The Portraiture of Edward the Second KING of ENGLAND Lord of Ireland Having Raig 19. Yeares and 7. Months was Murdered at BARKLEY-CASTLE at 43. Yeares of Age. THE HISTORY OF The LIFE REIGN and DEATH OF EDWARD II. King of England AND LORD of IRELAND WITH The Rise and Fall of 〈◊〉 great Favourites GAVESTON and the SPENCERS Written by E. F. in the year 1627. And Printed verbatim from the Original Qui nescit Dissimulare nequit vivere perire melius LONDON Printed by J. C. for Charles Harper at the Flower-de-luce in Fleet-street Samuel Crouch at the Princes Arms in Popes-head-Alley in Cornhil and Thomas Fox at the Angel in Westminster-hall 1680. THE PUBLISHER To the READER READER THou hast here presented to thy View the Life and Death of Edward the Second one of the most Unfortunate Princes that ever swayed the English Scepter What it was that made him so is left to thee to judge when thou hast read his Story But certainly the Falsness of his Queen and the Flattery of those Court-Parasites Gaveston and the Spencers did contribute not a little thereto As for the Gentleman that wrote this History his own following Preface to the Reader will give some short Account as also of the Work it self together with the Designe and Time of its writing which was above Fifty years since And this we think we may say and perswade our selves that upon the perusal thou wilt be of the same opinion that he was every every way qualified for an Historian And ' bating a few obsolete words which shew the Antiquity of the Work we are apt to believe those days produced very few who were able to express their Conceptions in so Masculine a Stile We might easily enlarge in our Commendations of this Excellent History but it needs not and therefore we leave it to thee to read and judge The AUTHOR's PREFACE To the READER TO out-run those weary hours of a deep and sad Passion my melancholy Pen fell accidentally on this Historical Relation which speaks a King our own though one of the most Vnfortunate and shews the Pride and Fall of his Inglorious Minions I have not herein followed the dull Character of our Historians nor amplified more than they infer by Circumstance I strive to please the Truth not Time nor fear I Censure since at the worst 't was but one Month mis-spended which cannot promise ought in right Perfection If so you hap to view it tax not my Errours I my self confess them 20. Feb. 1627. E. F. THE RAIGN and DEATH OF Edward the Second EDWARD the Second eldest Son of Edward the First and Elenor the vertuous Sister of the Castilian King was born at Carnarvan and in the most resplendant pride of his age immediately after the decease of his noble Father crowned King of England The principal Leaders of the Rebellious Welshmen Fluellen and Meredith being taken and executed the Combustions of the Cambro-Britains were quieted and settled in an uniform Obedience The Scots by the resignation of Baliol the execution of Wallis and the expulsion of Bruce their pretended King were reduced to their first Monarchy and brought to an absolute subjection at such time as he took upon him the Regiment of this then glorious Kingdom If we may credit the most antient Historians that speak of the Princes and Passages of those times this Royal Branch was of an Aspect fair and lovely carrying in his outward appearance many promising Predictions of a singular expectation But the judgment not the eye must have the preheminence in point of Calculation and Censure The smoothest waters are for the most part most deep and dangerous and the goodliest Blossoms nipt by an unkindly Frost wither or produce their fruit sowre or unwholsome which may properly imply That the visible Calendar is not the true Character of inward Perfection evidently proved in the Life Raign and Death of this unfortunate Monarch His Story speaks the Morning fair the Noon-tide eclipsed and the sad Evening of his Life more memorable by his untimely Death and Ruine He could not have been so unworthy a Son of so noble a Father nor so inglorious a Father of so excellent a Son if either Vertue or Vice had been hereditary Our Chronicles as they parallel not him in his licentious Errours so do they rarely equal the Wisdom and Valour of the one that went before and the other that immediately succeeded him Neither was this degenerate Corruption in him transcendent from the womb that bare him since all Writers agree his Mother to be one of the most pious and illustrious pieces of Female-goodness that is registred in those memorable Stories of all our Royal Wedlocks But the divine Ordinances are inscrutable and not to be questioned it may else seem justly worthy admiration how so crooked a Plant should spring from a Tree so great and glorious His younger years discovered a softly sweet and milde temper pliable enough to the impressions of Vertue when he came to write Man he was believ'd over-liberally wanton but not extreamly vicious The Royal honour of his Birth-right was scarcely invested in his person when Time the Touchstone of Truth shews him to the world a meer Imposture in Conversation light in Condition wayward in Will violent and in Passion furious and irreconciliable Edward his valiant and prudent Father had by the glory of his victorious Arms and the excellency of his Wisdom and Providence laid him the sure foundation of a happy Monarchy making it his last and greatest care to continue it so in his succession This caus'd him to employ his best understanding and labour for the enabling of his Son that he might be powerful fit and worthy to perfect this great Work and preserve it And from this Consideration he leads him to the Scotch Wars to teach him the right use of Arms which are to be managed as well by discretion as valour and the advantage of time and opportunity which lead humane Actions by the hand to their perfection Here he likewise instructs him with those more excellent Rules of Knowledge and Discipline that he might exactly know what it was and how to obey before he came to command Lastly he unlocks the Closet of his heart and lays before him those same Arcana Imperii and secret mysteries of State which are onely proper to the Royal Operations and lie not in the road of Vulgar knowledge yet letting him withal know that all these were too weak to support the burthen of a Crown if there be not a correspondent worth in him that wears it With these grave Principles the prudent Father opening the way soon perceives he had a remaining task of a much harder temper with an unwilling eye he beholds in his Son many sad remonstrances which intimate rather a natural vicious inclination than the corruption of time or want of ability to command it Unless these might be taken off and cleansed he imagines all his other
Justice Though in a sinking Greatness all things conspire to work a fatal ruine yet in our Story this is the first president of this nature or where a King fell with so little Honour and so great an Infidelity that found neither Sword or Tongue to plead his quarrel But what could be expected when for his own private Vanities and Passion he had been a continual lover and a better of unjust actions and had consented to the Oppression of the whole Kingdom and the untimely Death of so many Noble Subjects It is certainly no less honourable than just that the Majesty of a King have that same full and free use of his Affections without Envy or Hatred which every private man hath in his oeconomick Government Yet as his Calling is the greatest such must his Care be to square them out by those same sacred Rules of Equity and Justice if they once transcend or exceed falling upon an extremity of Dotage or Indulgence it then occasions those Errours that are the certain Predictions of an ensuing Trouble which many times proves fatal and dangerous Let the Favourite taste the King's Bounty not devour it let him enjoy his ear but not ingross it let him participate his love but not enchant it In the eye of the Commonwealth if he must be a Moat let him not be a Monster And lastly if he must practise on the Subject let it be with moderation and not with rapine If in either of these there be an excess which makes the King a Monarchy to his Will and the Kingdom a prey to his Passion and the world take notice it be done by the Royal Indulgencie it begets not more hatred than multiplicity of errour which draw with them dangerous Convulsions if not a desperate ruine to that State where it hath his allowance and practice As there ought to be a limitation in the Affection of the one so ought there to be a like Curiosity in the quality of the other Persons of meaner condition and birth exalted above proportion as it taxeth the Kings Judgment impaireth both his Safety and Honour Neither is it proper that the principal Strengths and Dignities should be committed to the care and fidelity of one man onely such unworthy and unequal distribution wins a discontent from the more capable in ability and blood and carries with it a kinde of necessary impulsion still to continue his greatness else having the keys of the Kingdom in his hand he may at all times open the gates to a domestick Danger or a forreign Mischief The number of Servants is the Masters honour their truth and faculties his glory and safety which being severally employ'd and countenanced make it at one and the self-same time perspicuous in many and being indifferently heard do both in advice and action give a more secure discreet and safe form of proceeding Kings in their deliberations should be served with a Council of State and a Council of particular Interest and Honour the one to survey the Policy the other the Goodness of all matters in question both composed out of Integrity not Corruption these delivering truely their Opinions and Judgments it is more easie for him to reconcile and elect But when one man alone supplies both these places in private and publick all the rest follow the voice of the Drone though it be against their own Conscience and Judgment The Royal Glory should be pure and yet transparent suffering not the least eclipse or shadow which appears visibly defective when it is wholly led by a single advice never so grave and weighty let the projection if it be entertained have the teste of a Council but let the act and glory be solely the Kings which addes to the belief of his ability and more assures his greatness If the heart of Majesty be given over to the sensuality of Pleasure or betray'd by his proper Weakness or the cunning of him he trusteth yet let him not neglect the necessary affairs of a Kingdom or pass them over by Bills of Exchange to the providence of another In such an act he loseth the Prerogative of an absolute King and is but so at second-hand and by direction It is the Practique not the Theorique of State that wins and assures the Subject If the ability of that be confined or doubtful it estrangeth the will of Obedience and gives a belief of liberty to the actions of Disorder and Injustice Such an Errour is not more prejudicial in the Imbecillity than in the Example Royal Vanities finde a ready imitation so that it becomes a hazard that a careless King makes a dissolute Kingdom Mans nature is propensive to the worser part which it embraceth with more facility and willingness when it wins the advantage of the time and is led by so eminent a president From this consideration natural Weakness or temporary Imperfection should be always masked and never appear in publick since the Court State and Kingdom practise generally by his Example As in Affection so in Passion there are many things equally considerable I must confess and do believe that King worthy of an Angelical Title that could master these rebellious Monsters which rob him of his Peace and Happiness But this in a true perfection is to Flesh and Blood most impossible yet both in Divinity and Moral Wisdome t is the most excellent Master-piece of this our peregrination so to dispose them that they wait upon the Operations of the Soul rather as obedient Servants than loose and uncontrouled Vagabonds Where the Royal Passions are rebellious and masterless having so unlimited a Power his Will becomes the Law his hand the executioner of actions unjust and disorderly which end sometimes in Blood commonly in Oppression and evermore in a confused perturbation of the Kingdome The Warranty of the Law wrought to his temper not that it is so but that he must have it so justifies him not though he make a Legal Proceeding the justification of his Tyranny since the Innocency of the Subject seldome findes protection where the fury of a King resolves his ruine The rigour of humane Constitutions are to the Delinquent weighty enough let them not be wrested or inverted which makes the King equally guilty and the actor of his own Passions rather than those of Justice or Integrity He should on earth order his proceedings in imitation after the Divine Nature which evermore inclines more to Mercy than Justice Lives cannot being taken away be redeemed there ought then to be a tender consideration how they be taken lest the Injustice of the act challenge a Vengeance of the same nature As the quality of the act so is the condition of the agent considerable in point of Judicature wherein there may be sometimes those dependencies that it may be more honourable and advantageous to pardon or delay execution than to advance and hasten it howsoever it is the more excellent and innocent way to fall short of the better hand and
ruine The Warranty of Arms had a fair colour that should be levied to attempt his rescue which had a Royal stamp to raise and make them current If such a Project should be once in action it would be then too late to seek to cross it All men are apt to pity so great a King oppressed and not so much look on what he had been as what he is and being restor'd he might be The Queen whose heart was yet believed innocent of such foul Murther is or at least seems highly discontented She acknowledges his present Sufferings greater than his Offences or might become the King her Lord and Husband and holds this act of too too foul Injustice which stiles her Son a Homicide and her a Monster The crimson Guilt of such a crying action could not escape the cruel hand of Vengeance If it might be concealed from humane Knowledge the All-knowing Power of Heaven would lay it open She thinks it more than an act of Bloud to kill a Husband and a King that sometimes loved her She thinks her Son not of so ill a nature as to slip o're his Fathers Death untouch'd unpunish'd when that he was grown up in power to sift it These motives made her thus return her Answer Let us resolve dear Friend to run all hazards rather than this that is so foul and cruel let us not stain our Souls with Royal Bloud and Murder which seldome scapes unseen but never unpunish'd especially for such a fear as is but casual while we are innocent at worst our danger is but privation of this glorious shadow which Death can take when we believe it surest but if we taint the inward part with such a tincture our proper Guilt will bring continual terrour a fear that never dyes but lives still dying If Edward do get loose what need we fear him that pull'd him down when he was great at highest Why should we then resolve his Death or Murder this Help may serve when we are desperate of other Remedies which yet appears not To act so great a sin without compulsion addes to the deed and makes it far more odious nor can it plead excuse if after question'd that hath no cause but merely Supposition Say that he were a dead man gone and hopeless neither our fears or dangers are more lessen'd we are still subject to the self same hazard and have to boot our proper Guilt to cause it Those that do hate or envy us can fashion other pretexts as fair as this to shake us which we shall better crush while we are guiltless Then think upon some other course as sure more harmless ne're can my heart consent to kill my Husband Mortimer being nettled with this Reply so far wide of the aim which in his bloudy thoughts he had so constantly resolved on thought he would return the Queen as bitter a Pill as she had given him to bite on which makes him thus reply in anger Madam who hath the time to friend and doth neglect it is justly falling scorn'd and sinks unpitied Have you for this endur'd so bitter tryals to be at length a foe to your own safety Did you outrun your Troubles suffering meanly but to return unto your first condition If it be so I must approve your Reasons and say your grounds were like your project hopeful You see your glorious Morning now turn'd cloudy the Kingdom doth repine to see our Greatness yet have no hope but in the King deposed who taken away what fear can justly move us Your youthful Son we 'll rule till he grows older and in that time establish such a Greatness as he shall hardly touch or dare to question To cast a world of doubts is vain and senseless where we enforc'd must either act or perish and to be nice in that hath no election doth waste out time and not prevent the errour If you stick fast in this your tender pity I must in justice then accuse my fortune that gave my heart to such a female Weakness Is there a disproportion in this action to keep the Crown with bloud that was so gotten Is there a more restraint to keep than get by Treason If so I yield and will sit still and ruine Had Edward known or fear'd he had prevented nor you nor I had had the Power to hurt him But he neglected time and now repents it and so must we if we embrace his errour Fear is far less in sense than apparition and makes the shadow greater than the subject which makes a faintness as the Fancy leads it where is small reason to be so affected You urge it cannot be concealed or hidden I not deny but it may be discovered such deeds may yet be so contrived and acted that they prevent all proof if not suspicion But why do I spend time in this perswasion let him get free whom we so much have wronged let him examine our proceedings sift our actions perhaps he will forget forgive be reeonciled and spare your tears left that your mighty Brother should chance grow angry if you lose your Greatness you may if you be pleased abide the tryal Mortimer's resolv'd since you refuse his judgment you neither prize his safety nor his service and therefore he will seek some other refuge before it be too late and too far hopeless With this he flings away in discontentment as if he meant with speed to quit the Kingdom The amazed Queen pursues and overtakes him who seem'd unwilling to prolong the treaty Stay gentle Mortimer quoth she I am a Woman fitter to hear and take advice than give it think not I prize thee in so mean a fashion as to despise thy Safety or thy Council Must Edward dye and is there no prevention Oh wretched state of Greatness frail Condition that is preserv'd by Bloud secur'd by Murder I dare not say I yield or yet deny it Shame stops the one the other Fear forbiddeth only I beg I be not made partaker or privy to the time the means the manner With this she weeps and fain would have recanted but she saw in that course a double danger Mortimer that had now what he lookt for assures her he would undergo the act and hazard which would not have moved if not inforced by those strong motives of their certain danger He requests alone the King might seal a Warrant that he may change anew his former Keepers Sir Morice Barcklaye as it seems had been aloof off treated with but was not pliable or apt to fasten he was both careful of his Charge and Masters Safety this takes him suddenly from his custody Sir Thomas Towurlie supplies his place with his old partner they having received their new Warrant and their Royal Prisoner carry him by sudden and hasty Journeys to Cork-Castle the place that in all the world he most hated Some say that he was foretold by a certain Magician who as it
Kings Answer The Barons appear with a strong Guard The King's Speech to the Parliament The Commons Charge against Spencer The Spencers banished The Son turns Pirate The Merchants petition the King against him The Kings Answer The King writes to the Lords The Barons Answer The Londoners Petition for Spencers return The Spencers return Sir Barthol Baldsmere's Castle seised The King takes Arms. Seizes the two Mortimers The Barons rise The Barons beaten fly to Pontfrect Valens ' Speech in favour of the Lords The Kings Reply Lancaster beheaded and 22 more Good Policy to maintain a divided Faction in Court and Councel Spencer's Policy A Parliament called They give the King the sixth Peny Prodigious Sights The Scotch invade the English Borders and Ireland Are repulst Their General slain The King invades Scotland The Scotch seize the K. Treasure Earl of Carlile Executed The French King breaks his Peace with England The King adviseth with Spencer Spencer's Answer He adviseth the Queen be sent to France She offers to go She casts a wandering eye on Mortimer Mortimer in the Tower The King will not consent to her going Pretending a Journey of Devotion She embarques for France with Mortimer The King sad at the News Spencer encourageth him The Queen is tainted The Ports are stopt the Navie sent out and Watch and Ward every where The Queen entertain'd in France with seeming gladness The Queens Address The King and his Peers moved at her discourse Spencer eyes the French but fears them not He bribes them King Edward complains to the Pope The Pope admonishes the French King to quit the Queen She is enticed to return into England She tells the French King He shews her the Popes Sentence Perswades her to Peace She relates it to the Bishop Cane and Mortimer Who advise her not to return Mortimer storms The Queen moderates Robert of Artois His Speech Which infinitely joys the Queen Her Farewel to France The Bishop of Exeter forsakes the Queen Is bravely welcomed by the Earl His Brother pities the Queen and promises his Service He makes preparation The Earl condemns his haste His Answer The Queen jealous of Treachery Spencer's Agents frustrated The Queens doubts increasing she importunes the hastning her journey But without need The Queen embarques at Dort She is frighted at Sea She lands at Harwich Marching forward She is refresh'd at St. Hamonds Abbey Lancaster first joyns her The King is despairingly sorrowful his Council startled The King suspects the City of London Betakes himself to Bristow The Queen sends a mandatory Letter to the Mayor of London to keep the City for her and the Prince Bishop Stapleton beheaded by the Multitude The Queen sets out for Bristol Whence a hot Salley upon her A Treaty desired by that City Which being rejected the Queen gives them a peremptory Summons It is yielded Old Spencer Executed The King and young Spencer amaz'd The Queen batters the Castle The King and Spencer betake to a Bark but are beaten back by Weather The Bark seized The King sent to Berkly Castle Spencer insulted over The Queens Cruelty Spencer hanged Arundel the like The Queen comes to London She calls a Parliament They conclude to depose the King The Speaker makes a resignation of Homage reads the Sentence The King answers not a word The young King crowned The Queen and Mortimer bear sway They commit Baldock to Newgate Tresilian Lord Chief-Justice hanged The black Monks impatient of the King's restraint They not only incite the people but make Donhead their Captain Who is clapt by the heels and dies Sir John of Heynault and the rest rewarded They depart the Kingdom The King taken from the Earl of Lancaster delivered to Sir Morrice Berkley and Sir John Matravas They remove him in disguise The King grieved with Indignities His Complaint The King is uncivilly upbraided His Answer The Queen and Mortimer unquiet still Mortimer's ears tingle He tells the Queen the King must die She seems discontented She returns her Answer Mortimer nettled His Reply Mortimer flings away The Queens expostulation She unwillingly consents to the Kings Death The Kings Keepers changed He is removed to Corf Castle He is murdered
left him her Vigour was near spent her Beauty wither'd he could not long have liv'd if they had spar'd him Ninety cold Winters he had past in freedom and findes untimely Death to end his Story He parts without complaint or long discoursing he speaks these few words only free from passion God grant the Queen may finde a milder Sentence when in the other world she makes her Audit The King and his unhappy Son the sad Spectators of this Heart-bleeding Tragedy so full of horrour are with his dying farewel so amazed that scarcely they had speech or breath or motion so bitter a Preludium made them censure their own conditions were as nearly fatal The King a Sovereign Father and a Husband did hope these Titles would be yet sufficient to guard his Life if not preserve his Greatness but these prov'd all too weak Where Crowns are gain'd by Blood and Treason they are so secured Spencer had not a grain of hope for mercy the Barons Deaths prejudg'd his coming fortune The Queen used not to jest where she was angry his Fathers end assur'd her inclination and bade him rather venture any hazard than that which must rely on female pity With a world of Melancholy thoughts he casts the danger yet could not finde a way that might prevent it The Castle in it self was strong but weakly furnisht Time now he sees could promise no assistance their Adversaries were full bent to work their ruine either by publick Force or private Famine so that in their abode was sure destruction The King in this declar'd himself a Noble Master he priz'd his Servants Life as his own Safety which won them both to try their utmost hazard The Queen impatient to surprize this Fortress doth batter undermine and still assail it but these were all in vain and proved fruitless the Rampiers were too strong too well defended She threatens and intreats but to small purpose here were no Citizens that might betray it Alas there needed none as it succeeded the proper Owners wrought their own confusion they leave their strength and closely try their fortune which made them board a Bark rode in the Harbour in hope to get away undescryed This was the Plot or none must work their freedome But all things thrive alike with him that 's falling The Gale averse they softly tide her onwards the Wind will not consent to give them passage but rudely hurls them back to their first Harbour Thrice had they past St. Vincents Rock famous for Bristow Diamonds but in that Reach are hurryed back with fury The Elements of Earth of Air of Water conspir'd all at once to make them hopeless Sir Henry Beaumonde quartered next the Haven being inform'd that this gadding Pinnace had often attempted passage without reason the wind contrarious and the weather doubtful suspects that her designe was great and hasty on this he seiz'd her and surveys her lading which prov'd a prize beyond his expectation within her hollow bulk a Cell of darkness he findes this pair obscur'd not undiscover'd The King hath gracious words and all due reverence but Spencer is contemned and used with rigour This ends the War and gave the work perfection Fortune that triumphs in the Fall of Princes like a Stepmother rests not where she frowneth till she have wholly ruin'd and o'rethrown their Power that do precede or else oppose her Darlings The Queen having thus attained to the full of her desire resolves to use it to the best advantage Ambition seis'd her strongly yet resigneth to her incensed Passion the precedence her own good nature though she might adventure she would not trust so far to see her Husband nor did she think it fit those valiant strangers begun the work should view or see the Captive such sights sometimes beget as strange impressions instantly he is convey'd to Berklay-Castle there to remain restrain'd but well attended Spencer is hardly kept but often visited 't was not with pity which befits a Prisoner but with insulting joy and base derision Their eyes with sight and tongues with rayling glutted the act must follow that may stop the rancour which gives him to the Marshal lockt in Irons He here receives the self-same entertainment his aged Father found alone the difference he had a longer time and sharper Sentence All things thus order'd the Queen removes for London meaning to make Hereford her way and the last Journey of her condemned Prisoner that attends her each place she passeth by A world of people do strain their wider throats to bid her welcome with yelping cries that ecchoed with confusion While She thus passeth on with a kinde of insulting Tyranny far short of the belief of her former Vertue and Goodness she makes this poor unhappy man attend her Progress not as the antient Romans did their vanquish'd Prisoners for ostentation to increase their Triumph but merely for Revenge Despite and private Rancour mounted upon a poor lean ugly Jade as basely furnisht cloath'd in a painted Taberd which was then a Garment worn by condemned Thieves alone and tatter'd rascally he is led through each Town behinde the Carriage with Reeds and Pipes that sound the summons to call the wondering Crue together might abuse him all the bitter'st actions of disgrace were thrown upon him Certainly this man was infinitely vicious and deserv'd as much as could be laid upon him for those many great and insolent Oppressions acted with Injustice Cruely and Blood yet it had been much more to the Queens Honour if she had given him a quicker Death and a more honourable Tryal free from these opprobrious and barbarous Disgraces which savour'd more of a savage tyrannical disposition than a judgment fit to command or sway the Sword of Justice Though not by Birth yet by Creation he was a Peer of the Kingdom and by the Dignity of his place one of the most eminent which might if not to him in his particular yet in the Rights due to Nobility and Greatness have found some more honourable a distinction than to be made more infamous and contemptible than the basest Rogue or most notorious Cutpurse It is assuredly give it what title you will an argument of a Villanous Disposition and a Devilish Nature to tyrannize and abuse those wretched ruines which are under the Mercy of the Law whose Severity is bitter enough without aggravation A Noble Minde doth out of native Goodness shew a kinde of Sweetness in the disposition which if not the Man doth pity his Misfortune but never doth increase his sorrow by baser usage than becomes his Justice In Christian Piety which is the Day-star that should direct and guide all humane Actions the heart should be as free from all that 's cruel as being too remiss in point of Justice The Life of Man is all that can be taken 't is that must expiate his worst Offences the Law must guide the way Justice not Fury must be his Judge
1 Swears not to re-call Gaveston 7 Is troubled at his Oath 8 Falls into Melancholy 9 Sends for Gaveston 12 Acquaints his Councel therewith 13 Their Answer Ibid. His angry Reply Ibid. His Marriage 19 His Son Edward of Windsor born 28 He vows revenge for the Death of Gaveston 32 His Speech to Lancaster 34 Calls a Parliament 36 Goes against the Scots 38 Is defeated 39 Goes against them again 42 Is angry they refuse a Peace 44 Requires two Cardinals and sends them home Ibid. Besieges Barwick 45 Leaves it again 47 Seeks a new Favorite 48 Takes Spencer 49 Barons take Arms against him 55 His Proclamation against Mortimer Ibid. Answers their Message 57 His Speech to the Parliament 58 His Answer to the Merchants Petition against Spencer 65 Opposes the Barons 69 Seizes the two Mortimers Ibid. Beats the Barons 70 Kills Hereford Clifford and Mowbray 71 Takes Lancaster and others Ibid. Is moved for revenge Ibid. His Reply upon it 72 Beheads Lancaster and twenty two more 73 Calls a Parliament 81 Repulses the Scots and invades Scotland 83 Looseth his Treasure 84 Advises with Spencer 86 Will not consent to the Queens going 90 Sad at her departure 92 Complains to the Pope 102 He suspects the City of London 120 Removes to Bristol 121 Gets into the Castle 127 Betakes to a Bark and is seized Ibid. Sent to Berkley Castle 128 Is removed in Disguise 147 His Complaint 148 Is upbraided 149 His Keepers changed 154 He is removed to Corf Castle Ibid. He is Murdered 155 The young King Crowned 142 Kingdomes resentment of the Bishop of Chesters Imprisonment 21 L. Lincolns Speech to the King 22 Death 34 Lancaster surprized 71 Beheaded with twenty two more 73 M. Sir Gilbert de Middleton Executed 43 Mortimer spoils Spencer 55 Is committed to the Tower 89 Is favoured by the Queen 142 Moves the Kings Death 151 His Answer to the Queen 152 He flings away 153 Merchants Petition 65 Mowbray killed 71 Black Monks incite the people 144 Their Captain is clapt by the heels and dies Ibid. N. Navy set out 94 P. Parliament call'd 36 Called again 81 Give the sixth Penny 82 Called by the Queen 130 They resolve to Depose the King 131 The Speaker reads the Sentence 132 Poydras of Exeter pretends himself King 40 Is Hanged at Northampton Ibid. His strange Confession Ibid. Pope sends two Cardinals to Mediate a Peace 42 They go for Scotland and are Robb'd 43 Return 44 Requited and sent home Ibid. He Excommunicates the Scots King and Kingdom Ibid. Admonishes the French King to quit the Queen 103 Prodigious sights Ibid. Ports stopt 94 Q. Queen offers to go for France 88 Favours Mortimer 89 Pretends a journey of Devotion 91 Embarks for France Ibid. Is Tainted 94 Entertain'd in France 95 Her Address 96 Enticed to return 103 Tells the French King of it Ibid. Advises on the same 104 Joyful at Artois Council 106 Her farewell to France 108 Her welcome to Heynault 109 Jealous of Treachery 113 Embarks at Dort 115 Frighted at Sea 116 Lands at Harwich Ibid. Joyns Lancaster 118 Writes to the Mayor of London 121 Is received into the City Ibid. She goes for Bristol 123 Refuses a Treaty and gives Summons 124 Takes that City 125 Batters the Castle 127 Takes the King Ibid. Sends him to Berkley-Castle 128 Her Cruelty 129 Comes to London 130 Calls a Parliament Ibid. Her Speech to Mortimer 151 Her Expostulation 153 She unwillingly consents to the Kings death 154 S. Scots adhere to Bruce 36 Refuse a Peace 44 Excommunicated Ibid. Over-run the borders 45 Opposed Ibid. Beat A. B. York 46 Invade England and Ireland 82 Are repulst and Bruce slain 83 Seize the Kings Treasure 84 Scotland Invaded by the King 83 Bishop Stapleton Beheaded 121 Sir Walter de Selby Executed 43 Sir Peter Spalden made Governour of Barwick 42 Betrays it to the Scots Ibid. Spencer taken into favour 49 His Policy 51 Commons Charge against him 61 Banished 62 His Son a Pyrate 64 They return 67 Move for Revenge 71 His Advice to the King 86 Bribes the French 99 He is taken at Bristol 125 Executed by the Multitude 126 His Son taken 127 Hanged 130 T. Tresilian Hanged 143 Y. A. B. York opposes the Scots 45 Is beaten by them 46 FINIS Cottoni Posthuma Divers Choice Pieces wherein are discussed several Important Questions concerning the Right and Power of the Lords and Commons in Parliament By the Renowned Antiquary Sir Robert Cotton Baronet London Printed by M. C. for C. Harper and are to be Sold in Fleet-street the Exchange and Westminster * April 25. 1284. †July 1307. Edw. 1's care in educating his Son Banishes Gaveston Gaveston's Original and Character Edw. 1's Dying-Speech to the Prince Barons They swear not to recal Gaveston The young King troubled at his Oath Falls into the height of melancholy The Character and danger of Court-Parasites A Courtiers Speech to the King to recal Gaveston The King sends for Gaveston Acquaints his Council therewith who labour to divert him His angry Reply The Council consent to recal Gaveston Gaveston returns The King flights his Barons They perswade him to marry The King marries and marries Gaveston to Margaret Daughter of Gilb. de Clare Earl of Gloucester by his Wife Joan of Acres Daughter to Edw. I. Creates him Earl of Cornwall And makes him chief Minister of State Gaveston imprisons the Bishop of Chester The Kingdom resent it Lincoln's Speech to the King Gaveston banished the second time and sent into Ireland Again recalled Abuses the King and Kingdom Gaveston banished the third time goes into Flanders Edward of Windsor afterwards Edw. the 3. Born 13 Oct. 1312. Gaveston again returns The Barons take up Arms. Seize Gaveston at Scarborough-Castle and behead him The King's Exclamation on the news vowing revenge Henry Laey Earl of Lincoln dies 1310. His dying-Speech to Tho. Earl of Lancaster his Son-in-Law A Parliament called The Scots adhere to Bruce 1313. The King goes in person against the Scots 1314. The King defeated at Banocksbourn near Striveling Poydras of Exeter pretends himself King and the King a Changling His strange Confession The King goes a second time against the Scots Sir Peter Spalden made Governour of Barwick Who betrays it to the Scots 1318. The Pope sends over two Cardinals to mediate a Peace Who are robbed at Derlington Sir Gilbert de Middleton and Sir Walter de Selby executed for the same Sir Josline Denvile with certain Ruffians infest the North. The Cardinals return The Pope Excommunicates the Scotch King and Kingdom King Edw. besieges Barwick A great Dearth which lasted three years The Scotch over-run the Borders The Arch-Bishop of York opposeth them and is beaten at Milton upon Swale The King leaves Barwick King seeks a new Favorite Spencer taken into favour Spencers policy The Barons incensed Clifford's Speech The Barons take Arms. Mortimer spoils Spencer's Possession The Kings Proclamatition thereon The Barons Message to the King The
guide him whose honest freedom might have made him go through-stitch with more reputation He esteems it a gross oversight and too deep a disparagement to have any creature of his own thought wiser than himself he had rather his Greatness than hazard such a blemish should lie open to the malice of time and fortune This made him chuse his Servants as his Master chose him of a smooth fawning temper such as might cry ayme and approve his actions but not dispute them Hence flew a world of wilde disorder the sacred Rules of Justice were subverted the Laws integrity abused the Judge corrupted or inforc'd and all the Types of Honour due to Vertue Valour Goodness were like the Pedlers pack made Ware for Chapmen Neither was it conceiv'd enough thus to advance him beyond proportion or his birth and merit but he must carry all without disputing No one may stand in his way but tastes his power Old Quarrels are ript up to make his spleen more extant The grave Bishop of Chester a man reverend for years and eminent for his Profession and Dignity is committed and could be neither indifferently heard or released upon the meer supposition that he had been the cause of his first Banishment These insolencies carried with so great a height and exprest with so malicious a liberty were accompanied with all the remonstrances of a justly-grieved Kingdom The ancient Nobility that disdain'd such an equal accuse the injustice of the time that makes him their Superiour The grave Senators are griev'd to see the places due to their worths possess'd by those unworthy and unable The angry Souldier that with his blood had purchas'd his experience beholds with sorrow Buffoons preferr'd while he like the ruines of some goodly Building is left to the wide world without use or reparation The Commons in a more intemperate fashion make known their griefs and exclaim against so many great and foul Oppressions The new-made Earl both saw and knew the general discontent and hatred yet seeks not how to cure or stop this mischief his proud heart would not stoop or sink his greatness which might perhaps have qualified the fury with an ill-advised confidence out-dares the worst of his approaching danger and is not squeamish to let the Kingdom know it The slumbring Barons startled with the murmur that ecchoed nought but fear and quick confusion at length awake and change their drowsie temper condemning their long patience that was so far unfit their Bloud and Greatness Lincoln Warwick and Pembrooke whose noble hearts disdain'd to suffer basely resolve to cure the State or make the Quarrel fatal This Mushrome must be cropt or Arms must right the Kingdom Yet before they will attempt by force they 'll feel their Soveraign's pulses who drown'd in sensual pleasure dreams not of their practice This Resolution leads them to the Court where with some sute they gain admittance where to the King brave Lincoln thus discours'd their Grievance See here my Liege your faithful though dejected servants that have too long cry'd ayme to our Afflictions we know you in your self are good though now seduced the height is such we fear a coming Ruine Let it not taint your ear to hear our sorrow which is not ours alone but all the Kingdoms that groan and languish under this sad burden One man alone occasions all this mischief 't is one mans pride and vice that crusheth thousands we hope you will not boulster such a foul disorder and for one poor worthless piece betray a Kingdom The Heavens forbid so great and fond injustice You are your own yet we believe you ours if so we may what you forget remember Kings that are born so should preserve their Greatness which Goodness makes not all their other Titles Your noble Father dying bound our Honours yet we subscribed a breach at your intreaty You promis'd then a fair and grave proceeding but what succeeds the worst of base Oppression So long as we had hope our tongues were silent we sate and sighed out our peculiar Sufferings But when we see so fond and lewd progression that seems to threaten You and all your Subjects you cannot blame us if we seek to right it Would your unpartial eye survey the present State of this late glorious Kingdom you there shall see the Face of Shame and Sorrow No place is free both Court and Country languish all men complain but none finde help or comfort Will you for him not worth your meanest favour consent the Ruine of so brave a Nation Alas Sir if you would we may not bear it our Arms that guard your Life shall keep your Honour 'T is not unjust if you your self enforce it the time admits no respite For God's sake Sir resolve us since you must part with him or us then chuse you whether The King amazed with this strange Petition believes it backt with some more secret practice He knew their Griefs were just yet loath to right them He hop'd this Tempest would o'reblow he might advise his Answer But when he saw them fixt to know his pleasure he then believes it was in vain to struggle He knew their strength that had combin'd to seek it and saw he was too weak for contradiction This made him yield he should be once more banisht Though his wretchless improvidence had laid him open to this advantage yet he was still Master of his antient King-craft which made him smoothly seem to pass it over as if he well approv'd this Sequestration which he resolves to alter as he pleased when he had made the party sure might back his actions till then he slubbers o're his private Passion The Lords whose innocent aims had no end but Reformation depart content yet wait upon the issue A second time this Monster is sent packing and leaves the Kingdom free from his Infection Ireland is made the Cage must mewe this Haggard whither he goes as if to Execution With a sad heart he leaves his great Protector vowing revenge if he may live to act it This weak Statesman here gives a sure testimony of the poverty of his Brain that in the time of his Prosperity and Height had not made sure one forreign Friend to whom he might have had a welcome access in time of his expulsion But he had handled matters so that he was alike hateful here and abroad insomuch that he believes this barbarous Climate his surest refuge But he being gone all things seem'd well reconciled the State was quiet and mens hopes were suitable to their desires which seem'd to promise a quick and speedy Reformation But the vanity of this belief vanisht away like a shadow and the intermission was little less intemperate than the former agitation This wilie Serpent continues so his forreign Correspondence that the King was little better'd by his absence which made it evident that Death alone would end his practis'd mischief Their Bodies were divided but their Affections meet with
a higher Inflammation The intervacuum of their absence hath many reciprocal passages which interchangeably flie betwixt them The King receives not a Syllable but straight returns with golden interest Infinitely are they both troubled with their division but far more with the affront of the presuming Barons that had extorted it by force yet with intreaty The King esteem'd this kinde of proceeding too great an indignity to be pocketted yet since it had the pretence of his Safety and the general Good there was not apparent Justice enough to call it to an after-reckoning But alas that needed not for his effeminate weakness had left him naked of that Royal resolution that dares question the least disorderly moving of the greatest Subject He was constant in nothing but his Passions which led him to study more the return of his left-handed Servant than how to make it good effected He lays aside the Majesty of a King and thinks his Power too slender his Sword sleeps like a quiet harmless Beast while his Tongue proves his better Champion He sends for those that had been the principal Agents in the last Sentence and treats with them severally knowing that Hairs are pluckt up one by one that are not mov'd by handfuls encountring them thus single hand to hand what with his hypocritical Entreaties and mildew'd Promises he soon gets from their relenting hearts a several Consent answerable to his desires When by untying the Bundle he had disunited the strength of their Confederacy he then with confidence makes it a general Proposition which takes so that the repeal of Gaveston's banishment pass'd currant without exception The Kings intent and the approbation of the Lords is scarcely known before like an Irish Hubbub that needs nothing but noise to carry it it arriv'd in Ireland Upon the wings of Passion made proud by the hope of Revenge and a second Greatness he flies swiftly back to the Fountain of his first Preferment Once more the breach is foder'd and this True-loves Knot enjoys his first Possession But there wanted yet that deep reach and provident foresight that should have given it assurance The King had neither enabled himself to carry things in their former height by main strength neither had he wrought his disorder'd Affections to a conformity or a more stayed temper His female Mercury lessens not his former Ambition but returns the self-same man onely improved with the desire of revenge which was naked of the means to act it so that it was quickly perceiv'd that the Kingdom must feel another fit of her Convulsion The mutual Corruptions of these two went with an equal improvidence which gave the Lords their advantage and them too late a cause of repentance Immediately on his reception the King falls into a more dangerous Relapse of his former Dotage which so fully ingross'd him that all Discourse and Company seem'd harsh and unpleasant but such as came from the mellow tongue of his Minion who invents many new Enchantments to feed and more engage his frenzie All the dissolute Actions of licentious Youth are acted Cum Privilegio This bred such a Grief and Distemper in the sorrowing heart of the Subject that a general Cloud of Sadness seem'd to shadow the whole Kingdom Those former strict Admonitions were not powerful enough to bridle this Distemper not so much as for a fair in-come the one becomes at the first dash more fond the other more insolent those whom before he onely scorn'd he now affronts with publick hatred letting them know his spleen waits but advantage He fills his Soveraigns ears with new suspition and whets him on to act in bloud and mischief It is a Dispute variously believ'd what Climate hatch'd this Vulture I cannot credit him to be an Italian when I observe the map of his Actions so far different from the disposition and practice of that politick Nation They use not to vent publickly their spleens till they do act them He that will work in State and thrive must be reserved a downright way that hath not strength to warrant it is crusht and breaks with his own weight without discretion Those that are in this trade held their Crafts-masters do speak those fairest whom they mean to ruine and rather trust close work than publick practice Wise men made great disguise their aims with Vizards which see and are not seen while they are plotting Judge not by their smooth looks or words which hath no kindred with the hearts of Machiavilian States-men Who trusts more to his will than wit may act his Passion but this mans malice is within protection Where mischief harbours close and undiscovered it ruines all her Rubs without suspition a Pill or Potion makes him sure that by plain force might have out-liv'd an Army such ends thus wrought if once suspected a neat State-lye can parget o'r with Justice But those antient times were more innocent or this great Favorite more ignorant He went on the plain way of corrupted flesh and bloud seeking to enchant his Master in which he was a perfect Work-man and the contempt of his Competitors in which he was as wilful as fearless but in the managing of his proper greatness there he appears like himself a meer Imposture going on with a full carreer not so much as viewing the ground he went on The Royal Treasure he exhausts in Pride and Riot the Jewels of the Crown are in the Lumbard that same goodly Golden Table and Tressles of so great and rich a value he surreptitiously embezzles and nothing almost left that might either make Money or improve his Glory No man may now have the Kings ear hand or Purse but he 's the Mediator his Creatures are advanc'd his Agents flourish and poorest Grooms become great Men of Worship The King hath nothing but the name while his Vicegerent hath the benefit and execution All that appertains unto the Crown and Royal Dignity are wholly in his Power so that he might justly be thought the Lessee if not the Inheritor of the Prerogative and Revenue The sense of Grief and Duty that had long contested in the Lion-hearts of the Nobility are now reconciled These strange presumptions had banish'd all possibility of a longer sufferance They vow to make this Monster shrink and let his Master know it On this well and strongly attended they wait upon the King and not with mild or fair Intreaties they boldly now make known their Wrongs and call for present Justice Edward with a steady eye beholds their looks where he sees registred the Characters of a just Indignation and the threatning furrows of ensuing danger He stands not to dispute the quarrel lest they should tear the object of their anger from his elbow without all shew of inward motion he tells themselves had power to act what was most fitting to whom he had assign'd the care should keep his Person and assure the Kingdom They beyond their expectation finding the wind in that