the 31 of August 1422. and crowned King of England at Westminster the 6. of Nouember 1429. and of Fraunce the 7 of December 1432. he reigned 38 yeres 6 monthes he died by violence May 21. aged 52. AnoÌ„ 1471. first buried at Chertsey Abbey thence remoued to Windsore wher he was solemhley interd R E. 〈◊〉 Mars begets Clineas Henry a Son That has lost more then all his Father won For he lost Normandy and France put to 't England and Ireland and his Life to boot Twice crown'd and twice depos'd at last he took Deaths fatall Errand from Yorks desperate Duke He was a Prince do Rebels what ye will Like Archimedes drawing Figures still Who not unlike some Gamesters I have seen Winning and losing still the same has been He was not Politick in the Worlds controle But he is wise enough that saves his Soul EDVVARD the Fourth King of England EDward Duke of York having overthrown the King and Queen and having overthrown and executed many of his greatest enemies at Towton field returned triumphantly to the City of London and was proclaimed King of this Realme the 4 of March 1461. and was crowned the 19. day of Iune then next following In the beginning of his Reigne he removed from all Offices all such as oppressed the people and to strengthen his part with powerfull and faithfull friends he creates his two brothers George Duke of Clarence and Richard Duke of Gloucester and Sr. Iohn Nevell brother to the Earl of Warwick he created Lord Montacute and Henry Bourchier who had married the Lady Elizabeth Aunt unto the King and was brother unto Thomas Bourchier Arch-bishop of Canterbury was created Earl of Essex and William Lord Fawcâ—nbridge was made Earl of Kent The Duke of Sommerset and Sr. Ralph Percy with divers others the Kings professed enemies finding no further hope for the house of Lancaster came voluntarily in and submitted to the King and were received to pardon and favour but hearing that the Queen by the assistance of the Scots had raised an Army they slank away and revolted to her and afterwards taken at the battel of Exham were executed The Lord Montacute to whose valour the fortune of that day was ascribed is created Marquess Montacute to whom and others Edward gave great gifts After this Henry is taken in a disguise and sent to the Tower Then Warwick is sent to the Duke of Savoy and prevails for a Match between Edward and Bona the Dukes daughter but Edward in the mean time marries Elizabeth the widow of Sr. Iohn Grey at which Warwick vexed calls to his part his two Brothers and Clarence the Kings Brother and the King at Banbury The King notwithstanding these evill tidings marched confidently against Warwick and his northern Rebels but to prevent mischief many of the Nobillity endeavoured to conclude a peace so that Letters and Heraulds of Armes passed from one Army to the other for both were glad of peace by means of this Parlee King Edward became more carelesse of himself then was fitting whereof when the Earl of Warwick was informed he with some other well appointed rushed into the Kings Army slew his watches and surprised the King in his bed and secretly sent him to Midleham Castle in York-shire there to be safely kept by the Arch-bishop of York his brother who either repenting him of what he had done against the King or being won by large promises of great favour and good rewards suffered him with his Guarders to hunt and hawk by means whereof he made his escape and got to London where between the King and the Rebels another Parlee was had in Westminster Hall in which nothing was done but objections of good deserts and unthankfull requitals were proudly and insultingly urged by the Earl of Warwick in conclusion they departed each from other in great fury the King went to Canterbury and the confederated Lords to Lincolne Armies are raised on both sides they fight and the King wins the field The Lords Clarence and Warwick fly to the King of France who honourably entertains them and aids them with all necessaries for the levying of another Army with which they fight and drive King Edward out of the Kingdome who by the help of the Duke of Burgoyne returns with a small Army into the City of York where he is received upon solemn Oath that he claimed nothing but the Dukedome of York and that he would work no Treason against King Henry now again re-established in his Throne but he presently forfeits his faith and raising another great Army beats Warwick recovers the Crown and re-imprisons King Henry who soon after was murdered by the bloody hands of Richard Duke of Gloucester The King having through much trouble obtained peace betakes himself to dalliance with Iane Shore in the mean while his brother Duke of Clarence is drowned in a Butt of Malmsey The Scots threaten Warre and Richard Duke of Gloucester is sent against them a Peace was procured and King Edward dyed having reigned two and twenty years and is buried at Windsor He was doubtlesse a brave Prince however the clearest day is not without some clouds his perjury at York when he swore to the Citizens he would claim nothing but that Dukedome which was his right by inheritance and that he would in no sort interrupt King Henry's peace all which he falsified which afterward his innocent Sonnes sadly suffered for His lustfull Embraces with Shores wife got him the envy of his owne who was a chast and vertuous Lady in whom he got a good Wife though many enemies and though unfortunate in her Sons yet in her Daughter is composed all the fewd of York and Lancaster The right noble Prince EDWARD the 4th King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland He raigned 22. yeares and 5 weekes Died at the age of 52 yeares buried at Windsor 1483. R. Elstracke sculpsit Now sixty years out York obtains the Crowne And Lancaster with all his friends puts down Betwixt which Houses while the difference stood Fell more then fourscore of the Noble Bloud For which but think how many thousands bled And you will Iudge the Roses both were Red. Warwick advances Edward to the Crown And in distast againe he pulls him down But Edward to the Duke of Burgoine flyes And with his aid and his own perjuries Reerowns himself for Kingdomes men will dare A thousand Oaths and count them solemne Aire EDVVARD the Fifth King of England EDward the Fourth being dead his Eldest Son Edward succeeded him but he in his Reign was under Governors Anthony Lord Rivers Thomas Wagham Chamberlain and Richard Grey Knights who being sent for by the Queens Letters came in hast to London with the Prince Then also Richard Duke of Gloucester being at York and hearing of the Kings Death came to London with a small Army and being mindfull to usurp the Kingdome he overtook the young King Edward on his way to London and takes him into his own charge
severe Laws and abolishes hard Customes He grants the Nobility free leave to hunt and to enclose Parks for Deer and free Warrens for their Conyes and such like Game and as Traytors to his vertues state and Kingly government he banished from his Court all Flatterers and all nicenesse in behaviour Luxuriousness and gorgeousness in apparel and superfluity in dyet He ordained punishments by death for such as rob by the high way and with wonderfull travel and industry he reformed the monstrous pride avarice and secure sloth and negligence of the Clergy He recalled from banishment Anselm the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury giving him full power to assemble Synods and Convocations at his pleasure for the rectifying of such things that were amisse in the Church He piously and freely bestowed on godly sober grave Divines all such livings and Ecclesiasticall promotions as his Brother unjustly detained by the lewd advice of Reynulph Bishop of Durham whom he sent prisoner to the Tower of London from whence not long after the said wicked Bishop escaped and fled into Normandy to Duke Robert whom he eagerly perswaded to claim his Crown with his Sword who thereupon levies a great Army which he intended with all expedition to transport into this Realme but as King Henry by his former clemencies had rooted himself in the peoples love so to assure himself the better of the Scots he takes Maud the Sister of King Edgar to be his Wife who was daughter to Malcom by his Wife Margaret who was Sister to Edgar Adeling who dyed without issue and Daughter to King Edward the Son of Edmund Ironside the victorious and valiant King of the Saxons Robert was now arrived in England with a puissant Army and the day for Battel appointed and the Heraulds were sent up and down but at last as a thick lowring cloud is somtimes dispersed by a fair shining Sun so by the discreet mediation of worthy friends there was a friendly peace concluded between the two brothers on the same terms agreed on in King Rufus days whereupon the Norman Lords were much discontented and returned home with the Duke This danger dispelled Beliamy Earl of Shrewsbury with the Earl of Mortain and Cornwall rebell but are soon subdued But now Henry who was hitherto on the defensive part takes up Armes of his own accord against his Brother whether out of some distast for some scoffe his Brother gave him or which is more like stirred up with ambition and avarice to inlarge his Dominions and joyning with the Norman male-contented Nobles with little adoe chased the forsaken Duke from place to place and won from him the Cities of Roan Cane Valoyes indeed all Normandy presently in great honour and triumph he returns for England Robert having thus made tryall of his brothers severity he resolvs now to make tryall of his lenity whereupon he follows after his Brother into England and very submissively deprecates his error and begs his pardon But Henry either offended with the now fresh injury of his brother Or affecting the Dukedome of Normandy departs unkindly from the perplexed and distressed Duke his Brother Coily refusing to accept of his submission which in all humility by him was prosfered But Robert being impatient of that scorn his distress had begot him returns in all speed into Normandy and once more levies an Army resolving rather to dye manfully fighting in the Field then to follow the funeralls of his own Honour but his brother was prevalent and prevents him with a greater force suppressing the mischief in the Birth but not without bloud bringing his Brother Captive into England where for that he at Natures enticement practised his escape at his brothers Commandement both his eyes were pluckt out after which he lived as a miserable and wretched Captive the space of more then twenty years at length he dyed and was buryed at Gloucester This success made Henry magnificent but envied whence arose a foraigne War which by power and pollicy he quieted granting to William the Dukedome of Normandy upon condition of Homage But Charls Earl of Flanders being wickedly slain at Brussels leaving no other Heir William the Son of Robert who was the next right Heir to it for that he was of the Bloud of Maud Daughter to Baldwin and Wife to William the Conquerour was elevated to this Dignity who growing insolent with this prosperity endeavours to recover Normandy his Patrimony by his Grandfather which he brought to passe with no great difficulty by the assistance of the French King but receiving a slight wound in his hand and suffering it to rankle he lost his life and his Patrimony Next the Welch Rebell but the end of that War was a prey of Oxen and Sheep taken by Henry He seldome taxed the Land or never but once for a portion for his Daughter Maud. He was the first that called a Parliament In the Year 1020 William his Son with his Wife the Duke of Anjou's Daughter his Sister Maud the Lady Lucy a Neece of the Kings the Earl of Chester with divers ' other Noblemen and Ladies and others to the number 160 crossing the Seas from France to England were all most miserably drowned not any one saved but a poor Butcher who like Iob's servant was spared to bring the sad News the King having no children left but his Daughter Maud the Empress who after the Emperors death marryed Ieffery Plantaginet With these and other griefs the King languished at last eating Lampreys he surfeited and dyed and was buryed in Reading Abby after he had reigned 35 years In this King ended all the issues Male of the Conquerour and the Crowne of this Realme devolved on his generall Heirs HENRY the first surnamed Beau-clark King of England and Duke of Normandie He raigned 35 yeares and 4 monthes died the 2 of December 1185. at the age of 67 yeares and lieth buried at Reading 1135. R E. sculpsit Robert's abroad still roving for renowne And now a second time forfeits his Crowne Which Henry his Brother means to weare At the old rate three thousand Marks a year Whose Eyes he now puts out incontinent Lest he should see his bargain and repent He that allows his Brother none now dyes Surfeiting of a Fish abounds with Eyes Crowns no Relation know they oft have stood Close cemented to Caesar's Head with bloud Thus to the Crown the third Descent does fail The Conquerour and all his Issue Male. STEPHEN King of England MOnday December the 26 1135. being St. Stephen's Day Stephen Earl of Mortaign and Bulloyne Son of Stephen Earl of Bloys and Champaine and of Adela Daughter to William the Conquerour notwithstanding all his Vowes and publick Protestations to Henry the First to further the Right and Succession of Maud the Empress being his Daughter and of her Children yet when the King was dead he finding that the Nobility though sworn as deep and solemnly as himself was applyed themselves totally to his devotion he presently shook
since Instead of aiming at anothers Crown As did his Father tamely yeelds his own Has Mars begot Clineas then O strange Sure all the world is moulded up of Change And to the Waves we may compare them well One threatens Heaven another sinks to Hell Such is the State of sublunary things Nothing is fixt no not the Throne of Kings Peace out of doubt would be perpetuall But that our sins our sins for battels call HENRY the Fourth King of England THe Crowne of England Richard the deposed King dying without issue did rightfully descend upon Edmund Mortimer Earl of March the Son and Heir of Edmund Mortimer by Philip his Wife who was the Daughter and Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third Son of Edward the Third Yet his Cousin Henry Bullingbrook Duke of Hartford and Son and Heir of Iohn of Gaunt younger brother unto the said Lionel was elected and crowned King forthwith he created his Eldest Son Henry Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester and summoned his high Court of Parliament in which an order was taken for the safe keeping and honourable attendance and maintaining of Richard the late King but his deposing imprisonment and all former proceedings against him were in the same assembly publickly condemned and reproved by Iohn Bishop of Carlile as hatefull unto God traiterous towards the King and infamous among good men for he averred boldly that if he were not a good King yet more wrong was done to him then ordinarily is done to theeves and murtherers because they are not as he was condemned before they had made their answer to the Crime objected before Judges who were indifferent and pronounced their Judgment upon good proof But so soon as he had ended his speech he was attached by the Earl Marshall and committed to strait prisonment in the Abbey of St. Albans and then among many other things in the same Parliament done the Crown of England was entailed to King Henry and his Heirs for ever No sooner was this Parliament ended but a conspiracy of some of the greatest Lords that outwardly made much shew of joy for the high dignity and advancement of King Henry The Confederates were the Kings Cousin Edward Plantaginet Duke of Aumarle and Heir apparent to Edmund of Langley Duke of York Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey and Iohn Holland his Brother Duke of Exeter both which were halfe Brothers to King Richard Iohn Montague Earl of Salisbury Hugh Spencer Earl of Glocester Sr Thomas Blunt and one Magdalen who was somtime a Chamber-waiter to the deposed King and who both in Stature and in Countenance and Behaviour was not much unlike him The Plot was to take away the Kings Life at solemne jests held at Oxford whither the King was invited and promised there to be present because he supposed that triumph was appointed only for his honour and delight The Treachery was cunningly contrived by the Conspirators who by Indentures under their hands and seals bound themselves each unto other both for secrecy and for the resolute effecting and performing thereof to their utmost power all which they solemnly confirmed by their Oaths The Conspirators all mâ—t at the time and place appointed but the Duke of Aumarle who being at dinner his Father perceiving a Lay-bill hang out of his Bosome took hold of it and drew the whole writing out which being he takes Horse and hasts to the King but the Duke his Son bâ—ing bâ—avely mounted and perceiving his imminent danger posts after and geâ—ting to the King fiâ—st confessed the conspiracy and obtains his pardon The King being thus certified of the Treason turns his journey to the Tower of London where he prepares for his defence He levies a strong power and marcheth against the Traitors But when the Conspirators understood that all the Plot was revealed they attired the said Magdalen in Royall Robâ—s and caused him to affirm himself King Richard and with him and all their Troops which were very warlike and strong they resolve to oppose themselves to the King in the open field But the King speedily marching towards them with 20000 men at the noise of whose approach the Companies under command of the Conspirators cowardly forsook them and left them a prey to the King who took and executed them in severall places some few escaped but over-oppressed with fear and sorrow soon after died The French King his Father in Law resolves to redeem him from imprisonment but ascertained of his death desists Yet for all this King Henry still distrusting the weaknesse of his usurped Title and endeavouring to support it with a more firm foundation entreats Charls the French King to give in marriage his Daughter Isabel somtime King Richards Wife unto his eldest Son Henry Prince of Wales But her Father observing that marriages betwixt Eâ—gland and France were seldome fortunate denied the Kings request whereupon she was honourably sent back into France The Welch and Scots rebell and are overthrown by the Piercies who take many Noble Prisoners which the King demands and is denied In the 3. year of his Reigne the King demands the Scotch Prisoners of the Piercyes but is denied whereupon unkindnesse arose and they extended to joyne with Glendor They get the Earl of Stafford the Arch-Bishop of York a great company of Scots English to joyne with Owen Glendor but before they proceed to Battel they publish an accusation against the King consisting of severall Articles 1. That he usurpt the Crown and murdered the King 2. He unjustly detained the Crown from Edm Mortimer 3. That without any need he oppressed the people with grievous Taxes 4. No justice was to be expected from him who contrary to his coronation oath had in sundry Shires forestalled Elections and procured Burgeships and bestowed them on his own creatures Lastly that he would not release his Cousin Mortimer from Prison For which Treasons they defied him as a Traytor The King with a strong Army fights the Conspirators near Shrewsbury where the King wins the day and the Prince marching against Glendor is forsaken by his Welch and dies of famine in the woods where he hid himself The Duke of Burgoyne attempts to regain Callicâ— in vain Presently another conspiracy is plotted detected and the Traytors executed Lastly the Earl of Northumberland and Lord Bardolph rebelled and are taken and beheaded Thus was King Henry's Reign a majesticall misery and a soveraignty of sorrow so having reigned 13. years and 6. months wanting 5 dayes he died and was royally buried at Canterbury The right noble Prince Henry the 4th King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland c. Who died at tâ—e age of 46 yeares in Anno 1413. after he had raigned 13 yeares 6 moneths and 4 dayes and lieth buried at Canterbury Was 't not enough thy Cousin's Crown to take And it a prey to thy ambition make But that his Bloud his Royall Bloud must be A Sacrifice too to thy jealousie
Henry look back and in his Tragick Scene There thou shalt see what all thy troubles mean Nor did it though thou thoughtst it faster stood Cemented to thy Temples with his Bloud You that your Lives your Souls what dearest is Venture for Thrones do but consider this Princes descend unto the shades beneath And pyle their Crowns up at the Gates of Death HENRY the Fifth King of England THe King was inaugurated with wonderfull applause and desire of the Lords and Commons and he not willing to disappoint his subjects of the hope they conceived of him gave them a signe of his excellent Government sending from him those Ministers of lascivious youth his former associates And not willing his valiant heart should give place to sloath claims his right in France First he sent Heraulds and demanded his Kingdome from King Charls promising to marry the Lady Katherine his Daughter and threatened also that if he denied he would take his patrimony by force Charâ— laughed at his Embassadors whereby he so enraged King Henry that he musters a mighâ—y Army with about 120. Ships he sailed into France First he takes Harefleet and after many skirmiges with the French fought that memorable battel at Agencourt to the eternall honour of the English which done he and all his Army on their knees gave praise to God for their glorious Victory About this time Sigismund the Emperor came into England to Treat of Peace between the French and English nor was Henry slow in the business but when the French besieged Harefleet he was so angry that he sent the Duke of Bedford to raise the siedge with the Earl of Marsh Oxford and others and 200 ships and fought a bloudy fight in the Haven of Harefleet with Burbon the French Admirall where the English wan the day sinking 500 of the French ships and so relieved the Town But the Emperour perceiving the perfidiousnesse of the French made a firm League with the English against all opposers and so returned back into Germany The French in the mean time hired great ships of Genoa and again besiedging the Haven of Harefleet endeavoured to hinder all provision from coming to the Town but the Earl of Huntington suddenly vanquished them He took the Duke of Burbone a bastard and so returned Conquerour for England Then the King with his Nobility sailed into Normandy and took the Fort Tueha whilst the Earl of Salisbury wan Abervile which place the King freely gave to him and his Heirs Afterwards he wan Caen and for their obstinacy punished some of the principall with death and gave the plunder of the City to his Souldiers Then he sent the Duke of Clarence to beleager the Town of Bayon which he quickly wan thence he removed to Corfen and in three dayes became Master thereof then he subdued Argentaniam after that Aleucon Falesia and returned victor to Caen. In the mean while the Earl of Warwick conquered the Castle of Dumfrise and Clarentius mastered Curton and many other Towns Then the King layes siege to Roan and forced the Citizens to submit which Town being the Chief was an example for the rest to follow so that shortly he wan all Normandy lost by the carelessnesse of his Predecessors The Duke of Burgundy perceiving all things to succeed to K. Henery's mind procured a meeting between him and the Queen of France for King Charls her husband doted yet there was nothing done The Queen brought with her her most beautifull daughter Katharine purposely to ensnare the Kings mind with her allurements nor was it in vaine for the King no sooner saw her but he was wonderfully taken with her elegant beauty and when they departed doing nothing the King charged the Duke of Burgundy to do his best to satisfie his desires for unlesse all he demanded together with the Lady Kathariâ—e were granted him he would by force take from the Duke his Dukedome and from the King his Kingdome The French were so frighted with these threats that they fell to a new Parlie but now the Dolphin caused the Duke of Burgundy to be basely slain presently after though he begged his life on his knees and so the slaughter of the Duke of Orleance committed before by Burgundy was expiated Nor is peace yet concluded till the French were constrained by another losse to seek it seriously A meeting is appointed at Trecas and there was Katharine betrothed to Henry and the right of succession confirmed to him aâ—ter the decease of Charls whereupon all the Nobillity of France swear to be loyall to him and so the salique Law is broken The Dolphin also is cited to appear before the Marble Table in Paris and not coming is banisht Henry also caused money to be coyned with the Arms of France and England which he called the Soveraigne Then leaving the Duke of Clarence Governour of France and Normandy he returned for England with his Queen whom in February following he crowned at Westminstor with great solemnity and much honour But the Duke of Clarence making an Expedition against Anjou and taking great spoils as he came back laden with prey was betrayed by one Andrew Forgusa a treacherous Lombard and although he fought valiantly yet was he slaine by the Duke of Alenson with the chief Nobillity and 2000 English men the Earl of Somerset Suffolk and other Lords are taken Prisoners The King to revenge his brothers death lands in France with a mighty Army and freed Chartres from a siedge of the Dolphin whom he pursues from place to place but cannot overtake him though he take all Towns in his way So that in a short time he joyned all the Island of France to the rest In the mean time the Queen is delivered of a Son at Windsor named Henry of whose birth the King said to the Lord Fitz Hugh his Chamberlain I Henry born at Monmouth shall remaine but a short time and gain much but Henry born at Windsor shall Reign long and lose all About this time the Dolphin besiedges those of Narbon Henry goes to their relief but in his overmuch hast takes a feavor of which he dies having dispatched the Duke of Bedford who not only frees Narbon but drives the Dolphin into Aquitane who in mockery was called King of Aquitane While he lay sick he made his Brother the Duke of Bedford Regent of Normandy and France and his Brother the Duke of Gloucester he made Governour of England He died at 36 years old reigned 9 years 5 months and 24 dayes HENRY the v. began his reigne the 20 of March and was crowned at Westminster the 9 of Aprill following 1413. He reigned gloriously 9 yeres 5 monthes he died in the Castle of Boys Vincent by Paris the 1. of September 1422. and lieth intombed in the Abbey of St Peters at Westminster being of the age of 36 yeares when he departed this world R. E. sculp His Royall head no sooner Henry Crowns But his debaucht associates he disowns He showes them now
a lawfull Victory which as he said was given him of God This King as commonly Conquerours doe abolishing forthwith all the Customes of the English Nation and most of their Laws brought in immediately his own Country Fashions and commanded that all Causes should be pleaded in French And excluding all the English that had boarn Armes against him out of their Patrimonies he disposed of all their demeanes and Fields and the rest of their Goods among his Souldiers for a Reward of their Victory reserving to himself the direct principallity and homage held to himself and his Heirs as a Tenure from the Crowne so that none but the King should be the right and true Lord of any thing Also he caused a Seal to be made for himself wherein was engraved By this acknowledge William of Normandy to be your Patron but on the other side was engraven By this Seal you must know that the same is King of England Having thus subdued the Laity he turns himself to the Clergy and made an Edict that no English Monk should be capable of any secular dignity disdaining the facilnesse of Canutus who was formerly King who had continued the honours entreating the people whom he had subdued by which Lenity the Inhabitants growing bold after his death easily expelled Forreigners and redeemed their former Liberty Then he appeased the approaching War of the Danes by giving them money that he might enjoy it peaceably at any rate And hence it was that the English were in no fear at all of the Danes who formerly so infested them yet they were not so free from troubles but that here and there arose some tumults among the people that were hardly suppressed and overcome but the windy Faction was easily dispersed The greatest matter was the Rebellion of his Son Robert in Normandy because it was most against Nature This Son at the Instigation of Philip King of France demanded this Dukedome of his Father as his proper Right and without more words enters upon Normandy by force of Armes It is true his Father had promised him this Territory but the Son was weary of delay nor would he longer forbear from the Government he looked for The King hearing of his Sons Enterprize suddenly goes against him with a strong Army they meet in Battel the Son unhorses his Father and wounds him in the arme but when he knew his Fathers Voyce alighting from his horse he raiseth his Father from the ground and kneeling down before him craved pardon for his boldnesse which he obtained presently his Father embracing him in his armes however he seemed thus to have appeased his Fathers wrath yet God never suffering such faults to escape unpunished he had no good luck ever after Having conquered the Rebels partly by Sweetnesse and partly by Sword he endeavours to enlarge his Kingdome bringing Wales under his Command and causing Malcom King of Scots to doe him homage and so adding new Countryes he in some measure rewarded England for the Crown they gave unto him Yet least the frowardnesse of his newly conquered Subjects should grow insolent he laid upon them Taxes and Tributes that differed them little from slaves seeking by all means to weed out and keep under hatches the Nobility and with continuall Battels to wast and wear out the Commonalty Only the men of Kent held their old Customes For the King upon a certaine time journeying toward Dover was handsomly circumvented by the Inhabitants of Kent carrying Boughes cut down from Trees nor would they suffer him to depart untill he had granted them the enjoyment of their ancient Customes also he was indulgent to the Londoners to let them enjoy the priviledges they had in the Time of Edward the Confessor but he forbad the Nobility â—rom hunting of Deer reserving those sports for himself only About the end of his Life he placed his two Sons Robert and Henry almost in equall power over Normandy There happened on a day a quarrel between Henry and Lewis the Dolphin of France playing at Tables which was the cause of great Contention betwixt the French and the Normans the Dolphin drawing Robert on his side enters Normandy with an Army William forthwith having his Navy ready sails into Normandy and with no difficulty reducing his Son Robert to obedience he marched to Roan that he might find the French men work When he was weary with toyiing being very fat he made a halt a while The French derided him for his fat belly speaking scoffingly that he was with Child and ready to be delivered when William heard thereof he answered If please God I ever recover of this Child-birth I will burn a thousand lights to God in token of my thankfulnesse nor was it long before he entered the Territories of France and wasted all before him with Fire and Sword Yet shortly after he fell sick and dyed at Roan His followers not only forsook him being dead but spoyled him of what he had and his body unfortunately thrice forsaken was at last let down into his own Monument at Cane in Normandy but not entire William the Conqueror Duke of Normandy after he had in Battaiâ—e slaine Harald toke vppon him the Crowne of England He raigned 19 yeares 11 months 〈◊〉 at the age of 74 yeares And lieth buried at Caen in Normandy William the Conquerour resigns his breath Vnto a greater Conquerour grim Death I doe not say when he for England fought That any other then his right he sought But to the English he no Bowells had Whence his own Bowells served him as bad With what contempt these troublers of the World When breath forsakes into the earth are hurl'd A man may see in him who scarce could have ' Midst all his Realms friends a sorry grave As if the very Earth scorn'd to entombe The Son of so much slaughter in her Womb. WILLIAM the Second King of England WIlliam the Conquerour being Deceased the Crown of England by right of succession fell to Robert his Eldest Son but he being in Germany Lanfrank then Arch Bishop of Canterbury who by reason of his great Learning and singular vertue was in high and reverend esteeme with the people so prevailed with the dying Conquerour William the first that instead of Robert the true Heir by Primogeniture William surnamed Rufus because of his Ruddy or Red Complexion though the younger Brother was Crowned King of England Sept 9. 1087. The Beginning of his Reigne was very troublesome and unquiet For his Brother Robert took great offence at his attempt to take advantage of his absence honestly employed in his fathers service to intercept his Crown and dignity which in his Conscience belonged justly and only to him But not long after enraged Robert entered with a very puissant Army of valiant Normans and many French whom Philip their King had waged for his ayde the Confines of England resolving with his Presence to regaine what he had lost by his Absence abhorring that his Right should be
and Peers all urg'd it he declin'd it Scotland he first subdu'd and made it reele Vnder the force of his victorious steel France askt him Homage but he told her plain Homage was due to him her Soveraign Let her to Cressey and to Poictiers look And Callice which 'fore Philip's face he took And what does more than this his fame evince He was the father to the brave BLACK PRINCE RICHARD the Second King of England RICHARD the Second being the Son and Heir of the black Prince and aged 11 years and somwhat more was crowned King of England in the year of our Lord one thousand three hundred and seventy seven The Kingdome was in an Eclipse the most part of this Kings Reigne his youth with all the frailties incident thereunto with bad Governours both of his kingdome and person were the main ruines of the King and almost the Realme For in the whole course of his Government he neglected his Nobillity and taxed his subjects to enable him to give prodigally to his Sycophants and ill deserving Favourites He was too too resolute in his wayes and refused to be reformed be they never so indirect He also despised the sage advice and good directions of his best counsellers and wholly plotted all his courses by the wicked gracelesse projects of his base and loose companions whom he raised to more honourable estates than befitted the meannesse of their Conditions so that they fell by their own weight and he himself in the end was enforced to endure the extremity of his hard fortune For being first disgraced by his Cousin Henry Bullingbrook Duke of Lancaster and Son and Heir to his Unkle Iohn of Gaunt he was at length by him with the generall consent of a whole Parliament deposed from his Crown committed to prison and afterwards wickedly murthered as in this discourse of his disorderly government more amply shall appear In the first year of King Richards Reigne Charls the French King presuming much on his minority and being aided by the Spaniard landed in the South-east and South-west parts of this kingdome and ransacked and burnt the Towns of Plymouth Rye Dartmouth Portsmouth and some other Towns and Villages coasting upon the Sea and would have done more mischief if by the Kings Unkle Edmund of Langley Earl of Cambridge and by the Earls of Buckingham and Salisbury they had not been fought with and beaten to their Ships At the same time one Ramsey a Scot cunningly surprised the Castle of Barwick but was soon beaten out again all the desperadoes being put to death but himself Again the French infest the Coasts of England even unto Graves-end whereupon Richard with Poll-money levies an Army and revenged himself which caused after mischief And now fell out a Rebellion in England exceeding hazardous to the whole kingdome occasioned by one Iohn Wall a factious Priest who perceiving the meaner and baser sort of people much murmuring repining at the last Tax took an unhappy occasion to move them to sedition telling them we are all by nature the children of Adam born of one and the same condition and equall worth and that the Laws of this kingdome were unjust to set so great difference between men making some Peers and Potentates and others poor and penurious Thus they begun to grow mad and implacable against the Nobillity for the basest dregs of men commonly being uncapable of honour themselves are envious against those that are Hereupon together with the hope of pilfering arose a formidable tumult who for their Leader took one Watt Tyler and for other chief Officers had Iack Straw Iack Shepheard and the seditious Priest Iohn Wall stiling themselves the Kings men and the Servants of the Common-weal of England They marched towards London beating down and rifling of houses and all before them They make all Knights and Gentlemen forsake their houses which they burn or rifle at lest They send also to the King who then lay in the Tower requiring him to come and speak with them Whereupon the King purposing to prevent mischief went to Graves-end but seeing their rage and madnesse he â—â—ared to put himself into their hands and returned back again to the Tower of Londoâ— Next day came this rabble to Southwark and finding the Bridge fortified and the Gates shut they resolved to kill all the people burn the Burrough but to prevent mischieâ— they were let into the City who were fain to entertain them with gifts and good words Then they rifle thâ— Savoy and kill all they light on they robbed all the Inns of Courâ—s and burnt their Law books nor spared they the Churches but sacrilegiously stole all they could lay hand on Watt Tyler commands his Masters head to be carried before him on a Lance mâ—erly because he had given him some small correction when he was his servant The Rebels send â—o the King who goes to Mile-end Green to them freely pardons them all gives them his Banners for their security whereupon many forsake Tyler who with about 20000 marches into Smithfield resolving to ransack and burn the City Then the King courteously perswades them to desist but Tyler commanded the Esquire that bare the sword before the King to give him his Dagger but the Esq told him it was the Kings Sword and should not be givâ—n to a knave whereat Tyler swore e're he would eat or drink the Esq should lose his head The King loth to have the Esq endangered bid him give him the Sword but the Esq would not then stept in William Wallworth Major of the City and clapt his Dagger to Tilers heart commanding him to submit to the King presently about a thousand armed Citizens came and routed them Thus did the storme blow over by Gods goodnesse and the Majors Courage and ever since the City carry the Dagger in their Escutcheon Ball and Iack Staw were executed the rest pardoned The French prepare a great army purposing to invade England King Richard rayseth a mighty power to conquer Scotland which designes had no good events Mischeife and Misery having sate long abroad began now to hatch at home The insulting Peers and rebellious people bandy the regall Power into hazard The Scots enter England under the Command of Sr. William Dowglasse and are encountered by the Noble Lord Henry Hotspur Dowglasse is slain and Hotspur taking Ireland rebels The King goes against him in person and the mean while loseth his Kingdom which with himself and Crown he is forced to surrender to his Cousin Henry Bullingbrook Son to Iohn of Gant Duke of Lancaster Anno 1400. The true pourtraicture of Richard the 2. King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Prince of Chester he raigned 22 yeres was deposed and murther'd at Pomfraict Cast at the age of 33 yeares Buried first at Langley and 14 yeares after by K. Henry th◠〈…〉 and their waâ— honourably â—uâ—erred Richard the Second son to such a Prince The World has never had his equall
sending his Tutors Rivers Wagham and Grey to Pomfret Castle to be kept safe all whom by the Practise of the Lord Hastings he soon after caused to be put to death which thing known at London the Queen who well knew the perverse mind of Richard with her other son Richard and her daughters took Sanctuary at Westminster to secure themselves from Richards violence Richard in the mean time came to London with Edward and went to the Bishop of London's house to reside but he not content with Edwards being in his power that he might the more safely look to his businesse endeavors to get the other brother out of Sanctuary from his mother the Queen under a colour of comforting the Kings sorrowfull mind and drawing the Lords to his opinion he sent thither amongst others Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who with fair speeches mingled with threats brings the poor innocent Child from his Mothers arms When the Arch-bishop had delivered the child into the Protectors hands who with many other Lords attended the Queens answer in the Star-Chamber he before the whole Assembly took him in his Armes hugged him and kissed him again and again protesting upon his soul that no worldly thing his Majesty only excepted was so dear unto him as that young child when as indeed he meant nothing more than the destruction of them both and having brought him to the King who was infinitely joyed with his Company he within few dayes after conveyed them with princely Pomp and Attendance through the City of London to the Tower under the Pretence of an especiall care and Providence that they should there remain in safety untill the troubles of the Common-wealth were appeased and quieted whereas in truth nothing was out of order but himself and his confederacy When he had thus cooped up the King and his brother he draws Buckingham to his Treason but Hastings could not be won therefore he pretended he sought to take away his life with which he charged him to which after a long silence the Lord Hastings as most familiar with him made answer They that so trangress the Law deserve what punishment the Law can inflict upon them and all the Lords ascented thereunto Then quoth the Protector That Sorceress meaning the Queen and that Strumpet Shores wife have conspired together to take away my life by witchcraft and that you may be right well assured it is true Behold I pray you and see how their villany hath allready seized on my body for by it my left arm is already wasted and consumed and therewithall he struck up his sleeve and shew them his arme naked this did he impudently dare to do albeit all there present were well assured it was never otherwise from his mothers womb Moreover no man was so simple to beleeve that if the Queen had intended such a mischief she would have consorted with Shores wife above all other women she having been her husbands Concubine besides this they all knew that the Queen was religious temperate mild charitable and vertuous and not given to revenge The Lord Hastings who after King Edwards death conversed with Shores Wife using her as his concubine and but the same morning left her in his own bed being desirous if he could to appease the Protectors rage to her and in some sort being willing to excuse her replied thus My Lord If the Queen and she have so done and therewithall the Protectors rage waxing intemperate interrupted him thus Thou Traytor quoth he tellest thou me of Iff's and And 's I tell thee they have done it and as he spake those words he clapt his hand rudely upon the Table at the noise whereof the whole chamber was suddenly filled with armed men and one of them struck down the Lord Stanly with a Holbert and the Protector himself did arrest the Lord Hastings and charg'd him of high Treason in generall tearms and forthwith without any proceeding or judgment caused him to be carried out into the Green and his head upon a Logg to be chopped off and it is noted that this execution was done on him the same day and in the same Lawlesse manner that he had commanded to be done to Rivers Grey and Wagham Thus when this impious Protector had murdered those Lords that stood in his way he caused Doctor Shaw a man more learned than vertuous publickly in a Sermon at Pauls Crosse to blaze on his honourable birth and Parentage his valour his vertues and to inveigh against the deceased King for his lasciviousnesse with Shores wife to bastardize all his Children as born in adultery for that King Edward as he affirmed was solemnly contracted unto the Lady Elizabeth Lucie whom he got with child He also accused the Protectors own mother but Shaw was afterward so ashamed of his flattery that for very shame and grief he died soon after Then he sets Buckingham to deal with the City who with many Citizens come to Baynards Castle where the Protector was and chose him for their King desiring him to take the burden upon him which he oft-times refused but was perswaded at last to take it The picture of Edward the 5. who at the age of 13 yeares was deposed and cruelly murdered by the procurement of Richard Duke of Gloucester his vnnaturall vnkle when he had raigned 2. moneths and 11. dayes and obscurely buried in the Tower 1183. Edward the Fifth at thirteen years of Age Is sacrific'd unto his Vncles rage Whose thirst for honour not be withstood Could soarce be slak'd in a whole sea of bloud Poor pritty blossom how thy Fate I pitty Thus to be murther'd in thy Royall City That in the Tower thy soul should be sent hence That ought have been a Tower of thy defence How many mourning dayes did the Queen keep When eyes ne're saw thee could not choose but weep Sure this doth not with heavens direction sute To fell the Tree before we see the fruit RICHARD the Third King of England RIchard having gotten the Ensigns of the Kingdome forthwith Crowns himself and his Wife Anne but still fearing the Londoners he caused Iames Tyrrel to stifle the young King and his Brother which he did and obscurely buried them in the Tower The Childrens death was divulged Richard not being againâ—t it and it was wonderfull how great amazement seized on the minds of all men every one lamented the unhappinesse of the Children with much pity and now they began to say what hopes have we of him that spared not his own near kinsmen but shed their innocent bloud To say nothing of the Mother and her Daughters certainly the immortal God who will not suffer great sins to goe unpunished revenged on the innocent children the perjury of their father committed at York and the Death of the Duke of Clarence whom he wickedly suffered to be murdered But Buckingham Richards former friend now detesting his wickednesse conspires with the Bishop of Ely how to restore Henry Earl of Richmond to
the Duke of Northumberland the Earls of Northampton and Warwick are indicted of high Treason she spared Northampton but Northumberland was beheaded abjuring that Religion he professed before in hope of pardon his body was buried by the Duke of Somerset his Capitall Enemy between Anne of Boloyne and Katharine who all had suffered the same death The rest persisted and did not renounce the Faith they had professed Iane afterwards with her husband and his two brethren Ambrose and Henry were all condemned to dye but Iane was reprieved for a while Then the Marriage was contracted between Mary and Philip of Spain whereat Wyat and others offended conspire lead an Army to London and are overthrown and executed The Queen enraged with the boldnesse of the subjects began seriously to consider how to punish the guilty Gilford husband to Iane was first beheaded then Iane her self within the Walls of the Tower with a wonderfull courage piety and Constancy had her head chopt off She was a Princesse for her learning and wisdome worthy of immortall praise It is reported that Morgan who passed Sentence upon her fell mad shortly after and cried Take away Lady Iane from me Then Suffolk was beheaded and the same day Wyat the cause of all these mischiefs for Iane had been pardoned had not he raised that furious tumult and enraged the Queen those that followed him some were punished and some pardoned Also Elizabeth was cast into prison by the means of Gardiner Bishop of Winchester without doubt her Life was at Stake had she not wisely answered to questions concerning her Faith They did severely at that time punish all those that were averse to the Romish Religion among whom was Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Ridley Bishop of London and Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester these refusing to abjure their Faith were burnt to ashes The Queens Marriage with Philip was now solemnized and Cardinall Poole being sent from the Pope all the Errors of the English are purged and they received under the Popes tuition The Fame was at this time that the Queen was with Child and for joy Te Deum was sung at Pauls and she released out of the Tower many Prisoners among whom were the Sons of the Duke of Northumberland who were condemned to lose their heads But all this hope vanisht when the Queens Conception proved to be but a Timpany The Queen restored to the Church all the Goods she possessed belonging to the Church and when she was told that by so great a bounty the Crown Lands would be much wasted she replied piously and prudently She preferred her souls health before all the worlds goods Philip in the interim went to Brussels to his Father Charls and obtained of him the Kingdome of Spaine and his other Dominions before his death then he returned to England then again he went to Callice to wage war with the French and staid upon that businesse above 18. months the English murmuring and the Queen lamentâ—ng his absence Thomas Stafford at that time was instigated by the French to make warre against the Queen and landing with an Army he wan York Castle but he soon was conquered and taken and beheaded at London and his followers were hanged Then the Queen sent Pembroke to assist her husband and won a great victory over the French but drawing too many Forces out of Callis the Duke of Guise assaulted and won it after it had been in the hands of the English two hundred years Guina followed it and so the English were cleane thrust out of all France The Queen was wonderfull grieved for the losse of Callis which together with her Dropsie put an end to her life in the year of our Lord 1558. the fifth year of her Reigne and the fourty third of her Life ELISABET D. G. ANG FRAN. ET HIB REGINA FIDEI CHRISTIANAE PROPVGNA TRIX ACERRIMA What means this Popish Fogg the Church to smother Where is the Queen should be a nursing Mother Edward preceeded thee in the same form That a bright Sun foreruns a blustering storme For Age and Sex all at the stake we see O burning zeal and frozen Charity If to deny the Tyranny you please Behold a Cloud of faithfull Witnesses No it were better to bethink with speed What Sackcloth such a world of ashes need But Madam were not these your own intents How have you suffer'd in your Instruments ELIZABETH Queene of England ELIZABETH Daughter to Henry the Eighth by Anne Boloyne succeeded her Sister Mary being raised from the Prison to the Throne By her Coronation the Papal authority fell again the second time all the Ceremonies Mary had brought in she abollished and reformed all according to rule of her Brother Edward Being she was of a flourishing age and Queen of a flourishing Kingdome it could not be but she must be sought to of many lovers Maximilian the Emperour the Kings of Spaine and Sweeden the Arch-Duke of Austria and the Duke of Angiers sent to woe her but all in vaine First because the Queen would not marry for at her inauguration the Condition was That she should marry no Stranger whereby there was hopes left to the Natives for so great a match The French and Scotch they hoped to prevaile much by reason she was a woman and of tender years whereupon they invade and spoile the English Frontiers The French King pretending Title to the Crown of England in right of his Wife Mary Stewart allyed to Henry the seventh but at last peace is confirmed betwixt Elizabeth the Scotch and French and all the Romane Catholicks are routed out of Scotland Mary when Francis was dead return'd for Scotland and made a firme agreement with Elizabeth but envy and ambition soon violated it and their sister-like concord to the ruine of Mary at last Mary takes to her husband Henry Darley and after Bothwell but discontents and warres arising she flees to Elizabeth in England who received her in her Arms She was at first liberally entertained but after moving dissention in England being a most bitter enemy to those of the Reformed Religion she was kept more narrowly For eighteen years she was kept in prison at last she began to riot in hope of the Kingdome and to lay snares for the Queens Life for which cause at the request of the severall Orders of England she was beheaded Also the Duke of Suffolk who privily sought to marry her suffered the same punishment Elizabeth in the mean time assisted those of the Reformed Religion in France Now fell out a warre between Philip the Second and the low Countreys in which Elizabeth assisted the united Provinces The Queen for this assistance was hated by the Spaniards who had before privately laid snares for her life but now he breaks forth into open warre for he raised a mighty Fleet from Spaine and other places it was the greatest Navy for Provision and Men that ever the Ocean bare and carried the presumptuous Title of Invincible It consisted of