly as he shrunk yet the blood ran about his eares Then was the Archbishop of Yorke and Doctour Morton Bishop of Ely and the Lord Stanley and divers others taken and bestowed in severall chambers save the Lord Hastings whom the Protectour commanded to speede and shrive him apace for by Saint Paul quoth he I will not dine till I see thy head off It booted him not to aske why but heavily hee tooke a Priest at aventure and made a short shrift for a longer would not be suffered the Protectour made so much hast to his dinner who might not goe to it till this murther were done for saving of his ungratious oath So was hee brought forth into the greene besides the Chappell within the Tower and his head layed downe on a logge of timber that lay there for building of the Chappell and there tyrannously stricken off and after his body and head were enterred at Windsor by his Master King Edward the fourth Late deceased A miraculous case it is to heare either the warnings that he should have avoyded or the tokens of that hee could not avoid For the next night before his death the Lord Stanley sent to him a trusty messenger at midnight in all the haste requiring him to rise and ride away with him for hee was disposed utterly no longer for to abide for he had a fearefull dreame in the which hee thought that a Bore with his tuskes so rased them both by the heads that the blood ran about both their shoulders and for asmuch as the Protectour gave the Bore for his cognisance hee imagined that it should be he This dreame made such a fearefull impression in his heart that he was throughly determined no longer to tarry but had his horse ready if the Lord Hastings would goe with him So that they would ride so farre that night that they should bee out of danger by the next day A good Lord quoth the Lord Hastings to the messenger leaneth my Lord thy Master so much to such trifles and hath hee such faith in dreames which either his owne feare fantasieth or doe rise in the nights rest by reason of the daies thought Tell him it is plaine witchcraft to beleeve in such dreames which if they were tokens of things to come why thinketh hee not that wee might as likely make them true by our going if we were caught and brought backe as friends flyers for then had the bore a cause likely to rase us with his tuskes as folkes that fled for some falshood wherfore either there is perill but indeed there is none or if any be it is rather in going then abiding And if wee must needes fall into perill one way or other yet had I rather that men should see it were by other mens falshood then thinke it were
either our owne fault or faint feeble heart and therefore goe to thy Maister and commend me to him and tell him I pray him to bee merry and have no feare for I assure him I am assured of the man he wotteth of as I am sure of mine owne hand God send grace quoth the messenger and so departed Certaine it is also that in riding towards the Tower the same morning in which he was beheaded his horse that hee accustomed to ride on stumbled twice or thrice almost to the falling which thing although it happeneth to them daily to whom no mischance is towards yet hath it beene as an old evill token observed as a going toward mischiefe Now this that followeth was no warning but an envious scorne the same morning before he was up from his bed where Shores wife lay with him all night there came to him sir Thomas Haward son to the Lord Haward which Lord was once of the priviest of the Lord Protectours counsell and doing as it were of curtesie to accompany him to the councell but of truth sent by the Lord Protectour to hast him thitherward This sir Thomas while the Lord Hastings stayed a while commoning with a Priest whoÌ„ he met in Towerstreete brake the Lords tale saying to him merrily what my Lord I pray you come on wherefore talke you so long with that Priest you have no neede of a Priest yet and laughed upon him as though he would say you shall have neede of one soone But little thought the other what hee meant but before night these words were well remembred by them that heard them so the true Lord Hastings little mistrusted and was never merier nor thought his life in more suretie in all his dayes which thing is often a signe of change but I shall rather let any thing passe mee then the vaine surety of mans minde so neere his death for upon the very Towerwharfe so neere the place where his head was off so soone after as a man might cast a ball a Pursievant of his owne called Hastings met with him and of their meeting in that place hee was put in remembrance another time in which it happened them to meete before together in the place at which time the Lord Hastings had been accused to King Edward by the Lord Rivers the Queenes brother insomuch that he was for a while which lasted not long highly in the Kings indignation as hee now met the same Pursevant in the same place the jeoperdie so well passed it gave him great pleasure to talke with him thereof with whom he had talked in the same place of that matter and therefore he said Ah Hastings art thou remembred when I met thee here once with a heavie heart Yea my Lord quoth he that I remember well and thankes bee to God they got no good nor you harme thereby thou wouldest say so quoth hee if thou knewest so much as I do which few know yet and more shall shortly that meant he that the Earle Rivers and the Lord Richard and Sir Thomas Vaughan should that day be beheaded at Pomfret as they were indeed which act he knew well should be done but thought not that the Axe hung so neere his owne head In faith man quoth hee I was never so sory nor never stood in so great danger of my life as I did when thou and I met here and loe the world is turned now now stand mine enemies in the danger as thou maist hap to heare more hereafter and I never in my life merrier nor never in so great surety I pray God it prove so quoth Hastings prove quoth he doubtest thou that nay nay I warrant thee and so in manner displeased hee entred into the Tower where he was not long alive as you have heard O Lord God the blindnesse of our mortall nature when he most feared he was in most surety and when he reckoned himselfe most sure hee lost his life and that within two houres after Thus ended this honourable man a good Knight and gentle of great authority with his Prince of living somewhat dissolute plaine and open to his enemy and sure and secret to his friend easie to beguile as hee that of good heart and courage foâ—â—saw no perils a loving man and passing well beloved very faithfull and trusty enough buâ— trusting too much was his destruction as you may perceive Now flew the fame of thiâ— Lords death through the City and farther about like a winâ— in every mans eare but thâ— Protector immediately afteâ— dinner intending to set some colour upon the matter sent in all the haste for many substantiall men out of the City into the Tower and at their comming himselfe with the Duke of Buckingham stood harnessed in old ill-favoured Briganders such as no man would thinke that they would have vouchsafed to have put on their backes except some sodaine necessity had constrained them Then the Lord Protector shewed them that the Lord Hastings and other of his conspiracie had contrived to have suddenly destroyed him and the Duke of Buckingham there the same day in Councel and what they intended farther was yet not well known of which their treason hee had never knowledge before ten of the clock the same forenoone which sodaine feare drave them to put on such harnesse as came next to their hands for their defence and so God holpe them that the mischiefe turned upon them that would have done it and thus he required them to report Every man answered faire as though no man mistrusted the matter which of truth no man beleeved Yet for the further appeasing of the peoples mindes hee sent immediately after dinner an Herald of Armes with a Proclamation through the Cirie of London which was proclaimed in the Kings Name that the Lord Hastings with divers other of his trayterous purpose had before conspired the same day to have slaine the Protector and the Duke of Buckingham fitting in Councell and after to have taken upon them the rule of the King and the Realme at their pleasure and thereby to pill and spoile whom they list uncontrouled and much matter was devised in the same Proclamation to the slander of the Lord Hastings as that he was an evill Councellor to the Kings Father entising him to many things highly redounding to the diminishing of his honour and to the universall hurt of his Realme by his evill company and sinister procuring and ungracious example aswell in many other things as in vitious living and inordinate abusing of his body both with many other and especially with Shores wife which was one of his secret Councell in this heinous treason with whom hee lay nightly and namely the night passed next before his death so that it was the lesse marvell if ungracious living brought him to an unhappy end which he was now put to by the command of the Kings Highnesse and of his honorable and faithfull Councell both for his demerits being so openly taken in
to them by the new usurper much lamented and pittied would never cease to barke if they cannot bite at the one side of me Likewise my cousin the Earle of Richmond his aides kinsfolke which be not of little power will surely attempt like a fierce grayhound either to bite or to pierce mee on the other side So that my life and rule should ever hang by a haire never in quiet but ever in doubt of death or deposition And if the said two linages of Yorke and Lancaster which so long have strived for the imperiall Diadem should joyne in one against mee then were I surely mated and the game gotten Wherefore I have clearely determined and with my selfe concluded utterly to relinquish all such fantasticall imaginations concerning the obtaining of the Crowne But all such plagues calamities and troubles which I feared and suspected might have chanced on me if I had taken the rule and regiment of this reale I shall with a reredemaine so make them rebound to our common enemie that calleth himselfe King that the best stopper that hee hath at tenice shall not well stop without a fault for as I told you before the Countesse of Richmond in my returne from the new named King meeting mee in the high way prayed me first for kindred sake secondly for the love I bare to my grandfather Duke Humphrey which was sworne brother to her father to move the King to bee good to her sonne Henry Earle of Richmond and to licence him with his favour to returne againe into England and if it were his pleasure so to doe shee promised that the Earle her sonne should marry one of King Edwards daughters at the appointment of the King without any thing to be taken or demanded for the said espousals but onely the Kings favour which request I soone overpassed and gave her faire words and so departed But after in my lodging when I called to memorie with a deliberate studie and did circumspctly ponder them I fully adjudged that the holy Ghost caused her to move a thing the end whereof she could not consider both for the security of the Realme as also for the preferment of her child and the destruction and finall confusion of the common enemy King Richard Which thing shee neither then thought I am sure as I by her words could make conjecture nor I my selfe cast not her desire to be so profitable to the Realme as I now doe perceive but such a Lord is God that with a little sparkle he kindleth a great fire and so finally to declare to you the very conclusion to the which I am both bent and set my mind is and my power and purpose shall helpe that the Earle of Richmond very heire of the house of Lancaster in the quarrell of the which linage both my father and grandfather lost their lives in battell shall take to wife Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter to K. Edward by the which marriage both the houses of Yorke and Lancaster may bee obtained and united in one to the cleare stablishment of the title to the Crowne of this noble Realme To the which conclusion if the mothers of both parties and especially the Earle himselfe and the Lady will agree I doubt not but the braging Bore which with his tuskes raseth every mans skinne shall not only be brought to confusion as he hath deserved but that this Empire shal ever be certain of an undubitate heire and then shall all civill and intestine war cease which hath so long continued to the parting of many mens Crownes this Realme shall bee reduced againe to quietnesse renoune and glory This invention of the Duke many men thought after that it was more imagined for the inward hatred that he beare to King Richard then for any favour that hee bare to the Earle of Richmond But of such doubtfull matters it is not best to judge for erring to farre from the minde and entent of the actour But whatsoever he intended this device once opened to King Richard was the very occasion that hee was rounded shorter by the whole head without attainder or judgement When the Duke had said the Bishop which ever favored the house of Lancaster was wonderous joyfull and much rejoyced to heare this device for now came the winde about even as hee would have it for all his imagination tended to this effect to have King Richard subdued and to have the lines of K. Edward and King Henry the sixt againe raised and advanced But Lord how hee rejoyced to thinke how that by this marriage the linages of Yorke and Lancaster should bee conjoyned in one to the very stead fastnesse of the publique wealth of this Realme And lest the Dukes courage should swage or his minde should againe alter as it did often before as you may easily perceive by his owne tale Hee thought to set up all the sailes hee had to the intent that the ship of his pretended purpose might come shortly to some sure port And said to the Duke my Lord sith by Gods high provision your incomparable wisedome and policie this noble conjunction was first moved now it is convenient yea and necessary to consider what personages and friends we shall first make privie of this high device and politicke conclusion By my truth quoth the Duke wee will begin with my Lady of Richmond the Earles mother which knoweth where he is either in captivitie or at large in Brytaine For I heard say that the Duke of Britaine restored him to liberty immediately after the death of King Edward by whose meanes hee was restrayned Sith you will begin that way said the Bishop I have an old friend with the Countesse a man sober secret and well witted called Reignold Bray whose prudent policie I have knowne to have compassed things of great importance for whom I shall secretly send if it bee your pleasure I doubt not he wil gladly come and with a good will So with a little diligence the Bishop wrote a letter to Reighnold Bray requiting him to come to Brecknock with speede for great and urgent causes touching his Mistresse and no other thing was declared in the letter So the messenger rode into Lancashire where Bray was with the Countesse and Lord Thomas Stanley her husband delivered the letter which when hee had read hee tooke it as a signe or presage of some good fortune to come and so with the messenger hee came to the Castle of Brecknocke where the Duke and the Bishop declared what thing was devised both to set the Realme in a quiet steadfastnesse and also for the high preferment of the Earle of Richmonds sonne to his Lady and Mistrisse Willing her first to compasse how to obtaine the good wil of Queene Elizabeth and also of her eldest daughter bearing the same name and after secretly to send to her son into Britaine to declare what high honour was prepared for him if he would sweare to marry the Lady Elizabeth assoone
and decked with men and artillery to scoure and keepe that part of the sea that lieth against Britaine to the intent that if the Earle of Richmond would adventure to saile toward Englnad either he should be taken captive or be proâ—â—igate and driven from the coast of England And moreover to the intent that every cost way passage and corner should be diligently watched and kept he set at every dubious and suspected place men of warre to seeke search and enquire if any creature could tell tidings of the Duke of Buckinham or of any of his confederation adherents fautours or partakers While this busie search was diligently applied and put in execution Humphrey Banister were it more for feare of losse of life and goods or attracted and provoked by the avaricious desire of the thousand pounds he bewrayed his guest and master to Iohn Mitton then Sheriffe of Shropshire which suddenly with a strong power of men in armes apprehended the Duke in a little grove adjoyning to the mansion of Humphrey Banister and in great haste and evill speede conveighed him apparelled in a pilled blacke cloke to the cittie of Salisbury where King Richard then kept his houshold Whether this Banister bewrayed the Duke more for feare then covetousnes many men doe doubt but sure it is that shortly after hee had betrayed the Duke his Master his sonne and heire waxed mad and so died in a Bores stie his eldest daughter of excellent beautie was suddely stricken with a foule leprosie his second sonne very marvelously deformed of his limbes and made decrepid his younger sonne in a small puddle was strangled drowned and hee himselfe being of extreame age arraigned and found guilty of a murther and by his Clergy saved And as for his thousand pound King Richard gave him not one farthing saying that hee which would bee untrue to so good a master would bee false to all other howbeit some say that he had a small office or a ferme to stoppe his mouth withall The Duke being by certaine of the Kings councel diligently upon interrogatories examined what things he knew prejudiciall to the Kings person opened and declared frankely and freely all the conjuration without dissembling or glosing trusting because he had truely and plainely revealed and confessed all things that were of him required that hee should have licence to speake to the King which whether it were to sue for pardon and grace or whether hee being brought to his presence would have sticked him with a dagger as men then judged he sore desired and required But when hee had confessed the whole fact and conspiracie upon Alsoules day without arrignement or judgement he was at Salisbury in the open market-place on a new skaffold beheaded and put to death This death as a reward the Duke of Buckingham received at the hands of King Richard whom he before in his affaires purposes and enterprises had holden sustayned and set forward above all Gods forbode By this all men may easily perceive that hee not onely loseth both his labour travell and industry further stayneth and spotteth his line with a perpetuall ignominy and reproach which in evill and mischiefe assisteth and aideth an evill disposed person considering for the most part that hee for his friendly favour should receive some great displeasure or infortunate chance Beside that God of his justice in conclusion appointeth to him a condigne pain and afflction for his merits and deserts While these things were thus handled and ordered in England Henry Earle of Richmond prepared an army of five thousand manly Brittons and forty well furnished ships When all things were prepared in a readinesse and the day of departing and setting forward was appointed which was the twelfth day of the moneth of October in the yeare of the incarnation of our Redeemer one thousand foure hundred fortie eight and in the second yeare of King Richards raigne the whole army went on shipbord and hoysed up their sailes and with a prosperous winde tooke the sea but towards night the winde changed and the weather turned and so high and terrible a tempest suddenly arose that with the very power and strength of the storme the ships were dispersed severed and separated a sunder some by force were driven into Normandy some were compelled to returne againe into Britaine The ship wherein the Earle of Richmond was associate onely with one other barke was all night tossed and turmoyled In the morning after when the rage of the furious tempest was asswaged and the ire of the blustering was something appeased about the hower of noone the same day the Earle approached to the south part of the Realme of England even at the mouth of the Haven of Pole in the county of Dorset where hee might plainely perceive all the Sea bankes and shores garnished and furnished with men of warre and souldiers appointed and deputed there to defend his arrivall and landing as before is mentioned Wherefore hee gave straight charge and sore commandement that no person should once presume to take land and goe to the shore untill such time as the whole navie were assembled and congregate And while he expected and lingered tarring for that purpose he sent out a shippe-boate towards the land side to know whether they that stood there in such a number and so well furnished in apparrell defensive were his capitall foes and enemies or else his friends fosterers and comforters They that were sent in exploration and message were instantly desired of the men of warre keeping these coasts which thereof were before instructed and admonished to descend take land affirming that they were appointed by the Duke of Buckingham there to waite and tarry for the arrivall and landing of the Earle of Richmond and to conduct safely to the campe where the Duke not farre off lay encamped with a populous armie and an hoast of great strength and vigour to the intent that the Duke and the Earle joyning in puissaunces and forces together might prosecute and chase King Richard being destitute of men and in manner desperate and fugitive and so by that meanes and their owne labours and industry to obtaine the end of their enterprise which they had before begunne The Earle of Richmond suspecting their flattering request to be but a fraud as it was indeed after that hee perceived none of his ships to appeare in his sight he weighed up his ancors hoysed up his sayles having a prosperous and strenable winde and a fresh gale sent even by God to deliver him from that perill and jeopardie arrived safe and in securitie in the Dutchy of Normandy where he to 〈…〉 and solace his souldiers and peope tooke his recreation by the space of thredaies and clearely determined with part of his company to passe all by land againe into Britaine And in the meane season he sent Oratours to the French King called Charles the eight which newly succeeded his father King Lewis the eleventh not long before departed
both parts and shee immediately called Princesse of Rothsay which name shee shortly lost by the short life of King Richard her loving Uncle Here may well bee noted the unnaturall love and disordered affection which this kinde kinseman shewed to his blood for he not remembring the tyranny that he had executed against his brothers sons the wrong manifest injury that he had done to his brothers daughters both in taking froÌ„ them their dignity possessions and living thought it should redound greatly to his honour and fame if hee promoted his sisters child to whom hee was nothing bound in conscience to make testification to the dignity of a Queene rather then to preferre his brothers daughter whom hee had untruly and by force disinherited and of all their right deprived to the marriage of a meane Esquire such was his fraternall kindnesse towards his brother and such was his large conscience towards his brothers children After this league and Marriage thus concluded and agreed the King of Scots disdaining that the strong Castle of Dumbarre should remaine in the Englishmens hands and possession wrote a gentle letter to K. Richard declaring to him that where in the league concluded betweene them it was agreed and appointed that hee should within forty daies next ensuing expresse and declare his opinion and meaning concerning the Castle of Dumbarre whether the said castle should be occupied stand still in the hands of the Englishmen during the whole time of the truce or else for the time of sixe moneths onely He now certified King Richard by his letters that he was content that he and his should enjoy the possession of the said Castle quietly and peaceably during the said truce and amity Neverthelesse hee required him for the love and familiaritie that now both by treatie aliance was sprung knit betweene them that hee would redeliver the said Castle into his hands which was untruely possessed of the English nation by deliverie of rebels and traytours contrarie to all right equitie and conscience King Richard dalied with pleasant letters faire words and so fooled forth the King of Scots that hee never had Dumbarre delivered while King Richard lived after whose death whether it were by treason or by appointment the Castle was rendred to the King of Scots to his great contentation rejoycing Albeit this league and amitie thus covenanted and concluded it might manifestly seeme to all persons that all conjurations and confederacies against King Richard were extinct and put to silence and in especially cousidering tha the Duke of Buckingham and his alies were made out of his way some by death and some by banishment and exiling into far Countries and Regions Yet King Richard more doubting then trusting to his owne people and friends was continually vexed tossed and unquieted with feare of the returne of the Earle of Richmond and his complices and fautoures which daily dread and hourely agony caused him to live in dolefull misery ever unquiet and in manner in continual calamitie Wherefore he intending to bee relieved and to have all his dolorous imagination alleviated determined cleerely to extirpate plucke up all the matter and ground of his feare and doubts Wherefore after long deliberate consultation had nothing was for his purpose and intent thought either more necessary or expedient then once againe with price prayer and rewards to attempt the Duke of Britaine in whose territorie the Earle of Richmond then abode to deliver the said Earle into his hands by which onely meanes he should bee discharged of all feare of perill and brought to rest and quietnesse both of body and mind Wherefore incontinent he sent certaine Embassadours to the Duke of Britaine which tooke upon them besides the great and ample rewards that they brought with them into Britaine that King Richard should yeerely pay and answer the Duke of all the revenues rents and profits of the signories lands and possessions aswell belonging and appertaining to the Earle of Richmond as to any other noble or gentleman which then were in the Earles company if he after that time would keepe them in continuall prison and restraine them from liberty The Oratours furnished with these and other instructions arrived in Britaine and came to the Dukes house where with him they could have no manner of communication concerning their weightie affaires by reason that hee being fatigate and weakened by a long and daily infirmity began a little to waxe idle and weake in his wit and remembrance For which cause Peter Landoyse his chiefe Treasurer a man both of pregnant wit and great authoritie ruled and judged all things at his pleasure and commandement for the which cause as men set into high authoritie be not best beloved he excited and provoked against him the malice and evill will of the nobilitie of Britaine which afterwards for divers great offences by him during his authority perpetrate and committed by their meanes was brought to death and confusion The English Embassadours moved their message and request to Peter Landoyse and to him declared their Masters commandement instantly requiring and humbly desiring him in whose power it lay to doe all things in Britaine that hee would friendly assent to the request of King Riâ—hard offering to him the same rewardes of lands that they should have offered to the Duke This Peter which was no lesse disdayned then hated almost of all the people of Britaine thought that if he did assent and satisfie King Richards Petition and desire hee should be of power and ability sufficient to withstand and refell the malicious attempts and inventions of his envious adversaries Wherefore hee faithfully promised to accomplish King Richards request and desire so that he kept promise with him that he might bee able to withstand the cankered malice of his secret enemies This act that hee promised to doe was not for any grudge or malice that hee bare to the Earle of Richmond for as you have heard before he delivered him from perill of death at Saint Malos when he was in great doubt of life and jeopardie but as cause riseth we ever offend and that cursed hunger of gold and execrable thirst of lucre and inward feare of losse of authoritie driveth the blind mindes of covetous men and ambitious persons to evills and mischiefes innumerable not remembring losse of name obloquie of the people nor in conclusion the punishment of God for their merits and deserts But fortune was so favorable to the publique wealth of the Realme of Enggland that this deadly and dolorous compact tooke none effect or place For while posts ranne and letters were sent to and fro for the finishing of this great enterprise betweene King Richard and Peter Landoyse Iohn Morton Bishop of Ely sojourning then in Flaunders was was of all this craftie conveighance certified by his secret and sure friends wherefore he sent Christopher Vrswicke which at that verie season was come out of Britaine into Flaunders to declare to
with the ayde and reliefe of his friends intended to passe over the river of Siverne at Shrewesbury so to passe directly to the citie of London requiring them as his especiall trust and confidence was perplanted in the hope of their fidelitie that they would occurre and meete him by the way with all diligent preparation to the intent that hee and they at time propice and place convenient might communicate together the profunditie and deepenesse of all his dubious weighty businesse When the messengers were disparcled with these commandements admonitions hee marched forwards toward Shrewesbury and in his passing there met and saluted him Rice ap Thomas with a goodly band of Welshmen which making an oath promise to the Earle submitted himself wholy to his order and commandement For the Earle of Richmond two dayes before made to him promises that if hee would sweare to take his part and be obedient to him he would make him chiefe governour of Wales which part as he faithfully promised and granted so after that hee had obtained and possessed the Realme and diadem hee liberally performed and accomplished the same In the meane time the messengers that were sent diligently executed the things given to them in charge and laden with rewards of them to whom they were sent returned to him the same day that he entred into Shrewesbury made relation to him that his friends were ready in all points to doe all things for him which either they ought or might doe The Earle Henry brought in good hope with his pleasant message continued foorth his entended journey and came to a little towne called Newport pitching his campe on a little hill adjoyning reposed himselfe there that night In the evening the same day came to him Sir George Talbot with the whole power of the young Earle of Shrewesbury then being inward which were accompted to the number of two thousand men And thus his power increasing he arrived at the towne of Stafford and there pawsed To whom came Sir William Stanley accompanied with a few persons and after that the Earle and hee had communed no long time together he reverted to his souldiers which hee had congregate together to serve the Earle which from thence departed to Lichfield lay without the walles in his campe all the night The next morning hee entred into the towne and was with all honour like a Prince received A day or two before the Lord Stanley having in his band almost five thousand men lodged in the the same towne but hearing that the Earle of Richmond was marched thitherward gave to him place dislodging him and his and repayred to a towne called Adrestone there abiding the comming of the Earle and this wilie Foxe did this act to avoide all suspicion being affraid lest if hee should bee seene openly to be a fautour or ayder to the Earle his son in law before the day of the battell that King Richard which did not utterly put in him diffidence and mistrust would put to some cruell death his sonne and heire apparent George Lord Strange whom King Richard as you have heard before kept with him as a pledge or hostage to the intent that the Lord Stanley his father should attempt nothing prejudiciall to him King Richard at this season keeping his house in the Castle of Nottingham was informed that the Earle of Richmond with such banished men as fled out of England to him were now arrived in Wales and that all things necessary to his enterprise were unprovided unpurveyed and very weake nothing meete to withstand the power of such as the King had appointed to resist him This rumour so inflated his minde that in manner disdaining to heare speake of so poore a company determined at the first to take little or no regard to this so small a sparcle declaring the Earle to bee innocent and unwise because that hee temerariously attempted such a great enterprise with so small thinne a number of warlike persons and therefore hee gave a definitive sentence that when hee came to that point that hee should be compelled to fight against his will he either should be apprehended alive or else by all likelihood hee should of necessitie come to a shamefull confusion and that he trusted to be shortly done by Sir Walter Herbert and Rice ap Thomas which then ruled Wales with equall power and like authoritie But hee revolving and casting in his minde that a small warre begun and winked at and not regarded may turne to a great broyle and tumultuous trouble and that it was prudent policie not to asperne and disdaine the little small power and weakenesse of the enemie be it never so small thought it necessary to provide for after clappes that might happen and chance Wherefore hee sent to Iohn Duke of Norfolke Henry Earle of Northumberland Thomas Earle of Surrey and to other of his especiall and trusty friends of the nobility which he judged much more to preferre and esteeme his wealth and honour then their owne riches and private commoditie willing them to muster and view all their servants and tenants and to elect and chuse the most couragious and active persons of the whole number and with them to repaire to his presence with all speede and diligence Also he wrote to Robert Brakâ—nbury Lieutenant of the Tower commanding him with his power to come to his army and to bring with him as fellowes in armes Sir Thomas Burchier and sir Walter Hungerford and divers other Knights and Esquiers in whom he had cast no smal suspition While hee was thus ordering his affaires tidings came that the Earle of Richmond was passed Severne come to Shrewesbury without any detriment or encombrance At which message hee was sore moved and broyled with Melancolie and dolour and cryed out asking vengeance of them that contrary to their oathes and promises had fraudulently deceived him For which cause he beganne to have diffidence in others in so much that hee determined himselfe out of hand the same day to occurre and resist his adversaries And in all haste sent out explorators to view and espie what way his enemies kept and passed They diligently doing their dutie shortly after returned declaring to the King that the Earle was encamped at the Towne of Lichfield When he had perfect knowledge where the Earle with his army was sojourning he having continuall repaire of his subjects to him began incontinently without delay to marshall and collocate in order his battailes like a valiant captaine and politique leader and first hee made his battailes to set forward foure foure in a rancke marching toward that way whither his enemies as was to him reported intended to passe In the middle part of the army he appointed the trafficke and carriage appertaining to the armie Then hee environed with his satellites and yeomen of the Crowne with a frowning countenance and truculent aspect mounted on a great white courser followed with his footmen the
times more couragious to flye and escape then once to assault the brest of our strong and populous Armie Wherefore conâ—idering all these advantages expell out of your thoughts all doubts and avoid out of your mindes all feare and like valiant Champions advance forth your Standards and assay whether your enemies can decide and try the title of Battaile by dint of Sword Advance I say againe forward my Captaines in whom lacketh neither policie wisdome nor puissance Every one give but one sure stripe and surely the journey is ours What prevaileth a handfull to a whole Realme desiring you for the love that you beare to mee and the affection that you have to your native and naturall countrey and to the safeguard of your Prince and your selfe that you will this day take to you your accustomed courage and couragious spirits for the defence and safeguard of us all And as for me I assure you this day I will triumph by glorious victory or suffer death for immortall fame For they bee contemned and out of the palace of fame degraded dying without renowne which doe not as much preferre and exalt the perpetuall honour of their native Countrey as their owne mortall and transitory life Now Saint George to borrow let us set forward and remember well that I am he which shall with high advancements reward and preferre the valiant and hardy Champions and punish and torment the shamefull cowards and dreadfull dastards This exhortation encouraged all such as favoured him but such as were present more for dread then love kissed them openly whom they inwardly hated others sware outwardly to take part with such whose death they secretly compassed and inwardly imagined others promised to invade the Kings enemies which fled and fought with fierce courage against the King others stood still and looked on intending to take part with the victors and overcommers So was his people to him unsure and unfaithfull at his end as he was to his Nephewes untrue and unnaturall in his beginning When the Earle of Richmond knew by his fore-riders that the King was so neere embattailed hee rode about his Armie from ranke to ranke from wing to wing giving comfortable words to all men and that finished being armed at all peeces saving his Helmet mounted on a little hill so that all his people might see and behold him perfectly to their great rejoycing For he was a man of no great stature but so formed and decorated with all gifts and lineaments of Nature that hee seemed more an angelicall creature then terrestriall personage his countenance and aspect was cheerefull and couragious his haire yellow like burnished Gold his eyes grey shining and quick prompt and ready in answering but of such sobriety that it could never be judged whether he were more dull then quicke in speaking such was his temperance And when hee had over-looked his Armie over every side hee paused a while and after with a loud voyce and bold spirit spake to his Companions these or like the words following If ever God gave victory to men fighting in a just quarrell Or if he ever aided such as made warre for the wealth and tuition of their owne naturall and nutritive Countrey Or if hee ever succoured them which adventured their lives for the reliefe of innocents suppressing of malefactors and apparent offenders No doubt my fellowes and friends but he of his bountifull goodnesse will this day send us triumphant victory and a lucky journey over our proud enemies and arrogant adversaries For if you remember and consider the very cause of our just quarre you shall apparently perceive the same to be true Godly and vertuous In the which I doubt not but God will rather aide us yea and fight for us then see us vanquished and profligate by such as neither feare him nor his lawes nor yet regard justice or honesty Our cause is so just that no enterprise can bee of more vertue both by the lawes divine and civill for what can be a more honest goodly or godly quarrell then to fight against a captaine being a homicide and murtherer of his owne blood and progeny An extreme destroyer of his nobilitie to his and our countrey and the poore subjects of the same a deadly malle a firebrand and burden untolerable besides him consider who bee of his band and company such as by murther and untruth committed against their owne kindred and linnage yea against their Prince and Soveraigne Lord have disherited mee and you and hath wrongfully detained and usurpe over lawfull patrimony and lineall inheritance For he that calleth himself king keepeth from mee the Crowne and regiment of this noble Realme and Countrey contrary to all justice and equity Likewise his mates and friends occupie your lands cut downe your woods and destroy your mannors letting your wives and children range abroad for their living which persons for their penance and punishment I doubt not but God of his goodnesse will either deliver into our hands as a great gaine and booty or cause them being grieved and compuncted with the pricke of their corrupt consciences cowardly to fly and not abide the battell besides this I assure you that there be yonder in that great battell men brought thither for feare and not for love souldiers by force compelled and not with good will assembled persons which desire rather the destruction then the salvation of their master and captaine and finally a multitude whereof the most part will bee our friends and the least part our enemies For truly I doubt which is greater the malice of the souldiers towards their captaine or the feare of him conceived of his people for surely this rule is infallible that as ill men daily covet to destroy the good so God appointeth the good to confound the ill of al worldly goods the greatest is to suppresse tyrants and relieve innocents whereof the one is ever as much hated as the other is beloved If this bee true as Clerkes preach who will spare yonder tyrant Richard Duke of Gloucester untruely calling himselfe King considering that hee hath violated and broken both the law of God and man what vertue is in him which was the confusion of his brother and murtrerer of his nephewes what mercy is in him that flieth his trusty friends aswell as his extreme enemies Who can have confidence in him which putteth diffidence in all men If you have not read I have heard Clerkes say that Tarquin the proud for the vice of the body lost the Kingdome of Rome and the name of Tarquin banished from the Citie for ever yet was not his fault so detestable as the fact of cruell Nero which slew his owne mother and opened her entralls to behold the place of his conception Behold yonder Richard which is both Tarquin and Nero yea a tyrant more then Nero for he hath not only murthered his Nephewe being his King and soveraigne Lord bastarded his noble brethren and defamed the wombe of his
Edward the 5 King of EnglaÌ„d â—â—d France Lord of Ireland THE HISTORIE OF THE PITIFVLL Life and unfortunate Death of Edward the fifth and the then Duke of Yorke his brother With the troublesome and tyrannical government of usurping Richard the third and his miserable end Written by the Right Honorable Sir Thomas Moore sometimes Lord Chancellor of England LONDON Printed by Thomas Payne for the Company of Stationers and are to be sold by Mich Young at his shop in Bedford-street in Covent-Garden neere the new Exchange 1641. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL SIR IOHN LENTHALL Knight Marshall of the Kings-bench SIR IT is not unknowne to the World the great eare earnest sedulitie laudable custome that hath alwaies been observed in all ages for the preservation of antiquities by meanes wherof the acts and occurrences of former times are so clearely demonstrated as if they were manifested to the world by a perfect and lively representation which affordeth in it selfe a double profit doth thereby allure all well-disposed persons to the imitation of those things which are honest and vertuous and to the evitation of such things as are evill and obnoxious letting them therby understand the happie issue and successe of the one and the miserable and wretched end and event of the other for histories are as so many Records and Registers of matters that hath beene already past which being a thing that our humane natures are much inclined unto gives a great pleasure and delight in the reading Especially to those that are well affected to the same The consideration hereof hath moved me to revive that which hath for a long time been raked up in the embers of oblivion For there comming by chance into my hand a booke long since printed the authour whereof was that famous and learned Knight Sir Thomas Moore sometimes Lord Chancellour of England wherein is set forth the short Raigne and unfortunate death of the two young Princes Edward the fith the theÌ„ Duke of York his brother with the troublesome and tyrannicall government of usurping Richard the third and his miserable end both which for the matter of the subject the worth of the Authour who lived in those times deserves to bee memorized to succeeding ages which having for many yeares escaped the presse and by that meanes likely to bee utterly lost I have thought it not amisse to put to my helping hand for the restoring of it to the world and because I know you to bee a gentleman that delights your selfe in matters of this nature I am bould to crave your patronage herein and that you would be pleased to shelter it under the wings of your protect on not doubting but by that meanes it will bee as welcome to the world and as wel entertained as it hath formerly beene which being the thing I wish together with your pardon for this my presumption I humbly rest Yours to Command W. S. THE PITTIFVLL LIFE OF KING EDVVARD the Fifth THE Eternall God calling to his Mercy the Noble Prince King Edward the Fourth of that Name Edward his eldest sonne Prince of Wales began his Reigne the ninth day of April in the yeere of our Lord 1483. and in the 23. yeere of Lewis the eleventh then French King Which young Prince reigned a small space and little season over this Realme either in pleasure or liberty For his Uncle Richard Duke of Gloucester within three months deprived him not onely of his Crowne and Regality but also unnaturally bereft him of his naturall life And for the declaration by what crafty engin he first attempted his ungracious purpose and by what false colourable and untrue allegations he set forth openly his pretensed enterprise and finally by what shamefull cruell and detestable act he performed the same Ye must first consider of whom he and his Brother descended their natures conditions and inclinations and then you shall easily perceive that there could not be a more cruell Tyrant appointed to atchieve a more abominable enterprise Their Father was Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke which began not by warre but by Law to challenge the crown of England putting his claime in the Parliament holden the thirtieth yeere of King Henry the sixth where either for right or for favour his cause was so set forth and advanced that the Blood of the said King Henry although he had a goodly Son was clearly abjected and the Crowne of the Realme by authority of Parliament entayled to the Duke of Yorke and his Heires after the decease of the said King Henry the Sixth But the Duke not intending so long to tarry but minding under the pretext of dissention growne and risen within the Realm and of Covenants made in the Parliament not kept but broken to prevent the time and to take upon him the Governance in King Henries life was by too much hardinesse slaine at the Battaile of Wakefield leaving behind him three sonnes Edward George and Richard All these three as they were great estates of Birth so were they great and stately of stomacke greedy of promotions and impatient partners of rule and authority This Edward revenged his Fathers death and deposed King Hâ—nry the Sixth and attained the Crowne and Scepter of the Realme George Duke of Clarence was a goodly and well â—eatured Prince in all things fortunâ—te if either his owne ambition had not for him against his Brother or the envy of his enemies had not set his Brothâ—r against him for were it by the Queene or the Nobles of her Bloud which highly maligned the Kings Kindred as women commonly not of malice but of Nature hate such as their husbands love or were it a proud appetite of the Duke himselfe intending to be King at the least wise heinous Treason was laid to his charge and finally were he in fault or were he faultlesse attainted was hee by Parliament and judged to death and thereupon hastily drowned in a But of Malmsey within the Towre of London Whose death King Edward although hee commanded it when he wist it was done pitteously hee bewailed and sorrowfully repented it Richard Duke of Gloucester the third Sonne of which I must most entreat was in wit and courage equâ—ll with the other but in beauty and lineaments of Nature farre underneath both for he was little of stature evill featured of limbes crooke-backed the left shoulder much higher then the right hard favoured of visage such as in estates is called a warlike visage and among common persons a crabbed face He was malicious wrathfull and envious and as it is reported his Mother the Dutches had much adoe in her travell that shee could not be delivered of him uncut and that hee came into the world the feet forward as men be borne outward and as the fame ran not untoothed whether that men of hatred reported above the truth or that Nature changed his course in his beginning which in his life committed many things unnaturally this I
leave to Gods Judgement Hee was no evill Captaine in warre as to the which his disposition was more inclined then to peace Sundry Victories he had and some Overthrowes but never for default of his owne person either for lacke of hardinesse or politicke order Free hee was of his exspences and somewhat above his power liberall with large gifts he gat him unstedfast friendship for which cause he was faine to borrow pill and extort in other places which gat him stedfast hatred Hee was close and secret a deep dissembler lowly of countenance arrogant of heart outwardly familiar where he inwardly hated not letting to kisse whom he thought to kill spitefull and cruell not alway for ill will but oftner for ambition and to serve his purpose friend and foe were all indifferent where his advantage grew hee spared no mans death whose life withstood his purpose He slew in the Tower King Henry the Sixth saying Now is there no Heire male of King Edward the third but we of the House of Yorke which murder was done without King Edward his assent which would have appointed that butcherly office to some other rather then to his owne Brother Some Wise men also thinke that his drift lacked not in helping forth his owne Brother of Clarence to his death which thing in all appearance he resisted although hee inwardly minded it And the cause thereof was as men noting his doings and proceedings did marke because that he long in King Edwards time thought to obtaine the Crown in case that the King his Brother whose life he looked that ill dyet would soone shorten should happen to decease as he did indeed his children being young And then if the Duke of Clarence had lived his pretensed purpose had been farre hindered For if the Duke of Clarence had kept himselfe true to his Nephew the young King every one of these casts had bin a Trumpe in the Duke of Gloucesters way but when he was sure that his Brother of Clarence wat dead then hee knew that hee might worke without that danger But of these points there is no certainety and whosoever divineth or conjectureth may as well shoot too farre as too short but this conjecture afterward tooke place as few doe as you shall perceive hereafter But before I declare to you how this Richard Duke of Gloucâ—ster began his mischievous imagined and pretended enterprise as apparently shall be opened I must a little put you in remembrance of a loving and charitable act no lesse profitable then pleasing to the whole Commonalty if it had bin so inwardly thought as it was outwardly dissembled which King Edward did lying on his death bed not long before he dyed For in his life although that the division amongst his friends somewhat grieved and vexed him yet in his health he lesse regarded and tooke heed to it by reason that he thought that he was able in all things to rule both parties were they never so obstinate But in his last sicknesse which continued longer then false and fantasticall tales have untruly and falsely surmised as I my selfe that wrote this Pamphlet truely knew when hee perceived his naturall strength was gone and hoped little of recovery by the arts of all his Physicians which he perceived onely to prolong his life Then he began to consider the youth of his Children howbeit hee nothing lesse mistrusted then that that hapned yet he wisely foreseeing and considering that many harmes might ensue by the debate of his Nobles while the youth of his children should lack discretion and good counsell of their friends for hee knew well that every part would worke for their owne commodity and rather by pleasant advice to win themselves favour then by profitable advertisement to doe the Children good wherefore lying on his death bed at Westminster hee called to him such Lords as then were about him whom hee knew to be at variance especially the Lord Marquesse Dorset son to the Queen and the Lord Hastings against whom the Queene especially grudged for the favour that the King bare him and also she thought him familiar with the King in wanton company her Kin bare him envy aswell for that the King made him Captaine of Calice which office the Lord Rivers Brother to the Queene claimed of the King by his former promise as of divers other gifts which hee received that they looked for And when these Lords with divers other of both parties were come unto the Kings presence he caused himselfe to be raised up with pillowes and as I can guesse said thus or much like in sentence to them My Lords my deare kinsmen and allies in what plight I now lye you see and I perfitly feele by the which I look the lesse while to live with you therefore the more deeply I am moved to care in what case I leave you for such as I leave you such are my children like to finde you which if they should finde at variance as God forbid they themselves might hap to fall at warre ere their discretion would serve to set you at peace You see their youth of which I reckon the onely surety to rest in your concord For it sufficeth not all you to love them if each of you hate other If they were men your faithfulnesse might hap to suffice but childhood must bee maintained by mens authority and slippery youth underpropped with elder counsell which they can never have except you give it nor you give it except you agree for where each laboureth to breake that the other maketh and for hatred each impugneth others counsell there must needes be a long tract ere any good conclusion can issue And further while each partie laboureth to be chiefe flatterer adulation shall then have more place then plaine and faithfull advice of which must needes ensue the evill bringing up of the Prince whose minde in tender youth infected shall readily fall to mischiefe and riot and draw downe this Noble Realme to ruine But if grace turne him to wisedome which God send him then they which by evill meanes pleased him best shall after fall farthest out of favour so that at the length evill drifts drive to naught and good plaine wayes prosper and flourish Great variance hath beene betweene you not alwayes for great causes Sometime a thing right well intended and misconstrued hath beene turned to the worse or a small displeasure done to you either by your owne affection or by instigation of evill tongues hath beene sorely aggravated But this I know wel you had never so great cause of hatred as you have of love because wee be all men and that we be all Christian men This I will leave to Preachers to tell you and yet I know not whether any Preachers words ought more to move you then I that am going by and by to the place that they alpreach of But this shall I desire of you to remember that the one part of you being of my bloud the
other of my allies and each of you with other either of kinred or affinity which is the very spirituall affinity and kinred in Christ as all partakers of the Sacraments of Christs Church The weight of which consanguinity if we did beare as would to God wee did then should wee more be moved to spirituall charity then to fleshly consanguinity Our Lord forbid that you love the worse together for the selfe-same cause that you ought to love the better and yet that hapneth for no where finde wee so deadly debate as amongst them which by nature and law most ought to agree together Such a Serpent is ambition and desire of vaine glory and soveraignty while amongst estates when he is once entred he creepeth forth so farre till with division and variance hee turneth all to mischiefe First longing to be next to the best afterward equall with the best and at the last chiefe and above the best Of which immoderate appetite of worship and the debate and dissention that grew thereby what losse what sorrow what trouble hath within these few yeeres growne within this Realme I pray God as well to forget as wee well remember which thing if I could as well have foreseene as I have with my more paine then pleasure proved by God his blessed Lady that was his common oath I would never have won the courtesies oâ— mens knees with the losse of so many heads But sith things passed cannot be called againe much more ought we to beware by what occasion we have taken so great hurt before that wee presently fall not into that occasion againe Now be these griefs pâ—ssed and all is quiet thanked bee God and likely well to prosper in wealthfull peace under your Cousins my children if God send them life and you love and concord Of which two things the lesse losse were they by whom although God did his pleasure yet should this Realme alwayes finde Kâ—ngs and peradventure as good Kings as they But if you amongst your selves in a childes Raigne fall at debate many a good man shall innocently perish and hee and you also ere this Land finde peace and quiet againe wherefore in these last words that ever I look to speak to you I exhort and require you all for the love that you have borne to mee and for the love that I have borne to you and for the love that our Lord beareth to us all From this time forward all griefes forgotten each of you love other which I verily trust you will if you any thing regard God or your Kings affinity or kindred this Realme your owne Country or your owne safety and wealth And therewithall the King for faintnesse no longer enduring to sit up layed him downe on his right side his face toward them And there was none present that could forbeare weeping but the Lords comforted him with as good words as they could and answered for the time as they thought should stand with his pleasure And there in his presence as by their words appeared each forgave other and joyned their hands together when as it after appeared by their deedes their hearts were farre asunder And so within a few dayes this Noble Prince deceased at Westminster the ninth day of April in the yeere of our Lord 1483. after that he had raigned 22. yeeres one month and eight dayes and was with great Funerall pompe conveiged to Windsore leaving behinde him two sons Edward the Prince of whom this story entreateth a childe of 13. yeeres of age Richard Duke of Yorke two yeeres yonger then the Prince and five daughters Elizabeth which by Gods Grace was married to King Henry the seventh and Mother to King Henry the 8. Cicile not so fortunate as faire first wedded to the Vicount Wâ—llâ—â— after to one Kyne and lived not in great wealth Bridâ—â—â—â—rofessed â—rofessed her selfe a close Nunne at Sâ—on Anne was marrieâ— to Lord Thomas Howard Earle of Surrâ—y and Duke of Norfolk Katherine the youngest daughter was married to Lord William Courtney sonne to the Eâ—rle of Devonshire which long time â—â—ssed in either fortune sometime in wealth after in adversity till the benignity of her Nephew King Henry the eighth brought her into a sure estate according to her degree and Progeny This King Edward was such a Prince of Governance and behaviour in the time of peace for in the time of warre each must bee others enemy that there was never any King in this Realme attaining the Crowne by warre and battaile so heartily beloved with the more substance of his people nor hee himselfe so specially favoured in any part of his life as at the time of his death which favour and affection yet after his death by the cruelty mischiefe and trouble of the tempestuous world that followed highly towards him more encreased At such time as he dyed the displeasure of those that bare him a grudge for King Henry the sixth his sake whom he deposed was well asswaged and in effect quenched within the space of 22. yeeres which is a great part of a mans life and some were reconciled and growne into his favour of the which he was never strange when it was with true heart demanded Hee was goodly of Personage and Princely to behold of heart couragious politicke in counsell and in adversity nothing abashed in prosperity rather joyfull then proud in peace just and mercifull in war sharpe and fierce in the Field bold and hardy and yet neverthelesse no farther then reason and policie would adventure whose warres whosoever circumspectly and advisedly considereth hee shall no lesse commend his wisedome and policie where he avoided them then his manhood where hee vanquished them Hee was of visage full-faced and lovely of body mighty strong and clean made with over-liberall and wanton dyet he waxed something corpulent and burly but neverthelesse not uncomely Hee was in youth greatly given to fleshly wantonnesse from the which health of body in great prosperity and fortune without an especiall grace hardly refraineth This fault little grieved his people for neither could any one mans pleasure stretch or extend to the displeasure of very many nor a multitude bee grieved by a private mans fantasie or voluptuousnesse when it was done without violence And in his latter dayes he left all wild dalliance and fell to gravity so that hee brought his Realme into a wealthy and prosperous estate all feare of outward enemies were cleerely extinguisheâ— and no warre was in hand nor none toward but such as no man looked for The people were toward their Prince not in a constrained feare but in a true loving and wilfull obedience among themselves and the Commons were in good peace The Lords whom hee knew at variance hee on his death bed as hee thought brought to good concord love and amity And a little before his death he had left gathering of money of his subjects which is the onely thing that draweth the hearts of English men from their Kings and Princes
nor nothing he enterprised nor tooke in hand by the which he should be driven thereunto For his tribute out of France he had a little before recovered and obtained And the yeere before he dyed hee recovered againe the Towne of Barwicke against the King of Scots And albeit that all the time of his reigne he was so benigne courteous and familiar that no part of his vertues was esteemed more than those high humilities Yet that condition in the end of his last dayes decayed not in the which many Princes by a long continued Soveraignty decline to a proud port and behaviour from their conditions accustomed at their beginning Yet lowlinesse and gentlenesse so farre forth in him increased that the Summer before he dyed hee being at Havering at the Bower sent for the Maior of London thither onely to hunt and make pastime where hee made them not so hearty but so familiar and friendly cheere and sent also to their Wives such plenty of Venison that no one thing in many dayes before gat him either more hearts or more hearty favour amongst the common people which oftentimes more esteeme and take for great kindnesse a little courtesie then a great profit or benefit And so this Noble Prince deceased as you have heard in that time his life was most desired and when his people most desired to keepe him Which love of his people and their entire affection toward him had beene to his Noble Children having in themselves also as many gifts of Nature as many Princely vertues as much good towardnesse as their age could receive a marvellous fortresse and a sure armour if the division and dissention of their friends had not unarmed them and left them destitute and the execrable desire of Soveraignty provoked him to their destruction which if either kind or kindnesse had holden place must needes have beene their defence For Richard Gloucester by nature their Uncle by Office their Protectour to their Father greatly beholden and to them by oath and allegiance bounden all the bonds broken and violated which binde man and man together without any respect of God or the World unnaturally contrived to bereave them not onely of their dignity and pre-eminence but also of their naturall lives and worldly felicity And first to shew you that by conjecture he pretended this thing in his Brothers life yee shall understand for a truth that the same night that King Edward dyed one called Mistelbrooke long ere the day sprung came to the house of one Pottier dwelling in Redcrosse-street without Cripple Gate of London and when he was with hasty wrapping quickly let in the said Mistelbrooke shewed unto Pottier that King Edward was that night deceased by my truth quoth Pottier then will my Master the Duke of Gloucester be King and that I warrant thee What cause hee had so to thinke hard it is to say whether hee being his servant knew any such thing pretended or otherwise had any inkling thereof but of all likelihood hee spake it not of nought But now to returne to the true History were it that the Duke of Gloucester had of old sore practised this conclusion or was before-time moved thereunto and put in hope by the tender age of the young Princes his Nephews as opportunity and likelihood of speed putteth a man in courage of that that he never intended Certaine it is that he being in the North parts for the good governance of the Countrey being advertised of his Brothers death contrived the destruction of his Nephewes with the usurpation of the Royall Dignity and Crowne And forasmuch as he well wist and had holpe to maintaine a long continued grudge and heart-burning betweene the Queenes kindred and the Kings Bloud either part envying others authority he now thought as it was indeed a furtherly beginning to the pursuit of his intent and a sure ground and situation of his unnatural building if hee might under the pretence of revenging of old displeasures abuse the ignorance and anger of the one party to the destruction of the other and then to win to his purpose as many as he could and such as could not be won might be lost ere they looked for it But of one thing hee was certaine that if his intent were once perceived hee should have made peace betweene both parties with his owne bloud but all his intent he kept secret till hee knew his friends of the which Henry the Duke of Buckingham was the first that sent to him after his Brothers death a trusty servant of his called Persivall to the City of Yorke where the Duke of Gloucester kept the K. his brothers Funeralls This Persivall came to Iohn Ward a cret Chamberer to the Duke of Gloucester desiring that hee in close and covert manner might speake with the Duke his Master whereupon in the dead of the night the Duke sent for Persivall all other being avoided which shewed to the Duke of Gloucester that the Duke of Buckingham his Master in this new World would take such part as hee would and would farther waite upon him with a thousand good fellowes if need were The Duke sent backe the Messenger with great thankes and divers privie instructions by mouth which Persivall did so much by his travell that he came to the Duke of Buckingham his Master into the Marches of Wales and presently after with new instructions met with the Duke of Gloucester at Notingham which was come out of the North-country with many Knights and Gentlemen to the number of 600. Horse and more in his journey towards London And after secret meeting and communication had betweene him and the Duke of Gloucester hee returned with such speed that hee brought the Duke of Buckingham his Master to meete with the Duke of Gloucester not far from Northampton with three hundred Horses and so they two came together to Northampton where they first began their unhappy enterprise and so the Duke of Buckingham continued stil with the Duke of Gloucester till he was crowned King as yee shall plainely perceive hereafter The young King at the death of his Father kept houshold at Ludlow for his Father had sent him thither for Justice to be done in the Marches of Wales to the end that by the authority of his presence the wilde Welshmen and evill disposed persons should refraine from their accustom'd murthers and outrages The governance of this young Prince was committed to Lord Anthony Woodvile Earle Rivers and Lord Scales Brother to the Queene a wise hardy and honourable personage as valiant of hands as politick in Counsell and with him were associate others of the same party and in effect every one as hee was neere of kin unto the Queene so was he planted next about the Prince That drift by the Queene seemed to be devised whereby her bloud might of right in tender youth be so planted in the Princes favour that afterward it should hardly be eradicated out of the same The Duke of
bee put to death And where it is otherwise then in these cases there is no need of Sanctuaries appointed by God in the Old Law For if necessity of his owne defence or misfortune drived him to that deed then a pardon serveth him which either is granted of course or the King of pitty and compassion giveth Now looke how few Sanctuary men there be whom necessity or misfortune compelled to goe thither And then see on the other â—ide what a sort there be commonly therein of such whom wilfull unthriftinesse hath brought to naught What a rabble of Theeves Murtherers and malicious hainous Traytors be and that in two places especially the one at the elbow of the Citie and the other in the very bowels I dare well avow it if you weigh the good that they doe with the hurt that commeth of them yee shall finde it much better to lose both then to have both And this I say although they were not abused as they now bee and so long have been that I feare me ever they will be while men be afraid to set their hands to the amendment as though God and Saint Peter were the Patrons of ungracious living Now unthrifts riot and run in debt upon boldnesse of these places yea and rich men run thither with poor mens goods there they build there they spend and bid their creditors goe whistle Mens Wives run thither with their Husbands Plate and say they dare not abide with their Husbands for beating Theeves bring thither stolne goods and live thereon There devise they new robberies nightly and steale out and rob rive and kill men and come again into those places as though those places gave them not only a safeguard for the harme that they have done but a license also to doe more mischiefe howbeit much of this great abusion if wise men would set their hands there unto might be amended with great thankes of God and no breache of the priviledge The conclusion is sith it is so long agoe I wot not what Pope and what Prince more pitious then politicke hath granted it and other men sensible of a religious feare have not broken it let us take paines with it and let it stand a Gods Name in his force as farre forth as reason will which is not so farre forth as may serve to let us of the fetching forth of this Noble man to his honour and wealth out of that place in the which hee neither is nor can be a Sanctuary or priviledged man A Sanctuary ever serveth to defend the body of that man that standeth in danger abroad not of great hurt only but of lawfull hurt for against unlawfull hurts and harmes no Pope nor King intended to priviledge any one place wherein it is lawfull for one man to doe another man wrong That no man unlawfully take hurt that liberty the King the Law and very nature forbiddeth in every place and maketh in that regard for every man every place a Sanctuary but whereas man is by lawfull meanes in perill there needeth he the tuition of some speciall privilege which is the onely ground of all Sanctuaries from which necessity this Noble Prince is farre whose love to his King Nature and kindred proveth whose innocencie to all the world his tender youth affirmeth and so Sanctuary as for him is not necessary and none he can have Men come not to Sanctuary as they come to Baptisme to require it by Godfathers he must aske it himselfe that must have it and reason sith no man hath cause to have it but whose coÌ„science of his own fault maketh him have need to require it What will then hath yonder Babe which if hee had discretion to require it if need were I dare say would be now right angry with them that keep him there And I would thinke without any scruple of conscience without any breach of priviledge to bee somewhat more homely with them that be their Sanctuary men indeed that if one goe to Sanctuary with another mans goods why should not the King leaving his body at liberty satisfie the party of his goods even within the Sanctuary for neither King nor Pope can give any place such a priviledge that it shall discharge a man of his debts being able to pay And with that divers of the Clergy that were there present whether they said it for his pleasure or as they thought agreed plainely by the Law of God and of the Church that a Sanctuary man should be delivered in payment of his debts and stolne goods to the owner and onely liberty reserved to him to get his living by the labour of his hands Verily quoth the Duke I thinke ye say very truth And what if a mans wife take Sanctuary because shee list to run from her husband I would thinke if she can alledge no other cause hee may lawfully without any displeasure done to Saint Peter take her out of Saint Peters Church by the arme And if no body may bee taken out of Sanctuary because he saith hee will abide there then if a child will take Sanctuary because he feareth to goe to Schoole his Master must let him alone And as simple as that example is yet is there lesse reason in our case then in it for there though it be a childish feare yet is there at the least some feare and herein is no feare at all And verily I have heard of Sanctuary men but I never heard before of Sanctuary children and therefore as for the conclusion of my minde whosoever may deserve to have need of it if they thinke it for their surety let them keepe it but he can be no Sanctuary man that hath no other discretion to desire it nor malice to deserve it whose life nor liberty can by any lawful processe stand in danger and hee that taketh one out of Sanctuary to do him good I say plainely hee breaketh no Sanctuary When the Duke hand done the temporall men wholly and the most part of the spirituall men also thinking no hurt earthly meant toward the yong Babe condescend in effect that if hee were not delivered hee should be fetched out Howbeit they thought it best in avoiding of all manner of rumour that the Cardinall should first assay to get him with her good will And thereupon all the Councell came to the Star-Chamber at Westminster and the Cardinall leaving the Protector and other Lords in the Starre-Chamber departed into the Sanctuary to the Queen accompanied with certaine Lords were it for the respect of his honour or that shee should by the persons of so many perceive that his errand was not onely one mans minde or were it for that the Protector intended not in this matter to trust one man alone or else if she finally were determined to keepe him some of the company had peradventure some secret instruction incontinent mauger her will to take him and to leave her no respit to conveigh him When the Queene and these Lords
her wealth she went begging of many that had begged themselves if shee had not hope them such was her chance Now was it devised by the Protectour and his Councell that the same day that the Lord Chamberlain was headed in the Tower of London and about the same houre should be beheaded at Pomfret the Earle Rivers and the Lord Richard the Queenes sonne sir Thomas Vaughan and sir Richard Haute which as you heard were taken at Northampton and Stony stratford by the consent of the Lord Hastings which execution was done by the order and in the presence of sir Richard Ratclif knight whose service the Protectour specially used in the Councell and in the execution of such lawlesse enterprises as a man that had beene long secret with him having experience of the world a notable wit short and rude in speech rough and boysterous of behaviour bold in mischiefe and as farre from pittie as from all feare of God This Knight brought these foure persons to the Scaffold at the day appointed and shewed to all the people that they were Traitours not suffering the Lords to speake and to declare their innocency lest their words might have inclined men to pitty them and to hate the Protectour and his part and so without judgement and processe of the Law caused them to bee beheaded without other earthly guilt but onely they were good men and true to the King too nie to the Queene insomuch that sir Thomas Vaughan going to his death said A mischeife take them that tooke the prophesie that G. should destroy King Edwards children for George Duke of Clarence Lord George which for that suspition is now dead but now remaineth Richard G. Duke of Gloucester which now I see is he that shall and will accomplish the Prophesie and destroy King Edwards children and all their allies and friends as it appeareth by us this day whom I appeale to the high tribunall of God for his wrongfull murther and our true innocency And then Ratclife said you have well appealed lay downe your head yea quoth sir Thomas I dye in right beware you dye not in wrong and so that good Knight was beheaded and the other three and buried naked in the Monasterie at Pomfret When the Lord Hastings and those other Lords and Knights were thus beheaded and rid out of the way then the Protectour caused it to bee proclamed that the Coronation for divers great and urgent causes should bee deferred till the second day of November for then thought he that while men mused what the matter meant and whiles the Lords of the Realme were about him out of their owne strengths and while no man knew what to thinke nor whom to trust or whether they should have time or space to digest the matter and make parts it were best hastily to pursue his purpose and put himselfe in possession of the Crowne before men could have time to devise any waies to resist But now was all the studie how this matter being of it selfe so haynous might be first broken to the people in such wise as it might bee well taken To this councell they tooke divers such as they thought meet to be trusted and likely to be induced to that part and able to stand them in stead either by power or by policie Among whom they made of Councell Edmond Shaw then Mayor of London which upon trust of his owne advancement where he was of a proud heart highly desirous tooke upon him to frame the Citty to their appetite Of Spirituall men they tooke such as had wit and were in authority amongst the people for opinion of their learning and had no scrupulus conscience Amongst these had they tooke Ralph Shaw clearke brother to the Mayor and Frier Pinkie provinciall of the Augustine Friers both Doctors in Divinity both great Preachers both of more learning then vertue of more fame then learning and yet of more learning then truth For they were before greatly esteemed among the people but after that never none of those two were regarded Shaw made a Sermon in praise of the Protectour before the Coronation and Pynkie made one after the Cornation both so full of tedious flattery that no good mans eares could abide them Pynkie in his Sermon so lost his vocye that hee was faine to leave off and come downe in the midst Doctor Shaw by his Sermon lost his honesty and soone after his life for very shame of the world into the which he durst never after much come abroad but the Frier feared no shame and so it harmed him the lesse Howbeit some doubt and many thinke that Pynkie was not of Councell before the Coronation but after the common manner fell to flattery after namely because his Sermon was not incontinent upon it but at S. Mary Spitle the Easter after But certaine it is that Doctor Shaw was of Councell in the beginning in so much that they determined that hee should first breake the matter in a Sermon at Paules Crosse in which hee should by the authority of his Preaching induce the people to encline to the Protectors ghostly purpose But now was all the labour and study in the device of some convenient pretext for which the people should be content to depose the Prince and accept the Protectour for their King In which deuers things they devised but the cheife thing and the weight of all that invention rested in this that they should alledge bastardy in King Edward himselfe or in his children or both so that he should seeme disabled to inherite the Crowne by the Duke of Yorke and the Prince by him To lay bastardy in King Edward sounded openly to the rebuk of the Protectours owne mother which was mother to them both For in that point could be no other colour but to pretend that his owne mother was an Adultresse but neverthelesse he would that point should bee lesse and more finely and closely handled not even fully plaine and directly but touched upon craftily as though men spared in that point to speake all the truth for feare of his displeasure But that other point concerning the bastardy they devised to surmise in King Edward his Children that hee desired should be openly declared and enforced to the uttermost The colour and pretext whereof cannot be well perceived except wee repeate some things long before done about King Edwards Marriages After King Edward the fourth had deposed King Henry the sixt and was in peaceable possession of the Realme hee determined with himselfe to marry as was requisite both for himselfe and for the Realme he sent the Earle of Warwick and divers other noble men in ambassage to the French King to entreate a marriage betweene the King and Bona sister to the French Queene then being in France In which thing the Earle of Warwick found the parties so toward and willing that hee speedily without any difficultie according to his instructions brought the matter to a good conclusion Now happeneth
King so set on that she could not pluck him backe so highly she disdained it that under pretence of her duty toward God shee devised to disturbe this marriage and rather to helpe that hee should marry one Dame Elizabeth Lucie whom the King not long before had gotten with childe wherefore the Kings Mother objected openly against this marriage as it were in discharge of her conscience that the King was sure to Dame Elizabeth Lucy and her husband before God by reason of which words such obstacle was made in that matter that either the Bishop durst not or the King would not proceed to the solemnization of the marriage till his fame were cleerely purged and the truth well and openly testified Whereupon Dame Elizabeth Lucy was sent for and albeit shee was by the Kings Mother and many other put in good coÌ„fort that she was ensured to the King yet when she was solemnly sworne to say the truth she confessed she was never ensured Howbeit shee said his Grace spake such loving words to her that shee verily hoped that he would have married her and if such kinde words had not been she would never have shewed such kindenesse to him to let him so kindly get her with child This examination solemnely taken it was cleerely proved that there was no impediment to let the King to marry wherefore he shortly after at Grafton beside Stony Stratford married the Lady Elizabeth Grey very privily which was his enemies wife and had prayed heartily for his losse in the which God loved her better then to grant her her boon for then had shee not been his wife And after that shee was crowned Queene and her father was created Earle Rivers and her sonne created Marquesse Dorset But when the Earle of Warwicke understood of this marriage he took it so highly that thereof ensued much blood-shed as is declared before in the Story of Edward the fourth I have rehearsed this marriage somewhat the more at length because it might thereby the better appeare upon how slippery a ground the Protector builded his colour by which he pretended King Edwards children to be Bastards but the invention as simple as it was liked them to whom it sufficeth to have somewhat to say while they were sure to bee compelled to no larger proofe then themselves list to make Now to returne where I left as I began to shew you it was by the Protector and his Councell concluded that this Doctor Shaw should in a Sermon at Pauls Crosse signifie to the people that neither King Edward himselfe nor the Duke of Clarence were lawfully begotten nor were the very children of the Duke of Yorke but begotten unlawfully by other persons by adultery of the Dutchesse their Mother And Dame Elizabeth Lucy was the very wife of King Edward and so Prince Edward and all the children begotten on the Queen were Bastards And according to this device Doctor Shaw the Sunday after at Paules Crosse in a great audience as alwayes a great number assembled to his preaching came into the Pulpit taking for his Theme Spuria vitulamina non dabunt radices altos Sapien. 4. that is to say Bastard slippes shall never take deepe rootes Whereupon when he had shewed the great grace that God giveth and secretly infundeth in right generation after the Lawes of Matrimony then declared hee that those children commonly lacked that grace and for the punishment of their parents were for the most part unhappy which were ilegitimate and especially in adultery of which though some by the ignorance of the world and truth hid from knowledge have inherited for a season other mens Lands yet God alwayes so provideth that it continueth not in their bloud long but the truth comming to light the rightfull inheritors be restored and the bastard slippes plucked up ere it can be rooted deepe And when hee had layed for the proofe and confirmation of this sentence examples taken out of the old and new Testament and other ancient Histories then began he to descend to the praise of the Lord Richard Duke of Yorke calling him father to the Protector and declared his Title to the Crowne by inheritance and also by entaiâ—e authorised by Parliament after the death of King Henry the sixth Then shewed he that the Lord Protector was only the right heire of his body lawfully begotten Then declared hee that King Edward was never lawfully married to the Queene but his wife before God was Dame Elizabeth Lucy and so his children were Bastards And besides that that neither King Edward himselfe nor the Duke of Clarence amongst them that were secret in the Duke of Yorkes houshold were never reckoned surely to be the children of the Noble Duke as those that by their favours more resembled other knowne men then him from whose vertuous conditions hee said also that King Edward was farre off But the Lord Protector quoth hee that very Noble Prince the speciall Patron of Knightly Prowesse as well in all Princely behavior as in the lineaments and favour of his visage representeth the very face of the Noble Duke his Father This is quoth he the Fathers owne figure this is his owne countenance the very print of his visage the sure undoubted image the plaine expresse likenesse of that Noble Duke Now was it before devised that in the speaking of these words the Protector should have come in amongst the people to the Sermon to the end that these words so meeting with his presence might have beene taken amongst the hearers as though the Holy Ghost had put them in the Preachers mouth and should have moved the people even there to have cryed King Richard that it might have been after said that he was specialy chosen by God and in manner by miracle but this device quailed either by the Protectors negligence or the Preachers over-hasty diligence For while the Protector found by the way tarrying lest he should have prevented these words the Doctor fearing that he should come ere his Sermon could come to those words hasting his matter thereto he was come to them and past them and entred into other matters ere the Protector came whom when hee beheld comming hee left the matter in hand and out of all order and out of all frame began to repeat those words againe This is the very Noble Prince the especiall Patrone of Knightly prowesse which aswell in all Princely behaviviour as in the lineaments and favour of his visage representeth the very face of the Noble Duke of York his father This is his Fathers owne figure this is his owne countenance the very print of his visage the sure undoubted image the plaine expresse likenesse of that Noble Duke whose remembrance can never dye while hee liveth While these words were speaking the Protector accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham went through the people up into the place where the Doctors stand where they heard out the Sermon but the people were so farre from crying King Richard that they stood
glad to live under his obeisance as the people of this realme under his Whē the Protector had heard the Proposition he looked very strangely there at and made answere that albeit he knew partly the things by them alleged to bee true yet such entire love he bare to King Edward and his children much more regarded his honour in other Realmes about then the crowne of any one of which hee was never desirous for in all other nations where the truth were not well knowne it should peradventure bee thought that it were his owne ambitious mind and device to depose the Prince and to take the Crowne himselfe with which infamy hee would in no wise have his honour stayned for any crowne in which he ever had perceived much more labour and paine then pleasure to him that so would use it as hee that would not and were not worthy to have it Notwithstanding hee not onely pardoned them of the motion that they made him but also thanked them for the love and harty favour they bare him praying them for his sake to beare the same to the Prince under whom he was and would bee content to live and with his labour and counsaile as far as it should like the King to use it he would do his uttermost devoir to set the Realme in good estate which was already in the little time of his Protectorship praysed be God well begun in that the malice of such as were before the occasion of the contrary and of new intended to bee were now partly by good policy partly more by Gods providence then mans provision repressed and put under Vpon this answer given the Duke of Buckingham by the Protectors licence a little rounded as well with other noble men about him as with the Major and Recorder of London And after that upon like pardon desired and obtained he shewed alowd unto the Protector for a finall conclusion that the Realme was determined that King Edwards line should no longer reigne over them both that they had so far gone that it was now no suretie to retreate as for that they thought it the best way for the whole Realme although they had not yet begun it Wherefore if it would like his Grace to take the Crowne upon him they would humbly beseech him thereunto and if he would give them a resolute answer to the contrary which they would be loth to heare then must they seek and should not faile to find some other noble man that would These words much moved the Protector which as every man of small intelligence may judge would never have enclined thereto but when he saw there was no other way but that he must take it or else hee and his both to goe from it hee said to Lords and Commons sith it is we perceive well that all the Realme is so set whereof we be very sorry that they will not suffer in any wise King Edward his line to governe them whom no man earthly can governe against their wills And we also perceive that there is no man to whom the Crown can by so just title appertaine as to our selfe as very right heire lawfully begotten of the body of our most dread and deare Father Richard late Duke of Yorke to which title is now joyned your election the nobles and commons of the Realme which wee of all titles possibly take for most effectuall wee bee content and agree favorably to encline to your petition and request and according to the same here we take upon us the Royall estate of preheminence and Kingdome of the two Noble Realmes England and France the one from this day forward by us and our heires to rule governe and defend the other by God his grace and your good helpe to get againe subdue and establish for ever in due obedience unto this realme of England the advancement whereof we never aske of God longer to live then we intend to procure and set forth With this there was a great cry and shout crying King Richard and so the Lords went up to the King and so hee was after that day so called But the people departed talking diversly of the matter every man as his fantacie gave him but much they marvelled of this manner of delaying that the matter was on both parts made so strange as though never the one part had communed with the other part thereof before when they knew that there was no man so dull that heard them but he perceived well enough that all the matter was made betweene them Howebeit some excused that againe saying all things must bee done in good order and men must sometimes for the manner sake not bee knowne what they know For at the consecration of a Bishop every man perceiveth by payment of his Bulles that hee intendeth to bee one yet when hee is twice asked whether he will bee a Bishop he must twice say nay and at the third time take it upon him as compelled thereto by his owne will And in a stage play the people know right well that hee that playeth the Soldan is perhaps a cobler yet if one of his acquaintance perhaps of little nurture should call him by his name while hee standeth in his Majesty one of his tormentors might fortune to breake his head for marring the play And so they said these matters bee Kings games as it were stage-playes and for the most part played upon scaffolds in which poore men bee but lookers on and they that bee wise will meddle no further for they that step up with them when they cannot play their parts they disorder the play and doe themselves no good FINIS Richard the 3◠King of Englād and France Lord of Ireland THE TRAGICALL HISTORIE OF THE LIFE AND REIGNE OF RICHARD THE THIRD Written by the Right Honorable Sir Thomas Moore Lord Chancellor of England LONDON Printed by T. Paine and M. Simmons 1641. THE TRAGICALL HISTORIE OF KING RICHARD THE THIRD I Am loth to remember but more I abhor to write the misery of this unfortunate King which by fraud entred by tyranny proceeded and by sodaine death ended his unfortunate life But if I should not declare the flagicious facts of the evill Kings aswell as I have done the notable acts of vertuous Kings I should neither animate nor encourage rulers of Realmes Countries and Seigniories to follow the steps of their profitable Progenitors for to attaine to the type of honour and worldly fame neither yet advertise Kings being prone to vice wickednesse to avoide and expell all sinne and mischiefe for dread of obloquie and worldly shame for contrary set to contrary is more apparent as white joyned to blacke maketh the fayrer shew Wherefore I will proceede in his acts after my accustomed usage Richard the third of that name usurped the Crowne of England and openly tooke upon him to bee King the ninth day of Iune in the yeare of our Lord one thousand foure hundred fourescore and three and
him a cup of wine coverd and when hee had dranke he cast out the wine and departed with the cup. After that the Heralds cried a largesse thrice in the Hall and so went up to their stage At the end of dinner the Major of London served the King and Queene with sweete wine and had of each of them a cup of gold with a cover of gold And by that time that all was done it was darkenight and so the King returned to his chamber and every man to his lodging When this feast was thus finished the King sent home all the Lords into their countries that would depart except the Lord Stanley whom hee retained till hee heard what his sonne the Lord Strange went about And to such as went home hee gave straight charge and commandement to see their Countries well ordered that no wrong nor extortion should bee done to his subjects And thus hee taught others to execute justice and equitie the contrary wherof he daily exercised hee also with great rewards given to the Northerne men which hee sent for to his Coronation sent them home to their Countrey with great thankes Whereof divers of them as they all bee of nature very greedy of authoritie and especially when they thinke to have any comfort or favour tooke on them so highly and wrought such Masteries that the King was faine to ride thither in his first yeare and to put some in execution and stay the Country or else no small mischiefe had ensued Incontinent after this he sent a solemne Embassage to Lewis the French King to conclude a league and amitie with him trusting also to obtaine the tribute which King Edward his brother had before out of France but the French King so abhorred him and his crueltie that he would neither see nor heare his Embassadors and so in vaine they returned Now after this triumphant Coronation there fell mischiefs thicke and thicke and as the thing evill gotten is never well kept so through all the time of his usurped reigne never ceased there cruell murther death and slaughter till his own destruction ended it But as hee finished with the best death and most fitting that is to say his owne so beganne he with the most pitteous and wicked I meane the lamentable murther of his innocent Nephewes the young King and his tender brother whose death and finall fortune hath neverthelesse so farre come in question that some remained long in doubt whether they were in his dayes destroyed or no. Not for that that Parkin Warbeck by many folkes folly so long space abusing the world was aswell with Princes as with poore people reputed and taken for the yonger of these two But for that also that all things were so covertly demeaned one thing pretended and another meant that there was nothing so plaine and openly proved but that yet for the common custome of close covert dealing men had it ever inwardly suspect as many well counterfet jewels make the true mistrusted Howbeit concerning that opinion men may see the conveiance thereof in the Noble Prince King Henry the seventh in the processe of Parkin But in the meane season for this present matter I shall rehearse to you the dolorous end of these two babes not after every way that I have heard but after that way that I have so heard by such men and such meanes as I thinke it to be hard but it should be true King Richard after his Coronation taking his way to Gloucester to visite in his new honour the towne of which hee bare the name of old devised as hee roade to fulfill that thing which hee before had intended And forasmuch as his minde gave him that his Nephewes living men would not recon that hee could have right to the Realme he thought therefore without delay to rid them as though the killing of his kinsmen might end his cause and make him kindly King Whereupon he sent Iohn Greene whom he specially trusted unto sir Robert Brakenbury Constable of the Tower with a letter and credence also that the same sir Robert in any wise should put the two children to death This Iohn Greene did his errand to Brakenbury kneeling before our Lady in the Tower who plainely answered that hee would never put them to death to dye therefore With the which answer Greene returned recompting the same to King Richard at Warwicke yet on his journey wherewith hee tooke such displeasure and thought that the same night hee said to a secret page of his Ah whom shall a man trust they that I have brought up my selfe they that I thought would have most surely served mee even those faile me and at my commandment will doe nothing for mee Sir quoth the page there lieth one in the palet chamber without that I dare say will doe your Grace pleasure the thing were right hard that he would refuse meaning this by Iames Tirell which was a man of a goodly personage and for the gifts of nature worthy to have served a much better Prince if he had well served God and by grace obtained to have as much truth and good will as hee had strength and wit The man had an high heart and sore longed upward not rising yet so fast as he had hoped being hindered and kept under by sir Richard Ratcliffe and sir William Catesbey which longing for no more partners of the Princes favour namely not for him whose pride they knew would beare no peere kept him by secret drifts out of all secret trust which thing this page had well marked and knew wherefore this occasion offered of very speciall friendship spied his time to set him forward and in such wise to doe him good that all the enemies that he had except the devill could never have done him so much hurt and shame for upon the pages words King Richard arose for this communication had he sitting on a draft a convenient carpet for such a councell and came out into the palet chamber where hee did finde in bed the said Iames Tyrell and sir Thomas Tyrell of person like and brethren of blood but nothing of kinne in conditions Thē said the King merrily what sirs bee you in bed so soone and called up Iames Tyrell and brake to him secretly his minde in this mischievous matter in the which hee found him nothing strange Wherefore on the morrow he sent him to Brakinbury with a letter by the which hee was commanded to deliver to the said Iames all the keyes of the Tower for a night to the end that he might there accomplish the Kings pleasure in such things as hee there had given him in commandement After which letter delivered and the keyes received Iames appointed the next night ensuing to destroy them devising before and preparing the meanes The Prince assoone as the Protector tooke upon him to be King and left the name of Protectour was thereof advertised and shewed that he should not reigne but his Vncle
should have the Crowne At which word the Prince sore abashed began to sigh and say Alas I would mine Vncle would let mee have my life although I leese my Kingdome Then he that told him the tale used him with good words and put him in the best comfort that hee could but forthwith hee and his brother were both shut up and all other removed from them one called Black Will or William Slaughter onely except which were set to serve them and foure other to see them sure After which the the Prince never tyed his points nor any thing regarded himselfe but with that young babe his brother lingered in thought and heavinesse till this trayterous deede delivered thē of that wretchednesse For Iames Tirrell devised that they should bee murthered in their beds and no blood shed to the execution wherof he appointed Myles Forest one of the foure that before kept them a fellow flesh-bred in murther before time and to him he joyned one Iohn Dighton his owne horsekeeper a big broade square and strong knave Then all the other being removed from them this Miles Forest and Iohn Dighton about midnight the silly children lying in their beddes came into the chamber and suddenly lapped them up amongst the cloathes and so bewrapped them keeping downe by force the fetherbed and pillowes hard under their mouthes that within a while they smothered stifled them and their breaths failing they gave up to God their innocent soules into the joyes of heaven leaving to the tormenters their bodies dead in the bed which after the wretches perceived first by the strugling with the pang of death and after long lying still to be through dead they layed the bodies out upon the bed and fetched Iames Tirrell to see them which when he saw them perfectly dead hee caused the murtherers to bury them at the stayre foote meetly deepe in the ground under a heape of stones Then rode Iames Tirrell in great haste to King Richard and shewed him all the manner of the murther who gave him thankes and as men say there made him Knight but hee allowed not their buriall in so vile a corner saying that hee would have them buried in a better place because they were a Kings sonnes Loe the honorable courage of a King for he would recompence a detestable murther with a solemne obsequie Wherupon a priest of Sir Robert Brakenburies tooke them up buried them in such a place secretly as by the occasion of his death which was shortly after which only knew it the very truth could never yet bee very well and perfectly known For some say that King Richard caused the Priest to take them up and close them in leade and to put them in a coffin full of holes hooked at the endes with two hookes of iron and so to cast them into a place called the Blacke deepes at the Thames mouth so that they should never rise up nor bee seene againe This was the very truth unknowne by reason that the said Priest died so shortly and disclosed it never to any person that would utter it And for a truth when sir Iames Tirrell was in the Tower for treason committed to King Henry the seventh both he and Dighton were examined together of this point and both they confessed the murther to bee done in the same manner as you have heard but whither the bodies were removed they both affirmed they never knew And thus as I have learned of them that knew much and little cause had they to lie where these two noble Princes these innocent tender children borne of the most royall blood and brought up in great wealth likely long to live to raigne and rule in the Realme by trayterous tyrannie taken and deprived of their estate shortly shut up in Prison and privily slaine and murthered by the cruell ambition of their unnaturall Vncle and his dispiteous tormenters which things on every part well pondered God gave this world never a more notable example either in what unsurety standeth this worlds weale or what mischiefe worketh the proud enterprise of an high heart or finally what wretched end insueth such dispiteous crueltie For first to beginne with the Ministers Miles Forest at Saint Martins le grant by peece meales miserably rotted away Iohn Dighton lived at Caleys long after no lesse disdained and hated then pointed at and there dyed in great miserie But sir Iames Tirrell was beheaded on the Tower hill for Treason And King Richard himselfe was slaine in the field hacked and hewen by his enemies hands hurried on a horse backe naked being dead hee is here in despight torne and tugged like a curre dogge And the mischiefe that hee tooke within lesse then three yeares of the mischief that he dyed in three moneths bee not comparable and yet all the meane time spent in much trouble and paine outward and much feare dread and anguish within For I have heard by credible report of such as were secret with his chamberers that after this abominable deede done hee never was quiet in his minde he never thought himselfe sure where he went abroad his body privily fainted his eye wherled about his hand ever on his dagger his countenance and manner like alwayes to strike againe hee took ill rest on nights lay long waking and musing for wearied with care and watch rather slumbred then slept troubled with fearefull dreames suddenly sometime start up leape out of his bed and looke about the chamber so was his restlesse heart continually tossed and tumbled with the tedious impression and stormy remembrance of his abhominable murther and execrable Tyrannie King Richard by this abominable mischiefe and scelerous act thinking himselfe well relieved both of feare and thought would not have it kept councell but within a few dayes caused it to run in a common rumour that the two children were suddenly dead and to this intent as it is to be deemed that now no heire Male being alive of King Edwards body lawfully begotten the people would be content with the more patient heart and quiet minde to obey him and suffer his rule and governance but when the same of this detestable fact was revealed and divulged thorow the whole Realme there fell generally such a dolour and inward sorrow into the hearts of all the people that all feare of his cruelty set a side they in every Towne street and place openly wept and pittiously sobbed And when their sorrow was somewhat mitigate their inward grudge could not refraine but cry out in places publike and also private furiously saying what creature of all creatures is so malicious and so obstinate an enemy either to God or to Christian Religion or to humane Nature which would not have abhorred or at the least abstained from so miserable a murther of so execrable a tyranny To murther a man is much odious to kill a woman is in manner unnaturall but to slay and destroy innocent Babes and young Infants the whole world abhorreth
and the blood from the earth cryeth to Almighty God for vengeance If the common people cryed out I assure you the friends of the Queene and her children made no lesse exclamation and complaint with loud voyce lamentably crying and saying alas what will â—e doe to others that thus shamefully murdereth his owne bloud without cause or desert whom will hee save when hee slayeth the poore Lambes committed to him in trust now wee see and behold that the most cruell tyranny hath invaded the Common-wealth now wee see that in him is neither hope of Justice nor trust of Mercy but abundance of cruelty and thirst of innocent bloud But when this newes was first brought to the infortunate mother of the dead children yet being in Sanctuary no doubt but it strake to her heart like the sharpe dart of death for when shee was first informed of the murther of her two Sonnes shee was suddenly amazed with the greatnesse of the cruelty that for feare she sounded and fell downe to the ground and there lay in a great agony like to a dead corps And after that shee came to her memory and was revived againe shee wept and sobbed and with pittifull scrieches shee replenished the whole Mansion her brest shee strooke her faire haire shee tore and pulled in pieces and being overcome with sorrow and pensivenesse rather desired death then life calling by name divers times her sweet Babes accounting her selfe more then mad that she deluded by wile and fraudulent promises delivered her younger sonne out of the Sanctuary to his enemy to be put to death thinking that next the oath made to God broken and the duty of allegeance toward her children violated she of all creatures in that point was most seduced and deceived After long lamentation when shee saw no hope of revenging otherwise she kneeled downe and cryed on God to take vengeance for the deceitfull perjury as who said shee nothing mistrusted but once hee would remember it What is hee living that if hee remember and behold these two noble infants without deserving so shamefully murthered that will not abhorre the fact yea and be moved and tormented with pitty and mercy And yet the world is so fraile and our nature so blinde that few be stirred with such examples obliviously forgetting and little considering that oftentimes for the offences by the Parents perpetrate and committed that sinne is punished in their line and posterity This chance might so happeÌ„ to these innocent children because King Edward their Father and Parent offended in staining his conscience hee made his solemne oath before the Gate of the City of Yorke as you have heard before and promised and sware one thing by his word thinking cleane contrary in his heart as after did appeare And afterward by the death of the Duke of Clarence his brother hee incurred of likelihood the great displeasure toward God After this murther thus perpetrated and that hee had visited his Towne of Gloucester which hee for his old Dignity both loved and with ample liberties and priviledges endowed and decorated he tooke his journy toward the County of Yorke where the people abusing his lawfull favour as hee both favoured and trusted them in his heart had of late presumed to attempt divers routs and riots contray to his lawes and infringing of his peace and upon hope of his maintenance were so elated that no Lord were he never of so great power could either pacifie or rule them till the King himselfelfe came personally thither to set a concord and an unity in that Country and to bridle and rule the rude rusticall and blustering bold people of that region and so he by long journeying came to the Citie of Yorke where the Citizens received him with great pompe and triumph according to the qualities of their education and quantity of their substance and ability and made divers dayes playes and Pageants in token of joy and solace Wherefore King Richard magnified and applauded of the North Nation and also to shew himself apparantly before them in habit royall with Scepter in hand and Diadem on his head made Proclamation that all persons should resort to Yorke on the day of the Ascention of our Lord where all men should both behold and see him his Queene and Prince in their high estates and degrees and also for their good wills should have received many thankes large benefits magnificent rewards At the day appointed the whole clergie assembled in Copes richly vested and so with a reverent ceremonie went about the citie in procession after whom folowed the King with his Crowne and Scepter apparelled in his Circot robe royall accoÌ„panied with no smal number of the nobilitie of his Realme after whom marched in order Queene Anne his wife crowned leading in her left hand Prince Edward her son having on his head a demy crown appointed for the degree of a Prince The King was had in that triumph in such honour and the common people of the North so rejoyced that they extolled and praysed him farre above the Starres After this solemne feast and glorious pompe he kept great counsellers there as well for the ordering of the countrey in time as for the brideling and punishing of such as there had misgoverned themselves and further of the gentlemen of that countrey he augmented the number of his domestical Ministers and servants in the which persons he put his whole trust and affiance When all things were thus discreetly ordered hee returned by Notingham and after came to London whom more for dread then for love the Citezens received in great companies Thus King Richard by a new invented crueltie late practised tyranny obtained and grew to high praise and honour and then by the admiration and judgment of the common multitude he was most esteemed to bee exalted into Heaven when hee covertly had intelligence that hee was like to loose his estate and could by no meanes have long continuance in his usurped power for assuredly after the death of King Edwards children when any blustering winde perrilous thunder or terrible tempest chanced or were apparently like to happen Sodainely the people having in their fresh memorie the facinorous act of their King and Prince would openly cry and make vociferation that God did take vengance and punish the poore Englishmen for the crime and offence of their ungratious King whom they blamed accursed and wished to have extreame tortures Although King Richard heard often of these slaunderous words malicious sayings and knew well by what persons they were spoken yet he durst not with strong hand bee on the first inventors revenged knowing that some time it is no wisedome to refuse or disdaine them that tell a ruler his dutie or declare to him his misbehaviour towards the common wealth or counsell him to amend and change his ill life After this great felicity he fell againe into a great feare and pensivenesse of minde and because he could by no meanes either correct
or amend things that were past he determined by doing his dutie in all things to his commons to obliterate and put out of memorie that note of infamie with the which his fame was justly spotted and stayned and to cause the people to conceive so good an opinion of him that from thence forth no calamity nor trouble should bee adjudged to happen to the common wealth either by his negligence or by his misgovernment although it is difficile and strange shortly to turne and plucke out such qualities and usages as have of long time beene incorporated in a mans minde and rooted in his manners and conditions Therefore whether it was for the performance of his former intent of amendment or as common fame flew abroad that he tooke repentance of his mischievous acts and scelerate doings hee turned over the leafe and began an order of a new life and pretended to have the name of a good and vertuous man by the reason that hee shewed himselfe more just more meeker more familiar more liberall especially amongst the poore people then before hee had accustomed to doe and so by this meanes he firmely trusted first to obtaine of God forgivenesse of his offences and crimes and after to live and take away the enemy and inward grudge that the common people bare in their mindes towards him and in conclusion to obtaine their friendly love and assured favour Hee furthermore began and enterprised divers things as well publike as private the which hee being prevented by sodayne death did neither accomplish nor begin to conclusion for hee â—egan to found a Colledge of a hundred Priests which foundation with the founder shortly tooke an end To please the common people also hee in his high Court of Parliament enacted divers and sundry good lawes and profitable statutes and especially one against strangers and foren wrought wares not to bee transported into this Realme which commodious act for the common wealth if hee had lived hee had fully purposed to have advanced and set forward and put in execution But afterwards evidently it appeared to all persons that onely feare which is not a master long in office and in continuall authoritie and not justice caused King Richard at that very time to waxe better and amend his wicked and sinfull life for shortly after the goodnesse of the man which was but painted and fraudulent suddenly waxed cold and vanished away And from thenceforth not onely all his Councellors doings and proceeding suddenly decayed and resorted to none effect But also fortune began to frowne and turned her wheele downewards from him in so much that he lost his onely begotten sonne Edward in the third moneth after hee had created him Prince of Wales The second yeere of his Raigne ANd shortly after in his second yeere of his raigne hee was unquieted by conspiracie or rather a confederacy betweene the Duke of Buckingham and many other Gentlemen against him as yee shall heare But the occasion why the Duke and the King fell out is of diverse folke diversly pretended This Duke as you have heard before assoone as the Duke of Gloucester after the death of King Edward was come to Yorke and there had solemne funerall service done for King Edward sent to him a secret servant of his called Persall with such messages as you have heard before And after the Duke of Buckingham came with three hundred horse to Northampton and still continued with him as partner and chiefe organ of his devices till after his Coronation they departed seeming all to bee very good friends at Gloucester From whence assoone as the Duke came home hee so highly conspired against him that a man would marvell whereof the change grew in so short a space Some say this occasion was that a little before the Coronation the Duke required the King amongst other things to bee restored to the Earle of Herfords lands and forasmuch as the title which hee claymed by inheritance was somewhat interlaced with the title of Lancaster which house made a title to the Crowne and enjoyed the same three descents as all men knew till the house of Yorke deprived the third King which was Henry the sixt King Richard somewhat mistrusted and conceived such an indignation that he rejected the Dukes request with many spitefull and minatorie words which so wounded the Dukes heart with hatred and mistrust that hee could never after indure to looke right on King Richard but ever feared his owne life so farre forth that when the Protectour should ride to his Coronation hee feigned himselfe sicke because he would doe him no honour And the other taking it in evill part sent him word to rise and ride or hee would make him to be carried Whereupon gorgeously apparelled and sumptuously trapped with burning cart navos of gold embrodered he roade befoâ—e the King through London with an evill will and worse heart And that notwithstanding hee rose the day of the Coronation from the feast feining himselfe ficke whicâ— King Richard said was done in hate and dispight of him And therefore men said that each of them ever after lived continually in such hatred and distrust of other that the Duke looked verily to have beene murthered at Gloucester from which hee in faire manner departed but surely such as were right secret with both affirmed all this to be untrue and otherwise men thinke it unlikely the deepe dissembling nature of both these men well considered And what neede in that greene world the Protector had of the Duke and in what perill the Duke stood if hee fell once in suspition of that tyrant that either the Protectour would give the Duke occasion of displeasure or the Duke the Protectour occasion of mistrust And surely men thinke that if King Richard had any such opinion conceived in him hee would never have suffered him to avoide his hands or escape his power but very true it is that the Duke of Buckingham was an high minded man and ill could beare the glory of another so that I have heard of some that saw it that he at such time as the Crowne was set upon the Protectors head his eye could never abide the sight thereof but wryed his head another way but men said he was not well at ease and that was both to King Richard well knowne and well taken nor any demand of the Dukes request uncurteously rejected but gently deferred but both hee with great gifts and high behestes in most loving and trusty manner departed from the King to Gloucester Thus every man judged as he thought but soone after his comming home to Brecknocke having there by King Richards commandment Doctor Morton Bishop of Ely who before as you have heard was taken at the Councell at the Tower waxed with him very familiar whose only wisedome abused his pride to his own deliverance and the Dukes destruction The Bishop was a man of great naturall wit very well learned and of honorable behaviour lacking no wise waies to
win favour Hee was first upon the part of King Henry while that part was in wealth and neither left it nor forsooke it in woe but fled the Realme with the Queene and the Prince And while King Edward had King Henry in prison hee never returned but to the field at Barnet after which field lost and utterly subdued and all par-takings extinguished King Edward for his fast faith wisedome was not onely content to receive him but also wooed him to come and had him from thenceforth both in secret trust and speciall favour whom he never deceived For hee being after King Edwards death first taken by the tyrant for his truth to the King found the meanes to set the Duke in his toppe and joyned gentlemen together in aide of the Earle of Richmond which after was named King Henry the sevenâ—h First devising the marriage betweene the Lady Elizabeth daughter to King Edward the fourth by the which his faithfull and true service declared to both his masters at once was an infinite benift to the Realme by the conjunction of the bloods of Lancaster and Yorke whose funerall titles had long unquieted the Realme This man afterwards escaped from the Duke and fled the Realme and never returned and went to Rome never minded to meddle with the world till King Henry the seventh sent for him and after made him Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of England and after was made Cardinall and lived well to all mens judgements and died well But to returne to the former purpose he by the long and often alternate proofe as well of prosperity as adverse fortune had gotten by great experience the very mother and mistris of wisedome and deepe insight in politike and worldly drifts wherby perceiving now the Duke to commune with him fed him with faire words and many prayses and perceiving by the griefe of their communications the Dukes pride now and then to balke out a little brayd of envie towards the glory of the King and thereby feeling him easie to fall out if the matter were well handled hee craftily sought the waies to pricke him forward taking alwaies the occasion of his comming and also keeping himself close within his bands that he rather seemed to follow him then to leade him For when the Duke began first to praise and boast the King to shew how much profit the Realme should take by his reigne Bishop Morton answered surely my Lord folly it were for mee to lie for I am sure if I would sweare the contrary ye would not once beleeve mee but if the world would have begunne as I would have wished that King Henries sonne had had the Crowne and not King Edward then would I have beene his true and faithfull subject but after that God had ordained him to lose it and King Edward to raigne I was never so mad with a dead man to strive against the quicke so was I ever to King Edward a faithfull and true chaplin and glad would have beene that his children should have succeeded him howbeit if the secret judgement of God have otherwise provided I purpose not to spurne against the prick nor labour to set up that God pulleth downe And as for the late protector and now King and with that word hee left saving that he said that he had already medled too much with the world and would from that day meddle with his booke and beades and no further Then longed the Duke sore to heare what hee would have said because hee ended with the King and there so sodainely stopped and exhorted him familiarly betweene them both to be bold and to say whatsoever hee thought whereof he faithfully promised there should never come hurt and peradventure more good then hee would thinke And that hee himselfe intended to use his faithfull secret advice and counsaile which he said was the onely cause for the which hee procured of the King to have him in his custody where he might reckon himselfe at home or else hee had beene put in the hands of them with whom he should not have found like favour The Bishop right humbly thanked him and said in good faith my Lord I love not much to talke of Pâ—inces as of a thing not all out of perill although the word bee without fault but yet it must be as it pleaseth the Prince to construe it And ever I thinke on Aesops talke that when the Lyon had proclamed that on paine of death there should no horned beasts come into the wood one beast that had a bunch of flesh growing out of his head fled a great pace the foxe that saw him flie with all the hast asked him whither he fled In faith quoth he I neither know nor care so I were once hence because of the proclamation made against horned beasts What foole quoth the foxe the Lyon never meant it by thee for that which thou hast is no horne in thy head No marry quoth hee I know that well enough but if hee say it is a horne where am I then The Duke laughed merrily at the tale and said my Lord I warrant you neither the Lyon nor the Bore shall picke any matter at any thing here spoken for it shall never come neere their eares In good faith sir said the Bishop if it did the thing that I was about to say taken as well as before God I meant it could deserve but thankes and yet taken as I thinke it would might happen to turne mee to little good and you to lesse Then longed the Duke much more to know what it was Whereupon the Bishop said In good faith my Lord as for the late Protector sith hee is now King in possession I purpose not to dispute his title but for the wealth of this realme wherof his grace hath now the governance and whereof I my selfe am a poore member I was about to wish that to those good abilities whereof hee hath already right many little needing my praise yet might it have pleased God for the better store to have given him some of such other excellent vertues meet for the rule of the Realme as our Lord hath planted in the person of your grace and there left off againe The Duke somewhat marvelling at his sodaine pauses as though they were but parentheses with a high countenance said my Lord I evidently perceive and no lesse note your often breathing and sudden stopping in your communication so that to my intelligence your words neither come to any direct or perfect sentence in conclusion whereby either I might perceive and have knowledge what your inward intent is now toward the King or what affectioÌ„ you beare toward me For the comparison of good qualities ascribed to us both for the which I my selfe knowledge and recognise to have none nor looke for no praise of any creature for the same maketh me not a little to muse thinking that you have some other privie Imagination by love or by grudge ingraved and
committed within twelve daies after the said declaration made and denounced XI Item That in every safe conduct to be granted by either of the said Princes this clause to bee added Provided alwaies that the obtainer of this safe conduct be no traytour or rebell XII Item If during this amity and truce any of the subjects of either Prince doe presume or attempt to aide helpe maintaine or serve any other Prince against any of the said contractors Then it shall be lawfull to the Prince and his subjects against whom he shewed himselfe enemy and adversarie to apprehend and attach the said subject going comming or tarrying any act article or clause in this league to the contrary comprehended notwithstanding XIII Item It is agreed apointed and accorded that in this traatie and amitie shall bee comprehended the friends obliged and confederates of both the Princes if they list to enter and accept the league and thereupon to declare their pleasures within sixe moneths next ensuing and specially for the King of Englands part were named for confederates The King of Castile and Lyon the King of Arragon the King of Portugall the Archduke of Austryche and Burgony and the Duke of Britaine On the part of the King of Scotts were named for confederates Charles the French King Iohn King of Denmarke and Norwey and the Duke of Geldres and Brittaine XIIII Item It is agreed and concluded betweene the parties aforesaid that the Lordship of Lorne in the Realme of Scotland nor the Island of Londay lying in the river of Severne in the Realme of England shall not be taken nor comprised within the league but to stand at large as they did before XV. Item That this concord peace and amity should be published proclaymed and divulged the first day of October next ensuing in the most noble and famous cities and townes of both the Realmes and Regions And conservatours were appointed for the sure observation of this league aud amitie on both parts whose names follow For the King of England Iohn Earle of Lincone Henry Earle of Northumberland Ralph Lord Nevell Ralph Lord Greystocke Richard Lord Fitz Hugh Iohn Lord Scrope Thomas Lord Scrope of Massam Sir Christopher Moresby William Clapton Esquier Humfrey Lord Daker Sir Richard Ratcliffe Sir Iohn Conyers Sir Edward Hastings Sir Robert Donstable Sir Hugh Hastings Sir William Evers Sir Iohn Huldeston William Musgrave Esquier Richard Salkeld Esquier For the King of Scotts David Earle of Crafford and Lord Linsey George Earle of Huntlâ—y Lord Gordâ—n and Badzâ—nath Iohn Lord Dornelâ—y Iohn Lord Kynedy Robert Lord Lile Patricke Lord Hales Lawrence Lord Oliphaunt William Lord Borthwike Sir Iohn Rosse of Halkehed Sir Gilbert Iohnson of Elphynstone Sir Iohn Lundy Sir Iames Ogilly of Arly Sir Robert Hamilton of Fingaltâ—n Sir William Balze of Lamington Sir Iohn Kinedy of Blarqhon Sir Iohn Wemes Sir William Rochewen Edward Crochton of Kirke Paty Iohn Dundas Iohn Rosse of Montgrenane these three last were Esquiers XVI Item It is further condesconded and agreed that these commissioners whose names ensue shall meete at Loughmabanstane the eighteenth day of November next ensuing aswell for redresse to bee had of certaine offences done on the Westmarches as also for declaring and publishing of the peace and amitie Commissioners of the English part The Lord Dacre The Lord Fitz Hugh Sir Richard Radcliffe Sir Christopher Moresby Sir Richard Salkeld or three of them Commissioners for the Scottish part The Lord Kenedy The Lord Mountgomory The Lord Lile Iohn Maxwell Stuarde of Annerdâ—le Robert Crechton of Sanquhane or three of them XVII Item The like Commissioners were assigned to meete at Raydon Borne for the East Marches the first day of December and also meete at Haldanstanke the fourth day of the said moneth for the midle Marches Commissioners for the King of England The Earle of Northumberland The Lord Greystorcke The Lord Scrope of Massam Sir William Gastoyn Sir Robert Constable Commissioners for the King of Scotts The Earle of Huntley The Earle of Angus The Earle of Ergile Chancellour of Scotland The Lord Wandale The Lord Seton The Lord Olyphaunt The Lord Stobhill XVIII Item It is agreed that the commessioners aforesaid shall depute and assigne certaine persons to view and declare the bounds and limits appertaining to the Towne of Berwicke according to the true meaning of the league XIX Item It is agreed and appointed that no person of England or Scotland shall during the said truce build eare or sow any lands or ground being within the bounds of the batable ground but to suffer the same to continue in the same condition that it now remaineth When this league and amitie was thus concluded finished and sealed with all due circumstances thereunto required although King Richard judged deemed himselfe somewhat the more strong and quiet by force of this new amitie and concluded confederacie yet to augement more the familiaritie begunne betweene the King of Scots and him and to have a double string for his bow hee entreated a new aliance and marriage to bee concluded betweene the Prince of Rothsay eldest son to the King of Scots and Lady Anne de la Poole daughter to Iohn Duke of Suffolke and Lady Anne sister to King Richard which sister he so much favored that he studying all the waies by the which hee might advance her off-spring and linage did not onely procure and seeke meanes how to make her daughter a Princesse and consequently a Queene but also after the death of his son he proclaimed Iohn Earle of Lincolne his Nephew her son heire apparent to the Crowne of England disinheriting King Edwards daughters whose brethren before you have heard he shamefully killed and murthered The King of Scots having neede of Friends but not so much neede as King Richard which was of necessitie compelled to seeke aiders and to entertaine fautours the one for favouring of flatterers and base borne persons and the other not only for tyranny and unnaturall homicide but also for the usurpation of the Crowne being of all the Realme detested and disdained gladly accepted and joyously consented to King Richards device and conjunction of amitie perfectly remembring that amongst all bonds and obligations of love and amitie that there is neither a surer nor a more perfect locke then the knot of conjunction in the Sacrament of Matrimonie which was in the very beginning of the first age of man ordained and instituted in the holy place of Paradice terrestiall by God himselfe by reason whereof the propagation and succession of the humane nature stablished upon the sure seate of lawfull Matrimonie betweene Princes may nourish peace concord and unity asswage breake the furious rage of truculent Mars and terrible battaile and encrease love favour and familiaritie Wherefore the said Princes sent their Embassadours and Councellors againe to the Towne of Nottingham where the said marriage was by writings and instruments covenanted condiscended and agreed and affiances made and taken by Procters and Deputies on
willing him in any wise to leave the Earle and without delay to repaire into England where for him were provided great honours and honourable promotions ascertaining him further that all offences in both parties were forgotten and forgiven and both he and she highly incorporate in the Kings heart Surely the inconstancie of this woman were much to bee marvelled at if all women had bin found constant but let men speake yet women of the very bond of Nature wil follow their owne kinde After that King Richard had thus with glorious promises and flattering words pleased and appeased the mutable mind of Queene Elizabeth which knew nothing lesse then that he most intended he caused all his brothers daughters to be conveighed into his Palace with solemne receiving as though with his new familiar and loving entertainment they should forget and in their mindes obliterate the old committed injury and late perpetrate tyranny Now nothing was contrarie and opposite to his pernicious purpose but that his Mansion was not void of his wife which thing he in any wise adjudged necessary to be done But there was one thing that so much feared and dragged him from committing this abominable murder because as you have heard before hee began to counterfeit the image of a good and well disposed person and therefore he was afraid lest the sudden and immature death of his wife once openly knowne hee should lose the good and credible opinion which the people had of him without desert conceived and reported But in conclusion evill counsell prevailed in a wit lately minded to mischiefe and turned from all goodnesse So that his ungratious desire overcame his honest feare And first to enter into the gates of his imagined enterprise hee abstayned both from the bed and company of his wife After hee complained to divers Noble men of the Realm of the unfortunate sterilitie and barrennesse oâ— his wife because she brought forth no fruit and generation of her body And in speciall hee accompted to Thomas Rotheram Arch-bishop of Yorke whom lately hee had delivered out of ward and captivity these impediments of his Queene and divers others thinking that hee would reveale and open to her all these things trusting the sequell hereof to take his effect that shee hearing this grudge of her husband and taking therefore an inward thought would not long live in this world Of this the Bishop gathered which well knew the complection and usage of the King that the Queenes dayes were short and that hee declared to certaine of his secret friends And thus he procured a common rumour but hee would not have the authour knowne to bee published and spread abroâ—d among the common people that the Qâ—eene was dead to the intent that shee taking some conceit of this strang fame should fall into some sudden sicknesse or grievous malady and to prove if afterwards shee shâ—â—ld fortune by that or any other waies to lose her life whether the people would impute her death to the thought or sicknes or therof would lay the blame to him When the Queene heard tell that so horrible a rumour of her death was sprung amongst the commonaltie shee sore suspected and judged the world to be almost at an end with her and in that sorrowfull agony shee with lamentable countenance and sorrowfull cheere repaired to the presence of the King her husband demanding of him what it should meane that he had judged her worthy to die The King answered her with faire words and with dissembling blandiments and flattering leasings comforted her bidding her to bee of good comfort for to his knowledge shee should have no other cause But howsoever it fortuned either by inward thought and pensivenesse of heart or by intoxication of poyson which is affirmed to bee most likely within a few dayes after the Queene departed out of this transitorie life was with due solemnitie buried in the church of S. Peter at Westminster This is the same Anne one of the daughters of the Earle of Warwicke which as you have heard before at the request of Lewes the French King was married to Prince Edward son to King Henry the Sixt. The King thus according to his long desire loosed out of the bonds of matrimony beganne to cast a foolish phantasie to Lady Elizabeth his neece making much suite to have her joyned with him in lawfull matrimony But because all men and the maiden her selfe most of all detested and abhorred this unlawfull and in a manner unnaturall copulation hee determined to prolong and dâ—fer the matter till he were in a more quietnesse For all that very season hee was oppressed with great weightie and urgent causes and businesses on every side considering that daily part of the nobilitie sailed into France to the Earle of Richmond other privily favoured and aided certaine of the conjuration so that of his short end few or none were in doubt And the common people for the most part were brought to such desperation that many of them had rather be reputed and taken of him in the number of his enemies then to abide the chance and hazard to have their goods taken as a spoyle of victorie by his enemies Amongst the noble men whom hee most mistrusted these were the principall Thomas Lord Stanley Sir William Stanley his brother Gilbert Talbot and six hundred other of whose purposes although King Richard were ignorant yet he gave neither confidence nor credence to any one of them and least of al to the Lord Stanley because hee was joyned in matrimony with the Lady Margaret mother to the Earle of Richmond as afterward apparently ye may perceive For when the said Lord Stanley would have departed into his Countrey to visite his familie and to recreate and refresh his spirits as he openly said but the truth was to the intent to be in a perfect readinesse to receive the Earle of Richmond at his first arrivall into England the King in no wise would suffer him to depart before he had left as an hostage in the Court George Stanley Lord Strange his first begotten son heire While King Richard was thus troubled and vexed with imaginations of the tumultuous time that was like to come Loe even suddenly hee heard newes that fire was sprung out of the smoake and the warre presently begun and that the Castle of Hammes was delivered into the hands of the Earle of Richmond by the meanes of the Earle of Oxford and that not onely hee but also Iames Blunt Captaine of the Castle were fled into France to aide the Earle Henry Wherefore he thinking it great policie to withstand the first brunt sent the most part of the garison of Calice to recover again by force the castle of Hammes They which were in the Castle perceiving their adversaries to approach prepared munitions and engins for their defence and sent also the Earle of Richmond to advertise him of their sodaine obsession requiring him of hasty ayde speedie succour The Earle slipping
ancient times past in divers Realmes it hath beene accustomed and this was the first signe and token of his good lucke and felicitie I must put you here in remembrance how that King Richard putting some diffidence in the Lord Stanley which had with him as an hostage the Lord Strange his eldest sonne which Lord Stanley as you have heard before joyned not at the first with his sonne in lawes army for feare that King Richard would have slaine the Lord Strange his heire When King Richard was come to Bosworth he sent a pursevant to the Lord Stanley commanding him to advance forward with his company and to come to his presence which thing if hee refused to doe he swore by Christs passion that hee would strike off his sonnes head before hee dined The Lord Stanley answered the Pursevant that if the King did so hee had more sons alive and to come to him he was not then so determined when King Richard heard this answer hee commanded the Lord Strange incontinent to bee beheaded which was at that very same season when both the armies had â—ight each of the other The Councellors of King Richard pondering the time and the cause knowing also the Lord Strange to be innocent of his fathers offence perswaded the King that it was now time to fight and not time to execution advising him to keepe the Lord Strange as a prisoner till the battell was ended and then at leisure his pleasure might bee accomplished So as God would King Richard infringed his holy oath and the Lord wâ—s â—elivered 〈◊〉 the keepers of the Kings tenâ— to bee kept as a prisoner which when the field was done and their master slaine and proclamation made to know where the child was they submitted themselves as prisoners to the Lord Strange and hee gently received them and brought them to the new proclamed King where of him and of his father hee was received with great joy and gladnesse After this the whole campe removed with bag and baggage and the same night in the evening King Henry with great pompe came to the towne of Leicester Where as well for the refreshing of his people and souldiers as for preparing all things necessary for his journey toward London hee rested and reposed himselfe two dayes In the meane season the dead corps of King Richard was as shamefully carried to the towne of Leicester as hee gorgiously the day before with pompe and pride departed out of the same towne For his body was naked and despoyled to the skin and nothing left about him not so much as a clout to cover his privie members and was trussed behind a pursevant of armes called Blaunche Senglier or white Boare like a hogge or a calfe the head and armes hanging on the one side of the horse and the legges on the other side and all besprinkled with mire and blood was brought to the Gray Fryers Church within the towne and there laid like a miserable spectacle but surely considering his mischievous acts and Facinorous doings men may worthily wonder at such a caitive and in the said Church hee was with no lesse funerall pompe and solemnitie interred then hee would to bee done at the burying of his innocent Nephewes whom hee caused cruelly to bee murthered and unnaturally to be quelled When his death was known few lamented and many rejoyced the proud bragging white Boare which was his badge was violently rased and plucked downe from every signe and place where it might be espied so ill was his life that men wished the memorie of him to bee buried with his carren corpes Hee raigned two yeares two moneths and one day As he was small and little of stature so was he of body greatly deformed the one shoulder higher then the other his face small but his countenance was cruell and such that a man at the first aspect would judge it to savour and smell of malice fraude and deceit when hee stood musing hee would bite and chew beasly his nether lippe as who said that his fierce nature in his cruell body alwaies chafed stirred and was ever unquiet besides that the dagger that hee wore hee would when hee studied with his hand plucke up and downe in the sheath to the midst never drawing it fully out his wit was pregnant quicke and ready wille to â—iegne and apt to dissemble hee had a proud minde and an arrogant stomacke the which accompanied him to his death which hee rather desiring to suffer by dent of sword then being forsaken and destitute of his untrue companions would by coward flight preserve and save his uncertaine life Which by malice sicknesse or condigne punishment â—ight chanâ—e shortly after to come to confusion Thus ended this Prince his mortall life with infamie and dishonour which never preferred fame or honesty before ambition tyranny and mischiefe And if hee had continued still Protectour and suffered his Nephewes to have lived and raigned no doubt but the Realme had prospered and hee much praysed and beloved as hee is now abhorred and vilipended but to God which knew his interior cogitations at the hower of his death I commit the punishment of his offences committed in his life FINIS This Kings time with some part of King Richard the third as shall appeare by a note made at that place was written by Sir Thomas Moore Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke The 3. sonnes of Richard Duke of Yorke described George Duke of Clarence drowned in a But of Maâ—msey The Description of Richard the 3. King Henry the 6. slaine in the Tower by Richard the 3. An Exhortation of King Edward the 4. on his death bed Edmund Shaw Maior of London Of Sanctuaries The discription of Shores wife The discription of King Edwards three Concubines The destruction of King Edwards Children King Edwards Children murthered