their Manner was to kill every Tenth Captain and to accept of no Ransom Their Garments were only a Cassock clasped or for want thereof fastned with a Thorn and their Weapons were long Swords and Battle Axes and they are reported to be the first that used to try by single Combat great Punishers they were of Adultery and their Maids were married but once the men also were restrained from plurality of Wives except it were the greater sort for Procreation sake for it was accounted a great Disgrace among them to have no Children Three of the strongest people of Germany were said to come into Britain to wit Saxons Angles and Jutes of the Jutes came the Kentish men and the men of the Isle of Wight and those over against it of the Saxons came the East West and South Saxons and of the Angles came the East and middle Angles that is the Marches and had Middle England that stretcheth West-ward towards the River Dee besides Chester and to Severn besides Shrewsbury and so to Bristow and Eastward towards the Sea and Southward to Thames and so forth to London and Northward to Humber and so down Westward to the River Mercee and so to the West-Sea also of the Angles come the men of Northumberland and Hengist and Horsa were Leaders of them all This Hengist got Possession of Kent by the gift of Vortigern King of the Britains The Saxons were driven by the Britains after several Skirmishes with them back to their Ships again in the Isle of Thanet but through Treacherous fair words Hengist got footing again amongst the Britains and by Degrees the Saxons erected an Heptarchy here in Britain and divided it into Seven Kingdoms as followeth viz. 1 Kent 2 South-Saxons 3 West-Saxons 4 East-Saxons 5 Northumberland 6 Mercia 7 East-Angles Each of which Kingdoms had a continued Succession of several KINGS but Authors do somewhat differ in their Names and in the Commencement and Continuance of their Reigns as also in the Commencement and Continuance of the said KINGDOMS some making them to begin at one time and some at another but that which is most commonly received as the truest Relation is as followeth but notwithstanding this is with Submission to those who are better able to discover the Truth with more certainty And now of the KINGDOMS in order and First of the Kingdom of KENT this contained only Kent it began Anno 455 continued 372 years and ended 827. whose Succession of Kings take as followeth they be accounted Seventeen in number 1. Hengist This was the first Saxon Invader as is before declared and he made himself first King of Kent he began his Reign over it Anno 455. and reined 34 years 2. Eske or Osca After him the Inhabitants were called Eskins his Reign began the year 490 he reigned twenty four years 3. Octa He began his Reign Anno 513. and reigned 20 years 4. Imerick his Reign over this Kingdom began Anno 533. and ended 562. in his time was the second General Council held at Constantinople Anno 553. 5. Ethelbert This was the first Christian King of this Kingdom of Kent see for his Remarkable Actions amongst the petty Monarks Chap. VI. This King began his Reign in the year 562. and reigned 56 years King 6. Edbald This King was converted by Laurence Archbishop of Canterbury he had married his Mother in Law after his Fathers Death after his Conversion he sent again for Melitus and Justus to their Bishopricks who had fled out of the Land during his Idolatry He began his Reign 618. and reigned 24 years 7. Ercombert his Reign began Anno 642. and he reigned 24 years he suppressed the Temples of Idols and Commanded the Feast of Lent to be kept 8. Egbert He murthered his two Nephews Ethelred and Ethelbert casting their Bodies into a River he began Anno 666. and reigned 9 years 9. Lothaire This King was shot through with a Dart in the bloody Battel which Ethelred the Mercian and Edrick the South-Saxon fought against him his Reign began the year 675. and lasted 11 years in his time was the third General Council held at Constantinople being the Sixt General Council for all Christendom Agatho being then Bishop of Rome 10. Edrick He being slain in the Civil War against the Subjects left the Kingdom so torn with Dissentions that after his Death it was 6 years without a King He began his Reign Anno 686. and reign'd 2 years 11. Withred Six years after his Brother's Death Anno 694. this man was made King paying a great sum of Money to Iuas for it he reigned thirty three years 12. Edbert He began his Reign 727. and reigned 23 years in the fourth year whereof there appeared two fearful Comets 13. Ethelbert This King's Reign began in the year 750. and continued eleven years 14. Alrick He was slain in the Battel again Offa at Otteford his Reign began Anno 761. and he reigned 34 years in his time was the second General Council held at Nice being the seventh General Council of Christendom 15. Ethelbert This man usurped the Kingdom but was afterwards taken Prisoner by Kenwolf and carried captive into Mercia where afterwards Kenwolf at the Dedication of his Church founded at Winchcomb at the High Altar in the presence of 10 Dukes and 13 Bishops cleared him his Reign began 795. and he reigned 3 years 16. Cuthred He was made King by Kenwolf Anno 798. and reigned three years 17. Baldred This man began his Reign in the year 806. and after 18 years space was forced to fly his Kingdom and leave it to Kenwolf King of Mercia who about the year 827. annexed it to his Kingdom of Mercia Now come I to the Second Kingdom which was the Kingdom of South-Saxons And this contained Sussex and Surry and had the Successions of 4 Kings the Kingdom began Ann. 488. continued 133 years and ended Anno Domini 621. the Kings follow 1. Ella This man brought a fresh Supply of Germans to the Relief of his Countrymen and landed at Shoreham in Sussex about 34 years after the first coming of the Saxons and brought his three Sons Cymen Plettinger and Cissa with him but at length was inforced to send for more Aid to fight the Britains and then he totally routed them forcing them into a Wood on the South of Kent called Andresleger near the Haven-Lyme which was 40 miles in length and 30 in breadth and so he made himself first King of the South-Saxon Kingdom He began his Reign Anno 488. and reigned thirty two years 2. Cissa He founded Chichester and Chisbury and yielded a certain Tribute to Cherdick King of the West-Saxons for the maintenance of his Wars against the Britains his Reign began 520 and he reigned as some account 76 years 3. Ethelwolf This Prince began his Reign Anno 596. and reigned 25 years he was slain in Battel by Ceadwell a banished Prince of the West-Saxons his Conversion was by Bishop Wilfride if we give
reigned thirty years his Reign began Anno 669. 10. Sigherd he began his Reign Anno 699. and reigned 7 years 11. Seofrid his Reign began 706. and he reigned 7 years 12. Offa he abandoned his Kingdom and went to Rome and was there shorn a Monk and died he began his Reign 714. and reigned 8. years 13. Selred He began his Reign Anno 722. and reigned 38 years 14. Suthred This King was expulsed from the Kingdom when he had reigned about 5 years by Egbert King of the West-Saxons who made it a Province substitute to his own Kingdom about the year 827. The Kingdom of Northumberland comes next in order whose Limits were York-shire Durham Lancashire Westmerland Cumberland and Northumberland It began 547. continued 379. and ended 926. as it is reckoned by some though it doth not challenge a Succession of Kings so long for I finde only the 25 Kings following 1. Ida and Ella Their Reign began Anno 547. and continued 42 years but after the first 15 years thereof were past then were these five Copartners following all admitted to reign with Ella They all 5 began their Reigns Anno 562. and reign'd as followeth 2. Adda 7 years 3. Elappea 5 years 4. Theodwald 1 year 5. Frethulf 7 years 6. Theodrick 7 years 7. Ethelrick He began his Reign Anno 589. and reigned 4 years 8. Ethelfride He miserably oppressed the Britains and conquered Edanaden King of the Scots at Degsaston and the same year Saint Augustine in the midst of Winter after he had Christned ten thousand English men in the River Swale in York-shire perceiving his Death to approach he thereupon named one Laurence for his Successor And now Ethelfride marching to West-chester slew there both the British Soldiers and harmless Monks and at the Monastery of Bangor he slew between eleven and twelve hundred Monks and overthrew the British Hoast he banished Prince Edwin who flying to Redwald King of the East-Angles They two joined against Ethelfride and slew him when he had reigned 33 years He began his Reign Anno 593. 9. Edwine After Ethelfride's Death Anno 626. began his Reign and Reigned about seven years In his banishment a Vision appeared to him and he was assured of the Kingdom if he would turn Christian which he promised to do so the Vision left him laying his hand on Edwines head bid him remember that sign but Edwine after he had obtained the Kingdom forgot his Promise and could not be drawn to turn Christian insomuch that Paulinus who had much sollicited him to it began to dispair of it so the Vision appeared to Paulinus and bid him lay his hand on the King's head and ask him if he remembred that sign as soon as Paulinus did this to the King he was ready to fall down at his Feet and was presently Baptized by Paulinus at York with many of his Nobles He caused Brazen-Dishes to be chained at every Fountain for Passengers to serve themselves with Water 10. Osrick He began his Reign Anno 633 and Reigned one year he was slain by Cadwal a King of the Britains 11. Oswald See for the Actions of this King and the next chap. the sixt he began his Reign Anno Domini 634 and reigned 9 years 12. Oswye He Reigned 28 years and began his Reign Anno 643. 13. Egfride He warred against Ethelred King of Mercia but not without great loss to himself and invading the Irish also his fortune being worse there he was slain in the Mountains when he had Reigned fifteen years beginning his Rule from the year 671. 14. Alfrid He began his Reign six hundred eighty six and Reigned twenty years 15. Osred He being a great Whoremaster not forbearing vailed Nuns no person being secure from his Lust he was at length Murthered by his two kinsmen Kenred and Oswick the two succeeding Kings his Reign began Anno 706 and lasted 9 years 16. Kenred his Reign began 716 he reigned two years 17. Oswick he began his Reign Anno 718 and reigned 11 years 18. Ceolnulfe he after he had Reigned eight years became a Monk in Holly Island in his time the last year of his Reign appeared two great blazing Stars one before Sun-set and the other after Sun-rising which continued a Fortnight 19. Egbert He began his Reign Anno 738 and after twenty years Reign turned Monk 20. Osxulph He began his Reign 758 and was Murthered by his Servants at Micklewoughton when he had Reigned 1 year 21. Edilwald He was slain by Alured his Successor in the sixth year of his Reign he began his Reign Anno seven hundred fifty nine 22. Alured He began his Reign 765 and when he had reigned nine years was expulsed the Kingdom by his Subjects 23. Ethelred He was banished the Kingdom by two of his Nobles Edilbald and Herebert about the fifth year of his Reign and about sixteen years after returning again his Government being misliked he was after seven years second reign slain by his Subjects after whose Death the Inhabitants for thirty years were ruled by Vsurpers He began his Reign Anno 774. 24. Alfwald He began his Reign 778 and was murthered by the Conspiracy of Siga in the 11 year of his Reign 25. Osred He began his Reign Anno 789 and when he had reigned 1 year he was expulsed the Kingdom by his Subjects And now we come to Mercia which large Kingdom contained the Counties of Huntington Rutland Lincoln Northampton Leicester Derby Nottingham Oxford Cheshire Shropshire Gloucester-shire Worcestershire Staffordshire Warwick-shire Buckinghamshire Bedfordshire and Hartfordshire It began in the year 582 it continued about 292 years and ended 874. the Succession of Kings were these 20 following 1. Crida This King began his Reign Anno 582 and reigned 12 years he first framed this large Kingdom 2. Wibba He began his Reign 594 and reigned twenty years he thinking the Kingdom too little inlarged it incroaching upon his Neighbours the Britains 3. Ceorle His Reign Commenced Anno 614 and continued ten years 4. Penda He feâ— in Battel Edwine and Oswald Kings of Northumberland Sigesbert Egfrid and Anna Kings of the East-angles and forced Redwald King of the West-Saxons out of his Country but at length he was slain in Battel by Oswye King of Northumberland after he had reigned about thirty two years he began his Reign Anno 624. 5. Peada or Wedda He was the first Christian King of Mercia and about the third year of his Reign he was Murthered either by the Treachery of his Wife or Mother his Reign began Anno six hundred fifty six 6. Wolfere See the Actions of this King and the seven succeding Kings among the petty Monarchs chap. 6. He began his Reign Anno 659 and Reigned seventeen years 7. Ethelred Began 675 reigned 29 years 8. Kenred Began 704 and reigned 4 years 9. Chelred Began 709 reigned 7 years 10. Ethelbald Began 716 reigned 42 years 11. Offa Began 758 reigned 39 years 12. Egfrid Began 797 reigned 4 Months 13. Kenwolfe Began 797
reigned 22 years 14. Kenelm He was Murthered by Askbert this Teacher through the instigation of Quendride the Kings own Sister he began his Reign Anno 819 and reigned about 5 months 15. Ceolwolfe By the Instigation of Bernulfe after one year's Rule he was expulsed by his Subjects 16. Bernulfe Having gotten the Kingdom had but little comfort in the injoyment first fighting Egbert the West-Saxon and afterwards the East-Angles by whom he was slain in the third year of his Reign he began to Rule Anno 821. 17. Ludecan He began his Reign 824 and in his second year was slain by Egbert and the East-Angles 18. Witlafe He was also overcome by King Egbert the West-Saxon in the thirteenth year of his Reign which began Anno 826. 19. Berthulf He began his Reign Anno 839 and reigned 13 years And then was forced to leave his Country by the cruel usage of the Danes 20. Burdred He after several fights with the Danes at length became Victor but fresh supplies landing again he was then forced to fly out of the Land he began to Reign 852 and reigned about twenty two years Now we come to the last of the seven Kingdoms which was called the East-Angles This contained Suffolk Norfolk Cambridge and Ely Island It began Anno 575 continued 353 years and ended Anno 914 and had a Succession of 15 Kings as followeth 1. Vffa He began to Rule 575 and reigned 7 years 2. Titulus He began his Reign Anno five hundred eighty three and reigned about thirty two years 3. Redwald See his Actions among the petty Monarchs chap. 6. his Reign began in the year 616 and he reigned 8 years 4. Erpenwald He began his Reign 624 and Reigned twelve years he was brought to the Faith of Christ through the perswasions of Edwine King of Northumberland for which cause he was murthered by one Richebert he was the second Christian King of this Kingdom and Redwald the first 5. Sigebert He began his Rule 636 and Reigned two years he abandoned the Court and Country during his Father Redwald's Reign and afterwards returning out of France he brought the light of the Gospel into his Dominions and after two years Reign shore himself a Monck and resigned his Kingdom he was afterwards slain in Battel by wicked Penda 6. Egrick He began to Reign 638 and reigned four years he was slain by Penda and so was his Successor Anna. 7. Anna Begun 642 Reigned 12 years 8. Ethelbert He was slain in Battel by Oswine King of Northumberland for siding with Penda he began his Reign 654 and reigned about two years 9. Edelwald Began 656 reigned 8 years 10. Aldulfe Began 664 reigned 19 years 11. Elswolfe Began 683 reigned 7 years 12. Beorne Began 690 reigned 24 years 13. Ethelred Began 714 reigned 35 years 14. Ethelbert He was sent for by Offa the Mercian King who promised him his Daughter but instead thereof he gave him Death to Imbrace he being murthered at the instigation of Quindride the Queen He began his Reign 749 and reigned 45 years 15. Edmund He was besieged in Framingham Castle by the Danes and being taken Prisoner by them he was beaten with cudgels and scourged but Edmund still calling on the name of the Lord Jesus it so inraged them that they took him and tied him to a stake and shot him to Death with their Arrows and afterwards they cut off his head and threw it in a Bush he began his Reign Anno 794. And though Authors agree not how long he Reigned yet I shall agree with the ending of him to end this 4 Chapter CHAP. V. Of the British Princes who withstood the Saxons Conquest being accounted 13 as followeth 1. VOrtigern This man being chosen King of the Britains after he had first treacheroufly made away Constantius his Predecessor he intended the like to Aurelius Ambrosius Vter Pendragon who were the Brother of Constantius whereupon they were conveyed to their Friends in Little-Britain for their safety against his Tyranny And now Vortigern being sadly pestered with the Picts and Scots he sends for the Saxons to his Aide and having through their assistance overcome his Enemies Hengist the Saxon Leader getting into favour with the King begged of him so much ground as an Ox-hide would compass which was easily granted so the same being cut into thongs it incircled so much ground that a Fort was built upon it called Thong-Castle where Hengist settled himself And now Hengist hath more of his Friends waiting upon him and amongst the rest comes Rowena his Daughter with whom Vortigern was much taken turns away his lawful Christian Wife and takes Rowena and afterwards his own Daughter begotten on her becomes his Bedfellow on whom he begot a Son called Faustus who is said did weep himself blind for the Abomination of his Parents for those things and his too much kindness to the Saxons after sixteen years Reign he was deposed by his Subjects and his Son Vortigern made King after whose Death he was restored again but falling again into his wicked courses after six years second Reign he with his incestuous Wife were both consumed to Ashes in a Castle of his own founding in Wales which was set on fire by Aurelius Ambrosius his Successour This King began his Reign Anno 438 and reigned in all 22 years 2. Vortimer He reigned prudently 4 years and won four Set-Battels against the Saxons and put them to such a strait that they were forced to betake themselves into the Isle of Thanet the place of their first landing and then petitioned to return into their own Country leaving their Families and Possessions behind them but least this King should prove the utter vanquisher of the Saxons he was by Rowena their favourite poysoned And now Vortigern enters upon his second government and Hengist now returning again the King with his British Nobles makes head against him and a Treaty being agreed upon and Salisbury plain the place appointed there the British Nobles were treacherously slain by Hengist's Souldiers And now the King with his incestuous Wife are taken and immured up in a Castle in Wales as is shewed before 3. Aurelius Ambrosius This Man overcame Hengist the Saxon in York-shire and cut of his head and took his Son Octa Prisoner but afterwards falling sick at Winchster Passentius the yongest Son of Vortigern sent one Eopa in shew of a Physitian who gave him Poyson instead of Physick of which he died and was buried in Coria Gigantum or Stone-henge in Salisbury-plain which he by the help of Merlin's inchantment as it is said brought out of Ireland and placed here in memory of the British Nobles here slain Vter-Pendragon was here buried also Aurelius Ambrosius gave name to the adjacent Town calling it Ambrose-bury now Amesbury This King began his Reign Anno 466 and reigned thirty two years 4. Vter Pendragon He was Brother to Aurelius Ambrosius and encountred the Saxons taking Ebusa and Octa two of Hengest's Sons Prisoners but afterwards
falling into unlawful Love with Lady Igren the Duke of Cornwall's Wife in the mean time the two Prisoners escaped from their Keepers and advanced into the Field again where they were met again by the King and Ebusa and Octa slain and their Saxons put to the Rout and shortly after Vter died of Poyson put into a Well of which he used to drink having reigned 18 years his Reign began Anno 498. 5. Arthur He was Son to Vter Pendragon begotten on Lady Igren this is him of whom so many Incredible things are reported in the Monkish Legendaries that they make his true Atchievements questionable He warred against the Saxons and chased Colgerne their Captain from his Camp in Northumberland to York from whence he escaped into Germany and returned with 70 Sail of Ships into Scotland Whereupon Arthur sent for his Nephew Howel King of Little Britain who came in person to his Aid He fought twelve Battels with the Saxons the 1. at the Mouth of the River Gleyn the 2 3 4 and 5 on Dougla's Banks the 6 on the River Bassus the 7 in the Wood Callidon or Celidon near Lincoln the 8 near the Castle Guinion the 9 in Wales the 10 at Rithowood the 11 on the Hill Agned Castergonion and 12 at Baden-hills where he slew 140 Saxons with his own hands some say 800. The Reliques of this Arthur's Round Table are shown at Winchester and of the twenty four Seats thereof amongst the Welsh Lancelot Tristram and Gawen were of his chiefest Knights which Names are commonly still given with us in Baptism he began his Reign Anno 516 and reigned 26 years he was buried as some Authors affirm in the Vale of Avelon besides Glastenbury and about 600 years after in King Henry the II. time his body was taken up and translated into the Church 6. Constantine He was son to Cador Duke of Cornwall and Cosin to Arthur He slew the two Sons of Mordred King of the Picts the one at the Altar in St. Paul's London the other at Winchester to which places they were fled for Sanctuary but himself was afterwards slain by Aurelius Conatus his Successor he began his Reign Anno 542. and reigned 3 years 7. Aurelius Conatus This man put several of his Subjects to death imprisoned his Vncle and slew his two Sons for no cause at all but because they were lawful Heirs between him and the Crown he began his Reign Anno 545. and reigned 33 years 8. Vortiporus He is recorded by some to have fought several Battels with the Saxons and to be a Valiant Defender of his Country but Guildas accuses him of Murthers on his own Kin and Adulteries He began his Reign Anno 578. and reign'd 3 years 9. Malgo Canonus Nephew to the last King he is branded with the sin of Sodomy and the murder of his Vncle And Guildas calls him a Tawny Butcher a Bear a Contemner of Religion and an Oppressor of the Clergy words as unfit for a Clergy-man to give as a King to bear Some say That hereupon he out of Remorse of Conscience betook himself to a Monastery but quickly threw off his Cowl again and ended his life in his former desperate Courses He was a comely person and began his Reign Anno 581. and reign'd 5 years 10. Careticus He was forced to fly into Chichester for his safety to which place the Saxons and one Gurmund a great Pirate followed him and by a Stratagem of tying fire to the feet of Sparrows they lighting amongst some dry Straw set the City on fire and consumed it But Careticus escaping hence ended his Life in the Mountains in Wales whither he was fled He began his Reign Anno 586. and reigned 3 years 11. Cadwan This Man after 24 years Civil Dissention was made King during which Stirs Augustine the Monk sent hither by Pope Gregory to convert the Saxons carrying himself too high at a Meeting with the British Bishops at a place thereupon called Austin's-Oak in Worcester-shire no Agreement could be made amongst them upon which Account through Austin's means as is thought a Massacre was executed upon the harmless Monks at Bangor 2000 of them being slain by the wicked Ethelfride King of Northumberland Whereupon Cadwan and Ethelfride met in the Field for Battel but a Peace was concluded on and Amity continued during these King's lives This King began his Reign Anno 613. and reigned 22 years 12. Cadwallo He was Son to Cadwan he warred strongly against the Saxons and joined with Penda the Pagan King of the Mercians who together slew good King Edwine of Northumberland and his Son Prince Offride the two Apostates also Osrick and Eaufride Kings of Deira and Bernicia were slain by Cadwallo He began his Reign Anno 635. and reigned 48 years 13. Cadwallader Son to Cadwallo In his time there was such a Famine and Pestilence that the Living were scarce able to bury the Dead which continued the space of 11 years so that the Land became desolate and the King left the Land and went to his Cosin Allan King of Little Britain in France The Saxons taking Advantage of these Miseries lamentably oppressed the poor Britains to whose Aid Cadwallader was intended once to return but afterwards being over-swayed by contrary thoughts and diverted by a Dream he went on Pilgrimage to Rome and receiving the Habit of Religion from Pope Sergius he there died and was interred with whom died all the Hopes of the Britains and so the Saxons became Soveraign Lords and Masters of this Island This King began his Reign Anno 685. and reigned about 4 years CHAP. VI. Of the Saxon Princes who incroached upon one anothers Territories and so became Petty Monarcks of some certain Countries only in Britain They are accounted to be about 14 as followeth 1. CHeuline He fought against Ethelbert King of Kent and at Wimbledon defeated his Army and flew two of his Dukes and this is said to be the first Battel that was among the Saxons themselves he gave a great Overthrow also to the Britains shortly after at Bedford and surprised four of their Towns Liganburgh Ailsbury Bensington and Evesham And about six years after he fought the Britains again at Deorham and slew Coinmagil Candigan and Farmnagil three of the British Kings surprising also three of their Cities Gloucester Bath and Cirencester And not long after this encountring the Britains again at Wodnesbeoth he was there put to flight and his Son Prince Cuth slain this Victory was obtained aagaist him by the help of the Saxons under the Command of Cealrick Chewline's Nephew This King began his Reign Anno 561 reigned 33 years to whom we give the place of the first petty Monarch 2. Ethelbert In this King's time it was that Gregory Arch-Deacon of Rome did see some Youths of this Island there to be sold and seeing them very fair he demanded from whence they came it was told him from Britain out of the Province De Ira Ah! said he It is
great pity but their Country should be delivered de Ira Dei from the wrath of God And afterwards Gregory being made Pope he sent Augustine the Monk and forty others in his company to this Island about the year 596. And their first Address was to this King Ethelbert who allowed them Canterbury for their part with Liberty to convert as many of his Subjects as they could so here they Preached and it is reported that ten thousand were Baptized by them in one day And the King seeing their holy Lives and Doctrine was also converted and Baptized Anno 596 and about the 36 year of his Age and fourth year of his Reign and afterwards he bestowed Canterbury on Austine After this Austine calls a Synod and 7 British Bishops came to the Synod buâ— refused to associate themselves with Austine they disgusting his Pride so shortly after this a great contention arose between Augustine and these British Bishops about the Feast of Easter but at length they were reconciled and it was agreed that the Feast should be kept the first Sabbath after the first full Moon in the first month which was afterwards Ratified by the Nicene Council This King was the only means of the Conversion of Sebert King of the East-Angles and assisted him in the building of St. Pauls Church in London this Ethelbert built also the Church of St. Andrews in Rochester And at his instigation a Citizen of London built the Church of St. Peter on the West-side of London in a place called the Island of Thorns now called Westminster and it was so called because this Minster stood Westward of St. Pauls some say this St. Peters was built by King Sebert and being grown ruinous in tract of time Edward the Confessor Rebuilt it and liberally endowed it This Ethelbert was the fift King of Kent and second petty Monarch he began his Reign Anno 595 as Monarch and reigned 23 years having reigned thirty three years before this King of Kent 3. Redwald This King turned an Apostate after he had received Baptism and Edwine King of Northumberland flying to him for succour he intended to Murther him but was with-held by his Wife And afterwards giving his Assistance to Edwine against Ethelfride of Northumberland they gave him Battel and slew him and Edwine gained thereby the Kingdom and Crown This Redwald was third King of the East-Angles and 3 Monarch he began his Reign Anno 616 and reigned eight years 4. Edwine This King subdued all the Costs of Britain and added the Islands of the Hebrides to his Dominions but the then West-Saxons King envying Edwine's success sent one Eumerus to murther him who being with the King on Easter day and intending to run him thorow he was prevented by one Lilla who interposing his body was there slain this gave occasion to Edwine afterwards to march against the West-Saxons and to destroy all those who had a hand in this Conspiracy And now the King causes all the Idol Temples to be destroyed and received Baptism from Paulinus at York in the Cathedral there which was then of Wood but he caused it to be built of fair stone Anno Domini 627 and made Paulinus Bishop thereof but at length this King was slain in Battel by Penda King of Mercia and Cadwallo King of the Britains at which time Prince Ofride Edwin's Son was also slain This Edwine was 9 King of Northumberland and the fourth petty Monarch he began his Reign Anno 626 and reigned 7 years 5. Oswald He slew Cadwallo King of the Britains and the greatest part of his Army at Deniseburn And through this King's means and Adian a Scotch Bishop abundance of his Subjects received Baptism in Landisfarn or Holly-Island where the Bishop Preached in Scotch and the King did interpret to the People But the King afterwards going against Penda the Mercian King he was slain in Battel at Oswaltree in Shrop-shire and Penda after he was slain malice raging after Death caused him to be torn in pieces This Oswald was the eleventh King of Northumberland and fifth petty Monarch he began his Reign Anno 634 and reigned nine years 6. Oswye He fought with Oswine of Deira at Wilfairs-Down and made him fly the Field and repairing to one Earl Hundwald for safety he was by him betrayed into the hands of Oswye who flew him he also joined Battel with Ethelbald Son of Oswald and Egbert King of the East-Angles who had united their forces with Penda King of Mercia and all these he encountred near Leeds in York-shire where he gave them a great Overthrow slaying Penda and Ethelbert and thirty Dukes and Leaders causing also Ethelbald to make use of his heels for his safety being put to flight It was this King that decided the long Controversy for the celebration of Easter and founded the Cathedral Church in Litchfield for a Bishop's Sea This Oswye was the twelfth King of Northumberland and sixth petty Monarch he began his Reign Anno 643 and reigned 28 years 7. Wolfere he conquer'd the West-Saxons and won the Isle of Wight from King Remald and gave it to Edilwach King of the South-Saxons whose God-Father he was when he was Baptized Some say He gave it to Sigesbert King of the East-Angles upon Condition that he should be Baptized This Wolfere before his Conversion slew his own two Sons because they were Baptized contrary to his knowledg but repenting afterwards he caused all Heathenish Temples to be converted into Churches for the true Worship of God It is said that he first founded the Abby-Church in Peterburgh This Wolfere was the sixth King of Mercia and seventh petty Monarch he began his Reign as Monarch Anno 671 and reigned 4 years 8. Ethelred Much Blood was spilt in his Wars against Kent and neither Churches nor Abbies escaped his Fury for he destroyed that Kingdom In his time were two blazing Stars seen for three Months together at that time he at the instance of his Wife put Wilfridus out of his Bishoprick of Northumberland and at last resigned his Crown to his Nephew Kenred being lawful heir to it from whom he had usurped it and being strucken with remorse of Conscience for the Blood he had spilt he turned Monk and died This Ethelred was the 7 King of Mercia and 8 petty Monarch He began his Reign Anno 675 and reigned twenty nine years 9. Kenred After four years peaceable Reign he assigned his Crown to his Cosin Ethelred and took his journy to Rome with Offa King of the East-Saxons and Edwine Bishop of Winchester where he was shorn Monk and died This Kenred was the eight King of Mercia and ninth petty Monarch his Reign began Anno 704 and he reigned four years 10. Chelred He had a troublesome Reign being constantly in War against Inas the West-Saxon who was a great emulator of his Glory This Chelred was 9 King of Mercia and tenth petty Monarch He began his Reign Anno 709 and reigned 7 years 11. Ethelbald He
besieged Somerton and won it and invading the Northumbers brought away great spoil which gave occasion to Cuthred the West-Saxon to fight him giving him the foyl at Burford and afterwards encountring Cuthred a second time he was treacherously slain by his own Subjects near Tanworth in Warwick-shire at the procurement of one Bernred one of their Leaders who thought thereby to gain the Crown to himself This King founded the Monastery of Crowland as some Authors affirm This Ethelbald was the tenth King of Mercia and eleventh petty Monarch he began to Reign Anno 716 and reigned 42 years 12. Offa His first War was with Alrick King of Kent whom he slew at Otteford and afterwards marching from South to North he made Havock of all before him to Humber and at his return overthrew Kenwolf and his West-Saxons near Merton whither he was going to visit his Paramour he caused a great Ditch to be cast between England and Wales which is still called Offa's ditch and the Welsh presuming to throw down some part thereof he thereupon entred their Territories with an Army and slew Marmodius their King and all his Associates His last Wars were against the Danes who had invaded England and were by him with their no small loss forced back to their Ships to this King was sent a Book of the Decrees of the Second Council of Nice for a present from Charles King of France And now growing weary of his Government he made his Son Egfride King and gave the Pope Peter-pence out of his Dominions after the example of Inas And so going to Rome he gave Pope Hadrian the first ample and Rich Gifts for canonizing Albane the Protomartyr of England for a Saint At his return he built the Monastery of St. Abane and in Testimony of Repentance for the Blood he had spilt he gave the tenth part of his goods to Church-men and the poor This Offa was the eleventh Mercian King and twelfth petty Monarch his Reign began Anno 758. and he ruled 39 years 13. Egfride He restored the Church to all her antient Priviledges which his Father had deprived her of This Egfride was twelfth King of Mercia and 13 petty Monarch his Reign was short about four Months only he began his Reign Anno Domini 797. 14. Kenwolfe He warred against Kent and took Ethelbert the third King of Kent of that name Prisoner giving the Kingdom to Cuthred but afterwards building a goodly Church at Winchcomb in Glucestershire upon the day of the Dedication he led Pren to the high Altar and there in the presence of 13 Bishops and ten Dukes and many other Nobles he released him and set him at liberty And now each of these petty Monarchs having striven which of them could extend and inlarge his Limits furthest at length this succeeding Egbert brought the seven headed Fountain of their Heptarchy to run in one Channel of an intire Monarchy This Kenwolf was the thirteenth King of Mercia and last of the petty Monarchs He began his Reign Anno Domini seven hundred ninety seven and reigned twenty two years CHAP. VII Of those 15 Saxon Princes who were accounted sole Monarchs of this Kingdom of ENGLAND 1. EGbert He gained Rule over all the seven Kingdoms of the Saxons and so became sole Monarch of England which none of them before him ever was he had fourteen years War with the Cornish and Welsh and took West-Chester their chief Hold from them making a strict Law against all those should dare to enter over Offa's Ditch or set one Foot within his English Dominions He slew Bernulf King of Mercia in Battel and drove the King of Kent out of his Kingdom the Eastangles and East-Saxons also submitted to him with the South-Saxons also whereupon he caused himself to be Crowned absolute Monarch at Winchester And this Monarchy continued in the Saxons till the Danes first got and then lost it again and the Saxon's issue upon the next entrance thereof failing it then fell to the Normans This Egbert first gave the name of ENGLAND to this Country and named the Inhabitants English In the fourteenth year of his Monarchy the Danes with 33 Ships landed in England to whom he gave Battel but had the worst of the day loosing two of his chief Captains and two Bishops hardly escaping himself And the second year after they landed in Wales with whom joined the Welsh but at this time fortune not always frowning he overcame both parties and in the last of his Reign the Danes sacked the Island of Shippy near Kent and with much ado were expelled This Egbert was the 17 King of the West-Saxons and first sole Monarch of England He began his Reign as Monarch Anno 819 and reigned 17 years 2. Ethelwolf This King was made Bishop of Winchester before his Father Egbert's Death and was in a manner constrained by his Clergy to take upon him the Government And so he bestowed his Bishoprick on Swithin his Tutor after several Bickerings with the Danes at length he gave them a great overthrow at Ocley he freed Church Lands from all Tribute and regal Services And going to Rome he there confirmed Peter-Pence and at his return he gave yearly to Rome 300 Marks for a requital of his kind reception there This Ethelwolf was eldest Son to Egbert and the 2 sole Monarch of England He began his Reign Anno 837 and reigned about 20 years 3. Ethelbald He was eldest Son to Ethelwolf by his first Wife Osburga his Butler's Daughter he was with his Father in several of the Battels against the Danes but all his good and valiant Actions were blasted by his taking of Judith his Stepmother the King of France his Daughter and his Fathers second Wife to his Imbraces for he was suddenly snatch away by the hand of Providence for this incestuous Marriage after whose Death Lady Judith returning to her Father was intercepted by the way and forced by Baldwine Forrester of Ardema who at length appeasing her Father was by him made Earl of Flanders from whom and this Judith descended Maud the Wife of our William the Conqueror This Ethelbald was the third sole Monarch of England He began his Reign Anno Domini 857 and reigned two years 4. Ethelbert He was never out of Wars but constantly pestered with those devouring Locusts the Danes And landing one time they destroyed Winchester but a great part of them were slain before they could recover their Ships again This Ethelbert was second Son of Ethelwolf and fourth sole Monarch of England he began to Rule Anno 860 and Ruled 5 years 5. Ethelred The Danes in his time began to over-run the whole Country and being Pagans spoiled all before them pulling down Monasteries and Abbyes and defiling the Virgins to evade which Disgrace the Virgins of Coldingham cut off their own Noses and upper lips to make themselves appear distastful to these leacherous Pagans These cruel Fellows under the Command of Hungar and Hubba their two Dukes in their
began his Reign Anno 979 and reigned 37 years 15. Edmund He was Sirnamed Ironside He gave the Danes several Battel overthrew them and raised the Siege at London he worsted Canutus 4 times at least in the plain Field and had in all likelihood rid England of him if the Traitor Edrick and others of the Perfidious Clergy and Nobility had not secretly assisted him Edmund fought a single Duel with Canutus the Dane and dangerously wounded him whereupon Canutus desisted and cried out to King Edmund saying What need is there for us thus to indanger our Lives if thou consent to divide the Kingdom between us we shall then be at peace and like two Brothers which thing Edmund consented unto and did accept of Canute for his Co-partner in the Kingdom But not long after Edmund being easing of himself he was by Duke Edrick that Grand Traytor thrust into the Fundament with a sharp Spear and his head cut off and presented to Canute as an acceptable Sacrifice as was hoped but he detesting such Traiterous Villany caused Edricks head to be chopt off and to be advanced upon a Pole above the rest of his Fellows as it was promised him an advancement fit for the betrayers of their King and Country And now the Saxons Monarchy by the Death of Edmund being drawn to a Period and the Standard of their Government overthrown The Danes began to Advance the Banner of their Conquest and after King Edmund's Death displayed it in open Field none being able to withstand them so they made themselves sole Masters of the Island after it had been in Possession of the Saxons about 566 years it was a long time after the Danes first entrance before they became sole Monarchs thereof This Edmund was third Son of Ethelfrid and the fifteenth sole Monarch of England his Reign began Anno 1016 and he reigned about 1 year CHAP. VIII Of the Danes and their Conquest of Britain with the memorable Accidents happening during the time of those three Danish Monarchs who ruled here THE Original of these Danes is thought by some to be from the Scythians but others rather think to come from Scandia an Island scituate Northward not far from the Continent of Denmark As to their Religion it was much alike to that of the Saxons Their first Invasion was about the year 787 and about 230 years after they became sole Masters of England which Sovereignty continued but about twenty four years which they had struggled for above two hundred years Their Succession of Monarchs were these three following 1. Canutus He was Son to Swanus and was Crowned at London by Livingus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury he sent Edward and Edmund the two Sons of Edmund Ironside the last Saxon Monarch to his Brother the King of Sweeden to be made away but he abhorring the Fact transferred them to the King of Hungary And now he marries Emma King Ethelreds Widdow by whose Counsel he wrested 82000 Pounds out of his Subjects to give those lazy Danes that were sent packing to Denmark there being then no more need for them here He called a Parliament at Oxford and enacted several good Lawes which are to be seen in several old Chronicles and too large here to be incerted He is said to be an Enemy to Dissemblers Traytors and Flatterers for on a time he caused himself to be placed in a Chair where the Sea ebbs and flows at Southampton and commanded the Sea that it should not swell so as to wet his Feet but the disobedient Sea the Tide then coming out presently dashed up to his Thighs whereupon he started up and said to the Flatterers who had extoll'd his greatness to be unmatchable You see all the might and power of Kings is but vanity for none is worthy to have the name of King but he that hath allâ— things subject to his Laws And so after that time as some Authors affirm he would never suffer the Crown to come on his head but set it on the Crucifix head at Winchester In the third year of his Reign he went into Denmark and chased from thence the Vandalls who had invaded that Kingdom And at length he went on Pilgrimage to Rome and is Recorded for a very good Man setting aside his intention to have murthered King Edmunds two Sons This Canutus was the 16 sole Monarch of England He began his Reign Anno 1017. and reigned eighteen years he was buried in the old Monastery at Winchester 2. Harrold He was so swift that he was called Harefoot Earl Goodwine was against his coming to the Crown but the Londoners and Lords on the North side of Thames were for him and prevailed he by Treachery of Goodwine afterwards got the two Sons of Emma Edward and Alfride the last of which had his eyes put out and his Belly opened and one end of his Bowels drawn out and fastned to a Stake and then he was pricked with sharp poiniards and forced round about the Stake till all his Intralls were wound out He caused also Queen Emma to be banished and her goods to be confiscate but the Earl of Flandâ—rs received her honourably This Harrold was the Second Son of Canutus and the seventeen sole Monarch of England he began his Reign Anno 1036 he reigned four years and was buried at Westminster as Mr. Stow affirms 3. Hardicanute He was Crowned at London by Elnothus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He caused the body of his half Brother Harrold to be digged out of his Grave and thrown into the Thames after he had first cut off his Head but some Fishers finding the body buried it decently in St. Clements without Temple Bar this Hardicanute was a great Epicure and had his Tables spread four time dayly and furnished with Dainties for the satisfying of his greedy Appetite through the Perswasions of Earl Goodwine he raised the Sum of 32147 pounds in England for the payment of his Fleet which greatly distasted his Subjects the thing desired by Earl Goodwine two of the Collectors of this Money were slain at Worcester for which offence their City was set on Fire The King Drinking freely at a Wedding in Lambeth got a Surfeit and died some say he was choaked at Dinner there but certain it is he died and with him dyed the Danes Monarchy over England and it fell again to the Saxons for Edward the Seventh Son of Ethelred by Emma his Queen was sent for out of Normandy by the English and was made King which thing was brought about by Earl Goodwines means and Leofrick Earl of Chester This Hardicanute was third Son of Canutus and eighteenth sole Monarch of England He began to Reign Anno 1040 And reigned about two years he was buried at Winchester CHAP. IX Of the Saxons Re-entry again to the Monarchy of England after the Danes Conquest THis new Possession of the Saxons was but of short Continuance till William the Norman Duke came and made a Forceable Entry upon them and though his Entry were
sending forth his spies they were taken and presented to the Duke who caused them to be sent from Tent to Tent and Feasted and then released them And now the Duke entring the plain where the King was sent a Monk to him to demand the Kingdom or otherwise for the avoiding the effusion of much blood to try it by single Combate or else to hold the Kingdom under him Harrold's Answer was It should be tried by more Swords than one So the next day being the 14 of October 1066 on a Saturday They marshalled their Armies and Trumpets sounding to Battel at the first encounter the Normans had the worst of it and the English thinking they had run dis-ranked themselves for persuit which as soon as the Duke perceived he rallied his men and sell in desperately again and then slew the dis-ranked English on heaps among which King Harrold paid his last Breath to the fury of the Conqueror having an Arrow shot into his Brains and with him died Girth and Leofine his two Brothers and most of the English Nobles and 97974 Soldiers the Duke had three Horses slain under him yet received no harm himself In this same place the Conqueror afterwards built an Abby and called it Battel-Abby And now Aldrede Archbishop of York counselled the People to chuse young Edgar Atheling King being the true lawful Heir to the Crown but it came to nothing for with the determination of Harrold's Reign ceased the Royal blood of the Saxons whose Kings made England an Heptarchy and afterwards had reduced it to a glorious Monarchy and had been Kings and Monarchs thereof from Hengists first Possession of the Kingdom of Kent till Harrold's Deaths about 587 years but Authors agree not in the Computation some accounting more and some less This King Harrold was the Son of Goodwine Earl of Kent by his Wife Sitha Sister to Swain the younger King of Denmark he was the 20 sole Monarch of England And began his Reign Anno 1065 and Reigned about 9 Months and nine days he was slain the 14 of October 1066 at Battel-Field in Sussex and was buried at Waltham in Essex CHAP. X. Of England's Conquest by the Normans and first of William the Conqueror THese Normans who by the Sword gained the Diadem of England and were the last Conquerors thereof in whose Line the Monarchy of England is still continu'd were antiently a mixt Nation with the Warlike Norwegians Swedens and Danes and took their Name from that Northern Climate antiently called Cimbrica Chersonesus and Norway but the Country being thought to be too little for these People Rollo a Famous Noble Norman with many others in his Company betook themselves to Sea to seek Fortunes Court and having practised some Piracies upon the Coasts of Belgia Frizia England and Ireland at length they became so fearful to the French that Charles the Simple King of France gave to Rollo his Daughter Gilla in Marriage with the Dutchy of Normandy And this Duke Rollo was Proavus or Great Grandfather to Richard the Fifth Duke of Normandy which Richard was Elder Brother to Robert Father to this WILLIAM the Famous Conqueror of England whose Famous Actions and Memorable Things we shall now proceed to Treat of After the Fight at Battle-Field Duke William hasted towards London wasting as he went the Counties of Kent Sussex Surry Hampshire and Bark-shire he crost Thames at Wallingford and so marched thorow the Counties of Oxford Buckingham and Hartford And at Barkhampstead he made a Stop to which place repaired Aldred Archbishop of York Wolstan Bishop of Winchester Walter Bishop of Hereford the Earls Edwin and Morcar and Edgar Atheling the Heir to the Crown and here did their Allegiance to the Duke And so marching for London he was stopt at St. Albans by Fredrick Abbot thereof On Christmas-day following he was Crowned at Westminster by Aldred Arch-bishop of York And now considering how to secure the Realm from Invasions he thought it expedient first to fortifie the Cinque Ports and so taking his March towards Dover at the Instigation of Stigand Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Eglesine Abbot of Saint Austines he was surprized by the Kentish men who carrying Boughs and Branches of Trees in their hands they seemed like a Walking Wood which sight so afrighted the Conqueror that he granted their Requests to have all their Ancient Customs whereupon they yielded up to him their Earldom of Kent and Castle of Dover The Conqueror was kind also to the Londoners suffering them to injoy their Priviledges they had in Edward the Confessor's time Shortly after this the Conqueror sailed to Normandy to settle his Affairs there taking with him several English Nobles whose greatness he feared in his Absence for Pledges and making his half Brother Otho Bishop of Bayeux Earl of Kent and William Fitz-Osburne Earl of Hereford to whose Trust he left the Government of the Kingdom till his Return In whose Absence the Welsh rebelled and wasted all to the Mouth of Wye these Stirs called the Conqueror back again who at his Return gave the Lands of the English to his Normans And the English thus turned out of their Estates fell so to Rob and Pillage that the High-wayes between one Town and another lay unfrequented The Earls Edwin and Morcar and Edgar Atheling with his Mother and Sister and several other English Nobles fled into Scotland to King Malcolm to whom the Conqueror sent desiring him to send back for England Edgar Atheling but Malcolm having married his Sister denied him and kept him notwithstanding all King William's Threats And now the Conqueror still going on in his Oppressions of the English he caused every House-houlder to put out both Fire and Candle at eight a Clock at Night to which purpose there was a Bell rung in every City Town or Village by the French called Cover few that is Cover Fire In the Second year of his Reign Goodwine and Edmund two of King Harrold's Sons invaded the Realm out of Ireland and took away great Bootys And the year after the English in the North slew 700 Normans but some of the Authors of the Rebellion being taken had some of them their Heads cut off and other their hands And now Swain King of Denmark assisted the English with 300 Sail of Ships fraught with Soldiers who under Command of Osburne Swaine's Brother and his own two Sons Harrold and Canute arriv'd in Humber and marched for York at whose Approach the Yorkists were so dismay'd that they set their own City on fire and the Minster of St. Peters being then consum'd Aldred their Archbishop died with greif At his time were 3000 Normans slain but the King hearing of these Stirs took his March into the North and after he had overthrown the Enemy he was so inraged at the Northern Disturbers that he spoil'd their Country lying all level with the ground for Threescore miles between York and Durham which lying untilled for nine years space caused such a Famine
the Husband of the Empress shortly after this Earl Robert the Empress Brother was taken Prisoner by some of the King's party who had escaped from Lincoln who carrying him to Gloucester there imprisoned him and growing at length weary of his Irons and hard Lodging he and the King were released one in Liew of the other The Earl after his Releasment went for Normandy to raise more aid but in the mean while King Stephen besieged the Empress in Oxford where she was brought to such a straight that she was forced to fly by Night with some of her Company Disguised getting over the Thames on the Ice it being then Winter from which place they ran on Foot through Snow and Ditches to Abbington being about five miles and here they took Horse and got to Wallingford-Castle And by this time Earl Robert and Prince Henry the Empress Son were landed at Warran-haven from whence they got to the Empress but she at length being wearied with the various success of War and never out of Troubles left England and returned to her Husband into Normandy having sent her Son Henry thither before her At Lincoln the King after the Empress Departure caused all the Barrons to swear Allegiance to Prince Eustace Stephen's Son And Theobald Arch-Bishop of Canterbury refusing to consecrate Eustace King was forced to fly into Normandy for his safety and the King seized all his Possessions no King before Stephen's time durst enter Lincoln being frighted with the Foolish Prophesies of some Wizards After this Henry the Empress's Son entered England again and was met by the King whose Armies had joined in Battel but that the Winter Storms prevented them and so a Truce was concluded which thing was very displeasing to Prince Eustace who not long after died of a Frenzy After his Death a Peace was concluded and the King adopted Prince Henry the Empress's Son for his Heir and Successor In the last year of the King's Reign a little before his Death was seen the Sign of the Cross in the Moon This Stephen was King of England and Duke of Normandy he was the Third Son of Stephen Earl of Bloyce by his Wife Adilicia or Alice third Daughter to William the Conquerour His Reign began on Munday the second day of December Anno Domini eleven hundred thirty five and he reign'd eighteen years ten moneths and twenty dayes and was the twenty fourth sole Monarch of England He died of the Illiack-Passion mixed with his old Disease the Emmeroyds in the Monastery of the Monks at Dover on Munday the twenty fifth day of October Anno Domini eleven hundred fifty four his Body was buried at Feaversham in Kent in an Abby of his own founding In the fourth year of this King's Reign was the second Lateran Council Innocent the II. Pope CHAP. XIV Of King Henry the Second sometimes called Henry Fitz-Empress THis Henry was three times crowned first by Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster then at Lincoln and lastly at Worcester His Privy Council he chose of the gravest Peers and Thomas Becket his Chancellor About the 5 of his Reign 30 Waldenses or thereabouts being come into England were persecuted by a Council of Bishops held at Oxford and by the King's Command all persons were prohibited to give them any Food whereby they miserably perished And now the King and Malcolm King of Scots entered Amity upon the same Conditions as were agreed upon in Henry the first 's time And in Token of his Subjection the King of Scots offered his Hat and Saddle upon St. Peters Altar in York and there left them About this time the Jews crucified a Child at Gloucester And now Theobald dying Becket the Chancellor was made Archbishop of Canterbury and he denied to take the Oath for observation of the Articles administred to the Clergy which the rest of the Bishops had taken and were clearly against the Pope's Authority Hereupon the Contention between the King and Becket grew so hot that the Pope sent Philip his Almoner to perswade the Bishop to swear who at his Request took the Oath Anno 1163. London-Bridge was made a new of Timber by one Peter the Priest of Cole-church And now Becket standing several times in Opposition against the King at length was condemned of Perjury and being called to hear his Sentence as a Traytor he made shift to escape in Disguise into Flanders by the Name of Deerman Now the King sends his Embassadors to the Pope requesting him to send two of his Cardinals to judge the Case the Pope returned Answer That he would Judg him himself when he saw Cause upon the Receit of this Answer the King made an Order that all the Clergy that were with the Pope or did Appeal to Rome should have their Livings sequestred and banished all the Kinred of Becket Man Woman Child and Suckling And now the King stoutly withstood all the Popes Threats Edicts and Bulls denying also the payment of Peter-pence And Roger Archbishop of York at the King's Command in Contempt of Becket crowned Henry the King's Son But Becket after 7 years Banishment was again reconciled to the King and restored to his former Dignity During these Stirs there was one Gilbert Foliott Doctor of Divinity in Oxford who perswaded the King to curb the Pride of the Clergy and this Doctor often reprooved proud Becket to his Face for which he was much hated and persecuted Now Becket at his second Entrance on his Bishoprick excommunicated several Prelates And King Henry being in Normandy and hearing hereof chanced to speak some words against the Bishop which moved four of his Courtiers to sale for England where in the Church of Canterbury they murthered Bishop Becket Anno 1170. He was afterwards canonized by the Pope and is reputed amongst those of the Romish perswasion for a great Saintâ— He was by Birth a Londoner his Mother a Sarazen and by Profession he was a Civilian After the King returned for England Robert Fitz-Stephen a valliant man without the King's Knowledg sailed for Ireland where he became Conqueror of several Strong-holds But the King himself who had it in his Thoughts long before to make a Conquest thereof sailed thither and imprisoned Fitz-Stephen who had made way for the King's Conquest After some Skirmishes the King conquered Ireland and established Religion there and built also a Magnificent Castle at Dublin and so returned for England About this time it was ordained That Men should make their Testaments in presence of their Neighbours And if the Man that died had Wife and Children he was to cast up what he owed to other men and to Servants for their Wages And then the rest of his Goods were to be divided into Three Parts one part to his Children another part to his Wife and the third part for his Burial and to Pious Vses After this the King sailed to Normandy whither the Pope had sent two Cardinals to take the King's Purgation for Becket's Death His
great number of Houses at Winchelsey The King wanting more Money called a Parliament to supply him but was denied whereupon he sold his Jewels Plate and other precious Stuff shortning the allowance also of his House and inviting himself sometimes to one Nobleman's Table and sometimes to another And Alexander King of Scotland coming to York there Married Margaret the Kings Daughter to whose Marriage-Feast the Arch-Bishop of York gave 600 fat Oxen which were all spent at the first Service Not long after this Prince Edward the Kings eldest Son went into Spain and married the Kings Sister whereupon the Spanish King quitted all his claim to Gascoign to King Henry who gave his Son Edward upon his Marriage Gascoin Wales Bristow Stanford and Grantham the year after the Prince with his Wife and Royal Retinue landed at Dover And now also Edmund the King's Son was honoured by the Pope with the empty Title of King of Sicily Anno 1225 Seabald Arch Bishop of York was prosecuted by the Pope for Preaching and writing against his Holiness's Pride And this year 142 Jews were brought to Westminster who were accused and 18 of them hanged for Crucifying a Child at Lincoln and the rest kept Prisoners And now the King again perceiving his Coffers to be empty caused sharp Orders to be made against Sheriffs for the passing their Accompts in the Exchequer And about this time came the Germain Ambassadors with an Embassy to Richard Earl of Cornwall the King's Brother wherein they declared That their Masters the Princes Electors of the Roman Empire had made choice of him for King which he after much Consultation accepted on And now the Barrons fall into Rebellion again and a Parliament being called at Oxford thither they repaired and behaved themselves very Insolently towards their Sovereign hereupon the King sailed into France and there compounded with the French King that he should hold the Dukedom of Normandy and Earldom of Anjou Mayne Touraign and Poictue for 300000 pounds of Touraigne and on promise to receive other Lands of the value of 20000 l. per annum Anno 43 of the King a Jew at Teukesbury fell into a Privy upon Saturday and refused to be helped out because it was their Sabboth whereupon the Earl of Gloucester kept him in all Sunday too and on Monday he was dead About this time Dr. Strenham wrote that Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures were only necessary to Salvation Now the King of France being Umpire between Henry and his Barrons he gave Judgment for the King and the Barrons denying to stand to his Sentence the King gave them Battel near Nottingham where they received a great Overthrow and Simon Mountforth Son to the Earl of Leicester the chief Rebell and many other Barrons Knights and Esquires were taken After this Overthrow the Barrons sent Letters twice to the King desiring to be reconciled but could not be heard which provoked them to fight the King's Army again at which time the Fortune of the day fell to the Barrons for they took the King and his Brother Richard King of the Romans and some other great Peers and the next day their two eldest Sons yielded themselves Prisoners And now Earl Mountforth Joyful of the Victory proceeded to the Imprisonment of the King of the Romans his Son and the Prince in Dover but this budding happiness of the Earl's was quickly cropped for the Earl of Gloucester and he differing about parting of the Prey the Earl of Gloucester thereupon opposed the current of Leicester's Fortune with whom joined the Prince escaped out of Prison and several other Nobles and at Everssham in Worcestershire they overthrew Leicesters Army and he being there slain had his Head cut off and sent to Worcester and his Hands and Feet were chopt off and all those on his party disinherited and London is threatned to be burnt by the King for taking the Barrons part Shortly after this John de Warren Earl of Surrey killed Allan de Zouch in Westminster-Hall upon some distaste taken Anno 1264 there were 700 Jews slain in London because one of them would have forced a Christian Man to have paied more than two pence for the Usury of 20 shillings the week and the year 1269 the Thames was so hard frozen that Men and Cattel passed over from Lambeth to Westminster upon the Ice About this time it was that Prince Edward took his Voyage for the Holy-War and Roger-Bacon a famous Divine of Oxford was Imprisoned by the Pope for Preaching against the Absurdities in the Church of Rome Anno 1271 the Steeple of Bow-Church in Cheap-side fell down and flew many People Men and Women and the year after was a great Riot in Norwich through which the Monastery of the Trinity was burned whereupon the King rode down thither and after enquiry made of the chief Actors caused 50 of them to be Hanged Drawn and Quartered and their Quarters to be burnt And now the King perceiving his Death to approach swore the Earl of Gloucester to keep the Realm for Prince Edward his Son This Henry III. was King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Guyain and Aquitain He was eldest Son to King John by Isabel his Queen Daughter and Heir of Aimery Earl of Angolisme his Reign began on wednesday the 19 of Octob. Anno 1216 and he reigned 56 years and 28 days and was the 28 sole Monarch of England he died at the Abby of St. Edmunds in Suffolk on Wednesday the 16 day of November Anno 1272 being in the 57 year of his Reign and 65 of his Age his body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XVIII Of King Edward the First commonly called Long-Shanks KING Edward was gone for the Holy-Land when the Crown fell to him Elianor his Queen being with him who at Acon in their Voyage was delivered of a Daughter and at that place her Husband was Wounded by a Trayterous Villain in three places of his Arm with a Poysoned knife all which Wounds after the Chyrurgions were wearied the Queen cured by licking out the Venom with her Tongue yet she thereby receiving no prejudice The news of his Father's Death coming to his Ear he forthwith returned and after his Arrival himself and Queen were Crowned by Robert Kilwarby Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and after this the King called a Parliament at Westminster which as some affirm were the first Statutes there made and Luellin Prince of Wales refusing to come to the Parliament King Edward thereupon went into Wales and built the Castle of Flint and Luellin made his Submission and gave the King 50000 pounds for Agreement and 10000 marks per Annum for the Island of Man But afterwards he had several Bickerings with the Welsh but at length reduced them to perfect Subjection and beheaded Luellin their Prince and his Brother David and set up their Heads upon the Tower at London He appointed Sheriffs for Wales and established the English Lawes amongst them Anno 1274 was the Second Council of
Leicester and from thence to Coventry where Warwick lay but durst not Fight him and so to Warwick whither the Duke of Clarence being come he and Edward became Friends and they marching to London where the Geates were set open every one crying King Edward Here Henry was again taken and sent Prisoner to the Tower the Earl of Warwick perceiving how things went found it was no time to be idle and therefore resolved to win or loose all by Battel and so marched towards London as far as Barnet King Edward pitching his Tents at Gladmore near Barnet to oppose him having at this time King Henry with him on Easter day they joyned Battel and Fortune sided with King Edward the Earl of Warwick and Lord Montacute his Brother were slayn and three Lords on King Edward's side and in all on both sides about 10000 besides several Nobles as the Duke of Somerset the Earls of Oxford and Exceter c. fled and took Sanctuary and afterwards proved Broachers of new Plots And now King Edward rid Triumphantly to London having King Henry still with him and about this very time landed Queen Margaret Henry's Wife and her Son Edward in England but hearing of the loss at Barnet field they took Asylum at the Abby of Ceerne to which place the Lords that fled from Barnet repaired who comforted the Queens heart with future hopes here forces repairing to them they flye from place to place and at length fought King Edward at Teuxsbury where three or four of the Chief of them as the Earl of Devonshire and Somersets Brother were slain and 3000 men besides and Prince Edward heir to Henry was taken and several Lords taking Sanctuary at Tewxsbury were nevertheless haled thence and beheaded and it is reported Prince Edward was basely murthered by the Duke of Gloucester and some of King Edwards Servants for speaking somewhat to boldly in the Kings Presence After this Queen Margaret was taken from Sanctuary and carryed Prisoner to Worcester and shortly after from thence to London after this the Lord Fawconberge Son to the Earl of Kent raised a confused Army of 17000 men for the Aide of King Henry but he was quickly curbed and fled to Sea And shortly after King Henry was stabbed to the heart by Crookt-back Richard Duke of Gloucester who as is shewed before was a main Instrument in Prince Edward's Murther it is recorded of King Henry that he had an honest mind a comely personage and was more like a Saint than a King now Queen Margaret being ransomed by her Father went beyond Seas to him and there languished away her dayes And after this all Henrys Friends being either banished or put to Death Edward was then at quiet and calling a Parliament all King Henry's Laws were Abrogated And about this time the Duke of Burgandy sent to desire King Edward's Assistance against King Lewis of France so the King went in Person with as great an Army as ever went out of England but he did Burgundy little good for he concluded a Peace with France on condition that Lewes should pay King Edward 70000 Ducats for his Charges and 50000 to be paid him yearly and that the Dauphin should marry Elizabeth his eldest Daughter and so returned for England About this time one John Huss suffered the flames on Tower hill for the profession of a good Faith and now all things being setled King Edward followed his pleasure and being on his Progress in Warwickshire he chanced to hunt in the Park of one Thomas Burdet Esq and killing store of Deer among the rest a white Buck was killed which Mr. Burdet hearing of he wished the horns in his belly that Councelled the King to kill him for which words he was beheaded at Tiburn And in those catching times a Jest of a Mercer in Cheapside telling his Son if he would ply his Book he should be Heir to the Crown meaning his own house that had that sign cost him his Life After this the Duke of Clarence being falsely Attainted and Condemned by Parliament he was shortly after drowned in a Butt of Malmsy in the Tower And James King of Scots about this time sent into England to dare King Edward to Fight who sent an Army under the Command of his Brother the Duke of Gloucester whereupon the Scots fainted and concluded Peace upon certain conditions and yielded up Barwick into the hands of the English out of whose possession it had been about 21 yeares After this the French breaking the Articles of Peace by the Dauphin's Marriage to Lady Margaret of Austrich Grand Child to the Emperour Frederick the King hereupon intended War against them but was prevented by Death Of those four Concubines King Edward delighted in Jane Shoare was not the least beloved by him This Edward the Fourth was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was Son to Richard Plantaginet Duke of York by his Wife Daughter to Richard Nevil Earl of Salisbury He began his Reign on Monday the fourth day of March Anno 1460. and Reigned 22 years 1 Moneth and 5 dayes and was the 36 Sole Monarch of England He dyed of a Surfeit at Westminster on Friday the 9 day of April Anno 1483 being the 40. year of his Age and 23 of his Reign His body buried at Winsor in the new Chappel whose was foundation himself laid CHAP. XXVI Of King Edward the Fifth THis King was never Crowned for at the very first his Uncle the Duke of Glocester began to think of deposing him drawing to his side the Duke of Buckingham and Lord Hastings they resolve forthwith to remove all the Queen's Friends from the King and to compass their Design they perswade the Queen that her son the King might come to London to his Coronation accompanied only with some few of his friends which she little suspecting what they aimed at easily condiscended unto and now they proceed to the taking of their Prey imprisoning the Lord Rivers the Queens Brother at Northampton they then hasted after the King to Story-Stratford whither he was gone on his way for London and here they made bold in the King's presence to arrest the Lord Richard Woodvile Sir Richard Grey and Sir Thomas Wagham and carried the King and all his company back to Northampton there displacing such of his Servants as they thought fit and putting others whom they pleased in their places Having thus far proceeded in their Design the perfidious Duke of Gloucester took upon himself the Order and Governance of the young King and sent Lord Richard Woodvile and the other two Knights to Pontefract Castle in York-shire where in Conclusion they were beheaded The Queen having notice of these proceedings betook her self with her Children to Sanctuary in Westminster where shortly after the Arch-Bishop of York then Lord Chancelour delivered her the Great Seal but afterwards considering of the Danger he might incur hereby sent for it again And now the Dukes of Gloucester and Buckingham coming to
and all this he did with such Impurity and Cruelty that many would rather Murther themselves than come or stay for the Rigour of his Sentence V. Claudius Drusius began his Reign Anno Domini 43. and reigned about 14 years in the sixth year of his Reign the Virgin Mary departed this life at her age of 〈◊〉 This Emperor sent Aulus Plaâ—tius Deputy into Britain to subdue those that had denied the Tribute to Rome but he after many â—kirmishes with Caractacus and after he had taken him was still in such fear of the Britains that he sent for the Emperor Drusius who was the second after Julius Cesar that came hither in person VI. Nero. This Emperor appointed Suetonius Deputy in Britain in whose time the Britains under the Command of Queen Boduo Wife to Patrusagus rebelled and slew 80000 Romans before they could be quieted again And she when she saw her Party fail rather than fall into the hands of her Enemies poisoned herself This Emperor began his Reign Anno Domini 57. and reigned about 14 years He put the Apostle St. Peter and St. Paul to death and raised great Persecutions against the Christians He caused his own Mother's Belly to be ripp'd open that he might see where he lay and he slew his wife Poppaea with a spurn or kick VII Sergius Galba He began his Reign An. Do. 70. reign'd 7 months following the wickedness of his Predecessor Nero he had his head struck off by a Soldier in his time 〈…〉 no War with Britain Mâ—ximâ—â—â— Deputy both in this and the succeeding Emperors time VIII Marcus Silvius Otho This Emperor's Reign being very short he had no War with the Britains He began his Reign An. Dom. 70. and reigned 3 months and 5. dayes IX Aulus Vitellius This Emperor had Peace with Britain and appointed Vectius Bolanus his Deputy This Emperor was a great Glutton He began his Reign Anno Domini 71. and after 8 Months Reign he was slain by Vespasian's Soldiers and thrown into the River Tiber. X. Flavius Vespasian In his time the Brigants and Sileurs rebelled here in Britain but were quickly quieted again by Julius Frontius and several of them slain Petilius being Deputy The famous City of Jerusalem was utterly destroyed by this Emperor He began his Reign Anno Domini 72. and reigned about 9 years XI Titus Vespasian He had peace with Britain and in the Second year of his Reign being forty years after our Saviour's Passion this Emperor after a streight and hard Siege won the City of Jerusalem and destroyed it leaving not one stone upon a stone unthrown down he began his Reign Anno 〈…〉 1 and reigned 2 years and about 3 months in his time Frontius was Deputy in Britain XII Domitian This Emperor began his Reign Anno Domini 83. and reigned about 15 years In his time began the second cruel Persecution against the Christians Julius Agricola the Deputy in Britain slew in Battel about 10 000 Britains who had rebelled and slain 340 Romans This Agricola was the first of the Romans that found out the Limits of Britain 136 years after Julius Cesar's first coming into Britain XIII Cocceius Nerva The Britains were quiet during this Emperor's time which was of no long continuance for he began his Reign Anno Domini 99. and reigned about 10 months he was so charitably disposed That he was called Pauperum Patronus XIV Trajanus In his time was the third Persecution against the poor Christians The Britains rebelling in his time were quickly overthrown by Spartianus This Emperor began his Reign Anno Domini 100. he reigned 21 years and about 6 months XV. Adrianus He began his Reign Anno Domini 121. and Reigned 22 years He had no War with the Britains Trebellius being then Deputy but he continued the Persecution against the Christians XVI Antonius Pius In his time the Brigants rebelling in Britain they were overthrown by Lollius Vrbicus the Deputy This Emperor by special Edict restrained the Persecution against the Christians he was a good man and is reported to be called Pater Virtutum he began his Reign Anno Domini 139. and reigned 23 years XVII Marcus Aurelius Now began another Persecution against the Christians but he had no War with Britain Agricola was his Deputy This Emperor began his Reign Anno Domini 162. and reigned 19 years XVIII Comodus In this Emperor's time reigned King Lucius in Britain who is the first King that out Histories makes mention of that embraced Christainity he was tributary to the Romans and was Son to King Coilus who built Colchester and was great grand Child to King Arviragus who married the Emperor Drusius's Daughter This King Lucius sent to Elutherus then Bishop of Rome Elvanus and Medvinus learned men of his own to receive some further Instrustructions from him in his Religion The Bishop sent him Faganus and Damianus with his Letter in these words YOu have received in the Kingdom of Britain by GOD's Mercy both the Law and Faith of CHRIST ye have both the Old and New TESTAMENT out of the same through GOD's Grace by the Advice of your Realm take a Law and by the same through GOD's Sufferance Rule you your Kingdom of Britain for in that Kingdom you are GOD's Vicar What could be more full than this where was then the Popes Supremacy but the Title was afterwards altered in this Sea but how the World both felt and lamented Vpon Receipt of these Instructions the King altered the three Arch-Flamins and twenty eight Flamins into so many Arch-Bishopricks and Bishopricks the Arch-Bishopricks were London York and Gloucester and now Idol Temples were destroyed and Priviledges and means were granted for honouring of sacred places then errected This Emperor began his Reign Anno Domini 182 and reigned thirteen years he had no War with Britain XIX Helvius Pertinax his Reign began Anno Domini 194 and he Reigned about eight Months he had Peace with the Britains Albinus being then Deputy XX. Didius Julianus This Emperors Reign being but of small continuance he had no War with Britain his Reign began Anno Domini 194. and continued about two Months his Deputy in Britain was Julius Severus XXI Septimus Severus In this Emperor's time the Calledonians Rebelled in Britain Heraclianus being Deputy so the Emperor came over in Person to quiet them and with cutting down of Woods building of Bridges and draining of Moors to follow the Enemy he lost about fifty thousand of his Romans notwithstanding he gave not over until he had conquered his Enemies and coming a second time into Britain Death Conquered him at York after he had Reigned eighteen years he began his Reign Anno Domini one hundred ninety five in his time the fifth Persecution against the Church did begin XXII Bassianus Caracalla This Emperor slew his Brother Geta who was coemperor with him he began his Reign Anno Domini 212 and reigned about six years he had no War with Britain XXIII Opilius Macrinus he had peace
with Britain and began his reign Anno Domini 218 and reigned about one year and two Months XXIV Heliogabilus This Emperour began his Reign Anno Domini 219 and reigned about four years he had no Wars with Britain but he was a great Whoremaster and incestuoussy lay with his own Mother XXV Alexander Severus he tollerated the Christians to live peaceably had no War with Britain he was slain by the Almain Souldiers having his eyes put out after he had Regned about thirteen years and six Months and seven days XXVI Maximinus This Emperour's Reign began Anno Domini 237. and continued three years he had no Wars with Britain The sixth Persecution of the Church of Chirst began in his time XXVII Julius Verus Maximus This Emperour was slain at the same time his Father was slain he was a beautiful person and his Company much desired by the Ladies whose suits he easily condescended to he had peace with the Britains XXVIII Gordianus This Emperour's Reign was short not exceeding forty days as some Authors affirm No War with Britain in his time XXIX Claudius Puppienus and Celius Balbinus These Emperours Reigned about a year They began their Reign Anno Domini 239. And had no Wars with Britain XXX Antonius Gordianus He had Peace with Britain he began his Reign Anno Domini 240 and reigned four years XXXI Julius Philippus In his time there was no War with Britain he reigned five years and begun his Reign Anno Domini 245 he was a Christian and the first Emperour that received Baptism as some Authors do affirm in his time the famous Cyprian flourished XXXII Decius The seventh Persecution of the Church began in this Emperour's time he began his Reign Anno Domini 250 and reigned about two years he had no war with Britain XXXIII Trebonianus and Volusianus These Emperours had Peace with Britain They begun their Reigns Anno Domini 252 and reigned two years XXXIV Aemelianus This Emperour Reigned but about three months he began his Reign Anno Domini 254. he had no War with Britain XXXV Valerianus His Reign was but short lasting about a year yet much Christian blood spilt in that time for now begun the ninth Persecution of the Church under him Lawrence and Cyprian suffered Martyrdom but Britain had Peace with him XXXVI Galienus This Emperour Reigned fifteen years he began his Reign Anno Domini 254. and had no War with Britain XXXVII Flavius Claudius he began his Reign Anno Domini 269. and reigned two years he had peace with Britain and was a great Hater of the Christians but had not time to put in Execution his intended Torments against them XXXVIII Quintilius This Emperour shortly after he had taken the Government upon him opened his own Veins and so died he had no War with Britain he began his Reign Anno Domini two hundred seventy one XXXIX Aurelianus he began his Reign Anno Domini 271. and reigned five years he had no War with Britain but was a great Persecutor of the Christians XL. Tacitus He had no War with Britain Reigning about six Months only he began his Reign Anno Domini two hundred seventy and six XLI Florianus He began his Reign Anno Domini 278 and Reigned about three months he had Peace with Britain XLII Probus He was a lover of the Christians and had no War with Britain his Reign began Anno Domini 278. and he reigned about five years XLIII Marcus Aurelius Carus The Britains in his time fell afresh into Rebellion after they had been quiet above 80 years and Carancius being sent Deputy he fell also in Rebellion with them but after the Emperour's Death Carancius was slain by Alectus the succeeding Deputy This Emperour began his Reign Anno Domini 282 and Reigned something more than a year XLIV Dioclesian This Emperour sent Alectus to quiet the Britains who then Rebelled under Carancius and pursuing the Rebels with a continued hatred he himself was at length slain in London by Asclepiodotus Duke of Cornwal and many thousand Romans with him and among the rest one Gallus who was Alectus's Companion was slain in London at a certain Brook which was afterwards called by his Name Gallbrook or Walbrook but at long-run Asclepiodotus himself was slain by Coilus Duke of Colchester This Emperour Dioclesian was a great Persecutor of the Christians he began his Reign Anno Domini 284. and reigned about three years and Maximinianus who was co-emperour with him about 4 years XLV Constantius Clorus This Emperour coming into Britain to subdue the Calledonians and Picts under the command of Coilus who had made himself King at his coming found Coilus dead he married his fair Daughter the Princess Helena and begot on her Constantine the Great This Emperour was a favorer of the Christians though his Predecessor Dioclesian had much oppressed them for in his time was Albine the Protomartyr of England beheaded at Holmehurst now St. Albans and Aaron and Julius suffered at Leicester and about a thousand Christians suffered at Litchfield This Constantius began his Reign Anno Domini 291 and reigned about thirteen years he died at York XLVI Constantius Galerius Maximianus Severus Maxentius Licinius and Martinianus for the space of eight years the Empire was Ruled by these Men sometimes one sometimes another and sometimes all of them ruling till at length they were all vanquished by Constantine the great in these Emperours times were very cruel Torments put in practise against the Christians Maxentius used to join the living bodies of the Christians with other dead Carcases and being chained Mouth to Mouth he caused them to be tumbled up and down Some think this was the reason why St. Paul used that expression in his Epistle to the Romans 7. 24. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death In these Emperors times were some petty Wars with Britain These Emperours began their Rule Anno Domini three hundred and four and Reigned about eight years XLVII Constantinus Magnus This Emperour was a Britain by Nation his Father was Constantius Florus and his Mother Hellena the Daughter of Coilus he did associate with him in the Empire his Sons Crispus Constantinus Constantius and Constance each of them ruling in some part of the Empire The Government continued under these Emperours from the year 312 to the year 350. Some petty Wars they had with Britain some Authors affirm that this Constantine the Great beginning to persecute the Christians he was smitten with a Leprosie that the Physitians left him as incurable and being asleep one Night he saw a Vision telling him that if he desired to recover his health he should recall from Exile Silvester the Bishop and all the Clergy which things he performed and being Converted and Baptized he was immediately cured and increasing in Devotion he built many Churches and among the rest that of St. Peters in Rome himself digging the Foundation and carrying away twelve Baskets full of Earth in
credite to Bede but the History of Saint Swithin saith it was by Berinus Bishop of Dorchester 4. Barthun and Authun These two Dukes banishing Ceadwell after Ethelwolf's death were afterwards overcome by him and Barthun slain with whom died the Kingdom And now we proceed to the West-Saxon Kingdom within whose Limits were reckoned Cornwall Devon-shire Dorcet-shire Somerset-shire Wiltshire Southampton-shire and Barkshire It began about the year 501 continued about 515 years and ended Anno 116. and boasted in the Succession of Seventeen Kings as followeth to wit 1. Cherdick This man was a valiant Captain of the Low Country Germans and entred this Island about the year 495. he fought a great Battel against the Britains and slew Natauleon one of their great Princes This Cherdick was the first West-Saxon King and began his Reign over that Kingdom Anno 501. and reigned 33 years 2. Kenrick He began to Reign Anno 534. and reigned 26 years he gave the Britains two great Overthrows the one at Sheresbury in Wiltshire and the other at Banbury in Oxford-shire he was with his Father Cherdick also in several of the Battels against the Britains 3. Chewlin See for what memorable Accidents happened in his time in the VI. Chapter among the Petty Monarcks He began his Reign Anno 560. and reigned 33 years 4. Cearlick He overthrew his Vncle Chewlin at Wannes-Ditch in Wilt-shire and so obtained the Kingdom Anno 593. and reigned 6 years 5. Chelwolf He began his Reign the year 598 and being assaulted by the Britains Scots and Pickts after 14 years Reign he died in the Wars 6. Kingills This Prince at Beandune fought the Britains and slew 1046 of them he made Peace with Penda King of Mercia and was the first Christian King of the West-Saxons he was Converted by Berinus to whom he gave Dorchester his Reign began Anno 612. and continued about 31 years 7. Kenwald He conquered the Britains at Pennum but was afterwards driven out of his Kingdom by Penda King of Mercia whose Sister he had married and turn'd her away but being Baptized by Bishop Felix and receiving his wife again he received with her his Kingdom also he began his Reign 643. and reign'd 31 years 8. Eskwin His Reign began Anno 675. and continued about 2 years He fought a great Battel with Wolfere King of Mercia at Bidamheaford where many Saxons were slain on both sides 9. Kentwin This King was a great Scâ—urge to the poor Britains causing them to flye into Râ—cks and Mountains for Safegard he began his Reign Anno 677. and reigned 9 years 10. Ceadwald He slew Ethelwolf King of the South-Saxons in Battel and after him Barthun another Prince thereof he spilt much Christian blood in Kent also but at length was baptized by Pope Sergius at Rome and was named Peter he began his Reign Anno 686 and reigned about two years 11. Ine This King began his Reign Anno 688. and reigned 37 years he gave a great overthrow to the Britains and fought Cheolred King of Mercia bringing the South-Saxons Kingdom also into a Province and annexing it to the West-Saxons Kingdom He made several good Laws translated by Mr. Lambert out of the Saxon Language he founded the Abby of Glastenbury and after went to Rome on Pilgrimage where he died He caused every housholder that had goods of one kind in his house to the value of twenty pence to pay the Pope yearly a penny on Lammas-day which afterwards was called Peter-pence 12. Ethellard In this Kings time appeared two blasing-Stars he was much emulated by Oswald a Norman his Reign began Anno Domini 726 and continued fourteen years 13. Cuthred He began his Reign Anno 740 and Reigned fourteen years he made Peace with Ethelbald King of Mercia and they both joined in War against the Britains and gave them a great overthrow at length Earl Adelm one of his Subjects Rebelled against him 14. Sigesbert He caused Earl Cumbra to be slain for telling him of his Vices and Cruelties towards his Subjects upon which occasion his Subjects Rebelled against him and drove him into the Woods where he was slain by a Swineheard Servant to Earl Cumbra he Reigned about one year and began his Rule 754. 15. Kenwolf He began his Government 755 and Ruled twenty nine years he several times overthrew the Britains but was at length overthrown himself by Offa King of Mercia as he was going to Merton to visit his Paramour by one Clyto who for his pains the next day was rewarded with Death by one Osricus the King's Captain and all Clyto's followers being 80 men received the same Doom and then Osricus took the King's body and buried it at Winchester 16. Brithrick This King was unwittingly poisoned by the Queen he taking the Poison which she had prepared for one of his Minions whereupon she fled into France and there died miserably several strange Prodigies appeared in this King's Reign he began his Reign Anno 784. and reigned 16 years 17. Egbert He was the first sole Monarch of England See more of him in the Seventh Chapter his Reign began Anno 800. over this Kingdom and continued 36 years after which he reigned 17 years as sole Monarch having reduced England into a Monarchy Anno 827. The next Kingdom we come unto is the East-Saxons which contained Essex and Middlesex whose beginning was Anno 522. Continuance 305 years and its Expiration An. Dom. 827. The Succession of Kings were 14. as followeth 1. Erchenwine He began to Rule over this Kingdom Anno 527. and reigned sixty years 2. Sledda This King reigned nine years 3. Sebert He was converted by Miletus the first Bishop of Saint Pauls in London which Church was founded by Sebert and Ethelbert King of Kent here formerly had stood a Temple dedicated to Diana This King began his Reign Anno 596. and reigned 21 years he was the first Christian King of this Kingdom 4. Sered He began his Reign Anno 617. and reigned 6 years he banished Miletus for prohibiting his Prophanation of the Lord's Table and was afterwards slain by Kingills the West-Saxon King 5. Sigesbert This King began his Reign Anno 623. and reigned 23 years 6. Sigebert He was Baptized by Bishop Finnan through the Perswasion of Oswye King of Northumberland and having too much Clemency two of his Brethren murthered him after he had reigned 15 years he began his Reign Anno 646. 7. Swithelm He began his Reign Anno 661. and reigned 3 years he was baptized by Bishop Cedda Edelwald King of the East-Angles being his Godfather 8. Sighere He turn'd Apostate but being brought to the Faith again by the Industry of Wolfere King of the Merciaâ—s he afterwards caused Idolatrous Temples and Altars to be demoloshed in his time was a great Plague he began his Reign Anno 664 and reigned 5 years 9. Sebba He changed his Princely Robes into a Religious Habit in the Monastery of St. Paul's in London leaving his Kingdom to Sigherd after he had
Pennance was I. That he should at his own proper Charges maintain 200 Soldiers one year for Defence of the Holy Land II. That he should freely suffer Appeals to Rome III. That he should revoke all Customs against the Churches Liberties IV. That he should restore the Possessions of Canterbury And V. Receive all the banished Friends of Becket into England again About this time Silvester Girald a learned Man wrote a Book against the Wickedness of the Monks whereby he stirred up those Hornets against him And now the young King by the Instigation of his Mother sought to depose his Father But after several Battels fought between them and much Blood spilt for the space of Three years at length they were reconciled And after this the King called a Parliment at Northampton and divided England into six Câ—rcuits And appointed three Justices itinerants for every Circuit To this Parliament came the King of Scotland and his Peers Shortly after the calling of this Paâ—iament the young King Henry died And Hâ—raclius the Patriarch of Jâ—râ—salem came to the King to desire his Aid in the Holy Land but was denyed In the 20 of the King's Reign the City of Leicester was burnt by the King's Command the Walls and Castle rased and the Inhabitants dispersed into other Cities for their Disobedience to the King And this year Christ's Church in Canterbury was burnt and about six years after the City of York was burned and in the year 1185. The King bestowed Irelaâ—d upon his Son John And this year the Abby of Glastenbury was consumed with fire and the next year after was a great Earthquake that threw down many Buildings and rent in Pieces the Cathedral Church of Lincoln Chichester also was burnt After this Richard the King's Son by the help of Philip King of France rebelled against his Father and drove him out of the City Mentz in Main which he dearly loved being his Birth-place In the 33 of the King near Oxfâ—rd in Saffolk was taken a Fish having the shape of a Man which Fish was kept by the Governour of Orford-castle six months and above for a Wonder but was never heard to speak a word he would eat all manner of meat gladly but was most gready after raw Flesh or Fish at length he stole away from his Keeper and ran to the Sea again The King had a fair Concubine called Rosamond whom Elianor the Queen poisoned for which Cause and for stirring up his Son against him the King imprisoned her and caused Rosamond to be burien at Godstow near Oxford with this Epitaph over her Hic jacet in Tumba Rosa Mundi non Rosa munda Non Redolet sed Olet quae Redolere solot Within this Tomb lies the World 's chiefest Rose She who was sweet will now offend your Nose Anno 1188. The Town of Beverly with the Church of St. Johns there was burnt This Henry the Second was King of England and Duke of Normandy Guyen and Aquitain He was the eldest Son to Jâ—ffery Plantaginet Earl of Anjou son to Fulk King of Jerusalem by Maud his Wife eldest Daughter to Henry the first He began his Reign on Munday the 25 of October Anno 1154. and reigned 34 years 8 months and 11 dayes and was the 25 sole Monarch of England He died at Chinon on Thursday the 6 of July Anno 1189. and was buried at Font-Everad in Normandy the 25 of the King's Reign Anno 1179. was the third Lateran Council Alexander the III was Pope this was the Eleventh General Council CHAP. XV. Of King Richard the first commonly called Richard Courdelion KING Richard at his Coronation by Balwine Arch-Bishop of Canterbury swore to keep several Articles Administred to him by the Peers which were for the benefit of the Realm in his time were those famous Robbers and Out-Laws called Robin-Hood and Little-John The King 's first attempts were for the Holy War for performance of which Voyage he sold and mortgaged several parcells of his Revenue scarce sparing his City of London from Sale and scruzed eleven hundred pounds Sterling out of Stephen de Turnham his late Fathers Treasurer but before his Expedition William King of Scots came into England and made a League with the King and sâ—nt his Brother David and ten thousand Scots with him for the holy War The King before he took his Journey gave his Brother John six Earldoms Cornwal Dorset Somerset Nottingham Derby and Lancaster he also made William Longchamp Bishop of Ely Governour of the Realm till his return joining with him Hugh Bishop of Durham for his Assistance in the North parts And now having settled his affairs he with several of his Nobles took Shipping for France where he and Philip King of France became sworn Brothers and both set forwards for the holy War King Richard coming to Sicilia assalted the King thereof who had usurped the Kingdom after the Death of William who was Husband to Lady Jane King Richard's Sister making an Agreement with him and gave him twenty thousand ounces of Gold for his Sisters Dowry and twenty thousand ounces more for the Love he bore to the English Nation yet for all this shew of Love he and Philip of France took Council against King Richard Joachin the Abbot expounding the Apocalypse to King Richard at Calabria near Sicily told him that Antichrist was born and then in the City of Rome viz. the Pope The King in his Passage Conquered the Isle of Cyprus and left in it Richard de Camvile and Robert de Tarnham Vice-Royes And the English and French besieged the City Ptolomais and won it shortly after this the French King returned not without great shame to his own Kingdom Whilst King Richard was imployed in the Holy War his Brother John and some others of the Peers deprived William Longchamp of his Command for several Outrages by him committed especially upon Jeffery Arch-Bishop of York the King's Brother The King at his approach to Jerusalem took three thousand Camels and four thousand Horses and Mules of the Salladines coming from Babylon and all the Carriages with their Rich Spoil And now the Duke of Burgandy and his Regiment forsaking King Richard he made a Peace with Saladine for three years and so returned very Pensive that he had neither conquered Jerusalem nor Saladine And intending to have gone through Germany he was taken in Disguise in Vienna and the Duke seized him for his Prisoner The News of the King's Imprisonment coming to England his Mother with other of his fast Friends Swore the Realm to be true to the King and made all the Strong Holds sure for him But the Subjects of Normandy in his Captivity were set upon by the French After this the King regained his Liberty paying to the Emperor 100000 Marks sterling and half so much to the Duke for his Ransom the Emperor afterwards to gratifie the King made him King of Province Philip of France having notice of the King's Releasement sent word to
Lugdunence Gregory the X being Pope which is accounted the fourteenth general Council In the III of the King's Reign upon St. Nicholas day were very Terrible Thunders Earth-Quakes and Lightning and a great Draggon and blazing Star which put many People in great fear and in the year 1288 the Summer was so hot that many Persons died with the extremity thereof and yet Wheat that year was sold for two shillings eight pence the Quarter and all other Corn at very low-prices but the year following Wheat was raised to Twenty shillings the quarter by reason of the great Rains that fell that year which dearth of Corn continued about 40 years to the end of King Edward the Second's Reign saith my Author so that in process of time a Bushell of Wheat was at Ten shillings The King the 19 of his Reign banished all the Jews out of England making all their Goods Confiscate the number of them that were Banished is reckoned to be 15000 and 9 persons The King also inflicted great Fines upon his Judges and other Officers for their Corruption the sum imposed upon Eleven of them was 236000 Marks About this time Dr. Scotus called Dr. Subtilis by some preached against the abuse of the Keys and that Transubstantiation could neither be proved by Scripture nor sound Reason Not long after this Alexander King of Scotland dying without Issue great Contentions arose between the Lords Bruse and Baliol about the Crown but King Edward being Umpire between them gave Judgment for Lord Balioll who was Crowned King and did Homage to Edward for his whole Kingdom After this the Scotch King seeking to shake off his Homage again he and his Kingdom were all Conquered by King Edward and all the Scotch Nobles swore to be true to Edward ever after acknowledging him for the King Baliol late King was sent Prisoner to London to the Tower and John de Warren Earl of Surry and Sussex was left Vice Roy in Scotland and at this time the King brought the Chair out of Scotland which is now in Westminster Abby in which our Kings are Crowned and with it was also brought the Crown Scepter and Cloth of Estate The Scots not long after falling into a fresh Rebellion were again subdued by the King with the slaughter of 60000 of their men Shortly after this the King took to Wife the King of France his Sister by which means there was a firm Peace concluded between England and France And now Edward the King 's eldest Son was by his Father made Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester and now the Scots desirous still of Liberty revolted again under the Command of the Lord Bruse but they were quickly reduced to their former Obedence after this getting Heart again they stood for the regaining of their Kingdom and King Edward marching to give them Battel died in his march and commanded in his last Will that his Son should carry his Bones with him till he had marched through all Scotland in his life-time he utterly renounced Pope Beniface's Supream Authority and on his Death-bed charged his Son to continue the Banishment of Pearce of Gaveston and to convey his Heart to be buried in the Holy-Land The year 1299 the King's Palace at Westminster with the Buildings of the Monastery adjoining to it were all burnt This Edward the First was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain c. He was eldest Son to Henry the III by Ellianor his Queen Second Daughter to Raymond Earl of Province He began his Reign on Wednesday the 16 of November Anno 1272 and reigned 34 years 7 moneths and 21 days and was the 29 sole Monarch of England He died of a Dissenterie at Burgh upon Sands in his March to Scotland on a Fryday the 7 of July Anno 1307. in the 35 year of his Reign and 69 of his Age he was buried at Westminster CHAP. XIX Of King Edward the Second commonly called Edward of Carnarvan AT his first entrance he recalled Pearce of Gaveston Earl of Cornwal out of Banishment although he were forbidden it by his Father's last Will. Shortly after he married Isabel Daughter to the King of France after this calling a Parliament they sadly complayned of Gavestons Insolence and so far prevailed with the King that he yielded to his Banishment whereupon they granted to the King a Subsidy of the 20 part of their goods but Gaveston not long after was recalled again by the King and was married to the Earl of Gloucesters Sister and received into greater favour than ever the King not at all regarding his Father's Command nor his own Oath to his Nobles This Gaveston now grew so high and was so lavishing of the Kings Treasure alienating him also from the Queens Bed that she complained hereof to her Father the King of France Hereupon the Nobles again complain of Gaveston to the King and prevailed for his Banishment with a Proviso that if he returned again to suffer Death About this time Anno 1311. the Order of the Templers was expelled Christendom and this year Clement the V. being Pope was the Council at Vienna being the 15 general Council The next year after Gaveston being returned for England he was taken by the Earl of Warwick at the Castle of Scarborough and with the consent of the Earls of Lancaster and Hereford was carried to Warwick Castle and there Beheaded hereupon the King was greatly inraged but upon Condition that all things belonging to Gaveston should be rendred to him He Pardoned the Lords Anno 1314 the King caused his Writs to be published for Victualls That no Ox stalled or corn-fed should be sold for more than 24 shillings no Grass-fed Ox for more than 16 shillings a fat stalled Cow at 12 shillings another Cow at ten shillings a fat Mutton Corn-fed at 20 pence another fat Mutton at 14 pence a Fat Hog of two years old at ten groats a Fat Goose at two pence half-penny and in the City three pence a Fat Capon at two pence in the City two pence half-penny a Fat Hen a penny in the City three half-pence 4 Pigeons for a Penny 24 Eggs a penny in the City twenty Eggs a penny After this a Tanners Son of Exceter called himself the Son of Edward the first and would needs prove the King a Changling but his claim was quickly strangled with a halter at Northampton And now the Queen was delivered of Prince Edward and the Parliament shortly after granted the King a Fifteenth and the King going against Scotland the Earls Lancaster Surry Warwick and Arundel refused to attend him at this time he received a great overthrow from the Scots he and Lord Spencer being both forced to fly and several Lords with seven hundred Knights and Esquires were slain Anno 1318 The Famine in England was so Raging that Horses Dogs and Children were stoln for Food and the Thieves that were in Prison did pluck in pieces those that were newly brought in amongst them and
Earl of Chester and Prince of Wales and caused the Nobles to swear him Fealty about this time the famous Dr. John Wickliff of Oxford maintained sundry learned points against the Church of Rome This Edward the Third was King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain c. he was eldest Son of King Edward the second by Isabel his Queen Daughter to Philip the Fair King of France he began his Reign on Saturday the 25 day of January Anno 1329 and reigned 50 years 4 months and 26 days and was the 31 sole Monarch of England He died on Sunday the 21 day of June Anno 1377 being the 51 year of his Reign and about the 65 of his Age his Body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XXI Of King Richard the Second commonly called Richard of Bourdeaux IN the beginning of this King's Reign the French invaded England and burnt the Town of Rye the Scots the Town of Rocksbrough And after this the French took the Isle of Wight and forced the Inhabitants to pay them a hundred marks not long after they burnt the Town of Hastings All these Advantages being taken by reason of the King 's tender years upon the Occasion of these daily Rapines one Sir John Philpot of London seeing the remissness of the Lords at his own proper costs and charges manned out a Fleet to scour the Seas which Fleet shortly after took 15 Rich Spanish Ships which well recompenced Sir John for his charges About this time Barwick was surprized by the Scots who killed Sir Robert Boynton the Governour and about nine days after it was regained by the Earl of Northumberland the Scots being all put to the Sword And now a Parliament being called at London for Manning of those Services a Subsidy was granted to the King by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal the Commons at that time being exempted from it Shortly after this Sir John Arundel and several other valiant Knights and Esquires being sent to the Duke of Britain for his aid against the French were all drowned But the King sending more Forces after these as the Duke of Lancaster Buckingham Warwick and Stafford with others of the cheif of the Nobility they landed safely at Callis and went through France to Britain spoiling Countries burning Towns and killing People the French not daring to oppose them About this time Vtred Bolton John Ashwerby Walter Brute John Ashton and Peter Pateshall were persecuted some by perpetual Imprisonment and some by Banishment for Preaching and maintaining Dr. Wickliffs Doctrine After this the King calling another Parliament at Northampton they granted him Poll-money of Twelve pence per head of every one above such an Age. The next year after this the Commons of Kent Essex Surry Suffolk Norfolk and Cambridge rebelled and under the Conduct of Wat Tyler and Jack Straw marched suriously to London burning the Priory of St. John's without East Smithfield and turning also the Savoy and the Bishop of Canterbury's House in Lambeth into Ashes Beheading Simon Tybald the Archbishop Sir John Hales Lord Prior with others And now they sent a malicious arrogant Petition to the King whose Tenor the King durst not deny his Person being then in manifest Danger of them But Wat Tyler cavelled at the conditions of Peace Suggesting strange Hopes of high matters to himself hereupon he was desired to ride to the King which accordingly he did and there behaved himself so insolently that he offered to kill Sir John Newton one of the King 's Attendants for the omission of some Punctilio of respect to him But the insolent Traytor for this affront received his Death's Wound from the hand of Sir William Walworth Lord Mayor of London And the Lord Mayor presently raising a thousand Citizens surprised the headless Monster and caused them to beg their Lives of the King John Lister the Dyar who headed the Rabble in Suffolk was also taken by Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich and there was executed of this rebellious Rabble in London and elsewhere about 1500. Now these Plebean Furies being over the King took to Wife Anne Daughter to the Emperour Charles the IV and shortly after John Duke of Lancaster was accused of Treason touching the King's Person but the Accusers Reward was Death which he hoped and intended for the Duke's Lot After this the Duke sailing into France concluded a Truce for about two years space and then a Parliament being called at London the Laity sought to depose the Clergy of their Estates but the King answered their Request in these words I will saith he maintain the English Church in the quality of the same Estate or better than I found it when I came to the Crown At this Parliament was Robert de Vere Earl of Oxford Created the first Marquess of Dublin This year also the Duke of Lancaster set Sail for Spain to regain the Kingdom of Castile to which by Right of his Wife he laid claim to Within a while after several Lords rebeled against the King and were all pardon'd before they came to their Tryals yet notwithstanding the King's Clemency they still kept together and raising great Forces they did not stick to charge the King with several misdemeanours and now the Duke of Lancaster returning for England again Peace was concluded between him and Spain and the King thereof gave him 200000 Nobles towards the defraying of this charges he had been at at whose return the King made him Duke of Aquitain After this the King desiring of the Londoners the Loan of a thousand pounds it was denied him whereupon he seized on their Liberties and dissolved their proper Magistracy turning out their Mayor John Hind and John Shadworth and Henry Wanner their Sheriffs and appointed Sir Edward Dallingredge Warden of the City And about two years after the King having a desire to go for Ireland had a Subsidy granted him four years Truce being then concluded with France but after this he with the Company of the Duke of Lancaster and Earl of Gloucester sailed into France where he espous'd the Lady Isabel Daughter to Charles King of France this Journey besides Losses at Sea cost him 4000 marks At his return from France certain Peers revolted from him making Forces removing such Officers from the King as they thought fit whereupon the Earl of Arundel one of the Rebells had his Head lopt off and the Earl of Gloucester was smothered with Pillows and Feather Beds at Callis and shortly afterwards the King made himself Earl of Chester and created several Dukes and Earls at that time And not long after this the River between Swelston and Harleswood near Bedford stood still and divided it self so that the Bottom remained dry about three miles space And now the King extorting Money and taking up Carriages and other Necessaries intending for Ireland to suppress the Rebells there who had slain Lord Mortimer Lord Lieutenant there And the Duke of Lancaster dying about this time the King seized his
in advancing the King to the Crown About this time Wheat was sold for six pence per Bushel and Bay-Salt at three pence half peny Nantwich salt six pence per Bushel white Herring six shilling per Barrel red Herring three shilling per Cade Sprats six pence per Cade and Gascoign wine six pound per Tun. And now this Psendo Richard was discovered to the King to be but Perkin Warbeck by one Sir Robert Clifford a great actor for Perkin beyound Sea but afterwards won to the King with Gold for Perkin's sake all the Flemmings were banished the Realm and several of his Complices here discovered by the said Sir Robert Clifford were put to death And now Perkin coming on Shoar in Kent expecting a great Relief receiving in lieu therof great distress for being encountred by the Mayor of Sandwich and the Kentish men five of his Cheif Captains and 164 of others were taken and shortly after executed whereupon he fled back into Flanders and from thence fled into Ireland but expecting little help from so poor a Nation at last he betook himself into Scotland and the King of Scots being taken with Courtly cariage believed his Reports and Married him to Catharine Gourden the Earl of Huntly's Daughter and then the King in Person with a great number of Scots came with him against the Marches of England doing great harm and Proclaiming much favor and immunity to such as would joyn with Perkin and â— 1000 pounds to such as could take King Henry but all this working no Impression upon the Peoples minds the Scotish King thereupon returned into Scotland esteeming the less of his new Cozen because none would rise in his behalf Upon this Account a Subsidy of 120 thousand pound was granted to the King for maintenance of the War against Scotland and the Lord Dawbnye sent General but on his March was called back to suppress some Cornish Rebells who withstood the Collectors of the Subsidy under the Command of one Thomas Flemmock a Lawyer and Michael Joseph a Black-Smith these marching for Kent expecting more Aid at Well the Lord Awdly joyned with them who together with the other two Leaders were taken at Black-Heath in Kent and their Forces Routed three hundred being slain and 1500 taken Prisoners and afterwards the Lord Awdly was beheaded at the other two hanged and quartered at Tyburn for their Rebellion During these Stirs the King sent the Lord Howard Earl of Surry to defend the parts in the North aganst the Scots who were then doing great Damage in the Borders but before he got thither the Scots withdrew yet notwithstanding he marched into Scotland and after some Booty taken he returned again for a time And now Hialus the Spanish Embassador coming into Scotland he concluded a Peace between the two Kings And about this time Anno 1497 fell Hail-Stones at St. Needs in Bedfordshire of eighteen Inches about now upon the Conclusion of the Peace aforesaid Perkin's main Hope being gone his last Refuge were the Cornish men of whom he had a great Army but the King marching against him and he not daring to trust to his Cornish followers he thereupon fled by night and took Asylum at Bewdly which when his Followers perceived they all yielded themselves to the King's Mercy And not long after Perkin their Leader did the like and was carried to London and conveved through the Streets on horse-back for People to gaze at and afterwards attempting to escape from his Guard he was pursued and retaken and set in the Stocks upon a Scaflold a whole day before Westminster-Hall and another day in Cheap-side in London and after sent Prisoner to the Tower About this time one Ralph Wilford a Shoo-makers Son of London was hanged for assuming unto himself the name of Edward Earl of Warwick who was then close Prisoner in the Tower and not long after Perkin was hanged at Tyburn and Edward Plantaginet the Earl of Warwick beheaded for seeking to make their escape out of the Tower this Earl was Son to George Duke of Clarence who was Brother to King Edward the Fourth and was the last Heir of the Plantaginets Shortly after this there happened such a devouring Plague that the King and Queen left London and fled to Callis in France and after the Plague abated they returned again about which time the Lady Catherine of Spain arrived in England and was presently after married to Prince Arthur who injoyed her Bed not long for about five months after being then in Wales he was cut off by Death an and the next year after James the IV King of Scotland married the Lady Margaret the King 's eldest Daughter and not long after the Queen died and Henry the King 's second Son was made Prince of Wales and by the Pope's Indulgence took to Wife the Lady Catherine of Spain his Brother Arthur's Widow And now the Earl of Suffolk being fled and intending a Rebellion certain of his Adherents being discovered were thereupon taken and suffered Death as Courtney Earl of Devonshire the King's Brother in Law William de la Pool Brother to the Earl of Suffolk Sir James Tirrel King Richard's Wicked Instrument in the Murther of Edward the V. and his Brother and Sir John Windham and others all these with the Earl and the rest of his Faction were by Authority of the Pope's Bull Proclaimed at Paul's Cross to be accursed After this the Earl fled to Philip Duke of Austria who afterwards by the Right of his Wife coming to be King of Spain as he was on his Voyage thither was by Tempest driven into England where he was Royally entertain'd by King Henry and at their parting it was agreed between them that the Earl of Suffolk should be delivered up to King Henry upon Condition that no Violence should be offered to his Person and so he was only imprisoned but in Henry the Eighth's time lost his Head Now the King having dissipated all his Enemies he began to extort Money from his Subjects two Lawyers Empson and Dudly being the cheif Instrument herein by calling People in question for the breach of old moth-eaten Penal Statutes but the King's Death shortly after ensuing These beginning Oppressions were thereby also brought to a Period before they attained to that maturity which was feared by some but wished for by others especially by Empson and Dudly During this King's Reign there were about some nine Persons Men and Women that suffered the Flames for the Profession of a good Faith besides several others that did Pennance with a Faggot on their Backs and some were burnt in the Cheek with a hot Iron This Henry the Seventh was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was son to Edmund Tewdor Earl of Richmond by Margaret his Wife Daughter and Heir to John Beaufort Duke of Sommerset Grand Child to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster he began his Reign on Monday the 22 day of August Anno 1485 and reigned 23 years
hear the King's Cause pleaded which accordingly was done and when Sentence of Divorcement should have been according to the King's expectation pronounced Campius then caused Proclamation to be made and adjourned the Court and referred the Sentence to the Pope The King highly displeased hereat sent Dr. Cranmer and some others to the Pope to dispute the unlawfulness of the Marriage who gave Cornelius Agrippa the grand Rabbi in those days such Satisfaction in this point so that none of the Pope's Disputants durst encounter the Doctor about it whereupon a Parliament being called by the King all persons were forbidden to appeal or make payment to Rome and further the King's Marriage with the Lady Catherine of Spain by the said Parliament was Dissolved Upon these proceedings in England the Pope caused his Curse to be set up at Dunkirk in Flanders against the King and pronounced the Marriage Lawful but the King regarded it not for hereby the Pope lost his Supremancy in England and Bishop Fisher and Sir Thomas Moore their Heads for standing for it And now the King married the Lady Ann Bullin Daughter to Viscount Rochford which Lady was accounted a Lutheran and Cardinal Wolsey for his dislike of this Marriage and Adjourning of the Court as is before shewed fell into the Kings Displeasure and several Articles being exhibited against him in Parliament as that he used to write in his Letters I and my King and had caused the Cardinals Cap to be stamped on the Kings Coyn and several other grand Offences hereupon he lost all his Dignities and his House and Furniture were seized and the Earl of Northumberland was sent to bring him up to answer his Charge who took him at Cawood Castle about seven miles from York and as he was on his Journy to London at Leicester Abby he ended his dayes by taking an over much quantity of an Italian Confection for breaking Wind from his Stomach as Report went He is said to have suppressed 40 Monasterys for the raising his two Colledges in Oxford and Ipswich and to have laid by 12 Barrels full of Gold and Silver to serve the Pope in his Wars About this time Elizabeth Barton called the holy Maid of Kent was reported by those who feared the Downfall of Babel to have Revelations from Heaven among which one was That if the King proceeded in his Second Marriage he should not Reign a Moneth to an end but the Mouth of this Oracle was quickly stopt for herself with seven of her Disciples were all execued at Tyburn for Treason And now the Pope seeing his Revenue here in England likely to go to wrack began to write and stir up James the Fifth King of Scots against King Henry his Uncle promising the Crown of England to those that could win it About this time Queen Ann was deliver'd of the Princess Elizabeth afterwards Queen of England and the next year after of a Dead Child and not long after she was sent to the Tower and falsely accused of Adultery and Incest for which she with her Brother the Lord Rochford and Norris Weston and Brierton gentlemen of the Privy Chamber together with one Marks all lost their Heads and the next day after Queen Ann's Death the King married the Lady Jane Seymer And now began the Lord Cromwells rising who by birth was a Black Smyth's Son and had been Cardinal Wolsey's Soliciter he was first made Master of the King's Jewel-house Baron of Oakham in Rutlandshire then Knight of the Garter after that Earl of Essex and then Lord high Chamberlain and lastly the King's Vicar general he was the Sole cause of the demolishing of Monasteryes and the pulling down of Images Idols and Shrines in the Churches of England but this Pillar of the Church was undermined by Stephen Gardener that Murtherer of Protestants in Queen Mary's dayes and so by his means being brought into Dislike with the King at length he was beheaded Now several Commotions arose in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire occasioned by the demolishing of Abbys the Commons being incited thereto by the Monks who had lost their Roast-meat and took ill with Courser Fair but after several propositions made by the Commons to the King and Answers thereunto having Pardon granted they threw down their Arms but several of the Monks rising again with several persons of Quality as the Lord Darcy Lord Hussye Sir Robert Constable Sir Thomas Percy Sir Francis Biggot Sir Stephen Hambleton Sir John Bulmer the Abbot of Fountains Abbot of Gervaulx Abbot of Rivax and Prior of Burlington were afterwards taken and suffered Death and now the King having been two years a Widower since the death of Queen Jane who dyed in Child-Bed of Edward the Sixt afterwards King he was married to the Lady Ann of Cleve but about half a year after through Gardiner's false Suguestions was by Parliament divorsed from her and not long after he Married Catherine Howard Daughter to Edward Brother to Thomas Duke of Norfolk but about 6 Moneths after her Marriage she was condemned of Adultery and lost her Head at Tower Hill and with her the Lady Jane Rochford and several others that year as Margaret the Countess of Salisbury Lord Grey Lord Dacres Francis Dereham and Thomas Culpeper and now the King married the Lady Katherin Parr Wife to the Lord Lattimer And about this time it was enacted by Parliament to be high Treason either to deny the Oath of the King's Supremacy or to acknowledg the Pope and though by this the Discipline of the Church was altered yet little of Doctrine was changed for it was made heresie and death to deny any of the Six Articles following as 1. That after the speaking of the words of Consecration by the Priest the Real and Natural Body and Blood of Christ as he was Conceived and Crucified was in the Sacrament and no other substance 2. That the Communion in both kinds is not necessary to Salvation 3. That Priests may not marry 4. That Vows of Chastity ought to be observed by the Laws of God 5. That private Masses ought to be continued and 6. That Auricular Confession is necessary and expedient to be retained in the Church of God Upon the denial of these six Articles several People suffered the Flames Anno 1541. The King took upon him the Title of King of Ireland and the same year sent an Army against the Scots under the Command of the Duke of Norfolk who when he came to Fight the Scots they willingly lost the day and suffered themselves to be taken Prisoners out of disdain to their Leader Oliver St. Clere for grief whereof their King James the fifth dyed there was at this time 21 men of Account taken Prisoners and committed to the Tower of London but shortly after these Prisoners were released again and a Peace for 10 years concluded upon the promise of a Marriage with the Lady Mary King James his only Child and Prince Edward Henry's Son and Heir afterwards King by the name
of Edward the sixt but the Pope and the French diswading the Scots from this Marriage King Henry thereupon made War against both Nations and took Bulloyn in France for the Redemption whereof and conclution of Peace the French were to pay him in Eight years space 800000 Crownes and during these proceedings in France the King's Army did much harm to the Scots by burning Edenbrough and wasting the Country for 7 Miles round about but all these stirs were ended by King Henry's Death which not long after ensued The year 1545. The 27 of April one William Foxly Pot-maker for the Mint fell a sleep in the Tower of London and slept 14 days and 15 nights and could not by any means be awakned and when he did awake seemed in all things as if he had slept but one Night And this same year began the Council of Trent which was continued till Anno 1563. Paul the III. Julius the III. and Pio the IV. being Popes this was the 18 General Council The King about the 13 of his Reign writ a Book against Martin Luther and sent it to the Pope for which he had the Tittle given of Defender of the Faith which his Successors retain to this day But not long after falling to variance with the Pope as is shewed before he writ another Book against the Pope during this Kings Reign several persons to the number of 81 suffered the Flames for the Profession of their Faith and before Luthers time several persons did the like for in Henry the IV time suffered 3 in Henry V time about 40 suffered besides several others grivously persecuted 8 in Henry VI time and above 100 whipped and persecuted one in Edward the fourth's time and about some 9 in Henry the VII time Her after followeth a true and perfect Cattalogue of the number of all the Religigious houses as Monasterys Prioryes Fryorys Nunnerys Colledges and Hospitals in every County of England which were demolished in this Kings Reign with their valluation as they were presented to the King by the Commissioners at the time of their Suppression Counties Monasteries Priories Friories Nunneries Colledges Hospitals Pounds Shillings Pence Halfpence Bark-shire 05 02 01 03 03 02 06368 12 08 00 Bedfordshire 01 06 03 04 03 03 03054 10 03 00 Buckinghamshire 01 01 01 02 01 00 00730 01 11 01 Cambridg-shire 09 14 04 07 01 04 05002 11 10 01 Cheshire 05 01 03 02 03 01 01447 02 00 01 Cornwall 11 03 01 00 02 00 01287 00 06 01 Cumberland 04 04 01 02 22 00 02549 12 09 00 Derbyshire 08 02 00 03 03 01 01055 12 11 01 Devonshire 14 10 01 02 01 01 05394 02 06 00 Dorcetshire 07 02 02 03 03 01 04520 06 09 90 Durham 04 00 00 01 10 04 02696 15 00 00 Essex 13 14 03 02 02 04 07013 08 06 00 Gloucestershire 11 03 01 02 01 05 07302 05 10 01 Hamshire 08 10 06 03 03 04 07218 17 05 00 Herefordshire 02 06 01 02 00 01 00522 04 05 00 Hartfordshire 02 12 03 05 02 03 04076 03 10 00 Huntingtonshire 02 04 00 02 08 01 02743 05 06 01 Kent 09 13 06 09 01 13 08840 18 07 01 Lancashire 05 05 00 00 06 00 02288 19 08 01 Leicestershire 09 06 00 03 04 05 04833 11 09 01 Lincolnshire 32 24 05 06 05 03 11664 12 00 01 London 03 03 00 04 02 11 12595 08 00 00 Middlesex 03 03 05 02 09 05 03550 00 08 00 Norfolk 12 20 16 05 09 04 06128 07 03 00 Northampton 06 06 04 07 07 03 04731 15 06 00 Nottinghamshire 03 06 02 01 04 03 02763 07 07 01 Northumberland 02 02 04 03 03 01 01252 15 10 00 Oxfordshire 07 07 05 04 01 03 03078 01 06 00 Rutlandshire 00 01 00 00 00 01 00043 13 04 00 Shropshire 08 05 06 00 03 02 02757 14 06 01 Staffordshire 04 10 02 05 08 03 01902 17 03 01 Somersetshire 10 08 02 03 05 06 09324 17 02 00 Suffolk 13 15 03 03 04 01 05390 07 09 00 Surry 03 04 03 00 01 01 04883 14 00 01 Sussex 08 09 03 05 03 04 03355 10 07 00 Warwick-shire 04 10 03 06 06 04 03839 03 00 00 Wiltshire 03 13 04 04 04 08 04044 17 01 01 Westmerland 01 00 01 00 00 00 00166 10 06 00 Worcestershire 07 04 02 02 02 02 04896 01 08 00 York-shire 33 10 11 23 15 10 14611 03 05 00 Asaph Diocess 04 00 00 01 00 01 00808 05 05 00 Banger Diocess 05 01 03 00 02 00 00298 18 02 00 David Diocess 06 05 02 00 07 00 01548 03 07 00 Landaff Diocess 06 06 03 01 01 00 00925 12 00 00 Â Â Â Â Â Â Total 183707 13 00 00 Now although the Revenues of these Religious places at the Dissolutions thereof did amount to one hundred eighty three thousand seven hundred and seven pounds and thirteen shillings per annum yet the King was not much inriched thereby most of the said Lands being either given away by the King or sold off at small Rates and made to hold of some of the King's Mannours most of them of East-Greenwich by small and inconsiderable Rents The number of Monasteries suppressed in England and Wales were 313 Priories 290 Frieries 122 Nunneries 142 Colledges 152 and Hospitals 129 in all 1148. This Henry the Eight was King of England France and Ireland he was Second Son of King Henry the Seventh by Elizabeth his Queen eldest Daughter to King Edward the Fourth His Reign began on Sunday the 22 day of April Anno 1509 He reigned 37 years 9 months and 6 days and was the 40 sole Monarch of England He died on Thursday the 28 day of January Anno 1546 being in the 38 year of his Reign and 56 of his Age his body was buried in the Chappel at Windsor CHAP. XXX Of King Edward the Sixth HE was Crowned at Westminster being about nine years old and at his first entrance took Care to settle Soul-saving Ministers among his Subjects and as He took care for the Church so the Lord Seymer Duke of Somerset the King's Uncle was as busie in managing the State Affairs of the Realm and thereupon went into Scotland to prosecute the Marriage with the Lady Mary Queen of Scotland and at Barwick declaring his Intentions the Governour of Scotland thereupon sent the Fire-Cross through the Realm requiring all Persons of ability of body to meet at Muskelbrough where they were fought by the English and received a great Overthrow 9 of their Nobles and about 10000 of their Soldiers being slain and whilest these things were in Action the Lady Mary was conveyed into France there to be married to the Dauphin And now the Duke of Somerset Protector of England during his Nephews Minority returning from Scotland a Parliament was then called wherein it was Enacted that the Statute of the 6 Articles in Henry the Eights time and those of Richard the Second and
dispairing of his purpose he yielded himself Prisoner and was shortly after beheaded and 50 Persons more of his Complices were hanged in London and 23 in Kent and the Lord Courtny and Lady Elizabeth afterwards our Queen were clapt up in the Tower upon suspition of favouring Sir Thomas Wyat's proceedings and this Innocent Lady without respect to her Person being extream Sick at her Mannor of Asbridge was nevertheless brought away Prisoner to London and was so straitly kept in the Tower that a little Boy about 4 years of Age who was wont every day to carry her some Flowers and prattle and talk to her Command was given to his Father that the Boy should go no more and the next day the Child going and the Door being shut he peeped in at a hole Crying unto her Mistress I can bring you no more Flowers now From hence this pious Princess was removed to Woodstock where one day sitting sollitary at her Prison window she espied a Maid singing merrily over her milking Pale whose condition she esteemed to be better than hers A little before Arrival of King Philip two Suns were seen at one time and a Rainbow reversed the Bow turning downwards before the Marriage certain Honourable Conditions were propounded to King Philip and agreed to by him And now the Protestants began to be hated Mr. Bourn a godly Minister having a Dagger thrown at him as he was Preaching at Paul's Cross and Bishop Bonner caused all Scriptures painted on the Church-walls to be blotted out and Cardinal Pool coming into England Images Holy Water Pax Censures Oyl and Cream were brought into the Church again And about this time fell such abundance of Rain that for the space of six days men might row with Boats in Saint George's Feilds and the Water was half a yard deep in Westminster-hall Now the Queens cruel Bishops with her consent partly through their perswasions consumed in the Flames during her Reign for the Profession of their Faith 5 Bishops 21 Divines 18 Gentlemen 84 Artificers 100 Husband-men Servants and Labourers 26 Wives 20 Widdows 9 Virgins 2 Boys and 2 Infants in all 287 besides 16 other Persons that perished in Prison and 7 scourged and several Condemned which were released upon the happy entrance of Queen Elizabeth Many also in these perilous times fled amongst whom the Dutchess of Suffolk and her Husband Mr. Berty were two who suffered both Hunger and Cold and were often in Danger of their Lives till at length they got into Poland where they were Honourably treated till Queen Mary's Death And now nothing being Talked of but the Queens being with Child Prayers were made for her safe Deliverance Midwives Rockers and Cradles and all things else prepared but when it come to the point indeed it proved nothing but a Tympany and King Philip seeing himself so frustrated of his Expectation took Shipping for Spain and stayed at that time 19 months from the Queen in whose absence her Exchequer was intended to have been Robbed but some of the Plotters Vdal Throgmorton Peacham Daniel and Stanton were taken and suffered Death and others fled and the same year that Coaches were first used in England viz. Anno 1555 began the hot burning Feavers whereof died many old Persons so that in London died 7 Aldermen in less than 10 months time about 2 years after this Thomas Stafford Son to the Lord Stafford rose in Rebellion but was taken and beheaded And now the King being instigated by his Queen prepared an Army against France and several Nobles went thither where their greatest exploit was the winning of St. Quintins which was repayed by the French winning Callis from the English after it had been in their Possession about 211 years This loss so grieved the Queen that shortly after she died of a Burning Feaver telling her Physitians That they would find Callis written in her Heart if they dissected her Body after her Death That year Queen Mary died the Quartaine Agues continned very sharp so that many old Folk died especially Parsons and Priests so that a great number of Churches were unfurnished and a little before the Queen's Death dyed two of her Physitians besides many Bishops and Noble men And in July the same year a Tempest of Thunder as it went through two Towns near Nottingham beat down the Churches and all the Houses in the Towns the Bells were thrown out of the Steeples and some of the Webs of Lead thrown 400 Foot into the Feild and wreathen up together like a glove Trees were plucked up by the roots and cast 12 score foot off and a Child was taken out of a man's hand and carried an 100 foot and then let fall and died five or six men were killed and Hail-stones fell 15 Inches about This Mary was Queen of England France and Ireland She was the eldest Daughter of King Henry the Eight by Catherine his first Queen Daughter to Ferdinando the VI King of Spain and Widdow Dowager to Prince Arthur King Henry's Elder Brother She began her Reign on Thursday the sixth day of July Anno 1553 and reigned five years four months and 11 days and was the 42 sole Monarch of England She died of a Burning Feaver on Thursday the 17 day of November Anno 1558 being in the Sixth year of her Reign and 40 of her Age Her Body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XXXII Of Queen Elizabeth THis Queen was Crowned at Westminster by Owen Ogilthorp Bishop of Carlile Pool Arch-Bishop of Canterbury dying the same day that Queen Mary dyed At her Entrance the Title of Supremacy was again restored by Parliament and all Queen Maries Statutes in favour of Rome repealed and she being desired by Parliament to marry said That she intended a Virgins Life which accordingly she performed for being Courted by Maximilian the Emperour Ericus Son to the King of Sweden and by the Arch Duke of Austria and Duke of Anjou she denied them all and now Divine Service being celebrated in English and Images thrown out of the Churches again The Scots also began to seek Reformation too whereupon there arose great Tumults among them and the King of France sending the Romanists Aid there the Reformers were forced to crave help from Queen Elizabeth which she sent them under the Command of the Lord Grey and the Queen Mother Regent of Scotland dying the French thereupon concluded Peace for Scotland and left it The year 1561 In June a Terrible Tempest of Thunder and Lightning happenned about London which set Paul's Steeple on fire and burnt it down to the Roof of the Church consuming all the Bells Lead c. And in March the year after a Mare brought forth a Fole with one Body and two Heads and a long tail growing out between them a Sow also Farrowed a Pig with four legs like to the arms of a Child with Hands and Fingers and in April after another Sow Farrowed a Pig with two Bodies eight Feet and but one Head and many
Parisi Amongst them was distributed Lancashire York-shire Richmond-shire Durham Westmerland and Cumberland 15. Silures Herefordshire Radnorshire Brecknock-shire Monmouth-shire and Glamorgan-shire was their part or share 16. Dimetae These Inhabitants were Lords of Caermeraen-shire Pembrokshire and Cardigan-shire 17. Ottodini They kept Northumberland Teifidale Twedale March and Louthien These 14 sorts of People following were dispersed up and down in Scotland namely 1. Selgovae 2. Novantes 3. Damnii 4. Calledonii Gadini 5. Epidii 6. Vicemagi 7. Vennicones 8. Tezali 9. Cantae 10. Creones Cerontes 11. Carnonacae 12. Carini 13. Cornabii 14. Simertaae Logi Now I shall proceed to give a brief hint at some Remarkable Passages which happened within the times of these thirteen British Princes following who opposed the Romans Conquest and so conclude this Chapter 1. Cassibelan This Prince was Governour of the Trinobants and was Brother to King Lud who at his Death had left behind two Sons Andragius and Temantius and they being young this Man took upon him the Government of the Britains and when his Nephews came at Age he gave to Andragius Trinovant now called London and the Dukedom of Kent and to Temantius he gave the Dukedom of Cornwal But Andragius and his Vncle falling at odds he thereupon sent for Julius Cesar and begged his Assistance against his Vncle who fought Cassibelan and overcame him and caused the Island for his Rebellion to pay three hundred pounds yearly by way of Tribute to Rome Andragius went along at this time with Julius Cesar to Rome and after Cassibelan's Death at York Temantius was King Their Father King Lud built the West-Gate of the City Trinovant and called it Ludgate and the City after his own Name Caerlud which is now the famous City of London 2. Cingitorix Carvil Taximagul and Segonax These were Kings of Kent and withstanding Julius Cesar at the same time Cassibelan stood out they were totally routed their Men slain Cingitorix taken and the other three forced to fly and shift for themselves 3. Senimagues Cegontians Ancalits Bibroses and Cassians These were the States of the Icenians who seeing Cesars Valour and Progress in the Wars against their Neighbouring Princes they thereupon grew faint hearted laid down their Arms and submitted 4. Cunobeline he was King of the Britains and the first man that stamped his Image on his Coin he was Knighted by Cesar and had his Princely seat at Malden in Essex then a famous City in the twenty third year of his Reign our Saviour Christ was born Augustus Cesar in this King's time was three times prepared for War against the Britains but was every time diverted by other business and came not 5. Guiderus This man was Son to Cunobeline and being of an haughty Spirit he denied the Tribute to the Romans at which Caligula the Emperour was much inraged and made a great show of coming into Britain but took up at the Belgieve-Shore and there causes his Army to gather Cockle-shells and rediculously returned Triumphantly with the Spoils as he accounted it of the Ocean but Claudius Drusius the succeding Emperor by his Deputy here in Britain fought Guiderus and overthrew his Britains the King being slain by Hamo as the Story goes who siding with the Romans put on Brittish formalities and by that means got near to the King and slew him whereupon Hamo was pursued by Auviragus the King's Brother to the Sea side and there was slain whence the place took the name of Hamo's haven which is now called Southampton 6. Catacratus Second Son to Cunobeline standing in opposition to Aulus Plautinus Deputy to Drusius the Emperour he was at length overcome with a great slaughter of his Men himself taken and bound and carried to Rome and there led thorow the City in honour of Plautinus 7. Togodumnus This was Third Son to Cunobeline he was slain in Battel against the Romans but had put them into such Fear That Plautius sent for Drusius the Emperour to come over who accordingly came here into Britain 8. Arviragus he was King of the Britains and so stoutly withstood Drusius the Emperour in several Conflicts till at length Drusius concluded a Marriage between Arviragus and Genissa Drusius his Daughter 9. Cogidunus This Man was Ruler over certain Cities bestowed upon him by the Romans 10. Caractacus He was Prince of the Silures and after several Conflicts with the Româ—â—us he was at length brought to shelter himself under the Wings of Cartismandua the faithless Queen of the Britains who delivered him to the Romans and being conveyed to Rome when he beheld the Riches and Glory of the City he reproved the Romans that being Masters of such glorious things they should nevertheless be greedy after the Possessions of the poor Britains 11. Prasutagus This Man being King of the Icenians made the Emperor Nero his Heir leaving his noble Queen Boduo and his two Daughters to the Emperor's Protection who abusing his Trust had 80000 of his Romans slain by the valour of Queen Boduo 12. Venutius King of the Brigantes he was Ruined and overthrown by reason of his Adulterous Queen Cartismandua joining with the Romans 13. Galgacus He was Prince of the Calledonians and was the last that held out against the Romans for with him the whole Island became subject to the Romans about a hundred thirty six years after Cesars first entrance into Brittain And so many years it was before the Romans came to understand that Britain was an Island CHAP. III. Of the Roman Emperors and their Deputies who ruled over and continued the Britains under their Subjection 1. JVlius Cesar first Emperor of Rome after he had made himself Lord of Germany came from thence into England his first Entrance was at Barhamdown in the year of the World 3873. He made the Britains submit three times before his Departure He made Comius his Deputy and at his next coming into Britain he laid on the Tribute of 300 l. per annum on them II. Augustus Cesar This Emperor perpared three times for Britain and still upon their Submission deferred his intended Voyage In the 42 year of his Reign our Saviour JESVS CHRIST was born Anno Mundi 3970 according to some Authors In 〈◊〉 â—mperor's time and in the two succeeding Emperor's Reigns Cunobeline was Deputy here in Britaâ—â— III. Tiberius Cesar He began his Reign in the year of CHRIST the Sixteenth and in the Eighteenth year of his Reign CHRIST was crucified at Jerusalem And Dionisius Areopagita who lived at this time seeing the strange Eclipse of the Sun and Moon at the instant hour of our Saviour's Passion said Aut Deus naturae patitur aut Mundi machina dissolvitur IV. Caius Caligula This Emperor banished Pontius Pilate who was CHRIST's Judge who afterwards in Dispair slew himself Anno Domini 41. in the 39 year of CHRIST this Emperor began his Reign and reigned three years and about 10 months he playned Mountains made Valleys of Hills and built Towers in the deep Sea
savage Rage fired the City of York and martyr'd St. Edmund King of the East-angles but Ethelred at length gave them a great overthrow slaying one of their Kings nine Earls and an infinite number of common Soldiers but about fourteen days after the Danes put the King to Flight at Basing and giving him Battel again at Merton about 2 Months after they obtained the Victory wounding the King also of which afterwards he died In the third year of this Kings Rule was the fourth general Council of Constantinople under Pope Hadrian the Second This was the eighth general Council of Christendom This Ethelred was the Third Son of Ethelwolf and fifth Sole Monarch of England and began his Reign Anno 866. and reigned 6 years 6. Elfride He fought 7 Battels with the Danes in one year and his Predecessor 9 These Danes so sore oppressed the King that he was forced to fle into the Woods and Desart Places where righting of his Bow and Arrows in a poor Cottage he was sharply blamed by the House-wife for letting a Cake burn on the Hearth for want of turning But after this putting himself into the habit of a Musitian he went playing up and down in the Danes Tents and taking notice of their sluggish Security he returned and gathered together his scattered forces and entring the Danes Tents before they were aware he made a great slaughter of them and took Rafan their Danish Banner which had a Raven of Needle-Work in it that had good Fortune ever attendant And now Halden a Danish Commander landing in Wales was by the Devonshire Men slain at a place near Exeter bearing his name and 818 of his followers after this the Danes sued to the King for Peace which was granted but not long continued This King caused all thieves to be banished and divided his Kingdom into Shires Hundreds and Tythings It is said That Gold-Bracelets were fastned to the Posts in Cross-wayes and that none were so bold as to take them away He is reported to have divided the Natural Day into three parts Eight hours whereof he spent in Prayers and Contemplation Eight hours in the Affairs of the Kingdom and Eight hours in Provision for himself He founded the first Common School in Oxford as Authors affirm which is now called Vniversity Colledge This Elfride was fourth Son of Ethelwolf and the Sixth Sole Monarch of England He began his Reign Anno 872. and reigned 29 years 7. Edward A Rebellion was raised against this King by his Nephew Ethelwald in this King's time one John Patrick Erigena a Britain writ a Book about the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper which was afterwards condemned by the Pope and he received Martyrdom for his Reward This King built the Castle of Hartford and at St. Edmund's Ditch he fought the Danes and was overcome but they lost two of their Kings Ethelwald and Crochricus and encountring again at Wodnesfield there the fortune of the day fell to the King and he slew the two Pagan Kings Cowilfus and Healadinâ—â— and the two Earls Vter and Scurfa and many thousands of the Danes besides Edrick King of the East-Angles was also slain by his own Subjects after this King had vanquished his Army This Edward was the eldest Son of Elfride and the Seventh Sole Monarch of England He began to rule Anno 901. and ruled 24 years 8. Ethelstane He is said to be the first annointed King 〈◊〉 this Island Elfred a Norman rebelling 〈…〉 and sent to Rome to 〈…〉 Edwin the King's Brother was slain the King through some Jealousies consenting thereunto but afterwards Repenting the Fact caused the Procurer thereof to suffer Death And now Anlafe the Dane disguising himself like an Harper entred the King's Tent and returning thought to have surprized the King but getting Intellihence hereof he removed his Tent and a Bishop new come to the Camp pitched there so Anlafe coming at night to surprize the Tent the Bishop hearing started up and so manfully laid about him that he slew five Petty Kings twelve Dukes and a great number of Soldiers but at last pity it was so was slain himself And the King afterwards passing into Scotland he Offers his Knife for good Luck's sake to John of Beverlye Subdues the whole Kingdom of Scotland makes a miraculous Dint in a Stone at Dun-bar with one stroak of his Sword of an Ell deep to testifie his Right to that Kingdom Near Winchester as the Story goes The King was challenged by the insulting Danes to provide a Champion to encounter one COLBRON a Danish Gyant whom they held invincible and none of the King's men daring to fight him he got a Pilgrim from among the Beggars as he was directed in his Sleep that entred the Lists and slew the Gyant and this proved to be Guy of Warwick of whose Vallor and the Faithfulness of his Wife Felice Tradition hath been very prodigal At Long-run the King became Victor of his Enemies and several Kings sent him Presents Hugh King of France sent him the Sword of Constantine the Great which had in the Hilt thereof one of the Nails that fastned CHRIST to the Cross he sent also Constantine's Spear being the same that Longinus pierced CHRIST's side with when he hung on the Cross and with it a piece of the Thorny Crown also And Otho the Emperor sent the King a Lanskip richly set with precious Stones The King of Norway sent him a great Ship richly gilt with purple Sails This King caused the BIBLE to be turned into English This Ethelstane was the eldest Son to Edward and the Eighth sole Monarch of England He began his Reign anno 925. and reign'd 15 years 9. Edmund He was much imployed in warring against the Danes and fought several Battels with them He caused the Eyes of the two Sons of Dunmail to be put out for their Rebellion He was Author of several of those Laws translated by Master Lambert he was Crown'd at Kingstone near London and made King thereof and so were Edwye Edred and Ethelred his Successors But on a time unhappily interposing his Body between two Duellists he was run thorow He bestowed Northumberland on Malcom King of Scotland This Edmund was fifth Son to King Edward and ninth Sole Monarch of England He began his Reign Anno 940 and reigned 6 years 10. Edred In his time Anlafe began to invade England again being animated under hand by Wolstan Arch-Bishop of York and was made King of Northumberland by the Subjects there but after several Skirmishes between Edred and him at length he grew distasteful to the People and so they dis-robed him of his borrow'd Honour and left him in statu quo prius The King in his March to Northumberland against Anlafe spoiled all with Fire and Sword and burnt the Abby of Rippon But at his Return he was basely set upon in the Rear of his Army and several of his Men slain before the rest could face-about which Plot was devised against him by Wolstan
unlawful yet all the force and Law they then had could never obtain a Writ of Restitution the continuance of this new Saxon Monarchy was but during the times of these two Kings following 1. Edward the Confessour He was Crowned at Winchester by Edsine Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in the beginning of his Reign the Danes Irish and Welsh entered England and destroyed all in their passage with Fire and Sword but they were withstood in their proceeding by Alfred the Warlike Bishop of Worcester In the fifth year of the King's Reign there fell so great a Snow in January that covered the Ground till the middle of March and much Cattel and Fowl died and in January after happened such an Earthquake that it seemed to rend the ground in sunder and withal such fearful Lightnings were then that the Corn in the Fâ—elds was burnt up which caused a great Dearth And now Goodwine Earl of Kent who was the main Instrument in setting up King Edward for his Favour to the Burgesses of Canterbury falls into dislike with the King and after several thwartings he and his five were banished but about two years after was received again into favour and being one day at the King's Table at Dinner the Cup-bearer coming in got a slip and had like to have spilt the Wine but as one Foot slipped the other recovered it whereupon the Earl said I see one Brother hath helped the other Yes said the King and so would my Brother Alured have helpen me if Goodwine had not been The Earl perceiving the King's Anger he took a piece of Bread and wished it might choak him if he were guilty of betraying the King's Brother so putting the Bread into his Mouth he was choaked therewith and fell down dead After this the King caused his Mother Emma to be tried whether she were guilty of Adultery or no by causing her to go blindfold over the place where nine Plow-shares lay glowing hot and she being clear of the Accusation laid to her charge went over the place where they lay and mist them every one stepping betwixt still all the way as she went when she was past them she not knowing so much cryed out saying Oh Lord When shall I come to the place of my Purgation And having her eyes opened and seeing herself past the Danger she fell on her knees and gave Thanks to her Deliverer this kind of Tryal was called Ordalium It is reported also that his Dealings with his own Beautiful Queen Edith a Daughter to Earl Goodwine were little better she being likewise accused of Adultery and kept in Prison during her Father's Banishment In this King's time was a blasing Star seen for sev'n dayes space all the World over The Abby of St. Peters at Westminster was enlarged by this King and he built the Church of St. Margarets at Westminster and removed the Bishop's Sea from Cridington in Devon-shire to Exeter and made Leofrick first Bishop thereof and he was the first of our Kings that cured the Disease called Struma now the King 's Evil and that first used to Seal his Patents with the Stately Seal now called The KING' 's Great Seal and he remitted the Tax of Dane-Guilt so grievous to his Subjects and Collected all the Laws of his Predecessors into one Body which some say is the Ground or Foundation of our Common Law This King Edward was seventh Son to King Ethelred and first by his Second wife Queen Emma he was born at I slip in Oxford-shire and was the 19 Sole Monarch of England he began his Reign Anno. Dom. 1042. and reigned 20 years 6 months and 27 daies He died the 4 of January and was buried at Westminster 2. Harrold This King at his Entrance freed his Subjects from those grievous Tributes his Predecessors had afflicted them withall he was crowned by Aldredus Archbishop of York Now there were three several Reports of Edward's disposing of the Crown some said to the Norman Duke who made that the Anchor-hold of his Claims others to young Edgar to whom he was great Vncle and lastly to this Harrold who in King Edwards days being at Sea in a Fisher-boat upon Pleasure was driven into Normandy where Duke William caused him to swear that if Edward died without Issue the Crown of England should be reserved for the Normans And hereupon after Edward's Death and Harrold's assuming of the Crown Duke William sent his Embassadours to him to put him in minde of his Oath but he returned Answer That it was extorted from him in his Imprisonment and so not obliging At this Answer the Duke was much inraged and prepared for an Invasion and at Harrold's Preparation to Encounter the Duke a fearful Comet appeared which was look'd upon as after it proved a bad Omen And now Harrold's Misery approaching Tosto Brother to Harrold and Harrold Harfagar King of Denmark invaded England and landed at Richal upon Owse in York-shire and spoiling the Country round about marched straitway to York News being brought to the King he with his Army marched Northwards to suppress these Danish Forces and at Stamford Bridg built over the River Derwent he was stopt by a single Dane who slew 40 of his men but at length the valiant Dane was slain by a Soldier who got a Boat and rowed under the Bridge and thrust his Spear up through a hole in the Bridge and so slew the famous valiant Dane Some say He was slain with a Dart thrown at him And the King now getting the Bridge he fell upon the Norwegians and made great slaughter of them and among the rest he slew Harfagar the King of Denmark and Tosto his own Brother and Olave the Son of Harfagar and Paul Earl of Orkny were taken Prisoners who begging their Lives of the King were suffered to depart with the rest of the Prisoners having 20 small Vessels of their great Fleet of three hundred Ships wherewith they invaded the Realm allowed them to carry away their slain and hurt with the heavy news to Denmark of the loss of their King and overthrow of their whole Army These Troubles were no sooner over but William Duke of Normandy landed at Pevensey in Sussex upon the eighth day of September Anno Domini 1066 who after his landing set his own Fleet on Fire that his Soldiers might have no hopes of flying back thither for succour When he first came on shoar his Foot stuck fast in the Sand and the Knight that was next to him said Now Sir Earl England sticks fast to thee Doubt not but presently to be King thereof after some small stirs he sent a Messenger to the King at London to demand the Kingdom but the Messenger was dismissed with Threats and Harrold now seeing no way but one either to fight or yield the Kingdom which was too sweet a Morsel to part with without Blows He therefore advances with his Army into Sussex and pitched his Tents in a fair plain within seven miles of the Enemy and
Robert the Sixth Duke of Normandy begotten on a Beautiful Damosel called Arlet the Daughter to a Tanner as some report He began his Reign on Saturday the 14 day of October Anno 1066 he reigned twenty years ten Months and twenty six dayes and was the twenty one sole Monarch of England he got his Sickness by an over-heat and died on Thursday the 9 day of September in the 56 year of his Dutchy 21 of his Kingdom and sixty fourth year of his Age Anno Domini 1087. CHAP. XI Of King William the second commonly called Rufus WILLIAM Posting to London after the Death of his Father he carried with him Earl Morcar and Wilnoth Son to Harrold being both released from their Imprisonment in Normanay but most of the States stood for Robert his elder Brother and had tried their Titles by the Sword had not Lanfranck and Wolstan two Learned Prelates stayed their hands On Sunday the twenty six of September Anno 1087 William was Crowned at Westminster by Lanfranck Arch-Bishop of Canterbury And now Odo the King's Vncle having been roughly dealt withal by William the Father for Revenge thereof begins to draw the Nobles into sedition against William the Son and further to accomplish his desires he sent Letters to Robert Curtoise the King 's elder Brother and Duke of Normandy to invade England to which Request Robert sent answer according to Odoe's expectation so Odo and the Nobles expecting daily Robert's assistance fell into open Rebellion and made a great spoil in several parts of the Kingdom but Robert not so hasty as was expected in the mean time Bishop Odo is taken and banished not long after Duke Robert enters England with his Normans whereupon the King agreed with him to depart again paying him three thousand marks yearly about this time Langfranck Archbishop of Canterbury dying the King kept the Bishoprick in his hands four years And the year after the King invaded Normandy and forced his Brother Robert to composition with him after the Peace concluded between these two Brothers they both took part against their younger Brother Henry but at length were all reconciled And now Malcolm King of Scots entered England doing much harm and the King marching to oppose him at their meeting a Peace was concluded and he gave Malcolm twelve Villages which he had formerly held under William the querour for twelve marks yearly in Gold At that time the King built Carlisle in Cumberland having been demolished two hundred years before by the Danes And now he makes Anselm a Norman Abbot Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Anno 1093. About this time King Malcolm came to Gloucester to treat with the King again about the Peace of the Nations and taking some distaste at his Reception he returned in a Rage and raising an Army he spoyled all before him as far as Alnewick presently after this Robert Mowbray and William of Ancho with some others conspired to take the King's Life and Crown and to set up Stephen de Albemarle but they were prevented This same year viz. 1093 the King Conquered Wales since which time the English Monarchs have been accounted the chief Governours thereof The next year the King and his Brother Robert fell at odds again but were quickly reconciled And Robert intending for the Holy War did Mortgage his Dukedom to William for 6666 pound of Silver to furnish him with necessaries for the War And now to raise this Sum of Money the King laied heavy Taxes on his Subjects and neither Churches nor Monasteries were Priviledged from this payment This Voyage for the Holy War was taken in the year of our Lord 1099. And the same year the King built new Walls about the Tower and likewise built Westminsterhall being ninety yards long twenty four yards and two Foot broad and yet when he first see it he said It was too little by half and so he would reserve it for a Chamber About this time began the Cestersian Order in Burgandy as some old Authors affirm and it was brought into England about the year 1135 and an Abby built for the Monks of that Order at Rivaulx Now the King going for Normandy to relieve his Subjects there the Winds proving very cross the Pilate desired the King to stay a while for a better Gale but the King no whit daunted commanded to hoise up Sailes with these words Hast thou ever heard that any King was drowned He denied that the Pope had any Authority over any Bishop within his Realm and also denied the Popes power of binding and loosing but paied him Peter-pence granted by his Father he also held it bootless to invocate Saints curbed Anselm Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Taxed the swelling Clergy for their Pride Luxury Idleness and Avarice In the Second year of his Reign a great Earthquake happened and in the fourth year a great Lightning which burnt the Steeple of the Abby of Winchester and rent the Beams of the Roof casting down the Image of our Lady and Crucifix breaking one of the Legs thereof And not long after so great a Wind happened at London that it blew down 60 some say 606 houses and took off the Roof of Bow-Church bearing it a great height into the Air and six of the Beams being twenty seven foot long with the fall ran twenty three foot into the Ground the Streets being then unpaved in the sixth year of the King's Reign was so great a Famine and Mortality that the Quick were scarce able to bury the Dead and in the ninth year of his Reign two blasing Stars with two Bushes appeared and other Stars seemed to shoot Darts one at the other And the last year of his Reign the Sea overflowed its Banks and drowned a great number of People in Kent and overwhelm'd a great deal of Lands which had been Earl Goodwins whose Name they retain to this day being called Goodwin's Sands There was also a Well of Blood which rose up out of the ground for the space of 15 dayes at Finchamstead near Abbington in Bark-shire This William Rufus was King of England but not Duke of Normandy he was Third Son of William the Conquerour by Maud his Wife Daughter to Baldwine the fifth Earl of Flanders He began his Reign on Thursday the ninth of September Anno Dom. one thousand eighty seven and reigned twelve years ten months and twenty three dayes he was the twenty second sole Monarch of England He was shot by Accident in New Forrest by Sir Walter Tyrrel on Wednesday the first day of August Anno Domini 1100. being the thirteenth year of his Reign and the Forty fourth year of his Age he was buried in the Quire of Saint Swythine being the Cathedral Church of Winchester CHAP. XII Of King Henry the first commonly called Beauclark for his Learning KING Henry was Crowned at Westminster by Maurice Bishop of London in the absence of Anselm Arch-Bishop of Canterbury on Sunday the fifth day of August Anno 1100 But before his Coronation the
Nobles constrained him to swear To ease the People of their Taxes and many other Oppressions which he afterwards performed And he restored to the English the use of Lights again which his Father forbad by ringing of a Bell and had continued about the space of 33 years He also ordained several good Laws and annexed his Great Seal to them and his Name with the subscription of several Lords Spiritual and Temporal and caused Copies of them to be sent into every County to be safely kept the heads of them take as followeth in these Seven Branches I. That the Church should be free from Oppressions and Reservation of their Possessions upon vacancy II. That the Heirs of the Nobilty should possess the Lands of their Fathers without Redemption from the King which Favour also should be granted by the Nobles to their Tenants III. That the Gentry might give in Marriage their Daughters and Kinswomen without the King's Licence so it were not to the King's Enemies IV. That the Widow should have her Jointure and not be compelled to marry against her own Will V. That the Mother or next of kindred should be Guardian of the Lands of their Children VI. That Coiners of False Money should be punished and a Measure to the length of the KING'S Arm to be a Standard for Commerce among the People And VII That all Debts to the Crown before his own Time should be forgiven and all Murthers before the Day of his Coronation to be pardoned With other such like Indulgencies And he also at this time confirmed King Edward's Laws And now he made Suit to Edgar King of Scotland to have Maud his Sister to Wise This Year 1100 his Brother Robert Duke of Normandy was elected King of Jerusalem but he hearing of his Brother Rufus's Death refused it in hopes of getting England's Crown And at his return from Jerusalem invaded England landed at Portsmouth Henry to be quit of him and to keep the Crown granted him 3000 Marks yearly and gave him royal Entertainment for six Moneths at Court After this Belasm Earl of Shrewsbury and Roger Mountgomery rebelled but they were overthrown by the King and forced to abjure the Realm for ever And now the Pope's Imp Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury begins to stir and calling a Council at London Excommunicated all Married Priests and deprived many learned Prelates because they were invested by the King and not by the Pope And now Duke Robert returned for England again to congratulate his Brother's Fortune and was so royally entertained that at the Request of his Sister Queen Maud he remitted the Annual payment of 3000 marks But afterwards Henry picking a Quarrel with him he sailed into Normandy and made himself Master thereof Afterwards Robert seeking to regain his own the King took another Voyage for Normandy where a bloody Battel was fought between them and Duke Robert and William Earl of Mortmain were taken Prisoners and the rest flying Henry return'd Conqueror having made Normandy subject to England just that day 40 years that England became subdued to Normandy And the Duke seeking to escape his Imprisonment had both his Eyes put out by the King's Order And now the King begins to shew himself in his Colors making no Bones of breaking his Oath made to his Peers he banished the Flemmings out of England And about this time to wit Anno 1109. the Emperor Henry the IV. took to Wife Maud King Henry's Daughter And now the Affairs of Normandy being disturbed the King hasted thither and after the Suppression of the Rebells he created his Eldest Son Duke thereof by which a Custom grew that thenceforth the Kings eldest Sons were Dukes of Normandy after this Anselm Bishop of Canterbury died Anno Domini 1114. The High Court of Parliament as some Authors affirm was first ordained in this King's Reign Anno 1116. in which year was exceeding great Lightning in March and Thunder and Hail in December and the Moon at both times seemed to be turned into Blood And in October the same year the River of Thames was so dried up that one might have gone between London-Bridge and the Tower on foot This year also King Lewis of France and the Earls of Flanders and Anjou sought to restore William Duke Robert's eldest Son to the Dukedom of Normandy but were frustrated of their hopes by Henry about this time Maud King Henry's Queen died After this Anno 1119. King Lewis enters Normandy again and between him and the King was a bloody Battel fought and Baldwin Earl of Flanders and many thousands besides were slain and the honour of the day fell to King Henry who returned Victoriously into Roan And shortly after the Earl of Anjou to curry the King's Favour gave his Daughter to William the King 's eldest Son in Marriage of which Marriage the King conceived no little Comfort but the budding Hopes of the conceived future Happiness were quickly cropped by the hand of Fate for at the King 's Return for England this new marri'd couple with Richard and Mary other two of the King's Children and Richard Earl of Chester his Lady and other Lords and Ladies were all cast away at Sea The King after this Anno 1121. took to his Second Wife Adilicia Daughter of Jeffery first Duke of Lovain And now Pope Calixtus the II. met the King in Normandy to see if his Threats would work the King's Submission to him that he might have the Packing and Dealing of the Cards for the Game of Spiritual Promotions in England but neither Flatterings nor Threats would work upon him At this Meeting two Youths Sons to the Earl of Mellent and Servants to the King disputing with two of the Popes Cardinals with Logical Syllogisms put the two Rabbies to the Non-plus In this Pope's time Anno 1122. was the first Lateran Council held being the ninth General Council About 3 years after this Anno 1125. Pope Honorius the second sent Cardinal Cremensis to certifie the Abuses of the Married Clergy and to that purpose he made a Set Oration in Praise of CHA-STITY and Dispraise of VNLAW-FVLL LVST for so he termed the Priests Marriage and yet himself was taken that Night with a WHORE and so he returned to his Master the Pope without Success Anno 1126. The King's Son in Law the Emperor died and his Wife returned into England whereupon the King called a Parliament and caused them to swear Fealty to the Empress his only Heir This same year one Arnold an English Preacher of Oxford was cruelly Butchered for preaching against the Pride of Prelates and Priest's wicked Lives The next year after the King married his Daughter the Empress again to Jeffery Plant aginet Son to Foulk Earl of Anjou And about six years after in the 33 year of this King happened so great an Eclipse of the Sun that at Noon-day one might have seen the Stars in the Firmament and about two dayes after this there was a terrible Earthquake And the same year
greedily devoured them half alive by reason of this Famine the Mortality was so great amongst the People that the quick could hardly bury the dead And not long after a great Murrain of kine happened so that the Dogs and Ravens eating thereof were Poysoned and did swell to Death so that no man durst eat any Beef And the next year after this the King calling a Council at Clarendon the Lords refused to appear but they were made Friends again by the Mediation of certain Cardinalls and now the Scots not satisfied with the Honour of their last Victory their King saled into Ireland and there caused himself to be Crowned King but the English there under the Conduct of the Arh-Bishop of Armagh and the Lord Binningham encountr'd the new King who there lost his new Honour with his life to boot and not long after a Truce for two years was concluded between England and Scotland About this time Hugh Spencer upon the Commendation of the Lords was made Lord-Chamberlain and his Father Earl of Winchester and now Dr. Barrenthorp of Oxford taught against the Pope and inveighed against the Deceits and impostures of Anti-Christ after a while the two new Lords Spencers Father and Son grew so insolent that they far exceeded Gaveston alienating the Hearts of the Barrons from the King which caused them to take up Arms against him but not long after the Earl of Lancaster and other 90 Nobles at Borrowbrigs were taken Prisoners and at Pontefract the Earl of Lancaster was Beheaded and other five Barrons hanged and the next day at York the Lords Clifford Mowbray and Deywill were hanged in iron Chains and now the King went against Scotland with an Army but was forced there to escape by night leaving his Treasure and rich Furniture for Pillage and the young Lord Mortimer escaping out of the Tower fled into France and not long after the Queen again sent her complaint to her Father of her ill usage There being now some Troubles in Gascoin the King not going himself sent his Queen into France to Negotiate his Affairs who drew all to agreement upon Condition that her Husband should give Prince Edward his and her Son the Dutchy of Aquitain and Earldom of Pontine for which places the young Prince did Homage to his Uncle the King of France after this the King sending for his Son and Queen home and they refusing to come they were thereupon proclaimed Enemies to the Crown the Queen hereupon without consent either of King or Peers Married the Prince to Philippa the Earl of Hanalt's Daughter and being now fitted for her purpose she raised an Army in Henalt and Germany consisting of 2700 Soldiers and many Forein and English Nobles and sailing for England landed at Orwel in Suffolk the King having notice hereof fled into the West to raise Forces promising a thousand pounds to those who would bring him Lord Mortimers head but the Queen not sleeping in her design pursued her Husband from place to place and at length she got Hugh Spencer the Father whom she caused to be cut-up alive and quartered and the King lying now hid in the Abby of Neath in Wales was there surprized by his Cosen the Earl of Lancaster and Imprisoned in the Castle of Kenelworth young Lord Spencer and the Lords Baldock and Reading being also taken at that time and carried to Hereford where Spencer was hanged 50 foot high and then beheaded and quartered and the Queen gave the bringer of his head to her 1000 pound And now a Parliament being called several Peers to wit 3 Bishops three Earls 2 Barrons 2 Abbots and 2 Justices were sent in the name of the Parliament to the King at Kenelworth to Command his resignation of the Crown to his Son Prince Edward at which message the King fell into a swown amongst the Peers at Kenelworth and afterwards coming to himself seeing no other way resign'd his Diadem Whereupon Sir William Trussel one of the messengers in the name of the whole Realm renounced Homage to the King in these words I William Trussel in the name of all men of the Land of England and of all the Parliament Procurator do Ressign to Thee Edward the Homage that was made to Thee sometimes and from this time forward now following I defie Thee and deprive Thee of all Royal Power and I shall never be tendant to Thee as for King after this time Not long after this the King was taken from Kenelworth and delivered by Indenture to the custody of Thomas Gourny and Sir John Mattravers who shortly after Murthered him by thrusting an hot spit up his Fundament into his Bowels at Barclay Castle for which fact they were forced to fly the Country This Edward the Second was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain c. He was the 4 Son of Edward the I. by Ellianor his Queen Sister to Alfonsus King of Castile His Reign began on Friday the seventh of July Anno Domini 1307 he reigned 19 years 6 Moneths and 18 days and was the 30 sole Monarch of England he was murthered as is before declared Anno 1327 being the 20 year of his Reign and 41 of his Age his body was buried at Gloucester CHAP. XX. Of King Edward the Third commonly called Edward of Windsor ABout the beginning of this King's Reign one Nycholas Lyrian a Divine of Oxford wrote a Book de Visione Dei against the Pope now by Advice of the Lord Mortimer the King acquitted the Scots of all his claim and Superiority to their Kingdom and shortly after this the King of France died without Issue and King Edward laid claim to the Crown and now the Queen-Mother being reported to be with Child by the Lord Mortimer who was too familiar with her he was thereupon taken at Nottingham and sent Prisoner to London where he was hanged at Tyburn remaining on the Gallows the space of two days for an Ignomenious Spectacle and presently after the King abridged his Mother of her too large Dowry bringing her to one thousand pounds per Annum Anno 1339. a Sudden Inundation of Water at New-castle upon Tine did bear down part of the Town-Wall where 120 Men and Women were drowned And the year after near Chippingnorton in Oxford-shire was found a Serpent having two Heads and two Faces like Women one Face attired after the New Fashion of Women's Attire and the other Face like the old Attire and Wings like a Batt And Fiends and Devils and strange Apparitions were seen by Men and spake unto them as they travelled About this time Dr. Ockham of Oxford wrote against the Popes John and Clement affirming them to have no Power over Civil Magistrates And now the King assisted Baliol against David Bruse King of Scotland who was forced to fly into France and Baliol procured the Crown and was made King and did Homage to King Edward as his Father had done to King Edward the First The King went four times into
Goods in the absence of his Banished Son which was but pro tempore intending to banish him in perpetuum which proceedings shortly after proved his Ruin for the King now sailing for Ireland did little good there but himself great harm here For by this means he gave Henry the Banished Son of the Duke of Lancaster opportunity to land in England for the gaining of his Right At whose Arrival several Lords flocked to him Their first attempt was against the Castle of Bristol where they took Bussy the Treasurer and Green who the next day were made shorter by the heads The King hearing of these Stirs returned and thought to have nipt them in the Bud but at his coming he found them fully Blown whereupon he betook himself to Conworth Castle in Wales and afterwards delivered himself into the hands of the Earl of Northumberland conditionally that if he and eight more whom he would name might have honourable Allowance with the assurance of a quiet private Life that then he would resign his Crown from hence he was carried to the Tower of London and a Parliament was called at Westminster in his name who all agreed to the resignation and Messengers were sent to the Tower to him with the said Instrument the manner and form whereof is shewed before in Edward the Seconds time to this Instrument the King set his hand and Seal desiring that his Cosen Henry Duke of Lancaster might succeed him and thereupon put his Signet Ring on the Dukes hand After this the Definitive Sentence being given in open Parliament Duke Henry rising from his Seat made his challenge to the Crown as followeth In the name of God Amen I Henry of Lancaster Claim the Realm of England and the Crown withall the Appurtinances as coming by the Blood Royal from King Henry the III and that Justice which God of his Grace hath send to me by the help of my Freinds for the Recovery of the said Realm which was in point of Perdition through default of Government and breach of Laws These words said he was by all the States acknowledged for King and placed in the Royal Throne This Richard the Second was King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain c. he was the Second Son to Edward the Black-Prince by Joan his Wife Daughter to Edmund Earl of Kent his Reign began on Sunday the one and twenty day of June Anno 1377 and he reigned twenty two years three months and eight days and was the the thirty two sole Monarch of England He was assassinated in Pontefrack Castle by Sir Pierce of Exton and other seven Assassinates he having first valiantly defended himself and slain four of the Assassinates Some affirm that he was starved to Death Anno 1400 His body was brought to London and carried through the City to St. Paul's Church and there left bare-faced by the space of three dayes for People to gaze at and was afterwards buried at Westminster some say at Langley CHAP. XXII Of King Henry the Fourth commonly called Henry of Bullingbrook THis King Henry was crowned at Westminster by Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and shortly after his Coronation he created his Eldest Son Henry Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitain and Cornwall and Earl of Chester and caused the Crown to be entailed upon the Heirs of his Body And then took from the Lords Awmarl Surry and Exeter the late King's Friends the Titles of Dukes And not long after he sent Embassadors to Rome France Spain and Germany to give them the Reasons of his assuming the Crown But the People of Aquitain hearing of those Carriages in England 〈◊〉 favoring King Richard's Cause begâ—◠〈◊〉 Revolt but Henry sending the Earl of Worcâ—â—ter thither with some Forces thâ—y quickly fell to their Obedience again And now the Scots upon some Distates entred the North-parts of England doing much harm And shortly after several Lords as John Holland late Duke of Exceter Thomas Holland late Duke of Surry Edward Plantaginet late Duke of Aumarl John Montacute Earl of Salisbury Lord Spencer Sir Ralf Lumly Sir Thomas Blunt and Sir Benedict Celye with others conspired against Henry either out of Pitty to Richard's cause or Emulation to Henry's greatness but the Plot being discovered before it came to any Perfection by some of their own party The two late Dukes of Exceter and Surry having notice thereof hasted to Cicester pretending as they passed along that King Richard was at liberty and that Henry was fled which was all false for at this time he had got 6000 men in Readiness to oppose them and Exceter seeking to escape by Sea was taken and at the Countess of Hereford's instigation was beheaded by the common People at Pleshie the Lord Spencer receiving the like doom at Bristol and others in other places in all nineteen whereof two had been Dukes in King Richard's time to wit John Holland and Thomas Holland Presently after this the King entered Scotland and spoiled the Country but before his Return Wales was in Rebellion under the Command of Owen Glendour of which the King having Intelligence he turned his March thither and burnt killed and took such Revenge as that time would permit and so returned with such spoil as he had got Glendour being gotten into the inexpugnable Snowden hills But the King's Danger was not less at home than abroad for in his Bed there was hidden a Calthrope or Engine with three very sharp Teeth or Spikes all of them set upward for his Destruction but he discovered it before he lay down but the Traytor was never found out Now Glendour still proceeding in his Outrages Edmund Lord Mortimer went against him but with the loss of about a thousand of his men in the Attempt and his own Liberty to boot being taken Prisoner and afterwards either for love or fear did marry Glendour's Daughter and was privy and consenting to Piercy's Rebellion which followed afterwards About this time were several Libels dispersed up and down in Defamation of the King but the Authors being taken suffer'd death amongst whom were several Grey-Fryers after the Execution of these offenders the King again entered Wales but the cruel Storms there at that time forced his return And the Earl of Northumberland the King's Lieutenant of the North and Piercy Hot-Spur the Earls Son had better success against the Scots who had entered England but returned by weeping Cross being overthrown in two Battels by the Earl and his Son and several taken Prisoners After this the King took to Wife Lady Jane of Navar Widdow of John de Mountforth Duke of Britain and shortly after several Prodigies appeared Prognosticating the Piercys Rebellion which followed not long after the first of them discovering himself in open Arms was Lord Piercy Hot-Spurr who made head about Chester to whom repaired the Earl of Worcester their intentions being to enter the Town of Shrewsbury The King sent for them promising under his hand their safe
Princess Catherine in Marriage to King Henry but these proffers found no Acceptance for Antelope the Pursevant at Arms was sent to the French King with Letters of Defiance Hereupon Charles sent a million of Gold out of France to the Lords Scroop Gray and Cambridge all three in especial favour with King Henry to betray or murther him before he arrived in Normandy which they O the prevalency of Gold intended to have put in execution but being discovered the Night before the King intended to have put to Sea they were all three beheaded And so the King embarked for France and landed near Harflew commanding his Army that they should do no violence to Churches Church-men Women or Children and so advanced towards the Town and laid Siege to it which shortly after was yielded to him and he turned out the French and Peopled the Town with English Artizans from hence he marched with 2000 Horse and 13000 Foot through the Countries of Caux and Ewe towards Callis but finding so many Obstacles in his way the French having plased shed Woods pulled down Bridges and carried all Victuals out of the Country where he intended to pass and his Soldiers growing sick and faint for want of Victuals he therefore resolved to march back to Callis The French upon this Advantage thinking to surprize the King near Azin Court pitched their Banner Royal their Host consisting of 150000 Horse and 10000 Men at Arms Princes Noblemen and Knights King Henry considering the faintness of his Soldiers through want of Victuals and that the French were six to one desired a Peace but was denied the French making themselves so sure of the Victory as that they had disposed of Court-places and other preferments in England among themselves each knowing his place but this day proved more fatal to them than they expected for King Henry seeing no way but one encouraged his Men and entered Battel obtaining a most glorious Victory with the loss of Edward Duke of York the Earl of Worcester and some few others but of the French fell that day 4000 Princes Nobles Knights and Esquires besides 10000 Common Soldiers and so many Prisoners taken that they far exceeded the Conquerors wherefore the King Commanded to kill them all least they should rise up against them From thence the King marched to Callis and so took Ship for England landing at Dover where he was received with great Triumph and at his entrance into London was presented with 1000 pounds in Gold and two Gold Basons worth 500 pounds Not long after Sigismond the Emperor arrived in England desiring a Peace between England and France which would not be granted and so concluded a Peace between himself and England and received the honourable Order of Knight-hood of the Garter from King Henry he returned And now the King of France having a Navy wasting on the Seas with many Bravadoes the English Fleet under the Command of John Duke of Bedford battered sunk and took the most of them and sent the three great Carracks of Genoa to England But Burgundy now siding with France against England the King thereupon called a Parliament and a Subsidy and tenth was granted him for the maintenance of the Wars against France but all not being sufficient for defraying so vast a charge he was forced to pawn his Crown and sell his Jewells for raising more moneys And being now well prepared he made his Brother John Duke of Bedford Protector of England and so made his second Expedition for France and arrived in Normandy whose Terrour was such that 25000 Families fled out of the Country upon his Arrival His first Attempt was against Conquest the strongest Castle in Normandy which he presently took and bestowed it on his Brother Thomas Duke of Clarence and the Castle of Aumbelliers on the Earl of Salisbury with that of Lovers on the Earl Marshal and presently after Cane was also taken by him About this time the Scots laying Siege against Barwick and Roâ—ksborough they were all scared away with fear when they heard that the Lord Protector and Arch Bishop of York with other Nobles were drawing near them with an Army Presently after a Parliament was called by the Protector 's Authority for raising Money for the Wars in which Parliament Sir John Old-Castle Lord Cobham who held the opinion of Dr. Wickliff was condemned and hanged in St. Giles's Fields being burnt also whilest he was hanging The King at this time laid against the Town and Castle of Fallais which after a while was surrendred upon certain Conditions and after this he divided his Army into several parts under the Command of Himself and Nobles who wan several Castles here and there he with his party laid Siege to Roan which after six months Siege was forced to Surrender there being famished in the Town during the Siege 50000 and 12000 Starvelings turned out of the Town who died in Ditches He caused the Burgesses there to pay him 356000 Crowns towards his Expences in the Siege and likewise to swear Fealty to him and his Successors This place had been about 215 years in the possession of the French from the time that King John of England lost it Presently after the Surrender of this place about 40 other Towns and places of note did yield themselves to the King and now the Duke of Burgundy sought to make Peace but it was denyed King Henry following on now to make an absolute and entire Conquest which shortly after he effected a Flood-Gate being opened unto him for accomplishing of the same by reason of some affronts offered by the Dauphin to his Mother the Queen who impatient of wrongs raised Forces and with the help of the Duke of Burgundy became Regent of France which civil Broils made well for King Henry for Peace being sought with him it was granted with these Conditions that the Crown of France and all its Rights after the Death of the French King Charles and his Queen should remain to King Henry and his Heirs for ever whereupon he married Lady Catherine Daughter to King Charles and so the Sallique Law of France at this time was made void but the Pope being sollicited to confirm Henry King of France would not condescend to it Upon the Sealing and Swearing the above mentioned Articles Philip Duke of Burgundy did Homage to King Henry who was then Stiled and Proclaimed Regent of France and kept his Court at Paris for a time Parliaments being then called which confirmed all things the Nobles all swearing to be true to King Henry except the Dauphin and his party who were in Rebellion and in the last Parliament had Sentence of Disinheritance pronounced against him and in the Court of Chancery in Paris all things were sealed with the Seal of King Henry And now all things thus confirmed the King with his Queen came for England who was no sooner out of France but the Scots hasted thither to the Aid of the Dauphin and in a Skirmish several of
went about to take away the King's Life and she was forced to satisfy publickly for that wickedness she had not attempted though others that were guilty in their very Sufferings excused the Dutchess of it Yet notwithstanding she did Pennance going the first day from Temple-Bar down Fleetstret with a wax Taper in her hand to Pauls where she offered her Taper to the Altar the next day but one she went through Bridgestreet and Grace Church Street to Leaden-Hall and so to Christ-Church by Allgate and two days after she went through Cheapside to St. Michaels in Cornhil in form aforesaid Now the Affairs still various in France at length a Truce was concluded for 18 Moneths and hopes of perpetual Amity grounded upon a Match Contracted by William de la Pole Earl of Suffolk for the King with Margaret Daughter to Renate Duke of Angiers and Titular King of Sicily Naples and Jerusalem but this Match proved inauspicious to the King for by it he lost his Friends in England and Revenues in France and not long after all was Ruled by the Queen and Suffolk and their Complices and a Parliament being called the Duke of Yorks Commission was revoked and Henery Beaufort Duke of Somerset was sent Regent into France And now began the King's Miserys to approach for in the Parliament at St. Edmundsbury the Protector through the Queen's means unknown to the King was Arrested of high Treason and before he came to any Tryal he was Murthered in his Bed with Pillowes as it was thought and the Cardinal of Winchester the other Prop of the Kingdom lived not long after him after whose death the Affaires both of England and France were carryed on very unfortunately And now Suffolk the Queens chief Favourite is made Duke which passages displeasing the people Richard Plantaginet begun to think how these distempers might work well on his side for the obtaining the Crown whereupon hetook shipping for Ireland to still the Irish Commotions there which he quickly effected and there layd the foundation of his first plots In mean time Somerset Regent in France lost all which unhappy News coming to England it caused several to look sleightly at the Queen but especially at Suffolk against whom several Articles were exhibited by the Lower-house of Parliament whereupon he was Imprisoned in the Tower but shortly after was again restored to his Liberty The 23 of the King on Candlemas Eve in diverse places of England were heard Terrible Thunder with Lightning whereby the Church of Baldock in Hartfordshire and the Church of Walden in Essex and divers others were sore shaken and the Steeple of St. Pauls Church in London about three of the Clock in the afternoon was set on fire but was happily quenched again And now the Duke of York shortly after procured Adam Mollins the Bishop of Chichester Keeper of the Privy Seal another Pillar of the Kingdom to be Murthered by the Seamen at Portsmouth Not long after one Thane alias Blewbeard a Fuller of Canterbury attempting to raise some forces in the Duke of York's behalf miscarried in his Enterprize and was taken hanged and quartered And another Parliament being called and the Commons wishing well to the Duke of York they again accuse the Duke of Suffolk and now obtained of the King Sentence of his Banishment for five years who being upon the Seas intending his banished Voyage was taken and in Dover Road had his Head Chopped off on the side of a Cock Boat After this the Bishop of Salisbury was Murthered by his own Tenants and Lord Say Treasure of England and his Son in Law with some other were slain by the Common People such footing had the Duke of York's cause gotten amongst them and now in his behalf though he was still in Ireland rose the Commons of Kent under Jack Cade's Command and pitched on Black-heath neare Greenwich in Kent the King perceiving it no time to be idle raised an Army in the mean time Cade retired to Sevenock in Kent And the King supposing he had fled sent Sir Humphry Stafford and other Gentlemen with some forces to pursue him to whom Cade gave Battel and slew Sir Humphry with some others of which the King having notice he left the Tower to the Custody of the Lord Scales and fled to Kenelworth Castle and so Cade marched to London causing the head of Master Crâ—mer high Sheriff of Kent to be lopt of and falling to the plundering of some of the Wealthiest Citizens the Lord Mayor then considering the danger they were in sent forthwith to the Lord Scales for Aid who sent the Renowned Esquire Matthew Gough to their Relief and now the Cittizens took heart and began to bar up London-Bridge the Kentish Plebeans quartering in Southwork and hearing hereof ran furiously to their Armes and with their Leader Cade sought to open the passage by force but was not able the Contention was very hot and continued all Night Gough and several others being slain to appease these Furies by Pollicy which could not be conquered by Force the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury sent a Pardon under the King 's great Seal whereupon the Plebeans threw down their Arms and gave their leader Cade leave to shift for himself who afterwards attempting new Troubles a 1000 marks was promised to them that could take or kill him whereupon one Mr. Eden a Gentleman of Kent slew him and 26 more of his crew suffered Death at Canterbury and elsewhere These Stirs were no sooner over but the Duke of York arrived in England leaving Ireland who at his first approach imprisoned several Nobles in Ludlow Castle but many of the Peers sided with him now the King as it was time began to rouse up his Spirits marching towards the Duke then in Wales who hearing of the King's march fled into Kent and at Brent-Heath encamped of which the King having intelligence he steared his Course that way and sending Messengers to the Duke to demand the Reasons of these Tumults he perceiving the King too powerful for him did thereupon submit and was received again into favour And now some hopes arising of the recovering of Gascoin again the Lord Talbot and some others were thereupon sent into France who at first were very successful in their Designs but the Lord Talbot being slain the French regained all again and the English lost all Aquitain after they had possessed it about three hundred years And about this time the Queen was delivered of her First born Edward by this time the Duke of York had arrested the Earl of Somerset of high Treason who being sent Prisoner to the Tower of London was from thence Released by the King and made Captain of Callis whereupon York and his Adherents fell into open force levying an Army about the Marches of Wales from whence they intended their march to London but were stopt at St. Albans by the King and his Forces the Duke at his coming hither sent to the King desiring him to deliver up
to him such persons as he would name to which the King returned Answer that he and his adherents were all Traytors so the Yorkists assailed the Town and flew 48 Nobles Knights and Esquires amongst whom were the Earls of Somerset Northumberland and Stafford and 5000 Common Soldiers and wounded the King in the neck with an Arrow so he was taken Prisoner The next day the Duke of York and Earls of Salisbury and Warwick marched to London with the King and in his name summoned a Parliament by whose Authority the Duke of York was established Protector of England Salisbury Lord Chancelor and Warwick Captain of Callis but it was not long before they were again displaced The French by reason of these intestine Broils took their Advantage making several inroads on the Coasts of England killing the Mayor Bayliffs and several other Officers of Sandwich and burnt Foway and several other Towns in Devonshire Anno 1458 there was a Fray in Fleetstreet between the men of the Court and the inhabitants of the said Street in which Fray the Queens Attorny was slain for which Fact the King committed the Governours of Cliffords Furnivals and Barnards-Inn to Prison and William Taylor Alderman of the Ward and several others were sent to Windsor Castle The year after being 1459 the Science of PRINTING was found out in Germany at Magunce by a Soldier and was brought into England about 12 years after by one William Caxton a Mercer who practized it at St. Peter's Abby in Westminster for a pretty while And now a seeming reconcilement was concluded on between the King with his Lancastrians and the Yorkists but it had not long continuance for the Yorkists under the pretence of some Afronts offered to the Earl of Warwick by some of the King's Servants drew to an head again but their Intentions being discovered by one Andrew Trollop they all thereupon disperced themselves And shortly after a Parliament being called in it were the Duke of York Earl of March Earl of Warwick Earl of Rutland and Earl of Salisbury with certain others all attainted of High-Treason and their whole Estates consiscared but they neither fearing nor regarding their attainder drew out again from the several places whither they were fled and uniting their forces together consisting of about 25000 men they fought the King at Northampton slaying about ten thousand men with several Nobles as Humfry Duke of Buckingham the Earl of Shrewsbury Lord Egremont and others and taking the King himself Prisoner whereupon the Tower was surrendred and the Lord Scales Lieutenant thereof seeking to escape was murthered by Whirry men on the Thames Now a Parliament again being called the Duke of York coming out of Ireland made his Claim to the Crown deriving his pedigree from Lyonell the 3 Son of Edward the III elder Brother of John of Gaunt Father of King Henry the IV and after great debate in the Parliament at length it was concluded that King Henry should possess it during his life and after his Death then the Crown to remain to Richard Duke of York and his Heirs in general tail During these proceedings the Queen with her Son were in the North raising of Forces whither the Duke of York marched to encounter them reposing himself at Sandal Castle expecting more force to come to his aid but the Queen in the mean time coming before the Castle with a small force laying Ambushes on either side of the Hill before the Castle which the Duke not suspecting rushed out upon the Queen's men whom he had no sooner encountred but the Ambushes presently coming out surrounded him by which means the Duke with several of his Complices and Friends as the Earl of Salisbury and the Earl of Rutland a Child of 12 years old who though begging his life on his knees with tears were slain and about 3000 Soldiers Edward Plantaginet Earl of March Son and Heir to the Duke of York hearing of his Father's Death with an Army of 23000 men intended to Fight the Queen's Army but he found imployment by the way for at Mortimer's Cross near Ludlow he was encountred by the Earl of Pembrook and Earl of Ormond to whom he gave a great Overthrow slaying 3800 of them and taking several Prisoners amongst whom was Owen Tuder who had married Catherine Mother to Henry the VI. whose Head was chopped off in the mean time the Queen was gotten as far as St. Albans where the Londoners fearing their Plunder by her Army together with the King and several Nobles gave her Army Battel she giving them the overthrow and slaying two thousand of their men but Edward Earl of March drawing nigh the King and Queen retired into Scotland leaving the Kingdom to Edward whereupon he entered London giving a Period to Henry's Reign which accounted is but till this time although he lived eleven years after This Henry the Sixth was King of England France and Lord of Ireland he was the only Child of King Henry the Fifth by his Queen Catherine Daughter to Charles the VI. King of France His Reign began on Munday the 31 day of August Anno 1422. he reigned 38 years 6 months and 3 days and was the 35 sole Monarch of England he was stabbed to the Heart in the Tower by Crook-back Richard Duke of York afterwards King of England on Monday the twenty day of May Anno Domini 1471 being the 49 of his Age his body was first buried in the Abby of Chartsy in Surry and afterwards removed to Winsor by King Henry the Seventh and after that again removed none knows to what place CHAP. XXV Of King Edward the Fourth KING Edward was Crowned at Westminster but his Carriages towards the Citizens at his first entrance made them repent their forwardness in his behalf against King Henry and hearing of Henry's preparations in the North he marched toward Pontefrack in York-shire giving the Lord Fitzwalter charge of the passage at Ferry Bridg nigh Pontefract where the said Lord and several of his men were slain shortly after the Armies drew into a plain between the Towns of Towton and Saxton the King's Army consisting of 48660 and Henry's of 60000 men the Fight was bloody and continued 10 hours but at last the Lancastrians not able to gain-stand Edward's Forces they betook themselves to their Heels leaving the glory of the day to King Edward there was slain that day being Palm-Sunday the 29 of March several Nobles as Henry Piercy Earl of Northumberland John Lord Clifford John Lord Nevil and Leonard Lord Wells and several other persons of Quality to the Number of 357 and in all there was slain about 35091. This doleful News coming to Henry he with his Queen and Son fled into Scotland where they were honourably received by King James to whose Sister not long after the Prince was married and now after these passages in Scotland the Queen sailed into France to seek Aide where she got more men then her Coffers would discharge Edward in the
London with the King his Majesty was received with great Joy and lodged in the Bishop's Pallace where all the Lords were sworn to him and there the subtile Duke of Gloucester behaved himself so reverently towards the King that the next Council he was chosen Protector At this Council the Arch-Bishop of York was reproved for his forwardness in giving up the great Seal to the Queen and was deprived of the Chancellorship and Dr. Russel Bishop of Lincoln put in his place All things thus proceeding according to the Protector 's mind he proceeds further in his wicked Plot making such a cunning Apology to the Council for getting the young Duke of York the King's Brother out of Sanctuary that they all suspecting no harm consented to him and agreed that the Arch-Bishop of York should repair to the Queen to desire her delivery of the young Prince and if denied then to bring him away by force and after a long conference between the Queen and Bishop at length with tears she delivered the Child into their hands from whence he was carried into the Star-Chamber to Gloucester who took him in his Arms with much seeming Joy and gave him a Judas kiss So having got what he desired he and Buckingham made Covenants between themselves that Gloucester should be King and that Buckingham should have the Earldom of Hartford and great part of the King's Treasure and to blind the People of their intentions several Lords from several parts of the Realm were called to devise things for Edward's Coronation at whose appearance the Protector and Buckingham withdrew into Bishops-gate Street to contrive the contrary Soon after several Lords repaired to the Tower to consider further of the Coronation and the time drew so near that all things were in readiness for it but not the Protector comes in amongst them seeming to be very merry excusing himself that he had been so long from them and desired to withdraw a little and about 2 hours after he came in with a sower and frowning Countenance and took his place and after a while he thus spake What are they worthy of saith he that compass and imagine my Destruction to whom Lord Hastings made Answer That they were worthy to be punished as Traytors That is quoth the Duke yonder Sorceress my Brother's Wife meaning the Queen and that other Witch of her Council Shoar's Wife At these words the Lords of the Council were much dismayed and hereupon the Lord Hastings said Surely they would not do so but the Protector answered and said I tell thee they have done so and that I will make good on thy Body Traytor and so giving a clap on the Table with his hand in came as many men in Harness as the Room would hold and all the Lords were conveyed some to one Room and some to another and the Lord Hastings within three hours after was beheaded on a Log before the Chappel Door in the Tower And now sending for several able Citizens into the Tower after Dinner he pretended to them that the Lord Hastings would have destroyed him and the Duke of Buckingham and so dismissed the Citizens and caused Proclamation to be made of the Lord Hastings Treason And not long after the Sheriffs of London were sent to seize of Jane Shoars goods which amounted to 300 marks and she afterward was forced to do Pennance to her great shame and now the Protector fought to strike whilest the Iron was hot and so sent for the Lord Mayor Edmund Shaw and made him acquainted with the Design who in hopes of Honour promised to draw the Citizens that way and means how to accomplish this Design was to get some able Ministers to Preach that King Edward the IV was a Bastard and that all his Children were Bastards and so to set up the praises of the wicked Protector thereby to seduce the People who are naturally apt to listen to Novelties and for this purpose Dr. Shaw the Mayors Brother and Dr. Pincker were the Men pitched upon who performed the Task very dexterously and it is wonderful to think what waverings and doubtings this caused amongst the People but the two Doctors felt God's Judgments for this Offence afterwards These things being thus bruited abroad the Duke of Buckingham shortly after repaired to Guild-Hall in London to which place the Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City were come where he made a Learned Apology to them for the Election of Richard Protector to be King the People here at were all mute and answered not one word but being asked thrice of their Opinions herein and in a manner threatned to it at length they drew down into the Hall and began to whisper among themselves at which instant a great Company of Apprentices and the Dukes Servants prepared for the purpose rushed in at their Backs Crying King Richard and hereupon it was concluded to be the Cry of the whispering Citizens and so the Assembly being dismissed for this time they were all required to meet Buckingham the next day at Baynards Castle in Thames-Street at which place the Protector then Lodged and after the Assembly was come the Duke of Buckingham made the Protector with their as he said Election of him to be King at which words Richard as though he had been ignorant looked very strangely on them and denied to accept of that he so much coveted the Crown but Buckingham making himself the Mouth of the Assembly told him If he would not accept of it they would make choice of some other Noble man whereupon the Protector seeming as it were to have that forced upon him he most desired accepted of it promising more to the People then in a quarter of an hour than he performed in all his Life And so at this time Edward was deposed and he and his Brother about two months after were murthered in the Tower This Edward the V. though never Crowned was accounted King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was the eldest Son of King Edward the IV by Elizabeth his Queen Daughter to Sir Richard Woodvile Earl of Rivers by Jaquilana his Wife Dutchess of Bedford He began his Reign on Friday the 9 day of April Anno 1483 and reigned two months and thirteen days and was the 37 sole Monarch of England He with his younger Brother the Duke of York were smothered to Death in their Beds in the Tower with Pillows about the lattter end of July Anno 1483 being the first and last year of his Reign and the 12 of his Age Their Murtherers were Miles Forrest and John Deighton Servants to Sir James Tirrel who was imployed for this purpose by the Duke of Gloucester their Uncle then King of England their Bodies were buried deep in the Ground under a Stare-case in the Tower and being afterwards taken up again none knows where they were laid CHAP. XXVII Of King Richard the Third PResently after his Election as is shewed before a Parliament was called and
and was afterwards interred with great solemnity in the Grey-Fryers in Leicester and at the dissolution thereof the stone-trough wherein his Corps were laid was taken up and is now a drinking trough for Horses at a Common Inn in Leicester After the Fight was over the Lord Stanly found the Crown among the spoiles of the field and set it upon the Earl of Richmond's head in the field at which instant began the Reign of this new King and so an End was put to the bloody Contentions between the Yorkists and Lancastrians there were fought here in England eleven Set-Battels five in Henry the Sixt days as St. Albans Blackheath Northampton Wakefield and Towton and five in Edward the Fourths time as Hexham Banbury Lose-Coat-Field Barnet field and Tewxsbury and lastly Bosworth field which put a period to the to the Reign of the Plantaginets and opened away for the Tewdors to succeed them in these Civil Wars between the Houses of Lancaster and York were slain above one Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Men. This Richard the Third was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was a younger Brother to King Edward the Fourth and Son to Richard Duke of York who was Son to Richard Earl of Cambridge who was Son to Edmund Duke of York who was Fifth Son to King Edward the Third his Reign began on Friday the 22 day of June Anno 1483. He reigned two years and two moneths and was the 38 Sole Monarch of England he was slain in the Battel at Bosworth field as is before shewed on Monday 22 day of August Anno 1885. and his Body was buried in the Grey-Fryers at Leicester CHAP. XXVIII Of King Henry the Seventh AFter the Battel at Bosworth field was over the King hasted to London where with great Joy he was received and shortly after Crowned and Edward Plantaginet Earl of Warwick imprisoned in the Tower And now a Parliament being called King Richard was attainted and the Crown intayled on Henry and his heirs for ever About this time was the Sweating-Sickness of which Disease a world of people dyed a new Disease never known in England before And now the King dissolving the Parliament in January after he married the Lady Elizabeth eldest Daughter to King Edward the Fourth who in September after was brought to Bed of Prince Arthur and not long before the King's Marriage was Wheat sold for three shillings per Bushel and Bay-Salt the same price and the Cross in Cheapside was new builded And now the King taking his Progress to York to gain the Love of his Northern Subjects the Lord Lovel with some others that had taken Sanctuary after Bosworth Field raised forces thinking to surprize the King but he with 3000 men under the Conduct of the Duke of Bedford sent either to pardon or Fight them and the Duke proffering pardon the Lord Lovel fled by night and the multitude yeilded without stroak and shortly after Sir Humphry Stafford another Rebel suffered at Tyburn And not long after a new Tumult began upon the Report of one Richard Symon a Priest who broached abroad that one Lambert Symnell Scholar of his was heir to Edward Duke of Clarence who was cast into Prison a little before by Henry and so sailing with him into Ireland he there prevailed so much among the Peers especialy with Thomas Fitz-Girald Lord Chancelor that at Dublin he was Proclaimed and Crowned King and there obtaining some help he returned for England to whom those Lords that favoured the Cause of the Plant aginets joyned themselves although they knew the Fraud among whom the Earl of Lincoln was chief who with the Lord Lovel Sir Thomas Broughton Collonel Swart and Mawrice Fitz Thomas near a little Village about three Miles for Newark called Stoak were all slain by the Kings Army and 4000 Common Soldiers besides and the Counterfeit Symnel with the lewd Contriver of this wicked Stratagem Simon the Priest were both taken and Symnel confessing the business to be forced on him was made one of the King's Falkoners and the Priest Simon was commited to a dungeon and perpetual shackles And shortly after this Battel the King sent Richard Fox Bishop of Exceter and Sir Richard Edgecomb Embassadors to the King of Scots where they to the King 's great Satisfaction concluded a seven years Truce About this time the Duke of Britain sent to the King for his Assistance against France but he unwilling to disoblige either party having been formerly beholden to both sought a reconciliation making himself Umpire between them to which the French seemed to listen but in the mean time prepared for War and at St. Albans gave the Britains a great Overthrow and slew the Lord Woodvile and all or most of his men who was gone to the Duke's aid without King Henry's knowledge hereupon the King prepared to lend his Assisting hand to the Britains but their Duke in the mean time died which put an end to the business And now began some stirs in York-shire where the Earl of Northumberland was slain by the Commons at a place called Cock-Leg near Thirske at the inticement of one John Chambers for demanding the Subsidy granted by Parliament to the King and the Plebeans afterwards made head under the Command of Sir John Egrimont but the King sending an Army against them under the Command of Thomas Lord Howard Earl of Surry they were quickly dissipated and the Ringleadears shortly after received death the due Reward for such Rebels but Sr. John Egrimont escaped to Margaret Dutchess of Britain the common Encorager and Receiver of all King Henry's Enemies About this time the Scots rose in Rebellion against James the Third their King and fought the Army at Bannocks-Burn where in a Mill in the same field he was murthered After this King Henry began to prepare for War against France at the Request of Maximilian the Emperor whom they had basely abused in not only divorsing his Daughter Margaret from the French King but also in making Ann the Heir of the Dukedom of Britain his Wife who had been betrothed to the said Emperor by his Embassadors and the King taking his Voyage for France landed at Callis and marched on as far as Bulloigne and finding the Emperour unprepared upon whose Accounts he had undertaken that War he thereupon made Peace with France and had the sum of 186250 li. granted yearly which was duly pay d during his time and his Son 's until the debt vvas run out After this Voyage Margaret the Dutchess of Burgumdy the King 's grand Enemy obtruded upon the English one Peterkin or Parkin Walbeck by the name of Richard Plant aginet Second Son of Edward the Fourth and many of the Nobility out of Innovation rather than Love knowing it to be a Deceit of the Dutchess sided with him and the Lord Stanly amongst the rest did supply him with Money for which Cause shortly after he lost his Head although formerly he had been a main Instrument
Henry the Fifth for suppression of the Scriptures in English should be all repealed and Images all thrown out of the Churches throughout the Realm and the Church Service to be read in English and the Sacrament exhibited in both kinds and the other old Ceremonies were abolished and all those that made opposition were either imprisoned or deprived of their places Hereupon Tumults arose in Devonshire and Cornwal doing much harm especially to the City of Exceter which City for its Loyalty had the Mannour of Exilond not after bestowed upon it by the King and Pardon was granted to the Rebells yet notwithstanding they persisted in their Rebellion and 4 times being fought by the Lord Russel and each time worsted yet they still made head again till at length their Ring-Leaders were taken and Executed At this time also the Mayor of Bodmyn was Hanged and a Millers Man who took upon him his Master's name and cause when seeing himself likely to suffer for it thencryedout That he was but the Miller's Man well said Sir Anthony Kingston Thou canst never do thy Master better Service than to hang for him No sooner were these Troubles quelled but one Robert Ket moved about 20000 Commons in Norfolk to a Rebellion taking the City of Norwich in which place the Lord Dudly shortly after caused 60 of them to be executed and afterwards overthrew their Army and took Ket their Leader who was hanged up in Chains upon the Top of the Castle of Norwich and 9 of his Companions hanged in the Oak of Reformation a Tree in which Ket used to sit as Judge to determine of their intended Reformation and Proceedings the great occasion of these Commotions in several Counties in England was against Inclosures and taking up of wast Grounds which was then coming into Fashion for they disparked a great many Parks and other inclosed Grounds whereupon several of them were slain in the Quarrel the Plebeans also at Seymer near Scarborough in York-shire rose also under the Conduct one William Ombler a Yeoman there Thomas Dale a Parish Clerk and one Stephenson the Post but the King sending down his Pardon the Commons left their Leader to be led to York where they were Executed But now began greater Sorrows for the King 's two Uncles the Lord Protector and Lord Admiral falling at Variance about their Wives who should take place it proved unlucky to them both for the Lord Admiral was afterwards attainted of some Treasonable Articles as was supposed by his Brother the Protector 's procurement and was beheaded at Tower-hill and not many years after the Protector himself being fallen into dislike among the Lords at the same place received the same Doom and during these unhappy proceedings the English were quite driven out of Scotland and the French had sought to recover Bulloin but they were so bravely withstood by vallor of one Carter an English Soldier that 15 Waggons went loaded away with their slain and they afterwards attempting the Islands of Gernsie and Jersie they were there also forced to desist with the loss of a thousand men And now the King's Death began to approach he having taken the Death of the Protector his Uncle to Heart and before he died he ordained the Lady Jane Daughter to Henry Duke of Suffolk lately married to Guilford Lord Dudly to succeed him in the Kingdom Notwithstanding the Statute made for the Succession of his Fathers Children Anno 1552 about 7 miles from Oxford at a Town called Middleton a Woman brought forth a Child which had two perfect Bodies from the Navel upwards which were so conjoined together at the Navel that when they were laid out at length one Head and Body was East and the other West and the Leggs of both the Bodies were joined together in the midst they were Female Children and lived 18 days This Edward the Sixth was King of England France and Ireland he was the only Son of King Henry the Eight by Jane his Queen Daughter to John Seimer Knight He began his Reign on Thursday the 28 day of January Anno 1546 he reigned 6 years 5 months and 8 days and was the 41 sole Monarch of England He died of a Consumption of the Lungs on Thursday the 6 day of July Anno 1553 being in the 7 year of his Reign and about the 16 of his Age his Body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XXXI Of Queen Mary AFter the Death of King Edward the Lords of the Council caused Lady Jane Guilford to be Proclaimed Queen Lady Mary hearing of these proceedings writ to the Lords to acquaint them with her Title to the Crown but they regarded it not alledging the divorce of her Mother hereupon she betook her self to Fremingham Castle to which place the Suffolk men repaired and promised their Aid Provided she would not alter the Religion Established in her Brother's days to which Request she willingly condescended but afterwards upon their Petition to her after she had got the power in her own hands for performance of her Promise she dismissed them with rough Answers And now several men of Account repaired to her and Proclaimed her Queen at Norwich the Lords at London having notice hereof sent the Earl of Northumberland with an Army against her but Queen Maries Forces still encreasing she was Proclaimed Queen in Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire Northampton-shire and the Lords now began to grow fearful procured Dr. Ridly Bishop of London to maintain Lady Jane's cause in his Sermon at Paul's Cross but this working no effect they forthwith Proclaimed Queen Mary and so the poor distressed Earl of Northumberland being forsaken by his Soldiers for want of an Harrold at Cambridge proclaimed Queen Mary himself but notwithstanding shortly after lost his head although he had renounced his Religion in hope of Pardon with him suffered Sir John Gates and Sir Thomas Palmer and not long after them the Lord Guilford and Lady Jane his Wife a Princess for her Wisdom and Learning worthy of Immortal Fame It is reported that Morgan who gave Sentence of Death upon her fell afterwards into Madness always crying out Take away the Lady JANE from him Now the Queen released the Duke of Suffolk from his Imprisonment but he afterwards seeking to withstand the Queen's Marriage was betrayed by one Vnderwood his Servant and himself with his Brother Thomas Lord Gray were Beheaded and several worthy Bishops as Cranmer Ridly Story Coverdale Hooper c. and all married Priests were displaced and Romanists such as Bonner Gardiner Day Wesie Heath c. were put in their places Sir Thomas Wyat now with a great Power in Kent sought to withstand the Queen's Marriage and to have placed better Councellors about her and thinking to have enter'd over at London-Bridg was there stopt so spoiling Gardiner's the Bishopof Winchester's House he returned and got over the River of Thames at Kingston and intended to have entered the City of London at Ludgate but being there withstood upon his return at Temple-Bar
Foot and 1000 Horse under the Command of Sir John Norrice and shortly after went the Earl of Leicester as Deputy but no great matters being performed he was again recalled and Commanded to resign up his Government to the Netherlands again and the King of Spain now under the false proffers of Peace prepared his Invincible Navy as it was called against England of which the Queen had notice by the French King so that she caused the generall Forces of her Realm to be mustred and fifteen hundred horsemen and two and twenty thousand Foot were Commanded to repair to Tilbury in Essex whither She also went attended with her own Guard consisting of two thousand three hundred fifty two horsemen and thirty four thousand and fifty foot her Admiral at Sea was Lord Charles Howard and Vice Admiral Sir Francis Drake This Armado consisted as some of our Chronologers reckon of Seventy two Gallisers and Gallions forty seven Ships and Hulks eleven Pinaces and Carvals two thousand eight hundred forty and three great Ordinance eight thousand ninety and four Saylers eighteen thousand six hundred fifty and eight Soldiers two thousand eighty and eight Gally-Slaves two hundred and twenty thousand great Shot four hundred and seventy thousand and four hundred pounds of Powder one hundred and twelve thousand pounds of Lead for Bullets one hundred thirty four thousand and four hundred pounds of Match seven thousand Muskets and Callivers ten thousand Partizans and Halberts with Biskets Flesh Cheese Rice and other Necessarys for six months but this Terrour of the World was terrified and vanquished by the gallantry of the renouned Lord Howard and Sir Francis Drake who destroyed fourscore and one of the Spaniards Vessels and seventeen thousand of their Men besides many Noble persons taken Prisoners nay there was scarce a worthy Family in all Spain that in this expedition lost not either a Son Brother or Kins-man the Pope's Contribution towards this Expedition was a Million of Gold it was in the year 1588. And now the Queens Enimies being Dissipated She caused publick Thanks to be given to God through the Realm and there were Executed for Treason against her Majesty here in England at several times before and after this Invasion about one hundred Persons whereof threescore and seven were Jesuires And now to requite the Spaniars the Queen the year after assisted Don Antonio King of Portugal with eleven thousand Soldiers and five and twenty hundred Marriners under the Command of Sir John Norris and Sir Francis Drake these English Soldiers won the Groyne and it being intended to be rescued they so valliantly behaved themselves that they took the Spanish King's standard and made great slaughter of their Enemies and burning both the said Town and the Country for three miles round about they then betook themselves to Sea again and shortly after the Earl of Essex joyned with them and then they Sailed for Portugal and took Penish from whence they went to Attempt Lisbone the Metropolis of Portugal but not being able to overcome it they returned and had the Castle of Cassais rendered to them and they took 60 Spanish Hulks Laden with Corn Masts Cables Copper and Wax and so retuned for England with great Honor. After this Supplys were sent by the Queen to Henry King of Navarr a Protestant for the gaining the French Crown but he finding many Rubs in his way changed his Religion and then easily obtained it About this time Anno 1591 one William Harket was executed in Cheapside for Blasphemy and Treason and about three years after Doctor Lopez suffered And now the Spanish Practices still in the Queens thoughts at length she set out a Brave Navy against the Spaniards Anno 1596. their first Assault was on Cadez which Place they won and forced the Cittizens to pay them twenty thousand Duccats for their Ransom and the Ships of the Spaniards which the English ran ashoar there proffered five and twenty hundred thousand Duccats for their ransom which being denyed Acceptance at the Command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia they were all set on fire they being estimated to be worth twelve Millions of Duccats After this another Fleet went again and the Spaniards every where being worsted the Fleet again returned for England with three Prizes worth four hundred thousand Duccats and Sigismond King of Pollonia and the King of Denmark about this time sought to the Queen to conclude a Peace with France but prevailed not And now Tirr Owen in Ireland breaking into Rebellion after some Expeditions thither at length the Earl of Essex was sent Deputy who concluded a Peace with Tirr Owen from six weeks to six weeks for which he was much condemned by the Lords and recalled into England again by the Queen and afterwards lost his head the Queen being neither privy nor consenting to it for whose Death she sore lamented dureing her Life which lasted not long after and bid the Plague of God light upon them for their act which Curse shortly after took effect for in one year there dyed of the Plague in London and the Suburbs thirty thousand five hundred seventy eight besides all those that dyed of other Diseases After Essex the Lord Mountjoy went Deputy for Ireland by whose vigilancy and Courage Tirr Owen at length with all his Adherents from the Pope and the King of Spain were Totally routed and he forced to fly into Spain and now the Spaniards all hopes of prevailing against England being gon began to sue for Peace which upon certain Conditions was granted them and the Queen afterthis perceiving the time of her dissolution to draw nigh named King James of Scotland for her Successor and not long after dyed she was a Queen endowed with all the benefits of Nature a comely person for her Body but more comly in her Soul and an excellent Schollar as may appear by these following Verses made in praise of her None like Elizabeth was found in Learning so divine She had the perfect skilful art of all the Muses nine In Latine Greek and Hebrew She most excellent was known To Foreign Kings Embassadors the same was daily shown The Italian French and Spanish Tongue she well could speak and read The Turkish and Arabian Speech grew perfect at her need This Elizabeth was Queen of England France and Ireland she was the only Daughter of King Henry the Eight by his Second Queen Ann of Bulloin she began her Reign on Thursday the 17 day of November Anno 1558. and reigned 44 years 4 months and 7 days and was the 43 Sole Monarch of England She dyed on Wednesday the 24 day of March Anno 1602 being in the 45 year of her Reign and 69 of her Age. She was buried at Westminster with this Queen expired the Sovereignty of the Tewdors yielding place to the Stuarts to Succeed in which Name it still doth and long and prosperously may it so continue CHAP. XXXIII Of King James HE was Crowned at Westminster by Dr.
Whiteguift Arch Bishop of Canterbury at which time all people of the City of London were forbidden to repaire thither by reason of the then raging Plague among them there dying that year in London and the out-Libertys 30578 persons of the same disease he continued Religion as it was begun in Queen Elizabeth's days and caused the Bible to be truly Translated according to the Original at his Entrance to the Kingdom Plots were contrived for the destroying of his person and his Eldest Son Prince Henry to change Religion to raise Tumults and let in Strangers but they were happily discovered and some of the Ring-leaders apprehended and put to death some adjudged to perpetual Imprisonment and some pardoned An. 1603. one John Lepton of Repwick Esquire in the County of York undertook to Ride 5 several times betwixt London and York in six days to be taken in one week between Monday morning and Saturday night and began his Journy Monday Morning the 20 of May and finished his Journy on Friday after to the great Admiration of all men Two years after to wit Anno 1605. one William Calverly of Calverly in the County of York Esquire murthered two of his own Children at home at his own house then Stabbed his Wife into the Body with full Intent to have killed her and then went out with Intention to have killed his Child at nurse but was prevented he was Pressed to death at York for this murther because he stood Mute and would not plead And now although the King had made Peace with the Popes Champion the King of Spain yet his Holiness Sons thought to have brought the Ruine of the King and all the Kingdom to Light Anno 1605. by a treacherous Plot of blowing up the King and whole Nobility Root and Branch at one Blow when they were Assembled in Parliament to which end they had laid in several Barrels of Gunpowder Barrs of Iron Faggots and and other things for doing Execution under the Parliament house but this Hellish Design was hapily discovered by a Letter sent to the Lord Mounteagle son to the Lord Morley by some of the Conspirators wherein they wished him to stay his Appearance from the House the first day of the sitting this Letter being Communicated and shewn to several of the Nobility they could not sathom the depth of the dark meaning thereof but at length being shewn to the King he presently conjectured that the Plot was to blow up the House with Gunpowder and so narrow Search being made it was happyly found out and the Conspirators discovered who were some of them shot to death to wit Percy and Catesby for disdaining to be taken others of them were slain by Gunpowder which they had drying by the Fire and Sir Everard Digby the two Wrights John and Christopher Fawkes Graunt Winter Boits and Keyes were Hanged Drawn and Quartered for being chief Actors in this Plot. After this storm was over the Faces of more troubles appeared through the Insurrections of Fines and Rainolds in Northamptonshire and Warwick-shire but this flame quickly vanished into Smoak About this time the Lady Elizabeth the King's Daughter was married to Frederick Count Elector Palatine The Joyes of their Nuptial were shortly after overshadowed with clouds of sorrow which ensued upon the death of Prince Henry which happned Anno 1611 his death was supposed to be something untimely but his Docters gave Satisfaction herein that it was by Course of Nature and not by Poyson as was suspected And now Charles the King 's Second Son afterwards King succeeded his Brother in the Principallity of Wales about this time Sir Walter Rawleigh was released intending to visit the new found World and many Gentlemen took their fortunes with him but unhappily in his Voyage burning St. Thomes it shortly after cost him his Life for Intelligence being given to Condibert then Embassador in England he never left pressing the King for Reparation hereupon Sir Walter as soon as he came to Plymouth was apprehended by Sir Lewis Stuckly and was brought tryed and condemned in the Kings Bench and the next Morning after his Tryal was Beheaded And about this time the King being very Sick he happily Recovered again but his Loving and vertuous Queen Ann dyed Anno 1618. After this the King made a Motion of Marriage for his Son Charles Prince of Wales with the King of Spains Daughter thinking thereby to gain opportunity of helping his Son in Law who having been lately chosen by some of the German Princes King of Bohemia was afterwards upon some distast driven out of Bohemia by the Emperor and afterwards out of all Germany and remained at this time in Holland being a Refuge for all distressed people To effect this marriage the Prince with the Duke of Buckingham went for Spain where seeing the Marriage with himself and the Lady Maria the Infanta of Spain procrastinated and delaid left the Court and Returned for England Anno 1623. The Plantations in the Indies were settled in this Kings time he was a very learned King as appears by his Works now in print he was an honest Father to his Childern worthy of his wife and good to his subjects and a great desirer of Peace whose Motto was Beati Pacifici and as he desired Peace so he dyed in Peace This James was King of England Scotland France and Ireland he was Son to Henry Stuart Lord Darly who was Grand Child to Lady Margaret eldest Daughter to King Henry the VII of England by her Second Husband and his Mother was Mary Queen of Scotland who was Grand Child also to Lady Margaret by her first Husband James the fourth King of Scotland so that the said Lady Margaret was great Grand-mother to King James both by Father and Mothers side He began his Reign on Wednesday the 24 day of March Anno 1602. Reigned 22 years and 3 days and was the 44 Sole Monarch of England He dyed of the Spleen on Saturday the 27 day of March Anno 1625 being in the 23 year of his Reign and nine and fiftieth year of his Age his Body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XXXIV Of King Charles the first SHortly after his Coronation at Westminster he proceeded to a Marriage with Henrietta Maria Daughter to Charles the Fourth King of France whom he had formerly seen in his journy through that Country into Spain his first Complement to her when he went to meet her at Dover was That he desired to be no longer Master of himself then he was Servant to her and indeed this Love he continued to the last hour of his Life for on the day before his unfortunate end he desired his Daughter the Lady Elizabeth to assure her Mother if ever She see her again That his Thoughts had never Strayed from her and that his Affections should be the same to the Last After the King's Marriage was over his dislike against the Spaniards at his Departure from that Court was still fresh in his memory
whereupon a Fleet was set to Sea who spoiling all the Spanish Vessels they met withal for that time returned and after this the King called a Parliament and desired a Subsidy but was denied notwithstanding his Treasures were Exhausted and the War Just and Honorable But although the Parliament denied the King a Supply he made use of some other means for pocurement of Money and joining Amity and Forces with the Vnited Provinces once again he set a mighty Navy to Sea which did mightily annoy the Spanish Coast and spoiled their Ships and among the rest some of France became Preys to them which caused the Seizure of some English Merchants Goods whereupon several French were comanded to leave England but Monsieur Bassompiere coming Embassador prevailed so far that several French were again recalled but nevertheless all Commerce between the two Kingdoms was prohibited on both sides And the French grievously oppressed the Rochellers to whose Assistance several men were sent out of England but doing little good they returned again for which Cause some were Imprisoned And now several Complaints being exhibited upon this Account by the Parliament the King dissolved them and intended new Supplies under the Duke's Command for Rochell but he being ready to Embarque was Stabbed by one Felton who got the Gallows for his Reward And now the King called another Parliament desiring a Grant of Tunnage but was denied whereupon they were Dissolved upon which Account great Contentions arose the King Commanding the Merchants to pay their Customs and the Parliament forbidding them whereupon several Members were Imprisoned and among the rest Sir John Elliot was one but the Merchants ready enough to Imbrace those Commands were most for their Advantage did thereupon obey the Parliaments Mandates and slighted the King's they remembring that about 100 years before there was a Penalty imposed upon the Merchants for paying their Customs the Parliament being then against it and in Memory thereof there was a Chappel built called Alderman-Bury Anno 1630 May the 29 the Queen was brought to Bed of Prince Charles now King of England and about 6 years after Mr. Hambden refusing to pay Ship-money Sentence passed against him by 12 of the Judges who absolutely declared for the Legality of it only Judg Hutton and Judg Crook dissented and new Stirs now arising about the Book of Common-Prayer in Scotland which occasioned the sad War that afterwards ensued the King marched thitherward with an Army and the Scots meeting him laid down their Arms whereupon Peace was concluded but at the King's return he was again Pricked forward by some who rather sought their own Advantage than his hereupon he went again for Scotland but nothing was done and now they had taken their Covenant as it was called against the King who called a Parliament to relieve his wants but they treading in their Predecessors Steps denied him a Supply And now the Irish being afresh in Rebellion the Long Parliament for so it was called by Reason of its long Continuance for the King had Signed a Bill for them to Sit as long as they pleased sought means to suppress them and all Ceremonies were forbidden in the Church of England but only such as were usen in Queen Elizabeths time the Earl of Strafford Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Bishop Wren were Impeached of High-Treason and sent to the Tower and most of the Judges who had declared for Ship-mony were Voted Delinquents Judg Berkly was Arrested by the Usher of the Black Rod for High-Treason as he sate on the King 's Bench. Seven Romish Preists were also Imprisoned whose Pardon was granted by the Parliament at the Request of the French Embassador and the King to Ingratiate himself released them at which the Parliament took Snuff because they were not first made acquainted before their Releasement and to thwart the King in his Proceedings they changed their former Decree and caused two of the Priests to be put to Death which Act of theirs took mainly with the People but this as good Reason displeased the King who complained of the Insolencies of the Lower house to his Peers and so proceeded to displace some Officers of State putting in another Lieutenant of the Tower whereupon the Lower house did Article against the new Lieutenant to the Peers who refused to meddle in the Business it being the King's Prerogative to put in whom he pleased but not long after a multitude of Apprentices and other People came Thundring to the Hall-Door crying to have the new Lieutenant either remov'd or else they would turn All upside down This giddy headed Rabble of Plebeans demanded also that Bishops should be Excluded the Parliament-house and to satisfy their blind folly they ran into Westminster Abby and spoiled the Vestments Organs and Sepulchers and all else that was comely or decent and from thence they ran confusedly to Whitehall and there Thundered out the same Languages but least they should proceed to some further Insolencies the King the next day fortified himself with a strong Guard And now things beginning to work for the Parliament they thought it good pollicy to make Hay whilest the Sun shone and to strike whilest the Iron was hot and hereupon they under the pretence of some Fear assumed to themselves a Guard also for their Defence and constituted the Earl of Essex Captain thereof and further they without the King's Consent or Knowledge appointed an Extraordinary Assembly in the City of London and further to ingratiate themselves with the Novelty-mongers they cast 12 Bishops into Prison which Business much troubled the King and the year before Anno 1641 the Lord Strafford was Beheaded and about two years after the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who died as Sacrifices for the Popular Fury and Martyrs for the Government Now the King grieved at these Insolencies proceeded to accuse one Member of the House of Peers and five of the House of Commons of High-Treason and demanding the Members they were denied to be delivered to him whereupon he with 500 Armed men went to the Hall he alone entring the Parliament House and not seeing any of the Accused Members there he then declared his Good Intentions to the Parliament and so returned and the next day went again but found them not the Parliament hereupon put the City in Arms and Adjourned their Sitting for five days forbidding the Citizens to help the King to find out any of the said Members whose Commands they so far obeyed as that in Despight of the King they carried the said Members and placed them in the House again in their several places and the Parliament still proceeding to lessen the King's Power sent Letters to the adjacent Counties commanding them to draw up in Arms upon which Account there was ready upon occasion above twenty Thousand men the King seeing these Proceedings hasted to Hampton-Court And now the Parliament daily increased in their Power and went and sate in the City to endear themselves the more to the Citizens and
forthwith sent their Mandates to the respective Governors of the Sea-port Towns Prohibiting them to obey any of the King's Orders unless they were confirmed by them hereby they weakned the King's Authority more than all their former Proceedings had done which the King might easily have prevented in time if he had put Soldiers into the said Towns to have kept them for himself And not long after this they took into their hands most Sea-Port Towns of Concernment among which Hull was one which denied to the King and delivered to them And now the King seeing the harsh proceedings of the Parliament he writ to them from Windsor protesting his Innocency whereupon they sent Messengers to him to desire his return to London but he refused upon which occasion the Lower-House drew up an Humble Remonstrance as they called it whose Propositions were so unreasonable that the House of Peers would not consent to them till they saw the Commons uniting themselves against them and then Messengers were sent to the King with the Remonstrance who with some Reservation yielded to part of it and denied the other part yet this would not satisfie them but they proceeded further to Petition the King That the accused Members might be free and clear from all Guilt which was granted them but now those who favoured the King's Cause fearing the event of these proceedings part of them left England and part repaired home leaving the Parliament so that there were not above 25 in the Upper-House and scarce 80 in the Lower-House and shortly after hardly 16 in the upper House and the Queen about this time left England accompanying her Daughter to her Husband the Prince of Orange to whom she was Espoused and the King caused all Priests to be banished out of the Realm and severe Statutes to be published against the Papists And now all things growing worse and worse the Parliament began to take the boldness upon them to accuse the King of harkning to a Change in Religion and that he had given Cause to the Uproars in Ireland but especially those that were most powerful with him secretly bespotting the Queen the King to remove these Aspertions Published his Declarations to the People of his Innocency but they taking no effect he with his Son Prince Charles the Palsgrave and Duke of Richmon took their Journy for York Resolveing to oppose Force against Force And now the King after several Passages between him and the Parliament called all the Knights of the Garter and all others that held of the Crown to Repair to York the Parliament on the contrary made it death for any to go yet notwithstanding several Members went over to the King upon this Account And now people fearing the worst the Men of Kent Petitioned the Parliament on the behalf of the King That nothing might be done without the King's Consent that the Liturgy might not be altered That the Bishops might be restored whom they had Excluded the Lords House That they would not suffer the Fundamental Laws of the Land to be Antiquated without the Kings permission Nor Arms to be raised without his Command That some good means might be found out to make a Reconcilement c. This Petition was ill taken and the bringer therof together with the Earl of Bristol the Receivers of it were both Imprisoned for their Pains and Somersetshire men afterwards preferring a Petition to the Parliament they Commanded it to be burnt by the Common Hang-man And now after Thwartings and Discontents between the King and Parliament he at last Commanded all the York-shire men to meet him at a certain place called Howard Moor near York who accordingly appeared being about Threescore Thousand men and the King with the Prince and some Lords about six hundred horse met them there and with about twenty thousand men went back to York and Commanded them all to repaire to their Houses in the mean time the Parliment borrow'd a great Sum of money of the Londoners on the Publick Faith as they called it and Raising an Army of ten thousand Foot and two thousand Horse they sent them towards York in the Interim the King assailed Hull but was withstood by Sir John Hotham and having this bad Success at first he thereupon sent to the Parliament to Conclude a Peace and promised forthwith to repair to them if they would leave London and make choice of some other place to Sit in but they Refused it whereupon the King proclaimed all men guilty of Treason that should Assist the Houses either with Money or other Supplyes and also threatned to deprive the Londoners of their Priviledges if they offended herein and the King having fortified Newark and Barwick sought again to obtain Hull but in vain and now the Parliament Proclaimed open War making the Earl of Essex General and the King set up his Standard at Nottingham and now it being come to open War the Victory was doubtful sometimes one Side sometimes the other geting the better with no small loss of blood and the Life of many a gallant man and the Prince when he saw his Fathers Affairs in a desperate Condition took Shipping for the Scillyes from whence he was Invited by the Parliament to return to London but he thought it not safe for his Person to do so and so sailed to the Hague to his Sister the Princess of Orange where he remained till the Sad News of his Father's Murther was brought to him Now although there be several Book in print treating at large of the several Skirmisses Battells Sieges c. which happned between the King and Parliament during the seven years unhappy Dissentions between them yet partly to Satisfie the Reader whose Purse affords him not Mony to buy them or multitude of business time to peruse them I have here Incerted a brief Catalogue of the most considerable of them as followeth 1642. Apr. Sir John Hotham denyed the King Entrance into Hull for which he was proclaimed Traytor Aug. The King's Standard set up at Nottingham and a little before 20 of his men slain and a Colour taken by a Sally out of Hull Sept. Portsmouth Besieged by Sir John Merrick and yeilded to him Lord Byron set upon near Bracklye got off again with some loss marched to Worcester secured it for the King and the Parliament Forces attempting the Town were set upon in the Rear at Wickfield near Worcester by Prince Rupert and Routed but the Earl of Essex afterwards advancing thither Worcester was then yeilded to the Parliamentarians Octob. The signal great Fight at Edge-hill about 5000 slain Banbury and Broughton-House surrendred to the King after which he entered Tryumphantly into Oxford with an 150 Colours taken in Fight Novemb. Brantford Fight about 200 of the Parliament party slain besides several drowned and some 15 pieces of Ordnance sunk in the Thames Decemb. Marborough taken for the King by Lieutenant General Wilmot and Tadcaster by the Earl of New-Castle and Winchester and Chichester delivered
God with us And there was also a new great Seal made And now the Lord Fairfax having laid down his Commission the Parliament made Oliver Cromwell their General who was so Fortunate in all his Enterprizes that in a few years time he brought England Scotland and Ireland into Subjection truth is if his Cause had been Honourable and Just he would have been as much Honoured by Posterity for his Vallour as he is hated by all good Subjects for his Disloyalty and Inhumanity to his Sovereign Lord and Master the King And now his Majesty being in France he hoped to get Aid there but found none yet his Friends here in England Proclaimed him King the Earl of Ormond and Lord Inchequin caused him also to be Proclaimed King in Ireland And now the Parliament proceeded to make Sale of the King and Queen's Lands not sparing their Houses whose Purchasers gained no small Summs by them making Money of the Leads Glass Iron Timber and Stones of the same Houses the Bishops with the Deans and Chapters Lands also received the same Doom and most of the Castles in England were by the Parliament's Order demolished and thrown down and all Persons were expelled from places of Trust either in Church or State which would not Subscribe to the present Government then Established by them And now his Majesty was Proclaimed in Scotland and after great Debate had among them there at length they agree on some Propositions to be sent to the King who was then at the Isle of Jersie and Mr. Windram Laird of Libberton was appointed Messenger The Heads of which Propositions were 1. That his Majesty should sign the Solemn League and Covenant 2. That he should pass divers Acts of Parliament which were concluded on in their two last Sessions of Parliament in Scotland 3. That he should be pleased to recall the late Commissions given to Mounttross 4. That he should put away all Papists from him 5. That he would appoint some place about Holland to Treat with their Comissioners And 6. That he would be graciously pleased to give a speedy Answer to their Desires These Propositions coming to the King they were very stifly debated Pro and Con and after much Consultation at last Sir William Flemming was sent Agent to the Committee of the Estates in Scotland till such as the Laird Libberton could be dispatched who shortly after followed with a Letter and Instructions by word of Mouth to the Committee of Estates and Breda in Holland was appointed for the place of a solemn Treaty and after great debates by the Committee of Estates and Kirk in Scotland at long run it was concluded that the Earl of Castles the Lord Lothian Burly and Libberton Sir John Smith and Mr. Jeoffries should go Commissioners for the Estates and Mr. Broady Lauson and Wood for the Kirk and these having received their Commissions met the King at Breda where after their Speeches made to his Majesty they then delivered their Propositions much to the same effect of those already mentioned Now during this Treaty the Marquess of Montross was seized in Scotland where he was with a most barbarous inhumanity exposed to all the severness imaginable a Gibbet set up for him of a height extraordinary where he was hanged and then quartered with all the circumstances of a solemn and a deliberate cruelty and malice to the eternal infamy of that Faction which would in the very instance of an overture and Treaty of accord proceed to so unheard of an outrage upon the Person of so loyal a Subject to his and their Sovereign This was the fatal and Tragical Event of his Majesties Affairs in Scotland Upon the Report of this News at Breda the King was much Troubled and all the Treaty had like to have broken off upon it but yet the King at length through the necessity of his Affairs concluded the Treaty by condescending to most of the Propositions and this Conclusion being carryed to Edenborough after much Debate it was Resolved another Message should be sent to invite the King over but the Parliament here in England having notice of all those proceedings in Scotland prepared an Army thereupon to Invade Scotland under the Command of their General Oliver Cromwel and they had also about this time put out an Act for the bringing all Proceedings at Law into the English Tongue and Secretary hand which continued so for about some ten years And about this time also their Admiral General Blake took sunck and burnt most of Prince Ruperts Fleet which was a great hurt to the Kings Affairs And now the King being arived at Spey in the North of Scotland some Lords were sent down to accompany him to Edenborough as he came along he was entertained with the general Joy of all the People and at Abberden he was presented with 1500 pounds which thing was ill taken by the Commitee of Estates and Kirk and therefore they sent their Injunction to prohibit other places from doing the like and the King being now come to Edenborough he was again proclaimed King on the 15 of July Anno 1650 but his Coronation was deferred by reason of the then Troubles for the English Army was upon their Borders so the Scots now began to think how they might defend themselves and therefore they marched under the Command of Montgomery and set upon the English at Musclebrough but were worsted and at Dunbarr the English wholly routed them and gained the Pass there this newes was brought to the King at St. Johnstons much about the same time when the death of his Sister the Princess Elizabeth was brought to him so shortly after this he left the States of Scotland and repaired into the North of that Kingdom being no longer able to endure the Affronts put upon him And now besides the danger of the English Army then in the Bowels of Scotland they themselves were yet devided into three Partys so that nothing but ruin could be expected among them but the King returning with Montgomery to St. Johnstons again they were then all reconciled among themselves and the King on the first day of January Anno 1650 was Crowned at Scoon And now the King set up his Standard at Abberdeen and resolved himself to be Generalissimo of the Scoth Army and about this time was Sir Henry Hyde beheaded at London for his Loyalty and not long after Captain Brown Bushel received the like Doom for performing some signal Services for the King And the King now began to Fortifie Sterling to which place he afterwards removed his Court and the English drew nigher and nigher every day and had surprized the Earl of Eglington and one of his Sons but whilest things were thus in Agitation in Scotland a Plot was discovered in England against the Parliament most of which Plotters were Presbyterians and two of them being Ministers viz. Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Love were beheaded for their Treason as the Parliament called it now Cromwell perceiving that he
Government of the Romans Kings People Cassibelan Trinobants Cingitorix Kent Carvil Kent Taximagul Kent Segonax Kent Senimagues Norfolk Cegontians Norfolk Ancalits Norfolk Bibroses Norfolk Cassians Norfolk Cunobeline Britains Guiderus Britains Catacratus Britains Togadumnus Britains Arviragus Britains Cogidunus Some Cities Caractacus Silures Prasutagus Icenians Venutius Brigantes Galgacus Calledonians A Catalogue of the several Roman Emperors who had Rule in Britain Julius Caesar Augustus Caesar Tiberius Caesar Caius Caligula Claud. Drusius Nero Sergius Galba Marcus Silvius Aulus Vitellius Flav. Vespasian Titus Vespasian Domitian Cocceius Nerva Trajanus Adrianus Antonius Pius Marcus Aurelius Comodus Helvius Pertinax Septimus Severus Bassian Caracal Opilius Macrinus Heliogabilus Alexander Sever. Maximinus Jul. Ver. Maximus Gordianus Claudius Puppien Jul. Philippus Anton. Gordian Decius Trebonianus Emilianus Valerianus Galienus Flav. Claudius Quintilius Aurelianus Tacitus Florianus Marcus Aurelius Dioclesian Constan Clorus Constan. Galer Constan Magnus Julius Apostata Jovinianus Valentinianus Gracianus Maximus Valen. Theodosius I. Arcadius Theodosius II. A Catalogue of the Saxon Kings during the Heptarchy and first of the Kingdom of Kent I. Kent Kingdom Hengist Eske Imerick Ethelbert Edbald Ercombert Egbert Lothaire Edrick Withred Edbert Elthelbert Alrick Octa Ethelbert Cuthred Baldred II. South Saxons Kingdom Ella Cissa Ethelwolf Barthun III. West Saxons Kingdom Cherdick Kenrick Chewlin Chearlick Chelwolfe Kingils Kenwald Eskin Kentwin Ceadwald Ine Ethellard Cuthred Sigesbert Kenwolfe Brithrick Egbert IV. East Saxons Kingdom Erchenwine Sledda Sebert Sered Sigesbert Sigebert Swithelm Sighere Sebba Sigherd Seoffrid Offa Sellerd Suthred V. Northumberland Kingdom Ida Ella Adda Elappea Theodwald Frethulfe Theodrick Ethelrick Ethelfride Edwine Osricke Oswald Oswye Egfride Alfride Osredd Kenred Oswick Ceâ—lnulf Egbert Oswolf Edilwald Alured Ethelred Alfwald Osrod VI. Mercia Kingdom Crida Wibba Ceorle Penda Peada Wolfere Ethelred Kenred Chelred Ethelbald Offa Egfride Kenwolfe Kenelme Câ—olwolfe Bâ—rnulfe Ludecan Withlafe Barthulf Burdred VII East-Angles Kingdom Vsfa Titulus Redwald Erpenwald Sigebert Egrick Anna Ethelbert Edelwald Aldulf Elswolf Beorne Ethelred Ethelbert Edmund A Catalogue of the British Kings that withstood the Saxons Conquest Vortigern Vortimer Aurelius A. Vter Pend. Arthur Constantine Conatus Vortiporus Canonus Careticus Cadwan Cadwallo Cadwallader A Catalogue of those Saxon Kings who were accounted Petty Monarchs Chewline Ethelbert Redwald Edwine Oswald Oswye Wolfere Ethelred Kenred Chelred Ethelbald Offa Egfride Kenwolfe The Kings Reigns A Table shewing the years of the Kings Reigns beginning at Egbert the West Saxon the first Sole Monarch and ending with Edward the Confessors together with the years of Christ answering to every years of their Reigns but Note that upon the death of some of these Kings following there was a kinde of Inter-Regum sometimes before the Successor began fully to Rule Egbert began his Reign Anno 819. Anno Reg. An. Dom 1 820 2 821 3 822 4 823 5 824 6 825 7 826 8 827 9 828 10 829 11 830 12 831 13 832 14 833 15 834 16 835 17 836 Ethelwolf began his Reign Anno 837. A. R. A. D. 1 838 2 839 3 840 4 841 5 842 6 843 7 844 8 845 9 846 10 847 11 848 12 849 13 850 14 851 15 852 16 853 17 854 18 855 19 856 20 857 Ethelbald began his Reign Anno 857. A. R. A. D. 1 858 2 859 Ethlebert began his Reign Annoo 86. A. R. A. D. 1 861 2 862 3 863 4 864 5 865 Etheldred began his Reign Anno. 866. A. Reg. An. Dom. 1 867 2 868 3 869 4 870 5 871 6 872 Elfred began his Reign Anno 872. An. Reg. An. Dom. 1 873 2 874 3 875 4 876 5 877 6 178 7 879 8 880 9 881 10 882 11 883 12 884 13 885 14 886 15 887 16 888 17 889 18 890 19 891 20 892 21 893 22 894 23 895 24 896 25 897 26 898 27 899 28 900 29 901 Edward began his Reign Anno 901. A. R. A. D. 1 902 2 903 3 904 4 905 5 906 6 907 7 908 8 909 9 910 10 911 11 912 12 913 13 914 14 915 15 916 16 917 17 918 18 919 19 920 20 921 21 922 22 923 23 924 24 925 Ethelstan began his Reign Anno 925. AR. A. D. 1 926 2 927 3 928 4 929 5 930 6 931 7 932 8 933 9 934 10 935 11 936 12 937 13 938 14 939 15 940 Edmund began his Reign Anno 940. A. R. A. D. 1 941 2 942 3 943 4 944 5 945 6 946 Edred began his Reign Anno 946. A. R. A. D. 1 947 2 948 3 949 4 950 5 951 6 952 7 953 8 954 9 955 Edwy began his Reign Anno 955. A R. A D. 1 956 2 957 3 958 4 959 Edgar began his Reign Anno 959. A. R. A. D. 1 960 2 961 3 962 4 963 5 964 6 965 7 966 8 967 9 968 10 969 11 970 12 971 13 972 14 973 15 974 16 975 Edward began his Reigne Anno 975. A R. A. D. 1 976 2 977 3 978 4 979 Ethelred began his Reign Anno 979. 1 980 2 981 3 982 4 983 5 984 6 985 7 986 8 987 9 988 10 989 11 990 12 991 13 992 14 993 15 994 16 995 17 996 18 997 19 998 20 999 21 1000 22 1001 13 1002 24 1003 25 1004 26 1005 27 1006 28 1007 29 1008 30 1009 31 1010 32 1011 33 1012 34 1013 35 1014 36 1015 37 1016 Edmund Ironside began his Reign Anno 1316. A. R. A. D. 1 1017 Canutus the Dane began his Reign Anno 1017. A. R. A. D. 1 1018 2 1019 3 1020 4 1021 5 1022 6 1023 7 1024 8 1025 9 1026 10 1027 11 1028 12 1029 13 1030 14 1031 15 1032 16 1033 17 1034 18 1035 Harrold I. began his Reign Anno 1036. A. R. A. D. 1 1037 2 1038 3 1039 4 1040 Hardicanute began his Reign Anno. 1040. A. R. A. D. 1 1041 2 1042 Edward Confessor began his Reign Anno 1042 A. R. A. D. 1 1043 2 1044 3 1045 4 1046 5 1047 6 1048 7 1049 8 1050 9 1051 10 1052 11 1053 12 1054 13 1055 14 1056 15 1057 16 1058 17 1059 18 1060 19 1061 20 1062 6 mon. 27 dayes Harrold II. began his Reign Anno 1065. This King Reigned but some 9 months and nine dayes and then yeilded up both his Life and Kingdom to William the Conquerour A TABLE shewing the beginning and ending of every Kings Reign from the Norman Conquest to this present year 1675. Together with the years of Christ answering to every year of their Reigns the year beginning the 25 of March but Note that the Months and odd dayes of every Kings Reign are acconnted according to the Callender and not according to 28. dayes to the Month which hath so often occasioned the variance between one Table and another scarcely two of them agreeing in their Computatiâ—n as to the odd Months and dayes of every Kings Reigns William the Conquerer began his Reign October 14. Anno 1066. A.
Earl of Thanet Thomas Weston Earl of Portland William Wentworth Earl of Strafford Robert Spencer Earl of Sunderland Nicholas Leak Earl of Scarsdale John Wilmot Earl of Rochester Henry Jermin Earl of St. Albans Edward Montague Earl of Sandwich James Butler Earl of Brecknock Henry Hyde Earl of Clarendon Arthur Capell Earl of Essex Robert Brudenel Earl of Cardigan Arthur Annesly Earl of Anglesey John Greenvil Earl of Bath Charles Howard Earl of Carlisle William Craven Earl of Craven Robert Bruce Earl of Alesbury Richard Boyle Earl of Burlington Henry Bennet Earl of Arlington Anthony Ashly-Cooper Earl of Shaftsbury Charles Fitz-roy Earl of Southampton Henry Fitz-roy Earl of Euston George Fitz-roy Earl of Northumberland Henry Howard Earl of Norwich William Herbert Earl of Powys Henry Francis Lee Earl of Lichfield Charles Fitz Charles Earl of Plymouth Thomas Leonard Earl of Sussex Thomas Osborn Earl of Danby John Maitland Earl of Guilford Viscounts Leicester Devereux Viscount Hereford Francis Brown Viscount Montague James Fiennes Viscount Say and Seal Edward Conway Viscount Conway Baptist Noel Viscount Campden William Howard Viscount Stafford Thomas Bellafis Viscount Faulconbridg John Mordant Viscount Mordant George Savil Viscount Hallifax Robert Paston Viscount Yarmouth Francis Newport Viscount Newport of Bradley Barrons George Nevil Lord Abergavenny James Touchet Lord Audly Charles West Lord de la Ware George Berkley Lord Berkley Thomas Parker Lord Morley and Montegle Cogniers Darcy Lord Darcy and Meynell William Stourton Lord Stourton Henry Lord Sandys de la Vine Benjamin Mildmay Lord Fitzwater Thomas Windsor Lord Winsor Winâ—fiâ—ld Cromwel Lord Cromwel Ralph Eure Lord Eure. Philip Wharton Lord Warton William Willoughby Lord Willoughby of Parham William Pagett Lord Pagett Dudley North Lord North. William Bruges Lord Shandois James Berty Lord Norris William Petre Lord Petre Digby Gerrard Lord Gerrard of Gerrard Bromley Charles Stanhop Lord Stanhop Henry Arundel Lord Arundel of Wardour Christopher Roper Lord Tenham Robert Grevill Lord Brook Edward Montague Lord Montague of Boughton William Grey Lord Grey of Wark John Roberts Lord Roberts John Lovelace Lord Lovelace John Pawlett Lord Pawlett William Maynard Lord Maynard George Coventry Lord Coventry James Lord Howard of Esrick Charles Mohun Lord Mohun William Boteler Lord Boteler Edward Herbert Lord Herbert of Cherbury Francis Seymour Lord Seymour Thomas Leigh Lord Leigh of Stonely Christopher Hatton Lord Hatton Richard Byron Lord Byron Richard Vaughan Lord Vaughan Charles Smith Lord Carington William Widdrington Lord Widdrington Humble Ward Lord Ward Thomas Culpeper Lord Culpeper Isaac Astley Lord Astley John Lucas Lord Lucas John Bellasis Lord Bellasis Edward Watson Lord Rokingham Charles Gerard Lord Gerard of Brandon Gilbert Sutton Lord Lexinton Charles Kirkhoven Lord Wotton Marmaduke Langdale Lord Langdale William Croft Lord Croft John Berkly Lord Berkly of Stratton Denzil Holles Lord Holles Charles Cornwalis Lord Cornwalis George Booth Lord de la Mere Horatio Townsend Lord Townsend John Crew Lord Crew John Freschevile Lord Freschevile Richard Arundel Lord Arundel of Trerice Thomas Butler Lord Butler of More Park Thomas Clifford Lord Clifford of Chudleigh Lewis de Duras Baron Duras of Holdenly Richard Butler Baron of Weston Charles North Baron Grey of Rollston Heneage Finch Baron of Daventry A Catalogue of the Lords Spiritual ARch-Bis of Canterb. Gilbert Sheldon Arch-Bishop of York Richard Stern St. Asaph Isaac Barrow Bangor Humphry Lloyd Bath and Wells Peter Mew Bristol Guy Carleton Carlile Edward Rainbow Chester John Pearson Chichester Dr. Bredyoke Coventry and Litchfi Thomas Wood. St. Davids William Lucy Durham Nathaniel Crew Ely Peter Gunning Exeter Anthony Sparrow Glocester John Prichard Hereford Herbert Croft Llandaff William Lloyd Lincoln Thomas Barlow London Hump. Hinchman Norwhich Edward Reynolds Oxford Henry Compton Peterburrogh Joseph Henshaw Rochester John Dolben Salisbury Seth Ward Winchester George Morley Worcester Walter Blandford The Contents of the several Chapters CHAP. I. Of the Scituation of Britain with its Lymits together with some of the old Customs practised amongst the Britains and the several names of the Island when first Inhabited c. pag. 1 CHAP. II. Of the antient Inhabitants of Britain and the Cities of their possessions as they were called by Ptolomy and often since mentioned in the Roman Writers together with the names of such Brittish Princes as opposed the Romans Conquest 9 CHAP. III. Of the Roman Emperors and their Deputies who ruled over and continued the Britains under their Subjection 16 CHAP. IV. Of the Conquest of Britain by the Saxons as also of the Commencement and Continuance of their several Kingdoms therein during the Heptarchy with the Names of the Kings Ruling in each Kingdom 35 CHAP. V. Of the British Princes who withstood the Saxons Conquest being accounted 13 61 CHAP. VI. Of the Saxon Princes who incroached upon one anothers Territories and so became petty Monarchs of some certain Countries only in Britain They being accounted 14 in number 70 CHAP. VII Of those 15 Saxon Princes who were accounted sole Monarchs of this Kingdom of ENGLAND 80 CHAP. VIII Of the Danes and their Conquest of England with the memorable Accidents happening during the times of those three Danish Monarchs who ruled here 97 CHAP. IX Of the Saxons Re-entry again to the Monarchy of England after the Danes Conquest 102 CHAP. X. Of England's Conquest by the Normans and first of William the Conqueror 110 CHAP. XI Of King William the Second commonly called Rufus 121 CHAP XII Of King Henry the first commonly called Beauclark for his Learning 126 CHAP. XIII Of King Stephen sometimes called Stephen of Bloyce 134 CHAP. XIV Of King Henry the Second sometimes called Henry Fitz-Empress 142 CHAP. XV. Of King Richard the first commonly called Richard Courdelion 149 CHAP. XVI Of King John commonly termed by his Father John Lackland 155 CHAP. XVII Of King Henry the Third commonly called Henry of Winchester 162 CHAP. XVIII Of King Edward the First commonly called Long-Shanks 176 CHAP. XIX Of King Edward the Second commonly called Edward of Carnarvan 181 CHAP. XX. Of King Edward the Third common called Edward of Windsor 188 Of King Richard the Second commonly called Richard of Bourdeaux 197 CHAP. XXII Of King Henry the Fourth commonly called Henry of Bullingbrook 206 CHAP. XXIII Of King Henry the Fifth commonly called Henry of Monmouth 214 CHAP. XXIV Of King Henry the Sixth commonly called Henry of Windsor 200 CHAP. XXV Of King Edward the Fourth 216 CHAP. XXVI Of Edward the Fifth 252 CHAP. XXVII Of King Richard the Third 258 CHAP. XXVIII Of King Henry the Seventh 267 CHAP. XXIX Of King Henry the Eight 278 CHAP. XXX Of King Edward the Sixth 298 CHAP. XXXI Of Queen Mary 303 CHAP. XXXII Of Queen Elizabeth 311 CHAP. XXXIII Of King James 324 CHAP. XXXIV Of King Charles the First 330 CHAP. XXXV Of King Charles the Second 356 FINIS A Catalogue of some Books lately Printed and to be sold by Thomas Basset at the George near Cliffords-Inn in Fleet street 1. A Treatise of Money or a Discourse of Coin and Coinage the first Invention Use Matter Forms Proportions and Differences Antient and Modern with the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Rise or Fall thereof in our own or neighboring Nations and the Reasons with a short account of our Common Law therein also Tables of the value of all sorts of Pearls Diamonds Gold Silver and other Mettals by R. Vaughan Esq price bound 18 pence Printed 1675. 2. A help to English History containing a succession of all the Kings of England the English Saxons and Britains the Kings and Princes of Wales the Kings and Lords of Man the Isle of Wight as also of all the Dukes Marquesses Earls and Bishops thereof with the Description of the places from whence they had their Titles together with the names and ranks of the Viscounts Barons and Baronets of England By Peter Heylin D. D. and since his Death continued to this present year 1675 with the Coats of Arms of the Nobility Blazon'd in twelves price bound 4 s. Printed 1675. 3. The Egyptian History treating of the Pyramids the Inundation of the Nile and other Prodigies of Egypt according to the opinions and traditions of the Arabians written originally in the ARABIAN Tongue by Murtadi the Son of Gaphiphus Rendered into French by Mounsier Vattier Arabick Professor to the King of France and thence Faithfully done into English by J. D. of Kidwellâ— in octavo price bound 2 s. 6 d. 4. A Rational Method for proving the truth of the Christian Religion as it is professed in the Church of England by Gelbert Burnet price bound 1 s. Printed 1675. 5. The practical Christian consisting of Meditations and Psalms illustrated with Notes or Paraphrased relating to the House of Prayer the ordinary actions of day and night and several dispositions of men by R. Sherlock price 2 s. Printed 1675. 6. The Modern Pleas for Comprehension Tolleration and the taking away the Obligation to the renouncing of the Covenant considered and discussed By Dr. Tomkins in octavo Price 2 s. Printed 1675. 7. The Russian Impostor or the History of Muscovy under the Usurpation of of Boris And the Imposture of Demetrius in octavo Price 2 s. 8. A Discourse concerning the Idolatry of the Church of Rome wherein that charge is justified and the Pretended Refutation of Dr. Stillingfleet's Discourse is answer'd by Daniel Whitby D. D. in octavo price 3 s. 6d 9. Liber Placitandi a Book of special Pleading's by W. Thomson Esquire in Folio 10. The Reports of Sir William Jones in folio Price 16 s. printed 1675. 11. The Reports of Henry Rolle Serjant at Law in folio Price 12 s. printed 1675. 12. Formulae bene Placitandi A book of Entries containing variety of choice Presidents of Counts Declarations Informations c. in two parts in folio the second Edition corrected by W. B. Price 22 s. reprinted 1575.