Alliance with so many great Princes put on him aspiring thoughts and so ambitious was he as not to content himselfe with his hereditary Patrimony of one of the greatest Princes in Germany but must aspire to a Kingdome beleeving that his great allyance would carry him through any enterprise or bring him off with honour in both which he failed being cast out of his owne Country with shame and he and his ever after living upon the devotion of other Princes but had his Father in Law spent halfe the mony in Swords he did in words for which he was but scorned it had kept him in his owne inheritance and saved much Christian blood since shed but whiles hee being wholly addicted to peace spent much treasure in sending costly Embassadours to treat his Enemies which he esteemed friends might have sent Armies with a lesse charge to conquer so that it may be concluded that this then thought the most happy Match in Christendome was the greatest unhappines to Christendome themselves and Posterity And as if to fore-tell the sad event presently after the Gallantry and triumphing of that Marriage the Kingdome was clad all in mourning for the sad obsequies of that most hopefull Prince Henry who dyed not without vehement suspicion of Poyson and I wish I could say but suspicion only but our future discourse will tell you otherwise He was only shewed to this Nation as the Land of Canaan was to Moses to look on not to enjoy wee did indeed joy in that happinesse we expected in him but God found us so unthankfull and tooke so lightly the death of that ever famous Queen Elizabeth as hee intended to make us an example of scorne now that were formerly of all glory His death was fore-told by one Bruce a most famous Astrologer of the Scottish Nation for which the Earle of Salisbury a great Statesman caused him to be banished who left this fare-well with the Earl that it should be too too true yet his Lordship should not live to see it the Earle dying in May the Prince in November following to the infinite griefe of all the Kingdome but the Earle of Somerset and Family of Howards who by his death thought themselves secured from all future dangers for he being a Prince of an open heart hating all basenesse would often say If ever he were King he would not leave one of that Family to pisse against a wall This brave Prince being dead Somerset and that Faction bare all downe before them disposing of all offices yet Somerset never turned any out as did the succeeding favourite but places being voyd he disposed of them and who would give most was the word yet not by Somerset himselfe but by his Lady and her Family for he was naturally of a noble disposition and it may be justly said of him that never could be said of any before or ever will be of any after him He never got suite for himselfe or friends that was burthensome to the Common-wealth no Monopolies no Impositions yet in his time and by his favour though not for his use were brought into the Court two meane fellowes grand Projectors the one Ingram an ordinary Waiter of the Customes the other Cranfield an Apprentice who had served three broken Citizens and it is probable by his wit and honesty he might thrive by them all and lay that for his first a foundation of his future projecting the one a creature of Northamptons the other of the house of Suffolke and these like ill birds defiled their owne nests and discovered the secrets of the Custom house yet their projects seemed for the Kings profit only though much water ran by his Mill and Suffolke did very well licke his owne fingers for Salisbury being dead Suffolke was Treasurer the proper place for Customs and his Son in Law Chamberlaine and Favourite and then what could not they two doe Yet Somerset ever kept them but like Projectors which after Favourites raised to the degrees of Nobility only Suffolke by Somersets power made Ingram a Cofferer of the Kings House which was the first apparent step to Somersets downfall for however the King made faire semblance to maintaine that Act yet made he the Earle of Kelly his instrument to set the Officers of his houshold to petition him against it and ever from the Kings owne directions to take their instructions in which one of the Principal given was not to seeke to Somerset upon any tearmes nay to deny to accept his favour though offered to disannul his owne act but to carry it with an high hand against Somerset by which assurance was given of prevailing Here was pretty jugling the Court being then but an Academy of Juglers Somerset did often Court the Officers to make him that Achilles his Weapon that could wound and heale againe but was entertained with sâ—orne yet ambition so dazled his eyes hee could not see the precipice on which he stood ready for his downfall for surely no Astrologers could have given him truer notions of his ruine then this Cranfield the other Projector soared higher though not in Somersets time could he have his feathers imped but Buckingham after did so impe them that Cranfield endeavoured to pull out his and gave him the first affront by this you may observe how the times altered from better to worse and so fittest for worthlesse men For now began to appeare a glimering of a new Favourite one Mr. George Villiers a younger Son by a second Venter of an ancient Knight in Leicestershire as I take it his Father of an ancient Family his Mother but of a meane and a waiting Gentle-woman whom the old man fell in love with and married by whom he had three sons all raised to the Nobility by meanes of their brother-Favourite this Gentleman was come also but newly from Travell and at that time did beleeve it a great fortune to marry a Daughter of Sir Roger Astons and in truth it was the heighth of his ambition and for that only end was an hanger on upon the Court the Gentlewoman loved him so well as could all his friends have made her for her great fortune but an hundred Markes Joynture she had married him presently in despight of all her friends and no question would have had him without any Joynture at all But as the Fates would have it before the closing up of this Match the King cast a glancing eye towards him which was easily perceived by such as observed their Princes humour and then the Match was laid aside some assuring him a greater Fortune was comming towards him Then one gave him his place of Cup-bearer that he might be in the Kings eye another sent to his Mercer and Taylor to put good Cloathes on him a third to his Sempster for curious Linnen and all as prefacive insinuations to obtaine Offices upon his future Rise then others tooke upon them to be his Bravoes to undertake his quarrels upon affronts
undervalue so precious a commodity Northampton finding himself neglected by so mean a fellow cast about another way and followed Balaams councell by sending a Moabitish Woman unto him in which he made use of Copinger a Gentleman who had spent a faire fortune left by his Ancestors and now for maintenance was forced to lead the life of a Serving-man that formerly kept many to serve him and as an addition the worst of that kind a flat Bawd This Gentleman had lived a scandalous life by keeping a Whore of his own which for the honour of her Family I will not name therefore was fittest to trade in that commodity for another and in truth was fit to take any impression basenesse could stamp on him as the sequell of this story will manifest This Moabitish woman was a Daughter of the Earl of Suffolk married to a young noble Gentleman the Earl of Essex This Train took and the first private meetings were at Copingers house and himselfe Bawd to their lust which put him into a far greater bravery for a time then when he was master of his owne but iâ— had bitternesse on all hands in the end This privacy in their stoln pleasures made Copinger a friend to Northampton and Suffolk though but a Servant to Viscount Rochester for so now was he called and now had they linked him so close as no breaking from them Overbury was that John Baptist that reprooved the Lord for the sinne of using the Lady and abusing the young Earle of Essex would call her Strumpet her mother and brother Bawds and used them with so much scorne as in truth was not to bee indured from a fellow of his Rank to persons of that quality how faulty soever otherwise they were Then to satisfie Overbury and blot out the name of Sin his love led him into a more desperate way by a resolution to marry another mans wife against this then did Overbury bellow lowder and in it shewed himselfe more like an affectionate then a discreet moderate friend had he compounded but one dram of discretion with an ounce of affection he might with such a receipt have preserved his owne life and their fortunes and honors For those that infinitely hated that Family did as infinitely condemn his insolent carriage and behaviour towards them so that had any of those Brothers or name killed Overbury either by picking a quarrell with him or pistolling him or any other desperate way or bravely in a Duell upon some other ground of a quarrell then blemishing their Sister the World would have justified the action however he had stood with God but Buchanans character of that Family bars all expectation of so much bravery of spirit but a Counsell must be held to put him to death by some baser means The Plot them must be he must be sent a Leidger Embassadour into France which by obeying they should bee rid of so great an eye-sore by disobeying he incurred the displeasure of his Prince a contempt that he could not expect lesse then imprisonment for and by that means be sequestred from his friend And thus far I do beleeve the Earl of Somerset for so was hee now created was consenting this stratagem tooke and Overbury might truly say Video meliora deteriora sequor for he indeed made the worst choyce it could not be thought but such an imployment was far above his desert and much better for him to have accepted then to bee confined to a loathsome Prison and for want of judgement had his sufferings been lesse then losse of life he had not bin worthy of pity but Jupiter quos vult perdere hos dementat hee would to the Tower from whence he never returned rather then accept of an honourable imployment from whence he might not only have returned but done his friends acceptable service either in private or publick In his managing of this businesse that wisdome of his which formerly he had been esteemed for suffered under the censure of Wise men as well as Fooles Having him now fast in Prison Herodias by pleasing her Herod must also aske and have his life for per scelus ad scelera tutior est via To that end they preferred Empoysoners to be servants to Sir Gervase Elwayes then Lieutenant of the Tower The Gentleman was ever held wise and honest but unfortunate in having this place thrust upon him without his thought he was also so religious that few in the Court did equall him so wise as he obtained the Character of wise Sir Gervase Elwayes yet neither could his wisdom nor the opinion of his Religion and honesty prevent that Fate he was so ignorant of the plot as he never did dreame of any such matter untill one day as it should seem Weston being told Elwayes did know wherefore he was preferred unto him to waite on Overbury he asked the Lieutenant one day before dinner whether he should now doe it Elwayes asked him what Weston at that being somewhat abashed Elwayes espying it presently said no not yet for he did beleeve there was something knowne to Weston which was a secret to himselfe Whereupon Elwayes could not chew any meat for chewing upon those words of Weston but instantly commanded his Table to be voyded and thence he went into his Study and sent for Weston to come unto him examining him of the meaning of that question at last by faire meanes and threatning together got the truth then Elwayes as he well could laid before Weston the horridnesse of the Fact the torments of Hell and the unassurance of his momentary inioying of either reward or favour after the Fact done but that it must follow so many Personages of Honour would never cabinet such a secret in his breast that might ruine them at last made him so sensible of his danger in this life but more sensible of the torments in the other that Weston falling on his knees said O Lord how good and gracious art thou and thy mercy is above all thy workes for this day is salvation come to my soul and I would not for all the world have had such a sinne upon me giving the Lieutenant humble thanks that had been the instrument of saving his soul by putting him off from so foul intentions The Lieutenant having now thus renewed grace in him by making him as he thought a new man said thou and I have a dangerous part to act yet be honest and true to me and I doubt not but with Gods help we shall perform it wel both before God and the World Weston faithfully promised him and for a long time as faithfully performed with him the Lieutenant willed him to bring all such things as were sent him to give Overbury unto him which he accordingly did the Lieutenant gave them to Cats and Dogs which he ever had ready in his study for that purpose some died presently some lay lingering a longer time all the Jellies and Tarts sent to Overbury hee
hereafter you shall understand it was so and that the King durst not avow his own act brought him off from that Parliament but Buckingham hated the King ever afterwards The reason the King so hated Buckingham besides his being weary of him for his now stalenesse was his marriage after which the Kings edge was ever taken off from all Favourites as well as him yet this had so much the over awing power of him that hee durst not make shew to affect any other there was one Inniossa a Spanish Embassador extraordinary here beingan old Soldier and a gallant fellow who thought that Buckingham did not give that respect to him was due to his own person or to the person of so great a King whose person he represented Inniossa therefore did as much scorn and slight Buckingham the Prince whom he sound wholly governed by Buckingham for now Buckingham had found by many passages the Kings desire to be rid of him he made Court to the Prince and so wrought himself into his affection that Damon and Pythias were not more dear each to other which by no means could the old King away with nor in truth did any other like or approve of the Prince his poor spirit fearing it foretold his future inclination that could ever indure any familiarity with such an one as had put such foul scorns and affronts on him in his time of greatnes with the Father especially such as called to minde the bravery of his brother who hated the whole Family for their generall basenesse although none of them had ever offended him in particular as this man had done the Prince at two severall times once before an infinite concourse by bidding him in plaine termes kisse his Arse a second time offering to strike him saying in most undutiful terms By God it shall not bee so nor you shall not have it lifting up his hand over his head with a Ballon-Bracer that the Prince said What my Lord I thinke you intend to strike me The first of these audacious affronts was at Royston the second at Greenwich before about 400. people Neither of which were to bee indured by a private person but by a Prince from a private person surely it shewed a much lesse spirit then should have been inherent to a Prince and after this to bee so deare with him as to be governed by him all his life time more then his Father was in the prime of his affection I can give it no title meane enough it had been worthy the Noble minde of a Prince to have forgotten such injuries as never to have revenged them when he had been King but never to have suffered him to have come neare his Court to upbraid him with the sight of so much scorn and that publickly offered him before But at that time I well remember some Critticks in Court did not stick to read his future destiny This Inniossa being a brave daring Gentleman used some speeches in the derogation of the Prince and Buckingham as if they were dangerous to the old King nay Inniossa sent one Padro Macestria a Spanish Jesuite and a great States-man to King James to let him know that he under confession had found the King was by Buckingham or by his procurement to be killed but whether by poyson Pistoll Dagger c. that he could not tell The King after the hearing of this was extream melancholly and in that passion was found by Buckingham at his returne to him The King as soon as ever he espied him said Ah Stenny Stenny for so he ever called him in familiarity wilt thou kill me at which Buckingham started and said who Sir hath so abused you at which the King sat silent out went Buckingham sretting and fuming asked who had been with the King in his absence It was told him Padro Macestria then who brought him to the King it was replyed the Earl of Kelly then flew Buckingham on him to know how he durst bring any one in to the King in his absence or without his licence Kelly stood up close to him for you must know Kelly was the truest alarum to give warning of the downefall of a Favourite of any in the Court and knew his power could doe him no hurt with the King in present although it utterly cast him out of all favor from the King in future Then Buckingham questioned Padro Macestria but that quarrel was interposed and undertook by Inniossa who told him he would maintaine him a Traytor and that were his Masters person off him he was a Chivalier and better borne then himselfe and would make it good on him with his Sword Which high comparison though I beleeve true enough together with his generous Charge and Challenge Buckingham for that time swallowed and only thought of this shift to vindicate himselfe on Inniossa which was to cause the Prince to write a Letter of complaint to the King of Spaine for abusing him and Buckingham but the King of Spaine returned the Letter in a kind of scorne to Inniossa not as blaming him but rather commending him and Inniossa in scorne sent it to the Prince as if he should say there is your Letter to wipe which is all it is fit for Now have you heard what made the King hate Buckingham you shal also hear the reason of Buckinghams extreame hatred to the King which was beleived the cause of his so speedy death Yelverton a very faithful servant to the King and his Atturney General and no lesse affectionate to Somerset being formerly raised by him without any seeking of his or so much as within his thought insomuch as to expresse his love to Somerset he desired to lay downe that great place rather then aggravate as his place required against him This man as well out of his faithfulnesse to the King as affection to Somerset was made choyce of to worke the downefall of Buckingham in which he apparently shewed himselfe But Buckingham as I told you before out of the Kings feare that durst not maintaine his owne designe but left his Instruments to the mercy of Buckinghams tyranny being once gotten out of the toile like a chased Boare foamed and bit at all came neare him and amongst them first fastned on Yelverton put him out of his place and committed him close Prisoner to the Tower Yelverton having shewed himselfe so faithfull to his Master and he againe so unfaithfull to him to leave him to undergo the whole burden of Buckinghams fury did fly out in some passion before Sir Allen Appesly then Lieutenant of the Tower and Buckinghams great creature Appesly telling the Duke of some passages in his passion the Duke one night about 12. a clock came in a a disguise and with the Lieutenant only entred Yelvertons longing Yelverton at first sight started verily beleeving he came in that manner to murther him yet at last recollected himselfe and said My Lord have you the Kings Warrant for this the Duke said no
and Carlisle vast consumers especially Carlisle of what they got ibid. 6 Montgomery for a time a Favourite p. 56. Vpon whose wane after a contention between the English and Scots out of whether Nation the next Favourite should come Câ—r arose a Favourite p. 57 How tended and tendred by the King when in a Tilting with the Lord Dingwel he had broke his leg p. 58 Sir Tho. Overbury taken into great favor by Car. p. 59 Salisbury and Suffolk in favour of this new Favourite regardfull of his Creature Overbury are both used by him yet through his insolency both neglected p. 60 Northamptons plot upon Overbury for his scorn of him ib Overbury a tart reprover of Somerset concerning Suffolks daughter Essex's wife p. 62 He is therefore plotted against to be removed out of the way on an Embassy to France or upon refusal c. p. 64 Being committed to the Tower he was there pâ—ysoned See the foulenesse of that businesse p. 65. c. After that Somerset marrys the Lady in which mâ—tter was seen the high corruption of the then times p. 70 c In this Favourites time came over the Palsgrave and married the Kings daughter the La. Elizabeth p. 76 Shortly after Prince Henry dyed ib. His death foretold by Bruce banished therefore by Salisbury who died in May the Prince in November following p. 78 Ingram and Cranfield Projectors made use of in Court but like Projectors as they were kept under by Somerset which were more highly regarded by the after Favourite p. 80 81. which was 8 Favourite Mr. Mr. George Villers p. 82 Zouch Goring Finit and Millicent the Court fooles as well as Archee with whose jollity this Favourite was ushered in p. 84 85. Winwood brought in Secretary of State by Somerset and by him unworthily used ruined him by discovering the poysoning of Overbury p. 86 c. It being made publickly known unto the King See his seeming serious charge upon the Judges for their impartiall sifting out and punishing the Complotters thereof in p. 92 The Kings dissimulation to Somerset p. 95 Who by a device of Sir George Moores after Elways Lieutenant of the Tower was tamely led from the Tower to his Arraignment p. 108 c. Mrs Turner Weston Franklin and Sir Gervase Elwayes executed for that businesse p. 113 This Favourite displaceth the wel-deserving Admirall the E. of Nott. and gets that place to himself p. 114 The next great Office his power reacheth at to dispose is Egertons Lord Chancellorship to whom he sends Bacon for the Seal p. 115. To whom Buckingham the Favourite sends a message p. 116. Whereto see his Answer p. 117 Buckinghams course to raise and maintain his kindred p. 119 Bacons proud carriage so soon as made Lord Chancellor the King being soon after gone to Scotland p. 121 After him degraded for his bribery by a Parliament comes Williams Dean of Westminster Bishop of Lincolne p. 127 Who was in bribery inferior to none p. 130 The Lord Treasurer Suffolk being turned out one of the afore named Projectors Cranfield was brought in by Buckingham p. 131. His censure in the House of Peers p. 132 He and the Prince go into Spaine disguised and under the names of Jack and Tom Smith p. 133 Taking their way by France the Prince eyed there that Lady whom he after married ib. Through Buckinghams miscarriages in Spaine and his spleen against Bristoll the Match with Spain was dissolved 133 c. The King now hates Buckingham p. 139 Buckingham hates the King p. 144 Which proved the Kings suggested cause true p. 149 After which his darke dealing with the King See a passage from one of the Kings Servants to the Duke p. 161 162 In the Court of King Charles beginning p. 176. the observations are AS his Fathers reigne began with a great Plague His with a greater p. 176 He was not crowned with the wonted solemnity nor took he the usuall Oath p. 177 With him arose also his Fathers favourite ib. The first Parliament he called gave him two intire Subsidies c. p. 179 Buckingham being questioned about the former Kings death dissolved that Parliament ib. Which was ill relished by the people p. 180 Williams the Lord Keeper turned out of his place and Coventry put in p. 181 Buckingham sent into France for that Lady the King had seen there ib. Through his instigation the King prepares for a war against Spaine and France p. 182 Wimbletons unsuccesfull expedition in Spaine ib. Denbigh is sent to aide Rochel ib. Buckinghams losse of many brave Gentlemen in the Isle of Rees expedition p. 183. where comes in a large supplement which the former Edition of this Book had not For these unjust Quarrels management the King pawned his Plate to Amsterdam p. 184 Cottington sent to beg a peace with Spaine ib. Rochels reliefe not really performed ib. Buckinghams ambition after higher Titles and Offices p. 186. Weston after Cranfield made Lord Treasurer by Buckinghams procurement p. 188 Shifts to raise monies p. 191 Noy made the Kings Attorney p. 195 By whom many Projects were put in practise p. 196 Buckingham intending some great secret Designe abroad was slaine by Felton p. 199 Amongst whom the managing of Affaires then was p. 201 After his death no bettering in the State but worse p. 202 Weston if not ballanced by Laud had been worse in Tyrannizing then Buckingham p. 203 Councell Table c. scourges to the people ib. Coventry a very corrupt man whose time reached to this very Parliament yet not questioned for it p. 206 Finch made chiefe Judge of the Common Pleas ib. Fees in all Courts taken excessively p. 207 The Bishops and other Court Clergy preacht away the peoples liberties and proprieties ib. Their turne now to loose both p. 208 Strafford the ablest States-man since Salisburie p. 209 First brought in by Weston ib. He failed in his ignorance of the peoples temper and of the Kings disability and faithfulnesse in weighty matters and great Agents p. 211 212 He was the greatest Subject not being a Favourite that ever was ibid. Observations upon this K. from his childhood p. 215 Certain observations before Q Eliz. death p. 223 FINIS Q. E. death K. Iames proclaimed King Sir Roger Aston K. James his Barber After made gentleman of the Bed-chamber c Sir Georgâ— Hewme a kind of Favouritâ— Sir Robert Cicill a favourite Mr. Iames Hay a Favourite His rise His sumptuous feast His accomplishment A great Plague A narration of the Treason charged on Rawleigh Mr. Carre his rise Mr. Carre Knighted Northamptons plot upon him The plot against Overbury S. W. B. Pr. Henry and Salisbury's death Ingram and Cranfield Projectors Mr. George Villiers a Favourite K. James his parting with Somerset * S. H. M. Somersets Tryall Buckinghams Message to Bacon Bacons Answer Buckinghams course to raise his kindred He is scorned The Prince goes into Spaine Cranfield accused in parliament