Moguntinensis Treverensis Coloniensis Quilibet Imperii sit Cancellarius horum * Rhenis * Saxoniae Et Palatinus * dapifer Dux * portitor ensis * Brandeburgensis Marchio * Praepositus Camerae Pincerna Bohemus Hi statuunt dominum per omnia saecula summum Id. part 6. P. 7. Calixtus chosen Pope having taken Pope Benedict his opposer caused him to ride before him through the City of Rome on a Mule with his face towards the tail and holding it in his hand as a bridle and after cast him into Prison Id. part 6. R. 6. Epitaphium Henrici filii H. 5. Imperatoris Omnis honoris honos decor decus urbis orbis Militiae splendor gloria lumen apex Julius ingenio virtutibus Hector Achilles Viribus Augustus moribus ore Paris Fruct Temp. part 7. S. 3. Pope Gregory when Legate convented a Bishop before him that was suspected of Simony and said openly before all the people since the Bishop denied it and none could prove it Let mans Judgment cease for it's deceivable and let God dispose of it For certain it is that the Dignity of a Bishop is the gift of the Holy Ghost and whosoever buâ—es a Bishoprick sins against the Holy Ghost Then if thou Bishop didst not sin against the Holy Ghost say openly before all people Gloria patri filio Spiritui sancto And many times he began to say it but could never speak Spiritui sancto He was deposed from his Bishoprick and afterwards could speak it well enough Id. part 7. R. 3. John Comin was slain by Robert Bruise King of Scots before the Altar at Dunfrees whose blood in the stones cannot be washt away Id. part 7. X. 3. Boniface the eighth Pope entred as a Fox lived as Lion died like a Dog Fructus Temp. part 7. X. 6. The Emperor Henry the seventh was poisoned by a Frier in the Sacrament Id. part 7. Z. 3. When Sir Roger Mortimer was Prisoner in the Tower he made a great Feast to the Lieutenant apd all his Officers at which he gave them in their drink a sleepy potion that they slept two days and two nights and in the mean time he made his escape Id. part 7. Z. 3. At Halidon hill besides Berwick there were slain in one battel of the Scots thirty five thousand seven hundred and twelve and of the English but fourteen Id. part 7. A. 5. In the time of King Edward the third there reigned a great pestilence over most part of the World and from that time all that ever have been born have two cheeks teeth less than they had before Id. part 7. B. 4. King Richard the second in the year of his raign out of his displeasure against London removed the Courts and Terms from Midsummer till Christmas unto York Fructus Temp. part 7. E. 2. Eleven persons were pressed to death on London bridge by the throng of people that came from meeting King Richard the second in his return from France Id. part 7. E. 4. Thomas of Woodstock the good Duke of Glocester was smothered to death at Calice by the command of Richard the second between two feather-beds Id. part 7. E 4. In the year one thousand four hundred thirty four appeared three Suns at one time and anon followed the three-fold government of the Church The Pope The Council The Neutral and an Holy maid in Holland called Lidwith lived only by miracle not eating any meat Id. part 7. H. 8. The nine Orders of Angels are thus reckoned Angels Archangels Principates Potestates Virtues Dominations Thrones Cherubim Seraphim Polychronicon fol. 3. The Caspian hills are seven thousand paces in length but in breadth little more than a Cart-way Id. f. 8. In India the men have many wives and when the husband dieth the fairest and best beloved is buried with him which they esteem as the highest honour and preferment Id. f. 10. In the dead Sea a Lanthorn with a candle lighted swimmeth and floateth but if the light be quenched it sinketh nothing that hath life will sink as was tried by Vespasian who threw in two men bound together and yet they swam King Alexander intending to make War upon the Amazons they writ to him that they much wondred at him For if he were vanquished he should have great shame and if he were Conquerer he should have no Credit With which letter he was so convinced that he forbore to meddle with them sent for the Queen kept her as his Concubine forty dayes and sent her back with child by him Polycrhonicon fol. 17. The Shadow of Mount Athos reacheth seventy miles in length Id. f. 20. Bellerophons Image with his Horse made of Iron weighing fifteen thousand pound weight hung in the midst of a Temple in the air without chains or supporters only by the strength of Adamant or Loadstones that were in the Vaults and Arches that drew the Iron so every way that it might not move upwards nor downward nor sidewards but hang always in the middle Id f. 23. The Albestone when once set on fire can never be quencht or diminisht f. 23. In the North of Ireland is the land of Life where none die till they are carried out Id f. 35. In the Isle of Thule the six Summer months it's day and the six Winter months it's night Polycron f. 41. The Isle of Man was Judged to Brittain from Ireland because Venomous creatures are found therein Id f. 44. In Bohemia there is a beast called Boaz that hath no Horns but hath a large bag under his Chin wherein he gathereth water and in running heateth scalding hot and spouteth out on the Hunters and Hounds that pursue him and scaldeth them full sore A Maid the same day she was to be married turned into a Man and shortly after married a wife Id. f. 49. In the time of William the Conqueror there were in England forty five thousand and two Parish Churches Id. Ibid. What Hannibal said of the Romans that Ranulph of Chester saith of Englishmen that they could not be overcome but in their own Country Idem f. 56. The space between the hands stretched out which we call a Fathom is the just length of the body Polycronicon f. 57. In Africa there are some men that if they praise any thing it withereth and decayeth Id. f. 58. Trevisa tells of one Roger Bagge a very old man in Wotton Underhedge in Glocestershire that never spat or coughed in all his life f. 58. When there was War between the men of Thessaly and Athens an Oracle was given that the party whose Duke should be slain should have the better Codrus King of Athens disguised himself and went into the midst of his Enemies and so willingly occasioned his own death to get the Victory to his people f. 85. On Sardanapalus tomb by his own appointment was written So much I had as I eat and drank Id. f. 86. Licurgus having established his Laws bound the Lacedemonians by an Oath not to alter them till
made such Lamentation for it that his Mother beat him with a Taper of VVax that stood before her and that so sorely that he could never after well endure the sight of a Taper Edmund Ironside and Canute the Danes after many former battels by the Counsel of a Captain put the trial of their quarrel to their own single combat in a little Island called Alney near Glocester where after some trial of their valour they came to an agreement and divided the Kingdom between them p. 401. Duke Edrick after many false and treacherous deeds having contrived Edmund Ironsides death which was effected by thrusting into his body as he retired to a place for natures necessity a sharp Spear and having cut off his Soveraigns head he carried it to Canute with this fawning Salutation All hale thou now sole Monarch of England for here behold the head of thy Copartner which for thy sake I have adventured to cut off Canute though ambitious enough yet grieved at so disloyal a Fact replied and vowed That in reward of that service the bringers own Head should be advanced above all the Peeres of his Kingdom which high Honor while this Wretch expected soon after by the Kings command his Head bad fareâ—el to his Shoulders and was placed on the Highest Gate to overlook London Speeds Hist p. 401. Osbright a Vice-roy of Northumberland forced the Lady of Beorne Bocador a Nobleman related to the King of Denmark who flying to him to revenge his Cause he sent Hungar and Hubba whose Father Lothbroke following his Hawk in a little skiffe was carried into England taken as a Spy carried to King Edmund who preferred him and delighted in him for his skill in Hawking Which the Kings Faulconer Birrick envying at murthered him in a Wood which murder being by Lothbrokes Spaniel discovered Birrick was put in Lothbrokes Boat without Oar or Tackle and driven into Denmark accused King Edmund as the cause of his Murder which enraged Hungar and Hubba to invade England Id. p 398. Canutus established a Law that Women marrying within a year after their Husbands death should lose their Joyntures Id. p. 401. King Canutus gave great Jewels to Winchester Church whereof one is reported to be a Cross worth as much as the whole revenue of England amounted to in a year and unto Coventry he gave the Arm of St. Augustine which he bought at Papia for an hundred Talents of Silver and one of Gold Speeds Hist p. 402. Gormo Father of one Canute slain before Dublin so exceedingly loved him that he swore to kill him that brought him Newes of his Sons death which when Thira his Mother heard of she used this Policy to make it known to him She prepared mourning apparel and laid aside all princely State which the Old man perceiving he concluded his Son dead and with excessive grief ended his own Life p. 403. Hardicanute King of England was a great Epicure caused his Table to be spred with abundance of dainties four times every day which caused in the Common-wealth a riotous looseness Subjects being apt to praise their Soveraigns Vertues but to imitate their Vices Id. p. 406. King Edward the Confessor having married a virtuous and beautiful Lady Egitha Daughter of Earl Godwyn abstained her Bed saying on his own Death-bed That openly she was his Wife but as to secret embracing as his own Sister Which undue neglect of Marriage-right the Simplicity and Superstition of those times Canonized him for p. 411. One Dane made good Stamford-Bridg against all King Harolds Army and with his Axe slew forty of his Men till at last the Danish Souldier was slain with a Dart. Id. p. 415. Tosto and Harold the Sons of Earl Godwyn falling out Tosto secretly hyed himself into the Marches of VVales and near the City Hereford at Portaslith where Harold had a House then in preparing to entertain the King he slew all his Brothers Servants and cutting them peice-meal into Gobbets some of their Limbs he Salted and cast the rest into the Vessels of Meath and Wine sending his Brother word that he had furnished him vvith powdred Meats against the Kings coming thither Speeds Hist p. 413. Pope Alexander the 20. to encourage William the Conqueror to invade England sent him a consecrated Banner an Agnus Dei and one of the Haires of St. Peter and cursed all those that should oppose against him by which he was so encouraged that Landing his men in England to cut off all hope and occasion of return he fired all the Fleet. p. 415. VVilliam the Conqueror at his arrivage from Sea in England his feet chanced to slip so that he fell into the mud and bemired his hands which accident was presently construed as a lucky presage one of his Captains presently saying as Caesar did on the like occasion landing in Africk that now he had taken possession of the Land of which he should shortlâ— become King As accordingly it came to pass after he had slain Harold at Battle Abbey for mangling whose dead body he cashiered a common Souldier out of his wars and wages for ever unto which Abbey erected in memory of his conquest he granted large privileges and amongst others this that Malefactors flying thither should be secured harmless and if the Abbot chanced to come by any place where any Malefactor was to be Executed he might deliver him Speeds Hist 416. 18 33. Lewes King of France having procured the death of William Longspee Duke of Normandy was intercepted by the Normans and detained Prisoner till he had agreed to these Articles viz. That young Richard should succeed his Father in that Dukedom and that thenceforth when the King and Duke should confer together the Duke should be girt with a Sword and the King disabled either of Sword or Knife To which King Lewes bound himself by Oath Speeds Hist p. 423. Robert Duke of Normandy Father to William the Conqueror going to Hierusalem on pilgrimage and falling sick by the way was born in a litter on the Saracens shoulders when he desired a Christian Pilgrim whom he met to report what he saw which was That he was born to heaven on the Divels back p. 423. VVilliam the Conqueror at first held a hard hand on the Englishmen He instituted the ringing of the curfue Bell at eight of the Clock at night when he commanded all the English to put out the fire as a means to keep them in greater subjection Yea the Natives themselves became as strangers shaving their beards and rounding their hair and in garments behaviour and diet fashioned themselves to imitate the Normans It being a shame in those days even amongst Englishmen to be an English man Id. p. 427. William the Conqueror demanding how it came to pass that he should conquer England in one day when the Danes were so many years about it Fretherick Abbot of St. Albans answered That long peace had converted the riches of the land which should have maintained Soldiers
as unworthy for her unchast life to have Christian burial But the chast Virgins gathered them up put them into a perfumed bag and buried them laying a fair grave-stone upon them inscribed with these verses Hic jacet in Tumba Rosa mundi non Rosa munda Non redolet sed olet quae redolere solet Qui meat hâc oret signumque salutis adoret Vtque tibi detur requies Rosamunda precetur Speeds Hist p. 480. Morgan natural Son to Henry the second born of the body of the Lady Blewet being elected Bishop of Durham and going for Consecration and a dispensation because of his Bastardy the Pope advised him to own himself Blewets Son but he answered That he would not renounce his Roâ—al blood for any promotion p. 480. Maud the Empress was the daughter wife and mother of Kings all named Henry which is expressed in this distich made of her Ortu magna Viro major sed maxima prole Hic jacet Henrici filia sponsa nurus Speeds Hist 481. Richard the first though himself had rebelled against his Father yet coming to the Crown cashiered all those that had forsaken and retained those who had stood faithful to his Father though against himself and made use of them in all his affairs p. 485. Rhese ap Griffith Prince of Wales coming as far as Oxford to Visit King Richard because the King came not forth to meet him returned back into his own Country without once saluting of him Ibid. When the Emperor gave three thousand Marks a part of King Richards ransome to make Silver Censers through all the Cestertian Order they refused the gift as part of an accursed spoil p. 489. Pope Celestin Crowning Henry the Emperor held the Crown between his feet which the Emperor stooping low he put upon his head and presently with his foot struck it off and dasht it to the ground but the Cardinals catching of it up put it again on the Emperors head Sp. H. p. 485. Henry de Pumeroy having fortified St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall against King Richard in behalf of Earl John hearing of the Kings return out of Captivity died of fear Id. p. 489. Richard the first sitting at Dinner at Westminster receiving advertisement of the siege laid to Vernveil by Philip of France sware that he would not turn his face till he had gotten thither with his Army whereupon he caused the wall to be bored through and never rested till he had removed the siege Id. p. 489. The Pope writing to King Richard to release the Bishop of Beauvoys whom he kept Prisoner calling him his Son The King sent the Habergica and Curace of the Bishop to the Pope with this question See if this be thy Sons Coat The Pope replied that he was no Son of his nor of the Church but the Son of Mars and should be ransomed at the Kings pleasure p. 499. King Richard the first out of Covetousness of Treasure of which he was profered a great part but would have all went to assault a Castle where he received his deaths wound Speeds Hist p. 491. Whilst King Richard warred in France one Fulco a French Priest came to him and told him he had three very bad daughters which he wished him to bestow in Marriage or else Gods wrath would attend him When the King denied he had any daughters Yes quoth the Priest thou cherishest three daughters Pride Covetousness and Lechery The King replied My Pride I bequeath to the haughty Templars and Hospitallers my Covetousness to the white Monks of the Cesteaux Order and my Lechery to the Priests and Prelates for therein they take their greatest Felicity Id. p. 492. A Monk at Swinstead Abbey presenting King John with an Invenomed Cup whereof the King commanded him to be his taster became the diabolical instrument of his own and his Soveraigns destruction Id. p. 516. William Marshal Earl of Pembrook famous for his atchievements in Ireland had this Epitaph made on him Sum qui Saturnum sibi sensit Hibernia Solem Anglia Mercurium Normannia Gallia Martem William Longspee Earl of Salisbury upon point of death would not receive the Sacrament in his bed but on his bare knees on the ground which he bedewed with his tears The like devotion is reported of King Henry the eighth On VVilliam Longspee was made this Epitaph Flos comitum Wilielmus obit Stirps regia longus Ensis Vaginam coepit habere brevem Speeds Hist p. 524. Henry the third the same day he set sail from England did himself in person visit the poor and feeble and dealt large Almes not refusing to kiss the sick and leprous p. 527. Four Parelions together with the Sun in the year one thousand two hundred thirty and three in the moneth of April appeared from Morning till night about the parts of Hereford and VVorcestershire 529. Hubert de Burgo Earl of Kent vvas articled against to King Henry the third that he had stoln out of the Kings Jewel-house a pretious stone of wonderful value whose vertue was to make him that wore it invincible in battel and that he gave that stone to Liolin Prince of Wales the Kings Enemy Speed p. 528. Liolin Prince of Wales being threatned that if he lived not quiet King Henry the third would soon abate him answered I more fear the Almsdeeds the King gives than all the men of War he hath and the whole Clergy put together p. 530. In a great famine in the raign of Henry the third certain poor of Albaldestea in Cambridgshire while as yet the corn was green pluckt the ears in the common field to sustain their lives whereat the owners call on the Priest to curse all such but one in the Company adjured the Priest in the name of God to exempt his Corn in the sentence saying That it pleased him well that the poor driven with famine had taken his Corn and so commended that which they had left to God The Priest compelled by the importunity of the rest was entred into the sentence when by a terrible interrupting tempest of thunder lightning wind hail and rain all the Corn-fields about were desolated as if they had been trodden down with Horse and Cart and no kind of beast or fowl would feed upon the Corn thus layed but that honest and compassionate hearted man found all his Corn and ground though intermixed vvith theirs altogether untoucht and unharmed p. 532. In the year one thousand tvvo hundred thirty five there vvere brought before King Henry the third seven Jews vvho circumcised a child and purposed in contempt of Christ and Christianity to have crucified him at Easter at Norwich Speeds History p. 532. At the Marriage of Richard Earl of Cornwall brother to Henry the third there were thirty thousand Messes provided in the Cookery only and of all other things incredible plenty and yet the next day there was no sign of it p. 537. Ingetram or Coucy a great Lord in France whose daughter Alexander King
of Scots had Married was by the stumbling of his Horse in a ford cast out of his Saddle and pitcht into the depth of a River while his foot hung fast in the stirrup his Sword at the same time falling out of his sheath and running of him through did most strangely end his life by a triple death 537. The Pope desiring to come into England was denyed by Henry the third it being said That the Pope was like a Mouse in a Sachel or a Snake in ones bosome who did but ill repay their Hostes for their entertainment Id. p. 538. Five Brethren of the Marshals successively Earls of Pembroke died issueless which Matthew Paris attributeth to the Judgment of God upon them for their Fathers iniquity who detained from the Bishop of Firning certain Manours violently taken from him 539. The Popes extortions in England in the days of Hen. the third were exceeding great and heavy Insomuch that a Cardinal truly told the Pope that England was to the Pope as Balaams Ass which being so often wrung spur-galled and cudgelled it was no marvail that now at length she opened her mouth to complain And for themselves and the Roman Court they were like Ishmael every mans hand against them and theirs against every man Id. p. 539. Walter Clifford a Baron of the Marches of VVales made the Kings Officer to eat the Kings VVrit VVax and all Speeds Hist p. 540. The Pope having lain sometimes at Lions Cardinal Hugo at his going away made a Sermon of Farewel to the Citizens wherein amongst other benefits which the Pope's abode in that City had brought them he told them this was a principal That whereas at their coming thither there vvere three or four VVhore-houses in Lions now at their departing they left but one but indeed that reached from the East Gates of the City to the West p. 540. At the Marriage of Alexander the King of Scots to the Lady Margaret Daughter to King Henry the third there was given by the Archbishop of York and spent all at one meal six hundred Oxen. p. 541. When Grosted Bishop of Lincoln had written a sharp Letter to the Pope concerning the abuses of his Court The Pope in a rage swore by St. Peter and St. Paul that he could find in his heart to make that doting Prelate a mirrour of Confusion to all the World but some wiser Cardinals advised him to hush the matter for fear of stirring Coales especially since it was known that there would be a departure from the Church Id p. 543. Richard Earl of Cornwall being chosen Emperor at his accepting of it had this Expression Let me before I depart hence die and be burnt with the fire of Hell if I do accept the Empire for ambition or avarice but only to restore the Empire to a better estate which God grant and to govern them who have willingly chosen me for their Lord in a most just and honorable manner Id. p. 541. Richard Earl of Cornwall when elected King of the Romans is reported to possess so much ready coyn as would every day for ten years afford him an hundred Marks on the main stock Id. p. 545. Cedunt Togae Armis Henry the third intending to suppress his rebellious Barons made choice of Oxford as his place of Residence and banished thence all the Students to the number of fifteen thousand Speeds Hist 549. Simon Earl of Monfort a powerful Rebell took Prisoners King Henry the third Richard King of the Romans and both their Eldest Sons yielded to him by composition p. 549. A cup of Gold of ten pound weight cost hundred pound in King Henry the thirds days Edward the first while Prince warring in the holy land being wounded by a Saracen with an envenomed Knife the Lady Elianor his wife gave a rare example of conjugal affection and her immortal memory doth justly impart glory to the whole Sex For when no Medicines could extract the poyson she did it with her tongue licking daily while her husband slept his rankling wounds whereby they perfectly closed and yet herself received no harm p. 552. When Charles King of Sicily fell off from prosecuting of the holy war Prince Edward hearing of it solemnly sware that though all should forsake him yet he and his Lacquey would enter Ptolemais which he did though better attended p. 553. Edward the first being in his return from the holy land in the court of Charles King of Sicily and hearing first of the death of his Son and heir and after of his Father He much more sorrowed for his Fathers death than his Sons whereat King Charles greatly marvailing had of him this answer The loss of Sons is but light because they are multiplied every day but the death of Parents is irremediable because they are no more to be had Id. p. 554. At the coronation of King Edward the first for the more celebration of the great Feast and honor of so Martial a King there were five hundred great Horses let loose every one to take them for his own who could Speeds Hist p. 554. Upon a Marble Chair in Scone where the Kings of Scotland were used to be Crowned which Chair by King Edward the first was transported to Westminster was written this Distick Ni fallat fatum Scoti quocunque locatum Invâ—niant lapidem regnum teneatur ibidem Id. p. 558. In the year one thousand three hundred and one Cassan King of Tartars gloriously slew an hundred thousand Turks in a battel upon the Plain of Damascus and was baptized thereupon as acknowledging the Victorie to come from the Son of God p. 560. Robert Bruce intending to seize on the Crown of Scotland and being accused to King Edward the first denied it and had time and warning to escape For an Earl sent unto him Twelve Striveling pence and a sharp pair of Spurs presently upon his departure from the Kings presence which he wittily interpreted to be a symbol of flight according whereunto he escaped from London shooing his Horses backward that he might not be followed by the Prints in the Snow Id. p. 560. Robert Bruce after his seizing the Crown of Scotland was driven to that extremity by the English that he was sometimes naked and hungry without meat or drink save only water and roots of Herbs and his life perpetually in danger and yet trusting in God he never forsook himself but recovered his Kingdom p. 5â—2 Edward the first dying in his march yet commanded his Son to carry his bones through all Scotland as a terror to them and to send his Heart to the holy land with one hundred and forty Knights and their retainers because being hindred by his home Wars he could not fulfil his vow in going personally thither providing thirty two thousand pound of Silver which upon pain of eternal damnation he appointed should not be expended on any other use Speeds Hist p. 563. The Countess of Buquahan Sister to the Earl of Fife whose Office
it was to Crown the Scottish King in her Brothers absence had stolen from her Husband with all his light Horses to set the Crown on Bruces head being taken by Edward the second was set in a wooden Cage made Crown-wise on the Walls of Barwick Castle for all to wonder at 561. The Scots at Bancksborn obtained a famous Victory over the English under Edward the second by this stratagem Before their Battalions they digged certain Trenches three foot deep and three foot broad which having fixed sharp stakes in them with their points upwards they covered so with hurdles that foot men treading warily might pass but not Horse in which King Edward's Cavalry were intrapped and so miserably slain and the battel lost King Edward the second having put to death Thomas Earl of Lancaster a Courtier of mean birth being condemned many potent Favorites pressed the King on his behalf The King brake forth into these most vehement words A Plague upon you for cursed whisperers malicious backbiters wicked Counsellors Intreat you for the life of a most notorious Knave who the longer he lives the more Villanies will he commit and would not speak a word for the life of my near kinsman the noble Earl Thomas He shall therefore dye the death he hath deserved Id. p. 569. When Queen Isabel rose in rebellion against King Edward the second her husband Adam de Olton Bishop of Hereford her bosome Counsellor at Oxford chose this Text My head my head aketh 2 King 4.19 On which he delivered to them the reason of the Queens coming with an Army concluding more like a Butcher than a Divine That an aking and sick head of a Kingdom was of necessity to be taken off and not to be tampered with by any other Physick Speeds Hist p. 574. The Commission sent to put Edward the second to death was a witty but wicked Amphibology being written and left uncomma'd in these words Edvardum occidere nolite timere bonum est which being comma'd after Timere was a command after Nolite was a prohibition and so occasioned the death of the King and the Ruine of those that did it p. 579. Edmund Earl of Kent by the practice of his Enemies was condemned to death for endeavouring to set at liberty his brother King Edward the second who was dead before and had his head stricken off at Winchester Castle Gate having stood from noon till five at night and none found to behead him till a base wretch of the Marshalsea was sent and did it p. 579. Edward the third in his Minority being over-ruled by Mortimer things went much to wrack on which was made this Rime Long beards heartless painted Hoods witless Gay Coates graceless make England thriftless When the Sea forces of Edward the third had spoiled the Abbey of St. Colmes in Scotland the whole Fleet as a punishment for that sacrilege was battered with a tempest and some of them perisht At another time the like sacrilege being perpetrated the ship in which the sacrilegious goods were sunk into the bottom without any Tempest Id. p. 581. When Edward the third and Philip of Valois had brought two mighty Armies of an hundred thousand men apiece into the Field to face one another by the mediation of Jane of Valois Sister to Philip and Mother in Law to Edward they withdrew and struck not a stroak Speeds H. p. 585. Small matters many times occasion great effects Edward the third King of England dancing with the beautiful Lady Joan Countess of Salisbury her Garter falling off the King took it up at which the Nobles smiling the King seriously said it should not be long before there should be Soveraign honour done to that Silken Tie whereupon he instituted the honor of the Garter whose Motto is Honi soit qui mal y pense p. 588. The black Prince at the battel of Cressy being overpressed and in danger the Lords that were with him sent to his Father to come and succour him Who made this answer Let them send no more to me for any adventure that may befall while my Son is alive But let him either vanquish or dye because the honor of this brave day shall be his if God suffer him to live p. 590. King Edward the third besieging Callis the Enemy turned forth fifteen hundred of the poorer sort whom the good King turned not back but relieved them with victuals and money and suffered them safely to pass through his Camp Speeds Hist 591. Henry Earl of Lancaster at the taking of the Town of Brigerack by assault had permitted every Souldier to seize any House and to convert the same and what was in it to his own proper use A certain Souldier named Reeth having broken into a House where the Moneyors had stowed all the Moneys of the Country not thinking that the Generals pleasure was that so great a Treasure should be converted to a private use He acquainted the General with it who answered That the House and all therein was his according as he had first proclaimed let them be worth what they would And when the Souldier again told him of the great Treasure there found He replied What tellest thou me of the greatness of the Treasure Go take enjoy For to give then to take it back again is childs play I have once said and my word being once passed cannot with honor be revoked Speeds Hist p. 592. It is observed of King Edward the third that he had alwayes fair weather in his passage into Erance and foul weather in his return p. 593. Henry Pecard Lord Mayor of London at one time feasted four Kings viz. of England Scotland France and Cyprus p. 594. A terrible tempest that destroyed many horse and men in Edward the third's Army occasioned him to encline to agreements of peace which before he was utterly averse to p. 595. Edward Son to the Earl of Cambridge married the daughter of the King of Portugal but afterwards neither would the Earl leave his Son behind as suspecting the Portugals Faith nor the other entrust his daughter to the Earl so that they remained disjoyned in body however united in Ceremony Wat Tylers Companions in an holy outrage burning the Savoy threw one of their felâ—ows into the flames because he had thrusts piece of stollen plaâ—â— into his bosome p. 607. When Richarâ— the second entered Scotland the Scâ—ts had so retired thâ—mselves and all their goods that when the English came they could see no quick then left but Owles 611. A Monk bestows this Epitaph on Wicklif The Divels Instrument Churches Enemy Peoples Confusion Hereticks Idol Hypocrites mirrour Schismes broacher Hatreds sower Lies Forger Flatteries sink who at his death despaired like Cain and stricken by the horrible judgment of God breathed forth his wicked Soul to the dark mansions of the black Divel Whereby Gods children may learn not to regard while they live the malice nor to expect after their death ought else but the
Grey at Pomfret had his own head stricken off by the command of Richard Protector at London the same day He was warned that morning by the Lord Stanley to fly his Horse twice or thrice stumbled going to the Tower though he told one Hastings a Pursuivant whom he met not above two hours before his death that he was never more merry nor in greater surety p. 705. Lambert Symnel who was set up as Richard Duke of York the second Son of Edw. the fourth to claim the English Crown after a terrible Battel fought in his quarrel was taken and by King Henry the seventh put first into his Kitchin to turn the Spits and was after advanced to be Falconer in which Office he lived and died Richard the third being as Galba reckoned a good Prince but a bad Man was unnaturally born his Mother being cut with his Feet forward and Teeth in his Head He was contented that Doctor Shaw in a Sermon at Pauls cross should proclaim his own Mother an Adulteress and his two elder Brothers Bastards that he might thereby strengthen his Title to the Crown by which dealing together with the wicked Murder of his two Innocent Nephews he became so hated that after his death the White Boar his Cognizance was torn down from every sign that his Memorial might perish as did the Moneys of Caligula which were all melted by the decree of the Senate Sp. Hist p. 706-725-737 That tempest that drove Philip King of Spain into England threw down the Golden Eagle from Pauls steeple which in its fall battered and broke down the Black Eagle in Pauls Church-yard which accident was held ominâ—us to the Imperial Family This King Philip the Emperors son shortly after dying As that lighting which struck the letter C out of Caesars name in his statue whence it was gathered that Caesar should live but a hundred dayes and then be called a God Aesar in the old Hetrurian Language so signifying which accordingly happened Sp. p. 76. A Cornish Smith being executed for a treasonable insurrection in the time of Henry the seventh comforted himself with this at his Execution that he hoped thereby his name and memory should be everlasting p. 754. The Earl of Kildare being at Hay with the Lieutenant of the Tower at Shuffleboard when a Mandate was brought for his Execution seeing the Lieutenant strucken into a suâ—dain sadness said By St. Bride Lieutenant there 's some mad game in that scrole but fall how it will this throw is for a huddle But the Lieutenant applying himself to the King Henry the eigth had a Countermand and the Earls life was saved p. 775. When the Pope held out his Toe to be kâ—st by the Earl of Wiltshire sent Embassador from Henry the eighth a Spaniel of the Earles caught his toe in his teeth the Embassador scorning to kiss after his Dog lost that especial favour profered to him Speeds Hist p. 782. The total number of the Ecclesiastical Benefices in England is eight thousand three hundred and twenty seven In VVales nine hundred and five In all nine thousand two hundred thirty and two In the year of our Lord 1524. upon certain predictions foreshewing a great deluge Prior Bolton of St. Bartholomews in London was so fearful that he built him an house upon the height of Harrow hill storing it with provisions necessary to keep himself from drowning p. 785. When Oliver Sinclere a man of mean extraction but favourite to King James the fifth of Scotland was by him declared General The Scots Nobility out of disdain forbare to fight and gave up themselves Prisoners to the English For grief of which the King shortly after died Edward the sixth was born of the Lady Jane Seymour her womb being cut and her life lost to save his on whom were made these verses Phoenix Jana jacet nato Phoenice dolendum Saecula Phoenices nulla tulisse duas Speed Hist p. 892. The fire Cross in Scotland is only set up in time of most extream danger unto which all men are to repair that are between sixteen and sixty p. 832. In the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred forty eight one Boyer Mayor of Bodwin in Cornwall having been active in a Rebellion Sir Anthony Kingston Provost Marshal sent word to him he would visit him at Dinner but before he sate down commanded the Mayor to cause a gallows to be set up and the Table taken away he willed the said Mayor to accompany him to the place and saw him hanged ere he departed Id. p. 832. In Cornwall dwelt a Miller who had been a busy doer in the Rebellion vvho knovving his danger willed his Man to take the name of his Master if any enquired for him Sir Anthony Kingston Provost Marshal came to the Mill enquired for the Master the Man in his name presented himself and was straight commanded to the Gallows The Servant then seeing the danger of death confest he was not the Master but the Man Well said the Knight Thou canst never do thy Master better Service than to hang for him and thereupon trust him up a the next tree Speeds Hist p. 833. The Lord Edward Seymor Protector condemned for Felony for coming Armed into the Kings Counsel neither by himself nor learned Counsel demanded his Clergy which would have saved his life p. 838. When Cranmer and others urged King Edward the sixth to let his Sister Mary to have Mass in her house the King having answered all their arguments and they not taking Nay burst forth into tears and sobbing desired them to be content Speed p. 839. Queen Mary was so affected with the loss of Calice that she was wont to say that the loss of Calice was written in her heart and might there be read when her body should be opened p. 856. The head of the Admiral Chastillon murthered in the Massacre at Paris was embalmed and sent by the Queen of France as an acceptable present to the Pope 856. Con O Neale sirnamed Bacco cursed all his Posterity in case they learned English sowed wheat or built them houses p. 863. Doctor Story a bloody persecutor in Queen Maries daies in the Raign of Queen Elizabeth was entrapped at Antwerp where he had got a Commission to search for English books all ships that came in by one Parker an English Merchant Whose Ship Story searching for Heretical books was clapt under Hatches brought into England and there executed for a Traytor Speeds Hist p. 87. Queen Elizabeth told Doctor Reinolds of CCC that her reading of Seneca de Clementia had done her much good but some would perswade her it had done her State as much harm p. 874. England was divided into Parishes by Honorius Arch-bishop of Canterbury in the year of our Lord 636 and there are 9285 Parishes under 27 Bishops whereof two are Metropolitans Canterbury and York in manner following Canterbury Bishopricks Shires Parishes Canterbury Kent 256. Rochester Kent 98. London Essex Middlesex Hartfordshire
part 623. Lincoln Lincolnshire Leicestershire Huntingtonshire Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire part Hartfordshire part 1255. Chichester Sussex Hertfordshire part 250. Winchester Hampshire Surrey Wight Isles Garnsey Isles Jersey Isles 362. Salisbury Wiltshire Barkeshire 248. Excester Devon Cornwall 604. Bath and Wells Somerset 388. Glocester Glocestershire 267. VVorcester VVorcestershire VVarwick part 241. Lichfield Coventry Staffordshire Derby VVarwick part Shropshire part 557. Hereford Herefordshire Shropshire 3â—3 Ely Cambridgshire Ely Isle 141. Norwich Norfolk Suffolk 1121. Oxford Oxfordshire 195. Peterborough Northampton Rutland 293. Bristol Dorset Glamorgan 236. Landaff Monmouth Brecknock Radnor 177. St. Davids Pembrook Caermerden 308. Bangor Carnarvan Anglesy Isle Merioneth Denbigh part 107. St. Asaph Denbigh part Flintshire part 121.  York Province  York Yorkshire Nottinghamshire 581. Chester Cheshire Lancashire Richmondshire Cumberland part Flintshire part 256. Carlisle Cumberland part VVestmorland 95. Durham Durham Northumberland 135. Soder Isle of Man 17. 1084. So that the total number of the Bishopricks in England are twenty seven of the Shires fifty and two and of the Parishes nine thousand two hundred eighty and five Speeds Maps p. 6. From Basham in Sussex Earl Harold taking Sea for his delight in a small Boat was driven upon the coast of Normandy where by Duke VVilliam he was detained till he had sworn to make him King of England after Edward the Confessors death which oath being broken the bastard arrived at Pensey and with his Sword revenged the perjury at Battel in the same County where King Harold with sixty seven thousand nine hundred seventy and four English men lost their lives the Conqueror thereby recovering full possession Id p. 9. Surrey is compared unto a homespun frize cloth with a costly list for the Outverg doth much exceed the middle it self In this Shire are Oaking Oateland Nonsuch Richmond four stately Palaceâ— of the Kings besides Lambeth the Archbishop of Canterbury his house and Ocham that gave breath to VVilliam of Ocham Id. p. 11. In Hamptshire there sometimes stood a great and famous city called Silvester that now is so demolished there is no sign left of it Southampton that was the antient Clausentium in the time of Edward the third was fired by the French under the conduct of the King of Sicelies Son whom a Country-man encountred and struck down with a Club he crying Rancon that is Ransome but the Country-man neither understanding his Language nor the law of Armes laid on more soundly saying I know thee a Françon and therefore shalt thou die Id. Falmouth bay in Cornwal is so wide that an hundred Ships may therein ride at Anchor by themselves apart so that from the tops of the highest Masts they shall not see each other and lie most safely under the VVinds. Speeds Maps p. 21. When Trajan was hastening against his Enemies a poor Widdow met him and desired Justice against the Murtherer of her Son The Emperor answered that at his return he would do her Justice but saith the Widdow what if thou shouldst not return he replied his successor should That would not avail him He alighting heard her cause and did her right Boschier 5 part Accad Peccat p. 255. Some Thieves robbing an Hermits house left a Chest which they saw not The Hermit went after them with it with which they were so moved that they restored what they had taken Id. Ibid. p. 280. An Abbot travailing fell into the hands of plunderers who dismounted him and took away his Horse which done he offered them his whip telling them it might serve their turn to beat up his Horse which was slow The Thieves riding to a River their Horses would not go forward which made them mind the good Abbot whom they had wronged and returning back gave him his Horse But that man fared worse who having some part of his garments taken from him run after them threatning them that they should answer it at the day of Judgment but they deriding him who threatned them with what they thought a great vvay off took avvay the rest of his cloths from him Id. p. 28 One Eginhartus a Counsellor to Charles the great falling in love with the Emperors daughter and she vvith him they enjoying by stealth their unlavvful pleasures One morning vvhen he vvas to go avvay from the Princesses Chamber the Pavement being all covered vvith Snow he vvas afraid by his footsteps to be discovered to prevent vvhich his Mistriss took him on her back and carrying of him in that Posture met her Father vvho yet forgave them both and gave her to this Counsellor for his wife since she had been before his Harlot Id. p. 291. Alexander the Patriarch of Constantinople was so merciful that when his Secretary having stollen his goods and â—ying away was taken by Thieves his Master redeemed him for a great Sum and being returned he used him kindly so that it grew into a Proverb Nihil utilius quam Alexandro malefacere The same is reported of Archbishop Cranmer Abuse the Arch-bishop and he will ever be your Friend Diego Salazar a Spanish Captain having Conquered an Island in the Indies and taken an Antient Indian Woman whom he sent from him to carry letters to another Governor she being gone he sent after her a very fierce Mastive whom the Woman seeing run at her she sate down on the ground and thus bespoke him in her language Good Mr. Dog good Mr. Dog I carry these letters to the Governor and then added good Mr. Dog do me no harm The Dog coming to her stood still did her no harm only heaving up his leg pist on her The Spaniard knowing the nature of the Dog took it for a Miracle and so would not kill her but saved her alive Boschier Ibid. p. 299. It was a good Law of the Romans that none should make a publick feast before he had provided for the necessity of his neighbours And of the Aegyptians that every five years each family should be searcht to see what course they took to maintain themselves Adam fifteen years after the Creation begat Cain and Calmana and fifteen years after Abel and Delbora And when Abel being an hundred years old was killed Adam mourned for him an hundred years and had resolved never more to know his Wife but that God particularly will'd him and he had thirty children more and lived nine hundred and thirty years and as the other Patriarchs before the flood did eat no flesh and survived Cain who was slain by Lamech in a Bush taken for a beast And to perpetuate the knowledge of Arts and Sciences Adam and Seth made two pillars the one of Brass the other of Stone as likewise Tubal Cain and Tubal foreseeing that the World should be burnt and drowned erected two pillars more one of Brick to defend the Fire the other of Marble to defend the Water and thereon did grave the Arts and Sciences by them invented Grafton Hist p. 3 4 5. p. 11. The Tree under which Abraham
of France having taken Cramyris his Eldest Son in battel who had rose in Rebellion against him as an example to all disobedient Children he enclosed him and his wife and Children in a House set it on fire and burned them in it Id. p. 91. Fredigund wife to King Chilperick resting on her bed her husband passing by with a little wand struck her upon the back the Queen not looking up and supposing the King gone a hunâ—ing said Landry why strikest thou me thus the King hearing these words made semblance as though he had not heard them but she perceiving it was the King for fear coâ—trived and procured his death the same day as he came from Hunting Id. p. 109. Brunchild the wife to Segebert the fourth Son of Lotharius the first King of France having been a great stickler in the French affairs and the death of no less than ten Princes was at last by the King and Peers of France condemned to be tied to a Wild Horse-tail by the hair of her head and so to be drawn till she was dead which accordingly was done Id. p. 131. Clodoveus Son of Dagobert King of France in a great dearth caused the Church of St. Dennis which his Father had covered with Plates of Silver to be covered with lead and the Silver given to the relief of the poor Id. p. 151. Aelfrid King of the VVest Saxons being naturally inclined to Incontinency praied that God would send him such a disease that might hinder his lust but not unfit him for the managing he affairs of his Kingdom And he accordingly had the disease called Ficus Fabian Hist 1. part p. 216. A noble man named Hebert having invited Charles the simple King of France to his Castle there treacherously murthered him Lewes the fifth his Son long time after attaining the Crown intends revenge Having convened his Nobles amongst which Hebert was one a Messenger brought him a letter which while he read and smiled his Nobles asked what that letter imported he told them that a Kinsman of his in England had acquainted him that a husbandman inviting his Lord to dinner treacherously slew him and desired to know of him what such a one deserved and since they were thus met he desired their opinion They all and Hebert amongst them adjudged him to a shameful death The King turning to Hebert told him Thou art the man who hast treacherously slain my Father and therefore I Judge thee out of thy own mouth and accordingly he was immediately executed Id. p. 237. King Edward Son of Edgar being slain by his step-mothers command and buried in VVimborn she intending to Visit him by way of Pilgrimage could not by any means make the Horse she rid on come nigh the place of his burial Fabian Hist 1. part p. 255. Robert Duke of Normandy being chosen King of Jerusalem hearing of the death of his Brother VVilliam Rufus King of England minding to succeed him refused Jerusalem but as Authors say for that refusal of providence never prospered after Id. 319. Philip the Eldest Son of Lewes Son of Philip King of France being a youth riding through the streets of Paris for his disport a Hog suddainly started up which frighted his Horse so that he threw him off with so great Violence that he died that night Id. p. 332. Emanuel Emperor of Constantinople when the VVestern Princes about the year one thousand one hundred and fifty went against the Saracens sold them Meal mingled with lime whereof many of the Christian Army perisht 341. King Henry the second returning out of Ireland when on VVhitsunday he was taking horse suddainly appeared unto him a Man of pale and wan colour barefoot in a white Kirtyl and said Sir King Christ greeteth thee well and commandeth thee strictly that no Market or servile work be holden upon the Sunday in the lands of thy Lordship out take what belongeth to the dressing of meat and if thou so dost all shall prosper with thee The King bad the Knight that held his Horse ask him whether he had dreamed this The man replied whether I have dreamed or no take thou heed of my saying that if thou mend not thy life thou shalt shortly hear such things as shall make thee sorry to thy lives end This spoken the man suddainly vanisht and the King not amending himself was unfortunate ever after Fabian Hist p. 349. Epitaphium H. 2. Regis Angli Sufficit hic tumulus cui non suffecerit Orbis Res brevis est ampla cui fuit ampla brevis Rex Henricus eram mihi plurima regna subegi Multiplicique modo Duxque Comesque fui Cui satis ad Votum non â—ssent omnia terrae Climata Terra modo sufficit octo pedum Qui legis haec pensa discrimina mortis in me Humanae speculum conditionis habe Quod potes instanter operare bonuÌ„ quia mundus Transit incautos mors inopina rapit Id. p. 356. Epitaphium Frederici Imper. Si probitas sensus Virtutis gratia census Nobilitas ortûs possent resistere morti Non foret extinctus Fredericus qui jacet intus Fabian Hist 2. Vol. p. 53. In the year of our Lord one thousand two hundred seventy two at Greenwich near London a Lamb was yeaned having two perfect bodies with all their members but one head Id p. 99. In the yeâ—r of our Lord one thousand two hundred eighty six a Woman in Switzerland was delivered of a Child that from the Navâ—l upwards had two compleat bodies and downward was but one and another woman bore a Child whose head and face was like a Man and all the rest of the body like a Lion Boniface the eighth minding to get the Popedom hired one of the Chamberlains to Coelestine the fifth who was a good and holy but simple man in the dead of the night to speak in a reed and say Coelestine if thou wilt be saved renounce this Pomp of the VVorld and serve me as thou didst before He having often heard the voyce took it for a Divine warning resigned the Popedom and would have retired into the VVilderness But Boniface fearing his restauration held him Prisoner and so used him that he shortly after died Id 158. The three wives of the three Sons of Philip the fair King of France which wives were Sisters Daughters to the Duke of Burgoigne were at one time accused of Spouse-breach the two eldest convict and the youngest was cleared the two wives put in Prison and the two paramours hanged The youngest vvas restored to her husband Charles after King of France but from him aftervvards divorced because her Mother vvas Godmother to her husband Fabian Vol. 2. p. 163. 189. In the third year of the raign of Philip the fifth of France the Provost of Paris having in his Prison a Picard a man of great riches vvhich vvas judged to be hanged The said Provost being hired thereunto vvith great Sums of Money took another Innocent Man and put
these VVords Includamus hunc in Orbe nostro tanquam alterius Orbis Papam Id. p. 81. Radulphus the 35th Archbishop of Canterbury being very old and sickly yet went to Rome to complain of the injury done him by sending Legates into England alledging it to be the priviledg of the Archbishop of Canterbury to be Legatus Natus and none other to be admitted without special Licence This allegation the Pope allowed and the Archbishop returned contented who for being more delighted with jesting and merry Toys than became the gravity of his age or place was sirnamed or rather nicknamed Nugax He died Octob. 20th 1122. Bp. Godw. p. 82. In the year 1122. William Corbel being Archbishop a Convocation was called by him at VVestminster wherein John de Crema the Popes Legate inveighed most bitterly against the Marriage of Priests and was the next Night taken in Bed with a common Strumpet In this Synod more Canons vvere made against the Marriage of Clergy-men but the King set them all to a yearly Pension or took present large Sums of Money â—o dispense with them King Henry dying that preferred this Archbishop he was content to betray his Daughter Maud the Empress and contrary to his Oath to joyn with Stephen Earl of Bloys whom he Crowned with his own hand but vvith such fear and terrour of Conscience that the consecrated Host fell out of his hand in the middle of Mass by reason of his trembling and fearful amazedness Idem p. 83. Theobald Abbot of Becco a Norman born a wise and vertuous Person was chosen Archbishop in a Convocation held in London 1138. by his suffragan Bishops consecrated by Albert the Popes Legate received his Pall at Rome from Innocentius the second vvho confirmed to him and his Successors for ever the Title of Legatus Natus resisted the Popes intrusion of vvorthless Persons into dignities and vvas therefore much troubled St. Bernard vvrit to the Pope for him Ep. 111th In the third year of his Consecration a Council vvas summoned at Rhemes vvhereto he vvas called Henry Bishop of VVinchester King Stephens Brother and Legate endeavoured to circumvent him he dealt with the Pope not to dispense vvith his absence and vvith King Stephen to forbid his passage Yet go he did and vvas at the Council in good time The King follovving the advice of his Brother seized upon his Estate and banished him the Realm He Interdicts the King and Kingdom came home and lived privately till by Intercession of Friends he vvas restored and grevv in great Favour vvith the King and vvas the chief means of concluding the final peace betvveen him and Maud the Empress at Wallingford in the year 1152. He summoned a Council vvhere King Stephen would have constrained the clergy to have made his Son Eustace King The intent vvas espied before Letters vvere procured from the Pope forbidding the Clergy to meddle in it yet the King prosecutes his design shuts the Doors upon the Clergy and thought by force to compel them The greater part yield but the Archbishop stole avvay secretly took his Barge rowed dovvn the Thames got beyond Sea and by his absence dissolved the Synod King Stephen being dead H. the second restored him to all vvhich he enjoyed till his death vvhich vvas 1160. Bp. Godw. p. 86. Hugo the Popes Legate coming into England a Convocation was summoned at Westminster where Richard Archbishop of Canterbury being sate at the right hand of the Legate Roger Archbishop of York coming in would needs have displaced him which when the other would not suffer he sate dovvn in his Lap. All vvonder The Servants of Canterbury dravv him by violence out of his ill chosen place threvv him dovvn tare his Robes trod upon him and used him very despitefully He in this dusty pickle goes and complaines to the King vvho vvas at first angry but vvhen he heard the truth laughed at it and said he was vvell enough served Richard Archbishop of Canterbury sleeping at his mannor of Wrotham there seemed to come to him a terrible Personage asking him vvho he vvas and vvhen the Archbishop vvas silent he told him Thou art he vvho hast destroyed the goods of the Church and I will destroy thee from off the Earth this said he vanished The Archbishop gets up took his Journey to Rochester by the vvay told this Vision and immediately was taken with a cold and stiffness and being hardly got that Night to Halling a House of the Bishop of Rochester extreamly tormented with the Collick the next night dyed Febr. 16. 1183. Id. p. 96. IMMANUEL Historical Collections Century VI. THe Saxons called in by the distressed Brittains as their Friends in a short time proved their suppressing and supplanting Enemies driving them out of their Antient habitations except Cornwal and VVales Speeds Maps Eple Harald made a Law that if any VVelsh-man was found on this side Offditch with any weapon he should forthwith have his right hand cut off Id. p. 3. Elfrid King of the VVest Saxons reduced his Country to that peaceable frame from notorious Robberies that in the very High wayes he commanded bracelets of gold to be hung up to mock the greedy passengers while none were found so hardy as to take them away Which he effected by dividing his land into shires and then into hundreds and Tithings making each hundred and Tithing responsible for their Inhabitants Id. p. 3. England was divided into Parishes in the year six hundred thirty six by Honorius the fifth Arch-bishop of Canterbury and there are twenty and seven Bishopricks and nine thousand two hundred eighty five Parishes Speed p. 5. At Mottingham in Kent in the year 1586. the fourth day of August the ground began to sink and three great Elmes growing thereon sunk and a Hole was left fourscore yards in compass and a line of fifty fathoms plumm'd into it doth find no bottom Id. p. 7. Beckets Tomb for glory wealth and superstitious worship equallized the Pyramides of Egypt or the Oracles of Delphos yet now with Dagon is fallen before the Ark of God 161. The Conqueror for his pleasure inforested thirty miles in Hampshire and pulled down thirty six Parish Churches In which Forrest his two Sons Richard by a Pestilent air Rufus by a shot and his Grand-son Henry son of Duke Robert by hanging in a bough as Absolom came to their untimely ends Id. p. 13. Canutus to convince his flatterers set himself by the Sea side and commanded it to retire but that disobeying he acknowledged God the only governour and gave up his Crown to the Rood at Winchester Maud the Empress was carried in a Coffin from Winchester to Glocester and so to Oxford as dead to escape her Enemies The men of the Isle of VVight brag that they are happier than their neighbours in that they never had Monk that wore Cowl Lawyer that cavilled nor Foxes that were crafty In which Isle in the year 1176 it rained a shoure of blood for two houres Id.
slanderous rancour of the wicked Speeds Hist p. 622. A Galthrop or engine with three sharp points was hid in Henry the fourths bed but he espied it and so prevented the danger 627. A Frier Minor being asked that he would do if King Richard were alive and present he confidently answered that he would fight for him till death against any whatsoever which cost him his life being drawn and hanged in his Friers weeds Id. 627. IMMANUEL Historical Collections Century IX AT Danbury Church in Essex the Divel appeared in the habit of a Minorite to the incredible astonishment of the Parishioners For at that time there was such a terrible tempest with lightnings and thunder and great fire-balls that the vault of the Church broke and half the Chancel was carried away Speeds Hist p. 628. Between Bedford and Bickleswade in the year one thousand four hundred and three sundry Monsters of divers colours in the shapes of armed men were often seen to issue out of the woods at Morning and at Noon which to suchs as stood far off seemed to encounter one another in most terrible manner but when they drew near nothing was to be found p. 629. Nero though generally hated while he was alive yet twenty years after his death an obscure fellow feigning himself Nero was so backt and countenanced by the Parthians and others that not without much difficulty the Romans could get him into their hands Speeds Hist. p. 629. Henry the fifth supposing his Father dead took the Crown that stood by him his Father reviving enquired for it which when he brought the Father said Oh Son with what right I got it God knows who forgive me the sin Howsoever it was got said the Prince I mean to keep it and defend it with my Sword as you by Sword obtained it p. 631. Henry the fifth though while Prince was wild and Companion of riotous persons yet coming to the Crown the first thing he did was the banishment of all such his old Companions ten miles from his presence Speeds Hist p. 637. Archbishop Arundel having in a synod condemned Oldcastle Lord Cobham for an Heretick and enacted that the holy Scripture should not be translated into the English tongue shortly after his tongue grew so big in his mouth that he could not speak or swallow but in horror lay languishing till he was starved to death p. 638. The Dolphin of France understanding that Henry the fifth intended to invade France sent him in scorn a Tun of Tennis Balls But the King returned answer that the Balls he should play the Gates of Paris should not be rackets strong enough to beat back and afterwards most gallantly made good his words p. 640. Ziska that famous Bohemian Protestant commanded that when dead his skin should be made the cover of a Drum to terrifie his Enemies Speeds Hist 645. Henry the fifth having vanquished the French at Azincourt returning thanks to God at Pauls in London would not have his broken Crown nor bruised Armour bore before him p. 646. Lewes the eleventh of France being perswaded to demolish the Tomb of the Duke of Bedford who had been Regent in France and was buried at Roan answered That it vvould be dishonourable to disturb him dead vvho when alive made all France tremble p. 676. Walter Earl of Athol conspired the murther of James the first King of Scotland in hopes of the Crown and Crowned he was as his Sorcerers had foretold him he should be but not with the Crown of the Kingdom but of Red hot Iron clapt upon his head being one of the tortures by which he ended at once his wicked daies and designs p. 672. Whilst the controversy between Henry the sixth and Richard Duke of York was debating in the Parliament a Crown which hung for garnishment in the middle of the roof where the Knights and Burgesses met as likewise a Crown which for the like Cause stood upon the highest Tower of Dover Castle fell down which was vulgarly construed to portend the translation of the Crown from the Lancastrian to the Yorkest which soon after came to pass p. 683. On Candlemas day in the year one thousand four hundred sixty one immediately before the Battel at Mortimers Cross where Edward Earl of March afterwards King Edw. the fourth was victorious there appeared in the Firmament three Suns which suddainly joyned in One Which occasioned to use as his device The Sun in his brightness Speeds Hist p. 684. One Walker a London Grocer for words spoken concerning his own Son to encourage him to learn his Book that he would make him Heir of the Crown meaning his own House having that sign was therefore in the eighth day of Edward the fourths Raign beheaded in Smithfield p. 684. Edward the fourth being ready to joyn battel caused Proclamation to be made That he that feared to fight might forthwith depart but if any Souldier abiding should seek to fly or turn back he should be slain by his next fellow and the slayer to receive a great reward besides the stipend of a double pay p. 687. Sir Ralph Percy being slain taking part with Henry the sixth died with these words I have saved the bird in his breast meaning his Oath made to King Henry p. 687. Richard Nevil Earl of VVarwick spent in his house in London six Oxen every day p. 689. Henry the sixth when certain Ladies presented themselves before him in a Mask with their hair loose and their breasts uncovered He then a Bachelor and able of Marriage immediately rose up and departed the presence saying Fie Fie forsooth you are to blame p. 689. When Henry the sixth lay Prisoner in the Tower a Ruffian intending his death wounded him in the side with a Sword whom being restored to his Estate he freely forgave and another striking him in the face he punished only with this reprehension Forsooth you are to blame to strike me your anointed King Sp. p. 697. Henry Holland Duke of Excester and brother in Law to Edward the fourth was driven by him out of England into Burgundy where Comines writes that he saw him running bare-legged after Burgundies train begging his bread for Gods sake And the Countess of Oxford had nothing to maintain her but the Charity of others and her own needle Speeds Hist p. 968. Edward the fourth hunting in Arrow Park belonging to Thomas Burdet Esquire among other game kill'd a white Buck that Burdet highly valued whereupon Burdet wished the Hornes in his belly that wished the King to kill it For which his words being interpreted as though he wisht them in the Kings belly he was condemned and beheaded at Tiburne p. 700. An old Prophecy that a G. should raign after an E. occasioned the death of George Duke of Clarence who on pretended Articles of Treason was condemned in Parliament and by his own choyce drowned in a But of Malmsey p. 701. The Lord Chamberlain Hastings having been of Counsel to imprison and behead the Lord