the age of 65 yeares after he had raigned 56 yeares and lieth intombed at Westminster 1272. The groaning Kingdome being rid of John Has found his very Image in his Son King Henry the Third nine years of Age Enters a troubled and a doubtfull Stage The Realme he found Rebecca like become With divers Nations strugling in her Womb All which he clear'd at last with promise fair With Oaths Vowes which prov'd nothing but Aiâ— He pill'd his subjects so that at his need Give him they nothing would nor could indeed He marries then with a mean Family And spoyles his Realme to lard their Poverty EDVVARD the First King of England WHen King Henry died Edward his son and heir was in Palestine very intent about the holy war where he underwent a grievous danger having received 3 desperate wounds from his adversary with a poysoned weapon But he was cured by the wonderfull Piety of his Wife who with her mouth in time sucked out the venome from his wounds In his way being made more certain of his fathers death he made great journeyes and travelled in all hast into England where with the generall applause both of his Nobles and Common-people he was crowned King when he was of the age of 35 years At the beginning of his Reigne he used the Nobility well but to abate the insolence of the Clergy he commanded their wealth to be brought into his Exchequer and he afflicted them otherwise and so drew upon himself their envy The Welch rise against him but he luckily intercepts Monfort's daughter espoused to Lluellen their Prince upon surrender of whom that storm blew over and obedience was promised by the Welch to King Edward But within few years three or four at most Lluellen puts an end to his Oath and obedience for his wife Eleoner being dead he breaks forth into new Rebellions also David forgetting the great love of King Edward to him falls off to his brother and so with joynt forces they enter England and does some mischief to Edward both of them wonderfully inflamed by a false prophesie of Merlin whereby the Crowne of Brutus was promised to Lluellen but the battle being set Lluellen was killed by a private Soldier and his Head brought to King Edward his Brother David also was taken and had his Head struck off and with his Brothers it was set upon the Tower of London where it remained a long time after but his four Quarters were sent to four Principall Cities in England to be set up for a terrour to all Traitors hereafter so Edward revenged the Rebellion of the Welch and the death of Alphonsus his first Borne who was slain in the same battle In the eighteenth year of King Edward's Reigne Alexander the King of Scots not having any Issue of his body fell with his horse and unfortunately brake his neck He had three sisters the eldest of which was married to Iohn Balioll Lord of Galloway the second to Robert le Bruse Lord of Valley-Andrew and the third was married into England to Iohn Hastings Lord of Abergavenny amongst these three each of them backed with his best friends sharp bickerings and civill wars arose to the destruction of many worthy persons on all sides Whilst the matter thus was handled King Edward promises the Kingdome of Scotland to Bruse for ever so he would do him homage for it but Bruse refuseth it preferring his Countries Liberty before his own honour Yet Balioll yields to those conditions and so got the Kingdome of Scotland but the ill will of all his Country-men Envy against him increased for refusing Justice upon the death of the Earl of Fife who was slaine for Baylioll exempted Albermeâ—h from punishment that slew him whereupon Baylioll cited before Edward's Tribunall is forced to plead his cause he was angry at this disgrace and denies Homage to Edward and proclaims warre making a Covenant with the French King Hence arose the cause of a most bloudy warre between the two Nations which lasted for three hundred years only some feigned cessations passed between No lesse than four times did this victorious King Edward subdue the false and fraudulent Scots compelling them with extraordinary tokens of subjection and humility to submit themselves to his mercy In the mean time a new warre breaks forth between King Edward and the French King Philip the fair by a controversie between the subjects of either King for Kings that envy one another easily break forth into open Hatred but Edward had other grudges against the French for conniving at the death of his Cousen Henry the Emperors Son Edward therefore when a day was appointed him hath a stipendary to plead his cause before King Philip he refused to appeare whereupon a great Army being raised Philip enters upon the Territories of King Edward in France by force of Armes the King of England by the assistance of neighbour Princes the Earl of Flanders the Duke of Brabant with Adolphus of Nassaw the Roman Emperour presently marches against the King of France but finding the French divided in two parts and defrauded with the Emperours delayes when he had held his winters quarters at Gaunt not without the murmuring of the Citizens and great want of his souldiers At the beginning of the spring truce being made with the French for three years the King tooke Margaret the Dukes sister to wife for Eleoner died in the former Expedition against the Scots And the daughter of Philip being betrothed to King Edwards sonne he retreated for England About the same time Doctor Langton then Bishop of Chester complained grievously to the King upon Edward the young Prince who by the lewd advice of Pierce Gaveston his loose and gracelesse Companion brake forcibly into his Park and made havock of his Game for which the Prince was committed to Prison and Gaveston banished for ever Lastly making an incursion into Scotland he is taken with a Disentery and dies of it and lies buried at Westminster He was very tall of Countenance somwhat sorrowfull of Chastitie like his Father but in fortitude farre before him Religious he was and wise The noble and Victorious Prince EDWARD the first surnamed Long-shanks King of England Duke of Aquitaine Earle of Poictices and Anjou Lo of Ireland c He Conquered Scotland and brought from thence the Marble Chaire He subdued and overcame llewelyn Prince of Wales and made his sonne Edward Prince Hereof he died at the age of 68 yeares 1307. after he had raigned 34 yeares 8 monthes buried at Westminster King Edward Saraceus Head Sholder sunders Where Christ wrought miracles this Prince did wonders His wife with such so pious love abounds She sucks the venome from his poysoned wounds 'T were Treason to their merits to conceal So great a Valour and so sweet a zeal The haughty Welch he soon did over-run And left them Vassalls to his Princely Son And by his sword so weighed down Fortunes scales That Englands heir succeeds stil Prince of
since Instead of aiming at anothers Crown As did his Father tamely yeelds his own Has Mars begot Clineas then O strange Sure all the world is moulded up of Change And to the Waves we may compare them well One threatens Heaven another sinks to Hell Such is the State of sublunary things Nothing is fixt no not the Throne of Kings Peace out of doubt would be perpetuall But that our sins our sins for battels call HENRY the Fourth King of England THe Crowne of England Richard the deposed King dying without issue did rightfully descend upon Edmund Mortimer Earl of March the Son and Heir of Edmund Mortimer by Philip his Wife who was the Daughter and Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third Son of Edward the Third Yet his Cousin Henry Bullingbrook Duke of Hartford and Son and Heir of Iohn of Gaunt younger brother unto the said Lionel was elected and crowned King forthwith he created his Eldest Son Henry Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester and summoned his high Court of Parliament in which an order was taken for the safe keeping and honourable attendance and maintaining of Richard the late King but his deposing imprisonment and all former proceedings against him were in the same assembly publickly condemned and reproved by Iohn Bishop of Carlile as hatefull unto God traiterous towards the King and infamous among good men for he averred boldly that if he were not a good King yet more wrong was done to him then ordinarily is done to theeves and murtherers because they are not as he was condemned before they had made their answer to the Crime objected before Judges who were indifferent and pronounced their Judgment upon good proof But so soon as he had ended his speech he was attached by the Earl Marshall and committed to strait prisonment in the Abbey of St. Albans and then among many other things in the same Parliament done the Crown of England was entailed to King Henry and his Heirs for ever No sooner was this Parliament ended but a conspiracy of some of the greatest Lords that outwardly made much shew of joy for the high dignity and advancement of King Henry The Confederates were the Kings Cousin Edward Plantaginet Duke of Aumarle and Heir apparent to Edmund of Langley Duke of York Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey and Iohn Holland his Brother Duke of Exeter both which were halfe Brothers to King Richard Iohn Montague Earl of Salisbury Hugh Spencer Earl of Glocester Sr Thomas Blunt and one Magdalen who was somtime a Chamber-waiter to the deposed King and who both in Stature and in Countenance and Behaviour was not much unlike him The Plot was to take away the Kings Life at solemne jests held at Oxford whither the King was invited and promised there to be present because he supposed that triumph was appointed only for his honour and delight The Treachery was cunningly contrived by the Conspirators who by Indentures under their hands and seals bound themselves each unto other both for secrecy and for the resolute effecting and performing thereof to their utmost power all which they solemnly confirmed by their Oaths The Conspirators all mâ—t at the time and place appointed but the Duke of Aumarle who being at dinner his Father perceiving a Lay-bill hang out of his Bosome took hold of it and drew the whole writing out which being he takes Horse and hasts to the King but the Duke his Son bâ—ing bâ—avely mounted and perceiving his imminent danger posts after and geâ—ting to the King fiâ—st confessed the conspiracy and obtains his pardon The King being thus certified of the Treason turns his journey to the Tower of London where he prepares for his defence He levies a strong power and marcheth against the Traitors But when the Conspirators understood that all the Plot was revealed they attired the said Magdalen in Royall Robâ—s and caused him to affirm himself King Richard and with him and all their Troops which were very warlike and strong they resolve to oppose themselves to the King in the open field But the King speedily marching towards them with 20000 men at the noise of whose approach the Companies under command of the Conspirators cowardly forsook them and left them a prey to the King who took and executed them in severall places some few escaped but over-oppressed with fear and sorrow soon after died The French King his Father in Law resolves to redeem him from imprisonment but ascertained of his death desists Yet for all this King Henry still distrusting the weaknesse of his usurped Title and endeavouring to support it with a more firm foundation entreats Charls the French King to give in marriage his Daughter Isabel somtime King Richards Wife unto his eldest Son Henry Prince of Wales But her Father observing that marriages betwixt Eâ—gland and France were seldome fortunate denied the Kings request whereupon she was honourably sent back into France The Welch and Scots rebell and are overthrown by the Piercies who take many Noble Prisoners which the King demands and is denied In the 3. year of his Reigne the King demands the Scotch Prisoners of the Piercyes but is denied whereupon unkindnesse arose and they extended to joyne with Glendor They get the Earl of Stafford the Arch-Bishop of York a great company of Scots English to joyne with Owen Glendor but before they proceed to Battel they publish an accusation against the King consisting of severall Articles 1. That he usurpt the Crown and murdered the King 2. He unjustly detained the Crown from Edm Mortimer 3. That without any need he oppressed the people with grievous Taxes 4. No justice was to be expected from him who contrary to his coronation oath had in sundry Shires forestalled Elections and procured Burgeships and bestowed them on his own creatures Lastly that he would not release his Cousin Mortimer from Prison For which Treasons they defied him as a Traytor The King with a strong Army fights the Conspirators near Shrewsbury where the King wins the day and the Prince marching against Glendor is forsaken by his Welch and dies of famine in the woods where he hid himself The Duke of Burgoyne attempts to regain Callicâ— in vain Presently another conspiracy is plotted detected and the Traytors executed Lastly the Earl of Northumberland and Lord Bardolph rebelled and are taken and beheaded Thus was King Henry's Reign a majesticall misery and a soveraignty of sorrow so having reigned 13. years and 6. months wanting 5 dayes he died and was royally buried at Canterbury The right noble Prince Henry the 4th King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland c. Who died at tâ—e age of 46 yeares in Anno 1413. after he had raigned 13 yeares 6 moneths and 4 dayes and lieth buried at Canterbury Was 't not enough thy Cousin's Crown to take And it a prey to thy ambition make But that his Bloud his Royall Bloud must be A Sacrifice too to thy jealousie
the 31 of August 1422. and crowned King of England at Westminster the 6. of Nouember 1429. and of Fraunce the 7 of December 1432. he reigned 38 yeres 6 monthes he died by violence May 21. aged 52. AnoÌ„ 1471. first buried at Chertsey Abbey thence remoued to Windsore wher he was solemhley interd R E. 〈◊〉 Mars begets Clineas Henry a Son That has lost more then all his Father won For he lost Normandy and France put to 't England and Ireland and his Life to boot Twice crown'd and twice depos'd at last he took Deaths fatall Errand from Yorks desperate Duke He was a Prince do Rebels what ye will Like Archimedes drawing Figures still Who not unlike some Gamesters I have seen Winning and losing still the same has been He was not Politick in the Worlds controle But he is wise enough that saves his Soul EDVVARD the Fourth King of England EDward Duke of York having overthrown the King and Queen and having overthrown and executed many of his greatest enemies at Towton field returned triumphantly to the City of London and was proclaimed King of this Realme the 4 of March 1461. and was crowned the 19. day of Iune then next following In the beginning of his Reigne he removed from all Offices all such as oppressed the people and to strengthen his part with powerfull and faithfull friends he creates his two brothers George Duke of Clarence and Richard Duke of Gloucester and Sr. Iohn Nevell brother to the Earl of Warwick he created Lord Montacute and Henry Bourchier who had married the Lady Elizabeth Aunt unto the King and was brother unto Thomas Bourchier Arch-bishop of Canterbury was created Earl of Essex and William Lord Fawcâ—nbridge was made Earl of Kent The Duke of Sommerset and Sr. Ralph Percy with divers others the Kings professed enemies finding no further hope for the house of Lancaster came voluntarily in and submitted to the King and were received to pardon and favour but hearing that the Queen by the assistance of the Scots had raised an Army they slank away and revolted to her and afterwards taken at the battel of Exham were executed The Lord Montacute to whose valour the fortune of that day was ascribed is created Marquess Montacute to whom and others Edward gave great gifts After this Henry is taken in a disguise and sent to the Tower Then Warwick is sent to the Duke of Savoy and prevails for a Match between Edward and Bona the Dukes daughter but Edward in the mean time marries Elizabeth the widow of Sr. Iohn Grey at which Warwick vexed calls to his part his two Brothers and Clarence the Kings Brother and the King at Banbury The King notwithstanding these evill tidings marched confidently against Warwick and his northern Rebels but to prevent mischief many of the Nobillity endeavoured to conclude a peace so that Letters and Heraulds of Armes passed from one Army to the other for both were glad of peace by means of this Parlee King Edward became more carelesse of himself then was fitting whereof when the Earl of Warwick was informed he with some other well appointed rushed into the Kings Army slew his watches and surprised the King in his bed and secretly sent him to Midleham Castle in York-shire there to be safely kept by the Arch-bishop of York his brother who either repenting him of what he had done against the King or being won by large promises of great favour and good rewards suffered him with his Guarders to hunt and hawk by means whereof he made his escape and got to London where between the King and the Rebels another Parlee was had in Westminster Hall in which nothing was done but objections of good deserts and unthankfull requitals were proudly and insultingly urged by the Earl of Warwick in conclusion they departed each from other in great fury the King went to Canterbury and the confederated Lords to Lincolne Armies are raised on both sides they fight and the King wins the field The Lords Clarence and Warwick fly to the King of France who honourably entertains them and aids them with all necessaries for the levying of another Army with which they fight and drive King Edward out of the Kingdome who by the help of the Duke of Burgoyne returns with a small Army into the City of York where he is received upon solemn Oath that he claimed nothing but the Dukedome of York and that he would work no Treason against King Henry now again re-established in his Throne but he presently forfeits his faith and raising another great Army beats Warwick recovers the Crown and re-imprisons King Henry who soon after was murdered by the bloody hands of Richard Duke of Gloucester The King having through much trouble obtained peace betakes himself to dalliance with Iane Shore in the mean while his brother Duke of Clarence is drowned in a Butt of Malmsey The Scots threaten Warre and Richard Duke of Gloucester is sent against them a Peace was procured and King Edward dyed having reigned two and twenty years and is buried at Windsor He was doubtlesse a brave Prince however the clearest day is not without some clouds his perjury at York when he swore to the Citizens he would claim nothing but that Dukedome which was his right by inheritance and that he would in no sort interrupt King Henry's peace all which he falsified which afterward his innocent Sonnes sadly suffered for His lustfull Embraces with Shores wife got him the envy of his owne who was a chast and vertuous Lady in whom he got a good Wife though many enemies and though unfortunate in her Sons yet in her Daughter is composed all the fewd of York and Lancaster The right noble Prince EDWARD the 4th King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland He raigned 22. yeares and 5 weekes Died at the age of 52 yeares buried at Windsor 1483. R. Elstracke sculpsit Now sixty years out York obtains the Crowne And Lancaster with all his friends puts down Betwixt which Houses while the difference stood Fell more then fourscore of the Noble Bloud For which but think how many thousands bled And you will Iudge the Roses both were Red. Warwick advances Edward to the Crown And in distast againe he pulls him down But Edward to the Duke of Burgoine flyes And with his aid and his own perjuries Reerowns himself for Kingdomes men will dare A thousand Oaths and count them solemne Aire EDVVARD the Fifth King of England EDward the Fourth being dead his Eldest Son Edward succeeded him but he in his Reign was under Governors Anthony Lord Rivers Thomas Wagham Chamberlain and Richard Grey Knights who being sent for by the Queens Letters came in hast to London with the Prince Then also Richard Duke of Gloucester being at York and hearing of the Kings Death came to London with a small Army and being mindfull to usurp the Kingdome he overtook the young King Edward on his way to London and takes him into his own charge
Throne will o're his Nephews neck Although his own in the attempt he break What follow'd this Vsurper at the Helme A three years Curse on him and his whole Realme At last base fears impossibles foresees And to the Pope bends his unprincely knees In Swinstead Abbey death did him besiege In Sacramentall Masse Wassall my Liege Who pities him a safe estate that scorns And wounds his Temples with a Crowne of Thorns HENRY the Third King of England AFter the Death of King Iohn Henry his eldest Son about the age of nine years was Crowned King but not without some controversie of the Nobles some of the Nobility falling off to him who a little before had made a defection and swore to King Lewis Yet Lewis with an Army of twenty thousand men won many Towns till at last he came to the Castle at Lincolne which a certaine Noblewoman did bravely defend and caused him to stop and an Army of the English coming on in the mean time he was repulsed and conquered many of the English Nobility being taken that stood with him besides the Count of Perch that stood with him till the last preferring an honourable Death before a dishonourable Life Yet he did not despair but sent for more Forces out of France which were all almost destroyed in a Fight at Sea By these misfortunes he was forced to take Conditions of a hundred and five thousand Franks in respect of the charge he had been at he renouncing all right to the Kingdome of England And promising faithfully to prevaile with his father to restore all the Provinces in France belonging to the English The King restored to the rebellious Nobility all the Lands belonging to them And Lewis at Dover set Saile for France having warred unhappily in anothers Land Then a Parliament was summoned and Magna Charta ratified also the Court of Wards was revived and a Tax granted the King to Levy an Army under the Conduct of his Brother Richard for the recovery of his Rights in France The Parliament being ended the said Tax with great celerity is collected without any the lest grutch or contradiction so that the Kings Coffers were replenished with Gold and Silver and all requisites were carefully provided and a gallant Army of couragious men of War were assembled and safely transported With which Richard the Kings Brother did almost wonders subduing where he found resistance and seizing upon Lordships Forts Towns Castles and other defenced places quietly and without blowes no Head being made against him so that within few Months such was his valour and good Fortune he recovered both those Provinces wholly for the King and returned with much honour into England But the Kings absence from those Places gave opportunity to the French King to infest them which he unfriendly laid hold on and suddenly led a new Army into Poicters and easily made himself Lord thereof From thence marcht to Perigott and Alverne and other places in Guyan where he did the like But King Henry sent thither an other Army under the Conduct of his Brother Richard Earl of Cornwall with which he encountered the French and fought many sharp Battels in which for the most part his Fortune continued prosperous and all things seemed to promise him the recovering of whatever in his absence had been lost But in the height of all these broyles a friendly peace was concluded betwixt the two Kings and Richard returned safe into England This Richard Earl of Cornwall the Kings Brother at the suit of the Princes of Germany is elected King of the Romans but not long after being charged with insolence and oppression he was put out of the Office and returns to England a poor King that went out a rich Earle And now began those mischievous broyls and turmoyls in this Realm which until the Kings death daily vexed him more and more and the whole Kingdome also for the King lending too ready and pleasing an ear to lewd and evill Officers about him whom above all Officers he loved and favoured and by whose Counsell and advice both himself and his whole Kingdom was ruled and directed made little account of his best Subjects Love And took from them in divers things such Liberties as by the Lawes and Ordinances of this Kingdome they justly claimed and ought to have enjoyed He also pinched his people with many unnecessary and grievous Taxes which by those lewd and bold Officers were levied with much rigour and sharpness to their great distast The King also took to Wife Eleoner Daughter of Raymond Earle of Province whereby there grew no profit to his affairs but rather suffered great detriment by reason of her thread-bare and beggarly Family and her poor kindred flocking from all Parts as Crowes to the Prey which nevertheless were highly entertained by the King and enâ—icâ—t with money and placed in Offices of greatest honour and profit and the English â—hrust ouâ— aâ— which â—he Nobles stormed and the people every where much murmured But whilâ—â— the King goes about to overthrow his Subjects Rights which they labour to preserve all the Nobiliâ—y being offended at the promotion of strangers they enter into a Conspiracy The King calls a Paâ—liament The Nobility refuse to be present unless he would command the Bishop of Winchester Peter de Rupâ—bus and all his Gang to forsake the Court threatening withall that unless satisfaction were made to them they would depose the King and drive away all strangers his adherents and choose another King In fine both Sides King and Barons fall to Armes and with various success fight severall fierce and cruell Battels at length at the battel near Lewis after the fall of twenty thousand men The two Kings and the Prince with many Knights and Gentlemen of great account were all taken prisoners by the Barons Then a peace is concluded between them a Parliament being called the King confirmed the Government of the twelve Peers which by Hand and Seal he had assigned them in a former Parliament at Oxford called the Mad Parliament and Prince Edward who was Hostage for his Father is set at liberty But the Prince not enduring to see his Father thus a titular King raiseth a fresh Army and about Evesham near Worcester fights the Barons whom by reason of a mortall jarre between Leicester and Gloucester their two Generalls he overthrows Then the Kings call another Parliament and repeals and nulls all former Decrees touching the Authority of the twelve Peers and thus the King got again the staffe into his own hand by the vertue and valour of his princely son The King much incensed with the Londoners for taking part with the Barons could hardly be disswaded from burning the City but at last the Prince made their peace and after thâ—t marches with an Army to the Holy Land where the King dyes having reigned fifty six years HENRY the III. King of England Duke of Aquitane Earle of Poic tiers and Anjou Lord of Ireland He died at
her lodging in the Crowne Curs'd be the luckless minute that did bring A Minious subject to be Englands King EDVVARD the Third King of England EDward the Third being fifteen years of Age was crowned by Reynold Arch-Bishop of Canterbury his deposed father being yet alive In his younger years he was chiefly directed by the advice and counsell of the Queen and his Unkle Edmund of Woodstock Earl of Kent and of Sr Roger Mortimer who to interesse himself more especially in the Queens favour traiterously conspired and procured that murther of the last King in that horrid and butcherly manner before spoken of in the 2. year of this Kings Reigne The Court in those dayes was seldome or never without a Viper for as Gaveston was the fore-runner of the Spencers in ambition lasciviousnesse pride rapine and confusion so the Spencers were the ushers of the Mortimers in intollerable aspiring avarice and destruction the ill laid foundations of all whose greatness was attended by certain and sudden ruine There fell out a war with the Scots in which Edward got the better then a Parliament is called in which the two Spencers and Stapleton Bishop of â—xeter are attainted of high Treason Then the King by the directions of his Mother and Sr Roger Mortimer concluded a dishonourable peace with the Scots and released to them their homage fealty and services to him due for that Kingdom and delivered up to them the grand Chaâ—tar or Instrument called Ragman which under the Hands and Seals of their late King and of the Nobillity of Scotland testified their tenure and subjection to the Kings of this Realme and then he married his Sister Iane unto David the Son and Heir apparent to Robert le Bruce the Usurping Scotish King and created Sr Roger Mortimer Earl of March whereat his Nobles were exceedingly discontented and such was the new Earls mallice and hatred unto the Kings Unkle the Earl of Kent and so powerfull was he with the King by reason of his too much familiarity with his mother Queen Isabell that he never desisted from his wicked and ungodly plottings till he had bereaved him of his head But God permitted not this wretched man to persist long in these mischievous courses for within few months after he was accused by the State for horrid and hainous crimes for which his wicked Treasons and horrible transgressions he was condemned to die in the same manner which he had devised for Sr Hugh Spencer the younger and Queen Isabell being most honourably attended on was sequestred into a strong Castle where she lived more than 30 years after and then died After this the French King requires homage for the Dutchy of Guian which Edward offers by proxy but not otherwise The French cite him again to a personal appearance Edward unwilling to controvert with him sends it him under the great Seal whereat his Nobles are much offended telling him that the Crown of France in right of his Mother belonged to him and that therefore he might justly refuse to doe him any homage at all and deny all fealty whatever Then Edward enters Scotland and crowns Baylioll King thereof But now instead of doiâ—g homage King Edward claims the Crown of France in right of inheritance from his mother Isabell and in spite of their Salique Law entitles himself King of France and quarters the Armes of France with the Armes of England And levying much money and all necessary Provision with a strong Army he fails into France winning many Cities Forts and Castles so that the English Army becomes rich with spoiles The French King solemnly swears pâ—otests that King Edward should not return home without a battle between them But Edward marches on still winning Gizours Vernon St. Germans in lay Mountrell St. Cloud Rely aâ—d the whole country about Roan point de L'arch Naples Nâ—wlench Robboiâ— Fountain Poiâ— and Vimewer at last King Philip of France having certain intelligence that King Edward with his Army was within two Leagues of Paris left the City telling the Parisians that King Edâ—ard dared not to look them in the face but they believed him not but were grievously aâ—raid but he turned off to find out the French Army still Provinces in his way for I have nâ—t room to particularize Now to the English glory the never to be forgotten Bâ—ttâ—ll of Cressâ— where the French with all the Flower and prowesse of their Realme with Swords whet with malice with numbers six to one met the English weakened with a differing Clime their bodies tired with tedious marches wounded with Assaults their swords broken or blunted with continual skirmiges now is the time to try the difference between French and English mettal The French begin the battell with a Forlorn of 15000 Genoways an Army bigger then the English but they have their Errant quickly and returned with such terrour that in their flying they routed and confounded their own main battle yet the French emboldened with multitudes continued the Charge with number upon number but their disorder and confusion was such they came but up as so many sacrifices to the hungry swords of the King and his renowned Son the black but the brave Prince at last the French flie amaine and are so eagerly pursued by the English that their souls are too nimble for their bodies the greatest part lying breathlesse on the ground and in the chase the two Marshalls of England encountered with a multitude of Bevoys Reigner Roan and Anbevile and slew 7000 of them and the next day slew and put to flight a strong Army under the command of the grand Prior of France who not knowing the battel were coming to aid their King that run away the day before leaving behind him slain in the field 11 of his Princes 80 Barons 1200 Knights and more than 30000 common Souldiers the French King himself hardly escaping death by speedy flight Then marched the King and Prince to Callice besieges and takes it notwithstanding the French King endeavoured with 200000 men to raise the siege and could not but went away as he came At the battel of Poictiers the Prince did overthrow the French took their King and infinite Nobles Lords Knights and brought them prisoners into England so that this King had two Kings at one time prisoners in England He reigned 50 years The true pourtraicture of EDWARD III. borne at Windsore of the age of 15 yeres was crowned at Westminster the 2 of Februarie 1326. he tooke the tittle of King of France as dew vnto him both by Ciuill Lawe and order of succession being the Nephew and next heir male of K Charles IIII. his mothers brother in regard wherof he quartred the armes of France with Englands He raigned 50. yeres 5. mo He died at the manor of Shene in Surrey Ano. 1377. buried in Westminster R.E. Sculâ— Edward the Third did at the Throne arrive Whilst his deposed Father was alive But till hit Father willingly resign'd it Though Queen
sending his Tutors Rivers Wagham and Grey to Pomfret Castle to be kept safe all whom by the Practise of the Lord Hastings he soon after caused to be put to death which thing known at London the Queen who well knew the perverse mind of Richard with her other son Richard and her daughters took Sanctuary at Westminster to secure themselves from Richards violence Richard in the mean time came to London with Edward and went to the Bishop of London's house to reside but he not content with Edwards being in his power that he might the more safely look to his businesse endeavors to get the other brother out of Sanctuary from his mother the Queen under a colour of comforting the Kings sorrowfull mind and drawing the Lords to his opinion he sent thither amongst others Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who with fair speeches mingled with threats brings the poor innocent Child from his Mothers arms When the Arch-bishop had delivered the child into the Protectors hands who with many other Lords attended the Queens answer in the Star-Chamber he before the whole Assembly took him in his Armes hugged him and kissed him again and again protesting upon his soul that no worldly thing his Majesty only excepted was so dear unto him as that young child when as indeed he meant nothing more than the destruction of them both and having brought him to the King who was infinitely joyed with his Company he within few dayes after conveyed them with princely Pomp and Attendance through the City of London to the Tower under the Pretence of an especiall care and Providence that they should there remain in safety untill the troubles of the Common-wealth were appeased and quieted whereas in truth nothing was out of order but himself and his confederacy When he had thus cooped up the King and his brother he draws Buckingham to his Treason but Hastings could not be won therefore he pretended he sought to take away his life with which he charged him to which after a long silence the Lord Hastings as most familiar with him made answer They that so trangress the Law deserve what punishment the Law can inflict upon them and all the Lords ascented thereunto Then quoth the Protector That Sorceress meaning the Queen and that Strumpet Shores wife have conspired together to take away my life by witchcraft and that you may be right well assured it is true Behold I pray you and see how their villany hath allready seized on my body for by it my left arm is already wasted and consumed and therewithall he struck up his sleeve and shew them his arme naked this did he impudently dare to do albeit all there present were well assured it was never otherwise from his mothers womb Moreover no man was so simple to beleeve that if the Queen had intended such a mischief she would have consorted with Shores wife above all other women she having been her husbands Concubine besides this they all knew that the Queen was religious temperate mild charitable and vertuous and not given to revenge The Lord Hastings who after King Edwards death conversed with Shores Wife using her as his concubine and but the same morning left her in his own bed being desirous if he could to appease the Protectors rage to her and in some sort being willing to excuse her replied thus My Lord If the Queen and she have so done and therewithall the Protectors rage waxing intemperate interrupted him thus Thou Traytor quoth he tellest thou me of Iff's and And 's I tell thee they have done it and as he spake those words he clapt his hand rudely upon the Table at the noise whereof the whole chamber was suddenly filled with armed men and one of them struck down the Lord Stanly with a Holbert and the Protector himself did arrest the Lord Hastings and charg'd him of high Treason in generall tearms and forthwith without any proceeding or judgment caused him to be carried out into the Green and his head upon a Logg to be chopped off and it is noted that this execution was done on him the same day and in the same Lawlesse manner that he had commanded to be done to Rivers Grey and Wagham Thus when this impious Protector had murdered those Lords that stood in his way he caused Doctor Shaw a man more learned than vertuous publickly in a Sermon at Pauls Crosse to blaze on his honourable birth and Parentage his valour his vertues and to inveigh against the deceased King for his lasciviousnesse with Shores wife to bastardize all his Children as born in adultery for that King Edward as he affirmed was solemnly contracted unto the Lady Elizabeth Lucie whom he got with child He also accused the Protectors own mother but Shaw was afterward so ashamed of his flattery that for very shame and grief he died soon after Then he sets Buckingham to deal with the City who with many Citizens come to Baynards Castle where the Protector was and chose him for their King desiring him to take the burden upon him which he oft-times refused but was perswaded at last to take it The picture of Edward the 5. who at the age of 13 yeares was deposed and cruelly murdered by the procurement of Richard Duke of Gloucester his vnnaturall vnkle when he had raigned 2. moneths and 11. dayes and obscurely buried in the Tower 1183. Edward the Fifth at thirteen years of Age Is sacrific'd unto his Vncles rage Whose thirst for honour not be withstood Could soarce be slak'd in a whole sea of bloud Poor pritty blossom how thy Fate I pitty Thus to be murther'd in thy Royall City That in the Tower thy soul should be sent hence That ought have been a Tower of thy defence How many mourning dayes did the Queen keep When eyes ne're saw thee could not choose but weep Sure this doth not with heavens direction sute To fell the Tree before we see the fruit RICHARD the Third King of England RIchard having gotten the Ensigns of the Kingdome forthwith Crowns himself and his Wife Anne but still fearing the Londoners he caused Iames Tyrrel to stifle the young King and his Brother which he did and obscurely buried them in the Tower The Childrens death was divulged Richard not being againâ—t it and it was wonderfull how great amazement seized on the minds of all men every one lamented the unhappinesse of the Children with much pity and now they began to say what hopes have we of him that spared not his own near kinsmen but shed their innocent bloud To say nothing of the Mother and her Daughters certainly the immortal God who will not suffer great sins to goe unpunished revenged on the innocent children the perjury of their father committed at York and the Death of the Duke of Clarence whom he wickedly suffered to be murdered But Buckingham Richards former friend now detesting his wickednesse conspires with the Bishop of Ely how to restore Henry Earl of Richmond to
a lawfull Victory which as he said was given him of God This King as commonly Conquerours doe abolishing forthwith all the Customes of the English Nation and most of their Laws brought in immediately his own Country Fashions and commanded that all Causes should be pleaded in French And excluding all the English that had boarn Armes against him out of their Patrimonies he disposed of all their demeanes and Fields and the rest of their Goods among his Souldiers for a Reward of their Victory reserving to himself the direct principallity and homage held to himself and his Heirs as a Tenure from the Crowne so that none but the King should be the right and true Lord of any thing Also he caused a Seal to be made for himself wherein was engraved By this acknowledge William of Normandy to be your Patron but on the other side was engraven By this Seal you must know that the same is King of England Having thus subdued the Laity he turns himself to the Clergy and made an Edict that no English Monk should be capable of any secular dignity disdaining the facilnesse of Canutus who was formerly King who had continued the honours entreating the people whom he had subdued by which Lenity the Inhabitants growing bold after his death easily expelled Forreigners and redeemed their former Liberty Then he appeased the approaching War of the Danes by giving them money that he might enjoy it peaceably at any rate And hence it was that the English were in no fear at all of the Danes who formerly so infested them yet they were not so free from troubles but that here and there arose some tumults among the people that were hardly suppressed and overcome but the windy Faction was easily dispersed The greatest matter was the Rebellion of his Son Robert in Normandy because it was most against Nature This Son at the Instigation of Philip King of France demanded this Dukedome of his Father as his proper Right and without more words enters upon Normandy by force of Armes It is true his Father had promised him this Territory but the Son was weary of delay nor would he longer forbear from the Government he looked for The King hearing of his Sons Enterprize suddenly goes against him with a strong Army they meet in Battel the Son unhorses his Father and wounds him in the arme but when he knew his Fathers Voyce alighting from his horse he raiseth his Father from the ground and kneeling down before him craved pardon for his boldnesse which he obtained presently his Father embracing him in his armes however he seemed thus to have appeased his Fathers wrath yet God never suffering such faults to escape unpunished he had no good luck ever after Having conquered the Rebels partly by Sweetnesse and partly by Sword he endeavours to enlarge his Kingdome bringing Wales under his Command and causing Malcom King of Scots to doe him homage and so adding new Countryes he in some measure rewarded England for the Crown they gave unto him Yet least the frowardnesse of his newly conquered Subjects should grow insolent he laid upon them Taxes and Tributes that differed them little from slaves seeking by all means to weed out and keep under hatches the Nobility and with continuall Battels to wast and wear out the Commonalty Only the men of Kent held their old Customes For the King upon a certaine time journeying toward Dover was handsomly circumvented by the Inhabitants of Kent carrying Boughes cut down from Trees nor would they suffer him to depart untill he had granted them the enjoyment of their ancient Customes also he was indulgent to the Londoners to let them enjoy the priviledges they had in the Time of Edward the Confessor but he forbad the Nobility â—rom hunting of Deer reserving those sports for himself only About the end of his Life he placed his two Sons Robert and Henry almost in equall power over Normandy There happened on a day a quarrel between Henry and Lewis the Dolphin of France playing at Tables which was the cause of great Contention betwixt the French and the Normans the Dolphin drawing Robert on his side enters Normandy with an Army William forthwith having his Navy ready sails into Normandy and with no difficulty reducing his Son Robert to obedience he marched to Roan that he might find the French men work When he was weary with toyiing being very fat he made a halt a while The French derided him for his fat belly speaking scoffingly that he was with Child and ready to be delivered when William heard thereof he answered If please God I ever recover of this Child-birth I will burn a thousand lights to God in token of my thankfulnesse nor was it long before he entered the Territories of France and wasted all before him with Fire and Sword Yet shortly after he fell sick and dyed at Roan His followers not only forsook him being dead but spoyled him of what he had and his body unfortunately thrice forsaken was at last let down into his own Monument at Cane in Normandy but not entire William the Conqueror Duke of Normandy after he had in Battaiâ—e slaine Harald toke vppon him the Crowne of England He raigned 19 yeares 11 months 〈◊〉 at the age of 74 yeares And lieth buried at Caen in Normandy William the Conquerour resigns his breath Vnto a greater Conquerour grim Death I doe not say when he for England fought That any other then his right he sought But to the English he no Bowells had Whence his own Bowells served him as bad With what contempt these troublers of the World When breath forsakes into the earth are hurl'd A man may see in him who scarce could have ' Midst all his Realms friends a sorry grave As if the very Earth scorn'd to entombe The Son of so much slaughter in her Womb. WILLIAM the Second King of England WIlliam the Conquerour being Deceased the Crown of England by right of succession fell to Robert his Eldest Son but he being in Germany Lanfrank then Arch Bishop of Canterbury who by reason of his great Learning and singular vertue was in high and reverend esteeme with the people so prevailed with the dying Conquerour William the first that instead of Robert the true Heir by Primogeniture William surnamed Rufus because of his Ruddy or Red Complexion though the younger Brother was Crowned King of England Sept 9. 1087. The Beginning of his Reigne was very troublesome and unquiet For his Brother Robert took great offence at his attempt to take advantage of his absence honestly employed in his fathers service to intercept his Crown and dignity which in his Conscience belonged justly and only to him But not long after enraged Robert entered with a very puissant Army of valiant Normans and many French whom Philip their King had waged for his ayde the Confines of England resolving with his Presence to regaine what he had lost by his Absence abhorring that his Right should be
severe Laws and abolishes hard Customes He grants the Nobility free leave to hunt and to enclose Parks for Deer and free Warrens for their Conyes and such like Game and as Traytors to his vertues state and Kingly government he banished from his Court all Flatterers and all nicenesse in behaviour Luxuriousness and gorgeousness in apparel and superfluity in dyet He ordained punishments by death for such as rob by the high way and with wonderfull travel and industry he reformed the monstrous pride avarice and secure sloth and negligence of the Clergy He recalled from banishment Anselm the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury giving him full power to assemble Synods and Convocations at his pleasure for the rectifying of such things that were amisse in the Church He piously and freely bestowed on godly sober grave Divines all such livings and Ecclesiasticall promotions as his Brother unjustly detained by the lewd advice of Reynulph Bishop of Durham whom he sent prisoner to the Tower of London from whence not long after the said wicked Bishop escaped and fled into Normandy to Duke Robert whom he eagerly perswaded to claim his Crown with his Sword who thereupon levies a great Army which he intended with all expedition to transport into this Realme but as King Henry by his former clemencies had rooted himself in the peoples love so to assure himself the better of the Scots he takes Maud the Sister of King Edgar to be his Wife who was daughter to Malcom by his Wife Margaret who was Sister to Edgar Adeling who dyed without issue and Daughter to King Edward the Son of Edmund Ironside the victorious and valiant King of the Saxons Robert was now arrived in England with a puissant Army and the day for Battel appointed and the Heraulds were sent up and down but at last as a thick lowring cloud is somtimes dispersed by a fair shining Sun so by the discreet mediation of worthy friends there was a friendly peace concluded between the two brothers on the same terms agreed on in King Rufus days whereupon the Norman Lords were much discontented and returned home with the Duke This danger dispelled Beliamy Earl of Shrewsbury with the Earl of Mortain and Cornwall rebell but are soon subdued But now Henry who was hitherto on the defensive part takes up Armes of his own accord against his Brother whether out of some distast for some scoffe his Brother gave him or which is more like stirred up with ambition and avarice to inlarge his Dominions and joyning with the Norman male-contented Nobles with little adoe chased the forsaken Duke from place to place and won from him the Cities of Roan Cane Valoyes indeed all Normandy presently in great honour and triumph he returns for England Robert having thus made tryall of his brothers severity he resolvs now to make tryall of his lenity whereupon he follows after his Brother into England and very submissively deprecates his error and begs his pardon But Henry either offended with the now fresh injury of his brother Or affecting the Dukedome of Normandy departs unkindly from the perplexed and distressed Duke his Brother Coily refusing to accept of his submission which in all humility by him was prosfered But Robert being impatient of that scorn his distress had begot him returns in all speed into Normandy and once more levies an Army resolving rather to dye manfully fighting in the Field then to follow the funeralls of his own Honour but his brother was prevalent and prevents him with a greater force suppressing the mischief in the Birth but not without bloud bringing his Brother Captive into England where for that he at Natures enticement practised his escape at his brothers Commandement both his eyes were pluckt out after which he lived as a miserable and wretched Captive the space of more then twenty years at length he dyed and was buryed at Gloucester This success made Henry magnificent but envied whence arose a foraigne War which by power and pollicy he quieted granting to William the Dukedome of Normandy upon condition of Homage But Charls Earl of Flanders being wickedly slain at Brussels leaving no other Heir William the Son of Robert who was the next right Heir to it for that he was of the Bloud of Maud Daughter to Baldwin and Wife to William the Conquerour was elevated to this Dignity who growing insolent with this prosperity endeavours to recover Normandy his Patrimony by his Grandfather which he brought to passe with no great difficulty by the assistance of the French King but receiving a slight wound in his hand and suffering it to rankle he lost his life and his Patrimony Next the Welch Rebell but the end of that War was a prey of Oxen and Sheep taken by Henry He seldome taxed the Land or never but once for a portion for his Daughter Maud. He was the first that called a Parliament In the Year 1020 William his Son with his Wife the Duke of Anjou's Daughter his Sister Maud the Lady Lucy a Neece of the Kings the Earl of Chester with divers ' other Noblemen and Ladies and others to the number 160 crossing the Seas from France to England were all most miserably drowned not any one saved but a poor Butcher who like Iob's servant was spared to bring the sad News the King having no children left but his Daughter Maud the Empress who after the Emperors death marryed Ieffery Plantaginet With these and other griefs the King languished at last eating Lampreys he surfeited and dyed and was buryed in Reading Abby after he had reigned 35 years In this King ended all the issues Male of the Conquerour and the Crowne of this Realme devolved on his generall Heirs HENRY the first surnamed Beau-clark King of England and Duke of Normandie He raigned 35 yeares and 4 monthes died the 2 of December 1185. at the age of 67 yeares and lieth buried at Reading 1135. R E. sculpsit Robert's abroad still roving for renowne And now a second time forfeits his Crowne Which Henry his Brother means to weare At the old rate three thousand Marks a year Whose Eyes he now puts out incontinent Lest he should see his bargain and repent He that allows his Brother none now dyes Surfeiting of a Fish abounds with Eyes Crowns no Relation know they oft have stood Close cemented to Caesar's Head with bloud Thus to the Crown the third Descent does fail The Conquerour and all his Issue Male. STEPHEN King of England MOnday December the 26 1135. being St. Stephen's Day Stephen Earl of Mortaign and Bulloyne Son of Stephen Earl of Bloys and Champaine and of Adela Daughter to William the Conquerour notwithstanding all his Vowes and publick Protestations to Henry the First to further the Right and Succession of Maud the Empress being his Daughter and of her Children yet when the King was dead he finding that the Nobility though sworn as deep and solemnly as himself was applyed themselves totally to his devotion he presently shook
England STephen having now paid his debt to Nature it remained that his Engagements also be discharged to his adopted Heir which in like manner was in a short time performed for Henry Duke of Anjou the Empress Mauds son according to agreement succeeded him in the Throne who with the great applause and generall liking of all men was rightly Crowned at Westminster by the hands of Theobald Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He was also Crowned at Lincolne and Thirdly at Worcester Malcome King of Scots joyning with him confederate He behaved himself wisely in the beginning of his Reigne making election of the wisest men he could get for Counsellers he expelled strangers such as came in hope of rapine especially those of Flanders demolishing the Castles that the Nobility had built at the Connivance of King Stephen which they had often abused to sedition The Laws also that were faulty during the War he reduced to their former integrity The Demeans bestowed by King Stephen on such as were unworthy he took away to himself and so spared his subjects from Tribute and Taxes deeming it safer to offend a few then many Singular was the zeal this King bare to the furtherance of Justice and equity for he divided his Kingdom into six several Circuits and for the better administration of Justice together with the tryal of Causes between man and man and for the greater ease and comfort of his subjects he appoynted severall Judges twice in every year to ride those Circuits which course and order is continually observed to this day He also resumed into his own hands the Province of Northumberland together with the Earldome which David King of Scots and Henry his Son had received Giftwise of King Stephen because they should not further intermeddle in the interest of his Mother Maud the Empress to the Crown In the thirteenth year of his Reign he marryed Geofrie one of his younger sons to Constance the daughter and heir apparent to Conaccus Duke of Britain who dyed not long after and left to them that Dutchie He also affied his younger son Richard unto Adela one of the Daughters of Lewis the King of France and marryed his Daughter Maud to Henry Duke of Saxony Much about this time dyed Maud the Empresse his Mother In the Nineteenth year of his Reign for that the Irish Nation attempted to deprive him of certain Territories in that Island left him by his Predecessors he sailed thither with a mighty Army and fought many victorious Battles against Five Kings which at that time reigned there all which he did subdue and made subject to himself and became sole Lord of all that Country and annexed that Title unto his Crown and returned loaden with honours into this Kingdome If he managed all things wisely hitherto now does he shew as much weakness and infirmity making his Son Henry and his Wife Margaret daughter to the French King to be twice solemnly crowned in the presence of his people himself the second time for that day leaving the Title of a King and serving as a sewer at his Sons Table whereat his proud Son made no wonder but publickly affirmed that his Father was thereby no whit dishonoured for that he was only the son of an Empress but he himself was the son both of a King and also of a Queen In the mean time Lewis King of France his father in Law fell to upbraid his pusillanimity that he being entered into the Government and crowned King would permit his father to be equall with him in the Kingdome contenting himself to be a Titular King only he easily enflamed his youthfull mind too ready to be set on fire with unlawful desires This secret Envy began now to break forth into open hate and the son constantly cavilled at every thing the father did or said Nor was the sons horrible ingratitude unknown to the Father wherefore Messengers were sent to Lewis to oppress and extinguish those so sad beginnings of discord But Lewis instead of doing good offices of reconciliation laught at the Embassadors asking them scornfully why they called him Maâ—ter who had freely delivered up his right to his son But these things ended not thus for many jarrs and quarrels arose betwixt King Henry the Father and Lewis the French King which at length were decided by sharp and bloudy Wars In all which most unnaturally Henry Geofry and Iohn and most undutifully Robert Earl of Leicester and Hugh Earl of Chester together with William then King of Scots took part with the French against the King in all which notwithstanding King Henry by noble courage and princely prowesse did still prevaile and upon submission granted pardon to his sons and all their Complices Yet were his sons after grievously punished by God for Henry dyed before his Father in the prime and flower of his youth and Iohn who after was King was poysoned by a Monk in Swinstead Abbey in Lincolnshire Yet these unnaturall Rebellions of his own Children to whom he had been so indulgent a father moved such a passion in his perplexed mind as it suddenly struck him into a Feaver extream dangerous and hearing that his son Richard had raised a new broyl against him he could no longer sustain the wounds of his spirit but within a day or two breathed out his last when he had reigned almost 25 years and was buryed at Fontenward in Normandy The History of this Kings reign approveth him to have been wise learned just politick and valiant save in that over-indulgence to his graceless children and what not a little addeth to the number and splendour of his commendations was that albeit he were often engaged in business some of them concerning his Wars in France Normandy Anjou Ireland and in other places and some of them respecting his Politick Rule and government at home yet he never imposed upon his subjects any extraordinary Tax or payment whatsoever yet left he unto his Successor more than 900000 pounds in silver and gold besides Plate Jewels houshold-stuff and plentifull provision for the War And though in most things prosperity made him happy yet in three things he was unfortunate The 1. was the unnaturall disobedience and revolt of the fruit of his own Loyns The 2. was his unquenchable lust to his inseperable Concubine the beautious Rosamond who being admirably fair and wantonly condition'd too much estranged his affections from Eleanor his renowned Queen and made his desires subject nay slavish to the others wanton Will The 3. was the irreconcileable dissention betwixt him and Thomas Becket the insolent Arch-Bishop of Canterbury The King is accused of his death by the Pope which he denyes upon oath yet the Pope enjoyns him for pennance 3. years War in person in the Holy Land which he redeemed by erecting 3. houses of Religion and to go from London to Canterbury bare-footed to visit Beckets shrine which he did suffer'd himself to be scourg'd by every Monk Thus this King ended all his troubles
Henry look back and in his Tragick Scene There thou shalt see what all thy troubles mean Nor did it though thou thoughtst it faster stood Cemented to thy Temples with his Bloud You that your Lives your Souls what dearest is Venture for Thrones do but consider this Princes descend unto the shades beneath And pyle their Crowns up at the Gates of Death HENRY the Fifth King of England THe King was inaugurated with wonderfull applause and desire of the Lords and Commons and he not willing to disappoint his subjects of the hope they conceived of him gave them a signe of his excellent Government sending from him those Ministers of lascivious youth his former associates And not willing his valiant heart should give place to sloath claims his right in France First he sent Heraulds and demanded his Kingdome from King Charls promising to marry the Lady Katherine his Daughter and threatened also that if he denied he would take his patrimony by force Charâ— laughed at his Embassadors whereby he so enraged King Henry that he musters a mighâ—y Army with about 120. Ships he sailed into France First he takes Harefleet and after many skirmiges with the French fought that memorable battel at Agencourt to the eternall honour of the English which done he and all his Army on their knees gave praise to God for their glorious Victory About this time Sigismund the Emperor came into England to Treat of Peace between the French and English nor was Henry slow in the business but when the French besieged Harefleet he was so angry that he sent the Duke of Bedford to raise the siedge with the Earl of Marsh Oxford and others and 200 ships and fought a bloudy fight in the Haven of Harefleet with Burbon the French Admirall where the English wan the day sinking 500 of the French ships and so relieved the Town But the Emperour perceiving the perfidiousnesse of the French made a firm League with the English against all opposers and so returned back into Germany The French in the mean time hired great ships of Genoa and again besiedging the Haven of Harefleet endeavoured to hinder all provision from coming to the Town but the Earl of Huntington suddenly vanquished them He took the Duke of Burbone a bastard and so returned Conquerour for England Then the King with his Nobility sailed into Normandy and took the Fort Tueha whilst the Earl of Salisbury wan Abervile which place the King freely gave to him and his Heirs Afterwards he wan Caen and for their obstinacy punished some of the principall with death and gave the plunder of the City to his Souldiers Then he sent the Duke of Clarence to beleager the Town of Bayon which he quickly wan thence he removed to Corfen and in three dayes became Master thereof then he subdued Argentaniam after that Aleucon Falesia and returned victor to Caen. In the mean while the Earl of Warwick conquered the Castle of Dumfrise and Clarentius mastered Curton and many other Towns Then the King layes siege to Roan and forced the Citizens to submit which Town being the Chief was an example for the rest to follow so that shortly he wan all Normandy lost by the carelessnesse of his Predecessors The Duke of Burgundy perceiving all things to succeed to K. Henery's mind procured a meeting between him and the Queen of France for King Charls her husband doted yet there was nothing done The Queen brought with her her most beautifull daughter Katharine purposely to ensnare the Kings mind with her allurements nor was it in vaine for the King no sooner saw her but he was wonderfully taken with her elegant beauty and when they departed doing nothing the King charged the Duke of Burgundy to do his best to satisfie his desires for unlesse all he demanded together with the Lady Kathariâ—e were granted him he would by force take from the Duke his Dukedome and from the King his Kingdome The French were so frighted with these threats that they fell to a new Parlie but now the Dolphin caused the Duke of Burgundy to be basely slain presently after though he begged his life on his knees and so the slaughter of the Duke of Orleance committed before by Burgundy was expiated Nor is peace yet concluded till the French were constrained by another losse to seek it seriously A meeting is appointed at Trecas and there was Katharine betrothed to Henry and the right of succession confirmed to him aâ—ter the decease of Charls whereupon all the Nobillity of France swear to be loyall to him and so the salique Law is broken The Dolphin also is cited to appear before the Marble Table in Paris and not coming is banisht Henry also caused money to be coyned with the Arms of France and England which he called the Soveraigne Then leaving the Duke of Clarence Governour of France and Normandy he returned for England with his Queen whom in February following he crowned at Westminstor with great solemnity and much honour But the Duke of Clarence making an Expedition against Anjou and taking great spoils as he came back laden with prey was betrayed by one Andrew Forgusa a treacherous Lombard and although he fought valiantly yet was he slaine by the Duke of Alenson with the chief Nobillity and 2000 English men the Earl of Somerset Suffolk and other Lords are taken Prisoners The King to revenge his brothers death lands in France with a mighty Army and freed Chartres from a siedge of the Dolphin whom he pursues from place to place but cannot overtake him though he take all Towns in his way So that in a short time he joyned all the Island of France to the rest In the mean time the Queen is delivered of a Son at Windsor named Henry of whose birth the King said to the Lord Fitz Hugh his Chamberlain I Henry born at Monmouth shall remaine but a short time and gain much but Henry born at Windsor shall Reign long and lose all About this time the Dolphin besiedges those of Narbon Henry goes to their relief but in his overmuch hast takes a feavor of which he dies having dispatched the Duke of Bedford who not only frees Narbon but drives the Dolphin into Aquitane who in mockery was called King of Aquitane While he lay sick he made his Brother the Duke of Bedford Regent of Normandy and France and his Brother the Duke of Gloucester he made Governour of England He died at 36 years old reigned 9 years 5 months and 24 dayes HENRY the v. began his reigne the 20 of March and was crowned at Westminster the 9 of Aprill following 1413. He reigned gloriously 9 yeres 5 monthes he died in the Castle of Boys Vincent by Paris the 1. of September 1422. and lieth intombed in the Abbey of St Peters at Westminster being of the age of 36 yeares when he departed this world R. E. sculp His Royall head no sooner Henry Crowns But his debaucht associates he disowns He showes them now
a League concluded between England and Scotland and upon the discharge of some Scotch Lords Prisoners in the Tower of London a marriage was promised between Edward and the young Heir of Scotland which afterward was falsified and she married to the French King whereupon the Duke of Somerseâ— with a well provided Army enters Scotland and fought the Scots at Musselburgh and slew of them mâ—re than 14000 amongst whom besides the Lord Lohemore and the Lord Fleming fell almoâ—t all the young Nobillity of Scotland There were taken in fight Earl Huntley Chancellour of Scotland The Lords Hester Hobbey and Hamilton and 1500 more of good account possessing themselves of many strong Forts and Castles with abundant spoile and then betaking themselves homewards they not a little recreated the minds of the dejected Scots by their departure While these things thus fell out in Scotland there happened great alteration in the Ecclesiasticall State at home divers of the Kings Tutors being earnestly bent to a Reformation of Religion and especially the Lord Protector himself and it was therefore Resolved by the Kings Tutors and Counsell that whatsoever King Henry had enacted for the abrogating of the Popes authority should stand in full force and authority whereby the English Church became purged of Popery And what is very memorable the same day that Images and Superstition were thrown out of the Church news was brought of the great victory atchieved upon the Scots at Musselburgh The Popishly affected Stephen Gardiner and bloudy Bonner are committed to the Tower About this time fell out an unlucky difference betwixt the Protector and his Brother which proved the ruine of them both for they both lost their heads This Year Bishop Ridley preached before the King and in his Sermon took occasion to discourse of the necessity of Alms-deeds which the King earnestly attending and laying to heart sent for the Bishop after Sermon and entered into private communication with him causing him to set down in a chair and whether he would or not to put on his hat about relief The King to shew his wonderfull charity appointed severall Hospitalls to which he gave Lands to the value of 600 pounds per annum which had belonged to the Savoy and 4000 Marks a year in mony beside About the beginning of the next year the King fell into lingring sicknesse then into a Hectick Feaver whereof together with a consumption of the Lungs he died at length not without suspicion of poyson And now Northumberland began to devise how he might gain the Crown of England to his posterity he therefore imparts the businesse to the Duke of Suffolk requesting his eldest Daughter Iane to be given in marriage to his son Gilford Dudley then he takes upon him to perswade the King not only to disinherit his two sisters but also by Will to constitute his Cousin the Lady Iane Queen after him which accordingly the good King yeilded preferring the true worship of God before all naturall respects A few dayes before things were thus ordered King Edward not yet 16. years of age sent forth his blessed soul at Greenwich to wit the sixt day of Iuly when he had held the Kingdome under Governours six years five months and nineteen dayes shewing forth even in that tender age blossoms of vertue together with singular piety towards God constancy of mind love of right and an incredible study of Learning Not above three hours before he expired thinking no body had been by he uttered this Prayer Lord God deliver me out of this miserable and wreâ—ched life take me among thy chosen howbeit not my will but thy will be done Lord I commit my spirit to thee O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee yet for thy Chosens sake if it be thy will send me life and health that I may truly serve thee O my Lord blesse thy people and save thine inheritance O Lord God save thy chosen people of England O my Lord God defend this Realme from Papistry and maintain thy true Religion that I and my people may praise thy holy Name Soon after he cried out I faint I faint Lord have mercy upon me and take my spirit and so yielded up the Ghost The high and Mighty Monarch Edward the VI. by the grace of GOD King of Great Brittaine France and Ireland Defendor of the Earth etc To thee Great King it was a gain to dye Whose death was crown'd with immortality Nor does he erre whoever takes thee for Edward the Saint the Second Confessor Thou that in pious Paths so Even hast trod Art Enoch like translated by thy God Who as thy death does evidently show Lov'd thee too well to leave thee long below Whos 's every act the Vniverse convinces And is a pattern to succeeding Princes When thou of Popery didst the Temple purge Thy Scepter turn'd into thy Saviours scourge MARY Queene of England MARY so soon as she heard of her Brothers death posted to Framingham Castle in Suffolk to whom resorted divers Lords who had formerly compacted to preserve the Romish Religion Then she sent to the Senate of London that they should proclaim her Queen but the Lords in the name of all the people made answer That by the Testament of King Edward Iane was to succeed and they asserted that Maryes mother was divorced whereupon they fly to Arms. The Earl of Northumberland with a small Army marches against Mary but as he proceeds but slowly Maryes Forces increase mightily also Edward Hastings who was set with six Ships to prevent Maryes escape into France revolted to her by which losse the Lords and Londoners were not a little dismayed and grew at odds one with the other and the Londoners proclaimed Mary Queen and Northumberland when he was certain of his friends falling from him that he might not run the hazard alone calls a Counsell at Cambridge and himself for want of an Herauld proclaims Mary Queen of England c. casting his Cap up in token of joy But that did not at all help his Cause for the Earl of Arundell who a little before did not decline to venture his life for Iane now coming to Cambridge in Maryes name takes the Duke and Casts him into Prison he in vain intreating for his life Iane at the Command of the Duke of Suffolk her father when the Case was thus altered layes down the Ensigns of the Kingdome with much more cheerfullnesse then ever she took them up The Queen coming to London met her Sister Elizabeth with 1000 Horse and Thomas of Norfolk Edward Contener Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Somersets Wife which she received into Grace giving them her hand to kisse Then entering upon the Church affairs she abollished those Bishops and Ceremonies that Edward had confirmed setting up others in their roome the people not a little offended at it and then she punished severely all those that were enemies to the Church of Rome In the interim
one hundred and thirty tall ships of Warre in which were nineteen thousand two hundred and ninety souldiers eight thousand three and fifty Marriners two thousand and eighty Gally-slaves two thousand six hundred and thirty great Ordnance and the 19. of Iuly 1588. they came in sight of England and were in hopes to devour it But by the valour of the English and the Dutch the Fleet was partly worsted partly hindered but especially by a Tempest that rose against it the Spaniard was disappointed of his hopes They often after fought by Sea in Portugall and the West-Indies doing and receiving much harm This great Tempest being blown over the Queen causeth a day of Thanksgiving to be proclaimed and rid Triumphantly to London Notwithstanding all this she had many troubles but strangled all in the birth and England was made the Receptacle of persecuted and afflicted men both from France and Holland by reason of the Wars there In the mean while Sir Francis Drake was sent into the West-Indies and the Earl of Essex to the Coasts of Spaine when after many Victories atchieved by each the Spaniards by the mediation of the French seek peace but the Dutch hinder it In the year 1598. Philip King of Spain died in the seventieth year of his age He aimed at great matters but was unfortunate in most of them whereupon it came to passe that the three Keyes of the Spanish Empire which his Father so called and willed him to keep diligently to wit Gulet in Africa Flushing in Holland and Cades in Spain were neglected The first taken in by the Turks the second by the Confederates of the United Provinces the third much impaired in its strength and impoverished by the English which his father foreseeing in his Life time admonished to make peace with the English and Dutch Anno 1599. died that Reverend and famous Divine Mr. Richard Hooker a man moderate temperate meek and vertuous even to the best imitation and left behind him a living monument of his reall worth his Book entituled Ecclesiastical Pollicy Then peace was confirmed between the Spaniard and the French but the English and the Dutch refused to be comprehended in it because they held it disadvantageous to their buâ—iness but making a Covenant with joynt Forces they invade Spain The Spaniard stirs up the Earl of Tyrone who made a great Rebellion in Ireland Essex was sent thither to subdue the Rebells and to make them conformable but he scurvily neglected an opportunity of conquering the enemy and beyond his commission treats with the Rebells concerning peace He was therefore called home and commanded to answer for his fault by his submission he found the Queens savour afterward prompted on either by shame or his ambition to the Kingdome he raised an Army and entered London and he purposed to have forced the Queen His Forces ran away from him and he was taken prisoner accused of high Treason and lost his head for it Charls Blunt was sent in his Place who in divers fights wonderfully subdued the enemy though the Spaniard had sent many supplies to relieve them in a set battel he overthrew Tyrone and the Auxiliary Spaniards and then made conditions driving them out of Ireland Tyrone afterwards when he had tried all wayes submitted and humbly entreated the Queens pardon In the mean time Richard Levison and William Monson with eight great Ships and some small ones went and wasted the Spanish Coasts and meeting the Spanish Fleet coming from America with abundance of wealth set upon them but was too weak being disappointed After that he master'd a great rich Ship riding at Anchor in Portugall and burning some lesser Ships returned with her to England At that time the Jesuits and Seminaries were banished At last the Queen died Anno 1602 having reigned 44. years 4. months was buried at Westminst ELISABET D. G. ANG FRAN. ET HIB REGINA FIDEI CHRISTIANAE PROPVGNA TRIX ACERRIMA Thus dy'd Elizabeth Did I say she dy'd Away my babling Muso away ye ly'd She is alive and ever so shall be Could England dote and lose all memory The Neatherlands yea France Spain would give All satisfaction that she still does live And shall untill unknown diseases vex The Vniverse into an Apoplex Of whom this Nation may with comfort say An Evening red foretold a morning gray Thus from the Briny Ocean of our tears The joyfull Venus of our Peace appears JAMES King of Great Britain France Ireland THE losse that England sustained by the death oâ— Queen Elizabeth was abundantly recompenced by her most worthy Successor King â—ames in the happy union of the two warlike Kingdomes England and Scotland He was inferiour to heâ— neither for Religion nor any thing else and by new rejoycings he extinguished that grief the Subjects had conceived for the losse of so dear a Mother to her Countrey He was a King the more happy because he obtained a Kingdom by lawfull succession that was no wayes embroyled with wars and tumults but setled in exceeding great peace But as the calmest weather is not secure from clouds so the affairs of Brittany though in a coâ—dition most peaceable were endangered by the malice and conspiracy of some male-contents â—he Ring-leaders were Henry Cobham and George his Brother Thomas Grey of Wilt-shire Walter Raleigh and others their purpose was to kill the King but newly Crowned to change Religion to raise Tumults to let in Forreigners a terrible design but this flame vanished into smoak the principall being either executed or condemned to perpetual imprisonment or had their parâ—ons granted to them but least peace should be disturbed by new wars he made peace with the King of Spain who was a sworn enemy to England it was solemnly confirmed by both In Northampton and Warwickshire new tumults arose first by Fines then by Iohn Reignold that led them but this faction was soon allayed and the Authors thereof severely punished In the mean time Frederick Count Elector Palatine came to London to marry Elizabeth King Iames his Daughter the marriage was solemnized with wonderfull pomp but all these joyes were overshadowed with Clouds of sorrow for on the sixt day of November 1612. Prince Henry departed this life various reports were spread abroad by the Vulgar as if indirect means had been used but his Physitians gave it under their hands that he dyed of a violent malignant Feaver Charls the Kings second Son succeeds him in the Principallity of Wales About this time that learned gallant and noble spirit Sir Walter Raleigh after 14 years imprisonment made addresses to the King to give him leave to visit the New found World in America to which he gave him liberty and a Commission under the great Seal to set forth Ships and Men for that service his reputation and merit caused many Gentlemen of Quality to adventure their persons and estates on the design many considerable adventures were performed though with great difficulty but especially that of
the taking and burning of St. Thomes information being sent to Gondimer who was Embassador here in England he never rested assaulting the King with importunity for Reparation Raleigh no sooner came a shoare at Plymouth but he had secret information and did endeavour to get from thence in a Bark for Rochel but being apprehended by Sir Lewis Stackly he is brought to London and committed to the Tower Gondimer that looked upon him as a man that had not only high abilities but animosity to do his master mischief being one of those scourges that Queen Elizabeth had made use of to afflict the Spaniards and having gotten him in the Trap he laid his baits about the King in October he was brought to the Kings Bench Barre at Westminster before the Lord chief Justice where the records of his arraignment at Winchester were opened and he demanded why the judgement should not be put in execution Raleigh that judgement was void by the Kings Commission for his late expedition the Lord chief Justice replyed The opinion of the Court was to the contrary he then required time to prepare for death but it was answered The appointed time was the next morning accordingly on that morrow he was beheaded Buckingham the great favourite is slain by Felton for which he was executed Queen Anne about this time fell sick and dyed she was a Queen to be had in everlasting Memory for her Noble Vertues The King also fell sick but by Gods assistance he recovered The Paâ—sgrave in the interim who had marryed the Lady Elizabeth by the prompting on of some of the German Princes was chosen King of Bohemia The Emperour was wonderfully enraged at this Election and proclaimed war against him driving him first out of Bohemia and afterwards out of all Germany who in Holland the common refuge of all wretchâ—d people found a bountifull and safe entertainment But Iames that he might help his son in law made a motion for a marriage betwixt his son Charls and the Infanta of Spain Charls is sent into Spaine through France by Land where he saw upon his journey Mary daughter to Henry the fourth he was received in Spain magnificently to outward appearance but a difference falling out betwixt the Duke of Buckingham and Count Olivares the principall Don of the Spanish Court the Treaty was drawn out at length but Charls impatient of delay returns home and arrives safe in England and was afterward married to Mary whom he had affectionately beheld in France What remains to be spoken of King Iames is either scarce worth recording or dubious in the truth thereof He dyed at last of a disease of the Spleen though there was false reports spread abroad That he was poysoned when he had reigned twenty and two years in the year 1625. He was a true Platonick Prince a Husband worthy of his Wife an honest Father to his Children a good King to his Subjects because he was a Prince he was the most learned and he was the best Prince by reason of his learning In this Kings reigne English Plantations were â—etled in the Indies Virginia Bermudaes and New-England in which are Common-wealths The right high and most mightie Monarch IAMES by the Grace of God King of great Britaine Fraunce and Ireland c. â—efendor of the Faith D Sculp They look for peace and behold war But we Did look for war and have met peace in thee The North wind brings no good it is untrue Never brought wind England more good than you Whose Mothers death may all the world convince Revenge could never conquer such a Prince What could Great Britain wish but such an heir Vnites two Realms scarce ever out of war Your wisdome plenty peace who descants on Conclude you even a second Solomon Herein Great Sir you Solomon surpass'd That to your God were constant to the last CHARLS I st King of Great Britain France Ireland CHARLS the first succeeded his Father being 25 years of Age. The first design he had was to marry Henrietta Maria Daughter to Henry the fourth of France as he had purposed before who landed in England the 22. of Aprill and was received magnificently Then a Navy was prepared against the Spaniard for all friendship was grown stale between these two Kings by reason of the breach of the marriage and the business of the Palatinate he joyned with the ships of Holland and sent away toward Spain and first assaulting Cades and not prevailing they set up sail and spoyling all the Spanish Vessels they met they return for England Now a Covenant was made between the English and the united Provinces and they resolved with joynt forces to tire out the Spaniard But Charls whose Exchequer was emptied by reason of his Spanish voyage and setting forth his Navy was forced to call a Parliament but they would do nothing till Buckingham had answered to his charge they are dissolved and the King raises money otherwise provides a mighty Fleet and surprizes all the Spanish Ships he lights on But the French not being spared a stop and Confiscation is made of English Vessels in France The Ministers of the Church of Rome and those that came over with the Queen privately disturb the English affairs they are commanded to depart the Land not without gifts the French King takes it ill and some are recalled The French not satisfied forbid all commerce Charls the like envy encreases Lewis oppresseth the Rochellers Charls sends relief to the besieged but prevails little heavy complaints are made against Buckingham Charls to stop all farther proceedings against Buckingham again dissolves the Parliament He raiseth new forces to assist the Rochellers under the command of Buckingham but being ready to embark himself he was stabbed by Felton an English man who was taken and hanged for his pains A new Parliament is summoned they deny Tunnage and Poundage The King reprints the Common-prayer-book at which the Scots rebell he goes against them with an Army but returns without any good condition made Now the Scots made a neerer agreement among themselves against the King which they called their Covenant The King therefore distressed for want calls a Parliament and asks Subsidies of them all in vain The Queen indeavours what she can with the Pope but nothing is to be done unlesse the King would abjure the reformed Religion but the King hates the motion and had rather lose his Crowns than accept such hard conditions Nor was it long ere these Demagogues brought down a tumultuous rabble of Apprentices and other base people to the Parliament door crying out Away with the Lieutenant of the Tower down with Popish Bishops out of the house with them And to weaken his Majesty the more or rather to satisfie the insolent tumult they cast 12 Bishops into prison the Earl of Bristoll and his son were sore threatned and the year before that never enough honoured Thomas Earle of Strafford lost his head to satisfie this unreasonable rout
and lieth buried at Fonteverard in Normandy Richard the First no Lion ever fought But was call'd Lion's heart cause he was stout From Prison he his Mother did release And setled his Dominions in peace Then levying men and money did prepare All that was needfull to the holy Warre He forc'd King Tuncred buy his peace with Gold And twice won Cyprus for Jerusalem sold. The Turks and Saracens he overthrowes Whilst prostrate Palestine to his Prowess bowes Philip and Leopald their envy bend Against that valour even the Foes commend JOHN King of England NExt Iohn by blowes and bribes usurps his Brothers Crown and Treasury to maintain his unjust Title which was the cause the whole Course of this Kings government was accompanyed with continuall troubles and his two persecutors were Pope Innocent the Third and Philip the Second King of France But the first Tempest was depending from his Cousen Arthur whose Kingdome he had not only taken from him but also had drawne the Dukedome of Normandy to himself leaving to Arthur only the Dukedome of Anjou But his Mother Constance finding her self too weak for the English flyes to the French King and craves aid of him who promised not only to restore all Normandy but all England to Arthur and forthwith received the young man into his Protection Wherefore Phllip listing an Army first made good the Dutchy of Anjou to Arthur and then invaded Normandy But Iohn sailing into Normandy upbraids Philip for perfidiousness because he had very foully broken the peace he had made with his Brother Richard yet for all this they goe not to Armes For while they discourse and each defends his Right they agree on fifty dayes cessation of Armes Baldwin Earle of Flaunders being utterly against it who therefore forsaking Philip makes his peace with the English and takes Counsell by what means when the truce was ended they should wage war with Philip but when Iohn was free from care of war he strikes hands with the French King upon unjust tearms Baldwin hating his sluggishness once more joyned with the French and restored the War of Ierusalem The English are glad and returne home but are very ill received by the Nobility who hated those base Conditions they had made with the French But Iohn now free from War turns all his study to Pole his Subjects and to follow his pleasure Also he deprived the Arch-Bishop of York his brother of all his Fortunes for nothing but because he dehorted him from such injury Then going into Normandy he divorced his Wife Avis and marryed Isabell daughter and heir to the Earl of Engelestne she was Crowned at Canterbury Bâ—t the dayly oppression of King Iohn prevailed so farre also his base Luxury not without murther and Man-slaughter for he destroyed Matilda a beautifull Maid making her to drink Poyson because she would not yield to his entreaty to be corrupted by him And William Bruce with his Wife for speaking somewhat too freely he killed with Famine taking all their estate from them He demanded Subsidies but his Nobles altogether denyed him nor would they follow him in his Wars untill those heavy Imposts laid upon them were taken away Yet he wenâ— afterward into Normandy and thence to Paris where he and his Wife to outward appearance were friendly received by King Philip. But Hugh Earle of Marsh to whom Isabella the Kings Wife was first betrothed being angry with the King for taking his Wife from him joynes with Arthur and begin a new War Philip takes part with them so joyntly those of Tours first then they of Anjou invade they take the Towns of Mirabellum King Iohn reproves Philip for his falseness and begins â—eriously to think upon revenge and coming upon the Forces of the enemy suddenly and unlooked for destroyed them with a great slaughter taking those prisoners that could not escape among whom was Arthur who shortly after dyed of hunger in prison but some say that endeavouring his escape he was drowned in the River but as it is Vulgarly thought he dyed of meer sorâ—ow His Sister Eleanor followed him shortly after the same sad way And thus ended Arthurs Life Title and those Wars Next Year the French King takes all Normandy by Force And now began the Kings other enemy Pope Innocent the Third to vex him more then Philip had done the occasion is this Hubert Arch-Bishop of Canterbury died and the Monks of St. Augustines in that City without the Kings License or knowledge and about midnight elected Reynold a brother of their own to succeed him and took of him an oath forthwith to travell to Rome there to procure his investiture and to receive his Pall from the Pope Tidings hereof coming to the Kings ears he presently made known his inward dislike of their rash and unadvised doings so that upon his motion and to appease his wrath they elect Iohn Gray then Bishop of Norwich Incontinently the King upon his own charges dispatches Letters and Embassadors to the Pope entreating him to ratifie the last choyce But the Pope neglects the Kings Entreaty and confirms him that was first Elected at which the King fretted and stormed much to see himself so slenderly regarded The Monks also to please the King refuse to receive their own first election because it was made in the night At last the Pope would whether the King would or no make choyce of one Stephen Langton one of his Creatures to succeed in the Arch-Bishoprick The King stoutly keeps him off and confiscates all the Lands and Goods of such as partake in the election with Rome and forbids all appeals thither The Pope after a proud letter or two interdicts him and all his Kingdome which he very frankly gives to Philip the French King who coming to invade and possesse himself of the Popes gift lost three hundred of his Ships and returned home as he came Nevertheless Iohn basely on his knees tenders his Crown for the Popes use which his Legate keeps four dayes but the Nobility hating his poor spirit revolt to the French whom Iohn not able to resist flyes and is poysoned by a Monk in Swinstead Abbey who drank to him in these words Wassall my Liege He was buryed at Worcester having Reigned seventeen years and odd months He left behind him four sons viz. Henry who succeeded him Richard who was elected King of the Romans William of Valentia and Guido Disnay And three Daughters viz. one marryed to Frederick the Emperour the second to William Marshall Earl of Worcester and the third to the Earl of Leicester The right Valiant Prince RICHARD surnamed Coeur-de-â—ion King of England and Hierusalem Duke of Normandy and Acuitanè Earle of Poeters and Annou Lo of Ireland c. He died at the age of 43 yeares Ano. 1199. after he had raigned 9 yeares 9 months and 22 dayes and lieth buried at Fonteveraâ—d in Normandy O what a lushie morsell is a Crowne That right or wrong Princes will gusle't downe John to the