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
cast into his Privy they destaining the very Dishes This continued long the Earle often sending to visit Overbury assuring him he did not forget his release which would not be long deferred wherein most men did verily beleeve he meant both nobly and truly though others conjectured his meaning was a dissolution At last the Countesse sent for Weston reviling him and calling him Treacherous Villaine for had he given those things sent Overbury had not been now alive vowing she would be revenged on him upon the very fear whereof he then gave those poysons after sent without acquainting the Lieutenant yet for all this schooling of Weston and his assurance given of his future fidelity to the Countesse she would not trust him single any more but put another Co-adjutor to him one Franklin a verier Villain then Weston and truly they themselves may be deemed very ill that could seek out such wicked instruments These two Villains out of a desire to see the successe of their hellish imployment comming shortly after it into Overburyes chamber found him in infinite torment with contention between the strength of Nature and the working of the Poyson and it being very like Nature had gotten the better in that contention by the thrusting out of boyls botches and blains they fearing it might come to light upon the judgement of Phisitians that foul play had been offered him consented to stifle him with the Bed-cloathes which accordingly was performed and so ended he his miserable life with the assurance of the Conspirators that he dyed by poyson none thinking much lesse knowing otherwise but these two Murtherers Now was all as they beleeved quiet and in the depth of security and the Earl and Countesse began to carry their loves more openly and impudently But they understanding that the world did talke very loudly and broadly of this adulterous meeting it must from that ground proceed to an adulterous Marriage as well to the wronging a young Noble man as to the dishonour and shame of themselves But they must needs goe whom the Devill drives yet know they not how and somely to effect this but by making the King a Party in this bawdy businesse which was no hard matter to effect for the Kings eye began to wander after a new Favourite being satiated with the old therefore for the bringing this bawdery to a marriage the Bishops must be principall actors as I know not in what bad action they would not be lookerson and the Bishop of Winchester an excellent Civilian and a very great Scholler must be the principal for which his Son was Knighted and will never lose that by-title of Sir Nullity Bilson For by a nullity of the first Marriage must the second take place For the canvasing whereof there were many meetings of the Bishops and the prime Civillians in which there wanted no bribes from the Lord Lady and their Friends to have this nullity brought to passe wherein the discourse would have better befitted the mouths of Bawds and Ruffians then the grave Divines among them Bishop Neal then Bishop of Rochester a Creature and Favourite of the house of Suffolke took up a learned discourse in the Science of Bawdery how many degrees in that Science must produce a Nullity wherein were so many beastly expressions as for modesty sake I will not recite them being offensive to my very thoughts and memory Aristotles Problemes was a modest discourse to his and he appeared to be better studied in that then in Divinity and to wind up his learned Discourse concluded all those met in this Lord meaning Essex and this Lady The Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Abbot to his everlasting fame mainly opposed all the proceedings and protested against them for which he ever after lived in disgrace excluded from the Councell Table and dyed in the disgrace of the King on Earth though in favour with the King of Kings Yet forsooth to make up the ful measure of Bawdery and to justifie Neales Discourse that all things in the former Marriage conduced to a nullity a search must be made to finde whether there had been a penetration and a Jury of grave Matrons were found fit for that purpose with their Spectacles ground to lessen not to make the letter larger who after their inspection gave their false verdict that she was intacta virgo which was thought very strange for the World tooke notice that her way was very neare beaten so plaine as by regia via and in truth so it was and a way more common than that before Somerset did ever travell that way besides the World tooke notice they two had long lived in Adultery yet had this old Kettle a trick for that also The Lady of Essex for modesty sake makes humble suit to the reverend bawdy Bishops who were also plotters in this stratagem that she might not appeare bare-faced for blushing but desired to come vailed with a Taffity over her face this by all meanes was thought so reasonable for a pretty modest Lady that the bawdy Bishops and pur-blinde Ladies which had forgotten modesty themselves could not thinke it worthy the deniall one Mistris Fines neare Kinswoman to old Kettle was dressed up in the Countesses Cloathes at that time too young to bee other then virgo intacta though within two yeares after had the old Ladyes made their inspection the orifice would not have appeared so small to have delivered such a verdict as they did and a just one upon their views though upon some of their knowledges it was not that Lady they were to give verdict upon if any make doubt of the truth of this Story the Author delivers upon the reputation of a Gentleman he had it verbatim from a Knight otherwise of much Honour though the very dependency on that Family may question it which did usher the Lady into the place of inspection and hath told it often to his friends in mirth Now is the Nullity pronounced and the Marriage with Somerset with speed solemnized for which they and the whole Family of Suffolke paid deare in after time and had sowre sauce to that sweet meat of their great Son in Law And surely he was the most unfortunate man in that marriage being as generally beloved for himselfe and disposition as hated afterwards for his linking himselfe in that Family for in all the time of this mans favour before this Marriage he did nothing obnoxious to the State or any base thing for his private gaine but whether it was his owne nature that curbed him or that there was then a brave Prince living and a noble Queene that did awe him we cannot so easily judge because after this Marriage and their death he did many very ill things In this Favourites flourishing time came over the Palsgrave to marry our Kings Daughter which for the present gave much content and with the generall applause yet it proved a most unfortunate Match to him and his Posterity and all Christendome for his
Cranfield that was the Projector and never could get higher then that title in Somersets time now marrying one of Buckinghams kindred attained one of the highest Titles in the Kingdome so that it was now generally said that for pride and basenesse these two greaâ— places were never so suited both of meane birth both proud only the one an excellent Scholler and of great parts the other nothing but a pack of ignorance sodered together with impudence to raise him besides his marriage in the lusty kindred This Cranfield was a fellow of so meane a condition as none but a poore spirited Nobility would have endured his perching on that high Tree of honour to the dishonour of the Nobility the disgrace of the Gentry and not long after to his owne dishonour who was thrust out of the Lords House with this censure that Thou Lionell Earle of Middlesex shalt never sit or have voice more in this House of Peeres and shalt pay for a fine to our Soveraigne Lord the King 20000. l. leaving him still to over-top the Gentry The Bishops kept him also from degrading which I doe verily beleeve is one cause the Gentry will degrade them The Spanish Match having been long in Treaty and it being suspected now that the Spaniard did juggle with the State in this as they formerly did in a Match with that brave Prince Henry and in truth in all other things wherein any negotiation had been only feeding the King with faire hopes and faire words yet foule deeds Whether the King suspected any such matter or any whimsey came in the braine of this great Favourite and Prince to imitate the old stories of the Knights Erland but agreed it was it should seeme between the Favourite and the Prince only no one other so much as dreaming of any such adventure except Cottington that the Prince must goe himselfe into Spaine away they went under the borrowed names of Jack and Tom Smith to the amazement of all wise men only accompanied with Cottington and some one or two more at most taking their way by France they had the Ports laid so that none should follow them or give any notice to the French Court till they might get the start c. yet their wisdomes made them adventure to stay in the French Court and looke on that Lady whom he after married and there did this Mars imitate one of Prince Arthurs Knights in seeking adventures through forraigne Princes territories First beheld this French beauty Mars vidit visamque cupit potiturque cupita as in our discourse will afterward appear from thence away to Spaine but as the Journey was only plotted by young heads so it was so childishly carried that they escaped the French Kings Curriers very narrowly but escape they did and arrived safely in Spaine their wished Port before either welcome or expected by our Embassadors or that State Yet now must the best face bee put on at all hands that put their Grandees to new shifts and our Embassadour the Earl of Bristoll to try his wit for at that time was Sir Walter Aston also Embassador at Spaine in all occurrences Aston complyed with the Prince and Duke Bristol ran counter and the Duke and Bristol hated each other mortally Bristol had the advantage of them there as having the much better head-peice and being more conversant and dear with that State wholly complying with them and surely had done them very acceptable services and in this very Treaty was of the pack Buckingham had the advantage of him in England although the King did now hate Buckingham yet was so awed that hee durst not discover it Then Buckingham had all interest in his Successor by this journy so that he laid a present and future foundation of his succeeding greatnesse For all his power and greatnesse Bristoll did not forbeare to put all scornes affronts and tricks on him and Buckingham lay so open as gave the other advantage enough by his lascivious carriage and miscarriage Amongst all his tricks hee playes one so cunningly that it cost him all the hair on his head and put him to the dyet for it should seem hee made court to Conde Olivares wife a very handsom Lady But it was so plotted betwixt the Lady her Husband and Bristol that instead of that beauty he had a notorious Sâ—ewsbird sent him and surely by reason of his said loose and vicious disposition had ever the Match been really intended for our Prince yet such a Companion or Guardian was enough to have made that wary Nation beleeve that hee had also been that way addicted and so have frustrated the Marriage that being a grave and sober people now especially when conversed with by such great forraign ghests but they wel observed the Prince himselfe to be of an extraordinary well staied temper But now many Lords flockt over and many Servants that he might appear the Prince of England and like himselfe though hee came thither like a private person many Treaties were sometimes hope sometimes dispair sometimes great assurance then all dasht againe and however his entertainment was as great as possible that State could afford yet was his addresses to and with the Lady such as rendred him meane and a private person rather then a Prince of that State that formerly had made Spaine feel the weight of their anger and power and was like a Servant not a Suitor for he never was admitted but to stand bare-head in her presence nor to talke with her but in a full audience with much company At last after many heats and cooles many hopes and despaires the Prince wrote a letter to his Father of a desperate despaire not only of not injoying his Lady but of never more returning with this passage You must now Sir look upon my Sister and her children forgetting ever you had such a Son and never thinking more of me Now the folly of this voyage plotted only by green heads began to appear many shewing much sorrow many smiling at their sollies and in truth glad in their hearts and however the King was a cunning dissembler and shewed much outward sorrow as he did for Prince Henryes death yet something was discerned which made his Court beleeve little greife came neare his heart for that hatred he bare to Buckingham long as being satiated with him and his adoring the rising Sunne not looking after the Sunne setting made the world beleeve hee would thinke it no ill bargaine to lose his Son so Buckingham might bee lost also for had he not been weary of Buckingham he would never have adventured him in such a journey all his Courtiers knew that very well And for a further illustration of his wearinesse of Buckingham It appeared in the Parliament before when the King gave so much way to his ruine that Buckingham challenged him that hee did seeke his ruine and being generally held as a lost man the King to make it appeare it was not so although as