Escutcheons the Armories of St. Edward the Confessor sometime King of England These proceedings for a time made fair weather but not long for a Feud arising between Henry Duke of Hereford and Thomas Duke of Glocester the latter accused the former of speaking several words to the dishonour of the King that King Richard held the Peers of England in no esteem but as much as in him lay sought to destroy them by banishing some and putting others to death That he never troubled his mind with considering how his Dominions were diminished through his carelesness and lastly that all things went to wrack as well in Peace as War Upon this it was ordered that the Accuser and the Accused should try the matter by Combate the latter stoutly denying he ever said any such words as were objected against him so that gages being delivered on both sides they entered the Lists but e're they encountered the King threw down his Warder and upon further consideration banished Norfolk for his Life and Hereford at first for ten years which after he reduced to six which some alleadged was a just Judgment on the former for being instrumental in putting the Duke of Glocester to death he being then Captain of Calais But now ruin and desolation being at hand Portents forerun it all the Bay-trees in England suddenly withered and within a while sprung out again fresh near Bedford the River between the Villages of Harleswood and Swelston where it is deepest drove back on either hand and for three Miles left its Channel dry with sundry other remarkable presages of what after happened To give way to which the King upon notice of his Cousin the Lord Mortimer's being slain by the Irish of Leinster who were up in Arms under their Leader Obrian he resolved to pass over in person to revenge his death and therefore to furnish his expedition he raised many of all hands and at the same time his Uncle the Duke of Lancaster dying he seized on his Inheritance without regard to his Son the Duke of Hereford who remained in Exile which the said Duke hearing was so throughly netled that not resolving to wait the expiration of his Banishment he taking the advantage of King Richard's absence resolves for England having upon notice of his Fathers decease taken upon him the Title of Duke of Lancaster and only accompanied with the banished Bishop of Canterbury and about twenty others when having taken Ship he for some time lay hovering on the Coast to understand how the People stood affected to him and the better to give his agents on shore time to work them to his purpose but upon notice that his Faction was strong he Landed only under pretence of recovering his Rightful Inheritance when as there repaired to him the Earl of Northumberland and his Son the Lord Henry his Son the Lord Nevil Earl of Westmorland and others as likewise a great number of the Country People offering him their Service so that within a short time he had formed a Puissant Army the news of which soon alarumed Edmund Duke of York the Kings Uncle who calling to his assistance Edmund Stafford Bishop of Chichester Lord Chancellour Lord Treasurer Earl of Wiltshire Bushy Bagot Green Russel and other Knights of the Kings Council to consult about raising forces to impeach the Dukes passage but their consultation came to nothing the Dukes Faction having so dealt with the common people that they every where refused to take up Arms against him Whereupon Sir John Bushy Lord Treasurer and Sir Henry Green betake themselves to Bristol Castle but it being stormed by the Lancastrians their Heads became a Sacrifice to popular fury but Bagot taking ship Sailed over to Ireland to acquaint the King with what had happened who thereupon making such peace as he could with the Irish he hastens over but before his arrival the Dukes Faction was swelled to such a torrent that there was no opposing it Whereupon the King having Cashiered his Army or they for the most part deserting him he retired to the Castle of Conway in North-Wales whither upon notice of his being there resorted to him the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Earl of Northumberland where after a long Parly the King perceiving no other conditions could be gained required that he and eight more whom he would name might have honourable allowance with the assurance of a quiet private Life that he in consideration thereof would make a resignation of his Crown which demand Northumberland swore should be observed and thereupon the King accompanied them to the Castle of Flint whither the Duke was come with a part of his Army and from thence after a short conference they removed to Chester where the King in consideration of many fair promises never performed put himself into the Dukes hands who conveyed him to London and there made sure of him in the Tower whither several of the Lancastrian Faction daily resorted to him to parly about the surrender of his Crown which at last he consented to do seeing no other Remedy to his Cousin the Duke of Lancaster and at the same time taking off his Signet he put it on the Dukes Finger and at the same time there being a Parliament called in King Richard's name the Arch-bishop of York and Bishop of Hereford were appointed his Procurators to declare what he had done nor was this sufficient for to make him odious to the People they exhibited thirty two Articles against him very scandalous and reproachful Whereupon Commissioners were nominated by the consent of the Houses to pronounce the Sentence of Deposition who were the Bishop of Asaph the Abbot of Glastenbury the Duke of Glocester the Lord Berkly and William Thyrring Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas the Form thus In the Name of God We John Bishop of St. Asaph John Abbot of Glastenbury c. Commissioners specially chosen by the Lords Spiritual of the Realm of England and Commons of the said Realm representing all the states of the said Realm sitting in place of Judgment do renounce all fealty to Richard of Burdeaux and him Depose from all Kingly Dignity c. Upon which the Duke of Lancaster rising from his Seat Crossed himself and then layed claim to the Crown in these words In the Name of God Amen I Henry of Lancaster claim the Realm of England and Crown with all the appurtenances as coming by the Blood Royal from King Henry and by that Justice which God of his Grace hath sent me by the help of my Kinsfolks and Friends for the Recovery of the said Realm which was in point of perdition through default of Government and breach of Laws This said he was conducted by the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and York to the Royal Throne and there Seated and from thenceforth all Writs and Process Issued out in his Name Richard In the mean space remaining a Prisoner in the Tower and every day in danger of his Life which was often aimed at the more
the day and his own Life upon notice of which overthrow the Duke and Earl betook themselves again to Calais of which place the latter was Captain but were denied entrance by Vawclere his Lieutenant and thereupon went to the French Court where they were kindly received and within a while returning into England gathered so huge an Army that Edward was forced to fly the Land and his Queen to take Sanctuary whereupon King Henry was again restored to his Regal Dignity and Edward with all his adherents Proclaimed Traitors and in Parliament disinabled from Inheriting the Crown and it again Intailed on King Henry upon which Heart-breaking news Edward procures forces from the Duke of Burgundia who had Married his Sister and under pretence of Friendship enters England pretending to no more than his Dutchy of York framing Letters for his safe conduct under the Seal of the Earl of Northumberland but he no sooner entered but surprized that City whereupon Warwick and Clarence prepare to drive him thence but the latter was so wrought with under hand that he revolted to Edward and endeavored to perswade Warwick to do the like who generously answered to the Messenger go tell your Duke that I had rather be an Earl and always like my self than a false and perjured Duke and that e're my Oath shall be falsified as his apparently is I will lay down my Life at my Enemies Foot which I doubt not but shall be bought very dear and thereupon Marched towards London when at St. Albans he considered what was best to be done and finding that the Sword must decide it he advanced and at Barnet both Armies approached each other where in the spacious Field the Battle joyn'd on Easter day with such fury that the like had not been known and continued doubtful for a long time when as the day being overcast with mist hindering the Soldiers sight Warwicks Battalian took the Stars Imbroidered upon the Earl of Oxford's Mens Coats for his Son Edwards Body whereupon they let fly upon their friends which mistake caused the Earl to leave the fight his Men crying Treason Treason we are all betrayed which Warwick perceiving charged with fury upon the Enemy but entering too far was beaten down and slain though not without performing wonders sutable to his great Soul who had been Englands Make-King for many years before with him perished his Brother the Marquess of Montacute and a great number of smaller note as likewise the loss of the Battle on the side of the Lancastrians Son after this overthrow Queen Margaret and Prince Edward arrive at Weymouth and understanding the loss of the Battle of Barnet Field she went to Ceerue Abby whither the Lancastrian Nobility that escaped the slaughter came to her and with comfortable words put her in hopes of better success and immediately raised such forces as they could and joyned them to those they Queen had brought over from France but loth she was that the Prince her Son should hazard himself in the Battle and urged sundry persons but was over perswaded by the Lords whose preparations alarumed Edward so that gathering an Army he advanced towards them resolving to hinder the increase of the Queens power having first committed King Henry and the Archbishop of York to the Tower and at Teuxbury both Armies met where after a hot Encounter by the Treachery of the Lord Wenlock the Battle went with Edward which Treachery was rewarded with death the Duke of Somerset the Queens General beating his Brains out with his Battle-Ax In this Battle of the Lancastrian Nobility were slain John Lord Summert John Coventry Earl of Devonshire the Lord Wenlock in manner aforesaid several Knights and three thousand common Soldiers and on the other side not fewer Upon this defeat Proclamation was made for the Apprehending Prince Edward who was soon taken by that unworthy Knight Sir Robert Crofts and delivered to his most Capital Enemy the Duke of Somerset and others of Quality having taken Sanctuary were haled thence and beheaded Prince Edward not passing fourteen years of Age being brought before Edward had assumed the Soveraignty he beheld him with a stern Countenance and demanded how he durst with Banners displayed enter his Realm to which the young Prince with an undaunted Courage replied to recover my Fathers Kingdoms and most Rightful Inheritance possessed by his Father and Grandfather and immediately from him descending to me how darest thou then that art but his Subject take up Arms against thy King This Brave and Generous Answer so touched King Edward to the quick that he unmanly with his Gauntlet smote him on the Mouth when at the same instant the more villanous Duke of Glocester afterwards Usurper of the Crown by the name of Richard the Third together with his wicked Accomplices stabbed the Prince to death in Edwards presence Monsters unworthy of the name of Men but Heavens vengeance for this and other black crimes overtook the Actors The Prince after his being murthered was Buried in the Grey-Fryars at Tewksbury without any Ceremony and now Queen Margaret having taken Sanctuary was discovered and brought Prisoner to the Tower where she continued till her Father with a great Ransome to raise which he was forced to sell most of his Signeouries to the French King he redeemed her and now King Henry being Prisoner likewise and the Thorne that made Edwards Crown sit uneasie he resolves to be rid of him and therefore sent his Brother that Crook-backed Monster in the shape of a Man to dispatch him who pretending to discourse about his releasment stabbed the pious King to the Heart and eased him of this troublesome Life though perpetual horrour haunted the Actor of this black deed to his Grave After this cruel murther committed on the pious King his Body was for many days exposed to the view of the People ever bleeding afresh which raised at once pitty and detestation in the Spectators and then carried by Water to Chersie in Surry And thus fell this good King though not unrevenged for he lived to see the miserable ends of all such as had first broached the mutual War against him viz. Richard Duke of York the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick and afterward God was not slow to revenge his Royal Blood for within a while the Duke of Clarence King Edwards Brother was attainted of Treason and privately put to death in the Tower as some say drowned in a Butt of Malmsey King Edward himself continually infested with troubles through his unquiet Reign and People every where suffering through storms pestilence and Losses by Sea and Land after his Decease his two Sons murthered by their unnatural Uncle the Duke of Glocester and that Monster himself after a short Usurpation slain in Bosworth Field as in the sequel shall more at large be shown and thus I shall end with the death of this pious though unfortunate King who left no Issue his only Son being murthered as is before recited CHAP. V.
advancement consented to the Impiety and thereupon obtained the Usurpers Letter to the Lieutenant of the Tower to have all the Keys delivered to him for one Night to perform his pleasure which he accordingly received But before I proceed to the Tragedy one thing is worthy of Note in the Young King who hearing his Uncle had taken upon him the Regency with a Feeling grief said to him that gave him notice thereof Alass I would my Vncle would let me Enjoy my Life yet though I loose my Kingdom and Crown But to return this Monster having got the Power displaced all the young Kings Servants and left none about them but one Black Will a Bloody Villain and when the Night of Murther came he appointed one Miles Forrest and John Dighton both fleshed in Murthers from their Youth the latter of them his Horse-keeper to dispatch the King and his Brother the Duke of York who coming in at Midnight smoothered them to Death with Pillows laying upon them till they felt by their stillness they were dead and then laying their Naked bodies upon the Bed called their wicked Master to behold the dismal Spectacle who caused the Bodies to be buried under the Stairs and a heap of Stones to be layed on them and then posted to tell the Usurper what he had done who rejoyced at the most Execrable Tragedy yet ordered their Bodies to be removed thence which as the Writers of most credit say were wrapped up in Lead and put in a Coffin full of holes and thrown into the Tower Ditch others affirm that they were thrown into a black deep in the Mouth of the River of Thames but certain it is they were never afterwards found but low the just Vengeance of Heaven on their Murtherers and those that contributed to it First the Duke of Buckingham taking up Armes against the Usurper whom he had raised was discomfited and flying to one Banister who was his Tennant and had been his Servant a man whom himself had raised from nothing to high esteem continued with him for a while in the disguise of a Gardener but Proclamation coming forth promising the reward of 1000 Marks to any that could apprehend him the false Wretch though Gods Judgment was signal therein delivered him up and within a few days after he was beheaded Forrest rotted piece-meal and died in great Torment Dighton lived miserably at Calais dying in the Streets and Terril after he had confessed the Murther was beheaded for Treason on Tower-hill in the Reign of Henry the Seventh the Usurper during his short Reign which lasted but three years was continually terrified with frightful Visions of Devils that seemed to tear and hale him in pieces his evil Genius still haunting him till at last he was slain in the Battle of Bosworth-field and his Body carryed naked before a Horseman being made a sport and scoffing to all that beheld it and lay to publick view in Leicester and then obscurely Buried and to conclude his name grew so odious that the White Bore which was his device was every where torn down the Executions during his Reign were many the Afflictions of the Land by Dearths and Inundations Excessive so that few or none lamented his Fall who had Murthered two Kings and two Princes of the Blood Royal their immediate Heirs and Successors Nor died King Edward the Sixth that pious Prince and Phaenix of the World without great suspition of being Poysoned for the Earl of Northumberland by his Stratagems and the assistance of the Lords of his Faction having procured the Death of the Kings two Uncles the Lord Admiral and Lord Protector for the Death of the last of which the King falling into a deep Melancholy and then sickening he so dealt with him as to disinherit his Sisters the Lady Mary and Lady Elizabeth and to settle the Crown by Will upon his Couzen the Lady Jane Gray Daughter to the Earl of Suffolk whom he had caused to be Married to his 4 th Son the Lord Guilford Dudley thereby to Entail the Crown to his Posterity and then as he thought to Seal what he had done he removed the Kings Phisitians and set a Woman who undertook to Cure him who either through Ignorance or rather as many imagine to compleat the Hellish purpose brought him to that pass that his Phisitians being again called to him durst not give their Advice but went away shaking their heads with Tears in their Eyes and shortly after that Pattern of true Piety and Vertue left this Life when after his Death his Body was found swelled at a Monstrous rate and so diversly coloured that most whispered it that he was Poysoned as did many Learned Phisitians but durst not speak their minds freely yet Northumberlands project lasted not for himself his Son and the Pious and Innocent Lady Jane as likewise the Duke of Suffolk her Father all lost their Heads in the Reign of Queen Mary Nor did Heavens Justice seem slow upon the heads of those Scotch Monsters who slew their King viz. James the Fifth stiling themselves the Ministry of Scotland for the chief Actor was Burnt together with all or most part of his Family by his House accidentally firing in the Night and others his wicked accomplices who durst stretch out their hands against Majesty were forced to fly and die miserable Exiles whilst the Land Groaned under civil Dissentions Famine Mortal Sickness and the like But having proceeded thus far I shall make a step over into France and there take a view of the untimely Ends and Barbarous Murther of two of their late Kings CHAP. VI. A Relation of the Murther of Henry the Third the French King by James Clement a Jacobin and how Gods Vengeance overtook the Murtherer as likewise fell heavy upon the whole Kingdom KING Henry the Third of France Third Son to Henry the Second after the Death of his Father and two Brothers Francis and Charles in the latter of whose Reign by his special Command happened the Bloody Massacree of the Protestants all over France succeeded to the Crown of France and was Crowned with great Solemnity but sate not long in his Throne e're the Guises Faction began to give him disturbance and under combination of League against him take up Armes whereupon many Battles were Fought and what they most alleadged was his favouring the Protestants and to such a height the Duke of Guise pushed the Discontent for the hate he bore to the Hugonets as the Protestants were termed himself having been the Perswader to the former Massacres that the King was forced in secret wise to fly Paris and for refuge betake himself to his Army whereupon he sent for the King of Navarre afterwards King of France whose Tragedy we shall next relate to his assistance who joyning Forces fought many Battels with the Leaguers but finding them the more obstinate and that the Duke of Guise sought to deprive him of his Crown it was so resented by some of the
Patrons the Jesuits had perswaded him to that wickedness and promised him Salvation for his Reward whereupon his Father was Banished his House demollished and a Piramid set in his place and secondly by a Decree of Parliament the whole Society of Jesuits were expelled out of France but by their shews of Piety and Sincerity so Wrought with the Kings Favorites and they with him on their behalf that that Decree was repealed and they again restored to the Destruction of the Kings Life as most imagine The next that attempted his Life was one that was or at least pretended himself a Natural who finding opportunity run at him with a Knife whereupon the Guard would have Killed him but the King forbid it and he being asked the reason said He was King of all the World and that Henry kept France from him whereupon the King out of meer compassion ordered him to be released And now France Flourishing under this great and Glorious Prince whose good Conduct had Reduced it to so happy an Estate that the like for some Ages past had not been he thought to have rested but such was the Implacable Mallice of his Adversaries that they watched all opportunities to deprive him of Life to whom next Heaven they owed their happyness nor did they desist till they had brought about their wicked purposes the manner and opportunity given thus The King having Married Mary D' Medicis Daughter to Frances and Neice to Fardinand Dukes of Florence upon the Divorce of Margaret Sister to the three late Kings of France She was Impatient till she was Installed and although the King had other purposes of more urgency which required his leaving of Paris yet was he prevailed with to stay though many things Prognosticated ill events as the Raining Blood in divers places Monsters-Born Earthquakes and Airy Fantoms happening and appearing and several Predictions that the King should not out-live that Year that he should Dye in Paris a suddain and violent Death and in his Coach the which he though he was not over credulous on such occasions began to hearken to it and was heard to say that he must be gone from that City or his Enemies would Kill him nay so sure were they of his Destruction that a Month before his being Assassinated Papers were found Printed in Spain and Italy that he was Dead and eight days before a Courrier passed through Leige saying He went to give the Princes of Germany notice of his Death The Villain Incited to be the Executioner with large promises of Earthly Treasure and Joys Everlasting hardens himself to perpetrate the Execrable wickedness having Lingered about Paris a long time for that purpose he being an Ill down lookt Rascal who had formerly quitted his Order and became a Solicitor of Ecclesiastical affairs the day after the Instalment the King Intending to leave Paris the next day the King going in his Coach from the Louvre to the Arsenal and to see all things provided for the Queens Entrance having in the Coach with him the Dukes of Espernon and Monthason the Marshals of Lavardine Rocquelavar La Force Mirebeau and Lian Cour chief Esquires when Entering Iron-Mongers Street through the narrow passage by St. Innocents Church a Cart Laden with Wine was overthrown as most imagine for the purpose which caused the Coach to stop and whilst his Guard of Partizans passed through the Church-yard this Villain who had all the while followed the Coach set one Foot against the Stall and the other upon the spoke of the Wheel and with a long Knife struck the King into the Breast beneath the Heart at which the King cryed I am Wounded yet the Hellhound redoubled his force with a second Blow which struck him to the Heart of which he Dyed without fetching so much as a Sigh and again a third stroke which the Duke D' Monthazon received on his Sleeve and although it was supposed the Murtherer might have escaped yet so heightened was he in his wickedness that he never Stirred from the place neither hid his Bloody Knife but rather Gloried in what he had done and being taken he was adjudged by the Chamber of the Assemblies to be drawn to the Grave with four Horses and to have the Flesh pulled off from his Arms Breasts and Thighs with Burning Pincers and then Torn to peices which Sentence was put in Execution without his Testifying the least Emotion of Grief or Fear for such strange Torments so that it was Evident that he had been made believe that Paricid was Merritorious and that if he Dyed he Dye a Martyr being Inchanted with a false assurance of great things though for his Horrid Treason and Barbarous Assassination he met with his just Reward All France at the Death of this King were amazed and in Tears unless his Enemies who secretly rejoyced thinking to gain their purposes but were deceived most of them being wasted and destroyed in the Wars that were in the Minority of his Children and thus fell this great King yet e're I conclude one thing is Remarkable when he was opened the Jesuits got his Heart which they so long had desired and carryed it to their Church De La Fleck under pretence of Burying it there his Body was Buryed in St. Dennis whither a little before the Body of his Prodecessor Henry the III. had been brought from the Church of St. Cornillie And leaving France I shall Return to England there to give the Reader a Sight of one of the blackest Trajedies that ever the World has known a Murther without President or Parrallel even the Murther of the Sacred Martyr Charles the First of ever Blessed Memory which take as followeth to the Eternal Infamy of the Regicids CHAP. VIII The Dismal Relation of the most Inhuman and Barbarous Murther of CHARLES the First King of Great Brittain France and Ireland and of Gods extraordinary Judgments and speedy Vengeance on the Monsterous Regicides and principal Agents and Abettors in his most deplorable Death KING CHARLES the First of ever Blessed Memory Son to the Renowned King James first sole Monarch of Great Brittains Empire and his Vertuous Consort Anne Sister to Christianus King of Denmark was Born at Dunfermel in Scotland on the 19 of November 1600 and when Englands bright Star the Glorious Queen Elizabeth Set he with his Royal Father the undoubted Heir of these Dominions came to London and continued with great Applause attracting in his Infancy the Eyes and Hearts of the Nation to gaze upon his comely person and much admire his Vertues promising such a Blessing to England that indeed it was not worthy of he being sole Heir to the Crown by the Death of Prince Henry who died at St. James's Anno 1625 succeeded to the Crown having before his Fathers Death contracted Marriage with the Vertuous and most Renowned Princess Henrietta Maria Daughter to Henry the IV. of France and Sister to Lewis the then Reigning King and at first such was the Universal
firmly to establish his Successour in his Throne who sat uneasie whilst deposed Majesty was breathing who though in an abject condition yet wanted not those who were contriving to readvance him to his Throne yet he to render a better Construction of his actions than indeed they would bear not only published several Proclamations excusing what was done but sent his Ambassadours to the Courts of neighbouring Princes to give his reasons for taking upon him the Crown of England during the Life of the Rightful Heir and in Parliament the better to ingratiate himself passed an Act for restoring the Blood and Estates of such as had either suffered or were disinherited as Traytors during the Reign of King Richard yet gained he not so much love but that a conspiracy if so it may be termed in so rightful a cause was formed for restoring Richard to his Regal Dignity The chief contrivers of which were the Dukes of Exceter Surry and Amaurle the Earls of Huntington Kent Rutland Salisbury and the Lord Spencer late Earl of Glocester the Bishop of Carlile Sir Bernard Broukas Sir John Shevele the Abbot of Westminster and John Maudlin the counterfeit King Richard a person who had been his Chaplain and much resembled him both in Features and Lineaments with several others so that undertaking grew strong but how to seize upon Henry and his Son they knew not unless with a multitude and that not to be raised without suspicion so that it was concluded that it should be performed in Christmas Holydays then at hand under pretence of shows and pastime but the Morning before the Evening it should have been put in practice it was discovered to the King by the Duke of Amaurle as some report yet so narrowly the King escaped that he had scarce reached London before the Earls of Kent and Salisbury not knowing their design was discovered entered the Kings Lodging at Windsor with four hundred Armed Men supposing to have surprized him there But when they found the Bird was flown they were much grieved yet having dared thus far they resolved to proceed yet further and thereupon to increase their number gave out that King Richard was at liberty and in the midst of an Army of 100000 Men at Pomfret and that Henry and his Son were fled and then the better to confirm the belief of the People Maudlin the Chaplain personated Richard but the device answered not their expectation for in the end most of the Lords were taken and put to death as likewise Maudlin the counterfeit Richard the whole number that at that time fell a Sacrifice to Richard's cause were 19. Thus his friends being put to death his turn came next for jealous Henry could not imagine himself safe whilst Richard remained still in the Hearts of his Subjects therefore many Councils were held how to be rid of him so that at last it was concluded that he should be conveyed from the Tower to Pomfret Castle and committed to the hands of Bloody Ruffians who that he might die a death the least discernable as our Historians of most credit relate was there starved to death with cold and hunger being kept with insufferable torments fifteen days e're he died and as some say the more to aggravate his torments he had Victuals daily set before him but was not suffered to touch it or at most but so small a quantity as ratheâ— lingered out his misery than was any ways advantageous a death so cruel that even the barbarous Nations detest to inflict upon the worst of Malefactors and much more on a King Anointed and Viceroy of Heaven for no other fault than what he was prompted to by others who worked upon his tender nature being a King in himself disposed to mercy After he was dead his Body was brought up to London and in St. Pauls exposed to the view of the people and the better to colour so great an iniquity it was caused to be rumoured that upon notice of the execution of his friends he had pined away with grief but that he was starved to death agree Stow Walsingham Harding and other Historians of account though some there be that affirm he was slain by Sir Piers Exton after he had in resisting slain several of his Knights but if he had been brained or mortally wounded certain it is that he would never have been exposed to the view of the people nor could he have been put to death without Henries consent but inquiry would have been made into the cause of his death Therefore O Henry if thou wert Author or at least but privy to so Execrable a Murther though for thine own pretended safety and for that errors cause which is erroneously miscalled a reason of state thou art altogether inexcusable and surely he is not a man that hears of the Infamishment of this King and feels not a chilling horrour and conceives not detestation of such a bloody barbarity but Heaven was not slow in revenging the fall of this King for what was the Reign of his Successour but a continual trouble what Insurrections Rebellions Losses at Sea Plagues Tempests fearful Prodigies and all that can make a Nation miserable Famine excepted did not happen how many Plots and Conspiracies were layed against his Life by those that had advanced him to the Regal Dignity What fears and jealousies stuck as Thorns in his Crown and made ever uneasie what executions of the Nobility happened during his Reign even of those especially who had been instrumental in deposing Richard and no doubt counselling his death so that the English Earth never drank more noble Blood in so short a time he Reigning but 13. y. 6. m. 3. d. and left Issue Prince Henry afterwards King Thomas Duke of Clarence slain at Beaufort without Issue John Duke of Bedford who died without Issue and Humfry Duke of Glocester who was murthered in his Bed at Bury and two Daughters Blaunch and Philip Now as for his Eldest Son Henry the Fifth after his glorious Atchievements in France he died in the Flower of his Age not without suspicion of Poyson and Henry the Sixth Son to King Henry the Fifth and Grandson to Henry the Fourth and Prince Edward his Son and great Grand-child to the Fourth Henry were Murthered by that Monster of Mankind the Duke of Glocester afterwards Reigning by the name of Richard the Third And thus we may see how Sacred Kings Lives ought to be held when such Tragedies revenge their fall King Richard after he had been exposed to view for several days and the rueful spectacle moved many to compassionate his death was conveyed to Langly in Hartfordshire and there obscurely buried though King Henry the Fifth caused those Royal remains to be removed to Westminster and there Interred amongst his Ancestors Thus fell this unhappy King without Issue and thus his fall was revenged and now leaving him to slumber in his Grave we shall proceed to the next Tragedy which as it falls next in
Kings Servants that they set upon the Duke in the Castle of Chartres and forcing their Entrance killed him and his Brother the Cardinal which was no doubt a signal Judgment for the many Thousand Innocents that by his advice were Massacred Upon this the Leaguers prevailed with Pope Sixtus the fifth willing enough of himself to excommunicate the King and every where excite his Ruffians to Assassinate him promising for their encouragement great Rewards on Earth and greater in Heaven but the King was still Invironed with such Trusty Friends that the Popes Hellish design was for a while Frustrated though no way that carryed the Face of a Probabillity was lest unattempted The Leaguers growing still more Furious having made the Duke of Mayne the Duke of Guise and others their head therefore to nip them in the bud the two Kings advanced with their Armys and sate down before the great City of Paris the chief Seat of the Leaguers and made Sundry Assaults in order to win it but did not so soon prevail but that one of the Popes Hellish Instruments prevailed against the Kings Life the manner thus One James Clement a Jacob in Monk having been tampered withall and moulded in private to Enterprize so great a wickedness he in the Assembly of his Convent declares his Resolution to kill the King for which resolution he is carressed called Saviour of his Country applauded and promised Mountains in this World if he overlived the Act and if he miscarry to be assured of Saintship to pass immediately to Heaven without calling at Purgatory to have shrines and Altars erected in memorial of the as they wickedly and falsly termed it Pious Religious and Holy undertaking which so Transported the Novice that he thought himself already capering above the Clouds and thought every moment a day till he had put his wicked design in practice wherefore either to make him the more venterous or that themselves did think it more expedient they carryed him to the High-Altar prayed over him O wickedness beyond Degree that God would Strengthen his Arm to give a sure Blow and thereupon delivered him a Dagger wrapped up in the Relict of a Saint as they called it and the better to compleat the Impostor added to all their wickedness by dipping the point of it in consecrated Wine of the Sacrament and then dismissed him with what they called Blessings but indeed such monstrous Impiety that to the everlasting Infamy of the Romish-church let it stand Recorded This deceived wretch full Fraught as he imagined with Honour in this World and happiness in the other Arrives at the Kings Camp at St. Clou and pretended an Embassy from the Leaguers to the King which he was charged to deliver to no Person but himself and so by Feigned pretences had admittance when putting his hand into his Sleeve as though he would draw out a Letter with the before mentioned Dagger smote him in the Belly the King wrested the Dagger from him wounded him on the Head which Strugling made such a noise that the Guards coming hastily in and seeing the King wounded stayed not to Inquire into the manner but with their Swords cut the miserable wretch to pieces and sent him by that means to his propper place from whence not all the Papal Authority nor Masses of a Thousand years can deliver him The next Morning the King Died of his Wounds leaving the King of Navarr his Kingdom and Army who succeeded him by the name of Henry the fourth and soon after avenged the Death of his Predecessor by Beseiging Paris the chief residence of the Leaguers who greatly rejoyced for the Death of the King reduced it to such extremity by Famine no filthy thing was left uneaten and yet 6 or 7000 Dyed with Hunger and Pestilence The Pope hearing of the Kings Death much Applauded the Murtherer caused his Statute to be set up and gave him a red Letter in the Callender saying he was worthy of praise for he Stabbed not the Picture of a King but the King of France in the mid'st of his Army and the best word he could afford the King was a Favourer of Hereticks and an unfortunate Prince but his joy lasted not long for he soon after Died miserably and thus much for the fall of this great King CHAP. VII The Relation of the Murther of King Henry the Fourth of France commonly called Henry the Great by Francis Ravillack what Prodigies Fore-run it and the Vniversallity of the Conspiracy with Gods vengeance on the Barbarous Actors and Contrivers c. HEnry the IV. Son to Anthony of Burbâ—on by his Wife the only Daughter and Heir of Henry D' Albert King of Navarr after his Grandfather Father and Mothers Decease Injoyed that Kingdom and as you have heard being next Prince of the blood he was rightful King of France after the Decease of Henry the III. and carryed on the War against the Leaguers till he had obtained the absolute Soveraignty joyning both Kingdoms Many were the Plots layed against his Life as that Massacre in Paris whither he resorted to Solemnize his Marriage with Margaret Sister to King Charles the IX where amongst other Slaughters of his dearest Friends it was debated whither he and the Young Prince of Conde should be Murthered and carryed on the contrary only by the perswasions of one Duke yet the next Morning they were brought forth into an outward Court where whole Piles of Dead lay and put to their choice by the King either to chuse Death or the Mass they being both Protestants of which at that time they thought it convenient to chuse the latter but soon found means to escape and Renounce those Errors another attempt was made against his Life after the reduction of Paris at Melun by one Peter Barrier a Souldier who was hired to have Stabbed him at the advantage of his passing a Corner but being detected had his hand first burnt holding the Knife with which the Execution was intended in it the mean while and afterwards had his Flesh pulled off with hot Pincers A third open attempt was by one John Castle a Merchants Son in Paris and a pupill of the Jesuits own bringing up and past doubt Instructing he not being above 18 years of Age thrust himself into the Kings presence and being about to strike him into the Belly was prevented by the Kings Stooping to return a Salute to one of his Nobles yet it struck him through the Lip and struck one of his Teeth out whereupon the party was apprehended and confessed the Fact glorying in what he had done and maintained he ought to do it and that he should offer up a Sacrifice acceptable to God by taking out of the World a Prince Relapsed and Excommunicated not did he seem much to Regard his Torments when his Hand was Burnt his Flesh plucked off with hot pincers and lastly as he justly deserved had his Limbs torn off with Wild Horses which making it plainly appear that his
The Murther of Edward the Fifth and his Brother Richard Duke of York by the means of their Vncle the Duke of Glocester his Vsurpation and Death with various Examples of Gods vengeance upon those that were his Assistants in the Regicide Edward the Fourth having though for the most part reigned twenty two years one Moneth and five days deceased leaving his Nobility at variance though at his death they were seemingly reconciled and his two Sons both young and Glocester Protector of the Realm during Edward the Elders Minority but he having before Plotted the Acquirement of the Soveraignty resolved to work the destruction of his Nephews to his way to the Throne and therefore confederating with the Duke of Buckingham and other Lords of his Faction which with gifts and large promises he won to his Lure Whereupon his first attempt was to accuse the Lords of the Queens Blood with many things thereby to render them odious in the Eyes of the People and therewith a strong Guard went to meet the young King who at his Fathers death was at Ludlow under pretence of bringing him up to London to his Coronation when indeed he never intended he should wear the Diadem they having politickly perswaded the Queen from setting any guard about her Son that so they might the easier work their purposes and coming to Northampton where the Lord Rivers the Queens Brother and the Lord Richard her Son by Sir John Grey lay they with all seeming kindness received and imbraced them and seemed to study nothing more than the advancement of the King but Glocester Buckingham and others of the Faction having held a close Consult most part of the Night the next Morning they locked up the Inn setting a guard of their Servants whom they had privately sent for to secure it and others to secure the way from Northampton to Stony Stratford where the King lay that none should pass to bear the news of what had happened under a pretence only that they designed to be the first that would wait upon the King from that Town but Earl Rivers perceiving himself as it were a Prisoner and mistrusting some design against his Person went boldly to the Dukes who were in the same Inn and demanded the reason of such their proceedings upon which they began to pick a quarrel with him saying that he endeavoured to sow discord between the King and them to their utter confusion should it take effect but as he was about to excuse the false Accusation they committed him to Ward and taking Horse Rode to Stony Stratford where in the presence of the young King they after a feigned salutation and submission picked a quarrel with the Lord Grey the Kings other Brother by the Mothers side saying that he the Lord Rivers and Lord Marquess had Conspired their ruin and that the Marquess had taken the Kings Treasure out of the Tower and fitted out Ships to Sea which though they alledged as a crime against him yet themselves knew it was done for the good of the Nation and with the consent of the Council These Accusations the King excused saying as for his Uncle and his Brother present he durst ingage they had done nor meant no ill though the Marquess being absent he could not as yet tell what he might have done but this availed not for in the Kings presence they Arrested the Lord Richard Sir Thomas Vaughan and Sir Richard Hawit and brought the King and all his Train back to Northampton which unexpected news coming to the Queens Ear she immediately with her second Son the Duke of York took Sanctuary in Westminster and there in great heaviness attended the sequel and there had the great Seal delivered to her by the Arch-bishop of York which he afterward repenting sent privately for it again In the mean while Gloucester used many Arguments to perswade the King and those about him that all should be well and sent a dish of meat from his own Table to Earl Rivers with comfortable though dissembling words but in the end the Lord Rivers the Lord Richard Sir Thomas Vaughan were sent to divers Prisons and in conclusion all Beheaded at Pomfret by the command of Gloucester without Process of Law The next thing was to scandalize the Queen and to insinuate with the people that the Lord aforesaid intended to kill all of the Blood Royal to which purpose they shewed several pieces of Armour found in their Carriages saying it was designed for their destruction which many of the more easie sort believed though wise men knew that if they had so intended they would have had it on their backs but at last the King was brought to London and joyfully received by the Lord Mayor Aldermen Sheriffs and chief Citizens and thereupon a Council was called to consult of his Coronation in which Gloucester so cunningly dissembled his Intentions thâ—t he was made Protector of the Kings Person and Realm and so the Lamb was committed to the keeping of the Woolf and thus having got the King safe in the Tower nothing remained but possessing himself of the young Duke of York who was with the Queen in Sanctuary the which though much contrary to the will of the Queen he at last obtained and upon first sight took him in his Armes and gave him a Judas kiss Thus having secured himself of the Male Line of the House of York he began to pull off the Vizard that he so long had worn and began to place and displace the Kings attendants as he thought most advantagious for the carrying on of his design to all which Buckingham was privy and it was resolved between them that the Protector should be King and Buckingham upon these following considerations to assist him to grasp the Crown to his utmost power viz. That Gloucesters only Son should Marry his Daughter and that when he had attained his desire he should have quiet possession of the Earldome of Hereford with other Immunities and the better to carry on the designe two Counsels were appointed one in the Tower and the other in Bishopsgate-street the latter of which was composed of the Protectors own Creatures amongst whom was one Catesby a Lawyer in whom the Lord Hastings Lord Chamberlaine put such câ—nfidence that he doubted not but from him to have frequent Intelligence of all that passed but he deceived his expectation and instead of standing by him gave Council against his Life by incensing the Protector that whilst he lived he could not accomplish his design which so netled the Protector that though he loved the Lord Chamberlain yet rather than to be baulked in his purpose he resolved and the next day in Counsel he found occasion to pick a Quarrel with him upon pretence that the Queen and Shores Wife the late Kings Concubine had bewitched him the latter of which the Lord Chamberlaine for the great Love he bore her seeming to excuse as indeed she was no ways Guilty the Protector with a Sign given