and that there shall be no peace betweene him and them without their mutuall consent thereunto Yet for all this is Britaine still neglected by the French King France in the very bowels thereof still labouring and neitheir yet could the Englishmen get so much as Pimpol or Breac a little Island for their retiring place but vpon extreame hard conditions to wit that they fortifie it not neither that they lodge either in the houses of Priests or Noblemen Yet for all this the States of Britaine humbly requested the Queene not to recall her forces which she had euen resolued on but euen ouer-entreated commanded them to stay and they dispersed and scattered vp and downe about the Country Villages and exposed both to the malice of the Heauen and their enemies were â—ainâ— to haue a lamentable wintering when Pimpol by reason it was so little could not containe them all Neither spared she her continuall admonitions to the King of France that he should consider how much it stood him vpon to protect and keepe in hold the Sea coasts which once being gotten into the power of the enemy opens a way for further losse and is not easily recouered againe she wished him by Sir Robert Sidney to protect in safety the professours of the reformed Religion He promised againe that as he had hitherto beene so he would alwaies be their Protector and Defendor although that euen the chiefest Nobles of them had already forsaken him But when Sidney would haue dealt with him about Brest for a retyring place for the English forces and a pawne for the monies he had already had which indeed the Queene greatly desired hee stopt his eares at that For truely the Frenchmen could not indure that the English should once set foot in any other possessions in France no not so much as in their Hauens noâ— being forgetfull how easily they a great while agoe hauing but once beene possessed of their Hauens victoriously ran ouer France and how hardly they resigned vp againe their possessions And thus miserably did the French turne the counsell of the Queene vpon her selfe and the English which she gaue them for a caution against the Spaniard The Queene that she might secure her own selfe from the Spaniard fortified the Islands of Silley in the British Ocean hauing erected a Fortresse in S. Mariâ—s Island which by reason of the fashion of a starre like to which it was made she called the Starre-Marie she fortified that also with a set Garrison Also she strengthened her Islands of Gaâ—nsey and Iersey opposite against France and other places besides with great cost and charges and as great courage and alacrity although the times then were very heauy For in that yeare Saturne running through the end of Cancer and the beginning of Leo as in the yeare 1563. the Pestilence or Plague miserably tormented the City of London insomuch that the rigour thereof in the whole course of one yeare mowed downe the people of the Citie and Suburbes to the number of 17890. besides Sir William Roe the Lord Major and three more Aldermen Bartholomew Faire was not kept that yeare in London and Michaelmas Terme at S. Albanes twenty miles from London At which Terme Richard Hesket was condemned and executed because he had perswaded Henry Earle of Darby whose Father Henry died not long before that he should claime the Crowne of England fetching his right from his great Grand-mother Mary the Daughter to Henry the seuenth largely promising moreouer assistance and money from the Spaniard withall threatning the Earles sudden destruction if hee kept it not secret and if he put it not in practise But the Earle fearing this to be a plot onely to bring him into danger betrayed his conspiratour who of his owne accord acknowledging his fault before the iudgement seat sorely cursed those that aduised him thereto and those also that hearkened to his aduise in it and indeed those curses fell vpon some body in all probability For the Earle within foure moneths after died of a miserable kinde of death as shall be spoken of shortly In this yeares space two famous Earles of England died both of the Order of the Garter Henry Stanley whom I now mentioned Earle of Darby the sonne of Edward by Dorothy the Daughter of Thomas Howard first Duke of Norfolke He got of Margaret the Daughter of Henry Clifford Earle of Cumberland of Elenor Brandon the Niece of Henry the eight by his Sister Mary two sonnes Ferdinand and William that in order succeded him The other Earle that died was Henry Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex Gouernour of Portsmouth hauing left onely one Sonne Robert which he had by Honor the Daughter of Anthony Pound At Portsmouth Charles Blunt afterwards Lord Montioy succeeded him Three Lords accompanied these Earles also into another life Arthur Grey of Wilton that famous Warriour and of the Order of the Garter to whom succeeded Thomas his sonne by Iane Sybill Morrison The second Henry Lord Cromwell the Nephew of that Thomas Earle of Essex so often spoken of that was the mocking-stocke of Fortune after him succeeded Edward his sonne by Mary the Daughter of Iohn Powlet Marquesse of Winchester The third Henry Lord Wentworth whom succeeded Thomas borne of Anne Hopton his sonne and heire Neither will we conceale the death of worthy Christopher Carlile whose warlike skill was sufficiently tried in the Low Countries France and Ireland and in America at Carthage and Santo Dominico in the yeare 1585. for he about this time accompanied the forenamed into a better life In Ireland O-Conor Dun Mac-Daâ—y and O-Brien Nobleman of Conaugh and others make complaints that they were vniustly gone to law withall about the possessions of the Mortimers Earles of March which they had no colour of pretence for but continuance of long time wherein they had onely vsurped the same Also about this time the Noblemen of the Prouince of Vlster who long before feared lest they should fal into a conformity to English lawes which they thought would be brought in vpon theÌ„ as they saw it done already in Monaghan and that they should loose much of their power thereby whereby sometimes they did euen tyraâ—â—ize ouer the people begin now to bring to light that rebellion which before long had beene conceiued and first of all Hugh O-Donell on a sudden surpriseth Montrosse Castle Now there had beene a grudge long betweene the Earle of Tir-Oen and Henry Bagnall Marshall of the Irish forces whose Sister the Earle had stolne for his wife The Earle he made his complaint before the Lord Deputy of Ireland the Chancellour and others that whatsoeuer he had brought in obedience to the Queene at Vlster by his continuall labour and euen hazard of his bloud that redounded onely to the commodity of the Marshall and not to himselfe that yet the Marshall had falsly accused him of treason and to that purpose had suborned base
fellowes sorely lamenting he went and brought it in his other hand into the Towne and shewing it to the Surgeon Behold said he the arme that to day at dinner serued all my body This siege brought the King of France to Cales from whence is a short iourney ouer into England on purpose to prouide and strengthen the borders of his Kingdome which when the Queene vnderstood she sent ouer to him Sir Thomas Edmonds to see him and congratulate his health with him He againe to acknowledge this courtesie sent ouer into England to the Queene Marshall Byrone Aruerne and Aumont and many other Noblemen These the Queene entertained at Basing with such humanity and dismissed them so courteously that they much blazoned forth her meeke affablenesse seasoned both with wisdome and eloquence That truely which the French Writers report that the Queene shewed to Marshall Byrone and the rest of the French the braines of the Earle of Essex in her priuy Chappell or as others will haue it fastened to a post or stake is most ridiculous for his braines and body were truely both buried together Indeed certaine it is that amongst her talke with them she very sharply blamed the Earle of Essex concerning his vngratitude towards her and his vnaduised consultations and his scornfull contumacy in not begging pardon for his offence and that she wished that the most Christian King of France would rather vse towards his Subiects a milde kinde of seuerity then a dissolute clemency and that he would in time cut off the heads also of those that intend or plot any innouations in the state or disturbe the publique quiet This aduise of the Queene might haue well frighted Marshall Byrone from his wicked designes which he had already plotted against his King had he not beene bewitched But the force of his destinie rushing on him so besotted his blind vnderstanding that within few moneths after hee suffered the same punishment that the Earle of Essex had lately done before him Shortly after the Queene hauing returned out of the Country assembles a Parliament wherein she makes good and wholsome Lawes concerning the poore the weake and lame Souldiers and Marriners concerning fraudulent ouerseers of Wills and Testaments Concerning the deceit of Clothiers and the preying that were woont to be on the borders of Scotland But when as there did come grieuous complaints into the Lower house of Parliament against Monopolies for many had bought to themselues the power of selling some certaine commodities alone confirmed by Letters Patents vnder pretence of the publique good but truely to the great losse of the Land The Queene presently set forth a Proclamation wherein she made all her formerly granted Letters Paâ—ents voyd partly and of no effect and partly to be examined according to the Law And this was so pleasing to the Lower house that 80. of them chosen out came vnto her and by the Speaker of the House humbly gaue her thankes The Queene entertaining theiâ—â—oues very ioyfully spake to them much after this manner IOwe to you all a peculiar thankes and commendations for your large good wills towards vs not in silent thought conceiued but in deeds amply and really expressed in that ye recalled my errour which was out of ignorance and not wilfulnesse These things would haue beene turned to my disgrace and infamy if such Harpies and Horse-leaches as those had not beene made knowne by you I had rather be maimed either in my hand or my minde then to giue consent with either to these priuiledges of Monopolies The brightnesse of a Princesse Maiesty hath not so blinded my eies that liberty or licentiousnesse should preuaile with me more then Iustice. The glorie of the very name of a King may deceiue vnskilfull and vndiscreet Kings as guilded pills doe a sicke patient But I am none of those for I know that the Common-wealth ought to be gouerned for the good only of theÌ„ that are committed to it and not of him to whom it is committed and that the King must giue account of it before another Iudgment seat I thinke my selfe most happie that by Gods helpe I haue so gouerned my Kingdome as I haue done and that I haue such Subiects for whose good I would leaue Kingdome or life it selfe I desire that what other men haue trespassed in by false suggestion be not imputed to me to whom the testimony of my cleare conscience is a sufficient excuse for me You cannot chuse but know that Princes seruants are alwaies most intent for the good of their owne affaires and that truth is concealed often from Princes neither can they looke through all things who are continually troubled with great throngs of greater businesses About the beginning of this yeare died Henry Herbert Earle of Pembroke the sonne of William made Knight of the Garter in 1574 President of the Councell in Wales after the death of Henry Sidney his Father in law By whose Daughter Marie he begat William now Earle of Pembroke and Philip now Earle of Montgomery and Anne that died in the very flower of her youth Also there died Henry Lord Norris of Ricot restored to his Lands after the death of his Father but vpon some strict conditions about the inheritance of his Grandmother which was one of the Heires of Viscount Louell But the Queene made him more compleatly Lord after his Embasie into France finished with great commendation of his wisedome He begat of his wife Marie one of the Heires of Iohn Lord Williams of Tame who was in the time of Henry 8. Treasurer of the Augmentation Office and priuy Counsellour to Queene Marie a warlike progeny William his eldest sonne Marshall of Barwicke that died in Ireland to whom was borne Francis that succeeded in his Vncles honour the second was Iohn so often spoken of before the third was Thomas President of Mounster and sometimes Iustice of Ireland that died by reason of neglect of a small wound the fourth Henry that died the same death about the same time and place the fift Maximilian slaine in the warres of Britaine and Edward Gouernour of Ostend who alone suruiued his Parents Within a few daies after died Peregrine Berty Lord Willoughby of Eresby Gouernour of Barwicke who had vndergone all the Offices of a Captaine both in the Low Countries and in France and Robert his sonne by Mary Sister to Edward Earle of Oxford succeeded him And now let vs returne a little to Ireland And then we shall obserue that about this time there came out a Proclamation which also Henry 7. had forbad by Law that no man should transport English money into Ireland by reason that either the Rebels get it to themselues and purchase their prouision with it or the Merchants conuey it into other forreigne Nations to the great losse and detriment of this Kingdome Wherefore now there was great deliberation about altering the money in Ireland and mingling some Brasse with it
many of their vnprouided ships This as soone as the Queene came to vnderstand shee set foorth her Proclamation forbidding any man hereafter to doe so vnder penalty of aiding an enemy against ones owne countrey withall commanding that they who worke in iron should make no greater peeces that the ordinary Mynions and none aboue sixteene thousand pound weight The Queene hauing gone on progresse this sommer tooke Oxford in her way where shee remained some few daies being entertained with Orations Plaies and Disputations and a costly banquet prouided by the Lord Buckhurst then Chancellour of Oxford At her departure shee gaue them a Latine speech wherein shee professed that shee more esteemed of their true hearty loues than of all other sports and pleasures neuer so delightfull for which she gaue them hearty thankes making a solemne vow and giuing them sound counsell her vow was that as she wished nothing more than the safety of the Kingdome the happinesse and glory thereof so shee wished also that especially the Vniuersity which is one of the eies of the Kingdome might grow famous and flourish for euer Her counsell was that they should worship God first of all not to sute themselues according to the curiosity of many but to the lawes of God and the Kingdome that they should follow the lawes and not goe before them that they should not dispute whether or no better lawes might be but keepe those that already were made that they should obey their Superiours and mutually loue each other This sommer as also last sommer there was such a great drought through England that not onely the fields but euen many fountaines were dried vp and many cattell were choked with thirst perished euery where vp and downe euen the Riuer of Thames the chiefest in all England nay one than whom Europe hath not a longer for it ebbes and flowes aboue threescore miles euery day was euen without water the fift day of September to the great admiration of all that beheld the same in so much that a horseman might easily passe ouer at London-bridge Whether or no this fell out by reason of the great drought or the fierce rage of the North-east winde which had blowne vpon the water two whole daies and either droue away the fresh water or hindred the flowing of the Sea I cannot tell especially the Moone being then in the increase descending to the South and the Aequinox being neere at hand at which times sea-men obserue greater flowing in the Thames than at any other There were those that searcht into the hidden secrets of Philosophy to shew that this accident fell out by a naturall cause and direction arguing that as a quartane Ague comes at her due time and as the Gout at certaine seasons and as a Purge if nothing hinder it keepes it's accustomed time for working and as a womans childe-bearing ordinarily comes within a months reckoning so the waters haue some secret place of respite whither they withdraw themselues and whence they streame out againe that some of them that are lesse may be the better noted that they that are greater are yet certainely so And what wonder should this bee to see Nature her selfe goe on by statutes and degrees The heat of the Sommer comes when the time is the alteration of the Spring and Autumne is when it is wont to be the Solstice and the Aequinox keepe their appointed seasons then let vs not thinke but there are lawes of nature vnder earth which may perchance be lesse knowne to vs but not lesse certaine in themselues Let vs beleeue to bee below whatsoeuer wee see is aboue vs. There died this yeere Anthony Browne Vicount Mouâ—tague sonne to Sir Anthony Browne master of the Horse and Standard-bearer of England whom Queene Mary had before giuen this title to because that his Grandmother was the Daughter and heire of Iohn Neuill Marquisse of Mountague Shee made him Knight of the Garter and sent him to Rome in the behalfe of the whole kingdome to yeeld obedience to that See Queene Elizabeth hauing had experience of this mans loyalty esteemed very well of him although he were a Romance Catholike shee came moreouer and visited him for shee well knew that he was borne and bred in that religion which hee professed and not embraced it as many did onely to further a faction and him Anthony Nephew to his sonne succeeded There died also Henry Lord Scroope of Bolton Knight of the Garter and President of the westerne parts of the Borders of Scotland hauing left Thomas his sonne by Marquisse Howard the sister of Thomas the laâ—â— Duke of Norfolke his successor Neither to bee passed ouer in silence is the death of Christopher Wray Lord Chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench a man of great wisdome and skill in the Law one of sincerity and as great constancy hee had much issue but more credit in Magdalene Colledge in Cambridge of which he well deserued whom â—opâ—am the Attourney a man of much noted seuerity succeeded THE SIXE and thirtieth Yeere OF HER REIGNE Anno Domini 1593. IN February this yeare the Peeres of the Kingdome assembled in Parliament at Westminster where they enacted lawes about the restraining of Schismaticks and Papists that would not goe to Church and also enticed others not to goe too also about possessions of Monasteries entailed vpon Henry the eight about relieuing Souldiers and Marriners and about not building within three miles of London and many other matters And when they had weightily considered for I speake out of the Acts of Parliament with what resolute malice the enemy raged against Englands ouerthrow and the Confederates in France to ceaze the Low Countries or Scotland or to surprize any conuenient place for inuading England they adiudged it fit to grant some Subsidies to repell these dangers Wherefore acknowledging and magnifying the heroicke princely minde of their Princesse together with her prouident care and especiall affection to her people that had so happily waged warre against her enemy and to that end she continually exhausted the wealth of her Treasure and neuer offered to burden the poore comminalty with taxations and that not onely in defence of her owne Kindgome but also in easing and relieuing her confederates according to these words and her promise The Clergie granted two entire Subsidies and the Laity three and six Fifteenes and Tenths to be paid at a time with a willing and obedient minde But yet with submission petitioning that since these things were so assigned ouer to Posterity in publike Records that in expresse words there should be this caution added that these so great and the like neuer before heard-of Subsidies being granted vnto so good a Princesse vpon so extraordinary occasions should neuer be made an example for hereafter The Queene being present the last day of the Parliament that by her consent she might giue life to these Lawes to make them of force
forbidden traffiquing in Germany 190 And those of the Hanse-townes here in England 191 The Embassie of Sir George Carew into Poland ibid. What he effecteth with those of Dantsicke 192 And with the Polacke ibid. And with those of Elbing ibid. An Embassadour from Christian the fourth King of Denmarke ibid. The King of France requesteth aide from the Queene 193 He recouereth Amiens 194 The King of Spaine enclineth to a peace 195 A Parliament assembled in England ibid. The Lord De-la-ware restored to his old place 196 And also Thomas Lord Howard of Walden 197 The death of the Lord Cobham ibid. And of W. Powlet Marquesse of Winchester ibid. The Lord Burrough made Deputy of Ireland ibid. Captaine Norris dyeth 198 The Lord Deputy winnes the Fort at Blackwater 199 The Earle of Kildare dyeth ibid. The Rebels besiege Blackwater Fort. ibid. The Lord Deputy dyeth ibid. Iustices appointed in Ireland in the meane time 200 Tir-Oen presents his grieuances to the Earle of Ormond now Lieutenant of Ireland ibid. Anno M. D.XC.VIII THe King of France would mediate for a peace betweene the Queene of England and the Spaniard Page 202 Embassadours sent ouer about that businesse 203 Cecill Secretary to the Queene sent ouer to France ibid. He ouertaketh the King of France at Andes ibid. The resolution of the King of France about warre 204 Cecils answere in the behalfe of the Queene ibid. The Kings reply and promise to conclude a peace shortly for the benefit of both â—ingdomes ibid. But hee dealeth vnder hand with the Arch-Duke about the said peace whereupon some expostulations past betweene him and the Queene 205 Barneuelts Oration before the French in the behalfe of the Estates of the Low Countries ibid. A difference between Secretary Cecil and some of the French whereupon he is dismissed with faire words onely 207 Sir Thomas Edmonds thereupon is sent ouer by the Queene with Letters which the French King tâ—â—ke not very pleasantly ibid. The King of France stands stoâ—tly for the Queen in the Treatie at Veruins 208 The order of Session amongst the Delegates ibid. The French take exceptions that in the peace there was no mention of the Queene of England 210 The Queene hath a care of her ownâ— estate ibid. A disceptation about a peace with the Spaniard ibid. The reasons which were collected for peace 211 The reasons that were collected against it 213 The reply of those that stood for a peace 215 Burghley Lord Treasurer particularly for the peace 217 The Earle of Essex much against it ibid. Whereupon he writes and publisheth his Apologie 218 A kinde of contention betweene the Queene and the Earle of Essex ibid. The Earle behaues himselfe somewhat irreuerently before the Queene 219 Her distast thereat ibid. His answeres full of indignation to those that gaue him good aduice or counsell ibid. The death of the Lord Burghley Treasurer of England 220 His Natiuity and kindred his education he was Master of Requests and Secretary to King Edward he began to retaine vnder Queene Elizabeth 221 He is made Baron and Treasurer of England and Knight of the Garter 222 His Issue ibid. New articles of agreement between the States and the Queene 223 Sir Thomas Bodley of Councell for the Estates he restored the publique Library of Oxford first instituted by Humphrey Duke of Gloucester 224 The Lord Zouch and Christopher Perkins sent ouer into Denmarke by reason of some contention betweene the Danes and the English 225 Isabella Daughter to Philip King of Spaine betrothed to Albert of Austria ibid. The death of the King of Spaine being aboue seuenty yeares of age ibid. Three places which he was wâ—nt to call the Keyes of the Kingdome of Spaine ibid. George Clifford Earle of Cumberland returnes home from Sea He tooke Porto-Rico and other places but continued not there by reason of a disease that happened amongst his Souldiers 226 The treason of Edward Squire discouered the proceedings therein he is instigated to it by Walpole a Iesuite he bedawbes the pummell of the Queenâ—â— Saddle with poison but to no purpose He besmeared a Chaire of the Earle of Essex's with poison but to no more purpose 227 He is questioned and confesseth all and is hanged 228 Rumors scattered abroad against the K. of Scots ibid. Especially by one Valentine Thomas at the time of his execution 229 The Queenes admonition to the King of Scots in behalfe of this businesse ibid. Bookes written in the behalfe of the K. of Scots ibid. The Contents of those Books about the course of kingdomes 230 The K. himselfe writeth his Booke called Basilicon-doron 231 The affection of the Queene towards good studies ibid. Bookes that she her selfe translated ibid. The death of D. Stapleton Professour at Doway ibid. And of D. Cosins Deane of the Arches ibid. The death of Edmund Spencer the Arch-Poet his buriall at the cost and charges of the Earle of Essex 232 Black-water Fort in Ireland besieged by the Rebâ—ls ibid. The English hauâ— the worst of it in a battle ibid. The Fort not long after yeelded vp to the Rebels 233 All the Prouince of Mounster reuolts from the Queene ibid. Protections hurtfull to the Common-wealth 234 Mounster all spoilâ—d and hauockt by the Rebels ibid. Tir-Oens brags of his successe and victory ibid. Sir Richard Bingham sent ouer againe into Ireland 235 Who died there presently after his arriuall ibid. Anno M. D.XC.IX A Great consultation in England about the choice of a new Lord Deputy to be sent into Ireland Pag. 237 The Earle of Essex secretly desires it himselfe ibid. He is at length made Lord Deputy of Ireland 238 An army allotted him and the number the greatest that Ireland euer saw 238 The summe of his Commission His departure ibid. He marcheth to Mounster against some petty Rebels and neglects the tenour of his Commission ibid. The Queene takes it vnkindly and he as much the making of Sir Robert Cecill Master of the Wards an Office which he himselfe expected 240 The Earle excuses the fault and laies it on the Irish Councell ibid. Sir Coniers Clifford sets forward against the Rebells ibid. He is slaine in the battell with Sir Alexander Ratcliffe 241 A fresh supply sent ouer from England into Ireland ibid. Tir-Oen desires a Parly of the Earle of Essex ibid. Which is at last condiscended vnto at Balla-Clinch Riuers Foord ibid. Tir-Oen and the Earle of Essex talke together almost an houre 242 Tir-Oen desires to haue another conference with the Earle of Essex ibid. Whereupon a truce is made for sixe weekes ibid. Whereat the Queene is angry with the Lord Deputy ibid. She sends letters to him and to the Councell of Ireland 243 The Earle of Essex much discontented at the letters ibid. His secret plots to take some vnlawfull course to subdue his enemies at Court 244 An army of 6000. men mustered in London halfe whereof lay at watch and ward for the safety of the Queene ibid. The Earle of Essex makes an
detected ibid. The Earles of Essex and Southampton arraigned ibid. The principall heads of their Inditements ibid. Laid open at length by the Queens Lawyers 〈◊〉 Yeluerton and Sir Edward Coke 312 The Earle of Essex's reply 313 He excuseth his iniuries done to the Lords of the Councell 314 The layes open the iniuries done to himselfe ibid He extenuates the testimony of Sir Ferdinando Gorge 315 The Earle of Southampton defends his ownâ— cauâ—e ibid. Certaine cases propounded to the Iudges 316 The Earle of Essex much accuseth his aduerâ—aries ibid. Sir Francis Bacon remoues the accusation ibid. The Earle of Essex interrupteth him in his speech and accuseth Secretary Cecill 317 Cecill comes forth out of a little Closet where he stood to answer to the Earles obiections ibid His speech to the Earle of Essex ibid. The Lord Knolles sent for to the Iudges to decide the matter 318 Cecill inueigheth against the Earle of Essex ibid. Southampton againe excuseth himselfe ibid. Thâ— Iudges opinion concerning the protestation of both the Earles 319 The Earles are both found guilty of treason by the Peeres 320 The Earle of Essex's speech at the pronunciation of sentence ibid. The sentence pronounced both against the Earle of Essex and Southampton 321 Others also are arraigned about that businesse ibid. The Earle of Essex desires to speake with some of the Lords of the priâ—y Câ—â—â—cell 322 He accuseth Cuffe as the author of all his treachery 323 The Earle reueals more that knew of the conspiracy ibid. He is brought out to executiou in the Tower yard 324 He is beheaded 325 His commendation his stocke and Ancestors 326 His Wife and Issue 327 Blunt Danuers Dauis Mericke and Cuffe arraigned ibid. Blunt's examination and what he confessed 328 Danuers what he answered for himselfe 329 And Dauis for himselfe ibid. The arraignment of Cuffe with the particulars thereof 330 Cuffe what he aâ—swered for himselfe 331 The arraignment of Sir Gill. Mericke with the particulars thereof 332 What Sir Gill. Mericke said for himselfe ibid. Sir Christopher Blunt and Charles Danuers request to be beheaded ibid. Cuffes execution at Tiburne and his confession there 333 Merickes execution there also 334 Blunt and Danuers beheaded on Tower-hill ibid. The confession of Sir Christopher Blunt 335 Sir Henry Neuill committed vpon suspition 336 The punishment of Daniel an Impostor of the Earle of Essex's Letters 337 The Queenes answere to the Embassadors of Scotland ibid. Gallies first prepared 339 The States thinke how to subdue Flanders ibid. They are preuented by the Arch-Duke ibid. Sir Francis Vere made Gouerâ—our of Ostend 340 The description and scituation of Ostend ibid. A parley with the Archduke about yeelding of Ostend 341 Vere being supplied with prouision breakes it off ibid. He resigneth vp his Office into the hands of the States 343 The chiefest Englishmen that died at the Siege ibid. Marshall Birone sent ouer into England 344 A Parliament assembled at Westminster ibid. Monopolies restrained 345 The Queenes speech to some of the Lower House about them ibid. The death of the Earle of Pâ—mbroke 346 And of the Lord Norris ibid. And of the Lord Willoughby 347 A Proclamation against transporting mony into Ireland ibid. Deliberation about altering the Coine in Ireland ibid. The Souldiers pay altered without any tâ—mult or mutiny 348 The Lord Deputy sets on towards the Rebels ibid. And Sir Henry Docwray in other parts 349 The English surprize Donegall Monastery ibid. Rumors concerning the approaching of the Spaniard at Munster drawes the Lord Deputy backâ— againe 350 Ballashanon is seized on ibid. President Carew surprizeth the titular Earle of Desmond and send both him and Florence Mac-Carty ouer into England 351 He makes preparation against the Spaniard ibid. He informeth the Lord Deputy of the affaires 352 A consultation whether or no the Deputy shoâ—ld enter Mounster without his Forces ibid. The Spanish Forces land in Ireland ibid. The reasons of their comming published 353 The English beset them 353 The Spaniards driuen out from Rincurran Castle ibid. Tir-Oen commeth into Mounster 354 The Rebels determine to bring their Forces intâ— the towne 355 The English hinder them ibid. The Rebels retire and the Eâ—glish persue them ibid. An earthquake in London the 24. of December 356 The Rebels pâ—t to flight ibid. The commodities of that victory 357 The Spaniards desire a parley ibid. Articles about their yeelding 358 They depart out of Ireland ibid. Anno M.DC.II DVnboy Castle assaulted by the President 360 The Rebels reduced into order ibid. Bishop O-Hegan slaine 361 A Nauy dispatcht to the Spanish shâ—re ibid. The Galâ—ies and Carackes set vpon in the Hauen of Cezimbra ibid. A Caracke and Gallies are set vpon 362 The Gallies are put to flight ibid. Some of them taken ibid. A parley ibid. They yeeld 363 The râ—st of the Gallies are for Flanders ibid. They light vpon the Queenes ships 364 They skirmish ibid. Their Gallies vanquished 365 A treaty at Bremen with the Danes ibid. They complaine of too much Tribute paid for passing the Sounds ibid. Their demands 365. A controuersie discussed about the freenesse of the Sea 366 The treaty breakes 367 Disagreements betweene the Iesuites and Secular Priests 368 See Watsons Quodlibets of State 369 Iesuites and Secular Priests banished 370 Marshall Birone beheaded 371 The French King complaines of the Duke of Bullen ibid. He askes Queene Elizabeths counsell what he should doe with him ibid. The Queenes answere 372 The French Kings reply 373 The opinion of others concerning this matter ibid. Geneua relieued 374 The death of Alexander Nowell ibid. Tir-Oen feares both his owne power and his Armies 375 The Deputy persues him ibid. He builds Charlemont ibid. And Fort Montioy 376 Docwray chaseth the Rebels ibid. Yet he is slightly regarded ibid. More of the Rebels submit themselues 377 Tir-Oen craues pardon ibid. Anno M.DC.III TIr-Oen absolâ—tely submits himselfe 378 The Queene fals sicke 380 In the Kings Preface to the Reader in his Basilicon Doron 384 THE LIFE AND REIGNE OF THE most famous Princesse ELIZABETH With a memoriall of the chiefest matters and affayres of the States of England Scotland France and Ireland and sundry other occurrences of the affayres of most part of Christendome Which haue happened since the fatall Spanish Inuasion to the timâ— of her Dissolution AFTER that so vnexpected a successe had blasted the glory of the Spanish Inuasion They to â—alue their wounded honour and to forestall in the English the very thought of thâ— like inuasion begin now to prosecute their foreintended purpose of wounding and molesting the peace of England by the hands of her neighbour Scotland To which purpose the industrious villany of Robert Bruce a Priest with Creicton and Hay Iesuites working vpon the distempered Religion of the Earles of Huntley Arrolle Crawford and Bothwell a man as fickle as his fortune but yet the naturall sonne of Iohn Prior of Coldingham the sonne of Iames the fifth King of Scotland easily
gotten as farre as Saint Victors they esteemed the entrance of the mayne Citie as the last so the least part of the assault The French King whether out of feare of the disabilitie of his forces or of hope that shortly it would yeeld or perswasion that the Duke of Maine would not bid him battaile sounds presently a retreate from Paris and remoues to Estampes leauing the Lord Willoughbie and the English on the way to blocke vp the Leaguers passage till such time that both the Towne and Castle yeelded After this they took Vendosme the same place which with the whole country Henry the Fift of England had formerly giuen to Robert Willoughby Gouernour of Normandy as a sure argument of his loue and the others valour They reduced likewise to their due obedience Caën Alanzon Falais Loux and Honfleure After which time and trauell of aboue fiue hundred miles besides the wearinesse of their Irish service they that suruiu'd returned home to England The chiefe of note that died either by disease or battaile were one Captayne Hunning and Stubs who hauing formerly lost his right hand for writing against the mariage of the Queene with the Duke of Aniou heere lost his life and Sir William Drury one without doubt who had enioyed a longer life if reason could haue preuayled with his passion to haue preserued it For contending with Burroughs a Lords yonger sonne for the vpper â—and against the order of ranking Nobility in England he was slaine by him in a single combat The Queene intended not so speedy a returne of the English and the French King greeued at it hauing had intelligence that the Spaniard lay in wayt for the Kingdome of France for he already through the meanes of Morea Taxie and Bernardine Mendoza got it propounded in the Councell of the Leaguers that to recompence his charges which he had beene at for their assistance they should nominate him the Protectour of the Catholiques in France and confer vpon him the same Prerogatiues that he enioyes in the Kingdome of Naples and Sicily of bestowing by his Delegates all Offices whether Ecclesiasticall or Ciuill The loftinesse of this vndermining request intermingled with the eager promoting of it by Cardinall Caietan the Popes Nuntio came yet so short of their expectation of successe that it occasioned great discontentment in the French themselues whose riper iudgements prompted them to this caution by promoting their Religion not to lose their Reason And as the Queene imploied no small care in establishing Nauarre in the Kingdome of France so had she a long time sought opportunity to contriue a match betweene his sister Katharine and the King of Scotland wisely considering that both of them would stand her in great stead to refell the force of Catholiques and their plots against Protestants but the euent prooued not answerable by reason that her age was of the most and her meanes of the least her brother himselfe likewise being much impouerished by these neuer discontinuing warres The King of Scotland notwithstanding being still vnmarried ceased not very often to sollicite the Queen for her aduice in the choice of a wife who being more slow in answering him then the desire of the Scots although not then reason required gaue occasion to the Scots not only to suspect but euen to vent this suspitioÌ„ in open clamors that the English by their cunning trickes sought to depriue the King both of Honour and Issue thereby conceyting an impunity for the death of his mother and to exclude the Scottish race from succession in England This when the Queene vnderstood shee exhorted the King to choose himselfe a wife and such a one that might well please him not displease the people nor occasion the long amity betweene them to fall into suspition The King of Scots therefore hauing somewhat about a yeere before setled his affection on Anne the daughter of Fredericke the Second King of Denmarke who was also honoured with the Queenes ample commendations this yeere about Iuly contracted himselfe to her by his Proxie the Earle Marshall But shee being shipped for Scotland in the middest of her voyage was driuen backe by a tempest into Norway which so bruised her ships that shee could not in long time put to sea againe The King to the prayse of his Religion as well as his loue about October next passeth to Norway for the Sates of the Kingdome appointed and he himselfe sealed their resolution with a vowe to marry within the compasse of a yeare and there celebrated the marriage where both of them were compelled to stay till next May before their ships necessity and a seasonable opportunitie would licence their departure It was first the opinion of many but afterwards their faith that these tempests at sea were raysed by the execrable power of sorcerers and witches by reason of the violence of the waues and windes that were more turbulent and the stormes shorter and yet oftner than ordinarie whereupon they concluded some operatiâ—e power besides nature partly by reason that euill spirits Princes of the Ayre may with better safety trade with the poore ignorant people in the Northerne clymate from whom partly their pouerty and want of other mens industry hath concealed the light of the Gospel but especially by reason of the open confessions of some Witches that were vpon some occasion apprehended who confessed that they raysed those stormes on purpose to keepâ— the Queene from Scotland and that likewise Bothwel had beene with them to know the Kings fortune This being denounced Treason amongst the Scots by a Law of Queene Marry coâ—t Bothwel a strict imprisonment yet it seemes not so strict but that shortly he brake out from that into worse troubles wherewith all Scotland was annoyed There died this yeere Frances the Countesse of Sussex widow of the Thomas Earle of Sussex and sister to Henry Sidney who hauing giuen many precepts of vertue in her life at her death taught it by example in erecting Sidney Sussex Colledge in Cambridge And Sir Walter Mildmay a man as full of variety of vertues as euer he was of offices yet was hee chosen by Henry the Eigth to bee ouerseeâ— of the Court of Augmentation Knighted by King Edward the Sixt made a Priuy Counsellour by Queene Elizabeth Chancellour of the Exchequer and Subtreasurer He founded Emanuel Colledge at Cambridge in the yeere 1584. endowing it with meanes and reuenewes to mayntayne threescore and two Students and a President Him succeeded Sir Iohn Fortescue an excellent man and a good Grecian who was long time Tutor to the Queene and Master of her Wardrobe Likewise there died William Somerset Earle of Worcester the Sonne of Henry and Nephew of Charles whom his onely Sonne Edward succeeded a man so prosperous in his issue that he might reckon more sonnes and daughters then most Noble men in England There died also Iohn Lord Sturton the sonne of Charles whom Queene Mary
elsewhere in difficult affaires and no more acquainted with this message than the occasion of it The Queene notwithstanding could not wel endure that the Spaniard should be possessed of so rich and conuenient a place to inuade England Holland or Zeland from In so much that the continuall meditation of this matter wrought these words out of her that This businesse concern'd her more than that of Edward the third who at excessive charges maintained the cause of Iohn of Montfort to keepe the French from possessing themselues of Britaine There were indeed some about the Court to the commendation of their warinesse more than wisdome that prompted the Queene to a parâ—imony aduising her not to be at so great charges for others good but rather to regard her owne wishing her not to put any confidence in French-men as being traâ—terous euen to their owne Kings thence taking an occasion to returne to her memory their cruelty in butchering one of their Kings that was a professed Catholike and their villany in thus persecuting another that is a Protestant They vrged to her likewise the vniust claime the French laid to Metz Toul and Verdune formerly annexed to the Empire of Germany which notwithstanding the memory of later ages witnessing as much they by violence haue disioynted from it That they doe as constantly hate the English euen now when they are friends as others doe when they are enemies that they doe so duely breake promise in repaying of monies to the English that they vse to Nick-name other Creditors whom they likewise disappoint with this by-word Les Anglois These are Englishmen Lastly that by their homebred seditions they haue so rent a flourishing estate into factions that the whole Realme might rather excite her neighbours pity than occasion their feare it being now like a grosse body burthened with its owne weight and so disordered by the mutable obedience of the people that if it should chance to faile of an enemy abroad it would soone find one at home The Queene as desirous of the commendations of the French from the mouth of an English man as careful of their safety from the hands of an enemy entertained this discourse both with disdaine and laughter and when not onely the English but euen some French themselues counsel'd her to put in for her share and ceaze vpon Picardie or Normandie as the Spaniard and the Leaguers had already cantonized all France putting her in minde of the saying of Charles of Burgundy that It was best for all neighbour nations when France had twenty Kings She heard them with a much forced patience and disdainfully putting them by said That whensoeuer France it's last day should be at hand the euening thereof would bring in Englands ruine and destruction Whilst these businesses were on foot Ambrose Dudley Earle of Wâ—rwicke sonne of Iohn Duke of Northumberland and Knight of the Order of S. George departed this life as full of vertue as empty of Issue And not long after Sir Francis Walsingham also the Queenes Secretary and Chancellour of the Duchie of Lancaster and of the Order of the Garter He was a man as commendable for industrie as imitable for his wisdome and piety one that had beene employed in many honourable Embassies a strict professour of the reformed Religion a curious searcher out of secrets one that could diue into mens dispositions and worke them to his owne ends at pleasure His Art that way as it was past imitation so was it beyond the Queenes owne expectation in so much that the Papists euery where traduced him as a subtle enginere to screw simple Proseâ—ytes within the danger of the law This intelligence which hee continually had of all plots and deuises that were hatched within the Realme cost him such excessiue charges that hauing spent not onely his estate but euen his credit which was much impeached by his abundant debts he was in the night time buried at Pauls without any Funerall solemnity Hee left but one daughter who first marrying Sir Philip Sidney bore him a daughter married to Roger Earle of Rutland and then marrying her second husband the Earle of Essex bore him one sonne and some daughters and afterwards being married to the Earle of Clan-Richard an Irish Lord bore to him also Children of both sexes Not long aboue a moneth or two Sir Thomas Randolph ouer-liued him yet not so neere to him in his death as hee was in acquaintance and loue in his life This was he whose brother Edward a braue souldier died victoriously in Ireland in the yeare 156â— In the time of his youth hee liued a Ciuill Lawyer in Christ-Chuch in Oxford and afterwards became the Principall of Broad-gates Hall since named Pembroke Colledge Hee had beene imployed in many seuerall Embassies thrice to the Peeres in Scotland thrice to Queene Mary of Scotland after her returne from France Seuen times to Iames the sixt of Scotland thrice to Iohn Basilides Emperour of Russia once to Charles the ninth of France and againe to Henry the third The Queene rewarded this his seruice with the Chamberlaines Office in the Exchequer heretofore a place of great honour and worth the Mastership of the Post-horses and some small land Neither could ambition or the charge of many chiâ—dren occasion any appetite in him of greater wealth to the true patterne of a contented minde for all high and worldly men whereof there are very few but haue lesse occasion and greater desire And let mee not forget that which may benifit posterity with the memory of it a letter which hee sent to Sir Francis Walsingham a little before his death wherein hee declared how fitting it was and how necessary that the one should leaue of the trickes of a Secretary and the other of an Embassadour and imploy the time before their death in repentance for the sinnes of their life Shortly after him died Sir Iames Croft who in the dayes of Edward the sixt valiantly defended Hadington in Scotland against the French He was for a while Lord Deputy of Ireland hauing beene condemned for treason in the hot dayes of Queene Mary was as gratiously pardoned by Queene Elizabeth and made Gouernour of Barwicke and the Easterne borders He likewise was Comptroller of her Maiesties houshold and a Delegate at the Treaty of Bourbourge After all which hauing had the vertue to excite the very enuie of the Court against him and yet hee happy fortune to ouercome it liued and died in the loue and fauour both of Prince and people With the yeere also ended George Talbot his lifeâ—being Earle of Shropshire the sonne of Francis and the seuenth Earle of that House who in the Reigne of Queene Mary hauing to the number of three thousand vnder him committed to him by his Father the Generall of the Army in the Scottish warres rescued the Earle of Northumberland at Lo-wick out of most eminent danger Hee was also Captayne of a troupe
be at anothers call or whistle Within the compasse of this yeare some of the greater sort and of the Nobility departed this life Amongst whom the best worthy memory were Iohn Puckering Lord Keeper of the great Seale who although he himselfe were a man of an vpright sincerity yet by reason of his corrupted seruants that set to faire Ecclesiasticall Benefices for the best price he was but hardly spoken of by the Clergy men Thomas Egerton the Queenes Attourney Generall succeeded him in his place who in the integrity of his vertues equallâ—d the great expectation that was of him Richard Fletcher Bishop of London a very famous Prelate who being sorely troubled with the displeasure of the Queene at his marriage as she was at the marriage of all the Clergy to get that away lost his life Henry Cary Lord Hunsdon Lord Chamberlaine of the Queenes Court Gouernour of Berwicke and Knight of the Order of S. George a man of a great stomacke but very cholericke and somewhat discontented that being somewhat of kinne to the Queene hee attained but meane honours and wealth departed also his Sonne George succeeded him in his dignities and the Lord Cobham in the Chamberlaines place who continued in it but few moneths Another was Francis Knolles who had married the Lord Hunsdons Sister and for the truth of the Gospell had beene banished into Germany first hee was Sub-Chamberlaine to the Queene afterwards Captaine of the Guard afterwards Treasurer of the Queenes Houshold and one of the Order of S. George In his Treasurer-ship Roger Lord North succeeded him and his Sonne William Knolles was made Comptroller of the Houshold Another towards the end of the yeere was Henry Hastings Earle of Huntingdon the third of that stocke President of the Councell in the Northerne quarters and being a man of a milde disposition but very earnest in the purity of his religion he spent most of his patrimony in costly succouring and cherishing of the more feruent sort of Ministers He was buried in the county of Leicester and Francis L. Hastings died then to And the Presidency of the Councell committed to Matthew Hutton Archbishop of Yorke but without the title of President Neither among so many men is the death of that worthy woman Margaret Clifford Countesse of Darby the onely daughter of Henry Clifford Earle of Cumberland which hee had by Elenor Brandon the Niece of Henry the Eight to bee concealed who out of a womanish curiosity and weakenes of her sexe being too credulous and somewhat ambitious of farre fetcht hopes dealt with Southsayers and in striuing to get the knowledge of things to come lost the presentfauour of the Queene and her life presently after THE FORTIETH Yeere OF HER REIGNE Anno Domini 1597. IN the beginning of this yeere how great prayse of their valor Robert Sidney and Francis Verâ— with the English forces in the battel at Turnholt in Brabant vnder the conduct of Maurice of Nâ—ssaw did deserue beare away hauing slaine 2000. Neapolitanes and Germanes the Low Countries historie doeth report I hasten and intend to greater matters The Queene being giuen credibly to vnderstand that the Spaniard was prouiding a new piece of warre out of the old decayed reliques and other ships which he intended against Ireland prepares her Nauy of ten of her owne Ships and as many Hollanders either to diuert his proiect or to delay it But when as this number seemed but very small there were more added fiue thousand Souldiers prest besides a thousand old Souldiers whom Vere brought out of the Low-Countries So that in all in this Nauy there were one hundred and twenty Ships Seuenteene of the Queenes three and forty little men of warre the rest to carry prouision The Nauy was diuided into three Squadrons Essex commanded the first who had the whole Expedition committed to his care Thomas Howard the second and Walter Rawleigh the third Charles Blunt Lord Montioy was Captaine of the Souldiers vnder the Earle of Essex and Sir Francis Vere Serieant Maior Sir George Carew master of the Ordnance and Engines and Sir Christopher Blunt chiefe Colonell To this warre also went the Earles of Rutland and Southampton the Lord Grey Cromwell and Rich with many other Knights and other Gentlemen These with their sailes displayed and other costly vanitie that is peculiar to the English when they goe to warre set forth from Plimmouth the ninth day of luly After two dayes to euery Ship was deliuered her Commission signed whither she should bend her course which way to Feroll and the Groyne that there they might expect the Spanish Nauy and assault it and surprize the Indy Nauy at Azores After mature deliberation this was thought most expedient to be done For so should England rest in security the Nauies of both the Indies being not defended should be easierly surprized the Islands Azores should be surprized where both the rich Nauies from the Iâ—dies in their returne arriue and water themselues The Queen should be made absolute Commandresse of the Sea The Spaniard dispoyled of his Nauy should either bee compelled to a peace vpon any equall tearmes or to his great dammage to renue his warres againe Essex had resolued as at least made shew and sometimes publiquely professed That he would either vanquish this Nauy that so hath threatned England the last yeare or else sacrifice himselfe to the good of his Countrey But they had scarâ—e gone forty leagues from Plimmouth when a fearefull tempest rushes vpon them Northâ—west and a mist takes away sight from them The Ayre with thunder and the water with tumultuous waues reflecting from the sides of the ships with a fearefull Eccho did so rage foure dayes together that the Mariners themselues were affraid the Souldiers trembled and the whole Nauy much diâ—â—ected not without great danger hardly recouered Plimmouth againe and other coasts thereabouts the Admirall it selfe was so battered that it was scarce of any â—se some of 〈◊〉 fresh-water Souldiers were so troubled with an â—nmannerly Stomack that they stole home againe secretly The Naâ—y being againe refresht and repayred although to the diminishing both of the number strength of the former forthwith puts forth againe but found the winds so contrary that for a whole moneth they could not get out of the Hauens And by that time prouisioÌ„ of victuals grew very scarce among them whereof they could haue no supply but out of the East part of England and that in no little time wherefore it seemed good vnto them to discharge all their Souldiers beside one thousand old ones and to dismisse most of their Ships of lesser weight and not to goe to Ferâ—ll or the Groyne And then it fell to be deliberated on whether or no they should make their expedition to the Islands Azores which all agreed vpon that they should but only Vere who said it would neither be for the profit nor the credit of the Queene since that
Indian Caracke comming with full saile which when by reason of shot out of a Hollander she perceiued her enemies were neere about her violently put on shore where hauing vnladen very rich Merchandise and taken fire instead thereof she burnt two dayes Thus enuious fortune in this voyage thwarted the English designes And although chances fall no where more then at Sea yet these errours in them seemed to be willingly committed and the frustrated enterprizes proceeded from the enuious emulation whereby one would striue to steale credit from the other On the ninth of October wherein the Sea was very full of daily tempests Essex hauing giuen notice commanded that they should waigh anchor and turne home all for England But within a day or two after there arose a great tempest out of the North which scattered all the ships vpon the Sea euen the Spanish Nauie with all her prouision against England that lay at Feroll but so that neither the English nor Spanish Nauie euer came in sight of one another Not one of the English Nauie perished in this tempest but many of the Spanish as they reâ—ort one of them tumbled and tossed from place to place by the tempest at last was driuen vpon Dartmouth the Souldiers and Marriners almost starued with hunger These informed vs that the Spaniard had 〈◊〉 to sâ—aze vpon some Port in Cornwall whose scituation might be fittest for receiuing aide from Spaine that thereby they thought to keepe the English from warre as also to hinder their voyages into the East Indies and Spaine it selfe But so did the diuine powers that decide such controuersies of warre part the fierce quarrels betweene both Naâ—ions that for this time both their expectations were very much frustrated At length towards the end of October came Essex home safe to England but his ships very weary and weather-beaten but with a spoile of sufficient value Then concerning this Voyage many men seuerally spent their opinions some out of loue to Essex some out of ill will to Rawleigh and the loue of the Queene whereof both of them were very well experienced by a strange effect encreased the ill will of the people towards the one which indeed a sinister opinion of his impiety much encreased and the loue of them towards the other by reason of his affablenesâ—e and the great conceipt of vertue and valour that was in him Certainly none could finde a want either of valour in danger or of wisedome in consultations in either of them but happy successes to either none could assure himselfe of since they depend vpon the prouidence of the Almighty But certainly the enmity betweene Rawleigh and Essex euery day grew vp higher whilest one cast the misfortunes of the voyage vpon the others negligence Besides Essex was much grieued to see Robert Cecill the last yeare that was made Secretary to the Queene for all his opposition against him now in his absence to be made Chancelloâ—r of the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 to whom hee alwayes opposed himselfe as emulous of his wisdome and too great a fauourite of Rawleigh But he was further grieued to heare Charles Howard Admirall made Earle of Nottingham with this Testimoniall in his letters of Honour THat he secured England from all danger of the Spanish inuasion hauing gotten a braâ—e victory in eighty eight That ioyntly with our deare kinsman Robert Earle of Essex he had valiantly and magnanimously by open violence taken the Island and City of Cadiz that was strongly fortified That he had wholly vanquished and ouerthrowne an entire Nauie of the King of Spaine that stood ready in the said Hauen to assault the Kingdome of England These things Essex who had challenged to himselfe all the glory thereof before now construed them as done in disgrace to him and great preiudice to his valour especially considering that the Admirall who being a Lord was behinde him in honour now by being made an Earle should haue the prerogatiue of superiority ouer him For it was established in the times of K. Henry the eight that the Lord High Chamberlaine of England High Constable the Marshall Admirall and Lord High Steward and Chamberlaine should haue preheminence about â—ll that were but of the same degree But yet the Queene which was alwaies a fauourer and an enlarger of the dignities and honours of Essex to qualifie his distast and so set him before â—im againe made him Earle Marshall of England an office which had â—aine a sleepe euer since the death of the Earle of Shrewesburie This yeare came Paulus Dzialinus Embassadour from Sigismond King of Poland a man of greater aâ—â—â—city then ordinarily the disposition of that Nation attaâ—nes vnto from whom when the Queen expected great acknowledgment of her Fauours and thanksgiuing for the peace wrought by her from Amurath Emperor of the Turks He after he had deliuered his Letters to the Queene sitting in her Chaire of state which the Nobles about her she began to reade them in a very vnseemly vnusuall manner in England descends to the lower part of the Priuy Chamber and there in a lowd tone began in a Latine Oration to complaine that the priuiledges Prutenick and of the Polonians were not onely much enfâ—inged but euen violated contrary to the Law of Nations in that their traffique with the Spaniard was made vnlawfull and prohibited by the Queene and that vnder colour of that that the Polonian goods were forfeited to the Queenes Exchequer Vrging that his Master could not beare with this without complaint in respect of the great damage which he hath sustained as also the affinity of him and the Spaniard and the House of Austria Wherefore that 〈◊〉 required of the Queene that these things that had been â—â—ken away should be restored againe and that he might hâ—â—â— free traffique with the Spaniard Which if she granted not that his Master would take some order to prouide for the safety of his Subjects and his owne estate and it may 〈◊〉 make those repent it that were the occasion of the first 〈◊〉 offered him The Queene somewhat amazed at the bold speech of 〈◊〉 Embassadour in a sober rebuking Rhetoricall answer â—â—ded him these words LOrd how was I deceiued I expected an Embassadour I found an Herold I neuer heard such an Oration all the daies of my life Neither can I sufficiently wonder at so great 〈◊〉 rashuesse If that your King euer willed you to these speechâ—s which I much doubt of I doe therefore thinâ— he did it because being a young man and not chosâ—â— according to the vsuall succession of bloud but by election he doth not vnderstand the affaires of Traffique or those businesses that haue been passed through by Vs and his Prâ—decessours For your part you seeme to Vs to be well read in many bookâ—â— but yet to be very shallow in Policy or matters belonging thereto For for asmuch as you haue so often vsed the Law of Nations in
no tempest more raging then the indignation of an impotent Prince That the heart of the Queene is hardened Cannot Princes erre Can they not iniure their Subiects I doe know my dutie as a Subiect and I know my dutie as Lord Marshall of England Out of these sentences they argued as if he had thought the Queene very weake or voide of reason that hee had compared her to Pharao's heart that was hardened that she now cared neither for truth or iustice and as though hee besides his allegiance owed neither loyalty or thankfulâ—es vnto the Queene also they obiected some petty matters vnto him by reason of a Booke concerning the deposing of Richard the second which was dedicated to him The Earle kneeling vpon one knee at the boords end gaue great thankes to God for all his mercies bestowed vpon him and to his most mercifull Queene that cited him not to the Star-Chamber but would haue that cup passe by him as he himselfe said within these priuate wals Therefore professing that he would in no case contest with hâ—r or altogether excuse the errors of his weaknesse or his vnconsiderate youth protesting withal that he was alwaies a Subiect very loyal that he not so much as thought that that might enfringe his loyalty also that in all things he meant well although perchance it fell out otherwise and that now he had taken leaâ—e of the world Then shedding many teares he forced most of the standers by to accompany him in that dolefull collachrymation yet he could not containe himselfe but hee must needs excuse his errour in making Southampton Master of the Horse which he did he said being erroneously perswaded that the Queene would admit of those reasons he could giue her for it but that when he saw she would not admit of them he casheared him from that authority The reason he said that he knighted so many was to retaine with him more Voluntaries of the Nobler sort That the war in Mounster was vndertaken by the vndiscreet opinion of the Irish Councell but that the chiefe of them now Oâ—mond was strucken with blindnesse and Warham of S. Leager with a cruell death As he was going forwards the Keeper interrupted him admonishing him that as he had begun hee should betake himselfe to the Queenes mercy who indeed desired not to finde him guilty of treason but onely of Disobedience and contempt and that he should not carry a shew of obedience before him but shew his obedience indeed That by extenuating and lessening his offence he would seeme the more to extenuate the Queenes mercy That it sounded very harshly for him to shadow his disobedience vnder a desire and will of obedience It were needlesse to repeat what euery man said when as they said little or nothing but what had beene before said in the Starre-Chamber Wherefore at length the Lord Keeper pronounceth this sentence That he must be degraded of his office of one of the Councellours and suspended from his office of Earle Marshall and Master of the Ordnance and remaine in custody during the Queenes pleasure These things euery one approued with his consent and many notwithstanding conceiued great hope of his recouery and restoring to the Queenes fauour in that the Queene expresly commanded that be should not be suspended from being Master of the Horse as if she had intended to haue vsed him againe and withall in that she would not haue this censure past vpon him registred These hopes many that obserued the consequent euents and dispositions both of the Queene the Earle and his enemies probably encreased the same by this meanes That the Queene was borne to clemency and quietnesse That in her wisedome she knew that mercy was the pillar of her Kingdome That she both would and could shew mercy yet with discretion That she would not driue so great a man into despaire That she would not that any one should perish that was any commodity to the Common-wealth That she had squared all her actions hitherto to the rule of iustice That she intended not the ouerthrow but the amendment of the Earle That such a word of a Prince was an Oracle and as in God nothing is that admitteth a contradiction so neither in Princes Besides that she like Mithridates hated the malicious that raged against vertue forsaken by good fortune That whom she loued once she loued to the end That many hauing more heinously offended haue recouered or yet not quite fell from her fauour as Sussex concerning the Irish treason Norfolke not obseruing his Commission in the siege of Lethe Bacon hauing written a Booke of the succession of the Kingdome Henry Arundel Henry the Father of Southampton and Lumley for secret conspiracies with the Q. of Scotland And Croft for priuate conference witâ— the Prince of Parma Walsingham for surprizing the K. of Scotland by Gowry vnknowne to her or her Councell And Leicester concerning the affaires in the Low Countries These all were accused and yet recouered again her fauor But indeed for the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland that they were iustly executed for conspiring the destruction of this Kingdome with forreine Nations As also Norfolke who sinned against his oath of allegiance afterwards againe by going about a marriage with the Queene of Scots and by concealing those things which he knew she dealt about with other Nations and by ayding the Scots that were proclaimed publique enemies to England Also that the Queene of Scots indeed died for all she seemed safe by the priuiledge and prerogatiue of her iniunction in that she tooke such sinister courses for the working of her liberty that she endangered the safety of the Kingdome and when no better physicke could be giuen the common-wealth to maintaine its life then her death But then they considered that no such matter was obiected to the Earle who onely hauing sinned out of ignorance was free from treason both by the sentence of the Queene her selfe and her Councell The Queene all this while to call him backe from despaire not preferring any of his noted enemies in the time of his oppression although they much affected higher dignities Then they argued from the noblenes of the Earle for a far off he was of the bloud Royall his vertues and the choice of the Queene of him from amongst many into her fauour that he suffered euen a box on the eare at her bands that he deserued exceedingly well of his Country at home and abroad that there was not any one better instructed in the arts of a Commander or to mannage a warre or frustrate the violence of an approaching enemy that there was not one more beloued of the people that could appease any tumult if it were once raised and that could discreetly gouerne the affaires of the Realme and that he was one that was most worthy of the Queenes loue and fauour that the seuerity of the Queene if she should exercise it against one so well deseruing
the Daughter of Henry Earle of Worcester his Grandmother the Daughter of the Lord Mordant and his great Grandmother of the Family of the Courtneyes The other descended from the Blunts of Kidderminster who came from the same Family that the Lords Montioy doâ— Dauis requested that although he were no Nobleman yet to suffer as they did if not not to be quartered into pieces but to be buried Christianly On the thirtieth day of March Mericke and Cuffe were drawne to Tibourne Cuffe to be short at the Gallowes spake much to this purpose I Am brought hither to pay for my due to nature my sinnes against God my Country and my Prince I doe absolutely beleeue that as I see the infinite iustice of God in beholding the multitude of my infinite sinnes so I shall finde the infinite mercie of God by reason of this greatnesse of my inflicted punishment Here are we the example and patterne of mans estate The death which we are to vnder go is indeed terrible and which is worse it is ignominious But yet it is common to the best of Gods Saints with whom I haue great hope and certainty of rising againe in Christ. Yet let not any man think I put confidence in my own merits away with them I disclaime them I put my whole trust assurance in my Sauiour Christ. And I am absolutely perswaded that whosoeuer is punished in this life in the very same instant feeles great comfort from Heauen within him and that God punisheth him not as a Iudge but as a Father But to come to the occasion of my execution There is scarce any man but knowes how great a tuâ—ult was raised the eight of February vnder the vnconsiderate Earle of Essex yet here I call God the Angels and my owne conscience to witnesse that I was not guilty of it but that all that day I shut my selfe vp mourning and lamenting Now as concerning the Plot or their Machination that was two-fold And here being interrupted and aduized not to mocke the trueth with distinctions or few Figge-leaues ouer his fault I Confesse saith he that it is a great offence nay that it is treason if so be that a Subiect cast out of fauour should make open his way to the Queene by force of armes but I neuer encited a man to take armes against the Queene But for the danger I brought that noble Lord Neuil in I am heartily sorrie and I entreat him earnestly to forgiue me As for that which I said that of foure and twenty of the Aldermen of London one and twenty of them were for Essex that I meant of their good will and affection towards him and not as if they would take armes against their Queene for him Here againe being stopped and interrupted he falls to prayer vehemently and professing faith in God and loyalty towards hiâ— Prince and desiring pardon of both he died Sir Gill. Mericke accompanied him in the same kindd of death but with a great vndaunted courage and as weary of his life he once or twice bid Cuffe let passe his vnseasonable wisedome and make an end Yet before he died he excused Deputy Montioy as ignorant of the matter altogether and intreated the Nobles that were by to beg of the Queene not to proceed iudicially or rigorously with many simple people that ouâ— of ignorance came into the company and number of the Conspiratours Two daies after Sir Christopher Blunt and Sir Charles Danuers were beheaded vpon Tower hill Danuers offered ten thousand pounds to redeeme his life and to liue in perpetuall imprisonment which being refused with a very quiet countenance and minde asking God and the Prince pardon and the L. Grey to whom he had been a great enemy not out of hate to him but loue to Southampton he ended his life Blunt hauing ascended vp the Scaffold speakes to the people much after this manner ALthough the time require that setting all other matters aside I should now fall a crying for mercy at Gods hands for my sinnes yet by reason that I haue beene traduced as an instigator of the Earle of Essex to all this villanie as I desire the saluation of my soule I will speake the truth Some three yeares agoe and more I beheld the minde of the Earle somewhat proane to ambitious desires But lately in Ireland whilest I lay wounded at Rheban Castle and since at Dublin the Earle then told me that he had resolued to send ouer some choice bands to seize vpon Milford Hauen in Wales and to march so vp to London with greater forces I then well considering of the matter throughly disswaded him from it as a thing that was very dangerous and that would cost England great store of bloud Therefore to deale truely I perswaded him rather with some choyce company to seize vpon the Court and get himselfe there faire and reasonable conditions And yet truely we neuer thought of doing any iniurie or wrong to the Queene although I must confesse I know not whether or no if fortune had fauoured our enterprize the businesse would haue beene finished with the death of the Queene Then after the Earle was his owne man and at liberty againe he began to consult with me againe about these matters but wee neuer agreed vpon any thing determinately Afterwards he sent for me out of the Countrie not long before this Rebellion The rest I haue confessed before the Honourable the Admirall and the worshipfull the Secretary to whom to remember my seruice and salute them from me I entreat you Sir Walter Rawleigh of whom I also aske pardon Then lifting vp his eyes to heauen hee cries God preserue the Queenes Maiestie And Lord according to thy infinite mercy pardon the sins of my heart and my lewd life And beare you witnesse all that I die a Catholike but so that I put all my confidence and trust in Christs merits alone and so good people pray for me Then he bids the Lord Grey and Compton farewell and hauing prayed a little softly he giues his necke to the blocke and his life to the executioner And so by the mature execution of the Earle of Essex Cuffe Mericke Danuers and Blunt the rebellion being well laid peace was restored to the Common-wealth The mindes of the rest being well appeased too the richer hauing summes for muscts laid vpon them which very few payed and the rest freely pardoned Southampton being committed to the Tower and with him Thomas Smith Sheriffe of London but hee either out of the Queenes mercy or his owne innocency being indeed calumniously informed of rather then iustly accused within a short time he was restored againe to liberty On the eight day of Iuly Sir Henry Neuill was arraigned at Yorke house before the Priuy Councell and some of the Iudges and was accused for hauing been present at the meeting in Drury house and for not hauing reuealed their plots also for reuealing to Essex the secrets of his
disloyalty and treason that to encrease this great discontent in the Queene they would put in her head how that her authority grew weaker and weaker amongst the people when as onely the people alwaies enuying the command and authority of some great ones onely complained against the irregular power and might of some if not aboue yet growne as great as the Princesse her selfe Afterwards when the rumour began to be common that her sicknesse encreased and that she as alwayes heretofore she had done refused all Physicke It is impossible to belieue with what nimble hast the more zealous and Papisticall sorts and all ambitious kinde of men and flatterers euery man in conceit to perfect his own hopes posted night and day to Scotland both by Sea and Land to worship the rising King and to curry grace and fauour whose succession indeed the Queene although in policy she forbore in publique to speake of it yet in her heart she alwaies fauoured euen as all men of all sorts who had cast their affections and eyes vpon him the apparant Heire of the Crowne for all that false rumour of the marriage of the Lady Arabella the Daughter of his Vncle for all the French Ambassadour thought to hinder the vniting of both Kingdomes into one Dominion in one King About the beginning of March a kinde of numnesse and frowardnesse vsuall to olde age began continually to possesse her insomuch that she would sit and say nothing eate no meat and wholly giue her selfe to meditation being very impatient if any spake to her but the Archbishop of Canterbury with whom she vsed very often and very deuoutly to pray till such time as her speech failed her and after that she willingly heard him and within her heart prayed when she could not speake At which time the Lord Admirall telling the rest of the Councell what the Queene departing from Westminster spake by the way concerning her Successour it seemed good to them that he the Lord Keeper and the Secretary should goe to her and recall it to her minde againe signifying that the intent of their comming was to vnderstand her pleasure for her Successour The Queene almost out of winde made answere I haue said MY Throne is the Throne of Kings no ordinary man shall succeed me The Secretary asking what she meant by those words I Will said she that a King succeed me and what King but my neerest Kinsman the King of Scots Then being admonished by the Archbishop to haue her thoughts onely vpon God I Doe said she neither goeth my minde astray from him And when she could not vse her tongue as an Instrument of prayer with her hands and eyes she directed to God the deuotion of her heart praying euen in this that she seemed to grieue because she could not pray Shortly after vpon the 24. of March being the Eue of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary being the very same day whereon she was borne being called out of the prison of her flesh into her heauenly Country she quietly departed this life in that good manner of death as Augustus wished for himselfe being now in the fiue and fortieth yeare of her Raigne and of her age the seuentieth an age and a Raigne to which not any one King of England before her euer reached vnto The sad desire of her which her death bequeathed to all England was amply paralell'd with the hopes conceiued of the vertues of her famous Successor who within few houres after her death was with the acclamations and ioyfull shoutes of the people proclaimed King But yet let no obliuion euer rot the perpetuity of her fame and glory but let her liue in the very hearts of all true Englishmen and flourish in the happy memory of posterity Being that she was a Queene who hath so long and with so great wisedome gouerned her Kingdomes as to vse the words of her Successour who in sincerity confessed so much the like hath not beene read or heard of either in our time or since the daies of the Romane Emperour Augustus FINIS AN ALPHABETICALL INDEX OF THE CHIEFEST MEN OR MATTERS THAT ARE COMPREHENDED WITHIN THIS HISTORY A AGar Castle in Ireland taken by the Lord Deputy Page 376 Ainoth in Ireland fortified with a Garrison by Sir Henry Docwray 349 Aâ—len the Cardinall his acquaintance obiected to the Earle of Arundell 4. His mischieuous plots against the Kingdome 5. His Booke of admonitions 8. He had a hand in setting out the Booke of Titles fathered vpon Dolman 101. His death 113. He had the bringing vp of Sir Christopher Blunt afterwards beheaded in the cause of the Earle of Essex 318 Alane Fergant Earle of Britaine from whom the right of the Infanta to England should descend 101 Albert Cardinall of Austria married to Isabell the Daughter of Philip King of Spaine 225. He proposeth a peace betweene England and Spaine 269. His consecrated Sword ibid. He posteth to Newport 279. His proceeding there and ouerthrow 280. He besiegeth Ostend 339. He is deluded by Generall Vere about a truce 341 S. Alberts Fort yeelded vp to Count Maurice of Nassaw 278 Alenzon and his German Horsemen vanquished by the Duke of Guise 19 Alanzon recouered againe by the English for the King of France 24 Conde de Altemira intends to succour the Groine 13. But is preuented by Generall Norris ibid. America the expedition of Hawkins thither 110. Another of Captaine Hawkins and Sir Francis Drake 130. Sundry Townes taken there and fired 132 Anderson Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas angry at the arguing of the Recorder and Cuffe at his arraignment 331 Andrada assembles Forces at Puerte de Burgos 13 Andrew of Austria the Sonne of Ferdinand deales for a peace betweene England and Spaine 251 Anjou dies without issue 18. Leaues his Brother King ibid. The Earle of Anguish subscribes to Blankes to be sent to the King of Spaine 67. He is prosecuted by the King of Scots 80 Les Anglois a by-word vsed by the French to mocke the English with 36 The Prince of Anhault Generall of the German Forces 30 Anne the Daughter of Fredericke the second King of Denmarke betrothed to Iames King of Scotland 25 Antonio of Portugall his voyage thither with the English 11. The acclamations of the poore Portugesses at his entrance of the Suburbes of Lisbon 14. The richer sort will not reuolt to him 15. which makes the English depart for all his earnest entreaties 16 D'Aquila arriues with the Spanish Forces at Blawet 35. He was to succour Crodon the very same day it was taken 109 He arriueth with the Spanish Nauy at Kinsale Hauen in Ireland 352. He publisheth the reason of his comming thither 353. He is beset ibid He desires a parley 357. He is glad to depart Ireland againe vpon some conditions 358 Archer a Iesuite an Agent for the Rebels in Ireland 350 Arques battell where the King discomfited the Leaguers 23 Earle of Arroll an Agent in a mutiny in Scotland
from any honour and inheritance that might fall to him by his Vnckle Yet for all this although in the daies of Queene Mary he was besides condemned of treason he was by the Queene restored to his honour againe as if so be he had neuer been condemned But when as this Lord by the reason of the sentence of the Parliament could not enioy his Grandfathers honour by the especiall fauour of the Queene he was a new created Lord Da-la-ware and as long as he liued he enioyed his place according to the time of his creating The Queene referred this matter to the Parliament-house who hauing found that the former sentence against the former Lord was onely personall and not touching his progeny and that his banishment in the time of Queene Mary nothing hindered him from losing that honour which he had not and that he was restored againe shortly after as also that his ancient honour is not extinguished by reason of a new creation but onely as it were lay asleepe as long as he liued when it was not in him in the time of his being created they allotted him the place of his Ancestors betweene the Lord Willoughby and Barcley where he was iustly placed Also Thomas Howard the second sonne of the Duke of Norfolke who but lately before was made knight of the Garter was called to this Parliament by the title of Lord Howard of Walden and he being at that time sicke the Lord Scroope was brought into the vpper House betweene two Lords bearing his Roll in his Parliament Robes the King of Armes going before him That when the Lord Keeper had read publikely he was seated below all the rest of the Lords although that elsewhere the younger sonnes of Dukes take place of Viscounts Since as appeares in an act of the Parliament Records in the sixt yeare of Henry the eight when Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey being called to the Parliament challenged to himselfe the place of going or sitting before the Earles because he was the eldest sonne of a Duke It was decreed by the Parliament that he should sit in Parliament according to the order of his creation notwithstanding that his prerogatiue of honor and worth which is due to him as the eldest son of a Duke should be reserued to him without the Parliament house This yeare died William Brookes Lord Cobham of the Order of St. George Chamberlaine to the Queene and Constable of Douer Castle Gouernour of the Cinque Ports and Chancellour Henry his sonne begot of Frances Newton succeeded him Also there died William Powlet Marquesse of Winchester the third more famous for his great wealth then for any thing else hauing left his sonne William which hee had of Anne Howard of Effingham In Ireland when as the affaires there were very turbulent and dangerous for all Vâ—ster beyond Dundalke besides the Garrison Castles Newrie Knockfergus Carlingford Greene-Castle Armach Dâ—ndrâ—m and Oldorfleet and almost all Conaugh had reuolted from the Queene the Lord Deputy Russell was recalled againe and the Lord Burrough made Deputy instead of him a man indeed of a sharpe wit and great courage but scarce insighted into the very elements of warre wherefore his election was beyond all mens opinion or expectation and more Norrises who by his deserâ—s and worthy skill had assured himselfe thereof But when as hee perceiued that his enemies at Court much preuailed and his friends as fast failed when he saw one now whom in birth he thought himselfe almost equall to and in honour and glory by reason of his exployts much superiour preferred before him and himselfe which was worst to be commanded vnder his authority to continue in the Lieutenant-ship of Mounster 〈◊〉 what with griefe thereof and discontent that Tir-â—â—n by his dissembling had mock't him out of the iudgment he was thought to haue had he shortly after died A man he was certainly of great worth and to be celebrated amongst the famous Captaines of our Nation in his time He was the second sonne of Henry Lord Norris borne of the Daughter and the other heire of the Lord Williams of Tame He first practised himselfe in warre vnder the Admirall Coline in the French ciuill warres afterwards being but a young man he was a Captaine in Ireland vnder Walter Earle of Essex He was Colonell generall of the English vnder the States of the Low Countries Marshall of the Army of the States vnder the Earle Hâ—hâ—nlâ— He was President of Mounster twelue yeares although absent most part thereof Generall of the auxiliary English in Britaine in France And to conclude he was a man of great worth if himselfe had not knowne it and he was well rewarded for his worth if his conceit had been so humble as not to haue aspired aboue if not his merits yet his birth Tir-Oâ—n now being warie enough to prouide for the security of his owne state sends his Letters to the new Deputy and very humbly desires a truce or a cessation from Armes or any kinde of hostility and it seemed indeed at that time somewhat to concerne the good of the Kingdome to grant this truce although the Deputy himselfe iudged it very hurtfull to the State Wherefore it was graunted for a moneth When the moneth was expired he assembles all his forces to the credit of his new authority and sets out in battaâ—le against the Rebels and being brought if not into danger yet either to the conceit or feare of danger and some streights hee opens himselfe a safety by valour and valiantly winnes by assault Blacke water the onely Fort of the Rebels besides the woods and bogs whereby is the entrance into the County of Tir-Oen and gaue the Rebels to vnderstand how easily they might be vanquished if hee would but insist vnpon them a little And now on the very same day wherein the Deputy and all his Army were giuing thankes vnto God for their late victory there was a sodaine alarme and all called to their armes by reason the enemy shewed himselfe from a Neighbour hill Henry Earle of Kildare with a wing of horse and some of the Nobler sort voluntaries issued forth against them and put them to flight Of the English there was wanting Francis Vaughan brother in law to the Deputy â— Turner Serjeant maior whose deaths the Earle of Kildare tooke so sorrowfully that within few dayes after he died for griefe thereof Tir-Oen now thought his fortune and credit quite vndone vnlesse he recouered againe the Fort at Black-water wherefore hee strongly besieged it The Deputy forthwith hasteneth thither as fast as he could being resolued surely to passe further into Vlster But in his full path way to great victories death arrested him leauing the great desire of him to the good and to the â—ad longer security Had â—e but liued in the iudgement of the wisest he had soone weakned the hopes of the enemy and the matters had neuer come to that danger
as they did The Rebels hearing of the Deputies death assault the Fort with great clamours and as great violence and were droue backe with as great slaughter They that scaled vp by Ladders were cast downe headlong and at length they distrusting their owne abilities betake themselues to a consultation relying vpon a perswasion that they were furnished of prouision but for few dayes But for all that the Fort was strongly maintained by the valour of Thomas Williams the Gouernour and the rest that lay in Garrison who hauing suffered hunger the sword and all extremities hauing eate vp their horses â—ed vpon the hearbes that grew vpon the trenches and endured no small misery to enioy their liberty And now by this time by the Queenes authority from England was the Army in Ireland committed to the Earle of Ormond with the title also of Lieutenant Generall of the Army The disposing and gouerning of all ciuill matters was committed to Adam Lâ—fthose Archbishop of Dublin Chancellour and Robert Gardiner with the titles of Iustices of Ireland which office Thomas Norrris had exercised a moneth before Tir-Oen presently sends his long tedious Letters to the new Lieutenant wherein he exaggerates and aggrauates all his grieuances both old and new not omitting the least that might be strercht to the name of an iniurie Hee poorely excuseth his couenant breaking with Norris But especially much complaineth that Feogh Mac-Hugh was euen hunted to death that his Letters to the Queene were intercepted and suppressed that Impositions and Compositions vntolerable were layd vpon the Nobilitie and the Commons Hee added besides that he foresaw well enough that the territories of all the Peeres of Ireland should bed diuided amongst the English Councellours the Lawyers the Scribes and the Souldiers And at the very same time wherein hee assisted with helpe the Sonnes of Feogh Mac-Hugh to a new rebellion in Leinster hee exhibited to the Lieutenant a most submissiue writing humbly craues to be taken into fauour not sticking to promise any thing whatsoeuer although it was easily perceiued and knowne to all men that these rebellions were for no other end whatsoeuer else was pretended then to dislodge the English out of Ireland THE ONE AND Fortieth Yeere OF HER REIGNE Anno Domini 1598. IN the middest of all these Irish troubles there came as great almost out of France too For the French King although hee had lately recouered Ambiane yet being wearied with warre and the daily requests of his Subiects and the intercession of the Bishop of Rome the last yeare almost spent sent ouer Masie to the Queene signifying vnto her that hee had had some conference with the Spanish Factors concerning a peace but yet that he had determined not to prosecute the matter further till such time that he had both her consent and the States of the Low Countries since that he had made a League with them both for offence and defence Wherefore he requested that some might be sent ouer out of England and the Low Countries that might consult about this matter and heare what reasonable conditions were proposed The Queene to satisfie the French Kings desire sent ouer into France Robert Cecill Secretary to the Queene Iohn Herbert Master of Requests and Thomas Wilkes who died presently after his arriuall at France The States sent out to them Iustine Nassaw and Iohn Olden-Barneuelt and also to the Queene some others to dehort her from this Peace The English were informed by instructions before hand to know vpon what ground the mentioned peace relied and how farre it had gone on and whither or no it was propounded bona fide and not deceitfully and cunningly as in the Treaty at Borburgh also to know what good security shall be giuen to the States if they should condiscend to the Treaty and also to propose the restoring of Calis to the English for the monies due to the Queene were of greater value by much then so smal a Town could counteruaile Which the Queene the willinglier mentioned because the French King had intimated that this Treaty should be for some order taking about the Treaty of Cambray Castle in restoring euery man his owne but with this prouiso or clause added to them also that they should consent to nothing without the Hollanders confent also The King of France now was in iourny towards Britain to recouer his Prouince there for the Duke of Mercâ—eur and the Spaniards agreed not well by reason he denied to surrender into their hands Nannetu After long trauaile Cecill at last ouertooke them at Andes to whom the King hauing with a thankefull minde acknowledged the Queenes loue and good-will spake to him to this effect THat although the Queene had vndertaken and waged warre against the Spaniard and had had fortunate successe in the same yet for his owne part although he was borne a Souldier yet being a King and hauing people vnder him hee held it no point of Religion to expose his faithfull Subiects to the rage of warre but rather a great sinne and offence out of an irreligious ambition to refuss Peace c. Cecill made answer that the Queene was not so much against peace as he might imagine who now hauing sufficiently reuenged her selfe vpon her enemy desires nothing but quietly to maintaine the safety of her people and her own honour And then after that he required to be informed what condition of peace the Spaniard had proposed and what order should be taken with the state of the Low Countries if they should not accept of it The King in answering acknowledged that indeed the Queene had endammaged the Spaniard much but the Spaniard had as much him that yet now the Spaniard earnestly desired a peace and that thereupon he would also restore all places in France that he had taken euen Call is againe Also assuring him that shortly he would bring the Spaniard to agreement both with the Queene and the States solemnly and publikely protesting that it could not be if he should refuse this peace but France should wrap it self againe in the fire of ciuill warre by reason that he found the hearts of his people so prone to a rebellion Whilest these things are in hand he being carefull of the maine chance secretly agreed vpon some things concerning the peace with the Spaniard dealing with Albert the Arch-Duke till such time that some authority were delegated from Spaine to the finishing and perfecting of the peace This when the Queene certainly vnderstood she began somewhat to expostulate with the French King about it but he excused himselfe by reason of the delay the Queene vsed in sending ouer and by reason of the vrgency of his necessity and the offered opportunity which he could not neglect and so as it were hauing somewhat else to doe hee referred the matter wholly to his Counsell And first of all Barneuelt layes open before them in an Oration the affaires and estates of the Low