murdred body was on the Ascension-Eve laid in an open Coffin and conveyed to St. Pauls in London where it rested uncovered one day and began to bleed afresh thence it was carried to the black Friars Church where it did bleed as before then was buried at Chertsey in Surrey but King Henry the seventh translated it to his Chappel of Windsor A. D. 1474 Was an Interview at Piquigny in France of the two Kings of England and France where falling into complemental conference Lewis told King Edward that he would one day invite him to Paris there to court his fair French Ladies with whom if he committed any sin Lewis merrily told him that Cardinal Bourbon should be his Confessor and to be sure his penance should be the easier for that Bourbon used to kiss fair Ladies himself This was no sooner spoken howsoever meant but Edward was as forward of thanks and acceptance which King Lewis observing rounded Philip Coâ—â—nes his bosome-servant in the ear telling him flatly That he liked not Edwards forwardness to Paris there had been too many English Princes at that City already After King Edwards return into England as he was hunting in Arrow-Park belonging to Thomas Burdet Esquire with the death of much game he slew a white Buck which the Esquire much fancied whereupon he wished the Horns in that persons belly that moved the King to kill that Buck. For which words he was accused and condemned of Treason his words being wrested that he wish'd the Horns in the Kings belly and was beheaded at Tyburne A. D. 1478. George Duke of Clarence by the procurement of his brother Richard Duke of Glocester was accused of Treason and committed to the Tower His accusation was That he had caused divers of his servants to inform the people that Mr. Burdet was wrongfully put to death That upon purpose to exalt himself and Heirs to the regal dignity he had most falsely published that the King his brother was a bastard and therefore not capable to wear the Crown for which and the like crimes charged upon him he was in Parliament Attainted of Treason and found guilty and on the eleventh of March 1478 after he had offered his Mass-peny in the Tower was drowned in a But of Malmsey whose body was buried at Tukesbury But the King was afterwards much grieved that he had consented to his death and would say when any made suit for the life of a condemned person O unfortunate brother for whose life no man would make suit A. D. 1483 King Edward fell into a dangerous and deadly sickness when calling for his Lords into his sick presence and raising his faint body on the pillowes he exhorted and required them all For the love that they had ever born unto him for the love that he had ever born unto them for the love that our Lord beareth unto us all that from that time forward all griefs forgotten each of them would love other Which saith he I verily trust you will If you any thing regard either God or your King affinity or kindred your own Country or your own safety Shortly after which words he departed this life April the ninth and was buried at VVindsor in the New Chappel whose foundation himself had laid 'T is said of him that he was just and merciful in peace sharp and fierce in War and that never any King was more familiar with his Subjects than he In the beginning of his raign he used to sit in person certain days together in his Court of Kings-Bench to see justice and equity done His Issue were Edward Richard George who died an infant Elizabeth Cicely Anne Briget Mary Margret and Catharine His Concubines were Elizabeth Lucy and three others which were of three several humours as himself would say One the merryest which was Shores Wife another the wiliest and the third the holiest for she had wholly devoted her self to his Bed and her Beads His base Issue were Arthur sirnamed Plantaginet and Elizabeth He ordained penal Statutes against excessive pride in apparel especially against long-piked shoes then worn which had grown to such an extream that the Pikes in the toes were turned upwards and with Silver-chains or Silk-laces tied to the knee He gave some Cotswold-sheep to Henry of Castile and John of Arragon 1465 which hath been accounted one of the greatest prejudices that ever hapned to England One VValker a substantial Citizen of London was beheaded in Smithfield for only saying to his Child That he would make him Heir of the Crown meaning his house which had that sign In the fallen estate of King Henry many of the Nobles that had took part with Henry were put to fly for their lives into Forraign Countries and amongst the rest Henry Holland Duke of Excester and Earl of Huntingdon son to the Lady Elizabeth second daughter of John of Gaunt and Husband to the sister of King Edward the fourth was constrained to live in exile in miserable want and penury For saith Philip Comines I once saw the Duke of Excester run on foot bare-leg'd after the Duke of Burgundies Coach and Train begging an Alms for Gods-sake But being known what he was Burgundy gave him a small pension for his maintenance The Mayors and Sheriffs of London in this Kings time In his first Year Sit Hugh Witch was Mayor George Ireland John Lock Sheriffs In his second Year Sir Thomas Cook was Mayor VVilliam Hampton Bartholomew James Sheriffs In his third Year Sir Matthew Philip was Mayor Robert Basset Thomas Muschampt Sheriffs In his fourth Year Sir Ralph Joceline was Mayor John Tate John Stones Sheriffs In his fifth Year Sir Ralph Varney was Mayor Henry Weaver VVilliam Constantine Sheriffs In his sixth Year Sir John Young was Mayor John Brown Henry Brice John Darby Sheriffs In his seventh Year Sir Thomas Oldgrave was Mayor Thomas Stalbrook Humphrey Heyford Sheriffs In his eighth Year Sir VVilliam Taylor was Mayor Simon Smith William Herriot Sheriffs In his ninth Year Sir Richard a Lee was Mayor Richard Gardner Robert Drope Sheriffs In his tenth Year Sir John Stackton was Mayor John Crosby John VVard Sheriffs In his eleventh Year Sir William Edwards was Mayor John Allen John Shelley Sheriffs In his twelfth Year Sir William Hampton was Mayor John Brown Thomas Bledlow Sheriffs In his thirteenth Year Sir John Tate was Mayor Sir VVilliam Stocker Robert Belisdon Sheriffs In his fourteenth Year Sir Robert Drope was Mayor Edmond Shaa Thomas Hill Sheriffs In his fifteenth Year Sir Robert Basset vvas Mayor Hugh Brice Robert Colwich Sheriffs In his sixteenth Year Sir Ralph Joceline was Mayor Richard Rawson William Horn Sheriffs In his seventeenth Year Sir Humfrey Heyford vvas Mayor Henry Collet John Stocker Sheriffs In his eighteenth Year Sir Richard Gardner vvas Mayor Robert Harding Robert Bifield Sheriffs In his nineteenth Year Sir Bartholomew James was Mayor Thomas Ilam John Ward Sheriffs In his twentieth Year Sir John Brown was Mayor Thomas Daniel William Bacon Sheriffs In his
they would stab them or cut their throats to prevent which when the English man drank he requested the next sitters by to be his surety or pledg Hence our custom of pledging one another 't is said SAXONS Edsine A.B. Cant. EDward the Confessor EDWARD CONF. A.D. 1041 the Son of King Ethelred and Queen Emma was born at Islip and after his Fathers death was for his safety sent unto the Duke of Normandy his Mothers Brother but upon the death of Hardicanute the English Nobility disdaining all Danish subjection invited Edward to return into England and to execute the Kingly Office He was crowned at Winchester by Edsine Archbishop of Canterbury A.D. 1042. He remitted that heavy Tribute of Forty thousand pound yearly gathered by the name of Dane-gilt which had been pay'd for forty years continuance out of the Lands of all the Clergy excepted Because say our ancient Laws the King reposed more confidence in the prayers of the holy Church than in the power of Armies Then from the divers Laws of the Mercians West-Saxons Danes and Northambrians he selected the best and made them one body certain and written in Latine His Reign was more spent in peace and works of piety than in wars and blood Only some slight troubles hapned from the Danes Irish and Welsh and also from Earl Goodwin and his sons who being very powerful and proud caused some molestations in the State But the sins of the people which were then great procured other Judgments instead of War For in the month of January there fell a great snow Robert A.B. Cant. which covered the ground to the midst of March whereby Cattel and Fowls in abundance perished And on the next year following a strange and terrible Earthquake hapned and withal such Lightnings as burnt up the Corn growing in the fields whereby an excessive Dearth ensued This King by the instigation of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Goodwin Earl of Kent dealt too rigorously with his own Mother depriving her of all her Jewels and other substance and committing her to safe custody in the Abbey of Werwell And moreover put her to undergo that over-hard Law Ordalium which was to pass over nine Plowshare-irons red glowing hot bare foot and blindfold By which tryal she is said to have acquit her self insomuch that having passed them over before she knew it cryed and said O good Lord when shall I come to the place of my purgation The King her Son hereupon received her into his favour again And she in memory of her deliverance from this fiery tryal gave nine Mannors according to the number of the Plow-shares to the Minster of Winchester wherein she had that tryal and adorned the same with many rich ornaments And the King repenting the wrong he had done her bestowed on the same place the Isle of Portland The eauses objected against Queen Emma and for which she suffered the loss of her goods were her marriage with Canute the Capital enemy of England and her neglecting to succour Edward and his Brother in their exile The matter objected against her for which she underwent the Ordalium was incontinency of body with Alwin Bishop of Winchester Of this King it is storied that as he lay in his bed in an afternoon with the curtains drawn about him a certain pilfering Courtier came into his Chamber where finding the Kings Casket open which Hugoline his Chamberlain had forgot to shut he took out as much Coin as he could conveniently carry and went away Did the like a second time Came again the third time when the King spake to him and bad him speedily be packing whilst he was well adding that if Hugoline should come and take him there he should not only lose all he had gotten but also stretch an halter And when Hugoline came and missing the money vvas greatly troubled the King vvish'd him not to be grieved for saith he the man that had it hath more need of it than we have When this devout King lying on his death-bed perceived those about him to weep and lament he said unto them If ye loved me ye would not weep but rejoice because I go to my Father with whom I shall receive the joys promised to the faithful not through my Merits but by the free Mercy of my Saviour which sheweth mercy on whom he pleaseth He dyed A. D. 1066 and vvith great laments vvas buried at Westminster He is said to be the first King that cured that Disease commonly called the Kings Evil. This King of a little Monastry dedicated to St. Peter at Westminster made a most beautiful Church and large and founded St. Margrets Church standing by and this he did for the discharge of his vowed Pilgrimage to Jerusalem He founded also the Colledg of St. Mary Otery in Devon and removed the Bishops See from Cridington to Excester He married Godith the Daughter of Earl Godwin which Earl took bread and eat it in witness that he was not guilty of the death of Prince Alfred but as soon as he had received the bread he vvas choaked at the Table before the King at Windsor HAROLD A. D. 1066 HArold the Son of Earl Goodwin notwithstanding that Edgar Atheling the Grandson of Ironside vvas the next rightful Heir yet gained the English Crovvn to himself Which he set upon his own head vvithout all ceremony and solemn celebration none either greatly approving or disapproving his presumption save only for the omission of the manner and form of Coronation But novv Harold to gain and retain the love of all lightned the burthens of Custom and Tribute that his Predecessors had laid upon the people was liberal to the Church-men repaired their Monasteries nevv-built that at Waltham in Essex He created young Edgar Earl of Oxford and held him in special favour And to all men vvas affable and kind vvhence he much fastned the hearts of his subjects unto himself But this tranquil estate vvas quickly disturb'd by the Norman Duke vvho first sent his Ambassage claiming right to the Kingdom of England by the promise of King Edward and his ratifying the same vvith the consent of the State and by Harolds ovvn oath given to the Duke for keeping the Kingdom on his behalf and then upon Harold's slighting the Ambassie he made prepapation for gaining of England by force But ere Duke William vvith his Normans are arrived on the English shore Harfager King of Denmark invaded the Land vvith vvhom Tosto the cruel Earl of Northumberland Harold's Brother joined against vvhom Harold marched and at a Bridg called Stamford vvhere he vvas to pass over one Dane made good for a time the Bridg against his vvhole Host and vvith his Ax slew forty of his men himself at last being slain vvith a dart When the English had gain'd the Bridg and were reduced into their ranks Harold most boldly set upon the Danes in their Camp vanquished them and slew Harfager and Tosto with many other persons of
Grendon William Lord Leibourne John de Greystock Lord of Morpath Matthew Fitz-John Lord of Stockenham Nicholas de Nevill Lord of Wherlton and John de Painell Lord of Ateli POPE Boniface the eighth perceiving these high resolutions and having enough to do with the King of France left the Scots to look to themselves as well as they could Over whom King Edward had appointed the valiant Lord Segrave Custos but notwithstanding his valour the Scots discomfited him and took him Prisoner whom Sr. Robert de Neville rescued as also the rest of the prisoners without the loss of one man of his own When the report of this success of the Scots came to Edwards ears he went in person with a great Army piercing therewith through all Scotland from Roxbrough to Cathness being about three hundred miles not an enemy appearing with power to obstruct him but all either submitting to him or betaking themselves with their Captain Walleys to the Woods and Mountains King Edward after he had settled affairs in that Nation to his best conveniency returned to London whither not long after Captain Walleyes a Knights son having been betray'd was brought prisoner and at Westminster for Treason and other crimes was tryed found guilty and adjudged to death which sentence was executed on him and his quarters set up in divers parts of Scotland After this mans death generous Bruce who attained the Crown of Scotland headed his Country-men the Scots but was put to flight by Aymery de Valence and forced into the utmost Isles of Scotland where for a while he lived in great distress till seeing his time he appeared again in an hostile manner in Scotland John Stratford A.B. Cant. doing many things above the opinion of his means This induced martial King Edward to advance towards Scotland but in his march he fell sick at Carlisle where amongst other things given in charge he commanded his son Edward that he should be industrious in carrying on his design against the Scots and that he should carry his skeleton along with him through the Scotish Nation For said the King whilst thou hast my bones with thee none shall be able to overcome thee He likewise commanded the Prince on pain of his Curse not without common consent to repeal Pierce Gaveston who for abusing the Princes tender years with wicked vanities by common decree was banished He charged the Prince too That he should send his heart into the Holy-Land accompanyed with an 140. Knights and their retinues for whose support he had provided thirty two thousand pounds of Silver Lastly He charged him That upon pain of eternal damnation the said monies should not be expended upon any other uses This Heroick King dyed of a Dysentery at Burgh upon Sands A. D. 1307. and was buried at Westminster His Issue were John Henry Alphonse who dyed before him Edward Thomas Edmond and ten Daughters In remembrance of his first wife Queen Eleanor who dyed at Herdeby in Lincoln-shire he erected Crosses between that and Westminster in all places where her Hearse rested 'T is said that he built Hull in York-shire which was afterward beautified with fair buildings by Michael de la Pole Earl of Suffolk In the eighth year of his Reign he sent out his Writ Quo Warranto to examine by what Title men held their Lands which brought him in much money till John Earl Warren being called to shew his Title drew out an old rustie Sword and said he held his land by that and by that would hold it till his death In a Synod holden at Reading it was Ordained That no Ecclesiastical person should have more than one Benefice to which belonged the Cure of Souls There was executed at London 297 Jews at one time for defacing the Kings Coyn. Now flourished Roger Bacon a Franciscan Friar an excellent Philosopher and Mathematician Mayors and Sheriffs of London in this Kings Reign In his first Year Sir VValter Harvey was Mayor John Horn Walter Potter Sheriffs In his second Year Henry VValleys was Mayor Nicholas VVinchester Henry Coventry Sheriffs In his third Year Gregory Rokesley was Mayor Lucus Battencourt Henry Frowicke Sheriffs In his fourth Year Gregory Rokesley continued Mayor John Horn Ralph Blunt Sheriffs In his fifth Year Gregory Rokesley continued Mayor Robert de Arar Ralph L. Fewre Sheriffs In his sixth Year Gregory Rokesley continued Mayor John Adrian VValter Langley Sheriffs In his seventh Year Gregory Rokesley continued Mayor Robert Basing William le Meyre Sheriffs In his eighth Year Gregory Rokesley continued Mayor Thomas Box Ralph Moore Sheriffs In his ninth Year Gregory Rokesley continued Mayor VVilliam Farendon Nicholas Winchester Sheriffs In his tenth Year Henry VValeys was Mayor VVilliam le Meyre Richard Chigwel Sheriffs In his eleventh Year Henry VValeys continued Mayor Ralph Blunt Hawkin Betuel Sheriffs In his Twelfth Year Henry VValleys continued Mayor Jordan Goodcheap Martin Box Sheriffs In his thirteenth Year Gregory Rokesley was Mayor Stephen Cornehil Robert Rokesley Sheriffs In his fourteenth Year Ralph Sandwich was Mayor Walter Blunt John VVade Sheriffs In his fifteenth Year Ralph Sandwich continued Mayor Thomas Cross VValter Hawteyne Sheriffs In his sixteenth Year Ralph Sandwich continued Mayor William Hereford Thomas Stanes Sheriffs In his seventeenth Year Ralph Sandwich continued Mayor William Betaine John of Canterbury Sheriffs In his eighteenth Year Ralph Sandwich continued Mayor Fulk of St. Edmund Salomon Langford Sheriffs In his nineteenth Year Ralph Sandwich continued Mayor Thomas Romain VVilliam de Lyre Sheriffs In his twentieth Year Ralph Sandwich continued Mayor Ralph Blunt Hamond Box Sheriffs In his twenty first Year Ralph Sandwich continued Mayor Elias Russel Henry Bole Sheriffs In his twenty second Year Ralph Sandwich continued Mayor Robert Rokesley Martin Awbery Sheriffs In his twenty third Year Sir Ralph Sandwich continued Mayor Henry Box Richard Gloucester Sheriffs In his twenty fourth Year Sir John Briton was Mayor John Dunstable Adam de Halingbery Sheriffs In his twenty fifth Year Sir John Briton continued Mayor Thomas of Suffolk Adam of Fulham Sheriffs In his twenty sixth Year Henry Walleys was Mayor Richard Refham Thomas Sely Sheriffs In his twenty seventh Year Elias Russel was Mayor John Armentor Henry Fingene Sheriffs In his twenty eight Year Elias Russel continued Mayor Lucas de Havering Richard Champnes Sheriffs In his twenty ninth Year Sir John Blunt was Mayor Robert Collor Peter de Besenho Sheriffs In his thirtieth Year Sir John Blunt continued Mayor Hugh Pourte Simon Paris Sheriffs In his thirty first Year Sir John Blunt continued Mayor William Combmartin John de Burford Sheriffs In his thirty second Year Sir John Blunt continued Mayor Roger Paris John de Lincoln Sheriffs In the thirty third Year Sir John Blunt continued Mayor VVilliam Cawson Reginald Thunderley Sheriffs In his thirty fourth Year Sir John Blunt continued Mayor Geoffry at the Conduit Simon Billet Sheriffs EDWARD II. A.D. 1807. EDWARD called Caernarvon after that he had provided for the affairs of Scotland and
condemned for being engaged in the Rebellion the King fiercely answered A plague upon you for cursed whisperers malicious backbiters wicked Councellors intreat you so for the life of a most notorious Knave who would not speak one word for the life of my most near Kinsman that most noble Knight Earl Thomas By the soul of God this fellow shall dye the death he hath deserved In A. D. 1322. King Edward marched with a mighty Host into Scotland from whence for want of Victuals he was forced in a short time after to return without the honour of any atchievement the Scots also following him at the heels and so suddenly assailing him that he was forced to leave his Treasure and Furniture for pillage to them But by reason of the Interdict which the Pope had put the Scots under in favour of the English a truce was made betwixt the two Nations for thirteen years Which being confirmed Edward took his progress through the Counties of York and Lancaster and Marches of VVales from whence the late seditions had their nourishments there punishing many severely Amongst the rest he caused Andrew de Herkly to be degraded hang'd drawn and quarter'd for trayterously taking part with the Scots Whilst these things were acting young Roger Mortimer having corrupted his Keepers or potion'd them with a sleepy drink escaped out of the Tower getting over into France The Spencers Father and Son one created Earl of VVinchester the other of Glocester behaved themselves exceeding lordly even to the Queen her self whose maintenance they abridg'd to advance their own wealth Many Nobles that had been engaged in the Barons quarrel they put to such excessive rates for purchasing the Kings favour again that utterly impoverish'd them Adam Bishop of Hereford and Henry Bishop of Lincoln for the same cause they deprived of all their temporalties But the Queen and discontented Nobles resolve to clear themselves of the Spencers to which end the Queen procured aids out of Henalt and Germany and uniting them with the Barons forces marched against the King who found but few friends because of the mortal hatred that the people generally did bear to the Spencers The Queen lying with her Army at Oxford caused the whole University to be called together When in the presence of the Queen Prince Roger Mortimer and other Nobles the Bishop of Hereford preached to them from that Text 2 King 4.19 My head my head aketh Delivering to them the reasons of the Queens coming with her Army concluding that an aking and sick Head of a Kingdom was to be taken off and not to be tampered with by any other Physick The Londoners stood high for the Queen and Barons cutting off the Bishop of Excesters head whom the Queen had left Guardian of London The Tower they gained into their possession proclaimed John of Eltham Custos of the City and whole Land set at liberty all prisoners The Queen did the like throughout all the Realm by her order also all banished men were revoked whereby no small encrease was brought to the Barons Forces From Oxford the Queen marched to Bristol which she besieged and took and therein Hugh Spencer the elder whom she caused without any form of trial to be cut up alive and quarter'd having been first at the clamours of the common people drawn and hang'd in his proper Armories The unfortunate King being now forsaken of almost all his English subjects after much wandering intrusted himself with the VVelsh who still loved him lying hid in the Abby of Neath till at length after much search he was found out and with him young le Spencer Robert Baldock Chancellor and Simon de Reading were taken King Edward was conveyed to Kenelworth Castle the Lords to Hereford where the Queen lay with her Host Spencer and Simon de Reading were condemned to death by VVilliam Trussel and were both ignominiously hanged The distressed King being now shut up in prison and without hopes of any redemption after he had been much solicited at last yeilded to resign the Crown to his Son Edward which being granted by the King the Lords forthwith proceed to the short Ceremonies of his Resignation chiefly consisting in the surrender of his Crown and Ensigns of Majesty to the use of his Son Prince Edward Sir VVilliam Trussel thereupon in the behalf of the whole Realm renounced all homage and allegiance to the Lord Edward of Caernarvon late King in these words 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 sometime and from this time forward I defie thee and deprive thee of all Power-Royal and I shall never be tendant on thee after this time A.D. 1327. His Issue were Edward John of Eltham Joan and Eleanor In the fourth year of this Kings Reign a Baker named John of Stratford for making bread lesser than the assize was with a fools-hood and loaves of bread about his neck drawn on a Hurdle through the streets of London So terrible a famine was in England that upon St. Lawrence Eve there was scarce bread to be got for sustentation of the Kings household so great a mortality likewise accompanying this dearth that the living were scarce sufficient to bury the dead In the time of scarcity the King set forth an Order That Wheat should be sold in the Market at eleven shillings the Quarter a fat Ox stalled or Corn-fed at 24. Shillings a fat Hog of two years old at three Shillings four pence a fat Hen for a peny and 24 Eggs for a peny but victualls thereby became so scarce in the Markets that this Order was revoked and the people left to sell as they could Mertons Colledge in Oxford brought forth in this Kings and his son Edwards reign those four Lights of Learning namely Jahn Duns called Scotus the Subtil who in a fit of the Apoplexy 't is said was buryed alive Bradwardina the profound Ocham the Invincible and Burlie the Perspicuous And as some say Baconthorp the Resolute was of the same Colledge Now was the Knights-Templars Order universally extinguished Mayors and Sheriffs of London in this Kings Reign In his first Year Sir John Blunt continued Mayor Nicholas Pigot Nigellus Drury Sheriffs In his second Year Nicholas Faringdon was Mayor William Basing James Butler Sheriffs In his third Year Thomas Romaine was Mayor Roger le Palmer James of St. Edmund Sheriffs In his fourth Year Richard Reffam was Mayor Simon Cooper Peter Blackney Sheriffs In his fifth Year Sir John Gisors was Mayor Simon Metwod Richard Wilford Sheriffs In his sixth Year Sir John Gisors was Mayor John Lambin Adam Lutkin Sheriffs In his seventh Year Nicholas Farendon was Mayor Robert Gurden Hugh Garton Sheriffs In his eighth Year Sir John Gisors was Mayor Stephen Abingdon Hammond Chickwel Sheriffs In his ninth Year Stephen de Abingdon was Mayor Hammond Goodcheap William Bodeleigh Sheriffs In his tenth Year John
Wingrave was Mayor William Caston Ralph Balancer Sheriffs In his eleventh Year John Wingrave continued Mayor John Prior William Furneaux Sheriffs In his Twelfth Year John Wingrave continued Mayor John Pointel John Dalling Sheriffs In his Thirteenth year Hammond Chickwel was Mayor Simon de Abingdon John Preston Sheriffs In his Fourteenth Year Nicholas Farendon was Mayor Renauld at the Conduit Will. Prodham Sheriffs In his Fifteenth Year Hammond Chickwel was Mayor Richard Constantine Richard de Hackney Sheriffs In his Sixteenth Year Hammond Chickwel continued Mayor John Grantham Richard de Ely Sheriffs In his Seventeenth Year Nicholas Farendon was Mayor Adam of Salisbury John of Oxford Sheriffs In his Eighteenth Year Hammond Chickwel was Mayor Benet of Fulham John Cawston Sheriffs In his Ninteenth Year Hammond Chickwel continued Mayor Gilbert Mordon John Cawston Sheriffs In his Twentieth Year Richard Britain was Mayor Richard Rothing Roger Chauntelere Sheriffs EDWARD III. EDWARD the third was Crowned King upon Candlemas-day A. D. 1327. being the eighth day after that his Father had made a resignation of the Crown to him And now because sundry great persons with the whole order of Friars Preachers took pity on the old Kings captivity Mortimer therefore hastned to dispatch him out of the way in order to which he procured an Express from the young King then about 16. Years of age to remove him from Kenelworth Castle delivering him into the hands of those ignominious Knights Thomas de Gourney Seniour and John Mattrevers who conveying him from Kenelworth to Barkly-Castle there murdred him by running a burning spit up into his body as he was about to disburden nature September 22. 1327. His body was buryed at Glocester To animate the bloody Regicides to the commitment of the horrid fact 't is said this ambiguous phrase was invented by Adam de Torleton Bishop of Hereford and sent to them by Mortimer Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum est Gourney or Corney and his villanous companions when they would needs shave the King on his way to Barkley lest he should be known and rescued inforced him to sit down on a molehil and the rascal Barber insulting told him That cold water out of the next ditch should serve for his trimming at that time To whom the sorrowful King answered Whether you will or no there shall be warm water and therewith shed tears plentifully But young King Edward at his Fathers death was upon the borders of Scotland where having invironed the Scots in the woods of Wividale and Stanhope by the Treason of Mortimer they escaped and he returned inglorious after an huge wast of Treasure and great peril of his own person For had not his loyal Chaplain stept in and received the mortal weapon in his own body the Kings life had been lost Shortly after this peace was concluded with the Scots upon dishonourable terms to the English by the procurement of the Mother-Queen and her Minion Mortimer Joan the Kings Sister was marryed to David Bruce the Scots in derision calling her Joan Make-peace King Edward at the Treaty of Peace sealed Charters to the Scotish Nation the contents whereof were contrived by his Mother Roger Mortimer and Sir James Douglas without the privity of the English Peers He also delivered to them that famous evidence called the Ragman-Roll and likewise quitted them of all his claim to the government of Scotland withal rendring back certain Jewels taken by the English from the Scots amongst which was one of special Note called the Black-Cross of Scotland In the same year being the year of our Lord 1327. dyed Charles the fair King of France by whose death the Crown of that Kingdom devolved to Edward King of England in right of his Mother Queen Isabel Tho. Bradwardin A. B. Cant. who was daughter to Philip the Fair and Sister to Lewis Hutin Philip the Long and Charles the Fair all Kings of France successively and all three dying without Issue the whole right now seeming to be Isabel the only Child of the said Philip that had any Issue But the French pretending a fundamental Law or Entail called the Salique Law by which no woman was inheritable to France sought to debar King Edward his right receiving to the Crown Philip of Valois whose Father was younger Brother to Philip the Fair advancing the Brothers son before the Daughters son not following the propinquity or descent of blood but meliority of the Sex Against the stream of the Queen and her Lord Mortimers absolute sway some great persons now stood amongst whom was the Kings Uncle Edmund Earl of Kent whose death the Queen and Mortimer shortly procured Nor was Mortimers fall now far off for the King beginning to perceive his own peril in the others potency upon good advice therefore surprized Mortimer with the Queen-Mother in Nottingham-Castle and by a Parliament held at Nottingham Queen Isabel's Dowry was taken from her and only a pension of a thousand Pound per Annum allowed her Mortimer was condemned in open Parliament at VVestminster for causing the young King to make a dishonourable peace with the Scots from whom he received bribes For procuring the death of Sr. Edward of Caernarvon the late King For over-familiarity with Isabel the Queen-Mother For polling and robbing the King and Commons of their Treasure He was ignominiously drawn to Tyburn then called the Elmes where he was executed on the common Gallows there hanging two days and nights 1330. With him there dyed for expiation of the late Kings death Sr. Simon de Bedford and John Deverell Esquire About this time befel great disturbances and divisions in Scotland occasioned by young Bruce and Baliol who both pretended right to that Crown which opportunity King Edward took hold on conceiving himself not obliged to stand to that contract made in his minority by the predominancy of his mother and Mortimer the Scots also detaining his Town and Castle of Berwick from him Wherefore he raises an Army and with Edward Baliol marcheth to Berwick which having besieged David Bruce sent a puissant host to the relief thereof and at Halydon-Hill the English and Scoth Armies joyned battle where the Scots were vanquished with a lamentable slaughter of them There dyed Archibald Dougles Earl of Angus and Governour of Scotland the Earls of Southerland Carrick and Foss the three Sons of the Lord Walter Steward and at least fourteen thousand others with the loss only of one Knight and ten other English-men Hereupon Berwick was surrendred to King Edward and Baliol was accepted to be King of Scotland and had faith and allegiance sworn unto him by the Scotch Nobles Simon Islip A.B. Cant. Which done Baliol repaired to King Edward then at Newcastle upon Tine where he submitted to Edward the third as his Father John Baliol had done to Edward the first After which the King of England assisted this Edward Baliol as his homager going himself in person divers times for suppressing the Brucean party which
under the Great Seal as the King in his youthful humour had granted to some Courtiers Also the Kings over-freeness to the Queens Countrey-men the Bohemians discontented many The ancient Nobles they envied that Robert de Vere Earl of Oxford was created Marquess of Dublin and Duke of Ireland and Michael de la Pool a Merchants Son Earl of Suffolk and that the King had them in too great favour These were held for great grievances nor would the Parliament grant the King any aids against his forreign foes unless these Lords were removed and degraded This the King could not well digest but consulted the Learned in the Law concerning certain Articles of Treason within the compass of which he might take the popular Lords And at Nottingham Robert Trisilian Chief Justitiar Robert Belknap Chief Justice of the Common Pleas John Holt Roger Fulthorp and William Burgh Justitiars John Lockton the Kings Sergeant at Law All subscribed to certain Articles of Treason made against the Lords which afterwards cost them dear Judg Belknap foresaw the danger therefore unwillingly consented saying There wants but an Hurdle Horse and Halter to carry me where I might suffer the death deserved For if I had not done this quoth he I should have dyed for it and because I have done it I deserve death for betraying the Lords And now the King and Lords prepare themselves for the field the Lords march up to London with an Army of about Forty thousand men against whose coming the King not being able to match their power shuts himself up in the Tower whither the factious Lords Glocester Derby Arundel Warwick and Marshall send him word That if he come not quickly to Westminster according to appointment they would chuse them another King who both would and should obey the Counsel of the Peers Hereupon the King though with no good-will attends their Lordships pleasure at Westminster where he yeilded to remove from about his person Alexander Neville Archbishop of York the Bishops of Durham and Chichester the Lords Zouch and Beaumont with divers others and amongst them certain Ladies Other of his friends were made prisoners And at the Parliament which was shortly after the Judges were arrested as they sate in Judgment and most of them sent to the Tower Trisilian that had fled being apprehended and brought to the Parliament in the forenoon had sentence to be drawn to Tyburn in the afternoon and there to have his throat cut which was done accordingly Divers other Knights also were sacrificed to their revenge The Duke of Ireland and others had their estates confiscated to the Kings use by Act of Parliament This while the Scots invaded the North of England under the conduct of Sir William Douglas whom Henry Hot-spur fighting with hand to hand slew but the Earl of Dunbar coming with an excessive number of Scots took Hot-spur and his brother prisoners A. D. 1396 Peace was concluded with the French the Scots and Spaniards being included therein And in September 1397 a Parliament called The Great for the extraordinary number of Peers and their retinues which came thereunto was held at London wherein the sanctuary of former Laws and all particular Charters of pardon were taken away from Thomas Duke of Glocester the Earl of Arundel and others for their treasonable practises and all the Justitiars who stood for the King were cleared from dishonour and such Articles as they had subscribed were publickly ratifyed and the offenders against them pronounced Traytors Richard Earl of Arundel was beheaded on Tower-Hill where at his death he utterly denyed that he was a Traytor in word or deed The Earl of Warwick confessing himself a Traytor in open Court was only banished to the Isle of Man The Duke of Glocester whom as the peoples darling it seemed not safe to bring to a publique Tryal was secretly smothered with pillows and feather-beds at Callis The King at this Parliament created himself Prince of Chester and to his Escutcheon-Royal added the Armories of Edward the Confessor his Cousin Henry Earl of Derby he made Duke of Hereford and advanced the Titles of many other Nobles Not long after which Henry Duke of Hereford accused Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk for speaking certain words to the Kings dishonour which Mowbray constantly denying it should have come to a combat within Lists but the King ended the controversy otherwise by banishing Norfolk for ever and Hereford first for ten years then for six only In the year following the Duke of Lancaster dyed when the King unjustly seized upon the goods of that mighty Prince his Uncle and determined to banish for ever his son the Duke of Hereford now Duke of Lancaster by his Fathers death But whilst King Richard was in Ireland to qualify a disturbance there Henry Duke of Lancaster and Hereford lands in England with what forces he had pretending nothing but the recovery of his inheritance To him there repaired the Earl of Northumberland his son Hot-Spur and Earl of Westmoreland with many others Multitudes offering their service to him as pitying his calamity and exasperated against the King because to furnish his Irish voyage he had extorted moneys on all hands and had taken up carriages victuals and other necessaries without any recompence The Duke of Lancaster with an Army of about sixty thousand marched to Bristol besieged the Castle and took it and therein two Knights of the Kings Councel Bushy and Green whose heads were cut off at the request of the rabble The Duke of York whom King Richard had left behind him to govern England could gain but small assistance against Lancaster nor could the King at his return into England find many friends therefore he betook himself to a parly with his enemies the sum of his demands being That if himself and eight more whom he should name might have Honourable allowance with the assurance of a private quiet life he would resign the Crown This was promised him whereupon he put himself into the Duke of Lancasters hands who conducted him out of the West to London where he was lodged in the Tower And now a Parliament is summoned in the Kings name to be held at Westminster in which Parliament King Richard was charged with the breach of his Coronation-Oath in thirty two Articles His abuse of the publick Treasure waste of the Crown-Land loss of Honour abroad and that at home he was guilty of Falshood Injustice Treason against the rights of the Crown and what not that ambition and envy could invent against him Tho. Arundell A. B. Cant. The result whereof was he resigned his Crown to the Duke of Lancaster which resignation the whole body of the Parliament did particularly accept saving the most loyal Bishop of Carlisle A. D. 1399 Septemb 29. In the very beginning of this Kings reign one John Philpot a private Citizen of London at his own charge manned out a Fleet to the Sea for the guarding of both Land and Sea from the enemy
and was so successful that within a short space he took fifteen Ships of the Spaniards fraught with Rich Merchandize By a Tempest were cast away at Sea four Knights and above a thousand Englishmen in their passage to Little-Britain In the year 1392 the Londoners were so unkind to the King that they refused to supply him with the loan but of a thousand pound and because a certain Lombard offered to lend the same they abused and almost killed him for which the King took away their Charter The year of Christ 1394 was famous or notable for the deaths of many great Ladies and amongst the rest of Queen Anne the Kings first wife whom it is said he loved to a kind of madness In the same year that the King was deposed the Bay or Lawrel Trees withered all over England and afterwards reflourished and on the first of January near Bedford-Town the River where it was deepest did on the sudden stand still and so divided it self that the bottom remained dry for about three miles Now flourished Sir John Hawkwood whose Chivalry had made him renowned through the Christian World Sir Geoffry Chaucer Poet Lawreat now also lived Queen Anne wife to King Richard the second first taught English women to ride on side-saddles when as before that time they rid astride She also brought in high head attire piked with Horns and long trained Gowns for Women The Mayors and Sheriffs of London in this Kings Reign In his first Year Sir Nicholas Brember was Mayor Nicholas Twiford Andrew Pikeman Sheriffs In his second Year John Philpot was Mayor John Boseham Thomas Cornwallis Sheriffs In his third Year John Hadly was Mayor John Helisdon VVilliam Barra Sheriffs In his fourth Year VVilliam VValworth was Mayor Walter Doget William Knighthode Sheriffs In his fifth Year John Northampton was Mayor John Rotu John Hinde Sheriffs In his sixth Year John Northampton continued Mayor Adam Bramme John Sely Sheriffs In his seventh Year Sir Nicholas Brember was Mayor Simon Winchcome John Moor Sheriffs In his eighth Year Sir Nicholas Brember continued Mayor Nicholas Exton John French Sheriffs In his ninth Year Sir Nicholas Brember continued Mayor John Organ John Churchman Sheriffs In his tenth Year Nicholas Exton was Mayor William Stondon William More Sheriffs In his eleventh Year Nicholas Exton continued Mayor William Venor Hugh Falstalfâ— Sheriffs In his twelfth Year Nicholas Twiford was Mayor Thomas Austen Adam Carlehul Sheriffs In his thirteenth Year William Venor was Mayor John Walcot John Love Sheriffs In his fourteenth Year Adam Bamme was Mayor John Francis Thomas Vibent Sheriffs In his fifteenth Year John Hinde was Mayor John Shadworth Henry Vamere Sheriffs In his sixteenth Year William Stondon was Mayor Gilbert Mafield Thomas Newington Sheriffs In his seventeenth Year John Hardley was Mayor Drew Barintin Richard Whitington Sheriffs In his eighteenth Year Sir John Froyshe was Mayor William Bramston Thomas Knolls Sheriffs In his nineteenth Year Sir VVilliam More was Mayor Roger Ellis VVilliam Sevenoke Sheriffs In his twentieth Year Adam Brown was Mayor Thomas VVilford VVilliam Parker Sheriffs In his twenty first Year Sir Richard VVhitington was Mayor John VVodcock VVilliam Ascham Sheriffs In his twenty second Year Sir Drew Barintin was Mayor John VVade John VVarner Sheriffs HENRY IV. A D. 1389 HENRY of Bullingbroke the son of John Duke of Lancaster the fourth son of King Edward the third was Crowned at VVestminster by Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury His Cousin the late King Richard seem'd so little concern'd for the loss of his Crown that when it was told him of Bullingbrokes being accepted by Parliament for King in his stead he only used these words I look not after such things but my hope is that after all this my Cousin will be my good Lord and friend But now Henry seated in Richards Throne used all the best means to retain the hearts of the people that sided with him and to weaken the opposite party and withal sent Ambassadors to forreign Princes to justify his unjust proceedings But the King of France and people of Aquitain would not allow of his pretences and the Citizens of Burdeaux openly said That since the world began there was never a more cruel unreasonable nor wicked fact done That the good Prince was betrayed by faithless men and that all Law was violated In England were many that inclined and contrived to set King Richard again upon his rightful Throne though to seek a captive Kings deliverance doth commonly hasten his death The principal Conspirators were John Holland Earl of Huntingdon Thomas Holland Earl of Kent the Dukes of Surrey Excester and Aumarl John Monticute Earl of Salisbury Thomas Spencer Earl of Glocester and the Bishop of Carlile Their plot was to kill Henry Bullingbroke and his son Henry but before the time of intended execution was come the whole conjuration was discovered Many attempts the conspirators made to effect the re-establing of Richard and amongst the rest they procured one Maudlen King Richards Chaplain to personate his Lord but this with all the rest of their projects failed The Towns-men of Cyrencester assayled and took some of the discontented Lords and then cut off their heads because some of their followers set fire on Cyrencester thinking that whilst the Towns-men were busied in quenching the fire they might set their Lords at liberty The Commons in Essex took the Earl of Huntingdon and cut off his head in revenge of the Duke of Glocesters death which he had had a hand in The Lord Spencer the Commons beheaded at Bristol Some others of them were put to death at Oxford some at London where also John Maudlen the counterfeit Richard a goodly personage and one VVillian Ferby were hang'd and quartred The Bishop of Carlile was by the Kings Clemency saved after his condemnation King Richard did not long survive his friends but at Pontfract Castle was put out of the way by hunger cold and great torments though the Scots have untruly writ that he escaped out of prison and led a solitary and vertuous life in Scotland and there dyed and was buryed at the black-Fryars in Sterling After Richards murder at Pontfract King Henry caused his dead body to be brought up to London where in St. Pauls with his face uncovered he lay for a time exposed to the view of all men then was his body transported to Langley in Hartfordshire where it lay buried till Henry the fifth in the first year of his Reign caused the Royal remains of his body to be Translated to VVestminster That beautiful Picture of a King sitting Crowned in a chair of State at the upper end of the Quire in VVestminster-Abby is said to be of him And now King Henry to divert the thoughts of the people from his Predecessors Tragedy prepared a puissant Army and marched with it into Scotland where he only did some hurt by wasting the Countrey and then returned Shortly after which he advanced against Owen Glendour that had
raised a Rebellion in VVales but Glendour against the Kings coming had withdrawn himself with his surest friends into the Fastnesses of Snowden wherefore the King only made some spoil in the Country and returned Many vvere the plots that vvere still made against the King but the contrivers were discovered and put to death among whom were many Monks And now Glendour having taken the Lord Mortimer prisoner with no small slaughter of his Herefordshire-men the King marched again into Wales where while he stayed he was in great danger to have perished by sudden storms and rains the like whereof his people had never seen or felt The common fame went that Glendour was a Conjurer and had raised those hideous Thâ—â—â—pâ—â—â— by â—lish Arts. In the No◠〈…〉 forces were more fortunate against the Scotts for at Halidon-hill Henry Hot-spur obtained a great victory taking prisoners the Earls of Douglas Fife Angus Murray and Orkney the Lords Montgomery Erskin and Grave with about eighty Knights besides Esquires and Gentlemen And besides what Scots were slain in battel there were about five hundred of those which fled from the fight drowned in the River Tweed But that Henry might have little joy of his ill-gotten greatness the Piercies they raised a dangerous Rebellion wherein indeed they pretended a care for the Common-wealths reformation though they really intended the advancement of their own private interests for it was agreed amongst the conspirators that the Kingdom should be shared betwixt Mortimer Earl of March Piercy and Owen Glendour South England to Mortimer North England to Piercy and Wales beyond Severn to Glendour and Archenbald Earl of Douglas vvas allowed as a sharer to be freed from ransom and to have Berwick for his ovvn Thus agreed they fortify Shrewsbury vvhither the King advanceth vvith his Army vvhere a terrible battel vvas fought and therein Hot-spur slain and his Host vanquished The Earls of Dunglas Worcester Sir Richard Vernon and Baron Kindleton vvith divers others vvere taken though not vvithout great danger of the Kings life and the death of many persons of quality on his side Henry Hot-spurs body was drawn out of the Grave Beheaded and Quartred and the parts sent to be set up in divers places of the Kingdom The Earl of Worcester Vernon and Kindleton were Beheaded The Earl of Northumberland who was taken by the way as he was bringing Forces out of the North to joyn with those at Shrewsbury had his life pardoned The year following a Parliament was holden at Coventry called the Lack-learning-Parliament either for the unlearnedness of the persons or for their malice to learned men For in order to supply the Kings wants a Bill was exhibited against the temporalties of the Clergy but by the courage of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Kings care of the Church their motion was fruitless A. D. 1405 another conspiracy was made against King Henry the chief in which conspiracy were Thomas Mowbray Earl Marshal and Richard le Scrope Archbishop of York who being taken were both Beheaded But the Pope excommunicated all such that had a hand in putting the Archbishop to death Another fresh report of King Richards being alive was again spread abroad when the Earl of Northumberland and Lord Bardolph sought to raise an Army in the North but were encountred by the Sheriff of York-shire who after a sharp conflict slew the Earl in the field and mortally vvounded the Lord Bardolph The Earls head vvas cut off and after it had been ignominiously carryed through London vvas fixed on the Bridge A. D. 1413 the King fell sick and as some report in this his last sickness he caused his Crown to be set on a pillow at his beds-head when suddenly the pangs of his Apoplexy seized on him so violently that all supposed him to be dead At which instant Prince Henry coming in took away the Crown but his Father recovering out of his fit quickly missed it and understanding who had taken it away caused his son to be called unto him of whom he demanded what he meant to bereave him of that whereunto he had yet no right The Prince boldly replyed Long may you live Sovereign Father to wear it your self but all men deeming that you was gone to Inherit another Crown this being my right I took it as my own but now do acknowledge it for none of mine And therewith set the Crown where he found it O Son quoth the Father with what right I got it God only knovveth vvho forgive me the sin But hovvsoever it vvas got said the Son I mean to keep it and defend it vvhen it shall be mine vvith my Svvord as you by the Svvord have obtained it The King dyed at London and vvas buried at Canterbury His Issue vvere Henry Thomas Duke of Clarence John Duke of Bedford Humphrey Duke of Glocester Blanch and Philippa A great Plague befel throughout England chiefly in London vvhere vvithin a short space it destroyed thirty thousand In the ninth year of his reign a Snovv continued December January February and March The Winter vvas so very sharp and long that almost all small Birds perished through hunger A little before the Rebellion of the Piercies vvas a strange Apparition betvveen Bedford and Bickleswade vvhere sundry Monsters of divers colours in the shapes of armed men vvere often seen to issue out of the Woods in the morning vvhich to such as stood far off seemed to encounter one another in most terrible manner but vvhen they drevv near nothing vvas to be found Because the number of Lolards so called increased an Act vvas made for the punishing of them by burning The Mayors and Sheriffs of London in this Kings Reign In his first Year Sir Thomas Knolls was Mayor William Waldren William Hende Sheriffs In his second Year Sir John Francis was Mayor John Wakel William Ebot Sheriffs In his third Year Sir John Shadworth was Mayor William Venor John Fremingham Sheriffs In his fourth Year John Walcot was Mayor Richard Marlow Robert Câ—icâ—y Sheriffs In his fifth Year Sir William Ascham was Mayor Thomas Falconer Thomas Pool Sheriffs In his sixth Year John Hinde was Mayor William Louth Stephen Spilman Sheriffs In his seventh Year Sir John Woodcock was Mayor Henry Barton William Cromer Sheriffs In his eighth Year Sir Richard Whittingham vvas Mayor Nicholas Watton Geoffry Brooke Sheriffs In his ninth Year Sir William Stondon vvas Mayor Henry Ponfract Henry Halton Sheriffs In his tenth Year Sir Drew Barentine was Mayor Thomas Buck VVilliam Norton Sheriffs In his eleventh Year Richard Marlow vvas Mayor John Law VVilliam Chichely Sheriffs In his twelfth Year Sir Thomas Knolls was Mayor John Penne Thomas Pike Sheriffs In his thirteenth Year Sir Robert Chichely was Mayor John Rainwel VVilliam Cotton Sheriffs In his fourteenth Year VVilliam VValden vvas Mayor Ralph Lovenham VVilliam Sevenoke Sheriffs HENRY V. A. D. 1413 HENRY of Monmouth whilst he was Prince did many things very incongruous to the greatness of his birth For he
and his wild companions would way-lay and rob his Fathers and his own Receivers And when one of his servants was arraigned at the Kings Bench bar for felony this Prince hearing thereof posted thither commanding his Fetters to be struck off and he set at liberty and when the Judge opposed him therein commanding him upon his Allegiance to cease from such riot and keep the Kings peace he in a rage ascended the Bench and gave the Judge a blow on the face who sate still undaunted and boldly thus spake unto the Prince Sir I pray remember your self This seat which I here possess is not mine but your Fathers to whom and to his Laws you owe double obedience If his Highness and his Laws be thus violated by you who should shew your self obedient to both who will obey you when you are a Soveraign or minister execution to the Laws that you shall make Wherefore for this default in your Fathers name I commit you prisoner to the Kings Bench until his Majesties pleasure be further known With which words the Prince abashed stood mute laid by his weapons and with obeysance done went to the Prison Whilst the King his Father was crazie and kept his Chamber he through the Princes wild extravagances and set on by some Court-whisperers began both to withdraw his affections and to fear some violence against his own person from the Prince which when young Henry understood in a strange disguise he repaired to his Fathers Court accompanied with many persons of Honour His garment was a Gown of blew Satten wrought full of eye-let-holes and at every eye-let the needle left hanging with the silk it was worked with About his Arm he wore a Dogs Collar set full of S's of Gold the Tirets thereof being most fine Gold Being come to the Court he charged his followers to advance no further than the fire in the Hall whilst himself passed on to his Fathers presence before whose feet he fell confessing his youthful faults and justifying his loyalty to his person declaring himself to be so far from any disloyal attempt that if he knew any person of whom his Father stood in any danger or fear his hand according to duty should be the first to free the King of suspition yea saith he I will most gladly suffer death to ease your perplexed heart and to that end I have this day prepared my self both by confession and receiving the blessed Sacrament Wherefore I humbly beseech your Grace to free your suspition from all fears conceived against me with this dagger the stab whereof I will willingly receive at your hands and will clearly forgive my death At which the King melting into tears cast down the naked dagger which the Prince had put into his hand and raising his prostrate Son Henry Chicheley A. B. Cant. embraced and kissed him confessing that his ears had been over-credulous against him which he promised they should never be in the future But notwithstanding this Prince's youthful exploits yet when he had attained the Crown to begin a good Government he began at home banishing from his Court those unruly youths that had been his consorts commanding them either to change their manners or never to approach within ten miles of his person And chose worthy men for his Council of Estate advancing his Clergy with Power and dignity So highly careful was he for the execution of Justice that himself would every day after dinner for the space of an hour receive Petitions of the oppressed and with great equity would redress their wrongs And so nearly did the death of King Richard touch his heart that he sent to Rome to be Absolved from that guilt of his Fathers Act. In the first year of his Reign at a Parliament holden at Leicester was a Bill exhibited wherein complaint was made That the temporal lands given to the Religious houses and spiritual persons for devotion sake were either superfluous or disorderly spent Whose revenues if better imployed would serve for the defence of the Land and Honour of the King For the maintenance of fifteen Earls 1500 Knights 6200 Esquires and 100 Almes-houses for the relief of diseased and impotent people and unto the Kings Coffers Twenty thousand pounds per Annum By the Authority of this Parliament an 110 Priories alien were suppressed and their possessions given to the King and his successors for ever But to divert those in Authority from such like proceedings projects were put into the Kings head for recovery of France his rightful possession Henry Chicheley Archbishop of Canterbury suggested that King Henry as the true Heir unto his Great-grand-Father Edward the third was the true Heir to the Crown of France As for the Salique-Law alledged against the English claim he affirmed that that Text touched only those parts of Germany which lay betwixt the Rivers Elbe and Sala conquered by Charles the Great who placing the French there to inhabit because of the dishonest lives of those German-women made this Law In terram Salicam mulieres ne succedant which the gloss did falsely expound for the whole Kingdom of France whose practise notwithstanding he shewed to be contrary by many experiences both in King Pepin descended of Blithud daughter to Clothair the first and by Hugh Capet as Heir to the Lady Lingard daughter to Charlemain so King Lewis called the Saint and besides that this exclusion is contrary to the word of God which alloweth women to succeed in their Fathers inheritance Numbâ— 27. King Henry now sends a summons and demand in the first place of his Dutchies of Normandy Aquitain Guyon and Anjou to which the Daulphin of France in derision sent him for a present a Tun of Paris Tennis-Balls but the King returned for answer That he would shortly send him London-Balls which should shake Paris-walls Whilst the English were making provision against the French Sir Robert Humfreville gave the Scots a considerable defeat which the French understanding with also the great preparations that Henry of England was making against them they sent over Ambassadors who at Winchester made offer of money and some Territories also the Princess Katharine to be given in marriage to King Henry so that he would conclude a peace but it was answered That without the delivery of the other Dominions belonging to the Kings Progenitors no pacification was to be made And when the Ambassadors had had their answer given them the King sent Antilop his Pursevant at Arms unto Charles King of France with Letters of defiance next made Queen Joan his Mother-in-Law Regent of the Realm then drew his Forces to Southampton commanding his followers there to attend him on such a day The King of France on the other part makes all the preparation he could to defend himself and to offend the King of England To Grey a Privy-Councellor Scroop Lord Treasurer and the Earl of Cambridge Son of Edmond Duke of York he sent 't is said a Million of Gold to betray
vvas Mayor VVilliam Edward Thomas Reyner Sheriffs In his thirty seventh Year Sir Thomas Scot was Mayor Ralph Joceline Richard Nedham Sheriffs In his thirty eighth Year Sir William Hulin vvas Mayor John Plummer John Stocker Sheriffs In his thirty ninth Year Sir Richard Lee was Mayor Richard Flemming John Lambert Sheriffs EDWARD IV. EDWARD the fourth A. D. 1â—61 was the eldest son of Richard Duke of York and began to Reign in the twentieth year of his Age. At which time Henry of Windsor had many friends remaining who by open Hostility sought to re settle him on the English Throne The battel at Towton fought on Palm-Sunday 1461 is very memorable wherein died the Lords Beaumont Nevill Willoughby Wells Scales Grey Dacres Fitz-Hugh Beckingham Knights Esquires and Gentlemen a great number and in all on both parts 35091 but Henry lost the day A. D. 1461 and June 28 was Edward Duke of York and Earl of March Crowned King at Westminster with great solemnity And in November following was Henry of Windsor and his son Edward by Parliament disinherited of their right or claim to the Crown The Dukes of Excester and Sommerset and Earl of Devonshire with an 140 more were Attainted and Disinherited Queen Margreâ— the mean while was gaining Aids from France but they were discomfited by bastard Ogle Then with the Scots she entred Northumberland took the Castle of Bamburgh and passed forward to the Bishoprick of Durham her forces daily increasing but these also were defeated by King Edward at Hegely Moor where Sir Ralph Piercie dying said I have saved the Bird in my breast meaning his Oath made to King Henry in whose cause he lost his life At Hexam also were Henries forces defeated but himself with much difficulty escaped into Scotland Shortly after which this unfortunate Prince came into England in disguise but being betrayed was apprehended in Waddington-Hall as he sate at dinner from whence he was conveyed to London with his Legs bound to the stirrups and at London was Arrested by the Earl of Warwick and committed to the Tower And now King Edward thinks himself at leisure to marry yet refuseth all Forreign matches whereof he had many offered and takes for his consort an inferior subject the Relict of his mortal enemy Sir John Grey slain at the battel of St. Albans on King Henries side This Lady Elizabeth Gray becoming a suiter unto the King for her Joynture kind King Edward became a suiter unto her for a nights-Lodging but she wisely answered him when he became importunate That as she did account her self too base to be his Wife so she did think her self too good to be his Whore When the King would needs marry this Lady to the great discontent of his Councel but especially of his Mother His Mother alledged many reasons to the contrary and amongst the rest this That only her Widow-hood might be sufficient to restrain him for that it was an high disparagement to a King to be dishonoured with bigamy in his first marriage To which the King pleasantly answered In that she is a Widow and hath already Children By Gods blessed Lady I am a Batchelor and have some too and so each of us hath a proof that neither of us are like to be barren And therefore Madam I pray you be content I trust in God she shall bring you forth a young Prince that shall please you And as for the Bigamy let the Bishop hardly lay it in my way when I come to take Orders for I understand that it is forbidden to a Priest but I never wist yet that it was forbidden to a Prince On May 26. 1465 was this Lady whom Edward had accepted to be his Queen Crowned at Westminster with all due Celebrations Her Father Sir Richard Woodvil was created Lord Rivers and made High Constable of England Her son Thomas Grey was created Marquess Dorcet and her other relations preferred But this marriage of the Kings did so sorely disgust the Earl of Warwick who had courted the Duke of Savoys daughter for King Edward that he turned his affection from him to Henry contriving all he could King Edwards deposition He wrought upon George Duke of Clarence the Kings brother to favour his designments the Duke being the easier wrought upon by reason he had before took offence against his brother about his Marriage and preferring his Wifes kindred Then did Warwick by his Agents stir up a commotion in the North one Robert Huldern first heading a rabble of about fifteen thousand and he put to death Sir John Coniers undertook the leading of them marching with them towards London Proclaiming That King Edward was neither a just Prince to God nor a profitable Prince to the Common-Wealth Against these rebels the King sent an Army that ingaged with them not far from Banbury where the Northern men had gone off with the worst had not John Clapham Esquire a servant of Warwicks displayed his colours with the white Bear and from an eminent place cryed a Warwick a sVVarwick whereat the VVelshmen fearing indeed that VVarwick had been come betook themselves to flight leaving their General the Earl of â—embroke and his brother in the field who valiantly fighting were incompassed and taken The Earl with his brother Sir Richard Herbert were brought to Banbury where with ten other Gentlemen they lost their heads Coniers and Clapham being their Judges 1469. From hence the Northern men under the conduct of Robin of Riddisdale hasted to the Kings Mannor of Graffon where the Queens Father then lay whom with his son John they suddenly surprised and at Northampton struck off their heads The King this while having prepared a mighty Army marched towards Warwicks company and at Wolney pitched his Tents the enemy lying at a little distance in readiness for battle but by mediation of friends a peace was intreated When the King resting secure was by politick Warwick surprized in the dead of the night and carryed Prisoner to Warwick-Castle from whence he was by night conveyed to Middleham Castle in Yorkshire where under the custody of the Earls Brother George Neville Archbishop of York he was retained but the Bishop granting him liberty to ride a Hunting in the Forests and Parks he fairly made his escape Warwick hereupon rages but seeing no remedy he made use of necessity and gave forth that himself so caused it having power to make Kings and to unmake them Nor did he and Clarence leave off here but procured a Rebellion in Lincolnshire where Sir Robert VVells an expert Soldier with Thirty thousand Commons disturbed the Country and in every place proclaimed King Henry At Stamford-Wells set upon the Kings forces not staying for VVarwicks coming where was performed a most bloody fight till at length Sir Robert being taken the Lincolnshire men casting away their Coats all ran away In regard whereof this Battel was called the Battel of Lost-Coat-Field VVells with many others were put to death 1470. Upon this defeat Clarence and
Citizens exceedingly Himself did not only become one amongst them causing himself to be entred a Brother of the Merchant-Taylors Company but also wore the habit at a publick Feast and sate as Master of the Company A. D. 1492 Octob. the sixth King Henry with his Host landed at Callis from whence with his whole forces he marched towards Boloigne which when he had besieged Articles of peace were concluded betwixt him and the King of France For King Henry before his going out of England had been dealt with on the French Kings behalf to accept of conditions but would not enter into any Treaty with him till he was in the field and that with such a puissance as vvas likely enough to force his ovvn conditions When Henry had to his advantage setled his transmarine affairs he returned for England vvhere he vvas not to remain long in quiet For the Dutchess of Burgundy had provided another counterfeit King a youth of a Princely personage called Peter VVarbeck the son of a converted Jew This her creature Peter or as some called him Perkin and Peterkin under the name and Title of Richard Plantaginet second son of King Edward the fourth had great honour given him by the King of France And divers persons of eminency in England were so deluded that they believed him to be the true Richard and thereupon sought to advance him to the Crown which cost some of them the price of their heads as the Lord Fitz-VValter Sir Simon Montford Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlain that gained the Victory for King Henry at Bosworth-field These with more were put to death for favouring of Perkin The King also for the further prevention of dangers caused the coasts of England to be strongly guarded sent a new Lord Chancellor into Ireland Henry Denny a Monk of Langton-Abby and Sir Edward Poynings with some forces whose greatest care and diligence was to punish such as before time had given any assistance to the Mock-king and to restrain such as were likely to do so in time to come The Earl of Kildare falling under suspition Poynings sent prisoner into England where the King did graciously hear and admit his defences and returned him with Honour and continuation of authority The Irish had formerly exhibited many Articles against this Earl the last of which was Finally all Ireland cannot rule this Earl Then quoth the King shall this Earl rule all Ireland constituting him Lord-Deputy thereof But Perkin having gained private assistance from the French King and Maximilian to strengthen yet his enterprize he repairs into Scotland unto James the fourth having special recommendations from the King of France and Dutchess of Burgundy who gave him most courteous entertainment The rare impudency of the youth and that connexion which his darings had with other Princes drew this King into an errour concerning him When he was first brought to the presence of the King of Scots with a right Princely gracefulness he declared to the said King That Edward the fourth leaving two sons Edward and Richard both very young their unnatural Uncle Richard to obtain the Crown purposed the murder of them both but the instruments of his cruelty having murdred his elder brother the young King were moved with pity to spare his life and that thus saved by the mercy of God he was privately conveyed beyond the Seas the world supposing that himself also had been murdred And that Henry Teuder Earl of Richmond after he had by subtle and foul means obtained the Crown he then wrought all means and ways to procure the final destruction of him the rightful Heir to the English Diadem That his said mortal enemy Henry hath not only falsely surmised him to be a feigned person giving him Nick-names so abusing the World but that also to deprive him of his right he had offered large Sums of Mony to corrupt the Princes with whom he had been retained and had imploy'd his servants to murder him That every man of reason might well understand that the said Henry needed not to have taken these courses against him had he been a feigned person That the truth of his manifest cause had moved the King of France and Dutchess of Burgundy his most Dear Ant to yield him their assistence That now because the Kings of Scotland were wont to support them who were spoiled and bereft of the said Kingdom of England and for that he the said King James had given clear signs that he was of the like Noble quality and temper with his Ancestors he so distressed a Prince came to put himself into his hands desiring his aid to recover his Realms promising faithfully that when his Kingdoms were regained he would gratefully do him all the pleasure that should lie in his utmost power The King of Scots was so influenced with this Impostors words amiable person Princely deportment recommendations of Princes his aids from the Irish and assured hope of aid in England that he honourably received him as if he had been the very Richard Duke of York and gave his consent that this pretended Duke should marry the Lady Katharine Gourdon daughter to the Earl of Huntly which accordingly he did and also prepared to invade England in his quarrel although there wanted not them who with many arguments advised this King to repute him for no other than a Cheat. King Henry that he might be prepared for the Scots called a Parliament which granted a Tax to be gathered of six score thousand pounds the Levy of which mony kindled a dangerous fire in England For when the Kings Collectors came amongst the Cornish-men to receive their proportion of the Tax they tumultuously assembled under the leading of one Thomas Flammock a Lawyer and Michael Joseph a Black-Smith of Bodnam Which Captains led their rout towards Kent and at Wells James Tuchet Lord Audley joyned with them From Wells they proceeded to Black-Heath where the Kings forces defeated them without much labour fifteen hundred of the Rebels were taken and the takers had their prisoners goods granted them James Lord Audley was led from New-gate to Tower-hill in a Coat of his own Armories painted on a Paper reverst and torn where he was executed Flammock and the Smith were quartred Memorably strange was the comfort that the Smith cheered himself withall as he was drawing to his execution to wit That yet he hoped that by this means his Name and Memory should be everlasting The Kings care was now to order the War against Scotland whither he sent the Earl of Surrey with an Army to invade the Scotch borders as they had lately done the English The Earl pursued the revenge with great vehemency but in short time by the King of Spains mediation a Truce was concluded betwixt the two Nations One Article of which Truce was That Perkin should be no longer fostered in Scotland Whereupon he withdraws into â—reland whither the Cornish-men sent to him inviting him amongst them promising that at his arrival
following he was condemned of Felony as seeking the death of some of the Kings Counsellors and on Febr. 22 of the same year he was brought to the Scaffold on Tower-hill where he thus spake to the people Dearly beloved Friends I am brought hither to suffer death albeit I never offended against the King either in word or deed and have always been as true and faithful to this Realm as any man hath been But forasmuch as I am by Law condemned to die I do acknowledg my self as well as others to be subject thereunto Wherefore to testifie my obedience which I owe unto the Laws I am come hither to suffer death whereunto I willingly offer my self with most hearty thanks unto God that hath given me this time of repentance who might through sudden death have taken away my life that I neither should have acknowledged him nor my self When having uttered these words with others exhortatory That the people would continue constant in the Gospel suddenly there was heard a great noise whereby the assembly was struck into great fear which noise was made by some of the Trainband-Hamlets coming hurrying on the Tower-hill This stir being ceased another presently insued for the people seeing Sir Anthony Brown ride towards the Scaffold they violently ran and crowded together thitherward supposing he had brought a pardon from the King and with a sudden shout cried a pardon a pardon God save the King But these interruptions over the Duke proceeded in his speech requesting the people to join in prayer with him for the King exhorting them unto obedience to him and his Council Which done asking every man forgiveness and declaring that he freely forgave every man he meekly submitted his head to the Axe Whose death the people were much grieved for speaking very bitterly against the Duke of Northumberland and the good King sorely mourned because of it which likely did much increase his Consumptive distemper that brought him to his end Whilst he lay in his weakness he was over-wrought to disinherit his two sisters Mary and Elizabeth and to ordain by Will for his Successor to Englands Diadem Guilford Dudley's Wife Jane the elder Daughter of the Duke of Suffolk whose Mother the Lady Frances was the Daughter of Mary Queen of France and Charles Branden Duke of Suffolk Unto this Will of King Edward all his Council the Bishops and all the Judges saving Sir John Hallis subscribed When the King drew towards his last breath he prayed as followeth Lord God deliver me out of this miserable life and take me among thy chosen howbeit not my will but thy will be done Lord I commit my spirit to thee O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee yet for thy Chosen sake if it be thy will send me life and health that I may truly serve thee O my Lord bless thy people and save thine inheritance O Lord God save thy chosen people of England O my Lord God defend this Realm from Papistry and maintain thy true Religion that I and my people may praise thy holy Name for thy Son Jesus Christs sake So turning his face and seeing some by him he said I thought you had not been so nigh Yes said Dr. Owen we heard you speak to your self Then said the King I was praying to God O I am faint Lord have mercy upon me and receive my Spirit And in so saying he yielded up the Ghost July 6 1553. And was interred in the Chappel of St. Peters at Westminster He was a Prince very well learned in the Latin and Greek Tongues also in the French Spanish and Italian adorned with the skill of Logick Natural Philosophy Musick and Astronomy Of such observation and memory that he could tell and recite all the Ports Havens and Creeks belonging to England Scotland and France what coming in there was how the Tide served in every of them what burden of Ship and what wind best served the coming into them Of all his Nobles chief Gentry and Magistrates he took special notice of their hospitality and religious conventions He was very sparing of his Subjects blood though rebells or hereticks When Joan Butcher was to be burnt for heresie all his Council could not move him to sign the Warrant for her execution till Dr. Cranmer A. B. laboured with him therein to whom the King said What my Lord will you have me send her quick to hell And taking the Pen he used this speeeh I will lay all the charge hereof upon Cranmer before God So zealous he was for the reformed Religion and against Popery that he thrust out all the Roman fopperies out of the Churches and superstitions out of the English Church nor would he permit his sister Mary to have Mass said in her house though the Emperour Charles made suit for it in her behalf So charitable that he conferred on the City of London Christs-Hospital and St. Thomas-Hospital for the relief of the Impotent fatherless Children and wounded Soldiers and Bridewell for vagabond and idle persons and so circumspect as to himself and publick that he kept a Journal-Book written with his own hand how all things proceeded with him and the state even from the first day of his raign unto his death The Mayors and Sheriffs of London in this Kings Reign In his first Year Sir John Gresham was Mayor Thomas White Robert Chertsey Sheriffs In his second Year Henry Amcoats was Mayor William Lock Sir John Ayleph Sheriffs In his third Year Sir Rowland Hill was Mayor John Yorke Richard Turk Sheriffs In his fourth Year Sir Andrew Jud was Mayor Augustine Hinde John Lion Sheriffs In his fifth Year Sir Richard Dobbes was Mayor John Lambert John Cowper Sheriffs In his sixth Year Sir George Barne was Mayor William Garret or Gerard John Mainard Sheriffs Queen MARY A.D. 1553 PIOVS King Edward having exchanged this wretched life for an happy the Councel in the first place perswaded the Lord Mayor and certain of the Aldermen of London to take their Oathes to be faithful to the Lady Jane Grey then caused the said Lady Jane to be proclaimed in London Queen of England But when Queen Mary heard the news of her brothers death and the Councels proceeds by her Letters she required the Councel as they tendred her displeasure and their own safeties to proclaim her Queen and Governour of the Land Unto which Letters the Lords forthwith answered That by good Warrant of Ancient Laws of the Realm besides the last Will of King Edward the right was in the Lady Jane to govern England unto whom therefore and none other they must yield subjection They also remembred the Queen of the unlawful marriage and divorce of her Mother of her own illegitimation desiring her to forbear any furder claim and to submit her self to the Queen Jane now her Soveraign Which Letters sent to Queen Mary were subscribed by Thomas Canterbury Archbishop Thomas Ely Chancellor Henry Suffolk Duke The Duke of
Twenty Pounds to those that should Discover any Officer or Souldier of his Majesties Guards who having formerly taken the Oaths of Allegiance Supremacy and the Test had since been perverted or should hereafter be perverted to the Romish Religion The Ninth of November his Majesty came in his Robes into the House of Lords whither the Commons being called his Majesty made a Gracious Speech thanking both Houses for the Care they shewed for the safety and preservation of his Person promising the like on his part for them and offering his ready Assent to the passing into Laws all such Bills as might secure their Religion not only during his own Reign but also in the Reign of His Successors provided they did not impeach the right of Succession in the true Line nor restrain the power and just rights of His Majesty or His Protestant Successors Shortly after His Majesty issued out several Proclamations as one for confining all Popish Recusants within five miles of their respective dwellings another for apprehending some persons therein named who were accused of the hellish Plot and a third promising a present reward of twenty pounds to any that should discover and cause to be apprehended any Popish Priest or Jesuit except those that were priviledged by the Law of the Land or that of Nations as serving the Queen or Foreign Ministers November 21 One William Staley a Goldsmith being indicted at the Kings Bench Bar of High Treason for Treasonable words against His Majesties Life was convicted and condemned to be drawn hanged and quartered which sentence was on the 26th of the same month executed at Tyburn November 27th Edward Coleman Esq who on Friday before had been arraigned at the Kings Bench Bar for High Treason in conspiring the Death of the King subverting His Government and extirpating the true Protestant Religion came to his Tryal and being upon full evidence convicted had Sentence pronounced against him next morning to be drawn hang'd and quartered which was accordingly executed on the third of December following he being the first that suffered for the Plot whereof many besides himself were and stand still accused November 28th His Majesty at the humble request of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled in Parliament was pleased by Proclamation to declare That if any Person or Persons should before the twenty fifth day of December following make any further discovery of the horrid Design against His Majesties Sacred Person and Government he or they so discovering should not onely have the reward of two hundred pounds for every such discovery upon due proof thereof but if guilty of the said Design or otherwise of concealing it they should have His Majesties Pardon November 30th His Majesty in the House of Lords gave His Royal Assent to an Act for the more effectual preserving the Kings Person and Government by disabling Papists from sitting in either House of Parliament and in December following put out a Proclamation for disarming and securing all Popish Recusants or justly so suspected December 30th His Majesty present in the House of Lords was pleased to Prorogue the Parliament till the fourth of February following which was afterward by Proclamation January 25th dissolved and a new Parliament summoned to meet the sixth of March 1678 9. January 17th 1678 9 William Ireland a Jesuit Thomas Pickering a Lay-brother of the Benedictin Monks and John Grove an Ale-house-keeper were arraigned and convicted at the Old Bailey for having conspired the destruction of His Majesties Royal Person the subversion of the Government and extirpation of the Protestant Religion The chief evidence against them were Mr. Oats Mr. Bedlow and one who had been a Serving Maid to Grove they had Sentence pronounced against them to be drawn hang'd and quartered and accordingly January 24th Ireland and Grove suffered at Tyburn Pickering lying still reprieved in New-gate His Majesties Forces that were recalled from Flanders began this month first to come over again Monday the 10th of February 1678 9 Robert Green Henry Berry and Lawrence Hill three of the murderers of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey were brought to their Tryal at the Kings Bench Bar for the said murder the main evidence against them were the above-named Bedlow and Praunce the first declaring that he had seen the dead Body and the other confessing he had had a hand in the murder which was briefly thus committed Praunce with the aforesaid Green Berry and Hill and some others having laid their design before and several times dogg'd Sir Edmondbury Godfrey on Saturday night the twelfth of October finding him in the Strand as he was returning home upon a plausible pretext of keeping the peace between two Gentlemen that were as they made him believe a quarrelling wheadled him into Somerset-house and there with a twisted Hankerchief clapt about his Neck some of them strangled him whilst Praunce and Berry watched at the Gates His dead Body they lodged in Somerset-house till Wednesday following and then carried it out in a Sedan as far as Sohoe where they mounted the same on a Horse and so conveyed it to the Ditch leaving it there barbarously pierced through with a Sword Vpon this evidence they were found guilty condemned and executed At this time Sir Joseph Williamson haveing resigned the Seals of Secretary of State into his Majesties hands the Right Honourable Robert Earle of Sunderland was in his place made one of the Principal Secretaries of State and accordingly took place at the Council Board The time of the Sitting of the New Parliament drawing near his Majesty that he might remove all Jealousies from the minds of his Subjects thought fit to command his Royal Highness the Duke of York to absent himself who with his Dutchess in obedience of his Majesties Commands on the third of March took leave of his Majesty in order to their going beyond Sea where now they are at Bruxelles in Flanders Thursday March the sixth the lately Summoned Parliament met at Westminster The King thinking it fit to wave the Solemnity of Riding used at the Opening of the Parliaments of England went in his Royal Barge to the House by Water and there in a gracious Speech which was enlarged by the Lord Chancelour His Majesty told both Houses what he expected and the Countrey stood in need of from their unanimous and wise Deliberations And now that the Joynt and Healing Councils of his Gracious Majesty and this present Parliament may so effectually operate in composing the Divisions uniting the Minds and settling the Peace of the People of this Nation as may afford many Volumes of Noble Acts at present to be transmited to grateful Posterity no other ways than by hearty Wishes it is and ought to be the fervent Prayer of all who truely fear God honour their King and desire the Wellfare and Prosperity of his Kingdoms Mayors and Sheriffs of LONDON to the 31th Year of His Reign In his First Year 1649. Thomas Foot was Mayor Christopher Pack Rowland Wilson died in
his two Brothers Richard and Geofry with many of the English Nobles Against whom the Father with a bleeding heart for his Sons ungraciousness prepared himself and was very successful in Little Britain where himself was in person also in England by his faithful Subjects For Humphrey de Bohun High Constable of the Realm with other Nobles vanquished Robert Earl of of Leicester and took him Prisoner which moved Lewis of France to seek a Truce of him for six Months whereunto King Henry yielded then Ship'd for England landing at the Port of Hampton From whence he took his journey towards Canterbury and being come within about three miles thereof he went barefooted the hard stones so cutting his tender feet that the ground was stained with his blood And after he came to Canterbury and was entred into the Chapter-house of the Monks Baldwin A.B. Cant. he most humbly prostrated himself on the ground begged pardon and by the instancy of his own Petition was by all the brethren corrected with Rods. The number of lashes which he received on his bare flesh amounted to Fourscore About this time William King of Scots that had lately entred England was taken Prisoner and young King Henry was with storms driven back into France and his Fleet scattered shortly after which Peace was concluded betwixt his Father and him But yet again he sought his Fathers ruine though before he could effect it he was prevented by the King of Terrors Death A. D. 1183. The following year Heraclius Patriarch of Jerusalem arrived in England soliciting the King to undertake the holy War in his own person which by the advice of his Lords he refused yet yielded to aid the Cause with Money and gave them leave to go that were disposed thereto His Son John whom he exceedingly loved and commonly in jest called Sans terre without Land he made Lord of Ireland assuring unto him also Lands and Rents in England and Normandy Richard and Geoffery his Sons rebelled again against him The younger of which in a Turnament at Paris was trod to death under the Horse feet but the elder lived to the further grief of his Father For joyning himself with Philip of France forced his Father out of the City of Mentz the City where he was born and loved above all others which made King Henry to utter these words against him That since his Son Richard had taken from him that day the thing which he most loved in the world he would requite him for after that day he would deprive him of that thing which in him should best please a Child namely his heart And afterwards finding his Son John first in the Catalogue of the Conspirators against him in that action he bitterly cursed the hour of his birth laying Gods curse and his upon his Sons which he would never recall by any perswasions But coming to Chinon he there fell desperately sick and feeling death approach caused himself to be born into the Church before the Altar where after humble confession and sorrow for his sins he yielded up his Soul A. D. 1189 and was buried at Font-Everard His Issue were William Henry Richard Jeffry Philip John Maud and Eleanor His base Issue William sirnamed Longsper and Jeffry Archbishop of York These two by fair Rosamund and Morgan by another Woman Rosamund his beloved Concubine was the Daughter of the Lord Clifford whom to keep safe from the envy of Queen Eleanor he placed in a Labyrinth which he built for her at Woodstock with such windings and turnings that none could come at her retiring Room save the King or whom he instructed Howbeit the jealous eye of Queen Eleanor found her out by a clew of silk which Rosamund let fall as she sate to take the Air. For she suddenly fleeing to escape being seen the end of the silk fastned to her foot and the clew still unwinding which the Queen followed till she had found the lovely Rosamund whom she so dealt with giving her Poyson that she ended her days whose body was buried at Godstow with this Epitaph upon her Tomb Hic jacet in Tumba Rosa mundi non Rosa munda Non redolet sed olet quae redolere solet King Henry divided England into Circuits appointing that two of his judges should twice in the year in each Circuit administer Justice In the year 1164 he called an assembly of the States at Clarendon in Wilts where amongst other matters it was decreed That all the Clergy should bona fide swear allegiance to the King and should appeal but unto the Archbishop or from him finally to the King without particular licence In the beginning of his reign one Nicholas Breakspear an English man was elected Pope by the name of Adrian the 4th who in the 5th year of his Popedom was choaked with a Fly He sent the Lords Prayer in this manner from Rome to be taught the English people Vre Fadyr in Heaven rich Thy name be halyed everlich Thou bring us thy michel bliss Al 's hit in Heaven y-doe Evar in yearth been it also That holy bread that lasteth ay Thou send it ous this ilke day Forgive ous all that we have don As we forgive uch other mon. Ne let ous fall into no founding Ac shield ous fro the foul thing Amen In the Isle of Wight it rained blood the shower continuing for the space of two hours together A great Earthquake in Ely Norfolk and Suffolk which made the Bells to ring in the Steeples At St. Osyths in Essex was seen a Dragon of marvelous bigness which by moving burned Houses Another great Earthquake which overthrew many buildings and amongst the rest rent in pieces Lincoln Cathedral At Oreford in Suffolk a certain hairy creature perfectly resembling man in all parts and proportions was taken out of the Sea by Fishers in a Net who after he had been kept a while secretly slipt away into the Sea again RICHARD I. A.D. 1189 RICHARD from his exceeding valour sirnamed Ceur de Lion was Crowned at Westminster by Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury At which time a great number of the Jews were in a tumultuous sort slaughtered by the common people for which many of them suffered death The Coronation rights performed Richard with all speed prepares for his voyage into the Holy-Land appointing William Longchamp Bishop of Ely his chief Justiciar and Lord Chancellor joyning with him Hugh Bishop of Durham for the parts beyond Humber associating to those Bishops divers temporal Lords for the defence and preservation of Justice And with the King of Scots he concluded firm friendship Which done with a royal Navy he put out to Sea and by the way to the Holy-Land he seized on the Island Cyprus where he solemnly took to Wife his beloved Lady Berengaria The Island he committed to the keeping of his own Deputies permitting the Islanders to injoy all such Laws and Liberties as they held in the time of Immanuel the Emperor Furder in his way
should of himself or with a few flatterers pass over his Crown and enthrall his Nobles especially to the Pope who should follow St. Peters steps to win souls and not to meddle with Wars and murders of mens bodies And Prince Lewis declared That he would chuse rather to be excommunicated by the Pope than to falsifie his promise to the English Barons So without more ado he speedily set forth for England with his Fleet of 600 Ships and 80 Boats which coming to shore in Kent the Barons joyned forces with him King John whose Army consisted most of stipendiary Forreigners thought it best for a time to forbear Battel with Lewis and not to commit his whole fortunes to the hazard of their sudden defection therefore drew towards Winchester Lewis marching forward towards London taking all the strong-holds in his way excepting Dover Castle kept by the valiant and faithful Hubert de Burgo London received Lewis the Citizens swearing truth to him so did the Barons at Westminster Lewis swearing to them That he would restore all men their right and recover to the Crown what ever had been lost by K. John All or most places where the French Prince came submitted to him At Odiam Castle indeed wherein were but 13 English men Lewis and his whole Army was not only braved 15 days but also sallying forth upon them every one took an enemy surrendring the Castle at last upon honourable terms K. John in other parts of the Realm with a very considerable Host ruined the Barons Castles and possessions But setting forth from Lyn in Norfolk where for their faithful services he bestowed large Franchises and his own Sword and a gilt Bowl with a full resolution to give Lewis Battel as he was passing the Washes with his Army and Carriages towards Lincolnshire all his Carriages Treasures and Provision were irrecoverably lost himself and Army hardly escaping And now by this time the Barons were struck with some remorse to see their Native Country by their procurement to be so miserably wasted and afflicted and which grieved them the most was that their faithful services to Lewis were but slightly regarded by him at present and were like to be ill repayed in the future for Viscount De Melun a Noble Frenchman had on his death bed privately discovered to them how that Lewis had sworn That if ever Englands Crown was setled on his head he would condemn unto perpetual exile all the disloyal Barons as Traytors to their Sovereign and extirpate all their kindred Forty of the Barons therefore presently addressed their Letters of submissive suit to the King but he was dead before the Messengers came Some say he dyed of a Flix some of a Surfeit but the most report that he dyed of Poyson for K. John coming say they from the Washes to Swinshed Abby and there taking notice as he sat at meat of their too prodigal provision he swore That if he lived but half a year longer he would make one half-peny Loaf as dear as twelve To prevent which a Monk presented him with an invenomed Cup tasting first thereof himself so becoming the wicked instrument of his own and Sovereigns death Octob. 19 1216. He was buried at Worcester His Issue were Henry Richard Joan Eleanor and Isabel Base issue Jeffry Fitz-Roy Richard and Jane He appointed those excellent forms of Civil government in the Cities and incorporate Towns of England endowing them also with their greatest Franchises He setled the rates and measures for Wine Bread Cloth and such like necessaries of Commerce He planted English Laws and Officers in Ireland Now lived one Simon Thurvey who for his pride in Learning especially for his blasphemies against Moses and Christ became so utterly ignorant that he could hardly read a Letter in the Book In or the near the year 1176 London-Bridge was begun to be built of Stone by Peter of Cole-Church Priest and was finished in A. D. 1209. Mayors in this Kings time were these following In the 10th year Henry Fitz Alwin was first Mayor Peter Duke Thomas Neal Sheriffs In the 11th year Idem Mayor Peter le Josue William Blounde Sheriffs In the 12th year Idem Mayor Adam Witley Stephen le Grass Sheriffs In the 13th year Idem Mayor John Fitz Peter John Garland Sheriffs In the 14th year Idem Mayor Randolph Egland Constantine Josue Sheriffs In the 15th year Idem Mayor Martin Fitz Alice Peter Bate Sheriffs In the 16th year Idem Mayor Solomon Basing and Hugh Basing Sheriffs In the 17th year William Hardel Mayot John Trevers Andrew Newland Sheriffs HENRY III. HENRY 3d. at about 10 years of Age was Crowned King A.D. 1216 the Ninth day after his Father K. John's decease the Earl of Pembroke being by common consent of Peers and Prelates constituted Guardian of him during his Non-age This Noble Earl set out against Lewis and at Lincolne utterly defeated his Army which discomfiture was called Lewis Fair from the great spoil that the Earls Soldiers took from the Lewysians and City of Lincolne Here the chiefest of the malignant Barons were taken with about 400 Knights besides Esquires and of other sorts innumerable A great number also of such as escaped out of the Fight were knockt on the head by the Country people Likewise about the same time a fresh supply of men and Money coming from France were scattered sunk and taken by the English Fleet the English in the engagement using unslaked Lime which they threw into the faces of the Monsieurs blinding their sight therewith Then to give no rest to Lewis his declining fortunes the Earl of Pembroke clseloy besieged London with Lewis in it where he brought the matter to capitulation The heads whereof were That Lewis and the Barons should submit to the judgment of the Church whose censure they had long contemned That Lewis should depart the Land Richard Magnus A.B. Cant. and never return with design to do harm That he should endeavour with his Father that all such things that belonged to the English Crown might be restor'd and that when Lewis himself should be King he should peaceably part with them That Lewis should immediately render to K. Henry all holds and places taken in the War for the performance of all which Lewis took his Oath On the other part the King Legate Wallo and the Earl swore That the King should restore to the Barons and others all their rights and inheritances with all their liberties formerly demanded of K. John That none of the Laity should suffer damage and reproach for taking part on either side That Prisoners should be released This done Wallo absolved Lewis and his adherents and Lewis took his leave of England Yet was not England quiet long for William Earl of Aumarl Foulk de Brent and Robert de Veipont with others committed divers furious Riots the Church and State being grown into such disorder that every man dared to attempt in either what his own audaciousness should suggest The
Kings-bench Court and there pronounced pardon of all offences committed against him On July 4 he came to the Tower where he Created Estates ordained the Knights of the Bath set at liberty the A.B. of York and Lord Stanley and July 6 was anointed and Crowned at Westminster But this Usurper well knowing that whilst his young Nephews were living the Crown would not stand firm on his head he therefore imploys Sir James Tirrel a man of an aspiring spirit to procure these Childrens destruction which accordingly he did For about midnight Miles Forest and John Dighton Tirrell's bloody instruments came into the Chamber where the young King and his Brother lay and suddenly wrapt them up in the Bed-clothes keeping by force the Feather-bed and Pillows hard upon their mouths that they were therein smothered to death This villany done Sir James caused the Murderers to bury their Bodies at the stairs-foot somewhat deep in the ground under a great heap of stones though afterward K. Richard caused them to be taken up inclosed in Lead and to be cast into a place called the Black-deeps at the Thames mouth But the justice of God pursued the Murderers for Forest rotted away piece-meal Tirrell died for Treason under Henry 7 and Dighton lived and died a vagabond beyond the Seas And the Usurper after this detestable fact never had quiet in his mind never thought himself secure but when he went abroad his eyes still whirled about his body privily fenced his hand ever on his Dagger his sleep interrupted with fearful dreams sometimes suddenly starting up leaping out of his bed and running about the Chamber Immediately also after this Murder began the Conspiracy betwixt the Duke of Buckingham and divers other Gentlemen against the Murderer The occasion of Buckinghams falling off from Richard is diversly reported some say it was because the King would not grant him the Duke of Hereford's lands to the which he pretended himself the rightful heir others impute it to the Dukes high-mindedness that he could not bear the glory of another Himself said the occasion was the murder of the two Children But be the occasion what it would yet this is most sure that this enmity of the Dukes to the King proved of good consequence to the rightful heirs to the Crown For hereupon the Duke left the Court retiring to his own house of Brecknock where he had in his custody that true friend to K. Edward's Posterity John Morton Bishop of Ely who by his wisdom abused the Dukes pride to his own deliverance the Dukes destruction and benefit of such to whom the Crown of right appertained When the Duke was at first become alienated from the King and come to his own house he solicited the Bishop his Prisoner to speak his mind freely to him in matters of state but the Bishop refused thus answering him In good faith my Lord I love not much to talk with Princes as a thing not all out of peril although the words be without fault forasmuch as it shall not be taken as the party meant it but as it pleaseth the Prince to construe it And ever I think on Aesops tale that when the Lion had proclaimed that on pain of death there should no horned beast abide in the Wood one that had in his forehead a bunch of flesh fled away a great pace The Fox that saw him run so fast asked him Whither he made all that haste he answered In faith I neither wot nor care so I were once hence because of this Proclamation of horned beasts What fool quoth the Fox thou mayest well enough abide the Lion meant not thee for it is no horn on thy head No marry quoth he that wote I well enough but what and if he call it an horn where am I then But though the Bishop at the first declined talking of State-matters with the Duke yet afterward when by often discoursing with the Duke and other circumstances he found him to be of a proud stomach and emulated the Kings greatness he would speak his mind frankly enough to him rendring the Usurper as odious as was possible by alledging his unnaturalness to his own Mother in charging her with defiling the Marriage-bed his unnaturalness to his own Brothers and Nephews in saying they were bastards his murdering his Nephews and other enormities Then to tickle the Dukes own ambition the Bishop would commend him to be a person of such rare vertues that he merited to wear the Crown himself inviting him for Gods sake and his Countries sake to take the Government upon himself or otherwise to devise some means how the Realm might be rid of the Tyrant and brought under some good Governour When the Duke had pondered a while upon this and the like discourse of the Bishops he acquainted the Bishop That his resolutions were to advance Henry Earl of Richmond to the Crown and that the said Earl of Richmond heir of the House of Lancaster should marry the Lady Elizabeth eldest Daughter of Edward the fourth by which Marriage the Housâ—s of York and Lancaster should be united into one All which to effect the Duke and Bishop first made the Mothers of Elizabeth and Henry privy hereunto and imployed divers trusty instruments to interest the Nobles and Gentry in the design Then the Bishop left Brecknock in disguise and sailed into Flanders where he did Earl Henry eminent services Many great persons combined to dethrone the Usurper which he having knowledg of sent his loving Letters to the Duke of Buckingham whom he understood to be head of the Complotters requesting him most earnestly to come to the Court for he was in great want of his wise counsel But the Duke mistrusting his smooth words excused himself that he was sickly and not well able to travel The King therefore sent his commands to him and threats withal if he refused to give attendance unto which the Duke sent his resolute answer That he would not come to his mortal enemy and immediately prepared War against him Then Thomas Marquess Dorset came out of Sanctuary and also gathered a band of men in the North Sir Edward Courtney and his Brother the Bishop of Excester raised another Army in Devonshire and Cornwall and in Kent Sir Richard Guilford and other Gentlemen raised a party all which was done in a moment But the Usurper marching with his Host against the Dukes forces which were most Welsh they for want of pay and other provision brake up their Camp and left the Duke to shift for himself which when the Confederates understood they also dispersed themselves The Duke of Buckingham in disguise repaired for security unto a servants of his near Shrewsbury named Humphry Banister but the King by Proclamation promising great rewards to him that should detect the Duke that wretch Banister for the hope of gain betrayed his Master the Duke Who with a guard of men was conveyed to Salisbury where without arraignment or judgment the Duke lost his
head Howbeit the Traytor Banister did not only lose his promised reward but also received just punishments from Heaven for his eldest son fell mad and so died in a Hogstie his second son became deformed and lame in his limbs his third son was drowned in a small puddle of water his eldest daughter was struck with a foul Leprosie and himself being of extream age was found guilty of murder but saved by his Clergy Divers of the Earl of Richmond's party were put to death and so jealous was the King now of his ill-gotten greatness that he stored the Sea-coasts with armies of men furnished the Ports with store of munition and made all things ready to prevent Earl Henry's arrival caused a Parliament to be assembled at Westminster wherein the said Earl and all such as had fled the Land in his behalf were attainted and were made enemies to their native Country their Goods confiscate their Lands and possessions condemned to the Kings use Moreover the Usurper sent his Agents laden with Gold and many gay promises to the Duke of Britain offering what not if he would either send Earl Henry into England or commit him there into Prison but the Duke himself lying extream sick his Treasurer Peter Landose corrupted with Gold had betrayed the Earl into Richard's hands had not the Earl had timely notice of it and prevented it by a speedy escape unto the French-Court where he received great favours Dr. Richard Fox then a Student in Paris was eminently serviceable to the Earl in that Nation And the Duke of Britain when he understood the treachery of Landose was highly displeased and continued a favourer of the Earl and his Cause But all these things with many more were against K. Richard which he very well foresaw though he knew not well how to remedy yet that he might make his Title and interest as good as he could he devised to marry with his Neece the Princess Elizabeth but his Queen Anne stood in his way to this for the present though not long for she fell into the remorseless hands of death but whether a natural or violent is not well known After which Richard courts the Lady Elizabeth his own Brothers daughter though in vain for she detested him Howbeit when Henry heard of Richards attempts herein and not knowing what time through flattery and perswasions from some persons might do upon the young Princess her good nature he hastned for England setting sail from Harfleet with about 200 men August 15 and arrived at Milford-Haven the seventh day following from vvhence he advanced tovvards Shrewsbury On his way to which place there met him Sir Rice ap Thomas a man of great command in VVales with a great body of men to side in his quarrel which Earl Henry afterwards requited by making this his first Alder Governour of VVales From Shrewsbury the Earl marched to Newport where Sir Gilbert Talbot met him with two thousand men from the Earl of Shrewsbury Thence he passed to Litchfield where he was honourably received But when the Usurper understood that the Earl daily increased in strengths and that he was advanced so far without any opposition from his Court at Nottingham he set forth his Host to meet the Earl which he did near unto Market-Bosworth in Leicestershire His Vant-guard he disposed of a marvellous length to strike the more terror into the hearts of his foes the leading whereof was committed to John Duke of Norfolk His own Battalion was furnished with the best approved men of War When he had ordered his army for fight he animated his followers to behave themselves valiantly alledging to them that it was against a company of Runnagates Thieves Outlaws Traytors beggarly Britains and faint-hearted French-men that they were to fight who would oppress and spoil them of their Lands Wives and Children that these their enemies were such Cowards that they would fly faster from them than the silly Hart before the Hound that the Earl of Richmond Captain of the rebellion was but a Welsh Milk-sop For their love to him their Prince their zeal to their native Country he wished them that day to shew their English valour assuring them that for his part he would either triumph in a glorious victory or die in the quarrel with immortal fame Now S. George for us and us for victory saith he Haste therefore forward and remember this that I am he that with high advancement will prefer the valiant and hardy and with severe torture will punish the dastard and cowardly run-away The Earl of Richmond's forefront was commanded by the Earl of Oxford the right wing by Sir Gilbert Talbot the left by Sir John Savage the main Battel by the Earl himself and his Uncle Jasper When the Earl had ordered his small Host consisting of about 5000 men he rode from rank to rank and wing to wing encouraging his followers to fight alledging the justness of their quarrel which God would bless assuring them that for so good a cause as to free the Land of a Monster a Tyrant a Murderer he would that day rather become a dead carrion upon the ground than a Carpet-prisoner kept alive for reproach Advance therefore forward saith he like true-hearted English-men display your Banner in defence of your Country get the day and be Conquerors lose the day and be villains God and St. George give us a happy success Then immediately a fierce Battel commenced and was manfully continued on either part At length the King having intelligence that Earl Henry was but slenderly accompanied with men of Arms he therefore with his Spear in the Rest ran violently towards the Earl in which rage at the first brunt he bare down and overthrew the Earls Standard slew Sir William Brandon the bearer thereof next encountred Sir John Cheiny whom he threw to the ground thereby making an open passage to the Earl himself In which very instant when the Earl was like to be distressed the Lord Stanley sent in aids of fresh Soldiers under the leading of Sir William Stanley which were raised as he pretended for Richard but intended them when he should see his time for Richmond's service These entred the fight with such courage that they put the Usurpers forces to flight when the Usurper closing his Helmet said to such that brought him a swift horse for his escape This day shall finish all Battels or else I will finish my life So thrusting into the throng of his enemies he manfully fighting died in the place A. D. 1485 Aug. 22. There died with him that day the Duke of Norfolk the Lord Ferrers of Chartley Sir Richard Ratcliff Sir Robert Brakenbury The number of both parts slain in the field were 4000 Sir William Catesby with two other persons of quality were taken and two days after were beheaded at Leicester Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey the Duke of Norfolks son and heir being then also taken prisoner the Earl of Richmond demanded of him how he
durst bear Arms in behalf of that Tyrant Richard to which he answered He was my Crowned King and if the Parliamentary authority of England set the Crown upon a stock I vvill fight for that stock And as I fought then for him I will fight for you when you are established by the said Authority King Richard's Crown which was taken amongst the spoils of the field the Lord Stanley Earl of Derby set upon Earl Henries head The slain body of the Usurper all tugg'd and torn stark naked was trussed behind Blanch St. Lieger a Pursevant at Arms like a Hog or Calf the head and arms hanging on one side of the Horse and his legs on the other after which manner it was brought to Leicester where it was buried in the Grey-Friers Church The stone-Chest wherein his Corps lay was at length made a drinking trough for horses at a common Inn. His body if you will credit tradition herein was born out of the City and contemptuously bestowed under Bowbridge His Issue was Edward dead before himself He founded a Colledg at Middleham beyond York and a Collegiate Chantry in London called our Lady of Barking He endowed Queens-Colledg in Cambridg with 500 Marks of yearly revenue He disforested the great field of Whichwood that King Edward his brother had inclosed for his Game and made some good Laws and when divers Shires of England offered him benevolence he refused saying I had rather have your hearts than your money This scoffing Rhime was divulged in contempt of the Usurper Richard and his three principal Creatures The Cat the Rat and Lovell the Dog Rule all England under the Hog The Cat and Rat meant of Catesby and Ratcliff the Dog of Lovell that creature belonging to the Lord Lovell's Arms and the Hog of K. Rich. whose cognisance it was But William Collingbourn Esquire who had been Sheriff of Wiltshire and Devonshire was upon Tower-hill executed with all extremity as Author thereof Mayors and Sheriffs of London in this Kings Time In his first year VVilliam Billesdon was Mayor Thomas Newland VViliam Martin Sheriffs In his second year Thomas Hill was Mayor Richard Chester and he dying Ralph Astry Thomas Britain Sheriffs HENRY VII A D. 1485 Aug. 22. HENRY Earl of Richmond was Son to Margaret Countess of Richmond and Derby daughter to John Duke of Sommerset son to John Earl of Sommerset son to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster fourth son of Edward the third October 30th A. D. 1485 was Henry Crowned at Westminster Then the better to secure his estate he shut up the Earl of Warwick the only son and Heir of George Duke of Clarence in the Tower of London Then instituted a guard for his person consisting of a number of choice Archers with allotment of Fees and Maintenance under a peculiar Captain by the name of Yeomen of the Guard for him and his Successors November the seventh was a Parliament assembled at VVestminster at the sitting whereof Richard the late Usurper was attainted and with him many of the Nobility and Gentry Free pardon was also given to all such saving the persons excepted by name as should presently submit themselves to the Kings mercy Reversed also were all former Acts hurtful either to the King or his Friends and the Crown was established upon the King and his Heirs for ever Next the King assumed into his Councel those two renowned Agents in advancing his fortunes John Morton and Richard Fox A. D. 1486 John Morton A.B. Cant. and January the eighteenth he married the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter of King Edward the fourth to the utter abolisment of all Hostilities between the two Houses or York and Lancaster But there wanted not some male-contents who assayed to disturb these serene days for the Lord Lovell one of the late Usurpers Creatures with Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother assembled forces against the King which upon but the news of an Army coming against them dispersed themselves Sir Humphrey was taken out of Sanctuary and executed at Tyburn When this storm was over the White Rose or York faction raised another procuring one Lambert Symnel to personate one of King Edwards sons Which puppet Lambert was conveyed into Ireland where the Irish adhered to him and in Christ-Church in Dublin Crowned him King of England And into Ireland the Dutchess Dowager of Burgundy sister to Edward the fourth sent this Impostor two thousand Souldiers under the conduct of Collonel Swart These with Irish and some English joyned to them landed in Lancashire at the Pile of Fowdray thence they took their march through York-shire so towards Newark every-where as they came proclaiming their new King Not far from Newark and near to a little village called Stoke the King with his Army encountred them where the fight continued doubtful for about three hours but at last the victory fell to King Henry On Lamberts part were slain the Earl of Lincoln the Lord Lovel Sir Thomas Broughton Colonel Swart and Maurice Fitz-Thomas with four thousand Souldiers On the Kings side fell not any man of Honour but almost half his vant-guard was slain so that the Garland was dipt in blood Amongst the prisoners that were taken was the counterfeit King who had been a Scholler in Oxford and his Tutor Richard Simon a Priest Lambert confessed his parents to be mean persons and of a mean Calling Him the King condemned to his kitchin or scullery at length promoted him to be one of his Falconers in which estate he continued till his death Sim. Subtle or Richard Simon was condemned to a dungeon and perpetual shackles Stoken-field battle was fought A D. 1487 June 16 being Saturday A day of the week observed to have been lucky to this Prince Henry who sent his Royal standard to our Ladies Church of VValsingham in Norfolk there to remain as a Monument of this his Victory and gratitude for it And now the King dispatcheth his Agents into Scotland there to settle amity with James the third and to prevent the retreat and protection that his enemies had found therein Shortly after which some discontented persons in York-shire rose in Arms under pretence that they were oppressed in their Tax or Subsidy but some of these Rebels were routed by the Earl of Surrey who took their Leader John a Chamber prisoner and upon the hearing of the Kings approach the rest of them under the leading of Sir John Egremond dispersed themselves John a Chamber with some others of the chief of the Rebels were executed at York The Kings affairs being setled in a present peaceable estate at home he was next ingaged in a War with France For the carrying on of which his Subjects did largely contribute chiefly the City of London out of which he received for his furniture in that voyage almost ten thousand pounds from the Commoners and two hundred pounds besides from every Alderman And this wise King knowing how great a strength that rich City was to him humoured the
they would venture their lives and fortunes for him as hoping that under his government they should be eased of their Taxes Perkin accepting their invitation landed at Whitsand-Bay in Cornwall after whose arrival some thousands of people resorted to him When King Henry heard of his landing and making head against him he smiled saying Loe we are again provoked by this Prince of Rake-hells but lest my people should through ignorance be drawn into destruction let us seek to take this Perkin by the easiest way we can He therefore assembled his forces and sent out his Spies to observe the track and hopes of Prince Peterkin who had now besieged the loyal City of Excester which would neither yield to his fine promises nor his threats and violence but valiantly withstood him till they were relieved by Edward Courtney Earl of Devonshire and other good subjects that forced the Rebels away from before the City Which Rebels now understanding what great preparations were made against them began many of them to drop away from their new King and Perkin himself secretly fled and took Sanctuary at Beaulieu in New-forest out of which Sanctuary upon the Kings offer of life to him and oblivion of his crimes he gladly came forth and put himself into the Kings hands by whose order he was conveyed to London where the King by curious and often examination of him came to the full knowledg of that his heart desired The châ—ef matter of which confession the King caused to be published in Print But the imaginary King Perkin indeavouring to make an escape from such that had the charge of him after the undergoing of some publique shame for that attempt was committed to the Tower where he by his insinuations and promises had corrupted his keepers to set himself and the Earl of Warwick at large to which design of escaping the poor Earl is said to have consented Perkin for this conspiracy had his Tryal at Westminster and was condemned and being drawn to Tyburn had the sentence of death executed upon him At the Gallows Perkin did read his own confession therein owning himself to have been born in the Town of Tourney in Flanders of such parents whom he named and that being come into Ireland to see the Country he was there wrought upon to personate Richard Duke of York c. Thus died If I be not deceived a deceiver A. D. 1499. The Earl of VVarwick was publickly arraigned for minding to have escaped out of the Tower and consequently to deprive King Henry of his Crown and Dignity and to usurp the Title and Soveraign Office all which streined charge the Earl by false friends 't is said was perswaded to confess So lost his head upon Tower-hill and was buried at Bisham by his Ancestors Thus died the last Heir Male of the blood and Sirname of Plantaginet It is said That in the eyes of the Castilâ—aâ—s who had secretly agreed with King Henry to match their Princess Katharine with Prince Arthur there could be no sure ground of succession whilst the Earl of VVarwick lived Tho. Langton A. B. Cant. And the said Lady Katharine when the Divorce was afterward prosecute against her by her Husband King Henry the eight is reported to have said That it was the hand of God for that to clear the way to the Marriage that innocent Earl of VVarwick was put to unworthy death A. D. 1506 Edmund de la Pole Earl of Suffolk wilfully slew a common person in his fury for the which King Henry caused him to be arraigned the fact he was perswaded to confess and had pardon But the Earl as a Prince of the blood his mother being sister to Edward the fourth held himself disgraced by having been seen at the Kings-Bench-Bar a Prisoner therefore in discontent fled to his Aunt the Dutchess of Burgundy but within a while after he returned into England and the year following his spirit not yet being laid fled again after he had first complotted to disturb the Kings peace Whereupon King Henry applied himself to his wonted Art for learning the secrets of his enemies imployed Sir Robert Curson to feign himself a friend to Pole thereby to get himself into his bosome for the finding out of his secret designs and correspondents Mâ—ny great persons for Poles câ—use were committed to prison some were put to deaâ—h as Sir James Terrel and Sir John VVâ—dâ—am who lost their heads on Tower-hill and three other persons who were executed in other places And the more to disanimate de la Poles complices and favourers King Henry had procured from Pope Alexander the sixth an Excommunication and curse against Pole Sir Robert Curson and five other persons by special name and generally all others that should aid the Earl against the King Sir Robert Curson was named on purpose to make de la Pole secure of him Neither did the King leave here for he so prevailed with the Pope as he decreed by Bull That no person should afterward have priviledge of Sanctuary who had once taken the same and came forth again and that if any Sanctuary-man should afterward commit any murder robbery sacriledge treason c. He should by lay force be drawn thence to suffer due punishment And now Suffolk perceiving himself stript of all future hope of endamaging the King he put himself into the grace and protection of Philip King of Spain with whom he remained in banishment till King Philip was driven by tempest into England at which time King Henry prevailed with him to deliver Pole into his hards upon promise that he would spare his life And accordingly at Philips return home Pole was sent in England and then committed to the Tower King Henry thus secured of this hazard bestowed his ages care on gathering of mony though by some such ways as seemed none of the justest Empson and Dudley two Lawyers were his instruments for the bringing in of mony to fill his Exchequer These called the richer sort of Subjects into question for the breach of old penal Laws Henry Dean and William Warham A. Bps. Cant. long before discontinued and forgotten The courses they took in the execution of their imployment was for one of them to outlaw persons privately and then to seize their estates forcing them to chargeable compositions with the King and heavy bribes to themselves Another detestable practise of theirs was to have false Jurors and Ring-leaders of false Jurors who would never give in any verdict against their Patrons Empson and Dudley insomuch that if any stood out in Law these sons of Belial squared the destiny of their causes By these means many honest and worthy Subjects were rigorously fined imprisoned or otherwise afflicted But the King falling sick of a consuming disease by the means of good Counsel he inclined to grant to all men general Pardons certain only excepted and ordained that all such monys should be restored as had been unjustly levyed by his Officers He died A.
fourteenth Year Sir John Mundy vvas Mayor John Rudston John Champneis Sheriffs In his fifteenth Year Sir Thomas Baldrie was Mayor Michael English Nicholas Jennings Sheriffs In his sixteenth Year Sir William Bailey vvas Mayor Ralph Dodmere VVilliam Roche Sheriffs In his seventeenth Year Sir John Allen was Mayor John Caunton or Calton Christopher Askaw Sheriffs In his eighteenth Year Sir Thomas Seymour vvas Mayor Stephen Peacock Nicholas Lambert Sheriffs In his nineteenth Year Sir James Spencer was Mayor John Hardy William Hollis Sheriffs In his twentieth Year Sir John Rudston vvas Mayor Ralph Warren John Long Sheriffs In his twenty first Year Sir Ralph Dodmer was Mayor Michael Dormer Walter Champion Sheriffs In his twenty second Year Sir Thomas Pargiter was Mayor William Dantesey or Dancy Richard Champion Sheriffs In his twenty third Year Sir Nicholas Lambert was Mayor Richard Gresham Edward Altham Sheriffs In his Twenty fourth Year Sir Stephen Peacock was Mayor Richard Reynolds John Martin Nicholas Pinchon John Priest Sheriffs In his twenty fifth Year Sir Christopher Askew vvas Mayor William Forman Thomas Kitson Sheriffs In his twenty sixth Year Sir John Champneis was Mayor Nicholas Leveson William Denham Sheriffs In his twenty seventh Year Sir John Allen was Mayor Humfrey Monmouth John Cotes Sheriffs In his Twenty eighth Year Sir Ralph Warren was Mayor Robert or Richard Paget William Bowyer Sheriffs In his twenty ninth Year Sir Richard Gresham was Mayor John Gresham Thomas Lewin Sheriffs In his thirtieth Year Sir VVilliam Forman was Mayor William Wilkinson Nicholas Gibson Sheriffs In his thirty first Year Sir VVilliam Hollys was Mayor Thomas Ferrer Thomas Huntlow Sheriffs In his thirty second Year Sir William Roche was Mayor VVilliam Laxstone Martin Bows Sheriffs In his thirty third Year Sir Michael Dormer was Mayor Rowland Hill Henry Suckley Sheriffs In his thirty fourth Year Sir John Cotes was Mayor Henry Hobberthorn Henry Amcoats Sheriffs In his thirty fifth Year Sir William Bowyer was Mayor John Tholouse Richard Dobbes Sheriffs In his thirty sixth Year Sir William Laxton was Mayor John Wilford Andrew Jud Sheriffs In his thirty seventh Year Sir Martin Bows was Mayor George Barne Ralph Allen or Alley Sheriffs In his thirty eighth Year Sir Henry Hobberthorn was Mayor Richard Jarveis Thomas Curteis Sheriffs EDWARD VI. A. D. 1547. EDward the Sixth was born but not without the death of his Mother A.D. 1537 Octob. 12. A. D. 1547 and Febr. 20. he was Crowned at Westminster At which time when three Swords were delivered to him as King of England France and Ireland he said There was yet another Sword to be delivered him namely the sacred Bible which is said he the sword of the Spirit without which we are nothing neither can do any thing His Mothers brother Edward Lord Seymour Earl of Hartford and Duke of Somerset was by the consent of the Nobles made Protector over his Minority and the Realms In short time after the Kings Coronation the Lord Protector and Council sought to effect the Marriage betwixt the young King and the young Queen of Scotland as it had been formerly agreed on by both Nations but this the Scots refused to yield unto wherefore the Protector led an army into Scotland and at a place called Edmondstone-edg near to Musclebrough fought the Scots and vanquished them following the chase of them almost five miles wherein the Lord Fleming with sundry men of note were slain and 10000 of the Soldiers and about a 1000 were taken Prisoners the chief whereof were the Earl of Huntly the Lords Yester Hobby and Hamilton the Lord Weems and a brother of the Earl of Cassills Lieth the English sacked and set on fire took the Island St. Colmes Broughticrag Rocksbrough Humes Castle and others insomuch that many Gentlemen in Tividale and the Meres came to the Protector and entred into terms and conditions of peace with him After the Protectors return a Parliament was assembled at London wherein the six Articles were repealed those Colledges and Chappels that King Henry had left were given the King and the Churches ordred to be purged of all Images And accordingly Commissioners were appointed who first began at St. Pauls in London and thence proceeded throughout England and Wales But this reformation occasioned great commotions which began in the West A Priest stabbed one Mr. Body a Commissioner to the heart for plucking down certain Images and this fact of his was so favoured by the Cornish and Devonshire Rusticks that ten thousand of them rose in Arms heading themselves under Mr. Humphrey Arundel six other Gentlemen and eight Priests These rebells besieged the City of Excester and sore distressed it yet did the Citizens loyally hold out against them for which the King did enlarge their Liberties and gave unto their City the Mannor of Exilond At last the rebells agree upon Articles to be sent the King therein requiring to have Mass celebrated as in time past it had been To have holy bread and holy water in remembrance of Christs body and blood To have the six Articles again in force c. To these and the rest of their demands the King sent an answer Therein pitying their ignorance reproving their sawciness and withal a general pardon to as many as would desist in time concluding thus We for our part seek no longer to live than to be a Father to our people and as God hath made us your King so hath he commanded you obedience by whose great Majesty we swear you shall feel the same power in our Sword which how mighty it is no subject knoweth how puissant it is no private man can judg and how mortal no English heart can think Therefore embrace our mercy whilst it is offered lest the blood spilt by your means cry vengeance from the earth and be heard in the ears of the Lord of Heaven Notwithstanding all this the rebells still persisted in their Traiterous attempts the King therefore sent an army against them which put them to flight at Honiton then worsted them at Excester where the rebells lay siege and lastly upon Clift-heath destroyed the greatest part of them their consecrated Host Crucifix Crosses consecrated Banners holy bread and holy water which the rebells had brought into the field thinking by vertue of them to have made all sure on their side were all trampled into the dirt Arundel Winsland Holmes and Bury four rebell-Captains were taken and executed at London Others also of their partakers were executed by Martial Law amongst whom was Boyer the Mayor of Bodmin in Cornwall Nigh to which Town dwelt a Miller that had been a busie-fellow in the rebellion but he knowing his own danger willed his man to take the name of Master if any enquired after him To this Millers house Sir Anthony Kingstone Marshall of the Field came where calling for the Master the officious man in his name very bodily presented himself whom Sir Anthony straight commanded to the Gallows and when the poor fellow seeing the
the better to strengthen himself at home and to raise his Family into esteem he gave his eldest Son a Command in the Army his younger Son he made Lord Deputy of Ireland his two younger Daughters that were not yet disposed of in marriage he matched the elder of them with Mr. Robert Rich the Earl of Warwicks Grandson and the youngest with a person of great Honour And that he might be as King-like as possible and withal check the Commons in Parliment he constituted an Upper House of Parliament instead of the House of Lords 62 in number most of them his own creatures amongst whom were Colonel Hewson one by trade next kin to a Cobler and Colonel Pride formerly a Brewers servant who before this had been made two of his knights errants And to honour his Mushrooms he elected to set in his Upper House some few Noble men as the Earl of Warwick c. February the 20th the Parliment that had been adjourned now reassembled but because they admitted those Members to sit with them who at first refused to subscribe to Olivers Instruments and because they questioned the Protectors power in erecting his Upper House which in contempt they called the other House Oliver hereupon sent for them to his Upper House Bar where he made a large speech to them and in conclusion told them That it did concern as well the peace and tranquility of the Nation as his own interest to terminate that Parliament and therefore he did at this time put an end to their sitting February the fourth A. D. 1658. This Year began with a discovery of a most horrible Plot as Oliver called it and indeed he had an excellent Art for the discovery of Plots having his mercenary trepans and instruments of falshood who counterfeiting themselves forward Royallists thereby insinuated themselves into the Counsel of the Kings friends and then betrayed them And the King himself was troubled with one of these false Creatures about his own person for Captain Manning one of his Secretaries Clerks was taken in the very act of receiving Letters from Thurloe Olivers Secretary for the which he was instantly Shot to death But the Loyal Confederates in the late discovered Plot were divers of them apprehended as Dr. Hewit Colonel Edward Ashton Mr. Mordant the Earl of Peterboroughs Brother and others who were indicted of High Treason for endeavouring to levy War against his Highness and the Government and to promote Charles Stuart to the Government of these Nations and for holding correspondency with the said Charles Stuart Mr. Mordant was acquitted but Dr. Hewit and Sir Henry Slingsby were beheaded on Tower-hill June the eighth though many endeavours were used by divers persons of quality and Ministers for the saving of their lives especially the Doctors Colonel Ashton and others were hang'd and quartered in London Near about this time there came up the Thames as far as Greenwich a Whale of a very great length and bigness June the 25th the Town of Dunkirk was surrendred by the Spaniards to the French who immediately resigned it to the English forces which had been the main instrument in gaining it this resignation was made according to former Articles agreed upon between the King of France and Lord Protector of England But whilst the English were rejoicing abroad Oliver had occasion of sorrow at home for his most dearly beloved Daughter Mrs. Elizabeth Claypole on August the eighth departed this Life whose body was interred in the Royal Chappel at Westminster T is said of this Gentlewoman that she was much troubled at the harsh usage of the Royal party and that upon her knees she beg'd of her Father to save Dr. Hewits life but his hard heart would not yield thereto though he loved this Daughter so passionately that he never injoyed himself after her death but growing pensive and melancholy in short time was seized with a Tertian ague which ended his life at VVhite-hall on September the third He was born in the Town of Huntingdon and descended from a worshipful family of the Cromwels alias VVilliams his Mother was the Daughter of Sir Richard Steward and his wife Elizabeth the Daughter of Sir James Bourchier He was of a very martial Spirit and of excellent conduct and attended with very good success in his attempts Nor was he a Souldier only but also a very good Orator and deep Politician and so great a Dissembler that he could shed Crocodillian tears at pleasure when those would at any time advantage him among the Religious an high pretender he was to Religion though as his actions manifested it was only thereby to obtain his ambitious ends so impiously resolute for the effecting his designments that he valued not the violation of the most solemn promises or sacred Oaths nor the shedding of any though the blood of the Lords anointed Yet was this Man courted or feared by most of the Princes in Europe and the Kings of France and Sweden were entred into so strict a League with him as had he lived might have troubled good part of the world In Olivers stead Richard Cromwell his eldest Son whom he had appointed his Successor was proclaimed Protector Shortly after which several Addresses protesting both love and obedience to Richards Highness were presented from the Armies of the three Nations from the London-Ministers from divers Counties Cities and chief Towns of England And the Foreign Ambassadors then in England pretended to lament with Mr. Richard for the death of his Father desired the continuance of that League and Amity which was granted and maintained by his late Highness Oliver Lord Protector November the 23 were the Funerals of Oliver Solemnized after his Herse had lain in the greatest State some weeks in Somerset-House at a vast charge and in greater Pomp than had formerly been used for the greatest English Kings his Corps had been privately interr'd many days before in the Chappel-Royal of Henry the Seventh at Westminster But the vast expences of those Funerals were never discharged but those Tradesmen who had hopes of gaining the most by it sat down the greatest losers at last As soon at the Funeral-rites of this old Fox Oliver were accomplished his Son Richard proceeded to the carrying on of matters of publick concernment The first of which was the sending a Naval-supply to the King of Sweden for the aiding him against the King of Denmark The next of any moment was the calling of a Parliament to convene January the 27th at Westminster where when they were met they chose for their Speaker Mr Challoner Chute and the Members severally took the Oath not to alter the form of Government Which done they went to purge out those Members who had born Arms for the King then after many debates it was at length resolved that the House of Commons would transact with the persons of the other House as a House of Parliament during the present Parliament but with this proviso That it was not intended