foreign Army Yet the Queen and her Confederates put to Sea her whole Power not exceeding 3000 of all Nations and two days before St. Michaels day landed at Orwel in Suffolk the force being commanded by the Lord John Brother to the Earl of Hanault The news of their arrival coming to the Kings Ear he seemed like one amazed and at first would not credit the report but upon his being further certified he sent to the Citizens of London for Aid who answered that they would honour with all submission the King Queen and Prince but resolved to shut their Gates against strangers and to withstand them to their power this answer bearing no favourable Construction to the King he committed the charge of the Tower and in it his other Son commonly called John of Eltham in the Custody of Sir John D' Weston and retired with his favorites the Spencers Baldock and others into the West to gather forces against the Queen and her Accomplices having first Proclaimed them Traitours and offered the reward of 1000 pounds to any that could take the young Lord Mortimer dead or alive And by this his unadvised abandoning his chief strengths he gave the Queens party opportunity to strengthen themselves several Lords and others daily coming to their assistance and the better to terrify the Kings partakers and to colour the Treason it was rumour'd that the French King had sent with his Sister so many Dukes Earls and Lords that England would not suffice to feed them and that the Pope had sent to Excommunicate all the Kings partakers for which purpose two Cardinals had been sent over and credibly reported to have been seen in the Queens Camp though all was but fictitious and further to ingratiate with the People she caused it to be Proclaimed that her coming was only to remove evil Councillors from the King the same pretences that were used by our late forty one Parliament though Roger Lord Mortimer was the man that chiefly Councilled all the mischief then were the Kings favorites branded with the names of Traitors and Enemies to the Nation and 1000 pounds bid to any that could bring the younger Spencers Head And thereupon the Londoners rise in a tumultuous manner and commit many outrages cutting off the Bishop of Exceters Head as likewise the Head of John Le Marchel whom the King had appointed to Govern the City They likewise broke open the Prisons and set all Prisoners at liberty got into their possession the Tower and taking thence the Lord John of Eltham proclaimed him Custos or chief Governour of the City and the Queen likewise to strengthen her Faction caused most of the Prisons in England to be set open and repealed such as had been banished so that thereby her power greatly increasing She or rather the Lord Mortimer followed the King who destitute of friends still fled before his pursuers who besieged Bristol and therein took the Elder Spencer whom without any form of Trial they cut up alive having first exposed him to the fury of the People upon notice of which the King entered on Ship-board and intended to fly for Ireland but upon further consideration came ashore in Wales and there for the love the Welshmen bore him was concealed for many days in the Abby of Neath but the Queen and her Accomplices coming to Hereford after Prince Edward was Proclaimed High Keeper of England Henry Earl of Lancaster Brother to the late Earl of Lancaster Sir William Delazouch and others who had Lands in those parts where the King absconded were sent in quest of him with sums of Money to facilitate the discovery who in the end surprised him together with the young Lord Spencer Robert Baldock Lord Chancellor and Simon de Reading whom without any respect to the Person of the King they conveyed to Monmouth and from thence was the King carried to Kenelworth Castle and there committed to the keeping of the Earl of Leicester but the rest to Hereford where without any form of Trial was put to death the Lord Spencer being hanged on a Gallows fifty foot high and Robert Baldock committed to the keeping of the Bishop of Hereford who sent him up to London and exposed him to the fury of the Rabble who though a Bishop was used by them in such a barbarous manner only for being true to his Soveraign that within a short time after he died the Earl of Arundel and two other Gentlemen of note were put to death to pleasure Mortimer and now the mournful King divested of all his friends being at Kenelworth there repaired to him the Bishops of Winchester Hereford and Lincoln two Earls two Abbots four Barons and three Knights from every County with two of the Judges as from the Parliament which the Queen had called at London to perswade him to a Resignation of his Crown to his Son Edward and so many devices they had heaped together that in the end having first given private notice to the King of their approach and the cause they came to Kenelworth and presented themselves before the King who clad in black sutable to his mournful condition came out of an inward Chamber when in the head of the company set in order according to their qualities the Earl of Leicester and Bishop of Hereford began to declare the Message with which they were charged by the Body of the Kingdom as they termed the then sitting Parliament alledging that the Common-wealth of England was weary of his Government and conceived such irreconcileable dislike of his management of Kingly affairs that they would by no means permit him longer to Reign over them but were contented that his Eldest Son Prince Edward should succeed him in his Throne if he would make a voluntary Resignation if not they would proceed to Elect another not of his Blood c. The sound of this mournful Message struck so to the Kings Heart that e're any could prevent it he fell to the ground and lay stretched in a swoon a considerable time e're life could be perceived or he recovered to his Senses But in the end recovering he with many heavy Sighs bewailed his Infortunate condition and began to parly with his Vassals but found them inflexible persisting in threatning sort to tell him that unless he would freely resign his Diadem to his Son and disclaim all Right-to the Crown they would return his Answer and that immediately thereupon the Parliament would proceed to the Election of another not of his Race These Menaces made the distressed King who now was fallen low in the Opinion of his Subjects through the false insinuation of the factious Lords to consent to their hard proposals confessing that for his many sins God had permitted these Calamities to fall upon him but seeing they had not rejected his Race he was content to submit Whereupon they proceeded to the new invented and never before practised Ceremony of dekinging their Sovereign which in this manner was performed by Sir William
the day and his own Life upon notice of which overthrow the Duke and Earl betook themselves again to Calais of which place the latter was Captain but were denied entrance by Vawclere his Lieutenant and thereupon went to the French Court where they were kindly received and within a while returning into England gathered so huge an Army that Edward was forced to fly the Land and his Queen to take Sanctuary whereupon King Henry was again restored to his Regal Dignity and Edward with all his adherents Proclaimed Traitors and in Parliament disinabled from Inheriting the Crown and it again Intailed on King Henry upon which Heart-breaking news Edward procures forces from the Duke of Burgundia who had Married his Sister and under pretence of Friendship enters England pretending to no more than his Dutchy of York framing Letters for his safe conduct under the Seal of the Earl of Northumberland but he no sooner entered but surprized that City whereupon Warwick and Clarence prepare to drive him thence but the latter was so wrought with under hand that he revolted to Edward and endeavored to perswade Warwick to do the like who generously answered to the Messenger go tell your Duke that I had rather be an Earl and always like my self than a false and perjured Duke and that e're my Oath shall be falsified as his apparently is I will lay down my Life at my Enemies Foot which I doubt not but shall be bought very dear and thereupon Marched towards London when at St. Albans he considered what was best to be done and finding that the Sword must decide it he advanced and at Barnet both Armies approached each other where in the spacious Field the Battle joyn'd on Easter day with such fury that the like had not been known and continued doubtful for a long time when as the day being overcast with mist hindering the Soldiers sight Warwicks Battalian took the Stars Imbroidered upon the Earl of Oxford's Mens Coats for his Son Edwards Body whereupon they let fly upon their friends which mistake caused the Earl to leave the fight his Men crying Treason Treason we are all betrayed which Warwick perceiving charged with fury upon the Enemy but entering too far was beaten down and slain though not without performing wonders sutable to his great Soul who had been Englands Make-King for many years before with him perished his Brother the Marquess of Montacute and a great number of smaller note as likewise the loss of the Battle on the side of the Lancastrians Son after this overthrow Queen Margaret and Prince Edward arrive at Weymouth and understanding the loss of the Battle of Barnet Field she went to Ceerue Abby whither the Lancastrian Nobility that escaped the slaughter came to her and with comfortable words put her in hopes of better success and immediately raised such forces as they could and joyned them to those they Queen had brought over from France but loth she was that the Prince her Son should hazard himself in the Battle and urged sundry persons but was over perswaded by the Lords whose preparations alarumed Edward so that gathering an Army he advanced towards them resolving to hinder the increase of the Queens power having first committed King Henry and the Archbishop of York to the Tower and at Teuxbury both Armies met where after a hot Encounter by the Treachery of the Lord Wenlock the Battle went with Edward which Treachery was rewarded with death the Duke of Somerset the Queens General beating his Brains out with his Battle-Ax In this Battle of the Lancastrian Nobility were slain John Lord Summert John Coventry Earl of Devonshire the Lord Wenlock in manner aforesaid several Knights and three thousand common Soldiers and on the other side not fewer Upon this defeat Proclamation was made for the Apprehending Prince Edward who was soon taken by that unworthy Knight Sir Robert Crofts and delivered to his most Capital Enemy the Duke of Somerset and others of Quality having taken Sanctuary were haled thence and beheaded Prince Edward not passing fourteen years of Age being brought before Edward had assumed the Soveraignty he beheld him with a stern Countenance and demanded how he durst with Banners displayed enter his Realm to which the young Prince with an undaunted Courage replied to recover my Fathers Kingdoms and most Rightful Inheritance possessed by his Father and Grandfather and immediately from him descending to me how darest thou then that art but his Subject take up Arms against thy King This Brave and Generous Answer so touched King Edward to the quick that he unmanly with his Gauntlet smote him on the Mouth when at the same instant the more villanous Duke of Glocester afterwards Usurper of the Crown by the name of Richard the Third together with his wicked Accomplices stabbed the Prince to death in Edwards presence Monsters unworthy of the name of Men but Heavens vengeance for this and other black crimes overtook the Actors The Prince after his being murthered was Buried in the Grey-Fryars at Tewksbury without any Ceremony and now Queen Margaret having taken Sanctuary was discovered and brought Prisoner to the Tower where she continued till her Father with a great Ransome to raise which he was forced to sell most of his Signeouries to the French King he redeemed her and now King Henry being Prisoner likewise and the Thorne that made Edwards Crown sit uneasie he resolves to be rid of him and therefore sent his Brother that Crook-backed Monster in the shape of a Man to dispatch him who pretending to discourse about his releasment stabbed the pious King to the Heart and eased him of this troublesome Life though perpetual horrour haunted the Actor of this black deed to his Grave After this cruel murther committed on the pious King his Body was for many days exposed to the view of the People ever bleeding afresh which raised at once pitty and detestation in the Spectators and then carried by Water to Chersie in Surry And thus fell this good King though not unrevenged for he lived to see the miserable ends of all such as had first broached the mutual War against him viz. Richard Duke of York the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick and afterward God was not slow to revenge his Royal Blood for within a while the Duke of Clarence King Edwards Brother was attainted of Treason and privately put to death in the Tower as some say drowned in a Butt of Malmsey King Edward himself continually infested with troubles through his unquiet Reign and People every where suffering through storms pestilence and Losses by Sea and Land after his Decease his two Sons murthered by their unnatural Uncle the Duke of Glocester and that Monster himself after a short Usurpation slain in Bosworth Field as in the sequel shall more at large be shown and thus I shall end with the death of this pious though unfortunate King who left no Issue his only Son being murthered as is before recited CHAP. V.
advancement consented to the Impiety and thereupon obtained the Usurpers Letter to the Lieutenant of the Tower to have all the Keys delivered to him for one Night to perform his pleasure which he accordingly received But before I proceed to the Tragedy one thing is worthy of Note in the Young King who hearing his Uncle had taken upon him the Regency with a Feeling grief said to him that gave him notice thereof Alass I would my Vncle would let me Enjoy my Life yet though I loose my Kingdom and Crown But to return this Monster having got the Power displaced all the young Kings Servants and left none about them but one Black Will a Bloody Villain and when the Night of Murther came he appointed one Miles Forrest and John Dighton both fleshed in Murthers from their Youth the latter of them his Horse-keeper to dispatch the King and his Brother the Duke of York who coming in at Midnight smoothered them to Death with Pillows laying upon them till they felt by their stillness they were dead and then laying their Naked bodies upon the Bed called their wicked Master to behold the dismal Spectacle who caused the Bodies to be buried under the Stairs and a heap of Stones to be layed on them and then posted to tell the Usurper what he had done who rejoyced at the most Execrable Tragedy yet ordered their Bodies to be removed thence which as the Writers of most credit say were wrapped up in Lead and put in a Coffin full of holes and thrown into the Tower Ditch others affirm that they were thrown into a black deep in the Mouth of the River of Thames but certain it is they were never afterwards found but low the just Vengeance of Heaven on their Murtherers and those that contributed to it First the Duke of Buckingham taking up Armes against the Usurper whom he had raised was discomfited and flying to one Banister who was his Tennant and had been his Servant a man whom himself had raised from nothing to high esteem continued with him for a while in the disguise of a Gardener but Proclamation coming forth promising the reward of 1000 Marks to any that could apprehend him the false Wretch though Gods Judgment was signal therein delivered him up and within a few days after he was beheaded Forrest rotted piece-meal and died in great Torment Dighton lived miserably at Calais dying in the Streets and Terril after he had confessed the Murther was beheaded for Treason on Tower-hill in the Reign of Henry the Seventh the Usurper during his short Reign which lasted but three years was continually terrified with frightful Visions of Devils that seemed to tear and hale him in pieces his evil Genius still haunting him till at last he was slain in the Battle of Bosworth-field and his Body carryed naked before a Horseman being made a sport and scoffing to all that beheld it and lay to publick view in Leicester and then obscurely Buried and to conclude his name grew so odious that the White Bore which was his device was every where torn down the Executions during his Reign were many the Afflictions of the Land by Dearths and Inundations Excessive so that few or none lamented his Fall who had Murthered two Kings and two Princes of the Blood Royal their immediate Heirs and Successors Nor died King Edward the Sixth that pious Prince and Phaenix of the World without great suspition of being Poysoned for the Earl of Northumberland by his Stratagems and the assistance of the Lords of his Faction having procured the Death of the Kings two Uncles the Lord Admiral and Lord Protector for the Death of the last of which the King falling into a deep Melancholy and then sickening he so dealt with him as to disinherit his Sisters the Lady Mary and Lady Elizabeth and to settle the Crown by Will upon his Couzen the Lady Jane Gray Daughter to the Earl of Suffolk whom he had caused to be Married to his 4 th Son the Lord Guilford Dudley thereby to Entail the Crown to his Posterity and then as he thought to Seal what he had done he removed the Kings Phisitians and set a Woman who undertook to Cure him who either through Ignorance or rather as many imagine to compleat the Hellish purpose brought him to that pass that his Phisitians being again called to him durst not give their Advice but went away shaking their heads with Tears in their Eyes and shortly after that Pattern of true Piety and Vertue left this Life when after his Death his Body was found swelled at a Monstrous rate and so diversly coloured that most whispered it that he was Poysoned as did many Learned Phisitians but durst not speak their minds freely yet Northumberlands project lasted not for himself his Son and the Pious and Innocent Lady Jane as likewise the Duke of Suffolk her Father all lost their Heads in the Reign of Queen Mary Nor did Heavens Justice seem slow upon the heads of those Scotch Monsters who slew their King viz. James the Fifth stiling themselves the Ministry of Scotland for the chief Actor was Burnt together with all or most part of his Family by his House accidentally firing in the Night and others his wicked accomplices who durst stretch out their hands against Majesty were forced to fly and die miserable Exiles whilst the Land Groaned under civil Dissentions Famine Mortal Sickness and the like But having proceeded thus far I shall make a step over into France and there take a view of the untimely Ends and Barbarous Murther of two of their late Kings CHAP. VI. A Relation of the Murther of Henry the Third the French King by James Clement a Jacobin and how Gods Vengeance overtook the Murtherer as likewise fell heavy upon the whole Kingdom KING Henry the Third of France Third Son to Henry the Second after the Death of his Father and two Brothers Francis and Charles in the latter of whose Reign by his special Command happened the Bloody Massacree of the Protestants all over France succeeded to the Crown of France and was Crowned with great Solemnity but sate not long in his Throne e're the Guises Faction began to give him disturbance and under combination of League against him take up Armes whereupon many Battles were Fought and what they most alleadged was his favouring the Protestants and to such a height the Duke of Guise pushed the Discontent for the hate he bore to the Hugonets as the Protestants were termed himself having been the Perswader to the former Massacres that the King was forced in secret wise to fly Paris and for refuge betake himself to his Army whereupon he sent for the King of Navarre afterwards King of France whose Tragedy we shall next relate to his assistance who joyning Forces fought many Battels with the Leaguers but finding them the more obstinate and that the Duke of Guise sought to deprive him of his Crown it was so resented by some of the
Inroads into the Northern parts which caused King Edward to draw together a great Power composed as well of Foreign Nations as of English and marched against them But several of the disaffected Lords under pretence that the King had not ratified the promised Liberties and Priviledges refused to assist him so that for want of good conduct though the English exceeded the Scots in number yet coming to a Battel at Banocksbourn near Streveling the English were overthrown more by stratagem than plain force for the Scots having digged pits and set up sharp stakes in them cover'd them over with Earth and Hurdles so that the English Horse charging furiously their weight broke the Hurdles and there goring on the stakes became useless being in that manner killed on all sides by Scottish Archers who let fly at them as thick as Hail Upon this discomfiture the King was resolved to die in the Field and much perswasions were used to induce him to save himself by retiring In this Battel fell the Earl of Glocester and the Lord Clifford and about 700. Knights and Esquires and as Modes Accountans relates 6000. common Soldiers though the Scotch Historian will have it 15000. The King being retired to York resolved to raise a new Army to revenge this dishonour but such was the perverseness of his Nobility that it came to nothing yet the Scots heightned with this success attempting to win Ireland were overthrown and Edward Brother to King Robert who had caused himself to be Crowned King slain And now the King having lost his Privado or second self to whom he might open the Cabinet of his thoughts to supply the Room of Gavistone began to settle his affections on Hugh D' Spencer Lord Chamberlain and so doated on him as likewise on his Son for his sake that all things moved by their advice which more inraged the discontented Lords than the actions of Gavistone had done especially when they perceived two to spring up in the room of one Yet so far the Lords prevailed that they procured their banishment but not long for the Earl of Lancaster and the Lords of his Faction taking up Arms the King was resolved to maintain his Regal Authority though with the loss of his Life And therefore marched against them who now upon some distaste given were deprived of the Queens mediation and thereupon commandment was given for the reversion of the Sentence against the Spencers which was performed at London by the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and his Suffragan And now the King having increased his Power followed hard upon the Lords and caused Lancaster to draw off his Army from Burton upon Trent and march towards Burrowbridges when in the way several of the Lords of his Faction left him and threw themselves upon the Kings Mercy amongst whom was the Traitour Mortimer Lancaster with his retinue being arrived at Burrow-Bridges was there stopped by Andrew D' Hackerly Captain of Carlile and Simon Ward Captain of York who had gathered great forces in those parts and there after some parly he and the Lords of his Faction surrendred themselves When three days after the King came with all his Forces and Erected a Court of Justice where the Earl of Lancaster and most of the Lords and Barons that were taken being Sentenced as Traitours were shortly after Executed besides a number of the meaner sort though contrary to the Kings own inclination as many suppose by his afterwards bewailing the Death of his near Kinsman the Earl of Lancaster Things being at this pass the Queen began to conceive high displeasure at the proceedings of the Spencers who had prevailed with the King to abridge her allowance whereupon she complained that she was rather kept as a waiting Woman than a Queen or Heir of France and at that time Charles the Fifth King of France seeking occasion of quarrel against the English took this advantage and secretly dealt with the Queen to obtain leave to come to his Court and to bring with her Prince Edward her Son which she effected and at the same time the Lord Mortimer having corrupted his Keepers or as some will have it by giving them a sleepy Potion got out of the Tower and fled into France Where upon the Queens arrival he became of her Cabinet Council and otherwise more familiar than either became her honour or his duty as in place convenient will appear These things happening and great differences arising between the two Nations Queen Isabel taking the advantage solicited her Husband that she might go over to mediate and reconcile the business which request of hers was seconded by the Lord Spencer who perswaded the King from going over to secure his possessions in Normandy in person upon no other account then that he was afraid to stay behind him Upon this intercession of the Spencers the King consents to the Queens desire and all things were prepared to transport her where indeed upon her arrival she so sar prevailed with her Brother that matters of debate ceased upon condition that King Edward should give to his Son the Dutchy of Aquitaine and Earldom of Pontine which was accorded to and the Prince sent over to do Homage to his Uncle for them though to the utter undoing of the King his Father for now the Plot began which in the end dispossessed him of his Crown and Life though coloured under a pretence of ruining the Spencers which specious pretext drew many who would otherwise have been unwilling to have â—ngaged The Prince having payed his Homage to Charles D' Volois King of France was together with Queen Isabel his Mother sent for back but the conspiracy not yet having taken root she made many trivial excuses to delay time which Walter Stapleton Bishop of Exeter who attended on the Prince perceiving and having had some knowledge of the frequent Councils that were held and seeing the Kings Enemies in such favour with the Queen amongst whom Mortimer was chief he as in duty bound secretly returned and advertised the King of the imminent danger who thereupon solicited though to no purpose the King of France to send over his Wife and Son Whereupon he unadvisedly caused them to be proclaimed Enemies to the Kingdom and banished them with all their adherents Which discovery and Sentence of Banishment so nettled the Queen and her Accomplices that after some feigned submission she resolved by open force to enter the Land and thereupon without the consent of her Husband or the Peers of England she affianced her Son Prince Edward to the Lady Philippa Daughter to the Earl of Hanault and with the Money of her Portion levied Soldiers in Germany and other places Upon notice of these proceedings the King thought it time to strengthen himself and therefore set forth his Navy which scouring the narrow Seas brought in a Hundred and twenty French Prizes as likewise he fortified the Sea-Ports and put Garisons into the places that stood most advantagious to hinder the landing of a
Trussel one of the Judges who found out a Law Quirk to colour the detestable Treason as followeth I William Trussel In the name of all Men of the Land of England and of all the Parliament Procurator resign to thee Edward the Homage that was made to thee some time and from this time forward I defie thee and deprive thee of all Royal Dignity and I shall never be Tendant to thee as for King hereafter This Ceremony or rather compact of Treason being utter'd Sir Thomas Blunt Steward of the Houshold broke his Staff and Proclaimed the Kings Houshold discharged from any further Service and then leaving the King divested of Regal Authority and under strong confinement they posted to London to tell the news which was joyfully received especially by Roger Lord Mortimer of Wigmore though the Queen the better to colour the Treason seemed much disturbed at the relation of the Kings deposing Now the next business was to set the Crown upon young Edwards Head whom by reason of his Minority they thought to Rule as themselves thought fit who notwithstanding his being but fifteen years of Age utterly refused to admit of the Ceremony till he was assured it was with his Fathers free consent But at last submitting to the perswasions of the Queen and Mortimer he was Crowned and Proclamation put out in his name to satisfie the minds of people touching the free Concession of his Father Things being at this pass the Queen began to think of securing her self a Dowry which she did so large that it amounted to two parts of the Revenues of the Crown which she delivered to the disposal of Mortimer at whose command she solely was even as Fame reported both at Bed and Board but their security being interrupted by the pitty many seemed to have for the miseries of the Deposed King they well knowing if he were again restored to his Dignity it would prove their confusion therefore laying aside all remorse they entered into a conspiracy to make sure of him for ever by Murther Whereupon removing him from Kenelworth and out of the Custody of the Earl of Lancaster who they thought too much favored him he was delivered into the Custody of Sir Thomas De Gournay and Sir John Mattravers two bloody Sycophants who conveyed him to Corfe Castle from thence to Bristol and then to Berkly Castle where after many barbarous and vile usages they Murthered him the manner according to Holinshead thus The Kings Death being resolved on Mortimer procured Adam De Forleton to write this doubtful but most wicked Sophism and to be Sealed with the Queens Seal Edvardum occidere nolite timere Bonum est To shed King Edward's Blood Refuse to fear I count it good Where the Comma being put after Nolite bids them not to make him away but placed after Timere expresly commands it in performing which execrable Villany these Monsters were not slow and the better to colour the Regicide lest any outward appearance of violence should be observed they by force bind the good King and O barbarous inhumanity putting a Horn into his Fundament to keep the outward part from seering they thrust a hot Iron through it and therewith twisted his Bowels to pieces not once only but often repeated the cruel torture the which how painful may be guessed by the pittiful out-cries the King made whilst they were putting him to death which cries were heard by many but none durst venture to relieve him After this foul and barbarous Murther committed it was blazed abroad that he died of grief and thereupon they publickly exposed his Body to the Prelates and others for several days but in a short time the Murther which is seldom hid came to light and the Actors known though the Queen and Mortimer deeply dissembled the matter and to outward appearance seemed greatly afflicted Upon the discovery Gorney and Mattravers fled the former of which was taken at Massels in France where he produced the Queen and Mortimers Seals for what he had done whereupon secret Orders were sent for Beheading him on Ship-board in his way for England lest had he come to a Trial he should have made a full discovery of the chief Conspirator as for the latter he wandered about miserably in forreign Countries and at last died miserably in Italy being eat up with Ulcers And Gods vengeance found out these Monsters of men nor was it slow in punishing most deservedly Roger Lord Mortimer the chief Contriver of the wicked Parricide who having attained to the height of his ambition for he together with the Queen being at his Castle of Nottingham one Evening upon a bruite that his Mother was with Child by Mortimer the King with a well affected Company having entered a Vault that went into the Castle passed on till he came into the Chamber where the Queen was in Bed and Mortimer undressing himself to go to her and so secure they were that they had left open the Chamber door whereupon the King caused him to be seized which was not so easily done but two or three were killed in the attempt for Mortimer had at that time a Retinue of fourscore Knights and Gentlemen attending him but in spite of resistance he was carried off And within a while after condemned in Parliament for being accessary to the Murther of the late King betraying the Nation and wasting the Coin as also for committing adultery with the Queen Whereupon he was soon after drawn to Tiburn then called the Elms and there hanged where by the commandment of the King he continued hanging for two days being pittied of none nor did he fall alone for with him were Executed Sir Simon De Bedford and John Deverel Esq both concerned in King Edwards Murther and thus Heavens vengeance aim'd sure and overwhelmed in the height of their pride and security these Monsters of men that durst by cruel tortures shed the Blood of their Anointed Soveraign CHAP. III. The Birth remarkable passages deposing and murthering of Richard the Second King of England France and Lord of Ireland the fiftieth Monarch of England with the manner of the Conspiracies against and Vengeance that overtook many of the Regicides RIchard the Second was Son to the black Prince and Grandson to King Edward the Third being Crowned in the Eleventh year of his Age at the first entry upon his Kingdom all things promised him a peaceable and prosperous Reign but it continued not long so for by reason of the ill conduct of affairs in his Minority John Duke of Lancaster ruling all who was in hatred with the Commons great numbers of the Rabble rose in many Counties under the Conduct of their factious Leaders upon pretence of Redressing grievances the common Cloak of Rebellion the principal Commanders being Wat Tyler and Jack Straw two Mechanicks who committed many outrages as burning plundering and murthering in most places where they came and were so far sided with by the City of London that they entered it
without opposition and took the Tower wherein the King was and were designed to murther him had not providence prevented it by his condescending to what they demanded though never so unreasonable and granting a pardon to all for what offences soever had been committed upon which a great part acknowledged the Kings Concessions satisfactory and so returned home yet their grand Captains keep their Armies on foot and still drew up unreasonable Petitions such as they knew the King could not with honour grant and hereupon they took a pretence of doing more mischief intending to have divided the Kingdom amongst Mechanicks every County to have had a King of the Commons as they termed it But e're they could bring their rebellious purpose to perfection it it was prevented for Sir William Walworth then Lord Mayor of London being with the King at a Treaty with Wat Tyler and hearing the Traitor speak irreverently of his Soveraign and offering to murther one of the Kings Knights for not shewing him such respect as he required he with his drawn Sword Arrested him as a Traitor in West-Smithfield and he refusing to yield some Lords coming in he was killed and had his head cut off and carried on a Spear out of the mouth of which he had before impiously protested that all the Laws of England should proceed At the fall of their grand Captain the Rebels were much grieved and being near twenty thousand strong resolved upon revenge but the young King spurring forward told them that he was and would be their Captain and that whatsoever they desired if it were lawful they should have which appeased and caused many of them to throw down their Arms and in the mean space the Lord Mayor having raised 1000 Citizens and brought them to confront the Rebels under his own Conduct that of Sir Robert Knowles and others whereupon the Rebels totally submitted to the King upon promise of pardon Whereupon the King sent to all his loving Subjects throughout England who were able to provide Horse and Arms to attend him on Black-Heath where they were mustered to the number of 40000 all on Horseback and well appointed and now the Rebels in Kent Essex and other Counties beginning again to raise tumults were dispersed by force and many of the principal Incendiaries put to death so that the Nation was reduced to its former obedience and quiet so that the King began to think of Marriage which Anno 1382. In the Month of January he effected with the Lady Anne Daughter to the Emperour Charles the Fourth and Sister to Winceslaus King of Bohemia and she Crown'd by William Courtney Son to the Earl of Devonshire and Bishop of Canterbury Upon which through the Negotiation of the Duke of Lancaster a Truce was concluded between the French and English from Christmas till Midsummer and the said Duke upon his return dispatched with an Army to revenge the injuries the Scots had put upon the English during the intestine broils but returned without effecting any thing memorable and upon his return he was accused by a Carmelite Friar and by Birth an Irish-man to have conspired the Kings Death to the truth of which the Friar Swore upon the Sacrament but the Dukes Interest in the King and his Council so overpowered the testimony of the Friar that it was not believed but on the contrary the Evidencer delivered over to the Lord John Holland who caused him cruelly to be put to death without Trial or Form of Law and afterwards dragged through the streets when at the same time the Lord Thomas of Woodstock afterwards made Duke of Glocester rushed into the presence Chamber swearing that he would kill any man alive the King not excepted that durst lay Treason to his Brothers charge which rash words were afterwards excused upon pretence of his Zeal to his Brothers honour though at the same time his duty to his Soveraign ought to have overballanced the other but the Duke of Lancaster's credit growing great with the Court Lords the King was forced to oblige him not knowing how to help it and therefore seeing him grow obstinate he the rather wished to be rid of him which he thought he could no better do than by furnishing him a Navy and an Army to Invade Castile which Kingdom he claimed in the Right of his Wife Constance Daughter to the late King where arriving he obtained several places of strength worsting the Spaniards every where When in the mean while the French under their young King resolving to revenge old injuries prepared an Army of 100000. Men to Invade England supposing it weakned by the remoteness of the Duke of Lancaster's Army but such was Gods providence that although they were imbarqued and several times attempted to put to Sea yet were they still driven back and detained by contrary winds even at such a time when the discontents amongst the Nobility made way for their Conquest for the King supposing himself rid at least for a time of his Uncle the turbulent Duke of Lancaster found his second Uncle Thomas Duke of Glocester no less troublesome who with the Lords of his Faction continually opposed the Kings proceedings even to the weakning the Kingdom denying in Parliament to grant him either Men or Money even when the French Army was daily expected to Land upon pretence that he had undeservedly created Michael Delâ— Pole Lord Chancellour Duke of Suffolk and Robert D' Vere Duke of Dublin in Ireland not being willing any should be advanced but of his own Faction which caused a Poet both learnedly and fellingly to Sing or rather Weep his Countries misery in the doleful strains I Sing the Civil Wars tumultuous Broils And Bloody Factions of a mighty Land Whose People haughty proud with foreign spoils Upon themselves now turn their Conquering Hand Whilst Kin their Kin Brother his Brother foils Like Ensigns all against like Ensigns band Bows against Bows a Crown against a Crown Whilst all pretending Right all Right threw down The Nation which had been formerly troubled with the Insurrection of the Plebeans was again troubled by the Faction of the Peers who stuck not to demand the removal and banishment of all such as were near and dear unto the King under pretence of evil Councillours When indeed their distast for the most part was founded upon private Animosities which when they perceived they could not effect by fair means they retired into the several Counties where their Lands were and where they were most popular and there raised such forces as they could get which in a short time in conjunction made an Army of Forty thousand men though in time of eminent danger they pretended no Forces considerable could be levyed With these forces they march towards London with an intent to force the King to accord to what they should propose although at that time Dela Pole the Duke of Ireland and Archbishop of York the Persons against whom they chiefly objected were banished the Kings presence The
Lords that raised these stirs were Thomas Duke of Glocester the Earls of Warwick Derby Nottingham and Arundel yet upon the mediation of some Prelates the matter was so ordered that the Lords were content to present themselves to the King sitting in State at Westminster but so far from trusting his Royal word that they came strongly guarded and coming into his presence fell on their Knees yet after the former strain repeated their former demands throwing down their Gloves protesting to prove them Traitours by Combate whom they had so named yet the King in a sharp reply made them sensible how little he feared their Braves but in the end referred the further determination of matters to the next Parliament which shortly after held at Westminster And in the mean while bid them be content and mindful of their Allegiance yet they refused to separate themselves but withdrawing into the West near Burford set upon a party of Cheshire and Welshmen Commanded by Sir Thomas Molenaux and others and by the Kings special Order raised to conduct safe to Court the Duke of Ireland whom the King had secretly recalled from Banishment and after a hot dispute slew Sir Thomas and most of his Men the Duke hardly escaping then increasing their number they marched towards London whose approach caused the King to betake himself to the Tower and the Citizens through fear to open their Gates so that the Lords and the greatest part of their Host entered as it were in triumph and after some Messengers had passed between the King and them they found means to come to his presence and there boldly taxed him of secretly practising to fly with the Duke of Ireland into France and to deliver up Calais and other places in Normandy to the French King with many other unbeseeming expressions which either through real grief or a Noble disdain to be so used by his Subjects caused the King to shed Tears even in their sight and at last it was agreed that the King should the next day come to Westminster but the next day the King deferring his repair longer than the time appointed the Lords contrary to their Allegiance sent him word that if he came not speedily according to appointment they would chuse them another King who both would and should obey the Council of his Peers they having him present whom they intended to have Invested with the Diadem viz. Henry Earl of Derby Son to the Duke of Lancaster who afterward Dethroned him as shall be related The King having received this threatning message though much against his Inclination went to Westminster where the Lords were Assembled where they forced him not only to disclaim the Duke of Ireland divest the Lord Chancellour but likewise turn out of favour Alexander Nevil Arch-bishop of York the Bishops of Durham and Chichester the Lord Souches and Beaumont with many more of smaller account so that having stripped him of his friends they thought the easier to rule him and afterward committed as many of them as they could lay hands on Prisoners to the Tower to answer such Accusations as should be objected against them in the next Parliament which beginning the Candlemas following The first day of the Sessions most of the Judges were Arrested as they were sitting upon the Bench and committed to the Tower the Crime alleadged against them was that at Nottingham they having given Council to the Lords which they assured them was according to Law had afterwards assured the King that it was not according to Law but only they had been obliged to give such Opinions for their own security But Trisillian escaped for a while by flight being taken in the Morning was brought before the Parliament and having no longer respite than till the afternoon was carried to Tyburn and there according to Sentence had his Throat cut an unmanly death to be inflicted on a Lord Chief Justice There were likewise Executed almost all the Judges and about five Knights and Esquires most of the Kings especial favorites nor could the King stay this Execution but e're this mischief spread further 't was allayed by the arrival of the Duke of Lancaster who had obtained a great Sum of Money and a yearly Revenue of the King of Spain to quit his claim to the Crown of Castile and Leon and that the Lord Henry his Son Marrying the Lady Catharine that Kings Daughter should have the Title of Prince of Austria with several other advantageous matters and upon his arrival King Richard whether again to buy his absence is uncertain bestowed upon him the Dutchy of Aquitain confirming it in Parliament and putting into his Possession the Cap of Maintenance and Ducal Rod at which time his Son Henry Earl of Derby went for Prussia and there ingaged himself in the War against the Lithuanian where he Atchieved many noble deeds in Chivalry but soon after died the Dutchess of Lancaster Dutchess of York Dutchess of Derby and what was more grievous to the King his Queen whom he intirely loved all dying almost in a years space whereupon the Duke of Lancaster went over to take possession of his Dutchy and then upon complaint of the Out-cries committed by the Wild Irish passed into Ireland with an Army to suppress them and upon his return into France he was Married to the Lady Isabel that Kings Daughter and thereupon a peace concluded between the two Nations for the space of thirty years And now the Duke of Ireland being dead the discontents of the Lords seemed somewhat abated yet not long for the restless Duke of Glocester still contriving to secure his steerage at Helme by over-awing the King put so many affronts upon him that he often complained thereof to his Uncles the Dukes of Lancaster and York who perswaded the King of his good intent though his words might seem harsh but within a while after a Combination of the said Duke with the Earls of Arundel and Warwick the Lords Cobham and Chevy being discovered by Thomas Mobray Earl of Nottingham wherein they had conspired to Imprison the King and his Uncles Lancaster and York as likewise to put to death many of his Councellours upon which they were Arrested and the Duke sent Prisoner to Calais where afterward he was smothered with a Pillow and here only the Earl of Arundel Beheaded These Executions wrought some alteration in the minds of the People whose Darling the Duke of Glocester was so that they greatly maligned his Prosecutors and some vowed secretly to revenge but to salve up these discontents especially amongst the great ones the King in the next Parliament took upon himself the Title of Prince of Chester created his Cousin Henry Earl of Derby Duke of Hereford the Earl of Nottingham Duke of Norfolk the Earl of Rutland Duke of Amaurle the Earl of Kent Duke of Surry the Earl of Huntington Duke of Exceter the Earl of Sommerset Marquess of Dorset the Lord Spencer Duke of Glocester c. and added to his
Patrons the Jesuits had perswaded him to that wickedness and promised him Salvation for his Reward whereupon his Father was Banished his House demollished and a Piramid set in his place and secondly by a Decree of Parliament the whole Society of Jesuits were expelled out of France but by their shews of Piety and Sincerity so Wrought with the Kings Favorites and they with him on their behalf that that Decree was repealed and they again restored to the Destruction of the Kings Life as most imagine The next that attempted his Life was one that was or at least pretended himself a Natural who finding opportunity run at him with a Knife whereupon the Guard would have Killed him but the King forbid it and he being asked the reason said He was King of all the World and that Henry kept France from him whereupon the King out of meer compassion ordered him to be released And now France Flourishing under this great and Glorious Prince whose good Conduct had Reduced it to so happy an Estate that the like for some Ages past had not been he thought to have rested but such was the Implacable Mallice of his Adversaries that they watched all opportunities to deprive him of Life to whom next Heaven they owed their happyness nor did they desist till they had brought about their wicked purposes the manner and opportunity given thus The King having Married Mary D' Medicis Daughter to Frances and Neice to Fardinand Dukes of Florence upon the Divorce of Margaret Sister to the three late Kings of France She was Impatient till she was Installed and although the King had other purposes of more urgency which required his leaving of Paris yet was he prevailed with to stay though many things Prognosticated ill events as the Raining Blood in divers places Monsters-Born Earthquakes and Airy Fantoms happening and appearing and several Predictions that the King should not out-live that Year that he should Dye in Paris a suddain and violent Death and in his Coach the which he though he was not over credulous on such occasions began to hearken to it and was heard to say that he must be gone from that City or his Enemies would Kill him nay so sure were they of his Destruction that a Month before his being Assassinated Papers were found Printed in Spain and Italy that he was Dead and eight days before a Courrier passed through Leige saying He went to give the Princes of Germany notice of his Death The Villain Incited to be the Executioner with large promises of Earthly Treasure and Joys Everlasting hardens himself to perpetrate the Execrable wickedness having Lingered about Paris a long time for that purpose he being an Ill down lookt Rascal who had formerly quitted his Order and became a Solicitor of Ecclesiastical affairs the day after the Instalment the King Intending to leave Paris the next day the King going in his Coach from the Louvre to the Arsenal and to see all things provided for the Queens Entrance having in the Coach with him the Dukes of Espernon and Monthason the Marshals of Lavardine Rocquelavar La Force Mirebeau and Lian Cour chief Esquires when Entering Iron-Mongers Street through the narrow passage by St. Innocents Church a Cart Laden with Wine was overthrown as most imagine for the purpose which caused the Coach to stop and whilst his Guard of Partizans passed through the Church-yard this Villain who had all the while followed the Coach set one Foot against the Stall and the other upon the spoke of the Wheel and with a long Knife struck the King into the Breast beneath the Heart at which the King cryed I am Wounded yet the Hellhound redoubled his force with a second Blow which struck him to the Heart of which he Dyed without fetching so much as a Sigh and again a third stroke which the Duke D' Monthazon received on his Sleeve and although it was supposed the Murtherer might have escaped yet so heightened was he in his wickedness that he never Stirred from the place neither hid his Bloody Knife but rather Gloried in what he had done and being taken he was adjudged by the Chamber of the Assemblies to be drawn to the Grave with four Horses and to have the Flesh pulled off from his Arms Breasts and Thighs with Burning Pincers and then Torn to peices which Sentence was put in Execution without his Testifying the least Emotion of Grief or Fear for such strange Torments so that it was Evident that he had been made believe that Paricid was Merritorious and that if he Dyed he Dye a Martyr being Inchanted with a false assurance of great things though for his Horrid Treason and Barbarous Assassination he met with his just Reward All France at the Death of this King were amazed and in Tears unless his Enemies who secretly rejoyced thinking to gain their purposes but were deceived most of them being wasted and destroyed in the Wars that were in the Minority of his Children and thus fell this great King yet e're I conclude one thing is Remarkable when he was opened the Jesuits got his Heart which they so long had desired and carryed it to their Church De La Fleck under pretence of Burying it there his Body was Buryed in St. Dennis whither a little before the Body of his Prodecessor Henry the III. had been brought from the Church of St. Cornillie And leaving France I shall Return to England there to give the Reader a Sight of one of the blackest Trajedies that ever the World has known a Murther without President or Parrallel even the Murther of the Sacred Martyr Charles the First of ever Blessed Memory which take as followeth to the Eternal Infamy of the Regicids CHAP. VIII The Dismal Relation of the most Inhuman and Barbarous Murther of CHARLES the First King of Great Brittain France and Ireland and of Gods extraordinary Judgments and speedy Vengeance on the Monsterous Regicides and principal Agents and Abettors in his most deplorable Death KING CHARLES the First of ever Blessed Memory Son to the Renowned King James first sole Monarch of Great Brittains Empire and his Vertuous Consort Anne Sister to Christianus King of Denmark was Born at Dunfermel in Scotland on the 19 of November 1600 and when Englands bright Star the Glorious Queen Elizabeth Set he with his Royal Father the undoubted Heir of these Dominions came to London and continued with great Applause attracting in his Infancy the Eyes and Hearts of the Nation to gaze upon his comely person and much admire his Vertues promising such a Blessing to England that indeed it was not worthy of he being sole Heir to the Crown by the Death of Prince Henry who died at St. James's Anno 1625 succeeded to the Crown having before his Fathers Death contracted Marriage with the Vertuous and most Renowned Princess Henrietta Maria Daughter to Henry the IV. of France and Sister to Lewis the then Reigning King and at first such was the Universal
Escutcheons the Armories of St. Edward the Confessor sometime King of England These proceedings for a time made fair weather but not long for a Feud arising between Henry Duke of Hereford and Thomas Duke of Glocester the latter accused the former of speaking several words to the dishonour of the King that King Richard held the Peers of England in no esteem but as much as in him lay sought to destroy them by banishing some and putting others to death That he never troubled his mind with considering how his Dominions were diminished through his carelesness and lastly that all things went to wrack as well in Peace as War Upon this it was ordered that the Accuser and the Accused should try the matter by Combate the latter stoutly denying he ever said any such words as were objected against him so that gages being delivered on both sides they entered the Lists but e're they encountered the King threw down his Warder and upon further consideration banished Norfolk for his Life and Hereford at first for ten years which after he reduced to six which some alleadged was a just Judgment on the former for being instrumental in putting the Duke of Glocester to death he being then Captain of Calais But now ruin and desolation being at hand Portents forerun it all the Bay-trees in England suddenly withered and within a while sprung out again fresh near Bedford the River between the Villages of Harleswood and Swelston where it is deepest drove back on either hand and for three Miles left its Channel dry with sundry other remarkable presages of what after happened To give way to which the King upon notice of his Cousin the Lord Mortimer's being slain by the Irish of Leinster who were up in Arms under their Leader Obrian he resolved to pass over in person to revenge his death and therefore to furnish his expedition he raised many of all hands and at the same time his Uncle the Duke of Lancaster dying he seized on his Inheritance without regard to his Son the Duke of Hereford who remained in Exile which the said Duke hearing was so throughly netled that not resolving to wait the expiration of his Banishment he taking the advantage of King Richard's absence resolves for England having upon notice of his Fathers decease taken upon him the Title of Duke of Lancaster and only accompanied with the banished Bishop of Canterbury and about twenty others when having taken Ship he for some time lay hovering on the Coast to understand how the People stood affected to him and the better to give his agents on shore time to work them to his purpose but upon notice that his Faction was strong he Landed only under pretence of recovering his Rightful Inheritance when as there repaired to him the Earl of Northumberland and his Son the Lord Henry his Son the Lord Nevil Earl of Westmorland and others as likewise a great number of the Country People offering him their Service so that within a short time he had formed a Puissant Army the news of which soon alarumed Edmund Duke of York the Kings Uncle who calling to his assistance Edmund Stafford Bishop of Chichester Lord Chancellour Lord Treasurer Earl of Wiltshire Bushy Bagot Green Russel and other Knights of the Kings Council to consult about raising forces to impeach the Dukes passage but their consultation came to nothing the Dukes Faction having so dealt with the common people that they every where refused to take up Arms against him Whereupon Sir John Bushy Lord Treasurer and Sir Henry Green betake themselves to Bristol Castle but it being stormed by the Lancastrians their Heads became a Sacrifice to popular fury but Bagot taking ship Sailed over to Ireland to acquaint the King with what had happened who thereupon making such peace as he could with the Irish he hastens over but before his arrival the Dukes Faction was swelled to such a torrent that there was no opposing it Whereupon the King having Cashiered his Army or they for the most part deserting him he retired to the Castle of Conway in North-Wales whither upon notice of his being there resorted to him the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Earl of Northumberland where after a long Parly the King perceiving no other conditions could be gained required that he and eight more whom he would name might have honourable allowance with the assurance of a quiet private Life that he in consideration thereof would make a resignation of his Crown which demand Northumberland swore should be observed and thereupon the King accompanied them to the Castle of Flint whither the Duke was come with a part of his Army and from thence after a short conference they removed to Chester where the King in consideration of many fair promises never performed put himself into the Dukes hands who conveyed him to London and there made sure of him in the Tower whither several of the Lancastrian Faction daily resorted to him to parly about the surrender of his Crown which at last he consented to do seeing no other Remedy to his Cousin the Duke of Lancaster and at the same time taking off his Signet he put it on the Dukes Finger and at the same time there being a Parliament called in King Richard's name the Arch-bishop of York and Bishop of Hereford were appointed his Procurators to declare what he had done nor was this sufficient for to make him odious to the People they exhibited thirty two Articles against him very scandalous and reproachful Whereupon Commissioners were nominated by the consent of the Houses to pronounce the Sentence of Deposition who were the Bishop of Asaph the Abbot of Glastenbury the Duke of Glocester the Lord Berkly and William Thyrring Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas the Form thus In the Name of God We John Bishop of St. Asaph John Abbot of Glastenbury c. Commissioners specially chosen by the Lords Spiritual of the Realm of England and Commons of the said Realm representing all the states of the said Realm sitting in place of Judgment do renounce all fealty to Richard of Burdeaux and him Depose from all Kingly Dignity c. Upon which the Duke of Lancaster rising from his Seat Crossed himself and then layed claim to the Crown in these words In the Name of God Amen I Henry of Lancaster claim the Realm of England and Crown with all the appurtenances as coming by the Blood Royal from King Henry and by that Justice which God of his Grace hath sent me by the help of my Kinsfolks and Friends for the Recovery of the said Realm which was in point of perdition through default of Government and breach of Laws This said he was conducted by the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and York to the Royal Throne and there Seated and from thenceforth all Writs and Process Issued out in his Name Richard In the mean space remaining a Prisoner in the Tower and every day in danger of his Life which was often aimed at the more
The Murther of Edward the Fifth and his Brother Richard Duke of York by the means of their Vncle the Duke of Glocester his Vsurpation and Death with various Examples of Gods vengeance upon those that were his Assistants in the Regicide Edward the Fourth having though for the most part reigned twenty two years one Moneth and five days deceased leaving his Nobility at variance though at his death they were seemingly reconciled and his two Sons both young and Glocester Protector of the Realm during Edward the Elders Minority but he having before Plotted the Acquirement of the Soveraignty resolved to work the destruction of his Nephews to his way to the Throne and therefore confederating with the Duke of Buckingham and other Lords of his Faction which with gifts and large promises he won to his Lure Whereupon his first attempt was to accuse the Lords of the Queens Blood with many things thereby to render them odious in the Eyes of the People and therewith a strong Guard went to meet the young King who at his Fathers death was at Ludlow under pretence of bringing him up to London to his Coronation when indeed he never intended he should wear the Diadem they having politickly perswaded the Queen from setting any guard about her Son that so they might the easier work their purposes and coming to Northampton where the Lord Rivers the Queens Brother and the Lord Richard her Son by Sir John Grey lay they with all seeming kindness received and imbraced them and seemed to study nothing more than the advancement of the King but Glocester Buckingham and others of the Faction having held a close Consult most part of the Night the next Morning they locked up the Inn setting a guard of their Servants whom they had privately sent for to secure it and others to secure the way from Northampton to Stony Stratford where the King lay that none should pass to bear the news of what had happened under a pretence only that they designed to be the first that would wait upon the King from that Town but Earl Rivers perceiving himself as it were a Prisoner and mistrusting some design against his Person went boldly to the Dukes who were in the same Inn and demanded the reason of such their proceedings upon which they began to pick a quarrel with him saying that he endeavoured to sow discord between the King and them to their utter confusion should it take effect but as he was about to excuse the false Accusation they committed him to Ward and taking Horse Rode to Stony Stratford where in the presence of the young King they after a feigned salutation and submission picked a quarrel with the Lord Grey the Kings other Brother by the Mothers side saying that he the Lord Rivers and Lord Marquess had Conspired their ruin and that the Marquess had taken the Kings Treasure out of the Tower and fitted out Ships to Sea which though they alledged as a crime against him yet themselves knew it was done for the good of the Nation and with the consent of the Council These Accusations the King excused saying as for his Uncle and his Brother present he durst ingage they had done nor meant no ill though the Marquess being absent he could not as yet tell what he might have done but this availed not for in the Kings presence they Arrested the Lord Richard Sir Thomas Vaughan and Sir Richard Hawit and brought the King and all his Train back to Northampton which unexpected news coming to the Queens Ear she immediately with her second Son the Duke of York took Sanctuary in Westminster and there in great heaviness attended the sequel and there had the great Seal delivered to her by the Arch-bishop of York which he afterward repenting sent privately for it again In the mean while Gloucester used many Arguments to perswade the King and those about him that all should be well and sent a dish of meat from his own Table to Earl Rivers with comfortable though dissembling words but in the end the Lord Rivers the Lord Richard Sir Thomas Vaughan were sent to divers Prisons and in conclusion all Beheaded at Pomfret by the command of Gloucester without Process of Law The next thing was to scandalize the Queen and to insinuate with the people that the Lord aforesaid intended to kill all of the Blood Royal to which purpose they shewed several pieces of Armour found in their Carriages saying it was designed for their destruction which many of the more easie sort believed though wise men knew that if they had so intended they would have had it on their backs but at last the King was brought to London and joyfully received by the Lord Mayor Aldermen Sheriffs and chief Citizens and thereupon a Council was called to consult of his Coronation in which Gloucester so cunningly dissembled his Intentions thâ—t he was made Protector of the Kings Person and Realm and so the Lamb was committed to the keeping of the Woolf and thus having got the King safe in the Tower nothing remained but possessing himself of the young Duke of York who was with the Queen in Sanctuary the which though much contrary to the will of the Queen he at last obtained and upon first sight took him in his Armes and gave him a Judas kiss Thus having secured himself of the Male Line of the House of York he began to pull off the Vizard that he so long had worn and began to place and displace the Kings attendants as he thought most advantagious for the carrying on of his design to all which Buckingham was privy and it was resolved between them that the Protector should be King and Buckingham upon these following considerations to assist him to grasp the Crown to his utmost power viz. That Gloucesters only Son should Marry his Daughter and that when he had attained his desire he should have quiet possession of the Earldome of Hereford with other Immunities and the better to carry on the designe two Counsels were appointed one in the Tower and the other in Bishopsgate-street the latter of which was composed of the Protectors own Creatures amongst whom was one Catesby a Lawyer in whom the Lord Hastings Lord Chamberlaine put such câ—nfidence that he doubted not but from him to have frequent Intelligence of all that passed but he deceived his expectation and instead of standing by him gave Council against his Life by incensing the Protector that whilst he lived he could not accomplish his design which so netled the Protector that though he loved the Lord Chamberlain yet rather than to be baulked in his purpose he resolved and the next day in Counsel he found occasion to pick a Quarrel with him upon pretence that the Queen and Shores Wife the late Kings Concubine had bewitched him the latter of which the Lord Chamberlaine for the great Love he bore her seeming to excuse as indeed she was no ways Guilty the Protector with a Sign given